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Opinion

Destination Sharjah

Come November and all roads will lead to Expo Centre Sharjah. Every year, we wait for this moment to arrive. The 41st edition of Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF) is all set to begin from Nov.2. Everybody in the UAE is super excited for SIBF. Lots of authors of international repute will grace the much-loved event. A total of 1,632 exhibitors from 83 countries will attend the event. I am also looking forward to meet and listen to a few of them.


-- Thomas JeffersonSyndicated columnist Charley Reese (1937-2013): "Gun control by definition affects only honest people. When a politician tells you he wants to forbid you from owning a firearm or force you to get a license, he is telling you he doesnt trust you. Thats an insult. ... Gun control is not about guns or crime. It is about an elite that fears and despises the common people."The rifle itself has no moral stature, since it has no will of its own. Naturally, it may be used by evil men for evil purposes, but there are more good men than evil, and while the latter cannot be persuaded to the path of righteousness by propaganda, they can certainly be corrected by good men with rifles -- Jeff Cooper (1920-2006)Note for non-American readers: Crime reports from America which describe an offender just as a "teen" or "teenager" almost invariably mean a BLACK teenager.We are advised to NOT judge ALL Muslims by the actions of a few lunatics, but we are encouraged to judge ALL gun owners by the actions of a few lunatics.Two lines below of a famous hymn that would be incomprehensible to Leftists today ("honor"? "right"? "freedom?" Freedom to agree with them is the only freedom they believe in)It is of course the hymn of the USMC -- still today the relentless warriors that they always were.The intellectual Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius (AD 121-180) said: "The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane."How much do you know about Trayvon Martin? It's all here (Backups here and here An armed society is a polite society. Manners are good when one may have to back up his acts with his life. -- Robert A. HeinleinAfter all the serious stuff here, maybe we need a funny picture of a cantankerous cat
This was passed along from Bob B. and also credit to Kevin Sorbo. For me When the State tells you its safe to go to Home Depot to buy a ...
"Gothic Isn't Just the Spiky Bits on Churches"
MISSOULA -- In film school, they told Ari Novak you should never make a movie with children or dogs.

Nevertheless, the Bozeman-based writer, director and producer included all three in his latest movie, "Timber the Treasure Dog," shot in the Paradise Valley in late summer and fall of 2014.

"Directing a dog is hard," Novak said. "Directing three dogs and two kids is really hard. But I gotta say, it was one of the most rewarding films I've ever done as well."

The children did their parts just fine, including Averie South, a Missoula middle-schooler who'd just turned 10 at the time of shooting.

She wasn't the only Missoula actor involved. Jeff Medley, a regular with local theater and films, snagged a role as a henchman.

What is his henchman pursuing? The titular treasure being sniffed out by Timber, an Alaskan husky and his new owner, Mikey Jones (played by 11-year-old J.D. Hoppe of Belgrade). Timber ended up in Mikey's hands courtesy of his grandfather, played by Wilford Brimley.

Mikey and his best friend, Billie (South), are seeking out the legendary bullion of Cloud Peak, which he needs to save his family's ranch from a tycoon who's buying up land in the area when the owners fall behind on payments.

The tycoon dispatches Medley and another goon after the children, "Home Alone" style, as Timber and the other animals (Barbeque, a bull dog, and Kaia, a golden retriever) talk among themselves, unbeknownst to the humans, and lead the way to financial security.

South had taken a Missoula Children's Theatre summer camp and put together a small, original theater project with friends arranged by her mom.

She was taking classes at On Center for the Performing Arts when she heard about the auditions for "Timber" at MCT.

She showed up, and guesses there were about 100 or more girls there -- just a portion of the 400-some Novak auditioned across the state.

"I was mostly doing it for the experience, to just have fun, not really thinking I would get the part," she said.

Novak said South has "incredibly expressive eyes and an acting ability that really was well beyond her years."

In addition, South could read a line with subtext, which he said is difficult for most child actors and some adults.

South said she will pursue more acting roles if the opportunity arises.

Her favorite part of the shoot?

"Meeting the people. They were really cool," she said.

"Getting that full experience," Medley added. "Getting the pampering. Having the full costume/makeup lady getting you ready for the day."

South concurred as Medley went on.

"You know, feeling like a movie star. It's so fun. We had a good time," said Medley, who also has performed with South in the annual production of "The Nutcracker" for the past two years.

Medley went to the auditions on a whim. A friend wanted to go, and Medley was already headed to MCT for one of its biggest productions of that season.

"It was during 'Les Mis' and I was running late trying to get my stuff together. Luckily, they were right upstairs," he said.

Both Novak and his producers loved Medley's one-take audition and they offered him the role.

Initially, Medley's part was relatively small, Novak said.

However, Medley would improvise lines that were keepers, and so his role kept expanding.

"Once in a while, they'd say, 'Let's just stick with the script.' But most of the time, they'd let me get away with taking liberties," Medley said.

"If he lived in L.A., he'd be one of the most sought-after character actors in the business," Novak said.

The shoot for a kids' adventure film had its own share of adventures: the rapidly changing and sometimes disagreeable Montana weather, veering from high heat to equipment-wrecking storms.

They got to shoot some scenes in mines and caves, and South got to use a stunt double for a cliff-jumping scene.

Novak studied film at New York University and then moved to Los Angeles. He initially worked in special effects on Hollywood films like "Live Free or Die Hard" before segueing into producing and directing sci-fi films. (He directed "Cowboys vs. Dinosaurs," which is exactly what the title promises.)

He used that effects background to animate the talking animals. Kix Brooks of Brooks and Dunn voiced Timber, while Riddick Sanchez, another Missoula youth, recorded a small voiceover part for one of the talking animals. Kelson Bauman of Frenchtown also had a small, live action part.

Novak first came to Montana in 2009 and began splitting his time between New York, Los Angeles and his current home base of Bozeman. He's shot five movies in the area now with his company, Oracle Film Group.

"Timber the Treasure Dog" came out at the beginning of the month through most any outlet you can imagine: Amazon, Wal-Mart, Barnes and Noble, iTunes, Netflix on DVD and via rental at Hastings.

They're also planning a screening in Missoula at the Roxy Theater on Feb. 10, with potential for some matinees the following weekend.
Humanities Montana is now accepting online applications for 2016 Hometown Humanities at www.humanitiesmontana.org/programs/hometownhumanities/application.php. The deadline for applications is Feb. 29. Any Montana community with a population under 20,000 people is eligible to apply. Previous Hometown Humanities locations include Miles City, Dillon, Lincoln County, and Havre.

Hometown Humanities brings a years worth of humanities-based programming to a single community  15 to 25 events all free of charge and open to the public, selected from Humanities Montanas extensive program catalog. Humanities Montana staff works with the selected community to design a schedule that includes public speakers from its Montana Conversations and Speakers in the Schools programs, community conversations on local issues, reading and discussion groups, and an array of other possibilities.

Hometown Humanities supports the particular cultural interests of a Montana community, and explores the capacity of the humanities to enrich lives, foster inquiry, and stimulate civil and informed conversations about the human experience. It gets people talking  sometimes about challenging and sensitive subjects  in ways that broaden perspectives and bring people together. For more information visit www.humanitiesmontana.org or call 406-243-6022.
ROME (TNS) -- Pope Francis on Friday granted a rare audience to Google's former chief executive, Eric Schmidt, now executive chairman of Alphabet, the newly formed conglomerate which includes the Internet giant.

The Vatican announced Schmidt's audience with Francis in a statement which gave no details of the encounter.

The powerful Silicon Valley executive, environmentalist and philanthropist was due to meet the Pope for 15 minutes at the Vatican in Rome in a sign of the importance Francis attaches to technology, the UK's Guardian newspaper reported, citing a source close to the Vatican.

Jared Cohen, a former US state department official who is now head of Google Ideas was also due to attend the audience, the paper said, citing another source familiar with the meeting.

An ardent critic of capitalism and inequality, the pope is not known to have met often with American business figures. He has admitted he doesn't have a computer but has called the Internet a "gift from God."

"This is something truly good," Francis said in a key speech on technology in 2014, noting the importance of social media in what he has often referred to as the power of the "encounter."

"In a world like this, media can help us to feel closer to one another, creating a sense of the unity of the human family which can in turn inspire solidarity and serious efforts to ensure a more dignified life for all," he said.

Francis was the first pope to regularly use the microblogging website Twitter, and the @Pontifex account, first opened by his predecessor Pope Benedict, now has over 22 million followers.

Alphabet -- a holding company created in October to hold Google, YouTube, Android and others -- is worth about $500 billion, making it one of the largest public companies in the world.
BILLINGS -- Mining companies say a federal decision to stop leasing coal on public lands has bottled up Montana and Wyoming coal projects.

The leasing suspension announced Friday by the Department of the Interior has put expansion plans in doubt at the Spring Creek Mine in southeast Montana, and Antelope Mine in Wyoming, developer Cloud Peak Energy said.

Cloud Peak was trying to determine whether the lease suspension would stop a 1,602-acre lease adjacent to Spring Creek Mine. The lease, involving 198.2 million tons of mineable coal, is beyond preliminary approval, but is still under environmental review, which might not be far enough to avoid suspension.

A proposed lease adjacent to Antelope Mine, 60 miles south of Gillette, was to receive a regional hearing before the Powder River Basin Regional Coal Team later this month.

"We believe this review process is not warranted and is aimed at delaying leases to ensure the coal is never mined, denying its economic benefits to the nation," said Colin Marshall, Cloud Peak CEO. "We do not believe this announcement will have any immediate impact on our operations, and we will continue serving our customers to provide safe, reliable and affordable electricity for our nation."

Cloud Peak has strong coal reserves, the company said, including non-federal reserves that aren't subject to Interior's suspension.

In announcing the suspension, the DOI said it needed time to determine whether mining companies are paying the public a fair amount for coal taken from federal lands. Also, the federal government wants to determine if the bidding process for public coal is truly competitive, and whether coal policy contradicts federal climate change policy, among other things.

Interior Secretary Sally Jewell said the suspension shouldn't halt coal mining or suspend current leases. The suspension does not involve coal leases on Indian land.

Federal coal from the Powder River basin in Wyoming and Montana accounts for 85 percent of federal coal production.

Just a few miles from Spring Creek, applications expanding the Decker Mine by Lighthouse Resources also appeared to be in doubt. Utah-based Lighthouse Resources, which only makes itself available by email, didnt respond to Billings Gazette inquiries.

Lighthouse was working on a 460-acre lease modification to expand its current mining of federal land near the Montana-Wyoming boarder.

Because lease modifications involve land already under development, new tracts are often in the shadow of a mining company's dragline coal shovel. DOI exempted lease modifications 160 acres or smaller from Friday's announced suspension.

Lighthouse had a 40-acre lease modification in the works, which seemed unaffected.

The lease suspensions shouldn't be a job killer, said Chris Saeger of Western Values Project.

"The sky is neither falling, nor is this a new dawn," Saeger said. "It's not going to end coal mining on public lands, whether you like it or not."

The suspension of new leases comes as Interior retools the way royalties are assessed on public coal.

U.S. Sen. Steve Daines, R-Mont., said the lease suspension targeted Montana and Wyoming coal.

"It is an unprecedented assault on one of Montanas most important sources of good paying jobs and tax revenue that will likely shut down coal development in Montana and Wyoming's Powder River Basin," Daines said. "I will do everything I can do stop Pres. Obamas radical effort to shut down Montana coal.

The federal government has suspended coal leasing before, under Presidents Richard Nixon and Ronald Reagan.

Montana Gov. Steve Bullock, a Democrat, also blasted Obama for this latest decision on coal.

"Pres. Obama is wrong, and once again Montanas working families are left bearing the brunt of his unilateral action," Bullock said. "Of course American taxpayers should get their fair value from coal leases and of course there should be transparency in the process. But you dont shut down a program just to tinker with it -- you fix as you go."

This the second time in six months that Bullock as balked at Obama coal policy.

In August, Bullock accused Obama of "moving the goal posts" on carbon pollution limits from power plants. Pollution reductions for Montana's power plants were stronger than initially expected

Interior employees will review six different federal coal policy issues during the suspension. In addition to the fair return, competitive leasing and climate change issues outlined by Jewell, employees will look at how coal sales to foreign companies have changed coal industry profits and whether the public is benefiting from those changes. Social and economic impacts of coal, including job creation will be reviewed. Finally, coals role in meeting U.S. energy needs will be addressed.

All six issues were brought up last year in DOI public hearings in Western coal states. In Billings, the DOI hearing drew several hundred people, with emotionally charged arguments both for and against federal coal policy.

One of those testifying was former Montana Department of Revenue Director Dan Bucks, who said the miscalculations in coal royalties was costing Montana $30 million over five years. Bucks said Friday the suspension would benefit everyone.

A complete assessment of the federal coal program is overdue. There are a host of energy, environmental, social, fiscal and managerial issues that need to be addressed, Bucks said. The coal industry, coal workers and communities, and the public deserve answers to the many questions that create uncertainty for this source of energy.

The suspension will also put an end to federal mineral rights swaps with private parties that can be devastating to people living above coal, said Jeanie Alderson of Birney.

Because mineral rights and surface rights are often not held by the same person, such swaps with the federal government can expose a surface owners to mining they cannot stop, said Alderson a member of the Northern Plains Resource Council.
BUTTE -- Authorities say those responsible for bomb threats that forced the Butte-Silver Bow Courthouse to be evacuated Thursday and Friday could face felony charges if caught.

More than 100 employees had to leave the building Friday morning just as they did Thursday afternoon because of phoned-in bomb threats. Searches turned up nothing.

A justice court employee fielded a call Thursday and said it sounded like a recording in a males voice saying there were bombs in the building. It said if all prisoners were not released within 30 minutes, there will be a massacre.

Sheriff Ed Lester said a different employee, this one in district court, took what appeared to be a recorded phone call Friday morning saying there were bombs inside. It did not mention prisoners.

Both callers have been male, and it appears they were either repeating themselves or it is a recorded message, Lester said.

A similar threat forced evacuation of the courthouse in Helena on Thursday, but Lester said there had been no repeated threat in that city as of late Friday morning.

Lester held a news conference at noon Friday with Butte-Silver Bow Chief Executive Matt Vincent; Fire Chief Jeff Miller; and Dan Dennehy, director of emergency services, to discuss the threats.

Lester said his officers are working with the FBI and federal Department of Homeland Security in an attempt to locate the source of the calls. They don't feel there is any imminent threat but said protocol and evacuations must be followed just in case.

Vincent said the threats were more than an inconvenience since they forced more than 100 courthouse employees to leave the building. Miller said six to eight firefighters responded to each call, and Lester said at least six of his officers were on scene.

Vincent said the lost work time for courthouse employees alone was thousands of dollars, not to mention tying up police and firefighters from other duties.

Lester said the incident would at least be a misdemeanor false report offense locally, but because emergency responders had to rush to the scene and put others at risk en route, it could be considered felony endangerment carrying more than a year of jail time. Federal charges also might come into play, he said.
The ongoing saga regarding potential sanctions against Helena doctor Mark Ibsen will continue until at least March, most likely even longer.

After more than seven hours of discussion Thursday, the state medical board decided it wants to suspend Ibsen's license until he completes a one-day course in record-keeping. The proposed action will not go into effect until a final order is drafted and signed by the members of the board. This could happen in at the group's March meeting.

Ibsen's attorney, John Doubek, said he intends to challenge the order in district court with a petition for a judicial review.

"From what we heard will be in the order, it will be appealed," Doubek said Friday. "It's certainly not justified."

Other sanctions discussed by the board included supervision of Ibsen's work and annual audits of his charts.

Mike Fanning, the Board of Medical Examiners' attorney, said the discussion from the meeting will be used as the basis for the final order.

"This is a slow and ponderous process, and it really should be. No one takes this lightly," Fanning said. "It has been slow and difficult."

In November, the board rejected an order that would have placed Ibsen's medical license on probation. The 50-page order written by a hearing officer for the Montana Department of Labor and Industry called for Ibsen's medical license to be placed on probation for 180 days. The order was submitted in June.

"We don't think his decision ought to be thrown to the dogs," Doubek said of the order.

Meanwhile, Ibsen closed his practice, Urgent Care Plus, in December.

Ibsen said the more than two years of hearings followed by the arduous waiting for word from the Board of Medical Examiners regarding allegations of improper record-keeping have rendered him emotionally and financially exhausted. His practice cannot be revived, he said.

When at full staff, Urgent Care Plus had upwards of 18 employees, he said. The clinic ran at 39 Neill Ave. for about six years. Ibsen said he averaged about 11,000 patients annually.

Initial allegations against Ibsen included that he over-prescribed narcotics. The hearing officer deemed Ibsens pain-pill prescriptions legitimate medical reasons and said that he employed and encouraged alternatives to medication for chronic pain. For failing to meet standards of care for record-keeping, the order recommended Ibsen complete a seminar on how to properly maintain records.

This case began in July 2013. The order followed four days of hearings last December spawned by allegations by a former employee of Ibsen. More than 20 witnesses testified.
Three-fourths of Montana is covered by volunteer emergency medical services, but that coverage model is reaching critical thresholds in terms of staffing and funding for many rural areas, the Montana Department of Health and Human Services says in a new report.

The department presented the Montana Emergency Medical Services report to the Education and Local Government Interim Committee on Thursday. The report comes as part of the SJR 21 legislative study of local fire and emergency services, detailing workforce, education and funding challenges faced by EMS providers throughout the state.

Especially the last five to six years, Im becoming more and more troubled about our EMS system, Jim DeTienne, EMS and trauma systems section supervisor for DPHHS, told the committee. It is very fractured. It is very troubled. It is not going to sustain in the same way weve built it in the last 30 years for much longer.

Its becoming more common that a service calls me and says, I dont know that we have people to respond this weekend, are we going to get in trouble with the state if someone calls 911 and no one responds?

Unlike services such as fire or law enforcement, EMS is not legally mandated and can face budget cuts to fulfill legal obligations to other essential services, he said.

EMS is an essential service, but its not in any statute or regulation, he said. Even if we dont do it statutorily, put it high in your mind that it is an essential service that is needed everywhere.

Nobody has to pay for it, but everybody thinks you call 911 and theyll be there.

Many assume EMS is sustainable because it receives reimbursement for services. But according to the report, EMS only receives reimbursement for transporting the patient to the hospital.

The cost of readiness of even a volunteer service is significant, and CMS Medicaid reimbursement does not typically meet the costs of the EMS service, the report says.

One way to help keep costs down is to implement alternative EMS such as community health paramedicine, DeTienne said. The concept would increase EMSs roles in preventative care in the home.

It makes more sense to train a workforce that is there to go to the patient with a chronic disease, and see them more regularly in the home so were not getting up at 3 a.m. and taking them in the ambulance a couple of hours to the hospital, he said.

Recruiting and retaining a volunteer workforce is becoming increasingly difficult because of aging volunteers and a shrinking pool of new volunteers in rural communities. In areas that do have paid staff, the salaries are often not adequate with the cost of living, according to the report.

There are a lot of older EMTs that cant do it much longer, and theres nothing to replace them, DeTienne said. We need to work on the workforce and how to get more people in.

On the education front, volunteers require hundreds of hours of training, which can be highly variable, he said. While urban and rural regions of Montana need equally competent EMTs, the training still uses a 30-year-old education model, and distance learning technology is not always available in rural communities, he added.

DeTienne recommended pursuing regional education for both staff and managers, as well as looking for ways to compensate EMS volunteers, such as the retirement program available to volunteer firefighters. Communities must also look beyond the volunteer model for services to remain sustainable, he said.

There really isnt any incentive for a volunteer to stay in the business other than their passion for patient care, he said. We need to have more paid people. Well never get rid of volunteers in communities, well always need them, but these communities are trying to find other ways to have paid people and make that a paid profession at least in the daytime when volunteers have jobs theyre working and cant get loose.
"... It is only in this way that we can hope to arrive at truth, and fulfill the great responsibility which we hold to God and our country. Should I keep back my opinions at such a time, through fear of giving offense, I should consider myself as guilty of treason towards my country, and of an act of disloyalty toward the Majesty of Heaven, which I revere above all earthly kings."....I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!"
If youre hunting for a book or two for your teenager about money and investing that just might flip his switch, there are plenty of titles to sift through.

The challenge is to find books that a young reader will actually crack open or wont cause their eyes to glaze over by the second reference to debits, credits and compound interest.

The start of a new year is when I seem to get the most requests from readers for books that will help teach the kids some of the basics of finances, stocks and investing. I chalk it up to kids being flush with holiday cash, and parents wanting them to develop good spending and savings habits.

I do have some favorites, and Ive added a couple recommended by financial education experts. While these suggestions may not include any classics, they fit my criteria of being both educational and entertaining.

At the top of my list is The Richest Man in Babylon, a compact collection of short stories written by Missouri native George Clason. I first heard about this book early in my newspaper career and have occasionally handed out copies of the paperback in high school classes Ive visited.

Despite being published in 1926, its commonsense financial advice about saving money and financial success  using ancient Babylon as a setting to cement points  is still relevant to todays teens. Clasons basic principles include the importance of saving and investing, insuring your assets and controlling expenses.

Whats more Richest Man can be read cover to cover in a couple of hours.

One of the problems with books about money, personal finance or economics is that many read like textbooks. Theyre dull with a capital D. But a teen shouldnt need any energy drinks to get through Money Secrets of the Rich and Famous by Michael Reynard.

The intriguing title says it all, as Reynard chronicled the spending habits and financial fortunes and misfortunes of the likes of Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Edison, Elvis Presley, Babe Ruth and Marilyn Monroe.

In similar fashion, but with heavier doses of data, is The Millionaire Next Door: The Surprising Secrets of Americas Wealthy. This is another book  written by Thomas Stanley and William Danko 20 years ago  that has story lines that ring true today.

What the authors exhaustive research found is that the typical millionaire shuns fancy cars, fashionable wardrobes and mansions on the hill. Instead, theyre more likely to live in relatively modest homes, wear inexpensive clothes and drive older model cars with lots of miles on the odometer. The underlying money messages deal with wants and needs, personal values and the beauty of compound interest.

The takeaway for a 16-year-old? You too can be that quietly successful millionaire.

If youre looking for personal finance textbooks, the Lightbulb Press has two offerings. The Guide to Money & Investing, and the Guide to Personal Finance provide basic introductions to topics such as banking, taxes, the financial markets and investing.

While books are great, social media also offer ways for teens and young adults to develop financial smarts. Check out author and financial journalist Farnoosh Torabi, who has a growing following through her regular podcasts geared to 20-somethings with money issues. And websites such Mint.com have blogs full of helpful how-tos for younger people in search of financial self-sufficiency.
Studying abroad in South Korea in her last semester of college afforded Mattoon resident Emily Strawn not only a change of scenery but also the sense of adventure she was looking for at this stage of her life.

"I have always been interested in different cultures so some of my desire to study abroad stemmed from that," said the December 2015 graduate of Grace College and Theological Seminary of Winona Lake, Ind. She earned a bachelor's degree in counseling with a minor in general science.

"I guess I kind of wanted to go out with a bang. It's not every day that you get the opportunity to live in a different country for four months."

To enter the study abroad program, she said she endured an intense application process including two applications at her school and another application specific to the school in Handong.

The first application at Grace was just a basic application including her name, GPA, etc., while the second one was a checklist with criteria such as letters of recommendations from teachers and having the dean of students sign it.

It was "not a process I want to relive anytime soon," Strawn said. "It was a lot of work."

Approximately 60 international students participated, including students from countries like the US, Japan, China, Taiwan, Malaysia, Thailand, Hungary, Poland, Latvia, Lithuania, Peru, Mexico, Madagascar, Russia, Kazakhstan and Mongolia. The students studied at Handong Global University in Pohang, South Korea.

"While I was there, we had the largest number of international students that the school has ever had," she said.

"I met so many great people from so many countries. I really got a view on multiple cultures, and I have friends in a number of countries now. If I ever go traveling again, there are places that I can stay in Korea, England, Hungary, Mongolia and Malaysia.

"I even made new friends from the States that I could go visit if I wanted to. It really was just an amazing experience."

Strawn stayed in an international dorm where everyone spoke English, sharing a room with three other girls.

"The weird part about the rooms is that the shower is not separated from the sink at all. There is not a separate cubicle for the shower or anything. There is a drain in the middle of the floor, and there was a handheld shower faucet. Water got everywhere. It was interesting to figure out where to put your clothes so they wouldn't get soaked while you were showering," she said.

One of many highlights of her trip was traveling with nine other girls from the school to Jeju Island.

"We did all sorts of things while we were there: hiking, going to a famous cafe, visiting a Hello Kitty museum and visiting an optical illusion museum.

"My favorite part of the trip was going horseback riding. I had never been before, so I was really excited," Strawn said. "Basically all they do is put you on a horse and have you hold onto a bar on the saddle while the horse walks around a short trail, but it was still exciting to me.

"The best part, though, happened after we were finished riding. The people running the ranch had us pose individually for pictures while we were on the horses. We could buy one picture for 15,000 KRW (Korean Won), which is about $15.

"When I was waved over to the computer to see the picture, I was so excited. This was a new experience for me and the picture would have made a great souvenir. The woman working pulled up a photo on her computer and smiled at me. She then pointed at their display frame and explained the prices and everything to me.

"There was just one problem: The picture was definitely not me. The girl in the picture was Western, certainly, but still not me. So I told the woman that it wasn't me and she just looked so confused. She did start looking through more pictures, however she kept coming back to the same picture of the other girl.

"I never did get my picture."

She said the story was worth a good laugh, though.

Staying in another country didn't come without a few challenges.

There was a time when she and a friend noticed a language barrier. It was their first time traveling out of the Pohang, and they became "hopelessly lost" she said. They ended up asking some of the locals for help and they said "No English, no English."

Fortunately she and her American friend were able to share their map with the South Korean natives, and they were able to figure out where the girls were staying. They took the time to walk the girls back to their hotel.

"To experience such kindness from strangers was really a blessing," Strawn said.

Other challenges besides the language barrier included a difference in the way food was prepared and a bit of homesickness.

"I never really got the hang of Korean, although I can understand more than I can speak. So there was a definite language barrier. I became quite skilled at reading nonverbal cues by the time I came home," she said.

Adjusting to spicy foods was another challenge and a shock to her system; however, she said, "On the bright side, I have a much higher tolerance for spice now."

She was in Korea from August until December, but didn't really get homesick until around Thanksgiving.

"I think it was the fact that the holidays were starting and I wasn't with my family. That was really difficult," Strawn said. "I felt like I was missing out on so much. I'm just glad I was able to come home in time for Christmas."

For Strawn, traveling to South Korea is something she wants to do again and she desires to share the experience with her family; she is the daughter of Dennis and Melinda Strawn of Mattoon. She said if she wins the lottery she is taking her whole family there. She wants them to see all the places she enjoyed and to meet her Korean friends.

"I wouldn't enjoy the 11-plus-hour plane ride to get there, but I would absolutely go back. In fact, I really want to go back."
JERUSALEM (AP)  Jewish immigration to Israel from western Europe has reached an all-time high as a result of a rise in anti-Semitic attacks, a leading nonprofit group said Thursday.

The Jewish Agency, which works closely with the Israeli government and acts as a link for Jews around the world, reported that 9,880 western European Jews immigrated to Israel in 2015  the highest annual number ever.

The vast majority, close to 8,000, came from France where a rise in anti-Semitic attacks has shattered the sense of security of the world's third-largest Jewish population.

Close to 800 Jews have emigrated from Britain in this latest exodus. Italy and Belgium are next on the list.

"That a record number of European Jews feel that Europe is no longer their home should alarm European leaders and serve as a wake-up call for all who are concerned about the future of Europe," said Jewish Agency Chairman Natan Sharansky.

"At the same time, the fact that Israel has become the No. 1 destination for European Jews seeking to build a better future elsewhere is a tribute to the appeal of life in Israel and the values the Jewish state represents," Sharansky added.

Experts say European Jews have not felt this threatened since World War II, when 6 million Jews were murdered in the Nazi Holocaust. Jews have been targeted in Belgium, Denmark and other European countries, but France has seen the worst of it. Jews have increasingly reported assaults and intimidation, mostly from Muslim extremists. While some attacks have been linked to anger at Israeli policies toward the Palestinians, most have been anti-Semitic in nature.

France's Jewish community of some 500,000 is the largest in Europe. Jewish schools and synagogues are often surrounded by soldiers in combat fatigues who patrol the streets with automatic rifle. Though Jews make up less than 1 percent of the population, French officials say more than 50 percent of all reported racist attacks in 2014 were directed against them.

France records hundreds of anti-Semitic and anti-Muslim incidents every year, from vandalism to a vicious hostage-taking at a kosher market a year ago that killed four people. That is a big factor that drove French Jews to emigrate last year.

An Israeli government minister viewed the Marseille move as another sign that French Jews should emigrate, saying, "This will be the best solution."
SULLIVAN  Dispatchers handling emergency calls made in Moultrie County will soon have complete information about the location of a call available to them, no matter whether it comes from a cellphone or landline.

The Moultrie County Board approved during its monthly meeting this week an agreement to allow for Coles County dispatchers to handle emergency calls made from landlines. The change would give Moultrie County the type of enhanced 911 system it has been seeking for several years and at minimal cost, board Chairman Dave McCabe said.

Concerns about the possible high cost of such technology led officials to take their time in considering options to improve the system, McCabe said.

It's a great thing to establish a true E911 system, McCabe said. We were finally able to get it done. It will not create a financial hardship.

The Coles County Board approved the agreement in December, which includes changes to the monthly 911 fee for cellphones in the two counties, increasing from 72 cents to 87 cents and the fee for Coles County landlines decreasing to 87 cents from $1.95, which it's been since the system first went online in 1997. Revenue collected from the surcharges will go to Coles County for operation of the system, McCabe said.

An application to the Illinois State Police still needs to be completed, and then information from phone companies will need to be updated into a database before the merger will take full effect, Coles County 911 director Bernie Buttram said.

Everything is ready to go, Buttram said about the paperwork for the application.

The changes became necessary after state legislation took effect this year to address the lack of complete 911 systems in nine Illinois counties, including Moultrie.

The Coles County dispatch center already handles 911 calls from Moultrie County made from cellphones. Detailed information can pinpoint the location of those calls to within about 40 yards, Buttram said.

Dispatchers will still seek to confirm information from callers, but, in some cases, Buttram said having it already available will save time when the caller isn't able to provide it.

Information will be available so dispatchers know which emergency responders have jurisdiction in the area of the call, he said.

Compiling all the information into the database could still take several months, but Buttram is expecting a smooth transition.

The joint system will be known as the Coles County/Moultrie County Emergency Telephone System.
Gor Avetisyan, 25, is one of the new breed of Armenian vintners.

Were standing next to a ten ton grape fermentation vat when Gor tells me that wine is a living organism that demands constant attention. If you neglect it, the wine gets angry and sick. Once sick, there is no cure, says the vintner.

For the past eight months Gor Avetisyan (below)has been crafting wines for the Edvag Group who sells its wines and spirits under the 365 wines brand name. A graduate of Armenias Agrarian University, Gor describes a vintner as someone who understands the language of wine. He says that our casual conversations can have an impact on wine.

They say that if you can craft a good white wine or champagne, the others are easy. White wine must be light and young. Its complex and doesnt take kindly to oxidation, says Gor. He finds the fermentation process the least interesting of all. Either the folks back home miss me or else its the time when you start disciplining the wine, say the young winemaker with a smile.

The company doesnt own its own vineyards, but gets its grapes from fields in the provinces of Vayots Dzor and Ararat. The vintner, nevertheless, follows the maturation stage of the grape in the field until it is picked. He also notes how many times the grapes have been watered, what fertilizers have been used, and other details.

Marineh Sahakyan (above), in charge of the factorys laboratory, checks to see if the grapes meet the standards the company has set for winemaking. Only then are the grapes harvested. At the lab the entire wine preparation process is monitored. Numerous problems can crop up during wine making that must be attended to, she says, again noting that wine is a living organism.

Ten Years of Winemaking

365 Wines began production in 2006. Edvag Group was founded by Vahagn Gevorgyan, an economist by profession. Gevorgyan, who serves as company president, once oversaw the manufacture of the bottles used in the assembly process. Aleksandr Froundjyan, the companys vice-president (top photo) shows me the unit where the bottles were made, many resembling apricot and pomegranate fruit. The unit now longer operates and the company now purchases bottles from other manufacturers.

Froundjian points to the bottles the company imports from Russia. He says its much more cost effective than purchasing bottles made in Armenia. Nevertheless, the company buys some locally manufactured bottles.

Froundjian, once employed in the banking sector, has been working for 365 Wines for the past six months. He also spent ten years farm raising fish and growing mushrooms. He says that Armenians are neither fish eaters nor consumers of mushrooms, but have started to drink more wine of late.

The beverages produced by 365 Wines can be found in most stores in Armenia. I have friends working in another plant who think we must have a large staff working here. I dont contradict them. In reality, though, we only have two people working on the distribution end; one manager and one delivery guy. But looking at the scope of our distribution youd think we have a large plant, says Froundjian.

The company first entered the market in 2006 with its pomegranate wine in a bottle resembling the fruit itself. It became the companys trademark item. Thats also where the 365 Wine brand name came from; the number of pomegranate seeds on each bottle.

Today, the company produces grape and fruit wines, fortified wines, fruit brandy and cocktail beverages. 365 Wine employees say the company is the first in Armenia to produce fortified wines. The company produces a Passion de Pineau and a rose variety it describes as a sweet fortified drink made from a blend of unfermented Rkatsiteli grape must and Armenian brandy spirit.

The company also produces wines made from grapes that are either hung out to dry and grapes that are kept under the snow for a certain period. The technology is called amarone reserve.

Froundjian says such technology is time consuming and not the preferred way to make wine in Armenia. He says that manufacturing in Armenia is fraught with various challenges but that 365 Wines is holding its own. The company exports to Greece, Lebanon, Israel, China, Russia and the Baltic countries.

The company, semi-automated, currently employs 25 people. When I ask how the bottles are painted to resemble fruit, Gor Avetisyan jokes, Here, people are the equipment.

Narineh Hovhannisyan paints each bottle by hand to resemble a pomegranate, apricot, quince or blackberry. Using edible paints, she prepares around 850 bottles daily. When I ask if the work isnt difficult, Narineh smiles, If we didnt love our work, youd taste it in the wine.

Nouneh Mouradyan, who corks and waxes all the small pomegranate bottles, expresses the same sentiment. Here she is seen at her work station using an electric heater and hand waxer. The wax itself comes from Russia. At one time, the company purchased wax from Armenia but it was of lower quality.

As I roam around the plant, with my photographer in tow, I try and get a sense of how the workers feel.

Gor, our guide, leads us to the wine cellar and says, Were one big family here. The wine picks up on all the vibes. It senses everything, even a conversation at the holding vat.

Photos: Narek Aleksanyan
Recent news reports say that Mikhail Baghdasarov, former owner of the now defunct Armavia Airlines, has been offered a position with Georgian Airways.

The businessman leaked the news himself to the Armenian periodical NewMag. In the spring of 2013, when Armavia (then the flag carrier of Armenia) was going under, Baghdasarov hinted at getting back in the aviation business in an interview with eMedia.am.

When asked if he thought that Armavia would ever get back on its feet, Baghdasarov responded:

-Nothing can be ruled out in this life. My return can be ruled out, but Armavia may return. I no longer want to be involved in aviation. Its a thankless occupation, even if conditions change. I believe the sector will do fine without me. Ill find a less stressful business for myself.

-Hopefully here in Armenia.

-It all depends on the business. Its possible here or overseas. Most likely overseas. Ill retain some interests here, but of course not in aviation. Its no secret that the numbers of people leaving [Armenia] have increased. So why cant I be one of them? Secondly, its not Im just leaving. Its just that Im doing business elsewhere.

So, is Baghdasarov getting back in the aviation business or not despite previous claims that its a thankless occupation?

Interim Georgian Airways Manager Robert Oganesian told sputnikarmenia.ru that there was no truth to the allegations that Baghdasarov would be working for the company.

We should note that Baghdasarov has strong ties with Georgian Airways dating back to when Armavia was operating. In fact, Baghdasarov told reporters in July 2011 that he was planning to purchase Georgian Airlines and that negotiations were ongoing.

Georgian Airways, founded in 1993 under the name Airzena, started flying a year later. In 1999 Airzena merged with Air Georgia to become Airzena Georgian Airlines. That same year, the company became the flag carrier of Georgia. In August 2004, the company changed its name to Georgian Airways. Today, Georgian Airways is a fully privately owned company, with a fleet of six modern medium-haul Boeing 737 and CRJ aircraft. Based in Tbilisi International Airport, the airline also operates flights to Yerevan.

Former Armavia employees are very familiar with Tamaz Gaiashvili, President of the Georgian Airways Board of Directors.

He was listed as one of the top 80 richest Georgians in 2012 by The Georgian Times with assets totaling some US$40 million.

During Baghdasarovs stint as owner of Armavia (2005-2013), the Armenian and Georgian national carriers closely cooperated. From 2007-2009, Armavia operated its first Boeing 737-300 aircraft (4L-TGL) that was leased from Georgian Airways. The flight and cabin crew were from Georgia.

Armavias Georgian Boeing Aircraft (Frankfurt, June 6, 2007)

In 2009, Armavia leased another aircraft (Canadair CRJ 200LR - EK-20073) from the Georgian company. Given that Armavia soon purchases a similar craft, the plane was returned.

The EK-20073 over Zurich (August 6, 2009)

The Georgian company later attempted to lease aircraft to Armavia on two separate occasions but the deals fell through.

Interestingly, last year then Georgian Airways General Director Iase Zautashvili publicly complained about Georgias Open Sky policy, describing it as one of the major challenges facing the company. Zautashvili argued that it had given an unfair advantage to Russian companies.

Under the policy, in 2014 Georgia gave 13 Russian companies permission to enter the country. Each was allowed to conduct 14 flights a week between Moscow and Tbilisi. (Direct Tbilisi-Moscow-Tbilisi flights were cut after Russia and Georgia clashed in the August 2008 war. Since 2011, Georgian Airways and Russias Sibir Airlines have carried out direct charter flights to various cities between the two countries, including Tbilisi and Batumi.)

In late 2014, in a sign of protest, the Georgian carrier temporarily suspended flights to Moscow and threatened to do the same for other destinations. Shortly after, however, the airline resumed all flights since Georgias aviation authorities agreed to strike parity regarding the number of flights to be operated by Georgian and Russian carriers.

Another demand set forth by Georgian Airways is that it wanted to regain its status as the countrys national carrier. The authorities never responded to this request.

In essence, both in Armenia and Georgia, Russian carriers are the first to benefit from the Wests much ballyhooed Open Sky policy.

With their large pool of resources these Russian carriers are able to gobble up local markets while shunting aside domestic national carriers.

Top photo: Mikhail Baghdasarov, Tamaz Gaiashvili
Only reporters were on hand today at a protest march organized by relatives of the Avetisyan family today in Gyumri days before the trail of Russian soldier Valery Permyakov, is set to recommence.

Valery Permyakov, a soldier serving at the Russian 102nd military base in Gyumri, has been charged with the January 12, 2015 murder of seven Avetisyan family members and his trial has begun in an Armenian court.

Rita Petrosyan, sister of slain Hasmik Avetisyan has said that the family is thinking of boycotting the January 18 trial to take place on the premises of the military base.

Todays march, had it taken place, was supposed to head towards the Shirak Provincial Court where relatives were to demand a meeting with the court president.

Relatives say they want Armenias Prosecutor General Gevorg Kostanyan to prosecute the case against Permyakov and for the trial to relocate to the local first court of jurisdiction since it is a larger venue.

Avetisyan family relatives found todays meager gathering a bit depressing but understandable given the arrests that took place last year when Gyumri residents publicly vented their anger over the murders and the way Permyakov had originally been handed over to Russian military prosecutors.

Rita Petrosyan argued that conducting the trial at the military base is depriving local residents of their right to participate and that everything is being done to placate the Russians.
The Williamson Magnetic Recording Company, located at 1019 Williamson St. opened in November as Madison's only analog-exclusive recording stud
Guadalupe Cabello, with her daughter, Jossi, 10, who has cerebral palsy, listens to interpreter Guadalupe Mangin, center, as they meet with Dr. Deb McLeish, right, at American Family Children's Hospital. Mangin, who has been trained and certified as a health care interpreter, is one of seven Spanish language interpreters who work for UW Health. The field of health care interpreting is becoming more standardized as health systems treat an increasingly diverse range of patients.
Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker addresses supporters of the state's School Choice program during a rally at La Casa de Esperanza in Waukesha, Wis. Thursday, April 25, 2013. John Hart - State Journal
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A Madison company that helps keep computer data centers humming is getting a pot of investor money.

Ebullient has raised $1.2 million and expects to finalize another $1.2 million by the end of the month, said founder and CEO Tim Shedd.

The company also converted $1.1 million in debt into equity from a previous investment round, he said.

Ebullient makes a new type of cooling system for data centers  operations that house the sophisticated servers that let computer systems communicate with each other.

The servers give off a lot of heat, and if they overheat, they can shut down.

Traditionally, the warehouse-size buildings that house the servers are cooled using large, industrial-size air conditioners but Shedd says that equipment is outdated and inefficient.

They have to have fans that are blowing full blast, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Theyre cooling the whole space, he said.

Ebullients technology involves pumping a liquid through flexible tubes into sealed modules mounted right inside the computers. The liquid, made by 3M, is safer than water which can damage computer equipment, Shedd said.

You can, literally, take a computer and throw it into a bath of this stuff. It wont hurt it at all, he said.

Shedd said Ebullients system can cut the typical energy bill of a data center by about 75 percent.

The company, founded in March 2013, has offices in Common Wealths Madison Enterprise Center, 100 S. Baldwin, with six full-time and three part-time employees.

With the new investment, Shedd said he plans to hire about five more employees by spring.

Parts are made by companies around Wisconsin, he said, with the largest components manufactured by Furey Filter and Pump in Germantown.

We are ramping up to support revenue generation, he said. Ebullient already has customers and generated about $185,000 in revenue in 2015, said Shedd, who is on leave from his position as an associate professor of mechanical engineering at the UW-Madison.

A private investment group with ties to Aspen, Colorado, led the latest funding round. In all, by the end of January, the company will have raised $3.6 million since it was formed, Shedd said.
In a nondescript rental unit in earshot of where Interstate 90 meets the Beltline, Paul Asper spends late nights developing hard cider he hopes will fill a niche in the craft-alcohol trend booming throughout the Madison area and across the nation.

The 37-year-old veteran started Restoration Cider Co. with his wife, Lissa Koop, in 2013 with a mission to ferment a dry, crisp hard cider more akin to a white wine to stand apart from the sweet, soda-like ciders that dominate the market, Koop said.

In quintessential mom-and-pop fashion, Asper and Koop run all aspects of the business from marketing to product development. At the same time, they balance professional careers, Asper as an emergency room nurse and Koop as a corporate attorney, while raising two young daughters.

Koop said her husband does the large majority of the duties for Restoration Cider and often works until 3 a.m. after his regular job and spending time with family. But as a member of the Minnesota Air National Guard, Asper is gone a few days a month, leaving some tasks in her hands, Koop said.

Youd be hard-pressed to find another business owner who works harder than Paul, both in time-wise and coming up with creative solutions to keep this affordable, Koop said.

To help manage it all, Koops mother and stepfather, Lynn Breunig and Dave Tremble from Prairie du Sac, regularly watch their granddaughters when the couple is occupied.

I like Lissa to be able to enjoy some of the cider-related outings, to be able to go and participate in that, because shes mainly focused on the kids and her office, Breunig said.

Even Aspers parents, Vergie and Al, make the trip from their home in Albert Lea, Minnesota, about once a month to visit and offer to watch the children.

Through all the effort, Restoration Cider last summer sold its first kegs to local bars and restaurants, but in 2016, Asper said he hopes to ferment about 10 times the volume after restoring 40-year-old dairy tanks to meet his needs.

Currently, the company makes two products, Starkweather and Sugar River. The former is a completely dry cider made from Wisconsin apples high in tannin, a compound that contributes a bitter flavor. The latter is the same base cider but with fresh-pressed juice added to give it a hint of sweetness.

I never really saw myself as a cider drinker. I had tried other ciders but didnt order it out, said Lynn Breunig, Koops mother. I love the Starkweather, the very dry cider. Its delicious, so Im a convert, actually.

Both beverages are named after water sources in the Madison area, a trend Asper said he plans to continue when creating more products.

Inspiration from abroad

Paul Asper said he was always just a beer guy, not very interested in cider because of its sweet taste.

It seemed kind of fake, like it was a wine cooler, he said.

But his sentiments toward cider changed a few years ago after the couple visited northwest Spain.

While at a store, they purchased a dirt cheap bottle of a regional cider, Koop said. The animated clerk was enthusiastic about their purchase and instructed them how to properly pour the beverage into a glass from at least a meter high, Asper said.

The first couple sips, we didnt know what to think of it, Asper said. Then it just grew on us, and we fell in love with this stuff.

The Spanish cider, which Asper described as dry, tart and maybe vinegary, was impossible to find in the U.S., he said. But one day when Asper saw some derelict apple trees, he decided to use the fruit to reproduce the taste they fell in love with while in Europe.

It turned out remarkably good and remarkably close to the Spanish cider, he said.

From late 2011 into early 2012, Asper said he fermented 200 gallons of his cider and began to think it was something the newly engaged couple could make a living doing. After getting positive feedback from friends and family, Asper and Koop incorporated Restoration Cider in 2013.

Vergie Asper said her son was always interested in chemistry and hands-on projects, so she was not surprised when the couple decided to make a go at the business. The retired French teacher said she does not like hard cider but found her sons creation tasty and drinkable.

I knew if my mom said it was good, then we have a future, Asper said.

Charitable endeavors

While serving as a mechanic for the Wisconsin Air National Guard, Asper traveled to Iraq twice.

During his one day off a week, he said he visited the emergency room and witnessed the human cost of war.

When I came back, I was fine, but I felt sort of this blackness, this sort of darkness that the hue of the world had changed a little bit. I got into fly fishing shortly after. It just helped me remember how beautiful the world is and put things back into perspective, Asper said.

Asper and Koop said when Restoration Cider starts to see a profit, 5 percent of it will go to stream restoration programs and organizations throughout Wisconsin, especially those focused on the Driftless Area, to preserve a hobby that has been cathartic for the veteran.

Paul was pretty adamant when he started the business that he wanted some sort of charitable component to it that would benefit those streams, Koop said.

The couple said the company has raffled off guided fly fishing tours and participated in other charitable events.

Aspirations for the future

Although the cidery is just budding, the ambitious duo have plans to widen the companys reach. They would like to open a tasting room and are optimistic about the chances of its success.

It seems like this city is ready for something like that, Koop said. Given all the microbreweries this town supports, I think one cider tasting room could be supported.

Asper said the tasting room would be filled with stream motifs and outdoor-related decorations, though he said they have no plan on when a tasting room could be open by.

Hopefully, in the future, the business will kind of serve to educate people about that natural resource thats so unique to this area, Asper said.

Restoration Cider will bottle its products in the spring to be sold in the Madison area.

In the meantime, the company touts its beverages at festivals and events, including the Isthmus Beer and Cheese Fest on Saturday at the Alliant Energy Centers Exhibition Hall.
Orbitec  the Madison company known for building the greenhouse that let astronauts eat fresh lettuce in space  will have something extra to celebrate when it holds its belated holiday party next week.

The contract is worth up to a combined $14 billion for the three companies and their partners.

Sierra Nevadas Dream Chaser will fly at least six cargo delivery missions to the space station. The reusable spacecraft has been in development for more than 10 years.

This is an awesome time for Orbitec, spokesman Paul Zamprelli said. Our team has worked very long and hard on the Dream Chaser vehicle for Sierra Nevada Corp., providing state-of-the-art space solutions for this historic vehicle.

Orbitec will produce the environmental control system that handles air and heat inside the Dream Chaser and rocket engine thrusters that will propel and steer the vehicle in space, Zamprelli said.

We are extremely proud of the rocket engine development for Sierra Nevada that was started in Madison and tested in our large engine test site at the (former) Badger Ammunition Depot near Baraboo, he said.

Orbitec also will make a deluxe version of the VEGGIE plant growth unit that astronauts on the International Space Station used to grow their own lettuce last summer. The expanded greenhouse will likely offer more variety.

We can grow most everything in VEGGIE. The only restriction we have is tall plants ... such as corn. NASA is busy working on dwarf vegetables to solve these type issues, Zamprelli said.

In a telephone news conference with reporters on Friday, Mark Sirangelo, corporate vice president of Sierra Nevadas Space Systems division, declined to say how much money will go to the company from the NASA contract or how many more employees will be hired, either for Sierra Nevada or its partners.

Acquired a year and a half ago, Orbitec is an excellent addition to Sierra Nevada, Sirangelo said. Its going to be a significant part of the growth that were doing here.

The Madison companys VEGGIE system, in particular, has been producing significant value for us, he said.

In September 2014, Sierra Nevada lost out on a huge contract with NASA to carry astronauts into space. The multibillion-dollar deal went instead to competitor SpaceX.

But in protesting that decision, Sierra Nevada learned more about what the space agency needed. The company redesigned its cargo system to eliminate weaknesses, Sirangelo said. It really allowed us to become much stronger, he said.

The newly designed Dream Chaser has folding wings that will let it fit inside a cargo plane to be flown to various airports for takeoff.

Sierra Nevada plans to build two of the spacecraft, which will be launched by Atlas rockets. Each will be ready to relaunch in about 60 days and can be used multiple times, Steve Lindsey, senior director of programs for Sierra Nevadas Space Systems, told reporters.

The Dream Chaser will be able to carry pressurized cargo to the International Space Station, dock and unload the supplies, and bring cargo such as critical science experiments back to Earth in a gentle landing, Lindsey said.

The vehicles thermal protection unit has been dramatically improved, Lindsey said, and there are no toxic chemicals on the Dream Chaser.

That means science experiments can be returned to researchers within hours of landing, for the first time since NASAs space shuttle program ended in 2011, he said.

I cant tell you how thrilled we are, as a team, to be part of this, said Lindsey, a five-time shuttle commander.

Sirangelo said NASA is probably most excited about these additional capabilities.

With more science experiments, Orbitec expects more participation.

We have major plans in this area to support the Dream Chaser in providing science equipment and capabilities for NASA and customers all over the world, Zamprelli said.

All our technologies will play a big part in the future of Dream Chaser and the other customers we are supplying.

Sirangelo said NASA will not be the Dream Chasers only customer. A key part of our strategy is to be able to take this beyond NASA, to make low-earth-orbit a destination ... for many, many purposes, he said.

Founded in 1988, Orbitec, or Orbital Technologies Corp., has locations in Madison and Middleton.

It has won more than $150 million in government contracts since it was established.

Sierra Nevada, founded in 1963, has its headquarters in Sparks, Nevada, but its Space Systems business is based in Louisville, Colorado.
Whats the best way to reduce the chances of Wisconsin becoming a national site for the storage of spent fuel from nuclear power plants?

The most obvious answer is to proceed with construction of a waste repository at Yucca Mountain in Nevada. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission released a report two years ago on Yucca Mountains suitability as a disposal spot for nuclear waste, saying it meets requirements for long-term safety.

But the Yucca Mountain project has ground to a halt under President Barack Obama, acting at the behest of Nevada Sen. Harry Reid, who opposes it vehemently.

The Yucca Mountain project, however, could resume once Obama leaves office and Reid retires from Congress at the end of this year. After all, Congress has designated the Nevada site for the repository  its the law  and has collected over $20 billion from nuclear electricity ratepayers to pay for it. After spending billions and decades in studying Yucca, not to complete the repository would be nonsensical. The NRCs safety evaluation shows Yucca would make an acceptable repository.

Despite this knowledge, some opponents of a state Assembly bill lifting Wisconsins decades-old restrictions on building nuclear power plants claim the measure could enable the Department of Energy to designate Wisconsins Wolf River Batholith as an alternative site for the waste repository.

While the Wolf River Batholith was once considered as a possible site for a repository, the DOE has shown no interest in revisiting it. Besides, the current statutes say nothing about siting a spent fuel repository, and certainly do nothing to protect Wisconsin citizens from becoming the host to a permanent geologic nuclear waste repository, as a recent guest column suggested.

The current Assembly bill to repeal those statutes would change nothing regarding the siting of such a repository.

What if an impasse over Yucca continues? That might happen.

The DOE has two options. It can search for a new site, one that would be suitable from the standpoint of long-term safety and acceptable politically at the state and local level. Or it could allow spent fuel to remain in storage casks at nuclear plant sites indefinitely.

Some geophysicists say that spent fuel could stay where it is for several hundred years or until it can be recycled into a so-called mixed-oxide fuel for use in nuclear plants to generate more electricity. Though reprocessing reduces the amount and toxicity of spent fuel significantly, a repository would be needed to hold the leftover waste that cannot be reprocessed.

Reprocessing was done in the United States until the mid-1970s, when it was stopped, because it was uneconomic and then briefly banned by President Carter on grounds it might lead to nuclear proliferation. Efforts to revive reprocessing have gotten nowhere.

Wisconsin will benefit economically and environmentally from the option to build new nuclear plants, whether large units or small modular reactors. It is doubtful Wisconsin  and the nation  will be able to reduce carbon emissions to safe and acceptable levels without nuclear power.

Climate change is no longer a distant threat. It is the over-arching environmental problem of our times.

Nuclear power needs to be part of the solution. Expanding its use would be easier if a waste repository is built at Yucca Mountain.
The movie Thank You, Dad by Hrach Keshishyan tells a story of an American-Armenian girl, named Virgy. Although, she had hardly ever see...
In the Homilies on Leviticux X 2 Origen says we [Christians] have forty days dedicated to fasting; we have the fourth [Wednesday] and sixth day [Friday] of the week on which we regularly fast The 4th century Canons of Hippolytus Canon 20 says The fast days which have been fixed are Wednesday, Friday, and the Forty The passages seem clearly related and at first sight appear to refer to Lent. However the Paschal Letters of Athanasius make clear that Lent was first introduced to Egypt around the 330s CE (exact dates controversial.) The Homilies on Leviticus were preached in Caesarea and it is theoretically possible that Origen refers to a custom in Palestine unknown during his time in Egypt. However we have no other evidence for Lent in the modern sense during the 3rd century in Palestine or anywhere else and this solution seems unlikely.

Various scholars (e.g. Talley and Bradshaw) have argued, from this and other evidence, for an ancient forty day fast, probably starting after Epiphany, replaced in Egypt by Lent during the time of Athanasius. One problem with using the Canons of Hippolytus is that it survives only in an Arabic translation of a Coptic translation of a Greek original. A more serious issue IMO with using the Canons as evidence for a forty day fast other than Lent is that it requires a rather early date for the Canons. The Canons of Hippolytus seem clearly to date between the Council of Nicea and the late 4th century Council of Constantinople and some scholars would date them early in that range. However the Canons seem to show an elaboration of Nicene orthodoxy with respect to the doctrine of the Holy Spirit which appears to require a later date maybe after the Letters to Serapion about the Holy Spirit written by Athanasius c 358 CE Canons of Hippolytus Canon 19 (about Baptism) He questions him a third time saying Do you believe in the Holy Spirit, the Paraclete flowing from the Father and the Son? When he replies I believe he immerses him a third time in the water. And he says each time I baptize you in the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, equal Trinity If the Canons of Hippolytus date from the 350s or 360s CE then they are later than the introduction of Lent in Egypt and probably cannot be used as evidence for a forty day fast other than Lent.

The Homilies on Leviticus survive in a Latin translation by Rufinus, the relevant portion of which reads habemus enim quadragesimae dies ieiuniis consecratos which refers unambiguously to forty days of fasting. However Rufinus may have anachronistically mistranslated a passage referring to something else. In Eusebius Ecclesiastical History V 24 we have But this did not please all the bishops. And they besought him to consider the things of peace, and of neighborly unity and love. Words of theirs are extant, sharply rebuking Victor. Among them was Irenus, who, sending letters in the name of the brethren in Gaul over whom he presided, maintained that the mystery of the resurrection of the Lord should be observed only on the Lords day. He fittingly admonishes Victor that he should not cut off whole churches of God which observed the tradition of an ancient custom and after many other words he proceeds as follows For the controversy is not only concerning the day, but also concerning the very manner of the fast. For some think that they should fast one day, others two, yet others more; some, moreover, count their day as consisting of forty hours day and night. And this variety in its observance has not originated in our time; but long before in that of our ancestors. It is likely that they did not hold to strict accuracy, and thus formed a custom for their posterity according to their own simplicity and peculiar mode. Yet all of these lived none the less in peace, and we also live in peace with one another; and the disagreement in regard to the fast confirms the agreement in the faith. This forty hours fast before Easter Sunday develops, in the late 3rd century into the fast for Easter week. I suggest that Origen in the Homilies on Leviticus spoke of a fast of forty hours . Then, given the lack of familiarity with a forty hour fast in the late 4th century and the wide range of possible meanings of , (as well as the late technical meaning of hour it can be used for a period of time), Rufinus mistranslated this as a fast of forty days.

Some might object that Rufinus translated into Latin the Ecclesiastical History of Eusebius and would have been familiar from this with the idea of a forty hour fast. However, in his translation Rufinus renders the relevant portion quidam enim putant una tantum die observari debere ieiunium, alii duabus, alii vero pluribus, nonnulli etiam quadraginta, ita ut horas diurnas nocturnasque computantes diem statuant which translates roughly For some think that they should fast one day, others two, yet others more, and some forty; and they count the hours of the day and night together as their day. (There is a discussion in Migne as to why this is a highly unlikely interpretation of the underlying Greek although not an impossible one.) If Rufinus misunderstood one reference to a forty hour fast in Eusebius as a reference to a forty day fast, then it is highly plausible that he would misunderstand a reference to a forty hour fast in Origen as a reference to a forty day fast.

Hence the Homilies on Leviticus probably cannot be used as evidence for knowledge by Origen of a forty day fast.
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.
While the majority of the 346 polled by Compass Consulting have yet to make their pick in the 66th House District GOP primary, on a sample ballot, the survey showed that Skillicorn leads with 24%, 15 points ahead of next highest GOP candidate in the race.

EAST DUNDEE - A four-way Republican primary to fill retiring State Rep. Michael Tryon's 66th House seat may have a candidate that is breaking out of the pack. Recent polling shows East Dundee trustee Allen Skillicorn could be moving into the lead to win the March 15th GOP primary.

His name ID is at 56% - almost double the other three candidates', and Skillicorn's favorability is at 53%, where 41% hold no opinion.

While the testing is early, the pollster often used by the House Republicans shows Skillicorn off to an early lead.

Skillicorn also received the endorsement of the political arm of Taxpayers United of America last week.

Tax Accountability is pleased to endorse Allen Skillicorn for the Illinois General Assemblys 66th State House District. He is a true champion for Illinois taxpayers. I urge voters to support Allens candidacy and help send a tax fighter to the Illinois General Assembly, said Jim Tobin, president of Tax Accountability and Taxpayers United of America.

Besides Skillicorn, other Republicans in the 66th House race include Paul Serwatka from Lakewood, Dan Wilbrandt from West Dundee and Carolyn Schofield from Crystal Lake.
TEHRAN  Iran announced Saturday that it had released four Iranian-Americans as part of a prisoner exchange with the United States.

The announcement from the judiciary on state television did not identify the four, but Iranian news media said they included Jason Rezaian, The Washington Posts Tehran correspondent; Amir Hekmati, a Marine veteran; and Saeed Abedini, a pastor. There were discrepancies in the Iranian reports about the identity of the fourth prisoner.

Saeed Abedini's wife, who has been pleading for her husband's freedom since his capture in 2012, confirmed his release on Twitter Saturday morning:

It was not immediately clear whom the Americans released, but Iranian reports said seven Iranians were freed in exchange, and had already arrived in Tehran.

The exchange was apparently orchestrated to coincide with the expected announcement of the lifting of nuclear sanctions against Iran.

More at the New York Times
Last week, AFSCME refused to seriously negotiate for the 24th bargaining session in a row on any of the core contract proposals presented by the Rauner Administration.

At the bargaining table, AFSCME made clear that they are unwilling to negotiate any contract similar to the ones agreed to by 17 other labor unions, which in many instances, were ratified by more than 80 percent of union members.

In the press, AFSCME described small changes to their proposal as "a big new offer." The "big new offer" would end up costing the State billions over the next four years.

In response to AFSCMEs refusal to seriously negotiate, and in accordance with the tolling agreement, the Rauner Administration is now asking the Labor Board to determine whether or not the parties are at an impasse.

While we have reached innovative and fair contracts with most unions and seen those contracts approved overwhelmingly by union members, AFSCME leadership unfortunately refuses to budge or offer reasonable proposals. We want to reach an agreement with AFSCME members, but their leaders have proven unwilling, Governor Bruce Rauner said. Instead of acting reasonable like the states other union leaders, AFSCME bosses have said no to merit bonuses, theyve said no to programs to help minority employees, and theyve said a 40-hour work week is too long. At a time of unprecedented fiscal crisis, AFSCME is pushing insurance and wage demands that would cost taxpayers more than $3 billion. As a result, we are asking the Labor Board to determine the next steps in the negotiating process.

AFSCME vehemently rejected the Administrations proposal to implement merit pay programs similar to ones welcomed by the 5 Teamsters and 12 other Trade Union bargaining units.

AFSCME vehemently rejected the Administrations proposal that would maintain a 37.5-hour work week, but have overtime rate wages kick in only after completing a 40-hour work week. AFSCME rejected this offer despite the fact it is more generous than the 40-hour work week the Teamsters and Trade Unions ratified. Instead, AFSCME wants to only work 37.5 hours per week and immediately get paid overtime wages for any minute worked over 37.5 hours. They are also demanding double pay for regular holidays and even 2.5x pay for some super holidays.

AFSCME vehemently rejected the Administrations proposal to make it easier to promote minority employees. Other unions welcomed efforts to promote minority employees.

AFSCME vehemently rejected a health insurance proposal that closely mirrors insurance proposals agreed to by the Trade Unions. Instead, AFSCME is demanding insurance that is considered platinum-plus under the Affordable Care Act. They are also demanding taxpayers subsidize over 80% of the cost of these platinum level plans, which is asking to pay silver-level premiums for a platinum-plus plan. Additionally, while the Teamsters agreed to maintain their current wages for the next four years, AFSCME is demanding wage increases that would cost taxpayers nearly $1 billion over the next four years. These demands come after many union members have already seen their salaries double since 2004. Illinois employees are now the third-highest paid in the nation  behind California and New Jersey - and the highest after adjusting for the higher cost of living in those states. Altogether, AFSCMEs wage and insurance demands would cost taxpayers over $3 billion.

Under the signed tolling agreement, the Labor Board must now determine whether the Administration and AFSCME are at impasse. During this time, the parties must adhere to all statutory obligations regarding good faith negotiations while the Labor Board is deciding the case. Quoting from the tolling agreement, this specifically means there can be no strike, work stoppage, work slowdown, or lockout until the Labor Board has determined that the parties are at an impasse. The Governor will comply with these and all other obligations regarding good faith negotiations.
By India Today Web Desk: Guru Gobind Singh Jayanti, the birth anniversary of Guru Gobind Singh, is celebrated as per the lunar calendar every year. He was one of the ten preachers of the Sikh religion.

Guruji was born as Gobind Rai on December 22 in 1666, according to the Julian Calendar.

Guru Gobind Singh was The Tenth Nanak or the last of the Sikh preachers to live. His teachings have inspired the Sikh community and others for generations. The Sikh community celebrates this day offering prayers at gurudwaras and remembering Guruji's words of wisdom.

11 amazing facts about Guru Gobind Singh:

1. A LEADER AMONG US

Gobind Rai, who would later be named as Guru Gobind Singh, was born to the ninth Guru of Sikhism, Guru Teg Bahadur and Mata Gujri at Patna Sahib or Takht Sri Patna Sahib (now in Patna).

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2. SON OF A MARTYR

He was only nine when he became the Tenth Sikh Guru. He ascended after his father Guru Teg Bahadur accepted martyrdom in the hands of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb to protect the Kashmiri Hindus.

3. SCHOLAR AND WARRIOR

As a child, Guru Gobindh Singh learned many languages including Sanskrit, Urdu, Hindi, Braj, Gurmukhi and Persian. He also learned martial arts to become adept in combat.

4. TO THE HILLS

Guru Gobindji's hometown was the city of Anandpur Sahib in the present Rupnagar disrict in Punjab. He left the town due to a scuffle with Bhim Chand and proceeded to Nahan, a place in the hills of Himachal Pradesh, following an invitation of Mat Prakash, the king of Sirmur.

5. PREACHING IN HILLS

From Nahan, Guru Gobind Singh proceeded to Paonta, a town beside the river Yamuna in South Sirmur, Himachal Pradesh. There, he founded the Paonta Sahib Gurudwara and preached about the Sikh principles. Paonta Sahib remains an important pilgrim site for Sikhs. Guru Gobindji also wrote texts and had a substantial number of followers within three years, the time he spent there.

6. A FIGHTER

In September 1688, at the age of 19, Guru Gobind Singh fought the Battle of Bhangani against an allied force of Bhim Chand, Garwal king Fateh Khan and other local kings of the Sivalik Hills. The battle lasted for a day and thousands of lives were lost. The Guru came out victorious. A description of the battle can be found in Bichitra Natak or Bachittar Natak, a part of the Dasham Granth, which is a religious text attributed to Guru Gobind Singh.

7. RETURN TO HOME

In November 1688, Guru Gobind returned to Anandpur, which became known as Chak Nanaki, agreeing upon an invitation from the dowager queen of Bilaspur.

8. FOUNDER OF KHALSA

On March 30 in 1699, Guru Gobind Singh gathered his followers to his home in Anadpur. He asked for a volunteer to sacrifice his head for his brothers. Daya Ram offered his head and the Guru took him inside a tent and later emerged with a bloody sword. He again asked for a volunteer and repeated the feat. This went on for three more times. At last, Guru emerged from the tent with the five volunteers and five headless goats were found in the tent. These five Sikh volunteers were named as Panj Pyaare or 'five beloved ones' by the Guru.

The five volunteers were Daya Ram, also known as Bhai Daya Singh; Dharam Das, also known as Bhai Dharam Singh; Himmat Rai, also known as Bhai Himmat Singh; Mohkam Chand, also known as Bhai Mohkam Singh; and Sahib Chand, also known as Bhai Sahib Singh. They were the first Sikhs.

9. KHALSA, THE WAY OF LIFE

At the gathering of 1699, Guru Gobind SIngh founded the Khalsa Vani - "Waheguru ji ka Khalsa, Waheguru ji ki fateh". He named all his followers with the title Singh, meaning lion. He also founded the principles of Khalsa or the Five 'K's.

The five 'K's are the five principles of life that are to be followed by a Khalsa. These include Kesh or hair, which means to leave the hair uncut to show acceptance to the form God intended humans to be; Kangha or wooden comb, as a symbol of cleanliness; Kara or iron bracelet, as a mark to remind a Khalsa of self-restraint; Kacchera or knee-length shorts, to be worn by a Khalsa for being always ready to go into battle on horseback; and Kirpan, a sword to defend oneself and the poor, the weak and the oppressed from all religions, castes and creeds.

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10. FIGHTING THE MUGHALS

After repeated conflicts with Garwali and Mughal leaders, Guru Gobind Singh wrote a letter to Aurangzeb in Persian, which was later famously named as Zafarnama or the Epistle of Victory, reminding him of the misdeed the Mughals had done to the Sikhs. He fought against the Mughals later in battle of Muktsar in 1705.

11. PASSING THE LEGACY

After Aurangzeb's death, Guru Gobind Singh no longer remained an adversary to the Mughals. The next Mughal emperor, Bahadur Shah was friendly with Guru Gobind at first. He even named the Guru as Hind Ka Pir or the Saint of India. But later on, Bahadur Shah was influenced by Wazir Khan, Nawab of Sirhind, to attack the Sikh community. Wazir Khan sent two Pathan assassins Jamshed Khan and Wasil Beg to attack the Guru during his sleep at Nanded, the Guru's resting place. They stabbed Guru Gobind Singh in his sleep. The Guru killed Jamshed, the attacker, with his sword, while other Sikh brothers killed Beg.

Guru Gobind Singh named Guru Granth Sahib, the religious text of the Khalsas and the Sikhs, as the next Guru of the two communities. He left his bodily form and on October 7 in 1708.

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Ambia Sohrab's younger brother, Sambia Sohrab, has been arrested by the Kolkata police as the prime accused in the Red Road hit-and-run case. The car that killed the IAF official belonged to Ambia.

By India Today Web Desk: Corporal Abhimanyu Gaud, an Air Force drill instructor, was overseeing the Republic Day parade rehearsal at Red Road in Kolkata when a car barged in and ran him over on January 13.

The brutally-injured 21-year-old was rushed to the Army Command Hospital, where he was declared brought dead.

Also read- Kolkata hit-and-run case: BJP workers protest against police inaction



The swanky new Audi that took this young IAF official's life belongs to Ambia Sohrab, the son of a TMC leader in Kolkata. Initially, he was suspected to have been behind the wheels that day.

Latest reports, however, show that it was Ambia's younger brother, Sambia Sohrab (also known as Tousiff), who had driven Ambia's Audi over Corporal Gaud. Sambia has been arrested by the Kolkata police along with other accomplices.

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Here are some things you should know about the owner of the car, Ambia Sohrab:

Sohrab's brand new Audi was driven through multiple guard rails and barged into the parade rehearsal at around 6:30am on Wedneday. Records of the showroom from where the Audi was purchased show the car to be registered against a company belonging to Sohrab's father. His father, Mohammed Sohrab, is a former RJD MLA from the Burrabazar area in Kolkata. He is now a Trinamool Congress leader. The Kolkata police said the showroom records state that "the car purchased for Rs 90 lakh belonged to Sohrab's son, Sambia Sohrab." Sambia Sohrab's Facebook profile lists him as the proprietor of Amby International and the director of Aafreen group of companies. Sambia Sohrab is also a part of his family business of construction and fruit wholesale in Central Kolkata. Last year in December, Sohrab had hit the manager of a discotheque on Park Street when he was denied entry. When the bouncers came forward, Sohrab is said to have threatened them saying his "father is an ex-MLA and now a Trinamool leader". In 2006, Sohrab was detained for slapping a traffic sergeant on Park Street after breaking traffic rules. He was, however, released soon. Most of the photographs uploaded on his Facebook profile are of luxurious cars, with him posing with them. Sohrab, along with his father and brother Sambia, have been on the run since the incident. A look out notice has been filed against three.
In lieu of the latest incident of "beef vigilantism" in which a Muslim couple was allegedly roughed up at a railway station in Madhya Pradesh by members of a fringe right-wing organisation Gauraksha Samiti, the Opposition moved the National Commission for Minorities (NCM) on Friday.

By Siddhartha Rai: In lieu of the latest incident of "beef vigilantism" in which a Muslim couple was allegedly roughed up at a railway station in Madhya Pradesh by members of a fringe right-wing organisation Gauraksha Samiti, the Opposition moved the National Commission for Minorities (NCM) on Friday.

Congress sympathiser and lawyer-activist Shehzad Poonawalla lodged a complaint with the minorities' rights body, demanding "immediate penal action" against the perpetrators involved in the incident. The couple was among several passengers who were allegedly assaulted by some seven members of the Gauraksha Samiti at the Khirkiya Railway station in Harda district of Madhya Pradesh.

A scuffle had broken out when passengers, including the couple, resisted members of the right-wing body who had started searching their luggage on the suspicion that they were carrying beef aboard a general compartment of the Kushinagar Express on Wednesday.

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The police had later confirmed that a bag of meat recovered at the station by members of the Samiti contained not beef but buffalo flesh.

Reacting sharply to the complaint filed by Poonawalla, the chairperson of NCM said the rights' body condemned the vigilantism in the name of suspicion over beef and used strong words against the continued instances of "moral policing" in the country.

"I condemn the Harda incident in the strongest words possible. Even in the case of the Dadri incident, the National Commission of Minorities had opposed moral policing and we continue to do so even in this latest case. We are looking into the matter, but as of now we are satisfied with the attitude and the action taken by the government," said Naseem Ahmad, chairperson of NCM.

Meanwhile, Poonawalla, who had also moved the commission in the aftermath of the Dadri incident, said: "Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas shouldn't become a mere slogan. This is a communal trend in the country and shows the emboldening of the right-wing that is undermining the rule of law. Recently, Mohammad Akhlaq was beaten to death in UP's Dadri following false rumours about the family storing and consuming beef."

Another NCM member Praveen Davar told MAIL TODAY that the commission will take a final view of the situation at its weekly meeting on Tuesday. "What I can assure is that we will not let the culprits go Scot free."

Also read:

Muslim couple beaten up in Madhya Pradesh over beef rumours

Harassed by inspections, buff meat truckers knock on SC's door


A 21-year-old Air Force drill instructor was killed after being hit and run by a speeding brand new Audi SUV during the Republic Day rehearsal parade in Kolkata on Wednesday morning.

By India Today Web Desk: The BJP today led a demonstration march to the police headquarters in Lalbazar here protesting the role of Kolkata Police in handling the Wednesdays Red Road mishap case where one Air Force official was killed.

Around 200 activists of BJPs youth and women wing led by its chief Rupa Ganguly marched towards the Kolkata Police headquarters where they were blocked at the Central Avenue.

Incidentally, there was a minor scuffle between police and the BJP activists when they tried to break the barricades at Central Avenue and B B Ganguly Street crossings.

A 21-year-old Air Force drill instructor was killed after being hit and run by a speeding brand new Audi SUV during the Republic Day rehearsal parade in Kolkata on Wednesday morning.

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The vehicle, Audi Q7, was bought on January 4. The police identified the owner of the car as Ambiya Sohrab, son of former Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) legislator from Kolkata's business district Burrabazar constituency Mohammad Sohrab.

Despite the look out notice against Ambia Sohrab, Sambia Sohrab and their father former RJD MLA Mohammad Sohrab, who are absconding since the incident, none of them were traced. Sohrab had reecntly joined TMC.

The key eyewitness in the incident Shahnawaz Ali is also missing since the incident. Shahnawaz was behind the Audi in another car.

Ganguly alleged that the law and order in West Bengal has deteriorated and the safety and security programme has reached a bottom low.

"Slowly the safety and security of common people has hit such a low that one can easily escape committing any form of crime," Ganguly said.

The actress-turned-politician also alleged that the city police has helped the culprits in the Red Road mishap escape after they committed the crime.

She alleged that "the police has helped those involved in the Red Road mishap to escape has come out in the open."

"The administration is trying to save people who are with the party. Repeatedly, kin of TMC leaders are being shielded by the administration doing wrong. The Chief Minister and the administration want good people to leave the state and those left over will be tortured," she further charged.

Few BJP youths have been detained by the police, a Kolkata Police source said.

The incident took place at around 6.30 am at Red Road when the offending vehicle hit Air Force officer Corporal Abhimanyu Gaud. Grievously injured, Gaud was immediately taken to the Army Command Hospital, where he was declared brought dead.

In a related development, city police sleuths had seized Ambia's passport during a raid at one of the Sohrab residences.

The police have already raided five houses belonging to the Sohrabs - main accused Ambia, his brother Sambia and their father former RJD MLA Mohammed Sohrab.

The sleuths also raided one of their hotels on Kyd Street, in central Kolkata, in search of the trio.

The city police source said the reports on the incident from the South Police Division as well as from the Traffic department have already been submitted to Kolkata Police Commissioner Surajit Kar Purkayastha acting on the latter's directive.

A 22-member team was set up by the CP to fast track the probe into the mishap in which 21-year-old corporal Abhimanyu Gaud was rammed into and killed by a brand new Audi which pierced through three guard rails and barged into the parade rehearsal spot on Wednesday.

The forensic report of the car suggested that it was travelling at a speed of around 90 km -110 km per hour when it barged into the guard rails and hit the young Air Force official, who was present at the spot.

The investigation also revealed that the car was yet to get the registration number and was delivered to the Sohrabs with a Trade Certificate (TC) number.

Air Force officials have already informed the police that only one person was in the speeding car which knocked down and killed the young Air Force officer.


In addition to China's $29.7 billion stake, Xi announced on Saturday that Beijing would add $ 50 million towards a fund to promote infrastructure development projects in less developed countries.

By Ananth Krishnan: The $100 billion Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) backed by China formally launched operations in Beijing on Saturday, with Chinese President Xi Jinping saying the "historic" initiative would focus on boosting investment for infrastructure projects in Asia.

The launch was attended by representatives from 57 member countries including India, which will be the bank's second-biggest shareholder, contributing $8 billion, second to China's $29.7 billion.

The bank will focus on infrastructure financing and will begin issuing loans later this year, starting with coordinating with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) on projects.

On Sunday and Monday, the bank's board of governors, including representatives from all 57 countries, and its board of directors, will hold their first formal meetings in Beijing. India will be represented by Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Finance Dinesh Sharma. The bank's members include Australia, Bangladesh, Egypt, France, Germany, Iran, Israel, South Korea, Malaysia, Nepal, Pakistan, Russia, Sri Lanka and the United Kingdom.

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The idea for the bank was proposed by China in October 2013, part of Beijing's efforts to reform what it sees as the US-dominated global financial architecture. China, along with India, has been calling for reforming the IMF and World Bank to better reflect the rising economic weight of emerging countries. Beijing also sees the ADB as being US and Japan dominated.

While the US and Japan have stayed away from the initiative, bringing 57 countries on board despite American opposition, including US allies such as South Korea and the UK., was seen as somewhat of a diplomatic coup for Beijing.

Launching the bank, President Xi said it would "effectively boost investment for infrastructure in Asia, channel more resources, particularly private investment for infrastructure projects, and promote regional connectivity and economic integration."

Xi said the founding of the bank "means a great deal to the reform of the global economic governance system" and would "make the global economic governance system more just, equitable and effective."

In addition to China's $29.7 billion stake, Xi announced on Saturday that Beijing would add $50 million towards a fund to promote infrastructure development projects in less developed countries.
By Mail Today: At a time the municipal corporations are grappling with acute shortage of funds, the Delhi government is unlikely to assist the civic bodies with the Municipal Reform Fund. The Delhi government on Friday said the civic bodies did not meet the criteria to seek financial assistance under this fund.

To add to the financial woes of the MCDs, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal asked civic bodies to tighten the advertisement budget. Taking note of the MCD advertisements in newspapers, Kejriwal asked the three commissioners whether the advertisement, purportedly representing the MCD, was an official one and who paid for it. "It was informed that the said advertisement may have been released from the mayor's office and details of billing had not been received so far. The Delhi government will review the entire issue again next week," said a statement.

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The government was reviewing the financial condition of three corporations that have even failed to pay salary to its employees. "The Municipal Reform Fund can only be released in accordance with law and the corporations have failed to meet the requirement of surplus budget, which is essential for seeking this fund, but the corporations are showing a deficit budget," a senior Delhi government official said.

Kejriwal told the three commissioners that except for the South Delhi corporation, the others are not eligible to get the Municipal Reform Fund. As MRF is given as an incentive to civic bodies due to improvement in their financial position. The government clarified that 100 per cent of funds have been released to both North Corporation (NDMC) and East Corporation (EDMC) while 80 per cent of funds has been released to SDMC and the remaining amount will be given to it by January 18.

The CM has suggested that the remaining fund under the education and health sectors may be released to all three MCDs. It was also pointed out that about Rs 295 crore is available as unspent balance of previous year under education and health sectors with all three corporations.

Also read:

Trifurcation of MCD leads to financial loss: Idea gone wrong?

All MCDs may merge before 2017 polls


The city residents will share their stories on how the Capital's worsening air quality levels have affected them, and push the Delhi and central governments to act on it.

The city residents will share their stories on how the Capital's worsening air quality levels have affected them

By Baishali Adak: At least 500-1,000 Delhiites - including lawyers, doctors, worried parents and expatriates - are going to congregate for a first-of-its-kind event called 'Help Delhi Breathe' at Jantar Mantar on Sunday.

The city residents will share their stories on how the Capital's worsening air quality levels have affected them, and push the Delhi and central governments to act on it.

Scientific experts and activists on the subject like Anumita Roychowdhury from Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), Vikrant Tongad from SAFE, Parthaa Bosu from Clean Air Asia, Sunil Dahiya (Greenpeace India) and Dr. Randeep Guleria (AIIMS) will address the gathering. Besides, artistes and troupes like Shilpa Rao, Delhi Drum Circle and Astitva will perform at the venue to help raise awareness.

The event is being publicised through a Facebook page and already has 1,700 'interested' and 722 'going'. Their 'charter of demands' include: Better public transportation system, smog alert systems and strictly enforced measures for those days, phasing out all diesel operated vehicles and machinery, continuation of the 'odd-even' car rationing system, etc.

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Reecha Upadhyay, owner of a documentary film production company in Hauz Khas Village, is spearheading the public campaign. She told MAIL TODAY, "Though the effects of the recently-concluded 'odd-even' scheme on pollution in Delhi are yet to be ascertained, it has definitely boosted the morale of the city. Delhiites feel part of a bigger change now. There is a growing consciousness that we need to hand over a cleaner planet to the next generation. Before the momentum fizzles out, we decided to cash in on the enthusiasm with this event," she said.

Various online groups and individuals have come together to make 'Help Delhi Breathe' a success. Most notable is the participation of Delhi's expatriate community. US national, Jeff Smith, who runs an FB page called 'Air Quality in Delhi', said, "I moved to India with my wife, Vismita, a United Nations worker, in 2007. In the winter of 2008, our daughter, Anushree, then only two-years-old, developed critical respiratory issues. I nearly lost her and that was the most terrifying experience of my life. Since then, I have been actively researching on air pollution in Delhi and helping expats in the city deal with associated problems."

Saskia Chitrak, originally from Cologne in Germany, is part of a group called 'Delhi - Smug in Smog'. It holds picnics in parks every Sunday, but with masks. She says, "I smelt something burning the moment I landed in Delhi a decade back. I have lived my childhood in the countryside of Germany. I know how pure air looks and feels like." We must sensitise Delhiites too, she adds.

A group of concerned parents, operating a portal called careforair.org, visits schools and lectures teachers and students on Delhi's air pollution problem. The group - which includes the likes of SC advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan and Sitaram Bhartia Group leader, Abhishek Bhartia - will also participate in the event.
The probe into the sensational Sunanda Pushkar death case seems to have picked up pace. According to sources, it is almost clear that Sunanda died of the poison generated in her body due to an overdose of Alprax.

By Ankur Sharma: The probe into the sensational Sunanda Pushkar death case seems to have picked up pace. According to sources, it is almost clear that Sunanda died of the poison generated in her body due to an overdose of Alprax.

Sources further revealed that even the FBI has not found any other poison trace, but the same element which generates due to Alprax overdose.

Delhi Police will soon call Sunanda's husband and Congress leader Shashi Tharoor for further questioning.

"It is almost clear after reports of the FBI and the recent report given by the AIIMS forensic department that Sunanda died of the poison generated due to overdose of Alprax tablets. It seems that she took multiple tablets of Alprax which generated poison in her body and she died. But why she took or was given such a heavy dose of Alprax is uncertain. Other aspects of the case are under investigation," a source privy with the probe said.

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The source added: "Soon Shashi Tharoor will be asked to join the investigation, but the date has not been decided yet. AIIMS has cleared the air and suggested that Sunanda died due to poisoning by overdose of Alprax. Tharoor will be called on the basis of these reports after preparing a questionnaire."

MAIL TODAY was the first to report that Sunanda may have died due to an overdose of sleeping pills. Alprax is a sedative that induces sleep and is used to treat moderate to severe anxiety disorders and panic attacks.

On Friday, Delhi Police Commissioner tweeted about the Sunanda Pushkar murder saying that the cops have got the report from AIIMS. "Have been told that medical board's advice in late Sunanda's case has been received," Bassi tweeted earlier in the day.

"As far as evidences are concerned until now, Sunanda Pushkar's death was unnatural. I can say this with certainty," BS Bassi told reporters later.

In January last year, Delhi Police had registered a case of murder in connection with the death of Sunanda. An AIIMS medical board had found poisoning as the reason of her death following which the police had sent her viscera samples to an FBI lab in Washington.

"The medical board has submitted to us an 11-page report with 32 pages of annexures which are to be examined. They have mentioned about certain conclusions which are now to be investigated," Bassi said.

51-year-old Sunanda was found dead at a suite in five-star hotel in South Delhi on the night of January 17, 2014, a day after her spat with Pakistani journalist Mehr Tarar on microblogging website Twitter over her alleged affair with Tharoor.

Also read:

Was Sunanda Pushkar force-fed medicine which caused her death?

Sunanda Pushkar did not die due to poisoning: FBI


Muthalik cannot enter Goa for another two months from now and he is upset about it.

By India Today Web Desk: Goa has extended the ban imposed on Sri Ram Sene founder Pramod Muthalik by two more months. Consequently, Muthalik cannot enter Goa for another two months from now and he is upset about it.

The North Goa district magistrate issued an order extending the ban by another 60 days citing law and order situation. Muthalik had questioned the ban imposed by Goa in the Supreme Court, which dismissed his petition. Goa has restricted Muthalik's entry into the state since 2014.

Karnataka has already restricted movements of Muthalik because of his alleged provocative speeches. Recently, the Karnataka government planned to withdraw the 13 cases filed against him in various parts of the state. But it withdrew the proposal later.
Mumbai attack mastermind and Jammat-ud-Dawa chief Hafiz Saeed said India and Israel are within the range of Pakistan nuclear weapons.

By India Today Web Desk: Addressing a rally, Mumbai attack mastermind and Jammat-ud-Dawa chief Hafiz Saeed said India and Israel are within the range of Pakistan nuclear weapons.

Hitting out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Lashkar chief said that the prime minister is setting the Army officers in Jammu and Kashmir.

He even targeted Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif by saying that he couldn't put forward the Islamabad case towards US president Barack Obama.

Earlier, putting its weight behind the banned Jaish-e-Mohammad, JuD chief Hafiz Saeed chided Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's government for detaining Jaish chief and activists in connection with the Pathankot terror attack.

Addressing the sermon, Saeed had said that the Pakistan government is taking action against JeM to "please" India.

"The arrests are regrettable as the Nawaz government is only doing so to please Modi sarkar (government). The arrests will only encourage the Indian government to put further pressure on Pakistan to backtrack it's stance on Kashmir," he said.

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Saeed further said the Pakistani government is ignoring "national interest" for the sake of its friendship with India.

Saeed even targeted External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and her trip to Pakistan by saying that when she came to India, they were six items on the agenda out of which top three were targeting Jammat-ud-Dawa.

The words of hatred comes at a time when Pakistan is making all tall promises of tracking down on terror.

ALSO READ | Hafiz Saeed challenges Pak govt's ban on media coverage of JuD, FIF


While eight official vehicles belonging to Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar cover less than 20,000 km in a month, cars allotted to other cabinet ministers are running far more than all of the CM's cars put together.

By Shashank Shekhar: While Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar preaches austerity, his cabinet colleagues are splurging on car fuel. The government's response to an RTI query shows official vehicles issued to the Haryana government are always on the run! While eight official vehicles belonging to the chief minister cover less than 20,000 km in a month, cars allotted to other cabinet ministers are running far more than all of the CM's cars put together.

Cars allotted to some of the cabinet ministers are running close to 28,000 kilometres a month, or 933 km a day, or four round trips from Gurgaon to Chandigarh, burning fuel worth more than Rs 1.82 lakh. Some of these cars cover over 15,000 km every month on an average. If we do the math, this means, these cars cover over 500 kilometres a day - a distance equivalent to driving from Gurgaon to Chandigarh and back. On the other hand, the chief minister, who has eight cars, covers 17,000-19,000 kilometres in a month.

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The total usage of two cars allotted to Haryana Education Minister Ram Bilas Sharma was nearly 28,000 km in the month of July and the government paid a fuel bill of Rs 1.82 lakh. His Toyota Fortuner and Maruti SX4 covered 25,360 km, 22,028 km, 25,454 km in the months of August, September and October respectively. His fuel bill for four months came to a whopping Rs 6.20 lakh with an average of Rs 1.55 lakh a month. The CM's eight cars consumed fuel worth Rs 90,000 during the same period.

Similarly, cars allotted to other ministers are also being overused. Cars allotted to Agriculture Minister Om Prakash Dhankar has run 24,360 kilometres in the month of October followed by 18,640 km, 23,596 km and 18,756 km, 23,596 km and 18,40 km in July, August and September respectively.

'Working hard'

State minister Krishan Kumar's car runs 18,524 kilometres per month on an average. Haryana Public Health Engineering Minister Ghanshyam Saraf's average car usage is 17,782 kilometres per month. Minister of State for Food and Supplies Karandev Kamboj's cars are running 16,926 km per month on an average.

However, cabinet ministers claimed that extensive usage of cars is an indication that the ministers are working hard and are connected to the people. "Car usage shows who is working for the public. Our job is to reach out to the maximum number of people. I start my day early and travel as much I can. I have to attend various sabhas, visit government departments and meet people. There are times when I eat breakfast and lunch while travelling in the car," Agriculture Minister Om Prakash Dhankar told MAIL TODAY, while justifying the excess use of official vehicles.

"It is shocking that official cars are being used so much. The figures are shocking. The average use of eight cars allotted to the chief minister is rather low but that of his cabinet colleagues is way too high. Most of the ministers are using their cars beyond 15,000 kilometres a month. This indicates that official cars are being misused. The government should probe the usage of these cars," said the RTI applicant Jagjit Singh Walia.

There are some ministers, however, whose cars run less than 12,000 kilometres a month on average. This includes Finance and Industries Minister Captain Abhimanyu, Bikram Singh Thekedar, Kavita Jain, Nayab Singh Saini and Narbir Singh.
Forty art galleries and more than 300 artists--after completing four successful editions in Mumbai and an international edition at World Trade Centre, Seoul, the India Art Festival has finally debuted in Delhi.

By Adila Matra: Forty art galleries and more than 300 artists--after completing four successful editions in Mumbai and an international edition at World Trade Centre, Seoul, the India Art Festival has finally debuted in Delhi. The lineup is a mix of established artists such as Seema Kohli, Aparna Caur and GR Iranna, along with emerging artists. The Delhi edition is mainly aimed at the mid-level galleries, with some participation from major galleries as well. "Many art galleries do not get an opportunity to exhibit in the major art fairs for various reasons. India Art Festival is here to democratise the very functioning of the art market and gallery system," says festival director Rajendra.

The National Stadium plays host to the truly eclectic and vibrant festival. At the entrance is an eye-catching installation by Sudhanshu Sutar. Named 'What is intolerance?', the installation consists of an opened trunk filled with crabs made of fiberglass. There are crabs all around the trunk, on an orange fish net, vying to make its way to the box. Each crab has a face painted over it. Look closely and you will realise that these are the faces of politicians and celebrities. The one crab on top of the heap inside the trunk has Modi's face painted on it. Says Sudhanshu Sutar, "We live in a democracy where each of our leaders behaves like crabs in the age old story. They try to pull down each other and then they complain about intolerance."

Mixed media work by Asta Mudaliar.

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Another interesting work is that of Asta Mudaliar who has created portraits of famous personalities like Marilyn Monroe, Audrey Hepburn and Marlon Brando with hand embroidery. She weaves beads and threads to create every detail of the face. Kanta Kishore from Odisha carves on stones and marbles to convey a message. His model of newspapers carved out of marble, which has headlines related to dowry abuse and rape, are thought provoking.

I have also carved a tome out of stone, with its pages destroyed and burned. Through this, I wish to talk about how our mythologies are being forgotten and discarded," says the Odisha-based artist.

Paintings of masters such as MF Husain, George Keyt, Ram Kumar, T Vaikuntam, KG Subramanian, Satish Gujral and SH Raza can also be spotted in various booths. Says Rajendra, "There was a time when the works of the masters were available only with the mainstream galleries. But today, medium to small level galleries and several other secondary market operators deal with the works of the masters. That means the market has literally opened up".

India Art Festival, with its first edition in Delhi, has paved the way for an affordable art fair not just for art buyers but also exhibitors. It will be, in years to come, a dialogue and collaboration among art galleries, independent artists, art collectors and connoisseurs. "Seventy per cent of India Art Festival exhibitors have been repeatedly participating since 2011. This is possible only when there is a sense of belonging and pride," says Rajendra.

Where is intolerance by Sudhanshu Sutar. Where is intolerance by Sudhanshu Sutar.

Satbir Singh, a Delhi-based artist who has been showing his work in India Art Festival since 2011, says: "I am a selftaught artist. India Art Festival gave me a platform to show my work. And now, I am professional and serious about my work." His three-panel work called 'Caretakers' is a tribute to Mother Nature and the twopanel mixed media painting titled 'Twins' is stark with tinges of golden and silver. "I try to weave stories within stories in my paintings," says Singh, pointing to the hidden figurines within his painting.



India Art Festival is on at the National Stadium, India Gate, till January 17.
A 10-member delegation of senior officials recently visited the Netherlands and France to understand early warning systems and how they can be replicated in India.

By Darpan Singh: India has plans to set up a centralised water data facility as part of its high-tech flood forecasting systems to check massive and recurring losses of life, property and infrastructure in states.

This is after a 10-member delegation of senior officials recently visited the Netherlands and France to understand early warning systems and how they can be replicated in India. Countries such as the US and the UK are using these advanced systems for both flood and drought forecasting.

In the last one decade, India has been largely caught unawares and faced flood disasters in Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Bihar, Uttarakhand, Assam, Jammu and Kashmir, and Orissa. Currently the Bundelkhand region in Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh is facing a drought-like situation. The proposed National Water Informatics Centre (NWIC) in Delhi, linked to all Central and state hydrological, meteorological, oceanographic, environment and socio-economic databases, could be an ambitious leap towards better advance preparations and disaster management, officials say.

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The idea also is to collaborate with Netherlands' UNESCO-IHE Institute for Water Education, the world's largest facility of its kind. Top officials of the Union Ministry of Water Resources in Delhi last month discussed the possibilities to have collaboration with the UNESCO itself, and create a chair of the UN body for southeast Asia at any of India's IITs or universities.

"We plan to depute two groups of officers to the Netherlands to understand the functioning of their 'water information centre' and 'water room'. We're also looking at possible cooperation with France to scale up our forecasting mechanism," said a senior official in Delhi.

The delegation was in the Netherlands for four days, between November 9 and 12, and visited a number of government and private organisations and universities, which made more than 24 presentations. On November 13, they were in France and visited the UNESCO headquarters, besides several departments and institutions.

Water expert Manoj Misra, however, cautioned against any flat replication as water in India's context revolves around the three-four critical months of monsoon, a situation much different from any European nation. "There is a fundamental difference between our hydrology and river dynamics, including flood scenarios and the European situation. We must learn and adapt, but evolve practices and technologies which are rooted in our special hydrology and river dynamics," he said.

Heavy rainfall triggered the recent floods in Tamil Nadu that killed more than 400 people and displaced thousands. Rainwater couldn't leave the city because of the filling up of vast tracts of river floodplains, streams and storm-water drains for construction purposes.

In fact, several Indian cities remain in danger of being ravaged in floods as the MoEF has failed to implement a river regulation zone (RRZ) policy whose draft was prepared 13 years ago. The draft policy looks at dividing the area of the river floodplain into zones, the one closest to the river channel to be called "no development zone".

Also read:

Chennai floods were tough but the J&K one was the toughest for NDRF: OP Singh


The $ 100 billion Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank backed by China which formally launched operations in Beijing on Saturday could start funding projects in India as soon as this year, when it begins to disburse loans.

Representatives of the founding nations of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) cast their votes to establish the bank during the AIIB's opening ceremony. Photo: Reuters

By Ananth Krishnan: The $ 100 billion Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank backed by China which formally launched operations in Beijing on Saturday could start funding projects in India as soon as this year, when it begins to disburse loans.

The launch of the bank on Saturday in Beijing was attended by representatives from 57 member countries including India, which will contribute $ 8 billion, only second to China's $ 29.7 billion.

Out of the $ 1.2 billion that the bank plans to disburse in funds for infrastructure projects in its first year of operations, around half may come to India, sources said, with Delhi putting forward proposals for three to four projects including roads and power plants.

India, like other countries, will, to begin with, put forward its paid-up capital of $ 1.6 billion - the rest of the $ 8 billion is callable by the bank as required - in five annual installments, starting with $ 334.7 million this year.

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The Beijing-based bank will focus on infrastructure financing and will begin issuing loans later this year, starting with coordinating with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) on projects. China's Jin Liqun, a banker and former vice finance minister, was elected president.

While India had asked for a vice presidential post as second largest shareholder, it was ultimately decided that the post would be selected from candidates who apply, on merit.

"This is one negotiation I can openly say though we argued for it, personally I was happy to lose that argument," said Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Finance Dinesh Sharma, India's representative at the talks, pointing out that India had been a vocal critic of arrangements in the World Bank and IMF virtually guaranteeing posts to specific countries. "Merit is the accepted principle," he said.

Asked about earlier concerns whether the bank would be dominated by China, Sharma said the voting structure and diverse membership had ensured this would not be China-dominated.

China as largest shareholder under the arrangement has a 26 per cent voting share, while India (7.51 per cent), Russia (5.93 per cent) and Germany (4.15 per cent) follow. A 75 per cent super majority would be required for major decisions.

Sharma said in the negotiations India had also ensured that projects in disputed areas cannot go forward without the consent of all parties to the dispute. Worries had been expressed in some quarters as the bank was expected to support some projects in China's "Silk Road" initiative, which includes a corridor plan to Pakistan through PoK.

"We have taken care that if anything falls into areas where more than one country has claims, it should not be done without both countries agreeing," he said.

Launching the bank, Chinese President Xi Jinping said it would "effectively boost investment for infrastructure in Asia, channel more resources, particularly private investment for infrastructure projects, and promote regional connectivity and economic integration."

Xi said the founding of the bank "means a great deal to the reform of the global economic governance system" and would " make the global economic governance system more just, equitable and effective."

In addition to China's $ 29.7 billion stake, Xi announced that Beijing would add $ 50 million towards a fund to promote infrastructure development projects in less developed countries.
By PTI: Finance Minister Arun Jaitley will tomorrow embark on a six-day official visit to the UK and Switzerland during which he will also attend various deliberations at the World Economic Forum.

During his visit to London, Jaitley will meet his UK counterpart and Secretary of Exchequer George Osborne on Monday, according to a Finance Ministry statement. He will also participate in three different investor meets organised by Goldman Sachs, Mastercard and CII & Kotak Mahindra among others.

During his interaction with international investors, Jaitley will apprise them of the National Investment & Infrastructure Fund (NIIF) and investment opportunities in sectors such as infrastructure, manufacturing and services in India.

"The present government has taken various initiatives in the last one-and-a-half years making India an attractive destination for investment. These initiatives have resulted in making the Indian economy more transparent, stable and reliable," the statement said.

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"Now policy decisions have become faster and predictable. Other major initiatives include various tax rationalisation and simplification measures and opening up of different sectors of the economy for FDI among others," it added.

On January 19, Jaitley will participate in India-UK Bilateral Meet and Economic and Financial Dialogue and in the evening he will leave for Zurich, Switzerland.

The Finance Minister will participate in various World Economic Forum (WEF) programmes and meetings at Davos.

Jaitley is leading a large Indian delegation mainly consisting of captains of Indian trade and industry who in turn will also meet their counterparts from different participating countries to explore the possibilities of trade and investment among others.

Later, he will also address a seminar on India-Next Growth Engine of Financial Inclusion and Financial Governance.

Besides, Jaitley will hold bilateral meetings with his counterparts from different countries on the sidelines of WEF Meetings and would discuss among other things the world economic situation and Indias economic preparedness to meet any future challenges.

The Finance Minister will return on January 24 after his six-day long visit. PTI JD CS MKJ
A middle-aged woman and her twin sons were found dead with their throats slit inside their flat in Palm Avenue in Kolkata today.

A middle-aged woman and her twin sons were found dead with their throats slit inside their flat in Palm Avenue in Kolkata today.

The blood-soaked bodies of Jessica Fonseca and her sixteen-year-old twin sons Daren and Joshua were found in the bedroom of their third floor apartment this morning. Jessica's husband Neil Fonseca was also found in a critical condition and was rushed to the hospital.

Preliminary investigations indicate that the murders may have taken place due to a family dispute. Neil Fonseca told investigators that his wife murdered their sons and then tried to attack him. In a bid to protect himself, Neil killed his wife.

In her statement to the police, Jessica's sister Shabana, who lives in the same building, said that the family had dinner in a restaurant and returned home late the previous night.

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The bodies have been sent for post-mortem. A team from Karaya police station have reached the spot to investigate the case. A team of homicide detectives from Lalbazar headquarters are probing other possible motives of the crime.
Yes, you read that right. According to new research, Facebook profile pictures go a long way in swaying your probable employer's hiring decisions.

By India Today Web Desk: Facebook is making our life complicated in more ways than one. Not only is there added pressure to "look good for social media", now there's also pressure of your employment being dependent on how great (or not-so-great) your profile picture on the social media platform is.

According to a new research, employers are using social media platforms like Facebook to screen job candidates.

The Facebook profile picture affects chances of appointment about as much as the picture that one adds to the CV, the study from Ghent University, in Belgium, showed. Highly educated people are more likely to be screened via Facebook than the less educated, the researchers said.

Employers have limited information when they make their first selection of the candidates for their vacancies. A potential source of information is the social networking website, Facebook, the researchers explained.

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To examine whether employers actually use Facebook for the first screening, researchers sent fictitious letters of application to 2,112 candidates in response to genuine vacancies on the Flemish labour market.

The scientists compared the chances of positive responses for candidates with different Facebook profiles, wherein only the profile picture of the candidates was publicly visible.

"The candidate with the most favourable Facebook profile picture received approximately 21 per cent more positive responses to his application in comparison to the candidate with the least favourable profile picture," said Stijn Baert, a professor from Ghent University.

"The difference in the chance to be immediately invited to a job interview even amounted to almost 40 percent," he added.

The photos that were used in this study were selected for their different scores for attractiveness and personality (reliability in particular).

(With IANS inputs)
Inspector-General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar said in a tweet that the man was arrested on Friday at a station in Jelatik, close to the centre of the city.

Malaysia has been on high alert since bomb and gun attacks in neighbouring Indonesia's capital city on Thursday. Reuters photo

By Reuters: Malaysian police said on Saturday they had arrested a suspected militant with weapons and documents related to the Islamic State group at a train station in the capital Kuala Lumpur.

Inspector-General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar said in a tweet that the man was arrested on Friday at a station in Jelatik, close to the centre of the city.

No further details were immediately available. Police were expected to release more details later in the day.

Malaysia has been on high alert since bomb and gun attacks in neighbouring Indonesia's capital city on Thursday.

Security has been beefed up security in public areas and the country is taking extra measures to secure border areas fearing inflitration of terrorists.

Indonesian police killed one suspected militant and arrested two more in raids across the country on Friday, a day after an attack by Islamic State suicide bombers and gunmen in Jakarta that killed seven people.

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The NC leader while commenting on present political situation in the state said Jammu and Kashmir was passing through a difficult phase and asked party cadre to close their ranks for meeting the challenges.

Calling for communal harmony, the National Conference president said the state cannot progress unless equal opportunities of progress were made available to all.

By Naseer Ganai: With Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the BJP continued to be indecisive about the government formation in Jammu and Kashmir, National Conference president Dr. Farooq Abdullah today said strong National Conference is answer to all the problems of the state.

Addressing party workers in Udhampur in Jammu, the NC leader while commenting on present political situation in the state said Jammu and Kashmir was passing through a difficult phase and asked party cadre to close their ranks for meeting the challenges. "A strong National Conference is answer to all the problems confronted to the state. The party has braved all challenges courageously with active support of the people," he said.

"Peoples' aspirations hold paramount importance in democratic polity and the moment ruling elite suffers from mistaken belief of being 'kings' they get distanced from the masses. National Conference firmly believes in people to be the fountain head of power", Dr Abdullah said. National Conference has 15 members in the Legislatively Assembly.

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In January last year the party had offered unconditional support to the PDP from outside to form the government. However, after Mufti Mohammad Sayeed's death on January 7 the party has remained silent on the support. Instead the party has accused the PDP president of playing theatrical melodrama by remaining silent about the alliance.

Calling for communal harmony, the National Conference president said the state cannot progress unless equal opportunities of progress were made available to all. "Any attempt to divide society in bits and pieces on the basis of religion is detrimental for its harmonious growth", he said.

He said in his meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at a function in Gujarat in 2011 he had invited the attention of participants towards strengthening secularism for larger good of the country. "I had told Mr Modi that I want to see the day in my life when I would look in his (Modi's) eyes and would be able to see my Allah, and when he (Modi) looks in my eyes, he will see his Ram".

He said India and Pakistan had no option but to talk. He, however, added Islamabad must rein in terror ranks for lasting peace in the region.

"Unless tackled, peace inimical elements will continue to cast shadow over normalisation process between the two neighbouring countries", Dr Abdullah said.

Also read:

Farooq Abdullah's JKCA presidency under threat

Governor's rule in Jammu and Kashmir until Mehbooba Mufti takes charge as CM

Attack on Engineer Rashid could make Kashmiris think Jinnah was right: Farooq Abdullah


Seeking to scotch all speculations about the widening rift between the major allies in the ruling Grand Alliance in Bihar, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Rashtriya Janata Dal president Lalu Prasad bonded big time on the occasion of Makar Sankranti festival in Patna on Friday.

By Giridhar Jha: Seeking to scotch all speculations about the widening rift between the major allies in the ruling Grand Alliance in Bihar, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Rashtriya Janata Dal president Lalu Prasad bonded big time on the occasion of Makar Sankranti festival in Patna on Friday.

Nitish reached Lalu's 10, Circular Road bungalow to take part in the feast hosted by him. Playing the big brother to the hilt, the RJD not only personally served him dahi (yogurt), chura (rice flakes) and all the customary delicacies but also applied a big tilak on his forehead to welcome him home.

When asked whether Lalu had applied tilak on him as his blessings for the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, Nitish said that it was a gesture by an elder brother. "Lalu ji is an elder brother," he said. "He has applied the tilak as his blessings."

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Rabri Devi and Lalu's sons Tejashwi Prasad Yadav and Tej Pratap Yadav also attended to Nitish during his stay at their bungalow.

Janata Dal-United president Sharad Yadav also visited Lalu's house to attend the feast. A host of other senior leaders from JD-U and the Congress also made a beeline to Lalu's house.

Lalu reciprocated their gesture by attending a similar feast hosted by JD-U's state unit president Vashishtha Narayan Singh at New Patna Club. Singh said the feast had been organised to underline unity of the Grand Alliance in the Bihar so that the process of the state's development could be accelerated.

Sharad said the Makar Sankranti feast organised this year was special because the people of Bihar had shown the way to the nation in the state Assembly elections.

The meeting between Nitish and Lalu over the Makar Sankranti festivities took place in the backdrop of reports over the growing differences in the Grand Alliance. Recently, Nitish and Lalu had made diametrically opposite remarks over Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent visit to Pakistan.

While Nitish had stressed that such visits were necessary to keep the peace efforts going, Lalu said the Prime Minister had failed to contain terror in the country.

Earlier, Lalu had held a former DGP Abhayanand, who had been appointed by Nitish in his previous term, responsible for the demoralisation of the state police force.

His remarks had evoked sharp response from the JD-U which said that Nitish needed no advice on the law and front since the entire country was aware how he had pulled Bihar from the mess after coming to power. Later, RJD president Ranghuvansh Prasad Singh had asserted that Nitish, as head of the state government, had to shoulder the blame for the deteriorating law and order sitiation.

But the Grand Alliance leaders sought to forget all bitterness at the feast on Thursday. Lalu said that the state government was doing good work under the leadership of Nitish.

"This has made BJP leaders uncomfortable," he said. "They have started behaving like bedbugs."
Additional solicitor general Sanjay Jain had submitted a declaration to the Delhi High Court, saying the government was working on a policy to stop euthanasia (mercy killing) of Army dogs after retirement.

By Soudhriti Bhabani: At a time when Army dogs are set to feature in the Republic Day parade again after 26 years, there is going be achhe din (good days) for the retired military animals in the country's disciplined armed forces.

Additional solicitor general Sanjay Jain had submitted a declaration to the Delhi High Court, saying the government was working on a policy to stop euthanasia (mercy killing) of Army dogs after retirement. The declaration says the policy would be drafted in six months (by March 2016) and would also arrange for dogs' rehabilitation.

In mid-September 2015, the Delhi HC bench of Chief Justice G Rohini and Justice Jayant Nath was hearing a PIL by advocate Sanjay Kumar Singh, who had appealed that the "act of the Indian Army killing their service stocks once their duty years are over is so unreasonable".

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The additional solicitor general had also said the policy was being formulated and issues were raised in a writ petition, which sought an end to the practice, were under active consideration. Though a final policy is yet to be adopted, the Army has ceased further killing of ageing animals, except for those suffering incurable, terminal diseases and injuries.

The bench had disposed the writ petition which sought an end to the practice, saying the petitioner could approach the court again if he was not satisfied with the policy.

The Army had also been asked by the Defence Ministry to deal with the cases of animals suffering from incurable diseases, injuries and terminal diseases as per the provisions of Section 13 (3) of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960.

India is a country where even a healthy 'stray' animal is not permitted to be killed under the Act. Media reports at the beginning of June last year jolted the right-thinking citizens after an RTI query (What happens to Indian Army dogs - including the decorated ones - once they are not fit to carry out their rigourous duty?) had sought details about the method of disposal of animals, including dogs in the Army.

The reply (to an RTI application by R Kannan Govindarajulu) was: "Army horses and dogs are evaluated for their fitness with respect to the performance of duties. The animals which are considered unfit for one month active service are disposed of by humane euthanasia." Citizens' reactions from home and abroad were prompt and sharp.

On November 7 last year, the concerned section of the Remount Veterinary Services Directorate in the Army headquarters in Delhi had published an advertisement in the media inviting 'Expression of Interest' from 'Interested individuals and NGOs' regarding 'rehabilitation of unfit dogs, horses and mules'.
By Mail Today: AICC vice president Rahul Gandhi on Friday tried to connect with the Maharashtrian crowd in Mumbai by speaking in Marathi. And with the line, 'Til Gul ghya God God Bola' (eat til and jaggery and speak sweetly), he sent across a strong message to his party workers.

Gandhi went a step ahead and gestured that he would keep 'til laddoos' in his office and whenever there is a fight between two Congress leaders, he will offer it to them.

Gandhi's comments have to be seen in the backdrop of serious infighting going on in the party in Mumbai. On Tuesday, there was an ugly fight between supporters of former minister Naseem Khan and MLA Aslam Sheikh. The party workers had come to blows on the issue of deciding the itinerary of Rahul Gandhi. This was probably the reason why Congress leader Gurudas Kamat had to issue a statement on Friday, asking his followers to not create ruckus during Gandhi's visit.

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But despite Rahul Gandhi's comment asking his men to rein their horses and talk sweetly, there were stinging remarks made by almost all the leaders who later took to stage at the MRCC office the Gandhi scion had reached to inaugurate a hall in former minister Murli Deora's name. Gandhi said, "In a big party, such things are bound to happen. Difference of opinion is good...it only happens in Congress ... in RSS, they scare or finish off people." But in the same breath, he also advised those battling the onslaught of senior leaders ganging up against them that, "In an organisation, we have to take everyone along... if you want to work with everyone, you have to take everyone along."

When Gandhi saw that none of his remarks had any effect on the infighting going on within the party, he delivered the ultimatum too at the party workers' meet. He said, "If fights go beyond a point, it's my duty to bring in discipline."

Congress leaders have already started preparing for the 2017 BMC elections in the city and know that the infighting will have to be a thing of the past if the crucial elections have to be won. The turnout of party workers at both the meetings was good. Many party workers like actor Nagma found it difficult to get inside the MRCC compound in spite of having passes for the event. Many corporators had lined up hours before the meet was to begin, but couldn't make it inside without creating a ruckus.

Earlier in the day, Rahul Gandhi was received by senior Maharashtra congress leaders Prithviraj Chavhan, Ashok Chavhan, Narayan Rane at the airport. On Saturday, he will be speaking to a management college students in western suburb. He will also be holding a padyatra from Bandra to Dharavi, "to raise the voice against the electricity issue".
As Delhi international airport faces the threat of a serious fidayeen attack, the Delhi Police have prohibited the assembly of five or more people near the national Capital's IGI airport and Aerocity for the next two months.

Section 144 of the CrPC will be imposed in and around IGI airport for two months.

By Ankur Sharma: As Delhi international airport faces the threat of a serious fidayeen attack, the Delhi Police have prohibited the assembly of five or more people near the national Capital's IGI airport and Aerocity for the next two months. In a rather unusual move, the Delhi Police imposed Section 144 of the CrPC at IGI airport, including Terminal-3, Terminal-1D and Aerocity.

According to police sources, high alert has been sounded at the IGI airport as there are inputs that anti-national elements could target spots prone to public gathering.

The Delhi Police order restricts holding of public meetings, carrying of fire-arms, swords, lathis or organising protests near the IGI airport. According to the police, Section 144 of the CrPC has been issued as a preventive step.

"Public gathering in the vicinity of the airport disrupts traffic heading towards the terminal. It also poses a threat to human safety. To bring this condition under control, we have imposed Section 144 in the area," a senior Delhi Police officer told MAIL TODAY.

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According to the Delhi Police, this order will come into force with immediate effect from January 9, 2016, and will be continued for a period of 60 days. "Any person contravening this order shall be punishable under Section 188 of Indian Panel Code," the order states.

Meanwhile, airport staff and other agencies have raised concerns over the imposition of Section 144. "During odd hours female staff gather at a point to get cabs. Relatives too come to the airport to see-off their loved ones. Now it will be tough as local cops can question the gathering. This is for the first time when such an order has been issued," a senior official, working at IGI airport said.

DCP IGI airport DK Gupta said, "This order is to ensure safety of people. It is not to harass staff or passengers. It's to prevent unlawful gathering near the airport and to avoid any untoward incident in the area."
After inspecting the air base, MoD officials on Saturday made it clear that no insider was involved in the terror attack.

By India Today Web Desk: Senior MoD officials on Saturday were dismayed at non-maintenance of the 11-foot-high perimeter wall at Pathankot air base (in Punjab) which faced a major terror attack on January 2, 2016.

On January 1, a group of heavily-armed Pakistani terrorists entered the airbase from the western periphery wall of the airbase where a clump of eucalyptus trees tower over the 11-foot-tall wall. In a pre-dawn attack, the terrorists attacked the IAF base on January 2. Six Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorists were gunned down by the security forces after a four-day gun battle. Seven Indian security personnel also lost their lives.

The ease with which the terrorists penetrated the base and carried a huge cache of weapons raised several questions on the safety and security of the air base.

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After inspecting the base, a senior MoD official signalled that the IAF staff, including senior officers, may face action over security lapse at the air base.

"Poor state of security at the IAF base in Pathankot is unpardonable," the MoD official said.

However, the MoD officials on Saturday made it clear that no insider was involved in the terror attack.

Earlier, investigative officers had found that three fence floodlights at the air base were pointing upwards while every other light there was in the right direction.

Defence minister Manohar Parrikar had on January 5, 2016, said that some "gaps" in security may have led to the deadly terrorist attack at the Pathankot air force station.

ALSO READ:

Floodlights at Pathankot air base turned up to help Pak terrorists?



#PathankotAttack: BSF man's arrest exposes dark links


Student bodies have alleged that the first semester results at Delhi University, which came out on Thursday evening, expose major glitches in the grading system as several discrepancies have cropped up.

By Astha Saxena: Student bodies have alleged that the first semester results at Delhi University (DU), which came out on Thursday evening, expose major glitches in the grading system as several discrepancies have cropped up.

"The university has given a combined grading for theory and practical. Now, if someone wants to opt for re-valuation, how will a student get to know about the marks separately? There is no other way out for the students," said Sunand, secretary, Delhi State Committee, Students' Federation of India (SFI).

One semester has passed since the implementation of the Choice Based Credit System (CBCS) in DU. The CBCS allows students seamless mobility across higher education institutions and transfer of credit earned by students. The University Grants Commission (UGC) had in September last year asked all Central universities to implement CBCS from the ensuing academic session following a meeting of vice-chancellors of all universities.

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"Students studying in courses like History(H) have been given outstanding grades and those in math and science have received average grades. It is quite surprising that theoretical subjects have received better marks," a DU professor told MAIL TODAY.

The SFI collected data from colleges like Kirori Mal, Ramjas and SRCC.

Meanwhile, a DU professor has written to HRD Minister Smriti Irani seeking her intervention in the issue of alleged mining and illegal construction activities in Atma Ram Sanatan Dharm (ARSD) college in southwest Delhi. Over 100 trees have been illegally cut in the area without any permission from concerned authorities. "Not only huge funds are being spent for beautification but also natural resources are damaged, looted and used for illegal money making," Professor Pravat K Basra said in his letter to Irani.

Basra had last month approached the police, alleging that the college officials are involved in illegal mining and construction activities in the area. Delhi Police registered a case against unidentified persons under various sections of IPC, Delhi Trees Conservation Act 1994, Mines and Minerals (Regulation of Development Act) 1957. The college was in a row in 2013 over the same issue when the forest department had cracked down and stopped the mining operations.

Anand Srivastav, from ABVP, however said: "We have also received various complaints in this regard. If all this turns out to be true, we will take up the matter to higher level."
The Bengaluru police are yet to nab the miscreants, who created a scare in the city by placing a fake bomb at the Cauvery theatre junction in the city on Friday.

The CCTV footage from the Cauvery theatre and a fuel station are being analysed by the police to identify the culprits.

By Mail Today: The Bengaluru police are yet to nab the miscreants, who created a scare in the city by placing a fake bomb at the Cauvery theatre junction in the city on Friday.

The police recovered a Japanese-make wine bottle filled with liquor, wires and powder in a bag placed in a suspicious manner under a transformer. After public reported about the presence of the mysterious bag, the police had to stop movement of vehicles on the busy Ballari Road, to examine the contents.

The CCTV footage from the Cauvery theatre and a fuel station are being analysed by the police to identify the culprits. The police suspect that the miscreants planned to create confusion on Sankranti festival day by placing the fake bomb.

ALSO READ | Bengaluru bomb threat call turns out to be hoax



--- ENDS ---
Tsai Ing-wen, 59, won around 60 per cent of the vote for the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), which has been less enthusiastic about economic integration with China, while the KMT's Eric Chu admitted defeat garnering 30 per cent, with two-third of all polling stations reporting results by Saturday evening.

By Ananth Krishnan: A former law professor on Saturday was elected as Taiwan's first female president, handing a landslide defeat to the China-friendly Kuomintang (KMT) which pursued closer economic ties with the mainland over 8 years in office.

Tsai Ing-wen, 59, won around 60 per cent of the vote for the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), which has been less enthusiastic about economic integration with China, while the KMT's Eric Chu admitted defeat garnering 30 per cent, with two-third of all polling stations reporting results by Saturday evening.

China regards Taiwan, an island of 23 million, as a "breakaway" province, although China and Taiwan have been ruled separately since the end of the Chinese civil war in 1949, when the KMT, losing to the Communist Party of China, fled to Taiwan.

Outgoing KMT President Ma Ying-jeou fostered closer economic ties with the mainland, with a landmark economic framework agreement boosting trade ties. Ma in 2015 held a historic meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Singapore - the first ever meeting between the heads of China and Taiwan - reflecting a warming of ties.

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However, perceptions among many sections in Taiwan that the benefits were not being shared - and largely profited elites - led to growing disenchantment, culminating in "Sunflower movement" protests by students last year calling for revising what they described as opaque trade deals.

Fears of Taiwan's identity being eroded as it fell into China's economic orbit have also risen. Only around two dozen countries - many of which are small island states - maintain diplomatic ties amid China's growing global clout.

In her victory speech, Tsai struck a somewhat conciliatory tone, promising stability in ties with the mainland and "consistent and predictable" cross-Strait ties.

At the same time, hinting at a different economic approach, she said she would rule with greater transparency and would protect Taiwan's sovereignty as a priority. Describing the election as historic, Tsai said the "democratic spirit" of Taiwan was the election's biggest significance, hinting at a contrast with one party-ruled China.
During his six year long incarceration, Masood Azhar spent many hours being interrogated by officials from India's security forces. He told them about his early life, his initiation into the world of jihad and his steep climb up the hierarchy of the Kashmir terror factory.

By India Today Web Desk: The image of Mualana Masood Azhar being escorted by Jaswant Singh and Ajit Doval to Kandahar in Afghanisatan is a scar etched in the collective memory of India. Azhar had been arrested from Kashmir, booked under TADA and housed at the Kot Bhalwal Central Jail in Jammu. During his six year long incarceration, Azhar spent many hours being interrogated by officials from India's security forces. He told them about his early life, his initiation into the world of jihad (the holy war) and his steep climb up the hierarchy of the Kashmir terror factory. India Today accesses the interrogation reports of Masood Azhar in which he narrates his life story.

Maulana Azhar was born in Bahawalpur in Pakistani Punjab on July 10, 1968. His father Allah Bakhsh Shabbir was a headmaster at a local government run school. His family operated a dairy and poultry farm. When he was in the 8th standard his father's friend Mufti Sayeed persuaded Azhar's father to let his son study at the Jamia Uloom ul Islamia in Karachi. Here he found himself in the company of students who were under the influence of leaders of the Harkat-ul-Mujahideen or the HUM, a terrorist organisation which was active in Afghanisatan at the time.

Azhar passed the almia or the Islamic exam with distinction in 1989 when he was 21. At an age when most youngsters are confused about their future, Azhar was crystal clear about what he wanted to do. He had been deeply influenced by Harkat-ul-Mujahideen leaders and many of his fellow students from Sudan, Bangladesh and Pakistan had already left to wage jihad in Afghanistan.

Azhar met Maulana Fazlur Rehman Khalil the chief of the HUM who directed him to proceed for tarbiat or training in jihad. Azhar told interrogators he went to Yuvar a terrorist training camp in Afghanistan. Yuvar soon turned into a nightmare for the young Masood Azhar. He had immense difficulty when it came to obstacle courses and weapons training. He was podgy... stood at 5 feet 3 inches... and just could not cross the trenches filled with water... his gun just could not aim at the target... his heavy frame would not allow him to compete... His peers made fun of him... some called him motu... Azhar was dejected... He could not complete the mandatory 40 day training programme. He told his interrogators he almost gave up his plans of becoming a jihadi.

His handlers realised that Azhar would be of no use in the battlefield. He was sent back to the Jamia Islamia in Karachi... Here he took up a job as a teacher....His knowledge of Islam and his literary skills soon saw him bringing out a magazine - the Sada I Mujahideen or the Knock of the Mujahideen. The magazine carried articles on the exploits of the Harkat Ul Mujahideen in Afghanistan. Free copies were distributed after Friday prayers. The Sada I Mujahideen was a super hit. It's propaganda material helped lure many a new recruit into the world of jihad. Azhar impressed his boss HUM chief Fazlur Khalil with his ability to edit a rousing magazine. Azhar's other great skill which made a deep impression on the HUM supremo was his ability to make impassioned speeches and motivate youngsters to join the world of Jihad.

Soon the fortunes of the stodgy Masood who had failed his terror training saw a complete turnaround. He made a name for himself as an ace motivator and brilliant orator. A new department of motivation was set up under Masood Azhar. The world of terror had found a new star.

By 1992 Azhar had established himself as a journalist, editing the Sada I Mujahideen and collecting funds for his comrades in Afghanistan. HUM Chief Khalil encouraged the Maulana to expand the scope of his work by undertaking foreign tours... make speeches and collect funds. Azhar travelled to Saudi Arabia for Haj and was able to collect Rs 3 lakhs in a matter of days. He traveled to Zambia in Africa where he stayed for a month. Here again he collected Rs 2.2 million. His next destination was the United Kingdom where he visited Birmingham, Nottingham, Leicester and London. Here too he won many friends, influenced people and gathered huge sums of money for the Jihad factory. Azhar's stock rose rapidly in the eyes of his bosses. They realised this was no ordinary terrorist but a very special ideologue.

Azhar was asked to go to Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir to meet Sajjad Afghani. Sajjad was a sharpshooter who had performed heroically in the battle against the Russians. They met in January 1993, a month after the demolition of the Babri Masjid in India. Azhar told interrogators that the demolition of the Babri Masjid infuriated him no end and he decided to wage war against India. Azhar travelled across POK addressing public meetings and speaking about the need to liberate Kashmir from India.

In 1994, Azhar was asked to go to Indian Kashmir and boost the morale of the Mujahideen. Azhar flew on a Portuguese passport to Dhaka and from there travelled to Delhi. When he landed at the Indira Gandhi Airport in Delhi his name was Adam Issa, a Portuguese national of Gujarati origin. Azhar checked into famous Ashoka Hotel for the night. Before going to Jammu, Azhar wanted to travel to Lucknow and from there to Ayodhya.

Azhar travelled to the disputed site and narrated his experience to his interrogators. "I remember the day I was standing there. In front of me was the Babri Masjid in ruins. Angrily, I was stamping the ground with my shoes and saying, "O Babri Masjid we are sorry... you were a sign of our glorious past and we will not rest till we restore you to your former glory." These lines went on to become a part of every speech Azhar gave from that day on to motivate Harkat cadre.

By the time Zahra travelled to Srinagar he had developed an image as a great Islamic ideologue who had travelled to 25 countries propagating Jihad and collecting funds. His first meeting or Majlis E Jihad was in Ananthnag, 70 kilometres from Srinagar. Azhar told his interrogators, "About 25 armed mujahideen gathered at a small house in the village. The young men's chests were decorated with magazines. All of them were listening to me intently with their AK 47s cradled in their arms like children in their mother's care." Azhar added, "I picked up a Klashnikov and after feeling the weapon in my hands, found that it was ready to talk to the mushrikeen or enemy. The bullet was in the chamber and it was ready to fire and I felt ecstatic at the thought of enemy soldiers falling... my joy knew no bounds as I held the loaded gun in my hands."

Azhar had spent only two days speaking to the mujahideen in the valley. He was looking forward to Friday when he was to deliver prayers at the Jama Masjid. But that day as he and a colleague Sajjid travelled to the Masjid, their car broke down. The duo tried to hail an auto rickshaw but that is when he was arrested by the Indian forces. This was a deadly blow to Azhar's handlers in Pakistan. The man who had been sent to help win independence in Kashmir had been arrested even before his mission had truly begun. Luckily for Azhar though, Indian agencies had no idea about the man they just arrested. For them he was an ordinary terrorist?one of many misguided youth who had picked up the gun against India.

A master motivator, Maulana Masood Azhar's mind was more dangerous than a Klashnikov, his words more lethal than bullets. The Pakistani establishment was in panic and was desperate to devise a strategy to secure Azhar's release. But in India, the Intelligence Bureau and the Research and Analysis Wing were oblivious to the significance of the man they had caught. For months, Azhar was questioned by different officers. He played dumb. He presented to be a journalist. At that time, India knew no better. Despite sustained questioning, Azhar did not break. Shockingly the interrogating officer from Kashmir's counter intelligence wing concluded his report by saying that "Azhar was not himself involved in any terrorist activity in Kashmir."

On the other side of the LOC though, a plan had been hatched. Within months of Azhar's arrest, in June 1994, the Harkat Ul Ansar kidnapped two British nationals while they were trekking near Pehelgam. Among the demands placed by the kidnappers was the release of Maulana Azhar. The plan of terrorists fell flat. But the ISI did not give up.

The next time Omar Shaikh was sent to India. Omar was later involved in the kidnapping and death of Wall Street Journalist Daniel Pearl. Omar's brief was to kidnap foreigners and secure the Maulana's release. Born and brought up in England, Omar was educated at the London School of Economics. He managed to befriend an American and three British tourists and kept them chained at a safe house on the outskirts of Delhi. But he was soon nabbed by the police.

Pakistan did not give up. In 1995, five more foreigners were arrested by the Al Faran, a front for the Harkat Ul Ansar. The name that topped the list of terrorist that the kidnappers wanted freed was Maulana Masood Azhar. It was only now that the agencies began to realise the importance of the man they had in their custody. Azhar was so important that even the Pakistani High Commission officially sought his release on the grounds that he was a journalist.

In June 1999, there was a riot in the Jammu prison in which Maulana Masood was lodged. The rioting started after a daring escape bid by foreign and local militants. Sajjad Afghani and other terrorists had managed to secretly dug a tunnel. Azhar checked out the tunnel but came out after going in six feet because he felt that the tunnel was too narrow for broad people like him. The escape bid failed. Sajjad was killed in the firing. Sajjad's killing pressed alarm bells in Pakistan. The ISI feared that Azhar too may be killed. By now Azhar's Pakistani handlers were desperate. They began planning to hijack a plane from Kathmandu to Kandahar.

On December 24, 1999, Indian Airlines flight IC 814 was hijacked as it made its way from the Tribhuwan International Airport in Kathmandu to the IGI airport in Delhi. At 5:30, pm just as IC 814 had entered Indian airspace terrorists from the Harkat Ul Mujahideen commandeered the plane. After touching down in Amritsar, Lahore and Dubai, the hijackers forced the plane to land in Kandahar in Afghanisatn. Kandahar at that time was under the control of the Taliban. The hijackers released 27 of the 176 passengers in Dubai. Fatally stabbed one. And wounded several others.

The hostage crisis played itself out on national television for seven excruciatingly long days. The hijackers were demanding the release of three terrorists - Maulana Masood Azhar, Mustaq Ahmed Zargar and Omar Sheikh. The Indian government was under immense pressure. Relatives were protesting at the Prime Minister's house.

In Kandahar Taliban fighters had surrounded the aircraft to prevent any attempt by Indian commandos from storming the plane. The clock was ticking. The terrorists had given an ultimatum. They would kill all the hostages if their demands were not met. The Vajpayee government relented.

External Affairs Minister Jaswant Singh and Intelligence Bureau Chief Ajit Doval escorted three dreaded terrorists - Masood Azhar, Omar Sheikh and Mustaq Zargar to Kandahar and handed them over to the Taliban. Azhar later described his flight to freedom. "The plane was flying high and heading for Pakistan. I turned to look back and caught the curiosity filed glance of Mustaq Zargar. Another mujahideen commander, Omar Sheikh was sitting a few rows ahead of me. Each of us had three guards around us. Jaswant Singh, the minister of Bharat, sat in the first row. He had a physician who gave him some tablets. The cabin crew offered us refreshments but we refused. We were neither hungry nor thirsty but lusting for freedom. The historic moment arrived when the plane started descending."

Azhar added, "The runway flashed by and I was a mixture of emotions. Mullah Omar, the person whose deep love filled my heart lived here in Kandahar. When I was in prison, I desperately yearned to kiss the hand of Mullah Omar. I felt like breaking the door of the plane and running like a mad man on the tarmac. As soon as my feet touched the ground, my heart was transformed."

"Taliban officials greeted us at the foot of the stairs. As I watched mesmerised, two masked men came down with the use of a rope and hugged me. My eyes welled with tears. I could not help thinking that I was arrested on a Friday and released on a Friday."

The day they landed in Kandahar, Azhar and Omar Sheikh went and met Mullah Omar and his special guest Osama Bin Laden. They reached Pakistan a week later. On 31 January 2000 - exactly a month after touching down in Kandahar - Masood Azhar announced the formation of the Jaish-e-Mohammed. He addressed 10000 armed followers at a mosque in Karachi.

Azhar was the motivator and fund collector. Zargar helped him recruit local Kashmiris. Omar was the arms instructor. Their motto: Jihad is worship. The men who had been let off from an Indian prison went on to form one of the most dangerous terror outfits whose sole motive is to hurt India's interests.

In the spring of 2000, just as the snow was beginning to melt and flowers were starting to bloom in the Kashmir valley, an audacious attack changed the face of terrorism in India forever. A 17 year old school boy from downtown Srinagar, Afaq Ahmad, blew himself up in an explosive laden Maruti outside the gates of the 15 Corp Headquarters. Afaq Ahmad was the valley's first human bomb and this attack marked the start of a new phase of terrorism in Kashmir. Within weeks of setting up the Jaish E Mohammad, Maulana Masood Azhar had announced his deafening arrival in the world of terror.

It was on 31st December 1999 that Maulana Masood Azhar had been freed from an Indian jail. Exactly a month from the day he was freed, Masood Azhar announced the setting up of the Jaish E Mohammad or the Army of Muhammad. The Jaish's first training camp was set up at Balakot in the North West Frontier Province of Pakistan. Masood had two key men on his side - Omar Sheikh and Mushtaq Zargar. Omar was an arms instructor trained in the use of small and heavy weapons. Zargar was earlier the head of the Al Umar and had a wide network of contacts in the Kashmir valley. He helped recruit locals Kashmiris for the Jaish. Azhar was the main motivator and funds collector. Together, they formed the most deadly terrorist organisation that had ever attacked India.

According to Indian intelligence agencies the Jaish E Mohammed carried out more than a 100 attacks on security forces and strategic installations across India. The most deadly of these attacks came on October 1, 2001, when militants belonging to Jaish-e-Mohammed carried out an attack on the Jammu and Kashmir State Legislative Assembly complex in Srinagar. They used a Tata Sumo loaded with explosives, ramming it into the main gate with three fidayeen suicide bombers. 38 people and three fidayeen were killed in this attack.

Then on 13 December 2001, the Jaish combined with the Lashkar E Taiba to attack the symbol of Indian democracy, its parliament. Six Delhi Police personnel, two Parliament Security Service personnel and a gardener were killed while battling the five terrorists. The attack on Parliament sparked national outrage. The Vajpayee government launched Operation Parakram. India and Pakistan almost went to war because of the evil designs of Masood Azhar.

Under pressure from US President Bill Clinton, Pakistan's President General Parvez Mussharraf was forced to ban the bank accounts of the Jaish. Masood was taken into custody. Parvez Musharraf had decided to side with the Americans in the battle against the Taliban. This led to much anger among the terrorists who owed moral allegiance to the Taliban. There was a split in the Jaish in late 2001. One group affiliated with Maulana Abdul Jabbar deciding to train their guns on Pakistan. In 2003 Jaish operatives were involved in an assassination attempt on the life of General Musharraf. In July 2007, the group was involved in the stand off between army and jihadists who had occupied the Lal Masjid in Islamabad.

Throughout the 2000s, Masood Azhar remained under preventive custody. He stayed loyal to his handlers in the Pakistani state. But his cadre was getting increasingly restive. Many split to join the Lashkar E Jhangvi. Jaish elements were part of spectacular attacks on the Pakistani state, including attacks on Pakistan Air Force stations. It was in December 2014, that the ISI decided that it wanted to revive the Jaish to ensure that the guns of the army of Mohammad would continue to point towards India rather than have them attack Pakistan. It was as part of this strategy that the Jaish attacked the Pathankot airbase at the beginning of this year. Amid conflicting reports over whether he has actually been detained, Masood Azhar remains one of the most potent threats to India.

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ALSO READ:

#PathankotAttack: Jaish chief Maulana Masood Azhar identified as handler

Now, Pakistan Punjab province govt says Masood Azhar detained



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--- ENDS ---

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Rahul Gandhi said that they are simply putting a little pressure on the government to address three suggestions made by them in the GST Bill.

By India Today Web Desk: Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi in an interaction with the students of Mumbai's Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies raked up the issue of GST and accused the Modi government of arrogance and intolerance.

The Congress has come under attack for attempts to block the Parliament and not let major reform bills pass. Rahul Gandhi, however, stepped clear of the controversy and said that they are simply putting a little pressure on the government to address three suggestions made by them. "We do not want a GST where there is no cap on taxes. We want a limitation on maximum tax that can be charged to the people. Functioning of GST requires huge infrastructure, the work has not even begun for that. Govt should begin that work", the Congress leader said.



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Commenting on reports that said Finance Minister met him seeking co-operation on the GST Bill, Rahul said: "Jaitleyji came to see me and the press stated that he talked to me about GST, actually he came to invite me for his daughters wedding".

Speaking on a wide range of topics, Rahul even advised the students to not limit themselves and be prepared to take risks. "Idea to change the world will fail if you don't know what you are doing", he said.

Comparing the economies of China and India, the Congress vice-president pointed out that China is bigger than India in terms of economy and strength. "Millions of people paid for it with their lives (In China). We didn't kill millions of people. I am much happier to live in India?China is a stronger country but India will move ahead," Rahul said.

The Gandhi scion also answered questions on Start-Ups, and pointed out that even now excessive red tape and government regulations are hurdles for the entrepreneurs. Also, he said that an ecosystem should be in place for the benefit of Start-Ups.

Coming down hard on the RSS, Rahul said that their culture cannot be imposed on the entire country. Intolerance is rampant and any voice of dissent is quashed. Start-Ups can only flourish if free thinking and questioning is allowed and the government must understand that intolerance and Start-Ups cannot go hand in hand.

The Congress vice-president will start his roadshow after the interaction.



Also read:

Rahul Gandhi switches to Marathi to save the day in Mumbai

Rahul Gandhi's latest dig at Modi: You can't clean roads by speeches only


"The culprits must certainly be booked as per law of the land. We have nothing to do with them and have never had anything to do with them," TMC national spokesperson Derek O'Brien said in a statement.

By PTI: Trinamool Congress today said the driver of the car which mowed down an Air Force officer here should be booked as per law and made it clear that the party has no connection with him or his father.

"The culprits must certainly be booked as per law of the land. We have nothing to do with them and have never had anything to do with them," TMC national spokesperson Derek O'Brien said in a statement.

Opposition CPI(M) had yesterday alleged that police was reluctant to take action in the matter because of the proximity of the accused with the ruling party.

Describing the incident as "horrific", the TMC Rajya Sabha MP said the car owner, reported to be in the driver's seat, has no connection with his party.

"His father is a minor political activist elected to the state assembly with Left Front support in 2006. Neither the alleged driver of the car, nor his father has ever attended formal, committee or organisational meetings of TMC.

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"Neither of them has ever been appointed to a post or got a letter to this effect from the party," he said.

Police have issued look out notice against Ambia Sohrab, Sambia Sohrab and their father former RJD MLA Mohammed Sohrab, who are absconding after the speeding car reportedly owned by them killed the 21-year-old officer at Red Road on Wednesday.

A city police officer said teams of the force have already fanned out to neighbouring states in search of the trio.


By India Today Web Desk: Sure, the Kardashian-Jenner sisters seem to have the alchemist's touch-everything they touch seems to become expensive! But that doesn't mean they're not allowed their off days.

Spanish fashion house Mango recently reeled in Kendall Jenner for their spring 2016 tribal collection, and while this may seem like a good move to help bolster the brand's image, it's been doing a bit of the opposite, according to EOnline.

Considering the collection is centered on the "tribal spirit" of the African Savannah, many people became enraged that the company used Kendall rather than a person of colour as the face of the campaign.

Are you ready to take on the next big trend? Introducing #TribalSpirit, our new campaign starring @KendallJenner pic.twitter.com/HXMT1i60iU MANGO (@Mango) January 14, 2016

Mango's vice president, Daniel Lopez, explained to Women's Wear Daily, "We thought that she was the best model to embody this trend. And obviously the upside with that is that, as a model, she's very professional, she works fantastically. As a celebrity she has huge repercussions in the market and among her followers."

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Here are some of the reactions that came Mango's way:

Kendall Jenner has been chosen as the face of Mango's Africa-themed campaign: https://t.co/frB3IdBDvD @runway_riot pic.twitter.com/yF7sna6zTH Malikah Kelly (@malikahkelly) January 15, 2016

Lol at Mango's new collection being called Tribal spirit. Lol at Kendall Jenner being the face of that collection. candice swanepoel (@diorhardin) January 15, 2016
The island nation of Cuba is in the public eye once again due to a thawing in diplomatic relations with the United States following fifty years of animosity between the islands Castro regime and nine U.S. presidential administrations. Embassies have opened in the respective capitals of both countries and the future looks guardedly promising.As these developments occur in the political landscape, more information becomes readily available on the ufological sphere thanks to the efforts of Cuban researchers like Orestes Girbau, whose articles have been prominently featured in INEXPLICATA, the journal of the Institute of Hispanic Ufology. Mr. Girbau is a guiding light of the Asociacion Cubana de Ufologia (Cuban Ufology Association, or A.C.U. by its Spanish initials).One of the most intriguing items of information  and clearly one of the most compelling ones  is a documentary created in 1997 after the island had experienced an intense wave of UFO activity, coinciding with the nearly non-stop UFO/paranormal activity in neighboring Puerto Rico. This visual work bears the title(OVNIS En Cuba?) and runs only a few minutes short of an hour. It was directed and produced by Octavio Cortazar, Armando Linares and Hugo Parrado Frances, edited by Hector Falagan de Cabo and with modest but very effective special effects created by Miguel Coyula. It can best be described as a survey of the Nineties saucer/occupant wave, but alludes to a number of historical events that are not widely known outside the island.October 1995 would represent a significant date for Cuban ufology: the first mention of a traditional UFO occupant encounter in the mold of the 1973 UFO Wave. It involved a peasant named Alfredo Zarate, 74, who speaks on camera for the production."I happened to be cutting cane, and then decided to light a cigar," explains Zarate, walking across a field, followed by the camera. "That's when I saw a craft descending. Then, before it touched the ground, it braked and made a soft descent. When it landed, I saw a man emerge from it, from inside. He was camouflaged. he then turned around and went around the craft. I thought he was talking to another, but I couldn't see him. I suppose it took him around three minutes, more or less. Then he came around again, grabbed some grass, opened the door to the craft and went in. There was an outburst of air, the craft was lifted upward, and then a blast of fire followed. Blue fire. Then it vanished."The camera focuses on the farmer as he recalls the astonishing event. "When the craft took off, I came to the spot [where it had been] and saw it had left some marks on the ground, right here where I'm standing," he explains, gesturing with his arms. "From that point on, well, the police got involved and measured, saying it was five meters long by two meters wide."Zarate shakes his head. "No, it made no noise. All it did was give off a burst of air pressure, and the machine was lifted up. This was followed by a burst of flame and it took off. I didn't see it again. No, it wasn't an airplane or a helicopter, because I got to work with the Russians and got to see many machines there, and none of them resembled this. Since the day that device landed there, I've tried planted crops on the spot, but the seeds have been no good. I don't know if maybe they scattered something, or what. See how odd this is - on the site where the craft landed, it is more burned than anywhere else," he waves a hand over a discolored field of shoots." At this point the camera pulls away slightly and cuts to a new scene, discussing the fact that Cuba had not yet experienced the abduction phenomenon that was sweeping other countries. But elderly Mr. Zarate soon returns to speak about this possibility.A cousin of mine vanished, he explains grimly, in profile. I dont know if it has anything to do with these craft or not. Thats all I can tell you. Here in this town, people brought it up after that vehicle had been here. People say it couldve been that craft that took him away. I cant say that it was indeed that craft, since I didnt see it. They searched for him here, and they searched well. Here, anyone who gets lost in the wilderness is looked for by the people, and the Army goes out as well, because a battalion went in there. Plus the people. Look, that was from here, Zarate gestures, pointing a finger in the air, to way over there. People everywhere. Acre by acre, all the way in there [the wilderness]. Well, you can imagine the things people say about the craft maybe carrying him away and what not. But I dont believe in that. The honest famer looks away from the camera, perhaps to conceal his tears.The October 18 1995 issue of the Giron newspaper summarized the case in a brief news item entitled   Adolfo Zarate, a smallholder, who witnessed the strange event, says that he was working on his field when he witnessed the descent of a saucer-shaped object with the approximate size of a light car. According to the 74-year-old witness, the flying object remained on the ground for some minutes while a human-looking figure, dressed in camouflage and wearing a helmet, descended to collect plant specimens before returning to the ship. Zarate adds that the UFO began to rise immediately, issuing a strange buzzing sound and vanishing in a southward direction after an explosion. The authorities inspected the site and confirmed the existence of flattened grass and compacted earth.There is a sad follow-up to the Zarate experience.The blog) features an article written in June 2005 by Carlos Alberto Heredero Garcia concerning a visit to Adolfo Zarates farm by the author and his friend Erick Mota. The two UFO researchers received a cold welcome from relatives who wanted no further association with flying saucers. They soon found that interviewing the elderly smallholder would be next to impossible, as he was in a state of depression and in poor health. Things had gone badly for him since the UFO experience, and he now regretted it. Mockery by the press and neighbors alike was worsened by the discourteous treatment he received by the island's scientific establishment, and journalists accusing him of trying to profit from the sighting.UFO sighting reports were received from the localities of Puerto Padre, Majibacoa, San Antonio de los Banos and Florida (Camaguey Province) were received in following days, witnessed by civilians and military personnel on duty.An even more spectacular case took place in mid-December 1995, when the EFE news agency reported that a UFO had supposedly to the south of Havana in a community known as Guara. The news wire noted that a number of non-human entities had emerged from the object, collected samples of vegetation, and more disturbingly  had taken some people with them, a claim that was never confirmed. In the light of the disappearance of Adolfo Zarates cousin, one can only wonder.A UFO abduction incident of a more familiar sort is also featured in theDocumentary. It concerns the experiences of Anisia Arias in late 1990, interviewed by the documentarians in what appears to be her own home, face to the camera without any form of concealment.I went out to the yard, she explains in a melodious voice, I looked up at the sky, saw a little light moving, resembling a satellite, toward the north, near the star Polaris. It stopped abruptly, went backward, descended, and remained stationary some 500 meters from where I stood, some 100 meters above the ground. Thats when I was able to make out its shape. It was semi-oval, disc-shaped, with a slightly bulging, dome-shaped upper section, made of a material very similar to aluminum, brilliant aluminum, surrounded by a halo that outlined its contour. Suddenly, before I had a chance to react, the object flew over to where I was at tremendous speed, coming to within 5 meters of where I stood. I found myself encompassed by its luminous halo, which was like a fog. I was able to see something inside the dome which I couldnt quite make out. Thats when I lost consciousness. What happened, I do not know. What do I think happened? I dont know that either. All I know is that when I came to, I was inside the house again. How I got there, I dont know, because I was in the yard. I found myself inside the house like someone who has been dropped in from a height. I could feel my knees buckling, and I made a considerable effort to make myself rigid to recover and remain standing, which I was able to do. I breathed deeply, recovered, and was able to see that everything was very well lit. The object was outside the door. I heard a sound  a sound like a very high-pitched buzz. I knew it was behind me, but I was very afraid, and did not turn to look. I walked toward the living room, phoned my mother, and told her: Quick, get up! Theres a fireball behind me trying to burn the house down. I kept walking and exited through the bedroom door, looking at the ceiling for signs of fire, since the object appeared to be on fire, which wasnt true. I then looked into the sky, into space, and was able to see the object flying away to the north, toward where it had come, near the North Star. I stayed in the yard, and when I tried to walk, I felt pain in my feet, as though they were very heavy. I could feel cramps traveling up my legs, like an electrical current. I felt extremely tired, overcome with sleep. My mother was asking me questions, but I couldnt answer her. I wasnt able to speak that night. I went to bed in my clothes.Mrs. Arias steeples her fingers and glances sideways. The next day, I got up and noticed that the daylight hurt my eyes. I tried to remember, but I still felt tired and a little stupefied. I was able to recall what had happened with great effort, and I was able to see that plants that come into the objects proximity were wilted. As the days went by, they kept changing color and dried up, until they were completely dry.Interested in learning more about her missing time ordeal, Mrs. Arias underwent hypnotic regression, a session of which is shown in the documentary. Lying on a pink patterned bedspread, eyes closed, the woman answers weakly to the hypnotists questions, with captioning on the screen to facilitate the viewers understanding of the session.They were blonde, she mumbles. I remember their faces. Blonde and skinny. They have equipment looking like radios. They were touching my arms, squeezing my facethey had me in a sitting positionwhite seats[the crafts interior]is white and roundedand the seats were white.We are then shown how the hypnotist brings the session to a close as Mrs. Arias starts breathing heavily, recalling how the entities inserted pins into her right hand.In April 1982, as hundreds of residents of Havana took their nightly stroll along the seaside promenade known as the Malecon, there was a bright flash over Havana Bay which immediately caused them to think they were under attack. Warheads, however, did not drop out of the darkness. Instead, there was an overwhelming brightness which gradually coalesced into an image of the Blessed Virgin--more specifically, Cuba's patroness, la Caridad del Cobre--extending her arms toward the startled masses on the promenade, as she remained suspended in the night sky. Unlike traditional images of the Blessed Virgin, this one did not bear the Christ-child in arms, nor were there any other religious items (crosses, etc.) associated with it. The divine protector appeared to be wearing a snow white mantle which contrasted even more so against the prevailing darkness.The story was featured in("The Clouds of Deceit"), one of the most important books written by Spanish researcher Andreas Faber Kaiser, who would meet an untimely end, allegedly at the hands of the intelligence services. According to Faber Kaiser, Cuban authorities did their best to suppress the story, but it reached Miami-based broadcasters WRHC and WQBA. Further reports indicated that the divine image was seen again days later at port of Mariel, where it was taken to be Our Lady of Regla. The consternation created by this second sighting caused soldiers to open machine gun fire against the image. At least one of these men would require psychiatric treatment as a result of this experience. Reports of similar responses were received from the cities of Guanabo and Trinidad as well.Faber Kaiser suggested that a U.S. Navy submarine that projected an advanced holographic image as part of psychological warfare operations against the Cuban government. While it may be hard to believe in both the sophistication of such techniques, and the fact that their use would ever be authorized, the fact remains that it would be one--albeit the most spectacular--ever employed against that island's socialist regime. On February 2, 1962, the Pentagon authorized a number of psychological warfare techniques which ranged from bombarding the city of Havana with free plane tickets for destinations such as Mexico and Venezuela as well as photographs showing Fidel Castro entertaining foreign women in expensive restaurants.The world is indeed a small place, and it shouldnt cause us any surprise to find the answer to a riddle in an entirely different part of the planet. Manuel Carballal, a world-traveler and member of Spains 3rd generation of UFO researchers, happened to find himself in Mongolia on an unrelated mission when he had the opportunity to interview General Battsagan Tsiiregzen. The military man offered new information concerning the Havana psy-ops event of 1982.General Tsiiregzen had been part of his country's diplomatic mission to Cuba at the time. He witnessed how a policeman drew his sidearm and fired at the apparition, being so unnerved by the event that he was hospitalized and given psychiatric treatment. A Russian sailor, informed the general, had a similar experience, due to his inability to fit what he was seeing within the Marxist-Leninist framework of his upbringing. The Mongolian attache was also able to confirm another story--that a scuba diver who had been in the water in the vicinity of the apparition had lost consciousness and had been brought to an emergency room. According to the story, whenever the hapless diver opened his eyes, he would goggle as though witnessing a vision, and would then lose consciousness again.In the city of Trinidad, southwest of Havana, strange phenomena apparently played out while the divine patroness cast her beatific gaze over the bewildered townspeople. There were reports of strange odors in the air and smoke issuing from the floors of every dwelling.The amazing account by the Mongolian diplomat was included in Carballal's own book,(Planeta,2001), and he adds the highly intriguing detail that the U.S. intelligence community is believed to have planned a follow-up to its successful 1982 demonstration: to spread the belief among Cubans that Fidel Castro was the Antichrist foretold in the Book of Revelation, projecting a holographic image of Christ over the skies. It was believed that this "miraculous" event would unleash a rebellion that would overthrow the government.Reports of gunfire directed against unidentified flying objects are also featured in theDocumentary.At 8 p.m. on December 14, 1995 the community of Guara, located south of Havana, had its daily routine interrupted by an unknown presence in the sky. People took to the streets to get a better view of the light, described as large and yellow, surrounded by smaller red lights. It hovered over the cane fields with the undulating motion so common to the phenomenon since its earliest descriptions. Local children interviewed for the project believed that the object was interested in taking sugarcane samples, and the mysterious visitor made no noise whatsoever as it maneuvered only inches over the crops.Some soldiers on duty opened fire against it, says one of the youngsters, creating an imaginary weapon with his hands. They fired flares (sic) at it with their rifles, but what [the UFO] did was scattered their bullets like this, making another expansive gesture, like when youre shooting at something and a big light happens. The documentary substantiates the childrens account with eyewitness testimony provided by their elders.Objects were also reported in the village of Camacho, not far from Batabano, where they flew over a shooting range, where villagers could hear soldiers opening fire against them. Ricardo Cala, who happened to be driving his truck toward the village, heard shouts coming from the men he carried in his payload. In came a UFO, a saucer, and I was startled. I looked through the truck window, and when I saw that reflection, looking like a balloon, having a fully illuminated small base, flying past my vehicle. The time was between eight and eight thirty in the evening. It flew at some fifty meters from the vehicle, because it was really close by. The only thing was it didnt let you get a better look at it due to the amount of light it put out. It made no noise and we felt nothing. We kept going and it paced us for some ten minutes, more or less. Then, as we entered the village of Camacho, that was when we heard gunfire. I wondered if that thing was doing the shooting, but no, there was a military unit nearby firing at it. Tracer rounds were visible, the tiny red light of the tracers, and fifteen seconds after the shooting started, that thing vanished out of sight.Mr. Cala also added to his testimony that the objects presence had caused a blackout through the area, a peculiarity common to UFO cases elsewhere in Latin America.There was also hostile response to unwelcome UFO activity in 1968, when objects of unknown origin buzzed a military facility on Cabanas Bay in 1967. The troops quartered at this installation were jolted out of bed shortly after midnight by a blast of machine gun fire from the sentry box manned by Isidro Puentes. A squad was rushed to the area, but the sentinel was not at his post. Dozens of spent rounds were later found in the area, completely crushed as if they had impacted a very solid object upon impact. Even more ominous was the discovery of burn marks that suggested the landing of a large object with an estimated weight of ten tons.The missing guard was found later in the morning, completely unconscious. He was taken to a military hospital, where he remained in shock and unable to speak for nearly seven days. The hapless soldier was then transported to a neurology unit, where scans showed that he had no brain damage, but still remained unresponsive. When he finally emerged from his trance-like state, the soldier told the medical staff and investigating officers that he had seen "strange lights" behind the trees, and upon investigation, was faced with a large object shaped like a "luminous sphere." Believing that the object could be the spearhead of a U.S. invasion force, the soldier fired at it, and could remember little else.Anyone interested in viewing the documentary can do so at:We would like to extend our thanks to the creators of this unique and extremely valuable tool for understanding the case histories of a society which has been largely closed off from the world for a number of decades.Full credits:Documentary. 1997. (55:45min)Directed and Produced by: Octavio Cortazar, Armando Linares and Hugo Parrado Frances.Editing: Hector Falagan De Cabo.3D Animation and Music: Miguel Coyula.Titles: Richard Molina.Special Assistance From: Laritza Ayupova, Lilly, Yamila Garzon.TV Universitaria - AD HOC Video.Havana, 1997.
Investigative reporting from the inner city to Wall Street to the United Nations This is the blogspot version InnerCityPress.com
APA petitions are one more tool we use to protect public lands or threatened wildlife by engaging federal agencies and pushing them to do better for the ...
To the best of my ability I write about my experience of the Universe Past, Present and Future
Something other than politics in Washington, D.C.
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.
[January 15, 2016] Hunter Fan Company Awarded CES 2016 Editors' Choice for Wi-Fi Enabled, Apple HomeKit-Enabled Ceiling Fans

MEMPHIS, Tenn., Jan. 15, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Hunter Fan Company, the leading manufacturer of ceiling fans, debuted two Wi-Fi enabled fans at the 2016 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, which received a CES 2016 Editors' Choice Award by Reviewed.com/USA Today. Chosen from hundreds of new products, the CES Editor's Choice Awards honor products that are considered exceptionally innovative in their technology, value and design. Hunter's new Symphony and Signal ceiling fans boast support for Apple HomeKit technology and connect to a home's Wi-Fi network to create an automated suite of comfort, security and energy efficiency. "Hunter Fan has a 130-year legacy of ceaseless innovation, and we're honored that our latest designs were recognized with a CES 2016 Editors' Choice Award," said Hunter Fan CEO John Alexander. "Our tireless commitment to quality and originality is why Hunter is the industry leader, and our collaboration with Apple and launch of the first affordable Wi-Fi-enabled ceiling fans are testaments to our rich heritage." Apple HomeKit technology allows users to control each fan  or a group of fans  using Siri on their iPhone, iPad, iPod touch or Apple Watch. Users can create custom Scenes with other HomeKit-enabled products to automatically turn on the fan's light, lock the doors, close the garage door and set the thermostat to the desired temperature in just one step. HomeKit-enabled products also work together based on Triggers; for example, the fan's light can be triggered to turn n the moment the fire alarm detects smoke. HomeKit technology provides advanced security with end-to-end encryption and authentication between the fan and the iOS device.



Symphony retails at $329 while Signal retails at $379. Both fans are available spring 2016 at: HunterFan.com; Amazon.com; Build.com; BestBuy.com; HomeDepot.com; Lowes.com; Menards.com; and in lighting showrooms nationwide. The fans were developed in collaboration with industry leaders Ayla Networks and Marvell Technology Group Ltd. For more information, please visit HunterFan.com/hunterconnects.

About Hunter Fan Company Founded in 1886 and headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee, Hunter Fan Company is the world's original ceiling fan manufacturer. For 130 years, Hunter has led the industry in innovative design and quality craftsmanship to deliver maximum air movement and unmatched performance. Hunter ceiling fans are available at lighting showrooms, home centers and online retailers nationwide. For more information, visit HunterFan.com, call 1-888-830-1326 and connect with Hunter Fan Company on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, YouTube and Twitter. To see how a Hunter fan would complement your home, download the free Hunter Fan Visualizer app in the App Store and Google Play. Media Contacts: Lauren Whisenant

Hunter Fan Company

[email protected]

(901) 248-2299 Ressa Tomkiewicz

the / zimmerman / agency

[email protected]

(850) 668-2222 To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/hunter-fan-company-awarded-ces-2016-editors-choice-for-wi-fi-enabled-apple-homekit-enabled-ceiling-fans-300205267.html SOURCE Hunter Fan Company

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Avances. Israelies crean un metodo para mejorar el diagnostico y tratamiento de la infeccion del tracto urinario
Less than eight miles south of Warsaw's centre, yet within its city limits lies Jeziorki. Suburban yet rural, provoking thoughts about development and progress. As well as plenty about human spirituality and consciousness.
CHARLESTON -- During his time as a Douglas County corrections officer, Dave Closson saw a need for a system of conversation that would promote interest in a person to positively change their behavior for the better.

After his time working in Douglas county, Closson started to develop a system or style in which to approach interacting with people that would ignite an internal motivation to change.

It is a style of interaction. It is a way to talk to individuals to illicit their own internal motivations to change their own behavior, he said.

He started using and implementing this style called, motivational interviewing, during his time as an officer for the Eastern University Police Department.

Like when a person slows down when they see a squad car even if they are following the speed limit, motivational interviewing elicits the person to analyze their own behavior and change it in a positive way.

When talking to people on patrol, he would often use this tactic to inspire change within the people in the community. Aside from using tickets and lectures every time to stress making good decisions, Closson started using this motivational interviewing technique, which he found to be quite successful.

The student will voice his/her own reasons of why they should make a change, and then you help strengthen his/her own internal motivation, Closson said.

When talking to students on the street, not all of whom may have been doing something wrong, Closson said he had positive interactions with students.

They loved having that positive interaction with law enforcement, Closson said.

It was crucial to Closson that the interactions don't always end or start with him saying they should not do this or that, but instead, promote an interest within the person to be successful.

Closson said he often used this technique to de-escalate the situations and promote change within people who may be making bad choices, particularly in enforcement situations such as when he was sent to the residence halls for cannabis and drinking complaints. He also used the method when just talking to people around the campus.

It was just another tool in your belt, he said.

Using this technique, the potential change within the person can happen immediately following the incident, he said. Instead of citing the person and leaving to the next call, officers could talk with the person and encourage them to change.

In September 2015, he published a book, Motivational Interviewing for Campus Police, that detailed the process in a systematic and formal approach. Closson said he wanted to give police officers a more formal way in which to engage.

Closson said often, officers already use motivational interviewing to promote cooperation and positive change, but his approach details specifics in how to use the technique.

Motivational interviewing is slowly being used in officer training to teach the officer how to use it effectively, Closson said. Predominantly used by officers on college campuses, motivational interviewing is being used to educate students and teach them to want to be successful.

For him, motivational interviewing takes police communication to the next level by fostering the long-term change in the individual, according to a press release.

Outside of college campuses, Closson said he believes this style of interviewing has the potential to apply to law enforcement agencies across the country, especially for crime prevention officers. He said drug task forces can use it as a tool to not only promote change within the person but motive them to help the police out.

Closson said some officers may be resistant to using this technique at first, though. Many might consider it to be a counseling technique and not meant for officers, however, he said the officer often is talking with another person in a counseling like setting.

Closson plans to give a presentation about his book on Jan. 22, at the 2016 National Association of Student Personnel Administrators Strategies Conference: Alcohol & Other Drug Abuse Prevention in Orlando, Fla.

While Closson is no longer a police officer, he still uses motivational interviewing as the assistant director of Illinois Higher Education Center at Eastern. In the position, he gives training and consultations to reduce student health concerns related to alcohol, drugs and violence, according to a press release.
MATTOON -- Emergency responders came to the assistance of William G. Sewell when he was injured and pinned inside his vehicle following a collision on Nov. 16 in rural Mattoon.

Friday evening, Sewell visited the fire station in Mattoon City Hall to personally thank the Mattoon firefighter/paramedics and Lincoln Fire Protection District volunteer firefighters who helped him during this emergency situation. He was accompanied by his children Joshua, who also was in the accident, and Micah.

The two-vehicle collision occurred at approximately 5:30 p.m. Nov. 16 on Old State Road at the entrance to the Sugar Creek subdivision, near Sewell's home. The collision resulted in Sewell's SUV and the other driver's pickup truck crashing into a fence on the south side of the Coles County Memorial Airport.

Lincoln Fire volunteers were dispatched to the accident scene because it occurred in their jurisdiction, and Mattoon Fire Department personnel were dispatched to provide ambulance crews and extrication equipment.

Rob Ratliff, who is chief of Lincoln Fire's station in Lerna, said the arriving emergency responders found that Sewell's driver's side door had been pushed into the SUV and that part of this vehicle was wrapped around them.

Ratliff said the firefighters, led by Mattoon shift Capt. Doug Dodson, needed to cut off the driver side door, roof and other sections of the SUV to access Sewell. He said they also tended to Sewell's passenger, his 17-year-old son Joshua.

The scene was challenging for the firefighters because the accident happened at nightfall in heavy rain and the driver side of the SUV was up against the airport fence in a ditch that was filled with storm water, Ratliff said. He is also a Mattoon firefighter.

Once Sewell was extricated from his SUV, a Mattoon ambulance crew took him to Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center and then on to Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana. Sewell said he was hospitalized for a week, suffering five broken ribs, lacerations to his liver and spleen, and a skull fracture.

"If it had been any worse, it would have been fatal," said Sewell, who is a science teacher at Oakland High School.

Joshua Sewell said his injuries included chipped teeth and a piece of bone that broke off of his thumb, an injury that cut short his season on the Mattoon High School wrestling team.

Mattoon firefighter/paramedic Dillon Kircher, who was part of the ambulance crew that took Sewell to the hospital, said he appreciates the thanks from him and is glad to see him up and walking around.

"It's what we hope to do whenever we go on a call," Kircher said.

Sewell said he grew up around fire houses because his father served for more than 25 years as a firefighter in Chicago. Consequently, Sewell said he was especially moved to thank the emergency responders who helped him at the accident scene.

"We don't usually get thanks. It is very awesome you have come by to thank us," Ratliff said. He was accompanied by Lincoln Fire volunteers Eric Cresap and Ryan Moore, who also responded to the accident.
100 years ago, Jan. 16, 1916

Sunday. No paper.

50 years ago, 1966

Sunday. No paper.

25 years ago, 1991

CHARLESTON  Gov. Jim Edgar unwound in his hometown Tuesday. Which is to say, he unwound as much as anyone can unwind in an Eastern Illinois University Grand Ballroom jammed wall-to-wall with people who want to press your palm. Edgar, who had been governor of Illinois for one day, accommodated as many as possible. The homecoming for Edgar and first lady Brenda Edgar was marked by compliments and kidding SPRINGFIELD  Gov. Jim Edgar on Tuesday ordered state agencies to cut spending and said he would trim the governors office budget by $1 million. Edgar said the moves were aimed at narrowing a projected $300 million gap between state revenue and spending CHARLESTON  Much of the news surrounding Jim Edgars election has centered on the tough fiscal situation the state is in. But John Dowling of The Associated Press wrote that Edgar has a few things going for him: After spending more than half his life in state government, Edgar comes into office knowing more about his job than any newly elected governor in recent Illinois history. James Thompson and Dan Walker were lawyers who had never held elected office. Richard Ogilvie and Otto Kerner were Cook County officials, Dowling wrote.

100 years ago, Jan. 17, 1916

SULLIVAN -- Two hours after she had been granted a divorce from Charles Bird, Mrs. Betty Jenkins Bird, aged 23, was brutally murdered on the streets of Sullivan at 6:30 o'clock Saturday evening. She was shot through the heart and fell to the street with her life-blood reddening the pavement. All clues and suspicions point to the husband, who was arrested in Tuscola at the Chicago and Eastern Railroad station at 1:30 Sunday morning... MATTOON -- A delegation of Mattoon and Charleston "good road" advocates will go on Tuesday morning to Springfield to appear before the state utilities commission with a view of procuring an order compelling the Big Four Railroad Company to rebuild and make safe for automobile traffic the overhead bridge on the south road between Mattoon and Charleston. the delegation will include Dr. I.A. Lumpkin and E.B. Tucker, officials of the Big Four Trail; Judge John McNutt and C.L. James, all of Mattoon; and T.N. Cofer, Fountain Turner and John W. King, all of Charleston, as well as others.

50 years ago, 1966

MATTOON -- Jack Lynch knows the savage characteristics of the lobo wolf. Lynch, who grew up in Charleston, recently was featured in an article in the Saturday Evening Post magazine in an article by Robert K. Massie. Lynch said that as late as 1915, the bounty on these killer wolves soared to $10,000 apiece. At that time, Lynch said, ranchers' losses rose to a staggering $30 million. Lynch and his wife Margie obtained probably the last pack of lobo wolves in captivity. The couple dedicated their lives to prevent them from becoming extinct about four years ago and moved them to Pennsylvania... MATTOON -- A new Illinois milk production record in the official herd testing program of the Holstein-Friesian Association of America has been established by a registered Holstein cow owned by Foster Walk of Neoga. Breaking the previous record is Walkway Queen Carrie 5207231. Her new record for 4-year-olds milked two times daily in the 305-day division totaled 24,756 pounds of milk and 849 pounds of butter fat.

25 years ago, 1991

CHARLESTON  Dissension to the actions of the president and working to pull the reins tight on government leaders are both acts of patriotism. So say a faction of faculty and students at Eastern Illinois University at Wednesdays teach-in on the EIU campus. Sponsored by the EIU Coalition for Peace in the Middle East, the teach-in brought more than 150 students and faculty together to learn about the Middle East crisis that has now escalated into war CENTRAL SAUDI ARABIA  The United States and its allies launched a mighty air armada against Iraq early Thursday to crush that Arab nations military power and drive it from conquered Kuwait. The liberation of Kuwait has begun, President Bush declared in Washington, signaling the beginning of Operation Desert Storm.

100 years ago, Jan. 18, 1916

MATTOON -- When the second semester opened at Mattoon High School Monday morning it found 360 pupils enrolled, or a gain of about 100 percent in the last five years. So heavy has enrollment become that the board of education employed an additional teacher. Miss Mabel Womacks of the University of Illinois has been secured, to have charge of the departments of English, algebra and business law. There are seats in the assembly room for only 261 students. The present enrollment of 360 is by far the heaviest in the history of the high school... CHAMPAIGN -- Harry Ross of Mattoon came to Champaign Saturday to see a "lady friend," it is said, and instead landed in the arms of police. Mattoon officers had notified Champaign police that Ross was carrying a revolver, and he was placed in the calaboose on this charge, a .45 caliber revolver with a barrel about 14 inches long being found in his possession. He paid a fine of $27.50.

50 years ago, 1966

MATTOON -- The Boyd Henderson building 1819 1/2 Broadway Ave., was selected Monday night as the site for the Coles County Mental Health Clinic. The organization's board of directors unanimously approved a bid submitted by J. Boyd Henderson for leasing the second and third floors of the building for operation of the clinic. The facility is expected to be ready for occupancy by the mental health clinic by March 1... MATTOON -- Mattoon is an excellent place for a man and his family to locate, John W. Huffman told the Mattoon Rotary Club today. Huffman, a member of the Ryan and Heller law firm, presented an address on "Why a Professional Man Would Choose to Live in Mattoon." Huffman posed questions that confront a college graduate attempting to choose from among 25 to 30 job offers. Huffman taught at Mattoon High School for two years before entering law school.

25 years ago, 1991

CHARLESTON  Local families are coping with news of the start of Operation Desert Storm -- the war in the Middle East. Jim Morriseys parents went to Indianapolis Wednesday with hopes of seeing their son at Fort Benjamin Harrison. That chance ended when fighting began in the Persian Gulf. Morriseys parents, John and Caroline Morrisey of Charleston, found the based closed to anyone without military identification. Morrisey and the rest of the 233rd Military Police Unit based in Springfield have now left for Saudi Arabia. The MP unit includes about eight Charleston-Mattoon area residents MATTOON  Area motorists may have had a bit of a surprise Thursday. Some may have anticipated higher gasoline prices because of the outbreak of hostilities in the Persian Gulf. However, it didnt happen. The lowest self-service price for regular unleaded gas was $1.249 in Mattoon and $1.269 in Charleston, said Arthur Willardet Jr. of Willaredt Oil Co. in Mattoon.
We all know the saying about every cloud having a silver lining.

The planned Federal Communications Commission frequency spectrum auction that threatens to undermine Eastern Illinois University's WEIU TV station is good for one thing: It reminds us of the value of WEIU.

A push from the FCC has the station and university, and other stations across the country, deciding whether to seek to sell off their frequency -- to potentially be used for cellphone and Wi-Fi signals -- or to be repackaged to a lower frequency.

WEIU General Manager Jack Neal said if the university were to sell the WEIU frequency, which would take several months, the station broadcast would go off air within 60 days after the sale.

EIU President David Glassman had to make a decision by Tuesday to express interest in the FCC auction in order to be eligible for it. But the university can bow out of the auction, which starts March 29, between now and then. By law, Glassman's decision can but does not have to be made public before the start of the auction. The university has chosen not to make its decision public at this time.

We side with a majority of people at a recent public forum on the topic in opposition to EIU taking part in the auction.

WEIU is the only local television station in the eight-county area. Residents benefit greatly from local programming such as the continuing "This Is Our Story" series, which already has featured Effingham, Mattoon, Charleston and Paris. Viewers have enjoyed many other regional stories told on WEIU via shows such as "Heartland Highways."

Local journalism is not to be taken for granted. Without WEIU, Charleston and Mattoon would lack broadcast journalism except that provided by out-of-market TV stations, where Charleston and Mattoon are not their priority. As EIU broadcasting students learn their trade under the guidance of professional journalists, they cover news across this area and bring it to a variety of viewers, some of whom may only use an antenna to watch television. In those cases, WEIU may be almost their only connection to regional TV.

WEIU is just as important for the university as it is for the wider community in this area. A broadcast journalism program that trains students fully in the nuances of television work is part of what a comprehensive regional university should offer. A wide range of student academic areas is what draws young people seeking a well-rounded education. The university would be remiss to overlook the contribution of this program to its overall success.

We have more questions than answers about this auction.

If the university sold the WEIU frequency, would it really be for millions of dollars? Is that frequency in this area so much in demand? And who can guarantee that the financially strapped university itself would even receive the funds should the frequency be sold at auction?

The threat to WEIU is not just to those who work there and students who benefit from a thorough broadcast education at the station. It is a potentially huge loss for the community, not to mention the university.

The WEIU frequency should not be auctioned off. WEIU needs support, as it supports the university and community, and its value needs to be recognized. We hope EIU leaders will find a way to keep WEIU and its broadcasting program intact.
Position: Finance Officer  Treasury

Term of Employment: Fixed Term

Duty Station(s): Addis Ababa

Required Number: One

Salary & Benefits: Competitive

Application Deadline: January 26, 2016

BACKGROUND:

The Agricultural Transformation Agency (ATA) has been established by the Government of Ethiopia (GoE) to identify and address systemic bottlenecks to Ethiopias agricultural development. The Agency does this through problem-solving, implementation support, and capacity building of stakeholders involved in implementation of interventions that address the systemic bottlenecks. The Agency reports to a Transformation Council chaired by the Prime Minister and whose co-chair is the Minister of Agriculture.

The programmatic focus of the Agency responds to a core set of needs identified by the Ministry of Agriculture and the Transformation Council. Within the Agency, issues are divided into three different groups: Production and Productivity which includes Inputs and Crop Protection, Livestock, Research and Extension, Mechanization and Rural Finance; Agribusiness and Markets including Market Support Services, Commercial Farming, Agro-processing & Market Development, and Cooperatives Development; and Environmentally Sustainable and Inclusive Agricultural Growth including Natural Resource Management, Sustainable Land Management, Gender Equality and Nutrition, Climate Change and Disaster Risk Management, and Planning and MLE. Across the programs, the ATA engages public, private and non-governmental stakeholders to support strategic planning, manage and strengthen implementation capacity and test innovative models.

Our Culture

We have an exceptional team of employees with a proven track record of success in managing complex activities and achieving transformational results. Our culture is one where talented individuals are committed to doing their best and work together to achieve excellent results.

At ATA, we provide an exceptional platform for people who want to achieve their highest potential and make a meaningful contribution in changing the countrys agricultural sector. We offer rewarding work in a young, fast-paced growing organization with passionate, motivated colleagues and excellent career development and training. We recognize our most valuable assets are our people and are committed to providing our employees with the tools and training necessary to achieve their career goals.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The role of a Finance Officer-Treasury comprises of maintaining financial records of the organization and preparing reports based on relevant information in a way so as maximize profits for the organization. The Finance Officer-Treasury is responsible for supervising over the treasury including, assessing the net capital available and the liabilities of the organization from its respective bank accounts.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:
The Legislature recessed before noon Friday to accommodate the annual Martin Luther King Jr. ceremony at 11:45 a.m. in the Rotunda. Senators will have Monday off for the holiday and return on Tuesday, when debate goes to half days and hearings begin in the afternoon. Debate will continue at that time on a bill (LB113) that would require up to a $10 co-pay from inmates on requested medical visits.

That would be followed by debate on a bill (LB136) that would prohibit the use of flying lanterns in the state. Hearings start at 1:30 p.m. with bills in these committees: Agriculture; Banking, Commerce and Insurance; Education; Transportation and Telecommunications; Urban Affairs. A schedule is available at: http://nebraskalegislature.gov.

"I did hear from my home county, Sarpy County, and they are not weighing in on this issue. And my interpretation of that is that there's not a windfall to be found here, for my county anyway. And the cost to implement or to manage this could easily offset the additional revenues that would be gained ... ." -- Sen. Jim Smith, during debate on a bill (LB113) that would require up to a $10 co-pay from inmates on requested medical visits.

Omaha Sen. Beau McCoy will lead The Council of State Governments in 2016 as its national chairman. McCoy was first elected to the Nebraska Legislature in 2008 and is wrapping up his last term this year. "Conducting public service successfully in the modern political environment requires constant effort and self-education," McCoy said. "For more than 80 years, The Council of State Governments has been a trusted, nonpartisan resource for members in all three branches of state government."
With disjointed policies covering the use of body cameras by uniformed law enforcement officers in Nebraska, Omaha Sen. Heath Mello introduced a bill Friday that would outline requirements for their use.

The recordings would not be a matter of public record, much like police dashboard camera recordings are not, Mello said.

Body-worn cameras record both audio and video of interactions between an officer and a member of the public. The bill doesn't cover devices used by undercover officers.

Mello said the bill (LB1000) is based on a compromise between ACLU of Nebraska and law enforcement agencies. It does not require body cameras, but offers a minimum framework to follow for those that have them, he said.

The bill would require any agency that uses the cameras to adopt a written policy. Any agency that begins use of cameras in 2017 would have to have a policy within three months.

Policies would include these requirements:

* The agency would provide training to officers who use the cameras and those who come into contact with the video or audio data obtained from them.

* An officer would notify a supervisor of any problems with the camera.

* A body-worn camera would be worn openly in a prominent place on the body, uniform or clothing in a way that maximizes its ability to capture video footage and audio of the officers activities.

* As soon as possible, the officer would notify the subject that he or she is being recorded.

The camera would be activated only for law enforcement purposes and the policy would provide instances in which an officer should not record or may discontinue a recording in progress, considering the need for privacy in certain situations and locations.

It would also cover provisions for storage and access of recordings, which would be retained for a minimum of six months from the date of recording, except when part of a criminal, civil or disciplinary proceeding.

Fetal remains

Nebraska clinics could be banned from performing abortions if they are caught selling human fetal tissue under a measure (LB990) proposed by Sen. Al Davis of Hyannis.

The bill would also require abortion providers to dispose of the remains by burial, cremation or hospital-type incineration only, and file monthly reports with the state Department of Health and Human Services about how they disposed of each aborted fetus.

Clean energy loans

Residents of Lincoln and other Nebraska cities could borrow money through their local government to make energy-efficient improvements to their home or business under a bill (LB1012) introduced by Mello.

Loans would be repaid via the owner's property tax bill.

Improvements covered under the measure would range from buying new windows to updating heating and air systems to adding solar panels or wind power.

Cities would choose for themselves whether to create districts where such financing would be allowed, and the programs would be locally managed.

The proposal, called the Property Assessed Clean Energy Act, is based on similar legislation being considered by governments nationwide.

Property valuation

Another Davis bill (LB995) would require local governments to tax cropland based on its agricultural value rather than at 75 percent of its actual value.

The bill, which is aimed at lowering property tax bills for farmers and ranchers, defines agricultural value as the "actual value of land for agricultural and horticultural purposes or uses without regard to the actual value the land would have for other purposes or uses."
The battle over allocation of Nebraska's five presidential electoral votes will be reopened in the Legislature in coming weeks, with one presidential candidate already eyeing metropolitan Omaha's congressional district vote.

The bill, which would move the state to a winner-take-all system that awards all electoral votes to the statewide winner of the presidential race, sits at second-stage floor consideration, stuck there a year ago by a legislative filibuster.

The measure (LB10) introduced by Sen. Beau McCoy of Omaha is ready to be dislodged by a senator's designation of the measure as a priority bill.

It won't be his, McCoy said, "but I have reason to believe someone will prioritize it."

During a rally in Omaha last month, Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton pointed to metropolitan Omaha's 2nd Congressional District electoral vote, the one President Barack Obama snatched in 2008 during his first presidential race.

Omaha billionaire investor Warren Buffett clearly targeted that electoral vote when he introduced Clinton at the event.

"This district will be in play in 2016, and one (electoral) vote could be important," Buffett told the crowd.

That isn't what's driving the effort to revitalize his bill, McCoy said, nor does he consider the argument to be strictly partisan even though the proposal is supported by the Nebraska Republican Party and opposed by Nebraska Democrats.

"Contrary to what a lot of people think, it's nonpartisan for me," McCoy said. "I'd be fine with using a congressional district method for the entire country."

But when Nebraska is the only state in the nation other than Maine to award some electoral votes by district, instead of bundling them all for the statewide presidential victor, it dilutes Nebraska's voice, he said.

McCoy was a Republican gubernatorial candidate in 2014.

During the 2015 legislative session, supporters of the winner-take-all bill came within two votes of the number required to impose cloture and end an opposition filibuster, failing on a 31-18 vote.

One of the opposing votes was cast by Sen. Jeremy Nordquist of Omaha, a Democrat who since has been replaced by Republican Sen. Nicole Fox. That might mean a single legislative vote now separates the bill from success or failure.

Four senators who are Republicans joined all 13 senators who were Democrats and Sen. Ernie Chambers of Omaha, the lone registered independent in the nonpartisan Legislature, in voting against the motion to end the filibuster last year.

Sens. Sue Crawford of Bellevue and Adam Morfeld of Lincoln said they're prepared to fight the battle once again.

"Why would we want to reduce the incentive for candidates to campaign here and spend money in our state?" Crawford asked.

"Winner-take-all reduces attention and competition in close presidential races in our state."

In 2008, Crawford said, the Obama campaign opened a campaign storefront in Bellevue and engaged Nebraska college and high school students in a presidential campaign.

Morfeld said "partisan politics is the only reason" for attempting to repeal an electoral vote system that has worked to the advantage of Nebraska by dealing the state into the presidential race.

Nebraska has not voted for a Democratic presidential nominee for 52 years, always handing all five electoral votes to the Republican winner until the state in 1991 moved to its current system of awarding one of those electoral votes to the winner in each of the three congressional districts. The remaining two votes go to the state's overall winner.

The Obama campaign's decision to target the 2nd District vote was a game changer.

After winning Nebraska's Democratic presidential caucuses earlier in the year, Obama launched a ground campaign that identified and registered new voters, energized Democrats and mounted a get-out-the-vote drive that led to his capture of one electoral vote.

The president recalled that successful effort during his address to 11,000 Nebraskans who jammed the University of Nebraska at Omaha's Baxter Arena last week.
SouthPointe Church to hold healing service

SouthPointe Christian Church begins its new monthly evening prayer service of Healing, Mercy and Light from 7-7:30 p.m. Sunday. This come-as-you-are service meets in the sanctuary of the church at 7010 Helen Witt Drive. It will feature meditative music, a Bible story of healing, and then a quiet time for prayer, resting or lighting candles. The service will be on the third Sunday of every month at 7 p.m. Future service dates are Feb. 21, March 20 and April 17. For information, call SouthPointe Christian Church at 402-420-2750.

Service to aid in recovery after divorce

First-Plymouth Congregational Church, 2000 D St., will hold a Divorce Healing & Recovery Worship Service at 7 p.m. Tuesday. The service for people of all faiths will recognize the pain and sense of loss involved when a committed relationship is dissolved, said the Rev. Barb Smisek, associate pastor. It will not focus on the failure of a relationship, but acknowledge that the relationship is broken and that those at the service are trying to reorder their lives. The service is for anyone seeking spiritual healing after the ending of a major relationship, Smisek said. For information call 402-476-7565 or go to firstplymouth.org.

Program warns of human trafficking

Sheridan Lutheran Church, 6955 Old Cheney Road, will present a program on human trafficking for students in middle and high school, as well as adults, from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesday. The program will address the dangers and warning signs of potential human trafficking.

Stephanie Olson, executive director of The Set Me Free Project, will talk about the use of social media and gaming sites to attract potential victims, and the social-media acronyms traffickers use. The Set Me Free Project, a nonprofit organization, travels to schools, youth groups and communities, providing information how to keep kids safe.

This presentation is free to the public. To learn more go setmefreeproject.net. For more information on Wednesdays program contact Kathy Paisley, director of ministries and discipleship at Sheridan Lutheran Church at k.paisley@sheridanlutheran.org.

8,000 miles documentary to be shown

The Joyo Theater, 6102 Havelock Ave., will screen 8,000 Miles with Dad, a documentary following the motorcycle journey of Lincoln's Dale Taylor and his son Jay to the Amazon jungle, at 7 p.m. Jan. 24.

The film highlights the month-long journey the father-and-son team took to carry the ashes of of Dale Taylors parents, Royal and Joan Taylor, back to the Brazilian jungle where the Christian missionaries raised their children and socialized an Indian tribe. Tickets are $5 each and available at the door.

Like his parents, Dale Taylor spent much of his life as a missionary. He and his wife Lori served 19 years, and raised four children in the mountains outside of Chihuahua, Mexico, before returning to the United States in 2000.

In 2014, Jay Taylor, a University of Nebraska-Lincoln graduate now living in Traverse City, Michigan, suggested he and his father travel by motorcycle to Brazil and hold a boatside memorial service and marry the ashes of Royal and Joan Taylor at the place they had lived for 45 years. The film focuses on their journey.

A story about the Taylors' lives and journey will be featured in an upcoming issue of the Lincoln Journal Star.

McCook womens retreat to feature author

McCook Evangelical Free Churchs womens winter retreat, A Patchwork Life, will feature Nebraska Christian author, Stephanie Grace Whitson, as well as quilts. The two-day retreat begins at 7 p.m. Jan. 29 and continues from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Jan. 30 at 602 E. 14th St., McCook.

Award-winning novelist Whitson began writing fiction after an abandoned pioneer cemetery near her Nebraska country home provided a hands-on history lesson for her four home-schooled children and set her on a journey of personal study. She began jotting down scenes in the life of an imaginary woman crossing Nebraska on the Oregon Trail, and sent a query letter to a publisher.

She expected rejection. Instead, Thomas Nelson Publishers offered a three-book contract. Two of Whitsons first three books landed on the ECPA best-seller list, and two of her first nine books were finalists for the Christy Award. In 2012, "The Shadow on the Quilt," book two in the "Quilt Chronicles" series, was awarded Romantic Times Magazines Reviewers Choice Award for Best Inspirational Romance.

Using antique and contemporary patchwork, Whitson will share her personal faith journey, talking about losing her husband of almost 28 years to cancer, and learning to accept widowhood and starting over with a new marriage and blended family. The retreat also will include a variety of workshops.

The event is geared toward women ages high school through adult. Registration fees are $10 for Jan. 29 only, $20 for Jan. 30 only or $35 for both days. Lunch will be provided to women registered by Jan. 22. Register online at mccookefc.org or mail registrations to Stephanie Stevens, 1606 W. Second St., McCook, NE 69001. Make checks payable to: Womens Winter Retreat. For information call 308-345-5688.

Faith workshop looks at legislative topics

The 41st Ecumenical Legislative Briefing Day will be Feb. 13 at Christ United Methodist Church, 4530 A St.

Check-in time is 8:30 a.m. Worship begins at 9 a.m. Workshops are 9:30, 10:30 and 11:30 a.m. Lunch is at 12:30 p.m. with a closing address by the Rev. Kim Morrow, climate change resource specialist at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Workshop choices include immigration, domestic violence, death penalty, education, climate justice, mental health and corrections, human trafficking, aging, poverty and water. Each workshop will look at how the Legislature is responding to the issues.

The event is open to the public. Registration is $20, which includes lunch and a packet of information. Registration forms may be found online at 2016 Ecumenical Legislative Briefing Day. Deadline for registration is Feb. 1. For information, email rubythelander@gmail.com.
A South Carolina security company wants to change Lincolns criminal code to allow electrically charged fences in the city.

Michael Pate of Electric Guard Dog, a security company based in Columbia, South Carolina, told the Lincoln City Council last week he would like to change city code to allow his company to build electrical fences to prevent theft from local businesses.

Electric Guard Dog has a contract with LKQ Auto Parts, an automobile recycler in Lincoln, to build an electric security fence around some of its salvage yards. Pate said his company typically builds security fences for automobile recyclers, large equipment rental companies and other companies that keep property outdoors.

He said hes been working with city officials since April to change city code.

The only reason Im here is to ask that this process be sped up a little bit, he told the council Monday. LKQ is a little antsy to secure their property.

The 1963 ordinance is in Lincolns criminal code, something Pate said he has never seen before. Typically, it's in a city's building or electrical code.

Electric Guard Dog has installed nearly 5,000 electrical fences around the country and has worked to change codes in several communities. Pate said the company is seeking to change Lincolns code to allow electrical fences only around commercial and industrial properties, not residential properties.

He said the companys fences arent dangerous to humans.

Its perfectly safe, he said. Its a tested device. These things have been around since the 30s.

He said an Electric Guard Dog fence operates on a 12-volt battery connected to a capacitor that amplifies the batterys charge to 7,000 volts. The capacitor then releases a charge every 1.5 seconds. The fence also uses an alarm system that triggers when someone touches or tries to cut it.

He said the security fences are placed inside perimeter fences, meaning anyone who touches the electric fence is likely trespassing.

No one will walk up to it and touch it accidentally in an urban setting, Pate said.

Lincoln City Attorney Jeff Kirkpatrick said the council would need to pass a resolution changing the code that prohibits electrical fences. He said he hasnt been asked to draft any such legislation yet.

Chad Blahak, director of the city Building and Safety Department, said he has never heard of anyone trying to build an electrified fence in the city but said he doesn't see much danger in allowing the security fences around businesses.

It sounds like its a pretty sound method, he said. I think there are things that need to be discussed to make sure we dont leave a loophole for a use that we didnt envision.
There's a lot that is worth criticizing about actor Sean Penn's rambling Rolling Stone article about his friendly meeting with cutthroat fugitive drug lord Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman.

But if Guzman's desire to be in the movies led to the recapture of this hemisphere's biggest trafficker of heroin, cocaine and other illicit commodities, justice has been served.

That, at least, is how Mexican authorities are spinning the story, hoping everyone will stop asking how Guzman escaped their custody in the first place -- twice.

Penn's interview led police to the drug lord's hiding place, an unnamed official told Associated Press after the magazine published Penn's story Saturday.

If so, that could make a nice twist for the biographical movie that Guzman has been hoping someone will make about his life. But unfortunately it also sounds like the sort of narrative that Mexican officials would say in order to save face.

Of all the corruption scandals and security lapses that have tarnished Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto's record of reforms last year, the most embarrassing was the July prison escape of El Chapo ("Shorty").

I'm not surprised that lying low in his mountain retreat wasn't good enough for Guzman. He wants to be in the movies like numerous other gangsters. He sent a bushel of roses to Mexican soap opera and movie star Kate del Castillo, a naturalized American citizen, and pitched the movie idea to her. She helped him to meet Penn.

Maybe Guzman saw the award-winning Netflix series "Narcos," based on the late Columbian drug lord Pablo Escobar and thought, hey, I can top that.

Guzman in the past decade or so has replaced Escobar as the most famous drug kingpin in the planet. That's a story worthy of the big screen and Guzman wanted the world to know it.

After all, federal prosecutors in at last six U.S. cities say El Chapo is responsible for the deaths of tens of thousands of people. Besides his own rivals whose executions he ordered, there are gangbangers killed in drug turf wars and innocent bystanders caught in the crossfire.

Thousands more lives have been ruined by the drugs he has trafficked. The biggest portion reportedly has flowed through Chicago, where the 95-year-old nonprofit Chicago Crime Commission has named him their first Public Enemy No. 1 since Al Capone.

No wonder Penn, having interviewed Cuban President Raul Castro and the late Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, was eager to add Guzman to his collection of celebrity autocrat interviews.

The result is a remarkable piece of journalism in that Penn actually manages to make his subject, the world's most famous drug lord, sound boring. That's partly because Penn tells you a lot more about himself than about his subject.

Worse, he lobs softball questions that delicately avoid zeroing in on, say, drugs, murders, kidnappings, torture and other activities that make El Chapo a menace to society.

Sample: "Do you consider yourself a violent person?"

Answer: "No, sir."

That's it. Penn and Rolling Stone also agreed in advance to let Guzman see the story before it ran. That's a major taboo in fundamental journalism ethics. Journos sometimes will read someone's quotes back to them in order to check for accuracy, when time allows, but not the entire story.

Guzman didn't ask for changes. He apparently didn't have to. Maybe Penn decided to be super-nice because somebody told him how dangerous it can be to practice journalism in Mexico.

The New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists, on whose board I sit, has confirmed 32 journalists murdered in Mexico since 1992 when CPJ was founded. Three more were killed while on dangerous assignments. There are other journalist deaths that could not be confirmed as media work-related, especially when Mexican authorities tend to steer press freedom investigators away from that motive.

Many of those deaths, as well as beatings and other intimidation, have occurred in Sinaloa, Guzman's home state, where the prominent Noroeste newspaper blamed top state officials for more than 60 attacks on the paper since 2010.

If the presence of a famous Oscar-winning star like Penn can bring some attention to the hazards faced by real journalists in Mexico, his El Chapo adventure may do some good. Otherwise, he's like Guzman, just another guy who wants to be in movies.
Over the past few decades, research has shown the importance of fathers to their childrens well-being. These studies show children in father-absent environments are almost four times more likely to live in poverty, are more likely to use drugs and alcohol, have significantly lower educational attainment, and are more likely to be sexually active.

Children in father-absent environments are also more likely to engage in juvenile delinquency, have higher risk of being victimized by crime including sexual assault and domestic violence, and are more than twice as likely to commit suicide

Despite this information, many people still fail to understand the importance of fathers. According to research by Joan Berlin Kelly, 50% of mothers see no value in the fathers continued contact with his children after a divorce.

In light of this alarming statistic, it is perhaps not surprising that a study published by the American Journal of Orthopsychiatry found that 40 percent of mothers report that they had interfered with the noncustodial fathers visitation on at least one occasion, to punish their ex-spouse.

A recent report by the Federal Administration for Children and Families describes a harmful phenomenon called maternal gatekeeping, in which mothers interfere with fathers access to their children. According to this report, more than half of nonresident fathers offered accounts of gatekeeping behavior, ranging from refusing to grant physical access to making frequent last-minute schedule changes.

Gatekeeping also came in more indirect forms, such as refusal to communicate in person or by phone, withholding information from the father about the child, or berating the father.

Motives for maternal gatekeeping vary. In some cases, mothers use children as a weapon and deny fathers access to their children as a way to punish them. In other cases, mothers use children for financial gain. According to the ACF report, mothers would sometimes restrict access when a father failed to provide extras over and above the required child support.

Given the importance of father-child relationships, Nebraska judges need to do more to protect them. First, judges need to ensure fathers who live apart from their childrens mothers have adequate parenting time with their children.

According to a 2013 Nebraska Supreme Court study that reviewed ten years of Nebraska custody data, mothers were awarded sole or primary custody in 72% of cases. The study also found judges grant noncustodial parents about 17% of the parenting time on average, which is only half the minimum time recommended by mental health research. According to the research, judges should grant at least 35% parenting time to each parent except in limited cases.

Second, Nebraska judges need to enforce parenting time orders more rigorously. Mothers who violate parenting time orders often are not punished until the third or fourth violation. Not only is this harmful to the children involved, it is also very different from how judges enforce child support orders.

While mothers often get two or three warnings before they are punished for violating parenting time orders, fathers often are punished immediately even if they are unable to comply with child support orders. To make matters worse, the state provides free legal services to mothers to enforce child support but provides no help to fathers to enforce parenting time.

In situations where parents repeatedly violate parenting time orders, judges should be quicker to change custody and reduce the offending parents parenting time. Judges should also show greater willingness to award attorneys fees in situations where parenting time orders have been violated.

Third, judges should be far more sensitive to situations in which one parent interferes with the childs relationship with the other parent. These situations, sometimes called parental alienation or parent-child relationship problem, require immediate intervention. Unfortunately, many judges fail to act or unintentionally enable the bad behavior, which often causes lasting harm to the children and targeted parent.

Finally, judges should have a greater awareness of false domestic violence allegations, which is a common tactic in maternal gatekeeping situations. A 2005 study in Family Court Review found 59% of domestic violence allegations made in contested custody cases were not supported by evidence. Similarly, an analysis of domestic violence restraining orders concluded 81% were unnecessary or based on false allegations. This is consistent with other evidence that between 50% and 80% of abuse allegations cannot be substantiated in child custody cases where a high conflict exists between the parents and there is a young child involved.

Father-child relationships are critical to healthy child development. Nebraska judges must do more to protect these relationships.
There was one encouraging aspect in the official response to the report by ACLU Nebraska on practice of putting juveniles in solitary confinement.

The officials agreed that its harmful when done for prolonged periods.

Thats a good starting point for reform efforts to make sure that the practice of putting teens in a brief time out does not slip into something that actually would be counter-productive.

The adolescent brain is still in the process of development, psychiatrists and other experts say. Solitary confinement can exacerbate mental health problems, leading to breakdowns and violence.

In 2012 the Attorney Generals National Task Force on Children Exposed to Violence said, Nowhere is the damaging impact of incarceration on vulnerable children more obvious than when it involves solitary confinement. Of the juveniles that committed suicide while in detention, half were in solitary confinement at the time.

There was, however, dispute on the extent to which solitary confinement is used in facilities around the state. Lancaster County officials said flatly that they do not use solitary confinement, despite written records which can be interpreted as documentation of the practice.

Lancaster County Youth Service System Director Sheli Schindler said the local center uses a behavior management system, but that youths are never kept locked and isolated in their rooms for more than four hours at a time.

Other juvenile detention facilities said they are already in the process of reducing the use of solitary confinement. The average length of stay in isolation has dropped by about 50 percent between 2012 and 2014, when it was 2.55 hours at the Geneva YRTC and 1.99 hours at the Geneva YRTC.

ACLU Nebraska found a wide range of policies and practices in juvenile facilities across the state. Some facilities did not even have time logs on how long youths were placed in solitary.

Better and more uniform reporting on how long and how often youths are placed in solitary confinement is called for in a bill, LB845, introduced by Sen. Patty Pansing Brooks of Lincoln.

Thats one of the reform measures suggested in the report Growing up Locked Down. ACLU Nebraska also suggested a number of other measures, ranging from an outright ban to limiting solitary confinement to last-resort situations and for no more than four hours.

Since apparent agreement already exists on the need to strictly limit use of solitary confinement for juveniles, it should be possible to make quick progress toward reform. Locking kids up in isolation for extended periods does more harm than good.
Beautifying Cornhusker Highway, from the Lincoln Airport east to downtown, became a priority for Mayor Chris Beutler and other Lincoln officials. Inspired by similar works completed near the Omaha Eppley Airfield, the city wanted to make Lincolns entrance full of impact.

Mark Canney, an urban designer for Lincoln Parks and Recreation, helped coordinate the project. Initially, Clark Enersen Partners completed a study to determine the potential for making this plan possible as well as unique to the capital city. Giving people a quick introduction to Lincoln using cultural, historical and natural elements was certainly a challenge.

The projects focal point became unique district markers, designed by the Parks and Recreation planning and construction division, with Canney as the lead designer. These would be statues of sorts that would add a substantial presence, issuing a welcome to visitors and community members alike.

Having worked with local TMCO on several park projects, Canney knew that it was just the company to fabricate the markers and create a grand entrance. Much to his surprise, not only was TMCO willing to create the markers, but owner Roland Temme insisted on donating all of the labor and materials to the city.

Without his generosity, the project would not have been as high of quality, TMCO collaborator Emily Brodersen acknowledged.

Architect Pat Birch from Schemmer Associates was signed on to develop the construction drawings based on the concept drawings provided by Canney and the parks planning and construction team. After renderings were complete, Brodersen, of TMCOs Metal+Art division, modeled the assembly in 3D and created shop drawings and fabrication instructions for the TMCO production floor.

The first crucial element was the light aspect. Canney noted that Just as pioneers used the light of the stars in the sky to find their way, we wanted to guide people to our downtown. As lanterns are reminiscent of those first settlers wanting to establish home, the glow provides a warm welcome as you enter town.

To form the base of the statues, Cor-Ten steel was determined to be the best material. This symbolically connects the statues substance to the pioneer plows and windmills utilized for previous Nebraskans survival. For practical purposes, as the markers remain in natural form, no repainting will ever be required. Although the markers may appear rust colored, over time this type of steel darkens and deepens. Since this is the same material used to clad the Lincoln Airport terminal, a uniform look will eventually occur.

Rather than making all of the district markers the same, the design team decided to vary the inset panels. The majority feature ears of corn to emphasize the uniqueness of Cornhusker Highway, as well as the prairie aspect of our capital. Nearest the airport, one marker features Nebraskas state bird, the meadowlark, and one shows off a bi-plane. At the edge of the Haymarket, a locomotive is featured symbolizing the important part that trains played in settling Lincoln. By using the same vertical element, all of the markers imitate the Capitol building and are connected together.

After the designs were finalized, TMCO began the hard work of turning conceptualized ideas into reality. Brodersen conveyed that For each of the 50 or so unique sub-components of the markers, a three-dimensional computer model was created, and those components were assembled into a virtual 3D model of the complete assembly. Every single piece needed to fit together perfectly, and we were able to make sure they did before any metal was cut.

Drawings and virtual models of each component were then sent to TMCOs state-of-the-art production floor. The internal structure is made of Cor-Ten angle iron, which was cut on TMCOs tube-cutting lasers. The Cor-Ten sheet metal skins were cut on sheet lasers and formed with CNC press brakes.

Then TMCOs welders fitted together all 200 components of each marker. Said Brodersen, While a lot of aspects of production are controlled by computers, creating a high-quality finish on this project ultimately fell in the hands of the welders. They are the ones who ensured every joint was structurally sound, while also beautiful.

Once the markers were welded, they were sandblasted to bare metal to clean off the mill scale and oxides from welding. At this point, they were gray metal. Because Cor-Ten steel actually has a memory, how it rusts initially is how the rusting process will tend to continue. Since the weathering needed to be even, a misting process was developed to wet the markers consistently. Over the course of a week, the district markers were literally watered, dried and watered again.

Getting them to pre-rust evenly was a very controlled process, Brodersen said.

Another element of beautifying the highway involved natural elements. The addition of 800 trees, primarily native oak, along the road will add shade. Canney picked out hardy, native plants that, again, connect the highway to landscape experienced by the native peoples. By lining the medians with native landscape, the plantings will continue to add life to that primarily industrial corridor.

Although some of the funding was from the city budget to improve the infrastructure, such as curbing and roadwork, the majority of the financial contributions were privately donated. Besides TMCO, many area businesses did their part to fund this project. Canney said that seeing private and public resources coming together to make a positive change for the community was the best part of this project. Those who were involved with this effort are fittingly proud of the now-welcoming entrance to Lincoln.
If you're an elementary school student touring the Frank H. Woods Telephone Pioneer Museum, one of the questions you'll likely get from museum curator Wally Tubbs is about the year the telephone was invented.

The students' answers are a source of amusement. Historians perceive them as a source of concern.

"I get responses all the way from 1492 to 1960," says the phone company retiree and building custodian. "These kids have grown up with cellphones and have no idea what a rotary phone even is."

(The answer, if you haven't consulted your Smartphone, is 1875.)

For nearly 20 years, the museum at 2047 M St. has been a popular choice for school field trips. It's also been open to the public from 1 to 4 p.m. every Sunday.

But the milestone 20th-year observance of the museum may not be cause for celebration. The development of the Telegraph District does not bode well for the future of the Frank H. Woods Telephone Pioneer Museum.

Development plans

The building that houses the tourist attraction on the eastern edge of downtown sits in the heart of an area that developers have targeted for a 60-acre housing and retail project west of Antelope Valley Parkway and north of Lincoln High School. Speedway Properties and Nelnet have created the East Downtown Development Corp. to redevelop the area between O and K streets and Antelope Valley Parkway and 24th Street. The Telegraph District would include office space for Nelnet, retail and hundreds of new residential units.

The 400 members of the Frank H. Woods Telephone Pioneer Association are worried that the developers' plans will mean the demise of their museum, an attraction that houses artifacts dating back to 1928. The items had been stored on several different telephone properties, moving from one building to the next as the local phone company changed hands over the years.

Nearly 20 years ago, the artifacts were ensured a permanent home of their own when the Independent Telephone Pioneer Association gave the local group $40,000 to renovate the building at 2047 M St. and convert it into a museum. Volunteer members of the 501(c)(3) worked two years to whip the building into a tourist site, moved artifacts that the phone companies had worked nearly 70 years to collect and preserve, and opened the museum in October 1996.

Over the past 19-plus years, the museum has been open to the public from 1 to 4 p.m. every Sunday for free viewing. Groups can also book tours by appointment during the week. Museum volunteers have been able to operate their museum rent-free through one-year lease agreements that have been renewed every March. Windstream has also picked up the museum's utilities.

Concerns

The prospect of the museum becoming a distant memory is causing some sleepless nights for staunch volunteer supports like Tubbs, a 39-year phone company employee who had worked his way up to electronic switchman by the time he retired in 2008. He is the association's board president, museum curator, and the point of contact whenever there's a janitorial concern or plumbing problem.

But the immediate concern is much larger than a clogged drain or a leaky roof. Tubbs says the group has been told it will need to move. The current one-year lease with Windstream, the owner of the 12,000-square-foot museum building, expires March 31.

At the very least, the museum volunteers will need to remove the building's contents. If the museum doesn't find a new home in the next two months, the group of volunteers will need to find storage for the contents  valued at more than a half-million dollars -- and arrange to sell them. Regardless where the museum's contents end up, the moving process needs to start by mid-to-late-February, said Tubbs.

The museum is hoping for the best-case scenario: move the artifacts to a new location. But the association isn't exactly flush with cash.

"We've looked into forming a foundation, and we've investigated leasing, but we don't have a lot of resources," said Tubbs. An association with several hundred members sounds like it has an abundance of manpower to move the materials, but most of the members are now retirement age and are not in the condition they were 20 years ago when they helped open the museum, he said.

In the past 19-plus years, the museum has drawn visitors from every state in the union, virtually every Canadian province, and 39 countries.

It's been a good ride. Tubbs hates to see it end.

Anyone who has a building that may be converted into a home for the museum is asked to contact Wally Tubbs at dt44829@twc.com
Here is the full text of Marilyn Moores speech given at Lincolns annual Freedom Breakfast on Jan. 15. Moore, the president of Bryan College of Health Sciences and former assistant superintendent for Lincoln Public Schools, delivered the keynote address at the breakfast honoring the late Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

I love this event. Like many of you, Ive been here most every year since the first Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. event 20+ years ago. We come for many reasonsto honor the work and legacy of Dr. King, to lift our voices and sing, to remind ourselves of the events and systems that make this work necessary, to celebrate the accomplishments of young people who are taking the challenge of furthering their education, to join hands with one another and pledge our collective efforts to the work that is yet before us. And we remember with gratitude those who have been with us in the past, and who are now with us in spirit onlyMrs. Lela Shanks, Mrs. Leola Bullock, Mr. Rick Wallace, and those others who we name in our hearts today. We are better for their having lived and worked and led amongst us.

Of the many writings of Dr. King, I am drawn again and again to his letter from the Birmingham Jail. You remember the context.It was1963, and Birmingham, Alabama, was home to some of the most segregated and discriminatory practices in the country. Civil rights leaders there had invited and requested Dr. King to come to Birmingham, to join them in their efforts to end the discriminatory actions. This letter, written in April of that year, at the beginning of the very visible non-violent protests, stirs my soul. I can picture him, in a small, narrow jail cell in Birmingham, incarcerated in solitary confinement for his participation in civil rights demonstrations, writing with passion and fervor and conviction.

Do you remember that time, the early 1960s? There was a spirit of energy and perhaps optimism in the air. The country had elected John F. Kennedy, a new, young president, who noted that the torch had been passed to a new generation. The landmark school desegregation case, Brown v. Board of Education, had been decided by the US Supreme Court in the 1950s. A few years after that court decision, President Eisenhower had sent federal troops to desegregate schools in Arkansas. Major civil rights legislation was beginning to wind its way through the US Congress. Passionate and distinguished and articulate black leaders were being heard on the nightly news, in settings around the country. There seemed to be a rising swell of affirmation that racism was wrong, that it could be eradicated, and that this was the decade to make that happen.

I was a teenager, and even in rural Nebraska, geographically removed from almost all of the daily headlines and political turmoil, I sensed that our generation, the leading edge of the baby boomers, would make a difference. With all the confidence and conviction and arrogance of every 16-year-old ever, I truly believed that if the adults could just not blow up the world until we could take over, we could make it all better.

Such was not to be the case.Racism was, and is, embedded in the culture, deep with the DNA of persons and communities, and the struggle was long, and hard, and painful, and remains so today

Dr. Kings letter from the Birmingham jail was in response to a letter published by a group of white clergymen, who urged him to stop the non-violent resistance and pursue racial equality through the courts. They also questioned his presence in Birmingham, wondering why he had come to Birmingham from Atlanta. He was, in their words, an outsider. The moderate white Christian, as Dr. King labeled those who criticized him, also urged him to wait, noting that the community and the country were not yet ready for his justice message. They emphasized the letter of the law, but not the right thing to do. They distanced the gospel from the social issues in front of them.

Theres a part of me that just weeps and wails inside when I read these words, because this letter was written more than 50 years ago, and were still hearing the same messageswait, the time is not right, we need to go slowly, this is scary to people, what does the letter of the law require.and beware the outsiders. If the time is not right now, when every outcomelife expectancy, high school graduation, college completion, full-time employment, quality medical careis worse for children who are of color and children who are poor than for middle income and white childrenwhen will the time be right?

Dr. Kings letter is filled with quotable quotes; his passion, his sense of justice, his understanding of history, his scholarship, and his absolute to-the-core commitment to the cause of racial equality ring through his writing, as through his speeches. Early in the letter, in addressing the outsider accusation, Dr. King writes, I cannot sit idly by in Atlanta and not be concerned about what happens in Birmingham. Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly affects all indirectly.

Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.

An inescapable network of mutuality.

Tied in a single garment of destiny.

Think with me about the events of the past year or so, the images from around the world that are forever embedded in our minds.

Neighborhoods in Baltimore, erupting in protest following the death of Freddie Gray, African American male, who died in police custody. And the resulting statements of wonder, or naivete, or ignorance, of some who watched, who were astonished that there are neighborhoods in this country that are as poor and lacking in basic services as these neighborhoods, home to thousands of US citizens, moms and dads and children, every single dayWe may have differing opinions on neighborhood redevelopment, on procedures related to police custody, but surely all of us know that persons should not be harmed while in custody, and that neighborhoods should nourish, rather than diminish, the lives of those who live there. Injustice anywhere.

Hundreds of thousands of refugees, pouring across borders in eastern European countries, fleeing violence and persecution, seeking shelter and safety for their families. We may have differing opinions on international policies regarding refugee resettlement, and whether or how it is best to intervene in countries where systems are falling apart and violence and persecution are terrorizing the citizens of those countries, but surely we all of us agree that there must be a way for people to be supported in leaving an unsafe country.Injustice anywhere.

The aftermath of yet another mass shooting, whether at a community college in Oregon, or a social services office in California, or any of the other 300+ sites during the 2015 year, with parents and family members and friends grief-stricken with loss. And the President of the United States, our President, in tears, as he describes the lives lost, lives of five-year-olds and six-year-olds, in the mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School. We most likely have differing opinions on access to weapons and gun control laws and treatment for mental health, but surely we agree that the lives of children and students and co-workers are important and are worthy of care and respect. Injustice anywhere.

The baby boy on the beach, his body washed up on the shore upon which his family was trying to land, just a little toddler, whose mother and father were trying to take to safety.and he drowned, as did his mother and his brother, when their overloaded boat capsized in the sea We most likely have differing opinions on the choices that families make in circumstances that are hard for us to understand, but I suspect we all know that death by drowning is not a just solution to a refugee crisis. Injustice anywhere.

And Mother Emmanuel Church, in Charleston, SC, the oldest Africa Methodist Episcopal church in the south, where a white shooter deliberately and intentionally killed a group of parishioners who had gathered for their weekly prayer meeting, and who invited the stranger into their midst. And after studying the Bible and praying with the group for over an hour, he shot them, stating clearly that he was doing so because they were black. Remember their names: Rev. Clementa Pinckney, Rev. Depayne Middleton, Daniel Simmons, Rev. Sharonda Coleman-Singleton, Tywanza Sanders, Ethel Lance, Myra Thompson, Cynthia Hurd, Susie Jackson. Frankly, its hard to find anything in this image about which we might have differing opinions, but surely we all see the racism, and the violence, within it.. Injustice anywhere.

Is there any heart in this room, in this country, that was not touched by these images? Is there any parent that did not, upon seeing these images for the first time, reach for her child, and hold him close? Is there any mind that did not say, There must be a better way to strengthen neighborhoods, to build a working relationship between police departments and the communities they serve, to provide for safety for refugees, to assure schools and workplaces are safe?

Is there anyone, anywhere, who did not feel that inescapable network of mutuality, that single garment of destiny?

An inescapable network, a single garment of destinywhat powerful metaphors for who we are and how we live. We can do it poorly, or we can do it well, but an inescapable network, a garment of destiny, thats who we are.

The image of a single garment of destiny calls to me. A garment can be any item of clothing, but I see this as a large, perhaps infinite, piece of fabric. Its a shawl that wraps, a blanket that protects, a sari, a gown, a robe, a caftan. Its woven from threads of many colorsrich, deep, vibrant, brightand many texturessmooth, sturdy, fragile, with slubs, and knots, and with character woven right into it. Its been torn, and patched, and overlaid with new threads, and this piece of fabric, this garment, stretches wide open to welcome and embrace.everyone. We are all pulled into this garment, we are touched by it, held close within it, and through it connected to everyone else. A single garment of destiny. And its the connections within that garment that give meaning, substance, energy, and life itself to those held within. There are no outsiders, were all insiders, and when someone attempts to tear off a piece of the garment for himself or herself, the fabric weakens, and all are affected. And when someone stretches the garment, so another may enter the fold, the garment stretches, and grows, and becomes stronger. An inescapable network, a single garment of destiny.thats who we are.

In her forward to Letter from the Birmingham Jail, Dr. Kings daughter, the Reverend Bernice A. King, writes of her fathers commitment to work for the elimination of what he labeled the Triple Evils of Poverty, Racism, and War. She invites the reader to become a voice crying in the wilderness, to challenge this nation to the elimination of racism in all its forms. Those words are as true today as they were fifty years ago, and the urgency is greater.

The Triple Evils of Poverty, Racism, and War are still here. We are inescapably a part of this; we are tied in a single garment of destiny. We can do this well, or poorly, but its ours. And what might it be that we can do

Some of us are persons who by nature take actions individually, or in small groups, often noticed by only a few, but impacting those around us. We can

 Welcome the stranger

 Confront racism

 Support those who are working for systemic change

 Lift our voices in celebration of diversity, of possibility, of potential, of the promise of children and young people

 Listen to the stories and the wisdom of our elders

 Not wait for the right timenow is the right time

 Vote

Some of us are those who by nature come together with others, working at systems levels, whether local, state, national, or international, to change laws, revise policies, and open to doors to access: We can

 Confront racism

 Advocate for legislation that opens doors, creates opportunities, and breaks down systemic habits of racism

 Not wait for the right timenow is the right time

 Vote

As President Obama said in his State of the Union Address on Tuesday night,

"So, my fellow Americans, whatever you may believe, whether you prefer one party or no party, our collective future depends on your willingness to uphold your obligations as a citizen. To vote. To speak out. To stand up for others, especially the weak, especially the vulnerable, knowing that each of us is only here because somebody, somewhere, stood up for us."

Thats what we can dowe can vote. We can speak out. We can stand up for others.

A year ago at this time I was sitting in the Grand Theater, watching the movie Selma. It was the story of the federal voting rights legislation and the voting rights demonstrations and marches in the early 1960s in Selma and elsewhere. And I was reminded all over again of the power and importance of the black churches in the South in the civil rights movement at that timetruly places of sanctuary. And also places of organizing, of political action, of education and affirmation, places where young people learned from their elders, and where important truths were spoken and affirmed and to which life and property, literally, were pledged.

My experience in black churches is that they are characterized by powerful preaching and powerful music. Dr. King was a powerful preacher. And I believe the Rev. Kirstie Garnes is a powerful preacher. And the singing in black churches just lifts my soul. Were going to be singing one of the gospels as we end our time together today, This Little Light of MineIm Gonna Let it Shine.

And we can all let our lights shinethe light of truth, the light of freedom, the light of love, the light of respect, the light of affirmation that we are all Gods children. We can brighten our own little corner of the world, and when that happens over and over and over again, as the corners are lighted and the shadows dimmed, we have a chance to glimpse what Dr. King described in his closing words of the Letter from the Birmingham Jail the radiant stars of love and brotherhood will shine over our great nation with all of their scintillating beauty.

And all Gods people said.Amen.
MOUNT PLEASANT  Sealed Air Corp. has notified the state of the ending dates for 74 more former Diversey jobs in the greater Racine area. The layoffs are expected to begin on March 15 and end on June 30, 2017, according to a notice issued Friday.

Sealed Air bought Diversey in 2011 for $4.3 billion in cash and stock. It was apparently the only time an entire Johnson family company  at the time the late Sam Johnsons family owned 51 percent of the stock  was sold to an outside entity.

Local employment has dwindled heavily since that 2011 acquisition.

In July 2014, when Sealed Airs Diversey Care division had about 300 remaining jobs here, Sealed Air notified them it would build a new global headquarters in Charlotte, N.C., and consolidate about 1,300 jobs into that state-of-the-art campus within three years.

The plan has had dire consequences here by ending any local Diversey Care operations as most of those jobs are being sent to Charlotte; the rest are terminations.

In a letter with Thursdays date, Sealed Air notified the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development in a Warn Act notice how and when it plans to end the rest of its remaining local operations.

As you know, we have already given notice (and periodic updates) regarding the plant closure at the Diversey headquarters formerly located at 8310 16th St. in Sturtevant, Tammy Hutchinson of Sealed Air wrote.

Since closing that building, she wrote, Sealed Airs remaining operations are in two area locations: the Racine Satellite Office at 1400 N. Newman Road and the companys Extension Office at 1300 90th St. in Sturtevant.

The Racine Satellite Office at 1400 N. Newman Road, Mount Pleasant, has 45 remaining employees. It was for the closing of that office that Sealed Air filed a Warn Act notice Thursday. The last of those jobs will have been relocated or terminated by March 31, 2017, starting this March 25.

All affected employees have been notified of their separation dates and that their separation from employment will be permanent, Hutchinson wrote.

With that notification, Sealed Air also provided an update on plans for closing the companys Extension Office at 1300 90th St., Sturtevant, which has 29 remaining employees. The last of those jobs will have been relocated or terminated by June 30, 2017, starting this March 15, Hutchinson wrote.

Sealed Air, which has been based in Elmwood Park, N.J., owns the iconic Bubble Wrap brand and has operations in many industry sectors.

Since Sealed Air bought Diversey and vacated its headquarters here, SC Johnson has bought the building for its own uses.
RACINE  The chance that a Racine man  whos served time in prison for drugs and in connection with his best friends murder  wont commit more crimes is about as likely coming true as me winning the Powerball, a judge said Friday.

This was a vicious assault on an elderly person. And it was a mismatch: a big, younger guy and a frail old man, retired Judge Stephen Simanek told ex-con Everett D. Goodlow, 45, before sentencing him for robbing an electronics and jewelry store and allegedly attacking its elderly owner. The public has to be protected from that type of behavior.

For robbing Wisconsin Discount, 2724 16th St., Racine, and allegedly attacking its then-74-year-old owner on July 12, 2014, Simanek sentenced Goodlow to five years in prison.

Simanek, who was filling in for Racine County Circuit Judge Michael Piontek on Friday, also sentenced Goodlow to three years on extended supervision and granted him credit for about 10 months behind bars.

During his sentencing on Friday, Assistant District Attorney Rebecca Sommers recommended a prison sentence, but didnt specify an amount of time to serve. Goodlows defense attorney, Laura Walker, recommended an imposed and stayed sentence, meaning if Goodlow violated his probation, he would be sent to prison to serve that time. Goodlow told Simanek he wanted five years probation.

I am not, I repeat, I am not a menace to society, Goodlow said during his sentencing, adding hes a recovering drug addict. Im not asking for any breaks. Im asking for a chance. I know that I can do this.

Goodlow pleaded guilty on Nov. 16 to robbery, a felony punishable by a maximum of 10 years in prison plus five years on extended supervision.

He reportedly was in the store, showing the owner a penny and asking him about a Playboy before jumping over the counter, grabbing the owner by the neck and stealing an undisclosed amount of cash, according to his criminal complaint. Goodlow then struck the man because a buzzer needed to be pressed to open the shops door so he could leave, the complaint states.

Sommers said it is unknown how much cash Goodlow stole.

Would jump at the chance

Goodlow said Friday that he was working as a private demolition contractor at Porters in Downtown Racine when he found a penny and a 1972 issue of Playboy magazine. He said he took the items to the shop to sell them, but the store owner said (they were) worth nothing. Goodlow disagreed.

I know in my heart if I hadnt been under the influence of drugs, I never would have done anything like that, Goodlow said. If (the owner) were here today, I would jump at the chance to apologize to him.

The store owner, now 76, didnt attend the sentencing.

Goodlow was convicted of being a party to the crime of felony murder in 1992 in Milwaukee County, which Walker said occurred when Goodlow and his best friend went to confront drug dealers and his friend was killed during a shootout.

Goodlow, however, said it was his friend who bought bad drugs from his dealer and after Goodlow drove him to the drug house, Goodlow served about 19 years in prison for witnessing my friend get killed.

He also served time for possession of heroin with the intent to deliver after being convicted in Cook County, Ill., he said. But Goodlow sold drugs to support his then-5-month-old daughter, said the father of seven.

I can guarantee  that I will not re-offend. No matter what anybody says, Goodlow said.
RACINE  Test results for the states short-lived Badger Exam also were released by the state Department of Public Instruction this week.

Only administered once  during the 2014-2015 school year  the test was designed to gauge English language arts and math proficiency among public school students in grades three through eight.

In terms of statewide results, the test found about 44 percent of students in those grades scored proficient or advanced in math, and about 51 percent proficient or advanced in English language arts, according to the DPI.

For Racine Unified School District students, the test found about 18 percent of students in grades three through eight scored proficient or advanced in math, and about 27 percent scored proficient or advanced in English language arts.

In the Burlington Area School District  the second largest public school district in Racine County  49.5 percent of students scored proficient in math, and 64.4 scored proficient in English Language arts.

The Badger Exam was initially designed to replace the Wisconsin Knowledge and Concepts Exam, but state lawmakers decided last year do away with the test. This spring students will instead take the new Wisconsin Forward Exam.

While the Badger results arent comparable to results from previous years, and wont be comparable to next years test results, Unified Superintendent Lolli Haws said in press release that district officials know the results must be much better.

These scores do not reflect the growth were seeing on other assessments that we monitor on a regular basis, Haws said. We look forward to the state implementing an exam that is consistent over a period of time so that we have trends that help us to assess and improve student achievement.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Georgia Democrats Introduce

Assault Weapon Confiscation Bill

By AWR Hawkins. January 13th, 2016

On January 11, Democrats in Georgias state house introduced a bill that bans assault weapons and opens the door for the seizure of such weapons, along with accessories like high capacity magazines.

The bill--HB 731--is sponsored by Mary Margaret Oliver (D-83rd), Stacey Abrams (D-89th), Carolyn Hugley (D-136th), Pat Gardiner (D-57th), Darshun Kendrick (D-93rd), Dee Dawkins-Haigler (D-91st).

According to the text of HB 731, the bill focuses on  dangerous instrumentalities and practices by prohibiting the possession, sale, transport, distribution, or use of certain assault weapons, large capacity magazines, armor-piercing bullets, and incendiary .50 caliber bullets. Moreover, the details punishment for crimes involving the possession, sale, transport, distribution, or use of certain assault weapons, large capacity magazines, armor-piercing bullets, and incendiary .50 caliber bullets.

It also [designates] certain weaponry and ammunition as contraband and [requires] seizure of such by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.

Representative Mary Margaret Oliver suggests 10 other representatives have joined the six original bill sponsors. An announcement posted to Olivers webpage says:

[Oliver] and fifteen Democrat women House members introduced HB 731 on the first day of the 2016 Session. The bill bans assault weapons and high capacity magazines. Georgia needs debate about these weapons which are only used for rapidly killing people. Assault weapons are not necessary for deer hunting.

Pro-Second Amendment group Georgia Carry responded to HB 731 by tweeting, Dems finally honest about gun control, their ultimate goal is confiscation.

Is this the United States of America? The home of the 2nd Amendment? If we thought Cuomo was getting carried away with his "SAFE" Act, then this goes beyond and into the realms of the unbelievable. Whether it will go through is another matter but, even the proposal is itself extreme and draconian. Incredible - pure control with no benefit to society..

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PDF version The Exposed Hoax of the Century

by Stephen Lendman via stacey - Global Research Friday, Jan 15 2016, 7:53pm

international / prose / post



US post-9/11 war on terror reflects state-sponsored deception  with the media complicit in conning the public to believe Washington opposes what it actively supports.

ISIL's 'magical' new Toyotas - simply trace how ISIL is funded, trained and supplied for proof

ISIS, Al Qaeda, Jabhat al-Nusra and various splinter groups are US creations, used as imperial foot soldiers, flourishing because Washington and rogue partners arm, fund, train and direct them.



Obamas vow to degrade and destroy ISIS is one of his many Big Lies  saying one thing while supporting a universal scourge.



On Thursday, Defense Secretary Ashton Carter announced scores of newly deployed US commandos in Iraq  ahead of hundreds (perhaps thousands) of combat troops to follow.



In September 2014, Obama said US troops do not and will not have a combat mission in Iraq against ISIS.



I will not (order) our armed forces to fighting another ground war in Iraq. John Kerry repeated the same Big Lie.



Carters public announcement along with a Defense Department press release revealed it. Months of planning precede military operations.



Washington already has thousands of special forces in Iraq along with unknown numbers in Syria. Escalated military operations are now planned  naked aggression by any standard.



The Pentagon press release cited Carter saying defeating ISIS must be a global effort and coalition partners and others must step up their contributions to the escalating fight.



America will continue to lead the fight. (G)reater military contributions (from) coalition partner(s) are needed.



Next week he intends meeting with British, French, German, Italian, Dutch and Australian defense ministers to discuss [order] their involvement in Washingtons imperial campaign.



Make no mistake, the Pentagon intends aiding not combating ISIS using the phony pretext of plans to retake Mosul in Iraq and Raqqa in Syria and other ISIS strongholds in the region  saying all the while the US offensive will aid nonexistent anti-Assad moderate terrorist forces and Iraqi Kurds in their "liberating" struggle, while in fact assisting Erdogans war against Syria, which purportedly is receiving no Western help [except turning a blind eye to ISIL's stolen oil sales via NATO Turkey].



Carter's claims that Washington intends defeating ISIS is pure rubbish -- stating that extraordinary challenges (lie) ahead is simply code language for endless war.



US bombing of Iraq and Syria since 2014 struck no ISIS targets or infrastructure, instead they targeted al-Assad's government infrastructures and forces only.



Carters announcement may be the Pentagons attempt to counter Russias effective war on ISIS in Syria, while also hoping to prevent Iraq from requesting vitally needed help from Russia.



Putin is the only major world leader actively combating ISIS, Russias military is proving extremely effective against ISIS while aiding Syrian ground forces to retake lost territory.



Carters scheme is designed to help ISIS and other terrorist factions, not combat this scourge.



Author retains copyright.



[Grammatically Edited.]



A more coherent and in depth report which blows the allied plan wide open is available here, an excellent piece of journalism.

Brzezinski with CIA Asset Bin Laden - Afghanistan

http://tinyurl.com/hto4vq2

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[JURIST] A judge for the US District Court of the Middle District of North Carolina [official website] on Friday declined to grant [opinion, PDF] a motion by the NAACP [advocacy website] and other plaintiffs that would have kept the state from implementing their voter identification law in the upcoming March elections. The plaintiffs filed suit [JURIST report] shortly after the law [text] was enacted in August 2013, arguing that the law discriminates against Black and Latino voters in violation of the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments and the Voting Rights Act of 1965, with a trial date set for January 25. The law requires voters to present government-issued photo ID at the polls but contains a reasonable impediment provision to allow some to cast their votes without ID. On Friday Judge Thomas Schroeder denied the plaintiffs motion, finding that the state had engaged in substantial education efforts to inform the public about the requirements and that an injunction would increase confusion among voters.

Voting rights remain a controversial legal issue in the US. In May the New Hampshire Supreme Court struck down [JURIST report] a 2012 law requiring voters to be state residents, not just domiciled in the state. In March the US Supreme Court [official website] denied certiorari [JURIST report] to hear challenges to Wisconsins voter ID law. Wisconsins Act 23, which requires residents to present photo ID to vote, was struck down by a federal district court but reinstated [JURIST report] by the US Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit. Also in March Oregon Governor Kate Brown signed a new law [JURIST report] that made Oregon the first state in the nation to institute automatic voter registration. A federal appeals court rejected [JURIST report] a Kansas rule that required prospective voters to show proof-of-citizenship documents before registering using a federal voter registration form in November 2014. That same month, Illinois voters approved the Illinois Right to Vote Amendment [JURIST report], which bans all voter discrimination on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation or income.
Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette [official website] announced [press release] Friday that he plans to investigate the water contamination crisis in the city of Flint. The investigation is set to begin immediately as Flint residents are currently being forced to rely on bottled water for drinking, cooking and bathing. Schuette said, [a]s attorney general, I will investigate this situation to determine if any Michigan laws have been broken. Also Friday Michigan Governor Rick Snyder asked [AP report] President Barack Obama to issue a federal disaster declaration.

Flints drinking water supply was switched from Lake Huron water treated in Detroit to water from the Flint River treated at the Flint water treatment plant in 2014 to save money. The new supply was not treated with required corrosion control chemicals and caused lead and pathogens [report] to get into the towns water supply from pipes. Researchers from Virginia Tech concluded that lead levels were high enough to be designated as toxic waste [WP report]. Lead can cause mental and physical issues or deathespecially in children. The National Guard was activated [CNN report] on Tuesday in order to distribute bottled water and water filters. Officials have come under fire [The Atlantic report] for their response to the crisis, as it took 20 months after the initial switch for an emergency to be declared by the state. The Justice Department has also opened an investigation [Huffington Post report] into the situation.
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Zoeann Murphy/The Washington Post via Getty Images(NEW YORK) -- Five U.S. citizens detained in Iran, including Washington Post reporter Jason Rezaian, were freed Saturday, the same day sanctions were expected to be lifted as part of the country's nuclear deal.



The Americans released were Rezaian, former Marine Amir Hekmati, Saeed Abedini, Nosratollah Khosravi-Roodsari and Matthew Trevithick, said U.S. officials. Families and colleagues rejoiced amid the news.

The five Americans, who Secretary of State John Kerry described as being "unjustly" detained, should be on their way home to their families "shortly," Kerry said Saturday from Vienna.



The prisoner release came as sanctions against Iran were lifted Saturday as part of its nuclear deal. The International Atomic Energy Agency confirmed on Saturday that Iran has completed the necessary preparatory steps to start the implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action and Kerry said the U.S. will immediately lift nuclear-related sanctions.



Kerry said Saturday the freed Americans and nuclear negotiations were both "vital breakthroughs."



While Kerry said the two events were not directly related, he said the nuclear deal "accelerated" the swap.



Families and colleagues of the people detained rejoiced amid the news of their release.



"We couldnt be happier to hear the news that Jason Rezaian has been released from Evin Prison," Frederick J. Ryan, Jr., publisher of The Washington Post, said in a statement. "Once we receive more details and can confirm Jason has safely left Iran, we will have more to share."



We thank everyone for your thoughts during this time," Hekmati's family said in a statement. "There are still many unknowns. At this point, we are hoping and praying for Amirs long-awaited return.



This has been an answer to prayer, said Abedini's wife, Naghmeh Abedini, according to a statement from the American Center for Law and Justice, which represents the family. This is a critical time for me and my family. We look forward to Saeed's return and want to thank the millions of people who have stood with us in prayer during this most difficult time.



While their families were likely celebrating, the family of former FBI agent Bob Levinson was "devastated" he was not one of those freed.



We are happy for the other families. But once again, Bob Levinson has been left behind," the family said in a statement provided to ABC News.



Levinson disappeared in Iran more than eight years ago. While the U.S. official said Iran has agreed to cooperate with the U.S. to determine his whereabouts, his family said the Iranians have repeatedly denied knowing where he is.



As part of the prisoner swap, the U.S. offered clemency to seven Iranians, six of whom are dual U.S.-Iranian citizens, who had been convicted or were awaiting trial in the U.S., said the official. The U.S. also removed Interpol red notices and dismissed charges against 14 Iranians for whom extradition was unlikely to be successful.



Copyright  2016, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.
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Fighters with the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) on Saturday killed at least 135 people, most of them pro-government fighters, in wide-scale attacks on government-held areas of the eastern city of Deir Al-Zour, a monitoring group said.

Independent monitor the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said at least 80 of those killed in the contested city were soldiers and pro-government forces and the rest civilians.

ISIL controls most of the province and provincial capital with the same name, while the government controls a few neighborhoods in the northern part of the city and the adjacent military airport. Most of the casualties took place in the area of Baghaliyeh near the northern tip of the city.

The state news agency SANA said ISIL fighters committed "a massacre," killing dozens of civilians in Baghaliyeh village. It did not elaborate.

The Lebanon-based Al-Mayadeen TV, which is close to the Syrian government, also reported a massacre and said ISIL killed 280 people, including women and children, and threw their bodies in the Euphrates River. It said the group took more than 400 civilians hostage.

The reports could not be independently confirmed.

The ISIL-affiliated Aamaq news agency had reported a large-scale multi-pronged attack on Deir Al-Zour that began with a suicide bombing. Opposition activists said Russian warplanes were carrying out intensive airstrikes in support of government forces in the area.

The Associated Press
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U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry will visit China later this month for talks on North Korea, the State Department announced Friday, as Washington steps up efforts to win Beijing's cooperation for its push to punish Pyongyang for its fourth nuclear test.

Kerry will visit Beijing on Jan. 27 for "meetings with senior leaders of the Chinese government to discuss a range of global, regional, and bilateral issues, including North Korea," the department said in a release without elaborating.

Ahead of Kerry's trip, Deputy Secretary of State Tony Blinken is also scheduled to visit China next week for discussions also expected to focus on North Korea.

In the wake of the North's Jan. 6 nuclear test, the U.S. has stepped up calls for China to do more to rein in its communist neighbor, saying there should not be "business as usual" with the North.

But China's reactions to such calls have been lukewarm.

China is North Korea's top trading partner and supplies almost all of the isolated nation's energy needs, but many analysts believe that China's Communist Party leadership won't exert enough leverage on North Korea because a sudden collapse of the North's regime could threaten China's own security interests.

Cooperation from China is key to the U.N. Security Council's push to adopt a new sanctions resolution aimed at punishing Pyongyang because the country is one of the veto-holding permanent members of the Security Council, along with Britain, France, Russia and the U.S.

Analysts say China is expected to back only a limited version of new U.N. sanctions against North Korea's latest nuclear test because Beijing fears pushing Pyongyang too hard could lead to its collapse, instability on its border and ultimately the emergence of a pro-U.S. nation next door. (Yonhap)
Pro-independence party candidate Tsai Ing-wen claimed victory in Taiwan's presidential election late Saturday, defeating the China-friendly party that has led the self-governing island for eight years. Tsai will be the nation's first female head of state.

Voters concerned that Taiwan's economy is under threat from China and broadly opposed to Beijing's demands for political unification resoundingly chose Tsai over the Nationalists' Eric Chu, a late entry to the race after the party's original candidate was seen as alienating voters.

Tsai said her victory was a further show of how ingrained democracy has become on Taiwan and demonstrated that its people wish for a government "steadfast in protecting this nation's sovereignty."

She said she would correct the policy mistakes of the past, but warned that: "The challenges that Taiwan faces will not disappear in one day."

Tsai pledged to maintain the "status quo of peace and stability" with China. She said both sides have a responsibility to find a mutually acceptable means of interacting, while adding that Taiwan's international space must be respected. Observers say China is likely to adopt a wait-and-see approach, but might use diplomatic and economy pressure if Tsai is seen as straying too far from its unification agenda.

Chu conceded the massive loss and resigned from his party's leadership to take responsibility. Outgoing President Ma Ying-jeou is constitutionally barred from another term. By Saturday night, Tsai had more than 56 percent of votes counted and Chu had 31 percent, with a third-party candidate trailing in the distance.

Making Tsai's task easier, her Democratic Progressive Party was making a strong showing in elections for the 113-seat national legislature that has been traditionally dominated by the Nationalists. The new legislature convenes next month while Tsai is set to be inaugurated in May.

Tsai said one of her top priorities would be to unite Taiwan in order to gain strength and respect from international society. "Only when we grow stronger will we be able to gain respect and protect our people and our democratic way of life," Tsai said, referring to Taiwan by its official name, the Republic of China.

Addressing a thin crowd of a few hundred supporters at his campaign headquarters, the Nationalists' Chu said: "We failed. The Nationalist Party lost the elections. We didn't work hard enough." He followed his concession speech by making a long bow.

Reflecting unease over a slowdown in Taiwan's once-mighty economy, undeclared voter Hsieh Lee-fung said providing opportunities to the next generation was the most important issue.

"Economic progress is related closely to our leadership, like land reform and housing prices. People aren't making enough money to afford homes," Hsieh said.

Tsai has proposed to open 200,000 units of affordable housing in eight years. Her party suggested in May that Taiwan's laws change to raise wages and cut work weeks from 84 hours per two weeks to 40 in one.

Tsai also reaffirmed Taiwan's sovereignty claim over East China Sea islands also claimed by China but controlled by Japan. In addition, she said Taiwan would work to lower tensions in the South China Sea, where it, China and four other governments share overlapping territorial claims.

Tsai said she would work to recruit talented people to her cabinet, increase the competitiveness of Taiwan's export-oriented economy and safeguard the food supply following a series of scandals.

Her win will introduce new uncertainty in the complicated relationship between Taiwan and mainland China, which claims the island as its own territory and threatens to use force if it declares formal independence.

"Taiwan and China need to keep some distance," said Willie Yao, a computer engineer voting in Taipei who said he backed Tsai. "The change of president would mean still letting Taiwanese make the decision."

Tsai has refused to endorse the principle that Taiwan and China are parts of a single nation to be unified eventually. Beijing has made that its baseline for continuing negotiations that have produced a series of pacts on trade, transport and exchanges.

Taiwan was a Japanese colony from 1885 to 1945 and split again from China amid civil war in 1949.

China has largely declined to comment on the polls, although its chief official for Taiwan affairs this month warned of potential major challenges in the relationship in the year ahead.

Tsai supporters appeared confident that ties with China would weather a change in government.

"As long as Tsai doesn't provoke the other side, it's OK," said former newspaper distribution agent Lenex Chang, who attended Tsai's rally. "If mainland China democratizes someday, we could consider a tie-up," he added.

Candidates from across the political spectrum sounded a rare note of unity Saturday after a teenage pop star posted a video online apologizing for having waved the Taiwanese flag on a South Korean TV program.

Sixteen-year-old Chou Tzu-yu, who performs under the name Tzuyu, had apparently been compelled to apologize after her South Korean management company suspended her activities in China for fear of offending nationalist sentiments on the mainland.

Ma, Tsai and Chu all condemned what they described as the bullying of a young girl.

The Associated Press
South Korea and the United States exchanged opinions Saturday on how to punish North Korea for its latest nuclear test in a "strong and comprehensive" manner, officials said.

The discussion was made during a bilateral meeting between South Korean Vice Foreign Minister Lim Sung-nam and U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Tony Blinken in Tokyo ahead of their trilateral talks involving Japanese Vice Foreign Minister Akitaka Saiki due later in the day.

Earlier this month, North Korea carried out an underground detonation test, the fourth of its kind. In the wake of the latest provocation in defiance of repeated international calls for restraint, the regional powers as well as the United Nations and Pyongyang's long-time ally of China have sought ways to effectively punish the bellicose regime.

"I believe that we can send a strong and clear message to Pyongyang and the international community that we would never respond (to the nuclear test) as if nothing has happened," Lim was quoted as saying by Seoul's foreign ministry officials.

Bashing the North for hurting regional security and peace, Blinken stressed the allies' concerted efforts to the grave challenges, they added.

"The two sides exchanged views on potential sanctions against the North that could induce changes in its stance while getting China to join the punitive measures," a ministry official said.

Seoul has striven to draw Beijing's support for stringent sanctions against North Korea to make them more effective, while China, which has been reluctant to get tough on the North, said it would join a U.N. Security Council resolution.(Yonhap)
LOS ANGELES (TNS)  At the foot of a fence around a small house in the desert, a protester cleared her throat. She wanted to scream loud enough for the man inside to hear.

Raaaaaapist! she shouted. Go away, rapist!

No one in this world loves you, her friend yelled. You are a sexually violent predator!

The shrieks were met with silence from the white, two-bedroom home outside Palmdale where Christopher Evans Hubbart has lived since his 2014 release from a California mental hospital.

Hubbart, 64, is one of the states most notorious sex offenders. Nicknamed the pillowcase rapist for his pattern of covering victims heads, Hubbart has admitted to at least 44 sexual assaults in Southern and Northern California.

Two decades ago, politicians portrayed him as a poster child for why California needed to lock up the most dangerous sex offenders even if they had finished serving their prison terms. Hubbart was the first person held under a law that allowed the state to confine sexually violent predators in hospitals if they have a mental disorder that makes them likely to reoffend.

Now Hubbart is testing a central premise of the law: That with intense treatment, some of the states worst sex offenders can be safely allowed back into society. So far, only a few have completed all steps of the treatment.

California spends more than $100 million a year on the program and locks up 560 sexually violent predators in state hospitals  all but one of them men. Only 34, including Hubbart, have been allowed to leave the hospital for a final stage of the treatment program that involves counseling and monitoring while living at home.

Twelve of those have convinced a judge to release them without supervision. The state does not formally track whether they are arrested for new crimes; none is known to have reoffended.

In Hubbarts home off a dirt road in Lake Los Angeles, state-funded security guards keep constant watch over him, partly to protect the public from Hubbart and partly to protect him from protesters who regularly gather outside. Demonstrators have successfully pressured a water company to stop delivering to the home and local law enforcement has investigated anonymous death threats against Hubbart.

A health care company overseeing Hubbarts treatment expressed concern in court documents that the ongoing demonstrations were wearing the client down.

Hubbart has told his treatment providers that he knows the protests at his home stem from his own actions, according to court documents.

But, he added, what can I do?



In the winter of 1994, Hubbart, then 43 and behind bars, agreed to submit to an unusual recorded interview  one designed to train sex crimes investigators.

The lanky, 6-foot-4 inmate sat at a table in the visitors room at a prison in Vacaville, staring into a camera as a special agent with the California Department of Justice peppered him with questions.

In the video, a copy of which was obtained by the Los Angeles Times, he blinks often and speaks in a monotone as he describes growing up in Claremont, where he lived with his mother and stepfather after his parents divorce. He said he remembered feeling awkward and losing interest in school.

When he was 14 or so, he began sneaking into his neighbors homes out of curiosity about other peoples lives, he said. He cracked open closets to look for womens bras, he added, and he imagined climbing into strangers beds hoping theyd mistake him for their husbands.

He spied on women in the parking lots of supermarkets and bowling alleys. When they went inside, he broke into their cars and checked their registration papers for home addresses. Then, he would drive to their homes and climb in through a window or walk through an unlocked door, waiting to ambush them when they returned.

In 1972, while working at his stepfathers furniture factory, he was arrested for a string of sexual assaults. The 21-year-old pleaded guilty and was confined to a state hospital, where he was classified as a mentally disordered sex offender, according to court documents.

In 1979, he was released and moved to the Bay Area. Within months, hed started to attack again. He was caught two years later, convicted of rape, burglary and other crimes and served nearly eight years in prison, court records show. Two months after he was released, he snuck up behind a jogger, pressed his hand over her mouth and grabbed her breasts.

Hubbart told the agent he often bound his victims hands with neckties he found in their bedroom closets and put pillowcases over their heads before raping them.

In the recording, he described a moment in 1990, soon after serving time for the Northern California attacks, when he woke up in the middle of the night in a hotel room having a panic attack.

He said he wanted to do the thing that helped him feel relaxed: Break into a home. He didnt do anything that night, he said, but felt trapped by his urges.

Here it is again, he said he thought to himself. Whats going on? Is this ever going to end?

Toward the end of the video, Hubbart told the investigator he was determined not to attack again.

I believe its all behind me now, he said. I think itll be all right.

In 1996, before Hubbart could be released, prosecutors in Santa Clara County asked a court to send him to a state mental hospital under the states new Sexually Violent Predator law.

The measure took effect amid public outrage that sex offenders given relatively short sentences in the past were being released from prison. Serial rapists, such as Hubbart, now get life sentences.

In a civil commitment trial created by the new law, two state doctors testified that Hubbart had severe paraphilia  deviant sexual behavior. A jury decided he fit the criteria of a sexually violent predator.

At Coalinga State Hospital, Hubbart joined several group treatment sessions, including the Meaning of Life and Happiness, Sexual Compulsivity Recovery and Exploring Beliefs About Women Using Art Therapy, according to treatment documents. He worked as a janitor, coordinated volunteers to decorate his unit during the holidays and co-taught a watercolor painting course.

He was praised, according to treatment documents, for offering insightful feedback to his peers and challenging them when they displayed distorted thought processes.

The treatment program for sexual offenders is not designed as a path toward a cure, but rather a way to teach skills to lower the risk of reoffending. In 2012, a team of doctors and nurses decided Hubbart was ready to leave the hospital for the final stage of his treatment.

A judge approved his release and in the summer of 2014, after a state contractor conducted a lengthy search for someone willing to rent to Hubbart, he moved into his place on Avenue R, a road lined with torn mattresses and rusting car parts, outside Palmdale.

Since then, the state has paid more than $832,000 to keep Hubbart at home, according to state records. Most of the money, more than $737,000, went to around-the-clock security.

John Bays, a retired parole officer whose caseload once included Hubbart, said he was incensed when he found out about Hubbarts release.

He doesnt deserve it, Bays said. He had his shot and he had his shot and he had his shot again.

Immediately after Hubbart moved in, protesters began to show up at his home. They made Christopher Hubbart MUST GO!!!! fliers and held a protest 100 days after his arrival, in a lot near his home, where they served hot dogs and held a raffle.

On a night last summer, a group of demonstrators huddled around a fire pit facing Hubbarts home. They wore teal shirts that read, Antelope Valley Communities Against Sexually Violent Predators, and exchanged stories about a year of living with their unwelcome neighbor.

(EDITORS: BEGIN OPTIONAL TRIM)

One of the local protesters, James Roberts, 49, who lives 3 miles from Hubbarts home, said that sometimes, around 3 a.m., when he cant sleep, he drives by Hubbarts home and honks his horn once or twice  to remind him that hes being watched.

If we stop coming and he hurts somebody   Roberts said, trailing off and shaking his head. He said he couldnt live with himself if that happened.

Since Hubbart moved in, sheriffs officials said patrol deputies have responded to 130 or so calls near the home, most of them from other neighbors complaining about noise made by protesters.

One demonstrator reported that Hubbarts security guards bumped him with their car. And in September, sheriffs deputies cited a protester for trespassing onto the property while Hubbart was away from the home.

Protesters posted the home address of Hubbarts landlord on a public Facebook page, according to court documents filed by Liberty Healthcare, the state contractor overseeing the treatment. One person made a threat to sheriffs officials that Hubbart will die tonight by an AK47, the contractor records said, and officers have flown over Hubbarts house to check for snipers.

On Halloween in 2014, a protester dug a grave across from Hubbarts home and put up a tombstone that read Serial Rapist Hubbart, said Hubbarts attorney, Christopher Yuen. Outside of court on the day of a recent hearing, the attorney said, a protester screamed at Hubbart, whose mother had recently died.

Do you put a pillowcase on your mothers grave stone? the person shouted.

(END OPTIONAL TRIM)

Hubbart, Yuen said, has earned the right to live in peace after spending so many years dedicating himself to treatment.

To have people outside your house every single day, screaming the most obscene, threatening, violent things at you, would wear on anybodys soul, said Yuen, a deputy public defender in Santa Clara County.

Hubbart wears a GPS ankle bracelet and authorities track his movements. He must submit to lie detector and drug tests and is required to follow a list of conditions that include avoiding television shows, movies or digital media that act as stimulus to arouse. His treatment includes psychotherapy and intensive group therapy, court records show.

Last year, the L.A. County District Attorneys Office asked a judge to have Hubbart returned to the hospital, saying hed been neglecting to charge the battery on his GPS ankle bracelet and had contacted known criminals without approval.

It is our belief, a prosecutor wrote, Hubbart remains at high risk of imminent re-offense.

Yuen said his client was never planning to escape GPS monitoring and was always supervised by a security guard. He acknowledged that Hubbart had contacted a former inmate but it was someone he had met during treatment at Coalinga.

Details about Hubbarts treatment and the results of lie detector tests are kept secret under state and federal laws protecting medical privacy. But Liberty Healthcares executive director wrote to the court that Hubbarts therapist believes he is doing far better than expected.

In May, a Santa Clara County judge ruled that Hubbart made two statements last year that raised some concerns about his treatment progress, but that there wasnt evidence that he was a danger to the health and safety of others.

Psychologist Amy Phenix, whose evaluation of Hubbart in the mid-90s helped lead to his confinement, said he was dedicated to the treatment.

Risk changes, Phenix said, adding that rapists rarely reoffend after the age of 50. Hes not that same person.

(EDITORS: STORY CAN END HERE)

Los Angeles County District Attorney Jackie Lacey said she remains troubled by Hubbarts case, especially how he once hunted for potential victims by focusing on homes with childrens toys outside.

Who does that, Lacey said, except for a fictional character on Criminal Minds?

She described Hubbart as the worst of the worst, adding that her office will ask that he be returned to the hospital if he violates his release conditions.

Hubbart sometimes talks about moving, his lawyer said, but knows how hard it was to find anyone to rent to him. He hopes to eventually find work, but now spends most of his time drawing or reading inside his house, and sometimes tends to his yard.

Last summer, amid the continuing protests, someone placed the torso of a female mannequin on an empty lot across the street from Hubbarts house. It was naked from the neck down, and draped with a white pillowcase.
PASADENA, Calif.  Caitlyn Jenner changed her life last year. Now shes living it.

After coming out as a woman in the first season of I Am Cait, Jenner is focused on increasing her knowledge about transgender issues and advocating on behalf of the community in the E! reality shows second season debuting March 6.

Jenner and her posse of five other transgender women embark on a road trip that begins in Los Angeles and winds its way to the Grand Canyon, Santa Fe, New Mexico, Tulsa, Oklahoma, New York, Chicago, Iowa, Kansas City, St. Louis and New Orleans on the series.

We opened up this conversation, but in opening it up there are so many issues in this community that we need to talk about and deal with, Jenner told a gathering of TV critics on Thursday. I want to change peoples thinking on this issue. Its not an issue that has borders. It is all over the world. I would love to take this show global.

Jenner comes out of her shell, leaving the comfort of her Malibu home to interact with the transgender community while exploring dating and romance. Her changing relationships with her children and the Kardashian clan, including ex-wife Kris Jenner, are shown in Season 2.

For almost my entire life, I never really liked going out. I never really felt like I fit in. I was more of a loner, she said. Now after transitioning, I actually enjoy going out.

When shes in public, Jenner said she takes 50 selfies daily with mostly young women and boys.

The next group of people coming up really has a different look at all of this, she said.

The 66-year-old former Olympic decathlon champion resists the medias label of voice for transgender people.

I am only a spokesman for me and my story, she said. I have so much to learn in this community. I have so much to learn about womanhood. The platform is not for me. Its for this community.

For almost my entire life, I never really liked going out. I never really felt like I fit in. I was more of a loner. Now after transitioning, I actually enjoy going out. Caitlyn Jenner
ONALASKA  While most Christian churches decorate for the Christmas season with evergreens and poinsettias, this year First Lutheran Church in Onalaska also had a special peace display in its worship space. The sanctuary was decorated with 1,000 origami cranes.

The peace cranes were hung in the church sanctuary as a way to welcome the Prince of Peace and as a sign for our continued work to promote peace in our world, said associate pastor Karyn Bodenschatz.

Bodenschatz brought the idea for the project to First Lutheran after she attended the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Americas Worship Jubilee last summer in Atlanta. In a workshop about engaging all the senses in worship, she saw a picture of a church where peace cranes were hung over a window.

After consulting the churchs head custodian Mike Peper, Bodenschatz determined the project could work at First Lutheran.

The beautiful thing about this particular project, and really most of what we are doing in worship this year, is that the whole congregation was involved, Bodenschatz said. Starting the Sunday before Thanksgiving, we had people taking paper to fold cranes at home, folding cranes during coffee hour, as a part of their confirmation small groups, during team meetings, staff meetings, Bible studies, you name it. Where people gathered, cranes were being folded.

While regular copier paper was used for most of the cranes, the more creative used gold, silver and blue wrapping paper. One family used old sheet music to make cranes.

Church members, staff and friends folded cranes until the Sunday before Christmas, and then a corps of volunteers worked for 12 hours to string together the cranes and hang them from the sanctuarys ceiling.

What I have noticed most about peoples reactions (to the display) have been twofold  an amazement at the sight of 1,000 peace cranes hanging in our worship space and awe at the beauty of it, Bodenschatz said. We have had people come in to take pictures, to look and to simply sit under them. It is rather overwhelming to see and yet there is peace when you sit underneath them. They stand as a reminder to us who follow Jesus that not only is he called the Prince of Peace, but that we are called to work for peace.

For centuries, cranes have been a symbol of peace, good health, good luck and longevity in Eastern Asia. After the atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima during World War II, a 12-year-old Japanese girl exposed to the radiation decided to make 1,000 of the folded cranes. Sadako Sasaki set out to fold the cranes as way to get well and to promote peace.

At her death, she still had a little over 300 to fold, so her classmates honored her by folding the rest of the cranes, Bodenschatz said. Now, there is a monument erected in Hiroshima in her honor and as a sign for peace. After 9/11, people from around the world sent peace cranes to the United States as a sign of solidarity and peace.

Although the peace cranes were taken down Jan. 11 at First Lutheran, many of them will continue to hang for a while longer at the back of the worship space.

According to Bodenschatz, they will serve as an example of how God can use the most ordinary people to do extraordinary things and in the midst of the Christmas story, we hear of all the ordinary people God invited into the story and remember that God invites us, too, Bodenschatz said.

The beautiful thing about this particular project, and really most of what we are doing in worship this year, is that the whole congregation was involved. Karyn Bodenschatz, associate pastor at First Lutheran Church in Onalaska
The Rev. Thomas Reese, an internationally known expert on Catholic Church politics who has jousted with the Vatican over his progressive views, gives mixed grades to Pope Francis for his efforts to reform the Holy See.

As the pope has launched initiatives to rehabilitate the Vatican, he has opened doors to discussions that his predecessors, St. John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI, would have come down on like a ton of bricks, Reese said during a phone interview from his office in Washington, D.C.

Reese will address such issues from 9 to 11 a.m. Feb. 6 at the Franciscan Spirituality Center at 920 Market St. in La Crosse, during a talk titled Rebuild My Church: Pope Francis and His Vision for Reform.

The 79-year-old popes compassion for the poor, his outreach to those shunned in the church and society, his quest for justice and peace and his advocacy for the environment as Gods creation have generated speculation about whether the Francis effect will entice the disenfranchised back to the church.

That will only happen if, when they go back, they find somebody there like him, said Reese, who, like Pope Francis, is a Jesuit. Theyre looking for somebody like Francis in the parish. If they dont find it, they will turn right around and walk out.

Francis, who drew large, enthusiastic crowds during his visit to the United States last fall, deserves an A for continuing the efforts of Benedict XVI to correct the Vaticans historically corrupt financial system, Reese said. The pontiffs progress in changing the culture of the church from top-down clericalism rates a C in Reeses ledger, and his efforts to change policies and structures is incomplete.

Clericalism remains the biggest challenge for the pope, who has modeled humility and preached inclusion, Reese said.

He hates clericalism, and he doesnt want the bishops to act like princes, he said. He wants priests to empower people, and hes working very hard for that, but hes not going to reform if he leaves in the old guard.

Reform is multi-level. Hes pushing things along, but I have some disagreements, Reese said. I dont think the bureaucracy in the Vatican should be bishops and cardinals. It should be laypeople and priests.

If they are bishops and cardinals, they are hard to fire, he said. Anybody who has done any hiring knows that getting the right person in the job the first time isnt easy. If the cardinal isnt doing the job, he wont be gone.

If its a priest, you can send him back to the parish; if its a layperson, you can fire him, Reese said.

Asked about the popes demotion of Cardinal Raymond Burke from heading the Vaticans highest court after the former bishop of the La Crosse Diocese openly criticized the pope, Reese said continuing pressure from Burke and others on the hard right hampers reform.

Theyre a real pain in the ... Reese said.

Among other things, Burke has described the church as a rudderless ship with Francis at the helm. He also has challenged the popes conciliatory comments about divorced and remarried Catholics and his refusal to condemn homosexuals.

Burke, who has rebuffed several Tribune requests for interviews, has compared gay couples and divorced and remarried Catholics to unrepentant murderers who are kind to other people. He insists that his critiques are intended to defend the office of the papacy.

Burke is not that old, at 67, Reese said. Hes going to be a voting cardinal until he is 80. Theres no question that hes going to outlive the pope.

Since bishops generally are in office until they are 75, and many are in their 60s, Francis will be dead by the time they retire. The longer he lives, the more he can replace, Reese said.

Despite criticisms from the extreme right, the polling data is quite clear that even people who self-identify as conservatives give Francis approval ratings so high that people in Washington would kill to get them, Reese said.

The extreme right has a following in the blogosphere and in certain conservative publications, but not in the pews. They are a minority  a very loud, vocal minority, he said.

The conservative elite  the talking heads and people like that  have a following in the thousands, he said. In a church of 1.2 billion, thats not a lot.

Reese divides the church hierarchy into two groups, saying, There are no liberal bishops. There is a small group of moderates.

The others are conservatives, he said, dividing that contingent into two subgroups:

Ideologues like Burke, who are intellectually committed to the idea that they are right, and there is no way to change.

Pastoral conservatives, who grew up in conservative families, with conservative bishops and went to conservative seminaries.  They have no pretense of being intellectual like some of the ideologues.

Prelates in the pastoral camp are confused, and they are keeping their heads low. They are not in open opposition to the pope. They are loyalists, but they dont quite get it  that the pope has different priorities, a different vision. He is preaching the same gospel, with different priorities.

Many priests today studied in seminaries where professors who were more open were fired and the priests and theologians who trained them told them they were to go out to the pews and kick ass, said Reese, whose liberal views riled the Vatican when he wrote for America magazine about politics, economics and the Catholic Church from 1978 to 1985 and later, as editor in chief from 1998 to 2005.

This is like reforming any institution, he said. It takes time. You can change all the rules and regulations and organizational chart, but if you dont change the culture of the police force, or the hospital, or the newspaper, there wont be reform.

He suggested that allowing priests to marry would help alleviate the global priest shortage.

Clearly, John Paul and Benedict made it clear that they didnt want any gays in the priesthood, Reese said.

Pope Francis said, Who am I to judge? if they are following the rule of celibacy, Reese said.

But hes not suddenly going to say, OK, were gonna have gay marriage. That aint gonna happen, he said.

On the other hand, gay marriage in a civil setting is a different issue, he said, adding, I dont see why the church cant say thats a civil matter. There wont be gay marriage in the church, but gay and married Catholics in the church is more complicated.

Reese also advocates decentralizing church authority, saying, Do all of the decisions have to be made in Rome, or can some be made with bishops groups, individual groups or even parishes?

The Holy Sees objections to Reeses writings at America came largely from the Vatican Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, under the control of then-Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, who was elected pope and took the name Benedict XVI in 2005.

Reese, a prolific book author, resigned from America that year and now is a Washington, D.C.-based senior analyst for the National Catholic Reporter, an independent, progressive weekly based in Kansas City, Mo.

As a Jesuit himself, Reese sees Francis attraction to Franciscan spirituality as dovetailing with the spirituality that Jesuit founder Ignatius Loyola espoused.

Loyola was a soldier injured in battle who was bored out of his mind while recuperating, Reese said. The only book he could find was Lives of the Saints, which inspired his decision to do great things for God like St. Francis of Assisi had.

Pope Francis has kept up that tradition for four reasons, Reese said, noting:

Francis has a love for the poor, to whom he devoted much of his time as Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio before he became the Catholic Churchs 266th pope.

St. Francis also was a reformer. If you think the church is bad today, you should have seen it in St. Francis time, Reese said.

After St. Francis heard Gods entreaty to rebuild my church, he set out to repair the rundown church building he was attending, until God said, No, I mean the WHOLE church.

Francis of Assisi is noted for his love of nature and animals, which also is high on Pope Francis agenda, the great message of loving and protecting Gods creation.

Like St. Francis, Pope Francis is a peacemaker who promotes love for and respect of the poor and each other.

As a whole, that is totally in line with both Franciscan and Jesuit spirituality, Reese said, with St. Francis mission to rebuild the church being a precursor to Pope Francis calling to reform it.
TOMAH  Mayor Shannon Hough said shes the victim of a hostile work environment at City Hall but gave no other details during a brief but emotional press conference Friday at her Tomah home.

Hough read a brief statement that said, I am working to correct that situation and I am fighting to continue to serve as mayor of Tomah: a position which I am proud and privileged to have.

Hough declined to answer specific questions about her allegation, including whether she has initiated a formal complaint or plans to file a lawsuit. She also declined to say who was responsible for the hostile environment.

I wanted to call this press conference to make you all aware of the environment in which I have had to serve as mayor of Tomah, she said.

Hough had told the media earlier in the day she would resign as mayor but said during the press conference she intends to stay on. She is being challenged by Tomah City Council member Nellie Pater in the April 5 spring election.

Shannon is just dealing with her current situation, Houghs attorney Shari Locante said. Shes expecting she will continue as mayor and will campaign vigorously for re-election.

Hough narrowly lost a race for mayor in 2011 and was elected in 2013 after it was discovered her general election opponent was a convicted felon and ineligible to serve. She said the hostile environment has been going on for two years since I became the mayor.

Ive tried to resolve it through normal channels through the city council and city attorney and have had no resolution, she said.

The city council scheduled an emergency closed meeting Friday to discuss the situation. City attorney Penny Precour-Berry said, The purpose of the meeting is to be more informed about what is going on. There is not going to be any substantial action taken.

Precour-Berry said she is unaware of any legal action taken by Hough. She said Friday was the first time she was aware of Hough using the term hostile work environment.

Thats the first time Ive heard of it couched in that way, she said.
Although it's unlikely the proposal will get a vote before the end of the legislative session, a handful of school officials from around the state support a bill that would allow people with concealed weapons permits to carry guns on school grounds and, in some cases, inside school buildings.

Meanwhile, the state agency that oversees public education opposes the effort.

Jon Pickelmann, principal at St. Paul's Lutheran School in Oconomowoc, said he supports the legislation "first and foremost" because it's in line with the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

"This also helps prevent responsible gun owners from becoming felons," Pickelmann said in an email, adding that he also believes it could make schools less of a "soft target" for someone aiming to do harm.

Under the bill, concealed carry permit holders would be allowed to carry weapons on school grounds.

It would be up to local school boards to decide whether weapons would be allowed inside school buildings. If they decided to ban weapons in schools, they would be required to post notices at the building's entrances.

Brooks's office supplied a list of nine superintendents, principals and school board members who expressed support for the bill.

Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, said Thursday he supports the concept of the bill, introduced by Sen. Mary Lazich, R-New Berlin, Rep. Robert Brooks, R-Saukville, and Rep. Jesse Kremer, R-Kewaskum, but it's unlikely it will come to the floor before the Legislature winds down the current session.

"I support the bill, but it is not a high priority for Republicans. In fact, it's not a priority at all. But I would definitely be open to the discussion in our caucus, and we'll see where it goes."

On other bills that have moved quickly through the Legislature, Vos said, there has been a "groundswell" of support to usher them through.

Gov. Scott Walker signed concealed carry legislation into law in 2011, making Wisconsin the 49th state to adopt the policy. However, the law doesn't allow guns on school property.

The bill's authors have noted this law would prevent a parent legally carrying a concealed weapon while dropping a child off at school from being charged with a crime. But Kremer said that's of secondary importance to the heart of the issue, which is safety.

"Its not only for personal protection, but its also for prevention," Kremer said Thursday. "If youve got a school that allows concealed carry holders, a bad guy, a terrorist for that matter, isnt going to know whos carrying. So they might bypass that school. So my hope is ... that our schools would allow this."

Pickelmann said his school hasn't had any incidents that would have required this legislation and isn't aware of any in other nearby schools. He said he's not sure allowing guns on school grounds would prevent someone intent on doing harm, but he believes the policy could deter that kind of action.

Those opposed to the bill say it would set schools up for a "wild west" environment and could make students and teachers less safe.

"Responsible people who carry know that they are responsible for every round they fire," Pickelmann said in response to that argument. "I do not see how changing this law would make a wild west atmosphere. Doesnt concealed carry mean that the firearm is concealed (i.e. not seen)?"

A similar proposal was introduced 2013 as an amendment to a bill that would have allowed retired and off-duty police officers to carry weapons on school grounds. However, that amendment wouldn't have allowed school boards to ban guns in instructional buildings, and the bill failed.

Jim Palmer, executive director of the Wisconsin Professional Police Association, said Thursday that change is a "sensible improvement" from the original proposal, but he doesn't know whether it's enough of a change to earn the support of his organization.

Palmer said law enforcement officers are "certain" to have reservations as to whether the bill will make their jobs, or schools in general, more dangerous.

"Statistically, there simply isnt any cumulative evidence to suggest that schools are soft targets, but an argument can be made that allowing more guns in our schools would do just that," Palmer said.

The state Department of Public Instruction opposes the bill, said spokesman Tom McCarthy.

"In 2008, a bipartisan group of legislators and school safety experts convened to examine ways we could improve school safety. Their solutions were centered on encouraging better planning and coordination with law enforcement, and allowing districts to exceed revenue caps to make their facilities safer and more secure. A logical first step to improve school safety is to bring back that key funding resource that was eliminated in 2011," McCarthy said.
Hungarian police officers control the arrival of refugees crossing the border from Greece, at the entrance of the transit center near the southern Macedonia's town of Gevgelija, on Jan. 11, 2016. Boris Grdanoski / AP

We bought fake Syrian papers, but they didnt work and police stopped us at the border, said Aziz Boukali, a Moroccan travelling with two compatriots.

Then we each gave a smuggler 600 euros to get us to Serbia, but when we crossed into Macedonia he left us and the police caught us and brought us back here. Now we have no money left  not even 30 euros for the bus back to Athens.

But for all those who are caught, many others make it into Macedonia and continue northwards: every night now, refugees are found walking along unlit roads and rail tracks away from the Greek border, aid groups report; and Austria has turned back hundreds of people at its border with Slovenia in recent weeks for falsely claiming to be Syrian, Afghan or Iraqi.

Despite Turkeys pledge to tighten its borders, some 3,000 refugees on average still reach Greece each day, prompting calls for much tougher security at the Greece-Macedonia frontier.

A razor wire fence is already in place along stretches of the border, where Macedonian police are now assisted by colleagues sent from Slovakia and Hungary, countries that fiercely oppose mass migration and Germanys plan for every EU state to take a quota of refugees.

It is nice that [Turkey] has promised that there would be a line of defense there, but we need to build one of our own, from our own resources, on the northern border of Greece and stop  not slow down, but stop  migration, Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orban said on Jan. 8.

When Hungary fenced off its own borders with Serbia and Croatia, it did not cut the number of refugees reaching the EU, but only re-routed them through Croatia and Slovenia on their way to Austria, Germany and beyond.

Similarly, Balkan states bid since November to allow passage to only Syrians, Iraqis and Afghans has not deterred thousands from other countries, who are ready to give their life savings to criminals to smuggle them through tighter borders.

Our teams have seen, ever since the closure of the border to some nationalities the return of smugglers in the area, said Gemma Gillie, a spokeswoman for Medecins Sans Frontieres (Doctors Without Borders, or MSF), which runs a mobile health clinic and other services around Idomeni.

These trafficking networks had disappeared in June with the legalisation of the border crossing  but have notably increased again since the new restrictions were implemented, she added.

MSF doctors have treated injuries, including broken bones, which some refugees say they suffered at the hands of Macedonian police. At Idomeni, meanwhile, Greek police appear to have little interest in the smugglers and their customers.

In a cluster of trees beside the highway a short walk from the border, stand several derelict buildings with gaping holes in their roofs and walls, where people of all ages shelter before attempting a nocturnal border crossing. In the field beyond, dozens more refugees from north Africa and Asia huddle under coats and blankets.

Among the travellers are a few men who are watchful, unwilling to talk and who never move on.

Aid workers are sure these men are part of the smuggling operation, and it must be equally obvious to local police, who have a patrol car parked barely a mile from this sprawling camp.

Last week, 34 refugees were found hiding in a truck traveling through Macedonia, in the kind of smuggling incident that is again becoming common, and which recalled the death of 71 refugees in a truck in Austria in August.

The United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR) is concerned over the consequences of border restrictions implemented by several countries in the Balkans, as desperate people continue to seek safety in Europe despite the harsh winter, said Babar Baloch, a spokesman for the organization.

The UNHCR keeps advocating for legal pathways for the desperate to reach Europe. In the absence of this, desperate people are being exploited by ruthless smuggling and human trafficking networks, he added.

Conditions are alarming for those trying to slip into Macedonia, but they are also harsh for refugees from warzones who have permission to cross.

After refugees protested and one was killed by electrocution on the rail line at Idomeni last month  continuing months of disruption on a major regional cargo route  Greek authorities no longer allow large numbers of people to gather there.

This leaves a complex of huge, heated tents run by MSF and others aid groups  complete with hot showers, cooking facilities and wifi  standing empty at Idomeni, People who are refused passage at the border are not allowed inside, while Syrians, Iraqis and Afghans are made to wait for their turn to cross the frontier at a gas station 12 miles away, sometimes for 24 hours in bitter cold.

For several nights earlier this month around 2,000 people were forced to sleep in the open as temperatures dropped as low as minus 9 Celsius [16 degrees farenheit], said Gillie from MSF, which provides shelter, food and firewood at the gas station.

With up to a third of people arriving at this station children  we are seriously concerned about the potential medical impact this could have, she added.

As winter takes hold in Europe, there is no end in sight to its refugee crisis, or to the vast numbers of people ready to risk everything to start a new life here.

For Dehani, however, a night spent hiding from police in remote woods under a Balkan rainstorm was enough to prompt second thoughts.

I will go back to Athens and try to get my money back from the smugglers, he said, as he looked for somewhere to rest and warm up at Idomeni.

I am against the regime in Iran, but it seems I have no case to be a refugee in Europe. So I will call my uncle in Shiraz and ask his advice  maybe it is time to go home.
A Wisconsin Democrat has introduced a set of bills he says would help regain the public's trust in the state's judiciary.

The proposals authored by Rep. Gary Hebl, D-Sun Prairie, address campaign donations, recusal and discipline.

Out of control campaign spending and many high-profile judicial recusal and discipline cases in recent years have demonstrated the need for reforming Wisconsins judicial discipline and recusal standards, Hebl said in a statement. This reform package would ensure our citizens have access to a functional and fair judicial system.

Hebl's bills would:

Require a judge or justice to recuse himself or herself if a "reasonable person would question whether the judge or justice could act in an impartial manner." Current law requires a judge to determine his or her own impartiality.

Require a judge to recuse if, within the last for years, a party in the case has contributed $1000 or more  directly or in independent expenditures.

Allow the state Supreme Court to review recusal decisions of justices.

If a justice doesn't recuse after a request is made, require him or her to report the reasons for the decision.

Make Supreme Court justices subject to discipline by a panel of Court of Appeals judges rather than the Supreme Court.

The proposals come amid the ongoing legal battle over a John Doe investigation into Gov. Scott Walker's campaign and conservative groups that supported him.

The state Supreme Court shut down the probe last summer and in December declined to reopen it. But some groups argued the four justices who formed the state court's majority should have recused themselves, because they received more than $8 million in campaign donations, combined, from parties named in the investigation.

Justice David Prosser argued this summer that he didn't need to recuse himself from the case because the spending occurred years before the case came before the court.
Supreme Court Justice Rebecca Bradley has raised the least amount of money so far in the race to keep her appointed seat on the states highest court.

According to Bradleys campaign, she raised $229,870 in 2015. Candidates state Appeals Court Judge JoAnne Kloppenburg raised $278,447 and Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Joe Donald raised $250,657 in 2015.

Bradleys campaign spokeswoman emphasized that she made her campaign announcement on Sept. 17  three months after Donald and Kloppenburg.

Friday is the deadline for filing 2015 campaign finance reports with the state Government Accountability Board.

The three candidates will meet in a February primary, and the top two vote-getters will be on the April 5 election ballot.

Bradley seeks to keep her position on the Supreme Court, to which she was appointed by Gov. Scott Walker after Justice N. Patrick Crooks death in September. Crooks had announced days before his death that he would not seek re-election this spring.
MADISON  Republicans moved a bill that would overhaul Wisconsins managed forest land program to the brink of passage in the Senate on Thursday, passing the measure out of committee despite opponents concerns that the measure is a gift to the timber industry and wealthy landowners.

The Senates forestry committee approved the bill 3-2, clearing the way for a full vote on the Senate floor. Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgeralds spokeswoman said the chamber may take up the bill as early as Wednesday, but a final decision hasnt been made.

Landowners who enroll in the managed forest program get property tax breaks if they keep their land open to the public for recreation and abide by a timber management plan. Participants can close their property but get a smaller tax credit and must pay a fee. According to the state Department of Natural Resources, about 3.3 million acres are currently enrolled in the program. About two-thirds of that land is closed to the public.

Participants have complained about being forced to open their land up to anyone who could ruin it in order to get the larger tax break. Theyve also complained about not being able to lease enrolled land for recreation.

The bill would lift the 160-acre cap on closed land for non-industrial landowners, allowing them to close off as much land as they want while still enjoying the larger tax break on those acres.

The proposal would eliminate local taxes on timber harvested from managed forest land but allow local governments to keep 80 percent of closed acreage fees. Right now 100 percent of those fees go to the DNRs forestry account; according to DNR officials, the bill would create a $6.8 million deficit in the account in fiscal year 2017 and a $12.6 million deficit in the account by 2019.

The bill also would reduce the fee for withdrawing early from the program and allow landowners to drop out without penalty if legislators make changes to the program they dont like.

The measure initially got a lukewarm response from program participants because it didnt allow them to lease their land. The committee amended the bill Thursday to give them leasing rights as well as require owners with more than 1,000 acres to pay more than smaller owners in back taxes if they withdraw land.

The amendment also restores the cap on closed land for non-industrial property owners but sets it at 320 acres rather than 160.

Doug Duren, president of the Wisconsin Alliance of Forest Owners, said his group was pleased with the bill since it now includes leasing rights. The alliances director, Richard Wedepohl, said he hopes the change will make the program attractive enough to small landowners to remain enrolled.

Both Democrats on the panel, Kathleen Vinehout of Alma and Robert Wirch of Kenosha, voted against the bill. Vinehout said she was concerned about the DNR losing money. She added that she couldnt defend a bill that grants timber companies and wealthy landowners an even bigger tax break while her constituents are paying higher taxes through referendums to keep their local schools afloat.

The bills author and committee chairman, Sen. Tom Tiffany, a Hazelhurst Republican, told Vinehout that despite dire financial predictions every session about the state of the forestry account it always seems to end up in the black. He stressed, too, that anyone who wants to remove their land from the program will have to pay back taxes. If they choose to stay in the program, he said, theyll have to follow the programs rules.

Wirch did not attend the meeting and voted by phone. He didnt immediately return a telephone message left at his Capitol office.
LONDON (AP)  Anglican spiritual leader Justin Welby is set to lead a task force that will focus on rebuilding relationships after religious leaders temporarily restricted the role of the Episcopal Church in their global fellowship as a sanction over the U.S. churchs acceptance of gay marriage.

Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury, is expected Friday to explain the decision to bar Episcopalians from any policy-setting positions in the Anglican Communion for three years. The decision avoided a permanent split in the 85 million-member communion, though it dismayed liberal Anglicans.

Welbys group will try to reconcile conflicting views over sexuality, with the intention of restoration of relationship with the Episcopal Church, the Anglican body in the United States.

Anglicans are the third-largest grouping of Christians in the world, behind Roman Catholics and the Orthodox.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP)  A small-town warehouse supervisor turned in one of three tickets splitting the world-record $1.6 billion Powerball jackpot on Friday, and swiftly announced that he would take his money now, giving up hundreds of millions of dollars in the future.

But John Robinson and his wife, Lisa, said they wont stop working and wont make any wild purchases. Theyll pay off their mortgage and their daughters student loans, but have no desire to move from their small, gray, one-story house into a luxurious compound somewhere.

Ive never wanted that in the past. I dont really want that now, said Lisa Robinson, who works in a dermatologists office.

Big houses are nice, her husband said, But also you gotta clean em.

Robinson said he reached out to his brother for help finding lawyers and financial planners before deciding to take the winnings in a single lump sum of nearly $328 million, rather than let the lottery invest the prize and pay him 30 annual installments totaling an estimated $533 million.

Why pass up on a certain income totaling more than $200 million?

Were going to take the lump sum, because were not guaranteed tomorrow, Robinson said. We just wanted a little big piece of the pie. Now were real grateful we got the big piece of the pie.

No one has produced the other winning tickets, which overcame odds of 1 in 292.2 million to land on all six numbers at a Publix supermarket in Melbourne Beach, Florida, and a 7-Eleven in Chino Hills, California.
Iran freed four Americans including a Washington Post reporter on Saturday in a prisoner swap, as diplomats gathered to announce the lifting of international sanctions and bring the country of 80 million people back to the global economic stage. A fifth American was also released separately.

The International Atomic Energy Agency was expected to announce in Vienna that Tehran had complied with the requirements of a deal reached last year, under which it was to curb its nuclear program in return for the lifting of sanctions imposed by the United States, United Nations and European Union.

Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif and U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, who developed a strong rapport while hammering out last year's deal, met in a Vienna hotel before the announcement.

"Implementation day" of the nuclear deal marks the biggest re-entry of a former pariah state into world commerce since the end of the Cold War.

It is also a turning point in the hostility between Iran and the United States that has shaped the Middle East since Iran's Islamic Revolution of 1979, and a defining initiative for both U.S. President Barack Obama and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani.

Both leaders have faced strong opposition from hardliners at home in countries that have called each other "Great Satan" and part of the "axis of evil".

"Today, with the release of the IAEA chief's report, the nuclear deal will be implemented, after which a joint statement will be made to announce the beginning of the deal," Zarif was quoted as saying in Vienna by state news agency IRNA.

"Today is a good day for the Iranian people as sanctions will be lifted today," the ISNA agency quoted him as saying.

The sanctions have cut Iran off from the global financial system, drastically reduced the exports of a major oil producer and imposed severe economic hardship on ordinary Iranians. Most will be lifted immediately.

Iranian media reported that four Iranian-Americans held in Iran had been released and seven Iranian-Americans held in the United States would also be freed under the prisoner swap. U.S. State Department officials declined immediate comment.

The four held in Iran include Washington Post bureau chief Jason Rezaian, held since 2014 and convicted in Iran of espionage. His case in particular has been a notable obstacle to a thaw in Iranian-U.S. relations.

Even before the expected announcement that sanctions would be lifted, Iran's Mehr news agency reported on Saturday that executives from two of the world's largest oil companies, Shell and Total, had arrived in Tehran for talks with state firms.

Under the deal, Iran has agreed to forego enrichment of uranium, which world powers feared could be used to make a nuclear weapon. Once sanctions are lifted, Iran plans to swiftly ramp up its exports of oil. Global companies that have been barred from doing business there will be able to exploit a market hungry for everything from automobiles to airplane parts.

Iran's expected return to an already glutted market is one of the main factors contributing to a global rout in oil prices, which fell below $30 a barrel this week for the first time in 12 years. Tehran says it could boost exports by 500,000 barrels per day within weeks and 500,000 more within a year, in a world already producing 1.5 million barrels a day more than it consumes and running out of storage space to hold it.

The deal is opposed by all of the Republican candidates vying to succeed Obama as president in an election in November, and is viewed with deep suspicion by U.S. allies in the Middle East including Israel and Saudi Arabia.

It is supported by Washington's European allies, who joined Obama earlier in his presidency in making sanctions far tighter as part of a joint strategy to force Tehran to negotiate.

The Obama administration says the deal reached last July offered the best possible prospect of ensuring that Iran would not develop a nuclear weapon, and could never have been achieved without the support of allies, which was always contingent on a pledge to lift sanctions once Iran complied.

For Iran, it marks a crowning achievement for Rouhani, a pragmatic cleric elected in 2013 in a landslide on a promise to reduce Iran's international isolation. He was granted the authority to negotiate the deal by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, an arch-conservative in power since 1989.

Zarif, a U.S.-educated fluent English speaker, has emerged as the cheerful face of Iran's diplomacy, developing a close rapport with Kerry in unprecedented one-on-one talks. Zarif has chipped away at Iran's image as a pariah state, to the dismay of hardliners in Tehran as well as regional rivals.

"There are some people who see peace as a threat, who were always against [the nuclear deal] and will continue to oppose it," he was quoted as saying by ISNA.

The prospect of Iran's emergence from isolation could overturn the geopolitical balance of the Middle East. Iran is the pre-eminent Shia Muslim power and its allies are fighting proxy wars in Iraq, Syria and Yemen against allies of its main Sunni Muslim regional rival, Saudi Arabia.

In Iraq, Tehran has found itself on the same side as the United States, supporting a Shia-led government against the Sunni fighters of the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).

Zarif has argued, including in a New York Times op-ed column last week, that Iran wants to help the global fight against Sunni fighters, who he said are spurred on by policies adopted by Saudi Arabia.

"It's now time for all  especially Muslim nations  to join hands and rid the world of violent extremism. Iran is ready," Zarif tweeted on Saturday.

But U.S.-Iranian hostility still remains deeply entrenched. Apart from the nuclear issue, Washington maintains separate, far less comprehensive sanctions on Iran over its missile program.

Iran has tested missiles since the nuclear agreement, drawing threats from Washington to tighten those sanctions. A week ago Iran detained 10 U.S. sailors on two boats in the Gulf, although they were released the next day after Tehran said it had concluded they had entered its waters by mistake.

In line with orders from the Supreme National Security Council and in the national interest, four Iranian dual national prisoners have been released in a prisoner swap, Abbas Jafari Dowlatabadi was quoted as saying by Iranian news agencies.

Iran's Fars News Agency named the four freed prisoners, in addition to Rezaian, as: Amir Hekmat, Saeed Abedini and Nosratollah Khosravi. Hekmat is a former U.S. marine, and Abedini is a Christian pastor. A fifth American, student Matthew Trevithick, was released separately.

Reuters
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The body of a 27-year-old mother who went missing two weeks ago may have been found in a backyard in Fontana.

Last night, information related to a missing persons case led police to the home of 40-year-old Cesar Rosales in the 8200 block of Reseda Avenue in Fontana, where a cadaver dog discovered a body in the backyard, KTLA reports. Police say Rosales confessed to the killing and was arrested. While police reported earlier that the body was that of Alejandra Carrion Gutierrez, they later retracted that information and said the body had yet to be identified, according to the Press Enterprise.

Alejandra Gutierrez, 27, was reported missing on January 2 by her family. She is the mother of two children, whom she shared the duty of caring for with her husband, Juan Rodriguez, though the two had been separated for two years, according to FOX 5 San Diego. Rodriguez told authorities that he last heard from her on December 30, when she left her apartment in San Ysidro around 10 p.m. to stay the night at her boyfriend's place in Fontana. Her cousin, Elvia Toris Gutierrez, told the San Diego Union-Tribune that Gutierrez sent a text message after 1 a.m. saying she'd made it to her boyfriend's house. However, other texts her family members reported receiving after that were suspicious, referring to money, according to NBC San Diego.

Gutierrez did not return home from Fontana the next day as promised, and her family reported her missing on January 2. Her abandoned Mini Cooper was found in Fontana on January 10.

Early reports from police indicated that Rosales and Gutierrez were acquainted, but did not elaborate on how. It's not clear at this time if Rosales was the boyfriend Gutierrez was headed to meet or not.
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Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama are never mentioned by name in 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi, Michael Bay's film about the attack which has been affectionally dubbed "Bayghazi" by practically everyone, but Bay's assertion that it is an "apolitical" film is bunk. Bureaucratic desk jockeys and bureaucracy are the enemy in 13 Hours as much as the Libyan militias that attacked the American consulate (and ultimately killed Ambassador Chris Stevens), and American in-action is admonished while Bay lays on his admiration of the gung-ho, know-how mercenaries who save the day.

Once 13 Hours does get into the action, it is a rather effective, sometimes stunning, piece of combat filmmaking from one of film's best craftsmen. Wedged smack dab in the middle of the film is the initial assault by the militias on Stevens' compound, where Bay stages what might be the best action sequence he's ever done. The so-called "secret soldiers" of the film's silly subtitlewhose ranks include The Office's John Krasinski and David Denmanmove and shoot with ruthless and surgical precision. Each bullet and piece of flying shrapnel rattles and ricochets with such a heightened sense of realism that you can practically see the dust shake off the screen. Rocket-propelled grenades bounce off the pavement before exploding and brick walls crumble into dust under a barrage of machine gun firethe wanton destruction of stationary objects is even scarier than seeing what they do to bodies.

Bay is often criticized for his spectacular style that often turns the movie screen into an illegible mess. His rapid edits and swooping, restless camera (see the much-reviled Transformer series) are toned down in 13 Hourshe lets the chaos tell the story for itself. The work of cinematographer Dion Beebe, who pioneered digital cinematography in Michael Mann's Miami Vice and Collateral, can be downright beautiful. The yellow and orange of explosions and flames become abstracted figures over the backdrop of a deep blue Libyan night.

Of course there's the rest of the movie, which is where Bay always comes up a little short. He loves the men he's lionizing as heroes so much that they become mere ciphers, each one serving as signposts of an idealduty, family, country, or God. Once the fighting stops (and boy, does it stop), these soldiers have to talk, and none of them are compelling as characters.

An individual viewer's takeaway will likely depend on which side of the aisle they sit on. Did you catch Ted Cruz's plug for the movie last night? But at least for a solid 45 minutes, there's something for everyone to marvel at in the middle of 13 Hours.

13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi opens everywhere today.
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The Taco Bell exec who got canned from his job after he was caught on video drunkenly attacking his Uber driver is suing the driver for $5 million.

In the suit, Benjamin Golden, 32, accuses Uber driver Edward Caban of illegally recording the Oct. 30 beating on his dashcam in Newport Beach, according to CNBC. Furthermore, Golden argues that he shouldn't be to blame for the injuries Caban suffered after the attack. Golden's complaint was filed on Dec. 4, but CNBC says they are the first media outlet to report on the lawsuit.

This comes soon after the beleaguered Golden cried on camera in a CBS L.A. interview, saying he had no recollection of what happened that night, and was "sincerely sorry" for what he had done. "I'm ashamed to say I got to that point. I don't normally do that and this is a situation where I did," Golden admits in the interview. "I handled it wrong in a wrong way. I crossed the line. It was caught on camera. I have to face it."

In the days leading up to that interview, Caban filed a civil lawsuit against Golden for assault, battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress and negligent infliction of emotional distress. Taco Bell fired Golden as the company's Mobile Experience & Innovation Lead, with a spokesperson saying, "Given the behavior of the individual, it is clear he can no longer work for us."

In the dashcam video, Caban is driving a visibly drunk Golden. At one point, Caban pulls over and tells Golden that Golden's not giving him directions and that he needs to get out of his car. Golden refuses to and responds by smacking Caban several times in the head and face and grabbing his hair, all while cursing at him. Caban then maces him. At the time of the attack, police also arrested Golden and he was later charged with multiple misdemeanor charges of assault and battery.

Golden's lawyer Courtney Pilchman told CNBC that she's trying to get the video thrown out as evidence in the criminal case against Golden. The suit says that it's against California state law to record someone without their consent. Caban's attorney Rivers Morrell III told CNBC Golden's claims are "totally bogus," and that state law applies to audio recordings, not video recordings.

Golden also says since the video went viral, he's since suffered from emotional distress and anxiety. He also blames Caban for picking up Golden as a passenger even though it was "apparent" that Golden was "intoxicated."


A knife attack in France that injured a Jew has started a debate about wearing head coverings that show a person is Jewish.

Even if we dont wear one, well always be attacked, Israel Nessim told VOA near a synagogue -- a Jewish religious center -- in Paris.

Well always be recognized as Jews, he said.

Jewish men who are religious wear a head covering called a kippah, yarmulke or skullcap.

On Monday, a school teacher in Marseille who was wearing a kippah was attacked. The attacker was a Kurdish teenager who claimed to support the Islamic State terrorist group.

Zvi Ammar, a leader in the Jewish community in Marseille, said Jewish men and boys should not wear the kippah until better days.

Other French-Jewish leaders urge boys and men to continue wearing a kippah. They include the countrys top Jewish religious leader and the head of a national Jewish group.

Philippe Zribi is a Jewish butcher in Paris. He does not wear a kippah. But he says I believe people should be able to wear what they want. We need to terrorize the terrorists, not be terrorized by the terrorists.

Jews in other countries are debating whether to stop wearing skullcaps. Last year, the leader of a Jewish organization in Germany said Jewish men should stop wearing the kippah in areas where many Muslims live.

About 500,000 Jews live in France. A study by the group Human Rights First reported a sharp increase in anti-Semitic attacks in 2014. And it said more than 7,200 French Jews had moved to Israel that year.

Im Christopher Jones-Cruise.

Lisa Bryant reported on this story from Paris. Christopher Jones-Cruise adapted her story for Learning English. Kathleen Struck was the editor.

What do you think about increased violence against religious people? We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments section, or visit our Facebook page.

________________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

kippah; yarmulke  n. a small, round head covering that is worn by some religious Jewish men

skullcap  n. a small, round cap that sits on top of the head and that is worn by religious Jewish men and Catholic clergymen

butcher  n. someone who cuts and sells meat in a shop, or kills animals and prepares their meat to be eaten

anti-Semitic  adj. feeling or showing hatred of Jewish people


Police in Indonesia arrested three men Friday in connection with a deadly bombing in Jakarta.

Two died and more than 20 were wounded on Thursday.

The three suspected militants were arrested in Depok, a suburb of Jakarta. Other raids were conducted throughout the country and suspected militants were detained, according to Reuters news agency.

A police spokesman said one of the attackers homes was searched. Items linked to the Islamic State were found in that raid. Those items included IS flags and T-shirts.

Police identified four of the five attackers in Thursdays violence. All five died during the bombings and gun attack. The attack took place in a busy part of Jakarta near a shopping center and foreign embassies.

Law enforcement officials also announced Indonesian Bahrun Naim was the man who planned Thursday's attack. He is believed to be fighting for the Islamic State terror group in Syria.

President Joko Widodo visited the scene of the attack Thursday. He asked Indonesians for calm and to be courageous during this time.

While Indonesia recovers, officials told VOA news, between 200 and 300 IS sympathizers are in the country. The Islamic State has increased recruitment in Indonesia. Close to 13 percent of the worlds Islamic population lives in Indonesia. That translates to more than 200 million Muslims in Indonesia.

If the IS link to the Jakarta attack is proven, it will be the first time the group targeted Indonesia. The country has been the site of a number of terrorist attacks. Bombings in Bali in 2002 killed 202 people. The last attack against foreigners was a twin hotel bombing in Jakarta in 2009.

Im Jim Dresbach.

This report was based on information from VOANews.com. Jim Dresbach adapted it for Learning English. Kathleen Struck was the editor.

We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section or visit our Facebook page.

_______________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

sympathizer  n. one who feels or shows support for or approval of something

recruitment  n. the process to find suitable people and get them to join a company, an organization or the armed forces


Do you recognize that song? It is the opening to the show The Addams Family.

But today we are talking about a different Adams family  one from the history books, not the television program of the 1960s.

Being second is not always easy. When you are the second president of a new country, following a popular first president such as George Washington, it is even harder.

John Adams, patriot lawyer from Boston, Massachusetts, found himself in that difficult position. In 1796, he was elected the second president of the United States of America.

John Ferling is an historian who has written about the colonial times. In 2015, he published a book called Whirlwind: The American Revolution and the War That Won It.

Ferling says a big problem for John Adams is that, unlike George Washington, he really had no experience as an executive before becoming president. Adams had a different background: he served two terms as vice president under Washington, and he served in the Congress and as a diplomat abroad.

But he had never managed an army, a business or a country.

And the result was Adams made a key blunder at the very outset of his presidency, and the blunder he made was the he retained Washingtons cabinet.

Adams kept Washingtons official advisers  his cabinet  mostly to satisfy some of his political opponents. These opponents were members of Adams own party, but they did not support Adams.

Later, Adams learned that some of his advisers did not support him either. They were more loyal to the former secretary of the treasury, Alexander Hamilton. Hamilton did not hold elected office at the time, but he continued to influence the nations affairs.

Historian John Ferling says Adams was in kind of over his head, and started swimming upstream almost from the start of his presidency.

He didnt know what he was getting into. I dont think he really understood their loyalty to Hamilton. Maybe he was just incredibly naive.

Adams also was known for getting angry easily and often acting depressed. Ferling says the second president may have suffered from an immune disorder called Graves disease, which could have caused his dramatic changes in emotion.

The busiest lawyer in Boston

Even though Adams struggled as president, he was successful in other parts of his life.

He grew up outside the city of Boston, Massachusetts. His father was a farmer, as well as a church official and town leader. He hoped his son would be a minister; however, John Adams chose to attend Harvard University and become a lawyer.

Adams was a very good lawyer. In fact, he was one of the busiest lawyers in Boston. His success enabled him to buy a big, two-story house that still stands in Quincy, Massachusetts. At that time, the average farmer lived in a home the size of todays two-car garage.

The Adams family

He also had a happy marriage.

John Adams married Abigail Smith in 1764. They had six children together.

John and Abigails relationship is one of the most well-known of that time because they wrote many letters to each other over the years they were apart. More than 1,000 of their letters still survive today.

John and Abigail Adams were both passionate patriots who supported the American Revolution.

They also agreed about the issue of slavery. John and Abigail believed it was a revolting institution, according to historian John Ferling. Unlike many founding families of the U.S., the couple did not own slaves and spoke out against the practice of people owning other people.

A troubled presidency

Adams was elected president at a fragile time for the United States. People did not know if the country would hold together in the transition from one president to the next.

The election of 1796 followed the original rule in the U.S. Constitution. At that time, the Constitution said the person who received the majority of votes became president. The person with the second largest number of votes became vice president. In 1796, that rule meant that Adams became the nations second president, and his political opponent, Thomas Jefferson, became the vice president. Even though the two leaders were personal friends, they often struggled over competing ideas about the role of the federal government.

In addition to the challenges of leading a divided administration, Adams struggled to deal with a foreign policy crisis. The Revolution in France threatened to spread to other European countries. Many countries, including Great Britain, answered the threat by allying against France. Historian John Ferling says that the crisis in Europe shaped Adams presidency and caused him endless troubles.

Adams worked hard to make sure the United States did not get pulled into a war between France and Great Britain. But France did not trust the U.S.; it tried to interrupt trade between the U.S. and Great Britain by seizing U.S. ships.

John Adams wanted to resolve the problem peacefully. He threatened military action, but he also sent diplomats to talk with French officials. Adams aimed for an honorable peace with France. Eventually, he got it.

My sense of Adams presidency, is while there were a great many failures in Adams presidency, ultimately he succeeded. He succeeded in avoiding war.

In fact, many years later, Adams wrote that the greatest jewel in his crown was achieving peace with France.

No friend of immigrants

Something that Adams was not favorably remembered for is signing the Alien and Sedition Act in 1798. The four Acts extended the time from five to 14 years that immigrants had to wait before becoming U.S. citizens. They permitted the government to detain citizens from enemy nations without a reason during wartime. They allowed the president to deport foreign citizens he believed were dangerous. And they made it a crime to criticize the president or Congress.

Adams said the laws aimed to control people in the U.S. who supported France. But many politicians at the timeas well as historian John Ferlingpointed out that the laws mostly affected people who supported the opposing political party, the Republicans.

I think its purely partisan and what they were trying to do, on the one hand, was silence the Republican press, and second they were trying to reduce the number of voters who would be voting for the Republican Party.

Ferling says Adams may have been using the Alien and Sedition acts to protect his political career. But in fact, they damaged the presidents reputation. They made many immigrants flee the country, and raised the question for the first time of whether states had the right to ignore a federal law if they disagreed with it.

Adams and Jefferson

Adams faced a difficult re-election in 1800. His old friend Thomas Jefferson opposed him. Both parties carried out ugly personal attacks.

When Jefferson won, Adams retired to his farm in Massachusetts. His loss, however, was not the end of a John Adams in the presidential mansion. One of his six children, John Quincy Adams, served as the sixth president of the United States from 1825-1829.

In his later years, Adams wrote an autobiography and many letters. They eventually included long letters to Thomas Jefferson. The two men often corresponded in the last years of their lives. They discussed their families, their thoughts on politics and religion, and their nations history. Adams and Jefferson were the last living members of the original Americans who started a new county.

Then, on July 4, 1826  the nations 50th birthday  these friends, patriots and former U.S. presidents both passed away. On the same day.

The last words John Adams ever spoke were: Jefferson lives.

In fact, Jefferson had died five hours earlier. But, in the days before telephones or Internet, Adams had no way of knowing his friend had gone before him.

Im Anne Ball.

Anne Ball wrote this story. Kelly J. Kelly was the editor.

________________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

patriot  n. person who supported the revolutionary war for freedom from Britain

executive  n. a person in charge of a business as a manager

blunder  n. a stupid, careless, mistake

naive  adj. do not understand what is going on, lack of knowledge or judgment

revolting - adj. extremely unpleasent

fragile - adj. something that can break easily

challenge - n. to test the ability, skill, or strength of something

correspond -v. to write someone


This is Whats Trending Today

During Thursday nights Republican presidential debate, candidates Ted Cruz and Donald Trump argued about New York values.

Cruz appealed to conservative Republican voters that Trump, a New Yorker, would not be a good candidate. He said, Everyone understands that the values in New York City are socially liberal and pro-abortion and pro-gay marriage...

Trump replied that after the terrorist attacks of September 11, The people in New York fought and fought and fought, and we saw more death, even the smell of death  And we rebuilt downtown Manhattan, and everyone in the world watched and loved New York and New Yorkers.

And then Trump added, Ill tell you, that was a very insulting statement that Ted made.

Most of the people on Twitter and Facebook seemed to agree.

On Friday, the top trending hashtag on Twitter was #NewYorkValues. People wrote about what NewYorkValues mean to them.

The New York Daily News, known for its colorful headlines, responded to Cruzs comment with Drop Dead, Ted on its front page.

Like Trump, many people mentioned the citys resiliency after September 11.

Other people wrote about the diversity and cultural awareness in New York.

Some people wrote about small acts of kindness, like returning a wallet found in a taxi or helping people find their way in a complicated subway.

Some pledged their allegiance to the various sports teams in New York, like the Yankees and Mets, along with popular food items  like pizza and bagels that New Yorkers love to tout.

Others tweeted about a different kind of value -- about how many things in New York are expensive.

But with the current drop in prices on the stock market in New York, another person said there actually are values in New York.

And thats Whats Trending Today.

Im Dan Friedell.

Dan Friedell wrote this story for Learning English. Hai Do was the editor.

What are the values of the city in which you live? We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page.

_________________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

resilience  n. the ability to become strong, healthy, or successful again after something bad happens

awareness  n. feeling, experiencing, or noticing something

expensive  adj. costing a lot of money

bagel  n. a bread roll shaped like a ring

allegiance  n. loyalty to a person, country, group, etc.

tout  v. to talk about (something or someone) as being very good, effective, skillful, etc.
On Jan. 12, the United Nations and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) were finally allowed to deliver aid to Madaya, the Syrian town that has been besieged by president Bashar al-Assads government forces and his allies for the last six months. The U.N. says an estimated 300 to 400 severely malnourished people in Madaya and two northern towns hemmed in by rebels are living in horrifying conditions.

However, theres a global movement calling out the international communitys ongoing efforts as mere Band-Aids. Almost one million people have signed onto a campaign organized by the global civic organization Avaaz to end the siege. Little can alleviate the deteriorating humanitarian suffering in Syria as long as the blockade, which gave rise to this horror, is allowed to continue. The U.N. is empowered to intervene and help end the siege, instead of simply delivering food and medicine to the victims.

Madayas 42,000 besieged residents are being starved. Bombs, checkpoints and snipers from the Assad regime and its proxy Hezbollah fighters encircle the town. People have been forced to eat insects, tree leaves and even cats. There is virtually no escape from Madaya. Desperate families must make a terrible choice: starve to death or run the gauntlet of the minefields that surrounds the town. A few days ago, a mine explosion and militia fire killed a pregnant mother and her young daughter as they tried to flee.

Weve been here before. In October, after months of blockade led to similar tragedies, Madaya received temporary food deliveries. This postponed a real solution  enforcing the cease-fire agreements to lift the siege  indefinitely. The convoys arrival did not improve living conditions in Madaya. In fact, some of the supplies were expired and even moldy and the food only lasted a few weeks.

In September, Iran and Turkey, two of the sponsors of the war in Syria, negotiated truces between their proxy forces on the ground. The agreement led to ceasefires in Madaya and other towns blockaded by rebel forces. The U.N. then helped broker another agreement which stopped the barrage of airstrikes, barrel bombs and shelling and allowed the safe passage of the wounded. The terms of those ceasefires required not only that the fighting end, but also that the blockades be lifted. Many Syrians saw this as a sign of hope for resolving the five-year-long conflict.


The candidates running for the Republican presidential nomination debated for the sixth time this week.

The debate is the second-to-last one before the Iowa caucus on February 1.

The Iowa caucus is a series of meetings where participants, called delegates, vote for one Republican and one Democratic party candidate. Whoever gets the most votes in that state will be endorsed at the national convention later in the year.

Candidates Jeb Bush, Ben Carson, Chris Christie, Ted Cruz, John Kasich, Marco Rubio and Donald Trump debated in South Carolina on Thursday night.

Bush, the former governor of Florida, challenged Donald Trump on his proposal to ban non-American Muslims from coming to the United States.

Trumps idea makes it impossible to build the coalition necessary to take out ISIS, Bush says.

Bush says it would be difficult for the U.S. to build a coalition against Islamic State terror group without Muslim support.

Trump says he wants security for the United States. He says radical Islam is a problem all over the world.

Another question came up: whether Cruzs birth in Canada would make him ineligible to be president.

Cruz was born with dual American and Canadian citizenship. He gave up his Canadian citizenship in 2014.

Trump says he thinks the Democratic Party would file a lawsuit claiming that Cruz is not allowed to be president if he wins the Republican nomination.

Two other issues were raised in the debate:

One, whether Christie was a strong enough conservative to earn the Republican nomination. And two, who would be the best Republican to overturn policies enacted by President Barack Obama.

But who won the debate?

Ford OConnell is a Republican strategist who advised John McCains campaign in 2008. He says Trump, Cruz and Rubio look like the front-runners.

At the rate things are going, it seems like were heading for a three-man race.

The next and final Republican debate before the caucus is January 28 in Iowa.

Im Dan Friedell.

This report was based on information from VOANews.com. Dan Friedell adapted this story for Learning English. Kathleen Struck was the editor.

Who do you think will win the Iowa caucus? We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments section or on our Facebook page.

________________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

assertion  n. a strong, definite statement

caucus  n. a meeting of members of a political party for the purpose of choosing candidates for an election

dual  adj. having two of something

ineligible  adj. not allowed to do or be something : not eligible

participants - n. people who take part in something

endorsed - v. declaring one's support publicly
Bitcoin is a digital currency used by terrorists and drug dealers, as well as major companies like Microsoft and Overstock.com.

In other words, everyone from private individuals who order pizza to terrorists who order weapons.

With bitcoins, you can buy webcasting services, pizza or even manicures, reports Money.com.

Bitcoin was a currency created in 2009 by a mysterious software developer. He calls himself Satoshi Nakamoto. No one has ever met him, and it is not clear if he is one person or several people.

Bitcoin does not use printed money. It is digital only. The currency is created on computers by a community of people across the globe. Anyone can join that network, or group, according to Coindesk.com.

This network processes transactions made with the digital currency. Bitcoins are stored in a digital wallet over the Internet or on the users computer.

There is not an unlimited amount of bitcoins. Nakamoto set up rules to limit the currency to 21 million bitcoins, reports Coindesk.

With bitcoins, there are no banks or fees. Users do not register with their real names. Merchandise can be bought without the user showing her or his identity. Bitcoins are not taxed or regulated anywhere in the world.

Bitcoins are a favorite of criminals

Bitcoins have become the currency of choice for people online buying drugs or other illicit activities, reports Money.com.

For example, Silk Road was a major online market that used bitcoins to sell illegal drugs. It was shut down in 2014 by U.S. regulators.

Bitcoins are also being used by ISIS terrorists to fund operations, according to Ghost Security Group. It is a counter-terrorism network that focuses on the Internet and social media.

Morgan Wright is a cybersecurity expert and senior fellow at the Center for Digital Government, a national research and advisory institute on information technology policies.

He told Fox News that terrorists are increasingly using 21st century technology to transfer assets and finance their operations.

Terrorists need anonymity, Wright told Fox News. Countries have gotten very good at tracking terror financing in the years since 9/11. Networks have looked for new ways to do it, and it appears theyve found it in bitcoin.

Bitcoins growing among businesses

Despite this dark side of the new currency, bitcoins have their supporters. More and more merchants are beginning to accept bitcoins.

Some people buy bitcoins as an investment, hoping theyll increase in value. There are many online marketplaces that allow people to buy and sell bitcoins using different currencies. Coinbase, in San Francisco, runs the worlds largest bitcoin exchange, and operates 2.8 million bitcoin wallets globally, according to Wired. You can also buy and sell bitcoins on Bitquick, Xapo, and CoinCorner, among other exchanges.

It is possible to do complex financial trades with bitcoins, such as futures, options and swaps. The price of bitcoins on online exchanges has fluctuated widely, which has led to speculation in the digital currency.

In 2009 and early 2010, bitcoins had no value at all, said Wired. Then in late 2013, it reached a high of $1,216. As of January 6, 2016, the price of one bitcoin was about $434.

Wired wrote that bitcoin usage has hit a record high.

You can also send bitcoins using mobile apps. This is similar to sending cash online. It is fast and convenient. And you can set up a bitcoin address in seconds, with no fees and no questions asked.

Some people like bitcoins because they are not controlled by one central authority. Traditional currencies, such as the U.S. dollar, are controlled by the governments central bank. The bank can print more money as part of government policy.

Bitcoins, in contrast, are controlled by the people who use them and are viewed as more democratic by their supporters.

The Washington Post said bitcoins were one of the six technologies in 2015 that would change the world. The newspaper wrote that the technology behind Bitcoins, called blockchain, is an almost incorruptible digital ledger that can be used to record practically anything that can be digitized 

It has the potential to transform the lives of billions of people who lack bank accounts and access to the legal and administrative infrastructure that we take for granted, wrote the Post.

Regulators step in

There is a move to regulate bitcoins. In 2014, the U.S. Internal Revenue Service said bitcoins could be taxed. In addition, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, which regulates the sale of stocks and bonds, warned investors that bitcoin users may be targeted for fraud in risky investment schemes.

There are also efforts to regulate bitcoins globally. The European Commission is expected to release regulations by 2017 that would affect European Union nations. Governments are concerned about taxation and their lack of control over the currency, writes Money.com.

Despite the critics, bitcoins continue to grow in popularity worldwide. Juniper Research said there were 1.3 million bitcoin users last year, and it estimates there will be 4.7 million users by the end of 2017.

Wired said bitcoins are thriving like never before. And some say this is the year it finally reaches the mainstream.

Im Mary Gotschall.

Mary Gotschall wrote this story for Learning English. 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

digital  n. using or characterized by computer technology

currency  n. something that is used as money

software  n. the programs that run on a computer and perform certain functions

transaction  n. a business deal; an occurrence in which goods, services or money are passed from one person, account, etc., to another

merchandise  n. goods that are bought and sold

illicit  adj. not allowed by law; unlawful or illegal

asset  n. something that is owned by a person, company, etc.

anonymity  n. the quality or state of being unknown to most people

fluctuate  v. to change level, strength or value frequently

speculation  n. activity in which someone buys and sells things (such as stocks or pieces of property) in the hope of making a large profit but with the risk of a large loss

incorruptible  adj. very honest; incapable of being corrupted

ledger  n. a book that a company uses to record information about the money it has paid and received

infrastructure  n. the basic equipment and structures (such as roads and bridges) that are needed for a country, region or organization to function properly
By Emily Nohr and Martha Stoddard

World-Herald staff writer

Refugee resettlement agencies would be held liable for refugees from high-risk countries who commit crimes under a bill introduced Thursday in the State Legislature.

Papillion State Sen. Bill Kintner, the bills sponsor, said his intent it to protect Nebraskans.

Legislative Bill 966 would require that sponsoring organizations on contract with the government pay for the costs of prosecutions and for damages and injuries up to $25 million to victims should a refugee commit a felony.

Which we hope they dont, Kintner said. We hope they come here and embrace the American lifestyle and become great Americans.

The bill lists 34 countries or territories  most of which are majority Muslim  as high risk, including Syria, Afghanistan, Iran and Iraq. But Kintner said the bill is aimed at Syrian refugees, because we have no way to vet them.

We dont know anything about them, he said. Are they Islamic jihadists slipping in? Its something that most Nebraskans are not willing to accept or take.

Three private resettlement agencies  Lutheran Family Services of Nebraska, Catholic Social Services of Southern Nebraska and the Refugee Empowerment Center  have contracts with the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services to help refugees get resettled in the state.

A spokesman for Lutheran Family Services of Nebraska, the states largest placement agency for refugees, said the groups executive team was not yet ready to comment.

In the wake of the Paris attacks last fall, Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts and several other governors raised concerns about Syrian refugees, saying terrorists might use them as cover to sneak across borders.

A Syrian passport was found near the body of one of the suicide bombers in Paris, and his fingerprints matched those of someone who passed through Greece in October. It was unclear whether the passport was authentic. Many fake Syrian passports are in circulation.

Among the other bills introduced Thursday:

>> Immunity for drug possession. Lincoln Sen. Adam Morfeld introduced a bill that would offer protection from prosecution for people who overdose on drugs or seek help for others who are overdosing. Morfeld said LB 980 applies to people in possession of drugs, not those who distribute or manufacture drugs. The bill is similar to his measure that waives minor in possession charges for underage drinkers who seek help for themselves or an intoxicated friend.

>> Library control. LB 969, sponsored by ONeill Sen. Tyson Larson, would give all cities and villages, including Omaha, the power to run their own libraries. Current state law allows just cities with populations between 5,000 and 100,000 to take control of library operations. Under the bill, mayors and city councils of all cities would make personnel decisions, such as hiring the library director.

>> Sales tax holiday. Back-to-school supplies, including computers with a sales price of $750 or less, would be free of sales taxes during the first weekend in August under LB 974, introduced by Sen. Rick Kolowski of Omaha. The tax holiday also would apply to clothes and school supplies costing $100 or less per item.

>> Mountain lions. Omaha Sen. Ernie Chambers introduced LB 961 to ban mountain lion hunting. He offered the bill one day after the Natural Resources Committee voted to kill his hunting ban proposal from last year.
By Robynn Tysver

World-Herald staff writer

COUNCIL BLUFFS  Hillary Clinton may not draw the biggest crowds in Iowa, but the Democratic presidential front-runner is confident in her ground game.

Clinton spent several minutes Tuesday during a rally in Council Bluffs thanking local Democratic leaders and others in Pottawattamie County for working on her campaign.

She then asked the local precinct captains and organizers to stand and be recognized.

Clinton lost Iowa in 2008 during her first presidential bid after being famously out-hustled on the ground by then-Democratic challenger Barack Obama. This year, however, Clinton is taking a page out of now-President Obamas Iowa playbook and building relationships and organizations in every county in the state.

For example, on Tuesday, she landed the endorsement of Linda Nelson, the chairwoman of the Pottawattamie County Democrats who backed Obama in 2008.

Im excited about the organization weve been building here in this state. Im excited about the tens of thousands of people who have been working, contacting people, making calls and knocking on doors, Clinton said.

Clinton is on a two-day swing through Iowa that ends today. Her visit comes as her Iowa campaign enters the home stretch, with fewer than 30 days left before the Feb. 1 caucuses.

Clinton spoke for a little over 30 minutes at Iowa Western Community College, hitting on many of the same themes she has touched upon before, including her call for higher taxes on the wealthiest Americans.

She also lambasted Republicans for using reckless rhetoric against Muslims, saying it was shameful and dangerous.

Clinton argued that it was dangerous to pit this nations security against a large group of people who could serve as this nations first line of defense by notifying authorities if they see something suspicious within their own community.

We cannot afford to have anyone vying to be the leader of our great country who does not understand words matter. If youre going to run for the president of the United States, you need to be careful about what you say and how you say it, said Clinton, a clear reference to Republican front-runner Donald Trump, who has called for a temporary halt to Muslims immigration.

Clinton also praised Obamas announcement on Tuesday that he was tightening the laws governing background checks for gun buyers and closing the loopholes that allowed some Americans to buy guns without a background search.

I was so touched by the president, if anyone saw it on TV, said Clinton. I was very proud he made some of those recommendations, some of which Ive been advocating for.

Finally, she took several subtle shots at Bernie Sanders, her chief rival for the Democratic nomination.

Clinton argued she is the only candidate in the race who has explicitly promised not to raise taxes on the middle class. Sanders has made no such promise, but he has said he will unveil his tax plan before the caucuses are held.

Clinton said her focus will be on raising income, not taxes.

She also noted that she opposed Sanders call for free tuition for all students attending either a public college or university. Clinton said she supported providing more financial aid to low-income students but would not support a policy that would allow the children of wealthier Americans to receive free tuition.

I will not pay for Donald Trumps kids to get a free college education, Clinton said.

About 600 people attended Clintons rally, a far cry from the estimated 2,000 that attended a Sanders event last month at Iowa Western.

Despite Sanders ability to draw a crowd, Clinton continues to lead in both Iowa and national polls. However, some surveys have shown that the race is tightening in Iowa.

Sanders himself has said he expects to win Iowa.

Both candidates know it will come down to turnout, as it did in 2008, when Obamas organizations turned out droves of supporters, many of them young and caucusing for the first time.

That is why this year Clinton is clearly putting more effort into building a grass-roots organization in all 99 of Iowas counties.

She has opened 17 field offices in the state. And, perhaps more important, she has spent considerable time behind the scenes meeting with Democratic officials at the local level, forming connections that she hopes will grow into new supporters.

In Pottawattamie County, for example, she had a private coffee last spring with several Democratic officials, including Linda Nelson.

On Tuesday, Nelson took to the stage and urged everyone in the audience to caucus for Clinton and help her win the nomination.

I think its about dang time we have a female president, said Nelson, 64.

Clintons aggressive campaign approach can even be seen across the river in Nebraska. She has already made one campaign appearance in Nebraska, wooing Omahans in advance of the March 5 caucuses scheduled in this state.

Thats in sharp contrast to 2008, when Clinton essentially ignored Nebraska, until it was too late to compete. She never visited the state before its 2008 caucuses, while both Barack and Michelle Obama stumped in Nebraska.

It paid off. Obama won the Nebraska caucuses and numerous other smaller states that  combined  helped him to secure the nomination.
By KENT WARNEKE

LINCOLN  Gov. Pete Ricketts identified property tax relief as his priority for the 2016 legislative session, and used a Wayne County farmer to help make his point.

Senators, I look forward to working with you to bring relief to our taxpayers. We must prioritize property tax relief, its my number one priority this year, the governor said Thursday morning in his State of the State speech.

Agriculture is the states largest industry, but the farm economy is facing challenges with commodity prices flat or down, Ricketts said.

While farm incomes are subject to fluctuations each year, property taxes go up and up. Last year, I told you about Roger Brandt, who is a farmer in Wayne County. His assessments for three parcels of farmland increased between 36-to-nearly-50 percent in just one year, the governor said in his speech.

On Thursday, he provided an update.

We checked in with Roger on this years property taxes and they went up again, nearly $2700 and thats after the property tax credit relief we passed last year, Ricketts said.

He used that example to tout a property tax relief proposal that was announced earlier this week.

We propose to tighten spending and levy limits and we limit the statewide aggregate growth of agricultural property valuations to three percent, he said.

Ricketts also emphasized the need to invest more in Nebraskas infrastructure.

Our three largest industries are agriculture, manufacturing, and tourism and they all require a strong transportation infrastructure to expand, he said. We can spur our economic growth by ensuring we have 21st-century roads and bridges to grow our industries.

Ricketts said hell push for senators approval of his transportation initiative revealed last week that includes a transportation infrastructure bank to speed up expressway construction, improve county bridges, and assist companies with economic development.

Our businesses transport our goods and services. Our farmers and ranchers deliver the food to feed our world on our roads and bridges. We get to work each day on our highways. We drive our children to school over our county bridges. Lets help local leaders keep and attract businesses. Lets pass the transportation infrastructure bank, he said.
By Jeff Bahr

Gov. Pete Ricketts' plan to deliver property tax relief depends on encouraging local entities to be fiscally responsible and accountable to local taxpayers, Ricketts said Thursday in Grand Island.

The proposal for structural property tax relief, which was announced Tuesday, consists of two bills  one in the education committee and one in the revenue committee.

Grand Island was one of four Nebraska cities Ricketts visited Thursday after delivering the State of the State address in Lincoln. Visits to six more cities are on tap Friday as part of the annual State of the State fly-around. About 60 people turned out to hear Ricketts speak at the Central Nebraska Regional Airport.

The proposal for property tax relief was devised along with Sen. Kate Sullivan, chair of the revenue committee, and Mike Gloor, chairman of the Revenue Committee. The idea is to tighten spending and levy limits and limit the statewide aggregate growth of agricultural property valuations to 3 percent.

During last year's legislative session, the state made great strides in controlling spending, Ricketts said. "We cut the growth of government nearly in half," he said. That's important "because the only way you can get sustainable tax relief is by controlling the growth of spending."

Since the growth of spending was reduced, Nebraskans received $408 million in property tax relief through the Property Tax Credit Relief Fund.

"But after the session, we knew we had more work to do," he said. So Ricketts got together with his team, Sullivan and Gloor "and started talking about additional ideas with their committees. And about the time of the State Fair we got together, right here in Grand Island, and started talking about how we could share those ideas  what kind of ideas we wanted to bring forward for this session."

Ricketts said he is "proud to report that the state of the state is very strong." In a variety of ways, "Nebraska has got a lot going for it," he said. He pointed out that the state has the country's second-lowest unemployment rate. Health.com ranks Nebraska among the 10 healthiest states, and the state's government enjoys a Triple A rating from Standard and Poor's.

But that doesn't mean the state doesn't have challenges, he said.

He hopes the Legislature will pass a proposal for a transportation infrastructure bank. He also talked about corrections reform. In answer to questions, he talked about the improved response time of ACCESSNebraska and his opposition to Medicaid expansion.

The Republican also answered a question about Syrian refugees coming to Nebraska. The state does not know the identity of the refugees in advance. "In fact, we only find out after the fact, when we get the refugees here in the state," he said.

So the state is trying to work with the federal government, "which I will say has not been eager to work with us. They've been kind of saying We're going to continue to do it the way we like it. We don't care what you think.' "

In other countries, the United States has people on the ground, so that refugees heading here can be vetted.

"We don't have that in Syria. It's a war-torn country. We don't have an embassy there." So it's impossible to obtain information from a database. He encourages nonprofit organizations in Nebraska "to put on hold taking any Syrian refugees until we can actually establish a process where we can know that people coming to our country have been properly vetted so that they're not going to end up being terrorists."

The White House, he said, has been "very dismissive of our concerns and our request to have more of a role in how this all plays out."

A state can announce that it simply won't take any refugees. If Nebraska took that step, it would likely be sued and lose in court, Ricketts said. Texas started down that path and reversed course, he said. But Nebraska will continue to work on the issue, he said.
On Jan. 7, New York City announced a landmark settlement in two lawsuits pending against the police department: Handschu v. Special Services Division and Raza v. City of New York. Both lawsuits alleged the NYPD had engaged in discriminatory and unconstitutional surveillance of Muslims in the years following 9/11. The settlement puts in place some additional safeguards to protect over-surveiled communities from unwarranted or discriminatory policing at the hands of New Yorks men in blue. Most of these changes will be made via revisions to the Handschu Guidelines, the set of rules put in place in 1986 to restrict NYPD infiltration of political and religious groups,

This should come as good news for anyone concerned about the effects of 9/11 and the war on terror has had on our civil liberties. But unless we acknowledge the limitations of the settlement, we risk portraying the NYPD as a reformed institution, while the full impact of its invasive and potentially unlawful surveillance activities are brushed under the rug.

In the fall, I reported a series of stories for Gothamist about an undercover NYPD detective, Mel or Melike, who joined the Islamic Society at Brooklyn College in the spring of 2011 after taking the shahada, or profession of faith. The group of young Muslim women Mel infiltrated and befriended taught her how to pray and welcomed her into their homes. They invited her to join them on social outings and brought her to Islamic education classes and talks. In time, Mel was privy to some of the most intimate and important moments of their lives, once even attending a wedding as a bridesmaid. The undercover detective maintained contact with some of the former students until as recently as January of this year. The investigation at Brooklyn College did not result in any arrests.

Nothing in the settlement would necessarily prevent what happened at Brooklyn College from taking place again. Yes, New Yorkers will benefit from more specific language about what can prompt an investigation, firmer time limits on investigations, additional constitutional protections and greater consideration given to the potential harm of the use of undercover agents. Yet in some respects the Handschu Guidelines will remain murky and incomplete, a fact which the NYPD has previously exploited to expand their surveillance activities. For example, the Guidelines do not explicitly prohibit undercover agents from having contact with former targets or community members after an investigation has closed. Thats how the NYPD justified Mel maintaining relationships with some Brooklyn College students for so many years. The new time limits outlined in the settlement will only apply to open investigations.

Similarly, even without an ongoing investigation, the NYPD can still attend events on the same terms as members of the public generally. It remains unclear what specifics the NYPD holds to establish that an event is public or if a common parlance understanding of public might sometimes be reinterpreted to suit investigative needs.

Then there is the question of oversight. The settlement mandates the formal creation of a Handschu Committee  which will include a civilian lawyer appointed by the Mayor alongside NYPD officials  to review and ask questions about proposed or ongoing investigations.
****Notice - From 29 May 2020 the Lost Medals Australia website has closed down. For the next 6 months all connections will be redirected to this blog. Those people who have kindly been sharing the old web address please now use the blog address. Thank you. **** If you need help please contact me via email at
Imagine, for a moment, sitting at a prestigious steakhouse in Palm Beach, Florida, a hot spot for some of the most wealthy and famous  Donald Trump, Tiger Woods, Oprah Winfrey, James Patterson, Rush Limbaugh, and hundreds more.

And, imagine dining with a handful of men youve only read about. Some of them are worth millions, others published best-selling books, and some have held prominent positions at the White House.

In essence, youre sitting at a five-person table of VIPs.

Youre about to take a bite of your New York strip when one of the men, a top U.S. intelligence agent, slams a 164-page document in the middle of the table.

This document, you soon find out, contains damning evidence that a network of politicians, corporations, and scientists have conspired together to promote the fear of global warming . . . despite evidence clearly stating no such global warming exists .

The motive: $22 billion per year.

To be clear . . . thats $22 billion of taxpayers money . . . the amount that our government pays to stop the global warming epidemic.

That comes out to $41,856 every minute.

Or, to put it in perspective, that is twice as much as what our government spends on securing our borders.

Then, imagine this top U.S. intelligence agent turning to you, and asking for you to join him on a mission to out those involved in the global warming lie.

Doing so would cost a lot of money, a lot of time, and could cost you your reputation. But, pretending you never saw the document, and carrying on with your life, would allow the scandal to continue and actually put lives at risk.

So, imagine if you were at that table, and the scenario I just described happened to you.

How Would You Respond?



My name is Tom Luongo . I am a former scientist with the University of Florida and currently run the Resolute Wealth Letter program.

In the following few pages, I am going to show you the alarming research in the document that was laid before me that night in Palm Beach.

I will tell you why this network of politicians, corporations, and scientists tried to hide this research . . . and how you can be part of a newly formed initiative with the aim of getting this research into the hands of every American.

This research proves, once and for all, that global warming is a sham . . . a sham perpetuated by a network of dirty government officials, greedy corporations, and bought-off scientific organizations.

How you respond will be up to you.

I can guarantee you one thing: After reading the next few pages, you will never look at government officials the same way . . . you will never trust what you hear in the media again . . . in fact, you will become skeptical of any and all authority figures going forward.

Its unfortunate, but the betrayal youre going to discover today runs very deep, and revealing the truth about global warming comes with great risk.

As a scientist for over 20 years, Ive always upheld the truth.

Ive worked with the University of Florida to do some amazing things . . . Ive helped make crop yields more productive for third world countries . . . I helped create an intermetallic coating for gun barrels that dropped maintenance requirements on firearms by half . . . and Ive helped cure diseases.

I have seen a lot of research go across my desk. But none of it can compare to the 164-page document that landed in front of me that night in Palm Beach.

Thats why Im going to lay the facts from this document before you today, and then Im going to ask that you join me, and the man who composed this document, on our mission to defund the global warming sham . . .

All it will take is a click of your mouse.

With one click, youre going to put more momentum behind what I hope to be the largest effort . . . ever . . . to annihilate the global warming lie and defund the governments multibillion-dollar spending frenzy to keep it alive.

Now, before we begin, I ask that you excuse any rough elements in this letter. What Im sharing with you today is so urgent that Ive made a huge effort to get the research in this 164-page document available to you as quickly as possible . . .

With President Obamas recent speech about getting tougher on global warming issues I think its critical that we dont waste a minute in getting this information out.

The sooner we get this information into the hands of the public . . . your hands . . . the more informed voters will be when they cast their ballots.

First, you should know who put this document in my hands  a man whom Al Gore is personally attacking . . .

His Name Is John Casey.



John Casey is a former White House space program advisor, consultant to NASA Headquarters, and space shuttle engineer. He is now one of Americas most successful climate change researchers and climate prediction experts.

John is a former White House space program adviser, consultant to NASA headquarters, and space shuttle engineer. He is now one of Americas most successful climate change researchers and climate prediction experts.

In short, John is the very definition of a government insider. He spent 35 years conducting classified research, examining confidential documents, and directing critical scientific programs.

For example: In 1986, when the space shuttle Challenger tragically exploded, killing seven crew members, John testified before Congress on the cause of the accident. After the testimony, Congress instructed NASA headquarters to bring John in to chair a special internal investigation into why these critical systems failed.

Now, keep that in mind for a moment: Capitol Hill and NASA trusted Johns detailed analytical approach and his engineering credentials so much they asked him to investigate the cause of one of our nations greatest tragedies.

After 35 years of serving his country, John quietly retired in Florida. He planned on living peacefully, spending time with his wife, children, and grandkids.



When the space shuttle Challenger crashed in 1986, the U.S. government asked John Casey to investigate.

The discovery would ultimately lead him to abandon his plans for retirement in order to support a cause that was bigger than himself . . . that was bigger than anything he had done in his 35-year career.

In fact, this discovery would result in him becoming hated by all those who once heralded him as their friend and adviser.

After this outright rejection, John realized that despite his science not changing, despite the thousands of pages of irrefutable data, and despite millions of lives at risk . . . he was alone.

The responsibility of letting the world know about this discovery rested solely on his shoulders, and those who would listen to him.

Indeed, what he has to say goes contrary to everything you have been told about climate change.

I initially rejected what John had to tell me. But when he showed me what was in his 164-page document, I couldnt argue with him.

Facts are facts.

What John discovered that fateful afternoon was . . .

'Global Warming' Is an Outright Sham

You see, John found evidence  buried right in the governments own environmental studies  that destroys their argument for global warming.

Using their own data, John has proven, once and for all, global warming is a sham. And perhaps the most expensive  and lethal  sham in American history.

A sham that our government spends $22 billion a year financing. Think about that: our government spends $22 billion a year financing global warming initiatives.

Again, thats almost double what the government spends on securing our borders.

Or, to break it down to real numbers . . .

That's $41,856 Every Minute!

But this is just the tip of the iceberg.

Johns research also uncovered a different looming cataclysm that will ruin every nation thats not prepared . . . a calamity that has been accelerating for the last 17 years . . . and brewing for over 200 years.

This impending catastrophe is as natural as the sun rising in the east and setting in the west. And just as unstoppable.

Im talking about a tectonic shift in the worlds economies that will . . .

Send oil to over $300 a barrel

Cause food prices to triple and in some places make food completely unavailable

Lead to violence erupting in the streets of your suburban neighborhood

Cause governments to topple, nations to descend into chaos, and international wars to break out.

In the 164-page document John handed me, he went to great lengths to explain exactly how serious this crisis will be. Its going to be worsened by the fact our politicians are bullheadedly ignoring it.

The result will be every American being blindsided . . . unable to see it coming because of Al Gore and his cronies preaching false dogma.

As I said before, I didnt believe it either until I saw the evidence in Johns dossier. And even then, it took me hours of talking to John afterward to digest it.

Johns research has now been corroborated by 17 independent scientific individuals and organizations. These are some of the top scientific minds in the field of climate science . . . in the world.

But That Hasn't Stopped the Hostile Attacks...

When John retired, he had many allies and supporters in the government.

However, when he turned that same analytical approach Washington loved so much on Washington itself . . .

He became, in essence, their public enemy No. 1.

Let me explain.

As mentioned, in April of 2007, already into a comfortable retirement, John began examining some solar and environmental physics research (these are his hobbies).

The unfortunate discovery he made would make any honest American sick to the stomach. John immediately took the evidence and called his colleagues and fellow government insiders to alert them to the situation.

He even sent notices to the White House warning them of the crisis.

The response?

Silence.

Silence, and then rejection.

And every year since, John has continued to notify every state governor, every U.S. senator, the House of Representatives, state attorneys general, U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, President Barack Obama, Vice President Joe Biden, Obamas Science Adviser Dr. John Holdren, and Dr. Jane Lubchenco, then head of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

You see, all of Johns friends suddenly forgot his name and number when he revealed the inconvenient truth about Uncle Sams most expensive sacred cow . . . and showed them solid, scientifically sound research that obliterates the idea of global warming.

At the Heart of John's Discovery Were Several Blatant Lies... Here Are 3 of Them

*Lie No.1: The World Is Getting Hotter . . .FAST!

Youve heard how the earth is rapidly heating up . . . causing drought and mayhem.

For sure, the media jumps on the global warming story every time there is a heat wave and each time a hurricane hits the East Coast.

But how much has the world really warmed?

Well, according to NASAs own data, the world has warmed .36 degrees Fahrenheit over the last 35 years (they started measuring the data in 1979).

I think you would agree that a .36 degree increase in temperature over the last 35 years is hardly anything to get in a panic about.

Granted, that does mean the world is warmer, right?

The problem with that argument is that we experienced the bulk of that warming between 1979 and 1998 . . . weve actually had temperatures DROPPING ever since!

Fact: We Haven't Seen Any 'Global Warming' for 17 Years!

The reality is this: The world is 1.08 degrees cooler than it was in 1998.

Just take a look at this chart from Remote Sensing Systems, which provides data to NASA, NOAA, and other scientific organizations.

If youre like me, this makes a lot of sense.

Weve had cooler summers and longer winters.

Again, take one more look at the chart above  global warming reversed its rise in 1998. In the dossier John handed me, he explains exactly why this happened . . . and whats going to happen next.

But for now, just keep this fact in your back pocket: the case for global warming is dead in its tracks .

Lie No. 2: The Oceans Are Getting Warmer

Global warming proponents have said for a long time wed see a heating of the oceans.

This proposition is necessary, since it means all those big chunks of ice are supposed to melt, killing off polar bears and causing states like Florida to get swallowed up by water.

In 2007, while accepting his Nobel Prize for his global warming initiative (and quietly pocketing millions of dollars), Al Gore made a striking prediction . . .

The North Polar ice cap is falling off a cliff. It could be completely

gone in summer in as little as seven years. Seven years from now.

Fact: The North Polar Ice Cap Is Increasing in Size!



The arctic ice caps have increased in size by 43% to 63%.

It is seven years later, and recent satellite images show that not only have the icecaps not melted . . . but theyve expanded in size by 43% to 63%.

Heres what a Globe and Mail article had to say: An area twice the size of Alaska  America's biggest state  was open water two years ago and is now covered in ice.

I think we know whos using actual science, and whos fear-mongering their way to wealth and fame.

Since 2002, the ocean temperatures have fluctuated less than 1 degree Fahrenheit. There is no warming.

Again, there is nothing to get hysterical about here.

Lie No. 3: Scientists Agree  Humans Are Causing Global Warming FAST!

Youve heard for years how climate change has been caused by . . . well, you !

Al Gore and his liberal friends have stood onstage blaming you and your gas-guzzling car, standard fourbedroom house, and the factory downtown.



Al Gore spreads Global Warming propaganda for his own profit.

Shame on you, right?

Of course, the hypocrisy of the claim is that Al Gore himself racks up annual electric and gas bills of $30,000, more than 20 times the national average.

Now, while I am all for keeping the environment clean (I recycle, drive a fuel-efficient car, and reuse materials), humans have not caused global warming . . . nothing can be further from the truth.

Indeed, global warming alarmists and their allies in the liberal media are famous for saying that scientists agree that man has caused global warming.

President Obama even tweeted on May 16, 2014, 97% of scientists agree: climate change is real, man-made and dangerous. John Kerry, Al Gore, and a host of others have championed this statistic.

Shame on Them, Because That 97% Figure Is Completely Fabricated.

NOTE: Ive shared a quick snapshot of the facts in Johns controversial 164-page document. Truth be told, John has 33 scientifically reviewed reasons that global warming is more than just a farce . . . its the product of bad, botched science. In Johns own words, the research in this document is something you have not been allowed to hear for almost 20 years. That is, the truth about our climate, the politicians manipulating the science, and the real key that controls our planets temperature  the sun.

As The Wall Street Journal reported, The assertion that 97% of scientists believe that climate change is a man-made, urgent problem is a fiction.

When further review was done, it was discovered that a mere 1% of scientists believe human activity is causing most of the climate change.

In outrage, a petition was signed by more than 31,000 scientists that states there is no convincing scientific evidence that human release of . . . carbon dioxide, methane, or other greenhouse gases is causing or will, in the foreseeable future, cause catastrophic heating of the Earth's atmosphere and disruption of the Earth's climate."

Indeed, even a founding father of the man-made global warming theory  Claude Allegre  recently came out and renounced his position by admitting, The cause of this climate change is unknown.

Fact: There Has Always Been, And Always Will Be Climate Change

The reality is simply this: The climate changes over time.

When Alexander the Great was conquering Persia, climate change was a big factor. And we all learned in high school that the little ice age that rocked Europe killed hundreds of thousands of people from the 1600s through the 1800s. Additionally, we know about the heat wave and drought that wiped out much of America during the 1930s. Thousands of people were dislocated in search of survival.

Were those events caused by man-made global warming?

Of course not.

And, the reality is, most scientists who advocate global warming today know mankind has nothing to do with climate change.

Remember: Temperatures have only risen .36 degrees since 1979 . . . and the bulk of that happened during the 1990s! We havent seen any warming for the last 17 years . . . in fact we have seen a drop in temperatures.

Now, the Question Is . . . What Does Cause Climate Change?

Well, think about it.

Every year, the temperatures rise and fall with spring, summer, fall, and winter. A year is simply a 365-day cycle.



The sun is 1.3 million times larger than the earth. When its temperature changes, our temperature changes.

Every day, the temperatures rise and fall with daytime and nighttime. A day is simply a 24-hour cycle.

These two cycles happen automatically. We can neither change them nor stop them any more than we can stop the Earths rotation. Its impossible. The temperatures fluctuate based on these cycles.

So clearly, the Earths temperatures rise and fall based on its exposure to . . . the sun.

Well, heres the breaking news. And you must pay close attention . . . because what Im about to tell you has been deemed a forbidden theme in the scientific community.

Talking about it gets you a black mark at the U.N.s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change or the World Meteorological Society.

You see, there are larger cycles of the sun . . . solar cycles.

This may not seem earthshattering, but solar cycles are  bar none  the most devastating argument against man-made global warming.

Essentially, there are times when the sun gets hotter and times when it cools off as measured by sunspots. And John Casey found multiple solar cycles that determine the temperatures of the Earth.

The thing about these cycles is that they are predictable, and therefore its not difficult to see what is coming in the years ahead.

Indeed, if scientists were paying attention to these solar cycles years ago, they could have told you that the Earth would get warmer during the 1990s, and then it would cool . . . just like it has.

In fact, this climate cycle, along with several other cycles, has allowed John to make 11 accurate predictions about the Earths climate over the past few years, and it has allowed him to make a catastrophic prediction which I will share with you in a moment.

Ironically, as John released his data on these solar cycles, the ugly lie about man-made global warming started leaking out.

Evidence Leaked That the 'Global Warming' Faction Has Blatantly Lied.

You probably already knew somewhere deep inside that something wasnt right about the global warming theory.

Sure, during the 1990s, we all noticed it getting warmer. But, to say that it is directly tied what humans are doing seemed to be a stretch, and, we have all noticed it getting a LOT cooler lately.

So it might not come as a surprise to say that global warming is a sham. But what does come as a surprise to many is the evidence of outright lying that is now leaking out of trustworthy scientific agencies.

Shortly after John exposed the truth about global warming, 1,000 emails and 2,000 documents from leading global warming scientists were found . . . revealing potential conspiracies, collusions, data manipulation, destruction of information, and even admission of flaws that were buried.

For example:

One leading scientist  Kevin Trenberth  admitted The fact is that we cant account for the lack of warming at the moment and it is a travesty we cant. A travesty simply because they were worried about losing their government funding.

A travesty simply because they were worried about losing their government funding. In another email, Dr. Phil Jones  a leading global warming advocate at the United Nations  admitted that he used Mikes Nature trick in a 1999 graph to hide the decline in temperature.

And another study done by Stephen Goddard at Real Science revealed just how ridiculous climate scientists can get with data manipulation. Here is what he had to say: The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has been adjusting its record by replacing real temperatures with data fabricated by computer models.

There are several other documents just like these.

More recently, Professor Robert Stavins  who helped write the 2014 United Nations Climate Report  came out to Breitbart News . . . and revealed that politicians demanded he change and edit parts of the report to fit their needs!

In short, governments, and government-funded scientists, want to make sure that any global warming research published . . . will say exactly what they want it to say.

Now, everyone knows from their high school education that the No. 1 rule of doing scientific research is that it cannot be undertaken with an end goal in mind because you will only use the data points that support your end goal.

Thats not real science.

But thats exactly what global warming scientists are doing! They are only using partial data . . . the data the supports their end goal . . . to make their point that there is man-made global warming.

So, were being told that the survival of our planet, of the human race, relies on tackling global warming . . . yet the whole thing is a sham.

But Why?

Why would this network of politicians, corporations, and scientists do such a thing?

Well, think about it.

Our federal government spends $22 billion on global warming research each and every year (twice as much as we spend on protecting our border!).

Again, that is $41,856 every minute.

If government-funded scientists came out and said global warming didnt exist, their funding would be cut immediately.

But global warming has been kept on life support for another crucial reason: It has been a practical ATM for every in-the-know political figure.



The media is catching on to Al Gores lies, but he is not going down without a fight.

Al Gore, for example, has been one of the most vocally aggressive crusaders for global warming.

In 2001, before leaving office as vice president, Gore was worth less than $2 million. Since then, he has grown his wealth to $100 million . . . almost entirely by investing in a handful of green-tech companies . . . 14 of which received more than $2.5 billion in loans, grants, tax breaks, and more from the Obama administration.

The Telegraph reports Al Gore could become the worlds first carbon billionaire thanks to his investments in green companies . . . all of which benefit from tax dollars and government loans to prevent global warming.

And hes not alone.

President Obama Has His Hand in the Cookie Jar Too.

You are likely familiar with the story of the failed Solyndra green energy initiative, which cost taxpayers $500 million; President Obama took a lot of flak for that.



After accepting $1.25 million in campaign contributions, President Obama made sure to include his global warming plans in his victory speech: We want our children to live in an America that isnt threatened by the destructive power of a warming planet.

You see, when Solyndra fell on hard times, it passed into the hands of two large private equity investors . . . Goldman Sachs and George Kaiser. When $500 million in taxpayer money was given to Solyndra, both Goldman Sachs and George Kaiser benefited. Coincidentally, both have made contributions to Obamas election campaigns adding up to roughly $1.25 million.

It doesnt stop there.

In 2010, another federal loan of $400 million went Abound Solar. That resulted in a bankruptcy as well. But investors in Abound Solar seemed to do just fine . . . investors like billionaire heiress Patricia Stryker. Stryker has famously contributed $500,000 to the Coalition for Progress while throwing $85,000 toward Obamas inaugural committee. Its just a coincidence that the government handed a company she invested in $400 million just before bankruptcy . . . right?

to the Coalition for Progress while throwing $85,000 toward Obamas inaugural committee. Its just a coincidence that the government handed a company she invested in $400 million just before bankruptcy . . . right? Theres also A123 Systems, which paid one lobbying firm $970,000 to secure money from the government  and received $279 million in federal assistance. The CEO of A123 Systems went on to fund multiple Democratic senators and contributed to Obamas campaign.

First Solar received $646 million in government loan guarantees, and has since contributed more than $180,000 to Democratic campaigns.

GE is notorious for spending tens of millions of dollars a year to buy green energy credits for its wind turbines and other green technologies  credits which helped the firm pay ZERO taxes in 2011.

There are a host of other examples of liberals getting wealthy off global warming initiatives just like these.

You can see why green energy is such a profitable business  CEOs and executives get to rake in millions of dollars, while politicians get lucrative donations for their campaigns . . . and scientists get all the funding they need to keep them going . . . all on your dime.

But heres the cherry on top . . .

While $22 billion of our money is being redistributed every year to greedy scientists, politicians, and corporations . . .

The Real Cost Is $1.75 Trillion

$22 billion is just what is spent on these global warming initiatives.

The reality is, these initiatives have ripple effects . . . mainly the regulations (from government agencies like the Environmental Protection Agency) that shackle free enterprise and force us to rely on foreign energy.

According to Forbes, the total cost of these ripple effects is a staggering $1.75 trillion annually.

I want you to really think about that for a moment.

Were watching $1.75 trillion per year . . . $3,329,528 per minute . . . go to waste.

Its worse when you note that the U.S. Energy Information Administration says these regulations could ultimately cause gasoline prices to rise 77% over baseline projections . . . send 3 million Americans to the welfare line . . . and reduce average household income by a whopping $4,000 each year.

Washington knows all of this . . . and is still barreling forward with its nonsense policies!

Theyre just letting you foot the bill, while they pocket the benefits.

Fact is, organizations like the Environmental Protection Agency have handcuffed capitalism . . . based on a theory even its staunchest supporters (like the aforementioned Dr. Allegre) have already renounced.

The result: reduced business, higher energy and food costs, higher taxes, lost jobs, and more money going overseas.

With $1.75 trillion in annual costs, you would think someone out there would listen to John and his research, but . . .

They Mocked Him

When John discovered that the world was indeed cooling, he urgently shared his findings, only to get lambasted .

Al Gore himself specifically called John a pseudo-scientist and discarded his findings.

Global warming advocate Dr. Benjamin Kirtman simply dismissed Johns warnings as the usual nonsense.

Media Matters has published two personal attacks against John  saying he has no background in climate science (which isnt true) and calling him a scam artist.

But think about something for a moment.

Why would John take on this mission to expose the truth about global warming if he didnt fully know that his evidence was fact? Why would he risk his reputation, his retirement, and his way of life?

It would have been much easier to walk away.

But John isnt the type to walk away from the truth . . . especially when it would put his family, country, and even the world at risk.

That is why John has taken on this mission, even if it means doing it alone.

It is why he has exhausted his savings and retirement funds to spread the word about his research through his organization, Space and Science Research Corporation (SSRC).

He will let nothing stop him.

After 7 Long Years of Fighting . . . HOPE!

Johns persistence is finally paying off.

A small movement is starting . . . one that I am proud to be a part of, and one that I will invite you to join in a moment.

Helping fuel this movement has been the series of cold winters and cool summers that John predicted would come. The media no longer could ignore the irony in front of them. Here is what they have reported recently.

And now, a small but distinguished group of scientists and researchers are publically aligning themselves with John Casey and his organization.

One such organization recently named John . . .

'America's No. 1 Climate Forecaster'

Perhaps that is because unlike some of the global warming darlings and proponents  NOAA, NASA, and the IPCC  Johns research has consistently predicted weather patterns correctly.



John has spoken at conferences across the United States . . . making 11 accurate predictions.

Since he first began sharing this work in 2007, Johns 11 predictions have come true (mind you, these are MAJOR events, not predicting that tomorrow will be slightly cloudy with a chance of rain).

I could walk you through all 11, but they are very extensive and heavy on the science. John has accurately predicted everything from a drop in solar activity (NASA later adjusted their own projections to fall in line with his) to a rise in historic earthquake activity (10 months before the earthquake that hit Japan and caused the Fukushima meltdown).

Please know, all 11 of his predictions of have been verified  by myself and other third parties. All of them have been attacked by government-funded scientists, only for those same scientists to eat their words later.

Each and every one of Johns predictions have been made publicly and shared with top government officials and the mainstream media for the last seven years.

John has made every effort to share this information. But instead of listening, the media and the left treated him like a leper and have done their best to smear his name.

Science and politics have worked this way for hundreds of years.

Galileo was ridiculed by scientists invested in the idea the sun revolves around the Earth.

Robert Goddard  the man who ushered in the Space Age and rocket ships  was ridiculed endlessly during his life for proposing . . . traveling to the moon.

William Harvey was ostracized for proposing the theory of blood circulation . . .

Opponents could never refute the science  they could only attack the man behind it. Just like they do with John today.

But there is a small group of scientists that are starting to listen, and take action!

17 Scientific Masterminds Speak

Unlike the scientists who want to present information that has been twisted to fit a political agenda, and slam anyone who rebels against the accepted dogma . . .

John has done nothing but put his research up to public scrutiny for the last few years.

And now some of the top scientific minds in the world are rallying to him. Heres what they have to say . . .

Dr. Fumio Tsunoda, professor emeritus of geology at Japans Saitama University, testified,  [Johns] work is quite a revelation that marks a step toward a new scientific civilization  and his findings add a brilliant page to the history of science.

 and his findings add a brilliant page to the history of science. Dr. Natarajan Venkatanathan, professor of physics, SASTRA University, said,  [Johns] ideas may be opposed by conventional scientists, but they will have to accept his theory because the truth prevails. 

 Dr. Boris Komitov, one of Europes top solar physicists and a professor at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, was so impressed with Johns work, he reached out to John and joined the Space and Science Research Corporation (SSRC). Heres what Dr. Komitov had to say: These problems brought on by this next climate change that Casey ably discusses . . . are more important than ever. 

 Dr. Ole Humlum, professor of physical geography at the University of Oslo, said, The history of science is filled with examples of individuals with new ideas being met by the current scientific establishment not with enthusiasm, but rather with disregard and sometimes, even ridicule. These hypotheses were considered outrageous by many contemporary scientists, but today they represent the very foundation for much of our present understanding of planet Earths dynamics. New hypotheses based on empirical observations should always be welcomed warmly. This also applies very much to [the work] by John Casey.

Dr. Giovanni Gregori, who has served on the National Research Council of Italy since 1963 and serves on multiple astronomical councils and in several societies, went so far as to say that John Casey is the modern day Leonardo da Vinci. He also said: [John Caseys work] is an important contribution for understanding and facing the environmental challenge, in its multifaceted and often disquieting manifestations.

He also said: [John Caseys work] is an important contribution for understanding and facing the environmental challenge, in its multifaceted and often disquieting manifestations. Dr. Dong Choi, editor-in-chief of the New Concepts in Global Tectonics newsletter, calls Johns work earth-shattering.

Each of these scientists has reviewed Johns work and had no choice but to agree with his conclusion after seeing the evidence, just as I did.

John even confided in me that several other scientists secretly support his work. They agree with his conclusions. They think global warming and the accepted climate science is hogwash.

But they cant say anything about it.

In Johns words: If you work for the government and you stand up and say, Man-made climate change is all nonsense you can kiss your government job goodbye. Theyll either make it hell to work there, or fire you outright.

Its easy to get upset with these scientists, and we should be, but in reality, they are just trying to keep their jobs. We should put the bulk of the blame on our government.

We have a government that prefers comfortable delusion to uncomfortable truth.

Look, I Love This Country.

I am proud to be an American and I think God has really blessed this country.

When it comes down to it, no other nation has ever given every man, woman, and child the chance to enjoy so much prosperity.

And more importantly, so much control over their lives.

However, our nation has made a hard turn over the last few years  weve spent more time furthering agendas of a handful of politicians than actually protecting the American people.

Johns research is just one example.

Rather than being, as he says, one of hundreds sharing this information . . . John and his small organization have been doing it all.

And as a result of their tremendous effort, a small movement has started.

However, this small movement is at risk of dying in its tracks without help from bold Americans like you.

Thats why . . .

We Are Making a Stand . . .

As I said earlier, my name is Tom Luongo.

Ive been a scientist for the better part of my life.

Ive worked to make crop yields higher in third world countries, Ive done hundreds of chemical tests to make firearms less maintenance-intensive, and I have worked to help cure diseases.

I used the scientific approach in other areas of my life as well.

For example, Ive been able to turn every $5,000 into $34,000 using a scientific approach to investing.

I used the scientific method to teach myself economics . . . and, as a result, started buying gold in 2001  watching it jump 473% since.

I even used it to deduce the housing bubble was coming, three years in advance (and, along with my wife, took special precautions to avoid the fallout).

My point is, Ive seen and done many things with my scientific background. Ive used it to help myself and help others.

John Casey knows I have a knack for getting things done, and done right.

Thats why, at a dinner in Palm Beach not long ago, John set a 164-page document in front of me. This document is the culmination of his years of work  its all his research in one bound volume.

John knew I would validate his claims, and upon doing so, take action.

Since that fateful night, John and I have teamed up to take that document and rewrite a good bit of it into a simple-to-read and easy-to-understand book, so that we could publish it, and get it into every home in America.

The book is called Dark Winter . . . and I want to send you a copy of it!

In it, John holds nothing back. He names names. He shows the evidence. And he reveals the cold truth about global warming.

This book includes every alert, every warning, every scrap of information he has sent urgently to our government.

John reveals the science behind his 11 accurate predictions in simple-to-understand terms, and why he foresees more significant events like tornadoes, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions.

John also reveals 33 crushing scientific dissections he performs which make global warming even more of a farce.

scientific dissections he performs which make global warming even more of a farce. Most importantly, Dark Winter makes an alarming prediction . There is a looming cataclysm that will ruin every nation thats not prepared . . . a calamity that has been accelerating for the last 17 years . . . and brewing for over 200 years . This event will cause international wars as governments topple and nations descend into chaos.

. There is a looming cataclysm that will ruin every thats not prepared . . . a calamity that has been accelerating for the last 17 years . . . . This event will cause international wars as governments topple and nations descend into chaos. John even exposes why we may soon see oil rise to $300 a barrel and food prices triple (and in some places, food will become unavailable).

Best of all, John reveals a three-step plan to protect yourself if his latest predictions come to fruition just like his last 11.

Again, I want to send you a copy of this book.

I want to get it in your hands . . . and in the hands of every other American out there!

Youve seen for yourself how global warming is a farce. Youve seen how an entire community of scientists, politicians, and corporations are padding their pockets with $22 billion of taxpayers money every year in the name of global warming.

And you have seen how John has made 11 accurate predictions and a team of scientists are rallying around him.

Most of all . . . you have seen how John has spent his retirement time and money preaching this message to anyone who will listen. Yes . . . they are few and far between. But some are now listening.

Johns not doing this for money. As I said, hes actually exhausting all of his savings to get this message out.

But we cant stop here.

And John cant do it alone.

He is facing a $22 billion budget along with years of global warming brainwashing. Some battles have been won, but the war is far from over.

We Are Fighting Back With the Cold Truth Initiative.



John is on the left. I am on the right. We have worked hard on putting together the Cold Truth Initiative , and we appreciate your support.

I have personally poured my own blood, sweat, and tears into putting this initiative together.

I figured it was the least I could do for my good friend John Casey after all he has done for us.

The Cold Truth Initiative will send an audacious message to those who have perpetrated this blatant lie called global warming  a message that will stop their malicious deceit in its tracks.

We will achieve this mission by completing three bold goals before January 1.

Goal No. 1: Spread the Truth About Global Warming to Every American We will reveal the fraud, the bought science, the government manipulation, and the outright deceit so that EVERY American can see the deception in broad daylight. We want everyone to know that the little hunch they have about global warming being hyperbole . . . is the right hunch. We want to expose just how foolish these global warming policies are that cost us trillions of dollars. We want every man, woman, and child to see that global warming isnt science  its a get-rich-quick scheme for politicians. And it must stop immediately! Goal No. 2: Place a Copy of John Caseys Book Dark Winter in Every Home in America The governments favorite way to control the population is to keep them misinformed. The last thing Al Gore would want you to see are the truths that are revealed in this book. When every American has a copy of Dark Winter, they will be freed from the control of man-made global warming lies. In order to do this . . . we have decided to give the book away for free at a huge expense. Goal No. 3: Defund the Global Warming Initiative We will take back the $22 billion of taxpayer money the government is misappropriating every year, and let people use their money the way they would like to . . . rather than watch it burn up on pointless legislation. Once the global warming enterprise folds, the American economy can grow again . . . by as much as $1.75 trillion per year.

We have ambitious goals, no doubt.

John Casey and I have been working day in and day out, shoulder to shoulder, to spread this message.

But now we need your help!

Unite With Us!

You can join the Cold Truth Initiative right now.

Once you join, you will receive a free copy of John Caseys book Dark Winter (a $29 value): This 164-page document is a death sentence for the dogma of the climate believers.

This book reveals the groundbreaking research that forced John to reverse his belief in global warming. He spent most of his life buying into the dogma . . . that is, until that fateful evening in April, 2007.

Once he saw the truth, there was no going back.

I am willing to bet this information will have the same effect on you.

However, your copy of Dark Winter is just the first item you will receive today when you join the Cold Truth Initiative.



John and I want to give you an arsenal of weapons to help spread the truth.

Thats why the book Dark Winter is just the first item we will be arming you with today. We are holding nothing back for this initiative.

You will also receive . . .

The Lost Video Interview (a $29 value): This is the private conversation I had with John after reading his 164-page document. During the course of this interview, John revealed more cold hard facts about the end of global warming. I think youll be just as floored as I was (particularly when John explains the real reason Russia is invading Ukraine, and why it could be very bad for America).

This is the private conversation I had with John after reading his 164-page document. During the course of this interview, John revealed more cold hard facts about the end of global warming. I think youll be just as floored as I was (particularly when John explains the real reason Russia is invading Ukraine, and why it could be very bad for America). The Dark Winter Survival Guide (a $49 value): In Johns book, Dark Winter , he goes beyond blowing global warming out of the water . . . he reveals a calamity far worse than most climate scientists can imagine  all based on proven solar cycles. I worked hand in hand with John to create a DETAILED action plan for you to avoid the biggest pitfalls and even thrive during this coming era of chaos.

In Johns book, , he goes beyond blowing global warming out of the water . . . he reveals a calamity far worse than most climate scientists can imagine  all based on solar cycles. I worked hand in hand with John to create a DETAILED action plan for you to avoid the biggest pitfalls and even thrive during this coming era of chaos. The Dark Winter Investment Guide (a $49 value): As a seasoned investor, I feel its important to help you get all your ducks in a row. Money makes the world go round  and having enough of it, especially during the potential dark days ahead, can make your life much easier. Ill show you how to effectively invest your money  and possibly, like me, turn every $5,000 into $34,000.

As a seasoned investor, I feel its important to help you get all your ducks in a row. Money makes the world go round  and having enough of it, especially during the potential dark days ahead, can make your life much easier. Ill show you how to effectively invest your money  and possibly, like me, turn every $5,000 into $34,000. A 3-Month Subscription to My Resolute Wealth Letter (a $24 value): I write a monthly newsletter that is distributed to about 10,000 people. Think of this newsletter as your monthly road map not only to wealth (I hand-pick several home-run investments every month for my readers) . . . but also to honest science, real economics, and alternative, practical ways of living outside of Uncle Sams reach. I bring in top experts to help me share little-known strategies for protecting your privacy, slashing your taxes, and even living off the grid. You get all of this information delivered straight to your inbox every single month  free  for three months. And then, if you choose to renew the subscription, it is only $97.95 for the full year.

That's a Total Value of $180 . . .

So . . . What Will You Do Now?

My hope is that you dont walk away in silence as a network of dirty politicians, greedy corporations, and bribed scientists rob you year in and year out.



Liberals like President Obama and Al Gore hope you remain silent on what you have read today.

Thats exactly what they want you to do.

They want you to think that your contribution wont make a difference. They want you to think your voice is too small to change things.

Remember, this information isnt just important, it is vital!

$22 billion of your money is being spent every year to keep the global warming lie alive . . . consumers and corporations take a blow of $1.75 trillion a year because of useless legislation.

Imagine how the American economy might look if we werent effectively flushing this money down the toilet . . . imagine how much your taxes could drop if the government wasnt spending your money on nonsense programs . . .

The only way we can win this war is if we unite together.

Thousands have already contributed to the Cold Truth Initiative. We are making headway, but we have a long way to go.

Now is your chance to make a difference.

Today, you can strike back at the lies, and more importantly, you can help other Americans protect themselves.

I urge you to click the button below and secure your copy of Dark Winter.

Well rush you a free Cold Truth Initiative Introductory Packet that includes Johns book Dark Winter along with The Lost Video Interview, The Dark Winter Investment Guide, The Dark Winter Survival Guide, and a three-month subscription to my Resolute Wealth Letter.

My name is Tom Luongo, and Ive recently had this exact experience.But on one April afternoon in 2007, John made an unfortunate discovery that changed everything.But heres a little-known side of the Solyndra story I bet you havent heard: Obama, in essence,So what will you do now that you have seen the evidence for yourself?
The Swedish state is funding a sniper training course for recently-arrived Third World refugees as part of their integration programdespite the ever-growing refugee-terrorist attacks across Europe.





The almost unbelievable plunge into insanitystarted two years ago alreadywas reportedin a positive pro-refugee light by the Allehanda newspaper in Sweden, under the title Fired up for Sniping, (Laddade for prickskytte, literally Charged up for Sniping) and shows a large number of Third Worlders being taught how to target shoot with sniper rifles on a formal shooting ground in Solleftea, central Sweden.





The Allehanda informs its readers that the sniping course began on a small scale in the Fall, but then for reasons which are obvious, but which the Swedish newspaper ignores, interest exploded among the nonwhite invaders to take the course.

When the Allehanda visited the shooting range, more than 50 immigrant youths were on the course, honing their shooting skills.

Even more incredibly, the sniping course is being paid for by Swedens state-funded Migration Agency as an integration program into Swedish society.

Young people from all over the worldSyria, Afghanistan, Africa, [and] South America are taking sniping lessons, the Allehanda said, and some of them are interested and very talented, the paper quoted course supervisor Birgit Hoglin as saying.

The program is offered as part of the language course at the local upper secondary school, Hoglin said, saying that the benefits of the program are much more than just teaching the invaders how to use sniping rifles.

Here they talk Swedish in other social contexts, meet new people, and hang out. It is especially good for their vocabulary, Hoglin said.

It seems of no concern to these liberals that every single terrorist attack on Europe in 2015 was carried out by refugees.

State-funded sniper training for young immigrants seems so out of place that such an undertaking is firmly in the realm of the insane, and would, if not actually happening, be the subject of some bizarre joke.

Unfortunately, it is not.
The government's Startup India initiative could not have come at a more opportune time. As entrepreneur Sony Joy said in an article in Firstpost, the attitude towards start-ups has changed in the country recently and it may not last for long. It is for the government cash in on this.

Aimed at boosting the entrepreneur spirit in the country, the government is today formally launching its Startup India initiative in Delhi.

As part of the initiative, the government is holding a day-long session on startups today in which around 2,000 new age ventures, 40 CEOs, and venture capitalists would participate.

The event will feature interactive talks with global leaders such as founder and CEO of SoftBank Masayoshi Son; founder of WeWork Adam Nuemann; and Uber founder Travis Kalanick, said a PTI report.

Google will be conducting an innovative session titled 'Laucnhpad Accelerator' which will involve live pitches being made by early state startups to potential investors. Whosoever gets into the accelerator will get $50,000 from Google as equity funding into their startups. (Yourstory has the list of five startups that are participating in the Google pitch. Read about them here.)

A question and answer session titled 'Face-to-face with Policy makers' is also being organized wherein secretaries of key departments will answer questions on how the government will be creating an enabling ecosystem for startups.

However, the highlight of the event is going to be the action plan to be announced by prime minister Narendra Modi in the evening. According to DIPP Secretary Amitabh Kant, the plan would help the sector penetrate tier-2 and tier-3 cities in sectors such as manufacturing and healthcare. The aim is to transform India into a nation of job creators from job seekers, he said.

You can read Insider View on startups here, here and here.

While, entrepreneurs are eagerly waiting for the announcement that will be made by the government at the event, here is a quick recap at the major issues startups in India face:

Ease of doing business: The government has to cut the processes and streamline the approval process for starting a new business.

Taxation: This is directly related to funding and ease of doing business. "The tax treatment and difficulties of doing business in India, as startups scale, has made many startups migrate to countries like Singapore where there are less difficulties in taxation. Around 65% of successful startups, that began in India, have moved out of the country," an article in Inc42 says. About 90 percent of Indian startups look to foreign venture capitals and seed funds for capital as funding from domestic investors are taxed as it is treated as income for a startups. The article says the government is now likely to ease this pain.

Funding: Apart from removing the uncertainty surrounding taxation, the government should also put in place a system to boost funding.

"...It is the non-conventional sources that have to be dipped into," Care Ratings has said. These include FDI, angel and PE investing and crowd-funding for which Sebi should act as a regulator. "As part of priority sector lending, banks could be asked to lend to a certain number of start-ups to ensure that these targets are met. A sub limit could be placed here  say 1% of credit," says Care.

Skills: Care Ratings notes that skilled manpower is required progressively to take a startup forward. "While the enterprise can start with friends and relatives it needs to be scaled up for which we must have well trained employees. Given that it cannot offer the comparable pay scales in the private sector, attracting talent is a challenge," the rating agency said in a note.

Mentorship: Care Ratings has listed this as the third challenge for Indian startups. This is important because the markets are fragmented with consumer behaviour being different in different regions.

Branding: According to Care, branding is key because there are many start-ups in the same field.

Upgradation: Start-ups have to reinvent themselves constantly with changing times especially so with the proliferation of competition across the sectors, says Care.

As this is the first times a government in India is launching a programme exclusively for startups, evidently expectations are soaring, especially on taxation issues. Over to PM Modi for now.
NEW YORK Oil prices crashed 6 percent on Friday to close below $30 a barrel for the first time in 12 years, resuming this year's breathtaking rout as Chinese stock markets fell further and traders braced for an imminent rise in Iran's exports.

After closing higher for the first time in eight sessions on Thursday, U.S. and Brent crude futures plumbed new lows, taking this year's losses to more than 20 percent, the worst two-week decline since the 2008 financial crisis.

The slump was not over yet, some analysts warned, as the lifting of sanctions on Iran opens the door to a wave of new oil. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is expected on Saturday to issue its report on Iran's compliance with an agreement to curb its nuclear program, potentially triggering the lifting of Western sanctions.

Shares in China, the world's No. 2 oil consumer, tumbled on Friday, with the Shanghai index ending down 3.5 percent to its lowest close since December 2014 and the yuan weakening sharply offshore. Adding to fuel demand concerns, U.S. data showed retail sales fell and industrial production weakened in December.

Brent settled down $1.94, or 6.3 percent, at $28.94 a barrel, sticking below the pivotal $30 a barrel mark after briefly dipping below that level in the previous two days. It fell as far as $28.82, the lowest since February 2004.

U.S. crude ended $1.78, or 5.7 percent, lower at $29.42, after hitting a contract low of $29.13, its lowest since November 2003, earlier in the session.

The oil market is oversold after two weeks of almost unrelenting selling, some traders said. The relative strength index (RSI) fell this week to below 30, a technical level often regarded as signalling a market that has fallen too far.

Bearish traders may rush to take profits on short positions next week. Short positions in the U.S. contract rose to a record of more than 200 million barrels in the week to Jan. 12, according to U.S. data.

"I think we will see a hard bounce in crude oil - two, three, four dollars back up into the mid 30s," said Phillip Streible, senior market strategist at RJO Futures in Chicago.

Even before Iran's sanctions are lifted, Iran's oil exports were on target to hit a nine-month high in January. Tehran is expected to target India, Asia's fastest-growing major oil market, as well as its old partners in Europe with increased exports once sanctions are lifted.

Despite oil prices hovering around new multi-year lows, analysts say that prices have not hit the bottom just yet, with demand likely to ease in coming weeks, especially with refiners beginning to shut for routine spring maintenance.

A further fall in prices "cannot be excluded", said Commerzbank analyst Carsten Fritsch told Reuters Global Oil Forum. He warned that $25 a barrel "is quite possible, but not much lower than that."

(Additional reporting by Libby George in London and Aaron Sheldrick in Tokyo; Editing by Marguerita Choy)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
By Bhanupriya Rao

Mewat, Haryana: Ashubi Khan, 51, is distraught. A decade of trailblazing work done by this tall, soft-spoken sarpanch (village chief) and her team of seven illiterate womenand three literate menends today.

Over the decade, despite male resistance, which once led them to resign en masse in protest, the chief of Haryanas first all-women panchayat in 2005, Khan, and her then nine women panchs (ward members) in southeastern Haryanas Neemkheda gram panchayat (village council) racked up an impressive list of achievements.

The 10 women carried out a successful campaign against female foeticide. In a district with severe water shortages, they had 20 pumps installed and Neemkheda connected to a canal. They had 50 houses built for poor households. Their greatest achievement, according to locals: Upgrading the primary school to secondary level.

In 2008, the Haryana government declared Neemkhada and its illiterate, female gram panchayat a model village.

After building new roads and anganwadis (creches), Khans next-term plans were to get a much-needed public health centre to her village in Punhana block.

But tomorrow, as Mewat goes to the polls, Khan and her seven women panchs can no longer stand for elections, thanks to a much-criticised amendment to the Haryana Panchayat Raj Act, 1994. Thousands of women, dalits (backward caste) and general candidates across this northwestern state are now debarred from the panchayat elections, which began on 10 January.

The new lawlegislated by the Haryana government and upheld by the Supreme Court of Indiaamong other things, prescribes minimum educational qualifications for candidates, thus excluding more than half the rural population from candidacy.

The new panchayat law, and the citizens it excludes

A toilet at home. No pending loans to agricultural cooperatives. No unpaid electricity bills. Minimum educational qualifications.

These are some of the pre-conditions the Haryana government now imposes on electoral candidates, after amending the Haryana Panchayat Raj Act, 1994, on 7 September 2015.

On 10 December, a two-member bench of the Supreme Court, hearing this writ petition, upheld the law, declaring the restrictions reasonable.

The candidacy qualifications are easier for women than men, reflecting Haryanas literacy rates: 85 percent for men, 76 percent for women; but they exclude more women than men.

Mewat, with 54 percent literacy, is worst hit

Nowhere is Haryanas electoral exclusion starker than in the Muslim-majority district of Mewat, about 100 km south of Indias capital, Delhi.

In 2008, the Centre classified Mewatwhere 79% are Muslim as one of 90 minority concentrated districts that required special help.

The average literacy rate in Mewat, according to the 2011 census, was 22 percentage points lower than Haryana. The female literacy rate, at 37 percent, is amongst Indias worst for a district.

This means 89 percent of women and 80 percent of men (in the age-group 20 years and above) cannot contest elections in Mewat. Among scheduled castes, 64 percent men and 63 percent women are similarly debarred.

Not enough schools, but people without required education debarred

Ab hum anpadh hain, toh isme hamri ke galti hai? Humre jamane mein toh sakool hi na tho, (Am I at fault if I am illiterate? In my time, there wasnt a single school in my village), an angry Ram Pyari, a dalit, and the most vocal member of the Neemkheda panchayat, told IndiaSpend.

Hamari majboori hai, hum kya karein? (We are helpless. What are we supposed to do?), said Fatima, a sentiment echoed by 50 other women of Badhed panchayat who gathered to express their anguish and concern at the new law.

There was only one school earlier, which was beyond that hill, said Fatima. Only boys could go. Girls could not go that far to study. So we remained illiterate.

Mewat does not have enough schools, particularly middle and secondary. While the number of middle schools doubled from 129 (2001) to 272 (2011), not all villages have middle schools, according to a recent NITI Aayog report.

There are fewer secondary schools in Mewat, 84, serving 3.2 percent villages, according to the 2001 census.

In 2014-15, that figure was 86an increase of two schools in more than a decadeaccording to the District Information System of Education (DISE), a national school- statistics database.

Between 2001 and 2011, the number of senior secondary schools rose from 65 to 70: an addition of five.

Since there arent enough schools and religion plays a big role in educational decisions, girls in Mewat are mostly sent to madrasaas, which means they are not counted as literate. Mewat has 77 madrasaas, according to a 2009 study by the Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR).

Poor and marginalised adversely hit by candidacy bans

Educational qualifications apart, the Haryana panchayat law disincetivises the poor and marginalised from contesting elections in myriad other ways.

Candidates contesting elections have toin their election affidavitattach a picture of a functional toilet, clearances from three agricultural co-operative banks, clearances of electricity dues, and a clearance from any criminal charges from their local police stations.

In a district where only 17.8 percent of rural households have access to a functioning toilet, this immediately excludes about eight of 10 otherwise eligible people from contesting.

To get loan-clearance certificates is also difficult. Candidates must pay Rs 200 for each clearancefrom three banks at varying locationsand Rs 28 for a no-dues certificate from the electricity board.

Locals said they spend between Rs 4,000 and Rs 6,000 for these clearances, which take time away from regular jobs and domestic responsibilities. Panchayat ward members get a stipend to help discharge public duties: Rs 400 a month.

Unintended consequences: A rise in polygamy

In village after village in Mewat, IndiaSpend found it was nearly impossible to find candidates with the educational qualifications to contest elections. In many gram panchayats, the electoral process is over before it started. Candidates are elected unopposed or seats are vacant.

In Punhana block, data from the State Election Commission reveal, five of 66 sarpanch posts went unopposed. Of 788 ward-member posts, 508, or 64 percent, were elected unopposed. In 2010 no sarpanch position was won unopposed. Only 271 ward members were elected unopposed.

As many as 61 of 788 wards, or 7.75 percentmost reserved for womenhave no candidates. Elections will be held only for 61 sarpanch posts and 158 ward posts.

In panchayats where single candidates filed nominations, they came from elsewhere to contest elections, with no stake in village governance.

In Neemkheda, with the outgoing sarpanch Ashubi Khan now unfit to contest, her nephew Wasim, from a village in Ferozepur Zirkha Block, 30 km away, has been persuaded to interrupt his medical education and contest.

At the ward level, a lone woman candidate from outside the village has filed her nominationfrom all the four wards in Neemkheda, three of which she must eventually vacate.

In neighbouring Badhed, the ward posts will stay vacant. The former sarpanch, Fatima (50), explains how her first term as sarpanch in 2005 transformed her. She learnt to navigate the power structures within the village and built some agriculture infrastructure. Fatima (she uses only one name) is illiterate, so she cannotas she hoped, continue her work and deliver much-needed drinking water and public-health services to her panchayat.

In Jamalgarh, one of the bigger gram panchayats, with 20 wards, nine candidates were elected unopposed. Nine seats will lie vacant, and two seats will see a contest.

In Bandholi gram panchayat of Punhana block, of the seven wards, three have no contestants and will stay vacant.

Posters of candidates in gram panchayats in Palwal district now mention shikshit (educated) as one of the achievements of the candidates.

Mewat is also witnessing a rise in polygamy among the largely Muslim Meo community, with men taking second wiveswith the educational qualifications needed to contest elections.

In Jamalgarh, two menone of them middle-agedmarried again. In Singaara gram panchayat, the outgoing sarpanch, Hanif, married Sajida, 14 years younger and eligible to contest the elections.

Deen Mohammad (47) of Aklimpur-Nuh married Sajida (23), an eighth-class pass.

Agar jeet gayi toh theek hai. Agar haar gayi toh kya hoga? Kahan jayengi? Unka toh talaaq ho jayega. Yeh, auraton ke saath bohot zyatti hai. Is kanoon se is cheez ko badhawa mil raha hai (It is alright if she wins. What will happen if she loses? She will be divorced and abandoned by the man. This law is very unjust to women), said a worried Subhan Khan, outgoing sarpanch of Badhed.

Haryana electoral exclusion mirrors Rajasthan's. That state enacted similar laws in March 2015. In elections held soon after, the number of sarpanchs elected unopposed increased from 35 in 2010 to 260 in 2015; thats 2.6 percent of sarpanch posts, data from the State Election Commission reveal.

As many as 43 percent panchayat ward members were elected unopposed and 542 seats (0.5 percent) remained vacant in Rajasthan.

How the law reverses the aims of panchayati raj

The Supreme Court, while upholding the Haryana Amendment Act, noted that it is not irrational or illegal or unconnected to impose minimum educational qualifications as this would enable the candidates to effectively discharge duties of the panchayat.

The 73rd Amendment of the Constitution aimed at empowering grassroots democracy through local government, or panchayati raj institutions.

Ashubi Khan and other women panchayat members vehemently disagree with the Supreme Court.

We have run panchayat much more effectively over the last 10 years despite being illiterate. We have done what even an educated man could never to, said Ashubi Khan.

It is ironical that panchayat leaders who have been at the forefront of improving school infrastructure should be debarred from contesting elections for lack of education.

Locals in Neemkheda and Badhed panchayats are aware of the beneficial effects of education, but as one said: This should not be a barrier to contesting elections.

MPs/MLAs can be illiterate, criminal but not village representatives

A sarpanch in village India is more than just an elected representative. Those occupying these positions are, often, bearers of local common and cultural knowledge and experience and are closely connected with their constituents.

The Supreme Court, in its judgment, said that it agreed with Attorney-General Mukul Rohatgis submissions during the hearings that the law was meant to elect model representatives for local self government for better administrative efficiency.

How is education relevant to understand what the community needswhere a road needs to be built to solve drinking water needs? asked Subhan Khan, the outgoing sarpanch of Badhed panchayat. Those debating and making economic and foreign policy at the national level are not demanded of this, why for us?

While pronouncing the judgment, the Supreme Court admitted this was creating two classes of voters, that is, those who are qualified by virtue of their educational accomplishment to contest the elections to the panchayats and those who are not.

The judgement also creates two classes of elected public representatives with different rules and privileges: Members of Parliament (MP) and Members of Legislative assemblies (MLAs); and members of local village councils and urban bodies.

Here are some disparities:

* MPs and MLAs need not have minimum educational qualifications but panchayat members do.

* MPs and MLAs can declare liabilities (loans) in their election affidavits but panchayat members need to attach loan-clearance certificates as part of their affidavits. The top 10 MLAs, according to 2014 election affidavits, have reported liabilities ranging from Rs 43 crore to Rs 3 crore in the Haryana Assembly.

* MPs and MLAs can default on payment to public utilities like telecom company Mahanagar Telephone Nigam (MTNL), but panchayat leaders need to attach clearance certificates of electricity dues.

* MPs and MLAs can contest elections despite criminal chargesthey only need to declare them in their affidavitsbut panchayat leaders need to append certificates from their local police stations clearing them of criminal charges.

What is the education of Chief Minister ML Khattar?, asked Ram Payari of Neemkheda.

Chief Minister Khattar is a graduate, but some of those who legislated this exclusionary law do not have the same qualifications they now demand of their panchayat colleagues. Of 90 MLAs in the Haryana assembly, as many as four MLAs are eight-standard pass, and one is an illiterate.

In Mewat, Lincoln is quoted: This democracy is not by the people'

What did the American president say? Is this democracy by the people?, said Fatima, referring to Abraham Lincolns famous words about democracy.

Another member added: Janta ki shaasan khatam ho gaya hai. Ab Sarkaar ka shaasan hai (The rule of the people is over. This is a rule by the government).

(Rao is a co-creator of GenderinPolitics, a project which tracks womens representation and political participation in India at all levels of governance.)

(Indiaspend.org is a data-driven, public-interest journalism non-profit.)
By Asha Mukundan

India as a signatory of UN Convention on the Rights of the Child has a mandate to protect all children. This includes victims and offenders. The government does not have the liberty to ask, Will we protect victims or rapist? It is the mandate of the government to provide protection, direction and treatment to all children irrespective of their status. In a welfare state, the state plays the role of the guardian. If we have an uncontrollable child in our house, as parents would be throw the child out?

Union Minister for Women and Child Welfare Maneka Gandhi, in her Rajya Sabha speech last month where she introduced the Juvenile Justice Bill  it received the Presidents assent on December 31 and came into effect as an Act on Friday  did not use the words prison or jail. Instead she used the term borstal school.

This is interesting because the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act 2015 does not contain this term. Although the borstal school, a detention centre for young offenders, is a part of the larger prison system, the term itself is not explicitly expressed in the act and it is left to the state to interpret the term jail as a borstal school.

One reason for Gandhi omitting prison/jail in her Rajya Sabha speech could be because it sounds harsh in the context of the JJ system. The other rationale could be that borstal schools arent found in all Indian states  according to 2011 National Crime Records Bureau statistics, ten such establishments were functional in the country. Explicitly stating the term in the act would make it mandatory for states to develop these schools. Lastly, a borstal school is not an option that the JJ functionaries can use because Section 19 (3) of the new JJ Act states: The Childrens Court shall ensure that the child who is found to be in conflict with law is sent to a place of safety till he attains the age of 21 years and thereafter, the person shall be transferred to a jail. The place of safety has been defined as not being a jail.

Understanding the borstal system

A borstal school is a jail/prison as per the Bombay Borstal School Act, 1929.

It must also be considered that in the past 15 years, under the JJ Act 2000 (it was amended in 2006), a majority of the states have not been able to establish a place of safety despite the provision existing.

The Indian Jails Committee (1919-20) specified the need to set up special institutions for adolescent offenders. In this context, the first borstal school was set up in Dharwad. The Borstal School Act prevalent in most states was enacted between 1925 and 1940. Since there are very few recent studies on this system, the little known is that the ten states that contain borstal schools are Andhra Pradesh, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Punjab, Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu, which has converted a section of its district jails into borstal schools, which takes its count to 21. All of these schools are for young males. There are two for women prisoners in Haryana and Himachal Pradesh (according to NCRB data from 2012). There is not sufficient information about how they operate.

The philosophy behind these institutions is that of correctional treatment and rehabilitation. The primary objective is to ensure care, welfare and rehabilitation of young offenders in an environment removed from the contaminating atmosphere of prison, which is why they are called schools and are headed by principals. They are mandated to provide technical training courses to inmates. But over the years, such skills training programmes have ceased to function. Now, the borstal school functions more as a prison.

Male inmates of borstals, according to the Borstal School Act, should be aged between 16 and 21 years, and between 18 and 21 if they are female. The detention order in the borstal could be passed for not less than three years and not exceeding five years.

Those not eligible to be sent to these institutions are sexual perverts or [those] youths [who] have been convicted for sexual offences. It prescribes that adolescents who have been convicted of a single offence of violence in a moment of passion should not ordinarily be sent to a borstal school.

It has been mandated in the Borstal School Act that, before passing an order against a young offender, the court should inquire as to the circumstances in his or her home, antecedents, character, and social environment where he or she lives. The mental and physical fitness of the inmate should be determined so it may be determined if he or she is likely to benefit from vocational training, or can endure detention. And before such an order is passed the court must hear parents or guardians of the offender.

There is a clash of fundamental principles that prop up the Borstal School Act and the JJ Act. The latter is specific in its directive that young offenders must be sent to a place of safety and not a jail, which is what a borstal school is. Second, the Borstal School Act is clear that a young offenders consent is required before he or she is dispatched to a borstal. And finally, the Borstal School Act states that only those aged 21 or less should be sent to these schools, whereas section 19 (3) of the JJ Act specifies that a person can be sentenced to jail (for the purposes of this argument, a borstal school) only if he or she is over the age of 21.

It is therefore misleading to apply the term borstal school to the JJ system.

The author is assistant professor, Centre for Criminology and Justice and director, Resource Cell for Juvenile Justice, School of Social Work, Tata Institute of Social Sciences.
New York: Emails going out to Hillary Clinton supporters are taking on a nervy, urgent edge. Its about Bernie Sanders, who is closing in on Clintons poll numbers at lightning speed ahead of the first primaries and caucuses that begin early February.

"Bernie's got a real shot at these first two contests, and if we don't take that seriously, we're in for a world of hurt, says the latest one from James Carville, a prominent figure in the Democratic Party who gained national attention for his work as lead strategist in Bill Clintons successful presidential campaign.

The last Democratic debate - and Clinton has done consistently well on televised debates, airs on Sunday, 17 January and betting markets for the first time are predicting a bigger post-debate bump for Sanders. "What's changed? Nothing's changed. Sanders has not changed, his message has not changed, Hillary has not changed, the dip is because of the Bill Clinton factor," say those closely following the Iowa race.

To both these questions on betting site PredictIt - "Who will get the biggest bump after the last debate before Iowa?" and "Who will suffer the biggest decline after the debate?", Hillary is trading at a discount. The Sanders stock is trading in the 60 cents range, Clinton is in the 30-40 cents range.

The Clinton inner circle believes that Hillary's campaign underestimated Bernie Sanders and the possible appeal of his hard-left messages in early jabbing. Clinton raced ahead of Sanders through summer and Fall 2015 leading even The Economist to say Clintons nomination is almost a certainly unless her campaign implodes.

Unless it implodes is weighing heavily on the Clintons now as the Iowa caucus nears. Clinton accepted that the big polling lead over the past few months was artificial.

Eight years ago, a young man named Barack Obama came from nowhere and blasted Clinton not to second but third place in a shocking Iowa finish. That blot refuses to rub away. Eight years ago too, Clintons polling dipped as the first of the nominating contests began and she lost to Obama.

Before Iowa in 2008, Clinton was the clear favourite. Then I saw this guy Obama in a TIME magazine story walking out from the beach in his swim wear. I thought Wow! What a smart looking candidate. When he opened his mouth, I was swept away! Sanders is not Obama but he is certainly more inspiring than Hillary. Invoking Bill Clinton is a dumb idea and shes going to have it tough, says Sundar, a Wall Street banker who votes Democratic.

Bill Clinton, widely credited for helping Barack Obama win a second term in 2012, is now regularly headlining wife Hillarys campaign trail especially in New Hampshire, where she trails Bernie Sanders in several recent statewide polls.

Hillary called Bill her not-so-secret weapon when announcing the move but it gave Trump just the opening he needed to make Bill Clintons sexual misconduct that dogged the Clintons in the 1990s fair game.

"The position she is being put in is emblematic of the double binds placed on wives in all kinds of circumstances. Husbands act; wives react to them. Husbands behave poorly; people look to wives for explanations of why. Wives pay prices for goods they never bought; they do time in publicity hell for actions they never took; they receive judgments for crimes they did not commit. They are offered impossible choices: Do they condemn their partners and thereby destroy the legacies and legitimacy they have helped to build, and if they do not, do they become culpable in those partners' misdeeds? says Rebecca Traister in Chicago Tribune.

Clinton accused Trump of sexism, he hit back with Bill Clinton is one of the worlds great abusers, Hillary Clintons double digit leads over Sanders have all but disappeared and the ghosts from the 1990s are back to haunt her - a scandal churner that almost destroyed Bill Clintons presidency.

This time, its not about Monica Lewinsky, its about what Hillary stands for  a fresher case is being made that she may have been complicit in discrediting Bill Clintons accusers.

Juanita Broaddrick is one such.

You say that all rape victims should be believed. But would you say that about Juanita Broaddrick, Kathleen Willey and Paula Jones? a lady asked Hillary Clinton at a New Hampshire rally last month.

Broaddrick had accused Bill Clinton of raping her in 1978, when she was working on his Arkansas gubernatorial campaign.

Willey, a former White House volunteer, said he had attempted to kiss and grope her in a private hallway leading to the Oval Office.

Sanders, from the first democratic debate on, has taken the high ground against Hillary.

He started with I dont care about your damn emails and now its I am not running against Bill Clinton.

Sanders rallying cry is that the American economic and political systems are rigged for the wealthy and powerful (read Hillary). The Clinton camp sold Sanders' emotional battle cry short and is now worrying, reports the New York Times, that the oldest rock star in the US election race may hammer away at Clinton's base among minorities, blacks and young women too.

The last Democratic debate airs at prime time on Sunday, 17, January from South Carolina.
OUAGADOUGOU Security forces ended a siege by al Qaeda fighters at a hotel in Burkina Faso's capital on Saturday, killing three Islamist gunmen and freeing 126 hostages, the West African nation's security minister said.

At least 20 people are believed to have been killed in the attack on Ouagadougou's Splendid Hotel which began late on Friday. Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) claimed responsibility for the raid.

Simon Compaore said operations were still under way at a second hotel nearby, the Hotel Yibi, and security forces were trying to determine if some of the fighters were hiding there.

"The operations at the Splendid Hotel and the (nearby) Restaurant Cappuccino have ended. 126 hostages were freed, among them 33 were wounded," the minister told Reuters. "Three jihadists were killed. They are an Arab and two black Africans."

A Reuters witness said that clashes ended after a period of sustained gunfire and explosions that appeared to focus on the Restaurant Cappuccino early on Saturday.

Burkina Faso's new government, which was appointed on Wednesday following the election of President Roch Marc Kabore in November, was due to hold an emergency cabinet meeting at 9 a.m. (0900 GMT).

The Splendid Hotel is popular with Westerners and French soldiers based in Burkina Faso.

A doctor who treated some of those wounded in the attack said they had told him that the attackers appeared to target Westerners. However, the nationalities of those killed in the assault were not immediately known.

(Reporting by Mathieu Bonkoungou and Nadoun Coulibaly; Writing by Joe Bavier; Editing by Louise Ireland)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
Vienna/ Washington: The day before the Obama administration was due to slap new sanctions on Iran late last month, Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif warned U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry the move could derail a prisoner deal the two sides had been negotiating in secret for months.

Kerry and other top aides to President Barack Obama, who was vacationing in Hawaii, convened a series of conference calls and concluded they could not risk losing the chance to free Americans held by Tehran.

At the last minute, the Obama administration officials decided to delay a package of limited and targeted sanctions intended to penalize Iran for recent test-firings of a ballistic missile capable of delivering a nuclear warhead.

This account of previously unreported internal deliberations was provided by two people with knowledge of the matter.

Those unilateral U.S. sanctions were expected to be imposed quickly now that four Americans, including Washington Post journalist Jason Rezaian, were being released by Iran on Saturday. Eight Iranians accused in the United States of sanctions violations were having charges dropped or sentences commuted on Saturday under the complex prisoner deal, according to court filings and sources familiar with the cases.

The moves came as broader U.S. and international sanctions were set to be lifted after verification that it had met commitments to curb its nuclear program.

But Kerrys decision not to call Irans bluff in December shows how months of clandestine negotiations to free Rezaian and other Americans became deeply intertwined with the final push to implement the nuclear deal, despite the official U.S. line that those efforts were separate.

A U.S. official said on Saturday there was no connection between the nuclear deal and the release of the Americans.

The prisoner swap could also come under scrutiny from critics who have questioned the Obama administrations resolve in dealing with Iran and ability to follow through on its pledge to keep a hard line on sanctions outside those imposed on its nuclear program.

The episode was one of several diplomatic and military near misses between Iran and the United States in recent weeks, including a quickly defused crisis when 10 U.S. sailors were detained after entering Iranian waters.

TENSE CALLS AND BUREAUCRATIC ERRORS

Details of the prisoner talks were a closely held secret, so even within the Obama administration few people realized how perilously close the swap came to falling through.

On Dec. 29, Kerry told Zarif the United States intended to impose new sanctions on Iran over the missile test firings, which were deemed to have violated a United Nations ban, according to a U.S. official and congressional sources.

Zarif countered that if Washington went ahead, the prisoner swap was off, the sources said.

Kerry spoke by phone that night with Treasury Secretary Jack Lew and a White House official and the decision was made to hold off on any sanctions announcement, they said. Obama's role in the unfolding drama was not clear.

Zarifs ability to fend off new U.S. sanctions, even temporarily, may have bought him some breathing space with Iranian hardliners who oppose the terms of nuclear deal. They have insisted that any new sanctions would be a show of bad faith by Washington.

But a bureaucratic misstep almost undid Kerry and Lew's decision. Word of their last-minute intervention to delay the sanctions never filtered down to working-level officials at the State Department during the holiday lull.

Unaware of the change of plan, the State officials went ahead and quietly informed key congressional offices the next morning about the new Iran sanctions targeting about a dozen companies and individuals. They included copies of a news release that the Treasury Department intended to issue.

Officials then abruptly pulled back, telling congressional staffers the announcement had been delayed for a few hours, according to an email seen by Reuters. The next day the State Department emailed that sanctions were delayed because of evolving diplomatic work that is consistent with our national security interests.

Administration officials then told some congressional staffers confidentially that something big involving Iran was in the works, in an apparent attempt to tamp down criticism from Capitol Hill, a congressional source said.

Leading lawmakers, including some of Obamas fellow Democrats, chided the White House for delaying the sanctions package and suggested it could embolden Iran to further threaten its neighbors and destabilize the Middle East.

SMALL CIRCLE OF TRUST

The nuclear deal signed on July 14 between Iran and world powers had been widely hailed as a major boost for Obama's legacy. But he also faced criticism for refusing to make the accord contingent on Irans release of Americans known to be held by Iran. The prisoners, accused of spying and other charges, included Rezaian and several other Iranian-Americans.

At a White House news conference the day after the nuclear accord was signed, Obama bristled at a reporter's suggestion that while basking in the glow of the foreign policy achievement he was all but ignoring the plight of Americans still detained in Iran.

You should know better, he said, adding that U.S. diplomats were working diligently to try to get them out. But Obama insisted that linking their fate directly to the nuclear negotiations would have encouraged the Iranians to seek additional concessions.

Once the deal was done, Kerry told his staff to redouble efforts to secure the Americans release, a U.S. official said. By that time, Brett McGurk, a State Department official, had already been conducting secret negotiations for months with an unnamed Iranian representative, the official said.

In a sign that Iran was looking for a way forward, officials of the Iranian interests section in Washington - Tehrans de facto embassy  began meetings in August with some of the 12 Iranians held in the United States for violating sanctions. The aim was to see whether they would be willing to return to Iran if a swap could be arranged, according to a person familiar with the cases.

In recent months, senior Iranian officials repeatedly floated the idea of a prisoner exchange, despite apparent opposition from Iranian hardliners.

Kerry informed only a handful of senior lawmakers on a confidential basis on Thursday night that a release of Americans held in Iran was imminent, a congressional source said.

Obama has had some success in keeping such proceedings under wraps in the past. His aides negotiated a deal in late 2014 that led to Cubas release of former U.S. aid contractor Alan Gross and a U.S. intelligence operative while Washington freed three Cuban spies.

But it was a prisoner swap earlier that year  the Talibans release of alleged U.S. army deserter Bowe Bergdahl in exchange for five Taliban commanders held at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba  that caused a backlash from Republican lawmakers. They argued that Obama failed to give Congress the legally required notice for transfer of Guantanamo prisoners and questioned whether Bergdahl endangered fellow soldiers by slipping away from his post in Afghanistan, provoking a massive manhunt.

On Saturday, Kerry and Zarif joined with European Union foreign affairs chief Federica Mogherini in Vienna for planned Implementation Day, which would end a decade of nuclear sanctions on Iran and unlock billions of dollars of its frozen assets.

With the U.S. prisoners free, Obama may now feel freer to go ahead with the missile sanctions, which are far more limited than the nuclear sanctions program that crippled Irans economy. U.S. officials have said that the new financial penalties remain on the table and are likely to be revisited soon.

REUTERS
OUAGADOUGOU Security forces in Burkina Faso battled suspected Islamist fighters late on Friday who were holding hostages at a hotel used by foreigners in the capital, Ouagadougou, gendarmes and witnesses said.

The attack, claimed by al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), would be the first by Islamist militants in the capital of Burkina Faso. It follows a deadly raid on a hotel in Mali last November as well as attacks by militants in other countries in West Africa.

The gunmen stormed the five-storey Splendid Hotel in Ouagadougou's business district, burning cars outside and firing in the air to drive back crowds before security forces arrived, prompting an intense exchange of gunfire.

Some of the wounded arrived at a local hospital, but there were so far no confirmed reports of deaths.

The hotel is sometimes used by French troops with Operation Barkhane, a force based in Chad and set up to combat Islamist militants across West Africa's vast, arid Sahel region.

"It is continuing at this time. We are trying to know how many attackers they are to better coordinate our actions," said a senior official with the national gendarmes who asked not to be named. "Hostages have been taken. The operation could take several hours."

A Reuters witness saw gunmen emerge from the hotel and fire into the air. A vehicle carrying security personnel arrived and shortly afterward an intense gun battle began.

"We had just opened and there were a few customers we started to serve when we heard gunshots ... There were three men shooting in the air," said Vital Nounayon, a waiter at a restaurant across the street from the hotel.

"Lots of people left their cars and motorcycles and ran. They (attackers) set fire to the vehicles. They also fired on the Capuccino Restaurant across from the hotel before setting it on fire," he said, adding that the attackers wore turbans.

Amateur video footage showed a burning car on an empty street in front of the hotel. Gunfire and explosions could be heard.

The landlocked West African state has endured political turmoil since October 2014 when longtime President Blaise Compaore was overthrown during mass protests and elite troops launched a one-week coup in September 2015.

But it has been largely spared violence by Islamist militants, who have staged attacks in Mali, a country with which it shares a 600-km (375-mile) border.

WARNING SIGNS

Burkina Faso, which produces gold and cotton, is diverse in religious terms and has a population that is around 60 percent Muslim, according to government figures.

The attack presents a significant challenge to President Roch Marc Kabore, who was elected in November 2015 as Burkina Faso's first new leader in decades.

Earlier, the Ministry of Defence issued a statement saying that about 20 armed men killed a gendarme and a civilian in an attack on the village of Tin Abao in northern Burkina Faso. It was unclear whether the attack was by militants.

The French Embassy in Ouagadougou issued a statement on its website telling its citizens not to go outside and said it was setting up a crisis unit. The country gained independence from France in 1960.

French Ambassador Gilles Thibault said he had been informed that a curfew is in place from 11 p.m. local time (2300 GMT) to 6 a.m. The Foreign Ministry in Paris said it was assessing the situation. France has up to 200 special forces troops in the country.

The embassy in December warned French citizens against travelling to a national park in eastern Burkina Faso after reports that Malian jihadists were threatening to kidnap foreigners.

An Islamist militant group Al-Mourabitoun said in May 2015, it was holding a Romanian man kidnapped from a mine in northern Burkina Faso the previous month.

Around 50 unidentified gunmen attacked a Burkina Faso gendarmerie brigade near the country's western border with Mali in October 2015, killing three in an attack the then government blamed on the leaders of a failed coup one month before.

Islamist militants have staged attacks in a number of West African states bordering the Sahel in recent years.

Two militants killed 20 people from nations including Russia, China and the United States at a luxury hotel in Mali's capital on Nov. 20, 2015, before being killed by the security forces.

Three Islamist groups including al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb claimed responsibility for that attack, the most prominent by militants who are based in the north of the country and have staged a series of attacks over the last year.

Boko Haram have killed thousands in northeastern Nigeria during a six year insurgency and in 2015 extended its attacks into neighbouring countries Chad, Niger and Cameroon.

(Additional reporting by Brice Makini in Dakar, Joe Bavier in Abidjan and John Irish in Paris; writing by Matthew Mpoke Bigg, editing by G Crosse)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
NEW YORK Two Swedish citizens who U.S. prosecutors say fought alongside the Islamist militant group al Shabaab in Somalia in battles to take control of the country's capital of Mogadishu were sentenced to 11 years in prison on Friday.

Ali Yasin Ahmed, 31, and Mohamed Yusuf, 33, were sentenced by U.S. District Judge John Gleeson in Brooklyn, New York, in light of their guilty pleas in May to conspiring to provide material support to al Shabaab.

Prosecutors said Ahmed and Yusuf abandoned their homes in Sweden in 2008 to travel to Somalia, where they were born, to undergo military and doctrinal training with al Shabaab.

The militant group, which seeks to overthrow Somalia's Western-backed government and impose a strict version of sharia, or Islamic law, has links to al Qaeda and has carried out attacks in Kenya and Ethiopia.

After receiving training, Ahmed and Yusuf travelled to Mogadishu, where they fought in a series of brutal battles alongside other U.S. and European fighters who had joined al Shabaab to take control of the city in 2009, prosecutors said.

Ahmed and Yusuf continued to train and fight with al Shabaab, prosecutors said, and Yusuf appeared in a propaganda video filmed in Mogadishu urging people to fight on behalf of the militant group.

The men and a former British citizen, Madhi Hashi, were arrested in August 2012 by authorities in Djibouti after illegally crossing the border from Somalia on their way to Yemen to join al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, prosecutors said.

Their lawyers say the men were tortured while in custody in a secret prison in Djibouti over the next several months.

They were subsequently turned over to U.S. authorities for prosecution, though their case had no allegations they intended any direct harm to the United States.

On the eve of trial, Ahmed, Yusuf and Hashi pleaded guilty in May as part of a deal that would ensure they faced a maximum term of 15 years in prison each rather than the 30-years-to-life sentences they had faced.

The men face deportation following their release from prison.

(Reporting by Nate Raymond in New York)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
Washington: On February 1, residents of Iowa will be the first Americans to cast their votes in the 2016 race for the presidential nominations of the Democratic and Republican parties.

The heartland state does not host primaries, but local meetings known as caucuses, organized by the two parties for their voters and using distinct and different methods.

- Who votes?

In Iowa, as in many states, voters register as Democrat, Republican or independent. Among Iowa's 3.1 million inhabitants, there are currently about 584,000 active Democratic voters, 611,000 active Republican voters, and 725,000 who are registered under "no party" affiliation, according to Iowa's secretary of state.

Only Republicans can vote in Republican caucuses, and the same goes for the Democrats. Voters are allowed to register on site at caucuses across the state.

Those who turn 18 by Election Day, November 8, 2016, are eligible to participate in the February 1 caucuses.

Turnout was about 20 percent for Republicans in 2012, and 39 percent for Democrats in 2008, an exceptional year due to the high profile clash between Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton.

- Where are the polls?

Each party organizes precinct meeting locales, mostly in public places like schools, libraries and other government buildings, but also in private homes.

The Republican and Democratic caucuses are often located close to one another, sometimes just down the hall in the same building.

- Republican method

Republican voters gather at the appointed time, usually evening. After some organizational formalities, candidates' representatives each make a short speech urging voters to support their choice for party nominee.

A secret ballot is then held. The polling station reports the results to the party, which aggregates the results from the precincts and announces the winner who has received the most votes at the state level.

- Democratic method

It's complicated. Among Democrats, there is no secret ballot, and some critics argue the process subverts the "one person, one vote" principle proclaimed by the US Supreme Court.

Following initial formalities, supporters of each candidate gather in one area of the caucus room -- backers of Hillary Clinton, say, in one corner, and those favoring Bernie Sanders in another.

Candidate groups lacking a minimum of 15 percent support are eliminated, and their backers are then invited to join another preference group.

It is during this realignment that leaders try to rally supporters to their candidates.

The groups' supporters are then counted, and a candidate is attributed a certain number of delegates proportional to their support. Due to rounding, a stronger candidate may end up with the same number of delegates as one with fewer caucus supporters.

These delegates are technically designated for county conventions in Iowa's 99 counties.

The evening is not over yet. The party calculates a ratio by which a candidate's delegates to the state convention are determined, based on the number of county delegates a candidate receives.

The candidate who accrues the most state delegates is proclaimed the winner of the party's caucuses.

AFP
The prophecy is more than seeing into the future. For the prophecy sees without the element of time. For the prophecy sees things as they were, as they are, and as they always shall be.
If there is a one theme that defines Mike Baird's premiership to date it would have to be the desire for consensus.

From his election as Premier by colleagues  when he cut a deal for a unity ticket with Gladys Berejiklian  to the Martin Place siege after which he urged the community to come together, Baird has pursued a largely conciliatory path.

NSW Premier Mike Baird: "We are now at a fork in the road". Credit:Steven Siewert

It was there in his greatest political achievement to date  convincing the electorate to go with him on electricity privatisation.

It was the approach he took in response to the grumbling about the disruption to people's lives from infrastructure projects like the Sydney light rail.
A new-year crackdown on deceptive price advertising by real estate agents following the passage of new laws has revealed the practice remains widespread, particularly in Sydney's west.

The compliance operation carried out by the Department of Fair Trading between January 4 and 8 detected 176 "cases of non-compliance" with the new advertising laws introduced from January 1 as part of legislation to deter under-quoting.

Under the new rules real estate agents are banned from advertising property prices using the terms "offers above", "offers over" or similar phrases.

The investigation found agents still using the terms "offers above" and "offers over" but also variations including "starting from" and "expected bidding from".
An Australian surgeon and his wife who have worked in Burkina Faso for decades have been kidnapped by Islamic extremists in west Africa, the President of Burkina Faso has confirmed.

The couple, Ken and Jocelyn Elliott, were kidnapped in Baraboule near Burkina Faso's border with Mali on Saturday, President Roch Marc Christian Kabore told AFP. The couple's family said in a statement last night that their whereabouts were unknown.

"Recent news from the country indicates an alleged abduction of Ken and Jocelyn on Friday night, however no reason is yet given for this and their whereabouts is still unknown," the family statement said. "They are held in high esteem by the local people. Their commitment to the local people is reflected in the fact that they have continued there with only a few holidays since 1972."
In negotiations: Coptic Pope Tawadros II, leads Christmas Eve Mass at St. Mark's Cathedral, in Cairo. Credit:AP In June last year, Pope Francis also signalled his desire to set a common date for Easter, telling a global gathering of priests in Rome "we have to come to an agreement". He joked that Christians could say to one another "When did Christ rise from the dead? My Christ rose today, and yours next week", the Catholic News Agency reported. Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I, right, kisses Pope Francis' head during an ecumenical prayer at the Patriarchal Church of St George in Istanbul in 2014. Credit:AP And in May, Coptic Orthodox Pope Tawadros II wrote to the papal nuncio in Egypt proposing a common date for Easter.

Mr Welby said he had discussed the idea in a recent meeting with Pope Tawadros in Cairo. Illustration: Matt Golding When did Christ rise from the dead? My Christ rose today, and yours next week Pope Francis shares a joke "The (Anglican) primates agreed this morning that we wish to join with Pope Tawadros in what looks like a promising chance of unifying and fixing the date on which Easter is celebrated by the global Church," he said. "At the moment most of us spend this part of the year saying 'now when exactly is Easter this year' Pope Tawadros has put forward the idea to churches in the Eastern tradition and the Western tradition that it be fixed somewhere around the second or third Sunday of April.

"We have agreed that we support that." Pope Tawadros had also discussed the matter with the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople  the 'first among equals' in the Eastern Orthodox Church. The Anglican church has warned the UK government that agreement was "coming up". "I would expect (the change) between 5 and ten years time," Mr Welby said. "I can't imagine it would be earlier than that, not least because most people have probably printed their calendars for the next five years. "And school holidays and so on are all fixed and it effects almost everything you do in the spring and summer.

"I would love to see it before I retired. "Equally, I think the first attempt to do this was in the tenth century, so it may take a little while." Once the churches agree, governments (including in Australia) will have to pass or amend legislation in order to put it into effect. In 1928 the UK parliament actually passed legislation allowing Easter Sunday to be fixed to the Sunday after the second Saturday in April. The same year, the premiers of NSW, Victoria and South Australia all agreed to pass an act setting a fixed date for Easter, on the same day as the UK.

The Canberra Times reported in 1929 that the "vagueness" of the ancient calculation "is disturbing the business and social arrangements, and, therefore, affects us all  Easter is always a matter of doubt until we are definitely reassured. There is no real reason why it should not be fixed." The story reported that there was an international push for a fixed Easter, led by a committee appointed by the League of Nations, which had approached the Holy See and the Orthodox Eastern Church. The Vatican said "it had no objection from the viewpoint of dogma", and the Orthodox church said "it would agree to stabilisation if all Christian Churches did". Then in 1929 both South Australia and Western Australia passed legislation setting Easter Day to the first Sunday after the second Saturday in April. However, the international push petered out and the legislation gathered dust. The UK Act was never activated by official proclamation  and neither was the SA Act  while the WA Act specified that it would only come into effect when the UK law was proclaimed.
Thirty-three hostages have been evacuated from a hotel in the capital of Burkina Faso that was attacked by suspected Islamist militants, Minister of Communications Remis Dandjinou said on Saturday.

"Liberation of Minister (of Public Service, Labour and Social Security) Clement Sawadogo and about 30 hostages," Dandjinou said on Twitter, adding that they were taken to hospital. "The operation continues."

In another tweet he said 33 hostages were freed.

Security forces in Burkina Faso's capital of Ouagadougou had launched an assault to recapture a hotel in the capital stormed by suspected Islamist militants who took the hostages.
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TWIN FALLS  One of the people charged with robbing a man hours before he was found dead waived his right to a preliminary hearing Friday, while two others asked for more time before their preliminary hearings.

Caleb Jon Hinton, 32, of Twin Falls appeared in Twin Falls County Magistrate court where his attorney informed a judge Hinton decided against having a preliminary hearing.

Hinton and three others were charged in November with robbing Tigre Martinez, 45, and binding, beating and gagging him just hours before he was found dead in his home May 26. Hinton told police Martinezs body went limp after the group untied him.

Hinton, who is still jailed in lieu of $1,000,000 bond, will next appear in Twin Falls County District Court to enter a plea of guilty or not guilty.

Speaking in general terms and not specifically about Hintons case, County Prosecutor Grant Loebs said defendants often waive their preliminary hearing to take advantage of a plea agreement.

Loebs couldnt comment on whether that was the reason for Hinton waiving his hearing.

Katie Lynn Pingree, 20, of Twin Falls also waived her preliminary hearing in the case last year. She pleaded guilty Thursday to aiding and abetting the robbery and will serve three to five years in prison, according to the plea agreement.

Pingree also agreed to help police investigate and to testify, if necessary, against Hinton and the two others charged with the robbery, the plea agreement said.

In return, prosecutors have agreed not to file any other charges  including homicide charges  against Pingree in connection with the Martinez robbery.

Prosecutors are not considering homicide charges for any of the people charged with robbing Martinez, Loebs said.

But in a case like this, its certainly in the realm of possibility, Loebs said.

Dwayne Lee McCormick, 31, and Laaken Shai Draper, 20, both of Twin Falls also appeared in court Friday but asked for the date of their preliminary hearings to be pushed back until Jan. 29.

In asking for the continuance of the hearing in front of Magistrate Judge Calvin Campbell, McCormicks attorney, Steven McRae, referenced the amount of preliminary evidence in the case because so many officers responded to help investigate Martinezs death.

McRae said new information was still flowing in that he and McCormick hadnt yet reviewed. Drapers hearing was pushed back for the same reason.
RUPERT  A Heyburn Police officer has been charged with misdemeanor battery and misdemeanor domestic battery in the presence of a child in two separate incidents.

Minidoka deputies say Jeremiah Justesen, son of Heyburn Councilwoman Joanne Justesen, grabbed a boy by the throat and put him in a head lock after he refused to leave with him in early January.

Police say the incident began when Justesen dropped off another boy at home from school and came to pick up the boys older brother. When the older brother refused, Justesen told police, he grabbed him and said he had no choice, police said.

When a deputy asked if he pushed the boy, Justesen said it was the boy who pushed him.

Police also say in September, Justesen grabbed a woman by her wrists, hit her in the back of the head and pushed on her throat while two children were present.

Justesen was charged with domestic battery in the presence of a child but entered a not guilty plea.

Heyburn Police Chief Dan Bristol declined to comment on whether Justesen has faced disciplinary action.
BURLEY  Juan Manuel Arellano, a Paul man who is serving 22 years to life in prison for fatally shooting his wife in 2010 now says he might not have pleaded guilty to first-degree murder if he had better legal advice.

Arellano was set to appear in Cassia County Court this month, but an evidence hearing has been moved to March 4.

In court documents, Arellano said his original attorney, Kent Jensen, had not given him proper counsel during his 2011 murder trial, and that he would not have pleaded guilty if he had better advice, court documents said.

Instead, he entered an Alford plea to first-degree murder, admitting there was enough evidence to convict him of murder but not enough to prove malice aforethought or pre-meditation.

After the Idaho Court of Appeals reviewed his claims, Arellano was granted an evidentiary hearing on his assertion that he was not given proper counsel.

Its a unique procedural posture, said Michael Tribe, Arellanos new attorney.

Police say that in May 2010, Arellano was waiting for his wife, Ramona, at a Burley bar then known as El Paralito.

When she went to the dance floor with another man, Fredrico Castillo, Arellano followed her and fired a single shot, killing her.

The bullet struck Castillo but did not kill him.

As part of Arellanos original plea deal, aggravated battery and attempted murder charges were dropped based on Castillos injuries.

Arellano said no one knew his intentions when he pulled out a gun and walked onto the dance floor, court documents said.

He said that, under the influence of cocaine and alcohol, he acted in a blind rage and that the killing was accidental. He intended only to scare his wife, court documents said.

He said he was advised by counsel that his state of mind was not relevant to the case during his original trial, court documents said.

The appeals court ruled that Arellanos mental state is relevant and that theres enough evidence of a reasonable probability he would not have pleaded guilty had it not been for deficient counsel, court documents said.

Attorneys will now review the pre-sentence investigation for use in Arellanos post-conviction case. If prosecutors win, his original sentence will stand. But a judge could order a trial on the issue of deficient counsel.
Cassia County

Felony sentencings

Rebecca Renee Prieto; controlled substance - manufacture or deliver, or possess with intent to manufacture or deliver (felony), guilty, $535.50 costs, $375.90 restitution, 48 months probation, three years determinate time, four years indeterminate time, 12 days credited, penitentiary suspended; drug paraphernalia - possess with intent to use, dismissed on motion of prosecutor.

Felony dismissals

Michael H. Blount; strangulation (attempted) (felony), dismissed on motion of prosecutor; telephone - removal or obstruction of telephone or telegraph lines or equipment (misdemeanor), dismissed on motion of prosecutor.

Joel Prieto Jr.; controlled substance - manufacture or deliver, or possess with intent to manufacture or deliver, dismissed on motion of prosecutor; drug paraphernalia - use or possess with intent to use (misdemeanor), dismissed on motion of prosecutor.

Fernando H. Pena; theft - grand (felony), dismissed by court; fraud - possession of financial transaction card, number, and/or FTC forgery devices (felony), dismissed by court, dismissed by court.

Jorge Lemus-Gomez; stalking - first degree (felony), dismissed on motion of prosecutor; domestic violence - violation of protection order (misdemeanor), dismissed on motion of prosecutor.

Shane Lee Johnson; controlled substance - possession of (felony), dismissed on motion of prosecutor.

Stacey Xanthe Colunga; theft - grand (felony), dismissed on motion of prosecutor.

Driving under the influence

Shaylee Alexander; driving under the influence (misdemeanor), guilty, $250 fine, $202.50 costs, $500 restitution, 12 months probation, 90 days jail, 90 days suspended.

Joseph D. Dominguez; driving under the influence - under age 21 (misdemeanor) amended driving under the influence (misdemeanor), guilty, $250 fine, $202.50 costs, $100 restitution, 180 days driver's license suspended, 18 months probation, 90 days jail time, 88 days suspended.

Della Etta Worthington; driving under the influence (misdemeanor), guilty, $300 fine, $202.50 costs, 90 days driver's license suspended, 12 months probation, 120 days jail time, 119 days suspended, one day credited.

Calvin Ray Teupel; driving under the influence (misdemeanor), guilty, $400 fine, $202.50 costs, 10 days driver's license suspended, 24 months probation, 180 days jail, 175 days suspended, three days other time, two days credited, other three days to serve.

Jose Ozmabet-Vazquez; driving under the influence (misdemeanor), guilty, $250 fine, $202.50 costs, 180 days driver's license suspended, 18 months probation, 90 days jail, 88 days suspended, two days credited; driver's license - fail to purchase or invalid, dismissed on motion of prosecutor.

Evaristo Erizarraras; driving under the influence (excessive) (misdemeanor), guilty, $400 fine, $202.50 costs, 365 days driver's license suspended, 12 months probation, 120 days jail time, 110 days suspended, two days credited.
Jeer

Im embarrassed, to say the least, Rep. Pete Nielsen of Mountain Home told Magistrate Judge George Hicks on Wednesday.

We are, too.

Nielsen, a 77-year-old Republican whose district includes a portion of Twin Falls County, has been charged with poaching an elk.

As a lawmaker, Nielsen should clearly know better.

Nielsen, of course, is innocent until proven guilty and has denied the charges. But simply being charged has further sullied Nielsens reputation. Earlier this year, he made naive and discriminatory remarks about Muslims and refugees during a meeting of a far-right anti-refugee group.

If found guilty of poaching, the maximum penalty includes a $1,000 fine, up to six months of jail time and hunting privileges suspended for up to two years.

Cheer

Formed in 2010 to help rural communities expand business, the Southern Idaho Rural Development group is now collecting building materials and funky historical pieces from the Rogerson building in downtown Twin Falls to be used in other building rehab projects across the Magic Valley.

What a cool idea.

The Rogerson is coming down to make way for a new downtown plaza as part of a $17 million downtown facelift. Instead of junking the material in a landfill, the economic development group is salvaging it for future use, perhaps to help someone redevelop a historic building somewhere else.

The concept is called upcycling.

Besides building materials, the group has salvaged quirky design pieces like signs, a fire hose and an old phone booth.

The project will help keep some of the history alive as well as cut costs for future developers.

Jeer

Once again, more questions than answers are swirling in the case of a 2-year-old Jerome boy who was struck and killed by a hit-and-run driver in 2014.

On Thursday, prosecutors abruptly dropped charges against Bernave Avila-Romero. The 26-year-old had been charged with one felony count of leaving the scene of an accident resulting in injury or death. He was arraigned Aug. 31, almost a year after the death of Damian Garcia Eudabe on 21st Avenue East in the Stoney Ridge subdivision west of Tiger Drive.

Why did it take a year to charge Avila-Romero when he turned himself into authorities the day after the incident?

Prosecutors refused to answer questions. Jerome County Prosecutor John Horgan has a policy of not speaking to reporters.

They were mum again on Thursday about why the charges were dropped. The boys family said someone from the prosecutors office had called to say the case was being dismissed, but they werent sure who had called.

Prosecutors owe the public  and the family  some answers.
Thankful for Grant





The Ageless Senior Center in Kimberly is extremely grateful for the recent grant award from the Twin Falls Health Initiative Trust. This generous gift will enable the senior center to replace a damaged kitchen floor, which will allow us to continue providing basic nutritional needs for the Kimberly-Hansen area.

Without this generosity, this project would not move forward until funds could be raised. Kudos to County Commissioners George Urie, Leon Mills and Terry Kramer as well as the Board of Directors of the trust for their expert oversight of this valuable asset. It is in good hands.

Special appreciation goes to Misti Charters for her patient assistance during the application process.

Nancy Duncan, board secretary

Thankful for an Anniversary Surprise

Wednesday, Dec. 23, was our 65th wedding anniversary. We dont go out very much, but we decided to eat out at Elevation 486. After a very fine meal we were in the process of adding the tip to the ticket when our server came to our table and said he wanted our ticket back so he could cancel the transaction. Someone else (he didnt know who) was taking care of our bill. Since our benefactor is unknown to us we wish to say thank you and may God bless you for eternity whoever you are. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

Thanks again,

David and Nancy Lancaster

Twin Falls

Family Thankful for Support

The husband and family of the late Jilli Adriana Koyle wish to express their thanks and gratitude to everyone who has in any way shown their love, support, and kindness in our behalf. It is amazing how far reaching the influence of Jilli has been and the Christ-like compassion which so many have expressed. We want all to know of our appreciation and gratitude, thanks you!

Rex Koyle

Burley

IVC Thankful for Grant

On behalf of Interlink Volunteer Caregivers Board of Directors, volunteers, staff and donors, we would like to thank the Idaho Community Foundations Southwestern Regional Grants Panel for selecting IVC to receive a very generous grant. IVC is honored to have been one of 118 Idaho nonprofits to receive the much needed funds!

We would like to specifically acknowledge The Walter and Leona Dufresne Fund within the Idaho Community Foundation as the grantor.

The Idaho Community Foundations generous grant award will help IVC provide vital services to those that need them most. IVC volunteers allow the people they serve to remain living in their own homes where they desire to be. IVC prevents people from being forced into assisted living and nursing home facilities by keeping them safe and independent in their own homes.

Thanks also to ICFs Holly Motes, who so graciously assists with grant and or technical questions. IVC appreciates the Idaho Community Foundation for recognizing the need to provide such critical services for some of our most vulnerable citizens! Thank you one and all.

Tamara Stricker, IVC Board president

The Letters of Thanks column will publish letters of up to 200 words from:

Organizations thanking contributors or supporters.

Individuals thanking public agencies and businesses for extraordinaryservice.

Send letters to letters@magicvalley.com. If you would like to purchase a classified ad to express gratitude of a personal rather than public nature, call The Times-News Customer Service department.
Here is One Chinese Story that Narendra Modi Needs to Listen to The Chinese economic growth story started in 1978 with Deng Xiaoping taking charge of the Chinese Communist Party. Interestingly, Xiaoping did not hold any official post. Nevertheless, he was looked upon as the Supreme Leader of China between 1978 and 1992. Most accounts of China's astonishing double digit growth for close to three decades give credit to Xiaoping for initiating Chinese economic growth and pulling out millions of people out of poverty in a very short period of time. History when it gets written is built around the idea of Great Men doing great things. But things are never as simple as that.



As Matt Ridley writes in The Evolution of Everything: "If you examine closely what happened in China in 1978, it was a more evolutionary story than is usually assumed. It all began in the countryside with the 'privatisation' of collective farms to allow individual ownership of land and of harvests. But this change was not ordered from above by a reforming government."



In the village of Xiaogang, 18 farmers came together. They despaired the dismal production of their farms under the collective system. And they did not like the fact that they had to beg for food from other villages. Given this, one evening they gathered together to figure out what they could do. This was at a time when even holding a meeting was considered a serious crime.

As Ridley writes: "The first, brave man to speak was Yen Jinchang, who suggested that each family should own what it grew, and that they should divide the collective's land among the families. On a precious scrap of paper he wrote down a contract that they all signed...The families went to work on the land, starting before the official's whistle blew each morning and ending long after the day's work was supposed to finish."



And this soon stared to show results. "Incentivised by the knowledge that they could profit from their work, in the first year they grew more food than the land had produced in previous five years combined," writes Ridley.



Of course, the local communist party bosses soon came to know. The regional communist party chief intervened to save Yen and at the same time recommended that the same experiment should be copied elsewhere as well. "This was the proposal that eventually reached Deng Xiaoping's desk. He chose not to stand in the way, that was all. But it was not until 1982 that the party officially recognised that family farms could be allowed - by which time they were everywhere," writes Ridley.



The economic incentives of private ownership rapidly transformed farming in China and industry soon followed. While the Communist Party still continues to rule the country, the economic success of China wasn't built on socialism. And there is a thing or two that Indian politicians can learn from this, given their obsession with socialism.



Private firms are normally better at running businesses than the government. This is something that politicians including prime minister Narendra Modi need to understand. As TN Ninan writes in The Turn of the Tortoise-The Challenge and Promise of India's Future : "The last quarter century's experience has shown that when the private sector is asked to provide telecom services, run airlines and airports, build and run ports, undertake banking, distribute electricity and even undertake water supply, the result is usually (though not always, for there is no shortage of private banks and airlines that have failed) a substantial improvement on what, the government was doing until then."



This is basically means two things. One is that the government should be getting out of all the businesses that it has been trying to run for all these years. This is a point that I have often made in the past. There is no point in the government running more than 25 banks. There is no point in the government running a phone company or an airline for that matter. It does not serve any purpose.



As Ninan writes: "It is a matter of regret that Narendra Modi, who got elected on the promise of 'minimum government, maximum governance', has shown no taste for radical change or minimizing government...The government system continues to run loss-making airlines and hotels, three-wheeler units and Mahanagar Telephone Nigam."



Also, in its effort to do everything, the government doesn't pay adequate attention to many important areas. As Ninan writes: "There is too little of government attention paid to core areas like law and order, education and health-too few judges, too few teachers who teach, too few hospital beds; also too few trade negotiators and too few policemen, especially those with proper training. It should be obvious that there are many things that the state does inadequately or badly, and many tasks that the state has needlessly taken on itself."



The second point here is that the government should be encouraging entrepreneurship in all possible ways. One point against entrepreneurship are India's multiple labour laws. But they may not be as much of a problem as they are made out to be.



It is often argued that Indian entrepreneurs do not expand beyond a certain point because it is very difficult to fire workers once they have been taken on. The Chapter VB of the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947, makes it very difficult for companies with 100 employees or more, to fire an employee without the permission from the government. This, it is argued, prevents entrepreneurs from expanding.



Economist Pranab Bardhan makes an interesting point in Globalisation, Democracy and Corruption: "It is not clear that the rigid law on retrenchment is always the binding constraint on manufacturing expansion. Take the highly labour-intensive garments industry, for example. A combined dataset [of both the formal and informal sectors] shows that about 92 per cent of garment firms in India have fewer than eight employees...Labour law cannot discourage an eight-employee firm from expanding to an 80-employee firm since Chapter VB of the Industrial Disputes Act does not kick in until the firm reaches the size of 100 employees."



So what is stopping these firms from expanding? "The binding constrains on the expansion of that eight-employee firm may have to do with inadequate credit and marketing opportunity, erratic power supply, wretched roads, bureaucratic regulations etc. There are good statistical studies by some economists which show that states with more rigid labour laws have had lower industrial growth and that labour laws can be a constraint. But these studies do not show that they are the only or even the main constraint," writes Bardhan.



What this tells us very clearly is that the Modi government should work towards removing these binding constraints. This will allow entrepreneurship to flourish. That will lead to more jobs, better pays, higher spending and in the process, higher economic growth .
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

Blog Archive
The summit will bring together water quality experts, farmers, legislators, regulators, the business community, members of the public, local leaders, and a wide variety of other stakeholders. It will focus public attention on the serious challenges facing Minnesotas water supplies  in both rural and urban areas of the state  and continue statewide dialogue around steps that must be taken to address those challenges. All interested Minnesotans are encouraged to register and attend.



All stakeholders and other interested members of the public are also encouraged to take this online survey, launched in conjunction with the Governors Water Summit, to ensure that all Minnesotans voices are heard on this important, statewide issue. The information and input gathered from this survey will help inform the Administration and Legislature on Minnesotas water quality challenges and possible solutions. Please click here to complete the Governor's Water Summit Survey.

Wisconsin's Scott Walker and Michigan's Rick Snyder are the nation's two worst anti-clean water governors, fronting for polluters and far-right ideology. Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Janesville) moves for polluters on the national front.In Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton (D) is holding the Governor's Water Summit on February 27, 2016, Saturday, from 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM.Would be a good idea for Wisconsinites to attend and gather some lessons learned and innovative solutions to pollution, as Scott Walker holds polluters' summits: They are called Republican fundraisers and meetings of the Wisconsin legislature.
Euro Fighter Typhoon ( Image credits- Wikimedia Commons/ Gordon Zammit)









If Vietnam buys the Gripen, Typhoon, or Rafale, what exactly will it be getting?





As several other writers have noted, the acquisition of Western aircraft (most likely the Gripen, Rafale, or Typhoon) would represent a huge shift in Vietnams defense trajectory. Vietnam hasnt flown a Western warplane since the Vietnamese Peoples Army overran Saigon, capturing 41 F-5 Tigers in the process. The Tigers that didnt end up in the Soviet Union or the Eastern Bloc were soon grounded for lack of spares.





To be sure, Vietnam has experience with modern jet fighters, currently flying a few dozen advanced Flanker variants purchased from Russia. These aircraft are far more capable than the older MiG-21s that make up the bulk of the Vietnam Peoples Air Force (VPAF), but they remain Soviet kit. Any European aircraft will require what amounts to a revolution in maintenance, spares, weapons, and handling procedures.





Thus, the sale would likely represent a long-term relationship between Vietnam and whatever country is lucky enough to get the sale. It would likely require some technology transfer (especially if Vietnam can generate a competitive bidding process), the presence of engineers and maintenance personnel on the ground, and a long training regimen. The aircraft will (undoubtedly) return to the host country for periodic upgrades and overhauls as new weapon and software systems become available.





Nothing about this is particularly new or novel; buying a fighter jet has become far less about hooking up than establishing a long-term relationship. But it will represent one of the first of these kinds of relationship that Vietnam has established with a Western country. And it says much about Vietnams long-term strategic outlook that Hanoi is exploring the option in such depth.





In this sense, Vietnamese interest in the Typhoon and its competitors is part and parcel with Hanois other major diplomatic initiative, membership in the Trans-Pacific Partnership. The TPP likely plays no small role in the willingness of Western states to contemplate selling their aircraft to Vietnam, including the potential for technology transfer. The TPP doesnt mean that Western technology is suddenly secure in Vietnam, but it does imply a strong directionality to Hanois economic policy. It also suggest that Vietnam is extremely serious about maintaining an adversarial posture towards China for the foreseeable future.





And so before all that long, European-built VPAF fighters may patrol the South China Sea, while European and American investment pours into the Vietnamese economy. This was not an outcome that many people envisioned in 1975.





About the author- Robert Farley is a senior lecturer at the Patterson School of Diplomacy and International Commerce. His work includes military doctrine, national security, and maritime affairs. He is author of The Battleship Book.





He blogs at Lawyers, Guns and Money and Information Dissemination, and can be found on twitter at @drfarls.





 THE DIPLOMAT ( ALL RIGHTS RESERVED)




From now on, every person who gets tested and is found to be HIV positive will not just get counselling and medication. They will also get a...
In a move that pleased absolutely nobody, Kate has proposed jacking up the minimum wage everywhere within the Portland Urban Growth Boundary to $15.52 an hour, indexed thereafter to the Consumer Price Index. Outside the UGB, she thinks that $13.50, indexed to CPI, is a reasonable way to go. Both would be phased in over the next six years.

The "Fight for $15" crowd's not happy; they want $15 an hour starting yesterday, which is of course completely unreasonable because it would immediately dump most of them out of their jobs and ignores the recent mandates of paid sick days and health insurance, both of which add significantly to costs already. Seattle has seen over one thousand jobs go away since their city council mandated a $15 minimum wage, and that mandate hasn't even kicked all the way in yet.

Over in Eastern Oregon, a question emerged:

State Rep. Cliff Bentz said he put the question to Oregon Gov. Kate Brown as succinctly as he could.

Why in the world would you impose such a thing on Eastern Oregon? the Ontario Republican asked the governor, a Democrat, Thursday at the Capitol.

The thing Bentz referred to is Browns proposal, which she unveiled earlier in the day, to boost the states minimum wage to $13.50 by 2022, except in the Portland area where the wage would reach $15.52 by that year.

Bentz said Brown, in responding to his question, said her proposal is better than some of the measures that might go to voters in the November election.

One of those proposed measures would increase the statewide minimum wage to $15 starting in 2019  $1.50 more than Browns plan, and arriving three years earlier.

But Bentz said the choice between Browns plan and the ballot measure is kind of like asking you what kind of poison you want to take.

Counties like those Bentz represents border Idaho, where the minimum wage is still $7.25. If you don't believe that local businesses would scoot right on over and relocate in Idaho, it'd be interesting to hear your take on the Tooth Fairy.

Speaking of fairies, here in Portland, employers had this to say:

Most employers agree that in a perfect world they would love to pay their employees more. The reality is, however, many small businesses say they won't survive on a $15 minimum wage.

Owner of Chef's Table, Kurt Huffman, was quick to point out that Kate's plan gives raises to the wrong people while adversely impacting the businesses' ability to give raises to those who deserve them.

Huffman says some restaurants with a lower profit margin will close, while others may have to lay off employees.

"We are trying to be sensible about how we enact this, so we are not penalizing the food businesses that make this city famous on a national level," Huffman said.

Over in Milwaukie, the owner of a restaurant that employs 38 made similar points and went on to note that she has cooks who have been with the business for over 20 years, and under Kate's plan, a new busboy would be making nearly as much as a cook - and she wouldn't be able to raise their pay because she has to pay the busboy. Her family's run the business for 40 years, but could well end up closing it.

So Kate's minimum wage plan could well dump 38 people in that place alone out of their jobs.

But one thing about Democratics: they always have good intentions. And really - does anything else matter?
Canada's high court gave parliament another four months Friday to rewrite the law in order to allow doctors to help gravely ill patients die upon request.

The government had asked for time to amend the nation's Criminal Code after the court in February 2014 quashed a section prohibiting assisted suicide, effectively authorizing it for consenting adults with serious health problems.

The court had already suspended its ruling for one year to allow legislators an opportunity to enact new rules surrounding the divisive issue.

But a new Liberal government won an October general election and asked for a further six-month delay.

Granting the further extension is an "extraordinary step," the court said in its decision, "since its effect is to maintain an unconstitutional law."

However, the court also agreed to a few exemptions that would allow some patients to proceed now with assisted suicide, notably in Quebec province, which rolled out Canada's first assisted dying framework last month.

On Thursday, local media reported that two people in Quebec had already asked for help dying.

One of them was approved and died in hospital. Health officials are still considering the second request.

Elsewhere in Canada, until June when the injunction is set to expire, a patient may seek permission from a judge to proceed.

The Supreme Court's February 2015 decision had reversed its own 1993 ruling in the case of Sue Rodriguez, a pioneer in the fight for the right to die in Canada.

At that time, the court had expressed concern about protecting vulnerable persons, but in its newer ruling last year pointed to changed Canadian social values.

Polling shows a strong majority of Canadians85 percentsupport the right to die.

Some form of physician-assisted dying is legal in Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Switzerland and in a handful of US states.

Explore further Quebec's top court rules assisted dying law can proceed

 2016 AFP
The United States warned pregnant women Friday to avoid travel to 14 countries and territories in the Caribbean and Latin America due to the mosquito-borne Zika virus, linked to birth defects.

"The virus is spreading fairly rapidly through the Americas," said Lyle Petersen, director of the division of vector-borne infectious diseases at the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in a conference call with reporters.

"We thought it was very important to warn people as soon as possible."

The level two travel alert applies to Brazil, Colombia, El Salvador, French Guiana, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Martinique, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Suriname, Venezuela and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

"Pregnant women in any trimester should consider postponing travel to the areas where Zika virus transmission is ongoing," said the CDC.

Zika virus can cause fever, rash, joint pain and conjunctivitis, with symptoms usually lasting under a week.

But in pregnant women, the virus can spread to the fetus and cause brain shrinkage or death.

Along with a rise in Zika cases in Brazil, more than 3,500 cases of microcephaly have been documented in the country between October 2015 and January 2016.

Four of those cases have recently been analyzed, showing that babies were infected with Zika virus while they were in the womb and that it reached their brains.

Two of the cases involved miscarriages, and two of the babies died soon after birth.

"All four mothers reported having experienced a fever and rash illness consistent with Zika virus disease during their pregnancies," said the CDC.

"Genetic sequence analysis showed that the virus in the four cases was the same as the Zika virus strain currently circulating in Brazil."

'Special precautions' for pregnant women

Experts say they don't know just how much of an increase Brazil is experiencing in microcephaly, but that there is a rising number of cases.

The virus appears to destroy brain tissue that had already formed, resulting in smaller brain sizes and birth defects.

"Until more is known, and out of an abundance of caution, CDC recommends special precautions for pregnant women and women trying to become pregnant."

Those who are trying to become pregnant "should consult with their health care provider before traveling to these areas and strictly follow" steps to prevent mosquito bites, including wearing long sleeves and pants and applying insect repellant.

There is no vaccine to prevent Zika and no medicine available to treat it.

There have been 26 travel-related cases of Zika virus in the United States since 2007, but no locally acquired cases so far, Petersen said.

He added that the situation is changing rapidly and urged women to "take these recommendations quite seriously."

Explore further Zika virus concerns may curb travel for pregnant women

 2016 AFP
Looking for information on eating disorders in boys? Worried that your son has an eating disorder? How can you tell if a boy has an eating disorder? In 2009 my 15-year-old son developed anorexia. Now, aged 28, he is recovered & studying psychology in order to help others. This blog tells the story of my son's recovery from anorexia as well as raising awareness of eating disorders in boys.
@PatriciaMazzei

Hillary Clinton's campaign manager kept the Democratic presidential candidate's strategy leading up to the March 15 Florida primary close to the vest in a brief interview with the Miami Herald on Friday.

Robby Mook, in Miami to raise money for Clinton, wouldn't say when the former Secretary of State will be back in Florida, or how many paid staffers the campaign has hired in the state so far.

With polls showing a tight race between Clinton and chief opponent Bernie Sanders in Iowa, the first voting state, Mook stressed the importance of Florida, which holds its primary after a slew of southern states on March 1. Taken together, the Super Tuesday states and Florida could form a sort of firewall for Clinton if she does poorly in Iowa or New Hampshire.

"Florida is not only in a key position in the nominating process -- it's also one of the biggest states in the country, so it's really an important priority for us," Mook said.

Sanders' rise didn't surprise him, Mook said: "We believed from Day One that this was going to be a competitive race. That's why we built a sturdy campaign organization.

"We believe it's a good thing that the primary's competitive: That's what the voters deserve, and this is their choice."

Sanders hasn't campaigned at all in Florida, though his campaign held organizing meetings last month. Mook said the Clinton team has had more than 400 organizing meetings itself.

He was making his second trip to the state, after having been here last summer to set up the campaign framework. Mook said Clinton has shown Florida deference by giving speeches here about criminal justice and Cuba policy.

"The breadth and importance of those policies kind of speak for themselves," he said.

Her campaign plans to ramp up in coming weeks, including among Hispanic voters, according to Mook. He said issues like immigration, climate change and gun control would play a prominent role in Clinton's pitch to Democrats.
@PatriciaMazzei

Not 15 miles from the homes of Marco Rubio and Jeb Bush on the mainland, Miami Beach work crews elevate the streets, turning ground floors effectively into windowed basements, to try to stave off the implacable rise of sea water. Up comes the powerful ocean, threatening people, property and the underground freshwater supply.

Cant control nature, Rubio quips with a smile. Got bigger problems, Bush insists with exasperation.

I dont have a plan to influence the weather, Rubio said dismissively at a town-hall style meeting in New Hampshire last month.

It wouldnt be on my first page of things that wake me up in the middle of the night in a cold sweat, Bush said in the same state on the same day.

Miamis two Republican presidential candidates dont sound much worried about one of their hometowns most pressing environmental problems.

Theyre not deniers who question climate changes existence, as some of their presidential rivals do, though both say theyre skeptical about how much of it is man-made. Bush has gone further than Rubio, acknowledging sea rises long-term effects for Miami; he said in New Hampshire even a five-inch increase would create some real hardship.

But they sound markedly different from their local politicians who have resigned themselves to a harsh reality. Even if some of them dont want to talk about how mankinds thirst for fossil fuels is to blame for global warming, city and county leaders of both political parties have stopped debating whether South Florida is going under water.

More here.

Photo credit: Emily Michot, Miami Herald staff
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Taiwanese voters will go to cast their ballots today in Taiwan's sixth democratic election for the office of president in twenty years. The adjective "historic" is often used to refer to events that mark a break from the past, the first of a kind, the unprecedented. Yet history is made up of continuities and chains of consequences, and so this election may also be regarded as "historic" just as the last five were. It marks a generation during which the electoral mechanism has been used to formally alter the composition of the government rather than internecine politics, show trials and assassinations. Or war. Such things are fast becoming a distant memory to the Taiwanese. Today's elections are in that degree a mark of improvement.There is probably a broad consensus about the most important task facing the new government. That task remains the defense of Taiwan against possible military aggression from China. Beyond that, everything dissolves into controversy, which is probably as it should be. Speaking only for myself I would like to hope for whatever steps can be taken toward two goals.Clarity and simplicity over the legal rights of individuals, both in the context of market exchanges and in their capacity to express their views. That means that the individual rights of private property and freedom of expression ought to be upheld and strengthened.A free school and home school policy in which the Ministry of Education relinquishes its' control over the syllabus to be taught to children. This must be accompanied by serious reductions in the education budget, which savings can then be allocated to financing military reform. The development of a free market in education is imperative, and the more bright children who can be saved from the "thought-control" centers of the State, the better.As democratic politics is about compromise, then these are the things - along with military reform - that I am most sure about. As the Democratic Progressive Party are widely expected to win both the presidency and the legislature, I suspect we may get something in the way of military reform, but that the status of individual rights concerning private property and freedom of expression will remain either unchanged or will be weakened. Similarly it is doubtful that there will be anything much in the way of educational reform toward free-market principles.I hope to be proven right on the first, and wrong on the second and third.
Christmas is over, even for us diehards who celebrate all 12 days until Epiphany. Christmas is over, trees are composting, angel wings stored away for next years pageant. But I hear an echo of angel song. Listen with me, because its the song that will heal us: Dont be afraid! I have good news for you.

We might imagine this to be a sweet song. Shepherds in their fields. Cute lambs. Angels flying in a gorgeous Montana night sky. Erase all that. Shepherds were stinky, poor, bottom-of-the ladder folk. The world into which Jesus was born was a mess. Israel was occupied by a foreign superpower. High taxes fed the army, not the people. Debtors were sold into slavery. There were no antibiotics.

Yet its into that suffering world the angels sang, Dont be afraid! I have good news for you. Jesus, the savior (the word means healer) is born. And its into our suffering world, full of hunger and violence and a most uncertain future, that the angels still sing, dont be afraid.

Of course theres plenty to be afraid of. Broken hearts. Broken politics. Broken people with machine guns. Black ice. The angel song doesnt take fear away. But it does have the power to engage the best of our humanity in the face of fear.

However, theres another song being sung these days. Its the anti-angel song: Be afraid. Be very afraid. Its being sung by presidential wannabes, Christian university presidents, the NRA, and a host of others who play on our real-enough fears in order to gain power. Its an old, cynical game. Trouble is, it works. A sizeable chunk of our citizens believes that Syrian refugees are dangerous to us. But Syrian refugees are people who are fleeing for their lives; very often they are Christians fleeing the ultimate persecution. And we would lock them out of safe haven?

The NRA would have us believe that having a gun in our home keeps us safe. But the facts are just the opposite. Fox News reports that researchers found people who lived in homes with firearms were between two and three times more likely to die from either [suicide or murder], compared to those who lived in homes without guns, (foxnews.com, 1/21/14).

Dont be afraid! sing the angels. Be afraid. Be very afraid, sing the fear-mongers. Funny thing is, the be very afraid line comes from the movie The Fly, spoken as a wacky scientist turns into an insect. But of course! Fear turns us into less-than-human beings.

But the angel song helps us resist the effects of fear. When were afraid, we cant think straight. Our reptilian brain takes over and we are in fight or flight mode. This doesnt help us solve our problems, much less love our neighbors. The angels sing to beckon us out of irrational fear and embrace the possibility that the Healer really is among us, giving us energy to use our best faculties to learn what is true, so that we might better care for the world God loves.

So listen up, friends. Can you hear it? And would you like to join the choir?

***

The Rev. Jean Larson is a retired Lutheran pastor (ELCA). She is a leadership coach for people in ministry (jeanlarsoncoaching.com) and can be reached at jeanklarson@gmail.com. Community of Faith opinion columns are written each week on a rotating basis by area religious leaders and appear on the religion page.
First Lutheran Church, 2808 South Ave. W., announces the arrival of a new senior pastor. The Rev. David Johnson was installed as senior pastor on Sunday, Jan. 10.

He attended Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and in 1988 received a Master of Divinity degree. The Rev. Johnson has served two previous congregation  Trinity Lutheran Church in Park Hills, Missouri, and most recently, Zion Lutheran Church in Palmyra, Missouri. He is joined in Missoula by his wife and family.
A drug bust late Thursday at a Westside trailer park led to the arrests of six people, two of them on felony drug charges.

Michelle Joy Cole, 36, and Iola Maerriea Johnston, 46, were each being held in Missoula County jail Friday on $25,000 bail after appearing before Justice of the Peace Marie Andersen.

Eric John Walth, 45, was charged with misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia but appeared in Justice Court on a fugitive charge out of Washington after he allegedly stole a video game from a Shopko in Spokane County, Washington, last May. Walth refused to waive extradition.

Also charged with drug-related misdemeanors were Sadie Henson, 35; Ralph James Gannon, 56; and Victor Jason Sabie, 35. They appeared in Missoula Municipal Court and were released on bail Friday.

Cole, a resident of the house where the arrests were made in the Hollywood Trailer Court, 1700 Cooley St., faces the most serious charges.

Shes accused of possessing methamphetamine with intent to distribute, as well as possession of hydrocodone, dextroamphetamine, methylphenidate, diazepam and alprazolam. Each of the six drugs constitutes a felony charge.

According to charging documents, a seventh charge for possession of drug paraphernalia was also brought against Cole after police found several hundred small plastic bags commonly used for distribution of dangerous drugs, a digital scale, glass pipe, butane torch, multiple syringes and a metal spoon.

All were discovered in Coles bedroom after Missoula police executed a search warrant at 11:45 p.m.

According to the affidavit, the warrant was based on history at the trailer of a heroin overdose, numerous traffic stops by officers on vehicles leaving the residence resulting in the seizure of various narcotics and paraphernalia, and information gathered from contacts with various people associated with the trailer.

Cole, who told Andersen she was in the process of getting her job back at DirecTV, was ordered to have no contact with anyone on probation or parole and to be monitored for drug use.

Johnston faces a felony charge for possessing Lorazepam and a misdemeanor paraphernalia charge that included a digital scale, metal spoon with meth residue, a torch lighter and multiple glass pipes.

Police say they found the incriminating evidence in Johnstons bedroom at the house, though Johnston gave Andersen a Spokane address for her residence. She said she has lived in Spokane since 2005 but often travels back and forth to Missoula.

Prosecutors asked for a $50,000 bail, calling Johnston a flight risk and a danger to society, based on an extensive drug and violent history. She faces significant prison time for felony assault on a Montana Highway Patrol trooper in Missoula last February, when Johnston allegedly took a swipe at Dell Aman with a bowie knife. Her drug convictions date back to 1993.
WEST GLACIER  The latest news from Glacier National Park spokeswoman Denise Germann is that Denise Germann is leaving her job with Glacier National Park.

Germann confirmed Thursday that she has accepted the position of public affairs officer for Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming.

Germann filled in as Tetons spokeswoman for three months this fall, and said she went without any intention of pursuing the position permanently.

Dave, my husband, was able to come with me and we just had a great time, Germann said. Both our boys started college this fall and so we had the empty-nest thing going on, and it just became an opportunity for new challenges, and new adventure, that came along at the right time.

Germann will assume the Grand Teton job later in February.

She came to Glacier from the Flathead National Forest in 2011, with an official title as management assistant. She worked in both public affairs and as lands manager, dealing with private landowners within the park.

I never thought Id leave, Germann said. Its been spectacular here. But where were at in our lives, and this being a promotion opportunity for me, we decided to go for it. Glacier is one of the gems of the National Park Service, so Im working at a gem, but Im moving to a gem.

Germann is from Nebraska, and said she grew up in a family that did a lot of camping and boating, which launched her interest in a possible career as a park ranger.

After graduating from college, Germann took a seasonal ranger job at Mount Rushmore National Memorial in South Dakota, and quickly decided to pursue a full-time career.

She has since worked for the National Park Service at the Harry S. Truman National Historic Site and Gateway Arch monument in Missouri, the Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site in Illinois, the Homestead National Monument in Nebraska and the NPS regional offices in Denver.

Germann has also worked for the U.S. Forest Service, at the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest in Colorado and Wyoming, and the Flathead National Forest, which brought her to Montana in 2004. She met her husband, who is now retired from the Forest Service, at Medicine Bow-Routt.

Their two sons, who are twins, graduated from high school last year and headed off to college, making the move to Grand Teton feasible, Germann said.
An effort to restart a logging project near Lindbergh Lake stalled after a federal judge ruled the U.S. Forest Service still hadnt finished the paperwork needed to explain the project.

Flathead National Forest officials had asked U.S. District Judge Donald Molloy to release the injunction blocking the Glacier-Loon Project because they had finished new studies of its impacts on bull trout, water howellia and grizzly bears. Molloy agreed the new material answered important questions, but added the agency still had to write an environmental assessment to document the results.

There was no dispute that the Forest Service applied the incorrect standard in the original EA, Molloy wrote. The Forest Service admits that the subunits do not achieve the Amendment 19 standards even prior to project implementation when the correct access objectives are applied. That admission directly contradicts the language in the current EA, which states All alternatives meet this standard and achieve A19 numerical objectives before and following implementation of the proposed activities.

Molloy noted that while he didnt specifically order the Forest Service to make a new environmental assessment in his previous decision, the Forest Services own rules require that when a mistake of such size is found.

The project would reduce grizzly bear foraging habitat by 320 acres and hiding cover by 1,042 acres. It would also put 5.9 miles of temporary roads into that grizzly territory. On the other hand, that hiding cover was only 2 percent of the project area, and most of the foraging area was expected to be regrown within five years.

The land was on former Plum Creek Timber Co. property that The Nature Conservancy acquired through the Montana Legacy Project. TNC and Plum Creek reached an agreement to log some of the land as part of the deal.

Those logging plans remained in place when TNC later transferred the timberland to the Forest Service. But the Forest Service must follow different standards for grizzly bear protection than private landowners do, and Molloy found it failed to review the TNC logging project at the federal standards.

"This whole problem could have been avoided if the Forest Service had listened to the public input it had asked for," said Keith Hammer, chair of Swan View Coalition. "Instead, the Forest Service ignored the public and, after a judge told the agency to fix the problem because the public was right, the Forest Service shut the public entirely out of the process."
U.S. Sen. Jon Tester toured the Planned Parenthood clinic in downtown Missoula on Friday morning, one week after President Barack Obama vetoed the latest congressional attempt to defund the Affordable Care Act and strip the women's health organization of its federal funding.

Tester visited the facility, met with employees and inquired about the staffing levels, electronic records system and other concerns.

The Big Sandy resident said he supports the access to quality health care the clinics provide, especially in a rural state like Montana.

"It's really, critically important that these Planned Parenthood clinics are allowed to provide the kind of health care that women have learned to expect," Tester said. He added that preventive care can fix problems before they become problems.

He said the ongoing efforts to defund both Obamacare and Planned Parenthood are wrong-headed.

"It's 'defund and replace with the old system,' and that doesn't work. If you take money out of Planned Parenthood, that doesn't help with access issues. That hurts with access issues," he said.

***

The Missoula clinic, which is the busiest Planned Parenthood in the state, sees roughly 50 patients a day, said Dawn Dockstader, manager for the Missoula and Helena facilities.

The bulk of its services are related to birth control, but extend to abortion services, pregnancy tests, annual exams, Pap tests, breast exams, referrals for mammograms and vasectomies, sexually transmitted disease infection checks, screenings and follow-up services, and education and peer counseling in schools.

Tester said efforts to support women's access to care require a constant push.

"This morning, I was asked by a reporter about taxpayer dollars going to abortion. They don't. The Hyde Amendment back in the '70s stopped that, and we still do that. So, no tax dollars go toward that. But what those tax dollars do go toward is access for women to get prevention and get help when they have medical problems. And I think that's really important. And men use it, too, as far as that goes," he said.

Asked about his concerns, Dr. Fred Henke told Tester that "funding for contraception, for abortion services is an ongoing challenge."

Turnover also is an issue.

"We get a lot of people who tend to work with us and train, and they don't stay very long," he said.

Clinic hours are one aspect, as is the supply of graduates from the University of Montana. While they increase the pool of applicants, they often leave the state.

Tester also spoke with Twayna Cazier, the clinic's health care navigator, about signing people up for health insurance. They range from patients who have already stepped into the clinic, to outreach efforts where she sees people for six hours straight, including events outside Missoula.

"We're signing people up who have never had health care. We've had people almost cry," Cazier said.

In many cases, it requires extensive education for people who need to learn the nuts and bolts of deductibles, co-pays and more.

"I'm glad you're doing it. It's great," Tester said.

The other members of Montana's delegation, Sen. Steve Daines and Rep. Ryan Zinke, both Republicans, voted in favor of the overhaul of the ACA.

In an emailed statement, Daines spokesperson Alee Lockman said the senator is "disappointed that President Obama rejected the will of the American people by vetoing legislation that would have repealed Obamacare and redirected funding away from scandal-plagued Planned Parenthood to more accessible community health centers."

On Thursday, Planned Parenthood filed a lawsuit against an anti-abortion group that filmed its employees discussing use of fetal tissue in medical research. The group alleged that Planned Parenthood was selling the tissue, which Planned Parenthood denies.

Zinke's office didn't respond to a request for comment by deadline.

***

Dockstader said the clinic staff reviewed its safety and security procedures after a recent attack in Colorado.

Robert Dear, 57, is accused of killing three people and wounding nine during a standoff at a Planned Parenthood clinic in Colorado Springs on Nov. 27.

Earlier this week, he told a TV news station that he believed the federal government was after him.

"And I picked Planned Parenthood because it's murdering little babies," he said.

"When that happened, we all were on it and we had an affiliate-wide conference call about security," Dockstader said. "We reviewed security measures, what we would do in that unfortunate case, where staff would go, how we would take care of patients."

Among other security measures, the clinic has secured entry on both doors.

Attacks on clinics have occurred in western Montana in the past.

Blue Mountain Clinic Family Practice, now located off West Broadway, was firebombed by anti-abortion activists in 1993. While no one was hurt, the clinic was destroyed.

More recently, in spring 2014 a man broke into and vandalized All Families Healthcare, the sole abortion provider in the Flathead Valley.

Susan Cahill, the physician, had worked at a clinic that was firebombed in 1994. The damage in the 2014 vandalism was extensive enough that she hasn't reopened.

Zachary Klundt, the man convicted for the act, is related to a member of a group that held long-running protests of Cahill's clinic.
From ping-pong matches that thawed relations between the U.S. and China to playwrights who helped bring down the Soviet Union, arts and cultural exchanges have a greater impact on diplomacy, politics and society than they are given credit for, according to a panel of experts who discussed the issue at the University of Montana on Friday.

The Maureen and Mike Mansfield Center hosted a daylong conference in the University Center called "The Art of Diplomacy" to explore how the arts and cultural engagement shape foreign affairs.

"The arts can serve as a universal language that engages us intellectually and emotionally, regardless of where you are from," explained Abraham Kim, director of the Mansfield Center. "At other times, they can be disruptive, hostile and even subversive. Because creative works can also inject new ideas and alternative understandings. In the conference today, we'll be exploring all these themes and sharing stories about how the arts are an integral part of the human experience and our complex relationships."

The conference is being held in conjunction with the Vienna International Ballet Experience this week at UM, which is being hosted by the Rocky Mountain Ballet Theater and Destination Missoula. The gala finale of VIBE is scheduled at 1 p.m. Saturday at the Wilma Theatre.

The first panel, on the importance and impact of cultural diplomacy, featured a panel moderated by Sally Mauk, the former news director of Montana Public Radio. She spoke with Montana World Affairs Council founder Mark Johnson, former Meridian International Center vice president of arts and cultural affairs Nancy Matthews, former Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Trade Policy Joanna Shelton and former U.S. Diplomat Kathy Stephens of Stanford University.

"Most of us are old enough to remember the Cold War," Shelton said. "The competition or division between the U.S. and the Soviet Union. The Western, liberal way of thinking of equal rights was pitted against a regime in the Soviet Union that was totalitarian in nature that tried to restrict people's freedoms and their free expression."

When the Iron Curtain began to come down, she said, it did so in countries bordering western Europe that most closely shared our values.

"I think it's no accident that the mostly peaceful revolutions that began in 1989 began in those countries that had the greatest numbers of artists and cultural icons and playwrights," Shelton said. "Artists value freedoms  the freedom of expression the freedom to express their ideas; they don't want to be bound. They don't want to be told they can't do this, they can't write this."

***

Johnson, himself a former U.S. diplomat, said that understanding social media is a way for peaceful countries to protect themselves. Terrorist groups have grown more adept at spreading their message  a form of cultural exchange  because they use social media.

"If you think ISIS is a bunch of guys in caves with beards, you are wrong," he said. "They have one of the most sophisticated social media campaigns in the world. Every day, they send out 1,000 or 2,000 Twitter messages. So if you're a young guy in Damascus or heaven forbid even in the U.S., looking at this kind of stuff, there is a message out there that you can find easily."

The audience was given the rare treat of several performances by members of the Rossetti Quartet.

Violinist Thomas Diener said that even the production of "Schindler's List"  a film from which they performed the theme music  involved cross-cultural collaboration because Hollywood producers had to be on board with foreign novelists and screenwriters.

"I don't think you could find someone who was more adept at the art of diplomacy than Oskar Schindler," Diener said. "You could say he saved millions of lives when you count successive generations."

The conference featured speakers talking about how graffiti and hip-hop influenced the Arab Spring, and Darko Butorac, the conductor of the Missoula Symphony Orchestra, talked about how classical music can inspire, motivate and heal a nation.

Stephens said that people like Charlene Campbell, the director of RMBT, play a pivotal role in world affairs.

"I think we know intrinsically why it's important to build dialogue and communication," Stephens said. "We owe a big debt, those of us who have worked in traditional diplomacy, to the people who organize these cultural exchanges because it has underpinned and strengthened traditional diplomacy."

The Mansfield Center at UM is dedicated to promoting a better cross-cultural understanding of Asia and ethics in public affairs. For more information, visit umt.edu/mansfield.
The status of a set of local water protection measures isn't clear.

When ownership of Mountain Water Co. went from a family business to a multinational firm, the Clark Fork Coalition helped put water protections in place with a letter of agreement. Representatives from the coalition, the city of Missoula and The Carlyle Group all signed the agreement.

"It really got at the concern for the Rattlesnake, (and) ensuring our water stays here in Missoula," said Karen Knudsen, coalition director. "So our water security, an irreplaceable watershed, is at stake here."

This week, the provisions in the agreement seemed to be up in the air.

The Carlyle Group, which had signed onto the water protection clauses, sold the Missoula water utility in a transfer that took place outside the jurisdiction of state regulators  and one Mayor John Engen believes is illegal and evidence of continued "shenanigans" on the part of Carlyle and the Canadian purchaser.

On Monday, the subsidiary of Algonquin Power and Utilities Corp. of Canada announced it had assumed ownership of Mountain Water Co.

John Kappes, Mountain Water's general manager, said the utility has not transferred any assets or water rights in the deal.

"Mountain Water Co. still owns the same assets and water rights it had prior to the transaction of Western Water stock between Carlyle and Liberty," Kappes said in an email; Liberty Utilities is Algonquin's subsidiary.

But the activity has "bewildered and baffled" those at the water watchdog, and Knudsen said the coalition plans to closely track court processes and those of the Montana Public Service Commission. The sale may or may not be legal, she said, but it illustrates a blatant disregard for local water users and the law.

"This is exactly what we've been concerned about: A Canadian company disregarding the laws of Montana in an attempt to take control of Missoula's water," Knudsen said. "They're not trying new tricks; they're making up tricks, and it's leading to a lot of uncertainty right now."

The city already was in line to buy the water utility, and this week the mayor said the city will file a request that the court oversee the system considering the purported transfer.

In June, Missoula County District Court ruled that the city has the right to use its power of eminent domain to buy Mountain Water. The defendants' appeal is pending before the Montana Supreme Court, and the District Court is in the midst of determining the remaining fees the city will pay.

In a court proceeding, water commissioners determined the value of the company itself at $88.6 million.

***

Mountain Water's Kappes said the new owner agreed in a document filed with the Public Service Commission to the same conditions the commissioners set in their order granting Carlyle the right to buy Mountain Water in 2011. The order includes protections for water.

For instance, in the order, commissioners stipulate that they must approve of any sale or transfer of any of Mountain's water rights in the future.

"As stated in the Notice of Withdrawal to the PSC, Mountain Water and Liberty are committed to those ring-fencing conditions and per those conditions, would be required to get PSC authorization prior to Mountain Water transferring, selling or otherwise disposing of its water rights or utility property," Kappes said.

However, the commissioners also set another condition of their approval of the sale to Carlyle. Commissioners said the order "ensures the Commission will fully evaluate any future proposal by Carlyle to sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of Mountain."

Carlyle sold the utility to the Algonquin subsidiary before the Public Service Commission could review the transfer.

Bryan Von Lossberg, a member of the Missoula City Council, has been closely following the water proceedings. He said the sale  and its disregard for the PSC  shows Algonquin can't be trusted in its dealings with Missoula.

"They've announced in a press release that they care not one whit for the rules and processes of the state of Montana," Von Lossberg said.

"It's that proxy issue. We have to use examples of their behavior to inform our expectations about their future behavior. And right now, their track record clearly indicates that no one in this community should trust a word that comes out of their mouth."

A Liberty spokeswoman did not respond to an email about the apparent conflict between the company's stated support for the PSC's order and its own actions in disregard of them.
In order to support the democratic process, Missoula County is recruiting up to 800 election judges this year.

Conducting fair, balanced and organized elections is a communitywide effort, elections administrator Rebecca Connors said in a release. As champions of this process, election judges play a crucial role in ensuring the strength and integrity of voting and in upholding election law.

With 2016 being a presidential election year, the Elections Office is predicting very high voter turnout. As such, there is an increasing demand for election judges at a time when the number judges currently serving has decreased.

Election years with an open presidential seat, such as in 2000 and in 2008, have extremely high polling place and Same Day Registration turnout. Connors said. We see the highest voter participation in presidential years, and especially those without an incumbent.

Registered Missoula County voters who are enthusiastic about elections are encouraged to apply. The Elections Office now provides an online class schedule and registration at missoulaelectionjudge.com. Applicants can also call 258-4751 or email electioninfo@missoulacounty.us with their name and contact information. Training is held in February at the Missoula County Fairgrounds, in a variety of daytime and evening classes.

Several positions are available in addition to election judges, including polling place managers, poll book judges and Election Center support staff. This is a paid public service position. Individuals are compensated for the time they spend in training and their time on Election Day.

Missoula County will host three elections this year. School elections will be held in the spring, followed by the presidential primary in June and general election in November.

Contact Connors at 258-4911 or elections supervisor Bradley Seamen at 258-3141 with questions.
It always sounds nice to say that women are more collegial and empathetic and helpful to other women and that they see the big picture more clearly, and sometimes its true. But sometimes its not  especially with hard-boiled alpha women trying to break gender barriers.

Look at Carly Fiorinas crash at Hewlett-Packard.

Since we cannot know if a woman is going to overcompensate on machismo  as Hillary did on the unjustified Iraq invasion  we may want to look at it a different way.

It may be more relevant to ask if someone is a cat or a dog.

The feline Barack Obama began his aloof reign wanting to prowl alone on the stage and hes ending it the same way. His State of the Union speech was an exercise in thumbing his nose at the noxious obstructionist Republicans, and lecturing Americans  who have gone from strong and silent to weak and chatty  to grow up about ISIS and stop acting as though World War III has broken out.

The hyper-rational President Obama, who disdains easy emotion in politics, has had a hard time offering comfort or capturing the public mood at moments when people dont feel safe, from the Christmas underwear bomber to the BP oil spill to the rise of ISIS.

Juliette Kayyem, his former assistant secretary for Homeland Security, said its important to try to soothe peoples fears by calmly explaining exactly what is being done to protect them.

The author of the forthcoming Security Mom warned Democratic senators to take Americans unease seriously when she spoke at the senators retreat at Nationals Park last week.

Otherwise, she said, the Republican paranoia, the craziness and hysteria of Its the Muslims and Just keep them out, fills the vacuum.
Ngapali Beach continues to lose one of its greatest assets, despite beach sand being unsuitable for construction and regulations banning its removal.





By HANS HULST | FRONTIER

Twenty years ago Ngapali Beach, on the Bay of Bengal in Rakhine State a short drive from Thandwe, was an unspoilt gem in the crown of Myanmars natural treasures.

The local population, which had access to the beach, lived mainly from the sea. Every now and then a foreigner could be spotted at one of the few hotels along the foreshore.

Times have changed. Tourism is modest but growing at Ngapali, with a limited number of mid-range and upscale hotels operating in the area. Nearly all the beachfront land has been sold and only a small strip of public beach remains. But the sand is disappearing.

Normally, the sea removes and deposits sand in an everlasting cycle. A beach will gently slope upwards, until it runs into the natural barriers of plant growth and the roots of palm trees. Sand mining at Ngapali has disturbed the natural balance. Sand depths on the beach, one of the most attractive in Southeast Asia, are up to one metre lower than last year, and the slope to the foreshore is steeper.

The removal of the sand has enabled the sea to undermine the foundations of hotel compound boundary walls and the roots of palm trees, many of which fell over this year during the monsoon. Retaining walls for beachfront terraces at the Sandoway Resort and the Merciel Retreat and Resort also collapsed. A hotel being built by the Department of Civil Aviation, a stones throw from Thandwe Airport, encountered the same fate. The wall around the compound fell apart.

The Ministry of Hotels and Tourism has been trying to curb the sand mining since 2004. Its most recent effort to stop the illegal use of beach sand was MoHT notification 2/15, dated January 1, 2015. It was followed by notification 1/2015 from the Thandwe General Affairs Department on January 27, which prohibited the removal of beach sand and warned of serious action against those who flouted the rules.

At the DCA hotel development near Thandwe Airport, five workers were shovelling beach sand into bags that were being carried to the site of the building work. They were laughing and clearly unaware they were breaking the law.

We are from Mrauk Oo, a dark-skinned boy said, resting on his shovel. Theres no work there, so we came here to work in construction. The women get K3,500 a day to collect sand from the beach, we men get K5,000 a day.

In Gaw village, just north of the airport, village head U Naing Naing admitted being involved in sand mining in the past. But the last six months we have not done this anymore, he said. We did not get a permit from the local government.

One reason why sand mining became an important source of income in Gaw is because the village lacks an adequate supply of ground water for farming. However, U Naing Naing said that even without sufficient farming income and sand mining he had secured K150,000,000 for the village budget.

Where did the money come from?

I am not telling you, U Naing Naing said with a smile that exposed betel-stained teeth.

About 200 metres from the village, tyre tracks leading to the beach were an indication that, permit or no permit, demand for beach sand remains strong. A blue Forland truck was parked on the beach, the driver fast asleep at the wheel, as two men shovelled sand into the vehicle.

The workers had no qualms explaining what they were doing. This sand will be used to extend the main road and for bridge construction 80 kilometres south, said Ko Wai Moe. We can do two runs a day, he said. Every truckload earns K130,000. We workers get K20,000 each per truckload, and the owner of the truck receives K70,000.

Oliver E Soe Thet, who runs the Laguna Lodge at Ngapali and is a former advisor to the Union government on Rakhine coastal issues, does not understand why construction companies are not using grey river sand, which only costs K40,000 a truckload.

Beach sand is not appropriate for construction, he said.

This concern was echoed in a letter sent by the Myanmar Centre for Responsible Business on April 30 this year to Vice President U Nyan Tun, who chairs the National Land Resource Central Committee. Beach sand is unsuitable for building because its high salinity leads to corrosion, the MCRB said in the letter. Furthermore, compared to other forms of sand, the round grains of beach sand are smoother from wave action, and lack the sharp edges and corners to grip the cement/concrete matrix  Use of beach sand therefore makes buildings less stable, and prone to collapse, it said.

Sand excavated from Ngapalis long, gently curving beach is widely used for construction projects in the area.

Mr Soe Thet said that Sittwe State Hospital was built with chlorinated sea sand. The hospital is falling apart. The new Ngapali hospital and school will face the same fate, he said. It is irresponsible and dangerous.

In its letter to U Nyan Tun, the MCRB highlighted other negative consequences of removing beach sand. One is that the degradation of Ngapali may hurt tourism, a sector that provides jobs for many Rakhine. Coastal erosion, damaged ecosystems and a reduced ability to withstand natural disasters are among the other side-effects of sand mining.

In a response to the MCRB on May 14, U Nyan Tun, a former naval commander, acknowledged the mining problem and its negative impact on the environment and said he would push for the strict enforcement of rules banning the removal of sand, sources who read the letter told Frontier.

But how much clout does the Union government have in this issue?

During a visit to Ngapali in 2013, President U Thein Sein said he wanted its natural skyline to be preserved  a suggestion possibly inspired by a ban in Bali on buildings higher than palm trees  and noted that a regulation prohibited the removal of beach sand.

Local government officials have since formally allowed sand mining on three beaches. It is not clear if they benefitted financially from their decisions, but it is difficult to imagine that they have not. Authorities on the union and local level are not operating in unison, to put it mildly.

When President U Thein Sein and Vice President Dr Sai Mauk Kham visited Ngapali during this years election campaign, mountains of mined beach sand at a construction site for a five-storey hotel were shrouded with blue and green plastic to keep them out of sight, said Mr Soe Thet.

It is not only people with trucks and shovels for mining beach sand who are to blame for damaging the environment, he said.

Some businessmen are resorting to drastic measures. A wetland area the size of three soccer fields near the beach in Zabegyi village, has been covered with sand. The sand was pumped over many months. It is unclear what the owner of the land, U Soe Myint, the mayor of Pyin Oo Lwin and the owner of SM and Associates, is planning to do at the site.

MCRB director Vicky Bowman believes that education is the key to solving the problem.

We want to try and get environmental experts to come, who can show the medium and long term impacts of taking sand in other beaches, as I think the first problem is people dont realise its a finite resource, Ms Bowman said. I would also like to get a program going with schools, but unfortunately UNESCOs Sandwatch program seems to have run out of funding before it got here, she said.

The bad news is that the problem is more widespread than realised. Unfortunately, this isnt unique to Ngapali, said Ms Bowman. Its happening in Ngwe Saung and also down in Tanintharyi Region in less visible places.

Mr Soe Thet, who has lived in Myanmar for twenty years and has seen firsthand the effect of mining the sand at Ngapali, said the government needs to act quickly. What nature has built in thousands of years can be undone by men in just minutes. I hope the National League for Democracy and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi have prepared policies to end the destruction of nature in Ngapali.

Garbage: another bad odour

Garbage disposal was a problem in the Ngapali and Thandwe areas in the past because of irregular collection times by Thandwe City Development Committee.

An initiative by the Myanmar Chefs Association tried to address the problem by building concrete garbage bins that the TCDC could empty once a week. The first facility, outside Lin Thar village at the southern end of Ngapali Beach, was a runaway success.

In September 2013 the Ngapali hotels, united in the Myanmar Hotelier Association Rakhine, upped the ante. Each hotel donated US$100 a room  the larger hotels $150 a room  to buy two garbage collection trucks. Some of the hotels also paid a fee of $1.50 a guest to cover salary costs for 10 garbage collectors, as well as fuel and maintenance for the trucks.

A Memorandum of Understanding was signed with the TCDC to operate the trucks and collect the garbage.

Ngapali hoteliers say the trucks bought by the MHAR have disappeared. They say that the TCDC has not cleaned the garbage bins since August 2015, which is a reason for the smelly piles of rubbish along the beach road. Even when we buy the trucks and pay for the fuel and the salaries, the TCDC will not collect garbage, a hotel owner said on condition of anonymity. It is ridiculous.
TEHRAN  Iran freed four Americans of Iranian descent from prison on Saturday, including a Marine veteran and a reporter from The Washington Post, in a delicately negotiated swap with the United States, which released seven Iranians who had been held on sanctions violations.

Word of the prisoner exchange came just before longstanding economic sanctions on Iran were lifted under terms of the historic nuclear deal reached in July, which Iran hopes will help end its prolonged isolation.

The exchange, first reported by Iran and confirmed hours later by Obama administration officials, removed a big source of irritation between the two countries, whose relationship broke down more than three decades ago, during the 1979-1981 Tehran hostage crisis.

Obama administration officials, sensitive to criticism that they have capitulated to Iran on many issues, attributed the break in the prisoner dispute to a climate of diplomacy they had cultivated with Iran through the nuclear negotiations.
BILLINGS  Stillwater Mining Co. approved equity bonuses for CEO Mick McMullen and other top executives this week worth about $1.6 million in restricted stock, less than five months after laying off workers to cut costs.

According to a Monday filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, McMullen received 172,560 shares from the companys equity incentive plan, worth about $1.03 million, according to Fridays share price.

Other employees who received the equity bonuses, valued at Fridays price, are Christopher Michael Bateman, chief financial officer, $386,863; Rhonda Ihde, corporate controller, $55,516; Kristen K. Koss, vice president, $72,223; and Brent Wadman, corporate attorney, $88,547.

All five employees have employment contracts directly with Stillwater and are eligible for performance bonuses. Theyre restricted from selling the stock for a certain time period, but details werent immediately available.

Jen Lawson, a Stillwater spokeswoman, said Friday the company had no comment. Company officials are expected to give their next earnings report Feb. 22. Stillwater reported an $11.9 million loss for the third quarter of 2015.

Shares of Stillwater closed at $5.96 Friday following a brutal week of trading for U.S. investors. The companys stock fell about 15 percent over the week, and the price is just over one-third of the peak last year of $15.85.

The drop over the week cut roughly $90,000 from the total value of the executives bonus equity. Last spring, when developing incentives for McMullen, Stillwater officials said they want to align executive compensation with shareholders. In other words, the value of their bonus rises with company stock.

Prices of precious metals began falling about a year and a half ago in response to worldwide oversupply, particularly from mines in Russia and South Africa. In September, Stillwater laid off 119 mostly union workers in the Beartooth valley and cut costs by about $10 million to $15 million.

McMullen said the company needed to make the cuts to improve efficiency.

Columbus-based Stillwater is Montanas largest mining company and the largest U.S. producer of platinum and palladium. It operates the Nye and East Boulder mines and the Columbus smelter.

The bonuses come at an awkward time for Stillwater: the company is again negotiating a new contract for 900 workers of its largest union, the United Steelworkers local 11-0001.

Its the same contract for workers at the Nye mine and Columbus smelter that was negotiated last summer. In September, after workers twice rejected a negotiated proposal, the company imposed its final offer and avoided a work stoppage.

The union filed a federal unfair labor practice complaint that was dismissed in November and requested a restart of negotiations this month.

Scott McGinnis, president of the local union, confirmed that talks with the company are ongoing but declined further comment.
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blog of the State Geologist of Arizona
HELENA  Another Montana legislative candidate illegally coordinated with a national anti-union organization, this time in the 2012 elections, the state's campaign regulator said Friday.

Commissioner of Political Practices Jonathan Motl said there is sufficient evidence for civil prosecution against Rollan Roberts II, a Republican who ran for the state Senate in 2012, as well as the National Right to Work Committee and its affiliated corporate groups.

Roberts lost the Senate District 3 Republican primary election to incumbent Sen. Bruce Tutvedt of Kalispell. Roberts' campaign accepted illegal corporate in-kind services that included a direct mail campaign, consulting work, voter mailing lists, and website design, Motl said in his findings.

Motl previously found that nine Republican candidates in 2010 accepted similar services from Right to Work affiliates. Judges have upheld Motl's findings in two of those cases, and a March trial is scheduled in a third against Rep. Art Wittich, R-Bozeman. Another legislator, Rep. Mike Miller, R-Helmville, settled out of court.

Right to Work officials drafted letters to voters using the scanned signatures of their selected candidates and their wives and sent postcards attacking the candidates' opponents, Motl said. Right to Work officials called their efforts "the works" and a "shock and awe campaign," Motl said, citing documents from the organization.

The candidates were aware of the direct mail campaigns made on their behalf but did not report them as contributions, Motl said. Montana law prohibits accepting in-kind contributions from corporations.

Tutvedt said he is happy with the decision and would like his former opponent and Right to Work officials to come clean about what they did.

"These out-of-state dark money groups are trying to steal elections and insert the candidates they can get their pledge of fealty from," Tutvedt said.

Roberts did not respond to queries made by phone and email. Right to Work Committee spokesman Patrick Semmens did not return calls for comment.

Motl has forwarded his findings to a prosecutor. If the prosecutor declines to pursue the case, Motl can seek a settlement or file a civil lawsuit in state court.

Motl said he welcomes settlement talks but believes the case will likely go to court.

Sandy Welch, a Republican who filed two complaints against Right to Work that are also addressed in Motl's decision, said she would welcome the public airing a court case would bring.

"The voters of Montana need to come to an understanding of what happened in the past so they can be more vigilant," she said.

Motl's decision also found the Montana Family Foundation also violated state law in communications it sent in the Tutvedt-Roberts race. But those violations  late registration filing and untimely reporting of independent expenditures  appear to be more a product of adapting to the new campaign landscape created by the 2010 U.S. Supreme Court's Citizens United ruling, Motl said.

A negotiated settlement with the Family Foundation is more likely than civil prosecution, he said.
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I don't know how many young women come to this blog or how many are parents of teenage or young adult women, but here are some safety tips from Kelsey's Army:

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1. Trust your instincts - If something feels wrong then something probably is wrong.2. Know your surroundings - know who and what is around you.3. Always have a plan for where you would go and what you would do if a situation arises.4. Be willing to make a scene in order to be noticed.5. Let someone know where you are going and when you will be back.Remember the acronym TIPS:ake Chargenform others of your whereaboutsrepare for any situationurvival Mentality (role play situations so you will respond should they happen)For more information, go to Kelsey's Army
FRUITLAND, Iowa  The Fruitland Community Lions Club will meet at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 20, at the Fruitland Community Center, 104 Sand Run Road.

Christy Siwajeck, Breast Cancer Outreach coordinator for Trinity, will give a short program followed by discussion on the Lions club brochure, bike path petition report, veterans memorial, Christmas families, APRIS, Trivia night, and State Lions Foundation Gala.

Anyone interested in learning more about the Lions Club is encouraged to attend. Membership is not limited to Fruitland residents. All area residents are welcome. For more information, contact Wayne Shoultz at 563-264-2373.
MUSCATINE, Iowa  When Josh Hunn and Paige Sours found a notice on their door from the citys animal control department they were taken aback, then decided to take action.

The notice said that because they were harboring a pit bull, it had to be removed from the Muscatine city limits or they would face a fine.

By the end of the week, they found themselves ready to call upon the Muscatine City Council to take action.

At 1:43 p.m. Thursday, Sours posted a question on the locally popular Facebook group Muscatine Discussion: Can someone tell me how to start a legal petition?

By 5 p.m. Friday, she had started that petition and collected more than 500 signatures from people supporting a repeal of Muscatines pit bull ban.

Sours said that at first she was shocked by the response.

But overwhelmingly happy and excited, Sours said, noting she was nervous about even starting the petition. Its nice to know I have those 500 people to back me up.

She hopes most of them show up at City Hall, 215 Sycamore St., at 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 21, to do just that.

Sours will be collecting more signatures and continue researching pit bull statistics and breed-specific ordinances until the meeting and will then present her findings during the public input time on the agenda.

Im trying to do this as publicly as possible, Sours said. And I know that a lot of people have done this petition before and nobodys followed through with it and nobodys taken it in front of city council  they get all of these signatures and then nobody hears anything about it after that. You cant just get a bunch of people to sign a piece of paper and then expect something to change, you have to get the community to stand next to you  show them the solidarity that the community as a whole is going to stand by this.

Mayor Diana Broderson said she doesnt have a stance on either side of the pit bull ban debate. She said this situation is a good opportunity for democracy to work as it is intended.

Each one of these people has the opportunity to contact their particular council member and let them know what their concerns are, Broderson told the Journal.

Broderson, who noted that she does not have a vote on council decisions, said that if the council members dont vote as their constituents want them to then those residents should remember that on election day when their terms are up.

Broderson also pointed out the public input time at the beginning of each meeting, which Sours intends to use.

From there its all on City Halls hands, Sours said.

Elly Phillips, a friend of Sours who has been helping her research the issue, hopes both sides show up.

So we can educate them, Phillips said.

Deed, not the breed

Sours mantra is to blame the deed, not the breed.

You cant blame all of the good dogs for the few, seldom bad eggs you get out there. Its bad owners, not bad dogs, Sours said.

And Sours said their dog Sissy has good owners.

Theyre judging her on her features  by the way she looks and not the way she acts  and was brought up, Sours said.

Hunn said his black labrador has more problems with other dogs than Sissy does.

Shes not an aggressive dog, Hunn said.

Sours and Phillips have gotten a lot of information from the National Canine Research Council, Best Friends Animal Society and caninejournal.com that claim bans dont reduce the number of animal bites or attack incidents and list states that have laws that dont allow cities to ban breeds.

Roger Roth, who ran an unsuccessful bid for mayor in 2013, approached the council on this issue during public input on Jan. 7. He claimed that Muscatine was violating state law because Iowa had legislation that prohibits breed-specific laws. The Journal searched several websites that address the issue but did not find Iowa on those lists.

Ordinance history

The Muscatine City Council enacted the ordinance banning pit bulls Aug. 1, 2003. Pit bulls already residing in the city that were licensed within 30 days were permitted to stay provided the owner carry an insurance policy, according to Title 6, Chapter 9 of the city code.

The city code defines pit bull as Staffordshire terrier breed of dog; the American pit bull terrier breed of dog; the American Staffordshire terrier breed of dog; any dog which has the appearance and characteristics of being predominantly of the breeds of Staffordshire terrier, American pit bull terrier or American Staffordshire terrier.

Unfair

Hunn and Sours said the whole concept of the ordinance is unfair.

This dog has been mine for seven years, Hunn said. Ive taken care of her, I give her her medication, I hold her while she has her seizures, I mean this happens several times a year and I dont want somebody else  its my responsibility, its been that way for a long time now  I dont want somebody else taking care of my dog.

A friend of Hunn gave him Sissy when she was about two years old after they moved to an apartment and couldnt keep her. Hunn later moved to Iowa City for school then returned to Muscatine about four years ago with Sissy.

Nobodys ever said anything for this long, Sours said, who has been with Hunn for more than a year.

She said they knew about the pit bull ban, but felt Sissy was an exception.

If you look at her, shes not a full-bred pit bull, Sours explained. A pit bull is more of a thicker, bigger build with a thicker tail at the base and it goes down to a smaller point; the thicker, pointy ears  the cropped ears  the big block heads and shes got a little bit of those features, but shes not predominately a pit bull.

Sours described Sissy as a terrier mix.

It sickens me that somebody could try to tell somebody to get rid of their dog, Sours said.

Petition

I think its great what shes doing, Hunn said. Weve already had, in a short time, had such positive feedback.

According to the city code, the fine is $300 on the first and subsequent offenses for keeping a pit bull in the city limits. Hunn said he thought the animal control officer indicated Sissy could be taken if they didnt comply.

What do they do with them after they take them? I would hate to see her put down, Hunn said.

Sours started a petition on Change.org. To sign the petition or for more information, go to http://chn.ge/1NclL4o.
MUSCATINE, Iowa  The Iowa Caucuses will be Monday, Feb. 1.

Republicans and Democrats run their caucuses differently.

Republicans

Presidential preference on the Republican side is conducted with a straw vote of those in attendance.

At 7 p.m. Feb. 1, each precinct will be called to order by the temporary chair, an individual appointed by the county party. After a permanent chair and secretary are elected by the body, business can begin, according to the Iowa Republican Party website. Since 2016 is a presidential election year, the first item of business will be to conduct a presidential preference poll. After the results are tabulated and announced, other state and county party business will proceed. This official business includes electing county Republican central committee members, electing delegates, alternate delegates, and junior delegates to the county convention, electing members of standing committees to the county convention (depending on the county) and discussing, submitting, and voting on platform planks to the county convention.

Republican caucus locations in Muscatine County will open at 5:30 p.m. The doors will be closed at 7 p.m. Those wanting to participate or observe must be in line at the registration tables by 7 p.m. Visitors are welcome. Everyone is asked to bring a pen, ballots are provided.

Participants must be at least 18 years old on or before Nov. 8, 2016, a according to Muscatine County Republican Party chairman Fred Grunder.

Democrats

The Democrats use a more complex system in selecting their choice for president.

According to the Iowa Democratic Party website, after signing in, the precinct chair will welcome everyone to caucus night, and explain the caucus rules.

The first item on the agenda will be forming presidential preference groups.

During this time, caucus goers have the ability to stand in support of their preferred candidate, or to declare themselves as uncommitted. This is as simple as walking toward the corner of the room thats been reserved for a particular candidate. If a certain candidate's group is too small to be viable, a threshold set at the beginning of the night, participants will be asked to realign  a process during which they can join another group or acquire people into their own group to become viable.  After all groups are viable (meaning each group has enough members to be eligible to elect at least one delegate to the county convention), the groups will elect its county convention delegates from its members.

Participants must be signed in or in the registration line by 7 p.m.

Caucus locations

Muscatine County Republicans

Muscatine High School

17 precincts: Muscatine 1-10, Bloomington, Fruitland 1, Fruitland /Lake, Fulton/Montpelier, Orono, 76/Cedar and Sweetland

Wilton Community Center

Two precincts: Wilton City and Wilton Township/Moscow

West Liberty High School

Four precincts: West Liberty 1/Wapsie, West Liberty 2, Goshen, Pike

Louisa County Republicans

West Louisa: Columbus Junction Legion Hall

Columbus Junction: Columbus Junction City Hall

Southeast Louisa: Louisa County Courthouse

Grandview-Port Louisa: Letts Community Center

Morning Sun-Marshall: Morning Sun Civic Center

Muscatine County Democrats

City of Muscatine precincts

First: School Administrative Building

Second: West Middle School media center

Third: Washington Elementary School commons

Fourth: Muscatine City Council Chambers

Fifth: Jefferson Elementary School commons

Sixth: School Administrative Building

Seventh: Franklin Elementary School gym

Eighth: Muscatine County Environmental Learning Center

Ninth: Bob Roach little Theater

10th: Madison Elementary School media center

76/Cedar: 76 Township Hall

Bloomington: School Administrative Building

Fruitland 1-City: Fruitland Community Center

Fruitland Two/Lake-Fruitland: Fruitland Community Center

Fulton/Montpelier-City: Stockton City Hall

Goshen-City: Atalissa City Hall

Orono-City: Conesville Community Center

Pike-City: Nichols City Hall

Sweetland: McAvoy Center, Muscatine Community College

Wilton City: Wilton High School media center

West Liberty Two: West Liberty Community Center

West Liberty/Wapsie-West Liberty One C: West Liberty Community Center

Wilton/Moscow-Wilton: Wilton High School media center

Louisa County Democrats

Columbus Junction: Roundy Elementary School

Grandview/Port Louisa: L-M Elementary School

Morning Sun/Marshall: Morning Sun Elementary School

Southeast Louisa: Wapello High School auditorium

West Louisa: Roundy Elementary School
Editor's note: The following was taken, with permission, from the city of Muscatine's blog at muscatineiowa.wordpress.com.

MUSCATINE, Iowa  The city of Muscatine wants to make it even easier for you to find information about what is happening within the departments of the City. We hope that by providing you with information in a variety of different ways, you will be able to stay informed. We highly value your input and participation as we work together for the betterment of our community.

One of our newest communications features is a monthly newsletter. The newsletter is an electronic publication that is delivered to your email inbox. We feature news and highlights so you can stay up-to-date on what is happening in city government. To subscribe, visit http://bit.ly/2357Jxd.

Notify Me

Our website has a great feature called Notify Me that allows you to receive text or email notifications about areas that interest you. Take a look at Notify Me and sign up for notifications. You can get notifications about anything from City Council Agendas to Kent-Stein Field Conditions to Declared Snow Emergency information. This is a wonderful resource! To sign up for Notify Me, visit muscatineiowa.gov/list.aspx.

Community Voice

In the interest of gathering input from community members about what goes on within the city, we are trying out a new website feature. Its called Community Voice. On this section of the website, there is a forum that contains a place for you to submit ideas and then others can add feedback to start a discussion. Join us on Community Voice surrounding the topic of Downtown Muscatine. Lets see what kind of ideas we can bring together! You can find Community Voice at http://bit.ly/1NbRUsR.

You can also always find timely information on our Facebook and Twitter pages.

Emily Lofgren is communications manager for the city of Muscatine.
MUSCATINE, Iowa  A suspect of a vehicle theft is in the hospital after law enforcement shot him.

The incident started a little after 10 p.m. Friday, Jan. 15, when Alberto Jimenez-Diaz, of Muscatine, reported his blue 2008 Hummer was stolen from the Guadalajara Restaurant parking lot at 208 E. Second St., according to a press release from the Muscatine Police Department.

At 10:33 p.m., a Muscatine County Sheriffs Office deputy saw the Hummer on U.S. Highway 61 near University Boulevard.

The deputy, with assistance from a Muscatine Police Department vehicle, conducted a traffic stop in parking lot of the Pearl City Inn/Best Western at 305 Cleveland Ave.

The suspect then tried to drive away, hitting several vehicles parked in the hotel lot including one of the fully marked law enforcement vehicles, according to the press release.

Several shots were fired by law enforcement, the press release. The driver of the vehicle suffered a gunshot wound and was transported initially to Unity Point Hospital then transferred to University of Iowa Hospitals.

A criminal investigation is being conducted by the Muscatine Police Department, the Iowa State Patrol and the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation.

The press release did not name the suspect or the officers involved.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact Lt. Tim Hull of the Muscatine Police Department at 563-263-9922 ext. 608. Callers may remain anonymous.
YEREVAN, JANUARY 16, ARMENPRESS. Opening of 7th Armenian Composing Art Festival dedicated to the 95th anniversary of the famous composer Edward Mirzoyan is launched. State Youth Orchestra of Armenia along with World known violinist Sergey Khachatryan announced the opening of the festival.

Orchestra perfomed Edward Mirzoyans Symphony for String Orchestra and Timpani and Khachatur Martirosyans Awakening creations.Sergey Khachatryan presented Martirosyans Concert-Fantasy violin and orchestra work.

Composer Khachatur Martirosyan informed that the last creations are dedicated to Sergey Khachatryan. I started it just 10 years ago and I always imagined that Khachatryan must perform it. 2 years before when I had finished it, I saw Sergey here and dedicated it to him. It is a creation of 10 years. I attended the rehearsals; I saw how they were prepared. I like their performance. Sergey is our best musician and we have high hopes for him in the future. We wish him big successes, he mentioned.

At the end of the concert the composer appeared on the stage, kissed Srgey Khachatryans forehead and thanked him for the performance of the creation. Armenian audience did not allow Sergey Khachatryan to leave without bis: He also performed works by Bach and the audience listened to him with bated breath. Renowned violinist was greeted and seen off with endless applauses.
Microship is a Defever 49' Pilothouse trawler-style yacht. She has a beam of 15.5', draws 5', and displaces 55,000 lbs. She carries 800 gallons of fuel and 200 gallons of fresh water. At a cruising speed of 7.2 knots, she has a range of about 1,600 miles.
Les emplois a Rennes sont abondants et varies. Il y a quelque chose pour tout le monde. Que vous soyez a la recherche dun emploi []
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 []
YEREVAN, JANUARY 16, ARMENPRESS. The movie star and former governor of California poked a little fun at himself today while in Columbus, Ohio, pretending to take a snooze next to the big bronze statue of his bodybuilder self that lives outside the Greater Columbus Convention Center, Armenpress reports.

"How times have changed," Schwarzenegger captioned a photo on Instagram in which the scruff-sporting star bundled up in a sleeping bag in front of the statue, which was installed permanently in the capital city, sight of the annual Arnold Fitness Festival, in 2014.

The actor is actually in town shooting 478, based on a true story about the aftermath of the July 2002 midair crash of two planes in Germany. Schwarzenegger plays a man whose wife and kids were aboard one of the jets.

Apparently Schwarzenegger had a say in where the movie was shot, because when local news outlets reported that the production was coming to Ohio, officials said the star chose Columbus because of his longtime love for the city.
YEREVAN, JANUARY 16, ARMENPRESS. Relatives of killed Avetisiyans in Gyumri will participate in the court session over the case of Russian soldier Valery Permyakov, accused in the gruesome murder of the Avetisyan family in January 18, in 102nd Russian Military Base. They gathered in the central square of Gyumri on January 16 for announcing about their decision and demands. Advocates of Avetisyans successors emphasized that the sessions will held anyway even without the participation of Avitisyan family and not acting with mediations does not come from the interests of Avetisyans relatives. As Armenpress reports, daughter of Avetisyan family Lusine Avetisyan, giving interview to the media for the first time, mentioned: It is difficult to stay in the same hall with Permyakov but we will participate in the court session as it should not act without our presence and the decisions should not be made without our participation.

Avetisyan family demand normal conditions: Last time a table was not allocated for the advocates. The sitting places were not enough.

The six members of the Avetisyans family were shot and killed in Gyumri at around 6 a.m. on January 12, 2015. The only survivor was 6-month old Seryozha Avetisyan, who was transferred to a hospital with injuries caused by a cutting and piercing tool. The childs health condition became worse on January 19. After fighting for his life and undergoing several difficult surgeries for a week, six-month old Seryozha Avetisyan also died on January 19. There was severe renal insufficiency and cardiac insufficiency, and doctors werent able to save his life. Soldier of the 102nd Russian military base stationed in Gyumri, Valery Permyakov was charged with killing the members of the Avetisyan family and causing numerous injuries to little Seryozha. Russian border guards found him when he was trying to cross the Armenian-Turkish border and handed him over to the commanders of the 102nd Russian military base. Permyakov confessed his guilt. The trial will take place on January 18.
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
Shabnam Khayrulloevna KHUDOYDODOVA was born on 20 December 1986 in the city of Kulyab of the Tajikistan SSR. She is the mother of a daug...
OAKLAND  Authorities say a man who shot and killed his wife inside their San Francisco Bay Area home because she suffered from dementia has been sentenced to three years in prison under a plea deal.

The Oakland Tribune reports Friday that 73-year-old Jerry "JC" Canfield was sentenced to the low term Thursday for voluntary manslaughter in California. He had pleaded no contest to the crime earlier.

Police say in October, 2014, Canfield shot his 72-year-old wife in the head at their home near Oakland. He then placed roses near her body, drove to the police station and confessed. Canfield told police that he wanted to end his wife's suffering.

Authorities say the shooting followed a failed attempt by Canfield to kill his wife with sleeping pills.

Attorneys with the Alameda County Public Defender's Office have declined to comment on the plea deal.
Almost four years after its permanent displays were ignominiously sold to the highest bidders at a bankruptcy auction, Copia has a new artistic centerpiece  a museum telling the history of kitchen tools and equipment.

A museum honoring Charles E. Chuck Williams  the founder of the Williams-Sonoma company that sells kitchenware and home furnishings  will be installed on the second floor of The Culinary Institute of America (CIA) at Copia, located at 500 First St. in downtown Napa.

Among the nearly 4,000 artifacts in the Williams collection are bread baking and culinary tools, specialty cookware, tableware, large and small appliances, and cookbooks. Additional items will be curated for temporary exhibits.

Williams passed away on Dec. 5 after his 100th birthday earlier in the year. Made possible by a gift from the Williams estate, the Chuck Williams Culinary Arts Museum at the CIA at Copia will become a new attraction in the city of Napa for culinarians worldwide, said a CIA news release.

The CIA bought the north part of the Copia property in October, announcing plans to offer a broad array of food experiences and instruction. The Williams museum is expected to open in spring 2017. It will occupy a 7,000- square-foot space that was formerly a temporary art gallery.

We are delighted that this unique and wide-ranging collection will be on permanent display to the community at the CIA at Copia, said CIA President Dr. Tim Ryan.

We are pleased to learn that this personal gift from our founder will establish a museum dedicated to his lifes work, said Janet Hayes, president of Williams-Sonoma.

Students, culinary historians, researchers, and the general public will be able to use the Chuck Williams Culinary Arts Museum to advance their knowledge of the history of kitchen tools and equipment and their appreciation for food and cooking, explained Wade Bentson, director of the Williams estate and museum curator.

The museum will be designed as a very exciting visual display of culinary articles that will not only amuse and entertain but will show many different ways food was prepared throughout the centuries, said Bentson.

The story behind the collection began in 1952, when Williams took a three-month trip to Europe and Scandinavia with friends and saw what international cooks were using in their home kitchens.

In 1956, Williams opened his first cookware store in Sonoma, which moved to San Francisco in 1958 at the urging of friends. Many of those items would become American kitchen classics, such as enameled cast-iron pots, Mauviel Copper Cookware, Apilco and Pillivuyt porcelains, tart tins, kugelhopfs, crepe pans, the Cuisinart food processor and balsamic vinegar.

Williams returned to Europe numerous times, scouring shops, restaurants, and factories for high-quality cookware and specialty foods he could introduce to cooks in the United States. When the crates arrived it was like Christmas, recalled Bentson, who was Williams first employee.

Displays of the artifacts that belonged to Williams will include all kinds of wonderful things, said Bentson.

The collection represents a rich heritage of the culinary arts from around the world and includes treasures from the 18th and 19th centuriesa batterie de cuisine of copper cookware from 1890s France; ceramic and metal pudding, chocolate, and ice cream molds; and European and early American baking and pastry equipment from the early 1900s.

Bentson has a few favorites, including some really beautiful duck presses that are quite amazing visually, as well as some beautiful 18th century 19th century baking tureens, he said.

He also mentioned dozens and dozens of chocolate molds in shapes such as rabbits, Santa, turkeys and many others. Theres one large one in the shape of a teddy bear, which is quite fantastic, plus a series of incredible molds for ice cream.

The displays will be on par with those featured in Smithsonian museums, Bentson said.

In recognition of his contribution to the culinary arts, Williams was inducted into the Culinary Institute of Americas Hall of Fame in 2002. Through the years, he has helped launch the careers of many young culinarians through CIA scholarships. He also created the Williams Center for Flavor Discovery at the colleges Greystone campus in St. Helena.

Copia opened in 2001 with philanthropic contributions to the project totaling about $50 million. In addition to the contributions of the Robert Mondavi family and others, Copia borrowed about $78 million, financed by bonds. A lack of visitors hampered growth plans, and by 2008, Copia abruptly closed. Later, it filed for bankruptcy.
Kelly has written a book: "My Life as a Street Painter in Florence, Italy" (over 350 images!)

by clicking on the links above.(You may also read some of the inside pages on this site.)



Above: Cover for book:

"My Life as a Street Painter in Florence, Italy"

by Kelly Borsheim



Order the book today

from the artist. (Click on image above.)

Also Available on Amazons in Europe ... UK and Italy, for example.

Thank you for your support.
The Gold Rush lives in the American imagination as an time of mass migration and the start of the Golden State, but the full story isnt always told.

On Wednesday, the Napa County Library will host a lecture, When Two Worlds Collide: Napa Valleys First People and the California Gold Rush, that talks about the experiences of Native Americans and other minorities during that turbulent time.

Today, Californians take great pride in our Gold Rush history, its significant role in shaping the state, its history and character. It defines who we are and our spirit, said Patricia Alexander, a presenter who is a historian and author.

However, most Californians are unaware of the Gold Rushs impact on a generally forgotten segment of Californias population in the mid-1800s. They were the Native Americans, women, Chinese, African-Americans and all other minorities, Alexander said.

Her co-presenter, April Farnham, a historian who works at the Napa County Library, said, In history books and textbooks the Gold Rush experiences of minorities are usually glossed over and generally clumped together. However their experiences provided a different perspective and reality of Californias Gold Rusha truer story.

Farnham said many California Native Americans were forced off of their ancestral lands. Deprived of their traditional way of life, they were forced to live a meager existence.

They are not spokeswomen for the Native American nations, but Alexander and Farnham have a zeal and compassion for the history and culture of these people. While working with the Napa Valley Museum history trunk program, both women noticed an overwhelming interest in the Wappo (Native American) trunk by both children and adults, said Farnham.

Wednesdays program will include plenty of eye-candyartifacts and photographsfor the audience to enjoy, Alexander said.

Local Native American baskets, as well as other artifacts including a gold scale, will be on loan that evening from the Napa Valley Museum. Also, rare daguerreotype-type photographs on loan from the Grace Hudson Museum in Ukiah will be on display.
An empty Napa landmark  one of downtowns last links to the 19th century  may become home to a restaurant, brewery and bar before the year is out.

The development team seeking to buy the Borreo Building from the city took a large step toward that goal Thursday night, when the Cultural Heritage Commission gave its support to a remodeling of the 139-year-old structure at Third Street and Soscol Avenue.

Kevin Teague, a Napa attorney and member of West Pueblo Partners, said the group plans to start work within two months to redevelop the 9,600-square-foot building, vacant since 2001, into a brewery and pub. With a favorable construction schedule, the new eatery may be ready by late December, Teague said.

The citys support of the restaurant leaves it poised to see the Borreo Building finally occupied after a decade and a half of attempts to find a new purpose for the landmark.

An earlier plan to convert the site into new offices for the Land Trust of Napa County fell through in 2013 after a year of negotiations, and West Pueblo Partners  which includes Teague, members of the Holcomb developer family, and John Nichols of St. Helena  stepped in with a $1.9 million offer, nearly double that of the aborted Land Trust sale. (Napa later approved a $200,000 discount for damage caused by the 2014 earthquake.)

While everyone was disappointed to have to wait and go around again, it was worth the effort, said Commissioner Deborah MacDonald.

The vote by the heritage commission granted the project a certificate of appropriateness, which affirms the remodeling would preserve the Borreo Buildings historic value. After approvals from the Planning Commission Jan. 21 and the City Council afterward, West Pueblo Partners would be free to buy the property and start construction.

Named for the Borreo family that formerly owned the historic stone structure, the building, an Italianate Renaissance design made from native-cut stone, was completed in 1877.

Plans filed by West Pueblo Partners include cleaning and repairing the stonework, replacing and repairing windows and doors to their historic designs, and a redesigned drop-off area for guests.

But the key transformation will be a set of six aluminum-and-glass overhead doors  three on each floor  that will be cut into the Borreo Buildings western wall, opening a bare expanse of brick toward a patio that will be built facing the Napa River.

Originally hidden by adjoining buildings that have since been torn down, the west wall has been a barrier separating the Borreo Building from views of the water and downtown, and the move to turn a barrier into a gateway won the favor of commissioners.

The west side was never intended to be exposed; it was up against another building, said Commissioner Sarah Van Giesen. Im all for the new openings; its a fabulous idea for the west face to be enlivened by the city, by the river.

I think this (plan) is better than what was proposed before. This is saying its a historic property, but in a new, fresh way.

Details about the Borreo Buildings unnamed eatery remain scarce, although a letter accompanying West Pueblo Partners' application in October promised the city honest, world-inspired cuisine featuring local organic fare, craft brews and more.

Editor's Note: This story has been modified to reflect the fact that the operator of the proposed brewery and pub at the Borreo Building has yet to be formally announced.
A 31-year-old Arizona man was arrested for his possible relationship with a 17-year old student in American Canyon on Thursday.

The man, identified as Michael Jackson, and the female student were supposedly caught making out in the bleachers at American Canyon High School by a campus supervisor, according to American Canyon Police.

Jackson was contacted on school grounds by officers at about 12:30 p.m. Thursday.

Jackson and the student admitted to starting an online relationship years ago, which included exchanging nude photos and videos with each other, police said. Police said that Jackson drove from Arizona to meet the girl in American Canyon.

He was arrested on suspicion of misdemeanor annoying or molesting a child and felony distributing lewd material to a minor and was booked at the Napa County jail.

Police did not immediately have a middle name or specific address to further identify the man.
Napa Valleys lodging industry is enjoying double-digit growth in revenues, beating other parts of the Bay Area.

According to new data from Visit Napa Valley, area hotels reported a 14.8 percent increase in revenue for the 12 months ending in November. Revenue per available room was up 11.8 percent.

The lodging data was presented at Visit Napa Valleys mid-year sales and marketing conference Friday afternoon at the Meritage Resort & Spa.

The conference updated visitor-serving businesses on tourism trends, progress in marketing the Napa Valley as a destination and shared key information about future programs.

Napa Countys revenue numbers are outstanding, said Thomas Callahan, senior managing director of CBRE Hotels in San Francisco. Those are extremely good results.

In the San Francisco area, revenue per available room was up less than 10 percent, he said. Napa beat San Francisco and almost doubled the national average of 6 percent.

Napa Valley benefits from its proximity to the rest of the Bay Area, which is one the strongest lodging markets in the U.S., noted Callahan.

There are more folks with influence doing well in the greater Bay Area, he said. They have more of an affinity to do weekend getaways in Napa.

In addition, there has been no appreciable new hotel room supply in most parts of the Bay Area, officials said.

Clay Gregory, Visit Napa Valley president and CEO, said the glowing hotel numbers come after some recent stellar results.

We keep going against better numbers from the past year so at some point youd think we couldnt keep growing at this rate but it certainly is not showing that this year, he said.

At Fridays conference, Visit Napa Valley also launched a new program called Tourism Matters. The goal of the program is to educate and inform government officials, community leaders and residents of the value that tourism brings to the economy and lifestyle of the Napa Valley.

There are pockets of citizens who dont understand what tourism contributes to the local economy, said Gregory.

The increase of tourism and marketing dollars has a spillover effect to everyone that lives here, said David Shipman, the general manager of the new Las Alcobas property, opening this summer on the old Grandview property in St.Helena.

I think that gets overshadowed often. I believe peoples lifestyles in the valley (are) better than 20 years ago. A fair amount of that is a byproduct of the tourism growth weve had.

Visit Napa Valley receives funding via the Tourism Business Improvement District or TBID. The TBID added a 2 percent assessment to hotel room rates for county wide marketing efforts.

Its fiscal year 2016 budget is $6.4 million. For the fiscal year 2015, which ended in June 2015, the budget was $5.8 million.

While the lodging revenue news is good, that doesnt mean the agency isnt prepared for a rainy day. Visit Napa Valley is adding to its reserves in case the economy falters, both nationally or internationally, or the area faces another natural disaster like the August 2014 earthquake.

Its hard to predict revenue for 2016, said Callahan. Will there be slower economic growth? Will China weigh down aspects of the economy?

As long as we dont go into recession, it should be another good year, he said.

As for occupancy rates, which reached 71 percent for the 12 months ending in November, Callahan said that number will hold steady.

I dont think youll get much growth in occupancy, he said, and 71 percent is about as good as it gets.
For several years now, I have been suggesting that people read the worlds holy books to understand the religious values underlying most of the worlds people. One of my premises for encouraging the really very modest reading is that one cannot praise or criticize a religion without understanding its underlying tenets.

Millions of people who claim to be Christians have not read the Bible, and millions of people who claim to be Muslims have not read the Quran. Even more millions will condemn a religion without understanding it or their own.

Sixth Century B.C. Chinese military theorist Sun Zi put the problem something like this: Knowing the other side and knowing yourself, in 100 battles you wont be defeated. Not knowing the other side but knowing yourself, youll win one battle and lose another. Not knowing the other side and not knowing yourself, in each battle youll be in danger.

A thoughtful person reading, say, the New Testament and the Quran, would quickly be able distinguish between the fundamentalists of each religion and the larger body of its adherents. Taking nothing for granted, it should be clear that from fundamentalists  given the right circumstances  radicals are born. It would also become quickly apparent which book poses the greatest security threat in that regard. Of course, the challenge of any religion is to overcome the fundamentalist tendencies driven by bigotry, hatred and, ultimately, ignorance.

We have the daily television hype regarding radical Islam, especially after the Dec. 2, 2015, melee in San Bernardino, and just last week, Jan. 8, 2016, we saw video of the shooting of a Philadelphia police officer in the name of that religion. Register readers may now be reassessing their thoughts not only about the nature of Islam but also about presidential candidate Donald J. Trumps pledge to control immigration, something that is sorely necessary.

Among the folks who get little media attention are the legal immigrants who also believe that the United States must curtail immigration or risk devolution into the types of countries from which so many people wish to escape. Ive had this conversation with many immigrants over the last eight years, but just last week again with a friend who has for many years been teaching finance and statistics at a prestigious American university.

Given the huge amount of media attention to Mr. Trumps pledge to build a wall between the United States and Mexico and to radical Islamic terrorism, it is especially striking that no one has yet pointed to the Quranic precedent for a wall. We find it in Sura 18, The Cave. Here is an English rendition of verses 93-98 from the long-popular translation (and revision after Sept. 11, 2001) of the Quran by N.J. Dawood:

Dhul-Qarnayn, they said, Gog and Magog are ravaging this land. Build a rampart between us and we will pay you tribute.

He replied, The power my Lord has given me is better than any tribute. Lend me a force of men, and I will raise a rampart between you and them. Come, bring me blocks of iron.

He dammed up the valley between the Two Mountain, and said, Ply your bellows. And when the iron blocks were red with heat, he said, Bring me molten brass to pour on them.

Gog and Magog could not scale it, nor could they dig their way through it.

The passage is consistent with the three other editions of the Quran I use in my own reading and others found on the interwebs. Dhul-Qarnayn refers to Alexander the Great.

In the Quranic example, the wall is offered not only as a necessity, but also a success.

Coia is a freelance journalist, editor and educator based in Arlington, Virginia.
Do those painted wine barrel staves along Spring Mountain Road depict the Golden Gate Bridge or a spiral of piano keys?

When it comes to RLS Middle Schools latest art project, it all depends on how you look at it.

Lenticular art, referring to a lens that produces images with the illusion of depth, is the technical term for the creatively painted staves displayed on the chain-link fence along Spring Mountain Road and Hillview Place.

Eighth-graders, led by art teacher Kendra Kelperis, worked together to produce art pieces that show one picture when looked at from one side, and a different picture when seen from the opposite angle. When you view the art head-on, you see interlaced slices of both images.

Students worked in pairs, with each student painting a picture on a canvas of 12 wine staves laid side by side. Then the staves containing the two pictures were combined, making a total of 24 staves. Finally the staves were angled so that one of the two images would be visible when viewed from either side. (Kelperis husband Jason, a math teacher, calculated the proper angles.)

The project emphasizes the design principle of contrast, so Kelperis encouraged partners to design images that differ in color and subject matter, but also complement each other in some way. For example, one pair of students combined the Golden Gate Bridge with piano keys because they associate San Francisco with concerts and music.

Other combinations included birds and flowers, a vineyard and a rainbow, a dragon and a knight, and a pair of images inspired by Japanese art.

More than 1,000 staves were donated by Trinchero Family Estates. Kelperis thanked Trincheros Tony Torres and Suzanne Berkley for arranging the donation.

About 400 of the staves were used for a separate team-building project thats also on display at RLS. Students painted their own staves and printed their names with carefully selected and researched fonts. When viewed together, the staves produce a rainbow-like effect, with each stave reflecting a students personality.

I wanted the project to say, This is what our student body looks like. This is how unique we are, Kelperis said.
Three American soldiers are on their way to receiving the honors they missed out on when they died 29 years ago.

The three men died in 1987 while living in or near Napa County, but their cremains were never recovered by family or next-of-kin. Instead they were stored, for many years at Tulocay Cemetery, awaiting their proper burial.

Fast-forward to last August.

Craig Hall, 69, an Army veteran, was appointed as the countys first veterans remains officer by the Napa County Board of Supervisors. Since then, Hall has been working without pay to find, identify and inter the unclaimed cremated remains of American veterans.

As a result of his efforts, along with help from the Napa County Sheriffs Office and the Missing in America Project (MIAP), Hall has identified three soldiers.

On Wednesday, their remains, each in a box wrapped in a tiny American flag, were transported by the Napa County Sheriffs Honor Guard in a short procession of vehicles, lights flashing in the fast lane, to the Sacramento Valley National Cemetery in Dixon, where they will be buried with proper military honors.

The veterans were identified as Waightsel J. Lumpkin, Keith E. Sipma and Quenton Oren Nickell.

Lumpkin, 64 at the time of his death, enlisted in the Army in San Francisco in 1942 when he was 20 years old. He served in the Army between Oct. 29, 1942 and Dec. 30, 1945. He was discharged after World War II had ended. According to records, Lumpkin was born in Louisiana, but last resided in Solano County.

Keith E. Sipma, 71, enlisted in the Army, also in San Francisco, in 1941 when he was 25. Assigned to the Panama Canal Department, he served from Feb. 26, 1943 until March 31, 1945, according to records. He is listed as being born in North Dakota and last resided in Napa County.

The youngest of the three, Quenton Oren Nickell, was 36 at his time of death. Nickell served in the Army during the Vietnam War between Oct. 15, 1971 and Oct. 9, 1973. He was born in Oklahoma and died in Napa.

More information about these three veterans is not known. Hall said that they had no known family in the area.

The procession was greeted at the cemetery with military guards who stood at attention and motorcyclists who are members of the Patriot Guard Riders, Hall reported. Double rainbows colored the Dixon sky, he said.

At the national cemetery, they will receive a full memorial service, along with other veterans with no known next of kin, on April 13.

During the ceremony, individual names will be read, followed by rifle volleys, the playing of Taps and a flag presentation to a veteran in attendance.

Similar memorial services are conducted quarterly at the cemetery.

Hall said that there are an estimated 70,000 veterans who have not been properly buried in the U.S.

A lot of these veterans may have been very poor at the end of their lives and somehow slipped through the cracks, he said.

Hall, who is retired from a career in sales and marketing, is committed to the cause. He said he will not stop his research until all of the deceased veterans in Napa County have been properly honored, he said.

The process is not simple and takes a lot of time, but Halls interest in genealogy helps, he said.

To find these three men, Hall went through dozens of names of people whose cremains were in a community crypt at Tulocay. There are plenty more names to go through around the county, he said.

Once Hall identifies possible veteran cremains, he then has to get confirmation, go through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs so they can be assigned a VA number and acquire burial permits.

He plans to use this process to find spouses of veterans who are also entitled to burials, he said.

The volunteer position of veterans remains officer is a blessing, he said. It does my heart good.

Although its been more than 40 years since he returned from serving in Vietnam with the Army, Hall said that learning about these veterans and helping make sure they are given proper honors has really had an impact on him.

Its affected me in a very deeply and personal way, he said. It makes me feel good to know that these people who have been held in anonymity will now be transferred to a national cemetery and get full military honors.

Debbie B. Sousa at Tulocay has witnessed the time and effort that Hall has put into finding the veterans. Sousa, whose husband was in the Air Force, said that seeing the veterans get the honor they deserve means a lot.

Its important that they have a proper burial and arent forgotten, she said.

Hall explained that, going forward, Napa County now has a process to ensure that veterans who pass on will be able to have an immediate and proper burial, even when they have no family.
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.
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OSCE sends mission to Armenia to assess situation on Armenian-Azerbaijani border

Jeff Bezos warns that U.S. economy may face recession

Kiev says nearly 40% of Ukraine's energy infrastructure has been damaged

Raisi: Iran will use all its capabilities and potential to end war in Ukraine

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Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandians official visit to Bulgaria kicked off on Friday.

First, he was received by President Rosen Plevneliev.

The Bulgarian President noted that the Armenian and Bulgarian peoples share a historical friendship, and that Sofia is interested in the further development of bilateral cooperation.

Plevneliev stressed that Bulgaria is proud of its Armenian children, who have had a major contribution to the prosperity of the country.

Nalbandian, for his part, conveyed to Plevneliev the greetings and best wishes by Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan.

At the ensuing talk, the interlocutors stressed the bilateral readiness to give new impetus to Armenian-Bulgarian relations.

President Plevneliev and FM Nalbandian exchanged views on several regional and international matters, including the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. In this context, the Bulgarian president expressed a conviction that there is solely a pacific resolution to this conflict.

Subsequently, Edward Nalbandian met with Chairwoman Tsetska Tsacheva of the National Assembly (NA) of Bulgaria.

The Armenian FM thanked the Bulgarian parliament for the statement it had adopted in 2015, and on the occasion of the Armenian Genocide Centennial.

At the ensuing talk, they underscored the role of parliamentary diplomacy in the development of interstate relations.

Tsacheva expressed a conviction that the broadening of cooperation between the parliaments of the two countries will help make Bulgaria-Armenia relations grow deeper.

The Armenian FM, in turn, highlighted the respective activities of parliamentary friendship groups.

Also, Nalbandian briefed the Bulgarian parliament speaker on the ongoing efforts by Armenia and the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs to achieve a peaceful resolution to the Karabakh conflict.

On the same day, Armenian and Bulgarian FMs Edward Nalbandian and Daniel Mitov held talks.

Mitov noted that Armenia-Bulgaria relations are centuries-old.

Nalbandian, for his part, stressed that Armenia attaches great importance to its close historical ties with Bulgaria.

The FMs shared the view that new impetus is needed to the political discourse and additional efforts are needed to further deepen cooperation between the two countries.

The interlocutors reflected on numerous matters that are on their bilateral agenda, and exchanged views on urgent regional and international issues.

They discussed Armenia-European Union (EU) relations, too. In this context, FM Mitov reaffirmed Bulgarias support to the development of Armenias cooperation with EU.

In addition, Edward Nalbandian presented to Daniel Mitov the latest developments regarding the Nagorno-Karabakh peace talks.

Also, the Armenian FM invited his Bulgarian colleague to Armenia.

Subsequently, the two FMs held a joint news conference.

In addition, the Bulgarian FM gave an official dinner in honor of his Armenian counterpart.

Separately, Edward Nalbandian met with members of the Bulgaria-Armenia Parliamentary Friendship Group of the Bulgarian NA. The Armenian FM highly appreciated the activities of the members of this group.

And on Friday evening, Edward Nalbandian got together with representatives of the Bulgarian Armenian organizations and associations.
Relatives of the murdered Avetisyan family of Gyumri city in Armenias Shirak Province demand that the court hearings of the case into this murder be held in normal conditions.

They assembled at the central square of the city on Saturday, and with this very demand.

We decided to attend the court sessions regardless of where they are taking place, the slain familys relative, Rita Petrosyan, told reporters. [But] let them ensure normal conditions for us.

Representatives of the victims legal successors have joined the respective demonstration at the square.

The police are patrolling the area.

After the first hearing that was held at the small hall of the 102nd Russian Military Base in the city, the attorneys had said the hall conditions were inhuman.

This hall has a very limited space for the victims legal successors, several relatives, and members of the media to attend the court session.

The Court of General Jurisdiction of Shirak Province informed that the second hearing, which is slated for January 18, again will be held in the small hall of the military base.

Six members of the Avetisyan familyincluding a two-year-old girlwere shot dead, and a six-month-old babySeryozha Avetisyanwas wounded in their house in Gyumri on January 12, 2015; but the baby boy died in hospital one week later.

Valery Permyakov, a serviceman of the 102nd Russian Military Base in the city, is charged with these murders.

Armenia and Russia instituted criminal cases on charges of murder and military desertion, respectively.

On August 12, the Russian court sentenced Permyakov to ten years in prison.

And on October 16, Armenia formally brought criminal charges against the Russian soldier.

The respective trial began on December 18 of the year past.
My journey was also quite a nightmare. It was on a very small coastal boat, the Jason II, and the captain was mixed-race and the rest of the crew all locals. There were two cabins, one for the captain and I was given the other one.

The seas were very rough and on the night we eventually took off for Kavieng a large coastal ship went down along the southern coast of PNG. Unfortunately the expatriate captain was lost at sea but some local sailors rescued his young son who was travelling with him.

I had to spend about a week waiting at Malaguna because the Rabaul area was experiencing strong squalls, which were like mini-cyclones.

After my annual holiday in Sydney, I returned to Keravat and packed my belongings into 24 cardboard boxes, plus my piano in its wooden box. Then it was off to Rabaul.

IN 1981, after seven years at Keravat National High School, I decided to move on to Manggai United Church High School in New Ireland, and was appointed their new headmistress for 1982.

There were a number of students sitting around the deck and I allowed some to ride out the journey sitting in the front seat of my utility, which was strapped to the small deck at the back of the boat. The back of the utility was filled up with more of my possessions.

My cabin was full of huge cartons of cigarettes so it was evidently considered to be a dry place.

My basset-hound dog, Copra, accompanied me. We both crawled across the top of the cigarettes to the bunk and lay down together.

The seas got rougher and rougher and I sucked glucose barley sugars non-stop, while Copra was seasick. I had to use up my towels mopping up Copras mess.

It was becoming a bit of an endurance test when suddenly, in the middle of the night, in the middle of the Bismarck Sea, they stopped the engine.

I heard the captain screaming out abuse to the crew for leaving some hatch open. Naturally, when you hear a captain screaming out in a terrified way, you start to worry.

Now we had to turn off the engine and pump out the bilges. The ship started heaving precariously and my stomach also started heaving and I finally lent over the heaving rail of the ship and was seasick myself.

But at last the water was pumped out of the bilges and we could start the engine again and continue on our journey. I guess I spent most of my time lying on our bunk (Copras and mine) and praying that we would make it through the night.

I must have finally dosed off and woke to find that we had made it over to New Ireland and were now in calm waters and travelling along the west coast of New Ireland.

I went up to the wheelhouse and the crew set up an armchair for me on the small deck outside the wheelhouse and Copra and I had a grand ride up the narrow Albatross Channel, between Binigen Island and the main island, and on through protected waters to Kavieng Harbour.

I was a bit amazed at the way everyone behaved as though nothing bad had happened during the night.

At the wharf in Kavieng, Trevor Marshall, the Manggai handyman, was waiting for me with the Manggai High School truck. I drove my utility off the ship and we waited while the men unloaded my 24 boxes and my piano and then loaded them onto the Manggai truck. Then it was off down the Buluminsky Highway to Manggai.

Thank you, God.
CSUF alumna Kathleen Switzer, left, a 2015 Orange County Teacher of the Year and California Teacher of the Year finalist, will give the keynote at the Jan. 30 arts education conference. Claire C. Cavallaro, dean of the College of Education, also will address attendees, expected to include preK-12 teachers, and CSUF students and faculty. The event is open to the public.

What:

Building Inclusive Practices In and Through Arts Education is the theme of a

Jan. 30 conference presented by the College of Education to promote the arts in preK-12 curriculum. The second annual conference, sponsored by CSUFs SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union Center for Creativity and Critical Thinking, is open to the public.

When:

Saturday, Jan. 30, 2016

8 a.m.3 p.m.

Where:

Cal State Fullerton, Titan Student Union, Portola Pavilion

800 N. State College Blvd., Fullerton, 92831

Program Highlights:

8:45 a.m.  Keynote address by CSUF alumna Kathleen Switzer, 97, 99 (B.A. theatre arts, single subject credential-English). Switzer, a teacher at El Dorado High School in Placentia, will discuss inclusion through arts education, based on her classroom experiences.

9:30 a.m.  CSUF alumna Samantha Rickrode 14, 12 (M.S. in education-elementary curriculum and instruction, multiple subject credential), will present a workshop on Visual Art Integration to Foster Language and Literacy Development.

Most educators state that art takes up too much time, is too expensive or they need to be an arts expert. My topic discusses types of strategies that can be integrated into the mainstream content standards, said Rickrode, who has taught kindergarten. The strategies are inexpensive, and can be taught by all general education teachers. The strategies are used as a tool to foster primary students language and literacy development.

Workshop sessions will be held on other topics such as Common Core State Standards and the arts, STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics) and arts and civic engagement.

Cost:

$25 for individuals and $15 for students

Registration:

Regsitration is now closed.

Partners:

Department of Elementary and Bilingual Education, Club TEACH and Segerstrom Center for the Arts

More Info:

Visit the conference website.

Media Contacts:

Sharon Chappell, College of Education, 657-278-8493

Debra Cano Ramos, 657-278-4027
KEITH JACKSON

PAPUA New Guinea is putting its surf management plan into operation. The good news is that it works, reports the Surfer Today website.

PNG has developed a rulebook to minimise the impact of surf tourism on the fragile ecosystem, on local communities and on the quality of the surfing experience.

"PNG is a land of contrasts, transparent blue waters, ancient traditions, and multiple isolated islands," reports Surfer Today, adding that it's important to keep it alive, healthy, and natural. Couldn't agree more
Last week, New York state's much-anticipated medical marijuana market opened for the first time, allowing the legal sale of marijuana in medicine form, including capsules, vaporizers and liquids. So far, the market is pretty small, with only 71 patients signing up for the necessary permits as of Friday, according to the state Department of Health.

We're hoping that market expands in size, because if it does, local medical marijuana producer Vireo Health of New York may be able to expand employment at its plant in the Tryon Technology Park, which currently employs about 24 people.

New York state's medical marijuana market is highly regulated. Each of the five companies granted licenses to produce the drugs can only distribute them to customers from dispensaries in specific places.

Vireo Health controls dispensaries in Queens, Albany, Broome and Westchester counties. This system isn't very competitive and will probably slow the growth of the market for medical marijuana. New York state is working with Vireo and the other medical marijuana manufacturers to help set up regulations to allow home delivery of medical marijuana. We support that effort because it should help expand the market and hopefully spur more employment at Vireo as well as help get needed drugs to people who can't easily travel to Albany to get them.

New York state has set up a highly regulated, probably too regulated, medical marijuana market. If the state's regulations help a company like Vireo grow and expand its workforce, they are good for our area, but in areas like home delivery, the state should open up regulations and give Vireo a chance to grow and hopefully hire more workers.

 The Leader-Herald, Gloversville

TransCanada took Uncle Sam to court last week to reclaim some of the damage done by the Obama Administration's multiyear, drawn-out rejection of the Keystone XL pipeline. It may not come up in the litigation, but someone should point out that the same Obama Administration that rejected Keystone seems to have no problem supporting a new oil pipeline project in Africa.

That was the story last week out of Kenya, where U.S. Ambassador Robert Godec told Kenya's energy minister that Washington would help Nairobi raise $18 billion to finance its PowerAfrika project. The pipeline would stretch from Kenya's Rift Valley to Lamu on the coast. "Kenya needs $18 billion worth of financing," Mr. Godec said, according to a dispatch in Oilprice.com, "so one of the questions we are discussing is how we can work together with the private sector and governments to raise that sum, to find ways to make certain that this financing becomes available."

Meanwhile, TransCanada said it is bringing an international arbitration case against the U.S. for not treating the Canadian company the way it would an American company, as it is obliged to do under the North American Free Trade Agreement. The company said it would seek to recover some $15 billion in costs and damages, and don't be surprised if the case succeeds given the extraordinary regulatory barriers the U.S. imposed on the investment. Though multiple reviews showed no environmental harm, President Obama rejected the pipeline on arbitrary political grounds. TransCanada also filed a suit in U.S. federal court claiming that Mr. Obama's decision to block Keystone exceeded his constitutional authority.

These cases are worth watching, especially by those who still want the U.S. to welcome foreign investment. Meanwhile, U.S. taxpayers will want to keep an eye out to see if their dollars are used to finance the Kenya project.

 The Wall Street Journal
The two countries turned hostile towards each other after the Saudi Arabian authorities executed a prominent Shia cleric, reports The Express Tribune.

Federal Information Minister Pervaiz Rashid informed that Sharif would visit Riyadh on Monday and meet with King Salman.

On Tuesday the premier will meet with Iran's President Hassan Rouhani in Tehran.

Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif will accompany him .

Meanwhile, Sharif has extended support to Riyadh's initiative to form coalition of Islamic states against terror.(ANI)
We took off for Seattle last weekend for a book tour: checking on bookstores which might be interested in selling my book. It was hard work...
AAUW, in its ongoing efforts to provide timely and relevant information on election year issues, will feature Tom Collins, executive director of Arizona Clean Elections, as their guest speaker at their Wednesday, Jan. 27 meeting. The meeting will take place in the Flagstaff City Hall conference room from noon to 2 p.m. Lunch will be brown bag. The public is invited to participate.

Clean elections are defined as a particular system of government financing of political campaigns in which the government provides a grant to candidates who agree to limit their private fundraising effort and campaign spending. The term is also known as Clean Money, Voter-Owned Elections or Fair Elections.

The Citizens Clean Elections Act was passed in 1998, but since then has been under attack by many incumbents through the use of undisclosed donors funds or "dark money."

Collins will take the mystery out of understanding Clean Elections, and explain why it plays a vital role in de-politicizing the drawing of legislative district lines.
The top civilian and military leaders would pay a day-long visit on Monday to meet Saudi King Salman and will discuss with him the latest situation in the Middle East and the kingdom's relations with Iran, Dawn reported.

The next stopover will be in Tehran where meetings will be held with the top Iranian leadership aimed at defusing tension with its arch rival Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Arabia cut ties with Iran, a few days days after Iranian demonstrators stormed the Saudi embassy in Tehran in protest at Riyadh's execution of prominent cleric Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr.

Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and some other states broke off ties with Iran over the attack. The UAE downgraded relations while some others recalled their envoys in protest.

The Iranian government quickly distanced itself from the attack, saying the protesters entered the Saudi embassy despite widespread efforts by the police to stop them.

--Indo-Asian News Service ahm/vm

( 201 Words)

2016-01-16-19:37:36 (IANS)
Around 20 people have been killed and 15 injured so far.

According to CNN, security forces have managed to bring out eight hostages from the hotel but uncertainty remains as to the number of hostages still inside.

On Friday night, armed gunmen stormed the hotel, took hostages and exchanged fire with security forces killing several.

Meanwhile, sporadic gunfire can be heard from the hotel while several bodies have been seen outside the 'Splendid Hotel'.

Burkinabe security forces circled the hotel and were joined by a group of plainclothes Americans carrying weapons and French soldiers, a journalist at the scene told CNN.

Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, led by veteran figure Mokhtar Belmokhtar claimed responsibility for the attack.

Al-Mourabitoun had claimed credit for an attack at the Radisson Blu Hotel in neighboring Mali in late November that left 22 people dead, according to the U.N. mission in Mali. (ANI)
Despite the cold weather, tens of thousands of devotees visited gurdwaras across north India on Saturday morning to offer prayers on the occasion of the 349th birth anniversary of the 10th Sikh guru Gobind Singh. Hundreds of devotees thronged the holiest of Sikh shrine 'Harmandar Sahib', popularly known as Golden Temple, in Amritsar and the Takht Keshgarh Sahib at Anandpur Sahib, the second most important Sikh shrine where the guru spent a number of years and founded the 'Khalsa Panth' in 1699, to offer prayers. Devotees could be seen visiting other gurdwaras across Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh to offer prayers despite the cold weather. The maximum temperatures ranged from 10 to 16 degrees in the region on Friday. "This is an important year. Next year will mark the 350th birth anniversary of Guru Gobind Singh. This whole year will mark celebrations of the 10 master," Gurbaksh Singh, a devotee visiting the Anandpur Sahib shrine, 80 km from here, said. The Punjab government is already working on plans to celebrate the 350th birth anniversary of the guru in January 2017 in a big way. The main celebrations next year will be in Bihar's capital Patna, the birth place of Guru Gobind Singh. Special celebrations will be held in Anandpur Sahib and Harmandar Sahib. "The Punjab cabinet has accorded the approval for constitution of a foundation for celebration of 350th Parkash Utsav of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji from 4th to 6th January, 2017," a Punjab government spokesman said here on Saturday. "Memorable festivities will continue throughout the year during which seminars will be conducted on history and philosophy of Sri Guru Sahib. The meaningfulness of dissemination of Guru Sahib's ideology has increased during the present era of rising communalism and social partitions," the spokesman said. It was at Anandpur Sahib on April 13, 1699, that the 10th Sikh master Guru Gobind Singh baptized the first five Sikhs (Panj Piaras - the chosen and loved ones of the guru) and founded the Khalsa. The Takht Keshgarh Sahib gurdwara is known as the birthplace of the 'Khalsa' (pure) - the modern-day Sikh religion. Guru Gobind Singh had declared that Guru Granth Sahib, the holy book of Sikhs, will be the eternal guru and no person will be appointed guru after him. --Indo-Asian News Service js/sd ( 394 Words) 2016-01-16-10:49:35 (IANS)
A ground breaking technology from the University of Hong Kong (HKU) may provide a solution to the problem of droughts and dry spells which are likely to become harsher with global warming.The work was published in the journal Plant Cell and Environment.Global warming increases the amount of moisture that evaporates from land and water, leading to drought in most parts of the world and in drier regions. As global temperature rises, the land mass affected by drought is expected to increase, with potentially devastating consequences for agriculture.In recent years, scientists have been researching on how to improve drought resistance in plants, so as to enhance growth and productivity of crops in dry weather conditions.The new technology, developed by HKU, which can provide drought resistance to plants, has just been licensed to an internationally recognised agricultural company specialising in the development of new varieties of oil crops Camelina sativa.The Chye Lab at HKU has identified a gene from the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana which encodes an acyl-CoA-binding protein (ACBP) to make plants drought resistant.Professor Chye Mee Len, Wilson and Amelia Wong at the HKU School of Biological Sciences and her lab members have discovered in the past years that Arabidopsis acyl-CoA-binding proteins can confer stress tolerance in transgenicArabidopsis plants. Professor Chye said: "Drought stress adversely affects plant growth, and reduces plant yield and food production in agriculture. The stomata, found in leaves and stems, hold the key to water loss in plants and ACBP2 was observed to be expressed in the guard cells which regulate stomatal aperture.Arabidopsis was used as a model plant because it can be easily manipulated in the lab - it has a small genome, a short life cycle and well-developed genetics. Camelina sativa, which is now the target plant, is known to have a number of advantages over other traditional oil crops, including its wide adaptability to harsh weather conditions, and it has lower fertilizer and pesticide requirements.It can be grown on marginal land, and can be used as a rotation crop with wheat, corn and sorghum. Hence, Camelina sativa represents a promising platform in the production of renewable energy, and the use of HKU technologies to generate potentially drought-tolerant Camelina varieties will make it even more efficient as a source of biofuel.UNI YSG SV 0838 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0140-541048.Xml
Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi on Saturday assured the Centre that following the agreement of their three demands, the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Bill will be passed in fifteen minutes. Interacting with the management students of Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies (NMIMS) here, Rahul lashed out at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for blocking the landmark for seven years during the UPA regime. "The congress party actually brought the GST to the table. It was a conceptualised and designed by us, by Manmohan Singh ji and our economic team. Arun Jaitley who wants the GST to happen, did not allow it to be passed for seven years. Manmohan had umpteen conversations with Mr. Narendra Modi who was the chief minister of Gujarat but he did not allow the bill to be passed," Rahul said. Talking about the demands by the Congress regarding the Bill, he asserted that the most important issue was that there should be no cap on taxes and demanded a limitation on the maximum tax that can be charged on the people. "We don't want the taxes that are imposed on you to fly into the sky. That is the single biggest difference between us and the BJP. There are two other differences...one is the idea of dispute resolution. We are saying that the dispute resolution mechanism must be fair and must be neutral, otherwise it will cause problem in implementation," Rahul said. Adding that their third demand was not a big issue, he said that the demands by the Congress were not unreasonable and assured that they day their terms were accepted, the GST Bill will be passed in 15 minutes. "If BJP actually wants to implement GST then they can agree to out points, but they are not doing it. We are the people who brought it, we know the GST will benefit the country and we want it to happen. But it's a deeper problem than that. GST requires a huge infrastructure. It required complex negotiation between states and the work on that has not even begun," Rahul said. Stating that it will take at least two years to begin working on the infrastructure, he advised the government to begin working on it, otherwise GST would not be passed anyway. (ANI)
Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi on Saturday told students of a private college here that setting rigid boundaries and getting trapped in narrow definitions can never bring about change. "Change is not as easy as it looks. If you want to lead institutions, if you want problems to be solved, don't set rigid boundaries for yourself, don't get trapped in narrow definitions. You need to understand that everything is connected in this world," Gandhi told students at the Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies here. "When I was younger and sitting where you are, I use to think that lots of things need to be changed and change is relatively easy . Now, with experience, I know that change is not easy," he added. Gandhi further said that the nation's power has always come from the strength of ideas. "Don't be swayed by waves, use your own mind. Don't put labels on things and industries. Labels are human invention, not the Universe's," he added. (ANI)
A delegation of the BJP will meet President Pranab Mukherjee today on the Malda issue. A team led by BJP leader Kailash Vijayvargiya will meet the President at 1400 hrs today and also hand over a memorandum. Earlier this week, on January 12, a delegation had met Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh urging the Centre to urgently intervene into the matter.On January 11, a three-member fact-finding team of front-ranking BJP functionaries, which was going to visit the violence-hit areas of Malda district, was detained at the Malda railway station.The party's delegation members -- BJP MPs SS Ahluwalia, Bhupendra Yadav and B D Ram -- told mediapersons that they were asked to leave as prohibitory orders were clamped in the Kaliachak town of Malda. They were reportedly forced to take a train back to Kolkata. UNI RBE SV 1243 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0379-541260.Xml
The Tamil Nadu Government has so far received an amount of Rs 310.82 crore from various companies and institutions to provide relief to the people in the flood affected districts. An official release here said Rs 3.26 crore was given as relief to the Chief Minister's Public Relief Fund a couple of days back. While Tamil Nadu Mercantile Bank provided a relief of Rs two crore, Suzlon Energy Limited donated Rs one crore and Kumudam Publications Private Limited Rs 26.47 lakhs. TMB Managing Director and CEO Upendra Kamath, Suzlon Founder N Ramani and Kumudam Publications Founder Chairman and Managing Director P Varadharajan met Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa at the State Secretariat and handed over the relief amount to her. With this, a sum of Rs 310.82 crore was given to the Chief Minister's Public Relief Fund towards relief and rehabilitation measures to the people in flood affected districts.UNI GV VV VS 1225 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0415-541244.Xml
GRP sources here today said that train services on the Lucknow - Rae Bareli route of Northern Railway were disrupted for some time after security forces witnessed breach in the rail tracks at two places.

" The miscreants again tried to cut the rail tracks last night like they did in October last but they were not successful this time," a senior district police official told UNI here. The cut in the rail tracks were observed between Mohanlalganj and Kankaha railways stations in the state capital.

Several trains on the route were delayed for some time after the detection of the cut in the rail tracks. Railway engineers immediately rushed and repaired the tracks.

Police did not rule out the incident as an effort by the miscreants to go for a major train mishap.

Earlier on October 2 last year, a major train mishap was averted near Mohanlalganj, on the outskirts of the state capital, due to alertness of Prayag-Lucknow passenger train driver when he noticed 50 cm rail track missing. UNI MB SV RK1325

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Railway police said here that local people during their morning stroll noticed damaged tracks near Manjhi station on North Eastern railway and they informed the police. The movement of trains on this section was immediately stopped.

Senior railway authorities have reached the spot to supervise the repair of the damaged tracks, railway police sources added..UNI XC DH BM PS SV RK1318

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The Coconino County Board of Supervisors is considering putting in an application to purchase 220 acres of state-owned land adjacent to Fort Tuthill County Park.

The acquisition, if accomplished, would increase the size of the park by nearly 50 percent.

The board discussed the concept mostly in executive session on Tuesday. The parcel of land is owned by the Arizona State Land Department and is located northwest of the main fairgrounds of Fort Tuthill County Park.

The parcel is valued at $5.3 million.

The main reason for pursuing the purchase would be to provide a buffer between the 400-acre park and any future development north of the area, said Dustin Woodman, the director of the countys parks and recreation department. Subdivisions have already been platted in that area, which is within city limits, Woodman said.

If it decides to pursue purchasing the property, the county would use about $5 million in sales tax money that was collected over 12 years from 2002 to 2014. The one-eighth of one-cent sales tax was approved by voters and collected $33 million for Coconino County Parks and Open Space projects. The Fort Tuthill land acquisition was one of the projects proposed in the original ballot measure, Woodman said.

The board still has to decide where the rest of the money would come from for the purchase.

The 220 acres are mostly undeveloped except for a historic shooting range that is included in the national register of historic places. At this point, the county isnt looking to do much with the land, Woodman said, but added that it may be used to expand recreational opportunities at Fort Tuthill.

If the county decides to move forward with the potential purchase, then it would need to submit a formal application to the state. If the application is approved, then the parcel would be put up for public auction.

The decision to apply to purchase the land will be on the Board of Supervisors consent agenda on Jan. 26.
Dheeraj Tokas, husband of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Pramila Tokas, has been arrested for allegedly obstructing a government employee from discharging his duty and assaulting him in the R K Puram area, Delhi police said today. On December 15, one official of Central Public Works Department (CPWD) had approached police and registered a complaint against Dheeraj that he was beaten up by some women at his directives during a slum demolition drive in the RK Puram area. The CPWD official alleged that husband of the RK Puram AAP legislator not just halted the demolition drive but also incited mob to attack them. Dheeraj was arrested late last night after he failed to join investigation despite being served many summons and notices by sleuths to do so. Sources said police might also arrest Pramila, who has been served a notice too in the case, if she does not cooperate in investigation. UNI RG AJ SW 1448 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0109-541481.Xml
Puducherry chief minister N Rangasamy today called up on Tamils to ensure that their children learn to speak in their mother tonge eventhough,they are living abroad. Inagurating a two day special conference of the International Movement of Tamil culture (India chapter) here today,the chief minister rsaid that Tamil is a classical and excellent language. The chief minister said that he had visited some foreign countries where he saw Tamils residing there speaking sweet and excellent Tamil.Stating that he saw Tamils speaking unadulterated Tamil in Malaysia,Rangasamy however, regretted that he came across some children of Tamils of puducherry origin residing in Paris who could not speak Tamil properly.The parents hailing from Puducherry and residing in France should take care that their kids acquaint themselves with greatness and rich culture of Tamil and should be taught to speak the language at home. Mr.Rangasamy who released the souvenir of the conference and honoured several Tamil scholars,writers and academics sad that the two day conference was aimed at discussing the challenges and opportunities the Tamils abroad were facing.He hoped that the meeting would come out with constructive suggestions to find a solution to the challenges the Tamils were facing abroad. The conference attracted participants from different parts of the world. Ms.Malathy Rajavelu,chairperson of the International Movement of Tamil Culture (India chapter) welcomed the delegates . Tourism minister P Rajavelu,Lok Sabha member R Radhakrishnan among others attended the meeting.UNI PAB VV VS1426 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0415-541402.Xml
He had issued this clarification by tweetingin his twitter post.

Dhanush has clarified in the twitter that he has nothing to do with PETA and that he did not speak anything against jallikattu as reported in some sections of the media.

He wrote, ''Happy maattu pongal. I never made any comments regarding jallikattu. I support jallikattu. The news thats goin on is a rumour. Thank u''.

He also wrote ''m not a brand ambassador of PETA. I was only awarded by them once for being a vegetarian''.UNI GV VV AR1443

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Expressing her wish that the birth centenary of the party's founder and formerChief Minister Dr M G Ramachandran, popularly called MGR, should be made a national event, AIADMK Supremo and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa today exhorted her party cadres to kickstart their election works immediately to ensure that the party wins by a massive mandate. In an epistle to party cadres on the eve ofMGR's 99th birth anniversary, Ms Jayalalithaa urged her party workers to coordinate and workwith unity and get down to all election related works for the forthcoming Assembly elections forthwith. In an apparent dig at the opposition DMK,Ms Jayalalithaa said ''Tamil people will never forget or forgive the evil regime that destroyed the democracy. Tamil Nadu, will not accept a regime that followed the policy of My familymust gain all the benefit; my successorswill run the government''. Pointing out that Tamil Nadu was a role model for all the states in India, she urged the party workers to undertake a vigorous campaign during which each and everyone should meet the people personally and explain to them the goodworks done by the government, since the field work by the party workers holds the key to thesuccess in the upcoming elections. Stating that the AIADMK's victory in the elections should be far bigger than victoriessecured in the earlier polls, Ms Jayalalithaaappealed to the party cadres to work and ensurethat no political movement in the past had recorded such a win in the polls. ''Such a victory, will be a jewel in the crown to the fame of MGR'', she said, adding,''this will be the last time we will be celebratinghis birthday in two digits. From next year, it willbe a three-digit, marking his 100th birth anniversary''. ''My avowed wish is that MGR's 100th birthday celebrations should be converted into a national event and our journey should be to attain it'', she added. UNI GV VV AR1436 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0415-541476.Xml
Vishwa Hindu Parishad today said it wasbanking on Prime Minister Narendra Modi create a conduciveatmosphere to pave the way for construction of Ram Temple inAyodhya, VHP International President Pravin Togadia said today. Speaking to reporters after inaugurating a two-day NationalConvention of Bajrang Dal here, he said, "since BJP has come topower and our 'big brother' has become Prime Minister, we havefull confidence in him and are waiting for green signal throughconstitution and we are confident of getting it." Replying to a question, he said that the question of 'waging awar' against Uttar Pradesh government does not arise since the landmeant for Ram Mandir was with the Centre. ''Why should be fightagainst a State government when it is not necessary,'' he asked Dr Togadia said that Ram Temple had never been an election issueand the efforts were continuing since 1984, when VHP passed aresolution to construct the temple at Ayodhya and now the time hadcome for the BJP to pave the way for it as it had come to power atthe centre. "We are waiting with patience as VHP want that the Mandir be built constitutionally as it was done with regard to construction ofSomanath Mandir," he added. He claimed that the Modi government was considering both in LokSabha and Rajya Sabha to clear way for construction of Ram templeand VHP had full confidence of getting constitutional approval. When asked about Supreme Court banning Jalikattu in the name ofcruelty to animals, Mr Togadia said that "there should not bediscrimination between Hindu and Muslims when the question ofimplementing Law arises. Why not ban on killing animals duringBakrid, let them ban it, too."UNI MSP RS VV AR1446 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0284-541289.Xml
Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) InternationalPresident Pravin Togadia today said that terrorism has already madeinroad in the country and need of the hour is for an united fight towipe it out. "Whether it is recent attack on Pathankot Air Base or Maladaincident, both the incidents are similar. One was supported byPakistan and another by terrorists who have made inroad in thecountry. There is threat for country's secularism by anti-hinduismforces," he added. He was speaking to newsmen after inaugurating a two-day NationalConvention of Bajarang Dal here. Earlier, in his inaugural address, Mr Togadia said that withterrorists activities mounting the time has come to protectcountry's culture, economic and progress. "Only Government cannotfight against terrorist outfits, all of us should join hands withthe Government in the fight to upkeep culture, ensure security toall citizens." "We will awaken youth to fight against terrorists. It is ourduty to protect the country. If we compromise with terrorism, it isend of the country's economy. VHP want the country to become freefrom terrorism," he added. Mr Togadia alleged that the recent reports about some youthtravelling to Syria to join IS shows that it is also spreading itsinfluence in India also. He said that in the olden days during the war between two kingsonly soldiers were attacked and Civil society was not disturbed andthe war was restricted to only day time and called off in theevening. But after invasion of Britishers things started changingthe Hindusim being attacked and efforts were made to wipe it out."A true Hindu is one who fights against his country irrespective ofto which religion he belongs to. Tolerance and non-violence weremaintained, but now the time has come to teach a lesson to those whoattack and try to destroy secularism of our country," he added. "Despite Pakistan is supporting terrorism and we are notprotesting. It is self respect. We should not have alloweddivision of the country during independence. Virus was infected inHinduism, we have to fight for self respect. We will fight forequalism in the Society and will not compromise," he added.UNI MSP VV AR1450 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0284-541359.Xml
Sri Lankan Ambassador to China Karunasena Kodituwakku confirmed that the delayed 'Colombo Port City Project' is a plan to create a South Asian financial hub funded by China, reports the Lanka Page.

The Sri Lankan government in March 2015 temporarily suspended the 1.4 billion dollar project launched by the previous government in partnership with China in September 2014.

The Colombo Port City is one of China's key projects along the 21st Maritime Silk Road and predicted to be the 'most important South Asian port' under the initiative.

The location of the project will help connect businesses from India, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Singapore and the Middle East.(ANI)
Union Human Resource Development Minister Smriti Irani today in her indirect attack on the Gandhi family, alleged that Amethi has lagged behind in development and very few people have benefitted."The farmers here are facing eminence problems and I am here to solve their miseries," she said.Addressing a public meeting here in a school campus in Tiloi assembly segment to start her two-day visit to Amethi, Ms Irani said the Kisan Bima Yojgna launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi would benefit the farmers in a big way."Farmers will just have to pay two per cent of the total premium to receive total loss of their agriculture produce. The remaining amount of the premium would be shared by the Centre and state governments," she said.Ms Irani said if UP government provide land for the Kisan Vigyan Kendra then the Centre would start the it as soon as possible. During her address, she also announced to start ambulance service in the district with seven ambulances in the first phase.The Minister added that Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar has already adopted Barauliya village and development has started there too.Ms Irani would attend a meeting of the party workers at Saraswati Sishu Mandir in Amethi this evening and address a press conference tomorrow morning before returning back to New Delhi.UNI XC-MB AJ SW 1602 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0109-541641.Xml
Senior Uttar Pradesh Minister Mohammad Azam Khan today said the incident of communal violence in Fatehpur is the most recent proof about the 'intolerance' in the country. "People are not ready to tolerate anything and the Fatehpur incident on Makar Sankranti shows such mentality. People should also avoid to showcase the religious and community strength on roads and it should be prevented," he told reporters here. Mr Khan said religion did not allow anyone to create communal violence or attack people of another community. "This should be stopped at once and the UP government is strict on the matter," he said. Communal violence broke out in Jahanbad area of Fatehpur district on January 14 when VHP activists brought out a procession on Makar Sankranti. However, the Minority Welfare and Urban Development Minister went on the extent of saying that the Muslims can only get justice from the responsible people of the community only. Giving example of the charges, Mr Khan said, "two Governors of the state had rejected the proposal for my Mohammad Ali Johar University and they even made adverse comment. But it was only approved when Aziz Qureshi was made the Governor for a brief time, which clearly shows the sentiments of the people assuming big posts," he added. "If Congress had the power then they would have demolished the University over the comment of the governors that it was the den of the terrorist organisation like they did on December 6,1992 of the Babri mosque," he alleged. Asked about the Ram Temple issue raked by the BJP, the SP leader said former Congress Prime Minister Narsimha Rao had already made a temple there in Ayodhya and the BJP leaders were just doing politics on the name of Ram Temple. "The Congress PM Rao had constructed the Ram Temple for three days after the demolition of the Babri mosque in nexus with the RSS. There was an agreement between RSS and the Congress PM over the Ram Temple and later after the completion of the temple ,RSS had termed Rao as a historical person," he said. UNI XC-MB PS CS1552 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0196-541340.Xml
Observing that the Narendra Modi government has been hesitant in initiating a rehabilitation process for the Kashmiri Pandits, Trinamool Congress MP Saugata Roy on Saturday called for a dialogue with the Jammu and Kashmir government on the issue. Roy was speaking at a panel discussion on the exodus of Kashmiri Pandits, organised by the Observer Research Foundation (ORF) here. "We owe to the Kashmiri Pandits, their rehabilitation, to get them back in Kashmir. While a budget of Rs.500 crore has been allotted for their rehabilitation, I feel the central government is hesitant in getting them back to Kashmir," said Roy. Roy said unlike the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference leaders, the recently departed Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed was sympathetic to separatists which resulted in the Centre becoming hesitant. "This hesitation perhaps is because the Centre did not get a clear signal from the Mufti government. Mufti is no more, but unlike the Abdullahs who were pro-India, Mufti had been catering to people having some sympathy for militants and sympathy for Pakistan," he said. With Sayeed's daughter Mehbooba Mufti expected to take over as the new chief minister, Roy harped on the need for the Centre to initiate a dialogue on the rehabilitation issue. "There is a need to initiate some sort of a dialogue process with the state government. While the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has always kept the cards close to their chest on this issue, I feel we must initiate dialogue with Mehbooba on the matter," he added. Speaking on the occasion, former Lt. General John Ranjan Mukherjee said India needs to stop being a soft state. "India is a soft state, you can't take a decision of moving back the Kashmiri Pandits, because you don't have the gumption to do so. We need to stop being a soft nation," said the former General Officer Commanding of the Army's 15 Corps stationed in Kashmir. Suggesting ways to tackle the Kashmir issue, Mukherjee said strict enforcement of secularism and outlawing all forms of religious fundamentalism were imperative. "A major step which needs to be taken in this regard is befriending more of our neighbours including China. If China stops supporting Pakistan, life would be much easier for India," said Mukherjee. Scholar and former city head of Kashmir Sabha, - a social organisation - B.K. Moza demanded that Kashmiri Pandits be declared internally displaced refugees and granted reverse minority status. "Unless and until reverse minority status is granted to us, our rehabilitation is not possible. Kashmir enjoys special status under article 370, because the inhabitants are largely Muslim, which is a minority community in total Indian context. "In fitness to this constitutional guarantee, Kashmiri Pandits should also be provided a reverse minority status in Kashmir by the constitution," said Moza. All the speakers said the central government needed to take immediate steps to ensure the rehabilitation of nearly five lakh Kashmiri Pandits, mostly living in camps in Jammu and Delhi. --Indo-Asian News Service and/ssp/bg ( 507 Words) 2016-01-16-17:15:35 (IANS)
After suffering a $17 million cut in state aid last year on a $240 million annual budget, Northern Arizona University looks to be getting back just $1.5 million under Gov. Doug Duceys proposed FY 2017 budget.

But in a statement issued Friday afternoon, NAU President Rita Cheng said the university needed at least $4 million more from the state just to stay even, and thats without any more students or addressing faculty hiring and salaries along with new programs and services.

Enrollment grew by 1,300 students last year, and the state cuts forced up tuition and fees above $10,000 for the first time.

There could be more of the same next school year, Cheng said.

"We will continue to be challenged at this state funding level to provide lower-cost tuition options throughout Arizona and to retain the guaranteed tuition Pledge Program for our students on the NAU Flagstaff campus."

The Pledge Program guarantees the same tuition for incoming full-time freshmen for four years.

Cheng sounded a guardedly optimistic tone, however, noting that the governor was no longer cutting state subsidies to higher education.

We appreciate the Governor's recognition of Arizona's universities in the State of the State address, his strong commitment to improving the Arizona economy and his incorporation of a new university funding model in his budget recommendation released today, she said. Reinvesting in Arizona's universities with an emphasis on Arizona resident students is a positive step forward.

Concluded Cheng: This is the beginning of a conversation and we appreciate the Governor's recognition that the Arizona universities contribute to the overall health of Arizona's economy and quality of life.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi gets an all new website which will be a repository of information on him and can be browsed with ease even on mobile phones. The website, www.narendramodi.in, launched yesterday, wears an all-new look, and is expected to emerge as the focal point of news and updates from the Prime Minister. The prime minister tweeted, ''My website has an all-new look & remains a repository of information that would interest you. Check it out. www.narendramodi.in'' and added, ''All-new www.narendramodi.in is also very mobile friendly, so you can browse the site on your mobiles on the go.''Readers will get the latest information about the work of the government in the last 20 months containing articles on the ground covered in the economic spheres, 'Clean Ganga', 'Swachh Bharat', Make in India, energy sector among other areas along with latest data. In addition, all other information on Mr Modis work as Gujarat Chief Minister and his good governance initiatives are found on the site. The website is a comprehensive repository of all governance related information about Mr Modi.There will be news updates, the PMs biography, his profile and a selection of quotes from his speeches. A timeline listing important events is a part of the site which offers an assortment of pictures and videos of the PM. Besides select text speeches which will be available, Mr Modis speeches can be viewed live on the website and the Mann Ki Baat radio programme can be heard too. Detailed information on the PMs foreign travels can be obtained through the site. MORE UNI SD AJ SW 1718 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0005-541829.Xml
NCP president Sharad Pawar today called for a change in the process of election to the post of president of the Marathi Sahitya Sammelan Mahamandal (Marathi literary body). Addressing the gathering after inaugurating the 89th Akhil Bharatiya Sahitya Sammelan in presence of Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Sahitya Sammelan president Shripal Sabnis and organiser P D Patil here, he said, ''Asking for votes is our job. But we have seen in the past years that lack of votes has deprived great literary figures from being the president of Sahitya Sammelan, hence, the election process needs a change.'' Mr Pawar made this suggestion while indicating that a section of writers think the presidential election process of the Marathi literary body was rigged. To make his point clear he citing an example saying, "A couple of days ago I heard a so-called literary artist saying that Sharad Pawar is involved in the election of Shripal Sabnis as this year's President." "I laughed at that thought," he said and continued in lighter vein, "Anyway nowadays, involving me in every other incident has become a trend. Even the earthquake at Latur had me involved in it say a few people." The election to the post of president of a literary body is an absolutely different thing and no politician is involved in it, he observed and remarked that, "In fact, the first time I met Mr Sabnis was after he was chosen as the president." Mr Pawar said that the Marathi literature is profound because it is divided into many forms like Dalit literature, Adivasi literature and so on. Marathi literature has given a great deal to the world, he observed. "It is good to see that the Marathi literary figures of all periods have accepted all the changes, including globalisation. And so have the young literary generation," he noted. Talking about the drought condition in Maharashtra, the former Union Agriculture Minister said, "Even drought has given literature. Sant Tukaram spoke about drought through his 'Abhangas'." He congratulated the organiser P D Patil and D Y Patil University for organising the Sahitya Sammelan and said this year's event was different from the earlier ones. He said, "The book exhibition, strength of the writers at the meet, the preparations made for this year's Sahitya Sammelan stand out." Mr Pawar appreciated the organisers for helping the drought-hit farmers of the state financially. Mr Patil, the organiser of the event, donated a cheque of Rs one crore to the Naam Foundation of actors Nana Patekar and Makrand Anaspure who work for the drought-hit farmers and for the families of those who committed suicide.UNI SP SS SW AN1754 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0169-541881.Xml
Police found Jessica Fronsica, and her two twin sons Josua and Varen (16) murdered with multiple wounds, and Neil Fronsica critically injured in their Palm Avenue flat under Korea police station in south Kolkata.

Joint Commissioner, Detective Department, Debashish Baral began investigation into the triple murders in the post multi-storied building and said he was not satisfied with the answer after questing surviving family members.

Police recorded a statement from injured Neil Fronsica, who was being operated at a private hospital in south Kolkata for his injuries on head, chest and hand.

Police said, "Neil admitted that his two sons were murdered by his wife, who was finally killed by him in self-defence.

Neil said "Jessica was accidentally killed when I tried to stop her from attacking the children."

Police also questioned Jessica's sister Shabana and Samantha, the daughter of Neil and Jessica. The two were in a separate room when the crime happened. But the two said they did not know anything about the crime happened to their next room.

The triple murders happened barely the bodies of three youths packed in a black tarpaulin was found in Bishnupur, South 24 Parganas district.UNI BM-PC SW CS1750

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The attack was claimed by Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS).

Jakarta police revealed that arrest have been done on the basis of obtained evidence connected with the terrorist bombing at Sarinah,reports The Himalayan Times.

Seven killed and 30 were wounded in Jakarta attack on Thursday near the Sarinah department store in the Indonesian capital's commercial district.(ANI)
RTI activist Jagjit Singh Walia has raised suspicion over the distances travelled by Haryana Ministers in government cars, saying that the exorbitant distances logged by them points towards 'foul play'. "The vehicles used by some of these ministers run over 15, 000 kilometers in a month. And Ram Vilas Sharma's vehicle has run more than 25, 000 kilometers in a month. The ministers are given two cars; they cannot use both the cars at the same time," he told ANI here. "If the cars run that much then it amounts to almost 900 kms per day. The conditions of the roads in Haryana are so bad that it looks very improbable that cars can run 900 kms in a day," he added. Walia said that he had filed an RTI asking for details of cars owned by Haryana ministers and the distance travelled by them in the last one year. "I had filed an RTI asking for details of cars owned by Haryana ministers , their average, whether they run using petrol or diesel and also details of number of kilometres these vehicles have run in the last one year," he said. He further demanded a probe in the matter and urged the state government to make ministers' travel details public. "The log book which records their movements should be made public. So that if these cars are being misused then it should be stopped," he added. (ANI)
Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley will leave for London on Sunday on a two-day official visit, followed by a four-day official visit to Zurich, Switzerland. During his stay in the U.K., the Finance Minister will meet his counterpart George Osborne on Monday, and will also participate in three different investors' meet organised by Goldman Sachs, Mastercard and CII and Kotak Mahindra among others. During his interaction with international investors, the minister will apprise them about the investment opportunities in different sectors in India, including infrastructure, manufacturing, and services, and through National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF) among others. Jaitley will invite them to make best use of the opportunity and invest in India. On Tuesday, the Finance Minister will participate in an India-U.K. Bilateral Meet and Economic and Financial Dialogue (EFD). In the evening, he will leave for Zurich. In Zurich, he will participate in various World Economic Forum (WEF) programmes and meetings. He is leading an Indian delegation, mainly consisting of Captains of Indian Trade and Industry, who in turn will also meet their counterparts from different participating countries to explore the possibilities of trade and investment among others. The Finance Minister would also address a seminar jointly organised by the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) and BCG on the topic 'India-Next Growth Engine of Financial Inclusion and Financial Governance'. The Finance Minister will also hold meetings with his counterparts from other participating countries on the sidelines of WEF Meetings and would discuss among others the world economic situation and India's economic preparedness to meet any future challenges. Jaitley will return on January24. (ANI)
Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi today asserted that his party is ready to pass the GST Bill within 15 minutes, provided the government resolved three demands raised by them, in respect to the Bill. Interacting with students in an institute here this morning, Mr Gandhi said, "We support GST, we will pass it in 15 minutes, but three demands pertaining to public interest have to be conceded to. These are GST rate should not be more than 18 per cent, one per cent additional tax needs to go and there has to be clear dispute resolving mechanism, he added. "The party doesn't want a GST, where there is no cap on taxes, and it wants a limitation on maximum tax, that can be charged to the people. "We will never compromise on the interests of people", he said. In the last leg of his two-day Mumbai tour, Mr Gandhi undertook Padyatra from Bandra Bandstand to Dharavi on the issue of electricity tariff for the poor.UNI SS RJ SW 1906 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0089-542110.Xml
Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar today said he would lead an official and six-member business delegation to Japan and China to invite foreign direct investment to the State. The Chief Minister, who was replying to the questions of mediapersons at a press conference here, said the foreign his tour has been curtailed by two days as Prime Minister Narender Modi would be in Chandigarh on January 24 to receive the French President Francois Hollande. In reply to a question concerning opening of women police stations in each district of the state, the Chief Minister said the Union Women and Child Development Minister Maneka Gandhi has appreciated this initiative of the state government and she has suggested the need for more such efforts to ensure security of omen. Asked about strength of women constables in Haryana, he said the process to recruit 1,000 more women constables has been started. The Government would increase their percentage to 10 in the State police force. When asked whether the State Government would reward those who have conducted raids in neighbouring States under a special drive to check female foeticide, the Chief Minister replied in affirmative adding that a scheme was being prepared for all departments to reward all those who would render outstand service.MORE UNI NC SW NS1915 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0293-542108.Xml
Sex ratio in Haryana has shown an upward trend as for the first time in 10 years, as ratio at birth for December, 2015, has crossed the 900 mark with 903 girls per 1,000 boys. Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, who was addressing a press conference here today, credited the success of the ambitious programme to States multi-pronged strategy implemented under the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao campaign. While 12 districts have recorded sex ratio above the 900 mark in December, 2015, district Sirsa tops the list with sex ratio of 999 girls per 1,000 boys. Referring to the statistics of other districts for the same period, he said district Panchkula has registered sex ratio of 961, Karnal 959, Fatehabad 952, Gurgaon 946, Sonepat 942, Jind 940, Rewari 931, Mewat 923, Bhiwani and Mahendragarh 912 and Hisar of 906. The Chief Minister said that a target to achieve sex ratio above 950 within the next six months has now been set for the entire State. Mr Khattar added that it was his vision that all states would follow the Haryana model in improving sex ratio at national level in order to fulfil the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who had launched the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao programme from Panipat on January 22, 2015. MORE UNI NC SW AS1945 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0293-542198.Xml
Gas cutter gang struck again in the city and this time it targeted an ATM of the Union Bank of India situated in Basti Baba Khel area under the jurisdiction of Commissionerate Police. Senior police officers including ADCP (I) J. Elanchezian, ADCP (crime) Viveksheel soni, ACP (crime) Harjinder Singh and ACP (South) Ravinder Pal Singh Sandhu rushed to the site of incident immediate after the police received information about the breaking of ATM. Vijay Kumar, assistant manager of the bank said that the ATM contained nearly a sum of Rs 11.80 lakh. The incident is said to be occurred early this morning. The robbers used gas cutters to break open the ATM. A CCTV footage procured by the police shows one of the robbers wearing a helmet and trying to change the location of the CCTV camera. This is the first theft of an ATM in the new year of 2016 in this district. Earlier the district had witnessed as many as more than a dozen incidents of theft after breaking open the ATMs. During the last three years, the thieves had targeted more than three dozen ATMs in the district of Jalandhar, Kapurthala and Hoshiarpur in which a sum of over one crore had been looted. Gas cutter gang had struck last time on November 19 last year when it looted a sum of Rs 12.10 lakh targeting an ATM of the UCO bank branch at Guru Gobind Singh Avenue locality. UNI XC SW AS1948 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0293-542220.Xml
David Cripps may now be the Flagstaff High School orchestra teacher, but the celebrated horn player still gets asked about another performance, a long, long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away.

Carrie Fisher thinks she was Princess Leia, Cripps joked. But really, its me.

Cripps played the lead horn in the London Symphony Orchestra under Grammy-winning composer John Williams when the score for Star Wars was recorded. All of the horn solo parts in the three original Star Wars movies were played by Cripps, including Princess Leias Theme. Cripps also played in the three original Superman movies, also composed by Williams.

He was hired at FHS at the beginning of January, after the former orchestra teacher resigned the position. Tony Cullen, the schools principal, asked Cripps, who is also a bus driver in the school district, to take the job.

Cripps said it did not take long for the students to learn about their teachers famous past.

On the first day, Tony sat in on the class and told them all about me, Cripps said.

Cripps came to Flagstaff in 2003 after seeking a full-time teaching position as a horn instructor. The only opening he found was at Northern Arizona University, so the British musician decided to move to Flagstaff to teach. He later met his wife, Melissa, and formed Orchestra Northern Arizona, which now includes about 65 musicians ranging from high school students to adults in their 80s.

Despite years of a lucrative music career, including traveling the globe and performing with famous musicians, Cripps said, when he is in the United States, he always gets asked about Star Wars.

All of the questions about the movie are a little ironic for Cripps, who is not a fan of science fiction movies. As a benefit of playing in the symphony, he received tickets to the London movie premiere when the original film was first made. He gave them away.

I dont go to movies very often, he said.

Cripps has not even seen the newest episode yet.

My stepson gave me the soundtrack for Christmas, he said. Im interested to hear the music.

He said he had not gotten around to listening to the soundtrack by early January because he said he tends to prefer classical music. However, he said he likes to see the enthusiasm that fans have for the movie.

I think its very sweet that its taken off like it did, Cripps said.

Now, Cripps is content with teaching high school students and fostering a love for playing music.

People who have had the kind of career and success that I have should teach and generate enthusiasm at this level, he said. Ive had so many wonderful experiences all over the world. The journey has been fun every minute of the way. If I can share that with young people, then its worthwhile.

Despite the expansion of the franchise, which now includes movies that do not have Cripps performances, he said he does not have any feelings of loss toward the newer movies without his music.

I was the first to play it, and I was the only person to ever play it, he said. No one can take that from me.
The Odisha Police launched the operation in association with and Women and Child Development Department to rescue and rehabilitate the missing children.

Crime Branch Additional Director General B.K. Sharma said the Smile-II operation would continue till end of this month.

However, he said the focus from today till January 31 would be outside states such as Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.(ANI)
Interacting with reporters here at the end of Road Safetyprogramme organised by the city police, Mr Bachchan said that if thegovernment makes a request to him, he will oblige.

At the closing ceremony, Thane police commissioner Param BirSingh, producer-actor Satish Kaushik, actress Preeti Jhangiani, andGuardian Minister Eknath Shinde were also present.

Earlier, addressing the gathering, Mr Bachchan asked thecitizens to follow traffic rules strictly.

One should not drink and drive and also avoid using the cellphones while driving, he stressed.

In his reaction on the Pathankot terror attack, Abhishek said thatall citizens of the country should remain alert all the time.UNI XR SS RJ AS2117

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A 65-year-old man and his wife drowned and three others were rescued by local fishermen while they were riding on palm canoe (country made boat) in Kondakarla Ava Lake when it capsized at the lake under Munagapaka police station limits in the district on Friday evening. The deceased were identified as B.V.S.S.N Rao (65) and B Vijayalakshmi (61), native of Palakollu town of West Godavari district. Sub-Inspector of Munakagapaka police station B Hari said that the couple came to the city to celebrate Sankranti festival as their daughter and son-in-law were residing in the city. On Friday the couple along with their family members had gone to the picturesque Kondakarla Ava Lake, which attracts migratory birds and few others. While the couple along with three others of their family were enjoying the joy ride in a palm logs converted Canoes boat suddenly capsized. The fishermen, who rides the boat saved three persons but failed to save the lives of the old couple. The police handed over the bodies of the deceased to their family members today evening after post mortem at KG Hospital in Vizag. The cops have registered a case and investigation is on.UNI BSR KVV AR 2112 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0415-542368.Xml
: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa today urged the Central Government to immediately roll back the excise duty levied on petrol and diesel. In a press release here today, Ms Jayalalithaa said the oil companies had decided yesterday to reduce petrol price by 32 paise and diesel to 89 paise. The price reduction was not based on international price of the oil. It may be recalled that the Centre has reduced the petrol tax to 75 paisa and Diesel to Rs two earlier.UNI GV KVV JK 2130 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0415-542504.Xml
The two-day workshop on India-Japan partnership towards meeting the Challenge of Infrastructure Development in Indias Northeast, that was earlier scheduled to be held in Kohima, now be held at Dimapur from January 19 to 20. Official sources today said the workshop is being organised by the state government in collaboration with Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations (ICRIER). The context for this workshop is the Tokyo Declaration for Japan-India Special Strategic and Global Partnership, issued after the meeting in Tokyo on September 1, 2014, between Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which places special emphasis on Japans cooperation for enhanced connectivity and development in Northeast India and linking the region to other economic corridors in India and Southeast Asia. The objective is to bring together experts and policy makers from both countries to discuss the opportunities and challenges for India and Japan cooperation in the North East Region (NER). The discussion agenda is structured around the following themes of Economic Development in NER: Current Status and Potential, Connectivity Imperatives in NER: Inter-regional, With Rest of India and Cross Border, Areas for India-Japan Cooperation, Public Private Partnerships: Pointers from Japans Involvement in the Development of Special Economic Zones in Myanmar and the strategies for Enhancing India-Japan Cooperation in Infrastructure Development in NER, sources added.UNI AS BM RJ AS2125 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0214-542309.Xml
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav today said the state government would provide land at the CG City premises in Lucknow for construction of a grand memorial of Baba Saheb Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar, who was the architect of the Indian Constitution. This land would be given to Bharat Ratna Bodhisatva Baba Saheb Dr BR Ambedkar Mahasabha, whose president Dr Lalji Prasad Nirmal met the Chief Minister at his official residence. Mr Yadav pointed out that the contribution of Baba Saheb to get a respectable place for the economically weaker sections and marginalized people cannot be forgotten and added that for such a great man, the state government would extend all possible help to immortalize his work. He further added that by treading on the path shown by Dr. Ambedkar can only end disparity in the society and lead to economic prosperity. UNI MB CJ RJ 2241 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0400-542533.Xml
Police said here that the accused were in the age group of 12-16.

Sources said the fake Adhaar cards and Nepalese SIM cards were recovered from their possession.

Police had nabbed a Bangladeshi near Passport office under Rajiv Nagar police station area in the state capital yesterday with fake Aadhar card.UNI XC DH RJ AS2213

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Renowned litterateur Satyen Sharma died in Dehradun this evening after prolonged illness.Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh expressed deep grief over the demise of Sharma, who passed away at the age of 86. The Chief Minister said Satyen Sharma contributed immensely to the field of literature and provided a suitable platform to a number of young writers to exhibit their talent. He said it was a great loss to the literary world, especially to Himachal Pradesh.He expressed deep sympathies with the bereaved family members and prayed for the peace of the departed soul.In his condolence message, Information and Public Relations Minister Mukesh Agnigotri said Sharma was a reputed writer and also contributed enormously to the Information and Public Relations department of the State government.Director, Information and Public Relations Dr MP Sood, officers and employees of the department also mourned the passing away of Satyen Sharma and prayed to the Almighty for giving peace to the departed soul. Satyen Sharma was born on April 4, 1930 at Dehradun and joined HP Public Relations Department in 1957 as Sub-Editor of Himprastha magazine. He retired as Senior Editor from the department in 1988. He remained associated with many prominent poets and writers of the country like Nirala and was one of the litterateurs, who worked for promoting literary activities in the state. While serving in the publication wing of the Public Relations department, he contributed greatly in dissemination of policies and programmes of the state government up to the grassroot level. Sharma was also associated with Radio Rural Forum, a radio programme of the Public Relations department. He gave his invaluable services in preparation of developmental stories, while working in Film division of the department.UNI ML RJ 2254 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0293-542031.Xml
Carles Puigdemont, the President of the Catalan region in the north east of Spain, denied on Thursday night on Catalan television that he was planning to declare the independence of the area in the near future. Puigdemont, a member of the pro-independence coalition Junts pel Si, was on Sunday confirmed as the Catalan president after a last minute agreement on Saturday with fellow nationalist party CUP, Xinhua reported. During his investiture on Tuesday, he had appeared to accept the roadmap designed by former Junts pel Si leader Artur Mas, which involved achieving Catalan independence within 18 months. "The independence declaration opened the constituent process and I hope by the end of the session we will have the instruments to put it into practice," he said in his investiture speech on Tuesday. However, appearing on Catalan's TV3 channel on Thursday, Puigdemont stepped back from this posture, insisting a unilateral declaration of independence "was not in the plans." "Our electoral promise was not a unilateral declaration of independence," he insisted, saying the aim was first to draw up a constitution for the region and then look for the approval of "a majority of Catalans," in a subsequent referendum. He also told the public broadcaster he had yet to speak to acting Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy or Socialist leader Pedro Sanchez, both of whom have insisted they would use the law in order to defend the Spanish sovereignty. --Indo-Asian News Service sku/ ( 251 Words) 2016-01-16-03:33:35 (IANS)
A curfew has been put in place in the Burkina Faso capital Ouagadougou from 2300 GMT to 0600, France's ambassador to the country said today, as suspected Islamist gunmen held hostages at a hotel in the capital.Gilles Thibault said on his Twitter account the attack in its former colony was ongoing and that the embassy had set up a crisis unit for its citizens. More than 3,500 French nationals live in the country, according to foreign ministry data.Describing the assault on the Splendid Hotel in the capital's business district as a "terrorist attack," the embassy had earlier told French nationals to say at home and avoid the area. REUTERS GAU RAI 0501 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0098-541004.Xml
4 p.m. A trailer rollover is blocking the left lane of southbound I-17 at milepost 314 about 10 miles south of Munds Park. Drivers should expect delays.

3:30 p.m. The Arizona Department of Transportation is reporting that State Route 89A is closed at milepost 382 near Slide Rock State Park due to a crash.

ADOT is also reporting that the left lane of southbound Interstate 17 is blocked at milepost 308 near Stoneman Lake Road.

According to the National Weather Service the snow flurries should taper off in the next two hours.

Its already stopped in Williams, said David Vonderheide from the National Weather Service.

Snowfall is averaging around two to three inches, he said. Bellemont, Munds Park and Forest Highlands got about three inches. Flagstaff and Kachina Village got about two inches. Even the northern part of Sedona received half an inch.

Vonderheide said the snow is being cause by a pretty intense system out of the northwest.

Residents can expect it to be partly cloudy tonight continuing into Saturday with a 10 percent chance of snow Saturday night. Sunday is expected to have a high of 46 degree.

2:30 p.m. The Arizona Department of Transportation is recommending that motorists on Interstates 40 and 17 slowdown for the weather.

ADOT reports one westbound lane of I-40 is closed four miles west of Flagstaff near milepost 198. Eastbound lanes are open.

ADOT is also reporting snow and ice on I-17 from milepost 326 to I-40. Its also reporting a crash blocking the left lane about five miles south of I-40.

Friday noon bulletin: Snow up to 3 inches forecast for Flagstaff today

The National Weather Service is forecasting between 1 and 3 inches of snow will fall in Flagstaff today before the storm moves eastward late this evening.

A band of light to moderate snow moved into the region in late morning, and visibility could be reduced amid brief snow squalls.

Tonight will see gusty winds and a low of 8 degrees, with wind chills Saturday morning as low as minus 3 degrees.

The weather will warm up Sunday, with a high of 43 degrees, and the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday on Monday will see sunny skies and a high of 45.
Syria told the UN Security Council that no one cares more about the Syrian people than President Bashar al-Assad's government after the United Nations accused rival parties in the five-year conflict of war crimes by starving civilians.The Security Council met to discuss the besiegement of some 400,000 people in Syria. The United Nations says half are in Islamic State controlled areas, some 180,000 in government areas and about 12,000 in areas controlled by opposition armed groups.It is the second meeting the council has held on the issue this week after images emerged of starving civilians in the town of Madaya, which is besieged by pro-Syrian government forces. International relief organization Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) said it has confirmed 35 deaths from starvation in Madaya."The Syrian government is the government that is most mindful of its people," Syria's deputy UN envoy Mounzer Mounzer told the 15-member council."No one can claim to care more about our people than we do, no other country, especially when it comes to providing assistance to areas under the control of armed terrorist groups," he said.Aid reached Madaya on Monday for the first time in months and a UN. official described seeing malnourished residents, some of whom were little more than skeletons and barely moving. The UN Children's Fund UNICEF on Friday confirmed cases of severe malnutrition among children in the town."The primary responsibility for this suffering lies with the party maintaining a siege," deputy U.N. aid chief Kyung-Wha Kang told the council. "It is, however, shared by those that conduct military activities in or from populated areas, thereby using civilians as shields and placing them in harm's way."Humanitarian aid was also delivered on Monday to government-held villages of Foua and Kafraya in Idlib province which are besieged by rebel forces.UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said on Thursday that Syria's warring parties, particularly the government, were committing "atrocious acts" and "unconscionable abuses" against civilians.The civil war was sparked by a Syrian government crackdown on a pro-democracy movement in early 2011. Islamic State militants have used the chaos to seize territory in Syria and Iraq, and some 4.3 million Syrians have fled the country.The United Nations says at least 250,000 people have been killed, 6.6 million people in Syria have been displaced and 13.5 million need humanitarian assistance.Kang said "the slow and bureaucratic procedures that have been imposed on humanitarian operations in Syria must be simplified and streamlined."However, Mounzer said all measures and precautions needed to be taken to ensure relief workers were safe and that the aid doesn't fall into the hands of "terrorists."REUTERS GAU RAI 0502 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0098-541005.Xml
Security forces in Burkina Faso battled suspected Islamist fighters late who were holding hostages at a hotel used by foreigners in the capital, Ouagadougou, gendarmes and witnesses said.The attack, claimed by al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), would be the first by Islamist militants in the capital of Burkina Faso. It follows a deadly raid on a hotel in Mali last November as well as attacks by militants in other countries in West Africa.The gunmen stormed the five-storey Splendid Hotel in Ouagadougou's business district, burning cars outside and firing in the air to drive back crowds before security forces arrived, prompting an intense exchange of gunfire.Some of the wounded arrived at a local hospital, but there were so far no confirmed reports of deaths.The hotel is sometimes used by French troops with Operation Barkhane, a force based in Chad and set up to combat Islamist militants across West Africa's vast, arid Sahel region."It is continuing at this time. We are trying to know how many attackers they are to better coordinate our actions," said a senior official with the national gendarmes who asked not to be named. "Hostages have been taken. The operation could take several hours."A Reuters witness saw gunmen emerge from the hotel and fire into the air. A vehicle carrying security personnel arrived and shortly afterward an intense gun battle began."We had just opened and there were a few customers we started to serve when we heard gunshots ... There were three men shooting in the air," said Vital Nounayon, a waiter at a restaurant across the street from the hotel."Lots of people left their cars and motorcycles and ran. They (attackers) set fire to the vehicles. They also fired on the Capuccino Restaurant across from the hotel before setting it on fire," he said, adding that the attackers wore turbans.Amateur video footage showed a burning car on an empty street in front of the hotel. Gunfire and explosions could be heard.The landlocked West African state has endured political turmoil since October 2014 when longtime President Blaise Compaore was overthrown during mass protests and elite troops launched a one-week coup in September 2015.But it has been largely spared violence by Islamist militants, who have staged attacks in Mali, a country with which it shares a 600-km border.WARNING SIGNSBurkina Faso, which produces gold and cotton, is diverse in religious terms and has a population that is around 60 percent Muslim, according to government figures.The attack presents a significant challenge to President Roch Marc Kabore, who was elected in November 2015 as Burkina Faso's first new leader in decades.Earlier, the Ministry of Defence issued a statement saying that about 20 armed men killed a gendarme and a civilian in an attack on the village of Tin Abao in northern Burkina Faso. It was unclear whether the attack was by militants.The French Embassy in Ouagadougou issued a statement on its website telling its citizens not to go outside and said it was setting up a crisis unit. The country gained independence from France in 1960.French Ambassador Gilles Thibault said he had been informed that a curfew is in place from 11 p.m. local time (2300 GMT) to 6 a.m. The Foreign Ministry in Paris said it was assessing the situation. France has up to 200 special forces troops in the country.The embassy in December warned French citizens against traveling to a national park in eastern Burkina Faso after reports that Malian jihadists were threatening to kidnap foreigners.An Islamist militant group Al-Mourabitoun said in May 2015, it was holding a Romanian man kidnapped from a mine in northern Burkina Faso the previous month.Around 50 unidentified gunmen attacked a Burkina Faso gendarmerie brigade near the country's western border with Mali in October 2015, killing three in an attack the then government blamed on the leaders of a failed coup one month before.Islamist militants have staged attacks in a number of West African states bordering the Sahel in recent years.Two militants killed 20 people from nations including Russia, China and the United States at a luxury hotel in Mali's capital on Nov. 20, 2015, before being killed by the security forces.Three Islamist groups including al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb claimed responsibility for that attack, the most prominent by militants who are based in the north of the country and have staged a series of attacks over the last year.Boko Haram have killed thousands in northeastern Nigeria during a six year insurgency and in 2015 extended its attacks into neighbouring countries Chad, Niger and Cameroon.REUTERS GAU RAI 0504 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0098-541006.Xml
China acknowledged for the first time that it is communicating with the United States about Ling Wancheng, the brother of a disgraced one-time aide to former President Hu Jintao, in a case that could complicate ties.Authorities have been tight-lipped about revealing any information about Ling, who is in the United States, sources have told Reuters.China has demanded his return, the New York Times had earlier reported, in a case that could strain Sino-US ties if he were to seek to defect.The government has given no details of any crime Ling is suspected of and he has not appeared on any wanted lists, but two of his brothers have been accused of corruption, including a former senior aide to President Xi Jinping's predecessor Hu Jintao.Last month, Liu Jianchao, who runs the ruling Communist Party's anti-graft watchdog's team trying to repatriate graft suspects, told reporters Ling's case had nothing to do with him and he did not know who was in charge of it.But yesterday, in response to a question from Reuters at a news conference, Liu confirmed for the first time contacts with the United States about the case."As for the case of Ling Wancheng, the Chinese side is handling it and is communicating with the United States," Liu said.Ling was in the United States, Liu told Reuters later. He praised a "very positive" U.S. attitude on anti-corruption cooperation.Peter Carr, a spokesman for the U.S. Justice Department, said the United States and China "regularly engage on law enforcement matters of mutual concern, including fugitives and anti-corruption".However, he added: "We do not go into the details of those discussions."Gabrielle Price, a spokeswoman for the U.S. State Department, said China had provided the United States with a number of specific cases of concern, and added:"All cases must be supported by sufficient evidence and work their way through the judicial system in accordance with applicable law."Last July, China said it would prosecute Ling's brother, Ling Jihua, a former senior aide to Hu, after an investigation found that he had taken bribes and engaged in other corrupt behaviour.Another brother, Ling Zhengce, has also been accused of corruption.Since assuming power in late 2012, Xi Jinping has pursued a relentless campaign against corruption, warning that the problem could threaten the party's ability to retain power, though some analysts say he is also eliminating rivals.Ling Jihua's case has presented a dilemma for Beijing. His position is particularly sensitive because of his connection with Hu.China's efforts at repatriating corrupt officials overseas have long been hampered by Western countries' reluctance to sign extradition deals, partly out of concern about its judicial system.Rights groups say Chinese authorities use torture and the death penalty is common in corruption cases.REUTERS GAU RAI 0551 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0098-541009.Xml
High waves for the next several days will hamper the search for 12 Marines missing at sea after two helicopters collided near the island of Oahu in Hawaii, US Coast Guard officials said.Two Coast Guard cutters and several Coast Guard aircraft were searching, along with two US Navy warships and local police and fire department helicopters, the Coast Guard said.A safety zone has been set up from the shoreline that matches up with the accident site to (13 km) out to sea, the Coast Guard said."We've seen debris through the entire area," said Lieutenant Scott Carr, a Coast Guard spokesman. He added the high surf was expected to last until at least Tuesday.The CH-53E helicopters, belonging to the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing from the Marine Corps Air Station at Kaneohe Bay, were reported to have collided just before midnight local time (1530 IST), Coast Guard spokeswoman Sara Mooers said yesterday.The wide-ranging search for the Marines was hampered by high surf and poor visibility from rain storms. The National Weather Service warned that a northwest swell would bring (11 meter to 14 meter) surf to the area through yesterday."It's very difficult to find things right now," Carr said.A Coast Guard helicopter crew spotted debris in the water off the town of Haleiwa on the north shore of Oahu but they did not find passengers.The debris field spanned more than 7 miles off the coast, the Coast Guard said."Thoughts & prayers are with our Marines & their families in Hawaii as search efforts continue," General Robert Neller, commandant of the Marine Corps, said in a message on Twitter.No distress call was issued by either aircraft. Authorities were notified by a man standing on the beach who saw a fireball over the ocean after seeing the helicopters flying in that area, Carr said at a news conference.REUTERS DS RK0839 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0177-541041.Xml
At least 20 people died and others were taken hostage when Islamist gunmen stormed a hotel in the capital city of Burkina Faso, a hospital director said, an attack for which al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) claimed responsibility.Security forces in the early hours of today began an assault to reclaim the Splendid Hotel and entered its lobby, part of which was on fire, a Reuters witness said. The hotel is frequented by Westerners, which may have made it a target.It is the first time militants carried out an assault in the capital of Burkina Faso and it comes as a setback to efforts by African governments, France and the United States to prevent attacks that have destabilised the region.It follows a raid on a luxury hotel in Mali last November in which two attackers killed 20 people, including citizens of Russia, China and the United States. There have been attacks by militants in other countries in West Africa in recent years and the vast majority of those killed have been Africans."We have received around 15 wounded people. There are people with bullet wounds and people who are injured because of falls," said Robert Sangare, director of Ouagadougou's university hospital centre.Sangare said one European woman being treated at the hospital told him the attackers appeared to target white people.The hotel is sometimes used by French troops with Operation Barkhane, a force based in Chad and set up to combat Islamist militants across West Africa's vast, arid Sahel region.A US defence official said France, the former colonial power, had requested US intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance support in the city, and at least one US military member in Burkina Faso was giving "advice and assistance" to French forces at the hotel.The government has not ruled out calling for help from French special forces stationed in the country, Burkina Faso Foreign Minister Alpha Barry told Reuters.POLITICAL TURMOILThe assault began around 8.30 pm local time, and the attackers torched cars and fired in the air to drive people back from the building. There was an intense gun battle followed by at least an hour of relative quiet, in part as security forces prepared their bid to recapture the hotel."We had just opened and there were a few customers we started to serve when we heard gunshots. ... There were three men shooting in the air," said Vital Nounayon, a waiter at a restaurant across the street from the hotel."Lots of people left their cars and motorcycles and ran. (Attackers) set fire to the vehicles. They also fired on the Cappuccino Restaurant across from the hotel before setting it on fire," he said, adding that the attackers wore turbans.Medical personnel moved the wounded away from the front of the hotel and one civilian was shot dead as the assault began around midnight, a Reuters witness said.Burkina Faso, which is religiously diverse, with a population around 60 per cent Muslim, according to government figures, has endured political turmoil since October 2014 when longtime President Blaise Compaore was overthrown during mass protests. Elite troops launched a one-week coup in September 2015.But the landlocked West African state has been largely spared violence by Islamist militants, who have staged attacks in Mali, a country with which it shares a 600-km border.The attack presents a significant challenge to President Roch Marc Kabore, who was elected in November as Burkina Faso's first new leader in decades.WARNING SIGNSThree Islamist groups including AQIM and al Mourabitoun claimed responsibility for the Mali hotel attack, the most prominent by militants who are based in the north of the country and have staged a series of attacks over the last year.Al Mourabitoun was also involved in the attack in Burkina Faso, according to the SITE intelligence group.Earlier yesterday, the Ministry of Defence said about 20 armed men killed a gendarme and a civilian in an attack on the village of Tin Abao in northern Burkina Faso. It was unclear whether the attack had been waged by militants.French Ambassador Gilles Thibault said he had been informed that a curfew would be in place from 11 pm local time (0430 IST) yesterday to 6 am today. France normally has up to 200 special forces troops in the country.The embassy in December warned French citizens against travelling to a national park in eastern Burkina Faso after reports that Malian jihadists were threatening to kidnap.Around 50 unidentified gunmen attacked a Burkina Faso gendarmerie brigade near the western border with Mali in October 2015, killing three in an attack the government at the time blamed on the leaders of a failed coup one month before.Islamist militants have staged attacks in a number of West African states bordering the Sahel in recent years.Boko Haram have killed thousands in northeastern Nigeria during a six year insurgency and in 2015 extended its attacks into neighbouring countries Chad, Niger and Cameroon.REUTERS DS RK0840 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0177-541043.Xml
Armed militants opened fire on the residence of an Afghan consulate official in Peshawar's posh University Town area early on Friday, local police officials said. First Secretary of the Afghan Consulate, Humayun Yousafzai, who lives in the house, however,was unhurt, the police officials said. "His name is Humayun Yousafzai, and he is the First Secretary in the Afghan Consulate in Peshawar. He is an Afghan national. He has reported that at 2:20 am at night, some unknown people fired at his house. You can see the marks of firing. Whoever was firing, has fired at the main wall, and the main gate. We have already given him two police guards, but when the attackers fired at the main gate where the guards live, the gate got locked. So it took the guards some time to come out. In the meanwhile, the attackers fled," Superintendent of Police (SP) of Peshawar Cantt, Kashif Zulfiqar, told Reuters TV. He said he was not aware of any previous threats to the Afghan official, but in a restive city like Peshawar, no one was absolutely safe. "It is too early to say whether it is a case of extortion or of threats. I don't think there were any threats to him before this, but since this is Peshawar, there can be security issues to anyone. We will be able to say for sure after further investigation," Zulfiqar said. Barely 15 km (9.3 miles) east of the Khyber Pass, the key border city in northwest Pakistan was the major avenue for inserting foreign fighters and material support into eastern Afghanistan for the resistance against the Soviet Union. At the end of 1979 when the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan, Afghan refugees began arriving in large numbers, transforming Peshawar into an exile headquarters for Afghan resistance groups and a base of operations for Western aid and intelligence agencies. Osama bin Laden and his associates were some of the visitors. The present atmosphere of insecurity is directly related to the post 9/11 war on terror and the Pakistan army's operations in the semi-autonomous tribal areas in pursuit of Taliban and al-Qaeda remnants. Zulfiqar said initial investigation revealed that a sub-machine gun was used to fire at the house, and 29 bullet casings have been recovered from the site of the attack. Portions of the outer wall, gate and outer verandah were damaged by the firing. However, no one was injured in the drive-by attack. A First Information Report (FIR) has been registered against unidentified individuals and investigation is under way. No one has claimed responsibility for the attack so far. The shooting occurred two days after Pakistan's diplomatic mission in the eastern Afghan city of Jalalabad came under a gun and bomb attack. Afghan officials said all three attackers and at least seven members of the security forces died during the attack by the Islamic States, which hitherto had not struck high-profile Pakistani targets in Afghanistan. All Pakistani staff at the consulate remained safe with only one worker suffering minor injuries from broken glass. Delegates from Afghanistan, Pakistan, China and the United States met this week to try to resurrect efforts to end nearly 15 years of bloodshed in Afghanistan, even as fighting with the Taliban intensifies. (ANI)
Kathakali and Kalaripayattu performers enthralled a packed venue of the event organized by Kerala Tourism in partnership with Confederation of Indian Industry(CII) and US-India Business Council on Thursday in Palo Alto, California.

"It is a significant day in the history of our state's tourism sector," said Kerala Tourism Minister A.P. Anilkumar.

"The United States is a key market for Kerala Tourism. In-bound tourism from America to Kerala has grown about 40 percent in the past two years," he said.

"Our first-ever corporate meet in the Silicon Valley is a crucial step to further increase those numbers."

The executives of over 50 companies in Silicon Valley attended the corporate meet addressed by Kerala Tourism Principal Secretary G. Kamala Vardhana Rao.

Tourist arrivals from the US have registered a 39.24 percent growth during 2012-14. In 2014, the number of American tourists who visited Kerala was 76,616 compared to 55,741 in 2011, according to a media release.

Kerala Tourism event was intended to introduce Kerala as a tourist destination and also to portray the state as an investor-friendly destination to the companies in the Silicon Valley.

On behalf of Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation (KSIDC), Rao also presented the various investment opportunities available in the state.

Rao invited the technology community in California to come visit the state as well as invest in Kerala's progress.

"Kerala is growing as a destination for corporate leaders and executives around the world because of its beautiful as well as peaceful locations to talk and do business. There is no better place than Kerala for the Silicon Valley executives to come and relax and even work," Rao said.

"With a large concentration of highly qualified software professionals and entrepreneurs, Kerala is an ideal destination for investment by the Silicon Valley companies," he added.

(Arun Kumar can be contacted at arun.kumar@ians.in)

--Indo-Asian News Service ak/sd

( 350 Words)

2016-01-16-11:21:35 (IANS)
Malaysia's police chief said today that a suspected militant arrested in a train station in Kuala Lumpur had confessed to planning a suicide attack in the country.The 28-year-old Malaysian man is believed to be a member of the Islamic State (IS) militant group and was arrested on Friday with weapons and documents related to IS, the police said.In a statement, Inspector-General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar said the suspect confessed to planning a suicide attack in Malaysia after receiving orders from a foreign IS member in Syria."The suspect is also responsible for hanging IS flags at several locations in the states of Terengganu, Perak, Selangor and Johor, in order to warn the government to stop arresting IS members in Malaysia," Khalid said in the statement.No further details were given on where and how he was planning the attack.Malaysia has been on high alert since a bomb and gun attack in neighbouring Indonesia's capital on Thursday. It has beefed security in public areas and on its borders.Indonesian police killed one suspected militant and arrested two more in raids across the country on Friday, a day after an attack by Islamic State suicide bombers and gunmen in Jakarta that killed seven people. They announced more arrests on Saturday.MORE ARRESTSKhalid said three other people suspected of being supporters of Islamic State were also arrested between January 11 and January. 15.The three were arrested at Kuala Lumpur international airport after they returned from Turkey, where they were detained for trying to make their way into Syria to join IS.The three suspects are aged between 23 and 28. A picture of the arrest released by police appeared to indicate one of the suspects was a woman.Police said the three were recruited by a known Malaysian IS member named Muhammad Wanndy Mohamed Jedi, who is based in Syria. Muhammad Wanndy has been linked to a video released last year that showed a man being beheaded there.Before today's arrest, Malaysia has detained 145 people since 2013 on suspicion of links with Islamic State.In September, Malaysian police thwarted a plot to detonate bombs in Kuala Lumpur's vibrant tourist area of Bukit Bintang. Other recent plots frustrated by Malaysian security forces included plans to raid army camps and seize weapons.Malaysia's deputy home minister warned that Southeast Asia faces the threat of Islamic State-inspired attacks designed to "glamorise terrorism.REUTERS SA VP1442 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0386-541470.Xml
International sanctions on Iran will be lifted today when the United Nations nuclear agency declares Tehran has complied with an agreement to scale back its nuclear programme, Iran's foreign minister said.Foreign Minister Javad Zarif arrived in Vienna, headquarters of the International Atomic Energy Agency, the UN body expected to issue a report triggering the lifting of sanctions imposed by the United Nations, United States and European Union.The sanctions have cut off a nation of nearly 80 million from the global financial system, drastically reduced the exports of a major oil producer and imposed severe economic hardship on ordinary Iranians. Most will be lifted immediately."Today with the release of the IAEA chief's report the nuclear deal will be implemented, after which a joint statement will be made to announce the beginning of the deal," Zarif was quoted as saying in Vienna by state news agency IRNA."Today is a good day for the Iranian people as sanctions will be lifted today," the ISNA agency quoted Zarif as saying.Zarif is due to meet his US counterpart John Kerry, the European Union's foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini, and IAEA chief Yukiya Amano later on Saturday. International journalists have been assembled at the IAEA headquarters in anticipation of an announcement."Implementation day" of the nuclear deal agreed last year marks the biggest re-entry of a former pariah state onto the global economic stage since the end of the Cold War, and a turning point in the hostility between Iran and the United States that has shaped the Middle East since 1979.It is a defining initiative for both US President Barack Obama and Iran's President Hassan Rouhani, both of whom faced strong opposition from hardliners at home in countries that have called each other "Great Satan" and part of the "axis of evil".Under the deal, Iran has agreed to forego enrichment of uranium, which world powers feared could be used to make a nuclear weapon. Once sanctions are lifted, Iran plans to swiftly ramp up its exports of oil. Global companies that have been barred from doing business there will be able to exploit a hungry market for anything from automobiles to airplane parts.OPPOSED BY REPUBLICANSThe deal is opposed by all of the Republican candidates in the field vying to succeed Obama as U.S. president in an election in November, and is viewed with deep suspicion by US allies in the Middle East including Israel and Saudi Arabia.It is supported by Washington's European allies, who joined Obama earlier in his presidency in making sanctions far tighter as part of a joint strategy to force Tehran to negotiate.The Obama administration says the deal reached last July offered the best possible prospect of ensuring that Iran would not develop a nuclear weapon, and could never have been achieved without the support of allies, which was always contingent on a pledge to lift sanctions once Iran complied.For Iran, it marks a crowning achievement for Rouhani, a pragmatic cleric elected in 2013 in a landslide on a promise to reduce Iran's international isolation. He was granted the authority to negotiate the deal by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, an arch conservative in power since 1989.The US-educated, fluent English-speaking Zarif has emerged as the smiling face of Iran's diplomacy, developing a close rapport with Kerry in unprecedented face-to-face talks. Zarif has chipped away at Iran's image as a pariah state, to the dismay of hardliners in Tehran as well as regional rivals."There are some people who see peace as a threat, who were always against (the nuclear deal) and will continue to oppose it," he was quoted as saying by ISNA.The prospect of Iran's emergence from isolation could overturn the geo-political balance of the Middle East at a particularly volatile time.Iran is the pre-eminent Shi'ite Muslim power, and its allies are fighting proxy wars in Iraq, Syria and Yemen against allies of its main Sunni Muslim regional rival, Saudi Arabia.In Iraq in particular, Tehran has found itself on the same side as the United States, supporting a Shi'ite-led government against Sunni militants of Islamic State.Zarif has argued, including in an Op-Ed column in last week's New York Times, that Iran could be a partner for the West fighting Sunni Muslim militants, who he said are spurred on by policies adopted by Saudi Arabia."It's now time for all - especially Muslim nations - to join hands and rid the world of violent extremism. Iran is ready," Zarif tweeted today.But US-Iranian hostility still remains deeply entrenched. Apart from the nuclear issue, Washington maintains separate, far less comprehensive sanctions on Iran over its missile programme.Iran has tested missiles since the nuclear agreement, drawing threats from Washington to tighten those sanctions. A week ago Iran detained 10 US sailors on two boats in the Gulf, although they were released the next day after Tehran said it had concluded they had entered its waters by mistake. REUTERS SA CS1624 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0386-541687.Xml
International sanctions on Iran will be lifted today when the United Nations nuclear agency declares Tehran has complied with an agreement to scale back its nuclear programme, Iran's foreign minister said.Foreign Minister Javad Zarif arrived in Vienna, headquarters of the International Atomic Energy Agency, the UN body expected to issue a report triggering the lifting of sanctions imposed by the United Nations, United States and European Union.The sanctions have cut off a nation of nearly 80 million from the global financial system, drastically reduced the exports of a major oil producer and imposed severe economic hardship on ordinary Iranians. Most will be lifted immediately.Even before the expected announcement, Iran's Mehr news agency reported on today that executives from two of the world's largest oil companies, Shell and Total, had arrived in Tehran for talks with the state oil company and tanker company."Today with the release of the IAEA chief's report the nuclear deal will be implemented, after which a joint statement will be made to announce the beginning of the deal," Zarif was quoted as saying in Vienna by state news agency IRNA."Today is a good day for the Iranian people as sanctions will be lifted today," the ISNA agency quoted Zarif as saying.Zarif was due to meet his US counterpart John Kerry, the European Union's foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini and IAEA chief Yukiya Amano. International journalists were assembled at the IAEA headquarters in anticipation of an announcement. Mogherini tweeted a picture of her meeting with Zarif."Implementation day" of the nuclear deal agreed last year marks the biggest re-entry of a former pariah state onto the global economic stage since the end of the Cold War, and a turning point in the hostility between Iran and the United States that has shaped the Middle East since 1979.It is a defining initiative for both US President Barack Obama and Iran's President Hassan Rouhani, both of whom faced strong opposition from hardliners at home in countries that have called each other "Great Satan" and part of the "axis of evil".Under the deal, Iran has agreed to forego enrichment of uranium, which world powers feared could be used to make a nuclear weapon. Once sanctions are lifted, Iran plans to swiftly ramp up its exports of oil. Global companies that have been barred from doing business there will be able to exploit a hungry market for anything from automobiles to airplane parts.Iran's expected return to an already glutted oil market is one of the main factors contributing to a global rout in oil prices, which fell below 30 a barrel this week for the first time in 12 years. Tehran says it could boost exports by 500,000 barrels per day within weeks and another 500,000 within a year, in a world already producing 1.5 million barrels a day more than it consumes and running out of storage space to hold it.OPPOSED BY REPUBLICANSThe deal is opposed by all of the Republican candidates in the field vying to succeed Obama as president in an election in November, and is viewed with deep suspicion by US allies in the Middle East including Israel and Saudi Arabia.It is supported by Washington's European allies, who joined Obama earlier in his presidency in making sanctions far tighter as part of a joint strategy to force Tehran to negotiate.The Obama administration says the deal reached last July offered the best possible prospect of ensuring that Iran would not develop a nuclear weapon, and could never have been achieved without the support of allies, which was always contingent on a pledge to lift sanctions once Iran complied.For Iran, it marks a crowning achievement for Rouhani, a pragmatic cleric elected in 2013 in a landslide on a promise to reduce Iran's international isolation. He was granted the authority to negotiate the deal by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, an arch conservative in power since 1989.The US-educated, fluent English-speaking Zarif has emerged as the smiling face of Iran's diplomacy, developing a close rapport with Kerry in unprecedented direct talks. Zarif has chipped away at Iran's image as a pariah state, to the dismay of hardliners in Tehran as well as regional rivals."There are some people who see peace as a threat, who were always against (the nuclear deal) and will continue to oppose it," he was quoted as saying by ISNA.The prospect of Iran's emergence from isolation could overturn the geo-political balance of the Middle East at a particularly volatile time.Iran is the pre-eminent Shi'ite Muslim power, and its allies are fighting proxy wars in Iraq, Syria and Yemen against allies of its main Sunni Muslim regional rival, Saudi Arabia.In Iraq, Tehran has found itself on the same side as the United States, supporting a Shi'ite-led government against Sunni militants of Islamic State.Zarif has argued, including in a New York Times Op-Ed column last week, that Iran could be a partner for the West fighting Sunni Muslim militants, who he said are spurred on by policies adopted by Saudi Arabia."It's now time for all - especially Muslim nations - to join hands and rid the world of violent extremism. Iran is ready," Zarif tweeted on today.But US-Iranian hostility still remains deeply entrenched. Apart from the nuclear issue, Washington maintains separate, far less comprehensive sanctions on Iran over its missile programme.Iran has tested missiles since the nuclear agreement, drawing threats from Washington to tighten those sanctions. A week ago Iran detained 10 US sailors on two boats in the Gulf, although they were released the next day after Tehran said it had concluded they had entered its waters by mistake. REUTERS SA AS1810 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0386-541934.Xml
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Iran has released four American prisoners, including a Washington Post reporter, a Christian pastor and a former US Marine, Iranian television said on Saturday.The US State Department declined to comment on the reports.The move came ahead of the expected lifting of international sanctions on Iran later on Saturday as part of a landmark deal between major powers and Iran to curb Tehran's nuclear program.The Americans released included Jason Rezaian, the Washington Post's Tehran correspondent, Saeed Abedini, a pastor from Idaho, Amir Hekmati, a former Marine from Flint, Michigan, and Nosratollah Khosravi, state television said. Iran's IRNA news agency, however, said the fourth person was Iranian-American businessman Siamak Namazi.A deal on the prisoners would rank among the most high-profile results of a tentative thaw in ties between Washington and Tehran.Republican presidential candidate Ted Cruz, welcomed the news but said he suspected that the deal would have disappointing elements as well. "Praise God! Surely bad parts of Obama's latest deal, but prayers of thanksgiving that Pastor Saeed is coming home," he wrote on Twitter.The formal implementation of the nuclear deal was due to be announced in Vienna on Saturday, giving Iran access to over $100 billion in assets frozen abroad in exchange for steps it has taken to curb its nuclear program.Iran's official IRNA news agency said the United States will free seven Iranian nationals in a prisoner swap. There was no immediate confirmation of that from the Obama administration.There are a dozen Iranians imprisoned or facing charges in the United States on sanctions-busting charges, according to a recent Reuters review of cases. Prosecutors say they violated economic sanctions against Iran by supplying technology that could have been used to bolster its military and nuclear programs.Iranian officials have called on President Barack Obama's administration to pardon Iranians imprisoned in the United States on sanctions-related charges. LEVINSON NOT ON LISTIranian officials have met recently with some of the prisoners held in the United States to see if they would be willing to return to Iran if a swap was agreed, said a person familiar with the cases who asked not to be identified.US Secretary of State John Kerry had insisted during the nuclear talks that the Obama administration wanted to keep separate the issue of the Americans being held in Iran, while calling on Tehran to release them and drop all charges. He has said that he didn't want the U.S. prisoners to be "hostage" to the nuclear negotiations.Washington Post reporter Rezaian, 39, was arrested in July 2014 along with three other journalists, including his wife Yeganeh Salehi. All were freed except for Rezaian, an Iranian-American who was convicted in a closed-door trial for espionage and other offenses including "collaborating with hostile governments." The U.S. State Department called the charges "absurd."A Washington Post spokeswoman said the newspaper had not yet received official confirmation of Rezaian's release.Former Marine Hekmati, 32, was detained while visiting an Iranian relative in August 2011 and sentenced to death for espionage. He was re-sentenced to 10 years in jail in 2013 after the death sentence was overturned. Abedini, a 35-year-old American Christian pastor born in Iran, was sentenced to eight years in prison in 2013 on charges of attempting to undermine the Iranian government.The inclusion of Nosratollah Khosravi on the list came as a surprise and there were no biographical details about him immediately available.Robert Levinson, a former FBI agent and DEA agent, who disappeared in Iran since 2007, was not among those released by Iran, according to the list of names broadcast by Iranian television. U.S. officials have believed for several years that Levinson died in captivity. Iranian officials had repeatedly denied any knowledge of his disappearance or whereabouts.Iran and the United States have been careful to avoid prolonging fights that would derail the nuclear deal's implementation or the exchange of prisoners.On Wednesday, Iran released 10 US sailors within a day after they had been detained when their two small boats entered Iranian waters. Washington also has not yet gone ahead with new sanctions targeting Iranian individuals and companies over their role in developing Iran's ballistic missiles, which sources said the Obama administration was preparing late last year. REUTERS CJ NS2231 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0400-542546.Xml
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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
If you receive retirement benefits through your job, consider yourself to be among the more fortunate half of the population. Only about half of full-time employees participate in a workplace retirement plan, according to a new report by the Pew Charitable Trusts. While 58 percent of workers are eligible for retirement benefits, just 49 percent of employees sign up for the retirement plan.

However, access to retirement benefits varies considerably by state and the industry that people work in. There are 17 states where less than half of workers participate in a retirement plan, Pew found. Here are the states where workers are the least likely to have retirement benefits:

Florida. Just 38 percent of full-time employees in the sunshine state participate in retirement benefits, the lowest of any state. Florida is also the state where the smallest proportion of workers (46 percent) are offered a retirement account or other type of retirement benefit by their employer.

Nevada. Over a quarter (27 percent) of Nevada's full-time workers are employed in the leisure and hospitality industries, which are among the types of employers least likely to provide retirement benefits. Only 39 percent of workers in Nevada participate in a workplace retirement plan. About half of employees (51 percent) are eligible for retirement benefits at work.

Arizona. Some 41 percent of Arizona workers participate in a retirement plan through their job. That's 11 percentage points less than the 52 percent of full-time employees who are offered retirement benefits at work.

New Mexico. Over a third of New Mexico employees work for small businesses with fewer than 50 employees, which are typically less likely to provide retirement benefits than larger companies. Just under half (49 percent) of New Mexico workers have the opportunity to sign up for retirement benefits at work, but only 41 percent of employees use their retirement accounts.

Texas. Exactly half of the Texas workforce is eligible for some form of workplace retirement benefit. However, only 41 percent of employees participate in a retirement plan. Texas has 3 million full-time private-sector employees without access to an employer-based retirement plan, Pew found.

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California. Just over half (51 percent) of California workers qualify for retirement benefits at work, but only 44 percent of workers actually use the plan. Pew estimates that 4 million full-time private-sector employees in California don't have a workplace retirement plan.

Louisiana. Over a quarter of Louisiana workers earn less than $25,000 per year, which makes it difficult to fund a retirement account. Some 44 percent of Louisiana employees participate in a retirement account or pension, compared with 53 percent of people who are eleigible to do so.

Arkansas. Retirement saving in Arkansas is also hindered by the 28 percent of full-time workers who earn less than $25,000 per year. This helps to explain why there are 10 percentage points more Arkansas workers who are eligible to participate in retirement benefits (55 percent) than who actually save in the plan (45 percent).

Georgia. Some 45 percent of Georgia workers participate in a pension, 401(k) plan or similar type of retirement benefit. Slightly more workers (53 percent) have the option to use a retirement plan if they take action to join one and can afford to save in it.

Mississippi. Over half (55 percent) of workers in Mississippi are eligible to join a retirement plan. However, only 47 percent of Mississippi workers actually use their retirement benefits.

Retirement benefits are most prevalent among people who live in the Midwest and New England. In Minnesota and Wisconsin, the states with the highest retirement benefit participation, 61 percent of workers have joined their workplace retirement plans.

Employees without retirement benefits at work have the option to save for retirement in a traditional IRA, Roth IRA or myRA. These retirement accounts offer similar tax breaks to 401(k) plans, but the contribution limits are much lower.
London (AFP) - Some 600 Britons have been stopped from going to Syria to try to join Islamic State and other jihadist groups, Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond said in comments reported Saturday.

Meanwhile some 800 have made it through since 2012, with half of them still thought to be inside the war-torn country, he said, in comments reported in The Guardian and The Daily Telegraph newspapers.

"Approximately 800 Brits have been to Syria, of whom half are still there. But on top of that 800, we have stopped another 600," he said, on a visit to southern Turkey.

The foreign secretary said the number of Britons stopped in Turkey had gone up in the past eight months due to Ankara reassessing the scale of the threat posed to Turkey by Islamic State (IS).

He said greater coordination between London and Ankara had also played a part.

Hammond said besides foreign airstrikes, the interception of jihadists aiming to link up with IS was placing extra strain on the group in its Raqa headquarters.

"There is evidence (IS) is finding it difficult to recruit to the brigades in Raqa because of the high attrition rate of foreign fighters," he said.

"Not just those targeted in UK drone strikes, but US strikes against prominent targets including foreign fighters.

"Generally they are very stretched now -- their manpower on the ground in relation to the territory they're holding is very thin."

British fighter jets joined the US-led coalition bombing IS targets in Syria after parliament backed the move in December.

Britain was already involved in attacking IS targets in Iraq.
Washington (AFP) - An Al-Qaeda affiliate in Africa has claimed responsibility for Friday's attack on a restaurant in Ouagadougou in which a witness said several people were killed, according to a US-based jihadist monitoring group.

The "mujahideen brothers" of Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb "broke into a restaurant of one of the biggest hotels in the capital of Burkina Faso, and are now entrenched and the clashes are continuing with the enemies of the religion," the SITE Intelligence Group quoted an Arabic-language AQIM message as saying.

"O Allah, make it successful, and O nation of the Cross, wait for the glad tidings of what will harm you," the message added.

A Burkina Faso official said there were victims in the ongoing attack as well as hostages, and that the government was planning a counter-assault that may include foreign forces.

Friday's attack occurred in the Cappuccino restaurant across from the Splendid hotel, located in a busy central area of the city. Both establishments are popular with United Nations staff and westerners.

Several vehicles were on fire in the street near the four-star hotel.

According to SITE, the message said the attackers were members of the al-Murabitun Battalion based in Mali and run by Mokhtar Belmokhtar, a jihadist leader who has been known as "The Uncatchable" and is believed responsible for the 2013 Algeria gas field assault.
DAKAR (Reuters) - Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) said on Friday it was responsible for an ongoing attack on a hotel in Burkina Faso's capital, SITE Intelligence Group reported. A senior member of the ultra hardline group had called in December for Muslims in several countries, including Burkina Faso, to wage jihad. AQIM, along with two other groups, also claimed responsibility for killing 20 people and taking hostages in the capital of neighboring Mali in November. (Reporting by Makini Brice; Editing by Andrew Heavens)
Between fifth grade and college, I attended the Fair Oaks Presbyterian Church in a small community in Northern California. Each week, there was an hour between Sunday school and the regular church worship service.

Prepared for that hour of stimulation and meditation, I would bring my Bible and whatever book on comparative religion I was reading at the time. Those included works such as "The Sacred and the Profane," by Eliade, "Chinese Thought," by Creel, "Black Elk Speaks," by Neihardt, and "Magic and Mystery in Tibet," by David-Neel.

When I was a sophomore in high school, the Sunday school youth teacher was a gentleman who encouraged my Bible studies and consideration to become a minister or theologian. He was a conservative Christian who argued against biological evolution and non-Christian religious beliefs.

Observing the books I was reading, one Sunday he advised me: "I am afraid that if you continue to be interested in your pagan friends, you will go to hell with them." I replied: "I don't believe that a loving God would send innocent people to hell, but if he does, I am going there with them."

Fortunately, two people inspired me during that sophomore year in high school. One was the Rev. Eugene Nelson, pastor of the church, who also was an evangelical believer. The other was Earl "Jack" Koobs, my general science and biology teacher, who was also a forest ranger and Baptist.

Both were practical men. Both believed and taught that we human beings have a limited understanding of the creative processes and transcendence of the Creator, and that above all is the compassion of God and the redeeming message of Jesus.

Many years have passed, and I have associated and fellowshipped with people of many cultural traditions. My journey includes study, teaching and participation in various spiritualities, including Christian churches, Native American ceremonies, travel to Tibet and other countries, and study of the Bible and the Aramaic context of Jesus.

I have learned many things in the Sun Dance and Sweat Lodge. When one worships in prayer, sacrifice, and suffering through fasting and effort done with sincerity and determination, and when tears fall on the ground, it will move Akbaatatdia (He Who Made Everything), Jahweh, Allah, The Great Mystery, God.

As for hell, now I prefer the following: When Catholic priest Father Prando encouraged Chief Plenty Coups to change his native ways and be baptized, he asked the chief whether he wanted to go to heaven or hell. "Where do you think most of my Crow people have gone?" asked the chief. "Probably hell, I'm afraid," was Prando's reply. "Nevertheless," said Plenty Coups, "I want to go where most of my people have gone, to The Other Side Camp, the place where nobody knows all about it."
Life.SREDAs Vladislav Solodkiy gives us the lowdown on how the far-thinking Founder of DST Global does what he does best  invest in groundbreaking startups

DST Global Founder Yuri Milner

Editors Note: Heres a story from our archives we feel is relevant even today and deserves your attention.

Meet Yuri Milner. The man who had the foresight and acumen to have his company DST Global, invest in almost every important startup venture in recent history  from Facebook and Twitter to WhatsApp. Here are 12 things we can all learn from his strategies of investing at the right place and right time.

1. A one-man show with a global Rolodex

While other investors endeavour to build institutions that will last for decades, Yuri Milner runs what is essentially a one-man show with a Rolodex thats decidedly global.

His firm, DST Global, is staffed primarily by a small team of ex-Goldman Sachs bankers based mostly in Asia, who help with due diligence and fundraising. And, in an industry of consummate networkers, he has taken it to the next level, hosting lavish parties for an eclectic network across various geographies and industries.

Also Read: Gaption launches online marketplace for on-demand service

2. Invest in attention, not in revenue

Attention is the most expensive thing today. Money follows it.

Twitters US$14.4 billion IPO, he says, is a testament to the power of social media. He considers the company the largest influence mechanism in the world. Why its extraordinary market valuation? Because exercising influence or trying to exercise influence is something people do very often, he says.

He worked in finance for a few years before coming across a 1999 report by Morgan Stanley analyst Mary Meeker, describing the tech boom in the US and how the industry was starting to grow in Europe. This was a revelation, says Milner. How can it be that a company without any revenue could be worth US$50 billion? I was like, I like that! Brilliant!'

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3. Doesnt take board seats and gives his votes back to the founders

In 2009, Milner put his first US$200 million into Facebook, a large sum at the time for an investor outside of Silicon Valley. One reason he thinks that he was able to get involved with Facebook is that he was willing to invest during the height of the financial crisis.

Pre-IPO investments in even high-flying tech companies that are not yet profitable usually conform to a specific pattern: A prestigious VC firm gets certain preferences when it invests (i.e., it gets its money out first should the company go public) and gets seats on the board (which means it gets a direct voice in the future of the company and almost always one that advocates an IPO as soon as possible).

Milner offers something radically or foolishly different: An investment with no such preferences and no board seats.

In effect, his money is like IPO moneyno advantages for regular shareholderswithout the burden of an IPO (the time suck of a road show, the administrative costs of being public, the short-term earnings pressure of the market).

4. The most controversial money guy in Silicon Valley

Milner is sought after, feared and derided in more or less equal measure.

The message seems clear: Milner may have invested in virtually every social media powerhouse, from Facebook to Twitter to Spotify.

He might be the vanguard of an entirely new financial philosophy. But to many, Milners success is not just too much, too fast, but also somehow unfair. Which might help explain  and Milner very much wants to explain himself  how it is that he has gone from investing in a macaroni factory in Moscow to upending the American technology business.

He is trying to say his success story ought to be just as appealing as any in the Valley. To many, Milners success is not just too much and too fast in a land of too much and too fast, but  and here people start to petulantly point out  somehow unfair.

Heres an outsider who has handed out money to outrageously founder-friendly terms, paying huge amounts for relatively small stakes, essentially buying exclusive access to the most desirable companies on the web! It is his outsiderness that seems most irritating and even alarming.

How is it that an outsider has spotted opportunities that the Valleys best investors missed? Does Milners success suggest that the rest of the world is starting to horn in on what has been, to date, as American as apple pie  the Internet future and Internet riches?

5. Effect of crazy dumb Russian money

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What did Yuri Millner do to put Facebook into the double-digit billions? According to VC Marc Andreessen: Yuri came through Silicon Valley in 2008 or 2009 for the first time, and he basically said Im in business and I want to invest.'

Top American investors were bidding at US$5 billion, US$6 billion US$8 billion at the time for Facebook and Milner came in at US$10 billion.

I was on the Facebook side of this and I had friends who were bidding on and Id call them up to say You guys are missing the boat, Yuri is bidding 10. You are going to lose this,' he recalls.

They basically said: Crazy Russian. Dumb money. The world is coming to an end, this is insane. What Yuri had the advantage of at the time (sic), which I got to see, was that Yuri and his team had done an incredibly sophisticated analysis. What theyd basically done is watch the development of consumer Internet business models since 2000 outside of the US, so they had these spreadsheets that were literally across 40 countries  such as Hungary, Israel, Czechoslovakia and China  and then they had all of these social Internet companies and e-commerce companies that had turned into real businesses over the course of the decade but completely ignored by US investors, he explains.

What Yuri always said was that US companies are soft because they can rely on venture capital, whereas if you go to Hungary you cant rely on venture capital so the companies have to make money. So he had a complete matrix of all the business models across all of these countries and then came all of the monetisation levels by user and then all adjusted for GDP. He had the secret spreadsheet and you didnt, Andreessen ends.

The dumb money bought itself potentially unlimited access to what is arguably the most important company to hit the Internet in a decade  Facebook.

6. Relationship investments build trust and insurance for founders

You need to stay close to founders, Milner explains. Milners approach is paradoxical. He shuns board seats on the premise that founders know what theyre doing, but hell visit them regularly to help build a long-term relationship. Till now, hardly anyone knew that hed also got a piece of messaging success story WhatsApp, making him one of only two investors in the world (the other is Sequoia Capital) to do so.

He bought a stake from the founders for US$125 million within weeks of Facebook snapping up the messaging giant for US$19 billion in 2014.

Milner wont discuss the deal, but a source close to the messaging giant says he had a handshake agreement from the startups Founder Jan Koum in January 2014. DSTs money was taken as a form of insurance in case the Facebook deal fell through.

Also Read: LINE Thailand MD to speak at Echelon Thailand 2015

7. In order to believe, you need to stay close

On the surface, investing in Xiaomi looked incredibly risky. Hardware manufacturers in China were two a penny and Samsung and Apple were devouring global smartphone profits. Xiaomi wanted to sell its phone exclusively online, but that business model had been tried and tested by Google on its Nexus phone, which wasnt exactly a mainstream hit.

Milner put those problems aside and found himself struck by Founder Lei Juns methodical plan for a triathlon of hardware, software and Internet services. You cant just be good at one thing but all three, Lei had said during the meeting.

Often you have ambitious entrepreneurs and they dont know how to achieve it, Lindfors says. But he was the guy who had the whole package. Hours later the DST trio filed out of Leis office and got into the car, with Partner Show Zi Chew in the front seat and Milner and John Lindfors in the back. As they zoomed through Beijing traffic, they talked excitedly to one another. We were making all kinds of speculation of where he could take the business over time, Lindfors remembers. Milner turned to the others. I really want to invest in this company, he said.

Lei later told them he never expected DST to invest, but after a few months of due diligence Milners company went on to spend US$500 million over multiple funding rounds, including three exclusive rounds, to amass a seven per cent stake worth about US$3.2 billion at its latest valuation.

How did the company get the exclusive funding? Maybe there were not too many others who really believed in this company, he answers cryptically.

8. Fintech is the next big thing

DST and its partners, specifically Tom Stafford, Partner, DST, are responsible for fintech and do a lot for the industry. The firm is very hungry for fintech and has already invested in a number of big companies such as Stripe, Funding Circle, SavingGlobal, LendUp, Xapo, LendingClub, Klarna, etc.

9. Dont hide and be afraid of your mistakes

It is important to have your own wall of fame of missed opportunities. The one flub he admits to is Uber. DST was presented with three opportunities to invest in the ride-sharing company thats now valued at upwards of US$40 billion, but Milner passed each time because he was concerned that Founder Travis Kalanick couldnt handle legal battles with regulators and cities around the world. I underestimated Travis. That was a big mistake, he says, shrugging. I have not been sleeping well.

Also, another example, DST didnt invest in Twitter Co-founder Jack Dorseys Square.

10. A prototype for a new generation of global Russians

Certainly he has achieved some sort of global being status. Travelling alone, or often with his wife and daughters and his mother-in-law, he seldom spends a consecutive week on one continent. Quite frequently, he will be in every continent, save Antarctica, in a week.

This is part of the discordant behaviour that makes him an anomaly, if not a sore thumb, in his new Los Altos Hills neighbourhood. Silicon Valley, despite being at the centre of the digital world, is a hopelessly insular and actually rather hermetic place.

Even its famous immigrant culture emphasises joining the Valley way. For all its talk of innovation, it resists almost anyone who is not part of its mainstream.

Before Milner, it was even difficult to buy your way in. Money in the Valley  the best money, the money that gets the best deals  always has a certain pedigree. Even New York money, not to mention money from God knows where, is regarded as lesser and suspect.

Milner was one of six technology figures who had been chosen to brief the leaders of the G8 nations at the 2011 summit in Deauville, France. It was a remarkable example of his rising profile and the amount of power he has come to wield. The G8 Internet contingent included a series of high-profile speakers from among the digital elite: From the US, Facebooks Mark Zuckerberg and Googles Eric Schmidt; from Japan, Hiroshi Mikitani, CEO of online retailer Rakuten; from France, Maurice Levy, head of ad agency Publicis Groupe and Stephane Richard, CEO of France Telecom.

And, lastly, Milner. Why Milner? Partly because he has so ably insinuated himself into extraordinary networks, but also because he is the only one here who has roots in an upstart economy. That gives him a unique perspective. He may be among only a handful of people who operate in multiple markets at the same time, without local infrastructure. This makes him a kind of free-floating statea connector, a go-between, the ultimate independent player.

2011 was a busy year for Milner. Alongside multibillion-dollar deals in China, he marked the 10-year anniversary of his marriage to artist Julia Milner with a lavish wedding at their home. Theyd never had one till then. I wanted to have it in 10 years, on that day, he says matter-of-factly, referring to the novel nuptials date of 11/11/11.

Also Read: How to thrive in Vietnam and Thailands emerging startup world

12. Be fundamental and do something that matters

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Born in the Soviet Union in 1961, he was (like many Russian infants that year) named after Yuri Gagarin, the cosmonaut who became the first man launched into outer space.

At age 12, Milner became interested in Physics when a family friend involved in weapons development came over. After graduating from Moscow State University, he spent the next five years as a physicist. But while working on his Ph.D, he realised that he didnt have what it took to stand out in the field.

I was not smart enough, he says. If you really want to do Fundamental Physics, you have to be extremely smart. Everyone was super scared to invest in anything, he says.

Since his success, he has continued following developments in his old field  science. I dont have any other hobbies, he says. I dont collect anything, and Im not interested in sports, aside from going to the gym a few times a week.

But, he joined Google Founder Sergey Brin and Facebook CEO Mark Zuckberberg to launch an annual Breakthrough Prize in life sciences, which grants recipients from around the world US$3 million each for their research.

Previously, hed launched another annual award, the Fundamental Physics Prize, in which winners receive US$3 million each (from the likes of Hollywood stars Benedict Cumberbatch and Kate Beckinsale) for discoveries and research in the field. Past winners have included scientists Edward Witten and Stephen Hawking.

He believes that attention to the sciences is being crowded out by our celebrity-driven society. Milner hopes his efforts will help shift societys focus to people working to solve longer-term questions such as How did the universe come to be? and Why do we exist?.

Another initiative is his funding of an organisation called the Global Brain Institute. Milner has an optimistic view of the future of artificial intelligence (AI)  unlike Elon Musk, Bill Gates and Stephen Hawking  because he doesnt think computers will ever be completely autonomous from humans. Instead, well eventually be part of a global symbiotic brain between computers and humans.

Francis Heylighen, a silver-haired math genius with a bushy goatee and large glasses, is currently building the worlds first mathematical model of what that global brain will look like  thanks to an infusion of EU1.5 million (US$1.61 million) from Milners pocket over the last five years.

Milner agreed to fund Heylighens team if it could come up with a model to run a computer simulation of the global brain.

Why is Milner so keen to find a formula for the web anyway? Heylighen suggests it potentially opens the door to making predictions. And there may also be a cultural driver too. He notes that another Russian science colleague often gravitated towards big theories that could explain complex systems. Russians like philosophies that can explain everything, Heylighen says.

For Milner, the answer to investing isnt complex. Its simply about meeting the right person, which involves being everywhere all the time. Thats why investing is so difficult, he says. Each time, its slightly different. If there was a formula, everyone would be doing it.

I would like to extend great thanks to entrepreneur Oleg Tinkov for introducing me to Yuri Milner, and COO Leonid Soloviev for connecting me with other DST Global Partners John Lindfors and Tom Stafford.

The views expressed here are of the authors, and e27 may not necessarily subscribe to them. e27 invites members from Asias tech industry and startup community to share their honest opinions and expert knowledge with our readers. If you are interested in sharing your point of view, please send us an email at writers[at]e27[dot]co

The post From Archives: 12 tips to investing like VC Yuri Milner appeared first on e27.
By Steve Barnes

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (Reuters) - An Arkansas man was convicted of capital murder and kidnapping on Friday for killing a real estate agent who he abducted under the guise of inspecting a house for sale.

The defendant, Arron Lewis, was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for killing Beverly Carter, 50, who was found buried in a shallow grave four days after her disappearance in September, 2014.

A massive manhunt was launched for Carter with the case resonating through the real estate industry nationwide as a cautionary tale on the risks to brokers, especially women, of showing properties alone.

At the request of the victims family, who cited religious beliefs, the state did not seek the death penalty.

Carter was abducted from a residence in an isolated Little Rock suburb. Lewis initially intended a kidnapping for ransom but later killed the woman, prosecutors said.

The jury deliberated less than an hour before returning its verdict.

Lewis, 35, who had numerous prior felony convictions, testified Carter died accidentally during a tryst with him and his former wife, whom he sought to protect by disposing of the dead womans body.

Lewis' ex-wife, who testified for the state, disputed Lewiss account and described her role as assisting in the abduction.

The woman, Crystal Lowery, 42, pleaded guilty last year to reduced murder and kidnapping charges in exchange for her testimony against Lewis. She was sentenced to 30 years in prison.

A state pathologist testified Carter died of asphyxiation after her head was wrapped in repeated layers of duct tape.

(Reporting by Steve Barnes; Editing by Jon Herskovitz and Andrew Hay)
Beirut (AFP) - At least 35 Syrian soldiers and pro-regime militiamen were killed Saturday in a multi-front attack by the Islamic State group on the eastern city of Deir Ezzor, a monitor said.

The fighting came as regime forces battled IS in the northern province of Aleppo, repelling a jihadist assault and killing at least 16 fighters from the group.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said IS had advanced into the northern tip of Deir Ezzor city, in eastern Syria, and captured the suburb of Al-Baghaliyeh.

The advance puts IS in control of around 60 percent of the city, with the regime holding the rest, according to the Britain-based monitor.

Syrian state news agency SANA said regime troops had repelled an IS attack on the area around Al-Baghaliyeh and inflicted "heavy losses" on the group.

Deir Ezzor is the capital of Deir Ezzor province, an oil-rich region that borders Iraq and is mostly held by IS.

The regime has clung onto portions of the provincial capital and the adjacent military airport despite repeated IS attacks.

Observatory chief Rami Abdel Rahman said heavy fighting was continuing on Saturday afternoon after the IS assault, which began with a suicide car bomb blast carried out by a member of the jihadist group.

Eight of the regime forces killed were shot dead by IS jihadists, the Observatory added.

The monitor said Russian warplanes were carrying out heavy air strikes in support of regime forces as they sought to repel the jihadists.

Elsewhere, regime troops were locked in fierce clashes with IS in Aleppo province, with at least 16 jihadists killed after a failed attack on a government position near the town of Al-Bab, the Observatory said.

State television also reported that regime forces had repelled an assault.

The Observatory said heavy fighting was ongoing throughout Saturday in the area, with Russian war planes carrying out strikes in the region between the regime-held Kweyris air base and Al-Bab.

- Seven battlefronts -

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The regime has advanced towards the town, an IS bastion, in recent days, and is now within 10 kilometres (six miles) of it, according to the Observatory.

That is the closest regime forces have come to Al-Bab since 2012.

The Britain-based monitor also said regime forces had taken a string of villages nearby.

Roughly 30 kilometres (25 miles) south of the Turkish border, Al-Bab fell into rebel hands in July 2012, and IS jihadists captured it in late 2013.

The fighting in Al-Bab is just one of up to seven fronts on which regime forces are seeking to advance in Aleppo province, capitalising on a Russian air campaign that began on September 30

The various battles are intended in part to cut rebel supply lines into Aleppo city, the provincial capital and Syria's second city.

The city itself is divided and regime forces are now hoping to effectively encircle the opposition-held east.

In addition to cutting rebel access to eastern Aleppo city, the regime is hoping to sever areas controlled by IS in the province from its territory in neighbouring Raqa, Abdel Rahman said.
By Morag MacKinnon PERTH (Reuters) - The Australian government should apologize for ejecting nine welfare workers from an immigration camp on Nauru for alleged misconduct after a report cleared them of any wrongdoing, one of the aid workers told media on Saturday. The government-ordered independent report into the deportation of nine Save the Children employees from the Australian governments immigration detention center on Nauru in October 2014 after raising concerns from asylum seekers about sexual harassment from guards was released late on Friday. The report, by former chief executive of the high court Christopher Doogan, found that the welfare workers were fired under political pressure and that there was no evidence or reliable information for their dismissal. The Pacific island of Nauru is home to one of Australia's controversial refugee detention centers. It hosts about 500 asylum seekers and has been widely criticized for harsh conditions and reports of systemic child abuse. Natasha Bulcher, who was employed by the Save the Children Fund in the immigration detainee camp, told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation that she was disappointed that the report didnt include an apology. The governments decision to deport the workers is clearly stated as having been made on the basis of no evidence, Bulcher said. The staff and Save the Children deserve compensation, chief executive Paul Ronalds told the ABC on Friday following the report's release. "We've said from the start that these were some of our most talented and hardest working staff and the idea that they would fabricate cases of abuse or encourage children to self harm was always absurd," Ronalds said. Under Australias immigration policy, asylum seekers attempting to reach the country by boat are intercepted and sent to camps on Nauru, located about 3,000 km (1,800 miles) northeast of Australia, or on Manus island in Papua New Guinea. Human rights groups, including the U.N. Refugee Agency, have criticized the harsh conditions at the detention centers and deemed them inappropriate for the care of children. Logs from the immigration department showed in the year to July 2015 there were 188 incidents of self-harm involving detainees at Nauru, the Sydney Morning Herald newspaper reported on Saturday after obtaining the information under freedom of information laws. These included individuals swallowing insect repellent and dousing their bodies with boiling water, the newspaper reported. (Reporting by Morag MacKinnon; Editing by Kim Coghill)
Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull made an unannounced visit to Baghdad Saturday and held talks with his Iraqi counterpart on the fight against the Islamic State group, the premier's office said.

Australia is part of a US-led coalition carrying out air strikes against IS and providing training to Iraqi forces.

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi's office said he and Turnbull discussed the war against IS, strengthening relations between the two countries as well as economic and agricultural cooperation.

Abadi welcomed Australia's support against IS, his office said.

Australia has carried out strikes against IS and deployed trainers to Iraq, but this week rejected a request from US Defence Secretary Ashton Carter for further contributions, saying current efforts are sufficient and will continue.

Turnbull is travelling to Washington for a two-day visit beginning Monday that will include a major foreign policy address and meeting with US President Barack Obama.

Talks are likely on the fight against IS and ratification of the 12-nation trans-Pacific trade deal.

Canberra has been increasingly concerned about the flow of fighters to Iraq and Syria to join extremist groups including IS.

It passed a law last month to strip dual nationals who fight with banned groups of their citizenship if they fight with banned groups oversees or are convicted of terrorism offences.

IS overran large areas north and west of Baghdad last year and also holds significant territory in Syria.

Iraqi forces initially performed poorly against the jihadists, but have regained ground with the support of international air strikes.
Two Australians have been kidnapped in Burkina Faso, officials said Saturday, as a Malian Islamist group said the couple were in the hands of Al-Qaeda-linked jihadists.

The Burkina government said the pair were kidnapped in Baraboule, near the west African country's borders with Niger and Mali.

A Burkinabe intelligence source told AFP the Australians were a couple in their 80s from the western city of Perth who had lived since 1972 in Djibo, near Baraboule.

News of the kidnapping came as a jihadist assault on an upmarket hotel in Burkina Faso's capital Ouagadougou left at least 26 people dead, including many foreigners.

Burkina Faso's Communications Minister Remi Dandjinou said Saturday the couple were Australian nationals, correcting an earlier interior ministry statement identifying them as Austrian.

A spokesman for Malian militant group Ansar Dine, Hamadou Ag Khallini, told AFP in a brief phone message that the couple were being held by jihadists from the Al-Qaeda-linked "Emirate of the Sahara".

He said they were alive and more details would be released soon.

The Australian department of foreign affairs said it was aware of the reports but declined to comment further when contacted by AFP.

"Our post in Accra, Ghana, is working with local authorities on a suspected kidnapping. We will not comment further on the situation," it said.

A European diplomatic source confirmed they had received intelligence on Friday that a Western couple had been kidnapped in Burkina Faso, without giving their nationality.

"According to our information, the kidnappers' objective is to take the hostages towards Mali," the source added, declining to give further details.

A military base in the same region was attacked by militants in August last year, with one Burkinabe policeman killed.

The Emirate of the Sahara is a branch of Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) operating in northern Mali, according to experts.

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AQIM has claimed responsibility for the hotel attack saying it was "revenge against France and the disbelieving West", according to a statement carried by US-based monitoring group SITE.

The attack and kidnapping will heighten concerns that jihadist groups are casting their net wider in search of targets in west Africa, two months after a siege at a luxury hotel in Mali where 20 people were killed, again mostly foreigners.

Ansar Dine is one of the jihadist groups that seized control of northern Mali in March and April 2012.

An international military intervention, launched in January 2013, largely drove the Islamists out, but areas of the north remain beyond the control of Malian and international forces. Jihadist attacks have spread since the beginning of 2015 towards central and southern Mali.
Is it possible to have a productive, respectful conversation about gun use, or any other controversial issue?

Take a peek online and you might not think so. Proponents on either side of any hot-button topic hurl insults at each other, or at the very least find it impossible to comprehend the other persons point of view.

Linda Gryczan believes having that kind of conversation is an attainable goal, and shell be in Billings on Saturday, Jan. 23 to demonstrate how it can be done. In conjunction with St. Andrew Presbyterian Church, she will guide the first of what the church hopes will be a series of constructive conversations.

In this case, the conversation will include people on both sides of the gun use controversy, those who favor gun control and those on the side of gun freedoms.

Gryczan, of Mediation Works in Helena, is president of the Montana Mediation Association. The method that she uses for the forums comes from the Public Conversations Project in Boston.

It allows people to talk about the hard issues instead of avoiding them, and to talk in a way that further connects people rather than dividing them, she said in a telephone interview from Helena.

During this highly structured conversation, with an equal number of people on both sides of the issue, participants are given three minutes to share how their personal experiences have informed their views on the topic, keeping away from heavily researched or statistical arguments.

The story each person tells helps those on the other side understand their point of view. With both sides sharing, they may realize there are gray areas where they have some agreement, although that isnt the point of the conversation.

The attention of the conversations is not to convince, but to understand, Gryczan said.

Trained facilitators also are on hand to make sure the conversations dont devolve into shouting matches or name-calling diatribes.

For Gryczan, employing a better kind of conversation goes back to a time in Helena when the subject of sex education in schools provoked an outcry at school district meetings.

People were getting up at the microphone and yelling sound bites at each other, she said. It was very destructive.

Around that time, Gryczan had been learning about the methods used by the Public Conversations Project, and she and another woman decided to try it out. They tackled another difficult topic, LGBT rights and traditional family values, in a way that would be a win-win for everyone involved.

I brought in my people and she brought hers, Gryczan said. We were able to have a very heartfelt discussion, where people touched each other's hearts rather than speaking in slogans. It was amazing.

She then teamed up with another member of the mediation association, who she calls her polar opposite on most issues, and the two went to Seattle to be fully trained by the Public Conversation Project.

After the pair returned to Montana, members of the Boston organization called and said they were holding discussions about guns, and they hoped to come to Montana to talk about guns.

Gryczan secured a grant from the Montana Humanities Foundation to cover the cost of the event. That included representatives from the Public Conversations Project training a dozen people in Butte to be part of the conversation.

Organizers gathered people from a wide spectrum, from those who considered themselves socialists all the way to those whose ideologies landed right of John Birch, she said.

At the end people said Wow, I had no idea I could talk with you, Gryczan said, referring to people with disparate views. People are so hungry for these kinds of conversations.

She has helped do trainings and facilitate conversations in Helena and Butte and is now looking forward to expanding to Billings. Gryczan spent last Saturday at St. Andrew Presbyterian training 20 people to be facilitators of Constructive Conversations after St. Andrew contacted her.

Betty Whiting, a St. Andrew member and one of the organizers of next Saturdays conversation, said the partnership came out of a decision last fall the church made to become a peacemaking congregation.

Through the life of the church theyve found ways to find peace within themselves, Whiting said. Their next step was to figure out how to get the community to think about peaceful solutions, and that led them to Gryczan.

We thought this is a way to get people involved and think about what theyre saying and listen to teach other, Whiting said.

She took part in the training session, with gun use as the days topic, and saw how a productive conversation could unfold.

So many times we dont hear people because were so busy thinking up what were going to say, she said. In this case people listened. They had three minutes to tell their own story, so they didnt have to be anxious.

Whiting was surprised by some of the stories she heard. She was grateful to tell her story because Ive never told anyone and no one has asked.

Whiting hopes the conversation might appeal to civic leaders, who often have to deal with contentious topics.

"If they learn this, they might be able to use it," she said.
By Chris Kahn and Amanda Becker NEW YORK/MANCHESTER, N.H. (Reuters) - Bill Clinton may not be the secret weapon that Hillary Clinton needs in the U.S. presidential race. And the former Democratic president may not become the albatross that Republican candidate Donald Trump expects, either. Bill Clinton simply is not wielding that kind of influence  good or bad  over voters so far this year, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll. A majority of Americans, including 73 percent of Democrats and 52 percent of Republicans, said Bill Clinton does not factor into their opinion of Hillary for president. (http://tmsnrt.rs/1OUiYCw) The poll, conducted Jan. 7 to 13, found that 12 percent of Americans are more likely to vote for Hillary, the former secretary of state, because of her marriage to Bill. Among Democrats, fewer than half said Bill Clinton should be more prominent in his wifes campaign, and less than half felt that his presence in the race would boost her chances of winning. Bill Clinton, who was widely credited for helping Barack Obama win a second term in 2012, has become much more active on the campaign trail this month, especially in New Hampshire, where Hillary Clinton trails Bernie Sanders in several recent statewide polls. Hillary called Bill her not-so-secret weapon when announcing the move, though his increased involvement created an opening for Republicans, especially Trump, to bring up allegations of sexual misconduct that dogged the Clintons in the 1990s. Despite two terms of strong economic growth and a trade surplus, Bill Clintons legacy as president has been marked by several high-profile missteps. Several women came forward during his tenure in the White House with allegations of consensual sexual encounters. He also spent much of his tenure fighting accusations of unwanted advances toward women, including Paula Jones, an Arkansas state employee, who later filed a lawsuit. In 1998, he was impeached by the House of Representatives after attempting to cover-up an affair with another woman, Monica Lewinsky. After Hillary said that Trump, the Republican front-runner, had shown a penchant for sexism, the real estate mogul took to Twitter to warn the Democratic front-runner against using her husband as a surrogate on the campaign trail. If Hillary thinks she can unleash her husband, with his terrible record of women abuse, while playing the womens card on me, shes wrong! Trump wrote in late December. Voters, however, do not seem to care. A majority of Americans in the Reuters/Ipsos poll, including 68 percent of Democrats and 50 percent of Republicans, said that Bills past sexual misconduct made no difference in the current presidential race. Among women, 56 percent said it did not matter, while another 21 percent said it would hurt Hillary Clintons chances of winning the election. A tiny proportion of women  4 percent  said they thought the experience would actually help her chances of winning. Democrats who turned out to listen to the former president this week in New Hampshire dismissed the allegations of sexual misconduct as no longer relevant. I just think its none of our business, said Randall Ferrara, a retired pastor who came to listen to Bill stump in Keene, New Hampshire. Its old news and a weapon they use when they dont have anything else. Ferrara said he is still deciding between Clinton and her chief rival, U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders of nearby Vermont. Shirley Ferrara, his wife, said that she would be supporting Hillary. She agreed with the roughly half of Democrats that told Reuters/Ipsos that the former president should take a prominent role campaigning for his wife and that it would help her. I think he would be an asset to her, Ferrara said. Rachel Reekie, a Sanders supporter and Keen State University student who was in elementary school during Clintons presidency, said she was fully aware of the allegations. Its not a big deal; its over, Reekie said. I dont think his presence will have an effect. The online panel of 1,947 adults has a credibility interval, a measure of accuracy, of about 4 percentage points. (Editing by Caren Bohan and Lisa Shumaker)
By Mark Gleeson JOHANNESBURG, Jan 16 (Reuters)  Stuart Broad decimated South Africas top order with a magical spell of fast bowling that yielded five wickets and left England on the brink of victory at tea on day three of the third test on Saturday. The hosts limped to the interval on 71 for eight after Broad returned figures of five for 14 from 10 overs on a lively wicket to leave the Proteas with a meagre 61-run lead. Faf du Plessis (12) and Hardus Viljoen (one) will seek to build a ninth-wicket partnership after the interval in an attempt to set a target that gives their bowlers some hope. Resuming after lunch on 16 without loss having bowled England out for 323 in the morning, South Africa had no answer to the bounce and movement of Broad, who moved ahead of Bob Willis into third on the list of all-time England test wicket-takers with 329. Dean Elgar (15) edged to wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow and another torturous innings from Stiaan van Zyl (11) ended when he spliced the ball to Ben Stokes in the gully. The huge wicket of AB de Villiers (0) followed in Broads next over as he induced an inside edge to the keeper, before Hashim Amla (5) clipped the ball to short leg where James Taylor took a remarkable low catch. There were no second-innings heroics from Temba Bavuma (0) as he attempted to leave a rising delivery but only managed to glove the ball on to his stumps. Broad's spell was reminiscent of his eight for 15 against Australia at Trent Bridge last August. There was no let-up for the home side when Broad was rested, Steven Finn removing Dane Vilas (8) thanks to another sensational one-handed catch by Taylor diving to his right. Stokes continued the procession with an excellent in-swinging yorker that clattered into the stumps of Chris Morris (0), before inducing an edge from Kagiso Rabada (16) to Bairstow. The wicketkeeper had scored a brisk 45 to help England to a 10-run first innings lead as Rabada completed a first test five-wicket haul. The 20-year-old Rabada finished with figures of 5-78 after dismissing Joe Root (110), Broad (12) and Bairstow. England lead the series 1-0 after victory in the first test by 241 run. The fourth test starts in Pretoria next week. (Writing by Nick Said, editing by Ed Osmond; nick.said@thomsonreuters.com; +27832722948; Reuters Messaging: Reuters Messaging: nick.said.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net)
London (AFP) - British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond hailed Saturday's implementation of the nuclear agreement between Iran and global powers as an "important landmark" that made the "world a safer place".

"The nuclear deal with Iran, in which Britain played a major role, makes the Middle East and the wider world a safer place", the British minister said in a statement.

Britain was one of the six major powers who struck July's historic deal with Iran, which sees it limit its nuclear programme in exchange for a lifting of sanctions.

Hammond said that "years of patient and persistent diplomacy... have borne fruit".

"There were many sceptics who said Iran would never deliver on its side of the bargain, but the independent International Atomic Energy Agency has said they have," said Hammond.

"Iran's nuclear programme has been substantially rolled back," he added, before urging British businesses to capitalise on the lifting of international sanctions against Iran.

"The future is as important as the landmark we've reached today," he said.
PARIS (Reuters) - A curfew has been put in place in the Burkina Faso capital Ouagadougou from 2300 GMT (1800 ET) to 0600, France's ambassador to the country said on Saturday, as suspected Islamist gunmen held hostages at a hotel in the capital. Gilles Thibault said on his Twitter account the attack in its former colony was ongoing and that the embassy had set up a crisis unit for its citizens. More than 3,500 French nationals live in the country, according to foreign ministry data. Describing the assault on the Splendid Hotel in the capital's business district as a "terrorist attack," the embassy had earlier told French nationals to say at home and avoid the area. (Reporting By John Irish; Editing by Chris Reese)
Ottawa (AFP) - Canada's high court gave parliament another four months Friday to rewrite the law in order to allow doctors to help gravely ill patients die upon request.

The government had asked for time to amend the nation's Criminal Code after the court in February 2014 quashed a section prohibiting assisted suicide, effectively authorizing it for consenting adults with serious health problems.

The court had already suspended its ruling for one year to allow legislators an opportunity to enact new rules surrounding the divisive issue.

But a new Liberal government won an October general election and asked for a further six-month delay.

Granting the further extension is an "extraordinary step," the court said in its decision, "since its effect is to maintain an unconstitutional law."

However, the court also agreed to a few exemptions that would allow some patients to proceed now with assisted suicide, notably in Quebec province, which rolled out Canada's first assisted dying framework last month.

On Thursday, local media reported that two people in Quebec had already asked for help dying.

One of them was approved and died in hospital. Health officials are still considering the second request.

Elsewhere in Canada, until June when the injunction is set to expire, a patient may seek permission from a judge to proceed.

The Supreme Court's February 2015 decision had reversed its own 1993 ruling in the case of Sue Rodriguez, a pioneer in the fight for the right to die in Canada.

At that time, the court had expressed concern about protecting vulnerable persons, but in its newer ruling last year pointed to changed Canadian social values.

Polling shows a strong majority of Canadians -- 85 percent -- support the right to die.

Some form of physician-assisted dying is legal in Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Switzerland and in a handful of US states.
Its been just over four months since Sean Penn met with the worlds most wanted drug lord, and things arent going as the actor had planned.

My article has failed, Penn told CBSs Charlie Rose in an interview that will air on 60 Minutes this Sunday.

A man reads an article about drug lord Joaquin Guzman, aka "El Chapo", showing a picture of him (R) and US actor Sean Penn, on the website of Rolling Stone magazine, in Mexico City, on January 10, 2016 (AFP Photo/Alfredo Estrella)

The Oscar winner was referring to the 10,000-plus word screed detailing his meeting this October with notorious Mexican cartel boss Joaquin El Chapo Guzman, and the events leading up to it. Rolling Stone published Penns article this past Saturday, following Guzman's capture six months after his Hollywoodesque escape from a maximum security prison this past July.

Penn had hoped that by interviewing the head of one of the worlds largest and deadliest drug cartels he could spark a meaningful dialogue about U.S. drug war policies. Instead, his interview is being credited with helping lead Mexican authorities to the evasive Guzmana recognition the actor does not want.

"There is this myth about the visit that we made, my colleagues and I with El Chapo, that it wasas the Attorney General of Mexico is quoted'essential' to his capture," Penn told Rose. "We had met with him many weeks earlier...on October 2nd, in a place nowhere near where he was captured."

A lawyer for Joaquin 'El Chapo' Guzman called for Sean Penn to testify in court about his Rolling Stone article, adding that he would never have claimed to be the world's top trafficker. (Photo: Henry Romero/Reuters)

Penn might not have willingly participated in the search for El Chapo but, as Mexicos Attorney General Arely Gomez explained on a local radio station this week, their meet-up was an essential element, because we were following [Guzmans] lawyer, and the lawyer took us to these people and to this meeting.

According to Mike Vigil, a former chief of international operations with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency, that could be enough to put Penn and Mexican actress Kate del Castillo, who facilitated the meeting, in jeopardy.

These cartels are very violent, they do not forgive any transgression and they will respond in a most violent manner, Vigil told Yahoo News. These are people who have dismembered, who have decapitated individuals. So killing Sean Penn and del Castillo means absolutely nothing to them.

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Vigil, whose decades-long DEA career includes several years of undercover work with Mexican cartels, said he thought it was a careless move on the Mexican governments part to publicize any ties between the Penn meeting and Guzmans arrest.

If Chapo Guzman perceives that they cooperated with authorities in his capture, [the cartel] will go after them, Vigil said, arguing that the risk is likely higher for del Castillo because she was the one in contact with Guzman. She was the one whom Guzmans associates were instructed to provide with a Blackberrythe phone theyd deemed most secureand it was their flirtatious correspondence that led to that fateful meeting in the jungle with Sean Penn.

He developed a childlike infatuation with del Castillo and forgot about the fact that when he was captured in 2014, he was captured as a result of telephone monitoring, Vigil said. Apart from that, [del Castillo] is originally from Mexico, she has all of her family in Mexico. One of the traditional violent methods [the cartels] use is if they cant get to the target, theyll go after their family members.

He added, If I were Kate del Castillo I would run like the wind.

Kate del Castillo, pictured on November 9, 2015, brokered the sitdown between Guzman and Penn (Photo: Mark Ralston/AFP)

It took 13 years for authorities to track down El Chapo after his first prison break in 2001, and when he disappeared again in July, the Mexican government took a lot of heat from U.S. officials and Mexican citizens alike who pointed to Guzmans escapes as evidence of deep-seated corruption and an inability to police its most powerful criminals.

Penn alluded to this dynamic in one section of his Rolling Stone article, in which he describes driving through a military checkpoint with Alfredo Guzman, El Chapos son, on the way to meet the man himself.

Two uniformed government soldiers, weapons at the ready, approach our vehicle. Alfredo lowers his passenger window; the soldiers back away, looking embarrassed, and wave us through, Penn writes. Wow. So it is, the power of a Guzman face. And the corruption of an institution.

The Mexican government has said it plans to extradite Guzman to the U.S. this time around. When that happens, Vigil said, there is a good chance that Penn and del Castillo could be called to testify in federal court about the meeting or certain incriminating parts of the Rolling Stone article, such as the one in which Guzman is quoted saying I supply more heroin, methamphetamine, cocaine and marijuana than anybody else in the world. I have a fleet of submarines, airplanes, trucks and boats.

While Penn said he believes the Mexican authorities have deliberately tried to put the blame on him for Guzmans arrest, he told Charlie Rose he does not fear for his life. He does, however, have a terrible regret.

"I have a regret that the entire discussion about this article ignores its purpose, which was to try to contribute to this discussion about the policy in the War on Drugs," Penn said.

Vigil doesnt blame Penn, but he believes the interview was clearly a huge mistake for everyone involved.

People in Hollywood have a tendency to live in a cocoon and they really dont understand all of these implications, he said.

Related video:
Almoloya de Juarez (Mexico) (AFP) - Lawyers for recaptured Mexican drug lord Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman condemned prison authorities for refusing them access to their client, after being denied permission to bring him fluffy slippers, a toothbrush and other items.

Two of Guzman's lawyers gave an indignant press conference outside his maximum-security prison after they were not allowed to visit their client and bring him clothes and other personal effects.

Lawyer Juan Pablo Badillo said he feared for Guzman's health and safety.

"There's a growing fear (among Guzman's lawyers) that something may happen to him, because it's suspicious that they won't even let his defense attorneys look at him, ask him how he's feeling, what he's been through, whether he's been tortured," he said.

"I hold the prison directors and the interior minister responsible if Mr Guzman is the victim of any illness caused by the cold," said lawyer Jose Luis Gonzalez, showing journalists the items he had packed in a small blue suitcase for his client.

Guzman, the kingpin of the powerful Sinaloa drug cartel, escaped from the same prison outside Mexico City on July 11.

He was recaptured a week ago after six months on the run and sent back to jail -- this time with two tanks posted outside and heavily beefed-up security measures.

Interior Minister Miguel Angel Osorio Chong denies Guzman has been refused access to his lawyers, saying he met with one on Tuesday.

Gonzalez demanded proof of that.

"Not even if they had caught Adolf Hitler alive would they have done to him what they are doing to Mr Guzman," he said in a radio interview earlier this week.
Almoloya de Juarez (Mexico) (AFP) - Lawyers for recaptured Mexican drug lord Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman condemned prison authorities Friday for refusing them access to their client, after being denied permission to bring him fluffy slippers, a toothbrush and other items.

Two of Guzman's lawyers gave an indignant press conference outside his maximum-security prison after they were not allowed to visit their client and bring him clothes and other personal items.

Lawyer Juan Pablo Badillo said he feared for Guzman's health and safety.

"There's a growing fear (among Guzman's lawyers) that something may happen to him, because it's suspicious that they won't even let his defense attorneys look at him, ask him how he's feeling, what he's been through, whether he's been tortured," he said.

"I hold the prison directors and the interior minister responsible if Mr Guzman is the victim of any illness caused by the cold," said lawyer Jose Luis Gonzalez, showing journalists the items he had packed in a small blue suitcase for his client.

Guzman, the kingpin of the powerful Sinaloa drug cartel, escaped from the same prison outside Mexico City on July 11.

He was recaptured a week ago after six months on the run and sent back to prison -- this time with two tanks posted outside and heavily beefed-up security measures.

Interior Minister Miguel Angel Osorio Chong denies Guzman has been refused access to his lawyers, saying he met with one on Tuesday.

Gonzalez demanded proof of that.

"Not even if they had caught Adolf Hitler alive would they have done to him what they are doing to Mr Guzman," he said in a radio interview earlier this week.

-- Rotating guards --

Guzman was being held under "extra security conditions," Renato Sales, Mexico's National Security commissioner, told Radio Formula.

The government earlier said that "El Chapo" is in a section of the prison where the most dangerous criminals are held -- the same area where he escaped from in July.

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Sales however said that this time Guzman is being held in a different wing, and that all the nearby cells are empty. Agents shuffle the fallen drug lord in an unscheduled manner between the different cells.

Furthermore, federal agents with cameras attached to their helmets work in two-hour shifts keeping a strict eye on the prisoner.

Sales said that Guzman has no privileges, not even the ones he enjoyed in his earlier prison stint, and that he was especially upset when forced to get all of his hair cut off.
CASPER, Wyo.  A Casper man accused of causing up to $1 million worth of damage at a local bentonite mine was arrested on Thursday.

A Natrona County Sheriff's Deputy arrested Mark Faulcon, 20, for felony property damage, five counts of burglary and conspiracy to commit burglary.

On Jan. 4, the Natrona County Sheriff's Department responded to a call from the mine, at the intersection of Poison Spider and Gas Hills roads, for a report of damaged property. According to the affidavit, when a corporal and deputy arrived, they saw "an epic amount of destroyed property." The damaged property included a shipping container, a motor home, several trailers, a semi-truck, a Ford F-250 pickup, a portable restroom, tools and work equipment.

At the time, it appeared that the property was damaged using large machinery. The cost of the damage was estimated to run between $500,000 and $1 million.

On Thursday, the sheriff's office received a tip from a local resident who was with Faulcon during the early morning of Jan. 4. According to the affidavit, the local resident, Faulcon and another unnamed man drove to Poison Spider Road and Gas Hills Road, where Faulcon and the unnamed man destroyed property using large machinery.

Faulcon was interviewed by an investigator on Thursday and said, while in the area, he and the unnamed man saw large machines and decided to drive them. They used a bulldozer, semi-truck, scrapers, a grader and more to damage and destroy property at the location.

Faulcon was being held Friday at the Natrona County Detention Center.
When did cheap oil become an economic catastrophe?

Anybody with a gas tank to fill knows the delight that comes from gassing up for half the cost of a couple years ago. Yet the plunge in oil prices is unnerving financial markets and contributing to a big selloff thats rattling investors. How can something thats supposed to be good for consumers cause so much trouble?

The answer has to do with the entanglements between stock, commodity and currency markets, as well as traders trying to guess where markets are heading (and sometimes guessing wrong). But fundamentals still matter, and plunging oil prices remain a net positive for consumers and the U.S. economy.

The average household saved $722 in 2015 thanks to lower gas prices, and will save another $217 or so this year, according to forecasting firm IHS. Lower costs for other types of energy, such as heating fuel, add to the windfall. This is free money going into the pockets of most Americans -- better even than a tax cut, which leaves the U.S. government short of revenue that simply got transferred to taxpayers instead.

Economists point out that we havent seen a spike in consumer spending commensurate with the extra money in consumer pockets. But falling energy costs still help, anyway. The savings rate has ticked up from 4.4% at the end of 2013 to 5.2%, and more money in the bank makes people more confident about their financial future. Americans also seem to be using some of the savings to pay down debt.

So why are plunging oil prices causing havoc in markets? Three basic reasons:

First, oil prices can give important signals about things happening in the real economy, and those signals are worrisome right now. Part of the sharp drop in prices is due to falling demand, mostly in China. That means business is down at construction firms and industrial companies, which could indicate that a much-feared property bubble in China might be bursting. The problem is that demand for oil is down at the same time supply is up, and its very difficult to determine how much of the price plunge is due to each factor. So worries based on weak demand could be overblown.

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Second, the collapse in oil prices is causing a painful shakeout in the U.S. oil and gas sector, turning an economic bright spot into a bust. Whats unknown is whether an energy recession will remain contained to that industry, or spread further. The oil and gas sector represents slightly less than 5% of U.S. GDP, so the decline does impact growth. On the other hand, drilling regions such as North Dakota and west Texas were booming before the price plunge, so there ought to be some cushion.

The third reason has to do with bonds and other securities linked to oil and gas firms. Defaults are already up, and once again, the question is whether distress will stay contained to the industry or spread further. Some analysts worry that defaults on oil and gas bonds could spread to other securities, especially high-yield "junk" bonds. But others think its a great time to buy distressed assets poised to bounce.

Mix all of these factors together with currency wars emanating from Asia, confusing signals from the Chinese government and recessions elsewhere, such as Brazil, and its more than enough to temporarily outweigh the benefits of cheap energy. The American consumer is doing relatively well, says economist Chris G. Christopher of IHS. But financial markets dont always react in a sensible way.

The newfound importance of oil and gas to the U.S. economythanks largely to fracking and other new drilling technologiesis also changing some longstanding rules about oil prices and prosperity. The old rule of thumb was that a $50 drop in the per-barrel price of oil would boost U.S. GDP by about 1% the following year. But analysis by Citigroup found that when such a plunge happened in 2014 and 2015, it boosted growth by only about one-fifth the expected amount. That may reflect increased exposure to a bust from a U.S. energy sector thats gotten appreciably larger.

In the end, Citi concludes that low oil prices are a small net positive for growth, with consumers benefiting at the expense of energy firms. So far in 2016, however, the markets have interpreted cheap oil as a huge negative for growth. Somebodys wrong.

Rick Newmans latest book is Liberty for All: A Manifesto for Reclaiming Financial and Political Freedom. Follow him on Twitter: @rickjnewman.
By J.R. Wu and Ben Blanchard TAIPEI (Reuters) - Taiwan's independence-leaning opposition leader Tsai Ing-wen won a convincing victory in presidential elections on Saturday and pledged to maintain peace with giant neighbor China, which warned it would oppose any move towards independence. Tsai, leader of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), will be thrust into one of Asia's toughest and most dangerous jobs, with China pointing hundreds of missiles at the island it claims, decades after losing Nationalists fled from Mao Zedong's Communists to Taiwan in the Chinese civil war in 1949. Tsai said she would establish "consistent, predictable and sustainable" relations with China and not be provocative, to ensure the status quo. She risks antagonizing China if she attempts to forcefully assert Taiwan's sovereignty and reverses eight years of warming China ties under incumbent President Ma Ying-jeou of the Nationalists. "Both sides have a responsibility to do their utmost to find mutually acceptable ways to interact with respect and reciprocity and ensure no provocation and no surprises," Tsai added, having taken around 56 percent of the vote. She added, however, that she would defend Taiwan's interests and its sovereignty. China has not renounced the use of force to ensure eventual unification with the island. "Our democracy, national identity and international space must be fully respected and any suppression would undermine the stability of cross-Strait relations," she said. In a statement carried by state media, China's Taiwan Affairs Office said the achievements and peace of the past eight years should be cherished, and that it would not tolerate any Taiwan independence activities. "On important issues of principle like protecting the country's sovereignty and territorial integrity, our will is as hard as rock," it said. China was willing to have exchanges with any party, as long as they recognize both sides of the Taiwan Strait belong to one China, it added. Support for the DPP has swelled since 2014, when hundreds of students occupied Taiwan's parliament for weeks protesting against a China trade bill in the largest display of anti-China sentiment the island had seen in years. Outside DPP headquarters, supporters cried for joy. Optometrist David Chen, 28, said he wanted Tsai to stand up to China. "We're not a part of China. I definitely think we should exist as two countries," he told Reuters. "If it's possible for Tsai, I want her to push for independence. More and more Taiwanese people want this." Tsai, a lawyer, got an even stronger mandate as the DPP also won a majority in parliament in polls held the same day. Tsai will have to balance the superpower interests of China, which is also Taiwan's largest trading partner, and the United States with those of her freewheeling, democratic home. TAIWAN DOLLAR SUFFERS The U.S. State Department said it looked forward to working with Tsai. "We share with the Taiwan people a profound interest in the continuation of cross-Strait peace and stability," it said. Still, underscoring investor worries about uncertainty following her possible victory, on Friday the Taiwan dollar ended lower against the U.S. dollar in its weakest closing since April 2009. Following the vote, a senior central bank official told Reuters that Taiwan's central bank "always maintains stability in the market". Perhaps fearful of allowing discussion about democracy on an island Beijing says it owns, Chinese censors moved swiftly to block searches for Tsai's name on Weibo, China's answer to Twitter. Some Chinese managed to post about the vote though. "Why is there no election for the chairman in China? I condemn this," said one Weibo user. Relations had already been strained by a 16-year-old Taiwan singer with a South Korean girl band who inadvertently shot to the top of the election agenda on polling day after she publicly apologized for holding a Taiwan flag, prompting China and Taiwan to trade accusations. Tsai referred to the spat in her victory speech, saying the incident would remind her that as president her most important duty was to unite and strengthen the country. The election comes at a tricky time for Taiwan's export-dependent economy, which slipped into recession in the third quarter last year. China is also Taiwan's top trading partner and Taiwan's favorite investment destination. Tsai has the tide of history against her. Ma and his predecessors all failed to bring about a lasting reconciliation with China. Shots were traded between the two sides as recently as the mid-1970s. At stake are relations with an ascendant and increasingly assertive China under President Xi Jinping. Tsai has been ambiguous on her China policy, merely pledging, in public anyway, to maintain the status quo. Beijing has warned repeatedly that hard-earned peace across the Taiwan Strait could be affected by a Tsai win. The United States has expressed concerns about the danger of worsening China-Taiwan ties, at a time when China's navy is increasingly flexing its muscles in the South China and East China Seas and expanding territorial claims. China has held out the "one country, two systems" formula, under which the British colony of Hong Kong returned to China in 1997, as a solution for Taiwan. But both the Nationalists and DPP have rejected the idea. (Additional reporting by Faith Hung, Yimou Lee and James Pomfret, and Sui-lee Wee in Beijing; Editing by Nick Macfie)
On Feb. 8, expect to fulfill your burrito-related desires elsewhere  for a couple of hours. Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc. will close its doors to customers for a few hours in order to brief employees, discuss food safety and allow employees to ask questions, the Los Angeles Times reports.

The chain's approximately 1,900 stores will open at 3 p.m. on that day to address the E. coli outbreak that has led to dozens of illnesses nationwide. Chipotle told Mic in an earlier email that the investigation into their outbreak is ongoing.

"Implementing all facets of our enhanced food safety program is our highest priority," Chris Arnold, Chipotle's communications director, told Mic in an emailed statement. "Many components of that program are in place now, and we will implement all facets of it as quickly as we can."

The outbreak began some time between Oct. 19 and Nov. 14, which caused 43 locations to close in Washington and Oregon.

By Dec. 21, 53 people in nine states had been infected with the outbreak E. Coli strain.

Chipotle took out a full-size print ad in several major nationwide newspapers to apologize for the outbreak, but customer concerns caused the company's stock to tumble in recent weeks.

In the ad, CEO Steve Wells wrote, "[I]t may not be possible for anyone to completely eliminate all risk with regard to food (or from any environment where people congregate), but we are confident that we can achieve near zero risk."
London (AFP) - Chelsea striker Diego Costa was taken to hospital after injuring his shin in his side's eventful 3-3 draw with Everton on Saturday, interim manager Guus Hiddink revealed.

"He's in the hospital and they will have a scan," Hiddink told reporters at Stamford Bridge. "We don't know the result yet and I hope it's not bad. It's on his shin. He was in a lot of pain, that's true."

Costa, 27, was replaced by Loic Remy in the 80th minute after hurting himself in a challenge on Leighton Baines.

He had earlier scored in the 64th minute to spark a comeback that saw Chelsea come from 2-0 down to level.

Ramiro Funes Mori restored Everton's lead in the first minute of stoppage time, only for Chelsea captain John Terry to atone for an earlier own goal with a 98th-minute equaliser.

Costa was Chelsea's top scorer last season with 20 goals as the west London club completed a Premier League and League Cup double.

The combative Brazil-born Spain international has not been as effective this season, but he has scored five goals in his last five appearances to take his tally for the campaign to nine goals in all competitions.
Showtime's new legal drama series "Billions," set in the world of New York high finance, is to air Sunday, January 17 starring Damian Lewis and Paul Giamatti.

The upcoming Showtime series follows rich hedge-fund manager Bobby Axelrod, played by Damian Lewis, and tenacious US Attorney Chuck Rhoades, played by Paul Giamatti, as they become embroiled in a battle against financial corruption. Giamatti's character is determined to snare his rival for fraud, but he meets his match in Axelrod. The series sees the pair using their power and influence on Wall Street to pull all kinds of tricks to outwit the other.

Showtime has added an extra layer of complexity to the drama with the character Wendy Rhoades (played by Maggie Siff) -- the US Attorney's wife, who happens to work for Bobby Axelrod. Despite her husband's determination to bring down her boss, she isn't prepared to give up her highly lucrative career.

"Billions" was created by writers and producers Brian Koppleman and David Levien, who have regularly worked with Steven Soderbergh ("Ocean's 13," "The Girlfriend Experience"). The pair then teamed up with Andrew Ross Sorkin, the New York Times journalist and author of best-seller "Too Big to Fail" chronicling the 2008 financial crisis. The book was made into a TV film by HBO in 1991, and also starred Paul Giamatti.

The series marks the return of Damian Lewis to Showtime. The British actor quit "Homeland" in 2013 at the end of the third season, leaving Claire Danes to continue the political thriller without his character, Nicholas Brody.
HELENA  Another Montana legislative candidate illegally coordinated with a national anti-union organization, this time in the 2012 elections, the state's campaign regulator said Friday.

Commissioner of Political Practices Jonathan Motl said there is sufficient evidence for civil prosecution against Rollan Roberts II, a Republican who ran for the state Senate in 2012, as well as the National Right to Work Committee and its affiliated corporate groups.

Roberts lost the Senate District 3 Republican primary election to incumbent Sen. Bruce Tutvedt of Kalispell. Roberts' campaign accepted illegal corporate in-kind services that included a direct mail campaign, consulting work, voter mailing lists and website design, Motl said in his findings.

Motl previously found that nine Republican candidates in 2010 accepted similar services from Right to Work affiliates. Judges have upheld Motl's findings in two of those cases and a March trial is scheduled in a third against Rep. Art Wittich, R-Bozeman. Another legislator, Rep. Mike Miller, R-Helmville, settled out of court.

Right to Work officials drafted letters to voters using the scanned signatures of their selected candidates and their wives, and sent postcards attacking the candidates' opponents, Motl said. Right to Work officials called their efforts "the works" and a "shock and awe campaign," Motl said, citing documents from the organization.

The candidates were aware of the direct mail campaigns made on their behalf but did not report them as contributions, Motl said. Montana law prohibits accepting in-kind contributions from corporations.

Tutvedt said he is happy with the decision, and would like his former opponent and Right to Work officials to come clean about what they did.

"These out-of-state dark money groups are trying to steal elections and insert the candidates they can get their pledge of fealty from," Tutvedt said.

Roberts did not respond to queries made by phone and email. Right to Work Committee spokesman Patrick Semmens did not return calls for comment.

Motl has forwarded his findings to a prosecutor. If the prosecutor declines to pursue the case, Motl can seek a settlement or file a civil lawsuit in state court.

Motl said he welcomes settlement talks, but believes the case will likely go to court.

Sandy Welch, a Republican who filed two complaints against Right to Work that are also addressed in Motl's decision, said she would welcome the public airing a court case would bring.

"The voters of Montana need to come to an understanding of what happened in the past so they can be more vigilant," she said.

Motl's decision also found the Montana Family Foundation also violated state law in communications it sent in the Tutvedt-Roberts race. But those violations  late registration filing, and untimely reporting of independent expenditures  appear to be more a product of adapting to the new campaign landscape created by the 2010 U.S. Supreme Court's Citizens United ruling, Motl said.

A negotiated settlement with the Family Foundation is more likely than civil prosecution, he said.
Arbil (Iraq) (AFP) - The father of a drowned Syrian toddler wept when he saw a cartoon depicting his son as an adult involved in sexual harassment, and said Saturday that the family is "in shock."

"When I saw the picture, I cried," Abdullah Kurdi told AFP by telephone, adding: "My family is still in shock."

He also said in a written statement that the cartoon in French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo was "inhuman and immoral" and as bad as the actions of the "war criminals and terrorists" who have caused widespread death and displacement in Syria and elsewhere.

Abdullah's three-year-old son Aylan's body was photographed lying face down on a Turkish beach after he drowned on the crossing to Greece, a bleak image that helped focus international attention on the plight of refugees making the perilous journey to Europe.

Aylan's four-year-old brother and his mother also died in the accident.

Charlie Hebdo ran a cartoon depicting Aylan as a man chasing after a woman with a caption asking: "What would have become of small Aylan if he grew up?"

"Someone who gropes asses in Germany," it said, alluding to a rash of crime targeting women at New Year's festivities in Cologne that has been blamed on migrants.

The Charlie Hebdo drawing has triggered sharp criticism on social networks while Aylan's relatives in Canada expressed "disgust".

The magazine, contacted Thursday by AFP, declined to comment.
Brussels (AFP) - The European Union on Saturday condemned as "extremely worrying" Turkey's arrest of academics who signed a petition criticising a military crackdown in the Kurdish-dominated southeast.

"The steps taken against the Turkish academics who signed a declaration regarding events in the southeast of Turkey are an extremely worrying development," an EU spokesperson on foreign affairs said in a statement.

"They are no longer detained, but the procedures against them are ongoing."

Turkish police on Friday detained at least 18 academics who signed a petition criticising a military crackdown in the southeast, triggering new alarm about freedom of expression in the country.

They were arrested in raids targeting 21 academics accused of disseminating "terrorist propaganda" by signing a petition denouncing military operations against Kurdish rebels.

Fifteen academics and lecturers from the University of Kocaeli, near Istanbul, were initially detained, with another three academics from Uludag University in western Bursa province later held in their offices, Turkey's Dogan news agency said.

The academics were questioned for a day before being released, Dogan reported late Friday.

"While reaffirming our strongest condemnation of all forms of terrorist attacks, including by the PKK ... we restate that the fight against terrorism must fully respect obligations under international law, including human rights and humanitarian law", the EU spokesperson said.

"Freedom of expression must be upheld, in line with the Copenhagen political criteria; an intimidating climate goes against this.

"We expect Turkey ensures that its legislation is implemented in a manner which is in line with European standards enshrined in the European Convention for Human Rights and the case-law of the European Court of Human Rights."

Turkish prosecutors on Thursday launched a vast investigation into over 1,200 academics from 90 Turkish universities for engaging in "terrorist propaganda" and "inciting hatred and enmity" by signing the petition.

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Entitled "We won't be a party to this crime", the petition urged Ankara to halt "its deliberate massacres and deportation of Kurdish and other peoples in the region", angering President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

In a rare rebuke to Washington's NATO ally, the US ambassador to Turkey has also expressed alarm over the investigations, with Western concern on freedom of expression already riding high due to the detention since November 26 of two prominent opposition journalists.

Turkey is waging an all-out offensive against the separatist Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), with military operations backed by curfews aimed at flushing out rebels from several southeastern urban centres.

But Kurdish activists say dozens of civilians have died as a result of excessive force and the operations have become the subject of huge controversy in Turkish society.
BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The European Union on Saturday started the process of lifting sanctions on Iran after the bloc's foreign policy service took note of an International Atomic Energy Agency report saying Tehran had scaled down its nuclear program as agreed, EU diplomats said. The report was crucial to determining that Iran had delivered its part of a deal with world powers. In exchange, the United Nations, the United States and the European Union had promised to ease their sanctions. The EU procedure for lifting sanctions should be rapid. An official decision of the European Council, which brings together leaders of 28 EU members, is required to finalize the process, together with a publication in the EU's Official Journal. The final steps toward lifting the sanctions are taking place after six world powers reached the deal with Tehran last July, following years of increasing confrontation as the West accused Iran of pursuing a nuclear bomb, something Iran has always denied. (Reporting by Gabriela Baczynska and Barbara Lewis; Editing by Kevin Liffey)
By Jeffrey Hodgson TORONTO (Reuters) - One person was killed and a second was injured in an explosion at Nexen Energy's Long Lake oil sands facility south of Fort McMurray, Alberta, on Friday, the company said. The injured person was in critical condition, a police spokesman said. Other personnel were accounted for after the explosion, the unit of China's CNOOC Ltd said in a statement. "The affected facility has been shut down and we are stabilizing the scene. There is no immediate danger to the neighboring communities or personnel still on site," the company said. The early indication is that the explosion happened in the facility's hydrocracker, said Staff Sgt Jeremie Landry, a spokesman for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. "There was an explosion as well as a fire," he said. According to the company's website, the hydrocracker is where hydrogen is combined with partially upgraded oil to remove sulfur and produce synthetic crude. The company said regulators had been notified. A company spokesman did not immediately respond to a request for additional details. The incident comes after Nexen last July discovered a pipeline leak near the site that caused one of North America's largest oil-related spills on land. The Alberta Energy Regulator last August ordered Nexen to shut 95 pipelines at the Long Lake facility as part of an investigation into the spill. It resumed full production in September. The Long Lake facility was producing about 50,000 barrels a day of synthetic crude before the July spill. (With additional reporting by Nia Williams in Calgary; Editing by Sandra Maler and Stephen Coates)
(Reuters) - Iran has released five American prisoners, including a Washington Post reporter, a Christian pastor and a former U.S. Marine, U.S. officials said on Saturday. The Americans released as part of a prisoner swap with Iran are Jason Rezaian, the Washington Post's Tehran bureau chief, Saeed Abedini, a pastor from Idaho, Amir Hekmati, a former Marine from Flint, Michigan, and Nosratollah Khosravi-Roodsari, U.S. officials said. A fifth prisoner, the American student Matthew Trevithick, was released separately from the other four, a U.S. official said. Little is known about Khosravi-Roodsari. Here are details on the other four Americans released: * Jason Rezaian, the Washington Post's bureau chief in Tehran, was detained in July 2014 and jailed in Tehran's Evin prison. Iran accused Rezaian of espionage and other charges. Iran announced earlier this year that Rezaian had been sentenced but never revealed the length of the sentence. In recent months the Washington Post's editorial page criticized the administration of President Barack Obama for not tying the release of Rezaian to the nuclear deal. Executives from 25 news organizations urged Secretary of State John Kerry to push Tehran for Rezaian's release in a letter this month. "The United States has considerable leverage with Iran right now to press that point, and we urge you to continue to do so," the letter said. * Amir Hekmati, a former U.S. Marine, was visiting family in Iran in August 2011 when he was detained. Before making his trip, he had informed Irans interests section in Washington, D.C. of his military past, aware that it might arouse suspicion. But staff there said it "wasn't a problem" and processed his paperwork routinely, his sister Sarah Hekmati told Reuters in 2013. He went missing one evening when he was supposed to join a family gathering, Sarah Hekmati said. Relatives found he was gone, along with his laptop, camera, mobile phone, and passport, she said. Hekmati, 32, was convicted of spying, a charge his relatives and the United States deny. He was sentenced to death, but that was commuted to a 10-year prison term. * Saeed Abedini, 35, an Iranian-American pastor from Idaho, was sentenced to eight years in prison in 2013 after being accused of harming Iran's national security by setting up home-based churches in his native country. Abedini and his wife regularly traveled to Iran on Christian mission work until 2009. He was setting up an orphanage in the country in 2012 when Iranian authorities detained him. Republican presidential candidate Ted Cruz has urged Obama to secure Abedini's release and appeared with his wife, Naghmeh, at campaign events. Naghmeh Abedini said last week in a Facebook post she had "no updates from Saeed for the last two months." * Matthew Trevithick went to Iran in September to study Dari at a language center affiliated with Tehran University, the family said in a statement. Trevithick spent 40 days in Evin Prison and was the co-founder of the Turkey-based Syria Research and Evaluation Organization, the family said. (Reporting by Yeganeh Torbati, Joel Schectman, Idrees Ali and Lesley Wroughton; Editing by Stuart Grudgings and Mary Milliken)
By Joel Schectman and Yeganeh Torbati WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Eight Iranians jailed or facing charges in the United States for sanctions violations are to be released under an exchange deal for Americans held in Iran, according to a lawyer, court records and people familiar with the matter. The following is information on the eight Iranians: * President Barack Obama has pardoned Bahram Mechanic, Khosrow Afghahi, and Tooraj Faridi, a lawyer for one of the men said. The men were charged in 2015 of shipping electronics to Iran. Mechanic and Afghahi were both being held in a Houston jail awaiting trial. Faridi, an employee at Mechanic's electronics company, was out on bail. Citing "significant foreign policy interests," U.S. prosecutors have also already filed a motion to drop charges against a fourth man in the case, Matin Sadeghi, who is out of the country and authorities have considered a fugitive. * U.S. authorities are moving to commute the sentence of Ali Saboonchi, a U.S. citizen and resident of Maryland, who was convicted of export violations in 2014, according to people familiar with the matter. He is currently serving a two-year sentence in Virginia and had been due to be released in November 2016. Between 2009 and 2013, Saboonchi and several associates tried to export industrial parts to customers in Iran, according to an indictment filed in 2013. * The U.S. Justice Department moved to drop charges against Seyed Abolfazl Shahab Jamili, who was accused in 2014 of helping to ship thousands of Chinese manufactured parts "with nuclear applications" to Iran. Jamili was also accused of exporting to Iran U.S.-built pressure transducers, used in nuclear centrifuges. In a filing early on Saturday morning, prosecutors asked to dismiss charges against Jamili, "based upon issues regarding securing extradition of the defendant and significant foreign policy interests." * Alireza Moazami Goudarzi was charged in 2012 of trying to purchase aircraft parts from a U.S. supplier for shipment to Iran. He was arrested in Malaysia in 2012 in connection with the case, and the United States was seeking his extradition, according to the Justice Department. * Prosecutors also moved to drop charges on Saturday against Koorush Taherkhani, who lives in Iran. Taherkhani was accused in 2014 of using a Dubai front company to buy U.S.-made marine navigation equipment for use in Iran, in violation of sanctions. (Editing by Mary Milliken)
By Jonathan Landay and Scott Malone WASHINGTON/BOSTON (Reuters) - The fifth American released by Iran on Saturday after 40 days in prison is a journalist and student who had traveled and worked in conflict-torn nations including Syria, Mali and Afghanistan, pausing along the way to try to start a rowing team. Matthew Trevithick was released from Evin Prison in Tehran by Iranian authorities independently of four other Americans who were released in a prisoner swap as international sanctions were due to be lifted on Iran. It is unclear why Trevithick, who was in Tehran studying Dari, was imprisoned and his detention had not been reported by major media outlets. The 6-foot, 4-inch (1.92-meter) former college rower had worked at American universities in Afghanistan and Iraq and written for publications including The Atlantic, the Christian Science Monitor, the Wall Street Journal and the Daily Beast, once traveling into Afghanistan's Korengal Valley for an 8,500-word 2014 article on conditions as the United States began to sharply reduce its presence in the area. "The piece he did in the Korengal was pretty daring. He was going into an area unarmed with a lot of jihadis. But he came out all right and wrote a good piece," said Philip Smucker, a freelance journalist who had taught journalism at the American University of Afghanistan and was friendly with Trevithick while the two worked there. Trevithick wrote in the article that he had chosen to travel to that part of Afghanistan because "every single actor in this conflict has a presence in this often forgotten province, making it the ideal test case for the future of this country." After leaving Afghanistan, Trevithick traveled to Iran in September, planning to spend four months studying Dari in a center affiliated with Tehran University, according to a statement released by his family on Saturday. "We are profoundly grateful to all those who worked for his release and are happy for all the families whose loved ones are also heading home," said the statement, released by his mother, Amelia Newcomb, an editor at the Christian Science Monitor. "We look forward to reuniting with Matt." Trevithick's family did not respond to requests for an interview. Trevithick was a founder of the Syria Research and Evaluation Organization, a Turkey-based nonprofit that tracks the flow of humanitarian aid to Syria, and also was co-author of "An Undesirable Element: An Afghan Memoir," the story of that country's first post-Taliban minister of higher education. In addition to his university work and journalism, Trevithick had worked to introduce rowing - a popular sport in his native Hingham, Massachusetts, an affluent Boston suburb - to Afghanistan. In a 2013 interview with a Boston University publication, he described his hopes for spreading the sport he had competed in while attending that school. "Afghanistan has tense relations with all its neighbors, some of whom they consider meddlesome," BU's "Bostonia" blog quoted Trevithick as saying. "Pakistan and Iran have rowing programs and I've assured the Afghans that we will start beating them very shortly." (Additional reporting by Idrees Ali in Washington; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama and Mary Milliken)
Skyview and West high schools are planning to offer an advanced student program for the 2017-2018 school year, similar to Senior Highs Platinum Program.

Were looking, most importantly, to challenge students, said West Principal Dave Cobb.

At Senior, students in the Platinum Program must take every Advanced Placement and honors class that the school offers. They write a rigorous research paper as juniors and then complete a final project, called a magnum opus, their senior year. The program began as a grassroots effort from staff members, Senior Principal Dennis Holmes said.

The programs might look a bit different at West and Skyview, but the basic idea should remain the same.

Its an easy move for us, said Skyview Principal Deb Black. We can recognize more students for their achievement, and were not reinventing the wheel.

Skyview considered implementing the program next year, but decided to hold off as AP offerings expand. Skyview and West are planning to offer AP World History next year, and exploring more classes for subsequent years. Senior, which already offers the history course, is adding AP Biology and AP Physics next year.

When we asked for student feedback a year ago, Cobb said, two things were loud and clear  that was: increase the rigor and increase the recognition for students who take rigorous courses.

The schools need to make sure they have qualified teachers interested in the course as well.

Its got to be a little more thought out than lets just do it,  Black said.

Seniors first class of the program graduated in 2014. The group began with 56 freshman and was whittled down to 16 seniors. Last year, eight students completed the program.

AP courses use a nationally standardized curriculum. Depending on how students score on a year-end test, many colleges award credit for entry-level courses.

If youre in an AP class in Billings, its the same AP class across the nation, Black said.

Lily Dwyre, a senior at Senior High who is part of the program, said that she feels like its given her a leg up when applying to colleges. Shes applied to the University of Chicago and Washington University to study chemistry.

Even just the college essays  I get to talk about my project a lot, she said. Her magnum opus project includes a research paper examining student diversity at Senior and how it affects the learning environment.

Im basically just trying to show each student's background and how that background influences their perspective and what they bring to the student body, Dwyre said.

West High in particular is hoping to incorporate dual credit and concurrent credit classes, which earn students college credit, into their version of the program. Dual credit allows students to take classes at a college, while concurrent credit classes are taught by a high school teacher who meets college teaching requirements using a "mutually agreed upon" curriculum at high schools.

West plans to added concurrent enrollment classes in American history and business next year, while a psychology course is slated to be offered at the Career Center.

Anytime a student can sell themselves on doing more than what is asked of them, both academically and service programs, said Cobb, it really does show that kids are willing to step up and do the extra to challenge themselves.
Beirut (AFP) - Fierce fighting raged Saturday between regime forces backed by Russian air strikes and Islamic State group fighters in northern Aleppo province, a monitor said.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said at least 16 IS fighters had been killed in a failed attack on a regime position near the town of Al-Bab in the northeast of the province.

State television also reported that regime forces had repelled an assault.

Heavy fighting was ongoing on Saturday, the monitor said, with Russian war planes carrying out strikes in the region between the regime-held Kweyris air base and Al-Bab.

The regime has advanced towards the town, an IS bastion, in recent days, and is now within 10 kilometres (six miles) of it, according to the Observatory.

That is the closest regime forces have come to the town since 2012.

The Britain-based monitor also said regime forces had taken a string of villages nearby.

Roughly 30 kilometres (25 miles) south of the Turkish border, Al-Bab fell into rebel hands in July 2012, and IS jihadists captured it in late 2013.

The fighting in Al-Bab is just one of up to seven fronts on which regime forces are seeking to advance in Aleppo province, capitalising on a Russian air campaign that began on September 30.

The various battles are intended in part to cut rebel supply lines into Aleppo city, the provincial capital and Syria's second city.

The city itself is divided and regime forces are now hoping to effectively encircle the opposition-held east.

"Through its operations, the army is trying to broaden its security zone around the city," and prevent rebels inside from receiving supplies and reinforcements from the suburbs, a security source told AFP this week.

A commander with pro-government forces said the regime was fighting on seven fronts across Aleppo province, including west and south of Aleppo city, and near Al-Bab.

In addition to cutting rebel access to eastern Aleppo city, the regime is hoping to sever areas controlled by IS in the province from its territory in neighbouring Raqa, Observatory director Rami Abdel Rahman said.

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"If regime forces are able to reach the road that leads from Al-Bab to Aleppo, they will be able to tighten the noose around the fighters and the civilians that transport oil from areas under IS control."

Regime forces have launched offensives in several parts of Syria since the Russian campaign began.

After a slow start, the operations have scored some successes, including the recapture of the rebel stronghold of Salma in coastal Latakia province.

Elsewhere on Saturday, the Observatory said IS fighters had launched a multi-front attack against regime positions in the eastern city of Deir Ezzor with dozens reported dead.
By Mark Hosenball WASHINGTON (Reuters) - One prominent name was missing from the list of Americans to be released by Iran on Saturday: former U.S. law-enforcement agent Robert Levinson, who disappeared while visiting the country in 2007. U.S. officials believe that Levinson, who suffered from diabetes, died in captivity after meeting with an American-born Islamic militant on Kish Island, Iran. Iranian officials have repeatedly denied knowledge of his disappearance or whereabouts. U.S. officials said they pursued an answer to Levinson's disappearance in the course of months of secret talks with Iran, but had nothing to report on his case. On Saturday, Iran agreed to free four Americans held in Iran in exchange for the United States offering clemency to seven Iranians in U.S. sanctions cases. "In the end he is not going to appear as part of this deal, but we have an arrangement with the Iranians to continue seeking information about his whereabouts," a U.S. official involved in the talks with Iran said. Levinson's family, which has held out hope that he is still alive, has said he was working for the Central Intelligence Agency in what amounted to a rogue operation at the time he disappeared. The family's lawyer told CNN the agency paid $2.5 million to avoid a lawsuit. The CIA conducted an internal inquiry into Levinson's unauthorized relationship with the agency's analytical division, resulting in three officials being fired and several more being disciplined, officials have said. The CIA declined to comment on Saturday. Iran agreed to free five other Americans, including Washington Post reporter Jason Rezaian. In return, President Barack Obama pardoned three Iranian-Americans charged for violating trade sanctions against Iran, a lawyer for one of the men said, while prosecutors moved to drop charges against four Iranians outside the United States. The deal came ahead of an expected announcement that international sanctions against Tehran will be lifted under a nuclear agreement. MET WITH ISLAMIC MILITANT Levinson's wife and sister have met with Obama, and the family had been told to expect a call from the White House, according to a source close the family. Instead, they learned from television that he was not among the five Americans to be released, the source said. David McGee, the family's lawyer, declined to comment. Levinson worked for the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Justice Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration for 28 years. He worked as a private investigator after retiring from the government in 1998. In Iran, Levinson had met with Dawud Salahuddin, an American-born Islamic militant who had fled the United States after killing a former Iranian official outside Washington in 1980. Salahuddin, formerly known as David Belfield, said he considered the killing an act of war. The last known picture of Levinson from 2011 showed Levinson in an orange jumpsuit holding a sign saying, "Help Me." Then-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said in March 2011 that the U.S. government believed at the time he was being held "somewhere in southwest Asia." In March last year, the eighth anniversary of Levinsons disappearance, Secretary of State John Kerry called on Iran to step up efforts to investigate the case, and the FBI announced it would offer a $5 million reward for information that could free him. Iranian-American businessman Siamak Namazi, who was detained by Iranian authorities in October while visiting relatives, also was not freed on Saturday. U.S. officials said they would continue to press for his release. (Additional reporting by Kevin Krolicki and Lesley Wroughton; Writing by Andy Sullivan; Editing by Paul Simao)
MADRID (Reuters) - Spanish police arrested a former ally of Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto on Friday in a money-laundering probe, potentially raising awkward questions for his ruling Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI). Humberto Moreira, who was the PRI chairman in 2011 before he stood down after a debt scandal was uncovered in Coahuila, the northern state he had governed, was arrested at Madrid's international airport, Spanish police said. His detention was part of an operation against money laundering and other crimes, according to a Spanish court official who spoke on condition of anonymity. In an apparent reference to Pena Nieto's tweet to announce the capture of drug lord Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman a week ago, Spanish police tweeted news of Moreira's detention with the hashtag "mission accomplished", echoing the president's words. Details of the Spanish probe were not immediately available, but it raised hopes among opposition politicians that Moreira might face prosecution over the debt debacle. "Nobody in the Coahuila government has explained what happened to that money," said Senator Ernesto Cordero of the opposition National Action Party (PAN), an ex-finance minister who led initial investigations into the debt. Moreira is not wanted by the law in Mexico. Mexico's Foreign Ministry said it would provide him with consular assistance should he need it, as it does for all citizens. In 2014, Moreira's former finance secretary in Coahuila pled guilty to federal money laundering charges in Texas. The man who completed his term as governor is wanted in the United States on suspicion of embezzling. Moreira was in office from 2005 to early 2011, a period in which Coahuila's debts more than tripled to what was then around $3 billion. The state congress contracted some of the loans with falsified documents, Cordero said. Moreira maintained he had been misled by officials and denied any wrongdoing. Guillermo Anaya, a senior PAN politician in Coahuila, said there was concern the loans could have helped the PRI fund state and even national election campaigns. Elected president in July 2012, Pena Nieto's campaign to be the PRI candidate gained momentum under Moreira. Pena Nieto has faced criticism for failing to go after PRI officials accused of graft, including three of its former governors indicted in the United States. The PRI said it had "little information" on the matter, but added: "The institutions are not responsible for the acts of those who form part of them." (Reporting by Dave Graham and Lizbeth Diaz in Mexico City and Rodrigo de Miguel in Madrid; Editing by Chris Reese, Alistair Bell and Leslie Adler)
CoinDesk

One of the recurring challenges of building in the blockchain space is figuring out which blockchain is worth your time and effort. There are many outstanding blockchains out there and, trust me on this, Ive heard the pitch from just about all of them over the years. Its easy to discard the pitches from private blockchains because I cant get over the impossible contradiction in the idea of having a centrally managed, decentralized ledger.
Montreal (AFP) - One earthquake is recorded on average each day in a western Canadian region where companies extract oil by fracking, according to statistics published by the Canadian province's energy regulatory agency.

The Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) said Friday that in the last year alone, there were 363 tremors in and around Fox Creek, a small town of 2,000 inhabitants located 260 kilometers (160 miles) northwest of Edmonton.

Some days, seismic activity is higher, such as on September 11, 2015, when a record 18 earthquakes were felt.

On Tuesday, a 4.8-magnitude quake on the Richter scale was recorded 30 kilometers west of Fox Creek, where Spanish firm Repsol SA is injecting liquids at high pressure into subterranean rocks to create fissures and extract oil and gas -- the process known as fracking.

Repsol confirmed it had been conducting fracking operations "at the time of the event."

The technology is widely used in Canada and the United States, helping to keep down energy costs. But some European countries ban it.

The AER has not confirmed a link between Tuesday's small quake and fracking in the region. Spokeswoman Carrie Rosa told AFP the agency is investigating.

Meanwhile, Repsol has halted operations and is awaiting an AER go-ahead before resuming fracking -- which is required for all seismic events of 4.0 or higher under new rules.

The company said it didn't know when operations will restart.

- Water shortages -

Local municipal authorities have warned of the environmental costs of large-scale oil extraction in this region rich in hydrocarbons.

"Industry and the provincial government (of Alberta) have been turning a blind eye to what has been going on in our area," Fox Creek Mayor Jim Ahn said in a letter to the AER.

"We have industry pulling water from our rivers, streams and lakes at rates we feel far exceed their capabilities to replenish themselves."

Water shortages have become a persistent problem, he said, adding that the municipality had to spend more than Can$300,000 (US$206,000) to bring in potable water for its residents.

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Rosa said the AER is working with the town to address its concerns. The agency, for example, immediately shuts down upstream extraction in the area when a quake of magnitude 4.0 or more has been felt.

But it said it hasn't confirmed yet whether or not the latest tremor had anything to do with oil and gas operations.

Officials in neighboring British Columbia province last August confirmed that in 2014 a Canadian subsidiary of Malaysian oil and gas giant Petronas had triggered one of the largest quakes ever linked to fracking at that point.

The British Columbia Oil and Gas Commission said it linked the operations of Progress Energy in the province's northeast to a 4.4-magnitude quake felt in Fort St. John in August 2014.

The commission said the quake was "triggered by fluid injection during hydraulic fracturing" by the company.

Amid growing concern about fracking, however, the US Geological Survey last year said the extraction process is only occasionally the direct cause of major quakes.
BERLIN (Reuters) - German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble has proposed the introduction of a special tax on gasoline in European Union member states to finance refugee-related costs such as strengthening the continent's joint external borders. Schaeuble's proposal drew criticism from members of his own conservative party, the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), as well as from the Social Democrats (SPD), junior partner in Chancellor Angela Merkel's ruling coalition. "I've said if the funds in the national budgets and the European budget are not sufficient, then let us agree for instance on collecting a levy on every liter of gasoline at a specific amount," Schaeuble told Sueddeutsche Zeitung newspaper in an interview published on Saturday. "We have to secure Schengen's external borders now. The solution of these problems must not founder due to a limitation of funds," the veteran politician said. Asked if all EU countries should increase their payments to Brussels to finance joint refugee-related costs, Schaeuble said: "If someone is not willing to pay, I'm nonetheless prepared to do it. Then we'll build a coalition of the willing." Schaeuble gave no details on how high the extra levy on gasoline should be and whether Brussels or the EU member states would be in charge of collecting it. A finance ministry spokesman declined to comment. Schaeuble's was met with criticism across the party political spectrum. "I'm strictly against any tax increase in light of the good budgetary situation," said CDU deputy Julia Kloeckner who wants to win a regional election in the western state of Rhineland-Palatinate in March. Germany achieved a larger-than-expected budget surplus of 12.1 billion euros ($13.20 billion) in 2015 and will use the windfall to pay for accommodating and integrating refugees. "We Social Democrats want to hold society together instead of dividing it with a new refugee toll a la Schaeuble," SPD deputy Ralf Stegner told Reuters. Earlier on Saturday, Bavarian state premier Horst Seehofer threatened to take Merkel's government to court over its "open doors" refugee policy as political pressure grows for the chancellor to reduce the number of new arrivals. (Reporting by Michael Nienaber and Holger Hansen; editing by Ralph Boulton)
By Renee Maltezou ATHENS (Reuters) - Greek workers marched through the streets of Athens on Saturday to protest against the leftist-led government's planned pension reform, which the country's international creditors have demanded as part of its third bailout. About 3,000 public and private sector workers, pensioners and students rallied peacefully outside parliament. They held banners reading "You cannot bargain with social security" and chanted "Your hands off our pensions!" "We will fight to protect our rights and force the government to withdraw this monstrous plan that it calls a reform," the secretary-general of the private sector union GSEE, Nikos Kioutsoukis, told Reuters. Turnout in recent protests has been weak, mainly due to austerity fatigue and resignation after five years of belt-tightening and two bailouts that have shut businesses and pushed up unemployment but have not pulled Greece out of crisis. On Feb. 4, labor unions will stage a 24-hour general strike against the planned reform, the third such walkout in three months. Turnout will indicate the level of resistance the government faces as it pushes through unpopular measures. This week lawyers staged one of their biggest rallies in recent years. They have threatened to step up labor action and farmers are also preparing pension protests. Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras was first elected a year ago promising to end austerity. After tough negotiations, he signed up to a third bailout in July and was re-elected in September on a mandate to implement it while protecting the vulnerable. Greece's first bailout review is expected to officially begin next week. The lenders currently see a fiscal gap of well over 1.5 percent of GDP for 2016, according to sources close to the talks, and expect tough talks on pension reform. "We will defend what is non-negotiable for us," Labour Minister George Katrougalos told Greek Skai TV, referring to pension cuts. Economy Minister George Stathakis told the Real News newspaper he expected a compromise to be reached. The government, which has a slim parliamentary majority, has sought broad political support for the reforms it needs to legislate to pass the review and start talks on debt relief. But newly elected conservative leader Kyriakos Mitsotakis said this week his New Democracy party would reject the pension reform bill. An Alco poll for Sunday's Proto Thema newspaper put New Democracy 3.9 points ahead of Tsipras's Syriza. As part of the bailout and to appease angry voters, Tsipras has also vowed to go after tax dodgers and fight corruption, which many Greeks blame for the country's fiscal woes. On Saturday, he met Norbert-Walter Borjans, finance minister of the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia, which has given Athens details of accounts held by Greeks in Switzerland. "We're determined to fight tax evasion and your information and help are critical," Tsipras told Borjans. (Editing by Stephen Powell)
The Montana Office of Public Instruction is looking for people to serve on a committee to review updated science content standards.

The state is following a new process for the adoption of content and performance standards after a new law was passed last spring. The committee will review proposed rules and advise the Board of Public Education about rules and advise the OPI on the preparation of an economic impact statement. Health enhancement, art and science standards are or will be under review.

Applicants sought include people from the following groups: school district trustees, K-12 school administrators, K-12 teachers, higher education faculty, school business officials, parents and taxpayers.

Individuals can apply on an online form by following the link in this story online.

An applicant may represent more than one category, such as teacher and parent of school-aged children. Each nominee must be able to cover committee participation costs such as telephone calls, travel and per diem expenses. The application requests contact information, the school district represented, other groups the applicant represents and brief explanations of how the applicants experience and perspective help to meet the selection criteria for: cultural diversity and geography, health enhancement content experience, size and grade levels of the school population represented.

Applications will be accepted via the online form through Jan. 29, 2016.

The committee will hold its first of two meetings in March or April in Helena and will conclude its work by mid-May.

For more information, contact the OPI's Jael Prezeau at jprezeau@mt.gov.
OUAGADOUGOU (Reuters) - Gunshots resumed at a hotel in the capital of Burkina Faso on Saturday that was attacked by suspected Islamist militants and one civilian was shot and killed, a Reuters witness said following a lull of over an hour without any shooting. Medical personnel evacuated people who had been wounded, the witness said. Earlier, the director of Ouagadougou's university hospital said about 20 people have been killed and 15 wounded in the attack on the Splendid Hotel. (Reporting by Mathieu Bonkoungou; Writing by Makini Brice; Editing by Matthew Mpoke Bigg and Sandra Maler)
By Suzanne Roig

HONOLULU - High waves expected for the next several days will hamper the search for 12 Marines missing at sea after two helicopters collided near the island of Oahu in Hawaii, U.S. Coast Guard officials said on Friday.

Two Coast Guard cutters and several Coast Guard aircraft were searching, along with two U.S. Navy warships and local police and fire department helicopters, the Coast Guard said.

A safety zone has been set up from the shoreline that matches up with the accident site to 8 miles (13 km) out to sea, the Coast Guard said.

"We've seen debris through the entire area," said Lieutenant Scott Carr, a Coast Guard spokesman.

The CH-53E helicopters, belonging to the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing from the Marine Corps Air Station at Kaneohe Bay, were on a routine training mission when they were reported to have collided just before midnight local time, Coast Guard spokeswoman Sara Mooers said.

The wide-ranging search for the Marines was hampered by high surf and poor visibility from rain storms.

The rescue effort will continue on sea and air throughout the night, though bad weather will continue to hamper the efforts, said Mooers.

"It does move things around and keeps us busy," Mooers said.

A Coast Guard helicopter crew spotted debris in the water off the town of Haleiwa on the north shore of Oahu but they did not find passengers.

The debris field spanned more than 7 miles off the coast, the Coast Guard said.

"Thoughts & prayers are with our Marines & their families in Hawaii as search efforts continue," General Robert Neller, commandant of the Marine Corps, said in a message on Twitter.

No distress call was issued by either aircraft. Authorities were notified by a man standing on the beach who saw a fireball over the ocean after seeing the helicopters flying in that area, Carr said at a news conference.

(Additional reporting by Alex Dobuzinskis in Los Angeles, Jon Herskovitz in Texas, and Susan Heavey, David Alexander and Laila Kearney in New York; Editing by Toni Reinhold, Lisa Shumaker and Kim Coghill)
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton on Saturday praised the release of Americans held by Iran, but urged new sanctions on Tehran over its ballistic missile testing program. "I am greatly relieved by the safe return of American prisoners from Iran," the former U.S. secretary of state said in a statement following announcements of a historic and multi-faceted deal between Iran and the United States. She said if she were elected president in November, her approach to Iran would be "to distrust and verify." Clinton added: "Iran is still violating UN Security Council resolutions with its ballistic missile program, which should be met with new sanctions designations and firm resolve." (Reporting by Kevin Drawbaugh; Editing by Paul Simao)
By Lesley Wroughton, Matt Spetalnick and Yeganeh Torbati VIENNA/WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The first glimpse of a secretly negotiated U.S.-Iran prisoner exchange came on Saturday in a flurry of early morning electronic filings in federal courts from New York to California as prosecutors dropped sanctions violations cases against more than half a dozen Iranians. The legal steps were soon followed by Irans announcement via state media that it was freeing four Iranian-Americans, including Washington Post journalist Jason Rezaian and Christian pastor Saeed Abedini and Amir Hekmati, a former U.S. Marine. The prisoner swap was choreographed to coincide with a high-level diplomatic gathering in Vienna to seal the lifting of international sanctions on Iran in return for meeting its commitment to curb its nuclear program. The deal, a major step toward overcoming acrimony standing in the way of any further rapprochement between longtime foes Washington and Tehran, was the culmination of months of diplomatic contacts, secret talks and legal maneuvering. And, according to an account pieced together by Reuters on previously unreported Obama administration deliberations, the prisoner exchange came close to falling apart because of a threat by Washington in December to impose fresh sanctions on Iran for recent ballistic missile tests. The nuclear deal signed on July 14 between Iran and world powers was trumpeted by the White House as a signature foreign policy achievement by President Barack Obama. But he also faced criticism for refusing to make the accord contingent on Irans release of Americans known to be held by Iran. In public comments, Obama had insisted as recently as mid-December that linking the Americans' fate directly to the nuclear negotiations would have encouraged the Iranians to seek additional concessions. U.S. officials who recounted the complex process that led to the prisoner deal stuck to that assertion but acknowledged that the nuclear deal had opened up a channel of communication about the American detainees that they were eager to use. BEHIND-THE-SCENES CONTACTS Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif and U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, who developed a close rapport during months of unprecedented talks hammering out last year's deal, played crucial roles in moving forward on the prisoner issue. In particular, a conversation with Zarif and Iranian President Hassan Rouhanis brother in Vienna once the nuclear deal was clinched last year helped spur efforts toward a prisoner deal, U.S. officials said. But much of the diplomatic heavy lifting was handled by Brett McGurk, a State Department envoy with strong Middle Eastern experience, who conducted months of secret negotiations with an unnamed Iranian representative, a U.S. official said. We have been raising these American prisoners for some time and the nuclear talks gave us the opportunity to raise it face to face, a senior U.S. official said, adding that the U.S. side would always carve out time to discuss the prisoners on the margins of the nuclear talks. The Iranians said they wanted a goodwill gesture on our part as a reciprocal measure. They gave us over time a list of Iranians, mostly dual nationals, that were either imprisoned or convicted or charged in our courts, the official said. We whittled down the list to exclude anyone that was charged with crime related to violence, with terrorism. But there were some bumps and missteps along the road to Saturdays prisoner announcement. The day before the Obama administration was due to slap new sanctions on Iran late last month over the ballistic missile tests, Zarif warned Kerry the move could derail the prisoner deal, U.S. officials told Reuters. Kerry and other top aides to Obama, who was vacationing in Hawaii, convened a series of conference calls and concluded they could not risk losing the chance to free Americans held by Tehran. At the last minute, the administration officials decided to delay a package of limited and targeted sanctions, the officials said. Asked whether Obama was involved in the decision to delay the sanctions, a senior U.S. administration official said: This absolutely requires the presidents approval and this is something he was briefed on regularly over many months. "SAEED IS RELEASED" While discussions about the prisoners was occurring, another dual U.S.-Iranian citizen, Nosratollah Khosravi-Roodsari, was detained by the Iranians. We insisted that he be in the mix as well, a U.S. official said. In the end, Iran agreed to release Rezaian, the Posts Tehran bureau chief held in an Iranian prison for about 18 months; Abedini, 35, an Iranian-American pastor from Idaho; the former Marine Hekmati; and Khosravi-Roodsari, about whom little is known. A fifth prisoner, American student Matthew Trevithick, was released separately from the other four, a U.S. official said. "It is confirmed: Saeed is released from Iranian prison," Abedinis wife, Naghmeh Abedini, wrote on Twitter even before official U.S. confirmation. The couple had regularly traveled to Iran on Christian mission work until 2009. He was setting up an orphanage in the country in 2012 when Iranian authorities detained him. Robert Levinson, a former FBI agent and DEA agent, who disappeared in Iran since 2007, was not on the list. U.S. officials have believed for several years that Levinson died in captivity. Iranian officials had repeatedly denied any knowledge of his disappearance or whereabouts. Iran has also committed to continue cooperating with the United States to determine the whereabouts of Robert Levinson, a U.S official said. Obama granted clemency to three Iranians charged with sanctions violations as U.S. authorities moved to drop charges or commute prison sentences for five other men, according to court records and people familiar with the matter. Iranian officials have met recently with some of the prisoners held in the United States to see if they would be willing to return to Iran if a swap was agreed, said a person familiar with the cases who asked not to be identified. It was not known how many of them if any would go back. The men pardoned were Bahram Mechanic, Tooraj Faridi, and Khosrow Afghahi, according to Mechanic's lawyer, Joel Androphy. They were accused in 2015 of shipping electronics to Iran. Mechanic and Afghahi were being held without bail in Houston, while Faridi was out on bail. All three are Iranian-American dual citizens and had pleaded not guilty. Prosecutors filed legal motions to abandon other sanctions-related cases in courts in New York, Houston, Los Angeles and Boston. (Additional reporting by Andy Sullivan, Joel Schectman in Washington, Editing by Stuart Grudgings and Ross Colvin)
Washington (AFP) - Iran's surprise release of four Americans put US Republicans critical of President Barack Obama's engagement with Tehran on the back foot Saturday.

Republican White House hopefuls who have lambasted Obama for engaging with Iran saw their attack blunted by the a swap deal that saw the release of Washington Post reporter Jason Rezaian and three others.

A fifth American, identified as Matthew Trevitick, was also to be released but as part of a different process.

Obama opponents have been deeply critical of his nuclear deal with Iran, which will see sanctions eased against a regime that still sponsors violent militant groups across the Middle East.

Republican attacks on Obama's policy of engagement had intensified this week as 10 American sailors were detained in the Gulf by Irans hardline Revolutionary Guard Navy, but not before being paraded in front of the cameras.

The White House and its allies were quick to point to the sailors quick release and were further buoyed by the release of five more Americans, which they said was evidence that diplomacy is working.

"For all the bluster and bombast fashionable in some quarters, today's events underscore how important and--under-appreciated--diplomacy is," said David Axelrod, a long-time Obama advisor.

Democratic presidential hopeful Martin OMalley sent his own "memo" to Republican candidates. "Diplomacy beats carpet bombing," he said.

Republicans responded to the prisoner release with a mixture of caution and criticism.

"We don't know the details of the deal that is bringing them home. It may well be that there are some very problematic aspects to this deal," said Texas Senator Ted Cruz.

Florida Senator Marco Rubio said he was happy for the families of the captives, but accused the Obama administration of "incentivising" the detention of Americans by agreeing to a swap of seven Iranians imprisoned in the United States.

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"It tells us all we need to know about the Iranian regime, that they take people hostage in order to gain concessions and the fact that they can get away with it with this administration," he said.

"I think this created an incentive for more governments to do this around the world.

Frontrunner Donald Trump, who has long portrayed himself as a master negotiator, questioned whether it was a good deal.

"I'm happy they are coming back but I will tell you, it's a disgrace that they have been there for so long," said Trump.
ERBIL, Iraq (Reuters) - The autonomous Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) in northern Iraq may sell parts of its electricity sector to raise funds to help plug a budget gap left by sinking oil prices, the region's Deputy Prime Minister Qubad Talabani told Reuters. The KRG is also "considering monetizing assets including oil infrastructure", Talabani said in an interview on Thursday in the region's capital Erbil, declining to give more details on what might be offered to investors and on what terms. The Iraqi Kurdish government "is working with the private sector to hand over some elements of the electricity sector" such as bill collection, he said. The region is running a monthly deficit of about 380-400 billion Iraqi dinars ($350-$370 million) with oil prices having fallen to about $30 a barrel from more than $100 two years ago. The region produces about 600,000 barrels of crude a day in production-sharing agreements with international oil companies. (Reporting by Isabel Coles; Editing by Louise Ireland)
Thousands of archaeological artifacts  and maps detailing where more can be found  are kept inside the national wildlife refuge buildings currently being held by an armed group of protesters angry over federal land policy.

Ryan Bundy, one of the leaders of the group occupying the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in southeastern Oregon, says they have no real interest in the antiquities. Still, their access to the artifacts and maps has some worried that looters could take advantage of the situation.

"There's a huge market for artifacts, especially artifacts that have provenance, where you can identify where they came from," said Carla Burnside, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's refuge archeologist.

More than 300 recorded prehistoric sites are scattered across the refuge, including burial grounds, ancient villages and petroglyphs. Some of the artifacts  including spears, stone tools, woven baskets and beads  date back 9,800 years.

About 7,000 artifacts and samples from the refuge are kept at a museum in Eugene, Ore. But 4,000 more are kept at the refuge for research.

Only Burnside has a key to the room containing the artifacts and the maps. She's since seen pictures of the occupiers in her office, adjacent to the room where the artifacts are stored. The group has been looking through government files at the site, but it is unclear if they've gone through the room with the artifacts. Bundy told The Associated Press that he's seen the artifacts and lots of maps, but he didn't know what the maps illustrated.

The artifacts and maps are legally protected by the 1979 Archeological Resources Protection Act and other federal laws.

Bundy said they're not interested in the artifacts and would turn them over to the Burns Paiute Tribe, if asked.

"If the Native Americans want those, then we'd be delighted to give them to them," he said.

He said he didn't think it was likely that anyone would use the maps to loot the site.

"We haven't really been thinking along those lines," Bundy said.

Removing artifacts from federal property without a permit is illegal.

Scientists are also worried about unintentional damage that could be done to the prehistoric sites by cattle, vehicles and heavy equipment.

The group at the ranch has driven road graders and other large construction equipment around the refuge headquarters buildings, but Bundy said they haven't used the machinery to move any earth. He wouldn't rule out that possibility, however.

In 2014, Ryan Bundy and supporters of the Bundy family rode ATVs on federal land closed to motorized vehicles in Utah as part of a protest. Their route took them along an illegal trail that crossed through Native American archaeological sites.

While well-known petroglyphs or other prehistoric sites are occasionally publicized for public viewing, federal land managers often go to great lengths to keep such locations secret when they can't be safely protected from vandals and looters.

Looting has long been a problem at the refuge, with the first documented instance recorded in 1979, according to the Fish and Wildlife Service's comprehensive conservation plan.

"It's a huge problem in Oregon, especially in the southeast portion of the state," said Dennis Griffin, the state's archaeologist. "More often than not, when they are caught, it's connected to drug running or seeking quick money on eBay."

An online search of "great basin artifacts for sale" yields arrowheads, stone pestles and other items, many priced at hundreds of dollars each.

Burnside said the artifacts are part of the ancestry of the Burns Paiute Tribe and are priceless to science.

"There's so much you can gain from looking at one artifact: Where the stone came from, how far they traveled, how it was used, the skill of the person who made it," she said.

The tribe works extensively with federal officials on the archeology projects. Tribe officials didn't return multiple phone messages requesting comment.

"Their history is being hijacked by these people," said Donald Grayson, an anthropologist and archeology expert at the University of Washington.

Bundy on land use

Bundy said people interested in archeology are welcome to explore the refuge, but that cattle ranchers and loggers should have priority when it comes to land use.

"Before white man came, so to speak, there was nothing to keep cattle from tromping on those things," Bundy said.

Though some countries had domesticated cattle 10,000 years ago, the animals came to the United States with European settlers.

"We also recognize that the Native Americans had the claim to the land, but they lost that claim," Bundy said. "There are things to learn from cultures of the past, but the current culture is the most important."
BEIRUT (Reuters) - Islamic state militants killed dozens of people execution style in attacks on government-held areas in Syria's city of Deir al-Zor on Saturday, a source and a monitoring said. A source close to the Syrian government side said the Islamic State fighters killed at least 250 people, including pro-government fighters and their families when they attacked the neighborhood of Begayliya in the city. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which monitors the violence in the country through a wide network of local sources, said the militants killed dozens. "We have 60 people confirmed killed, the details are hard to get so far but the deaths are in dozens," the Observatory's head Rami Abdulrahman told Reuters. (Reporting by Mariam Karouny; editing by Ralph Boulton)
OUAGADOUGOU (Reuters) - Islamist fighters have rigged with explosives the upper floors of a hotel in Burkina Faso they seized on Friday, slowing the progress of U.S. and French-assisted Burkinabe security forces seeking to retake it, a senior gendarme officer said. "What's making our job more difficult is that they've rigged the access to the upper floors," the Burkinabe officer, who asked not to be named, said on Saturday. (Reporting by Nadoun Coulibaly; Writing by Joe Bavier; Editing by Gareth Jones)
Jerusalem (AFP) - A new Israeli bill targeting leftwing NGOs has prompted comparisons with the climate of hatred two decades ago and drawn criticism from rights groups, Washington and the European Union.

At the heart of the storm over a bill that the United States has warned could have "chilling" repercussions are long-established leftist Israeli organisations with strong international reputations.

Peace Now promotes the creation of a Palestinian state, B'Tselem documents violations of human rights in the Palestinian territories, while Breaking The Silence is run by former soldiers opposed to Israeli occupation of the West Bank.

Such organisations which challenge government policies are increasingly accused by those on the right in Israel of forming a "fifth column" operating against the state and acting as agents of foreign powers.

Comparisons have been made with the polarisation of Israeli society at the time of the 1995 assassination of prime minister Yitzhak Rabin by a rightwing Jewish extremist opposed to peace with the Palestinians.

"In some ways it is worse" than during Rabin's time, Hagai El-Ad, executive director at B'Tselem, told AFP.

"The situation has dramatically changed since 20 years ago. The number of politicians that reflect the values we strive to see is dramatically smaller."

Leftwing organisations are now under threat from a bill proposed by Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked of the far-right Jewish Home party.

The text has renewed tension between one of the most rightwing governments in Israeli history and the United States and the European Union.

The draft law demands that NGOs receiving more than half of their funding from foreign governments declare it in all their official reports, while their representatives should wear a special badge during visits to parliament.

The text does not specifically refer to leftist organisations, but they are the ones it would impact.

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Rightwing NGOs supporting the Israeli occupation of the West Bank tend instead to rely on private donations, such as from American Irving Moskowitz who grants funds for Jews to buy homes in Israeli-annexed east Jerusalem.

The anti-settlement Peace Now organisation has produced a report on the lack of transparency in the funding of nine leading rightwing organisations.

The bill is "a heinous crime against democracy", Anat Ben Nun from Peace Now told AFP. "Under the pretext of transparency, the government is trying to delegitimise anyone who does not share its views or opposes its policies".

- 'Chilling effect' -

For her part, Shaked argues that the bill aims to ensure "transparency and clarity".

Writing in an American publication, she said that tanks and bombs are no longer the only challenge facing Israel.

"Sometimes the real threat lies in the interference of another country in your internal affairs."

She denied the bill would restrict NGO activities, but said "hundreds of millions of dollars are sent to NGOs in Israel from countries that seek to decide the existing dispute between Israel and the Palestinian Authority".

The government contends that constant criticism risks turning Israel into an international pariah and that attacks on the bill are meant to "besmirch Israel's name".

The United States and the European Union, however, have not remained silent.

Unusually, the US embassy in Tel Aviv on Monday published two press releases after a meeting between ambassador Dan Shapiro and Shaked.

The statements expressed US concern over the "chilling effect" of the bill.

The European Union's ambassador to Israel, Lars Faaborg-Andersen, told Shaked in a meeting that Israel could find itself grouped with authoritarian regimes which have passed similar legislation, a diplomatic source told AFP.

The bill will be debated in parliament in coming weeks, during which time Washington and Brussels hope to influence its wording.

Apparently seeking to calm debate over the bill, Shaked on Thursday met representatives from each of the EU member states in Tel Aviv.

Europeans are alarmed at what has been compared to a witch hunt -- as rightwing organisations launch scathing public attacks on their leftwing counterparts.

One video posted online by the group Im Tirtzu shows a man, apparently Palestinian, poking a knife at the camera along with images of Israeli leftwing NGO leaders.

"Before the next terrorist stabs you, he already knows that (leftwing NGOs) will make sure to protect him," the narrator says. "While we fight terror, they fight us."

In response, the leftwing New Israel Fund has launched a campaign highlighting the dangers of such logic.

Its banners erected on highways and at bus stops show Rabin's face with the slogan: "(The right) has already dealt with this foreign agent."
The Maldives' opposition leader Mohamed Nasheed, who is serving a 13-year jail term following a controversial trial, has been given permission to travel to Britain for surgery, the government said Saturday.

Nasheed, the country's first democratically elected leader in 2008, has complained of a spinal cord problem requiring specialist surgery that is not available in the small Indian Ocean archipelago.

"The government of the Republic of Maldives has granted permission to former president Mohamed Nasheed to travel to the United Kingdom to undertake a surgery at his request," the foreign ministry said in a brief statement.

The concession was on the "condition (Nasheed) serve the remainder of the sentence upon return to the Maldives after the surgery", it said.

Nasheed's lawyers had demanded for months that he be allowed specialist treatment abroad.

A spokeswoman for the ex-leader's Maldivian Democratic Party said lawyers had concluded a previously arranged meeting with Nasheed at a prison island near the capital Saturday when the hardline government's surprise announcement came.

"We have seen the statement from the government, but we want to see it in writing. we want to see what the conditions are," Nasheed's lawyer Hassan Latheef told AFP by telephone.

"We have requested a special meeting with president Nasheed at the prison tomorrow (Sunday) to discuss this development."

The 48-year-old was confined to jail in March 2015 on terror charges relating to the arrest of an allegedly corrupt judge in 2012, when he was still in power.

The UN has said his trial was seriously flawed and that he should be released and provided compensation for wrongful detention.

The government of President Abdulla Yameen has refused to accept the UN ruling and is resisting international pressure to release Nasheed.

His lengthy jail sentence was commuted to house arrest in July, but two months later police took him back to prison, in a surprise move that drew fresh criticism from the UN and the United States.

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London-based barrister Amal Clooney is on the legal team pressuring the government of Yameen to unconditionally release Nasheed or face targeted sanctions from the international community.

- Diplomatic manoeuvres -

The sudden change of heart by the Maldivian government came amid a flurry of high-level diplomatic activity involving neighbouring India, Sri Lanka and former colonial power Britain.

India's Foreign Secretary S. Jaishankar visited Male for talks with the government and stopped over in Colombo this week while Sri Lanka's Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera made an unscheduled visit to Male on Thursday.

Britain's Deputy Foreign Minister Hugo Swire was due in Male Saturday shortly after the government's concession was initially announced on Twitter by the Maldivian foreign ministry.

None of the countries has commented publicly on what was discussed during the visits, but diplomatic sources told AFP that backroom manoeuvring had contributed to the decision to allow Nasheed to travel.

President Yameen, a half brother of former strongman Maumoon Abdul Gayoom who ruled for 30 years until his defeat at the first multi-party elections by Nasheed in 2008, has cracked down on dissent and arrested political opponents.

Yameen has said that a blast aboard his speed boat in which his wife and two others were injured in September was an attempt to assassinate him.

He sacked his defence minister and impeached his deputy president Ahmed Adeeb over allegedly attempting to kill him.

In July, Yameen sacked his then deputy and running mate at the 2013 elections, Mohamed Jameel, on a charge of treason.

Jameel remains in self-imposed exile abroad while several opposition activists are either in jail or face prosecution for alleged anti-government activities.

Nasheed was forced out in what he called a coup led by the military and police in February 2012. Since then, the Maldives, a leading destination for upmarket tourists, has remained in political turmoil.
A Japanese bus operator whose vehicle plunged off a mountain road, killing 14 people and injuring dozens more, is suspected by officials of violating safety regulations, local media reported Saturday.

Young skiers -- many in their teens or early 20s -- were asleep on the bus when it careened off the road before dawn in the ski resort town of Karuizawa on Friday, the country's worst such accident for 25 years.

Twelve students aged between 19 and 22 as well as the driver and a second driver were all killed, and 26 others injured.

Police are investigating bus operator ESP and Keyth Tour, a Tokyo travel agency which organised the ski package tour, but authorities have yet to announce the cause of the accident.

Transport Minister Keiichi Ishii Saturday visited the site, from where the wrecked vehicle had already been removed, with the gnarled crash barrier still showing the impact of the collision.

Police suspect the driver lost control as he tried to make a sharp turn after the bus hit the barrier, according to broadcaster NHK.

But the Transport Ministry suspects the bus company may have violated safety regulations -- by failing to give the driver written instructions on what route to take -- according to the Yomiuri Shimbun and the Mainichi Shimbun newspapers.

One expert quoted by the Yomiuri also suggested the bus operator may be at fault.

"I suspect the bus operating company's negligent safety management could be behind the accident," said Hajime Tozaki, professor of public transport policy at Waseda University.

The accident occurred only days after authorities imposed penalties on the company for failing to give required medical checkups to some drivers.

The operator did not immediately comment but the travel agency boss denied the company neglected safety standards and promised to help bereaved families.

But Tomokazu Abe, whose daughter Marie, a 22-year-old student who was among the victims, hit out at the agency.

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"They didn't contact us and I have called but no one answered," he told reporters. "I can't trust them. I can't feel their sincerity."

Rules governing the working conditions for long-distance bus drivers were tightened after an April 2012 accident left seven people dead.

That bus hit a wall after its driver dozed off at the wheel. Many passengers were on their way to visit the Tokyo Disney Resort.
LONDON (Reuters) - British opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn said on Saturday he would stop big companies from distributing dividends unless they paid their workers the living wage as part of his proposals to promote fairer working conditions. Corbyn, a socialist who won control of the Labour Party in September, said too much of the proceeds of growing company profits benefit the wealthiest and called for "pay ratios" to be introduced to help tackle income inequality. "Only profitable employers will be paying dividends. If they depend on cheap labour for those profits then I think there's a question over whether that's a business model to which we should be turning a blind eye," Corbyn told a socialist conference in London, his first major speech of the year. Britain has already announced a compulsory 'national living wage' of at least 7.20 pounds ($10.26) an hour for people aged over 25 in April, rising to around 9.35 pounds an hour by 2020. Corbyn's proposals were criticised by a leading employers' group, the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), which said it did not support his idea of intervening in company wages. "The idea of politicians stepping into the relationship between a private company and its shareholders would be a significant intervention, and not one that we would support," Matthew Fell, CBI chief of staff, added in a statement. Corbyn, whose election was seen as a major shift back to the political left for the Labour Party, also proposed maximum "pay ratios" between the highest and lowest salaries within companies. He said Britain's pay inequality was only second to the United States among the Group of Seven (G7) economic powers. "Not only is this unfair, it actually holds back growth. A more equal society is not only fairer, it does better in terms of economic stability and wealth creation," he added. Corbyn's leadership has split Labour lawmakers between his left-wing allies and moderates, some of whom have questioned his ability to lead the party to victory in a 2020 election. ($1 = 0.7015 pounds) (Reporting by Li-mei Hoang; Editing by Helen Popper)
So hard to say goodbye. Country singer Rory Feek wrote a touching new blog post on Saturday, January 16, about his terminally ill wife, Joey, being inconsolable over saying goodbye to her best friend, Julie Zamboldi.



I put my arms around her and asked what was wrong, Rory wrote of his wife, who is in hospice care. As her lips quivered and she tried to catch her breath, the tears streamed down her cheeks and Joey said, I dont think I will ever see her again.

PHOTOS: Celebrity Health Scares

Zamboldi met the couple, who performed as the duo Joey + Rory, nearly eight years ago at their first Big & Buckle Festival. Joey and Zamboldi soon became very close friends.



Like an angel from heaven, it was as if God sent Julie to us. To her, Rory continued. But none of us exactly knew why, until the cancer showed up again this summer.

Joey was diagnosed with stage IV cervical cancer in 2014, but she decided to stop chemotherapy treatments in October after the cancer returned and spread to her colon. When Joey started losing her hair, Zamboldi shaved her own head to show her support for her best friend.



PHOTOS: Stars Who Beat Cancer

Months later and as Joeys condition has continued to improve, then worsen, again and again ... Julie has made three trips to Washington and is back here with us again, Joey added. Shes been here all week, helping Joeys sister Jody take care of my wife and me and everyone else. She cooks, she cleans, changes the babys diaper, and does any and everything else that she can find to do that needs to be done while were living here out of suitcases ... not waiting for someone we love to die. But helping the woman we all love to live.



Rory has been chronicling Joeys battle on his blog, This Life I Live, from her hometown of Alexandria, Indiana, where she is in hospice. The pair have a 23-month-old daughter, Indiana.

Earlier this week, Rory said that he has no desire to go on singing without his leading lady.






By Mathieu Bonkoungou and Nadoun Coulibaly OUAGADOUGOU (Reuters) - At least 20 people died and others were taken hostage when Islamist gunmen stormed a hotel in the capital city of Burkina Faso on Friday, a hospital director said, an attack for which al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) claimed responsibility. Security forces began an assault to reclaim the Splendid Hotel in the early hours of Saturday and entered its lobby, part of which was on fire, a Reuters witness said. The hotel is frequented by Westerners, which may have made it a target for the militants. About 30 hostages including the labour minister were freed from the hotel, said Minister of Communications Remis Dandjinou. No one has said publicly how many hostages might be in the hotel. It was the first time militants have carried out an assault in the capital of Burkina Faso and comes as a setback to efforts by African governments, France and the United States to prevent attacks that have destabilised the region. It follows a raid on a luxury hotel in Mali last November in which two attackers killed 20 people, including citizens of Russia, China and the United States. There have been many attacks by militants in other countries in West Africa in recent years and the vast majority of those killed have been Africans. Robert Sangare, director of Ouagadougou's university hospital centre, said that among an initial batch of 15 people brought to hospital some had bullet wounds while others had injuries from falls. Patients saw around 20 bodies, and one European woman being treated at the hospital said the attackers appeared to target Westerners, said Sangare, who had spoken to the patients. The hotel is sometimes used by French troops with Operation Barkhane, a force based in Chad and set up to combat Islamist militants across West Africa's vast, arid Sahel region. A U.S. defense official said France, the former colonial power, had requested U.S. intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance support in the city, and at least one U.S. military member in Burkina Faso was giving "advice and assistance" to French forces at the hotel. The government has not ruled out calling for help from French special forces stationed in the country, Burkina Faso Foreign Minister Alpha Barry told Reuters. France normally has up to 200 special forces troops in the country. STIFF TEST The assault began around 8.30 p.m. local time, and the attackers torched cars and fired in the air to drive people back from the building. There was an intense gun battle followed by at least an hour of relative quiet, in part as security forces prepared their bid to recapture the hotel. "We had just opened and there were a few customers we started to serve when we heard gunshots. ... There were three men shooting in the air," said Vital Nounayon, a waiter at a restaurant across the street from the hotel. "Lots of people left their cars and motorcycles and ran. (Attackers) set fire to the vehicles. They also fired on the Cappuccino Restaurant across from the hotel before setting it on fire," he said, adding that the attackers wore turbans. Medical personnel moved the wounded away from the front of the hotel and one civilian was shot dead as the assault began around midnight, a Reuters witness said. Burkina Faso, a majority Muslim country, has undergone a democratic transition since October 2014 when longtime President Blaise Compaore was overthrown during mass protests. Elite troops launched a one-week coup in September 2015, but the landlocked West African state has been largely spared violence by Islamist militants, unlike its neighbour Mali. The attack presents a stiff test for President Roch Marc Kabore, who was elected in November as Burkina Faso's first new leader in decades. WARNING SIGNS Three Islamist groups including AQIM and al Mourabitoun claimed responsibility for the Mali hotel attack, the most prominent by militants who are based in the north of the country and have staged a series of attacks over the last year. Al Mourabitoun was also involved in the attack in Burkina Faso, according to the SITE intelligence group. Earlier on Friday, the Ministry of Defence said about 20 armed men killed a gendarme and a civilian in an attack on the village of Tin Abao in northern Burkina Faso. It was unclear whether the attack had been waged by militants. French Ambassador Gilles Thibault said he had been informed that a curfew would be in place from 11 p.m. local time (2300 GMT) Friday to 6 a.m. Saturday. The embassy in December warned French citizens against travelling to a national park in eastern Burkina Faso after reports that Malian jihadists were threatening to kidnap. Around 50 unidentified gunmen attacked a Burkina Faso gendarmerie brigade near the western border with Mali in October 2015, killing three in an attack the government at the time blamed on the leaders of a failed coup one month before. Islamist militants have staged attacks in a number of West African states bordering the Sahel in recent years. Boko Haram have killed thousands in northeastern Nigeria during a six-year insurgency and in 2015 extended its attacks into neighbouring countries Chad, Niger and Cameroon. (Additional reporting by Makini Brice in Dakar, Joe Bavier in Abidjan and John Irish in Paris; Writing by Matthew Mpoke Bigg; Editing by Toni Reinhold, Leslie Adler and Kim Coghill)
Police officers escorts a man (C, with a cap) who was arrested during a raid in the Langgen village in Tegal, Indonesia Central Java, January 15, 2016 in this photo taken by Antara Foto.[Photo/Agencies]

JAKARTA - The Indonesian police have arrested 12 people allegedly linked with Thursday's suicide bombing at the capital that killed seven people including five and injured 20 others, and identified five bombers on Saturday, senior police officers said here.

The police has found an evidence that the gun and bomb attacks at a police station and a Starbucks coffee shop at the hearth of Jakarta was financed by the IS group, National Police Chief General Badrodin Haiti disclosed.

"One of those arrested has received a transfer of fund from the IS group to finance the operation," General Badrodin told a press conference at the police headquarters.

"During the hunting from Thursday evening until today (Saturday), a dozen of people linked with the bombings, have been arrested," said Badrodin.

"The 12 persons arrested are from West Java, Central Java and East Kalimantan," he said.

The arrested persons are grouped in a terrorist cell led by Bahrun Naim who claims himself as the IS leader in Southeast Asia, Badrodin disclosed.

As many as nice pieces of weapons, five mobile phones and one motorcycle have been seized during the raids to arrest the 12 people, he said.

Jakarta police released the identity of five bombers who were killed during the suicide bombings and gun attacks on Thursday, said Musyafak, Jakarta police medical officer.

The IS group is blamed for Thursday's tragedy at the capital, according to Jakarta Police Inspector General Chief Tito Karnavian.

The suicide bombings occurred after the police got warning from the Islamic States or IS that it would launch strikes in Indonesia, Brigadier General Anton Charliyan, national police spokesman has said.

Indonesian Security Chief Minister Luhut Panjaitan has said that Indonesia has been put by the IS group on target, which led the security authority to put the country on top alert of the danger.

As many as 800 Indonesians have joined the IS group in Syria and Iraq and they have already returned to Indonesia, said Said Agil Siraj, chairman of Indonesia's biggest Muslim organization l Ulema.
History is often dramatically but unknowingly altered by what didnt happen  the unanswered telephone call, the unwritten song or the potential candidate deciding not to seek office.

Two weeks ago former governor and U.S. senator Dale Bumpers, of Arkansas, died. His lifetime of 90 years was the stuff of America: He was born in a small town, a hardware dealer during the Great Depression, a butcher, a college educated lawyer who returned home to practice law and convince his local school board to integrate the schools (the first in the old Confederate South to do so), a Marine in World War II who later ran cattle on 350 acres, a governor and senator who should have gone on to become president of the United States.

The Giant Killer

Dale Bumpers earned his political chops the hard way: as an underdog. The polls showed he had 1 percent of the vote when the unknown Bumpers announced his candidacy for governor of Arkansas against the well-known Governor Winthrop Rockefeller. Dale won by a landslide 65 percent and has often been called Arkansas greatest Governor. Four years later Bumpers ran for the U.S. Senate against the incumbent J. William Fulbright and again won a landslide majority to become known in Washington, D.C., as The Giant Killer. He served Arkansas and America as a senator for 24 years.

Bumpers was a tall, slender, intelligent fellow with a smile, laugh and accent that could, as they say in Arkansas, charm the ticks off a hound dog. In 1999 and recently retired from the Senate, Bumpers was asked to defend President Bill Clinton from the impeachment charges of perjury and obstruction of justice. Reluctant to do so, he eventually agreed and presented to the U.S. Senate an extraordinary defense, which was later referred to by the presidents attorney Gregory B. Craig as one of the greatest final arguments given in any American courtroom.

Several years ago, Dale and I sat talking in his Maryland home about the issues of the day, including the war in the Middle East and the presidency of George W. Bush, both of which we agreed were mistakes. Our conversation came around to the reasons Dale had not sought the White House. He told me he gave it strong consideration in 1976 and again in both 1980 and 84.

Nineteen seventh-six was my best opportunity," he said. "America was ready for a liberal southerner. That was the year Jimmy Carter won the White House.

Early political insight

Dale went on to discuss his reasons for not running. In 76 he believed that with only one year as a senator he was not appropriately experienced about national issues. He understood and abhorred the rigors of a national campaign: the growing partisan divide, the constant travel and living for two years in a different motel room every night, and the difficulties of raising tens of millions of dollars of campaign contributions. He had genuinely worried about the effects of constant public pressure on his family, saying, You know, Pat, presidential campaigns are not exactly softball.

Listening to Dale that evening and now thinking back on it, I believe his insightful political instinct sensed, even as early as 1976, that something had gone badly wrong with our campaign system. We accept inexperience but otherwise ask too much of our presidential candidates, including the incessant chase for campaign money. He worried about the growing disconnect between an ordinary Americans inabilities to contribute compared with the huge contributions of the super rich.

Our nation is less because Dale Bumpers was never president, but we are also better because he lived and served.
OUAGADOUGOU (Reuters) - Twenty-three people were killed in an assault by al Qaeda fighters on a hotel in Burkina Faso's capital, according to a "partial death toll" given by the West African nation's President Roch Marc Christian Kabore on Saturday. He described the attack as "cowardly and vile." Security Minister Simon Compaore, speaking on state-owned radio, said the dead had included victims from 18 different nationalities, though he gave no further details. (Reporting by Nadoun Coulibaly; Writing by Joe Bavier; Editing by Gareth Jones)
[Warning: The following content is graphic in nature.]

At age 16, Brendan Dassey admitted in a four-hour confession to raping, killing and dismembering 25-year-old Teresa Halbach with his uncle, Steven Avery, a Wisconsin auto salvage owner who'd previously served 18 years for a rape he did not commit. Dassey, whose IQ is below 70, is currently serving a life sentence for his role in the crime. The following portions of Dassey's confession, which were elicited without a defense lawyer present, were not included in Netflix's Making a Murderer series - but HLN host Nancy Grace recently shared them with The Hollywood Reporter.

BRENDAN DASSEY INTERROGATION

MAY 13, 2006 - CALUMET CO. SHERIFF'S OFFICE

DASSEY: He went to go pick up some stuff around the yard then after that we, he asked me to come in the house cuz he wanted to show me somethin'. And he showed me that she was laying on the bed, her hands were roped up to the bed and that her legs were cuffed. And then he told me to have sex with her and so I did because I thought I was not gonna get away from 'em cuz he was too strong, so I did what he said and then after that, he untied her and uncuffed her and then he brought her outside and before he went outside, he told me to grab her clothes and her shoes. So we went into the garage and before she went out, when before he took her outside, he had tied up her hands and feet and then was in the garage and he stabbed her and then he told me to. And, after that he wanted to make sure she was dead or somethin' so he shot her five times and while he was doing that I wasn't looking because I can't watch that stuff. So I was standing by the big door in the garage and then after that, he took her outside and we put her on the fire and we used her clothes to clean up the, some of the blood. And, when we put her in the fire, and her clothes, we were standing right by the garage, to wait for it to get down so we threw some of that stuff on it after it went down.

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Read More: 'Making a Murderer': Why There Hasn't Been a New Steven Avery Interview Yet

"He was gonna take her out to the garage."

POLICE: Come on, Brendan. What's he telling her at this time? We know there's some talking going on, OK. We, we know that.

BRENDAN: That he said that he was gonna take her out to the garage and stab her and shoot her.

POLICE: He actually says that to her or does he say that to you or who's he saying that to?

BRENDAN: To both of us.

POLICE: And what is she saying when he tells her that?

BRENDAN: To not do that.

POLICE: Does he have a weapon at this time when he's untying her and tying her back up?

BRENDAN: Well, when he was done roping her her roped her, he grabbed the gun and then he grabbed her.

"Where does he stab her?"

POLICE: OK. Let's start with when you bring her out to the garage. Where do you put her?

DASSEY: On the floor.

POLICE: And continue, tell us what happens.

DASSEY: And then he stabs her and then he tells me to and then he puts her into the jeep and then he said he would rather burn her so then he put her back on the floor and then he shot her five times.

POLICE: Where does he stab her?

DASSEY: In the chest.

POLICE: Show me where.

DASSEY: Like right here.

POLICE: Where do you stab her?

DASSEY: In the stomach.

POLICE: What does she say when you stab her?

DASSEY: To stop what I was doin'.

POLICE: What's that? Is she screaming?

DASSEY: Yeah.

POLICE: Is she screaming and saying stop what you're doing? Is she swearing at you? Is she struggling or what? Tell us how that happened.

DASSEY: Just that she was crying a lot.

POLICE: Are you holding her down?

DASSEY: No.

POLICE: Who is?

DASSEY: Steven is.

"Five shots"

POLICE: And I'm not gonna sit here Brendan and allow you to lie to me anymore. I don't need you to. I've got enough evidence without you. If you wanna help yourself, you have that opportunity right now to do that. Is that what you wanna do? Do you wanna help yourself? Then why are you lying? Look at me Brendan. Brendan? Brendan. Brendan.

DASSEY: What?

POLICE: Look at me once.

DASSEY: I don't want to.

POLICE: Why? Do you wanna continue this and talk with us and be honest with us so we can get through this, get this off your chest?

DASSEY: The last time I seen the gun was on th-the rack.

POLICE: OK. Did you shoot her?

DASSEY: No.

POLICE: How many times did Steve shoot her?

POLICE: To the best of your memory.

DASSEY: Well I heard five shots.

"Were you involved?"

POLICE: Were you involved with the murder of Teresa Halbach, yes or no?

DASSEY: Yes.

POLICE: Who else was involved with it?

DASSEY: Steven.

POLICE: Steven who?

DASSEY: Avery.

POLICE: OK, anybody else?

DASSEY: No.

"Planned this"

POLICE: Why did you go over there? You had this stuff planned out already, didn't you? You and Steve had this planned? Yeah? Yes or no?

DASSEY: Yeah.

POLICE: OK and when did you plan it?

DASSEY: For a few days.

POLICE: OK. And what did you have planned? Tell me what you had planned. Come on. Brendan did you have this planned? Yes or no?

BRENDAN: Yes.

POLICE: Who did you plan it with?

DASSEY: Steven.

POLICE: When?

DASSEY: A few days before it happened.

POLICE: OK, and what did you have planned to do? (pause) The details are easy, come on, you've already given me that you were involved in it, so just go on with the details, paint the picture for me. Obviously I know already, I know a bunch of this already. I keep proving that to you. The details are easy, just tell me what you guys planned and what you did, no sweat.

DASSEY: That I had sex with her.

"Why did he pick Teresa?"

POLICE: Why did he pick Teresa?

DASSEY: Cuz she was comin' over that day.

POLICE: Did he tell you she was coming over? Did he tell you she was coming over?

DASSEY: Yeah.

POLICE: And what did he say he was going to do?

DASSEY: That he was gonna to kill her.

POLICE: Did he say why?

DASSEY: No.

POLICE: Did he tell you to come over then? To help him or what did he tell you? What did he tell you Brendan?

DASSEY: That he wanted me to help 'em.

POLICE: And did you agree to do that?

DASSEY: Yeah.

"What Steven was gonna do"

POLICE: Did he tell you about Teresa, that he had met her before?

DASSEY: Yeah.

POLICE: OK. Tell me about that. What did he say about her?

DASSEY: That she looked good and she was pretty nice.

POLICE: OK. Did he tell ya where she worked?

DASSEY: No.

POLICE: Did he tell ya how he was gonna get her in the house?

DASSEY: No.

POLICE: How did he, do you know?

DASSEY: No.

POLICE: OK. So a couple days prior you said there this lady he knows or tell me how he says that. I don't wanna put words in your mouth, tell me how he says it to you.

DASSEY: That he had a girl coming over to take a picture of a van.

POLICE: OK. What else?

DASSEY: And then that he would do that to her.

POLICE: No, wha-tell me exactly what he said.

DASSEY: That he would kill her.

POLICE: Did he laugh about it or what? Why did, why did he say he was gonna kill her?

DASSEY: 'Cause he was pissed off that Jodi was in jail again.

Read More: 'Making a Murderer': Nancy Grace Details Why Steven Avery is Guilty (Q&A)

Update: The full confessions have been uploaded to YouTube.
Malaysian authorities have arrested four suspected militants and confiscated a weapon along with Islamic State group (IS) documents, national police chief Khalid Abu Bakar said Saturday.

Security forces have been on high alert in the predominantly-Muslim country in the wake of deadly coordinated attacks in neighbouring Indonesia earlier this week that were claimed by IS. Seven people, including five assailants, were killed during the incident.

"Congratulations E8 CK (anti-terror unit) for arresting one male suspect on Friday at a train station.... Weapon and IS documents were confiscated (from the suspect)," the police chief said on his Twitter account.

The train station is located near the iconic Petronas Towers in the heart of the capital Kuala Lumpur and houses a huge shopping mall frequented by foreigners.

The country's counter-terrorism assistant director Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay later confirmed to AFP that a knife and IS documents were confiscated at the suspect's house.

In a statement, Khalid said the 28-year old Malaysian admitted that he was planning to be a suicide bomber.

"The suspect admitted that he had planned a suicide attack in Malaysia and was awaiting instructions from a member of IS in Syria," he said.

The police chief added that on January 11, three Malaysian IS suspects were arrested by security forces after being deported from Turkey.

"They were first detained in Turkey while attempting to sneak into Syria to join IS fighters," Khalid said.

Earlier this week, local media reported that a 16-year-old boy clad in militant attire held a woman at knife-point at a supermarket in northwestern Malaysia.

"Investigations revealed that he was influenced by the IS movement through social media and wanted to prove that he was capable of such acts by threatening the woman," Khalid said.

The teenager was later arrested and is being held in police custody.

Muslim-majority Malaysia practises a moderate brand of Islam and has not seen any notable terror attacks in recent years.

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But concern has risen in the multi-faith nation over growing hardline Islamic views and the country's potential as a militant breeding ground.

Authorities say dozens of Malaysians have travelled to Syria to fight for the radical IS group and warn they may seek to return home and import its ideology.

Since 2015, police have arrested numerous suspects whom they say were IS sympathisers plotting attacks.

Opposition lawmakers, however, say the terror arrests have been shrouded in secrecy, making it difficult to gauge the actual threat level.
By Michael Nienaber BERLIN (Reuters) - A prominent ally of Germany's Angela Merkel has threatened to take her government to court over its open door refugee policy as political pressure grows for the chancellor to reduce the number of new arrivals. Bavarian state premier Horst Seehofer said he would send the federal government a written request within the next two weeks to restore "orderly conditions" at the nation's borders, through which one million migrants and refugees passed last year alone. "If it doesn't follow, the state government will have no other choice but to file a suit at the Federal Constitutional Court," Seehofer told Der Spiegel magazine on Saturday. Seehofer has issued a series of ultimatums to Merkel in recent months to press her into taking immediate action to limit the influx of migrants, only to back down at the last minute. His comments reflect growing doubt among Germans about Merkel's "we can do this" mantra in the face of Europe's biggest migrant crisis since World War Two, especially since sexual assaults in Cologne on New Year's Eve were blamed on migrants. Merkel's popularity has dropped since the assaults, a poll showed on Friday. Bavaria, a conservative state that borders Austria to the south, is the home of Seehofer's Christian Social Union (CSU), sister party to Merkel's Christian Democratic Union (CDU), and is the main entry point for migrants and refugees. The state's finance minister, Markus Soeder, told Der Spiegel that Merkel's refugee policy was not democratically legitimized and said parliament should vote on the matter. Senior figures from the Social Democrats (SPD), Merkel's second coalition partner, have also broken ranks in recent days. CHAOTIC SPD leader Sigmar Gabriel joined the critical voices on Saturday. "We have to get from a chaotic to an orderly immigration," he told several regional newspapers. Border checks needed to be improved and refugee quotas introduced to control how many people come to Germany, he said. Germany could take in more than the 200,000 refugees proposed by Seehofer as a cap for this year, but the quota should be significantly below last year's number, he said. Merkel has vowed to "measurably reduce" arrivals this year, but has refused to introduce a cap, saying it would be impossible to enforce without closing German borders. Instead, she has tried to convince European partners to take on quotas of refugees, pushed for reception centers to be built on Europe's external borders, and led an EU campaign to convince Turkey to keep refugees from entering the bloc. But progress has been slow. "If the measures have no impact in the spring, we're moving towards numbers that become difficult," Gabriel said. Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble defended Merkel and said the problem had to be solved at Europe's external borders. But he added: "The time to accomplish this is limited" and "things are moving too slowly in Europe." Schaeuble also proposed a special tax on gasoline in EU states to finance refugee-related costs such as strengthening external borders. (Reporting by Michael Nienaber; Editing by Helen Popper and Mark Potter)
Bamako (AFP) - Wily one-eyed Mokhtar Belmokhtar, whose jihadists have claimed the attack on a hotel in Burkina Faso, shot to global notoriety with a spectacular assault on an Algerian gas field in 2013, but had long been known as "The Uncatchable".

Washington has offered a $5 million (4.7 million euros) bounty for the 43-year-old, born and bred in the Algerian desert, and of all the jihadist leaders in the Sahel region straddling the southern Sahara, it is Belmokhtar who is most wanted.

He was behind the 2013 attack on the In Amenas natural gas complex in the remote south of his homeland, in which 39 hostages and 29 Islamists were killed.

And his Al-Murabitoun group, an Al-Qaeda affiliate, also claimed responsibility for the jihadist siege at the Radisson Blu hotel in Mali's capital Bamako that left 20 dead in November, including 14 foreigners.

In May last year, he reaffirmed that Al-Murabitoun remained loyal to Al-Qaeda, denying the claim of allegiance to the Islamic State group made by another of the movement's leaders.

He was born in 1972 in the ancient desert city of Ghardaia, 600 kilometres (370 miles) south of the Algerian capital.

In a rare 2007 interview, he said he was drawn away from home by his fascination with the exploits of the mujahedeen fighting the Soviet occupation in Afghanistan, joining them in 1991 when he was barely 19 years old.

- Smuggling baron -

It was in Afghanistan that he claims to have lost his eye to shrapnel and where he had his first contact with Al-Qaeda, whose ranks he joined, eventually rising to a senior position.

He returned to Algeria in 1993, a year after the government sparked civil war by cancelling an election the Islamic Salvation Front was poised to win.

He joined the Armed Islamic Group (GIA), which conducted a violent campaign of civilian massacres in its battle against the government, sometimes wiping out entire villages.

Belmokhtar thrived thanks to his intimate knowledge of the nearly lawless "Grey Zone" of southern Algeria, northern Mali and neighbouring Niger.

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In 1998, the Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat (GSPC) broke away from the GIA. Belmokhtar, now also nicknamed "The Uncatchable" by a former chief of French intelligence, went with them.

Nine years later, the GSPC formally adopted to the jihadist ideology of Osama bin Laden and renamed itself Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM).

These Islamists have spun a tight network across tribal and business lines that stretch across the sub-Sahara Sahel zone, supporting poor communities and protecting all kinds of traffickers.

They are comfortable operating in the harsh desert terrain and have made millions of dollars from the ransoms of European hostages.

With a reputation as a smuggling baron -- dealing in contraband cigarettes, stolen cars and even drugs, as well as profiting from illegal immigration networks -- Belmokhtar's commitment to AQIM's puritanical brand of Islam was questioned by some members of the group.

But in January 2013, a group calling itself the "Signatories in Blood", led by Belmokhtar, claimed responsibility for the Algerian gas field assault.

It took place a few days after France launched a military operation to help Malian troops in the north stem a jihadist invasion.

Then in May 2013, two months after reportedly being killed by Chadian troops in Mali, Belmokhtar claimed deadly attacks against Niger's army in Agadez and against French firm Areva, which mines uranium in Niger.
Bravo to President Obama for speaking out so passionately for something to be done about our nation's deadly obsession with firearms, and the 30,000 senseless murders every year by crazed gunmen. Just because Congress shrugs, closes its eyes and refuses to act in a responsible and positive way, he doesn't intend to. Our president is going to act.

Right on cue, Daines and Zinke, exhibiting their usual paranoia and voluntary ignorance, denounced the Obama's executive orders and efforts, calling him a tyrant, calling his actions a "gun grab" and an "assault on Second Amendment rights." Obviously they hadn't listened to the presidents speech Jan. 5.

What's so wrong with trying to limit the ownership and use of deadly firearms to only law-abiding, rational and responsible citizens? And denying access to them by criminals, children and the mentally disturbed? What's wrong with expanding background checks on potential users, and licensing all gun dealers?

Would we like doctors and nurses and dentists not to be licensed? Hunters and drivers not to have a license? Even lawyers have to pass the bar exam before they can practice. Would you like to board a jet liner with no inspection of your fellow passengers? I doubt it. Everyone (mostly) understands these regulations save lives.

I know why Daines and Zinke are against expanded, reasonable background checks for everyone buying a firearm. I know why they are against funding better and stronger help for the mentally unstable. It's simple. They are the obedient and spineless minions of the GOP Tea Party, the gun lobbies and the NRA.

"Moms Demand Action" and many, many other similar groups nationwide (including GOP women), support President Obama's executive efforts, and are demanding proper action, now. The ballot box is one way, and November isn't that far off.

Patricia Bentley

Billings
By Mariam Karouny BEIRUT (Reuters) - Islamic state militants killed dozens of people execution style in attacks on government-held areas in Syria's city of Deir al-Zor on Saturday, a source and a monitoring said. A source close to the Syrian government side said the Islamic State fighters killed at least 250 people, including pro-government fighters and their families when they attacked the neighborhoods of Begayliya and Ayash in the city. He said some of the casualties were beheaded. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which monitors the violence in the country through a wide network of local sources, said the militants killed dozens. "We have 60 people confirmed killed, but the number is big. The details are hard to get so far but the deaths are in dozens," the Observatory's head Rami Abdulrahman told Reuters. The Observatory said earlier that at least 35 soldiers and pro-government fighters were killed in the attacks. A Syrian source said the group "committed a massacre among the civilians." He said the army repelled the attacks and killed a large number of the attackers. "They sent six suicide bombers first and they tried to break into military positions but they failed." The Observatory said that the hardline group fighters had infiltrated the northwestern side of the city and carried out several attacks. Islamic State group is in control of most of the eastern province while the government is holding parts of the city including a military airport. Deir al-Zor province links Islamic State's de facto capital in Raqqa with territory controlled by the group in Iraq. Government-held areas in the city had been under siege by Islamic State fighters for more than a year and more than 200,000 people there are living in dire conditions lacking food and medicine. The Syrian source said that the group has been trying to attack the city almost on daily basis and on Saturday it carried out several assaults." Islamic state supporters on social media said the group had also captured an army weapons depot and seized tanks. Reuters was unable to independently verify these reports. The Observatory also said that unknown warplanes carried eight air strikes on the city of Raqqa killing at least 16 people and wounded 30 others. (Reporting by Mariam Karouny; editing by Ralph Boulton)
On vocals: convicted murderer Elias Chimenya, on bass guitar: burglar Stefano Nyerenda, and prison guard Thomas Binamo is one of the band's songwriters.

Malawi's Zomba Prison Project band has a unique line-up that could grab global success at the recording industry's prestigious Grammy Awards next month.

Their 20-track record "I Have No Everything Here" has been nominated in the Best World Music Album category, with the winner to be announced at a gala ceremony in Los Angeles.

Musical talent at the Zomba maximum-security prison was unearthed in 2013 when US producer Ian Brennan spent two weeks working with 60 inmates and guards to make the album.

Six hours of recordings were edited down into the final selection of songs, featuring 16 of the prison's musicians, singing mainly in the local Chichewa language.

Elias Chimenya, 46, who is serving a life term for killing a man in a quarrel in the 1980s, wrote and sang the haunting ballad "Jealous Neighbour", the album's fifth track.

"I am a reformed person, and music has helped me to be cool and deal with the situation of being incarcerated for life," he told AFP at the decrepit prison in the poor southern African nation.

"(But) I hope to not die in prison, and instead to be released to take up a music career outside."

- 'Already made us famous' -

More than two years after the recording sessions, news of the award nomination came as a surprise to inmates.

"We are baffled because we didn't expect prisoners could be nominated," said Nyerenda, the 34-year-old guitarist, who expects to be freed next year after serving a 10-year sentence for house burglary.

The prison already had an all-male band that tours local schools to spread HIV prevention messages.

But the Grammy-nominated album includes other inmates -- and half the songs are by women prisoners living in a separate part of the jail where they have no instruments except hand drums, buckets and pieces of pipe.

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Among the songs on the album, which was recorded in a makeshift studio next to a noisy carpentry workshop, are tracks called "Last Wishes", "I Am Alone" and "Don't Hate Me".

"The nomination alone has inspired us and already made us famous both in Malawi and abroad," said Binamo, the prison guard who wrote the lyrics for a song called "Please. Don't Kill My Child."

"Winning an award will be the icing on the cake," he added, as band members wearing white prison uniforms rehearsed a new song in the bare studio under a single light bulb.

"We teach vocals, keyboard, drums and guitar until they become musicians. Playing music can bring relief to them," Binawo said.

"Many people have a negative attitude towards the prison authorities. They think we only punish convicts."

Brennan, who has worked regularly in US prisons, said he was amazed by how music sessions in the Zomba jail "did not have any rigid boundary between guards and prisoners."

"I was struck by how the voices are unique, unaffected and direct," he added.

Brennan also defended the album, which was released last year, against accusations that it celebrated criminals.

"This is not about glorifying anyone -- it is about humanising, and everyone should be humanised," he said.

"Some of these prisoners have been proved innocent and released. Others are caught up in bureaucracy for years. But yes, some people are in for life, for murder."

- 'What's a Grammy?' -

Brennan said the prison, built in the 1930s, was in poor repair but that the prisoners appeared to be relatively well-treated.

"Considering the tremendous shortage of resources, I would say prison officials do make an effort to rehabilitate prisoners and provide decent conditions," he told AFP.

"It is an incredible thing that they were nominated."

The prisoners were paid a small fee for the recording, and any profits will be shared among them -- including several who have since been released.

"When I heard the news, I said, 'What is a Grammy?'" recalled Little Dinizulu Mtengano, acting chief commissioner of prisons in Malawi.

"Straight from my lunch, I went to the prison to break it to them. They were surprised, but some knew what the Grammys were."

No one from the jail is expected to attend the award ceremony on February 15.

Also competing in their category are albums by South African choral group Ladysmith Black Mambazo and Indian sitar musician Anoushka Shankar, the daughter of the late sitar maestro Ravi Shankar.

Another of the prisoner performers, Chikondi Salanje, a convicted thief who sings the album's opening track, said the nomination led him to reflect on his time in jail.

"This is the place where I discovered my potential," he said. "I always tell myself that if I were outside, I would have been killed or faced something terrible.

"But I am glad to be part of the people that have put Malawi on the map."
SEOUL (Reuters) - North Korea on Saturday called for the conclusion of a peace treaty with the United States and a halt to U.S. military exercises with South Korea to end its nuclear tests. The isolated state has long sought a peace treaty with the United States, as well as an end to the exercises by South Korea and the United States, which has about 28,500 troops based in South Korea. "Still valid are all proposals for preserving peace and stability on the peninsula and in Northeast Asia including the ones for ceasing our nuclear test and the conclusion of a peace treaty in return for U.S. halt to joint military exercises," North Korea's official KCNA news agency cited a spokesman for the country's foreign ministry as saying early on Saturday. Asked if the United States would consider a halt to joint exercises, U.S. State Department spokesman John Kirby said it had alliance commitments to South Korea. "We are going to continue to make sure the alliance is ready in all respects to act in defence of the South Korean people and the security of the peninsula," he told a regular news briefing. Asked earlier this week about North Korea's call for a peace treaty, the State Department reiterated its position that it remained open to dialogue with North Korea but said "the onus is on North Korea to take meaningful actions towards denuclearisation and refrain from provocations." The two Koreas remain in a technical state of war since their 1950-53 conflict ended in a truce, not a peace treaty. North Korea said on Jan. 6 it had tested a hydrogen bomb, provoking condemnation from its neighbours and the United States. Experts have expressed doubt that the North's fourth nuclear test was of a hydrogen bomb, as the blast was roughly the same size as that from its previous test, of a less powerful atomic bomb, in 2013. Pyongyang is under U.N. sanctions for its nuclear and missile programmes. (Reporting by Tony Munroe in Seoul; additional reporting by David Brunnstrom in Washington, editing by Andrew Roche and Tom Brown)
Netizens are expressing anger at President Aquino for vetoing a bill seeking to grant a P2,000 across-the-board increase in pensions that the Social Security System (SSS) gives out to retirees.

Some want to abandon candidates of the administration Liberal Party (LP) in the May polls to get back at Aquino.

Even the Facebook page of the Official Gazette, the governments official publication where it was explained why Aquino vetoed the bill, also contains public complaints.

Tuwid na daan is only for the rich and oligarchs, Rone Rentoy said. It was never intended for the poor.

Another said that Manuel Roxas II, the LP standard bearer, should now say goodbye to his presidential ambitions.

PNoys veto of the much needed SSS pension hike (is) a kiss of death for you, said Roy Angana.

Several comments called for the boycott of the entire LP slate in the polls.

Millions of allowances were given to SSS officials in the past, netizens said.

Previous reports, which started circulating following the veto, showed previous statements from Malacanang defending the bonuses given to SSS officials.

In the comments sections of the column of STAR Associate Editor Marichu Villanueva about the veto, several Internet users noted the basis for the veto.

The question is what sort of actuarial analysis formed the basis for the proposed law, and if PNoy studied the same actuarial analysis before deciding to veto, one comment read.

You can look at the political flipsides of this issue but at the end of the day, its the actuarial science that should be driving any decision to either veto or to sign.

Some noted that the government should have looked for ways to increase the pension, not just say that it cannot be done.

Defense

A number of supporters, however, came to the defense of Aquino.

One user, who claimed to be a pensioner, said he would be happy with the increase but asked at what expense.

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Its the legislators fault for legislating a nonsensical bill, he said.

Another said Aquino made a wise decision when he chose to prioritize the majority despite the unpopularity of his decision.

Never bow to pressures, Tony del Rosario said. At least you proved that you are for the greater good of the Filipino people.

Several others accused the bills proponent Bayan Muna Rep. Neri Colmenares, a candidate for a Senate seat, of using the bill to get public support.
SEOUL/TOKYO (Reuters) - North Korea on Saturday demanded the conclusion of a peace treaty with the United States and a halt to U.S. military exercises with South Korea to end its nuclear tests. But U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Pyongyang needed to demonstrate by its action that it was serious about denuclearization for any dialogues to start. "We now have unfortunately a decade during which North Korea has totally reversed its obligations to international community, when it comes to missile and nuclear programs," Blinken told a news conference in Tokyo. "So it's very hard to take any of their overtures very seriously, particularly in the wake of their fourth nuclear test," he said, after meeting his counterpart from Japan and South Korea. North Korea said on Jan. 6 it had tested a hydrogen bomb, provoking condemnation from its neighbors and the United States. The isolated state has long sought a peace treaty with the United States, as well as an end to the exercises by South Korea and the United States, which has about 28,500 troops based in South Korea. "Still valid are all proposals for preserving peace and stability on the peninsula and in Northeast Asia including the ones for ceasing our nuclear test and the conclusion of a peace treaty in return for U.S. halt to joint military exercises," North Korea's official KCNA news agency cited a spokesman for the country's foreign ministry as saying early on Saturday. But asked if the United States would consider a halt to joint exercises, U.S. State Department spokesman John Kirby said it had alliance commitments to South Korea. "We are going to continue to make sure the alliance is ready in all respects to act in defense of the South Korean people and the security of the peninsula," he told a regular news briefing. Vice foreign ministers from the United States, Japan and South Korea also agreed to seek tough U.S. sanctions on Pyongyang, calling for China to take more actions. China is North Korea's main economic and diplomatic backer, although relations between the Cold War allies have cooled in recent years. The two Koreas remain in a technical state of war since their 1950-53 conflict ended in a truce, not a peace treaty. Experts have expressed doubt that the North's fourth nuclear test was of a hydrogen bomb, as the blast was roughly the same size as that from its previous test, of a less powerful atomic bomb, in 2013. Pyongyang is under U.N. sanctions for its nuclear and missile programs. Blinken said that Pyongyang should look to the example of Iran. Iran's foreign minister said international sanctions on the country will be lifted on Saturday when the United Nations nuclear agency declares Tehran has complied with an agreement to scale back its nuclear program. "What made that agreement (with Iran) possible was the decision by Iran to freeze, and in some respects roll back, its nuclear program, in order to allow time and space to see if we could negotiate a comprehensive agreement." (Reporting by Tony Munroe in Seoul, Hideyuki Sano in Tokyo; Additional reporting by David Brunnstrom in Washington; Editing by Andrew Roche and Stephen Powell)
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Barack Obama spoke by phone on Friday with Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto and congratulated him on the arrest last week of drug kingpin Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman, the White House said. The two leaders also discussed broader security and economic issues and they agreed on the importance of taking steps to advance the approval of the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade pact, the White House said in a statement. (Reporting by Eric Beech; Editing by Sandra Maler)
Washington (AFP) - US President Barack Obama congratulated his Mexican counterpart Enrique Pena Nieto Friday on the recapture of drug baron Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman, the White House said.

The kingpin's daring escape last year created a major embarrassment for the Mexican leader, who had balked at extraditing the druglord to the United States even though Guzman had already fled from another prison in 2001.

During their conversation, both leaders "reaffirmed the importance of all aspects of the bilateral relationship," according to a readout of their call.

Pena Nieto has now launched extradition proceedings for Guzman, while boosting security at the prison where he is held.

The White House said Obama spoke with Pena Nieto "to congratulate him on the arrest," which occurred one week ago after a deadly military raid on a house in Los Mochis, a coastal city in Guzman's native northwestern state of Sinaloa.

During the call, the two leaders also agreed that "a cooperative and supportive security dynamic as well as deep and robust economic bonds," are key to the US-Mexico relationship.

The statement said the pair emphasized "the importance of taking steps to advance the approval of the Trans-Pacific Partnership," the world's largest free trade deal between 12 nations, including the United States and Mexico.
US News

Obama declares emergency in Michigan amid Flint water crisis

President Obama declared a state of emergency in Michigan on Saturday and ordered federal aid to be used to help state and local response efforts to an area affected by contaminated water. The White House issued a release calling for the Federal Emergency Management Agency to coordinate all disaster relief efforts to alleviate the hardship and suffering on residents. Flint switched water supplies in 2014, and the corrosive water from the Flint River leached lead from old pipes.

The presidents action authorizes the Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), to coordinate all disaster relief efforts which have the purpose of alleviating the hardship and suffering caused by the emergency on the local population. White House statement

Michigan Governor Rick Snyder had asked the president to declare both an emergency and an expedited major disaster in the county where the city of Flint has been dealing with the fallout from lead-contaminated drinking water. Though Flint has returned to Detroits water system, officials remain concerned that damaged pipes could continue to leach lead, to which exposure can cause behavior problems and learning disabilities in children as well as kidney ailments in adults. The National Guard has been distributing free water, filters and other supplies.
MANVEL -- Hymnals are assembled in tidy stacks, the newer ones affixed with a sticky note and a family name neatly written in ink, in a pew near the rear of Zion Congregational Church.

Distributing the hymnals to the congregation's families is just one of the tasks church members are dealing with these days as they prepare to permanently close the church that has held a prominent role in the community for more than a century.

What isn't being distributed or preserved -- most likely at the Manvel Community Museum -- will be sold, with the proceeds going to Manvel Public School.

It's been a bittersweet few weeks for church members, who ultimately decided around Thanksgiving that 2015 would be the church's last year.

"It got to be too much to keep it going, to pay the heat. At the most, there were like eight of us on a good Sunday," said Barb Leeson, who was the church treasurer for the past 22 years.

Her father, Walter, held the post for 20 years before her.

"We've discussed it every year for the last 10 to 15 years," said Lois Kinney, who played organ for 35 years at the church on Oldham Avenue -- Manvel's main street. "We decided we can't rely on people passing away and leaving us money to keep it going."

Zion is a sister church to the United Church of Christ, formerly was known as the Federated Church, in Grand Forks, N.D.

The Rev. Keith Mills, pastor of the two churches, also serves as a conference minister for the Northern Plains Conference, United Church of Christ.

The Grand Forks congregation has been meeting at UND since 2012, when it sold its church on 17th Avenue South. However, the church recently partnered with Family of God Lutheran Church in East Grand Forks, Minn.

Long history

At least two of the present-day families -- the Kinneys and Middletons -- can trace their history back to the church's founding in 1901, when services were held in Woodman Hall.

The permanent building was constructed in 1913 and dedicated in 1914. The $500 mortgage was paid off that same year.

One of the church's founders, Charles Olson, was Lois Kinney's grandfather. Co-founder Frank Middleton's legacy has been carried on by his grandson, David Middleton and his wife, Marcene.

In 1958, the church was moved just north of the original site and placed on a new foundation, one with a basement.

When the congregation observed its centennial in 2001, it had 45 members. That was a far cry from the 100 or more that traveled by horseback or horse and buggy to attend Sunday services in its earliest days.

The church flourished through the first half of the 20th Century and beyond, building a tradition of serving the community.

But like others in rural America, it has struggled to survive, as young family members have migrated to larger cities and congregations have aged.

"I'm the second youngest member," said 58-year-old David Kinney, Lois' son. "When I was in Sunday School, there were probably 20 kids. Then it gradually got smaller. They get married and then they probably start going to the other one's church."

Manvel has had three churches for most of its existence: St. Timothy's Catholic, Trinity Lutheran and Zion.

Some church members haven't decided yet how they will spend their Sunday mornings. Family of God in East Grand Forks is an option, but some are looking closer to home.

Barb Leeson has been attending Trinity in Manvel for the past few Sundays.

"I'm just short of shopping around," she said.

David Kinney, who has sung in the church choir virtually all of his life, also is looking just down the street to St. Timothy's.

"They said I can sing in their choir," he said. "And I like the fact that they're constantly working in the community. That's what we've always tried to do, to make the community better."
Washington (AFP) - US President Barack Obama declared a state of emergency in Michigan on Saturday, freeing up federal aid to help an area affected by contaminated water, the White House said.

Authorities in the state have been dealing with a major health crisis over lead-contaminated water that arose from cost-cutting measures implemented in the city of Flint, home to some 100,000 people.

Problems arose after state officials ignored months of health warnings about the foul-smelling water as residents complained that it was making them sick.

On Thursday, Michigan Governor Rick Snyder submitted a request to the president to call a state of emergency.

However it was just four years ago that the governor named a state-appointed manager to take control of Flint's troubled finances.

As part of cost-cutting, the city began drawing water from the Flint River in April 2014 rather than continuing to buy it from Detroit. That's when problems began.

Obama declared that "an emergency exists in the state of Michigan and ordered federal aid to supplement state and local response efforts," a White House statement read.

The move was "due to the emergency conditions in the area affected by contaminated water," it added.

Efforts to be implemented by the Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) include providing water, water filters, water filter cartridges and water test kits, among other supplies, for up to three months.

The state's environment department had allowed water to be taken from the Flint River, even though the city's treatment plant was not able to produce water that met state and federal standards, according to a lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union and the Natural Resources Defense Council.

Residents soon began complaining that the foul, cloudy water was making them vomit, break out in rashes and lose their hair.

DHS and FEMA will coordinate efforts to ameliorate "the hardship and suffering caused by the emergency on the local population," the White House said.

The move is meant "to save lives and to protect property and public health and safety, and to lessen or avert the threat of a catastrophe," it added.
ERBIL, Iraq (Reuters) - A much anticipated campaign to recapture Iraq's northern city of Mosul from Islamic State is unlikely to happen this year, the Kurdistan region's deputy prime minister said, dampening hopes the militants could be driven from the country in 2016. Despite recent gains on the battlefield, Qubad Talabani said he doubted the country's armed forces would be ready for an operation to drive the Sunni insurgents out of their de facto capital in Iraq before 2017. "I don't think the Mosul offensive could happen this year," Talabani told Reuters in an interview on Thursday. "I don't think the Iraqi armed forces are ready and I don't think the (U.S.-led) coalition is confident in the ability of everyone to get ready in time for an offensive this year." The coalition has been working to train and rebuild the Iraqi security forces, which partially collapsed when Islamic State militants overran Mosul and large swathes of the north in June 2014. Iraq has relied heavily on Shi'ite paramilitary groups and Kurdish peshmerga forces to drive the militants back, but their involvement in the Mosul campaign could inflame sectarian and ethnic tensions with the city's mainly Sunni Arab population. Kurdish officials say the peshmerga, which have emerged as a key ally of the coalition bombing Islamic State, will support an offensive to recapture Mosul whenever it happens, but the Iraqi army must take the lead. "Were ready to do our part in any offensive to liberate Mosul but I think its unfair to expect us to do the lions share," said Talabani, adding it was too soon to comment on the exact nature of the role the peshmerga would play. Last month the army scored its first major victory since the fall of Mosul, recapturing the western city of Ramadi, and Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said the insurgents would be routed from the country in 2016. (Reporting by Isabel Coles; Editing by Louise Ireland and Dominic Evans)
SheKnows

Elizabeth Hurley is back wearing the designer who put her on the map in the 1990s: Versace. Like all fabulous creations from the fashion house, its sexy and stunning. The 57-year-old actress shared some moody snapshots with her Instagram followers in her gorgeous Versace dress. While only the top half of her outfit is seen []
Tehran (AFP) - An overview of international sanctions adopted against Iran over the years to persuade it to end its controversial nuclear programme.

A limited number have already been eased since an interim accord was struck in 2013. Others were to be lifted following the UN atomic watchdog's announcement Saturday that Iran had fulfilled its obligations under last July's landmark nuclear agreement with world powers.

Some sanctions, not linked to the accord, will remain in place however, including European sanctions linked to human rights and US sanctions linked to terrorism.

Embargoes on the sales and exports of conventional weapons and ballistic missile technology will also remain in place -- for five years for conventional weapons and for eight years for ballistic missile technology.

All other sanctions will be lifted in three stages.

The UN Security Council last July adopted a resolution clearing a path to lift the sanctions once Iran has met its commitments.

If Tehran violates any of its commitments, the Security Council can initiate proceedings to reinstate sanctions under a so-called "snapback" mechanism.

Here are details of the sanctions adopted by the United Nations, the United States and European Union.

- UNITED NATIONS -

The UN Security Council has approved four series of sanctions. Currently 43 individuals and 78 entities are on the UN's blacklist.

- Resolution 1737 (December 2006) imposes economic and commercial sanctions against 10 entities linked to Tehran's nuclear and ballistic programmes. Their assets and those of 12 individuals are frozen.

- Resolution 1747 (March 2007) freezes the assets of 13 new entities linked to the nuclear programme or the Iranian Revolutionary Guards. There is also an embargo on Iranian arms purchases and restrictions on loans to Iran.

- Resolution 1803 (March 2008) imposes a foreign assets freeze and travel ban on key players in the nuclear programme and forbids the supply of dual-use items (civilian and military) to Iran.

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- Resolution 1929 (June 2010) places new restrictions on Iranian investments and bans sales to Iran of battle tanks and combat aircraft.

- UNITED STATES -

- November 1979: Washington begins to ban businesses and individual Americans from trading with Iran except with Treasury Department approval in response to the hostage taking at the US embassy in Tehran.

- June 1995: The US implements a broad economic embargo against Iran.

- November 2008: Washington forbids US banks to take part in fund transfers involving Iran.

- July 2010: A law targets the supply of petrol to Iran, which is highly dependent on refined products, and foreign firms that invest in the Iranian energy sector.

- November 2011: Washington reinforces sanctions on goods, services and technologies for Iran's petrochemical sector. In December, assets of foreign financial institutions that trade with the Iranian Central Bank in the petrol sector are frozen.

- July 2012: The US imposes new economic sanctions on Iran's oil export sector and on two banks accused of dealings with Tehran.

- June 2013: Washington unveils sanctions on the rial currency and the auto sector.

Around 100 entities in Iran are affected by the US sanctions.

- EUROPEAN UNION -

- July 2010: The EU bans technical assistance or the transfer of oil technologies to Iran. It also bans the activity of some Iranian banks and adds names to the United Nations list of individuals banned from travelling.

- In May, then December 2011 it freezes the assets of 243 Iranian entities and around 40 more individuals, who are banned from receiving visas.

- January 2012: The EU approves a ban on Iranian oil imports and freezes assets of the Iranian Central Bank.

- October 2012: New sanctions target EU dealings with Iranian banks, shipping and gas imports.

- December 2012: The EU extends its blacklist.

A total of 92 Iranians and 466 companies or groups, including the Iranian central bank, are affected by the Brussels sanctions.
TOKYO  A team of young Filipino scientists and engineers has designed and built a microsatellite, which can help the Philippines in food security, disaster response and preparedness, and guarding its territory.

Experts from Japans Hokkaido University and Tohoku University helped the team of Filipino scientists and engineers in designing and building the 50-kilogram microsatellite Diwata-1.

The Philippines sent a delegation to Japan for the handover of Diwata-1 to Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency. JAXA will ship and endorse Diwata-1 to the US, from where it will be launched into space and deployed into orbit in April.

The satellite images from Diwata-1 can be used to provide data on marine and agricultural resources of the country, according to Rogel Mari Sese, head of the Department of Science and Technologys National Space Program and a member of the Philippine delegation.

For instance, big fishing companies have been using satellite images to determine areas where they should deploy their vessels to catch fish.

That application can translate to increased productivity for our fishermen and farmers. Having an extensive kind of image, like for example sea surface temperature, you can disseminate that information to local government units. Our fishermen can be told to go to certain areas to catch more fish, Sese told The STAR.

They dont have to waste fuel for their motor banca, as well as valuable man-hours, roaming around areas looking for fish where there is none.

Using satellites is a more efficient way of capturing images. Because with one shot, you cover a much larger area. Using an airplane, you have to do countless flights using up so much gasoline, he added.

The use of satellite images can also help increase the efficiencies in many areas.

Sese said in farming, satellite images can be used to estimate how many cavans of palay can be harvested from a parcel of land and determine the best time to harvest the crop.

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That can translate to food security because we can also assess if we need to import rice or if we already have sufficient rice production, he said.

In times of disaster, satellite images can help in estimating the extent of damage to agriculture.

We can assess the extent of damage, like how many hectares of farmlands were really affected, which was actually a problem for the Department of Agriculture. Because right now, their estimation is done arbitrarily, its not supported by data. They are really guessing, Sese said.

Sometimes, there is really a tendency to overestimate because they know they can get more in terms of rehabilitation funds, he added.
After a steep rise that forced North Dakota to provide more help to the state medical examiner, the number of autopsies performed in North Dakota fell last year for the first time since 2007, a trend expected to continue because of the slowdown in oil activity.

Department of Health officials also say theyre making progress on ways to improve the states system of death investigations and autopsies.

State law requires that all non-natural deaths be reviewed by the county coroner. Deaths that must be reported to a coroner include those involving obvious or suspected homicidal, suicidal or accidental injury, firearms injury, motor vehicle injury, starvation, drowning, suspected sexual assault, illegal drug use or any other suspicious factor.

When a county coroner determines that further forensic examination of a deceased person is needed, the body is sent to the state forensic examiners office at the Department of Health in Bismarck or to the University of North Dakotas Department of Pathology in Grand Forks for autopsy.

The Bismarck lab performed 240 autopsies last year, while the UND lab performed 247, for a total of 487 autopsies, or five fewer than in 2014.

That breaks a streak that saw autopsy numbers soar by 70 percent from 290 in 2007 to 492 in 2014. The forensic examiner offices budget has more than doubled over the past decade, from $1 million in expenditures in 2005-07 to a $2 million appropriation for 2015-17. The state pays for the autopsy, while the county bears the cost of transporting the body.

State Medical Examiner Dr. William Massello said the caseload increase was driven largely by the influx of people into western North Dakota and the work-site fatalities, drug-related deaths and traffic fatalities that accompanied the oil boom.

North Dakota has grown by 110,000 people since 2004, to a record high estimate of 756,927 as of July 1, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

Average annual traffic fatalities rose from 114.2 deaths per year from 2006-10 to 146.4 deaths in the five years since, according to state Highway Patrol figures. The states homicide count also is up, averaging 16 a year from 2010-14, compared with 10 per year over the previous 15 years, according to the attorney generals office.

Slumping crude oil prices have significantly reduced drilling activity  with the number of active drilling rigs at 51 on Thursday, down from 188 at the same time in 2014  and the workforce that supports it. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration investigated three oil- and gas-related workplace fatalities in North Dakota last year, compared with seven in 2014 and 10 in 2013.

I do think, just my own gut feeling, were going to see some drop-off (in autopsies) because were not going to be seeing the number of work-related fatalities from the oil field, Massello said.

Workload manageable again

A work group created at the request of the Legislatures interim Health Service Committee in April 2014 has been studying ways to improve death investigations and autopsies.

One issue identified was to maintain a manageable workload at the forensic examiners office in Bismarck.

The state began contracting with UND in 2013 to relieve the overwhelming workload in the Bismarck office, which had seen its caseload climb by more than 50 percent, from 240 autopsies in 2004 to 367 in 2012.

The general consensus is any pathologist who does more than 400 autopsies a year is probably doing too many  catastrophically too many, Massello said.

Massello said the contract with UND resulted in a manageable workload for the forensic examiners office. The office now performs autopsies for 32 counties in western North Dakota, while UND covers 21 eastern counties.

Last year, lawmakers approved $480,000 to continue the contract through 2015-17, plus $160,000 to UND to pay for autopsies.

Rep. Jay Seibel, R-Beulah, a retired funeral home director who previously served as a deputy coroner, said funeral directors support keeping the contract with UND in place because it reduces travel time and costs for many eastern counties and speeds up autopsy turnaround times, which means shorter delays for families waiting to bury their loved ones.

Maintaining the contract with UND is the highest priority, said Kirby Kruger, chief of the health departments medical services section.

Improving training

Another priority, he said, is increasing and improving training for coroners and other death investigators.

I think that getting them at a basic understanding is really our goal, he said.

To be eligible to be a coroner in North Dakota, state law requires that the person be a licensed physician, registered nurse, physician assistant or any other individual determined by the state forensic examiner to be qualified to serve as coroner.

If a coroner isnt available or doesnt live in the county, the duties fall to the sheriff.

By occupation, 22 counties are served by coroners who are medical doctors, 18 by sheriffs or police officers, nine by funeral home directors, two by EMTs, one by a nurse and, in McKenzie County, by a rancher who is also a funeral director.

But their job duty is the same across the board: to determine if a death occurred naturally or not, Kruger said.

Progress has been made. A death investigation course at UND is now available online, and Massello continues to offer eight hours of training annually for coroners, law enforcement, paramedics and other first responders. But House lawmakers defeated a bill last session that would have provided about $30,000 to offset travel costs that can be a barrier to training.

Kruger said he expects the work group will have additional recommendations for the 2017 Legislature.

(Reach Nowatzki at 701-255-5607 or by email at mnowatzki@forumcomm.com.)
Ankara (AFP) - Kurdish PKK rebels while claiming responsibility Saturday for a car bombing in southeast Turkey this week apologised for having killed civilians and especially three children in the attack.

Two civilians were killed in the initial bombing near a police station by the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) in the town of Cinar, and three more lost their lives when a building collapsed due to damage caused by the blast, local officials said after the attack on Thursday.

Security sources told AFP the victims in the building collapse were a five-month-old baby, a boy aged five and a girl aged one.

One policeman also died in the attack.

"It is clear that civilians should never be our target in accordance with the general line and political objectives of our movement. The target of this action was the security forces," the PKK said in a statement reported by the pro-Kurdish news agency Firat.

"In spite of our efforts not to hurt civilians, we want to convey our sadness that several of them died and we extend our condolences to their families," added the PKK while also promising to continue attacks against Turkish forces

The PKK launched an insurgency against the Turkish state in 1984, initially fighting for Kurdish independence although it now presses more for greater autonomy and rights for the country's largest ethnic minority.

A new upsurge of violence between the security forces and the PKK erupted in July following attacks blamed on Islamic extremists, shattering a fragile two-and-a-half-year truce.
Obama-dog-pants

Several important political and economic concerns were addressed in the YouTube interview with President Obama on Friday, but one debate was finally settled: Obama established the proper shape of dog pants.

YouTube star Adande Thorne, also known as sWooZie, ended his interview with the president by entering a "lightning round" of pop culture questions. This was when he pulled out his diagram of the infamous "dog pants" meme, which has caused countless arguments online over whether a dog would wear pants on all four legs or just their back legs.

See also: Obama wants to be Han Solo, and other things we learned today

"The American people really want to know this one," Thorne said. "If you had to pick a pair of pants, for your dog, A or B?" (Choice A referred to pants on all four legs, while choice B referred to just the hind legs).

The president's response was swift and immediate. Whether he had decided beforehand, or was just exercising his executive decision-making skills, Obama pointed to choice B, pants just on the hind legs. Thorne asked if this was his final answer, or if he wanted to phone a friend, but Obama held firm.

On the other choice where all four dog legs are inside pants, Obama declared: "Its a little too conservative. A little too much."

So now the American people know: if a dog should wear pants, they are to wear pants on the back, and only the back, set of legs. Anything else is officially un-American.

Have something to add to this story? Share it in the comments.
Hazel Mae Castor and her loved ones knew life would metamorphose when she recently boarded a jet plane bound for Florida. But the 24-year-old from the Philippines wasnt clearing out of her native Iloilo City and leaving her family more than 9,400 miles behind to become a housekeeper, laborer or seafarer  some of the common professions for overseas Filipino workers. Rather, the recent culinary school grad left to cut her teeth at Fontainebleau Miami Beach, a high-end resort and spa where shell blend, blanch and broil her way toward a professional career in cookery.

The world has long embraced chefs from France and Italy, the U.K. and the U.S., but now its Filipino cooks who are quietly pervading the global culinary scene by carving out spaces on ships like Princess Cruises, major casinos like the Galaxy Macau resort in China and hotels such as the Athens Ledra in Greece and the Lanesborough in London. Consider Cristeta Comerford, the first woman and person of Filipino descent to hold the coveted title of executive chef of the White House kitchen. Overall, the number of Filipino new hires employed abroad as cooks and related workers grew to more than 7,000 in 2013, up more than 60 percent from 2010, according to the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration.

Le Cordon Bleu has partnered with a local university to offer a premium education in restaurant studies  and thats on top of more than 400 schools with accredited culinary programs across the country.

Labor migration is hardly a new phenomenon in the Philippines. Since the 1970s, manpower has been a chief export of the Southeast Asian archipelago, which is home to more than 98 million people, and more than 10 million Filipinos work abroad today. According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, Saudi Arabia crests the list of destinations for Filipinos employed overseas, followed by other Middle Eastern countries such as the United Arab Emirates and Qatar, and Asian locales like Singapore and Hong Kong. Given the Philippines relatively young population  a third of the country is under 15  as well as an unemployment level of around 7 percent and more than 26 percent of Filipinos living in poverty, overseas work is often more lucrative than local alternatives.

While many have left home to become nannies or maids, more have been enticed in recent years by rock-star chefs like Gordon Ramsay and Marco Pierre White. That image combined with a ballooning culinary-school industry in the Philippines  with strengthening ties to accreditation bodies and partner institutions overseas  has churned out more Filipino cooks. When Kenneth Cacho, director of culinary arts at the International School for Culinary Arts and Hotel Managements Pampanga campus, began his career in 1991, educational opportunities in this field were about as common as, well, unicorn fondue. At that time we didnt have any culinary schools offering courses like this, he says. There were just a handful of other institutions by 2006, when Gene Cordova, president of the American Hospitality Academy Philippines, opened his school. More recently, Le Cordon Bleu has partnered with a local university to offer a premium education in restaurant studies  and thats on top of more than 400 schools with accredited culinary programs across the country. Cordova says theyve mushroomed all over the place.

At the same time, experts say, the explosion of short-term courses  some as brief as six months  may prove deflating in other ways. Speed relies on shortcuts and diluting skill, and the ever-increasing demand to send chefs abroad may mean an eventual shortage back home. The challenge of widely popularizing Filipino eats also persists. After all, its far less known than the cuisines of its Thai or Vietnamese cousins, and Filipino fare is rich with variation. Cordova, for one, has seen dozens of takes on the very famous adobo recipe.

Of course, that stems from the fact that the Philippines comprises more than 7,000 islands, with cultural traces from Spain, Malaysia, China and the U.S., an eclectic mix due, in part, to a long history of colonization by different nations. So its perhaps somewhat fitting that more Filipino chefs are now leaving home and introducing their food to folks in other parts of the world, with their own unique spin. Nicole Ponseca, who runs Jeepney and Maharlika, two oft-praised Filipino restaurants in New York, describes her ancestors food as the original fusion cuisine. And Castor, who has a full plate right now with a yearlong apprenticeship, says shes excited to eventually get out her own signature dishes one day. Im planning to put up my own business after the internship, she says.

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Johannesburg (AFP) - Stuart Broad produced a sensational display of fast bowling as England swept to a series-clinching victory on the third day of the third Test at the Wanderers Stadium on Saturday.

Broad took six for 17 as South Africa were bowled out for just 83 in their second innings.

Needing 74 to win, England won by seven wickets to take a winning 2-0 lead into the final Test in Centurion next week.

Broad ripped the heart out of the South African batting, taking the first five wickets for one run in the space of 31 balls after lunch.

"When he gets on a roll like that you just let him go," said England captain Alastair Cook.

"You could see by the look in his eyes this morning that he had the bit between his teeth."

The defeat will topple South Africa from top spot on the International Cricket Council's Test rankings when the points are adjusted after the series.

England led on the first innings by 10 runs after being bowled out for 323 and the match was evenly poised as South African opening batsmen Dean Elgar and Stiaan van Zyl put on 23 runs at the start of the second innings, with Broad having conceded 13 of the runs.

According to Cook, coach Trevor Bayliss had "a few harsh words" at lunch before a session in which eight wickets fell for 55 runs, telling the players they had an opportunity to win the series.

Broad struck in the third over after the interval, having Elgar caught behind off a ball that lifted and moved away from the left-hander.

Van Zyl was dropped, a difficult chance to James Anderson at third slip, and the single that was taken as the ball looped away was to prove the only run that Broad conceded while wrecking the top order.

Van Zyl was caught at gully. South African captain AB de Villiers came out to a roar of appreciation from a near-capacity crowd but was caught behind for nought off a delivery which cut back sharply to take an inside edge.

Hashim Amla was superbly caught at short leg by James Taylor off a full-blooded leg glance and Temba Bavuma was bowled when he ducked to avoid a short ball which hit his glove and went on to the stumps.

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Broad was rested with figures of five for 14 from 10 overs, eight of which were bowled after lunch.

"I got a bit lucky with the conditions," said Broad. "The clouds came in and the lights came on. It was a fantastic deck to bowl on, the sort of wicket you'd like to take around with you. There was movement through the air and off the pitch."

Broad said he had been frustrated by his bowling in the first innings.

"I was a little bit ill and I didn't bowl well. I had a chat with Alastair this morning about bowling a bit fuller and bringing the batsmen forward. We were great as a side after lunch and took some great catches."

De Villiers acknowledged: "It was some of the best bowling I have faced, from the whole unit. The conditions suited them but they made the best of them. They asked a lot of questions."

De Villiers said England had not "asked as many questions" in the first innings.

"That's where we missed a trick. We had a great opportunity to get 400-plus and we didn't take it."

"It's tough to lose the series but there is still a lot to play for. I almost feel all hope is gone but I'm the kind of guy who will get myself and the team going for the last Test."

The fourth and final Test starts at Centurion on Friday.
Istanbul (AFP) - The remains of 10 Germans killed in a suicide attack blamed on the Islamic State (IS) group in the Turkish city of Istanbul were flown home on Saturday.

The bodies of those killed in Tuesday's attack were taken to Berlin's Tegel airport onboard a German army transport plane.

Relatives of the victims were waiting in a makeshift chapel set up in a hangar at the Berlin airport.

Another 17 people, mostly German tourists, were wounded in the attack in the historic heart of Istanbul, near the famed Blue Mosque and the Hagia Sophia, the towering former Byzantine church that is now a museum.

Seven suspects have been detained in connection with the attack, Interior Minister Efkan Ala said Thursday.

Turkish authorities have identified the suicide bomber as a 28-year-old Syrian who entered Turkey on January 5 posing as a refugee, with Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu saying the man was a member of IS.

Ankara has often been criticised by its Western allies for not doing enough to combat IS jihadists who have seized swathes of territory in neighbouring Syria as well as Iraq.

Turkey is currently hosting around 2.2 million refugees who have fled the fighting in Syria. Davutoglu warned against seeing all refugees as potential extremists, which he said would be playing into the hands of the "terrorists".

Turkey was hit by three attacks blamed on IS in 2015, including a double suicide bombing in October in Ankara that killed 103 people, the country's worst-ever attack. All those attacks targeted pro-Kurdish groups, who are vehemently opposed to IS.

The attack on the German tourists, however, was the first time that foreign visitors have been targeted in Istanbul.
By Susan Cornwell BALTIMORE - The prospect of running for re-election with Donald Trump at the top of the Republican ticket was worrying some party lawmakers as they huddled for an annual retreat, where a few forecast trouble if Trump becomes the party's presidential nominee. "Heaven help us," Representative Peter Roskam said when asked about it by a reporter. But the Illinois Republican quickly added, "I'm not going to comment on the presidential candidates at this point." That reticence was shared by many lawmakers asked about running on Trump's coattails during an event in Baltimore where Senate and House of Representatives Republicans gathered to talk through their priorities for a coming year whose highlight is the November election. Some were not reluctant to express concerns. Trump would not help Republicans if he topped the ticket, despite his appeal to Americans fed up with politicians, said Representative Justin Amash, a favorite of the conservative Tea Party movement who has endorsed Kentucky Republican Senator Rand Paul for president. "He does appeal to the anger," Amash said of Trump, the outspoken real estate mogul who is front-runner to be the party's presidential nominee. But he said Trump's "policy prescriptions will take us in the wrong direction, and it wont be long before many of those people are angry at him and angry at Republicans again." The idea of Trump capturing the Republican nomination seemed highly unlikely just months ago, but it was sinking in as an actual possibility this week across the Republican Party. In addition to voting for a new president, Americans will elect members of the Senate and the House on Nov. 8. In U.S. politics, a party's presidential nominee has a big impact on the campaigns of candidates for both chambers of Congress. TRYING NOT TO TALK ABOUT TRUMP At the party gathering, Republican leaders were keen to talk policy, not presidential politics. "What happens above us on the presidential ballot, you really don't control," Senator John Thune, a senior party leader from South Dakota, told reporters. House Speaker Paul Ryan, of Wisconsin, said: "We are not sitting here thinking about who the nominee is going to be. We don't have time to think about that." But in the hallways of the retreat, at a hotel on Baltimore's restored waterfront, Trump was often the hot topic. He is leading national opinion polls ahead of the Feb. 1 Iowa caucus, the first step in the nominating process. Representative Jason Chaffetz said it was important to have a presidential nominee who will not "embarrass" the rest of the party's candidates as they defend the Republican majorities in both congressional chambers. Chaffetz, who is from Utah, has endorsed Marco Rubio, a Republican senator from Florida. Polls show Rubio in third place behind Trump and Texas Senator Ted Cruz in Iowa. "Marco Rubio is not going to embarrass us ... He's not as sensational in his comments as the others, but there's a good quality to that, and I think that's also something you look for in a president," Chaffetz said. Among other proposals, Trump has called for a temporary ban on Muslims entering the United States and a wall along the U.S. border with Mexico to stop the flow of illegal immigrants. Representative Tom Cole said Republicans' fate will be linked closely to the Republican nominee, whoever it is. Trump would be a wild card, said Cole, of Oklahoma. "I don't know what he (Trump) will do. I can see a situation where he could be a great asset, because I do think he will bring some people out (to vote) who have not been brought before." Representative Peter King of New York agreed that Trump is "more of a gamble" at the top of the ticket. "The conventional wisdom is that he would hurt more than he would help," said King, who was unable to attend the retreat but spoke by telephone. "But on the other hand, he is tapping into something (among voters) out there." (Editing by Kevin Drawbaugh, Caren Bohan and Frances Kerry)
@antoniobrown84 I truly apologize !!!!!! That's my word !!! A video posted by @realpacman24 on Jan 15, 2016 at 12:32pm PST

Its been almost a week since the Bengals imploded and cost themselves an AFC wild card round victory over the Steelers. The team has hardly been taking their loss well.

At the center of the controversy has been Bengals cornerback Adam Pacman Jones, who first unloaded on the referees after the game, and then accused Pittsburgh wide receiver Antonio Brown of faking a rather serious head injury.

burfict

CBS

Brown later responded with a brilliant photoshop, but Jones didnt back down, saying he would only apologize to the NFLs second leading receiver if he actually sat out Pittsburghs divisional round matchup with the Denver Broncos.

Well, on Friday morning, news broke that Brown would miss Sundays game with a concussion.

Steelers ruled out WR Antonio Brown for Sunday's game vs. Denver.  Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 15, 2016

Brown quickly confirmed the news on Twitter, sending this message along to Steelers Nation.

This goes without saying, but Pacmans accusation was bad form and a black eye for a league thats having several issues both on and off the field with head injuries. To his credit, though, he owned up to his faux pas, saying:

AB! My apology, my brother. Im a man of my word, Ive been doing a little traveling which is why it took me so long, but I apologize sincerely. Get well.

Now that Brown is officially out, the attention turns to Ben Roethlisberger, who is officially listed as questionable after suffering a shoulder injury in the Steelers win.
Few details have been revealed by the North Dakota Highway Patrol or the FBI involving the arrest of a 16-year-old male in connection to threats made to shoot up a school library.

The threats resulted in a lockdown of the campus at Bismarck State College at about 11:30 a.m. Thursday after the FBI received a tip that a person posted on Twitter that he intended to shoot up a school library. The FBI traced the phone that sent out the tweet to the BSC campus.

North Dakota Highway Patrol Lt. Steven Fischer said the 16-year-old male suspect was pulled over around 4 p.m. Thursday about 2 miles north of Washburn on U.S. Highway 83 and was arrested minutes later.

Fischer said information had been passed to the highway patrol that the suspect may have been traveling north on the highway. The McLean County Sheriffs Office assisted at the scene of the arrest.

"He was transported to the federal building in Minot, said Fischer, adding that no weapons were found in the vehicle.

The 16-year-old male, who hasnt been identified but was not a BSC student, was transferred to FBI custody at about 5:20 p.m. Thursday in Minot.

Chief Division Counsel of the FBIs Minnesota Division Kyle Loven said the agency could provide few details, citing an active investigation.

"We have had some conversations with the individual, said Loven, who indicated that there is no timetable as to how long the investigation would take. "Well make a determination as to where the investigation goes.

Thursdays lockdown lasted more than four hours on the campus as dozens of officials from city, state and federal agencies searched buildings for suspects.

Classes on the BSC campus were canceled Thursday as a result of the incident.
Moscow (AFP) - The Russian government is looking to privatise a 19.5 percent stake in state oil giant Rosneft to ease a budget crunch as oil prices slide, Finance Minister Anton Siluanov said Saturday.

"We must make a decision now where to get the money," Siluanov said in an interview to Rossiya-1 channel.

"Firstly, we are talking about a stake that should have been sold several years ago, it is a stake in Rosneft, 19.5 percent," Siluanov added.

Cutting ownership in Rosneft, a sprawling energy holding in which state ownership is now 69.5 percent, has been discussed by the government for years.

The 19.5 percent stake was set for sale in 2013 before the government decided to push the decision back.

Privatisation has now been increasingly brought up by officials due to the economic slump, despite worries of unfavourable market conditions and a collapse of the Russian ruble which may complicate the deal.

Siluanov has said that the government seeks to raise around a trillion rubles (about $12.9 billion at current rates) through a renewed privatisation drive.

President Vladimir Putin said last month that both Rosneft and Russia's national carrier Aeroflot have been mentioned as possible privatisation targets but added that "it's hard to guess whether the state of the market is the right one."

Siluanov said that current oil trends are becoming a serious challenge: "The price of oil has dropped to one-fourth of what it was," he said. "We must build the state budget with new realities and shrinking means."

He said that VTB bank and Sberbank -- Russia's top banks -- could also be candidates for privatisation drive.

While Russia still has a sizeable "safety pillow" in form of massive reserves to balance its budget, Siluanov cautioned that the money may deplete quickly.

"We can eat through these reserves this year if we don't take other measures," he said.
SEOUL (Reuters) - Tech giant Samsung Electronics Co Ltd held talks with General Electric Co about buying the U.S. company's appliances businesses but negotiations broke down on antitrust issues, South Korea's Yonhap News agency reported on Saturday. The report said Samsung initiated the talks after General Electric (GE) walked away from a deal with Electrolux AB due to opposition from U.S. antitrust regulators. Without citing its sources, Yonhap said GE ended talks with Samsung after U.S. regulators expressed concerns about antitrust issues. The South Korean firm is a major player in the U.S. appliances market. China's Haier Group said it would buy the GE business for $5.4 billion. A Samsung spokeswoman declined to comment, while GE could not be immediately reached for comment. (Reporting by Se Young Lee; Editing by Stephen Coates)
Ouagadougou (AFP) - Security forces were hunting Sunday for any possible surviving gunmen from an attack on a top hotel in Burkina Faso that left at least 29 people dead and showed the expanding reach of regional jihadists in west Africa.

The drama saw Burkinabe troops, backed by French special forces, battle militants who stormed the four-star Splendid Hotel, which is popular with foreigners and United Nations staff.

At least 14 or 15 foreigners were among the dead, according to differing tolls given by the Burkina government and the public prosecutor.

Burkina Faso has declared three days of national mourning following the onslaught, which echoed another Al-Qaeda attack last year on a luxury hotel in neighbouring Mali where 20 people were killed, mostly foreigners.

Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) claimed the latest attack on behalf of an affiliate, saying the gunmen were from the Al-Murabitoun group of notorious Algerian extremist Mokhtar Belmokhtar.

It is still not clear how many attackers took part in the onslaught -- the bodies of three have been identified, but some witnesses reported seeing more.

Burkina Faso's Interior Minister Simon Compaore said security forces were carrying out careful searches, while at the scene of the attack a security cordon was widened on Sunday.

Investigators wearing white protective gloves were seen in the streets around the Splendid and the Cappuccino cafe, which was also attacked. A 12-strong team of French investigators also arrived in Burkina Faso to assist with the investigation, according to a diplomatic source.

"People are afraid. Anyone who's not afraid isn't normal -- this is guys with guns," said Souleymane Ouedraogo, who lives near the scene of the violence.

- Violence spreading -

Until recently Burkina Faso had largely escaped the tide of Islamist violence spreading in the restive Sahel region and the hotel assault will heighten fears that jihadist groups are casting their net wider in search of targets in west Africa.

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President Roch Marc Christian Kabore, who took office just last month, said Saturday that the country was in shock.

"For the first time in its history, our country has fallen victim to a series of barbaric terrorist attacks," he said, adding that the people of Burkina would nevertheless "emerge victorious".

The attack began around 7:45 pm on Friday when an unknown number of attackers stormed the 147-room Splendid Hotel in the heart of Ouagadougou.

The hotel and surrounding area became a battleground as Burkina Faso troops, backed by French forces based in the city under a regional counterterrorism initiative, launched an attempt to retake the hotel around 2:00 am.

Internal Security minister Compaore said the foreign dead included four Canadians, three Ukrainians, two French nationals, two Portuguese, two Swiss and a Dutch person.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau earlier said six of his compatriots were killed but this figure may include some of dead as yet unidentified, or dual nationals.

The US State Department has said one American was also killed.

Public prosecutor Maiza Sereme, meanwhile, gave a slightly differing toll on Sunday, stating that 15 foreign nationals had been identified including four Canadians, two Ukrainians, one Franco-Ukrainian, two French, two Swiss, one Portuguese, one Dutch, one American and one Libyan.

Sereme added that seven victims remained unidentified of whom three appeared to be Westerners.

Compaore said the bodies of three jihadists had been identified, all of them young men.

Several guests managed to escape from the hotel through side entrances, including labour minister Clement Sawadogo, who emerged unscathed.

"It was horrible... there was blood everywhere. They were firing at people at close range," Yannick Sawadogo, one of those who escaped, told AFP.

The Prime Minister of Mali, Modibo Keita, on Sunday said his country would work together with Burkina to confront terrorism.

"Mali has experienced such events and continues to experience them," he said on arrival in Ouagadougou.

"It is thus our duty to come here and express our compassion and say that we have decided to go forward together, hand in hand, to fight against terrorism and jihadism."

- Australians kidnapped -

Highlighting the fragile security situation, an elderly Australian couple were kidnapped on Friday in Burkina Faso's northern Baraboule region, near the border with Niger and Mali.

Malian militant group Ansar Dine told AFP the couple were being held by jihadists from the Al-Qaeda-linked "Emirate of the Sahara".

The pair had been running a surgical clinic in the north of the country since 1972, and no reason has been given for their kidnapping, a statement from their family said.

The hotel attack was the first of its kind in Ouagadougou and came as people were tentatively enjoying a return to stability after November elections which ended a shaky transitional period since veteran leader Blaise Compaore's 2014 ouster, including a failed coup.

Al-Murabitoun had already begun to move into the impoverished country of around 17 million. In April, it claimed the abduction of the Romanian security chief of a mine in the country's north.
Sydney (AFP) - Self-harm by asylum-seekers being held at Australia's offshore detention centres takes place on average once every two days, a report said Saturday, with some prospective refugees swallowing poison, cutting themselves and attempting suicide.

Under Canberra's hardline immigration policy, Australia sends asylum-seekers that attempt to arrive by boat to the Pacific islands of Papua New Guinea and Nauru for processing.

They are barred from being resettled in Australia even if found to be refugees.

The Fairfax Media report, using Immigration Department logs obtained through Freedom of Information laws, found there were 188 self-harm incidents involving asylum seekers in Nauru in the 12 months to July 2015.

Self-harm incidents at the Manus Island camp on PNG numbered 55 for the same period.

An immigration department spokesman said the number of self-harm incidents at the two offshore camps "have reduced considerably in recent months".

"Where an individual in a regional processing centre threatens self-harm or actually self-harms they are immediately provided with both counselling and medical services," the spokesman added in a statement Saturday.

"The services provided in both Nauru and Papua New Guinea are broadly comparable with health services available within the Australian community."

The incidents reported included asylum-seekers stuffing tea bags down their throats, attempting to hang themselves by bedsheets or other makeshift nooses, and a woman who "poured boiling water over (her) lower limbs", the report said.

Self-harm cases in the onshore detention network, which include people held for breaking immigration laws and asylum-seekers living in the community, stood at 706 over the same 12-month period.

A total of 1,459 asylum-seekers were being held on Manus Island and Nauru at the end of 2015, according to immigration figures.

Some 28,919 people are under detention or live in the community within the onshore detention network, the figures show.

A Senate inquiry into the Nauru facility last year found that conditions were inadequate and unsafe, with submissions to the hearing including allegations of rape and other abuse.

Human rights groups have criticised the policy against asylum-seekers arriving by boat and the detention conditions, but the Australian government has argued the harsh measures have helped stop people dying at sea.
TORONTO (Reuters) - Six Canadian citizens were killed when gunmen stormed a hotel in the capital city of Burkina Faso on Friday, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Saturday. "We offer our deepest condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of all those killed," Trudeau said in a statement. "We have offered assistance to the Burkinabe authorities in their investigation of this terrible crime." The federal government did not identify the six Canadians. But Quebec's minister of international relations, Christine St-Pierre, said the six people killed were from the French-speaking Canadian province, CBC News reported. Security forces in Burkina Faso retook a hotel in the capital on Saturday a day after al Qaeda fighters seized it in an assault that killed at least 28 people from at least 18 countries and marked a major escalation of Islamist militancy in West Africa. (Reporting by Jeffrey Hodgson; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama; Editing by Mary Milliken)
Reykjavik (AFP) - Standard & Poor's announced it had bumped up Iceland's credit rating by one notch to BBB+, citing progress over the easing of capital controls imposed during the 2008 banking crisis.

"The upgrade primarily reflects the further progress Iceland has achieved in resolving the issues standing in the way of capital account liberalisation since June 2015," the ratings agency said in a statement.

The 2008 economic crisis caused the sudden collapse of the island nation's financial sector, forcing the country to ban the outflow of capital for fear of draining the economy of all its resources.

S&P added in a statement that the upgrade "reflects our expectation that general government debt will continue to decline over the next four years, lowering government expenditure on interest payments".

The current rating remains six notches below the highest ever assigned to Iceland by S&P -- the second best "AA+" grade -- between 1996 and 2006.

The outlook for the country is "stable" given the expected slowdown in growth in 2016 due to an expected tightening of monetary policy, said S&P. The economy grew at 4.2 percent in 2015.

Fitch Ratings agency on Friday maintained its rating for Iceland at "BBB+".
For the first time since incorrectly announcing the winner of the 2015 Miss Universe pageant last month, host Steve Harvey will speak about the incident and interview both the winner, Miss Philippines, and runner-up, Miss Colombia, in a two-day Steve Harvey show hes calling Miss Universe: The Truth.

In a preview clip, Harvey became emotional when addressing how he coped with the snafu, crediting his wife and her soothing words. The host also revealed the troubling consequences of going through this in the public eye, referencing things like death threats against your family and how difficult it has been.

Rumors have swirled about how Harvey could have butchered such a big moment, with some saying he didnt bother to attend rehearsals for the gig  an allegation that Miss Philippines, Pia Wurtzbach, cleared right up. I think I can vouch for this one, she said. Steve was there throughout all the rehearsals.

Harveys conversation with Miss Colombia, Ariadna Gutierrez, will air next week. But he did offer an apology in the meantime saying, Im truly sorry. I wish we all could have gotten it right that night.

Check out our coverage of Harveys Miss Universe gaffe:

To learn more about Yahoo SuperFan and Yahoo TV, be sure to follow us on Twitter: @YahooTV, Facebook, and Instagram for your daily dose of all things TV and Movies!
A global rout in stocks hits Wall Street as oil descends below $30 per barrel. Forget correction territory, is a bear market next? We speak with Stephen Guilfoyle, managing director of Deep Value Execution Services, on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange to get the story behind today's selloff.

Winners & losers

On a painful day for the market, Disney (DIS), Goldman Sachs (GS), and Intel (INTC) were hit hard. Intel, the world's largest chipmaker, tumbled despite an earnings and revenue beat, as investors were concerned over slipping margins.



The few winners today include Revlon (REV), Chipotle (CMG), and Wynn Resorts (WYNN). Wynn, the casino operator, climbed higher after reporting preliminary fourth-quarter results. While revenue from its Macau operations are expected to dip, Wynn expects its Las Vegas business to pick up.

Russia hit hard

Among the many markets getting hammered today by crude oil is Russia, with the RSX exchange traded fund down over 7%. Yahoo Finance's Justine Underhill examines the charts.

Looking ahead

Here's a look ahead at what will be making headlines when markets re-open on Tuesday after the long weekend:
At least 130 businesses in Bismarck-Mandan have to meet a new insurance requirement this year under the Affordable Care Act.

Starting this year, employees with 50 to 99 full-time positions are required to offer those employees health benefits or incur a penalty of $2,000 per worker for not offering coverage. Last year, employers with more than 100 employees had to offer insurance to at least 70 percent of their full-time employees or pay a fine. This year, coverage must be offered to 95 percent.

But most North Dakota businesses of that size are already offering coverage, and only a small fraction are choosing to pay a penalty instead of offering health insurance.

Dale Zimmerman, owner of Peacock Alley and 40 Steak + Seafood, said he pays 100 percent of the premiums for his managers and their families, and other staff members are told to get coverage through the states health insurance exchange.

For Zimmerman, the new employer mandate rules dont apply to his businesses that  between the two places  employ 48 full-time workers.

But he said his businesses still struggle with skyrocketing health care costs, including the rising premium costs for his employees based on their ages.

Zimmerman said his employees health care costs increased 6 percent this year. In 2015, his costs surged 45 percent, and the previous year there was a 42 percent increase.

Premiums are so unpredictable. We cant figure for it in a budget because we dont know what it will be the following year, Zimmerman said.

Businesses with 50 to 99 full-time employees were exempt from the penalty in 2015, but have to comply with federal reporting requirements this year.

Shannon Breuer, director of affordable housing with the Fargo-based Eide Bailly, a certified public accounting and business advisory firm, said the biggest challenges she hears about from employers are the costly and time-consuming forms.

Employers with a seasonal workforce, on-call employees, or those with different work arrangements have a particularly tough time with reporting requirements.

"That can get complicated, she said.

Heather Jones, president of City Air Mechanical, said her company has always offered coverage to the 50 full-time employees at its Bismarck location.

This year, she said the company is "scrambling" to get the right information to meet the reporting federal reporting requirements.

It hasnt been easy," Jones said.

Zimmerman and Jones concede theyve had difficulty understanding the law and reporting requirements.

Nobody really know what the law specifically means, Zimmerman said. Theres just so much gray area . I certainly dont have resources to swim through it.

Pat Bellmore, chief marketing officer at Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota, said many businesses in the state are breathing easy because they already offer health insurance to their employees.

Many businesses in North Dakota have to offer insurance in order to remain competitive in the job market, according to Bellmore.

Were not seeing many businesses take the penalty, Bellmore said. The absolutely overwhelming majority of employers of that size were already offering coverage.
OUAGADOUGOU (Reuters) - Suspected Islamist fighters took an unknown number of hostages after attacking a hotel and casino in Burkina Faso's capital Ouagadougou late on Friday, a senior official with the national gendarmes said. "It is continuing at this time. We are trying to know how many attackers they are to better coordinate our actions. Hostages have been taken. The operation could take several hours," the officer said, asking not to be named. (Reporting by Nadoun Coulibaly; Writing by Joe Bavier; Editing by Andrew Heavens)
Alan Brown, writer and blogger for the Kavli Foundation, contributed this article to Live Science's Expert Voices: Op-Ed & Insights.

Late last year, 48 scientists from 50 U.S. institutions proposed the "Unified Microbiome Initiative," a national effort to decipher the nature, and applications, of microbiomes, ecosystems of microscopic life forms such as bacteria, viruses, archaea and fungi. Other scientists from the United States, Germany and China echoed that call. Ultimately, the researchers hope to harness microbiomes to cure disease, fight drug resistance, reclaim exhausted farmland, reduce (or even eliminate) the use of agricultural fertilizers and pesticides, and produce chemicals using synthetic biology.

Scientists can now identify microbes by the organisms' DNA, and have thereby discovered that microbiomes are far more diverse than anyone ever imagined. Each microbiome potentially includes hundreds of thousands of microbial species, all interacting with one another. In fact, wherever scientists have looked, they have found influential microbiomes: In the human gut, microbes not only aid digestion, but also affect obesity, allergies and even brain development; beyond people's bodies, microorganisms have created the Earth's oxygen-rich atmosphere, and also enable plant and ocean life to thrive.

But DNA testing cannot explain how microbial genes function and how these organisms work together. Only with that level of understanding, will scientists be able to harness microbiomes to improve human health and the environment.

On Tuesday, Jan. 19, from 1:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. EST (10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. PST), the Kavli Foundation will host a live webcast about the potential of nature's microbiomes and how humanity can tap into that potential.

Submit questions ahead of and during the webcast by emailing info@kavlifoundation.org or by using the hashtag #KavliLive on Twitter or Google+.

About the participants:

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Janet Jansson is chief scientist of biology in the Earth and Biological Sciences Directorate at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) in Washington state and sector lead for PNNL research in the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Biological Systems Science Division. She coordinates two of PNNL's biology programs: the Microbiomes in Transition (MinT) initiative, to study how climate and environmental changes affect natural and human microbiomes, and the DOE Foundational Scientific Focus Area Principles of Microbial Community Design.

Rob Knight is the founder of American Gut, an open-access project to survey the digestive system's microbiome and its effects on human health and development. He holds appointments at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine and Department of Computer Science and Engineering, where he develops bioinformatics systems to classify and interpret large sets of biological data.

Jeff Miller is director of the California NanoSystems Institute, a multidisciplinary research organization, and the corresponding author ofthe consortium's Science paper. Based at University of California, Los Angeles, Miller holds the Fred Kavli Chair in NanoSystems Sciences and is a professor in the Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Molecular Genetics.

Alan Brown (moderator) is a freelance journalist and writer who specializes in science, engineering and technology. He has been covering nanoscience and nanotechnology for more than 25 years.

Follow all of the Expert Voices issues and debates  and become part of the discussion  on Facebook, Twitter and Google+. The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher. This version of the article was originally published on Live Science.

Copyright 2016 LiveScience, a Purch company. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
A Tennessee couple became the official winners of one of three coveted Powerball tickets, the Associated Press on Friday. John and Lisa Robinson, a family from Munford, Tennessee, had gone to the Tennessee Powerball headquarters to claim their prize  one-third of the record $1.6 billion Powerball jackpot. The Tennessee Lottery confirmed the win in a tweet Friday.

It's official! We are honored to first congratulate the Robinson family from Munford, TN on their historic #Powerball win!

The family decided to take their winnings in one lump sum as opposed to spacing it out over several years, according to the Tennessean. Their winnings totaled over $327 million  they would receive a "couple million" immediately and a check for the remaining amount in about 10 days, the Tennessean reported.

That's a lotto dough, folks. (See what I did there?) #Munford #Powerball #winners pic.twitter.com/K9IpYbZHyM https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CYyinYKVAAAPK1u.jpg:large

John and Lisa Robinson appeared on NBC's Today show Friday to tout their win, however at the time, the win had not yet been confirmed. The holders of two other winning tickets  one that was bought in California and one in Florida  have not yet come forward.
By Emily Flitter NEW YORK (Reuters) - A Texas lawyer has filed the first suit seeking clarification on whether Republican candidate Ted Cruz is eligible to be president because he was born in Canada. Newton Schwartz, 85, of Houston also cited Cruz's stance on issues such as abortion rights, gay marriage and the Bible in a 27-page argument against the Texas senator's eligibility. Billionaire Donald Trump, the front-runner in the Republican presidential race, has repeatedly questioned whether Cruz is eligible and warned he could be sued, throwing the party into chaos and handing the election to the Democrats. A lawyer in Boston who reviewed the suit and who generally believes Cruz's eligibility should be questioned said the suit was "defective" and would most likely be thrown out. Schwartz's suit, which cites a "crescendo" of questions over the matter, was filed on Thursday in federal court in the Southern District of Texas. It is a class action, meaning other people can join, and it requests that a court rule on the issue before November's presidential election. "If I lose the suit thats fine, hes eligible, but if hes elected and hes determined to be ineligible after the election, that would cause massive confusion," Schwartz, a self-described liberal, said. Trump spokeswoman Hope Hicks said there is no connection between Trump and Schwartz. Cruz was born in Calgary, Alberta. His mother was a U.S. citizen and his father is Cuban. He has dismissed attacks on his eligibility and pointed out during a Republican candidates' debate on Thursday that 2008 Republican presidential nominee John McCain and 1968 Republican candidate George Romney also were born outside the United States but still were considered eligible to be president. A Reuters poll found a quarter of Republicans think Cruz is not qualified because of his birthplace.[nL2N14Z098] A Cruz spokesman declined to comment on Schwartz's suit. The U.S. Constitution says a president or vice president must be a "natural born citizen" but does not say whether the term means the candidate must be born on U.S. soil or just be a citizen at birth. Any child born to an American mother, no matter where, is considered a U.S. citizen. Schwartz's lawsuit mentions domestic issues that could be affected if Cruz were president because he opposes abortion and gay marriage. Reached by phone, Schwartz said the issues did not relate to Cruz's citizenship but that he had wanted to include them as examples of "some of the downside consequences of his being elected." Vincent DeVito, a Boston lawyer who represented President George W. Bush during the contested 2000 presidential election, said the suit was "likely defective" and should have been filed in state court. "On its merits, the claim is legitimate," DeVito said, "but the Schwartz pleading itself is poorly written and does not have a sophisticated legal nexus." DeVito said he expected more suits to be filed challenging Cruz. The case is Schwartz v. Cruz, 4:16-cv-00106, U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas (Houston).
Rennes (France) (AFP) - French authorities launched three investigations Saturday at a research laboratory in the northwestern city of Rennes into a drug trial that left one person brain-dead and three others facing potentially irreversible brain damage.

Judicial police late Friday carried out the first searches at the Biotrial lab which had performed the trial on behalf of Portuguese pharmaceutical company Bial.

On Saturday they were joined by representatives of France's social affairs inspectorate general (IGAS) and the national drug safety agency (ANSM).

The probes are seeking to determine if the tragedy was caused by an error in the trial's procedures or in the substance tested, a new drug meant to treat mood disorders such as anxiety.

A total of 90 volunteers -- healthy men aged between 28 and 48 -- were given the experimental drug in the Phase I trial. Six of them were taken to hospital last week.

Pierre-Gilles Edan, head of the neurology department at the hospital in Rennes where the volunteers were taken, said Friday that aside from the man who was brain-dead, three others were suffering a "handicap that could be irreversible" and another also had neurological problems.

The sixth volunteer had no symptoms but was being monitored.

- 'Tragic situation' -

The CHU university hospital in Rennes, where the six are being treated, on Saturday said they remained in a stable condition, adding that its staff were "fully and constantly mobilised" to attend to the victims and their families.

"Social and psychological care has also been put in place," the hospital added in a statement, noting that legal support has also been offered to the victims and their relatives.

"All of the volunteers are being contacted," it said.

The head of Biotrial said Saturday the lab was cooperating with the investigators.

"Our thoughts remain with the victims and their families but our energy this morning is entirely committed to assisting the investigators and to fully cooperating in the investigations under way," Francois Peaucelle told journalists at a press briefing at the site.

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The investigators and inspectors "are trying to understand.... what could have happened and how it could have resulted in such a tragic situation," he said.

Representatives from Bial were also on site and taking part in the probes with "total transparency", according to Peaucelle.

The Portuguese firm issued a statement on Friday insisting it had followed "international best practice" in developing the drug and said it would cooperate with the investigation to "determine in a rigorous and exhaustive manner" what had happened.

France's national drug safety body confirmed it was the worst ever incident to have taken place in a drugs trial in the country.

Each year thousands of volunteers participate in clinical drugs trials and experts point out that tragic results are rare.

But the incident in Rennes has raised concerns about such experiments.

A university teacher in Rennes who has participated in such trials told AFP he would not do it again.

"I will not do it any more and I'm going to advise against it," said the 33-year-old, who requested anonymity.

He admitted to being attracted by the "easy money" participants received and that he had taken part in about 15 trials at the Biotrial lab since 2005.
Bamako (AFP) - Two soldiers and a guard were killed in two separate attacks in Mali, government and army sources confirmed.

In the first attack, two soldiers were killed when an aid convoy they were escorting was ambushed in northern Mali on Friday, security sources said, a week after the kidnapping of a Swiss national in the same area.

A local military source said two of the assailants were also killed during the exchange, around 70 kilometres (40 miles) from the desert caravan city of Timbuktu.

"We quickly fired back at the assailants, whose identity we aren't exactly sure of," the source told AFP. A Malian security source confirmed the deaths and said one of the attackers had been arrested.

Late Friday armed men also attacked a market in Dioura in the central Mopti region, a source from the Malian army said.

The attackers killed a guard from the Water and Forests Agency, according to a local policewoman.

"These are armed Islamists who did this. They were shouting 'Allah Akbar' (God is greatest)," she said.

On January 8, gunmen abducted Swiss national Beatrice Stockly from her home in Timbuktu in the first such kidnapping of a westerner in northern Mali since the abduction and murder of two French journalists in November 2013.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility but Stockly, who is in her 40s and has lived in Timbuktu for years, had already been kidnapped in April 2012 by Islamist fighters.

At the time, the social worker was said to be the last Westerner living in the fabled trading post, which she refused to leave when it fell to Islamist Ansar Dine rebels on April 1, 2012 in an attack backed by Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb.

Around the same time, a loose alliance of Tuareg and Islamist rebels took advantage of the political chaos in Mali's capital that followed a coup, capturing the country's northern desert.

In 2013, the jihadists were chased from the region by a French-led military intervention, with a regional French counterterrorism force still conducting operations in the area.

But entire swathes of Mali's north remain beyond the reach of the Malian army and foreign troops.

In November, 20 people -- 14 of them foreigners -- were killed in an attack on the Radisson Blu hotel in the capital Bamako which was claimed by two jihadist groups.
Washington (AFP) - The following are short biographies of the four Americans being released Saturday by Iran, and the seven Iranians freed by the United States under a prisoner swap.

- Jason Rezaian -

Rezaian, 39, had been The Washington Post's correspondent in Tehran since 2012. Born and raised in the San Francisco Bay area, the dual American-Iranian citizen had relatively little exposure to Iran until he was in his 20s and his father began visiting his homeland. That sparked the younger Rezaian's interest and he began studying Farsi on his own, his brother Ali told the Post.

After completing his studies at the New School, a university in New York, in 2000, he spent more and more time in Iran, freelancing for Western news organizations. "It was really important to him that people understand what life was like in Iran," said Ali Rezaian.

Jason Rezaian's Iranian connections grew stronger still when he met Yeganeh Salehi, an Iranian journalist. The two were married in April 2013 in Iran.

In July 2014, Iranian authorities raided the couple's apartment and took both into custody. Salehi was released three months later. Iran eventually tried Rezaian behind closed doors on charges including espionage -- charges that he, The Post and the US State Department vehemently reject.

His captivity in the notorious Evin prison in Tehran damaged his health, family members said.

- Amir Hekmati -

Hekmati is a 32-year-old American who was born in Arizona and grew up in Nebraska and Michigan. The decorated former US Marine infantry rifleman, linguist and translator served in Iraq after the 2003 US invasion, according to the freeamir.org website launched by supporters.

Hekmati traveled to Iran in 2011 to visit relatives including his ailing grandmother and was arrested on charges of spying for the CIA.

His ordeal included a forced confession aired on Iranian TV, his family says.

"I barely recognized him," his twin sister Leila said of the video, according to Al-Jazeera.

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"He looked like he lost 50 to 60 pounds (23-27 kilograms), easily. And it seemed very forced and scripted."

In 2012, Hekmati was tried and sentenced to death. The ruling was overturned by a higher court, but in 2013, Hekmati got a 10-year jail sentence on grounds he had spied for hostile governments.

- Saeed Abedini -

Abedini, a 35-year-old Iranian native, was ordained a minister in 2008 through the American Evangelistic Association and conducted services in underground churches in Iran.

A convert from Islam to Christianity, he gained US citizenship through his marriage in 2010 to his wife Naghmeh, and he traveled often between the countries.

Abedini was arrested in September 2012 on a trip to Iran to set up an orphanage. He was sentenced the following January by the Iranian Revolutionary Court to eight years in prison on charges of disrupting national security through his work with the so-called house churches.

His family said his work with the churches took place when they were largely tolerated under the reformist president Mohammad Khatami, and that Abedini had abided by a 2009 agreement, made after a previous detention, to halt such activity.

The American Center for Law and Justice, a Christian-based group that has represented Abedini's wife and children, said he was tortured while in prison and beaten by fellow inmates, suffering facial injuries.

- Nosratollah Khosravi-Roodsari -

Little is known about this person.

A fifth American, identified as Matthew Trevithick, was also being released as part of a separate process.

In exchange for the release of the four Americans, the United States granted clemency to seven Iranians. Six had dual citizenship. All seven had either been convicted or were awaiting trial in the United States on charges of violating sanctions or export control violations.

Here are thumbnail sketches of the seven, named by Iran's judiciary and the state broadcaster as Nader Modanlou, Bahram Mechanic, Khosrow Afghahi, Arash Ghahreman, Tooraj Faridi, Nima Golestaneh and Ali Saboonchi:

- Nader Modanlou -

Modanlou, 55, was convicted in June 2013 of using his aerospace expertise and connections with Russia to help his native Iran launch its first satellite, in exchange for a $10 million brokering fee. The Iranian-born Modanlou, who had worked for NASA subcontractors, was also found guilty of money laundering. He was sentenced to eight years in prison followed by three years of supervised release.

- Arash Ghahreman -

Ghahreman, who came to the United States in 2007 and is a naturalized US citizen, was arrested in 2013 and convicted of planning to export military-capable technology -- gyrocompasses he attempted to buy from Northrop Grumman -- to Iran via a front company in Dubai. The 45-year-old was sentenced in August to six and a half years in prison.

- Nima Golestaneh -

In 2012, 30-year-old Golestaneh allegedly remotely accessed and attempted to steal costly software used in aerodynamic design from a Vermont-based company. Turkey extradited him to the United States last year, according to the US Institute of Peace. He signed a plea agreement and was awaiting sentencing, facing a possible 20 years in prison.

- Ali Saboonchi -

Saboonchi, 34, was indicted in 2013 on charges of conspiracy and illegally exporting manufactured industrial products and services to Iran, according to the FBI. From a company he started in Maryland, Saboonchi sent products used in the oil and gas industry to Iran by way of the United Arab Emirates and China. He was sentenced last February to two years in prison.

- Bahram Mechanic, Tooraj Faridi and Khosrow Afghahi -

Mechanic, 69, Faridi, 46, and Afghahi, 71, were part of a Houston-based Iranian procurement network, according to a federal indictment unsealed last year. Mechanic and Faridi, who are both naturalized US citizens, allegedly shipped banned microelectronics used to build missiles to Iran, charges carrying potential prison sentences of up to 20 years. Faridi, who co-owned Smart Power Systems of Houston with Mechanic, faced less serious charges. All three had pleaded not guilty.

A US official said that the United States also removed any Interpol "red" notices -- essentially international arrest warrants -- "and dismissed any charges against 14 Iranians for whom it was assessed that extradition requests were unlikely to be successful."
LINTON  Peter Kramer, 89, Linton, passed away at the Linton Hospital on Jan. 13, 2016, while surrounded by his caring family. Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, Jan. 18, at St. Anthonys Catholic Church, Linton, with the Rev. David Richter officiating. Following the funeral Mass, burial will be at St. Anthony's Catholic Cemetery, Linton. Military honors will be provided by North Dakota Military Honors and Linton American Legion. Lunch to follow in the church basement.

Visitation will be from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday at Myers Funeral Home, Linton, and prayer service will be held at 7 p.m. at St. Anthony's Catholic Church. Visitation will continue for one hour before Mass at the church on Monday.

Peter was born on Aug. 6, 1926, to Joseph and Elizabeth (Bosch) Kramer in Emmons County. He was one of 11 children. In 1932, Peter started country school, where he learned to speak English. The first few years he walked to school (uphill both ways) and then graduated to catching a ride on a wagon pulled by a team of horses. After nine years of school, Peter moved to Aberdeen, S.D., to work in a bakery where he stayed at the YMCA.

In 1946, Peter started to serve his country in the U.S. Army at Fort Lewis for basic training and then overseas in the 123rd Quarter Master Division. He had several stops and tours via troop ship and spoke often about the Panama Canal, Hawaii and Guam. His ocean travels were on the ships Australia Bardstown, Zanesville and General John Paul Jones. Upon completing his service in the U.S. Army, Peter moved back to Strasburg and met his wife of 67 years, Alice Rohrich. They were married in 1948 at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Strasburg.

After marrying, Peter and Alice started farming northeast of Linton in the St. Michaels area. They raised seven boys and three girls. Peter worked very hard at improving the farmland and farmstead they purchased. He took pride in his work; fences had to be straight, buildings shingled, walls painted, and schedules were firm. Peter really enjoyed playing cards with friends, square dancing, and had a special place in his heart for his grandchildren.

The Kramer Family were members of the St. Michaels Catholic Church from 1948 until April 1990 when they lost their home to a fire. They then moved to Linton. Peter was a lifelong member of the VFW, a member of the Knights of Columbus, American Legion, Toastmasters and church usher/trustee. He committed many hours serving on the KEM Electric Board of Directors, the North Dakota Milk Producers Association, and various election committees. He volunteered assisting the less fortunate and pretty much helped anyone in need. Peter and Alice spent many days giving hospital rides to sick neighbors and relatives.

Peter had a very special wit about him. He made his wife laugh and blush, his children feel proud and responsible, and his grandkids feel welcome at their home. He had a special talent to make everyone laugh at the right time. Peter will be missed and fondly remembered in the minds and hearts of family and friends.

Peter is survived by his wife, Alice, of 67 years; and 10 children, Ron (Carol), Strasburg, Gary (Anna), San Diego, Calif., Don (Terry) Seattle, Wash., Diane (Steve) Nodsle, Fargo, Jim (Mary), Linton, John (Liz), Bismarck, Joe (Rose), Fargo, Marie Meier (friend Scott Deutsch), Fargo, Larry (Jen), Irvine, Calif., and Linda (Brian) Meier, Fargo; 27 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; three brothers; and five sisters.

Peter was preceded in his death by his parents; his twin brother, Aloysius; his brother, John; and a granddaughter, Jennifer Kramer.

Thank you to CHI St. Alexius Health, Strasburg Care Center, and Linton Hospital for your care during this time. And a special thank you to the Rev. Richter for consoling everyone during this tough time and for the reminder about the good ahead. God Bless.

You may share condolences with the family at Myers Funeral Home website, www.myersfh.com.
Vienna (AFP) - Here is a summary of the main developments in the 13-year standoff between Iran and the West over Tehran's disputed nuclear programme.

- 2002-2004: Undeclared sites -

In 2002 the existence of undeclared nuclear facilities at Natanz and Arak is revealed. Iran invites the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to carry out inspections and says its activities are peaceful. In 2003, Iran agrees with Britain, Germany and France to suspend suspect activities but the following year goes back on the pledge. In 2004, the IAEA says it found no evidence of a secret weapons drive but cannot rule out undeclared materials. In Paris talks, Iran again agrees to suspend certain activities.

- 2005-2008: Escalation and enrichment -

In August 2005, under a hardline president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Tehran produces uranium gas, the precursor to enrichment for providing the core material for a bomb. European nations break off negotiations.

In 2006, Iran breaks IAEA seals on the Natanz enrichment facility and begins enrichment. The IAEA refers Iran to the UN Security Council, which in July passes the first of seven resolutions.

In August, Ahmadinejad inaugurates a heavy water plant at Arak, raising fears Iran might be seeking weapons-grade plutonium.

December's second UN Security Council resolution comes with sanctions attached. The US and EU follow suit.

By November 2007, Iran says it has at least 3,000 centrifuges, which in theory would allow it to produce enough enriched uranium for a nuclear bomb in less than a year. In 2015 it had almost 20,000, of which half were active.

- 2009-2012: Advances and allegations -

In September 2009, US, French and British leaders announce Iran is building an undeclared enrichment site at Fordo, built into a mountain near Qom.

In October, Iran agrees to swap low-enriched uranium for reactor fuel. But the deal unravels and in February 2010 Iran begins enriching uranium to close to bomb-grade -- providing isotopes for medical use, it says.

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In 2011, the Russian-completed Bushehr power reactor -- first begun by Germany's Siemens -- begins operating.

In November 2011, an IAEA report, collating "broadly credible" intelligence, says that at least until 2003 Iran "carried out activities relevant to the development of a nuclear explosive device".

The following month the US Congress passes legislation sanctioning lenders who deal with Iran's central bank.

In January the EU bans all member states from importing Iranian oil. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whose country is widely assumed to have nuclear weapons, brandishes a diagram of a bomb at the UN General Assembly, calling for a "clear red line" to be drawn under Iran's programme.

- 2013: Interim accord -

Newly-elected Iranian President Hassan Rouhani vows in 2013 he is ready for "serious" negotiations.

After secret negotiations in Oman between US and Iranian representatives, Rouhani and US President Barack Obama have an unprecedented phone conversation.

In November an interim deal is agreed freezing some of Iran's nuclear activities in exchange for minor sanctions relief. Two deadlines -- July and November 2014 -- to agree a final deal are missed. In April 2015, Iran and major powers agree in Lausanne, Switzerland the main outlines of a final deal.

- 2015: "Historic" accord -

On July 14 the historic accord is finally concluded in Vienna, ending 12 years of crisis and 21 months of protracted negotiations.

The accord provides Tehran relief from crippling economic sanctions in exchange for limits on its nuclear programme.

In mid-December the IAEA draws a line under a long-running probe into Iran's past efforts to develop nuclear weapons, removing an important obstacle to implementing the July deal.

- 2016: Implementing the deal -

January 14: Iran says it has removed the core of its Arak heavy water reactor and filled part of it with concrete, paving the way for UN nuclear inspectors to announce Tehran has met its commitments.

January 16: The International Atomic Energy Agency confirms that Iran has "carried out all measures required under the (July deal)... to enable Implementation Day to occur."
VIENNA (Reuters) - The implementation of a nuclear deal with Iran, which will end international sanctions against Tehran, is on track to be completed, with a few technical issues remaining, a senior U.S. State Department official said on Saturday. "There is no delay but we have some technical clarifications currently taking place," the official said. "The timing of implementation day is not related at all to the American citizen release issue," the official added. (Reporting by Lesley Wroughton; Editing by Kevin Liffey)
Beirut (AFP) - An Islamic State group attack Saturday in the eastern Syrian city of Deir Ezzor killed at least 85 civilians and 50 regime forces, a monitor said, with state media denouncing a "massacre".

Syria's state news agency SANA, quoting residents, said "around 300 civilians" were killed in the onslaught.

If confirmed it would be one of the highest tolls for a single day in Syria's nearly five-year war.

The bloodshed in Deir Ezzor came as regime forces battled IS in the northern province of Aleppo, killing at least 16 jihadists, and as air strikes hit the IS stronghold of Raqa.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said IS had advanced into the northern tip of Deir Ezzor city and captured the northern suburb of Al-Baghaliyeh.

Initially it reported that 35 Syrian soldiers and allied militiamen were killed in the multi-front attack, which including a suicide bombing.

But as the day unfolded the death toll rose, with the Britain-based monitor saying that civilians were among those killed in Deir Ezzor.

It said most of the victims were killed execution-style in Al-Baghaliyeh.

Quoting "local sources", SANA denounced a "massacre".

"The Daesh (IS) terrorists carried out a massacre in Al-Baghaliyeh, claiming the lives of around 300 civilians, most of them women, children and elderly people," the agency said.

It quoted Syrian Prime Minister Wael al-Halaqi as saying that the "legal and moral responsibility for this barbaric and cowardly massacre... lies on the shoulders of all the states that support terrorism and that fund and arm takfiri (Sunni extremist)" groups.

According to the Observatory, the advance puts IS in control of around 60 percent of Deir Ezzor city, capital of the province of the same name in an oil-rich region bordering Iraq.

IS said its fighters carried out several suicide bombings against regime forces in Deir Ezzor and seized control of Al-Baghaliyeh and other areas.

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The Observatory said Russian warplanes were carrying out heavy air strikes in support of regime forces as they sought to repel the jihadists.

- Aleppo offensive -

Regime troops were locked in fierce clashes with IS in Aleppo province, with at least 16 jihadists killed after a failed attack on a government position near the town of Al-Bab, the monitor said.

State television also reported that regime forces had repelled an assault in the town.

The Observatory said heavy fighting was ongoing Saturday in the area, with Russian warplanes carrying out strikes in the region between the regime-held Kweyris air base and Al-Bab.

The regime has advanced towards the town, an IS bastion, in recent days, and is now within 10 kilometres (six miles) of it, said the Observatory.

That is the closest regime forces have come to Al-Bab since 2012.

Located some 30 kilometres south of the Turkish border, Al-Bab fell into rebel hands in July 2012, and IS jihadists captured it in late 2013.

- Seven battlefronts -

The fighting in Al-Bab is just one of up to seven battlefronts on which regime forces are seeking to advance in Aleppo province, capitalising on a Russian air campaign that began on September 30.

The battles are intended in part to cut rebel supply lines into Aleppo city, the provincial capital and Syria's second city.

Aleppo itself is divided and regime forces are now hoping to effectively encircle the opposition-held east.

In addition to cutting rebel access to eastern Aleppo city, the regime is hoping to sever areas controlled by IS in the province from its territory in neighbouring Raqa, Abdel Rahman said.

Raqa, the self-declared capital of IS, has come under frequent air strikes by the US-led coalition, the Syrian air force and Russian warplanes.

On Saturday at least 16 people, including civilians, were killed in air strikes and 30 others were wounded, said Abdel Rahman.

He said eight strikes hit the city and its surroundings but did not specify who carried them out.

British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond, in comments reported Saturday, said some 600 Britons have been stopped from going to Syria to join IS and other jihadist groups.

Hammond said these interceptions as well as air strikes were placing extra strain on IS in its Raqa headquarters.

"There is evidence (IS) is finding it difficult to recruit to the brigades in Raqa because of the high attrition rate of foreign fighters," he said, according to The Guardian and The Daily Telegraph newspapers.

Syria's war has killed more than 260,000 people and forced millions to flee their homes.
DUBAI (Reuters) - Royal Dutch Shell on Saturday denied a report in Iranian media that it had sent representatives to Iran ahead of the expected lifting of international sanctions. Iran's Mehr news agency had earlier reported that Shell and French oil major Total had sent executives to Tehran, and were due to meet officials from the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) and National Iranian Tanker Company (NITC) on Sunday. International sanctions on Iran were expected to be lifted on Saturday under the terms of a nuclear deal agreed last year, and Iran freed four U.S. prisoners. Iran has pledged to ramp up its oil production shortly after sanctions are lifted. (Reporting by Sam Wilkin; Editing by Kevin Liffey)
Iowans wanting to see the new Michael Bay blockbuster about the 2012 Benghazi terrorist attacks will have a chance to catch it for free, courtesy of Donald Trump.

The Republican presidential frontrunner has rented a movie theater in the Hawkeye State and will give away free tickets to 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi, according to the Des Moines Register.

Related: Trump Shines in a Substance-Free GOP Debate

Critics of former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton have been eagerly awaiting the flick, based on a best-selling novel with the same name published in 2014, because they believe it might affirm their view that the Obama administration interfered with the on-the-ground response to the siege that killed four Americans, including the U.S. ambassador.

Specifically, that Clinton issued a stand down to the CIA security team stationed at the diplomatic outpost, thus preventing a timely rescue that could have saved lives.

By renting the theater Trump again shows his knack for coming up for innovative ways for needling his political opponents, like earlier this year when he gave out the cell phone number for GOP rival Sen. Lindsey Graham (SC).

Related: Cruzs Unreported $1 Million in Bank Loans Wont Help His Bid for President

Reserving the theater in Iowa is also no coincidence, as polls show Clinton neck and neck with Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and with the states important caucuses a little over two weeks away.

Early reviews of film note that it is mostly apolitical. It focuses on a group of security contractors who were working for the clandestine intelligence agency. The film doesnt mention Clinton, or President Obama by name but it apparently does make federal bureaucracy a bit of a villain, with officials preaching caution and protocol while the contractors want to rush in.

But the movie is mostly an action flick, as could be expected from Bay, the man behind the Transformers franchise and the recent reboot of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

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Related: Is Nikki Haley Hitching Her Wagon to Lone Star Ted Cruz?

Whether the film will have an impact on the ongoing investigation by the House Select Committee on Benghazi into the deadly siege remains to be seen. The panel is not expected to release its final report about the attacks until sometime later this year.

As for the administration, its staying mum about the film.

The movie looks like an entertaining film with high-productions values, White House press secretary Josh Earnest told reporters Thursday aboard Air Force One.

Obviously, Michael Bay is an action movie director who has made some pretty entertaining movies. So I wouldnt rule out that the president would see it, he added.

Top Reads from The Fiscal Times:
VIENNA (Reuters) - Two Swiss citizens were among those killed in attacks on a restaurant and hotel in the capital of Burkina Faso, the Swiss Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Saturday. Security forces retook a hotel in the city of Ouagadoudou on Saturday a day after jihadi al Qaeda fighters seized it in an assault that killed two dozen people from at least 18 countries, marking a major escalation of Islamist militancy in West Africa. (Reporting By Shadia Nasralla; editing by Ralph Boulton)
Some 90 percent of the United States fish, crustaceans, and mollusks are imported, and a growing percentage of those catches are from overseas fish farms.

Now, the federal government has a plan it hopes will spur more homegrown aquaculture, decrease reliance on foreign seafood, and reduce overfishing.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced a rule this week that allows for large-scale fish farming in federally controlled waters three miles offshore.

Thats a big step, because near-shore and onshore aquaculture typically houses small-scale shellfish operations, such as mussel and oyster farms or pond-style fish farms that contain less-lucrative fish species such as tilapia. Near-shore operations also can pollute waterways with fish waste.

The new rule permits pelagic finfish speciesthe kind that like to traverse the open oceanto be raised in huge nets miles offshore, meaning sushi favorites like amberjack and tuna could soon be U.S. farm-fresh.

For now, NOAA is only permitting offshore fish farms in the Gulf Coast region, but expansion to other regions is expected. The agency wants to increase marine aquaculture production by 50 percent by 2020, noting that expansion into federal waters is key.

RELATED: The Cheap, Imported Shrimp Americans Love Is the Product of Slave Labor

The potential for offshore aquaculture is tremendous, Michael Rubino, director of the NOAA Fisheries office of aquaculture, said in a statement. Today we grow most of our food on land, but were running out of water and arable land, so the question becomes: How are we going to produce the food that the world will need in the future? Aquaculture is sure to be part of the solution.

In San Diego, Rose Canyon Fisheries wants to be the first to bring large-scale fish farming to the West Coast. The company is a joint venture between Hubbs SeaWorld Research Institutea nonprofit funded partially by SeaWorldand aquaculture firm Cuna del Mar.

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Its farm would include 48 cages, each about 11,000 cubic square meters, floating 4.5 miles from the Southern California coast. At full scale, the operation would be the worlds largest fish farm, capable of producing more than 5,000 tons of yellowtail, a local amberjack sold as Hamachi sushi on the market, and white sea bass annually. Thats around 10 million fish a year.

But conservationists worry about giant fish farms environmental impact.

Its essentially offshore industrial-scale factory farming, and it will have some of the same kinds of environmental problems those facilities create too, said Kristen Monsell, staff attorney at the Center for Biological Diversity.

Such an operation could compromise water quality in the region and possibly contribute to toxic algal blooms in the ocean, according to environmentalists.

Additionally, they fear some farmed fish could escape and introduce diseases into the wild fish population.

The new federal rule could ease the difficulty Rose Canyon Fisheries has had acquiring the necessary permits from the Army Corps of Engineers, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Coast Guard, and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.

It applied for an environmental review from the EPA in October 2014, and the agency just closed the comment period on the application this week. Still, with the potential for more than $30 million in profits, the company is hoping the project moves forward.

Weve got about 12 percent of the nations population between the coastal regions of San Diego and Santa Barbara counties, Hubbs president Don Kent told TakePart in October 2014. We think we can help fulfill the seafood demand here by growing it locally, instead of it coming in from the rest of the world.

Related stories on TakePart:





 U.S. Cracks Down on Mexican Seafood After Turtle Deaths

 This Innovative Method Could Change the Future of Shellfish Farming

 Seafood Surprise: A Third of This Fish Species Faces Extinction

Original article from TakePart
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States will allow foreign subsidiaries of American companies to trade with Iran as part of sanctions relief granted under an international nuclear deal, the U.S. Treasury Department said on Saturday. U.S. authorities have also lifted restrictions on buying of Iranian oil by non-U.S. entities, as well as the sale of goods and services to Iran's energy sector, the Treasury said. The lifting of the ban on non-American trade with Iran's oil sector represents a significant opening on an embargo that had severed the West's ties to one of world's largest oil reserves. Sanctions had made Iranian exports to European Union countries  the vast majority energy-related  fall by 86 percent between 2012 and 2013, according to the European Commission. While U.S. firms will still be restricted from buying Iranian oil, or providing equipment to the industry, Europe will regain access to the market. Foreign subsidiaries of U.S. companies were allowed to operate in Iran until 2012, when Congress expanded sanctions and imposed penalties on American firms if their foreign units traded with Iran. (Reporting by Yeganeh Torbati and Joel Schectman; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama)
This is our 12th year of record profits. A very, very good year for the bank.

 Bank of North Dakota President Eric Hardmeyer, updating the North Dakota Industrial Commission with unaudited 2015 year-end numbers on Monday. Net income for 2015 was about $130.7 million, an increase over the $111 million net income reported in 2014.

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"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."

 Bismarck City Commissioner Parrell Grossman, explaining his opposition to an increase in the sales tax.

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"I am confident we are not spending road maintenance money frivolously. There might be something to trim, but it would not cover our needs."

 Bismarck City Commissioner Nancy Guy, on road costs and the proposed sales tax increase.

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"I am pro parks. It does irritate me that someone says 'you're going to dedicate 7 percent or give us money.' It's borderline extortion. We need to do a better job planning parks. We don't need a bunch of little parks. We need a nice park."

 Lance Hagen, a developer, reacting to a discussion by the Lincoln City Council on land acquisition for parks.

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God really opened up some doors for me. It was just one door after another, and, if I didnt walk through, it would have been my fault.

 Shiloh Christian School senior Alex Delzer, on his plan to raise money to build a school in the Dominican Republic.

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We know where the oil is. Theyll complete the wells eventually. Its money in the bank.

 Williston Mayor Howard Klug, who says the city is in good financial shape.

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

 Matt Reichert, a commercial Realtor with Aspen Group, on the Bismarck-Mandan market.

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"Unfortunately, given Canadas recent track record in suing the United States, I am afraid the American taxpayer will be left holding the bag."

 Rep. Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., reacting to Keystone XL pipeline developer TransCanadas decision to sue the U.S. government over rejection of its $8 billion pipeline project, seeking to recover $15 billion in costs and damages.

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Parents are pretty tuned into looking at alcohol and drug issues ... its harder to detect that with gambling.

 Lisa Vig, program director of Lutheran Social Services of North Dakotas Gamblers Choice program, on how little is known about youth gambling habits.

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These simulators are tremendous. The key is to physiologically see whats going on.

 Deb Grabow, Sanford Healths simulation manager, on a $100,000 birthing simulator recently donated to the hospital.
By Suzanne Roig HONOLULU (Reuters) - The search for 12 Marines missing at sea after two helicopters collided near the island of Oahu in Hawaii was being hampered by high waves, U.S. Coast Guard officials said on Friday. Two Coast Guard cutters and several Coast Guard aircraft were searching, along with two U.S. Navy warships and local police and fire department helicopters, Coast Guard spokeswoman Petty Officer Second Class Melissa McKenzie said. "We remain hopeful" that survivors could be found, she said. The CH-53E helicopters, belonging to the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing from the Marine Corps Air Station at Kaneohe Bay, were reported to have collided just before midnight local time (1000 GMT), Coast Guard spokeswoman Sara Mooers said. The wide-ranging search for the Marines was hampered by high surf and poor visibility from rain storms. The National Weather Service warned that a northwest swell would bring 35 foot to 45 foot surf to the area through Friday. "It's very difficult to find things right now," Carr said. Honolulu Emergency Services Department spokeswoman Shayne Enright confirmed in a telephone interview that visibility was not good. A Coast Guard helicopter crew spotted debris in the water off the town of Haleiwa on the north shore of Oahu but they did not find passengers. The debris field spanned more than 7 miles off the coast, the Coast Guard said. "Thoughts & prayers are with our Marines & their families in Hawaii as search efforts continue," General Robert Neller, commandant of the Marine Corps, said in a message on Twitter. No distress call was issued by either aircraft. Authorities were notified by a man standing on the beach who saw a fireball over the ocean after seeing the helicopters flying in that area, Coast Guard Lt. Scott Carr said at a news conference. (Additional reporting by Alex Dobuzinskis in Los Angeles and Susan Heavey, David Alexander and Laila Kearney in New York; Editing by Bernadette Baum, Toni Reinhold)
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - One member of the U.S. military is providing advice and assistance to French forces at a hotel in Burkina Faso's capital that was attacked on Friday by suspected Islamist militants, a U.S. defense official said. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said France had requested immediate U.S. intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance support. The United States was working to support that request, the official added. No further details were immediately available. There are about 75 U.S. military personnel in Burkina Faso, the official said. (Reporting by Phil Stewart; Editing by Eric Beech)
LONDON (Reuters) - U.N. nuclear watchdog chief Yukiya Amano will travel to Tehran on Sunday to meet Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and the head of the Atomic Energy Organisation of Iran, the International Atomic Energy Organisation (IAEA) said on Saturday. "The discussions will focus on the IAEAs role in verifying and monitoring Iran's nuclear-related commitments under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action," the Vienna-based IAEA said in a statement, referring to a July deal between Iran and major powers by its official name. (Reporting by Francois Murphy; Editing by Kevin Liffey)
By Yeganeh Torbati and Joel Schectman WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama pardoned three Iranians charged with sanctions violations as U.S. authorities moved to drop charges or commute prison sentences for five other men, according to lawyers, court records and people familiar with the matter. Those steps were part of an unusual deal negotiated in secret that saw four Americans freed by Iran in the prisoner swap and a fifth American released separately. It opened the Obama administration to immediate criticism that it had negotiated a bad deal that would set a dangerous precedent. The prisoner deal with Iran came as major powers prepared to implement a nuclear agreement that would lift economic sanctions against Tehran in exchange for steps to curb its nuclear program. Republicans welcomed the release of Americans but criticized the leniency shown towards Iranians charged with violating sanctions which U.S. officials credit with pressuring Iran to make concessions on its nuclear program. "(They were released) in return for people that violated Iran sanctions, Iranians that were in prison here for violating those sanctions," said Republican presidential candidate Jeb Bush in New Hampshire on Saturday. "Every time we show weakness it is a victory for Iran." The White House said it had offered clemency to seven Iranians, six of whom were dual U.S.-Iranian citizens. In addition, the U.S. State Department said it had withdrawn international arrest notices for 14 Iranians wanted on sanctions violations. The administration did not immediately provide further details. Joel Androphy, a lawyer for Bahram Mechanic, said his client and two others, Tooraj Faridi and Khosrow Afghahi, had been granted pardons by Obama. They were accused in 2015 of shipping electronics to Iran. Mechanic and Afghahi were being held without bail in Houston, while Faridi was out on bail. All three are Iranian-American dual citizens and had pleaded not guilty. Androphy said Mechanic and Afghahi had not been released yet and that their release was contingent on the four American prisoners leaving Iran. "We're ecstatic that the president has decided to pardon them for basically trade issues," Androphy told Reuters, adding that his client had plans to eventually visit Iran again. A lawyer for Faridi welcomed the news on Saturday, and said his client did not plan to return to Iran. "He has no plans to go back to Iran for a visit," said Kent Schaffer, Faridi's attorney. "He fought hard to get here and he wants to stay here." The three men were among 12 Iranians in the United States identified by Reuters this week as being imprisoned for or charged with sanctions violations. The U.S. Justice Department also moved on Saturday to drop sanctions charges against four other men who are outside the United States, according to electronic court filings. U.S. authorities have considered three of them fugitives and had been seeking extradition from Malaysia for one. A spokesman for the Justice Department referred questions to the White House. Authorities were also working to obtain early release for Ali Saboonchi, convicted of export violations in 2014, according to people familiar with the matter. Between 2009 and 2013, Saboonchi and several associates tried to export industrial parts to customers in Iran, according to an indictment filed in 2013. He was sentenced to two years in prison and was due to be released in November 2016. U.S. officials characterized the move as a humanitarian gesture, but one sanctions expert said the leniency shown toward Iranians accused of sanctions violations could set a bad precedent. "Iran may think it can detain U.S. citizens in order to get releases of people arrested on sanctions charges," said David Albright, of the Institute for Science and International Security in Washington. The pardons will dissuade prosecutors from bringing similar sanctions enforcement cases, which are complicated and can take years to prosecute, said David Hall, a former federal prosecutor in Pennsylvania and Delaware who investigated and brought charges on Iran sanctions cases. "To know that ... your case can be used as political coinage is a strong reason to not do it," Hall said. "They're already hard enough and that's the reason there are so few of them to begin with." Citing "significant foreign policy interests" of the United States, federal prosecutors in Massachusetts, New York, California, and Texas asked federal judges on early Saturday morning to dismiss charges against the four Iranians. Dozens of Iranians have been charged with U.S. sanctions violations since 2008. The electronic filings came hours before U.S. officials said the Americans being held in Iran were being released. (Additional reporting by Jeff Mason in Washington and Richard Valdmanis in New Hampshire; Editing by Kevin Krolicki, Ross Colvin and Mary Milliken; and David Gregorio)
By Richard Cowan WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Republican presidential candidates on Saturday praised the release of five Americans held in Iran, but said the Obama administration had conceded too much to win their freedom. In a multi-pronged arrangement between two long-time enemies, the United States and Iran agreed on a prisoner swap on the same day their historic nuclear deal was fully implemented, which cleared the way for the lifting of sanctions on Tehran. On the presidential campaign trail, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie accused Obama of being "an expert at making bad deals with the Iranians. Florida Senator Marco Rubio said the United States should not be involved in prisoner deals because they only encourage the taking of more hostages. Jeb Bush, the former Republican governor of Florida, called for new sanctions against Iran and cited an exclusive report from Reuters that the Obama administration refrained from imposing new sanctions last month after Tehran warned doing so could derail the prisoner deal. Bush praised the Americans' release but added: "The bigger issue is that weve legitimized a regime that shows no interest in actually moving forward with the so-called community of nations." Separately, Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton and Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal on Saturday urged the administration to apply new sanctions in response to Irans ballistic missile tests in violation of U.N. Security Council resolutions. "As president, my approach will be to distrust and verify" Iran's actions, Clinton said in a statement that also expressed her relief over the "safe return of American prisoners from Iran." The new relationship unfolding between Washington and Tehran, after more than 30 years of bitter antagonism, could be Obama's signature foreign policy achievement, but it was also sure to remain a political flashpoint in the United States. Republican front-runner Donald Trump said at a campaign event that Iran would realize a windfall of $150 billion from the lifting of economic sanctions under the nuclear pact, which is meant to keep Iran from developing a nuclear weapon. That figure has been widely disputed and is thought to be closer to $100 billion. Trump said he was happy Americans were being freed, "but I will tell you its a disgrace that they were there for so long. Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders tweeted: "This good news shows that diplomacy can work even in this volatile region of the world." OBAMA GRANTS CLEMENCY In addition to the release of the five Americans, Obama has granted clemency to several Iranians convicted or facing trial in the United States over alleged Iran sanctions violations. At the same time, it was announced in Vienna that Iran was complying with the nuclear deal, which was a key step in the rolling back of the sanctions. Congress could seek tougher oversight of the nuclear deal going forward. House of Representatives Speaker Paul Ryan, a top Republican lawmaker, criticized the lifting of the sanctions. "A bipartisan majority in the House voted to reject this deal in the first place, and we will continue to do everything possible to prevent a nuclear Iran," Ryan said in a statement. Republicans have complained Obamas overtures to a country tagged by the U.S. State Department as a sponsor of terrorism were naive, risking U.S. national security and the existence of Israel, which some Iranian leaders have vowed to destroy. Throughout last year, the Obama administration, despite Republican opposition, worked feverishly to win an international deal that offered the end of crippling economic sanctions on Iran to entice it into dismantling its nuclear program. Obama has long argued that a U.S. policy to isolate Iran, in force since the 1979 takeover of the U.S. embassy in Tehran and the hostage crisis there, did not slow Tehrans nuclear program. Early last May, Congress asserted its oversight role in any nuclear deal with Iran, approving legislation giving lawmakers the power to review and effectively block the deal. But the combined opposition of Republicans, conservative lobbying groups and the Israeli government were not enough to sink the deal in Congress, as Obamas fellow Democrats mostly fell in line, blocking the disapproval measure in the Senate. As was the case with Obamas biggest domestic policy achievement so far  enactment of the Obamacare healthcare law in 2010  not one Republican backed the president on the Iran deal. (Additional reporting by Steve Holland in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina; Patricia Zengerle in Washington; Richard Valdmanis and Luciana Lopez in New Hampshire; Kay Henderson in Iowa.; Editing by Kevin Drawbaugh, Chizu Nomiyama and Paul Simao)
United Nations (United States) (AFP) - UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon welcomed the implementation of the Iran nuclear accord Saturday and voiced hope that the success will boost regional stability.

"This is a significant milestone that reflects the good faith effort by all parties to fulfil their agreed commitments," Ban said in a statement.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) certified earlier that Iran had carried out all of its commitments under the historic deal, clearing the way for the lifting of international sanctions.

Ban voiced hope that "the success of this agreement contributes to greater regional and international cooperation for peace, security and stability in the region and beyond."

The UN chief also welcomed the release of five Americans including Washington Post journalist Jason Rezaian.

He said he was "heartened by the lifting of sanctions on Iran."

The UN Security Council has imposed four sets of sanctions on Iran from 2006 to 2010, but these resolutions will be scrapped with the entry into force of the accord.

The council in July adopted a new resolution that maintains some restrictions in place on Iran such as a ban on missile technology transfers.

US Ambassador Samantha Power said work was "far from over" on implementing the nuclear deal and that Iran must "continue to abide by its commitments."

The United States will work to make sure restrictions that remain in place against Iran are "fully enforced," she said.

Progress on the Iran nuclear deal came as the United Nations was pushing for breakthroughs in Syria and Yemen, two conflicts where Iran is a key player.

Ban stressed the "need for all concerned in the region to make the world a safer place through dialogue and peaceful means."

The UN sanctions blacklist for Iran has 43 individuals and 78 entities that are subject to a global travel ban and an assets freeze.
MELBOURNE (Reuters) - Maria Sharapova says her Australian Open preparations have gone smoothly despite her lack of recent on-court action, all barring a mix-up at the Melbourne Park laundry over a pair of leopard print underwear. Sharapova, Australian Open champion in 2008, pulled out of her title defense at the Brisbane International two weeks ago because of a left forearm problem, one of a string of injuries to have dogged the 28-year-old since the middle of last year. Nevertheless, the fifth seed said she was good to go in her bid improve on her runner-up finish to Serena Williams in her fourth Melbourne final last year. "I feel really good. Got to Melbourne earlier than I wanted to. But it gave me a chance to practise here this week. Had great days on a lot of the courts," the Russian told reporters on Saturday. "I've always been someone that's been able to treat their practice as something meaningful, there's something on the line, you're not just going through the motions. "That's one of the reasons I believe in myself knowing, okay, I may not have played five matches in Brisbane, but if I commit myself, train well, get some practice sets in, I know with that mindset I'll be able to (compete). "Yes, I might be rusty, make a few more unforced errors than I would like, but I'm ready to go." Sharapova, who starts her campaign against Japan's Nao Hibino, said not even playing a warm-up event could prepare a player fully for the challenges of a tournament opener. "First matches at a grand slam ... it's always tricky, especially going into a match against somebody I've never faced before," she said. "There's a lot of new things. You have to have a little bit of a different perspective and figure things out quickly as soon as you can." One thing Sharapova perhaps had not expected on Saturday was a question about laundry mishaps but happily she had an anecdote immediately to hand after the quirky inquiry was made. "I actually just returned a pair of underwear that wasn't mine, like 45 minutes ago. Funny you ask that," she laughed. "It was a female pair of underwear, not male. It was leopard. I'm like, 'that's not mine'. "Any more laundry situations I need to clear up before we get on with our day?" (Reporting by Nick Mulvenney, editing by Peter Rutherford)
Tokyo (AFP) - Japan, South Korea and the United States on Saturday ratcheted up pressure on China to support the "strongest possible" punishment against North Korea, following Pyongyang's nuclear test earlier this month.

Japan's Vice Foreign Minister Akitaka Saiki, US Deputy Secretary of State Antony Blinken and their South Korean counterpart Lim Sung-Nam held a one-day meeting at a Tokyo guesthouse, where they called on Beijing to support a strong UN Security Council resolution targeting Pyongyang.

"We strongly hope that China, as its neighbour and the most influential country on North Korea, will fully cooperate with the international community to adopt a strong resolution," Saiki told a joint news conference.

Saiki said the three countries are aiming to help adopt a UN resolution with the "strongest possible contents at the earliest timing".

China, a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, is North Korea's economic benefactor, but traditional ties have become strained as Beijing's patience has worn thin with Pyongyang's behaviour and unwillingness to rein in its nuclear weapons ambitions.

But China's leverage over Pyongyang is mitigated, analysts say, by its overriding fear of a North Korean collapse and the prospect of a reunified, US-allied Korea directly on its border.

"It's our expectation along with our colleagues... that China will demonstrate a real leadership at the Security Council with us in assuring that there are significant consequences for North Korea's actions," Blinken said.

"The bottom-line is that the failure to take significant measures now almost guarantees that North Korea will continue to repeat this exercise of testing nuclear weapons," he added.

The call came after South Korean President Park Geun-Hye on Wednesday also urged the international community, and in particular China, to back harsh sanctions targeting Pyongyang over the nuclear test.

North Korea says its latest nuclear test was of a miniaturised hydrogen bomb -- a claim largely dismissed by experts who argue the yield was far too low for a full-fledged thermonuclear device.

But whatever the nature of the device, it was North Korea's fourth nuclear test since 2006, and further evidence of Pyongyang's intention to continue developing its nuclear weapons capability in the face of international censure.
Have you noticed how often family members are turning up in the presidential campaign?

Consider the irony of that Ted Cruz-Canada debate. Cruz was born in Calgary and Donald (People Are Saying) Trump has raised the question of whether that makes him ineligible to be president. Well let constitutional scholars figure it out. But, meanwhile, we can enjoy recalling that Cruzs father, Rafael, once told a Texas tea party group that hed like to send President Barack Obama back to Kenya. Hehehehe.

Even noncrazy relatives are popping up all over. This week Chelsea Clinton set off a major battle over Bernie Sanders health care plan. Theres been reporting on Marco Rubios brother-in-law, who was once a rather high-level drug dealer in Florida. Ted Cruzs little daughters popped up in a political cartoon.

Remember Jeb? He was going to run as his own man, but people on the campaign mailing list are getting requests for donations from George H.W. Bush, George W. Bush, Barbara Bush, George P. Bush and Columba Bush. The family that fundraises together stays together.

And how are we supposed to react to all this? Lets review a few rules:

 Forget family members who arent in politics  unless they hijack a plane or something. Dont hold it against Marco Rubio that his brother-in-law, Orlando Cicilia, served 12 years in prison on drug charges. Perhaps in a perfect world, when Rubio was a leader in the Florida Legislature and sent a letter recommending that the newly released Cicilia be given a real estate license, he might have mentioned that the ex-convict in question was something more than a typical constituent. But still.

In his memoir Rubio wrote about the trauma of the arrest, and coming home as a teenager to find his pregnant sister sleeping on the family sofa with her little boy. The image, Rubio wrote, has remained with me all my life. This is the only part of the story I would like us to consider a little bit, since the chapter does not end with Marco offering his sister his own bed for the night. Maybe he was too modest to mention it. But inquiring minds want to know.

 Never make fun of children. Not even if Ted Cruz puts his small daughters in a campaign ad in which the 7-year-old reads from a mock Christmas book called The Grinch Who Lost Her Emails. A Washington Post cartoon portrayed them as trained monkeys and that was out of line. Leave the kids alone. When theyre teenagers, theyll figure out their own ways to get revenge.

 Adult relatives should generally get a break. Right now there are dozens of spouses, siblings and offspring of candidates staggering around Iowa shaking hands, thanking people for coming and recounting homey anecdotes about the time Dad or Mom flew a thousand miles to get to the school play. Theyre tired and they just discovered theyve gained 7 pounds since that raccoon roast in Arkansas. Have mercy.

 However, theres a limit. We hardly need note that Bill Clinton gets no family-member slack, ever. Chelsea Clinton is a little different. In the past shes been superdisciplined. I remember back in 2000 watching her trot after her parents to the New York State Fair, looking dutifully at a life-size refrigerator carved out of butter, and thinking this is a whole new level of being a good daughter.

But Chelsea made news this week in New Hampshire where she told an audience that Sen. Sanders wants to dismantle Obamacare  dismantle Medicare and dismantle private insurance. This is a whole new line of attack, and youd at least expect it to come first from the candidate. Chelsea Clinton is as policy-obsessed and as smart and as attentive to the details as both her parents when it comes to policy, said a Clinton spokesman. Thats campaign-speak for it was an accident.

 Go for the jugular if the relative is saying something the candidate wants to say without being held responsible. This takes us back to Rafael Cruz, an evangelical minister who has claimed, among other things, that gay rights advocates want to legalize pedophiles and that if America had no abortions it would also have no national debt. His son is currently trying to court the far right without sounding quite that loopy in person.

Cruz talks a lot about his hyperpatriotic father, who came to the United States from Cuba on a student visa, worked his way through college and then began climbing up in the world. Actually, most of the climbing occurred in Canada, where dad worked and became a citizen in 1973. The family came back to the United States, but Rafael didnt get around to becoming an American for 30 years.

The delay was due to I guess laziness, or  I dont know, he once told David Welna of NPR.

Just saying.

(Gail Collins writes a syndicated column for the New York Times.)
Washington (AFP) - Republican House Speaker Paul Ryan vigorously denounced the nuclear deal with Iran that was implemented Saturday, vowing US lawmakers would "do everything possible" to prevent Tehran from getting the atomic bomb.

The agreement entered into force after key United Nations confirmation that Tehran has shrunk its atomic program, triggering the lifting of painful international sanctions on the Islamic republic.

"Today, the Obama administration will begin lifting economic sanctions on the world's leading state sponsor of terrorism," Ryan said in a statement.

The Republican leader warned that "Iran is likely to use this cash infusion -- more than $100 billion in total -- to finance terrorists."

"This comes just weeks after Tehran's most recent illegal ballistic missile test, and just days after the IRGC detained 10 American sailors," he said, referring to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

"A bipartisan majority in the House voted to reject this deal in the first place, and we will continue to do everything possible to prevent a nuclear Iran."
Tehran (AFP) - Jason Rezaian, the Washington Post's Tehran correspondent, was among four Iranian-Americans freed Saturday in a prisoner swap, just hours before a nuclear deal with world powers was finally sealed.

Iranian state television and the judiciary reported that the four were released for seven Iranians in US custody, with an official in Washington confirming the exchange.

As well as Rezaian, Iran agreed to free Saeed Abedini, a Christian pastor from Idaho, Amir Hekmati, a former US Marine, and a fourth man named Nosratollah Khosravi.

A statement from the judiciary said the swap had been ordered by the Supreme National Security Council, the nation's top security committee, in line with national interests.

It took almost a year of negotiations, Iran's ambassador to the United Nations, Gholam Ali Khoshroo, told state television, with Switzerland playing an intermediary role.

"The release procedure is ongoing," he said, as it remained unclear if Rezaian and the other prisoners had left Iran. Unconfirmed reports suggested he may be headed to Geneva.

A fifth American, a student identified as Matthew Trevitick, was also to be released by Iran in a separate process, according to a US official.

California-born Rezaian was detained in July 2014 and later convicted after a trial on charges of espionage and other crimes against national security.

Abedini was jailed three years ago after being convicted of undermining national security.

And Hekmati, a former US Marine, had been serving 10 years for cooperating with hostile governments. Arrested when visiting relatives in Tehran, his family had long pled for his liberty.

It was unclear who Khosravi is. The official IRNA news agency issued an apology having named Siamak Namazi, a businessman and dual Iranian-American arrested last year in Tehran, as the fourth man set free. IRNA later changed its report, naming Khosravi.

The seven Iranians freed by the United States are Nader Modanlou, Baharam Mechanic, Khosrow Afghahi, Arash Ghahreman, Tooraj Faridi, Nima Golestaneh, and Ali Saboonchi, according to IRNA and the state broadcaster.

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Fourteen other Iranians wanted by the FBI would no longer be sought for prosecution by Interpol, a US official said.

"We offered clemency to seven Iranians, six of whom are dual US-Iranian citizens, who had been convicted or are pending trial in the United States," the official added.

- Tried behind closed doors -

The prisoner swap came as Iran and major powers including the United States were finalising the implementation of last July's nuclear deal, which lifted international sanctions imposed on the Islamic republic.

Since his arrest in July 2014, Rezaian had become the highest-profile dual Iranian-American citizen held in Tehran's Evin Prison, particularly as the nuclear talks were unfolding.

His case played out in the Iranian media, where he was accused of spying and passing information about Iran to US government officials.

He finally went on trial in May last year behind closed doors in Branch 15 of the Tehran revolutionary court, which usually presides over political cases or those related to national security.

His newspaper vehemently defended him, insisting the charges were a sham and saying a miscarriage of justice had taken place, alleging that Rezaian was a hostage to the nuclear negotiations.

The Post's publisher said it was waiting for confirmation that Rezaian had flown out of Iran.

"We couldn't be happier to hear the news that Jason Rezaian has been released from Evin Prison," Frederick Ryan said.

"Once we receive more details and can confirm Jason has safely left Iran, we will have more to share," he added.

Tehran does not recognise dual nationality, and has said the cases of Rezaian and the others were a purely Iranian matter.

Among the offences the reporter was alleged to have committed was writing a letter to US President Barack Obama.

After a trial shrouded in secrecy, Iran's judiciary finally confirmed he had been convicted in October last year and sentenced to jail time but it never stated for how long he would be imprisoned.

There had been speculation for months that a prisoner swap could be done.

A sixth American, retired FBI agent Robert Levinson, went missing in southern Iran eight years ago. His fate remains unknown but a US official said Saturday Iran has again promised to help determine his whereabouts.
Washington (AFP) - With Saturday's formal implementation of the Iran nuclear deal, the United States lifted it economic sanctions imposed to dissuade Tehran from building a bomb.

Other, separate sanctions designed to punish Iran's alleged sponsorship of foreign militant groups and its ballistic missile program will remain.

But the nuclear sanctions -- matched by similar European Union action -- were the most serious brakes on the Iranian economy and their cancellation will be a boost to Iran's reformist government.

- Secondary sanctions -

With the adoption of the deal, the United States automatically drops its "secondary sanctions" banning non-Americans from certain trade and investment with Iran.

These include:

* Finance and banking-related sanctions, including on dealings with the Iranian central bank

* Sanctions on underwriting services, insurance and re-insurance

* Sanctions on Iran's oil, gas and petrochemical sectors

* Sanctions on doing business with Iranian shippers, shipbuilders and port operators

* Sanctions on Iran's trade in gold and other precious metals

* Sanctions on trade in graphite, raw or semi-finished metals such as aluminum and steel, coal and software for integrating industrial processes -- where such items are not used in nuclear research banned under the deal

* Sanctions on Iran's automotive sector

* Sanctions on associated services for each of the categories above

- Blocked persons -

* The United States has removed 400 names of individuals, companies and entities from lists of sanctions evaders and those connected to the Iran nuclear program.

- Planes and pistachios -

While US companies will still be barred in many cases from directly doing business with Iran themselves, the deal allows trade in three specific areas

* US companies will be allowed to export commercial aircraft and spare parts to Iran's creaking fleet, as long as they are not used for military transport or activities banned under the nuclear pact.

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* US-owned or managed companies based abroad will be given a general permission to trade with Iran.

* Iranian producers will be permitted to export to the United States carpets and food -- including pistachios and caviar.

- Cash windfall -

With the dropping of the sanctions, Iran will be able to access tens of billions of dollars in its oil revenues blocked in foreign banks.

US officials estimate that after Iran has settled outstanding debts and bills, notably to China, they may be able to get their hands on $50 billion.
Ouagadougou (AFP) - At least 20 people have been killed and others were being held hostage in an ongoing Al-Qaeda attack on a hotel in the capital of Burkina Faso popular with United Nations staff and westerners.

A fire raged in the main entrance of Ouagadougou's four-star Splendid hotel and screams could be heard from inside as Burkinabe forces prepared an assault to rescue hostages still trapped five hours after the assault began.

Officials said French forces could join a counter-attack on the hotel, while a US defence official said Washington would potentially provide surveillance.

The attack comes less than two months after a jihadist hostage siege at the luxury Radisson Blu hotel in the Malian capital Bamako in November, in which 20 people died including 14 foreigners.

"We know that there are victims and there are hostages. Currently the area is blocked by security forces waiting for an assault to free the hostages," Foreign Minister Alpha Barry told AFP.

Around 10 vehicles were on fire in the streets near the hotel in Ouagadougou, not far from the city's international airport.

The head of the city's main hospital confirmed at least 20 dead and another 15 injured, and witnesses said the assailants were still holed up in the 147-room hotel.

A restaurant opposite the hotel was also attacked and a staff member, reached by telephone, said several people had been killed, but was not able to give an exact toll.

- Sporadic fire -

Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) claimed responsibility for the attack, according to US-based monitoring group SITE.

The "mujahideen brothers" of AQIM "broke into a restaurant of one of the biggest hotels in the capital of Burkina Faso, and are now entrenched and the clashes are continuing with the enemies of the religion", SITE quoted the group as saying.

Sporadic exchanges of fire could be heard between the attackers and security forces near the hotel, which often has UN staff among its guests and has security checks at its entrances. Firefighters were also at the scene.

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Barry said Burkina Faso may enlist the support of French special forces, who have a permanent presence in the country, to deal with the unfolding situation, and a US defence official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Washington could provide drone-based surveillance.

An AFP reporter at one point saw three men clad in turbans firing at the scene on Avenue Kwame Nkrumah, one of Ouagadougou's main thoroughfares.

A witness also reported seeing four assailants who were of Arab or white appearance and "wearing turbans".

The French embassy said on its website that a "terrorist attack" was underway and urged people to avoid the area. An Air France flight from Paris to Ouagadougou was diverted to neighbouring Niger.

The Burkinabe army meanwhile revealed that an armed group had carried out an attack earlier in the day near the border with Mali, killing two people.

"In the afternoon around 2:00 pm (1400 GMT), around 20 heavily-armed unidentified individuals carried out an attack against gendarmes in the village of Tin Abao," the army said in a statement, adding that an officer and a civilian had been killed and two people were wounded.

- Unprecedented attack -

Several attacks have taken place in Burkina Faso in recent months, but no such assaults have yet hit the capital.

In April the Romanian security chief of a mine in northern Tambao was kidnapped in a move claimed by Al-Murabitoun, a jihadist group run by notorious Algerian militant Mokhtar Belmokhtar.

Al-Murabitoun claimed November's Mali hotel attack -- although another jihadist group from central Mali has also said it was responsible for the siege in which some 150 staff and guests were held hostage for several hours.

Burkina Faso is part of the G5 Sahel grouping that counts the fight against terrorism as part of its remit.

It has also offered support to France's Barkhane counter-terror mission, spanning five countries in Africa's restive Sahel region, and French special forces are stationed in Ouagadougou's suburbs.

Last month, Burkina Faso swore in Roch Marc Christian Kabore as president, completing the troubled West African state's transition after the overthrow of its longtime ruler Blaise Compaore in 2014 and a failed coup attempt in September.
Washington D.C., Jan. 16 (ANI): Expressing approval at the current ties between India and Pakistan, the United States has welcomed the decision to re-schedule talks between the two nations and lauded their 'shared commitment to fighting terrorism'. State Department Spokesman John Kirby while addressing the media at the White House said that it was a welcome sign that the Prime Ministers of both India and Pakistan had condemenet the terror attack on the Air Force Base in Pathankot. "Well, we want - as I said before, we want them to continue to have a dialogue and to continue to look for ways to cooperate against a common threat. And we talked about this not long ago at a recent conversation between both Prime Ministers Sharif and Modi. That was a welcome sign, both condemning the terrorist attack on the air station and expressing their shared commitment to fighting terrorism," Kirby said. Asserting that terror groups will continue to hamper peace prospects at crucial junctures, Kirby added that it was a good sign that India and Pakistan had agreed to continue holding dialogues, despite the Pathankot attack. "It should come as a shock to no one that terrorist groups will try to undermine those sorts of efforts by conducting spectacular attacks - to do exactly that, to sow fear, and to hopefully sow doubt in the minds of national leaders towards a level of cooperation that can have a real - a practical effect. And obviously, we don't want to see that happen and we're - we are encouraged by the dialogue that has recently taken place between India and Pakistan, and we'd like to see that continue," Kirby said. Earlier, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said that Foreign Secretary S. Jaishankar had spoken to his Pakistani counterpart Aizaz Ahmed Chaudhary and both had agreed to reschedule the talks in the near future. MEA official spokesperson Vikas Swarup informed the media that the Government of Pakistan is considering sending a Special Investigation Team to investigate the Pathankot terror attack. "We look forward to the visit of the Pakistani SIT and our investigative agencies will extend all necessary cooperation to bring the perpetrators of the attack to justice," he added while asserting that New Delhi condemns terrorism in all its form and manifestation. Meanwhile, the US has urged Pakistan to intensify their fight against terrorist outfits especially those working along its borders. According to reports, Under-Secretary of State for Civilian Security Sarah Sewall addressed a seminar in Delhi where she urged Pakistan to target all terrorist groups, without any exceptions. (ANI)
Washington (AFP) - The Washington Post welcomed Iran's release of its reporter Jason Rezaian on Saturday, in a message from its publisher Frederick Ryan.

"We couldn't be happier to hear the news that Jason Rezaian has been released from Evin Prison. Once we receive more details and can confirm Jason has safely left Iran, we will have more to share," he said.

Rezaian, a California-born Iranian-American, was detained in July 2014 and later convicted after a trial on charges of espionage and other crimes against national security.

He was freed on Saturday along with three more Iranian-Americans after what US officials said was a long diplomatic campaign to secure their release.
Archbishop encourages teachers, PTA

At least, this is the hope of Archbishop of Port-of-Spain Joseph Harris, who yesterday met at the St Vincent Ferrer RC Church with staff members as well as parents of pupils attending the school.

Speaking with Newsday the Archbishop noted that the purpose of his visit was to have a firsthand view of the school as well as to encourage the ParentTeachers Association (PTA) and staff to continue working together for the good of the students.

They are doing the best they can to keep our children occupied, and I thank them for the work they are doing.

I encourage them to continue working and working together for the good of the children.

We are hoping that by the end of the month, the students will resume classes at the original location, said Harris at the church which is located several feet away from where construction work was in progress on the school.

Harris accompanied by officials of the Catholic Education Board of Management (CEBM) toured the school after meeting with parents, and staff.

The religious leader noted that yesterdays visit was the first as it related to relocation of classes to the office of the Member of Parliament for the area, Dr Lovell Francis.

In September, just days after he was elected as MP, Francis opted to give his office located in the nearby community of Bois Jean Jean to house the 115 students of the primary school for the continuation of classes.

His gesture came after the childrens derelict school was demolished a month earlier.

The wooden structure was deemed unsafe for human occupancy.
Victims appeal for help

The family has been forced to seek shelter at the homes of relatives and friends.

A distraught Anganee Hosein, 26, whose three children range in age from two years to seven years, lamented that the family had lost everything in the blaze, including clothing, school supplies, furniture and important documents.

We are seeking any kind of assistance from the public because we were not able to save anything, she said, and noted that she was expected to start a new job on Monday and would have to purchase new work clothing due to the fire. She said fire officials had not yet determined the cause of the fire and were still investigating its origin. Meanwhile, Manager of the Peoples Issues Resolution Co-ordination Unit at the Ministry of Social Development, Asauph Ghany, said the family had received a food card as well as a clothing grant and articles of clothing from the Ministry. Interested persons can contact 395- 9772/341-9982. Meanwhile, 15 persons in Esperance located on the outskirts of San Fernando who were left homeless after a fire ravaged two homes on Wednesday morning are pleading for assistance in acquiring building materials to reconstruct a new home. Sunil Sooklal, son of Sonny Sooklal, owner of the home in question, explained yesterday that they are in the process of cleaning up the site and that family members are staying with relatives until they can reconstruct their home.
Say how much we can spend

Chief Executive Officer of the TTMA, Dr Ramesh Ramdeen, said while the association acknowledges that the country has a limited supply of foreign exchange it needs to use this supply wisely.

Ramdeen was speaking on Thursday at the Marriot Courtyard, Audrey Jeffers Highway, Port-of-Spain where Minister of Trade and Industry, Paula Gopee-Scoon delivered an address to members of the TTMA during a session called Cocktails with the President of the TTMA Dr Rolph Balgobin.

Earlier Ramdeen said when the manufacturers produce the products they will be exported to generate foreign exchange.

He said the manufacturers are having serious problems in getting foreign exchange, and if they cannot get access to raw materials, they will get nowhere.

Ramdeen said if this country is serious about diversification and wants to build a manufacturing sector, Trinidad and Tobago does not produce the raw materials they need. If we could allocate a certain portion of foreign exchange for manufacturers to source their raw materials, when they produce those products, they will be exporting and generating twice as much as they need to buy the raw material. He said he was not asking for a facility that would be merely drawing down on foreign exchange but one which would allow them to use foreign exchange to build foreign exchange for Trinidad and Tobago.

He said the association had presented a position paper on the issue to the Minister of Trade and Industry and was seeking an audience with the Minister of Finance to discuss it.

In a brief address, TTMA President Dr Rolph Balgobin said the association has been discussing with the Government how to speed up payment of VAT refunds to companies which are exporting.

He said it was unfortunate that this continued to be an issue because it was a tax on exporters who are earning foreign exchange for the country. He said the TTMA had also suggested a scheme to barter manufactured goods with Venezuela which he said was a timebound opportunity which would not last forever.

He said it could have tremendous benefit for local manufacturers and they should grasp it with both hands. We have a major opportunity to boost foreign exchange earnings and employment through this initiative alone.

He said the TTMA had supported the call to buy local, noting that manufacturers in Trinidad are no longer low cost substitutes.

He said, People here need to understand that when you buy something made somewhere else, you are supporting the economic system of another country, and this is done at the expense of our own. He said TTMA members had instructed their procurement departments that they must buy local, leading the way by example.

He added that the body had also encouraged the Government to buy local, giving preference to things which were made in Trinidad and Tobago by local hands.

He said that the huge American shopping chain Walmart is holding a show at the end of the month in Puerto Rico to bring Walmart buyers and Latin American manufacturers together.

He said through the Arthur Lok Jack Graduate School of Business the TTMA has been able to get ten spots for Trinidad and Tobago manufacturers to showcase their products to Walmart buyers.

He said if products from local manufacturers are selected they will be sold in Walmart stores in Guatemala and Costa Rica for 90 days, and after that if they are adopted there is the opportunity to sell in Walmart in Mexico. He said after that the sky is the limit.

The association used the occasion to launch its latest initiative, TTMA Careers, a registry intended to match unemployed workers with vacancies in the manufacturing sector.

The minister said that inefficiencies in the labour sector had plagued the manufacturing sector, and she was glad to see the TTMA using technology and more dynamic means to maximise the full potential of manufacturers, and tackle head on the problems of unemployment, labour shortages, and a private sector that may possibly be unproductive and uncompetitive.
PSWA wont support fly-by-night recruiting

We are also in support of the policy positions of limiting the selection of persons to fill the positions to those who are nationals of Trinidad and Tobago.

Also the limitation that the selecting firm is a local firm.

We support those two positions notwithstanding, the Association calls on the government to ensure that whatever firm is selected, is one that demonstrates experience with the relevant competencies to carry out the selection process, to say the least. He said that the Association will be disappointed should they see a fly-by-night firm being recruited to carry out the selection process.

He noted that the offices of Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner are offices which carry out very important functions in Trinidad and Tobago.

He pointed out that it will be very unhealthy for the process to the selecting firm, not being able to secure the support and confidence of the membership.

Again, we call for a process that is transparent, reliable and accountable. The Police Social and Welfare Associations President reiterated that they will reject any fly-bynight recruiting firm selected to carry out the process in the selection of a new CoP and DCP.

According to Insp Ramesar he expects the recruiting firm to be in place by April of this year, but added that the Association will be monitoring the process every step of the way to ensure transparency
What you need to know about the Octagon Art Festival on Sunday in Ames

news
The other major neo-Confederate groups have gone under or just live on as remnants. The League of the South is just perhaps a dozen or may...
When white light is passed through a prism, the rainbow on the other side reveals a rich palette of colors. Theorists from the Faculty of Physics, University of Warsaw have shown that in models of the Universe using any of the quantum theories of gravity there must also be a rainbow of sorts, composed of different versions of spacetime. The mechanism predicts that instead of a single, common spacetime, particles of different energies essentially sense slightly modified versions thereof.

We have probably all seen the experiment: when white light passes through a prism it splits to form a rainbow. This is because white light is in fact a mixture of photons of different energies, and the greater the energy of the photon, the more it is deflected by the prism. Thus, we might say that the rainbow arises because photons of different energies sense the same prism as having slightly different properties. For years now it has been suspected that particles of different energies in quantum universe models essentially sense spacetimes with slightly different structures.

Arxiv  Rainbow metric from quantum gravity

Warsaw physicists are using a cosmological model that contains just two components: gravity and one type of matter. Under the general theory of relativity, a gravitational field is described by deformations of spacetime, whereas matter is represented as a scalar field (the simplest type of field where every point in space is assigned only one value).

Today there are many competing theories of quantum gravity. Therefore, we formulated our model in very general terms so that it can be applied to any of them. Someone might assume the kind of gravitational field  which in practice means spacetime  that is posited by one quantum theory, and someone else might assume another. Some mathematical operators in the model will then change, but this will not change the nature of the phenomena occurring in it, says PhD student Andrea Dapor (UW Physics).

This result is simply astonishing. We start with the fuzzy world of quantum geometry, where it is even difficult to say what is time and what is space, yet the phenomena occurring in our cosmological model still look as if everything was happening in ordinary spacetime!, says PhD student Mehdi Assanioussi (UW Physics).

Things took a more interesting turn when physicists looked at excitations in the scalar field, which are interpreted as particles. Calculations showed that in this model, particles that differ in terms of energy interact with quantum spacetime somewhat differently  much as photons of different energies interact with a prism somewhat differently. This result means that even the effective structure of classical spacetime sensed by individual particles must depend on their energy.

The occurrence of a normal rainbow can be described in terms of a refractive index, the value of which varies depending on the wavelength of light. In the case of the analogous spacetime rainbow, a similar relationship has also been proposed: the beta function, a measure of the extent to which the structure of classical spacetime differs as experienced by different particles. This function reflects the degree of non-classicalness of quantum spacetime: in conditions similar to classical it is close to zero, whereas in truly quantum conditions its value is close to one. Today the Universe is in a classical-like state, so now the beta value should be near zero, and estimates performed by other groups of physicists indeed suggest that it does not exceed 0.01. This small value for the beta function means that currently the spacetime rainbow is very narrow and cannot be detected experimentally.

The study by the UW Physics theorists, funded by grants from Polands National Science Centre, has yielded another interesting conclusion. The spacetime rainbow is a result of quantum gravity. Physicists generally share the view that effects of this type only become visible at gigantic energies near the Planck energy, millions of billions of times the energy of particles now being accelerated in the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). However, the beta function value depends on time, and at moments close to the Big Bang it could have been much higher. When beta is close to one, the spacetime rainbow expands considerably. As a result, under such conditions the rainbow effect of quantum gravity could potentially be observed even at energies of particles hundreds of times smaller than the energy of protons in todays LHC.

SOURCES  University of Warsaw, Arxiv, Physics Letters B
Never send a cop to do a man's job
LUCEDALE, Mississippi -- A documented member of the Latin Kings street gang used a hammer to beat to death a transgender teen who once considered him a boyfriend.

A George County grand jury indicted 28-year-old Joshua Vallum in the killing of 17-year-old Mercedes Williamson, of Theodore, Ala. Williamson's death made national news last year when Caitlyn Jenner remembered her during an acceptance speech for the Arthur Ashe award at the ESPY awards.

The Sun Herald reports Vallum was transferred Friday from the East Central Mississippi Correctional Facility to the Jackson County jail to undergo a mental evaluation. He was to return to the prison in Meridian once the examination was completed.

Vallum has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder in the case. The grand jury indicted him on the lessor charge of murder, which carries a maximum penalty of up to life in prison.

His trial is set for Feb. 1.

Vallum's attorney, David Futch, declined to comment.

According to the indictment, Williamson died sometime between May 30, 2015 and June 2, 2015.

District Attorney Tony Lawrence would not say Friday whether the case was still being looked at as a possible hate crime.

"This investigation is still ongoing and I cannot comment on what additional charges, if any, will arise out of that," Lawrence said.

Under state law, a hate crime is defined as a criminal offense against someone based on one's "race, color, religion, ethnicity, ancestry, national origin or gender." Federal law defines a hate crime as a crime committed against someone or someone's property due to one's bias against "race, religion, disability, ethnic orientation or sexual orientation."

The Department of Justice has been involved in the investigation, with the George County Sheriff's Department heading up the probe.

Sheriff's Capt. Ben Brown said last year that Vallum and Williamson had known one another for nine to 11 months. Brown also said he had been told Vallum knew Williamson was a transgender woman, but he said that remained under investigation.

George County launched an investigation after Vallum's father called to say his son had told him he had killed someone. Deputies found Williamson's partially-decomposed body on June 1 in the rural Rocky Creek community.

Williamson was among 21 transgender women killed in the United States last year compared 12 in 2014, according to the National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs.
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" ... 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
The familiar emergency alert system, the one where we in the U.S. occasionally hear a radio or television broadcast interruption that...
It took a bit of fighting. But with its properties and air rights, the Upper East Side's Park Avenue Christian Church has enabled a new neighbora residential apartment buildingand in so doing has secured the funds (some $25 million) to keep afloat, thanks to Gary Barnett's Extell Development Company and Tuesday's go-ahead vote by the Landmarks Preservation Commission. The approved structure for 1010 Park Avenue, adjacent to the church at the corner of 85th Street, will be 16 stories tall and rise 210 feet. In addition to its residential floors, it will have space for church functions, as it will take over space currently occupied by the church annex.

The Park Avenue Christian Church (then known as the South Church or South Reformed Dutch Church) was designed by Bertram Goodhue of Cram, Goodhue & Ferguson and completed at the southwest corner of Park Avenue and East 85th Street, along with a rectory and parish hall to the south along the avenue, in 1911. In 1963, the rectory and parish hall were heavily modified and in-filled, leaving only a small portion of the original rectory facade in place.

It was that facade that was a major point of contention when the proposal was heard over the course of a two-part LPC hearing in October and December. The commissioners and many members of the community wanted it retained. Architect John Beyer of the preservation-savvy firm Beyer Blinder Belle said they did extensive work attempting to find a way to keep it. In the end, they came up with a way to "interpret" it for three stories of the facade of the new building, which will re-use the current facade's stone. If more stone is needed, Beyer said several quarries can supply the required material. It will even re-use the entryway.

Also added is a 21-foot recess of the north side of the building (see visual, below right). This will allow a better view of the church from the south on Park Avenue, another concern last time. This will also allow more natural light into the church. There is also a terrace on the rear of the building, which will allow more light into that part of the church.

Another issue last time was the new ADA-compliant entrance on the north side of the church. The proposal was to carve a new doorway that would lead to a lift. Commissioner Michael Goldblum preferred the idea of a ramp, which would not irrevocably change the church. This was actually rendered as an option last time, but this time they went with the new door. In the end, it was decided that the applicant would work with the LPC staff to construct a ramp so as not to cut into the building.

An additional concern was the height of the two set-back penthouse floors, totaling about 33 feet. Commissioner Christopher Moore suggested reducing the floor heights to 14 feet. It was decided that the applicant would work with LPC staff to see if a height reduction can be agreed upon. Of course, it's in Extell's interest to make those ceilings as high as possible, thereby making them more valuable to (and expensive for) prospective buyers.

While the commissioners approved the proposal with neat unanimity (6-1), they did have some reservations. Commissioner Roberta Washington still wanted the fragment of the old annex saved, but if you accept that that isn't possible, this proposal is a "runner-up" and was the sole vote against it. Goldblum said the "recess is an improvement," but still called his yes vote a "reluctant one." Chair Meenakshi Srinivasan said the "very unique site" presented an "intriguing challenge," but that this design works. Commissioner Diana Chapin called the proposal "creative" and "successful." Commissioner Adi Shamir-Baron called it "thorough," and said "exceptional" effort was expended to produce it. Commissioner John Gustafsson said the revised design shows off "enough" of the church's dimensionality.

Srinivasan said that a number of elected officialsshe didn't specify which onesasked that the period for public input be extended. What that means: The first time someone applies for what is called a "certificate of appropriateness," a "public hearing" is held. The applicant presents his or her proposal, public testimony is given, and the commissioners discuss. If no action is taken (say, the proposal is not approved), the applicant can come back with revisions based on the comments from the commissioners and the public. That second session is called a "public meeting," but public testimony is not allowed. The reasoning is that the comments of the public have already been heard in the first session, and the commissioners have taken them into account. If the revision is drasticas in, so drastic that it goes back before the community board again, which happens before that first public hearing then a new public hearing might be held. In this case, Srinivasan said the revisions weren't dramatic enough to consider the proposal entirely new. So the request for another public hearing was denied.



Evan Bindelglass is a local freelance journalist, photographer, cinephile, and foodie. You can e-mail him, follow him on Twitter @evabin, or check out his personal blog.

 Extell's 16-Story Park Ave. Buiding Fails To Impress Landmarks [Curbed]

 Extell to Pay Park Ave. Church $25M to Build Contested Tower [Curbed]

 Opponents Lambast Plan To Replace Parts of Park Ave. Church [Curbed]

 All 1010 Park Avenue coverage [Curbed]

 All Landmarks Preservation coverage [Curbed]
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From the presidents State of the Union address on Tuesday to an upcoming Kent County Board of Commissioners meeting in Grand Rapids, Mich., early education is once again on the lips of legislators and policymakers in 2016.

Last year, there was far more talk about expanding early-childhood education than action toward it . The talk has started again.

President Barack Obama has made a habit, since 2013, of making preschool a part of the education policy section of this annual State of the Union address. His final such address, on Tuesday, was no exception, though early childhood was more of a passing mention than a focal point. Heres what the president said (emphasis mine):

Together, weve increased early-childhood education, lifted high school graduation rates to new highs, and boosted graduates in fields like engineering. In the coming years, we should build on that progress, by providing pre-K for all, offering every student the hands-on computer science and math classes that make them job-ready on day one, and we should recruit and support more great teachers for our kids.

For a full dissection of his education policy discussion, read Alyson Kleins detailed story .

But Obama isnt the only politician with preschool on his mind. Iowas House Minority Leader, Mark Smith, a Democrat, pledged on Monday to work harder to expand early education in that state. He said hed push for that despite an education budget he sees as inadequate, according to The DesMoines Register . (Gov. Terry Bransted of Iowa, a Republican, has actually proposed a 2 percent increase to the education budget.)

Also on Monday, Democratic New Mexico lawmaker Rep. Javier Martinez came out with a strongly worded opinion piece in The Albuquerque Journal in response to an earlier editorial there positing that proponents of using land grant funds to expand early-childhood education in the state were unprepared to actually launch an expansion.

In short, we recommend significant expansion of home-visitation programs throughout New Mexico, Martinez writes. We recommend expansion of quality child care and prekindergarten services for all children. Furthermore, through increased funding, we can grow and improve the quality of early-education centers, and provide higher pay for early-education professionals.

The debate about whether or not to use land grant money to expand preschool in New Mexico has been going on for several years now.

In California, the new speaker of the state Assembly, Anthony Rendon, reiterated his commitment to early-childhood education. Rendon, a Democrat, told reporters early education was very important to me, according to The Sacramento Bee . Gov. Jerry Brown, also a Democrat, has generally been hesitant to increase funding for early-childhood education. That trend continued with his 2016 proposed budget, according to EdSource Today .

Meanwhile, Idaho Gov. Butch Otter, a Republican, made early reading a key part of his State of the State address on Monday, according to The Idaho Statesman . Nebraska state Sen. Heath Mello, a Democrat, introduced a bill on Monday that would use a series of state tax credits to expand early education, according to the AP . And an advocacy group in Kent County, Mich., is set to renew its request to the Board of Commissioners for a new property tax to fund expanded early education, according to M Live .

Some states, like New Mexico, have had ongoing debates that show little sign of reaching resolution any time soon. Other states, like California, have had strong legislative movements towards change vetoed by strong governors. And there are other variations: Montanas governor has pushed for expansion, while the state legislature has taken no action on the matter.

Whatever the circumstances, the pace of public preschools and other early-ed services has been incredibly slow. Well see if 2016 is any different.
Oh, Canada  Photo: Thomas Peter/Reuters/Corbis

Can someone check on Canada, please? Judging from the crime stories coming from our northern neighbor this week, things are getting weird 

Drug Mushers

Early on Wednesday, a Quebec man vacuum-sealed almost 200 pounds of Xanax, packed them into a white camouflaged duffel bag, threw them onto his sled, and headed for Vermont. He made it all the way to North Troy, Vermont, before getting apprehended by U.S. border protection. Authorities said they found 300 individually sealed bags of the anti-anxiety medication.

Multiply by 3,000 Your Pleasure, Multiply by 3,000 Your Fun

Police in Markham, Ontario, released surveillance footage on Friday of a man stuffing garbage bags full of chewing gum from a local convenient store. The man calmly walked out with two bags full of sticky, sugary chewables and loaded them into a taxi waiting outside. Police estimate that he made off with more than $1,500 dollars in chewing gum (the equivalent of 3,000 packs of Juicy Fruit).

Oceans Eleven

Sometime between Tuesday and Wednesday, 48,000 pounds of lobster was stolen in Nova Scotia. Police say 48 crates, each holding 100 pounds of lobster, went missing from an outdoor pond at a business in Cape Sable Island, Nova Scotia. This isnt even the first major shellfish heist in the past month: Back in December, 14,000 pounds of lobster was lifted from Morris Island Wharf.

Surefire Ways Not to Win the Powerball

A Canadian woman was apprehended at the U.S. border, just north of Niagara Falls, on Friday when police dogs sniffed out 50 pounds of pot stuffed inside of her foosball table. U.S. border patrol said the weed she was smuggling was worth about $60,000. She told officials she was headed into New York State to buy Powerball tickets.
Special forces members conducting a search near the hotel. Photo: Ahmed Ouoba/AFP/Getty Images

At least 28 people are dead after Al Qaedalinked militants attacked a luxury hotel overnight Friday in the West African country of Burkina Faso. Four jihadists were subsequently killed when French and Burkina Faso forces ended the siege Saturday morning, freeing more than 126 people, according to the Associated Press. The location of the attack was the 147-room Splendid Hotel in the capital city of Ouagadougou, and two of the attackers have been identified as female, according to Burkina Fasos president, Roch Marc Christian Kabore. At least 56 people were wounded in the siege, which also targeted a neighboring cafe.

The attack was claimed by the same group, Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, who stormed a luxury hotel in neighboring Mali last November, killing 20. The Splendid Hotel attack is the first of its kind in Burkina Faso, and marks an escalation in regional violence linked to Islamic extremists that has already swept through Mali and Niger. AQIM, which, according to the New York Times, was joined by an allied militant group in the attack, claimed the siege was revenge against France and the disbelieving West, according to a statement analyzed by jihadist propaganda experts at the SITE Intelligence Group. France maintains a small military outpost in the country, as has been heavily involved in the fight against extremists in Mali. It immediately sent soldiers to assist Burkina Faso forces in ending the siege in Ouagadougou, aided by at least one American military member. The U.S. maintains a drone base in the country.

Burkina Faso has experienced political turmoil following the removal of the countrys former dictator via a public uprising in 2014, but jihadist violence only started in the mostly Muslim country last year, and until Friday had comprised only kidnappings and minor attacks along the countrys border with Mali. In addition to the hotel attack Friday night, two Austrian relief workers were reportedly kidnapped in northern Burkina Faso on Saturday as well, though its not yet know if the events are linked. The hotel attack in Ouagadougou included at least two car bombs, according to the Times, which also marks a tactical escalation for militants in the country. A previous planned attack was broken up by Burkina Faso security forces in November.

The hotel siege is the fifth recent attack on civilian soft targets by jihadist militants in cities around the world, following deadly assaults in Jakarta, Istanbul, Egypt, and Iraq.
Rezaian, right, spent 18 months in Irans infamous Evin Prison. Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Iranian authorities announced on Saturday that they released four Iranian-Americans as part of a prisoner exchange with the U.S., including Washington Post reporter Jason Rezaian. Marine veteran Amir Hekmati, Christian pastor Saeed Abedini, and a man named Nosratollah Khosavi-Roodsari were also released, and all but the latter have now flown to Europe on their way back to the U.S. The prisoners the U.S. exchanged as part of the deal had been charged with violating sanctions against Iran. [O]ur detained U.S. citizens have been released and that those who wished to depart Iran have left, confirmed a senior White House official on Sunday. We have no further information to share at this time and would ask that everyone respect the privacy of these individuals and their families. From that statement, it seems that the fourth prisoner, Khosavi-Roodsari, remained in Iran by choice. A fifth American was also released by Iran in a separate move, and has also left the country. In related news, as soon as the plane carrying the American prisoners had left Iran, the White House announced a small set of new sanctions on Iran over the countrys recent ballistic missile tests.

The Guardian reports that a U.S. official said of the deal that We offered clemency to seven Iranians, six of whom are dual US-Iranian citizens, who had been convicted or are pending trial in the United States. The United States also removed any Interpol red notices and dismissed any charges against 14 Iranians for whom it was assessed that extradition requests were unlikely to be successful.

The 39-year-old Rezaian, a dual American and Iranian citizen, was the Posts widely respected bureau chief in Tehran before being arrested in July 2014 on charges of espionage, though Iran never produced any credible evidence that the charges had any merit, and the Post has repeatedly dismissed Irans claims and called his prosecution a sham. (Rezaians dual citizenship never mattered because Iran does not recognize the dual nationalities of its citizens.) He was convicted in November after a closed trial, and in all served 18 months in Irans notorious Evin Prison. No other Westen journalist has ever been imprisoned in Iran for as long as he was. Rezaians Iranian wife, Yeganeh Salehi, who was arrested with Jason but later released, had her travel ban lifted and joined her husband on the plane out of Iran, as did Rezaians mother, seen in the photo above.

Said Washington Post publisher Frederick J. Ryan Jr. in a statement, We are enormously grateful to all who played a role in securing his release. Our deep appreciation also goes to the many government leaders, journalists, human rights advocates and others around the world who have spoken out on Jasons behalf and against the harsh confinement that was so wrongly imposed upon him.

Hekmati, a 32-year-old Marine veteran, was arrested in 2011 after returning to Iran to visit his grandmother. Pastor Abedini, 35, was arrested in 2012 on charges he was undermining Irans national security by establishing a house-church movement in the country. Next to no information is yet known about Khosavi-Roodsari, whose incarceration had not been previously publicized, but Iranian media has said he is some kind of businessman, and it seems that he has remained in Iran by choice. The fifth American released was a 30-year-old language student named Matt Trevithick who had been held for 40 days in Evin Prison.

According to the Post, the U.S. officials say went with an exchange because Iran was looking for a goodwill gesture to go along with the release of the Americans. Iran submitted a list of candidates for release and the U.S. then whittled down that list to exclude those who committed violent or terrorism-related crimes. Deal negotiations took months, according to the Associated Press, and a major sticking point was that the U.S. kept rejecting the candidates Iran put forward. Eventually, Obama made the final call on who was to be exchanged, and those individuals were only ones who had violated the nuclear sanctions (which were about to be nullified anyway). One U.S. official told the Post that it was a one-time deal and that he didnt think it would encourage the Iranians to expect additional similar deals in the future, a concern that Republicans brought up about the exchange on Saturday. The other lines of attack from Republican presidential candidates on the deal were that it took too long and that the U.S. gave too much, or shouldnt have had to give anything at all.

This should have been done three, four years ago, when the [nuclear] deal was struck. Before the deal was made  they should have said, We want our prisoners back,  declared GOP front-runner Donald Trump, who called the lateness of the deal a a total disgrace.

Two Americans were not included in the exchange. One, businessman Siamak Namazi, was reportedly arrested in October, and U.S. officials indicated on Saturday that were still hopeful they would be able to obtain his release as well. The other is former DEA and FBI agent Robert Levinson, who disappeared while traveling to Iran eight years ago. His whereabouts, or if he is even still alive, remains unknown. Speaking about the prisoner exchange on Sunday, President Obama said that Iran has agreed to deepen coordination towards locating Levinson, and insisted that we will not rest until he is reunited with his family.

The New York Times reports that the deal was announced to coincide with the lifting of nuclear sanctions against Iran. Many had criticized the nuclear peace agreement with Iran, which was reached with the U.S and other world powers in July, for not including the release of Iranian Americans held by the regime. On Saturday, the U.N. Nuclear Agency certified that Iran had met its commitments under the agreement, and the U.S. and E.U. confirmed that they would be lifting sanctions as stipulated in the deal. However, once the plane carrying the three American prisoners left Iran, the U.S. announced that it was imposing new sanctions, on 11 Iranian individuals and companies, over recent ballistic missile tests by Iran. Those sanctions are allowed under a preexisting sanctions regime that was unaffected by the nuclear agreement.

This post has been updated throughout to include new developments in the story.
Trump in Cedar Falls. Photo: Mark Kauzlarich/Reuters/Corbis

IOWA, January 12  Did anyone say anything to you, while you were here?

I was with a small circle of people, but it was clear the young woman in the University of Northern Iowa track jacket was talking only to me. And based on her complexion, a similar brownish hue to my own, I understood what she was getting at. We were at UNIs wrestling gym in Cedar Falls, where a Donald Trump rally had just wrapped up. The way she asked it, with a hint of concern in her voice, suggested there was another layer under that question. No one had, I said, but then I told her about the stares Id felt that evening, and all day. Those glares had become commonplace since I landed in Iowa three days prior, and they were only magnified today. Still focused my way, she continued:

So a person came up to me and said, Arent you the wrong color to be here?

-

Iowa is only 3.4 percent black, but the previous evening, I had found a setting in Des Moines that felt like Harlem. I was there to help moderate a presidential candidate event (the GOP contenders declined, leaving only the three Democratic candidates) titled the Brown & Black Forum for Fusion. An event with that title in Iowa feels like an oxymoron, but its not only real, its been a staple in presidential campaigns since 1984. It was started by Wayne Ford, a black man, and his wife, Mary Campos, a Hispanic woman, who live in Des Moines.

Before the forum, Wayne made it clear he was putting the future of his event in the hands of what he considered to be a younger, inexperienced group of moderators. I wanted Tavis Smiley, Wayne said, looking me square in the eyes, as we sat in a conference room at Drake University. I nodded my head, smiling, as if to say, Of course you did. Waynes friend Ronald laughed, and said, If Tavis is too old, we really must be old, causing Wayne to shake his head, and everyone else in the room to laugh.

Between that meeting, the mixed crowd at the forum, the students assembled on the stage, and my fellow moderators, I was forced to adjust some of my preconceived notions about the state. With that said, it still felt like the black and brownest thing to ever happen in Iowa  that is, until later that night.

Miami! Detroit! Chicago! New York! We made history!

The speaker was Wayne, but things had changed. Instead of nervously passing a baton to a group of strangers, he was all smiles, behind a DJ booth, celebrating. Wayne Ford was no more: This was DJ Nighthawk, smiling and talking and hugging anyone in his vicinity as if hed just won Olympic gold, playing old-school R&B like it was his 40th high-school reunion party. Wayne was in the clouds. Hours earlier, he was sizing me up. But now he was my fun black uncle, making me promise to let him know if I ever needed anything.

I couldnt have been happier for him. Hed been a black man in Iowa for a long time. And hed repeatedly said that most of the things we were struggling with in 2016 were the same as when they did their first forum in 1984. Who knew if any change would come from those two hours with the three Democratic candidates, but for one night Wayne felt like this underappreciated thing he and his wife began was relevant, and would live on.

-

The venue of the lightly attended Jeb Bush rally in Grinnell that I visited on Tuesday afternoon was a bit intimidating  Brownells, the worlds largest gun-parts manufacturer, is headquartered nearby  but the mood was cordial. With the exception of a woman taking pictures, I was the only black person in the room. My existence garnered some looks. They werent rude double-takes, more confused. When you find yourself in this familiar setting of the all-white, non-hostile room  a fly in the buttermilk  theres an uncomfortable feeling of being constantly watched, while understanding that mostly, the looks simply mean I havent seen a black person in real life in a long time.

Watching Jeb in action, you cant help but feel sympathetic. Hes like a character from a Greek tragedy: the child too bland to live up to the family name and too smart to live down to the family name. I was promised a rally, but there was neither pomp nor circumstance. Jeb is surprisingly professorial: The 45 minutes he had the floor felt like a lecture, with an audience of potential supporters who only showed signs of life when a key word left his mouth  guns, abortion, guns, Obama, guns, guns. He felt too capable to be dumbing himself down, but it was clear all he wanted was to be predictable enough to gain the approval of those in attendance.

As the crowd made their exit, most had a brief encounter with a staffer, asking if they wanted to sign up to support the campaign. Some obliged, but most performed the societally acceptable mannerisms that said thanks but no thanks. And then, just like that, it was over, almost as if it never happened.

-

The evenings Trump rally was different.

Even before I made it inside, my anxiety was overwhelming. To my left, there was a line to walk in, and to my right, a group of students in the freezing cold protesting Trump. At Jebs event, we just walked into a warehouse, signed some sheets if we wanted, and walked toward Jeb. At Trumps rally, we went through metal detectors, and there were police officers spread throughout. After presenting a ticket, and avoiding the registration table by way of faking a phone call, I made my way into the main room.

There was nowhere to hide. Ninety minutes before the scheduled start time, there were already about 100 people standing on the floor level. The rest of the crowd filed into the bleachers that wrapped around three sides of the gym. There was a designated press area on the floor, but I was without credentials.

I had no proof that my anxiety was justified. After all, why wouldnt this crowd, who skewed toward grandparent age, go to see a presidential candidate when he rolls through town? But my initial group of five had whittled down to two, and every time I looked up in the rafters, I found someone whose eyes were locked in on me, causing me to look away. When that happened, Id occupy myself with my phone or converse with my lone companion, partially to chat, primarily to be seen talking to someone white.

I couldnt believe it: I was actively attempting to give off Im here with white people vibes in order to erase some of the frowns I felt, the whispers I was sure were about me. Eventually, we located the rest of our group  they were up top. And not just off to the side, in the middle of a packed section.

The startling difference from the Jeb rally was the sheer number of people present for Trump: Easily over 1,000 in the rafters alone, with a growing crowd down below. Weaving my way through a section of bleachers, I alternated between smiling and looking down at my feet. That safety I felt at Jebs rally was no longer present: I was just a black guy at a Trump rally, and I knew people wanted to know what I was doing there  my intentions. Rock classics blared from the speakers  from Led Zeppelins Communication Breakdown to the Rolling Stones Shes a Rainbow to Elton Johns Rocket Man. I knew all these songs and mouthed the words to most in the hope that this demonstration of traditionally white knowledge might make me temporarily colorless. The attempt was futile, however, and I just went back to opening and closing apps on my phone.

I wanted to disappear, but I couldnt. While I acknowledged that this all could have been in my head, I needed Trump to finally hit the stage. Then, just minutes before his entrance, an omnipotent voice came through the speakers:

If a protester starts demonstrating in the area around you, please do not touch or harm the protester. Laughter erupted in my section and throughout the venue.

I did a hard scan of the room from my balcony seat: Row by row, section by section. I couldnt find one black or brown person. I took a picture and put it on Instagram, with the caption when I find a second black person, I will hug them tight and never let go.

-

An hour after watching Trump hit the stage to the tune of Eye of the Tiger, here she was. I didnt know her specific background, but she kept pointing to her brown skin whenever she mentioned what was said to her. I asked if it was a fellow student who questioned why she was there and she replied that it was an old person. She mentioned that many of the students were present because teachers were giving extra credit for attendance. But it was clear that wasnt the sole reason for her presence. We moved to Iowa from Seattle when I was 11, she said. Her family farmed, she worked on the farm, she worked with tractors  she was as Iowan as anyone in that room. And because of that, she felt she had an investment in what someone running for president had to say about her state, and perhaps her familys livelihood.

Truthfully, I wanted to go find the old bully that said this to her. Why couldnt someone have said that to me instead? As she was telling the story, she was fidgety. As we often do in times like this, she confronted mild trauma with humor, laughing off aspects of the encounter. Her response to the question was, If by that do you mean do I look like the wrong color to support Donald Trump, then yes, followed by a sarcastically half-bowed why, thank you.

After listing all the ways she was from Iowa  including aspects of farming that Id never even heard of  she paused and then said, but apparently Im not authentic.

Her story was the unfortunate  and predictable  coda to an evening spent listening to Trump easily instill (and reinforce) fear and distrust in thousands of people, not only about the direction of the country, but also about people who are different. He proudly gave a scriptless, teleprompter-free speech  on the grounds of Im not like these other politicians  that consisted of sermonlike rambles punctuated by discriminatory preaches to the choir, many of which entailed getting the demographics of this country back to where they once were. Repeatedly, hed hold press clippings in the air with the fervor of a minister controlling his congregation. Trumps views for the future of America didnt require detailed explanations, fact-checking, or empirical research to send the room into a frenzy. He simply presented options that allowed his followers to most comfortably suspend disbelief. Two days later, at the Republican debate in South Carolina, the GOP looked more like the party of Trump than ever.

Driving back to Des Moines, with President Obamas State of the Union on the radio, I thought about the last 48 hours spent traversing Iowa, which felt like a microcosm of America. Id been in the same room as some of Iowas most liberal and conservative citizens and listened to five presidential hopefuls  three Democrats and two Republicans  feed the people of Iowa the full spectrum of politics, from truth and hope to empty promises and fear. Id listened to Sanders speak unfavorably of Clinton, Clinton make fun of Trump, Jeb speak ill on the entire Democratic party. But what I saw, and heard, and felt during two hours with Trump was a different beast: as real, as frightening, and as authentically American as it gets.
Interesting thing to steal. Photo: Spiderstock/Getty Images

If, today, on this mid-January Friday, you were looking for a fun mystery, then a fun mystery you shall get. A man was seen stealing 180 Essie nail polishes from a Duane Reade in mid-Manhattan last week, an exciting sequel to a theft of the same kind nearly a year earlier. (Though, in the original crime, the thieves were able to make off with 400 bottles of nail polish. Brag.) But what would this thief actually do with approximately $1,632 in Essie nail polish? Some thoughts:

 He is going to pour them into the East River to make a pretty rainbow.

 Hes going to open his own nail salon called Thick As Thieves Nail Salon.

 Hes throwing a big party and wants to give out fun party favors.

 He is a thief who has 180 fingers and wants a different nail color for each fingernail.

 Hes gonna sell them to a tween girl.

As for the Duane Reade from whence the nail polish was stolen, it may never be the same. The whole Essie section was taken, an employee told DNAinfo. Were restoring it slowly.
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This is the blog of David J. Olson, a global development consultant with 20+ years experience on five continents, and covers global development, related policy and communications and non-profit use of social media. I welcome comments, quips and musings.
One of the major sources used at this blog is the nine-volume

by John, Canon O'Hanlon (1821-1905). It is a work in the public domain and available through the Internet Archive . A post on the life and work of the 'Irish Bollandist' can be read here




Texas Republican conservative and presidential candidate Ted "Cruz to loose" might be a study in "polictical multiple personality disorder".





For example, personality number one:

Cruz was a Canadian, but now he's not. As a leader in the completely unfounded anti-President Obama "birtherism" movement, Cruz claimed the president's Hawaiian "certificate of live birth" wasn't valid. If there were any proof of "birther" fraud, the ressult would've been to disqualify President Obama's election. Now, Cruz is defending his own qualifications for the presidency based on similar citizenship criteria. In fact, a Texas lawyer is now filing suit against "Cruz to loose" based on his claim of being a natural born citizen when, perhaps, he's really a Canadian, by birth

A veteran attorney in Ted Cruz's hometown of Houston has filed a federal lawsuit challenging the Canadian-born senator's eligibility to be president. In a 28-page complaint Thursday, Newton Schwartz asked the Supreme Court to decide if Cruz's birth to an American mother and Cuban father while they lived in Calgary violates the Constitution's "natural born citizen" requirement.





Obviously proof of being born in Canada might disqualify Cruz as a presidential candidate, because his birth was registered in a foriegn nation. President Obama's "birther" issue was never justified, because he was born in the USA. Of course this is a Constitutional issue, yet to be determined. Stay tuned.





It's impossible to undersgtand how Cruz can continue to run for president, when he could be unqualified to be elected. Nevertheless, conservative voters, who should be embarrassed by the Cruz multiple "birther" personality, seem immune to their candidate's "birther" hypocrisy.





Personality number two: "New Yorker-ism"

As "Cruz to loose" struggles to gain momentum against the Trumponian "Donald Trump the Chump", his chief Republcian rival, he took on the personality of anti- New Yorkerism. In a previous personality, "Cruz to loose" was proud of his high class Princeton and Harvard alumni status, branded with East Coast pedigree credentials. But, now he's not. In an egotistical "shape shifting" political move, "Cruz to loose" is now critical of his East Coast rival just because the "New York City" billionaire business magnate has "Manhattan values" - whatever that means.



The New York Daily News tells Cruz to "drop dead".





During Thursday night's debate, Trump delivered a withering rebuke to Cruz's attack, praising New York City's resilience after 9/11. "Though Trump and Cruz have been jabbing each other on several issues for days, the Texas senator launched the first volley on this line of attack when he criticized Donald Trump for embodying 'New York values', in an interview on a New Hampshire radio show." Cruz even repeated the attack throughout the week on Fox News and on the stage of the 6th Republican presidential debate Thursday night, hosted by the Fox Business Network.During Thursday night's debate, Trump delivered a withering rebuke to Cruz's attack, praising New York City's resilience after 9/11.



At this point, the "real Donald Trump" showed up at the debate.





"We rebuilt downtown Manhattan and everybody in the world watched and everybody in the world loved New York and loved New Yorkers," he continued. "And I have to tell you, that was a very insulting statement that Ted made."



Cruz defended his comments at the debate saying that the American people understood what he meant.



"I think most people know exactly what New York values are: socially liberal, pro-gay marriage, pro-abortion, focused on money (??) and the media," he said. (Meanwhile, Cruz borrowed lots of money from Goldman Sachs! This "Cruz to loose" hypocrisy is a capital "$hape $hifting" because "I saw something that no place on earth could have handled more beautifully, more humanely than New York," Trump said. "The people of New York fought and fought and fought. We saw more death and even the smell of death and it was with us for months.""We rebuilt downtown Manhattan and everybody in the world watched and everybody in the world loved New York and loved New Yorkers," he continued. "And I have to tell you, that was a very insulting statement that Ted made."Cruz defended his comments at the debate saying that the American people understood what he meant."I think most people know exactly what New York values are: socially liberal, pro-gay marriage, pro-abortion,and the media," he said. (Meanwhile, Cruz borrowed lots of money from Goldman Sachs! This "Cruz to loose" hypocrisy is a capital "$hape $hifting" because Goldman Sachs is is paying a $5 billion (with a "B") dollar fine to settle financial crises claims. So, in his anti-New Yorker-ism personality, Cruz was an anti-money candidate, but then he really wasn't.)





Apparently, Republican right wing conservatives are more concerned with protecting extremism than they care about "birtherism" or "anti-New Yorkerism".





Rather, right-wingers support "Cruz-ism" because they're willing to do whatever it takes to elect an intolerant politician who opposes immigration reform, income re-distribtution aka "taxes", health care as a right for all people or anything of a progressive nature, Cruzism is a terrible political personality disorder because "Cruz to loose" is the face of intolerance. At his conservative core, "Cruz to loose" is a hypocrit first and his shape shifting is evidence of a political persoanlity disorder.





Labels: Donald Trump, Goldman Sachs, multiple personality disorder, shape shifting
Rep. Mike Nearman

(Salem, OR)  Rep. Mike Nearman announced his bills for the 2016 Legislative Session; noting that preserving current education reform, and pioneering new reforms to help improve education are critical. Legislators are allowed two priority bills in the upcoming February legislative session.

Rep. Nearmans first bill lifts two sunsets on major bipartisan education reforms that were passed in previous sessions. In 2011, a bipartisan coalition decided that it was bad policy to trap children in failing schools. That year the legislature decided to make progress a priority in education with common sense reform legislation. Protecting progress in education in crucially important for students, teachers, and parents. Weve made progress in helping kids get a better education. We shouldnt revert back to outdated education law by allowing these laws to sunset and set back progress.

Rep. Nearmans second bill creates the opportunity for more progress to be made in education reform. The bill creates additional extra-salary incentives for teachers that local schools reward for their effectiveness, as well as for teaching at high demand, underperforming schools. This is a wonderful solution with local controls, which allows teachers to be rewarded for doing the difficult, but rewarding work of teaching kids. I wanted a solution controlled by local schools, and school boards instead of centering power in Salem. Everyone knows that local schools and school boards know their teachers better than we do. Its important for them to be able to reward their best teachers.

Representative Mike Nearman is in his first term as a member of the Oregon House of Representatives. In the 2015 Legislative Session he served on Consumer Protection & Government Effectiveness, Higher Education, Innovation & Workforce Development as well as the Ways & Means Subcommittees on Public Safety and Transportation & Economic Development and Information Technology. He represents House District 23 which covers four counties and the cities of Adair Village, Amity, Dallas, Dayton, Jefferson, Monroe, and Willamina.
Schools should work to assess and meet the health needs of their students, and they should collaborate with healthcare providers to strengthen their efforts, says a letter sent today by the U.S. Departments of Education and Health and Human Services.

We know that healthy students are better learners who are more likely to thrive in school and in life, says the letter, which was sent to governors, chief state school officers, state health officials and state Medicaid directors. In communities across the country, educators, health care providers, and families are working each day to help children grow into healthy and well-educated adults. They cannot do this alone. This work depends on strong and sustainable partnerships and commitments between health and education agencies at the local, state, and federal levels.

The letter is accompanied by a toolkit that details five practical ways schools can meet student health challenges through cooperative and innovative efforts . It follows years of efforts by groups like the Healthy Schools Campaign to provide more clarity about the legal and logistical issues surrounding such efforts.

Unmet health needs have real effects in the classroom, says the letter, signed by Acting Education Secretary John King and Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Burwell.

Research strongly suggests that when young people receive necessary and preventive health care and have health insurance, their academic, health, and other important life outcomes improve, the letter says. For example, one recent study found that children who gained access to Medicaid as a result of expanded coverage miss fewer school days due to illness or injury and are more likely to do better in school, finish high school, graduate from college and earn more as adults.

Here are the five recommendations detailed in the guidance.

1. Schools should assist students and their families with enrolling in public or private insurance.

The toolkit suggests school districts could modify their school enrollment forms to help identify families who may be eligible for Medicaid, state childrens health insurance programs, or enrollment in health insurance marketplaces created under the Affordable Care Act. When the Mountain View School District in El Monte, Calif., made such a change and followed up to assist families in securing coverage, the number of insured students climbed alongside attendance rates, the guide says.

2. Schools should expand the Medicaid reimbursable services they provide to students.

Last year, the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services said that the so-called free care rule does not apply to schools . Before the clarification, it was unclear to many schools whether they could seek Medicaid reimbursements for Medicaid-enrolled students if those services were provided for free to other students. Advocates for low-income students said the guidance frees up schools to provide more on-site services, like mental health services, primary care, and preventative services, to eligible students.

By claiming such reimbursements, Hanover County Public Schools in Virginia has been able to bolster its school health staff and purchase equipment to help meet special health needs of students, the guide says.

3. Schools should consider using Medicaid funds to support case management for wraparound services.

LEAs and schools can, in accordance with an approved state Medicaid plan and applicable federal privacy laws, use Medicaid funding to support district and school-based case managers, who can work to connect Medicaid-enrolled students in schools to necessary health care and related support services (e.g., housing, transportation), the toolkit says.

Wraparound and support services, often provided by community schools, help students who are low-income, chronically absent, homeless, or otherwise at risk of falling behind in school by connecting them with resources like food pantries, free mental health care, and counseling services.

4. Schools should support healthy eating, physical activity, and health education.

Schools should incorporate strong school wellness plans into their improvement strategies, the toolkit says. They should analyze how well their health curriculum aligns with national benchmarks and integrate opportunities for physical activity and healthy eating into the school day, it says.

5. Schools should partner with local hospitals to assess and meet community needs.

Under the Affordable Care Act, hospitals claiming 501(c)(3) charitable, tax-exempt status must conduct a community health needs assessment (CHNA) at least every three years (beginning in 2012/2013) and adopt strategies to address prioritized needs, the toolkit says. Hospital CHNAs can help launch productive partnerships between hospitals and schools because nonprofit hospitals are required to consult with community members and public health experts as part of the CHNA process. Schools and school districts can also partner with many other kinds of community based organizations to enrich the health services available to students.

The guide lists examples of successful partnerships that led to a large network that provides on-site care for students, a program to promote early literacy, and an effort to tackle attendance issues.
Oregon Right To Life

Portland, ORTomorrow (Sunday, January 17, 2016), in Pioneer Courthouse Square, thousands of Oregonians from around the state will be convening to commemorate the 58 million lives lost to legalized abortion since 1973.

The rally begins at 2:30pm. Following the rally, the attendees will march through downtown Portland, aided by police escort. This years featured speaker is Lila Rose, president of Live Action, a national pro-life group that has carried out many undercover investigations of Planned Parenthood.

Live Action exposed an employee of the now-closed Clackamas Planned Parenthood teaching BDSM to a girl who gave her age as 15. Additionally, David Daleidan of the Center for Medical Progress, who went undercover for two years in the fetal parts industry, got his start working for Ms. Rose at Live Action.

Following the rally and march through Portland, students will attend Oregon Right to Lifes second annual youth rally, where Ms. Rose will be speaking again.

Please click here for an event flyer or here to see the event on Facebook
Seth Allan for U.S. Congress

Sweet Cakes owners endorse Republican primary congressional candidate

CANBY, Ore.  Seth Allan this week announced the endorsement of Aaron and Melissa Klein for his campaign for U.S. Congress.

Aaron and Melissas religious beliefs kept them from baking a cake for a same-sex wedding. As a result, they were forced to pay a $135,000 penalty and have had to close down their business.

As personal liberties have come under scrutiny in Oregon and across the nation, we are grateful to Seth for his steadfast defense of religious liberty, the Kleins stated.

At one point, Aaron and Melissa were threatened with being forced to turn over their home and property in order to satisfy the ruling against them.

A six figure fine for not baking a cake is an exaggerated display of outrage for a personal religious choice, says Allan. My campaign will not hesitate to speak up for the Klein family and many others across the nation whose religious convictions are being trampled on.

Seth Allan is a Republican candidate for Oregons 5th congressional district. He is a native to Clackamas County and is a Qualified Mental Health Associate for Providence Health and Services. His political career includes grassroots marketing and campaign field directing. He is a graduate of the University of Oregon. For more information about Seth Allan visit www.sethallan.com.
J'ai quitte le Pouvoir parce que l'interet superieur du Burkina Faso passe au dessus de tout y compris de ma personne.

 Blaise Compaore (@PF_Compaore) October 31, 2014

Gunfire ramped up early on Saturday morning as gendarme and military forces fought to take back the building which had been blackened by a fire during the assault.

The security forces took control of the Splendid Hotel and were searching nearby hotels to be sure no other extremists were hiding. The search

continued even after security forces found and killed a fourth extremist at the Hotel Yibi, the president said.

Cars and motorbikes were burned, and overturned chairs and shards of glass lay scattered near the hotel. Onlookers were kept far away from the fighting that continued into daylight.

The harrowing attack was launched by the same extremists behind a similar siege at an upscale hotel in Bamako, Mali in November that left 20 dead.

Dozens of French forces arrived overnight from neighbouring Mali to aid in the rescue. One U.S. military member was embedded with French forces at the scene, and the United States was working to help provide France with surveillance and reconnaissance help, according to a U.S. senior defence official.



The attack showed al-Qaedas growing ability to strike far from its traditional field of operations in northern Mali where its been fighting government troops, French soldiers and United Nations peacekeepers, backed by U.S. intelligence officials and special forces. President Francois Hollande has sent soldiers and fighter planes to former French colonies in Africa to repel the Islamists, whose attacks intensified in the semi-arid Sahel region with arms looted from Libya following the collapse of Muammar Qaddafis government in 2011.



The latest attack came a day after al-Qaeda-linked militants in Somalia claimed to have killed 63 Kenyan soldiers in the southwest of the Horn of Africa country and two days after Islamic State said it carried out a gun-and-suicide bomb assault in central Jakarta, Indonesia.

As they did when they attacked the Radisson Blu in Mali, the militants said their latest raid was done in response to French intervention in the region that has led to the death of Muslims, according to a statement it sent to Mauritanias al-Akhbar newspaper on Friday. AQIM disavowed Islamic State last week, saying the groups caliphate in Syria is illegal and strays from the tenets of Islam.

We killed 30 of the crusaders, one of the attackers in Ouagadougou said in a recorded message sent to the newspaper. Al-Qaeda will fight against France until the last drop of blood.



The new government was appointed three days ago; the president took office two weeks ago. There was a wave of optimism and this attack has dealt a huge blow to that."



Back in September, we brought you  Meanwhile, In Burkina Faso: Images From A West African Military Coup .In it, we documented renewed turmoil in the landlocked country which is Africas fourth-largest gold producer.In October of 2014, President Blaise Compaore stepped down after nearly three decades as President. On Thursday, October 30 of that year, Compaore sought to pass legislation that would have paved the way for a new 5-year term. Here's how WSJ describes what happened next: "That ambition was thwarted by tens of thousands of his compatriots, who swarmed the streets of the capital Ouagadougou. They set fire to the parliament building where the vote had been scheduled to take place, among other government offices. They tore through hotels and shops seen as pro-regime. Up to 30 people were killed in rioting."Ultimately, Compaore abdicated.Eleven months later, the country was set to hold free elections, an event that would have marked a turning point for Burkina Faso's burgeoning democracy. Instead, General Gilbert Diendere (a former chief military adviser for Compaore) seized power in a military coup. The move coincided with a government committee's decision to disband the presidential guard, an elite group of Compaore loyalists.The locals were not happy.A week later, Diendere pulled a "just kidding" and returned power to interim president Michel Kafando whom the presidential elite had arrested during the coup."It was a mistake," Diendere said of the decision to seize power. "We knew the people were not in favour of it. That is why we have given up," he added.Two months later, Burkina Faso witnessed its first democratic power change in five-and-a-half decades when the country elected Roch Marc Christian Kabore president.Fast forward to Friday and it's still readily apparent that the security situation in Burkina Faso remains precarious.Nearly two dozen were killed in the assault and the three gunmen - members of AQIM or, Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb - initially took some 126 people hostage. The militants also conducted "operations" at the nearby Restaurant Cappuccino where ten bodies were found in the wake of the chaos.Here are some images from the scene where some folks set things on fire:Ultimately, security forces aided by French SpecOps stormed the Splendid, killed the three gunmen - described by Burkina Faso's security minister as "an Arab and three black Africans - and freed the hostages, 33 of which were injured. "Clashes ended after a period of sustained gunfire and explosions that appeared to focus on the Restaurant Cappuccino early on Saturday," a witness told Reuters . "The Splendid Hotel is popular with Westerners and French soldiers based in Burkina Faso."The operation was reportedly held up by a series of booby traps. "What's making our job more difficult is that they've rigged the access to the upper floors," a Burkinabe officer, said on Saturday. Here's an account from The Telegraph "French special forces helped Burkina Fasos army in the operation," Bloomberg adds , noting that "among the victims were people from 18 countries." The militant death toll is now up to four. "Four of the militants, including two women, are dead." You're reminded that Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb is led by a one-eyed former Algerian soldier named Mokhtar Belmokhtar.Here's Bloomberg again, with some context for Friday's attackThat of course suggests that France will continue to a be a top target for jihadists whether they swear allegiance to Ayman al Zawahiri or Bakr al-Baghdadi. Indeed, France might well become a kind of proving ground where al-Qaeda and ISIS battle for jihadist supremacy in a kind of perpetual terror one-upmanship.As for Burkina Faso, the attack came at a rather inauspicious time. Here's Cynthia Ohayon, Burkina Faso analyst for the Brussels-based International Crisis Group:We close with two eyewitness accounts.Via BBC Edward Bunker, an American health worker for an NGO, was staying at the hotel. He spent the night hunkered down in his room and was rescued in the early hours of Saturday morning:"At about 19:30 on Friday the fire alarm went off. I went out of the room and saw other guests milling about, and no one seemed to be really concerned. So I went back to my room to get ready to leave for the airport.I saw someone carrying a gun just outside the hotel and a burning car across the street. and that was my 'oh sh**' moment. I hid near the pool for about five minutes and figured I might just want to plan to spend the night down there.Some cooks and kitchen staff walked by, and I made some inquires as best as I could in French. They said I should go back to my room. That was probably the best piece of advice I got that night.I turned on the news to see what was happening.I ended up spending the night in my bathroom with my computer and - luckily - a good wifi connection. I was able to get in touch with family and friends and crucially also a security consultant from my organisation as well as the US embassy.It was amazing how quickly the night passed and I was thankful to have the internet for the whole time. In fact, it was a great distraction to catch up on emails and pretend it was a normal working day.
Austrian authorities are at a loss because Germany is now sending refugees back across the border without warning, German newspaper Deutsche Wirtschafts Nachrichten (DWN) reported.

Austrian authorities have started to discover tighter border controls recently introduced by Germany. About 200 migrants a day are sent back by Germany across the border, an Austrian police spokesman said.The migrants undergo a process of registration, but then are largely left to themselves."What else should we do? We have no legal or moral basis to detain them," an Austrian official said and added: "It would be only fair if Germany would say that it puts an end to its culture of welcome." Austria has been long supportive of the policy of open borders of German Chancellor Angela Merkel. After Denmark and Sweden have closed their borders, Austria remains the only country in the EU, which still follows Merkel's guidelines.However, as Germany increasingly has started to return migrants back, Austrian authorities have had difficulties to cope with the additional migrant inflow . In December alone Germany sent back 1564 refugees, according to the Austrian police."Germany rejects about 10 percent of 2,000 to 3,000 refugees entering the country daily," said the police spokesman. Among them are migrants who have no valid travel documents and those who want to apply for asylum in other countries, such as Sweden or Denmark.Source: http://sputniknews.com/europe/20160116/1033244967/austria-germany-culture-welcome.html
Bilawal Bhutto to lift ban on student unions in academic institutions

ISLAMABAD: Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari asked the PPP governments in Sindh and Azad Jammu & Kashmir on Friday to lift the decades-old ban on student unions in academic institutions.



According to PPP spokesman Farhatullah Babar, Mr Bilawal asked the two governments to make the required legislation and rules in this regard.



The PPP chairmans direction came during a meeting with a delegation of Peoples Students Federation (PSF) from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa which called on him at the Zardari House.



The PPP spokesman quoted Bilawal Bhutto as saying: The three-decade-old ban on student unions is part of the disastrous legacy of military dictator Zia that must be banished, the sooner the better.



Mr Bilawal said that lifting of ban would allow students to participate in healthy democratic activities and play their role in national politics in future.



He said he was happy that the Senate had recently taken up the issue. While it is commendable that the Senate is deliberating on it, I urge the PPP governments in Sindh and AJK to take appropriate measures urgently to lift the ban on student unions.



Mr Bilawal said that lifting of ban on student unions would promote democratic culture and an environment of discussion, debate and tolerance in the country. Those who argue that student unions would promote violence are betraying a mindset that distrusts the youth. Democratic traditions in the country will stand to gain if discussion and debate as part of the democratic culture is also promoted in the academic institutions.



Earlier, addressing various wings of the partys KP chapter, Bilawal Bhutto said the PPP was an ideological party. Its workers will have to dispel the fears that the PPP was deviating from its ideological moorings. Let me make it clear that the partys ideology will be a force to motivate and inspire party workers, students, peasants, labourers, teachers and the general public, he said.



Losing or wining an election does not matter as much as adherence to ideological principles does. It was our ideology that enabled us to fight the military dictatorship of Zia and Musharraf and a civilian dictatorship wanting to become Ameerul Momineen. We must struggle for our cause and for our principles and we will, he said.



At a press briefing later, senior PPP leader Qamar Zaman Kaira said that Bilawal Bhutto had completely taken over the command of the party and would start its reorganisation from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.



He said the chairman had decided to hold a series of party conventions, starting from Punjab.Bilawal Bhutto announced on Aug 12 last year that he would now lead the party.



According to a source, although Bilawal Bhutto is unhappy with some of the decisions of his father, PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari, he is still helpless in taking important decisions.



According to media reports, there is a strong demand within the party that PPPs Punjab president Mian Manzoor Watto must be replaced because he is held responsible for the partys poor performance in the province in the 2013 general elections.



However, there is a strong perception in the party that Bilawal Bhutto alone will not be able to take such a major decision and will act upon the advice of his father.



In a recent statement issued from London, Mr Zardari said that he would never consider Mr Watto an outsider or non-Jiyala because outsiders had presence in every political party.
Inian arrested Hindu Sena chief in connection with attack on PIA office

NEW DELHI: Police on Friday arrested Hindu Sena chief Vishnu Gupta in connection with Thursdays ransacking of a Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) office in New Delhi, Times of India reported.



Gupta, who heads Hindu Sena  a group of Hindu extremists  claimed responsibility for the vandalism at PIAs office and vented anger at Pakistan, holding it responsible for the siege at the Pathankot air base as well as at the attack on the Indian consulate in the Afghan city of Mazar-i-Sharif recently. Gupta has been arrested under Sections 120B (being party to a criminal conspiracy), 147 (rioting), 149 (being the member of unlawful assembly guilty of offence committed in prosecution of common object), 427 (mischief causing damage to property) and 452 (house-trespass after preparation for hurt, assault or wrongful restraint) of IPC, the police was quoted as saying.



The police are still looking for the other Hindu Sena members who were involved in the vandalism, DCP (New Delhi) Jatin Narwal said. Through this act, the members of our Delhi unit have expressed their anger and sent a message to Pakistan that they should respect our sentiments and keep in mind that we are not weak, Gupta had said in a statement after the incident. Members of his group on Thursday vandalised the PIA office near Barakhamba Road in New Delhi, following which one person was arrested.



The Indian Express said four activists of the Hindu Sena went to all the three rooms in the office, vandalising furniture and computers. They also scattered some pamphlets while they dismantled a miniature replica of an aeroplane installed near the reception desk. A member of Hindu Sena, identified as Lalit Singh, was arrested on Thursday following the attack and efforts were underway to nab his associates. Gupta was earlier arrested in October last year, days after he called up the police alleging that beef was being served at Kerala house canteen.



The Hindu extremists had broke windows and computers at the PIA office. A PIA spokesman told Radio Pakistan that the staff is safe. The Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi had contacted the Indian government and has asked for a probe into the incident and sufficient security for PIA offices. A PIA statement has said that the national carriers operations will continue until instructions are received from the government. Flight operations will not be suspended nor will the staff be called back, it said. PIA has two town offices in India, the other one is located in Mumbai.
Widow Sues Twitter for Supporting Terrorists

Social media is often celebrated for connecting people internationally and providing a voice for the many. But a new lawsuit filed in federal court by the wife of a man killed in a terrorist attack in Jordan sees a dark side to the free flourish of exchange. Tamra Fields blames Twitter for allowing terrorist groups to thrive on its platform, and is suing the company, The Wall Street Journal reports.

The lawsuit, filed Wednesday in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, claims that "for years, Twitter has knowingly permitted the terrorist group ISIS to use its social network as a tool for spreading extremist propaganda, raising funds and attracting new recruits. This material support has been instrumental to the rise of ISIS and has enabled it to carry out numerous terrorist attacks."

Has Twitter violated any criminal laws?

Tying Twitter to Terror

Lloyd Carl Fields Jr. was killed in Jordan in November when a gunman entered an international police training center and shot 5 people. Two of the victims were Americans, and one -- Fields -- was the plaintiff's husband.

The attack was organized by the terrorist organization Islamic State, also known as ISIL (and to the dismay of many as ISIS). The group has been very active on Twitter, using the platform to raise money and find new recruits. The suit details the extremist group's tweet activity, claiming that as of December 2014, there were about 70,000 Islamic State-related accounts.

Of those, 79 accounts were "official" and tweeted 90 times a minute. The lawsuit contends that Twitter has done little to stop terrorists from using its service.

"While we believe the lawsuit is without merit, we are deeply saddened to hear of this family's terrible loss," a Twitter spokesman said in a prepared statement. "Like people around the world, we are horrified by the atrocities perpetrated by extremist groups and their ripple effects on the Internet. Violent threats and the promotion of terrorism deserve no place on Twitter and, like other social networks, our rules make that clear."

Content Creation and Policing

The difficulty that Fields' suit faces is that Twitter is not a content creator. Like other social networks it provides a platform for people to post their own content. It is not a publisher then but a re-publisher. So, experts say, it is is mostly exempt from laws that would make it responsible for people's speech on their platform.

Fields is not the first to make the claim that Twitter should be responsible, even if experts say it is unlikely to succeed. As the Wall Street Journal reports, In 2012 an Israeli law group petitioned the US Attorney General's Office to force Twitter to remove Hamas-related accounts from the platform and failed.

Providing Material Support Is a Crime

Attorney Gabe Rottman, a staff attorney at the American Civil Liberties Union, explained in a blog post in response to the Israeli petition that Twitter must actively do something to assist a terror group. Providing material support for terrorism, which is a crime, would mean more than hosting their accounts but something substantive like renting a data center at the terrorist group's request.

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Khawaja Asif visit to Iran has been cancelled

ISLAMABAD: Defence Minister Khawaja Asifs upcoming visit to Iran has been cancelled, a senior diplomatic source said on Friday.



Mr Asif was scheduled to travel to Tehran on a two-day visit from Monday (Jan 18) for promoting defence ties between the two countries. According to the source, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif directed the cancellation of the trip. A defence ministry official, talking to reporters, confirmed that the trip had been cancelled. But the official did not assign any reason for the decision.



Another official who did not want to say anything on the record was of the opinion that the decision could be related to tensions between Iran and Saudi Arabia.


Sartaj Aziz reacted strongly to statement made Obama

ISLAMABAD: Adviser to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz has reacted strongly to a statement made by United States President Barack Obama that both Pakistan and Afghanistan were among the countries that would continue to face instability and turmoil for decades.



"Whatever the US president said about instability in Pakistan and Afghanistan are his predictions and have nothing to do with ground realities," Aziz told a breakfast meeting with Chinese scholars, diplomats and media persons organised by a think thank here on Friday.



In his last State of the Union address on Tuesday night, Obama had warned: Instability will continue for decades in many parts of the world  in the Middle East, in Afghanistan and Pakistan, in parts of central America, Africa and Asia, he said.



Some of these places may become safe havens for new terrorist networks; others will fall victim to ethnic conflict, or famine, feeding the next wave of refugees.



Disagreeing with Obama in his address, the adviser said, "Pakistan is taking decisive action against terrorism and militancy and days to come will witness more stability here."



As far as Afghanistan is concerned, Aziz said, "instability exists but Pakistan is making all out efforts for establishing peace and stability there."



Speaking about the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), Aziz said Pakistan would foil all sinister designs against this project.



CPEC will help Pakistan overcome energy crisis, and projects related to CPEC will infuse new life in the infrastructure, Radio Pakistan quoted him as saying.



Answering a question, the adviser said there was no competition between Chabahar port in Iran and Gwadar port and the two ports have been declared "sister ports".



"Gwadar provides a shorter route to Central Asia than Chabahar," Aziz remarked.



Referring to the expected India-Pakistan foreign secretaries talks, he said both countries are in touch and new dates for the talks would be finalised soon.


From Greg Swank, 12-4-2 You are about to read a list of 45 goals that found their way down the halls of our great Capitol back in 1963. As...
The mathematical (and other) thoughts of a (now retired) math teacher,
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3VR Strengthens Sales Team with Retail Industry Veteran Michael Slevin #nrf16

Michael Slevin Joins 3VR as Sales Director, with Focus on Retail Industry

Enhancements to Customer Insights to be Demonstrated at Retails BIG Show

SAN FRANCISCO and NEW YORK CITY  Jan. 15, 2016  3VR, the video technology and data company, today announced that it has hired retail industry veteran Michael Slevin as a sales director. In this role, he will create opportunities for 3VRs retail analytics products  VisionPoint Dashboard and Video Management System (VMS)  by generating and maintaining relationships with retail customers and channel partners. Slevin joins 3VR from Tyco, where he spent more than 15 years in a variety of sales roles, cultivating awareness and demand for the companys retail solutions.

In addition, 3VR has made enhancements to its Customer Insights product by adding the ability to correlate visitor counts within various zones. This allows retailers to count people in different areas of a store at any given time, such as an in-store pharmacy, in-store classes, or back office conference rooms. The information can be compared to total traffic across various time frames for single stores or multiple stores, helping to establish trends across locations or times of day. 3VR has also released a new feature that can establish real-time occupancy metrics, helping retailers know whether the store  or an area of the store  is approaching an unsafe and overcrowded situation.

Retail is an important market for us, and we are happy to be strengthening both our team and product offering, said Jeff Karnes, senior vice president of marketing and operations for 3VR. We welcome Michael to the company and look forward to his contributions as we continue to innovate and grow our customer base.

3VR offers retail marketing, loss prevention and operations executives an end-to-end solution that delivers real-time security and customer insights to improve store operations and increase sales. 3VR mines in-store video for information about customers and operations, which enables retailers to better the omni-channel experience by responding quickly to customer needs and market trends. Video data is further enhanced by putting it in context with other data sources such as point-of-sale (POS) software, inventory controls and location-based technology.

3VR is demonstrating its new people counting analytics for the first time at Retails BIG Show from Jan. 17-19, in New York City. Interested retailers are invited to visit booth No. 937 for more information.

About 3VR

Based in San Francisco, CA, 3VR provides video business intelligence solutions for real-time security and customer insights enabling organizations to protect employees, customers and assets as well as improve store operations and shopping experiences. 3VR products include hybrid network video recorders, video management and investigation software, comprehensive dashboards and reports and a robust suite of video analytics and APIs. 3VR is one of the fastest growing US-based private companies and is the standard for hundreds of global customers in Financial Services, Retail, Government, Critical Infrastructure and Hospitality. www.3vr.com

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Auto-Star Certifies with Touch Dynamic All-In-One and Quest Tablet -#nrf16

MEDICINE HAT, AB and IRVINGTON, NJ  Auto-Star Compusystems Inc., an innovative developer of point of sale solutions, and Touch Dynamic, a leading global manufacturer of POS hardware, are excited to announce the certification of the Star-Plus POS software and Breeze Performance All-In-One touch terminal and Quest tablet.

Auto-Star is pleased to partner with Touch Dynamic, a nationally recognized, US-based designer and manufacturer of touch systems, said Robert Symmonds, President and CEO of Auto-Star. By combining the power of the Star-Plus point of sale with Touch Dynamics leading POS hardware we are able to offer a best of breed solution to retailers across the nation.

The Touch Dynamic Breeze Performance All-In-One offers reliability and flexibility with a variety of options including an integrated printer base, mag stripe reader (MSR), fingerprint reader, customer display and barcode scanner. The compact design allows for easy setup and optimizes valuable counter space.

Available in a 7 and 10 inch True Flat LCD, the Quest tablet supports Windows 8.1 and Windows 10 and comes standard with MSR, Bluetooth and a 5 Megapixel Camera. The optional barcode scanner allows retailers to easily scan products, check inventory and update pricing information on the go. The addition of the Epson Mobilink P20 mobile receipt printer provides retailers with a powerful line busting solution.

Touch Dynamic is thrilled about our partnership with Auto-Star, said Craig Paritz, President of Touch Dynamic. We are always seeking partners that value quality and it is clear that Star-Plus POS software is a quality driven product that offers an exciting solution for all retailers.

Auto-Star will feature the Touch Dynamic Breeze Performance All-In-One and Star-Plus point of sale system at the National Retail Federation (NRF) BIG Show, January 17  19, 2016, at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York, NY.

About Touch Dynamic

Founded in August of 2001, Touch Dynamic is an ISO 9001:2008 certified manufacturer of all-in-one touch terminals, small form factor PCs, touch screen monitors and mobile POS devices for a variety of industries. We understand the demands on our channel partners and provide unique products and additional value-added services to help them meet the specific needs of their customers. For more information, visit www.touchdynamic.com.

About Auto-Star Compusystems Inc.

Auto-Star Compusystems is a software company that develops point-of-sale software for pharmacy, grocery, and health and natural products retailers across Canada, the United States, and the Caribbean. The companys products provide seamless end-to-end solutions to optimize efficiency and customer satisfaction, while lowering operating costs. For more information on Auto-Star, please visit www.auto-star.com.

Other news:
Douglas V. Gibbs is a proud member of the American Authors Association

Douglas V. Gibbs is a proud member of the Military Writers Society of America.
Liberal Politics from the Heart of Bluegrass Country
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By John Tomlinson - 15 January 2016



Australia currently has a Prime Minister who claims he wants to create an innovative nation. I lost sight of how innovative we truly are whilst driving through the smog haze caused by the coal fired electricity generators around Yallourn in Victoria and similar monstrosities in the Upper Hunter in New South Wales. Our previous Prime Minister thought wind turbines an eyesore but at least you can see them clearly in the absence of choking smog.



We used to ride on the sheep's back until the wool market collapsed. Then we put our trust in extractive industries, particularly coal, other hydrocarbons and iron ore, but the price we are getting for them has gone through the floor. Prices do not appear likely to recover in the foreseeable future.



We have a well-developed tax avoidance industry propping up the big end of town and giant multinationals, which appear to believe that tax on profits is something that bears no relation to their operations. When we create an innovation we are often too mean to develop it here and happily let it go overseas to find risk capital and a new home.



Along with New Zealand we once had the most advanced universal social welfare and generous industrial protections in the world, which European observers described at the time as "Socialism without doctrine". But that was over a century ago.



Since the mid 1980s we have turned away from generous universal social protections and towards loading onerous obligations upon those who apply for working age social security. We have made their lives increasingly unbearable by extensive means testing. "Reciprocity" and "mutual obligation" have been the catch cries of Labor and Coalition governments respectively.



Tristram Hunt, a British MP, writing in the Guardian about the English Labour Party's continuing obsession with the Blair/Brown governments, but with equal relevance to the Australian Labor Party's preoccupation with the Hawke/Keating governments suggests we need to develop a:



socialism that embraces technology and modernity and sees the function of the state as supporting and empowering citizens in an age of insecurity.



The quickening pace of globalisation, changes to the labour market, the rise of robots and supercomputers, and the urgent need for social security reform are here to stay. And we need credible answers, which embody our values, to all these challenges.



Another Guardian writer John O'Farrell writing about the current Dutch pilots of universal basic income (UBI) makes the point that a UBI is about to be paid in Utrecht and 19 other municipalities in the Netherlands:



Everyone will get about 150 a week, whether working or not. The unemployed won't find themselves penalised for finding work, and the hope is that the state will spend less money snooping on benefit claimants, moving on the homeless or locking up those driven to crime.



The idea is so refreshingly contrary to the petty conditionality that is killing the welfare state that it began to fill me with optimism that there may be a few people lying in this political gutter still looking at the stars. Once upon a time, universality was the underpinning principle of welfare. Every mother got child benefit; every child got free school milk, until that was snatched away 



In Namibia and India pilot programs have demonstrated that people who are guaranteed a non-conditional minimum survival payment are far more productive, less criminal, more innovative, more inclined to send their children to school and health clinics than those without such a guarantee.



Finland is preparing to run a series of pilot programs to test whether universal basic incomes are an appropriate way to proceed in that country. They are employing a number of university-based institutes to run evidence-based experiments.



In Australia the Jenny Macklins, Tony Abbotts, Mal Broughs and other self-justifying politicians claim to have utilised evidence-based social policies to promote the Intervention in the Northern Territory, income support tied to compulsory school attendance, the need to cutback the universality of the income support system, workfare and other attacks on the less fortunate in this country.



Their claim to have evidence for their policies is nonsense. Julia Gillard's justification for imposing increased obligations on unemployed people because of "The simple dignity that work brings" still jars in my ears. Some forms of employment do increase dignity but many of the jobs that the precariat are forced to take in order to avoid social security sanctions are belittling.



An innovative society is not one where multinational conglomerates pay large amounts to those they consider the best scientists to work on inventions for the armament, chemical, electronic and pharmaceutical industries: that is a failed late capitalist model.



An innovative society is one in which all citizens are provided with the financial resources necessary to have the opportunity to pursue their dreams. Irrespective of whether they aim to work towards civic improvement, a healthier environment, ecological sustainability, more efficient production or even just an improved life style. Real innovation can only occur in the context of a static growth model of development.



Along the way some will choose to leave jobs in call centres in order to set up a pie shop or such like, others will increase their education, still others will fulfil their creative potential. People will be freed to take on caring responsibilities. Others will remain in the employment they had before a UBI was put in place.



The options of individual choice are limitless  what is limited is that we live in a world with finite resources, a world which can only handle a limited amount of pollution and one in which the population needs to be stabilised or even decreased if we are to avoid impending ecological and humanitarian catastrophes.



This is the sort of innovative society where a UBI is a necessity rather than an option. It is imperative because only a universal income guarantee can provide every permanent resident sufficient income to live in austere comfort. It is paid to each individual without demanding anything in return. It puts an income floor under every individual permanent resident without imposing an income ceiling.



Jenni Mays, Greg Marston and I have just completed editing a collection of articles entitled Basic Income in Australia and New Zealand: Perspectives from the Neoliberal Frontier, which Palgrave Macmillian will release in March. In the preface of the book Professor Guy Standing writes:



Many Australians and New Zealanders receive pocket money as children from their parents. Some receive vast fortunes through inheritance, or receive land or other property that way, without doing a day's work or labor for it. Yet such lucky people tend to be at the forefront of opposition to providing everybody with a basic income on the grounds that it would be "something for nothing." If they are against providing a basic income, they should in all consistency be against pocket money and inheritance.



I would encourage all who want to understand our income security options to read this book because "knowledge is power" - but then again "ignorance is bliss".






My latest Guardian column, 'Poor internet for poor people': India's activists fight Facebook connection plan, tells the story of how India's amazing Internet activists have beaten back Facebook's bid to become gatekeeper to the Internet for the next billion users.

They've been assisted in this by Facebook's own stupid mistakes, to be sure, but all credit is due to them for refusing to settle and for rallying mass support to the cause of Net Neutrality in India.

The interesting question for me is whether Google  who have been sneakily supporting Facebook behind the scenes  will seize the opportunity and deliver devices and services that help Indian Internet users get around the corrupt and greedy phone companies that got into bed with Facebook.

Here we have India's SOPA moment: an unexpected, unprecedented uprising that's caught the popular imagination, terrified one of the largest companies in the world, made politicians and regulators take notice. Why aren't we supporting them in what they're asking for? Why aren't we just saying, "The alternative to Facebook as internet gatekeeper is no one as internet gatekeeper?" India's activists didn't need our help. They never blinked. Facebook came back for a second round, with the Free Basics rebranding, right around the time that the independent Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) put out a short, cogent consultation paper asking pointed questions. It's only 11 pages long, and it ends with four questions, and you should read it  it's just the kind of thing you want from an independent expert agency. No one at Facebook appeared to read it. The company mounted a charm offensive, featuring long, soulful letters from Mark Zuckerberg in the national papers, roadside billboards, multi-page newspaper adverts, floods of SMSes. A total media blitz aimed at getting people to respond to the TRAI's paper and say they endorsed Free Basics. They really pulled out all the stops  some Indian Facebook users reported that merely scrolling past the ads pleading with them to weigh in was enough to trigger a status update saying they'd endorsed the idea. It worked: Facebook got millions of comments into the TRAI. But unfortunately for Facebook the TRAI paper hadn't asked, "Do you support Free Basics?" So the entirety of Facebook's astroturf army was discarded as unresponsive to the questions raised in the paper. The TRAI's chairman explained: "Consultations by the TRAI are not opinion polls; we are not asking 'yes' or 'no'. We are asking why you think it is 'yes' or 'no', because that helps us in formulating the guidelines"

'Poor internet for poor people': India's activists fight Facebook connection plan

[Cory Doctorow/The Guardian]

(Image: Demonstration by the Free Software Movement of Karnataka in support of net neutrality; April 2015, Viggy prabhu, CC-BY-SA)
Muckrock has secured the FBI's files on Epcot Center, revealing the panicked thrash that the prospect of a semi-circle of international pavilions around a toy artificial lake set off in Cold War atmosphere of 1981.

First came the news that the Disney organization had approached the USSR, but struck out because the Russkies refused to establish a pavilion if they couldn't use it for "political messages." (Aside: imagine what an amazing pavilion that would have made!).

But the main event was the Chinese pavilion, which would (initially) have six Chinese nationals staffing its retail branch. These six were intensely scrutinized, especially KW Poon, a greedy restaurateur who only wanted "a fast buck" who'd run an "unclean" restaurant at a World's Fair whose food was "low-quality."

By 1981, the FBI was already anticipating where these Chinese nationals living in the United States would be housing, namely in Snow White Village on Seven Dwarfs Lane. What the Bureau planned to do with this information, in terms of possible procedures for surveillance has been redacted or was made moot by the fact that the delegates ended up taking housing in Orlando. The Tampa office felt so inadequate to handle the new residents, not to mention the millions of international tourists, that they sought help from the Knoxville office who were in the midst of handling similar problems with the Chinese delegate to the 1982 World's Fair in Tennessee. Ultimately, the Chinese delegation appears to have been chosen from Chinese nationals living as resident aliens and attending universities inside the United States. By the time the delegates got down to Florida, the FBI already knew an astounding amount about them, including the fact that one young woman was, "a 'loner' who refused to mix socially with other students."



The FBI feared communist infiltration of EPCOT

[Matthew Guariglia/Muckrock]





(via /.)
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.
Biddeford-Saco-OOB Courier

Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird created the series in Dover, New Hampshire. The negatives for that first comic, printed in 1984, have surfaced and the owner, a Colorado collector, came to Biddeford In September to look around.
FORT EDWARD  The Washington County Jail guard arrested last week for allegedly releasing privileged information had leaked information to her daughter about a drug investigation, court records show.

Tamara M. Fredette, 49, was charged with misdemeanor official misconduct last week after a Washington County Sheriffs Office investigation into a criminal case that police said was compromised because of the leak.

At the time of the arrest, the Sheriffs Office would not release details of the case, but said no one was hurt and that the leak did not stem from a drug inquiry.

Court records show that explanation was not entirely accurate.

A criminal complaint filed against Fredette in Fort Edward Town Court alleges she jeopardize(d) a drug buy by revealing to her daughter the identity of a confidential informant who was to work with police to purchase drugs. The leak occurred last June 25.

Court documents show that Fredette was asked to search the female informant before she was taken to make the drug purchase. Informants are routinely searched before drug buys to verify they do not have drugs when they are taken out to make the controlled purchase.

In a complaint filed in court, sheriffs Senior Investigator Tony LeClaire wrote Fredette gave the information about the informant to her daughter to try to protect her daughter from being anywhere around this confidential informant when they completed an undercover drug buy that day.

Her daughter was identified as Miranda Mattison. It was not explained what, if anything, she did with the information. She has not been charged.

When asked last week, police said the information did not stem from a drug case. Washington County Sheriff Jeff Murphy said the department withheld information because the investigation was ongoing and involved other law enforcement agencies.

Murphy would not say how the Sheriffs Office came to learn of the leak.

The important thing is, as soon as we found out about it, we took action, Murphy said.

Fredette is free, pending prosecution in Fort Edward Town Court on Jan. 26. The Whitehall resident has worked at the jail for nearly 20 years, and was suspended without pay.
QUEENSBURY  Warren County leaders voted Friday to seek an independent engineering review of an alternative heating and cooling system at the county Municipal Center that some believe cost the county hundreds of thousands of dollars instead of saving money as billed.

The county Board of Supervisors voted 18-1 to hire an engineer through New York State Energy Research and Development Authority to analyze whether the county saved money with a project that was billed as a geothermal system.

A local engineer and taxpayer advocate who has looked at the costs and contracts believes that the contractor who did the work, Siemens Building Systems, misled the county about whether the $4.3 million project saved money. Questions have also been raised about whether it was a true geothermal system, which uses the earths stored energy for heating and cooling.

Glens Falls 2nd Ward Supervisor Peter McDevitt, who has been calling for the independent review in light of the questions that have been raised, said later Friday he was thrilled by the decision to seek it.

This is a major step for us, he said.

McDevitt said he believes Siemens has been misrepresenting savings through a calculated plan to defraud numerous municipalities and school districts around New York. Numerous municipal organizations have cut ties with the company over the years after determining that energy projects they contracted for did not work as billed, he said.

The Municipal Center work was done in 2008 and included the replacement of a heat pump system with a new, energy-efficient, geothermal heat pump and condensing boiler system; and installation of a new energy management system and energy-efficient lighting throughout the building.

A Siemens spokeswoman said earlier this month the project provided the Warren County Municipal Center with an improved infrastructure that has reduced its energy consumption and its environmental footprint.

Only one supervisor of 19 who were present voted against the resolution.

That supervisor, Dennis Dickinson of Lake George, said he did not believe he had enough information about whether the county stood to gain more than the review would cost. The board resolution capped the cost of the engineering review at $20,000.

I thought it was premature, he said. Id like to know more about what we think we are going to get back.

The decision to have another Siemens project reviewed was the latest turn in the countys efforts to determine whether the international conglomerate defrauded the county through its energy projects, and whether litigation is warranted.

A Siemens-built natural gas cogeneration plant at the former county nursing home was the subject of a similar engineering review, with the contractor concluding the savings werent as billed. That cogeneration project spawned a criminal investigation that concluded a former Siemens employee could have been charged with a felony and the former county attorney, now the county administrator, did not properly oversee the project.

The state Attorney Generals Office declined to prosecute criminal charges, but has indicated it may pursue civil action to seek restitution on the countys behalf.

A group of county supervisors and county officials are reportedly meeting with representatives of the Attorney Generals Office next week to discuss the matter. Warrensburg Supervisor Kevin Geraghty, chairman of the county Board of Supervisors, said he was not aware of any specific meeting date.
FORT ANN  The owner of Greenthumb Nursery is suing the school district because he says school officials have blocked his access to cross his property.

Mike Dornan owns three separate parcels that surround the school property. The dispute dates back to this summer, when school officials took down fences that surround an easement to cross his property.

Dornan says there is a stipulation in the deeds that suitable fences must be maintained on the boundary of a 25-foot right of way.

Dornan was worried that without the fences, schoolchildren could be hurt if they are chasing balls or wandering into the area of the easement, where they could be injured by heavy farm equipment, trucks and other vehicles he uses to get to the back of the property.

The district eventually put up new fences, but did not provide gates or some type of opening. Without them, Dornans heavy trucks and farm equipment cannot enter or exit from the right of way, according to the lawsuit filed in state Supreme Court of Washington County.

The district also has thrown brush onto his property, according to Dornan.

The lawsuit, filed Jan. 8 in state Supreme Court of Washington County, seeks restoration of access, as well as monetary damages and legal fees.

Dornan claims he is being targeted by the district because of his outspoken opposition to the Common Core standards.

Defendants actions were made with intent to chill plaintiff Dornans public opposition to Common Core testing, and to discourage him from advocating a boycott of Common Core tests and to punish plaintiff for his views, the lawsuit said.

He said the school district also has attempted to interfere with an annual fundraising event he holds called Run-A-Muck.

School officials claim in their legal documents that they cleaned up that section of the property and removed the old barbed wire fence because it was in disrepair and dangerous.

They also say that Run-A-Muck participants were spilling over onto district property, a claim Dornan denies. School officials were asking him to submit a facility use form and obtain liability insurance for the event.

Dornan said he just wants the situation resolved.

My goal is to make the school do the right thing, he said.

Superintendent Kevin Froats said Friday that the districts lawyers are reviewing the lawsuit.

Once we have the opportunity to advise the board, the board will then make a statement, he said.

Froats said previously the improvements that were being made along the perimeter of the property line were being done to keep students and community members safe.
As a founder member of Mystery Women in 1997, promoting Crime Fiction has always been my passion. Following the closure of Mystery Women, a new group was formed on 30th January 2012 promoting crime fiction. New reviews are posted daily, but to search for earlier reviews please click on the Mystery People link below and select 'reviews' from the welcome page. This will display an alphabetic option for you to find the review you would like to read
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Irans Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said nuclear-related sanctions on his country would be lifted Saturday, telling reporters in Vienna it was a good day for the world.





Its a good day for the people of Iran and also a good day for the region. The sanctions will be lifted today, he said after arriving in Austrias capital on Saturday morning, according to the ISNA news agency.









His comments came after diplomatic sources said the UN nuclear watchdog would likely say Iran had complied with last Julys landmark agreement with world powers on Tehrans atomic program.





Zarif, who led Iran in nuclear talks with the United States, Britain, China, France, Russia and Germany, said the deal had removed from the Middle East the shadow of a baseless confrontation.





The International Atomic Energy Agency report will allow US Secretary of State John Kerry, Zarif and EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini, to announce in Vienna that the deal can enter into force, the diplomatic sources said.

































The economic sanctions on Iran would most probably be lifted Saturday, a source in Jerusalem told Army Radio, and he warned that the first investment by the Islamic Republic would be military and not civilian.





The unnamed source said that Irans first priority would be to spend its newly freed-up funds on military acquisitions, and not on civilian investments, Army Radio reported. Furthermore, the source said, the implementation of the agreement would have a direct impact on the region, as terror groups Hezbollah and Hamas  both recipients of Iranian largesse  found themselves in possession of new and modern weaponry.





The world powers are mistaken if they see Iran as a solution to regional stability, and not the source of the problem, another unnamed source said, according to the radio.





Its a good day for the people of Iran and also a good day for the region. The sanctions will be lifted today, Zarif said after arriving in Austrias capital on Saturday morning, according to the ISNA news agency.











Is Washington Hiding the Truth Behind US Navy Incident in Iran?







Two US boats "inadvertently drifted" into Iran's territorial waters due to a mechanical failure, US officials said shortly after the Tuesday incident took place. Two days later (and after Tehran released all ten US sailors) Washington had completely changed its story, leaving more questions than answers, journalist Glenn Greenwald pointed out. On Thursday, US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter said that the sailors "obviously had misnavigated." At the same time, mechanical failure was ruled out as a reason for the incident. This means that the boats were not in distress when they sailed near Farsi Island, which houses a naval base of Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards Corps. This also means that Iran was within its right when it detained the soldiers. "What we know for certain is that the storyline of 'mechanical failure' and 'poor US boat in distress' that was originally propagated  was complete fiction," Greenwald observed . But the new version does not necessarily reflect what really happened.



First, the US sailors, according to the journalist, were most likely familiar with the route, since they often traveled between Bahrain and Kuwait. After all, the US Fifth Fleet is headquartered in Bahrain. Second, not a single sailor on the vessels reported the error to their superiors, when they understood that the boats had entered Iran's waters.

"Beyond that, 'misnavigating' within a few miles of an Iranian Guard Corps naval base is a striking coincidence," Greenwald noted. Yet, many US media accounts of what transpired presented the incident as a hostile act committed by Iran.

"This unauthorized trespass into Iranian territorial waters was continuously depicted as an act of Iranian aggression (contrast that with how the US government suggested it would be in Turkey's rights not only to intercept but to shoot down any Russian jet that even briefly traverses its airspace)," the journalist pointed out.



One could only imagine front page headlines if the US and Iran switched places and those were Iranian boats that had inadvertently drifted into US territorial waters.





Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other Israeli officials have been publicly and vehemently critical of the agreement, saying that it paves the way to an Iranian bomb, entrenches the regime in power, and frees up vast amounts of money that Iran will utilize to foster terrorism worldwide and instability in the region.












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.''    
He also stated his commitment to ensuring good governance and prudent economic management when God helps him to become the president of the nation.

He made this known when he paid a visit to the ultra-modern Pentecost Convention Centre (PCC) located at Gomoa Fetteh, near Kasoa.

Nana Addo was at the Centre to inspect the facility, which is Ghanas new purpose-built, world-class conference and event center. His visit coincided with the Churchs 5th All Ministers and Wives Conference which was being held at the Centre.

Nana Akufo-Addo and his team including the partys Acting National Chairman, Freddie Blay; former General Secretary, Kwadwo Owusu-Afriyie, popularly known as Sir John, and Ken Ofori Atta, a leading member of the party, among others, were highly impressed with the great infrastructure and state-of-the-art facilities at the Centre.

He, however, called for prayer support from the church to ensure successful and peaceful elections.

On the part of the Chairman of the Church of Pentecost and President of the Ghana Pentecostal and Charismatic Council (GPCC), Apostle Dr. Opoku Onyinah, he said This is a time of prayer and house cleaning exercise. Therefore, because of the polarization of politics in Ghana, when we heard of your [Nana Addos] visitation to the Centre our initial reaction was to say please not this time, perhaps later.'

"But we also realised it would have been a mistake, and uncharacteristic of a Pentecostal church planted in the soil of Ghana to do that. That is, that would have gone against not only Pentecostal practices but also Ghanaian culture. We therefore decided to use the opportunity to interact with you, Apostle Dr. Opoku Onyinah stated.

The Chairman added: "I do not need to say that as a church, our members belong to different political affiliations in the country, but for the purpose of this gathering it may be appropriate to reiterate it.

"Because of the political plurality of our members, we have advised our pastors to be circumspect in their pronouncements at church. We seek to always cooperate with the government of the day as it steers the affairs of our dear nation in accordance with the constitution of the land.

"I would like to say that, I thank the Lord that you [Nana Addo] have taken time to visit our centre, knowing that you are the leader of the main opposition party," he stated.

Touching on the impending general elections, Apostle Dr. Opoku Onyinah expressed concern about the apprehensions and tensions that characterize elections in Ghana and Africa as a whole.

He therefore appealed to all the political parties, including the NPP to conduct their campaigns in a peaceful manner to ensure peaceful elections, come November 7.

"We realise that when elections are drawing near, many people panic; because of past experiences of other African countries, especially some of our neighbouring countries. People are apprehensive and do not know what will happen.

"Few days ago, in the interaction with the press, the President of the nation gave us the assurance that on the part of the government, he would put all things in place to make the election peaceful.

"As you are here, we would be grateful if you could bring us a word of greeting, and also give us some assurance on the side of your party on peaceful elections," he said.
Speaking after touring the Graniteside and Zimpost Complex plant along Airport Road, Acting President Mnangagwa said it was pleasing to see more investors coming to Zimbabwe.

Of great importance, he said, the investment was coming with technology transfer as Zimbabweans were being trained on how to assemble the products.

I toured the first assembly plant where they are assembling six different types of refrigerators, he said.

They have already done a test run and have shown us the assembled refrigerators, but they are now waiting for licensing by the relevant authorities.

There is also transfer of technology because there is a training school where they are taking on 100 students to train in technical issues relating to gadgets, assembling of their products. They want to train our people to do those things.

Acting President Mnangagwa said he had been informed that in the long run the company intended to manufacture various Samsung products.

As such, he said, he would assist the company to clear some of the small hurdles it was facing with regards to licensing.

This is phase one and I am told phase two will graduate into manufacturing these components here first and as we go on the entire products will be manufactured here, he said.

We are very much grateful that such investments are coming into the country. I have to discuss with the relevant authorities like the Ministries of Finance and of Industry to make sure they do their part. We are all anxious to have investment in the country. I am sure there are technical issues that are constraining them to proceed, but I want to know what those issues are.

An official from SamZims procurement and external relations department, Mr Victor Dhlakama, who took the Acting President around the plants said about 4,98  million had been invested in setting up the factories.

He said their employment stood at 120 and more Zimbabweans would be engaged as the business expanded.

On the TV side, we have 36 employees, while on the refrigerator side we have about 58 and it comes to 120 if you add merchandisers and the administration workers, Mr Dhlakama said.
The launch comes after a successful pilot period, which started in August last year, with service set to operate under the Vodafone Cash brand.

Vodafone Cash extends the revolution of mobile money to Ghana, liberating our customers from the risks associated with carrying cash at all times.

The strong demand for the service following the pilot launched in August shows that Ghanaians greatly value the freedom, peace of mind, security and convenience that M-Pesa offers, MichaelJoseph, Vodafones director of Mobile Money said.

READ ALSO : 12 ways mobile phones changed Africa for better

Vodafone said approximately 64 per cent of the countrys population does not have access to bank accounts, amounting to about 15 million people.

Ghanaians will be able to transfer money from their phones at home and on the move using the service.

Vodafone has in recent years launched the mobile money service in Tanzania, South Africa, Lesotho, DRC, Egypt and Mozambique where it has operations, following the success of M-Pesa in Kenya.

The M-Pesa service in Ghana is called Vodafone Cash and its launch brings to 11 the countries where the UK Company has launched its mobile cash service globally including in Romania, Albania and India.

Ghana is the last country in Africa where Vodafone has operations and where we had not launched the M-Pesa service. former Safaricom CEO and currently the Vodafone director of mobile money Michael Joseph said.

READ ALSO: Around the world in 80 payments towards a cashless world

We did a soft launch mid last year before having the official launch early last month. While it is still too early to talk about success rates, the reception so far has been impressive, Joseph added.

Ghana has a population of about 27 million people, majority of who do not have access to a bank account. The West African country is currently served by six mobile phone operators  Vodafone Mobile, Expresso, Tigo, MTN, Airtel and Glo Mobile.

MTN is the market leader with about 15 million voice subscribers as of August 2015 shows data from the National Communications Authority of Ghana followed by Vodafone with 7.5 million customers.

Tigo is third with about 4.1 million customers, slightly above Airtels subscriber base.

Our main competitors all have versions of mobile money services but we are confident about the quality of the M-Pesa service as has been demonstrated by its success elsewhere. The strong demand for the service following the pilot launch in August shows that Ghanaians greatly value the freedom, peace of mind, security and convenience that M-Pesa offers, he noted.
Presenting the equipment in Kaduna, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, Ismail Yusuf, said the gesture was to give back to the community for its good neighbourliness.

According to him, the equipment is to be distributed to all the Primary Health Care (PHC) centres in the local government where the company's branch (Kaduna Inland Dry Port) is located.

He said that in spite of the health risk of having a high or low blood pressure, many people were not conscious of their status.

According to him, the donation is to support the Primary Health Care (PHC) centres in the area in managing people's blood pressure in order to save lives.

He commended the host community of the Kaduna Inland Dry Port for its cooperation since the establishment of the company in the state.

He pledged the companys continued support for the community as partners in progress.

``As partners, we will continue to do our best for the community. We have made similar donation in Lagos and tomorrow we will proceed to Kano for another donation.

``We will continue to do this, because it is part of our corporate social responsibility, Yusuf said.

The managing director appealed for the community's continued support, particularly in maintaining the existing cordial relationship between them.

He also appealed for improved patronage of the Kaduna dry port with a capacity to handle 29, 000 containers annually.

Malam Salisu Ibrahim, the Director of Administration and General Services of the Kaduna South Local Government, thanked the company for the gesture.

Similarly, the Director of Health of the local government, Mrs Christiana Bako, said ICNL was the first company to make such donation in the area in the last two years.

She promised a fair distribution of the monitors to the 20 PHCs in the local government.
Mr Razak Adeofalade, the Chairman of the union stated this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

According to him, the house rats that caused Lassa Fever are mostly in contact with Nigerian most staple food garri, a cassava product.

``We are going to encourage members of the public to depart from the process of drinking gari at this moment, it is better that the cassava flour is utilised for `eba, because of the use of hot water.

``We are waging total war and that is: `War against Rats, and that is what we are going to do to ensure we do not have another victim of Lassa Fever in the state.

``We will also be telling them to ensure that their fruits and raw vegetables are properly washed if they must be consumed raw and cook to the appropriate temperature.

``The whole essence is to enlighten our people because education carries a lot of weight in this whole activity, he said.

According to him, the union is determined to wage war against rat in the state and public enlightenment on fighting epidemic.

He said his members cut across all governments hospitals and local governments and would be mobilised to start enlightenment on the evil of rodents.

``We will go into premises, market place and teach them on the best practice of storing of food items from contacts with rodents, he said.
The Commissioner for Health, Ogun, Dr Babatunde Ipaye, made this known to journalists in Abeokuta.

Ipaye listed the centres to include the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital (OOUTH), Sagamu, the State Hospital in Ijaiye and the General Hospital, Iberekodo, Abeokuta.

He said that the measure was a proactive step to combat any outbreak of the virus in the state and therefore appealed to residents to maintain good hygiene.

The commissioner said government had mounted surveillance since the outbreak of the virus in Bauchi, in November 2015, adding that no case had been recorded in Ogun till date.

Ipaye further said that his ministry had been collaborating with the Ministry of Education to create awareness in schools.

``If you communicate to the students, they will take the information back home and get it across to their parents and others.

``The other major reason why we chose to create awareness in schools is that in public health intervention, the students are veritable tools of public education,`` he said.
Bode addressing newsmen in Lagos said that the patient was responding to treatment at the isolation ward of LUTH.

Bode said that the first case of Lassa fever was diagnosed at the hospital on Jan. 15.

According to him, a 25-year-old student of the Ahmadu Bello University, (ABU) in Zaria, Kaduna State, (names withheld) who had contacted the virus came to visit his parents at Ifako-Ijaiye area of Lagos State.

He was admitted in a private hospital at Ifako-Ijaiye on Jan. 9 and was transferred to LUTH on Jan.15 on account of developing symptoms of fever, sore throat and body ache.

We ran a blood test which confirmed that he had contacted Lassa fever virus, and we were able to put together a package within one hour in response to the treatment of the patient.

`` We informed all management teams and relevant authorities including the Minister of Health, the Lagos State Government, and the Lagos State Epidemiology team, who sent the appropriate treatment last night (Friday).

``The patient is responding to treatment at the isolation ward,'' he said.

Bode said that all the general hospitals in Lagos had already been sensitised and prepared for the treatment of any Lassa fever patient.

He said that clinicians and experts from both LUTH and the Lagos State Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) would assist and guide in the treatment of the virus in other general hospitals.

Bode said that, in maintaining the safety of all health workers, people who had come in contact with the patient were being traced.

The LUTH CMD, however, commended LASUTH management for the quick delivery of drugs within an hour to assist in the treatment of the patient.

Also speaking , Prof. Ismail Abdul-Salam, the Lagos State Epidemiologist, said that no fewer than 100 people were under observation due to the personal contacts they had with the Lassa fever patient.

Patients, who were on admission as at the time the Lassa fever patient was brought in, are still being quarantined now.

''We are also on the trace of those that have been discharged before he was transferred to LUTH.

 Health workers are also being quarantined in the hospital up until this morning and also tracing contacts of all relatives of the patient.

 The surveillance officer and contact tracing team are there to monitor them. They will communicate with them daily and check their temperature, morning and evening and the symptoms need to be monitored.
A statement by Bello's Chief Press Secretary, Jibrin Ndace, said that the election would be a test for the administration.

"The conduct of the local government election is a proof of our commitment to fully democratise the polity by ensuring that leadership at the third tier of government in the state is elected.

"Local Government election is a crucial one. That is why we have ensured a level playing ground for all. We have to get it right by being peaceful and orderly before, during and after the elections on Saturday.

"This we believe will help to take governance to the people and make them the main factor in decision making and implementation at the grassroots level.

"It is in the light of this that I call on our people to come out on Saturday to carry out their civic responsibility in an orderly and peaceful manner," it said.
The state Police Commands spokesperson, DSP Haruna Mohammed, said in a statement issued on Saturday that the incident occurred at about 1.47 pm.

On the 15/1/2016 at about 23:47 hrs, unknown gunmen stormed Zalau Village under Lame District and Abducted one , aged 45 years, wife of one Honourable C.Nuhu, member representing Lame constituency in Bauchi State house of Assembly.

Police patrol teams rushed to the scene but unfortunately, the hoodlums had fled.

Meanwhile, efforts are being made to rescue the victim and apprehend the fleeing suspects.Seven expanded ammunition of 7.62 mm were recovered at the scene, he said.
On Thu, Jan 14, 2016 at 1:06 PM, Rose James fxdatalog@yahoo.com >

Hello my dear,I' m Miss Rose James, i found your profile at Facebook and i so much like it.but unfortunately am not always online, Please i will like you to response me back through my email address.Please i have a lot to share with you and photos, hoping to hear from you any moment from now. Rose James nourrosejames85@hotmail.com >

Date: Fri, Jan 15, 2016 at 1:25 AM

Subject: Thanks for your response,Happy New Year,tell me more about you







Happy New Year,Am more than happy for your reply to my mail. How is your day, My name is Miss Rose James,single and never been married, i am from Rwanda in East Africa, 24 years, Earlier i was residing in Darfur's refugee camp in Chad on January 2009, at a time,there is a division and dispatch of some of the refugees due to the over population of the people in Chad, i was taken to Senegal in West African on 10th August 2012 where I' m presently residing in N' dioum refugee camp here in Senegal, where i am seeking political asylum due to the civil war in my country. I am in suffering and pains here in this camp, and i really need to have a good someone by my side to encourage and give me good advice in life and help me to come out from this situation.



My late father Dr.James Wilson was the Industrial Managing director of (Willson and industrial company limited) in the federal capital of Rwanda (Kigali) the economy capital of my Country, and he was also the personal adviser to the former head of state, before the rebels attacked our house one early morning and killed my mother and father in a cold blood. It is only me that is alive now and i managed to serve my life here in Senegal where i am living now as a refugee. This Refugee Camp is headed by a Reverend Father, i used his office computer to send you this email and i only enter his office when he is less busy in his office.



My day is very boring over here in Dakar Senegal. in this camp we find it hard to go out because we are not allowed to do so, its just like one staying in the prison and l hope by God' s grace l will come out here soon. I don' t have any relatives now that i can go to, all my relatives ran away in the middle of the war,The only person i have now,is Reverend Chris Oliver who is the Reverend Minister in charge of the church in this camp.

(ASSEMBLE DU GLORY MISSION). He has been very nice to me since I came here but I am not living with him rather I am living in the women' s hostel. because the camp have two hostels one for men the other for women. The Reverends e-mail address is (



As a refugee here i don' t have any right or privilege to any thing be it money or whatever because it is against the law of this country. I want to go back to my studies because i only attended my first year before the tragic incident that lead to my being in this situation now took place. Honey, please l would like you to know that l have my late father' s statement of account and death certificate here with me which l will like to send to you to assist me, because when he was alive he deposited some amount of money in a leading bank which he used my name as the next of kin. The amount in question is $ 5.7( Five Million Seven Hundred Thousand US Dollars)



So l will like you to assist me transfer this money to your account and from it you will send some money for me to get my traveling documents and air ticket to come over to meet with you. I can' t withdraw the money my self due to my refugee statues here in this country which does not permit me to do, rather the money can not be transferred in Senegal where i am in refugee statues. I want you to send me your contact information' s such as.



Your Names . . . . . .

Age . . . . . . . . . . . .

Address . . . . . . . .

Telephone . . . . . . .

Country . . . . . . . .



I have got in touch with the bank and made them to know about my plans to withdraw this money, l also got them aware of the death of my father and they have acknowledged it with all their confirmation and verifications. However, they advise me to get in touch with a very responsible person who will stand on my behalf as my trustee, as regards to this money since l am presently of refugee status over here and wouldn' t be permitted to handle this amount of money, they also let me know about the bond which they signed with my father that the money will be handled to me in bulk amount which means that l should decide on if l should continue with the bank or not.



I kept this secret to people in the camp here,the only person that know about it,is the Reverend father because he is like a father to me. So in the light of above,i will like you to keep it to yourself and don' t tell it to anyone for I am afraid of loosing my life and the money if people gets to know about it. Remember I am giving you all this information due to the trust I deposed on you. I like honest, understanding and God fearing person, truthful and a man of vision,and hardworking.



My Favorite language is English and I speak English very fluently because both my father and mother studied in Europe. Meanwhile I will like you to call me, like I said, i have a lot to tell you. Have a nice day and think about me.



waiting to hear from you soonest

Thanks Yours Friend Rose





My Dear FriendHappy New Year,Am more than happy for your reply to my mail. How is your day, My name is Miss Rose James,single and never been married, i am from Rwanda in East Africa, 24 years, Earlier i was residing in Darfur's refugee camp in Chad on January 2009, at a time,there is a division and dispatch of some of the refugees due to the over population of the people in Chad, i was taken to Senegal in West African on 10th August 2012 where I' m presently residing in N' dioum refugee camp here in Senegal, where i am seeking political asylum due to the civil war in my country. I am in suffering and pains here in this camp, and i really need to have a good someone by my side to encourage and give me good advice in life and help me to come out from this situation.My late father Dr.James Wilson was the Industrial Managing director of (Willson and industrial company limited) in the federal capital of Rwanda (Kigali) the economy capital of my Country, and he was also the personal adviser to the former head of state, before the rebels attacked our house one early morning and killed my mother and father in a cold blood. It is only me that is alive now and i managed to serve my life here in Senegal where i am living now as a refugee. This Refugee Camp is headed by a Reverend Father, i used his office computer to send you this email and i only enter his office when he is less busy in his office.My day is very boring over here in Dakar Senegal. in this camp we find it hard to go out because we are not allowed to do so, its just like one staying in the prison and l hope by God' s grace l will come out here soon. I don' t have any relatives now that i can go to, all my relatives ran away in the middle of the war,The only person i have now,is Reverend Chris Oliver who is the Reverend Minister in charge of the church in this camp.(ASSEMBLE DU GLORY MISSION). He has been very nice to me since I came here but I am not living with him rather I am living in the women' s hostel. because the camp have two hostels one for men the other for women. The Reverends e-mail address is ( rev.chrisoliver@mail.com ) Phone number (00221781032145) so If you call tell him that you want to speak with miss Rose James, he will send for me in the hostel.As a refugee here i don' t have any right or privilege to any thing be it money or whatever because it is against the law of this country. I want to go back to my studies because i only attended my first year before the tragic incident that lead to my being in this situation now took place. Honey, please l would like you to know that l have my late father' s statement of account and death certificate here with me which l will like to send to you to assist me, because when he was alive he deposited some amount of money in a leading bank which he used my name as the next of kin. The amount in question is $ 5.7( Five Million Seven Hundred Thousand US Dollars)So l will like you to assist me transfer this money to your account and from it you will send some money for me to get my traveling documents and air ticket to come over to meet with you. I can' t withdraw the money my self due to my refugee statues here in this country which does not permit me to do, rather the money can not be transferred in Senegal where i am in refugee statues. I want you to send me your contact information' s such as.Your Names . . . . . .Age . . . . . . . . . . . .Address . . . . . . . .Telephone . . . . . . .Country . . . . . . . .I have got in touch with the bank and made them to know about my plans to withdraw this money, l also got them aware of the death of my father and they have acknowledged it with all their confirmation and verifications. However, they advise me to get in touch with a very responsible person who will stand on my behalf as my trustee, as regards to this money since l am presently of refugee status over here and wouldn' t be permitted to handle this amount of money, they also let me know about the bond which they signed with my father that the money will be handled to me in bulk amount which means that l should decide on if l should continue with the bank or not.I kept this secret to people in the camp here,the only person that know about it,is the Reverend father because he is like a father to me. So in the light of above,i will like you to keep it to yourself and don' t tell it to anyone for I am afraid of loosing my life and the money if people gets to know about it. Remember I am giving you all this information due to the trust I deposed on you. I like honest, understanding and God fearing person, truthful and a man of vision,and hardworking.My Favorite language is English and I speak English very fluently because both my father and mother studied in Europe. Meanwhile I will like you to call me, like I said, i have a lot to tell you. Have a nice day and think about me.waiting to hear from you soonestThanks Yours Friend Rose From:Date: Fri, Jan 15, 2016 at 1:25 AMSubject: Thanks for your response,Happy New Year,tell me more about you











Rose James nourrosejames85@hotmail.com >

Date: Tue, Jan 19, 2016 at 11:20 AM

Subject: Thanks for your response,Happy New Year,tell me more about you







Happy New Year,Am more than happy for your reply to my mail. How is your day, My name is Miss Rose James,single and never been married, i am from Rwanda in East Africa, 24 years, Earlier i was residing in Darfur's refugee camp in Chad on January 2009, at a time,there is a division and dispatch of some of the refugees due to the over population of the people in Chad, i was taken to Senegal in West African on 10th August 2012 where I' m presently residing in N' dioum refugee camp here in Senegal, where i am seeking political asylum due to the civil war in my country. I am in suffering and pains here in this camp, and i really need to have a good someone by my side to encourage and give me good advice in life and help me to come out from this situation.



My late father Dr.James Wilson was the Industrial Managing director of (Willson and industrial company limited) in the federal capital of Rwanda (Kigali) the economy capital of my Country, and he was also the personal adviser to the former head of state, before the rebels attacked our house one early morning and killed my mother and father in a cold blood. It is only me that is alive now and i managed to serve my life here in Senegal where i am living now as a refugee. This Refugee Camp is headed by a Reverend Father, i used his office computer to send you this email and i only enter his office when he is less busy in his office.



My day is very boring over here in Dakar Senegal. in this camp we find it hard to go out because we are not allowed to do so, its just like one staying in the prison and l hope by God' s grace l will come out here soon. I don' t have any relatives now that i can go to, all my relatives ran away in the middle of the war,The only person i have now,is Reverend Chris Oliver who is the Reverend Minister in charge of the church in this camp.

(ASSEMBLE DU GLORY MISSION). He has been very nice to me since I came here but I am not living with him rather I am living in the women' s hostel. because the camp have two hostels one for men the other for women. The Reverends e-mail address is (



As a refugee here i don' t have any right or privilege to any thing be it money or whatever because it is against the law of this country. I want to go back to my studies because i only attended my first year before the tragic incident that lead to my being in this situation now took place. Honey, please l would like you to know that l have my late father' s statement of account and death certificate here with me which l will like to send to you to assist me, because when he was alive he deposited some amount of money in a leading bank which he used my name as the next of kin. The amount in question is $ 5.7( Five Million Seven Hundred Thousand US Dollars)



So l will like you to assist me transfer this money to your account and from it you will send some money for me to get my traveling documents and air ticket to come over to meet with you. I can' t withdraw the money my self due to my refugee statues here in this country which does not permit me to do, rather the money can not be transferred in Senegal where i am in refugee statues. I want you to send me your contact information' s such as.



Your Names . . . . . .

Age . . . . . . . . . . . .

Address . . . . . . . .

Telephone . . . . . . .

Country . . . . . . . .



I have got in touch with the bank and made them to know about my plans to withdraw this money, l also got them aware of the death of my father and they have acknowledged it with all their confirmation and verifications. However, they advise me to get in touch with a very responsible person who will stand on my behalf as my trustee, as regards to this money since l am presently of refugee status over here and wouldn' t be permitted to handle this amount of money, they also let me know about the bond which they signed with my father that the money will be handled to me in bulk amount which means that l should decide on if l should continue with the bank or not.



I kept this secret to people in the camp here,the only person that know about it,is the Reverend father because he is like a father to me. So in the light of above,i will like you to keep it to yourself and don' t tell it to anyone for I am afraid of loosing my life and the money if people gets to know about it. Remember I am giving you all this information due to the trust I deposed on you. I like honest, understanding and God fearing person, truthful and a man of vision,and hardworking.



My Favorite language is English and I speak English very fluently because both my father and mother studied in Europe. Meanwhile I will like you to call me, like I said, i have a lot to tell you. Have a nice day and think about me.



waiting to hear from you soonest

Thanks Yours Friend Rose



My Dear FriendHappy New Year,Am more than happy for your reply to my mail. How is your day, My name is Miss Rose James,single and never been married, i am from Rwanda in East Africa, 24 years, Earlier i was residing in Darfur's refugee camp in Chad on January 2009, at a time,there is a division and dispatch of some of the refugees due to the over population of the people in Chad, i was taken to Senegal in West African on 10th August 2012 where I' m presently residing in N' dioum refugee camp here in Senegal, where i am seeking political asylum due to the civil war in my country. I am in suffering and pains here in this camp, and i really need to have a good someone by my side to encourage and give me good advice in life and help me to come out from this situation.My late father Dr.James Wilson was the Industrial Managing director of (Willson and industrial company limited) in the federal capital of Rwanda (Kigali) the economy capital of my Country, and he was also the personal adviser to the former head of state, before the rebels attacked our house one early morning and killed my mother and father in a cold blood. It is only me that is alive now and i managed to serve my life here in Senegal where i am living now as a refugee. This Refugee Camp is headed by a Reverend Father, i used his office computer to send you this email and i only enter his office when he is less busy in his office.My day is very boring over here in Dakar Senegal. in this camp we find it hard to go out because we are not allowed to do so, its just like one staying in the prison and l hope by God' s grace l will come out here soon. I don' t have any relatives now that i can go to, all my relatives ran away in the middle of the war,The only person i have now,is Reverend Chris Oliver who is the Reverend Minister in charge of the church in this camp.(ASSEMBLE DU GLORY MISSION). He has been very nice to me since I came here but I am not living with him rather I am living in the women' s hostel. because the camp have two hostels one for men the other for women. The Reverends e-mail address is ( rev.chrisoliver@mail.com ) Phone number (00221781032145) so If you call tell him that you want to speak with miss Rose James, he will send for me in the hostel.As a refugee here i don' t have any right or privilege to any thing be it money or whatever because it is against the law of this country. I want to go back to my studies because i only attended my first year before the tragic incident that lead to my being in this situation now took place. Honey, please l would like you to know that l have my late father' s statement of account and death certificate here with me which l will like to send to you to assist me, because when he was alive he deposited some amount of money in a leading bank which he used my name as the next of kin. The amount in question is $ 5.7( Five Million Seven Hundred Thousand US Dollars)So l will like you to assist me transfer this money to your account and from it you will send some money for me to get my traveling documents and air ticket to come over to meet with you. I can' t withdraw the money my self due to my refugee statues here in this country which does not permit me to do, rather the money can not be transferred in Senegal where i am in refugee statues. I want you to send me your contact information' s such as.Your Names . . . . . .Age . . . . . . . . . . . .Address . . . . . . . .Telephone . . . . . . .Country . . . . . . . .I have got in touch with the bank and made them to know about my plans to withdraw this money, l also got them aware of the death of my father and they have acknowledged it with all their confirmation and verifications. However, they advise me to get in touch with a very responsible person who will stand on my behalf as my trustee, as regards to this money since l am presently of refugee status over here and wouldn' t be permitted to handle this amount of money, they also let me know about the bond which they signed with my father that the money will be handled to me in bulk amount which means that l should decide on if l should continue with the bank or not.I kept this secret to people in the camp here,the only person that know about it,is the Reverend father because he is like a father to me. So in the light of above,i will like you to keep it to yourself and don' t tell it to anyone for I am afraid of loosing my life and the money if people gets to know about it. Remember I am giving you all this information due to the trust I deposed on you. I like honest, understanding and God fearing person, truthful and a man of vision,and hardworking.My Favorite language is English and I speak English very fluently because both my father and mother studied in Europe. Meanwhile I will like you to call me, like I said, i have a lot to tell you. Have a nice day and think about me.waiting to hear from you soonestThanks Yours Friend Rose From:Date: Tue, Jan 19, 2016 at 11:20 AMSubject: Thanks for your response,Happy New Year,tell me more about you Rose James nourrosejames85@hotmail.com >

Date: Thu, Jan 21, 2016 at 5:19 AM

Subject: LET ME KNOW





My Dear friend.

thanks so much for your reply and concern, My dear i want you to help me in claiming of my late father' s funds in the bank,As i have contacted the bank but they requested a foreign partner from me because of my under age and refugee statues,moreover they Advised me to find an honest person. I am suffering a lot here and i don' t have any money with me to go out of here, and my prayers is to come out of here after this transfer, i have no money at hand to come out of here and come over there in your country.



so please my dear let me know if you will help me and will be honest with me, so that i will give you the bank information and you contact them to confirm, my dear i really need your help. because here i am is never conducive for me. i find it very difficult to eat, there is no good water to drink. please i really need you beside me. your country does not mater , what matter' s is your honesty because you don' t need to go there, but the bank will transfer the funds in your account on my behalf, all you will do is to contact them with their Information that I will give you if you promise to help me.



so let me know, please i want you to call me with the Reverend' s Phone number

( +221781032145 ) If you call, tell him that you want to speak with miss Rose James, he will send for me in the hostel, but i can speak only English, i will be waiting for your reply,With love and trust,



From:Date: Thu, Jan 21, 2016 at 5:19 AMSubject: LET ME KNOW

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....
PLEASE NOTE!

Due to the March 23, 2020 NM DOH Public Health Order, These Event Listings Are Not Accurate!

All non-essential businesses are closed, public gatherings are prohibited!

(One day some of these events will be rescheduled or will resume, but they are not happening now!)
Ali Bukar, a displaced person and community leader from Shettiram village, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that his people were "comfortable at the camps and, therefore, in no hurry to return home.

"We will remain here in the camps until all necessary arrangements have been put in place in terms of security and infrastructure by the authorities before we go back home," Bukar said.

Fanna Modu, a mother of two, said "initially when we arrived Kukareta camp there were some challenges and we were desperate to return home.

"The state government has overcome the challenges by providing us with tents for shelter, adequate feeding, drilled boreholes, toilets, blankets and sanitary kits for women, thereby making us comfortable.

"Recently, over 60 male children, including orphans at the camp were circumcised by the authorities; we are home away from home," Fanna said.

Maimuna Abubakar, a widow said about 10 marriages had so far been consummated between widows and widowers and other displaced persons in the various IDPs camps.

NAN reports that the ministers of Defence and Interior had separately visited the state to assess the security situation and plan toward the redeployment of civil authorities in the liberated communities preparatory for the relocation of the IDPs.

Meanwhile, the Yobe Government has constituted a Rehabilitation and Relocation Committee for the IDPs under the chairmanship of the state Deputy Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Aliyu.
The beneficiaries are Miss Mary Ugwu, Master Favour Agu, Miss Ibrahim Aishatu, Master Favour Ike, Master Miracle Okpo and Miss Gift Omire.

Presenting the scholarship certificates to the pupils in Enugu on Saturday, the Enugu State Police Commissioner, Mr Ekechukwu Nwodibo, lauded the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) for the gesture, describing it as unprecedented.

Nwodibo said that the scholarship would see the pupils, who are in primary 2 and primary 3, through their primary education.

He noted that the gesture depicted the force under the leadership of IGP, Solomon Arase, as responsive to the welfare of its officers and men.

The commissioner, however, told the pupils to be studious and to utilise the opportunity of the scholarship to excel.

One of the parents, Mrs Chioma Ugwu, who spoke on behalf of other parents, expressed her appreciation to the force for the gesture.

She prayed for the protection of the IGP and his management team, saying: The force never had this kind of gesture since its inception.
Amin, who disclosed this at the first convocation ceremony of the institution in Dutse on Saturday, said that the gesture had ``uplifted the young university''.

The Vice Chancellor commended Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND), for its support and commitment to infrastructural development of the school, noting that more than 90 per cent of the buildings were provided by the the Fund..

``We want our graduates to be job creators, rather than job seekers,'' he declared.
An eye witness told NAN that residents of the area ran for cover when they heard gunshots in the town around 9 p.m.

Malam Musa Kanoma, the district head, said upon their arrival, the gunmen headed straight to the police station, firing shots and causing confusion in the area.

``We heard shouts of victory later on but no one could come out, as we did not know whether it was the police or their attackers, he said

When contacted, however, the state Police Command's Public Relations Officer, DSP Sanusi Amiru, confirmed the attack on the station by the gunmen.

Amiru, however, said the motive of the attack was not yet known.

He stated that there were exchange of gunfire between the police and the attackers who came in their large numbers.

He said although no policeman was wounded, many of the attackers, who were overpowered by the police, ran away with bullet wounds.
INEC Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, made the appeal while speaking with newsmen when he visited some registration centres on Friday in Abuja.

He said that available records showed that no fewer than 21,978 voters in the FCT had registered in the last two days of the exercise.

``12,000 of this figure are male while over 9,000 are female.

``So we are appealing to our eligible female voters to come out so that they can be registered," he said.

Yakubu pledged that the commission would do everything possible to ensure that eligible voters in the territory were captured in the ongoing CVR.

He said that it was the desire of the commission to ensure that interested eligible voters were registered and empowered with the Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) to cast their vote.

He said: "the truth is that people have greater confidence in the electoral process and everybody wants to be registered.

``It is our desire to rise up to the challenge of Nigerians to be registered and vote, whether they are Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) or not.

``I want to assure you that we will do whatever it takes to ensure that Nigerians are empowered with PVCs to vote.

``The power to vote is the possession of the PVC."

The chairman said that the commission would meet to look into the request of the registrants that more Direct Data Capturing (DDC) machines and manpower should be deployed to registration centres.

He added that the request that the five days stipulated for the exercise should be extended would also be considered by the commission.

``The purpose of this monitoring is to see feel the exercise and the challenges associated with it.

``We have had two major requests calling for the deployment of more DDC machines and extension of date.

``We will go back to the office and discuss on the request," he pledged.

Yakubu said that the commission was working on a portal, an online platform to facilitate the process of applying for transfer of voters card from one place to another.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the INEC chairman visited registration centres at Primary School, Wuse Zone 2 and Government Secondary School, Area 10, Garki.

At the Area 10 centre, Mr Sunday Ameh, a registrant urged INEC to deploy more DDC machines to fast track the registration.
The Vice-Chancellor of the University, Prof. Vincent Tenebe, said in his address at the ceremony that Obasanjo was among other notable Nigerians in the list of the 10,653 graduands in which 15 of them made first class honours.

Tenebe listed other outstanding graduands as the Emir of Hadejia, Jigawa State, Alhaji Adamu Abubakar and the traditional ruler of Awgu, Enugu State, Igwe Felix Okechukwu.

Others were over 70 years Rear Admiral Orisha, (Rtd), who bagged fist class in Mathematics and a 78-year-old, Chief Femi Balogun, who bagged LL.B from the School of Law.

The vice-chancellor also listed a blind student, Mr Obinna Bede, who bagged a Bachelor of Arts (English), degree and Udo Effiong, who had the highest cumulative point in first class grade of 4.71.

``It is interesting to note that Obasanjo will be graduating with a Masters Degree (MA-Christian Theology) having met the requirements for the award during this convocation.

``Having been given the admission to study MA/PhD in Christian Theology, Obasanjo will continue with his Ph.D fully.

``This is very unique considering his age and commitments; he also made a very good cumulative grade point, the VC said.

Tenebe said that NOUN had achieved its primary mandate of having study centres in all the state capitals across the country.

According to him, the institution will commence the last aspect of its mandate, which is to establish study centres in all the 774 local governments in the next 15 years.

He said that the total number of study centre across the country stood at 72 alongside four new research centres.

Tenebe appealed to relevant authorities to admit graduates of NOUN into law school as was done in other countries.

``We will not relent in our appeal to the Council for Legal Education to give NOUN Law graduates the opportunity to attend the Law School and be called to the Bar.

``If other countries such as UK, India, South Africa, Tanzania, among others allow their Open Universities Law graduates to attend Law School and are called to the Bar, Nigeria has no justifiable reasons to hold her Open University graduates down.

``We must move forward in all these areas as a progressive country, he said.

In his address, NOUNs Chancellor, Igwe Lawrence Agubuzu, said that there were 59 open universities in the World, adding that their graduates were treated differently from graduates of conventional universities.

Agubuzu called on the National Youth Service Corps and the Nigerian Law School to allow NOUN graduates to participate in their progammes.

NAN reports that Chief Obasanjo received the award by proxy as he was said to unavoidably absent.
Reacting to allegations that he was behind the attack on oil installations in Warri, Delta State, Tompolo vows that the country would know no peace if the region is troubled.

In a statement by his media aide, he said, Well, I am sure this is what President Buhari is looking for. He should allow the people of the Niger Delta Region to know peace, otherwise he will not know peace as well.

'I am not responsible for the attack and I condemn it as a dastardly act. I am aware that some persons might want to destroy oil installations and link it with me; that was why I said before time that I have nothing to do with it.
The governor who voted at the Alkali Mustapha polling unit of Kontagora around 2:30 p.m. commended the peaceful conduct of the electorate.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Kontagora elections processes could not start until around 12:30 noon due to late arrival of materials.

"I want everyone to see this election as a process that will lead to the realisation of our collective desire for change not only in Niger but the country as a whole.

"Our desire is to see that credible people come on board to implement the state government's policies and programmes aimed at turning around the critical sectors of our state economy for good," he said.

Bello urged the people to take the result of the election as the "act of God, saying, God gives power and takes it away from whosoever He wishes."

Alhaji Salisu Adamu, a resident of Kontagora told NAN that eligible voters had to wait for hours before the staff of the Niger State Independent Electoral Commission (NSIEC) arrived with materials.

He said that the accreditation process, which was scheduled for 8:00 a.m started at 12:30 p.m.

Similarly, the Minister of State for Solid Minerals, Alhaji Abubakar Bwari, voted at the Emir of New Bwari palace polling unit around 2:30 p.m.

Bwari urged residents to be peaceful for true development to reach every citizen.

Meanwhile, low voters turnout characterised most polling units in Chanchaga and Bosso council areas.

Mr Awwal Aliyu, Presiding Officer at Gbakwaita polling unit (I) in Chanchaga ward, told NAN that out of 1, 407 registered voters at the centre only 97 were accredited to vote.

Similarly, Alhaji Mohammed Mohammed, a party agent at the polling unit decried the low turnout of voters in the unit.

``Some of the electorate are afraid, following series of the clashes between APC and PDP during campaign where some lives were lost.

``You can see we are about to start voting and we have not accredited up to 100 voters in a polling unit of 1, 407 registered voters, he said.

The Presiding Officer at Cocacola depot polling unit with number 011 in Tudun Wada North ward, Malam Suleiman Abdullahi, told NAN that out of 1, 156 registered voters at the polling unit only 218 were accredited to vote.
The Word for Today devotional by United Christian Broadcasters (UCB) says:

Here are two more steps to overcoming anxiety:

1) Ask for help: Paul wrote, Outside were conflicts, inside were fears. Nevertheless God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus (2 Corinthians 7:5-6 NKJV).

Youre not unique; others are facing the same fears too. By telling on your anxieties, they begin to lose their power. Remember: Two are better than oneIf one falls down, his friend can help him up.

But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 NIV 1984 Version). Share your feelings with someone you trust, and ask them to pray with you.

People are more willing to help than you might imagine. Less worry on your part often means more happiness on theirs.

2) Focus on God, not yourself: Jesus concludes His call to calmness with this challenge: Your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need (Matthew 6:32-33 NLT).

If you seek wealth, youll worry about every pound. If you seek health, youll fear every blemish and bump. If you seek popularity, youll obsess over every conflict. If you seek safety, youll jump at every crack of the twig.

But if you focus each day on Gods kingdom, He will give you everything you need. An unknown poet wrote: Said the robin to the sparrow, I should really like to know, why these anxious human beings rush around and worry so. Said the sparrow to the robin, Friend, I think that it must be, that they have no heavenly Father such as cares for you and me.
The Executive Secretary of the commission, Mr John-Kennedy Opara, made the disclosure on the sidelines of the commissions three-day retreat, which commenced on Jan. 15 at Goshen City in Keffi, Nasarawa State.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the retreat which has as its theme: ``Moving in His Might, also has ``NCPC: New

Thinking, New Possibilities as the commissions slogan for 2016.

Opara told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the plan to explore the lottery scheme and PSS was to ensure a successful execution of the commissions 2016 programme.

NAN recalls that the NCPC in collaboration with the National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC) had signed a Memorandum of Understanding in 2015 for the Christian Pilgrimage Lottery Scheme.

Opara said that the lottery and the PSS, which was expected to commence this year, would be a trademark to promote Christianity and contribute to nation building.

``This year, there will be an upsurge because of the lottery scheme; as such every Christian should be able to buy a cheap ticket and get an opportunity to travel.

``We have made pilgrimage affordable for every Christian through these two schemes.

``We are trusting God that many Christians will go to Israel at little or no cost because of the lottery scheme and the PSS.

``We are not depending on government but we will look at individuals that will be ready to sponsor people to go to Israel. Our number will be high this year by Gods grace.

He explained that the retreat would help the commission to fashion out the best way to undertake its activities for 2016.

``This retreat signifies the desire of the NCPC to work with God so it helps us to wait on Him to give us a sense of direction.

``God is going to do what we cannot do for ourselves as a commission and this year, He has promised to be with us to help us change lives in this country.

``I am excited because God has promised to take us beyond our wildest imaginations; we are ready for the task ahead, Opara said.
UNHCR spokeswoman Karin de Gruijl said refugees had told of soldiers attacking villages they believed were harbouring opposition party members and had burned down houses, in one case killing an elderly woman trapped inside her home.

"Some parents also stated they have been separated from their children during flight and they have not been able to find them," de Gruijl told a news conference in Geneva.

Mozambique's main opposition party, Renamo started out as a guerrilla force backed by neighbouring then-Rhodesia's white-minority government and later apartheid South Africa, on its southern border, to counter the communist Frelimo movement.

The two sides fought a civil war from 1976 to 1992 in which a million people died.

Frelimo has dominated politics since the end of the fighting but Renamo never completely disarmed and launched a low-level guerrilla campaign in late 2012 that analysts said was designed to extract political concessions before 2014 elections.

Since then, there have been few reported outbreaks of violence in former Renamo strongholds in the southern African nation's central belt or around Tete, a major coal mining centre.

It is not clear what sparked the latest fighting.
"Numerous reports of the police using excessive force, obstruction and dispersal of opposition rallies, and intimidation and arrest of journalists have contributed to an electoral climate of fear and intimidation, and raise questions about the fairness of the process," the U.S. State Department said in a statement.

President Yoweri Museveni has governed Uganda for three decades and is heavily favored to win another five-year term at polls next month.

The election is expected to be one of the toughest yet for Museveni, 71, a key Western ally who came to power after waging a five-year guerrilla war.

Museveni's two major challengers, Kizza Besigye and Amama Mbabazi, have both accused the government of using Uganda's security agencies to intimidate supporters, including arrests and beatings, and interference with campaign events.

"We note with particular concern the reports that Christopher Aine, an opposition campaign aide, has disappeared," the State Department statement said.

Aine disappeared in mid-December shortly after police said he was wanted for questioning in regard to allegations of leading a mob that assaulted supporters of Museveni earlier in the month.

The Mbabazi campaign told Reuters that Aine's family had identified a body shown in the social media reports as his.
Finding Peace of Mind: Discover These Five Places in Europe to Unwind
The recent motion filed by the state of Nevada to formally end the Yucca Mountain Nuclear Waste Repository project has sparked both support and outrage among Nevadans. Yucca Mountain has been a subject of national controversy for more than 40 years since the projects environmental review process began.
He hunts finely honed spear, dart and flint arrow tips used by American Indians to kill everything from mastodons (think giant, wooly elephants) to deer and pretty much anything else that didn't duck fast enough; ducks too, probably.

And this loosed flurry of projectiles, found along creek beds and all over the place near Wehrle's Cowden home, does date back a long, long way.

Our hunter shows off a Clovis flint spear tip that is still as sharp as a razor despite being last thrown in anger 12,000 years ago. To put that in perspective, Egyptian king Tutankhamun was being laid to rest to sleep the big sleep as recently as 1323 B.C., give or take. And one of the wonders of ancient Egypt, the Great Pyramid of Giza, only dates back 4,575 years.

A visitor who spends any time with Wehrle gets used to these mind-warping dashes back in time. A well-read collector since he was 10 who still hunts at least once a week, he's amassed more than 3,000 flint projectiles and stone tools. He pours them out in little heaps, saying how these here, with the side notches, date back more than 5,000 years, while those over there with the squared-off bases are 6,000 years old.

The big flint projectile tips can measure up 5 inches long, while actual arrowheads (relative newcomers in the race to secure lunch, making their North American debut a mere 1,500 years ago) are much smaller and more delicate. And it doesn't stop there: Wehrle produces precisely carved stone axe heads, knives and stone implements called celts, a later style of ax head.

To listen to him tell it, you would think the countryside is just littered with these things. He says Illinois is one of the nation's top flint tool hot spots because a lot of Indians used to live and hunt here.

An archaeologist told me the population in Fayette County 2,000 years ago would be about the same as it is today, says Wehrle, 42, a Caterpillar Inc. machinist in Decatur. The Indians were well spread out.

And then along came the white man, carrying diseases against which no flint weapon could prevail, and the Indians began to vanish. Those who were left to linger into more modern times would meet other equally dead-end fates as the tide of white settlement shot westward like the arrow that flieth by day.

What remains of the ancient American past, however, is the imperishable stone, often worked with magnificent skill into lethal slivers that still target the imagination.

Not everybody could be a flint knapper, explains Wehrle, using the term for a shaper of stone into useful stuff. I can't do it, and I've tried, but I am not good at it.

But when it comes to getting to the point ages after they were lost, there are few to touch him. His wife, Crystal, says she can walk the same area he does and see nothing. But he's so good at, she adds. He'll walk up right behind and pick one up that I never saw.

The trick, says her husband, is knowing how to read the signs. He walks creeks and other terrain where Indians wandered long before anyone ever heard of Jesus of Nazareth.

You look for things like burned rock, because they would line their fire pits with rock, he says. If you're finding burned rock, you know they were camping there, and if you start finding things like flint chips, you know they were manufacturing arrowheads or resharpening them. You've got to know what to look for, and you've got to be able to read the ground, too.

Even on a slow hunt day, Wehrle says the reward is still a relaxing trek through the great outdoors, alone with your thoughts and nature. But when you do find one of those magic pieces of flint, and stoop to pick up something perhaps untouched by another hand for 12 millennia, there is a thrill to that contact that never gets old.
The National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium in the Port of Dubuque will host its annual Ice Fest Saturday-Monday, Jan. 16-18.

The museum and aquarium will present winter-related programs daily, including historic demonstrations, winter crafts, snow and ice sculptures and eagle watching.

Other activities include traditional Native American outdoor winter games, live animal programs, winter safety demonstrations, appearances by the Dubuque Fighting Saints and more.

Guests include Dan Wardell, host of Kids Club on Iowa Public Television, with his friend Daniel Tiger.

Regular museum and aquarium admission rates apply. There is no additional fee for Ice Fest activities.

Ice Fest is sponsored by Colony Brands and Casey's General Stores. Additional support is provided by Sundown Mountain, Grand Harbor Resort & Waterpark, Radio Dubuque and Heiar Fencing & Supply Inc.

SCHEDULE

10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily

(Schedules and activities are subject to change.)

* Ice harvesting demonstrations.

* Eagle watching.

* Ice/winter safety programs.

* Winter crafts for children.

* Indoor/outdoor activities.

* Sledding hill.

* Native American snow snake game.

Saturday, Jan. 16

* Professional snow carvers.

* Professional ice sculptor.

* Appearance by the Dubuque Fire & Rescue Department.

* Open water rescue demonstrations.

Sunday, Jan. 17

* Professional snow carvers.

* Professional ice sculptor.

* Appearance by the Dubuque Fire & Rescue Department.

* Open water rescue demonstrations.

* Face-painting from noon to 3 p.m.

* Family story time, with Dan Wardell and Daniel Tiger, at 11 a.m. and 1 and 3 p.m.

Monday, Jan. 18

* Snow and ice sculptures.

* Appearance by the Dubuque Fighting Saints and its mascot, Bernie.
Wisconsin trout anglers have plenty to look forward to this year as an expanded early trout season gets under way and ongoing habitat improvements are contributing to upgraded stream classifications.

The expanded early catch and release trout season started at 5 a.m. Jan. 2 and runs until Friday, May 6 on many inland state rivers and streams. The regular trout season opens Saturday, May 7.

A 2015-2016 fishing license and trout stamp are required to fish during the Jan. 2 to March 31 period. A new 2016-2017 fishing license and trout stamp will be required on and after April 1.

Meanwhile, based on surveys of some 300 waterways over the past two years, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources fisheries biologists are upgrading the classifications of 14 streams and newly classifying another 27 that for the first time have been documented as sustaining trout populations. Six of the newly classified streams have earned the Class 1 designation.

"Shared efforts by property owners, angling groups such as Trout Unlimited and DNR are contributing to very real improvements in Wisconsin trout streams," said DNR Secretary Cathy Stepp. "At the same time, we believe the expanded early trout season and simplified regular season rules will create even more opportunities for anglers from Wisconsin and beyond to enjoy these world-class waters. We're pleased these initiatives are working hand-in-hand to benefit the environment and the economy."

Joanna Griffin, DNR trout specialist, said the stream survey and classification work helps DNR prioritize streams for improvement and qualify projects for funding from trout stamp sales.

"The classification process also provides a way to engage local community members and angling groups with efforts to reduce runoff and adopt best management practices for entire watersheds," Griffin said.

DNR uses three categories to classify trout streams to ensure adequate protection and proper management: Class 1, Class 2 and Class 3. Class 1 steams -- such as a newly upgraded segment of Black Earth Creek in Dane County and newly classified streams in Iron, Pierce and Sauk counties -- sustain healthy populations of wild trout through natural reproduction and require no stocking. Wisconsin currently holds some 5,289 miles of Class 1 trout streams, about 40 percent of the state's total trout stream mileage.

Class 2 waters contain some natural reproduction, but not enough to use available food and space and require stocking to maintain a desirable sport fishery. Trout survive and grow well in these waters, which accounts for about 6,126 miles or 46 percent of the total trout stream mileage.

Class 3 waters provide marginal habitat with no natural reproduction or carryover of the stocked fish. Wisconsin holds some 1,817 miles of Class 3 trout streams, about 14 percent of the total. Through habitat improvement efforts, some Class 3 streams can sustain natural reproduction and achieve a Class 2 ranking, as seen with streams in Buffalo and Trempealeau counties over the past two years.

The survey work also leads to a better understanding of trout populations in key waters and played a role in the development of the simplified regulations that will debut during the 2016 regular trout season. The regulations will create more uniformity for anglers who fish on different trout streams and within small geographic areas. Under the new system, maps online and in the regulation pamphlet will indicate one of three regulations:

Green means go fish, with no length limit, a bag limit of five fish and no bait restrictions;

Yellow means caution, with an 8-inch length limit, a bag limit of three fish and no bait restrictions; and

Red means special regulations are in place. Anglers are advised to stop and understand the regulations before fishing.

To learn more about the regulations, visit dnr.wi.gov and search "trout review." A list of early season streams can be found on the website.
Storm Lake is a town of about 13,000 in rural western Iowa, the kind of town that, unattached to a larger urban center, often struggles to maintain population and keep its schools and stores open.

But Storm Lake does not have that problem. In fact, it is growing because of a steady influx of immigrants, Mark Prosser, the police chief and public safety director, said.

The flow began in the late 1970s with refugees from Southeast Asia, grew in the 1990s with Spanish-speaking people from Mexico and other South and Central American countries, and continues to the present with a mix of Asians, Africans and Micronesians, Prosser said. The primary reason has been job opportunities at two very large meat packing plants.

The shifting demographics has been challenging, but it also has produced a "young and vibrant community" in which 82 percent of the children in public schools pre-K through 12 are non-Caucasian, he said.

Prosser will be one of the speakers who will discuss immigration issues and reform at the next Quad-Cities New Ideas Forum, scheduled for 6-8 p.m. Jan. 27 at the Rogalski Center, St. Ambrose University, 518 W. Locust St., Davenport.

The forum is a partnership of the Quad-City Times, the Quad-Cities Chamber of Commerce and St. Ambrose, intended to boost Quad-City caucus participation by providing more thoughtful, in-depth discussion of current issues.

Jason Gordon, of the chamber, said he hopes the forum can "raise the level of dialogue about immigration that tends to get over-simplified.

"It's very complex," he said. "And it has a lot of impacts on business and industry."

The speakers are all members of a group called Bibles, Badges and Business for Immigration Reform, an unlikely network of conservative faith, law enforcement and business leadership.

Members have seen the changing face of America in their congregations, businesses and communities, and their response has been to advocate for policy solutions that will help new Americans attain the opportunities, skills and status to reach their fullest potential.

For Prosser in Storm Lake, the biggest challenge has been the language barrier. This is felt throughout the community, particularly in schools where children speak 30 different languages.

Through time, though, the differences between the area's established community of European immigrants and the newcomers have meshed.

"Generationally, our children ... they don't see color," Prosser said. "It's a neat thing to see."
A Davenport man was sentenced Thursday to more than eight years in federal prison in connection with a shooting and police chase in November 2014.

Leonard Fisher Jr., 25, must serve three years of supervised release once he completes his prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.

Fisher pleaded guilty in September to one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm in U.S. District Court, Davenport.

According to court records:

About 12:18 a.m. Nov. 29, 2014, police were called to a dance club in the 1100 block of West 3rd Street for a report of shots fired.

Officers who arrived to the club began to chase after a car that sped out of a nearby alley. During the chase, occupants of the vehicle threw an object our of the vehicle and hit a parked car.

The chase ended at Genesis Medical Center-East Rusholme Street, Davenport. The front-seat passenger was identified as Fisher and notified police that the backseat passenger, Kevin West, 27, has been shot. Officers who helped West get out of the car saw a gun in the passenger back map pocket.

Officers discovered a loaded .38-caliber handgun with an obliterated serial number, two bags of marijuana and indicia, or distinguishing marks, for Fisher, according to court documents.

Fisher has prior felony convictions of possession with intent to distribute, possession of a firearm by a felon, furnishing a controlled substance to an inmate and possession of a controlled substance in a jail.

Another man, Cameron Cortez Howard, 28, pleaded guilty in Scott County District Court last year in connection with the shooting and was sentenced to up to 15 years in prison. According to court documents, Howard pointed and fired at least two rounds from a .380-caliber handgun at West while in the crowded dance club. West was hit in the abdomen and back by at least two bullets.
An East Moline man was sentenced this week to 10 months in federal prison for making false statements on a firearm purchase form.

DeAndre Lee Hodges, 22, will serve three years of supervised release and forfeit three firearms and ammunition. There is no parole in the federal system.

Hodges pleaded guilty in September to two counts of making false statements during the purchase of a firearm in U.S. District Court, Davenport.

According to the plea agreement, on Aug. 15, 2014, Hodges purchased a Smith & Wesson 9mm handgun from a licensed gun dealer in Davenport and filled out a required form. All licensed dealers are required to obtain and retain the address of the purchaser of a firearm.

On April 7, Hodges purchased two more guns from the same dealer, a Smith & Wesson .40-caliber pistol and an American Tactical Import .22 rifle as well as ammunition. Again, Hodges filled out the required form.

On April 15, Hodges told police that two handguns were stolen from his garage. During the investigation, Hodges was interviewed and admitted that he lived in Illinois, not Davenport, as he stated on the form during his gun purchase, according to the plea agreement.

U.S. District Court Judge James E. Gritzner sentenced Hodges on Thursday to two 10-month prison sentences that will be served concurrently, or at the same time.
MUSCATINE  A suspect in a vehicle theft is in the hospital after law enforcement shot him Friday night.

The incident started a little after 10 p.m. Friday when Alberto Jimenez-Diaz of Muscatine reported that his blue 2008 Hummer was stolen from the Guadalajara Restaurant parking lot at 208 E. 2nd St., according to a news release issued by the Muscatine Police Department.

At 10:33 p.m., a Muscatine County Sheriffs deputy saw the Hummer on U.S. 61 near University Boulevard.

The deputy, with assistance from Muscatine police, conducted a traffic stop in the parking lot of the Pearl City Inn/Best Western at 305 Cleveland Ave.

The suspect then tried to drive away, hitting several vehicles parked in the hotel lot, including one of the marked law enforcement vehicles, according to the release.

The deupty fired at the vehicle, said Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge Richard Rahn. The driver of the vehicle suffered a gunshot wound and was transported initially to Trinity Muscatine then transferred to University Hospitals, Iowa City. Rahn described the wound as non-life-threatening.

A criminal investigation is being conducted by the Muscatine Police Department, the Iowa State Patrol and the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation.

The release did not name the suspect or the officers involved.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact Lt. Tim Hull of the Muscatine Police Department at 563-263-9922 ext. 608.
Iowa police officials are investigating an officer-involved shooting Friday night in Muscatine.

The Iowa Department of Public Safetys (DPS) Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) was called to assist with the investigation.

An officer from the Muscatine Police Department and a deputy from the Muscatine Sheriff's Office were involved with the stop of a suspect vehicle, Iowa DCI Special Agent in Charge Richard Rahn said.

Preliminary reports indicate only the deputy discharged his duty weapon, Rahn said.

Per protocol, the names of the deputy and police officer will not be released until they have been interviewed. Additional information will be released when it becomes available.
Scott County Sheriffs investigators are continuing to put pressure on people they say are involved in a conspiracy to produce and use methamphetamine in the county.

Deputies made two more arrests Friday, bringing the total number of those charged to 26.

This has been going on several months, at least back to October, Scott County Sheriffs Lt. Tim Lane said of the investigation. We have excellent investigators who have worked very hard to make the connections to identify the people in this conspiracy and shut it down. The arrests Friday brings the number of people charged in connection with the conspiracy to 26, and more arrests are on the way.

Joshua Scott Peters, 30, and the woman who lives with him, Jamie Lynn Sumpter, 35, each were booked into the Scott County Jail on meth-related charges Friday after Scott County Sheriffs deputies executed a search warrant at their home at 3717 Sunnyside Ave., Davenport.

According to the arrest affidavits filed by Scott County Sheriffs Deputy Daniel Furlong, investigators seized two of the one-pot type meth vessels, one from the couples bedroom and one from the trunk of Sumpters car. Each of the vessels contained more than five grams of meth sludge. Investigators also seized meth-making materials.

Peters is charged with one count of manufacturing meth, one charge of conspiracy to commit a non-forcible felony and five counts of possession of meth-making materials including sodium hydroxide, lithium, petroleum distillates and pseudoephedrine. Peters bond is set at $100,000.

Sumpter is charged with one count each of possession of ephedrine with the intent to manufacture meth and conspiracy to commit a non-forcible felony. Sumpters bond is set at $5,000.

According to Furlongs affidavit, Peters told detectives that he began making methamphetamine for himself when John Michael Cannella Jr., 29, and eight others were arrested by sheriffs investigators during a raid on three Davenport homes on Dec. 21.

Also arrested with Cannella in the Dec. 21 raid were Jerald Wayne Burmeister, 30; Nichole Lynn Amerine, 32; Joshua James Cook, 26; Daniel Scott Scharfenberg, 18; Tabitha Ellen McKinley, 29; Harley Edward Jenkins, 23; Alexandra Wheeler, 25; and Daniel J. Hinrichs, 30.

McKinley and Wheeler were released from the Scott County Jail after posting bond. The rest remain in the Scott County Jail pending trial.

Lane said that anyone in Scott County who is determined to make methamphetamine should pack up their show and move away, because it wont be long until were knocking on their door.

What would be best is for family members to get involved and get their loved-ones into treatment, he said.

There are some very good programs out there that can help people get on the right track, Lane said. Of course, a person has to want to get on the right track, but there is good help available, provided by people who genuinely care.

Ive seen first-hand the effects these street drugs have on people, and I can tell you that being a drug addict is no way to live.

Those who continue to manufacture and use likely will end up in prison for a long time, he said.

These are serious felony charges that carry a lot of prison time, Lane said.

The charge of manufacturing meth leveled against Peters is a Class B felony under Iowa law that carries a prison sentence of up to 25 years.

The remaining charges filed against both him and Sumpter are Class D felonies under Iowa law, each of which carries a prison sentence of up to five years.

According to Scott County District Court electronic records, Peters already is serving three years on probation after pleading guilty in April to a charge of first-degree theft, a Class C felony that carries a prison sentence of up to 10 years. He had received a suspended 10-year prison sentence with his probation.

Officials have said that Peters probation on the theft charge likely will be revoked, meaning he could have to serve the remainder of the 10-year prison sentence on top of what he would serve on the meth-related charges.

Also, Scott County District Court electronic records show that Sumpter is serving two years on probation after pleading guilty in September 2014 to a charge of accessory to a felony, an aggravated misdemeanor under Iowa law that carries a prison sentence of up to two years.
Kim Findlay thinks the Davenport community has the back of the Putnam Museum in requesting taxpayer dollars to subsidize a chunk of its operating budget.

The museum's director did just that Saturday morning, asking Mayor Frank Klipsch and the City Council for $250,000 in new money during a budget workshop at City Hall.

"We are loved by this community," Findlay said.

Findlay and Putnam board President Steve Bahls, who also is Augustana College president, said the museum conducted a market study last year, soliciting feedback from Quad-Citians and comparing the Putnam to similar museums across the country. In that study, including 700 phone calls and 300 online surveys, about 70 percent of respondents favored a local government subsidy.

They said the $250,000 city subsidy can be used as leverage to approach private donors to help close a $500,000 annual operating deficit.

The number of museum employees has been reduced by half in recent years to cut expenses, going from 60 in 2004 to 30 now, Bahls said.

Meanwhile, attendance was at its highest ever last year with 150,000 visitors, including 28,500 schoolchildren. Bahls said the market study found that the Putnam's expenses per visitor are "far less" than similar museums.

"We cannot further reduce costs," he said.

Since Findlay took over as director in 2007, she has boosted private donations 700 percent, she said.

Alderman Jeff Justin, 6th Ward, recognized the museum's efforts in science, technology, engineering and math, or STEM, education.

"Your STEM programs, which I believe are funded mainly by private donors, are making a big impact on kids," he said.

This all comes as the Putnam has lost a stable source of revenue. For 110 years, the museum relied on a pair of trusts  the W.C. Putnam Estate Trust and the Putnam Memorial Fund  as a regular source of revenue. That came to an end in November 2014 with the sale of some downtown property.

Findlay said the museum also lost money on recent "blockbuster" exhibits.

She hopes the upcoming Discovery of King Tut exhibit beginning March 5 and a Beatles exhibit next year will further raise the museum's profile.

In related news, the Quad-Cities Convention and Visitors Bureau has asked the city to increase its funding from the previous year.

Last year, Davenport gave the the bureau $450,000. Joe Taylor, president and CEO, asked for $600,000 on Saturday, saying his bureau will need additional revenue to market the area to new tourists spurred by both the move of the Rhythm City Casino and Viking River Cruises.

By comparison, Taylor said Convention and Visitors Bureau receives $184,000 from Bettendorf, $276,000 from Moline, $87,000 from Rock Island, $10,000 from LeClaire, $70,000 from Scott County and $50,000 from Rock Island County (recently increased from $25,000).

The Figge Art Museum's director Tim Schiffer did not make so much a pitch as touting the museum's accomplishments last year, with attendance at 89,150, up from the 81,000 who visited in 2014 and the 67,000 who visited in 2013.

The Figge houses the city's collection of 3,700 pieces of art in temperature-controlled rooms. The city is obligated to pay $753,000 annually to the museum to maintain the collection until 2023, when a contract between the two is set to expire. That amount represents 30 percent of the museum's revenue.

Aldermen mostly listened to a handful of agencies make their presentations on Saturday and offered words of encouragement. Decisions come later when the budget is completed this spring.
For the second year in a row, farmland values in Iowa have fallen as commodity prices and farm income continue their downward trend.

A glut of corn and soybeans on the world market coupled with some slowing in the economies of China and the Eurozone has put downward pressure on commodity prices, said field agronomist Virgil Schmitt of the Iowa State University Extension office in Muscatine. That, in turn, has affected the value of the land growing the crops.

Milan farmer Jim Coyne said it boils down to a big drop in farm income, which means farmers will be spending less on high-ticket items such as combines and tractors, which already has led to indefinite layoffs at Deere & Co.

That drop in farm income, he said, adversely affects everyone in the community down to the family restaurant owner.

"That's why I like to see the agricultural sector do well," Coyne said. "It means the whole area will be doing well. Deere will be hiring, the subcontractors of Deere will be hiring, and people will be going to town and spending money."

As it is, he said, farmers, including him, will be tightening their belts to weather the economic downturn.

Deere spokesman Ken Golden said that the company has approximately 1,500 employees on indefinite layoff at this time. Those employees do have an opportunity to be recalled if market conditions improve.

Golden said that in some situations, employees laid off at one John Deere facility have been hired at other Deere locations.

Deere added approximately 2,000 manufacturing jobs from 2010 to 2013, Golden said. The company has balanced the size of its manufacturing workforce with market demand, he said.

"As sales increased, we added jobs, and as sales decreased, we had indefinite layoffs," he said.

Scott County has high values

According to the 2015 Iowa Land Value Survey published in December by the Iowa State University Center for Agriculture and Rural Development, the value for all quality of farmland in the state is estimated at $7,633 per acre, a decrease of $310 per acre from 2014.

The highest average land values were reported in northwest Iowa at $9,685 per acre, while the lowest were in south-central Iowa at $4,397 per acre, according to the survey.

The bright spot locally is that for the third year in a row, Scott County recorded the highest land values with an average of $10,918 per acre. That is $700 lower than the $11,618 per acre recorded in 2014, and $1,495 below the 2013 average value of $12,413 per acre.

Stagnant and declining commodity prices drove down farm income in 2014 and 2015 and led to a decline in land values, said Iowa State University agricultural economist Wendong Zhang, who prepared the survey.

According to the Ag Decision Maker published in December by the Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, cash prices for corn received by Iowas farmers in 2011 averaged $5.96 per bushel. That average price jumped to $6.67 per bushel in 2012, remained strong in 2013 at $6.23 per bushel.

By 2014, the cash price for a bushel of corn received by Iowas farmers dropped to an average of $4.13, and then plummeted to $3.70 during the first 10 months of 2015, according to the Ag Decision Maker. By October, the average cash price for a bushel of corn was $3.58

Average cash prices for soybeans followed a similar trend. In 2011, Iowa farmers were getting an average of $12.49 a bushel for soybeans. The average cash price climbed to $13.89 in 2012 and to $14.13 in 2013.

In 2014, the average cash price for soybeans fell to $12.47 a bushel and is at $9.55 for the first 10 months of 2015. In October, Iowas farmers were receiving an average cash price of $8.69 for their soybeans, according to the Ad Decision Maker.

While no one can predict the future, Zhang said the current indicators suggest that farm income will not be improving in the near future.

The USDA is projecting farm income to decline another 20 percent over the next five years and then stabilize, Zhang said.

For 2015, the U.S. Department of Agricultures Economic Research Service is forecasting that net farm income will be $55.9 billion nationally, down 38 percent from 2014s estimate of $90.4 billion. If realized, it will be the lowest forecast for net farm income since 2002.

Most farmers have accumulated enough cash over the years to be able to weather the storm, Zhang said.

A major influence in the decline in agriculture prices has been the slowing of the economies of China and Europe, Zhang said.

You probably wont see Chinas economy growing at 8-10 percent annually over the next decade, he said. For the next five years, maybe, China may see 6-7 percent growth, which is still high compared to most countries.

Little land is on market

While land prices in Iowa have fallen, Eric Schlutz, a Realtor for Ruhl & Ruhl who also is a farmer, said land prices have not dropped as far as they may have because of the high demand for the property and the lack of land people are putting up for sale.

"We haven't reached a point where producers are stressed enough to put their land on the market," Schlutz said. "There were five or six good years there where farmers made decent profits, and we're not seeing much inventory."

Scott County farmland is known as having some of the best soils in the state, he said.

"You'll always see a premium on farmland in Scott County," Schlutz added.

But right now, farmers appear to be waiting to see what happens with future commodity prices, so little land is hitting the market, he said.

Scott County farmer Bryan Sievers, who operates a cattle feed lot in New Liberty, said no one really knows what prices will do for farmers to derive income from their land.

For instance, he said, eastern Iowa is becoming more livestock intensive, with cattle and hogs leading the way.

Over time, larger herds and hog operations will increase demand for corn and soybeans and soften the blow with regard to decreasing commodity prices, he said.

I dont think well fall as hard and as fast as we did in the 1980s, Sievers said. Today, we have far greater markets and far greater demand for our products than we did in the 1980s, more than twice as much.

What is important to protecting the farm economy in this area is being well-diversified, he said. For instance, not only raising agricultural commodities but also having the places to process them, such as beef and pork processing plants as well as ethanol plants.

In Scott County, we are surrounded by a number of processing plants, in Clinton and Davenport, and Annawan, which includes Kraft, Nestle and Patriot Renewable Fuels in Annawan," he said. Thats one thing supporting our real estate values in this region. Our cash corn price is strong compared to other parts of Iowa because we have all of that processing capability around us.

Sievers said another example is Sioux County in the northwest corner of Iowa.

They are nearly recession-proof because they are so diversified, he said. They have all sorts of ways to raise agricultural products and process them. Theyve integrated various components of agriculture to insulate themselves from downward trends.

The farmers who will be harmed by the falling prices will be those have highly leveraged operations, Sievers said.

We operate with some leverage in our operation, but with our diversification, we can weather that storm, he said.

Controlling expenses

Taylor Ridge, Ill., farmer Tom Mueller, said farmland values in Illinois also have followed the downward trend as prices have fallen, and that affects farmers' borrowing power.

When land goes down, that brings your net worth down, Mueller said. Its bad when you want to sell some land or when you want to buy land, as youre going to have a tougher time convincing the banker to loan you money.

Lost value means less collateral when it comes time to buying big-ticket capital equipment, such as combines, planters and tractors, Mueller said.

"We're going to tighten down on that," Coyne said of making large equipment purchases. "We've done well the past few years. We updated our equipment, including me, back when the times were better so we can manage to get by and weather the storm for a while without having to buy anything major."

As for running his farm, Coyne said, "We're going to tighten down and take a good look at our costs and maintain a good system. We've had some help. Fertilizer has come down, fuel has dropped some.

"But we really need to take a good look at our production costs and skimp by."

Angie Treptow, regional vice president of Farm Credit Services of America, said producers need to look at their risk management strategies by working with a good marketing adviser as well as working with a crop insurance agent who will help them understand their overall financial situation and create a risk management plan that provides good protection.

At this point, Treptow said, We currently are encouraging farmers to look at their fixed costs and analyze their ability to lower those fixed costs."
COLUMBUS, JUNCTION, Iowa  It was pretty much routine business for the Columbus Junction City Council on Wednesday, with several beginning-of-the-year appointments approved by the council.

Mayor Dan Wilson announced he was appointing most of the representatives of the city council to the same boards and commissions they held last year. That included incumbents Harold Prior, library board; Phil Kaalberg, planning and zoning; and Mark Huston, board of adjustment. New council member Andy Wink was appointed council representative to the community development committee; and Jason Payne, another new council member, was appointed to the parks and recreation board.

New members appointed to the various city commissions and boards by Wilson were Jose Estrada, planning and zoning, term expiring Jan. 1, 2020; Bernabe Rodriquez, board of adjustment, term expiring Jan. 1, 2019; and Mike Pavey and Jose Estrada (re-appointments), parks and recreation, both terms expiring Jan. 1, 2020.

The council approved all the appointments.

Wilson also presented his list of appointments to five city council committees. Utilities: Huston/Kaalberg; Streets and sidewalks: Kaalberg/Payne; Finance: Prior/Huston; Public Safety: Wink/Prior; and Community Development: Payne/Wink. The chair of each committee was identified first.

Wilson also announced he was reappointing Huston as mayor pro-tem; and Kaalberg was re-appointed to be the citys representative on the Louisa County Solid Waste Commission, 911 Board and Emergency Management Board.

In other action, the council approved the appointment of the Columbus Gazette as the official newspaper; the official banks as the Washington State Bank and Community Bank; and Jim Everett as the citys Hometown Pride Committee representative. Everett replaced Jim Gabriel who moved from the community.

Huston was also re-appointed to be the citys representative on the Southeast Iowa Regional Planning Commission.

The council also approved and accepted the citys fiscal year 2015 audit. Officials said the auditors had not found any significant issues that needed to be addressed.

Wilson also announced he would present his annual state of the city report at the councils next meeting.

Also during committee reports, Huston suggested the city should start showing that it was setting aside a portion of its Road Use Tax to help construct an upcoming bridge replacement project on Locust St.

According to earlier discussions, the bridge will be replaced by a box culvert at an estimated cost of around $475,000. The city will be responsible for 20 percent of the cost, with grant funding expected to cover the remaining amount.

In final action, Wilson reported he and Huston had visited earlier in the week with the Columbus School Board and the Louisa County Board of Supervisors on a tax-increment financing (TIF) issue.

The city is asking the other two taxing authorities to approve a five-year extension of an existing 10-year TIF; and approve a new 15-year TIF. The TIF extension would cover Phase I of the New Heritage Subdivision, while the new TIF would cover Phase II of the subdivision.

Officials said street and other improvements would be financed through the two TIFs.
A year ago, Chinese President Xi Jinping appeared to be living what he called the "Chinese Dream." China's economy seemed strong, its military power was growing, and Xi was aggressively consolidating domestic political power.

But Xi is off to a bad new year. The Chinese economy is slowing sharply, with actual GDP growth last year now estimated by U.S. analysts at several points below the official rate of 6.5 percent. The Chinese stock market has fallen 15 percent this year, and the value of its currency has slipped. Capital flight continues, probably at the $1 trillion annual rate estimated for the second half of last year.

But China's economic woes are manageable compared with its domestic political difficulties. Xi's anti-corruption drive has accelerated into a full-blown purge. The campaign has rocked the Chinese intelligence service, toppled some senior military commanders and frightened Communist Party leaders around the country. Jittery party officials are lying low, avoiding decisions that might get them in trouble; the resulting paralysis makes other problems worse.

"Xi is in an unprecedentedly powerful position. But because he has dismantled the tools of collective leadership that had been built up over decades, he owns this crisis," says Kurt Campbell, who was the Obama administration's top Asia expert until 2013. He worries that Xi will "double down" on his nationalistic push for greater power in Asia, which is one of the few themes that can unite the country. "To scale back shows weakness, which Xi can ill afford now," says Campbell.

Chinese sometimes use historical parables to explain current domestic political issues. The talk recently among some members of the Chinese elite has been a comparison between Xi's tenure and that of Yongzheng, the emperor who ruled China from 1722 to 1735. Yongzheng waged a harsh campaign against bribery, but he came to be seen by many Chinese as a despot who had gained power illegitimately.

"A lot of historical events of that period are repeating in China today, from power conspiracy to corruption, from a deteriorating economy to an external hostility threat," comments one Chinese observer in an email.

Xi's political troubles illustrate the difficulty of trying to reform a one-party system from within. Much as Mikhail Gorbachev hoped in the 1980s that reforms could revitalize a decaying Soviet Communist Party, Xi began his presidency in 2013 by attacking Chinese party barons who had grown rich and comfortable on the spoils of China's economic boom. Many of Xi's rivals were proteges of former President Jiang Zemin, which meant that Xi made some powerful enemies.

David Shambaugh, a China scholar at George Washington University, was an outlier when he argued last March that Xi's reform campaign would backfire. "Despite appearances, China's political system is badly broken, and nobody knows it better than the Communist Party itself," he wrote in The Wall Street Journal. "The endgame of Chinese communist rule has now begun."

This political obituary may prove premature. But there's growing agreement among China analysts that Xi's crackdown has fueled dissent within the party and beyond, leading to further repression. Xi is a decisive strongman, so he may fare better than Gorbachev, but the structure underneath him is fragile.

China's recent economic turmoil may be an inevitable result of the transition Xi is trying to steer. He wants to move China away from a debt-laden bubble economy, which depended on ever-growing exports, toward a more sustainable, consumer-driven model. His problem is that the Chinese system is bloated by inefficient, state-owned enterprises that survive on debt and subsidies. Xi has found it impossible, so far, to cut them loose.

"It's no easy thing to reboot a $10 trillion economy," says a former American official who knows the top Chinese leaders well. "Xi is trying to do it all himself," at a time when "everything is changing at once."

This month's financial rout showed the dangers for a China caught between a truly free market and continuing government control. An ill-conceived "circuit-breaker" that kicked in when the stock market fell 7 percent, and government orders to big investors not to sell, probably accelerated the sell-off and the flight of capital. Conflicting signals on whether the central bank wanted a stronger or weaker currency shook the market's confidence.

Xi has been pressing the free-market accelerator at the same time he pumps the political brake. For a China halfway pregnant with reform, the past month's turbulence showed that these fundamental contradictions may not be sustainable.
Thumbs up to to Iowa's farmers, who overcame unusually wet weather and shattered production records.

Both corn and soybean production surpassed previous records, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Eastern Iowa farmers saw about average yields, even as the rain pounded crops.

Commodity prices remain low because of boosted worldwide production, however, resulting in less than optimal profit.

Still, the record-smashing totals are impressive, especially when Mother Nature is factored in.

Thumbs down to Rep. Bobby Kaufmann, R-Wilton, who still intends to "investigate" a conference for gay and transgender youth.

To be fair, Kauffmann, chairman of the House Government Oversight Committee, dialed back earlier calls for legislative hearings. He responded to rumors that "inappropriate" topics were broached last year at the taxpayer-funded conference. We're confident that any such hearings would devolve into bashing minorities, something that's already too common in American politics.

Kaufmann now intends to appoint a bipartisan panel to delve into the content discussed at the event, which is slated for April 29.

Homosexuals are just another in a long-line of scapegoats for society's ills. We can't help but suspect Kauffmann is using them for little more than political fodder.

Thumbs up to Illinois's criminal justice panel for recommending common sense changes that will keep fewer residents out of prison.

Providing judges with more discretion to sentence non-violent offenders with probation is one of the 14 ideas pitched this week by Gov. Bruce Rauner's Illinois State Commission on Criminal Justice and Sentencing Reform.

The commission is tasked with reducing prison populations by 25 percent over the next decade. Keeping drug users out of incarceration would go a long way toward meeting that aim.
JC: Did you ever sense any threats of terror there?

WO: Not even close. What I saw as an ailing, hopeless population of people who had absolutely nothing. Even if they wanted to be terrorists they cant because they had nothing. Theres nothing to fight with. On top of that, their intentions were very beautiful. They were very good people. Very welcoming.

JC: Is all this effort worth it, and would you return if you had the chance?

WO: Are we doing great things? I feel like our organization is doing great things, but we can only do so much. And we need help. And I think that at the end of the day  until whats going on in Syria ends, yeah, people will die, but I feel like its not our job just to create results. I left those camps and I felt awful. But, if someone asks me before I die what I did, I can say exactly this is what I did, and I did what I could. Hopefully I can go back.
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Eli Rabett

Eli Rabett, a not quite failed professorial techno-bunny who finally handed in the keys and retired from his wanna be research university. The students continue to be naive but great people and the administrators continue to vary day-to-day between homicidal and delusional without Eli's help. Eli notices from recent political developments that this behavior is not limited to administrators. His colleagues retain their curious inability to see the holes that they dig for themselves. Prof. Rabett is thankful that they, or at least some of them occasionally heeded his pointing out the implications of the various enthusiasms that rattle around the department and school. Ms. Rabett is thankful that Prof. Rabett occasionally heeds her pointing out that he is nuts.


views and poetry from an anarchist perspective.
Viewing the recent violence in cities like Ferguson, Mo., through the lens of Martin Luther King Jr. and keeping communication open among different races in Rapid City will be among the messages organizers hope come across at this years Black Hills Community Martin Luther King Jr. Remembrance Celebration.

The event, hosted by Faith Temple Church, will be held from noon to 1 p.m. Monday at the Rushmore Plaza Holiday Inn Ballroom.

The event has been held for a decade, said Bishop Troy Carr of Faith Temple, and originally began as a church-centered event.

Weve turned it into a community event, he said, a decision made about five years ago. Its a time to get together and acknowledge Dr. King.

Pennington County Sheriff Kevin Thom will be the keynote speaker this year.

Thom began his law enforcement career with the Ward County Sheriffs Department in Minot, N.D., in 1978. In 1982 he was hired by the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation. Thom was hired by Rapid City in 2007 as Community Resources Director. Thom has a bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice from Minot State University and a Master of Public Administration Degree from the University of South Dakota. He has been sheriff of Pennington County since January 2011.

Hell be stressing the need for non-violent avenues of change, Carr said. Dr. King stressed that. There are so many organizations today who feel violence is a way for change.

Thom said he was honored to have been asked to speak.

Theres a level of violence in our society today, and its looking at it through Martin Luther King Jr.s eyes and figuring out how we deal with that, he said.

One of the best ways to deal with a racially charged situation in a community, he said, actually happens well before an incident.

Its about being proactive, he said. There should be a healthy dialogue and robust discussion before things become so divisive (people) cant even sit down and talk. If you have a relationship, then when there are issues its easier to solve problems.

Carr said also new this year, will be the announcement of the Bishop Lorenzo L. Kelly Community Service Award winners, given to four people in the community who have served in the areas of youth, human services and people in need. This years winners, whose names have not yet been announced, have worked specifically with youth, Carr said.

Carr said between 200 and 300 people usually attend the Martin Luther King Jr. celebration each year, including people from a wide variety of social and economic backgrounds. Rapid Citys African-American population is less than 1 percent, Carr said, and the event is for a diverse group of people.

His goal, his message, his dream wasnt just for one specific group of people, he said. It was a dream of equality and respect.

The event is free, but organizers will take a free-will offering.
SPEARFISH | When Brianna Mount was growing up in Idaho, she dreamed of being an astronaut.

Her parents had a good friend who became one, and young Brianna thought it was an exciting and adventurous profession she might like to try. And when that NASA astronaut told her shed better pay attention in her science and math classes, she listened.

I just thought he was the coolest thing ever, Mount said. He brought us astronaut ice cream and patches that had flown in space. That initially got me interested in the sciences. I thought I wanted to be an astronaut, but it turned out I was a big chicken, so I decided on physics when I was in college.

Fast forward a decade and a doctorate, and this weekend Mount, research assistant professor in physics at Black Hills State University, is helping host 80 undergraduate physics majors from throughout the Midwest for the American Physical Societys Conference for Undergraduate Women in Physics. The conference is held in partnership with Sanford Underground Research Facility.

Even though chemistry and biology average 50-50 in terms of men to women, in physics women comprise about 20 percent," Mount said. "So often a woman may be the only one in her class. With this conference, hopefully we can make them feel that they are a little less isolated.

The BHSU conference is one of nine held concurrently in different regions of the U.S. As the Midwest site, BHSU will welcome attendees from Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming, Nebraska, Colorado, Minnesota, Iowa and Wisconsin.

Were hosting a variety of workshops, Mount said. It will also be great for the young women to interact socially, have a good time and build a support network for themselves.

Kristin Rath, a secondary science education and physical science major from Canton who serves as the student chair of the conferences local organizing committee, said in a prepared release small numbers in the classroom mask a significant national movement.

While undergraduate women in science may be one of only two or three girls in their class at school, they are one of many women in science across the nation, Rath said. This conference helps them to see that they are not alone in their love of science.

The three-day conference, which began Friday, includes research talks by faculty members, panel discussions about graduate school and careers in physics, presentations and discussions about women in physics, laboratory tours, and a student poster session. According to Mount, all nine conferences will share a keynote speaker by satellite link, Ginger Kerrick, flight director for NASA.

After five years at BHSU and extended involvement with the Sanford Underground Research Facility at Lead, Mount said she still gets a thrill visiting the subterranean laboratories. She spent much of Thursday showing three students and three conference speakers the Davis Campus and the new, fully operational BHSU Underground Campus at the 4,850-foot level of the former Homestake Gold Mine.

Black Hills States new underground campus was kind of my baby, she said. Its kind of crazy seeing something that you have drawn on paper get funded, and finally built. Its incredible. Its provided the site for our students to engage in meaningful experiments and research.

Going underground is so cool because its kind of a melding of the old and new, Mount added. You go down the old cage, which is at least 50 years old, traipse through the old mining drifts and then you arrive at this state-of-the-art clean room, which is odd and so cool.

Those wonders and mysteries of the scientific world still hold the allure that attracted Mount as a girl and propelled her to physics as a college student, attributes she hopes to pass along with undergraduate students this weekend.

For me, its still the unknown and thinking how little earth is, she said. Everything weve studied previously has been on Earth, but theres this whole universe to explore. And, some of the biggest questions in physics are being studied right in our backyard at the Sanford Lab.
Muskrats, beavers and minks around Rapid Creek are one step closer to living in a trap-free environment.

In the wake of a November incident that revealed trapping is not regulated in Rapid City, Parks and Recreation Director Jeff Biegler said there will be a proposed ordinance banning trapping on public property within city limits, except in unusual circumstances.

The Rapid City Parks Advisory Board on Thursday voted unanimously to direct parks employees to begin the drafting process of the ordinance. City officials emphasized the proposed ordinance is a work in progress.

Biegler said the intention of the ordinance will be to prohibit trapping unless there is some risk to public property or the public, such as a beaver dam plugging up the creek or rabid animals in the area. In such cases, only the Parks Department or the South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks Department could authorize trapping.

Details of the ordinance have yet to be fully fleshed out.

The impetus for the ordinance was a report by a resident taking a stroll with his dog along Rapid Creek in early November. He spotted some active animal traps along the creek and called state game officials to report them.

A conservation officer for GF&P eventually found the Rapid Creek trapper. According to another conservation officer with department, the trapper was acting legally. He had the appropriate trapping license and appeared to be trapping muskrat during the correct hunting season.

The issue was referred to the city's Urban Wildlife Committee to provide a recommendation to the Parks Advisory Board on what direction to take.

The Urban Wildlife committee was founded in 2007 as a policy-steering committee to provide guidance on urban wildlife issues including deer and geese management and now trapping.

Thursday night the committee submitted its recommendation to the Parks Advisory Board. In the letter signed by committee Chairman James Good, the committee recommended the drafting of an ordinance that would regulate trapping within the city. The committee also recommended allowing some trapping with written permission from the city.

The advisory board's major concern about traps in the Rapid Creek area was the danger they posed to pets, small children and fishermen.

Biegler said, "The last thing you want to be doing is going out with your waders and step in a trap."

According to Trevor Schmelz, Rapid City risk manager, there have not been any claims filed with the city relating to pets or people getting snagged by traps.

When asked by board member Rick Askvig if the Urban Wildlife Committee's intentions were to prohibit trapping, Biegler responded, "In general they'd be opposed to trapping unless it is done to protect public safety or public property and done through the authority of the Parks and Recreation Department."

Trapping along Rapid Creek is relatively rare. According to Biegler, his department gets a call at least once a year to inquire about trapping mink, muskrat and beaver on Rapid Creek.

When the ordinance draft is completed, it will be presented to the Parks Advisory Committee and then to the full City Council.
Hot Springs | Travis Lasseter announced his candidacy last week for South Dakota House of Representatives in District 30 during a visit to Hot Springs while speaking to the residents of the Pine Hills Retirement Community about current issues, this Monday.

Lasseter, a U.S. Air Force veteran of 21 years and a rancher in New Underwood, outlined his four-point platform during his visit with the residents. Lasseter stated that he is committed to lowering taxes, job creation through pro-business legislation, support of the second amendment, and supporting family value legislation.

At the forefront of the discussions during his visit was the issue of the closure of the V.A. hospital in Hot Springs. Rudy Slater, resident of the Pine Hill Retirement Community stated that she is concerned about the closure of the hospital, as it is a cornerstone of the Hot Springs community and the area.

Lasseter told Slater and others that as a veteran he is a recipient of the services at the VA hospital in their community and vowed to work diligently to find solutions to preserve it.

Other residents expressed their concern for the rising taxes, referencing the recent passage of SB 1. Lasseter said of the millions raised in taxes and the state legislature, if we are expected to live within our means, then so should the government.

Lasseter said of his candidacy and platform, Im running as a statesman, not a politician. It isnt politics thats going to fix our problems, its common sense solutions.
Standing in the icy street outside 829 Virginia Lane, Bobby Cathey stared unblinking this afternoon as firefighters from six departments moved through the charred cavern that used to be the front entrance of the house he owns.

Its a hard thing, Cathey said, shrugging under the heavy blanket slung over his shoulders, when you watch your life go up after 10 years.

Less than an hour earlier, Cathey, his brother, and his nephew Charles McConnell had been hard at work remodeling the inside of the one-story house with a two-car garage. Cathey, who lives in Hermosa, bought the place in 2006 and after years of fixing it up, was making final preparations for a couple who had expressed interest in renting it.

Cathey and his brother were on the first floor, McConnell in the basement, when they noticed the smoke.

It just took a matter of minutes, McConnell said, shaking his head. I rushed to the sink to get some water. By then the place was engulfed. We couldnt do anything, so we got out.

The three men escaped the house without any injuries, running past Catheys silver truck parked in the driveway, which would remain there as the house burned, even after the Rapid City Fire Department arrived. They had left the keys inside the house.

The Fire Department received the call at 1:36 p.m. Engine 7 with Battalion 1 arrived on the scene about 10 minutes later. Engines, ambulances and trucks with the North Haines, Piedmont, Black Hawk, Box Elder and Rapid Valley fire departments were close behind.

There were huge flames coming out, said Damon LaCroix, who looked on from the front lawn of 833 Virginia St. next door, the home of his girlfriend, Abby Stevens. The whole front part of the house was pretty much scorched.

After the fire had been contained, Rapid City Battalion Chief Rob Powell conferred with his firefighters, leaning on a steel rod like a cane. He had found the rod in the backyard and used it to smash out some windows for heat ventilation.

Theres significant damage on the first floor that extends into the garage, Powell said, gesturing to where flames were still licking at the roof beams and rain gutter at the front of the house, where the front door once stood.

Firefighters with long hooks in hand tore into the spot, ripping pink sheaves of insulation from the ceiling to keep them from catching fire.

There were no injuries, Powell confirmed, adding that the exact cause of the fire was still unclear.

Theyre the true heroes, Cathey said, nodding toward where Powell stood amid a cluster of other firefighters. Without them, I just couldnt imagine.

Though shaken by the loss, both Cathey and McConnell are relieved that everyone got out unharmed.

It could have been worse, McConnell said. I could have stuck in the basement. I just feel bad for my uncle. Hes worked so hard on this place these last 10 years.
STURGIS | Saying it wants to protect the interest of its members, the South Dakota Municipal League has asked to intervene in the lawsuit questioning the legality of the town of Buffalo Chip.

Yvonne Taylor, executive director of the South Dakota Municipal League, the lobbying group that represents 300 cities in the state, said the organization's membership has been following the Buffalo Chip incorporation closely from the start.

"We want to make sure the laws of incorporation are enforced uniformly statewide," she said.

The Municipal League's board voted in December to join in the lawsuit.

Thomas Frieberg, attorney for the Municipal League, says his clients have the same questions as do landowners and the city of Sturgis that have appealed the county's approval of Buffalo Chip's petition to incorporate.

Frieberg contends the Meade County commissioners wrongfully approved the petition for municipal incorporation. Chief among the league's concerns is that the petition wasn't signed by qualified voters who "actually live on the land" of the proposed municipality.

"Under the statutory requirements ... the petition signers, other than the landowners who are also registered voters of this state, must be registered voters in the proposed municipality of which most of them were not," Frieberg asserted.

The league wants to ensure that the requirements for municipal incorporation are protected and applied uniformly throughout the state of South Dakota, Frieberg said.

Frieberg filed the request on Jan. 11, and Fourth Circuit Judge Jerome Eckrich has yet to respond.

Other parties involved in the suit were in court on Wednesday focused on a motion from Buffalo Chip attorney Kent Hagg to dismiss the appeal.

Hagg contends that neither the city of Sturgis nor a group of residents, both of which filed appeals, have the legal right to do so.

Mark Marshall, attorney for Gary Lippold and Jane Murphy, two of the 56 landowners who appealed the county's decision, said Hagg's motion is at best ambiguous.

In the proceedings Wednesday before Eckrich, Marshall slammed Hagg calling him a "headnote" lawyer.

A headnote is a brief summary of a particular point of law that is added to the text of a court decision to help readers in locating discussion of a legal issue in an opinion. As the term implies, headnotes appear at the beginning of the published opinion.

Marshall said Hagg's motion to dismiss questioned his clients' right to appeal the county's decision, but didn't really cite the legal premise on which it was based.

"I'd like to know to what facts I am responding," Marshall told Eckrich. "I'm looking for guidance here."

Hagg is arguing that once the Meade County Commission approved the resolution for the incorporation of Buffalo Chip on Feb. 27, 2015, and the voters confirmed it through the election on May 7, it was a "done deal."

And if Buffalo Chip is indeed a municipality, any additional inquiry into the matter would have to be brought by the state, Hagg contends.

At the Wednesday hearing Hagg broached the subject with Eckrich, saying that if Buffalo Chip were recognized as a town, his legal premise would be substantiated.

"Nice try," Eckrich told Hagg. "I'm not going there right now."

Since the May 7 election, in which all 43 Buffalo Chip voters cast ballots in favor of incorporation, lawyers for Sturgis and the landowners have been working the appeal.

Hagg filed the motion to dismiss on Dec. 23, and Marshall asked for a continuance to gather the facts necessary to respond.

At the hearing Wednesday, Eckrich tentatively set a hearing for March 4 to again hear the motion to dismiss the appeal. The issue of whether to allow the South Dakota Municipal League to join in the case will also be considered at that time.

A court trial in the case has been tentatively set for May 11 and 12, a date close to the one-year anniversary of the incorporation of the town of Buffalo Chip.
Agree with him or not, you have to be impressed by Gov. Dennis Daugaard's ascension into statesmanship with this weeks State of the State speech.

His epiphany regarding teacher salaries and Medicaid expansion was clear, stark and unequivocal. Throw in politically courageous and you have the makings of a governor who just might go down as one of the more transformative leaders in this states history.

Daugaard's acknowledgement of the shabby salary schedule applied to South Dakota's teachers is something we've known since he appointed a task force to study it last year. It's his understanding of the role that state government has to play in the situation that has the marks of enlightenment.

Just two years ago, he was telling the Sioux Falls Argus Leader "the state doesn't control teacher pay. I found his dismissal of responsibility to be a glaring lack of understanding that quality educators are a major component of our state's infrastructure, and I'm glad that I was a part of the noise that finally captured his attention. I still think we need to overhaul our tax system, but that can wait. Let's get Daugaard's immediate approach done now and talk reform later. Theres some urgency here.

Medicaid expansion isn't quite so abrupt a turnaround in Daugaard's thinking. A year ago he was carefully noting to WNAX radio that the subject was under discussion, though at the time WNAX said that Daugaard "was generally opposed to expansion," which I think was the overall sense that most of us got.

Happily, his thinking has evolved. I especially admired the precautions that he took when explaining the financial risks, assuming nothing in the way of broad fiscal gains by the infusion of a couple of billion dollars into the state's economy over the course of the next few years.

Though many have argued that the economic gains are abundant, Daugaard prudently ignores them as he presents the plan, which appears to be workable even if those gains never materialize.

Daugaard also made it clear that withdrawing from the plan if Obamacare  which spawned the Medicaid expansion opportunity in the first place  is repealed would basically just put us back to the status quo. Giving Medicaid expansion a try is not an irreversible decision.

Opponents and their scare tactics about insolvency aren't making much sense, though I have no doubt they'll be fighting this one hard during the session. My take is that facts and what I believe is the strong support of the health-care community in the state will overwhelm them. We're talking serious money to be left on the table if we don't go with this.

I think both initiatives have a good chance of succeeding, especially if South Dakotans can mobilize some grassroots efforts at getting their support across to our legislators.

That our kids will continue to get great educations and that tens of thousands (around 50,000 per Daugaard's estimate) of South Dakotans will get easier access to good health care make these initiatives too compelling to ignore.
STURGIS | Harlan W. Schild, 91, passed on to his eternal home on Thursday, Jan. 14, 2016, while residing at Hospice House in Rapid City.

Harlan was born March 25, 1924, in Fort Collins, CO, the eldest of four sons of Henry and Eva Schild. He attended country schools in Colorado and graduated from Windsor High School as salutatorian in 1942. He was drafted by the U.S. Army in 1944 and served overseas during World War II, until discharged in 1946. Upon returning home, he was engaged with the family farm until he went to Greenland and worked for Peter Kiewit Sons Construction for eight years.

In 1966, he graduated from Wartburg College in Waverly, IA, followed by Concordia Theological Seminary in Springfield, IL, for two years. He graduated with a Master's Degree in History and International Relations from New Mexico Highlands University in 1969. He married Lena Dassenko on Sept. 7, 1968, and they moved to Sturgis in 1971. He returned to farming for a number of years followed by becoming an Independent Sales Distributor for Harper Industrial Brush.

He is survived by his brother, Richard (Dorothy) Schild; sister-in-law, Marlene Schild Cockroft; and brother-in-law, Ivan Dassenko.

Preceding him in death were his parents; wife, Lena; and brothers, Wilbur and Raymond.

Harlan will always be remembered for the love he showed his numerous nieces, nephews, friends, and his strong Christian faith.

Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Friday, Jan. 22, at Zion Lutheran Church, 4550 US-16, in Rapid City. Burial, with military honors will be at Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis.

Memorials, in lieu of flowers, can be made to the Zion Lutheran Church building fund or Rapid City Regional Hospice in care of Kinkade Funeral Chapel, 1235 Junction Ave., Sturgis, SD 57785.

Condolences may be sent to the family at kinkadefunerals.com.
Montanas superintendent of public instruction motored to Missoula this week to trumpet another record graduation rate last school year.

Denise Juneau said the number hit 86 percent for the first time since the state began gathering and compiling such information in 2000. Dropout rates continued a downward trend to 3.4 percent. Thats a reduction of more than a third since 2009, when the statewide graduation rate was under 81 percent.

We have a lot to be proud of, Juneau told a Wednesday morning gathering in the front lobby of Sentinel High School.

Her stage was well-chosen.

Missoula County Public Schools led all Class AA school districts in both graduation and dropout rates, and Sentinel topped both categories for Montanas largest schools with a 92 percent graduation rate and just 14 dropouts from a four-year cohort of 277 students.

The Missoula community implemented Montanas inaugural Graduation Matters initiative in January 2010.

This is where it all started, Graduation Matters Missoula, learning what was going on on the ground here and scaling that up statewide, Juneau said. We talked to a lot of other communities across the state where it made sense to bring people to the table, have conversations about public education, look at the data, be truthful about it, and then figure out what everybody in the community  from small businesses to nonprofit organizations, parents and students  can bring to the table to help make sure every kid stays in school.

Today, 53 communities across the state have followed Missoulas lead in Graduation Matters.

But the reality is we continue to lose far too many students, MCPS Superintendent Mark Thane said.

Fifty-seven students dropped out of Missoulas three AA schools in the 2014-15 school year.

That is unacceptable, stressed Ted Fuller, principal of Sentinel. We have to continue to focus on ending high school dropouts much like we focus on ending homelessness and hunger.

If theres something that we should collectively as a community and as a state work to end, its students leaving high school, because we know the disadvantage that puts them at.

Studies show graduating from high school means higher-paying jobs and more opportunities.

According to the Alliance for Excellent Education, Montana will see a $6 million annual boost to the states economy from the graduates weve had since 2009, said Juneau, who assumed office that year and is challenging Ryan Zinke for his seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Youre welcome, she added with a grin.

All four MCPS high schools topped the state graduation rate of 86 percent, led by Seeley-Swan, a Class C school, with the only 100 percent mark in western Montana. Hellgate ranked fourth among the 14 AA schools with an 88.5 percent rate. Big Sky was eighth at 86.1 percent.

Sentinel was the only AA school in Montana with a graduation rate above 90 percent. Helena Capital was second at 89.7 percent, followed by Glacier High of Kalispell at 88.9. Hellgate and Flathead High of Kalispell (87.9) rounded out the top five. Billings Senior brought up the rear in Class AA at 80.1 percent.

Class AA district graduation rates ranged from Missoula County Public Schools 89.2 percent to Billings schools 82.1 percent. Bozeman, which led the state last year, fell to third behind the Missoula and Kalispell districts.

Five Class A schools in western Montana graduated their core four-year cohort classes at a clip of 90 percent or better. Frenchtown led the group at 97.75 percent, followed by Corvallis (95.73), Hamilton (94.73), Polson (90.83) and Stevensville (90.24).

Deer Lodges 97.73 percent graduation rate led area Class B schools. Eureka (95.38) and Troy (94.12) in Lincoln County and Bigfork (93.06) in Flathead County also topped 90 percent.

Granite County schools in Philipsburg and Drummond paced Class C schools in the region with graduation rates of 94.74 and 94.12, respectively. Also receiving high marks were Victor (93.94), Charlo (93.75), and St. Regis (93.33).

The worst graduation marks in western Montana were posted by a pair of Ravalli County high schools  Darby (72 percent) and Florence (78.95 percent).

Juneau said her office is placing emphasis this year on Graduation Matters in Indian country, hiring a temporary coordinator for the project.

Roughly a third of the 53 communities that have embraced Graduation Matters have significant American Indian populations.

We know that gap still exists, Juneau said. Its going in the right direction, but its still too large and we really need to dig in and focus on how those Graduation Matters communities might look, because the context is different from, for instance, Missoula.

Fuller said while Missoula administrators recognize the importance of graduation and dropout rates, we focus relentlessly on making graduation matter.

He added he deserves no credit for the state-leading numbers at MCPS and at Sentinel.

The credit goes to people like our custodians who have extra food in their break room for students who dont have enough, Fuller said. It goes to the teacher whose students, along with chemistry, learn to serve the greater good by collecting 40,000 pounds of food for the local food bank. And it goes to things like Sentinel offering the first dual-credit class for students with disabilities.

That pilot class is believed to be the first of its kind in the state. It begins Jan. 25 in partnership with Missoula College, which made 10 scholarships available for Sentinel students. Its called Workplace Communication, and each student will receive a college credit for completing it.

The Sentinel principal said the class is important in both a pragmatic and symbolic sense.

It makes the statement to these students that you are capable of continuing your education, said Fuller. We expect you to, and were going to give you a head start.
Every rancher wishes that they could do away with feeding hay in the winter months.

Hay is expensive, said Stacy Pease, a Natural Resources and Conservation Service soil conservation officer in the Hamilton office. The fertilizer to grow is getting more expensive. The diesel needed to run tractors costs a lot. And then theres all the time involved.

For most ranches, the number one operating expense is hay, she said. Anything they can do to lessen their dependency on hay is a good thing.

Thats why Pease is hoping ranchers from all parts of western Montana will put a circle around the dates of Feb. 2 and 3 when the Lake County Conservation District will host the 2016 Winter Grazing Seminar in Missoulas Double Tree Hotel.

Its the first time ever that the annual event has been held in western Montana.

Pease credits the large amount of interest that western Montana producers have shown to a series of pasture management workshops during the last five years for bringing the event to this side of the state.

I think we finally got on their radar, she said. Were hoping to get a really good turnout for this seminar. It should be a good chance for people who have attended our workshops in the past to have some good conversations with a variety of experts.

The summer workshops often attracted up to 200 people.

Its hard to get a dialogue started when there are that many people, Pease said. There will be a lot of different speakers and different breakout sessions at the seminar that will offer more opportunity for small-group interactions.

Much of the seminars focus will be on finding ways to make forage go further into the winter months.

People want to find ways to reduce their dependency on hay, Pease said. There are a lot of people who are focused on managing their irrigated pasture so they can graze well into January.

That way, they only have to feed hay a couple of months. Some people are working toward the goal of getting off hay altogether, she said.

In the Bitterroot Valley, ranchers and farmers traditionally focus on growing hay and other crops on their best-producing irrigated lands.

Theres a lot of energy and cost that goes along with that, Pease said. People often dont factor in their time. Some are now experimenting with using that irrigated land as pasture and managing it so there is forage left for late season use.

There are a lot of different techniques and approaches people can take.

It all depends on your operation, Pease said. With these smaller group sessions, people will be able to ask questions or gear the discussion toward information that they will find helpful for their own particular operation.

More than a dozen speakers with expertise in livestock management, dormant-season grazing, alternative forages, financial management, animal nutrition, flexible stocking rates, plant biology and productivity, managing grazed forestlands and wildlife habitat will be on hand to present workshops.

One of the leaders in developing custom grazing programs, Steve Kenyon of Albertas Greener Pastures Ranching, will give the seminars keynote address. His talk is titled: Redneck Ranching  Economics and Environmental Sustainability for Generations.

People interested in enrolling in the seminar can do so online http://swcdmi.org/winter-grazing-seminar/.The Cost of the seminar is $35 and includes breakfast both days, a lunch on Feb. 2 and hors doeuvres at the Kettlehouse Brewery on the evening of Feb. 2.

For more information, call Pease at 406-363-5010, ext. 110, or Dan Montgomery in Lake County at 406-676-2871, ext. 111.
Cost estimates to alter a dangerous irrigation diversion dam are coming down following an engineering study that indicated not nearly as much rock will be needed as initially thought.

A new alternative is being developed by a Missoula engineering firm.

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Fisheries Manager Pat Safel is optimistic that work could begin this fall to make the Supply Ditch Diversion Dam safer for floaters.

Under certain water conditions, the dam creates a dangerous re-circulating current that has caused numerous boating accidents, including one that killed a 6-year-old girl in 2013.

Earlier this week, the state Fish and Wildlife Commission approved a biennial rule that would allow FWP officials to close a portion of the river to floaters if conditions at the dam warranted it.

The rule was in place through the last floating season, but wasnt used after floaters were able to access a different channel that bypasses the dam.

The century-old diversion is located in the east channel of the river. When water levels are high, the current pushes floaters to the opposite side of that channel from where the portage is located. Some floaters end up going over the dangerous dam.

Initial estimates suggested it would cost upwards of $450,000 to make the dam safer for floaters.

That initial estimate was made before Morrison and Maierle engineers had an opportunity to take proper measurements.

We learned that the dam is not as high and the hole just below was not as deep as first thought, Safel said. Rock was a major cost. Now that were finding that we dont need as much rock as we initially thought, costs are going down.

A new alternative, with accompanying cost estimates, is in development.

The state has set aside $40,000 in year-end money from Fish, Wildlife and Parks and a Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation Renewable Resource Grant of $125,000 to help pay for the project.

Safel said there is also a potential of tapping into some federal funding. The Bitterroot Conservation District and Supply Ditch irrigators will provide some in-kind contributions.

We have had a big reality check, and now we are working a design from real data, Safel said. We might have to revisit the funding situation when we have the final plans in hand.

The biannual rule passed by the commission allows for a floating closure during the construction phase, which hopefully will occur next fall, he said.
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America must return to conservative principles of less government,reduced taxes, less spending and a balanced budget! Cut,cap and balance!
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EWB-USA Rutgers Guatemala Team updates friends, family and fans about the progress of the project with our Central American neighbors in the community of Chi Elias in Totonicapan, Guatemala.
scroll.in - 16 January 2016

The history behind the ordinance that bans transfer of property of those who once left for Pakistan.

Pallavi Raghavan

Nearly 70 years after Partition, and 50 years after the 1965 war with Pakistan, the government of India last week issued an ordinance that revives a debate around a legacy of those two seismic events, aenemy propertya .

The ordinance specifically affects the fortunes of the Mahmudabad estate by, in effect, nullifying a 2005 Supreme Court decision that had allowed the familyas heirs to regain control over what was once classified as enemy property. That, however, is the specifics. More than that, the ordinance speaks of the continuing struggle with the political legacy of Partition.

The erstwhile Raja of Mahmudabad had vast properties across Uttar Pradesh, including in Lucknowas Hazratganj, and present-day Uttarakhand. His very public role in the Pakistan Movement in the 1930s and a40s was an influencing factor in the shaping of the politics and optics around the original enemy property legislation and the discussion about it today. After partition, the Raja left for Iraq, where he lived for some years, before settling permanently in London. His wife and son, however, remained in India as Indian nationals and the family continued to be active in Uttar Pradesh politics.

In 1968, three years after the war with Pakistan, the government of India enacted legislation establishing the office of the Custodian of Enemy Property. According to this, properties thought to be owned by individuals who had left for Pakistan were taken over as Enemy Property. Subsequently, when the properties of the erstwhile Raja of Mahmudabad were declared enemy property, his family went to court and contested the takeover all the way to the Supreme Court, which finally ruled in their favour in 2005.

The verdict, inadvertently, opened a Pandoraas Box, and cases began accumulating in courts where real or purported relatives of those who had left for Pakistan produced deeds of gift claiming they were the rightful owners of properties. Legislation was attempted to restore order by establishing which cases could be reopened and defining the rights of the Custodian (that is, the government) and the claimants. However, the United Progressive Alliance governmentas efforts in this direction failed because of internal differences within the Congress party. The current government has managed to push this ordinance through and, as a result, the Mahmudabad estate finds itself back in the now decidedly incongruous category of enemy property.

Flood of migrants

The term Enemy Property was coined in the United Kingdom in the context of German commercial holdings within the country during the First World War. Rather than have the British sterling funnelled into Germany during the war, it was decided that earnings from enemy-controlled entities should flow to a custodian and their assets frozen. Similar measures were used elsewhere during the Second World War a notably in the United States against Japanese properties. In many of these cases, the funds were eventually returned.

In South Asia, the legal concept acquired entirely different applications. The idea initially gained currency in the years after the Second World War and it was adopted into legislative practice in the aftermath of Partition. The Evacuee Property legislations a a critical predecessor of the current Enemy Property laws a were first enacted in 1947, as two new nation states tried to find resources for the rehabilitation and relief for the millions of migrants who had streamed in.

In that ferment, it was decided to use the property left behind by those departing across the border. The office of the Custodian of Evacuee Property appropriated land and buildings worth crores of rupees and, in decisions that were notoriously controversial, attempted to use the properties to house refugees. Across South Asia, refugees found to their dismay that they were dealing with the increasingly capricious demands of an office named the Custodian of Evacuee Property.

While grim and exacting, Evacuee Property laws nonetheless worked within a logic of bilateral cooperation. Both India and Pakistan, in the aftermath of the enormous transfers of populations, had to be seen to be doing a however grudgingly a what they could to help. Offices such as the amoveable property winga or the aevacuee property claimsa , set up as wings to the High Commissions of both countries, gamely set about trying to sort out the paperwork of the overwhelming numbers of claims for compensation or reclamation.

The Evacuee Property legislations, theoretically at least, allowed a migrantas family to reclaim in the country they settled in the value of its forsaken property. The threat of a flood of dispossessed migrants coming in from across the border in search of already scarce resources for rehabilitation formed the basis of an unlikely partnership between India and Pakistan, since neither government could afford to unilaterally introduce stringency in Evacuee Property legislation without a degree of calibration with each other.

Furthermore, neither government was entirely comfortable with the idea of forcibly claiming someone elseas property. For instance, in 1953, a senior official in the Ministry of External Affairs, Badr-uddin Tyabji, pointed out that quashing the titles of Muslim evacuees who owned land in India, so that refugees from West Pakistan could be rehabilitated, was short-sighted. One problem, he argued, was that it would leave India vulnerable to action from the government of Pakistan in the International Court of Justice. More pragmatically, he argued, such an action would anecessarily equate the claims of India and Pakistan to property left behind by their citizens, even though Indiaas claims to property in Pakistan is largera .

Today, the problem is a peculiarly Indian one. In Pakistan, the seized enemy properties were sold off by the government soon after they were acquired.

Rights of citizens

In many ways, the post-1965 transition from evacuee to enemy property legislations represented the hardening of both governmentsa attitudes towards the irreversible consequences of Partition. A letter from the Indian Commerce Ministry to state governments in 1969 baldly told state officials that aany cash balances, provident fund balances, gratuity and unpaid wages held by any person/ firm in India on behalf of all Pakistani nationals vest in the Custodian of Enemy Property for Indiaa .

Both governments formally a and unapologetically a said that monies, resources and, most importantly, the proceeds from the sale of land could not be sent across the border. This was no longer an exercise which could be camouflaged as a massive rehabilitation project. Rather than being directed at large numbers of nameless, poor and powerless owners of small pieces of land, the legislation was often targeted at extremely valuable pieces of property, and contested the most prominently by wealthy descendants of old families.

Notwithstanding the finality of Partition, its aftereffects plague the internal and external politics of South Asia. Property remains one of these aftereffects. Whether it is the case of Jinnah House in Mumbai or funds transferred to London on behalf of the Nizam of Hyderabad after Operation Polo and bitterly litigated by India and Pakistan since, or the case of the properties of the Raja of Mahmudabad, the legal contestations over rights of citizens, the state and of migrants continue to this day.

While legislation about evacuee property has accompanied the nation state since its inception, the changing nature of its application is indicative of the current persona of the nation. Decades after Partition, the current enemy property ordinance poses the question of whether the Indian state should be seen as churlishly attempting to settle old scores by tightening its grip on property obtained by questionable means, or, with the wisdom and graciousness of age, seek closure to a painful chapter.

Pallavi Raghavan is a Fellow at the Centre for Policy Research. She is working on a book on the history of India-Pakistan relations.
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Judge denies conspiracy-laden effort to stop Kansas ballot drop boxes

A federal judge in Kansas Wednesday denied a conspiracy-laden effort to stop the use of ballot drop boxes and electronic voting machines.
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The Financial Times looks at the Ups and Downs of the decision to leave the EU and ITV looks at how poorer people are coping with the mess of the British...

7 hours ago
BART Police this afternoon released the name of the previously unidentified victim in Saturday's shooting aboard a train car as it approached the West Oakland BART station. At the same time, BART officials released two additional photos of the suspected shooter.

The victim, Carlos Misael Funez-Romero, was a resident of Antioch. His family was notified yesterday.

An email from BART officials noted that the new photos provide a better view of the suspect, and may help in the public's attempt to identify him.

"Original reports were that the suspect had a shaved head but these photos show he may have a close cut haircut and possibly a light mustache," the BART communication reads.

As to where the new photos came from  questions of whether the train's security cameras were real, working, or decoys have as of yet gone unanswered  BART spokesperson Alicia Trost wouldn't say.

We cannot provide details on how and where these pictures were obtained at this time as this is an on-gong and active investigation, said Trost. "Investigators continue to analyze multiple sources of surveillance tapes."

At this time there is no known motive for the shooting, and police have not ruled out it being completely random. Anyone who has any idea as to the identity of the suspected shooter can call an anonymous tips line at 510-464-7011.





Previously: Police Release Photos Of BART Shooting Suspect, Say It Could Have Been Random After All

Shooting Aboard BART In West Oakland Was Not Random, Suspect Still At Large

Man Shot And Killed On BART At West Oakland Station
A Bayview pastor was arrested yesterday for refusing to leave the home he and his wife have lived in for the past 20 years. Pastor Yul Dorn and four others were arrested by Sheriff's deputies as they protested an eviction they claim is driven by real estate speculation. The scene was a dramatic one as Dorn, his wife, daughter, and 8-month-old grandson were forcibly removed from the home.

The 58-year-old Dorn is a pastor at Emanuel Church Of God In Christ, and also serves as chaplain to the Sheriff's Department  meaning he serves the very people that arrested him yesterday. A press release notes that the arrest came after protesters successfully blocked eviction efforts on Wednesday.

One Sheriff's deputy who refused to give his name summed up the situation to 48 Hills.

I am on duty now and I cant give my personal opinion," he explained, "but this is awful, its awful, and it is wrong; the city officials should fix this.

A friend of Dorn, Lynn Westry, was among those gathered in support of the family and expressed her frustration to the publication.

This is by design," she said, "black people are being evicted from their homes and entire neighborhoods.

Dorn's home was bought by a San Jose man, named by protesters as Quan He, who was not on site for yesterday's eviction and protest.

When reached for comment by SF Weekly, Mr. He expressed sympathy for Dorn and countered the narrative that he is merely a speculator trying to make a quick buck. He, however, has no intention of budging.

Dont make me out to be the villain, He told the paper. All I did was buy a house on the open market, knowing nothing about its background or the people living there. Its a sad story for Mr. Dorn, but for me too. I also have a family.

Dorn remained in jail yesterday as supporters attempted to work out a resolution between He's lawyer and Chase Bank. However, the press release notes, repeated calls to He's lawyer's cell phone went straight to voicemail.

Where is Malia Cohen," 48 Hills quotes Janice Powell, President of the local Tenants Association, as asking. "She is the supervisor for the district and she assured Pastor Dorn that she will support him. She gave him her support, where is she now?"

A group of protesters planned to gather this morning at a Chase Bank on Mission Street to further protest the eviction. Dorn blames the bank in part for his troubles, noting to the Weekly that the bank failed to properly credit payments he made in 2008 which ultimately resulted in his delinquency.

Related: Two Sunset Families May Lose Their Apartments Due To Shady Landlord Tactic
It seems that one San Francisco man aimed a little too high when he attempted to distribute 500 (or more) grams of methamphetamine as part of an international drug ring. The man pleaded guilty to the charge on Wednesday, and faces a minimum 20-year prison sentence.

Naser Yousef Gheith, the 37-year-old would be drug courier, allegedly sold four pounds of meth to police informants and was busted by Texas Highway Patrol while transporting 2 pounds worth of the stuff from San Francisco to New Orleans reports the Times Picayune.

The Justice Department notes that drug seizures made by the German Customs Investigation Bureau in Cologne were tied to this case. It is not immediately clear if the drugs' final destination was Germany, or if they were headed elsewhere.

The Times informs us that another man, Christopher Byron Fritchie, sold meth to the same police informant and has also pleaded guilty.

As far as we know, Gheith was arrested while driving without incident  putting his behavior in stark contrast to the late 2014 meth-fueled, wrong-way driving incident on the Bay Bridge. In that case, a very high woman drove westbound in the eastbound lanes of the bridge, crashing into numerous cars in the process.

Gheith could be sentenced to life in prison. Sentencing is set for April 20, 2016.

Related: Meth Head Acquitted After Crazy Home Invasion And Assault Involving Spaceships
The San Francisco Planning Commission unanimously approved new interim controls on Mission District developments on Thursday. That means, for the next 15 months, any project over 25 units or 25,000 square feet that does not consist of at least one third affordable units, or any project that removes a rent-controlled unit, will be subject to increased scrutiny. Also among the new hurdles, new developments will be evaluated based on how they impact the neighborhood's character.

The new controls will apply to any project that had not been approved as of yesterday, and the Chronicle notes that comes out to 17 projects for a total of 1,300 units. Included in there is the controversial "Monster in the Mission" pictured above. The proposed site of that development is adjacent to the 16th and Mission Street BART Plaza.

We want to protect the people who are there now, and interim controls can help that be done if theyre framed properly, the paper quotes commissioner Michael Antonini as saying. You cant set rules saying who can live in a neighborhood and who cant.

According the the Chronicle, developers proposing buildings of 75 or more units will now have to offer up data on how the proposed project would affect existing and future residents, businesses and community-serving providers in the area.

Although approved unanimously by the commission, the measure certainly has opponents.

This is not good government, Rob Poole of the development advocacy group San Francisco Housing Action Coalition told Mission Local. This doesnt do anything to help make it easier to build affordable housing, it doesnt improve the process.

Tenants' rights lawyer J. Scott Weaver told the publication that this is only one part of a complicated solution, and that it is important to keep working at that solution.

This is a test," reiterated Weaver. "This is the beginning of a process, were not claiming a solution. They are interim controls.

Related: Mission To Lose 8,000 Latino Residents By 2025, Report Warns


Another week with much to eat, drink, and discuss. First it brought the semi-annual menu change from modern cocktail trailblazers Trick Dog, and then, in further menu news, we scoped the food and beer on offer at the newly-opened Black Bark BBQ. There was also word that the city's oldest gay bar, the Gangway, would be closing to make way for something new, and Hoodline has some further details on the pay dispute that's partially to blame. Some buzz surrounds a new nigiri-only sushi spot, Ijji, bound for Divis, which we covered. Last, Beer Week is just around the corner, so get ready with these 21 events we think you might enjoy. Elsewhere on the food blogs:

San Francisco is approaching a number of breweries not seen since before Prohibition, with Hoodline reporting on a new restaurant and microbrewery bound for the street-level commercial space at Oak and Octavia in the Avalon building. The as-yet-unnamed venture comes from Jeff Handy, the owner at SoMa's Oola and Rincon Hill's Local Kitchen and Wine Merchant.

As the Perennial prepares to open for "progressive agrarian cuisine" next week, the Chronicle's Jonathan Kauffman asks if its the restaurant of the future." Its founders Anthony Myint and Karen Leibowitz, a duo who also cofounded of Commonwealth and Mission Chinese Food, pose the question their restaurant seeks to answer: What would you do if the environment was the most important consideration? We'll start to find out on the 20th.

Dennis Lee has abruptly departed Magnolia Brewing and their Dogpatch Restaurant Smokestack, as Eater has it. Magnolia, it should be noted, filed for bankruptcy in December. Theyve been going through certain changes, and I felt like it wasnt in line with my idea of what should be happening, Lee, also of Namu Gaji, told Eater.

"I dont want to drive into the city anymore, says Ron Siegel who lives in San Anselmo and is leaving his post at Michael Mina according to Inside Scoop. Im looking forward to not going into the city right now and spending some more time closer to my place and enjoying my family, he adds. Eater echoes the report that Raj Dixit will take his place, arriving from Mina's Stonehill Tavern restaurant in Orange County.

Burlingame has a restaurant devoted to a worthy cause  nachos  in the new Nachoria. Eater informs us that house-made cheese sauce and options like pollo asada, carne asada, carnitas, al pastor, shrimp, fried fish, and ceviche, are yours at the counter-service spot, and Inside Scoop adds that the owner has considered a nacho restaurant to be his calling.

Seattle-based Pyramid's Pyramid Alehouse in Walnut Creek, the left the Bay Area following the shuttering of the Berkeley location, meaning the place has left the Bay Area entirely now. The Business Times reports that 49 employees were let go by owner North American Breweries who wrote in a statement that they have "merged and increased production capabilities, reviewed and consolidated... retail locations, improved innovation, and created a west coast leadership team with added staff to strengthen the Pyramid brand."

David Kinch's The Bywater opened Tuesday in Los Gatos and Inside Scoop and Eater were on it. The chef with four three Michelin stars to his name hails from New Orleans, so head in for authentic gumbos and beignets in an environment more casual than his famous and nearby Manresa. "I think it's mostly the unpretentiousness that will surprise people," Kinch says.

Tablehopper took a peek at Fiorella which is to open on Clement by months end. The Italian restaurant, pizzeria, and enoteca with a wood-fired Toscana brick oven. One of the partners on the project, Boris Nemchenok (Uva Enoteca), grew up just blocks away in the Richmond.

The fun at beloved taxidermy den, gameroom gathering spot, and hookup hangout Buckshot is coming to an end. Broke-Ass Stuart saw the news on their Facebook page and eulogized it.

Fort Point Beer Company now has a spot in the Ferry Building to check out ,with a kiosk there reported on by Inside Scoop and Hoodline. Pick up a growler of their Villager IPA with your farmers' market greens next time you're there, or stop in for a pint.

Coi has a brand new menu under new chef Matthew Kirkley who takes the reigns from Daniel Patterson. Eater has a first look at it, and Kirkley, who just came here from Chicago, says he's excited to be working in a scene that's "the best in the country bar none."

Also in chef switcharoos, Manfred Wrembel is in at Huxley. Inside Scoop explains that Wrembel comes in from Schroeders to replace Sara Hauman  she's headed over to Brandon Jew's Mr. Jiu's.

El Faro in the upper Haight is now El Rancho Grande, Hoodline has it. Yes, like El Rancho Grande on Divis.

As Quoted is the name of a spot headed to Presidio Heights for all your nut-, dairy-, gluten- and soy-free needs  not to be confused with the restaurant called AQ. Our passion is food as medicine, owners Andie and Kara Yamagami tell Eater.

In the Lower Haight, Raijin Sush is now Hot Zushi after only two weeks empty. Hoodline reports that the menu's different and includes items like butterfish nachos (butterfish, guacamole, jalapenos and spicy pineapple salsa on gyoza chips).

This Week In Reviews

Anna Roth headed over to Farmhouse Kitchen to get some Thai food on the Chronicle. The Mission restaurant has cool new dishes like blue rice because Food changes just like fashion, according to co-owner Ling Chatterjee, who grew up in Bangkok. We want to bring something current (to show) whats going on in Thailand. Chatterjee and husband chef Kasem Pop Saengsawang, co-own Blackwood and Kitchen Story. Roth's take: "The results are mixed. Though a few items soar to the palate-expanding heights of exciting new Thai restaurants like Kin Khao and Hawker Fare, most are merely better-than-average renditions of your typical takeout spot. As a result, Farmhouse Kitchen is something of a hybrid: a place to bring adventurous eaters, but also a place to get a comforting weeknight meal."

Pete Kane at the Weekly tootled over to Hog and Rocks, a favorite of his for brunch of dinner. The food he loved, but sadly, the clientele were not to his liking. "Blame is too diffuse to pin on any one restaurant, but on these visits I noticed how much the clientele has lurched toward the moneyed and the beige. I'm sorry, but having to look at more than two North Face jackets at any given time is depressing. That's just how the Mission is now, I guess, but people still call Hog & Rocks a "hipster" spot. Best to look down at your plate, anyway. It's where all the style is."

Michael Bauer of the Chronicle gave Del Popolo the big three-star nod, everybody be cool until I get to go there. "Theres a sense of refinement that sets this place apart," he says, praising the staff and the attention to detail, "Just about every dish has a distinct element that sets it apart" and "Del Popolo isnt just pizza"  he loved the pizza, btw, but "its an anticipated event."
This report has been updated following its publication.

A user of the transportation network company Lyft had an unexpectedly scary ride this week, after a fellow passenger robbed him at gunpoint.

According to an email sent by the San Francisco Police Department Friday, the 22-year-old man summoned a Lyft at 1 a.m. on Tuesday near the 100 block of Mason Street, which is between Eddy and Ellis Streets. The rider "was intoxicated," police noted in their report.

After the driver picked the man up, "the Lyft vehicle drove around" until it picked up a second passenger, police say. That passenger, a man in his 30s, "pointed a gun at" the first passenger and "took [his] items," police say, including cash and his cell phone.

As you likely know, Lyft offers both traditional solo rides (as one would take in a cab) and "Lyft Lines," in which (per their website) riders "Share the ride with others going the same way for a lower price." At publication time, no SFPD spokespeople were available to explain which service the victim was using Tuesday, or what (if any) role police believe the driver played during the theft.

According to an SF Gate report that appeared a few hours after this one, the information as initially sent by SFPD is incorrect, and the vehicle the victim got into might not have been a Lyft, after all.

SF Gate was able to get a response from an SFPD spokesperson, who said that the victim "thought the driver worked for the company and got inside. The driver picked up two more people then eventually stopped at an ATM. One of the passengers, described as a man in his 30s, pointed a gun at the victim and made him withdraw money."

The driver then "dropped the victim off at a random location and drove away."

The theft victim was uninjured.

An attempt to reach Lyft for comment on Tuesday's case was unsuccessful at publication time. And, as always, SFPD asks that if you know anything about this robbery that you contact them anonymously at (415) 575-4444 or text-a-tip to TIP411 and begin the text with "SFPD."

Update 1/20: Lyft spokesperson Alexandra LaManna responded to SFist's queries with the following statement:

We have been able to confirm that the Lyft driver who was assigned to pick up the passenger arrived at the designated spot and called the passenger several times before canceling the ride as a no-show. We have many safety measures in place to help passengers correctly identify their driver before getting into a car. When passengers request a ride using the Lyft app, they get a text confirmation that includes the drivers name as well as the make, model and color of their car. Passengers also immediately see a picture of their drivers face, their car and their license plate number, and can track their drivers arrival via GPS.

Related: SF Woman And Boyfriend Assaulted By Fellow Lyft Line Passenger

Have You Been Hit On By A Dude Using Lyft Line To Meet Women?
MOORHEAD, Iowa | A rollover accident near Moorhead Friday morning claimed the life of a Moorhead teen, the Monona County Sheriff's Office said.

Shelby Montange, 16, of Moorhead was found dead at the scene, a release said. Two other occupants of the car, Braiden Solberg, 12, and the driver, Sidney Solberg, 15, were injured and taken to Burgess Hospital in Onawa.

The accident occurred around 7:30 a.m. when Sidney Solberg, driving a 2001 Chevy Monte Carlo, rolled in the north ditch along County Road E-54, the release said.

Solberg told authorities she was driving westbound on E-54 when she lost control on a patch of black ice and went into the ditch, the release said.

Montange and Braiden Solberg were not wearing seat belts and were ejected from the car, the release said.

The Monona County Sheriff's Office was assisted by the Iowa State Patrol, Moorhead Fire and Ambulance and the Burgess Health Center Ambulance.

The accident remains under investigation. -- Jordan Gonzalez
SIOUX CITY | Bill Clinton loves campaigning and meeting voters.

At Morningside College Friday, the former president's political skills were again on display, as he reminisced about policy achievements during his two terms in the 1990s and mingled and posed for selfies with adoring fans.

In his first visit to Sioux City in more than three years, Clinton campaigned on behalf of his wife, Hillary, the frontrunner for the Democratic nomination for president this year. Before the noon event began, a handful of supporters got to meet Bill Clinton personally, smiling as they walked into the main crowd.

Among 300 people in a packed student center on the Morningside campus, a woman wore a blue shirt with the words "I Miss Bill." Basking in the warmth of all the attention, the former president stayed after his speech to take pictures and shake hands.

His 50-minute speech was initially heavy on wonky details, before he turned to a more full-throated endorsement of why he thinks voters should send his spouse to the White House.

He shared what he called the three-pronged Clinton family principles.

"Only three things matter -- are people better off when you quit than when you started? Do children have a brighter future, and are things coming together instead of being torn apart? If you want, four years from now, to be able to scream with pride at the top of your lungs, 'Yes,' to all three questions, bring Iowa home for Hillary," Bill Clinton told the crowd.

With a somewhat hoarse delivery, Bill Clinton drew laughs at various points. He never went heavy with personal slams of Republican candidates, who frequently criticize the former first lady.

"I was afraid I couldn't help Hillary, because I am not mad at anybody anymore," he said.

Sioux City was one of three Iowa cities he visited Friday, marking the second time in two weeks he had campaigned in the Hawkeye state, site of the Feb. 1 caucuses, the first test of the presidential nominating season. The latest visits come at a crucial time, with polls showing a tightening Democratic race between the former Secretary of State and Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont.

Marv Heidman, of Sioux City, said he backs Hillary Clinton. Some Iowa Democrats, he said, see Sanders as a more "down to earth" candidate on the trail. Therefore, Heidman said there is a strategic benefit to having Bill Clinton use his "personal touch" in the Clinton team's final drive to lock up supporters.

Susan Switalski, of Le Mars, Iowa, said she believes Hillary Clinton will hang on to win Iowa and the nomination.

"She is so intelligent and she has done so many things for this country ... I think she is going to pull away," Switalski said.

Bill Clinton last visited Sioux City in October 2012, when he spoke on Historic Fourth Street in support of then-Democratic congressional candidate Christie Vilsack.
Todays top picks from our online calendar. Find more events at siouxcityjournal.com/calendar.

Birds of Prey: Learn about Iowa raptors and meet a live kestrel, barred owl and red-tailed hawk in this free event 10-11 a.m. at Dorothy Pecaut Nature Center, 4500 Sioux River Road. Call 712-258-0838 or visit www.woodburyparks.com for more information.

Book Signing Event: Lori White, a resident of Sibley, Iowa, will be available to sign copies of her book, "Growing Season" 1-3 p.m. at Cherry Berry, 2800 Hamilton Blvd. For more information, call 405-458-5642 or Michelle Whitman at michelle@keymgc.com

Oto Fire Dept Spaghetti Feed: Help raise money for the Oto Fire Department 5-7:30 p.m. at Oto Ambulance Building, 27 Washington St, in Oto, Iowa. Free will donations accepted for dinner. All proceeds will go towards firefighter training and OFD operations. Call 712-490-8673 for more information.
URBANDALE, Iowa | Donald Trump and his campaign leaders are imploring supporters to make sure they caucus for him in a little more than two weeks, when Iowans start the process of selecting the nations next president.

Trump and his Iowa campaign co-chair Tana Goertz made the pleas Friday morning to a crowd of roughly 250 people at a campaign event at Living History Farms in Urbandale.

Trump frequently draws much larger crowds, but this event was held in a small space, inside the venues visitor center. Democrat Hillary Clinton drew a similarly sized crowd here in December.

Trump is engaged with Ted Cruz in a close race for the Republican vote in Iowa, according to recent polls. His and Goertzs pleas Friday may have been motivated by media reports, including a piece by The New York Times, that showed the Trump campaigns grassroots organization may be lacking and some of his supporters may not turn out on caucus night.

We have to win Iowa. We have to get out and go to the caucuses, Trump said Friday. The only thing the pundits say is, Maybe (Trump supporters) wont show up.  And maybe they wont show up to vote. I dont know.

Trump then said he thinks his supporters will turn out on caucus night and he actually will out-perform his poll numbers.

I think theyre going to show up, Trump said. I have a feeling were going to actually do better than the polls are saying because theres a movement. This is actually a movement, and there is a feeling out there that is so strong, so powerful.

Goertz, who was a contestant on the reality television show The Apprentice with Trump, made a similar pitch to the crowd.

We know the media is saying youre not going to go out and caucus, Goertz said, pledging shortly after, Your life will change forever if you go vote for him on Feb. 1.

Goertz also made an apparent attempt to assuage any fears that potential supporters may have of backing Trump in public. She explained that Republican caucus-goers submit their choice by secret ballot, which she said should ease concerns for those of you who might be a little chicken.

You dont have to worry that anyones going to hear (your vote), Goertz said, adding that she cant imagine why anyone would be hesitant to support Trump publicly.

Trump was back in Iowa mere hours after participating in Thursday nights Republican debate in South Carolina. Trump, who said he did not sleep at all Thursday night, appeared on a cable news program early Friday morning from downtown Des Moines.

At Living History Farms, he spoke for roughly a half-hour and then took questions from the crowd.

Mike Lose, a former Polk County Deputy Sheriff, spoke in support of Trump ahead of the candidates appearance. Lose is paralyzed from a 2005 incident in which he was shot several times by a hispanic man whom Lose, while off duty, had pursued after witnessing the man speed through his neighborhood.

Ive come out to speak on behalf of Donald on his illegal immigration stance. I was shot by an illegal alien that had been here several times in and out of the state, Lose said. Im going to do everything I can to make sure that he gets elected and takes care of us.

Protesters disrupted Trumps early-morning cable news network interview, and also rallied outside his event in Urbandale. Police dispersed the latter at the request of Living History Farms management, Urbandale police said.


Aberystwyth University climbs 50 places

The full Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2015-16, published in September 2015, saw Aberystwyth University climb 50 places into the top 350 institutions worldwide, and into the top 40 UK institutions featured.

The 2015-16 rankings also underlined Aberystwyths excellent research record. Applying the citations criteria  research influence - Aberystwyth was ranked 260th out of the worlds top 800 institutions featured - a15 point increase on 2014/15.

Phil Baty, Editor of the THE World University Rankings commented: An institutions global outlook is one of the key markers of a prestigious university. The top institutions hire faculty from all over the world, attract students from a global market of top talent and collaborate with leading departments wherever they happen to be based.

It is great news for all the institutions in the list of the most international universities in the world. It is a sign of great potential, competitiveness and dynamism.

Figures published by the Times Higher Education World University Rankings reveal that Aberystwyth University is among the top 200 most international universities in the world.Aberystwyth University is ranked 162nd for international outlook according to the THE World University Rankings which considered the performance of 800 of the worlds top institutions.Aberystwyth University saw an improvement in its performance against the international outlook indicator, scoring 72.2 compared with 66.5 in 2014/15.Professor John Grattan, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Student Experience and International commented: Aberystwyth University has a long and distinguished record for welcoming international students, which is reflected in the excellent result of this latest information published by the Times Higher Education. More than 90 nationalities are represented on campus at any one time, offering our international students and those from Wales and the other countries of the United Kingdom a remarkably diverse and cosmopolitan experience.In October 2015 Aberystwyth University opened its new Mauritius Branch Campus providing Tertiary Education Commission accredited undergraduate degrees in Accounting and Finance, Business, Computer Science and Law.Our international outlook is reflected in our ambition to develop the branch campus in Mauritius, to serve the needs of students in African, Asia and around the globe. This development sits squarely with our strategic aims of Creating opportunities and Engaging the world by pursuing collaboration nationally and globally and offers an excellent example of how we can enable those who value the quality of a UK degree to study at a regional hub or partner institution in a way that is affordable and accessible to them.
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.
Stephen Nystrom was born on May 22, 1938 in Englewood, NJ to Axel Nystrom and his wife Marjorie Nystrom. Steve died at St. Mary's Hospital on January 15, 2016.



Steve graduated from the Naval Academy in 1962 and reports for the flight training receiving his "Wings of Gold" in 1963. His first tour was with Air Antisubmarine Squadron (VS) 31 Topcats, flying the S-2 Tracker where he earned over 100 carrier landings aboard the USS Wasp was the recovery ship for the Gemini space program and Steve flew spotter missions for Gemini capsules 4, 7 and 8. His next tour was a flight instructor at Pensacola, Florida. Steve said teaching new pilots was one of the most challenging, but rewarding parts of his flying career in the Navy. After a sea tour aboard aircraft carrier UUS Intrepid (CVS-11) as the Assistant Combat Information Officer, he reported to squadron VS-32 Maulers as Maintenance Office and Admin Department Head, later advancing to Wing 1 Safety Officer in Jacksonville, Florida. Steve then became Branch Head for all carrier-based Antisubmarine Warfare and training aircraft at the Naval Air Test Center in Patuxent River, MD, where he was also the Chief Test Pilot for the S-3 Viking.



He joined the Aeronautical Engineering Duty Officer community and was assigned to the Directed Energy Weapons program office 1981 in Washington, DC, as project manager for airborne laser systems for Naval Sea and Air Systems Command. Steve was responsible for the first destruction of an anti-ship cruise missile by an airborne laser weapon. His final tour was at the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command where he was responsible for the initial deployment of a laser system aboard a U. S. Navy ship deployed to the Persian Gulf. Steve retired in 1988 after 26 years of faithful service supporting our country through Vietnam and the Cold War as an Antisubmarine Warfare aviator, instructor and test pilot, and helped usher in the new age of directed-weapon technology during the Strategic Defense Initiative in the Reagan Administration.



Following his naval career her served as Program Manager for SEMCOR. Steve and his wife Marianna are founding members of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Southern Maryland, where he has served as Board Chair for two terms and taught Building Your Own Theology.



He is survived by: his wife of 53 years Marianna Nystrom and their two children, Kristen Nystrom Snyder (her husband Brandt Snyder) and David Nystrom ( his wife Saori Nystrom) and his two grandsons: Quinn Nystrom, Bryce Nystrom and his older brother Peter Nystrom.



In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to MedStar St. Mary's Hospital, Office of Philanthropy, 25500 Point Lookout Road, Leonardtown, MD 20650. Please indicate that the donation is for the Meditation Room Project.



Friends and family are invited to a Celebration of Life on January 30, 2016 from 2 to 4 p.m. at Ole Breton Inn, 21890 Society Hill Road, Leonardtown, MD. Steve's cremains will be interred with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date. Arrangements by Brinsfield Funeral Home, Leonardtown, MD.
WASHINGTON

PRESS RELEASE: Attorneys General of Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C. Address Gun Violence Strategies at First-Ever Regional Meeting



Frosh, Herring and Racine pledge increased collaboration and information sharing to target illegal guns and reduce gun violence in region



WASHINGTON, D.C. (January 15, 2016)Attorney General Brian E. Frosh today joined Virginia Attorney General Mark R. Herring and Washington, D.C. Attorney General Karl A. Racine for a first-of-its-kind regional meeting to discuss collaboration and cooperation across state lines to reduce and gun violence in the national capital region.



The three legal officers agreed to designate a point person in each office to work with counterparts to establish a structure for greater communication, and to facilitate the sharing of strategies and criminal information and to develop new initiatives. They briefed each other on ongoing strategies in each jurisdiction, and reinforced their commitment to make sure that dangerous individuals do not have access to guns.



"Crime doesn't respect boundaries, and our crime-fighting strategies need to cross jurisdictions as well," said Attorney General Frosh. "I applaud my colleagues for their commitment to ending gun violence and illegal gun trafficking. We might have different laws, but we have the same goals."



Added Attorney General Herring: "Too many families in Virginia, Maryland, and the District, have been touched by gun violence. They unfortunately know what it's like to have a loved one in the wrong place at the wrong time, and how quickly an act of gun violence can change a life forever," said Attorney General Herring. "We can and should do more to enforce our existing gun laws, even while advocating for additional measures like universal background checks. This partnership with Attorney General Frosh and Attorney General Racine is going to allow us to work regionally to reduce gun violence and illegal gun sales and possession."



"Gun violence takes a terrible toll not only on families in the District, but on families across the Washington region," said Attorney General Racine. "My colleagues are here because we all want to be good neighbors to each other in this region, and we want to reduce the gun violence that results from the illegal gun trade. All of our jurisdictions have to live with the consequences of the proliferation of illegal gunsand the trade in guns is regional, so we believe any solutions must be regional."



According to data from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and published by the Baltimore Sun, of the 5,079 guns used in crimes in Maryland in 2014, 43 percent came from other states. More of those guns came from Virginia than any other place (533), followed by Pennsylvania (309).



As a member of the General Assembly, Attorney General Frosh was the chief advocate of the Maryland Firearm Safety Act of 2013, regarded as one of the strongest gun safety laws in the nation. Attorney General Frosh told his colleagues yesterday that since the law's handgun licensing requirements took effect, 627 handgun qualification license applications have been disapproved, mainly for misdemeanor or felony convictions.



Attorney General Frosh last year sent a letter to each Attorney General in the U.S. updating them on research from the Johns Hopkins Center For Gun Policy Research showing that handgun licensing requirements lead to a reduction in gun homicides.



This was the first time Attorneys General Frosh, Herring and Racine have held a joint meeting, and the first time the chief legal officers of Virginia, Maryland, and Washington D.C. have met to discuss gun violence prevention and reduction.

(Jan. 15, 2016)Attorneys general from Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia met on Friday to coordinate efforts on reducing gun violence and illegal gun trafficking in the region."The folks who are doing the crimes are doing it across the borders," Maryland Attorney General Brian E. Frosh said at a news conference. "We clearly have a problem regionally."District of Columbia Attorney General Karl A. Racine hosted Frosh and Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring in his office in the nation's capital. All three are Democrats who have pushed for gun safety measures in the past and support universal background checks for gun buyers."The communication between our offices will help us be more successful in prosecuting criminals," Frosh said."We believe that working in cooperation with our friends in the District of Columbia and Virginia, we can make a difference in enforcing the laws and stopping gun trafficking and gun violence," Frosh added.All three attorneys general will have designated people to coordinate efforts in the region and to maintain regular communication among the offices.On average each year, gun violence takes 850 lives in Virginia, 550 in Maryland and 100 in the District of Columbia, according to Frosh.Frosh credited Maryland's sweeping Firearm Safety Act of 2013 for the strides he thought his state has made in gun violence.The law requires gun buyers to obtain a license from the state police and restricts the carrying and transporting of handguns in Maryland. The law also bans various types of assault weapons.Frosh also drew contrasts to the gun laws in Connecticut and Missouri.Frosh said after Connecticut adopted requirements similar to Maryland's, gun deaths went down 40 percent. In Missouri, after the state repealed its requirements for the licensing of gun purchases, gun deaths went up 20 percent.Since Maryland's new law took effect on Oct. 1, 2013, more than 600 people have been denied permits because they failed background checks, according to Frosh.Frosh said that more than 40 percent of guns used in crimes come from outside Maryland."That's a good news, bad news situation," he said. "It's too bad that they're coming from out of state. The good news is, it is difficult for criminals to buy guns in Maryland.""And as it becomes more difficult, we'll see that more crimes are reduced, but the proportion of crimes that occur with guns that are purchased out-of-state will probably rise," Frosh said.Racine said a proposal to draft a voluntary code of conduct for gun suppliers was discussed during the meeting."By virtue of that code of conduct, we would have fewer purchases and better controls of inventory," Racine said. "We talked about tangible ideas."Herring said the heroin prescription crisis that has spread across the Washington metropolitan area was also a talking point for a "few minutes" during the meeting."We are all members of the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic (heroin) Task Force and committed to working across state lines on this issue as well, because we know that traffickers are moving this poison all around our region and we have to work together," Herring said.---
State Agriculture Department reaching out to flock owners to help them protect their birds



ANNAPOLIS (January 15, 2016)The Maryland Department of Agriculture is alerting all poultry owners and growers to double down on all biosecurity practices now that a highly pathogenic H7N8 avian influenza (HPAI) virus has been confirmed in a commercial turkey flock in Indiana.



I have been saying that bird flu would return, and it was a matter of when not if, said Agriculture Secretary Joe Bartenfelder. Avian flu is back and even though it is not yet in Maryland, that means when is now.



This is the first detection of a high path avian flu virus in the United States since June last year, which led to the depopulation of nearly 50 million birds and became the most expensive agricultural emergency in U.S. history. The strain confirmed this morning is different from the one that caused the outbreak last year; however, the Centers for Disease Control consider the risk of illness to humans to be very low. In addition, avian influenza does not present a food safety risk. When properly prepared, poultry and eggs are safe to eat.



The Maryland Department of Agriculture is encouraging all flock owners to watch for any signs of illness in their birds and to report any increase in illnesses or mortality immediately to the Animal Health unit at 410-841-5810 during office hours, and 410-841-5971 after hours and weekends. Signs of the virus include: sudden death without clinical signs; lack of energy or appetite; swelling or purple discoloration of head, eyelids, comb, hocks; nasal discharge; coughing; sneezing; incoordination; and diarrhea. In layers, look for decreased egg production and soft-shelled or misshapen eggs.



The department is reaching out proactively to owners of small poultry operations that it considers to be at high risk to offer assistance and expertise on how to shore up their biosecurity practices and recordkeeping. These on-farm biosecurity assessments identify challenges specific to an operation and provide recommendations for how to address them. The department encourages all flock owners to register with the department and work with its animal health experts if they are contacted to help keep the disease out of Maryland flocks.



High path avian influenza is here again, and we are in a critical phase, said Secretary Bartenfelder. If we contact you, please accept the help our animal health experts are offering. We want to protect you and your birds, and if we do have an outbreak in Maryland, we want to make sure you have the information and records you need to receive appropriate reimbursements for your loss through USDA. The only prevention we have is stellar biosecurity.



The department has been training and preparing for an outbreak in Maryland for nearly a year. The department has been testing every flock before going to slaughter. The Maryland Department of Agriculture has avian influenza information on its website including links to a biosecurity self assessment developed by USDA with industry stakeholders. In the event of an outbreak in Maryland, the latest information will be posted on its Bird Flu Blog and on Twitter @MdBirdFlu and @MdAgDept
The Charles County Sheriffs Office recently unveiled a new branding initiative: PRIDE. A representation of the agencys core values, PRIDE is an acronym which stands for Professionalism, Respect, Integrity, Duty and Excellence.The PRIDE campaign originated after CCSO Command Staff attended an FBI National Academy Associates Training. In brainstorming ideas for recruiting efforts, retired Captain Michael Klotz suggested the acronym PRIDE, stating that it stood for goals that we strive to achieve and a word that describes our agency and how we perform our mission.PRIDE characterizes the CCSOs culture. It is the way we feel about ourselves, our work, and our community, said Sheriff Troy Berry. It is also how we will attract new recruits to a career in law enforcement. To them, PRIDE represents something bigger that they, too, can be a part of.PRIDE wristbands were handed out at the 2015 Charles County Fair, and more branded items will soon be visible throughout the county and at the CCSO district stations.The Charles County Commission for Women (CCCW) is seeking to recognize Charles County women who are trailblazers in various fields of interest. This is the first year the CCCW will present the Charles County women trailblazer awards.Awards are presented in various categories: government/politics, law enforcement, education, health/medical, human/social services, entrepreneurship, science and technology, armed forces, and young trailblazer. Nominees must meet the following criteria: Charles County resident Female Employment or service has significant impact on Charles County Self-nominations accepted. Nominations will not be accepted from currently serving elected officials.The nomination form is available for online download at www.CharlesCountyMD.gov/CCCW . Nominations will be accepted from Monday, Jan. 18 through Friday, Feb. 26. Winners will be announced at the Commission for Women 20th Anniversary Gala and Awards Ceremony on April 23 at the Greater Waldorf Jaycees Hall (3090 Crain Highway, Waldorf).The CCCW is a non-political, non-partisan group of women leaders in our community. From diverse backgrounds, these community leaders bring their differing worldviews and a variety of social, economic, political, and religious beliefs together to focus on family issues and women's concerns. All members reside in Charles County and are appointed by the Charles County Commissioners.For more information, visit www.CharlesCountyMD.gov/CCCW or email CCCW@CharlesCountyMD.gov.Register your sons and daughters for the Department of Community Services Sweet Hearts Preschool Prom on Friday, Feb. 12 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The prom will be held at the Somers Community Center (300 Willow Lane, La Plata) for children ages 2-6. All children must be accompanied by a loved one.Your child will enjoy a walk down the red carpet, dancing, light refreshments, prom photos, and the prom kings and queens parade.Registration is $15 for residents and $17 for non-residents. On-site registration the day of the event is $20. For details, contact Somers Community Center at 301-932-6679.For information on other events offered by the Charles County Department of Community Services, visit www.CharlesCountyMD.gov/CS , or call 301-934-9305 or 301-870-3388. Citizens with special needs may contact the Maryland Relay Service at 711, or Relay Service TDD: 800-735-2258.
LEONARDTOWN, Md.

Disclaimer: In the U.S.A., all persons accused of a crime by the State are presumed to be innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. See: http://so.md/presumed-innocence. Additionally, all of the information provided above is solely from the perspective of the respective law enforcement agency and does not provide any direct input from the accused or persons otherwise mentioned. You can find additional information about the case by searching the Maryland Judiciary Case Search Database using the accused's name and date of birth. The database is online at http://so.md/mdcasesearch . Persons named who have been found innocent or not guilty of all charges in the respective case, and/or have had the case ordered expunged by the court can have their name, age, and city redacted by following the process defined at http://so.md/expungeme.

(Jan. 15, 2016)The St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office released the following incident and arrest reports.12/31/2015 DESTRUCTION OF PROPERTY: Deputy A. Schultz responded to the 21000 block of Windsor Drive in Lexington Park for the report of a disturbance. The victim alleged the suspect, Tykane Shiheiem Briscoe, age 20, of Lexington Park, damaged the victims door by kicking the door in and then fleeing on foot. The suspect was apprehended at which time he resisted arrest. Briscoe was transported to the St. Marys County Detention Center and charged with Malicious Destruction of Property and Resist/Interfere with Arrest. CASE# 1-15-7600412/30/2015 DOMESTIC ASSAULT: Deputy J. Bare responded to the 25000 block of Joseph Way in Hollywood for the report of a domestic assault. The victim alleged the suspect, Barbara Ann Sneden, age 31, of Hollywood, struck the victim in the face with a closed fist. The victim displayed injuries consistent with the allegations. Sneden was arrested and transported to the St. Marys County Detention Center. She was charged with Second Degree Assault. CASE# 75662-1512/22/2015 THEFT: While conducting crime prevention the area of the 21000 block of Three Notch Road in Lexington Park, Deputy A. Beishline observed a suspicious vehicle parked on the side of the building. Deputy Beishline made contact with the driver, who was unable to provide a reason for being parked at Americas Best Value Inn and Suites. A K-9 scan alerted deputies to possible CDS in the vehicle. Subsequently, an interior scan was performed which revealed paraphernalia consistent with marijuana use, and a bookbag containing stolen property was located inside the vehicle. The passenger of the vehicle, Saeed Akhil Handon, age 20, of Lusby, was identified as the suspect. He was placed under arrest and transported to the St. Marys County Detention Center. Handon was charged with Theft Less than $100 and Rogue & Vagabond. CASE# 64031-1501/06/2015 THEFT: Deputy J. Smith responded to the 45000 block of Worth Avenue (Best Buy) in California for the report of a theft. The suspect, Joey Alan Herbert, age 23, of California, attempted to leave the store without paying for merchandise. Herbert was placed under arrest and transported to the St. Marys County Detention Center. He was charged with Theft less than $1000. CASE# 908-1601/10/2016 ASSAULT: Corporal E. O Connor responded to the 22000 block of Kinder Lane in California for a shooting complaint. The victim alleged the suspect Mary Nell Miller, age 53, of California, tossed a beer bottle at the victims head during an argument. Subsequently, Miller retrieved a butcher knife, walked towards the victim, and then stabbed the armrest where the victim was sitting. The victim Mark Edward Turkaly, age 45, of California, allegedly retaliated by stabbing the arm rest where "victim" Miller was sitting. Miller and Turkaly were both placed under arrest and transported to the St. Marys County Detention Center. Both suspects were charged with First Degree Assault and Second Degree Assault. CASE# 1602-1601/10/2016 THEFT: Deputy J. Bittner responded to Rite-Aid Pharmacy in Leonardtown for the report of a theft in progress. The suspect, Leslie Ann Almberg, age 35, of Lexington Park, attempted to leave the store with concealed merchandise. A Notice Not to Trespass was issued, and Almberg was transported to the St. Marys County Detention Center. She was charged with Theft less than $100. CASE# 1542-1601/07/2016 THEFT: Deputy G. Muschette responded to the 45000 block of Miramar Way in California (Wal-Mart) for the report of a theft in progress. Suspects, Megan Leanne Murphy. Age 22, of Charlotte Hall and Charles Patrick Hancock, age 20, of Hollywood, collaborated to conceal merchandise and leave the store without paying. The suspects were issued a Notice Not to Trespass and transported to the St. Marys County Detention Center. Both were charged with Theft less than $1000. CASE# 1102-1601/11/2016 ASSAULT: Deputy C. Ball responded to the 45000 block of Church Drive in Great Mills for the report of a domestic assault in progress. The victim alleged the suspect, Clarissa Nichol Swanson-Desarno, age 18, of Great Mills, struck the victim in the arm during a verbal altercation. Desarno was arrested and transported to the St. Marys County Detention Center. She was charged with Second degree Assault. CASE# 1781-1601/08/2016 DESTRUCTION OF PROPERTY: Deputy C. Ball made contact with a victim referencing property destruction on the 46000 block of Pegg Lane in Lexington Park. The victim alleged the suspect, William Anthony Dunnington, age 29, of Lexington Park, destroyed property at the victims residence. During the destruction, the suspect made arson threats towards another victim. Dunnington was placed under arrest and transported to the St. Marys County Detention Center. He was charged with Threat of Arson and Two Counts of Malicious Destruction of Property/Value less than $1000. CASE# 1191-1601/12/2016 DOMESTIC ASSAULT: Deputy M. Rodgers responded to the 39000 block of Oak Court in Mechanicsville for the report of a domestic assault. The victim alleged the suspect, Danielle Marie Schonert, age 24, of Mechanicsville, struck the victim in the face and on the body. The victim displayed injuries consistent with the allegations. Schonert was placed under arrest and transported to the St. Marys County Detention Center. She was charged with Second Degree Assault. CASE# 1955-1601/13/2016 DOMESTIC DISTURBANCE: Deputy D. Smith responded to the 21000 block of Birdseye Court in Lexington Park for the report of a domestic disturbance. The victim alleged the suspect, Samantha Letika McClain, age 26, of Lexington Park, assaulted the victim during a verbal altercation. The victim displayed injuries consistent with the allegations. McClain was arrested and transported to the St. Marys County Detention Center. She was charged with Second Degree Assault. CASE# 2203-1601/15/2016 POSSESSION: While patrolling the area of Three Notch Road and Lincoln Avenue in Lexington Park, Deputy First Class R. Steinbach, initiated a traffic stop for excessive speed. A strong odor of marijuana appeared to be emitting from the vehicle. A search of the suspects car revealed a clear baggie containing suspected marijuana and a crack pipe containing suspected crack cocaine. A clear plastic straw containing suspected cocaine was thrown out of the vehicle by the passenger, Timothy Jerome Baker, age 49, of Lexington Park. The driver, Charles Vaselle Freeman, age 31, of Lexington Park and passenger Baker were both placed under arrest and transported to the St. Marys County Detention Center. Baker was charged with CDS PossessionMarijuana, Two Counts of CDS PossessionNot Marijuana (Cocaine), Three Counts of CDS Possession Paraphernalia, Obstructing and Hindering, Destroy Alter or Conceal Physical Evidence, and served an open warrant for Child Support. Freeman was charged with CDS PossessionMarijuana (over 10 grams), Two Counts of PossessionNot Marijuana (Cocaine), and Three Counts of Possession (Paraphernalia). CASE# 2445-16.01/14/2016 THEFT: Deputy M. Pleisse responded to the 28000 block of Mechanicsville Road for the report of a burglary. The suspect, April Marie Quade, age 18, of Mechanicsville, entered a parked motor vehicle at Immaculate Conception Church in Mechanicsville and stole property. The property was returned to the victim and Quade was arrested. She was transported to the St. Marys County Detention Center and charged with Rogue and Vagabond and Theft $1,000$10,000. CASE#2422-16BURGLARY: Unknown suspect(s) entered a residence and stole property on the 21000 block of Elegant Court in Lexington Park. CASE# 2293-16BURGLARY: Unknown suspect(s) entered the Git-R-Dunn laundromat and stole property. CASE# 2429-16BURGLARY: Unknown suspect(s) forced entry into a residence and stole property on the 45000 block of Nolte Court in California. CASE# 2211-16BURGLARY: Unknown suspect(s) forced entry into a garage on the 45000 block of Drayden Road. Nothing appeared to be stolen. CASE# 1441-16ROBBERY: Deputies responded to Food Lion in Leonardtown for the report of a robbery. The victim reported being pushed from behind while walking out of the Food Lion. The suspect stole the victims purse and then fled on foot. The case remains under investigation. CASE# 1339-16BURGLARY TO MOTOR VEHICLE: Unknown suspect(s) removed property from a vehicle at the Used Car Factory in Mechanicsville. CASE# 1523-16BREAKING AND ENTERING TO A MOTOR VEHICLE: Unknown suspect(s) forced entry into a vehicle and stole property on the 45000 block of Indian Way in Lexington Park. CASE# 1631-16BURGLARY: Unknown suspect(s) forced entry into a residence and stole property on the 16000 block of Three Notch Road in Dameron. CASE# 1666-16THEFT: Unknown suspect(s) stole property from a vehicle on the 22000 block of Three Notch Road in Lexington Park. CASE# 1873-16
WASHINGTON

(Jan. 15, 2016)The U.S. Department of Defense recently announced the following contract awards that pertain to local Navy activities., is being awarded anot-to-exceed, cost-plus-fixed-fee delivery order against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N00019-14-G-0020). This delivery order provides for air vehicle retrofit modifications associated with the F-35A fuel tank overpressure engineering change proposal in support of the Air Force, and the governments of Australia, Italy, the Netherlands, and Norway. Work will be performed in Fort Worth, Texas (62 percent); Ogden, Utah (28 percent); and Palmdale, California (10 percent), and is expected to be completed in March 2017. Fiscal 2014 and 2015 aircraft procurement (Air Force); 2016 research, development, test and evaluation (Air Force); and international partner funds in the amount of $14,421,000 will be obligated at time of award, $6,656,033 of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract combines purchases of the Air Force ($26,855,466; 93.11 percent); and the governments of Netherlands ($1,633,244; 5.67 percent); Italy ($201,880; 0.70 percent); Norway ($100,940; 0.35 percent) and Australia ($50,470; 0.17 percent). The, is the contracting activity., is being awarded anmodification to a previously issued cost-plus-fixed-fee contract (N00019-16-C-0023) to exercise an option for software sustainment services in support of MQ-8B Fire Scout unmanned aircraft systems. Work will be performed in San Diego, California (90 percent); and Point Mugu, California (10 percent), and is expected to be completed in December 2016. Fiscal 2016 operations and maintenance (Navy) funds in the amount of $8,021,113 are being obligated at time of award; all of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The, is the contracting activity., is being awarded amodification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract (N00019-12-C-0066), for the procurement of 30 Navy Aircrew Common Ejection Seats for F/A-18 series and EA-18G aircraft for the Navy. In addition, this modification provides for associated hardware, equipment, technical data, and production support services. Work will be performed in Higher Denham, Near Uxbridge, Middlesex, England (61.86 percent); Johnstown, Pennsylvania (22.46 percent); Ronkonkoma, New York (8.24 percent); and Chatsworth, California (7.44 percent), and is expected to be completed in August 2017. Fiscal 2015 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $9,458,828 will be obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The, is the contracting activity.
Le Collectif Cheikh Yassine a organise un certain nombre dactivites et de festivites pour les enfants de Gaza sous le theme  La joie des enfants de Gaza pour lAid . Ces activites ont commence le premier jour de lAid et continue jusquau 4eme jour de lAid dans la bande de Gaza.



Plusieurs activites, ont ete organisees parmi lesquelles : des competitions recompensees par des prix, des jeux, des animations et des chants presentes par un groupe ainsi que des distributions de cadeaux et daides financieres.




According to the actor, he is fascinated with Russian history. Playing Lenin would also be interesting. Also, I would love to play Rasputin.

According to DiCaprio, there should be more films on Russian history, Russia unites so many stories almost of Shakespearean character. For an actor, it is extremely exciting.

Currently, DiCaprio is starring in the movie Revenant which is nominated for twelve Oscars. The actor has been nominated for the best male role for the fifth time.

He also has continued to be active in the political sphere. During a meeting on climate in Paris, DiCaprio who has for decades engaged in fight against global warming, appeared as a speaker and in 2014 the UN made him an Ambassador of Peace, the paper reported.

However, the actor does not intend to repeat the path of Ronald Reagan or Arnold Schwarzenegger and go into politics, Die Welt wrote. At the moment I cannot imagine myself becoming a politician although I would not completely rule out something like that, Leonardo DiCaprio said.
Rood said that although Muslims in Indonesia and other Southeast Asian countries are moderate, the governments must nevertheless win over communities in order to prevent their radicalization.

Its definitely [Daesh's intent] to reach out and establish their presence. There have been groups in the Philippines that are trying to claim allegiance to the Islamic State although that has yet to be reciprocated.

Rood noted that it might look like Abu Sayyaf, a militant Islamist group based in and around Jolo and Basilan in the southwestern part of the Philippines, has degenerated into just a criminal group, but it adheres to Daesh ideologically.

Talking about how the government can prevent this from happening, Rood said, The governments need the community to turn against the radicals in order to be able to manage the conflict. Lone-wolf attacks can still occur but generalized problem can be averted if the community is on your side, the analyst said.

He added that the Philippines in the Southeast Asia may serve as a safe haven for radicals due to its geography, and that governments should pay special attention to their border security. "We need to tighten border security and there needs to be better intelligence-sharing throughout Southeast Asia," Rood concluded.
Since then, the White House has curbed its rhetoric of using energy supplies as a weapon or diplomatic means, an article in the Russian newspaper Vedomosti read. Obamas administration even warned that the president may veto the lifting of the export ban.

However, even now, with the first US oil tankers on their way to Europe, the president still has the right to veto the decision for one year, in the event of a state of emergency in the country or oil shortage threatening national security.

Falling gas prices in Asia as well as the ongoing decrease in global oil prices made oil and gas deliveries from the US much less profitable.

As for natural gas, it sells on the basis on long-term contracts, and its supplies will continue in accordance with previously agreed deals. For European customers, exports of liquefied natural gas (LNG) would diversify the energy sources and increase their reliability.

In late-December, it was reported that Enterprise Products from Texas signed contracts to deliver 600,000 barrels of crude to oil refineries in Switzerland. On January 1, the first tanker set sail for Italy from where the oil will be transported by pipeline to German refineries. On Wednesday, The Wall Street Journal reported that a second cargo of US oil was sailing to France. From there it will also move by pipeline to a Swiss refinery.

In the long-term perspective, Latin America and Europe would become the key markets for US crude, according to WSJ.

For now, exports of US oil are nothing but an effort to "re-balance" its domestic market, Uralsib analyst Alexei Kokin told Gazeta.Ru.

"As long as the US is a net exporter of crude there will be no large-scale overseas supplies," he said. According to his estimates, the US would export as many as 100,000 barrels a day from its daily output of 9.2 million.

Currently, the US wants to empty its storage facilities in a number of regions, and then they will be refilled with crude from Venezuela, Canada and Nigeria, he added.
At the time, De Sousa was registered in Italy as a State Department official at the U.S. Consulate in Milan. However, she was actually a CIA officer.

She maintains that she was chaperoning her sons ski trip the day Omar was taken. She also says the operation was approved and carried out by higher-ranking CIA officials, who had the backing of Italys intelligence community.

She admits she was a translator for the team that led the capture and coordinated with Italian authorities.

Following her charges, De Sousa sued the CIA and the Justice Department for not invoking diplomatic immunity on her behalf. Later in 2009, 23 Americans also were convicted by Italian courts in absentia. None has served prison terms.

During an interview Friday with the Washington Post, De Sousa said she plans to appeal the ruling to Portugals Supreme Court.

I am really shocked, De Sousa told the Post. From what I understood, extradition was off the table because it was a trial in absentia. I was not served or told of the charges against me and had zero opportunity to defend myself adequately because the U.S. did not acknowledge the rendition took place and the evidence was classified. Italy also covered all pertinent evidence with state secrets.
Human rights groups in Turkey have put the civilian death toll since July at well over 100.

The US government, Xulam argued, needs to break its silence and condemn Ankara for what he called war crimes against the Kurds.

"The White House needs to find its voice to condemn these attacks, to condemn this war," Xulam claimed.

AKIN intends to maintain a presence across the street from the Turkish embassy on a daily basis for months, and Xulam hope this longevity will "provide a spark," to a larger scale protest to protect Kurdish rights against Turkey's illegal war.

On Friday, Turkish security forces killed 19 PKK fighters in the country's southeastern Sirnak and Diyarbakir provinces, according to Turkey's General Staff.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said in his New Years statement that Turkish security forces had killed 3,100 PKK militants in 2015.

In July, the same month Turkey opened a new front in its conflict with Kurdish rebels, it simultaneously vowed to strike Daesh. Turkish officials have claimed that both campaigns are part of the same fight against terrorism.
A world leader in the number of historical and artistic highlights, Iran boasts over a thousand world-class hotels and nearly as many recreational facilities are now under construction.

During a meeting with Mortaza Rahmani Movahed, Rostourism head Oleg Safonov said that Iran was one of the safest places for Russian tourism and that Russia was ready for closer cooperation in this field.

There are many beautiful places in Russia and Iran that tourists could visit and I hope that, with the visa regime lifted, there will be more tourist exchanges between our two countries Today we invited the heads of Russias leading tour companies to come to Iran and see for themselves what we can do to have more Russian tourists traveling to our country and Iranians to Russia, Mortaza Rahmani Movahed told Radio Sputnik.

He also said that Iran could fill the void Russias tour industry has experienced as a result of worsening relations with Egypt and Turkey.

Russian tourists are welcome to come any time of year and enjoy any kind of service they possibly need. We carefully study the Russians mentality and tastes and will try to offer them the very best service money can buy, Mortaza Rahmani Movahed emphasized.

Meanwhile, an official with the Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization said that Iran planned to inaugurate a tourism representative office in Russia in the near future.

The head of the organizations marketing and publicity department, Mohammad Kazem Kholdi, added that Iran was keen on hosting Russian tourists and would work out the details.

Iranian Ambassador to Russia Mehdi Sanaei said on Thursday that Iran could abolish its visa regime for tourists arriving in the country from Russia on a unilateral basis.

Iranian airline Mahan Air will launch direct flights between Moscow and Tehran beginning January 21.
Haran argued that Bashar al-Assad has always been a popular leader and therefore he is still in power. There is no adequate internal opposition and many of the problems in Syria come from foreign sources that are trying to get rid of the inconvenient regime, the ambassador explained, reminding that 67 percent of the entire Arab world had chosen Assad as the most popular Arab person voted in 2009.

"Even the diplomatic community agreed that he had the support of about 80 percent of the Syrian population," Haran said.

The situation in the country deteriorated in 2011 following the "Arab spring" when it came to protests in various parts of the country. The chaos emerged in a number of the country's provinces such as Latakia, Homs and Hama.

"Aleppo remained calm and this was what really bothered the opposition. The opposition could not force people in Aleppo to revolt against the regime, so they sent [their own] people to Aleppo. These people then burned something on the streets and went back. But journalists reported about that saying that these were Aleppo people who took part in revolts," Haran said.

According to Haran, the media has often exaggerated its negative representations of Syria with journalists reporting about things that never happened.
"If Germany and others want to stop the influx of refugees, they must stop the bombings by Syrian and Russian forces against the Syrian opposition," Simsek told the newspaper.

Turkish authorities have repeatedly been criticized by the West for insufficient participation in the fight against terrorism and concentrating their efforts on the war with Kurdish rebels.

"Daesh represents for us the greatest danger," the deputy prime minister said. "We live in the immediate neighborhood. And we constantly face a threat of terrorist attacks," he added.

Previously German newspaper Deutsche Wirtschafts Nachrichten (DWN) reported that in the wake of the mysterious recent attack in Istanbul, Turkey claimed to have launched a major offensive in Iraq and Syria.

An explosion in Istanbul's historical center on Tuesday claimed the lives of at least 10 people, injuring 17 more. Among the victims were at least 10 German nationals.
"If you take up the technological capability for building aircraft carriers, we hope to acquire it by the beginning of 2019 as long as modernization works are completed," he added.

Rakhmanov did not reveal details regarding where Russia would build its new aircraft carriers. But Moscows next generation flattop is likely to be built at Sevmash Shipyards, in Severodvinsk. It is the only facility to have recent aircraft carrier building experience. It refurbished and modified the Admiral Gorshkov aircraft carrier into the Vikramaditya for the Indian Navy.

"Previous reports had suggested that Russia was preparing to start building its first post-Soviet era carrier in 2025, at the earliest. It would also take roughly ten years to build the massive warship," the author wrote.

While the new Russian flattop is a decade away, in 2015 the Krylov State Research Center and Nevskoye Planning and Design Bureau showed off a model of a prospective 100,000-ton displacement aircraft carrier, designated as Project 23000E Shtorm. The massive aircraft could carry as many as 90 aircraft.
The fifth-generation J-20 stealth fighter and the Y-20 heavy-lifting transport plane are about to enter the initial production stage, the observers said.

Wang Ya'nan, deputy editor-in-chief of Aerospace Knowledge magazine, said the newest J-20 prototype must be tested to inspect technical changes designers made to it based on test results from earlier prototypes.

Once the tests are carried out successfully, small-scale production will begin and the PLA Air Force will become the world's second user of a fifth-generation stealth fighter (following the United States Air Force), China Daily reported Wang as saying.
According to Jakarta police chief Major General Tito Karnavian the attackers who carried out the recent armed assault in Jakarta had links to Daesh and belonged to a group headed by Indonesian militant Bahrum Naim, believed to be fighting in Syria.

"We have identified all attackers. We can say that the attackers were affiliated with the ISIS [Daesh] group," Charliyan said as reported by the Jakarta Post.

Commenting on the issue, US Central Command (CENTCOM) Commander Gen. Lloyd Austin told reporters that by carrying out a terrorist attack in Southeast Asia Daesh is trying to divert attention from its defeat in Syria and Iraq.

It is clear that Daesh is seeking to increase its global footprint, John Watts, a senior consultant with Noetic Group, Washington DC, deems. Undoubtedly, the Islamist group is searching for a new ground to bolster its supporter base.

"Indonesia not only has the largest Muslim population in the world, but also a very tolerant and moderate one Indonesia's moderate population makes it generally resistant to extremist ideology, and therefore a target for those seeking to radicalize and polarize the world," Watts notes in his article for The National Interest.
Recently, a war of words broke out between Warsaw and Brussels over the Polish governments new laws on media and constitutional court. It was an unprecedented move  Poland was suspected of breaching European democratic values, an article on Politico read.

Head of the European Parliament Martin Schulz compared the new Polish governments latest moves to a "coup." Polish Defense Minister Antoni Macierewicz said his country would not "take lessons in freedom and democracy" from Germany. The German government restrained from finger-wagging at the Poles. Now Berlin worries that the dispute will end with a disruption in its ties with Poland, according to the article.

A breakdown in relations would imperil decades of painstaking reconciliation. Moreover, losing Poland would mean that Berlin now has practically no allies in the EU. Currently, it is a time when the EU must confront a daunting array of challenges that its own leaders warn could trigger a collapse. At the same time, German Chancellor Angela Merkel needs strong allies who could help her reform the EU, solve the migrant crisis and settle a lot of other issues, the article read.
Cammack and Livingston draw attention to the fact that Aramco is "famously" secretive; at the same time an IPO would require the company to reach a level of transparency unprecedented for the ruling family.

On the other hand, a "fire-sale" of Aramco is hardly the best way to maximize returns with oil prices at their twelve-year low and no prospects of increasing in the near future.

Don't hold your breath, recommends Holly LaFon of GuruFocus.com: value investors would face certain challenges if they buy the Saudi assets, she notes citing Dr. Sheridan Titman, director of the Energy Management and Innovation Center at the University of Texas at Austin.

According to Titman, Saudi Arabia is "as politically unstable as any place in the world," and the biggest obstacle for value investors to jump at the opportunity to buying a piece of those assets is risk.

It is unlikely that Saudi Arabia will loosen its control over the company after privatizing it. It means that the company's policy will be closely aligned with the political objectives of the Saudi government. Are investors ready to leave their potential profits at the discretion of impulsive Saudi royalties?

"If Saudi Aramco goes public, Saudi Arabia will face an enormous existential dilemma. The Saudi royal family's total control of Arabia's oil wealth is the root of all of its power, influence, and success," deems Cyrus Sanati of Fortune, adding that the move would be regarded as a sign of weakness by Saudi Arabia's enemies.

Palace insider @mujtahidd says that @Saudi_Aramco upstream not on the table  IPO only for downstream and midstream https://t.co/lwLUQu2xUG  Cyrus Sanati (@BeyondBlunt) 15  2016


Another reason is the Iranian nuclear deal, approved by Washington.

"Like Israel, Saudi Arabia was overjoyed when the United Nations Security Council imposed trade sanctions on Iran in 2006 for refusing to suspend its uranium enrichment program," the expert underscores.

Not only did the restrictions isolate Tehran politically and economically, but they cut off Iran from the oil market, playing directly into Saudi Arabia's hands. Now Iran is back.

To complicate matters further, the Saudi-American relationship is bursting at the seams. Riyadh has no scruples about openly demonstrating its growing discontent with Washington's Middle Eastern policy. At the same time, the Saudi monarchy has reacted harshly to a few attempts of mild criticism from the White House.

The author underscores that the Bush invasion of Iraq upset the delicate balance between Sunni and Shiite groups in the Middle East indirectly facilitating the rise of Iran.

"From a Western perspective, the Sunni-Shiite conflict makes no sense," Lazare remarks, but for the Saudis "this is no laughing matter."

"As the self-appointed 'custodian of the two holy mosques,' i.e. Mecca and Medina, the Saudi royal family bases its claim on Muslim law, the notion that its rule is legally valid according to Sharia and that it is therefore incumbent upon all Muslims to accede to its legitimacy," the US author explains, stressing that at the same time for Shiites the House of Sauds is just a "pack of illegal Sunni usurpers with zero legitimacy."
Kerry also said that if Iran decides to violate its obligations under JCPOA, the United States will have time to react.

US President Barack Obama issued an executive order revoking the sanctions.

"I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, have determined that Iran's implementation of the nuclear related measures specified in the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action of July 14, 2015 (JCPOA) marks a fundamental shift in circumstances with respect to Iran's nuclear program,"

The statement comes after the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed the Islamic republic fully complied with its obligations under the landmark nuclear deal.

"In order to give effect to the United States commitments with respect to sanctions described in section 4 of Annex II and section 17.4 of Annex V of the JCPOA, I am revoking Executive Orders 13574 of May 23, 2011, 13590 of November 20, 2011, 13622 of July 30, 2012, and 13645 of June 3, 2013, and amending Executive Order 13628 of October 9, 2012, by revoking sections 5 through 7 and section 15," the statement added.

US Department of Treasury announced that it lifts sanctions imposed on Iranian Central Bank and Iranian international oil company, as well as ban imposed on Iranian oil trade with third countries. Washington also lifts ban on export of civilian airliners to Iran

High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini said that EU and US had issued relevant guidelines on lifting the sanctions against Iran. She also noted that the European Union hails beginning of JCPOA implementation.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon also hailed Iran deal implementation day.

#UNSG Ban Ki-moon says Implementation Day is significant milestone, reflects good faith efforts by all @UN_Vienna https://t.co/thL12TlWTu  UN Spokesperson (@UN_Spokesperson) January 16, 2016

Russian Foreign Ministry said on Sunday that Russia considers that all sides of agreement on Iranian nuclear program will continue to meet obligations under JCPOA.

"We hope that all the sides of the agreement [on Tehran's nuclear program] will continue to approach the issues related to the further implementation of obligations under JCPOA honestly and responsibly," the statement said.
I do not expect any change. I think, in many countries, governments have assumed certain obligations to the population. To do this, they need the money. The price of oil is low, production has to be high. We have recently seen the highest level of production in Russia since the days of the USSR. It is the task of obtaining income needed to service the commitments made to the public. I do not expect that OPEC will declare reduction of production to raise prices as they will receive less revenue, and they have their own problems and obligations, Watt explained.

Earlier, Economic Development Minister Alexei Ulyukayev said that in his view oil prices will stabilize in the second quarter of 2016.

Talking about this comment, Watt told RT, I think that there is a high probability of such a scenario, when for some time prices will continue to remain low, maybe even still lower than it is today, and with the second quarter it will begin to stabilize, and then return to higher levels, Ulyukayev said.

The head of a major oil company Continental Resources, Harold Hamm, in turn, expects that the oil prices will rise by the end of the year to $ 60. The oil tycoon made this forecast after oil companies decided to cut production in North Dakota, Texas and elsewhere.

The price of oil this week fell to $30 per barrel.
If the Pentagon gives the green light to the request this would significantly strengthen the US position in the region. This would also comprise another effort by Washington to train and equip fighters in Syria, after the previously failed campaign.

Last year, Washington labeled as ineffective and terminated a $500-million program to train 15,000 Syrian moderate opposition fighters to fight Daesh.

Turkey has not provided details on the talks between Turkish officials and Dunford. According to the article, Turkey has already chosen the Sunni groups who have expressed willingness to secure the border with Syria.

In turn, Dunford said he was considering the proposal and would soon submit it to Defense Secretary Ashton Carter. According to WSJ, the plan includes a small groups of fighters. Dunford rejected to give details on their number but said the US would independently check the fighters before training and equipping them.
Round one winners Shades Of Bay and Rafa delivered as the overwhelming favourites in Friday night's second leg of the Snowshoe Series at Woodbine Racetrack.

The second leg was split into two $17,000 divisions with Shades Of Bay stretching his win streak to four in the first event in rein to Phil Hudon.

Three Truths (Sylvain Filion), the 9-1 second wagering choice, established the early lead from post two with outsider Hickory Terrific (Mike Saftic) crossing into the two-hole through a 26-second first quarter. As the field headed into the backstretch, R J B (Jonathan Drury) broke stride in third-place and then Three Truths jumped it off on the lead.

Meanwhile, 1-9 favourite Shades Of Bay, who had lined up in fourth off the gate, quickly closed the gap left by the first breaker and then advanced to the lead past the :55.1 half-mile mark.

Shades Of Bay raced by three-quarters in 1:24 and maintained a two-length leading margin down the stretch as Sabine Pass (Jody Jamieson) started up in the outer flow on the final turn and continued to chase him home in second. Shades Of Bay scored the 1:51.3 victory by one and three-quarter lengths over Sabine Pass while Shippen Out (Trevor Henry) closed from third over and finished third, over six lengths behind.

Sean Mehlenbacher trains Shades Of Bay, a four-year-old son of Art Major, for Toronto owner Timothy Kim. Shades Of Bay now has six wins in 16 starts, including his recent victory in the final of Valedictory Series and last week's Snowshoe score, and earnings totalling $69,104.

Rafa took a new lifetime mark of 1:52.2 in the second division as he remained undefeated in four career starts for owner/breeder Robin Morley of Mildmay, Ont. Sylvain Filion drove the four-year-old Camluck gelding, who is trained by Richard Moreau.

Swapportunity (Mario Baillargeon) fired off the gate from post six with 2-5 favourite Rafa and Pistopackinpiper (Doug McNair) leaving together just to his outside. Rafa touched down on the front and then retook the lead when Pistopackinpiper persisted through a hot :25.4 first quarter.

Rafa then clocked middle splits of :55.1 and 1:24.3 with Tower Of Power (Jonathan Drury) advancing first over and Tylers Beach Boy (Jody Jamieson) tracking cover. The determined Rafa kept his rivals at bay down the stretch though to prevail by one length. Tylers Beach Boy edged out Tower Of Power and Swapportunity for the runner-up honours. Pistopackinpiper was fifth while St Lads Charger (Trevor Henry), an upset winner in round one of the series, finished second-to-last this time out in the nine-horse field.

Rafa has now banked $27,500 through his first four career wins.

The Snowshoe Series is for three and four-year-old pacers that are non-winners of two races or $30,000 lifetime as of October 31, 2015.

To view Friday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Friday Results - Woodbine Racetrack.
Sunshine Coast Birds

Birding and other wildlife experiences from the Sunshine Coast and elsewhere in Australia - and from overseas - with scribblings about travel, environmental issues, kayaking, hiking and camping.
The South Bays economy is in a strong place, but continued inflation and a likely recession are among the future challenges, experts predict.




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By Asheeta Regidi

The quashing of the much-misused Section 66A of the Information Technology Act, 2000 last year set off celebrations in those quarters that furiously defend free speech. Social media users could now openly debate, discuss and criticise a wide variety of things without fear that it would annoy or insult someone, inviting litigation.

This activity of social media users is now governed by other laws on defamation; the primary concern of a social media user is about what statements can be made under the other laws, and what cannot.

When is a statement defamatory?

Section 66A was worded in a broad and vague manner. There is no legal definition as to what is offensive, insulting, an annoyance or a menace. The effect of this was to create a large net under which the police could jail all possible offenders, and the courts would later decide who was jailed rightfully and who was to be set free. Thankfully, defamation will now be governed by much more specific law; the Indian Penal Code, 1860, has a very detailed definition of defamation under Section 499. Under civil law, defamation is recognised under the law of torts, which is not in the form of an actual law but laid down through several judgements.

The main concern of the law on defamation is to protect the reputation of a person. So if a person makes a statement that harms the reputation of another, it constitutes defamation. Here are a few quick pointers that define the legal contours of defamation on social media:

The statement must be seen as harming a persons reputation. The words in the statement must, in some way, affect the opinion of others regarding a persons moral character, his credibility, his caste, his profession and so on. If the words do not have such an effect, then the statement is not defamatory. Also, the person must actually intend to harm the reputation of the other person. A defamatory statement made on all forms of social media, such as Twitter, Facebook, WhatsApp, and messages and e-mails is within the ambit of the law. Words are not the only form of the defamatory statement. Emoticons, pictures, cartoons, and all such signs and representations, which are used commonly for communication online, will also come under the purview of defamation. People should not assume that if they are making a statement about a person who is deceased, that they are safe from legal action. The relatives of the deceased person can file suit against such statements.

If the statement made is a true statement, then it is not defamatory. In criminal law, the statement must also be a true statement made for the good of the public. For example, if a person shares a WhatsApp message in his friends group accusing a friend of stealing his watch, and if that person did indeed swipe the timepiece, it does not constitute defamation. If the person shared this message with his friends, with the intention that they should be aware of the thiefs true character, then he has made the statement for the good of the public and it is not considered defamatory.

The redeeming aspect of other laws governing defamation is that they permit fair criticism. Section 66A did not allow this, since what is considered fair criticism by some may not be so for the person criticised. This, of course, is exemplified by the case of Shaheen Dhada and Rinu Shrinivasan, from Mumbai: they were arrested in Palghar in Thane district as one of them posted a comment against the shutdown in the city following Shiv Sena leader Bal Thackerays death and the other liked it. A public interest litigation on the issue was filed in 2012 by law student Shreya Singhal, who sought amendment in Section 66A.

Statements such as the one protesting Mumbais blockade may not now be defamatory, but there are, however, boundaries to this right:

A statement is considered to be fair criticism only if it is an expression of the persons opinion. The opinion must be founded on actual fact. The person should also be stating his opinion honestly; he should genuinely believe in his statement. The statement should not be made with any bad intention.

Reviews of restaurants, movies, books, a public speech and so on, which are posted so commonly online are therefore protected as fair criticism. This also protects blogs, online discussions and debates and the like.

Fair criticism of a public servants action, such as a minister or a political leader, can be made. However, this must be restricted to the ministers actions and character in his line of duty, and cannot extend to anything else, such as his personal life. Similarly, fair criticism may be made of the action of any person with respect to a public question. For example, a person may lawfully criticise a persons decision to canvass for a particular political candidate. For example, a tweet that As evidence is so contradictory that he must be lying, is an opinion based on As conduct in the case. This is not defamatory. On the other hand, a tweet that I know A is a dishonest man, and so I dont believe his evidence, is a personal opinion which has nothing to do with the case, and is defamatory.

When a person is dissatisfied with a service, or an item he purchased, it has become a common practice to put up a Facebook post or tweet about it. These statements are not defamatory if they are made by a person to protect his or another persons interest. However, it is essential that the person must make the statement honestly, and with the genuine belief that this information is needed for the publics or his interest. Therefore, when a person posts to Facebook with the intention that the matter be resolved by the company hes feels shorted by, or that the public get to know about the bad service, then it is not defamatory. A deliberate statement made to lower the reputation of a company, or to affect the business of the company, is considered defamatory.

So as long as youre being honest online and say your piece without intending to harm another person, youre safe.

The author is a lawyer with a specialisation in cyber laws and has co-authored books on the subject.

The next part of the series will examine the true nature of those tedious terms and conditions youre asked to accept.
Obama vows to protect religious minorities at home and abroad

PTI, Washington :

US President Barack Obama today vowed to protect religious minorities both at home and abroad.

"Our commitment to religious freedom has fostered unprecedented religious diversity and freedom of religious practice. But these ideals are not self-executing. Rather, they require a sustained commitment by each generation to uphold and preserve them," Obama said as he proclaimed January 16, 2016 as Religious Freedom Day.

This work is crucial, particularly given the recent spike in reports of threats and violence against houses of worship, children and adults simply because of their religious affiliation, said the US President.

Obama made no reference to any country in his speech but said that his administration works to promote religious freedom around the globe.
Rahim steel manufactures high strength steel products

A New Nation Report :

A pioneer in the steel sector of Bangladesh, Rahim Group started installing the first continuous billet casters in Bangladesh in 1984. The group produces many different grades of products, related to steel conforming to international standard. Those range from reinforcement bars, plates for shipbuilding, railway steel components and spring steel. The company has earned its name through dynamic leadership, regular plant modernisation and innovation in production methods. The group believes in providing complete steel products of all the grades including British and Japanese grades. It produces rebar with better and innovative corrosion resistance. Its rebar is highly cost effective in comparison with products available in the market.

The group's super extreme reinforcement bars are of high tech, hi bend and superior in strength and quality. This rebar conforms to 75grade quality standard and provides superior strength and ductility. This super extreme bar is synonymous with cost effective quality product.

The vision of Rahim Group includes sustainable growth, relationship and partnering with customers and suppliers, utilization of potential of workforce and creating future leaders, continuous innovation of technology for better quality products, divesting, merger and environmental sustainability.

Higher strength with better elongation is a unique feature of super extreme bars of Rahim Group. Designed to be much stronger than conventional bars, super extreme bars build a safer and stronger concrete structure with lesser quantity of steel, saving up to 14 to 19 per cent of the cost. Super extreme bars guarantee excellent ductility and can be welded and bent well. These bars can withstand bending and re-bending without any reduction in strength due to its low carbon strength.

For earthquake resistance, super extreme bar structures need to have balanced stiffness strength and ductility between its members, connections and supports. Super extreme bars provide very high strength with comparatively higher elongation values and better ductility, making them more earthquake resistant.

Test results for super extreme bars have shown no loss of strength up to 500 degree centigrade. This why, super extreme bars can be used easily in constructions prone to fire hazards. Super extreme bars are more corrosion resistant than normal CTD bars.

The fine layer of scale forms a protective layer, thereby preventing further corrosion. In CTD bars, this initial layer of scale falls down during twisting. Corrosion resistance can be further improved as per customer needs, by altering the material chemistry.

Super extreme bars are new generation high strength bars that have properties to take high stress levels resulting in less consumption of steel thus economizing and saving valuable finance and money of users.

"Indian businessmen are much more shrewd compared with Bangladesh's and that is why it becomes very difficult for Bangladeshi businessmen to export steel products to India. They reduce prices of their products in bordering areas of Bangladesh so that Bangladeshi manufacturers cannot cope with the competition," said an official of Rahim Group while talking to this correspondent on January 7 (Thursday) last.


Cross Functional Summit held

Economic Reporter :

The first Cross Functional Summit 2015 was held on Saturday at Bangabandhu International Conference Center in the city.

The unique summit is designed to bring three core professional groups: Finance, Human Resource and Marketing, in one occasion to exchange views, ideas and knowledge.

The Institute of Cost and Management Accountants of Bangladesh, Bangladesh Society for Human Resource Management (BSHRM) and Bangladesh Brand Forum (BBF) jointly organized the summit.

It focused on exploring the areas where ideal collaboration is absent, and leading to bureaucracy, delay in decision making, poor strategy and slowing down of execution of the core strategy of the organization.

The day-long summit was designed with keynote sessions and 4 panel discussions.

Abdul Matlub Ahmad, President of FBCCI attended the summit as the chief guest. Mahtab Uddin Ahmad , Cheif Executive Officer of Robi Axiata Ltd., Zinnia Tanzina Huq FCMA, Finance Director of GSK Bangladesh spoke on the occasion.

Zinnia Tanzina focused on the finance related issues. She also moderated the first panel discussion right after her session. The following session was on Human Resource issues conducted by Md. Musharrof Hossain, President of BSHRM.

Md. Musharrof Hosain is also leading the HRM department of icddr,b and he is also the president of Asia Pacific Federation of Human Resource Development. He moderated the second panel discussion as well. Dr. Syed Ferhat Anwar, Professor, Institute of Business Administration of University of Dhaka conducted his keynote session as the last session of the summit, on Marketing. He then moderated the third panel discussion. The fourth and the last panel discussion were be moderated by Professor Imran Rahman, Vice Chancellor of ULAB. Well known professionals from different sectors participated in the panel discussions as members.
Using starvation is war crime

THE United Nations warned Syria's warring parties on Thursday that starvation sieges were a war crime as it pushed for an easing of the dire humanitarian crisis ahead of peace talks, just 11 days away.

After months of negotiations with stakeholders, a second convoy carrying food and other essentials entered Madaya on Thursday where residents told newsmen they had been surviving on soup from boiled grass. On Monday, a first convoy reached Madaya, where Syrian forces have laid siege for the past six months, and truckloads of aid entered two other towns blockaded by rebel groups. Humanitarian aid access is seen as a key confidence-building measure ahead the new round of Syrian peace talks. The United Nations is struggling to deliver aid to about 4.5 million Syrians who live in hard-to-reach areas, including nearly 400,000 people in besieged areas.

It may be noted that France, Britain and the United States called for an emergency meeting of the Security Council to press demands for aid to reach some 400,000 civilians facing starvation in besieged areas.

The Security Council has adopted resolutions demanding an end to the sieges, but these have been largely ignored. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights ZeidRa'ad Al Hussein, speaking in Qatar, said that those responsible for the starvation sieges should face justice.

The Security Council can ask the International Criminal Court to investigate war crimes in Syria but a previous attempt to open up ICC probes was blocked by Russia and China in 2014. With international pressure building on Syria, a senior Red Cross official said there were prospects for an end to the sieges.

It is no stretch of the imagination that calling the present Syrian government an illegal and criminal one would represent the truth. Any government which punishes its citizens  matter how misguided or anti-government they might be, by using starvation as a weapon, cannot be called anything except criminal. The plans to starve their own citizens is reminiscent of the plans Hitler had to starve the German people in 1945 for not obeying his instructions to fight to the bitter end.

Whatever the reason  the masterminds of the current Syrian government must be handed over to an international court for the almost half of the 400,000 Syrians who are currently under siege, along with ISIS which is responsible for the other half. Under the principle of universal jurisdiction  as occurred with Chile's former ruler Pinochet  anyone who has committed crimes against humanity can and should be tried anywhere in the world.

We urge Interpol to collect a database of the Syrian top officials so that they can be arrested in any airport of the world if they leave their own country. Accountability must not be distant  it must be brought near to those who cling on to power at any cost and think themselves accountable to no one.






Chinas multipronged green development target

Sara Hsu :

At a recent Central Economic Work Conference, China underscored the aim of promoting green development as one of its economic targets. "Green development" means more environmentally friendly production and consumption. While somewhat fragmented in its approach to green development, China is working toward environmental improvements in several areas, including an expansion of renewable energy markets, reduction of supply-side pollution, promotion of low-impact economic development in some regions, and encouragement of green finance.

China is a major player in the renewable energy market, especially in the solar power sector. It has committed to generating 150 to 200 GW of electricity from solar power and 250 GW from wind energy by 2020. Renewable energy projects will be funded in part by an increased surcharge on electricity bills of 0.019 yuan per kilowatt-hour. Clean energy producers are to be given priority over coal-fired generators in selling power to distributers and large users, in a change of policy from guaranteeing operating hours for coal fired plants.

China has cracked down on polluting suppliers, closing outdated steel production plants, fining polluting factories, and pressuring companies to implement cleaner technologies, under a more stringent Environmental Protection Law implemented last year and a government focus on reducing pollution. Coal mine approvals have been suspended for the next three years and inefficient mines have been shut down as China attempts to move away from consumption of the dirty fuel. Local governments have also stepped up environmental regulation enforcement, as they were given notice last July that they are to be held responsible for doing so.

Low-impact economic development has been encouraged in some regions to improve environmental indicators. Chinese President Xi Jinping has recently stressed that economic activity along the Yangtze River, a culturally and economically significant body of water, take the form of green development. Xi urged coordination among various sectors in terms of infrastructure and environment along the river, and stated that no large-scale development should occur along the river in the near future. Meanwhile, low-carbon pilot cities were initiated in August of last year. These include Shenzhen International Low-Carbon City (Guangdong), Zhuhai Hengqin New District (Guangdong), Qingdao Sino-Germany Eco-Park (Shandong), Zhenjiang Guantang Low-Carbon New City (Jiangsu), Wuxi Sino-Sweden Low-Carbon Eco-City (Jiangsu), Kunming Chenggong Low-Carbon New District (Yunan), Wuhan Huashan New Eco-City (Hubei) and Sanming New Eco-City (Fujian).

Green finance is increasingly encouraged to fund environmental enhancements. The Green Finance Task Force submitted a report last year, noting that economic incentives to encourage green investment should function by increasing the return on green projects, reducing the return on polluting projects, and increasing consumer and investor awareness of these issues. Financial support for green investment is to be raised through discounted green loans, green bonds, and green IPOs. China has set forth rules in December 2015 on issuing "green bonds," which provide funding for sustainable activities such as saving energy, preventing pollution, conserving resources, protecting the environment, adapting to climate change, and promoting clean energy. Significant funding will be needed to improve China's environmental outlook.

(Sara Hsu is an Assistant Professor of Economics at the State University of New York at New Paltz and Research Director at the Asia Financial Risk Think Tank in Hong Kong).
Public varsity teachers' strike may end soon

M M Jasim :

The Education Ministry (EM) and the Federation of Bangladesh University Teachers' Association (FBUTA) are hopeful of early solution of ongoing crisis in public universities.

The top bosses of the Education Ministry and the leaders of FBUTA are working together for honourable solution.

The FBUTA leaders will also submit a new proposal to the Education Ministry as the ministry had asked for it.

Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid told The New Nation on Saturday, "We are near to a solution very soon." "I have discussed in details with the teachers and I can tell you that the discussions were fruitful," Nahid said.

"I am working for the teachers. I always support them. We (The ministry and FBUTA leaders) met several times in this regard. The government is cordial to discover a result," the minister said.

President of FBUTA Professor Farid Uddin Ahmed told The New Nation on Saturday that the contours of the solution might take formal shape by Sunday". "We have not yet gone for a formal meeting, but there are multiple efforts," he said.

He also said that the teachers would not come back to the classes and resume their regular activities until their demands are met.

When asked about the possible session jam due to demonstration, Professor Farid said, "This may cause session jam and hamper the students' academic life and we know also how to recover. That is why we have urged the government to take prompt action." Secretary General of FBUTA Professor AFM Maksud Kamal said that they took part in many meetings organised by the Education Ministry, but to no avail.

Public university teachers around the country have been protesting against the 8th National Pay Scale since May last year, pressing for a four-point charter of demands, including formation of a separate commission to initiate an independent pay scale for public university teachers.

Other demands include parity between senior professors and senior secretaries and between professors and secretaries in salaries and allowances, upgrade of teachers' status in the warrant of precedence, and equalisation of the provisions of cars, foreign and government scholarships and other allowances.


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Principe, Democratic Republic of Saudi Arabia, Kingdom of Senegal, Republic of Serbia and Montenegro Seychelles, Republic of Sierra Leone, Republic of Singapore, Republic of Slovakia (Slovak Republic) Slovenia Solomon Islands Somalia, Somali Republic South Africa, Republic of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands Spain, Spanish State Sri Lanka, Democratic Socialist Republic of St. Helena St. Kitts and Nevis St. Lucia St. Pierre and Miquelon St. Vincent and the Grenadines Sudan, Democratic Republic of the Suriname, Republic of Svalbard & Jan Mayen Islands Swaziland, Kingdom of Sweden, Kingdom of Switzerland, Swiss Confederation Syrian Arab Republic Taiwan, Province of China Tajikistan Tanzania, United Republic of Thailand, Kingdom of Timor-Leste, Democratic Republic of Togo, Togolese Republic Tokelau (Tokelau Islands) Tonga, Kingdom of Trinidad and Tobago, Republic of Tunisia, Republic of Turkey, Republic of Turkmenistan Turks and Caicos Islands Tuvalu Uganda, Republic of Ukraine United Arab Emirates United Kingdom of Great Britain & N. Ireland Uruguay, Eastern Republic of Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of Viet Nam, Socialist Republic of Wallis and Futuna Islands Western Sahara Yemen Zambia, Republic of Zimbabwe
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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

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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!
The S.P.D. Murder of John T. Williams

On a sunny, warm Seattle August day in 2010, Native American wood carver John T. Williams was murdered by the Seattle Police Department as he walked down the crowded downtown streets while on his normal daily routine of carving small totem poles with a small pen knife, then selling them to the tourists that flock by the Seattle Public Market.

Seattle Police Officer Ian Birk noticed Mr. Williams walking down the city streets and deemed him a threat, do in major part I believe - simply because he was Native American. Williams was one of many homeless Native Americans who roam downtown Seattle. These people are usually dismissed and overlooked by Seattles daily bustle of businessmen, the working class, and tourists.



When the officer approached Williams from behind, and then ordered him to freeze and drop his small carving knife and a stick of carving wood he was carrying, Williams was hard of hearing in one ear, and failed to hear the police officer over the traffic and pedestrians, thus did not immediately comply; officer Birk then instantly felt that this gave him the right to use lethal force against John T. Williams.

No threat was ever given by the homeless woodcarver. Officer Ian Birk coldly gunned down John T. Williams from behind, murdering him in the streets of Seattle, Wash, right in front of many horrified citizens who later professed that they felt no threat from the homeless Native American man whatsoever.



The officer was fired  thats it, and was allowed to live his life somewhere else, work a steady job, live in a nice house, somewhere out of media sight, and out of the publics mind; smug in the fact that he got away with legal murder with just a slap on the wrist. We must all remember that this type of legal homicide happens every day all over this nation of ours, by those sworn to Serve and Protect us. And that this violent tragedy can happen to anyone, or anybodys family members, especially if they are citizens of color. This makes it everybodys problem who believes in justice, personal safety from unwarranted persecution, and true American freedom in the society they live in. Let us still remember John T Williams, and never forget the fact that he was ruthlessly murdered by the S.P.D.






















































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.
CARBONDALE  If Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was alive today, he'd likely be focused on the relationship between law enforcement and black communities, economic disparities and the upcoming presidential elections, especially the tenor of the early races, say two local women.

The bulk of these contemporary concerns are still embodied in what King referred to as the "Triple Evils" of poverty, racism and militarism.

These topics, after all, were some of the concerns that King had during the seven years he introduced the concept of non-violent resistance to challenge social ills.

As some in the community gather to reflect on his life and mission, the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Celebration in Carbondale will acknowledge a local individual whose contributions have embodied what King tried to teach. While King himself is not believed to have stopped in Southern Illinois, his wife, father and oldest son did make visits here to publicly speak.

"The key thing is taking what he stood for and applying it on a daily basis, and a weekly basis, not just all coming together on his birthday and singing We Shall Overcome'," said Marilyn James, an elder at Hopewell Missionary Baptist Church, "but the principals that he stood for, how are we all applying that in your life?"

"Are you practicing equality for all, are you practicing economic empowerment for all? You know, diversity (is) having a diverse group of qualified people doing it  just equal opportunity for every person  thats what Jesus did  what Jesus was about.

Carolin Harvey is among the local organizers of the Carbondale event commemorating the life of Dr. King. She said the program is vital and hopefully inspires others to live and love like King did, all toward making our local communities better places to live.

"It's our hope that the program inspires people to action," Harvey said.

That kind of action does not always have to be grandiose or over-the-top, she said.

"It's the little things we do that make more of a difference," Harvey said.

Harvey said the challenge is to inspired to make a difference in your local community first, "being actively involved in voting, in speaking out about what you want your community to be about."

One local person who has done some of those 'little things' that matter will be honored with this year's "Spirit of Dr. King Service Award," to be presented at Sunday afternoon's Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Celebration in Carbondale. Doors open at 3 p.m. Sunday, with light refreshments at 3:30 p.m. and the program starting at 4 p.m. at the Carbondale Civic Center.

This is the 17th year that a group in Carbondale has hosted that celebration, which attracts about 200 to 300 people, according to Harvey.

Such events are essential for a community that still needs to learn how to support each other and live together and for the children, who can still learn from his life, James said.

I think it serves a good purpose because what he stands for never dies," she said. "I mean the love  He talked about ... the beloved community. Its Gods love. There are things that he talked about were in the Bible. The love, if we have love for one another, we can get past our differences, we are able to get things accomplished things together "

When James lived in Atlanta, she befriended King's oldest son, Martin III, and marched with others to have King's birthday declared a national holiday. A bill establishing King's holiday passed both houses of Congress and was signed into law in November 1983 by then-President Ronald Reagan.

A decade ago, it was James who, along with the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute, hosted Martin III in Carbondale, where he spoke about youth being empowered and his father's philosophy of the "three evils."
CARBONDALE  Mayor Mike Henry thinks the Carbondale Human Relations Commission focuses too much on criticizing the Police Department.

The mayor is asking for the commission to take a more positive approach to issues involving the Carbondale Police Department and its residents. It needs to take steps to resolve it by having more discussions, he said.

Instead of going into media mode where they criticize the police," Henry said, "actually hold a hearing, get people together and talk about it  find a solution.

What I am wanting to do is have open discussions rather than just having accusations.

The beginning

The commission was created in 2003. Based on a city ordinance, the city sought to protect citizens from prejudice and discrimination against any individual group because of race, color, religion, sex, age, disability, marital status, familial status, sexual orientation, national origin or ancestry.

Former Carbondale Mayor Neil Dillard and former Southern Illinois University acting Chancellor John Jackson called for the commissions creation after a highly charged case in 2001. The incident, which had police responding to a house party near campus, included a number of black students who felt the police used excessive force.

Officials react positively to Grubbs hiring CARBONDALE  Overall, Carbondale officials see the hiring of Jeff Grubbs as Carbondales pol

Today, Commission Chairman Jerold Hennrich said he sees the role of the group as an advisory body to the City Council and its attempts to resolve relationships between the community and city government.

I think we are filling that role, he said. All we can do is try to facilitate the dialogue.

The focus

Henry said there are other issues  rental and job discrimination  in Carbondale that the commission could focus on.

Part of their charge is that they are supposed to initiate some of these things, and they have been so focused on the police that they arent getting to those things, Henry said.

Hennrich doesnt feel like they spend too much time on police issues.

The consequences of a negative interaction with a police officer is completely different than the consequences of a negative interaction with somebody in the water department, he said.

Father Joseph Brown, vice president of the commission, said each month the commission discusses more than just the police. He said the commission receives reports from many different city organizations.

Brown said the commission regularly discusses rental problems, the homeless and racial discrimination.

As a service commission, we respond to the needs of the community as they bring it to us, he said. We dont do investigative, self-initiated projects.

The mayor said he has noticed recent improvement, pointing to a Nov. 23 open forum about community policing.

Second forum on community policing scheduled for next week in Carbondale CARBONDALE  A second community policing forum has been scheduled for next week to continue 

The commission is also supposed to submit recommendations to the council regarding what happens in its regular meetings, Henry said, but that isnt happening.

The solution?

The commission did submit recommendations in its 2014 report, which Henry said the Council didnt receive until November 2015. It asked for a chaplain, spiritual leader or trained counselor be involved with the police when notifying family of death or serious injury to loved ones.

This concern came from the 2012 death of 21-year-old Molly Young.

The second recommendation was that law enforcement entities, specifically the Carbondale Police, SIU Police, Jackson County Sheriffs Office and the Illinois State Police, work closely with each other to provide information to overlapping jurisdictions. This recommendation came from the 2014 incident where a state police trooper pulled behind the vehicle that 19-year-old Pravin Varughese was in just minutes before he ran into the woods near Illinois 13.

The trooper did a check along the tree line, asked the driver if he needed any more assistance, then drove off and didnt inform Carbondale Police. Then-Carbondale Police Chief Jody OGuinn said police didnt know about the troopers involvement for another five days.

Henry believes law enforcement agencies have been working closely together for years.

The report also showed the commissions frustration about not being able to obtain arrest and complaint data. One factor, the report said, could be an outdated system. Another could be reluctance to share complaint data.

Pastor of Church of the Good Shepherd's time in Carbondale a positive experience CARBONDALE  Sonja Ingebritsen is the type of person who likes to blend into the middle of a

Henry said the police department does have a new software system, so such reports will be able to be provided more quickly.

Henry also points to the commission not taking sufficient minutes during the meetings. He said the minutes do not reflect who voted for or against a certain issue, and it also doesnt reflect how strongly the commission voted on that issue.

Council weighs that very heavily, he said.

Hennrich said he was unaware of this, and says he "think(s) it is a great idea to show the vote."

The future

The mayor said he would have these concerns with any of the Carbondale-based commissions and isnt just singling out the Human Relations Commission.

The overall attitude needs to be, 'Lets talk to the police department and let them know what we are hearing and see if we can fix it,' Henry said.

Hennrich said there is still a lot of tension in the city about police relations and it is something that needs to be talked about.

Just by not talking about stuff, doesnt make the problem go away, he said.
A new survey has all but confirmed a trend that many educators long have suspected: Illinois is in the midst of a teacher shortage.

According to the survey, conducted this past fall by the Illinois Association of Regional Superintendents of Schools, 76 percent of Illinois districts saw fewer qualified candidates applying for positions in their districts during 2015.

District administrators said openings in special education, math and science have been particularly tough to fill. High school districts and unit districts (those that serve students in all grades) had the most difficulty filling spots.

The problem was more pronounced in west and northwest Illinois  and in rural Illinois generally, wherein 83 percent of districts reported fewer qualified applicants. In rural districts, 51 percent of administrators also reported their candidates were worse than previous years.

In Southern Illinois, some administrators said the problem already has impacted programs they can offer students, while others said its impact is likely to be felt a few years down the road.

Steve Webb, superintendent of rural Goreville Community Unit School District 1 in Johnson County, said a shortage of applicants already has led him to cancel the districts Spanish program, opting instead to utilize a distance-learning foreign language program through Kansas State University.

If you have a position open in a rural area where your population is already very sparse  youre going to get very few applications for that, Webb said. And even if you do get one or two applications, typically theyre coming from a large area. As soon as they get a job back in that area, theyre going to be gone.

Having fewer students also means teachers often have to pull double duty, teaching not only chemistry, for example, but also physics or even math. Webb, whose K-12 district logged 626 students during 2014-15, said hes dreading the day, three years down the road, when one of his high school science teachers retires.

Its just becoming more and more difficult, he said, adding that teachers with endorsements in multiple specialty areas are especially hard to come by.

In Herrin, Superintendent Mark Collins said applications definitely have fallen off in the past couple years. Where once he might have received 150-200 applications for elementary teaching positions, he now receives 20-25. The decrease hasnt impacted programs yet, but it has the potential to be devastating, he said.

Its going to hit hard four or five years down the road, Collins said.

Chris Grode, superintendent at Murphysboro Community Unit School District 186, said he hasn't had difficulty filling positions. The proximity of Southern Illinois University has helped, he said.

Causes and Solutions: Were Burning Them Out

The surveys authors cited a number of reasons teachers are in short supply, including decreased enrollment in teacher-education programs and roadblocks in out-of-state teachers meeting Illinois licensure standards.

Between 2005 and 2014, enrollment in SIUs College of Education and Human Services decreased by 31.7 percent, from 3,956 students to 2,702.

The college has been sending fewer and fewer student teachers to local districts, too.

But the teacher-shortage trend also has been noted nationwide, and Illinois educators said at the heart of the problem is a widespread decline in interest in the profession.

Reliance on standardized testing combined with low pay and enhanced accountability measures have left teachers feeling disillusioned. According to studies, anywhere between 17 and 50 percent of teachers leave the profession within the first five years.

Were demanding so much of our teachers today, Collins said. I hate to say it, but were burning them out. Were asking more and more of them and giving them less and less pay.

Collins said he and other educators do their best to encourage their own students to enter the field, but thats becoming more and more difficult.

Theres no carrot I can dangle in front of them to persuade them that, Education is right for you, he said.

The problem is compounded by the fact that in Illinois, teacher licensure has become a more difficult  and expensive proposition.

A licensure test now includes a student-teaching video requirement. The passing score for a separate entrance test just increased. The teacher-licensure process includes multiple fees along the way.

Nancy Mundschenk, director of teacher education at SIU, said while those fees may impact recruitment, they arent driving the teacher shortage.

What will help solve the problem, she said, is changing the way educators talk about teaching.

Its about shifting the narrative to: You will change lives as a teacher. Let us help you learn and develop the skills with which you can do that.
Gov. Bruce Rauner on Friday took the first steps toward having an impasse declared in contract negotiations with the largest union representing state workers.

The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Council 31, meanwhile, rejected the idea that the talks are stalled and said it is prepared to continue negotiating.

Representatives for the Republican governor and the union have been at the bargaining table for nearly a year, and each side accuses the other of refusing to budge on wages, health care costs and other issues. The nearly 40,000 state workers the union represents have been working without a contract since July.

The Rauner administration on Friday filed an unfair labor practices charge against ASFCME with the Illinois Labor Relations Board and asked the board to determine whether the talks have reached an impasse.

Under an agreement signed by both parties, if the board ultimately makes that determination, it could clear the way for the administration to impose its best and final offer.

Rauner implements merit pay for some workers; AFSCME opposed CHICAGO  Gov. Bruce Rauner's administration is starting a new compensation system for some 

In a series of interviews this week marking the first anniversary of his inauguration, Rauner touted his administrations agreements on innovative new contracts with 17 other unions, which together represent more than 5,000 state workers. Those deals implemented merit bonuses and froze wages for four years for many workers.

He accused AFSCME of intransigence in 67 negotiating sessions.

Theyve rejected every proposal that weve made, and very adamantly, Rauner told the The Southern Springfield bureau. Theyve offered no compromises from their opening position whatsoever, and theyre asking for a lot in terms of raises and increases.

The administration said in Fridays announcement that the union last week refused to seriously negotiate for the 24th bargaining session in a row.

But AFSCME said it has offered many counterproposals to the governors negotiators.

"Its regrettable and damaging to the public interest that the governor has chosen a confrontational path, the union said in a written statement. Just as Gov. Rauner is holding the state budget hostage, his my way or no way demands of state employees are the obstacle to a fair agreement.

The administration has made more than 200 extreme demands during negotiations, including a four-year wage freeze, according to the union.

Robert Bruno, a labor relations expert at the University of Illinois, said pushing for a declaration of impasse is a risky maneuver.

The term in chess is a gambit, a big move that comes with some risk but that can transform a series of iterative actions, he said. So this feels to me like a gambit on the part of the governor.

Rauner, AFSCME appear gridlocked on contract talks SPRINGFIELD  Labor talks between Illinois Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner and the state's larg

Rauner risks having to return to the bargaining table with an unfavorable ruling, Bruno said, and he also risks repercussions, such as a possible strike, if he succeeds and is able to impose the changes hes seeking.

Proving his case will be difficult because impasse is a technical term in labor relations that goes beyond a simple lack of agreement, Bruno said.

Its a fairly high bar to cross, he said.

Melissa Mlynski, executive director of the labor board, said her agency received the governors charge and has begun its investigation.
HURST  Illinois State Police identified the man fatally wounded in a shooting in Hurst as 41-year-old Willie C. Holderfield, of De Soto.

Holderfield was shot by officers who had gone to the house at 111 Seba St. in Hurst, looking for a suspect wanted on a felony warrant for robbery of the Family Drug pharmacy in Carterville about a month ago. Police reported that Holderfield displayed a handgun, and the agents discharged their firearms, hitting Holderfield. He was taken to a local hospital, where he died, police reported.

Holderfield's brother, Kevin Jeralds of Bush, said he and his wife knew investigators were looking for Holderfield, as they had surrounded their house a few weeks ago looking for him.

He said his brother's health had started to fail and he did not have health insurance and was not able to pay for medications.

Jeralds said it was about six or seven months ago when he noticed a dramatic weight loss in Holderfield and asked him if he was using drugs heavily because he looked so frail. This look was in sharp contrast to the Holderfield who'd left prison three years ago, very muscle-bound. He had been incarcerated one other time for a robbery-related offense.

That's when he said Holderfield told him that he had pancreatic cancer and was dying from the disease. That, plus, his brother was still dealing with the death Sept. 4, 2014, of their father, Malcolm Holderfield.

"I think what pushed him over the edge was when we lost Dad (Malcolm Holderfield)," Jeralds said. "Ever since he passed away  (and with the diagnosis)  I think he just gave up."

"He did get addicted to pain pills because he was trying to alleviate the pain (from the cancer and injuries from a car crash in the 1990s)," Jeralds said ."He was always in a lot of pain."

"Hes a very kind person. Gentle, he was never violent with me  I mean, I dont know what he did on his own, but he struggled, I mean, he had his demons and he struggled a lot and we tried to help him as much as I could, give him a place to eat, warm shoes, whatever he needed, clothes, tried to help him out as much as I could," he said.

"But he loved his kids, he loved his family, he said.

In addition to Holderfield's children and stepchildren, his brother and sister-in-law, his survivors include two sisters, his wife, stepmother and nieces and nephews.

The incident is under investigation by the ISP Division of Internal Investigations. Once the investigation is completed, it will be forwarded to Williamson County States Attorney Brandon Zanotti for prosecutorial review.

According to a news release from the Illinois State Police, no additional comment or information will be released from either the Williamson County States Attorneys Office or the ISP at this time.
HALEIWA, Hawaii  Two Marine Corps helicopters carrying six crew members each collided and went down off the Hawaiian island of Oahu while on a nighttime training mission, and rescuers searched choppy waters Friday where debris had been sighted, military officials said.

There was no immediate word on the fate of those aboard or what caused the accident.

The transport helicopters known as CH-53Es crashed just before midnight Thursday, officials said.

A Coast Guard helicopter and C-130 airplane spotted a debris field 2 1/2 miles offshore early Friday. The debris covered an area of 2 miles, Marine Capt. Timothy Irish said.

The choppers are part of the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing at Marine Corps Base Hawaii. Known as Super Stallions, they are the U.S. military's largest helicopter, capable of carrying a light armored vehicle, 16 tons of cargo or a team of combat-equipped Marines, according to a Marine Corps website.

The search included Air Force units, as well as a Honolulu Fire Department rescue boat and Coast Guard cutters, officials said.

Two Navy ships, the USS John Paul Jones and the USS Gridley, were also participating, along with a Navy squadron of SH-60 helicopters, Navy spokeswoman Agnes Tauyan said.

Wal-Mart to shutter 269 stores, 154 of them in the U.S.

NEW YORK  Wal-Mart is doing some rare pruning.

The world's largest retailer is closing 269 stores, including 154 in the U.S. that includes all of its locations under its smallest-format concept store called Wal-Mart Express. The other big chunk is in its challenging Brazilian market.

The stores being shuttered account for a fraction of the company's 11,000 stores worldwide and less than 1 percent of its global revenue. Wal-Mart Stores Inc. said the store closures will affect 16,000 workers, 10,000 of them in the U.S. Its global workforce is 2.2 million, 1.4 million in the U.S. alone.

The store closures will start at the end of the month.

The announcement comes three months after Wal-Mart Stores Inc. CEO Doug McMillon told investors that the world's largest retailer would review its fleet of stores with the goal of becoming more nimble in the face of increased competition from all fronts, including from online rival Amazon.com.

"Actively managing our portfolio of assets is essential to maintaining a healthy business," McMillon said in a statement. "Closing stores is never an easy decision. But it is necessary to keep the company strong and positioned for the future."

Michael Exstein, an analyst at Credit Suisse, described the moves as "baby steps" in his report published Friday, but he believes they are positive ones. He noted that this is the first mass closing that Wal-Mart has announced in at least two decades.

Coal suspension affects 30-plus mining projects

BILLINGS, Mont.  At least 30 applications from companies seeking to mine hundreds of millions of tons of coal face suspension as the government reviews its sales of the fuel from public lands, U.S. officials disclosed Friday.

The coal leasing program is on hold for up to three years while the Interior Department reviews fees paid by mining companies and the environmental effect of burning coal, agency Secretary Sally Jewell said.

The Associated Press obtained a Bureau of Land Management list of affected sites ahead of its public release, and it includes mining proposals in nine states.

Some of the largest projects are in the Powder River Basin of Wyoming and Montana, the nation's top coal-producing region. Other projects are in Utah, Kentucky, Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Oklahoma and North Dakota.

The announcement marks another major blow to the struggling coal industry, which has been hit with increased competition from cheap natural gas, new anti-pollution regulations and faltering international coal markets that have dimmed hopes to boost exports. The nation's second largest coal company, Arch Coal of St. Louis, declared bankruptcy Monday.

Warehouse worker takes third of $1.6 billion Powerball pot

NASHVILLE, Tenn.  A small-town warehouse supervisor turned in one of three tickets splitting the world-record $1.6 billion Powerball jackpot on Friday, and swiftly announced that he would take his money now, giving up hundreds of millions of dollars in the future.

But John Robinson and his wife, Lisa, said they won't stop working and won't make any wild purchases. They'll pay off their mortgage and their daughter's student loans, but have no desire to move from their small, gray, one-story house into a luxurious compound somewhere.

"I've never wanted that in the past. I don't really want that now," said Lisa Robinson, who works in a dermatologist's office.

"Big houses are nice," her husband said, "But also you gotta clean 'em."

Robinson said he reached out to his brother for help finding lawyers and financial planners before deciding to take the winnings in a single lump sum of nearly $328 million, rather than let the lottery invest the prize and pay him 30 annual installments totaling an estimated $533 million.

Why pass up on a certain income totaling more than $200 million?

"We're going to take the lump sum, because we're not guaranteed tomorrow," Robinson said. "We just wanted a little big piece of the pie. Now we're real grateful we got the big piece of the pie."

No one has produced the other winning tickets, which overcame odds of 1 in 292.2 million to land on all six numbers at a Publix supermarket in Melbourne Beach, Florida, and a 7-Eleven in Chino Hills, California.
In 2011, at an American Society of Magazine Editors awards ceremony, Jann Wenner waxed nostalgic about the birth of New Journalism in the 1960s.

"From the beginning of Rolling Stone, we aspired to be a part of that genre -- long reportorial sagas, as first-person and writerly as necessary, intense in their sense of place and personality, and, as I said, sagas."

Sean Penn's recent article in Rolling Stone on his meeting with fugitive Mexican drug lord Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman is certainly, if nothing else, a saga. But it is a far cry from the standards Wenner insisted on in the 1970s, when I once wrote for the magazine. Wenner told The New York Times that he is proud of Rolling Stone's extraordinary get; but the magazine failed to do anything worthwhile with what it got.

Penn's 11,000 words of unreadable prose showed no signs of being edited and offered little if any insight into a narco terrorist whose organization, the Sinaloa Cartel, rivals ISIS in its unmitigated brutality. Penn portrayed Guzman as a latter-day Zapata whose violent modus operandi is justified by the class struggle that gives poor Mexicans no other avenue to success.

Not since Walter Duranty feted Joseph Stalin in The New York Times has a journalist so thoroughly whitewashed the misdeeds of a mass murderer.

The Times published Duranty's dispatches -- which used official statements from Stalin as his sole source -- only after his work had been vetted by Soviet censors. Rolling Stone gave El Chapo full editorial approval over the article. Apparently, the drug lord was so pleased with the content of Penn's hagiography that he didn't request a single change.

The journalism community reacted to the article with ridicule and outrage, accusing Penn of not being a "real journalist." Andrew Seaman, the chair of the ethics committee for the Society of Professional Journalists, wrote in a SPJ blog post that "allowing any source control over a story's content is inexcusable."

Seaman is right to criticize Rolling Stone for its lax journalism standards. But Politico's media critic Jack Shafer is also right when, in a recent headline, he tells journalists to "Stop Complaining About Sean Penn."

Far more disturbing than Rolling Stone's journalistic lapses were the almost immediate reports that Penn was under criminal investigation by Mexican and U.S. law enforcement authorities for his interview.

On Jan. 10, Agence France-Presse (AFP) quoted an anonymous source within the Mexican government who said officials wanted to question Penn and Mexican telenovela star Kate del Castillo (who arranged the interview) "to determine responsibilities." A second Mexican law enforcement official told AFP that "while a reporter could interview a drug cartel suspect, 'they're not journalists.'"

The next day the New York Post reported that U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara "is leading a federal probe of Sean Penn" and that "prosecutors are seeking a subpoena to search (his) cellphone." An anonymous U.S. law enforcement official told the Post that Penn's interview with El Chapo was "disgusting," adding, parenthetically, that the actor is "very anti-government."

However, there can be no question that Penn is a journalist -- albeit a very bad one. And the First Amendment doesn't distinguish between good and bad journalists in protecting press freedoms. If professional journalists don't stand up for Penn now, they may find themselves targeted by law enforcement in the future.

In fact, professional journalists have already been targeted multiple times by the Obama administration in criminal investigations of their sources. Obama -- who once said that his administration would be the most transparent in history -- has waged a war on government whistleblowers, with professional journalists suffering the collateral damage.

During a 2010 probe of classified leaks, Obama's Department of Justice (DOJ) filed an FBI affidavit in U.S. court accusing Fox News reporter James Rosen of violating the Espionage Act by engaging in nothing more than traditional newsgathering activities. In 2013, the Associated Press revealed that Obama's DOJ had secretly seized records for more than 20 separate telephone lines assigned to the A.P. and its journalists.

"We regard this action by the Department of Justice as a serious interference with A.P.'s constitutional rights to gather and report the news," the A.P.'s President and CEO Gary Pruitt said in a May 2013 letter to Eric Holder.

Later that month, Pruitt warned during an appearance on CBS' "Face the Nation" that if the government continues to monitor and interfere with newsgathering activities, "the people of the United States will only know what the government wants them to know, and that's not what the framers of the Constitution had in mind when they wrote the First Amendment."

Between 2014 and 2015 Eric Holder made changes to the DOJ's "media guidelines" with the intent of raising the bar for when and how the government could conduct surveillance on journalists. However, documents produced by the DOJ in response to a FOIA lawsuit by the Freedom of the Press Foundation confirm that the media guidelines "only apply to law enforcement tools, not national security tools."

The Justice Department's secret rules for targeting members of the media with national security orders remain classified.

"Given that all federal leak prosecutions in the past decade that have involved the surveillance of journalists were national security cases," writes Trevor Timm in the January 2016 Columbia Journalism Review, "why should the revised media guidelines comfort journalists at all?"

-----

Nat Hentoff is a nationally renowned authority on the First Amendment and the Bill of Rights. He is a member of the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, and the Cato Institute, where he is a senior fellow. Nick Hentoff is a criminal defense and civil liberties attorney in New York City.
South Carolina tops the U.S. in the number of women murdered by men, 1st Circuit Solicitor David Pascoe says. Additionally, its ranked sixth highest for violent crime.

We have to reverse this trend, he said.

According to Pascoe, Gov. Nikki Haleys 2016 executive budget may be a big part of the solution.

Currently, police officers are prosecuting domestic violence cases in magistrate courts, often against seasoned defense attorneys, Pascoe said.

Law enforcement does a great job, he said. But they should be out on the streets protecting us and catching criminals, not in the courtroom trying cases against defense attorneys.

But the governors new budget addresses the issue, Pascoe said. Her plan sets aside $19 million to hire 144 new prosecutors and move all domestic violence cases to General Sessions Court where theyll be tried by prosecutors.

Haley expressed her concern about the way abusers are prosecuted when she announced her plan early in January.

"I was mortified when I learned that it was law enforcement who were prosecuting these cases," she said.

Pascoe called Haleys budget the most significant proposal Ive seen come out of Columbia in my 11 years as solicitor on dealing with the domestic violence crisis and docketing issues we have in South Carolina.

Currently, Orangeburg and Calhoun counties have six prosecutors who handle more than 2,400 cases a year. Adding three additional prosecutors will greatly expedite the judicial process, he said.

Defendants are not the only ones who should be entitled to a speedy trial. Victims should have that right too, he said.

Haleys budget proposal comes along with three executive orders related to domestic violence that she recently issued.

One order extends the life of the S.C. Domestic Violence Task Force, which was scheduled to issue its final report no later than Dec. 15, 2015. Haley created the task force in January 2015 to look at cultural issues related to domestic violence and come up with ways to combat it.

Haley said progress is being made in the fight against domestic violence, but more time is needed to find ways to deal with it.

A second order requires cabinet agencies to put new human resources policies in place to provide guidance to employees who have been affected by abuse.

The third order requires cabinet agencies that screen people for benefits to watch for signs of domestic violence.

During last years session, lawmakers increased penalties for domestic violence and gave prosecutors more options for punishment.
Burglars have hit another church in The T&D Region, bringing the total to 13.

On Friday, the Orangeburg County Sheriffs Office released an additional incident report stating that deputies responded to an activated alarm call at Bushy Pond Baptist Church at 1396 Wire Road in Norway at 12:22 a.m. Monday.

Deputies noticed that a rear window was broken and that a side door was damaged.

They determined that the burglar entered the church building through the window and then exited through the door. The alarm panel was broken.

Orangeburg County Sheriff Leroy Ravenell said earlier this week that his office is conducting a very aggressive investigation into the church burglaries.

Among the other churches that have experienced break-ins during the past week are: Ebenezer Baptist in Cordova; Willow Swamp Baptist in Norway; Miracle Faith Temple in Holly Hill and the following six churches in Cope  Emanuel AME, Canaan United Methodist, Canaan Baptist, Mt. Zion Baptist, St. George Baptist and Mt. Olive Baptist.

In addition, someone broke into the Orangeburg-Calhoun Baptist Association on St. Matthews Road.

Three churches were broken into in Bamberg: Word of Life Pentecostal Holiness Church, Spring Branch Baptist Church and Mt. Zion United Methodist.

To report any tips that would help investigators arrest those who may be responsible for the break-ins in both Orangeburg and Bamberg counties, contact CRIMESTOPPERS at 1-888-CRIME-SC. Tips can be left anonymously.
Al-Qaida claims attack on Burkina Faso hotel, cafe

OUAGADOUGOU, Burkina Faso (AP)  Al-Qaida militants struck an upscale hotel and nearby cafe in Burkina Faso's capital late Friday that are popular with Westerners, taking an unknown number of hostages and forcing others to hide for their lives. Three hours later, gunfire could still be heard as soldiers in an armored vehicle finally approached the area where cars had been set ablaze.

The local al-Qaida affiliate known as AQIM claimed responsibility online as the attack was ongoing in downtown Ouagadougou at the 147-room Splendid Hotel, according to the SITE Intelligence Group.

In a message posted in Arabic on the militants' "Muslim Africa" Telegram account, it said fighters had "broke into a restaurant of one of the biggest hotels in the capital of Burkina Faso, and are now entrenched and the clashes are continuing with the enemies of the religion."

Witness Vital Nounagnon told the AP that he saw four men attack the hotel and neighboring Cappuccino Cafe about 7:30 p.m. Another witness who gave only his first name, Gilbert, said that when Burkinabe security forces first arrived, they turned around rather than confront the attackers.

"But we know that the gunmen won't get out of the hotel alive," he said. "Our country is not for jihadists or terrorists. They got it wrong."

Kenya's president says troops killed by Somali extremists

MOGADISHU, Somalia (AP)  Kenyan troops were killed when al-Shabab Islamic fighters attacked an African Union base in Somalia, Kenya's president said Friday. He gave no casualty figure but an al-Shabab spokesman said at least 63 soldiers died.

President Uhuru Kenyatta described the loss as heartbreaking.

"Regrettably, some of our patriots in uniform paid the ultimate price," he said in a statement. "I want to take this opportunity to express mine and the country's deepest sympathy to the families and loved ones of the fallen. I stand with you. Our country stands with you."

Al-Shabab spokesman Abdiaziz Abu Mudan said on the group's online radio that at least 63 soldiers were killed in the attack in southwestern Somalia that started early Friday.

It happened in the town of El-Ade, not far from the Kenyan border. Kenya has provided a major contingent to the AU force that is fighting al-Shabab, a Somali Islamic extremist group linked with al-Qaida, and assisting the elected government of Somalia.

Francisco Madeira, the special representative of the African Union Commission for Somalia, condemned the attack, saying late Friday the casualties and injuries were still being verified.

Somali military official Ahmed Hassan, speaking to The Associated Press by phone from Elwak, a nearby town, said the attack started with a suicide car bomb, and then heavy gunfire was heard as militants stormed onto the base.
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The above is an 1870s view of the Sphinx and the great pyramid at Giza this is an early very rare French tissue card that has a second layer...
Don't know much about the anime series other than the thousands of images that have been splashed in my direction since this phenomenon ...
UK healthcare specialists Sidhil will be launching three brand new products to the Middle East healthcare market at the upcoming Arab Health Exhibition in Dubai.



A premier regional medical and healthcare trade fair, Arab Health will be held from January 25 to 28 at the Dubai International Convention & Exhibition Centre.



The annual event brings together medical practitioners and healthcare professionals with leading manufacturers, dealers, and distributors to network and exchange best practices from across the globe.



Sidhil, a British family-owned business and one of the main suppliers of hospital beds and cots to the NHS, will be showcasing its Innov8 iQ with split side rails, MAP Pressure Monitoring system and Inspiration Cot products.



The Innov8 iQ is a hospital ward bed designed around four key points, patient safety, identified clinical needs, infection control and ease of use, with an aim to achieve improved tissue viability and increased patient independence.



The product also benefits from a very low height which reduces the risks associated with patient falls, the low height warning light illuminates on the carers handset to warn that the bed is positioned at its lowest height.



The addition of an intuitive under bed iQ night light illuminates the floor around the bed, ensuring safe patient ingress and egress.



With MAP (monitor. alert. protect), Sidhil has introduced the very first continuous bedside pressure monitoring system, which can be used on any mattress system to provide 24/7 data on pressure levels developing between patient and support surface.



It provides real time information on pressure distribution giving nursing staff and carers the accurate detail they need to reposition patients effectively, helping to reduce the incidence of pressure ulcers.



The other new product from Sidhil to be launched at Arab Health is the Inspiration Cot, which is an electrically operated, variable height cot with a two-way tilting mattress platform.



Designed in conjunction with leading UK paediatric specialists, the Inspiration Cot has established itself as the favoured choice of many UK paediatric hospital units; including Great Ormond Street Hospital in London.



Paul Hampton, Sidhils export sales manager, said: "We look forward to demonstrating our innovative new products at Arab Health this year."



"In 2015, export sales represented a growing percentage of Sidhils total turnover and, with a developing network of distributors around the world, we are looking forward to meeting with customers and distribution partners not only from the Middle East, where we are already well established, but also from Asia pacific and Africa," he added.-TradeArabia News Service
Honeywell, a leading global provider of fire safety and security systems, will showcase integrated solutions designed to secure and protect commercial buildings such as hotels, hospitals and shopping malls, as well as homes, critical infrastructure and industrial sites at Intersec 2016 which opens tomorrow (January 17) in Dubai.



One of the worlds leading trade fairs for security, safety and fire protection, Intersec runs till January 19 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre.



On the expo plans, Norm Gilsdorf, the president (Middle East, Russia and Central Asia) at Honeywell said safety and security are primary concerns for both public and private sector decision-makers across every sector.



"At Intersec 2016, we will show how integrated fire, safety and security technologies can create efficiencies that play a critical role in safeguarding peoples lives and minimizing material damage in the event of an incident," he noted.



Honeywell, he stated, was committed to helping create a world that was safer and more secure, and was proud of its ability to understand complex environments and deliver customized solutions that were highly effective and which met the needs of customers.



At the expo, Honeywell experts will demonstrate the benefits of managing disparate systems holistically and from a single point of access.



They will further showcase their ability to combine systems such as access control, CCTV and intrusion detection with fire alarm, fire detection, evacuation and cyber security systems to create more effective solutions to help drive positive outcomes in crisis situations, said Gilsdorf.



Honeywell will also illustrate how it is able to integrate previously installed third-party hardware and upgrade existing infrastructure using modular components and software options to cost-effectively expand systems and help its customers meet evolving business needs, he added.-TradeArabia News Service
An IAEA report verifying that Iran has kept its promises under last year's nuclear deal with world powers and triggering sanctions relief for Tehran is likely to be issued on Saturday, a diplomatic source said on Friday.



The report, if issued, would mark the consummation of the July 14, 2015 nuclear agreement. Under the deal, Iran agreed to shrink its atomic programme in exchange for the lifting of some EU, US and U.N sanctions, which would allow billions of dollars of investment to flow into the country.



In a sign its implementation may be at hand, US Secretary of State John Kerry, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini will meet in Vienna on Saturday, the US State Department said.



"All parties have continued making steady progress towards Implementation Day of the JCPOA, which will ensure the exclusively peaceful nature of Iran's nuclear program," said State Department spokesman Mark Toner, referring to the formal title of the deal, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.



Iranian and other officials had previously said they expected the report from the U.N. nuclear watchdog, the Vienna-based International Atomic Energy Agency, to come out on Friday.



"Almost all details are ironed out," said another diplomatic source, based in the Austrian capital.



The IAEA is in charge of verifying that Iran has carried out all of the nuclear-related steps required in the deal it struck with the United States, Russia, China, Britain, France and Germany. It must release a report once it has done so.



The IAEA declined comment on the timing of the report.



Iranian officials have said Zarif and Mogherini would issue a statement on Saturday or Sunday on the "Implementation Day" of the nuclear deal and the lifting of sanctions.



Since July, Iran has drastically reduced the number of centrifuges installed at its enrichment sites, shipped tonnes of low-enriched uranium materials to Russia and dismantled the core of its Arak nuclear reactor.



U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said there could be a meeting in relation to Iran on Saturday in Vienna, where the July 14 deal was reached, but did not elaborate.



"There may be some sort of a meeting tomorrow in Vienna, after which, if everything goes well, we will issue a statement from the Secretary-General," he told reporters.



In another sign implementation may be near, US President Barack Obama delegated authority to Kerry to take steps to ease some sanctions.



However, a US official said this was "one of many preparatory steps" Washington had to take to ease sanctions once the IAEA verifies Iran has met its nuclear obligations.  Reuters
The day before the Obama administration was due to slap new sanctions on Iran late last month, Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif warned US Secretary of State John Kerry the move could derail a prisoner deal the two sides had been negotiating in secret for months.



Kerry and other top aides to President Barack Obama, who was vacationing in Hawaii, convened a series of conference calls and concluded they could not risk losing the chance to free Americans held by Tehran.



At the last minute, the Obama administration officials decided to delay a package of limited and targeted sanctions intended to penalize Iran for recent test-firings of a ballistic missile capable of delivering a nuclear warhead.



This account of previously unreported internal deliberations was provided by two people with knowledge of the matter.



Those unilateral US sanctions were expected to be imposed quickly now that four Americans, including Washington Post journalist Jason Rezaian, were being released by Iran on Saturday.



Eight Iranians accused in the US of sanctions violations were having charges dropped or sentences commuted on Saturday under the complex prisoner deal, according to court filings and sources familiar with the cases.



The moves came as broader US and international sanctions were set to be lifted after verification that it had met commitments to curb its nuclear program.



But Kerry's decision not to call Iran's bluff in December shows how months of clandestine negotiations to free Rezaian and other Americans became deeply intertwined with the final push to implement the nuclear deal, despite the official US line that those efforts were separate.



A US official said on Saturday there was no connection between the nuclear deal and the release of the Americans.



The prisoner swap could also come under scrutiny from critics who have questioned the Obama administration's resolve in dealing with Iran and ability to follow through on its pledge to keep a hard line on sanctions outside those imposed on its nuclear program.



The episode was one of several diplomatic and military near misses between Iran and the US in recent weeks, including a quickly defused crisis when 10 American sailors were detained after entering Iranian waters.



Details of the prisoner talks were a closely held secret, so even within the Obama administration few people realized how perilously close the swap came to falling through.



On December 29, Kerry told Zarif the US intended to impose new sanctions on Iran over the missile test firings, which were deemed to have violated a United Nations ban, according to a US official and congressional sources.



Zarif countered that if Washington went ahead, the prisoner swap was off, the sources said.



Kerry spoke by phone that night with Treasury Secretary Jack Lew and a White House official and the decision was made to hold off on any sanctions announcement, they said. Obama's role in the unfolding drama was not clear.



Zarif's ability to fend off new US sanctions, even temporarily, may have bought him some breathing space with Iranian hardliners who oppose the terms of nuclear deal. They have insisted that any new sanctions would be a show of bad faith by Washington.



But a bureaucratic misstep almost undid Kerry and Lew's decision. Word of their last-minute intervention to delay the sanctions never filtered down to working-level officials at the State Department during the holiday lull.



Unaware of the change of plan, the State officials went ahead and quietly informed key congressional offices the next morning about the new Iran sanctions targeting about a dozen companies and individuals. They included copies of a news release that the Treasury Department intended to issue.



Officials then abruptly pulled back, telling congressional staffers the announcement had been "delayed for a few hours," according to an email seen by Reuters. The next day the State Department emailed that sanctions were delayed because of "evolving diplomatic work that is consistent with our national security interests."



Administration officials then told some congressional staffers confidentially that something big involving Iran was in the works, in an apparent attempt to tamp down criticism from Capitol Hill, a congressional source said.



Leading lawmakers, including some of Obama's fellow Democrats, chided the White House for delaying the sanctions package and suggested it could embolden Iran to further threaten its neighbors and destabilise the Middle East.



The nuclear deal signed on July 14 between Iran and world powers had been widely hailed as a major boost for Obama's legacy. But he also faced criticism for refusing to make the accord contingent on Iran's release of Americans known to be held by Iran.



The prisoners, accused of spying and other charges, included Rezaian and several other Iranian-Americans.



At a White House news conference the day after the nuclear accord was signed, Obama bristled at a reporter's suggestion that while basking in the glow of the foreign policy achievement he was all but ignoring the plight of Americans still detained in Iran.



"You should know better," he said, adding that US diplomats were "working diligently to try to get them out." But Obama insisted that linking their fate directly to the nuclear negotiations would have encouraged the Iranians to seek additional concessions.



Once the deal was done, Kerry told his staff to redouble efforts to secure the Americans' release, a US official said. By that time, Brett McGurk, a State Department official, had already been conducting secret negotiations for months with an unnamed Iranian representative, the official said.



In a sign that Iran was looking for a way forward, officials of the Iranian interests section in Washington - Tehran's de facto embassy - began meetings in August with some of the 12 Iranians held in the US for violating sanctions.



The aim was to see whether they would be willing to return to Iran if a swap could be arranged, according to a person familiar with the cases.



In recent months, senior Iranian officials repeatedly floated the idea of a prisoner exchange, despite apparent opposition from Iranian hardliners.



Kerry informed only a handful of senior lawmakers on a confidential basis on Thursday night that a release of Americans held in Iran was imminent, a congressional source said.



Obama has had some success in keeping such proceedings under wraps in the past. His aides negotiated a deal in late 2014 that led to Cuba's release of former US aid contractor Alan Gross and a US intelligence operative while Washington freed three Cuban spies.



But it was a prisoner swap earlier that year - the Taliban's release of alleged US army deserter Bowe Bergdahl in exchange for five Taliban commanders held at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba - that caused a backlash from Republican lawmakers.



They argued that Obama failed to give Congress the legally required notice for transfer of Guantanamo prisoners and questioned whether Bergdahl endangered fellow soldiers by slipping away from his post in Afghanistan, provoking a massive manhunt.



On Saturday, Kerry and Zarif joined with European Union foreign affairs chief Federica Mogherini in Vienna for planned "Implementation Day," which would end a decade of nuclear sanctions on Iran and unlock billions of dollars of its frozen assets.



With the US prisoners free, Obama may now feel freer to go ahead with the missile sanctions, which are far more limited than the nuclear sanctions program that crippled Iran's economy. US officials have said that the new financial penalties remain on the table and are likely to be revisited soon.-Reuters
. The national motto of Indonesia is unity with diversity. The country is home to 300-plus ethnicities and 700-plus languages. These people are what make visiting Bali special. Namaste was said to me frequently, and I enjoyed saying it back.. The majority of the more than 4 million people who live on Bali are Hindu, so dress is less conservative than in the rest of Indonesia, which is predominantly Muslim (in fact, holding 12.7% of the world's Muslims, Indonesia has the largest Muslim population in the world). You should cover to your knees and shoulders when visiting Hindu temples. Sandals and flip-flops are the most comfortable footwear.. Almost every house and business has a shrine (or pura) tucked into a corner, often with an umbrella as a sign of respect. Fresh offerings of flowers and fruit are made daily. When you see this offering on the ground, it is meant to keep evil spirits away; try not to step on it. Statues are covered in black-and-white checked cloth to keep a balance between evil and good.

shrine offerings









offering to evil spirit in Bali

statue covered in black-and-white checked cloth to keep a balance

between evil and good





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sunscreen

mosquito repellent

gift shop at Sylvia Hotel on Flores Island in Indonesia





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toilet sign at Sylvia Hotel on Flores Island in Indonesia

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parked motor scooters in Bali





Travel articles to inspire and help you plan some spectacular local and foreign getaways.





images  2016 Carole Terwilliger Meyers





. Bali has no malaria. Check this website for current updates on malaria status . However, Bali does have Indonesias highest incidence of dengue fever , and chikungunya is found there--both serious illnesses transferred by mosquitoes.. Much of the time, Bali is hot and humid. The best weather is in the driest months--April through October--and summer is best. November through March are the wet monsoon months.. Items to pack along for a trip:: Because locals rarely use it, a good sunscreen can be hard to find, expensive, and might be ineffective with an expired pull date.: Preferably with Deet. Though I wound up returning my mosquito spray--which I dragged half-way around the world--because I didnt use it or need it, you should pack some along in case you run into these pesky critters.. You will encounter squat toilets. It is a good idea to carry along toilet paper because many restrooms are not stocked. Remember to put used toilet paper in the trashcan beside the toilet; sewer systems often cannot process it. Hand sanitizer is helpful when you find yourself without soap or towels.. In Bali there are no fixed prices. You bargain for virtually everything--car and drivers, guides, souvenirs, accommodations (and a free breakfast). But not at five-star hotels. A two-hour massage costs about $40.. Tipping is not expected.. Cars drive on the wrong/left side of the road, and an international drivers license is required. Most people hire a car and driver to tour. Renting a motorbike is another option; a helmet is required.
WELCOME!!! entertainment, politics, sports and lifestyle news!!! Be informed always...
The Obama administration announced a moratorium on new coal leases Friday, delivering a significant victory to environmentalists who have called for a halt to mining on federal land and a blow to an industry already struggling amid a dramatic downturn in the market.

The moratorium is expected to last three years as Department of Interior officials conduct an environmental analysis of the federal coal program. Administration officials said the examination is needed to assess the coal programs impact on climate change and to ensure taxpayers are receiving a fair return on coal mined from public land.

They noted the last review was completed in 1984, and pointed to a string of recent reports that identified deficiencies in the program.

That was a time 30 years ago when our nation had very different priorities and needs. The result was a federal coal program designed to get as much coal out of the ground as possible, Interior Secretary Sally Jewell said in a conference call announcing the change with reporters. And in many ways, thats the program weve been operating ever since. Some three decades later it is time now to take a careful look at how we can strengthen our policies to best serve the needs and priorities of today.

The pause on new leases is not expected to immediately impact mining operations. Coal companies working in the Powder River Basin generally operate with 20 years of leased reserves.

The announcement nevertheless represents a potential watershed moment in the way America consumes electricity. Roughly 40 percent of U.S. coal production comes from federal land, the vast majority of which is located in Wyomings Powder River Basin.

Environmentalists and government watchdog groups have long called for changes in the federal coal program.

A pair of reports from the Government Accountability Office and the Interior Departments inspector general have identified shortcomings in the program in recent years, questioning the manner in which the U.S. Bureau of Land Management evaluates leases. The 2013 inspector generals report said leases sold below market value had shortchanged taxpayers $60 million since 2000. The GAO report did not list a revenue figure, but U.S. Sen. Edward Markey, a Massachusetts Democrat and climate hawk, said his offices review of a private version of the study estimated the loss to taxpayers at $200 million.

This was Enron accounting and not post-recession accounting, said Theo Spencer, senior policy advocate at the Natural Resource Defense Council. Problems in the program were severe enough that the Nixon and Reagan administrations issued moratoriums. But the fixes made were not meaningful enough or adhered to and the program has remained broken. The president is to be praised for what is a bold and meaningful step.

Ryan Alexander, president of Taxpayers for Commonsense, echoed those comments, saying projections of lost revenue show the system is not working effectively. The current leasing program allows companies to identify which tracts of land should be mined. The government should instead identify what parcels of land are mined to ensure taxpayers are receiving maximum value on their assets, she said.

Its appropriate to step back, say this program has been flawed for many years and now we have a chance to do something about it, Alexander said.

Critics respond

Industry groups have repeatedly challenged those criticisms, noting that for every $1 of coal sales in Wyoming, 39 cents was sent to the government in the form of taxes and lease payments.

The Wyoming Mining Association called Interiors study misguided, saying this measure will make federal coal uneconomical to mine, thereby locking up Americas most abundant and reliable source of electricity generation, the group said in a release.

Wyoming politicians and industry representatives blasted the plan, saying it is part of the administrations wider war on coal.

Gov. Matt Mead, a Republican, noted the proposal was the latest in a long line of environmental measures aimed at the coal industry, including EPAs regional haze, mercury and carbon cutting regulations.

Each of those individually are problematic. Add them together, theyre very problematic, said Gov. Matt Mead, a Republican and outspoken coal supporter. Now the final thing here. The president, as he goes out of office, he can say there was no new coal mining going on. Id like to say Im surprised, I dont know that Im surprised. Im as frustrated as Ive ever been with this administration.

Coal represents the backbone of Wyomings economy. The industry employs roughly 23,000 people, both directly and indirectly, and contributes $1 billion in annual tax revenue to the state.

U.S. Rep. Cynthia Lummis, a Republican, said GOP lawmakers were examining the proposal in attempts to identify a means of stopping it. She called the plan mean spirited, saying in an interview it will truly hurt lower income and middle income families.

The pause is limited to new leases. More than 30 leases applications, including six in Wyoming, were identified as impacted by the change in a list released by federal officials. However, the document noted environmental analyses of each lease can continue during the moratorium. A final decision on the leases will not be made until the program-wide study is complete.

Abandoned leases

Coal companies have abandoned new leases in growing numbers in recent years, as they struggled to navigate an oversupplied market plagued by weak prices.

Peabody Energy abandoned a 1 billion ton lease expansion of its North Antelope Rochelle Mine in October. That decision followed Arch Coals move to withdraw its application for a 957 million ton lease near its Black Thunder Mine. The two mines are the first and second largest in the country respectively.

No new lease applications have been filed in Wyoming since 2012. The Cowboy State already faced a conundrum over school construction, paid for by new coal leases, prior to Fridays announcement. The lack of new leases in recent years means Wyoming will run out of funding for school construction by 2018 if no new leases are filed.

Two new leasesone for Cloud Peak Energys Antelope Mine in Wyoming and another for Lighthouse Resources Decker Mine in Montanaare set to be reviewed by the Powder River Basin Regional Coal Team on Jan. 27.

A BLM official said Friday the meeting will move forward. The group includes the governors of Montana and Wyoming, along with BLM officials from both states. Their votes are treated as a recommendation, kicking off the process of vetting a new lease.

Uncertain market

Industry analysts said the moratorium would likely have little near-term impact on mining operations. Coal mines typically secure leases years before they begin mining to ensure a stable source of supply.

Peabody Energy released a statement Friday noting it has a 20-year supply at its Powder River Basin operations, North Antelope Rochelle and the Rawhide mine.

But analysts said the move would likely sow uncertainty in the market, making utilities less likely to sign long-term contracts and mining firms hesitant to pay the millions of dollars necessary to secure new leases.

Who is going to want to pay out $1 billion over five years for coal that they arent going to mine for 10 to 15 years, said Bob Burnham, an industry consultant. Its the disruption of the pipeline of coal becoming available through the leasing program.

The Powder River Basin has the lowest costs of production of any coal basin in the country. The region has yet to witness any of the mine closures or widespread layoffs that have affect its eastern counterparts, despite the bankruptcies of leading producers like Arch Coal and Alpha Natural Resources.

But if mining costs were to increase by $1 per ton as a result of new leasing rules, utilities may switch to natural gas in greater numbers, said James Stevenson, director of North American coal research at IHS Energy, a consultancy.

If we had an outlook for natural gas that was $3 and something this wouldnt have an effect, he said. But we have sub-$3 gas until the end of the decade.

Taken in combination with the Clean Power Plan, President Obamas initiative to cut carbon emissions by a third by 2030, an increase in severance taxes and royalty payments will impact the demand of PRB coal, Stevenson said.

Jim Thompson, director of U.S. Coal at IHS, said power plants burning Powder River Basin coal could likely absorb higher leasing costs and remain competitive.

It is hard for me to imagine there wont be a solution that is agreeable to all parties, Thompson said. Youre still talking about hundreds of millions of tons to secure the electrical grid. You cant take that Powder River Basin out, because its a huge slice, and not have a huge impact elsewhere.
Help for Corrine

In less than 18 months, Corrine Paschal has lost both of her parents. Corrine is an 18-year-old college freshmen who now is without a family. There are no relatives on either of her parents sides, leaving Corinne virtually alone. The kind hearts of two families in Casper have opened their homes to her, but she still needs lifes essentials. Corrine is a freshman honor student at Casper College and is a strong, determined and capable girl. She works part-time while attending college and helped with her mothers care, physically and financially for the last few months, as her mother, Suzanne, was dying of cancer. Unfortunately, the money has run out. She is not eligible for Social Security because she is 18 and out of high school. Therefore, Corinne needs our help.

Please consider donating to the Suzanne Donation Memorial Fund through Wells Fargo, P.O. Box 2799, Casper, WY 82609/4141 E. Second St., Casper. This is truly an investment into one of our best youth in Casper. Corinne will give back to this world and our society.

Jan  472-0454

Insurance makes Habitat donation

Farmers Insurance has presented a check to Habitat for Humanity in support of local Farmers employee Donielle Beard, a single mother of three children who is the recipient of a Habitat home currently under construction.

Donielle Beard is a customer service representative/personal lines specialist at Sandy Widmer Farmers Insurance Agency. The $5,000 check was presented at the ribbon cutting for Beards Casper home by Widmer, who is the agency owner. The donation is comprised of funds from the Sandy Widmer Farmers Insurance Agency and the Farmers Insurance corporate office in Los Angeles.

Donielle was selected by Habitat for Humanity to participate in the Homeownership Program that allows qualified families to purchase a home on a zero-interest mortgage. The construction of the home is conducted by community volunteers who are led by a site supervisor who is a licensed contractor.

RSVP looking for volunteers

Happy New Year! Is one of your New Years resolutions to become more involved in your community, meet new people or to help others? The Prairie Mountain Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) is for you. The mission of RSVP is to offer adults 55 and better the opportunity to share your time and talents on a regular basis in a variety of settings throughout your community. As a RSVP volunteer you will matched with a rewarding opportunity that fits your skills, interests and schedule. Not only will you be helping others, but you will also be helping yourself. Through service, you can add to the quality and health of your life. You will be giving your time, talent, wisdom and experience to your community and neighbors who need YOU.

If you are interested in volunteering, you need volunteers, or you have any questions about RSVP, give Theresa Bush, R.N., Prairie Mountain RSVP Program Director, a call at 232-0124.

Suicide prevention is everyones business

Our community continues to be impacted by suicide. In an effort to increase awareness, the 12-24 Club, in collaboration with the Natrona County Suicide Prevention Task Force and the Prevention Management Organization of Natrona County, has developed a series of presentations related to suicide.

Our next presentation will be from 6 to 8 p.m., on Tuesday, January 19, at the 12-24 Club (500 S. Wolcott, Suite 200). Local facilitators will be presenting QPR training. Its free! And in less than two hours, participants will know how to recognize the warning signs of a suicide crisis and how to Question, Persuade, and Refer someone to help.

Be part of the solution! Help us develop more awareness in Natrona County. We are all in this together. If you have any questions, please call Rob or Kelly at 472-5991 or Dan Cantine at the 12-24 Club, 237-8035.

Collecting old cellphones

Poverty Resistance is collecting cellphones for distribution to low-income folks. Also, older laptops and iPads will be graciously accepted. Phones can be dropped off at the food pantry, 450 S. Wolcott St., between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. any day except Sunday. It is about impossible to conduct a job search or otherwise function in todays society without access to a phone and the Internet. Poverty Resistance Food Pantry is a qualified agency under IRS rules 502(3) and your donation is tax deductible. For more information, email Mary Ann at mbudenske@aol.com.

Suggestions for food bags

The Wyoming Food for Thought Project is now providing weekend food bags to nearly 600 children in Natrona County weekly. While all donations are appreciated and used, this year the staff has compiled a list of things to donate monthly, in order to stock the shelves of the pantry at the program center.

Here is a list of suggestions for the entire year: January, fruit cups; February, cereal; March, mac and cheese; April, ravioli; May, tuna; June, peanut butter; July, canned vegetables; August, Chef Boyardee products; September, pork and beans; October, cereal; November, soup; December, canned chili.

Donations can be dropped off any time at Food for Thought drop site locations, which include Great Harvest Bread, eastside WAC, Reliant FCU, Mary Anns Beans, Casper College Library, Aspen Ridge Dental, and the Food for Thought Program Center, 900 St. John St.

Help fund Bernd scholarship

Donations are being accepted now through the end of the year for the Michael J. Bernd Memorial Scholarship. The money will be used for a scholarship for Health Science students at Casper College. Michael Bernd was a physical therapist in Casper for 40 years. He was a lifelong learner devoted to his profession and helping people live life to their fullest. Donations may be sent to: Casper College Foundation, 125 College Drive, Casper WY, 82601.
The northern long-eared bat is now protected as threatened under the Endangered Species Act, but officials say the listing will have little impact, for now, in Wyoming.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced Wednesday that the northern long-eared bat would be protected only in areas affected by the deadly white-nose syndrome.

White-nose syndrome is caused by a fungus that wakes bats up during hibernation, almost always leading to their deaths. The fungus came to the U.S. from Europe and has been slowly marching its way westward. The closest recorded incident of white-nose syndrome was found in November in eastern Nebraska.

Until there is a solution to the white-nose syndrome crisis, the outlook for this bat will not improve, said Service Director Dan Ashe in a news release. This rule tailors regulatory protections in a way that makes sense and focuses protections where they will make a difference for the bat.

For Wyoming, this means not much will change, said Gary Beauvais, director of the Wyoming Natural Diversity Database, a research institute at the University of Wyoming specializing in sensitive species.

The northern long-eared bat lives primarily in the wooded Black Hills area of the northeast corner of the state. The area is on the western edge of the species range, but the bats are relatively common there, Beauvais said.

Under the new ruling, incidental take is allowed in areas where white-nose syndrome is not present, such as the Black Hills. That means loggers or construction workers, for example, would not be penalized for harming, harassing or killing the bats during normal, lawful work.

Incidental take is prohibited in areas of the country where white-nose syndrome has been found. All intentional harming, harassing or killing of the bats is outlawed throughout the bats entire range, according to the announcement.

More than $45 million has been invested in creating a solution to white-nose syndrome, which is deadly to many species of bats including the northern long-eared bat.

We are beginning to see glimmers of hope in the battle against white-nose syndrome, Ashe said in the release. In just eight years, this disease, previously unknown to science, has been identified and its cause understood. A solution could soon be within our grasp. Now is the time to get all hands on deck to pull together to fight this primary threat. Our final rule is designed to ensure we focus our energies where they will do the most good for this imperiled species while avoiding unnecessary regulation.

If the species continues to decline and becomes endangered, the current stipulation allowing logging and other activities in some of the bats range will disappear.
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The multimillion-dollar sale of a Tucson-based tech startup that makes microbial detection systems for water has brought a major multinational tech company to the Old Pueblo.

Mettler-Toledo International, a Swiss-based maker of scales and analytical equipment with more than $2 billion in annual revenues, recently acquired Instant BioScan in a deal worth up to $30 million, depending on future development and sales, the company said.

Founded in 2011, Instant BioScan developed a proprietary system to analyze water for microbial contamination in real time, using special optics and software.

Mettler-Toledo will for now keep the Instant BioScan operation and 15 employees in Tucson as part of its Thornton division, which provides water-quality instruments for the pharmaceutical, electronics and energy industries, said Dewey Manzer, a co-founder and CEO of Instant BioScan who is now Tucson site manager for Mettler-Toledo.

The deal will accelerate the rollout of the local technology by tapping into major manufacturing resources and a global sales network, Manzer said.

We are continuing to do what we were doing before the acquisition, only now we are part of a much bigger company, and instead of having limited sales resources we have a worldwide organization that specializes in the pharmaceutical market selling our products, Manzer said. The worldwide rollout has just occurred, so theres anticipation in the air to see how the sales go.

Mettler-Toledo will initially focus on selling the water-monitoring systems to the highly regulated drug-manufacturing industry, he said.

While Instant BioScan made its first instruments in Tucson and will continue product development here, Mettler-Toledo will likely move major production to the Boston area, where it already has manufacturing operations, Manzer said.

A local economic-development official said the arrival of a major multinational company through a local tech acquisition can pay dividends to the larger community through positive exposure.

Companies that come into a market like this, its a big vote of confidence, said Laura Shaw, senior vice president of marketing for Sun Corridor Inc.

It certainly brings more capital and resources for companies to expand.

The transaction is valued at up to $30 million, part in cash and part in earn-out, or added compensation based on the business meeting projected technical and financial goals, Manzer said.

You always hope for something like a home run, said Manzer, who has started and sold several high-tech companies. I would say this is more like a good single in terms of venture deals, and thats mainly because much of the payoff is going to come in earn-out.

While four years is a relatively short time to take a manufacturing tech startup from concept to a payout for investors, Instant BioScan had a head start.

The technology  which essentially analyzes laser light reflected from samples to detect and characterize organic particles  is based on methods patented by Instant BioScan co-founder Jianping J.P Jiang, a physicist and former University of Arizona postdoctoral student in optics.

Jiang and Manzer co-founded an earlier company in Tucson, BioVigilant, that harnessed the detection technology for an air-quality monitoring system. The companys technology attracted attention and millions of venture-capital dollars before a Japanese company bought a majority share in 2009. The company, now known as Azbil BioVigilant, still has an office in Tucson.

Manzer said as he and his team pitched BioVigilants technology, prospective customers kept asking if the company made a similar device to detect microbes in water, leading to the development effort that spawned Instant BioScan.

A partnership with Aztera, a technology development company that is based in Tucson, helped drive Instant BioScan through proof-of-concept and prototyping stages, Manzer said.

Aztera became Instant BioScans landlord in 2011 and shortly thereafter the companies began working together.

With a staff of engineers, Aztera provides an array of services to tech startups, including technology development, testing, prototyping, embedded software, manufacturing support and commercialization assistance.

Manny Teran, president of Aztera, said his company helped Instant BioScan build its first prototype and took a small equity stake in the startup.

But its Mettler-Toledos muscle that will bring the product to the wider market, Teran said.

The real magic of Mettler-Toledo is tapping into its distribution line, Teran said. You can have a great idea, but if you cant distribute to the world, youre basically hosed.

For Mettler-Toledo, Instant BioScan filled a gap in its water-purity product offerings for the pharma industry, Manzer said, noting that drug giant Amgen and Proctor & Gamble have been customers of the water-monitoring system.

On a conference call with analysts in November, Mettler-Toledo CEO Olivier Filliol said the company acquired Instant BioScan mainly for its technology and will improve on it for wider market rollout.

So, in the long-term, we see its a very nice product category, Filliol said, according to a call transcript. Its very synergistic and we feel we have a really great customer asset. We have the right team.

The company offered instruments to fulfill two regulatory monitoring requirements  electrical conductivity and total organic carbon  but lacked an instrument for microbe detection.

We will now have a laser-based technology that can detect bacteria in real-time, which makes us the one company to offer all three regulated ultra-pure water measurements, Filliol told analysts.

Azteras Teran said Instant BioScan is the latest reflection of the technology prowess at the UA and Tucson that once earned the area the moniker Optics Valley.

At its core it is an optics-based technoogy, and its a good example of a company that has its roots in what was Optics Valley, he said.

While Manzer will have to wait and see how sales go, he feels theres a lot of pent-up demand for the instrument in the pharmaceutical industry, as well as in other, untapped markets.
A Tucson man whose real estate license was revoked last year has filed a lawsuit against the Arizona Department of Real Estate contesting the punishment.

After a 2014 real estate department audit, Jeremy Silverman was found to have committed multiple property management violations.

In October, the department upheld an order to revoke his license and that of his business, Transaction Realty LLC, and assessed a civil penalty of $6,000.

Earlier, an administrative law judge had disagreed with the departments conclusions and argued that, since no consumers were harmed by Silvermans actions, the departments penalties were too stiff. But the real estate department upheld the order, stating, While Mr. Silverman may have had good intentions in his activities, he has admitted failing to uphold the rules and statues that govern his chosen profession.

Silverman sued in a Maricopa County appeals court, seeking to stay the departments order and have his license reinstated during the hearing process. Reached by phone, he declined to comment on the lawsuit until after the appeal hearing.

The Arizona Department of Real Estate, which has been cracking down on property management violations, found that Silverman had committed numerous violations, including:

Commingling client funds  required to be kept in a trust account  with funds in his business operating account.

Failure to retain records and maintain a positive balance in the trust account, indicating a failure to supervise the companys property management activities.

The real estate department does not comment on pending litigation, said Louis Dettorre, assistant commissioner of operations and legislative affairs for the department.

In his September defense before an administrative law judge, Silverman said the trust account deficit occurred when a clients checks totaling $10,000 bounced. When he realized the problem, he used funds in his operating account to pay his property management clients money owed. He also said hed never had a complaint about his real estate activities until the 2014 audit, and that he was no longer practicing property management.

The judge agreed that Silvermans companys license should be revoked, but argued Silvermans should remain intact. She recommended the $6,000 civil penalty, three years of probation and that Silverman not engage in property management.

There is no evidence that any member of the public was harmed in this matter. Mr. Silverman credibly testified to his remorse, the judge wrote in a September order. The department did not establish that Mr. Silverman cannot be regulated or that it is necessary to revoke (his license) at this time to protect the public.

But the Arizona Department of Real Estate upheld its order in October, stating, Mr. Silverman admittedly violated numerous statutes and rules that he is required to uphold as part of the real estate profession.

Whether Mr. Silverman exhibits remorse for his violations, the public has a right to expect that someone licensed by the state to practice real estate will practice in accordance with all of the applicable statutes and rules.
Sen. John McCain credits the fight with ISIS for postponing the retirement of the A-10 fighter.

"If you had to give the majority of credit somewhere, I would give it to Mr. Baghdadi in ISIS, cause we had to go into Syria. We had to go after ISIS. The A-10 is still the most capable weapon to do that," McCain told the Arizona Daily Star during a meeting Friday afternoon, citing the head of ISIS, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.

"This is probably the first and last time that I am in league with Mr. Baghdadi."

Arizona's senior senator predicted the Davis-Monthan Air Force Base will receive a Valentine Day gift of sorts from the Pentagon, saying funding for the A-10 Thunderbolt II will be restored in the fiscal 2017 budget request.

It is expected to be released in mid-February.

McCain, who as chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, led the fight to save the A-10 in the upper chamber.

McCain said the A-10 won't be flying forever, but says he is optimistic about the future of Davis-Monthan.

McCain said his staff is working hard to find new missions for Tucson's the air base, including the expanded use of military drones.
Arizona Sen. John McCain credits the fight against the ISIS terror group for postponing the retirement of the militarys A-10 Thunderbolt II jet, which has a huge presence at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base.

If you had to give the majority of credit somewhere, I would give it to Mr. Baghdadi in ISIS, because we had to go into Syria. We had to go after ISIS. The A-10 is still the most capable weapon to do that, McCain, R-Arizona, told the Arizona Daily Star during a meeting Friday, citing the head of ISIS, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.

This is probably the first and last time that I am in league with Mr. Baghdadi.

Arizonas senior senator predicts Davis-Monthan will receive good news in February from the Pentagon, saying funding for the A-10 will be restored in the fiscal 2017 budget request.

Weve been told they are not going to continue the request to retire the A-10, McCain said about the Air Forces plans for the plane.

A-10s, or Warthogs, are still proving their worth in battle, he said.

I am sure youve heard about this spectacular strike where we hit the fuel trucks, 100 or so of them. You know who carried out that airstrike? The A-10s, McCain said. Still the best close air-support aircraft in the inventory.

McCain, chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, led the fight to save the A-10, and says he is optimistic about the future of Davis-Monthan.

However, the A-10s are not going to be around forever, he said. There are a lot of ideas out there, including a drone base.

D-Ms proximity to the Goldwater Air Force Range  a huge swath of land northwest of Tucson, continues to be an asset, McCain notes, especially due to soldiers ability to use live munitions there.

McCain said the community has helped reverse the perception that residents do not support the base.

Tucson has done a remarkable job, in my view. I am very pleased with the way the mayor has been totally supportive, he said, also noting D-M is popular with the airmen and women serving here.

New highway coming

In other news, McCain said the proposed Sonoran Corridor will be fully funded but will take time to build.

The corridor is a proposed connection between Interstates 10 and 19, to run south of Tucson International Airport, that economic development proponents are touting as a prime location for expansion of regional transportation and distribution networks.

The highway will help improve the Southern Arizona economy, McCain said, while cautioning it will be a slow, difficult process to build in some places a brand-new federal highway.

He also touched on issues with hiring more federal customs inspectors to work at the ports of entry in Nogales. McCain said he is exploring whether the federal government could offer financial incentives to those employees to live and work in Nogales.
On Monday, Tucson celebrates Martin Luther King Jr. Day with a city street named after the civil-rights leader.

Nobel Way, in the UA Tech Park at the Bridges, near East 36th Street and South Kino Parkway, will be renamed to ML King Jr. Way at an 8 a.m. ceremony, kicking off holiday festivities. An annual walk begins from the new location, starting after the ceremony and ending at Reid Park.

The event also marks the end of Tucsons time on the short list of U.S. cities without a street named for King.

It was something that we saw a need for here in the Tucson area ... We wanted it done for what Dr. King stands for, which is civil rights, peace for all, and there was nothing like that to show his existence here in Tucson, said Doris Snowden, president of the NAACP Tucson chapter. It was chapter members who approached Tech Parks Arizona about renaming a street in the Bridges development after King.

King Day was not an official state holiday in Arizona until 1993. Phoenix named a portion of its Broadway Road for King only last year, and 2010 Census Bureau statistics place African-Americans at only 5 percent of the Tucson population.

Struggles for social justice and equality have been an important part of Tucsons history, said Bruce Wright, spokesperson for the UA Tech Park and associate vice president of Tech Parks Arizona.

This is part of our larger project, which were calling the Heritage Path, which is going to be an interactive celebration of the cultural history of Tucson, and so these two projects go together nicely.

The project encompassing Heritage Path is called the Pathway to Discovery. ML King Jr. Way will be the main thoroughfare of the Heritage Path portion and will employ interactive kiosks to highlight and celebrate the cultural diversity and history of our community, Wright said. He hopes to see Heritage Path complete within two years.

Annie Sykes, one of the NAACP members who approached Tech Park, says the UAs involvement, and that they own the street, made the name change possible. Even so, Sykes said the process took almost two years.

Wright says the initiative went through a community steering committee, the county and, finally, the city, which will eventually own the road. With homesite developments expected on the west side of the new ML King Jr. Way, Wright says, Its going to be a major public thoroughfare connecting 36th to Tucson Marketplace drive.

When we moved to Tucson in 59 it was still segregated. Snowden says. The swimming pools, the movie houses, we had to sit upstairs at the Fox Fairmount.

Now we have the opportunity to live wherever we want to live and go to school wherever we want to go to school, Snowden said. Weve come a long way.

But Snowden still sees room for improvement, citing the lack of African-American businesses in the area as an example.

This is just a start because the street will ... be representative of all minority groups in Tucson. Snowden said. I think the Heritage Way project is a really great project. Its relevant to Dr. King in that Dr. King was for all people, not just for African-Americans. This reflects his vision.
Q: I recently purchased round-trip tickets from Istanbul to Minneapolis using Priceline. The company confirmed my booking, sent me the itinerary, charged my American Express card and sent me the confirmation. A few hours later, Priceline called and said there was a problem with the ticket and that it could not honor the price. It refunded the charges.

I emailed the executive offices many times, and they sent me fluff letters saying, Thank you for contacting us about your unconfirmed trip. They also told me to start a new search and advised me not to use the back button on my browser. Duh!

After several more emails to them, they told me to try to book it again. I realized they were not listening to me, and I contacted a Delta Air Lines agent, who was so helpful. She researched the problem and discovered that the flight deal I tried to book was not valid from Istanbul to Minneapolis  only from Minneapolis to Istanbul. So even if I had tried to book the flight again, Priceline wouldnt have honored that price either.

I booked tickets directly with Delta. If Priceline would have tried to fix the problem, or find out why I was having problems, I wouldnt have gotten irritated. I just checked Pricelines site today, and it still is offering the incorrect price, almost two months later! I would like Priceline to remove this faulty offer from its webpage and reimburse me the $556 extra that I had to spend to book my flights with Delta.  Sherry Brenneman, St. Paul, Minn.

A: Pricelines deal should have been honored. Period. If it wasnt available, the online travel agency should have removed it from its site promptly. Theres no telling how many other travelers were given the same false hope of a special fare, only to have it withdrawn after receiving a confirmation.

Im also unhappy with the many tone-deaf form emails Priceline sent to you, even after you contacted its executives. Its possible that you reached out to the wrong managers. I publish a list of the right Priceline executive contacts on my consumer-advocacy site: elliott.org/company-contacts/priceline

As for the offer itself, airlines often impose restrictions on their specials. Its not that unusual to find sales that go only one way  Minneapolis to Istanbul, but not Istanbul to Minneapolis. But it is unusual to find an uncorrected error on a major agency site. My Priceline contact told me that this is the first time hed ever seen anything like it. That makes two of us.

Priceline investigated the unavailable fare, and thats where things got even weirder. Turns out the fare was available both ways, but the sale ended in March. You were trying to book a ticket in June. Priceline suggested that the airline had loaded the wrong dates.
A Varmint Roundup  in which hunters were to compete for a $1,000 purse for killing the most coyotes, bobcats, foxes and mountain lions northwest of Tucson on Jan. 23  has been abruptly postponed.

The Tucson Chapter of the Mule Deer Foundation organized the event, in which hunters would have used animal calls to lure their prey into shooting range. A notice appeared Friday, Jan. 15, on its website that read: Varmint Roundup has been postponed. Keep watching for updates.

The postponement came a day after the Arizona Daily Star interviewed the foundations Tucson chapter chairman, Duane Burmeister, for a story about the roundup.

Efforts to reach Burmeister and Terry Herndon, regional director of the foundation, by phone and email for an explanation of the postponement were unsuccessful.

Opponents of the event had decried it as a bonafide killing contest in which participants engage in thrill killing and blood sport.

Burmeister said in an interview before the postponement that removing a certain percentage of varmints is a good thing because it helps deer and other game species to thrive.

State wildlife officials say killing coyotes, bobcats and foxes in unlimited numbers is legal as long as shooters have a valid hunting license. Hunters must obtain a big game tag before killing a mountain lion.

ORGANIZERS VIEW

Burmeister said, in the earlier interview, that the contest would benefit other wildlife, but he acknowledged that such contests draw strong opposition. People think we are going out and killing hundreds and hundreds of animals, Burmeister said. Thats not going to happen.

Removing a certain percentage of varmints is a good thing, he said without offering an estimate of how many animals might be killed in the roundup. We know its a fragile system, but were not out to do harm to it. Were helping the wildlife (other than the target animals) to survive and prosper.

He maintained that wildlife species such as deer, elk and antelope benefit when varmints are removed or thinned out.

CONTEST DETAILS

The Mule Deer Foundations website  www.tucsonmdf.org  noted that roundup participants were to pay a $25 per person entry fee and compete in two-person teams.

Hand calls, open reed calls and electronic calls could be used to draw animals into shooting range.

The foundation said scores would be calculated from a point system for four species included in the contest:

Coyotes: 5 points; foxes: 7 points; bobcats: 10 points; mountain lions: 35 points.

The foundation website described rewards for winners: It will be a jackpot payout of $1,000 based upon 100 participants at $25 a head. All proceeds will go to benefit Tucson Mule Deer Foundation projects.

OPPONENTS VIEWS

Yet another wildlife blood sport has been announced, and this one is a bonafide killing contest, Greg Hale, a Tucson animal protection advocate, said before the postponement.

Its overtly wrong to go out and shoot these animals for a thrill kill, Hale said. They call them in with (animal) calls. When they get into range, then they shoot them. They sit there on their folding chairs and shoot them.

This is not a hunt. Its a slaughter, he said.

He said such contests are ecologically unsound because they remove animals that play an important role in the ecosystem.

We are not opposed to hunting, Hale said. We are opposed to contests that treat animals as having no value. We dont want Tucson to become a mecca for wildlife killing contests.

Ricardo Small, who holds degrees in wildlife biology and is a member of a group called the Friends of Wild Animals, said he found the planned contest revolting.

The idea of a group of people gathering to see who can shoot the most animals with guns to win prizes makes me vomit, Small said. From a wildlife biologists viewpoint, slaughtering predators  they are not varmints  for fun is an activity that should be outlawed by the Arizona Game and Fish Department.

GAME AND FISH VIEW

The Arizona Game and Fish Commission has no official position on predator hunting contests, said Mark Hart, spokesman for the Arizona Game and Fish Department. Its a lawful pastime.

In the 1990s, the commission considered a rule change that would prohibit hunting contests, Hart said. It went to the governors regulatory review council. At that time, they ruled that we had exceeded our statutory authority and that they were concerned that there might be constitutional issues involved.
Help India!

By TCN News

Aligarh: In the wake of NDA governments withdrawal as one of the petitioners challenging the 2005 Allahabad High Court verdict on Aligarh Muslim Universitys minority status, the Vice Chancellor of AMU, Lt. Gen. Zameer Uddin Shah assured all well wishers of the institution that they are prepared and ready with the best lawyers in the country.

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The team of lawyers includes Harish Salve, Rajeev Dhawan and P.P. Rao as well as Gopal Subramanium, who will take part according to his availability schedule.





File Photo



We are fully prepared and confident that justice will prevail as we have full faith in our judiciary and wisdom and sagacity of our Prime Minister who will stand by his belief of Sub Ka Saath  Sub ka Vikas, said Lt. Gen. Shah, VC, AMU.

We would request you not fall prey to rumour mongering. Have faith in us. Let the judicial process not be hampered by use of unconstitutional means, he added.

He further said that the AMU fraternity and other right thinking and fair minded citizens of our great country are quite rightly concerned about the outcome of the issue of restoration of minority character of AMU.

He said that the case is being heard before the Honble Supreme Court. The first hearing was on January 11, 2016.

Notably, in a substantial change in stance on Monday, the NDA government withdrew its name as one of the petitioners challenging the 2005 Allahabad High Court verdict which said the University had no right to reserve its seats for Muslims. The NDA government has in fact, told the Supreme Court that it supports the Allahabad HC verdict.

The UPA government had, along with the AMU administration, challenged the HC verdict and following this, the Supreme Court had in 2006 put a stay on the verdict.


Help India!

Kolkata : Observing that the Narendra Modi government has been hesitant in initiating a rehabilitation process for the Kashmiri Pandits, Trinamool Congress MP Saugata Roy on Saturday called for a dialogue with the Jammu and Kashmir government on the issue.

Roy was speaking at a panel discussion on the exodus of Kashmiri Pandits, organised by the Observer Research Foundation (ORF) here.

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We owe to the Kashmiri Pandits, their rehabilitation, to get them back in Kashmir. While a budget of Rs.500 crore has been allotted for their rehabilitation, I feel the central government is hesitant in getting them back to Kashmir, said Roy.

Roy said unlike the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference leaders, the recently departed Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed was sympathetic to separatists which resulted in the Centre becoming hesitant.

This hesitation perhaps is because the Centre did not get a clear signal from the Mufti government. Mufti is no more, but unlike the Abdullahs who were pro-India, Mufti had been catering to people having some sympathy for militants and sympathy for Pakistan, he said.

With Sayeeds daughter Mehbooba Mufti expected to take over as the new chief minister, Roy harped on the need for the Centre to initiate a dialogue on the rehabilitation issue.

There is a need to initiate some sort of a dialogue process with the state government. While the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has always kept the cards close to their chest on this issue, I feel we must initiate dialogue with Mehbooba on the matter, he added.

Speaking on the occasion, former Lt. General John Ranjan Mukherjee said India needs to stop being a soft state.

India is a soft state, you cant take a decision of moving back the Kashmiri Pandits, because you dont have the gumption to do so. We need to stop being a soft nation, said the former General Officer Commanding of the Armys 15 Corps stationed in Kashmir.

Suggesting ways to tackle the Kashmir issue, Mukherjee said strict enforcement of secularism and outlawing all forms of religious fundamentalism were imperative.

A major step which needs to be taken in this regard is befriending more of our neighbours including China. If China stops supporting Pakistan, life would be much easier for India, said Mukherjee.

Scholar and former city head of Kashmir Sabha,  a social organisation  B.K. Moza demanded that Kashmiri Pandits be declared internally displaced refugees and granted reverse minority status.

Unless and until reverse minority status is granted to us, our rehabilitation is not possible. Kashmir enjoys special status under article 370, because the inhabitants are largely Muslim, which is a minority community in total Indian context.

In fitness to this constitutional guarantee, Kashmiri Pandits should also be provided a reverse minority status in Kashmir by the constitution, said Moza.

All the speakers said the central government needed to take immediate steps to ensure the rehabilitation of nearly five lakh Kashmiri Pandits, mostly living in camps in Jammu and Delhi.
Help India!

Kolkata: Asserting that Hindus were not persecuted in her country, Pakistani journalist-author Reema Abbasi on Saturday attributed land-grabbing rather faith behind attacks on temples in Pakistan.

No temple has been razed on ground of faith. Yes, when the Babri Masjid demolition happened, there was a backlash in Pakistan, but otherwise the attacks on temples were not because of faith, Abbasi said at the Kolkata Literary Festival.

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So when people see headlines about a temple being attacked, they should look into the fine print where they will find that the reasons are land-grabbing or greed, said the author of Historic Temples in Pakistan: A Call to Conscience.

She also said some attacks on temples took place to accommodate a large number of people displaced due to the war against terrorism.

Abbasi, who in her book has documented ancient temples chronicling old pilgrimage sites like Hinglaj, Katas Raj, Kalka Cave temple, Panchmukhi Hanuman Mandir, and Shivala Mandir in present day Pakistan, termed as a myth media reports about persecution of Hindus in Pakistan.

Hindus are not persecuted in Pakistan, its all myth. And its all because of the media hype. People usually go by the headlines which grab the eyeballs but they should instead go through the fine print which will eventually get them to the truth, she said.

In 2013, there were 265 forced conversions in Pakistan, but in 2015 there have been only 14 such cases. Of course, not a single such case should happen, but it has been a part of the South Asian society and not just Pakistan alone, the author added.

Abbasi informed her next book is on South Asian Islamic scholar and philosopher Moinuddin Chishti also known as Gharib Nawaz.
Email Privacy At Work

Is Your Boss About To Start Snooping On Your Private Emails?

For anyone who works within a company, its always safe to assume that your work email can  at best  be monitored, and  at worst  retrospectively trawled through for evidence of wrong doing. But a ruling this week in the European Court of Human Rights further erodes your privacy at work and gives employers the right to spy on private emails and electronic messages.

The judgement came at the end of a long-running case, stemming back to 2007 in Romania, when an engineer called Bogdan Mihai Barbulsecu was informed by his bosses that they had been monitoring his Yahoo messenger account. He had been told to set it up for work purposes, but when they studied a 45-page transcript of his communications they found a number of messages that he had exchanged with his fiancee and he was duly fired as the company banned all staff for sending personal messages on company time.

At issue were two different viewpoints: that of the company, who said that during work hours they could specify what Mr Barbulsescu spent his time on; and the engineer, who claimed that he had a human right to private correspondence and his dismissal violated this. The court sided with his bosses, ruling that it was not "unreasonable for an employer to want to verify that employees are completing their professional tasks during working hours." They also said that it was reasonable for Barbulescus managers to open all his messages as they were not marked as private, and as they were sent on work time they could reasonably assume that they related to his job.

As Britain is signed up to the European Convention on Human Rights, this will guide (although not bind) future cases and rulings, and means that British companies will need to clarify when  if ever  employees can send private mail from their work address or the messaging systems they use during work hours.

So, does this mean that your boss is about to start looking through all those increasingly desperate messages youre sending to women you met on Tinder? Theoretically, yes (and if you plough through the small print of your contract theres very likely something already in there about using company communications for personal use). Speaking to the BBC, Lilian Edwards, a professor of internet law at Strathclyde University, said the judgement was in line with UK law and past cases. "In this case, the employers say clearly that you are not to use the internet for anything but work. Although it is not popular, it is completely legal. The employer seems to have played this by the book."

However, this is a developing issue, and another example of how the law is struggling to keep pace with the rapidly evolving digital world and our new concepts of private and public life. In giving their ruling, the ECHRs judges stressed that unbridled snooping on staff would not be acceptable, and called for new policies to be drawn, clarifying what information could be collected by bosses and how. It was also unclear from the ruling how much difference it would have made if Barbulsescu had checked the messages on his own phone, rather than a computer owned by his company, and whether  in a culture where staff are expected to come in early and work late  the same rules apply outside of set hours.

As it stands  and even with this ruling  the law is muddled enough to make caution from staff sensible (keep your personal communication to your phone), but managers should also think twice before unleashing their inner secret policeman: employment lawyer Philip Landau (@philiplandau) urged caution in The Guardian. "The ECHR ruling may mean employers now consider there is legitimacy in stepping up the monitoring activities of private emails and messages via social media platforms. If they do so unreasonably, they may find themselves coming unstuck if challenged."

And this is an ongoing problem, especially in British business: that we are constantly on and connected, yet still only have productivity running at four-fifths that of Germany. In related news, Germany ruled in 2013 that bosses couldnt call or email their staff out of work hours apart from in emergencies. So maybe we need to start treating this as a two-way street: if companies are going to dictate when you can look at your email, workers should have the right to dictate when they will look at it. It seems to be working out pretty well for the Germans and their economy.
Hahahahaha! ("die Schadenfreude," what a wonderful German word.) The above is a New York Times headline from yesterday; I find it hilarious. After all the moralistic lecturing we opponents of unrestricted immigration by Mohammedans have been getting from idiots like Angela Merkel, Barack Obama,The New York Times, Mssrs. Bier, Nowrasteh, et al. at FEE, etc., it's gratifying to see this demonstration that reality is not optional. The fantasy of multiculturalism is being destroyed before our very eyes, and it's a beautiful thing. (For the logic-challenged, "we" atshould point out that the brutal and awful assaults on women and men arebeautiful, they are terrible. The beautiful thing is seeing the idiots who promote multiculturalism being refuted and publicly humiliated.)For those who missed it, on New Years eve, across Germany there were waves of sexual assaults and other violence, committed by muslim immigrants. The most attacks seem to have been in Koln (Cologne) although rapes and other violence occurred elsewhere. Perpetrators were muslims, and a high percentage seem to have been recent immigrants. Police responding to the attacks were so overwhelmed by the numbers that they were powerless (or so they claimed -- I believe German police carry firearms so I think "impotent" would be a better term).On his "I Want a New Left" Dr. John Pepple wonders if this might lead to an awakening among feminists that the left is not their friend. I suspect so, at least for those who are serious about the rights of women. And certainly the progressive left seems to be self-destructing rapidly. They've taken on too many things that are completely incompatible with an "open society" (George Soros' term for the progressive ideal). I predict a backlash on this and other issues that will shock the left.
Chinese President Xi calls AIIB's launch 'historical moment' Updated: 2016-01-16 10:48 By Li Xiaokun(chinadaily.com.cn)

Chinese President Xi Jinping speaks during the opening ceremony of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) in Beijing,January 16, 2016. [Photo/Xinhua]

The Asia Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) launched its inaugural ceremony on Saturday morning at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse with President Xi Jinping attending the event.

Get a knowledge of AIIB on mobile phone.

"This is a historical moment," Xi said addressing the event in downtown Beijing.

The AIIB could increase Asia infrastructure investment effectively and promote regional interconnection and economic integration, which will have a positive effect on Asian and global economy, said Xi.

Premier Li Keqiang is scheduled to address the founding conference of the AIIB council in the afternoon. The series of opening activities will last from Jan 16 to 18.

Chinese Finance Minister Lou Jiwei was elected as the first chairman of the AIIB council. Jin Liqun was elected the first AIIB president.

The opening of the AIIB marked a milestone in the reform of the global economic governance system, Lou said in an interview.

The AIIB will work together with multilateral development banks including the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank to facilitate Asian infrastructure construction and sustainable development, Lou said.

When addressing the inaugural ceremony, South Korean Finance Minister Yoo Il-ho quoted a sentence of famous Chinese writer Lu Xun to describe the process of AIIB's establishment:

"Originally there is no path in this world, but when there are many who have walked upon it, then a path came into being."

Pierre Gramegna, Luxembourg's finance minister, said the AIIB will be a boost to the Asian economy.

"I can assure you, President Xi Jinping, that your initiative has received a lot of positive support from many members of the European Union."

The development bank was formally established in Beijing on Dec 25, 2015. It's the first China-initiated multi-lateral financial institution.

In 2013, President Xi Jinping first proposed the idea of the bank. In just two years, the bank, headquartered in Beijing, now has 57 members, many from outside the region.
Clearing doubts of others can help China get support Updated: 2016-01-16 09:24 By Fang Songying and Liu Wei(China Daily)

The signing ceremony of memorandum of understanding on establishing the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) is held in Beijing, Oct 24 2014. [Photo/Xinhua]

Although China has repeatedly emphasized that the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank is a multilateral agency to meet Asia's development needs, the international community remains worried that it is setting low-level financing rules. And despite China's efforts to promote its Belt and Road Initiative as a win-win policy, some countries still doubt its intentions.

To dispel such worries and eliminate suspicions, China should expound its national interests more clearly in the diplomatic parlance. Until then, countries may find it hard to believe in the common interests that the AIIB and Belt and Road Initiative (which comprises the Silk Road Economic Belt and 21st Century Maritime Silk Road) have been designed to serve.

China's explanation should be accompanied by proper actions to make the discourse more convincing and prompt other countries to appreciate its efforts.

Yet because of conflict of national interests, it is difficult for countries like China and the United States to dispel mutual suspicion even if they try their best to make their intentions clear.

The US does not believe that China will not challenge its global leadership, and China does not believe the US' growing presence in the Asia-Pacific region is not to contain its rise. Still, highlighting common interests in diplomatic discourse is an effective way to cultivate mutual trust and deepen mutual understanding.

Although China and the US are competing over security issues, they have many common interests, such as fighting terrorism and mitigating climate change. Therefore, they should try to transform their common interests into a kind of consensus through effective diplomatic dialogue, which is a prerequisite for a clear explanation of one country's national interests and responsibilities and for reducing other countries' suspicions.

While putting forward a diplomatic proposal, a country should also undertake other obligations. Therefore, apart from stressing the common interests behind its proposals, China should also explain why it is ready to employ the funds to serve other countries' interests. That is to say, China should directly answer the question: What it aims to achieve from its proposals?
Zarif, Kerry meets to fix final details for implementation of nuclear deal Updated: 2016-01-17 04:17 (Xinhua)

US Secretary of State John Kerry (L) meets with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif on what is expected to be "implementation day," the day the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) verifies that Iran has met all conditions under the nuclear deal, in Vienna January 16, 2016. [Photo/Agencies]

VIENNA -- Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and US Secretary of State John Kerry on Saturday came together in Vienna to fix the final details for the implementation of comprehensive nuclear deal.

Differences between Iran and US over Tehran's long term uranium enrichment research plan still need to be resolved, a source told Xinhua on Saturday.

However, the gap could be bridged soon, not likely to kill the deal, the source said.

The International Atomic Energy Agency(IAEA) is expected to issue a report over Iran's compliance of the nuclear deal which would trigger the comprehensive relief of nuclear-related sanctions imposed on Tehran, Iran and EU are also expected to give a joint statement over the implementation of the deal.

"All oppressive sanctions imposed against Iran will be annulled today," Zarif told Iranian Media upon his arrival in Vienna earlier Saturday.

It is clear that both sides eye on the implementation of the deal as soon as possible after years of diplomatic effort.

Western states, especially the US, demand the "break out" time of Iran's atomic bomb to be over one year technically, so the western powers have enough time to react once the Tehran shows incompliance of the deal.

Under the deal reached in July last year, Iran agreed to significantly scale back its nuclear program in exchange for the sanction relief, while giving more transparency of its nuclear plan to address the concern of the western countries.

IAEA board members have decided to close the consideration of Iran's alleged nuclear weapon program in December last year as Tehran has cooperated with the agency to resolve the issue.
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Obama Administration Halts New Coal Leases, Gives Climate Policy a Boost

JAN 15, 2016The Obama administration's announcement on Friday that it will suspend new coal leasing on federal lands and overhaul the program to better reflect environmental costs could be a turning point in climate policy. It is a concrete measure toward leaving fossil fuels in the ground, as the science demands.But it was the invisible hand of the coal markets, not the inexorable thrust of the climate models, that ultimately drove the federal government to this point.Coal companies have been going bankrupt, even a they have been granted access to a virtually limitless resource at almost negligible prices. So the federal government, as the steward of the public patrimony, could no longer justify business as usual."The business partnership between the federal government and the coal industry no longer works," said Tom Sanzillo, director of finance for the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA), which has long criticized federal coal leasing practices."It became apparent that the industry does not have a strategy for moving forward in the face of a shrinking market."The market realities opened the door to a review that, if it ends up imposing climate accountability on the coal industry, could lock up huge quantities of carbon fuels for decades to come.
Chinese President Xi Jinping launched a new international development bank seen as a rival to the US-led World Bank at a lavish ceremony on Saturday, as Beijing seeks to change the unwritten rules of global development finance.

Despite opposition from Washington, US allies including Australia, Britain, German, Italy, the Philippines and South Korea have agreed to join the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) in recognition of China's growing economic clout.

"Asia's financing needs for basic infrastructure are absolutely enormous," Xi said in a speech at the launch, adding the bank would aim to invest in projects that were "high-quality, low-cost".

In order for Asia to continue being the most dynamic region for global growth, it needs to invest in infrastructure and connectivity, Premier Li Keqiang said, during the afternoon session of the opening ceremony.

The AIIB is expected to lend $10-15 billion a year for the first five or six years and will start operations in the second quarter of 2016.

Even so, no specific infrastructure projects would be announced "for the time being", AIIB President Jin Liqun told Reuters on the sidelines of the launch.

Diplomatic coup

Luxembourg Finance Minister Pierre Gramegna said the establishment of the AIIB was "further proof of the rebalancing of the world economy".

A successful AIIB that sets itself apart from the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) would be a diplomatic triumph for China, which opposes a global financial order it says is dominated by the United States and does not adequately represent developing nations.

The AIIB will require projects to be legally transparent and protect social and environmental interests, but it will not force borrowers to adopt the kind of free-market practices favoured by the IMF, sources told Reuters in September.

By not insisting on some free market economic policies recommended by the World Bank, the AIIB is likely to avoid the criticism levelled against its rivals, which some say impose unreasonable demands on borrowers.

It could also help Beijing stamp its mark on a bank regarded by some in the government as a political as much as an economic project.

Baikuntha Aryal, joint secretary at Nepal's Ministry of Finance, said the Himalayan country was hoping the AIIB would fund roads, hydropower and urban development projects.

"The AIIB is specifically for infrastructure so we see it as a supplement to projects in Nepal funded by the ADB (Asian Development Bank) and World Bank," he said.

China has an initial subscription of $29.78 billion in authorised capital stock in the AIIB, out of a total of $100 billion. It invested another $50 million on Saturday.
The second most senior official in China's populous Sichuan province is suspected of corruption, an official said Friday, the latest implicated in a high-profile anti-graft campaign.

Provincial governor Wei Hong is suspected of "severe disciplinary violations", generally a euphemism for corruption, anti-graft official Wu Yuliang said, and was "reflecting on his mistakes".

The allegation comes as part of a high-profile crackdown on corruption led by President Xi Jinping that has deposed several senior officials, notably former security chief Zhou Yongkang.

One of Zhou's power bases was Sichuan, in China's southwest with a population of some 80 million. A number of senior officials there have been investigated in recent years.

Official allegations of graft against high-level politicians are generally followed by an internal probe by China's Communist party, and sometimes lead to criminal proceedings almost guaranteed to end in conviction.

With corruption widespread in China, critics say there is a lack of transparency around Xi's campaign and it has been used for political infighting.

Wu, a vice chief of the ruling party's Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, said that such "twisted" views came from "a biased and wrong perspective", according to a press conference transcript.

But he revealed that only a small minority of officials found guilty of graft and other offences by the party end up prosecuted in criminal courts.

Just 14,000 party members faced legal proceedings as a result of discipline violations last year, he said, while 336,000 were punished internally.

He added that China was "in contact" with the United States over Ling Wancheng, the brother of Ling Jihua, a former chief of staff to Chinese president Hu Jintao.

Ling Wancheng reportedly fled to the United States when his brother became a target of the anti-corruption campaign.
Maldives' former president Mohamed Nasheed, serving a 13-year jail sentence on terror charges, has been granted permission to travel to UK for surgery, government announced today.

"The government of Maldives has granted permission to former president Nasheed to travel to UK to undergo surgery, at his request," the foreign ministry said on its official Twitter account.

Nasheed, 48, had sought permission to travel abroad for a surgery on his back, but the government had repeatedly denied the request insisting that the surgery could be done in the Maldives.

His lawyers had, however, rejected the government's claim that the surgery was available at the private ADK Hospital in capital Male.

The authority had said it could only allow Nasheed to travel abroad for medical treatment after consultation with a specialist, Haveeru Online reported.

Home Minister Umar Naseer had said that the doctor had recommended microdiscectomy for Nasheed and that the surgery is available in the Maldives.

Nasheed, the country's first democratically elected leader, was sentenced to 13 years in jail in March over the arbitrary arrest of chief criminal judge Abdullah Muhammed during his presidency.

He resigned as the Maldives' leader in February 2012 after weeks of protests over the judge's arrest on corruption allegations.

The former president had appealed his prison sentence after backtracking on his earlier decision and opted to go to the Supreme Court instead.

In his appeal, Nasheed had sought a lesser penalty under the new penal code that came into effect in November. The Supreme Court had also been asked to nullify the charges lodged against him in the lower court and the subsequent sentence.

India, the US and the European Union had all expressed concern over Nasheed's imprisonment and conviction. His conviction drew widespread criticism over the apparent lack of due process in the 19-day trial.
Mans body found in floodwaters in rural New South Wales The man's death is the third fatality recorded in the unfolding flood crisis gripping New South Wales and Victoria.

Sam Newman tees off at athletes complaining about sponsorship The former AFL star took aim at "patronising and pompous" athletes telling cash-strapped sporting bodies who they should and shouldn't allow to be a sponsor.

Its about balance: Ethical issues arise over sports sponsorship 07:10 Independent MP Zali Steggall says its about balance between the funding of sport and recognising the role it plays when it comes...

Qld govt pledges to build more new homes 02:51 Industry experts, non-government bodies and the private sector are gathering to brainstorm long and short-term solutions to Queensland's housing...
URBANDALE - New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie stepped up his retail politicking Saturday in hopes of building a Hawkeye surge that will carry him in Iowa's first-in-the-nation Republican presidential balloting next month.

With slightly more than two weeks until Iowa Republicans make their selections who they think should be their party's 2016 presidential nominee, Christie worked a breakfast crowd at a suburban eatery for support -- answering policy questions and posing for "selfies" with patrons who took a brief respite from their morning chow.

"Have a waffle," one customer told Christie as the governor grouched down to visit with his two young children.

"I hope I have your support on the first. We're getting close," the governor told a women sitting in a booth with friends at the Iowa Machine Shed restaurant.

"How are the waffles? I hear the waffles are good," Christie said to another table of eaters.

Karla Wright of Des Moines asked Christie what he would do to save Social Security. He referred her to his web site but indicated he didn't believe people making more than $200,000 needed the benefit as much as Americans with lower income and did not support raising taxes on anybody.

Christie posed for a photo with Diane Gjerstad and two family members even though she can't caucus for him Feb. 1 as a Kansan who was out for breakfast with her Iowan brother. "We don't get this in Kansas," she said of the campaign activity. "It's interesting to see the candidates."

Christie met a supporter in Ladell Gosen of West Des Moines, who recommended the governor see the movie "13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi" when the governor stopped by a booth where he was having breakfast with his wife, Lynn.

Gosen said he plans to caucus for Christie and said "I hope he gets the nomination, so I can vote for him for president." His wife was non-committal, telling Christie she could support him if she knew he would put people above politics as president.

"I appreciate the no-nonsense part of him," she said. "We'll see, I'm not quite ready to commit."

Not far away, another GOP presidential contender, U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida, also was working the other side of the street at a hotel in Johnston where his message included criticisms of Christie that carried over from their back-and-forth confrontation during Thursday's televised debate.

"He (Christie) supports Common Core," Rubio told prospective Iowa supporters. "He supports gun control. One of the things he supported was Sonia Sotomayor to the Supreme Court."

Christie dismissed Rubio challenging his conservative bona fides, saying "Sen. Rubio is not the arbiter of conservative credentials in America and so if he wants to attack me, I think you know why that is - it's because I'm passing him.

"In fact, two years ago Sen. Rubio said I was the type of conservative reformer that New Jersey needed. So all of a sudden now that we're running against each other, he's changed his view. I was a conservative reformer two years ago but not now?" Christie added. "I don't really care about Sen. Rubio. In the end, I'm running against Hillary Clinton next fall and that's who I'm focused on."

The New Jersey governor - who hopes to finish tops among the five governors competing in a crowded field for the 2016 GOP nomination - said he confident Iowans will be able to sort through the rhetoric and attacks in making their presidential choices.

"They've been through this before. This is not Iowans' first rodeo," he said.

Dennis Goldford, a Drake University political science professor, said Christie faces a challenge as a blue-state governor among conservative Iowans.

"The very thing that I think he touts, that he is a Republican who was able to get himself elected in a blue state, that makes him suspicious to all sorts of tea party and more evangelical and much more conservative Republicans," Goldford noted.

"In other words, yeah, you're a Republican that got elected in a blue state. That's not something to boast about. That's something to make us suspicious of you in terms of your conservative credentials," according to the political science professor.

Sam Lau, communications director for the Iowa Democratic Party, said Iowans should be suspicious of both Christie and Rubio because they both "are masters at the art of flip flopping" in taking one position in the past and then reversing field now that they are running for president and seeking to woo Iowa caucus goers.

"With all the flip-flopping taking place, it's nearly impossible for Iowans to know just where they stand - or to take them at their word," Lau said in a statement. "Absentee politicians Chris Christie and Marco Rubio are so desperate to get out of their current jobs they've resorted to saying whatever it takes to gain support in Iowa, even if it means blatant flip flopping."
Sponsored by the Volunteer Center of Cedar Valley and First Presbyterian Church, all elementary age youth and their families are invited to attend a morning of service. Participants will gather at First Presbyterian Church, 505 Franklin St., from 10 to 11:30 a.m. to take part in a variety of service projects for community agencies.
MUSCATINE | A suspect of a vehicle theft is in the hospital after law enforcement shot him.

The incident started a little after 10 p.m. Friday, Jan. 15, when Alberto Jimenez-Diaz, of Muscatine, reported his blue 2008 Hummer was stolen from the Guadalajara Restaurant parking lot at 208 E. Second St., according to a press release from the Muscatine Police Department.

At 10:33 p.m., a Muscatine County Sheriffs Office deputy saw the Hummer on U.S. Highway 61 near University Boulevard.

The deputy, with assistance from a Muscatine Police Department vehicle, conducted a traffic stop in parking lot of the Pearl City Inn/Best Western at 305 Cleveland Ave.

The suspect then tried to drive away, hitting several vehicles parked in the hotel lot including one of the fully marked law enforcement vehicles, according to the press release.

Several shots were fired by law enforcement, the press release. The driver of the vehicle suffered a gunshot wound and was transported initially to Unity Point Hospital then transferred to University of Iowa Hospitals.

A criminal investigation is being conducted by the Muscatine Police Department, the Iowa State Patrol and the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation.

The press release did not name the suspect or the officers involved.
WATERLOO  Mayor Quentin Hart and his campaign committee are urging community service as part of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.s birthday observance.

Monday is the 30th anniversary of the federal holiday honoring King, whose vision included service and volunteerism to help eliminate social divides and unify cities like Waterloo, Hart said.

Hart and his committee members plan on participating in two service projects Monday and are seeking help.

The first project is at the Northeast Iowa Food Bank, where 10 volunteers are needed from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. to help sort and prepare donated food to feed the hungry across northeast Iowa.

You can volunteer at other times by contacting Chris Madigan, volunteer coordinator, at 235-0507 or cmadigan@feedingamerica.org. This event is a collaborative project with the nonprofit agency, KBOL Radio 100.1 FM.

The second project  Coat, Covers & Clothes Drive  will be from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Hart for Mayor Campaign office, 612 Mulberry St. Donations of new or gently used coats, covers and clothes are greatly needed.

There are families out there who can utilize some of these items, especially with the extreme low temperatures we are experiencing, Hart said in a news release. I personally love seeing Waterloo come together to address these issues.

This event is a collaborative project with the nonprofit agency Eye of the Needle, which distributes clothes, household items, blankets, laundry vouchers and more to families in need.

If you are interested in other volunteer projects around the community, contact the Volunteer Center of the Cedar Valley at 272-2087 or www.vccv.org.
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By West Kentucky Star Staff

Jan. 15, 2016 | PADUCAH, KY

By West Kentucky Star Staff Jan. 15, 2016 | 04:19 PM | PADUCAH, KY

The McCracken County Sheriff's Department is warning the public about a recent Facebook scam that cost a local woman $500.



McCracken County Deputies were contacted Friday afternoon by a local resident who told them that a Charles Smith Mountjoy had sent her a friend request on facebook, which she accepted. The victim said that Mountjoy told her that for a fee of $500, she would receive $100,000 from the US Government. Mountjoy then asked for personal information like her drivers license number, name and date of birth, facebook password and phone number. The scammer had also reportedly made another facebook profile impersonating one of the victim's friends, saying that the scam was legitimate.



The victim ultimately sent the scammer $500 and her personal information. She later attempted to contact the scammer, and eventually received a phone call from someone with a foreign accent.



Deputies are advising residents to use caution when giving out any personal information over the phone or email.
By Bill Hughes Jan. 14, 2016 | 01:17 PM | PADUCAH, KY

A local restaurant has received recognition for one of their signature menu items in a travel website article.

Yahoo! Travel published an article Wednesday listing what they call "The Most Over-the-Top Burgers" in every state, and The Station Burger Company was named to represent Kentucky.

Bob Hoppman is the company supervisor, overseeing operations at the four locations in Paducah, Murray and Eddyville. "We are totally excited, to say the least. It took us by surprise. We had no idea that this was even an honor or a recognition," Hoppman said.

The article by Melinda Crow says, "The Station Burger Company starts the craziness with the meatthey add bacon to the grind. Hmm maybe thats not so crazy. But the massive Station Chief Burger with a full pound of meat certainly is."

Hoppman said he and owner Carl Medlin will probably use the recognition in some way to promote the restaurants in the near future. You can see the full article at the link below.

On the Net:
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By The Associated Press

Jan. 16, 2016 | VIENNA, AUSTRIA

By The Associated Press Jan. 16, 2016 | 02:29 PM | VIENNA, AUSTRIA

U.S. and Iranian officials say Iran is releasing four detained Americans in exchange for seven Iranians held or charged in the United States.



Officials say a fifth American, a student identified as Matthew Trevithnick, was released in a move unrelated to the swap.



U.S. officials identified the four Americans freed in the prisoner exchange as Washington Post reporter Jason Rezaian, former U.S. Marine Amir Hekmati, pastor Saeed Abedini and a fourth person whose name had not been previously made public, Nosratollah Khosravi.



The officials say the four are to be flown from Iran to Switzerland on a Swiss plane and then taken to a U.S. military base in Landstuhl, Germany, for medical treatment.



In return, the U.S. will either pardon or drop charges against seven Iranians  six of whom are dual citizens  accused or convicted of violating U.S. sanctions. The U.S. will also drop Interpol "red notices"  essentially arrest warrants  on a handful of Iranian fugitives it has sought.



U.S. Republican presidential candidates Ted Cruz and Rand Paul are welcoming the releases, and Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders says the exchange shows "diplomacy can work even in this volatile region of the world."



Rubio and other Republicans say Americans should never have been captured in the first place. In Iowa, Rubio blamed the Obama administration's willingness to do prisoner swaps in the past, saying governments take Americans hostage because they believe they can gain concessions from the Obama administration.



The publisher of The Washington Post says he "couldn't be happier" to hear that the paper's reporter, Jason Rezaian, has been released from Iran's Evin Prison. In a statement, publisher Frederick J. Ryan Jr. also says more information will be available once he has more details and can confirm Rezaian has safely left Iran.



Rezaian had been held more than 543 days on espionage and related charges.



The wife of the pastor who is being released says the news is "a huge burden lifted off." Naghmeh Abedini told The Associated Press on Saturday that after she learned that Iran was going to release Pastor Saeed Abedini, she woke her kids up and told them "Daddy was coming home."



The Boise man was detained for compromising national security, presumably because of Christian proselytizing, in September 2012. He was sentenced in 2013 to 8 years in prison.
By The Associated Press Jan. 15, 2016 | 02:45 PM | LOUISVILLE, KY





Chinese appliance maker Haier is buying General Electric Co.'s appliance unit for $5.4 billion to expand its global presence.Haier and GE announced the sale Friday and said they agreed to form a strategic partnership to cooperate in areas such as the Internet, healthcare, and advanced manufacturing.GE's sale of its appliance unit comes in the midst of an effort by the company to shift its focus to higher-technology and higher-profit areas such as medical equipment.Haier said GE's appliance division will remain headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky.Haier, headquartered in the eastern Chinese city of Qingdao, is the world's biggest appliance maker, with 2014 revenue of $32.6 billion.GE had previously agreed to sell the business to Sweden's Electrolux (ELUXY), but the deal was abandoned after regulators raised antitrust concerns.Kentucky Governor Matt Bevin said Friday that the sale puts Kentucky in prime position to compete globally on appliance manufacturing. He applauded Haiers decision to keep the appliances headquarters in Louisville, and he hopes the appliance business there can strengthen and grow.
Rating:        

Leonardo DiCaprio is, without a hint of hyperbole, one of the greatest actors working today. An immensely talented performer with a strong understanding of cinematic art and dab eye for a great project; he's a member of that highly exclusive club (alongside Mads Mikkelsen and Oscar Isaac) of actors so consistent that I'll get excited about their upcoming projects on promise alone. Not every one of his movies is great (we've all seen, then forgotten, Body Of Lies), but you know he'll always bring something new and interesting to the table.

It should come as no surprise that his latest performance, the role of the vengeful Hugh Glass in The Revenant, is one of his best. Just as the character is working against the odds, left for dead in the extreme winter of the America frontier, Leo is out of his comfort zone, working with little dialogue and for vast stretches acting alone. It's a towering career landmark that puts real focus on his often undersold subtlety. When he steps up to take the Oscar for Best Actor, I'll be cheering and scoffing at all those old memes like the rest of you.

And yet, when it comes down to it, there's no avoiding a rather uncomfortable truth; he wasn't the best thing about the movie.

Alejandro G. Inarritu's The Revenant is a masterclass in naturalistic filmmaking. Whether it's the simple crunch of a boot in the snow or an intense bear attack, every element of every action is fully recreated; through impeccable audio, lighting, set design and visual effects, the film is jaw-droppingly real. It's almost like this isn't even a dramatisation; at key moments breath fogs up the camera and ice and blood sticks to the lens, blurring any line between what's on screen and reality.

Essential to this is the work of Emmanuel Lubezki, who has won the Best Cinematography Oscar in the past two years and is pretty much a dead cert again this year. From the painfully wide shots of the lifeless snowy landscape to the plentiful upwards angle shots taking in the moving branches of trees, the film looks beautiful, and every part of that beauty works to accentuate the realism of the other aspects of the film, especially in his use of long continuous takes.

Most cinematographers clearly don't know what they're doing with extended takes, getting two minutes into one then not being quite sure how to wrap it up (see: pretty much every blockbuster from the past year). But here things are confidently different; each shot is the length it needs to be, be it one second or one-hundred-and-twenty, and they're all constructed so they can be fluidly edited into what follows. The key is that Lubezki isn't showing off. He's not trying to prove that he can shoot for three constant minutes; he's using the fact that he can to better emphasise the movie's overwhelming sense of place.

Cinema is so often cited as a transformative medium, able to craft a stylised view of the world and present it to an audience, but with The Revenant Inarritu reminds how it can also be a transportive one. He takes you completely into the land of the Frontier, with its barren plateaus and towering mountains, and you experience it as sensorily as is cinematically possible (unless you wanted to go as far as turn the air conditioning on).

The result is breathtaking and horrifying in equal measure. There's a majesty to the cold barrenness, which is beautiful in its own right, but it means that when we get to the sequences of intense, sustained violence the pain is unavoidable.

It's not just on a pure visceral level that The Revenant's slavish (and - judging by behind-the-scenes stories of the production - brutal) filmmaking pays off, however. If it was, it could easily wind up being a single-serving experience, something to watch and be exhilarated by once before never thinking of it again (see Gravity, which Lubezki also worked on); a rollercoaster, rather than a work of art.

But there's a real weight to the movie, and the meticulously real landscape serves to highlight that. Coming at the height of the American Frontier, the film deals heavily with America's relationship with its native population, and in turn those native's relationship with their land. Seeing that land so unforgivingly recreated lends a spiritual bent to Glass' journey, personified by several trippy dream sequences, which all builds towards some harsh truths about the notion of civilisation.

Yes, through all this you have DiCaprio, playing alongside Tom Hardy's self-serving Fitzgerald and Domhnall Gleeson's Captain Henry, who are all great in their own right (especially Leo), but they are just tiny figures against the movie's vast, impeccably made landscape. Far from just being a performance piece like many movies that get unending Best Actor Oscar hype, The Revenant is a film meticulously conceived on every single level, bringing its story to life in the most truthful and painful way possible.

The Revenant is in cinemas now.
Crisis Phone Numberspecial noticeIf you are a veteran in emotional crisis and need help RIGHT NOW, call this toll-free number 1-800-273-8255, available 24/7, and tell them you are a veteran. All calls are confidential.1-888-899-9377A Crisis Intervention Hotline has been established by the VA Heartland Network to assist veterans who may be dealing with a mental health crisis or difficult issue in their lives. The hotline will also aid family members or friends of veterans who need help in assisting a veteran in crisis.
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 16, 2016 | By Benedict

Nine-year-old Alvin Garcia Flores was given a new hope on Thursday, in the form of a 3D printed bionic arm made by Limbitless Solutions. Presenting the 3D printed prosthesis to the young Nebraska resident was none other than Darth Vader, iconic villain of the Star Wars franchise.

Born without a right arm, young Alvin had put a bionic arm on his Christmas list, in the hope that technology might provide him with a literal helping hand for 2016. Thanks to a coordinated team effort from Florida based Limbitless Solutions, members of the 501st Legion and Alvins school principal, the student was presented with his functional prosthesis during a school assembly on January 14.

Thanks to the creativity of the 501st legion, a national organization of Star Wars fans who regularly meet up to dress as antagonists from the mega-successful movie franchise, the presentation of the 3D printed arm was no ordinary event. A shocked Alvin was given his new 3D printed limb by Darth Vader himselfa character with a checkered past when it comes to missing arms. A pair of Stormtroopers and other recognizable characters were also present for the special occasion.

Terry Burton, principal of Alvins Gateway Elementary School in Omaha, Nebraska, made the initial call to Limbitless, a Florida based nonprofit specializing in the provision of 3D printed bionic arms, to see if they could help Alvin with his special Christmas surprise. Limbitless responded affirmatively, and packaged up the 3D printed prosthesis for an early Christmas delivery. I hope that the arm gives Alvin more self-confidence at school around his peers, Burton said.

A team of UCF students constructed the bionic arm on behalf of Limbitless and shipped it to Omaha in December as part of its 12 Arms for Christmas campaign, in which twelve lucky recipients received a 3D printed prosthesis. Unforeseen circumstances prevented Alvin from receiving the arm on Christmas Eve, but the postponement allowed Burton and co. to arrange a special school assembly, at which Alvins family and friends were present.

The arm, which will last around twelve months, uses electrical currents in the wearers muscles to control the bionic hand. When Alvin flexes his biceps, the hand of the arm will perform a gripping motion. Im so excited for him to join our Limbitless family, said Albert Manero, founder of Limbitless Solutions.

Alvin says he was shocked to receive the arm and showed it off to his classmates.

One of the biggest outlets we utilize is charity work and giving back to the community, said John Jaeckel, a member of the 501st who helped to coordinate Alvins presentation. When we were asked to help present this gift to Alvin there was no hesitation in accepting as it falls directly in line with one of the primary missions of our organization. One of the tag lines we use to promote our organization is Bad Guys Doing Good and we are honored when organizations and groups contact us and ask us to be a part of something amazing.

Posted in 3D Printing Application

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Terry Eagleton in The Guardian:

Christopher Hitchens was the ultimate champagne socialist, though as his career progressed the champagne gradually took over from the socialism. Known in his student days as Hypocritchens for his habit of marching for the poor and dining with the rich, he was a public school renegade in a long English tradition of well-bred bohemians and upper-class dissenters. Had he been born a little earlier, he might well have been a raffish spy propping up the bar of a Pall Mall club. Like a querulous infant, he wanted everything and he wanted enormous helpings of it. He moved with aplomb from squatting in Afghan caves to holding forth about Saul Bellow at New York dinner parties, and endured a number of forms of torture, from being experimentally waterboarded to being thwacked on the backside by Margaret Thatcher. (He once actually voted for her, though whether this was out of masochistic gratitude for the walloping or because she sank the Belgrano is hard to say.) He also spent his life courting anybody who was anybody. It wasnt easy to do this while maintaining his public image as a scourge of the governing powers, but the Great Contrarian had long experience of such duplicity. His desire to belabour the establishment was matched only by his eagerness to belong to it. Fearless, self-admiring, effortlessly eloquent and assiduously self-promoting, he combined the pugnacity of a Norman Mailer with the wit of an Oscar Wilde.

For the most part, however, Hitchens was a ferociously partisan thinker. Few journalists, for example, have written with such passion and rancour about corrupt Arab regimes. It is just that his polemics against the Arabs would have sounded a lot more convincing had he not also dismissed the concept of Islamophobia as a liberal fantasy and compared the burqa to the Ku Klux Klan hood.

More here.
Ian Morris at The New York Times:

Afonso de Albuquerque died 500 years ago, after spending a dozen years terrorizing coastal cities from Yemen to Malaysia. He enriched thousands of men and killed tens of thousands more. Despite never commanding more than a few dozen ships, he built one of the first modern intercontinental empires. And this was just the beginning: The next step, he said, was to sail up the Red Sea, destroy Mecca, Medina and the Prophet Muhammads body and liberate the Holy Land. Perhaps, he mused, he could destroy Islam altogether.

The 18 years between December 1497, when Vasco da Gama rounded the Cape of Good Hope, and December 1515, when Albuquerque died off the Indian coast, were a pivotal point in history, and in Conquerors Roger Crowley tells the story with style. It is a classic ripping yarn, packed with excitement, violence and cliffhangers. Its larger-than-life characters are at once extraordinary and repulsive, at one moment imagining the world in entirely new ways and at the next braying with delight over massacring entire cities.

Crowleys craftsmanship comes through most clearly in telling this story of relentless, one-sided slaughter without glutting the reader with gore.

more here.
Rafia Zakaria in The New York Times:

The sentimental title of The Lovers suggests a hopeful tale of youthful romance, of passion and perseverance against the backdrop of a war-ravaged Afghanistan. Zakia and Ali, the journalist Rod Nordlands Afghan Romeo and Juliet, are Tajik and Hazara, Sunni and Shia, disparate ethnicities and rived sects. They live in Bamiyan, where the Taliban destroyed two famed sandstone Buddhas in 2001. They fall in love as teenagers, exchanging flirty glances in the fields of their village, skirting elders and convention. Soon their parents find out; marriage is deemed impossible, and Zakia runs away to a shelter. The two elope but remain sentenced to a life on the run, with Ali facing criminal charges after Zakias family lodges a kidnapping case against him. Zakia and Alis tale is, however, only the epidermal layer of The Lovers; underneath is an insight into the architecture of Western saviordom and the choices it imposes on those on whom it bestows its benevolence. I would become their best hope to survive, entangling myself in their lives in ways that threatened my own values and professional ethics, Nordland writes, admitting that his articles on the couple in The New York Times exposed them to danger. But words and deeds rarely match, and if Nordland, who is The Timess Kabul bureau chief, perceived threats in pursuing the story, his account does not betray such sensitivity.

The episode poses vexing questions about the disparities in power between storyteller and subject, American and Afghan; but Nordland never unpacks the complications of making the couple so notorious. It is a pity, for his skills as a journalist are evident in his rendering of this love blossoming against all odds. It is in his efforts to mold the story into an example of the righteousness of Western intervention  and of their ultimately feminist intentions  that he falters, as indeed have those efforts. Violence against women in Afghanistan increased 25 percent from 2012 to 2013. In the crude illogic of Afghan anti-imperial resistance, the subjugation of women is being reified as some reclamation of cultural authenticity, where women who run off to shelters funded by the occupying American enemy are seen as less loyally Afghan.

More here.
With tax season set to start on January 19, there are a number of important tax changes that taxpayers and preparers should be aware of to help make the filing process as smooth as possible.

Greg Rosica, a tax partner at Ernst & Young and contributing author to the EY Tax Guide 2016, pointed to several important developments for this tax season in the Affordable Care Act for both individuals and businesses.

The main change for people who have not gotten the required health coverage is the increased penalties, he said. They have gone up quite a bit. Theyre also a bit complicated in that they can be a certain amount per adult and per child and are based on income levels.

The penalties for not having what the IRS deems minimum essential coverage are continuing to grow more onerous each year. For 2015, the annual payment amount is either the greater of 2 percent of household income above the tax return filing threshold for the taxpayers filing status, or the familys flat dollar amount, of $325 per adult and $162.50 per child, limited to a family maximum of $975. For 2014, the annual payment amount for 2014 was the greater of either 1 percent of household income above the tax return threshold for the taxpayers filing status, or the familys flat dollar amount, of $95 per adult and $47.50 per child, limited to a maximum of $285.

For businesses, the IRS, the Treasury Department and Congress have delayed some requirements. In December, the IRS and the Treasury extended by two months the February 1 due date for employers and issuers to provide individuals with forms reporting on offers of health coverage and coverage provided. The February 29 and March 31 deadlines for reporting this information to the IRS (by paper or electronically) were extended by three months (see Some Obamacare Reporting Requirements for Employers Extended by IRS).

Its important for businesses to focus on how the change in this extension impacts them and the new timing as to when theyre going to have to comply with these kinds of things, said Rosica. It does give a little bit of breathing room for many businesses, but still its not something that you want to just ignore and put off. Its still on the horizon and it needs to be addressed. People ought to be taking a look now to understand what their implementation plan is going to be.

The tax extenders legislation passed by Congress last month also delayed the so-called Cadillac tax on high-cost health insurance plans from 2018 to 2020, and it suspended the medical device tax for two years.

The Supreme Courts landmark ruling last year in the Obergefell v. Hodges case could also have an impact on same-sex married tax clients, making such marriages legal in every state. The 2013 case of U.S. v. Windsor had left complications for same-sex couples, with many of them needing to file as married on their federal tax returns and single on their state returns. The Obergefell case should clarify the situation for same-sex couples and make their tax filing less complex this tax season. But there are still some decisions to make similar to those for opposite-sex couples in terms of deciding between filing jointly or separately as married couples.

It gives more clarity to that area, said Rosica. It certainly allows people who are recognized as married and have been in such situations to be able to file the same way that others do. You have to really look at it to see what married filing jointly does. We still have the marriage penalty tax, and the impact on the rate structure and what not. Oftentimes married filing separately may or may not make sense. You really want to understand what the implications of that are and the optimal way to file.

Beyond those matters, the tax extenders legislation made many traditional tax breaks permanent, such as the enhanced Child Tax Credit, the enhanced American Opportunity Tax Credit, the enhanced Earned Income Tax Credit, the above-the-line deduction for teachers who buy school supplies, the charitable deduction of contributions of real property for conservation purposes, along with the Research & Development Tax Credit and Section 179 expensing (see Congress Makes Some Tax Extenders Permanent).

The things that people may have relied on in prior years to take deductions should be there again for the most part, but they should just make sure how its going to affect them, said Rosica. Also there are very slight changes in the tax brackets. No changes in tax rates, but a slight change in the tax brackets. Not a lot, just $1,000 or $2,000 increases before you hit the next tax rate level. Its good to understand that. Know what your tax bracket is. There are so many different brackets and levels these days with regard to both the income tax bracket and also when the Net Investment Income Tax hits you, and when the itemized deduction phase-out and Pease provisions come into play. They all have different income amounts associated with them, so its good to understand where you are, because it helps identify what that extra dollar of income is going to get taxed at or whether that extra dollar of deduction is going to benefit you.
Prepping aircraft for paint jobs, in-depth inspections

"Clean before applying paint" is a direction many people may disregard during a home improvement project, but its something thats well-heeded by specialists of the 86th Maintenance Squadron.



Proper washing and painting can be crucial in maintaining the aircraft assigned to Ramstein Air Base.



"(It) is for corrosion prevention," said Tech. Sgt. Andrew Kohn, a dock coordinator with the squadrons isochronal (ISO) inspection section. "You want to get all the grime and grit that gathered while it's out.



"We don't always land on international runways," Kohn added. "We land on dirt runways with rocks, so you're going to get nicks and things wrong with your plane."



For this reason, Kohn said they wash and paint aircraft in conjunction with the regularly scheduled ISO inspections.



An ISO inspection is a scheduled, extensive examination of an aircraft to maintain its functionality and perform preventive maintenance. The inspections can vary in time and complexity, with inspections categorized as either A, B, C-1 or C-2 checks.



"The C-2 check, which is the most in-depth, is what we're coming up on right now," Kohn said. "Anything and everything that you have on this aircraft is going to be touched by us."



This C-2 check marks the end of a 14-aircraft ISO inspection period for Ramstein AB. After this C-2 inspection, the base will not be due for another one until 2020.



"For the 86th Airlift Wing, that means more reliability on the aircraft side," Kohn said.



The inspections involve Airmen from multiple shops in the 86th MXS, but each aspect of the process holds value to the getting the aircraft back into operations.



"I had never heard about having to wash an aircraft, and then I got here (and) I was told I was going to wash," said Airman 1st Class Ryan Kuiper, an 86th MXS aerospace maintenance apprentice. "It's an experience I'll never forget, that's for sure."



The Airmen have one day to get the entire aircraft washed. Kuiper said the wash day can be long and physically taxing.



"It's cool to see the plane go from dirty to clean," he said.



Though the painting is mostly touch-up spot painting, it is still an important method to prevent corrosion and extend the life of the aircraft.



Once the aircraft is washed and painted, it then officially goes into inspection, which is broken up into a "look" and a "fix" phase.



"They are very in-depth inspections," Kuiper said. "The planes get taken apart and put back together."



The ISO section typically looks for the items that would cause mission stoppage first, but they check everything from burned-out light bulbs to cracked airframes.



"You learn how things operate, what goes wrong more than others" Kuiper said. "During the inspection, you learn why things are more important than other things."



Kuiper said the inspection is better than the wash because although they are still on a time crunch, they are allowed more than the one day that completing the wash requires.



Each C-2 inspection takes approximately two weeks to return the aircraft to operational status, but it all begins with a wash and paint job.
Sanjay Nirupam has got a reprieve on publication of the controversial articles about first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and Congress President Sonia Gandhi published in the partys mouthpiece Congress Darshan. The party leadership has told Nirupam, editor of the magazine to be more careful in future that is it. I was amazed to see the tolerance level of Gandhis and Congress leaders towards their ministers.

Recently, Congress high command had sought an explanation from Nirupam over the issue of articles in a party journal slamming Nehru and terming Sonia Gandhis father a fascist soldier. The Disciplinary Action Committee of AICC headed by senior leader AK Antony has issued a show-cause notice to Nirupam in the wake of the controversy.

The leadership feels what happened wasnt deliberate and only a slip. The leadership feels that the matter ends here.

After random humiliation and embarrassment the Congress party sacked the content editor of its journal Congress Darshan for publishing divisive articles criticising former prime minister Jawaharlal Nehrus policy on Kashmir and alleging that Sonia Gandhis father was a fascist soldier The move came in response to the publication of articles in the party mouthpiece, which held Jawaharlal Nehru responsible for the present Kashmir situation, and alleged that Sonia Gandhis father was a fascist soldier  leaving the Grand Old Party squirming. An unsigned article in Congress Darshan referred to the allegation that Sonias father was a member of the Italian fascists that lost to the Russians in the World War. Sonia Gandhis father Stefano Maino was a former fascist soldier, it alleged. The write-up also described how Sonia quickly rose to the position of party president. It describes her early life in great detail, including her ambition to become an air-hostess. Sonia Gandhi registered as a primary member of the Congress in 1997 and became the partys president in 62 days. She also made an unsuccessful attempt to form a government, same article said.

We all know Sonia Gandhi is an Italian-born Indian politician, who has served as President of the Indian National Congress party since 1998. She is the widow of former Prime Minister of India, Rajiv Gandhi who belonged to the NehruGandhi family. After her husbands assassination in 1991, she was invited by Congress leaders to take over the government but she refused and publicly stayed away from politics amidst constant prodding from the party. She finally agreed to join politics in 1997; in 1998, she was elected President of the Congress party. She has served as the Chairperson of the ruling United Progressive Alliance in the Lok Sabha since 2004. In September 2010, on being re-elected for the fourth time, she became the longest serving president in the 125-year history of the Congress party. Her foreign birth has been a subject of much debate and controversy. Also controversial was her alleged friendship with Italian businessman Ottavio Quattrocchi, accused of being a middleman in the Bofors scandal. Although Sonia is the fifth foreign-born person to be leader of the Congress Party, she is the first since independence in 1947, but none was so much hated by opposition as mrs Gandhi.

The article not only stopped writing on Sonia but it has further stated that Nehru should have listened to Patels views on international affairs and that the relationship between the two leaders remained strained. Despite Patel getting the post of Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister, the relations between the two leaders remained strained, and both had threatened to resign time and again. If Nehru had embraced Patels foresight, many problems in international affairs would not have arisen, it adds. Both these articles, which did bear the name of their writers, were published in this months Hindi edition of Congress Darshan as a tribute to the countrys first home minister Sardar Vallabbhai Patel on his death anniversary on December 15. The controversy forced its editor and Congress leader Sanjay Nirupam to order an inquiry even as he claimed he was unaware of the content. Whereas the internal sources said exactly opposite. But still to cover up the controversy, Sudhir Joshi  the content editor of the journal  was sacked by the party, but Nirupam got another life.
Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhis address at a management college in Mumbai, aroused mixed response from students, with many of them saying the speech contained too much politics to establish a connect with them. Students seemed partly satisfied with Gandhis address and said he could have elucidated more about his vision of politics. Some students believe that he was just like any other person, having no attitude or hype. Students felt comfortable interacting with him. Some students thought he spoke much about politics and that was least interesting. Some said, the address was fair and he made some good points but he brought too much politics into it. Considering that it was interaction with students..

Some students asked how India could help provide conducive atmosphere for startups, Gandhi said, Startups require a whole set of eco a system that allows entrepreneurs to grow including infrastructure and regulation. The biggest problem is red tape. Today, if you are a Rs 10000 crore company, you cant easily get finance. If you are a big business, you can get around regulations and put pressure on politicians, he said.

Gandhi claimed the counter-terror operation involved in Pathankot attack was mishandled by the Modi government. The best experts on dealing with terrorism, foreign policy are not being consulted. NSA is dealing [with the attack] directly. His job is strategy, not tactics which is the job of NSG. When you let people who dont know what to do, do it, you get into a problem, he said. You cant totally prevent terror attacks but you can react in the right way. The main issue is how we respond.

More than the students it was Congress youth wing members looked more enthusiastic meeting their leader.
Another change in a child nutrition reauthorization bill that the Senate Agriculture Committee will consider next week could result in easing restrictions on the types of snacks that can be sold in schools, according to a summary of the legislation posted by the School Nutrition Association. "In the absence of increased funding, this agreement eases operational challenges and provides school meal programs critical flexibility to help them plan healthy school meals that appeal to students, said Jean Ronnei, president of the School Nutrition Association. The group lobbied unsuccessfully for an increase in federal reimbursement rates to cover the cost of serving more healthful meals. The committee has declined to release details of the bill until the draft legislation is posted ahead of Wednesdays markup. SNAs support will be critical to moving the legislation through both the Senate and House. The bill would allow 80 percent of grain products served in schools to be whole grain rich, down from the current standard of 100 percent. The reduction in sodium limits would be delayed from the 2017-2018 school year to 2019-2020. The bill also would require a study to be conducted to determine whether another reduction in the sodium limits, set by 2022, is justified by scientific evidence and whether food manufacturers are capable of preparing palatable products that would qualify. Under the current standards, the sodium limit for school lunches is scheduled to drop from 1,230 milligrams to 935 milligrams in 2017 for kindergarten through fifth grade, and then to 640 milligrams in 2022. The limit for high school students is set to drop from 1,420 milligrams to 1,080 in 2017 and 740 milligrams in 2022. There are similar reductions for middle-school students and for school breakfast. The snack provision would require formation of a working group to recommend to the Agriculture Department additional nutrient dense a la carte items that could be sold in school. New smart snack regulations USDA has imposed no longer allow products such as low-fat whole grain pizza and pretzels with hummus, according to SNA. Another provision in the bill is aimed at reducing waste of fruits and vegetables. Some local health departments have restricted the use of salad bars in cafeterias or prevented schools from allowing fruits or vegetables that are returned by children to be given to others. The bill would require USDA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to issue food-safety guidelines for local health officials to follow. The bill would replace the Health, Hunger-Free Kids Act, which expired last September. Despite tweaking the whole grain and sodium requirements, the bill would essentially lock in improvements in nutrition standards that the Obama administration implemented under the expired law. The legislation also reauthorizes the Women, Infants and Children nutrition assistance program. House Education and Workforce Chairman John Kline, R-Minn., has said he plans to move similar legislation through his committee, which has jurisdiction over child nutrition programs in that chamber. #30 For more news, go to: www.Agri-Pulse.com
Cultural Cleansing in Mosul and Nineveh

Nimrud Palace of Ashurnasirpal II, destroyed by ISIS in March 2015. (M. Chohan, Wiki Commons) Nimrud Palace of Ashurnasirpal II, destroyed by ISIS in March 2015 (M. Chohan, Wiki Commons). Since their occupation of Mosul in 2014, ISIS militants have destroyed priceless museum artifacts, burned thousands of books, bulldozed churches and mosques, and demolished ancient archaeological sites. The irreparable devastation mirrors their ruthless treatment of entire communities of people. In the Northern provinces of Iraq, ISIS radicals have forced hundreds of thousands of Christians, Yazidis, and Shia Muslims from their homes. In addition to the mass exodus and killings, the militants have also eradicated countless relics of their ancient history and heritage. It is not the first time this type of purgation has taken place. After the horrors of the World War II holocaust, Jewish legal scholar Raphael Lemkin coined the term "genocide," and later expanded it to include cultural genocide, or cultural cleansing. The latter concept describes the deliberate destruction of historical artifacts and structures during wartime simply because they do not conform to an oppressor's ideology. One of the worst examples of cultural cleansing was ISIS' destruction of the ancient walls of Nineveh. In January 2015, militants used explosives to demolish the picturesque fortifications, which were built by King Sennacherib in the eight century B.C. The site is considered one of the most important archaeological structures in the Middle East. Intellectual treasures are also frequent targets of ISIS' purging. A month after destroying the Nineveh walls, attackers seized Mosul's central library, burning over 100,000 books and manuscripts. Several university libraries in the city shared the same fate. In March 2015, ISIS operatives demolished the archaeological site of Nimrud, the ancient Assyrian city south of Mosul, which dates back to 1250 B.C. The radicals declared that its artifacts were blasphemous and "un-Islamic." The attack was similar to ISIS' destruction of the Temple of Baalshamin in Palmyra, which dated from the second century B.C. Last year's brutal rampage also included the Mosul Museum, the second largest museum in Iraq. Militants shattered a number of statues and antiquities, including an Assyrian winged-bull dating back to the ninth century B.C. Religious sites have been a favorite target for ISIS demolition. Major Shiite destinations, such as the Mosque of the Prophet Jonah, have been razed. The destruction of Jonah's tomb was especially harrowing for Jews, Christians, and Muslims alike, many of whom find ominous symbolism in the act. Cultural cleansing is directly related to ethnic cleansing. For the vast numbers of Christians who have been the focus of ISIS persecution, the wreckage of their churches reflects the devastating losses they have endured under the regime. Their ties to the area go back 2,000 years. According to the early church historian, Eusebius, Christianity came to Northern Iraq in the first century. Before ISIS, there were 1.5 million Christians in Iraq. That number has dwindled to just over 100,000. The city of Mosul, for example, was once home to over 60,000 Chaldean Christians. Today, almost none remain. Some of these refugees have found their way to St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church in West Roxbury. The pastor of the 1,200-member congregation, Rev. Timothy Ferguson, has heard firsthand about the atrocities in Northern Iraq from a number of his parishioners, 70 percent of whom are Arab Christians. Rev. Ferguson described the effects of ISIS' ethnic cleansing: "Christian towns in Iraq have been completely decimated. Mosul and Nineveh go back thousands of years. Now there are no Christians left. They've either been killed or forced to flee." He emphasized the enormous scope of the situation: "These are historic proportions of Christian persecution, the likes of which haven't been seen. It is the uniform persecution of Christians, without distinguishing denomination." Both the wanton destruction of human life by ISIS and their unrelenting attacks on the region's cultural heritage have left indelible scars on the survivors. Ferguson underscored the devastation: "Nothing has ever been seen on so a large scale that encompasses such a wide range of countries and cultures." Many people still have difficulty coming to terms with the notion that such barbarism continues unabated in the 21st century. "It's startling," Ferguson added, "you don't think that it can possibly happen in this day and age."
January 15, 2016

The top Egyptian official tasked with investigating corruption is now the subject of an investigation himself  more than one, actually.

This week, many members of Egypt's parliament are calling for a fact-finding committee to investigate Hisham Geneina, head of the Accountability State Authority (ASA), and his claims of government corruption.

That committee would be in addition to the president's fact-finding committee, consisting of the head of the Administrative Control Authority, an adviser appointed for Geneina and three representatives of the ministries of interior, planning and finance. On Jan. 12, the president's committee issued a detailed, strongly worded report. Its findings, which were broadcast on Egyptian national television, accused Geneina of attempting to mislead the public, making exaggerated statements, deliberately omitting information and misusing the term corruption.

The committee said it would submit its report to parliament and the National Anti-Corruption Coordination Committee, headed by the prime minister and including all concerned parties, to review and examine the details of the study and take necessary legal action.

Geneina pledged to respond decisively to the committees report and to confirm the findings of the ASA study, which pegged the cost of corruption to be 600 billion Egyptian pounds ($76.6 billion) over the past four years. When Geneina announced the findings Dec. 23 to Al-Youm Al-Sabea, he reported somewhat ambiguously that "the cost exceeded 600 billion in 2015."

The whole hoopla might have begun with a dispute between Geneina and President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi in July, when Sisi issued a law giving himself the power to dismiss heads of regulatory bodies. Geneina, however, confirmed that the president cannot take such an action, per Article 20 of the ASA law, which fueled another round of disputes. In December, Sisi appointed two deputies for Geneina: Mona Tawhid and Hesham Badawi.

Or this battle could date back much further. The dispute has been amplified to the extent that some believe it is the end of a battle that started in the wake of the June 2013 demonstrations against then-President Mohammed Morsi and Muslim Brotherhood rule. Geneina was the last official appointed by Morsi, in September 2012.

After those demonstrations, Geneina came under scrutiny as the only official affiliated with Morsis regime who remained in a regulatory and supervisory position. He was accused of belonging to the Muslim Brotherhood, but Geneina denied any affiliations with any political faction.

He remained in his position, which was irrevocable at the time, and started researching government corruption. For that, he was accused of seeking revenge for the Brotherhood. To rebut the accusations, Geneina held a press conference in December 2013 announcing he had discovered the existence of corruption under Morsi. He declared that the then-president had raised the ceiling of the presidencys budget by 100 million Egyptian pounds ($12.8 million) and increased expenses. However, this still wasn't enough to boost Geneina's credibility.

So when Geneina then dropped the Dec. 23 bombshell that the cost of corruption had reached 600 billion Egyptian pounds, Sisis advocates saw this as a direct accusation against the state and tarnishing of the presidents reputation. The ASA immediately said the 600 billion Egyptian pounds had been the cost of corruption over four years, not one. However, the presidency refused this explanation and formed the fact-finding committee to investigate Geneina's statements.

Geneina said the decision to form the committee came as a relief to Egyptians and confirmation of the presidents keenness to expose corruption.

Though Geneina had said he would respond quickly to the committees report, he has postponed his response until after the celebrations of the January 25 Revolution. Now parliament member Mustafa Bakri, a leader in the Support of Egypt coalition, says he has collected the signatures of 90 other members to refer Geneina for prosecution. Parliament Speaker Ali Abdul Aal has agreed to hold a general session to discuss the fact-finding committees report on the ASA study, so that Geneina will face the state with all its institutions, from the presidency to parliament.

In a press statement, parliament member Haytham Hariri also demanded the formation of a committee from within parliament, in addition to the fact-finding committee, to investigate all evidence. Hariri noted that Geneina had issued his report upon the request of some ministries. Hariri added that Geneina did not seek to unveil corruption cases, but merely collected and examined the facts presented by the different ministries, upon which he based and issued the study. He also said Geneina did not seek to distort facts but merely did his job. Hariri stressed that he is not defending specific people, but an entire institution fulfilling its duty.

For his part, Shawki al-Sayed, a constitutional law expert and former member of parliaments now-defunct Shura Council, told Al-Monitor, Adviser Hisham Geneina, the head of the ASA, will be facing different scenarios. First, he might be summoned to attend the general session to discuss his studies and the fact-finding report. Should he fail to show up, the report will be discussed in his absence. If the mentioned accusations appear to be true, parliament shall have the right to refer him to investigation or grant him an open leave until the investigations are achieved, or request that the president appoint another person in his position, given that under the constitution, the president is entitled to appoint a new head of the ASA upon the approval of parliament.

Sayed added, The fact-finding committees report was referred to the prime minister, given his capacity as head of the National Anti-Corruption Coordination Committee to review Geneina's study and the committees report."

Prime Minister Sherif Ismail has confirmed that some work teams have been assigned to examine the ASA reports.

For his part, parliament representative Suleiman Wahdan said in press statement, Should Geneinas reports prove to be wrong, this would suggest that his intentions are not honest with the Egyptian people, and parliament members would submit a complaint to the attorney general, as this number he provided is exaggerated.
January 16, 2016

A landmark Iran nuclear deal entered full implementation Jan. 16 and yielded an extra bonus as Iran freed five Americans, including Washington Post correspondent Jason Rezaian, in return for seven Iranians jailed in the United States.

While the nuclear talks and negotiations on freeing the Americans were not directly related, US officials said, a separate channel on the detainees accelerated after conclusion of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) in July.

The Obama administration freed seven Iranians convicted of violating US economic sanctions and agreed not to seek extradition of 14 others charged with similar offenses. None of them had committed violent acts or been charged with supporting terrorism, US officials said.

Through a diplomatic channel that was established with the focus of getting our detained US citizens home, we can confirm Iran has released from imprisonment four Americans detained in Iran: Amir Hekmati, Saeed Abedini, Jason Rezaian and Nosratollah Khosravi-Roodsari, a US official said in a statement Jan. 16.

Iran also freed a fifth American, researcher Matthew Trevithick, who was apparently detained in November but whose case had not been publicized.

Relationships forged in the course of the nuclear negotiations helped advance efforts to gain the release of detained Americans, said Secretary of State John Kerry.

There is no question that the pace and progress of the humanitarian talks were accelerated by the relationships forged  over the course of the nuclear talks, Kerry told journalists at a press conference in Vienna Jan. 16.

We are reminded of diplomacy's power to tackle difficult challenges, Kerry said. "Iran has kept its word, and we will continue to do the same.

US policymakers involved in forging the US-Iran relationship said the dramatic events demonstrate the value of patient, clear-eyed and persistent diplomacy.

It was hard to imagine when we began back channel talks nearly three years ago that we'd reach this stage, former US Deputy Secretary of State William J. Burns, who led the secret US diplomacy with Iran in 2013, told Al-Monitor.

Even as implementation day marks an important milestone, however, we have to remain clear-eyed about the challenges ahead in implementation, and in embedding our approach to the nuclear agreement in a wider strategy for dealing with threatening Iranian actions on other fronts, Burns said.

It seems to me that we are now in a new phase of our relationship with Tehran, Suzanne DiMaggio, director of Iran programs at the New American Foundation, who helped lead Track II dialogue involving former US and Iranian policymakers for the past decade, told Al-Monitor.

It is still far from normalization of relations, DiMaggio said. But there clearly are very well established, high-level, direct channels of communication for engagement Both Washington and Tehran are coming to appreciate how that channel can serve their interests.

As anticipated, the nuclear deal went into full effect Jan. 16 as Iran completed a series of steps to limit its nuclear activities, including mothballing thousands of centrifuges, sending out most of its stockpile of low-enriched uranium to Russia and removing the core of a heavy water reactor and filling it with concrete. Taken together, these measures extend from several months to more than a year the time it would take Iran to amass enough fuel for a nuclear weapon.

Yukiya Amano, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), issued a statement announcing that he had submitted a report to the IAEA board and the UN Security Council confirming that Iran has completed the necessary preparatory steps to start the implementation of the JCPOA.

Amano said the report was issued after Agency inspectors on the ground verified that Iran has carried out all measures required under the JCPOA to enable Implementation Day to occur.

Immediately after Amanos announcement, European Union foreign affairs chief Federica Mogherini and Iranian Foreign Minister Zarif read a joint statement to reporters in Vienna announcing the lifting of all nuclear-related sanctions. The White House followed with an executive order from President Barack Obama authorizing the removal of those sanctions, which primarily affected the ability of foreigners to do business with Iran.

Another US official, also speaking on condition of anonymity, told reporters that Obama had terminated four executive orders and part of a fifth that threatened penalties against foreign companies purchasing Iranian oil and gas, investing in Iran and interacting with Iranian banks. Iran will also be able to gain access to about $50 billion of an estimated $100 billion in assets frozen in foreign accounts, the official said.

According to the official, 400 Iranian individuals and entities have been removed from a US blacklist, while 200 remain sanctioned because of their alleged association with terrorism or human rights abuses.

Most American companies are still blocked from doing business with Iran, but US firms can now sell civilian airliners, aircraft parts and services, food, medicine and medical devices to Iran and purchase Iranian carpets, caviar and other foodstuffs.

While the arms control and sanctions relief aspects of the nuclear deal have been known since July, the prisoner swap was a surprise. Freedom for the five could improve the climate in the United States for implementing the nuclear deal, even though several Republican presidential candidates and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton criticized Iran for seizing the Americans in the first place.

In addition to the five people it freed, Iran offered to continue to try to determine the whereabouts of Robert Levinson, a former FBI agent who went missing in Kish Island in 2007. However, there was no mention of a seventh American  dual national Siamak Namazi, a Dubai-based businessman who was detained in Tehran in October by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps intelligence branch.

Irans swift release of 10 US sailors Jan. 13 who mistakenly sailed into Iranian territorial waters in the Persian Gulf now seems partly explained by the fact that a larger exchange was in the works. So too, was the Obama administrations decision to delay imposing new sanctions on Iran for two ballistic missile tests last year that did not violate the JCPOA but were banned by other UN Security Council resolutions.

There have been reports for months that some sort of prisoner swap was being considered. Last summer, the Hekmati family released a letter written by Amir Hekmati to President Hassan Rouhani noting that, For the past three years, my family has been receiving emails and phone calls from individuals in Iran proposing prisoner exchanges, going so far as asking my family to lobby publicly for the release of these individuals.

There have also been recent reports of better treatment of the detainees. The Hekmati family told The New York Times that Amir had been taken from his prison cell to a hospital for medical tests for a swollen lymph node and was scheduled for another checkup soon. The Tasnim News Agency reported Dec. 30 that prison officials were considering releasing the ex-Marine for good conduct.

Rezaians mother, Mary, and wife, Yeganeh Salehi, were granted a long visit with the jailed journalist at the end of the year, and Salehi was also allowed to give him new clothes.

There had been no word about the condition of pastor Abedini, 35, who was arrested in 2012 while in Iran trying to raise funds to build an orphanage in the city of Rasht. Abedini, from Boise, Idaho, is a convert from Islam who had conducted prayer services in private homes in Iran from 2000 to 2005, according to Tiffany Barrans, the international legal director for the American Center for Law and Justice. He was serving an eight-year sentence for subverting Irans national security.

The Rouhani government has been embarrassed by the recent detentions as it sought to convince US and other Western businessmen that it is safe to visit and invest in Iran following the lifting of sanctions. Many Iranian officials are eager to see the wealthy US-Iranian diaspora contribute to Irans economic recovery. However, hard-line elements appear to fear both competition and cultural subversion from such an influx. Shadowy intelligence services would not have been allowed to apprehend and hold these individuals without the backing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

While it could not immediately be confirmed which Iranians serving time in US prisons were granted clemency, IRNA, the Islamic Republic News Agency, reported that they are Nader Modanlo, Bahram Mechanic, Khosro Afghahi, Arash Ghahraman, Touraj Faridi, Nima Golestaneh and Ali Saboonchi.

Saboonchi, 35, of Parkville, Md., was sentenced to two years in prison in February 2015 for allegedly sending electronic equipment to Iran. Mechanic, 69, a Houston businessman and dual Iranian-American citizen, was awaiting trial on federal charges that he exported $24 million worth of microelectronics to Iran. Ghahreman, is an Iranian-American serving a 6-year sentence on charges that he planned to export equipment to Iran via Dubai. Modanlo is an Iranian-American satellite company entrepreneur serving an eight-year sentence after being convicted in 2013 of conspiring with Russian officials to advance an Iranian satellite project.

Golestaneh, a 30-year-old Iranian university student, pled guilty in December to federal charges of hacking into the computer system of a Vermont aerodynamics firm. He was extradited to the United States by Turkey in February on charges of cyber hacking.

Afghahi, 72, a dual Iranian-American citizen, was indicted in the case that charged Mechanic with exporting $24 million worth of electronic equipment to Iran. Faridi is Mechanic's nephew and was indicted in the same case, but he was free on bail ahead of trial.
January 14, 2016

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas is under pressure. Even louder than polls and close advisers, the voices from the Palestinian street have broken through the walls of the Muqata and made him realize that the winds of change blowing outside could quickly turn into a deadly storm. It started with the knifing intifada, the scale and character of which not even the most seasoned Fatah officials and the most knowledgeable activists on the ground had foreseen. Now they, too, feel the wind lashing at their windows.

Theres nothing new about the internal Palestinian criticism of the Fatah movement and the PA. The immense gap between the promises for change and the reality on the ground has plagued Palestinian existence since the Oslo Accord days. However, what was once whispered with fear and trepidation is now expressed openly.

Until a few months ago, the rage was directed exclusively at Israel. All of a sudden different voices are being heard: Abbas, go home or Down with the PA. It seems that people have had enough. The psychological barriers have come down in a process reminiscent of the demonstrations in Egypt at the start of the revolution in 2011. Maybe the Palestinians have reached a breaking point, feeling they have nothing more to lose. And maybe the lone-wolf attacks that broke out in October 2015 have given many people the courage to openly set out against the leadership that has failed them and refuses to be held accountable.

Khalil Shikaki, the head of the Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research, whose polls are considered the barometer of the mindset in the territories, published on Dec. 14 a comprehensive study that suggests that two-thirds of the Palestinian population want to see Abbas resign. The same portion supports the uprising. Shikaki estimates that the results of his poll, which was conducted at the beginning of December over 1,270 respondents from the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, reflect the frustration and despair of the young generation. Based on the poll, he speculates that if elections in the PA were held today, Ismail Haniyeh  Hamas candidate  would beat Abbas by a landslide.

Abbas doesnt make do with just reading the polls. He also gets status reports from Palestinian intelligence agencies and Fatah activists, who are also concerned about their own fate. The knifing intifada broke out over the heads of PA leaders as well as those of Fatah and its militia Tanzim. They have all arrived at the conclusion that Palestinians are fed up with them and their policies. Considered in the inner circles of the Muqata the one who understands better than anyone else the mindset of the Palestinian street, Jibril Rajoub has advised Abbas that if he wants to remain in power he must embrace the young people and find practical solutions to their problems before it is too late. Indeed, there are many problems, but two issues are particularly troubling.

The first one relates to the immense frustration with the current economic situation and the fear that things will only get worse. Every young Palestinian knows what to expect in the coming years. It is already difficult for any of them to find gainful employment today, and the situation will only deteriorate further while the PA does not offer any prospects of advancement or development of the labor market.

The second issue that concerns the young generation is how they compare to their counterparts around the world. Now that our planet is a global village, the young generation in the West Bank  university graduates as well as those who take on low-paying jobs to help their families make ends meet  dream of a life like those of their peers around the world in terms of employment, income, freedom of movement and a democratic regime, as is common in the rest of the free world. Such a regime has not existed in the PA for over a decade. The last elections were held 11 years ago, in January 2005, following which Abbas rose to power. Dreaming of and yearning for change, the young generation feels that it cannot penetrate the closed, depraved political system set up by Fatah and the PA.

The voices against Abbas and the PA are loud and clear in the demonstrations and rallies across the West Bank. However, it should be stressed that there are no demonstrations in the West Bank in which the PA is singled out as the target. Generally speaking, these demonstrations and marches protest Israels policies, but at the same time criticism is also voiced against the PA and its leader. Thus, Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the PA and Abbas are all lumped together into one protest. This multifaceted protest should be no surprise, because the young generation in the West Bank blames both Israel and the PA for the situation. Although each shares the responsibility to varying degrees, the result is collective frustration, despair and hopelessness.

Abbas has realized, perhaps too late, that he needs to take action. His last two speeches express more than anything else his understanding that he needs to change his priorities and start taking steps that will bring the younger generation closer to him and give it a glimmer of hope, or his rule will come to an end.

In his keynote address on Dec. 31 to celebrate Fatahs foundation day, Abbas devoted a great portion of his speech to the young generation in the West Bank. He told this group that he understood its plight and that he and his senior officials were doing everything they can to develop the homeland and society. Abbas pledged, for the first time since his election, to set up a national fund to support the employment of young people. What is the nature of that fund? When will it become functional? How exactly will it help the desperate young people in the West Bank? Abbas left all those questions largely unanswered.

In another speech the Palestinian president delivered on Jan. 6, he outlined a grandiose plan to build housing units for young couples  a plan that is in the pipeline and being developed and promoted.

Will the plans that Abbas tossed in the air help to save his regime or at least muffle criticism of his leadership? Its highly doubtful. Mired in a political struggle for survival, senior PA officials will find it very hard to produce results on the ground to a generation clamoring for housing, employment and hope here and now. From the standpoint of this young generation, more should be done on its behalf than just blaming it all on the Israeli occupation.
January 15, 2016

The Obama administration hasn't ruled out retaliating against Iran for detaining 10 American sailors, US officials told Al-Monitor, even as the delicate nuclear diplomacy between the two countries greatly complicates any response.

While the US Navy hasn't finished its investigation, Defense Secretary Ash Carter has already said the two captured US riverboats had accidentally strayed into Iranian territorial waters. Iran asserts that it must be notified ahead of time of so-called innocent passage incursions by warships, but President Barack Obama has previously challenged that claim as contrary to international maritime law.

"Pending our investigation, these laws may apply, but political negotiations may negate any legal action," Pentagon spokesman Christopher Sherwood told Al-Monitor.

Sherwood declined to elaborate on what form such a legal action could take, and experts doubt any avenue for redress exists at all. The United States, however, could issue a diplomatic protest, continue to challenge Iranian restrictions with naval operations  or both.

Ned Price, a spokesman for the National Security Council, said the White House "wouldn't want to get into a hypothetical like that" while the investigation continues.

Senate Armed Services Chairman John McCain, R-Ariz., has accused the administration of putting US sailors at risk for failing to stand up to unilateral Iranian restrictions on freedom of navigation.

"The administration is pretending as if nothing out of the ordinary has occurred. Vice President Joe Biden described the incident as standard nautical practice. That assertion is patently false," McCain, a former naval aviator during the Vietnam War, said in a statement. "Whats worse, by failing to affirm basic principles of international law, it places our Navy and Coast Guard vessels and the men and women who sail them at increased risk in the future."

Others, however, say it's not too late for the administration to stand up for freedom of navigation.

Steven Groves, a senior research fellow at the conservative Heritage Foundation who has written extensively about the Law of the Sea, said the administration's next move will be critical. While he criticized Biden's comments, uttered when it still appeared the boats may have broken down, Groves applauded Secretary of State John Kerry  a former commander of small Navy craft himself  for saying that the sailors had nothing to apologize for.

"To say [the Iranians] didn't do anything wrong is incorrect and may embolden them to continue to stop US vessels behaving perfectly well," Groves told Al-Monitor. "You have to protest it."

At issue is the widely recognized right of naval ships the world over to enter another country's waters as long as they're doing so without ill-intent. If the coastal state determines that the passage of another country's warships would be "prejudicial to its peace, good order or security," based on a number of agreed-upon factors, the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) requires that the coastal nation order the offending ship to depart before taking any other action, which doesn't appear to have happened in this case.

"I would not characterize the Iranian action as aggression, but boarding and seizing the US vessel[s] clearly violated the sovereign immune status of the vessel[s] under international law, including UNCLOS," retired US Navy Capt. Raul Pedrozo told Al-Monitor via email. "Clearly, a diplomatic response is in order, which should highlight (1) violation of the sovereign immune status of the vessel and (2) illegal prior permission requirement."

Pedrozo, a former legal adviser to the US Pacific Command, has previously urged the Obama administration to ramp up its challenges to restrictions against freedom of navigation, notably by China.

Iran has adopted two restrictive policies that may help explain why the US sailors were intercepted in this case. In addition to demanding prior notification before warships enter the 12-mile-deep territorial waters along its coastline and islands, Iran has perhaps even more controversially sought to prohibit "foreign military activities and practices" within its 200-mile-deep exclusive economic zone (EEZ)  basically the entire Iranian side of the Persian Gulf.

Tehran first laid out those claims when it signed (but never ratified) the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, which codifies centuries of maritime practice.

"In the light of customary international law," the Iranian delegation wrote at the time, "[treaty provisions] recognize (though implicitly) the rights of the Coastal States to take measures to safeguard their security interests including the adoption of laws and regulations regarding  the requirements of prior authorization for warships willing to exercise the right of innocent passage through the territorial sea."

Iran further developed its position in its 1993 Marine Areas Act. That legislation spells out that the "passage of warships" is "subject to the prior authorization of the relevant authorities of the Islamic Republic of Iran."

That position is not generally accepted, however. Particularly since the United States and the Soviet Union issued their "Joint Statement on the Uniform Interpretation of Rules of International Law Governing Innocent Passage" in 1989, the US position has gained traction around the world.

"All ships," the 1989 statement says, "including warships, regardless of cargo, armament, or means of propulsion enjoy the right of innocent passage through the territorial sea in accordance with international law, for which neither prior notification nor authorization is required.

After Iran passed its 1993 law, the Bill Clinton administration notified the United Nations that it would challenge it.

"The United States is of the view that certain provisions of these acts are inconsistent with international law, and the United States reserves its rights and the rights of its nationals in that regard," the United States wrote to the UN in January 1994. The United States at the time also vowed to "continue to operate its ships and aircraft consistent with its rights under international law."

During the first six years of his term, Obama has done exactly that. The administration has challenged Iran every year since Obama took office, Navy records show, through the use of Freedom of Navigation (FON) operations whose stated goal is to "preserve the rights, freedoms, and uses of the sea and airspace guaranteed to all nations in international law."

The last publicly available report on such operations, for FY 2014, indicates challenges to Iran's "excessive straight baselines; restrictions on right of transit passage through Strait of Hormuz to signatories of the Law of the Sea Convention; [and] prohibition on foreign military activities and practices in the EEZ." The Navy last challenged Iran's prior permission for "innocent passage" of foreign warships three years prior.

Pedrozo said the Navy would conduct 30-40 such challenges per year in the 1980s and 1990s, versus half that number today.

"You can never have enough FON operations; the more the better in order to demonstrate our non-acquiescence in unilateral acts of other states designed to restrict the rights and freedoms of the international community to use the worlds oceans," he said. "If we fail to routinely exercise our navigational rights and freedoms in contested areas, those rights and freedoms will be lost over time."
January 16, 2016

The meaning of Aleppo

The give and take over which opposition parties and individuals are represented in the peace talks may in the end be a sideshow for the real trend in Syria, which is the progress of the Syrian army, backed by Russia and Iran, in retaking territory from the Islamic State (IS), Jabhat al-Nusra and other armed groups. Who is winning on the battlefield matters more than who fills the chairs in Vienna or Geneva, although this is not to disparage the many positive contributions the International Syria Support Group (ISSG) can and will make to help Syrias transition. But the Syrian endgame is more likely to be found in Aleppo rather than in well-intentioned ISSG meetings in European cities.

This column wrote in November that the battle for Aleppo could determine Syrias fate. It is worth reflecting on the meaning of Aleppo for Syria and the region. Aleppo, Syrias largest city and its commercial hub, was also known as the city of light for its refined people and culture. There was no real legacy of oppression in Aleppo beyond the agonies and constraints of doing business with the Assad family and its various agents and enterprises. Aleppo is not Homs, and it is not Daraa, where there are histories of popular grievances. The Assads, by design, kept it that way.

Aleppo, therefore, represents the failed promise of the terrorist and armed groups that have offered little more than Islamic law and criminality. Aleppo, which is mostly Sunni, was sold a sectarian bill of goods by the opposition. And it has been a disaster for the people of Aleppo. The Syrian governments barrel bombs and relentless sieges added to an unbearable existence.

The tide may be turning. If the Syrian army, backed by its Iranian and Russian allies, retakes Aleppo, the citys liberation will come by directly defeating terrorists and armed groups that are already deserting the battlefield. A government victory would be of a different order and have a different impact than the negotiated departures of besieged armed opposition forces in Homs and around Damascus. The people of Aleppo would experience a flat-out victory by the government and a defeat, and exodus, by the armed groups.

A good question is whether the Syrian army would be received as liberators by those Syrians, including Sunnis, freed from the reign of Islamic law and armed gangs. The answer might surprise those who would prefer to engage with the likes of Zahran Alloush and the Army of Islam (see below).

A Syrian government victory in Aleppo could be the beginning of the end of the sectarian mindset that would have been alien to the city prior to 2011. There is no more appropriate city to begin Syrias healing. A Syrian government victory in Aleppo will make it harder to rationalize Western backing for jihadi groups who want to keep up the fight against long odds in the rest of the country. IS and al-Qaeda may prefer, over time, to begin to relocate to Libya and other countries where they can avoid the pounding from the US-led anti-IS coalition and Russian- and Iranian-backed Syrian forces. This may already be happening, and if so, it is to be cheered by those who seek a unified, secular and nonsectarian Syria, as outlined in the Vienna Communique, and as is Aleppos tradition.

Should the US blur lines on jihadi armed groups?

This column has warned for more than two years of the campaign to mainstream radical jihadi groups under the rubric of the moderate Syria opposition. This trend has done a disservice to the true secular, democratic opposition that rose against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in 2011. In November 2015, we advocated keeping Ahrar al-Sham out of the Syrian political process, despite the groups purported influence on the ground, which is at least in part due to its collaboration with the al-Qaeda-linked Jabhat al-Nusra terrorist group. Unfortunately, Syrian democrats cant rely on the largesse of regional patrons who dont mind a sectarian edge to the anti-Assad military campaign. Even prominent former American diplomats are ready to welcome Ahrar al-Sham and their fellow jihadi travelers into the peace fold, as long as there is some tactical divergence with Jabhat al-Nusra and these groups are willing to engage with the West.

Ali Mamouri provides further evidence of the recklessness of this position with an in-depth analysis of the views of Alloush, head of the Jaish al-Islam armed group, which is part of the Syrian Islamic Front, who was killed by a Russian airstrike in Uthaya on Dec. 25.

Alloush was backed by Saudi Arabia and attended the Syrian opposition conference in Riyadh last month. He was a visionary in the literal sense of the word, meaning he had visions of the coming caliphate prior to an imminent end times. Mamouri describes an apocalyptic, anti-Shiite rant by Alloush in a 2013 video from a place called the Palace of the 10th Umayyad Caliph Hisham ibn Abd al-Malik, located in the city of Resafa, southwest of Raqqa, Alloush announced the re-establishment of the Umayyad caliphate in the Levant and other Muslim countries. The Umayyad had ruled the Islamic world from 661 until 750, founding an empire that stretched all the way to China. They were known for their persecution of the first Shiites, which caused the latter to despise and distance themselves from the Ummayyad. We will bury the heads of impure Shiites in Najaf, God willing. The Umayyad glory will return to the Levant in spite of you, Alloush said in the video recording. He continued his anti-Shiite speech basing his statements on a prophecy mentioned in the Sunni accounts about the Prophet Muhammad.

The United States is wrestling with how to manage Ahrar al-Sham, Jaish al-Islam and other Salafi opposition groups that have collaborated or are collaborating with Jabhat al-Nusra and that advocate Islamic law in Syria. Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Turkey want these groups in the Syrian peace talks as agents of influence for a post-conflict Syria. No matter that their political objectives seem a disconnect with the principles of the ISSGs Vienna Communique, which recognizes Syrias secular character as fundamental, and calls for a political process leading to inclusive, non-sectarian governance.

On Dec. 28, Mark Toner, a US Department of State spokesman, commenting on the airstrike that killed Alloush, expressed significant concerns about Jaish al-Islams battlefield tactics but nonetheless noted that the group has supported a political process to end the conflict and has fought against [IS].  So the strike on Alloush and others in Jaish al-Islam and other opposition groups do, in fact, complicate efforts to bring about meaningful political negotiations and a nationwide cease-fire.

On the one hand, there is an understandable sense of urgency about ending the war, given the conflicts terrible costs, and a cease-fire requires dealing with forces on the ground to end the fighting. On the other hand, the radical ideologies of these groups, and their openness to collaboration with Jabhat al-Nusra, present the possibility of wolves in the fold, should peace talks ever get underway.

Mamouri concludes that what is described as moderate in Alloushs approach boils down to his approval of dealing with Western and regional countries and accepting their aid so as to achieve the prophecy. Meanwhile, the more radical groups, such as IS, squarely reject any dealings with these countries. Yet the difference between the two sides remains in the preliminary tactic and not in the basic principles and ultimate goals. There are different orders in Salafi jihadism, all working toward the same ultimate goal of establishing the Islamic caliphate. It is true that the means to achieve this dream differ, but they share the same ideological denominator, which is obvious in their arbitrary handling of citizens civil and intellectual rights. Therefore, labeling some less politically extremist groups as moderate and supporting them regardless of their ideology will eventually lead to anti-democratic practices, the abolition of human rights-related issues and freedoms and the promotion of radical trends.

FSA leader slams US, Russia policies in Syria

Osama Abu Zeid, legal adviser for the Free Syrian Army (FSA), said the US is gradually moving from a neutral position toward being a partner in crime as it allows Assad and his allies to kill Syrians. Scary massacres are being committed against Syrians, who have been left to starve to death under siege in the city of Madaya and [killed] by chemical weapons. Syrians are paying a high price as a result of the US policy failure in Iraq and its weakness in the Middle East in general.

In an exclusive interview with Mohammed al-Khatieb, Abu Zeid called for a safe zone in Syria and said, It is not required that the US send fighters on the ground. This is not what we want. What we want is for Assad to be prevented from targeting civilians and for the [supporters] of the Syrian revolution [i.e., Turkey, Qatar and Saudi Arabia] to be allowed to provide rebels with qualitative weapons. The US supports the Syrian Democratic Forces, which include al-Sanadid Army, one of the regime's militias. We, however, do not trust these forces, and they not surprisingly getting weapons that are hundreds of times more numerous than the weapons received by the FSA.

Abu Zeid credits the Russian intervention with unifying many of the disparate Syrian armed groups, telling Al-Monitor, I personally refused to meet with the Russian president's special representative for the Middle East, Mikhail Bogdanov, in Geneva about two months ago. Perhaps, in the eyes of Russia, Assad is the commander of the Syrian revolution. Russias declaration that it supports the FSA is ridiculous as all facts prove the contrary. Russian airstrikes are ongoing around the clock, targeting our sites and locations. Our position is clear: We will not coordinate or cooperate with Russia.

Abu Zeid said that the FSA and its allies are essential to defeat IS. IS cannot be eliminated without the FSA, said Abu Zeid. We have a history of struggle against all of those who killed Syrians. Therefore, no one can question the FSAs objectives when it fights IS, because its project is purely Syrian, and it aims to protect Syrians rather than serve other agendas.

Hagel on Syria

Barbara Slavin reports this week that former Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel said, We have allowed ourselves to get caught and paralyzed on our Syrian policy by the statement that Assad must go, adding, Assad was never our enemy.

Speaking at the Atlantic Council in Washington, Hagel faulted President Barack Obama for declaring a red line against chemical weapons use by the Syrian government and then stepping back from carrying out missile strikes to enforce it in 2013, saying, When a president of the United States says something, it means something.  To make those kinds of pronouncements and not follow through affects the credibility of the president.
MLK.jpg

The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. was born on Jan. 15, 1929 and died on April 4, 1968. While pastor of Dexter Avenue Baptist Church in Montgomery, he was thrust into leadership of the Montgomery Bus Boycott and he became the leader of the national civil rights movement, including marches in downtown Birmingham in 1963.

(Illustration by BIll Thomas/Birmingham News File)

The Rev. Martin Luther King, the pre-eminent leader of America's civil rights movement during the 1950s and 1960s, was born on Jan. 15, 1929. He died on April 4, 1968, killed by an assassin in Memphis, Tenn.

Although today is King's birthday, the nation will officially celebrate on Monday, Jan. 18, the national holiday named for King.

Like Jesus, King preached a peaceful love for his enemies.

Like Gandhi, he taught non-violent resistance against oppression.

Since King's assassination in 1968, there has been a steady stream of scholarly analysis on the theology of the man who was one of the greatest social reformers of the past century for his leadership in the civil rights movement.

One scholar on King and civil rights history lives in Birmingham and knew him personally.

''There were many forces at work in determining his theological perspective,'' said the Rev. Wilson Fallin, professor of history at the University of Montevallo and president of the Birmingham-Easonian Baptist Bible College.

Had dinner with King in Bessemer

Fallin had dinner with King, the Rev. Ralph Abernathy and their associates in 1968, about a month before King was assassinated in Memphis. Fallin at the time was pastor of New Zion Baptist Church in Bessemer, and King spoke there, then went to dinner at the home of church member Bessy Wilkins, a woman in her 70s, who cooked dinner.

''They laughed and talked about a lot of things,'' Fallin said. ''The air was tense. There had been some death threats. The death threats were getting a little more intimidating.''

King joked and eased the mood. ''He teased Ralph about being born in the Black Belt and that he thought he knew about collard greens,'' Fallin said. "It was hardly more than a month later that King was killed."

Wagon Train

After King's death, the Mule Train planned by King and Abernathy was carried out by Abernathy. "For three days, we hosted the wagon train that was a part of the Poor People's Campaign that was headed to Washington," Fallin said. "I knew King when I was a student at Morehouse. I knew Abernathy better than I knew King. They needed a place to house the wagons and horses. Abernathy called me and asked if they could come."

Fallin, a civil rights historian, author of ''A Shelter in the Storm: The African-American Church in Birmingham, 1815-1963,'' and other books, was the first black to receive a doctoral degree in history from the University of Alabama, in 1995.

Fallin said King was calm in the face of the threats against him, even though he would soon die for his cause. ''He was a man that loved life,'' Fallin said.

Influenced by Jesus, Gandhi and philosophers

In addition to the influence of Jesus and Mohandas K. Gandhi, King's ideas reflected the teachings of a devoutly religious family - his father, maternal grandfather and great-grandfather were ministers. He was also strongly influenced by the personalist philosophy taught at Boston University School of Theology, where King received his doctorate in 1955.

In personalism, personality is the primary clue to understanding God and reality. Through personalism, King developed his ideas about a personal God and the dignity and worth of all humans.

King's mentor at Boston University was L. Harold DeWolf, author of ''A Theology of the Living Church,'' a work which King said he greatly admired. DeWolf devoted a chapter of that book to the idea of man made in the image of God, a biblical principle that became crucial to King's crusade for the dignity and rights of all men.

Power must be confronted

At Crozer Theological Seminary in Pennsylvania, King read the work of Walter Rauschenbusch and Reinhold Neibuhr.

Rauschenbusch argued that it was the mission of the church to change society, an idea that had great effect on King.

Neibuhr pushed the idea that power must be confronted in order to correct injustice.

King was also familiar with the theology of Paul Tillich and the philosophy of Karl Marx. King wrote that he studied Marx from a scholarly point of view and regarded communism as basically evil, although he found challenging points especially in Marx's economic theories.

Coretta Scott King wrote in ''My Life With Martin Luther King Jr." that ''He had studied the great German philosophers, among them Kant and Hegel and Nietzsche.''

Mrs. King also wrote that a lecture by Howard University Professor Mordecai Johnson on Gandhi fascinated King so much that he went out and bought every book he could find about the Indian independence leader.

King was familiar, too, with Henry David Thoreau's ''Civil Disobedience.''

Howard Thurman, a black preacher and scholar, also influenced King,

especially through his book, ''Jesus and the Dispossessed.''

Thurman went to Morehouse College in Atlanta, where King received a bachelor's degree in sociology, and later became dean of chapel at Boston University in the 1950s.

Foundation for activism

King's studies at Morehouse gave him a strong foundation for an activist life, Fallin said.

''At Morehouse College, where he started, he probably got a good taste of Rauschenbusch, an advocate of the social gospel, and a modernist view of the Scriptures rather than a literalist interpretation,'' said Fallin, a student at Morehouse when King taught a course there in 1963. ''He said one of his great influences was Benjamin Mays, who was president of Morehouse College and a tremendous civil rights advocate for his time. At Crozer, he came across the writings of Gandhi.''

But all the books, the theology and philosophy came back to King's roots in the church, Fallin said. ''He baptized all of this in black theology,'' Fallin said. ''The black church, its liberation emphasis, continued to be the most important thing.''

Molded by circumstance

King's life was molded by the circumstances that gave rise to practical application of his theology. Many scholars have noted that King may well have had a relatively quiet life as a minister and theology professor after he became pastor of Dexter Avenue Baptist Church in Montgomery.



When Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat in the ''whites only'' section of a segregated bus, King was thrust into leadership of the Montgomery bus boycott in 1955.

He had to learn methods of non-violent reaction after that, but he already had a philosophical background.

That philosophy always emphasized a basic tenet of Christianity: forgiveness.

In ''Stride Toward Freedom,'' King wrote that forgiveness was the favorite topic of mass meetings during the boycott. It remained a dominant theme of the movement.

In 1960, King began serving as associate pastor with his father, the Rev. Martin Luther King Sr., pastor at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta.

Fallin heard King preach there numerous times. ''He did not use notes," Fallin said. "He memorized those sermons.''

If King were alive today

Fallin will speak about King on Sunday at 5 p.m. at Calera High School, and again on Monday at 6 p.m. at Ragland High School in community programs. He plans to talk about what King might prioritize today.

"If King were alive today, what would he be most interested in talking about?" Fallin said. "Number one would be economic justice. Things tend to be getting worse instead of getting better. There's a lot of poverty, poor children. I think King would feel his work is not complete because of the economic problems that plague so many people. He would certainly applaud Obama and his health care initiative."

At the end of his life, King was a vocal opponent of the Vietnam War.

"It cost him good relations with Lyndon Johnson," Fallin said. "He could not speak out against violence in America and support it in Vietnam. He would still be concerned about violence and war, the killing of so many young African-Americans, justice within the legal system. The system is still unequal. Poor blacks don't have the legal help they need. Black men in prison has become a national epidemic. That's something he would be concerned about. If King were alive today, he'd call for new values in American society, in which people are more important than material gain."
One person was killed and another injured in a shooting Friday in Anniston.

Deatrice Marquiste Barclay, 42, died in a shooting at 403 Permita Court in Anniston, according to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency. Joel Evan Abbott, 23, was injured and is currently in stable condition.

The State Bureau of Investigation is investigating the shooting at the request of the Anniston Police Department as it involves an off-duty employee of the Anniston City Jail.

AL.com is seeking clarity on the identity of the Anniston City Jail employee.

No other details have been released.
A Jefferson County teen was seriously wounded tonight after being shot in a church parking lot.

Jefferson County sheriff's deputies were dispatched at 6:30 p.m. to the 1100 block of Pratt Highway near Forestdale on a report of shots fired, said Chief Deputy Randy Christian.

They arrived to find a 16-year-old male suffering from a gunshot wound outside of Sandusky Church of Christ. He was transported to the hospital with what authorities believe is a life-threatening injury.

Christian said early information at the scene is that several teens had gathered in the parking lot to fight. Once the fight ended, an adult got out of a car with a handgun and shot the victim. The suspect then fled the scene in a white car of unknown make and model.

"We will hunt him down and arrest him,'' Christian said. "I'm sure of that but that won't save this kid in the hospital. Our prayers are with him

"You know teenagers are going to fight sometimes. I get that. That's happened with teenagers from every generation but for the life of me I can't understand why it seems these days more often than not some idiot ends up pulling a gun,'' Christian said. "It just doesn't make sense. It never will."

The investigation is ongoing. Christian said updates will be provided as they become available.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office at 205-325-1450 or Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777.
Alabama Circuit Court Judge Marvin Wiggins has been suspended with pay from the bench after the Alabama Judicial Inquiry Commission filed charges against him that he threatened to throw defendants in jail who had no money to pay their fines unless they donated blood.

The charges were brought to the Alabama Court of the Judiciary, which could reprimand, suspend, or remove Wiggins from the bench. The commission brought the charges Jan. 8, but they were not made public until Friday.

J. Michael Joiner, chief judge of the Court of the Judiciary, on Friday granted a motion by Wiggins for an expedited hearing. The hearing has been set for Jan. 21.

Wiggins had asked for a hearing as soon as possible because under Alabama law he can't act as a judge while the commission charges are pending.

No one went to jail and Wiggins' and other judges are under pressure to collect fines, the judge's attorney said. Wiggins admits he used "very poor language" in encouraging the defendants to donate blood, the attorney said.

Wiggins has served as a judge for the Fourth Judicial Circuit, serving Bibb, Dallas, Hale, Perry and Wilcox counties since 1999.

The Commission stated in its complaint that the incident happened on Sept. 17 during a "pay-due" docket in Perry County.

Wiggins, "while sitting on the bench and clothed in his judicial robe, violated the Alabama Canons of Judicial Ethics by threatening to incarcerate defendants who had 'no money' to pay their court-ordered financial assessments unless they 'donated' blood."

The notices the defendants received did not include any warning of incarceration or that they would need an attorney, according to the commission complaint.

The complaint quotes from a recording made by one of the defendants:

"For your consideration, there's a blood drive outside and if you do not have any money and you don't want to go to jail, as an option to pay it, you can give blood today. If you do not have any money, go out there and give blood and bring in a receipt indicating you gave blood. Consider that as a discount rather than putting you in jail, if you do not have any money. So, if you do not have any money and you don't want to go to jail, consider giving blood today and your receipt back, or the sheriff has enough handcuffs for those who do not have money."

All but six of the 47 defendants who ended up donating blood at a mobile LifeSouth blood bank outside the Perry County Courthouse were made by defendants on Wiggins' docket, according to the complaint.

"Judge Wiggins' conduct regarding the incarceration of criminal defendants and his conduct in threatening to incarcerate those defendants who did not have 'any money' unless they gave blood were so coercive as to be reprehensible and inexcusable," the complaint states.

The commission charges that Wiggins violated Canon 1 of the Alabama Canons of Judicial Ethics which says a judge should uphold the integrity and independence of the judiciary. And a judge should participate in establishing, maintaining, and enforcing, and should himself observe, high standards of conduct so that they integrity and independence of the judiciary may be preserved.

The Commission also charged that Wiggins violated Canon 2 which states a judge should avoid impropriety and the appearance of impropriety in all his activities and that he should conduct himself at all times that promotes public confidence in the integrity and impartiality of the judiciary and avoid bringing the office into disrepute.

The Southern Poverty Law Center had filed a complaint against Perry County Circuit Judge Marvin Wiggins and shared recordings from the court. Those recordings became national news.

"We're trying to find creative ways to help people pay their fees and expense," Wiggins told the Alabama News Network.

"Because of our area, we know that the people don't have the kind of income, the salaries to pay the fines and we have to collect them. So, as an option sometimes to paying the fine you may allow them to do community services."

Wiggins is the second judge from the circuit facing the court of the judiciary.

Wilcox County District Court Judge Jo Celeste Pettway, who lays claim to being the first black woman to serve as a judge in Alabama, in October was suspended with pay, after a complaint was filed this week against her by the Judicial Inquiry Commission.

Pettway's hearing before the court of the judiciary is also set for Thursday.

The Judicial Inquiry Commission complaint alleges Pettway was slow to rule on small claims cases, did not follow the law, has a disorganized court and is biased towards defendants - or debtors - in the small claims cases.

Like Wiggins' statements, Pettway also mentioned the poor people in the Black Belt counties.

In a letter to the Judicial Inquiry Commission on Dec. 23, 2014 Pettway repeatedly acknowledged her bias in favor of the defendant debtors in small claims cases, the Pettway complaint states.

"I believe that if a person is willing to pay their debts, the lender can be patient and get their money," the complaint says Pettway stated in the letter.

"Most of the people, who come before our court would probably be eligible to file bankruptcy and avoid paying their debts, but they want to pay, what they owe and as a judge, I believe I am obligated to work with all parties to give them an opportunity to pay their debts," the complaint also cites from the judge's letter.

This is not the first time Wiggins has been brought before the Court of the Judiciary.

In July 2009 Wiggins received a public reprimand and was ordered to serve 90 days without pay for ethics violations involving a voter fraud investigation that involved some of his relatives. The violations involved quashing an Attorney General subpoena and search warrant.

Although the subpoena did not directly involve his relatives, he knew that his relatives were being investigated, according to the court of the judiciary documents.

Wiggins' attorney, Joel Sogol, responded to AL.com's email request for comment on Saturday morning.

"The position Judge Wiggins finds himself in is a reflection of the position many judges in Alabama now find themselves in - how do deal with the pressure from AOC to collect fines, costs, and in the case of indigents, attorney's fees," Joel Sogol stated in his email. "'Pay or Stay' dockets are common across the State, whether run by local judges or the Office of Prosecutorial Services. Judge Wiggins, unlike many judges, has sought alternative ways for people to satisfy their financial requirements through community services."

"It was never his intention to place anyone in jail, and in fact, no one went to jail from that docket, nor has anyone gone to jail from any other similar docket Judge Wiggins has presided over," Sogol stated. "The law prohibits jailing indigents who are unable to pay these fees, but does not prohibit efforts to collect them."

"Judge Wiggins has acknowledged he used very poor language in encouraging people to donate blood as a "community service" for which they would receive credit against what they owed," Sogol stated.

"However, every Judge who has had a "pay or stay" docket has used the threat of jail as an incentive to get Defendants to make payments - the idea being pay or you will not be leaving. Judge Wiggins did not know about the blood drive until he came to Court that morning and was trying to find alternatives for those unable to make a payment. It is my hope that the end result of this case will reflect both his good intentions and his poor choice of words."

"This situation should be a major concern to many judges across the State. AOC puts a great deal of pressure on them to collect these court costs," Sogol stated.

Updated at 10:40 a.m. Jan. 16, 2016 with comments from Wiggins' attorney
President Obama with Destin Sandlin

President Obama found the last question from Smarter Every Day's Destin Sandlin very funny. Sandlin interviewed the president for a Google livestream on Friday, Jan. 15, 2016. (YouTube)

As one of YouTube's top stars, North Alabama's Destin Sandlin was one of three popular YouTube hosts invited to the White House Friday to interview President Obama. Once there, Destin asked several thought-provoking questions, but he didn't leave without asking the president one question that doubled him over with laughter.

Watch all of the interviews below, or jump straight to Destin's interview at 29 minutes in. If you want to see what cracked up the president, it's at minute 40.

Sandlin, who works for the Defense Department in Huntsville, has more than 3.5 million subscribers to his channel Smarter Every Day. That's where he uses the scientific method to answer questions you probably never thought of - and some you probably have.
debate

Donald Trump, left, and Ted Cruz at a Republican Primary debate in Nevada in December. (AP Photo/John Locher)

Huntsville struck out in its attempt to attract a Republican presidential primary debate to the Rocket City, getting word Friday that the Republican National Committee opted to hold the final scheduled debate in Florida.

Sam Givhan, chair of the Madison County Republican Executive Committee, said the fact that Alabama's primary would be held almost a month before the March 29 debate sabotaged the effort.

Alabama moved its primary up to March 1 as part an effort to be more relevant in the race for the White House. The state joined other Deep South states to form what's known as the SEC Primary.

And it's worked - virtually every presidential candidate has made at least one stop in Alabama in recent months.

"The information we get is that basically we're not considered due to the date of our primary, which was the reason we wanted all along the primary to be moved to March 29," Givhan said. "Other folks we needed to have it March 1 and there has been positive traction out of that. We've had candidates in state.

"I still wouldn't trade for what we had for hosting a debate. But we're going to make the best out of it that we can and welcome all the candidates to the state of Alabama we can get between now and March 1."

Republican officials in the Huntsville area have worked for more than a year as part of an effort to attract a GOP primary debate.

Now the objective is focusing on a new target.

Givhan said Jess Brown, political science professor at Athens State University, suggested a pursuit of a vice presidential candidate debate in the fall. Givhan said he planned to discuss the idea with Tom Ryan, chair of the Madison County Democratic Executive Committee.

"One of the things under (the vice presidential) purview is science and technology," Givhan said. "I'm not familiar with the specifics of that. But I think it would be pretty neat for us to get that. The down side would be everybody knows where Alabama's electoral votes are going to go. It's going to be a red state.

"So why would the Democrats want to waste their time here or why would the Republicans want to waste their time here?"

Jay Town, director of finance for the Madison County GOP, helped spearhead the debate effort.

"The RNC has decided to hold the final GOP primary debate in the State of Florida," he said in a statement. "We congratulate Florida and look forward to a robust debate in March. There were a few factors, like our early primary date, that worked against our securing the debate. We are confident that the RNC will continue to keep Huntsville in mind for future debates given the feedback that we have heard about our city.

"It is our hope that there will be no need for another series of G0P primary debates until 2024 because obviously that would signify that there was finally a return of a Republican to the White House."
Two Virginia men were charged today in connection to an attempt to travel to Syria to join the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).

Joseph Hassan Farrokh, 28, and Mahmoud Amin Mohamed Elhassan, 25, both of Woodbridge, Va., were arrested yesterday, the Department of Justice stated in a release.

Farrokh was arrested Friday afternoon at the Richmond, Va. International Airport as he attempted to board a flight to Chicago, where he allegedly intended to board a flight to Amman, Jordan, with an ultimate destination of Syria.

Elhassan was arrested Friday evening in Woodbridge after allegedly returning home from driving Farrokh to Richmond and being interviewed by agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Farrokh, who is a U.S. citizen originally from Pennsylvania, has been charged with attempting to provide material support and resources to ISIL, a designated foreign terrorist organization.

Elhassan, who is a legal permanent U.S. resident originally from Sudan, has been charged with aiding and abetting Farrokh's attempt to provide material support and resources to a designated foreign terrorist organization.

According to the Department of Justice, Farrokh is accused of engaging in efforts to leave the United States and join ISIL in Syria since Nov. 20.

Farrokh met several times with confidential human sources in attempts to work out the details of how and when he could travel to Syria to join ISIL, the DOJ stated. Farrokh purchased his airline tickets on Dec. 21, 2015.

According to the criminal complaints, Elhassan allegedly introduced Farrokh to a person who Elhassan believed maintained connections to individuals engaged in jihad overseas, Elhassan knew of Farrokh's plans to travel to Syria to join ISIL and he acknowledged to others that Farrokh was falsely telling his family that he intended to travel to Saudi Arabia to study, according to the DOJ.

Authorities say Elhassan picked up Farrokh yesterday morning and drove him to Richmond, to a location approximately one mile from the airport. Farrokh then took a cab to the airport, checked in for his flight, cleared security and was arrested.

After driving Farrokh to Richmond, Elhassan returned to Woodbridge yesterday afternoon and voluntarily consented to an interview by FBI agents. Elhassan told agents several times that he knew it was illegal to knowingly lie to federal agents, then proceeded to make a number of false statements in response to the agents' questions.

Both suspects will appear in federal court on Jan. 19.
Teacher Sex

This photo provided by St. Charles Parish Sheriff's Office shows Kimberly Naquin, who has been arrested on multiple charges of having sex with a student at school and at the teacher's home in Destrehan, just west of New Orleans.

(St. Charles Parish Sheriff's Office via AP)

A teacher in Louisiana is accused of having sex at her home and in a classroom with a student, the third time recently a female teacher in the same school system has been arrested on similar charges.

Kimberly Naquin, 26, a teacher at Destrehan High School in St. Charles Parish, was booked Thursday night on charges of carnal knowledge of a juvenile and prohibited sexual conduct between a teacher and student, NOLA.com reported.

A relative of the female student informed deputies early in the day about a sexual relationship between the student and Naquin, sheriff's deputies said.

Police said the alleged incidents occurred in the classroom and in the suspect's home in Destrehan, just west of New Orleans.

"After talking with family members, deputies traveled to Lafayette where Naquin was attending a conference and asked her to return to St. Charles Parish," Capt. Pat Yoes said, according to The Associated Press. "She was questioned, arrested and booked into the parish jail."

Naquin also was charged Friday with 10 counts of felony carnal knowledge of a juvenile in Kenner, Louisiana. Authorities said Naquin lived in Kenner when the relationship began and later moved to Destrehan.

Naquin began having sex with the 16-year-old girl in September 2014, continuing through August, police said. Naquin's bond was set at $75,000.

According to NOLA.com, Naquin was suspended without pay, and school system administrators are conducting an internal investigation, said Stevie Crovetto, a school system spokeswoman.

Naquin's father is St. Charles Parish School Board President Dennis Naquin, and her mother teaches at Destrehan's Harry Hurst Middle School.

Her arrest comes 15 months after two other Destrehan High teachers were accused of having sex with a 16-year-old male student.



One of the teachers, Shelley Dufresne, pleaded guilty to one charge of obscenity involving the youth in Montz, where she lives. A judge sentenced her to a deferred three-year prison term, three years of probation and a $1,000 fine.

Dufresne and the other teacher, Rachel Respess, pleaded not guilty to charges involving group sex with the same teen at Respess' apartment in Kenner.

The charges again Naquin, if true, showed she continued a sexual relationship with her student 10 months after Dufresne and Respess were arrested in October 2014.

NOLA.com contributed to this report.
Health care workers at the Perry County Health Department stayed about two hours after closing on Monday to administer tuberculosis tests to more than 270 residents who received $20 each in exchange for samples of blood.

On Wednesday, the crowd shrunk to 250 - but only because health department officials became concerned about overtime.

It was exactly the kind of turnout public health officials hoped for when they announced last week they would begin paying anyone who took a TB test from Jan. 11 to Jan. 29. The health department is offering testing three times a week. So far, 26 active cases of tuberculosis have been traced to Marion, and three people have died from the disease.

On Thursday, the department of public health held a town hall meeting at Francis Marion High School, and about 50 residents attended.

The sudden interest in testing is quite a reversal for public health officials, who have been battling the outbreak for almost two years with little cooperation from infected patients, according to Pamela Barrett, director of the division of TB control for the Alabama Department of Public Health.

"We decided to see what would happen if we just offered people money to get tested," Barrett said.

The funding for the payments comes from a grant awarded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Barrett said. Perry County is the only health department in Alabama offering walk-in tuberculosis testing. Most county health departments ended the service in 2011 as a response to budget concerns, Barrett said. Now county health departments only perform tuberculosis testing to people exposed to infection, she said.

The idea of paying people to encourage medical care isn't new, said Dr. Richard Chaisson, director of the Johns Hopkins Center for Tuberculosis Research in Baltimore.

"It works," Chaisson said. "Generally, if you pay people to get discrete things like a test, they'll do it."

However, such incentives usually aren't necessary when tuberculosis erupts in the United States, he said.

"Last year here in Maryland we had two different situations where students were exposed at schools," he said. "The next day, about a thousand people wanted to be tested."

The first tuberculosis case in the current Marion outbreak appeared in early 2014, Barrett said. The infection rate in Marion is 253 per 100,000 people, compared to 2.5 for the state as a whole, according to ADPH.

Dr. Albert White, public health officer for Region 3, said cases from the area kept appearing at hospitals in Tuscaloosa and Selma. Four cases in Tuscaloosa have been traced to Marion, and two in Centreville.

"We started wondering, 'What's happening in Marion?'" he said.

In 2013, Perry County had just one tuberculosis case and in 2012, it had none.

In November 2014, after six active cases had been identified in the town, public health officials held a fair at a grocery store, near the area where most of the cases had been identified. The event did not go as planned, and health workers had to leave after someone threw a bottle and police responded, White said.

Public health officials have not publicly identified the source of the TB outbreak, and Barrett said they are trying very hard not to single out any particular neighborhood. She said all of the infected patients are native-born citizens and not immigrants.

White said many of the Marion patients infected with tuberculosis have not shared their friends' names with investigators trying to trace the outbreak.

"There is a deep distrust of the government and authority," he said.

Frances Ford, healthcare coordinator for Sowing Seeds of Hope, a nonprofit based in Perry County, said many members of the community weren't aware of the TB outbreak until the Alabama Department of Public Health announced three deaths last week. That caused some panic in Marion, she said.

"I wish they had told the community before they told the media," she said.

Dr. Shane Lee operates the Marion Clinic and has examined some of the patients infected in the current outbreak. When he sees patients who test positive for tuberculosis, he turns them over to the health department, which provides free treatment for several months, until the infection is eradicated. Treatment for active tuberculosis typically takes longer than six months. Preventive treatment for people who test positive for tuberculosis but don't show any symptoms takes about three to six months.

He lauded the public health response to the outbreak.

"I'm the only clinic in the town with an X-ray machine," he said. "Were it not for the health department, we would be inundated and it would spiral out of control."

Lee said he has practiced medicine in Perry County for 26 years. Some of the people affected by the outbreak have deep distrust for authority and little respect for medical advice, he said.

"It's a very, very challenging population," Lee said. "People don't want to be tested. They're hard to track. Noncompliance rates with drug treatment are very high."

Recently, he said a nurse showed him a Facebook post comparing the TB outreach effort to the notorious Tuskegee Syphilis Study that involved African-American men who did not receive treatment for the debilitating and fatal disease.

"All that's going to do is keep people from getting tested," he said.

The public health department has a good strategy for testing, Lee said. But the biggest challenge will be to get those who test positive to complete months of treatment, he said.

"It's one thing to get people to take a test," Lee said. "It's a whole nother thing to get them to comply with the medication."
Jason Rezaian

In this April 11, 2013 file photo, Jason Rezaian, an Iranian-American correspondent for the Washington Post, smiles as he attends a presidential campaign of President Hassan Rouhani in Tehran, Iran. A source close to Iran's judiciary confirmed to The Associated Press, Saturday, Jan. 16, 2016 that Rezaian is one of four dual-national prisoners freed by Iran's government and previously announced on Iranian state television without naming those released.

(AP Photo/Vahid Salemi, File)

VIENNA (AP) -- Iran will release four detained Americans in exchange for seven Iranians held or charged in the United States, U.S. and Iranian officials said Saturday in a major diplomatic breakthrough announced as implementation of a landmark nuclear deal appeared imminent. A fifth American detained in Iran, a student, was released in a move unrelated to the swap, U.S. officials said.

Washington Post reporter Jason Rezaian, former U.S. Marine Amir Hekmati, pastor Saeed Abedini and Nosratollah Khosravi, whose name had not been previously made public, were to be flown from Iran to Switzerland aboard a Swiss aircraft and then transported to a U.S. military hospital in Landstuhl, Germany, for medical treatment, U.S. officials said.

Rezaian's wife and mother were expected to be on the plane.

The student, identified as Matthew Trevithnick, was released independently of the exchange on Saturday and already was on his way home, said U.S. officials. They spoke about the prisoner exchange on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss it publicly.

In return, the U.S. will pardon or drop charges against seven Iranians -- six of whom are dual U.S.-Iranian citizens -- accused or convicted of violating U.S. sanctions.

Three were serving prison terms and now have received a commutation or pardon. Three others were awaiting trial; the last one made a plea agreement.

It's unclear if these individuals will leave the U.S. for Iran. They are free to stay in the United States.

In addition, the U.S. will drop Interpol "red notices" -- essentially arrest warrants -- on 14 Iranian fugitives it has sought, the officials said.

The announcement of the exchange came as the International Atomic Energy Agency was close to certifying that Iran had met all commitments under the nuclear deal with six world powers.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry was meeting in Vienna with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and other officials involved in the accord, and it was expected that such certification could come Saturday.

The release of the prisoners and the nuclear deal developments cap a week of intense U.S.-Iran diplomacy that took an unexpected turn on Tuesday with the detention by Iran of 10 U.S. Navy sailors and their two boats in the Persian Gulf. The sailors were released in less than 24 hours after Kerry intervened with Zarif in multiple telephone calls that administration officials hailed as a channel of communication opened because of the nuclear negotiations.

"Through a diplomatic channel that was established with the focus of getting our detained U.S. citizens home, we can confirm Iran has released from imprisonment four Americans detained in Iran," one of the U.S. officials said.

Frederick J. Ryan, Jr., publisher of The Washington Post, said in a statement, "We couldn't be happier to hear the news that Jason Rezaian has been released from Evin Prison. Once we receive more details and can confirm Jason has safely left Iran, we will have more to share."

Hekmati's lawyer, Mahmoud Alizadeh Tabatabaei, said Hekmati called him earlier Saturday from prison.

"He told me that judiciary officials have called for a meeting with him. But I've not been formally informed if he is free now," he said, adding that negotiations for the prisoners' release has been going on for the past two months.

Hekmati's family released a statement saying: "We thank everyone for your thoughts during this time. There are still many unknowns. At this point, we are hoping and praying for Amir's long-awaited return."

The negotiations over the American detainees grew out of the Iran nuclear talks. In discussions in Europe and elsewhere, Kerry and nuclear negotiator Wendy Sherman were able to establish a separate channel of talks that would focus on the U.S. citizens.

But that channel was kept separate from the nuclear conversations. American officials didn't want the citizens used as leverage in the nuclear talks, and didn't want to lose their possible release if the talks failed to produce an agreement.

The discussions then gained speed after last July's nuclear deal. In talks in Geneva and elsewhere, a team led by Obama's anti-Islamic State group envoy, Brett McGurk, worked on the details of a possible prisoner swap. The Iranians originally sought 19 individuals as part of the exchange; U.S. officials whittled down the number to seven.

U.S. officials stressed that the Americans were a priority. But the Iranians wanted a goodwill gesture or reciprocal measure in return, the officials said.

Rezaian was born in California and holds both U.S. and Iranian citizenship. He was convicted in closed proceedings last year after being charged with espionage and related allegations. The Post, for which he covered Iran, and the U.S. government have denied the accusations, as has Rezaian.

Hekmati, of Flint, Michigan, was detained in August 2011 on espionage charges. Hekmati went to Iran to visit family and spend time with his ailing grandmother.

Abedini of Boise, Idaho, was detained for compromising national security, presumably because of Christian proselytizing, in September 2012. He was sentenced in 2013 to 8 years in prison.

Robert Levinson, who disappeared in Iran in 2007 while working for the CIA on an unapproved intelligence mission, wasn't part of the deal. American officials are unsure if the former FBI agent is even still alive. The Iranians have always denied knowing his location.

Levinson's case was aggressively pursued, the officials said, adding that Iran has committed to continue cooperating in trying to determine Levinson's whereabouts.

The exchange also didn't cover Siamak Namazi, an Iranian-American businessman who advocated better ties between Iran and the U.S. He was reportedly arrested in October.

According to the official IRNA news agency, the seven freed Iranians are Nader Modanloo, Bahram Mekanik, Khosrow Afghahi, Arash Ghahraman, Tooraj Faridi, Nima Golestaneh and Ali Saboonchi. It didn't provide any further details.

The Obama administration has said the Americans came up in every conversation with the Iranians.
A George County, Miss. man accused of beating a transgender teen from Alabama to death in July was indicted on one count of murder.

Josh Vallum, a documented member of the Latin Kings street gang, is accused of using a hammer to kill 17-year-old Mercedes Williamson, of Theodore, whose birth name was Michael Christopher Wilkins, the Sun Herald reported.

Williamson, who once considered Vallum her boyfriend, died between May 30 and June 2, 2015.

Vallum underwent a medical evaluation on Friday.

The murder is being considered a possible hate crime.

Williamson's partially decomposed body was found June 1 under some brush in Vallum's father's backyard in the rural Rocky Creek community of Mississippi.

Vallum has pleaded not guilty. His trial is set for Feb. 1.
President Obama signed an emergency declaration Saturday for Flint water. (AP Photo, File)

FLINT, MICHIGAN - President Barack Obama has signed an emergency declaration following a request from Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder that would open the door for federal aid to deal with Flint's water crisis.

"The President's action authorizes the Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), to coordinate all disaster relief efforts which have the purpose of alleviating the hardship and suffering caused by the emergency on the local population, and to provide appropriate assistance for required emergency measures, authorized under Title V of the Stafford Act, to save lives and to protect property and public health and safety, and to lessen or avert the threat of a catastrophe in Genesee County," reads a statement from FEMA.

Snyder asked on Jan. 14 for Obama to declare a federal emergency, after a state of emergency was declared by the governor on Jan. 5 in Genesee County.

FEMA is authorized to provide equipment and resources to "alleviate the impacts of the emergency," according to the statement."Emergency protective measures, limited to direct federal assistance, will be provided at 75 percent federal funding," reads the statement. "This emergency assistance is to provide water, water filters, water filter cartridges, water test kits, and other necessary related items for a period of no more than 90 days."

W. Craig Fugate, Administrator, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Department of Homeland Security, has named David G. Samaniego as the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the Flint area.

U.S. Rep. Dan Kildee, D-Flint Township, said he welcomed the president's announcement.

"The residents and children of Flint deserve every resource available to make sure that they have safe water and are able to recover from this terrible man-made disaster created by the state," Kildee said.
A few snowflakes will be possible overnight Saturday across parts of north and central Alabama, and there are two other chances for a little wintry precipitation going into next week, according to forecasters.

As of Saturday morning no accumulations were expected.

The first shot for snowflakes will come tonight as a surface low develops in the Gulf of Mexico near Texas and tracks eastward. That low is expected to spread light precipitation into Alabama, but uncertainties remain about how far north the moisture makes it.

A cold rain is a certainty across south Alabama, where temperatures won't be near freezing.

Low temperatures overnight will fall below freezing in parts of north Alabama and near freezing in north-central Alabama. (National Weather Service)

The forecast gets more challenging farther north.

Forecasters at the National Weather Service in Birmingham said Saturday morning that computer models differ a little on the storm track and intensity, but differ a lot on how much moisture will be in place over central Alabama overnight.

Temperatures are also expected to not fall below freezing across much of central Alabama, and there is also dry air in the lower levels of the atmosphere.

As of Saturday morning the weather service said there was the possibility of a rain-snow mix overnight roughly along and north of the Interstate 20 corridor. No accumulations are expected because temperatures are expected to be above freezing and the ground relatively warm.

In north Alabama there will be a chance of a rain-snow mix that could transition to all snow overnight, according to the National Weather Service in Huntsville. No accumulations are expected.

North Alabama has two other chances to see snowflakes next week. The first one will be late Sunday night as an Arctic front moves through the area. A few flurries will be possible Sunday night into Monday morning, the weather service said.

The second, and better, shot a winter precipitation for north Alabama will be on Wednesday. A wintry mix will be possible Wednesday morning as another cold front impacts the state.

The weather service said that the timing and precipitation type are still uncertain, but there could be a sleet-snow mix with possibly some freezing rain as well.

Forecasters think it should get warm enough Wednesday afternoon for the precipitation to turn to all rain.

The weather service in Birmingham thinks the rain could hold off in central Alabama until later in the day Wednesday, when temperatures will be above freezing.
A mail carrier for the U.S. Postal Service in Memphis was injured on Friday afternoon when a man threw acid in her face.

WMC Action News reported the assault occurred on the postal worker's normal route. The woman drove herself to the hospital for treatment of chemical burns.

The incident occurred between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. on Socorro near Fortner, the Commercial Appeal reported.

The victim is in non-critical condition, according to the report. Details on her injuries weren't released.

The Postal Service is offering a $25,000 reward for information that helps lead to the arrest of the suspect.

The suspect is described as a black male, 30 to 40 years old, 5-foot 9 inches to 5-foot 10 inches tall, about 190 pounds with a dark complexion. He is said to have a grayish mustache and he was wearing dark clothing and a blue skull cap.
Hubbard.png

Mike Hubbard has at least 100,000 reasons not to step down as Speaker of the Alabama House of Representatives. With his every action and word scrutinized, Hubbard will use all available legal means to defend himself, and that likely requires him to remain in his powerful post.

Hubbard is entitled to his day in court to face the charges against him, and we all know that private legal defense is expensive. Under Alabama law, Hubbard is able to use his campaign funds to pay for legal expenses, and he'd have to be crazy--or independently wealthy--not to do exactly that.

The Speaker's annual campaign finance report tells the story.

Hubbard's largest 2015 campaign expenditures were paying off a $50,000 personal loan he made to the campaign and his legal expenses totaling almost $40,000.

More significantly, Speaker Hubbard raised almost $90,000 in a year where he's not facing election after he was indicted. That was permissible because he had campaign debt (to himself) to repay after his reelection.

The Speaker of the House is, by many accounts, the most powerful political office in Alabama. Anyone who wants legislation to move is wise to stay on the Speaker's good side. That's a clear fundraising advantage unique to the office.

At the same time he made his annual campaign filing, Hubbard also submitted a "major contribution" report for a $100,000 loan he made to his campaign in January of 2016.

Think of it as a type of bridge loan.

His campaign account ended 2015 with a balance of a little more than $19,000. That's hardly enough to fund the rest of his legal defense. By putting $100,000 or more in his campaign, he can float his defense until the next fundraising period opens in June of 2017.

But it's unlikely that he'll sit on the sidelines hoping his trial goes well.

Political Action Committees (PACs) can raise money right now. Hubbard effectively controls two PACs, The Network Political Action Committee (NETPAC) and the Storming the State House Political Action Committee (STORM PAC), and he's well within his rights to raise money for them. It's hard to see whether or not that's happening right now because the PACs generally don't have to report fundraising until closer to elections in 2018.

Hubbard at least has the option to raise money as Speaker that he could later contribute to his campaign that could be used to repay his personal loans that will likely fund his defense.

If you're confused, welcome to the land of campaign finance.

The bottom line is that the $100,000 loan sends the message that Hubbard intends to be repaid. Remaining Speaker unmistakably gives him the best chance to do that. If he wasn't concerned about the money, he could have simply paid his defense attorneys directly.

Donors probably won't show up in nearly the same way for a rank-and-file member in the middle of an ethics trial, or even a former Speaker exonerated of any wrongdoing.

That's the harsh reality of Alabama politics.

It doesn't matter whether you like Hubbard or not, whether you think he's guilty as charged or unfairly accused, he remains one of the toughest, most competent, bare-knuckled politicians Alabama has seen in quite some time. From storming the state house to confronting the charges against him, he doesn't go anywhere quietly, and that's not likely to change anytime soon.

Cameron Smith is a regular columnist for AL.com and state programs director for the R Street Institute, a think tank in Washington, D.C.
We are starting to hear leaks about the US President Barack Obamas latest effort to close the prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. In Washington-speak, that means the new plan should be released soon.

Obama signed an executive order to close the prison in his first days in office. He did not make a big push in those first two years when his party controlled both chambers of the US Congress. Then, after Republicans took control, they started passing legislation banning the president from spending money to move detainees. So now, the president is going to try again to convince Congress it needs to close.

Here is what to expect: The Pentagon has come up with a plan that the White House will send to Congress. It seems likely that it will be a shortlist of prisons, probably on military bases, that could house the detainees. He is likely going to highlight the cost. The White House likes to say it costs $4m an inmate per year.

That figure seemed pretty high. I asked our Pentagon producer to ask how they came up with that number. A military official told him that they take the cost of the base and divide it by the number of prisoners. That would make sense if the prison was the whole reason for the base, but it isnt. The US had the base before the first person was captured, and it will continue to hold the base if they all leave. To get the real number, you have to know the cost to operate the prison. How much is that? The Pentagon will not say.

Recruiting tool for terrorists

The president will make the argument that the prison serves as a recruiting tool for organisations the US labels as terrorist organisations. There will most likely be something that Obama will not want to emphasise. He wants to change the location of many of the prisoners, not their incarceration.

There is a group of prisoners that the president has decided cant be tried and cannot be released. He signed an executive order saying they can be held indefinitely as long as their cases are periodically reviewed. White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest was asked about this on Friday.

He said: Theres a certain other group of individuals who are not likely to be able to be transferred because they are so dangerous, but yet, theyre also probably not going to  the evidence thats been collected against them doesnt necessarily lend them to the kind of military commission that has been successful in other issues. Those individuals and resolving their case is the hardest part of all of this.

When asked how many men he was talking about, he said: A couple dozen is the way I would describe it.

The president will send his plan to Congress. It is highly unlikely they will agree. The reason the president is taking that step is so he can say: I tried. There is a growing sense that President Obama will act on his own. He will make the argument that, as Commander-in-Chief, he has the final say over military prisoners. He could put them all on a plane and send them to a stateside military prison. If he did not tell anyone he was doing it until they landed, there would be very little Congress could do to send them back. They might sue him, but by then, it would be too late. The president could say he lived up to his promise to close the prison. It will remain to be seen if changing the location and the colour of the jumpsuits is enough to stop the criticism.
Ahuisculco, Mexico  Imagine being able to turn on your faucet and enjoy pure mountain spring water. That is exactly what people in the Mexican town of Ahuisculco, little more than an hours drive from Guadalajara, have been able to do for generations.

The mountain spring water is a source of pride among its several thousand residents.

As Sergio Santana told me, Its life, its health, its happiness.

The water here is warm, feels soft on the skin and smells well  like nature.

That is a marked difference from the tap water in many of the Mexican cities Ive been in. In nearby Guerrero State, the water came out of the shower smelling like sewage.

In the warmer months, people in Ahuisculco flock to the mountain spring nestled in a valley below a mountain and swim. The mountain spring is not so much of an anomaly when you consider that its near La Primavera Biosphere Reserve.

UNESCO describes the forest area as follows: It is crucial for maintaining biodiversity and genetic heritage, and promoting the continuity of the evolutionary processes and it constitutes a living laboratory for scientific research and environmental education.

So when bulldozers rumbled in about four months ago and began scooping up mounds of dirt near the mountain spring, the people of Ahuisculco got worried and suspicious.

Then, they mobilised.

And when they couldnt get any answers about exactly who was digging and what they were doing, they formed an encampment blocking the bulldozers. Construction grounded to a halt.

Were going to defend our water. We dont want our water contaminated and our kids to get sick, for us to be sick or the animals to be sick, says Sonia Aranda.

Since September, the towns residents have kept a 24-hour presence at the construction site.

They tell us that their request for information was initially ingored by local government officials. But as the months passed and their determination solidified, bits of information leaked out. The town found out that a company called ARN planned to build molasses containers on the site.

A molasses spill into a lake in their state of Jalisco in 2013 was still fresh in the residents minds. It had a disastrous impact on the fish population. The protesters told us that when they complained to local officials, they were told, Its not our fault. Its the previous administrations fault.

Tala Secretary General Alberto Ramirez told us that ARN purchased the property in 2013 and began digging without the proper permits, during a transition from one mayor to the next. Ramirez stressed that the company owned the property and officials had to work within the law to stop construction.

But the protesters accused government officials of corruption due to the lack of transparency. They said there was never a public discussion about the companys project and no environmental studies to ascertain if it would have a negative impact on the surrounding area.

Sandra Valdes, a university professor and member of the non-profit environmental group Primavera Ring, says this is not uncommon. The biggest problem we have in Mexico is corruption. We cant fight things easily if we are fighting something we cant see.

It seems the town of Ahuisculco may have prevailed in their fight to save their mountain spring water.

The local official we spoke with, Alberto Ramirez, tells us after three months of negotiating, theyve brokered a deal to appease everyone.

We wanted to participate in looking for a solution and after three months, we finally convinced the company to agree to move to another place out of the community.

I asked Ramirez if that spot was far away from the La Primavera Biosphere Reserve and he said yes.

The company wouldnt answer our requests for a comment. But we did see workers removing construction equipment.

Yet the protestors werent leaving just yet. They told us they remain suspicious. Plus, they have another battle ahead.

They want to lobby Mexican federal officials to designate the mountain spring and land around it a protected area. Then it will be off limits to developers forever and generations of people in Ahuisculco can continue to enjoy a luxury most of the world can not  being able to turn on the tap and have fresh mountain spring water flow out.
The differences within Fatah are also looming larger and larger.

In an age where information and media play a key role, it is crucial to look at any change from the point of view of its portrayal in the media. The Palestinian context is no different.

As changes are bound to occur in 2016, it is noteworthy that the beginning of the year has witnessed an important change in what appears to be the post-Abbas transitional year.

Ahmad Assaf, who has been the spokesman of the Fatah movement for a number of years, was appointed to replace the retiring Riyad al-Hassan as the chairman of the board of Palestine Radio and Television. Assaf was also appointed chairman of the official Palestinian news agency, WAFA.





He is the youngest ever chairman of the board of Palestines public media outlets, and his appointment is the first indication that the second generation of Fatah leadership is quietly taking over as 81-year-old Mahmoud Abbas and his team prepare to leave the political scene.

Obamas prediction

If the Obama administrations prediction that 2016 will fail to witness the birth of the Palestinian state proves true, then this year should be dedicated to leadership transition.

A number of obstacles continue to cause delays in holding elections on internal party fronts as well on parliamentary and presidential levels. Perhaps the absence of a unified central administrative and security control over the West Bank and Gaza is the largest of these obstacles.

READ MORE: Mahmoud Abbas, your time is running out

The PLO and Hamas signed numerous reconciliation agreements but have not carried out their commitments.

Some second-generation Fatah leaders are calling for a new direction which includes serious efforts that will lead to integration and power-sharing with Hamas. by

Palestinian leaders blame external forces for wanting to perpetuate the split. The regional differences that pitted nationalists against Islamists have been reflected almost daily in the Palestinian conflict.

Gulf countries have no tolerance for the relatively moderate Muslim Brotherhood movement, insisting that it is a tree from which all religious extremism is branching out.

Some second-generation Fatah leaders are calling for a new direction which includes serious efforts that will lead to integration and power-sharing with Hamas.

They insist that including fellow Palestinians who are aligned with the Brotherhood is a necessity and not a luxury. They say that the unique situation of Palestine under occupation requires that regional conflicts should not be allowed to be mirrored there.

Recently, a group of second-generation Fatah leaders, including Qadura Fares, Ahmad Ghneim, Muhammad Horani and Sirhan Dweikat, made a secret visit to Qatar and met Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal to assess what is needed to break up the logjam that has kept the Rafah crossing closed and prevented parliamentary and presidential elections from taking place.

Differences within Fatah

The obstacles are not solely external. The differences within Fatah are also looming larger and larger, and prevented the seventh congress from taking place.

The congress was due to happen last year, but was postponed more than once. The official line is that the congress cannot take place while Fatah cadres from Gaza are not allowed by Hamas to travel to the West Bank.

Many would argue that the more important reason is the growing differences of opinion regarding Mohammad Dahlan, who was expelled from the movement and has been effectively unable to return to the occupied territories.

Other problems include disagreements with public figures who are not Fatah members. The attempts to restrict former prime minister Salam Fayyad and prevent his charity from working were a clear manifestation of this problem.

READ MORE: Israels six-state reality

In Dahlans and Fayyads cases, the Palestinian courts refused to go along with the restrictive decisions and overturned the ruling of the Abbas administration against them.

There was a similar disagreement with the former PLO Executive Committee secretary Yasser Abed Rabo last year and the Amman-based Palestinian National Council (PNC) speaker refused to go along with a scheme to push him out of the committee.

These problems are typical of a leadership that has been in power too long. The only way to remedy many of these difficulties is to go back to the Palestinian public and give them a chance to elect a totally new leadership.

The excuse that elections for the Palestinian Legislative Council and president cannot be held because of the split is no longer acceptable to the average Palestinian.

Similarly, the delay in revitalising the PNC is also crucial in terms of unifying Palestinian efforts and strategy.

Recently, it has been suggested that safe and secure elections can be held online, bypassing physical and political barriers.

If there is a will to hold elections and to usher in a new leadership, a way can be found to carry out these things.

This year may have witnessed the start of this transition with the appointment of Assaf to the influential media leadership position.

2016 might not hold much hope for an end to the ugly, decades-old Israeli occupation and illegal settlement enterprise, but it should be the year to clean up the Palestinian home and produce a unified front that can garner the worldwide Palestinian population as well as the huge international solidarity and support that Palestine has.

Daoud Kuttab, an award-winning Palestinian journalist, is a former Ferris professor of journalism at Princeton University.

The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial policy.
Sair, a West Bank village, is the outcome of living in the intense microcosm of the Israeli occupation.

Sair, Occupied West Bank  The gathered men scramble to find their phones as news reached Sair village that yet another young man from the small rural community has just been killed. With no name known yet, frantic phone calls are made all along the main street.



Eleven Sair residents have been killed in the recent escalation of violence.

Villagers pace the road, walking under freshly printed plastic banners showing the faces of the villages youth  young men recently shot down by the now ever-present Israeli army that encircles the village and the surrounding area.

This reminds me of before, Mohammed Kawazba says worriedly as the scene evolves around him. Maybe this time it could be my brother or one of my other cousins killed. This is becoming so normal now; its happening all the time.

A name eventually comes through. Its a cousin of Kawazba. There is sadness and anger in the air, but not surprise. Its Kawazbas fourth cousin killed by the Israeli army in a week, all involved in alleged stabbing attacks on Israeli soldiers at the nearby Beit Einun junction.

A stinging deja vu hangs in the air.

READ MORE: Intifada or not, something powerful is going on

Sairs graveyard continues to fill now, as new bodies are laid down next to grey gravestones imprinted with the names of villagers killed during previous uprisings. The village of 20,000, nestled in a valley in the Hebron Hills, has seen 12 of its sons killed in the recent escalation of violence in the occupied Palestinian territories and Israel.

Sa'ir is a good example of what's happening in the West Bank right now,but even worse. by Mahmoud Kawazba, resident of Sa'ir

The village makes up just one percent of the Palestinian population of the West Bank, yet seven percent of all Palestinians killed (including Palestinian citizens of Israel and residents of Gaza) since October, have come from this rural, underdeveloped community.

Sair has a recent history of resistance against Israeli occupation. The village  pinpointed by Israel as a political hotspot  was hit hard by policies of closure during the second Intifada.

Situated between several Israeli settlements, and beside Road 60, one of the main arteries for settlers travelling in the occupied West Bank, Sair has once again become a focal point of the Israeli armys attention.

It is this proximity to settlers and Sairs previous political history, villagers say, that has resulted in the Israeli army clamping down hard on the village since the very first days of the escalation last October.

READ MORE: In Hebron, even the kids have numbers

At the entrance to Sair, Israeli soldiers stand fully armed, guns cocked and ready. These are bad people, one barks out as the only explanation as to why the main road into the village is closed.

The clampdown has resulted in village youth feeling present more than ever at the sharp end of what they describe as a brutal and dehumanising occupation.

Nine of the 12 young men killed have been involved in alleged stabbing attacks on soldiers, while the three others were shot while protesting against the army.

I dont know what happened, Abu Ahmad Salim mumbles, his eyes filling with tears as he speaks of the death of his son Ahmad, who the Israeli army accused of an attempted stabbing attack last week.

I had no idea of anything. None of the older people know what the youth are thinking.

Now, Salims two other sons have had their permits to work in Israel destroyed by soldiers, and the family now fears that the army will demolish their home  a regular collective punishment tactic used against the families of alleged attackers.

Practicing collective punishment and shutting off the village and refusing to let people in or out has become routine for Israeli soldiers. Settlers, protected by the increased army presence, are preventing Sairs residents from using the surrounding agricultural land  which has always served as a lifeline for the impoverished rural community.

Sair is a good example of whats happening in the West Bank right now, Mahmoud Kawazba, another relative of one of the recently deceased says, but even worse.

According to villagers, Israeli army night raids have increased dramatically, practically doubling in frequency over the past three months, with over 100 children under the age of 15 being arrested.

Older men talk of having been forced to strip their clothes and stand in the street in the freezing cold at night for no reason, while women say theyve had their headscarves ripped from their heads by soldiers when the army makes its now regular, and dreaded, incursions into Sair.

They close the road into the village for no reason as a punishment. The settlers provoke the youth here, and now the young people here, all they feel is hopelessness, Mahmoud Kawazba says.

Its become a cycle: The soldiers humiliate and punish us, the youth protest  some might even want to attack the soldiers. If that happens, they are killed before they even get close, and it all begins again.

WATCH: Rights groups accuse Israeli troops of unlawful killings

Mahmoud Kawazba says that although he has some doubts over all the alleged stabbing cases, he doesnt deny that the village youth have indeed attempted to attack soldiers  its a direct outcome of living in the intense microcosm of occupation that is Sair.

A lot of the village relies on farming the land around it, but more than ever, we cant because the settlers and army will not allow us, Kawazba continues.

Many young people have worked in settlements and Israel, and then Israel stopped their permits. They hardly had anything before, and now they have nothing. Everyone is suffering. The atmosphere here is of depression and anger.

With unemployment at 40 percent in the village  far higher than the average rate of 25 percent in the Hebron governorate, which already has the highest unemployment rate of any area in the occupied West Bank  and work permits rescinded, the economic situation has worsened substantially since the unrest began last October.

You know, its like they [Sair villagers involved in the alleged stabbing attacks] are off to die, Mahmoud Kawazba says. They have no hope, only hopelessness. The young generation in the village has nothing.

With just nine extended families making up the community, each death hits hard, appearing to only further encourage other young men to demonstrate against the army.

Photos of the dead from the past few months are prevalent on smartphones up and down the village streets. For many residents, this constant reminder of their situation through pictures of friends and relatives, shot in the upper parts of the body in a direct attempt to kill, causes the anger to bubble back to the surface.

Money makes money, and martyrs make martyrs, one local quips as talk continues about the high death rate in the village.

With another young man killed and the siege on Sair continuing, residents say they dont see an end anytime soon to the current cycle of violence and death in the small rural community.
Javad Zarif says sanctions to be abolished after IAEA issues its final report on nuclear programme, according to ISNA.

International sanctions on Iran will be lifted within hours when the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) issues its final report on Tehrans nuclear programme, Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif was quoted as saying.

Zarif arrived in Vienna earlier on Saturday, where the IAEA was expected to release the report confirming that Iran has completed its commitments under last years nuclear deal, triggering Implementation Day and the lifting of sanctions.

Today, with the release of the IAEA chiefs report, the nuclear deal will be implemented, after which a joint statement will be made to announce the beginning of the deal, Zarif was quoted as saying by state news agency IRNA.

Today is a good day for the Iranian people as sanctions will be lifted today, Zarif also reportedly said.

The report, if issued, would mark the consummation of the July 14, 2015 nuclear agreement, under which Iran agreed to shrink its atomic programme in exchange for the lifting of some EU, US and UN sanctions.

This would allow billions of dollars of investment to flow into the country.

US Secretary of State John Kerry arrived in Vienna on Saturday as Iran and Western powers finalised the arrangements for the lifting of sanctions.

Kerry is expected to go directly into a meeting with Zarif, who arrived in Vienna earlier

Zarif was due to meet Kerry, the EUs foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini, and IAEA chief Yukiya Amano later on Saturday.

Al Jazeeras Jacky Rowland, reporting from Vienna, said the lifting on sanctions will inevitably have an impact on the oil price, some analysts say it could go down to as low as $20 a barrel, because its exports would rise, increasing supply further

On Friday, oil prices fell to below $30 a barrel, a new 12-year low, amid renewed concerns of slow growth in China  the worlds second largest economy.
Jason Rezaian and three other Iranian-Americans freed in prisoner swap deal which sees US offer seven Iranians clemency.

Four Iranian-Americans, including Washington Post reporter Jason Rezaian, have been freed in Iran in a prisoner swap deal, Iranian and US officials said.

Rezaian, who was taken into custody in July 2014 and convicted on espionage charges last year, were expected to be flown to Switzerland along with former US Marine Amir Hekmati, pastor Saeed Abedini and Nosratollah Khosravi-Roodsari, US officials said.

Washington Post and a US official confirmed on Sunday that the plane carrying those four had taken off from Tehran.

In return for the Americans, the US will pardon or drop charges against seven Iranians  six of whom are dual US-Iranian citizens  accused or convicted of violating US sanctions.

In addition, the US will drop Interpol red notices  essentially arrest warrants  on 14 Iranian fugitives it has sought, officials said.

US student Matthew Trevithick was released in Iran independently of the exchange on Saturday and has already left the country.

The swap came as diplomats gathered in Vienna to announce the lifting of international sanctions and bring the country of 80 million people back to the global economic stage.

The International Atomic Energy Agency announced in Vienna that Tehran had complied with the requirements of a deal reached last year, under which it was to curb its nuclear programme in return for the lifting of sanctions imposed by the United States, United Nations and European Union.
Reports say hundreds of people, including pro-government fighters and their families, have been abducted or killed.

The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) group has been accused of carrying out a massacre in Syrian government-held districts in the eastern city of Deir Az Zor. A monitoring group has said more than 130 people were killed.

The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said on Saturday that at least 80 of those killed were pro-government militiamen and the rest were civilians, as the armed group captured the northern suburb of al-Baghaliyeh.

The Observatory added that at least 400 civilians, including families of pro-government fighters, were abducted.

There is genuine fear for their lives, there is a fear that the group might execute them as it has done before in other areas, said the Observatorys head Rami Abdurrahman.

The state news agency SANA said ISIL fighters committed a massacre, killing around 300 civilians, most of them women, children, and elderly people in Baghaliyeh.



UpFront  Syria: Starvation as a weapon of war

The reports could not be independently confirmed.

The advance in the northern tip of Deir Az Zor puts ISIL in control of about 60 percent of the city with the regime holding the rest, according to the observatory, which monitors violence in Syria through a wide network of local sources.

The monitor also said Russian warplanes were carrying out heavy air strikes in support of Syrian forces as they sought to repel the fighters.

Deir Az Zor is the capital of the oil-rich province with the same name.

The province links ISILs de facto capital in the Syrian city of Raqqa with territory controlled by the group in neighbouring Iraq.

The Syrian conflict started as a largely peaceful 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 about 4.3 million others into refugees, according to the UN.
Accusations of people smuggling against lifeguards part of a crackdown on civil society in Greek island, activists say.

Police charges carrying prison sentences of up to 10 years in jail made against volunteer lifeguards who rescue refugees have angered the NGO community in the Greek island of Lesbos, with some reporting a growing crackdown on their activities.

On Thursday, the Greek coastguard arrested two Danish and three Spanish volunteers from the Team Humanity and Proem Aid groups, respectively.

They are accused of people smuggling, Themistoklis Kefalas, a Danish citizens lawyer, confirmed to Al Jazeera.

The Danish volunteers are Mohammed Abbassi, 26, and Salam Aldeen, 33. The three Spanish volunteers are Manuel Blanco, Jose Enrique and Julio Latorre.

Late on Saturday, the five volunteers who all deny the charges were released on bail.

All except Aldeen were made to pay a 5,000-euro ($5,450) fee.

Aldeens bail was higher, at 10,000 euros ($10,900), and he is also the only defendant who must stay in Greece and report to a police station every week.

The group will appear in court soon, though a date is not yet set.

The only thing I can tell you is that they are good guys, Kefalas told Al Jazeera. If found guilty, according to Greek law, they face between five and 10 years in jail.

PHOTOS: Refugees caught between hope and harsh winter

Video footage on Team Humanitys Facebook page shows volunteers from around the world protesting against the detentions outside the courthouse in the islands capital city of Mytilene, calling for the charges to be dropped.

Petitions have also been set up. One in support of the Spanish volunteers gathered some 35,000 signatories in two days.

Crackdown

Speaking to Al Jazeera on Saturday, Ayman Elghiouane, 21, a volunteer from Team Humanity, said: Everybody is happy for us being there; Im wondering why the coastguard did this.

He added that in recent weeks, police have started slapping parking fines on volunteers, where before they had not, signalling a shift in treatment towards the community.





Their [the Greek authorities] attitudes have changed, said Elghiouane, one of 40 or so volunteers who has worked for Team Humanity, which launched in September.

There are around 80 NGOs working on the island, and thousands of volunteers.

Volunteer rescue teams are required to communicate with the coastguard when they go to rescue refugees by sea.

We always call [the coastguard] for permission before we head out to the water, Elghiouane said.

Right now, we can still do our work, but I dont know what the court will say. I think there is a crackdown on volunteers; maybe they want to scare us.

Coastguard burned out

The mayor of Lesbos has before complained that the influx of volunteers who do not cooperate with the municipality is disruptive rather than useful.

READ MORE: Hiding a humanitarian crisis on Greeces Lesbos

But Elisabeth Dimitras, an individual volunteer who has before collaborated with groups including Team Humanity, told Al Jazeera that the detained group was communicative and dedicated.

I worked with Salam Aldeen [of Team Humanity] for one month, said Dimitras, who has made three trips to the island to volunteer. He has no bad intentions. For sure, hes not a smuggler.

She added that Greek officials quoted in local media say that they wish the volunteer community was more controlled, in terms of registering properly with authorities and working with the local governments.

I also think NGOs should be controlled, but you cannot go around arresting volunteers.

Im really worried that the authorities think that as long as were there, the refugees will keep coming. And if were not, they will not come  which is not true.

Dimitras cited examples of increased pressure on volunteers, such as the arrest of an unrelated volunteer who took a photo with a Frontex patrol boat in the background.

The Greek coastguard in Lesbos only has around three or four boats, she added, justifying the volunteers work. Even some captains at the coastguard are completely burned out.

Refugee deaths continue

According to the UNHCR, of the 660,000 refugees and migrants who reached Greece in 2015, more than half landed at Lesbos.

Team Humanitys Elghiouane estimated that while numbers were down from September highs, when some 10,000 refugees would arrive in one day, around 1,000 refugees now reach the Greek island per day.

The number has fallen due to poor weather.

People are still drowning, Elghiouane said. Before, we used to like to party. We dont think about that kind of stuff now. We just want to go back to Lesbos and help.

At least 59 refugees have died or gone missing while making journeys to Europe this year, according to the International Organisation for Migration.

These volunteers and aid workers are trying to ensure their [refugees] safe passage  the state should be assisting them, rather than arresting them, Nada Homsi, a Lebanon-based volunteer who worked on the island last year, told Al Jazeera.

Ive never seen anyone from the group do anything inappropriate or wrong, or anything that could constitute the gross charges that are being held against them.

Follow Anealla Safdar on Twitter: @anealla
A Syrian migrant, 30, wins one million euros in French lottery that helped him buy an apartment and start his business.

A Syrian refugee based in the northern suburb of the French capital, Paris, has won one million euros ($1.09m) in lottery money after buying 10-euros scratch ticket.

The 30-year-old former businessman, who won one million euros in the national lottery, arrived in France back in 2011 and has been doing odd jobs since then.

He received his prize money last year in June, but the story of his win has only just emerged this week after the Federation Francaise, the operator of Frances national lottery, confirmed it to Le Parisien, a local French newspaper.

According to reports, he used his money to buy an apartment and also wants to bring the rest of his family to France. He also plans to open a restaurant and improve his French.

Before arriving in France, the man owned a small business in Syria, but was forced to flee the country due to the ongoing war that has displaced nearly half the population and killed more than 250,000 people.

More than a million refugees have arrived in Europe for safety in the past year.

The majority of refugees escaping to Europe come from camps in countries neighbouring Syria. Millions are living in temporary shelters, dependent on aid agencies for food and with little hope of getting jobs.

Not the first time

Last month, a Senegalese migrant saved from a sinking ship by Spanish coastguard won 400,000 euros ($436,500) in a Christmas draw.

The winner, Ngame, stood outside the lottery agency and was in tears as he clutched a photocopy of his winning ticket with the number 79,140. He thanked Spain for saving his life and giving him the chance to play the countrys world-famous lottery.

Today, I thank the Spanish government, the Spaniards, too, Ngame told Ondacero radio. They saved us when we were in the middle of the sea.
Pro-independence candidate Tsai Ing-wen has effectively won Taiwans presidential elections after Eric Chu, the candidate and chairman of the ruling Kuomintang (KMT), conceded defeat.

Tsai of Taiwans main opposition party was on course for a landslide election victory on Saturday, polls showed, as voters turn their backs on closer ties with China.

With more than half the votes counted, Tsai of the Beijing-wary Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) was ahead with 58.1 percent, according to a live count from polling stations by Taiwans FTV.

Eric Chu was trailing in second on 32.5 percent. Veteran conservative candidate James Soong of the People First Party was third with 9.4 percent.

The China-friendly KMT had been ruling the island for eight years.

In a victory speech in the capital, Taipei Tsai said the results showed that democracy is ingrained in the Taiwanese people and that she will strive to maintain stability with China.

We will work towards maintaining the status quo for peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait in order to bring the greatest benefits and well-being to the Taiwanese people, Tsai said.

I also want to emphasise that both of sides of the strait have a responsibility to find a mutually acceptable means of interactions that are based on dignity and reciprocity. We must ensure that no provocation or accidents take place, she added.

Al Jazeeras Adrian Brown, reporting from the Taiwanese capital, said Tsais election could lead to uncertainty between Beijing and Taipei.

In many ways, the DPP represents Chinas worst nightmare because of her pro-independent stance, but this is a woman they [China] now will have to deal with and how China responds, of course, in the coming days and weeks will really define the future of relationships between China and Taiwan, Brown said.

Reporters Notebook: Chinas shadow looms over crucial Taiwan election

Parliamentary polls were also held, and if the DPP wins those too, Tsai will get an even stronger mandate.

Tsai has walked a careful path on her China strategy, saying she wants to maintain the status quo with Beijing.

However, the DPP is traditionally a pro-independence party, and opponents say Tsai will destabilise relations.

Rapprochement

After decades of enmity, current KMT President Ma Ying-jeou has overseen a dramatic rapprochement with China since coming to power in 2008.

Although Taiwan is self-ruling after it split with China following a civil war in 1949, it has never formally declared independence, and Beijing still sees it as part of its territory awaiting reunification  by force if necessary.

The thaw culminated in a summit between Ma and Chinese President Xi Jinping in November.

Yet, despite more than 20 deals and a tourist boom, closer ties have exacerbated fears that China is eroding Taiwans sovereignty by making it economically dependent.

In 2014, the government was forced to shelve a trade pact after student-led protesters occupied parliament.

Beijing has warned it will not deal with any leader who does not recognise the one China principle, part of a tacit agreement between Beijing and the KMT known as the 1992 Consensus. The DPP has never recognised the consensus.

Meanwhile, Washington on Saturday congratulated Tsai on her election victory.

We share with the Taiwan people a profound interest in the continuation of cross-Strait peace and stability. We look forward to working with Dr Tsai and Taiwans leaders of all parties to advance our many common interests and further strengthen the unofficial relationship between the United States and the people on Taiwan. John Kirby, the US state departments spokesman said in a statement.
Tens of academics were detained for signing a petition demanding military operations in the southeast to end.

Turkish prosecutors have released tens of academics detained for signing a petition calling for an end to the army campaign against Kurdish rebels in the southeast of the country.

Fridays detentions over the petition, which was signed by more than 1,000 academics, targeted 21 scholars working for a state university in the northwestern city of Kocaeli and several more in other cities.

The probe launched into the academics on Thursday was to look into possible charges of insulting the state and engaging in terrorist propaganda on behalf of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), which is engaged in a bloody battle with Turkish forces.

We ask the state to put an end to the violence it has been inflicting on citizens right now, the petition released earlier this week said.

We, as academics and researchers of this country, declare that we will not be silenced [and] become a party to this crime, it added.

It also called for payment of compensation to citizens who suffered during the operations and for the preparation of conditions for peace talks to commence.

Condemnation

The declaration has been condemned by many, including government officials, for not mentioning or criticising the PKK.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu have sharply criticised the petition, and Erdogan even called on the judiciary to act against the treachery of the signatories.

READ MORE: Turkey detains academics over petition on Kurdish issue

The petition was also signed by renowned foreign academics such as Noam Chomsky and David Harvey.

Some of the academics retracted their support for the petition following the investigations launched by prosecutors and universities into them.

Several signatory scholars have been suspended by universities.

Turkey and the PKK announced a ceasefire in 2013, but it collapsed last July. Fighting has since resumed, with Turkey running an air campaign against the group that launched an armed rebellion more than 30 years ago.
Ecuador and Haiti report new cases of the mosquito-borne virus as Brazil directs funds for vaccine development.

Haiti, Ecuador and Brazil have announced that they have been hit by an outbreak of the Zika virus, a mosquito-borne ailment that causes birth defects and is rapidly spreading through Latin America and the Caribbean.

The Zika virus is transmitted by Aedes species mosquitoes, which also spread dengue and chikungunya viruses. Zika causes a mild illness with fever, rash, joint pain and conjunctivitis, with symptoms usually lasting under a week.

But in pregnant women, the virus can spread to the fetus and cause brain shrinkage  a rare condition called microcephaly that severely limits a childs intellectual and physical development  or death.

Brazil has been the hardest hit, documenting more than 3,500 cases of microcephaly between October 2015 and January 2016.

Four of those cases have recently been analysed, showing that babies were infected with the Zika virus while they were in the womb and that it reached their brains.

Two of the cases involved miscarriages, and two of the babies died soon after birth. The Brazilian government said on Saturday it was directing funds to a biomedical research centre to help develop a vaccine against the virus.

Ecuador confirms cases

Ecuador said on Friday it has detected two new cases of the Zika virus in the country. Officials had previously detected four people who arrived from other countries with the disease. But this is the first time it has been transmitted on Ecuadorian soil, said Veronica Espinosa, deputy cabinet minister responsible for monitoring outbreaks.

We have now detected, confirmed by laboratory tests, the first two native cases. That is, we now have cases of the virus being transmitted by mosquito bites that happened in Ecuadoran territory, she told a press conference.

First Haiti detection

Also on Friday, Haitis Public Health Minister Florence Duperval Guillaume said there have been five confirmed cases of the Zika virus in the country. All the cases are in the area of Port-au-Prince, the overcrowded capital.

The United States on Friday warned pregnant women to avoid travel to 14 countries and territories in the Caribbean and Latin America due to the virus.

The level two travel alert applies to Brazil, Colombia, El Salvador, French Guiana, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Martinique, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Suriname, Venezuela and Puerto Rico.
Iraqs top Shia cleric Ali al Sistani has called on the government to curb the activities of armed groups.



At least seven Sunni mosques were bombed in eastern Iraq earlier this week, allegedly by Shia fighters. That was in response to ISILs attacks against Shia mosques in the same town. And Shia fighters have also been accused of human rights abuses against Sunnis across the country.



Of the shia armed groups accused of carrying out these attacks, the most prominent is the Popular Mobilisation Forces. Its an umbrella organisation of non-state armed groups, some of which have been around for more than a decade. They were brought together by former Prime Minister Nouri al Maliki in 2014.



But what does it take to deal with armed groups with sectarian allegiances?



Presenter: Sami Zeidan



Guests:



Juan Cole  Professor of History at the University of Michigan.



Renad Mansour  Fellow at the Iraq Institute for Strategic Studies.



Ali Al-Dabbagh  Former Spokesman for the Iraqi government.
Among the hundreds of thousands of refugees entering Europe, a significant number is made up of young men from Afghanistan. Last year more than 100,000 Afghans fled to Europe, and the exodus continues.

But why are so many Afghans leaving their home country?

In Kabuls Kote Sangi neighbourhood, painters, carpenters, plasterers and other manual workers sit outside waiting for someone to come by and hire them, even if only for a few hours.

This scene is replicated throughout the Afghan capital as thousands of casual workers hope to earn a dollar or more a day, the desperation etched on many faces. But their chances arent good. These men dont have the family or the political connections often needed to get a job. And Afghanistans unemployment rate is estimated to be at 40 percent or higher.

Im by Abdel

 please give me a job. I want to work for my country. I never want to leave my country.]

Afghanistans economy still depends heavily on international aid and 61 percent of the countrys operating budget is funded by foreign donors.

The withdrawal of more than 100,000 NATO troops, and a scaling down of aid has shrunk the economy drastically. Building bases for the troops, staffing them, moving food and water to them, injected billions of dollars into the economy and employed tens of thousands of Afghans for years.

In response to the economic downturn, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani has launched the National Employment Programme in November 2015 to give thousands of Afghans job opportunities.

But will he succeed? How do do young Afghans feel about their countrys economic future?

On this weeks Talk to Al Jazeera in the Field, we examine the job market in Afghanistan. How does it really work? And what jobs, if any, offer some kind of future for the young people who decide to stay in Afghanistan?

We talk to business leaders who are looking for workers; the head of one of Afghanistans biggest recruitment companies; and job seeker Abdel Fatah, who studied sociology at Kabul University and wants to stay and work in his country.

Four years ago, when Fatah began his studies, his English language skills could have landed him a decent job with an aid organisation or a company working with international donors, paying $2,500 to $3,000 a month. Today, he would be happy with earning $200-$300 a month  this would cover rent, food, and other basic necessities.

He explains why other men his age are compelled to leave Afghanistan or join the Taliban or the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant. They offer fighters $700 a month, which is more than twice what the Afghan army pays.

In some provinces Taliban pay gold for the youth. I dont know from where they bring the gold but they pay gold to young men to be with them, says Abdel Fatah.

We also get the countrys chief executive, Abdullah Abdullah, to respond to what Fatah had to say about him and the government: They [the leaders] have not the job problem and the food problem. Just the people have this problem. They never think about the people.

Abdullah Abdullah says: When I was his age, I had graduated  and I had a lot of opportunities to leave the country  the country was under occupation  but at the same time it was for the sake of the people. I was less that his age, apparently, when I joined the resistance against the Soviets. There are times when a country calls on its citizens and it is the citizens responsibility as well to see what they can do.

All my life I have dedicated my life to the service of the people, and what I can do for him [Fatah] and millions of others  thats my ultimate goal, but at the same time the citizens should also look and see what they can do for their country.

You can talk to Al Jazeera too. Join our Twitter conversation as we talk to world leaders and alternative voices shaping our times. You can also share your views and keep up to date with our latest interviews on Facebook.
German-Hungarian jazz clarinetist/composerhas been performing on the radio for a long time. This "Birthday Edition 75" collects performances dating from 1984 to the early 2000s: about twenty years. All but one track was also composed by him, so it's a good picture of his adventurous composing and playing over a good part of his career. The earliest tracks (from WDR Cologne) are arguably the most dated: they're clearly in fusion mode, complete with period keyboard sounds. Still very catchy tunes, and there's some novelty in hearing a clarinet in that contextDudas' strong playing immediately removes any doubt about the clarinet's role in this amplified music.1996's move to MTVA Budapest signals a dramatic change in the sound, as Dudas joins the acoustic Hungarian Radio Band Studio 11. "Kukeri Dance" has a Balkan tone, appropriate to the Bulgarian ritual it is named for, while "Urban Blues" is all brass swagger. The tracks from AtM Studio Cologne feature a small group, with the harmonic role filled solely by guitarist, Dudas' most frequent collaborator on this collection. It's decidedly cool-sounding, as indicated by titles like "West Coast" (which opens with a striking contrapuntal section overdubbed by Dudas) and the bossa nova "Cool Getz." Good guitar solo on that tune, as well as on "For Gabor (Remember Gabor Szabo)"certainly appropriate for a tune named for the prominent Hungarian jazz guitarist."Bach's Gedenken" is a duet between Dudas and van Endert which begins in counterpoint, then moves into free improvisationanother new stylistic color. Dudas even throws in a quote from Bach's well known "Minuet in G major" (the same tune used in the pop hit "Lover's Concerto" by The Toys). Here (as elsewhere) the guitarist provides rich, responsive accompaniment. "Minimal Musical" is a big band chart for the HR Frankfurt Jazz Ensemble, with memorable solos from Dudas and pianist Markus Becker. The collection closes with the return of the small group (minus the additional percussionist) for a live performance (at Radiokulturhaus) of the sole cover tune, fellow Hungarian's "Meet."A compilation that covers a lot of stylistic ground, unified by Dudas' magisterial clarinet playing. He's so consistently good that it's almost unnecessary to single out particular solos. His composing is equally impressive.
           2005     ..        




AR's Editor Joe Shea Talks About Elections On Iranian TV Bear Stearns Saved By Fed As Lehman Bros. Falters; Major Bank

Failure Looms Over Wall Street, Sends Markets Into 200-Pt. Dive Lie Upon Lie Five Years Into the Iraq War

The Administration Still Churns Out Lies by Randolph Holhut A Small Tragedy Even at 90, As Friends Turn Cool

She Knows the Show Must Go On by Joyce Marcel I'll Take Me Imagine John Wayne or Arnold

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By Site Searches; It Can be Wrong by Jay Bhatti Chatting Up The Cat God Gave Me Dominion Over Him

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AFTER 5 YEARS, WE'RE STILL LIED TO ABOUT IRAQ by Randolph T. Holhut DUMMERSTON, Vt. -- Next week is the fifth anniversary of the U.S. invasion of Iraq. And it is likely that sometime in the next couple of weeks, the 4,000th American soldier will die in Iraq. [MORE] Momentum

OFF TO SEE THE WIZARD by Joyce Marcel DUMMERSTON, Vt. - It's 1931, and a 14-year-old girl is standing alone on a stage. She's small and lively with dark curly hair, widespread hazel eyes, slender wrists and an open, eager face filled with the wonder of performing. Her name is Rose, and one day she will be my mother. But now she is performing an Eugene O'Neill monologue called "Before Breakfast" for a ladies' club in a wealthy suburb of Long Island. [MORE] One Woman's World

COMFORTABLE WITH MYSELF by Elizabeth T. Andrews CARTERSVILLE, Ga. -- I'm not sure but I think I may be socially incorrect. [MORE] On Native Ground

ENOUGH FOR A WAR, NOT FOR A PEOPLE by Randolph T. Holhut DUMMERSTON, Vt. -- Last week, the National Governors Assn. met in Washington, D.C. One of the tasks the NGA had on its agenda was to ask President Bush to increase federal spending on roads, bridges and other public works projects as a way to stimulate the economy. He rejected their pleas out of hand, claiming that infrastructure projects wouldn't offer any short-term economic boost. [MORE] Brasch Words

BEWARE THE SELF-REVERENTIAL PRESS by Walter Brasch BLOOMSBURG, Pa. -- Shortly before the primary votes this past week, Newsweek's Jonathan Alter called Sen. Barack Obama's surge to the Democratic nomination "inevitable." It also called for Hillary Clinton to "start her campaign for Senate majority leader." [MORE] Constance

A CONVERSATION WITH MY CAT Constance Daley ST. SIMONS ISLAND, Ga. -- Normally, when the cat starts his evening rant of meowing continuously until he makes his point, I just take it as long as I can, pick him up, and put him in the garage for the night. He doesn't want to go, but the meowing stops and I don't care if he likes it or not. [MORE] Momentum

OUT OF STRUGGLE, ART by Joyce Marcel DUMMERSTON, Vt. -- Here we are again at the crossroads of art and social change, having the opportunity to watch good and great films about the lives of women in support of the Women's Crisis Center. [MORE] Campaign 2008

HOW TO PREDICT SUPER TUESDAY II WINNERS? ONLINE SEARCH by Jay Bhatti NEW YORK, March 4, 2008, 7:00PM ET -- With the outcomes of the Texas, Vermont, Ohio and Rhode Island primaries to be decided tonight, how possible is it that online searching can predict who will win tonight's primaries? [MORE] One Woman's World

DON'T VOTE; IT ENCOURAGES THEM by Elizabeth T. Andrews CARTERSVILLE, Ga. -- Call me angry and disgusted but don't call me un-American because I won't be voting come November. [MORE] On Native Ground

BUSH AND THE KEYBOARD COMMANDOS by Randolph T. Holhut DUMMERSTON, Vt. -- As the days tick down toward the eventual departure of President George W. Bush from the White House, it's a hopeful sign that most Americans are no longer moved by his Administration's constant exploitation of terrorism for political gain. [MORE] Momentum

WHICH AMERICA DO YOU LIVE IN? by Joyce Marcel DUMMERSTON, Vt. -- It's a little confusing. [MORE] Make My Dat

THE LAWYER THAT ATE NEW YORK by Erik Deckers INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. -- I used to know a guy who, quite literally, didn't get hyperbole. He didn't understand exaggeration. As a result, he missed most jokes that came his way. [MORE] On Native Ground

FIDEL RETIRES: NOW THE COLD WAR IS REALLY OVER by Randolph T. Holhut DUMMERSTON, Vt. -- Maybe now, we can finally say the Cold War is over. [MORE] Make My Dat

THE LAWYER THAT ATE NEW YORK by Erik Deckers INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. -- I used to know a guy who, quite literally, didn't get hyperbole. He didn't understand exaggeration. As a result, he missed most jokes that came his way. [MORE] One Woman's World

POLITICS IS NO PARTY by Elizabeth T. Andrews CARTERSVILLE, Ga. -- Are you having a hard time focusing your eyes? Do you have faint red spots all over your body? Is there a ringing in your ears and do you see wavy lines when you look at your television set? Do your hands shake when you try to hold a cup of coffee? And have you recently been forgetting what day of the week it is - or what year? [MORE] Make My Day

FOR BETTER OR WORSE ... A LOT WORSE by Erik Deckers INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. -- "Marriage: It's Only Going to Get Worse." [MORE] Constance

YOU CALL THESE RIGHTS? by Constance Daley ST. SIMONS ISLAND, Ga. -- When you express an opinion you hope to persuade others to your point of view. It doesn't always happen but still, opinion writers try. [MORE] Momentum

THE BRIDGE WOMAN by Joyce Marcel DUMMERSTON, Vt. - Out there in America - yes, still - is a generation of women who were born in the 1940s, raised in the 1950s, and who came to radical consciousness in the late 1960s and early 1970s. I am one of them. Hillary Clinton is one of them. [MORE] On Native Ground

OBAMA AND MY GENERATION by Randolph T. Holhut DUMMERSTON, Vt. -- I originally planned on voting for Dennis Kucinich in the Vermont Primary on March 4. [MORE] The Willies:

WARNING: THIS MEDICATION MAY MURDER YOUR FRIENDS by Joe Shea BRADENTON, Fla. -- You've heard the warnings, haven't you? Stop Prozac and you may take a shotgun, an Uzi or an AK-47 and mow down your family and friends, or even a whole classroom full of your fellow students. You didn't? Well, that warning is not on the bottle, but like countless mass-murder incidents before it, Friday's shootings at Northern Illinois University, as well as the Virginia Tech shootings that killed 32 last year, was probably precipitated by the effect of stopping medications that suppress anger and other powerful emotions but do not relieve the underlying cause. Isn't it time we started warning people - or stopped prescribing these medicines? [MORE] One Woman's World

DON'T KNOCK ON MY DOOR by Elizabeth T. Andrews CARTERSVILLE, Ga. -- I wish I could feel delight in my poet's mansion being like Grand Central Station all the time, but I can't. And I wish my place was such a place that someone would one day write: "Her door was always open and she always made you feel all fuzzy and warm in her presence. She could make a cup of coffee seem like a banquet." [MORE] Reporting: Panama

PANAMA'S VIOLENT LABOR UNREST INTENSIFIES Mark Scheinbaum PANAMA CITY, Panama, Feb, 15, 2008 -- After just one day of relative calm, wildcat construction strikes by some members of Panama's largest union flared up again Friday morning, four days after a police sniper shot one worker. More than 140 demonstrators have been injured and at least 500 arrested, authorities say. [MORE] Brasch Words

TO STIMULATE ECONOMY, BUY A CHINESE-MADE U.S. FLAG by Walter Brasch BLOOMSBURG, Pa. -- Walking down Main Street, pushing a grocery cart loaded with clothes, toys, and appliances was Marshbaum. Fastened to the right front corner of the cart was an American flag tied onto a three-foot ruler. [MORE] Make My Day

THE TOOTH, AND NOTHING BUT THE TOOTH by Erik Deckers INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. -- To commemorate the death of noted shark exploder Roy Scheider, and the "Jaws" movies that resulted in Erik never setting foot in the ocean again, we are reprinting this column from 2003. Shark Experts 0, Sharks 1 [MORE] Momentum

THE WINTER OF MY DISCONTENT by Joyce Marcel DUMMERSTON, Vt. - As I write this, it's raining ice. Maybe a half a foot of snow and ice has already landed up here in the woods of Dummerston. Our cars are encased in it, and the door to the house is blocked. The satellite dish that brings in our Internet service quit about 20 minutes ago - frozen solid. [MORE] The Willies

AMERICA TO HILLARY: GET OUT! by Joe Shea BRADENTON, Fla., Feb. 13, 2008 -- Sen. Hillary Clinton has adopted the Rudy Giuliani strategy, and it's working - for Sen. Barack Obama. It turns out to be the strategy all Democrats are seeking - an exit strategy. But it's not for Iraq. It's for her exit from the race for the 2008 Democratic Presidential nomination. [MORE] Constance

CONFESSIONS OF A DISAPPOINTED VOTER by Constance Daley ST. SIMONS ISLAND, Ga. -- A week ago at just about this time, I completed an article and was about to submit it as scheduled to The American Reporter. I was feeling rather elated, ready to show up on Super Tuesday morning, firmly touch the X next to Rudy Giuliani's name and get on with my day. He was my choice; he would get my vote. [MORE] Reporting: Florida

SIERRA CLUB SET TO SUSPEND FLA. CHAPTER by Joe Shea BRADENTON, Fla., Feb. 10, 2008 -- The national Sierra Club is set to suspend its Florida chapter after years of divisive infighting, the president of the national club told Florida members in a letter delivered to some this weekend. It is the first time in its 116-year history that such a step has been considered by the club, according to news reports. [MORE] One Woman's World

PLANT A NEW WORLD THIS SPRING by Elizabeth T. Andrews CARTERSVILLE, Ga. -- For a little while, the men will just have to toss and turn in their fear-free-women beds. For a small space of time Hillary Clinton will just have to trudge on toward the White House without my faint applause in the background. [MORE] On Native Ground

VERMONT AND THE 5 STAGES OF CONSERVATIVE GRIEF by Randolph T. Holhut DUMMERSTON, Vt. -- First, Vermont tried to convince the nation to impeach President Bush and Vice President Cheney. [MORE] Make My Day

REBEL WITHOUT A TONGUE by Erik Deckers INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. -- Kids' brains work in amazing ways. At times, they can grasp complex concepts and make impressive discoveries. Other times, you have to wonder how we ever survived as a species. [MORE] The Willies

FOR DEMOCRATS, NOW IT'S ABOUT RACE, INCOME AND GENDER by Joe Shea BRADENTON, Feb. 6, 2008 -- It's not a good time to be a Democrat. As the Super Tuesday results demonstrated, the presidential race between Sens. Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton has divided the partly along clear racial, income and gender lines - the very distinctions the party has sought to erase in principle but has emphasized in its pursuit of diversity. [MORE] Momentum

SUPER TUESDAY BLUES by Joyce Marcel DUMMERSTON, Vt. -- Super Tuesday has come and gone and I still can't get excited about the upcoming presidential elections. [MORE] The Willies

ON THE BRINK OF HISTORY, YOUR PUSH IS NEEDED by Joe Shea BRADENTON, Fla., Feb. 5. 2008 -- I'm expecting a sea change tonight. I believe that for the first time in this nation's history we will once and forever banish racism as the deciding factor in the destiny of African-Americans, and indeed adopt diversity as our path to the future. [MORE] Campaign 2008

AT 88, EVERY VOTE REALLY COUNTS by Ted Manna DENVER, Feb. 5, 2008 -- Pearl Turner will caucus for Mitt Romney tonight in Denver. [MORE] One Woman's World

STAND BY YOUR WOMAN by Elizabeth T. Andrews CARTERSVILLE, Ga. -- The black vote. The gay vote. The fundamentalist vote. The Hispanic vote. [MORE] An AR Special

SUSPECTS IN BENAZIR ASSASSINATION HAVE TIES TO MUSHARRAF by Ahmar Mustikhan WASHINGTON, D.C. -- When Gordon Brown this past Monday feted coup-leader-turned-President Pervez Musharraf at 10 Downing Street, Britain's new prime minister probably didn't ask the Pakistani dictator a question that is now on many minds: Did you order the murder of Benazir Bhutto? [MORE] Momentum

TO THE VERMONT DELEGATION: WHAT HAVE YOU DONE FOR US LATELY? by Joyce Marcel DUMMERSTON, Vt.  Back when President George W. Bush and Dick Vice President Dick Cheney were building up to their loathsome war in Iraq, very few people were brave enough to call the bullies' bluff. [MORE] On Native Ground

IF BUSH HAS HIS WAY, WE'LL NEVER LEAVE IRAQ by Randolph T. Holhut DUMMERSTON, Vt. - In his final State of the Union address on Jan. 28, President Bush cautioned against accelerating U.S. troop withdrawals from Iraq, saying that it would endanger the process that has been made over the past year. [MORE] Campaign 2008

CLASH OF COMMENTS AND PROTESTORS AT CLINTON, OBAMA RALLIES IN DENVER by Ted Manna DENVER, Feb. 1, 2008 -- At least four presidential campaigns of both partiers rolled into in Denver this week ahead of the Feb. 5 "Super Tuesday" primaries in 22 states, but it was the Democratic presidential contenders who drew the big crowds and duked it out Wednesday. If sheer numbers are any indication, Sen. Barack Obama - preceded by a buoyant and beautiful Caroline Kennedy - won the round handily. He is the overwhelming favorite to win the Colorado primary next Tuesday. [MORE] The Willies

WHY THE FLORIDA PRIMARY STINKS by Joe Shea BRADENTON, Fla., Jan. 30, 2008 -- I was with my wife and daughter driving the back way from Miami home to Bradenton when we stopped at a McDonald's in Clewiston, the only big town along the vast shore of Lake Okeechobee, the state's precious freshwater reservoir. The McDonald's had three televisions at a central seating area, each tuned to a different network, and our table was in front of CNN as the very first election results started to pour in around 7:30PM. With them, almost as counterpoint, suddenly came such an overwhelming odor of cow plop that my wife started to throw up as we all ran to the parking lot. [MORE] Passings: Suharto

DEATH OF A KEMUSU THUG by Andreas Harsono JAKARTA - A few minutes after hearing that former president Suharto had died in his hospital bed, Marco, a militia leader in downtown Jakarta, raced to Suhartos house, wearing his jungle camouflage and began guarding the Suhartos residence on Cendana Street. [MORE] Constance

I REMEMBER YOU by Constance Daley ST. SIMONS ISLAND, Ga.. -- It seems to be more often lately that the sentiment is spoken but it's always been out there: "You never get over the death of your child." This is true. But the heartfelt expressions come from some who cannot fathom the notion of losing a child; their own child is who is in their mind, not another mother's child. [MORE]
Looking at the world through the eyes of the Web
As I learn of fresh Isis atrocities, I cannot help reminding myself that Europe was once in a similar situation to that in which the Middle East finds itself today. I am referring to the period of the Reformation, which started soon after Luther nailed his 95 theses to door of the castle church in Wittenberg, Saxony, in October 1517. Luther had denounced what he saw as the corrupt practices of his Church. Before long, his followers, who later became known as Protestants, broke away from the authority of the Pope in Rome.





This Protestant versus Catholic division - our version of Islam's Sunni versus Shia - was replicated all over Europe. In Britain, France, the Netherlands and Germany, what started as disagreement and protest later morphed into religious persecution and then, often enough, into civil war. Only when these conflicts came to an end in the mid-1600s was this nightmare, which lasted 140 years, brought to a close.





What Syria is going through at this time is no worse than what Germany experienced in the Thirty Years War that ended in 1648. The historian Norman Davies describes the post-war scene thus: "Germany lay desolate. The population had fallen from 21 million to perhaps 13 million. Between a third and half of the people were dead. Whole cities like Magdeburg stood in ruins. Whole districts lay stripped of their inhabitants, their livestock, and their supplies. Trade had virtually ceased."





Nor is the Syrian calamity any more disastrous than the English Civil War, which petered out in 1651. Read what the Cambridge historian, Robert Tombs, has to say about the conflict: "The Civil War was the most lethal conflict England had suffered since the Conquest. A recent estimate suggests around 86,000 killed in combat, nearly all soldiers; another 129,000, mostly civilians, succumbed to the diseases that accompanied war; and infant mortality reached the highest level ever recorded. These losses, in a population of 4-5 million, are proportionately much higher than those England suffered in the First World War."




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On Tuesday, President Obama delivered his final State of the Union address, marking his final year in office. News outlets, politicians and political pundits have provided and will continue to provide their opinions and assessments of the content of his address, his invitees, and the now famous empty chair. But as we enter the president's final year, it's time to provide more important assessment and review: the legacy of President Obama.

Perhaps the best way to evaluate that legacy is to look to an interesting story from Russian history. According to Russian lore, a man by the name of Grigory Potemkin erected a series of fake village settlements along the bank of the Dnieper River in an effort to fool Catherine the Great's entourage during her tour of the Crimea in 1787.

Potemkin and Catherine were well known to be romantically involved, and one of the "perks" of his position was a governorship appointment of the Crimea region. Crimea had been decimated by a previous war, and Potemkin was tasked with rebuilding the area. In an effort to secure support for a pending war against the Ottoman Empire, Catherine made a six-month trip to "New Russia."

As Catherine's party of ambassadors moved down the river, Potemkin would be one step ahead, setting up the mobile villages on the banks of the Dnieper, and then Potemkin would have his men dress up as villagers to interact with the party. Once the visitors left, Potemkin and his men would disassemble the village and travel through the night to set up the next village.

In modern politics, the exploits of Potemkin (and his Potemkin villages) have come to describe a situation constructed to give the outward appearance that things are much better than they really are.

While the empty chair was meant, no doubt, to pay tribute to gun violence victims, the president may have ironically given America the most succinct assessment of the legacy of the current president. Obama is the Potemkin President.

While the Potemkin label has been applied at various times to policies or actions the president has taken during his two terms, a close examination of major areas of his presidency shows a pattern much more pervasive than just a few isolated presidential actions.

To illustrate the point, here are just five prime examples  racial/political environment, Wall Street, health care, foreign relations, and the economy  of where the president touts his successes  Potemkin successes that mask a much less flattering reality.

1. Obama's Brand as the Great Unifier. While his approval rating remains slightly under 50 percent according to Gallup (which is much better than his predecessor), the promise of hope and change has been more of lost hope and change as it relates to America being more unified.

The racial and political climate in America is at a boiling point. Incidents in Ferguson and Baltimore, the Black Panthers polling incidents, and the battle over immigration are just a few illustrations of the pent up frustration of Americans because of a president who talked unity but sowed the seeds of contention with his penchant for divisive rhetoric.

Further, Washington remains deadlocked. And while a healthy part of the blame lies at the feet of Republicans for this, a real leader would have found ways to build bridges and consensus rather than ramming through legislation that passed only along party lines or turning to the executive order every time he failed to get his way.

2. The Clean-Up of Wall Street. Upon taking office, President Obama was quick to blame former President Bush for the latter's failure to check Wall Street, but he had no issue taking credit for the passage of a litany of regulations, including Dodd-Frank, that were going to clean up Wall Street.

Is Wall Street really "cleaned up"? We need only look to the president's own party to find the Potemkin village in this situation. At a recent Cato event, Democratic senator Elizabeth Warren noted that nine trillion in tax dollars went out the "back door" to just three financial institutions at a rate amounting to nothing those institutions could get anywhere else. Instead of solving the problem, the "too big to fail" banks are now even bigger and even more risky. And according to Mark Calabria's insider federal sources, Congress has no idea if any of the large banks are currently insolvent.

3. The Affordable Care Act. One of President Obama's biggest policy objectives when he took office was to reform the health care system, so that all Americans could have access to affordable health care. As such, the passage of the Affordable Care Act has been touted as one of the president's greatest policy achievements.

From the infamous campaign promise of "If you like your health plan you can keep it" to continuing delays in the implementation of various parts of the law to costly websites and technical investments that haven't worked, the ACA has led to one broken promise after another. Perhaps the most Potemkin-like aspect of the ACA is that Americans are now getting less coverage at a higher cost and are more dependent on government assistance to pay for their new "affordable" care.

By the numbers, the average American household now depends on a $2,890 government subsidy, according to a study by the Kaiser Family Foundation, to help offset the cost of rising premiums, which are poised to rise 12 to 13 percent this year, according to ACAsignups.net. And these increases tell only half the story. As premiums have gone up, so have deductibles. The average American household's deductible has risen by $400 since 2010 (from $900 to $1,300), and for small business owners, that deductible number is $1,800. It is as if the president took a page from the cereal and cracker companies, who kept prices "low" but reduced the amount of food in the box. As with Obamacare, Americans were led to believe they were getting a good deal until they starting reading the fine print on the box.

4. The Peace Prize President. Shortly after his inauguration, Obama was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. The president can't be blamed for the timing of the award, but the award now stands as a rather ironic piece of evidence confirming the Potemkin President's legacy.

A quick look at the news in just the past year is all one needs to pull the curtains back on what's really going on behind the village cutouts. The Russia/Ukraine conflict continues to fester. France has endured a horrific terror attack. North Korea appears to have conducted a successful nuclear test. The Arab world ebbs closer to major conflict, with continued issues in Syria and ISIS conflicts in Iraq. Finally, trust in the current president's foreign policy in the Arab world is at historic lows according to research by the Pew Foundation.

5. The Obama-Led Recovery. Based on his 2012 campaign, President Obama was responsible for helping to pull the U.S. out of one of the worst recessions since the Great Depression. In fact, the president just a few months ago made the claim on The Daily Show that "by every metric, the economy is better than when he took office."

While some numbers have improved slightly from the bottom, the underlying fundamentals of the economy tell a different story. According to Gallup research, small business growth is in a death spiral, and the U.S. now ranks 12th among developed nations in business start-up activity. The percentage of the adult population that is fully employed is at its lowest level in 30 years. The small growth we have seen pales in comparison to the economic recovery initiated by Reagan that didn't require trillions in new debt. Finally, the Fed has been forced to keep the gas pedal down on its quantitative easing strategy, which may be the clearest sign that there has been no real recovery.

This list could be significantly larger. But each additional example would only confirm the original premise that the best way to summarize the leadership legacy of our current president is that he would have made Potemkin proud.

Lyall Swim is the managing partner of Junto Strategy and leadership development enthusiast. (Email: lswim@juntostrategy.com; Twitter: @lyallswim.)
The great American experiment is based on the revolutionary idea that power flows from the people not the government; the rights of people granted by the Creator, not the Divine right of kings.

Lincoln encapsulated that when he said:

government of the people, by the people, for the people

The Constitution defines a government where the people exercise power by electing -- and getting rid of -- politicians. Because in the vision created by the Framers, laws can only be created by the peoples representatives, Congress, the people control, albeit indirectly, what laws are passed.



This makes sense, since the people are the ones who have to deal with the consequences of any law passed by Congress. If people have no control over those who pass laws, then there is tyranny; a group of elites who can command the people and who the people cannot remove.

The sad reality is that America is no longer a country run by a government of the people. Decades of fascist maneuvering by Democrats has destroyed the representational nature of American government and disenfranchised the people.

The elimination of people power began with the Supreme Courts acceptance of the idea of the living Constitution; i.e., the idea that the Constitution means whatever 5 judges thinks it means rather than what the people who wrote and ratified the Constitution thought it meant.

Irrespective of how one feels about reading a criminal their rights, its absurd on the face of it to believe that the Founders felt that Mirandizing criminals was a Constitutional necessity, given that no one had broached the subject in the first 100+ years after the Constitution was ratified.

Similarly, one can be for abortion yet admit that nowhere in the Constitution is there any right to privacy nor did the Framers think that the Constitution would legalize a practice they abhorred. Instead, the Court imposed on America its personal morality. A court that decides what it thinks the Constitution should mean is no different in nature than a monarch such as King George III; the Court overriding the laws of all 50 states and legalizing abortion for any reason at any point in a pregnancy is of the same nature as King George III unilaterally demanding that Americans house British soldiers in their homes.

Recently the Court has solidified its power by declaring that citizens dont have the right to sue when politicians dont enforce the laws passed by the people directly. Seven million Californians passed Prop 8 that declared that marriage was between a man and a woman. The fascist Democrat politicians of California, including Jerry Brown, refused to defend the peoples law showing that Democrats do not believe that power flows from the people. But if the people dont have standing to demand that the laws they pass be enforced clearly the people, in the eyes of the Supreme Court, have no power.

Similarly, Eric Holder and Obama declared themselves above the law by refusing to enforce DOMA -- and encouraging state attorneys-general to do the same. Clearly, if politicians can pick and choose which laws to follow, the people have no power, since even if they manage to get laws enacted, the people have no assurance that their rulers will follow those laws.

Of course, Obamas imperial presidency and his refusal to act as though there are any Constitutional restraints on his personal power also work to remove the people from the decision-making process. However, rather than using his pen, Obama usually relies on the hoards of overpaid government workers to enforce his will on the people.

The final step in disenfranchising the American people and making them subjects of a new royal class composed of government bureaucrats, judges, and politicians has been the rise of whats called administrative law; rules created by unelected government workers that Americans must follow.

In America today, if Democrats think that men accused of rape on college campuses should be denied due process they need not pass a law, rather they only need an unelected and essentially unfireable government bureaucrat to write a letter to colleges threatening to remove all federal funding unless mens due process is removed.

Similarly if Democrats wish to crush the poor with massive increases in their energy bills they need not pass a law. Instead they just have the EPA issue a mandate that essentially outlaws coal burning power plants that will dramatically increase energy costs; a highly regressive tax since the poor spend a much higher percentage of their money on energy than do the rich and middle class.

The elimination of people power helps explains why the Democrat agenda advances despite electoral wins by Republicans. While many Republicans are in fact more interested in the donor class than the people, the reality is that under the government described by the Constitution, Democrats could not just stonewall. To advance their agenda Democrats would have to compromise. We saw that during the Reagan administration, where the Democrats had to go along with key parts of Reagans agenda in order to further their own objectives.

Today the Court and unelected bureaucrats can further the Democrat agenda without Congress doing anything. Hence Democrats have no need to compromise.

Gridlock is the result not of partisanship but of the institutionalization of Democrat power through the Courts and administrative law -- and of course Obamas executive orders. Because Democrats can get what they want without Congress passing laws, Democrats need not compromise and they know that the MSM will blame Republicans for Congresss lack of action.

Tip ONeill had to work with Reagan in order to get what he wanted; Pelosi and Reid dont have to work with Ryan or McConnell to get what they want.

If anyone doubts that Americans are now controlled by their masters in government, they only need look at the fact that not only do government workers have job security, something the people dont have in the Obama economy, but that they earn 78% more, on average, than the people. Liberals claim that thats because government jobs require more skills than private sector jobs. That claim shows just how elitist liberals are -- they actually believe that being a government paper pusher is more demanding than being a plumber, a software engineer, or the owner of a small business.

In the Soviet Union, the nomenklatura, the ruling class, was marked by its special privileges and its higher pay, just like government employees and politicians in America today. Following the money tells us who are the rulers and who are the ruled in America today.

To turn this around we need to eliminate the ability of unelected government workers to make law and we need to reign in the Supreme Court.

Its time for conservatives to demand power for the people and a return to what should be all Americans rightful inheritance; a government for, by, and of the people.

You can read more of toms rants at his blog, Conversations about the obvious and feel free to follow him on Twitter
Relations between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Islamic Republic of Iran have never been particularly good. But with the execution of Shia cleric Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr on January 2, relations are deteriorating further and faster.

The next day, Sunni Saudi Arabia and Shia Iran severed ties with one another, and each gave the other's diplomatic staff 48 hours to leave the country. That was in reaction to Iranian demonstrators storming the Saudi embassy in Tehran.

The BBC reported last Monday that Saudi allies Bahrain and Sudan are also severing diplomatic ties with Iran, giving the Iranian diplomatic staff 48 hours to vacate the respective countries. The United Arab Emirates, another Saudi ally, has downgraded its diplomatic representation in the Islamic Republic.

But the current turmoil is only a small aspect of a greater struggle that is as old as Islam itself. Probably the most important aspect of the schism between the Sunnis and Shiites (Shia) was the succession after the death of the prophet Mohammed. The Sunnis believed that Mohammed's confidant Abu Bakr should succeed him, while the Shiites have insisted that Ali ibn Abi Taib, Mohammed's son-in-law and cousin, should be the new leader of Islam.

In A.D. 661, Ali was killed by a Sunni faction while at prayer in the Great Mosque of Kufa. Ali's murder cemented the division between the Sunnis and Shiites.

The defeat of the Ottoman Empire in the First World War would essentially create the endless chaos we see today. In that context, the single most consequential event with regards to Middle East politics is the Sykes-Picot Pact. The secret agreement between England and France partitioned much of the former Ottoman Empire into direct-rule regions and spheres of influence. The two Great Powers attempted to partition the land among tribal and religious lines. However, according to Tarek Osman of BBC News, "the thinking behind Sykes-Picot did not translate into practice. That meant the newly created borders did not correspond to the actual sectarian, tribal, or ethnic distinctions on the ground."

The Pew Research Center conducted a poll in 2012 that showed that among most of the Sunni Muslims of the Middle East and North Africa, at least forty percent do not accept Shiites as fellow Muslims.

The Middle East and North Africa are, for the most part, divided into Sunni- and Shia-majority countries. Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Jordan, and Qatar, as well as Pakistan, Somalia, and Indonesia, are Sunni-majority countries. Bahrain, a Shia-majority country, is ruled by a Sunni monarchy allied to the Saudis. The government in Bahrain witnessed a major uprising in 2011 during the Arab Spring, and Bahrain accused Iran of supporting the uprising. Iran and Iraq are Shia-majority countries. Although Iraq is technically a Shia-majority country, it is close to being evenly split (51% Shia, 42% Sunni). Iraq, under Saddam Hussein (a Sunni), acted as a counterweight to Shia Iran. Iraq's government is now under Shia control. Syria is a Sunni-majority country ruled by an Alawite (Shia sect) minority. Muslims in Yemen and Lebanon are evenly split among Sunnis and Shiites.

Since the 1979 Iranian Revolution, the regime in Tehran has openly criticized the religious legitimacy of the monarchy in Saudi Arabia. During the Iran-Iraq War (1980-1988), Sunni Saudi Arabia backed Sunni Iraq under Saddam Hussein against Shia Iran, which was backed by Syria.

In 1987, during the annual Hajj pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca, Iranian pilgrims began demonstrating against the United States, Israel, and the Saudi government. The demonstration soon turned violent, and Saudi police moved in. After the chaos was over, more than 400 people were dead (including 275 Iranian pilgrims and 85 Saudi police), and nearly 650 people were wounded. In reaction, the Iranian regime called on the Saudi people to overthrow the Saudi monarchy. The Saudis replied by banning all Iranians from entering the country to take part in the Hajj.

Mecca would see another, even worse, incident. During the Hajj in September 2015, a bottleneck formed at an intersection involving several crowds. In the ensuing turmoil, the Associated Press estimated that nearly 2,411 people had died, with thousands more injured. The Saudi government's official casualty numbers were 769 dead and 934 injured, which were considered by most governments to be underestimates. The Iranians lost 464 (the most of any country) of its citizens and led worldwide outrage toward the Saudi government.

Relations between the two countries became increasingly strained after U.S. officials uncovered an Iranian-tied plot to kill Adel al-Jubeir, the Saudi ambassador to the United States, at a restaurant in Washington, D.C.

Saudi Arabia and Iran are currently engaged in two proxy wars, in Syria and Yemen. The Iranians are backing the Syrian government under Bashar al-Assad, while the Saudis back the Islamic Front, part of the Syrian opposition. The Islamic Front is not recognized by the internationally recognized Syrian National Coalition. The Islamic Front is conglomerate of different groups numbering about 60,000 fighters looking to install in Syria a Sunni/Salafist government based on sharia law.

In Yemen, the Saudi government has poured 100,000 troops into the country and has carried out numerous airstrikes to support the internationally recognized government of President Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi. Iran, on the other hand, has been supporting the Houthi militants who fight for the Revolutionary Committee that had overthrown President Hadi.

Although Saudi Arabia is not openly hostile toward the nuclear deal with Iran, the Saudi government has expressed concern with the United States trusting its long-term adversary. Additionally, relations between the Saudis and the United States have been strained lately. The Saudis are worried that the United States is not fully committed to bringing order back to Syria and stabilizing Iraq, and they also worry that Iran might not honor the nuclear agreement, which would lead to a nuclear arms race in the most volatile region in the world.

Politically, the recent crisis between Saudi Arabia and Iran will only add to the notion that President Obama is weak and feckless. The entire world seems in disorder and taking on water, and no one is at the helm. The United States, under Obama, is not in a position to defuse the situation. Iran, after getting what it wanted from the nuclear deal, has no reason to listen to our president about a decades old feud with Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia doesn't believe that the United States will have its best interests at heart, given the detente between the U.S. and Iran.

The next president, Republican or Democrat, will have a full plate  make that a buffet  of problems to face, and to face quickly. The Democrats don't have any solutions, so the Republicans should be talking more about how they can bring order back to the world.
In classrooms across the country, high school students are taught the scientific method. It consists of constructing a doubtful hypothesis and designing a series of experiments to test the hypothesis with the observable facts. After a number of tests prove positive. The student can then take the facts and reach a conclusion. When a conclusion is constantly verified, it is enshrined in what might be called established science.

There is a second kind of science that uses methods very different from those of established science. In fact, this science, if indeed it might be called such, uses the exact opposite method. It consists of constructing a conclusion and then testing that conclusion with a hypothesis that is repeated over and over again using doubtful data to back it up.

The logic of this particular scientific method is that the truth of the conclusion is determined by the number of times the hypothesis is affirmed. With enough repetition, even the data starts to take on the appearance of the truth. The secret is to get as many people and media as possible to parrot the great discovery. At a certain point, the conclusion can be enshrined in a special pantheon that might be called settled science, and woe betide any denier who dare question it.

Like its cousin settled law, settled science can be useful even outside its field. It can be employed to silence opposition, impose laws and promote political agendas. It respects no rank or positions. August researchers and famous professors can be toppled from their positions if they express the slightest doubts about a settled position. Even the strongest evidence is ignored with disdain and disbelief. Meanwhile the hypothesis mantra is just repeated over and over again.

Settled science cases abound in todays politically-correct times. The most obvious one is the dogma of global warming. Many old-school scientists have suffered persecution for calling into question the faulty computer models and fudged data associated with this doctrine. They have even shown that the globe is not warming. Flexible settled scientists immediately tweaked the hypothesis to speak of climate change, and thus cover both sides.

But facts have never been an obstacle to settled science promoters who simply dismiss facts and those who bring them up. Climate Statistics Prof. Caleb Rossiter, for example, found his fellowship 'terminated' after his Wall Street Journal op-ed declaring the left wants to stop industrialization -- even if the hypothesis of catastrophic, man-made global warming is false. In another case, a well-loved and respected doctor who specializes in studies about sexual-risk behaviors has just been expelled from an important medical center in Massachusetts after he raised legitimate evidence-based concerns over the centers decision to endorse the homosexual lifestyle.

A highly qualified scientist in California found scientific evidence that questioned a dogma of evolutionary thought and was fired after publishing his finding in a peer-reviewed journal. These and so many other cases fill the news and intimidate those who seek the truth.

However, there are those rare times when settled science runs into trouble and it becomes too obvious that the conclusions are wrong and indefensible. That is the beauty of settled science; it can be easily reversed by merely ceasing to repeat the hypothesis. The loud choruses that yesterday blasted forth the settled message, today become eerily silent. It is as if the embarrassing conclusion never existed.

An example of this is the settled science of peak oil. For decades, settled scientists have repeated the hypothesis that oil production will soon reach its peak and humanity will sink into the darkness of an age without fossil fuels.

The only problem is no one told the oil industry. Over the last decade, oil producers have found so much oil that most people agree there are supplies for decades and decades. The evidence can be seen at every gas pump: there is too much oil around, not too little. And so not much is heard from the peak oilers these days. But that is another beauty of settled science; the mantra chanters of one conclusion can easily transition to another mantra without any loss of reputation.

The phenomenon of settled science is a sad reflection of the frenetic intemperance of these times. The desire to be free from any moral restraint has reached such a point that even the most exacting and absolute sciences must be sacrificed to the tyranny of human passions. Even reality itself must be altered to conform to the agendas of the liberal establishment. Indeed, settled science is not science at all but propaganda that is highly unsettling.

John Horvat II is a scholar, researcher, educator, international speaker, and author of the book Return to Order, as well as the author of hundreds of published articles. He lives in Spring Grove, Pennsylvania where he is the vice president of the American Society for the Defense of Tradition, Family and Property.
See also: The most plausible explanation for the 10 riverine sailors captured by Iran

A fascinating comment on Rick Morans blog about the Iranian capture of our sailors is making waves in the blogosphere and on Facebook. It makes a lot more sense than any of the official explanations we have received for the capture and subsequent release of the sailors.

Thomas Lipscomb explains:

Flash! A former Navy SEAL, Matt Bracken, just blew up what I have been calling "a pack of lies from the US and Iran" on what the hell happened that got our boats captured and taken to the Farsi Islands.

Remember: the single most dangerous area in all the Persian Gulf is a small group of Island in almost the middle of the heavily travelled shipping lanes that is a major naval base for Iran and the HQ of the radical IRG for special operations of their own against all the countries abutting the Gulf. A top Marine told me our two boats were special ops boats with crews that delivered our own SEALS... the direct rivals of the IRG on Farsi.

The idea that toxic area would be a possible rendezvous site area for a refueling is idiotic... as is the idea of commo and navigation failure. You might as reasonably expect Gibraltar to be a rendezvous point for resupply for the Nazi subs in Das Boot.

If the US press today weren't evenly split between toadys and military incoherents, they should have seen what has been clear to anyone who has any military experience.

Here is Matt Bracken's stunning take:

I rarely pull out my dusty old trident, but in this case, here goes. I was a Navy SEAL officer in the 1980s, and this kind of operation (transiting small boats in foreign waters) was our bread and butter. Today, these boats both not only had radar, but multiple GPS devices, including chart plotters that place your boat's icon right on the chart. The claim by Iran that the USN boats "strayed into Iranian waters" is complete bull$#it.

For an open-water transit between nations, the course is studied and planned in advance by the leaders of the Riverine Squadron, with specific attention given to staying wide and clear of any hostile nation's claimed territorial waters. The boats are given a complete mechanical check before departure, and they have sufficient fuel to accomplish their mission plus extra. If, for some unexplainable and rare circumstance one boat broke down, the other would tow it, that's why two boats go on these trips and not one! It's called "self-rescue" and it's SOP.

This entire situation is in my area of expertise. I can state with complete confidence that both Iran and our own State Department are lying. The boats did not enter Iranian waters. They were overtaken in international waters by Iranian patrol boats that were so superior in both speed and firepower that it became a "hands up!" situation, with automatic cannons in the 40mm to 76mm range pointed at them point-blank. Surrender, hands up, or be blown out of the water. I assume that the Iranians had an English speaker on a loudspeaker to make the demand. This takedown was no accident or coincidence, it was a planned slap across America's face.

Just watch. The released sailors will be ordered not to say a word about the incident, and the Iranians will have taken every GPS device, chart-plotter etc off the boats, so that we will not be able to prove where our boats were taken.

The "strayed into Iranian waters" story being put out by Iran and our groveling and appeasing State Dept. is utter and complete BS from one end to the other.
David Brooks says Ted Cruz's policies and outlook exhibit brutalism, citing the Supreme Court case of a man who stole a calculator from Walmart in 1997.

Brooks summarizes the case:

In 1997, Michael Wayne Haley was arrested after stealing a calculator from Walmart. This was a crime that merited a maximum two-year prison term. But prosecutors incorrectly applied a habitual offender law. Neither the judge nor the defense lawyer caught the error and Haley was sentenced to 16 years. Eventually, the mistake came to light and Haley tried to fix it. Ted Cruz was solicitor general of Texas at the time. Instead of just letting Haley go for time served, Cruz took the case to the Supreme Court to keep Haley in prison for the full 16 years. Some justices were skeptical. Is there some rule that you cant confess error in your state? Justice Anthony Kennedy asked. The court system did finally let Haley out of prison, after six years.

Brooks draws the conclusion in the next paragraph that Cruz shows Pharisaism, an overzealous application of the letter of the law. Sixteen years in jail is excessive. It is odd that Cruz opted to press the case, without mercy.

Then comes James Taranto of the WSJ, who says Brooks "borked" Cruz (he explains the term in his piece). Brooks wasn't honest about the results.

Taranto writes:

The tell -- what led us to think Brooks probably wasnt shooting straight here -- is his unexplained segue from the skepticism of some justices, including Kennedy, to Haleys release thanks to the court system. We inferred that Cruz had won the case, and we inferred correctly. The vote was 6-3, with Kennedy among the dissenters. The majority opinion was written by Justice Sandra Day OConnor and joined by, among others, Clinton appointees Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Stephen Breyer. If arguing against Haleys legal position reveals something interesting about Cruzs character, what does deciding against it reveal about the character of OConnor, Ginsburg, Breyer and the others in the majority? Dont worry, there wont be a test. The answer is nada; the question is rhetorical and demonstrates the falsity of Brookss premise.

So because the SCOTUS favored Cruz's prosecution of the case, Cruz is exonerated from his brutalism or his Pharisaism. I agree that "brutalism" is the wrong word. "Pitiless" or "merciless" would have been better.

However, Brooks is still right, and yes, SCOTUS was also guilty of an overzealous application of the letter of the law. Brooks's point still stands: Cruz should have pressed for a release of the prisoner with time served. Why did the SCOTUS hear the case in the first place?

The sad case confirms what scares me about Cruz. He does come across as overzealous, as if he's on a Lone Mission from God to radically transform America in the next two years, if he were (improbably) to win the nomination in June and the election in November. He certainly cannot build coalitions in Washington, which grownups must be able to do if they want to govern among two legislative bodies and the executive branch. His Senate colleagues don't like him. It's getting clearer that it all fits into a pattern. Severe. Scary. Merciless. Relentless. Therefore, unelectable.

James Arlandson's website is Live as Free People, where he has posted articles about Cruz and Trump.
The Obama administration's appeal to the Supreme Court to overturn a lower court ruling that invalidates the president's executive decrees on immigration was suprisingly left off the docket this week, and some observers are wondering if the court will take a pass on considering the appeal.

The court could still add the case to its workload next week.

Reuters:

Obama's 2014 executive action, taken after Congress failed to pass bipartisan immigration legislation, was blocked by lower courts after Texas and 25 other Republican-governed states sued to stop it, contending he exceeded his presidential powers under the U.S. Constitution. The justices must decide whether to take up the administration's appeal of a November ruling by the New Orleans-based 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals that upheld a February 2015 decision by U.S. District Judge Andrew Hanen in Brownsville, a city along the Texas border with Mexico, to halt Obama's action. Obama's executive order lifting the threat of deportation against more than 4 million illegal immigrants was directed at people with no criminal record whose children are U.S. citizens. Those eligible would be able to work legally and receive some federal benefits. States were not required to give any benefits. With some of his major legislative initiatives stymied by Republican lawmakers, the Democratic president has resorted to executive action to circumvent Congress on issues including immigration, gun control, climate policy and the Obamacare healthcare law. These steps have antagonized Republicans, who accuse him of unlawfully taking actions by executive fiat that should be the purview of Congress. Should the justices opt not to hear the case, Obama's program would be effectively dead, with Obama's term in office ending in January 2017.

With Obama so close to the end of his presidency, the court may feel that the case is moot, since any GOP candidate elected to succeed him would simply reverse the orders. And it is not at all clear that Hillary Clinton or Bernie Sanders would continue with the appeal, since they may have their own ideas about how to grant amnesty to millions of illegals.

But it is also true that the justices may want to speak their mind about executive overreach and make the appeal a statement on the limits of presidential power. That notion would certainly attract some of the conservatives on the court, although whether a majority would agree to hear the case is up in the air.

The Obama administration has now been challenged on the immigration executive orders in two lower courts and has failed to convince federal judges that the decrees are constitutional. Would the administration have better luck with the high court? Most conservatives would probably not want to take the chance.
(ANSA) - Brussels, January 14 - Italy has presented an "informal plan" to deal with non-performing loans and set up a bad bank, said the spokesman for European Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager on Thursday, adding that Brussels is "willing to work together".

Italy's Economy Minister Pier Carlo Padoan said the proposal will be "light but efficient".  "It's a proposal we've been working on for some time, which completes tools that we already have on the ground, such as the new bankruptcy proceedings," Padoan said, adding that a public guarantee could be part of the proposal.

He said he is in constant contact with Vestager and hopes that things will proceed rapidly, but said an exchange must be set up before determining at what price the bad loans might be sold.

"I believe there's a market, and just like every market for something new, it needs a start, one needs to launch a ship that then proceeds on its own, and with the improving economy it will be easier," Padoan said.

Dario Scannapieco, European Investment Bank (EIB) Vice President for SMEs, said it was "premature" to talk about possible EIB involvement.

"The sector of non-performing loans is a relevant one in Italy, and reviving the securitisation market is essential for economic recovery and also for improving debt collection systems," Scannapieco said.

"The securitisation sector held up well during the crisis because they was better structured in Europe compared to the US and are penalised by errors committed elsewhere".


With the same energy with which he refused to meet Carme Forcadell the newly-appointed Speaker of the Catalan parliament and, in doing so, he neglected his most elementary institutional duty, the King of Spain whose name isnt Felipe VI for nothing has rushed to meet the Speakers of Spains upper and lower chamber.

Indeed, the monarch met Patxi Lopez, the new Speaker of the Spanish parliament and the man who led the first agreement between the PSOE and the PP (in the Basque Country) with politically catastrophic results, and the Speaker of the Senate, Pio Garcia Escudero, a gentleman who can only be described as being as cumbersome and dispensable as the institution he presides over.

They met while singing the praises of dialogue and Spains unity, two notions which some regard as being entirely at odds with one another. So much so, that the aforementioned King and his team of courtiers deemed it inappropriate to thank Artur Mas for his services when drafting the decree that formalised the end of Mas term in office as Catalan president.

At any rate, the King of Spain must be preoccupied with other matters concerning his family. For instance, finding out the whereabouts of his estranged father, who preceded him in the post and quit overnight without further explanation, except that the father in question enjoyed killing elephants in the company of Central European princesses and that he retired with a (personal) fortune of about 2bn whose source nobody really knows.

In contrast, the current King of Spain is well aware of where his sister Cristina and his brother-in-law Inaki live: in Majorca, to be precise, where they are being tried for a number of alleged offences: fraud, bribery and embezzlement of public funds. During the first hearing, their counsel which, funnily enough, is led by the Public Prosecutor (only in Majorca, indeed!) was quick to formulate a new doctrine that deserves to be remembered and kept in mind: not only is it untrue that the Treasury is all of us, but it is just plain silly to claim that it is (1).

Such statements have annoyed judge Jose Castro, who has in turn been slammed further and so on and so forth. Judicial quarrels aside, there is one simple truth that has emerged at last: it turns out that not everyone was the Treasury, but only us lot. That is, you and I, and him, and her over there. Meanwhile, the King of Spain scorns Catalonias top institutional representatives while blessing two leaders who are unlikely to be able to carry out their duties for the simple reason that there wont be a new government in Spain. It all makes sense and is highly revealing of the Spanish monarchs sense of national duty. All in all, I am reminded of a Jaume Perich cartoon, back in the days of General Franco, where a sign in big bold letters read: When a forest gets burnt, something yours gets burnt too, your Lordship.

__________

(1) N.T. Spains Treasury used to have an ongoing TV ad campaign which aimed to sensitise Spaniards about the need to pay taxes. Its catch phrase was The Treasury is all of us.
Le CBD, cette molecule active du cannabis a aujourdhui le vent en poupe. Et cela est en grande partie du au fait quil permet...
SecAF speaks at CSIS for Smart Women, Smart Power series

Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James spoke at the Center for Strategic and International Studies as part of its Smart Women, Smart Power series Jan. 14.



SWSP launched in December 2014 and convenes top-level women leaders to discuss critical and timely issues in their respective fields, reflect on their professional experiences, and share ideas and insights.



With the 25th anniversary of the start of Desert Storm on Jan. 16, James recalled lessons she learned from that particular operation.



I remember being in awe of the first time the fantastic combination of stealth and precision weaponry (was used), all of which was enabled by space, James said. That was the first time that the investments that had been made, in some cases a decade or two decades, actually came together on the battlefield and for the first time the world saw what the United States military could do in this new era.



Among many things, James was asked about setting up no-fly zones in Iraq and Syria as well as the limits of the air campaign in the fight against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant.



I would first tell you all, its very much a whole of government approach, James said. There are more than 60 countries involved with the coalition doing different aspects of the work and, of course, its a joint situation.



But make no mistake; it has been very heavily the United States Air Force that has covered this air campaign, she continued. This is everything from striking the targets to the very important intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance to the assets in space that enable everything that goes on. The strategy is we are going to degrade and ultimately destroy ISIL.



With technology being key in maintaining air superiority, the Air Force is focused on the Defense Departments third offset strategy which is finding the next key technology that will help ensure the U.S. maintains the advantage over adversaries.



Think of super computers that can crunch data and make sense out of different databases, I think that will be part of it, James said. I think another piece is likely to be, Ill call it, human machine collaborations. Human interfaces with technology in different, new and creative ways.



When asked about China and Russias hand in space, James said the Air Force is shifting people and resources toward space.



We are going to start treating space the way we treat everything else in the U.S. military, James continued. That is, we need to get our heads around the fact that one day there could be a conflict on Earth that, in some way, bleeds into space. We are going to start experimentations, the various types of practice things that we do in other domains in the military to make sure that we can defend appropriately our constellation in space.



At the conclusion of the event, James answered questions from the audience that ranged from maternity and paternity leave, women in combat roles, and the use of remotely piloted aircraft.
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The prelate, 59, was until now auxiliary bishop in Hong Kong. Vicar of Opus Dei for East Asia, he studied in Europe (London and Navarre). Fluent in four languages, he was in charge of bioethics and social communications in the diocese, and has been especially involved in pastoral outreach in schools.

Hong Kong (AsiaNews)  Pope Francis has appointed Stephen Lee Bun-sang as the new bishop of Macao, replacing Mgr Jose Lai Hung-seng.

Until recently, Mgr Lee served as auxiliary bishop of Hong Kong involved in pastoral outreach, bioethics, catechesis and communications. He has been particularly focused in pastoral outreach in schools.

When he was appointed auxiliary bishop of Hong Kong, he met the press along with Mgr Michael Yeung Ming-cheung and Mgr Joseph Ha Chi-sing, and spoke about the relationship between China and the Vatican.

On that occasion, he said that Catholics in Hong Kong pray that both sides may engage in dialogue with sincerity, honesty and trust, hoping to find common points. Both, he noted, hope to do good by the Chinese people and believers. He added that he was optimistic about progress in the relationship.

Ordained on 20 August 1988 at the Shrine of Torreciudad (Huesca, Spain), he was incardinated in the Prelature of the Holy Cross and Opus Dei. In 2011, he became Opus Dei vicar for East Asia.

On 11 July 2014, Francis named him titular bishop of Novae and auxiliary bishop of Hong Kong, with his episcopal ordination held on 30 August 2014 in Hong Kong Cathedral in a ceremony performed by Card John Tong Hon, bishop of Hong Kong.

As auxiliary bishop, he has sat on several diocesan commissions, including family, school, catechesis, laity education, as well as bioethics, liturgy, and the diocesan Board of Communications.

He speaks Cantonese, Mandarin, English and Spanish.
The Lien Ton Association, which includes Catholics, Protestants, Buddhists, and Caodaists, denounces the first three cases of the new year. The authorities have prevented Hoa Hao Buddhists from celebrating the birth of their founder. The Benedictine monastery in Thien An (Hue), and a priest in Vinh were also targeted.

Hanoi (AsiaNews/EdA)  Vietnamese authorities started the new year with new violent attacks against freedom of religion and worship, and those exercise this right, this according to the Lien Ton (Interfaith) Association, which brings together Catholic, Protestant, Caodaist, Hoa Hao Buddhists and Unified Church leaders.

Active for years in defending freedom of worship, the group on 9 January posted its latest report online. In it, it slams Vietnams regime for its repressive attitude towards religions.

Signed by 23 religious leaders, including Protestant and Catholic clergymen, the statement was reposted by Eglises d'Asie (EdA). In it, the authors highlight several attacks that have already occurred this year, and call on the authorities to respect religious freedom.

The first one involved the Hoa Hao Buddhist community, which was prevented from celebrating the 96th birthday of the founder, the Venerable Huynh Phu So. The main ceremony was scheduled for New Years Day in Long Giang, An Giang province, but police blocked all access roads and banned any celebration in the town. During the operation, police also wounded and mistreated some of the devotees, including a few who were elderly. This happens practically every year.

The next day, 2 January, the Benedictine monastery of Thien An, near Hue, was targeted. According to eyewitnesses, some 200 agents, militia and members of the local Womens Federation stormed the compound. The authorities had their eyes on the property for years, and have already seized one section, turning into a leisure centre. The monks tried to resist the raid but were physically attacked. The attackers seized the camera the monks used to document the incident.

Catholics were also the target of a third attack, in Vinh, already the scene of past acts of violence and abuse by the authorities. This week, some 20 thugs attacked a priest, as he returned to his parish church after a medical examination. The attack, which left the priest seriously wounded, took place before the eyes of the local police who made a point not to intervene.

Fr Dang Huu Nams action in favour of human rights and freedoms, including freedom of worship, was behind the attack. The clergyman has in fact led the fight against expropriations of Church property. He has also tried to obtain the release of 14 Catholics unjustly arrested in 2011, for which he received many death threats.

In a country of 87 million people, Buddhists are 48 per cent of the population; Catholics just over 7 per cent, followed by Syncretists at 5.6 per cent. Atheists represent 20 per cent.

Although Christians are a minority, they are active in the fields of education, health and social welfare.

Recently, Vietnams Catholic bishops criticised a bill on faith and religion that fails to uphold the principle of freedom of religion and effectively limits its practice. In their view, the new legislation also violates the Universal Declaration of Human Rights as well as the Constitution of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, both of which guarantee freedom of worship.
Fox Orders Pilot For 24 Spinoff

Trending News: We're Getting A New 24 Show - Without Jack Bauer

Why Is This Important?

Because 24 was too good of a show to let it just fade away.

Long Story Short

Fox has ordered a pilot for a 24 reboot/spinoff titled 24: Legacy. The kicker? Not a single cast member from the original series will be featured in the show.

Long Story

Fox's 24 was a beloved show, and a product of a different time (or at least, what should be a different time). The U.S. had just suffered from the most devastating attack to ever occur on American soil, and terrorism paranoia was running high. But Americans at least had the comfort of tuning in every week to watch CTU agent Jack Bauer drunkenly torture-fight terrorists in the nick of time. The show's real-time format was also unique, leading to questions like "when does Jack Bauer poop?" Fox just announced that it's yet again reviving the series, but sadly we'll never learn the truth about Jack Bauer's bathroom habits  the new series will feature an entirely new cast.

The series is called 24: Legacy, and much will be the same. Original producers Howard Gordon, Manny Coto and Evan Katz will return as executive producers, and each episode will still represent a real-time hour in a day. Everything else, though, will be different. The plot centers around a war hero who's had trouble follow him home from overseas, and he'll need CTU's help if he wants to stay alive. Fox is reportedly searching for an African American actor to take the lead role over from Kiefer Sutherland.

It's probably for the best, anyway. No one wants to watch an ageing (and even drunker) Jack Bauer scowl his way around the country. Fans of the original should still love the format, and new viewers get a chance to see a 24 that reflects current events and attitudes. Even money says that we'll see a President Donald Trump analog at some point.

Own The Conversation

Ask The Big Question: Is the format what made the show so good, or was it the actors?

Disrupt Your Feed: A cameo featuring Kiefer Sutherland sitting on a toilet would be the best thing ever.

Drop This Fact: The cast of the original 24 had to have their hair trimmed every 5 days so it could look like the whole season took place in a single day.
Terrorists Kill At Least 23 People At A Resort In Burkina Faso

Trending News: A Hostage Crisis At A Hotel in Burkina Faso Has Left At Least 23 People Dead Including 18 Foreigners

Why Is This Important?



Long Story Short



Long Story

Because is it finally time to admit that even upscale resorts won't keep you safe when travelling?A hotel in Burkina Faso was attacked by al Qaeda terrorists. At least 23 people were killed including 18 foreign nationals.A bloody hostage crisis has left at least 23 people dead at a hotel popular with westerners and diplomats in Ouagadougou, the capital of the West African country Burkina Faso. Among the dead are 18 foreign nationals, said the former French colonys foreign minister, reports CNN

Burkina Faso hotel siege ends with at least 23 people dead, security minister says. https://t.co/uqolmIAHFe  CNN Breaking News (@cnnbrk) January 16, 2016

At least 20 people were killed in an Al Qaeda attack on a luxury hotel in Burkina Faso https://t.co/YYhhFNM0Se pic.twitter.com/ZH03mI1z9V  The New York Times (@nytimes) January 16, 2016

Witness describes "complete bloodbath" as security forces retake Burkina Faso hotel: https://t.co/lWGFH3v3Ai pic.twitter.com/5saCuxw9R0  VICE News (@vicenews) January 16, 2016

The attack is reported as being highly coordinated, with four terrorists entering the hotel early Friday local time and holding up well over 100 people when nightfall hit. National security forces assisted by France and U.S. military were eventually able to kill the assailants, take back the Splendid Hotel by morning and free 126 hostages, half of whom were taken to hospital for injuries. In total, 150 people were injured, according to Buzzfeed News . Of the freed hostages, three were American and two were French nationals, but it is unclear the nationalities of the victims at this point in time, a source told CBS News

UPDATE: Three Americans were rescued during the Burkina Faso attack, a source tells CBS News https://t.co/2fvuiTVYS9 pic.twitter.com/srgZmtvSNL  CBS News (@CBSNews) January 16, 2016

If Al Qaedas claim of responsibility is to be believed, this would be the first Al-Qaeda affiliated attack on Burkina Faso, which recently elected its first new president in three decades, reports the New York Times

So, what can we take away from yet another terrorist attack on a tourist destination? When you add up this attack, the shooting at a hotel in Tunisia, the plane shot down in Egypt, attacks at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Mali, etc., it's hard not to question whether to take that business meeting in an unstable country. It just adds that extra inkling of doubt about travelling abroad for work or leisure.

Terrorist groups like Al Qaeda and the Islamic State know that going after tourists will piss off a flurry of countries and get the media headlines they crave. But, if we stop travelling, are we just playing into what they want?





Own The Conversation

Will terrorist attacks on the African continent make you think twice about heading there for work or leisure?

Disrupt Your Feed: Would the media have covered this as extensively over a year ago if not for the outcry over the lack of coverage for other terrorist attacks in Africa?

Drop This Fact: The U.S. has 75 military personnel stationed in Burkina Faso, which surely helped combat the siege.
HID

Assembled in both Montgomery, Alabama, and Ulsan, South Korea, the 2017 Elantra comes with a refined design and modern style combined with superior features, the latest in safety and multimedia technology.The new model is offered in three distinct levels. The SE is the most basic model, equipped with popular options and technology. The Eco is the fuel-efficient turbo model, and Limited is the premium model with leather and advanced safety technology."As Hyundai's best-selling vehicle, it is essential that the all-new Elantra delivers a compelling value in a particularly competitive and important segment. Not only is the 2017 Elantra priced $100 less than the outgoing model, we also enhanced the value on our most popular option package to provide consumers with access to premium features and technology on volume models," Scott Margason, director of Product Planning of Hyundai Motor America, stated.Elantra's base SE model is available with a Popular Equipment package featuring high consumer demand features and a Tech package, including all new-luxuries, such as LED daytime running lights, Blind Spot Detection with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, and a hands-free smart trunk.The Limited trim starts at $22,350 and comes with standard leather seats, a Tech Package that contains the latest multimedia technology, such as eight-inch touchscreen navigation with Infinity premium audio system and Clari-Fi Music Restoration Technology.Other features for the Elantra Limited include a segment-first integrated memory system for the driver seat and outside mirrors, Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection, Lane Keep Assist System, andheadlights with Dynamic Bending Light.Both these versions are powered by a 2.0-liter Nu MPI Atkinson cycle 4-cylinder engine, developing 147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft (180 Nm) of torque. The power unit is linked to either a standard six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission.The Eco trim features a 1.4-liter Kappa turbocharged GDI 4-cylinder engine, paired to a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox.While the SE and Limited versions are arriving in dealerships this month, the Eco will be available this Spring. Also, a Sport model is expected later this year.
16 January 2016 10:53 (UTC+04:00)

By Vagif Sharifov

There was a recovery in oil price this week, though it has remained relatively low since early January 2016  at an average of $33 per barrel of Brent, compared to $38 in December and to $49 in the same period January 2015.

Brent spot price has been falling from Jan. 11 through Jan. 14, but the amplitude of the price fluctuations is calming down with each passing day  something that hasnt been seen for a very long time.

For instance, there was a $1.9 per barrel drop in Brent price Jan. 8 as compared to Jan. 7, which is a record figure since October 2015, whereas yesterday, on Jan.14, the price fell only by $0.05 per barrel compared to Jan. 13.

Below are the prices for Brent Dated spot and dynamics of price changes.

Date Prices, shown in USD per barrel +/- compared to the day before Dec. 31, 2015 36.61 0.96 Jan. 4, 2016 36.28 -0.33 Jan. 5, 2016 35.56 -0.72 Jan. 6, 2016 33.89 -1.67 Jan. 7, 2016 33.57 -0.32 Jan. 8, 2016 31.67 -1.9 Jan. 11, 2016 30.14 -1.53 Jan. 12, 2016 29.25 -0.89 Jan. 13, 2016 28.89 -0.36 Jan. 14, 2016 28.84 -0.05 Data from EIA

Bloomberg has talked to 40 economists, who believe that by late 2016, oil prices will reach almost $60 per barrel versus $52 per barrel in 2015. Meanwhile, some experts have said that if Iran and Saudi Arabia start open hostilities, oil prices will go up and reach $250 or $300 per barrel.

But such a situation, if it indeed happens, can last for quite a short period. Over the last 30 years the oil price reached its highest level in 2008 when a barrel of Brent oil was worth of $144.

Here are the six factors that will greatly affect oil price in 2016:

1. The conflict between Iran and Saudi Arabia, and its escalation, including the potential risk of failure in crude supplies through the Strait of Hormuz. One-third of the global maritime oil supplies pass through exactly this strategic strait

2. Increase in Irans oil export and production against the backdrop of the upcoming removal of international sanctions on the Islamic Republic.

Tehran has already said it is ready to use its tanker fleet for crude transportation globally, while the American investment banking firm Goldman Sachs predicts that Irans oil production will rise to 3.133 million barrels per day in 2016, as compared to 2.847 million barrels per day in 2015.

3. Saudi Arabias continuing to increase its oil supplies to the global market with an intention to expand its own market share. Riyadh, by increasing the oil export and simultaneously dumping prices, is trying to reduce Russias market share, and meanwhile is waiting for the US oil companies go bankrupt.

Experts believe the Saudis are ready to tolerate the low oil price for a long time. They intend to partially compensate the budget deficit through Saudi Aramcos IPO.

4. The US Energy Information Administration (EIA) has predicted that the world oil supplies will grow to 95.93 million barrels per day (bpd) in 2016. Over 40 percent or 39.16 million of this figure will account for OPEC countries.

The EIA has also forecasted that the oil consumption in 2016 will stand at 95.19 million bpd.

5. Macroeconomic indexes and trends in the Chinese market will be of utmost importance for determining the world oil prices in 2016. China bought the first-ever batch of the US oil on Jan. 15. The purchase allowed the US to test the logistics after the recent oil supply to Europe.

6. An OPEC meeting in March, offered by the cartels head, where investors will wait for new decisions on quotas, can be another factor affecting oil price in 2016. Meanwhile, I dont see any desire in the majority of the OPEC member states to change anything in the current situation.

Previously, in my article titled Global redistribution of oil market, I predicted that, The situation [on the market] will lead to an unplanned meeting of OPEC in the first six months of 2016, where the countries will blame each other of deliberately glutting the market. But no decision will be taken to cut the production

Aside from that, Iran and Saudi Arabia are unlikely to agree on anything within OPEC amid the deterioration of their relations.

---

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
16 January 2016 10:00 (UTC+04:00)

By Sara Rajabova

Armenias occupation of internationally recognized territories of Azerbaijan remains the major obstacle to achieving a breakthrough in the peace negotiations.

Azerbaijans delegation to the OSCE has made the remark in a statement welcoming German FM Frank-Walter Steinmeier to the Permanent Council.

Noting that Germany takes the helm of the OSCE Chairmanship at a time of deep crisis in the organization, the mission said systematic attempts to challenge the territorial integrity, sovereignty and internationally recognized borders of OSCE participating states, double standards and selective application of the Helsinki Final Act principles, violation of inherent balance of three dimensions of OSCEs comprehensive security concept lie at the core of crisis.

We need more dialogue, mutual understanding and constructive engagement to overcome the crisis. The OSCE, due to its comprehensive security concept and broad participation represents a unique platform in this regard. Azerbaijan welcomes German Chairmanships intention to renew dialogue, rebuild trust and restore security in the OSCE and expresses its readiness for cooperation, the statement said.

Highlighting Armenias occupation as major hindrance to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict resolution, the mission said the main reason for this is lack of pressure on Armenia to completely and unconditionally withdraw its troops, as it is demanded by relevant UN Security Council resolutions.

A conciliatory attitude to the illegal presence of Armenian troops is accompanied by the attempts of the co-chairmen of the OSCE Minsk Group to monopolize the peace process and prevent any external contribution to political solution of the conflict. As a result, the role of the OSCE and its Minsk Group in conflict resolution has been limited to extending a formal support to the co-chairs, with no sense of involvement, the delegation said.

Armenia and Azerbaijan fought a lengthy war that ended with the signing of a fragile ceasefire in 1994. More than 20,000 Azerbaijanis were killed and over 1 million were displaced as a result of the large-scale hostilities. Since the war, Armenian armed forces have occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan's territory, including Nagorno-Karabakh and seven surrounding regions.

Armenia continues the occupation in defiance of four UN Security Council resolutions calling for immediate and unconditional withdrawal.

Peace talks brokered by mediators from Russia, France and the U.S. have produced no results so far.

--

Sara Rajabova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @SaraRajabova



Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
16 January 2016 17:48 (UTC+04:00)

An event on Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorno-Karabkah conflict has been held at the Vistula University, Warsaw, Poland, AzerTac state new agency.

Director of International History and Politics, of the University Longin Pastusiak highlighted the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, adding 20 percent of Azerbaijan`s territories were occupied by Armenian Armed Forces.

Scientist of Qafqaz University Shamxal Adilov delivered a report about the conflict.

The event brought together staff of Vistula University, as well as experts of several researches centres operated in Poland.

The event participants were distributed books on Nagorno-Karabakh conflict published by the country`s Embassy in Poland in Polish language.

---

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
16 January 2016 13:59 (UTC+04:00)

In an exclusive interview with AZERTAC, incoming Korean Ambassador Kim Chang-gyu has highlighted the relations between the two countries, and shared his views about the cooperation between Azerbaijani and Korean media. The following is the text of the interview:

- This year marks 24 years since Azerbaijan and the Republic of Korea established diplomatic ties. How would you rate the current level of relations between the two countries?

- I highly appreciate our diplomatic achievements, which the two governments have made over last 24 years since we established our diplomatic relations. I appreciate the fact that our relations enjoy a very high standard. High-level reciprocal visits play a vital role in developing the bilateral ties. About twenty Korean companies are doing their business here. In general, about four thousand people from Azerbaijan and Korea on average exchange their business on a yearly basis.

- Does the level of bilateral trade correspond to economic growth rate in both countries?

- In 2014, our trade turnover stood at 260 million US dollars. But, I think, that is not enough. We must go on, increase our efforts to promote trade activities between the two countries because we have huge potential for economic cooperation, because the Korean economy has been highly advanced and widely diversified. Your economy has recently enjoyed rapid development too. And also our peoples` intelligence level is very high. So we will enjoy very high and rapid economic development. Our economic potential for cooperation is very high. We must do our best to fully exploit our hidden and unused potential for cooperation.

- What lies at the heart of success of the Korean economy?

- Since 1945 when Korea was liberated from economic occupation our government has been executing the national development plan. They consecutively focus on their strategic economic plans. I wish to stress the importance of human resources, which was highly cultivated by effective education. Our mind, our government, our people were open and very active to use foreign markets. We focus on export-oriented economy and also human base. Main reason of success of the Korean economy was human resources. The other was effective and strategic governance, and active and export-oriented mind.

- Favorable business environment in Azerbaijan attracts Korean companies to invest in the country. What are possible fields to be invested by Korean companies?

- I highly appreciate the efforts of the government to reform the economic systems focusing on taxation, custom clearance and also many other economic areas. I am sure that the efforts taken by your government in recent years will contribute to attracting more Korean companies here because facilitation of business of Korean companies is much helpful for them in terms of taxation and custom clearance and also licensing. I think we have very prospective cooperation possibilities, especially in farming and medical service, transportation and tourism. And, of course, we also have high cooperation possibilities in ICT and manufacture. So I would do my best to promote cooperation in investment through involving Korean companies here to contribute to increasing our trade, communication and exchange of people. The Korean ICT industry is the most advanced in the world. Many international organizations highly praise the advancement of the Korean industry, so it is possible for the two countries to help each other. Azerbaijan`s ICT industry is also rapidly developing.

- What is the Embassy doing to promote Korea in Azerbaijan and strengthen cultural and humanitarian relations?

- I would like to point out that Azerbaijani and Korean nations share the same cultural background. So my diplomacy here focuses on cultural cooperation. Last year we held many cultural performances, musical, cinema, and art performances. But I think it is not enough. We try to double or even triple our cultural exchange. I would like to stress the importance of people exchange, especially young generation. Student exchange is extremely important. I will try to build bridges between schools and colleges, universities of the two countries. I wish to stress again that human resources are very crucial for reaching the progress in our society, even in the international community. We must try to increase communication exchange of people.

- What economic effect will the launch of direct flight between Baku and Seoul have?

- Unfortunately we do not have a direct flight between Baku and Seoul. So I am very interested in opening a flight between our two cities. So an air flight, especially a direct one is the most important, basic element for promoting bilateral relations of the two countries. So I am discussing with my counterparts in the Azerbaijani government the issue of opening the flight. However, at the moment I cannot say that we will have it. But I will do my best in the near future.

- What is the position of Korea on the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict?

- We support the activity of the OSCE Minsk Group to solve the dispute. But it must be done in a more active and concerted manner. The Korean government supports your government`s efforts to resolve the issue peacefully in the quickest possible time. I share the sympathy with IDPs. During my stay here, I will do my best to support their living.

- What can you say of cooperation between media outlets of the two countries?

- I wish more close cooperation between AZERTAC and Yonhap news agency. When I met your Director General we discussed this issue very broadly. I fully agree with his suggestion to strengthen the cooperation between AZERTAC and Korean Yonhap News because they are major agencies. So it is very important to increase the cooperation between the two news agencies. I will do my best to fully support AZERTACs efforts to strengthen its cooperation with Yonhap News. I think that communication of people, flow of information is important in terms of close cooperation between the two countries.

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16 January 2016 20:59 (UTC+04:00)

President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has signed a Decree increasing by 10% the Presidential pension for those who became disabled in the 20 January events of 1990.

The pension will be increased from February 1, 2016.

From January 19th night till 20th , 1990, 26,000 hostile and aggressive-minded Soviet special forces called "Alfa" entered Baku and committed atrocities against the Azerbaijani people. They stormed and murdered hundreds of civilians without declaring a state of emergency.

Though the death toll is still disputed to this day, reports say at least 130 people died from wounds received during the subsequent violent confrontations. A vast majority of the casualties were civilians including over 700 wounded.

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16 January 2016 13:32 (UTC+04:00)

Georgia is considering the possibility to replace the Russian gas with the gas from Azerbaijan, said Georgian Deputy Energy Minister Mariam Valishvili in an exclusive interview with Trend Jan. 14.

She said this issue is being discussed at the negotiations with Azerbaijans State Oil Company (SOCAR) and Russias Gazprom.

Azerbaijan is the main supplier of gas to Georgia. Russian gas deliveries to Georgia are carried out only in the form of payment for its transit to Armenia, for which the country is supplied with 10 percent of total shipments.

Gazprom supplied 300 million cubic meters (mcm) of gas to Georgia in 2014.

Currently, Georgia is discussing with Gazprom the possibility for the Russian side to pay for gas transit to Armenia in money, said Valishvili.

The amount that Russia has to pay for transit in 2016 is being discussed particularly.

Valishvili said that the negotiations on the terms of gas transit to Armenia are held annually as the contract is concluded for one year.

Those 10 percent of the gas that Georgia has previously received from Russia, are planned to be replaced with supplies from Azerbaijan as far as possible, she said.

This possibility has been discussed during the negotiations with SOCAR this week, she said. But the experts must examine the technical preparedness of the existing pipelines from Azerbaijan to Georgia for increasing the supplies in the required volumes.

She also said that Georgias gas needs are growing every year.

It will be impossible to completely replace the Russian gas, which is being received as the payment for transit, with Azerbaijani gas, she said. Georgia can compensate the remaining volumes through the direct supplies from Russia. The possibility of such supplies was also discussed at the talks with Gazprom, but the prices offered by the Russian side are quite high.

Valishvili also said that currently there is no infrastructure for gas supplies from any third country.

In the long-term, Georgia is interested in gas supplies from Iran, but this issue is not on the agenda in the near-term, and no talks with Tehran are underway on this issue, she added.

The deputy minister also said that technical specifications of the already available gas infrastructure, as well as the possibility of Azerbaijan's participation in the construction of new facilities of this infrastructure in Georgia, were discussed during the talks with SOCAR.

The issue of cost of the Azerbaijani gas delivered to Georgia was not discussed, she added.

At the same time, Valishvili stressed that Azerbaijan sells gas to Georgia at a very competitive and favorable price.

The deputy minister said that no agreements with Gazprom and SOCAR have been reached yet.

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16 January 2016 16:23 (UTC+04:00)

The volume of exports of non-oil products amounted to $1.5 billion in January-November 2015, which is 3.6 percent more than the rate of 11 months in 2014, according to the Azerbaijani Ministry of Economy.

During this period, 2,391 kinds of products were exported (annual growth of 14.7 percent), the ministry said in a message Jan. 15.

Ministry of Economy continues comprehensive measures in accordance with the instruction by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, to increase export of non-oil products, to develop entrepreneurs trade relations and widen opportunities for entering new markets, read the message.

In 2015 only, over 260 business forums, business meetings and exhibitions were organized, and construction of a logistics center in Kazakhstans Aktau was completed, according to the ministry.

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16 January 2016 10:32 (UTC+04:00)

China has become the 67th member of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. Following the completion of all the formalities, the announcement was made after a meeting between the EBRD President Sir Suma Chakrabarti and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang in Beijing on January 15.

The EBRDs existing shareholders agreed at the end of 2015 that China should become a member of the Bank.

This is a very important step for the Bank, for the countries where the EBRD invests and also for China. We are opening up a new chapter of cooperation that will be of benefit to all parties, President Chakrabarti said during his meeting with the Chinese Premier

Sir Suma has described Chinese membership of the EBRD as a win-win-win scenario.

The EBRD will support Chinese companies as they invest in the EBRD regions. EBRD membership will also provide a boost to Chinas One Belt, One Road initiative where it passes through EBRD countries of operations, he said.

The EBRD will benefit from having the worlds second largest economy as a shareholder and will have better access to Chinese firms that could be partners in the EBRD regions.

The economies in the EBRD regions will benefit, as China will become an important new source of investment finance for development in the countries where the EBRD is active.

During his visit to Beijing Sir Suma also held talks with Vice Premier Ma Kai and Zhou Xiaochuan, the governor of the Peoples Bank of China and who will also be Chinas Governor at the EBRD.

He also met the President-elect of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIIB), Jin Liqun, as well as K.V. Kamath, the president of the New Development Bank, which is headquartered in Shanghai.

The EBRD President is scheduled to attend the AIIBs inauguration ceremony on January 16. The EBRD has cooperated with the AIIB from very early days, engaging in dialogue on such issues as governance and social and environmental standards.

Sir Suma has expressed a strong desire for EBRD and AIIB cooperation in joint projects once the new bank begins its operations.
16 January 2016 11:29 (UTC+04:00)

Germany and Turkey are to hold a joint mini-Cabinet meeting later this month with discussions to focus on terrorism in the aftermath of the Istanbul attack that killed ten Germans, officials said Friday, Anadolu Agency reported.

The Jan. 22 meeting in Berlin will see senior ministers from Chancellor Angela Merkel and Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglus teams talk about common issues such as terror and the refugee crisis.

We will discuss all issues of common interest, German government spokesman Steffen Seibert said at a news conference.

The Turkish delegation will include Deputy Prime Minister Mehmet Simsek, Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, Defense Minister Ismet Yilmaz, Interior Minister Efkan Ala, Economy Minister Mustafa Elitas and EU Minister Volkan Bozkir.

Ankara and Berlin stepped up cooperation last year in the face of a growing refugee crisis, with nearly 1.1 million asylum seekers arriving in Germany and more than 2.4 million living in Turkey.

Both countries share concerns over the conflict in Syria and the threat from Daesh, which has been identified by Davutoglu as being behind Tuesdays suicide bomb in Istanbuls tourist district.

Germany is Turkeys main trading partner and is home to around 3 million ethnic Turks.

German Foreign Ministry spokesman Martin Schaefer said on Friday that Berlin attached great importance to the meeting.

Beginning inter-governmental consultations with Turkey shows our interest in closer cooperation and this also shows Turkeys interest in enhancing relations with Germany, he told journalists.

As well as Daesh, Turkey is concerned about support for PKK terrorists in Germany, where there are an estimated 14,000 PKK supporters, according to a recent report by Germany's domestic intelligence agency.

Commenting on security operations in southeast Turkey, Schaefer said it was totally legitimate to take measures against a terrorist organization but called for proportionality.

The PKK - considered a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S., and EU - resumed its 30-year armed campaign against the Turkish state in late July. The Turkish government has demanded a sterner approach from Germany in tackling PKK propaganda and funding.

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16 January 2016 11:57 (UTC+04:00)

US Secretary of State John Kerry will hold trilateral discussions in Vienna with Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif and European Union High Representative Federica Mogherini on the implementation of the Iran nuclear agreement, US Department of State spokesperson Mark Toner said in a press release.

"Secretary of State John Kerry will travel to Vienna, Austria on Saturday for consultations with Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif and European Union High Representative Federica Mogherini on the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action," Toner stated on Friday.

On July 14, Iran and the P5+1 group of countries comprising the United States, Russia, China, France and the United Kingdom plus Germany, signed the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. The agreement guarantees the peaceful nature of Iran's nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief.

Earlier on Friday, the White House said Iran has made progress in upholding its commitments outlined in the nuclear agreement. However, the Obama administration did not provide an update as to when the agreement will be fully implemented.

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16 January 2016 16:47 (UTC+04:00)

Ahead of the implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA, aka nuclear deal), Irans Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has posted a tweet calling on the world to join efforts to fight against extremism.

Earlier, Zarif said that by implementation of the JCPOA, the sanctions on the country will be lifted on Jan. 16.

Zarif left Tehran for Vienna early morning Jan. 16 to meet his US counterpart John Kerry and the EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini to discuss the implementation of the JCPOA.

Iran expects the US and EU to remove nuclear sanctions following the implementation of the JCPOA over the weekend once the international nuclear watchdog body confirms that Tehran has curbed its nuclear activity.

Meanwhile, over the past years, the Middle East, a home to major Muslim states, has been suffering from terrorism. Amid the backdrop of all of this, Irans relations with Saudi Arabia, as well as its allies have severely deteriorated recently after the kingdoms execution of a prominent Shia cleric, Nimr al-Nimr, on Jan. 2.



Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Djibouti, Bahrain and the UAE took diplomatic actions against Tehran after angry Iranians stormed the Saudi embassy in Tehran and its consulate in Mashhad, protesting against al-Nimrs execution.

Right after the attack on the Saudi diplomatic missions, Riyadh and its mentioned allies broke off or downgraded relations with Iran.

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16 January 2016 18:56 (UTC+04:00)

Tehran has reportedly released four Iranian-American inmates including the Washington Posts journalist Jason Rezaian who were detained in Iran.

In line with the implementation of a bill by the Supreme National Security Council, and the systems general interests, four inmates who hold dual citizenship have been released in the framework of a measure to swap inmates, Fars news agency quoted Tehran prosecutor Abbas Jafari Dowlatabadi, as saying.

Although several tweets suggest that Rezaian is among the released inmates but the prosecutor did not provide the names and details of the swapped inmates.

The move came ahead of the official announcement of the expected implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.

Earlier in Nov 2015 Rezaian was sentenced to an unspecified prison term in connection with espionage allegations after a court behind the closed doors.

Iranian-American Rezaian was detained with his wife, Yeganeh Salehi, in July 2014. His spouse was later released.

On October 19 Fars news agency close to Iranian conservatives released a long list of charges against Jason Rezaian.

Reportedly Nosratollah Khosravi, Saeed Abedini, Amir Hekmati are three other Irania-Americans who have been released as part of the prisoner swap.

Later IRNA news agency added that they were swapped with seven Iranians held in US prisons charged with the violation of international sanctions against Tehran.

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About a dozen people held up signs outside the USA Flea Market off U.S. 19 this weekend, protesting the circus on the markets property and hoping to get others to join their cause.

Were here for Nosey, said Jan Pettifor. The aim of this protest and the rest of the weekend is to highlight Noseys suffering.

Pettifor and the other activists said Nosey is old, sick and mistreated. They say she should be retired to a sanctuary.

She needs to be with, get with other elephants, she needs to roam free, she needs to retire, said Amy Waz. The only way we can do that is to (get) people going in here to not buy a ticket.

Nosey is an African elephant who is about 32 years old. Shes owned by Hugo Leibel, who owns the Great American Family Circus. Leibel spoke with us on Friday and said hes raised the elephant since she was a few months old.

Little orphan, she didnt know nothing, he said. She was looking for mom and dad, and so we are her mom and dad.

Leibel said hes used to people protesting his show. He travels all over the country with his family, tent and animals. He said the protesters' message is untrue and out of context, but he also says its their right to say it.

They can say whatever they want to, Leibel said. We are regulated by the state of Florida, we are regulated by the federal government, we are regulated by the local authorities and they dont see nothing wrong and we dont do nothing bad. Those animals are happy and healthy.

When we stopped by the circus on Friday, Leibel said he had canceled the days shows. Heavy rain had soaked Pasco County that morning, and the grounds were soft and muddy. He said the show would be back on this weekend.

When we came back on Saturday to see Nosey, Leibel told us he did not bring Nosey and wouldnt bring her on Sunday either. He said that was the original plan, though he told us differently on Friday.

Hugo Leibel provided this photo of him with Nosey. Nosey was not at the circus Friday or Saturday. (Hugo Leibel)



The protesters said they see Noseys absence as a sign of victory  but the fight isnt over.

People are starting to come around, Karen Liwienski said. This is a step in the right direction.

According to the United State Department of Agriculture  the agency that regulates the ownership of exotic animals like Leibels  he is still licensed to own Nosey.

In 2011, the USDA filed a complaint against Leibel for violating the Animal Welfare Act. The 11-page docket includes allegations of not taking care of Noseys skin, keeping her chained too tightly, and not keeping her safe around the public.

Leibel was fined $7,500 and agreed to no longer violate the Animal Welfare Act. As of this publication, Leibels license is still valid with the agency.

Some protesters outside the Flea Market feel the USDA doesnt do enough.

The laws are extremely vague when it comes to animals and its almost impossible to get them protected, Waz said, We feel the USDA should be doing a better job at monitoring Nosey.

Leibel said Nosey is family  and he loves her like his own children.

Animals need a lot of love, and a lot of food, he said. If they think I am doing this to make quote 'money off them,' I dont think so. The elephant eats 300, 400 pounds of food a day.

Leibel said he wont step down. He even sees the attention as beneficial.

These ladies that are standing out front holding the signs, they give us a lot of great publicity, he said. People look, and then people come in, watch the show, and then they make their own mind up.

Though he didnt bring Nosey, Leibel said he will continue to tour with her.

For more information about the activist group, check out Action for Nosey Now

. Nosey also has her own Facebook page, called Nosey the Amazing Elephant, run by the Leibel family.
More than 100 dogs from Mississippi have been moved to shelters across Florida to make room for other animals affected by flooding.

Some of the dogs are now up for adoption at the Humane Society of Marion County.

On Sunday, 66 puppies and 40 dogs from Natchez, Mississippi arrived in Ocala.

The Humane Society of Marion County kept 10 adult dogs. Eight other Florida rescues picked up the rest of the animals.

"They wanted to relocate to make space for when the Mississippi River does flood as a spot for all the animals to go to, said Lauren Faw, the transport coordinator at the Humane Society of Marion County.

The Natchez-Adams County Humane Society will serve as a temporary emergency shelter and say they have already taken in six animals from the flooding so far.

Here is a list of the dogs the Humane Society of Marion County received:

Kim - Female - German Shepherd - 1 year

Steve - Male - Labrador - 1 year

Evan - Male - Catahoula - 1 year

Kate - Female - Labrador - 8 months

Julie - Female - Rat Terrier - 1 year

Diana - Female - Terrier - 6 months

John - Male - Labrador - 8 months

Rowdy - Male - Cattle Dog - 1 year

Brian - Male - Catahoula - 8 months

Nyssa - Female - Terrier - 2 years

To adopt one of these dogs from Mississippi, call them at 352-873-7387.
A Little Cypress-Mauriceville High School student was arrested and expelled from school this week for bringing weapons and alcohol on campus, according to a district statement released on Friday.

School administrators received a tip on Wednesday that a student had a "fake gun" he was trying to sell on campus, the statement said. District officials later determined the student was trying to sell a BB pistol and a large knife. The student was also in possession of alcohol, the statement said.
The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission in a 14-3 vote has approved a proposal to reduce Medicare Part B payment rates for hospitals participating in the 340B Drug Pricing Program, according to an article published in the American Journal of Managed Care.

Here are three things to know about the vote, as presented by as presented by author Surabhi Dangi-Garimella, PhD.

1. MedPAC has recommended Congress reduce the payment rates for 340B hospitals' Part B drugs by 10 percent of the average sales price. That would reduce the amount a hospital saves on a Part B drug by roughly 30 percent, and results in savings of about $300 million, according to the report. MedPAC also recommended that Congress direct the program savings from reducing the payment rates to the Medicare-funded uncompensated care pool.

2. The vote comes about a week after the American Hospital Association sent a letter urging MedPAC to withdraw its draft recommendation to cut payment rates to hospitals participating in the 340B Drug Pricing Program. The AHA urged MedPAC to withdraw the draft recommendation and, instead, to undertake an analysis of the trend of rapidly rising drug prices.

3. In reaction to the vote, 340B Health, a nonprofit organization of over 1,100 public and private hospitals and health systems, expressed concerns. "MedPAC's proposal would fundamentally change the 340B program and there has not been enough analysis about how hospitals would be affected. 340B hospitals provide significantly more uncompensated care than non-340B hospitals," 340B Health said, according to the report. "The proposal would harm hospitals that provide high levels of care to Medicaid patients even though Congress set the 340B eligibility criteria to explicitly include high-volume Medicaid hospitals. This is not the time to make fundamental changes to the 340B program, especially as 340B hospitals struggle to meet the needs of their low-income and underserved populations in an era of rapidly increasing drug costs."

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While CMS Acting Administrator Andy Slavitt's announcement of the end of meaningful use was met with a collective sigh of relief from the healthcare industry, questions, concerns and expectations regarding the future remain.

Though frustrating, many IT leaders do feel meaningful use was beneficial for IT adoption. Now, the industry must focus on next steps to further leverage technology to improve outcomes.

Here, six IT leaders offer their thoughts and reactions to the end of meaningful use and hypothesize what is next for health IT.

Note: Answers have been lightly edited for length and clarity.

Matt Adams, Healthcare IT Analyst, MD Buyline: "[Meaningful use is] going to be shaped differently with everything we've been talking about in 2015 and we'll hear in 2016. With the ONC's report that came out early December on interoperability, this year they're going to be pushing vendors quite hard to integrate their systems or build easier integrated systems. It's the reboot of MU. I think that unfortunately for some of the hospitals there's going to be some spending that's done to try and find out where they can reallocate those dollars. Or is there an ROI? If I just met stage 1 and stage 2, where are my dollars?

There obviously are going to be a lot more consulting gigs, a lot more folks that are going to be analyzing the structure of what the new meaningful use will be and then applying that to the facility. With population health and value-based purchasing, vendors are going to be adding and tweaking applications, so I expect to see more purchases for those upgrades and those applications."

Michael Archuleta, Director of IT, Mt. San Rafael Hospital (Trinidad, Colo.): "Meaningful use has had a real huge impact on the adoption of health IT, especially in these critical access hospitals. If we wouldn't have had the incentives to basically fund all these EMR systems coming into place, we would have never moved forward in the digitization of healthcare.

I don't think meaningful use is ending. CMS has implemented the Merit-Based Incentive Payment Systemand meaningful use will be a component of MIPS. What [Mr. Slavitt] did say was [moving] focus away from providers' use of technology and toward outcomes with their patientsAny health IT must be user-centered and for physicians, not to distract them. That's my main focus, and I really say meaningful use is not dead."

Daniel Barchi, CIO, NewYork-Presbyterian: "I think the meaningful use program was good for what it was, and I think it accelerated the adoption of EMRs in the U.S. by 10 to 15 years. I think it's reasonable not to push forward with meaningful use [stage] 3; a lot has been accomplished with meaningful use stage 1 and 2. I think there are areas like interoperability where we should shift our attention. A lot of the meaningful use metrics were focused on us achieving internal benchmarks and improving our care, all of which is really important and has been helpful. But I think we should hold ourselves as an industry and as vendors and as healthcare providers to a higher standard for making sure that patient data flows smoothly from one system to another."

John Hoffstatter, Director of Clinical and Operations Strategy, Computer Task Group: "The recent comments from [Mr. Slavitt] regarding the meaningful use program certainly suggest a pending announcement coming soon. While it is not typical for CMS to comment on future program changes in such an informal manner, it is encouraging to see CMS is responding to the ongoing pressures to revamp the MU program. The details to combine various quality incentive programs under MIPS by 2018 as directed in the MACRA legislation are still being defined and anxiously awaited.

The movement of meaningful use objectives and the emphasis on interoperability has been projected by CMS in the past, but we certainly hope the timing, details and alignment are more outcomes-based and offer some long overdue relief to the burdening qualities requirements physicians continually face on a daily basis.

It would be a welcome change to make meaningful use more meaningful."

Aaron Miri, CIO, Walnut Hill Medical Center (Dallas): "Walnut Hill and the hospital and healthcare community have benefited greatly from meaningful use. As with any large program rollout there were some early opportunities that were recognized later and were corrected. It has done a great service to the community. CHIME and HIMSS and other organizations have been very supportive of it, and it's gravitated and driven the industry forward. It's been the right thing to do in retrospect.

Going forward, my initial reaction when I heard was that I wasn't surprised. ONC and CMS have been indicating for some time that it's about the patient, it's about the quality and taking it to the next level. The time is right to sunset the word and program of "meaningful use" and go toward something bigger and greater. My personal hope is it's something around meaningful experience that continues to put the patient at the center and look at everything from quality to engagement to customer services and all different aspects of the patient experience as being the primary driver."

Marc Probst, CIO, Intermountain Healthcare (Salt Lake City): "I think it's been a tremendous program from the perspective of getting people using EMRs and collecting digital data. It really has moved us forward six to eight years in getting that done so much more quickly. From that perspective, we should claim a victory. I'm not sure that the amount of money we spent to do it was worth it, but if you want to look at it as glass half-full, we got a lot of systems out there.

The negative side of it is we didn't put standards in place, we didn't focus on interoperability. We didn't do things that cost a lot more money but were a lot less glamorous and would have provided more value to our country. The fact that the program could potentially end I find incredibly satisfying because this gradual increase of functionality approach is just not proactive. It's not fostering innovation. It was entirely too proscriptive. I like the discussion around talking more about outcomes, about what can we do to improve healthcare and lower costs.

I don't think we need the government to force the issue of interoperability. If we see interoperability as something of value to our patients and to our communities and the way that we provide care, we're going to put energy into it. We've done that at Intermountain for years through all of our discussions around standards. I think the healthcare community will solve it, and it may not be complete interoperability; it may be that we decide what is the most important information to share and do that, but the government's approach has been naive.

I'm hopeful the government will stop being proscriptive around things like functionality and what they'll do is reward people for better outcomes, whether quality or costs or both. I think that's the direction we're headed and I think is going to be very positive."

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Bosses are composed of a mix of talent, ambition, personality and authority, among other ingredients. But "superbosses" set themselves apart with the ability to identify and hone talent, according to the Harvard Business Review.

Superbosses don't just oversee the business aspects of their organizations. They find, train and develop the next cohort of leaders, according to Sydney Finkelstein, PhD, the Steven Roth Professor of Management in Dartmouth's Tuck School of Business, and author of Superbosses: How Exceptional Leaders Manage the Flow of Talent.

After reviewing thousands of articles and books and conducting more than 200 interviews, Dr. Finkelstein identified 18 primary study subjects, people he considers definite superbosses. He then analyzed them for patterns to explain why these leaders could not only uplift their companies, but also their proteges.

Dr. Finkelstein found superbosses tend to be extremely confident, competitive and imaginative. They also maintain a strong sense of integrity. He found they also employ similar "people strategies."

Here are six practices of superbosses, according to Dr. Finkelstein.

1. They seek out unusually talented people. Superbosses value intelligence, creativity and flexibility above all other traits. They want people who can look at problems from different angles and perspectives, manage surprises effectively, learn quickly and excel in any position.

2. They adopt unlikely winners. While superbosses adhere to some standard hiring criteria, like credentials, they are also willing to take chances on people who may not have as much industry experience or the right educational background. As a result of their tendency to reject preconceived notions of what talent should look like, superbosses typically show more openness to women and minorities, according to Dr. Finkelstein.

3. They tailor the job to fit the talent. When the opportunity presents itself, superbosses tailor roles to new hires to allow their unique skills and experience to rise to the forefront.

4. They set high expectations. Superbosses demand extraordinarily high performances from their teams. But they do not only push for stellar results  they do everything they can to instill a strong sense of confidence and exceptionalism in their people.

5. They are effective delegators. Superbosses trust their teams to execute and give them the autonomy to do so. At the same time, they remain intimately involved in the happenings of their organization and employees' work. "Like highly skilled craftsmen, superbosses give proteges an unusual amount of hands-on experience but also monitor their progress, offer instruction and intense feedback, and step in to work with them side by side when necessary," Dr. Finkelstein wrote.

6. They maintain relationships. Even after a protege has moved on from the company, superbosses continue to provide counsel and support to their people. They are happy to make personal introductions and offer "membership" into their networks.
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, Harvard Medical Faculty Physicians at BIDMC and Framingham, Mass.-based MetroWest Medical Center have signed a clinical affiliation agreement.

Here are six things to know about the affiliation.

1. The agreement designates BIDMC and HMFP as MWMC's clinical affiliate for advanced care, giving patients access to BIDMC specialists when needed.

2. Under the agreement, the organizations will collaborate to enhance the range of services offered by MWMC, including primary care, oncology, surgery, and obstetrics and gynecology.

3. BIDMC and MWMC will also link medical record systems to allow for viewing of records by all providers involved in a patient's care no matter the location.

4. MWMC, which includes Framingham Union Hospital in Framingham and Leonard Morse Hospital in Natick, Mass., will remain an independent organization with its own community board and local governance.

5. Overall, officials said the affiliation will expand access to clinical services west of Boston and strengthen the organizations' ability to provide comprehensive and coordinated patient care.

6. The agreement must still be reviewed by the Massachusetts Health Policy Commission.

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Cleveland-based MetroHealth System has joined Ohio's largest clinically integrated network and hired more than 40 primary care physicians to ensure patients have access to care as Akron, Ohio-based HealthSpan Physicians dissolves at the end of March.

The 40 new physicians will come on board April 1 and an additional 25 specialists are expected to join shortly thereafter, according to MetroHealth.

"We are very pleased to welcome these physicians to MetroHealth," MetroHealth CEO Akram Boutros, MD, said in a statement. "They are closely aligned with our mission of building a healthier community. Their experience in population health and commitment to their patients will be enormously beneficial to increase access, improve quality and transform care."

MetroHealth joined the CIN, called Advanced Health Select, to become a preferred provider for HealthSpan's Northeast Ohio Members. The CIN was jointly created by Cincinnati-based Mercy Health and Akron, Ohio-based Summa Health to improve chronic care management and lower care costs.

"The advantage of an integrated care network is that it enables collaboration among members to improve quality, efficiency and cost effectiveness for all patients within the network," Dr. Boutros said in a statement. "Like MetroHealth, Mercy and Summa are mission-driven. We look forward to collaborating with them so we can share best practices in patient care and wellness."

The system also plans to add services at several HealthSpan facilities to improve access to care for Cuyahoga County residents and smooth the transition for HealthSpan members in Cleveland Heights, Parma, Bedford and Rocky River.

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Olympus, a major manufacturer of duodenoscopes that have been linked to the spread of infection, has issued a voluntary recall asking all organizations to return a certain style of duodenoscope for modifications.

The device manufacturer is contacting organizations with a TJF-Q180V duodenoscope and asking them to return the scope for revision. Olympus plans to replace the scope's forceps elevator mechanism with a new design.

Additionally, Olympus issued an updated operation manual and new reprocessing instructions for the TJF-Q180V scope. Updated reprocessing steps include using a certain disinfectant and an annual inspection by Olympus service staff.

Olympus urged organizations to start using the updated reprocessing procedures as soon as possible, but that the duodenoscopes can continue to be used until the forceps elevator mechanism is replaced.

The TJF-Q180V duodenoscopes have been on the market since 2010, but did not have 510(k) clearance for the device from the Food and Drug Administration. The FDA has now approved the TJF-Q180V's 510(k) with Olympus' modifications. New TJF-Q180V duodenoscopes will be made with the new forceps elevator.

The updates follow a Senate committee released a report saying Olympus had knowledge of lab reports finding closed-channel duodenoscopes could harbor and spread bacteria in early 2013, but "never brought this information to the FDA" or alert providers.

"Had Olympus initiated this recall sooner, numerous patients would not have been infected with antibiotic-resistant superbugs," Rep. Ted Lieu (D-Calif.) said, according to the Los Angeles Times. "Olympus' decision needs to be monitored to determine its effectiveness since previous claims of effectiveness by Olympus have proven not to work."

Rep. Lieu also called for Pentax and Fuji, the other two duodenoscope manufacturers, to recall their duodenoscopes.
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EastEnders stalwart Dame Barbara Windsor is leaving the show for good as it is revealed her famous character, Peggy Mitchell, will be killed off.

Viewers saw Peggy make an appearance in Friday night's episode as she told her son Phil (played by Steve McFadden) that her cancer had returned.

But unlike her previous storyline she will not win her battle against the disease and will die.

Windsor, 78, said despite her decision to leave the show for good, her love for the show would never change.

"Peggy is a character close to my heart but I made the decision a while ago that I need to say goodbye to Peggy once and for all, as otherwise she will always be there, urging me to go back, and that is something I need to shut the door on," she explained.

She said she had thought "long and hard about it", but had realised it was time to say goodbye to the character.

"And I thought that whilst the guvnor (Dominic Treadwell-Collins), who I adore, is still in charge I want him to be the one to oversee it. I am grateful that Dominic has accepted my decision and together, since late last summer, we have been secretly plotting Peggy's last scenes."

Friday night's episode marked the start of Windsor's last storyline on the show. The scenes were filmed secretly in November 2015.

Treadwell-Collins, the show's executive producer, said: "Barbara is the real guvnor of EastEnders.

"So when she told me her decision back in the summer, we both had a little cry before getting excited about how Peggy Mitchell, the matriarch to end all matriarchs, could bid her final farewell to Albert Square."

He praised Windsor for creating one of the "greatest ever characters on British television" and said her exit was the end of an EastEnders era.

He hinted at Peggy's exit on the show, saying it would be "one of the most heartbreaking, uplifting and epic exits an EastEnders character has ever had."

Windsor's final scenes are expected to transmit in late spring 2016.

Best known for her Carry On films, Windsor joined the soap to take over the role of Peggy in 1994 and played the character full-time until 2010. Since then she has made occasional returns over the years.

As the Mitchell family matriarch, Peggy's biggest storylines include her battle with breast cancer, her marriage to Frank, her feud and friendship with Pat Butcher and her marriage to Archie Mitchell, which resulted in the family losing The Queen Vic.
Steven Avery is escorted to the Manitowoc County Courthouse in Wisconsin for his sentencing in 2007. A documentary about his trial and incarceration has been a huge hit for Netflix

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 till dawn broke: blood swabs in a discarded SUV. Aerial photographs of a vast, rusted car graveyard. Stick-drawings of trailer interiors allegedly coaxed by an "underhand" defence investigator.

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 engrossing, 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 a petition calling Avery's prosecution "an abomination of due process" and demanding his pardon. This week those pleas faced a setback when Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker said there would be no such amnesty.

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.

Making A Murderer could not have come out of Ireland or the UK. In Britain, courtrooms have only just 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.

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".

The same 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 crime in Making A Murderer, at the end of the day, isn't just Halbach's murder - it's very possibly a crime, or in fact a whole cartload, perpetrated by the state of Wisconsin, in its seeming haste to secure an alarmingly dubious set of convictions. Not only are these misfeasances disturbing in themselves, but they open up horrifying possibilities about what depths local law enforcement may have 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 problems of inept 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.

Since the show's climax, more that 300,000 people have signed a petition demanding a pardon.
Nancy Dell'Olio is the second Celebrity Big Brother housemate to be evicted

Nancy Dell'Olio called Celebrity Big Brother "an incredible experience" after becoming the second housemate to be evicted.

Dell'Olio, who had a high-profile relationship with former England football coach Sven Goran-Eriksson, braved the cold in a revealing green dress.

In a surprise twist, Big Brother asked four housemates to give "killer nominations", with their selections facing eviction on Tuesday.

Angie Bowie took a long time to state her choice.

After Big Brother prompted her for a name, the former wife of the late David Bowie picked Strictly Come Dancing professional Kristina Rihanoff.

"I wasn't prepared for this, I'm sorry," she told the Russian-born dancer.

The Only Way Is Essex's Gemma Collins chose former EastEnders star John Partridge.

"I don't like what he did to Darren Day," she said.

Previously, Partridge had nominated Day to his face.

The soap actor had offered concern about Day's addiction issues as the reason for doing so, but the musical theatre star disagreed with the explanation.

Former Mr Ireland Jeremy McConnell plumped for American reality star Tiffany Pollard and Ex On The Beach's Megan McKenna selected ex-EastEnders actress Danniella Westbrook.

All four will now face the public vote.

During Dell'Olio's exit interview, she told presenter Emma Willis: "It was an incredible experience. I'm pleased that I did it."

She added: "It's a trauma to get inside the house and it's a little trauma to get out."

Dell'Olio, 54, admitted being cut off from the outside world was hard.

She endured 10 days of tears and tantrums before being voted out by the public.

"It feels like it's been three weeks, a month. Many things have happened in the house," she stated. "The worst is the beginning and then you adjust yourself."

Willis asked how she had managed to avoid so much of the strife inside the tense house.

"The only thing I can be is myself," she said.

Earlier in the highlights show broadcast on Channel 5, McKenna was called to the diary room and given a formal warning for unacceptable behaviour.

The 23 year old ranted and swore at housemates Partridge and Pollard, before having to be restrained by security guards.

She lost her temper over the issue of house cleanliness.
Sean Penn says his article on Mexican drug lord Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman failed in its mission (AP)

Sean Penn has claimed that the Mexican government deliberately credited him with the capture of Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman to put him in the crosshairs of his feared gang.

In an interview with CBS's 60 Minutes, host Charlie Rose asked the actor whether he believed Mexico president Enrique Pena Nieto's government credited Penn because "they want to see you blamed and put at risk" from the Sinaloa Cartel.

"Yes," Penn replied.

Rose continued: "They wanted to encourage the cartel to put you in their crosshairs?"

"Yes," Penn again confirmed.

He explained: "There is this myth about the visit that we made, my colleagues and I with El Chapo, that it was ... 'essential' to his capture."

He added: "We know the Mexican government, they clearly were humiliated by the notion that someone found him before they did."

Penn, who was interviewing the Mexican fugitive drug lord for an article for Rolling Stone magazine, said he had in fact met Guzman "many weeks earlier on October 2 in a place nowhere near to where he was captured".

The Oscar-winning actor said he agreed to do the interview to "begin a conversation about the policy of the War on Drugs. That was my simple idea."

He confirmed to Rose that he had failed in his intention.

"I have a terrible regret. I have a regret that the entire discussion about this article ignores its purpose, which was to try to contribute to this discussion about the policy on the War on Drugs."

"Let me be clear. My article has failed," he said.

Sean Penn's episode of 60 Minutes airs on CBS on Sunday.
Conleth McGrenaehan and his girlfriend Bronagh McGuckin present charity Brain Injury Matters, off the Castlereigh Road in east Belfast. Left to right. Family Practitioner with Brain Injury Matters Keelin White, Conleth and Bronagh Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye

Conleth McGrenaehan and his girlfriend Bronagh McGuckin present charity Brain Injury Matters, off the Castlereigh Road in east Belfast. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye

Conleth McGrenaehan and his girlfriend Bronagh McGuckin present charity Brain Injury Matters, off the Castlereigh Road in east Belfast. Left to right. Bronagh, Family Practitioner with Brain Injury Matters Keelin White and Conleth. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye

Conleth McGrenaehan and his girlfriend Bronagh McGuckin present charity Brain Injury Matters, off the Castlereigh Road in east Belfast. Left to right. Family Practitioner with Brain Injury Matters Keelin White, Bronaghand Conleth. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye

Conleth McGrenaehan and his girlfriend Bronagh McGuckin present charity Brain Injury Matters, off the Castlereigh Road in east Belfast. Left to right. Family Practitioner with Brain Injury Matters Keelin White, Bronaghand Conleth. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye

Conleth McGrenaehan and his girlfriend Bronagh McGuckin present charity Brain Injury Matters, off the Castlereigh Road in east Belfast. Left to right. Family Practitioner with Brain Injury Matters Keelin White, Conleth and Bronagh Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye

The family of a young Northern Ireland student who miraculously survived after plunging 30 feet onto a concrete pavement has donated almost 12,000 earmarked for his medical care to charity.

Conleth McGrenaghan suffered head injuries, including a fractured skull, after he fell from a student house in a freak accident on April 28 last year.

He was rushed to hospital in London for life-saving treatment three days later when he subsequently developed respiratory problems.

The popular GAA player was with four friends when the accident - from which he has now made a full recovery - happened in the Holylands area of Belfast.

The then 19-year-old undergraduate, from near Randalstown, spent 15 days in intensive care and several weeks in hospital before finally being discharged on June 26.

Speaking for the first time about the frightening ordeal, Conleths mother Nuala revealed that she was told several times that she might lose her youngest child.

Conleth was taken to St Thomas Hospital London after developing breathing problems and he remained in intensive care from May 1 until May 12, she said.

He was then brought back to The Royal in Belfast where he spent time in the neural ward and then the brain injury unit at Musgrave before being discharged on June 26.

She added: A few times the consltants told us to prepare for the worst. That was awful. But thank goodness were on the other side of it.

Mrs McGrenaghan (52), a nurse, said he was back at Jordanstown University doing very well after the accident.

But she recalled how she and her 56-year-old husand John, a retired psychiatric nurse, and their other sons Sean (26), 24-year-old Fergal and daughter Oife (22) kept an anguished vigil by Conleths hospital bed, as did his 20-year-old girlfriend Bronagh McGuckin.

We all went to London to be with him, she said.

Miraculously, when he fell, he only ended up with a fractured skull and head injuries.

The accident came as a great shock but Conleths friends dealt with it very well.

They werent with him at the time - they were downstairs - so we dont know exactly what happened.

She added: He has no memories of the accident - the medical staff told us he wouldnt - and thats not a bad thing, she said.

During the familys dreadful crisis, Conleths girfriends mother Teresa McGuckin began raising money for them via a GoGetFunding page.

Almost 12,000 worth of donations poured in over just a few days and its aim was to help cover expenses.

But Conleth was treated on the NHS and the McGrenaghans, who stayed at the hospital and with friends while in London, didnt use any of the money.

And, earlier this week, Conleth, now aged 20, presented cheques totalling 11,700 (which remained after the deduction of the fee for using the fundraising website) to two local charities.

We are giving 10,000 to Brain Injury Matters and 1,700 to the Royal Intensive Care Unit, Nuala said.

Its a family decision and Conleths decision to do this because we were so overwhelmed with the support we got from everyone and we were so touched by their generosity and the prayers of the whole community.

We really wanted to take this opportunity to thank everyone for what they did for us. It was really important to us at a very difficult time in our lives.
First-round bids for the owner of Northern Ireland's largest electricity supplier closed last night

First-round bids for the owner of Northern Ireland's largest electricity supplier closed last night.

Centrica, the UK's biggest energy supplier and the owner of British Gas, is among the firms anticipated to make an offer for Power NI parent company Viridian.

Power NI yesterday refused to comment on its potential sale, while Centrica also did not wish to comment.

With around 600,000 customers, Power NI is the biggest supplier of electricity to homes here, followed by SSE Airtricity and Budget Energy in second and third place respectively.

News agency Bloomberg this week claimed Centrica was eyeing up Viridian, which is currently owned by private equity firm Arcapita. Australian financial services firm AMP Ltd is also believed to be interested. It was reported in September that Arcapita wished to sell Viridian for around 1bn.

Aodhan O'Donnell, the owner of energy price comparison website Powertoswitch.co.uk, said: "The Viridian sale, which could exceed 1bn, is far removed from the lives of consumers trying to pay their bill this month or find the money to top up their meter.

"And although it is unlikely we will see any immediate changes, an increase in competition and further pressure on prices would be welcome."

Economist John Simpson said that as an energy company, Centrica could be a more "competitive" operator of Power NI than Arcapita, a private equity firm.

It was also likely to bring more technical expertise to the operation.

Viridian's shareholders had not been taking any dividend from the company in recent years but would get a major return in the event of a sale, he said.

He added: "It has been a profitable business recently because Power NI has not been passing down savings to customers in line with the fall in the wholesale price of oil."

Oil prices have fallen from around $115 per barrel around 18 months ago to around $30.

In the Republic, Viridian owns Energia, which supplies electricity to the domestic and commercial markets and also owns and operates the Huntstown Power Station in Dublin. Energia also supplies some business customers in Northern Ireland.

Northern Ireland's electricity supply market has seen a flood of new entrants in recent months. Electric Ireland, Click Energy and Open Electric all joined last year.
The scene of the fatal fire at Castlewellan, Co Down, where a young woman died in a flat above Finnegans butcher's shop. Pic Freddie Parkinson/Press Eye

Fire service group commander Max Joyce at the scene of the fatal fire at Castlewellan, Co Down, where a young woman died in a flat above Finnegans butcher's shop. Pic Freddie Parkinson/Press Eye

The scene of the fatal fire at Castlewellan, Co Down, where a young woman died in a flat above Finnegans butcher's shop. Pic Freddie Parkinson/Press Eye

The scene of the fatal fire at Castlewellan, Co Down, where a young woman died in a flat above Finnegans butcher's shop. Pic Freddie Parkinson/Press Eye

The scene of the fatal fire at Castlewellan, Co Down, where a young woman died in a flat above Finnegans butcher's shop. Pic Freddie Parkinson/Press Eye

Ellen Finnegan (19) died in a bedroom above her family's butcher's shop in Castlewellan. Pic Freddie Parkinson/Press Eye

A young woman has died in a fire above her family's butcher's shop in Castlewellan, Co Down.

Ellen Finnegan (19) was killed on Saturday morning when the fire broke out in the building in Lower Square, adjoined to Finnegan's butchers.

The blaze started at about 4am in the bedroom.

Paramedics tried to revive Miss Finnegan, but she tragically died at the scene.

It is understood Saturday was the third anniversary of her mother's death.

22 firefighters fought the flames to bring the fire under control in the early hours.

"Castlewellan is in absolute shock ," said local SDLP Councillor Laura Devlin.

We are saddened to share the news of the death of our pupil, Ellen Finnegan. Our thoughts & prayers are with Ellen's family and friends.  Assumption Grammar (@assumptionlive) January 16, 2016

Ellen was a highly intelligent, strikingly beautiful young lady with a quick wit and sharp personality  a personality that she was renowned for. All of these attributes made her such a popular person.

"In these ways and many more she was a lot like her late mum, Nichola.

The Finnegan family have owned the butcher's in Castlewellan for as long as I can remember. They are at the heart of the community and are loved and respected by everyone. The news this morning is just so hard to process.

I visited Bartley this morning  all of the Finnegans and Halls are in my thoughts and prayers on this very dark day.

Fire service group commander Max Joyce told the BBC it is not yet clear what caused the fire.

"The first thing I would like to do is pass condolences to the family - it's a tragedy for the family and a tragedy for Castlewellan, which is such a close-knit community," he said.

Tragic news from house fire lastnight in Castlewellan; thoughts with Bartley & wider Finnegan family who have lost a wonderful daughter  Chris Hazzard (@ChrisHazzardSF) January 16, 2016

"Essentially the blaze itself was contained to a bedroom just over the butcher's and there was a fair bit of heat coming off it.

"Our breathing apparatus teams managed to make their way through, fought their way through, to get to the young girl."

Castlewellan Ladies GAA club posted on Facebook: "It is with great sadness that we wake up this morning to hear of the tragic death of Ellen, a beautiful girl that was a friend to many of the players on our & neighbouring teams. Our thoughts and prayers are with Bartley, the Finnegan family circle and friends of Ellen at this time. May she rest in peace. God Bless."

Expand Close Friends and family lay flowers close to the scene of the fatal fire at Castlewellan, Co Down, where Ellen Finnegan (19) died in a flat above Finnegans butcher's shop. Pic Freddie Parkinson/Press Eye  Press Eye - Belfast - Norther / Facebook

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Whatsapp Friends and family lay flowers close to the scene of the fatal fire at Castlewellan, Co Down, where Ellen Finnegan (19) died in a flat above Finnegans butcher's shop. Pic Freddie Parkinson/Press Eye

MP Margaret Ritchie said the tragedy would have a profound impact on the entire community.

She said: "It is difficult for most of us to contemplate the grief that is now being felt by this young womans family and friends but on behalf of myself and all the people of South Down I would like to extend our deepest condolences to them at this most difficult time.

I would also like to commend the work of the Fire and Ambulance Services who acted courageously in their response to this emergency.

South Down SDLP MLA Sean Rogers said: "My thoughts are with Bartley and his wider family circle. This news is simply heartbreaking and the feeling around Castlewellan is one of utter shock.

"There is a great sense of solidarity in the Castlewellan community and they will support those who are so have been left devastated by losing Ellen at such a young age.
The body that runs Catholic schools in Northern Ireland has been criticised for "overstepping its mark" after it criticised Stormont's vision for the future as "short-sighted".

The Council for Catholic Maintained Schools has released a document it has sent to Stormont which calls for the 2016/2020 Programme for Government to be "developed with education at its centre".

CCMS has also called for a "radical overhaul" of the curriculum, with new vocational qualifications equivalent to A-Levels.

"In too many schools the narrowing of the curriculum, particularly at post-16, is driven by the narrowness of the entry requirements of the Higher Education institutions," the report said, emphasising that education should be at the centre of rebuilding the economy.

It also criticises the Department of Education for being too focused on "a qualifications system which assesses knowledge and understanding rather than a broader range of skills".

The 11-page document suggests a review of existing qualifications to reflect the broader skills needed to grow the economy; reform of the careers advice service; a duty for all government departments to collaborate on education; an end to short-term projects and initiatives and more evidence-based policy.

DUP Education spokesman Peter Weir says CCMS's proposals are a "missed opportunity".

"It is disappointing that this attempt by CCMS to address educational policies is undermined by variable content, an unhelpful tone and, by their own admission, a disparate report covering issues which most people will see as straying beyond their remit.

"There are significant educational issues raised in the report, a number of which we would agree with, but the lurch in tone towards the negative, and the condescending, distracts from their central arguments," he said.
Michaella McCollum, right, and Melissa Reid, left, were jailed in Peru last year after they admitted trying to smuggle cocaine worth 1.5 million pounds from Peru to Spain (AP)

Belfast solicitor Peter Madden said Michaella McCollum and co-accused Melissa Reid have been well treated by the authorities

Lawyer Peter Madden, who represents Michaella McCollum, has claimed his client has suffered from a lack of food.

Michaella McCollum, centre, and Melissa Reid leave the court after being sentenced in Peru.

CAUGHT ON CAMERA: Michaella and Melissa caught on CCTV loading bags into a car in Peru

SECRET STASH: The drugs found in food packs in the girls luggage

Michaella McCollum Connolly with rugby star Tommy Bowe while doing promotional work at an official Ulster Rugby event

Michaella McCollum Connolly (left) and friend Melissa Reid in the airport after they were arrested

Police escort Michaella McCollum Connolly and Melissa Reid from the National Police anti-drug headquarters in Peru (AP)

Michaella McCollum, left, and Melissa Reid listen to a translator during a hearing at court in Callao, Peru (AP)

Melissa Reid and Michaella McCollum, both handcuffed, arrive for a court hearing in Lima, Peru (AP Photo/Karel Navarro)

Michaella McCollum Connolly arrives to court for her sentencing in Callao, Peru (AP Photo/Martin Mejia)

Michaella McCollum Connolly, handcuffed, arrives for a court hearing in Lima, Peru, clutching the book 'Secrets About Life Every Woman Should Know: Ten principles for spiritual and emotional fulfillment' (AP Photo/Karel Navarro)

Michaella McCollum Connolly pictured during an interview with RTE in 2016 after being released on parole from a Peruvian prison

Michaella McCollum Connolly in one of her club hostess outfits

Michaella McCollum Connolly in one of the Ibiza clubs where she worked as a dancer

Peru drugs mule Michaella McCollum's repatriation to a Northern Ireland jail has been given the go-ahead by the head of the prison service in Belfast.

All necessary paperwork has been sent to Peruvian authorities considering the application for transfer, a letter from the Northern Ireland Prison Service (NIPS) disclosed.

Melissa Reid, from Scotland, and McCollum, from Co Tyrone, were imprisoned in 2013 for six years and eight months after admitting trying to smuggle cocaine worth 1.5 million from Peru to Spain.

A solicitor has described the conditions of their detention as horrendous.

Sue McAllister, director general of the NIPS, told McCollum's legal team: "I can confirm that the Peruvian authorities have all of the documentation they require to enable them to make a decision on your client's application for repatriation.

"This paperwork includes confirmation that NIPS is prepared to accept her as a transferred prisoner.

"However, the final decision on the application is a matter for the Peruvian ministry of justice and human rights."

The logistics of the transfer will be complicated, previous unrelated correspondence with McCollum's solicitor Kevin Winters has stated.

Prisoners must be accompanied throughout their journey; airlines and airports must be advised, with security arrangements put in place at departure, transit and final stops. Her final destination would probably be Ash House Women's Prison at Hydebank Wood in south Belfast.

McCollum, 21 and from Dungannon, and Reid, 20 and from Glasgow, were caught with the haul at Lima airport on August 6 2013.

They were working on the Spanish party island of Ibiza when they claimed Colombian drug lords who kidnapped them at gunpoint forced them to board a flight with 24lb of cocaine in food packets hidden inside their luggage.

McCollum and Reid faced the prospect of a maximum 15-year prison term but struck a behind-closed-doors plea bargain to secure a shorter sentence.

The Scottish Prison Service agreed in principle to a transfer for Reid last year but is still waiting to hear from the Peruvian authorities, who must confirm that they are happy for her to serve the remainder of her sentence under Scottish law.

The pair had previously been held at Lima's Virgen de Fatima prison but were moved to the Ancon 2 prison, where horrific conditions reportedly mean McCollum was crammed into a cell with 30 other prisoners.

The situation at the mixed prison, which is two-and-a-half hours from Lima, has previously been criticised by the Irishwoman's lawyer as "appalling".

Mr Winters has said sanitation and toilet facilities are extremely poor and all females have to use a hole in the ground which has to be covered up because of the presence of vermin.

Read more:
Pope Francis receives gifts from executive chairman of Google Eric Schmidt during a private audience in the Vatican yesterday

A leading Protestant cleric has said the majority of his community would welcome a visit to Northern Ireland by Pope Francis.

Canon Ian Ellis, editor of The Church of Ireland Gazette, was responding to claims that there could be protests by extreme elements if that occurred.

Speaking in the Irish Catholic, Canon Ellis said: "We don't want to live in a country where it's not possible for this (a papal visit) to happen - it's such a good thing, really".

His comments came in response to an article in The Ulster Bulwark, the magazine of the Evangelical Protestant Society (EPS), which was referring to speculation that the head of the Catholic Church might visit Ireland during 2018's World Meeting of Families.

Penned by EPS secretary Wallace Thompson, also a former DUP special adviser, the article hit out at "the usual clamour from the usual suspects for him (the Pope) to visit Northern Ireland", adding: "Sadly, some within Protestant circles who ought to know better have been very quick to issue messages of support."

Mr Thompson described a visit by the pontiff as "controversial and divisive", and said: "If a visit takes place, we will, along with other evangelical Protestant organisations, churches and individuals, exercise our democratic right to express our opposition."

Canon Ellis said that he believed serious opposition to Pope Francis was unlikely.

"I don't think it would be a widespread reaction," he added. "I wouldn't be fearful of protests on any scale."

He also described the Pope as "amazingly popular and a great leader" and said: "My impression is that, on the whole, people really find him a very, very attractive person and a person who speaks openly and freely.

"He's greatly loved - it's not too much to say that."

The Canon also said that protests would be unlikely even if the Pope were to address the Stormont Assembly.

"This is a free world, it's a free country," he said. "We believe in religious freedom and we respect religious leaders, and that's as it should be.

"(A papal visit would be) a very positive thing. I'd be very disappointed if he weren't to come to Northern Ireland. I think it would be a great disappointment to very many people - very many Protestants, as well as to members of the Roman Catholic Church."

The only papal visit to Ireland to date was by Pope John Paul II in 1979.

Over the course of the three days he was here almost three million people turned out to welcome him at five venues: Dublin, Drogheda, Galway, Limerick and Knock.

It was in Drogheda, Co Louth, where the Pope appealed to paramilitaries to lay down their arms and embrace peace.

"I wish to speak to all men and women engaged in violence," the pontiff said at the time.

"I appeal to you, in language of passionate pleading. On my knees, I beg you to turn away from the path of violence and to return to the ways of peace."

His visit to the border county of Louth was the closest the head of the Church got to Northern Ireland. A planned Mass in St Patrick's Cathedral in Armagh was cancelled because his advisers feared he would be a target for loyalist terrorists.

Just weeks earlier the Queen's cousin Lord Louis Mountbatten had been killed in an IRA bomb attack on his boat in Co Sligo. On the same day 18 soldiers had been killed in an IRA ambush near Warrenpoint, Co Down.

In April 2014 Belfast councillors voted in favour of inviting Pope Francis to the city.
The world of Narnia is to return to the silver screen soon - but it looks like Ballymena acting star Liam Neeson will not be voicing Aslan this time.

The series of movies based on the classic Narnia Chronicles by Belfast-born CS Lewis has been in limbo for the past few years after Walden Media lost the rights, even though the first three films grossed more than $1.5bn at the box office.

Producer Mark Gordon said Narnia would return to cinemas "very shortly" with an adaptation of The Silver Chair, but it will be a reboot with original characters, suggesting none of the cast of the first three movies will return.

He added the film was in active development and he hoped to begin production in the near future.

The three-part series began in 2005 with The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe, followed by 2008's Prince Caspian, and 2010's The Voyage Of The Dawn Treader. However, Walden Media lost the rights, seeing the scrapping of the planned sequel, The Magician's Nephew.

The Mark Gordon Company and The CS Lewis Company took over the rights in 2013, announcing plans for The Silver Chair adaptation, with Life Of Pi writer David Magee hired to script it.

Since then there has been little news. However, Gordon has now confirmed that Narnia is definitely returning to cinemas.

"We're hoping to be able to make the movie very shortly," he said. "It's all going to be a brand new franchise. All original. All original characters, different directors and an entire new team that this is coming from."

He confirmed the new characters would come from the world of Narnia, however, it looks like there will be no return for Will Poulter as Eustace - one of the main characters - Ben Barnes as Caspian, Liam Neeson as Aslan, Peter Dinklage as Trumpkin and Tilda Swinton as the White Witch.

The Silver Chair takes place decades after the last encounter with Caspian in the Voyage Of The Dawn Treader, at the end of which Lucy and Edmund were told they could not return to Narnia.

In it Aslan enlists the help of Eustace, who teams up with his schoolmate Jill Pole to journey into the far north of Narnia in search of the missing Prince Rillian, only child of King Caspian.

Welcoming the news, CS Lewis expert Sandy Smith said: "It's understandable that it's going to be a different cast. It will get a great reception when it's done.

"Liam Neeson didn't really appear as one of the characters - he was the voice of Aslan. But other people did this in the BBC adaptation and in the cartoon before it, so it's an ever-changing scene."

If the filmmakers decide not to remake the first three films, they will still have three more Narnia books to adapt - The Horse And His Boy, The Magician's Nephew and The Last Battle.
A landmark bid for a partially secret court hearing over intelligence gathered on the Omagh bombing is set to get under way next month.

Lawyers for the British Government are expected to argue that national security-sensitive material is suitable for an application to hold a closed material procedure (CMP).

The move forms part of a legal challenge to Northern Ireland Secretary of State Theresa Villiers' refusal to hold a public inquiry into the atrocity.

Michael Gallagher, whose son Aiden was among 29 people killed by the Real IRA in the August 1998 atrocity, is seeking to have her decision judicially reviewed.

The case centres on claims that a range of intelligence from British security agents, MI5 and RUC officers could have been drawn together to prevent the attack. An alleged gap in the information relates to any monitoring of the bomb and scout cars as they crossed the Irish border into Omagh on the day of the outrage.

But counsel for the Secretary of State are to seek a CMP in advance of the legal challenge being heard in full. That process, under powers contained in the Justice and Security Act 2013, would examine whether public disclosure of some information would damage national security.

It would involve intelligence documents being assessed by a judge and a special advocate barrister appointed to protect the rights of Mr Gallagher while he is shut out of the hearing.

At the High Court yesterday it was confirmed that the first stage, to decide if the case is suitable for a CMP application, is listed for a two-day hearing next month. It will be the first such legal bid in judicial review proceedings in Northern Ireland.

Paul McLaughlin, representing the Secretary of State, said a sample of the closed material has been gathered and is being stored at a secure location away from the Royal Courts of Justice.

The judge was also told David Scoffield QC has been appointed as the special advocate to represent Mr Gallagher's interests.

Mr Scoffield indicated his preference for any non-sensitive documents to be handed over before the CMP proceedings get underway. "Once I have seen the closed material I'm precluded from communicating with the applicant (Mr Gallagher)," he explained.

The bereaved father launched his legal action after Ms Villiers rejected calls for a public investigation in September 2013.

She decided instead that a probe by Police Ombudsman Michael Maguire was the best way to address any outstanding issues surrounding the atrocity.

In 2014 Dr Maguire published a report where he found RUC Special Branch withheld some intelligence information from detectives hunting the bombers.

No one has ever been convicted of the attack, but Seamus Daly (44), from Cullaville, Co Monaghan, is currently charged with the 29 murders, which he denies.
An Audi is towed away after its driver was cornered in east Belfast yesterday

An Audi is towed away after its driver was cornered in east Belfast yesterday

An Audi is towed away after its driver was cornered in east Belfast yesterday

A city-wide manhunt for frenzied knife attack suspect Stephen McFarlane came to an end after he was cornered in an east Belfast street yesterday following a high-speed police chase.

Squad cars pursued the suspect's white Audi A6 across the east of the city, eventually forcing McFarlane (32) into Welland Street, a cul-de-sac close to the junction of the Newtownards and Holywood roads.

The PSNI took the unusual step of releasing a photo of McFarlane on Thursday after issuing a warrant for his arrest following the stabbing in Glengormley on Wednesday that left a 26-year-old mother-of-two in a critical condition in hospital.

Eyewitnesses spoke of seeing McFarlane's Audi mount the pavement as he swerved in a bid to escape his police pursuers before skidding though 90 degrees into Welland Street - where he was finally cornered and arrested.

The suspect, who witnesses described as being injured and covered in blood, was taken by ambulance with a police escort to the Ulster Hospital in Dundonald.

Both the health authorities and the PSNI last night declined to comment on his condition.

Welland Street - once a traditional terraced street of small kitchen houses - is 40 feet long and backs onto Tamar Court, a pensioners' sheltered dwelling complex.

One elderly resident of the building, who was too frightened to give his name, described hearing what he said sounded like a car crash with screeching brakes and men screaming and shouting at each other.

Hairdressers Jackie Skelly and Jillian Archer, who work in Edges Barber Shop just a few feet away from where McFarlane was captured at 2pm, also witnessed the end of the chase.

Ms Skelly said: "We heard brakes squealing and we saw the police car smash into the white Audi just as it spun into Welland Street.

"The guy in the car was injured - we could see he was covered in blood - and then an ambulance arrived and took him away."

The white Audi, its driver's side window shattered and covered with a blue PVC sheet, remained in the sealed-off street as forensic experts began their work. It was later removed on a low-loader.

Ms Archer, whose mother lives in Glengormley's Ashgrove area, where McFarlane is suspected of carrying out Wednesday's attack, said she thought he looked familiar.

"It was pretty scary," she added. "He may even have been in here for a haircut, or I could have seen him around in Glengormley."

She was initially left stranded as her car was sealed off behind the police lines.

PSNI spokesman Detective Inspector Chris Millar said last night: "I would like to thank the public and the media for their assistance in this matter.

"We received a number of calls from members of the public throughout our search, and we are grateful for that co-operation.

"Our investigation into this serious assault will now continue."

The victim of the stabbing attack was last night understood to be off the critical list, and to have spoken with detectives investigating the incident.
Fans of the late Thin Lizzy guitarist Gary Moore could soon have a chance to own instruments once played by the Belfast-born music legend.

He's been dead for almost five years, but now a previously unpublished interview with Guitarist magazine has come to light, along with an opportunity to bag some of the axes and amps he once used.

Moore's estate has hinted at a sale coming up later this year, with some pieces being offered in online auctions.

For more than two decades Graham Lilley looked after Moore and his kit. Reports suggest that Moore owned lock-ups full of guitars, amplifiers, cabinets, pedals and much more.

Graham, who has been given the responsibility of organising the auction, said: "A chunk of it will be retained by the estate for the time being.

"But there's a lot of stuff left and it's made to be played, to make a noise with, so somebody should make a noise with it.

"It's just trying to find the best way to do it. Some of it might find its way to auction websites, so anybody can bid on it, fans for example, and get a little piece of that heritage.

"Quite a few of the bits have been viewed by one of the top-end auction houses. What will actually go in the sale is unclear at this moment.

"We're possibly looking at June, but there's no reason that the less-documented stuff couldn't go out before that."

The famously shy Moore was buried in Brighton - his home for the last 15 years of his life - after dying from a heart attack in his sleep at the age of 58 during a holiday in Spain. The newly published Guitarist magazine interview dates from 1995.

The interview was carried out by the magazine's deputy editor David Mead, who met Moore in a London hotel to discuss the Ulsterman's mentor and friend, Peter Green.

Green, who was a key member of the early incarnation of Fleetwood Mac, was Gary's inspiration, whom he first went to see play when he was only 14.

In the interview, Gary said: "The first time I saw Peter Green play was at the Club Rado, which was a very rough club in Belfast.

"And at that time he'd just replaced Eric (Clapton) in The Blues Breakers."

In the detailed interview, Gary also talked about different aspects of his life and the guitarists who inspired him.
He was the mixologist to the rich and famous. Tributes have been paid to legendary Belfast barman Joe Gilmore, who has died aged 93, who spent a lifetime making cocktails for some of the world's most recognisible faces.

Royalty, Prime Ministers and movie stars were all among Joe's clientele over the years, with his regulars including Princess Diana, Winston Churchill and Charlie Chaplin.

As head barman of the world-famous Savoy hotel in London, he became a celebrity in his own right and was celebrated for mixing cocktails to mark history. His Moonwalk cocktail was the first thing astronaut Neil Armstrong had to drink after coming back to Earth in 1969. Joe's creation was flown specially by Pan Am Airways and arrived in Houston one hour before the astronauts left quarantine.

Frank Sinatra was a frequent visitor to The Savoy and would order his dry Martini with the phrase: "Set 'em up, Joe", after the song. Often he'd play the classic tune on the hotel piano, starting a legend that the song was actually written about Joe.

Remembered for his soft Belfast accent, which he never lost, friends and family at his funeral in London last week praised him for his professionalism, his absolute discretion, unsurpassed cocktail-mixing skills and his warmth as a host.

Joe, born in north Belfast in 1922, was one of a family of 10.

The Gilmores had owned a popular tobacconist shop at the top of the Limestone Road, which stayed in business throughout the Troubles right up until the mid-1990s.

He had a dream to go places and moved to London at the age of 16, taking odd jobs. As the Second World War came to an end he had "done his bit" as a fire warden on the roof of The Savoy, witnessing first-hand the devastating London Blitz.

At 18 he found his calling as a trainee barman at The Savoy, earning 3.10 a week as apprentice to legendary barman Harry Craddock. Harry had learned the art of "American drinks", or cocktails, in the USA, but left during prohibition to join The Savoy in 1920.

By 1954 Joe became head barman himself, and holding the position for 21 years, he would go on to match and exceed his mentor's creations.

Joe's friend Sir David Davies observed: "Back in the 1950s the appointment of a head barman at The Savoy was an event of national and even international importance.

"Members of the British Establishment would meet at the American Bar, handy for both the City and Westminster, near to Fleet Street and the West End.

"It was London's exclusive meeting place for the rich and powerful."

Churchill had been dining at The Savoy when he learned he would become Prime Minister. There were wartime restrictions on alcohol but Joe remembered Churchill passing him a large bottle of Black And White Whisky and saying: "That's for me."

Joe kept it behind the bar and served it to him when he came in. Later, when he created a cocktail in his honour, Churchill rewarded him with one of his famous cigars.

"It didn't last long," Joe recalled. "I didn't smoke it. But I kept showing it to the guests and eventually it turned to sawdust!"

Sir David said: "To listen to Joe reminiscing, always so discreetly, on the names and tastes of his famous customers and the habits of the day, was to eavesdrop on a different age."

When new drink-driving laws came in Joe responded with an alcohol-free cocktail, Breathalyser Cocktail No.1.

On request, he would add two shots of vodka, but would change the name of the drink to Taxi, Please.

Joe was much more than a barman, becoming a broadcaster and a frequent guest on US chat shows in the Sixties and Seventies.

When asked by the NBC network if he was concerned the introduction of the Breathalyser would be bad for business, he replied: "Not here, all our customers are chauffeur-driven."

In later years he created a new cocktail for Princess Diana because she did not drink. The mix included lemon, lime and orange, and guests would often request it, with some Champagne.

Over the years he would produce many other cocktails for members of the royal family including the Queen and Queen Mother.

Today his legacy lives on. Around 20 Moonwalk cocktails are ordered every day at The Savoy, and four years ago Germany's Mixology magazine gave him a lifetime achievement award.

With his wife Marie, Joe had three sons, and four grandchildren. His granddaughter Francesca recalled: "I'll never forget walking into Poppa Joe's living room on December afternoon to see him reading some letters.

"He handed one to me and I read through it. It was from Princess Diana. He then handed me the other letter. I didn't even read this one - instead my eyes instantly dropped to its sender. It was from Neil Armstrong. It was then I realised how incredible his life really was."
Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond meets children taking lessons during a visit to the Saricam refugee camp near Adana in Turkey, which provides aid to approximately 10,800 Syrians who have fled the civil war

Six hundred British nationals have been caught trying to enter Syria to join Islamic State (IS) and other jihadist groups since 2012, Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond has said.

Speaking during a visit to southern Turkey, Mr Hammond said an estimated 800 UK citizens had entered Syria in the past four years, with around half thought to still be in the country.

But he said the British and Turkish intelligence services had managed to stop hundreds more joining them, stopping some leaving the UK and others as they arrived in Istanbul - a key staging point on the route to Syria.

"Approximately 800 Brits have been to Syria, of whom half are still there. But on top of that 800, we have stopped another 600," he told The Guardian.

He said the growing success of the authorities in preventing foreign fighters reaching IS in its Syrian stronghold of Raqqa was adding to the pressure the group was facing from western air strikes.

"There is evidence (IS) is finding it difficult to recruit to the brigades in Raqqa because of the high attrition rate of foreign fighters," he said.

"Not just those targeted in UK drone strikes, but US strikes against prominent targets including foreign fighters."

"Generally they are very stretched now - their manpower on the ground in relation to the territory they're holding is very thin."
A British man locked up in Ethiopia must be released imminently, a charity has urged, as a psychiatrist's report showed a serious deterioration in his mental health.

Andargachew "Andy" Tsege has been detained in the country since he was removed from an airport in Yemen in June 2014.

The father-of-three, who fled the country in the 1970s and sought asylum in the UK in 1979, had been a prominent critic of Ethiopia's ruling party.

He was sentenced to death in his absence in 2009 for allegedly plotting a coup - charges he and others deny.

A psychiatrist's assessment, compiled using reports from visits made to Mr Tsege by the British Ambassador, and information provided by his partner Yemi Hailemariam, concluded that there is an "urgent need" to remove him from his current conditions.

Mr Tsege, who is feared to be suicidal, is said to be confined in unhygienic quarters, with no access to a doctor or lawyer.

Dr Benjamin Robinson of South London and Maudsley NHS Trust, whose report legal charity Reprieve said is being used with Mr Tsege's permission, said the damage being done could soon become irreparable.

He wrote: " Once he is freed from prison, then the long work of psychological recovery can begin. He will require intensive psychotherapy with an experienced therapist, a full psychiatric assessment, and consideration of pharmacological treatment for his mental health problems.

"Until that time, he will worsen, will remain at risk of suicide, and his personality will continue to fracture until - even if he survives physically - he will be beyond psychological repair."

Dr Robinson said Mr Tsege appears "indifferent" to his conditions.

He added: " In sum, the new material with which I have been provided, confirms that Mr Tsege's mental health has declined precipitously since being detained in Ethiopia, due in large part to the particular meaning this has for him in the context of his life history and personality."

Reprieve has called on the British Government to urge Mr Tsege's release from prison.

The Foreign Office said it has raised Mr Tsege's case with the Ethiopian Government on 19 different occasions "making it clear the way he has been treated is unacceptable".

Stopping short of calling for his release, a Foreign Office spokeswoman said Mr Tsege must be given legal access.

She said: " We welcome the improvement in access to Mr Tsege, following the British Government's intervention, but it must be more regular and it must include access to a lawyer.

"Mr Tsege has still not been given an ability to challenge his detention through a legal process and so the Foreign Secretary has written formally to the Ethiopians requesting that they set out a timetable for the legal process. We will continue to provide consular support to Mr Tsege and his family."
Police near the Splendid Hotel in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, which was attacked by al Qaida fighters (AP Television/AP)

Britons have been warned not to travel to an area of Burkina Faso after a deadly attack by suspected Islamic terrorists on a hotel that is popular with Westerners.

Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond condemned the "appalling attack" in the west African country's capital, Ouagadougou.

Masked gunmen stormed the four-star Splendid Hotel, popular with United Nations staff and Westerners, on Friday evening. Communications minister Remis Dandjinou said 30 hostages, including public works minister Clement Sawadogo, were later freed from the hotel by security forces backed by French troops.

Mr Hammond said: "I utterly condemn the appalling attack in Ouagadougou last night and offer my deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of those who have been killed and injured.

"The United Kingdom stands with President (Roch Marc) Kabore and the people of Burkina Faso in the fight against terrorism.

"We advise British nationals in Burkina Faso to avoid the area where the attack took place, follow the instructions of local security authorities and monitor Foreign Office (FCO) travel advice."

The FCO warned against travelling north of the town of Boulsa, as it is near to the border with Mali. The FCO advice states: "You should avoid the area and follow the instructions of local security authorities."

Four extremists have been killed by security forces and more than 126 people were freed after a luxury hotel in Burkina Faso was seized by al Qaida-linked militants.

In addition to the four jihadis, at least 23 people were killed in the attack.

Hospital chiefs said that one survivor estimated that as many as 20 were dead inside the hotel while 10 bodies were found inside the neighbouring Cappuccino Cafe which was also attacked.

Commandos later used explosives to storm the 147-room hotel as other security forces tried to remove casualties.

The local al Qaida affiliate known as AQIM claimed responsibility online, according to the SITE Intelligence Group.

A failed military coup was staged in the largely Muslim country on September 16 and presidential and parliamentary elections which were held on November 29.

The FCO states: "There could be unannounced demonstrations and strikes and the security situation may deteriorate. You should remain vigilant and stay away from large public gatherings. The airport and land borders may be subject to closure at short notice. Monitor local media and check with your airline for more information."

In a message posted in Arabic on the militants' Muslim Africa Telegram account, AQIM said fighters "broke into a restaurant of one of the biggest hotels in the capital of Burkina Faso, and are now entrenched and the clashes are continuing with the enemies of the religion".
Police are looking for murderer John Wilson who failed to return to prison

A convicted murderer has failed to return to jail following leave.

John McDermott Wilson, 50, was expected back at HMP Gateside in Greenock, Inverclyde, on Friday.

The prisoner, serving a life sentence for murder after he was convicted in 1991, was last seen outside Glasgow's Central Station at around 4pm.

A police statement said: "Officers have been carrying out extensive inquiries to trace Mr Wilson, but attempts to locate him have so far proved unsuccessful. If you see John Wilson, do not approach him but contact police.

"Anyone who has seen John Wilson or who has information or knowledge as to his whereabouts is asked to call officers at Greenock police office on 101."

The absconder is described as around 5ft 5in, of medium build, with brown, thinning hair, blue eyes and is clean shaven. He has a small scar on his lower lip.

When last seen he was wearing a blue jacket, grey sweatshirt, blue t-shirt, jeans, black boots and a black beanie hat.
Five people have been charged in connection with the death of a British teenager in Guyana

Five people have been charged in connection with the murder of an aspiring British film-maker in Guyana.

Dominic Bernard, 18, from Epsom, Surrey, went missing shortly after arriving in the South American country last October.

His body was discovered last week in a shallow grave in a farming village. He had suffered severe head injuries and authorities suspect he was the target of a robbery.

Two men have been charged with the murder, while a man and two women appeared before a judge on Friday accused of helping bury Mr Bernard's body and his camera equipment.

Police were reported to have recovered a hammer which is thought to have been one of the murder weapons.

Following the discovery of his body, Mr Bernard's parents Andrew and Linda said their son had travelled to pursue his dream of studying film-making.

In a statement issued to the media, the family said: "Dominic Bernard, aged just 18, was full of hope, ambition, creativity, self-respect, faith and trust.

"In chasing his dreams, exploring his heritage and doing the things that brought joy to his heart, and so many others, he tragically encountered those who do not share these values."

Local media reported that Mr Bernard's godbrother Aaron Hing, 22, and 23-year-old Staymon George have been charged with the murder.

Mr Bernard flew to Guyana's capital Georgetown on October 14 and was supposed to fly back to England on November 5 but never got on his flight, according to reports.

His father Andrew is understood to have flown out to Guyana following his son's disappearance to assist police.
Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond has welcomed the lifting of sanctions on Iran over its nuclear programme.

Britain has welcomed the lifting of international sanctions on Iran after the international nuclear watchdog said the Tehran government had met all its obligations under a deal with six international powers.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Vienna confirmed that the conditions set under the agreement last July had been fulfilled paving the way for Iran to resume oil exports while recouping around 100 billion dollars in frozen assets.

Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond said the findings of the IAEA inspectors had confounded sceptics who said that Iran would never give up on its nuclear programme.

He urged British firms to take advantage of the new opportunities that would open as Iran was brought in from the cold.

"The nuclear deal with Iran, in which Britain played a major role, makes the Middle East and the wider world a safer place. Years of patient and persistent diplomacy, and difficult technical work, have borne fruit as we now implement the deal," he said.

"There were many sceptics who said Iran would never deliver on its side of the bargain, but the independent International Atomic Energy Agency has said they have.

" Tonnes of uranium have been shipped out of Iran, thousands of centrifuges have been taken out of use and the core has been removed from the Arak reactor. Iran's nuclear programme has been substantially rolled back, in return for the lifting of sanctions and the economic benefits that will bring.

"The UK has played a central role, and I hope British businesses seize the opportunities available to them through the phased lifting of sanctions on Iran. The future is as important as the landmark we've reached today."
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn is among four key speakers at the Unite Scotland conference over the weekend

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has told Scottish voters he leads a changed party after his chief union paymaster urged the party leadership to apologise for "betraying" Scotland.

Mr Corbyn said Labour has got things wrong on many issues in the past but insisted he now leads a different party, in a speech to the first Unite Scottish policy conference.

Unite boss Len McCluskey earlier urged Labour to apologise for "betraying" Scotland to stem the drift towards the SNP which already claims two thirds of Unite's Scottish membership.

Mr Corbyn described Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale as "a fantastic leader who is rebuilding our party", in his speech to conference in Clydebank, West Dunbartonshire.

In response to Mr McCluskey, Scottish Labour also stressed that "there is a new generation in charge".

Mr Corbyn attacked the SNP's "college funding cuts" and "cuts to Scottish council budgets" and urged the SNP to work with Labour to derail the Trade Union Bill designed to curtail the activities of unions.

He said: "I'm not saying that the Labour Party has never got things wrong in the past.

"It certainly has and I have been in parliament long enough to be very proud of many things that have been achieved, but also felt that we let people down in private finance initiatives and many, many other issues like that.

"But I have to say also that the Labour Party is a changed place at the present time.

"The Labour Party standing in the May elections is a different party with a renewed sense of social justice at the heart of our party."

He added: "The (Clement) Attlee government inherited a national debt four times the size of the one that George Osborne inherited in 2010.

"That government created the national health service, built hundreds of thousands of council homes and introduced a social security system.

"Today, all those institutions of fairness and opportunity built by our movement are being systematically dismantled.

"In Scotland and in England college funding is being cut (and) adult education budgets are being slashed."

He continued: "Kezia Dugdale is a fantastic leader who is rebuilding our party.

"We are fighting the Tories on tax and social security. We stopped their cuts to tax credits, we are resisting cuts to Scottish council budgets that pay for schools and social care.

"Labour councils across Scotland have pledged that they will refuse to implement the Tories' Trade Union Bill.

"We appeal to the SNP: work with us to derail this Bill."

He went on: "When the Scottish Parliament receive more powers over tax and welfare it should harness those powers to try and do its best to end austerity in Scotland and prevent people suffering the ravages of the so-called Welfare Reform Bill that is going through parliament."

Earlier, Mr McCluskey said: "The ideology of New Labour effectively alienated large swathes of the Scottish working class, which manifested itself quite dramatically last May.

"Kezia (Dugdale) has to effectively say: 'Labour is under new management, we apologise for betraying you, and we will start from scratch to try and build that trust up."

A Scottish Labour spokesman said: "Under Kezia Dugdale's leadership there is a new generation in charge of Scottish Labour.

"We go into May's election as the only party offering a break from Tory austerity. The SNP's cuts to local school budgets show they can't be trusted with securing the best future for our children."
A Labour government could ban companies from paying out dividends to shareholders unless they pay all their workers the living wage, Jeremy Corbyn has said.

In a keynote speech, the Labour leader signalled his determination to tackle pay inequality as part of a drive to "institutionalise fairness" in Britain.

However, his plans immediately came under fire from the CBI which warned against any move to interfere with the relationship between firms and their shareholders.

CBI chief of staff Matthew Fell said: "The idea of politicians stepping into the relationship between a private company and its shareholders would be a significant intervention and not one we would support."

Addressing a Fabian Society conference in London, Mr Corbyn said too much of the proceeds of economic growth in the UK has gone to those at the top.

"Of the G7 nations, only the US has greater income inequality than the UK. Pay inequality on this scale is neither necessary nor inevitable," he said.

"Too much of the proceeds of growth have accumulated to those at the top. Not only is this unfair, it actually holds back growth. A more equal society is not only fairer, it does better in terms of economic stability and wealth creation."

One option could be the imposition of "pay ratios" between those at the top and those at the bottom of a company's pay scale, he said.

Alternatively, firms could be barred or restricted from distributing dividends until all their employees are getting the living wage - which is higher than the minimum wage.

"Only profitable employers will be paying dividends. If they depend on cheap labour for those profits then I think there is a question over whether that is a business model to which we should be turning a blind eye," he said.

The speech by Mr Corbyn - who is also addressing the Unite trade union's Scottish conference later in the day - will be seen as an attempt to regain the political initiative after the turmoil of the shadow cabinet reshuffle.

Labour disclosed on Friday that former London mayor Ken Livingstone - a close ally of Mr Corbyn - would have no formal role in the party's defence review.

It had previously been announced that Mr Livingstone - who shares Mr Corbyn's opposition to the Trident nuclear deterrent - would co-chair the review, to the fury of many Labour MPs.

Nevertheless, the review will still be led by a Trident opponent - the new shadow defence secretary Emily Thornberry, who replaced the pro-Trident Maria Eagle in the reshuffle.

The Labour leader also used his speech to launch a bitter attack on the Conservatives, accusing them of "running the state into the ground" for ideological reasons.

"Their concept of fairness is of a very different order to ours," he said.

"Fairness for only a few is not fairness, but privilege.

"Look at the floods - flood defence schemes up and down the country cut back because of a political ideology that says the state must be shrunk.

"I saw the consequences of that. I met the families who had lost their personal possessions, their photos, children's toys, family pets."

Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron branded Mr Corbyn's plans "anti-business" and warned they would damage the economy.

"Corbyn seems committed on ripping apart our business sector in pursuit of an egalitarian fantasy. There is an alternative, we can have a fair society and the economy to support it," he said.

"Unfortunately Corbyn's anti-business policies will ensure that no company has the budget to pay the wages their employees deserve."

A Conservative spokesman said: "Labour's policies to borrow for ever, print money and put up taxes would damage our economy, meaning lower wages for working people."
Lord Bramall, the UK's former highest-ranking soldier, who has been told he faces no further action after being interviewed as part of a police investigation into historic child sex abuse

Lord Bramall has described the past year since being interviewed by police in connection with historic child sex abuse as "really awful".

The UK's former highest-ranking soldier was informed on Friday that he faces no further action as part of the Metropolitan Police's Operation Midland.

The 92-year-old peer, a Normandy veteran, was interviewed under caution last April at a police station close to his home near Farnham, Surrey.

The pensioner, who was not arrested, had always categorically denied the allegations.

He told the Times newspaper it had been an "awful" experience.

He said: "I think it's a terrible thing for someone of my age, with an impeccable record of public service ... Only now, very grudgingly, do they (the police) say they don't propose to take any action.

"To have these awful, entirely untrue allegations hanging over one's head, without the police saying there is not a grain of truth in them, is really awful."

Lord Bramall, as Field Marshal Edwin Bramall, was head of the British Army during the Falklands War before being promoted to the top military post.

Operation Midland is part of a wider umbrella of investigations by Scotland Yard, dubbed Operation Fairbank, into allegations of abuse involving senior politicians and high-profile figures

The Met released a statement saying: "Officers working on Operation Midland have today, Friday 15 January informed a man in his 90's from Farnham who was interviewed under caution on 30 April, 2015 that he will face no further action.

"Following a thorough investigation officers have concluded there is insufficient evidence to request the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) to consider charging the man with any offences."

Anthony Stansfield, the Police and Crime Commissioner for the Thames Valley who served as a platoon commander under Lord Bramall, strongly criticised the police investigation.

"This is a man who has commanded our nuclear deterrent, was in charge of all our armed forces," he told the BBC Radio 4 Today programme.

"He would have been surrounded by staff, he would have had a very, very detailed diary of every day. It is utterly inconceivable and the slightest investigation would have shown that.

"Instead they seem to have barged into the house of a 92-year-old. His wife was dying of Alzheimer's in the house - she subsequently died. The victim in this entirely is Field Marshal the Lord Bramall."
Former London mayor Ken Livingstone will have no formal role in Labour's review of its defence policy, the party has announced.

The terms of reference for the review were published by shadow defence secretary Emily Thornberry, who said she aimed to produce an interim report by June for consideration by the party's national policy forum and annual conference.

The review is widely expected to bring tensions within the party over nuclear disarmament to a head by recommending a switch in policy away from the current position of support for the renewal of Britain's Trident deterrent, in line with leader Jeremy Corbyn's long-held unilateralist views.

Ms Thornberry said she was "extremely sceptical" about Trident and would ask some "very difficult questions" about its future.

The appointment in November of Mr Livingstone as co-convenor of a commission on international policy - which includes security and defence - was widely seen as an attempt to curb the influence of then-shadow defence secretary Maria Eagle on the decision over Trident renewal. Pro-renewal Ms Eagle was replaced in last week's reshuffle by Ms Thornberry.

The shadow defence secretary told the BBC: "My views are on the record: I am extremely sceptical about Trident and I will not be afraid to ask some very difficult questions and I need to hear the evidence about it and I will then come to a view.

"I go into this wanting to look at the evidence before we make policy."

As recently as Wednesday, Mr Livingstone - a close ally of the party leader - appeared to suggest that he expected to be working on the review, saying he hoped the recommendation on Trident could be rushed through within 8-10 weeks, which would be "a lot of work for me and Emily".

However, after Ms Thornberry launched the review alone, Mr Livingstone said that he had voluntarily decided to step aside following a discussion over lunch in which they agreed on all aspects of defence policy.

"I said: 'You and I agree on absolutely everything. There wasn't a single thing we didn't agree on. I think you should lead on this. You are the defence spokesperson, you have got to explain it in Parliament and at the next election.' I am delighted," he told Channel 4 News.

Labour sources confirmed that Mr Livingstone would not be acting as co-chair. Asked about Mr Livingstone's position, a Labour spokeswoman said: "There is no formal role in the defence review."

But she pointed out that anyone could make a submission to the review and it would feed in to the international policy commission, of which Mr Livingstone is co-convener with shadow foreign secretary Hilary Benn.

Any attempt to change policy on Trident is likely to provoke a split in Labour's frontbench team, with three shadow cabinet members - shadow work and pensions secretary Owen Smith, shadow education secretary Lucy Powell and shadow justice secretary Lord Falconer - already refusing to rule out quitting their posts if the party drops its backing for the nuclear deterrent.

Prime Minister David Cameron is expected to call a Commons vote on Trident renewal within the coming months.

Although the review may have time to put forward its recommendation before MPs vote, any change in Labour's official policy would have to wait for approval at the party's conference in September - where it can be expected to face stiff opposition from unions as well as a number of senior MPs.
The Archbishop of Canterbury has admitted he is powerless to stop Church leaders walking out of talks aimed a healing splits in the Anglican Communion over homosexuality.

African representatives at the meeting in Canterbury are poised to pull out of the discussions, sparking fears of a permanent schism.

The Most Rev Justin Welby said he hoped to achieve "reconciliation" at the gathering of Anglican primates over the course of this week.

"Certainly I want reconciliation. Reconciliation doesn't always mean agreement, in fact it very seldom does. It means finding ways of disagreeing well. There is nothing I can do if people decide to leave the room. It won't split the communion," he said

Church leaders have agreed to sanction the American branch of the Anglican Communion over its views on marriage and homosexuality.

Anglicans across the world have been divided since the liberal Episcopal Church in America consecrated Canon Gene Robinson, who is gay, as bishop of New Hampshire in 2003.

The Archbishop said: "The Church is a family and you remain a family even if you go your separate ways. A schism would not be a disaster, God is bigger than our failures, but it would be a failure.

"It would not be good if the Church is unable to set an example to the world of showing how we can love one another and disagree profoundly because we are brought together by Jesus Christ, not by our own choice."

A meeting of Anglican primates in Canterbury reached an agreement on measures against the US Episcopal Church, which a statement said had made a "fundamental departure from the faith and teaching" by endorsing gay marriage.

The agreement upheld a "traditional doctrine" of marriage as being between a man and a woman.

Mr Welby insisted the US Episcopal Church had not been sanctioned but had faced "consequences", and the decision was supported by the "overwhelming majority" of Anglican primates.

It has been banned from taking part in ecumenical and inter-faith bodies, internal committees or votes on doctrine or policy for a period of three years.

The decision was met with dismay by some observers, including the senior Labour MP and former Anglican minister Chris Bryant, who is gay.

He tweeted: "I've finally given up on Anglican church today after its love-empty decision on sexuality.

"One day it will seem wrong as supporting slavery."
Extremist groups should not be banned from speaking at British universities because students need to think about challenging "objectionable" ideas, Oxford University's first woman vice chancellor has said.

Professor Louise Richardson told The Daily Telegraph: "We need to expose our students to ideas that make them uncomfortable so that they can think about why it is that they feel uncomfortable and what it is about those ideas that they object to.

"And then to have the practice of framing a response and using reason to counter these objectionable ideas and to try to change the other person's mind and to be open to having their own minds changed.

Prof Richardson said provided organisations such as controversial human rights group Cage "can be countered, I think that we should let them be heard".

Prof Richardson, a newly-appointed vice-chancellor who is seen as a modernising figure, also labelled the all-male Bullingdon Club, which boasts Prime Minister David Cameron among its former members, as "completely unacceptable".

She told the Financial Times there was no formal link between Oxford and the Bullingdon Club but stressed: "If it had I would sever it or I would do my best to sever it."

She said that regardless of gender "anybody who goes out and smashes up any restaurant, I would think it's completely unacceptable".
Twenty-five years after the start of the operation to liberate Kuwait from Saddam Hussein, an RAF pilot shot down by the Iraqis has spoken of his sadness that British forces are still engaged in combat in the region.

January 17 1991 marked the onset of Operation Desert Storm - a US-led coalition campaign to drive the Iraqi dictator's forces from the oil-rich Gulf state they had illegally seized the previous summer.

It was also the day that Flight Lieutenant John Peters was brought down as his Tornado fighter jet returned from its first bombing raid on an Iraqi air base as part of the massive aerial bombardment to clear the way for the ground invasion.

Although he and his navigator, Flight Lieutenant John Nichol, managed to eject, they were quickly picked up by Iraqi troops and taken to Baghdad, where they were beaten and tortured before being paraded on Iraqi television.

The pictures showing their battered and bruised features caused outrage at home and quickly became one of the defining images of the first Gulf War.

A quarter of a century on, Mr Peters - who left the RAF in 2000 and is now a business consultant - feels no bitterness towards the Iraqis for his treatment, even though it was illegal under international law.

"I'm pragmatic about it," the 54-year-old told the Press Association. "My job was to be a military pilot. My job was to bomb their country and unfortunately I got shot down.

"What are you going to do to me when you capture me? I know we have laws like the Geneva Conventions, but I have information you require to prevent your friends and colleagues dying, so I understand the treatment.

"I don't hate the Iraqis. I feel terribly sorry for the Iraqi people. A quarter of a million of them died because of a bad regime that took on the rest of the world. That touches every Iraqi family, so I am very sad. It is a very historic nation and it is just sad where they find themselves now."

The two airmen were finally freed after 47 days in captivity, while Operation Desert Storm was largely judged a success in driving Saddam's forces out of Kuwait.

Nevertheless, Mr Peters does express regret that Western forces remain engaged in the region while the Iraqi people continue to suffer - now at the hands of the jihadists of Islamic State.

"You sometimes think: where we are now? You'd hope that having been to war it would have a positive effect and I'm not sure that what effect it did have," he said.

"It obviously liberated Kuwait, but then the subsequent wars that we've had - we're still seeing war on television, which saddens me in many respects."

Looking backing over the whole period, he said the great lesson was the importance of getting the post-conflict arrangements right once the initial war-fighting phase was over.

"Our technology, our philosophy, the advanced nature of how we engage in warfare, means the military can effect whatever the result you want," he said.

"The real things that solve problems (are) the political discussions afterwards. How do the politicians sell the fact that you are going to spend billions after a war to rebuild that nation, to establish a new society, because people lose interest?"

Although his name has long faded from the headlines, Mr Peters said there was still a lot of interest in what happened to him and he still gets invited to speak about his experiences.

"It is so much part of my life. I still get a lot of conversation about it," he said.

"People want to understand what it is like to go to war, what it is like to be tortured, what you think about when you think you are going to die."
Major Tim Peake and Colonel Tim Kopra take part in the spacewalk

Tim Peake said he will never forget his "exhilarating" first walk in space as he posted a selfie of his historic feat.

The British astronaut tweeted for the first time since he became the first Briton to complete an Extra-Vehicular Activity (EVA) or spacewalk.

He wrote on Friday evening: "Today's exhilarating spacewalk will be etched in my memory forever - quite an incredible feeling!"

The tweet, which received hundreds of retweets within minutes, was accompanied with three photos including a selfie showing his camera in the reflection of his helmet.

He later thanked his colleagues again in a second tweet, writing: "Wrapping up today's spacewalk activities. Huge thanks to the ground teams who make it all possible & keep us safe out there - you guys rock!"

Major Peake's mission ended early after a water bubble was detected in the helmet of his American colleague Tim Kopra.

The British astronaut helped complete the crew's primary task of repairing a broken voltage regulator and headed back to the International Space Station (ISS) after four hours and 43 minutes instead of the planned six-and-a-half hours.

Live footage showed them safely returning to the ISS's airlock area and the thermal cover being closed behind them.

Major Peake, 43, from Chichester, West Sussex, who is on a six-month mission with the European Space Agency (ESA), earlier told of his pride in stepping into space with the Union flag on his space suit.

After the operation was terminated by the lead Flight Director, Major Peake and Colonel Kopra were told to spend some time cleaning up their tools before heading to safety.

NASA said the termination was a precaution.

A tweet from its official account said: "As a precaution, spacewalk terminated due to small amount of water in Tim's helmet."

The ESA said the early termination of the spacewalk was officially completed at 17.31 GMT.

Colonel Kopra offered his thanks to the ground staff for ensuring their safety.

Major Peake added: "Thank you very much, I just want to reiterate Tim's words there, you guys have done a great job, thanks for everybody's support."

Colonel Kopra's helmet-absorption pad, along with a sample of the water bubble taken with a syringe, will be analysed to determine what caused it to form.

Crew member Scott Kelly photographed Major Peake's gloves for "future reference and inspection", the ESA said, before his helmet was removed too.

Earlier, Major Peake's parents, Nigel and Angela Peake, beamed with pride as they watched their son's progress from their living room in Westbourne, Emsworth, Hampshire.

Mr Peake said: "It's amazing, the photographs from space are incredible.

"For us, we have immense pride, but also immense gratitude to all the people who are supporting Tim and the other astronauts."

New flight rules were brought into effect after a similar incident took place in 2013, when Luca Parmitano had a large amount of water fill his helmet.

CO2 sensors have been fitted in the helmets of astronauts since then, and these helped alert Colonel Kopra to the problem.
Two teenage boys have been arrested on suspicion of murder following the fatal stabbing of a 16-year-old at a party.

The pair, both 17, were arrested at separate addresses in east London on Saturday, after Munashe Charles Kutyauripo, known as Charlie, was killed last weekend.

He was attacked at Ashton playing fields in Woodford, east London, where he had been attending a female friend's 16th birthday party.

Detectives are still hunting for a third teenager, Aaron Alexander Tavares-Gaiete, 16, who they say is being treated as a suspect.

Detective Chief Inspector Mark Lawson, of the Met's Homicide and Major Crime Command, said: "Aaron has not been seen since the murder and I am appealing directly to his friends, if you are helping him by giving him somewhere to stay, lending him money or letting him use your Oyster card please do not stay silent any longer, get in touch with us and help us to find him.

"My direct message to Aaron is - while you have the opportunity please get in touch with us or come into a police station. We need to talk to you."

Emergency services were called at around 9.40pm on January 9, after a confrontation took place outside a social club on the playing fields.

Charlie was then stabbed in the chest and the suspect ran away in the direction of Woodford.

He was tended to by a number of revellers while they waited for help to arrive, but died at 10.45pm at Whipps Cross Hospital

Yesterday, Charlie's family issued a heartfelt plea to anyone with information about the attack to come forward.

They said in a statement: "We hope that if anybody knows anything, they should come forward and help find whoever did this because to the world he was just a 16-year-old boy, but to us, that was our son taken."

It is the first murder of a teenager in London this year. Nineteen teenagers were murdered in London in 2015, of whom 15 were stabbed to death.

Tavares-Gaiete is described as black, 5ft 10ins tall, of slim build with facial hair. He was last seen wearing a dark hooded jacket with a yellow motif on the left sleeve, dark coloured trousers and trainers. He was also carrying a distinctive black "man bag" with a white Nike logo.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact police or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Burkina Faso's soldiers take position in the surroundings of the hotel Splendide and the cafe Cappuccino during an attack on both the hotel and cafe by Al-Qaeda linked gunmen early on January 16, 2016. Burkina Faso troops supported by French special forces were battling Al-Qaeda linked gunmen in the early hours of January 16 in a Ouagadougou hotel where at least 20 people have been killed. / AFP / AHMED OUOBAAHMED OUOBA/AFP/Getty Images

Burkina Faso's soldiers evacuate an injured man (3rd L) from the Splendid hotel during an attack on both the hotel and a restaurant by Al-Qaeda linked gunmen late on January 15, 2016. Burkina Faso troops supported by French special forces were battling Al-Qaeda linked gunmen in the early hours of January 16 in a Ouagadougou hotel where at least 20 people have been killed. / AFP / AHMED OUOBAAHMED OUOBA/AFP/Getty Images

French soldiers take position in the surroundings of the Splendid hotel and a restaurant during an attack on both the hotel and restaurant by Al-Qaeda linked gunmen early on January 16, 2016. Burkina Faso troops supported by French special forces were battling Al-Qaeda linked gunmen in the early hours of January 16 in a Ouagadougou hotel where at least 20 people have been killed. / AFP / AHMED OUOBAAHMED OUOBA/AFP/Getty Images

French troops gather by the Labour Ministry building in the surroundings of the Splendid hotel during an attack on both the hotel and a restaurant by Al-Qaeda linked gunmen on January 15, 2016. Burkina Faso troops supported by French special forces were battling Al-Qaeda linked gunmen in the early hours of January 16 in a Ouagadougou hotel where at least 20 people have been killed. / AFP / AHMED OUOBAAHMED OUOBA/AFP/Getty Images

A rescued woman sits in a vehicle with bullet hole in the windscreen near the Splendid Hotel (AP Television/AP)

A wounded man receives medical care outside the Splendid hotel during an attack on both the hotel and a restaurant by Al-Qaeda linked gunmen late on January 15, 2016. Burkina Faso troops supported by French special forces were battling Al-Qaeda linked gunmen in the early hours of January 16 in a Ouagadougou hotel where at least 20 people have been killed. / AFP / AHMED OUOBAAHMED OUOBA/AFP/Getty Images

Burkina Faso's soldiers carry the body of a man in the surroundings of the Splendid hotel during an attack on both the hotel and a restaurant by Al-Qaeda linked gunmen early on January 16, 2016. Burkina Faso troops supported by French special forces were battling Al-Qaeda linked gunmen in the early hours of January 16 in a Ouagadougou hotel where at least 20 people have been killed. / AFP / AHMED OUOBAAHMED OUOBA/AFP/Getty Images

Four extremists have been killed by security forces and more than 126 people were freed after a luxury hotel in Burkina Faso was seized by al Qaida-linked militants.

In addition to the four jihadis, at least 23 people were killed in the attack at the Splendid Hotel and a nearby cafe in the West African country's capital, Ouagadougou.

Three attackers died at the hotel, with a fourth killed when security forces cleared out a second hotel nearby.

Two of the three attackers at the Splendid Hotel were identified as female, Burkina Faso's president Roch Marc Christian Kabore said on national radio.

In a separate development, an Austrian doctor and his wife were kidnapped on Friday night by extremists in Burkina Faso's north near its border with Mali, security ministry spokeswoman Abi Ouattara said.

Jihadis took the couple from the town of Baraboule in the Soum province in Burkina Faso's Sahel region, Ms Ouattara said. There was no immediate confirmation of the kidnapping from Austrian officials.

In the capital, the Islamic extremists stormed the Splendid Hotel and a nearby cafe on Friday night.

Gunfire was exchanged early on Saturday as police and military forces fought to take back the building which had been blackened by a fire during the assault.

Security forces from Burkina Faso and France took control of the Splendid Hotel and are searching nearby hotels to be sure no other extremists were in hiding. The search continued even after security forces found and killed a fourth extremist at the Hotel Yibi.

About 33 people were wounded and 126 people were freed.

The harrowing attack was launched by the same extremists behind a similar siege at a luxury hotel last November in Bamako, Mali, that left 20 dead.

Dozens of French forces arrived overnight from neighbouring Mali to help the rescue effort.

One US military member was embedded with French forces at the scene, and the United States is working to help provide France with surveillance and reconnaissance help.

An al Qaida affiliate known as AQIM, or al Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb, claimed responsibility as the attack was ongoing in Ouagadougou at the 147-room hotel, according to the SITE Intelligence Group.

An online message claimed fighters "broke into a restaurant of one of the biggest hotels in the capital of Burkina Faso, and are now entrenched and the clashes are continuing with the enemies of the religion".

Jihadis who spoke by phone later "asserted the fall of many dead Crusaders," AQIM said, according to SITE.

Burkina Faso's internal affairs minister Simon Compaore said that 10 bodies were found inside the Cappuccino Cafe, a restaurant located next to the Splendid Hotel.

Burkina Faso, a largely Muslim country, had for years been largely spared from the violence carried out by Islamic extremist groups who were abducting foreigners for ransom in Mali and Niger.

Then last April, a Romanian national was kidnapped, the first such incident of its kind in Burkina Faso.

The country has seen growing political turmoil since its long-serving president was ousted in a popular uprising in late 2014.

Last September, members of a presidential guard launched a coup that lasted only about a week. The transitional government returned to power until Burkina Faso's November election ushered in new leaders.

The hotel attack in Mali in November also was claimed by a leader of AQIM, who said it had been carried out as a declaration of unity with Algerian militant Moktar Belmoktar's extremist group Al-Mourabitoun.

Belmoktar was a former leader in AQIM before starting his own group, which has now been reabsorbed by al Qaida.
The condition has been linked to brain damage in babies

The Brazilian government is to fund a biomedical research centre to help develop a vaccine against a virus linked to brain damage in babies.

Health minister Marcelo Castro aims to develop a prevention for Zika, which is spread through mosquito bites, "in record time".

Zika infection in pregnant women has been linked to a rare condition called microcephaly, in which the baby's head is smaller than normal, meaning the brain does not develop properly.

Brazil's health ministry said 3,530 babies have been born with microcephaly in the country since October.

The move comes after US health chiefs issued an alert on Friday advising pregnant women to avoid travelling to Brazil and several other countries in the Americas where Zika outbreaks have occurred.
Gunfire erupted and hostages were taken at a luxury hotel in the central African country of Burkina Faso yesterday

Gunfire erupted and hostages were taken at a luxury hotel in the central African country of Burkina Faso yesterday.

Two car bombs exploded at 7.30pm local time in downtown Ouagadougou, the country's capital, according to witnesses.

Masked gunmen stormed the city's luxury four-storey Splendid Hotel, which is a popular venue with Western tourists and UN officials.

An intense exchange of fire between the gunmen and police followed, according to reports emerging from the city.

It is not immediately clear who is behind the attack, though jihadists have attacked hotels before in neighbouring Mali, including an attack on the Radisson Blu Hotel in November in which 20 people were killed.

Two terrorists slaughtered victims from nations including Russia, China and the United States at the luxury hotel in Mali's capital on November 20, before being killed by members of the security forces.
Archaeologists discovered an unusual stone in the jungle-covered Mosquito coastal region of Honduras (Benenson Productions/AP)

Archaeologists have begun excavations at a mysterious site on Honduras' Caribbean coast that may be the long-rumoured "White City" ruins.

Work that began on Wednesday has so far unearthed about 60 stone and ceramic fragments and other artefacts.

The site, also known as the City of the Monkey God, is in Honduras' jungle-covered Mosquito coastal region.

The dig is being carried out by archaeologists from Honduras' Institute of Anthropology and Colorado State University.

Institute director Virgilio Paredes said the site did not appear to be Mayan, the culture that dominated other sites in the region.

"It is a new culture, or a different culture," he said.

He said jars and bowls had been discovered that bore decorations that appeared to represent humans, jaguars, buzzards, lizards and birds. The pieces appear to date from 1,000 to 1,500 AD.

The most striking piece discovered appears to be a ceremonial seat or throne made of stone, carved with the figure of a jaguar.

The city's name is believed to be derived from the white limestone rock in the area, or a cult purported dedicated to a monkey god.

Honduran president Juan Orlando Hernandez visited the site and said: "We are blessed to be alive at such a special time in Honduran history.

"This discovery has created a lot of excitement because of its significance for Honduras and the world."

Minister of science Ramon Espinoza said "there will be further research to gather more data, because there is no other site in central America with a lost civilisation".

The area is inhabited by the Pech and Payas indigenous groups, who long spoke of such a site. The first written reference came in 1544, in a document written by Spanish bishop Cristobal de Pedraza.

US adventurer Theodore Morde claimed to have discovered "The Lost City of the Monkey God" in 1940, but did not reveal the location.

The rumoured site had supposedly been located and lost between the 1500s and the 1800s. Researchers detected the current excavation site in 2012.
Jason Rezaian, an Iranian-American correspondent for the Washington Post, is believed to have been released (AP)

Iran has announced it will release four detained Americans in exchange for seven Iranians held in the United States.

The move is a major diplomatic breakthrough, taking place ahead of the expected implementation of a landmark nuclear deal.

Washington Post reporter Jason Rezaian, former US Marine Amir Hekmati, pastor Saeed Abedini and Nosratollah Khosravi, whose name had not been previously made public, are to be flown from Iran to Switzerland aboard a Swiss aircraft and then transported to a US military hospital in Landstuhl, Germany, for medical treatment.

Mr Rezaian's wife and mother are expected to be on the plane.

A fifth American detained in Iran, a student, was released in a move unrelated to the swap, US officials said. The student, identified as Matthew Trevithnick, was released independently of the exchange on Saturday and is already was on his way home, US officials said.

In return, the US will pardon or drop charges against seven Iranians - six of whom are dual US-Iranian citizens - accused or convicted of violating US sanctions.

Three were serving prison terms and have now received a commutation or pardon. Three others were awaiting trial, while the last one made a plea agreement.

It is unclear if these individuals will leave the US for Iran. They are free to stay in the United States.

In addition, the US will drop Interpol "red notices" - essentially arrest warrants - on 14 Iranian fugitives it has sought.

The announcement of the exchange came with the International Atomic Energy Agency close to certifying that Iran has met all commitments under the nuclear deal with six world powers.

US secretary of state John Kerry is meeting Iranian foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and other officials involved in the accord in Vienna, with agreement expected later on Saturday.

The release of the prisoners and the nuclear deal developments cap a week of intense US-Iran diplomacy that took an unexpected turn on Tuesday with the detention by Iran of 10 US Navy sailors and their two boats in the Persian Gulf.

The sailors were released in less than 24 hours after Mr Kerry intervened with Mr Zarif in multiple telephone calls that administration officials hailed as a channel of communication opened because of the nuclear negotiations.

Of the current prisoner releases, Frederick J Ryan Jr, publisher of The Washington Post, said in a statement, "We couldn't be happier to hear the news that Jason Rezaian has been released from Evin Prison. Once we receive more details and can confirm Jason has safely left Iran, we will have more to share."

Mr Hekmati's family released a statement saying: "We thank everyone for your thoughts during this time. There are still many unknowns. At this point, we are hoping and praying for Amir's long-awaited return."

The negotiations over the American detainees grew out of the Iran nuclear talks. In discussions in Europe and elsewhere, Mr Kerry and nuclear negotiator Wendy Sherman were able to establish a separate channel of talks that would focus on the US citizens.

But that channel was kept separate from the nuclear conversations. American officials did not want the citizens used as leverage in the nuclear talks, nor did they want to lose their possible release if the talks failed to produce an agreement.

Mr Rezaian, who holds both US and Iranian citizenship, was convicted in closed proceedings last year after being charged with espionage and related allegations. The Post, for which he covered Iran, and the US government have denied the accusations, as has Mr Rezaian.

Mr Hekmati, of Flint, Michigan, was detained in August 2011 on espionage charges. He had gone to Iran to visit family and spend time with his ailing grandmother.

Mr Abedini of Boise, Idaho, was detained for compromising national security, presumably because of Christian proselytising, in September 2012. He was sentenced in 2013 to eight years in prison.

Still missing is Robert Levinson, who disappeared in Iran in 2007 while working for the CIA on an unapproved intelligence mission. American officials are unsure if the former FBI agent is still alive. The Iranians have always denied knowing his location.

The exchange also did not cover Siamak Namazi, an Iranian-American businessman who advocated better ties between Iran and the US He was reportedly arrested in October.

According to the official IRNA news agency, the seven freed Iranians are Nader Modanloo, Bahram Mekanik, Khosrow Afghahi, Arash Ghahraman, Tooraj Faridi, Nima Golestaneh and Ali Saboonchi.
Indonesian police officers on guard near the Starbucks cafe where the attack took place (AP)

Indonesian police have arrested 12 people suspected of links to the Jakarta bombings, they said on Saturday.

The audacious attacks by suicide bombers and gunmen on Thursday in central Jakarta killed seven people, including two civilians. It was the first major assault by militants in Indonesia since 2009 and police said the attackers were tied to the Islamic State group.

National police chief general Badrodin Haiti told reporters that arrests were made in west and east Java and in Kalimantan.

Elaborating on an earlier claim that the militants received funding via an Indonesian fighting with the IS in Syria, he said police have determined money was transferred to Indonesia via Western Union.

Separately, authorities say they have blocked more than a dozen websites expressing support for Thursday's attack as they try to counter radical Islamic ideology online.

Communications ministry spokesman Ismail Cawidu urged Indonesians to report militant websites and social media accounts.

In recent years, Indonesian counter-terrorism forces successfully stamped out the extremist group Jemaah Islamiyah that was responsible for several attacks, including the 2002 bombings of bars in Bali which killed 202 people, as well as two hotel bombings in Jakarta in 2009 that killed seven people.

Terrorism experts say IS supporters in Indonesia are drawn from the remnants of Jemaah Islamiyah and other groups but are also trying to recruit new members.
North Korea has suggested it might end its nuclear tests in exchange for a peace treaty with the US (AP)

North Korea has said it could stop its nuclear tests in exchange for the US scrapping joint military drills with South Korea.

The reclusive communist state also called for a peace treaty with the US, in an echo of demands rejected by Washington in the past.

America has previously called the North's linking of the military drills with its nuclear tests an "an implicit threat" and demanded that Pyongyang first demonstrate its sincerity to nuclear disarmament.

A spokesman for the North's foreign ministry called the purported hydrogen bomb test on January 6 a justifiable move to ensure its survival against external threats.

"In response to the US continuously invading our sovereignty and making threatening provocations, we will acquire ourselves with all possible nuclear attack and nuclear retaliation abilities, but will not thoughtlessly use our nuclear weapons," the official Korean Central News Agency quoted the spokesman as saying.

The spokesman also called the South's decision to restart anti-Pyongyang propaganda broadcasts along their tense border an "odd" provocation.

The North is extremely sensitive to outside criticism of the authoritarian leadership of Kim Jong Un and has been retaliating to Seoul's loudspeaker campaigns by flying thousands of propaganda leaflets across the border.

Earlier in the week South Korean troops fired 20 machine gun warning shots after a North Korean drone briefly crossed the border.

The North's H-bomb claims have been met with widespread condemnation and suspicion, but also questions on how to stop the country's growing nuclear threat.

The Korean Peninsula remains technically at war because the 1950-53 conflict ended in an armistice, not a peace treaty.

Pyongyang has called the annual US-South Korean military drills a rehearsal for an invasion, though the allies have repeatedly said that the war games are defensive in nature.
Members of the Syrian Arab Red Crescent supervise the delivery of humanitarian aid to Madaya (AP)

Russia has dismissed a United Nations Security Council meeting on the siege of Syrian towns as "unnecessary noise" that politicises a humanitarian crisis and risks derailing upcoming peace talks.

Russia's deputy UN ambassador Vladimir Safronkov questioned the motives of Britain, France and the US in calling for the meeting and accused them of "double standards" by focusing on the suffering in Madaya, a rebel-held town besieged by Syria's government, while minimising suffering in towns under siege by rebels.

Mr Safronkov said the insistence on holding the security council debate "gives the impression" that "attempts are being made to undermine the launch of the inter-Syrian dialogue scheduled for January 25" in Geneva, Switzerland.

"As the date for the launch draws closer there is all this unnecessary noise," he said.

The three Western council members called for the debate to intensify the pressure on Syria's warring parties to lift sieges that have cut off 400,000 people from aid. UN secretary general Ban Ki-moon said both the Syrian government and the rebels were committing war crimes by deliberately starving civilians.

Reports of starvation deaths in Madaya have reinforced the scale of the humanitarian catastrophe in the town and other besieged areas.

Trucks from the UN and other humanitarian organisations entered Madaya this week for the first time in months. Two other communities, the villages of Foua and Kfarya in northern Syria, besieged by Syrian rebels were also included in the aid operation.

Britain's deputy UN ambassador Peter Wilson said the security council should call on all parties to lift the sieges but he emphasised that the Syrian government "has the primary responsibility to protect Syrians".

In a reference to Russia, Mr Wilson said "let council members with ties to the regime use their influence, and not their air force, to address this horrific situation".

The security council has been divided on how to handle the Syrian war, with Russia supporting the government of President Bashar Assad and the Western powers opposing him.

Russia is conducting an air campaign in Syria that Moscow says is aimed at the Islamic State (IS) group and other extremists, but the US and its allies say is also hitting moderate groups fighting Assad's army.

Mr Safronkov said Russia was engaging with "the relevant Syrian authorities, prompting them toward constructive co-operation with the United Nations".

Addressing the council, Syrian deputy ambassador Mounzer Mounzer denied that his government was using starvation as a war tactic.

He dismissed UN accusations that the Syrian government was impeding humanitarian access to civilians, saying any delays were due to the need to safeguard humanitarian workers and prevent aid deliveries from falling into the wrong hands.

"The Syrian government had deployed all of its efforts and resources to provide assistance to all those who are suffering without discrimination," he said.
A search vessel cruises the waters off the beach at Haleiwa (AP)

A search is continuing for 12 people after two US Marine Corps helicopters crashed off the Hawaiian island of Oahu during a night-time training mission.

The transport helicopters, known as CH-53Es, crashed late on Thursday, officials said. They were carrying six people each.

A US Coast Guard helicopter and C-130 plane spotted debris two and a half miles offshore during a subsequent search, with the wreckage strewn over a two-mile area.

The helicopters were part of the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing at Marine Corps Base Hawaii. Known as Super Stallions, they are the US military's largest helicopter, capable of carrying a light armoured vehicle, 16 tonnes of cargo or a team of combat-equipped Marines.

Elaray Navarro, a retiree who lives across the street from the beach, said she heard two "booms" that were loud enough to shake her house. She expressed concern for the crew as she watched the pounding surf from Haleiwa.

"I pray to the man upstairs to help them. To bring them home safely," she said.

The Coast Guard was notified of the crash by a civilian on a beach who saw the aircraft flying then disappear, before a fireball erupted. Another person reported a flare in the sky.

The Marines were alerted when the helicopters failed to return to their base at Kaneohe Bay as scheduled, Marine Capt Timothy Irish said.

The Coast Guard initially reported that the helicopters had collided, but Capt Irish said it was not clear what happened.

The helicopters normally carry four crew members, but this particular flight also carried one or two instructor trainers, Capt Irish said. He did not know if they were teaching the crew or just observing.

The search included Air Force units as well as a Honolulu Fire Department rescue boat and Coast Guard cutters.

Two Navy ships were also participating with a Navy squadron of SH-60 helicopters.

Rough weather is making the search difficult, with winds blowing up to 23mph and breaking surf up to 30ft.

"That is moving that debris all over the place," Capt Carr said. "It makes finding things incredibly difficult."
Rescuers are searching for survivors after two US Marines helicopters carrying 12 crew members collided off the Hawaiian island of Oahu during a night-time training mission.

It is not yet known what caused the crash, or if any survivors have been found.

The transport helicopters were both carrying a crew of six from Marine Corps Base Hawaii, when they crashed.

The CH-53Es came from the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, Marine Capt Timothy Irish said.

Known as Super Stallions, they are the US military's largest helicopter, capable of carrying a light armoured vehicle, 16 tonnes of cargo or a team of combat-equipped Marines, according to a Marine Corps website.

A Coast Guard helicopter and a C-130 aeroplane has already spotted debris offshore, officials said.

The search includes aircraft from the US Navy and Air Force, a Honolulu Fire Department rescue boat and Coast Guard cutters.

A swell approaching the area will bring dangerously high waves to beaches and seas of up to 20ft near the rescue operation, National Weather Service meteorologist Matthew Foster said.

Elaray Navarro, who lives across the street from the beach at Haleiwa, said she heard two "booms" that were loud enough to shake her house.

"I threw my blanket off, put my slippers on and ran outside thinking it was a car accident," she said.

"I pray to the man upstairs to help them. To bring them home safely."
Thousands of people have gathered in the German city of Stuttgart in protest at racism and violence against asylum-seekers amid the country's massive influx of migrants.

Saturday's demonstration in the south-western city was organised by churches, unions and other groups.

Germany registered nearly 1.1 million asylum-seekers last year, and the country saw regular attacks on migrant housing. Tensions have been heightened lately by hundreds of New Year's Eve assaults on women in Cologne and elsewhere that have been blamed largely on foreigners.

Police estimated 7,000 people turned out for the protest, the news agency dpa reported.

Protestant bishop Frank Otfried July told protesters: "Whether it's cowardly arson attacks on homes for asylum-seekers, foreigners being chased or sexist violence, we are showing it the red card."
Police have charged three more suspects

Authorities in Guyana have charged three more people in connection with the killing of an 18-year-old British man.

The suspects include a man and two women. They appeared on Friday night before a judge, who set their preliminary hearing for January 21.

They are suspected of helping two other men bury the victim, Dominic Bernard, and his camera equipment. The other suspects are already facing murder charges.

Bernard, from Epsom in Surrey, went missing shortly after arriving in the South American nation last October.

His body was found last week in a shallow grave in a farming village in south eastern Guyana. Authorities say Bernard's skull was bashed in and suspect robbery as a motive.
Iran's foreign minister has suggested that the UN atomic agency is close to certifying that his country has met all commitments under its landmark nuclear deal with six world powers, as he began a series of meetings with his European Union and US counterparts on implementing the accord.

"All oppressive sanctions imposed against Iran will be annulled today," Mohammad Javad Zarif said in comments on Iranian state TV - a reference to the start of the process that will end financial and other penalties imposed on his country once the UN agency says Tehran has fulfilled its obligations to restrict its nuclear programmes.

Certification by the International Atomic Energy Agency would trigger sanctions relief worth an estimated 70 billion for Tehran.

Zarif and EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini, who met Saturday morning, were to be joined later by US secretary of state John Kerry in Vienna, headquarters of the IAEA.

Zarif said the deal between his country and the six world powers would hold, telling Iranian media that all parties would "not allow the outcome of these talks to be wasted".

Iran insists all of its nuclear activates are peaceful. But under the July 14 deal, Iran agreed to limit programmes it could use to make nuclear weapons in return for an end to sanctions.

The agreement puts Iran's various nuclear activities under IAEA watch for up to 15 years, with an option to re-impose sanctions should Tehran break its commitments.

The agreement, struck after decades of hostility, defused the likelihood of US or Israeli military action against Iran, something Zarif alluded to.

"Our region has been freed from the shadow of an unnecessary conflict that could have caused concerns for the region," he said. "Today is also a good day for the world. Today will prove that we can solve important problems through diplomacy."
In their joint New Year message, the Irish Church leaders expressed the hope that in 2016 "our memories and commemorations of the past, alongside our hopes and longings for the future, may strengthen our resolve to live together in harmony".

These are fine words that reasonable people will applaud, but there are many unreasonable people on this island, and one wonders how far the hopes of our Church leaders will be fulfilled.

Already new First Minister Arlene Foster has stated firmly that she will not take part in official commemorations of the 1916 Rising, and that is hardly a surprising reaction from a new leader of the DUP.

However, it is interesting to speculate if Dr Ian Paisley would have accepted such an invitation from Dublin's political leaders, about whom he mellowed in his advancing years.

One of the difficulties about remembering the past is that so many people know so little about it. To republicans, the 1916 Rising was the holy grail upon which all modern nationalism is founded, and in the coming year we will see many reflections of this not only from Sinn Fein and the SDLP, but also from Dublin.

Recently I had to re-read my way through Irish history while researching for a book about a prestigious Dublin medical college, and the facts about the 1916 Rising are not what modern republicans want to hear. The Rising was greeted, initially, by the Dublin population with a mixture of surprise, bewilderment, indifference and outright hostility. However, the over-reaction of the British in suppressing it, including the execution of the leaders, finally swung public opinion behind the insurrection.

In six days of fighting, 132 soldiers and police were killed, but only 79 rebels. However, there were greater civilian casualties - 318 people, including women and children, died, and 2,217 were wounded. One suspects that not a lot will be heard this year about the civilian casualties.

Soon after the Rising, the 36th (Ulster) Division suffered horrendous casualties at the Battle of the Somme. In the first two days more than 5,500 officers and other ranks were killed and wounded, or were rendered missing.

There was supreme gallantry from the Ulster men and many others, but also the massive incompetence of British generals who sent the men to their inevitable slaughter, thus earning the vivid and deserved description of "lions led by donkeys".

How much of this will be reflected in this year's Somme Centenary commemorations? The reality of history sits uneasily on all of us, and the best that can hoped from the commemorations is that people on both sides will open their minds and learn something about what actually happened.

This point was well put by the Catholic Primate, Archbishop Eamon Martin, who warned in his New Year's message: "We must resist being so indifferent to the other's suffering that we engage in revisionism or false glorification of the past with its tragic loss of human life on all sides."

Bishop Donal McKeown of Derry also urged caution when he said: "How we remember the Easter Rising and the Somme can sometimes say more about how we see the future than about the facts of historical events. If we plunder their memory for selfish ends, we demean the best in ourselves. Only the truth will set us free."

Now, where have you heard that last quotation before, and from whom?

'Our memory of them can say more about how we see future'
At the Muslim Sufi Center, I was taken under the wings of two women, Ill call them S and K.

They explained what everyone was doing as the evening progressed. I was introduced to Shaykh Hoja then we all sat on the floor to listen to the Shaykh speak.

It was interesting. The Shaykh used terminology I used. He said Allah, but he included the words, Lord and God also as he talked. He encouraged us women to create environments and communities that welcomed and respected all ethnicities, no matter what colors. Brown, white, black, green, he said with a smile.

The Shaykh touched on history of the Ottoman Empire and said, People wanted to be ruled under the turban rather than the cross. Referring to the Islamic turban that men wear on their heads and the cross of crucifixion.

The turban/cross analogy lacked strength for me. I think turban/crown might be better.

But, the Shaykh went on to say, The big holy war, or jahid, is against our human ego.

The old system of massacring people is the wrong practice today, said the Shaykh. We must hold to the original teachings and pull ourselves out of confusion, out from egos. Be thankful that our purpose is to have no enemies, it is to raise children simply and well. It is to live as citizens of the State and Country.

After his mini-sermon, one of the women, K, told me in her broken English (shes from Turkey), It is much freer here in United States. I can cover head freely.

Her statement prompted me to note that circumstances make a difference in our beliefs and practices. Someone who grew up in a negative religious environment is going to react differently than the person who grew up in a positive religious environment. Our environments are affected not only by our immediate families, but also by our communities, countries, and world. The economy, harvests, and plagues.

Three things I learned:
Von: Julian Ropcke

Since 2014, two unique state entities have been established in eastern Ukraine. They call themselves the Peoples Republics of Donetsk and Luhansk. But both the pro-Russian propaganda in the republics and the Russian President Vladimir Putin (63) think that a different name is more appropriate for the Ukrainian conflict region: Novorossiya, in English: New Russia.

This conception  based on ethnicity and culture and entirely against international law  also explains what we know so far of Russias support for the separatist territories.

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Numerous studies have shown that, between the spring of 2014 and the summer of 2015, it was the Russian army who led the alleged separatists to one military victory after another against Ukraine. But hardly any information is available as to how the self-proclaimed Peoples Republics with their 3.8 million inhabitants have been able to cope economically and socially ever since.

Even before the conflict, industry in the region was mostly dilapidated. Since then, it lies almost entirely in ruins. Ukraine has cut the region off from almost all welfare benefits and the banking system. Officially, Russia only delivers relief supplies approximately twice a month in its now famous humanitarian convoy of several dozen white trucks. Overall, this is not nearly enough to guarantee a more or less intact life in an area the size of the German Bundesland Thuringia.

This extensive BILD investigation shows why millions of people can still lead a more or less bearable life in these areas.

Through numerous interviews with the concerned local population in the cut-off territory of New Russia, insights into documents of the Peoples Republic and exclusive intelligence findings, a detailed picture has emerged of the extraordinary involvement of Russia in the affairs of its western neighbour.

The Peoples Republics were never financially viable

Although separatists in the regions of Donetsk and Luhansk already declared their independence from Ukraine in April 2014, the government in Kiev maintained most state services until June and partly July of the same year. The salaries for public servants continued to be paid; citizens could still use their accounts with Ukrainian banks.

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It was only in the summer, when it became obvious that the regions could not be brought back under its control, that Ukraine adapted to the situation and ended most payments  except pensions and benefits.

At that time, Alina, a young teacher, was living in the large city of Horlivka. She worked at the Elementary School No. 16. In July 2014, she received her last teachers salary of about 117 euros in her Ukrainian bank account. After that, Ukraine stopped paying her salary. With the beginning of the new school year, the new leadership promised to continue paying all teachers  but independently of their working age, and only 78 euros.

The reality turned out to be different. Between September 2014 and February 2015, only one salary was paid to Alina and her colleagues. That was at the beginning of the school year, to keep up the impression of normality, and so that we would come to work at all, says Alina. After that, the funding of all social services in both Peoples Republics broke down completely, because the ambitious aims of the new rulers were totally unrealistic.

Three more of those concerned confirmed to BILD that virtually no salaries and pensions were paid in the regions controlled by separatists in the winter of 2014-15.

The next salary, plus back pay for November only, did not follow until March 2015, both paid in Ukrainian hryvnia. It seemed, Alina says, that the Ministry of Education of the Peoples Republic of Donetsk was ordered to pay out as salaries the money reserves that had been held back until then. They didnt seem to need the Ukrainian money anymore, the teacher remarks.

From April 2015 on, salaries began to be paid regularly again, and the salary losses of the previous months were also paid back. Area-wide (from June), they were paid in brand new Russian rouble notes and coins.

The old Ukrainian hryvnia salaries were converted 1 to 2 into new rouble salaries and then frozen. The actual exchange rate is one hryvnia to three roubles (in December 2015). This was a severe loss for millions of people, especially given that the food prices were adapted to the Russian standard and hence almost tripled.

Since the banks were no longer operating from summer 2014, the school director had to pick up the salaries each month at the Republics Ministry of Education and then hand them out to the schools teachers in cash. Alina does not know where the 4,000 roubles  approximately 51 euros  per month for the public servants came from.

The banks that paid out pensions and the money transporters were heavily guarded by soldiers with guns. Today, armoured tracked vehicles still follow the columns of Russian army trucks that arrive in Horlivka and other cities once a month with millions of roubles, a witness said to BILD.

Russia finances everything, even job-creation measures

Much has happened in the self-proclaimed independent (!) states since April 2015. The majority of the economy has been nationalized. Salaries in the private and public sector, pensions and benefits for single and disabled persons etc. are paid more or less regularly in roubles.

In September 2015, the Peoples Republic of Luhansk officially declared the rouble to be, by law, the state currency. Similar proclamations came from Donetsk in October.

Even job-creation measures were then undertaken with Russian money in the occupied territories. Maria lives in the city of Antratsyt in the Luhansk region, close to the Russian border. After troops loyal to Russia took over power, she lost her job, because she did not agree with the new rulers on several issues.

Since September 2015, she is part of a job-creation measure that the government in Luhansk has initiated for tens of thousands of newly unemployed persons. For cleaning class rooms and sweeping the streets she is now earning 2,436 roubles, which is about 30 euros, per month

I can buy five chickens from that, thats all. At the time of the interview, at the end of December 2015, she had also not yet received her salary for November. In the local job centre, a few days earlier, she was told: We are sorry, but the money comes from Moscow, its probably cancelled or will come later.

Ukrainian-Russian double pensions are essential for survival

Maria and her one-year-old son can only survive, because the young mother has her mothers Russian republic pension that her mother gives to Maria in cash. Like many other pensioners, Marias parents drive to the Ukrainian part of the regions of Luhansk and Donetsk once per month to receive their regular pensions in hryvnia. This is only possible in the free part of the region and requires a journey of several days, taking the travelers over the frontline.

BILD is in contact with more pensioners from the territories occupied by Russia. Every month they face the risks and exertion of crossing the frontline. In the city of Luhansk, one of these persons  who wishes to remain anonymous  receives a pension of 1,243 hryvnia (50 euros) and 2,248 roubles (28 euros) per month. That is hardly enough for the most essential needs.

In the Donetsk region alone, 25,000 people cross the contact line between Ukraine and the occupied territories each day, Pawlo Zhebriwskyi, Governor of the region, tells BILD. Of the 638,000 registered refugees in the region, 250,000 in fact mostly still live in the Republics.

It is safe to assume that many of them are pensioners and benefit claimants who use their status as refugees in order to cope financially with their everyday lives.

However, Zhebriwskyi points out that Ukraine does not intend to prohibit this. Double pensions are surely a problem, he says. But, the politician explains, it is not in the interest of Ukraine to punish its citizens in the occupied territories. The raids at the border checkpoints are merely directed at smugglers who want to profit from peoples misfortunes or support the terrorists with money.

A high-level security official also justifies Ukraines policy of not taking action against the double pension recipients, even though, in theory, they could: Who wants to blame these people? They live under rough conditions in the occupied territories, and their Russian republic pensions are not particularly high. It is very hard to survive there, even if you receive both pensions.

The tweet shows smuggled goods, as well as money and credit cards, seized by Ukrainian border police.

In contrast to the pensions, Ukrainian social benefits are, as of December 2015, tied to residency in the area controlled by Ukraine. More than 300,000 families from the now occupied territories received those benefits until the end of 2014, Vitaly Muzychenko from the Ukrainian Ministry for Social Affairs explains to BILD. Since then, the payments for the regions of Donetsk and Luhansk have fallen by about 70 percent.

At the same time, payments in other parts of Ukraine have risen by exactly the same number, which means that the affected persons of the 1.5 million registered domestic refugees mostly still claim these benefits, according to the Director.

He also thinks it is possible that tens thousands of these persons have merely registered as refugees, but still live in the Peoples Republics. In practice, however, it is almost impossible to verify this or even to prevent it.

Apparently, hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians in the self-proclaimed states in the east of Ukraine, supported by Russia, still claim Ukrainian social benefits and pensions to somehow make ends meet for themselves and their families. This is how ruinous the welfare system is in the occupied regions - despite the financial support by Russia.

The source of the money for eastern Ukraine

The question remains, of where the many millions of euros for salaries come from each month, and how they arrive in the Peoples Republics. The Ukrainian intelligence service is also interested in this question. It is particularly keen on interrupting the stream of cash to 30,000 or more fighters, of which around 17,000 are paid Russian mercenaries.

BILD met with a high-ranking representative of the intelligence service in Kiev and gained exclusive insight into the services knowledge about the topic.

It is alleged that virtually the entire civil state budget of the separatist territories is organized via funds for humanitarian aid from Russia. The Russian government coordinates these money sources.

According to BILDs investigations, there is indeed in Russia an Inter-ministerial Commission for the Humanitarian Support of the Affected Areas in the Southeast of Donetsk and Luhansk that was founded on December 14, 2014.

The Commission, which is attached to the Ministry of Economic Development of the Russian Federation has held its meetings secretly, in contrast to other Commissions such as the also newly established Crimea Commission.

 Three and a half months after the establishment of the Commission, the area-wide supply of salaries in roubles for the affected areas began.

According to intelligence service information, the money for the terrorists  as Ukraine calls them  or the United Forces of New Russia, respectively  as they are called in the occupied territories  mainly comes from two sources:  From Non-Government Funds of the Russian Federation that, upon close inspection, turn out to be very close to the government in Moscow.  From former Ukrainian politicians and oligarchs who fled to Russia after the downfall of the pro-Russian President Viktor Yanukovych, and who are now working to destabilize Ukraine. Individual persons or organizations pay for their preferred units. These funds are coordinated and topped up by the Kremlin or the local Russian intelligence in the, effectively, controlled east of Ukraine.

The new rulers in the concerned territories do not deny Russias overwhelming influence on their state budgets. The influential Donetsk Peoples Republic Member of Parliament Alexander Khodakovsky said in an interview with a Russian newspaper that 70 percent of the Republics budget stems from Russias financial aid.

The real numbers could be even more revealing. BILD talked to an employee of the city council of Stakhanov, a city in the occupied region of Luhansk with 77,000 inhabitants.

She revealed that merely 5 to 7 percent of the city budget stems from taxes and the Republics means. More than 90 percent of the roubles available in December 2015 were imported from outside. The civil servant can only explain this by assuming that Russian money was paid to the city.

This is how the money gets to the Donbass

For moving money to the Ukrainian Donbass, the Kremlin primarily used banks in the Georgian region of Abkhazia, which has been occupied by Russia since 2008. The banking system developed there, says the Ukrainian intelligence service, provides the structures that are needed to divert billions of roubles from the state budget and other sources and to redesignate them.

Nevertheless, in addition to online payment methods, the money transported into occupied eastern Ukraine almost exclusively took place in cash. The closed-down banks in the regions of Donetsk and Luhansk have hardly been reactivated by Russia at all.

Approximately seven million 50-, 100-, and 500-rouble notes are required each month in order to pay the salaries that Russia took over. The intelligence service mostly knows how this money is travelling. The five tons of bank notes are not delivered by the humanitarian aid convoy that arrives every few weeks. The latter mostly serves as propaganda. Also, Ukrainian customs is now allowed to examine the contents of the convoy.

Instead, heavily guarded trains bring tons of bank notes and coins into Ukraine  illegally, of course once a month. On board these trains are not only the salaries for civil and military work, but also tons of ammunition and other war material.

According to Ukraine, the money is transported by heavily guarded military convoys from the three big train stations into the cities and villages of the occupied Donbass. There it is paid out to the people in banks or state offices  or nationalized offices.

There is evidence that these trains of the Kremlin-controlled Russian Train Line actually exist and that they have, at least, ammunition on board. Pro-Russian rebels posted a picture in April 2015 that showed them at the train station of Sukhodilsk. Clearly visible in the background: carriages of the Russian train company, containing crates of ammunition.

Salaries in Ukraine cost Russia one billion euros per year

According to BILDs calculations, Russia has to spend approximately 79 million euros per month in order to pay the public service salaries and the pensions in the controlled territories.

BILD refers to official documents of the two Peoples Republics and individual statements about salaries in various areas.

For the pensions of 653,000 people in the occupied region of Donetsk and 425,791 pensioners in the region of Luhansk alone, Russia pays 2,418,378,168 roubles per month  that corresponds to just over 30 million euros.

The 30,000 Russian and Ukrainian fighters, who are still working for the Peoples Republics or their donors, are particularly expensive. Whereas a teacher earns around 50 euros per month in the Republics, a soldier depending on his rank  earns between 90 and 465 euros, which is up to nine times as much.

Even if Russias expenses were limited to the salaries in the public, mostly nationalized , sector and individual social services such as pensions, these costs of approximately one billion euros per year are comparable to the state budgets of countries like Armenia or the Republic of Moldova.

This corresponds to 0.6 % of yearly expenses in the Russian state budget.

However, these expenses are probably only one part of Russias overall expenses for the supported regions in the east of Ukraine. Subsidized gas, fuel, oil, and food, humanitarian payments in kind and also the ammunition for continuing the war against Ukraine should also amount to several hundred millions euros per year.

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Deception of the international community

The details of Russias funding of the separatist regions in eastern Ukraine that BILD has researched reveal the true intentions in Putins government  in two respects:

 First, they are proof of a continuous and obvious violation of the territorial sovereignty of Ukraine, and they expose the tight links between the self-proclaimed Peoples Republics and the Russian Federation. These links consist in nothing less than the east-Ukrainian conflict zones total financial dependence on Moscow.

 It can, second, be seen that Putins Russia is not in the least interested in implementing the signed Minsk Agreement from September 2014. The agreement intends for the medium-term reintegration of the corresponding regions under Ukrainian control. Instead, Russias policy can rather be considered as the long-term stabilization of the internationally unacknowledged construct of the Peoples Republics of Donetsk and Luhansk and the stabilization of their status quo.

To sum up, it was apparently more than foresight by Vladimir Putin when he called the concerned areas New Russia in 2014. Taking a closer look at the welfare situation in the rebel areas, they are best described as a colony of Russia that was established and is kept alive by Moscow.

We would like to thank the Ukrainian blogger English Lugansk, who supported BILD with its research in Donbass.
The Zika virus, possibly linked to serious birth defects in Brazil, has the potential to spread within the Americas, including parts of the United States, according to an international team of researchers who track the spread of infectious diseases.

The Zika virus, native to parts of Africa and Asia, has for the first time been introduced into the Americas where it is spreading locally among people who have not travelled abroad. There is no vaccine against the virus or antiviral treatment.

"The summer Olympic Games in Brazil in August heighten the need for awareness of this emerging virus," Dr. Kamran Khan of St. Michael's Hospital wrote in a research letter published today in The Lancet.

Zika is generally a mild illness, spread by a day-biting mosquito. However, there is a worrisome, but as of yet unproven, association of infected mothers in Brazil giving birth to babies with small heads and underdeveloped brains, Dr. Khan said. There has been a 20-fold increase in the number of babies born with this condition, known as microcephaly, since Zika first appeared in Brazil in May 2015.

The virus has since spread across more than a dozen countries in South and Central America and up into Mexico. A case was confirmed in Puerto Rico in December in an individual who had not recently travelled, meaning he or she was bitten by a local infected mosquito. The Centers for Disease Control say some travellers returning to the United States from Zika-affected areas have also been infected with the virus, which has the potential of allowing the virus to then spread locally.

To predict where Zika might spread, Dr. Khan and his team mapped the final destinations of international travellers leaving airports in Brazil from September 2014 to August 2015.

Of those 9.9 million travellers, 65 per cent were going to the Americas, 27 per cent to Europe and 5 per cent to Asia. Traveller volumes were greatest to the United States, followed by Argentina, Chile, Italy, Portugal, and France. China and Angola received the highest volume of travellers in Asia and Africa, respectively.

Members of the team from Oxford University mapped the global geography of (Aedes species) mosquitoes capable of transmitting Zika virus and then modeled the worldwide climate conditions necessary for the virus to spread between Aedes mosquitoes and humans. They estimated that more than 60 per cent of the populations of the United States, Argentina and Italy live in areas conducive to seasonal transmission of Zika virus. By comparison, Mexico, Colombia and the United States have an estimated 30.5 million, 23.2 million and 22.7 million people respectively living in areas conducive to year-round Zika virus transmission.

Dr. Khan said that with no vaccine or antiviral therapy available, possible interventions include personal protection (i.e., repellent use); daytime avoidance of mosquito bites (especially by pregnant women until more is known about the association between Zika virus infection and microcephaly) and community-level mosquito surveillance and control measures.

"The world we live in is very interconnected now said Dr. Isaac Bogoch, a tropical infectious disease specialist at the Toronto General Hospital who contributed to the study. "Things don't happen in isolation anymore. Infections from the farthest corners of the world can quickly arrive on our doorstep."

Source: St. Michael's Hospital
An extraordinary anti-refugee rant by the Czech Deputy Prime Minister

Andrej Babis: Czech Republic will not accept any refugees

16. 1. 2016

cas cteni 3 minuty





The impact of the migration crisis has changed so much that accepting refugees from the Middle East in the Czech Republic is out of the question, says the oligarch, Czech Deputy Prime Minister and Czech Finance Secretary Andrej Babis (himself an immigrant from Slovakia).

"Just as Slovakia has demanded, the European Union should organise an extraordinary summit to deal with the refugee attacks in Cologne and other cities. Such a summit should be in session, permanently, for 24 hours a day, until the EU politicians finally act," said Babis in an interview for the Pravo daily on Saturday 16th January. He continued:

"The flow of the refugees must be firmly stopped in Turkey before the European border. It must be stopped completely. The internal Schengen borders must be sealed. We also must fight the people smugglers - it is not permissible that the police in Izmir should oversee the continuing illegal business with rubber boats after Turkey has been given 3 billion euros by the European Union. Merkel has just invited these people to come, prior to that they were waiting for peace in the camps in Turkey, Lebanon and Jordan. If some countries still want to accept refugees, they should fly them into their own countries. Europe must send a message that it is full and no more people should be coming."

"We are not dutibound to accept anyone and we are not even now able to do so. Our primary responsibility is to make sure that our own citizens are safe. The Czech Republic has enough of its own problems, people living on the breadline, single mothers. The West European politicians keep repeating that it is our duty to comply with what the immigrants want because of their human rights. But what about the human rights of the Germans or the Hungarians? Why should the British accept that the wealth which has been created by many generations of their ancestors, should be consumed by people without any relationship to that country and its culture? People who are a security risk and whose desire it is not to integrate but to destroy European culture?

The public service media in some countries have been brainwashing people. They have been avoiding problems with the immigrants. Politicians have also been lying to their citizens. This has only increased tension between the indigenous population and the immigrants. It is not acceptable that Europeans should have fewer rights than immigrants.



It is unthinkable that the indigenous European population should adapt themselves to the refugees. We must do away with such nonsensical political correctness. The refugees should behave like guests, that is they should be polite, and they certainly do not have the right to choose what they want to eat. Europe and Germany in particular are undergoing an identity crisis. There is a deep chasm between what people think and what the media tell them. We will learn what the real views of the citizens are in the next elections. You will see to what extent people approve of Mrs. Merkel's policies.

Many of the Middle Eastern refugees are unusable in industry. Many of them are also basically illiterate and they only know two German politicians - Merkel and Hitler.

Source in Czech HERE

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Opinion

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 15/01/2016 (2469 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Just when you thought Canadian politics would settle down to a dull roar, media personality and investment guru Kevin OLeary broke the silence by calling for Alberta premier Rachel Notleys resignation for her mishandling of the Alberta economy.

Calling Notley unqualified for the position, the former Dragons Den member spent the week firing salvos at the premier, including a promise to invest $1 million in the Alberta energy sector should Notley take his advice and resign her post.

As much as his investment in the energy sector would be welcomed by Canadians (however small in the big picture), Mr. OLeary is offside in his remarks to the premier.

OLeary further questioned the Notley leadership, calling the government a mess and stating the Notley led NDP was bankrupt on ideas and a socialist disaster in a place once thought of as the beacon of capitalism in Canada. Cute.

Whether his remarks toward Notley were just an off-the-cuff response in the now widely circulated Toronto-based radio interview, or whether it was the first in a line of steps to becoming a political player, Kevin OLeary is drawing comparisons to the strangest show on Earth taking place south of the border.

Republican hopeful and billionaire Donald Trump has spent months wagging the dog, having the media waiting daily for the next sound bite to surface.

In OLearys case, however, his comments represent a mugs game of sorts. The energy sector had long been inflated beyond its means and its decline was in the works for some time before Notley assumed office in her unlikely 2015 election win.

The NDP government in Alberta may be a one-off government, a representation of a protest vote  but in Notley, Albertans have a premier who is attempting to correct the structure that has long caused a chasm between rich and poor in oil country.

Albertans elected Notley and the NDP, and now  whether an Ontario-based millionaire likes it or not  the province, and this country, must live with that choice.

You cant blame Notley for tanking oil prices. It is her misfortune she inherited a flawed system and although it will be a scar on her record as premier, as is the case with many politicians, you take on the baggage of those who came before.

The fact that a blowhard like Kevin OLeary thinks for a second that he can entice Notley to step aside, or he can buy an election with small change investments in a billion-dollar industry, is frankly as laughable as the thought that Donald Trump actually continues to resonate with voters south of the border.

The premier and government of Alberta have more pressing issues than having to respond to the sideshow OLeary has created. Much like Barack Obama during the insane birther movement spearheaded by Trump in 2008 and for years afterwards, there are bigger fish to fry than entertaining minor celebrities wielding the power money allows them to.

Without a doubt, OLeary will have a pocket of support in Alberta for his perceived stand for the provinces rights. It seems that those same supporters have lived so long in a single-party system they have lost sight of the fact the province  and this country, for that matter  is a democratic society.

There is a very vocal swath of outrage for the new government and some of their policies toward measures like the corporate tax rate  but those same voters are often the ones who are still miffed by the idea that Canadians chose a Liberal government.

The Alberta NDP was elected democratically, and much like Manitobans, the residents of that province live with the government they chose till such time as they can choose another.

OLearys point, however distracting, got Canadians talking about him, so perhaps in some way, like Trump, he is building his brand and can walk away with a small victory.

It is nice to see that Notley had the last laugh, however. Her reply to OLeary was to the point: The last time a group of wealthy businessmen told Albertans how to vote, she became premier.

Game, set and match, Notley.

 Just a note: My column will return on Saturday, Feb. 6, after a couple of weeks hiatus. Until then, stay warm, my friends. Cheers.
Opinion

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 16/01/2016 (2468 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The worst word in the English language is fair.

It is an arbitrary word, completely ambiguous and left solely in the hands of the beholder to define as he sees fit. Worse still, in this age of political correctness, like the word bullying, it is an almost impossible word with which to disagree.

This week, the board of trustees of the Brandon School Division divined a new, more fair system of determining which students should be enrolled in the uber-popular single-track French immersion program at Ecole Harrison.

The new system? A lottery  or to use the BSDs own words, random selection.

The president of the Brandon chapter of Canadian Parents for French, Kerri Lynn Gudz, spoke out against this new policy by stating in Wednesdays Brandon Sun: I dont believe that a childs education should be left to luck, which is essentially what a lottery system does.

There are so many unlucky children in Manitoba who live in communities with few of the options Brandon offers. Hopefully some perspective is brought forward in this matter as we contemplate our options.

(Sadly, luck plays a massive role in success and failure in life. The so-called self-made among us may doubt that, but I firmly believe that being born into the right conditions can make all the difference.)

There has yet to be a system created by smart people that other, arguably smarter people, havent figured out a way to beat.

Ms. Gudz is perfectly correct in her observation about the new policy and its self-stated randomness, but what is missing is a reasonable replacement strategy.

This new lottery is a replacement for the previous system that involved parents queuing up in the early morning hours to enrol their children. This strategy was removed by the board as it believed the policy was discriminatory against poorer Brandonites who lacked the freedom and resources to queue up.

According to the Sun, the consensus around the board was that  more privileged families are able to send a parent to make the midnight wait.

Ms. Gudz, on behalf of her organization, stated the past policy was unacceptable.

Im not entirely sure I buy the boards argument. Would queuing up in the early morning hours be inconvenient? Absolutely, but life is often inconvenient.

<t-4.5>If the goal is to place a child in this life-changing course,

then is this minor one-time inconvenience so terrible? When judged against the alleged lifelong benefits of this French education, how can anyone suggest a little inconvenience isnt worth it?<t-4>

In the case of single-track French immersion at Ecole Harrison, it is fair for the community to start thinking about a reasonable alternative entrance strategy.

To the best of my knowledge, there is no pre-screening or testing to gain entry to this program. Perhaps there should be. After all, if we are seeking to best employ our precious resources, and there is an excess of children wishing to gain entry, should they not be used on those most likely to be successful?

Or, with respect, does this smack of elitism? If it does, then tell me a reasonable alternative, particularly when we dont judge input.

Some people have suggested Ecole Harrison is essentially a private school paid for with public funds. Im not convinced of this, but given the number of times I have heard it, I wonder aloud if this has any merit.

Brandonites, all too often, have decried so-called elitist programs, including the advanced placement and international baccalaureate programs. This is wrongheaded. The education system ought to be about providing equality of opportunity, but it should also be about academic achievement and advancement.

There is a Solomonic solution for the single-track issue  simply eliminate it and change it into another dual-track school. Short of a complete French experience both at home and school, there is little evidence, but plenty of rhetoric, to show the single-track experience bears fruit. So lets move back to a less frantic dual-track philosophy.

This is, yet again, a case of infinite wants versus finite resources. The BSD simply lacks the resources to provide single-track French immersion to every child whose parent seeks this course.

At some point, the BSD will have to say no. Parents will be mad. They are justifiably mad now.
Opinion

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 15/01/2016 (2469 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Happy new year.

January is the start of the year for a large portion of the worlds population. The date of the new year may differ depending on the calendar used; however, the common theme is often the same. It represents a moment of reflection and an opportunity to look ahead.

The early history of Canada was significantly defined by the export of commodities from the fur trade, timber industry, fisheries, agriculture (e.g., wheat), mining, to oil and gas. A read of the early history of the fur trade quickly brings to the forefront the engagement between the First Nations and the Europeans and the recognition that all Canadians are indebted to the contributions of the first peoples for the nation we celebrate today.

The fur industry involved the Hudson Bay Company and the North West Company. Both organizations required access to large tracts of land, the Hudson Bay Company through the Crown of England (Ruperts Land).

The Hudson Bay Company directly employed individuals for the fur trade enterprise, while the North West Company established franchises with individual trappers. Both companies depended on relationships with First Nations people for their survival, even food and shelter, and both companies viewed themselves as being in the fur business.

Fur was used in Europe for clothing (warmth) and fashion (felt hats). Neither company (nor Canada) viewed itself as being in the clothing and fashion business. As a result, cotton and textiles for clothing and silk for hats significantly reduced the demand and diminished supplies of fur in Western Canada, resulting in its increased cost.

These forces negatively affected the price of fur and the profitability of the two companies, along with the relationships and terms of trade between people and cultures in a newly forming country. History was shaped by these companies focusing on the business activities associated with the fur trade, as opposed to meeting societal needs.

The advent of commercial agriculture, such as wheat production, meant that farmers required land for cultivation. This brought farmers/settlers in direct conflict with individuals primarily engaged in the fur trade, since trappers needed flexible, unimpeded access to the land in pursuit of fur and even food.

Changes in the fur trade and the advent of commercialized agriculture (wheat) resulted in the Government of Canada purchasing back a significant amount of land originally granted to the Hudson Bay Company (at a price of approximately $1.5 million in 1870) and the signing of treaties (Treaty 17) by Canada/the Crown between 1871 and 1877.

Canada continues to this day to collectively strive to address issues associated with this period of history. Recent developments give cause for hope. Yet it is important to acknowledge how the country has been shaped by the focus on the competitive activity of farming versus trapping, as opposed to the co-operative need to build harmonious progressive shared communities.

World oil prices have fallen from more than US$100 to under $35 per barrel in less than a year. Approximately 70 per cent of the oil used goes to transportation and gas is primarily used in residential and commercial settings and in electricity production in North America.

On the other hand, the U.S. Energy Information Administration suggests that 10 per cent of energy consumption goes toward residential and commercial usage, 40 per cent to electricity production, 29 per cent to transportation, and 21 per cent to industrial usage. The sources of energy include oil and gas, wind, solar, nuclear, coal and hydro.

The future energy sector will include research and development to help create the next generation of innovation, including batteries and reverse-power for the auto-industry and storage of electricity generated by wind and solar, as well as super-long-distance electricity transmission for revolutionizing the global energy grid.

Our future will be shaped, therefore, by whether we can transition from a focus on oil and gas to broad-based innovators in meeting societys energy needs.

In the years ahead, how Brandon University sees itself will significantly influence how we support and contribute to the success of our students, faculty and staff. Indeed, it will influence our effectiveness in aiding the growth and vitality of the communities we serve.

As a university, we have to achieve excellence in our activities and, equally important, we must ensure that we are meeting the evolving needs of our students, communities and beyond.

As a community, how we see ourselves and each other will define our opportunity to work together.

As partners, I believe we can collaboratively succeed in meeting needs and realizing possibilities.

It sounds simple, but I believe that the economic and social challenges ahead will test our collective resolve. History suggests that the answer is to focus on building harmonious progressive shared communities by focusing on innovation that meets societal needs.

 Gervan Fearon is the president and vice-chancellor of Brandon University. He holds a PhD in economics, a BSc. and M.Sc. in agricultural economics and a certified general accountant designation. His column appears monthly.
We all love an inspirational story to get us through the winter and here is one that is more inspirational than most.

29-year-old Nikki Bradley, has defied doctors who told her she would ever walk again and climbed Donegals highest mountain Mount Errigal in the process.

Nikki was diagnosed with Ewings Sarcoma at the age of 16 was told she would never walk again.

Ewings Sarcoma is a rare type of cancer that is found in the bone.

Since then, Nikki has founded Fighting Fit For Ewings in 2013 and regularly organises physical challenges to highlight the importance of exercise for rehabilitation while raising awareness for Ewings Sarcoma.

The climb was completed in the company of international photographer Paul Doherty, climbing expert Iain Miller, rope access technician Ian Parke, digital marketing student Siobhan Cox and Oscar the dog.

As a long term crutch user, Nikki is aware of the risks associated with climbing in such conditions however, she is passionate about pushing boundaries and plans to continue to do so throughout the year.

Nikki described the climb as tiring but worth it.

The view was unlike anything I have seen in Ireland. We battled heavy hail showers that fell as ice so the journey down was a slippery one.

The team put me at ease and by working together we made it down without any emergencies!

Next on Nikkis list is a trip to Iceland later this year, along with photographer Paul, to scale a glacier.

This will be a sponsored event. If you would like to get involved please email info@nikkibradleyspeaks.com.
Two of Ireland's leading Islamic organisations say they have notified Gardai about a website that promotes large scale migration of Muslims to settle in Ireland.

The Islamic Cultural Centre and the Islamic Foundation of Ireland are threatening legal action unless photos of the centre are removed from the "Hijira to Ireland" website.

In a joint statement, they say the project does not serve the interests of Muslims in Ireland and may create hostility and resentment against them.

They have already had the contact names and numbers of senior members of their staff removed from the site.

A statement from both organisations said: "Forensic investigation has been carried out of both domains and the information has been passed on to the Gardai who are now investigating the matter. We disassociate ourselves from the project and affirm that the people behind this and their place of residence are not known to us.

"Although after showing our objection to the matter above, through their Facebook page, we have managed to get our names and contact details removed, however, photos of our Centre still remain on their website. We have demanded the removal of such photos an informed them that we will be taking a legal action if this is not done.

"We believe the approach taken by this project will not be serving the interests of the Muslims of Ireland who enjoy peace and security in this beautiful country but instead might create hostility and resentment against them."
Latest update 9.30am

Authorities in Burkina Faso have said the security operation at hotel in the capital that was seized by Islamist militants has finished.

The security minister has said 126 people have been freed after forces regained control of the Splendid Hotel.

30 people are thought to have died when al-Qaida militants attacked last night.

Sky's foreign affairs editor Sam Kiley has said it is a target because of its association with France: The French are leading an International effort to combat al Qaida and their splinter groups scattered right across that region and Burkino Faso is not likely to be spared that sort of attack if it is associated with this French operation.

Latest update 7.30am

Forces from Burkina Faso and France are battling to retake a luxury hotel attacked by al Qaida militants who seized and killed an unknown number of hostages.

At least 10 bodies have been found in a cafe next door to the Splendid Hotel, which was also attacked.

About 30 hostages, including a government minister, were freed by troops from the 147-room hotel in central Ouagadougou, which is popular with Westerners, nine hours after it was stormed in the terror attack.

Dozens of French forces arrived overnight from neighbouring Mali. One US military member was embedded with French forces at the scene of the attack and America was working to help provide France with surveillance and reconnaissance help, according to a senior US senior defence official.

It was not immediately known how many people remained inside the Splendid Hotel as Saturday dawned.

The local al Qaida affiliate known as AQIM claimed responsibility in an online statement as the attack raged, according to the SITE Intelligence Group.

In a message posted in Arabic on the militants Muslim Africa Telegram account, the al Qaida group said fighters broke into a restaurant of one of the biggest hotels in the capital of Burkina Faso, and are now entrenched and the clashes are continuing with the enemies of the religion.

Internal affairs minister Simon Compaore said at least 10 bodies were inside the Cappuccino Cafe, next door to the Splendid.

Communications minister Remis Dandjinou said public works minister Clement Sawadogo was among those evacuated from the hotel.

It was not immediately known how many people may have been killed during the siege, which began on Friday night, though one survivor estimated as many as 20 were dead inside, according to hospital chiefs.

Vital Nounagnon said he saw four men attack the hotel and neighbouring Cappuccino Cafe at about 7.30pm local time. Another witness who gave only his first name, Gilbert, said that when Burkinabe security forces first arrived, they turned around rather than confront the attackers.

But we know that the gunmen wont get out of the hotel alive, he said. Our country is not for jihadists or terrorists. They got it wrong.

The largely Muslim country has been in turmoil since its long-time president was ousted in a popular uprising in late 2014. Last September, members of a presidential guard launched a coup that lasted only about a week. The transitional government returned to power until Burkina Fasos November election ushered in new leaders.

Al Qaida was also behind a similar siege in November at the Radisson Blu hotel in Malis capital Bamako, that left 20 dead. Malian troops, backed by French and American special forces, retook the building and freed terrified guests and hotel staff after a siege that lasted more than seven hours.

The Bamako hotel attack also was claimed by a leader of AQIM, who said it had been carried out as a declaration of unity with Algerian militant Moktar Belmoktars extremist group Al-Mourabitoun, according to an audio speech that was distributed by SITE at the time.

Belmoktar was a former leader in AQIM before starting his own group, which now has merged back with al Qaida.

While Burkina Faso has largely been spared from the violence carried out by Islamic extremist groups in Mali, a Romanian national was abducted last April.
Burkina Faso's president has called a terrorist attack on a hotel and cafe in the capital 'cowardly and vile'.

At least 27 people were killed when Islamist militants opened fire in the capital Ouagadougou.
The US Mint will feature an Asian American on its currency for the first time when it issues a coin next week...
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PARIS: Three weeks into a refinery strike that has caused fuel shortages across the country, tens of thousands of...
TEHRAN: Iran has once again rejected allegations that it has supplied Russia with weapons "to be used in the war in...
Police are investigating reports of fireworks being let off before a street fight in Logan overnight.

Police were called to Logan Village hotel at 12.30am after reports six men had been kicked out of the hotel and were letting off fireworks in the carpark.

Police are reviewing footage of men letting off fireworks in Logan overnight.

While on their way to the hotel, police were advised the men had left the carpark and were heading toward local parkland.

Police arrived at the intersection of Darlington Drive and Leland Street and found a crowd of about thirty people, with several people fighting.
Reports initially said the two were Austrian. The kidnapping occurred in the Baraboule area, the ministry said in a message sent to reporters, according to the Associated Press. The reports were also relayed by AFP.

Two Australian citizens, a doctor and his wife, were believed to have been kidnapped overnight in northern Burkina Faso near the border with Mali, the West African nation's security ministry said on Saturday.

The Australian were abducted in Djibo, the capital of the northern Soum province. The Associated Press reported that a journalist in the region said the Australian couple has lived in Burkina Faso since 1972, volunteering in health services.

It was not immediately clear whether the abduction was linked to an attack carried out by al-Qaeda fighters at a hotel in the country's capital late on Friday. At least 23 people have been killed, as well as four extremist attackers.

The situation Burkina Faso remains volatile following an al-Qaida raid on a hotel over the weekend. This TV still shows people escaping the siege. Credit:AP

Also on Saturday, Denmark's Foreign Minister Kristian Jensen said the country would re-assess whether it was safe for Denmark's Australian-born Crown Princess Mary to travel to Burkina Faso later this month as part of an official Danish delegation.

Mr Jensen says they will not travel "if there is a situation where we cannot guarantee the security of the crown princess," reported AP
Chasing Ghosts  The Policing of Terrorism by John Mueller and Mark G. Stewart, Oxford University Press

It takes some guts to write a book questioning the funding of anti-terrorist activities when at any moment a terrorist bomb could kill dozens of people.

Canberrans leave flowers in front of the Embassy of France following the terrorist attack in Paris in November 2015. Credit:Jeffrey Chan

But that's what academics John Mueller and Mark Stewart have done in producing Chasing Ghosts, a book that documents actual attacks in the United States and asks whether the trillion dollars spent since 2001 to counter the problem can be justified.

In Australia, a Senate committee is currently looking at the question of whether airport and aviation security in this country is adequate. As always, the terms of reference carry the implication that more money should be spent. Among other things, they ask whether further measures ought to be taken to enhance airport security and the safety of the travelling public. The committee is not asked whether we're getting value for money from our spending, or whether there are negative consequences from the measures we are taking. If it were to look at such matters, the committee might find it worthwhile examining an earlier paper by Mueller and Stewart, which found that the expensive body scanners airports are wont to use are of questionable value.
A game that requires players to bludgeon Aboriginal Australians to death has prompted outrage and been removed from stores, raising questions as to how an app that warns players to "beware of Aborigines" was ever allowed online.

Thousands of people have signed a petition calling for the immediate removal of Survival Island 3: Australia Story 3D from Apple's iTunes App Store and Google Play and demanding an apology from the app's developers.

According to a screenshot on the Killing Indigenous Australians is not a game! change.org petition launched on Friday evening, white men armed with bows and arrows are told to "beware of Aborigines" and must shoot or beat Indigenous people to death to survive and earn points.

Further screenshots posted by gamer R2 Darksaber before the app was removed from app stores overnight depict a dead Aboriginal Australian lying on parched ground and a white arm wielding a stone axe.
Lake Macquarie was one of the group of Hunter councils so worried about the quality of new automated mapping being foisted on them by OEH that it commissioned a respected ecologist, John Hunter, to check how well it compared with the actual plants on the ground in the upper Hunter Valley. Farmers have been demanding more rights to clear vegetation for years. This photo dates from 1998. Credit:Andrew Taylor Hunter's findings, published this month in the peer-reviewed Ecological Management & Restoration journal, were damning. When it came to identifying individual plant communities  of which NSW has about 1500  the mapping was only 17 per cent accurate and "inherently unusable" for regional and local landscape planning or environmental assessment. For instance, of 13 sets of the endangered Weeping Myall shrubland, the mapping identified it only once. Another group, including white box, or eucalyptus albens, was "modelled throughout a large area of the upper Hunter where the community does not exist", Hunter's paper found. In the chart below, the red crosses show where the grassy box gum community was found to occur and the orange ones show where it was mapped:

OEH's science unit says the mapping  using computer models fed with a mix of satellite, aerial and locally derived data to identify different vegetation types  has since improved. It now relies less on satellite inputs and more on aerial ones, and the unit is considering a response to the journal article. It also wants access to the ecologist's data. Hunter, though, says he's had "no response whatsoever" from OEH for his review of its work in the upper Hunter or elsewhere. "They are playing the line of ignoring it and are charging ahead." The Hunter councils are also wary of handing over their data to OEH out of concern about how it might be used, including bolstering a poor database.

Hunter says: "It gets them off the hook". Not for regulatory use The secrecy and lack of trust between the science division and most of the rest of OEH  and those tasked with using the maps in the wider community  appear to be well entrenched. But Kate Wilson, head of the science unit, and Jeremy Black, the chief of the native vegetation information unit, say their work is a big advance on what went before. Wilson, a Harvard-trained molecular geneticist, joined OEH in 2009 from the CSIRO's Wealth from Oceans Flagship. She says she found an organisation with "too many small groups doing their own thing" and staff "not used to peer review".

Wilson appointed Black, who had worked in soil conservation, to take charge of the tiller. "There's always been this battle," Black says. "Certain ecologists have staked their career on a certain approach and then another ecologist comes along and challenges it." The ambition of the modellers has been impressive from the start: creating within a few years "a single full floristic native vegetation map of the whole state that uses consistent classification", with the data open to all. According to the unit's 2011 submission for funding, the target was to "deliver credible, regulatory, compliance and monitoring systems". Black, though, now downplays its utility. "It doesn't have a regulatory function," he says. "You can't use the map alone to make a decision."

Deep divisions Map users and past OEH employees are not so sure, pointing to a history of distrust with the unit, starting with that 2011 submission. Rushed through the Environmental Trust in the final days of 2011, the science division secured $4.5 million over four years. OEH says the program has cost about $10 million all up. A review of OEH commissioned at the time was scathing of the funding approach  "made without the knowledge of other OEH groups/divisions"  and highly critical of the whole exercise. "There needs to be an independent and comprehensive review of the proposed technology," was the finding of a report by Nicole Campbell  on secondment from then premier Barry O'Farrell's office. Control of the entire vegetation mapping unit should be taken from the science unit's control, she recommended.

Campbell's project, though, was cancelled before a formal report could be completed and tabled before the OEH's executive. Its conclusions, based in part on the author's own digging and more than 100 submissions from OEH staff  it was barred from seeking external views  were compiled in an "Observations Report" that Fairfax Media has obtained. It is understood Campbell was told to make a single hard copy of the report and hand over all electronic files on a single flash drive. Campbell, though, made sure to circulate a handful of hard copies to senior OEH executives, including then acting chief executive Sally Barnes. OEH was unable to find a copy when the Greens submitted a freedom of information request in 2012. "It was really just a stocktake," says Wilson, who received a copy. However, she too was surprised the FOI search had failed to find a copy.

"It was used to feed into the conversation," Adam Cooke, an OEH media adviser, said this week. "There have been quite a few changes and advances structurally and operationally that the report would have influenced, if not been directly responsible for," he says. He added that it was unlikely then minister Robyn Parker would have seen it. Wilson and Black say the department has moved on, and they will continue to seek more funding to improve their mapping model. Biodiversity fears Environmental groups raised their concerns with Black and other mappers directly in a meeting last month in Parramatta.

In a letter to be sent to Terry Bailey, the OEH's current chief executive, the groups  including the Nature Conservation Council and the National Parks Association  welcomed the mappers' promise the maps would not be used as a regulation tool. Still, they remain concerned, following the briefing, that the map's accuracy may be limited to just 60 per cent, even with improvements. The complexity of plant communities is also such that the disturbance through fire or tree removal can affect how they show up in computer models. "Given the above points, we would like to reiterate our disquiet at the method being used for regulatory function under the new Biodiversity Act," the letter to Bailey says. Critics say the government won't be able to resist using the new mapping even with its flaws.
The US group behind controversial "pick-up artist" Julien Blanc, who was deported from the country in 2014 for promoting the choking of women, has secretly been organising seminars in Sydney and Melbourne.

Real Social Dynamics is promoting seminars that teach men how to pick up women. According to an online petition the methods employed to seduce a woman are to "belittle her, physically restrain her, mentally deride her, and abuse her until she submits".

RSD plans to host seven events in Australia, including two in Melbourne, originally billed for January 21 and April 7.

Melbourne comedian Kirsty Mac, who helped chase Mr Blanc out of the country, said her group was organising to stop the new seminars.
Major Australian retailers Kmart and Target have come under fire for selling $2 school uniforms while factory workers are paid below levels that can cover basic living expenses.

The $2 polo shirts that are the focus of Target's national "Back to School" campaign are produced in Bangladeshi factories where wages can be as low as $97 a month.

This national minimum wage is up to 45 per cent below the "living wage" that allows workers to pay for basic food, water, shelter, clothing, and transport, according to Oxfam and international workers unions.

Rival retailer Kmart is also selling $5 button-up school shirts from factories in Bangladesh, while its $2 polos are made in China.
The body lay in the Lakemba funeral parlour just metres from the mosque, washed and ready for burial, as distressed relatives tried unsuccessfully to make speedy funeral arrangements for their family member at Rookwood Cemetery.

It was a weekend and Sydney's biggest and most culturally diverse necropolis now has restricted operating hours on the weekends, Fairfax Media has been told.

An inquiry has been set up to look into services at Rookwood Cemetery. Credit:Tamara Dean

The situation has upset some Muslim families, who want to be able to bury their loved ones as soon as possible, in line with their faith.

In 2012, five independent religious trusts within Rookwood were merged to become the Rookwood General Cemeteries Reserve Trust.
It is a mysterious case of a $20 million fire which has exposed a number of extraordinary problems with the administration inside one of Sydney's biggest and busiest councils.

An investigation into the damage caused by the blaze that gutted Liverpool City Council's chambers five years ago has only just revealed publicly that more than 3000 files were affected by the blaze, including the "complete loss" of more than 600 hard copy files that did not have electronic backup copies.

The true extent of the damage to council files during a fire five years ago has only just been revealed.

But the investigation has also revealed that no formal investigation had ever been done before and councillors had not been given the whole truth about the affair.

It took the frustration of Councillor Anne Stanley at being told that files were lost in the fire, even those opened well after the date of the blaze  to force an inquiry and an audit of documents.
A violent hospital patient attempted to take a police officers' gun from its holster during an incident five months ago with disturbing similarities to a shooting at Nepean Hospital last week.

Investigations by Fairfax Media have uncovered a litany of near-misses in NSW hospitals leading up to the shooting last Tuesday night, when a police officer and a security guard were almost killed by an ice-affected patient in Nepean Hospital's emergency ward.

Michael De Guzman, a registered nurse who previously worked at Westmead Hospital, allegedly took a female doctor hostage by holding a pair of scissors to her throat.

During a struggle with security guard Barry Jennings and police officer Luke Warburton, he allegedly grabbed Senior Constable Warburton's gun from its holster and fired two shots, hitting both men in the legs.
More slices of the award-winning inner-city Sydney Park will be carved off to make way for the WestConnex motorway and surrounding roads.

The state government has already said it would reclaim long-reserved corridors on the edges of the park to build wider roads near the WestConnex interchange planned for St Peters.

"It's like cutting into our backyard," says local resident Bethany Woollatt. One of the areas to be acquired is adjacent to the popular wetlands area. Credit:Dallas Kilponen

But the government wrote to City of Sydney Council late last year saying it intended to compulsorily acquire other sections of the park.

The development is sure to inflame tensions in the area, where affection for the park is strong  as is opposition to the $16.8 billion motorway.
Police have warned boaties to take care on Moreton Bay this weekend after high winds left several stranded in rough waters.

High winds of up to 33 knots on Cape Moreton and 21 knots inside Moreton Bay will continue into Sunday morning, as a south-southeast wind system moved into the Capricornia area, a weather bureau spokesman said on Saturday.

Water police were kept busy with incidents in Moreton Bay on Friday evening. Credit:Robert Shakespeare

Brisbane Water Police urged boaties to exercise caution this weekend after six incidents on Friday evening between 5.30pm and 10pm at Green Island, Mud Island, a mud bank at Lota and Brisbane harbour.

A rescue helicopter located a sinking boat with engine failure at Mud Island at 8.50pm and a volunteer marine rescue vessel rescued two men and took them to the Brisbane Water Police base for medical treatment.
Police are searching for four men who robbed a man and an elderly woman north of Brisbane.

A 49-year-old man was walking along Sutton Street, Redcliffe about 7pm Friday night when he realised four men were following him.

Police hunt for men who robbed two people in Redcliffe Friday night.

As he got to the Sutton Street and Dix Street intersection, the group grabbed the man from behind, forced him to the ground and restrained him while they searched his pockets.

After taking the man's wallet, the group fled, but not before throwing the man against a fence, causing whiplash-like injuries to his neck and back.
Clive Palmer's nickel refinery could still get the assistance it needs to avoid sacking hundreds of workers at the 11th hour, but only if he first opens his books to the Queensland government.

Queensland Nickel's Yabulu refinery, near Townsville, has announced it will lay off 237 workers because of declining nickel prices and because the state government won't guarantee a $35 million bank loan to the facility.

But Minister Assisting the Premier on North Queensland Coralee O'Rourke says the government is still open to talking about assistance if Mr Palmer shares full financial statements of his wider business empire with it.

"That is a decision for Queensland Nickel and their executives as to whether they will be open and honest with the government and have those conversations with us," she said.
The state government has slammed Clive Palmer's Queensland Nickel company for refusing to meet a taskforce designed to save the jobs on 237 workers in Townsville.

Minister assisting the Premier for North Queensland Coralee O'Rourke said she and Natural Resources and Mines Minister Anthony Lynham were in Townsville ready to meet company representatives over the weekend, but company representatives had said no meeting was possible before Tuesday.

The rebuff came as it was revealed that the company had donated more than $288,000 to the Palmer United Party just weeks before putting the 237 workers out of a job.

Ms O'Rourke said she was also "quite disturbed" that the workers had not been told any details of redundancy packages that they could be entitled to.
Brisbane blogger Iona Cominos began a blog dedicated to Queensland's Art Deco movement in 2014 because her heart "skipped a beat" every time she walked past an art deco building.

Almost two years later and her passion for the simple clean lines and geometric shapes that art deco design offers hasn't waned.

Michele Edmondson in front of the McWhirters building, Fortitude Valley. Credit:Glenn Hunt

"Once you notice one and you notice the style, they stick out, you notice them," Ms Cominos said.

"I am really drawn to that modern streamlined design."
Book lovers rushed through the doors at the Brisbane Convention and Entertainment Centre Saturday morning to nab a bargain on the first day of the Lifeline Bookfest.

UnitingCare community manager of volunteers Anastasia Magriplis said a swell of determined shoppers were lined up outside the doors at 8.30am on the first day of Bookfest.

Rory Eggington (4) stocks up at Lifeline Bookfest. Credit:Glenn Hunt

"The crowds just bulldozed over to us and made their way to the tables," she said.

"I saw one lady hire four trolleys and run through the crowds, navigating her way past strollers and families, she knew what she was doing, she was really going for it."
Little Red Bats, which normally live in dry inland areas, have arrived for a rare visit to the Sunshine Coast to feed upon the flowers and bark of eucalypts, bloodwoods and myrtles.

The blossom-seekers, with leathery translucent wings, red fur and jointed thumbs, are nomadic and are found throughout Australia but rarely visit Queensland's coastal areas.

Bats Credit:Sunshine Coast Area Council

The Sunshine Coast Council posted this photograph of the usually nocturnal creatures on Friday on its website.

Councillor Stephen Robinson said the flying foxes, or megabats (Pteropus alecto), had been spotted at Coolum, Maroochydore and Tooway Lake areas over the past week.
Public Transport Victoria was reluctant to confirm the boomgate failure, saying it could not speculate until its investigation was complete. Mr Horsley also denied that Metro had acted unilaterally to ban the V/Line trains. "The engineers are working around the clock. We hope to know more this weekend but until we can determine a safe course of action we'll wait for the investigation to be completed," he said. PTV was "confident" that VLocity trains were safe to operate on the regional railway network, he said. It is also not the first time a boomgate has failed to trigger, Mr Horsley said. In a similar incident less than 12 months ago, a V/Line VLocity train failed to trigger a boomgate at a level crossing along the Sunbury line, he said, although the cause of that fault had been rectified.

The ban on VLocity trains creates further headaches for the beleaguered regional rail operator already wrestling with disruptions, delays and cancellations caused by a mysterious wheel fault that has left nearly half of its fleet of Dandenong-built VLocity trains out of service this week. Public Transport Victoria denied that the boomgate failure was related to the wheel faults. "That's come to PTV's attention very recently, but its a completely separate issue," he said. By late Friday, Fairfax Media believed 27 of of V/Line's 59 three-car VLocity trains were out of service for urgent maintenance. Some of the trains are just months old, and were built as part of an ongoing order that is costing the state hundreds of millions of dollars. V/Line insists it has not yet identified the cause of the sudden wear on the inner wheels. The problem emerged in the past 30 days and a resolution is still being sought.

One possible source of the wear being investigated is the new tracks on the $3.65 billion Regional Rail Link between Southern Cross Station and West Werribee, which fully opened in June. A rail flyover between Southern Cross Station and North Melbourne has been pinpointed as a potential source of the excessive wear. The flyover has tight curves that could place pressure on the inner wheel, called the flange. The flyover was not part of the original design for the Regional Rail Link, but was introduced to save money. V/Line chief executive Theo Taifalos told Fairfax Media this week that the decision to confine much of the VLocity fleet into maintenance yards was his, and was based on safety. He also said there was no prospect of the entire VLocity fleet being withdrawn from service and that the wheel wear issue was being managed. The PTV investigation was examining whether the boomgate and track circuit failure was due to VLocity trains being shortened and running with fewer carriages.

V/Line has broken up many of its trains into shorter units this week as a strategy to run as many services as possible while other carriages are withheld to repair the growing number of wheel faults. No additional Metro train services have yet been added to accommodate regional passengers. Passengers travelling into Melbourne on V/Line trains are encouraged to check the PTV website and V/Line website for updates. Public Transport Users Association spokesman Daniel Bowen said the train disruptions would affect tens of thousands of passengers. While V/Line passengers would be boarding empty trains at the end of the Metro line stations, these additional passenger loads would create a "flow on effect" that would cause more overcrowding as morning trains headed into the city and would make packed peak hour outbound trains in the evening more congested for those heading home, he said.
Jakarta police reveal names of those killed in deadly attack

At least one of the five assassins in the Jakarta attacks had been jailed for terrorism offences raising fears those convicted are becoming further radicalised behind bars.

One of the suspected terrorists during the fatal attack in Jakarta in January 2016. Credit:AP

The identity of the gunman photographed roaming the streets wearing a Nike cap, jeans and sneakers during the deadly assault has been revealed as Sunakim (alias Afif), who was arrested in 2010 and sentenced to seven years' jail for his role in a militant training camp in Aceh.

While in Cipinang, a top security prison in Jakarta, he became the masseur for Aman Abdurrahman, one of Indonesia's most influential jihadist ideologues and a vocal promoter of Islamic State.
Frankfurt: Think a village on the moon sounds like science fiction?  It could be a reality by 2030, if the head of the European Space Agency gets his way.

Jan Woerner has outlined a vision for replacing the International Space Station (ISS), when it is eventually taken out of service, with a lunar "village" of structures made by robots and 3D printers that use moon dust as a building material.

An artists' impression of a moon base. Credit:NASA

"I looked into the requirements I see for a project after ISS. As of today, I see the moon village as the ideal successor of the International Space Station for [space] exploration," Mr Woerner said at a news briefing in Paris on Friday.

Mr Woerner made a moon mission a central project when he took the helm of the ESA in July last year, saying it was a key step on the way to humans eventually flying to Mars.
Istanbul: Turkish authorities briefly detained 27 scholars Friday, accusing them of spreading "terrorism propaganda" and of insulting the state after they signed a petition denouncing the military's campaign against Kurdish militants in south-eastern Turkey.

Most of the scholars were from Kocaeli University in north-western Turkey, and were detained in early-morning raids on their homes, the semi-official news agency Anadolu reported. By Friday evening, all had been released, according to Turkish news media reports.

Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan accused the academics of treason. Credit:AP

All 27 scholars were among more than 1000 academics from 90 Turkish universities who signed a public statement, "We Won't Be a Party to This Crime," that urged the government in Ankara to end the "deliberate massacre" of Kurds caught in clashes between Turkish security forces and militants of the Kurdistan Workers' Party, or PKK.

The petition angered President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who denounced the group  and foreign scholars who signed the document, including the linguist and philosopher Noam Chomsky  in a televised speech on Tuesday. Erdogan accused them of "treason" and of forming a "fifth column" of foreign powers trying to undermine national security.
Montreal vets The Besnard Lakes will release their fifth album, A Coliseum Complex Museum, next week (1/22) via Jagjaguwar. Core members Jace Lacek and Olga Goreas had the Besnard Lakes sound honed by the release of 2007's The Besnard Lakes Are The Dark Horse -- widescreen rock with stratospheric harmonies, a massive wall of afterburner guitars, and a mastery of dynamics -- and have continued to refine it since. The new record is another feather in their cap: you know what to expect at this point but that doesn't make it any less welcome. It's the kind of record that demands listening to loud until the neighbors complain. If that's a problem where you live, A Coliseum Complex Museum is also an excellent headphone album. You can stream the whole thing a week early via NPR, below.
Payton Muth stars on the field now, but plans to be on the sidelines later
Arun Jaitley said start-ups represented the final break for entrepreneurs from the licence raj and the govt would be a facilitator and would have a little role in their businessFinance Minister Arun Jaitley said on Saturday the Budget would announce a friendly tax regime for start-ups in the country. There are some steps that can be taken up by notification, which will be done forthwith. Others require legislative provisions, which can only come as part of the Finance Bill, he said.

A fund was suggested in last years Budget to encourage start-ups, he said and assured them that the banking system and the government would make resources available to them.

Jaitley said start-ups represented the final break for entrepreneurs from the licence raj and the government would be a facilitator and would have a little role in their business.

The finance minister also said the government would launch the Stand Up India scheme for banks to lend to entrepreneurs belonging to the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes and women. Each bank branch, public or private sector, will adopt one entrepreneur in the SC/ST category and one in the women category. They will fund them to set up establishments, he added. Around 300,000 new entrepreneurs would be created over the next two years, the minister said.

Emphasising the government had little room to create jobs, Jaitley said the private sector had its own challenges. The private sector has overstressed itself and this stress is reflected in our banking system. The Reserve Bank of India and the government, working in tandem over the next few months, are going to add to bankers ability to lend more, he said.

The minister said the government had conceived of the Micro Units Development Refinance Agency (MUDRA) targeting the bottom 25 per cent of the population so that people get loans from refinance agencies, public and private sector banks and other agencies. In the past four to five months, almost 17.3 million entrepreneurs have been enabled with loans, he said. We are going to roll over this programme year after year, he added.

On the economy, Jaitley observed that India faced challenges despite being the fastest growing large economy in the world. We can take limited satisfaction that even in a crisis-like situation in the world we are growing much faster, he said.

We have increased our public spending, we have opened our doors wide enough and foreign investment is coming in a big way. At least in the urban areas we can see increasing demand, he said. Talking about the headwinds, the finance minister pointed to slow farm production due to a weak monsoon and subdued private investment.

Commerce and Industry Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said the government was working to make it easy for entrepreneurs to start businesses and exit them. The government is working to make the exit also (easy), she said and added Jaitley was working hard on the bankruptcy code, which had been referred to a 30-member joint committee of Parliament. With these (measures) we will be doing the right thing for start-ups so that they stay here in India and not look at having a domicile somewhere else, she said.
Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages has said it will invest Rs 750 crore in phases as the Madhya Pradesh government develops its first industrial area in public private partnership on 679 hectares in Babai village of Hoshangabad district, 72 km south of Bhopal.

The area is to be developed, operated and maintained by a private developer. The Audyogik Kendra Vikas Nigam (AKVN), Bhopal, had to call for parties a second time earlier this month because there were no takers the first time around.

The Babai-Mohasa industrial area has been carved out of a government-owned agriculture farm, to which the previous Congress government also tried to attract investment.

The farm came into existence in the 1970s to teach farmers advanced techniques. Spread across 3,251 acres, the farm incurred heavy losses, except in the initial years. In 2012, the Madhya Pradesh Cabinet decided to hand over 1,600 acres of the farm to the department of industry.

"We have invited private partners for the second time to develop the area. The area will be developed, operated and maintained by the private player for a period of 15 years. There will be no hazardous industry and there will be a zero-discharge policy. No company will be allowed to discharge effluents as the area is in the vicinity of the Narmada river," J N Vyas, managing director of AKVN, Bhopal, told Business Standard.

"Coca-Cola [Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages] has been issued a letter of intent for allotment of 44 hectares (110 acres). The company will be allocated land separately," he added.

"Recently, we have been issued a letter of intent allotting a land parcel of 110 acres. We will invest Rs 750 crore in a phased manner. In all, we have plans to set up six bottling lines," the company said.
As the question funding for start-ups becomes all-important, Adam Neumann, co-founder of New York-based shared workspace provider WeWork told India's young entrepreneurs that creating wealth should not be considered more important than social purpose.

While agreeing that a sustainable profit structure was important for a new business, he said young people ran the risk of feeling unhappy early on their lives if they attached greater importance to money.

WeWork, which manages workplaces, has been hailed as one of the most innovative start-ups globally. It is currently the largest lessee of office space in the United States. Neumann, who is visiting India for the first time, said the ecosystem for start-ups is clearly growing and that raising capital won't be a problem until the business model is able to become sustainable.

He said recent studies show that almost 60% of millennials  persons who reached adulthood after the year 2000  worldwide are willing to work for a company which has a dedicated social purpose rather than earn more at one which has no such motives. Since this demographic group is currently on the cusp of joining the job market, Neumann said it was very significant more India with its large young workforce.

While other players aim at increasing job efficiency and productivity, WeWork takes a different route to that end.

"By focusing on the people who share the same space every day, we can create a sense of community. Relationships forged lead to a happier, more stable workplace," Neumann said.

This holistic approach to business is at the core of the company's policy of partnering with businesses who share the same value system and an objective of social connectivity while developing a workplace, rather than simply selling or letting out the workplaces they manage.

This has allowed the company to improve its brand status by letting potential customers seek them out rather than the other way round.

Neumann believes in the concept of a capitalistic kibbutz  typically a communal farming settlement in Israel  where the fruits of the open market system are spread out as much optimally as possible to employees who share a sense of community akin to what is present in the kibbutz itself.

WeWork has also distinguished itself as an important player in the 'sharing economy' which aims at pooling of economic resources to bring down costs by business. The company offers office spaces moderated by demand and pricing to enterprises who are unable to afford the high costs of renting or buying office space.

Neumann said India was on his list and would soon see a WeWork space; the company is currently in 7 countries and manages 17 million square feet of office space. While either New Delhi or Mumbai will be the site of its India operations, Neumann said he was interested in Tier-II and -III cities as well, which have their own share of challenges, including mindset and infrastructure.
Global hospitality brand Intercontinental Hotels Group (IHG) is planning to expand its business in India over the next five years to add another 51 hotels to its existing portfolio of 25. The company announced the launch of its first resort property under the Intercontinental Hotels and Resorts brand at Mahabalipuram, near Chennai.

The InterContinental Chennai Mahabalipuram Resort with 105 suites, is its second under the luxury brand Intercontinental in India. The first one is in Mumbai. The property was earlier supposed to be managed by ITC Ltd. However, Adyar Gate Hotels Ltd later tied up with IHG to manage the resort.

"With this, Chennai is the first city in India where we will have presence of all our four brands in the country," said Shantha de Silva, head of South West Asia, InterContinental Hotels Group.

The company, which has gone in for an asset-light model over a period of time by focussing on managing hospitality without owning the property, will add about 10,000 rooms across the country over a period of 3-5 years, de Silva said. At present, it manages 25 hotels with 4,000 rooms in 14 Indian cities.

The target is to have around 100-150 hotels across the country under its brands in 10-15 years. "We will reach the first 100 hotels soon and look forward to 150 hotels over a period of time," he said.

IHG in India has four brands: InterContinental Hotels & Resorts, a luxury brand, Crowne Plaza, an upscale brand, Holiday Inn a business hotel and Holiday Inn Express, a budget hotel. The company owns nine brands globally. It will also look at launching its brands such as Staybridge Suits, which is a brand for long stay and Hotel Indigo, which is a boutique hotel brand, in India, de Silva told Business Standard. However, the launch of the new brands are not in the pipeline at present, he clarified.

He said that for IHG, the Indian market is growing and is the most important after the US and China.

In 2015, the company launched six hotels, and has four lined up for this year, including two in Chennai. The company's pipeline currently has more Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express hotels.

It currently has a Holiday Inn Express at Mahindta World City, near Chennai, Crown Plaza Adyar Park which it opened in 2015 in collaboration with Adyar Gate Hotels Ltd and is expected to launch the new Holiday Inn hotel in collaboration with Brigade Group in next couple of months, near the IT complex Tidel Park. It is also planning to launch one more Holiday Inn Express Hotel in Chennai in a few months.
Krishnapatnam Port has put its capacity expansion plan on hold for this year and will instead focus on developing the adjacent industrial smart city.

"We are looking at setting up cargo-based industry at this hub as this will ensure an assured clientele for the port," Chinta Sasidhar, managing director of Krishnapatnam Port, told Business Standard.

Indian ports are under pressure because economic growth is tepid. Port authorities are looking at different ways of reviving business.

Krishnapatnam Port in Andhra Pradesh has a capacity of handling 70 million tonnes of cargo a year and is planning to raise this to 200 million tonnes by 2020. The port handled 40.7 million tonnes of cargo in 2014-15, using 57 per cent of its capacity.

"Had we seen any cargo growth potential for the port, we would have added at least four berths to the current 11. But that needs strong economic growth and we are not in a hurry to expand," Sasidhar said.

The industrial hub, located in the Nellore district of Andhra Pradesh, will cost Rs 10,000-11,000 crore and will be spread over 14,000 acres, of which the port owns 6,000 acres. The hub will house power plants and refineries among other units.

"The Centre is pooling land for the project," Sasidhar said. The industrial smart city is among the ones announced in the 2014-15 Union budget.

"About Rs 2,000-3,000 crore is needed for pooling land. This is being spent by the Centre and the process should take about six months," Sasidhar said.

Although the funding pattern for the project is not known, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) will be among the main investors.

"The government, the port company and the JICA will form a special purpose vehicle for this project. The JICA will be able to raise loans at 2-3 per cent interest and this is one of the key points in the funding plan," said Sasidhar.

The Hyderabad-based CVR Group owns 91 per cent of Krishnapatnam Port and the balance 9 per cent is held by the London-based equity firm 3i Group. The port handles bulk cargo like iron ore, coal, fertilisers, edible oils and containers.

Krishnapatnam Port today signed a MoU with Petrogas and the government of AP for setting up a liquified natural gas terminal. Petrogas will commit an investment of Rs 3,000 crore for the terminal that will have a capacity of 10 million tonnes in the next three years.
Kuwait Airways is adding flights to Ahmedabad and Bengaluru in the summer schedule as a part of its expansion in India.

While the Gulf Big 3  Emirates, Etihad and Qatar Airways dominate aviation globally, Kuwait Airways has been a laggard. But things are now changing. Kuwait Airways has phased out its two decade old aircraft (Airbus A300s and A310s) with new planes and is expanding network. Last year it added eight new destinations including the two cities in India.

Currently it flies thrice weekly to Ahmedabad and Bengaluru and in summer schedule the frequency will increase to five flights a week. The growth in Indian market is positive and our plan is to grow presence in key destinations which we serve at moment, said Kuwait Airways chief commercial officer Philip Saunders.

However there is no immediate plan to add more destinations in India. Last year it added eight new destinations including the two cities in India. Currently flies to seven destinations in India.

The airline will also be doubling flights to London to twice daily from winter with the addition of its new three class Boeing 777-300ER aircraft. The airline is also inducting Airbus A320s, A330s and has ten A350s on order due for delivery in 2019.

Unlike its other larger Gulf peers like Emirates or Etihad, Kuwait Airways has a smaller fleet and limited network and hence a smaller share of onward traffic than the big carriers. As such it does not have a large corporate business from India and relies largely on leisure travel and labour traffic. It competes with Air India and Jet Airways on India-Kuwait routes.

We are not copying the other Gulf carriers. We are building an airline which will be the first choice of all Kuwait residents, Saunders added.
Kolkata-based non-banking finance company Srei Infrastructure follows a simple business model - sow, plough and harvest, says Hemant Kanoria, chairman and managing director. Over the last quarter Srei has taken some bold and abrupt business decisions that proved to be astute and timely. Two major decisions point towards its strategy to focus on core activities while streamlining its investment portfolio.

In October 2015, Srei Infrastructure Finance announced selling its 18.26 per cent stake (jointly held by Srei and the Kanoria block) in Viom Networks to American Tower Corporation for Rs 2,952 crore. Srei's own consideration, including the non-compete fee, in the sale will be Rs 1,790 crore. Notably, Srei's investment in Viom was Rs 1,598 crore.

In December 2015, Srei announced that BNP Paribas Lease Group, a 100 per cent subsidiary of the BNP Paribas Group, had decided to sell its 50 per cent stake in Srei Equipment Finance Limited (SEFL) to Srei Infrastructure Finance. In exchange, BNP Paribas acquired 5 per cent in Srei Infrastructure Finance, which will now be the parent company of SEFL.

In the second quarter of 2015-16, Srei BNP Paribas had recorded a profit after tax of Rs 28 crore, down from Rs 40 crore in the second quarter of 2014-15. According to Kanoria, Srei's next stake dilution could be in Sahaj e-Village Limited, which has rural e-kiosks providing services such as micro-insurance, education and utility bill payments. According to the data on Srei's website, the company's investment in rural infotech has been close to Rs 11 crore. "At Sahaj, we might dilute some stake, depending on the valuation. It has three verticals: e-governance, e-commerce and e-learning. We will focus on e-commerce and e-governance in Srei Sahaj," said Kanoria.

Srei is looking to rejig its strategic investment portfolio and focus on its core business of project and equipment finance.

''We have made sizeable investments in roads, SEZs, power and Sahaj. One by one, we will look at all these sectors, and wherever viable we will dilute our stake, bring in new partners, or make new strategic investors. Our vision has been to stabilise and grow our business,'' explained Kanoria "Our real business is lending, equipment and project finance, in which we will be concentrating. After the Viom deal, our investment portfolio will be substantially reduced,'' added Kanoria.

Srei had assets under management of close to Rs 36,233 crore in the first half of 2015-16. In September 2015, the company's strategic investment pool was about Rs 1,969 crore, which included investments in telecom, communication, transportation, rural infotech and energy. After the Viom deal is closed, the portfolio will be substantially reduced, which will help Srei to improve its debt-equity and capital-adequacy ratios.

Earlier Kanoria had told Business Standard that the money raised from the Viom deal would be used for fresh investments in road and power projects and increasing stakes in India Power Corporation Limited, in which the Kanoria family holds around 68 per cent.

Srei manages its road projects through Bharat Road Network Limited (BRNL). So far, BRNL has executed 14 road projects worth Rs 12,753 crore. Out of eight road projects in which Srei has significant economic interest, five are operational with a cumulative annual gross revenue (TTM) of more than Rs 259 crore in 2014-15.
Though the verdict is still out on whether the odd-even car rule in New Delhi reduced air pollution, many have applauded it for reducing traffic congestion in the city. In an email interview, Dinesh Mohan, retired professor emeritus at the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi, and an expert on road safety norms, tells Manavi Kapur that Delhi needs to look at public transport systems with a wider lens



Is the odd-even rule the right way forward for Delhi?



International experience suggests that whenever a major infrastructure change is made in a large urban conglomeration (for example, new highways, metro lines, pedestrian-only areas, park and ride facilities and congestion charging), it takes about three to six months for the system to settle down. This is because the people affected try out all possibilities to find a new equilibrium and keep experimenting. Very often, the new equilibrium turns out to be completely different from what was envisaged.

The experiment in Delhi cannot reflect long-term behaviour changes. All schools were closed and that takes away about a quarter of the daily trips. All car owners knew in advance that it will last only two weeks and, for all practical purposes, they had to alter their behaviour only for five or six days. Many one-car families had their old motorcycle hanging around for the alternate day, others may have printed a false number plate, while some others got a false CNG sticker. Even if each of these coping mechanisms was used by 10-15 per cent of the car owners, we get a majority making do with a temporary measure. Therefore, the experiment tells us nothing about how people would react if it was a permanent measure. My suspicion is that if everyone knew this is here to stay, they would not only buy cheap vehicles and become more inventive, but also much more angry.

Has this experiment worked elsewhere in the world?



It is quite clear that the odd-even experiment has not had a major influence on the overall environment in the city. Therefore, it only serves as a publicity gimmick. There is no city in the world where such a measure has worked over any length of time, nor has it reduced pollution significantly as an isolated intervention.

Is Delhi's public transportation system ready to handle a long-term implementation of this plan?



A successful public transportation system does not depend on provision of buses or metros alone. There are two factors that decide whether or not car users shift to public transport. One, there should be no parking available where they are going. Two, the car speeds should be less than that of buses and metros, and buses should operate on reserved lanes.

What does the city need to do to improve its existing system?



The quality of the access trip to the metro station or the bus stop is more important than the technology of the buses or metro trains. If women get teased on the way, if the footpaths are narrow, dirty, uneven and inaccessible for the disabled, and if there is fear of accidents, then you lose a large number of potential users. Clean, safe and convenient sidewalks are essential along with surface road crossing facilities every 500 metres.

Widespread public transport use also demands that affordable and safe taxi/auto systems be available at all times. This gives potential users the confidence that they do not need to own a personal vehicle for special occasions. At the same time, we must remember that availability of public transport is not necessarily a complete solution. At present, about 35-40 per cent of people walk or bicycle to work. If these people shift to public transport, pollution will increase in the city. Therefore, provision of safe bicycle paths along all arterial roads in the city is also essential for ensuring cleaner air in the future.

The Delhi government is also going to scrap the BRT corridor. What is a possible alternative to this corridor?



This is a very curious decision for the Aam Aaadmi Party to take on behalf of the khaas aadmi. No pedestrian, bicyclists or bus user has demanded that this corridor be dismantled. A High Court ruling dismissed a PIL against this corridor just a couple of years ago and ruled that the corridor was beneficial for the citizens of Delhi. None of the safety and design audits of the corridor have reported any major design defect. The government's decision to scrap this corridor and promote building of signal-free highways in the city sends a very wrong message and ensures that bus transport remains inefficient in the city. The government has ignored worldwide experience that reserved bus lanes are needed only where there is car congestion. There is no other alternative if we want to promote public transport.
Yoga-based exercise programmes can improve mobility among people over age 60 and possibly help prevent falls by improving balance, according to a new review of existing research.

"These results are exciting but not particularly surprising since there is evidence from other research that similar types of exercise programs, Tai Chi, for example, can improve balance and mobility in older people," said senior author Anne Tiedemann of the George Institute for Global at Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, in Australia. "What is exciting about the results is that significant improvements occurred in balance and mobility as a result of relatively short programs of yoga - the average number of hours offered was 20 hours," Tiedemann told Reuters by email.

The researchers analysed six trials, with a total of about 300 participants, looking at the effect of physical yoga on balance among men and women age 60 and older.

Five trials included people living in the community while the sixth included people in residential aged-care settings.

Some did not specify the style of yoga tested, but all utilised a certified yoga instructor and props such as blankets, chairs, blocks, pillows, straps and mats. Programs tended to include 60 to 90 minutes of yoga once or twice weekly for a total of two to six months.

Participants attended about 82 percent of classes, which is a high attendance rate compared to many other programs, Tiedemann noted.

Overall, yoga was linked to a small improvement in balance and a medium improvement in mobility - such as walking speed and how easily a person can get out of a chair - though the review authors were especially interested in the effects on balance.

To train balance, you need to undertake activities that challenge your balance and to perform these activities a standing position, Tiedemann said.

Three trials reported minor adverse events during yoga, like knee pain, low back pain or minor muscle strains, according to the report in Age and Ageing. The researchers did not measure subsequent events or falls after the yoga trials, so could not conclude that yoga reduces the risk of falls. Further research should investigate this question, the authors note.

Balance and mobility decline with age and the risk of falling increases significantly after the age of 65, Tiedemann said. In previous research, she found that older people who are unable to quickly stand up from a seated position without using their arms for assistance are about twice as likely to fall in the next year as older people who can perform this task quickly."So reduced balance and mobility are linked to falls as well as loss of independence and lower quality of life in older age," Tiedemann said. "It's interesting to note that balance and mobility can be trained and improved at any age - it's never too late to start."



It's hard to say whether yoga improves standing or walking balance, and we can't always tell if these will have any effect on falls, which is the real problem, said Pamela Jeter, a yoga expert at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland, who was not part of the review.

"Balance is regulated by several systems in the body and I believe we need to understand where the deficit is coming from before we can target the intervention," Jeter told Reuters Health by email. "Yoga is great as a therapeutic approach because it can be modified to the individual need or individual balance deficit."



Psychological anxiety or fear of falling can also increase the risk, beyond just physical weakness, and the mindfulness component of yoga may be beneficial psychologically, she said.

"We would recommend that older people who are healthy enough to take part in regular physical activity could join a yoga class run by a yoga instructor who has experience with teaching older people," Tiedemann said. "The type of yoga should be that which focuses on standing balance postures rather than relaxation/ meditation as the focus."



Those with medical conditions that preclude exercise should consult a doctor before starting a yoga program, she said.
Masayoshi Son, the 58 year-old Japanese business tycoon and the founder and current chief executive officer of SoftBank, on Saturday said that rather than consolidation more start-ups would come up in India. He added that the 21st century belongs to India and that SoftBank would only scale up its investments in the country.

I believe there would be more new start-ups popping up in India and not consolidation. Every market is different but I truly think that this is the real big bang beginning for this country and a lot many great things are set to happen, said Son, who is also CEO of SoftBank Mobile and the current chairman of Sprint Corporation. He added that most of his investments including his putting money in Alibaba have been instinctive and more like falling in love with a girl.

We have already invested $2 billion and would be scaling up to $10 billion, he added. The company plans to invest as much as $20 billion in solar energy in the next few years in the country.

Speaking at the Startup India event in New Delhi organised by the government, Son said that the country needs to do more to improve infrastructure so that the environment is more conducive to the start-up ecosystem.

As already it is being said, whenever government licenses something it only acts as a bottleneck. It is important to let startups have a free growth. Startup cannot take care of infrastructure it is the work of the government. India is lacking in two things one is mobile broadband infra as wireless last mile connectivity is too slow and other is electricity. Fixing infrastructure deficit is important, Son added.

Son also said that India is going to have a start-up revolution as it has a dynamic young English speaking population and more people are opening start-ups rather than the old ones consolidating. India is only going to scale up, it is the place to be, he added.

To Indian start-ups Son said that they should concentrate more on making their stronger than think about launching IPOs. He added that he sees an IPO being launched by start-ups in the next five-10 years.

I think there will be an Indian IPO in the start-up space in five to 10 years. But when you launch an IPO your mind shifts focus to other things related to IPO. For a start-up the first 10 years should be spent to build the company and not rush to other things, he said. In the first ten years start-up balance sheet is not important customer collation is. An active user base helps in bringing in profitability and scale up.



As an investor, Son said that he expects start-ups to conduct business in a smart way. We need a constant balance and start-ups need to ensure that they invest in a smart way, not in a silly way. Majority of them are doing it in a smart way, he said. On a lighter note he said that he looks at the eyes of the entrepreneur before making investments, and they sparkle.

He also said that both Indian and Chinese markets are so huge that they give homegrown start-ups a level playing field to take on international ecommerce giants. In core tech area can scale up without changing much but in service and ecommerce sector local culture matters a lot. Lot of adjustments need to be made as a unified model does not help. India and China are few of the countries which has a huge market which gives local companies a level playing field to fight back global players, he said.

SoftBank, Son said, would investing more in big data, artificial intelligence (AI) and other virtual businesses. In next 30 years AI will surpass human intelligence in many fronts it would be a million times faster more storage and faster to communicate. New business models should have capabilities to analyse big data. Softbank would bank AI, virtual businesses, he said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a slew of measures for start-up companies in New Delhi on Saturday, while unveiling the action plan for the sector.

Start-ups will not be required to pay income tax on their profits for the first three years, and will also be exempt from capital gains tax.

In order to simplify the process of registration, the PM proposed a system of self-certification on the part of such enterprises, with an additional provision of no inspection for three years. Modi had earlier stressed on the government giving a freer hand to enterprise in the country and had said, "Start-up is more about what the government should not do, than what it has been doing." In a lighter vein, he even wondered why a tea-seller like him didn't think of starting a hotel chain.

Emphasising the need to take risk for a business to thrive, Modi said that it was because Columbus set out in 1423 to explore uncharted territory that he was able to give the Spice Route to the world.

SALIENT FEATURES OF START-UP ACTION PLAN Self-certification to simplify registration, no inspection for three years on labour, green compliance Start-up India Hub to provide single-point access, can also done via mobile app Patent fees to be slashed by 80% Credit guaranteed fund for start-ups Profits not taxable for first three years No Capital gains tax Rs 10,000 crore fund for start-ups on cards Bankruptcy Bill to be introduced in Parliament for faster winding up Incentives to start-ups based on turnover, experience Sector specific incubators on the cards Special schemes for women entrepreneurs on cards

Modi also called upon Entrepreneurs to address issues like affordable health care, and said that if the country has a million problems, it even has a billion minds.

The Prime Minister also dwelt on the need to encourage more start-ups, not just those working around IT. Besides, start-ups aren't about doing billion dollars worth of business. Modi said that if an enterprise provides livelihood to even five people, it is contributing to the nation's progress. He added that start-ups can change the mindset from job seeker to job creator.
He resigned in May 2014, three years before the completion of his tenure, as chairman of Coal India when the chief minister of Telangana,K Chandrasekhara Rao, asked him to come to the new state as his principal secretary. S Narsing Rao, talks to B Dasarath Reddy on the 20-odd months since. Edited excerpts:



How has the journey of the new state and its government been?



Very interesting, despite many transition challenges such as division of staff and institutions that took a lot of time and energy. It was only at end-December 2014 that the Government of India was able to allot All India Service officers. We were charting an unknown path.

We're shortly going to complete our first full financial year in the new state. The chief minister, K Chandrasekhara Rao, has given a completely different orientation to governance and policies.

What were the top five goals set by the government in this period and what has it achieved?



The most immediate was to address the power shortage. It was so bad that those opposing the separate statehood said Telangana would then plunge into darkness. Things improved quickly, as the CM laid the highest focus on this sector. From November 1, 2014, there's been no power cut in cities and towns and an assured seven-hour daily supply has been given to the agriculture sector. For 20-odd years, there was no supply between 6 am and 8 pm in the villages but from April 1, 2015, uninterrupted single-phase power supply has been given to them. We now have plans for an additional 1,800 Mw of capacity.

The second priority was welfare of people who need government help. The amount of spending is large but the programmes were redesigned to suit our socio-economic conditions. The other three goals are providing piped water to every household by March 2019, irrigation facilities for the parched lands and the fifth goal is to transform the agriculture scenario. Work is afoot on all these.

How has economic growth been?



Fairly satisfactory. Unfortunately, agriculture had recorded a 10 per cent fall because of severe drought but we still recorded close to nine per cent growth in state gross domestic product last year. Agriculture is also facing a serious crisis in this financial year but services and industry are contributing substantially. We expect GSDP growth at over eight per cent.

Has the investment scenario improved?



The government had come up with a unique industrial policy, called TSiPass, where a statutory right has been conferred on potential investors for timely clearances. Approvals for about 250 proposals were accorded under this system.

The confidence of potential investors on Hyderabad and Telangana is fully back. You can cross-check with any industry whether there was a power cut from November 2014. This has had serious positive implications on the economy and industrial activity, beside convincing potential investors that here is a government which has delivered on its promise. We are expecting some mega investments very soon.

Jobs were a major issue which had driven young people into the separate statehood movement time and again in the past. Have they started getting the jobs?



Creation of jobs is a big necessity. The services sector has been the real generator. Action has also been initiated to fill 50,000 government sector jobs. Information technology (IT) and tourism continue to generate jobs. Real estate, too, has picked up well and the government had, only three-four days earlier, announced a slew of steps to rev up this sector, as it generates a large amount of economic activity and jobs.

Has growth returned to the city of Hyderabad, which had undergone a slowdown in real estate and hiring in IT?



We see clear signals in the past eight-nine months of growth in the real estate and IT sectors in Hyderabad. Plans to set up campuses by Amazon, Google, Sify and other national and international companies are a clear indication that Hyderabad has become a real growth engine for the service sector. Private equity players have been showing a lot of interest in Hyderabad-based hospital groups in recent times, another indication of the potential for growth.

The government has expedited the Godavari drinking water project and of Krishna Phase-3 to meet the city's drinking water needs, beside announcing a Rs 21,000-crore master plan for infrastructure. Much focus has also been given to development in other towns and cities as well.

Were you able to raise enough to fund the ambitious plans on roads, irrigation and other programmes?



This year, our revenue growth was 15 per cent. Roads have received the highest attention in the recent past, with Rs 16,500 crore of approvals. The government has tied up the resources required.

Could you point to one challenge before the government? How was your personal journey?



Bureaucracy is a challenge; you have to deliver fast and on quality governance. Execution is an ultimate test, where the bureaucracy has an enormous role. On my personal decision, I always liked being closer to the people. That is where my heart is. Contributing to the development of my state has been my objective.
For Indian farmers, the benefit from the new crop insurance scheme would be tied to the level of technology insurance companies build into their offerings, say government and industry experts.

The Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, which the government has described as "a path breaking scheme for farmers' welfare", needs high tech content to make a difference on a substantial scale for the farmers when they face a crisis, they said.

"The companies have been given a larger (national) canvas to draw on," said K N Rao, chief risk officer of International Reinsurance and Insurance Consultancy & Broking Services (IRICS), Mumbai. But they need to assure genuine farmers that the level of documentation will be minimal. The larger canvas makes possible a larger premium income for the companies and the use of technology will ensure a tight but fair claim ratio for the farmers.



Reinsurance companies had over the years shied away from crop insurance due to its adverse claim ratio. The lack of reinsurance cover, has in turn, limited the ability of the insurance companies to sell crop insurance to farmers. What the government is offering farmers is a simple product viz an insurance to cover their losses when their crops fail. The premium so far being paid by the farmers has been halved. For the rest, each state government will write a cheque and keep an open door to ensure that the largest cohort of farmers joins.

One of the problems in the existing crop insurance schemes is that companies need a declaration from farmers saying that they intend to sow a particular crop and show evidence that they have a stake in the farm - either as a tenant or owner. But the process of certifying those documents from district offices makes smaller farmers avoid taking out the insurance. Frauds are not uncommon in this sector, which Rao said can be cut down by a strategy as simple as taking digital photos of the farmers with the land they have sown as record.

The crop insurance scheme is a part of four recent insurance covers conceptualised by the government instead of the Insurance Regulatory Authority of India. For all the schemes, the states offer bids for the public and private sector insurance companies to run, via a tender. Since the total premiums are sizable, companies have bid aggressively for them but made for these tenders. The other three are Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (RSBY), Prime Minister Jeevan Jyoti Yojana and Prime Minister Jeevan Saral Yojana. RSBY, for instance, is under revision due to some of these concerns.

Jeetu Nayyer, a former officer of one of the government- run general insurance companies and chief of Amicus Brokers, nevertheless described the Cabinet decision as a brave one. "It takes the crop insurance cover to pretty near universal coverage," he said. "It needs the government to push the product through non-banking channels. Since there is a fear of high loss insurance companies restrict it to only those farmers who take out a loan from the banks," he added. Nayyer also said that for the agents to step out of the banks, technology can be a big help.

A release issued after the meeting of the Union Cabinet acknowledged the critical role technology will play to make the scheme work. "The use of technology will be encouraged to a great extent. Smartphones will be used to capture and upload data of crop cutting to reduce the delays in claim payment to farmers. Remote sensing will be used to reduce the number of crop cutting experiments," the release said.

Rajeev Chaudhary, chief risk officer at government-owned Agricultural Insurance Company of India, said that while he did not expect satellite imaging to do away with crop cutting altogether to establish losses, larger use of digital data will certainly do away with the role of patwaris and junior district level officials to use their discretion at the time of loss.

Eleven general insurance companies including Agricultural Insurance Company of India are expected to bid for the market that generated a premium of about Rs 5,000 crore in FY 15. The market could double in a year, averred both Chaudhary and Rao.

An insurance regulatory official said that states must insist on high technology content when they negotiate the premium rates with these companies. "Otherwise the insurance companies will try to minimise their liability by limiting their losses as has happened with the weather insurance cover which has been a non starter," he said.

The regulatory official added that they would encourage the states to make the loss assessments at the village level. "When companies deal with insured, often the small farmers are unable to negotiate. This makes for a lot of rejection of claims,'' he said.
Finance Minister Shri Arun Jaitley to Leave for Six Day Official Visit to Uk and Switzerland on Sunday, 17 Th January, 2016; to Address Various Investors Meet Inviting Them to Invest in India; Participate in India-Uk Economic and Financial Dialogue Among Others . .

The Union Finance Minister Shri Arun Jaitley will leave tomorrow i.e. Sunday, 17th January, 2016 for London for two day official visit to UK followed by four day official visit to Zurich, Switzerland. .

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During his official visit to UK, the Finance Minister Shri Arun Jaitley will meet his UK counterpart and Secretary of Exchequer Mr. George Osborne on Monday, 18th January, 2016. He will also participate in three different Investors Meet organized by Goldman Sachs, Mastercard and CII & Kotak Mahindra among others. During his interaction with International Investors, the Finance Minister Shri Arun Jaitley will apprise the investors, UK based in particular, about the investment opportunities in different sectors in India including infrastructure, manufacturing, services and through National Investment & Infrastructure Fund (NIIF) among others. The present Government has taken various initiatives in the last one and half year making India an attractive destination for investment. These initiatives have resulted in making the Indian economy more transparent, stable and reliable. Now policy decisions have become faster and predictable. Other major initiatives include various tax rationalisation and simplification measures and opening-up of different sectors of the economy for FDI among others. Shri Jaitley will invite them to make best use of the opportunity and invest in India. .

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Next day i.e. Tuesday,19th January, 2016, the Finance Minister Shri Jaitley will participate in India-UK Bilateral Meet and Economic and Financial Dialogue (EFD). In the evening, he will leave for Zurich, Switzerland. .

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During his stay in Zurich, the Finance Minister will participate in various World Economic Forum (WEF) programmes and meetings. He is leading a large Indian delegation mainly consisting of Captains of Indian Trade and Industry who in turn will also meet their counterparts from different participating countries to explore the possibilities of trade and investment among others. The Finance Minister Shri Jaitley would also address a Seminar jointly organized by the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) and BCG on the topic of India-Next Growth Engine of Financial Inclusion and Financial Governance". The Finance Minister will also hold meetings with his counterparts from other participating countries on the sidelines of WEF Meetings and would discuss among others the world economic situation and Indias economic preparedness to meet any future challenges. .

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After completing his six day official visit to UK and Switzerland, the Finance Minister will return to the National Capital on 24th January, 2016. .

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PM launches Start-up India movement, unveils action plan for encouraging Start-ups

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The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, today launched the Start-up India initiative in New Delhi. The launch by the Prime Minister this evening, was preceded by a day-long workshop on various aspects of entrepreneurship. .

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The Prime Minister visited a virtual exhibition and interacted with Start-up entrepreneurs. 10 outstanding Start-up innovators shared their thoughts and experiences before the Prime Minister delivered his address. He said that when he had launched the Start-up India Initiative on 15th August, the announcement had virtually gone unnoticed, but today it had registered with people. .

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He said successful start-ups are usually created by those who are driven by an idea, or an urge to solve a problem that people face. He said making money is not the primary objective, but is often a by-product. He said Start-up innovators are often driven by a sense of compassion for others. .

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The Prime Minister said he wishes to turn the youth of India from job-seekers to job-creators. He said if a Start-up can offer employment to even five people, it would be doing a great service to the nation. He mentioned some areas where youth innovators should focus, including crop wastage, and cyber security. .

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The Prime Minister unveiled the highlights of the Start-up Action Plan. He said a dedicated Start-up fund worth Rs. 10,000 crore will be created for funding of Start-ups. .

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He said Start-ups will be exempted from paying income tax on their profit for the first three years. He said the Government is working on a simple exit policy for Start-ups. He also said the Government is working towards fast-tracking of Start-up patent applications. .

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He announced an eighty percent exemption in patent fee for Start-up businesses, and said a self-certification based compliance system for Start-ups would be introduced for 9 labour and environment laws. He said the Atal Innovation Mission will be launched to give a boost to innovation. .

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Shri Rajnath Singh holds a review meeting with national intelligence and investigative agencies and law enforcement officers . . Issues related to ISIS discussed . .

The Union Home Minister, Shri Rajnath Singh, today held a day long interaction with the concerned national intelligence and investigative agencies and law enforcement officers of 12 State Governments and the Union Territory of Delhi to discuss issues relating to DAESH, also known as ISIL or ISIS. Senior officials of the Union Home Ministry also participated. .

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The 13 States and Union Territory, which attended the interaction are Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, Jammu & Kashmir, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Bihar, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Assam, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Delhi and Maharashtra. .

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The issues that were discussed included inter-alia misuse of social media; sources of impetus that attract persons, specially youth, to DAESH; the growth of DAESH influence in Indias neighbourhood; the best possible law enforcement response; the need for appropriate welfare schemes for minorities; social media strategies to be followed; and capacity building of State police Organizations, specially in the area of Information technology. .

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In his concluding remarks, the Union Home Minister stated that Indias traditions and family values will triumph over even this evil, and that while the traction that DAESH has got in India is extremely limited, and almost insignificant relative to other countries, yet there is a need to keep up vigil on all fronts, and not let down our guard in any manner. He noted that a large number of and, in fact, most Muslim Organizations in India had come out against both DAESH and other forms of terrorism. .

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HSBC Holdings and BNP Paribas would ditch their securities units if they were to fail, while American International Group would spin off its non-life insurance divisions. US regulators gave a glimpse at how about 125 financial firms propose to wind themselves down if they were to collapse. Excerpts of so-called living wills released by the Federal Reserve and Federal Deposit Insurance show that the strategy of many banks is to leave subsidiaries operating while their parent companies go to bankruptcy court. Plans of non-US banks, including Royal Bank of Canada, Toronto-Dominion Bank, ...
Greeting Indians on the start of the 'Visit China Year' launched in New Delhi, Chinese President Xi Jinping said India and China share remarkable complementary advantages and significant potential for cooperation in various fields. The Chinese and Indian people enjoy a long-standing friendship, Xi said in a letter of congratulations sent to the opening ceremony of the event held on Thursday in New Delhi. The two countries learn from each other and set a model for cross-cultural communication, playing an important role for the progress of human civilisation, Xi said. Both countries should foster traditional friendship, strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation, expand people-to-people and cultural exchanges, and make new contributions to world peace and development, he added.
Tsai Ing-wen was elected as Taiwan's president Saturday, becoming the first woman to win the office. Voters were expected to give her Democratic Progressive Party, or DPP, which is skeptical of closer ties with China, control of Taiwan's legislature for the first time, giving her broad authority to push her policies in office.

Her main opponent, Eric Chu of the Kuomintang party, conceded just after 7 pm. "I congratulate Chairman Tsai Ing-wen of the DPP on her victory," he said. "This is the choice of Taiwan's people."



With two-thirds of the polling stations reporting results, Tsai had 57 per cent of the vote to Chu's 30 per cent, Taiwan's Central Election Commission reported.

The campaign largely pivoted on economic issues, as growth in Taiwan has slowed dramatically over the past year. Wages have stagnated and housing prices in major cities like Taipei have remained out of the reach of many people.

Voters also soured on the departing president, Ma Ying-jeou, and his policy of pursuing a closer relationship with China, Taiwan's giant neighbour, which considers the self-governed island to be a part of its territory with which it must eventually be united.

On the night before the election, speaking to a huge crowd of supporters on a boulevard across from Taiwan's Presidential Office Building, Tsai recalled protests that have filled the capital's streets in recent years. Those included demonstrations over the death of a young soldier and the Sunflower Movement, a student-led protest against the pursuit of a trade bill with China by the governing party, the Kuomintang.

Tsai, who has consistently held a wide lead in opinion polls, will be only the second president not to belong to the Kuomintang, the party that ruled Taiwan as an authoritarian state until democratic reforms began in the late 1980s.

DPP traditionally supports Taiwan's formal independence. The tenure of the previous DPP president, Chen Shui-bian, who led Taiwan from 2000 to 2008, saw increased tension with China and concern that it would use military force against the island.

Tsai, who during a failed 2012 bid for president was criticised by the Kuomintang as being unable to manage the relationship with China, pledged during this campaign to maintain the cross-strait status quo.

The head of China's Taiwan Affairs Office, Zhang Zhijun, said last month that "complicated changes are arising in the Taiwan situation" and warned "compatriots on both sides to be on alert for and oppose Taiwan independence."



Analysts expect Tsai to take a more cautious approach to China than did President Ma, who pushed through more than 20 agreements between the two sides.

With Taiwan's economy contracting over the last quarter, Tsai's first priority will be to revive growth. She has proposed developing regional industrial bases, including high-tech in Taiwan's north and advanced manufacturing in the center of the island. She also emphasiaes expanding Taiwan's trade ties globally.

 2016 The New York Times News Service
After receiving several complaints from importing countries and facing a ban on Indian oilseeds, the Indian Oilseeds Produce and Export Promotion Council (IOPEPC) has launched an exercise to improve quality. According to the Council, the importance of quality standards is becoming increasingly important in world trade.

The move comes in the wake of muted oilseed exports from India so far. As against 1.3 million tonnes in 2014-15, this year exports have been merely about 400,000 tonnes in the first seven months of FY16. According to the Council, self-discipline within the industry towards quality enhancement alone can help in competing with other countries.

The IOPEPC has been conducting open house sessions to further deepen the relationship with industry and trade.

"Importance of quality standards is getting more impetus in world trade. More and more countries are bringing in stringent legislation to safeguard human health and, hence, require that imports must meet their quality standards, said Sanjiv Sawla, chairman, IOPEPC. In such a scenario it becomes extremely important to sensitize the units engaged in supplying oilseed and oils to the exporters, regarding existing quality standards and adoption of suitable food safety system."



Groundnut and sesame seeds have as much as 75% share of oilseeds export in India in the past two years. Yet, both seeds have faced fluctuation in trade due to several complaints imposed by the importing countries. Vietnam banned import of Indian groundnut due to constant complaints about quality. Moreover, a good crop of sesame seed in Africa has created a challenge for Indian exports which now reflects in the data.

According to a Mumbai-based leading oil seeds exporter, to survive against global challenges, the industry has been forced to act tough and channelise the entire trade from farm level to exporter level. "Self discipline is necessary otherwise we can see more difficult time in future," he said, while adding that the problem of adulteration and poor quality is prevalent not only with processors or farmers but also exporters at times.

In 2014-15 exports had risen to 1.38 million tonnes from 1.02 million tonnes in 2013-14 due to good demand from China and less production in competing countries like the US, Brazil and Argentina.

"The farmers should be given good quality of seeds. The selected seed varieties have export potential in terms of quality and yield should be promoted. The council aims at taking up a Seed Development Program," Sawla added.

Meanwhile, according to trade sources adulteration and quality compromise by few have led to the entire industry being maligned.

"Industry has suffered a lot as few orders have been rejected and importer countries have banned Indian products completely as they found the products below the committed quality. This, however, does not mean that entire industry is engaged in such kind of activity. The council too should support the industry at such times," said Mukund Shah, a seeds processor and president of Gujarat Oilseeds Processors Association (GOPA).
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Saturday said that Union Minister Nitin Gadkari would be holding a rally in Dinajpur District after permission for holding a rally in violence-hit Malda was denied by the local administration.

"We have decided that we would organise a rally in Dinajpur, seventy kilometers away from Malda, we have got permission for that rally. Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari would be addressing that rally," BJP general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya told reporters here.

"BJP president Amit Shah will address a rally in Howrah, Home Minister Rajnath Singh would be addressing a rally in Barasaat and Union HRD Minister Smriti Irani would be addressing a rally in Asansol," he added.

The BJP had earlier attacked the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) for not giving permission to a rally of Union Minister Gadkari in violence-hit Malda.

The police, however, said that they have not denied permission for holding the rally, rather they had asked for a land use certificate for holding the rally.

Violence broke out in Kaliachak area of Malda on December 3 last year over an alleged remark of a right wing leader.

Several vehicles were torched and public properties were destroyed.

A three-member BJP delegation had met Home Minister Singh and sought a high-level probe into violence in West Bengal's Malda.

Their meeting with Singh came a day after a 'fact-finding' team of the party was not allowed by the state administration to visit violence-hit Kaliachak town, which falls in Malda district.

A team of BJP lawmakers on Monday was denied permission to visit violence-hit Kaliachak in Malda district, drawing a sharp attack from the party which accused Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of playing "vote bank" politics and said it will take the matter to the President.

Trinamool Congress, on the other hand, accused the BJP of trying to communalise the issue ahead of the ensuing assembly poll in the state.
Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on Saturday said audit will help the government to bridge the nation's security infrastructure, adding that a second audit will be done in February.

"Security audit will help to see from where we can bridge the security of the base. We are classifying the second round to see which bases are more sensitive. Secondary security audit will be done by February by special teams," Parrikar told media here.

"The Defence Security Corps (DSC) is a dedicated force, but there are certain shortcomings in its orientation. We are correcting it. The primary responsibility is of the commando of the base. They have been asked to do security audit," he added.

Earlier, Home Minister Rajnath Singh chaired a meeting on internal security which was attended by Parrikar and Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval.

Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi and Border Security Force Director General D K Pathak were also present in the meeting.

Meanwhile, the Punjab Law Minister Sardar Ajit Singh Kohar, has clarified that Masood Azhar, the chief of the terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed who is being touted as the mastermind behind the Pathankot attack, has not been arrested yet.

He asserted that Azhar at the present was under 'protective custody' and will be arrested only after his involvement in the attack is proven.

Earlier, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) official spokesperson Vikas Swarup said that both India and Pakistan have agreed to reschedule the talks in the near future.

He also said that India welcomes "as a first step" the detention in Pakistan of leaders of the Jaish-e-Mohammed.

Swarup informed the media that the Government of Pakistan is considering sending a Special Investigation Team to investigate the Pathankot terror attack.

"We look forward to the visit of the Pakistani SIT and our investigative agencies will extend all necessary cooperation to bring the perpetrators of the attack to justice," he added while asserting that New Delhi condemns terrorism in all its form and manifestation.
Al Qaeda has claimed responsibility for the attack on a hotel and cafe frequented by Westerners in the capital of Burkina Faso where a hostage situation is currently underway.

Around 20 people have been killed and 15 injured so far.

According to CNN, security forces have managed to bring out eight hostages from the hotel but uncertainty remains as to the number of hostages still inside.

On Friday night, armed gunmen stormed the hotel, took hostages and exchanged fire with security forces killing several.

Meanwhile, sporadic gunfire can be heard from the hotel while several bodies have been seen outside the 'Splendid Hotel'.

Burkinabe security forces circled the hotel and were joined by a group of plainclothes Americans carrying weapons and French soldiers, a journalist at the scene told CNN.

Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, led by veteran figure Mokhtar Belmokhtar claimed responsibility for the attack.

Al-Mourabitoun had claimed credit for an attack at the Radisson Blu Hotel in neighboring Mali in late November that left 22 people dead, according to the U.N. mission in Mali.
Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday held a day long interaction with the concerned intelligence and investigative agencies and law enforcement officers of 12 State Governments and the Union Territory of Delhi to discuss issues relating to DAESH, also known as ISIL or ISIS.

Senior officials of the Union Home Ministry also participated.

The 13 States and Union Territory, which attended the interaction are Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, Jammu and Kashmir, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Bihar, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Assam, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Delhi and Maharashtra.

The issues that were discussed included inter-alia misuse of social media; sources of impetus that attract persons, specially youth, to DAESH; the growth of DAESH influence in India's neighbourhood; the best possible law enforcement response; the need for appropriate welfare schemes for minorities; social media strategies to be followed; and capacity building of State police Organizations, specially in the area of Information technology.

In his concluding remarks, the Union Home Minister stated that India's traditions and family values will triumph over even this evil, and that while the traction that DAESH has got in India is extremely limited, and almost insignificant relative to other countries, yet there is a need to keep up vigil on all fronts, and not let down our guard in any manner. He noted that a large number of and, in fact, most Muslim Organizations in India had come out against both DAESH and other forms of terrorism.
New Delhi, Jan 16 (ANI): Bollywood actor Randeep Hooda has taken up the initiative of encouraging youth to stop littering.

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Randeep, who thinks the Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan idea of by Prime Minister Narendra Modi is great, said that no one has specifically targeted the larger demographic of the country, the youth and that's the reason why he has joined hands with Parle and MTV for the 'MTV Junkyard project' which encourages the need for keeping the country clean.

"There is a problem in getting through the youth. They don't want to be preached and don't want to be told what to do. So, Parle and MTV have come up with great activity around it (the initiative of cleanliness) like street art, basket ball, music and so on, through which they are engaging the youth and I believe, once they get involved, the country will start to walk on a better path because they are the present and the future of India," told Randeep to ANI.

Taking their Litter Free campaign forward, Parle Products has partnered with MTV to create the largest youth clean up movement that will seamlessly integrate across screens including TV, web, mobile and on-ground to mobilise the youth of the country.

"As an organisation, we have created a lot of awareness about cleanliness. Our initiative was going really well with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan. We created awareness on televisions and other medium of information. This year MTV approached us with 'Junk That Dunk' project which was working along with our initiative. They are approaching the youth to create self-awareness amongst them through various techniques," said Pravin Kulkarni, General Manager Marketing of Parle Products.

'Parle MTV The Junkyard Project' is an attempt to get the youth to take a stand on 'cleanliness' and also aims to active change on-ground through clean-up drives that are built on music and art.

Soon, the dump trucks across Mumbai and Delhi will be sporting a colorful graffiti look with a strong message of 'Dunk That Junk'.

Randeep further nominated Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Amitabh Bachchan and Salman Khan to take up the junkyard challenge under 'Dunk That Junk' initiative.
A large number of people were seen joining Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi in his padayatra (foot march) from Bandra Bandstand to Dharavi in Mumbai today.

Flanked by heavy security including a contingent of the Mumbai police, Rahul marched amid 'Congress zindabaad' chants and waved to his supporters who surrounded him.

Congress supporters holding placards and waving party flags joined Rahul in the march to Dharavi.

During his march, he also stopped at the Crescent English High School.

Before his march, Rahul interacted with the management students of Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies (NMIMS), where he hit out at the Centre over various issues including the GST Bill and terrorism policies.
Conference patron Farooq Abdullah said India wants friendship with Pakistan, but it also wants to eradicate terrorism.

Stating that the arrests made by Pakistan is a good step forward, Abdullah said, "India has told Pakistan time and again that Jaish-e-Mohammed, which was created with the motive to spread terrorism in India, has been indulging in terrorist attacks, and it should be dealt with."

The Pathankot attack once again brought to fore Jaish involvement, he pointed out.

When asked about inordinate delay in the formation of a government in J&K after the demise of Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, Abdullah said the absence of a government in the state is a matter of concern."

"There should be a government, because Governor won't be able to run the state for long. We hope that the coalition partners sit together to address each-other's concerns and would work for the betterment of the people of the state," he added.
A jeweler was shot dead on Saturday by some armed men near the Rajapur area of Patna, allegedly over extortion demand.

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"Today, at around 10:15 a.m., jeweler, Ravi Kant, proprietor of 'Sonali Jewelers' fell to the ground after sustaining bullet injuries and succumbed while being taken to the Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH), Superintendent of Police Chandan Kushwaha told ANI.

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Meanwhile, the son of the victim said that his father had got an extortion call five months before.

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"Five months before a person had called and had demanded gold from my father. He had also threatened to kill him," victim's son said.

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"My father had sent me to the hospital to look after my grandfather. I was there when the shopkeeper near my father's shop called me and told me that my father has been killed," he added.

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Eyewitness said the killers fled from the scene on foot brandishing revolvers after gunning down the businessman.
The Government of Sri Lanka has approved the Chinese-funded Colombo Port City project.

Sri Lankan Ambassador to China Karunasena Kodituwakku confirmed that the delayed 'Colombo Port City Project' is a plan to create a South Asian financial hub funded by China, reports the Lanka Page.

The Sri Lankan government in March 2015 temporarily suspended the 1.4 billion dollar project launched by the previous government in partnership with China in September 2014.

The Colombo Port City is one of China's key projects along the 21st Maritime Silk Road and predicted to be the 'most important South Asian port' under the initiative.

The location of the project will help connect businesses from India, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Singapore and the Middle East.
New Delhi, Jan.16 (ANI):The prolonged crisis in Nepal has not let down the spirit of their people and they have not lagged behind in showcasing their books at the World Book Fair 2016 in New Delhi.

Nepal has highlighted its close cultural ties with India through the book fair.

The book fair has brought publishers, writers and authors from across the globe onto one platform.

The nine-day event has seen the participation from the Middle East to Europe and South Asian countries, including Nepal.

The Nepal stand has displayed books on culture, art, history and politics including maps and postcards.

More and more people flocked to the Nepal stand which was witnessed by tremendous sale in the last two days of the event started.

Yutushuy Sharma, a writer and publisher from Nepal, said the book fair is a nice platform to introduce the real Nepal to the World.

Nepal shares close cultural, social and geographical ties with India in a big way and books displayed on the shelves of Nepal stall highlighted the synchronization of Indo-Nepal culture and history.

"In Nepal we have a book called 'Nepal Mahatma' in that Shiva, Buddha and Vishnu are put on the same platform. So this is synchronisation of cultures. Sita was born in Nepal, so Nepal has all kind of economic ties and most of the books that we are selling on Gurkhas who are recruited in Indian Army and also Sherpas, the climbers and the Yeti. Nepalese are exotic in many different ways and we are trying to introduce the real Nepal to them this way," said Sharma.

The Nepal stall has been receiving a good response, as publishers claimed that they sold 70 to 80 books in two days.

"I have come to this stand of Nepal and I was going through this book Sita Pandey by the name of fever and it is really interesting and I have bought this book as well, " said Vaishali, a visitor.

The New Delhi Book Fair 2016 is organised by the Book Trust in association with the Indian Trade Promotion Organisation. This year, the nine-day fair hosts around 30 countries, with "The Cultural Heritage of India" as its theme and China as its guest of honour country. The event concludes on January 17, 2016.
Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi on Saturday said that Security Advisor Ajit Doval should not have been involved in the tactical operations to neutralise the terrorists involved in the Pathankot Air Force base attack earlier this month. He said Doval's role was to develop strategy and not be involved in tactics.

"You have an attack in Pathankot, who is dealing with it? The Security Advisor is dealing directly with the attack. The NSA's job is strategy not tactics. There are people who are masters of tactics, they are called the NSG. It's their job," Gandhi told students at the Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies here.

"It's an event-based thing, it's not a strategy. You must look for the person who knows how to solve the problem, and bring him on to your side. The biggest problem that India is facing today is massive centralisation of power. The power of our intelligence is not being utilised," he added.

Earlier, describing Pakistan's crackdown against Jaish-e-Mohammad members linked to the Pathankot attack as an "important and positive first step", both the nations had agreed to reschedule Foreign Secretary-level talks, planned for January 15, and hold them in the "very near future".
The Odisha government has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to include 4,035 more villages under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik wrote a letter to the Prime Minister in which he mentioned that the Union Cabinet had approved the revision of Core Network to include the left out habitations in 2013, following the state government request to the Centre to include these unconnected habitations.

The letter has mentioned that the state government has already submitted detailed information on the said unconnected habitations for approval to the Rural Roads Development Agency in New Delhi.
Around 2,159 terrorists have been neutralised and 1,724 arrested in Pakistan under the National Action Plan (NAP).

According to the Dawn, the Ministry of Interior and Narcotics Control presented a report about NAP, which stated that 332 persons had been executed so far under the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA).

The report also states that around 98.3 million SIMs had been blocked for dismantling communication networks of terrorists and at least 933 URLs and 10 websites of militant organisations have also been blocked by Ministry of Information Technology (MoIT).

A total of 69,179 criminals, 890 terrorists, 676 proclaimed offenders, 10,426 absconders, 124 kidnappers, 545 extortionists and 1,834 murderers were also apprehended and 16,306 weapons seized during the Karachi operation, the daily reports.

The National Action Plan is an action plan that was established by the Government of Pakistan in January 2015 to crack down on terrorism and to supplement the ongoing anti-terrorist offensive in North-Western Pakistan.

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Gaya Police have arrested a Maoist commander and recovered a huge cache of arms and ammunition from him during a combing operation.

Acting on the tip-off, police and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel conducted a combing operation in Gaya District.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) of Gaya, Garima Malik, said, the police had recovered an AK-56 rifle, 102 live cartridges and other items from the arrested Maoist commander.

"During the combing operation in the nearby areas we arrested the Maoist Communist Centre (MMC) zonal commander, Mahinder Bhokta, who was actively associated with the organisation in 2008 and now he supports them and work as an ideological guide," said Malik.

Maoists, also known as 'Naxals' in India, seek the violent overthrow of the Indian state and have fought authorities for decades, particularly in rural areas of central and eastern India where they enjoy some support.

The Maoists say they are fighting for the rights of peasants and landless labourers. They routinely call strikes, attack government property and target politicians and police.
Following the triple murder in Kolkata's Palm Avenue area, the police has suspected family conflict as the prime cause behind the crime, adding that the exact reason would be revealed in the post-mortem report.

"The murder took place early in the morning. The husband is also injured and admitted in the hospital. He has given us some statements. Primarily, it seems family conflict led to this. There are several injuries by heavy objects. The exact reason will come out in the post-mortem," said Joint Commissioner of Police Debashish Boral.

In a shocking case of triple murder, three members of a family were found dead in Kolkata's Palm Avenue on Saturday.

A woman and her two sons were found dead in their house, while the husband was found injured and unconscious and was rushed to the hospital.

According to reports, the last time the family was seen together was on Friday night, dining out.
New Delhi, Jan.16 (ANI): While every other actor wants to romance or share screen space with stunning Bollywood actress Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Randeep Hooda says that he had no such ambitions.

The actor, who will be seen playing Aishwarya's brother in Omung Kumar's upcoming film, 'Sarabjit', said in an exclusive interview to ANI, that he only considers his role and likes to work with the director more.

"I never had an ambition to act with her as a co-star. I only look for roles for me and I work with the director more. In fact, somebody pointed out that we look a lot like brother-sister, which is strange but anyway it's good," Randeep Hooda told ANI.

Directed by Omung Kumar, 'Sarabjit' is a biopic on an Indian farmer who was convicted for terrorism and spying in Pakistan and was sentenced to death.

He was attacked by inmates at a prison in Lahore in April 2013 and died a few days later.

Aishwarya will be seen playing the role of Sarabjit's sister Dalbir Kaur and the title role will be played by Randeep.

Randeep was most recently seen promoting Parle and MTV campaign called 'MTV Junkyard project' in New Delhi. The initiative aims at engaging people to change their habits and help in keeping the country clean.
The country's largest lender, the State Bank of India, announced the launch of SBI e-Smart SME to offer easy working capital to online e-commerce players here today.

The bank has tied up with e-commerce major Snapdeal to offer instant loans to its sellers. In a briefing to the media, SBI chairman Arundhati Bhattacharya said, "The e-commerce growth has created a new ecosystem enabling more than five lakh sellers to sell product on digital platform. It has also opened up opportunities for the banking industry."

The bank is also planning a similar tie-up with Flipkart, Paytm and Amazon going forward, she said.

"The biggest challenge for SMEs is to raise financing through formal banking is often they don't have collateral or a long history of financial statements to give confidence to lender," added Arundhati Bhattacharya.

However, she also said that women entrepreneurs will have a special concession of 25 basis points. Loans below Rs. 10 lakh will be covered under the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana Scheme. The bank had hired management consulting firm BCG to facilitate the development of this credit model.
Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has ordered Defence Minister Khawaja Asif to cancel his visit to Iran.

A defence ministry official, confirmed that the trip had been cancelled, but gave no reason for the decision, reports the Dawn.

Asif was scheduled to travel to Tehran on a two-day visit from January 18 for promoting defence ties between the two countries.

Another official, however was of the opinion that the decision could be related to tensions between Iran and Saudi Arabia.
The eight Indian fishermen released from the Srilankan custody has been handed over to the Indian Coast Guard Ship 'Rani Abakka' at the International Maritime Boundary Line north of Kankasanthurai.

The Sri Lankan Navy said that it has assisted the repatriation of eight Indian fishermen released from Sri Lankan custody on 15th January 2016, reports the Lanka Page.

Fast Attack Craft P 4442 and the Sri Lanka Coast Guard Craft CG 41 were deployed for the mission.

The released fishermen are awaiting repatriation.
Self-exiled Baloch leader Brahamdagh Bugti request for political asylum in Switzerland has reportedly been turned down by authorities there.

Though this request is yet to be corroborated and confirmed officially by the Swiss authorities, the Dawn quoted the Geo News channel as reporting that Swiss immigration authorities had rejected Bugti's asylum application 'citing the Pakistan Government's decision of declaring him a terrorist'.

It said, Bugti, however, has been given the right to file an appeal against the decision.

Bugti has been staying in Afghanistan and Europe ever since his grandfather Nawab Akbar Bugti was killed in a military raid nine years ago for leading a guerrilla resistance.

He was offered a chance to return to Pakistan in August last year after indicating that he was ready to hold talks with Islamabad. However, now he is insisting that Balochistan Chief Minister, Dr Abdul Malik Baloch, and federal minister Abdul Qadir Baloch meet him abroad before he takes a decision to return or not to return to Pakistan.
Counter-terrorism department (CTD) officials here on Saturday confirmed that two youngsters, who were attempting to join the militant Islamic State group in Syria, have been rehabilitated after their repatriation to Pakistan.

The Dawn quoted CTD sources, as saying that both men belonged to middle and upper middle class families of Karachi, and were still under surveillance.

The CTD sources further revealed on condition of anonymity that both males no longer had militant tendencies as per psychiatrists who had evaluated their condition.

The CTD sources said that both had no Jehadi background until they came into contact with Abu Khalid aka Abu Uqba through separate Twitter accounts.
Expressing approval at the current ties between India and Pakistan, the United States has welcomed the decision to re-schedule talks between the two nations and lauded their 'shared commitment to fighting terrorism'.

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State Department Spokesman John Kirby while addressing the media at the White House said that it was a welcome sign that the Prime Ministers of both India and Pakistan had condemenet the terror attack on the Air Force Base in Pathankot.

"Well, we want - as I said before, we want them to continue to have a dialogue and to continue to look for ways to cooperate against a common threat. And we talked about this not long ago at a recent conversation between both Prime Ministers Sharif and Modi. That was a welcome sign, both condemning the terrorist attack on the air station and expressing their shared commitment to fighting terrorism," Kirby said.

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Asserting that terror groups will continue to hamper peace prospects at crucial junctures, Kirby added that it was a good sign that India and Pakistan had agreed to continue holding dialogues, despite the Pathankot attack.

"It should come as a shock to no one that terrorist groups will try to undermine those sorts of efforts by conducting spectacular attacks - to do exactly that, to sow fear, and to hopefully sow doubt in the minds of national leaders towards a level of cooperation that can have a real - a practical effect. And obviously, we don't want to see that happen and we're - we are encouraged by the dialogue that has recently taken place between India and Pakistan, and we'd like to see that continue," Kirby said.

Earlier, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said that Foreign Secretary S. Jaishankar had spoken to his Pakistani counterpart Aizaz Ahmed Chaudhary and both had agreed to reschedule the talks in the near future.

MEA official spokesperson Vikas Swarup informed the media that the Government of Pakistan is considering sending a Special Investigation Team to investigate the Pathankot terror attack.

"We look forward to the visit of the Pakistani SIT and our investigative agencies will extend all necessary cooperation to bring the perpetrators of the attack to justice," he added while asserting that New Delhi condemns terrorism in all its form and manifestation.

Meanwhile, the US has urged Pakistan to intensify their fight against terrorist outfits especially those working along its borders.

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According to reports, Under-Secretary of State for Civilian Security Sarah Sewall addressed a seminar in Delhi where she urged Pakistan to target all terrorist groups, without any exceptions.
A Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) delegation will meet President Pranab Mukherjee on Saturday and apprise him of the violent incident in Malda and will also convey to him of the 'vote bank politics' that was being promoted by the Trinamool Congress (TMC) in West Bengal.

"The BJP delegation will be meeting the President of India today in the afternoon. We will be apprising the President of the incident of Malda and particularly, how the TMC government under Mamata Banerjee is working in promoting vote bank politics and because of his appeasement politics, how the security is being compromised," BJP leader Siddharth Nath Singh told ANI.

He added that the delegation will also highlight other incidents which have not been reported but have taken place because of 'appeasement politics' by the TMC.

"There are incidents of Dalits killings. Hindus have been tortured and are living in fear. The police are unable to take action and there have been incidents where police stations have been set on fire, like in Birbhum. All these things will be brought to the president's notice," Singh said.

Meanwhile, the BJP delegation is set to meet the President at 2 pm today.

On Tuesday the BJP had apprised Home Minister Rajnath Singh of the law and order situation in the state and had demanded a probe into the Malda violence incident.

The TMC has, however, accused the BJP of spreading communal venom ahead of the state assembly polls this year.

On January 3, a mob set the Kaliachak police station and several vehicles on fire in protest against a hate speech by a right-wing leader.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said the violence was nothing more than a localised problem and claimed that the state government was taking appropriate action.
Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Kailash Vijayvargiya on Saturday said he would request President Pranab Mukherjee to direct both the West Bengal Government and the Centre to initiate action against 'anti- activities' in violence-hit Malda.

"The situation in Malda is very serious and that is why we have met the Home Minister and now we are going to meet President Pranab Mukherjee to update him about the situation in Malda," Vijayvargiya told reporters here.

"President himself is from West Bengal and he must be aware of the situation. So, we would request him to direct both the government to curtail the 'anti- activities' in Malda," he added.

When asked as to why he was meeting the President after Home Minister Rajnath Singh assured him of action against the perpetrators, Vijayvargiya said we have a federal system and if the BJP government in the Centre takes a call on the incident then people will accuse of playing politics on the incident.

Earlier, a three-member BJP delegation had met Home Minister Singh and sought a high-level probe into violence in West Bengal's Malda.

Their meeting with Singh came a day after a 'fact-finding' team of the party was not allowed by the state administration to visit violence-hit Kaliachak town, which falls in Malda district.

Vijayvargiya, the BJP general secretary and also in-charge of the party's West Bengal affairs, alleged that "pro-Pakistan" slogans were raised by the crowd which also targeted establishments of a particular community.

The delegation, which was led by Vijayvargiya, included senior leader Siddharth Nath Singh as well.
Hyundai unveiled the Santa Fe facelift at last years Frankfurt Motor Show. The SUV has been revamped from head to toe in order to face some fresh competition. Hyundai after unveiling it internationally will now be showcasing the new Santa Fe in one of the largest markets of the world. Yes, the upcoming Expo in India is the next destination of this SUV and will join other cars such as Tucson and a under 4-meter SUV.

Talking about the alterations, 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe will feature chrome finished hexagonal grille, the one which we have seen recently in some of its new cars. The headlamp cluster now incorporates xenon projector lamps while the LED daytime running lights will be seen just above the foglamps, which have been enclosed in silver outline. A new set of alloys and fresh LED graphic on the rear taillamps are some of the other notable changes.

Interiors of Santa Fe is now more premium with the inclusion of touchscreen AVN system, powered by Inifnity Premium sound and DAB digital radio. The stereo system also gets 12 speakers which are capable of generating 630 watts. The SUV has been bestowed with the sliding and adjustable second row seat for more comfort of the rear passengers. Apart from this, the car gets a host of safety features that goes well with Hyundais global safety philosophy. The new features include autonomous emergency braking alert, advanced cruise control and a 360 degree camera for detecting approaching vehicles, blind spot and predicting imminent collision.

Under the hood, new Santa Fe is powered by 2.2 litre CRDi diesel motor that has been tweaked to produce 200bhp and 440Nm of peak torque. The petrol unit will be tuned Theta II 2.4 litre mill that generates 187bhp and 241Nm of max torque. The powermills are mated to standard 6-speed manual transmission while there is also an option of 6-speed automatic gearbox. The new Santa Fe will be pitted against Ford Endeavour 2016 and Toyota Fortuner.

Also Read: Hyundai India to Reveal a Sub-4 meter SUV coming February

Hyundai Tucson to be Revealed at Expo 2016

Source : CarDekho
Transation is subject to regulatory approvals

United Spirits has entered into an agreement for the sale of all the 67,716 equity shares held by the Company in its subsidiary, United Spirits Nepal (constituting 82.46% of the paid up equity share capital of United Spirits Nepal), to Rajesh Bir Singh Tuladhar of Kathmandu, Nepal, at a price of Nepalese Rs. 5,042/- per share, amounting to a total consideration of Nepalese Rs. 341,424,072 (buying rate of INR 1 = Nepalese Rs 1.60 on 15 January 2016, as published on the website of Nepal Rastra Bank). The consideration will be subject to the deduction of applicable taxes in Nepal.

The transaction is subject to various regulatory approvals and other conditions precedent, upon the fulfilment of which the sale of shares will be completed.

For the financial year ended 31 March 2015, the turnover and net worth of United Spirits Nepal approximately INR 64.80 crore and INR 4.58 crore, respectively, which constituted less than 1% of the Company's turnover and net worth, respectively, for such financial year.

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Thirteen years after work on it commenced, a state-owned 101 MW combined cycle plant in Tripura has started generating power at peak capacity, beating many an odd along the way.

Northeast India's third biggest gas-based power project at Monarchak, 70 km south of Tripura capital Agartala and just eight km from the Bangladesh border, is run by the North Eastern Electric Power Corporation (NEEPCO), under the union power ministry.

"The plant's 36 MW steam turbine successfully synchronised late on Thursday night. The 65 MW gas turbine has started generating its full load a few weeks back," NEEPCO general manager (Electrical) Samar Ranjan Biswas told IANS.

"The entire 101 MW electricity is being supplied to Tripura State Electricity Corporation Limited (TSECL). The commercial production of electricity from this power project would start by February end," he added.

As the plant is located close to the India-Bangladesh border, it would be technically feasible to supply electricity to power-starved Bangladesh if the Indian government so wished.

The NEEPCO, a mini-ratna company, has invested Rs.1,000 crore ($148 million) to set up the project. The other two gas-based power plants in the region are ONGC's 726 MW plant at Palatana in southern Tripura, its first in the commercial sector, and the 291 MW Kathalguri plant in eastern Assam's Dibrugarh district.

The project's foundation stone was laid in March 2002 by Suresh Prabhu, the power minister in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee-led National Democratic Alliance government at the centre.

The environment-friendly project was originally slated to be commissioned in 2005. The union power ministry abandoned it in 2007 for a variety of reasons but work resumed in 2010 thanks to the Tripura government's pressure.

"Conceived in 2000 with an initial installed capacity of 500 MW, the power plant's capacity was reduced to 280 MW in 2003-04 after ONGC (Oil and Natural Gas Corporation) reduced its gas allocation by half," Biswas said.

"The ONGC further slashed the gas allocation in 2008, forcing NEEPCO to further scale down the plant's installed capacity to 101 MW. ONGC's dilly-dallying in supplying gas on a regular basis caused the abnormal delay in commissioning the project," said Biswas of the project he heads.

An ONGC official said technical problems and NEEPCO's interruptions in taking gas were to blame for the delay.

Biswas said the ONGC, after a series of parleys and interventions by the power ministry, recently began supplying gas to the NEEPCO plant.

ONGC Executive Director and Tripura asset manager S.C. Soni told IANS that the corporation was ready to provide 0.4 million standard cubic metres per day (MSCMPD) gas to NEEPCO "but they did not assure us the gas would be taken uninterruptedly".

Soni pointed out there would be a technical glitch in the supply and ONGC would suffer losses if the NEEPCO project consumes gas only intermittently.

Designed by the US General Electric Company, the plant's turbines have been supplied by Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited.

NEEPCO has also installed a five-MW capacity solar power plant at a cost of Rs.50 crore within the Monarchak plant complex. This is the biggest such unit in the northeastern region, comprising eight states including Sikkim.

Credited with installation of several power projects in the northeast, NEEPCO, headquartered in Meghalaya capital Shillong, also plans to generate at least 1,500 MW from solar and wind energy in the next five years.

According to union power ministry documents, the hydro-power potential of the northeastern region is estimated at 58,971 MW, which is almost 40 percent of the country's potential. However, only about 2.1 percent (1,242 MW) has been harnessed till last May.

The northeast is going to be power surplus and it is an enormous problem to transmit the excess power to the country's power-starved regions.

The eight northeastern states' off-peak and peak demand on an average is 1,500 MW to 2,500 MW against the current installed capacity of 4,730 MW. This means that most of the plants are working under-capacity.

Meanwhile, Tripura will soon begin supplying 100 MW of power to Bangladesh. The transmission lines have been commissioned on both sides of the border.

"The NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam Ltd. (an Indian government company) and the Bangladesh Power Development Board would soon sign an agreement to supply 100 MW of electricity to Bangladesh," Power Minister Manik Dey said.

"Transmission lines are ready to supply the power at any moment. However, the supply would start after a tariff agreement between the two companies," Dey told IANS after returning from Bangladesh capital Dhaka.

"In Dhaka, several meetings were held to finalise the power tariff. It was decided that the electricity would be supplied to Bangladesh at Rs.5.50 per unit," he added.

Dey, accompanied by officials of the external affairs ministry, power ministry, Central Electricity Authority, and NVVN, went to Dhaka last week and held a series of meetings with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Minister of State for Power Nasrul Hamid and officials.

"During the meeting, the Bangladesh prime minister was very keen to get more power from India as the country needs 8,000 MW of electricity to meet its energy needs.

"The Tripura government is also ready to provide more power to Bangladesh if the central government has no objection," Dey added.

Bangladesh currently receives 500 MW of power from West Bengal and this will soon be doubled.

(Sujit Chakraborty can be contacted at sujit.c@ians.in <mailto:sujit.c@ians.in>)
At least 37 Taliban militants were killed as clashes broke out in Afghanistan's Helmand province, an official said on Saturday.

"The Taliban militants attacked joint Afghan army and police security checkpoints in Adam Khan and Rahim Kala localities of Nahri Sarraj district Friday morning.

"The NATO-led coalition's air power supported the Afghan forces to push back the day-long attacks. As a result 37 militants were killed and 14 wounded," Lt-Colonel Mohammad Rassoul Zazai, spokesman of army Corp 215 Maiwand, told Xinhua news agency.

No member of the security forces was killed during the clashes, while three insurgents' vehicles were destroyed, Zazai added.

Helmand province, notorious for poppy growing, is also a known Taliban stronghold.

The Taliban has intensified attacks across the country since the start of this year, which coincides with the potential resumption of government-Taliban peace talks and the launch of the second round of the four-nation meeting of Afghanistan, China, the US and Pakistan on the Afghan peace process to be held in Kabul early next week.
A Constitution amendment bill tabled by the Nepal government in parliament barely three months after the new statute was promulgated shows the ruling elite accepts that the new charter is faulty and needs to be corrected, a prominent Madhesi leader has said.

"There is an acceptance that there is an error in the Constitution and, therefore, an amendment bill has been brought," Mahanta Thakur, senior leader of the Samyukta Loktantrik Madhesi Morcha (SLMM) spearheading the almost five-month-old anti-Constitution agitation, told IANS in an interview here.

"Maybe, it is not satisfactory... it is to be seen how far it addresses our concerns," Mahanta Thakur, who has led the agitation in the southern Terai region of the Himalayan nation, added.

The Madhesi Morcha has been stewarding the protest against the new Constitution, expressing dissatisfaction over the new statute's content, including demarcation of the federal units, and has called for an inclusive Constitution and citizenship.

Besides Thakur's Terai Madhes Loktantrik Party, the Morcha has three other major constituents -- the Sadbhawana Party, headed by Rajendra Mahto; Federal Socialist Forum-Nepal, led by Upendra Yadav; and the Terai Madhes Loktantrik Party-Nepal headed by Mahendra Yadav.

The new Nepali Constitution was promulgated on September 20 last year after two Constituent Assemblies struggled for over seven years to frame the new charter. The 215-page document was endorsed by 90 percent of the 598 Constituent Assembly members voting in favour -- more than 60 Madhesi members boycotted the voting process.

Thakur said the major political parties in the Himalayan nation -- the Nepali Congress, the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxists-Leninists) and the Unified CPN (Maoist) -- obdurately continued to ignore the demands raised by the Madhesi political parties and the indigenous groups of the southern plains of the Nepal Terai forcing them to boycott the CA proceedings.

"The major political parties steam-rollered the Constitution through the House... the document is not one emerging out of consensus, as it should have," said the soft-spoken Teraian leader, who quit the Nepali Congress in 2007 -- after an almost three-decade-long association -- to form the Terai Madhes Loktantrik Party.

"This agitation is for rights, opportunities and equality... it is against discrimination on the basis of identity," said the 66-year-old Thakur, who presided as Speaker over the lower house of the Nepali parliament following the restoration of multi-party democracy in Nepal in 1990.

"It has been an uphill climb... and the summit is yet far... but we are committed to securing our rights finally," cautioned the Madhesi leader, who is highly respected as a "moderate".

"The major three parties are just doing drama in the name of negotiations... the government is ignoring the demands raised by Madhesis despite our having presented the demands to the government in written and oral forms time and again," he said.

"I don't know how many times I will have to say that the bottom-line demand of the Madhesi Morcha is demarcation of states... we need two federal states in the Terai region from Jhapa till Kanchapur, but this government acts like it knows nothing about it," Thakur said.

Nepal's Terai region stretching from the Mechi river in the east to the Mahakali river in the west and comprising Madhes in its eastern part and the tribal-dominated Tharuhat in the western region has traditionally suffered immense discrimination from the Kathmandu-centric ruling elite that predominantly comprises the Brahmins (Bahuns) and Chhetris of the Nepal hills.

The major agitation demand is for the formation of two provinces in the Nepali Terai -- the Madhes extending from the Mechi river in the east to the Narayani river in mid-western Nepal and Tharuhat pradesh from the Narayani to the Mahakali river in the west.

The Madhesi protestors are demanding, among other things, a redrawing of the boundaries of the provinces in the Himalayan nation as proposed in the new Constitution; and representation in Parliament on the basis of population. Significantly, the Nepal Terai has almost 51 percent of the country's population and yet gets only one-third of seats in Parliament.

The Madhesis also seek proportional representation in government jobs and restoration of rights granted to them in the interim constitution of 2007 which the new charter has snatched away.

Over 55 people, including agitators and police personnel, have been killed during the almost five months of the Madhesi agitation.

In a significant development, the Nepal government on December 20 decided to amend the new Constitution to address two key demands of the agitating Madhesis regarding proportional representation and constituency delimitation.

An emergency meeting of the Cabinet decided to set up a task force to recommend solutions to disputes over the proposed provincial boundaries within three months of its formation.

Subsequently, on December 25, the government moved for amending the Constitution -- but the Madhesi parties rejected the government overture contending it had been taken without their consent.

Since then, the government has held more than 25 rounds of talks with the Madhesi Morcha leaders -- without any forward movement.

The Morcha on January 9 announced a fresh stir accusing the government of not being serious about finding a solution to their demands and describing the numerous rounds of talks as a flop show.

(Prashant Sood was in Kathmandu this week. He can be contacted at prashant.s@ians.in)
A man was blinded and badly beaten up allegedly by his rivals in a Bihar village in a fight for supremacy, police said on Saturday.

The incident occurred on Friday night when Raju Alam of Gaya district's Sirmaur village was blinded by members of a rival group, considered powerful.

"Raju Alam was blinded after both his eyes were badly damaged with a sharp knife. He was admitted in the hospital after being badly beaten. Doctors treating him told his family members that he may lose vision," a district police official said.

Police have lodged a case against six accused including Mumtaj Khan, Gazi Khan, Chotu Khan, Jamil Khan and Munna Khan on the basis of Raju's statement.

Raju told police that he was attacked and caught by the accused while he was passing near their house in the village.

According to police officer Anuj Kumar, Raju and the accused have an old rivalry over maintaining supremacy in the village. "In the past also, Raju and accused had attacked each other and exchanged fire."

Raju has a criminal past and was arrested by the Special Task Force for arms smuggling in the past.
Observing that the Narendra Modi government has been hesitant in initiating a rehabilitation process for the Kashmiri Pandits, Trinamool Congress MP Saugata Roy on Saturday called for a dialogue with the Jammu and Kashmir government on the issue.

Roy was speaking at a panel discussion on the exodus of Kashmiri Pandits, organised by the Observer Research Foundation (ORF) here.

"We owe to the Kashmiri Pandits, their rehabilitation, to get them back in Kashmir. While a budget of Rs.500 crore has been allotted for their rehabilitation, I feel the central government is hesitant in getting them back to Kashmir," said Roy.

Roy said unlike the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference leaders, the recently departed Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed was sympathetic to separatists which resulted in the Centre becoming hesitant.

"This hesitation perhaps is because the Centre did not get a clear signal from the Mufti government. Mufti is no more, but unlike the Abdullahs who were pro-India, Mufti had been catering to people having some sympathy for militants and sympathy for Pakistan," he said.

With Sayeed's daughter Mehbooba Mufti expected to take over as the new chief minister, Roy harped on the need for the Centre to initiate a dialogue on the rehabilitation issue.

"There is a need to initiate some sort of a dialogue process with the state government. While the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has always kept the cards close to their chest on this issue, I feel we must initiate dialogue with Mehbooba on the matter," he added.

Speaking on the occasion, former Lt. General John Ranjan Mukherjee said India needs to stop being a soft state.

"India is a soft state, you can't take a decision of moving back the Kashmiri Pandits, because you don't have the gumption to do so. We need to stop being a soft nation," said the former General Officer Commanding of the Army's 15 Corps stationed in Kashmir.

Suggesting ways to tackle the Kashmir issue, Mukherjee said strict enforcement of secularism and outlawing all forms of religious fundamentalism were imperative.

"A major step which needs to be taken in this regard is befriending more of our neighbours including China. If China stops supporting Pakistan, life would be much easier for India," said Mukherjee.

Scholar and former city head of Kashmir Sabha, - a social organisation - B.K. Moza demanded that Kashmiri Pandits be declared internally displaced refugees and granted reverse minority status.

"Unless and until reverse minority status is granted to us, our rehabilitation is not possible. Kashmir enjoys special status under article 370, because the inhabitants are largely Muslim, which is a minority community in total Indian context.

"In fitness to this constitutional guarantee, Kashmiri Pandits should also be provided a reverse minority status in Kashmir by the constitution," said Moza.

All the speakers said the central government needed to take immediate steps to ensure the rehabilitation of nearly five lakh Kashmiri Pandits, mostly living in camps in Jammu and Delhi.
Sikkim has become the first organic state of India under the visionary leadership of our Chief Minister Pawan Chamling. He has led from the front to bring us to where we are. All right thinking Sikkimese have to be proud of this fact. We are truly giving the meaning to sustainable agriculture.

However, nothing remains static and so it would be worthwhile looking at the next set of challenges that we will be up against immediately.

The first is how do we continue to get certification of farmers' fields? This will be a challenge due to the fact that farmers will have to get it done themselves over time. It will have to be done as a yearly exercise to ensure that organic status is maintained in certified terms.

Many will wonder why this needs to be done at all. Unfortunately, the trade does not trust farmers and their cooperatives per se. This is by far the greatest reason. Hence, the certification provides a transparent means for messaging the organic status of the farmer and his field.

This costs money and the question before the state government will be how will this be funded? It would be a real pity if after all this effort the farmers' fields continue to be organic but without certification.

Furthermore, it presents as much of a challenge to the traders and other value addition entities if this is not done. Many young agro-entrepreneurs are building their businesses based on this certification. It will become untenable for them to sell their products based on Sikkim Organic brand. Even to build one.

Geo tagging is an important element in understanding where the source of the food produce is from. Globally, this is even more important in view of the problems being faced due to food adulteration and other forms of processing issues.

Hence, all of these challenges will surface if certification of farmers' fields are not done. If done, then it will add more trust and impel the process of value addition further. However, if not done then it will add risk to the whole value chain and indeed to the entrepreneurs.

The second important challenge is that of marketing. Much had been talked about this over the past so many years. Since I have been part of the discourse, it has always been there as an issue that needs serious tackling. However, now that the Organic Mission is a success and will be recognised by the world, we have to take marketing even more seriously. This is an area where private entrepreneurs and businesses will have to come forward.

Produce of Sikkim have always gone to traditional markets via established channels. But now with new produce and that too organic, disruption of traditional markets will happen. This will engender new opportunities to garner greater value. These opportunities must be seized. Export markets can be tapped to get better value but then produce must be at a particular scale as well as quality standards.

We may not have time on our side but then ease of doing business is what must be looked at very carefully by the government. Start-ups even in agro-processing and marketing can happen. Young Sikkimese entrepreneurs can have first mover advantage.

The third and final challenge is making young people go back to their fields to make money. A huge set of opportunities have been opened up by the vision and mission of our chief minister. This must be capitalised on forthwith. I think the agriculture minister and his team will have to make huge efforts to see that our certified lands do not end up as uncultivated. This will be a great loss to our state. We must reap the fruits of the humongous efforts made thus far. Young people ought to put hands to work and see how the magic of the farms and nature will turn it into gold.

If the pricing of produce is stabilised and with modern farm practices, organic farming proposes to change the life and lifestyles of our farmers and young people as much as it did during the green revolution in Punjab.

Hence, let us get future certification processes organised properly and with the least amount of cost to the farmers. Let us get our marketing right and move to higher value addition and branding. Our value chains must be properly lubricated for minimum commercial friction. And finally, let us get young people to the organic farms.

The last one, the most challenging, if done will have fulfilled the main objective of getting into Organic Farming in the first place.

I must hasten to add that these are not new ideas. But bringing them up now is to ensure that they stay within the realm of our consciousness. Even whilst all Sikkimese celebrate, looking ahead a little will be considered wise.

We need to stay alive to these issues to continue to lead the rest of India in #OrganicPartnership!

(P.D. Rai is the sitting Lok Sabha member from Sikkim. The views expressed are personal. He can be contacted at pdrai8@gmail.com <mailto:pdrai8@gmail.com>)
Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi on Saturday said his party was ready to support the Goods and Services Tax (GST) bill in parliament once the government accepts the opposition party's conditions.

"The day the conditions are accepted, we will help pass it in just 15 minutes," Gandhi assured during his interaction with management students of the Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies at Vile Parle here.

He expressed willingness for a 'compromise' on GST with the government by discussing it across the table, but alleged that the government was not ready for it.

Gandhi pointed out that it was the Congress which had introduced the GST bill, but the BJP had stopped it in parliament for seven years.

"(Finance Minister) Arun Jaitley did not allow it to pass then, and Narendra Modi, then Gujarat chief minister, also did not allow GST," he said, referring to the roadblocks confronting the proposed legislation.

"Jaitley does not have to tell me GST is good. I know it's good. But we don't want a GST without a cap on taxes, we want a limitation on the maximum tax that can be charged," he added.

The Congress leader denied that it was the strategy of the party to block parliament on the issue.
The police in Jammu and Kashmir has issued an alert after one of its constables in Anantnag district disappeared along with four service rifles.

"A policeman, who was the personal security guard of an officer injured in a firing incident last month, has decamped with four assault rifles from Bijbehara (Anantnag)," a senior police officer told IANS on Saturday.

Constable Mashooq Ahmad failed to report for duty at the office of the sub-divisional police officer (SDPO) at Bijbehara for two days, raising suspicion, he said.

"A check in the police station premises led to the discovery that four AK assault rifles were missing. It is suspected that the constable has decamped with the rifles."

An alert has been issued in south Kashmir area to trace the cop.

Mashooq was a member of the personal security escort of Deputy Superintendent of Police Irshad Ahmad who was injured in a militant attack during a Milad procession at Bijbehara on December 24.

The police is not ruling out the constable's involvement in the militant attack.
Despite the cold weather, tens of thousands of devotees visited gurdwaras across north India on Saturday morning to offer prayers on the occasion of the 349th birth anniversary of the 10th Sikh guru Gobind Singh.

Hundreds of devotees thronged the holiest of Sikh shrine 'Harmandar Sahib', popularly known as Golden Temple, in Amritsar and the Takht Keshgarh Sahib at Anandpur Sahib, the second most important Sikh shrine where the guru spent a number of years and founded the 'Khalsa Panth' in 1699, to offer prayers.

Devotees could be seen visiting other gurdwaras across Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh to offer prayers despite the cold weather. The maximum temperatures ranged from 10 to 16 degrees in the region on Friday.

"This is an important year. Next year will mark the 350th birth anniversary of Guru Gobind Singh. This whole year will mark celebrations of the 10 master," Gurbaksh Singh, a devotee visiting the Anandpur Sahib shrine, 80 km from here, said.

The Punjab government is already working on plans to celebrate the 350th birth anniversary of the guru in January 2017 in a big way.

The main celebrations next year will be in Bihar's capital Patna, the birth place of Guru Gobind Singh. Special celebrations will be held in Anandpur Sahib and Harmandar Sahib.

"The Punjab cabinet has accorded the approval for constitution of a foundation for celebration of 350th Parkash Utsav of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji from 4th to 6th January, 2017," a Punjab government spokesman said here on Saturday.

"Memorable festivities will continue throughout the year during which seminars will be conducted on history and philosophy of Sri Guru Sahib. The meaningfulness of dissemination of Guru Sahib's ideology has increased during the present era of rising communalism and social partitions," the spokesman said.

It was at Anandpur Sahib on April 13, 1699, that the 10th Sikh master Guru Gobind Singh baptized the first five Sikhs (Panj Piaras - the chosen and loved ones of the guru) and founded the Khalsa.

The Takht Keshgarh Sahib gurdwara is known as the birthplace of the 'Khalsa' (pure) - the modern-day Sikh .

Guru Gobind Singh had declared that Guru Granth Sahib, the holy book of Sikhs, will be the eternal guru and no person will be appointed guru after him.
For the first time in 10 years, sex ratio in Haryana has shown an upward trend, crossing the 900-mark.

"For the first time in 10 years, the sex ratio at birth for December 2015 has crossed the 900 mark with 903 girls per 1,000 boys," Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar told media here.

Haryana has had the dubious record of being the worst among states in sex ratio with just 879 females per 1,000 males.

"While 12 districts have recorded sex ratio above the 900 mark in December 2015, district Sirsa tops the list with sex ratio of 999 girls per 1,000 boys," Khattar said.

"In Sirsa district, sex ratio at birth increased from 948 in October 2015, to 978 in November, and to 999 in December. A big nexus of quacks, health workers, touts and registered medical practitioners, were busted by Sirsa police with the help of the health department and about 40 people were arrested and convicted in the district," said Khattar.

Out of the 100 worst districts in India for sex ratio, Haryana accounts for 12 districts.

The chief minister credited the improvement of the sex ratio to the state's multi-pronged strategy implemented under the "Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao" campaign launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi from the state's Panipat town in January last year to promote the cause of the girl child.

Khattar said that district Panchkula has registered a sex ratio of 961, Karnal 959, Fatehabad 952, Gurgaon 946, Sonipat 942, Jind 940, Rewari 931, Mewat 923, Bhiwani and Mahendragarh 912 and Hisar of 906.

"A target to achieve sex ratio above 950 within the next six months has now been set for the entire state," he said.

Khattar lauded Health Minister Anil Vij, Women and Child Development Minister Kavita Jain, and all officials of health, women and child development, police, prosecution, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and public relations department for their concerted efforts during the last seven months to achieve improvement in sex ratio.

He further said that deputy commissioners led the charge in their respective districts and tough measures were taken while implementing the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act, 1994, and Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act, 1971.

"As many as 58 and 72 FIRs were registered under the provisions of the PCPNDT and MTP Acts, respectively, from June 2015, till date. 18 cases of sale of sex selection drugs to ensure birth of male child were registered and about 50 FIRs were lodged for illegal sale of MTP kits. Apart from this, prominent personalities like ex-MLA, Indri, Karnal, who was caught red-handed while getting a sex detection test conducted, were put behind bars," he pointed out.

Khattar said that inter-state raids were conducted successfully in bordering states Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and Punjab under these acts.

Vij said that in order to end female foeticide, the state government had earlier announced a scheme to offer Rs.1 lakh as reward for reporting violations of the PCPNDT and MTP Acts. "As many as 17 such informers have so far been rewarded," he said.

--Indo-Asian News Service

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Malaysian police said on Saturday that four individuals, including a married couple, have been arrested for suspected links to the Islamic State terror group.

One of the suspected IS members was arrested on Friday at a light rail train (LRT) station in downtown Kuala Lumpur, not far from the iconic Twin Towers, an area often attracting many foreigners, police chief Khalid Abu Bakar said in a statement, Xinhua reported

The 28-year-old admitted that he was planning a suicide attack after receiving other IS members in Syria, according to the statement. Police also believe that the man was responsible for putting up IS flags in several regions in Malaysia, intended to warn the authorities against taking action against IS members.

The other three suspects were arrested upon their arrival in Malaysia after being repatriated by Turkish authorities.

Police said the three joined IS and were arrested in Gaziantep in Turkey while trying to sneak into Syria. They were recruited by a Malaysian militant who had joined the IS in Syria through a social networking site.

Police said they had been on high alert following the bomb attacks in Indonesian capital city of Jakarta on Thursday. Authorities said more than 40 Malaysians were believed to be fighting for the IS in Syria and Iraq at present.
Bharatiya Janata Party MP and actor Hema Malini on Saturday appealed to women across the country to give top priority to construction and use of hygienic toilets as they are vital for health.

Launching the first set of toilets built by Sulabh International in Rawal village, the birth place of Lord Krishna's consort Radha, she said by 2019 her aim is to ensure 100 percent toilets in her constituency.

Sulabh International has pledged to construct 50 toilets in Rawal village.

"With an aim to propagate the importance of toilets, we have chosen Mathura as it is the birthplace of Lord Krishna," said Bindeshwar Pathak, founder of Sulabh movement.

Malini appreciated the ongoing Clean India Campaign and assured all possible help.

"We are committed to development of society and it is a little gesture towards service of the poor," she said.

Pathak stressed on the need for motivation towards use of toilets and called upon villagers to use and maintain toilets.

Stating that Sulabh would take steps to make the entire village open defecation-free, the Sulabh founder urged the two crore Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) to provide funds for construction of toilets to make India open defection-free by 2019.

Nearly 12 crore toilets are required to be built by 2019 to realize the dream of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Pathak said: "This is a big task, but together we can do it and Non Resident Indians can play a pivotal role in this. This is a unique opportunity for the NRIs to show their love for the country."

Stating that there are nearly two crore NRIs, and if each of them contributes to building six toilets over a span of three years, this target can easily be met, Pathak said an individual toilet costs approximately $500. So six toilets will cost a total of $3,000, or approximately Rs.2 lakh, which can be given over a period of three years.
Himachal Pradesh Governor Acharya Devvrat and Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh on Saturday greeted the people on the birth anniversary of 10th Sikh master Guru Gobind Singh.

Acharya Devvrat said Guru Gobind Singh worked for safeguarding religion and humanity and laid down his life for the cause of communal harmony and social service.

Virbhadra Singh said he fought against cruelty, injustice, atrocities and inhuman forces.

"The teachings of Guru Gobind Singh are more relevant in the present day context and we must resolve to follow in his footsteps to build a strong, prosperous and united nation," he said in a statement.

Thousands of devotees thronged the famous Sikh shrine at Manikaran in Kullu district, the historic gurdwara Sri Paonta Sahib in Sirmaur district and other gurdwaras across the state to mark 'Gurpurab'.

Gurdwaras were illuminated since Friday in the state capital Shimla, and there was a festive atmosphere to mark the occasion.

'Langars' , or community kitchens were arranged at several places in and around gurdwaras.

The 350th birth anniversary celebrations of Guru Gobind Singh are being held at his birthplace in Bihar's Patna city in a big way.
India's capacity to put up with terrorism has reached its limit and "we will do something", Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar said on Saturday in reference to the attack on Pathankot air force station that killed seven security personnel.

"The country's capacity for tolerance is over. As defence minister, my tolerance capacity is over. We will do something," Parrikar said in response to a question about the January 2 terrorist attack in Pathankot.

He said the government knew what was required to be done.

"I am not saying we will do this or that. But this should not happen, we cannot tolerate it, it is enough," said the minister.

Following the attack on the Pathankot air force station which is suspected to be carried out by the Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Muhammad, Parrikar had said on Monday that any "individual or organisation" harming the country "should also receive the pain of such activities" and "how, when and where should be your choice".

Responding to the Pathankot attack, security forces were able to kill all six attackers. They were believed to be Pakistani nationals who had sneaked into Punjab.

The government says it has provided "actionable evidence" to Pakistan to act against those who masterminded the Pathankot attack.
Actress-turned-politician Jayasudha on Saturday quit the Congress party and joined the Telugu Desam Party.

She called on TDP president and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu in Vijayawada and formally joined the party.

The development comes as a setback to Congress party ahead of February 2 elections to Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation.

Jayasudha was a member of assembly in the undivided Andhra Pradesh from Secunderabad constituency here.

She had joined Congress before 2009 elections and was elected from Secunderabad. She, however, lost the 2014 elections from the same constituency.

She told reporters in Vijayawada that it was because of Naidu's efforts that Hyderabad got global recognition.

Jayasudha, who had campaigned for TDP in 1999 elections, said she would now be active in .

The actress was earlier reportedly toying with the idea of joining Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) but finally switched loyalties to TDP.

The 57-year-old, who acted in over 250 films, quit Congress due to differences with the party leaders in the constituency.
Unit 1 of the Kudankulam nuclear power plant (KNPP) that shut down in June last year for maintenance is to restart functioning very soon, while the second unit will be operational by March this year, an official release said on Saturday.

Inaugurating northern India's first permanent exhibition on nuclear power here, Minister of State for Atomic Energy Jitendra Singh said that "unit 1 of the Kudankulam nuclear power plant was shut down due to natural processes that are followed and it will start functioning very soon", according to a statement by the department of atomic energy.

The minister also said that Unit 2 of the Kudankulam nuclear power plant will be operational by March this year, it added.

The first 1,000 MW unit at Kudankulam in Tamil Nadu's Tirunelvelli district, around 650 km from Chennai, was shut down in June 2015 for 60 days for refuelling and maintenance work.

The unit has not restarted till date as testing of various systems is on. Only after successful completion of the tests, will the unit restart power generation.

Officials had earlier said the unit would restart sometime in mid-January.

The second 1,000 MW unit at Kudankulam is expected to go critical, or start the fission process, for the first time sometime this year.

India will be signing the remaining agreements with Russia for the third and fourth units at Kudankulam, estimated to cost around Rs.40,000 crore. The site work is expected to begin for these two units sometime this year.

Negotiations are on with Russia for fifth and sixth units.
Contending that Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose died in a plane crash on August 18, 1945, a website based here quoted his interpreter as saying that the revolutionary leader's composure despite having extensive burns all over his body "surprised" all those present at the Nanmon Military hospital in Taipei.

The website -- www.bosefiles.info -- which has been coming out with posts to corroborate the theory that Bose died hours after the afternoon plane crash on the outskirts of an airfield in Taipei, quoted the testimonies given at various times by five people who were present during the great leader's final hours.

The witnesses included Nakamura -- whose first name, according to the site was either Yoshikazu or Juichi -- an interpreter who had worked with Bose during his visits to Taipei in 1943 and 1944.

Deposing before the 1956 Netaji Inquiry Committee headed by Shah Nawaz Khan, Nakamura said there was "not a word of complaint either of pain or suffering from his lips...This composure of Netaji surprised all of us."

He said after Bose expired, the Japanese officers in the room stood in one line and saluted his body.

Captain Taneyoshi Yoshimi of the Japanese Army, who was the medical officer in charge of the hospital, claimed on October 19, 1946, that he had personally cleaned Bose's injuries with oil and dressed them.

Yoshimi's testimony, given at Stanley Gaol in Hong Kong where he was imprisoned by British authorities after World War II, was recorded by Captain Alfred Turner of the War Crimes Liaison Section of Taiwan, the website claimed.

"When he (Bose) was laid on the bed (of the hospital), I personally cleaned his injuries with oils and dressed them. He was suffering from extensive burns over the whole of his body, though the most serious were those on his head, chest and thighs. There was very little left on his head in the way of hair or other identification marks," said Yoshimi.

He also said: "As most of his speaking was in English, a request for an interpreter was made, and one was sent from the civil government offices named Nakamura. He informed me that he had very often interpreted for (Subhas) Chandra Bose and had had many conversations with him. He appeared to have no doubt that the man he was speaking with was Chandra Bose."

"After the fourth hour (following his admission to the hospital), he appeared to be sinking into unconsciousness. He murmured and muttered in his state of coma, but never regained consciousness. At about 2300 hours he died."

In an interview to Ashis Ray, creator of www.bosefiles.info, in 1995, Yoshimi said: "A lieutenant called Nonomiya told me this is Mr. Chandra Bose, a very important person, and that I should save his life at any cost. That's how I knew who he (Bose) was."

When it became obvious to him that Bose's condition was sinking, he asked Bose: "What can I do for you?"

Bose replied: "I feel as if blood is rushing to my head. I would like to sleep a while." Yoshimi gave him an injection. After some time he was no more.

Another Japanese doctor, who treated Bose, was Toyoshi Tsuruta.

Between May and July of 1946, Lt.Col. J.G. Figgess of the British Army interrogated Tsuruta.

Tsuruta submitted to Figgess: "Bose asked him in English if he would sit with him throughout the night. However, shortly after seven o'clock (in the evening) he suffered a relapse and although the doctor once again administered a camphor injection, he sank into a coma and died shortly afterwards."

Taiwanese nurse Tsan Pi Sha, who claimed to be by Bose's side at the hospital, told visiting journalist Harin Shah in September 1946, that Bose breathed his last "on 18 August last year (1945)".

She said: "I am a surgical nurse and took care of him till he died... I was instructed to apply olive oil all over his body and that I did."

"Whenever he regained briefly his consciousness, he felt thirsty. With slight groaning, he would ask for water. I gave him water several times."

The fifth witness was Netaji's associate Colonel Habibur Rehman, who survived the crash.
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has asked the Adani-Hazira Port and Hazira Infrastructures Pvt. Ltd. in Gujarat to pay Rs.25 crore within four weeks as compensation and for restoration for damage to the environment.

A petition filed by Hazira Machchimaar Samiti (Hazira fishermen's committee) had challenged an environment clearance (EC) granted to the company by the union ministry of environment and forests (MoEF) in 2013 for further expansion of port activities at Hazira in Surat.

The tribunal also instructed the Surat district collector to demolish the construction on over 25 hectares of land. A copy of the NGT order is with IANS.

A division bench of the NGT, comprising Justice V.R. Kingaonkar (judicial member) and Ajay A. Deshpande (expert member), ordered the Adani group to deposit Rs.25 crore with the Surat district collector, which is then to be kept in an escrow account till further directions by the NGT on compensation and restoration.

The tribunal also asked the Adani group to pay litigation cost of Rs.2 lakh to each of the members of the Samiti.

In its petition before the NGT, the Samiti alleged that the EC to Hazira port was not valid and that the construction work was carried out by the company at the site without approval.

According to an agreement signed with the Gujarat Maritime Board in April 2002, the company was supposed to plant mangrove trees on 550 hectares of land but this plantation was not completed.
A day after the odd-even scheme ended in the capital, severe traffic congestion was reported from different parts of the capital on Saturday, as the city's traffic police chief stressed that snarls can only be prevented by implementing car restriction schemes.

The views of Special Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Muktesh Chander may not be entirely misplaced because soon after the scheme ended on January 15, traffic jams were reported from many parts of Delhi such as Pankha Road, Nangloi Chowk amd Kimaya Park in west Delhi.

Long tailbacks were also seen at the stretches between Patel Chowk in central Delhi to Shadipur in west Delhi and between Pusa Road and Shadipur, an officer monitoring the situation at the Delhi Police traffic control room told IANS.

"The jams in the city are self explanatory. Till the odd-even scheme was operational, the number of cars plying on Delhi's roads was reduced drastically. But now that all cars are allowed, traffic congestion is happening," Muktesh Chander told IANS, pitching his weight behind the Delhi government's move that was essentially for controlling the severe pollution in the city.

Till 7.30 p.m. on Saturday, more than 40 calls were registered with the Delhi Traffic Police Helpline.

Most traffic jam related calls were received from areas near Qutub Minar, Peeragarhi, Badarpur to Ashram, Wazirabad, Burari in northwest Delhi to Delhi Cantonment, M.G. Road in south Delhi and Mehrauli.

"Today, the situation has been extremely bad. There is heavy traffic jam almost in all major areas especially south Delhi. This is definitely a drastic difference post odd-even days," a Delhi Traffic Helpline official told IANS.

Traffic snarls were also reported at east Delhi's Khichdipur, outer Delhi's Burari bypass and the flyover at northeast Delhi's Shahdara.

Hundreds of commuters were stuck in a severe jam on the Ring Road in South Extension area.

"During the odd-even days, traffic was smooth from Ring Road to Lajpat Nagar via South Extension. But today, there was heavy traffic jam on that stretch around 11 a.m. It took me close to an hour to cross that stretch," said Deborah George, who works for an advertising company in Greater Kailash.
Elections, which are the lifeblood of democracy, reveal their negative side when politicians abandon ethical convictions for the sake of playing to the gallery. Pandering to the various predilections of the electorate ranging from the distribution of cash, clothes or liquor to appealing to their religious/sectarian instincts has been an unfortunate feature of Indian elections.

Tactics of this nature have sometimes proved successful as has been demonstrated by the BJP's use of the divisive Ram temple issue to move from the fringe of national politics to centre-stage.

The Bharatiya Janata Party's claim in the early stages of the temple agitation was that the judiciary had no right to interfere in matters of faith. The party's chief minister in Uttar Pradesh at the time, Kalyan Singh, courted arrest with a proud smile for having defied the Supreme Court's orders on protecting the Babri masjid, which was pulled down by a saffron mob in 1992 to make way for the proposed temple.

A similar show of defiance can be seen in Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa's call to the centre to promulgate an ordinance to negate the Supreme Court's ban on the jallikattu programme which involves taming bulls.

In response to the petitions of animal rights activists, a judicial ban on the practice has been in force for four years. But next year's assembly elections in Tamil Nadu have awakened the state's politicians to the need to protect the "ancient tradition" of jallikattu, which marks the Pongal festival in Tamil Nadu.

By themselves, the politicians would not have imposed the ban since animal rights are not high on their list of priorities. Moreover, if such a supposedly effeminate concept conflicts with the gory, feudal customs preferred by the unwashed masses, there can be no doubt as to whose side the politicians will take.

For Jayalalitha, the outpouring of respect after a lapse of four years for a tradition which has elements of cruelty and sadism has apparently been necessitated by the recent devastating floods in Chennai caused by incessant rain, which exposed the failures of the administration and the degradation of natural water bodies by the builders' lobby.

Although her principal opponent in the state, the DMK is not in the best of health under 92-year-old M. Karunanidhi, she cannot be too sure of the success of her own, one-person AIADMK.

In any event, since she cannot afford to take any chances in these uncertain days of volatile voters - the DMK, after all, has a 28 percent vote share - she has evidently decided that a show of respect for tradition will serve her well.

While Jayalalitha's compulsions are understandable, what is odd is why the BJP, which virtually has no presence in Tamil Nadu, should have taken up the cudgels for the chief minister. Is it cozying up to Jayalalitha for a tie-up in the state or is it for the sake of the AIADMK's cooperation in parliament for the passage of the reform bills?

The BJP is apparently so upset by her umbrage that it wants the chairman and vice-chairman of the animal welfare board to resign for having approached the Supreme Court about the government's pro-jallikattu notification.

So much for the ruling party's respect for institutional autonomy! Perhaps we will now see a couple of saffron apparatchiki appointed to these posts who are not too sensitive about the modern fad about the "rights" of dumb creatures.

Not surprisingly, Union minister Nirmala Sitharaman, who was born in Madurai in Tamil Nadu although she currently represents Andhra Pradesh in the Rajya Sabha, has said that the centre had no objections to the state promulgating an ordinance.

It is possible, of course, that much of this is play-acting because the politicians know that it is not possible in this day and age to persist with a "sport which does not make for pleasant viewing. It is a replica of less sensitive times which is out of sync with the modern world."

Besides, television footage of the hapless bulls can haunt the pro-jallikattu politicians at election time.

Bull-taming is not the only "ancient tradition" which is favoured over judicial diktats. An even more celebrated case is that of the Sabarimala temple in Kerala, where women between the ages of 10 and 50 - menstruating women - are not allowed to enter.

Evidently, high literacy levels and a strong communist presence make no difference where misogyny is concerned.

While the Supreme Court has ruled that women cannot be stopped from entering temples, it is unlikely that there will be a change in the status quo in the foreseeable future because governments are wary of intervening in areas where the response of the voters is uncertain.

It is worth noting, however, that of the three "estates", the judiciary remains virtually the only one which, by and large, keeps in step with today's ideas, unlike the executive, which is persuaded by opportunistic politicians to cater to the base instincts of the hoi polloi, and the legislature, which is mostly dysfunctional.

The media, too, which is the proverbial fourth estate, generally plays a creditable role by highlighting the self-serving antics of the politicians.

(Amulya Ganguli is a political analyst. The views expressed are personal. He can be reached at amulyaganguli@gmail.com <mailto:amulyaganguli@gmail.com>)
Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and the army chief, General Raheel Sharif, will visit Saudi Arabia and Iran to diffuse the tension between them that spiralled after the execution of Shia cleric in Saudi Arabia.

The top civilian and military leaders would pay a day-long visit on Monday to meet Saudi King Salman and will discuss with him the latest situation in the Middle East and the kingdom's relations with Iran, Dawn reported.

The next stopover will be in Tehran where meetings will be held with the top Iranian leadership aimed at defusing tension with its arch rival Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Arabia cut ties with Iran, a few days days after Iranian demonstrators stormed the Saudi embassy in Tehran in protest at Riyadh's execution of prominent cleric Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr.

Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and some other states broke off ties with Iran over the attack. The UAE downgraded relations while some others recalled their envoys in protest.

The Iranian government quickly distanced itself from the attack, saying the protesters entered the Saudi embassy despite widespread efforts by the police to stop them.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday extended greetings to the people on the birth anniversary of Guru Gobind Singh, the 10th guru of the Sikh religion.

"Salutations to Guru Gobind Singh ji on his Prakash Utsav. His bravery and service to humanity is always remembered and widely cherished," Modi tweeted.

Born in 1666 at Patna Sahib, Bihar, Guru Gobind Singh inaugurated Khalsa, the collective body of all initiated Sikhs represented by the five Panj Pyaras (beloved ones) and called the Guru Panth, the embodiment of the Guru and the final temporal leader.
Bollywood star Akshay Kumar says there were producers who suggested that "Airlift" -- his forthcoming action thriller based on evacuation of Indians from Kuwait during the Iraq-Kuwait war -- should be made as a documentary.

"Director Raja Krishna Menon was working on this script for four years. He has been closely associated with many of those people who were stranded in that situation. It has been a tremendous effort of my director to present the facts onscreen.

"But let me tell you this... when he approached several producers with the script, they suggested him to make it into documentary," Akshay said here.

Akshay said it was disappointing.

"This evacuation is such a big fact for our country, but the kind of response the director got of making a documentary, it was upsetting. I want that each and every Indian must watch this film 'Airlift', and feel proud of being an Indian," said the actor.

The film, releasing on January 22, features Nimrat Kaur.
Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi on Saturday attacked the Bharatiya Janata Party and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh for what he termed as their "rigid thinking" which hampers creativity and start-ups in the country.

Interacting with B-school students of the prestigious Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies (NMIMS) here, Gandhi said the BJP-RSS have "a clear idea of what the world should be" according to their viewpoint.

"When you are intolerant, you curb the movement of ideas... India needs openness, flexibility... You can't have start-ups and be intolerant at the same time," Gandhi said.

Citing examples, he said the Congress party brought and encouraged a culture of tolerance in the country, people were free to discuss ideas which ultimately culminated in the freedom movement.

Clad in casual jeans and tee-shirt, Gandhi urged the students not to put "labels on people, industry or things, as labels are human inventions" and stifle growth.

Hitting out at the ruling BJP-led NDA's policies, the Congress leader said India is essentially an agrarian economy, but the present government was not doing enough for the farmers.

"We have been a traditional agri-economy, but we have made a smooth transition from agri to IT and knowledge economy now. A few years ago, we had launched National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA), it was strongly resisted, but now it contributes in a large measure to the nine percent growth as it was injecting cash into rural economy and it built a rural infrastructure," Gandhi pointed out.

Though Indian farms are now divided and not capable of sustaining families, he said agriculture was not a problem for the farmers, but for the businessmen, industrialists, etc.

"The UPA had strategy of supporting farmers, but the present government has a different focus which is not on farmers or agriculture... They tried to stop NREGA and other UPA policies, but we put pressure on them," he said.

Replying to a question on China, Gandhi said the Asian Communist giant is more powerful and economically stronger, but it grabs and pulls you as it is a centralized economy.

On the other hand, India's power is never about the military, but about ideas with which we make the other person turn around to our perspective -- "India grabs you, but you never feel it."

But, he said for all its growth, now at 11 percent, China paid a price with many people dying, but not in India with a 9 percent growth -- "We are a soft power... and not a threat to the world."

To a query on the start-up hype, Gandhi said any start-up requires a whole support system to allow an entrepreneur to grow, with access to finance, freedom from government regulations, infrastructure, etc.

"That's why it's considered easier to launch start-ups in states like Maharashtra or Karnataka, but businesses face a huge problem in Uttar Pradesh or Bihar, though some of the most entrepreneurial people come from there," Gandhi said.
Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday met representatives of 13 security agencies of different states here and discussed alarming influence of Islamic State (IS) over youths through social media.

He also reviewed security aspects during the day-long meeting with the officers from Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, Jammu and Kashmir, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Bihar, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Assam, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra.

The officers belong to intelligence department and law enforcement agencies discussed issues relating to Daesh, also known as ISIL, ISIS or IS, a home ministry statement said, adding that the meeting was also attended by senior officials of the union home ministry.

The issues discussed included imisuse of social media, and the sources of impetus that attract persons, especially youths, to IS, the statement said.

The growth of IS' influence in India's neighbourhood, the best possible law enforcement response, the need for appropriate welfare schemes for minorities, social media strategies to be followed and capacity building of state police organizations, especially in the area of information technology were the additional issued discussed in the meeting, the statement said.

In his concluding remarks, Rajnath Singh said: "India's traditions and family values will triumph over even this evil, and that the traction that Daesh has got in India is extremely limited."

He however noted that there was a need to keep up vigil on all fronts and not let down their guard in any manner but noted that a large number of people and, in fact, most Muslim organisations in India had come out against both Daesh and other forms of terrorism.
Sanctions imposed on Iran by the European Union, the US and the UN are expected to be lifted later Saturday after confirmation of Iran's fulfilment of commitments to denuclearisation, said Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif.

Zarif made this statement as he led an Iranian delegation that arrived in the Austrian capital of Vienna earlier Saturday, according to Iran's state news agency ISNA.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on Saturday is expected to release a report on whether Iran has completed its commitments under an international nuclear deal reached last year.

With the release of the IAEA report, a joint statement will be unveiled to announce the beginning of the deal, said Zarif.

Zarif is expected to meet with US Secretary of State John Kerry and European Union (EU) foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini to discuss the landmark Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) ahead of its implementation.

Under the July 14, 2015 nuclear agreement, Iran agreed to shrink its atomic programme in exchange for the lifting of some EU, US and UN sanctions.
Most young and tech-savvy Indian travellers now consider smartphone to be their single-most indispensable item while they plan to travel ahead of toothbrush, deodorant and driving license, according to an interesting study.

The relevance of mobile devices is tied to how the device improves the quality of travel itself among 9,642 travellers across 19 countries including India, said the study commissioned by travel website Expedia.com and conducted recently by consulting firm Northstar.

"We have found that travellers are using mobile devices at every stage of the travel process, from researching and booking trips to capturing and sharing the travel experience," Aman Bhutani, president for Brand Expedia Group, was quoted as saying.

"And just because a traveller can use their device to read work email and stay connected to the office, they also believe it improves the quality of their vacations," he added.

"Consumers tell us what they do and don't like in their mobile offerings and habits, and we've been listening and steadily adapting to provide what the mobile-savvy travellers demand," Bhutani said.

Business travellers use mobile devices to remain tightly connected to their home office. More than one half of travellers who are employed check in on work at least once a day while on vacation, the study found.

"Mobile devices may be a requirement for business trips, however, business travel and connectivity is changing. Various devices allow for a seamless experience with apps that enable users to be more productive and efficient, which travellers are utilising in order to prioritise work-life balance and disconnect when possible," said Rob Greyber, president of Egencia.

At least 60 percent travellers who check in with work during a vacation say their travel partner or spouse does not mind. However, among Indians, who are the most likely to check in with work, one-fifth admit that their spouse or travel partner does get annoyed, the study said.

The study analysed inputs from across North America, Europe, South America and Asia Pacific.
Union Minister Smriti Irani arrived in Uttar Pradesh's Amethi town on a two-day visit starting Saturday.

Irani, welcomed warmly by the BJP workers in the town, will address a public meeting in Tiloi area and attend a 'khichdi bhoj' organised by locals.

She is also scheduled to hold a booth-level meeting of party workers to address their issues, a district leader told IANS.

This will be the first time when Irani, defeated by Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi in the 2014 general elections, will spend a night in Amethi.
Asserting that Hindus were not persecuted in her country, Pakistani journalist-author Reema Abbasi on Saturday attributed land-grabbing rather faith behind attacks on temples in Pakistan.

"No temple has been razed on ground of faith. Yes, when the Babri Masjid demolition happened, there was a backlash in Pakistan, but otherwise the attacks on temples were not because of faith," Abbasi said at the Kolkata Literary Festival.

"So when people see headlines about a temple being attacked, they should look into the fine print where they will find that the reasons are land-grabbing or greed," said the author of "Historic Temples in Pakistan: A Call to Conscience".

She also said some attacks on temples took place to accommodate a large number of people displaced due to the war against terrorism.

Abbasi, who in her book has documented ancient temples chronicling old pilgrimage sites like Hinglaj, Katas Raj, Kalka Cave temple, Panchmukhi Hanuman Mandir, and Shivala Mandir in present day Pakistan, termed as a "myth" media reports about "persecution" of Hindus in Pakistan.

"Hindus are not persecuted in Pakistan, it's all myth. And it's all because of the media hype. People usually go by the headlines which grab the eyeballs but they should instead go through the fine print which will eventually get them to the truth," she said.

"In 2013, there were 265 forced conversions in Pakistan, but in 2015 there have been only 14 such cases. Of course, not a single such case should happen, but it has been a part of the South Asian society and not just Pakistan alone," the author added.

Abbasi informed her next book is on South Asian Islamic scholar and philosopher Moinuddin Chishti also known as Gharib Nawaz.
Tsai Ing-wen, candidate of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), won Taiwan's leadership election on Saturday, according to the final result of ballot counting released by the island's election commission.

In a speech at the Kuomintang (KMT) headquarters in Taipei, Tsai's rival KMT candidate Eric Chu acknowledged his failure, saying he would take responsibility and resign from the post of KMT chairman, Xinhua reported.

The Taiwan Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council released a statement late on Saturday, saying the mainland's major principles and policies concerning Taiwan are "consistent and clear, and will not change with the results of Taiwan elections."

In the past eight years, on the political basis of adhering to the 1992 Consensus and opposing "Taiwan independence," both sides have jointly explored a path for the peaceful development of the cross-Strait relations, set up an institutional framework for exchanges and cooperation, and maintained peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, the statement said.

"Such hard-won good momentum should be cherished," it said.

"We will continue to adhere to the 1992 Consensus and resolutely oppose any form of secessionist activities seeking 'Taiwan independence'," it read.

"On major matters of principle including safeguarding national sovereignty and territorial integrity, our will is rock-firm and our attitude is consistent," it added.

The mainland is willing to enhance communication and exchanges with all political parties and groups which recognise the principle that the Chinese mainland and Taiwan belong to one China, the statement said.
Indian Railways Minister Suresh Prabhu has asked American enterprises to take advantage of a slew of initiatives envisaging investments worth $140 billion in railway infrastructure to boost transportation efficiency and aid manufacturing.

Addressing a group of investors and infrastructure companies here Friday, he said a slew of initiatives, opportunities and reform measures introduced by his ministry will allow investors to strive and grow.

"Since the last rail budget in 2015, the Ministry of Railways has implemented 110 reform measures, fulfilling all the announcements made in the budget," he said at a lunch event organised by the US-India Business Council (USIBC).

"We encourage American enterprises to take advantage of the transformation that the entire ecosystem is undergoing," Prabhu said.

With 100 percent investment allowed in most segments of railway infrastructure the Ministry of Railways envisages investments worth $140 billion in the sector, he said.

These include suburban rail, metro rail, locomotive and rolling stock, manufacturing and maintenance, signalling and electric works and dedicated freight lines.

This "will not only bring about more efficiency in the lifeline of Indian transportation but also boost manufacturing and fulfill the directive of Make of India," Prabhu said.

Senior executives representing a cross section of business opportunities that included financial services, manufacturing, and infrastructure met Prabhu to discuss modernization efforts in Indian railways and rail infrastructure.

They scoped out investment opportunities and financing mechanisms for the sector as well as the improvements that have taken place in the sector to ensure a level playing field for foreign investors, according to USIBC.

USIBC members New Silk Route, McLarty Associates, GE, Alcoa, Caterpillar and Microsoft among others met with Minister Prabhu during the roundtable.

USIBC President Mukesh Aghi lauded Prabhu's "serious efforts to give a facelift to the Indian railways and revolutionize the way Indians travel, transport goods and services and conduct business."

USIBC members comprised of 350 top-tier US and Indian companies advancing US-India commercial ties "are buoyed by the range of opportunities that lie in front of them," he said.

Optimistic and appreciative of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's pro-growth initiatives, Parag Saxena, founding general partner and CEO of New Silk Route welcomed the focus on expanding and modernising the Indian railway through swift financing and private sector involvement.

"In many ways, India's railway system is the lifeblood of its economy. I cannot think of a stronger leader to modernize and build out this system," said Richard Rossow, Director, India and South Asia, McLarty Associates.

(Arun Kumar can be contacted at arun.kumar@ians.in)
A team of US consular officials arrived in Goa on Saturday to enquire into the circumstances which led to the death of a 30-year-old US national in a marshy paddy field on January 12, police said.

Ohio-born Caitanya Lila Holt died mysteriously, reportedly choking on mud in the paddy field in Korgao village in North Goa, as he was chased by villagers and policemen after being mistaken for a thief.

A police official told IANS that the consular officials from Mumbai would also be participating in the proceedings of the post-mortem examination of Holt's remains.

"They inspected the field in which Holt choked in the mud and also enquired with villagers in the vicinity. They are scheduled to attend the post-mortem proceedings," the police official said.

According to police, Holt was mistaken for a thief on January 12 by locals in Korgao village and was chased by them along with some policemen into a field, where he choked on mud and died.

The incident, which occurred around 35 km from Panaji, found echo in the legislative assembly.

While the Opposition alleged that Holt's death was technically murder, Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar termed the incident unfortunate and said the American accidentally died.

Police earlier said Holt was acting in an "erratic manner", giving villagers the impression that he was a thief. He went to the homes of villagers and asked irrational questions, which made the people suspicious. They began chasing him, and the pursuit ended at the field.
Describing Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent conversation with his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif as a "welcome sign" the US says it wants the two countries to continue to have a dialogue to fight terrorism.

"We want them to continue to have a dialogue and to continue to look for ways to cooperate against a common threat," US State Department Spokesperson John Kirby told reporters Friday in response to a question.

The conversation between the two Prime Ministers was a "welcome sign", he said, with both condemning the terrorist attack on the Indian Air Force base at Pathankot and expressing their shared commitment to fighting terrorism.

"That was not an insignificant discussion that they had, nor was it an insignificant commitment that they made, and it's exactly the kind of commitment that we want them to continue to make," Kirby said.

The spokesperson said, "It should come as a shock to no one that terrorist groups will try to undermine those sorts of efforts by conducting spectacular attacks - to do exactly that."

The terrorists, he said, wanted "to sow fear, and to hopefully sow doubt in the minds of national leaders towards a level of cooperation that can have a practical effect."

"And obviously, we don't want to see that happen," Kirby said. The US was "encouraged by the dialogue that has recently taken place between India and Pakistan, and we'd like to see that continue."

Describing India-US relationship as an important one, the spokesperson said, Washington was committed to it and wanted to continue to improve its excellent ties with New Delhi as there was still much to be done.

"There's still much to be done, and again, this is an important relationship that we want to continue to improve," Kirby said.

"And we have excellent relations with the Government of India," he said. "We want to make them even better."

"We know how important this relationship is, and I can assure you and the Indian people that the United States remains committed to it," he said.

(Arun Kumar can be contacted at arun.kumar@ians.in)
Evolution is a touchy subject. Unveil a new discovery pointing towards what triggered life on Earth and a whole contingent of evolutionists, the proponents of Intelligent design (ID) and SETI (Search for Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence), spiritualists and those who believe in one "Supreme Being" will rush to reinforce that what they say is true.

But one thing becomes clear if examined from a purely scientific point of view: we are close yet still far from knowing when a single-cell organism stopped behaving like a single-cell entity and decided to explode into a multi-cellular being and - millions and millions of years later - became a well-mannered, living, breathing and thinking human beings.

The trigger this time is a fresh and revolutionary finding from the researchers at the University of Oregon in the US who have proposed that all it took was one random mutation more than 600 million years ago to start multi-cellular life on our planet.

According to them, a single mutation transformed a key protein that helped our single-celled ancestor transform into an organised multi-cellular organism over a gradual course of time.

An interesting fact here is that this puts the origin of life event much closer to the present at 600 million years instead of the widely held scientific consensus that life originated on earth as a single-cellular organism between 3.6 and 4 billion years ago.

According to Swagat Ray, an Indian-origin scientist working as research fellow at the University of Sheffield, sporadic mutation in our genetic makeup has been the hallmark of cancer and other genetic disorders over the years.

"So it's not surprising that it happened in the case of an ancestral protein, which completely changed its function and helped in the advent of organised multi-cellularity," Ray told IANS.

The discovery however does not necessarily mean that this single evolution would have actually initiated multi-cellular life on earth but could be one of the many evolutionary changes or mutations that might be involved in the process.

But life had to start from somewhere at some time. What most scientists have agreed so far is that prior to the formation of life, there existed many simple chemicals in the Earth's primordial soup when it was formed.

"These chemicals combined to form amino acids and these amino acids then combined appropriately to form a single cell organism - the world's first which has been referred to as LUCA or last universal common ancestor," explained Narayanan Suresh, group editor at Bengaluru-based BioSpectrum that runs a website, magazine and digital media source on the bio-technology industry in India.

"So it is clear something must have made this two-step transformation. May be, in the next stage, scientists may be able to pinpoint the exact factors and circumstances that led to the mutation," Suresh told IANS.

The next question, according to Suresh, is to ask what factors triggered the mutation that assembled the building blocks of life from a variety of amino acids that led to the assembly of proteins necessary to form the first life.

For the new discovery, the US team looked at choanoflagellates -- a group of free-living, single-celled organisms considered to be the closest living relatives of animals.

"Choanoflagellates are ancestral eukaryotes that can live as single cells and as multi-cellular aggregates as well and are a classical model system to study the origin of multicellularity," said Nitin Sabherwal, PhD, from the faculty of life sciences at the University of Manchester.

"Evolution of this novel protein through this single mutation just triggered one key aspect of multi-cellularity which was spindle orientation," Sabharwal told IANS.

In spindle orientation, a cell orients its spindle at the time of cell division in a particular way and how this spindle is oriented dictates the outcome of that division.

Spindle orientation is one important aspect of multi-cellular life and there are many others such as cell adhesion, cell-cell communication and cell-extracellular matrix (cell exterior) communication and all these feed into spindle orientation.

The discovery has also implications in future cancer research.

"It is true that cancer cells acquire various mechanisms that can help them sustain on their own like glycolysis, angiogenesis and secretion of autocrine or paracrine growth hormones, etc. But none of the mechanism is self regulated thus can be considered primitive in nature," elaborated Dr. Amit Verma, consultant (molecular oncology and cancer geneticist) at Max Hospitals in the capital.

"It can be inferred that cancer cell does go a step backward in the evolutionary clock but does not reach the nadir behaving like a single cell organism," Verma told IANS.

Coming back to science, was famous naturalist Charles Darwin's theory of evolution right? Was he right in proposing that humans evolved from non-human life as the result of a natural process?

For Suresh, Darwin's "Theory of Evolution" has stood the test of time and "any new theory on evolution of life adds to the body of knowledge and Darwin's theory may not be fundamentally wrong."

This is what Kenneth Miller, a biologist at the University of Colorado, wrote in a Live Science report recently: "Evolution is not opposed to religion unless people make it so. The message of evolution is that we are just as Genesis told us, we are made out of the dust of the Earth and that we are united in this web of life with every other living creature on the planet, and I think that's a fairly grand notion.

While scientists the world over feel elated at the new discovery and are busy analysing its impact on evolution, it is time for the ID or SETI proponents to join the debate and let it "spindle" and "evolve" into a new sphere. Evolution, after all, is a touchy subject, you know!

(Nishant Arora can be contacted at nishant.a@ians.in)
It is a pleasure to be here today to address the Interfaith Conference.

India has been home to all the great religions of the world. Our society has, for centuries, provided a unique social and intellectual environment in which many distinct religions have not only co-existed peacefully but have also enriched each other.

The spirit of pluralism and accommodation of cultural diversity pervades the Constitution of India as well as the dominant political discourse in the country.

The Constitution lays down that the conduct of state shall be governed by the principle of secularism, that state action must be determined by fairness, non-partisanship and impartiality. The state shall treat all religions in the country with equal respect, that it shall not privilege one religion or community over others, that it shall provide equal opportunities to the followers of all religions. The institutions of the state are expected to ensure that the principle of secularism is observed in letter and spirit in public life.

Addressing a meeting here in Kerala last year, the Prime Minister of India, expressing concern over division and hostility on religious lines, had noted that the ancient Indian plea of mutual respect for all faiths was now recognised the world over. He had said that the government of India stands by the declaration that came out of the interfaith conference on "Faith in Human Rights" at the Hague on December 10, 2008, and which defined what constitutes freedom of faith and how it is to be safeguarded. The Prime Minister had said: "My government will ensure that there is complete freedom of faith and that everyone has the undeniable right to retain or adopt the religion of his or her choice without coercion or undue influence. My government will not allow any religious group, belonging to the majority or the minority, to incite hatred against others, overtly or covertly. Mine will be a government that gives equal respect to all religions."



Both the law and the public life in India, thus, promote and endorse religious tolerance.

II

Yet, tolerance alone is not a strong enough a foundation for building an inclusive and pluralistic society. It must be coupled with acceptance and understanding. If we truly want to have a society at peace with itself, we need to move from merely tolerating each other's mere presence to acceptance and understanding.

Swami Vivekananda said that we "must not only tolerate other religions, but positively embrace them, as truth is the basis of all religions".

Tolerance is a virtue. It is freedom from bigotry. It is a version of the golden rule in that, insofar as we want others to treat us decently, we need to treat them decently as well. It is also a pragmatic formula for the functioning of society without conflict between different religions, political ideologies, nationalities, ethnic groups, or other us-versus-them divisions.

Acceptance goes a step beyond tolerance. It is a person's assent to the reality of a situation, recognising a process or condition without attempting to change it, protest, or exit. You can tolerate something without accepting it, but you cannot accept something without tolerating it.

Moving from tolerance to acceptance is a journey that starts within ourselves; within our own understanding and compassion for people who are different to us. We need to challenge ourselves to see beyond the stereotypes and preconceptions that prevent us from accepting others. Dialogue removes misunderstanding and promotes empathy and understanding. Dialogue is essential for developing any understanding. And in this crucial task interfaith dialogue plays an important role.

III

The purpose of interfaith dialogue is to increase our understanding of and respect for other religious systems and institutions, thereby increasing our appreciation of their values.

To promote real understanding, inter-religious and interfaith dialogue has to be more than mere words or talk. It must include human interaction and relationships. It should be about people of different faiths coming to a mutual understanding and respect that allows them to live and cooperate with each other in spite of their differences. It has to be a cooperative and positive interaction between people of different religious traditions, at both the individual and institutional level. Each party remains true to their own beliefs while respecting the right of the other to practise their faith freely.

IV

Kerala has had a long tradition of religious pluralism. It is a state that has the oldest traditions of Islam and Christianity in India and is known for the relative harmony that exists between the various religious groups. Historically, there have been many instances when refuge has been provided to religious groups seeking freedom from religious and political persecution. In AD 52, when St. Thomas came to Kerala, he was received with open arms. Islam arrived through Malik Ibn Dinar, and a team of believers, who came from Saudi Arabia in the seventh century and set up the Cheraman Mosque. The Cochin or Malabar Jews, of Mizrahi and Sephardi heritage, are one of the oldest groups of Jews in India.

The organisers of this Interfaith Conference are the inheritors of a great tradition. Their effort to promote understanding and acceptance among various communities is commendable. I wish them all success.

Edited excerpts from Vice-President Hamid Ansari's address at the inauguration of the Interfaith Conference at Rose Lounge Auditorium, Malappuram, Kerala, on January 12
People in Bihar woke up on Wednesday to a shock, with more than snacks to chew over. The Nitish Kumar government imposed higher taxes on various items including packaged food, dry fruits, flour, refined flour, auto parts, inverters and batteries, saris, sand, cosmetics and mosquito repellents. Even edibles such as potato chips, sweets, samosas and kachauris were not spared.

The decision, which invited criticism from people and Opposition parties, was termed necessary by the government for funding development projects. "These are mainly luxury items, used by the affluent. It will enhance revenue collection of the government, which would be used for the all-round development of Bihar," said Brajesh Mehrotra, Principal Secretary, Cabinet Secretariat.

However, sources say the real reason behind the decision is to minimise the impending revenue loss that would result from the partial ban on liquor from the next fiscal. The government has decided to ban the sale of country and spiced liquor and shut down almost 90 per cent of the liquor shops in Bihar from April 1, which is estimated to cost around Rs 2,000 crore to the state exchequer. The government is trying its best to make up for the losses by tapping other sources. However, the step to impose taxes, despite being wide and far-reaching, would mop up only Rs 430 crore in a year. This shows that the financial problems are too many and too big for the state government to cover.

Given the additional burden of Rs 30,000 crore due to the change in funding pattern in Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS) and impending pressure on the state exchequer for implementation of the Seventh Pay Commission recommendations, the government will be neck deep in trouble. The total burden on the state coffers over the next five years to fulfil poll promises is expected to be Rs 2.7 lakh crore.

It means that Bihar, one of India's poorest states, is looking at a financial shock in the coming month, when the Maha Gathbandhan (Grand Alliance) government will present its first Budget. The government may impose new or increased taxes to compensate for losses and has to borrow more to fund development projects. It also means that Bihar will have to reduce spending on social services to foot the bill of other projects.

"It will be nothing short of a tightrope walk for the government," said a secretary-level IAS officer about budget-making. "The partial liquor ban is expected to cost us Rs 2,000-2,500 crore a year. Then, there is the issue of additional burden on the state government due to change in funding pattern in CSS. There has been a major reduction in important schemes related to child development, health, education, rural electrification, rural road and rural and urban housing. The state will have to fund these schemes. The state will have to implement the recommendations of the Seventh Pay Commission, which will further drain its resources. The implementation of the chief minister's poll promises would cost at least Rs 20,000-30,000 crore in the initial year. So, Bihar's financial health is bound to suffer."



Overall, 56 per cent of Bihar's total revenue of Rs 1.20 lakh crore comes from central taxes and grants. Only 25 per cent comes from its own taxes. Bihar's revenue receipts, although growing at a commendable rate, are not sufficient to meet the government's needs in the coming years. The partial prohibition is expected to make a dent in tax revenue in the next fiscal, which is estimated to grow by 20 per cent to Rs 30,875 crore in 2015-16 (from Rs 25,662.9 crore in 2014-15). Public debt, which has doubled between FY 2012-13 (Rs 9,553.96 crore) and FY 2015-16 (Rs 17,708 crore), is expected to go up further. As the state is hovering around the ceiling imposed by the Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management Act, 2003, it will be difficult for it to borrow more aggressively.

The central schemes earlier used to finance several development projects in Bihar, but after the cut in Centre's share, Patna will now have to spend more on these projects. Despite the dire need to reduce money it spends on running itself, the state would be unable to do so because of the pending implementation of the Seventh Pay Commission recommendations. The state government will have to spend more on account of the revenue expenditure, expected to cross Rs 1 lakh crore.

The CM has already announced that the government would begin rolling out student credit cards, skill development schemes, unemployment allowances and Wi-fi in colleges and universities campus from the next fiscal year. Plus, it will also spend handsomely on road connectivity, electricity, drinking water and sanitation for all. Overall, the unofficial estimates of the first year's expenditure on these schemes are around Rs 25,000-30,000 crore.

Therefore, analysts feel the government may further hike the taxes to get more resources. "This is the first year of the government, so it can take some tough decisions. VAT on petroleum products, vehicles and luxury commodities might be hiked further. However, it will not be easy to increase tax rates after an extent because it is a coalition government. Therefore, it will have to look beyond tax hikes," said a senior analyst. It means it will have to cut funding where it matters the most - the social sector. The government may reduce spending on social services from Rs 38,080 crore, which it has earmarked for the current fiscal.

Education and road construction may get the lion's share in the state's planned outlay. Bihar has a literacy rate of 63.8 per cent against the national figure of 74 per cent. On the other hand, Bihar, home to 8.6 per cent of India's population, has only 4.9 per cent of state highways.
Pravin Togadia presses on. The Vishva Hindu Parishad leader has launched a broadside laden with sarcasm at the government. His view is: Pakistan should never be trusted, the PM has got it wrong and, of course, "mandir wahin banayenge", except that he expects "Narendrabhai" to call a joint session of Parliament and pass a law authorising a mandir. He was speaking in Lucknow over the weekend.
Former West Bengal chief minister and Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee on Saturday urged the Congress to join hands with the CPI(M) in saving West Bengal from the state's ruling party, the Trinamool Congress.

"We ask the Congress, which side are you on? We need to be together to save West Bengal," Bhattacharjee said in Singur, where he flagged off a protest march against the Trinamool Congress-led government's anti-industry policies. Bhattacharjee's efforts to reach out to the Congress are understandable.

In the 2006 Assembly elections, the Left Front had got a vote share of 40 per cent, the Congress nine per cent and the Trinamool Congress 39 per cent; the Trinamool Congress and the Congress had an alliance then. The Left is hoping that an alliance with the Congress this time around could queer the pitch for the ruling party, which is almost sure to win in the upcoming Assembly elections.

Bhattacharjee took on Mamata Banerjee's government for failing to take the industrialisation drive - spearheaded by him during his term as chief minister - forward.

"There is no scope for employment generation in the state. The youth of Bengal don't have a future. We are going backwards. No new factories have come up in the last five years," he said.

He assured that the Left had experience on its side. "We will save Bengal. We need agriculture and industry. Agriculture will be our foundation and industry will be our future," Bhattacharjee said.

Singur, the site for Tata Motors' global small car project, Nano, has always been close to Bhattacharjee's heart; the project was announced jointly at Writers' Building right after he was sworn in as the state's chief minister for a second time.

But an indefinite agitation by "unwilling" farmers -accounting for 15 per cent of the total land losers - led by Banerjee, who was then a part of the Opposition, led to Tata pulling out of the project.
At least 10 people were killed when a tractor-trailer collided with two microbuses in Egypt's El-Moneeb area in Giza, officials have said.

The incident occurred late yesterday after the driver of the tractor-trailer lost control over the vehicle and collided with the two microbuses. Following the collision, all the three vehicles fell from a bridge on Ring Road, killing ten persons and injuring several others, officials said.

A rescue team and ambulances rushed to the spot.

Egypt has one of the world's highest traffic accident rates due to careless driving, road and vehicle conditions which leads to death and injury of thousands every year.

The WHO ranks Egypt as the world's tenth worst country in road accidents, after India, China and the US.
The deputy commissioner of Ramban, has ordered the suspension of 11 officials of various departments who were found absent from duty without seeking prior permission.

Deputy Commissioner Bashir Ahmed Dar, paid a surprise visit to various government offices in the district, an official spokesman said.

He said that during the inspection, some officials were found absent from duty without proper leave and permission besides their movement registers were also not maintained.

The DC ordered suspension of all 11 employees of different offices who were absent from duty during the working hours, he said.

Dar also ordered that a charge sheet shall be served upon them for their misconduct.

"He also passed strict direction to the officers for not allowing any official without permission and asked them to adhere to the office timing properly so that general public do not face any inconvenience," the spokesman said.
At least 135 people, including dozens of civilians, were killed in an Islamic State group onslaught on pro-regime forces in the eastern city of Deir Ezzor, a monitor has said.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said 85 civilians were killed yesterday in the assault which also claimed the lives of 50 Syrian soldiers and pro-government militiamen.

Earlier the Britain-based monitor, which relies on a network of sources on the ground, gave a toll of at least 75 regime forces killed in the IS attack but made no mention of any civilian casualties.
Chief Minister Raman Singh today said the country is making progress due to the youths and the 21st century will belong to its young generation.

Singh was speaking at the five-day-long National Arts festival which began on January 12, the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekanand, in which thousands of youth from various states took part.

Addressing the concluding ceremony of the 20th edition of the Festival at Naya Raipur near here, Singh said "due to the youths, the country is progressing and that the 21st century belonged to the youth of the country."



The concluding ceremony included a march past by the state contingents.

"We (Chhattisgarh) were able to witness different cultures, languages and dialects, which is the biggest strength of our country," he said.

"The Prime Minister has given a new gift to the youth through 'Start Up India Stand Up India'," he added.

"The American President has started identifying the talent of the Indian youths and he advises the youth of his country to study properly otherwise the Indian youths will overtake them in all fields," Singh said in a lighter vein.

The ceremony was presided by Chhattisgarh Assembly Speaker Gaurishankar Agarwal.
In backdrop of the terror attack on the Air Force base in Pathankot, Army has put on standby 30 to 40 Ghatak platoons in the Jammu region to respond to any contingency.

As many as 30 to 40 Ghatak platoons in the region have been put on standby to respond to any contingency, defence sources said. A Ghatak platoon usually comprises 20 commandos.

Heavily armed terrorists from across the border attacked the Pathankot airbase on January 2, killing seven security men and injuring over 21. All six terrorists were killed during the operation which lasted a few days.

Following the Pathankot incident, all security forces in the region have stepped up measures to further strengthen security of garrisons and other installations, they said.

The measures include additional deployment of forces to dominate the infiltration routes usually taken by terrorists, effective patrolling and employment of surveillance equipment so as to eliminate terrorists before they reach their targets, they added.

A multi-disciplinary agency team comprising senior officers of Jammu and Kashmir Police, Central Armed Police Forces, Air Force, Army, Intelligence agencies and other stakeholders would undertake a security audit of all vital establishments and installations in the state by January 22.

This was decided at a high-level security meeting, chaired by Jammu and Kashmir Governor N N Vohra at the Raj Bhavan here yesterday, following review of the existing arrangements for safety and security of all vital civil and defence establishments and installations in the state.

Consequent to recurring terror attacks since September 2013 and particularly the recent attack on the Air Force base in Pathankot, the Governor had asked top security and defence officials to undertake a time bound review of all existing security arrangements.

The Governor has been repeatedly expressing anxiety over the recurrence of terror attacks from across the Pakistan border. Two such attacks had taken place in 2013, three in 2014, six in 2015 and one in January 2016.

It is significant that all these terror attacks were targeted at J&K Police, Central Armed Police Forces, Army and the Air Force. These attacks originated from across the International Border. In three cases the attackers entered into the country via Kathua, in two cases via Samba, and in one case via Arnia.

In the attacks across the LoC, one was on the Army Regimental Centre at Mohra in Uri Sector; and the other two in the Tangdhar Sector. The remaining were at Udhampur, Dina Nagar and Pathankot.

These 12 terror attacks since September 2013 resulted in the killing of 51 persons (Army-16; J&K Police-12; civilians-11; DSC-5; NSG-2; BSF-2; CRPF-2; MES-1) and injury to 15 BSF personnel.

During the over three-hour discussions, officers of the Army, Security Forces and State Police informed about the actions already taken and those underway for ensuring that important establishments and installations were safeguarded.

The Governor stressed the need for cohesive action to enforce constant vigil on the frontiers, effectively maintaining internal security and ensuring the safety of sensitive establishments and installations.

In this context, he asked representatives of all the security forces and all other agencies to identify all existing gaps and ensure total fusion of manpower and technology resources on the ground for providing a prompt and strong counter-terror response on all fronts.
Sixty-three hostages, including 33 wounded, were evacuated in the early hours of today from a Burkina Faso hotel besieged by Al-Qaeda-linked gunmen, communication minister Remis Dandjinou said.

"There are some dead but we don't have the numbers. The assault is ongoing with the Burkinabe forces supported by French special forces," Dandjinou told AFP, adding that amongst those rescued was labour minister Clement Sawadogo.
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) today attacked Manpreet Badal, who joined Congress by merging his party, saying the estranged nephew of Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal "shook hands" with a party which was accused of big scandals like 2G, coal scams.

It also rubbished the reported claims of Manpreet that AAP had approached him to come into party fold.

Former Punjab finance minister Manpreet Badal had yesterday announced to join Congress by merging his outfit People's Party of Punjab (PPP) in Delhi.

"He (Manpreet Badal) has joined the party which has set records in scams like 2G scam, coal scam etc. He joined the party which had even attacked the Golden Temple-the worship place for Sikhs," AAP, Punjab Convener, Sucha Singh Chottepur said today.

"Earlier, he used to see vision for Punjab in Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and now he sees vision in Congress party," he said.

Chottepur also slammed the PPP founder for reportedly saying that AAP lacked vision to end corruption, unemployment, drug menace.

"He does not need to care about us. We know what we wish to do for the betterment of Punjab. But we will certainly not do what they (Congress) had done," he said while taking a jibe at Manpreet.

AAP, aiming to repeat their historic win of Delhi polls in 2017 Punjab assembly polls, has vision to bring change in the state by ending corruption, drug menace, stopping exodus of industry and save farming community.

"Our struggle is to end corruption, drug abuse, to bail out farmers from crisis and promote industry which is completely in bad shape at present. We are simple men and belonged to simple families unlike him (Manpreet Badal)," he said.

Chottepur said AAP never approached Manpreet to join the party. "As far as I know AAP never approached Manpreet to join us. If he had approached himself, then I don't know," he said.

Manpreet, who was the state Finance minister in 2010, had quit the ruling Shiromani Akali Dal after differences with his uncle Parkash Singh Badal and cousin Sukhbir Singh Badal, and floated his own party PPP.
Bollywood actor Abhishek Bachchan has expressed his desire to become brand ambassador for government programmes.

Abhishek was here today for the closing ceremony of the 'Road Safety programme' of Thane city police.

When asked whether he will become a brand ambassador for government programmes like his father megastar Amitabh Bachchan, he said, "If the government makes a request to me, then I will gladly become".

Amitabh had accepted the proposal of Maharashtra Forest Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar to be the tiger ambassador of the state.

While addressing the gathering, the "All Is Well" star urged citizens to strictly follow traffic rules.

"Do not not copy my riding in the movie 'Dhoom', instead follow my role as a police officer (in the film)," he added.

"One should not drink and drive and should avoid using the cell phones while driving," the 39-year-old actor said.

Reacting to the recent Pathankot terror attack, he said all citizens should be alert all the times.

Thane Police Commissioner Param Bir Singh, actor Satish Kaushik, actress Preeti Jhangiani and Thane Guardian Minister Eknath Shinde were present on the occasion.
Admiral R K Dhowan, the Chief of Naval Staff, today reviewed the progress of the Indigenous Aircraft Carrier (IAC) 'Vikrant' which is under construction at Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL).

Dhowan who arrived here today, was received by Vice Admiral Sunil Lanba, the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Southern Naval Command at the naval air station INS Garuda on his arrival.

"The Admiral, accompanied by the FOC-in-C South visited the CSL in the afternoon where he had a walk around of the ship to have a first hand appreciation of the progress of work onboard and was briefed on the various milestone activities of construction," a Navy release said here.

At the shipyard, he also held discussions with Madhu S Nair, Chairman and Managing Director, CSL and other senior officials of Navy and CSL which included Vice Admiral G S Pabby, Controller of Warship Production and Acquisition.

'Vikrant' is the first aircraft carrier to be indigenously built in the country, the keel of which was laid in February 2009.

The ship was launched in August 2013 with the completion of the hull construction and is expected to be delivered by 2018 end.

The Indian Navy currently operates two aircraft carrier, INS Viraat (procured from UK) and INS Vikramaditya (procured from Russia) out of which INS Viraat is likely to be decommissioned in the near future.

The Chief of Naval Staff will depart Kochi tomorrow.
At least 20 people have been killed and another 15 wounded in an ongoing Al-Qaeda attack on a hotel in the capital of Burkina Faso popular with United Nations staff and westerners.

Gunshots and explosions rocked Ouagadougou's four-star Splendid hotel and the nearby "Cappuccino" restaurant last night as Burkinabe forces prepared an assault to rescue hostages still trapped inside the hotel.

Officials said French forces could join a counter-assault on the hotel, where assailants were apparently still holed up more than three hours after the attack began.

The attack comes less than two months after a jihadist hostage siege at the luxury Radisson Blu Hotel in the Malian capital Bamako in November, in which 20 people died including 14 foreigners.

"We know that there are victims and there are hostages. Currently the area is blocked by security forces waiting for an assault to free the hostages," Foreign Minister Alpha Barry said.

Around 10 vehicles were on fire in the streets near the hotel in Ouagadougou, not far from the city's airport.

The head of the city's main hospital confirmed at least 20 dead and another 15 injured, and witnesses said the assailants were still holed up in the 147-room hotel.

A Cappuccino staff member, reached by telephone, also said several people had been killed at the restaurant, but was not able to give an exact toll.

Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) claimed responsibility for the attack, according to US-based monitoring group SITE.

The "mujahideen brothers" of AQIM "broke into a restaurant of one of the biggest hotels in the capital of Burkina Faso, and are now entrenched and the clashes are continuing with the enemies of the religion", SITE quoted the group as saying.

Sporadic exchanges of fire could be heard between the attackers and security forces near the hotel, which often has UN staff among its guests and has security checks at its entrances.

Barry said Burkina Faso may enlist the support of French special forces, who have a permanent presence in the country, to deal with the unfolding situation.

An AFP reporter at one point saw three men clad in turbans firing at the scene on Avenue Kwame Nkrumah, one of Ouagadougou's main thoroughfares.

A witness also reported seeing four assailants who were of Arab or white appearance and "wearing turbans".
George Clooney's human rights lawyer wife Amal feels a "certain responsibility" being in the public eye but wants to use her newfound fame for "good".

The human rights lawyer, 37, said she feels a "certain responsibility" since being thrust into the spotlight thanks to her relationship with actor Clooney, reported E!Online.

"I think it's wonderful that celebrities would choose to spend their time or energy or, you know, the spotlight that they have to raise awareness about these causes. I don't really see myself in the same way because I'm still doing the same job that I used to do before.

"If there's more attention paid - for whatever reason - to that, then I think that's good. I think there is a certain responsibility that comes with that. And you know, I think I'm exercising it in an appropriate manner by continuing to do this kind of work.
The three-day Makara Sankranti festivities continued in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana with 'Kanuma' being celebrated on the last day today.

Cows, bullocks and farm implements are decorated and offered prayers by farmers in villages as a thanksgiving gesture on the last day of the harvest festival today.

The festivities began on Thursday with 'Bhogi'. A traditional 'Bhogi mantalu' (bonfire) is lit on the day before dawn with cow dung cakes and old household items thrown into the fire.

The second day of the festival is Sankranti which marks the transition of the Sun into the zodiac sign of 'Makara' (capricorn) on its celestial path.

Thousands of people travelled from Hyderabad,Visakhapatnam and other cities in the two states to their native places to celebrate the festival.

Buses and trains, going to AP districts from Hyderabad, witnessed heavy rush of passengers. The Secunderabad-headquartered South Central Railway and the state-run State Road Transport Corporation arranged special buses to cater public.

Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister M Venkaiah Naidu spoke to the Railway Board Chairman for Railways to run special services, a release from his office said.

Meanwhile, the children and youth of the city were flying kites made in various hues. The Telangana government banned the sale of nylon threads coated with glass powder, popularly known as 'Chinese Manza', to save birds and others.

Cock fights were reportedly being conducted in the remote villages of East and West Godavari, Visakhapatnam and other districts of AP though they are not allowed as per court orders, according to reports reaching here.

The cockfights are conducted with the cocks having been fed on a special menu and made to fight with small knives tied to their legs. Money also changes hands on the cockfights.

The organisers of the cockfights, however, insist that the cockfights are part of the tradition like Jallikattu in Tamil Nadu.

Police had conducted a campaign against the cockfights in the run-up to the festival.

"We would like to bring different genres of music in a



live format to people at all levels of society through series of concerts in diverse environments. The International Classical Guitar Festivals of the previous years received rave reviews. We aim to organise a bigger festival and better experience this year. Apart from the concerts, hundreds of young guitarists are also going to receive Master classes from the acclaimed musicians. It is heartening to see all the concerts are sold out at this year a week before the opening day," said Mr Sanjay Jain, Managing Director, Siddha Group [https://www.Siddhagroup.Com ].

This is a one-of-its-kind festival hosted in Asia and India. This year the festival will be held at Indian Council for Cultural Relations from 15-18 December. There will be 9 major concerts, workshops, public master classes and competition where the total prize money is $8000.

Representation has come in from countries like Vietnam, Germany, France, Indonesia, Thailand and Bangladesh.

About Siddha Group:



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Anna Hazare has received an anonymous letter which threatens that the social activist would be killed on January 26, police said today.

The sender has also alleged that the anti-graft crusader has earned a lot of money and asked Hazare to declare him his heir, a senior police official said.

The hand-written letter was sent around four days back to Hazare's office at his native Ralegan Siddhi village in Ahmednagar district, Additional Superintendent of Police Pankaj Deshmukh said.

"In the letter, the sender has threatened that January 26 will be the last day of Hazare," Deshmukh added.

The police officer said Hazare has previously also received similar anonymous threat letters.

Talking about the veteran activist's security cover in the wake of this letter, Deshmukh said, "We have already given adequate security cover to Hazare and on a daily basis, the security is being reviewed."



Talking to PTI, Hazare's personal assistant Shyam Pathade, said, "This could be the tenth such letter received by our office and Anna has chosen not to comment on such letters as he does not fall prey to such threats."



ASP Deshmukh added that police are trying to ascertain whether it is an act of mischief. However, a case has been registered against unidentified person in this regard.
At least 20 people have been killed and another 15 wounded in an ongoing assault on a hotel in the capital of Burkina Faso, a hospital chief has said.

"For the dead, we do not have a precise figure, but there are at least 20 dead," said Robert Sangare, the head of Yalgado Ouedraogo hospital told AFP yesterday.

"We have had at least 15 wounded with bullet wounds and others who suffered injuries during the panic to escape.
Burkina Faso troops supported by French special forces were battling al-Qaeda linked gunmen in the early hours of today in a Ouagadougou hotel where at least 20 people have been killed.

Sixty-three hostages were rescued, 33 of them wounded, from the Burkinabe capital's four-star Splendid hotel about two hours after the assault began and heavy gun battles were still being waged on the top floors of the hotel, popular with UN staff and foreigners.

Twenty people have been confirmed dead, but the toll could rise further as interior minister Simon Campaore told AFP that firefighters had seen 10 bodies on the terrace of a restaurant opposite the hotel.

It was not clear how many people remained trapped.

"We don't yet have a total tally of the dead. The Burkinabe forces are still combing the hotel," Campaore said.

He said it was unclear how many attackers were still inside the 147-room hotel.

"The assault is ongoing with the Burkinabe forces supported by French special forces," communication minister Remis Dandjinou told AFP.

The attack comes less than two months after a jihadist hostage siege at the luxury Radisson Blu hotel in the Malian capital Bamako left 20 people dead, including 14 foreigners - an attack claimed by the same Al-Qaeda affiliate behind the unfolding Ouagadougou assault.

A fire raged at the main entrance of the hotel and screams could be heard from inside, while on the street outside about 10 vehicles were set alight.

The head of the city's main hospital confirmed prior to the start of the counter-assault at least 20 people had been killed and another 15 injured.

A restaurant opposite the hotel was also attacked and a staff member, reached by telephone, said several people had been killed, but was not able to give an exact toll.

Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) claimed responsibility for the attack saying it was "revenge against France and the disbelieving West", according to US-based monitoring group SITE.

The "mujahideen brothers" of AQIM "broke into a restaurant of one of the biggest hotels in the capital of Burkina Faso, and are now entrenched and the clashes are continuing with the enemies of the religion", SITE quoted the group as saying.

The attackers were members of the Al-Murabitoun group based in Mali and run by Mokhtar Belmokhtar, SITE said.

An AFP reporter at one point saw three men clad in turbans firing at the scene on Avenue Kwame Nkrumah, one of Ouagadougou's main thoroughfares.

A witness also reported seeing four assailants who were of Arab or white appearance and "wearing turbans".

The French embassy said on its website that a "terrorist attack" was underway and urged people to avoid the area. An Air France flight from Paris to Ouagadougou was diverted to neighbouring Niger.
At least 26 people, many of them foreigners, were killed in an attack overnight on a top hotel in the capital of Burkina Faso, the latest country to be drawn into a regional jihadist battle against the West and its allies.

A total of 126 people were freed, 33 of them wounded, from the four-star Splendid hotel after security forces retook the facility and nearby Cappuccino restaurant today over 12 hours after the attack began, Interior Minister Simon Compaore told AFP.

The assault on the two venues, popular with Westerners and UN personnel, was crushed by midday but the police and military were still combing the area for other suspects, a security source said.

Communications Minister Remi Dandjinou gave a provisional figure of 26 killed and announced three days of mourning. The French foreign ministry gave a figure of 27 dead "and around 150 injured".

Compaore said "three jihadists - an Arab and two black Africans - have been killed". The security source said four jihadists were killed, two of them women, and the victims were of 18 nationalities.

Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) claimed the attack on behalf of an affiliate, saying the strike on the former French colony was in "revenge against France and the disbelieving West", according to a statement carried by US-based monitoring group SITE.

AQIM said the gunmen were from the Al-Murabitoun group of notorious Algerian extremist Mokhtar Belmokhtar.

The attack will heighten concerns that jihadist groups are casting their net wider in search of targets in west Africa, two months after a siege at a luxury hotel in neighbouring Mali, where 20 people were killed, against mostly foreigners.

AQIM and Al-Murabitoun jointly claimed that attack.

President Roch Marc Christian Kabore, who took office just last month, a year after a popular uprising ousted longtime leader Blaise Compaore, called on his fellow citizens to show "courage".

Burkina Faso has "never caved in under any circumstances and it's not going to start now," he said.

The attack began around 7.45 pm when an unknown number of attackers stormed the 147-room hotel in the heart of Ouagadougou.

An AFP reporter saw three gunmen wearing turbans firing on Avenue Kwame Nkrumah, one of the city's main thoroughfares.

Another witness reported seeing four assailants.

The hotel and its environs were transformed into a battleground as Burkina Faso troops, backed by French forces based in the city under a regional counterterrorism initiative, launched an attempt to retake the hotel around 2 am.

The US, which has a small contingent in the country, said it supported French forces in the operation.

Several guests managed to escape from the hotel through side entrances, including Labour Minister Clement Sawadogo, who emerged unscathed.

"It was horrible, people were sleeping and there was blood everywhere. They were firing at people at close range," Yannick Sawadogo, one of those who escaped, told AFP.

"They were walking around people and firing at people who were not dead."



Compaore, the interior minister, told AFP that 10 bodies had been discovered on the terrace of the Cappuccino restaurant.

The foreign ministry in Paris confirmed a Frenchwoman was among the injured but said no French nationals had yet been confirmed among the victims.

French President Francois Hollande denounced the "odious and cowardly attack", with the European Union and Britain issuing similar condemnations.

Also today, Burkina's interior ministry reported that two foreigners were kidnapped Friday in the northern Baraboule region, near the border with Niger and Mali.

The ministry said the couple were Austrian, though the Austrian foreign ministry was unable to immediately confirm the report.

The army said a heavily-armed group of about 20 people also carried out an attack Friday near the border with Mali, killing two people - a police officer and a civilian - and leaving two others wounded.

The attack in Ouagadougou was unprecedented in Burkina Faso and comes as people were enjoying a return to stability after the election which ended a shaky transitional period following Compaore's ouster.

"The elections went off well...That makes the country a symbol of progress, which is what those people want to destroy," Cynthia Ohayon, a security analyst with the International Crisis Group said.

Al-Murabitoun had already begun to move into the impoverished country of around 17 million. In April last year, the group claimed the abduction of the Romanian security chief of a mine in the country's north.

Burkina Faso is one of the five countries in the restive Sahel region that is hosting France's Barkhane counter-terror mission.
Australian Prime Minister Malcom Turnbull made an unannounced visit to Baghdad today and held talks with his Iraqi counterpart on the fight against the Islamic State group, the premier's office said.

Australia is part of a US-led coalition carrying out air strikes against IS and providing training to Iraqi forces.

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi's office said he and Turnbull discussed the war against IS, strengthening relations between the two countries as well as economic and agricultural cooperation.

Abadi welcomed Australia's support against IS, his office said.

Australia has carried out strikes against IS and deployed trainers to Iraq, but this week rejected a request from US Defence Secretary Ashton Carter for further contributions, saying current efforts are sufficient and will continue.

Turnbull is travelling to Washington for a two-day visit beginning Monday that will include a major foreign policy address and meeting with US President Barack Obama.

Talks are likely on the fight against IS and ratification of the 12-nation trans-Pacific trade deal.

Canberra has been increasingly concerned about the flow of fighters to Iraq and Syria to join extremist groups including IS.

It passed a law last month to strip dual nationals who fight with banned groups of their citizenship if they fight with banned groups oversees or are convicted of terrorism offences.

IS overran large areas north and west of Baghdad last year and also holds significant territory in Syria.

Iraqi forces initially performed poorly against the jihadists, but have regained ground with the support of international air strikes.
Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today asked the Indian Medical Association (IMA) and State health department to form a joint coordination committee under his chairmanship to suggest ways to improve healthcare system across the state.

The panel would give suggestions to the state government for providing best healthcare and diagnostic facilities to the people at affordable rates, he said while addressing doctors during an inaugural function of two-days annual conference organised by IMA here.

Referring to Clinical Establishment Act, Badal said that any legislations related to agriculture, industry, medical and healthcare should ensure level playing field for all the stakeholders by taking them into confidence before enactment of such laws by the Centre.

Listing the facilities being extended by state government to give fillip to the medical education, the Chief Minister said, the stipend of medical interns have been enhanced from Rs 4,500 to Rs 9,000 per month while the honorarium of house surgeons have been increased Rs 4,800 to Rs 21,000 per month.

Showing concern over ill effects of Cancer and Hepatitis, Badal asked doctors to intensify their efforts in medical research to combat these fatal diseases.

He said, the state government has taken several steps to fight cancer which includes providing 118 drugs at affordable rates to patients suffering from this disease besides giving financial assistance of Rs 1.50 lakh to each person suffering from cancer from Chief Minister's Cancer Relief Fund.

Till now Rs 335 crore financial assistance have been provided to 27,163 patients. Two advanced cancer treatment centres, Homi Bhabha Cancer Centre at Government Hospital Sangrur in collaboration with Tata Memorial Hospital and a 100-bedded Advanced Cancer Research Centre at Bathinda have been set up, he said.

Also, Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital and Research Centre would soon come up at Mullanpur in New Chandigarh, Badal said.

Later, talking to mediapersons the Chief Minister said that AAP was a party of "fugitives" which had no future in Punjab.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has proved to be a biggest failure at all fronts and how could such party dare to befool the innocent electorate in Punjab, he said.

On the merger of People's Party of Punjab led by Manpreet Badal in Congress, Badal said that he failed to understand how one person without anyone's support could help Congress in improving its poll prospects in 2017.

"How a person could succeed in his life without any ideology, principle or stand," he said referring to Manpreet.
In the wake of the Pathankot terror attack, Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today wrote to Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh seeking setting up of a joint team of officials of the state and Central security agencies to visit the border with Pakistan, identify vulnerable spots and plug them.

Badal sought a team comprising Secretary of Border Management, Home Department; Director General, Border Security Force (BSF); Director, Intelligence Bureau (IB) and State Police to inspect the condition of the border fencing in Punjab -- mainly Gurdaspur and Amritsar districts -- and adjoining area of Jammu, besides identifying the vulnerable points and suggesting methods to seal them, biannually or as required.

In a letter to the Union Home Minister, Badal wanted him to accord top most priority to this exercise to be undertaken by the joint team to ensure security of the border and safety of the people residing in its vicinity.

The Chief Minister informed Rajnath Singh that there have been instances in recent past of suicide attacks in Punjab at Dinanagar on July 27, 2015 and Pathankot airforce base on January 1.

These suicide attackers are suspected to have intruded into India from the international border in Punjab or adjoining area of Jammu and Kashmir, he said.

In last one year, there have been several incidents of border crossing in Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab due to the difficult terrain in the region, despite fencing at most parts of the border.

In recent years, BSF and Punjab Police have also seized a sizeable number of consignments of arms and ammunition near the border fencing.

There have also been seizures of major quantities of heroin in this area by the forces, pointing towards regular attempts by smugglers to use this border as the fencing in the riverine area gets damaged during floods leaving gaps, Badal pointed out.

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Badal said the strings of AAP was being pulled by



non-Punjabis who were resorting to "use and throw" policy towards local leaders.

Listing major initiatives of the SAD-BJP government, he claimed it has supplied Rs 50,000 crore worth of free power to farmers in the last 10 years to bail them out from agrarian crisis.

Badal claimed in a first-of-its-kind scheme, farmers will be provided interest free crop loans of Rs 50,000.

It also been decided, all farmers would covered by health insurance of Rs 50,000 and a Rs 5 lakh insurance in case of accidental death or incapacitation as head of family, he said.

Countering Haryana's objection on naming the international airport in Chandigarh as Mohali International Airport, Badal said, "It was justified as the airport was in Mohali and no questions should be raised on it."



Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar, yesterday, had slammed Punjab government for prefixing "Mohali" instead of "Chandigarh".

Assailing AAP for giving "frivolous" statements, Badal alleged an AAP leader has equalled their leadership with 'Panj Piyaras' and the act of pasting their election symbol on picture of Sri Darbar Sahib reflects their scant respect for the Sikh religion.

Terming the acts of Congress MLAs as "shameless" in the recently concluded Punjab Assembly, he said, "These leaders have insulted democratic norms. The use of unparliamentary language by Congress legislators was a condemnable act."



"These acts might have helped the Congress leaders in making headlines but has disgraced the democracy," he said, adding Punjab has immensely benefited from the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre.
China's top search engine Baidu is facing punishment for hosting forums containing pornography, libellous posts and advertisements for unlicensed hospitals.

The State Internet Information Office summoned Baidu executives for a grilling yesterday and ordered them to immediately remove the content.

It also ordered Internet regulators in Beijing, where Baidu is headquartered, to punish the company.

The State Internet Information Office has been flooded with public complaints about Baidu, it said in a statement.

The complaints also claimed Baidu had leaked users' personal information state-run Xinhua agency reported.

"In addition, some search results on Baidu are not impartial or objective, and its channel has spread harmful information involving violence and terror," according to the statement.
A bank employee allegedly withdrew Rs 6.50 lakh from the "dormant" bank account of three-time Haryana Chief Minister late Bansi Lal and transfered the stolen money into a fake account in the same branch.

Rajesh Sharda, branch manager of State Bank of India (SBI), located at Mini Secretariat here, has lodged a complaint with the Chandigarh police that a cashier in the same branch had allegedly withdrawn Rs 6.50 lakh from Lal's bank account illegally.

The account of Bansi Lal remained dormant, the complainant said.

"We have received a complaint from Rajesh Sharda, bank manager of SBI that one employee Shambhu Kumar has withdrawn Rs 6.50 lakh from the bank account of late Bansi Lal in fraudulent way," said Chandigarh police, SHO, Neeraj Sarna said today.

"The employee withdrew money by opening a fake account in the same branch to transfer money," he said.

When the bank detected the fraud, it suspended the concerned employee as department action, police said.

"The cashier has apologised for his illegal act and returned the money to the bank," said Sarna.

Police said FIR has still not been registered in this regard as investigation is on.

"We have sought records pertaining to the bank account from the bank. We also want to know how he opened a fake account, who gave the guarantee for the opening of this account and what was the mode of transfer of money," he said.

The prominent Jat leader late Bansi Lal had remained Chief Minister of Haryana thrice. He was also Defence Minister in late Indira Gandhi government in 1975-1977 and then again Railways minister in late Rajiv Gandhi government in 1984-1986.

Congress leader passed away at the age of 78 in the year 2006.
The 349th 'Parkash Utsav' (birth anniversary) of 10th Sikh Guru Gobind Singh was today celebrated with religious fervour and enthusiasm in Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh.

Braving chill and foggy weather conditions, devotees including women and children made beeline early this morning at various Gurdwaras including the Golden Temple at Amritsar and Takht Keshgarh Sahib at Anandpur Sahib to pay their obeisance.

Despite cold conditions, devotees took holy dip in the 'Sarovar' (tank).

Gurdwaras were tastefully decked up to celebrate the birth anniversary of Guru Gobind Singh, founder of the 'Khalsa Panth'.

Akhand Paths (non-stop recitation of Guru Granth Sahib) were held, followed by 'kirtan'(hymn-singing), 'katha' (religious discourse), 'kavita-kavishari'(religious poetry) in Gurdwaras.

Devotees partook the 'Langar'(community kitchen) which was served in Gurdwaras.

In Anandpur Sahib in year 1699, the tenth Sikh Guru founded the 'Khalsa' and baptised first five Sikhs (Panj Piaras).

Punjab government had already announced to extend its support and cooperation to Bihar government for the commemoration of 350th Parkash Utsav of 10th Sikh Guru Gobind Singh next year at Patna (Bihar), where the Guru was born in 1666.
After a jeweller was shot dead in the state capital today, opposition BJP attacked the Nitish Kumar government on law and order situation in Bihar and sought the intervention of Governor Ramnath Kovind.

"Under the dominance of numerically strong Lalu Prasad, it appears that the Nitish Kumar government has lost the will to take on criminals," senior BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi told reporters.

"The fear of return of jungle raj has appeared to be true in Bihar as indicated by killing of two engineers in Darbhanga, gunning down of a jeweller in Patna today and regular news reports of extortion calls by criminals to doctors, engineers and industrialists," Sushil Modi said.

Sushil Modi, who is Leader of Opposition in Legislative Council, said soon a delegation of BJP would meet Governor Ramnath Kovind and seek his intervention to check the spiralling crime graph.

In a scathing attack at Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, the senior BJP leader asked "What happened to his pre-poll assurance to people of 'main hoon na'."



Sushil Modi alleged that Bihar was returning to path of "jungle raj" which was prevalent during 15 years rule of Lalu Prasad's party in the state from 1990-2005.

"There are clearly two centres in Bihar today, one led by Lalu Prasad and another Nitish Kumar," he said and pointed to the RJD chief telephoning civil and police officials and giving directions to them on law and order issue.

"Prasad had recently said he would make his mobile number public so that citizens could talk to him over crime," he said to drive home the point.

"Nitish Kumar has lost control over bureaucracy due to interference by Lalu Prasad who with 80 MLAs is the single largest party in the coalition government," he said.

Sushil Modi stringent remarks came in the wake of the murder of a jeweller by armed men near Rajapur in the heart of Patna, reportedly over an extortion demand.

The jeweller Ravi Kant succumbed to bullet injuries while being taken to Patna Medical College and Hospital, Senior Superintendent of Police Manu Maharaj told PTI.
After a jeweller was shot dead in the state capital today, opposition BJP attacked the Nitish Kumar government on law and order situation in Bihar and sought the intervention of Governor Ramnath Kovind.

"Under the dominance of numerically strong Lalu Prasad, it appears that the Nitish Kumar government has lost the will to take on criminals," senior BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi told reporters.

"The fear of return of jungle raj has appeared to be true in Bihar as indicated by killing of two engineers in Darbhanga, gunning down of a jeweller in Patna today and regular reports of extortion calls by criminals to doctors, engineers and industrialists," Sushil Modi said.

Sushil Modi, who is Leader of Opposition in Legislative Council, said soon a delegation of BJP would meet Governor Ramnath Kovind and seek his intervention to check the spiralling crime graph.

In a scathing attack at Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, the



senior BJP leader asked "What happened to his pre-poll assurance to people of 'main hoon na'."



Sushil Modi alleged that Bihar was returning to path of



"jungle raj" which was prevalent during 15 years rule of Lalu Prasad's party in the state from 1990-2005.

"There are clearly two centres in Bihar today, one led by Lalu Prasad and another Nitish Kumar," he said and pointed to the RJD chief telephoning civil and police officials and giving directions to them on law and order issue.

"Prasad had recently said he would make his mobile number public so that citizens could talk to him over crime," he said to drive home the point.

"Nitish Kumar has lost control over bureaucracy due to interference by Lalu Prasad who with 80 MLAs is the single largest party in the coalition government," he said.

Sushil Modi stringent remarks came in the wake of the murder of a jeweller by armed men near Rajapur in the heart of Patna, reportedly over an extortion demand.

The jeweller Ravi Kant succumbed to bullet injuries while being taken to Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH), Senior Superintendent of Police Manu Maharaj told PTI.
The death toll in an attack by jihadists on a top hotel in the capital of Burkina Faso rose to 29 today, with 30 injured, the country's Security Minister Simon Compaore said.

The bodies of three jihadists had been identified. All three were men, the minister said, adding that they were "very young".

The previous death toll in the incident overnight Friday to Saturday had put the number of dead at 26, from 18 different nationalities.
Unidentified car-borne persons today opened fire on police in Zirakpur, about 15 kms from here, prompting authorities to sound an alert to track down the vehicle which sped away after the incident, police said.

However, no one was injured in the firing by the suspects believed to be four in number, police said.

The incident occurred near Gurdwara Nabha Sahib on Zirakpur-Patiala road in Punjab when the travellers in the car were asked by police to come out for verification.

Acting on a tip off, a PCR vehicle intercepted a white coloured Lancer car at around 12:15 pm as the police had prior information about movement of some suspicious persons in the city, police said.

When the occupants were asked to come out of the car for questioning and search, they allegedly opened fire. The police team also fired three shots in return, said Zirakpur SHO Deep Inder Singh. The vehicle then sped away from the scene.

An alert was sounded in Zirakpur and adjoining areas and police launched a manhunt to nab them but failed to trace them till the evening.

Police could not see the registration number of the vehicle as the number plate was covered with mud.

A case under various sections including section 307 of the IPC was lodged against unidentified persons, police said.
The head of China's market regulator issued an unusual apology today for volatility in the country's markets, acknowledging "shortcomings" in the way they have been supervised.

"The abnormal fluctuations on the stock exchanges have revealed the immaturity of the Chinese markets, inexperienced traders and a trading system that is imperfect," said Xiao Gang, head of the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC).

"They also exposed shortcomings in the supervision, as well as regulation mechanisms that are inappropriate and ineffective," he said, according to a transcript of a speech given to colleagues that was posted on the CSRC website.

His comments came after fresh losses last week on the Shanghai and Shenzhen markets, which had already shed around 40 percent of their value over several weeks this summer despite government efforts to prop them up, including massive share purchases and attempts to restrain panic-buying.

"Certain institutions have allowed illegal and irregular transactions to prosper, instead of upholding their responsibilities and stabilising the market," Xiao said.

Several brokers are under investigation, notably on suspicion of insider trading.

Xiao said "deep lessons" had to be learned from the recent turmoil, with a push to "intensify reforms, reinforce supervision (and) support the development of healthy capital markets" by opening them up.

China's markets remain cut off from the rest of the world due to tight restrictions on capital flows.

Last week, the regulator suspended a new "circuit breaker" mechanism that had fuelled investor panic and a global rout by automatically closing Chinese markets early twice in just four days.

Beijing authorities launched a wave of investigations targeting the financial sector at the end of 2015 in the wake of the summer's stock market rout, with CSRC deputy chief Yao Gang under investigation for suspected corruption.
China will send two new models of its heavy carrier rocket on their maiden space trips this year, China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASC) said today.

The country's strongest carrier rocket, Long March-5 has a payload capacity of 25 tonnes to low Earth orbit, or 14 tonnes to geostationary transfer orbit.

It is scheduled to carry the Chang'e-5 lunar probe around 2017 to finish the last chapter in China's three-step (orbiting, landing and return) moon exploration program.

According to a CASC statement, which did not specify either of the rockets' missions this year, Long March-5 is currently being tested at a launch site in south China's Hainan Province.

A medium-sized rocket using liquid propellants, Long March-7 will carry up to 13.5 tonnes to low Earth orbit or 5.5 tonnes to sun-synchronous orbit at a height of 700 kilometers.

It will carry cargo craft for the planned space station.

"The two carrier rockets' maiden flights will significantly boost our country's ability to enter space and help realize leapfrog development in our space transportation system," said CASC, China's primary launch vehicle and satellite contractor.

Both rockets were developed by the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology under the CASC.

According to the statement, the academy will be responsible for the launch of 15 space missions this year, covering manned space projects, China's satellite navigation system and satellites for civilian and commercial uses.

Earlier today, a Long March-3B rocket carried a Belarusian telecom satellite into intended orbit from southwest China's Xichang Satellite Launch Center.

This was China's first orbital mission of 2016 and the 223rd launch of the Long March series, state-run Xinhua agency reported.
The Delhi BJP today charged Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal with taking preemptive measures to save "corrupt" ministers and officials of his government from the police and other central anti-corruption agencies.

"Your tweets regarding raids against Delhi government ministers Manish Sisodia and Satyendar Jain by central government did not surprise me. I believe it was done to pre-empt any raids by police and anti-corruption agencies of central government against corrupt ministers and officials of the government," BJP MLA Vijender Gupta wrote in a letter to Kejriwal.

The Leader of Opposition in Assembly further alleged that there were charges of corruption against Delhi government and two ministers were removed in this connection. Gupta added that the tweet by Kejriwal was an effort to save them from possible police action including arrest.

The BJP MLA has also complained in his letter that several efforts to meet the Chief Minister and discuss the "scams" in the government have failed because his request for an appointment was not entertained.

In the midst of his face-off with the BJP-led Centre, Kejriwal had yesterday claimed that raids may be conducted targeting his ministerial colleagues Manish Sisodia and Satyendar Jain.

"PMO sources-Next raid on Manish or Satinder. Officers under them being pressurized to get something wrong signed from them," Kejriwal had tweeted.

"Modiji you do whatever you want, truth is with us, God is with us, you cannot do anything to us," Kejriwal said in another tweet.
Pakistan-occupied Kashmir President has convened a conference in Islamabad to discuss 'Kashmir' and 'emergence of Hindu Extremism in India' which will be attended by controversial Independent MLA of Jammu and Kashmir Sheikh Abdul Rashid even as separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani declined the invitation.

The two-day conference convened by PoK President Sardar Mohammad Yaqoob Khan from January 20 has the theme 'The Kashmir Conflict - its Ramifications for Pak-India Relations and Peace and security of south Asia'.

The other topics to be discussed include 'the Kashmir Dispute, Hindutva and emergence of Hindu Extremism in India and Proposed Abrogation of Article 370 and Article 35-A of Indian constitution Impact on Kashmir Dispute'.

"Rashid will be crossing over to Pakistan via Wagah border point for attending the conference," his spokesman Inam-un Nabi said.

However, Geelani, who heads hardline Hurriyat Conference, has refused to attend the conference because the organisers have invited mainstream politicians like Rashid and CPI(M) MLA Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami for the event.

"The general opinion of the members of the Advisory Council was that Hurriyat should not participate in any conference (in Pakistan) in which members of the (Jammu and Kashmir) assembly or pro-India politicians have been invited," a spokesman of the Geelani-led Hurriyat said.

The spokesman said participation in any such event can have "negative effects on the Kashmir movement".

The Hurriyat has also decided to issue show cause notices to such constituents of the amalgam who have helped in conduct of the conference without its concurrence.

Moderate Hurriyat chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq welcomed an invitation to him but said he would not be able to attend the conference in the absence of travel documents.

"I wish to attend the roundtable conference but unfortunately due to non-availability of travel documents, I cannot attend it," Mirwaiz said.

Tarigami has also decided not to attend the conference due to "personal reasons".

"I have written to the President expressing regret at not being able to attend the conference due to some personal reasons," he said.

(Reopen DES38)



Commenting on the invitation extended to MLAs from Jammu and Kashmir by the PoK president, National Conference leader Farooq Abdullah said people from both sides should meet each other to defuse the situation.

"Any meeting is important to defuse the situation between India and Pakistan. Let the legislators visit. The people here and the people there should meet and there is no doubt about that. Others will put their point of view and a solution will emerge because our borders are not going to change. So what is the problem? I don't have any problem," he told reporters in Jammu.

When asked about reports that India has asked for the extradition of Jaish-e-Mohammad chief Masood Azhar, the former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister said he was never in favour of his release in exchange for hostages of hijacked Air India plane IC-814 in 1999.

"Congratulations, if they (central government) are asking for his return. Only God knows when they (Pakistan) will return him. I had objected that time (in 1999) but nobody agreed to it. Now see when they bring him back," he said.

Azhar, who had been arrested in 1994 in Jammu and Kashmir, was in a jail in the state when the IC-814 was hijacked during its flight from Kathmandu to Delhi. Azhar, along with two other terrorists, were released to secure the release of the hostages.

A month after his release, Azhar, who was till then associated with Harkat-ul Ansar terror group, floated Jaish-e-Mohammad outfit.
A policeman, who was the personal security officer of a Deputy Superintendent of Police, has fled with four AK-47 rifles along with 13 magazines and is believed to have joined militant ranks in South Kashmir.

The incident, which has sent jitters in the police machinery, took place in Bijbehara, 50 kilometres south of Srinagar, when constable Shakoor Ahmed failed to report for duty for two days.

After verification from his family and others, he was said to be missing for last few days along with his two other friends from his ancestral village in Shopian in South Kashmir.

Immediately, weapon counting was done and it was found that he had walked away with four AK-47 rifles and 13 magazines. One magazine has 30 bullets.

He was posted on guard duties with SDPO Bijbehara Irshad Ahmad, who was attacked last month by militants while he was supervising a religious procession in his locality.

An alert has been sounded in South Kashmir area to trace the "deserter", a senior police official said.

This incident comes barely a few months after such cases surfaced in the Kashmir Valley.

In March last year, personal security officer Naseer Ahmed Pandit of state Minister Altaf Bukhari ran away with his assault rifle and joined Hizbul Mujahideen led by Burhan Wani in South Kashmir. He was later seen posing in pictures with him.

Later, constables Bashir Ahmad and Mohammad Reyaz deserted the Jammu and Kashmir police and joined Hizbul Mujahideen in September last year.

There have been three such incidents of Special Police Officers (SPOs) running away with weapons and joining militant ranks in Doda district of Jammu region.
A manufacturing unit in defence sector is likely to be set up in Rajasthan which would be located between Jaipur and Delhi, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar said here today.

"There is no manufacturing unit in defence sector in Rajasthan and at least one such unit should be set up in the state. We are considering setting up of a unit to manufacture helicopter or fighter plane's parts or something like that," Parrikar told reporters here.

He said that since the state shares border with Pakistan, the unit would be set up far from the border and close to Delhi though location has not been finalised yet.

"I had spoken to chief minister about it. There is land available with the state and the location of the unit will be decided later," he said.

The defence minister while choosing to evade saying anything related with Pathankot attack said that the air bases have been asked to do security audit and to block any points, if any, from where security can be breached.

"First security audit is to be done by base commander and the second security audit will be done next month by special unit," he said at a media interaction here.

About the 'One Rank One Pension' (OROP) scheme, Parrikarr said that tabulation work was going on and must complete within this month.

Prior to the media interaction, he visited BJP state headquarters here and addressed the party workers in the presence of the state party president Ashok Parnami and other senior leaders.

During the visit, the defence minister, also collected views from people for the union budget.

"I am collecting people's views which is very important and helpful in preparing budget because some of the the inputs which come are very useful and clinching," he said.

Earlier in the day, the minister inaugurated an Army recruitment rally near the city.
In a bid to find an alternative to CNG, the Delhi government is mulling introducing buses running on biogas and electricity generated from the city's sewage treatment plants, as part of the pilot project.

Presently, different modes of public transports - buses, autorickshaws and taxis - run on Compressed Natural Gas (CNG). Besides, private vehicles also run on CNG and around 5 lakh CNG-run vehicles plying in the capital.

Delhi Transport Minister Gopal Rai said in several countries, governments ply their buses on biogas generated through waste, adding that electric buses are also run there.

"In the entire world, there is a debate on which fuel should be used to run public transport so that pollution could be brought down.

"Under the pilot project, government is planning to do an experiment to introduce such buses. We are in a consultation with some companies which are working in this field," the minister said here.

Rai further said that there are four sewage treatment plants in Okhla, Dwarka, Rohini and Kesopur in Delhi and bus depots are located near them.

"If government finalises the plan, these depots will be attached with this STPs which will generate biogas for running buses. We will soon have a coordination meeting with private companies to work out the modalities," the transport minister added.

Rai, who today attended the round table conference on environment friendly bus service in a hotel here, also said, "There are several counteries where vehicles are not run on CNG. Buses run on biogas there using waste. In Delhi, there are several dumps of waste which can be used for generating biogas."



He also added that such practice was being adopted in Stockholm, China, Germany and among other counteries.
Delhi government will set up its first State Human Rights Commission after the Chief Justice of India expressed concern over absence of such a body in the national capital for over two decades.

Justice (retired) Uma Nath Singh will be its Chairperson and social activist Raj Mangal Prasad a member.

A senior government official said that there was no State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) for the last 22 years in the national capital.

"Justice Uma Nath Singh as Chairperson and social activist Raj Mangal as the member of the SHRC were unanimously selected by the Committee constituted to form the State Human Rights Commission," the official said.

The selection committee comprised Chief Minister as its Chairman, Speaker of Delhi Assembly (member), Leader of Opposition (member) and Home Minister Satyendar Jain.

Last year, Supreme Court had expressed concern over the fact that there was no State Human Rights Commission in Delhi since last 22 years and asked the government to set up the same within six months.

Chief Justice of India T S Thakur had in December pointed that there was need of state human rights body in the capital.

"It is a misnomer that human rights violations are not there in cities. It happens in cities also. It is totally unacceptable that Delhi has no state human rights commission for last 22 years," Justice Thakur had said on the occasion of Human Rights Day here on December 10.

In the panel, three candidates - Justice Uma Nath Singh (Chief Justice of High Court of Meghalaya), Chief Justice of Jharkhand (rtd) Bhagwati Prasad and Chief Justice of J & K (rtd) B A Khan - had been proposed for the post of Chairman of Delhi Human Right Commission.

Uma Nath Singh had taken oath as the Chief Justice of the High Court of Meghalaya on March 19 last year. He demitted the Office on January 14.

He had also worked as Central Government Counsel to handle Bhopal Gas Leak Disaster case. Singh had practised in the Supreme Court of India for more than 19 years in all type of cases.
The father of a drowned Syrian toddler wept when he saw a cartoon depicting his son as an adult involved in sexual harassment, and has said that the family is "in shock."



"When I saw the picture, I cried," Abdullah Kurdi yesterday told AFP by telephone, adding: "My family is still in shock."



He also said in a written statement that the cartoon in French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo was "inhuman and immoral" and as bad as the actions of the "war criminals and terrorists" who have caused widespread death and displacement in Syria and elsewhere.

Abdullah's three-year-old son Aylan's body was photographed lying face down on a Turkish beach after he drowned on the crossing to Greece, a bleak image that helped focus international attention on the plight of refugees making the perilous journey to Europe.

Aylan's four-year-old brother and his mother also died in the accident.

Charlie Hebdo ran a cartoon depicting Aylan as a man chasing after a woman with a caption asking: "What would have become of small Aylan if he grew up?"



"Someone who gropes asses in Germany," it said, alluding to a rash of crime targeting women at New Year's festivities in Cologne that has been blamed on migrants.

The Charlie Hebdo drawing has triggered sharp criticism on social networks while Aylan's relatives in Canada expressed "disgust".

The magazine, contacted Thursday by AFP, declined to comment.
The European Union today condemned as "extremely worrying" Turkey's arrest of academics who signed a petition criticising a military crackdown in the Kurdish-dominated southeast.

"The steps taken against the Turkish academics who signed a declaration regarding events in the southeast of Turkey are an extremely worrying development," an EU spokesperson on foreign affairs said in a statement.

"They are no longer detained, but the procedures against them are ongoing."



Turkish police yesterday detained at least 18 academics who signed a petition criticising a military crackdown in the southeast, triggering new alarm about freedom of expression in the country.

They were arrested in raids targeting 21 academics accused of disseminating "terrorist propaganda" by signing a petition denouncing military operations against Kurdish rebels.

Fifteen academics and lecturers from the University of Kocaeli, near Istanbul, were initially detained, with another three academics from Uludag University in western Bursa province later held in their offices, Turkey's Dogan agency said.

The academics were questioned for a day before being released, Dogan reported late yesterday.

"While reaffirming our strongest condemnation of all forms of terrorist attacks, including by the PKK ... We restate that the fight against terrorism must fully respect obligations under international law, including human rights and humanitarian law", the EU spokesperson said.

"Freedom of expression must be upheld, in line with the Copenhagen political criteria; an intimidating climate goes against this.

"We expect Turkey ensures that its legislation is implemented in a manner which is in line with European standards enshrined in the European Convention for Human Rights and the case-law of the European Court of Human Rights."



Turkish prosecutors on Thursday launched a vast investigation into over 1,200 academics from 90 Turkish universities for engaging in "terrorist propaganda" and "inciting hatred and enmity" by signing the petition.

Entitled "We won't be a party to this crime", the petition urged Ankara to halt "its deliberate massacres and deportation of Kurdish and other peoples in the region", angering President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

In a rare rebuke to Washington's NATO ally, the US ambassador to Turkey has also expressed alarm over the investigations, with Western concern on freedom of expression already riding high due to the detention since November 26 of two prominent opposition journalists.
Asking Pakistan to reign in terror for lasting peace in the region, National Conference President Farooq Abdullah today batted strongly for Indo-Pak dialogue to normalise relations between the neighbouring nations.

"Islamabad must rein in terror ranks for lasting peace in the region," Abdullah said while addressing NC workers here.

"India and Pakistan had no option but to talk... Unless tackled, peace inimical elements will continue to cast shadow over normalisation process between the two neighbouring countries," the former Union Minister said.

Emphasising on the need for carrying forward the dialogue process, he recalled the observations of former Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee, made on the banks of Kishen Ganga in Tangdhar, that friends can be changed, not neighbours.

The two nations, the National Conference President said, cannot wish away each other, therefore Islamabad and New Delhi must take ahead the current initiative.

On the political uncertainty in Jammu and Kashmir, Abdullah said that the state is passing through a difficult phase.

Asking the party cadre to close their ranks for meeting challenges faced by the state, he said the NC has braved all obstacles courageously with active support of the people.

"A strong National Conference is answer to all the problems confronted to the state", he said.

He described those years as difficult and recited a famous couplet, 'Mein akela hi chala tha janbe manzil, log milte gaye karwaan banta gaya'.

The former chief minister also emphasised the need for strengthening bonds of amity and unity, and said the state cannot progress unless equal opportunities of progress and development were made available to all, irrespective of caste, creed, colour and religion.

"Any attempt to divide society in bits and pieces on the basis of religion is detrimental for its harmonious growth," he said and dwelt over certain recent unfortunate developments across the country.

He recalled his meeting with Narendra Modi at a function in Gujarat in 2011 wherein he had invited the attention of participants towards strengthening secularism for larger good of the country.

"I had told Modi that I want to see the day in my life when I would look in his (Modi's) eyes and would be able to see my Allah, and when he (Modi) looks in my eyes, he will see his Ram," he said.

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Abdullah said that peoples' aspirations hold paramount importance in democratic polity and the moment ruling elite suffers from the mistaken belief of being 'kings' they get distanced from the masses.

"NC firmly believes that people are the fountain head of power," he said, adding that with this as the core of his party's philosophy, a major stride was taken in 1996 to steer Jammu and Kashmir on the path of democracy.

Mentioning a tragic road mishap in Udhampur district which claimed eleven lives, Abdullah said corruption had hollowed the system.

He attributed growing road accidents to traffic mismanagement and overloading and said these should be addressed on a priority for saving lives.

Earlier, the National Conference President visited the residences of Des Raj and Kehar Singh, two prominent party workers, at Katra and Udhampur to condole their demise and also prayed for peace for the departed souls.
A Spanish court has ruled that a prominent former Mexican politician who was arrested on a Spanish warrant should be held in custody while officers investigate alleged corruption.

Former Institutional Revolutionary Party chief Humberto Moreira is under suspicion of "embezzling public funds, money laundering, bribery and belonging to a criminal organization," the National Court said in a statement.

Moreira, who was nabbed at Barajas international airport at midday Friday, was governor of the state of Coahuila from 2005-2011 before leaving to head the PRI as it prepared for a return to national power under Enrique Pena Nieto, now Mexico's president.

Coahuila's debt rose from USD 27 million to USD 3 billion during Moreira's tenure.

Moreira resigned in 2012 as party leader when the size of the debt was revealed.

The statement said Moreira "had at least three bank accounts under his name in Spain" that had "received money transfers and cash payments" amounting to USD 217,290 while he had been allegedly studying a postgraduate course.

The court said it had decided to detain Moreira because there was a risk that evidence could be destroyed and the suspect could flee the country.

The statement, signed by investigating judge Jose de la Mata, said Moreira had three days to appeal the court's ruling and that the case will be heard under secrecy to avoid jeopardizing the investigation.

The PRI issued a statement yesterday saying it "awaited the outcome of investigations in Spain," adding that institutions were not responsible for the actions of individual members.
A Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) militant, suspected to have engineered the recent Williamnagar market place IED blast and wanted for kidnapping a block development officer, was today killed in an encounter with the security forces in Meghalaya's East Garo Hills district, a police official said.

Acting on intelligence inputs, Swift Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) commandos of the state police raided a makeshift camp of GNLA. As the commandos approached the camp they were fired upon, the official said.

In retaliatory fire, one of the militants who was in the camp was shot dead and another got shot in his arms. The deceased has been identified as Kandem, known to be an expert in assembling improvised explosive devices (IEDs), Inspector General, Operations, G H P Raju said.

A gun was recovered from the site of the encounter, the IG said, adding that an operation was on to find Kandem's aide, identified as Chondro, and to sanitise the area.

Kandem is suspected to have engineered the IED attack at a busy market in Williamnagar last week in which nine persons were injured, the officer said.

He was also responsible for the kidnapping of Jude Rangku T Sangma, a BDO in South Garo Hills' Chokpot last October and the most wanted armed cadre of the outfit, Raju said.

The GNLA, formed in 2010, has been active in all five Garo Hills districts and named in various cases of kidnapping, extortion and killing of both civilians and security forces.

Meanwhile, another hardcore GNLA cadre identified as Balmepa, who was allegedly aiding armed GNLA men in kidnapping and extortion, was also arrested today from South Garo hills, Raju said.

Balmepa was a crucial link man for the GNLA who was being used to identify wine shop owners and members of the business community and pass on information to GNLA commander Jimmy for extortion and other threats, the police official said.

Balmepa would also collect gelatin sticks from mine owners using threat and pass these explosives on to the GNLA top commanders, he said.
In a major step towards construction of new greenfield airport at Mopa in North Goa, the state government has issued a Request For Proposal (RFP) to four companies which have been shortlisted for the project.

The companies will have to give a detailed proposal by April 15, 2016 following which the state government will announce the successful bidder.

A senior government official said the RFP was issued yesterday to GVK, GMR, Essel-Infra Mumbai and Voluptas Developers.

Essel and Voluptas have tied up with foreign partners having experience in working on Zurich Airports and Vinci Airport, Rome.

Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar had told the State Legislative Assembly during the recently concluded session that the company providing higher revenue to the state would be given upper hand in bidding process.

Goa Governor Mridula Sinha in her address to the Assembly had said the Airport would be commissioned in 2019.

The project has already received Environmental Clearance from Union Ministry for Environment and Forest.

A senior government official said the airport which is being constructed on a public-private-partnership will be developed in four phases.

Phase I is expected to be completed by 2019 and will cater to 4.4 million passengers, while Phase II is likely to be ready by 2025, and this will handle 5.8 million passengers.

An area of 81,29,455 sq mtrs has been acquired for development of the Mopa airport in Pernem taluka.
Goa Government has invited non- resident Goans, including those living abroad, to invest in creation of infrastructure facilities at village-level and help in development of the State.

The Laxmikant Parsekar-led Government today notified a scheme, "Mhozo Gaum-Majem Goem" (My Village, My Goa), asking the people of Goan origin to invest in infrastructure creation in their respective villages. The State Government's NRI Cell is implementing this scheme.

"Goan expatriates gainfully employed in overseas countries and non-resident Goans settled in other parts of India have often expressed their desire to contribute to the development of their native areas where they were born or brought up or have their roots," said the notification signed by NRI Affairs Secretary Amjad Tak.

"Their contribution to the development process would be in any infrastructure project of public interest. It would either help improve the living conditions of the community at large or provide the much-needed facilities which the local civic bodies like municipalities and panchayats, or Government Departments/Government-aided Institutions, as the case may be, are unable to provide due to lack of funds," it said.

To facilitate investment in such projects, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the contributor and NRI Cell will be signed before work begins on them. In the MoU all the terms and conditions with the contributors, the executing agency and the ultimate end user will be clearly stipulated, the notification added.
Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel and other BJP leaders attended RSS state co-ordination meeting chaired by its general secretary (sarkaryavah) Suresh Bhaiyyaji Joshi here today.

Joshi has been on a four-day visit of Gujarat from yesterday to hold meetings with state RSS functionaries and heads of 30 different organisations backed by it, such as BJP, VHP, Bharatiya Kisan Sangh, Bharatiya Majdoor Sangh, Sahakar Bharti, Vidya Bharti, Vigyan Bharti, etc.

According to Gujarat RSS spokesperson Pradeep Jain, Joshi convened the co-ordination meet, where leaders of these 30 RSS-backed organisations, including Gujarat CM Anandiben Patel were present.

"State ministers, who were present at today's meet include Bhupendrasinh Chudasama, Shanker Chaudhari and Vijay Rupnai. State BJP president R C Faldu, party general secretary I K Jadeja and in-charge of Gujarat BJP Dinesh Sharma also attended the meeting," Jain said.

The meet comes at a time when Gujarat BJP is in the process of selecting its new state president as Faldu's term has already got over.

The meeting also holds significance in the wake of BJP's defeat in rural parts of Gujarat in the recently-held local body polls, which took place close on the heels of the Patel quota agitation.
Gunshots and explosions were heard coming from one of Ouagadougou's main hotels and a nearby restaurant, with a witness saying several people had been killed in what the French embassy has called a terrorist attack.

Around 10 vehicles were on fire in the street late yesterday where the four-star Splendid hotel and the Cappuccino restaurant opposite -- both popular with United Nations staff and westerners -- are located in a busy, central area of Burkina Faso's capital not far from the international airport.

The attack comes less than two months after a jihadist hostage siege at the luxury Radisson Blu Hotel in the Malian capital Bamako in November, in which 20 people died including 14 foreigners.

A Cappuccino staff member, reached by telephone by AFP, said several people had been killed at the restaurant, without being able to give an exact toll.

Witnesses said attackers were still holed up in the 147-room hotel, while sporadic exchanges of fire could be heard between the assailants and security forces.

Three men clad in turbans at one point fired at the scene on Avenue Kwame Nkrumah, one of Ouagadougou's main thoroughfares.

A witness also reported seeing four assailants who were of Arab or white appearance and "wearing turbans."



The Burkinabe army meanwhile revealed that an armed group had carried out an attack earlier in the day near the border with Mali, killing two people.

"In the afternoon around 2:00 pm (1400 GMT), around 20 heavily-armed unidentified individuals carried out an attack against gendarmes in the village of Tin Abao," the army said in a statement, adding that an officer and a civilian had been killed and two more gendarmes wounded.

Last month, Burkina Faso swore in Roch Marc Christian Kabore as president, completing the troubled West African state's transition after the overthrow of its longtime ruler, Blaise Compaore in 2014 and a failed coup attempt in September.

Hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets in October 2014, when Compaore sought to extend his rule, forcing him to step down after ruling the poor, landlocked country with an iron fist for 27 years.

Kabore, 58, becomes only the third civilian president of the nine who have held power since the country's independence from France in 1960.
"Harry Potter" fans paid tribute to their beloved professor Severus Snape at London's King's Cross train station, at the wall that in JK Rowling's books led to platform 9 3/4 and the Hogwarts Express.

Flowers and scarves appeared on the trolley leading to the books' mystical train platform at King's Cross in London soon after of the iconic actor's death, said the Hollywood Reporter.

Some fans draped scarves over the trolley, while one even left an empty bird cage on top.

On Twitter, pictures of the memorial soon started appearing.

"Massive thank you to everyone who left flowers and notes. Potterhead solidarity. #RIPAlanRickman," a user wrote.

Another tweeted, "Thank you to the Platform 9 3/4 shop for letting us do a tribute. #AlanRickman @WarnerBrosUK @jk_rowling pic.Twitter.
As protests erupted over the Centre's stand on the minority status of Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), vice-chancellor Lt General (retd.) Zameeruddin Shah has called upon the Muslim community not to get unduly exercised on the issue and have "full faith" in judiciary.

In a written appeal today, Shah said that while all right minded citizens of the country were rightly concerned about the issue of restoration of minority character of the historic institution of higher learning, "we should have full faith in our judicial system for protecting minority rights".

Shah's appeal came in the wake of a number of protests by minority groups on the campus and also in the old city yesterday.

The issue of restoration of minority character of AMU is at present pending with the Supreme Court but what has triggered off the protests is the Centre's recent decision to reverse the UPA government's stand of supporting the university in the apex court on this issue.

On January 11, Attorney Journal Mukul Rohatagi, during the hearing of this case, had told the court that the NDA government did not support the idea of a state-funded minority institution in a secular state, sparking off a controversy.

The AMU vice-chancellor told PTI that it would be counter productive if people get carried away on this issue or resort to unconstitutional methods of protest.

"I have sought a meeting with the Prime Minister to apprise him of the situation and I am sure that he would respond positively and address our concerns," he said.

The issue was further compounded on Thursday last following media reports that the government was also mulling the option of reversing the decision of the Vajpayee-led NDA government to grant minority status to Jamia Millia Islamia in New Delhi.

It may be mentioned that in 2006 a division Bench of the Allahabad High Court had struck down a provision of the 1981 AMU Amendment Act, under which the university was enjoying the status of a minority institution.

The university immediately appealed against the verdict in the Supreme Court.

The AMU vice-chancellor in his appeal said that the university has appointed the best available legal brains in the country for defending its case in the Supreme Court.

A battery of lawyers including Harish Salve, Rajiv Dhawan and PP Rao were presently representing the university. Efforts were also on to seek the assistance of another legal luminary, Gopal Subramaniam, he added.
The Madras High Court has ordered the "arrest" of a Dominican-flagged ship, now berthed in Karaikal port in Puducherry, for failing to repay about Rs 30 crore mortgage it had taken from Indian Bank's Singapore branch.

Justice K K Sasidharan recently issued the arrest orders saying "if the vessel is permitted to leave the port, it would be difficult for the arrest of the vessel and to realise the amount."



The bank's counsel S Vasudevan submitted that the ship CSD Marg Cauvery belongs to Marg India's subsidiary company in Singapore which had availed itself of 8.3 million dollars as loan from Indian Bank's Singapore branch in August, 2009.

As per the conditions, the owner was mandated to repay the loan in full by 20 equal instalments and the first instalment was made on November 21, 2009.

Later, the company made several proposals for settling the dues by bringing in an investor but the bank rejected them.

As on date, the company owes the bank Rs 29.31 crore, the counsel contended, adding, that the ship was found stationed in Karaikal port within the jurisdiction of the Madras High Court, prompting the bank to seek its arrest along with its engines, gears, tackles, apparels, plant, machinery and paraphernalia.

Acceding to the plea, Justice Sasidharan pointed out that Indian Bank was a nationalised bank dealing with public money and that substantial amount was due from the company.

The ship should be arrested at Karaikal in the union territory of Puducherry or "wherever found within the territorial waters of India."



He directed the authorities to file a report to the court onJanuary 20.
A combined team of police and Assam Rifles today recovered a huge cache of ammunition from a forest at Sagolmang Pukhao area in Manipur's Imphal East district.

Police said 300 rounds of M-16 rifles, 44 rounds of AK-47 rifles, two detonators and two local-made magazines were found wrapped in a big polythene bag.

It was yet to be known which individual, group or militant outfit kept the ammunition there and for what purpose.

Security forces were keeping a strict vigil in the state ahead of Republic Day.
Underlining that terrorism's darkening shadow has been spreading across the globe, India has called on the UN to rise above the differences of its members and adopt an international convention to combat the menace.

"We think it is time to have a closer look at what we can do more and do better together to build global norms to counter the common threat posed by terrorism and violent extremism," new Indian Ambassador to the UN Syed Akbaruddin said at an informal plenary session of the UN General Assembly to discuss priorities for 2016.

"The darkening shadow of terrorism has been spreading its menacing influence across the globe. Everyday we are faced with distressing reminders to governments, societies and individuals of the threat held out by terrorists," he said on Thursday.

Posing a series of questions to the international community, Akbaruddin asked if the members of the UN General Assembly are content to remain silent by standers.

"Is it not time that we show a common resolve to rise above our semantic definitional differences and work on the long overdue Comprehensive Convention on International terrorism? Or are we condemned to allow each society or each Government to battle on its own?" he asked.

"If so, can we remain relevant to those who are affected by this scourge?" Akbaruddin asked.

The top Indian diplomat here said peacekeeping has proved to be an effective tool available to the UN to assist host countries navigate through the difficult path from conflict to peace.

"India is proud to be a leading troop contributor. We will contribute positively in all the deliberations related to peacekeeping," he said.
India, which is the second largest stake-holder in the China-backed Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, has failed to secure a guarantee for the institution's vice presidency even as it asserted that Beijing has no veto rights despite having a say in its functioning.

Additional Secretary of Ministry of Finance Dinesh Sharma said that India could not press for the vice presidency as AIIB decided to hire meritorious candidates for such posts, instead of allotting it to countries based on shareholding.

"Though we argued for it. I personally was happy to loose that argument because they said the candidates will be decided by merit," Sharma said.

AIIB wanted to avoid the patron of allotment of posts followed by the BRICS New Development Bank, under which posts were decided by rotation, he said.

Sharma said he was "happy to loose" India's argument for Vice President post as institutions like the IMF and the World Bank were criticised for appointing only US and EU officials.

Asked how China got the presidency, he said it was not a cakewalk for Beijing as Russia had fielded a candidate, but it later withdrew.

"Chinese could not ensure the Presidency with their share holding. There is no insurance that China will have their President always. They have to get 50 per cent others to get President post. They can not ensure it," he said.

He also said China has no veto over the Bank.

"It has been ensured that the bank has truly multilateral operational principles not a 'Chinese Exim Bank' with veto rights for China," Sharma said.

India has been with China from the beginning ever since it was mooted by Beijing in 2013, he said.

China is the largest stakeholder with 26.06 per cent voting shares. India is the second-largest with 7.5 per cent, followed by Russia 5.93 per cent and Germany 4.5 per cent.

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"People were sceptical about the bank, including in India. But it was found in the course of meeting that the architecture followed by AIIB is currently followed by IMF and Word Bank," he said.

"When we went through the details we found that it was not something that what was feared to be a Chinese Exim bank with a different name. That is what the earlier fears were," Sharma said.

"The baby appears to be a truly a multilateral bank," he said and complimented AIIB President and ex-Chinese Finance Minister Jin Liqun for his efforts to bring about diversity.

The operational structure was such that even with 25 per cent share, China requires "super majority" to push any of its own agenda, he said.

The bank's structure has "simple majority, special majority and super majority" principle, Sharma said.

"I do not say China has veto but major changes can not be made without China in it," he said. "Going by the articles of association it can not be called a Chinese bank."



To a question about whether AIIB will take up financing of the USD 46-billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, which India has objected, Sharma said care has been take to avoid funding projects in the territory claimed by another country.

"Mutual consent is required in such cases," he said.
Indonesia has identified one of five attackers in the deadly Jakarta violence as a previously- jailed militant whose picture snapped amid the mayhem went viral in the country as the grim face of Islamic extremism.

All five attackers died in the coordinated suicide bombings and shootings in central Jakarta on Thursday, which also killed two civilians, wounded two dozen people, and appeared to confirm rising fears of the Islamic State group's (IS) emergence in the world's most populous Muslim country.

The attack has been claimed by IS, which has ruthlessly carved out a self-proclaimed caliphate in Syria and Iraq, and Indonesian police have more specifically blamed a Southeast Asian affiliate of the group known as Katibah Nusantara.

Police say they have identified four of the five attackers, and late yesterday released the first name, a militant named Afif. Many Indonesians go by a single name.

Afif, who also uses the alias Sunakim, had trained in an Islamic paramilitary camp in Indonesia's semi-autonomous Aceh region in 2010, national police chief Badrodin Haiti told reporters.

He was sentenced to seven years in jail for his involvement in the camp but was released last year, Haiti added. He gave no further details.

Haiti confirmed to reporters that Afif was the attacker in blue jeans, black t-shirt and a black hat pictured preparing to raise his handgun in a photo that rippled across Indonesia's hyperactive social media universe.

The police chief said Afif has been recruited to IS by Indonesian extremist Bahrum Naim, who is believed to be a founding member of Katibah Nusantara and who police say orchestrated Thursday's attacks from Syria.

Haiti added that Naim himself was arrested in Indonesia in 2010 for illegal possession of ammunition and received a one-year jail term.

"We found ammunitions and we processed him and he received a one-year (sentence). Now he is doing it again," Haiti said.

Indonesian police launched raids across the country yesterday in the wake of the country's worst such attack in seven years, saying they suspected a broader extremist network was behind it.

If confirmed to be the work of Katibah Nusantara, which is made up primarily of Malay-speaking Indonesians and Malaysians, it would mark the first violence in Southeast Asia by the group.
US President Barack Obama underlined the need for coordination and cooperation among a wide range of global partners to degrade and destroy the dreaded Islamic State terror group in the aftermath of terrorist attack in Indonesia and other parts of the world.

"Obama convened his National Security Council to discuss the intensification of our campaign to degrade and destroy ISIS," the White House said.

The President was briefed on recent progress by Iraqi security forces in taking back Ramadi, and on ways US and its partners in the Global Coalition to Counter ISIS or ISIS continue to accelerate and integrate the military campaign on all possible fronts in Iraq and Syria, it said.

Obama directed his national security team to continue to intensify ongoing efforts to degrade and destroy ISIS, including by working with American partners to increase its military cooperation, disrupting foreign fighter networks, halting ISIS expansion outside of Syria and Iraq, countering ISIS financing, disrupting any ISIS external plotting efforts, and countering ISIS's propaganda and messaging.

"The President emphasised that degrading and destroying ISIS will continue to require coordination and cooperation among a wide range of global partners, and the United States is strongly committed to continuing to lead the shared efforts of the Global Coalition to Counter ISIS," the White House said.

Earlier in the day, White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest said the Jakarta attack shows the ability of ISIS to spread their violence, mayhem and murderous ideology.

"The first is concern about foreign fighters. These are individuals who have traveled from around the globe to Iraq and Syria to take up arms alongside ISIS. The concern obviously is that these individuals could use their foreign passports to return to their home country and organize and carry out acts of violence," he said.

"There's a substantial number of individuals from Indonesia who have traveled to Iraq and Syria to take up arms alongside ISIS. And so the threat that is posed by foreign fighters is significant, one the Indonesians are keenly aware of. This is also a concern that the President himself is keenly aware of," Earnest said.

The second source of concern, is the way in which ISIS has capitalised on social media to spread their ideology and to try to radicalise vulnerable individuals.

"So there obviously is an aggressive effort that we have mounted both here in the United States and around the world to try to combat their online radicalisation efforts," he said.
Indian Overseas Bank (IOB) has selected 47 candidates from Jammu and Kashmir for training under the 'Udaan' programme.

The candidates will have to undergo two months residential training at IOB's Staff College in Chennai, which is scheduled to be held from March 2016, an official spokesman said.

The roll numbers of selected candidates have been published on IOB's website.

There are 67 active corporate partners associated with 'Mission Udaan' with a commitment to train 80,607 candidates from across the state, he said.

"Till date, 8,700 candidates have completed their training out of which 6,838 candidates have been offered jobs," he said.

The Union Ministry of Home Affairs, state government, National Skill Development Corporation, corporate partners and Udaan alumni are actively contributing towards making this mission a success, he added.
Iran's foreign minister and the EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini met today in Vienna to "finalise" last July's nuclear deal, Mogherini said on Twitter.

Her meeting with Mohammad Javad Zarif came ahead of an expected announcement by the UN atomic watchdog that Tehran has complied with the landmark agreement with major powers.

Once the International Atomic Energy Agency gives the green light, a raft of US, EU and UN sanctions on Iran will be lifted, including on its lifeblood oil exports.

Italy's Mogherini speaks on behalf of the P5+1 group - the United States, Russia, China, Britain, France and Germany - that agreed the deal in Vienna on July 14 after two years of rollercoaster talks.

She and Zarif were expected to make a joint statement later today. US Secretary of State John Kerry was also due to arrive in the Austrian capital, diplomats said.
Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said nuclear-related sanctions on his country would be lifted today, telling reporters in Vienna it "was a good day for the world".

"It's a good day for the people of Iran... And also a good day for the region. The sanctions will be lifted today," he said after arriving in Austria's capital, according to the ISNA agency.

His comments came after diplomatic sources said the UN nuclear watchdog would likely say Iran had complied with last July's landmark agreement with world powers on Tehran's atomic programme.

Zarif, who led Iran in nuclear talks with the United States, Britain, China, France, Russia and Germany, said the deal had removed from the Middle East "the shadow of a baseless confrontation".

"It proved that we can solve important problems through diplomacy, not threats and pressure, and thus today is definitely an important day," he added.

The International Atomic Energy Agency report will allow US Secretary of State John Kerry, Zarif and EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini, to announce in Vienna that the deal can enter into force, the diplomatic sources said.

Under the July 14 deal, Iran agreed to scale down dramatically key areas of its nuclear activities in exchange for relief from crippling sanctions, notably on Tehran's oil exports.

These steps, combined with tighter IAEA inspections, extend to at least one year -- from just a few months previously -- how long Iran would need to make enough fissile material for one nuclear bomb.

Iran has always denied seeking an atomic weapon, saying its activities are only for peaceful purposes such as power generation and medical research.
Iran's surprise release of four Americans put US Republicans critical of President Barack Obama's engagement with Tehran on the back foot today.

Republican White House hopefuls who have lambasted Obama for engaging with Iran saw their attack blunted by the a swap deal that saw the release of Washington Post reporter Jason Rezaian and three .

A fifth American, identified as Matthew Trevitick, was also to be released but as part of a different process.

Obama opponents have been deeply critical of his nuclear deal with Iran, which will see sanctions eased against a regime that still sponsors violent militant groups across the Middle East.

Republican attacks on Obama's policy of engagement had intensified this week as 10 American sailors were detained in the Gulf by Iran's hardline Revolutionary Guard Navy, but not before being paraded in front of the cameras.

The White House and its allies were quick to point to the sailors' quick release and were further buoyed by the release of five more Americans, which they said was evidence that diplomacy is working.

"For all the bluster and bombast fashionable in some quarters, today's events underscore how important and--under-appreciated--diplomacy is," said David Axelrod, a long-time Obama advisor.

Democratic presidential hopeful Martin O'Malley sent his own "memo" to Republican candidates. "Diplomacy beats carpet bombing," he said.

Republicans responded to the prisoner release with a mixture of caution and criticism.

"We don't know the details of the deal that is bringing them home. It may well be that there are some very problematic aspects to this deal," said Texas Senator Ted Cruz.

Florida Senator Marco Rubio said he was happy for the families of the captives, but accused the Obama administration of "incentivising" the detention of Americans by agreeing to a swap of seven Iranians imprisoned in the United States.
Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif departed for Vienna early today for talks with European Union and US counterparts on the country's landmark nuclear deal, the official IRNA agency reported.

At the meeting later today, also attended by US Secretary of State John Kerry and EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini, the Vienna-based IAEA nuclear watchdog is expected to announce that Iran has fulfilled its side of the deal to put an atomic bomb beyond its reach.

Zarif was accompanied by Ali Akbar Salehi, the head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organization, Iranian media said.
Iranian state television announced today that the government had freed four dual-nationality prisoners, and a person close to Iran's judiciary confirmed that Washington Post reporter Jason Rezaian was one of them.

The report did not identify the prisoners and the person in Iran was speaking to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity since he was not authorized to publicly speak to the media.

Rezaian is a dual Iran-US citizen who was convicted of espionage in a closed-door trial in 2015.

Washington Post spokeswoman Kris Coratti told the AP that she could not confirm any change in Rezaian's case.

A report by the semi-official ISNA agency quoted a statement from the Tehran prosecutor's office as saying the inmates were freed "within the framework of exchanging prisoners." It did not elaborate.

US officials would not immediately confirm the announcement, but they had indicated a prisoner deal would be separate from today's expected "implementation" of the landmark nuclear agreement.

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, in Vienna to meet US Secretary of State John Kerry, spoke cryptically of a possible negotiation.

The family of one of the US prisoners received unofficial word from Iran that their relative was being released today, according to a person close to that family who spoke on condition the family not be identified.

Iran was seeking a number of detained Iranians in exchange for the Americans.

Iran was known to be holding four Americans. It was unclear who was being released, but the four were: Rezaian, who was born in California and holds both US and Iranian citizenship. He was convicted in closed proceedings last year after being charged with espionage and related allegations.

The length of his sentence has not been disclosed publicly. The Post and the US government have denied the accusations, as has Rezaian.

He was originally detained with his wife in July 2014. She was released on bail in October 2014. Rezaian was the Post's Tehran correspondent and was accredited to work in the country by the Iranian government.

Former US Marine Amir Hekmati of Flint, Michigan. He was detained in August 2011 on espionage charges. His family says he has lost significant weight and has trouble breathing, raising fears he could contact tuberculosis.
At least 35 Syrian soldiers and pro-regime militiamen were killed today in a multi-front attack by the Islamic State group on the eastern city of Deir Ezzor, a monitor said.

The fighting came as regime forces battled IS in the northern province of Aleppo, repelling a jihadist assault and killing at least 16 fighters from the group.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said IS had advanced into the northern tip of Deir Ezzor city, in eastern Syria, and captured the suburb of Al-Baghaliyeh.

The advance puts IS in control of around 60 per cent of the city, with the regime holding the rest, according to the Britain-based monitor.

Syrian state agency SANA said regime troops had repelled an IS attack on the area around Al-Baghaliyeh and inflicted "heavy losses" on the group.

Deir Ezzor is the capital of Deir Ezzor province, an oil-rich region that borders Iraq and is mostly held by IS.

The regime has clung onto portions of the provincial capital and the adjacent military airport despite repeated IS attacks.

Observatory chief Rami Abdel Rahman said heavy fighting was continuing today afternoon after the IS assault, which began with a suicide car bomb blast carried out by a member of the jihadist group.

Eight of the regime forces killed were shot dead by IS jihadists, the Observatory added.

The monitor said Russian warplanes were carrying out heavy air strikes in support of regime forces as they sought to repel the jihadists.

Elsewhere, regime troops were locked in fierce clashes with IS in Aleppo province, with at least 16 jihadists killed after a failed attack on a government position near the town of Al-Bab, the Observatory said.

State television also reported that regime forces had repelled an assault.

The Observatory said heavy fighting was ongoing throughout today in the area, with Russian war planes carrying out strikes in the region between the regime-held Kweyris air base and Al-Bab.

The regime has advanced towards the town, an IS bastion, in recent days, and is now within 10 kilometres (six miles) of it, according to the Observatory.

That is the closest regime forces have come to Al-Bab since 2012.
An Israel minister warned Saturday that the expected implementation of a landmark nuclear deal between world powers and Iran would endanger the Middle East and fail to curb Tehran's atomic programme.

"The 'implementation day' of the nuclear agreement ushers us into a new and dangerous era, in which Iran is freed from most of its economic sanctions, without having to quit its nuclear programme or provide explanations for its military activities," Strategic Affairs Minister Gilad Erdan said in a statement.

Erdan, who is also public security minister, said Iran continued to "supply arms to terror groups like Hezbollah and Hamas" while interfering in the internal affairs of Gulf States and violating a UN Security Council prohibition on "developing ballistic missiles".

"This is a difficult day for all the states in the region that hoped Iran wouldn't be able to obtain nuclear arms and would cease to meddle in the region," said Erdan, who is close to premier Benjamin Netanyahu.

Iran and world powers led by the United States are awaiting an announcement from the UN's atomic watchdog confirming that Tehran has complied with measures stipulated in the momentous 2015 nuclear deal in return for a lifting of economic sanctions.

Israel, the Middle East's sole but undeclared nuclear power, tried to prevent the accord, arguing it would not stop Tehran from developing an atomic weapon if it wished.

Iran has always denied seeking a nuclear bomb.
An Italian ship today morning reached the Sicilian port of Catania bringing 246 migrants to safety as well as the body of another after two rescue operations off the coast of chaos-wracked Libya, the coastguard said.

The Dattilo ship had on Thursday and Friday rescued 131 and 115 migrants trying to reach Europe on two inflatable boats.

The body was found on the second vessel, which was sinking when the coastguard arrived, a coastguard spokesman said.

There were 27 women and a child among the 246 rescued people.

More than 320,000 migrants and refugees have reached Italy's shores in the past two years.
Finance Minister Arun Jaitley will tomorrow embark on a six-day official visit to the UK and Switzerland during which he will also attend various deliberations at the World Economic Forum.

During his visit to London, Jaitley will meet his UK counterpart and Secretary of Exchequer George Osborne on Monday, according to a Finance Ministry statement.

He will also participate in three different investor meets organised by Goldman Sachs, Mastercard and CII & Kotak Mahindra among others.

During his interaction with international investors, Jaitley will apprise them of the National Investment & Infrastructure Fund (NIIF) and investment opportunities in sectors such as infrastructure, manufacturing and services in India.

"The present government has taken various initiatives in the last one-and-a-half years making India an attractive destination for investment. These initiatives have resulted in making the Indian economy more transparent, stable and reliable," the statement said.

"Now policy decisions have become faster and predictable. Other major initiatives include various tax rationalisation and simplification measures and opening up of different sectors of the economy for FDI among others," it added.

On January 19, Jaitley will participate in India-UK Bilateral Meet and Economic and Financial Dialogue and in the evening he will leave for Zurich, Switzerland.

The Finance Minister will participate in various World Economic Forum (WEF) programmes and meetings at Davos.

Jaitley is leading a large Indian delegation mainly consisting of captains of Indian trade and industry who in turn will also meet their counterparts from different participating countries to explore the possibilities of trade and investment among others.

Later, he will also address a seminar on 'India-Next Growth Engine of Financial Inclusion and Financial Governance'.

Besides, Jaitley will hold bilateral meetings with his counterparts from different countries on the sidelines of WEF Meetings and would discuss among other things the world economic situation and India's economic preparedness to meet any future challenges.

The Finance Minister will return on January 24 after his six-day long visit.
A Japanese bus operator whose vehicle plunged off a mountain road, killing 14 people and injuring dozens more, is suspected by officials of violating safety regulations, local media reported today.

Young skiers - many in their teens or early 20s - were asleep on the bus when it careened off the road before dawn in the ski resort town of Karuizawa yesterday, the country's worst such accident for 25 years.

Twelve students aged between 19 and 22 as well as the driver and a second driver were all killed, and 26 others injured. Police are investigating bus operator ESP and Keyth Tour, a Tokyo travel agency which organised the ski package tour, but authorities have yet to announce the cause of the accident.

Transport Minister Keiichi Ishii Saturday visited the site, from where the wrecked vehicle had already been removed, with the gnarled crash barrier still showing the impact of the collision. Police suspect the driver lost control as he tried to make a sharp turn after the bus hit the barrier, according to broadcaster NHK.

But the Transport Ministry suspects the bus company may have violated safety regulations - by failing to give the driver written instructions on what route to take - according to the Yomiuri Shimbun and the Mainichi Shimbun newspapers.

One expert quoted by the Yomiuri also suggested the bus operator may be at fault.

"I suspect the bus operating company's negligent safety management could be behind the accident," said Hajime Tozaki, professor of public transport policy at Waseda University.

The accident occurred only days after authorities imposed penalties on the company for failing to give required medical checkups to some drivers. The operator did not immediately comment but the travel agency boss denied the company neglected safety standards and promised to help bereaved families. But Tomokazu Abe, whose daughter Marie, a 22-year- old student who was among the victims, hit out at the agency.

"They didn't contact us and I have called but no one answered," he told reporters. "I can't trust them. I can't feel their sincerity."



Rules governing the working conditions for long-distance bus drivers were tightened after an April 2012 accident left seven people dead. That bus hit a wall after its driver dozed off at the wheel. Many passengers were on their way to visit the Tokyo Disney Resort.
A jeweller was shot dead by armed men near Rajapur in the heart of Patna, reportedly over extortion demand, police said.

The jeweller Ravi Kant fell to the ground after sustaining bullet injuries and succumbed while being taken to Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH), Senior Superintendent of Police Manu Maharaj told PTI.

Kant owns a shop in Rajapur bridge area in the heart of the city.

Eyewitness said the killers fled from the scene on foot brandishing revolver after gunning down Kant.

The SSP said that kins of the victim complained that a history-sheeter Durgesh Sharma had demanded extortion money from him and the murder is linked to his not paying "rangdari" (extortion).

A case has been registered with Shri Krishna Puri police station and search is on for the killer, the SSP said.
Jammu and Kashmir Traffic Police has called for at least three-month suspension of driving licenses of violators who jump red lights.

"During the drive against Red Light jumping, the Traffic Police shall also take into possession the driving licence of the violator and forward it to the Transport Department for suspending the licence for a period not less than three months," Inspector General of Police Traffic, Viplav Kumar, said today.

Taking strong cognizance of violators of traffic signal lights installed at number of places in twin capital cities of Srinagar and Jammu, Kumar exhorted upon the department to make sure that these rules are strictly followed by the people.

"It is quite unfortunate that some people jump the red lights at the crossings which not only causes inconvenience to law abiding road users, but sometime results even in fatal accidents," the IGP said.

Viplav Kumar, while addressing the officers meeting held at Traffic Headquarters, asked the traffic police to further intensify the drive against those who violate the traffic rules and does not obey the traffic lights just because of their impatient attitude.

He said that in order to ensure proper discipline with regard to traffic signal lights for smooth movement of traffic, the people too have to cooperate and understand that they also have a responsibility in this regard.

For this purpose, special cameras have been installed at prominent inter-sections/crossings in both the capital cities for recording of evidence of red light jumping, he said.

"If the jumping of traffic light is done by the violator in such a manner that it amounts to dangerous driving, then the violators would be challaned both for the offence of dangerous driving in addition to the red light jumping," he said



Kumar further said the Committee of Supreme Court on road safety has observed that any action cannot be effective as long as driving licence will remain with the violator.

Therefore, the SC has recently issued directions that the driving licences of those indulged in red light jumping be seized and suspended for a period of not less than three months under Section 19 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 read with Rule 21 of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, he said.
Jordan's Queen Rania has hit back at a cartoon in French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo depicting drowned Syrian toddler Aylan Kurdi as a grown-up committing sexual harassment in Germany.

The cartoon shows a pervert chasing a woman, with the caption asking: "What would have become of small Aylan if he grew up?"



It refers to the multiple acts of sexual assault blamed on migrants on New Year's Eve.

In response Queen Rania posted a cartoon on Facebook and Twitter by Jordan's Osama Hajjaj depicting the little boy lying face down on the beach alongside an older child with a backpack and finally a doctor.

The queen added the caption: "Aylan could've been a doctor, a teacher, a loving parent."



The Charlie Hebdo drawing has triggered sharp criticism on social networks while Aylan's relatives in Canada expressed "disgust".

The magazine, contacted Thursday by AFP, declined to comment.
Kerala's iconic cultural expressions, Kalaripayyatu and Kathakali, much loved for their centuries-old artistic creativity and content, captured the imagination of Silicon Valley's corporate honchos during a 'Kerala Evening', organised as part of the state's tourism promotion efforts, at Palo Alto.

The world's high-tech capital in California, which is home to the world's top technology companies, revelled in cultural festivities on Thursday as corporate leaders and executives were held spellbound by the pristine beauty of the backwaters and beaches of 'God's Own Country'.

Kathakali and Kalaripayattu performers enthralled a packed venue. The event was organised by Kerala Tourism at the Silicon Valley's Palo Alto, which gave birth to tech giants like Google and Facebook.

"It is a significant day in the history of our state's tourism sector," a Kerala Tourism department release, quoting state Tourism Minister A P Anilkumar, said.

"The United States is a key market for Kerala Tourism. Inbound tourism from America to Kerala has grown about 40 per cent in the past two years," Anilkumar said.

"Our first-ever corporate meet in the Silicon Valley is a crucial step towards further increasing those numbers," he added.

The executives of several high-tech companies in Silicon Valley attended the corporate meet at the Four Seasons Hotel in East Palo Alto addressed by Kerala Tourism Principal Secretary G Kamala Vardhana Rao.

Tourist arrivals from the US have registered a 39.24 per cent growth in 2012-14. In 2014, number of American tourists who visited Kerala was 76,616 compared to 55,741 in 2011.

The Kerala Tourism event was intended to introduce Kerala as a destination to the companies in the Silicon Valley and also to portray the state as an investor-friendly destination.

Apart from the destination promotion, the Principal Secretary also presented on behalf of Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation (KSIDC) the various investment opportunities available in the state.

Over 50 companies participated in the event attended by the American media.

Those who addressed the gathering were Venkatesan Ashok, Consul General of India, San Francisco, and City Council member Catherine Carlton, who spoke on the 'Kerala Experience'.
The All Jammu and Kashmir Displaced Youth Forum (AJKDYF) today sought the intervention of Governor N N Vohra for release of the names of Kashmiri Pandit youths who have been selected for employment under the Prime Minister's special package.

"We urge the Governor to intervene and get the pending list of the community members who have been selected for appointment under the Prime Minister's employment package released at the earliest," AJKDYF chairman Sanjay Koul said.

He said the list has been pending for more than six years. Koul said a large number of Kashmiri Pandit youths have crossed the age limit for employment while waiting for the list to come out.

"The delay in releasing the list has caused more harm for the community. There are some self-styled leaders who have delayed the release of the list because of their vested interests," Koul said.

He said that in 2010, 3,000 posts in various departments were announced but only 1,440 were filled whereas the appointment on 1,560 posts remained pending.

"We request the Governor who is heading the state administration to look into the issue and help redress the problems being faced by the youth of the displaced Kashmiri Pandit community who have been suffering due to the undue delay in the release of the list," he said.
Odisha has won the Krishi Karman Award for 2014-15 for being the best performing state in overall foodgrains production among category-II states in India.

"Our state has won the prestigious Krishi Karman Award for the fourth time in the last five years and it has been a trend setter in agriculture for the other states in the country," Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik told a cabinet meeting today, official sources said.

The award instituted by Union Ministry of Agriculture consists of a trophy, a citation and a cash amount of Rs five crore.

"Congratulate state's hard working farmers for Krishi Karman award for total food grains, 2014-15. The Cabinet dedicates the award to our hard working farmers," Patnaik tweeted.

Chief Secretary A P Padhi said the state government would continue its effort in improving agriculture and encourage the farming community.

In a letter to Odisha government, the Centre also asked the state government to select one man and woman farmer to receive the Krishi Karman Award for their contribution as progressive and innovative farmers.

Assam, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Jharkhand, Tamil Nadu and Uttarakhand, besides Odisha are category-II states.

In 2014-15, Odisha produced 118 lakh metric tonne of foodgrains against 96 lakh metric tonne in 2013-14, officials added.

Krishi Karman awards were instituted in the year 2010-11 to reward the best performing states in foodgrains production.
Shiv Sena today announced the candidature of Amit Ghoda for the February 13 Palghar Assembly bypoll.

"Amit will be Shiv Sena's candidate for the Palghar Assembly bypoll," party sources said.

Amit is the son of late Sena MLA Krishna Ghoda, whose death necessitated the election.

Krishna Ghoda was elected from the Palghar (ST) reserved tribal constituency during the 2014 Assembly elections.

Krishna, a three-time MLA was returning from a marriage ceremony when suffered a heart attack last year. He was rushed to a hospital at Vapi in Gujarat but was declared dead before admission.

The counting of votes will be taken up on February 16.
Indian Automaker Mahindra has launched its all electric scooter GenZe in a Californian city this week as part of its effort to create a niche space for itself in the green technology two-wheeler market in the US.

Mahindra's GenZe 2.0, the first connected all-electric scooter, was conceived in Silicon Valley and engineered/assembled in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Designed to help alleviate challenges associated with urban commuting, parking, congestion and pollution, the scooter was formally launched at a recent event in Oakland, California in the presence of the city Mayor Libby Schaaf and Mahindra Group chairman Anand Mahindra.

"Oakland is the perfect place to combine electric bikes and electric scooters, with mobility sharing and solar power. Projects like Bike Solar Oakland and San Francisco's Scoot Networks are the type of Smart City Initiatives we are launching in Oakland," Schaaf said.

"We are so happy to be working with Mahindra GenZe - this is the kind of innovation and partnership we want to see - finding that pragmatic but visionary intersection of business, environment and technology to equitably serve our community," she said.

"The GenZe 2.0 launch event in Oakland recognises the creativity and determination of the Mahindra Genze team to design and develop a remarkably distinctive product," said Anand Mahindra.

GenZe2.0 has a removable lithium-ion battery that can be recharged at any standard electrical outlet, providing optimal freedom and ease of use.

Its smart, utilitarian design offers ample rear storage space so people can get where they want and take their belongings with them.

Beyond its use as a personal vehicle, the GenZe 2.0 has also attracted a lot of attention from cities and corporate campuses who are searching for efficient multi-modal and first/last mile solutions to help augment existing transportation infrastructure, a media release said.
Stepping up the heat on the Mamata Banerjee government over violence in Malda, BJP today took the matter to the President's doorstep and requested him to seek an independent report from the Governor on the issue.

The party accused the Mamata Banerjee government in West Bengal of promoting vote bank by protecting those involved in Malda violence and said that it posed a threat to national security.

A BJP delegation, led by party general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya and other central and state leaders, met President Pranab Mukherjee and submitted a memorandum.

The party alleged inaction on part of the state government on the Malda violence and claimed that the TMC government's policy of 'appeasement and vote bank' posed a threat to national security. They also raised the issue of violence in Birbhum in West Bengal.

The delegation also presented another memorandum to the President on the inaction on the part of West Bengal government in arresting the accused in the hit-and-run case involving the son of a TMC leader who killed an Air Force jawan while he was rehearsing for the Republic Day parade in Kolkata.

"The Malda incident is linked to the country's internal security... This vote bank poses a threat to internal security as the same mob also raised pro-Pakistan slogans. That is why we have requested the President to seek his own report from the Governor and the report sought by the central government from the state will help stop the threat caused to the country's internal security," Vijayvargiya told reporters after meeting the President.

He added that BJP is pained to know that the West Bengal chief minister had said that the people had problems with BSF and that is why the violence took place.

"Why was the police station burnt? The reality is that it was burnt as all those leading that violent clash are linked with fake currency and opium cultivation and are anti-social elements who burnt the police station," he said.

"Unfortunately, all those are being protected by Mamata Banerjee. A number of TMC leaders are involved in such activities and there is vote bank politics played there. The minority community there is somewhere linked in all these three incidents and due to this vote bank politics, the West Bengal chief minister is not acting against them," he added.

BJP Secretary Siddhharth Nath Singh and West Bengal BJP President Dilip Ghosh and former state president Rahul Sinha were also part of the delegation.

The memorandum to the President said, "TMC government wishes to brush the entire macabre fest under the carpet but BJP strongly believes that national interest cannot be traded for appeasement politics and therefore we request your good office to seek a detail report from the Hon'ble Governor of West Bengal."



It further said under communal overtone the operation covertly had a larger planned conspiracy to hit the very roots of India's national security. Malda, the BJP memorandum said, is well known for fake currency rackets and drug trading across the border and the NIA had been actively investigating the anti-national operations taking place at Malda.

"It is understood that dossiers of key criminals were prepared and were kept at Kaliachak police station. As the police in Bengal are not allowed to act against the minority community due to the TMC government's politics of appeasement, it can be safely inferred that the target was to destroy the records rather than a fight between the locals and BSF. This cocktail promotes anti-social elements from across the border and jeopardises India's internal security," it said.
Stepping up the heat on the Mamata Banerjee government over the Malda violence, BJP today took the matter to the President and requested him to seek an independent report from the Governor on the issue.

The party accused the Mamata Banerjee government in West Bengal of promoting vote bank by protecting those involved in Malda violence and said that it posed a threat to national security.

A BJP delegation, led by party general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya and other central and state leaders, met President Pranab Mukherjee and submitted a memorandum.

The party alleged inaction on part of the state government on the Malda violence and claimed that the TMC government's policy of 'appeasement and vote bank' posed a threat to national security. They also raised the issue of violence in Birbhum in West Bengal.

The delegation also presented another memorandum to the President on the inaction on the part of WB government in arresting the accused in the hit-and-run case involving the son of a TMC leader who killed an Air Force jawan while he was rehearsing for the Republic Day parade in Kolkata.

"The Malda incident is linked to the country's internal security... This vote bank poses a threat to internal security as the same mob also raised pro-Pakistan slogans. That is why we have requested the President to seek his own report from the Governor and the report sought by the central government from the state will help stop the threat caused to the country's internal security," Vijayvargiya told reporters after meeting the President.

He added that BJP is pained to know the West Bengal chief minister saying people had problems with BSF and that is why the violence took place.

"Why was the police station burnt? The reality is that it was burnt as all those leading that violent clash are linked with fake currency and opium cultivation and are anti-social elements who burnt the police station to put an end to their criminal activities.

"Unfortunately, all those are being protected by Mamata Banerjee. A number of TMC leaders are involved in such activities and there is vote bank politics played there. The minority community there is somewhere linked in all these three incidents and due to this vote bank politics, the West Bengal chief minister is not acting against them," he added.

BJP Secretary Siddhharth Nath Singh and WB BJP President Dilip Ghosh and former state president Rahul Sinha were also part of the delegation.

The memorandum to President said: "TMC government wishes to brush the entire macabre fest under the carpet but BJP strongly believes that national interest cannot be traded for appeasement politics and therefore we request your good office to seek a detail report from the Hon'ble Governor of West Bengal."



It further said under communal overtone the operation covertly had a larger planned conspiracy to hit the very roots of India's national security. Malda, the BJP memorandum said, is well known for fake currency rackets and drug trading across the border and the NIA had been actively investigating the anti-national operations taking place at Malda.

"It is understood that dossiers of key criminals were prepared and were kept at Kaliachak police station. As the police in Bengal are not allowed to act against the minority community due to the TMC government's politics of appeasement, it can be safely inferred that the target was to destroy the records rather than a fight between the locals and BSF. This cocktail promotes anti-social elements from across the border and jeopardises India's internal security," it said.

"We wish to bring to your notice that the vote bank politics being practised by the TMC government is breaking the secular fabric of the state. The appeasement of minorities by the state government for votes is encouraging anti-social activities, which in turn are creating law and order problems," the memorandum said.

The BJP leaders said large-scale infiltration happens in West Bengal because of its porous border and since the state government's approach is soft, they settle in the state illegally by even getting ration cards. The refugees are harassed by the local administration.

"The Supreme Court of India had termed illegal immigration as silent invasion on India. Apart from creating demographic imbalances it also promotes anti-social activities like drug/cattle smuggling, fake currency racket and child/women trafficking," the memorandum said.
The Maldives government today said former president Mohamed Nasheed, currently serving a 13-year jail sentence on terror charges, has been granted permission to travel to the UK for a spinal cord surgery.

"The Government of the Republic of Maldives has granted permission to Former President Mohamed Nasheed to travel to the United Kingdom to undertake a surgery at his request," the foreign ministry said in a statement.

He was given the permission on the "condition to serve the remainder of the sentence upon return to the Maldives after the surgery", it said.

Nasheed, who became the country's first democratically elected leader in 2008, had sought permission to travel abroad for a spinal cord problem requiring specialist surgery, but the government had repeatedly denied the request insisting that it could be done in the Maldives.

His lawyers had, however, rejected the government's claim that the surgery was available at the private ADK Hospital in capital Male. They had demanded for months that Nasheed be allowed specialist treatment abroad.

The surprise announcement came amid heightened high-level diplomatic activity involving India, Sri Lanka and the UK. While Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar visited Male for talks with the government and stopped over in Colombo this week, Lankan Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera made an unscheduled visit here on Thursday.

The change in stance of the government of President Abdulla Yameen also came just hours before the UK Minister of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Hugo Swire's arrival here for an official visit.

The Maldivian authority had said it could only allow Nasheed to travel abroad for medical treatment after consultation with a specialist, Haveeru Online reported.

Home Minister Umar Naseer had said that the doctor had recommended microdiscectomy for Nasheed and that the surgery is available in the Maldives.

Nasheed was sentenced to 13 years in jail in March over the arbitrary arrest of chief criminal judge Abdullah Muhammed during his presidency. He resigned as the Maldives' leader in February 2012 after weeks of protests over the judge's arrest on corruption allegations.

The former president had appealed his prison sentence after backtracking on his earlier decision and opted to go to the Supreme Court instead.

In his appeal, Nasheed had sought a lesser penalty under the new penal code that came into effect in November. The Supreme Court had also been asked to nullify the charges lodged against him in the lower court and the subsequent sentence.

India, the US and the European Union had all expressed concern over Nasheed's imprisonment and conviction. His conviction drew widespread criticism over the apparent lack of due process in the 19-day trial.
Ahead of Assembly polls in West Bengal slated for later this year, Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee today directed the leaders to refrain from making statements which could embarrass the party.

"Our leader Mamata Banerjee has asked us not to make any statement which could embarrass the party," a senior TMC leader said on condition of anonymity.

She gave this direction while holding an organisational meeting with leaders of Birbhum district.

Trinamool's Birbhum district president Anubrata Mondal has time and again courted controversy by making statements that had embarrassed the party leadership.

At another organisational meeting earlier this month, Mamata had directed party leaders to stay away from infighting.

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"I have come to Birpara often in the past. I love this place. I love coming to North Bengal in general. We have showered our love on the people of the Hills. In the past no government worked for the Hills so much," Banerjee said.

Pointing out that her government created the district of Alipurduar for better development, Banerjee said that her government fulfilled long-standing demand of the area.

"From ITIs, polytechnic colleges to fair price shops and Kisan Mandis, we are working for all-round development," she said.

"We took over Dunlop and Jessop because we care for the welfare of workers. We will not allow innocent workers and labourers to suffer because of the Central government," she said.

Stating that her government was working for the welfare of tea garden workers, Banerjee explained the benefits her government offered to tea garden workers.
Malaysian counter terrorism police have arrested a man suspected of having links with the dreaded Islamic State (IS) terror group, authorities here said today.

The suspect, who landed in the police net yesterday, was possessing weapons and several documents which have been seized, Inspector-General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar said.

Malaysia was put on a high alert level following a series of coordinated terror attacks on Jakarta by an IS-linked terror group.

The Thursday's attacks on Jakarta involved suicide bombers as well as gunmen. A total of seven people including five terrorists were killed in the incident.

Meanwhile, Khalid, a statement today, said that three Malaysians including a married couple have been detained for their alleged involvement with the IS terror group in Turkey.

He said four of the suspects including the married couple were arrested by Turkish authorities as they were trying to sneak into Syria on November 15 last year.

"The three suspects arrested in Turkey's Gaziantep were sent back to Malaysia last Monday. They were recruited by Malaysian militant Muhammad Wanndy Mohamed Jedi also known as Abu Hamzah through Facebook and Telegram. He had also arranged for their passage to Syria," Khalid said.

The fourth suspect, a 28-year-old man from Malaysia's Terengganu, was planning to carry out a suicide attack.

"He had received orders from an IS leader in Syria to target Malaysia. This man was also responsible for putting up IS flags in Terengganu, Perak, Selangor and Johor," Khalid said, adding that the flags were intended to warn authorities against taking action on IS members.
Nine persons, including eight teenage boys, were arrested here in connection with the murder of a 30-year-old man over an alleged dispute on kite flying, police said today.

Among the arrested, four of them are 18 years old and four of them are 19 years old, Deputy Commissioners of Police, Ishu Sandu (Zonal) and Ranjan Kumar Sharma (Crime) told reporters here.

The incident took place yesterday when 30-year-old Chandrashekhar Wadatkar was flying kite in Beedpeth in South city area and was joined by Sagar Gaikwad (30), who has a criminal past.

In between, Sagar bumped into another youth and had a heated exchange with him over kite-flying on the occasion of Makar Sakranti. The youth left the scene and soon returned with an armed gang and attacked Wadatkar and Gaikwad.

After sustaining injuries, both were rushed to Government Medical College Hospital where Wadatkar died.

Gaikwad is still undergoing treatment. The accused were rounded up last night, police said.
A 24-year-old man, who allegedly kidnapped his former employer's six-year-old son from east Delhi's Vinod Nagar area, was arrested and the child was rescued, police said today.

The accused, Kuldeep, worked at a provision store owned by the complainant and had left job around 20 days before the incident. He was under huge debt and in desperate need of money, said police.

Yesterday afternoon, the police received a call from the complainant, who told the police that his son had been kidnapped and he suspected his former employee to be behind it. The kidnapper also left a note at the complainant's doorstep, demanding a ransom of Rs 5 lakh for the boy's release from a location in UP's Etah district, said police.

A case of kidnapping for ransom was registered and the suspect's phone number was put on surveillance. Soon it emerged that he was heading towards UP and police there was informed about the matter. The suspect, who was heading towards Etah in a bus, was intercepted at a village in UP's Aligarh district, around 170 km from the national capital, said police.

Kuldeep was arrested by a police team and brought to Delhi. The boy was rescued and handed over to his parents. The entire operation was executed within four hours, DCP (east) B S Gurjar said.
Country's largest carmaker Maruti Suzuki India today hiked prices of its vehicles across models by up to 12,000, joining others like Honda, Toyota Kirloskar, Tata Motors and Skoda in taking such a step from this month.

The average hike in the ex-showroom prices across models, starting from entry level hatchback Alto 800 to premium crossover S-Cross, is between Rs 1,000 to Rs 4,000, the company said in a statement.

Besides, the company has also hiked prices of its recently launched premium hatchback Baleno in the range of Rs 5,000 to Rs 12,000, it added.

The company currently sells a range a vehicles starting from entry-level car Alto 800 to premium crossover S-Cross, priced between Rs 2.52 lakh and Rs 13.74 lakh.

Baleno is priced between Rs 4.99 lakh and Rs 8.11 lakh (all prices ex-showroom Delhi).

Honda Cars India has already increased prices of its vehicles across models by up to Rs 10,000. Czech carmaker Skoda has also increased prices of its model range by up to Rs 33,000 from January 1.

Toyota Kirloskar Motor also raised product prices by up to Rs 31,500. Similarly, Tata Motors has hiked prices of its passenger vehicles by up to Rs 20,000 from this month.
Senior lawyer Ram Jethmalani today slammed the government over the handling of affairs with Pakistan after the Pathankot attack, saying they are "not educated enough" to deal with the troubled nation.

"There is a serious happening at Pathankot and it needs to be seriously investigated, but the manner in which they (government) are dealing with Pakistan is unforgivable," Jethmalani told reporters on the sidelines of Law Day and Justice Y V Chandrachud Memorial Public Lecture at a law college here.

The Rajya Sabha MP said the government should continue talks with Pakistan but it should know what to talk.

"You (Centre) want to talk to Pakistan, talk to them all the time. But the government should know what they are talking. I regret to say that no one in the Ministry (of External Affairs) is educated enough," he said.

On his letter, addressed to Congress president Sonia Gandhi where he reportedly offered to defend her and party vice president Rahul Gandhi in the National Herald case, Jethmalani said he was "misquoted" by a section of media.

"What I had written to Mrs Gandhi was (her party) should not to disrupt the Rajya Sabha and also advised her that if she wants to claim innocence, she should go to the court as Parliament is not the place.

"I had written in my letter that Congress has many noted lawyers and if someone does not take the case, I will prepare to represent you," the former BJP leader said, while claiming that he was quoted out of context.

He, however, said he will represent Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in the defamation case filed by Finance minister Arun Jaitley.

The former Law minister also said that Prime minister Narendra Modi has "cheated" the nation on issues of black money and One-Rank-One-Pension.

In his address to law students, Jethmalani denounced ISIS over its brutalities and said Muslim majority countries themselves are now turning against the dreaded terror outfit.
Misunderstandings in Indo-Nepal relations due to the border blockade resulting from protests by Madhesis will be cleared soon, the Indian envoy here has said while underlining that a peaceful and prosperous Nepal is in India's interest.

India's Ambassador to Nepal Ranjit Rae, while speaking at a function organised here to observe Guru Nanak's birth anniversary, said all the misunderstandings created in bilateral relations will be cleared soon.

He said that with the arrival of new year, the "problems" in Indo-Nepal relations due to the border blockade resulting from protests by Madheisis will end and the "friendship between the two countries will be further strengthened".

"India always wants to see welfare of Nepalese people, and we want a peaceful and prosperous Nepal which will also be in the interest of India," he said.

The Indo-Nepal relations will be better in the days ahead, he said adding that festivals like Guru Nanak Jayanti will help further strengthen people to people relations between the two countries."



Nepal is facing acute shortage of cooking gas, petroleum products, medicines and other essentials due to the months- long blockade imposed on the southern border of the country as a result of the protests spearheaded by Madhesis, largely of Indian-origin.

Madhesis, who share strong cultural and family bonds with Indians, demand demarcation of provinces, fixing of electoral constituencies on the basis of population and proportional representation.

So far, more than 50 people have died in the agitation.

More than 2,500 people had gathered at a 40-year-old Gurudwara in Kathmandu situated in the bank of Bagmati river.

Guru Nanak's birth anniversary is observed on November 25 every year but it was celebrated with the function today.

Sacrificing for the welfare of society is the main teaching of Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism, Rae said during the function in Kupandole here.

"During the great earthquake of April and May in Nepal groups from Gurudwaras of Punjab and Haryana came to Nepal to feed langar to the affected people," he said.

Community kitchens or 'langars' were organised at the Gurdwara.

Guru Nanak had visited Kathmandu towards the middle of the 16th century during the reign of Malla King.

Guru Nanak Jayanti also known as Gurpurab and Prakash Utsav marks the birthday of the first Sikh Guru Guru Nanak. It is one of the most sacred festivals in Sikhism and is celebrated by Hindus also with equal fervour.
Security forces today conducted mock drills at vital installations in Jammu and Kashmir to strengthen the security setup ahead of the Republic Day in the backdrop of Pathankot terror attack.

"The Delta Force of Army with other forces organised a security conference at Chanderkot which was followed by mock drills to strengthen the existing security mechanisms and carry out coordination between various agencies responsible for security of important installations in Ramban district," PRO Defence Lt Col Manish Mehta said.

The mock drills were conducted at vital installations in the state including Baglihar Hydro Electric Power Project Chanderkot, Banihal Railway Station, Jawahar Tunnel and Nathatop Air Force Station.

"One such mock drill involving various security agencies like CRPF, Police, Army and JKSPDC was organised at Baglihar Hydro Electric Power Project Chanderkot, wherein the troops were alerted and mobilised on ground to react to a situation depicted at Baglihar Hydro Electric Power Project Chanderkot," Lt Col Mehta said.

The security drill provided an opportunity to enhance synergy and coordination amongst various agencies and refine their drills on ground.

District Police, JKSPDC and civil administration appreciated the efforts of the Indian Army in organising this important security drill, thereby strengthening the existing security grid, PRO said.

A Multi Disciplinary Agency team comprising senior officers of the State Police, Central Armed Police Forces, Air Force, Army, Intelligence Agencies and other concerned stakeholders would undertake a complete security audit of all vital establishments and installations in J-K and complete this task by 21st January, 2016.

This was decided at a high-level security meeting chaired by J&K Governor N N Vohra at the Raj Bhavan here yesterday, following review of the existing arrangements for the safety and security of all vital Civil and Defence establishments and installations in J&K.

Consequent to recurring terror attacks since September 2013 across the IB and LoC and more particularly the recent attack on the Air Force Base at Pathankot, the Governor had been speaking to the State Chief Secretary, Police Chief, Northern Army Commander and senior Commanders of Security Forces and urging them to undertake a time-bound review of all existing security arrangements.

The Governor has been repeatedly expressing anxiety over the recurrence of terror attacks across the Pakistan border.
North Korea said it could stop its nuclear tests in exchange for signing a peace treaty with the US and a stop to annual military exercises between the US and South Korea.

The North's statement carried by the state media late yesterday was a repeat of past offers that have been rejected by the US, which wants Pyongyang to commit to a complete abandonment of nuclear weapons.

An unnamed spokesman of the North's Foreign Ministry called the purported hydrogen bomb test on January 6 a justifiable move to ensure its survival against external threats.

"In response to the US continuously invading our sovereignty and making threatening provocations, we will acquire ourselves with all possible nuclear attack and nuclear retaliation abilities, but will not thoughtlessly use our nuclear weapons," the official Korean Central News Agency quoted the spokesman as saying.

The spokesman also called the South's decision to restart anti-Pyongyang propaganda broadcasts along their tense border an "odd" provocation.

The North is extremely sensitive to outside criticism of the authoritarian leadership of Kim Jong Un and has been retaliating to Seoul's loudspeaker campaigns by flying thousands of propaganda leaflets across the border. Earlier in the week, South Korean troops fired 20 machine gun warning shots after a North Korean drone briefly crossed the border.

The North's H-bomb claims have been met with widespread condemnation and suspicion, but also questions on how to stop the country's growing nuclear threat.

The Korean Peninsula remains technically at war because the 1950-53 conflict ended in an armistice, not a peace treaty.

Pyongyang has called the annual US-South Korean military drills a rehearsal for an invasion, though the allies have repeatedly said that the war games are defensive in nature.
National Commission for Scheduled Castes Chairman P L Puniya today held a spot inquiry into the alleged discrimination against Dalits in the use of a funeral pathway at a village in the district.

Puniya visited Thirunalkondacherry and interacted with various sections of the residents as part of his probe into the alleged discrimination which came to fore when the body of a 100-year old Dalit was not allowed to be carried through a particular path following "objections" by caste Hindus.

Later talking to reporters, Puniya said he would submit a detailed report to the commission and assured appropriate action.

Sellamuthu passed away on January 3 and his family members wanted to take the body to burial ground through a particular route as their regular funeral pathway was full of bushes and thorns.

However, caste Hindu members raised objection to this following which Sellamuthu's grandson had moved the Madras High Court.

On January 4, the HC directed the district administration and police to swiftly act on his plea for permission to use the pathway to the burial ground.

Subsequent peace talks by the district administration with members of the dominant community failed, following which the family complained of discrimination.

Relatives of the deceased had alleged that on January 6, authorities forcibly took the body to the burial ground through a different road despite their opposition.

Taking cognisance of the media reports in this regard, the NCSC Chairman visited the village for the spot inquiry.

Noting that Tamil Nadu had been a land of social revolution from the days of Periyar E V Ramaswamy, Puniya said, "It is unfortunate that such acts of discrimination are still reported in this state."



He said the incident reflected the mindset of the people in general. "Anyone can walk on any road. Nobody objects that. However, when bodies are to be taken, objections are being raised. Preventing the dead body to be taken on any particular road based on caste is a serious offence," he said.

Action would surely be taken and social justice would be ensured, he added.

According to Dalit members of the village, the burial ground being used by them was located about three kms away and on the banks of a river.

Dalits have been demanding for a proper road to reach the burial ground as the present one had become full of bushes and thorns, they claimed.

In view of this, they had decided to use the other pathway, triggering objections from the caste Hindus.

Ironically, in November last, when the wife of Sellamuthu passed away, similar issue had cropped up and her body was carried by revenue officials.
It is important to protect fissile material from extremists in Pakistan more than nuclear bombs because the latter has multi-layer security unlike the former, a senior Pakistani nuclear expert today opined.

Pervez Hoodbhoy, a professor of Physics and Mathematics at Forman Christian College University in Lahore, said there was no need of India and Pakistan to test the nuclear bomb in 1998 as both knew the capacity of the atomic weapon they possessed.

Speaking about the threat of extremists to nuclear warheads in Pakistan, Hoodbhoy said, "Even if Taliban or other extremists organisations can get the weapons, which is not impossible, the nuclear weapons have several locks and passwords. I hope Pakistani weapons too have the Permissible Action Limit (PALs) to ensure the security of weapons.

"But it is the fissile material which should be protected. However, to make a bomb out of it one requires 80-90 kgs of enriched uranium. However, even in this case, it will be very primitive," he said.

Hoodbhoy was delivering a lecture on future of India-Pakistan relations and Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit's impact on it. The lecture was organised by Centre for Policy Analysis.

Noting that testing of atomic bomb by any nation is for sending "political messages", he said it could have been avoided.

"India could have avoided testing the (nuclear) bomb. Pakistan too could have avoided not responding to it. It is fairly simple matter to understand the magnitude. The amount of material and purity of material and the core of the uranium bomb. Any PhD Student would have estimated the yield of the bomb.

"Testing of fission bombs is done for sending a political message... The way North Korea does by testing fission bombs," he said.

India and Pakistan both being nuclear weapon states affects the security atmosphere in the region, owing to the uneasy relations between the two. It is estimated that Pakistan has 120-130 nuclear war heads while India has around 100-110 atomic weapons.
Launching a counter offensive on Rahul Gandhi on Goods and Services Tax (GST) Bill, BJP today alleged Congress was "never serious" about it and the opposition party's "negative mindset" was delaying the key tax reforms legislation.

Dubbing Rahul Gandhi as a "non-serious, half-politician", BJP attacked him for his remark that his party would back the GST provided its three conditions were met and said he should clearly state whether Congress was in favour of or against it, instead of "diverting" the issue.

"Instead of playing anti-development, anti-poor politics, Rahul Gandhi should tell the country upfront whether his party supports the GST Bill or not. The Congress should stop beating around the bush on the issue and come out clean on whether or not it backs the GST Bill, crucial for the country's development," BJP's national Secretary and media cell incharge Shrikant Sharma said.

Accusing the Congress leadership of "deliberately disrupting" Parliament to stall GST, he said, Congress was "never serious" about the Bill and the draft bill prepared by UPA was opposed by several Congress-ruled states, while the draft GST bill prepared by BJP was "mostly acceptable to most states".

"Yet the Congress high command, for its petty political motives, disrupted Parliament to stall the GST. When the court did not exempt them from personal appearance in the National Herald case, Congress leaders held Parliament hostage and hampered the GST Bill," he said.

Taking on Rahul Gandhi for his criticism of the government for allegedly mishandling the Pathankot terror attack, he said, "a non-serious and half-politician like Rahul Gandhi should introspect before speaking on serious national security matters".

"Rahul Gandhi was holidaying in Europe when Pathankot base was attacked. Making non-serious statements bereft of facts on serious subjects is not good. A non-serious and half- politician like Rahul Gandhi should make mature statements on sensitive issues. He should introspect before he speaks," he said, accusing Rahul of resorting to misleading rhetoric to divert the attention of the people from "his bail in the Rs 5000 crore National Herald case".

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Sharma cited Prime Minister Narendra Modi's meeting with Congress President Sonia Gandhi and former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, and later meeting of Finance Minister Arun Jaitley with other Congress leaders as BJP's attempts to forge a consensus on the GST Bill and not for anything else.

He lamented that the bill could not be passed due to the "arrogance" and "whims" of Congress' top leadership.

"The Bill could not be passed in the Winter Session of Parliament because Congress was never interested in passing it and it only wanted to oppose the Government," he said.

The BJP also questioned Congress' moral right in talking about terrorism, accusing it of supporting those indulging in terror activities and addressing them as "sahib" in the past as also for revoking POTA during its rule.

"A party whose leaders shed tears on the bodies of terrorists, address terrorists with respect, repeal POTA soon as they come to power and raise questions about the martyrdom of police officers in Batla House encounter have no moral right to speak on terrorism," said the BJP leader reacting to Rahul's statements on the operation at Pathankot airbase.

Rahul Gandhi, in Mumbai, today said the GST bill could be passed in Parliament in just "15 minutes" with the support of Congress once the Modi government accepts the conditions set by his party.

The Congress vice president also attacked the Centre's ambitious start-up mission, saying there is a contradiction in pushing for start-ups and being "intolerant".

He said the RSS has a very "rigid vision" for India and that start ups require free movement of ideas, during an interaction with management students there.

A "compromise with the government is possible on GST and it is by sitting across the table, but the government is not willing to do so," he said, adding that "the day the conditions are accepted, we will pass the GST (in Parliament). It will take just 15 minutes.
Nepal today formally launched a mega reconstruction campaign to build a million new homes, nine months after the devastating earthquake that killed nearly 9,000 people.

At a special function, President Bidya Devi Bhandari formally opened the much awaited campaign in the presence of senior government officials, chiefs of diplomatic missions and representatives of donor agencies based in Kathmandu.

While Bhandari launched the reconstruction campaign, Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli also released the reconstruction masterplan of Bungmati town in nearby Lalitpur district.

Oli, deputy prime ministers Bijay Kumar Gachhadar and Kamal Thapa, former prime ministers Prachanda and Sushil Koirala, National Reconstruction Authority Chief Executive Officer Sushil Gyawali, UN Development Programme representative to Nepal Renaud Meyer among others addressed the function.

They had stressed need of joint efforts from government and non-government agencies, international donors, political parties and members of the public to reconstruct the nation in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake.

According to official records, 8,891 people were killed in the magnitude-7.8 earthquake that struck Nepal on April 25 last year while 22,200 others were injured in the tremor subsequent aftershocks.

Similarly, 608,155 houses were completely damaged and 298,998 houses and sheds were partially damaged by the tremor.

About 2,687 government buildings including schools, hospitals and health posts were completely damaged while 3,776 had suffered partial damage.

The damage from the quake is estimated at NRs 760 billion (USD 7.6 billion).

During a global donors meet held in August, countries including India and China had pledged assistance of USD 4.2 billion to Nepal, half of it in the form of grants for rebuilding works.
The latest set of witness statements released by a United Kingdom (UK)-based website set up to unravel the mystery surrounding Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose's death seem to confirm that the freedom fighter died as a result of a plane crash in Taiwan.

Five witnesses, which include Netaji's close associate, two Japanese doctors, an interpreter and a Taiwanese nurse, have been quoted as corroborating that the founder of the Indian Army (INA) died on 18 August 1945 following a plane crash on the outskirts of an airfield in Taipei.

"There are no two opinions between the five witnesses about the fact that Bose's end came on the night of 18 August 1945," www.Bosefiles.Info said in a statement.



Colonel Habibur Rehman Khan, Bose's aide-de-camp (ADC) who was with him on the fateful day and survived the crash, submitted a statement written and signed on 24 August 1945 - six days after the crash confirming Bose's last words to him.

"Prior to his death he (Bose) told me that his end was near and asked me to convey a message from him to our countrymen to the following effect: 'I have fought to the last for India's independence and now am giving my life in the same attempt. Countrymen! Continue the independence fight. Before long India will be free. Long Live Azad Hind'," the statement reads.

In September 1945, two intelligence teams from India led by police officers named Finney and Davis, assisted by H K Roy and K P De, went to Bangkok, Saigon and Taipei to investigate. They concluded Bose had died as a result of the air tragedy.

They seized a copy of a telegram from the Chief of Staff of the Japanese Southern Army to Hikari Kikan, a body set up to liaise between the Japanese government and Bose's "Provisional Government of Free India".

Using the code "T" for Bose, the cable dated 20 August 1945 said:"T", while on his way to the capital (Tokyo), as a result of an accident to his aircraft at TAIHOKU (Japanese name for Taipei) at 1400 hours on the 18th was seriously injured and died at midnight on the same date."



Between May and July of 1946, Lt Col J G Figgess of the British Army interrogated six Japanese officials in Tokyo in connection with the incident, including Japanese doctor Toyoshi Tsuruta, who was present at the Nanmon Military Hospital near the crash site where Bose was rushed to after the crash.

Dr Tsuruta submitted to Figgess:"...Bose asked him in English if he would sit with him throughout the night. However, shortly after seven o'clock (in the evening) he suffered a relapse and although the doctor once again administered a camphor injection he sank into a coma and died shortly afterwards."



Tsan Pi Sha, a nurse at the same hospital, confirmed this account in in September 1946 to Harin Shah, a journalist with Mumbai's'Free Press Journal', who visited Taipei to investigate the matter.
The latest set of witness statements released by a UK-based website set up to unravel the mystery surrounding Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose's disappearance seem to confirm that the freedom fighter died as a result of a plane crash in Taiwan.

Five witnesses, which include Netaji's close associate, two Japanese doctors, an interpreter and a Taiwanese nurse, have been quoted as corroborating that the founder of the Indian Army (INA) died on 18 August 1945 following a plane crash on the outskirts of an airfield in Taipei.

"There are no two opinions between the five witnesses about the fact that Bose's end came on the night of 18 August 1945," www.bosefiles.info said in a statement.

Colonel Habibur Rehman Khan, Bose's aide-de-camp (ADC) who was with him on the fateful day and survived the crash, submitted a statement written and signed on 24 August 1945 - six days after the crash confirming Bose's last words to him.

"Prior to his death he (Bose) told me that his end was near and asked me to convey a message from him to our countrymen to the following effect: 'I have fought to the last for India's independence and now am giving my life in the same attempt. Countrymen! Continue the independence fight. Before long India will be free. Long Live Azad Hind'," the statement reads.

In September 1945, two intelligence teams from India led by police officers named Finney and Davis, assisted by H K Roy and K P De, went to Bangkok, Saigon and Taipei to investigate. They concluded Bose had died as a result of the air tragedy.

They seized a copy of a telegram from the Chief of Staff of the Japanese Southern Army to Hikari Kikan, a body set up to liaise between the Japanese government and Bose's "Provisional Government of Free India".

Using the code "T" for Bose, the cable dated 20 August 1945 said:"T", while on his way to the capital (Tokyo), as a result of an accident to his aircraft at TAIHOKU (Japanese name for Taipei) at 1400 hours on the 18th was seriously injured and died at midnight on the same date."



Between May and July of 1946, Lt Col J G Figgess of the British Army interrogated six Japanese officials in Tokyo in connection with the incident, including Japanese doctor Toyoshi Tsuruta, who was present at the Nanmon Military Hospital near the crash site where Bose was rushed to after the crash.

Dr Tsuruta submitted to Figgess:"...Bose asked him in English if he would sit with him throughout the night. However, shortly after seven o'clock (in the evening) he suffered a relapse and although the doctor once again administered a camphor injection he sank into a coma and died shortly afterwards."



Tsan Pi Sha, a nurse at the same hospital, confirmed this account in in September 1946 to Harin Shah, a journalist with Mumbai's'Free Press Journal', who visited Taipei to investigate the matter.
Government action plan for new ventures will have a significant impact on driving enthusiasm among aspiring entrepreneurs to start their businesses without worrying too much about regulations and taxation, according to promising startup founders.

Startups across the country lauded the efforts to promote the entrepreneurial spirit in the country and said action plan unveiled today reflects a better understanding by the government of the ecosystem.

Flipkart co-founder Sachin Bansal said the intent of the government is right.

"There is a greater understanding of the startup ecosystem. They (startups) will benefit a lot from the incentives, tax benefits. To what extent is something that will have to be seen," he told PTI.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today unveiled a slew of incentives to boost start-up businesses, offering them a tax holiday and inspector raj-free regime for three years, capital gains tax exemption and Rs 10,000 crore corpus to fund them.

"This is way beyond our expectation. Its like a budget on steroids... Start ups don't require money from government. The best thing is that they have removed tax, inspector visits which were cumbersome. Also, bringing start ups to mainstream with the awards is an incredible effort," Paytm founder Vijay Shekhar Sharma said.

India, which has the third-largest number of start-ups globally, will allow a 20 per cent tax on capital gains made on investments by entrepreneurs after selling own assets.

Besides, the credit guarantee fund for startups would help flow of venture debt from the banking system to startups by standing guarantee against risks.

Practo founder and CEO Shashank ND said the move will benefit entrepreneurs significantly as they can get capital without letting go of equity.

Deep Kalra, founders of one of India's earliest tech startups, Makemytrip, said he was impressed that the government is not only talking about startups but has taken positive steps to support the ecosystem.

"I think the Rs 10,000 crore fund is fantastic, capital gains and no compliance, that will be really helpful to those in the manufacturing sector," he added.

Faster exit was again a breather for many startup who again feel morally down with their failures. It will not be late when india will become world's largest startup hub, Myheera.Com founder and Director Puja Bansal said.
Oxford University's first female vice-chancellor has stressed the importance of free speech and allowing extremist views to be aired on campus to teach students how to counter ideas they find objectionable.

Professor Louise Richardson, who took charge of her new post recently, said she was comfortable with institutions giving platforms to extreme speakers as it is the best way to challenge their views.

"We need to expose our students to ideas that make them uncomfortable so that they can think about why it is that they feel uncomfortable about and what it is about those ideas that they object to," she said.

Asked by 'The Daily Telegraph' if that meant London-based groups like Cage - known to voice extremist views - should be welcomed on campus, she added: "Provided that they can be countered, I think that we should let them be heard. In that way we model to our students how you counter ideas you find objectionable."



Six universities are currently being investigated over allegations that they allowed meetings to be held on campus during which Cage speakers, unopposed, advised students how to avoid being de-radicalised by the UK government's anti-terror Prevent strategy.

Richardson has expressed concerns over the Prevent duty, which requires teachers to spot radicalisation among students, because she worries "Islamic students would feel they are suspect".

She told the newspaper: "I have real concerns about prevent. I absolutely share the objectives of the government in introducing [the duty]. I am concerned that whole groups of students may see themselves as being suspect.

"The Prevent legislation is not explicitly anti Islamist but it's widely perceived to be directed against extreme Islamists and I worry that Islamic students would feel that they are suspect. I have reservations about prevent but of course we will abide by it."



Richardson, who until late last year was vice- chancellor at St Andrews University, spent her first Sunday in her new city figuring out the location of the 38 colleges that make up the totality of Oxford University.
The special NIA court today rejected the application seeking temporary bail filed by Sudhakar Dwivedi, one of the accused in the 2008 Malegoan blast case.

However, it allowed Dwivedi to visit his house in Kanpur under a police escort for which he will have to pay.

"The court rejected his bail application. However, it allowed him to go to his native place along with the police escort from January 19 to February 1", special NIA prosecutor Avinash Rasal said.

Dwivedi had earlier, though his lawyer Kanishk Jayant, moved an application seeking temporary bail.

The court has also set out 12 conditions which Dwivedi will have to adhere to for going to his native place.

Special judge S D Tekale has directed that Dwivedi will give his address and list of his family members to the Superintendent of Taloja jail (in Navi Mumbai) where he is lodged.

The court also directed that Dwivedi will not leave the jurisdiction of Kanpur city.

"Accused shall not contact any witnesses concerned with the case and he will not speak to any person over phone without the prior permission of the escort party", it said.

12 persons, including Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur and Lt.Col Prasad Purohit, were arrested for carrying out a blast at Malegaon on September 29, 2008, killing six persons and injuring 100 others.

The accused have been booked under stringent Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA), Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA), besides Indian Penal Code (IPC).

Following a Supreme Court order, a special court under the provisions of NIA Act has been constituted to exclusively hear the case.
A 32-year-old Nigerian has been arrested for possessing charas worth Rs 70,000 from Anjuna beach here, police said today.

The accused, identified as Ogbanna Okoro, was found in possession of 14 gms of the banned drug, police spokesman said today.

The accused has been booked under Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, police said, adding further investigation is on.
Flagging concern over the "alarmingly high" rate of cesarean section operations in the country, doctors here today said normal deliveries were safer and in interest of women's health.

Doctors attending the 59th conference of obstetricians and gynaecologists in the Taj city stressed that normal deliveries were safer and in the interest of women's health.

According to a presentation made during the event, 40 per cent of deliveries done in India were cesarian, while the same in neighbouring Nepal was at 8.6 per cent and relatively lower in other south Asian countries.

"What this reflected was the decreasing level of patience and pain-tolerating capacity in women," it said.

Dr Rasheed Latif from Pakistan said the percentage in rural areas was only five per cent, because of physical activity. "If in any country the rate was more than 15 per cent, it was a signal for alarm," he said.

The participating doctors reached a consensus at the workshop to reduce C-section rate in developing countries, including Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bhutan and India.

Doctors attending the conference also noted that by 2020 India and China would be the centres of cancer deaths.

"Changing lifestyles, stress, tobacco and liquor consumption are the chief causes of cancer which would take a very high toll of life in both the countries by 2020," said Dr GS Bhattacharya of the WHO's expert committee.

Prof Prakash Trivedi, chairman FOGSI, said more than 60 million cases were being reported in India of 'Urine Leak', affecting women from 38 to 85 years.

The five-day convention with the key theme this year - Women's health has been organised by Federation of Gynaecologists and Obstetricians Association of India (FOGSI) at the Kalakriti ground and attracted over 6,000 doctors from all over India and a dozen countries, the organisers said.
The ongoing strike by a section of nurses in Jharkhand could affect the pulse polio campaign in the state tomorrow with the agitators saying that they would boycott the drive even as the government termed their stir as 'illegal'.

The state Health and Family Welfare Department, in a release today, asked the Auxiliary Nurse Mid-wife and Grade A nurses working under National Rural Health Department to call off their "illegal" strike to help the state achieve its target in the pulse polio campaign.

The charter of demands of the agitating nurses was being seriously looked into and its execution was in progress, the department stated.

The agitating nurses' body, Jharkhand NHRM-ANM-GNM Anubandhit (contractual) Sangh, which are on strike since yesterday, however dismissed the appeal.

"We will boycott the pulse polio campaign as the government has not fulfilled our demands - confirmation of our jobs from the date we are appointed, PF and LIC benefits, etc, Juhi Minz, the Sangh's General Secretary said.

They had been on 'strike' from December 16 to 18 last year on the same demands and resorting to it again is illegal, the department said, and asked them to withdraw their strike in the interest of the state and the people.

However the nurses' organisation said that their December agitation was a dharna and not a strike.
One person was killed and another injured following an explosion at an oil sands plant in western Canada, the Canadian subsidiary of the Chinese company CNOOC said.

Canada-based Nexen Energy ULC did not give a reason for yesterday's explosion at its Long Lake facility south of Fort McMurray, in northern Alberta province.

"Our emergency response plan has been activated and response personnel, including first responders ... Are on site," Nexen said in a statement.

"We are deeply saddened to confirm one fatality and a second person is at hospital. All other personnel are accounted for."



The site was shut down "and we are stabilizing the scene."



Nexen said that there is "no immediate danger to neighboring communities or personnel still on site," and said that regulators "have been notified".

The Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) reported a pipeline rupture in July at the same Long Lake oil sands site.

In that incident five million liters of oil mixed with waste water and sand poured out of the site, resulting in the second largest oil spill Alberta and one of the most serious oil spills in North America.

The publicly-traded China National Overseas Oil Corporation, or CNOOC group, bought Nexen in 2013 for USD 15 billion.
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has cancelled a planned trip to Tehran, apparently due to Iran's tension with Saudi Arabia - a key ally of Pakistan.

Asif was scheduled to travel to Tehran on a two-day visit from Monday for promoting defence ties between the two countries, Dawn reported.

According to the paper, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif directed the cancellation of the trip.

Citing a defence ministry official, it said that the trip had been cancelled. But the official did not assign any reason for the decision.

Another official who did not want to say anything on the record was of the opinion that the decision could be related to tensions between Iran and Saudi Arabia.

Saudi foreign minister and defence minister made back-to- back trips to Pakistan last week to put pressure on Islamabad to join 34-nation alliance against terrorism and seek support over Kingdom's row with Iran.

Pakistan has promised to stand by Saudi Arabia if it faced threat of territorial instability but is reluctant to send troops abroad to fight as part of the new alliance or overtly support it in tension with Iran, as it also has close ties with Tehran.
Pakistan's Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and powerful army chief General Raheel Sharif are set to embark on an important visit to Iran and Saudi Arabia on Monday to reduce tensions between the two rival Muslim nations, his office said today.

The decision was taken after behind-the-scene contacts by Pakistan with both countries to lower the temperature in the region after Saudi Arabia executed a prominent Shia cleric earlier this month following which Iranian protesters attacked the Saudi embassy in Tehran and its consulate prompting Riyadh to sever relations.

Iran then snapped all commercial ties with Saudi Arabia and stopped pilgrims from travelling to Mecca.

Minister for Information and Broadcasting Pervaiz Rashid confirmed that the prime minister would depart on Monday for Riyadh, together with Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif, where they will meet with Saudi King Salman.

An official of the Prime Minister's House said Premier Sharif will first travel to Iran and meet President Hassan Rouhani and later the same day he will visit Saudi Arabia for a meeting with King Salman bin Abdul Aziz.

"He will try to convince the two leaders that their tension was adding to the problems faced by the Muslim world," he said.

Sharif would also be accompanied by Advisor on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz and special assistant on foreign affairs Tariq Fatemi. He is expected to return home on Tuesday.

Pakistan has close ties with Sunni-majority Saudi Arabia but last year resisted calls by the Saudis to join a war in Yemen against the Houthi rebels allegedly supported by Shia-dominated Iran.

Pakistan is also not willing to contribute troops for the 34-nation Saudi alliance to fight terrorism.
Pakistan has called on the UN Security Council to retain on its agenda three non-existent and non-relevant issues -- the accession of Hyderabad to India after partition, the 1948 and 1965 conflicts besides Bangladesh's 1971 liberation war.

In a letter dated January 7, Pakistan's Ambassador to the UN Maleeha Lodhi urged the UN Security Council president to have the three items retained on the list of matters of which the Security Council is seized.

The three items are 'the India-Pakistan question'; 'the Hyderabad question' and 'the situation in the India/Pakistan subcontinent' during Bangladesh's war of independence.

Lodhi's letter, which was made public on January 8, was written three days after UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon submitted to the UN General Assembly a list of issues that the UN Security Council is still seized of but have not been considered by the most powerful decision-making wing of the UN at a formal meeting during the three-year period from January 1, 2013, to December 31, 2015.

In the letter, Ban said the India-Pakistan question (January 6, 1948; November 5, 1965); the Hyderabad question (September 16, 1948; May 24, 1949) and the situation in the India/Pakistan subcontinent (December 4,1971; December 27, 1971) have not been taken up for consideration by the UN Security Council at its formal meetings in the past three years.
Pakistan announced this week that authorities have executed 332 criminals and militants since lifting a moratorium on the death penalty in 2014, the first time an official tally has been released.

The South Asian nation unveiled a sweeping plan to curb militancy after Taliban assailants gunned down more than 150 people, most of them children, at an army-run school in Peshawar on December 16, 2014.

A six-year moratorium on the country's death penalty was lifted and the constitution amended to allow military courts to try those accused of carrying out attacks.

Hangings were initially reinstated only for those convicted of terrorism, but in March they were extended to all capital offences.

In a written reply submitted to the parliament on Friday, the Ministry of Interior and Narcotics Control said 332 people had been executed in the country.

However opponents of the policy stress that Pakistan's legal system is unjust, with rampant police torture and poor representation for victims during unfair trials, while the majority of those who are hanged are not convicted of terror charges.

"They (government) are hanging petty criminals but known terrorists on death row are awaiting their punishment for years," Asma Jahangir, a lawyer and human rights activist in Pakistan, told AFP.

The plan "can succeed only if it is fully implemented, but here we see a selective or very little implementation," she said.

She went on to accuse the government of failing to act consistently, citing the men convicted of murdering journalist Daniel Pearl in 2002, who were handed death sentence years ago but have yet to be hanged.

But supporters of the plan argue that executions are the only effective way to deal with the scourge of militancy in Pakistan.

According to the report submitted to parliament, 172 religious seminaries across the country have been also been closed on suspicions of having links to militant organisations.

Ten websites related to militant activity had also been blocked, it said, while more than 70 shops have been shuttered throughout Pakistan for selling material deemed to promote hate speech.
A Parliamenatary panel, which was supposed take up Pathankot terror attack issue on Monday has deferred it for a week after the Home Ministry sought some more time, saying facts cannot disclosed at this stage as the investigations are ongoing.

The Parliamentary Standing Commitee on Home Affairs chaired by Congress MP from Rajya Sabha P Bhattacharya will now hear the Home Secretary on the recent disaster in Chennai caused by torrential rainfall and consequent flooding on January 18 as per the revised agenda.

The panel has now asked the ministry to come with a response on Pathankot issue in a week.

After the panel sent an agenda to the Home Ministry last week expressing its willingness to discuss the Pathankot attack, Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi sent a written reply to the panel Chairman Bhattacharya citing at least three reasons why the government is not willing to discuss the issue before the Parliamentary panel at this stage.

The Home Secretary is learnt to have told the panel that NIA has taken up the investigation and some information, which has been received, need in-depth investigation.

He is also learnt to have to communicated to the panel Chairman that the government cannot explain all those details at this moment and will appreciate if the panel gives some more time.

While agreeing to the government's request, the panel is learnt to have told the ministry to equip itself with facts on the issue and be ready to appear before the panel in a week.

When asked why the agenda of the Monday meeting of the panel has been changed, Bhattacharya told PTI that the panel has agreed to give some more time to the government.

"We will call another meeting of the panel in next seven days to discuss the Pathankot terror attack. I will also communiate this in writing to the government," he said.

There is a view among the Opposition members in the panel that the government has "much to explain" on the issue.

The Parliamentary Standing Commitee on Home Affairs had earlier listed it in the agenda for the Monday meeting. Government has repeatedly been attacked by Congress on the Pathankot terror attack.

In the 31-member panel, the BJP has 13 members, Congress-04, BJD-02, Trinamool Congress-02, AIADMK-03, CPI-M, CPI, SP, TRS, TDP, Shiromani Akali Dal and Shiv Sena one each. NDA members have majority in the panel.
They live atop the Bonda hills in Odisha's Malkangiri district, segregated from the mainstream and have rarely stepped out of their environs, so an invitation to attend this year's Republic Day parade in the national capital was beyond their dreams.

For Dhabalu Sisa (41) and his wife Samari (46), an invitation letter from Prime Minister Narendra Modi inviting them to Delhi for the parade on January 26, changed everything and they have not stopped beaming since, an official of the Integrated Tribal Development Agency (ITDA) told PTI today.

The Bondas are members of the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG).

Dhabalu and Samari reside in Bandiguda village under Mudulipada gram panchayat of Malkangiri district. The couple may be first from the community to go to Delhi and shake hands with President Pranab Mukherjee and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the official said.

"Meeting the President and Prime Minister is something we could not have imagined in life. We will use this opportunity to highlight our problems and how the tribe suffer due to the vagaries of nature," said an elated Dhabalu.

He is younger than his wife Samari as Bonda community has the tradition of girls marrying boys less than their age.

Samari, a mother of five children, one son and four daughters, said she would draw attention of Prime Minister Modi on the poor road connectivity to the Bonda Hills.

The couple have already started preparation for their traditional dress to suit the Republic Day celebration.

Not just the Sisa couple, the whole village is ecstatic about the rare honour coming their way. They have been celebrating the invitation for one of their own with non-stop dance and music since the time they first heard about it.

"I will accompany the Bonda couple to Delhi. As they do not understand any other language, I need to be by their side," Ramakrushna Ganda, the project administrator of Integrated Tribal Development Agency (ITDA), told PTI.

Ganda said the couple would meet Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik before leaving for Delhi.

Ganda said the population of Bonda community is about 7,000. "Now, the state government has set up two high schools and a residential hostel for girls of bonda community students in Mudulipada area," he said.

Myth has it that the Bondas, who recently learnt use of clothes, believed that they were cursed by Goddess Sita, as they laughed at her while she was bathing in a kunda (pond) which is named as Sita Kunda at Bonda Hill. Since then, they have remained naked or semi-nude.
Poland's defense minister says his country wants to have permanent NATO and US troops' presence to ward off security threats.

Poland's security concerns have been raised by the armed conflict in neighboring Ukraine and by the role that another neighbor, Russia, has in it.

Minister Antoni Macierewicz said Saturday the goal of Poland's new conservative government is to have a "lasting presence of NATO and American troops and a permanent air defense."



Standing alongside US Ambassador Paul W Jones, Macierewicz said talks are underway concerning the US Patriot system.

Macierewicz spoke following a Polish-US missile defense exercise at a test range in Skwierzyna in western Poland. Poland hopes a NATO summit it is hosting in July will bring assurances of permanent NATO troops' presence on its territory.
Puducherry Chief Minister N Rangasamy today advised Tamils living abroad to ensure that their children learnt and spoke in Tamil which "is a classical and excellent language."



Inaugurating a two-day special conference of the International Movement of Tamil culture (India chapter) here, the Chief Minister said, during his visit to Malaysia sometime back, he had come across Tamils residing there speaking Tamil.

However, when he visited France, he had come across children of parents hailing from Puducherry and residing there, pleading their inability to speak in Tamil properly.

"The parents hailing from Puducherry and residing in France should take care that their children acquainted themselves with greatness and rich culture of Tamil and should be taught to speak the language at home," Rangasamy said.

"It is a classical and excellent language," he said.

He said the meet, which had attracted participants from different parts of the world, was aimed at discussing the challenges and opportunities Tamils were facing abroad.

"I hope that the meet would come out with constructive suggestions to find a solution to the challenges the Tamils were facing abroad," the chief minister said, releasing a souvenir of the conference and honouring several Tamil scholars, writers and academics.

However, he did not elaborate on what challenges the Tamils were facing.

Malathy Rajavelu, Chairperson of the International Movement of Tamil Culture (India chapter) welcomed the delegates.

Puducherry Welfare and Tourism Minister P Rajavelu, and R Radhakrishnan, MP, were among those present.
Railways Minister Suresh Prabhu has outlined various environment-friendly measures being taken by the public transporter to provide low cost sustainable transportation to the country.

Speaking at the World Bank Conference in Washington, Prabhu underlined that any sustainable transport solution has to be economically viable, socially equitable and environmentally friendly.

"The Indian Railways has embarked on transforming its energy mix by using renewable energy sources like solar and wind energy, and is undertaking energy audits to improve efficiency to meet its sustainability targets," he said at the plenary session of World Bank conference on Transport and Cities - Key Drivers for Meeting Climate Goals.

Prabhu is on a three-day visit to US since January 13 on the request of the World Bank, a release said.

Advocating multi-model transportation policy, he said it is needed to create an integrated transportation ecosystem where rail and road networks complement each other.

In his high level meetings with the World Bank and IFC officials, Prabhu discussed the Indian Railways' efforts to expand, modernize, decentralize decision making, improve efficiency, meet customer expectations, move to clean energy, introduce greater transparency through e-tendering and change attitudes and mind sets.

He made a presentation to the senior leadership of the World Bank Group separately on the new initiatives of his Ministry and how the World Bank could partner with Railways.

Both the World Bank and International Finance Corporation (IFC) are working closely with Indian Railways to help it achieve its formidable targets.

Prabhu also met the US Secretary of Transportation Anthony Foxx to discuss enhanced bilateral engagement in the transportation sector and noted the immense possibilities for knowledge sharing, technology tie-ups and business cooperation between the two countries in the sector.

In his meeting with the Chairman and President of the US



EXIM Bank Fred P Hochberg, he discussed the possibility of structuring an India specific financing model to take advantage of upcoming investment and business opportunities in India's rail sector. Both sides agreed to work on a road show of potential long-term investors having interest in India's infrastructure sector.

Prabhu also met the President and CEO of Overseas Private Investment Corporation Elizabeth L Littlefield to explore the possibility of OPIC's financing for the Indian Railways.

During a meeting, Prabhu informed US-India Business Council that the Indian Railways has prepared a draft regulatory framework for transparency in fare and freight pricing, supporting public private partnerships and ensuring efficiency parameters in India's railway sector.

During the interactions, he highlighted Railway's plans to invest USD 142 billion in the coming five years and hope to double this investment figure in the next five-year cycle.

Prabhu also highlighted that Indian Railways has permitted 100 per cent private sector investment in most segments of the railway infrastructure such as suburban rail, metro rail, locomotives and rolling stock, manufacturing and maintenance, signalling and electric works and dedicated freight lines.

Prabhu touched upon various projects which are at different stages of implementation including dedicated freight corridor, high speed train project, doubling/tripling train tracks in heavy traffic zones, modernization of 400 railway stations, technological up-gradation of signal system, instrumentation and other safety measures.

He stressed that Indian Railways followed a completely transparent process in awarding the USD 7 billion contracts to GE and Alstom.
Union Textile Minister Santoshkumar Gangwar will be the chief guest at a function 'Make India-Textile Industry Strategies to Growth', organised here on January 21.

The industry captains will discuss ways and means to make the textile industry achieve Make in India vision through Collaborative Approach and wanted the Centre to guide the process, Indian Texpreneuers Federeation Secretary Prabhu Dhamodharan, the organisers, said.

Tamil Nadu textile industry, which is 127 years old, is focusing on manufacturing excellence, diversifying new markets, highest quality standards and new product innovation, he said.

On industry status, Prabhu said Tamil Nadu is having one-third of Indian textile industry, contributing 60 per cent to total yarn exports, having 47.5 per cent of cotton spinning capacity and 30 per cent of total cotton consumption in India.

Moreover, its earns Rs 75,000 crore foreign exchange and Rs 30,000 crore value added garments and home textile exports per year, Prabhu said.
Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi's address at a management college here evoked mixed response from students, with many of them saying the speech contained "too much politics" to establish a connect with them.

Students seemed partly satisfied with Gandhi's address and said he could have elucidated more about his vision of politics.

"The addresses was fair and he made some good points but he brought too much politics into it. Considering that it was interaction with students, had he been more apolitical, it would have made a link with us," said an MBA finance student.

Talking about implementation of the GST Bill, Gandhi said it was Congress which brought in the legislation and the BJP later stopped it in Parliament for seven years. He further said his party did not want a cap on the tax and a fair and neutral dispute resolution.

Reacting to his observations on the GST, a student said, "Rahul Gandhi's speech was fair, but could have got more details about certain things. Like if the GST is stalled because of two points, government and the opposition should find a mechanism to get it through."



"As a common man, I am not interested in politics and disappointed with the delay (in passage of the bill)," he added.

Another student said it was time that Indian politicians get over with "tit-for-tat" brand of politics. "A country cannot run on tit-for-tat brand of politics. Opposition should and government should work in coordination," he said.

"His speech was fair, but he just highlighted NREGA a lot and and its process. He should have been more focused and told us his vision," observed a girl student who had also posed a question to Gandhi in the Q&A session.
Safety measures at unmanned level crossings and arrangements for disabled-friendly at rail premises will be some of the additional issues that will be examined by a parliamentary panel on Railways.

The Railway Convention Committee, headed by BJD MP Bhartuhari Mahatab, will examine R&D in Railways, safety provisions at unmanned level crossings and facilities given to passengers with disabilities between 2014-19 and submit report to Parliament, according to the Lok Sabha bulletin.

Besides, the parliamentary panel will also examine the promotion of travel, tourism and catering services by Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation Limited (IRCTC) and construction of railway systems, tunnels, bridges and project management by Konkan Railway Corporation Limited (KRCL).

The committee has earlier submitted two reports in the last Parliament session recommending the rate of dividend for railways in 2014-2015 at 5 per cent and for 2015-16 at 4 per cent.

The panel, which came into existence in April last year, tabled two reports in Parliament on December 22.

For arriving at dividend rate of 4 per cent for 2015-16, the panel took into consideration the imminent impact of the recommendations of the 7th Central Pay Commission.

The Convention Committee will also look into consultancy, engineering and project management services by Rail India Technical and Economic Services (RITES) and submit reports.
Rajkanya Barua has been adjudged the winner of Fbb Femina Miss India Kolkata 2016 after piping to the post two other contestants in the final round.

Rajkanya, a young student, told PTI after winning the crown, "I idolise all previous Miss India contest winners and not any particular one."



Tollywood heroine Koel Mallik, 'Nirbasito' director Churni Ganguly, designers Dev and Neel were among the judges at the glittering programme held on Thursday.

Asked what they looked for among the contestants, Koel said "Confidence and the ability to realise the dream. All the five girls in the final round were the real winners and equals in that sense."



The five Fbb Femina Miss India finalists- East were Kasturi, Anindita, Athya Niraj and Sushmita Roy and Rajkanya.

Indian pop icon Usha Uthup, who belted out popular Hindi numbers in between ramp shows, said she was astounded by the confidence and poise of the contestants.

Sushmita Roy, who was the first runners up, said having lost her father years' back she wanted to bring him back if she was granted one wish to be met by God.

The winner would now be vying for the Miss India crown at the final round in Mumbai.

The three were chosen from five who were again picked from 14 finalists, all looking gorgeous in cocktail dresses by Komal Sood.

This year the pageant will 18 cities They are Hyderabad, Lucknow, Jaipur, Indore, Chandigarh, Dehradun, Ahmedabad, Goa, Nagpur, Pune, Guwahati, Bhubaneshwar, Bhopal and Chennai with 3 regional finals in Delhi, Bangalore and Kolkata (for East), the organisers said.
The remains of 10 Germans killed in a suicide attack in the Turkish city of Istanbul were flown home today.

The bodies of those killed in Tuesday's attack, which has been blamed on the Islamic State group, were put on a plane at Ataturk International Airport to be flown back to Germany for burial, an AFP photographer said.

Another 17 people, mostly German tourists, were wounded in the attack in the historic heart of Istanbul, near the famed Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia, a towering former Byzantine church that was turned into a mosque before later becoming a museum.

Seven suspects have been detained in connection with the attacks, Interior Minister Efkan Ala said Thursday.

Turkish authorities have identified the Istanbul suicide bomber as a 28-year-old Syrian who entered Turkey on January 5 posing as a migrant fleeing the country's civil war.

Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said the man was a member of IS.

Ankara has often been criticised by its Western allies for not doing enough to combat IS jihadists who have seized swathes of territory across the border in Syria and Iraq.

Turkey is currently hosting around 2.2 million refugees who have fled the fighting in Syria. Davutoglu warned against seeing all migrants as potential extremists, which he said would be playing into the hands of the "terrorists".

Turkey was hit by three attacks blamed on IS in 2015, including a double suicide bombing in October in Ankara that killed 103 people, the country's worst-ever attack.

All those attacks targeted pro-Kurdish groups, who are vehemently opposed to IS.

The attack on the German tourists, however, was the first time that foreign visitors have been targeted in Istanbul.
Unidentified assailants today looted cash worth Rs 11 lakh from an ATM in the wee hours near Adda basti here, police said.

"The assailants broke into the ATM and looted close to Rs 11 lakh. There was no guard around 5:30 AM when the incident took place," Baba Khel basti SHO Keval Kishore said.

As per the retrieved CCTV footage, a man wearing a helmet entered the ATM, then stepped onto a dustbin to break the camera and cut the wire. There is no recording of the robbery, he added.

"As per the bank official, we got to know later that the accused had cut the cash cabin of the ATM following which they looted Rs 11 lakh," police said.

No arrest has been made in this regard and investigation is on, police said, adding that they will also investigate into the absence of the security guard and file a complaint in case the bank is faulty.

According to a circular sent out by the DCP, action would be taken against concerned bank authorities which do not place security guards at their ATMs.
Around 12 RTI activists, associated with noted anti-graft crusaders Aruna Roy and Nikhil Dey, were allegedly beaten up by a large group of people, when they were conducting a road show on raising awareness about government accountability in Jhalawar district of Rajasthan.

The incident occurred in Aklera area where the activists were holding a street play as part of their campaign.

"The activists have lodged a complaint against unidentified persons, and we have arrested four accused in this connection," SP Jhalawar Rajendra Singh said.

Windowpanes of some of the vehicles of the activists present there, were smashed by the crowd, the victims alleged.

Roy and Dey are currently spearheading a 100-day 'yatra' across Rajashthan, during which several activists are also holding 'accountability fairs' and registering grievances along the way.

The 'yatra', that will cover all the districts of the state, started on December 1 last year from Jaipur, organised under the aegis of Soochana Evam Rozgar Adhikar Abhiyan.

Roy, who was not present at the site of the incident, however, in a statement has alleged that the members of the 'yatra' were attacked by men, armed with lathis, who broke their cameras and damaged windowpanes of their (activists) vehicles.

She alleged that the attackers were led by BJP MLA Kanwar Meena.

The SP said that the complaint was against unidentified persons and the matter was being investigated to ascertain the role of the MLA.

The BJP legislator, who represents Manohar Thana constituency of Jhalawar district in the Assembly, could not be immediately reached out for comments.

Jhalawar is the Lok Sabha constituency of Dushyant singh, son of Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje.
Three Independent MLAs in Goa today demanded an apology from Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) for favouring the merger of the then Union Territory with Maharashtra in an opinion poll conducted exactly 49 years ago.

The legislators made the demand a day after MGP leader and Minister Ramakrishna Dhavalikar sought an apology from Portugal for their "oppressive" rule in Goa, their former colony liberated in 1961 by Indian armed forces.

The country's first-ever opinion poll was held in Goa on January 16, 1967 to decide whether the then Union Territory should remain a separate geographic entity or merge with Maharashtra. A majority of people voted against the merger. Goa became a full-fledged State in 1987.

MGP, Goa's oldest political party which is now part of the BJP-led ruling coalition, had favoured Goa's merger with the adjoining State.

"Before we ask Portugal to apologise let MGP apologise to the Goans for their role during opinion poll and their efforts to merge the State with Maharashtra," said Vijai Sardessai, an Independent legislator.

Sardessai was addressing a press conference flanked by Rohan Khaunte and Naresh Sawal, the two other Independent MLAs who have sought an apology from MGP for its stand.

MGP leaders, including Dhavalikar, were unavailable for their comments on the issue.

Speaking in the Assembly yesterday, Dhavalikar had said the Portuguese must tender an apology to Goans for their "oppressive" rule in the State lasting over 450 years.

He was participating in a motion moved to congratulate Goa-origin politician Antonio Costa on being elected as Portugal's Prime Minister.
A self-styled Zonal Commander of ultra outfit People's Liberation Front of India (PLFI) was arrested by the police in Naxal-hit Palamau district, police said today.

Baidhyanath Yadav alias Sudhirji was arrested last night from his native village, Kasmar, during a special drive in Panki area, Deputy Superintendent of Police Prabhat Ranjan Burward said.

Addressing a press conference here, Burwar said six country-made rifles of .315 bore, 62 rounds live cartridges, 18 letter pads of the organisation, 20 receipts, a diary containing name and number of prominent persons, three mobile phones and a sim, among others were seized from his possession.

Over 20 Naxal-related cases including murder, encounter, kidnapping and extortion were pending against him in Palamau and Latehar districts, he said.

Yadav was arrested for the first time since he crossed over to the outfit in 2011 from another break away group Trutiya Prastuti Committee, the DSP said.

Yadav was also involved in the abduction of the Circle Officer of Panki, Alok Kumar, three years ago.

The ultra, who was nabbed in uniform, had concealed the arms and ammunitions in a heap of hay stored behind his house, Burwar added.
Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is expected to undertake an important visit to Iran and Saudi Arabia on Monday to reduce tensions between the two rival Muslim nations, his office said today.

The decision was taken after behind-the-scene contacts by Pakistan with both countries to lower the temperature in the region after Saudi Arabia executed a prominent Shia cleric earlier this month following which Iranian protesters attacked the Saudi embassy in Tehran and its consulate prompting Riyadh to sever relations.

Iran then snapped all commercial ties with Saudi Arabia and stopped pilgrims from travelling to Mecca.

An official of the Prime Minister's House said Sharif will first travel to Iran and meet President Hassan Rouhani and later the same day he will visit Saudi Arabia for a meeting with King Salman bin Abdul Aziz.

"He will try to convince the two leaders that their tension was adding to the problems faced by the Muslim world," he said.

Sharif would be accompanied by Advisor on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz and special assistant on foreign affairs Tariq Fatemi. He is expected to return home on Tuesday.

Pakistan has close ties with Sunni-majority Saudi Arabia but last year resisted calls by the Saudis to join a war in Yemen against the Houthi rebels allegedly supported by Shia-dominated Iran.

Pakistan is also not willing to contribute troops for the 34-nation Saudi alliance to fight terrorism.
Security forces in Burkina Faso ended a siege at hotel and a restaurant that were stormed by Al Qaeda linked gunmen, killing three jihadists and freeing 126 people, but another assault was ongoing at second hotel nearby.

A security source said at least 22 people were killed in the jihadists' assaults on the Burkinabe capital's four-star Splendid hotel and the nearby Capuccino restaurant, which are popular with UN staff and foreigners.

Thirty-three of the 126 people freed from the Splendid hotel by Burkinabe troops backed by French special forces were wounded.

"The attacks on the Splendid Hotel and the Cappuccino are over. But an assault is ongoing at the Hotel Ybi" next to the Cappuccino, Interior Minister Simon Compaore told AFP.

A total of "126 people, including at least 33 wounded, have been freed. Three jihadists -- an Arab and two black Africans -- have been killed," he added.

Twenty people have been confirmed dead, but the toll could rise further as Compaore said earlier in the night that firefighters had seen 10 bodies on the terrace of the restaurant.

"We don't yet have a total tally of the dead. The Burkinabe forces are still combing the hotel," he said.

Communication minister Remis Dandjinou said the assault was carried out by Burkinabe troops with the support of French special forces. He also said that among those who escaped unharmed was Labour Minister Clement Sawadogo.

Early today, a fire raged at the main entrance of the 147-room hotel in Ouagodougou and screams could be heard from inside, while on the street outside about 10 vehicles were set alight.

"It was horrible, people were sleeping and there was blood everywhere. They were firing at people at close range," Yannick Sawadogo, one of those who escaped, said.

"We heard them speaking and they were walking around people and firing at people who were not dead. And when they came out they started a fire."



The attack comes less than two months after a jihadist hostage siege at the luxury Radisson Blu hotel in the Malian capital Bamako left 20 people dead, including 14 foreigners -- an attack claimed by the same Al-Qaeda affiliate behind the unfolding Ouagadougou assault.

The head of the city's main hospital confirmed prior to the start of the counter-assault at least 20 people had been killed.

He quoted one of the wounded as saying there were "more white people than black" among the dead.

Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) claimed responsibility for the attack saying it was "revenge against France and the disbelieving West", according to a statement carried by US-based monitoring group SITE.

The attackers were members of the Al-Murabitoun group based in Mali and run by Mokhtar Belmokhtar, SITE said.
Indian travellers consider smartphone as their single-most indispensable travel companion, preferring it over toothbrush, deodorant and driving license while planning a trip, according to a study.

The study on mobile-device-related behavior and preferences among travellers conducted across North America, Europe, South America and Asia Pacific found the relevance of mobile devices is tied to how the device improves the quality of travel itself.

The online study, commissioned by travel website Expedia.Com and conducted by consulting firm Northstar, sought inputs from 9,642 travellers across 19 countries found that mobile devices are frequently used by leisure travellers for navigation, photo-taking and for staying connected to loved ones through social media.

"We have found that travellers are using mobile devices at every stage of the travel process, from researching and booking trips to capturing and sharing the travel experience," said Aman Bhutani, president for Brand Expedia Group.

"Just because a traveler can use their device to read work email and stay connected to the office, they also believe it improves the quality of their vacations," he said.

The heavy reliance on mobile devices is not true in every country.

While in China (94 per cent), Taiwan ( 94 per cent) and Thailand (91 per cent) travellers consider smartphones as a highly important travel companion, people from Germany, Norway and Sweden tend to be less reliant on their devices, the study found.

"Consumers tell us what they do and don't like in their mobile offerings and habits, and we've been listening and steadily adapting to provide what the mobile-savvy travellers demand," Bhutani said.

According to the study, at least 60 per cent travellers who check in with work during a vacation say their travel partner or spouse does not mind.

However, among Indians, who are the most likely to check in with work, one-fifth admit that their spouse or travel partner does get annoyed, the study said.

Business travelers use mobile devices to remain tightly connected to their home office. More than one half of employed travellers check in on work at least once a day while on vacation, it said.

"Mobile devices may be a requirement for business trips, however, business travel and connectivity is changing," said Rob Greyber, president of Egencia.

"Various devices allow for a seamless experience with apps that enable users to be more productive and efficient, which travellers are utilising in order to prioritise work-life balance and disconnect when possible," Greyber said.
The country's grid-connected solar power generation capacity has crossed the 5,000 MW mark, with Rajasthan on top, followed by Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh, government said today.

"On the auspicious occasion of Makar Sankranti/Pongal, the installed capacity of solar power in India crossed the milestone of 5,000 MW yesterday.

"The cumulative installed capacity has reached 5,130 MW with installed capacity of 1,385 MW in current financial year," Ministry of New and Renewable Energy said in a press release.

According to the statement, Rajasthan leads the list with 1,264.35 MW capacity, followed by Gujarat (1,024 MW), Madhya Pradesh (679 MW), Tamil Nadu (419 MW), Maharashtra (379 MW) and Andhra Pradesh (357 MW).

The government has set an ambitious target of generating 100 GW of solar power by 2021-22 under the National Solar Mission.

It is envisaged to generate 60 GW ground mounted grid-connected solar power and 40 GW roof-top grid interactive solar power to meet the target.

The ministry has also fixed year-wise targets to monitor the solar power generation in the country.

The target for the current year is 2,000 MW and 12,000 MW for the next year.

The ministry is putting all efforts through various Central and state governments schemes to achieve the target. It has also initiated several schemes for development of solar parks and ultra mega solar power projects.

Tenders for around 18,000 MW of solar projects are expected to be issued by March 31, 2016, it said.
As the Centre's ambitious start-up mission got underway, Rahul Gandhi today trained his guns on the Narendra Modi government, saying there is a contradiction in pushing for start-ups and being "intolerant".

The Congress Vice President also said that the RSS has a very "rigid vision" for India and that start ups require free movement of ideas.

"The ruling dispensation, particularly the RSS, has a clear idea on what the world should look like. They have a vision for India which in my opinion is a very rigid vision. This country requires flexibility, openness and movement of ideas," Gandhi said, during an interaction with management students in suburban Vile Parle here.

"There's a huge contradiction in saying I want start ups but I will be intolerant," the Congress leader said.

"You will fail on the economy and start up front if you are intolerant," he said.

"Start ups require free movement of ideas. If I say you are a woman and your place is in the kitchen, I am curbing your freedom," he said.

He also charged that the BJP categorises people.

"The BJP has categories: There's a Hindu for them, a Muslim for them, a woman for them. I don't categorise. That's the difference between us and them," he said.

Rahul asked students not to put labels on people, things and industries.

"Saying this is a Hindu, this is a Muslim, this is a woman...Hides values," he said, adding, "When Steve Jobs was asked what was the most important class you took, he said: Japanese calligraphy".

Asked how could India help provide conducive atmosphere for start ups, Gandhi said, "Start ups require a whole set of eco systems that allows entrepreneurs to grow including infrastructure and regulation. The biggest problem is red tape."



"Today, if you are a Rs 10000 crore company, you can't easily get finance. If you are a big business, you can get around regulations and put pressure on politicians," he said.

To a query on India's development compared to that of



China, Gandhi said, "It's pretty clear that China today is more powerful and economically stronger."



"China's power is centralised. China grabs you and you can see the power it has. India is decentralised. It grabs you and you don't see India's power," he said.

"India's power has never been military. It has come from the strength of ideas," the Congress leader said.

"China has paid a huge price for what they have achieved. Millions of people paid for that with their lives. In India we didn't kill millions of people," he said.

To a query on why Indian institutions figure in the list of top 200 global varsities, Gandhi said, "Our education institutions are no less than US education institutes."



Rahul apologised to students for the "sometimes high handed way" the security personnel at the event dealt with them.
BJP leader Subramanian Swamy today demanded setting up of a special investigation team (SIT) to probe the death of Sunanda Pushkar, wife of Congress leader Shashi Tharoor.

"SIT should be set up. In fact, Delhi Police should recommend it," he told reporters here.

He also demanded that the FBI report which confirms that Pushkar's death was due to poisoning should be released.

Pushkar was found dead in a hotel room in January 2014.

On the Ram temple issue, Swamy said there should be day-to-day hearing of appeals in the Ram Janmabhoomi case in the Supreme Court and that he has written to the Prime Minister for moving the apex court.

He also expressed satisfaction at what the Narendra Modi government was doing after the Pathankot attack.

"I am absolutely satisfied. Whatever the Prime Minister is doing is necessary," he said.

(REOPENS DES 52)



Swamy further said India will need to look at its



"natural advantages" like that of agriculture sector as he suggested crops produced here are the "cheapest", the country has largest area irrigated and is home to largest young populace.

He said India needs to increase its production of crops and milk and focus on exporting it to Western countries and also underscored need for developing infrastructure to be able to do so by setting up packaging industry, creating airports for the purpose and deploying ships.

Swamy though said American and European nations have "heavy trade restrictions" on agricultural products and urged for fighting those "barriers" for a level-playing field.

He also the economic model of socialism saying it did not produce results for the India and added the country is "fortunate" to have not been following it now.

Swamy insisted the country, "like the Prime Minister says", need to be innovative to tap its advantages and suggested it to produce electricity tapping its vast source of Thorium and desalinate sea water to provide water for coastal states.

The leader though insisted country's development should be both material and spiritual.

Among other issues, he reiterated the DNA of all the Indians is same.

The event was attended also by Jain spiritual leader Acharya Lokesh Muni, representatives of various embassies, former BJP MLA-Delhi Study Group president Vijay Jolly and others.
A senior Sudanese security official said 14 people were killed during last week's protests in Western Darfur, but denied that police were responsible.

In remarks published by the pro-government Al-Sudani daily today, Police Chief Atif Fadul said 13 civilians and six policemen were wounded in the protests, which took place in front of and inside the governor's office on January 10.

Those figures are the first official toll to emerge from the unrest.

The African Union has expressed concern over "continued tension" in and around the town of Genaina in Western Darfur after residents of Mouli, near the border with Chad, staged a demonstration against an assault by a militia group on their village. The militia's affiliation is not clear.

Fadul said police showed restraint. Sudanese security forces have violently dispersed protests in the past.

Darfur was gripped by bloodshed since 2003 when rebels took up arms against the government in Khartoum, accusing it of discrimination and neglect. Some 300,000 people were killed and 2 million displaced during the government's harsh response to the armed rebellion.
Tsai Ing-wen of Taiwan's main opposition party sent a warning to China after a landslide victory to become the island's first female president today, as voters turned their backs on closer ties with Beijing.

Fireworks lit up the sky at the headquarters of Tsai's Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) as thousands gathered to celebrate the historic win over the ruling China-friendly Kuomintang (KMT).

In her first comments to media, Tsai warned that Chinese "suppression" would damage ties with the mainland.

"Our democratic system, national identity and international space must be respected. Any forms of suppression will harm the stability of cross-strait relations," she said.

Support for Tsai has surged as voters have become increasingly uneasy about a recent rapprochement with China under outgoing KMT president Ma Ying-jeou.

Her victory came on the same day that outrage erupted over the treatment of 16-year-old Taiwanese K-pop star Chou Tzu-yu, who was forced to record a video apology after angering Chinese netizens by flying a Taiwanese flag in a recent online broadcast.

Tsai specifically referred to Chou in her address, saying her case had "shaken Taiwanese society".

"This particular incident will serve as a constant reminder to me about the importance of our country's strength and unity to those outside our borders," she said.

Tsai has toned down the DPP's traditionally pro-independence message to assuage Beijing and calm nerves in the United States - Taiwan's major ally - which does not want to see tensions flare.

In her address to media she pledged to "work towards maintaining peace and stability" in relations with China, but emphasised it must reflect public will.

Jubilant supporters expressed their faith in Tsai as she later addressed the crowds, promising to be a strong leader.

"I'm very confident - we were cheated by Ma's government for so long," said Jimmy Lai, 45.

The United States congratulated Tsai on the victory.

"We share with the Taiwan people a profound interest in the continuation of cross-strait peace and stability," the statement from US State Department spokesman John Kirby said.

British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond also congratulated Tsai and said he hoped Taiwan and China would "continue their dialogue to resolve differences and maintain the recent trend of constructive relations".

Tsai remains president-elect until she takes office on May 20.
Tata Steel is expected to announce hundreds of job cuts at its Port Talbot plant in Wales in a statement to the Indian Stock Exchange in Mumbai as early as next week, according to a British media report.

The Indian steel giant has been suffering from plant closures across the UK in the face of a crisis gripping the British steel industry, largely due to cheap Chinese imports.

On Friday, Welsh's national assembly member Bethan Jenkins on her Facebook page said: "Am hearing that there is to be an announcement of job losses at Tata on Monday. The number I have been quoted is 750 jobs.

"No more detail than that as yet... Don't know if anyone who works there on my friends list has any more information. I've contacted Tata to ask for details."



The Port Talbot unit, which employs around 4,000 workers, is the latest to be hit and a survival plan is expected to be worked out next week.

The company however said it had "no announcement to make at present".

"We don't have an announcement to make and when we do make one we will make it directly to the people affected," BBC quoted a spokesperson for Tata Steel in Wales as saying.

There has been a mounting concern since the New Year about the future of Tata Steel's operations in Wales.

Welsh economy minister Edwina Hart said: "If we have an announcement from the company, the government will respond appropriately. Steel has been in crisis for a long time - this is not just a new thing."



Thousands of jobs were lost last year with cutbacks and the closure of steelworks in England and Scotland involving Tata and other UK-based steel companies. Steel unions have called for urgent action from the UK government to prevent further job losses.

Rob Edwards, lead organiser of the Community trade union, said: "The problem is there's cheap steel imports from China, all the business rates are wrong, the environmental taxes are wrong.

"It is a very difficult situation and I think people underestimate how important the steel industry is to Wales."



Tata Steel Europe employs 17,000 in the UK, with 6,360 of those across its plants in Wales. In October last year, the firm had announced that it would cut nearly 1,200 jobs at its plants in Scunthorpe in northern England and at Lanarkshire in Scotland.

Tata Steel is in talks to clinch a deal for the sale of some of these units.
In a shot in the arm for TDP, renowned Telugu actress and former Congress MLA Jayasudha joined the N Chandrababu Naidu-led party today.

Jayasudha, who was Congress MLA from Secunderabad here, joined TDP in the presence of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu in Vijayawada.

Speaking to reporters, she said the credit for developing Hyderabad and making it an important centre for Information Technology goes to Naidu.

She recalled that she acted in several films opposite TDP founder N T Rama Rao as the female lead and that she had even campaigned for the party in late 1990s.

Jayasudha, a Congress MLA from Secunderabad in the previous united Andhra Pradesh Assembly, lost the 2014 polls.

Her entry is expected to help the TDP as she has good following among women as an actress of repute.

A contemporary of another renowned actress Jayaprada, Jayasudha was a popular Telugu heroine in late 1970s and 1980s, acting with all top-ranking heroes, including NTR, Akkineni Nageswara Rao, Krishna, Sobhan Babu and Chiranjeevi.
French authorities launched three investigations Saturday at a research laboratory in Rennes after a drug trial conducted there left one person brain-dead and three others facing potentially irreversible brain damage.

Judicial police late yesterday carried out the first searches at the Biotrial lab which had performed the trial on behalf of Portuguese pharmaceutical company Bial.

Yesterday they were joined by representatives of France's social affairs inspectorate general (IGAS) and the national drug safety agency (ANSM).

The probes are seeking to determine if the tragedy was caused by an error in the trial's procedures or in the substance tested, a new drug meant to treat mood disorders such as anxiety.

A total of 90 volunteers - healthy men aged between 28 and 48 - were given the experimental drug in the Phase I trial. Six of them were taken to hospital last week.

Pierre-Gilles Edan, head of the neurology department at the hospital in Rennes where the volunteers were taken, said Friday that aside from the man who was clinically dead, three others were suffering a "handicap that could be irreversible" and another also had neurological problems.

The sixth volunteer had no symptoms but was being monitored.

The head of Biotrial said today the lab was cooperating with the investigators.

"Our thoughts remain with the victims and their families but our energy this morning is entirely committed to assisting the investigators and to fully cooperating in the investigations under way," Francois Peaucelle told journalists at a press briefing at the site.

The investigators and inspectors "are trying to understand.... What could have happened and how it could have resulted in such an a tragic situation," he said, adding that there was no of any change to the condition of the hospitalised volunteers.

Representatives from Bial were also on site and taking part in the probes with "total transparency", according to Peaucelle.

The Portuguese firm had issued a statement yesterday insisting it had followed "international best practice" in developing the drug and said it would cooperate with the investigation to "determine in a rigorous and exhaustive manner" what had happened.

France's national drug safety body confirmed it was the worst-ever incident to have taken place in a drugs trial in the country.
Two soldiers and a guard have been killed in two separate attacks in Mali, government and army sources confirmed.

In the first attack, two soldiers were killed when an aid convoy they were escorting was ambushed in northern Mali yesterday, security sources said, a week after the kidnapping of a Swiss national in the same area.

A local military source said two of the assailants were also killed during the exchange, around 70 kilometres from the desert caravan city of Timbuktu.

"We quickly fired back at the assailants, whose identity we aren't exactly sure of," the source told AFP. A Malian security source confirmed the deaths and said one of the attackers had been arrested.

Late yesterday armed men also attacked a market in Dioura in the central Mopti region, a source from the Malian army said.

The attackers killed a guard from the Water and Forests Agency, according to a local policewoman.

On January 8, gunmen abducted Swiss national Beatrice Stockly from her home in Timbuktu in the first such kidnapping of a westerner in northern Mali since the abduction and murder of two French journalists in November 2013.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility but Stockly, who is in her 40s and has lived in Timbuktu for years, had already been kidnapped in April 2012 by Islamist fighters.

At the time, the social worker was said to be the last Westerner living in the fabled trading post, which she refused to leave when it fell to Islamist Ansar Dine rebels on April 1, 2012 in an attack backed by Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb.

Around the same time, a loose alliance of Tuareg and Islamist rebels took advantage of the political chaos in Mali's capital that followed a coup, capturing the country's northern desert. In 2013, the jihadists were chased from the region by a French-led military intervention, with a regional French counterterrorism force still conducting operations in the area.

But entire swathes of Mali's north remain beyond the reach of the Malian army and foreign troops. In November, 20 people - 14 of them foreigners - were killed in an attack on the Radisson Blu hotel in the capital Bamako which was claimed by two jihadist groups.
Tamil Nadu Mercantile Bank, wind turbine maker Suzlon Energy and Kumudam Publications have contributed a total of Rs 3.26 crore to Chief Minister's Relief Fund, taking the total contribution to Rs 310.92 crore.

Tamil Nadu Mercantile Bank MD & CEO H S Upendra Kamath presented a demand draft of Rs 2 crore while Suzlon Energy President N Ramani handed over Rs 1 crore to Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa at a function in the Secretariat, an official release said today.

Kumudham Publications CMD P Varadharajan presented a cheque of Rs 26.47 lakh.

With the latest contributions, the flood relief fund, set up to provide succour to the people hit by the unprecedented rains and floods in November-December, has received a total of Rs 310.82 crore.

The state government has also demanded a central assistance of Rs 25,912.45 crore for taking up relief and restoration works.
The traditional buffalo fight in Morigaon and the bulbuli fight in Hajo held on the occasion of Magh Bihu in Assam were today put off in deference to court orders.

In view of a Supreme Court ban, the traditional buffalo fight on the occasion of Magh Bihu organised by the Ahotguri Buffalo Fight Organising Committee, was not held in Morigaon district.

Some local buffalo keepers however, organised a token match of the traditional buffalo fight ensuring that no animal was hurt, a district official said



No action was taken against the keepers as it was only a token fight and no official complaint was received against them, the official said.

The Gauhati High Court had recently banned another traditional event held during the Magh Bihu festival responding to pleas that they were cruel to bulbuli birds.

On January 12, the High Court after hearing an application filed by the Animal Welfare Board of India, passed an order banning the traditional bulbuli bird fight at the Hayagrib Madhab Mandir in Hajo in Assam after considering various provisions of the Wildlife Protection Act 1972 and Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1960.

The order of the High Court had triggered reactions in Hajo and across the state with the Hayagrib Madhab Mandir temple authority claiming the bird fight was part of a centuries old religious ritual where obeisance to Lord Vishnu begins with bulbuli fight.

Though no bulbuli fight took place, those training the birds for the traditional ritual claimed there was no cruelty involved and no bird was hurt during the training process.
A major tragedy was averted this morning when an alert lineman detected breach in the railway track between Kankaha and Mohanlalganj railway stations of the state capital.

The lineman on routine checking found the track cut at two places and promptly informed the higher officials, an RPF spokesman said.

Senior Railway and police officials reached the spot and the repair work was carried out, the spokesman said, adding that the train services on the Lucknow-Rae Bareli route of Northern Railway were disrupted for some time.

Earlier in October too, an attempt of this kind was made.

The spokesman said that investigations were underway to identify those behind the incident.

Patrolling has been intensified and a case is also being lodged, he added.
Tributes were paid to Tamil saint poet Thiruvalluvar across the state and neighbouring Puducherry today on the occasion of Thiruvallvar Day.

AIADMK Ministers led the state in paying tributes to the saint-poet known for his popular Tirukkural, a set of 1330 couplets that deal with various aspects of life including morality and love.

Cabinet Ministers including KC Veeramani, B Valarmathi and Kt Rajenthira Balaji paid floral tributes to a portrait of Thiruvalluvar at the Marina here.

Many others including famous lyricist Vairamuthu paid tributes to Tiruvalluvar.

Earlier, the DMK government in 2000 had erected a 133-ft tall statue of Tiruvalluvar in Kanyakumari.

A Puducherry report said Chief Minister N.Rangasamy led the Union Territory in paying tributes to the poet.

Rangasamy garlanded a statue of Thiruvalluvar while Welfare and Tourism Minister P.Rajavelu, legislators, delegates of various Tamil organisations and scholars were among those who paid their tributes.

Leaders of various political parties also paid tributes at the statue.
Candidates of ruling TRS, opposition Congress and other parties today filed nominations in large numbers for the February 2 Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) polls.

Tomorrow is the last day for filing nominations and scrutiny of papers would take place on January 18.

January 21 is the last date for withdrawal of nominations.

TRS, Congress and other parties have released the lists of candidates for the GHMC elections.

Polling would be held on February 2 from 7 AM to 5 PM while the counting of votes will be taken up on February 5.

There are 150 wards in GHMC and as many as 24 Assembly segments in Telangana come under the GHMC limits.

Congress and MIM held the GHMC in alliance in 2009.

Telangana IT and Panchayat Raj Minister K T Rama Rao, son of Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, and other ministers have been campaigning for the polls.

TRS has taken a lead over its rivals with hoardings highlighting the state government's schemes and programmes installed across the city.

Though TRS has established a firm hold on Telangana politics, it has not been known to be a major force in Hyderabad, which has a population of over 60 lakh.

TRS had not contested the last GHMC polls in 2009.

Rama Rao also sought to reach out to the natives of Seemandhra region in Hyderabad amid allegations by the opposition that the TRS insulted and intimidated them in the past.

The GHMC elections assumes significance in view of the nature and size of the city.

The TDP-BJP alliance, which had won 15 assembly seats in the last Assembly elections, is keen on repeating its good show in the polls.

For TDP, though some of its MLAs have since shifted loyalty to the ruling TRS, the Chandrababu Naidu-led party is determined to prove that it is still a major force to reckon with in Hyderabad.

Leaving no stone unturned, BJP got its senior leaders, including Union Ministers Nitin Gadkari, Radha Mohan Singh, JP Nadda, Hansraj Ahir and Bandaru Dattatreya campaign for the party during the last fortnight.

TDP President and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and other TDP-BJP leaders had addressed a public meeting here in support of the alliance.
Tsai Ing-wen of Taiwan's main opposition party will become the island's first female president in a landslide victory over the ruling Kuomintang today, as voters turned their backs on closer China ties.

KMT candidate Eric Chu conceded defeat in a disastrous rout for the party, addressing tearful crowds at the party's headquarters in Taipei.

The vote count is continuing but live television figures from polling stations show Tsai of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has secured a historic landslide victory, with around 60 per cent against 30 per cent for Chu.

That would be the biggest ever win for any president in Taiwan -- the previous record was 58.45 per cent for current KMT president Ma Ying-jeou in 2008.

"I'm sorry... We've lost. The KMT has suffered an election defeat. We haven't worked hard enough and we failed voters' expectations," said KMT candidate Eric Chu addressing tearful crowds at the party's headquarters in Taipei.

Chu also said the KMT had lost its parliamentary majority, the first time it has ever lost control of the island's legislature.

"This is an unprecedented drastic change for the KMT," he said.

Support for Tsai has surged as voters have become increasingly uneasy about a recent rapprochement with China under Ma, who must step down after a maximum two terms.

As the economy stagnates, many are frustrated that trade pacts signed with the mainland have failed to benefit ordinary Taiwanese.

The DPP has a much warier approach to China, although Tsai has repeatedly said she wants to maintain the "status quo".

"We want to congratulate the DPP's victory, this is the



He bowed deeply in a sign of apology and declared his resignation as chairman of the party.

Jubilant crowds gathered at the DPP headquarters in Taipei, where Tsai was due to speak later Saturday.

Vendors were selling everything from cups to key chains bearing Tsai's image.

One small group held up a banner saying: "Taiwan is not part of China. Support Taiwan independence."



"China has no right to claim Taiwan and we want to say that to the world," said one member of the group, Angela Shi, who returned from San Francisco to vote.

Tsai has walked a careful path on her China strategy, but the DPP is traditionally a pro-independence party and opponents say Tsai will destabilise relations.

Ma has overseen a dramatic rapprochement with China since coming to power in 2008.

Although Taiwan is self-ruling after it split with China following a civil war in 1949, it has never declared independence and Beijing still sees it as part of its territory awaiting reunification.
Two cousin brothers were killed when the motorcycle they were riding was hit by a tanker on Gohana Road near here, police said today.

The motorcycle which Vishal and Hardip, both 21-year-old, were riding, was hit by a tanker, following which they lost control over the two-wheeler and hit a road divider, in charge of Civil Lines police station Omprakash said.

The driver of the tanker managed to flee the spot after the accident. The duo were rushed to the local hospital where they died during treatment, he said.

A case has been registered against the absconding tanker driver and hunt was on to nab him, police said, adding investigation was underway.
Two personnel of Hyderabad Police were today allegedly beaten up by a group of traders at a market in Safidon here, who mistook the cops for kidnappers, local police said.

The policemen from Hyderabad had come to a grain market in Safidon in the district, carrying a warrant issued by a Hyderabad court, against a group of persons.

A constable of Hyderabad Police, Alam Palli Alloor, and another policeman, accompanied by two persons arrived at the market in a privat car and allegedly tried to take one Jitendra from there into their car, local police said.

When Jitendra shouted, some of the traders assembled there and allegedly roughed up the policemen from Hyderabad, police said.

It was only when the Hyderabad policemen identified themselves and told the purpose of their visit that the scuffle ended.

On the basis of a complaint by the Hyderabad constable, an FIR has been lodged against five named persons and several unknown persons, local police said, adding, the traders have also lodged a complaint against two policemen from Hyderabad.
A six-year-old boy was allegedly kidnapped by two men following which they have been arrested from Uttar Pradesh and brought here today, police said.

"Subrati Khan (26) and Ibrahim Fakir (40), both residents of Rohahi village of Uttar Pradesh had kidnapped Abujar Momin from Jampura locality of Palanpur on January 11," Palanpur city Police Inspector J B Makwana said.

"Two days back, they demanded Rs 7 lakh as ransom from his mother - Zakiya Momin on phone. After that, Zakiya approached us and we launched a manhunt. We came to know that the kidnappers have fled to Agra with the child," he said.

According to the officer, Zakiya is a native of Bhilwan village in Patan district and had come to meet her sister in Palanpur a week back.

"Her husband lives in Dubai. She came to Palanpur with her son and daughter. When she was leaving the house of her sister, the duo somehow managed to kidnap the boy and flee away," he said.

The boy, whom the accused had hide behind the bushes on the Red Fort road, was rescued yesterday, police said.

"With the help of call detail records, we finally traced them and recovered the child," he added.

The duo, who was under debt of Rs 3.5 lakh, hatched the plan to repay the amount, the officer said, adding investigations are underway.
Two police constables were injured in an encounter following which ten members of a gang were arrested, in Siddhartnagar district, police said today.

Police arrested the gang active in different districts of the state in an encounter late last night in Shenkhar area under Bansi police station area, police said.

Two constables, Mubarak and Devendra Yadav and two miscreants were injured in the encounter and have been admitted to Gorakhpur medical college hospital, they said.

The arrested gangsters admitted that they were active in Basti, Gorakhpur, Bahraich, Faizbad and Lucknow districts and used to kill those who resisted, police said.

Some weapons, looted cash and ornaments were recovered from their possession, police added.
Japan, South Korea and the United States today ratcheted up pressure on China to support the "strongest possible" punishment against North Korea, following Pyongyang's nuclear test earlier this month.

Japan's Vice Foreign Minister Akitaka Saiki, US Deputy Secretary of State Antony Blinken and their South Korean counterpart Lim Sung-Nam held a one-day meeting at a Tokyo guesthouse, where they called on Beijing to support a strong UN Security Council resolution targeting Pyongyang.

"We strongly hope that China, as its neighbour and the most influential country on North Korea, will fully cooperate with the international community to adopt a strong resolution," Saiki told a joint conference.

Saiki said the three countries are aiming to help adopt a UN resolution with the "strongest possible contents at the earliest timing".

China, a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, is North Korea's economic benefactor, but traditional ties have become strained as Beijing's patience has worn thin with Pyongyang's behaviour and unwillingness to rein in its nuclear weapons ambitions.

But China's leverage over Pyongyang is mitigated, analysts say, by its overriding fear of a North Korean collapse and the prospect of a reunified, US-allied Korea directly on its border.

"It's our expectation along with our colleagues... That China will demonstrate a real leadership at the Security Council with us in assuring that there are significant consequences for North Korea's actions," Blinken said.

"The bottom-line is that the failure to take significant measures now almost guarantees that North Korea will continue to repeat this exercise of testing nuclear weapons," he added.

The call came after South Korean President Park Geun-Hye on Wednesday also urged the international community, and in particular China, to back harsh sanctions targeting Pyongyang over the nuclear test.

North Korea says its latest nuclear test was of a miniaturised hydrogen bomb -- a claim largely dismissed by experts who argue the yield was far too low for a full-fledged thermonuclear device.

But whatever the nature of the device, it was North Korea's fourth nuclear test since 2006, and further evidence of Pyongyang's intention to continue developing its nuclear weapons capability in the face of international censure.
The United States was checking on the safety of its citizens in Burkina Faso today after jihadist gunmen attacked a Ouagadougou hotel popular with Western expatriates.

With soldiers still hunting for surviving attackers, a spokesman for the State Department said all the US ambassador's staff were accounted for.

"The United States strongly condemns the attack in Ouagadougou," spokesman John Kirby said.

"We extend our deepest condolences to the families of the victims during this senseless assault on innocent people.

"We can confirm that all chief of mission personnel are accounted for. Our embassy in Ouagadougou is making every effort to account for US citizens in the city."



Burkinabe troops backed by French special forces responded when gunmen from the Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) group attacked the four-star Splendid Hotel.

At least 20 people were killed and dozens of hostages were freed during the fighting.
A team from the US consulate in Mumbai has arrived in Goa to oversee the probe into the death of an American national in the coastal state earlier this week.

The team visited Pernem police station which is probing the death of 30-year-old Caitanya Lila Holt and also went to the spot where he was found dead.

"The US Consulate officials were briefed about the investigation. They will also be present in Goa Medical College when postmortem on the body of Holt would be performed," Umesh Gaonkar, Superintendent of Police (North), told PTI.

He said though the investigation into what actually happened before Holt fell in the field is still on, the preliminary inquiry has shown that the crowd had mistaken him to be a thief.

Earlier police had confirmed that Holt died after falling in the field when he was running to save himself from an irate mob which was chasing him in the village of Korgao on January 12.

The US Consulate had said that it was in touch with the family of the American tourist who died in Goa two days ago.

"I can confirm that we are aware of this case. Our consular staff has been in contact with the family and is actively working with the Indian government and police officials," Heidi Hattenbach, spokesperson of the US Consulate General in Mumbai, had said in a statement.
The United States granted clemency to seven Iranians and dropped charges against 14 more in exchange for the release of four Americans held in Iran, a US official said today.

"Through a diplomatic channel that was established with the focus of getting our detained US citizens home, we can confirm Iran has released from imprisonment four Americans detained in Iran: Amir Hekmati, Saeed Abedini, Jason Rezaian, and Nosratollah Khosravi-Roodsari," he said.

A fifth American, identified as Matthew Trevitick, was also to be released as part of a different process.

"We offered clemency to seven Iranians, six of whom are dual US-Iranian citizens, who had been convicted or are pending trial in the United States. The United States also removed any Interpol red notices and dismissed any charges against 14 Iranians for whom it was assessed that extradition requests were unlikely to be successful."



Hekmati is a former US Marine arrested in August 2011, Abedini is a Christian pastor detained since December 2012. Rezaian is a Washington Post reporter detained in July 2014. Little is known about Khosravi-Roodsari.

The US official also said that Iran has promised to help the United States determine the whereabouts of Robert Levinson, a former FBI agent that went missing in Iran in March 2007.
A US school district has unanimously voted to add Diwali, Eid al-Adha and Chinese Lunar New Year's Eve in the school holiday calendar, for the first time in the school system's history.

Indian-American community hailed the decision by Howard County Public School System, which manages 71 schools and serves nearly 50,000 students, as "historic".

"I am extremely pleased by the Board's ability to discuss and unanimously agree to seek ways to recognise the diverse backgrounds of Howard County's students and families," Board of Education Chairwoman Christine O'Connor said in a statement after the eight member board unanimously supported such a motion.

"We want to do our best to find flexibility within the calendar to provide opportunities for all students to experience all cultures within our community," O'Connor said.

The motion in this regard as proposed by board member Janet Siddiqui.

"By taking this vote, the Howard County Board of Education has shown a great way forward in acknowledging diverse religious holidays without violating the spirit of church-state separation," said Murali Balaji education director of Hindu American Foundation.

HAF and Chinmaya Mission started a petition that collected over 250 signatures in under three weeks, while the Board received nearly 500 emails from parents asking for inclusion of Diwali.

Indian Students at Centennial High School (ISAC) also collected and submitted signatures for the effort, said Balaji, who along with several Chinmaya Mission members, testified at the Board's hearing last month.

"This vote is proof that it is indeed possible to accommodate the religious needs of multiple faith communities in diverse school districts," said Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) Maryland Outreach Manager Zainab Chaudry, who has submitted testimony on the holiday inclusion issue.

"Religious pluralism is the hallmark of an integrated and inclusive society. We see that reflected in the Howard County Board of Education's decision," Chaudry said.

According to Baltimore Sun, as of the 2014-2015 school year, 42 per cent of Howard County students were white, 22 per cent were black, 19 per cent were Asian, nine per cent were Hispanic and six per cent were of two or more races.

The school system does not record the religious backgrounds of its students, it said.
The World Bank would be the anchor investor in the new Railway Development Fund, which would be used to fund modernisation of Indian railways, Union Minister Suresh Prabhu has said.

"We have decided to work with the World Bank on creating a Railway Development Fund. This was already initiated. But now, we have taken it forward," Prabhu said here yesterday after his meeting with World Bank officials.

Noting that the World Bank would be anchor investors in this new fund, along with other co-investors, Prabhu said, "This fund would be kick started soon as there is unanimity in the World Bank leadership."



He also said the World Bank leadership has realized that based on the performance in the past one year, Indian Railways is in the "right direction".

However, Prabhu did not divulge the size of the fund, but indicated that it would be the largest ever provided by the World Bank to the Indian Railways.

Prabhu is here to attend a World Bank meeting on transportation. During his stay in the US capital, he also met officials of the International Finance Corporation, the US Transportation Secretary Anthony Renard Foxx, and some of the think-tanks.

The International Finance Corporation (IFC) would look into the possibility of revenue generation through non-railway operation, he said.

"To help us monetization issues, bringing in the global best practices. Globally railways get 30-40% of their income from non-railway operations. In India it is not even two percent. So this is going to be challenging time particularly when Indian railways would have to bear the additional burden of the pay commission," he said.

During his meeting with Secretary Foxx, the two leaders decided to create an umbrella agreement with the Department of Transportation about transportation sector in general.

"Today we also agreed to make railway specific umbrella agreement with the Transport Department, which would help to work on many things," Prabhu said.

Prabhu also said, "One of the things we have agreed to work on is to creating a regulatory framework for safety, which is a very important issue for India. We want to enhance the safety of the Indian railways."



In his interaction with a group of investors and infrastructure companies, Prabhu asked them to come and invest in Indian railways.

"The Ministry of Railways has introduced a slew of initiatives, opportunities and reform measures that will allow investors to strive and grow," he said.

"Since the last rail budget in 2015, the Ministry of Railways has implemented 110 reform measures, fulfilling all the announcements made in the budget. We encourage American enterprises to take advantage of the transformation that the entire ecosystem is undergoing," Prabhu said.

"With 100 per cent investment allowed in most segments of railway infrastructure such as suburban rail, metro rail, locomotive and rolling stock, manufacturing and maintenance, signalling and electric works and dedicated freight lines, the Ministry of Railways envisages investments worth $142 billion in the sector that will not only bring about more efficiency in the lifeline of Indian transportation but also boost manufacturing and fulfil the directive of Make of India," the Rail Minister said.

Meanwhile, USIBC president Mukesh Aghi has lauded Prabhu's effort to overhaul India's rail infrastructure.

"In less than 2 years, Minister Prabhu has undertaken serious efforts to give a facelift to the Indian railways and revolutionize the way Indians travel, transport goods and services and conduct business," Aghi said.

USIBC members are buoyed by the range of opportunities that lie in front of them, he said.

"Whether it is adding high speed rails connecting major ports, modernizing platforms, improving passenger amenities dedicated freight lines, electrification- these are concerted efforts by the government to improve the performance of the railways through substantive restructuring so the sector can contribute to the overall growth of the country," Aghi said.
China-backed Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) in which India and 56 countries have joined as founding members was formally opened here today by President Xi Jinping.

"This is a historical moment," Xi said addressing the ceremony of the bank, which along with the BRICS New Development Bank (NDB) is expected to expand infrastructure financing, rivalling the World Bank and Asian Development Bank.

An Indian delegation headed by Dinesh Sharma, additional Secretary in the Ministry of attended the opening ceremony.

In all 57 countries have joined as founding members while US and Japan stayed out.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang will address the founding conference of the AIIB council later today.

The bank was formally established in Beijing on December 25, 2015. Chinese Minister Lou Jiwei was elected as the first Chairman of the AIIB council. China's former Minister, Jin Liqun was elected the first AIIB president.

With authorised capital of $100 billion and subscribed capital of $50 billion,Beijing-based AIIB will invest in sectors including energy, transportation, urban construction and logistics as well as education and healthcare.

China, India and Russia are the three largest shareholders, taking a 30.34%, 8.52%, 6.66% stake respectively in the newly formed Bank.

Their voting shares are calculated at 26.06%, 7.5% and 5.92%.

Based on the share holding, India is expected to get the Vice President post.

The opening of the AIIB marked a milestone in the reform of the global economic governance system, Lou said in an interview earlier.

The AIIB will work together with multilateral development banks including the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank to facilitate Asian infrastructure construction and sustainable development, Lou said.

Asian Development Bank (ADB) President Takehiko Nakao in message has congratulated the AIIB.
By Sue-Lin Wong

BEIJING (Reuters) - Chinese President Xi Jinping launched a new international development bank seen as a rival to the U.S.-led World Bank at a lavish ceremony on Saturday, as Beijing seeks to change the unwritten rules of global development finance.

Despite opposition from Washington, U.S. allies including Australia, Britain, German, Italy, the Philippines and South Korea have agreed to join the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) in recognition of China's growing economic clout.

"Asia's financing needs for basic infrastructure are absolutely enormous," Xi said in a speech at the launch, adding the bank would aim to invest in projects that were "high-quality, low-cost".

The AIIB is expected to lend $10 billion-$15 billion a year for the first five or six years and will start operations in the second quarter of 2016.

Even so, no specific infrastructure projects would be announced "for the time being", AIIB President Jin Liqun told on the sidelines of the launch.

DIPLOMATIC COUP

Luxembourg Finance Minister Pierre Gramegna said the establishment of the AIIB was "further proof of the rebalancing of the world economy".

A successful AIIB that sets itself apart from the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund would be a diplomatic triumph for China, which opposes a global financial order it says is dominated by the United States and does not adequately represent developing nations.

The AIIB will require projects to be legally transparent and protect social and environmental interests, but it will not force borrowers to adopt the kind of free-market practices favoured by the IMF, sources told in September.

By not insisting on some free market economic policies recommended by the World Bank, the AIIB is likely to avoid criticism levelled against its rivals, who some say impose unreasonable demands on borrowers.

It could also help Beijing stamp its mark on a bank regarded by some in the government as a political as much as an economic project.

Baikuntha Aryal, joint secretary at Nepal's Ministry of Finance, said the Himalayan country was hoping the AIIB would fund roads, hydropower and urban development projects.

"The AIIB is specifically for infrastructure so we see it as a supplement to projects in Nepal funded by the ADB (Asian Development Bank) and World Bank," he said.

China has an initial subscription of $29.78 billion in authorised capital stock in the AIIB, out of a total of $100 billion. It invested another $50 million on Saturday.

(Additional reporting by Nathaniel Taplin; Editing by Stephen Coates)
By Liana B. Baker and Malathi Nayak

(Reuters) - Spanish telecommunications company Telefonica SA has expressed interest in buying AT&T Inc's pay TV assets in Latin America, which could be valued at around $10 billion, according to people familiar with the matter.

AT&T bought the Latin American assets as part of its acquisition of DirecTV last year. The business includes satellite and cable television services in Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela, Argentina and several other countries.

The U.S. telecoms company has yet to decide if it will explore a deal with Telefonica or another company, the people familiar with the matter said.

Other parties are interested in AT&T's assets in specific countries, and the company may choose to run several sale processes, one of the people said. One potential buyer could be Liberty Global Plc, that person added.

The sources asked not to be identified because the deliberations are confidential.

Telefonica and AT&T declined to comment. Liberty Global could not immediately be reached for comment.

AT&T has about 19 million pay TV subscribers in Central and South America, making it the biggest player in the region. But profits have been pressured by depreciating currencies in Brazil and other Latin American countries.

Chief Executive Randall Stephenson said at an industry conference in December that AT&T would consider selling the Latin American business, but that the company was patient.

"So if somebody were interested in talking about a strategic combination of those assets with a different product, we would have to look at it. Would we consider selling them? Yes, but we are in no rush," Stephenson said.

Telefonica, which has debt of about 50 billion euros ($54 billion), has been shuffling its portfolio in recent months. It agreed to sell its O2 UK business to CK Hutchison Holdings Ltd for 10.3 billion pounds ($15 billion). It is also planning to sell or spin off its Spanish infrastructure unit, including wireless towers, later this year, previously reported.

The Spanish company is a major wireless player in Latin America under the brands Movistar in Argentina, Chile, Colombia and Mexico; it also owns Vivo in Brazil. Telefonica's regional pay TV operations, however, are smaller, and trail AT&T and American Movil's Claro.

AT&T owns about 93 percent of Sky Brasil, the largest satellite provider in the region's biggest economy. It owns PanAmericana, which offers satellite TV services under the DirecTV brand in countries including Venezuela, Argentina, Chile, Colombia and Puerto Rico. It is also a shareholder in Sky Mexico, which is controlled by Mexico's Grupo Televisa.

(Reporting by Liana B. Baker and Malathi Nayak in New York; Additional reporting by Andres Gonzalez in Madrid; Editing by Tiffany Wu)
NEW DELHI (Reuters) - Japanese telecom and media group SoftBank will "seriously" accelerate its investments in India, Chief Executive Masayoshi Son told a start-up conference in New Delhi on Saturday.

Softbank had previously said it would invest $10 billion in India over 10 years.

"The time has come that the Indian economy will be big enough going forward. Mobile internet will make the domestic internet market big enough," Son said.

"I think we would seriously accelerate our investments in India going forward."

(Reporting by Himank Sharma; Editing by Kim Coghill)
IFB Agro commissions modernised distillery in West Bengal

Modernisation of grain-based distillery at Noorpur will double the capacity of the facility

Modernisation of grain-based distillery at Noorpur will double the capacity of the facility

The Kolkata-based IFB Agro Industries Ltd, a manufacturer of branded alcoholic beverages and packed marine foods, has commissioned its modernised distillery at Noorpur in West Bengal. The modernisation project 50-KL per day grain distillery has been commissioned. Commercial production has started from January 14, 2016, said IFB Agro Industries in BSE filing on January 15, 2016.



The companys grain-based distillery is capable of distilling alcohol from multiple feed stock such as rice, wheat, barley, jowar etc. IFB Agro had undertaken a modernisation drive to double the capacity of the facility and bring down cost per unit of production. The company has reportedly spent Rs 53 crore for this expansion drive.



BS B2B Bureau
Andrew Lesky describes to his lawyer Chad Hutchings, how he folded letters to his attorney, during a hearing in 1st District Court, Friday, Jan. 15, 2016, in Logan, Utah. Lesky claims that the Cache County Jail confiscated his legal documents, and mail to his attorney, which will hinder him from helping in his defense of attempted aggravated murder and aggravated kidnapping charges.

LOGAN  Andrew Lesky who is accused of attempted aggravated murder and other charges, took the stand in 1st District Court Friday, arguing he is not receiving a fair trial and is being treated unlawfully in the Cache County Jail.

The 44-year-old testified for over three hours after Judge Brian Cannell reminded him of his Fifth Amendment Rights, protecting him from being required to testify against himself in his criminal cases.

The defendant acknowledged his rights and then took the stand while his defense attorney, Chad Hutchings, questioned him about his treatment since being arrested in October 2014. Lesky said while he has been in jail, he was kept in lockdown for 87 days.

I was allowed out of my cell for 30-minutes sometimes, every three-days, said Lesky. I was locked in a cell 24-hours a day, three days at a time before being let out for a half-hour or an hour. Then lockdown for another three-days. I didnt get out for a shower, visits, phones, commissary, and recreation, nothing for seven-or-eight months. I kind of lost count.

Prosecutors claim Lesky was placed in maximum security for threatening staff, destroying property, refusing to follow orders and other violations of jail rules.

Lesky also believes jail deputies conspired with prosecutors to intercept private mail between him and his former attorney, Shannon Demler. He described how he once wrote a list of names and phone numbers of people to be subpoenaed as witnesses in his defense. The letter was supposed to be mailed to Demler.

I was housed in lockdown and I asked Deputy Clark if I could do legal mail. Deputy Clark came to my cell, I gave him the legal mail. He closed it in an envelope and sealed it.

Demler testified previously that he never received that envelope and the letter was not given to him until he asked for a collection of belongings from Leskys locker that deputies had been keeping at the jail.

During Fridays hearing, Judge Cannell asked how the letter could have been placed inside a legal sized envelope, noting it was only folded in half and wouldnt fit.

Lesky testified that a deputy took the letter with about 13 pieces of other paper, rolled them up and placed them inside an envelope. The defendant explained the envelope was very thick when he sealed it and signed his name across the seal.

During cross examination, county attorney Spencer Walsh asked Lesky about 20 similar complaints he had made while being held in a California jail. He showed the court an article from the Los Angeles Times, reporting how deputies started videotaping Lesky anytime he left his cell to refute future disputes. The article said a judge later rejected his complaints.

Walsh also questioned Lesky about numerous threats he had made to deputies including saying he was going to skin their caps. The defendant was also asked about letters he sent to county attorneys threatening them.

The hearing will continue in two weeks when jail deputies will testify.

Judge Cannell told Lesky he has yet to provide substantial evidence to support his complaints to be moved to a different jail or reassigning a new prosecutor.

<span>Lesky was arrested after reportedly trying to shoot his ex-girlfriend outside her apartment. It is also alleged he threatened her and another man with a handgun and a knife. He faces a total of 10 felonies and 17 misdemeanors.</span>

<hr /><p style=text-align: center;>will@cvradio.com
On November 24, a Japanese delegation met in Ashgabat with the deputy foreign ministers of five Central Asian states in a Central Asia plus Japan format to discuss regional security, sustainable development, trade and investment, as well as regional cooperation and disaster prevention. In October, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe visited all of the Central Asian states as a part of Tokyos efforts to strengthen economic relations with the resource-rich region, holding talks with Central Asian leaders mainly devoted to the energy issue. This is an important shift in Japanese foreign policy. Its long-time competitor China is already established in Central Asia and Tokyos recent initiatives have been described as part of the growing competition between China and Japan.

BACKGROUND: Since the 1990s, both China and Japan have been seeking opportunities to engage resource-rich Central Asia. They were among the first states to support the most ambitious gas transportation project ever proposed  the Turkmenistan-China-Japan pipeline. Japans Mitsubishi and Chinas state-owned China National Petroleum Corp. (CNPC) have been the leading companies pushing for the construction of this pipeline. The scheme did not come to fruition, but Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan have succeeded in reaching China with pipelines. Since that time, China has slowly but persistently developed bilateral relations with all Central Asian states, focusing predominantly on energy rich countries such as Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.

In 2007, Ashgabat and Beijing agreed to construct the Trans-Asia Gas Pipeline (TAGP) along a route through three Central Asian countries to China. TAGP was then built with Chinese funding. The link was commissioned in 2010, and China has since then become a key importer of Turkmen gas. According to a BP report, Turkmenistan delivered 25.5 billion cubic meters of gas to China in 2014. This was equivalent to 61 percent of the countrys total gas exports and represented about 44 percent of Chinas total gas imports. China has also been developing the Galkynysh gas field in Turkmenistan, the worlds second largest field. Opening up Chinese energy markets for Turkmen gas has helped Ashgabat to reduce its dependence on Russia, to boost export earnings and to promote steady economic growth.

Beijing is heavily involved in developing Kazakhstans oil and gas fields and is operating a number of fields since the 1990s. In 2002, CNPC bought 60 percent of Petrokazakhstan, the countrys largest independent oil company, for US$ 4.18 billion and spent another US$ 700 million on a pipeline to deliver Kazakh oil to the Chinese border. In 2013, CNPC bought an 8.3 percent share of the Kashagan oil project for US$ 5 billion.

In 2013, Beijing launched the One Belt One Road initiative, intended to address infrastructure gaps and secure economic diversification. The aim is to create a Silk Road Economic Belt that will connect China, Central Asian countries, the Middle East, and Europe in one multifunctional transportation link corridor.

For its part, Japans achievements in Central Asia have so far been less impressive. In 2004, Japan initiated the Central Asia plus Japan dialogue to boost cooperation with all Central Asian countries. To date, this initiative remains at a discussion level.

IMPLICATIONS: Yet Abes visit to the Central Asian states this October gives new momentum to the growing economic cooperation between Japan and the region. This was the first official visit to all Central Asian countries by the Japanese Prime Minister, indicating the importance that the Japanese government assigns to the region. Abe offered a large package of investment projects that will allow Tokyo to raise its stake in the whole region. He signed a number of deals worth over US$ 18 billion that will help Turkmenistan diversify its economy by further modernizing and developing its industrial sector. They will allow Japanese firms to join Turkmenistan in implementing a number of large-scale industrial projects, such as the construction of natural gas processing plants and power generation facilities. The first major US$ 10 billion investment package between Ashgabat and Tokyo was signed in 2013. Turkmenistan hopes to add more value to the gas it produces by using Japanese investment and technologies.

Abe also agreed to deals for investment in Uzbekistans energy sector, transport, mineral resources, telecommunications, chemical and auto industries worth US$ 8 billion. In Kazakhstan, the Prime Minister offered to build a nuclear power plant. He also offered US$ 107 million in aid to Bishkek to modernize Manas International Airport, and pledged to provide US$ 7.4 million in aid assistance to Tajikistan.

Both China and Tokyo could secure further lucrative deals with the Central Asian states, though not in exactly the same spheres. Rather, each seems to have found its own niche, which means that Beijing and Tokyo are complementing and reinforcing each others activities.

China has played a significant role in developing oil and gas resources, diversifying Central Asian gas and oil exports, while Japan is involved in developing industrial enterprises. Japan may in the near future become a leading partner in the overall diversification of the Turkmen, Kazakh and Uzbek economies by introducing the advanced technologies and skills needed to process and add value to the countries resources.

Beijings economic interests in Central Asia predominantly includes accessing natural resources through upstream projects, and building infrastructure that supports resource extraction and delivery to the Chinese market. China is also looking to establish new routes to the Middle Eastern and European markets. To realize this vision, Beijing has pursued bilateral deals with the energy rich Central Asian states; securing production sharing and service agreements on development of oil and gas fields. China has provided substantial financial support to develop resources and build pipelines. It helps energy rich states boost export earnings and to promote steady economic growth. In short, China helps generating cash from oil and gas, while Japan helps them invest it in projects that can secure an industrial base for Central Asian economies.

Tokyos Central Asia plus Japan dialogue is targeting regional cooperation, while Chinas One Belt One Road initiative is primarily an attempt to reach the Middle East and Europe via Central Asia. In general, Japan fosters regionalism and industrialization, while China promotes diversification of Central Asian exports and globalization. The results of bilateral investment deals are tangible, while initiatives such as the Central Asia plus Japan dialogue remain at the discussion level. This is partly explained by the lack of incentives for regional cooperation. The regional market is small and few of the products produced by Central Asian countries can find customers in this market. Energy rich countries such Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan are looking for new markets, and may be less interested in developing regional economic cooperation.

Nevertheless, all of them need to implement structural reforms, and intensify efforts to diversify away from oil and gas. Therefore, developing industrial production beyond the extractive industries and making growth more inclusive would help Central Asian states create employment opportunities for their rapidly growing populations.

CONCLUSIONS: While China and Japan may compete in Central Asia, they do not constitute real rivals in this region. Chinas engagement in Central Asia provides an opportunity to enhance growth and globalization and to diversify export routes. For its part, Japan fosters regionalism and can make a significant contribution help secure the industrialization and sustainable development of the Central Asian states.

AUTHORS BIO: Najia Badykova is the head of Antares Strategy consulting.



Image Attribution: www.asahi.com, accessed on Jan 15, 2016
When is hurricane season? Here's what you need to know in South Texas
Rachel Denny Clow/Caller-Times Kimberly Harington (from left), Cecilia Garcia Akers, Moses Estrada and Gary Zacker

SHARE Rachel Denny Clow/Caller-Times Nancy Vera (from left), Cecilia Garcia Akers, Joe A. Gonzalez and Jim Akers Rachel Denny Clow/Caller-Times Moses Estrada (from left), Armando Oropez and Jose Antonio Viera Rachel Denny Clow/Caller-Times Leo Estrada (from left), Pete Olivarez, Cecilia Garcia Akers and Roxanne Rivera Rachel Denny Clow/Caller-Times Joe A. Gonzalez attends the graveside ceremony in honor of Dr. Hector P. Garcia on Monday, January 11, 2016 at Seaside Memorial Park and Cemetery.

The late Dr. Hector P. Garcia, founder of the American GI Forum, was honored on his 102nd birthday by the forum with ceremonies at his gravesite on Jan. 11 at Seaside Memorial Park and Ceremony. The Dr. Hector P. Garcia AGIF Founders Chapter hosted the ceremony.

Moses Estrada, commander of the founders chapter, gave opening remarks to welcome the crowd. The ceremony also featured patriotic music performed by the Veterans Band, led by Ram Chavez; the pledge of allegiance led by Joan Veith, chairperson of the Dr. Clotilde P. Garcia AGIF Chapter; an d a recitation of poetry by Maria Vasqeuz. Armando Oropez and Pete Olivarez, members of the founders chapter, laid a wreath on Dr. Hector P. Garcia's grave.

Cecilia Garcia Akers, Dr. Hector P. Garcia's daughter, was the special guest. Joe Gonzalez addressed the crowd gathered for the ceremony.

A reception followed the ceremony at Seaside Chapel Hall.
Rachel Denny Clow/Caller-Times Stephanie Salinas (from left), Norma Munoz-Davila, Karen Vaughan and Gloria Gallardo participate in homemaking judging at the 81st annual Nueces County Junior Livestock Show on Monday, Jan. 11, 2016, at the Richard M. Borchard Regional Fairground.

SHARE Rachel Denny Clow/Caller-Times Lanicia Swetlick (from left), Tonya Womack and Connie Wright participate in homemaking judging at the 81st annual Nueces County Junior Livestock Show on Monday, Jan. 11, 2016, at the Richard M. Borchard Regional Fairground. Rachel Denny Clow/Caller-Times Elizabeth OBrien (from left), Nell Jones, Karen Norskow and Nolan Culp participate in homemaking judging at the 81st annual Nueces County Junior Livestock Show on Monday, Jan. 11, 2016, at the Richard M. Borchard Regional Fairground. Rachel Denny Clow/Caller-Times Tessa Spencer (from left), Brenda Truesdale, Susan Johnson and Lou Ann Zichefoose participate in homemaking judging at the 81st annual Nueces County Junior Livestock Show on Monday, Jan. 11, 2016, at the Richard M. Borchard Regional Fairground. Rachel Denny Clow/Caller-Times Carol Huntsinger (from left), Sue Havelka, Michelle Berry and Sue Gray participate in homemaking judging at the 81st annual Nueces County Junior Livestock Show on Monday, Jan. 11, 2016, at the Richard M. Borchard Regional Fairground.

The 81st annual Nueces County Junior Livestock Show held judging in the Homemaking categories on Monday and Tuesday. Judges gathered at the Richard M. Borchard Regional Fairgrounds to critique the students' entries in the various categories.

The Homemaking categories include photography, arts and crafts, creative stitchery and food, and there are three divisions: juniors, intermediate and seniors. The contestants are judged against others in their age group. Winners in each category were announced Wednesday.

The entries will be donated to charity next week.
Members from the Mandela Committee presented Driscoll Middle School with school supplies. Principal Bruce Wilson (from left), Abran Leal, Karl Tomlinson of Home Buyers II, Nelda Garcia, Assistant Principal Kimberly Craig, and Tina Butler with Texas Association of Black Personnel in Higher Education attended the presentation. Wayman Tooles, founder of Mandela Day Corpus Christi, is not pictured.

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10 vie in school's geography bee

The Incarnate Word Academy Middle Level held its Geography Bee Jan. 8 at the school's James R. Dougherty, Jr. Center.

IWA Middle Level students recently participated in classroom bees during their history classes. The top 10 finalists competed in the school's geography bee.

The top 10 finalists included sixth-graders Stewart Vanexan and Cassandra Munoz; seventh-graders Demitri Lopez, Michael Resendez, Jonah Sandoval, and Itza Valdez; and eighth-graders Gil Chapa, Gabriella Garcia, Esteban Moreida, and Marco Serrano.

Once this year's school winner is announced, he or she will take a qualifying test in the upcoming weeks. If any of the students qualify, they will attend the state geography bee this spring.

The National Geographic Society will provide an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C., for state champions and teacher-escorts to participate in the National Geographic Bee from May 22-25.

Mandela committee provides supplies

Members from the Mandela Committee recently presented Driscoll Middle School with school supplies to help meet the campus' educational needs.

The Mandela Day Corpus Christi Committee is a group of community members who united to promote the mission of Nobel Peace Prize recipient Nelson Mandela. The committee's mission is to honor his fundamentals of democracy, freedom of speech, and the principles of inclusivity by changing the world one day at a time.

Compiled by Natalia Contreras
Krista M. Torralva/Caller-Times Collegiate High School celebrated its 10th anniversary at Del Mar College on Friday.

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By Krista M. Torralva of the Caller-Times

In 10 years, officials have watched teenagers enter Collegiate High School unsure of their future and leave with tools they never imagined they'd have: a high school and college education.

Del Mar College and Corpus Christi Independent School District officials and Collegiate High School students celebrated the program's 10 year anniversary Friday.

"(Students) come in with a variety of backgrounds and experiences and they leave having accomplished more than they ever imagined they could dream they could do," Del Mar College Board Chairman Trey McCampbell said.

About 100 students enrolled in Collegiate High School in 2006. Now the schools has about 400 students and about 70 percent of graduates simultaneously earn a high school diploma and associate degree.

"When (students) walk the stage at graduation, they're getting their college degree before they even get their high school diploma several weeks later," Del Mar College Board Chairman Trey McCampbell said. "That to me is amazing and that says a lot."

Twitter: @CallerKMT
Rachel Denny Clow/Caller-Times Cecilia Garcia Akers speaks during the Dr. Hector P. Garcia Birthday Celebration at the American Bank Center on Friday, January 15, 2016.

SHARE Rachel Denny Clow/Caller-Times Incarnate Word Academy choir students perform at the Dr. Hector P. Garcia Birthday Celebration at the American Bank Center on Friday, January 15, 2016. Rachel Denny Clow/Caller-Times A video talking about the impact of Dr. Hector P. Garcia plays during the Dr. Hector P. Garcia Birthday Celebration at the American Bank Center on Friday, January 15, 2016. Rachel Denny Clow/Caller-Times Cecilia Garcia Akers speaks during the Dr. Hector P. Garcia Birthday Celebration at the American Bank Center on Friday, January 15, 2016. Rachel Denny Clow/Caller-Times Cecilia Garcia Akers attends the Dr. Hector P. Garcia Birthday Celebration at the American Bank Center on Friday, January 15, 2016. Related Photos 2016 Dr. Hector P. Garcia birthday celebration

By Julie Garcia of the Caller-Times

Cecilia Garcia Akers' eyes filled with pride as she revealed the first of two surprises regarding the future of her father's legacy.

Joining 46 nationally recognized heroes, including Susan B. Anthony, Martin Luther King Jr., Cesar Chavez and Helen Keller, Dr. Hector P. Garcia will have a medallion placed on The Points of Light Monument that is located near the The White House in Washington, D.C.

Garcia Akers quoted the "Points of Light" speech given by former President George H.W. Bush in January 1989: "We can find meaning and reward by serving some higher purpose than ourselves, a shining purpose, the illumination of a thousand points of light."

"So many more people will know who he was because he will be seen equal to all of those great leaders," Garcia Akers said. "His legacy is what he left us. He said that children receive adequate education, all Americans receive proper medical care and our nation's veterans get taken care of. He worked for the guarantee that everyone would vote with no poll tax and the right to participate in peaceful protest. He worked so we would be free to speak any language in public that we wanted to."

Friends, family and area officials gathered Friday at the American Bank Center to celebrate the 102nd birthday of the longtime Corpus Christi doctor at the Dr. Hector P. Garcia Memorial Foundation's annual luncheon. Garcia was a civil-rights leader and physician who fought for the rights of area Hispanics and veterans denied educational, medical and housing benefits. He started the American GI Forum in 1948.

The second surprise had to do with Garcia Akers herself. The founder of the foundation was tapped by History Press to write a book about her father from her perspective as his daughter. The book cover to "The Inspiring Life of Texan Hector P. Garcia" was unveiled. The book should be in stores in April.

Keynote speaker state Rep. Todd Hunter spoke of the beloved doctor's legacy of family and service.

"Dr. Garcia was always for his community, always for family. He considered all of the South Texas region his family," Hunter said after he received the foundation's President's Award. "He dedicated his life to service and educated people through being a doctor. He was not wealthy in money; he was wealthy in spirit."

H-E-B received the foundation's Community Service Award, and Del Mar College president Mark Escamilla received its Legacy Award.

Shocked when he heard his name called out, Escamilla said he planned on bringing the glass award to his mother's house so she can show all of her "comadres."

"We are all carried on the broad shoulders of Hector P. Garcia and Martin Luther King Jr. and everyone like them," Escamilla said. "It's always on my mind what those men stood for and believed in."

Twitter: @Caller_Jules
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"We get the kids in a central location, a few at a time, and my wife concentrates on teaching them to speak the English phonetics ... We teach them how to use the computers and how to use the programs, and then they go off back to their villages."
He will soon leave for a new role in Indonesia, but said he was proud of presiding over a period that included the 50th anniversary of bilateral relations between Australia and Ethiopia.
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After a unanimous decision, the Gran Premio Assoluto for Ferraris Top Design School Challenge was awarded to the Manifesto, a study made by students from the ISD-Rubika Valenciennes.



The jury that had the tough job of selecting from many concepts was comprised of famous collectors, drivers, designers and engineers, including Jay Kay, Sebastian Vettel, Paolo Pininfarina, Andrea Militello, Nick Mason, Flavio Manzoni, Rodolfo Gaffino Rossi, Aldo Colonnetti, Franco Cimatti and Nicola Boari.

What won them was the completeness of the Manifesto design, as the students managed to create a coherent vision of the car, spanning its exterior, cabin and running gear, while also featuring what the jury described as, a spectacular door opening mechanism.

The FL by Roman Egorov was highlighted by Ferrari as the only design that focused solely on the cabin, with its unconventional shape, and its creator partnered luxury and noble materials rather than going for the carbon-leather combination.

Ferraris Premio Speciale, decided by an online ballot, was awarded to the de Esfera, a concept created by three students from the Hongik University in Seoul, Korea.

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A General Motors designer recently gave me an idea of what Cadillac is going to look like, or at least the direction thats been laid out with the introduction of recent models. We go through the range and come to the big one, the Cadillac Escalade.



Well is how discussion of the enormous SUV began. While the sedans and coupes and crossovers have direct competitors, the Escalade manages to lord over other luxury SUVs because its bold and can get away with it. And therefore its more fun to design than you would think.

The Cadillac Escalade best shows the way the former American luxury brand has been transformed in its second century of existence. Cars like the ATS and CTS have tried to become as German as possible, only to be rebuked by most people who pledge allegiance to the three-pointed star or blue-and-white roundel.

Thats where the Escalade is different. At its heart, God bless it, is a traditional American truck, and its been smothered some fine electronics and leathers to make it feel like its the best thing money can buy. Its an effective costume.

I spent a few days with a White Diamond Escalade Platinum. If those four words put together dont ooze opulence, I dont know what does.





Shining bright

A black Escalade makes you look like a chauffeur. I think Elizabeth Taylor wouldve had a white Escalade.

In the standard wheelbase model, it doesnt look as enormous as one might expect. The transformation from Tahoe to Escalade is most evident inside. Cadillac has given the Escalade an interior different from its more rural cousins before, but this is the first time the Escalade has completely felt like a luxury car when you step inside.

The Platinum trim means basically everything you see and touch is covered in leather or suede. I touched and prodded the whole thing over a weekend and scarcely felt anything that wasnt covered in a real cow or felt cheap or utilitarian. And sure, you have to deal with the ridiculous CUE and touch-sensitive buttons all over the dashboard, which are a real reach from the drivers seat. But the voice commands are good enough to circumvent having to touch most controls while driving.





The art of defying physics

No one has ever bought an Escalade to drive. It drives you, sort of. And I was expecting this model to be positively barge-like and unwieldy, especially for someone who isnt used to driving something much larger than a compact hatchback.

Sure, the Cadillac wafts like a Cadillac should, but it definitely doesnt beat you up like a truck would. And the giant engine up front wants you to provoke it to deliver a rather addictive exhaust note. Is this the drivers Escalade?

At least with the adaptive cruise control it can drive you as well, in a way. Pity the system did not work well on my test car, as it disabled itself on a number of occasions when a car pulled in front of me. And then it shut off the traction control for some reason. Ill chalk it up to some unexplained luxury car electrical malady.

One thing it has in surplus is power. Nothing that weighs this close to three tons and is the size of a million-dollar Malibu condo should hustle itself this quickly. The power and size create this feeling of badass-ness, something I wasnt expecting to feel in something this metallic and chromed and LED-riddled.

The feeling of authority also comes from the sheer meatiness of the 6.2-liter V8. The 420 horsepower it produces is plenty for even three tons of vehicle, and its all available quickly when you press your right foot down. I was expecting the eight-speed automatic to be tuned for fuel economy, but it didnt hesitate to shuffle power around.

And yet the fuel consumption wasnt as shocking as I thought it would be, either. I nearly saw 20 MPG on a very long highway run. Hey, thats better than the Jaguar XJL 3.0 AWD I had.

This comes in something thats quiet, too, commendable given its brick-like proportions. Every intrusion is well-suppressed. That is, except for bumps and road imperfections. The combination of 22-inch wheels on this top Platinum model and the body-on-frame construction and live rear axle all make the suspension work overtime. Magnetic ride control is no miracle worker here, and you feel it on bad pavement. Yet if you live where roads are glass-smooth, this wont be much of an issue.

No, the Escalade still doesnt drive like a modern luxury sedan, or even like a well-sorted crossover. But enough of the truck roots are suppressed to make it feel like a well-controlled land yacht in the companys greatest tradition. For anyone at Cadillac, this is a high compliment.



These have always brought me luck

Cadillac may obviously be trying to turn itself into one of the German trio of luxury brands, but the Escalade is arguably its most faithful nod to its past. And while Germanization of Cadillac hasnt really reaped rewards in the form of strong sales, the Escalade continues to carry the American Luxury banner for the brand and for the nation. This is full-size who-gives-a-crap luxury. Anything that can fit under the Escalades halo should be a winner.

Which is why balking at a $94,000 Escalade Platinum is silly. Compared to a Range Rover or a Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class or basically any one of the European luxury utilities, the Escalade can compete head-to-head for prestige. It may lack the outright composure of these unibody models, but it comes surprisingly close. Credit where its due.

The Escalade isnt perfect, and some of the issues it falters on are part of its truck-based roots (the interior packaging and ride) and because of it being a Cadillac (those silly controls). But given my experience with other luxury rides  oh, from Jaguar Land Rover, for example  and the Cadillac holds its own in terms of being temperamental.

Originally a joke and cynical attempt to have a luxury SUV to rival the Lincoln Navigator, the Cadillac Escalade has long since come out on top in that rivalry. Constant investment has made it a good luxury SUV, rather than a rebadged Tahoe. Its also made it the car that most successfully embodies the Cadillac image we all have floating in our heads. Which means it will never wear an XT-something name.

An Escalade is one of the least subtle ways to make an entrance. And thats why it will always be one of the most memorable Cadillacs.



Photos Zac Estrada/Carscoops.com

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Another reason for the slow filmmaking pace is Williams has a difficult employer. I work for this terribly demanding boss, which is me, and the bastard wants it right, he explained.  Ive only just gotten to the point where I could marry my draftsmanship to the animation knowledge. Its always been a battle for me.

Prologue is appropriately titled; it is the first part of a feature film loosely based on Aristophanes anti-war play Lysisrata, in which Greek women withhold sexual privileges from their warring husbands until they stop killing each other. The 2,400-year-old play also served as the basis for Spike Lees politically charged Chi-Raq, but Williams interest in the ever-timely tale was more carnal in nature.

He discovered the play as a teenager when he found a copy of it lying around the house. It was an edition illustrated by Norman Lindsay, and the Australian artists comical drawings of voluptuous women baring all left an impression on the teenaged Williams. Lindsay would have been a marvelous animator, Williams says. Theres humor in everything he draws. He drew these very attractive women but theyre funny.

Throughout his career, Williams occasionally entertained the idea of animating the story. I thought, God, I wonder if Ill ever get good enough? Im not good enough to do this. When I finally got good enough to think about it, it was after Roger Rabbit.

The alternate title to the film, Williams likes to say, is Will I live to finish it? But finishing a 90-minute film does not seem to be the priority so much as creating something exactly the way he envisions it. After a career spent working in everyone elses style but his own, and designing projects that could survive his studios production pipeline, Williams is finally making something purely for his own enjoyment  and to the singular standard that no crew under him could ever hope to attain. As a result, Prologue, he says, is the only thing so far in my career that Ive ever been really been pleased with, that I was able to succeed with what I was trying to do in all the different aspects.

To ensure that everything comes out exactly as he intends, Williams even shoots the drawings under camera himself. Digital technology enters the picture only during the compositing when dust and fingerprints are taken off his drawings, and images are sharpened and graded. The rest of the production is as technically primitive as when Winsor McCay made Gertie the Dinosaur a full century ago. Im going back to 1900 and just drawing on one sheet of paper. Its a tremendous relief: no cels, virtually no camera. If you cant get it on one sheet of paper, it doesnt go in.

The self-imposed dictum to create each frame on a single sheet of paper means that all of the films considerable technical complexity emanates from the tip of Williamss pencil. For example, he cant pan across a background because there arent traditional backgrounds. To indicate space, hell add some grass or draw a few birds into a shot, or hell pan along an object a character is holding, like a spear. I found that its like radio, he explains. Youre imagining things because its not quite all there.

He also tries to avoid cuts in the film, a Williams trademark that has been employed to breathtaking effect in earlier projects, like his visionary but never-quite-completed Thief and the Cobbler. We should have control over the medium, he says simply.

So, whats the secret, I asked him, to staying sharp as a draftsman in his ninth decade? Life drawing, he says. Its the hardest thing you can do. When you get out of it for six months and you go back in, you realize youre a bum. Thats why people dont go back to it. They say, Oh, I did that in art school. We dont do that anymore. And then you get stuck with cartoons.

Williams, who keeps a studio space in another storied English animation outfit, Aardman Animations, is more than halfway done with the follow-up to Prologue, or the next sequence of his Lysistrata adaptation. The new film will finally introduce the Lindsay-inspired ladies that so many decades ago served as the original spark for the project.

He works happily in total freedom, having to contend only with his own demanding standards  and those of his family members. About a decade ago, when he had started animating on Prologue, he asked his youngest son, then ten-years-old, what he thought of the drawings. Well, the better artists manage to maintain consistency in the faces, his son replied.

He was right, Williams admitted. They changed a little bit if you want to be critical.
Photo: Thinkstock.com

Keeping senior citizens independent is a goal of UBC associate professor Jennifer Jakobi.

And part of her research is investigating how to prevent falls.

Jakobi, who teaches in the School of Health and Exercise Sciences, will discuss frailty amongst seniors at an upcoming seminar at UBC on Jan. 21, at noon.

During the hour-long seminar, Jakobi will address how frailty is often hidden, and how people caring for the elderly can identify it.

The use of exercise to prevent frailty and help obstruct its advancement will also be discussed.

This Fit for Life presentation takes place in the Reichwald Health Sciences Centre, RHS 129, and the public is welcome to attend in person or via webinar or teleconference. Registration is required and can be done online.

Fit for Life is sponsored by UBC Okanagans Institute for Healthy Living and Chronic Disease Prevention.
Photo: Contributed

Eight social service organizations in Kamloops are receiving a combined $374,500 from the provinces community gaming grant program.

They include:

Kamloops and District Society for People in Motion: $98,000

Kamloops-Cariboo Regional Immigrants Society: $60,000

North Kamloops Royal Purple #27: $10,000

North Kamloops Lions Club: $24,000

Seniors Community Centre: $60,000

Kamloops and District Elizabeth Fry Society: $51,500

Kamloops Sexual Assault Counselling Centre Society: $21,000

PacificSport Regional Sport Centre  Interior B.C.: $50,000

These great organizations make vital contributions to Kamloops and its citizens and Im pleased that our government continues to support them, said Terry Lake, Kamloops-North Thompson MLA.

Kamloops is fortunate to have so many special groups and individuals whose efforts make this city such a great place to live, said Todd Stone, Kamloops-South Thompson MLA.

Organizations interested in applying for community gaming grants can find information and applications at the government's website.
Photo: Contributed

British Columbia's police watchdog is investigating the shooting of a male by officers in the parking lot of a New Westminster shopping centre.

Acting Sgt. Jeff Scott of the New Westminster Police Department said officers responded at about noon Friday to a call of an unwanted male at the Walmart in the city's Queensborough neighbourhood.

"Through the course of the investigation, one male was taken into custody, and there was an interaction with a second male," said Scott. "That interaction with the second male resulted in an officer-involved shooting."

Scott said the male who was shot has been taken to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries and a firearm has been located at the scene.

He said no bystanders were involved and police contacted the Independent Investigations Office, the body that investigates serious incidents involving police.

"There is a concurrent police investigation with our major-crime unit, and they'll be working in collaboration with the IIO," said Scott.

IIO spokesman Marten Youssef said the office doesn't usually release the ages of people involved. He said a team of investigators has been sent to the scene.

Youssef said investigators will conduct standard tasks such as obtaining physical evidence from the scene, interviewing civilian witnesses and designating and interviewing subject officers and witness officers.

"The IIO's preliminary task of the investigation will be to assess the level of injury of the affected person," said Youssef.

"If the injury is considered to be serious, the IIO will continue its investigation. If the injury is not serious, the IIO will release jurisdiction back to the New Westminster Police Department."

Youssef said Friday's incident was the first officer-involved shooting of 2016. He said the last such incident happened in September 2015.

He said there have been 29 officer-involved shootings since September 2012, when the IIO was started.

-- by Keven Drews in Vancouver
Kamloops Fire Rescue vehicles were involved in a chain reaction crash this morning as crews attended the scene of a two-vehicle accident on the Yellowhead Highway, by the Sun Rivers turnoff.

While we were there another vehicle hit the median, then a vehicle hit one of our rescue trucks, then another vehicle hit another rescue truck, said Platoon Cpt. Jeff Bell.

Bell said emergency crews had attended at least eight accidents over the morning hours.

While he spoke, they were being dispatched to two other accidents, including one east of the city on Dallas Drive.

Road conditions are terrible and people are driving too fast, said Bell.

He did not say if anyone had been injured.
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Portage Mayor James Snyder has repeatedly said he would like the city's budding downtown on Central Avenue to include a new facility for Porter County's North County Government Complex, which is now on Willowcreek Road.

County officials, however, said the existing building serves its purpose, and with other capital projects on the horizon, including a new animal shelter, constructing a new facility in Portage isn't on the table.

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"I wish (Snyder) well with the new project. I think it's made the downtown defined," said Board of Commissioners President John Evans, R-North, "but I don't think it's the county's job to make an anchor for a new downtown."

The current building is "outdated, crowded and inefficient," Snyder said in an email, forcing the veterans court to have its graduation off-site because of overcrowding, and mothers with children passing by a line of prisoners to pay county bills.

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The project, he said, would be a great boost to Portage and, as a result, the entire county.

"Building the annex downtown would employ hundreds of union construction workers, help bring new jobs to downtown with economic development, and help bring vitality to our new Founders Square and the Founders Promenade," he said. "This facility would provide a needed anchor to support new small restaurants and other critical retail and commercial components."

Since June, Founders Square has played host to the unveiling of a new splash pad, a groundbreaking for a new fire station, and a ceremony kicking off the rehabilitation of University Center as the city's new police station.

Plans also are underway for a multimillion-dollar housing and retail development, among other amenities.

Portage City Council President Mark Oprisko, D-at large, agreed with Snyder that the current building is outdated and said funding for a new one could come from a county-driven bond issue from the $157 million in proceeds the county has from the 2007 sale of its hospital. County leaders are in the midst of establishing a foundation to handle the proceeds.

The building, he said, would "really help rebuild Portage" and would be a driver for jobs and economic development downtown.

"This would put Portage on the map," he said, noting the project would take the effort of city and county officials, and adding that city officials are going to push for better dialogue with the county beyond the concept of a new building. "This would be the jewel of the whole thing."

Evans and County Councilman Jeremy Rivas, D-2nd, whose districts include Portage, said there has been some discussion with Portage officials about a new building, but nothing extensive, and it's not a priority for the county.

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The North County Government Complex was built in the 1970s, Evans said, and the county owns around 10 acres behind it that could be used for a building expansion if one is needed.

A couple of years ago, the county Health Department moved out of the complex and into space in a medical building rented by Porter Health Care System, freeing up space there.

"Unless and until we can be shown how this can be done at no cost to the county, we don't have it on our radar because we already have a facility in Portage," he said, adding the downtown is a "wonderful" project but it's not fair to county taxpayers to front a new building.

The county's focus is on building a new animal shelter, slated for Indiana 49 just north of the Porter County Expo Center, Rivas said, adding that other looming projects include investing the hospital proceeds to generate more revenue, drainage concerns, and a new education center at Sunset Hill Farm County Park.

A new North County Government Complex isn't part of the county's long- or short-term plans right now, he said.

"I'm not against it. If we were going to relocate, I think downtown Portage would be ideal, but we're not looking at relocating anytime soon," he said.

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Amy Lavalley is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
A proposed change to how Illinois divvies up public school money means that about half of school districts in the Chicago area could lose funding.

The possible changes stem from the Illinois State Board of Education proposing to take $305 million from an account designated for special education services and giving that money to districts for general expenses. The change would mean more "general" aid for public schools, but districts would still be expected to cover special education expenses.

An analysis by the state shows that 641 districts would gain funding through the proposal, but many of those losing money are in the Chicago suburbs.

Gain or loss in FY2016 if proposal had been in effect

Click on a row for more information

District would have gained funding

District would have gained funding District would have lost funding

District County Gain or loss % low income Gain or loss - Total Gain or loss - Per student Gain or loss - As % of operating revenue City of Chicago School District 299 Cook $64,720,419 $184 1.0% 90.0% School District 46 Kane $10,306,284 $289 2.0% 64.0% Plainfield School District 202 Will $7,870,425 $305 3.0% 27.0% Indian Prairie Community Unit School District 204 DuPage $4,532,083 $168 2.0% 17.0% Community Unit School District 300 Kane $4,207,258 $226 2.0% 44.0% Valley View Community Unit District 365 Will $4,002,824 $245 2.0% 56.0% Waukegan Community Unit School District 60 Lake $3,841,490 $273 2.0% 98.0% Aurora West Unit School District 129 Kane $3,448,052 $290 3.0% 64.0% Aurora East Unit School District 131 Kane $3,398,755 $268 2.0% 100.0% Cicero School District 99 Cook $3,163,168 $269 3.0% 100.0% Joliet School District 86 Will $2,985,684 $275 2.0% 92.0% Huntley Community School District 158 McHenry $2,457,699 $277 3.0% 15.0% J. S. Morton High School District 201 Cook $2,004,470 $273 2.0% 96.0% Round Lake Area Schools District 116 Lake $1,932,581 $282 2.0% 86.0% Woodstock Community Unit School District 200 McHenry $1,594,956 $269 2.0% 47.0% Community High School District 155 McHenry $1,494,756 $235 2.0% 18.0% Bremen Community High School District 228 Cook $1,421,419 $293 2.0% 59.0% Maywood-Melrose Park-Broadview District 89 Cook $1,417,848 $272 3.0% 98.0% Thornton Township High School District 205 Cook $1,326,507 $272 1.0% 100.0% Crystal Lake Community Consolidated School District 47 McHenry $1,308,853 $175 2.0% 29.0% Crete-Monee Community Unit School District 201 Will $1,286,830 $284 2.0% 59.0% Woodland Community Consolidated School District 50 Lake $1,184,165 $179 2.0% 31.0% West Chicago School District 33 DuPage $1,155,135 $280 2.0% 81.0% Oak Park Elementary School District 97 Cook $1,153,427 $208 2.0% 23.0% Rich Township High School District 227 Cook $1,097,676 $310 2.0% 66.0% Community High School District 218 Cook $1,074,523 $213 1.0% 65.0% Berwyn South School District 100 Cook $1,058,212 $283 3.0% 75.0% Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210 Will $1,031,141 $148 1.0% 13.0% Grayslake Community Consolidated School District 46 Lake $1,019,668 $285 3.0% 31.0% Thornton Fractional Township High School District 215 Cook $980,358 $287 2.0% 68.0% Wauconda Community Unit School District 118 Lake $944,128 $215 2.0% 37.0% Cook County School District 130 Cook $937,709 $279 2.0% 85.0% North Chicago School District 187 Lake $933,348 $282 2.0% 100.0% Grayslake Community High School District 127 Lake $870,423 $306 2.0% 22.0% Berwyn North School District 98 Cook $843,678 $282 3.0% 99.0% Matteson Elementary School District 162 Cook $811,677 $292 2.0% 66.0% Chicago Hts. School District 170 Cook $808,863 $269 2.0% 100.0% Bloom Township High School District 206 Cook $795,519 $274 2.0% 95.0% Homewood-Flossmoor High School District 233 Cook $792,644 $302 2.0% 29.0% Dolton School District 149 Cook $791,831 $278 2.0% 95.0% McHenry Community Consolidated School District 15 McHenry $790,656 $190 1.0% 46.0% Burbank School District 111 Cook $788,962 $235 2.0% 74.0% Kaneland Community Unit School District 302 Kane $788,145 $183 1.0% 18.0% Elmwood Park Community Unit School District 401 Cook $776,190 $290 2.0% 71.0% Indian Springs School District 109 Cook $765,537 $281 2.0% 77.0% North Palos School District 117 Cook $758,682 $265 2.0% 74.0% Berkeley School District 87 Cook $714,534 $280 2.0% 89.0% Zion-Benton Township High School District 126 Lake $702,285 $292 2.0% 57.0% Warren Township High School District 121 Lake $700,431 $170 1.0% 28.0% Zion Elementary School District 6 Lake $693,807 $278 2.0% 86.0% Lansing School District 158 Cook $685,062 $285 3.0% 68.0% Central Community Unit School District 301 Kane $680,956 $194 2.0% 14.0% Lake Villa Community Consolidated School District 41 Lake $676,848 $251 2.0% 28.0% Marquardt School District 15 DuPage $674,914 $278 2.0% 90.0% Prairie-Hills Elementary School District 144 Cook $669,001 $278 3.0% 93.0% Harvard Community Unit School District 50 McHenry $663,876 $283 2.0% 73.0% Beach Park Community Consolidated School District 3 Lake $663,256 $294 3.0% 56.0% Bellwood School District 88 Cook $659,707 $273 2.0% 100.0% New Lenox School District 122 Will $645,847 $130 1.0% 17.0% Harvey School District 152 Cook $588,794 $271 2.0% 100.0% Lyons School District 103 Cook $582,488 $254 2.0% 72.0% Dolton School District 148 Cook $574,210 $268 2.0% 100.0% Troy Community Consolidated School District 30-C Will $572,812 $137 1.0% 37.0% Flossmoor School District 161 Cook $551,841 $248 2.0% 39.0% Antioch Community High School District 117 Lake $547,940 $212 1.0% 21.0% Antioch Community Consolidated School District 34 Lake $531,945 $197 2.0% 30.0% Kirby School District 140 Cook $527,776 $154 1.0% 34.0% Queen Bee School District 16 DuPage $518,714 $287 2.0% 64.0% Park Forest School District 163 Cook $514,784 $279 2.0% 83.0% Oak Lawn-Hometown School District 123 Cook $495,245 $168 1.0% 50.0% Midlothian School District 143 Cook $490,526 $284 3.0% 75.0% Argo Community High School District 217 Cook $486,871 $283 2.0% 75.0% McHenry Community High School District 156 McHenry $481,933 $214 2.0% 34.0% Homewood School District 153 Cook $475,318 $268 2.0% 34.0% Summit School District 104 Cook $459,547 $274 2.0% 93.0% Posen-Robbins Elementary School District 143.5 Cook $443,973 $271 3.0% 100.0% Big Hollow School District 38 Lake $396,260 $237 3.0% 28.0% Steger School District 194 Cook $394,279 $284 3.0% 73.0% Arbor Park School District 145 Cook $392,578 $292 3.0% 52.0% Grant Community High School District 124 Lake $386,715 $215 2.0% 34.0% La Grange School District 102 Cook $386,049 $128 1.0% 19.0% South Holland School District 151 Cook $378,576 $272 2.0% 97.0% Proviso Township High School District 209 Cook $377,150 $88 1.0% 96.0% Forest Ridge School District 142 Cook $374,321 $255 3.0% 40.0% Chicago Ridge School District 127.5 Cook $367,514 $282 2.0% 82.0% Community Consolidated School District 168 Cook $364,403 $277 2.0% 100.0% Mundelein Elementary School District 75 Lake $361,228 $227 2.0% 46.0% Millburn Community Consolidated School District 24 Lake $357,576 $275 2.0% 8.0% Johnsburg Community Unit School District 12 McHenry $344,766 $178 2.0% 28.0% Country Club Hills School District 160 Cook $334,580 $282 2.0% 85.0% Skokie School District 69 Cook $330,842 $196 1.0% 61.0% Cary Community Consolidated School District 26 McHenry $321,680 $138 1.0% 27.0% Brookwood School District 167 Cook $320,719 $282 2.0% 79.0% West Harvey-Dixmoor Public School District 147 Cook $312,792 $266 2.0% 100.0% Elementary School District 159 Cook $308,771 $177 1.0% 66.0% Calumet Public Schools District 132 Cook $305,217 $277 2.0% 100.0% Manhattan School District 114 Will $304,120 $235 2.0% 17.0% Oak Lawn Community High School District 229 Cook $298,458 $177 1.0% 60.0% Worth School District 127 Cook $297,883 $283 2.0% 72.0% Calumet City School District 155 Cook $285,730 $267 2.0% 100.0% Sunnybrook School District 171 Cook $283,615 $283 2.0% 73.0% Schiller Park School District 81 Cook $270,517 $196 2.0% 71.0% Ridgeland School District 122 Cook $270,263 $133 1.0% 83.0% Evergreen Park Elementary School District 124 Cook $259,791 $156 1.0% 49.0% Lincoln Elementary School District 156 Cook $256,192 $275 2.0% 92.0% Wilmington Community Unit School District. 209-U Will $248,534 $183 2.0% 42.0% Hoover-Schrum Memorial School District 157 Cook $235,017 $281 2.0% 89.0% Hazel Crest School District 152.5 Cook $223,639 $269 2.0% 100.0% Brookfield School District 95 Cook $197,752 $188 2.0% 28.0% Atwood Hts. District 125 Cook $193,748 $289 3.0% 70.0% Riverside Brookfield Township District 208 Cook $192,717 $130 1.0% 25.0% Gavin School District 37 Lake $191,270 $246 2.0% 61.0% South Holland School District 150 Cook $189,600 $218 2.0% 66.0% Beecher Community Unit School District 200-U Will $189,175 $192 2.0% 29.0% River Grove School District 85.5 Cook $178,043 $275 3.0% 75.0% Marengo-Union Elementary Consolidated District 165 McHenry $170,013 $174 2.0% 56.0% Richmond-Burton Community High School District 157 McHenry $149,789 $206 1.0% 18.0% Addison School District 4 DuPage $148,599 $39 0.0% 84.0% Evergreen Park Community High School District 231 Cook $146,047 $171 1.0% 43.0% Chaney-Monge School District 88 Will $128,220 $283 3.0% 74.0% Winthrop Harbor School District 1 Lake $120,228 $218 2.0% 38.0% Marengo Community High School District 154 McHenry $118,907 $172 1.0% 39.0% Willow Springs School District 108 Cook $110,391 $280 2.0% 59.0% Sandridge School District 172 Cook $107,668 $276 2.0% 91.0% Ford Hts. School District 169 Cook $105,955 $271 1.0% 100.0% Fox River Grove Consolidated School District 3 McHenry $103,235 $214 2.0% 23.0% Harrison School District 36 McHenry $102,939 $292 2.0% 76.0% Joliet Township High School District 204 Will $98,499 $17 0.0% 68.0% Lindop School District 92 Cook $95,948 $233 2.0% 77.0% Lockport School District 91 Will $95,665 $164 2.0% 41.0% Gen. George Patton School Distict 133 Cook $81,025 $276 2.0% 100.0% Gurnee School District 56 Lake $79,617 $39 0.0% 49.0% Taft School District 90 Will $76,450 $245 3.0% 49.0% Fairmont School District 89 Will $63,519 $258 1.0% 100.0% Alden Hebron School District 19 McHenry $54,879 $136 1.0% 47.0% Burnham School District 154.5 Cook $50,928 $276 2.0% 89.0% Mannheim School District 83 Cook $41,851 $17 0.0% 79.0% Community Consolidated School District 180 DuPage $31,628 $52 0.0% 88.0% Elwood Community Consolidated School District 203 Will $27,842 $75 1.0% 29.0% La Grange School District 105 (South) Cook $17,428 $13 0.0% 45.0% Rhodes School District 84.5 Cook $11,175 $17 0.0% 79.0% Westmont Community Unit School District 201 DuPage $10,526 $8 0.0% 42.0% Laraway Community Consolidated School District 70-C Will $9,000 $25 0.0% 88.0% Rockdale School District 84 Will $4,336 $15 0.0% 80.0% Center Cass School District 66 DuPage $2,577 $3 0.0% 23.0% Keeneyville School District 20 DuPage $2,285 $2 0.0% 63.0% East Maine School District 63 Cook $472 $0 0.0% 74.0% Central Stickney School District 110 Cook $-1,189 $-3 0.0% 82.0% Union School District 81 Will $-7,977 $-75 -0.0% 57.0% Franklin Park School District 84 Cook $-8,018 $-7 0.0% 71.0% Forest Park School District 91 Cook $-8,802 $-11 -0.0% 70.0% Thornton School District 154 Cook $-8,950 $-44 -0.0% 56.0% Grass Lake School District 36 Lake $-14,141 $-90 -0.0% 38.0% Rondout School District 72 Lake $-14,696 $-102 -0.0% 11.0% Rosemont Elementary School District 78 Cook $-18,639 $-75 -0.0% 55.0% Union Ridge School District 86 Cook $-19,262 $-36 -0.0% 61.0% Bannockburn School District 106 Lake $-19,491 $-102 -0.0% 34.0% Bensenville School District 2 DuPage $-20,552 $-10 -0.0% 71.0% Emmons School District 33 Lake $-21,005 $-74 -1.0% 21.0% Riley Community Consolidated School District 18 McHenry $-21,949 $-73 -1.0% 28.0% Diamond Lake School District 76 Lake $-22,030 $-22 -0.0% 65.0% Winfield School District 34 DuPage $-22,639 $-77 -1.0% 27.0% Fox Lake Grade School District 114 Lake $-23,494 $-33 -0.0% 60.0% Pennoyer School District 79 Cook $-24,445 $-59 -1.0% 47.0% Komarek School District 94 Cook $-34,729 $-73 -1.0% 26.0% East Prairie School District 73 Cook $-34,944 $-61 -1.0% 42.0% Medinah School District 11 DuPage $-37,345 $-60 -0.0% 51.0% Salt Creek School District 48 DuPage $-39,986 $-86 -0.0% 51.0% Hillside School District 93 Cook $-44,157 $-81 -1.0% 54.0% Golf Elementary School District 67 Cook $-45,334 $-72 -1.0% 37.0% Niles Elementary School District 71 Cook $-45,741 $-90 -1.0% 48.0% Alsip-Hazelgreen-Oaklawn School District 126 Cook $-46,832 $-31 -0.0% 63.0% Ridgewood Community High School District 234 Cook $-46,899 $-61 -0.0% 46.0% Benjamin School District 25 DuPage $-47,607 $-71 -0.0% 21.0% Roselle School District 12 DuPage $-47,791 $-70 -1.0% 32.0% Richland School District 88-A Will $-49,217 $-56 -1.0% 47.0% Prairie Grove Community School District 46 McHenry $-49,234 $-61 -0.0% 20.0% Butler School District 53 DuPage $-49,412 $-104 -1.0% 4.0% Sunset Ridge School District 29 Cook $-49,495 $-105 -0.0% 8.0% Kenilworth School District 38 Cook $-49,836 $-100 -0.0% 3.0% Palos Hts. School District 128 Cook $-50,181 $-74 -1.0% 26.0% Skokie School District 73.5 Cook $-52,196 $-54 -0.0% 47.0% Cass School District 63 DuPage $-54,638 $-78 -1.0% 26.0% Wood Dale School District 7 DuPage $-54,898 $-54 -0.0% 66.0% Reavis Township High School District 220 Cook $-56,625 $-33 -0.0% 62.0% Morton Grove School District 70 Cook $-57,536 $-69 -1.0% 35.0% La Grange Highlands School District 106 Cook $-59,589 $-76 -1.0% 11.0% Westchester School District 92.5 Cook $-64,575 $-58 -0.0% 45.0% Skokie Fairview School District 72 Cook $-65,192 $-100 -1.0% 38.0% Norridge School District 80 Cook $-67,929 $-62 -1.0% 44.0% Avoca School District 37 Cook $-72,663 $-106 -1.0% 12.0% Maercker School District 60 DuPage $-73,515 $-62 -0.0% 49.0% Fenton Community High School District 100 DuPage $-73,895 $-50 -0.0% 54.0% Community High School District 94 DuPage $-74,013 $-38 -0.0% 54.0% Gower School District 62 DuPage $-75,391 $-98 -1.0% 31.0% Pleasantdale School District 107 Cook $-75,582 $-106 -1.0% 19.0% Nippersink School District 2 McHenry $-81,403 $-68 -1.0% 24.0% Lake Bluff Elementary School District 65 Lake $-81,597 $-103 -1.0% 11.0% Darien School District 61 DuPage $-82,278 $-52 -1.0% 45.0% Oak Grove School District 68 Lake $-84,665 $-105 -1.0% 4.0% Bloomingdale School District 13 DuPage $-87,264 $-77 -1.0% 30.0% West Northfield School District 31 Cook $-88,075 $-101 -1.0% 37.0% River Trails School District 26 Cook $-88,430 $-67 -0.0% 41.0% Prospect Hts. School District 23 Cook $-90,450 $-65 -1.0% 41.0% Lemont Township High School District 210 Cook $-97,335 $-74 -0.0% 15.0% Itasca School District 10 DuPage $-97,842 $-106 -1.0% 24.0% Western Springs School District 101 Cook $-97,858 $-68 -1.0% 3.0% River Forest School District 90 Cook $-97,889 $-75 -0.0% 10.0% Wheeling Community Consolidated School District 21 Cook $-99,062 $-17 -0.0% 68.0% Peotone Community Unit School District 207-U Will $-99,337 $-62 -1.0% 30.0% Villa Park School District 45 DuPage $-103,295 $-33 -0.0% 61.0% Des Plaines Community Consolidated School District 62 Cook $-103,378 $-25 -0.0% 67.0% Lincolnwood School District 74 Cook $-108,833 $-93 -1.0% 45.0% Woodridge School District 68 DuPage $-110,005 $-41 -0.0% 57.0% Northbrook-Glenview School District 30 Cook $-112,798 $-105 -1.0% 11.0% Riverside School District 96 Cook $-115,949 $-72 -1.0% 27.0% Mokena School District 159 Will $-116,929 $-74 -1.0% 22.0% Northbrook Elementary School District 27 Cook $-118,791 $-105 -1.0% 9.0% Will County School District 92 Will $-120,801 $-76 -1.0% 30.0% Channahon School District 17 Will $-124,441 $-99 -1.0% 20.0% Glencoe School District 35 Cook $-126,840 $-104 -1.0% 3.0% Tinley Park Community School District 146 Cook $-127,864 $-61 -0.0% 43.0% Skokie School District 68 Cook $-130,802 $-74 -1.0% 58.0% Palos Community Consolidated School District 118 Cook $-132,076 $-77 -1.0% 31.0% Mundelein Consolidated High School District 120 Lake $-139,828 $-66 -0.0% 36.0% Mt. Prospect School District 57 Cook $-140,613 $-72 -1.0% 18.0% Reed Custer Community Unit School District 255-U Will $-142,602 $-96 -1.0% 41.0% DuPage High School District 88 DuPage $-143,336 $-42 -0.0% 58.0% Lisle Community Unit School District 202 DuPage $-143,488 $-100 -1.0% 38.0% Glen Ellyn Community Consolidated School District 89 DuPage $-146,287 $-77 -1.0% 23.0% Aptakisic-Tripp Community Consolidated School District 102 Lake $-148,298 $-78 -1.0% 19.0% Fremont School District 79 Lake $-151,701 $-70 -1.0% 16.0% Lemont-Bromberek Consolidated School District 113-A Cook $-158,184 $-76 -1.0% 23.0% Northbrook School District 28 Cook $-165,804 $-105 -1.0% 9.0% Lake Forest Community High School District 115 Lake $-166,420 $-105 -0.0% 6.0% Lincolnshire-Prairieview School District 103 Lake $-169,494 $-105 -1.0% 6.0% Frankfort Community Consolidated School District 157-C Will $-169,538 $-72 -1.0% 10.0% Winnetka School District 36 Cook $-172,572 $-103 -1.0% 3.0% Community Consolidated School District 59 Cook $-173,170 $-28 -0.0% 66.0% Lake Forest School District 67 Lake $-182,484 $-101 -1.0% 4.0% Lombard School District 44 DuPage $-183,451 $-63 -0.0% 44.0% Lake Park Community High School District 108 DuPage $-183,873 $-71 -0.0% 30.0% Leyden Community High School District 212 Cook $-185,652 $-50 -0.0% 52.0% Libertyville School District 70 Lake $-200,475 $-73 -1.0% 7.0% Oak Park-River Forest District 200 Cook $-211,982 $-71 -0.0% 23.0% Evanston Township High School District 202 Cook $-216,046 $-70 -0.0% 35.0% Summit Hill School District 161 Will $-219,724 $-68 -1.0% 18.0% Kildeer Countryside Community Consolidated School District 96 Lake $-223,327 $-76 -1.0% 12.0% Glen Ellyn School District 41 DuPage $-227,290 $-71 -1.0% 28.0% Homer Community Consolidated School District 33-C Will $-237,865 $-71 -1.0% 23.0% Libertyville Community High School District 128 Lake $-238,145 $-76 -0.0% 12.0% Community Consolidated School District 93 DuPage $-241,675 $-66 -0.0% 38.0% Lockport Township High School District 205 Will $-248,399 $-71 -1.0% 29.0% Wilmette School District 39 Cook $-254,676 $-74 -1.0% 4.0% Hawthorn Community Consolidated School District 73 Lake $-256,976 $-71 -1.0% 32.0% Adlai E. Stevenson District 125 Lake $-289,411 $-75 -0.0% 12.0% Lyons Township High School District 204 Cook $-289,525 $-75 -0.0% 20.0% Deerfield School District 109 Lake $-289,569 $-103 -1.0% 6.0% Niles Township Community High School District 219 Cook $-294,543 $-63 -0.0% 42.0% Park Ridge Community Consolidated School District 64 Cook $-308,130 $-75 -0.0% 13.0% Glenview Community Consolidated School District 34 Cook $-334,590 $-74 -1.0% 26.0% Orland School District 135 Cook $-336,050 $-73 -1.0% 33.0% Township High School District 113 Lake $-361,523 $-105 -0.0% 12.0% Community High School District 99 DuPage $-364,169 $-74 -0.0% 26.0% Hinsdale Community Consolidated School District 181 DuPage $-368,311 $-100 -1.0% 7.0% Arlington Hts. School District 25 Cook $-372,857 $-71 -1.0% 15.0% Northfield Township High School District 225 Cook $-380,789 $-80 -0.0% 17.0% Lake Zurich Community Unit School District 95 Lake $-389,923 $-71 -1.0% 14.0% Batavia Unit School District 101 Kane $-404,090 $-69 -1.0% 23.0% Geneva Community Unit School District 304 Kane $-405,483 $-71 -1.0% 10.0% North Shore School District 112 Lake $-411,649 $-104 -1.0% 25.0% New Trier Township High School District 203 Cook $-411,695 $-102 -0.0% 5.0% Maine Township High School 207 Cook $-430,086 $-69 -0.0% 35.0% Evanston Community Consolidated School District 65 Cook $-457,267 $-65 -0.0% 40.0% Hinsdale Township High School District 86 DuPage $-457,813 $-104 -1.0% 17.0% Downers Grove Grade School District 58 DuPage $-491,225 $-106 -1.0% 22.0% Glenbard Township High School District 87 DuPage $-498,412 $-64 -0.0% 36.0% Consolidated High School District 230 Cook $-505,680 $-66 -0.0% 31.0% Elmhurst School District 205 DuPage $-568,249 $-74 -1.0% 18.0% Palatine Community Consolidated School District 15 Cook $-592,863 $-52 -0.0% 50.0% Barrington Community Unit School District 220 Lake $-634,738 $-79 -1.0% 18.0% Schaumburg Community Consolidated School District 54 Cook $-757,788 $-61 -0.0% 45.0% Township High School District 211 Cook $-784,957 $-68 -0.0% 32.0% Township High School District 214 Cook $-800,890 $-71 -0.0% 34.0% Community Unit School District 200 DuPage $-842,884 $-69 -1.0% 31.0% St. Charles Community Unit School District 303 Kane $-856,847 $-70 -1.0% 17.0% Naperville Community Unit District 203 DuPage $-1,167,800 $-73 -1.0% 17.0%

Source: Illinois State Board of Education

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When Hillary Clinton was working on healthcare reform as first lady more than two decades ago, she disappointed some left-wing Democrats by refusing to push a system that would offer government health coverage to all Americans.

Instead, like many top Democrats and liberal leaders, Clinton advocated a centrist approach that would guarantee health coverage while preserving the current system of commercial insurance. That political strategy later became the foundation of President Obama's successful push to enact the Affordable Care Act.

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Now, Clinton finds herself replaying some of the same battles over how to achieve universal healthcare as she runs for president and tries to beat back a challenge for the Democratic nomination from Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders.

Sanders, a self-described democratic socialist, is exciting liberal activists by championing a proposal where the government supplies healthcare in what's known as a single-payer system, an elusive ideal that many on the left have demanded for more than half a century.

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Clinton argues that Obama's hard-fought healthcare law, often called Obamacare, should be defended and improved. She has called for new consumer protections to lower the cost of prescription drugs and safeguard patients from surprise medical bills and limited insurance networks.

Now is not the moment to plunge the country back into a divisive battle.  Jake Sullivan, a senior advisor to Clinton

The divergent views epitomize the differences between the candidates  Clinton as a battle-hardened realist, with Sanders the uncompromising crusader  and the healthcare debate has become one of the most rancorous parts of an increasingly competitive primary. Polls show Sanders closing the gap with Clinton in Iowa and leading her in New Hampshire, the states that hold the country's first two nominating contests.

Sanders, who has repeatedly introduced single-payer legislation in his 2 1/2 decades in Congress, wants to use new taxes to expand Medicare to everyone. He says it would save patients money by reducing insurance premiums.

"We can do better. We must do better," Sanders said at a candidate forum in Las Vegas last week.

The Clinton campaign has fired back. Clinton's daughter, Chelsea, claimed during a campaign stop in New Hampshire this week that Sanders would "dismantle Obamacare" and "strip millions and millions and millions of people off their health insurance." The Sanders campaign rejected the charge, saying its plan would expand coverage.

Clinton has also called Sanders' proposal financially unrealistic, arguing that it would require raising taxes on the middle class.

And her campaign criticized the senator for potentially delaying details on how he wants to fund the plan until after the Iowa caucuses on Feb. 1, which would backtrack on an earlier pledge.

Sanders wants to "basically start all over again, start a contentious debate to try to get to a single-payer system," Clinton told MSNBC's Rachel Maddow on Thursday. "But he's not telling us what it will look like and what it will cost."

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After some mixed signals from his campaign, Sanders said Thursday that he would provide new information before the caucuses.

This intra-party battle over single-payer healthcare dates back decades, as many Democrats have long hoped the federal government would assume responsibility for providing health insurance for all Americans, just as Medicare now covers the elderly.

But after years of failed efforts to provide "Medicare for all," as the idea has been called, many Democrats  including liberal lions such as former Sen. Edward M. Kennedy (D-Mass)  concluded they would have to compromise first if they were ever to get to universal coverage.

"Even President Obama said he would support a single-payer system, if he could do anything he wanted," former Rep. Henry A. Waxman (D-Los Angeles), a liberal Democrat who helped craft the Affordable Care Act, said in an interview Thursday. "But he and we chose a moderate alternative that we felt would accomplish the goals of getting people insurance coverage. And even this more moderate approach was extremely hard to pass."

Five years after its passage, the health law has expanded coverage to some 17 million Americans. But millions more remain uninsured. And for many consumers, the law has not yet delivered on Obama's promise to lighten the burden of healthcare costs.

That has helped create an opening for Sanders, who has been able to use his presidential campaign to thrust single-payer back into the national conversation at a time when he's gaining in polls.

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"Liberal supporters feel he might actually have a chance," said Robert Blendon, a Harvard University professor who studies healthcare and public opinion. "He's saying to them, 'I have an issue you've always cared about.'"

Single-payer systems can take different forms. In Canada, the government provides insurance but pays private medical providers for healthcare, much as Medicare does in this country. In Britain's National Health Service, the government not only provides insurance but also employs doctors and owns hospitals.

These systems can be more affordable because their administrative costs are often lower than those of commercial insurers. But political opposition in the U.S. to any form of single-payer coverage has remained strong from the healthcare industry and from conservatives wary of more government involvement in medical care.

When work began on the Affordable Care Act in 2009, neither Obama nor any senior Democrats on Capitol Hill proposed a single-payer system. "It never would have passed," Waxman said.

Still, some Democrats held out hope that the law could at least advance the cause. Early versions of the legislation included a provision to create a new government health plan, known as the public option, to compete with private insurers. Another version proposed to expand Medicare eligibility by allowing Americans as young as 55 to enroll.

Both proposals were bitterly opposed by insurers and other industry groups, as well as by many centrist Democrats, all of whom were needed to pass the legislation. The ideas were dropped.

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Clinton does not seem interested in reopening the issue.

"Now is not the moment to plunge the country back into a divisive battle," said Jake Sullivan, one of her senior advisors.

After all, in the end, Blendon said, "Voters tend to go for the middle road."

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And there are dreams in it, too. I don't dream much  I wish I did, but I don't, or perhaps I just don't remember them. DiCaprio's revenge seeker remembers his dreams, and seems to live through dream and waking states. He dreams of a ruined church with bright icons pained on the walls, a bell swinging silently; he dreams of his wife, who talks to him from the beyond, even floating above him; and he dreams of his son.
Today's tallest tower is tomorrow's Guiness World Records footnote. Great skyscrapers are thrilling to behold, but great cities are defined less by record-breaking spires than by lively streets and rich layers of culture. Where would you rather spend your next vacation, in Paris or Dubai?
Two police officers, left, aim weapons at Laquan McDonald, 17, in an image from the dashboard camera video from the October 2014 fatal shooting. (Chicago Police Department)

Newly released records show that nearly two dozen Chicago Police Department employees have been called to testify in front of a federal grand jury investigating the Laquan McDonald shooting, including the lead detective in the case and four officers whose initial accounts are at odds with a dashboard camera video that has sparked protests across the city.

Officers first began appearing before the grand jury in June and they were still making appearances as recently as two days before Christmas, according to the records, which were obtained Friday under the Freedom of Information Act. Three officers have been called more than once.

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The records  released after weeks of delay  offer the first look at how far the secret grand jury proceedings have reached into the police force, which has been under fire since the release of a video showing an officer shooting the 17-year-old McDonald in October 2014.

Being called to the grand jury does not necessarily indicate that the witnesses are suspected of any wrongdoing.

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Cook County prosecutors on Nov. 24 charged Officer Jason Van Dyke with murder and official misconduct for shooting the teen 16 times as he appeared to be walking away. Van Dyke has pleaded not guilty and suggested in police reports he feared for his life when opening fire.

The Cook County state's attorney's office conducted its investigation jointly with federal prosecutors, who have been looking to determine whether police had violated McDonald's civil rights. Sources have told the Tribune the federal investigation has branched into possible obstruction of justice by the officers at the scene.

Chicago police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said not all of the 23 subpoenaed officers remain on active duty. He declined to detail the duty status of each of the officers, saying the Tribune must file another open records request to find out which officers had been taken off the street. He referred most other questions to federal prosecutors. A spokesman for U.S. Attorney Zach Fardon declined comment.

The records, court notification logs, show that four officers at the scene of the shooting on South Pulaski Road have been called to the grand jury. Van Dyke's partner, Joseph Walsh, has been called at least twice. Walsh initially told investigators he repeatedly ordered McDonald to "drop the knife" as he approached officers. He said that he was backing up as McDonald drew closer, swinging his knife at police officers  actions that did not occur, according to the video.

The court logs show Walsh was scheduled to appear before the grand jury twice in October. Additional officers at the scene  including three who gave initial statements saying McDonald moved or turned threateningly toward officers before the shooting  testified in June and July.

Other Chicago Lawn District officers who have been called include Ricardo Viramontes and Dora Fontaine, who were listed in detectives' reports as being witnesses to the shooting as well as serving as the "paper car" responsible for writing the initial case report on the incident.

Both gave initial statements at odds with the video.

The lead detective in the police investigation also has been called, though he did not appear until December, after the dash-cam video had roiled the city and cost police Superintendent Garry McCarthy his job. Detective David March ruled the shooting a justifiable homicide, saying McDonald had committed an aggravated assault against the three officers and forced Van Dyke to shoot "in defense of his life."

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According to police reports, March also found no discrepancies between the video and the officers' statements, though city and law enforcement officials now acknowledge inconsistencies.

"The recovered in-car camera video  was viewed and found to be consistent with the accounts of all of the witnesses," March wrote.

March's supervisor Anthony Wojcik  a lieutenant in the department's detective division  also was scheduled to testify in December, the court logs show.

March and Wojcik remain on full duty, Guglielmi said.

Wojcik's attorney Darren O'Brien told the Tribune on Friday night that his client is not a target of the grand jury investigation and that his appearance was canceled.

The department said it had no record of Van Dyke being called to testify before the grand jury. One of his supervising sergeants  who was not on duty the night of the shooting  was called twice, according to the records.

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The logs often refer to McDonald as the "defendant" in the grand jury investigation, especially in the early phases of the case. As the legal battle over the video's release intensified during the fall, the department more frequently entered the investigation case number  14GJ970  in place of a defendant's name.

"Mr. McDonald is listed as the defendant because that would have been his status in criminal court," Guglielmi said.

Tribune reporter Annie Sweeney contributed.

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Sara Jirasek, a special education instructor, works with kids from third to fifth grade on techniques to solve math problems at North Barrington Elementary School in Barrington on Jan. 13, 2016. Barrington School District 220 is one of the districts that will lose money if the state transfers special education dollars into the pot of general state aid dollars. (Jose M. Osorio / Chicago Tribune)

Almost half of school districts in Chicago's suburbs would lose money under a dramatic proposal to rejigger how the state divvies up money to public schools, with affluent districts targeted for cuts and less wealthy districts set to get more state aid.

To make it happen, the Illinois State Board of Education is proposing to take $305 million from an account designated for special education services and give that money to districts next school year for general expenses that may have nothing or little to do with kids with disabilities.

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The idea is to boost "general" state aid for public schools in what the state board believes would be a more equitable way. Even without this source of funding for special education, districts would be expected to continue covering those costs as required by law. The General Assembly would have to approve the changes.

The proposal has spurred confusion and concern as districts grapple with the bottom line. The state's analysis shows that 641 districts would gain $339 million under the proposal, including Chicago Public Schools, while 211 districts would lose $29.5 million. Those figures are based on 2015-16 calculations.

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But two-thirds of those losing districts are in the Chicago suburbs, making up $26.6 million of the loss felt statewide. Those districts would no longer get dollars from the $305 million portion of the special education account, and they'd lose general state aid dollars as well, likely meaning that something will have to be cut to make ends meet.

"It stinks," said Wheaton-based Community Unit School District 200 Superintendent Jeffrey Schuler. His district stands to lose about $843,000, according to an ISBE analysis.

Meanwhile, special education advocates are trying to understand the consequences of yanking money that has historically been set aside to serve schoolchildren with special needs.

"I think when school districts are faced with the kind of financial situations they're in, the question is, will services for children with disabilities be hurt, and I believe they will," said longtime special education advocate Beverley Holden Johns.

"The state is in a budget crisis  I understand that. But it is crazy to put that on the backs of children with disabilities," said Johns, who is active in several special education organizations in Illinois. She questions the legality of the state board's proposal, though the board insists that what it wants to do is legal.

Melissa Taylor, president of the Illinois Alliance of Administrators of Special Education, believes districts must keep paying for special education services  and cannot reduce spending from the prior year  to comply with federal law.

She said her organization has been uncomfortable in the past when state lawmakers tried  unsuccessfully  to pull money out of various state special education accounts. But the group hasn't taken a stance yet on the newest proposal.

It's a difficult situation, Taylor said. "It is that Catch-22. While it scares us in some regard, we also recognize that it does allow districts hurting the most to recapture some funds. To be completely opposed to it is like saying we aren't concerned about the needs of our districts hurting the most."

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The Illinois State Board of Education unanimously approved the proposal earlier this month as part of state schools Superintendent Tony Smith's recommendations for state spending on public schools in 2016-17.

Some board members expressed concerns, including how special education programs would fare for some 300,000 students served  about 14 percent of the school population.

The goal of the proposal is to address longstanding concerns about unequal funding for public schools. Some districts spend more than $20,000 per student while others spend less than $7,000, state data show. Broad efforts to reform the funding system have included using special education money to boost general state aid, but those efforts have stalled.

That said, the state board believes the best way to help make funding more equal is to bolster the $5 billion General State Aid program, which gives districts wide flexibility on how to spend money and is distributed to districts based on factors such as local property wealth, number of students and the concentration of low-income kids.

Special education is treated differently, with dollars set aside to cover certain categories of services, such as helping pay salaries for special education teachers and summer school costs for students with disabilities, among other services.

The $305 million special education pot that the state wants to put into general state aid is now used to supplement local and federal funds for special education. It's one of the big-ticket items in the state board's spending plan, representing about 20 percent of the $1.5 billion for the major special education categories.

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Why the board chose special education dollars  and not other pots of money to be put into general state aid  isn't clear to advocates and educators.

The board pointed out the money in that $305 million special education category is not distributed as equitably as general state aid.

The board recommended increases for everything from arts and foreign language programs to agriculture education for 2016-17 and proposed putting money into legislator-pushed education projects not even recommended by the board last year.

The late Maggie Daley's After School Matters program in Chicago would get $2.4 million, and the Southwest Organizing Project, which does a parent mentoring program, would get $2 million under the board's spending proposals. The board said in a written response to the Tribune that, "ISBE followed the lead of the General Assembly" on those two projects.

The state board also recommended giving $300,000 to a handful of charter schools authorized by the state to make up for losing money if the special education proposal goes through. The allocation is based in part on differences in the way those charter schools are funded compared with public school districts.

There's no similar appropriation to help offset losses for districts.

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Barrington Community Unit School District 220 stands to lose $635,000, according to an ISBE analysis.

Superintendent Brian Harris said that's a significant loss for the district, affecting teachers, education programs and school buildings.

Harris said he's frustrated that Illinois isn't appropriately funding public education and the state board's proposal doesn't address the full problem.

"All they're doing here is reshuffling the deck chairs," Harris said. "That is inappropriate. I understand the districts who are winners  they are probably happy. But we're still not solving the big picture."

In Wheaton, District 200 Superintendent Schuler said his district's loss in state aid could mean cuts. "We'd have to reduce our projected spending by that year," he said.

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As to special education spending, Schuler said the district takes that responsibility very seriously, "So I don't anticipate that we would be cutting special education expenses because we have an obligation to meet those."

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Still, the state would need to monitor districts to make sure they are complying with federal law on special education spending, "and they (ISBE) don't have the resources to truly monitor at that level," Schuler said. "A lot of their resources have been cut so they don't have the capacity now to monitor everything."

The state board is recommending that language be added to state budget legislation to ensure districts still comply with federal laws on covering special education expenses.

State Sen. Andy Manar, D-Bunker Hill, has been pushing for school funding reforms in recent years, and has included in his legislation the idea of putting pots of special education funds into the General State Aid program. Thus far, the legislation has not passed the state House and Senate.

Manar praised the ISBE's proposal to bolster state aid by using the special education money.

"I think the board's actions are a step in the right direction," Manar said. "As difficult as that was, I firmly believe that we need a broad systemic change" to cure Illinois' inequitable school funding system.

drado@tribpub.com
Larycia Hawkins is joined by faith leaders and students as she discusses her solidarity with Muslims on Dec. 16, 2015, at the First United Methodist Church in Chicago's Loop. (Brian Cassella, Chicago Tribune)

Some Wheaton College alumni say they're reconsidering future donations to their alma mater in a show of support for a professor who faces termination after declaring she would wear a hijab because Christians and Muslims worship the same God.

Alumni submitted a petition to college administrators and board members Friday requesting the school reconcile with tenured political science professor Larycia Hawkins, 43, who last month announced she would wear a head scarf as part of her Advent devotion to show solidarity with Muslims.

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"Until full restoration and reconciliation are reached, each of us will prayerfully re-consider our commitment to financially support the mission of Wheaton College," the petition states.

Organizers say the online petition has at least 800 signatures from seven decades of graduates. The west suburban college said in a written statement that it is aware of the letter from alumni and is "committed to addressing their concerns."

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Hawkins last month had posted on Facebook her desire to show support for Muslims facing heightened scrutiny after terrorist attacks in Paris.

"I stand in religious solidarity with Muslims because they, like me, a Christian, are people of the book," she said on her Facebook page. "And as Pope Francis stated ... we worship the same God."

The private evangelical college then placed Hawkins on paid administrative leave; the college has said this action was not taken because of her decision to wear a hijab but because she failed to clarify what makes Christianity distinct from Islam, a conflict with Wheaton's statement of faith signed by faculty members.

Clara Kent, who graduated last year and helped organize the petition, said she was disappointed by the college's actions. She said she chose Wheaton College because it offered a Christian education and robust academic environment that encouraged critical thinking, but she fears the Hawkins case threatens these principles.

Some faculty members have expressed concern that any actions against Hawkins would have a chilling effect on other professors or discourage talented educators from applying to Wheaton College.

"There are quite a large number of us that will not be able to support the college if it continues along the path it is going on," Kent said.

eleventis@chicagotribune.com
Seconds after a Chicago police officer opened fire on him as he ran from a South Side traffic stop, 17-year-old Cedrick Chatman had collapsed in the street when the officer's partner approached to take him into custody.

"I give up. I'm shot," Chatman said to Officer Lou Toth, according to Toth's statement to investigators at the scene.

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A bullet had struck Chatman in the right side, pierced his heart and lodged in his spine. He died on the way to a hospital.

The detail of Chatman's last words was included in hundreds of pages of investigative records released by the city Friday that laid out how Chatman's suspected involvement in a violent robbery and carjacking ended with his fatal shooting less than a mile away.

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The documents  which included detectives' reports from the scene, autopsy results, inventory logs, lineups and transcripts of witness interviews  show that Officer Kevin Fry consistently told investigators he saw Chatman turn with a dark object in his hand as he ran full speed across the busy South Shore neighborhood intersection in the early afternoon.

"Officer Fry said he believed that the object was a handgun and he was in fear of his partner's life, as Toth was in close proximity to the offender," said an incident report documenting Fry's initial interview with detectives. The object turned out to be a black iPhone box.

Attorneys for Chatman's mother, who has filed a wrongful-death lawsuit, contend the videos prove that Chatman was trying to get away from the police when Fry opened fire without justification.

The document dump came a day after surveillance footage from Chatman's January 2013 shooting was released by the city as it works to change a long-standing policy to keep evidence in police shootings under wraps. It is all part of the fallout since the release of the disturbing video of Laquan McDonald's fatal shooting by a Chicago police officer roiled the city, leading to the firing of police Superintendent Garry McCarthy and calls for the resignations of Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Cook County State's Attorney Anita Alvarez.

In lifting a protective order in the Chatman family's lawsuit Thursday, U.S. District Judge Robert Gettleman ripped city attorneys for the about-face after months of fighting to keep the videos secret, sarcastically hailing the move as the "Age of Enlightenment."

But unlike the now-infamous dash-cam video of McDonald being shot 16 times, the videos in the Chatman case are dark and somewhat indistinct, showing mostly distant views of the shooting. The footage was obtained from a police surveillance camera as well as cameras outside a convenience store and by South Shore High School.

While various angles from the videos clearly show Chatman fleeing police, it's difficult to tell whether his blurred figure  covered at times by shadows cast from buildings on 75th Street  turned toward the officers before he was shot.

According to the police records released Friday, the incident unfolded shortly after 1:30 p.m. on Jan. 7, 2013, when Chatman and two friends  Akeem Clarke and Martel Odom  beat and robbed a man inside his Dodge Charger while negotiating a deal to buy cellphone service from him. After the beating, Chatman took off alone in the victim's car.

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Fry and Toth, meanwhile, had been on routine patrol when they said they spotted the Charger rolling through a stop sign at 75th and Essex Avenue. They ran the car's Wisconsin license plates, but the car came back clean, so they didn't stop it at the time. When the call came over the radio minutes later about the carjacking, they doubled back and caught up with Chatman at the intersection of 75th and Jeffery Avenue.

The surveillance videos show Chatman bailing out of the car almost as soon as Toth and Fry get out of their unmarked Ford Crown Victoria.

Toth told detectives he was running to keep up with Chatman and didn't notice an object in his hands, according to the reports released Friday. As they neared the corner, Toth said, he saw Chatman "make a move to his right" just before the shots rang out, according to the case incident report.

Fry, meanwhile, repeated his claim that Chatman had turned toward his partner both in an interview with the Independent Police Review Authority, which investigates police shootings, and in a July 2014 deposition as part of the lawsuit, records show.

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"As Mr. Chatman approaches the corner, he makes a slight turn, a subtle turn to the right with his upper body," Fry said in the deposition, according to a transcript. "I see in his right hand ... a small black object which I believed to be a handgun."

The officers' accounts differ from statements given to reporters by Pat Camden, a spokesman for the Fraternal Order of Police, shortly after the shooting. Camden said that during the short foot chase, one of the officers yelled to the other, " 'He's got something in his hand,' and that Chatman had pointed the object.

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Camden has acknowledged in a recent deposition, however, that his statements to reporters in police-involved shootings are typically based on hearsay information relayed to him by a union representative at the scene, not details coming directly from investigators or the officer who opened fire.

Clarke and Odom were originally charged with first-degree murder for Chatman's death because their involvement in the carjacking had spurred his shooting. Both pleaded guilty to robbery and were sentenced to 10 years in prison, records show.

Chicago Tribune's Jeremy Gorner contributed.

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A 29-year-old woman was shot in the 4600 block of West Maypole Avenue in the West Garfield Park neighborhood on the West Side early on Jan. 16, 2016. (Alexandra Chachkevitch / Chicago Tribune)

Two teenagers and at least six others were wounded since Friday afternoon in separate shootings on the South, Northwest and West sides, Chicago police said.

Most recently, a 26-year-old man walked into St. Bernard Hospital and Health Care Center after getting shot around 5:39 a.m. Saturday in the Chatham neighborhood on the South Side, said Chicago Police Department spokesman Officer Jose Estrada.

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The man was in the 7800 block of South Rhodes Avenue when he heard gunshots and was struck, Estrada said.

The man was shot in the foot, and he was listed in good condition at the hospital, Estrada said.

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Around 4:30 a.m., a male, whose age was not immediately available, was wounded during a shooting on the Kennedy Expressway on the Northwest Side, according to Illinois State Police.

The male was in a car traveling north on Interstate 94 just south of Wilson Avenue when someone in a red van fired shots, state police said.

The male was struck in the shooting and was taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital for treatment. It was not immediately known where on the body he was hit, but his injuries were not critical, according to state police.

As of 6 a.m., the northbound lanes of Intestate 90/94 were closed between Kostner Avenue and the junction as police investigated the incident.

No one was in custody as a result of the shooting.

About 4:15 a.m., a 29-year-old man was seriously wounded in a shooting in the Noble Square neighborhood on the Near Northwest Side, said Chicago Police Department spokesman Officer Hector Alfaro.

The man was outside in the 1200 block of North Milwaukee Avenue when someone in a passing white car fired shots at him, Alfaro said.

The man was struck in the abdomen and was taken in serious condition to Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Alfaro said.

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About 2:30 a.m., a 29-year-old woman was shot during an attempted robbery in the West Garfield Park neighborhood on the West Side, Alfaro said.

The woman was in the 4600 block of West Maypole Avenue when a known male attacker approached her and announced a robbery, police said.

The attacker shot the woman in the left leg and left foot during the incident and fled without taking anything, police said.

The woman was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital, where her condition was stabilized, Alfaro said.

About 9 p.m. Friday, a 17-year-old boy was wounded in a drive-by shooting in the Gage Park neighborhood on the Southwest Side, Alfaro said.

The teen was walking on a sidewalk in the 5400 block of South Francisco Avenue when someone in a passing red sedan fired shots, grazing the boy in the right hip, Alfaro said.

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He was taken to Holy Cross Hospital, where his condition was stabilized.

About 7:25 p.m., a 16-year-old boy was wounded in a shooting on the 1800 block of South Pulaski Road in the Lawndale neighborhood on the West Side, said Officer Thomas Sweeney, a police spokesman.

The teen was walking on a sidewalk when a black sedan pulled up to him and someone inside fired shots, hitting him in the left leg, Alfaro said.

The teen was shot in the left leg and was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital in good condition, police said.

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A 19-year-old man was wounded during a shooting about 6:50 p.m. in the 8200 block of South Clyde Avenue in the South Chicago neighborhood, said Officer Kevin Quaid, a police spokesman.

Preliminary reports stated a 19-year-old man was walking on Clyde Avenue when he heard shots and was struck. He was wounded in the right leg, and was taken to South Shore Hospital, where his condition was stabilized, Quaid said. He was later transferred to Stroger Hospital.

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The man was being uncooperative with police.

Earlier Friday, a 20-year-old man was wounded in a shooting about 1 p.m. in the city's Back of the Yards neighborhood on the South Side, police said.

Police said the man was being uncooperative but told them that a male attacker shot him in the 1400 block of West Garfield Boulevard, Alfaro said.

The man was shot in both legs and was treated and released from St. Bernard, Alfaro said.

No one was in custody as a result of the shootings.
Chicago Police work the scene of a fatal shooting on the 3200 block of West Irving Park Road on Jan. 16, 2016. (Armando L. Sanchez / Chicago Tribune)

Three men were killed and at least 13 other people have been wounded in separate shootings since Saturday morning in Chicago, including two men who walked into a South Side police station after having been shot in a car nearby.

About 8:15 p.m., a 29-year-old man was shot in the head in the 3200 block of West Irving Park Road in the Albany Park neighborhood. He died at the scene, police said. Authorities identified the man as Henry Cruz, of the 2200 block of South 53rd Avenue in Cicero.

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Earlier, about 11:50 a.m., a 27-year-old man died after being shot in the right side of the torso in the LeClaire Courts neighborhood. That shooting happened in the 4500 block of South Cicero Avenue on the Southwest Side, said Officer Jose Estrada, a Chicago police spokesman.

Officers responded to a call of shots fired and found the man, identified as Quante Little, with a gunshot wound, according to police and the Cook County medical examiner's office. A gun was found.

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Little was taken in serious condition to Mount Sinai Hospital, Estrada said.

But less than an hour later, Little was pronounced dead at 12:46 p.m. Little was shot two blocks away from where he lived in the 4500 block of South Lavergne Avenue, according to the medical examiner's office. The man's age and the spelling of his first name has been updated from an earlier version of this story.

No other details about the shooting were immediately available.

In the first fatal shooting, a 32-year-old man from Gary died of his injuries after he was shot in the chest in the city's Roseland neighborhood.

The shooting happened about 10:25 a.m. in the 11200 block of South Normal Avenue, Estrada said.

The man was later identified as Corey Ferguson, of the 1500 block of Ralston Street in Gary, according to the Cook County medical examiner's office. He was pronounced dead at 11:16 a.m. at Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn.

Initially, reports indicated the victim was 42, but that information was not correct.

One person was taken into police custody after the shooting, and charges were pending, Estrada said.

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Most recently, an 18-year-old man was wounded during a drive-by shooting about 5:10 a.m. Sunday in the East Garfield Park neighborhood on the West Side, said Officer Janel Sedevic, a Chicago police spokeswoman.

The man was sitting in a parked vehicle in the 3400 block of West Fulton Boulevard when someone fired shots from a passing white SUV, Sedevic said.

The man was struck in the right leg and drove himself to Mount Sinai Hospital, where his condition stabilized.

About 2:45 a.m., a 39-year-old woman was wounded in a shooting in the Chatham neighborhood on the South Side, said Officer Hector Alfaro, a Chicago police spokesman.

The woman was on a party bus in the 7600 block of South Cottage Grove Avenue when someone in a passing vehicle fired shots, striking her in the left thigh, Alfaro said.

The shooting appeared to stem from an earlier altercation on the street between several men from the party bus and someone from the vehicle, Alfaro said.

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The woman was driven to Jackson Park Hospital, where her condition stabilized, Alfaro said.

About 10:10 p.m., a 23-year-old man was wounded in a shooting in the West Chatham neighborhood on the South Side, Alfaro said.

The man was sitting in the front passenger seat of a white sedan that was traveling eastbound on 83rd Street near Lafayette Avenue when he heard gunshots and realized he was struck, Alfaro said.

The man was taken to Advocate Christ Medical Center, where his condition stabilized, Alfaro said.

About 8:55 p.m., a 25-year-old woman was seriously hurt in a shooting following a traffic accident in the South Austin neighborhood on the West Side, Alfaro said.

The woman was involved in a traffic accident with an attacker in the 5200 block of West Congress Parkway. During an argument, the attacker pulled out a gun and fired shots, striking the woman in the mouth and right arm, Alfaro said.

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The woman managed to get herself to Loretto Hospital, where she was listed in serious condition, Alfaro said.

Three people were shot in the Humboldt Park neighborhood about 7:25 p.m., police said.

The three were attacked in the 1400 block of North Central Avenue by gunmen who got out of a gray Toyota and opened fire, police said.

A 53-year old woman was shot in each leg and taken to Stroger Hospital in good condition. A 22-year-old man was shot in the right foot and taken to Mount Sinai Hospital in good condition, and a 24-year old man was shot in the chest and taken to Mount Sinai in critical condition.

Earlier, an 18-year-old man was shot about 4:20 p.m. in the 3900 block of South Sacramento Avenue in the Brighton Park neighborhood, said Officer Kevin Quaid, a Chicago police spokesman.

The man, who was walking in the area, was wounded in both legs when he was shot by someone in a passing vehicle, Quaid said. The man was in good condition at Mount Sinai Hospital.

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Two men walked into the Wentworth District police station after being shot about 3:45 p.m. in the 5200 block of South Princeton Avenue in the city's Fuller Park neighborhood on the South Side, Quaid said.

A 46-year-old man was in good condition at Stroger Hospital after being shot in the left leg, and a 27-year-old man was in good condition at Northwestern Memorial Hospital after being shot in the arm.

The two told police they were in a vehicle when someone in another vehicle fired shots at them, Quaid said. Descriptions of the attackers and their vehicle were not released.

The next shooting happened about 3:35 pm. in the 2100 block of South Millard Avenue in the city's Little Village neighborhood on the Southwest Side, Quaid said.

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According to preliminary reports, an 18-year-old man suffered a wound to his right thigh, and was taken in good condition to Mount Sinai Hospital, Quaid said.

About 3:20 p.m., and 18-year-old man was shot in the 5300 block of South Union Avenue in the Back of the Yards neighborhood on the South Side, Quaid said.

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The man suffered a wound to the right thigh and was taken to Stroger Hospital, where his condition was stabilized.

About 20 minutes earlier, a 66-year-old woman was shot in the city's Uptown neighborhood on the North Side.

That shooting happened in the 1000 block of West Wilson Avenue. The woman was walking when she heard gunfire and soon after felt pain, Quaid said.

She was taken to Weiss Memorial Hospital with a gunshot wound to her right leg.

Chicago Tribune's Gregory Pratt and Liam Ford contributed.
Grindr is among the apps available to those looking to hook up.

Reporting from Mumbai  Within the quietly thriving gay scene in India's entertainment and financial capital, one thing appears to be common.

"Everybody from the gay community is using Grindr," Inder Vhatwar, a Mumbai fashion entrepreneur, said of the dating app geared toward gay men.

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Despite a national law banning same-sex intercourse, tens of thousands of gay Indians use Grindr for social networking, dating and, yes, sex. As in many other Asian countries where homosexuality is outlawed or taboo, Grindr and similar apps have opened up a new digital frontier for gays but also raised concerns about privacy, safety and government clampdowns.

Grindr's international appeal is in the spotlight following the announcement Monday that a Chinese gaming company had purchased a majority stake the Hollywood start-up for $93 million. The deal with Beijing Kunlun World Wide Technology Co. values Grindr, founded in 2009, at $155 million.

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Company founder and Chief Executive Joel Simkhai said the sale would allow Grindr to accelerate the growth of "the largest network for gay men in the world."

That includes users in Afghanistan and Pakistan -- where homosexuality is illegal on the grounds that it's un-Islamic -- and in China, where not long ago gays and lesbians had so few ways to meet that they formed surreptitious communities around public toilets, parks and bathhouses.

After news of the sale, Beijing Kunlun's stock shot up more than 10% in China, highlighting a huge demand among the country's gay community for new ways to connect.

Homosexuality was a criminal offense in China until 1997 and classified as a psychological disorder until 2001. Chinese authorities do not recognize same-sex marriages, and many Chinese families, employers and schools still consider homosexuality taboo, forcing many Chinese gays and lesbians to keep their sexuality a secret.

Grindr is far from China's most popular gay dating app. That position is held by Blued, a homegrown start-up founded by an ex-policeman, Ma Baoli, in 2012. Blued has attracted 22 million gay male users, accounting for about 85% of China's gay dating app market, the company wrote in a 2015 report. Half its users are between 18 and 25 years old.

"Blued is more important for Chinese people than Grindr is for Americans," said Sun Mo, 25, a media operations manager at the Beijing LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) Center.

"In America, if you don't use Grindr, you can go to a gay bar. You can find gay people around. In China, apart from Beijing, Guangzhou and Shanghai  in smaller cities, and in the countryside  you can't find any gay organizations or gay bars whatsoever."

Indian cities, too, have only handfuls of gay-friendly bars, and members of the LGBT community say the country's conservative views on marriage and family keep many of them in the closet. But India's Grindr community is diverse, ranging from male sex workers to orthodox Hindus, users say.

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"If you download the app, you will be shocked to notice how many gay men are around you," said Ashok Row Kavi, founder of the Humsafar Trust, a gay rights organization in Mumbai. "At any one time on Grindr, there are 100 to 200 gay men in a one-kilometer [half-mile] radius.

"Sexual behaviors are coming way out in urban places, and Grindr is bringing out the best and worst of them."

In 2013, India's Supreme Court reinstated a 153-year-old law criminalizing sex "against the order of nature," which includes same-sex relations. While the law does not ban homosexuality  and few gays have been prosecuted under it  activists say thieves and corrupt cops have used it to harass and blackmail sexual minorities.

Grindr, which uses a cellphone's GPS function to pinpoint a user's location, has made it easier to find targets, users say.

Vhatwar, who runs one of Mumbai's only clothing companies aimed at gay men, said a friend recently invited a man he met on Grindr back to his apartment and got undressed. A second man showed up and the two threatened to disclose the incident, making off with the victim's laptop, iPad and wallet, said Vhatwar.

When Vhatwar and his friend went to report the incident, the police took hours to register the complaint. Four men were arrested but later released on bail, he said.

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In India, "any person using any dating app should be cautious," Vhatwar said. "During initial chatting, you do not disclose personal details and even when you decide to meet, you make sure you meet at a public place. Then you decide whether you want to go further."

Kavi said the problem has gotten so serious that gay community leaders have set up a crisis management cell to assist Grindr blackmail victims.

In Pakistan in April 2014, a serial killer confessed to using a gay dating app, Manjam, to meet three men at their homes in Lahore, where he drugged and strangled them. The case shocked gay circles and prompted many people to delete their profiles on Grindr and similar apps. Many Grindr users don't show their faces in profile pictures; others give fake names.

Despite legal prohibitions, Pakistan's gay community flourishes in the shadows in Lahore and other major cities. Dating apps help people meet in a country where it is illegal for the Muslim majority to drink alcohol.

"We do not have gay bars  in fact, we do not have any bars, so there are not a lot of places for people to meet specifically for sex," said Iqbal Qasim, executive director of the Naz Male Health Alliance in Lahore.

"Grindr is one of the main avenues that people have to meet each other within the LGBT community."

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The government bans many LGBT-related sites, but Grindr remains widely used. And while there has been at least one case of a Facebook post leading to a jail sentence in Pakistan  for hate speech  there is no known case of a Grindr user being arrested.

"The authorities  are probably not even aware of Grindr," Qasim said.

Few countries have gone so far as to ban the app. Authorities in Muslim-majority Turkey blocked Grindr in 2013 as a "protection measure," a move that activists have challenged in the country's constitutional court.

China, which operates one of the world's most extensive censorship regimes, has not touched gay dating apps. Yet the country's political environment is volatile  officials have recently tightened controls over social media  and users say a clampdown isn't unthinkable.

A 23-year-old master's student in Shanghai who asked to be identified only by his surname, Chou, said he met his first boyfriend through a Grindr competitor, the U.S.-based app Jack'd. Chou described it as "a very, very good memory for me, even though we've broken up by now."

If the Chinese government attempts to interfere with such apps, "it's going to be a big issue," Chou said. "They'd be blocking a way for people to find happiness  a way to love and be loved by another person."

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Bengali reported from Mumbai and Kaiman from Beijing. Special correspondents Parth M.N. in Mumbai and Yingzhi Yang in Beijing contributed to this report.

Follow @SBengali and @JRKaiman on Twitter
Jason Rezaian, the Washington Post correspondent who was held captive by the Iranian government for more than 500 days. (The Washington Post)

VIENNA  Three of the four Americans released from Tehran's Evin Prison on Saturday as part of an exchange were all men with dual citizenship who traveled to Iran for deeply personal reasons.

Amir Mirzaei Hekmati, 32, a former U.S. Marine from Flint, Michigan, was visiting an ailing grandmother. Saeed Abedini, 35, an evangelical pastor from Boise, Idaho, was working on building an orphanage with his wife. And Jason Rezaian, 39, a Washington Post reporter raised in Marin County, California, was writing about the rapid changes in his father's homeland, including a surprising new enthusiasm for baseball.

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The stories of their imprisonment - which collectively spanned about nine years and nine months - captured the public's attention around the world and created tremendous outrage against Iran.

Little is known about the fourth American, Nosratollah Khosravi-Roodsari, whose detention had not been previously publicized. Iranian state television described him as a businessman.

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On Saturday, the men's families expressed their gratitude to the Obama administration for working on the deal, but their statements appeared to be tempered by anxiety and mistrust of the Iranian government.

"We thank everyone for your thoughts during this time," Hekmati's family said. But, they cautioned, "There are still many unknowns. At this point, we are hoping and praying for Amir's long-awaited return."

Hekmati is the longest-held American prisoner confirmed to have been held by Iran.

Arrested in August 2011, he was accused of being a CIA spy. Both he and the U.S. government have denied the charges and maintained his innocence. He was initially convicted of espionage and sentenced to death, but a higher court overturned that ruling. He was then charged with "cooperating with hostile governments" and sentenced to 10 years in prison.

Hekmati's family has accused Iran of subjecting him to physical and mental torture and solitary confinement in a tiny cell. In December he launched a hunger strike to protest his captivity and lost weight and was having trouble breathing. Earlier this month, he was allowed to receive medical treatment at a hospital outside the prison for swelling in his neck and face - a concession that was taken as a sign that he might be considered for release.

In a letter dictated to his mother over the phone while in prison, Hekmati described himself as a geopolitical pawn and vowed never to return to Iran.

"It has become very clear to me that those responsible view Iranian Americans not as citizens or even human beings but as bargaining chips and tools for propaganda," he said.

Abedini, a convert from Islam to Christianity, was detained in July 2012 for organizing home churches. He was sentenced to eight years in prison. His case was the most high-profile religious persecution for Christians in recent years, regularly mentioned by evangelical pastors in pulpits across the country.

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His wife, Naghmeh Abedini, who grew up in Boise and lives there with the couple's two children - Rebekka, 9, and Jacob, 7 - said Saturday that the deal "has been an answer to prayer."

In an interview, she recounted how she woke her two children at 7:30 a.m. to tell them of the news that their father had been released.

"They were shocked," she said. "You can probably hear them now, jumping up and down, asking 'When are we going to see him?' It's been a time of rejoicing."

Naghmeh Abedini has been a high-profile advocate for her husband, posting updates on social media and speaking at Christian conferences across the country.

Born and raised in Iran, Abedini became a U.S. citizen in 2010 but returned to Iran regularly. His wife said that he had been beaten and interrogated when he was first imprisoned and suffered internal bleeding but she does not know his current physical condition. She said that once he leaves Iranian soil, they will discuss whether she will fly and meet him somewhere or if they will meet when he returns to the United States.

Naghmeh Abedini said it's unclear whether her husband will continue to be a pastor, though it's always been "his heart."

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"I think he would have to deal with a lot of issues," she said. "There will need to be a time of healing for him and his family."

A fifth American, identified as Matt Trevithick, was also released Saturday but was not part of the exchange. Trevithick's parents said in a statement that he had been held for 40 days in Evin Prison. They did not describe any formal charges and referred to his captivity as a "detention."

Reached by phone, his sister said she wasn't able to offer any more comments beyond that the family is "profoundly grateful to all those who worked for his release and are happy for all the families whose loved ones are also heading home."

Trevithick, who recently turned 30 and is from Hingham, Mass., near Boston, went to Iran in September for a four-month intensive-language program at a language center affiliated with Tehran University in order to work on his fluency in Dari, a language closely related to Farsi.
SEOUL, South Korea  North Korea said it could stop its nuclear tests in exchange for signing a peace treaty with the U.S. and a stop to annual military exercises between the U.S. and South Korea.



The North's statement carried by the state media late Friday was a repeat of past offers that have been rejected by the U.S., which wants Pyongyang to commit to a complete abandonment of nuclear weapons.



An unnamed spokesman of the North's Foreign Ministry called the purported hydrogen bomb test on Jan. 6 a justifiable move to ensure its survival against external threats.



"In response to the U.S. continuously invading our sovereignty and making threatening provocations, we will acquire ourselves with all possible nuclear attack and nuclear retaliation abilities, but will not thoughtlessly use our nuclear weapons ," the official Korean Central News Agency quoted the spokesman as saying.



The spokesman also called the South's decision to restart anti-Pyongyang propaganda broadcasts along their tense border an "odd" provocation.



The North is extremely sensitive to outside criticism of the authoritarian leadership of Kim Jong Un and has been retaliating to Seoul's loudspeaker campaigns by flying thousands of propaganda leaflets across the border. Earlier in the week, South Korean troops fired 20 machine gun warning shots after a North Korean drone briefly crossed the border.



The North's H-bomb claims have been met with widespread condemnation and suspicion, but also questions on how to stop the country's growing nuclear threat.



The Korean Peninsula remains technically at war because the 1950-53 conflict ended in an armistice, not a peace treaty.



Pyongyang has called the annual U.S.-South Korean military drills a rehearsal for an invasion, though the allies have repeatedly said that the war games are defensive in nature.



Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
The leading Republican presidential candidates accused President Obama on Saturday of catering to a dangerous theocracy by swapping Iranian prisoners for Washington Post reporter Jason Rezaian and other Americans imprisoned in Iran.

Even as some of those candidates welcomed the release of the Americans, they said the deal encourages hostage-taking or took far too long to arrange.

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"This should have been done three, four years ago, when the deal was struck," Republican front-runner Donald Trump said at a New Hampshire campaign rally. "I'm happy they're coming back, but I will tell you it's a disgrace that they've been there for so long. It's a disgrace, remember that. A total disgrace."

Rezaian; Saeed Abedini, of Boise, Idaho; Amir Hekmati, of Flint, Michigan; and Nosratollah Khosravi-Roodsari were freed Saturday. A fifth American, student Matthew Trevithick, was freed separately.

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U.S. and Iranian officials said the releases were in exchange for seven people imprisoned or charged in the United States, and both nations linked the prisoner trade to the landmark nuclear deal between Tehran and six world powers.

Trump indicated that he did not agree with the decision to swap seven Iranian prisoners for four American prisoners. He accused the Obama administration of further capitulating to Iranian demands by giving Iran $150 billion in sanctions relief under the nuclear deal.

Republican presidential candidate, Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, speaks at the South Carolina Tea Party Convention in Myrtle Beach, S.C. (Alex Sanz / AP)

"So essentially they get $150 billion plus seven, and we get four," Trump said. "Doesn't sound too good. Doesn't sound too good."

Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, running second to Trump in major polls and a strong contender to defeat Trump in the Iowa caucus vote two weeks away, thanked God for the release but added a caveat about the terms of the arrangement.

"We don't know the details of the deal that is bringing them home, and it may well be that there are some very problematic aspects to this deal," Cruz told reporters in Fort Mill, South Carolina.

"But at least this morning I am giving thanks that pastor Saeed is coming home. It's far later than it should have been, but we will be glad to welcome him home."

Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Florida, said the deal to grant clemency to seven Iranians charged in the United States in exchange for the Americans' release opens the door for other regimes to try to use captured Americans as bargaining chips.

Republican presidential candidate, Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla. waits at the side of the stage while being introduced, before speaking at a campaign stop in Council Bluffs, Iowa. (Nati Harnik / AP)

"The fact of the matter is that this tells us everything we need to know about the Iranian regime. That they take people hostage in order to gain concessions," Rubio said while campaigning in Iowa. "And the fact that they can get away with it with this administration, I think, has created an incentive for more governments to do this around the world."

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Rubio has previously expressed support for Rezaian by wearing a "Free Jason" pin, but like other Republican critics of the Obama administration, Rubio maintains that the jailed Americans should have been freed without conditions.

"They shouldn't have been in jail," Rubio said. "This is hostage-taking."

The prisoner exchange came just as the United States and other world powers lift many international sanctions on Iran as part of the deal struck last year to curb Iran's nuclear program. The Obama administration has previously maintained that while Secretary of State John F. Kerry and other officials raised the Rezaian case and others at their meetings and negotiations with Iranian officials, prisoner releases would not be part of the nuclear deal.

The releases follow Obama administration prisoner-exchange deals to win the release of an American from Cuba and an American soldier captured in Afghanistan by the Taliban.

Republicans, including some running for president, have said both those deals reveal a fundamental weakness and naivete in Obama's dealings with autocrats and terrorists. The Republicans have also roundly criticized the Iran nuclear deal as a risky gamble that endangers U.S. ally Israel. In all cases, the Obama administration counters that the deals are triumphs of diplomacy and statecraft, and were made with clear-eyed knowledge of the trade-offs.

"You are incentivizing people to take Americans hostage and prisoner even if they've done nothing wrong," Rubio said. "Governments are taking Americans hostage because they believe they can gain concessions from this government under Barack Obama. It's created an incentive for more people to do this in the future."

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Rubio also repeated his pledge to scrap the international nuclear deal on his "first day in office."

Trump railed against Iran, raising questions about its commitment to peace and the administration's grasp of the situation. Referring to the high-profile temporary detention of 10 U.S Navy sailors by Iranian military officials last week, Trump panned the country for its response.

"I don't know what happened. I guess it sounded like they took a little shortcut through a big body of water. OK, big deal. And they got locked in, and they dropped to their knees in a begging position. Hands up, guns to their heads," Trump said, describing photos showing the sailors surrendering to Iranians.

"And this is supposed to be our ally?" he added.

Presumptive Democratic front-runner Hillary Clinton was secretary of state in Obama's first term, service she touts as preparation for real-world crises that none of her challengers, Democratic or Republican, possess. She participated in the initial outreach to Iran that led to the nuclear discussions, but the deal was struck after she left office. She supports the agreement but regularly says she would seek to strengthen it and would enforce it rigorously as president. She has said it is in the Iranian "nature" to try to cheat.

Clinton welcomed the releases and implementation of the nuclear deal in a statement late Saturday.

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"But we shouldn't thank Iran for the prisoners or for following through on its obligations. These prisoners were held unjustly by a regime that continues to threaten the peace and security of the Middle East," she said.

Clinton's surging competitor, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, was the first 2016 candidate to issue a statement on the Americans' release.

"This good news shows that diplomacy can work even in this volatile region of the world," Sanders said.

Clinton's campaign did not immediately react to the news.

Some Republicans also welcomed the releases while criticizing the terms. Former Florida governor Jeb Bush suggested he would have threatened Iran.

"I would say . . . 'If you do not release them, that there's going to be military action, that that's an act of provocation, an act of war,' " Bush said in Amherst, New Hampshire, according to CNN. "What I would do in January is recognize that Iran is not an ally. That's how the Obama administration views this."

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New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie said he wants to know more about "the other side of the deal."

"We shouldn't have to swap prisoners. These folks were taken illegally in violation of international law, and they should have been released without condition. But you know, the Iranians have treated this president with disrespect for years, and he continues to take it," Christie said. "I would not take it as president."

Speaking to reporters at a tea party convention in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, low-polling Republican candidate Mike Huckabee said the Americans "should have been released before we ever sat down at the negotiating table."

Retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson applauded the Americans' release but added that the nuclear deal presents a danger to U.S. national security interests.

"The fact remains that President Obama's nuclear agreement with Iran is fatally flawed and gravely jeopardizes the national security interests of the American people, our ally Israel and other peaceful nations in the Middle East and around the world," Carson said.

But Sen. Rand Paul, R-Kentucky, praised the decision to try to free the Americans, even at a cost.

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"Even though Iran is a country with very limited freedom, we were willing to negotiate," Paul said. "It goes to temperament. All the other Republicans are telling you - rip up that agreement. I say: 'Really?' Don't we want to see if it works first?"

The Washington Post's David Weigel, Ed O'Keefe and Jose DelReal contributed to this report.
Three board members did not attend the College of DuPage board meeting on Dec. 17, meaning there was no quorum to conduct official business. (Brian O'Mahoney / Pioneer Press)

With the College of DuPage's board of trustees in a stalemate, State's Attorney Robert Berlin's office said Friday that prosecutors were researching whether they could go to court to force bickering trustees to meet and conduct college business.

"We're looking to determine what options we would have to compel them to do their duty," Berlin spokesman Paul Darrah said.

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The potential for action by DuPage County prosecutors came as three trustees on Thursday failed to show up for a board meeting for the third time in a month. The board has not had a quorum since Chairwoman Katharine Hamilton abruptly resigned in December and, barring action, the stalemate could go on for at least another four weeks, until a trustee is named to replace Hamilton and break a 3-3 board tie.

Faculty, residents and other college observers are increasingly frustrated and are asking if authorities can force the board to meet.

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The Illinois attorney general's office said Friday there is nothing in state law that requires community college boards to meet regularly.

The trustees have until Feb. 11  60 days from Hamilton's resignation  to name a seventh member. If they cannot  an outcome that seems increasingly likely  the Illinois Community College Board chairman will pick one. ICCB spokesman Matt Berry said the agency has no authority to force board members to meet and can only step in after the board has failed to appoint a new trustee within the deadline.

Berry said Community College Board Chair Lazaro Lopez has been briefed about potential candidates for the board who have applied through a process the college set up. There have been 28 applicants for the position, according to college spokesman Joseph Moore.

"I can't say it would be on Day 61, but it would be as quickly as he is able to," Berry said. "(Lopez) wants to make sure he does his due diligence and has an opportunity to review potential candidates and talk to potential candidates. The expediency of it is one of his top priorities."

Lopez plans to gather a small group from the agency to help with the decision. He also has talked with College of DuPage trustees.

"It is still his utmost desire that the COD trustees can meet, and come together and reach an agreement," Berry said Friday. "Should that not happen, he certainly wants to be prepared to make a decision quickly and get the board back to having a full membership."

Trustee Dianne McGuire, in a letter to Lopez on Thursday, seemed to indicate that the decision will be left in his hands. She said the three longest-serving trustees do not have confidence in the other members and feel they are withholding legal information. The three newer trustees  Deanne Mazzochi, Frank Napolitano and Charles Bernstein  joined the board in April. McGuire told Lopez the board split "cannot be overcome until the vacancy is filled."

Joseph Wozniak, one of the boycotting trustees, said Friday he does not expect college business, including approving academic programs and hiring employees, to get done until then.

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"This board is not going to be able to work together," he said.

Mazzochi called it "so sad that they won't even show up to try" to agree on a new trustee.

In large part, the power struggle has focused on meeting agendas. The three longtime trustees have called special meetings for the past two weeks, and both times the other trustees then called a separate meeting to begin shortly before the other one. Thursday's earlier meeting was to include only one item that asked trustees to vote on whether to release records of prior closed-session board meetings in February and March 2014 requested last week by local prosecutors.

The veteran trustees decided not to show up, with McGuire alleging that Mazzochi was playing "dirty political games" by undermining her agenda. Mazzochi had asked the veteran trustees to include the prosecutors' request on their agenda.

Without a vote on the records, Berlin's spokesman said his office is now looking to see if it has any legal recourse to force the board to turn them over.

"We're looking at the law to see what options we have, if any," Darrah said.

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The next scheduled meeting is Jan. 21. Mazzochi said she hopes all trustees show up.

"Boycotting meetings, by its very act, is putting the future of the college in jeopardy," she said. "We are, have been and continue to be at work ready to go."

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A Kane County special operations unit conducted alcohol and tobacco compliance checks Wednesday on 12 bars throughout the county and ended up citing two servers at bars in Burlington and Sycamore, sheriff's deputies said.

Sheriff's deputies had one person, age 19, enter Mott's Bar, 195 Main St. in Burlington, and order a beer, then pay in cash, reports stated. The server, identified as Lori A. Ward, 56, of Marengo, did see an identification but told deputies that she did not calculate the person's age, according to reports.

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Another person, age 18, was sent to Chucks Bar & Grill, 47w739 Route 64 in Sycamore, to order a beer and pay with cash, reports stated. The person was served by Ronald Ritchey, 64, of Elburn, sheriff's deputies said. He also saw identification but did not calculate the person's age, reports stated.

Ward and Ritchey were both cited for sale of alcohol to a minor, sheriff's deputies said. Both were given court dates for the ordinance violation.

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These checks test businesses that sell alcohol or tobacco in areas of Kane County patrolled by the sheriff's office, the news release said. The goal is to ensure that Kane County businesses are taking the appropriate steps to confirm that those who are not old enough to purchase alcohol or tobacco are not allowed to obtain them, according to the release.

Gloria Casas is a freelance reporter for The Courier-News.
The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. speaks from the pulpit of Quinn Chapel A.M.E. Church at 2401 S. Wabash Ave. in Chicago. (James Mayo, Chicago Tribune historical photo)

The goals and vision of celebrated civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. were the focus of a two-hour Saturday event for grade school students Saturday in Aurora.

Boys II Men Juniorversity, a peer-to-peer mentoring group for children ages 8 to 12, provided a chance for about a dozen youngsters to learn about King while also getting to enjoy games, monthly awards, raffles and snacks.

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Members of the so-called "Phenom" group  high school sophomores Meliton Chaidez, Sebastian Chiu and Christian Walls  helped lead discussions that focused on character, brotherhood and service. The event was held at the Aurora Public Library.

"The original goal of Boys II Men was to get kids off the streets," said Chiu, 15, an Aurora East High School student. "I got involved in this about a year ago after some friends told me about it, and I checked it out and fell in love. We want to teach these kids why the holiday for Martin Luther King is important."

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Chiu said he is the third oldest child in his family and wants to be the first to graduate from college. What he's learned from the B2M group has helped him to inspire one of his brothers as well, he said.

"I have an older brother that has been in the Navy, and I've convinced him to start college," Chiu said. "He sees that I'm ambitious, and I feel like I'm setting an example for him, too."

Walls, a 15-year-old West Aurora High School student, said he became interested in being a mentor back in middle school after realizing one of his mentors, now in college, attended the same middle school as Walls.

"It's been wonderful ever since I got involved in this, and it's wonderful to see the smiles on the kids' faces ... when they come in once a month," Walls said. "My group today is going to talk about brotherhood and its ties to Martin Luther King. It's what kept the civil rights movement together, and helped each person involved in it with his personal struggles."

Chaidez, 15, also an Aurora West student, said he has been active in the program since 5th grade. It helps youth learn about a variety of subjects, from grooming and manners to how to be successful in school.

"We've had sessions where we've taught kids how to tie a tie as well as presenting themselves well in the classroom and treating their parents with respect," Chaidez said. "We try to organize our monthly sessions with an eye towards what is going on here locally  things that are relevant to Aurora. We think it gives the kids that come here an advantage."

Parents or guardians who dropped their children off or participated in the event spoke about the impact Boys II Men Juniorversity has had. Hector Ochoa said he's seen changes in his grandson, Bobby Gonzales, 9.

"I think my grandson has learned a lot of discipline and how to listen to his leaders," Ochoa said.

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Ciana Christian of Aurora said she liked the program for her son Mykael, 11, because "it was down to earth."

"My son has not been in the Cub Scouts or Boy Scouts. ... I feel here in Aurora, there aren't a lot of things for boys to do that don't cost money," she said. "I think that having the kids interact with one another is a positive thing. They've learned how to tie ties and how to dress and things with grooming. It's been very empowering for him."

"We talk about teamwork and friendship, and help one another with things like being bullied," Mykael said. "We learn about being positive, helping others and teamwork."

David Sharos is a freelance writer for the Aurora Beacon-News.
The attorney for twice-convicted murderer Chavez Saulsberry believes enough mistakes occurred during a December trial to earn Saulsberry a new one.

Saulsberry, 26, in turn, thinks his attorney Ron Haskell's affiliation to another lawyer should get him a second trial in connection to a November 2005 murder in Aurora.

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Those court filings occurred over the course of a month after a jury convicted Saulsberry of gunning down Michael Moore in a gang-related killing near Galena Boulevard and Smith Street. Saulsberry is already in prison - with parole not possible until 2064 - for a second murder he committed the same month as the Moore shooting.

Haskell's motion for a new trial suggests eight specific errors by Kane County Judge James Hallock involving objections and witness testimony, as well as his decision to "interrupt" the trial to allow prosecutors to photograph a gang-related tattoo on Saulsberry's chest, according to the motion. Haskell also disagreed with Hallock's allowing prosecutors to object to his closing argument.

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"(The) defendant is entitled to his theory of the case without interruption during argument," Haskell wrote.

Recently, Saulsberry filed a hand-written amendment to the motion for a new trial in which he claims Haskell didn't disclose his affiliation with attorney Rachel Hess. Haskell was appointed to represent Saulsberry in May 2013 as a conflict attorney - which are typically brought in to handle cases involving multiple defendants represented by the public defender's office.

Saulsberry states Hess was allowed to withdraw from his case at some point because she had a conflict. Saulsberry said a Kane County Jail inmate told him in late December that Haskell and Hess were law partners. Hess' website describes their affiliation as a "joint venture" between each attorney's individual law office.

The jury needed only 90 minutes to convict Saulsberry in Moore's death, agreeing that he personally fired the gun used in the murder. Saulsberry is scheduled to be sentenced Jan. 28 at which time the post-trial motions are expected to be heard. Prosecutors have not yet filed a response to either motion.

Dan Campana is a freelance writer for The Beacon-News
Some ice has formed on the Fox River in North Aurora. (Steve Lord, The Courier-News)

The frigid temperatures mid-week had some West Dundee residents on high alert due to an ice jam that was causing flooding issues.

At about 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, West Dundee officials discovered the jam by the footbridge near South End Park was causing Fox River levels to rise and spill over onto streets in that area.

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Residents were notified and the village's Public Works employees began assembling sandbags as a precaution.

Officials also contacted Don Bryant, director of the Kane County Office of Emergency Management, to see if he could ask that the flow at the McHenry dams be slowed to prevent flooding. Both the William G. Stratton Lock and Dam and the Algonquin Dam on the Fox River in McHenry regulate the flow of water coming through.

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Fortunately, later Wednesday night, a channel opened up in the river which helped the water flow.

Unfortunately, Bryant said, ice jams are difficult to prevent.

"They usually form when you get extreme low temperatures and the water in the river freezes quickly," he said. "Then the ice that forms is held up around bridge piers or in shallow areas of the river where the ice isn't allowed to pass. There really isn't any one thing people can do to avoid ice jams."

Bryant said there are repetitive issues with ice jams at the stretch of the Fox River that goes north from I-90 to the Richardson subdivision in unincorporated Kane County.

He inspected the area where the ice jam occurred in West Dundee Thursday morning and saw the water had dropped about a foot overnight.

"That indicated to me that the ice jam had already started to break free," he said.

Often, ice jams will resolve themselves, he added.

He said the Illinois Department of Natural Resources helps regulate the flow out of the William G. Stratton Lock and Dam on the Fox River in McHenry.

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The flow prior to the recent cold snap was 3,000 cubic feet per second, Bryant said. The Friday before the temperatures plummeted, the department limited the flow to 1,000 cubic feet per second.

"Reducing the flow reduces the likelihood that ice jams are going to form," he said.

Elgin Water Director Kyla Jacobsen has been working for the city for 30 years.

"As far as I recall, ice jams haven't caused any flooding in Elgin," Jacobsen said.

Jacobsen said that might be due to the topography of Elgin and how the river flows through it, without bends or other things to impede flow and a good many homes near the Fox River are up embankments.

A problem the city has seen during extended stretches of extremely cold weather is frazil ice, Jacobsen said.

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She explained that frazil ice resembles a slushy. To break up the ice crystals, staff sprays intake tanks with warm water, Jacobsen said.

Further down the river, authorities are monitoring for potential ice jams on the Fox River with frigid weather in the forecast.

Aurora has not had any issues with ice dams yet.

"We have not seen any ice dams this month," said Ken Schroth, director of Public Works. "Illinois Avenue bridge has the lowest river to bridge structure clearance in the city limits. Currently there is at least six feet of clearance at that location and no sign of any ice damming issue immediately upstream."

Todd Hoppenstedt, Montgomery Public Works director, said the river was flowing nicely but the surface likely will freeze with subzero temperatures through early next week.

"We will be turning our attention to the river," Hoppenstedt said. "We welcome any report from people who may spot an ice jam  the more eyes the better."

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Hoppenstedt said the river levels in Montgomery are well below "action" stage. The river levels in Montgomery are roughly 11.89 feet. The point where preventative measures are taken is at around 12 feet.

"Minor flooding can occur at 13 feet however that is not typically what we see in Montgomery. Generally minor flooding occurs at around 14 feet," he said.

He said they always watch for ice jams, but that the danger is not that great in Montgomery.

"It would take a significant ice jam to back the water up and cause flooding in the area," Hoppenstedt said.

Jennifer Hughes, Oswego Public Works director, said village officials do not anticipate any flooding to occur in Oswego.

"We have done several inspections of the Fox River in Oswego and have not seen any problems," Hughes said Friday. "Most of the flooding from ice jams occurs locally as opposed to widespread."

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Hughes said the river levels reported from Montgomery are below flood stage which is a good status as temperatures are forecasted to plummet in the days ahead.

"If we experience a long term spell of cold weather we could have an issue, but at this time we do not foresee any problems," Hughes said.

Kendall County Emergency Management officials said Friday an ice jam was forcing water over the banks of the river in an isolated area near Riverside Street in an unincorporated area near Yorkville.

The officials said there was some flooding in low-lying areas along the river there.

Yorkville Public Works Director Eric Dhuse said the river is high but he doesn't see a danger of flooding homes along the Fox.

"We're very lucky in the fact that we have such high embankments, so even if it's at flood stage, it's still not an issue to the town," he said.

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Bryant said ice jams are pieces of floating ice carried downstream that can be problematic because they can cause sudden flooding.

"They are ice formations that can cause obstructions in river bends and upstream of bridges," he said.

He said Friday from Algonquin to Montgomery he does not foresee any problems on the river.

"There are small patches of ice but the river is flowing freely," Bryant said.

On Thursday, crews from West Dundee's Public Works department were sent out to clean up the streets where the flooding occurred.

West Dundee Fire Chief Randy Freise said the warmer temperatures Thursday and Friday would likely help further break up the ice jam.

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"I'm not too worried about the weekend. Unless it gets cold for an extended period of time and it jams up again. But we'll keep monitoring it to see how it does," Freise said.

Courier-News reporter Mike Danahey contributed.

Erin Sauder is a freelance reporter for The Courier-News.

Linda Girardi is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.
A former Batavia man is headed to prison for taking nude photographs of a child he knew, according to a Kane County State's Attorney's office release.

Ernesto Navarro-Romero, 41, of the 100 block of Lorlyn Circle, Batavia, agreed to a sentence of 10 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections in exchange for a guilty plea to production of child pornography, a Class X felony, before Associate Judge Linda Abrahamson, the release stated. Under Illinois law, Navarro-Romero is eligible for day-for-day sentencing and received credit for at least 428 days served in the Kane County jail.

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On Nov. 8, 2014, Navarro-Romero used his smart phone to photograph the victim, who was nude, authorities said. The victim was younger than 13 years old. Navarro-Romero knew the victim. The victim told a family member about the incident, the release stated. That family member reported it to authorities, according to the release.

Navarro-Romero must register for life as a sexual offender in accordance with the Illinois Sexual Offender Registration Act. Further, he could be subject to commitment as a sexually violent or sexually dangerous person.
When Summer and Drew Johnston were searching for their dream home a few years ago, they looked at more than 80 houses before they decided on one a few blocks from the square in Downtown Frankfort.

They wanted a small-town feel with a unique atmosphere where they could raise their three children, ages 18, 7 and 5, Summer Johnston said.

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"We chose to live in Frankfort because of what the community has to offer and their downtown area in particular," she said. "We really like all the events; the different lifestyle we could have being so close to everything, and the schools are absolutely wonderful. I'm now Frankfort's number-one fan."

The Johnstons fall right in line with a new report released by personal finance website WalletHub that ranks Frankfort as the ninth-best city for families in Illinois. It was the only Southland community to make it into the top 10, finishing just above Naperville. However, six Southland municipalities found themselves listed in the bottom 10 of the rankings  Harvey, Dolton, Blue Island, Bridgeview, Calumet City and Country Club Hills.

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Frankfort Village Administrator Jerald Ducay said he was not surprised his village was ranked high. "Frankfort has always been a community that anyone who lives here knows is a great place to live and to raise a family," he said. "We have a unique atmosphere that often catches the eye of many of these reports, and it is an acknowledgment of the environment that we enjoy here in Frankfort."

Morton, a town outside of Peoria, was ranked at the top of the list.

The report looked at data from outside agencies, and ranked 21 different metrics or qualities under the categories of family life and fun; education, health and safety; affordability; and the socioeconomic environment.

On a scale of one to 100, each town was awarded points based on what they had to offer, such as the number of playgrounds per 100,000 residents; attractions such as zoos, museums and theaters; and the number of families with children under 18. Other factors such as schools systems, air quality, crime, the percentage of two-parent families and those families living below the poverty line were some of the other factors that were measured.

Each metric was given a value between 0 and 100, with 100 being the best value and zero the worst. Once the data was gathered, it was ranked and 15 experts reviewed and signed off on the study, according to Jill Gonzalez, an analyst for WalletHub.

She added that the report is important for, and geared toward families as part of an effort to help them find the community that best suits their needs and wants.

"We are anticipating that in 2016, families might think it's a good time to move and who want to zero in on hyper-local questions," Gonzalez said. "People are looking for information from a familial point of view and (the report) deals with education, health and safety; all the things that are important to them."

Among the 162 towns referenced in the report, Harvey was second-to-last. just ahead of East St. Louis which was ranked last. Dolton was third on the worst list. Blue Island, Bridgeview and Calumet City were fourth, fifth and sixth, respectively; and Country Club Hills was ranked 10th-worst.

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Representatives of all those municipalities were contacted, but only Blue Island Mayor Domingo Vargas responded, in a statement issued through the village's public relations firm.

"The city of Blue Island strongly disagrees with this online ranking," Vargas said in the statement. "Last year, Crain's Chicago Business ranked our city as the best in Chicagoland for increasing home values. We are making great headway in reducing years long budget deficits and reconstructing bridges to improve public safety and provide opportunities for our families and businesses. The Cal-Sag trail is a great recreational asset for families here, and we are proud of our schools. We are working every day to build a better Blue Island for our families."

Data used to create the rankings were obtained from the U.S. Census Bureau, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Illinois State Board of Education, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Renwood RealtyTrac LLC, SchoolDigger.com, Yelp, TripAdvisor and WalletHub research.

Patricia Trebe is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.

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Highlights of WalletHub's ranking of Illinois' best and worst places for families

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Attractions: Evergreen Park tied at the bottom with Round Lake Beach.

Affordable housing: Park Forest ranked fourth.

Median salary (adjusted for cost of living): Harvey was second from last.

Lowest crime rate: Homer Glen came in third and Frankfort fifth; while Harvey ranked second from the bottom.

Families with children under 18: Palos Hills ranked in the bottom 10

Lowest amount of families below the poverty line: Tied for third was New Lenox. Harvey was second-to-last.

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Lowest divorce rate: Frankfort topped the list with Homer Glen coming in fourth and Lemont fifth. Calumet City was 160th.
The air-conditioning cooling tower at Larkin High School in Elgin was disinfected after the discovery of Legionnaires disease germs in September. (Dave Gathman, The Courier-News)

After hazardous levels of Legionella bacteria were found at three School District U46 buildings in September, prompting a scramble and a shutdown, district CEO Tony Sanders has one main point of advice to other districts: Don't expect too much help from the state.

"School officials need to be aware that neither the state nor your local health department will offer you any guidance on whether a school is safe to open," Sanders wrote in his weekly message to staff after the September incident.

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Elevated levels of the bacteria that causes Legionnaires' disease were found in the cooling towers at Larkin High School, Eastview Middle School and the district's central office, prompting Sanders to close the facilities down Sept. 23, a move that impacted more than 3,000 students and several hundred employees.

But Sanders said that when he went to Illinois Department of Public Health officials for assistance on deeming when it was safe to reopen, they did not help.

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Department officials said no policy exists for when it is safe to reopen a school in such a circumstance.

Aside from offering a technical review of the district's cooling tower sampling, that was about all the aid the state health department rendered.

"As far as a policy for opening and closing a school, there's no policy," department spokeswoman Melaney Arnold said.

It was the first year the district was testing for Legionella, based on new industry guidelines endorsed by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Those guidelines advise officials to take urgent action if unsafe Legionella levels are detected.

"But they don't specify what the urgent action would be," Sanders said. "I erred on the side of caution and evacuated the three buildings."

After the district's Legionella scare, Sanders chided the "gaps in our state and federal systems" in his weekly staff newsletter.

Sanders said he reached out to Kane County and then the state on the matter.

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"We couldn't get an answer in regards to when it would be safe for students and staff to return to those sites after we did our mitigation," Sanders said.

The district "shocked the system" of each cooling tower, flushing it with chemicals to kill the bacteria that can cause Legionnaires' disease and the less-severe Pontiac fever, according to Sanders.

"There was nothing left growing," he said.

But the district had no idea if it could sound the all-clear, Sanders said.

Sanders said health department officials told him the Illinois Department of Transportation does not tell school districts when to close due to heavy snowfall.

"I think there's a big difference from closing schools due to snowfall  versus Legionella, where I don't have a staff that has expertise in infectious diseases," he said.

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Health department head Dr. Nirav Shah referred all questions on the interaction with U46 to Arnold, the department spokeswoman.

Sanders said Shah suggested he contact the World Health Organization, sending him into a bureaucratic maze that was "frustrating."

The World Health Organization said that since the incident involved employees, he should contact the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration, which actually sets the bar for when Legionella levels become hazardous.

"OSHA says, 'We can't help you because you're an entity of local governments,' " Sanders recalled.

He noted in his weekly message to staff that OSHA officials said they deal with protecting employees and thus could not advise regarding student issues.

"That is the response from the organization that sets the threshold for safety for cooling tower testing," he wrote.

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OSHA referred him on to the Illinois Department of Labor, but Sanders said he never heard back.

He said he contacted the Illinois State Board of Education, which "indicated they were aware that we were in contact with the Department of Public Health," Sanders wrote.

"At that point, at my wit's end, I contacted the president of Advocate Sherman Hospital and said I need help," he said.

The hospital put district officials in touch with infectious disease specialist Dr. Robert Tiballi, who reviewed the district's mitigation steps and concluded that it would be safe to reopen the buildings, Sanders said.

Public health departments had offered such guidance before, he said, pointing to suspected cases of swine flu at U46 schools that prompted shutdowns in 2009.

"The state and local health departments told us we needed to close three schools because of suspected flu cases, and they told us when to close, and they told us when it was safe to reopen," Sanders said. "I just assumed somebody would be able to give us that professional advice on Legionella."

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Arnold, of the state health department, said there is no safe level of Legionella bacteria and no clear relationship between the bacteria and disease risk.

"It's hard for Public Health to say, 'OK, yes, you need to close down because of this,' when we don't have the health science behind it," she said. "There just isn't any type of guideline for that."

Sanders noted that the actual risk to staff and students was low due to the closed nature of the cooling tower system.

Arnold said the at-risk population skews toward those older than 50.

The department also springs into action a bit more robustly if actual outbreaks of Legionnaires' disease were to occur, she said.

Legionnaires' disease occurs when the Legionella bacteria infect the lungs and cause pneumonia, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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It can also cause Pontiac fever, akin to a mild case of the flu, according to the CDC.

Cooling towers, used to provide air conditioning to buildings, contain a lot of heat and can be a vibrant breeding ground for waterborne bacteria.

Individuals catch the disease when bacteria-laden droplets are inhaled.

While new standards may be in place as to what an unacceptable level of Legionella measures out at, Sanders urged other district officials to have a plan when they begin testing cooling towers  one that doesn't rely on state officials.

"What we went through will not be unique if districts don't have a plan in place," he said.

geoffz@tribpub.com

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Cherie Jones, Independent Chocolatier with Dove Chocolate Discoveries, will be presenting tastings at the Visiting Angels second annual Chocolatepalooza! fundraiser. (Courtesy Visiting Angels / HANDOUT)

Visiting Angels hosts chocolate lovers at Chocolatepalooza

It's time for the Visiting Angels Chocolatepalooza fundraiser to benefit the area's local chapter of the American Parkinson Disease Association.

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Visiting Angels will be hosting the second annual Chocolatepalooza chocolate tasting fundraiser from 3 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 19, during an open house at 65 Woodbury St., South Elgin.

Cherie Jones, Independent Chocolatier with Dove Chocolate Discoveries will be presenting the tasting and will entice the chocolate lover with unique chocolates offered by Dove.

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"This line of Dove chocolate is not found in the retail market," Jones said. "It is a premium-quality, exclusive chocolate that can only be purchased through an independent Dove Chocolatier. It's not just about candy, either," she said. "We have specialty baking goods, drink mixes, dips, and sugar-free options."

Elgin Literary Festival's "Elgin Alive Series" features variety of authors

The Elgin Literary Festival brings together all the experiences of writer workshops, conferences, author events and critique groups, highlighting the bookish culture and providing writers and readers a place to create and appreciate the art of writing. The festival's "Elgin Alive Series" begins at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 19, in the Meadows Community Rooms A-B-C at Gail Borden Public Library, 270 N. Grove Ave., featuring author Ed Schmidt.

Schmidt, author of "The Pigeons that went to War," spent five years raising and training homing pigeons for combat. He will talk about the relationship between Pigeoneers and their birds and "G.I. Joe," the most outstanding military pigeon in history. Still a popular sporting activity, you'll be surprised at who is still raising and racing Homing Pigeons. His appearance is sponsored by the Elgin Community Network, the city of Elgin and Gail Borden Public Library.

New York Times best-selling author Andra Watkins will be a featured author at the Elgin Literary Festival on Jan. 28-29. Watkins will also moderate a panel of memoir authors on the topic of what makes a memoir compelling, how they chose their topics and why their books apply to the masses. Watkins' most recent publication, the critically acclaimed memoir "Not without My Father: One Woman's 444-Mile Walk of the Natchez Trace," chronicles her quest to become one of the only living persons to walk the 444-mile Natchez Trace with her disinterested 80-year-old father as wingman. Since its release, the book was nominated for the 2015 National Book Award for Nonfiction, the Sarton Memoir Award, and the IBPA Benjamin Franklin Award for Autobiographies and Memoirs and will be featured by Amazon as a recommended memoir.

A full schedule of the festival can be found at the library's website.

Meet the smooth green snake at nature program

Learn about the smooth green snake from 10 to 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 6, during a "Learn from the Experts" nature program.

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This native, but little-known snake was once a common part of the local landscape, but its numbers have declined steeply over the past few decades. Thanks to efforts by Lincoln Park Zoo and the Lake County Forest Preserve, the smooth green snake has a shot at a comeback.

During "Meet the Smooth Green Snake," Dr. Allison Sacerdote-Velat of the Lincoln Park Zoo will detail the work being done to help this species gain a stronger presence in the Chicago region. There will be a question-and-answer session following the presentation.

The registration fee is $10 per person and advance registration is required. To register, call 630-444-3190 or e-mail programs@kaneforest.com. This program is at Hickory Knolls Discovery Center, at 3795 Campton Hills Dr., St. Charles.

Learn from the Experts programs are for ages 18 and up. They are taught by experts in the field and offer in-depth information and learning opportunities about local ecology. This program series is cosponsored by the Forest Preserve District of Kane County, the St. Charles Park District and the Geneva Park District.

For information on this program, or to view a full roster of Forest Preserve District nature programs, visit www.kaneforest.com.

Free CUB clinic to analyze utility bills to save money

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The Citizens Utility Board (CUB) will analyze utility bills at a free clinic to help Elgin-area residents save potentially hundreds of dollars a year.

Consumers should bring their gas, electric and phone bills for a free, one-on-one consultation with a CUB expert, who will search for ways to lower their utility costs. CUB's utility-bill clinic, co-sponsored by state Rep. Anna Moeller, will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 25, at Gail Borden Public Library, 270 N. Grove Ave., Elgin.

To register, call 1-877-782-7005, or email events@citizensutilityboard.org using the subject line ELGIN: 01/25.

CUB will give consumers information on: how to spot unnecessary charges on natural gas, electric and phone bills, energy efficiency programs and rebates that can help cut utility bills, Elgin's municipal aggregation rate (7.09 cents per kilowatt-hour [kWh] through January 2016 with Constellation Energy), and how it compares to ComEd's standard rate and installation of smart meters and programs like Peak Time Savings and Hourly Pricing that could yield savings.

Attendees should bring their utility bills so a CUB expert can analyze them.

CUB is Illinois' leading nonprofit utility watchdog. Created by the Illinois Legislature, CUB opened its doors in 1984 to represent the interests of residential and small-business utility customers. Since then, it has saved consumers more than $20 billion by helping to block rate hikes and secure refunds. For information, call CUB's Consumer Hotline, 1-800-669-5556, or visit www.CitizensUtilityBoard.org.
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Blood supplies are low in the Chicago area, in part because people with colds and the flu are taking longer to recover, according to an area blood collection agency.

Heartland Blood Centers officials have put out the call for donors to give blood in January, which is always a time when supplies have dwindled.

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"Typically, donations are down each year after the holidays for a number of reasons, but there are other factors in play this year that are compounding the problem," said Amy Smith, director of donor recruitment for Heartland Blood Centers. "Supplies dwindle in winter as people travel during the holidays or inclement weather prevents them from getting to donation centers. There is an increase in elective surgeries that people have put off, and we're also seeing a prolonged recovery time this year for people with colds and flu."

Susan Stoga, who handles marketing for Heartland Blood Centers, said one of the most vital needs is for Type O-negative blood which, while universal, is the blood type of about 8 percent of the population. Current supplies of O-negative are down to a one-day supply; the usual amount is a five- to six-day supply, center officials said.

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"Part of the problem is when people get off their regular donation schedule. We never know how fast the hospitals will run through their supplies," Stoga said.

Managing blood supply and keeping track of the available inventory of both red blood cells and platelets is a daily task at the agency that serves 65 area hospitals, according to Lori Schmidt, manager of transfusion services at Palos Community Hospital. Unexpected trauma situations, which can never be predicted, put an added strain on the supply chain, Schmidt said.

"And beyond traumas, there are other things that diminish the supply," Schmidt said. "People are living longer, and those that might not have had surgeries years ago that are in their 80s are having hips and knees replaced and needing blood supplies that weren't being used 10 years ago."

Karen Schwarz, of Frankfort, said she is a regular donor who also saw firsthand the difference that blood donation makes.

"I've donated blood 29 times in my life, and I was concerned and petrified about it till a co-worker talked me into it," Schwarz said. "My dad, who is recently deceased, wound up going into the hospital on my birthday and needed a transfusion. I thought he'd never make it through the night. It was incredible to see him 'come to life' the next day and live a few more months. It's nice to know people that are donors can do something like that."

To maintain blood supply, Heartland Blood Centers needs 600 donors a day at its 14 centers located in Illinois and Indiana, including Aurora, Bloomingdale, Crystal Lake, DeKalb, Elgin, Geneva, Joliet, Naperville, Plainfield, Tinley Park, Westmont, Winfield and Yorkville, as well as Highland, Ind.

"Every day is a new day at the blood bank," said Dr. Julie Cruz, medical director for the Heartland Blood Centers. "We forecast and plan each day, but when surgical cases come up  they use a lot and so you can't always be sure."

To locate a blood drive in a specific area or on a specific date, call 1-800-786-4483 or visit www.heartlandbc.org.

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David Sharos is a freelance reporter for the Naperville Sun.
The Oak Park and River Forest High School board is expected to withdraw its intent to borrow $17.5 million to pay for a new swimming pool and aquatics center. (File photo)

With public pressure mounting, the Oak Park and River Forest High School board is expected to withdraw its plan to borrow $17.5 million for a new swimming pool.

When the school board declared in November that it planned to borrow the money without going to referendum, more than 4,000 residents signed petitions overruling the board and requiring the plan to face voter approval in March.

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On Jan. 14, the same day the Cook County Electoral Board OKed the referendum to go on the ballot, the school board moved to nix the borrowing plan.

Though the borrowing plan isn't officially dead until a school board vote Jan. 19, all board members present agreed in one way or another to remove the request for now.

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That doesn't mean the school's abandoning plans for a pool, though  board members say they're planning to simply step back and further develop plans to move forward.

"I firmly believe a new pool is what's best for the school and what's best for the community," board member Sara Dixon Spivy said. "I don't understand the folks who expressed an opinion that removing it from the March ballot is disingenuous or shady. The people who put forth the petitions did so because they didn't agree with our plan."

One of the top concerns of pool opponents is the proposed demolition of the parking garage at Scoville Avenue and Lake Street, and where those displaced cars would park.

"The only workable comprehensive parking plan needs to include a multi-level parking structure," resident Rebecca Morrow-Nye said. "We already have one. I cannot support any building that would include the destruction of the community parking garage. I am one of the very angry citizens of Oak Park. If you tear down that parking garage, there will be a tsunami and don't expect to be elected again."

Board members pledged not to bring a future proposal to the public until a detailed parking plan is completed.

"I do think, based on the comments we've heard from the public, moving forward to have this question on the ballot in March is not in the best interest of the students and the district," board member Jennifer Cassell said. "I think it's really important for us to talk about all of the options of how to move forward. Something has to be done. We need pools here."

The proposal, which suggested using $20 million in district reserves in addition to the borrowed $17.5 million, would have built a two-story, 48,000 square-foot aquatics center to replace the school's two existing swimming pools. Both current pools were built in 1926 and are close to failing, said Fred Preuss, director of building and grounds.

"There are concerns of concrete decks falling underneath and concerns about the foundation walls of the pools, because they do have some cracks in them and the rebar is failing in the walls," Preuss said. "Part of the problem is it's not recommended that we drain the pools anymore, because of the hydraulic pressure when we go back to refill them."

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Board members also expressed disappointment that the issue appeared to create a division within Oak Park and River Forest, as well as the personal nature of some of the dialogue.

"I am exhausted by all this," board president Jeff Weissglass said. "All we've been trying to do is solve a problem and it's a tough one. I want to be very clear I believe the decision we made was the best one we could at the time, and the concerns the petitioners made are very valid and very important and I respect them."

According to Weissglass, withdrawing the intention makes the referendum question "a moot point," but pledged to ask for voter support if a similar plan is brought forward in the future.

"Our decisions down the road would not be related to the petition drive, but I would say, from my perspective, there is no way that I would vote for a project unless it was substantially smaller than this one," Weissglass said. "For a project of this magnitude or greater, there is no way I'm going forward without a referendum."

sschering@pioneerlocal.com

Twitter: @steveschering
April Bailey became Gary's first homicide victim Wednesday outside of her home in the 4700 block of Delaware. (Post-Tribune, Post-Tribune)

A Gary woman is in custody in connection with the Wednesday shooting death of April Bailey.

Gary and Lake County detectives served a search warrant at the apartment of Kevin Riley, 37, on Thursday. Riley, a convicted sex offender with a lengthy criminal history, was arrested after police learned he had failed to notify law enforcement of his new address. The woman who was there is described by investigators as a person of interest in the homicide, Lake County Sheriff John Buncich said.

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Bailey, 39, was shot in the head outside her home in the city's Glen Park neighborhood about 4:40 p.m. and died in her teenage son's arms moments later. The joint task force of Gary and Lake County detectives is investigating her death, the first homicide in Gary in 2016.

Police released no details of the arrest Friday, but Buncich confirmed a search warrant was served in the 1100 block of Connecticut Street in Gary. Riley was charged Friday with failing to register his change of address. Court records state he had established a Facebook account as Archie Cason and failed to report his social media activity, which is also required.

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Riley, who police said had a relationship with Bailey previously, completed his 31-year sentence for voluntary manslaughter and criminal deviant conduct in 2014 and is required to register any change of address for 10 years after his release. He was charged in 1995, when he was 16 years old, with beating and molesting a 10-month-old child to death. Prior to that, he was convicted in South Bend for molesting young children, but that record was sealed at the time he killed the child at a home in East Chicago.

Lake County Detective Joseph Hardiman is leading the investigation in Bailey's death. Buncich said he expects criminal charges will be filed soon against the woman in custody.
Hammond woman charged in attack with Ford Taurus

Ebony Sharice Brodnax, 27, of the 400 block of Conkey Street, rammed her ex-boyfriend's pickup truck several times in November, including when the man pulled into the Gary Police Department parking lot, court records state.

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Gary police Detective Sgt. William Fazekas tried to get Brodnax to calm down after hearing her screaming and cursing at the man on Nov. 24, records state.

Brodnax was charged in Lake Superior Court with battery by means of a deadly weapon, criminal recklessness, battery resulting in moderate bodily injury and two misdemeanors.

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Police noted the man's 1997 Chevrolet Silverado truck had damage to the front driver's side door, driver's side quarter panel, passenger side quarter panel, rear end, tail lights and gas tank.

Broadnax' 2002 Ford Taurus was smoking when Broadnax pulled into the west parking lot at the police station. Records state she bragged to Fazekas about how she'd repeatedly rammed the man's truck as he drove to the station.

The man said he'd ended his three-year relationship with Brodnax about six months earlier.

He reported pain and bruising to his neck and back from the incident and had to be treated for high blood pressure, records state

Gary man sentenced in break-in, resisting arrest

A Gary man with mental health issues was sentenced Friday to five years for residential entry and resisting law enforcement.

Jamel Curtiz Scott, 44, admitted he forced his way inside his sister's home about 1:30 p.m. Dec. 31, 2014, in the 2200 block of Arthur Street.

The woman said she heard Scott kick in the door, walk inside and shout her name. He then left in his car.

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About 15 minutes later, according to court records, he drove to the Gary police department, 555 Polk St., purportedly to turn himself in. He began a conversation with a police operator who was outside on a break after taking the residential entry call.

When the operator declined to speak with Scott, he called her a name and then gunned the engine as she was walking back to the station, according to court records. The woman made it indoors safely.

An officer later found the SUV Scott was driving at 2nd Avenue and Taft Street with the front end against a utility pole. The SUV sped away, records state, with several police cars following, until the SUV ran off the road near 25th Avenue and Martin Luther King Jr. Drive.

Lake Superior Court Judge Clarence Murray said consecutive sentences were warranted because the two offenses were dissimilar and in light of Scott's 14 misdemeanor convictions.

He said Scott will serve four years in the Indiana Department of Correction, and the remaining year on probation, during which he must continue his mental health treatment.

Gary woman charged in brass knuckles attack

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Battery charges have been filed in Lake Superior Court against a Gary woman who allegedly attacked her former boyfriend's wife with brass knuckles.

Latasha Daniesha Chambers, 22, of the 3400 block of Kentucky St., is charged in a Dec. 12 incident that occurred near her residence.

The victim said she was walking with her two children when Chambers walked up and wanted to fight her.

The woman said she told Chambers she wasn't going to fight her, but took out a carpenter knife and held it behind her leg, then sent her children to a relative's home. The blade on the knife was not exposed.

When the woman's attention was diverted, Chambers "popped her" between her eyes with brass knuckles, causing her to fall to the ground, the probable cause affidavit states.

During the struggle, the woman swung the knife at Chambers, but the blade wasn't exposed, records state. Chambers climbed on top of the woman and continued the assault, records state.

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The woman was treated at Methodist Hospitals Northlake campus in Gary for a broken nose, swollen eye, injured lip and knots to her head and right arm. The woman received 21 stitches to close wounds on her face. She told police Chambers hit her about six times with the brass knuckles.

 Ruth Ann Krause
Happy Birthday

Jan. 23: Bruce Spindler

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Jan. 24: Shirley Williamson

A few thoughts

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At the Hanover School Corp.'s reorganization meeting on Jan. 12, Mary Joan Dickson was voted in as president with Dennis Wilkening as vice president and Mary Pat Burkel as secretary.

Lake County Commissioner District 2 is a popular position. On the Republican primary side, Eldon Strong of Crown Point and Jerry Tippy of Schererville have filed. On the Democratic primary side, incumbent Gerry Scheub of Crown Point has filed.

The price of crude oil is below $30 a barrel. That is an incredible 72 percent plunge from the June 2014 peak of almost $108 a barrel. Will this trim the revenue ISIS is getting to fund its war? There is more than one way to defeat an enemy.

This is Indiana's bicentennial year. What are you planning to do to celebrate? Let me know. It is party time. Let's see how well Hoosiers can party.

Calendar

Jan. 21: Crown Point American Legion Auxiliary Unit 20 invites you to come to the all-you-can-eat homemade soups and salad dinner from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. at 1401 N. Main St. All soups are donated by legion members. Cost is $7 per person. This has always been yummy.

Jan. 24: Moose Lodge 260 invites you to its all-you-can-eat breakfast. The funds from this go into the kids Christmas fund. Come out for breakfast between 8 and 11 a.m. and have a great time helping the Moose help the kids.

Jan. 29, 30 and 31: Sox Fest. Have fun.

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Jan. 31: Pancake Breakfast and Open House at St. Mary Catholic Community School in Crown Point from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. See what St. Mary's School has to offer your child. It is prekindergarten to eighth grade and has been serving the needs of children since 1872. If you can't make Sunday, there is an open house from 6 to 8 p.m. Feb. 3. Information: stmarycp.org/school or 219-663-0676.

Feb. 7: Super Bowl 50. It will not be the Bears.

Feb. 10: Ash Wednesday. This puts Easter at the end of March.

kconley@post-trib.com
Plans for a Lake County World Wars Veterans Memorial have been presented to the Crown Point Plan Commission.

Mitch Barloga, president of the Veterans Memorial Parkway Commission, was accompanied by a number of veterans and commission members in a presentation of plans for the park dedicated to the veterans of World War I and World War II.

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The site is at the southwest end of the SportsPlex. It is on a 99-year lease between the city and the commission. It offers a great opportunity for residents and visitors to learn more about and honor the dedication of the men and women who lived in and the 1,200 soldiers from Lake County who died in those two wars, Barloga said. It will make this part of our history come alive to grade school and high school students and anyone who visits.

Visitors at the SportsPlex for tournaments will be able to see the sights while waiting for their events to start or after the events have ended, he said.

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The Veterans Memorial Parkway Commission was established in 1995 by the state General Assembly as a county entity to oversee the development of the entire parkway that starts at U.S. Route 41 and travels along U.S. Route 231 to Hebron.

Some of the memorials along U.S. 231 are already completed, starting with the Vietnam Wall in Stoney Run Park and the more recent Korean Memorial at Leroy. Unlike the walls in Washington, D.C., these memorial walls are for men and women from Indiana who died fighting those wars.

The World War park would be just off U.S. 231 along South Street and the SportsPlex and would be larger than others. It has received $100,000 in seed money from the Lake County Council.

Barloga told the planners that the engineering is being done pro bono by MECA Engineering. The next two years will include a more intense fundraising effort.

The long site would mark World War I at one end and World War II at the other with a long walkway curving around the memorial. There would be explanations on how and why the "war to end all wars" was followed so shortly by the next, and how one led to the other, he said.

Plans for a small amphitheater are in the works, he said. It would be the size, according to Barloga, for a single guitarist to entertain people from the SportsPlex or to let the music tell visitors about life in the first half of the 1900s.

"We hope to have plans before you in March," Barloga told the planners.

kconley@post-trib.com
Guest speaker the Rev. Geneace Williams speaks on the theme of Hope at the Lyons Township High School's Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration. (Jon Langham / Pioneer Press)

If "everything that is done in the world is done by hope," then the Jan. 15 Martin Luther King Jr. celebration at Lyons Township High School modeled what Martin Luther King Jr. was quoted as saying.

"It is about hope," said principal Brian P. Waterman.

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Waterman spoke at the school's Martin Luther King Jr. annual national holiday recognition at the south campus in Western Springs.

"The work will never end," Waterman told the audience of about 300 guests and participants during the two-hour event. "In order to move forward, we have to keep moving forward."

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The evening began with audience members taking their seats to videos played on a large screen. The music of Natalie Cole and Nat King Cole were featured including Sam Cooke, who sang the 1964-released song "A Change is Gonna Come."

"Friends, tonight really is history in the making," said keynote speaker Geneace Williams of Maywood, a minister, attorney, author, consultant, entrepreneur and motivational expert.

Introducing herself as a "recovering lawyer," Williams was the first African-American woman to headline the January LT event, in its third year.

"I stand in this place on the shoulders of hope itself," Williams said. "I stand humble, yet proud."

Williams said there is still work to be done, and change to be realized.

The evening included performances by the LTHS Sophomore Mixed Chorus, the Second Baptist Church Choir of La Grange, LTHS Steppers and LTHS Strings with a selection performed by soloist and pianist Joshua Leak of La Grange Park.

Leak, 17, a junior, began studying piano at age 5 with cello at an earlier age.

"I think that change comes slowly but it comes," said Leak, who has a brother Jeremiah, 15, a LTHS sophomore. "I think it takes people my age to step up and learn."

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Michele George-Griffin, 17, of Brookfield organized the event with Elizabeth C. Watkins and with the support of the school's Black Culture and Multi-Culture clubs.

"Even though [Martin Luther King Jr.] is not around anymore, I think he's the main reason that we're going to be OK," said George-Griffin who performed a solo to the song, "Hope."

"He left so much for us to use, for new ways to be great and we just need to go with his teachings and how he lived his life and we will be fine," George-Griffin said.

Makayla Montgomery, 15, a sophomore from Brookfield, said the civil rights leader was inspirational and that he urged people to never give up.

"One act of kindness can make a difference," Makayla said.

Therese Nelson, south campus associate principal, educated the audience about the First Class Principles established by the LT school board, promoting values such as respect, responsibility, cleanliness and dignity..

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"The principles embody the spirit of what Martin Luther King Jr. was trying to achieve," Nelson said. "The First Class Principles of Lyon Township High School are the hope of the future."

The evening honoring King included dramatic readings such as Maya Angelou's "Still I Rise" and Gwendolyn Brooks' "Truth."

Audience members also revisited who inspired Martin Luther King Jr. in his writings and speeches.

Leo Tolstoy, Mahatma Gandhi, Washington Irving, William Cullen Bryant, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and Henry David Thoreau were among influences, the audience suggested.

"Dr. King was ahead of his time," said Michael B. Henderson, pastor of Second Baptist Church of La Grange. "What made him so great was his spirituality and his connection to people."

"What he stands for is still relevant today," Henderson said.

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Karie Angell Luc is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
Matt Brandseth, left, and Brian Stetler, right, sit atop Jason Rezaian in the summer of 1991. The trio attended Wheaton Central High School. Rezaian only attended for two years before heading back to San Francisco, but the three remained friends. (Matt Brandseth, Handout)

After months of frustration and anxiety, news of Washington Post reporter Jason Rezaian's release from an Iranian prison elated Brian Stetler and Matt Brandseth, two of Rezaian's high school friends.

"I am overwhelmed. I am so happy for Jason and his family. What a great way to start the weekend," Stetler said this morning.

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At first Brandseth said he was skeptical that the information was false, but became increasingly excited after multiple sources reported the deal struck between the United States and Iran to free Rezaian and three other prisoners in exchange for six Iranian prisoners.

"After a little while I began seeing it all over the place, so I felt much better about the news," Brandseth said.

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Brandseth, now of Naperville, and Stetler now of Chicago, were fast friends during the two years Rezaian attended Wheaton Central High School, which has since become Wheaton-Warrenville South High School, in 1991 and 1992. In their junior year of high school Rezaian returned to San Francisco, but the trio remained friends. Rezaian was arrested July 22, 2014 by the Iranian government and charged with espionage and three other crimes. In October and Iranian court's conviction of Rezaian was upsetting to his friends, but they always remained hopeful a political solution would free him. Today their hopes were confirmed. Stetler praised the Obama administration for their part in freeing Rezaian and said he hopes his friend gets a chance to rest and spend time with his family during his first days as a freed man.

Brandseth said he hopes Rezaian, a life-long fan of the Star Wars saga, will be able to see the latest film in the theaters.

"It's something I know he will love," Brandseth said.

"He was the biggest fan of Star Wars. I know that's something he will love to do," Stetler said.

Neither Brandseth nor Stetler know when they will get a chance to see Rezaian, but both said the first chance they have, they will visit with their friend and embrace him.

In addition to a big hug, Brandseth said he wants to show Rezaian a social media campaign that he, Stetler and other friends of Rezaian put together over the past year to keep the journalist's name in the forefront of attention. Part of the campaign includes a video of dozens of people sharing personal stories about Rezaian and what he means to them.

"I want to show him how many people from all over the world were working to get him freed from prison," Brandseth said.

Brandseth said he may take the video and additional footage and put together a documentary about Rezaian's incarceration, but wanted to discuss it with his friend before committing to it.

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David Stetler, Brian's father, fondly recalled his son's friend. Like Brian, the elder Stetler has attempted to keep Rezaian's name trending on social media. This morning he called the release of Rezaian and the other prisoners "wonderful news."

"I am thrilled for Jason and his family. It's been a long time coming," Stetler said in an email.

If Rezaian, who holds dual U.S. and Iranian citizenship is released, none of his friends know what he might want to do in regards to returning to the United States. Rezaian is married to an Iranian woman, Yeganeh Salehi, a reporter for The National newspaper in Abu Dhabi, who was also incarcerated and still faces pending charges. If Rezaian returned to the U.S., Stetler said it was doubtful he would settle in the Wheaton area, but he at least hopes his old friend will return briefly to the area to seek comfort in old friendships.
Hong Kong Airlines Ltd will enlarge its international network in 2016, when the carrier's tenth anniversary comes.

"We plan to add 10 new international destinations across the Asia Pacific region to Australia in the year," said Li Dianchun, chief commercial officer of Hong Kong Airlines.

Hong Kong Airlines also increased the frequency of its Tianjin-Hong Kong route from a daily flight to two flights each day from Saturday.

The Hong Kong-based carrier launched the route from Tianjin to Hong Kong on March 31, 2014 and the route performed very well, as the average load factor on the route arrived at over 90 percent in 2015, Li said.

"Tianjin is an important hub in North China with fast passenger growth and it is also possible for Hong Kong Airlines to add more frequent flights on the route in the future," he added.

Contact the writer at wangwen@chinadaily.com.cn
A voter casts her ballot at a polling station during elections in Taiwan, Jan 16, 2016. [Photo/CFP]

TAIPEI -- Voting stations in Taiwan opened on Saturday as the island looks to elect a new leader and legislature.

Polls started at 8:00 am and will close at 4 pm, with the official announcement of the results coming before 10:00 pm.

In a three-way race, Eric Chu of the Kuomintang (KMT), the island's ruling party since 2008, is competing for Taiwan's next leader with major opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) chairwoman Tsai Ing-wen and the minority People First Party (PFP) chairman James Soong.

Chu, Tsai and Soong will cast ballot in New Taipei.

More than 15,000 polling stations opened across the island. About 18 million Taiwan residents are eligible to vote for the island's next leader and members of the legislature but it is hard to estimate how many voters will turn up, according to the election commission.

In 2012, about 74.38 percent of voters actually cast ballot.

The voting has proceeded smoothly as of 9:20 a.m.

The legislature election is being held simultaneously in Taiwan. For the legislature poll, 377 candidates are running for 79 directly elected regional seats and seats for ethnic minority groups, and 179 candidates from 18 parties, the most ever, are vying for 34 at-large seats. Taiwan's legislature has 113 seats.

Each eligible voter will cast two ballots in the legislature election -- one for a candidate representing the voter's district and the other for a political party to decide how many at-large seats each party can obtain.




SHENZHEN -- One of the suspects at large following the deadly Shenzhen landslide has surrendered to police, according to the Shenzhen police on Saturday.

Lin Xixiao gave himself up to the police in Fuqing city, Fujian Province, about 800 km northeast of Shenzhen, Saturday afternoon.

The Shenzhen Public Security Bureau urged the other two suspects Long Renfu and Wang Minghui to turn themselves in, warning whoever shield the suspects shall be held legally liable.

The landslide occurred on Dec. 20 when a huge waste pile collapsed and left 69 people dead and eight people missing in the southern Chinese city.

A total of 18 people have been arrested so far.
TAIPEI/BEIJING -- The Chinese mainland's Taiwan affairs authority has reiterated the importance of adhering to the 1992 Consensus after Tsai Ing-wen, candidate of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), was elected Taiwan leader on Saturday.

In a three-way race to become Taiwan's next leader, Tsai defeated rivals Kuomintang (KMT) candidate Eric Chu and People First Party (PFP) Chairman James Soong.

A person in charge of the Taiwan Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council said in a statement released late on Saturday that the mainland's major principles and policies concerning Taiwan are "consistent and clear, and will not change with the results of Taiwan elections."

In the past eight years, on the political basis of adhering to the 1992 Consensus and opposing "Taiwan independence," both sides have jointly explored a path for the peaceful development of the cross-Straits relations, set up an institutional framework for exchanges and cooperation, and maintained peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits, the statement said.

"Such hard-won good momentum should be cherished," it said.

"We will continue to adhere to the 1992 Consensus and resolutely oppose any form of secessionist activities seeking 'Taiwan independence'," it read.

"On major matters of principle including safeguarding national sovereignty and territorial integrity, our will is rock-firm and our attitude is consistent," it added.

The mainland is willing to enhance communication and exchanges with all political parties and groups which recognize the principle that the Chinese mainland and Taiwan belong to one China, the statement said.

"Together with people on both sides of the Taiwan Straits, we are willing to maintain the common political foundation, the peaceful development of cross-Straits relations and peace and stability across the Straits, and jointly create a bright future for the revival of the Chinese nation," it read.

Taiwan residents began voting in the island's leadership and legislature elections at 8 a.m. on Saturday and the polls closed at 4 p.m.
Voters in Taiwan will go to the polls on Saturday to elect the island's new leader and legislature, but voter sentiment is weighed down by uncertainties surrounding postelection cross-Straits stability.

Liu Tung-lung, a retired senior government official and member of the Kuomintang, told Xinhua News Agency that he was anxious, not about the election result but the uncertainty of the island's future relations with the mainland.

"I would be upset if (KMT candidate) Eric Chu lost the election, but I could live with that. The KMT has lost before," he said. "What worries me most is (Democratic Progressive Party candidate) Tsai Ing-wen's cross-Straits policies, especially her stance on the 1992 Consensus."
A series of cultural activities will be held in China and Qatar in 2016 as part of a "Cultural Year" between the two countries, according to the Ministry of Culture on Jan 15.

The event will feature 27 live performances, exhibitions, films and TV program screenings and other activities in fields such as photography, literature, and sports.

China will sponsor 17 activities, including an exhibition on contemporary Chinese arts curated by renowned artist Cai Guoqiang and a screening of a movie jointly produced by the two countries. Qatar will sponsor 10 activities, including exhibitions on pearls and the country's contemporary arts.

"Qatar was an important hub on the ancient Silk Road ...and is also a key country in realizing the 'Belt and Road' strategy. This year's event will help bridge cultural exchange and cooperation between the two countries," ministry official Lu Yanfei said at a press conference on Jan 15.

Related:

Exhibition on Dunhuang culture held in Beijing

Sino-Egyptian Culture Year launched
Food safety administration staffs inspect a restaurant in Ningbo, Zhejiang province, on Nov 10, 2014. [Photo/Xinhua]

Editor's note: How to ensure food security will be a key issue for the authorities during the 13th Five-Year Plan (2016-20) period. Late leader Deng Xiaoping laid down a principle: China should avoid relying on imports to meet its food demand and grain imports should not be more than 10 percent of its total need. The principle has been emphasized by all Chinese leaders since then.

Wei Longbao

Change practice and import more

Data from 2014 show the principle has been adhered to. China imported large quantities of soybeans, but the import of grains was just a little more than 19 million tons, or 3.1 percent of the total need.

Since 2003 the government has been offering subsidies and buying agricultural products at protective prices to encourage Chinese farmers to grow more grains. That policy has played a key role in increasing China's agricultural production for 11 successive years.

But things have changed in the global agricultural market. As prices of agricultural products overseas have remained low for quite a long time, prices in the domestic market have been falling too. Even though the government still buys grains at protective prices, which are higher than market prices, enterprises that need farm products have been eyeing overseas markets to fulfill their requirements.

Therefore, it is time for the government to adjust its policies to ensure food security. And importing a larger part of the grains the country needs, if handled properly, will not jeopardize China's food security.

Of course, China needs to diversify its imports to avoid relying on one or two overseas supplier and prevent the fluctuations in the global agricultural market from affecting prices at home. As such, the government needs to make more efforts to get more long-term agricultural trade partners overseas so as to avoid trade risks.

Another way of meeting the domestic demand for agricultural products lies in Chinese agricultural enterprises "going global". Some Chinese agricultural enterprises have the technology and funds to operate farms overseas, and the government should encourage them to do so, for the time has come for China to coordinate global resources to ensure its food security.

The author is a senior researcher at and deputy dean of China Academy for Rural Development, Zhejiang University.
Three Chinese students attending a high school in southern California will serve time behind bars for kidnapping and assaulting a female classmate in a high-profile bullying case.

Zhai Yunyao, Yang Yuhan and Zhang Xinlei reached a plea deal with prosecutors on Jan 5. The three 19-year-olds pleaded no contest to criminal charges of kidnapping and assault. Zhai, the prime culprit, faces 13 years in prison, Yang 10 years and Zhang 6 years, according to a report in The Los Angeles Times. And they will be deported to China after serving their sentences.

The bullying case, which came to light in March 2014, has caused quite a stir in China. The case, the media speculated, involved a dispute over a love affair and the target of the three students, who sought the help of some other teenagers, was an 18-year-old female classmate surnamed Liu. The victim testified that she was taken to a park, stripped, kicked, slapped and burned with cigarettes. Her ordeal, she said, lasted more than five hours.

The plea deal was "the best resolution" as there is "too much of a risk to go to trial", the attorney of one of the defendants was quoted as saying by the Associated Press. And prosecutors agreed to drop the torture charge under the plea deal.

The three students were "deeply shocked" after learning that what they assumed to be a "prank" was actually a felony in the United States which could lead to a life sentence, according to media reports. Judging from their reaction, the three thought the maximum punishment they would get was demerit points from their school. Worse, a parent of one of the students was also detained for trying to bribe prosecutors into dropping the case.

The California case shows how ignorant Chinese students and parents are about US laws, but it also serves as a reference for similar cases in China. Bullying incidents are not rare in China's schools. Bullying cases have hit the headlines from time to time; sometimes perpetrators have even uploaded videos of their misdeeds on the Internet.
Now that the Democratic Progressive Party leader Tsai Ing-wen has won Taiwan's "presidential" election, she should waste no time to prove that she is sincere in maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits. She should work to make people in Taiwan feel safe, instead of creating anxieties with her ambiguous mainland policy.

Tsai has played the card of "maintaining the status quo" during her election campaigns. But she has never made it clear how she would approach the 1992 Consensus.

As the cornerstone of cross-Straits relations, the consensus insists there is only one China, of which both the mainland and Taiwan are a part, though the meaning of "one China" is open to interpretation by both sides.

For a Taiwan leader, whether to accept the consensus or not decides which direction he or she would lead the island in: peace and stability, or conflicts and tension. The issue bears no ambiguity.

Thanks to the consensus, cross-Straits relations have developed smoothly over the past eight years. A slew of agreements have been signed to boost trade and tourism, bringing benefits to people on both sides. The two sides' top leaders met last November, for the first time since 1949.

All this has not come by easily, and should not be taken for granted. It requires efforts from both sides to make sure the momentum will not be interrupted by a leadership change, or derailed by any political missteps and misjudgment. After all, peaceful development of cross-Straits relations conforms to the interests of both Taiwan and the mainland.

Tsai has reportedly expressed wishes that both sides could work together for peace across the Taiwan Straits. If she means what she says, and accepts the 1992 Consensus, prospects for cross-Straits relations will remain promising.

The mainland has kept the door to dialogue open with the DPP so long as it accepts that both the mainland and Taiwan belong to one China. The mainland has also taken a flexible approach when handling relations with the DPP. The channel of communication remains unblocked.

Many differences remain between the mainland and Taiwan, not only in lifestyle and social system, but also in how and when the two sides should be reunited. But under no circumstance should the differences be used as excuses to seek Taiwan independence, which means war, as the mainland's Anti-Secession Law suggests. The bottom line shall never be tested.

Any attempt to steer the island closer to independence will be a fool's errand.
China welcomes the adoption of a resolution by the board members of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to close investigations into possible military dimensions to the Iranian nuclear program, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Hong Lei said in a news conference on Wednesday.

The IAEA Board of Governors said in the resolution adopted in a meeting on Tuesday that it "notes that all the activities in the Road-map for the clarification of past and present outstanding issues regarding Iran's nuclear programme were implemented in accordance with the agreed schedule and further notes that this closes the Board's consideration of this item".

The adoption of the resolution will pave the way for the implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), Hong said.

"China commends the efforts made by the IAEA and Iran for the settlement of the issue," he said.

"The preparatory work for implementing the JCPOA is going well as P5+1 and Iran have taken concrete actions to show their political support. The Chinese side stands ready to work with the other parties, act in strict accordance with the JCPOA, and speed up all preparatory work so that the Implementation Day can come at an early date," said the spokesman.
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (R) meets with Suma Chakrabarti, president of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 15, 2016. [Photo/Xinhua]

BEIJING -- Premier Li Keqiang said on Friday China is willing to strengthen investment and financing cooperation with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD).

The visit by Suma Chakrabarti, president of the EBRD, marks China's entry into the bank and opens a new chapter for their cooperation, said Li when meeting with Chakrabarti in Beijing.

On Dec. 14, the EBRD announced that its board of governors had approved a request by Chinese authorities for China to join the bank as a non-recipient country.

After going through a series of legal procedures domestically, China will become a shareholder of the EBRD.

China will work with the EBRD to provide support for cooperation between China and Europe, said Li.

He said China will resolutely push forward financial reform, boost economic growth by deepening reforms and let the market play a decisive role in allocating financial resources.

China will accelerate market-oriented financial reform and establish a regulatory framework to accommodate development of the modern financial market and guard against systemic risks, he said.

"China has no intention of stimulating exports via competitive devaluation of currencies," he said, adding that China is capable of keeping the yuan's exchange rate basically stable at an appropriate and balanced level.

Chakrabarti said China's achievements in the economic and social sectors in the past 30 years have provided experience for international development cooperation.
ROME - At least one person died and two were injured in the fire of a warehouse occurred at the outskirts of the Italian capital, local media reported on Friday.

The fire started at around 10:00 pm local time (2100 GMT) on Thursday at a household good storehouse in the southeast Torre Spaccata suburb, and quickly spread to at least four adjoining large stores during the night, Rome-based Il Messaggero newspaper said.

Firefighters and rescue teams from three different districts in Rome worked all night to put out the fire, and were able to extinguish it early morning on Friday.

Some five people who had got trapped inside the area were rescued during the night, after taking refuge on the roof of one of the buildings.

At least two Chinese nationals, including the husband of the storehouse's owner, were injured in the blaze and were brought to hospital for medical treatments, according to Ansa news agency.

None of them would be in life-threatening conditions.

However, once the fire was put out on Friday morning, rescue teams recovered one body from the ruins of the first warehouse that was completely destroyed by the fire.

Police were still trying to identify the victim, as Italian scientific police units kept working at the site all day long on Friday, local media said.

The search for other possible missing people continued.

The causes of the fire were still unclear. Yet, firefighters said first findings showed the flames would have first broken out at the second floor of the warehouse, where the keeper's office was located, and easily swept through the building.
US Secretary of State John Kerry delivers remarks on the United States foreign policy agenda 2016 at the National Defense University in Washington January 13, 2016. [Photo/Agencies]

WASHINGTON - US Secretary of State John Kerry will visit China later this month for talks on issues including the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), the State Department said Friday.

Kerry will travel to Beijing, China, on Jan. 27 "for meetings with senior leaders of the Chinese government to discuss a range of global, regional, and bilateral issues, including North Korea," State Department spokesman John Kirby said in a press release.

Deputy Secretary of State Tony Blinken is also scheduled to visit China next week for discussions also expected to focus on DPRK.

The DPRK announced last week that it had successfully carried out its first hydrogen bomb test.

While disputing its claim about the test, Washington vowed to punish Pyongyang for its flagrant violations of UN Security Council resolutions. The US has been holding consultations in the past week with Republic of Korea(ROK), Japan and other countries on how to respond to the DPRK nuclear test.

Before his trip to China, Kerry will travel to Zurich, Switzerland, on Jan. 20 to discuss the situation of Syria and Ukraine with his Russian counterpart before heading to Davos for the World Economic Form, the State Department said.

After Switzerland, he will visit Saudi Arabia on Jan. 23 for talks with Saudi officials and foreign ministers from the Gulf Cooperation Council.

Kerry will also travel on to Southeast Asia for talks on the upcoming Special US-ASEAN Summit in Sunnylands, California.

He will visit Vientiane, Laos, on Jan. 25, for meetings with Prime Minister Thongsing Thammavong and Foreign Minister Thongloun Sisoulith and will go to Phnom Penh on Jan. 26 to meet with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen and Foreign Minister Hor Namhong, according to the press release.
Switzerland is to hot an offshore RMB center. In fact, Swiss foreign minister Didier Burkhalter said the current construction of the offshore RMB center in Zurich is a positive and natural step for the internationalization of the RMB.

"What happened in Zurich is a very important step for the internationalization of the RMB, and will help the process positively," Burkhalter said. "This is also an important outcome of the financial cooperation between China and Switzerland."

The minister also said that Switzerland is playing an increasingly role on the global financial market and has long been a major hub of commodity trading.

"As more commodities get traded, the need money to move. If the RMB in Switzerland widens, the context of commodity trading worldwide is facilitated via Switzerland. I think this is also a favorable plus that is drawing towards Switzerland," Burkhalter said.

On Jan 14, 2016, it was announced that China Construction Bank became the first Chinese bank to receive a license to offer commercial banking services and clear Renminbi transaction in Switzerland, which makes the offshore RMB center in Zurich become operational.

The Swiss free trade agreement with China came into force in July 2014. Burkhalter said that currently, economic ties between the two countries are developing with strong momentum.

"One and a half year is not a very long period of time but I will say the first phase of our FTA has so far been very positive, and we will keep up with the next stage, " Burkhalter said.

"Both China and Hong Kong are the most important trade partners to Switzerland in terms of trading volume. There are still areas that require better efforts from both countries, such as the area of intellectual property rights protection, and others. And this is also something that we need to solve through different levels of economic and trade dialogue."

On Friday afternoon, Burkhalter held a political dialogue with China's foreign minister Wang Yi on a wide range of issues. Wang said China was happy that Switzerland has made great efforts with China on topics such as anti-corruption, and invited Switzerland to join the 2016 G20 conference in areas such as anti-corruption and finance, which will be held in Hangzhou, China.

The year 2015 marks the 65 years anniversary since China and Switzerland officially established diplomatic relations.

Contact the writer at zhangyue@chinadaily.com.cn
Security officers take their positions outside Splendid Hotel in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso in this still image taken from a video January 15, 2016, during a siege by gunmen. [Photo/Agencies]

OUAGADOUGOU -- A fourth attacker was killed Saturday following a hotel raid in Burkina Faso's capital Friday, which left 23 people dead, authorities have said.

The attacker was killed in Yibi Hotel, not far from Splendid Hotel where security forces freed 126 hostages and killed three attackers early Saturday, according to the country's security ministry.

Two women were among the four assailants killed.

The 23 victims are from 18 nationalities while some 40 others are receiving treatment in major hospitals in Ouagadougou, said the ministry.

The Splendid Hotel, not far from the capital city's international airport, often hosts Westerners, including UN staff and journalists.

A similar attack by Islamist militants on a hotel in neighbouring Mali in November left 20 people dead.

The Al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb militants attacked the hotel and took hostages there Friday.

Meanwhile, an Austrian couple was kidnapped overnight in the country's northern region bordering Mali, according to the ministry.

Earlier in the day, some 20 armed men attacked a security forces patrol in the vicinity of the northern city of Tinakof, near the Mali border, killing two people including a police officer and a civilian.
A view shows vehicles on fire outside Splendid Hotel in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso in this still image taken from a video January 15, 2016, during a siege by Islamist gunmen. [Photo/Agencies]

BEIJING - At least 21 were killed and 15 others wounded after an Al-Qaida affiliate attacked the Splendid Hotel in Burkina Faso's capital, Ouagadougou, and took hostages there Friday.

It is the first time militants carried out an assault in the capital, and it comes as a setback to efforts by African governments, France and the United States to prevent attacks that have destabilized the region.

-- Who launched the attack?

Gunman from the group Al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) stormed the hotel that often hosts Westerners including UN staff and journalists, and took the hotel guests as hostages.

The group is an Algerian Islamist militant organization aiming to overthrow the Algerian government and institute an Islamic state. It has been designated a terrorist organization by the United States and the European Union.

The AQIM, which used the name The Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat (GSPC) before December 2006, pledged allegiance to Al-Qaida in September 2006. Since then, the group has enrolled a number of terrorists and became the backbone of Al-Qaida in northwest Africa.

It had participated with Al-Mourabitoun, an Al-Qaida linked group, in the Mali hotel attack on Nov. 20, 2015, taking more than 100 persons hostage, killing 20.

-- Why Burkina Faso?

The West African landlocked country has been experiencing unrest over the past few years. Its new president was just sworn in December 2015.

In October 2014, mass protests erupted in many places around the country after former President Blaise Compaore, in power since 1983, tried to extend his term through a constitutional amendment. Compaore was deposed by the revolt and a transitional government was later formed. The protests resulted in 20 deaths and hundreds of injuries.

In September 2015, Presidential Security Regiment (RSP) led by Gen. Gilbert Diendere arrested the transitional president, his prime minister and members of the cabinet and dissolved the government, before setting up the National Council for Democracy. The coup caused 11 fatalities and 271 injuries.

The country, like many of its neighbors in the Sahel region, has been faced with terrorist threats for several months.

In mid-December, France issued travel advisories for its citizens not to visit the eastern part of Burkina Faso because of terrorism concerns.

A convoy of vehicles carrying gold from northern Burkina Faso was attacked by unknown armed assailants on Nov. 27, two days before presidential elections.
BEIJING - Chinese President Xi Jinping has congratulated on the launch of the "Visit China Year" in India, while extending sincere greetings to the Indian people.

The Chinese and Indian peoples enjoy a long-standing friendship, Xi said in a letter of congratulation sent to the opening ceremony of the "Visit China Year" held Thursday night in New Delhi, India.

The two peoples learn from each other and set a model for cross-cultural communication, playing an important role for the progress of human civilization, Xi said.

China and India have remarkable complementary advantages and significant potential for cooperation in various fields, Xi said.

Both countries should foster traditional friendship, strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation, expand people-to-people and cultural exchanges, and make new contributions to world peace and development, he said.

Xi noted that the launches of "Visit India Year" in China in 2015 and "Visit China Year" in India in 2016 were jointly decided by him and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi when he visited India in 2014. The "Visit India Year" in China in 2015 was very successful, Xi said.

The Chinese president hoped that the two sides will make further efforts and take the opportunity of the "Visit China Year" in India to expand cultural and people-to-people exchanges and inject more dynamism into the building of a closer partnership for development between the two countries.
TEHRAN - Sanctions imposed on Iran by the European Union, the United States and the United Nations are expected to be lifted on Saturday after confirmation of Iran's fulfillment of commitments to denuclearization, said Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif.

Zarif made this statement as he led an Iranian delegation that arrived in the Austrian capital of Vienna earlier Saturday, according to Iran's state news agency ISNA.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on Saturday is expected to release a report on whether Iran has completed its commitments under an international nuclear deal reached last year.

With the release of the IAEA report, a joint statement will be unveiled to announce the beginning of the deal, said Zarif.

Zarif is expected to meet with US State Secretary John Kerry and European Union (EU) foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini to discuss the landmark Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) ahead of its implementation.

Under the July 14, 2015 nuclear agreement, Iran agreed to shrink its atomic program in exchange for the lifting of some EU, US and UN sanctions.
Jason Rezaian, the Washington Post's Tehran correspondent, is pictured at The Washington Post in Washington, DC in this November 6, 2013 handout photo. [Photo/Agencies]

TEHRAN -- Iran released the detained Iranian-American Washington Post reporter Jason Rezaian on Saturday as part of prisoner swap, Iran's state IRINN TV reported.

Earlier on Saturday, Iran's prosecutor general announced that the country had released four Iranian prisoners with dual nationals.

"In line with the order of Iran's Supreme National Security Council and the interests of the country, Iran has released four Iranian dual-national prisoners as a part of prisoners swap," the announcement said.

An informed source told IRINN on Saturday that the names of the released inmates are the Iranian-Americans: Saeed Abedini, Amir Mirzaee Hekmati, Nosratollah Khosravi and Jason Rezaian.

Based on the prisoner swap deal, seven Iranians in the prisons of the United Sates will also be released, the source was quoted as saying.

A number of Iranian-Americans were detained in the past years in the country on espionage charges and propagating against the Islamic establishment.

The announcement came as Iran and the world powers are expected to announce the "implementation" of July historic deal on the former's disputed nuclear program on Saturday which will significantly scale back the country's atomic plan in exchange for the international and Western sanction relief on Iran's energy and financial sectors.
Giant panda cub Bei Bei sleeps at National Zoological Park in Washington DC, the United States, Jan 16, 2016. [Photo/Xinhua]

As Po, the animated giant panda in Kong Fu Panda hits the news headlines and captivates eyes in the US, so does the real giant panda, Bei Bei who just makes his first public debut on January 16 at Smithsonian's National Zoological Park in Washington.

"All she has wants to do is see the panda since she watched Kong Fu Panda," John Smith, a professor at Georgetown University, said. He was with his six-year-old daughter waiting outside until the panda house is open.

A long queue was formed in front of the panda house in the early morning, many of whom were children accompanied by their parents. At the entrance of the trail to the panda house, staff handed out red panda bump stickers.

Close to the queue, there is a panda store where people wear panda costumes and buy panda souvenirs. "Thanks to Bei Bei, we have got a lot more visitors today," the cashier at the store said.

Born on August 22 last year, Bei Bei has been the third child of his mother, Mei Xiang and father Tian Tian.

Bei Bei's weight has reached 25 pounds and started to nibble on bamboo. But he is still fed by his mother's milk, Marty Earie, a zoologist at the National Zoo, said. He has been taking care of Bei Bei since he was born.
(Photo : Mojamesss / Instagram) A grinning Bodhisattva statue in Shanxi's Yungang Grottoes has gone viral online.

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A photo of what seems to be a grinning Bodhisattva statue from Shanxi's Yungang Grottoes has gone viral after it was unveiled during a photo exhibition.



The Bodhisattva statue from the eight caves of the world cultural heritage site dates back to more than 1,500 years. The statue stands around two meters high and was sculpted with its palms together with a satisfied grin as well dimples on the face.



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"A grinning Bodhisattva statue is very rarely seen in the world Buddhist statue art," Zhang Hua, a researcher from the Yungang Grottoes research institute, told Shanxi Evening News.



The statue was revealed to the public through a photo that was taken by photographer Zhang Haiyan, who spent more than seven days finding the right angle for the photo. He has admitted to using an artificial light source for the photograph that was exhibited.



The one of a kind Bodhisattva statue caught Haiyans attention in the early 1990's, but he did notice that the statue also had dimples. "It was dark the first time I saw her, so I did not notice that she had dimples," said Haiyan



In an interview with a local Chinese paper, Haiyan said "The grinning statue seems very lighthearted, lively and adorable. It has also broken China's old feudal concept that girls should not reveal their teeth when smiling and their feet when they are walking."



The photograph is still on exhibition at the Yungang Grottoes Research Institute.



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(Photo : YouTube) Chinese researchers are set to conduct Deep Sea exploration in the Solomon Sea, Papua New Guinea.

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Chinese archaeologists on Tuesday released a list of the top archeological finds in 2015 and the top spot goes to a sunken warship from the first Sino-Japanese War (1894 to 1895).



The archaeologists also listed the Yangtze River Delta tomb as well as more than 700 pieces of rare cultural relics from the Liangzhu culture tomb located in Jiangsu province as part of the greatest finds in 2015.



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The warship was found by archeaologists near the Dandong river in Northeast China's Liaoning province. It was later confirmed to be the Zhiyuan vessel; a famous vessel from the Beiyang Fleet that sank due to unknown causes on September 17,1894 during the first Sino-Japanese War.



"The discovery of this vessel has now provided a lot of material for the continous study of China's modern history, as well as the development of naval ships and the history of the sino-Japanese war," Zhou Chunshui, an officals at the State Administration of Cultural Heritage (SACH), told the press.



It was not mentioned whether the remains of the crew aboard the ship at the time it sank was found.



The archeological finds were chosen from dozens of new discoveries made in 2015 by judges from the State Administration of Cultural Heritage and The Institute of Archaeology with the guidance of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, Peking University as well as The National Museum and other archaeological institutions around the globe.





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TagsSunken Warship, China Archeological Find, Beiyang Fleet, first Sino-Japanese War
(Photo : Getty Images) There may be unexpected challenges that come with the honorable distinction of being named in the Michelin Guide for restaurateurs.

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One of the sought-after honours in the restaurant business is the recognition given by Michelin guide. However, there may be unexpected challenges that go with the honourable distinction. As BBC reports, restaurants in Hong Kong are facing thos challenge after being featured in Michelin's guide in November last year.



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Chiu Wai Yip, 58, says his landlord more than doubled his rent from HK$100,000 to HK$220,000 a month upon knowing that Kai Kai Dessert has been featured in the guide. Worse, the landlord wanted to reduce the size of the rented space into half.



Chiu expressed his dismay over the owner's decision to raise the rent enormously. As a result, he was forced to relocate with the restaurant.



Kai Kai Dessert specializes in classic Cantonese desserts such as steamed papaya and white fungus soup, egg pudding and red bean soup with lotus seed. The family-owned business has been in operation for three decades. All throughout the day, even during the afternoon when it isn't a traditional time for dessert, all the seats are occupied in the eatery.



After hearing Chiu's dilemma, a regular customer offered to help the restaurant move around the corner, where the rent is just HK$90,000 per month.



Kai Kai Dessert is just one of the two dozen street food eateries in Hong Kong that were featured in the Michelin guide for the first time.



These restaurants often charge low prices for their authentic cuisine making them very vulnerable to what some call the "Michelin curse."



Another establishment, which offers Shanghai-style fried dumplings, is also suffering from this same situation. After being featured by Michelin, the landlord of the place that the restaurant is located vowed to increase the rent by 30 percent.



The eatery was opened three years ago in a working-class neighbourhood in Tsuen Wan. According to its owner, Sun Kei, Hong Kong is quickly losing its culinary street culture because of high rental costs.



Experts say Hong Kong has nearly doubled the rental costs since 1997 when it was handed back to China.



Sun is calling on the Hong Kong government to reinstate the rent control policy as food capital is slowly fading. He is sad that he had to move out from the neighbourhood that welcomed his business.



Being featured in the Michelin guide has its downside, Sun realizes. He now shares the same sentiments with Chiu.



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TagsMichelin Star, Michelin Guide, Michelin Curse, Kai Kai, Hong Kong
(Photo : ChinaFotoPress/Getty Images) A flood caused by a breach in the walls of a barrier lake has devastated Longfeng township in Hubei province.

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Rescuers were able to save 14 people and evacuate hundreds from a flood in Hubei province on Thursday after the dike of a lake formed by construction waste collapsed.



According to Xinhua, the flooding devastated the Longfeng township of Enshi Tujia and Miao autonomous prefecture.



When the dike collapsed at about 11:00 a.m. local time on Thursday, the waters immediately surged downward towards a nearby village, damaging more than 70 vehicles, and causing a national highway to be closed for a few hours, according to the local press.



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The barrier lake is reported to have contained thousands of cubic meters of water, spread over a land area of about 2,000 square miles and with a depth of 10 meters. Local residents say that it was created by construction workers who were dumping soil in the area.



A building worker reportedly breached the lake's banks by accident before the flooding started.



Rescuers, comprised of hundreds of people including paramilitary troops, quickly came to the rescue of people who were trapped in buildings, vehicles, and other structures.



Photos of the flood shows that the water reached a height enough to drown and wash away cars. Rescuers had to pull along lifeboats to secure the people that they are rescuing.



More than 300 people were evacuated from buildings, and 14 were saved from either inside or atop their vehicles.



No casualties have been reported so far.



This latest incident comes on the heels of a landslide in Shenzhen last month after a mountain of construction waste collapsed, burying different structures and killing dozens of people.



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(Photo : Getty Images / China Photos / Stringer) The exhibition features more than 50 intangible cultural practices related to the Chinese Spring Festival (or Chinese New Year). Things like paper cutting, sugar painting, dough sculpturing and finger painting are all on display.

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More than 100 artists gathered to show off China's intangible cultural heritage at the Liaoning Theatre in Sheyang during an exhibition on Thursday, Jan.14.



The exhibition features more than 50 intangible cultural practices related to the Chinese Spring Festival (or Chinese New Year). Things like paper cutting, sugar painting, dough sculpturing and finger painting are all on display.



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One of the artists participating in the event is Li Fengyan, who paints artwork using melted sugar. Dough sculpture maker, Zhang Bin, is also in attendance to proudly display his colorful art.



The finished products made at the exhibition, as well items brought by the artists, are said to also be for sale to art collectors all over the world.



Art has always been part of the Chinese culture and has varied throughout history. It has been influenced by the different dynasties as well as the ever changing technology. Different forms of art have also been greatly influenced by popular philosophers, teachers, religious figures and even political leaders.



Music has also been a popular art form in China, with some sticking to their traditional roots and some embracing the Western music culture of rap and hip hop music. "Dance clubs have been growing in the recent years, this has exposed our younger generation to Western music, while the older generation still greatly appreciates the traditional songs that are usually accompanied by drums." a source says.



The exhibition is will run from January 14 until January 18th.



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(Photo : YouTube) The OnePlus 3 Smartphone is rumored to be similar in design to its predecessor.

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A rumor suggests that OnePlus next Smartphone called OnePlus 3 will beat Samsung Galaxy S6 and iPhone 6s handset by its specification and features.



Last year, the Chinese company released the OnePlus 2 handset, which was expected to be better than the Samsung Galaxy S6 and iPhone 6s as far as specification is concerned. But it turned out to be no match for the two popular phones. Now, a new rumor suggests over that OnePlus' next device will beat the two reigning winners. The next OnePlus flagship smartphone is expected to feature the latest technology.



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The company has not yet revealed the release date of its next flagship device, but it has been suggested that it could arrive in the third quarter of this year. There is a release date pattern suggesting online that the next OnePlus phone will come later the year. The company released the OnePlus One smartphone in June 2014 and OnePlus 2 in August 2015.



The OnePlus 3 Smartphone is rumored to be similar in design to its predecessor. There are speculations that device will not feature a speakers on its rear part. The handset is expected to feature a 1920x1080 pixel screen and will be powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 processor.



Meanwhile, according to a designer Hasan Kaymak, the handheld device will feature a 5.2-inch Quad-HD display screen. He also revealed that OnePlus' next Smartphone will be powered by a 4,000mAh capacity battery. There have also been reports suggesting that the OnePlus 3 Smartphone may run Cyanogen OS, based on Android Marshmallow. The device comes with built-in 64GB internal storage and is rumored to feature a powerful 4GB of RAM.



It is important to mention that none of this information has been confirmed by the Chinese company.



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(Photo : Getty Images/ChinaFotoPress) A member of staff in a bank shows both sides of a yuan note in the photo above taken in Anqing, China. Fears of an economic meltdown in China are overblown, experts have said, as the country is still likely to remain the single biggest driver of growth in the global economy this year.

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The latest upheaval in China's stock and currency markets -- which spread gloom among investors as the year opened and more recently weighed oil prices down to their lowest in years -- does not mean that the Chinese economy is on the edge of collapse.



Fears of an economic meltdown in China are overblown, experts have said, as the country is still likely to remain the single biggest driver of growth in the global economy this year.



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International Monetary Fund (IMF) managing director Christine Lagarde is confident China's economy will weather the current storm, and has said that countries that depend on China's trade to buttress their own economies have no cause for worry.



"China will remain the second largest economy in the world after the US," says Lagarde, allaying fears that China's economy is about to close shop. "Its economy will continue to grow next year, meaning that it will continue buying raw materials."



The jitters are understandable. Seven years ago, the collapse of the US economy precipitated an economic downturn felt across the world, an ignominious role that was then passed on to Europe, with a sovereign debt crisis that rattled investors throughout the globe.



"If things were to get really disruptive, global growth would stall to where the US would be affected," says George Goncalves, a rates strategist at Nomura in New York. "These issues started percolating last year and they don't just go away because the calendar year has changed."



Investors have expressed doubt over the numbers presented by China's policymakers. And some have grown increasingly worried that Chinese authorities grappling with the country's slowing economy may set off a chain reaction that will hurt other countries.



But those familiar with the inner workings of China's economic policies -- and indeed its options in the event of some unforeseen economic disaster -- are not as nervous.



Domenico Lombardi, a global economist at the Center for International Governance Innovation in Canada, notes that China's growth prospects have remained stable through two weeks of turbulence in the markets.



"We have to look at the real economy, the fundamentals, the [government's] reform agenda," Lombardi says. "So far, it doesn't look like any pullback."



That view is shared by Sara Johnson, senior research director of global economics at IHS, who claims there is only a 25 percent chance that China's economy will slow to less than five percent this year. She says this would be "a hard landing" in China's case, but even then the country would be managing a growth rate that is nearly twice the projected 2.7 percent growth in the US economy for 2016.



By all accounts, in fact, China's economy is on track to a 6.3 percent growth this year, an estimate shared by both the IMF and the consulting giant IHS. Experts say much of that growth will spring from China's often overlooked service sector, which now accounts for half of the country's economy and has been its main engine of growth for the last three years.



"It's quite clear that China's services sector is doing much better than the manufacturing and construction sectors," says Jianguang Shen, an economist at Mizuho Securities in Hong Kong.



Some analysts have even pointed out that, with foreign reserves amounting to around $3 trillion, Chinese officials can -- in a worst case scenario -- simply throw money at the problem, a fallback strategy that Beijing has employed repeatedly in the past.



"Pessimism is feeding on itself," Johnson says of the panic that has gripped investors and bankers in the past few days, adding, "China's government has ample financial resources to constrain any major slowdown."



Barry Bosworth, an Asia economic expert at Brookings Institution, agrees.



"What matters is that China is a domestically-based economy," he tells the Los Angeles Times. "It's a great big domestic economy, and the threat of collapse is very small. It's just got too much wealth behind it."



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(Photo : Getty Image) Marking its first orbital mission, China launched Belarusian Belintersat-1 satellite from Xichang's satellite launch center at 12:57 AM (Beijing Time) on Saturday.

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China has launched a Belarusian telecom satellite on Saturday at 12:57 AM (Beijing Time) from a satellite launch center at Xichang, China.



The Long March-3B rocket caried the first ever comminication satellite of Belarus. This is the first time a satellite has been launched by the People's Republic for a European country.



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China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation developed and designed the Belintersat-1 based on the DFH-4 satellite platform. It is fully equipped with 38 transponders and has a life span of up to 15 years.



Belintersat-1, the first communications satellite to be managed by Belarus, will be placed 51.5 degrees east longitude of a geostationary orbit, according to Xinhua. From TV satellites and radio broadcasting to broadband Internet, the satellite will provide a wide array of telecommunication services in the Eastern European country as well as in neighboring areas, major contractor China Great Wall Industry Corp said.



This is the first of over 20 space missions that China is set to launch in 2016, including the Shenzhou XI manned mission as well sa the Long March 5 and the Long March 7 mission.



In 2007, China first sold its communication satellite to a foreign buyer when the NigcomSat was sent off to Nigeria. The country has continued to export communication satellites to other developing nations including Venezuela, Bolivia and Pakistan.



After the successfully launch a commercial satellite atop a Long March 3 rocket, China has served up to 20 international clients since 1990. The country has already sent off 43 spacecrafts and sent 49 satellites into the orbit.



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TagsSatellite, Belarusian telecom satellite, Long March 3B, China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, orbital mission
(Photo : Getty Images) A Chinese cargo ship MV Winning Joy came to the rescue of a lone French sailor Bernard Couvet who was in distress in the Caribbean after his yacht ran out of diesel oil and his electronic navigation system broke, leaving him in the middle of the sea with no food and water for 3 days.

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A 72-year-old lone French sailor was rescued by a Chinese cargo ship after his navigation system was destroyed in the Caribbean ocean, leaving him starving and close to death for days.



The 87,417-ton bulk cargo vessel with the name MV Winning Joy came to the rescue of Frenchman Bernard Couvet, who was aboard the SV.Kaflo yacht. When Couvet was found, It had been 19 days since his digital navigation system was destroyed and three days since he had eaten food and drank water.



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Couvet's yacht allegedly ran out of diesel oil leaving him with only wind power to maneuver. In the hope that rescue will soon come, he resorted to sending out Mayday distress calls to passing vessels.



MV Winning Joy, which is managed by the Qingdao Winning International Management Co., was returning to its port in Qingdao when the crew picked up a distress signal. They later found Couvet and his yacht and were able to get him to safety amid dangerous winds.



Ship captain Li Fubin said that the salvage operation was an experience he will be always proud of and remember forever. He noted that giving timely help to those in need is every Chinese man's duty and responsibility.



Recalling the rescue operation on Aug. 18, 2015, Li admitted that he was careful when he first received the signal from the high frequency radio, noting that the area is known for pirates. Li and his crew later contacted the boat back and confirmed that it was in distress.



The crew carried out the risky salvage operation despite the huge waves and strong winds.



According one of the sailors Song Zhisong, the first rope that was connected between the two ship immediately broke as it was difficult to control the speed. Then he claims that the ship master commanded the entire crew to help.



Again, they fired another line with a thicker cable and successfully tied the two vessels. Then everyone pulled the ship closer and lowered down a rope ladder.



Knowing that Couvet was extremely weak, Winning Joy's chief officer Gao Jiangqi donned a life jacket and climbed down from the 25-meter high cargo vessel into the yacht. According to Song, it was a life-and-death situation because if Gao Jiangqi fell off the water, it is unlikely for him to survive. Gao Jiangqi managed to reach the yacht and help Couvet safely to the Wunning Joy.



After the successful salvage operation, Li said Couvet was medically assessed by the medical team and was given some porridge, which can be easily digested. Then the chef also prepared some western meals like beef and pork steak, in case he is not used to eating Chinese food.



Li later on learned that Couver was a retired teacher and was sailing towards Saint Martin to pay a visit to his friend in Martinique. Relying on the electronic navigation system, he did not carry a paper chart. Unfortunately, his boat ran out of diesel and the wind condition was so bad that he was drifted towards the sea.



Unable to speak fluent English, Couvet reportedly kept on thanking the crew during their 3-day trip. The Chinese ship towed his yacht to the Dominican port and Couvet was picked up by the members of the French embassy.



To show their thanksgiving and appreciation, the Maritime Rescue Coordination Center (MRCC) Fort-de-France sent a letter to Li and his crew on Aug. 20. "Couvet paid tribute to every crewmember, saying he was extremely well-treated. Such act does confirm that solidarity is not a shallow word for all seafarer, in particular for those of M.V. Winning Joy," MRCC Fort-de-France duty officer O. Delteil wrote in the letter.



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Tags Caribbean, ship salvage, MV Winning Joy
(Photo : Reuters) China has announced its plans of developing other disputed islands in the South China Sea by seeking private investors.

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Amid protests from claimant-countries, China has announced plans of developing the islands it controls in the disputed waters of the South China Sea by inviting investors to pour money into Sansha city and other islands which are part of the disputed Paracel islands.



Along with the development plan, Beijing said regular flights will be made to the sparsely populated Sansha island this year as part of its tourism industry in the South China Sea region.



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China hopes to boost tourist arrivals in the island by introducing regular civilian flights to the area.



Feng Wenhai, the deputy mayor of Sansha, said the city will welcome private investment and 'will initiate public-private partnership programs' to develop the other islands.



Feng said he was looking forward for the construction of a maritime medical rescue center in the city this year and will push for the establishment of WiFi connection in all inhabited islands and reefs.



The deputy mayor said Sansha city on the Yongxing Island, which has a few thousand residents, was built by China in 2012 to help Beijing protect and govern the other islands in the region.



Several facilities have risen in Sansha such as a bank, a hospital, a library and a supermarket over the years.



On Friday, the Chinese media released pictures of what appeared to be the first tourists that have visited the hotly contested Fiery Cross Reef.



The picture showed a number of tourists standing in front of two civilian aircraft on the newly built tarmac on the reef.



Vietnam recently protested China's landing of a plane on the Fiery Cross Reef saying the brazen act was a clear violation of its sovereignty to the Spratlys group of islands.



But China had defended its test flights saying the reef is Chinese territory and therefore it does not need to notify Hanoi or anybody about its flights.



"China has a long coastline and a vast maritime area under our jurisdiction. To safeguard our maritime sovereignty, interests and rights is the sacred mission of the Chinese armed forces," a spokesman for the Chinese Defense Ministry, Yang Yujun said.



The Paracel Islands is composed of 40 islands, isles and reefs in the South China Sea and is being claimed by China, Vietnam, and Taiwan.



China is claiming almost all the islands, reefs, and islets in the South China Sea which is believed to contain huge deposits of gas and oil. About $5 trillion of maritime trade passes through the area each year.



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TagsParacel Islands, Sansha Islands, regular civilian flights, Deputy mayor of Sansha Feng Wenhai
(Photo : Reuters/Arnd Wiegmann) China and Switzerland have pledged to work together in battling graft and corruption.

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China and Switzerland vowed to work together to battle graft and corruption as top officials from the two countries met to beef up mutual cooperation in many sectors on Friday.



China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi held talks with Swiss Foreign Minister Didier Burkhalter during the latter's visit to Beijing.



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Both ministers agreed to enhance bilateral cooperation in several sectors such as the economy, innovation, global financial governance, and people-to-people exchanges.



The two countries also agreed to strengthen cooperation on graft and corruption, with Switzerland vowing not to give refuge to fleeing Chinese officials suspected of committing corruption in Beijing.



"We applaud Switzerland's position that it will not offer safe havens for fleeing corrupt officials," Wang said.



Wang noted that the two countries have jointly denounced the rampant corruption in the Chinese government and have vowed to rid the bureaucracy of thieves.



Part of the cooperation agreement between the two countries to deal with corruption suspects includes holding dialogues on anti-corruption efforts, strengthening Switzerland's cooperation in repatriating financial fugitives, and providing assistance to the justice system in criminal cases.



Wang added that the two sides also agreed to ride on Switzerland's strength in innovation, which he China said will help Beijing economic growth.



The two foreign ministers agreed to get involved more in regional and international affairs and strengthen coordination in counterterrorism and cybersecurity matters.



China has invited Switzerland to join the G20 summit that will be held in the eastern city of Hangzhou in September this year, Wang said.



Wang explained that China could use the help of Switzerland in the G20 preparation work on anti-corruption and finance.



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BREAKING: Saeed Abedini released from Iranian prison in swap Editorial Staff | 16 January, 2016 by Joni B. Hannigan

IRAN (Christian Examiner) -- Saeed Abedini, a pastor, and three other Americans have been released from prison in Iran according to various news sources, Jay Sekulow, the attorney representing the Abedini family has confirmed.

In social media updates beginning just before 10 a.m. CST, the news exploded with promises by Sekulow for more information as it is known.

Just 12 hours before the reports, Sekulow had tweeted that Abedini had been taken by intelligence police from the jail where he was being held to the Central Intelligence Office.

Naghmeh Abedini, Saeed's wife, tweeted: "URGENT UPDATE on Saeed: Our family appreciates your continued prayers for Saeed and our family!"

Later Naghmeh tweeted: "It is confirmed: Saeed is released from Iranian prison."

Saeed, though Iranian-born, is a U.S. citizen and pastor from Boise, Idaho. He traveled to Iran in 2012 with plans to build an orphanage there. While in the country, he was detained by members of Iran's Revolutionary Guard because of his profession of Christianity. Abedini was placed under house arrest, but later sent to Evin Prison, one of the nation's most notorious.

Supporters' attempts to push for Abedini's release had been complicated by the United States' precarious relationship with Iran.

CNN reported the four prisoners are part of a prisoner swap and include Washington Post journalist Jason Rezaian, Amir Hekmati, an Marine Corps veteran, and Nosratollah Khosrawi.

The United States is said to have freed six Iranian Americans on charges related to sanctions against Iran.
ISIS has released 16 more hostages of the 250 people taken captive almost a year ago. They were released in al-Hasakah governorate of north-eastern Syria, according to media reports.

Almost 150 captives have already been released, after the release of 25 hostages on the Christmas Day. The Assyrian Church of East Relief Organization (ACERO) is continuing its efforts to release the rest of about 100 victims.

ACERO is an organization that works to aid the persecuted Assyrian Christians, and shared the update on the released hostages on their Facebook page.

"The 16 freed hostages, comprising men, women and children, was met and embraced by His Grace Mar Afram Athneil, Bishop of Syria and Chairman of ACERO," said a statement on the organization's Facebook page.

"ACERO continues to play a leading role in supporting the released hostages and their families through the generosity of our supporters and partner organizations."

In February, 2015, the people were taken captives from Khabour River region of Syria.

In October, the IS killed three of the hostages by beheading them, and released the videos of the execution, demanding $23 million to be pain for the remaining captives. After the Assyrian church was unable to pay the fee, it was lowered to $12-$14 million.
Saeed Abedini has finally been freed.

The Iranian-American pastor from Idaho, held for more than three years, was exchanged as part of a prisoner swap in which Iran released four people and the United States released seven.

"It is confirmed," his wife Naghmeh announced on Twitter. "Saeed is released from Iranian prison."

This has been an answer to prayer, she said in a press release from the American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ), one of Abedini's leading advocates. This is a critical time for me and my family. We look forward to Saeed's return and want to thank the millions of people who have stood with us in prayer during this most difficult time.

More than 1.1 million people had joined ACLJ's "Save Saeed" campaign. President Obama personally told Naghmeh last year that freeing her husband was "a top priority." This past October, she wrote to the president in The Washington Post that it was ...

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Daines, Forbes Highlight Resolution to Celebrate Religious Freedom Day

Contact: Hailey Sadler (Forbes), 202-225-6365; Alee Lockman (Daines), 202-224-2651



WASHINGTON, Jan. 15, 2016 /Christian Newswire/ -- Senator Steve Daines (R-MT) and Representative Randy Forbes (R-VA) today highlighted their resolution to celebrate and reaffirm the role of religious freedom as a fundamental human and Constitutional right.

The resolution recognizes the 230th anniversary of the enactment of the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom and commemorates January 16, 2016 as Religious Freedom Day by an act of Congress. The Virginia Statue for Religious Freedom was authored by Thomas Jefferson and served as the model for the Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment.

"America sets the standard across the globe for upholding the fundamental human right to hold and practice our beliefs," Daines stated. "Religious Freedom Day serves to remind every American that we are all free to live and work in accordance with our religious beliefs, without fear of government restrictions. With all the international and domestic unrest our society faces, this resolution reminds our country that for 230 years, we have stood strong for religious freedom and will continue doing so. Our founding documents will continue to endure and stand the test of time."

"As a Virginian and a former member of the Virginia General Assembly, I am proud of the legacy that Thomas Jefferson's Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom has given to our nation," Forbes stated. "For over 200 years, the American people have sought to protect the fundamental human right of religious freedom both at home and around the world. Today, it is critical that we continue to unite to protect this right for people of all faiths and no faith. This Resolution reminds us of the many times throughout our history when Congress or the President have acted to reinforce the idea that religious freedom is central to a free society."

The full text of the resolution is available here.
French drug trial leaves one dead and five in critical condition

One person has been left brain dead and five others have been hospitalised after taking part in a clinical trial in France of an experimental drug made by Portuguese drug company Bial, French Health Minister Marisol Touraine said on Friday.

In total, 90 people have taken part in the trial, taking some dosage of the drug aimed at tackling mood and anxiety issues, as well as movement coordination disorders linked to neurological issues, Touraine said.

The six men aged 28 to 49 had been in good health until taking the oral medication at the Biotrial private facility that specialises in clinical trials, she said.

"This is unprecedented," Touraine told a news conference after meeting volunteers and their families in Rennes, western France. "We'll do everything to understand what happened."

Prosecutors have opened an investigation into the case.

The six men started taking the drug on Jan. 7. The brain-dead volunteer was admitted to hospital on Monday, the minister said.

For three of the five others - who went in on Wednesday and Thursday - there are fears of irreversible handicap, doctor Gilles Edan said, though he still hoped that would not be the case. One of the six had no symptoms but was being carefully monitored, he said.

Testing had already been carried out on animals, including chimpanzees, starting in July, Touraine said.

All trials on the drug have now been suspended and all volunteers who have taken part in the trial are being called back, the health ministry added.

The medicine involved is a so-called FAAH inhibitor that works by targeting the body's endocannabinoid system, which is also responsible for the human response to cannabis.

Bial said in a statement it was committed to ensuring the wellbeing of test participants and was working with authorities to discover the cause of the injuries, adding that the clinical trial have been approved by French regulators.

The company said five people, rather than six, had been hospitalised, including one left brain dead, without explaining the discrepancy with the official French figures.

Cases of early-stage clinical trials going badly wrong are rare but not unheard of. In 2006, six healthy volunteers given an experimental drug in London ended up in intensive care. One was described as looking like "the elephant man" after his head ballooned. Another lost his fingertips and toes.

In the initial Phase I stage of clinical testing, a drug is given to healthy volunteers to see how it is handled by the body and what is the right dose to give to patients.

"Undertaking Phase 1 studies is highly specialist work," said Daniel Hawcutt, a lecturer in clinical pharmacology at Britain's University of Liverpool.

Medicines then go into larger Phase II and Phase III trials to assess their effectiveness and safety before they are finally approved for sale.

Europe has strict regulations governing the conduct of clinical trials, with Phase I tests subject to particular scrutiny. But Ben Whalley, a professor of neuropharmacology at the University of Reading, said these could only minimise risks, not abolish them.

"There is an inherent risk in exposing people to any new compound," he said.

The 2006 London trial led to the collapse of Germany's TeGenero, the company developing a medicine known as TGN1412. The drug has since gone back into tests for rheumatoid arthritis and is showing promise when given at a fraction of the original dose.
Leading member of US Church pledges to continue Anglican Communion work

A leading cleric has pledged that the measures taken by Anglican Primates against The Episcopal Church because of its pro-gay doctrines will not stop the church working to feed the hungry and care for the sick across the world.

The Rev Gay Clark Jennings, President of The House of Deputies, was responding to the decision by the 39 Primates meeting in Canterbury this week to reduce The Episcopal Church's contribution to Anglican Communion affairs for three years.

The statement from the Primates says The Episcopal Church will "no longer represent us on ecumenical and interfaith bodies, should not be appointed or elected to an internal standing committee and that while participating in the internal bodies of the Anglican Communion, they will not take part in decision making on any issues pertaining to doctrine or polity".

In a letter to all deputies and alternate deputies, Jennings wrote: "I want to assure you that nothing about what the primates have said will change the actions of General Convention that have, over the past four decades, moved us toward full inclusion and equal marriage. And regardless of the primates' vote, we Episcopalians will continue working with Anglicans across the globe to feed the hungry, care for the sick, educate children, and heal the world. Nothing that happens at a primates' meeting will change our love for one another or our commitment to serving God together."

The House of Deputies is made up of lay and clergy members from across The Episcopal Church who, alongside the House of Bishops, meet every three years as the church's General Convention, its governing body.

Jennings said the "consequences" had been imposed "for our full inclusion of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people in our common life."

The news might be painful for some, particularly for LGBT people who have been excluded too often and for too long by families, churches, schools, and other institutions "mired in homophobia", she said. "It may also be hurtful or unsettling to those of us who value our mission relationships with Anglicans across the Communion."

She acknowledged that the practical consequences of the Primates' decision means Episcopalians will not be invited to serve on certain committees, or will be excluded from voting while they are there.

But she went on to say that the Primates do not have authority over the Anglican Consultative Council. The council consists of bishops, clergy and lay people who facilitate the work of the churches of the 38 provinces of the Anglican Communion.

She wrote that she had no intention of not taking part in her own work for the council, on which she is a representative to that body, along with Bishop Ian Douglas of Connecticut. "I am planning to travel to Zambia for our scheduled meeting in April and to participate fully," she said.
Eleven people have been charged with operating a game room without a permit after an operation this week conducted by the Fort Bend County Sheriff's Office.

The sheriff's office said in a Facebook post that it had targeted 10 suspected game rooms in the Houston-Sugar Land-Richmond area on Jan. 14. Seven were found to be in operation. The goal was to "ensure compliance with the Fort Bend County regulations for game rooms," the statement said.
Police are investigating the death of a 1-year-old child at a hotel in Waller County, authorities said.

According to initial information, police received a 911 call about 7 a.m. Friday at the Brook Hotel on Koomey Road and Interstate 10.
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.
Prime Minister Manuel Valls and More Honor Pierre Boulez in Paris Memorial Service

French conductor and composer Pierre Boulez, circa 1970. (Photo : Erich Auerbach/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

(Photo : Norman Lebrecht)

(Photo : Norman Lebrecht)

Yesterday, a memorial service for Pierre Boulez was held in Paris and was attended by loved ones close to the composer, which included French Prime Minister Manuel Valls and Culture Minister Fleur Pallerin. Perhaps one of this century's foremost leading composers, Mr. Boulez was honored in a most beautiful fashion.

The event was considered a strictly private affair and was held at the Saint-Sulpice church in Paris, France. A shining star in neo-classical, the Philharmonie de Paris director was paid tribute by dignitaries and family across the political and musical spectrum.

Having pioneered avant-gardism in the post-World War II era, Mr. Boulez's pursuit for beauty was his life's mission. His art reflected that and so did his service, with pictures indicating an intimate recounting of the composer's life work.

Per Norman Lebrecht:

"Laurent Bayle, president of the Philharmonie de Paris, recalled Boulez' creative achievements including Boulez's lifelong disdain for 'les invalides de la nostalgie.' The most moving and evocative homage was delivered ex tempore by the architect Renzo Piano, recalling Boulez's lifelong search for beauty: 'Beauty will save the world.'"

The composer found his voice through surrealism, which he used to manipulate his works and usher in a new era of music. One of his most notable pieces, Le Marteau Sans Matire, was inspired by the abstract concepts and free-to-form aesthetics advocated in surrealism.

Mr. Boulez, aside from heading the Philharmonie de Paris, also appeared with some of the world's most prestigious orchestras, including the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, the Berlin Philharmonic and the Cleveland Orchestra.

The Church Saint-Sulpice, where Boulez was remembered, is a well-known parish, having been referenced in The Da Vinci Code as well as playing a key role in the narrative.

Music of all stripes has endured a great loss with the passing of Mr. Boulez. He will be fondly remembered by his family and those whom he inspired.

 2016 The Classical Art, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.

TagsPierre Boulez, Philharmonie de Paris, Manuel Valls
Kevin Dasen court

Kevin Dasen was found guilty of 12 counts of rape and seven counts of sexual battery.

(Adam Ferrise, cleveland.com)

AKRON, Ohio -- A Summit County jury on Friday found an Akron man guilty of repeatedly raping a girl during a six-year span.

The jury of seven men and five women found Kevin Dasen, 42, guilty of 12 counts of rape and seven counts of sexual battery. He was found not guilty of two counts of rape.

Summit County Common Pleas Judge Lynne Callahan will sentence Dasen March 2 after a psycho-sexual evaluation. The jury deliberated for about four hours before returning their verdicts. The trial began on Monday.

Dasen sat stoic as Callahan read the verdicts.

Assistant Summit County Prosecutor Joe Dangelo said during closing arguments that Dasen raped the girl an estimated 300 times between 2009-2015, beginning when the girl was 13 years old. The victim is autistic, which Dangelo successfully argued impaired her ability to consent.

Now 20, she testified that she was inspired to report the abuse after watching an episode of "Dr. Phil about a woman in a similar situation. She told her mother and the two reported the abuse to Akron police.

Dasen, who testified on his own behalf, admitted committing sex acts with the girl. He also recorded one incident on his cellphone. Investigators found the video during the investigation. It was played for the jury during the trial.

Dasen said the girl forced sex acts on him. Defense attorney Job Perry argued she gave an inconsistent time frame for the rapes.

Assistant Summit County Prosecutor Tom Kroll called Dasen "a predator" during his closing argument.

Dasen worked as a night custodian at Helen Arnold elementary school in Akron from 1999 until his arrest in May.
NORTHFIELD CENTER, Ohio -- Hundreds of friends, neighbors and family members gathered on a cold, rainy Friday night to remember a mother, two children and a father whose bodies were discovered Monday after an explosion tore through their home.

Investigators and those who live in the small community 20 miles north of Akron are left with many questions about the deaths of the Jeff and Cynthia Mather, and their daughters Alyson, 12, and Ruthie, 8.

Some of those who gathered along Skyhaven Lane for Friday night's vigil lost a co-worker. Some lost family members. Others lost their classmates.

Pastor Michael Wolfe led those in attendance in a short prayer that touched on the collective grief that rocked the bedroom community.

"We know that you are the one who brings comfort, so God we ask that you indeed be our comforter," he said. "Your word is that you offer peace that is beyond our human understanding. And this is what we need in the next season of our lives.

"We implore you to be very near and present for the family, friends and neighbors."

It could be weeks or months before it's known how the Mather family died, but investigators have said that their deaths were part of a murder-suicide.

The family's dog, Ruger, was the only member of the Mather family to escape the explosion. He is staying with family friends, who led him at the head of the procession during the nighttime vigil.

Some shed tears of grief, while others could be heard laughing and sharing happy memories of the family. Most people lingered afterward, chatting and leaving their battery-powered candles at a makeshift memorial at the foot of the driveway of the devastated home.

While the causes of the Mather family's deaths are still not known, the body of father and husband Jeff Mather, 43, was found in the rear of the first floor of the two-story house next to a charred gas can.

His wife Cynthia Mather, 43, was found huddled over her two daughters. Investigators have said that they were on the second floor, but their bodies fell to the first floor in the explosion.

A report from the Summit County Medical Examiner said that Jeff Mather was suffering from mental illness and was picked up by police in December inside a Rocky River Metropark after threatening to kill himself.

The suicide attempt came after his role changed at the Swagelok in Solon where he worked, medical examiner's records say. He told authorities he had been depressed for a few months. Prior to that, he had no history of mental illness, marital or financial problems, according to the records. The couple was married for about 20 years.

Cynthia Mather worked as a tutor at KidsLink Neurobehavioral Center in Twinsburg. The Nordonia School District identified Ruthie as as a second-grader at Northfield Elementary School.

Cynthia Mather's sister texted her Jan. 9 to check on her. She replied that she and her husband were having problems, the records say. The sister said she tried to call her three times on Monday and never got through. The family's home exploded later that day.

Wolfe thanked the firefighters and emergency workers who responded to the blast about 8:30 p.m. Monday.

"Let me offer a few words of thanks to the service men and women who responded so heroically, so expediently and so respectfully to our community," he said. "As we begin to mourn, begin to heal and begin to grieve, thank you for being here tonight."
CLEVELAND, Ohio - As if we needed another reason to eat pie, the National Pie Council has designated Saturday, Jan. 23, as National Pie Day.

Yes, National Pie Day -- not to be confused with the more irrational Pi Day on March 14 (as in 3.14...), when folks get yet another reason to celebrate all things pie -- is a thing. Created by a passionate pie-eater in the 1970s, National Pie Day has been sponsored and promoted by the National Pie Council since 1986.

Think of it: An officially sanctioned occasion to gather around and stuff our pie holes with as much of the sweet or savory pastries as we can. What's more American than apple pie? Apple still ranks as the nation's favorite flavor, followed closely by pumpkin, chocolate (tied for second), and cherry pie (third).

Can't pick a favorite? Imagine winning a whole year of free pie. Yes, FREE.

Family-owned Mama Jo Homestyle Pies is offering a Golden Ticket worth $180 (one large pie a month for a whole year) at each of its bakeries in Amherst and Medina on National Pie Day.

Anyone who buys one of its medium pies that day (chocolate cream, coconut cream, or lemon meringue) is eligible to win the ticket, which will be taped inside one of its randomly chosen pie boxes, not baked inside the pie. Those three flavors will be on sale for $7.65 each, or two for $12.50.

"Enjoy a slice of happiness all year long," Mama Jo's Golden Ticket says. "And by happiness, we mean pie."

Win free pie for a year! With the purchase of a medium pie on National Pie Day 1/23 you could be the lucky winner. pic.twitter.com/zuO6htQj65  MamaJoPies (@MamaJoPies) January 15, 2016

Mama Jo's is also encouraging its Facebook fans (www.facebook.com/MamaJoPies) to "Pay it Forward with Pie" by nominating someone who deserves a slice of pie on National Pie Day. Ten people will receive a hand-delivered, made-from-scratch Mama Jo's Pie.

"Tell us who in your life deserves a surprise sweet treat," Mama Jo said. "Winners selected 1/21."

Who needs a slice of happiness? On National Pie Day, ten lucky customers will receive a pie hand-delivered to them from... Posted by Mama Jo Homestyle Pies on Thursday, January 14, 2016

Finally, Mama Jo's is also offering customers who buy a pie from one of its bakeries on National Pie Day the chance to suggest their own favorite pie. The winning flavor will be named after the person who suggested it, baked and sold at its shops during the month of February.

Although Mama Jo's Pies are also sold at Heinen's Fine Foods and Discount Drug Mart, its National Pie Day promotions are limited to its own two bakeries.

Of course, Mama Jo's isn't the only bakery celebrating National Pie Day.

Bakers Square, whose three Ohio stores are in Mentor, North Olmsted, and Parma Heights, is offering $2 off its whole pies (excluding cheesecake and carrot cake) from Wednesday, Jan. 20, through Sunday, Jan. 24. Reserve a pie online at www.bakerssquare.com and pick up in store.

Bakers Square, with 43 restaurants in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin, says its most popular flavors are Cherry Supreme, French Silk, and Pecan, and each is priced at $12.99 for a whole pie, excluding tax and tip.

Bakers Square is also giving pies to a few of its Facebook fans who like the company at www.facebook.com/bakerssquarerestaurants

In 2014, an independent survey found that people prefer pie not just during the holidays but at special occasions year round. Two-thirds of those surveyed said they think pie is should be a staple at family gatherings. The survey was commissioned by the American Pie Council.
PEPPER PIKE, Ohio -- Larceny/theft, Chagrin Boulevard: Police met with staff at the Cuyahoga County Public Library's Orange Branch on the morning of Jan. 8 to take a theft report after a Wii remote,control or "Wiimote," valued at $25, disappeared the previous afternoon.

Police had a juvenile suspect and were planning to speak to her mother.

Driving under the influence of drugs, marijuana possession, improper handling of a firearm in a motor vehicle, having a weapon under a disability; South Woodland Road: A Garfield Heights man, 44, faces a slew of charges after police received a report of an erratic and possibly intoxicated driver at around 4:30 a.m. on Jan. 7. He was stopped west of Bolingbrook Road and as police were waiting on a tow truck, a search of the vehicle revealed a handgun, a fake pack of cigarettes containing suspected marijuana and a digital scale.

Motor vehicle accident, Route 87 and Lander Road: A Mayfield Heights woman, 63, was cited for failure to maintain reasonable control following a four-car accident that sent three people to Ahuja Medical Center, including herself, a Chagrin Falls man, 31, and a Pepper Pike woman, 36, on the afternoon of Jan. 9. Police noted that she struck all three of the other cars in her 2010 BMW. Condition reports and updates from the hospital were unavailable.

Disorderly conduct, Chagrin Boulevard: Police were dispatched to the front area of Orange High School at 8:40 p.m. on Jan. 6 for a family dispute between a Pepper Pike woman, 51, and a Beachwood man, 55, over their young teen-aged son. A summons was issued to the mother, with a Feb. 3 court date.

Identity theft, fraud/impersonating; Laurel Hill Lane: A resident arrived on station Jan. 7 to report a case of I.D. theft.
CLEVELAND, Ohio - TV personality and Cleveland native, Steve Harvey will reunite with Miss Universe and Miss Colombia for a 'Steve Harvey' two-day special.

It was the mistake heard around the world during the crowning moment of the 2015 Miss Universe pageant on Dec. 20. The host made a very public mistake when he announced the incorrect winner, and for the first time he is addressing the issue.

Harvey will come face-to-face once again with Miss Universe and Miss Colombia for an honest and unfiltered conversation during the 'Steve Harvey' two-day special. The show is scheduled to air Monday, Jan. 18 and Tuesday, Jan. 19.

Harvey will come face-to-face once again with both women for an honest and unfiltered conversation. The show will be broken up into two episodes, which are scheduled to air Monday, Jan. 18 and Tuesday, Jan. 19.

Part one of the interview will address questions from the audience as well as a conversation with newly crowned Miss Universe, Pia Wurtzbach from the Philippines. The second portion of the segment will have Miss Colombia, Ariadna Gutierrez sitting down with Harvey to candidly talk about her feelings.

This is the first time the talk show host is speaking out regarding the controversial incident.

"The reason why I didn't do any interviews was because I wanted to talk to the women first," said Harvey in a promo clip. "Regardless to how I felt, I was still stuck on the two women because I have daughters."

Watch the videos to get a sneak peek look at the episodes. Check local listings for channel and times.
FAIRVIEW PARK, Ohio - Designing and building small-scale ships within a two-hour time frame wasn't merely a sink-or-swim proposition.

The "Shipwreck Challenge" in which Fairview Park eighth-graders participated Jan. 14 at Lewis F. Mayer Middle School combined art, math, science and social collaboration to underscore the virtues of teamwork and ingenuity.

"The most important thing is how the creative process works in a team and how you visualize something and then build it as a team," said instructor Augusto Bordelois of the Center for Arts-Inspired Learning. "Students will understand the possibilities of failure. I'm not helping them to create a flotation device but helping them to create whatever they design in their blueprint, whether it floats or not."

Materials each four-person team was given included a piece of Styrofoam, duct tape, poster board, dowel rods, straws, a nail and yarn. They were allowed to trade materials with other teams.

Bordelois emphasized design symmetry, telling students that "Without it, life is tough." Everything depended on each team's plan, or blueprint. One team skipped that step and found out quickly their red duct-taped device, which Bordelois likened to a picnic basket, wouldn't stand the eventual test of flotation and rolling waves in a water-filled container nearby. Fifty small rocks represented passengers and were placed in each team's boat, adding weight and the uncertainty of remaining afloat.

"Some of them come up with very whacky solutions," Bordelois said. "You can see how some teams focus on the beauty of the design while others emphasize saving a group of people."

English teacher Janice Frygier, who was awarded the Fairview Park Education Foundation grant that funded Bordelois' visit, was pleased to see the cooperative learning taking place.

"It's a great program," Frygier said. "The communicating and listening to each other is really a huge part of it. It's fun, but the biggest thing is that they're learning really cool things in a different way. They'll be proud of this little ship that they've built, not realizing all of these different tools they used together to do it."
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Events that shook the Persian Gulf in the campaigns known as Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm include:

August 2, 1990: Iraq dictator Saddam Hussein invades and occupies neighboring Kuwait, proclaiming that nation as Iraq's 19th province.

August 7: Operation Desert Shield is launched as U.S. President George H. W. Bush declares, "this must not stand," and dispatches troops, planes and warships to the region.

By mid-fall 200,000 Americans are in the area under the command of Gen. H. Norman Schwarzkopf, who will also lead a coalition of forces from 34 nations against Iraq -- the largest such coalition since World War II.

Among the nearly 700,000 U.S. troops deployed to the Persian Gulf are 30,000 Ohioans.

Nov. 29: A United Nations Security Council resolution gives Iraq a withdrawal deadline of Jan. 15, 1991, authorizing the use of force if necessary to remove Iraqi forces from Kuwait. The number of U.S. troops in the region more than doubles, and Saddam, commander of the world's fourth-largest army, promises to fight "the mother of all battles."

Jan. 17, 1991: Operation Desert Storm opens with a massive air assault on targets in Iraq and occupied Kuwait. Televised images of "smart" bombs guided to targets results in the conflict being dubbed the "video war." One correspondent witnessing the initial bombardment in Baghdad reports, "Clearly, I've never been there, but it feels like we are in the center of hell."

Iraq responds by firing Scud missiles at Israel, hoping to provoke a military response and divide Arab allies in the Coalition. The U.S. provides Israel with Patriot air defense missiles.

Iraqi forces also attack and briefly occupy the Saudi Arabian city of Khafji but are driven back by Coalition forces. Marine Lance Corporal James Lumpkins, 22, of New Richmond, is the first Ohioan killed in combat during that battle.

On the home front, patriotic Northeast Ohioans throng to local blood drives, there's a run on gas masks at military surplus stores, parents of service personnel form support groups, and people start wearing T-shirts that say, "Good morning Iraq. This is your wake-up call."

Feb. 24: The ground attack begins as Coalition troops enter Kuwait and Iraq, fighting several pitched battles but generally encountering light resistance and mass surrenders from Iraqi troops that have been pounded by unrelenting air attacks.

Feb. 25: An Iraqi Scud missile hits U.S. barracks in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, killing 28 soldiers.

Feb. 27: Saddam orders a retreat from Kuwait, and his troops set fire to nearly 700 oil wells as they withdraw.

In the two-hour battle of Medina Ridge, some 186 Iraqi tanks and 127 armored vehicles are destroyed.

Iraqi convoys fleeing Kuwait along a single route that becomes known as the "highway of death" are systematically pounded by Coalition air attacks.

Feb. 28: Offensive operations end in what is dubbed the "100-hour war," referring to the amount of time from the start of the ground assault to the cease-fire. The U.S. has 148 casualties killed in action, and another 235 in non-hostile deaths. Some 467 are wounded. Seventeen Ohioans are lost in the war.

June 10: A ticker-tape parade, "Operation Welcome Home," is held in New York City to honor the war's veterans with some 27,000 marchers saluted by an estimated 200,000 onlookers. Five days later, in Cleveland, about 60,000 people similarly welcome the troops home in a victory parade.
Jeffrey Martin

Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Timonty J. McGinty's office requested a special prosecutor take over the investigation into former Pepper Pike police officer Jeffrey L. Martin. Martin is shown here speaking with his attorney, David Snow, during his December appearance in Bedford Municipal Court on rape and menacing by stalking charges.

(Evan MacDonald, cleveland.com)

PEPPER PIKE, Ohio -- A Former Pepper Pike police officer faces charges of rape, sexual battery, menacing by stalking and misusing a police database, according to an indictment announced this week.

Jeffrey L. Martin, 55, used the Ohio Law Enforcement Gateway to gather information that allowed him to stalk the rape victim, the indictment said.

Martin was first arrested Dec. 14. Charges filed in Bedford Municipal Court say he also followed the rape victim several times.

He used a firearm during the rape, the indictment said, but it is unclear how.

Martin followed the victim several times, including to the Bedford Police Department when she reported the rape, court records said.

He is also accused of claiming to be a private investigator in an attempt follow the woman onto the Ursuline College campus, records said.

The Pepper Pike Police Department suspended him four times during his tenure, according to his personnel file.

Two of the suspensions involved allegations of inappropriate conduct toward women.

Martin served with the Pepper Pike Police Department between Dec. 12, 1991 and Aug. 20, 2014, when he retired amidst accusations of inappropriate behavior.

Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court Judge John J. Russo appointed a special prosecutor to take over the investigation into Martin's case on Jan. 7.

Joe Frolik, a spokesman for Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Timothy J. McGinty, said at the time that the special prosecutor was appointed because the file sent to Bedford's prosecutor by Bedford police "contained information that would have compromised our ability to stay on the case."

The Cuyahoga County Prosecutor's Office also asked the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation to help with the case, a news release said.

Martin's next court appearance has not been scheduled yet.
police line do not cross.jpg

Cleveland police are investigating after a 15-year-old girl was shot in the ankle Friday afternoon.

(File photo)

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- A 16-year-old girl was injured in a drive-by shooting Friday afternoon, police said.

The shooting happened about 3:30 p.m. on the 3500 block of East 91st Street.

An ambulance took the girl to Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital with a gunshot wound to the ankle.

Her injury was not life-threatening, police said.

The girl's condition was not available Saturday morning.

Investigators believe the bullet that struck the girl was fired from a passing car but the circumstances surrounding the shooting remain under investigation.

She was one of two teenagers injured in shootings Friday on the city's East Side.

A 15-year-old boy was shot in the leg during a gun battle on Louise Harris Drive about 8:30 p.m.

Police said the boy and another male were shooting at each other when the teen was struck by a bullet.

He was taken to the Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital in critical condition. His current condition was not available Saturday.

The circumstances surrounding that shooting also remain under investigation.
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- On a recent winter morning, Ron Hulec somberly sorted through photos spread across his kitchen table. The photos showed the wreckage of a crashed U.S. Air Force cargo plane, scattered over a fire-blackened field in Germany.

His son, Air Force Staff Sgt. Rande Hulec, died in that crash. He was the first Ohioan killed in Operation Desert Shield, the mobilization of U.S. troops for Operation Desert Storm, which began 25 years ago.

On Jan. 17, 1991, a coalition of 34 nations launched a 100-hour war that successfully ousted Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein from his occupation of Kuwait.

Today, Ohio veterans of that effort, and the families of loved ones lost in the war, look back on that effort with pain and pride.

"We miss him," said Hulec, 80, of Cleveland, as he reviewed the photos of his son's life and death.

Rande Hulec was a 29-year-old meteorologist, headed for Saudi Arabia to set up a weather forecasting station that would assist in the coming air strikes against Iraq. He and 12 others were killed when their plane crashed during take-off from Ramstein Air Force base in Germany on Aug. 28, 1990.

Ron Hulec, nodded at an empty seat at the kitchen table and recalled, "I got the telegram two days later, and I sat on that chair and cried, and that's the last time I cried."

Seated across from her husband, Joanne Hulec, the airman's stepmother, said he'd told her about his deployment shortly before he left.

"So I thought, OK. In my mind I'm thinking that sounds pretty safe, you know," she said. "Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think he wouldn't even get out of Germany, that the plane would crash in Germany."

Ron Hulec, a mortician for more than 50 years, was one of the few people who saw his son's body before the casket was closed for services and burial in Alger Cemetery in Cleveland. He applied new cosmetics to a forehead gash, and put a ring -- fashioned from an award he'd received in mortuary school -- on his son's finger.

Hulec said his son, who dropped out of Cleveland Heights High School but later earned his GED, enlisted in the Air Force because "he didn't want to go to college, and he just felt that he wanted to serve the country.

"He didn't want to go in the Army," he added. "His feeling was that he wanted to go in the service where you could contribute, rather than shoot somebody."

Looking back on that service, Hulec noted, "I'm very proud of the fact that he served his country. He was committed to serving his country. How much prouder could you be?"

Pride also can be seen in what Joyce Caldwell describes as the "shrine" that she erected in a hallway of her Middleburg Heights home, dedicated to her son, Air Force Capt. Thomas Caldwell. He was killed while flying a training mission in a F-111 fighter/bomber in Saudi Arabia during Operation Desert Shield.

"It hasn't changed in 25 years," said Caldwell of the collection of photos and model F-111s representing the service of her son, a 32-year-old Columbus resident who died Oct. 10, 1990.

Caldwell recalled that when her son told her he was being deployed, "I didn't want him to go. I had a fear of it. But he said, 'Don't worry. I like what I'm doing. It's my job.'"

The graduate of Normandy High School and Ohio State University (majoring in political science) had served 10 years in the Air Force. He attended the Top Gun fighter pilot training school, and Caldwell, mindful of the movie "Top Gun," can't help but remember him as a Tom Cruise kind of guy.

"He was just an all-American boy. He was sharp. He had a good sense of humor. Just a great kid," she recalled. "He enjoyed life when he was here."

Her son married a woman he met in England two years before his death, and he is buried at the Cambridge American Cemetery in England, where America's fallen of World War II are buried. A photo of his grave hangs in his mother's shrine.

"I'm proud of him. You have to be proud," Caldwell said. "We don't forget our people. Nobody forgets something like that."

She remains proud and fiercely patriotic, even with the loss of her son. "I'm the most patriotic person you ever met," said Caldwell, whose great-niece, Sarah Kociuba, is an Air Force co-pilot who was deployed three times to Afghanistan during the recent war.

The training and preparation of Operation Desert Shield came to an end with Desert Storm's massive air attack against Iraqi troops and infrastructure in both Iraq and Kuwait. The ground assault began just over a month later as coalition troops surged into Kuwait.

Army medic Gary Rezabek and fellow members of his unit were close on their heels -- so close that they sometimes came under fire, or captured surrendering Iraqis who had been bypassed in the coalition's rapid advance. Their patients included soldiers and civilians who had been maimed, burned and battered.

Looking back, "sometimes it seems like yesterday, sometimes it seems like so long ago," said Rezabek, 57, of Cleveland.

One of his most vivid, enduring memories, is the day when three GIs, killed in action, were brought to his medical unit. "There was nothing we could do for them, they were already gone, so we took turns watching over them until graves registration could pick up the remains," he said. "But I knew three families were going to be affected in a matter of hours or days."

The experience changes you, gives you a greater appreciation for life, according to Rezabek.

Five years ago, he told a newspaper reporter, "I learned you don't need a whole bunch to make you happy.

"I'll ask people now, 'At the end of the workday, do you get to go home? Yes. Do you get to see your family? Yes. Is anybody shooting at you? No. Then you're having a good day.'"

As for the overall Desert Storm mission, Rezabek recently said, "I think it was handled properly. After that, it (Iraq) became a soup sandwich -- somewhat of a mess."

Dana Harbaugh, who flew 56 Desert Storm combat missions as a Navy aviator, described the outcome of that war as "a gigantic Gordian knot that no politician, group or country wants to deal with."

Harbaugh, 54, of Fairview Park, flew on carrier-based S-3A Vikings, originally designed to hunt submarines but reconfigured to carry bombs and missiles in low-level reconnaissance missions, mostly at night.

One mission involved flying directly into Iraqi air defenses, distracting the anti-aircraft guns so attack bombers could assault those batteries from behind.

On another flight he spotted an Iraqi patrol boat equipped with guided missiles, lurking under an offshore oil rig. A Navy Commendation Medal reads that Harbaugh, "In great personal peril from direct hostile anti-aircraft artillery and small arms fire from the patrol boat and ground forces, maintained continuous contact providing essential targeting data to a strike aircraft which destroyed the patrol boat."

The war still flies with Harbaugh in the form of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

"As far as Desert Storm, it's hard to believe it's been 25 years already, but there's always something coming back in my mind daily," he said. "So many memories."

And not always good ones. Harbaugh describes them as something akin to a scratch on a computer hard drive, "and the needle keeps skipping on those things. It gets stuck there and you can't fill the gap."

Yet he's glad he served. "Absolutely. Even with all the (PTSD) issues," he said.

To Harbaugh, Desert Storm itself remains "a valiant and noble effort, one of the best efforts that could have been done. It's just a shame that so much of what was paid for then, and since then, has been blood and treasure poured down the drain."

To Dianah Kwiatkowski, of Berea, who served with the Army Reserve's 350th Medical Evacuation Hospital in Desert Storm, the war is "like it's never stopped. It just continues on and on."

It endures with the continued violence in Iraq, and her own memories.

She remembers watching the duels between Patriot missiles and Iraqi Scuds. She recalls the injured Iraqi soldiers that they treated who had to be secured to their beds "because they were crazy. They were very fearful of us. I also think they were on all kinds of drugs to get them to serve and not run the other way."

She also remembers the children. "What the Iraqis liked to do was throw gas on them and set them on fire," she said.

The memories have an impact. "Anybody who goes into a war zone, they're never the same," she said. "You're never the same. You can put on a front, but veterans know."

She retains the hyper-vigilance of a war zone. "I like to isolate myself. I don't like to go out," said Kwiatkowski, who would like nothing better than to win the lottery, buy a remote island and build a bunker for herself and a few select friends.

She wonders about the chemicals she may have been exposed to during deployment. "There were 13 nurses in our tent and four have developed breast cancer, two have passed away," she said. "That's crazy."

Still, the experience taught her the invaluable skill of self-reliance, Kwiatkowski said. "You put yourself in any situation and you can do it. It's still with me.

"I'd do it again, without question," she added. "Absolutely."

John Montecalvo wouldn't. The 49-year-old Warren resident served in an Army quartermaster company during Desert Storm and believes he's now paying the price from the debilitating effects of what has been called "Gulf War Syndrome."

Montecalvo said that on three separate occasions when his unit was alerted to incoming Iraqi Scud missile attacks, the chemical-attack warning was sounded, and they donned protective suits.

"When the all-clear was given and they said, 'OK, take your gear off,' the chemical alarms were still going off. They said it was just a false alarm," he said.

"A lot of people were very concerned, especially people who had families," he added. "We knew Iraq had been testing chemical weapons."

For the past 20 years, Montecalvo said he has suffered with chronic fatigue, body inflammation and ulcers, and is physically unable to work.

An estimated 175,000 to 250,000 of the nearly 700,000 U.S. troops deployed to Desert Storm have reported unexplained symptoms in what is now called chronic multi-symptom illness. These symptoms include fatigue, joint and muscle pain, memory difficulties, depression and anxiety, according to a 2013 federal Institute of Medicine report.

Montecalvo said that among the friends he served with, "one had brain surgery last year, another only sleeps two or three hours a night because of blisters all over his body, another has daily memory problems.

"I try to stay positive, but I wish I could do something, be productive," he said.

"I want to know why me and my friends are so sick," he added. "I just want to be a normal person again."

The scars of Desert Storm are not always painful, but they are enduring.

Rande Hulec's wife, Hannelore, a German woman whom he wed seven years before he was killed in Desert Shield, remarried after his death and now lives in Valley View.

Hannelore Carpenter, 52, said that every time a U.S. serviceman dies, leaving behind a young mother, "it just hits home to me. That will never go away for veterans, their wives and family. It's always the same."

She was concerned about Hulec being in the military. "You always have to worry, but there is nothing you can do," she said. "Since he was such a good guy, he volunteered to go. Of course it upsets you."

One thing has kept her going all these years -- their son, Ryan, who was four months old when his father died.

"At first, of course, you just want to end everything," she said. "But I promised myself I would raise our son to be as positive and happy as I can, and he's been a joy.

"It (Hulec's death) was the sad part, for sure, but we got Ryan out of it," she added. "That's the best part."

That comfort is shared by her former in-laws, Ron and Joanne Hulec, who say their grandson developed many of the traits and physical characteristics of their lost son.

As Ron Hulec noted regarding his son, "He's still with us all the time. I don't think a week goes by that his name doesn't come up.

"And, of course, his son is so much like him, we say we got him back."
WASHINGTON - A man accused of engaging in a gun battle that killed Lyndhurst native Matt Shlonsky will be held without bond while police pursue charges of armed second degree murder against him, a District of Columbia judge ruled Friday.

Witnesses told police that 19-year-old Andre Dudley of Northeast Washington brandished a gun from the sunroof of a stolen red Chrysler 300 he was driving near the corner of 7th and S Street in Northwest Washington on Aug. 15.

Authorities say he traded shots with 19-year-old Marcus King - who also faces murder charges in the case. Shlonsky, a 23-year-old business analyst from American University, did not know either man. He was hit by a stray bullet as he headed to a friend's party in the neighborhood.

After the shooting erupted, police say Dudley threatened several witnesses with a gun as he sped away from the crime.

"The defendant, Andre Dudley, is responsible (among others) for the homicide of Matthew Shlonsky because he was armed and prepared to engage in gun violence; he did in fact engage in gun violence; he did not act in self defense; his conduct was a substantial factor in bringing about the death of Matthew Shlonsky," his arrest warrant says.

A witness who knows Dudley told police he was in the neighborhood where King lives to visit a woman "when some boys in the neighborhood started perpin' on him."

"Defendant stated that he began smackin' back," the warrant continues. "Thereafter, defendant said that one of the individuals whipped out a gun and so he whipped out a gun." Afterwards, shooting erupted and the defendant "sped off while driving on the wrong side of the road as people were still shooting at him."

"Defendant further told (the witness) that he thinks he killed somebody and that will go down for murder," says the warrant.

A second witness who knows Dudley said the defendant was in the area to see a girl, when someone began shooting at him and he drove off.

Dudley's attorney, Janet Mitchell, said her client did not know King or have beefs with people in that neighborhood. She said Dudley was visiting a girl there when King mistook him for someone who tried to kill King the previous week and began shooting at him. After that, she said Dudley fled.

She cast doubt on the police claim that Dudley had a gun by telling District of Columbia Superior Court Judge Robert Morin that only King's DNA was found on bullet casings near the shooting, and noting the witnesses who told police they saw a man waving a gun from the Chrysler did not select Dudley's photo from a lineup police showed them.

She also observed that witnesses who know Dudley said he only had a pellet gun, and air gun paraphernalia was found in the car Dudley is accused of driving.

Police recovered the car near Dudley's apartment the day after the shooting, with three bullet holes on its passenger side. They said the car - which was stolen in Maryland on Aug. 11 - was seen in video footage of an Aug. 12 burglary that Dudley has been charged with committing. Dudley's DNA and fingerprints were found in the car.

Assistant U.S. Attorney David Misler disputed Mitchell's account of Dudley's role, noting that Dudley wouldn't have stuck his head out of the car's sunroof and brandished a gun if he was concerned about his safety.

Morin found probable cause to continue holding Dudley without bond "based on the urban gun battle theory," as well as Dudley's past criminal record and several pending criminal charges against Dudley.
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A 61-year-old priest was among the victims of four armed robberies committed in Little Italy Saturday. He was pistol-whipped in the parking lot of the Holy Rosary Catholic Church. Police confirmed Saturday that a second suspect in the robbery has been arrested.

(Evan MacDonald, cleveland.com)

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- A second suspect has been arrested in a string of violent armed robberies that plagued Cleveland's Little Italy neighborhood during a December weekend.

The arrest stems from four Dec. 5 armed robberies in the neighborhood around the Holy Rosary Catholic Church in the 12000 Mayfield Road.

Details of the second arrest in the robberies were not immediately available as of Saturday afternoon. The 20-year-old suspect has not been formally charged. Cleveland.com does not release the name of people who have not been charged.

Victims said three armed men who appeared to be in their 20s held them at gunpoint. Among the victims was a 61-year-priest. Police said a suspect pistol-whipped the priest, leaving him with minor facial and hand injuries.

A woman was held at gunpoint by one man while another two rifled through her pockets, police said.

Cleveland police and U.S. Marshals arrested Johnchez Phillips Tuesday in connection with the robberies using tips from the public.

A third suspect remains at large.
cleveland police car.jpg

Cleveland police are investigating the death of a 42-year-old man on the city's East Side.

(File photo)

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- A 42-year-old man with a gunshot wound to the arm died in an East 111th Street home late Friday, police said.

The victim's mother came home about 11:45 p.m. and found him lying on the dining room floor, a police report said.

The man was unresponsive when his mother found him, the report said.

She called an ambulance and paramedics arrived a short time later. They declared the man dead at the scene.

The circumstances surrounding the shooting remain under investigation, police said.

The Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner will determine the man's cause of death.

Police are investigating the incident as a homicide.
PARMA, Ohio -- It's the ceremony before they get down to business, when husbands and wives and kids and neighbors celebrate the start of new municipal government terms.

With hands on Bibles and a look toward the future, new City Council and school board members across Northeast Ohio swore their oaths of office over the last two months.

The ceremonies often involve family members and photos. Think of the the Oscars, except for municipal government.

Check out photos of swearing in ceremonies.

Parma: Parma Mayor Tim DeGeeter was sworn in on Jan. 4 by his son, Jack. His daughter, Molly, held the Bible.

Brecksville: Brecksville Mayor Jerry Hruby began serving his eighth term on Jan. 2.

Cleveland Heights: Cleveland Heights Vice-Mayor Jason Stein was sworn in on Jan. 4 by Ohio Rep. Janine Boyd with his family looking on, including his wife Shimona, and six children ages 2-1/2 to 15, Cleveland Heights Vice-Mayor Jason Stein is sworn in on Jan. 4 by Ohio Rep. Janine Boyd.

Cheryl Stephens, the newly minted mayor of Cleveland Heights, hopes to make parking and housing priorities for the city. Stephens works at the Cuyahoga County Land Bank.

Lyndhurst: Lyndhurst Patrick Ward took the oath of office as administered by Cuyahoga County Juvenile Court Judge Denise Rini as Ward's wife, Judy, center, looked on. The ceremony was held Dec. 12 at the Lyndhurst Community Center.

South Russell: Mayor Bill Koons was sworn in on Monday.

Check out more photos of swearing in ceremonies.
Following is the unofficial transcript of a CNBC EXCLUSIVE interview with Preet Bharara, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, today. Following is a link to the interview on CNBC.com: http://video.cnbc.com/gallery/?video=3000481147.

All references must be sourced to CNBC.

Sorkin: We are here with Preet Bharara the US Attorney for the Southern District thank you for being here.

Bharara: Thank you for having me.

Sorkin: We are at NYU you just finished moderating a panel and giving a talk on cyber security which is the hottest issue in town and one of the things you advocated for was businesses to come to you effectively to try to work with law enforcement earlier than they normally do how are they supposed to do that when so many of them in truth are scared of you?

Bharara: Yeh well look if in the particular circumstance you are not committing a crime there is nothing to be scared of and in fact I think people have a misperception in what we do. We don't target any particular sector what we do is we enforce the law and we uphold the rule of law so sometimes there are people or individuals you investigate because they are committing crimes and you prosecute them as appropriate and sometimes those very same individuals or institutions are victims of crimes and as we found the most vulnerable and perhaps the most important area in which you have to worry about the cyber threat is in the financial sector and a lot of your viewers who are traders or work at trading firms and hedge funds and are in any other way involved in the financial sector need to be extremely worried about the cyber threat and that's why we had almost 500 people here at NYU today including the president of the NYSE Tom Farley, the CEO of MasterCard and a whole bunch of other folks talking about what companies should do to make sure that they are ok.

Sorkin: If you are a CEO watching this right now practically and something happens and you think that you have been hacked what are you supposed to do? Who are you supposed to call?

Bharara: Not Ghost Busters. Look you are supposed to call as we said in the conference today you should call law enforcement among the other things that you do. Obviously you have interests in taking care of your shareholders and your reputation and your customer base making sure that all of that is ok and getting to the bottom of the problem but over the course of time I think the FBI and the secret service and other law enforcement agencies have shown that they have a lot of expertise. They are not going to revictimize a company or a corporation that has been a victim of a cyber hack whether it is from an individual or a group or from a nation state and coordinate with them so that we can get the bad guys and they can remediate their problems as well.

Sorkin: What happens if you get invited in if you will and in the process find something that you don't like?

Bharara: Diego Rodriguez who is the assistant director in charge of the FBI in New York who oversees all of these things and is terrific answered that question and said look if you are a victim company with respect to a hack and customer information has been taken our responsibility in that case is to narrowly take a look at what problem has occurred in your system and on your servers so that we can protect you as a victim. Now separate and apart from that if there are other investigations going on that is a different matter but people should be able to trust that when they bring in the FBI in particular on something like this that their goal is to make sure that they are trying to get the bad guy and they are trying to get to the bottom of what they extent of the intrusion is to help the company not to revictimize it.

Sorkin: One of the other topics of conversation was encryption and the way Silicon Valley is approaching encryption which is to say Apple, Google and others are trying to close the back door effectively to make it almost impossible if not impossible for the government to have access. What do you make of what companies like Apple have done?

Bharara: I think there is a very robust debate going on with respect to encryption and I think director Comey has a point, the FBI director when he talks about how we need to have a proper debate on this issue because it is absolutely understandable that there are people who want to have their conversations and their messages encrypted, end to end encryption they are not breaking the law and they just want to keep their messages private and that's totally understandable and they want to do it in good faith just like in good faith some people want to use virtual currency but it is also true in modern America and in the modern world that there are some people who want to take advantage of those evolving technologies that can be encrypted and kill us and bring our buildings down and destroy capitalism as we know it and destroy the very companies that are talking about this sometimes in a way that is a little bit extreme so that issue will be worked out at a pay grade higher than mine but I think that people need to understand that law enforcement and the FBI also in good faith has a reason why it wants the ability after meeting a high threshold of probable cause with a judge who is appointed in a separate branch of government after meeting that burden it is not unreasonable for law enforcement to want to have a way to get a communication that are recurring to further the purpose of killing Americans.

Sorkin: Do you think it is more likely that there will be terrorist attacks because of some of the actions these companies in Silicon Valley have taken?

Bharara: I don't know what is going to happen in the future all I am saying is that this is an important debate to have and there needs to be a reasonable way as we have always found in America a reasonable way to balance security and privacy and this is an age old question which began at the start of the republic and technology may have changed and evolved but the basic tenants and the intersection of those two issues I think is capable of being resolved by reasonable and thoughtful people.

Sorkin: But just to put a fine point on it Tim Cook goes on 60 Minutes and says that you have to have encryption. If you let the good guys in the bad guys are going to get in too by closing it is he enabling terrorism? Or other crimes?

Bharara: As I said I think reasonable and thoughtful can come up with a way and I think the head of these companies are reasonable and thoughtful and good Americans and care about national security not just about privacy because it is not just about privacy and can come up with a way as we always have again there used to be no such thing as cell phones and people figured out a way to guard privacy and balance it against national security and I think the same is true even though you have new technologies now.

Sorkin: Right. I want to ask you about insider trading. Obviously there was a big headline in the past week about Steve Cohen settling with the S.E.C. He is going to go from, potentially, having a family office to being able to take public money. What do you think of that decision?

Bharara: The S.E.C. is an independent agency and it makes its decisions the same way we do. So, I don't have a comment on it.

Sorkin: But given the cases that you brought, do you look at that as a loss?

Bharara: We bring cases that we think are appropriate to make. And any time you bring a case that is appropriate to make, you don't bring a case that is not appropriate to make and there's not to prove, we don't consider it to be a loss. We consider that to be our job. Enforcing the law as it exists.

Sorkin: Given the Supreme Court ruling, how much harder is it for you today to bring an insider trading case?

Bharara: You mean the Second Circuit ruling?

Sorkin: Yes I apologize.

Bharara: In the Newman case.

Sorkin: Yes. Given the appellate court's decision, how much harder is it to bring an insider trading case today?

Bharara: Certain kinds of insider trading cases are able to brought in the same way that they were before. And some of the most prominent cases that we brought in the past absolutely stand not withstanding that Newman decision, which we think was wrong, we think changed the law, including the conviction of Raj Rajaratnam and the conviction of Rajat Gupta and the conviction of SAC Capital as an institution. It will make it hard and arguably, very, very hard if not impossible to bring a certain kind of insider trading case. For example, if you have the CEO of a company, who has in advance knowledge about what the numbers are going to be for the quarter and decides to gift that information to a college buddy, or a nephew, or a son, and say, "You know, we are going to beat the numbers by a dollar. Knock yourself out." And arguably, under the Newman decision, which has changed the law, that person can basically gift 50, $60 million of profit on a relative or a friend if he is not getting something of pecuniary benefit back  and I'm not sure that reasonable people will think that is a good state of affairs.

Sorkin: Do you think that Congress should actually write an insider trading law and put a bright line on exactly what it is and what it isn't?

Bharara: I don't presume to tell Congress what to do. I worked as a staffer in the Congress for four-and-a-half years. I don't think it would necessarily be a bad thing. You know, a judge  recently a prominent judge in the Southern District of New York gave a speech recently about his view that maybe Congress should act on this. And you know, clarity is always good. The reason we saw Supreme Court review of the Newman case that you referred to a minute ago is, you know, win or lose, we think clarity is a good thing.

Sorkin: Do you regret any of those cases? Bringing in any of those cases that ultimately got overturned?

Bharara: No, absolutely not. The law at the time that we brought those cases was, in our view, crystal clear. And in fact, it was so clear that the defense lawyers for the people who urged their clients to plead guilty under that law also viewed the law the same way that we did. And they are very able people.

Sorkin: Right. One of the other questions I wanted to ask you is how investors speak about companies. We have a number of big examples of big hedge fund managers coming out and shorting companies saying things about them. I'm thinking of Herbalife, for example. What is protected by free speech and when does it become market manipulation? How do you think about that?

Bharara: I don't want to give an advisory opinion to people on how they should talk about  you know, look, generally speaking on this issue  not to take it out of the legal question even though we are sitting in a law library  people know when they are speaking about a company, or when they are taking positions in a company, or they are giving information, or taking information about a company, they know when it is right or wrong. And those are the only kinds of cases when you gallop over the line in that regard, that we can prosecute.

Sorkin: Can I ask what the state of this Herbalife investigation is?

Bharara: You can ask.

Sorkin: And you won't answer. Two other quick questions. There was a report in the New York Post that you were investigating Sean Penn and El Chapo. Can you give us the state of play if there is a state of play?

Bharara: I guess what I will say is people shouldn't always believe everything they read in the newspaper. There are lots of reasons why. People look at information with respect to investigating something including trying to get a bad guy. Or for the purpose of assisting another law enforcement agency or country. That is all I will say.

Sorkin: Alright. You have been in this job now six years?

Bharara: Six-and-a-half years.

Sorkin: How long do you think you will do this for?

Bharara: I'd like to do it forever if I could. I don't know if that is possible.

Sorkin: I was going to say what are you going to do next.

Bharara: You know, probably get lunch.

Sorkin: Good answer.

Bharara: Yeah.

Sorkin: And finally, you had lunch  actually, I think you had dinner with Paul Giamatti. What did you advise him?

Bharara: What did I advise him?

Sorkin: Yes.

Bharara: I didn't give him a lot of advice. You know, he is a lovely guy. And he understands he is playing a highly fictionalized character in a lot of different ways. We just had a  I just explained a little bit about what we do. You know, we don't just do one thing in our office. And I guess I tried to suggest that even though that is your show  congratulations  focuses on the financial sector and your viewers care mostly about what we do with respect to the financial sector, that the job of the U.S. Attorney's office and our office is to do a lot of other things including dealing with terrorism and gangs and narcotics trafficking and arms trafficking and just to remember that the thing that is focused on, often on this network and that show, is just a small part of what we do.

Sorkin: Preet Bharara, thank you very much.

Bharara: Thanks very much.

About CNBC:

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Members of the media can receive more information about CNBC and its programming on the NBC Universal Media Village Web site at http://www.nbcumv.com/mediavillage/networks/cnbc/.
Video-streaming service provider Netflix, which launched in Singapore last Thursday, is already getting flak from some Singaporeans for limited content compared to its U.S. service.

Singapore's monthly pricing ranges from $7.65 (S$10.98) to $11.83 (S$$16.98), cheaper than rates in the U.S.

Reasonable as the Netflix monthly fees are, some customers are disgruntled about the fact that Netflix Singapore looks nothing like the U.S. Netflix.

House of Cards, Arrested Development, South Korean TV dramas and Chinese Kungfu movies are among the missing content in the Singapore version of the service.

Some took to social media to express their displeasure and complain about the city-state's tight censorship.

TWEET 1

TWEET 2

There were tweets urging others to stick with their U.S. subscriptions, which are available through a virtual private network (VPN), instead of getting a new local account.

These people might soon be disappointed.
General Electric 's decision to leave Fairfield, Conn., for Boston is another sad marker in the downhill slide brought about by Connecticut's high-tax, high-regulation, anti-business policies of the last 25 years. Democratic Governor Dannel Malloy accelerated the state's economic freefall with another huge tax hike passed last summer. Despite his 2014 re-election promise of no new taxes, Malloy signed a $2 billion tax hike that falls heavily on businesses and individuals. This came only a few years after his near $1.5 billion tax hike. Does anyone doubt that massive tax hikes on successful earners and corporations drive those same folks out of state? That's the new Connecticut story. A 2014 Gallup poll showed that nearly half (49 percent) of Connecticut residents would leave if they could. That was second only to Illinois, with 50 percent.

Meanwhile, Connecticut's economy and rate of job creation have only recently recovered to pre-recession levels. So it took Connecticut eight years to get back to even. Not new growth or new job-creation  just even. Hartford politicians don't understand that you can't have higher paying jobs without successful businesses to create them. Punitive taxes on business, however, cause job shrinkage. Plus, you can't start a business without investment. Here, too, punitive taxation stops investment cold and ends the dream of more higher-paying jobs. Who suffers from anti-business tax and regulatory policies? Middle-class families.

By the way, has anyone heard U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal, a career Democratic politician of 35 years, ever utter one peep of protest against Connecticut's ruinous decisions to punish business? Just asking. But get this: From the Connecticut governor's office on down, Democratic officials argue that the GE move to Boston had nothing to do with taxes. Instead they say it was an effort to merge with Boston's high-tech culture. There's a grain of truth to this, although Connecticut does boast Yale, Wesleyan, Trinity, and Sacred Heart University's business school (named after great former GE CEO Jack Welch). But this taxes-don't-matter argument is malarkey. When you tax something more, you get less of it. Art Laffer's famous curve (where tax revenue grows as taxes grow but after a certain point, tax revenue growth starts to decline in relation to rising taxes) has kicked in with a vengeance in Connecticut, where higher tax rates are producing lower-than-expected tax revenues and killing jobs and growth.

It's no coincidence that well-to-do residents are moving to zero-income-tax Florida, and major corporations like GE are seeking greener pastures. It's also no surprise that GE CEO Jeff Immelt began talking publically about a corporate relocation right after Connecticut passed its gigantic tax hike last summer.

That Democratic tax hike included a slew of corporate-income-tax increases, coming to roughly $500 million. At 9 percent, Connecticut's corporate tax is now fifth-highest in the country. And switching the state to combined-income reporting (including out-of-state GE income) was a killer. Additionally, sales taxes on everyone were raised while property tax credits were diminished.

Connecticut has the second-highest property tax in the nation, ranking 49th out of 50. The Tax Foundation ranks Connecticut 42nd out of 50 in terms of tax climate (Massachusetts ranks 24th), and second highest in terms of state and local income-tax collections per person. Massachusetts? It dropped its corporate tax to 8 percent from 9.5 percent and has a flat income tax of 5.15 percent. Connecticut, on the other hand, jacked its corporate tax to 9 percent from 7.5 percent and its top income-tax rate to 6.99 percent from 5 percent.

These are sizeable differences in favor of Massachusetts. Taxes don't matter? And the dirty little secret is that the pension and health-care benefits of the government unions  which dominate Democratic state politics  are roughly 50 percent unfunded. This spells many future tax hikes. GE's Immelt knows it.

Not all the blame goes to Democrats. Connecticut's first personal income tax was put in place by Republican governor Lowell Weicker. And Republican governors ruled for 16 years prior to Malloy's victory in 2010.

And in last summer's budget battle, I don't recall any Republican initiatives to slash business taxes. One of the key points in the Connecticut disaster is that, while big corporations can get $100 million in tax credits, the woman running a small struggling business in Naugatuck gets nothing. But she's paying for GE's tax credit.
A poster displayed the window of The Art of Shaving store in New York City. Javier David | CNBC

Politicians sometimes wear them, and so do a few chief executives. Urban hipsters have become synonymous with them, yet rugged outdoorsmen have been sporting them for years. Beards  having become so popular that they've even had an annual movement ("no shave November," now more or less a year-round display) named after them  are part of a growing category of the male grooming market, which sees more than $6 billion in sales annually, according to Euromonitor data. The slow decline of clean-shaven faces has given rise to a new male archetype, one that's becoming a coveted market demographic in its own right and spurring the rise of small businesses that cater to pampering hairy faces. Beardgang tweet The phenomenon is easy to spot on social media, with Instagram and Twitter posts exploding with hirsute hashtags like "#beardgang" and "beardgods" praising those with well-groomed beards  and mocking those without them. Surf those terms and you'll likely discover a host of self-styled 'beard models'  and thousands of ardent admirers.

"The idea of male beauty went from the all-American guy to a more natural, romantic look; hair on the body," Philip Fimmano, a style expert with Studio Edelkoort, a trend forecasting company, told CNBC in a recent interview. Read MoreTwitter CEO Dorsey's beard goes viral

The more rugged looking male is in fact "very sensitive, and not afraid of taking care of his appearance," Fimmano said. Believe it or not, that's not a contradiction in terms, he added. "Although beards may look unruly to those who don't have them, it actually requires a lot of grooming," Fimmano said.

Only for a 'certain demographic'

The movement to "kill the shave" has had the added effect of overshadowing razor blade sales. In a 2015 research report, Euromonitor said men's toiletries  which include new products such as beard balms, oils, shampoos and conditioners  grew by 4 percent to $3.4 billion. Meanwhile, shaving grew at half that rate, to $2.9 billion. In recent years, some analysts have also attributed stagnating razor blade sales to the rise of beards. Some observers think the trend is already on its way out the door. Anderson La, a hair stylist at Sassoon Salon, said he wasn't sure how sustainable beards are in the long run. "It seems to only appeal to a certain demographic," La said. "A majority of men still like and are required to keep their face clean for most mainstream professional jobs." La added that some higher-end barbershops cater to grooming bearded men, but "regular salons usually don't." Yet evidence suggests that the demand for facial hair has increased the supply of products and businesses willing to cater to them. Alun Withey, an academic and a self-styled beard historian (no, really), told CNBC that barbershops and beard care toiletries are among the fastest growing business segments in the U.K. and the U.S. Withey found that barbershops and beard care products are the fastest growing businesses in the U.K. and the U.S. According to the academic, the trend is part of a historical cycle, but the current incarnation is different from its predecessors. "In the 18th century they disappeared and around 1850 they were back with a vengeance," Withey said. "If you go back 300 to 400 years ago, trends will last for decades," such as Victorian-era beards, which Withey said lasted five decades. The current beard wave has been the longest for at least 30 years, he added.



Lumbersexuals and brand loyalty

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And unlike years past, the growth of facial hair has also been accompanied by a boom in products to care for them. In a 2015 report, market analysis firm Datamonitor said start-ups geared toward beard grooming have exploded in recent years, soaring more than fivefold from eight in 2011 to 42 in 2014. The firm, which recently changed its name to Canadean, characterized the move as a shift away from the cleaner-shaven "metrosexual" look to that of a lumberjack  giving way to a ballooning "lumbersexual" movement. Dylan Yazel is one of those capitalizing on the hairy trend. The owner of Bearded Pleasures, a beard-grooming product company, thinks that the hairy and proud moment is here to stay. After all, "beards have been around since men have been around," he told CNBC recently. Yazel recently secured a deal to place his line of toiletries and accessories in Whole Foods stores, but said that his company focuses on the one place you wouldn't expect to find hairy men  in the barbershop. In just over a year, Bearded Pleasures has gone from an Instagram-based business to a fully established company. "We strictly focus on barbershops because we only target people who are serious about it," said Yazel. "This is why we stay true to our brand."



Beard Baubles
China's Premier Li Keqiang answers a question during a meeting with foreign company executives at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in China's port city Dalian, September 9, 2015.

Analysts polled by Reuters have forecast 2015 growth cooled to 6.9 percent, down from 7.3 percent in 2014 and the slowest pace in a quarter of a century.

China's fourth-quarter and full-year 2015 GDP figures are expected to be released on Jan. 19.

Li made theremarks at the opening ceremony for the China-backed Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) in Beijing.

The premier also said that employment had expanded more than expected and that consumption contributed nearly 60 percent of economic growth.

China's economy grew by around 7 percent in 2015, with the services sector accounting for half of gross domestic product (GDP), Premier Li Keqiang said on Saturday.

China does not intend to use a cheaper yuan as a way to boost exports and has the tools to keep the currency stable, the premier said, state news agency Xinhua had reported earlier Saturday.

"China has no intention of stimulating exports via competitive devaluation of currencies," the premier said at the meeting in Beijing, which marks China's previously announced official entry into the bank.

Li added that China is capable of keeping the yuan's exchange rate basically stable at an appropriate and balanced level, Xinhua reported.

After a nearly three percent devaluation in mid August 2015 which rattled markets, China's yuan has fallen over one percent so far in 2016, as the nation has struggled to contain capital outflows in the wake of a dramatic equity market collapse and weak economic data.

Despite recent declines, China has the world's largest foreign exchange reserves, and policymakers have repeatedly said they have the firepower to keep the yuan stable.

China will invest an additional $50 million in the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), President Xi Jinping said separately at the bank's opening ceremony in Beijing on Saturday.

The AIIB, which is seen as a rival to Japan-led ADB and U.S.-led World Bank, has become one of China's biggest foreign policy successes, and was set up by Beijing after it became frustrated by delayed reforms at the International Monetary Fund.

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This picture taken in Tangerang on March 18, 2013 shows a Kuwait Airways plane preparing for landing over the Sukarno-Hatta airport in Tangerang.

Kuwait Airways will operate its last flight between New York City and London on Saturday, deciding last month to drop the route after about 35 years of service rather than transport Israeli citizens between the two cities.

The Transportation Department found in September that the airline's policy discriminated against Israeli citizens and ordered the practice to stop. Instead, the airline announced in December that it would drop the flights.

The decision does not apply to the airline's three weekly nonstop flights between Kennedy International Airport in New York and Kuwait City. Those flights are not affected because Israelis are not allowed to visit Kuwait and are not granted visas.

Passengers in transit through another country are another matter, according to the Transportation Department, which said that Kuwait Airways' refusal to carry Israeli citizens between New York City and London amounted to "unreasonable discrimination" because Israeli passport holders have the legal right to travel between the United States and Britain.

"An airline does not have the right to refuse to sell tickets to and transport a person between the U.S. and any third country where they are allowed to disembark based on the laws of that country," said Namrata Kolachalam, a spokeswoman for the department.
Spanish telecommunications company Telefonica has expressed interest in buying AT&T's pay TV assets in Latin America, which could be valued at around $10 billion, according to people familiar with the matter.

AT&T bought the Latin American assets as part of its acquisition of DirecTV last year. The business includes satellite and cable television services in Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela, Argentina and several other countries.

The U.S. telecoms company has yet to decide if it will explore a deal with Telefonica or another company, the people familiar with the matter said.

Other parties are interested in AT&T's assets in specific countries, and the company may choose to run several sale processes, one of the people said. One potential buyer could be Liberty Global Plc, that person added.

The sources asked not to be identified because the deliberations are confidential.

Telefonica and AT&T declined to comment. Liberty Global could not immediately be reached for comment.

AT&T has about 19 million pay TV subscribers in Central and South America, making it the biggest player in the region. But profits have been pressured by depreciating currencies in Brazil and other Latin American countries.
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January 14, 2016 - Dexter Muller will soon retire after more than four decades working in city planning and with the Greater Memphis Chamber. (Brandon Dill/Special to The Commercial Appeal)

SHARE Dec 18, 2013 - Dexter Muller (left), Senior Vice President of Community Development at the Greater Memphis Chamber poses with consultant Phil Trenary who is leading the way on tackling so-called "moon missions" at the Chamber. (Brandon Dill/Special to The Commercial Appeal)

By Wayne Risher of The Commercial Appeal

After 40 years of trying to build a better hometown, Dexter Muller is taking it to the house.

The veteran city planner and community development specialist steps down Friday as a senior advisor for community development at the Greater Memphis Chamber.

He closes out a career in the public arena that began in 1973 as a planner with the Memphis-Shelby County Office of Planning and Development.

Along the way, he was a city-county division director over planning and economic development during the 1990s, and from 2000 to 2014 he was the chambers senior vice president, community development. He was interim president of the chamber after John Moore's departure and before current chief Phil Trenary came on board in 2014.

"He's been my mentor, and I took the job on condition he stay at least a year," said Trenary, a former airline executive. "He has more broad-based knowledge about the city and county than anyone I know. He's literally like a human filing cabinet."

Muller, 65, became a part-time advisor a year ago when former Shelby County attorney Kelly Rayne was named senior vice president, community development. Now Muller wants more time for his own interests: relaxing at a cabin on the White River in the Ozarks, traveling, and working with faith-based inner-city missions.

Hell remain involved with the chamber as an independent contractor, as well as consulting with the Commercial Real Estate Owners Alliance Inc., a coalition of leading landowners, and helping the Rudolph Jones family with development issues on their large land holdings in Lakeland.

The chamber is perhaps best known for efforts to sell Memphis as a location for new businesses to set up shop and existing businesses to expand.

Mullers job has been to make sure that the sales team, led by Mark Herbison, senior vice president of economic development, has something to sell: the right infrastructure, a favorable business climate, workforce development, utilities, quality of life.

"You've got to be a place where people want to live," Muller said. "Memphis gets its hooks into people fast. It's because it's authentic. A lot of people are trying to build up what Memphis already has. Memphis is small enough to be able to fit in and make a difference, but it's big enough to have all the amenities you'd find in a bigger metro area."

Muller said he's grateful his career has kept him plugged in to the city's progress. "If you live in the city, being able to see it from the inside out is interesting," he said.

There have been successes in upgrading the citys infrastructure, including projects associated with the rise of massive intermodal railroad hubs, outer freeway loop Interstate 269 and development of Frank C. Pidgeon Industrial Park in southwest Memphis as an adjunct to the Port of Memphiss base on Presidents Island.

There are also projects that Muller worked on throughout his chamber tenure, that he handed off to successors including Rayne and Ernest Strickland, vice president of international and business partnerships. Strickland took the wheel of the chambers industry councils, including the regional logistics council.

Considering it takes at least 12 years to plan and build a road and 20 years for a bridge, it shouldnt be a surprise that the two biggest projects have taken so long: the chambers push for a third bridge over the Mississippi River and the completion of Interstate 69 through Greater Memphis.

Muller said the city's prominence as a logistics and distribution hub is sometimes lost on Memphians.

"We'll go to Tokyo or go to Belgium, Paris, other places around the world. They know of Memphis because of what we have. But that's because we've been there telling the story, too. Sometimes we don't tell the story in the United States, and certainly a lot of Memphians don't understand it."

Muller zeroed in on the need for continued agreement on public incentives to entice industry to move here or expand. There's been a recurring debate in political circles over payments in lieu of taxes that partially freeze property taxes for job-creating investments.

Muller said, "One thing we ought to all agree on is what it takes to bring in jobs. Jobs are a solution to everything. I'm not saying we should give away the store, but we ought to not argue about it in public."






Brad Vest/The Commercial Appeal Welders, fitters and other skilled craftsmen at Memphis logistics company AIL pose for a portrait along with Timothy Walls (second from right), senior vice president of corporate operations, and Wesley Barnett (center), senior vice president of construction services, inside of the AIL fabrication shop. The workers said they wouldnt work there if the company hadnt offered health insurance.

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By Kevin McKenzie of The Commercial Appeal

Welders, fitters and other skilled craftsmen at AIL, a Memphis supplier to the logistics industry, said they wouldn't work there if the company hadn't offered health insurance.

With a workforce that can fluctuate from 30 to about 130, depending on government contracts and other business won, AIL is among the nation's small businesses that can't avoid the issue of providing health coverage to employees and their dependents.

After a two-year delay, Obamacare as of Jan. 1 calls for employers with 50 to 99 full-time employees to offer at least bare bones health insurance to full-time employees.

Larger employers, with 100 more workers, faced the health insurance mandate last year. Smaller businesses, with fewer than the equivalent of 50 full-time employees, are exempt.

In Shelby County, about 850 establishments, or fewer than 5 percent of a total of more than 19,400 business locations, had 50 to 99 employees in 2013, according to U.S. Census data. Only about 3 percent had 100 or more employees.

AIL, short for AVPOL International LLC, founded in 1997 and owned by a retired Air Force lieutenant colonel, Sandra Walls, has always considered health coverage to be part of an employer's incentives, said her son, Timothy Walls, senior vice president of corporate operations.

"So when the Affordable Care Act came out, honestly it didn't really affect us that much," Walls said. "We just felt like it was bringing everybody else on board to what they really needed."

At AIL's facility in Raleigh, Wesley Barnett, senior vice president of construction services, said AIL's health insurance helped him lure several skilled workers away from a previous employer who offered no benefits.

Barnett said that before joining AIL last summer, he was paying $1,200 a month for a health plan covering him and his wife. With rising costs, he expected that to jump to $2,250 a month. He bought his own insurance after his previous employer declined to offer the benefit, he said.

"We went to the other company because he promised us, and then he never did it," Barnett said. "After he found out what the cost was going to be, he said, 'Naw, get your own.' Benefits are a big thing for working people. All of these boys have some kind of family. They have to have insurance."

The government uses legal teeth to make sure employers offer insurance. The "Employer Shared Responsibility Payment" enforced by the Internal Revenue Service provides a possible penalty that can range up to about $2,000 for each full-time employee, although the first 30 won't be counted against employers that don't offer at least minimum coverage.

Calculating how full- and part-time workers add up and how much a company can charge workers for their part of the insurance premiums are among the new guidelines for employers.

Full-time employees are defined as working an average of 30 hours or more a week, although business groups including the National Restaurant Association are lobbying to raise that to 40 hours.

In 2014, 48.5 percent of Tennessee firms offered health insurance, a decline from 55.9 percent in 2010, according to a Health Policy Blog report issued in November by the Methodist Le Bonheur Center for Healthcare Economics at the University of Memphis.

Most of the decline was due to the number of small firms, with fewer than 50 employees, offering coverage, said the report by U of M health economics professor Cyril F. Chang and Dr. David Mirvis, professor emeritus at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Medicine.

Health insurance agents in Memphis said that most employers in the 50-99 class prepared for the new year's mandate. New government reporting requirements, including IRS 1095 forms providing information to employees and the IRS about who has coverage and when, is another issue taking hold this year.

Some employers, largely in service industries with a lot of younger low-wage and high-turnover employees, have scrambled to meet the new mandate, said Don Lamb, president of the Mid-South Association of Health Underwriters and Collier Insurance life, health and benefits manager.

"We've seen a few of those, on the smaller employer side, less than 50, abandon the group plan and just let the employees go to the (federal Healthcare.gov) exchange," Lamb said.

However, the trend has been to provide some coverage or some benefit that would help employees avoid the individual penalty under the Affordable Care Act, he said.

For certain employees at companies that haven't offered medical coverage in low-margin, low-wage, high-turnover industries, the new mandate may not help workers, according to Timothy Finnell, founder and president of Group Benefits LLC.

Firms seeking to minimize costs and avoid the penalty may offer coverage with a very high deductible, such as $5,000, Finnell said. In that case, low-wage workers would find better, subsidized Obamacare coverage if their employer provided no coverage.

"Very, very, very few have just said, 'Forget it, I'm going to do nothing and pay fines,' he said. "It doesn't make financial sense when you can do something else and avoid that."

At AIL, Walls said the biggest issue for small businesses providing health insurance is the affording the cost.

"Get out there and get more business, that's the only way you really can," he said.
August 19, 2015 - Family and friends pray around Betty Hurdle, center, Aaron Crutchers mother, during a candlelight vigil for Crutcher, a 29-year-old who was shot and killed along Tutwiler Avenue in August. Memphis experienced 161 homicides in 2015.

Virtually every time I write a column questioning the use of deadly force by police during encounters with African-Americans, I get the same response from many readers.

Why don't I  and protesters who take to the streets  express the same indignation over blacks killing blacks?

One recent email ended with this: "A little girl was killed a couple of weeks ago in a Frayser apt. (It was actually in Raleigh.) And last weekend 5 people were killed by guns in Memphis. Will BLM (Black Lives Matter) protest these killings or do they only protest police killings?"

My stock answer to this and similar retorts is, yes. Just ask Stevie Moore, whose son was gunned down in 2003 and who has since devoted his life to stamping out senseless violence.

Or ask the slew of preachers, community activists and others who show up regularly at anti-violence rallies.

But this is not about winning the public relations battle over who is saying what and when in response to police brutality or violent street crimes.

This is about coming to grips with the fact that we live in a society where deadly violence is second nature for bad guys and occasionally for good guys, too.

Despite his unnecessary put-down of Black Lives Matter, the emailer was on target with his assessment of the latest violent crime wave in Memphis. During the first 13 days of 2016, there were 12 homicides in the city  about four times the number recorded during the same period last year.

Among them was the aforementioned death of 13-year-old LeTara Jones, killed when a bullet from an upstairs apartment went through the floor and struck her as she held a 12-week-old baby.

In retaliation, a gunman went to the upstairs apartment and fatally shot Daniel Lusk, 21, as he tried to flee.

The almost-two weeks of carnage also included the Jan. 9 shooting death of Lonnie Ludvigson, 48, of Edgewood, Iowa, who was the apparent victim of a robbery attempt not far from the University of Memphis. And a double murder that same day at the Tulane Apartments in Whitehaven.

I could go on, but it's too depressing.

What we need are solutions to this scourge. We have tried slogans such as "gun crime equals jail time." And we have tried gun buy-back programs. None of it seems to have made the slightest dent.

So maybe my email responders have a point. Maybe it's time for a citywide protest movement against all violence. Not just with marches and speeches, but with a genuine commitment to put down the guns  and report those involved in violent crimes to police.

Unrealistic? Perhaps. But we should not have to live this way  with one-a-day killings. Memphis deserves better.
Ted Evanoff Columnist SHARE Concerned parents including Beverly Davis watched in 2011 as the Memphis City Schools board voted 5-4 to surrender the school charter and call for a citywide referendum for transfer of administrative control to Shelby County Schools. (Jim Weber/The Commercial Appeal)

When the Memphis City Schools board voted to surrender its charter in 2011, the health care fund relied on by 8,000 retired local educators was short of money.

Five years later, the shortfall has swelled to a reported $1.1 billion.

Now a big question haunts city and county taxpayers: Who must take care of the shortfall?

Experts are uncertain who owes the money  taxpayers in Memphis, the state of Tennessee or Shelby County, which took responsibility for educating more than 90,000 public school students in the city when the charter dissolved.

Its not clear how the city, county or even the state would scrape up $1.1 billion.

Memphis even now is hard pressed to shore up the nearly $1 billion hole in the municipal pension fund. Taking on the cost of replenishing the retired teachers health fund would bankrupt Memphis, warned Shelby County Commissioner David Reaves.

Shelby County Schools head Dorsey Hopson raised the idea of a lawsuit last week, saying the question of who owes the money might be settled in a courtroom.

Just why it might take a room of lawyers to sort out who owes what goes back to the charters origins.

After talking with a few experts, Id guess city taxpayers will get the bill.

The reason is the ambiguity surrounding the charter, a document that sets up the school system as a legal entity.

Written in 1869, the document is based on a law the Tennessee legislature crafted specifically for Memphis, said University of Memphis law professor Daniel Kiel.

In an era when counties oversaw and paid for public education in the state, 19th Century legislators enabled Memphis to form a school district separate from Shelby County.

Lawmakers back then coined the term special school district, a definition still used today.

Special to lawmakers 147 years ago merely meant schools distinct from the traditional county school, said Kiel, author of Memphis Dilemma, an analysis of school reform efforts in the city published in 2011 in the University of Memphis Law Review.

Because the Memphis school system operated into 2011 as a special school district, the designation carries weight for Bruce McMullen, chief legal officer for Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland.

Last week, McMullen asserted the legislature created the special school district, so the state is responsible for the old districts unmet obligations, not the citys taxpayers.

What might trouble that argument in court, however, is the murk around the 1869 charter.

Memphis school charter was unique because it never had a separate taxing authority, Rhodes College political scientist Marcus Pohlmann said.

Memphis school system relied on the city and then later also the county for funding, although Tennessees primary reason for creating special school districts was to provide a school system its own taxing power.

This insures that funds earmarked for education will be spent only on education and not roads or jails or other uses, says a Tennessee Association of School Boards statement explaining the 14 special school districts created in the state.

In some ways it was never a complete special school district as I understand them. It always was a hybrid, said Pohlmann, author of what many consider the best history of the citys school system. Its contained in his 2008 book, Opportunity Lost: Race and Poverty in the Memphis City Schools.

After the city was incorporated in 1819, Memphians soon set up a public school system. They devised the first school charter in 1846, Pohlmann said, and they relied on city tax revenue for the schools. This reliance continued when the school system was designated a special district in 1869.

While citizens in other cities sought special school districts able to levy taxes, Memphis school boards never raised money, instead relying on the city and eventually the county and state for revenue.

Before 1869 Memphis went out of its way to make sure the schools were not run by the county, Pohlmann said, noting in 1869 the legislature carved out a special circumstance for Memphis City Schools different from the way they did special schooling in other areas of the state.

Today, its uncertain what compelled Memphians and the legislature to come up with the new school charter in 1869. The Civil War had ended four years earlier. Pohlmann notes the 1869 charter for the first time mentioned public education for the freed slaves. Kiel figures the wars aftermath factored into writing the new charter.

I do believe the school district had to be recreated in order to wipe it of pre-Civil War inconsistencies, Kiel said.

What happened to the 1869 charter after yellow fever ravaged the city remains unclear.

The epidemic killed or drove away almost the entire city population, leading state officials to revoke the citys municipal charter in 1879. This meant the city of Memphis ceased to exist as a legal entity until the charter was re-established in 1893.

Whats not clear is the disposition of the 1869 school charter. It might have been forgotten and simply left in place.

Im assuming they replicated the 1869 charter, Pohlmann said about Memphis officials in the 1890s.

Kiel said for his 2011 analysis he reasoned the 1869 document was valid based on a Tennessee attorney general opinion.

So who shoulders the $1.1 billion shortfall?

McMullen insists the city isn't responsible, but my off the cuff read of all this is there is a lot of wiggle room for the states lawyers to argue the city bears responsibility.

After all, the Memphis school board never levied taxes, although the special school districts the lawmakers of the 19th Century had in mind were special precisely because their school boards levied taxes.

Perhaps the city, county and state could stay out of court and find a compromise.

Whatever they come up with, its likely to be expensive for taxpayers.
SHARE Once our kids hear about these real American heroes, they react the same way we all do, says Brad Meltzer author of I Am Martin Luther King, Jr. Brad Meltzer "I Am MLK"

By Julie Danielson

The New York Times best-selling author Brad Meltzer has penned political thrillers for adults, written nonfiction books for parents to share with their children, created critically acclaimed comic books, and developed history programs for television, including "Brad Meltzer's Lost History." Early last year, he launched a children's book series called "Ordinary People Change the World," illustrated by Christopher Eliopoulos. The newest book, "I Am Martin Luther King, Jr.," takes a look at the man whose life was cut way too short in Memphis.

Chapter 16 talked with Meltzer via email about this biography series, one he hopes will inspire children to dream big, and what it was like to take on the life of King in a slim book for children.

Chapter 16: This is one of a handful of books in the "Ordinary People Change the World" series for Dial. Can you talk about your decision to create this series?

Brad Meltzer: A few years back, I was looking for clothing for my daughter, and all I could find were shirts with princesses on them. And I thought, as someone who's around so much history, there are so many better heroes I can give her. So I asked a friend to draw me a cartoon picture of Amelia Earhart. I wrote the words "I Am Amelia Earhart" on it  and on the back I wrote, "I know no bounds." My daughter loved it. Then my wife wanted one. And her friends wanted one. And the more I told her about Amelia Earhart, the more she fell in love. It made me realize: Once our kids hear about these real American heroes, they react the same way we all do. They're inspired. They dream bigger. They work harder. Right there, these books were born.

Do you consider these books biographical nonfiction or more of a blend of inspirational fiction and facts?

We're not making this up. Abraham Lincoln didn't have a beard at age 8, and sometimes we make jokes in the word balloons (like Lincoln saying, "I'm going to be on the penny one day"). But the text and the stories are real. It can be read as a true biography for kids.

When you wrote the first book in the series last year, what was it like to go from writing adult thrillers and comics to picture books? Did anything surprise you about the picture-book-writing process?

As someone raised on comic books, the tradition was pretty natural. Sure, I don't kill people like I do in my thrillers. But at the end of the day, a good story is a good story. The one thing you have to learn is: You have to shut up. Let the artist do their magic.

Can you talk about your research on Martin Luther King Jr. for this particular book?

This was, without question, the hardest book to write. Dr. King was just involved in so many parts of the amazingly complex civil rights movement. People think he gave a big speech and all was perfect. But that was just the midpoint. There was Selma and so much more  and so much more before all that. I wanted it all in there. Plus, I had to write in his voice. Nothing was more intimidating.

What challenges, if any, were there in making his story accessible to young readers?

Kids aren't stupid. All you have to do is tell the story and get out of the way. They understand it. I think honesty is really best in complex situations.

Both Rep. John Lewis and Michele Norris read early drafts of the book. Did they give any feedback that contributed to the story's content and/or flow?

When I'm writing about presidents in my thrillers, I reach out to presidents. When I write about the military, I reach out to military leaders. Here, I wanted to convey all the complexity of race, power, and life in the civil-rights movement. You better believe I wanted the best help I could get. Most important, they were there to show me my own blind spots and what I might be missing.

Can you talk about working with illustrator Christopher Eliopoulos? What does he bring to this series with his art?

I know Chris' work from comics, but the reason I was so insistent about working with him was he can do that "Calvin and Hobbes"/"Peanuts" thing where the characters aren't just funny  they're lovable. You dream with them, fail with them, and smile with them. It's so much harder than you think. Chris' superpower is just that: love.

To read an uncut version of this interview  and more local book coverage  please visit Chapter16.org, an online publication of Humanities Tennessee.
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By David Royer of The Commercial Appeal

A postal worker was injured Friday afternoon when an attacker threw acid on her in a Raleigh neighborhood, and now the U.S. Postal Inspection Service is offering a $25,000 reward for information leading to an arrest.

According to a release from the agency on Saturday morning, the woman was delivering mail on her route on Socorro near Fortner between 1:45 and 2 p.m. when an unknown man threw acid on her as she sat in her vehicle, causing serious burns.

Memphis Police spokesman Louis Brownlee said the victim drove herself to Methodist North for treatment of the chemical burns. Police recieved the call at 2:30 p.m.

The victim was later transported to Regional Medical Center in non-critical condition, Brownlee said, and had been released from the hospital by Saturday morning.

No arrests have been made and the investigation is ongoing, Brownlee said.

The Postal Inspection Service described the alleged attacker as a black male, 30 to 40 years of age, 5-foot-9 to 5-foot-10, 190 pounds. He had a graying mustache and was wearing dark clothing and a blue skull cap.

The agency is requesting anyone with information to contact the USPIS at 877-876-2455 or the Memphis Police Department Crime Stoppers at (901) 528-2274.
January 15, 2016 - Juvenile Court Judge Dan H. Michael discusses the Court's operations and plans for its future during a State of the Court speech at the Urban Child Institute Friday morning. Judge Michael also talked about the court's working relationship with the U.S. Department of Justice and their combined efforts to make Juvenile Court of Memphis and Shelby County a model juvenile justice center for the nation. (Yalonda M. James/The Commercial Appeal)

SHARE January 15, 2016 - People watch Juvenile Court Judge Dan H. Michael as he discusses the Court's operations and plans for its future during a State of the Court speech at the Urban Child Institute Friday morning. Judge Michael also talked about the court's working relationship with the U.S. Department of Justice and their combined efforts to make Juvenile Court of Memphis and Shelby County a model juvenile justice center for the nation. (Yalonda M. James/The Commercial Appeal)

By Katie Fretland of The Commercial Appeal

Trauma training is part of the goals this year at Juvenile Court, Judge Dan Michael said at a "state of the court address" on Friday in front of a packed audience at the Urban Child Institute.

The training will focus on how to handle the trauma that the court personnel can experience in their work and teach the staff about juvenile trauma.

"Most of these children come to us with some type of serious trauma," he said.

In his speech, Michael thanked everyone who does behind-the-scenes work at the court.

"And I'm talking about those of you who daily type up thousands of petitions, summonses, letters and answer so many phone calls until you've lost count," he said. "I'm talking about those of you whose daily work is dedicated to cleaning our building and maintaining it so well so that everyone who enters our court notices how neat and clean it is ... Your task is endless and your work is so important."

The staff at the court includes Avis Allen, 52, the youth court coordinator, Gary Cummings, 51, the director of court services and Martha Rogers, 50, a manager in the children's bureau.

Allen said the youth court is a diversion program for first time offenders who committed a misdemeanor, and about 300 high school students hear the cases. They have 20 hours of training on restorative justice principles and mentoring from 70 attorneys.

In one case, a boy was charged with assault and had been bullying. Part of his punishment was to start an anti-bullying campaign at his school, Allen said.

"Community service is not punitive," Allen said. "We use it to bring out the best in them."

The Juvenile Court has partnered with stakeholders in the community including Shelby County Schools and law enforcement to help reduce the number of juveniles transported to the court on minor offenses, Cummings said.

"I'm proud that the court has implemented a lot of new reforms," Cummings said.

Cummings also shared a story that happened just this week, when the staff had a case of a mother who abandoned her six children. Three were left at school and three were left at the court where the staff cared for them until that night when further arrangements for them could be made.

In another case, Rogers was dealing with a juvenile who didn't want to go to school because of his clothes. Her fitness class put together shoes and outfits for the boy and he didn't have to come back to court after that.

Michael also addressed the court's work with the Department of Justice.

In April 2012, the DOJ released a scathing report about the Juvenile Court of Memphis and Shelby County and the Shelby County Juvenile Detention Center.

It found that the juvenile court "fails to provide constitutionally required due process to all children appearing for delinquency proceedings, that the court's administration of juvenile justice discriminates against African-American children, and that its detention center violates the substantive due process rights of detained youth by not providing them with reasonably safe conditions of confinement."

Michael said the court is continuing to work to resolve all the problems and has implemented many reforms.

"Because we've done that we have seen successes," he said. "For instance when I first got to Juvenile Court 20 years ago it was not unusual to have 175 or 80 kids in the detention center. You may have a murderer, you may have a kid who back talked a parent. This morning when I got up I had 79 children in the detention center. Our average census is around 52, 53."

The number of juveniles transported to the court have been cut by 78 percent and the number of transfers to adult court have been cut by over 65 percent, he said.
By Stephanie Norton of The Commercial Appeal

A man wanted in connection with the death of his ex-girlfriend in December has been arrested by investigators with the U.S. Marshals Gulf Coast Regional Task Force and the Middle Tennessee Violent Offender Task Force.

Antonio Davis, 27, was found staying at a motel on Rivergate Parkway in Goodlettsville, Tennessee, just north of Nashville. Davis was arrested in the lobby of the hotel Friday evening without incident.

According to Memphis police, on Dec. 29, 2015, officers arrived in the 6000 block of Waterstone Oak Way in Parkway Village to find Lakeyel Hurd, 26, suffering from a gunshot wound. The victim was unresponsive on the scene and was later pronounced dead.

Officers developed Davis as a suspect. Police said he kicked down the door, forced his way inside the home and shot Hurd several times before fleeing the scene.
By Yolanda Jones of The Commercial Appeal

Memphis police officer Joshua Barnes arrested for allegedly stalking his ex-girlfriend was arraigned on the charges Friday and will be back in court on Jan 26.

Barnes, 28, was charged Thursday with aggravated stalking and violating a protection order. He paid a $1,000 bond and was released.

The protection order from DeSoto County was served on Jan. 8, Memphis police said, and Barnes allegedly violated it five days later in Memphis on Jan. 13. Memphis police took him into custody early Thursday morning.

According to an affidavit, the woman took her car to be serviced and someone found a tracking device had been put underneath the car. When the woman went to the department's internal affairs office to file a complaint, Barnes was already there waiting on her, according to the affidavit. He was told to leave, the affidavit said, but instead parked his car across the street and sat there.

Friday, Barnes made his first court appearance on the charges where Judge William Turner gave him time to get an attorney.

Barnes is assigned to the Ridgeway station, but is relieved of duty. He has been with MPD since January 2009.
Anna Wickens pushes a stroller to her car in the Memphis Zoo's overflow parking at Overton Park in April, 2013.

By Tom Charlier of The Commercial Appeal

Plunging into a dispute that has intensified during the early days of his administration, Mayor Jim Strickland and another top city official will meet next week with leaders of the Memphis Zoo and the Overton Park Conservancy to discuss the zoo's use of the Overton Park greensward for overflow parking.

Strickland, along with city chief operating officer Doug McGowen, will convene the session with zoo president Chuck Brady and OPC executive director Tina Sullivan in the aftermath of the zoo's removal within the past week of more than two dozen trees from the greensward to accommodate more parking. Originally set for Friday afternoon, the meeting has been rescheduled for Tuesday morning, Sullivan said.

The tree-removal stoked new controversy over the zoo's practice of directing as many as 600 cars on to the greensward, the large lawn near the park's center, during peak attendance days. Opponents say the practice damages the lawn and is unfair to other park-users, but zoo officials say it is needed to ensure adequate parking to accommodate visitors to the region's top tourist destination.

City officials have studied options for providing additional zoo parking, including building a garage, but say there is no money available.

In a statement issued earlier this week, McGowen said the mayor had requested the meeting with zoo and OPC leaders. He also said both sides had been asked to refrain from taking "any actions that would inflame the situation" and to help work toward a resolution.

"We understand that passions are high surrounding this issue. And we know the friction is a result of the success that both the Memphis Zoo and Overton Park are enjoying ...," McGowen said.

"We know this won't be fixed overnight. We ask that the community give us the time to reach a solution that works for everyone  most importantly, the people who use the park and the zoo."

OPC earlier this week complained that zoo personnel dug up 27 trees from the north side of the greensward without notice. They had been among about 400 trees and shrubs purchased and planted by the conservancy in 2012 using funds from a donor's gift, Sullivan said.

The OPC called the action "entirely unacceptable" and has asked that the zoo return the trees.

Zoo officials, in a statement posted on the institution's Facebook page Thursday afternoon, defended the removal. The trees "were not cut down or harmed  they were removed with roots fully intact for future use elsewhere in the park ...," the post said.

"This action was not illegal in any way, as the property is ours to maintain as upheld by the recently released legal opinion from the city of Memphis."
December 7, 2015 - County elections administrator Richard Holden (right) passes out a copy of election statutes before the start of a special called Election Commission meeting to certify the results of the recent runoff elections. Holden announced his recent decision to retire before the end of the year at the meeting. (Jim Weber/The Commercial Appeal)

By Ryan Poe of The Commercial Appeal

The Shelby County Election Commission may close to the public the committee deliberations on the candidates to replace Richard Holden as elections administrator.

The committee tasked with vetting the 44 candidates  and, possibly, one or two late applicants  was canceled Friday after commissioner and committee chairman Steve Stamson was told he couldn't legally close the meeting as long as two commissioners were present, and couldn't hold an unadvertised public meeting.

Stamson and Commissioner Anthony Tate are both members of the five-member committee, and both were present for the meeting at the elections operations center Friday.

Looking over the documents showing the names and resumes of the job applicants  all public information  Stamson said he didn't want to deliberate publicly. The committee will make recommendations to the commission, which will then publicly deliberate on which candidate to hire. "I don't want to expose all this stuff to the public," Stamson said.

Commission Chairman Robert Meyers said he's reached out to other commissioners about whether they want the committee meetings to be public. Only two of the five members of the committee are election commission members.

His preference, he said, was that one of the committee members be removed from the committee so that the meetings can be closed. "The commission itself will deliberate publicly," he said.

Holden retired at the end of December after a controversial six years as elections administrator. His announcement came at about the same time as some people  notably Rep. G.A. Hardaway  called for his resignation and an investigation into the handling of elections that were plagued with errors, glitches and delays. Holden said he didn't know about Hardaway's comments when he announced his retirement.

Alleged discrepancies between voting machine tallies and final counts in the Oct. 8 election prompted a lawsuit by former Memphis City Council member Wanda Halbert, who was running for City Court clerk. The case is scheduled to go to Chancellor Jim Kyle in a March 22 hearing.
SHARE Barney Sellers/The Commercial Appeal files. January 16, 1973  Cotton Wives Club officers (from left) Mrs. James Lee president; Mrs. John Freeman, vice-president and Mrs. Fred Boone, secretary, look at cotton samples from New Mexico at the Cotton Exchange on Jan. 16, 1973.

Jan. 16

25 years ago: 1991

Iraq ignored the UN's Tuesday midnight deadline to leave Kuwait and the world prepared for the fateful consequences of President Saddam Hussein's defiant refusal. Barring an attack by Iraq, the start of a Persian Gulf war now lies in the hands of President George Bush, but officials gave no indication whether or when Bush would order the nation to war. Diplomats had frantically sought an 11th hour solution to the crisis. But the most promising initiative, a proposal by France, was pronounced dead late Tuesday when Prime Minister Michel Rocard said Iraq had shown no interest and the time to use force "has, alas, arrived."

50 years ago: 1966

Dr. Lawrence G. Hornsby of Omaha, Neb., chief of children inpatient service at Nebraska Psychiatric Institute, will speak on "The Community Approach to Mental Health" at 8 p.m. Jan. 31 at the Board of Education auditorium, 2597 Avery. He will be the guest of the Memphis-Shelby County Mental Health Association, and his talk will be open to the public. Dr. Hornsby visited Memphis in 1965 and observed some of the mental health services here. "Overall, the services available for emotionally disturbed children in Memphis leave something to be desired. In the area of direct services, Memphis has one child guidance clinic. This clinic is of superior quality. However, this one clinic cannot begin to touch the immediate and pressing needs for direct service in a city the size of Memphis."

75 years ago: 1941

Eleven Memphis cotton men, Everett R. Cook, Frank G. Barton, Russell Gregg, Coye Warde, L.T. Barringer, W.N. Mallory, Doug Brooks, P.A. Laws, C.G. Henry, C.E. Garner and R.L. Taylor, will attend the National Cotton Council meeting this month at Augusta, Ga.

100 years ago: 1916

The Associated Charities has gone into business on its own account. Yesterday the charitable group opened a cigar stand at the Courthouse. All the profits from the stand will be turned over to charity and no rent will be charged by the County Commission for the space.

125 years ago: 1891

A.D. Gwynne, W.A. Warner, J.T. Walsh, Colton Greene, J.D. Montedonico, Louis Kettman, J.M. Fowlkes, John K. Speed, John Gaston, Martin Kelly and Philip Fransioli have been re-elected directors of the State Savings Bank.
Houston High senior Mary Parker Powell (left), junior Nicole Forsythe and senior Kelly Gallagher stop for a morning cup of coffee at the schools coffee bar. Aramark has taken over the food service in Germantown municipal schools, which is one of 2 high schools served by Aramark in Tennessee to have coffee bar in high school.

SHARE January 12, 2015  Cafe manager and barista Sandra Miller (center) helps students with their order at Houston Highs coffee bar. Aramark has taken over the food service in Germantown municipal schools which is one of 2 high schools served by Aramark in Tennessee to have coffee bar in high school. (Stan Carroll/The Commercial Appeal)

By Jane Roberts of The Commercial Appeal

Antonio Scott, a social media sophisticate and a senior at Houston High, is back eating in the school cafeteria, frankly because the iced coffee in its new Java City Cafe is as good as the high-test brand down the street. And $1 cheaper.

"It's the new program. It's definitely not only raised my interest but a lot of my classmates' interests. We have the new coffee bar, and everyone is more prone and willing to eat cafeteria food," he says, moving his fingers in mock quotes around "cafeteria food," for years the butt of jokes in school kitchens.

Even Kyle Cherry, Houston principal, jokes that there's no more "fakon"  the soy and turkey bacon that figured prominently in breakfast sandwiches before Aramark took over.

"These have real bacon," Cherry says, gently tossing one of the wrapped sandwiches in the air. "The kids notice. They cost a little more, and they're a little smaller, but it's bacon."

The Germantown school board lost more than $300,000 on its school lunch program last year, subsidized it out of the general fund and vowed to make changes.

Aramark is the first. And if things don't turn around significantly, Germantown could be the first school system in Tennessee to get out of the federally subsidized school lunch program.

"We are working with Aramark and looking at what they are doing in other states. We would have to submit our plan to the state. If they approve, and it's profitable for our vendor, we could choose not to take the federal funding and follow through on our own," said Supt. Jason Manuel.

Germantown receives about $151,700 in subsidies for meals it is required to provide students from poor families. But to get the money, it has to follow strict nutrition guidelines that experts say whittle away lunchroom participation.

Without enough full-pay kids, schools lose the economies of scale that make school lunch programs possible. Last year at Houston High, 138 students out of 1,900  about 7 percent  ate lunch every day. While the percentage was higher at Germantown's four other schools, participation across the district averaged only 13 percent.

Aramark partially took over in October, using some of its recipes with the federally-subsidized commodities already in the district's larder. When students returned from holiday break two weeks ago, the old lunch counter at Houston was replaced with a sandwich bar, build-your-own hamburger station and a taco bar. A panini station is next.

And in front, Java City  with its mix of coffees and flavored syrups  is open all day.

"The coffee is getting them interested," Cherry says. "We think once we get them in here, they'll try the food."

It's already working. Lunch counts at Houston High hit 178 to 180 in the transition months and bounced up after Christmas when Aramark went solo.

"Last week, we hit 400. Obviously, there is a first-week punch, but we feel like we will be able to keep it going," Manuel said.

While meal prices have stayed the same, a la carte prices are up noticeably. A cookie, 25 cents before Aramark, is now 55 cents. Rice Krispies bars, 75 cents last fall, are now $1.30. The extra cash, plus the coffee bar, help Aramark make ends meet.

But the quality of the food is helping too, Manuel says, noting that in his own home, praise is heaped on the buffalo chicken sandwich.

What is happening in Germantown is happening in wealthy communities around the nation, says Diane Pratt-Heavner, spokeswoman for School Nutrition Association .

"Students who have to pay full price are leaving the program. It's alarming, not only for the financial health of the lunch program, but it also increases the stigma of kids who rely on the meals. If all the others are going off campus, it makes it less appealing to eat in the school cafeteria," she said.

Cafeterias are getting help from companies developing healthier products, including pizzas and sandwich pockets. "But there is no guarantee all districts will have access to products that meet the standards at a price point they can afford," Pratt-Heavner said.

That means children in poor districts, such as Shelby County Schools, could have lesser-quality lunches than those in affluent ones. Exacerbating the issue is that federal restrictions  like the rule that schools must serve whole-grain pastas, which get sticky faster in warming trays  drive down participation.

Since the rules, which also dictate reduced fat and sodium, went into effect in 2012, lunch participation has dropped 4.8 percent, or more than 1 million children. While the School Nutrition Association champions many of the changes  milk with every entree and meals that meet calorie and trans-fat limits  Pratt-Heavner says standards that drive kids to "convenience stores or fast food joints" defeat the purpose.

Aramark  which has food service contract at Shelby County Correctional Center, University of Mississippi, Christian Brothers University and dozens of other sites in the region  is abiding by the federal rules in Germantown and Oak Ridge, the districts in the state that have hired an outside contractor to improve bottom lines.

If Germantown opts out, which Manuel says could happen by next fall, it would have to guarantee healthy choices for low-income families and meet appropriate standards for the others.

Districts that can't opt out (about 80 percent of students in SCS meet income eligibility for free or reduced meals) will have to meet the guidelines. In 2022, when sodium restrictions tighten again, Pratt-Heavner says many districts will have to pull their entree salads, due to the "tiny amount" of salt in the dressing.

"We are asking Congress to provide more funding and flexibility on just a few of the rules," she said.
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President Obama's State of the Union address, a sort of farewell speech to the nation, included a clear call for reason and unity in politics  the kind of appeal that resonates with ordinary citizens who are fed up with bitter divisions in Washington, at the state level and beyond.

The "better politics" he called for would serve the nation well. Tennessee would benefit, too. On the opening day of the 2016 legislative session in Nashville this week, it was obvious that advocates of Insure Tennessee, Gov. Bill Haslam's proposal to expand health care coverage in Tennessee almost exclusively at the federal government's expense, will once again get the cold shoulder from the General Assembly.

The legislature's Republican majority is simply unwilling to consider a rational approach or any semblance of unity on an issue associated with the Obama presidency. An objective discussion is unlikely if the plan follows the same path as it did last year. Legislators, whose political survival has been threatened by the billionaire Koch brothers-funded Americans for Prosperity, won't even pause to give the measure a vote on the floor of either chamber.

Haslam's proposal to expand health insurance coverage to the working poor is an idea that the governor himself harbors little hope of passage.

Members of the legislative leadership are already saying no, despite the fact that a poll conducted last spring showed 64 percent of Tennesseans in support of the plan and 19 percent opposed.

And why shouldn't the public support it, if not for compassionate reasons or the practical realities? The plan would extend health insurance coverage to at least 280,000 Tennesseans who make too much to qualify for Medicaid and too little to afford their own health insurance. The federal government would fully fund the program in its initial stage, eventually phasing down its share to 90 percent.

The plan has the support not only of the public, but also health care providers and chambers of commerce. It would be good for business and good for the public, resulting in more preventive care and fewer hospital emergency room visits.

The details were worked out between Haslam and U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Mathews Burwell to allow Tennessee to expand TennCare, the state's version of Medicaid, under stipulations that are a full step removed from those spelled out in the Affordable Care Act.

That's simply not far enough removed from the Affordable Care Act itself  "Obamacare" in the vocabulary intended to discredit anything in which the president has had a hand.

An objective, unbiased discussion of the proposal by a legislature determined to build a better future for the people it represents would result in passage. But that would be the "better politics" thing to do.
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By Paula Dwyer

Bernie Sanders has been advancing in the Democratic presidential polls. He and Hillary Clinton are in a statistical tie in Iowa. The Vermont senator has also widened his lead in New Hampshire.

The Sanders surge comes on the heels of a Jan. 5 speech in which he reiterated his crowd-pleasing pledge to break up the big banks. Supporters roared with approval when he said that "fraud is the business model of Wall Street" and that "Congress doesn't regulate Wall Street  Wall Street regulates Congress."

It's easy to understand why they cheered. Banks have been in bad odor since irresponsible lending and high-risk practices helped crash the world economy in 2008. Breaking them up seems a simple way to cut them down to size.

But don't be fooled. The legal, political and technical complications of breaking up banks, and the economic and financial risks of such an effort, make it dangerous and unworkable. Here are five reasons:

1) Sanders' analysis of what happened in the run-up to 2008 is wrong. To him, repealing parts of the 1933 Glass- Steagall Act in Bill Clinton's administration invited the debacle. True, when commercial and investment banking were allowed under one roof, American banks got bigger and began peddling hedge funds, derivatives, insurance and real estate alongside plain old savings and checking accounts.

But blaming the law's repeal misses the point. Most of the worst actors were smaller investment banks like Lehman Brothers and Bear Stearns, or commercial banks like Washington Mutual and Wachovia. Glass-Steagall wouldn't have stopped them from overindulging in risky mortgages. And as the 1980s savings-and- loan crisis showed, small banks can wreak havoc, too.

2) The Federal Reserve and other regulators already have the authority to do what Sanders wants. Section 121 of the 2005 Dodd-Frank financial reform law gives regulators enormous powers to seize and liquidate a firm that threatens the stability of the broader system.

If regulators believed a large bank posed a grave threat to the U.S. economy, they would have invoked those powers by now. The reason they haven't is that Dodd-Frank provides less drastic tools to make banks safer.

Already under Dodd-Frank, the big banks have had to end trading done for their own profit and lay off armies of traders; sell hedge funds, commodities units and other forbidden subsidiaries; add hundreds of billions more in shareholder equity to absorb potential losses; process derivatives trades through central clearinghouses; and prepare road maps to their own liquidation if they become financially shaky. All this has made the big banks less risky.

3) In the unlikely event that regulators in a Sanders administration still don't see the need to break up the banks, Congress would have to adopt legislation to require them to do so. That isn't likely to happen, even if the Democrats have a majority in the House and Senate. Plenty of Democrats would join Republicans in voting against any such breakup law, given its unpredictable economic and financial consequences.

4) Suppose Congress did pass such a law. It's unclear how regulators would split up, say, JPMorgan Chase, which got bigger after the crisis because the U.S. implored it to absorb Bear Stearns (ditto for Bank of America, which acquired Merrill Lynch and Countrywide). If regulators divided the bank into commercial and investment banking halves, how would they disentangle the interwoven asset and liability threads around the globe? Millions of contracts would have to be renegotiated. Lines of credit might have to be terminated because smaller banks can't afford to finance them.

5) Using the brute force of government to divide big banks could so destabilize the financial system it might invite another crisis. Would the New York clearinghouse, which is operated by the largest banks to process trillions of dollars in daily payments, continue to work, for example? Would multinational corporations, which rely on global U.S. banks for payroll, short-term credit, bond issuance, currency exchange, hedging needs and many other services, have to switch to foreign banks if smaller U.S. banks can no longer afford to operate globally?

What's lost in the heated rhetoric is that Sanders is fighting the last war. Clinton's plan, while not perfect, recognizes this. She would extend Dodd-Frank to cover largely unregulated hedge funds and other shadow banks. She would impose a risk surcharge and tougher rules on trading operations.

As it stands, banks are finding the Dodd-Frank law has made it too costly to be big. It's difficult to maintain the tougher capital levels the Fed requires and deliver the returns shareholders expect. Financial executives or activist investors eventually will do what Sanders wants, and break them apart  but by spinning off easily separated assets and with far less disruption than if done by government fiat.

Already, two large institutions that regulators have declared systemically risky  industrial conglomerate General Electric and insurer MetLife  are breaking themselves up.

So a President Sanders likely couldn't accomplish what he's promising. Worse, he could trigger another financial crisis if he did.

Paula Dwyer writes editorials on economics, finance and politics for Bloomberg View.
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Jeremy Corbyn will indicate in a speech to the Fabian Society today that if he becomes our Prime Minister in 2020 the Government will impose pay ratios between those at the top and those at the bottom of a companys pay scale in order to institutionalise fairness.

Too much of the proceeds of growth have accumulated to those at the top, he will say.

Some Conservatives have conceded a lot of ground in the argument about inequality. Boris Johnson lamented last summer:

I do worry that we have more billionaires in London than any other city. We had 80 last year and we have 140 this year and they go billionairing around the place

By contrast Sadiq Khan, who seeks to succeed Boris as Mayor of London in May, told The Spectator recently:

I welcome the fact that we have got 140-plus billionaires in London; thats a good thing. I welcome the fact that there are more than 400,000 millionaires; thats a good thing.

The truth is that most workers are more concerned about their standard of living in absolute rather than relative terms. If their pay doubled from 10 an hour to 20 an hour they would welcome it  even if their boss found his annual earnings treble from 1 million a year to 3 million.

The difficulty is that many people think of the amount of wealth being fixed. Thus, for example, they imagine that if profits were abolished  for instance through price controls or nationalisation  that would allow prices to fall. Or that more tax revenue can be achieved, without difficulty, by increasing the tax rates on the rich. Or that rent controls would be a harmless way of reducing rents.

It is right for Conservatives to engage in these arguments  which we thought we had won in the 1970s  Dan Hannan did so his week with his excellent video message on this site about the profit motive. Part of our difficulty in making the case is the widespread confusion between free market capitalism and corporatism: the notion that capitalism means bail-outs for bankers, corporate welfare and assorted state subsidies for the rich and protecting fat cats from competition.

But ultimately the Conservatives will never convince the electorate that we are more hostile to the rich than the Labour Party is  despite Mark Wallaces analysis yesterday of Corbynista poshness. Nor should we try. Our message which is both true and more politically plausible should be that we want everyone to be rich. That we are the Party of leveling up, not dreary resentful leveling down.

The contrast in approach was seen this week. On Wednesday at Prime Minister Question Time there was a debate about sink estates. David Cameron wants to get rid of them. He wants to knock down the tower blocks to allow people to escape poverty. Jeremy Corbyn didnt sound at all keen on the idea. This followed a long speech from Cameron about poverty on Monday which also included other policies. The boost to the Troubled Families programme is very welcome. So is the PMs ambition for far more children languishing in care to be placed for adoption and thus have a chance of a permanent loving home.

While Labours focus is on punishing the rich the Conservatives are directing their energy into the eradication of poverty.
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Antibiotic-resistant bacteria infected hundreds when they used dirty medical devices called duodenoscopes, said a report published Wednesday by the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions.

Led by Sen. Patty Murray, the probe found that the scopes made by Olympus led to at least 25 outbreaks, as well as 250 superbug infections in various countries from 2012 to 2015. These figures are higher than have been imagined.

Duodenoscopes are devices that can probe the upper section of the small intestine or duodenum, which can raise the risk of infection as its design has made it tough to clean.

Olympus company was told about the two infections a couple of years ago in the Netherlands. Although Olympus needed to inform the U.S. Food and Drug Administration about the health risk of the device, it did not pass on the information until February last year. Thus, the device continued to be used.

"It is their responsibility when the device that they have manufactured has safety defects to notify the patients, the doctors, the hospitals," said Murray, according to the New York Times. "People should know this. We should not allow manufacturers to knowingly allow the use of any device or medication that's not safe."

The FDA's tardy response was also slammed. The agency was told about 11 outbreaks related to the use of duodenoscopes two years ago.

"Some of the hospitals were late in notifying patients, and the FDA did not take action immediately when they began to get reports," said Murray.

As early as 2008 and 2009, there were outbreaks that made 70 ill and killed 15 due to issues related to the duodenoscope. A U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention official mailed the FDA in 2009, clarifying that "there is a real chance that these issues might be more widespread" and recommended that the agency should put out "some type of educational alert" about the problem in cleaning the device.

"We appreciate the report from Sen. Murray and will carefully consider its recommendations, many of which FDA is already taking steps to address," said FDA spokeswoman Deborah Kotz, according to the New York Times. "We agree with the senator that a broader approach to understanding how well duodenoscope devices work in real-time use is critical to public health."

See Now: What Republicans Don't Want You To Know About Obamacare
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Olympus Corp. announced Friday that it is voluntarily recalling a medical scope product that was tied to a superbug outbreak. Superbugs are bacterial infections that have become resistant to certain antibiotics, making them very hard to treat.

The company added that it would be redesigning the medical scopes to reduce the risk of infections. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the new design for the product, which is called a duodenoscope. The FDA stated that for the time being, hospitals can continue to use the device but should strictly follow the cleaning directions.

Olympus will be changing an internal mechanism with the goal of making it easier to disinfect in between uses. Currently, it is almost impossible to properly disinfect the device after using it, which can increase a patient's risk of infection.

Olympus' announcement comes two days after a U.S. Senate report linked 25 outbreaks involving at least 250 patients to these scopes made by Olympus and two other companies, Pentax and Fujifilm. One of the most common illnesses was a superbug called carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE), which can kill up to 50 percent of infected people.

In the 301-page Senate report, the authors wrote that all three manufacturers "failed at every level to meet basic expectations of transparency and opened and to actively engage with FDA to address contamination issues."

The report continued, "This disregard for the spirit, and sometimes the letter, of the law resulted in potentially preventable serious and potentially fatal illnesses in hospitals around the world."

Prior to this report, there was a series of articles published by TIME that claimed that Olympus was aware of the flaws in their design as early as 2012. Olympus, however, had repeatedly blamed the rise of superbug infections on hospitals.

"The steps taken today are important," senator Patty Murray said, "but there is much more we need to do to make sure the FDA can respond quickly and appropriately when problems with medical devices occur."

Olympus makes 85 percent of all of the scopes that are used in the U.S. Pentax and Fujifilm did not say whether or not they have plans to recall and redesign their scopes.

See Now: What Republicans Don't Want You To Know About Obamacare
Iran Stands Top With Over 1084 Executions In 2015

By Rahim Hamid

16 January, 2015

Countercurrents.org

Iran records the highest ratio of executions worldwide relative to population

The photograph Firing Squad in Iran by Jahangir Razmi of Ettelaat

The position of Iranian officials regarding Saudi Arabia's execution of 47 prisoners, as well as Irans instigation via its Basiji forces of assault on the Saudi consulate and embassy, has raised many questions as to the real position of the Iranian government regarding executions. Particularly because ever since Hassan Rouhanis assumption of the Iranian presidency under the banner of reforms and justice, Iran has registered a record number of extrajudicial executions.

As a matter of fact, Iran took advantage of its return to talks over its nuclear program in order to execute 1084 people in 2015, which turned out to be a record number of executions for Iran, higher than in 15 previous years. The Iranian president plays a major role in approving executions via his representatives in all the provinces of Iran. The Iranian judiciary system is the primary responsible institution regarding executions while Rouhani has never even condemned the executions in Iran which have been increasing during his presidency at an alarming rate.

Human rights organizations had hoped to include human rights issues, as well as the curbing of very high execution rates within the agenda of the (5+1) nuclear talks with Iran, but their efforts did not reach fruition. Ahmad Shaheed, the UN Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran, in his recent report stated that situation concerning human rights in Iran has not witnessed tangible changes during the Rouhani presidency, while Iran refuses to ratify the human rights special charter.

In a related event the human rights organisations published a statement by the Sunni clerics of Iran warning of Iranian vengeful intentions to execute 27 Iranian Sunni activists mostly Kurds. The statement also warned of the recurrent prison executions and massacres within Iranian regime prisons against Iranian Sunnis.

The statement also called on all responsible for the affairs of Sunni Muslims in Iran to intervene in order to deter these executions. The statement also called on all Iranian Sunnis to take to the streets in protest of the executions and in support of the prisoners. Prior to these events the Iranian revolutionary court had sentenced seven Ahwazi activists to death while Human Rights Watch had demanded that Iran revoke its death sentences issued against 33 Sunnis mid-2014.

This while Iran's execution of Rihanna Jabari who was accused of killing an Iranian intelligence officer who was trying to rape her, was internationally condemned in 2014.In Ahwaz southwest region, Iran also executed Hadi Rashedi and Hashem Shabani due to their setting up of the Hiwar Ahwazi cultural organization. Also executed was Gholamreza Khosravi Savadjani for supporting Mujahidin Khalq.

Amnesty International had also warned in a statement issued last July of the increase of executions during the first six months of the year 2015 after the number of executions reached around 700 while Iranian official figures had only showed 246 a few months prior to the statement.

The current Iranian Minister of Justice Mostafa Pourmohammadi was party to and remains a defender of many of Irans executions between August and September 1988. Iranian human rights organizations state that authorities had executed five thousand political activists by firing squad, mostly members of Mujahidin Khalq and Kurds in 1988.

The list of those executed by Iran also included civil society activists and left-wing political party members. The current Iranian justice minister was a member of the 3 man executions committee in 1988. Iranian human rights organization say that precise numbers of those executed are unattainable due to Iranian governmental pressures on the families of the executed individuals, in addition to the fact that all those killed by Iranian Special Forces or during demonstrations are not accounted for in official Iranian records. Iranian human rights organizations records over a 5 year period show execution rates rising in Iran.

In 2014, Iranian human rights organizations records show, that Iran carried out in excess of 753 executions, while in the year 2013 Iran carried out 678 executions and 580 in the year 2012 and 684 in the year 2011. To this effect the Boroumand human rights institution which deals with Iranian human rights issues surveyed 18,068 executions in Iran from the inception of the revolutionary court to this day.

Rights activists say that execution sentences in Iran are based on forced confessions and have no judicial value.A European Union court had previously refused the rebuttal of Iran in the case against the president of the Iranian television and radio agency Mohammad Sarafraz as well as the President of Press TV Hamid Reza Emadi. Sarafraz and Emadi had a role to play in the airing of forced confessions made by Ahwazi Arab and Kurd political prisoners who were subsequently executed in suspicious circumstances.

The regime in Iran has long systematically targeted ethnic and religious minorities, especially those who have struggled for their own self-determination against this regime. This constitutes ethnic minorities such as Kurds and Baluch and AhwaziArabs who also appear to be Sunni Muslims. These minorities are frequently denied the right to express their cultural and ethnic identities and suffer large scale institutional discrimination and oppression at all levels of Iranian society.

Ever since the victory of the Iranian revolution over the Pahlavi regime executions have become the main source of repressive power for the rulers of Tehran. The special revolutionary court set up in 1979 by order of Khomeini appointed Shiite clerical judges to pass judgment without any reference to legal and judiciary procedures.

These bias revolutionary courts pass judgment on everything from executions to slander to corruption. The first Wali Faqih, which is a Persian Shiite religious office, used these revolutionary courts to execute all his rivals and political opponents. They were served with sentences with religious connotations such as corruption on earth, as well as, threatening national and international security and other such sentences.

Such ad hoc arbitrary judicial practice continued until 1994, when it was formalized. In the year 1994 a law was passed officially recognizing these revolutionary courts. With the passing of the law officially creating the revolutionary courts and inducting them into the Iranian state apparatus a list of their specialty was declared.

The 1994 law stipulates that the revolutionary courts specialize in crimes against national security and the crime of corruption in land and the crime of slander against Khomeini and the crime of slander against Khamenei the crime of plotting against the regime the crimes of militant activity, terrorism, and destruction of public institutions, espionage, drug trafficking, and economic corruption. In the year 1980 the newspaper entitled Ettelaat exposed the atrocity of executions the Iranian regime had carried out against its opposition.

And soon after the photo was published showing the Iranian execution squad, the photograph captured international attention winning the Pulitzer Prize for the best photograph in 1980. The photographers identity however was not disclosed till after 26 years had elapsed. In the interview with the Wall Street Journal who exposed the photographers identity Jahangir Razmi the man who claimed to have taken the photo in Iranian Kurdistan said he had taken the photo while he was an adjunct to the Iranian Shia clerical Judge Sadeq Khalkhali.

Rahim Hamid is an Ahwazi Arab writer




Reading Lenin In Modern Rome

By Gaither Stewart

16 January, 2016

Greanvillepost.com

Bogdanov, Gorki and Lenin, playing chess in Capri (1908)

A bit of Lenin before breakfast gives you the strength of a hundred camels in the courtyard. (My adaptation of a Paul Bowles Arab adage)

(Rome) Il signore Drin Drin, Capri fishermen called Lenin in 1910 and 1912 when the revolutionary and his wife Nadezhda Krupskaya visited the Russian writer Maxim Gorky in his villa on the now famous island near Naples. Lenin did not speak Italian but he had heard the men he learned to fish with use a word he understood as drin drin (in Italian the onomatopoeia associated with ring or buzz) so the day he felt a bite on his pole, he shouted drin drin. Thus Vladimir Ilyich acquired his only known non-revolutionary nickname.

At the time, many Russian revolutionaries visited Gorky on Capri, such as Lunacharsky, Bazarov and Bogdanov. But Lenin seemed to feel a special affection for Italy. He visited Naples museums and went to Mount Vesuvio. He loved the warmth of Italians, the blue sea, eating fresh fish, operatic music and the lively people. He studied Italian and followed Italian affairs and conditions of life and was struck by the widespread poverty. He also visited Rome where a street is named for him, Via Lenin. In the following years he read the newspapers, LAvanti, Il Corriere della Sera, La Stampa and the Florentine philosophy journal of the Italian Asiatic Society.

True Leftists like to cite Lenin. While to quote Marx is to delve into the heart of the theory of Socialism/Communism, Lenin is another cup of tea. Some theory, of course, but you get into Lenin and youre inside revolution. When you read Lenins The State and Revolution, which contains the core of Leninist thought, you are no longer in the world of socio-economic theory. This powerful text offers insights into Leninist policies and elaborates his interpretation of Marxism, the class conflict, the crushing of the bourgeois state and the establishment and role of the dictatorship of the proletariat. And then .

Reading Lenin today is to enter the realm of the overthrow of Capitalism and the transition from Capitalism to Communism. Fantasy? Not many years ago such words seemed like maniacal ravings. But that was before the shit hit the fan in the bourgeois capitalist world, right smack inside its heart on Wall Street. The images of Capitalism digging its own grave had seemed to many the wishful thinking of a handful of radical eccentrics. But today? Lenins writings now read like contemporary political thought.

Trotsky noted in his autobiography, My Life, that Lenin, although he was firmly entrenched in the present, was always trying to pierce the veil of the future. That quality underlines the difference between Lenin and many of his contemporaries and marks him as the true revolutionary. The younger Antonio Gramsci, the founder of the Italian Communist Party in 1921, credited Lenin with having advanced Marxism not only in political and economic theory but also in philosophy. Like Lenin, Gramsci emphasized the role of organizationwithout which the masses were nothingand only the Party was capable of creating the organization.

Lenins second outstanding quality was his tenacity: his companion and wife described him as a bulldoghis was the death-grip. For he was a man of a single idea, to which he dedicated his life. Revolution was the idea. But an idea, in the words of Mussolini, which possesses bayonets. Bertram Wolfe in his monumental Three Who Made A Revolution, also notes that Lenin added the word organization. And that was his genius. The ironclad organization of specialists in revolution.

Lenin was not the great writer as was Trotsky. His genius was flexibility and vocabulary. Vocabulary is a fundamental aspect of Leninist writing, highly visible in some of the excerpts I have included here. Proletariat and bourgeoisie, Capitalism and Socialism, greedy capitalist exploiters and oppressed toiling masses, class struggle, revolution and capitalist reaction, flunkies and lackeys of capitalist exploiters, imperialist war and socialist war.

These are constants of the vocabulary of the bulldog revolutionary and social-political visionary activist and interpreter of Marxist theory, Vladimir Ilyich Ulyanov-Lenin. Lenin was the motor of the seizure of power in Russia in November, 1917. Though disappointing to purists, according to Bertram Wolfe pragmatic Lenin said on the eve of the Revolution: The point of the uprising is the seizure of power; afterwards we will see what we can do with it. The second phrase exemplifies his recognition of the perplexing role of destiny and chance in the history of men. Uncertainty and destiny (the latter, sudba, a very Russian idea) were ever present in Leninist thought; yet when the historical climax arrived, it seemed to have been inevitable. That too was the Leninist method.

The contemporary crisis of capitalism underlines the extraordinary vision of Marx of 150 years ago and of Lenin a century ago. In this sense Marxism-Leninism is NOT outdated and anachronistic. Their words are right on target, current, modern, contemporary, far from quaint social philosophies of the distant past. A return to Lenin, an adventure if you want, is a worthwhile exercise.

As described by Lenin, Socialism/Communism is natural and just. In essence it is a dramatic redistribution of wealth and control over who does the distributing. That simplicity cannot be disturbing except to the rich who exploit the poor. In his last articles in 1922 Lenin defined Socialism (I use here Socialism and Communism interchangeably, as was originally proper!) in these broad terms: An order of civilized co-operators in which the means of production are socially owned. His use of the word Socialism thus cuts a wide swath through the world of the Left.

I want to sketch out some of the principles of Lenin the revolutionary, originally taken from his own writings. For this I have referred to several books: Three Who Made A Revolution by Bertram Wolfe, Lenins articles in Essential Works of Socialism edited by Irving Howe, My Life by Leon Trotsky, Marxism On Government by Vladimir Lenin, Lenin, A Biography, by David Shub, a member of Lenins Social Democratic Party who participated in the Russian Revolution of 1905-6 and frequented Lenin and other revolutionary leaders.

STRATEGY FOR GAINING POWER

I repeat, reading Lenin is not about reading ancient history. For purposes of this article one should keep in mind the explosive obvious: the causes of todays crisis in the world of finance derives not only from exploitation of the growing proletariat (now inclusive of a great part of the impoverished middle class), but also from the elitist aloofness and egoism of the creme de la creme of the globalized bourgeoisie.

Therefore, far-sighted as ever, Lenin: The proletariat may continue to pledge allegiance to the old ruling class which had no qualms in exploiting them in myriad ways. But the proletariat, having assembled sufficiently powerful political and military striking forces, must overthrow the bourgeoisie and deprive it of the power of the state, so as to wield this instrument for its own class purposes. (Lenin, Collected works, Vol. XVI p.148.

This, Lenin said, is to be achieved by smashing to atoms the old state and creating a new apparatus adapted to the struggle of the proletariat. Though universal suffrage and the ballot reveal the conditions of the various classes, the solution of the social problems is to be achieved by the class struggle in all forms, even in civil war, but above all not by the vote. (How obvious today when elections are sold and bought like merchandise!) The revolutionary participates in parliamentary activity in order to educate the masses but the parliamentary struggle is by no means decisive. Practical Lenin believed that participation in bourgeois parliaments makes it easier to show to the backward masses the reasons why such parliaments must be eliminated. The heart of Leninist thought was that the working class must instead use and exploit the institutions of the bourgeois state against it, for its destruction.

Without the guidance of the socialist vanguard the labour movement would become petty and inevitably bourgeois. (As has indeed happened in every industrialized democracy where the aristocracy of labor and especially its leaders became thoroughly integrated into the bourgeois oder, albeit as minor partners.Ed] Lenin foresaw the future of the US working class and the great part of the labour movement in Europe today. The vanguard would consist of persons who devote the whole of their lives to the revolution, that is, the professional revolutionaries, who would teach, indoctrinate and guide.

Simple trade unionism, Lenin writes in What Is To Be Done, means the ideological subordination of the workers to the bourgeoisie. Working class consciousness cannot be genuinely political consciousness unless the workers are trained to respond to all cases of tyranny, oppression, violence and abuse. To bring political knowledge to the workers, the Social Democrats must go among all classes of the population.

Lenin dismisses charges that Communists have no ethics of their own. This, he says, is just throwing dust in the eyes of workers. But he rejects the ethics of the bourgeois who liken their ethics to Gods commandments. The bourgeoisie uses the name of God in order to continue exploiting the workers of the world. Hand on the Bible, crosses in the classroom, God bless America and all the rest! Lenin repudiates all ethics that are fraud and deception to clog the minds of workers in the interests of capitalists. Socialist morality instead derives directly from the interests of the class struggle of the proletariat.

SOCIALIST DEMOCRACY

Capitalism cannot be defeated  without the ruthless suppression of the resistance of the exploiters  who will try to overthrow the hateful (for them!) rule of the poor. A great revolution is inconceivable without civil war, which  implies a state of extreme indefiniteness. (Lenin, Selected Works, Russian Edition, Vol. 2, pp.277-8)

Lenin was convinced that only the proletariat led by the socialist vanguard could liberate mankind from the sham, lies and hypocrisy of Capitalism, which is (and has always been) a democracy for the rich, a democracy for the few. Only the proletariat can make the benefits of democracy available to the workers, benefits which today are ever more inequitably distributed, the rich richer, the poor, poorer, a concentrated wealth of grotesque fortunes and salaries, bonuses and stock options for the rich, the poverty of unemployment and hard bread for the poor.

Lenins proletarian democracy, that is, what today is called popular or socialist democracy, aimed in the opposite direction. Only the hangers-on, like Lenins flunkies of the bourgeoisie, or academics blinded to real life by bourgeois propaganda and benefits, fail to see the difference. Capitalists speak hypocritically of democracy while constantly creating obstacles to its realization and reinforcing their own dominant position by distorting the legality of their state. Therefore the urgent necessity of preparing the masses, in 1920 Russia, as well as the USA and Europe in the year 2016.

The USA and Europe have forgotten their revolutionary heritage: the birth of the United States of America and in Europe the English and French revolutions. Since it is difficult to imagine a revolutionary class in the USA, the work of the individual revolutionary today must be one of education and indoctrination. Yet, as Lenin and Marx prophesied, Capitalism is digging its own grave as seen everyday in the chaos of its monetary system and endless wars and international outrages.

As Henry Ford said, It is well that the people of this nation do not understand our banking and monetary system, for if they did, I believe there would be revolution before tomorrow morning.

Peter Chamberlain writes in his essay, Sermon From The Corporate Church, Faith in the infallibility of Capitalism and the belief that it is the answer to mankinds problems permeate American culture to the extent that the suggestion to a true believer that Capitalism is a doomed religion or intrinsically harmful to mankind is unnerving.

Chamberlain goes on to say that the masters of deception have interwoven faith in capital with patriotic belief, while depicting doubters as Communist. Those who resist the plan for a global empire built on the graves of billions of useless eaters are considered enemies of mankind, communists, terrorists, or common criminals. Even though resistance to a plan of mass genocide is an act of self-defence, those who dare to do so are marked as extremists and terrorists, targeted for death or incarceration in the war on terror. Real patriots should seethe with anger since America itself is the final target marked for destruction in the envisioned New [Imperial] Order.

CIVIL LIBERTIES

The limits on civil liberties seen in Soviet Russia during periods of enormous social stress, much of it induced from abroad, such as the Nazi invasion in WW2, have been the chief factors in Capitalisms condemnation of and attacks on Communism in general, while, as seen today, Capitalism has resorted to the same tactics it has criticized in the name of salvation of a declining system. Americas antagonism toward Socialist Russia during the interventions in revolutionary Russia of early last century continue down to today.

Lenin: We declare that we are fighting Capitalism as such, the free, republican, democratic Capitalism included, and we realize, of course, that in this light the banner of freedom will be waved defiantly at us. But our answer is  every freedom is a fraud if it contradicts the interests of the emancipation of labour from the oppression of capital. (Collected Works, 1923 Edition, Vol. XIV, pp. 80-1, 203-4)

For Lenin capitalist society was based on the exploitation of labour. A small minority owns everything (much more so today than in Lenins time); the working masses own nothing. The capitalists command. The workers obey. The capitalists exploit. The workers are exploited. The essence of capitalist society is found in the ever-increasing exploitation of everything from human beings to beast and to nature itself.

Though in Lenins late period around 1923 the military invasions to topple the new socialist regime in Russia had ended in defeat, the new Soviet Russia was isolated. Lenin noted, however, that the international bourgeoisie was not in a position to wage open war on the new revolutionary state because Capitalism had to reckon with the opposition on the part of its own working classes. So the war between Socialism and Capitalism has continued to our day.

PARTY UNIFICATION AND UNITY

Lenins book What Is To Be Done, a work of orthodox Marxism adapted to Russias backwardness and to its developing workers movement, contained Lenins ideas on party organization. What differentiated Lenin from other Social Democratic leaders was his meaning of party unification. He meant the uniting of all Marxist circles into a centrally controlled and homogeneous All-Russian Bolshevik Party, with a Marxist program as interpreted by himself. The center would safeguard the purity of doctrine and action of the party in proletarian discipline. Much of this work is an attack on the intelligentsia, which was, careless and sluggish.

I remember when the Italian Communist Party (PCI), one-third of the Italian electorate and the biggest in the West, discussed for years the retention or abolition of the rule of democratic centralism, according to which once a decision was made, obedience to it was obligatory. That rule was the glue that held divergent elements together. The rule was abolished and soon after the PCI began its decline.

WORLD REVOLUTION

In 1925, in the book, Against The Stream, co-written with Zinoviev, Lenin underlined the absolute law of Capitalism according to which economic and political development is uneven around the world. That reality made possible the victory of Socialism in only a few or even in only one country. The proletariat of that country would then rise and lead the struggle against the capitalist world, attracting to itself the oppressed classes of other countries.

The Leninist idea of a chain reaction of anti-capitalist revolution stood behind leftwing terrorists in Europe of the 1970s and 80, Red Brigades in Italy and Rote Armee Faktion in Germany. Lenin believed workers in the developed countries would eventually disrupt capitalist war policies. To some extent his prediction came true during the Vietnam War, although it was chiefly youth and not workers who helped end that capitalist war. Unfortunately, brainwashed workers have remained attached to their tiny piece of the capitalist pie  or they did until todays crisis. Now, as millions of workers are losing their jobs in the USA alone, the working class is stirring, riots and revolts threaten, perhaps in the beginning in a war among the poor, whites against the rest, natives against immigrants, homeless against landlords, a war which however must inevitably turn against the bourgeois masters of all. That uprising is threatens in the USA today.

Lenin wrote as long as Capitalism and Socialism remain, we cannot live in peace. In the end one or the other will triumph. Either Socialism will triumph throughout the world or the most reactionary imperialism will win, the most savage imperialism which is out to throttle the small and feeble nationalities  all over the world. That imperialist triumph came to be called globalization. Though the Soviet Union collapsed, Capitalisms victory has soured in the arrogance of power.

ON WAR, NATIONAL DEFENSE AND PEACE

Wars will always be imperialist if fought by capitalist-run nations. War ceases to be imperialist when Capitalism is overthrown and the revolutionary proletariat stands at the helm of state. According to Lenin, to defend ones own nation (a capitalist nation) is a betrayal of Socialism and internationalism. The German or Frenchman or American who defends his own capitalist nation puts his own bourgeoisie above the interests of his class and thus participates in imperialist war. In Leninist thought even the most democratic bourgeois republic is an instrument for the suppression of the workers by capitalists. Imperialist wars are by their nature reactionary and criminal, in order to strengthen capitalist rule, as in Syria and Afghanistan today. On the other hand, war for the extending of Socialism is legitimate.

Lenin thus gives an unfamiliar twist to the nature of war: The character of war (whether reactionary or revolutionary)  is determined by the class that is waging the war and the politics of which this war is the continuation. In that sense, wars between imperialist powers of his time, are to our advantage, for example, the antagonism between Japan and America. Or between America and the rest of the capitalist world today. Anti-Americanism in Europe today confirms Lenins evaluation of the 1920s, nearly a century ago: America is strong, everybody is in debt to her (or was until not long ago!)  she is more and more hated, she is robbing everybody  America cannot come to terms with Europethat is a fact proved by history.

However, a couple of years ago, noting that the US Army 3rd Infantrys 1st Brigade Combat Team returned from Iraq may be called upon to help with civil unrest and crowd control, Professor Michel Chossudovsky put forward the hypothesis that Civil unrest resulting from the financial meltdown (of Capitalism) is a distinct possibility, given the broad impacts of financial collapse on lifelong savings, pension funds, homeownership, etc. Secretly Senior American statesmen most certainly recognize that financial volatility could fuel a wave of widespread discontent. America is not immune to regime-threatening instability. Severe financial chaos could spark a major civil war.

LENIN AT THE END

Lenin died in 1924 just short of 54 years of age. Already in 1921 he complained that he felt ill. No wonder he felt ill! In 1948 he was shot twice, both bullets lodged in his body until his death, one in his collarbone, another at the base of his neck. He led a life of stress, nervous exhaustion and insomnia. Then in his last two years he suffered a series of strokes. In the hours and days before death he must have lain in his bed as his too brief life passed before him. I wonder if in the last insomniac hours his tired mind strayed from revolution and political intrigues, from successes and failures, and he saw himself again in the warmth of the blue seas of southern Italy among Capri fishermen calling out to him il signor Drin Drin is back.

GAITHER STEWART Senior Editor Based in Rome, Senior Editor Gaither Stewart serves as The Greanville Post European correspondent. A retired journalist, his latest novel is Time of Exile (Punto Press). Hes also the author of several other books, including the Europe Trilogy, of which the first two volumes (The Trojan Spy, Lily Pad Roll) have been published by Punto Press. These are thrillers that have been compared to the best of John le Carre, focusing on the work of Western intelligence services, the stealthy strategy of tension, and the gradual encirclement of Russia, a topic of compelling relevance in our time. He makes his home in Rome, with wife Milena. Gaither can be contacted at gaithers@greanvillepost.com. His latest assignment is as Counselling Editor with the Russia Desk.




Freedom For Ashraf Fayadh

By Dr. Ludwig Watzal

16 January, 2016

Countercurrents.org

Beginning of 2016, the Saudi Arabian dictatorship went on a beheading spree. 47 people were decapitated, among them the Shiite cleric and civil rights activist Nimr al-Nimr. None of them had a fair trial. Now, it's Ashraf Fayadh's turn, a Palestinian born in Saudi Arabia.

As in many other cases, the charges against Fayadh are made up. On 17 November 2015, he was sentenced to death for "apostasy". The Saudi Arabian Kangaroo courts have charged him with the "questioning of religion" and for the "dissemination of atheism". Arrested in January 2014, Fayadh hasn't seen a lawyer, and the trial was held in camera.

Fayadh belongs to a nascent art scene. He has curated art shows in Jeddah and at the Venice Biennale. Originally, Fayadh was sentenced to four years in prison and 800 lashes by a court in the city of Abha. Despite his repentance, his appeal was dismissed and he was retried by another Kangaroo court, which passed the final deadly verdict. So far, not a single evidence was presented. There are rumors that he has been sentenced to death because of his Palestinian origin though born in Saudi Arabia.

Although the Saudi Arabian dictatorship is the closest ally of the West, the Western governments seem to have no interest in preventing the unlawful beheadings. One argument is that Saudi Arabia is part of the coalition against terrorism while the fundamentalist regime is the largest supporter of international terrorism against the West. ISIS is a "Saudi army in disguise". Therefore, the Obama administration has only halfheartedly fought these terrorists until Russia has intervened alongside Syrian president Bashar al-Assad.

The present Saudi king has been the Godfather of international terrorism, dating back to the creation of Al Qaeda and the establishment of a terror infrastructure in Bosnia-Herzegovina. His son, the current Saudi defense minister is waging a terror war against Yemen. Instead of supporting the most devilish regime under the sun, the West should go for a regime change in Saudi Arabia to get rid of the myth of "international terrorism" that the West's closest ally has established against its so-called Western friends.

Dr. Ludwig Watzal works as a journalist and editor in Bonn, Germany. He runs the bilingual blog

http://between-the-lines-ludwig-watzal.blogspot.de/








What Happens To A Dream Deferred?Ask Martin Luther King Jr.

By John W. Whitehead

16 January, 2016

Countercurrents.org

What happens to a dream deferred?

Does it dry up

like a raisin in the sun?

Or fester like a sore

And then run?

Does it stink like rotten meat?

Or crust and sugar over

like a syrupy sweet?

Maybe it just sags

like a heavy load.

Or does it explode?Langston Hughes, Harlem

Martin Luther King Jr. could tell you what happens to dreams deferred. They explode.

As I point out in my book Battlefield America: The War on the American People, more than 50 years after King was assassinated, his dream of a world without racism, militarism and materialism remains a distant dream.

Indeed, the reality we must contend with is far different from Kings dream for the future: America has become a ticking time bomb of racial unrest and injustice, police militarization, surveillance, government corruption and ineptitude, the blowblack from a battlefield mindset and endless wars abroad, and a growing economic inequality between the haves and have nots.

Kings own legacy has suffered in the process.

The image of the hard-talking, charismatic leader, voice of authority, and militant, nonviolent activist minister/peace warrior who staged sit-ins, boycotts and marches and lived through police attack dogs, water cannons and jail cells has been so watered down that younger generations recognize his face but know very little about his message.

Rubbing salt in the wound, while those claiming to honor Kings legacy pay lip service to his life and the causes for which he died, they have done little to combat the evils about which King spoke and opposed so passionately: injustice, war, racism and economic inequality.

For instance, President Obama speaks frequently of King, but what has he done to bring about peace or combat the racial injustices that continue to be meted out to young black Americans by the police state?

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump plans to honor Martin Luther King Jr.s legacy by speaking at a convocation at Liberty University, but what has he done to combat economic injustice?

Democratic presidential contender Hillary Clinton will pay tribute to Kings legacy by taking part in Columbia, South Carolinas King Day at the Dome event, but has she done anything to dispel her track records impression that machines and computers, profit motives and property rights are still considered more important than people?

Unlike the politicians of our present day, King was a clear moral voice that cut through the fog of distortion. He spoke like a prophet and commanded that you listen. King dared to speak truth to the establishment and called for an end to oppression and racism. He raised his voice against the Vietnam War and challenged the military-industrial complex. And King didnt just threaten boycotts and sit-ins for the sake of photo ops and media headlines.Rather, he carefully planned and staged them to great effect.

The following key principles formed the backbone of Rev. Kings life and work. King spoke of them incessantly, in every sermon he preached, every speech he delivered and every article he wrote. They are the lessons we failed to learn and, in failing to do so, we have set ourselves up for a future in which a militarized surveillance state is poised to eradicate freedom.

Practice militant non-violence, resist militarism and put an end to war

I could never again raise my voice against the violence of the oppressed in the ghettos without having first spoken clearly to the greatest purveyor of violence in the world todaymy own government.Martin Luther King Jr., Sermon at New Yorks Riverside Church (April 4, 1967)

On April 4, 1967, exactly one year before his murder, King used the power of his pulpit to condemn the U.S. for using massive doses of violence to solve its problems, to bring about the changes it wanted. King called on the U.S. to end all bombing in Vietnam, declare a unilateral cease-fire, curtail its military buildup, and set a date for troop withdrawals. In that same sermon, King warned that a nation that continues year after year to spend more money on military defense than on programs of social uplift is approaching spiritual death.

Fifty-some years later, Americas military empire has been expanded at great cost to the nation, with the White House leading the charge. Indeed, in his recent State of the Union address, President Obama bragged that the U.S. spends more on its military than the next eight nations combined. Mind you, the money spent on wars abroad, weapons and military personnelis money that is not being spent on education, poverty and disease.

Stand against injustice

Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere there are two types of laws: just and unjust. I would be the first to advocate obeying just laws. One has not only a legal but a moral responsibility to obey just laws. Conversely, one has a moral responsibility to disobey unjust laws. Martin Luther King Jr., Letter from a Birmingham Jail (April 16, 1963)

Arrested and jailed for taking part in a nonviolent protest against racial segregation in Birmingham, Ala., King used his time behind bars to respond to Alabama clergymen who criticized his methods of civil disobedience and suggested that the courts were the only legitimate means for enacting change. His Letter from a Birmingham Jail, makes the case for disobeying unjust laws when they are out of harmony with the moral law.

Fifty-some years later, we are being bombarded with unjust laws at both the national and state levels, from laws authorizing the military to indefinitely detain American citizens and allowing the NSA to spy on American citizens to laws making it illegal to protest near an elected official or in front of the U.S. Supreme Court. As King warned, Never forget that everything Hitler did in Germany was legal.

Work to end poverty. Prioritize people over corporations

When machines and computers, profit motives and property rights, are considered more important than people, the giant triplets of racism, extreme materialism, and militarism are incapable of being conquered. Martin Luther King Jr., Sermon at New Yorks Riverside Church (April 4, 1967)

Especially in the latter part of his life, King was unflinching in his determination to hold Americans accountable to alleviating the suffering of the poor, going so far as to call for a march on Washington, DC, to pressure Congress to pass an Economic Bill of Rights.

Fifty-some years later, a monied, oligarchic elite calls the shots in Washington, while militarized police and the surveillance sector keep the masses under control. With roughly 23 lobbyists per Congressman, corporate greed largely dictates what happens in the nations capital, enabling our so-called elected representatives to grow richer and the people poorer. One can only imagine what King would have said about a nation whose political processes, everything from elections to legislation, are driven by war chests and corporate benefactors rather than the needs and desires of the citizenry.

Stand up for what is right, rather than what is politically expedient

On some positions, cowardice asks the question, is it expedient? And then expedience comes along and asks the question, is it politic? Vanity asks the question, is it popular? Conscience asks the question, is it right? There comes a time when one must take the position that is neither safe nor politic nor popular, but he must do it because conscience tells him it is right.Martin Luther King Jr., Sermon at National Cathedral (March 31, 1968)

Five days before his assassination, King delivered a sermon at National Cathedral in Washington, DC, in which he noted that one of the great liabilities of life is that all too many people find themselves living amid a great period of social change, and yet they fail to develop the new attitudes, the new mental responses, that the new situation demands. They end up sleeping through a revolution.

Freedom, human dignity, brotherhood, spirituality, peace, justice, equality, putting an end to war and poverty: these are just a few of the big themes that shaped Kings life and his activism. As King recognized, there is much to be done if we are to make this world a better place, and we cannot afford to play politics when so much hangs in the balance.

Its time to wake up, America.

To quote my hero: [O]ur very survival depends on our ability to stay awake, to adjust to new ideas, to remain vigilant and to face the challenge of change. The large house in which we live demands that we transform this world-wide neighborhood into a world-wide brotherhood. Together we must learn to live as brothers or together we will be forced to perish as fools.



About John W. Whitehead: Constitutional attorney and author John W. Whitehead is founder and president of The Rutherford Institute. His book Battlefield America: The War on the American People(SelectBooks, 2015) is available online at www.amazon.com. Whitehead can be contacted at johnw@rutherford.org. Information about The Rutherford Institute is available at www.rutherford.org.






DENNY SIMMONS / COURIER & PRESS Suzanne Draper, executive director of Vanderburgh County CASA, offers opening comments to those attending the 2016 Annual CASA Kick-Off at their headquarters Monday night.

SHARE DENNY SIMMONS / COURIER & PRESS Terri Lee Fritchley (center) is greeted by CASA volunteer Phyllis Mayer (right) after Fritchley shared her childhood story with the crowd at CASAs volunteer recruitment event at their Evansville headquarters Monday night. Noah Fritchley (left) and Terri were married in October and reside in Jasper. DENNY SIMMONS / COURIER & PRESS Terri Lee Fritchley tells of her past experiences with CASA during the groups kickoff volunteer drive Monday evening.

By James Vaughn of the Courier and Press

Terri Lee Fritchley fought back tears Monday night as she told a room full of CASA volunteers what it was like growing up in the foster care system and what it meant having someone  anyone  advocate for her.

The 24-year-old shared her success story with Vanderburgh County's Court Appointed Special Advocates during the organization's annual kickoff event.

CASA is a national nonprofit dedicated to making sure abused and neglected children have a voice in the courtroom.

Local volunteers are typically assigned one case, which could include a single child or multiple siblings. The cases they are assigned depend on what they can fit into their schedule and what they're hoping to advocate for, executive director Suzanne Draper said in October. The average time commitment is about 10 hours per month.

In 2015, Vanderburgh County CASA was assigned to 1,551 kids, including 732 new cases. But there are still 380 kids on the waiting list, meaning they need more volunteers.

Draper urged volunteers who attended the event Monday night to recruit.

"It just takes you guys putting that little bug in someone's ear," Draper told the volunteers, "and they may not jump at it right then, but they may come to an info session, and they may think about it again for another couple of months, but that's how we get our volunteers."

Fritchley is living proof of the difference a CASA volunteer can make in a child's life.

'I felt like I didn't matter'

Fritchley's mother was diagnosed with bipolar disorder when Fritchley was a young girl, she said. She's never met her father.

When she was 8, she and her brothers were taken away from their mother, who is incarcerated.

"There are things that I've suffered through in which no child should have to endure," Fritchley told the crowd. "I grew up around heavy consumptions of alcohol, drugs and misused medications."

Despite her problems, her mother was still her mother, she said.

"Even though my mother had troubles, she was still my mother who shared the same bed with me, fed me, disciplined me, shared Christ with me " Fritchley said. "She was a very stubborn, independent, religious woman."

Fritchley lived in six different foster homes between 8-14.

"I was always the one feeling left out," she said. "I felt like I was intruding in their lives. I felt like an outcast. I felt hopeless. And ultimately, I felt like I didn't matter."

Fritchley changed schools constantly, she said, which meant trying to make new friends over and over again. So as a young girl, she instead looked up to teachers, counselors and CASA volunteers.

"Some of my fondest memories as a child were spent with these individuals," she said. "I may not remember all of their names, but these memories shaped my childhood and gave me hope. Many of the things we did may seem small or irrelevant, but for a young girl looking for direction, the things we did helped me believe there was still good in life."

Without them, she said she doesn't know where she'd be today.

"There are many other great stories that have positively impacted my life due to complete strangers like yourselves," Fritchley told the volunteers. "I don't recall ever thanking them or telling them how much they meant to me, but I cannot express how grateful I am to those individuals for being there for me  The children in our foster care system may not seem like or tell you that they appreciate your hard work, but please know that none of your efforts go unnoticed."

It's the small things, like a simple hug, that can change their world, she said.

"One of the most important things you can do for them is make them feel like they matter," she said.

Not easy, but worth it

Fritchley was adopted in 2005, and she has volunteer coordinator Sally Carr to thank for that.

"Sally and I were really close, so I remember seeing her a lot," Fritchley said. "You have so many people who come in and out of your life, you barely get to make friends, so just seeing Sally's face all the time really helped."

Fritchley felt comfortable opening up to Sally.

"She is very down to earth. She is very outgoing. She is very  Sally," she said, laughing.

Carr was a volunteer for seven years before becoming a full-time employee. Now she's a volunteer coordinator with 22 years under her belt. She supervises close to 30 volunteers.

"Some kids you just get closer to," Carr said. "(Fritchley) was very needy; she was cute; she responded. I like the older kids. Terri is like many of our kids  she ended up in a good home that filled in her Christian values and also helped her to understand that education was important and that she was somebody, and that's all our kids need. They need love, and they need care, and they need guidance."

Being a CASA volunteer isn't easy, but it's worth it, she said.

"It's probably the hardest volunteer job they'll ever do," Carr said, "but also the most rewarding. If they have the time and they care, they can make a difference in a child's life. If it's nothing more than taking them to a McDonalds and getting them an ice cream, they have made a difference in that child's life and put a smile on their face."

Every child is different and every case is different, Carr said, and that's important to know for those interested in becoming volunteers.

"You've got to be open-minded," she said.

Carr is still close with about six of the kids she advocated for when they were in the system. One of them even asked her to be at the birth of all three of her children.

"I consider that quite an honor," Carr said.

But not all kids in the system make it out as successfully as Fritchley.

"The ones that don't make it, I cry," Carr said. "But there's the ones like Terri  it helps me to go onto the next one saying, 'This could be another one that succeeds.'"

Unconditional love

Fritchley graduated from North High School before earning an associate's degree in health care support from Ivy Tech Community College and a bachelor's degree in health services administration from University of Southern Indiana.

She currently works at St. Charles Health Campus in Jasper, an assisted living facility, where she is the activities assistant. She's also newly married.

Fritchley hopes to be a CASA volunteer someday as well. She also plans to adopt.

Fritchley's husband, Noah, grew up in a more traditional, "white picket fence" setting, she said, so she's witnessed how different it is to grow up in multiple foster homes compared to one consistent family.

The biggest difference, she said, is love.

"They have unconditional love," Fritchley said about her in-laws. "It's completely different than any kind of love I've ever experienced."

To get involved as a CASA volunteer or for more information, the next informational meeting is at 5 p.m. Feb. 22 at 728 Court St. Call 812-424-5825 to RSVP.
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By Sara Anne Corrigan

Sue Hartig Summers said that, almost by accident, she and husband Gerald, watched and were deeply moved by a televised program on the current Syrian refuge crisis presented by Dr. Bashar Mourad, of Newburgh, a native of Syria who maintains a medical practice in Owensboro, Kentucky.

Summers said she then met Mourad in November during an Interfaith event at Adath B'nai Israel and asked if he would consider presenting his lecture in Evansville.

"Find me a place" he told her.

And so she did.

Aldersgate United Methodist Church will host Mourad's program, "21st Century Holocaust? The Syrian Conflict and Its Human Cost," at 7 p.m. Thursday at the church at 5130 Lincoln Avenue. It is open and free to the public.

Mourad was born, raised and educated in Syria. He and his family immigrated to the U.S. in 1989 and have lived in the Tri-State since 1997. He has been a nephrology specialist with Ohio Valley Nephrology Associates in Owensboro since 2001.

He still has family in Damascus, Syria, and while they are able to communicate regularly via telephone and Internet, he has not been home since 2010. It has become, quite simply, far too dangerous.

In his presentation, Mourad said he plans to highlight the refugee crisis in Syria, spawned by the "Arab Spring" uprisings that began in 2010 in Tunisia, Libya and Egypt and then in Syria in March of 2011, he said.

In the past four years, it has displaced 12 million Syrian people and become the humanitarian crisis of the 21st century, worse than any other humanitarian crisis in last 20 years, yet it seems like world has done little to stop it, to intervene, he said.

In addition to Mourad's presentation  that includes a question and answer period  there will be brief informational presentations about two local organizations involved in Syria.

The Road to Mafraq is a nonprofit organization founded in 2013 by Evansville native and University of Southern Indiana graduate Ellen Small Billard in response to the refugee crisis in Syria.

The group raises money that is funneled to boots-on-the-ground humanitarian relief organizations working in refugee camps in Jordan, said Jenifer Colbert, who will be representing the group at the Aldersgate program.

The organization has a particular focus on helping refugee children, some of whom have not been in school for four years, re-integrate into educational programs in an effort to ensure Syria's leaders of tomorrow do not instead become a "lost generation."

More information about the organization can be found at roadtomafrag.org or by visiting the group's Facebook page.

A new group at University of Evansville, Scholars for Syria, attracted 160 people to its first meeting. UE currently has 23 Syrian students studying there.

Director of that program, Lisa Kretz, assistant professor of philosophy art UE, said the program was born out of a desire to make an impact.

"One of my students Gabriella Sederico, came up to me saying she is heartbroken over what she was hearing about the crisis in Syria and wanted to know what we could do," Kretz said.

She said that her best advice was to start by seeking out other like-minded people. That these people needed to come together, as a university.

IF YOU GO

What: "21st Century Holocaust? The Syrian Conflict and Its Human Cost" with Dr. Bashar Mourad

When: 7 p.m. Thursday

Where: Aldersgate United Methodist Church, 5130 Lincoln Ave.

Free and open to the public, for more information email ispinc@wowway.com or call 812-480-2694
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EVENTS

Black History Lecture: "Speak What We Feel, Not What We Ought to Say" presented by Dexter Brewer, judicial vicar and vicar general for the Diocese of Nashville, Tennessee, 7 p.m. Feb. 2 in St. Bede Theater at Saint Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology in St. Meinrad. The lecture is free. Parking is available at St. Bede Hall and in the Guest House and student parking lots. Call Mary Jeanne Schumacher at 812-357-6501.

Center for Congregations workshop: "Improving Your Online Presence," 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feb. 4 at Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer at 1811 Lincoln Ave. Digital marketing professional Zac Parsons will offer congregational leaders a basic understanding of how people access and experience the congregation's website and other online tools. The cost is $10 per person and includes lunch and workshop materials. To register, call 812-618-2012 or visit centerforcongregations.org.

Sisters of St. Benedict of Ferdinand Program: "Forgiving What You Cannot Forget," 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 13 at the Benedictine Hospitality Center at Kordes Hall on the grounds of Monastery Immaculate Conception in Ferdinand. Presenters will be Sisters Jane Becker and Jane Will. Cost is $75 and includes lunch. Registration deadline is Feb. 10. For more information or to register, call 800-880-2777 or 812-367-1411, ext. 2915, or visit thedome.org/programs.

Saint Meinrad Archabbey Library Gallery: St. Meinrad, an exhibit of wall hangings "Healing the Earth" by artist Joanne Weis, through Feb. 28. The exhibit is free and open to the public. For library hours, call 812-357-6401 or 800-987-7311, or visit saintmeinrad.edu/library/hours/.

Teaching from the Book of Revelation: 11 a.m. every Sunday until completion at Church of God of Prophecy, 3407 Bellemeade Ave. Speaker is Bishop William Gaddis (free). Call 812-459-2359.

The Mighty Acts of God in Zion: The Storyline of the Bible: 7-8 p.m. on Tuesdays in the fellowship hall of St. Ananias Orthodox, 4411 Washington Ave.

Old Friendship Church Celebrate Recovery Program: 7 p.m. on Fridays at Oak Hill Christian Center, 4901 Oak Hill Road.

Traditional Roman Catholic Latin Mass: 3 p.m. every Sunday at St. Paul's Chapel, 629 E. Louisiana St.

music

Concert: featuring a string sextet, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 25 in St. Bede Theater on the St. Meinrad Archabbey campus in St. Meinrad. Members are Alicia Choi and Robert Anemone, violins; Kristin Zimmerman Jones and Rose Wollman, violas; and Brady Anderson and Kirsten Jerme, cellos. The program is free and open to the public. Parking is available in the Guest House and student parking lots. For more information, contact Mary Jeanne Schumacher during business hours at 812-357-6501. For updates the day of the performance, call 812-357-6611.

meals

St. Wendel Knights of St. John Fish Fry: 5-7 p.m. Feb. 5. Menu consists of fried cod, potato salad, coleslaw, baked beans, macaroni and cheese, cornbread and drinks. Grilled cheese also will be available. The cost is $8.50 for adults and $4 for children. Call Jerry Knapp at 812-963-6159.

Lenten Fish Fries: 4:30-7 p.m. Feb. 12 through March 18 at Nativity Catholic Church, 3635 Pollack Ave. Menu includes fried catfish or baked tilapia dinners. Call 812-476-7186.
SHARE Tibetan monks from the Tashi Kyil monastery gather on the banks of the Ohio River in Evansville to disperse the sand from their most recent mandala, releasing it on the water, along with prayers in the fall of 2014. submitted photo Dr. David Carlson of Franklin College poses with Arjia Rimpoche from the Tibetan Mongolian Buddhist Cultural Center in Bloomington. provided photo Tibetan monks from the Tashi Kyil monastery in northern India perform a sacred fire ceremony or 'fire puja" on the grounds of Unity Church in Evansville in the fall of 2014. The monks believe the ceremony eliminates obstacles of all kinds. submitted photo

By Sara Anne Corrigan

For the past few years, Evansville has been a regular stop for a small group of Tibetan monks from the Tashi Kyil monastery in northern India.

Small crowds have assembled to witness the making  and subsequent destruction  of their signature sand mandalas, to eat meals of Tibetan food prepared by the monks and to learn more about the history and culture of Tibet.

The monks will be arriving in Evansville again tomorrow said Cecile Martin, local liaison for the group.

Although they expect to busy out in the community each day during their weeklong visit, the highlight of their stay will be participation in an "Interfaith Symposium: East Meets West" Jan. 24 at the University of Evansville. The event will also include representatives from the Indiana Sikh Society of East Indianapolis and the Tri-State Hindu Society of Newburgh.

There will be a lecture by David Carlson director of religious studies at Franklin College in Franklin, Indiana.

The thrust of Carlson's lecture, "What All Americans Need to Know About ISIS," is to educate his audiences about that radical group with a brief historical overview of how events in the Middle East since 1978, including American involvement in Iraq and the Syrian War, have helped create an environment allowing ISIS to grow and flourish, said his publicist Lisa Morrison.

In addition to teaching, Carlson is the author of "Peace Be with You: Monastic Wisdom for a Terror-Filled World," was selected as one of the Best Books of 2011 in the category Spiritual Living by Library Journal.

His most recent book is "Countering ISIL: The Power of Spiritual Friendships," finished about a year ago.

Carlson is founder of "Shoulder to Shoulder in Interfaith Witness," a movement begun in 2012 that is committed to grieving and witnessing publicly whenever religion is abused for violent purposes.

UE chaplain Tammy Gieselman said that the university's Interfaith Initiatives group, organized in 2010, is sponsoring the Interfaith Symposium in the Ridgway Center and is open to the public.

"UE's Interfaith Initiatives began in 2010 when the media began reporting heavily on the proposed Islamic Community Center in lower Manhattan and its controversial plans to build a new facility near the site of ground zero," Gieselman said.

The mission statement reads: "As an institution affiliated with the United Methodist Church, we affirm our call to initiate and promote better relationships between Christians and people of other faiths based on informed understanding, critical appreciation and balanced perspective. Interfaith discussions can make religion a bridge and not a barrier toward a peaceful world. The University of Evansville is committed to religious diversity and interfaith dialogue as we continue to serve an interconnected, global society."

IF YOU GO

What: Statewide Interfaith Symposium: East Meets West

When: 2 p.m. Jan. 24

Where: University of Evansville, Eykamp Center, Room 251, in Ridgway Center

The schedule includes:

2-3:30 p.m.: Panel discussion: "Practices of Eastern Religions" with Tibetan Buddhist Monks, the Indiana Sikh Society East, Indianapolis and the Tri-State Hindu Temple, Newburgh

4-5 p.m.: ISIS: What All Americans Should Know by David Carson

For more information about the monks complete schedule visitbwmassage.com.
SHARE Photos by JASON CLARK / COURIER & PRESS Bernie Sanders supporter Ryan McDonald of Evansville, helps Sarah Lasiter of Evansville double check to make sure she is registered to vote during a voter-registration drive at East Penny Lane in Evansville Saturday. A local grassroots Sanders support group has been working on the campaign since June of 2015. Bernie Sanders supporter Dennis Leslie of Evansville attends a voter-registration drive at East Penny Lane in Evansville Saturday.

By Thomas B. Langhorne of the Courier and Press

Both major party presidential nominating contests  or neither  may be decided by the time Indiana holds primary elections on May 3. But the stirrings of a presidential campaign are already in Evansville.

The activity apparently is more intense and focused on the Democratic side, with local activists for leading contenders Hillary Clinton and Sen. Bernie Sanders in full swing. On the Republican side, which has several more viable contenders, party leaders report scant contacts with campaigns and random sightings of campaign activity.

It is early yet in a presidential contest that will see numerous primaries and caucuses in other states in February and March, said Tony Goben, a local Clinton organizer.

"We haven't called on a lot of people yet, because there's simply just not much to do at this point," Goben said.

Goben said the Clinton campaign has been busy meeting the requirement that candidates submit at least 500 valid signatures of registered voters in each of the state's nine congressional districts. That qualifies the candidate for the primary and Nov. 8 general election ballots.

"I can't speak for the other districts in the state, but I know we're sitting in good shape in the 8th District at least," he said.

Local Clinton supporters held a meeting several months ago in Evansville Central Library's Browning Room. Goben said the Clinton campaign could ramp up and go full-bore for a hotly contested, 2008-style presidential primary in Indiana if it had to  but he clearly hopes that won't be the case.

"2016 may be a little different. By then, we obviously may have a nominee or a nominee in functionality, all but the shouting done at that point," he said.

Sanders' local organization is working to prevent that.

The Vermont senator has had an active local organization since late July, said organizer Robin Mallery. The group, which Mallery said has attracted as many as 85 people to a meeting, reports it collected and turned in more than 500 signatures supporting Sanders in the 8th Congressional District.

Mallery said the Sanders campaign sent an operative to help the Evansville group in mid-January, although the national campaign did not return messages from the Courier & Press seeking confirmation.

"(The Sanders staffer) was here for several days. He kind of guided us on the last push through getting those signatures. He attended one of our leader's organizational meetings. It was just exciting to have somebody from the national campaign at one of our meetings," Mallery said.

The local Sanders organization planned voter registration drive and canvassing activities and phone banking to voters in early primary and caucus states on Saturday. Mallery said phone banking parties will be held every Thursday from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. and Saturdays at the same times from here on out.

Comparatively little is known about local activity in the more crowded Republican field.

A spokeswoman for candidate Dr. Ben Carson said the Carson campaign had planned to bring its "Healer Hauler" campaign bus through Evansville last weekend, but it was rerouted to Iowa. That state's Republican Presidential Caucus is set for Feb. 1 and is considered more pressing.

The Carson campaign has supporters in Evansville and looks forward to the May 3 Indiana Republican presidential primary, said Carrie Petty, state director for Carson.

"We're really well organized in Indiana," said Petty, a former executive director for the state GOP.

Wayne Parke, chairman of the Vanderburgh County Republican Party, said he has heard reports of volunteers for former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush and U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, also of Florida, gathering signatures at public events in Evansville.

Parke said he wishes the national GOP would hold all its presidential nominating contests in a single day, so states late in the primary calendar  like Indiana  wouldn't be left out. He is not optimistic that the state will still be relevant in the Republican contest by May.

"The contact I've had (with presidential campaigns) is just general contact stuff," Parke said.

Mayor Lloyd Winnecke, a Republican, said Carson's is the only presidential campaign that has reached out to him. If the GOP presidential nominating contest is still competitive when it rolls around to Indiana in May, Winnecke's endorsement could be hotly sought after  but he's not tipping his hand just yet.

"I've not picked a final horse. There are two or three (presidential candidates) I don't care for. I'm not going to say who they are yet," the mayor said with a chuckle. "Lets say that the candidates I like have not yet risen to the leadership position in the polls."

U.S. Rep. Larry Bucshon, a Newburgh-based Republican elected in 2010, is all-in for Rubio.

"I think Marco Rubio is the candidate that brings the party together, all wings of our party. He's a uniter, and I think he has the best chance to win against the Democratic nominee," Bucshon said.

Bucshon is optimistic that Indiana will see intense presidential campaign action on the GOP side, despite its lateness on the national primary calendar.

"We've helped his team get signatures to get Marco on the ballot and, of course, discussed the possibility about when Marco might come to Indiana," the 8th District congressman said.
<p>Photo by Lesley Weidenbener, TheStatehouseFile.com Jeri Ford of Indianapolis shops for wine at the Marsh grocery store in downtown Indianapolis where advocates of Sunday alcohol sales had conducted a press conference Tuesday. Ford said shead like to be able to buy alcohol on Sundays but itas not a major issue for her.</p>

SHARE KEVIN SWANK / Courier & Press file photo Alcohol on shelves in a local liquor store. There is another push at the Indiana Statehouse to allow Sunday liquor sales.

By Zach Osowski

INDIANAPOLIS  Lawmakers will look again at allowing alcohol sales on Sundays despite similar efforts falling short in previous sessions.

Rep. Tom Dermody, R-La Porte, filed House Bill 1399 last week, which would allow Hoosiers to buy alcohol on Sundays, which hasn't been allowed in Indiana for more than 80 years. Dermody was also the author of last year's attempt, which never came up for a vote before the full House.

Dermody said this latest attempt clears up one of the bigger sticking points from last year, which was forcing big box stores to put their hard liquor behind a counter on Sundays. After initially supporting the legislation, the big retailers like Walmart and Kroger pulled their support after amendments to the bill restricted how liquor could be sold on Sunday.

Dermody is joined on the bill by Rep. Terri Austin, D-Anderson, who also supported the bill last year. She said she hears from constituents every year about the inconvenience of having no alcohol sales on Sundays.

"Sunday is becoming one of the busiest shopping days of the week, especially for families," Austin said. "Plus we're one of the last states to have this law."

Both Dermody and Austin said the issue of Sunday sales comes down to a split in the industry. The divide has big box stores and smaller grocery storeson on one side and smaller liquor stores on the other.

The liquor store owners argue that allowing sales on Sunday would unfairly increase competition since their stores aren't open Sundays. Big box stores and groceries open seven days a week wouldn't have the overhead costs a liquor store would to stay open Sundays.

The Indiana Association of Beverage Retailers came out against the bill, saying it made it too easy for big box stores to sell alcohol.

"This legislation fails to acknowledge that alcohol is not like any other consumer product," said Patrick Tamm, the association's president and CEO. "House Bill 1399, as introduced, gives big box retailers capabilities to sell alcohol as if it were milk."

HB 1399 does have some stipulations for box stores though, including requiring clerks who ring up or assist customers with alcohol purchases to have completed alcohol server training. Grocery stores and drug stores would also have to adhere to some "beverage display requirements" and would have to set up security systems.

The bill was assigned to Dermody's House Public Policy Committee and he said it will get a hearing on Wednesday.
Now, if this was as simple as slipping the link somewhere into the state government's website, it'd hardly be worthy of a place on this list. Instead, Smith convinced members of both parties to sneak segments from the song in their speeches while on the House floor. For the benefit of future generations, and indeed for the record of human history itself, this was all captured on video:

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Yes, that's a compilation of politicians quoting the lyrics of Astley's masterpiece for their peers. It was no easy feat to pull off, either -- the culprits had extremely strict rules for their prank. In order to avoid tipping off the State House clerks, they had to spread out the song lyrics evenly amongst the speakers. Each representative also had to make sure to deliver their line during a floor speech so it could be videotaped.

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Now, the lyrics to a melodramatic pop song don't exactly weave seamlessly into normal political jargon -- you can really only get away with sneaking three or four words in before someone starts to notice that you're crooning. Consequently, the motley crew of Oregonian Republicans and Democrats in on the prank knew they were in for a long con. They started executing their plan during a special session in February 2010, sneaking in bits and pieces of the song -- including the really difficult-to-disguise lyrics like "ooh" and " hurt you" -- while Smith painstakingly combed through countless hours of footage in order to edit them into a coherent clip. It took them a year and two months to put together the clip you see above, which they eventually released on April Fool's day in 2011, to the delight of 1.6 million YouTube viewers and counting.
Data center News

Equinix Closes $3.8 Billion TelecityGroup Deal, Consolidating Colocation Leadership In Europe

Joseph Tsidulko

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Equinix on Friday closed its $3.8 billion acquisition of European data center operator TelecityGroup, further consolidating the Redwood City, Calif.-based industry leader's global position in the retail colocation market.

Already far and away the world's largest colocation operator, after adding six facilities in Japan with the recent acquisition of Bit-isle, and more than 40 from TelecityGroup, Equinix now counts under its worldwide umbrella 145 data centers (after also making a few divestitures).

While Equinix strictly conducts an IT colocation and network-neutral interconnection business, its expansive global reach and direct network links to major cloud providers mean the company has "a high degree of relevance as to how things are playing out in the cloud world," Charles Meyer, Equinix's chief operating officer, told CRN.

[Related: Public Cloud Panorama: Synergy Breaks Down Multibillion Dollar Market]

That impact, Meyer said, extends to "both sides of cloud ecosystems" -- cloud service providers that lease Equinix infrastructure or directly connect to its facilities through the Equinix Cloud Exchange, and enterprises that host business applications in Equinix facilities and access cloud services through them.

The TelecityGroup acquisition was announced in May, putting the kibosh on another proposed deal through which the operator, which has its headquarters in London, would merge with Interxion, a Dutch rival.

The acquisition has doubled Equinix's capacity in Europe, giving the company unique scaling capabilities in some of the world's largest markets -- as well as some smaller markets that are emerging.

"This positions us as the clear choice for [cloud providers] in Europe and globally, given there are no other European vendors that can come close to touching our retail, interconnect and global footprint," Meyer told CRN.

"It's really another step in us continuing to ensure that our value proposition in terms of being the hybrid cloud hub for enterprise is continuing to gain momentum," Meyer said.

Equinix inherits more than 1,000 new customers from TelecityGroup. Among them are 200 networking and mobility providers, and more than 300 companies offering cloud and IT services.

The TelecityGroup facilities in Dublin especially give Equinix key nodes and capacity it can sell to service providers in a market considered an important entry point into Europe because of the hospitable Irish tech business climate.

Equinix has also gained presence in Nordic countries through TelecityGroup data centers in Stockholm and Helsinki. And the colocation operator is better positioned to penetrate emerging markets like Poland, Turkey and Bulgaria that Equinix believes, in the long-term, will gain importance in the overall global digital economy, Meyer said.

Equinix will integrate its Cloud Exchange with TelecityGroup's version of that service, Cloud-IX, bringing cloud operators doing business with the once disparate exchanges under a single roof.

That greater "density of service providers," Meyer said, will be parlayed "into relevance for enterprise customers who are finding Equinix is an efficient place to implement a hybrid cloud strategy."

Meyer said TelecityGroup was vetted before the acquisition to make sure its facilities meet Equinix's technical specifications and standards.

But all of the company's data center takeovers involve a degree of "Equinixization," Meyer said, to fully align the facilities from an operational standpoint, as well as a "look and feel" standpoint -- all Equinix facilities are illuminated by distinctive blue lighting.

A study from Reno, Nev.-based Synergy Research published in June described Equinix as the leading operator in the colocation industry, with a 9.5 percent market share. The only other company even above 6 percent share was Digital Realty, but those revenues were almost entirely from wholesale colocation, involving renting out entire data centers and not just computing resources.

No other provider in the first quarter of 2015, the period of the Synergy study, had even half of Equinix's retail revenues.

TelecityGroup came 10th in Synergy's rankings, with less than 2 percent market share.

PUBLISHED JAN. 15, 2016
Within the context of the city of Charleston, we have a nice incremental bump up each year (in vessel calls), said Peter Lehman, vice president of cruise and real estate for the port. 2015 closed with 94 calls, and 2016 is expected to bring in 99.

Were seeing an increase in overnight calls, he said, Were a nice port and we have a nice, solid niche business in a lovely city.

Charlestons charm has seen the city grow its cruise profile year over year, now attracting a near-complete profile of lines stopping at the port  ranging from Carnival to Crystal.

While the cruise lines could not be named at press time, Lehman expected to add new customers in 2016 and 2017.

Carnival will swap out the Fantasy early this year, as the Ecstasy comes to homeport in town.

The Carnival Sunshine will also be in Charleston on and off, including a 10-day Carnival Journeys sailing leaving on May 30, with calls at St. Thomas, Antigua, Martinique, St. Kitts and San Juan, plus four sea days.

While Carnival remains the ports number one customer, there is the potential for another homeported line, as the city recently completed doubling the size of its airport. Two thousand hotel rooms are being added, while Volvo has opened a nearby plant and Boeing is expanding its production in South Carolina.

If the domino theory takes hold with new ships, maybe well get a shot seasonally, added Lehman. Let them come in and test the market and do an assessment after the fact.

Lehman believes the port is a natural fit for a Bermuda product and continues to search for a customer. However, business is still pretty good looking to the future.

Weve never had this many calls, on the books, this far out and we have calls through 2019, he added.

Among the draws for passengers are plantation tours and Civil War history, plus an expanding cuisine scene in the city itself.

For businesses and residents, the Charleston Neighbor Advisory Council meets quarterly and includes speakers from the port, Conventions and Visitors Bureau and Carnival, addressing the cruise business and providing and open dialogue format.

Excerpt from Cruise Industry News Quarterly Magazine: Winter 2015/2016
Holland America Lines new partnership with 2015 James Beard Whos Who Inductee and Master Mixologist Dale DeGroff brings an innovative menu of creative cocktails to the premium cruise line, said the company in a prepared statement.

DeGroffs creations will debut aboard ms Eurodam this month and will expand fleetwide by springtime.

For many guests, theres nothing better than relaxing with a well-made, unique cocktail after a long day of sightseeing or before dinner, and adding a master mixologist to our team gives us the diversity we seek in creating the most robust food and beverage program at sea, said Orlando Ashford, Holland America Lines president. Were excited to welcome the talents of Dale DeGroff to our family, and we know our guests are going to enjoy his innovative creations.

DeGroffs signature cocktails will be served in the Gallery Bar, introduced on ms Eurodam following a December 2015 drydock, and in other shipboard bars and lounges, including Ocean Bar, Explorers Lounge, Crows Nest and Tamarind Bar, as well as more casual outlets such as the Lido pool bar. His creations will be served fleetwide by spring 2016.

DeGroffs cocktail menu includes the Gallery Gimlet, Hemingway Daiquiri, Yuzu Margarita, The Ritz Cocktail, Whiskey and Joe, Another Shade of Greyhound, and a "Slightly Less Than Perfect" Perfect Manhattan. Many of these drinks have a storied past. The Hemingway Daiquiri is a unique spin off of Hemingways favorite drink, the Papa Doble. The Ritz Cocktail is a dazzling champagne cocktail presented with a burst of flamed orange peel and was one of the most popular drinks at the legendary Rainbow Room where DeGroff created it as a tribute to the Ritz cocktails of Paris and Madrid.

In addition to creating exclusive cocktails for all Holland America Line bars, DeGroff also will oversee staff training.
In Seattle, Commissioner Courtney Gregoire has unveiled the Port of Seattles new paid parental leave plan for port employees. The new plan offers up to four weeks paid leave for parents to bond with their children.

The new benefit is available to employees for the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a new child.

The Port of Seattle is proud to be a leader in providing paid parental leave for our employees, said Gregoire in a prepared statement. As a mom of two young children, I know how important those early days are for recovery and bonding. Its past time to realize that paid leave is good for families and good for business.

With this new paid parental leave plan, I dont have to worry about whether I have the available sick leave or personal time off, said Karmeli Cayetano, a port employee who works in accounting. With my first child that was a big problem. With my second child expected in March, I know that I will have the time with my newborn.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, paid parental leave increases worker retention and reduces turnover, saving significant costs associated with replacing employees. The Port of Seattles plan offers four weeks of paid leave up front, so employees do not have to use vacation or sick leave first. The port said it aims to provide incentives that retain and attract employees in this competitive economic environment.

The Martin Luther King County Labor Council applauds the Port of Seattle for its support of working women and all working families, for providing this benefit to parents. Policies like this are important because they help address gender pay disparity and attract the best people to serve our Port, said Martin Luther King Jr. county labor council executive secretary Nicole Grant.
Holland America Line is celebrating its Dutch heritage in a new partnership with Rijksmuseum, the most-visited national museum in the Netherlands, according tot he cruise line.

Through the collaboration, the Rijksmuseum at Sea created by Rijksstudio will be installed on ms Oosterdam during its scheduled dry dock in April 2016 and then move fleetwide over the next several years. The line has also become a new sponsor of the Rijksmuseum.

Reproductions of some of the museums most famous masterpieces will be showcased throughout the ship and a dedicated space onboard will invite guests to explore their own creativity through guided art workshops.

Guests will be able to view videos about the museum and its collections on the in-stateroom television, while enrichment programs and presentations by Rijksmuseum staff will be available on select cruises. Guests also will have the opportunity to purchase special branded Rijksmuseum merchandise in the onboard shops.

Great works of art have always been the centerpiece of our onboard decor, and were excited that this partnership with Rijksmuseum will add some spectacular reproductions to our collection of more than 1,300 pieces fleetwide, said Orlando Ashford, Holland America Lines president. Through art, like travel, we see things differently; we open our eyes to the world around us and see things we may never have experienced before.

Rijksmuseum was founded in The Hague, the Netherlands, in 1800 and offers a representation of Dutch art and history, as well as European and Asian art from the Middle Ages to today. Rijksmuseum moved to Amsterdam in 1808 and was first located in the Royal Palace; it moved to its current location in 1885. In 2003, the main museum closed for a 10 year renovation and reopened in April 2013. Today the museum hosts nearly 2.5 million visitors.

"Both Rijksmuseum and Holland America Line are historic brands with proud Dutch heritage. We're grateful that through our new partnership, Holland America guests from around the world will be able to experience our impressive collection at the Rijksmuseum at Sea, created by Rijksstudio," said Wim Pijbes, General Director of the Rijksmuseum.

Rijksmuseum has a collection of a million objects dating back to 1200, with 8,000 works currently on display. Guests visiting the museum can see masterpieces by Dutch painters including Rembrandt, Frans Hals, Johannes Vermeer and Jan Steen.
Crystal Cruises announced today that it will reroute two of its upcoming voyages set to call in Turkish ports, citing security concerns.

Crystal has revised the itineraries for Crystal Symphonys April 24 and May 1 sailings, previously planned to include visits to Istanbul and Kusadasi, replacing those ports with Greek destinations.

The safety and peace of mind of our guests are our primary concerns, and we do not take any risks with either, said Crystal CEO & President, Edie Rodriguez. The itinerary changes will allow our guests to continue with their planned vacations in the same standard of excellence and luxury, without the added worry of security in a particular destination.

urkish ports of call scheduled for April and November aboard Crystals new luxury yacht, Crystal Esprit, will also be changed, though the new itineraries have yet to be finalized. Effective immediately, the voyages will reflect the following itinerary changes (*=newly changed destination):

April 24 (7 days)  Athens/Piraeus, Mykonos, Santorini, Rhodes, *Souda Bay/Chaina, *Navplion (overnight), *Hydra and *Athens/Piraeus (overnight), Greece.

May 1 (12 days)  *Athens/Piraeus (overnight), *Patmos, *Rhodes, Mykonos, Santorini, Navplion and Argostolios, Greece; Crotone, Sorrento and Rome/Civitavecchia, Italy.

As the annual Presidents Cruise, the April 24 sailing will also boast the distinction of being one of Crystals few voyages to focus solely in Greece.

For both sailings, pre-reserved Crystal Adventures will automatically be canceled, while the line is in the process of developing a host of new excursions ashore, which will be available in the online Guest Check-In/Priority Check-In & Planning Center (PCPC) at crystalcruises.com.
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Maybe it was the truffle gnocchi.

Or the celebrity restaurateur  Boston Bruins Hall of Fame defenseman Ray Bourque. Or the private balcony overlooking Hanover Street in Bostons North End, which restaurant rating guides say makes Tresca one of the citys top date spots.

It was there, one evening in September, that Massachusetts Gov. Charles Baker and Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh began to sweep General Electrics brass off their feet and out of the arms of the companys steady Connecticut.

Their proposition: come to the City on the Hill, and well make it worth your while. Weve got Harvard and MIT Weve got the T, which sure beats gridlock on Interstate 95. This is the place to be for biotech and drug companies, startups and incubators.

The next day, the hosts from the city and state squired eight senior GE executives on a bus tour to scout landing spots for the companys headquarters.

The conversations were focused not on competition with other states, but on why Massachusetts would be an attractive place for GE to locate, said Jim Conroy, a senior adviser to Baker and Connecticut native.

Four months later, GE is ready to call Boston home, enticed by sweeteners not of the tiramisu kind. They add up to $145 million, which multiple officials familiar with the negotiations say is less than some other states offered to the company.

GE declined to comment about the negotiations, but business analysts say its not surprising that the company, which has shifted in focus from financial services to technology, left more subsidies on the table.

The notion that winning this company would just be a bidding war, I think, is superficial or naive, said Steven Malanga, a senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute and CNBC contributor.

New details are emerging about the lengths that Massachusetts went to recruit the conglomerate known for its appliances, jet engines, wind turbines and ubiquitous light bulbs. Those efforts paid gigantic dividends last week, when GE announced it would be ditching its longtime suburban base in Fairfield.

The outcome was not unforeseen, but the destination was a surprise for Connecticut policymakers, who have long regarded the Nutmeg State as more tax-friendly than its neighbor to the north.

Taxachusetts, right? How terrible is that? said state Rep. John Frey, R-Ridgefield, who was one of the first lawmakers to sound the alarm about a GE exodus.

For the past three years, GE has been re-evaluating its presence in Connecticut, the company revealed last week. But what was once a hush-hush exercise became a highly public soap opera last June, when Connecticut increased taxes by $1.2 billion to plug its budget deficit. GE responded with a stern rebuke about the states economic climate and quickly assigned eight of its senior executives the task of exploring alternate locations. The search committee was led by Ann Klee, the companys vice president of environment, health and safety.

Massachusetts pols sprang into action, including Baker, a Republican anomaly in the blue state who was in his first year in office.

Baker worked across the aisle with Walsh, a Democrat, to get the deal done. The spirit of cooperation between state and city officials of different political stripes impressed GE, sources said. That stood in contrast to the bickering among state and local officials in Connecticut.

Led by Jay Ash, Massachusetts secretary of housing and economic development, a delegation of state and city officials visited GEs Connecticut campus early last summer so executives could get to know them.

But Baker and GEs chief executive, Jeffrey R. Immelt, never met face to face during the negotiations.

Baker never set foot in GEs headquarters during the process and Immelt didnt travel to Boston, sources said. The two men spoke just twice before consummating the deal, both times by phone. The conversations took place in December and again Wednesday when Immelt called to say GE was accepting Massachusetts offer.

Big disruption

Their driving force is theyre transforming their company into a digital industrial company, said Michael Tetreau, Fairfields first selectman. The best source of labor and talent is in the Boston area.

Massachusetts bid for GE emphasized the youth of Boston, a walkable city where 1 in 3 residents are between the ages of 20 and 34. It also touted its corporate tax environment, which may come as a surprise to outsiders.

Massachusetts ranked 25th in a 2016 Tax Foundation analysis of income, corporate, sales and unemployment insurance taxes, according to a presentation by the state and city to GE. It made no mention of Connecticut, which ranked 44th.

The December presentation included detailed schematics and photos of commercial real estate sites in Boston for a potential new home for GE, including distances to Logan International Airport and helipad availability. GE eventually settled on the citys booming Seaport District, though it has not yet chosen a specific site.

Its just all cranes, said Conroy, Bakers senior adviser.

Changing the narrative

A competing PowerPoint presentation given to GE by Connecticuts economic development agency in August mistakenly used a photo of a jet engine manufactured by rival Pratt & Whitney. The gaffe further undermined the states case to retain GE.

GE didnt even mention Connecticuts offer to Massachusetts officials. Business experts say thats a telling sign, as was GEs public indictment of Connecticuts tax hike.

You dont make a decision to move a headquarters of world class company just based on something such as the last dollar you can squeeze out of taxes, but (that) started it and exposed Connecticuts other vulnerabilities in the corporate relocation wars, Malanga said.

A spokesman for Connecticut Gov. Dannel P. Malloy referred to the Democrats earlier comments in which he lamented the loss of GE, but said the state has more good days than bad in attracting business.

Tetreau said the state needs to change the narrative.

We need a full-blown marketing campaign to explain to other companies why Connecticut is the best place to be, Tetreau said. We need to tell that story.

neil.vigdor@scni.com; 203-625-4436; http://twitter.com/gettinviggy
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BRIDGEPORT  A raised ranch in the North End, initially worth $165,000, is now assessed at $135,000.

A home in the historic waterfront Black Rock neighborhood with a price tag of over $1 million has dipped below seven figures to $985,360.

And a condominium in a renovated South End factory on the edges of downtown that was purchased nine years ago for $109,000 plunged to $23,000.

Homeowners trying to sell and hoping to make a profit are out of luck, according to the citys most recent property revaluation.

But the drop in residential real estate assessments has a silver lining  it may slightly shift the citys notorious tax burden onto businesses.

The average commercial owner will probably see a little bit of a tax bump, said city Finance Director Kenneth Flatto.

That is an early take-away as the delayed, five-year property revaluation draws to a conclusion.

Having commercial pay more is a good thing for the residential, said City Council President Thomas McCarthy. But we have to always make sure the tax levels dont go so high that we drive the commercial out of Bridgeport.

A decrease in Bridgeports grand list  the amount of taxable property  will likely mean an increase in the mill rate the city uses to levy taxes.

Bridgeports mill rate of 42.1 is already among the highest in Connecticut. And another increase could, depending on the budget Mayor Joe Ganim proposes in a few months, lead to further tax hikes.

Part of Ganims successful comeback campaign last year  he was mayor from 1991 to 2003  included lawn signs with the phrase, Stop Raising Taxes!

Values drop, mill rate goes up, which means your taxes go up to offset the losses in tax revenue, said Joseph McGee, vice president for public policy with the Business Council of Fairfield County. So then what do you do? Youve gotta cut the budget. Otherwise you have to raise taxes.

Seeking answers

The Bridgeport Tax Assessor earlier this month mailed out notices of updated assessments for roughly 25,000 properties, 22,000 of those residential.

The new amounts are supposed to represent 70 percent of fair market value as of last Oct. 1. Owners with questions about the revaluation results have been scheduling hearings at City Hall with the firm that conducted the revaluation Vision Government Solutions.

One of those was Jim Yeotsas, a city native and owner of Madison Cleaners and Tailors, who said all of his values were down.

Thats what we were expecting pretty much right across the board, Yeotsas said.

And that was because the last revaluation was conducted before the economy and housing market crashed. In fact Ganims predecessor, Mayor Bill Finch, and the citys business community successfully lobbied the state to put off the revaluation from 2013 to 2015, hoping values would begin to climb.

They had originally wanted a five-year delay.

We wanted to allow the values to become more realistic and grow more from the Great Recession, McCarthy said. They have.

Finchs critics also saw the move as politically motivated to help Finchs bid for a third term last year. As a report from the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities once observed, The anxiety revaluation generates also explains why mayors and selectmen approach (it) like most of us approach root canals. The perception that revaluation could lead to higher taxes could mean trouble at the polls.

Ganim, who delayed revaluation during his prior administration, certainly milked that fear during his comeback campaign.

From what I hear, (the revaluation is) going to be a time bomb that explodes next year, Ganim said in a radio interview.

Kenneth Flatto, Ganims finance director, last week said the two-year delay made a difference.

Two or three years ago it looks like you would have had a bigger hit to the grand list, he said.

Flatto said the percentage drop in the grand list will be in the double-digits, but not a huge drop. The final grand list will be issued in late February.

Ups and downs

So exactly whose wallets might suffer from the resulting higher mill rate?

It doesnt automatically equal tax increases, said Av Harris, Ganims spokesman. If your mill rate is going up, but your property value is down, you might break even. You might get a tax cut. But if your property value doesnt decline by that much, then the mill rate goes up, you might see a tax increase.

That gets back to the fact commercial and industrial values either dipped slightly or held steady.

Paul Timpanelli, head of the Bridgeport Regional Business Council, said, Certainly a small tax increase is manageable.

But the goal needs to be to minimize that or have none at all, Timpanelli said. And thats unfortunate for the new administration because theyre already dealing with a deficit in the current budget.

Ganim has claimed he inherited a $20 million budget hole from Finch.

Yeotsas said it is too soon to speculate about his business taxes.

Wait and see, he said.

Mark Scheck, vice president of the Greater Bridgeport Property Owners Association, is very worried about Bridgeports mill rate going even higher. And Scheck is not buying the suggestions that many residential property owners may either see no change or a drop in their tax burden because their homes lost value.

It sounds extremely logical, Scheck said. But whens the last time we paid less money in Bridgeport?
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Just before midnight on July 5, a distraught Danbury man paced back and forth in his driveway, pointing a gun first at his head and then at police officers surrounding his home.

He had told his mother earlier that he wanted the police to shoot him.

An officer trained in crisis intervention was part of a team that talked to the 29-year-old for about an hour. The distressed man eventually put down the weapon, which turned out to be fake, and was arrested.

Nearly five months later, the same officer was called to another Danbury home after a woman living in Virginia called police, saying a friend here had threatened to shoot himself.

The officer asked the 36-year-old man whether he had a gun and whether he wanted to hurt himself or someone else. When the man answered no to both questions, police decided he was not a threat to himself or others and left.

Hours later, the man shot himself in the head.

Sometimes officers trained to defuse a crisis are able to prevent a tragedy. Sometimes they cant, however thorough their training.

We dont have a crystal ball, and thats the scary part, said Danbury officer Jose Agosto Jr., one of 18 Danbury police officers who have completed a special course in crisis intervention.

Whats not in doubt is that the need for such training is great, and growing. Law enforcement agencies are swamped with calls about people in some sort of mental health crisis, and the number that involve suicide continues to increase statewide and nationally.

The state medical examiners office logged 398 suicides in 2015, the highest in 25 years. In Danbury, 15 people committed suicide in 2015, up from just three in 2011, according to police.

Over the last decade, Connecticut police departments have responded by sending hundreds of officers to a five-day, 40-hour class that touches on topics ranging from suicide prevention to the different varieties of mental illnesses.

Unfortunately, because of the lack of funding that goes into mental health services, police officers often become the gatekeepers of the mentally ill, said Louise Pyers, a mental health clinician who founded the Connecticut Alliance to Benefit Law Enforcement. The extra knowledge in crisis intervention training gives them a lot of power to be able to de-escalate these situations before they get out of hand.

Being able to de-escalate a situation is particularly important when cops are involved.

The uniform they wear, the gun they have ... all send threatening messages to a person with mental illness, even if they are the kindest police officer in the world, Pyers said. When people are frightened, people fight back.

The alliance, a nonprofit based in Newington, has partnered with the state Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services for over a decade to conduct the training, which the state has paid for since 2004.

The training was originally developed by agencies in Tennessee to reduce the number of shootings involving mentally ill people.

The New London Police Department was the first to implement the program in Connecticut, in 2000. Today more than 50 law enforcement agencies statewide, including state, municipal and university police departments, have crisis intervention teams. Another 50 agencies are working to create them.

Statewide, about 1,750 officers have completed crisis intervention training since 2004  and approximately 460 others, including dispatchers, emergency medical services workers and mental health clinicians, have finished the training.

They all have the same goal: to get the mentally ill into the health care system rather than the criminal justice system.

Under state law, they are authorized to take someone to the hospital, voluntarily or not, if he or she has threatened to commit suicide or to injure another person.

Danbury police created a crisis team in 2009. Its officers work closely with a state mental health clinician, who reviews cases and rides with them weekly to check on people who have been in crisis.

On a recent cold morning, Agosto reflected on his training during an eight-hour shift patrolling the streets of Danbury.

He said he didnt realize how complex mental illness can be until he underwent crisis training. Now, with a better understanding of the different kinds of illnesses, he feels more equipped to help people.

I hope every person that I have an interaction with that Im able to at least show them there is the possibility of help, he said.

But while officers like Agosto can often defuse the immediate crisis, others must follow up to make sure crises dont recur.

In the case of the 29-year-old man last July, police and a mental health clinician worked with his family to find a bed in a long-term rehabilitation center, police said. The crisis team then persuaded the mans family not to bail him out of jail while the necessary arrangements could be made.

In the case five months later, according to police reports, 36-year-old Michael Johnson downplayed the fears of the Virginia friend who had called police, saying he had no intention of hurting himself and that he had no gun. When they asked whether he wanted to talk to a therapist, he declined, saying he was already seeing one on a weekly basis.

That evening, Johnsons sister, Susan Burke, went to his home, unaware that police had visited just hours before. Burke said her little brother showed her a gun and told her he was suicidal. She tried to get him to give her the clip that held the bullets, but he refused.

Burke and her husband stayed with Johnson for hours  eating Chinese food and watching a movie. When he went outside at one point  to smoke a cigarette, she thought  he used the gun to kill himself.

Cases like Johnsons sometimes prompt second-guessing of police and other authorities, but Pyers said its important to remember that they cant hope to prevent every tragedy.

We tell (trainees) were going to do our best to provide you with enough information to be able to calm a situation, connect that person to services and hopefully keep that person out of jail, Pyers said. But sometimes someone is going to go ahead and do it and its not anyones fault.

They will save more lives than they will lose, she said.
CT Lottery photo

The first of three people who hold $1 million Powerball tickets from last Wednesdays drawing have come forward. And hes a 29-year-old graduate and instructor at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy whos about to get married.

Hes also a real lucky guy because it was the first time Lt. Andrew Norberg, of New London, ever played Powerball.
My fellow Connecticutters, our state is in a state.

Its our habit, at the start of a legislative session, for a governor to outline a vision for the upcoming few months, if not into multi-generational perpetuity, as frothed up by my 30-year, $100-billion transportation plan last year.

I bid welcome back to 151 House members and 36 senators, who come from all corners of the state to pontificate, posture and collect those $30,000 salaries. And I ask taxpayers, isnt that a small price for adult day care? (Applause.)

Listen, since Ill be out of the state most of the session as chairman of the Democratic Governors Association, trying to prevent the democratic selection of an avowed Socialist from becoming our Democratic presidential candidate, this may be the last time I see many of you until your May adjournment. (Applause.)

But first, I want you to know that my rock-bottom approval rating had nothing to do with the empty seat between First Lady Michelle Obama and me the other night at the State of the Union Speech. Frankly, it was a reminder to the do-nothing congressional majority that gun violence continues unabated more than three years after the horror of Sandy Hook, while Republicans cater to the NRA and balk at the simple safety measure of universal background checks before gun purchases.

But sure, when he looked from the teleprompter up into the gallery at his stunning, supportive wife, then glanced quickly over at me, the president had to feel better about his failure to persuade Congress to support any of his initiatives. Man, at least Im not at 58-percent disapproval, he must have said to himself.

Frankly, Ive helped raise Connecticuts national profile as a progressive state. The ban on military-style rifles; gay marriage; medical marijuana; decriminalizing small amounts of weed for personal use; repeal of the death penalty; a Second Chance Society initiative to divert more non-violent criminals from our prison-industrial complex. Those are all game changers that will save taxpayers cash, add value to the wedding-catering industry and make prison guards worry about job security.

And the departure of General Electric? Well, like I said the other day, we win some, we lose some. CEO Jeff Immelt almost had to move, just to save some corporate face after eight months of saber rattling over a measly few million dollars in new state taxes.

Itll take them a few years to decamp to Boston. And those GE execs who think Greenfield Hill is pricey with that sweet 10-minute commute to the office? Wait until they see what a million bucks doesnt get you in Boston. Then, after that hour drive to the office, you have to root for the Red Sox.

After 42 years as its world headquarters, Id like to remind Connecticut of the GE corporate legacy: good-paying jobs, hundreds of millions in payroll taxes, billions in offshore profits and the everlasting pollution of the Housatonic River, where eating fish is still unsafe, thanks to GEs PCB contamination upstream in Pittsfield, Mass.

Since the last time I offered you a budget proposal, our unemployment rate has fallen to 5 percent. (Applause.) Who would have guessed, back in 2008 when Wall Street scampered off with billions of dollars from Connecticuts 401ks that wed ever regain those lost jobs?

Sure, most of the employment opportunities are for hourly workers at big-box stores, but thanks to the Affordable Care Act, minimum-wage earners are getting medical coverage at the expense of the federal government and higher deductibles from those insured through their employers. Salaries, and even retirement benefits for hospital CEOs, have never been higher, too.

Speaking of health, did you naysayers see Politicos annual national survey of state strength? Were in the top 10, based on measurements such as wealth, health, education, crime, unemployment and life expectancy.

Yes, there we are at No. 9 this year, nestled above Hawaii, and below Iowa, with New Hampshire at No. 1, Massachusetts No. 6 and Louisiana, good-old Gov. Bobby Jindals pride and joy, comes in at 51, since they also counted Washington  the land that time forgot  as an actual place instead of a partially reclaimed swamp in a power suit and a gun belt.

Of course, if President Obama had mentioned my name in his speech, maybe Politico wouldnt have identified me as Danneel Malloy in the rating list.

So, in the budget I submit to the General Assembly today, in commemoration of their departure, Im announcing a plan to turn the former GE campus into public housing. As a community thats 92 percent white and where the median house sells for nearly $522,000, its common sense for Fairfield to embrace this opportunity to diversify.

Ill also be putting a bid on Immelts shack in New Canaan, where Cathy and I can regroup when this crumby governors gig goes away, after Hillary wins the presidency and names me U.S. Transportation secretary. (Applause and cheers.)

Ken Dixons Capitol View appears Sundays in the Hearst Connecticut Newspapers. You may reach him in the Capitol at 860-549-4670 or at kdixon@ctpost.com. Find him at twitter.com/KenDixonCT. His Facebook address is kendixonct.hearst. Dixons Connecticut Blog-o-rama can be seen at blog.ctnews.com/dixon/
Double murder trial day 4: A star witness for the prosecution backed out in the courtroom
State Board of Education lays down law on race, gender teachings

School boards will have to follow new requirements for notifying parents about policies involving access to bathrooms and locker rooms.
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
Giving the game away about the great EU stitch-up, the president of the European Commission declares he is quite sure that a deal will be struck with the UK next month.

This paper has little doubt that Jean-Claude Juncker is right. But wasnt this an uncharacteristic departure from the usual Brussels script?

According to the standard pantomime choreography, an agreement is reached only after sham displays of fury and intransigence by both sides.

The president of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker declares he is quite sure that a deal will be struck with the UK next month

At one summit after another, talks drag on into the small hours until  hey presto!  a phoney breakthrough is trumpeted.

But as Mr Juncker appears to recognise, there is simply no point in keeping up the pretence of a row over David Camerons demands.

For the Prime Minister is asking so little that a deal looks almost inevitable, paving the way for a referendum in the summer.

Gone are his demands for full-on treaty changes, reforms of the Common Agricultural Policy, border controls, curtailing the European Court, refusing entry to migrants without job offers and ending the insanity of shuttling MEPs from Brussels to Strasbourg and back.

In their place are three requests so timid as to be almost meaningless, and a fourth  limiting in-work benefits for migrants  on which Mr Cameron appears to be caving in.

Which brings us to a crucial question. With this feeble deal all but a foregone conclusion, and the referendum only months away, how can Mr Cameron go on insisting eurosceptic ministers keep their silence until its signed?

In campaigners can say whatever they want. Take Chancellor George Osborne, who warns that an out vote would be irreversible, while alternatives to EU membership do not look attractive.

Chancellor George Osborne warns that an out vote would be irreversible, while alternatives to EU membership do not look attractive

Or consider Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond  a recent convert to the EU  who can envisage no circumstances in which he would campaign against a package agreed by Mr Cameron.

Yet eurosceptics such as Commons leader Chris Grayling are forced to guard their tongues, paying lip-service to the Prime Ministers negotiating stance while stifling their true beliefs.

Meanwhile, civil servants are banned from campaigning against the Cameron line, right up to the vote, while pro-EU scaremongers are free to spread horror stories about threats to our prosperity and security if we pull out.

When the Prime Minister promised the referendum, he acknowledged that this vital decision transcended party politics and was a matter for the people alone.

By mobilising the government machine to keep one side quiet, he is in danger of making a mockery of the vote.

No way to treat heroes

They risked their lives saving British soldiers in the war zone. Yet now one Afghan interpreter languishes in the Calais jungle camp, denied entry to the UK, while another faces deportation and possible death after a judge rules it is safe for him to return home.

Meanwhile a Sudanese migrant, to whom we owe nothing, is granted asylum after entering illegally on foot through the Channel tunnel.

Will this country ever rediscover its moral compass?

A deluge of thanks

In less than six weeks, the Mails Flood Appeal has raised an inspiring 1.5million, providing relief for hundreds of families.

These funds have been distributed by local charities in Cumbria, Lancashire, Yorkshire and other areas hit by the floods before and after Christmas.
David Cameron is very good at extricating himself from desperate political scrapes. But he is also remarkably good at getting into them.

This is mainly because  although highly intelligent  hes notoriously lazy.

As a result, he invariably fails to get to grips with impending problems until the last possible moment  a characteristic that has led Downing Street colleagues to describe him as an essay crisis Prime Minister (like a student leaving his work until the night before it has to be handed in).

However, there has been one exception to this pattern of behaviour: his strategy on Europe. Many commentators predicted he would stumble as he negotiated with European leaders about changes to the conditions of Britains membership of the EU in the run-up to the referendum.

Mandelson has become a discreet adviser to George Osborne, who is masterminding the Governments EU negotiations

Instead, Cameron has played a crafty hand  deftly outmanoeuvring those behind the Leave campaign. He has shown a mastery of detail and also strategic vision.

Consider the events of the past few weeks. First, the Leave campaign claimed a major victory when the PM conceded that Cabinet ministers would be free to campaign against the UKs continued membership of the EU if they wished.

But then, in a political masterstroke, Cameron ruthlessly made it clear that any Eurosceptic minister who was planning to break ranks and become a cheerleader for the Leave campaign will have to wait until his negotiations are complete and when the referendum campaign formally starts.

Consequently, the PM believes he has achieved the best of both worlds.

On the one hand, he has gagged Eurosceptic ministers and thus stymied the Leave campaign. On the other, fellow Europhiles (such as Chancellor George Osborne and the once-sceptical Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond) have been allowed much more flexibility and are already free to express their pro-EU views.

Cameron has pulled off this piece of legerdemain without a single resignation  or even a complaint, at least in public  from the Eurosceptics in his Cabinet. A brilliant coup  and yet most uncharacteristic.

How has the PM achieved this?

I think we can discount it being the handiwork of Camerons increasingly clumsy communications chief, Craig Oliver.

Instead, I detect the fingerprints of Peter Mandelson, whose strategic guile was so crucial to the creation of New Labour as an election-winning machine for Tony Blair.

As I revealed here previously, Mandelson has become a discreet adviser to George Osborne, who is masterminding the Governments EU negotiations.

In a cynical reference to the growth of a European superstate, there is talk in Westminster of an ever-closer union between Camerons wing of the Tory party and the Blairites in Labour. This is not only driven by the Mandelson/Osborne nexus but is being consolidated by many of Camerons team in No 10 working closely with the Remain campaign.

Key figures are Tory chairman Lord Feldman (who has been raising funds from wealthy donors for Remain), Andrew Cooper (a former Downing Street pollster who played a vital role in the Scottish Referendum campaign) and Lord Gilbert (who had to stand down as a deputy chairman of the Tories amid criticism that he had taken up a position with the official polling company for the pro-EU campaign).

Cameron/Osborne trusties are working alongside New Labour figures such as Will Straw, Labour activist and son of the former Home Secretary Jack Straw.

This co-operation between Blairite and Cameroon modernisers is fascinating because even though the Tory leader denies having once said he was the heir to Blair, there has always been an undeclared joint political project between supporters of the two men.

Such a relationship has been strengthened by the fact that Blairites hate Labours far-Left  a feeling that has been intensified by their desire to oust Jeremy Corbyn as party leader.

For his part, Cameron and his team hold a parallel contempt for the Tory Right. Indeed, they expect to lead the British people into voting to remain in the EU.

They then plan to wreak swift revenge on those who campaigned for Britain to leave and complete the modernisation of the Tory Party by kicking out the Eurosceptic rump.

The plan is to prepare the ground for George Osborne to take over from Cameron as Tory leader and Prime Minister.

All these factors explain why the referendum debate is about a great deal more than just the EU.

The political elite who have dominated British political life for the past 20 years see it as vital for their continued survival  regardless of the wishes of the British people.

Ed Vaizey  the puppet of Luvviedom

There are, generally, two types of Government ministers.

We have those who attempt substantial positive changes to the way we live  such as Michael Gove when he was Education Secretary or Iain Duncan Smith as he tackles the insidious culture of welfare dependency.

Of course, this inevitably involves courage, risk-taking and making enemies.

Then there are those who seek the easy route. Arts Minister Ed Vaizey falls into this second category.

This was confirmed this week when a host of luvvies from the arts world sycophantically congratulated him for becoming the longest ever serving Arts Minister, having completed five-and-a-half years in the job. Their grovelling praise simply proves that Vaizey has been their puppet.

He has achieved nothing tangible while in office. Instead, he has sucked up to the effete, out-of-touch and over-subsidised arts establishment.

For example, Vaizey is a keen fan of Tracey Emin. She may consider herself to be an artist, but many see her as a manifestation of todays crude celebrity culture.

How typical that she was made Professor of Drawing at the Royal Academy and that her appointment was hailed by the pseuds and poseurs who represent Luvviedom  that small coterie of London-based and mainly state-funded actors and artists. Certainly no honest Conservative Art Minister would have anything to do with such a meretricious figure as Emin.

Conversely, there is scant evidence of Vaizey having promoted a traditional Tory vision of the arts.

He also has Government responsibility for telecom and digital matters. Instead of fawning over figures such as Emin, he would be better employed helping more deserving people  such as the tens of thousands who live in rural areas and who are supplied with shamefully inadequate broadband services.

The missing moderates

It is 13 years since Sir John Scarlett, the then head of the Joint Intelligence Committee, published his infamous dossier asserting that Saddam Hussein possessed weapons of mass destruction.

Tony Blair used this document, which proved to be a fabrication, to justify his calamitous decision to take Britain to war in Iraq.

I fear history is repeating itself.

When David Cameron made the case for bombing Syria, he told MPs there were 70,000 moderate fighters on the ground, ready to join the battle against ISIS.

He told the Commons he had been permitted to use this information by the current chairman of the Joint Intelligence Committee.

It has since been established that the 70,000 figure was as much a fantasy as Scarletts WMD.

Cameron quietly acknowledged this while giving evidence to a parliamentary committee this week, when he appeared to admit the moderate fighters include relatively hard-line Islamists.
No one loves a royal celebration more than I, especially when its thrown in honour of our Queen.

Thats why I was among the million who lined the banks of the Thames in the pouring rain to watch her sail past in the flotilla celebrating her Diamond Jubilee four years ago.

Now, for her 90th birthday, shes hosting the biggest ever street party. With 10,000 seats in the Mall offered to members of the 600 charities of which she is patron, it promises to be quite a spectacle.

Why, then, do the plans make me more than a little uneasy?

Peter Phillips has spoken candidly about what it's like to have The Queen as his grandmother

First, because these tireless workers  or the charities they represent  are to be charged 150 a head for the privilege of a cold hamper, a glass of Pimms and a glimpse of the Queen and Prince Philip driving past.

While 150 may not seem much in royal circles, where it would barely cover the cost of a Jermyn Street shirt, for these charity workers, many of them volunteers on low incomes, its an enormous amount for a glorified picnic.

And why should the charities be expected to fork out for staff to attend a royal shindig, when they have got so many other demands on their funds?

Its not as if the Royal Family is short of a bob or two. Why couldnt Charles have dipped into his considerable fortune to help fund the festivities? What a magnanimous gesture that would have been, and what a tribute to his mother.

Even more uncomfortable is that it is the Queens grandson, Peter Phillips, whose events company is organising the day. He insists he won the contract on his own merits  and that the day will be not be run for profit. Be that as it may, his appointment surely raises uncomfortable questions of nepotism and is a crass PR blunder by the palace.

WESTMINSTER WARS Former Im A Celebrity contestant, Tory MP Nadine Dorries, says Kim Kardashian is the role model for her daughters. She wants them to be strong, independent women, like the reality TV star. Youd have thought she would want her girls to emulate a truly great woman like Margaret Thatcher, not a shallow reality star whose fame was built on the back of an explicit sex tape and a picture of her naked posterior. An internal report on why Labour lost the last election reveals it was their policies on uncontrolled immigration and welfare spending that did it for them, plus the hapless Red Ed. Fast forward to today and they have even softer policies on welfare and migrants and a Marxist-sympathising leader. Almost makes you nostalgic for the Blair era! Leader of the Commons Chris Grayling wants to free our MPs from the burden of actually having to turn up to work. Instead he suggests they could vote on issues such as whether we bomb Syria by clicking on their iPads in the comfort of their own homes. Given the diminution of our Armed Forces, why not cut out the middlemen and just get Amazon to deliver a couple of warheads directly on ISIS? Advertisement

But the Queen has always had a soft spot for her first grandchild  even after he shamelessly sold his wedding photos to Hello! for 500,000 without informing her.

Other royals were said to be livid, but the Queen duly forgave him, just as she did when her youngest son Edwards TV company made a laughing stock of the family with the excruciatingly embarrassing Its A Royal Knockout. The public, I fear, may be rather less forgiving.

Princess Anne was rightly applauded when she refused to give her children royal titles, as she wanted them to make their own way in the world.

Alas, with Zara now making a fortune from commercial sponsorships, both offspring are showing a keen eye for exploiting their royal lineage.

The result? The Queens Big Birthday Bash has been tainted even before the buntings been ordered.

Was it really REALLY kids Gary was scared of?

Gary Lineker says the sound of toddlers screaming on planes was enough to put him off wanting children with his much-younger wife Danielle (left), a former lingerie model and bit-part actress.

But was it really the dread of becoming a dad again that made him call time on their marriage? Or the knowledge that if 36-year-old Danielle got pregnant, then shed get far more in any divorce settlement and be able to claim child support for years to come?

Canny chap, our Gary.

A deathly blunder

Much confusion on Celebrity Big Brother when Angie Bowie  having initially concealed the death of her ex-husband from other housemates  finally sobbed: David is dead.

The inmates thought she meant fellow contestant David Gest (right), who was lying ill in bed with a blanket over his head. Mass hysteria ensued.

Wrong David. But why the shock? Gest looks like a corpse at the best of times.

Tie that kangaroo down, sport!

Like millions, I was deeply moved by the pictures of a male kangaroo apparently desperately comforting his mate as she lay dying, watched on by their baby joey. Days later, the illusion was shattered when a scientist suggested that not only had the roo probably killed his mate, but was attempting one final moment of passion before she carked it.

Typical Aussie. Never waste an opportunity!

Jerry's best revenge

Many an eyebrow was raised over news of Jerry Halls engagement to Rupert Murdoch. While its true that it never hinders a girls happiness to have an elderly fiance with a few billion in the bank, cynics be damned! Even the rich and beautiful get lonely.

And with so many divorcees like Jerry now facing life on their own after the children have flown the nest, we should celebrate latter-day marriages like hers. All the more so after she and Murdoch both endured horribly humiliating and public divorces.

Besides, what better revenge on cheating Mick Jagger than finding a husband even wealthier than him? But with ten children between them, I do pity the poor person doing the seating plan for their wedding.

In life, there was little that united Alan Rickman, Lemmy from Motorhead and David Bowie, except their unique talents.

In death, they shared one precious thing  the dignity of dying away from the celebrity spotlight with only their closest friends and family knowing the end was nigh.

Far classier to leave the stage quietly than turn your final months into a mawkish showbiz circus.

Elton John says: We know David Bowie the figure, the singer, the courageous performer, but actually we dont know anything about him. Thats the way it should be in music.

Quite so.

So how come Eltons paraded every cough, spit and tantrum of his life with David Furnish in endless Hello picture spreads and a behind-the-scenes documentary?

At 69, the enigmatic Charlotte Rampling is one of the oldest women to be nominated for an Oscar, rather exploding the myth that Hollywood hates women over 30.

Im only surprised Eddie Redmayne was nominated in the best actor category for his part in The Danish Girl. Since he plays a transsexual, surely he should be up for best actress?

Leonardo DiCaprio says his fathers advice to him was that no matter how famous and successful he became, he should always try to find a way to wake up every morning and be happy you can put your trousers on.

Apt advice . . . yet Leos problem would be remembering in which supermodels room hed left them in the first place.

French liberals are championing former British soldier Rob Lawrie, 49, after he tried to smuggle a four-year-old Afghan girl from the Calais refugee camp to Britain.

He was cleared of people-smuggling and claimed it was a victory for compassion.

But how compassionate was it for him to leave his wife and four children in the dark to pursue his moral crusade?

Lynda Bellinghams widower Michael Pattemore claims that she often returns to him from the afterlife and that he has even made love to her ghost spirit.
The year is 1953, and as the young Queen prepares for her Coronation she and her Prince are locked in a furious row over whether he should kneel before her during the ceremony.

He tells her: I will not kneel before my wife. She offers the withering put-down: A strong man would be able to kneel.

The moment hardly reflects the accepted public image of the solid and affectionate relationship enjoyed by Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip.

Scroll down for video

Glower and the Glory: The TV show's version of the Coronation, depicting an unhappy Philip kneeling before the Queen to pledge his loyalty

Yet this is how life was at the start of their marriage, according to a controversial new drama that claims the couples early years were rocked by turbulent events behind the scenes.

The forthcoming ten-part television series, called The Crown, stars Wolf Hall actress Claire Foy as the Queen and former Doctor Who Matt Smith as the Prince. It depicts the young Philip as being unhappy at having to abandon his Naval duties to play second fiddle to his young wife.

In the lavish re-creation of the Coronation  which is believed to be the first of its kind  Philip is shown glowering as he kneels before the Queen to take his oath of loyalty.

The 150 million production will also claim that Philip was furious when his children were given the name Windsor rather than Mountbatten.

In one scene, an angry Philip says: You have taken my career from me, you have taken my home, you have taken my name. What kind of marriage is this? What kind of family?

The explosive scenes have been written by Peter Morgan, the dramatist who previously explored the Monarchs life and reign in the Oscar-winning film The Queen and the smash-hit play The Audience.

But it is a vision of history that leading historians have already cast doubt upon. They argue that Philip, who had been a member of the Greek royal family before his marriage to Elizabeth in 1947, would have known exactly what was in store for him when he agreed to marry.

Constitutional expert Christopher Wilson said: I doubt Prince Philip ever spoke those words to his wife, because he came from a royal house which had borrowed so much of its ritual and protocol from the British Royal Family. He knew full well what was expected of him in public, and was prepared to go along with it.

I doubt if he has ever bowed to her in private

On the other hand, theres no question who wears the trousers in the relationship when they are behind closed doors. I doubt that even once, in all their nearly 70 years together, has he bowed to his wife in private.

Philip Ziegler, who has written a series of Royal biographies and histories, said: It would be surprising if any strong-minded, enterprising man who wants to have his own career wouldnt have been slightly irritated about having to walk two steps behind someone else. So I wouldnt call the scene total fiction but I dont think it should be blown up into the cause of a major crisis.

And Hugo Vickers, the Royal biographer who wrote an acclaimed book about the Coronation, said the Queen made sure Philips wishes were accommodated for the service. Mr Vickers said: He didnt want to be King and it is true that the Archbishop tried to minimise his participation, but the Queen went out of her way to include him in the service, for example at the Communion.

Duty calls: Matt Smith will play Prince Philip (right) and Claire Foy will take on the role of the Queen in the new drama (left)

The Coronation scenes are unlikely to be the only point of controversy in the drama, produced by the American broadcaster Netflix. Perhaps inevitably, the drama focuses on the scandals and Royal romances that have captivated the public over the years.

The first series of ten one-hour episodes will cover the key events of the Queens early life, including the abdication crisis of 1936, her marriage to Philip in 1947, the death of her beloved father King George VI in 1952, the Coronation and the scandal sparked by her sister Princess Margarets love affair with the divorced commoner Group Captain Peter Townsend.

Producers created the splendours of the Coronation using Ely Cathedral as a stand-in for Westminster Abbey, and the show is being hailed as the most lavish Royal biopic yet. Mr Wilson said: Nobody has ever tried to portray the Queens Coronation on film before, either in the cinema or on TV. Thats because its always been viewed in the past as a risky undertaking on account of the cost of staging it, of the sanctity of the occasion, and also because its such a complex ritual that would be so easy to get wrong.

The Crown co-stars American actor John Lithgow as Winston Churchill, Greg Wise as Lord Mountbatten and Jeremy Northam as Sir Anthony Eden, and will be shown later this year.

Subsequent series will tackle a different decade of the Queens reign, leading up to the present day.
We can't say we havent been warned  even George Osborne has said we face a cocktail of threats.

And now the City has joined in with truly apocalyptic warnings that stock markets are set to plunge by levels that would wipe out the gains of the past decade  and then some.

Stock markets duly lived up to billing and in the first nine days of trading in 2016, some 4 trillion has been wiped off the value of global stocks, according to Bank of America Merrill Lynch.

Global fortunes: When China sneezes the world catches a cold

That is more than the GDP of Britain and France combined.

Common to all the harbingers of doom is fear of the great looming shadow of China: when the worlds second largest economy slows down, it is inevitable that we will all suffer.

In a globalised economy, our businesses, both big and small, are intimately connected to what happens on the far side of the world. There, growth appears to have stuttered.

China, itself lacking mineral wealth to build its hitherto booming cities and supply its industries, used to suck in commodities like iron and copper from the rest of the world.

All this was, of course, to the benefit of the worlds biggest mining groups  a disproportionate number of which are listed on the London Stock Exchange and are therefore recipients of investments by British pension funds.

If the miners have to slash dividends as a result of Chinas weakness, then we all lose out.

As we report in our small business section, too, more than a quarter of smaller UK firms now export to China  up from just nine per cent a year ago.

That is an astonishing growth figure, and to British entrepreneurs considerable credit, but it also shows that the Chinese governments policy of moving the country towards consumption  and away from a reliance on exports  could hit British firms hard if it goes awry.

The other key factor is oil, of course, which is on the way to being cheaper than bottled water.

At the end of last week it had dipped under $30 a barrel and petrol was hovering around the 1 a litre mark.

All good news for motorists, but not for oil companies: the likes of BP and Shell have both seen their share price hammered.

The oil industry expects 266 billion of projects to be cancelled this year as a result of the falling oil price  money which will no longer find its way into the worlds economy.
Charges are imminent in the Serious Fraud Office investigation into Tesco, the Mail can reveal.

Investigators have been pulling together evidence to see if any individuals working for Britains biggest supermarket, or the grocer itself, acted illegally in inflating its accounts.

A probe was launched in 2014, but sources say the SFO is close to forming a case.

Probe: Former chairman Sir Richard Broadbent and former chief executive Phil Clarke (pictured) both left the firm before the investigation was announced

Earlier this month Robert Buckland, the solicitor general, said the SFO had sought approval for extra funding of 15.5m to probe blockbuster investigations.

Meanwhile, a separate investigation into Tesco by the independent supermarket regulator Groceries Code Adjudicator is expected to conclude within the next two weeks.

The SFO launched its probe into Tesco amid claims that directors cooked the books to cover up dismal profits. More than 2bn was wiped off Tescos market value after it admitted to inflating its accounts by 250m  a figure which has now jumped to 326m.

It was allegedly manipulating the timing of payments from suppliers  pulling some forward in order to paint a more flattering picture of its finances. Former chairman Sir Richard Broadbent and former chief executive Phil Clarke both left the firm before the investigation was announced.

Clarke is among those who have been quizzed by the SFO. He has been questioned under caution, meaning anything said can be used as evidence in court

On Thursday, Tesco beat forecast with strong festive trading  giving hope the business is on the mend.

Tesco (up 3.55p to 164.45p) credited lower prices and 4,000 more staff delivering improved customer service for a 1.3 per cent rise in sales for the six weeks to January 9.

This was better than a fall of 1.5 per cent that analysts had forecast.

The supermarket has given no update on the progress of the fraud investigation and declined to comment last night.
Church vicar said it is 'upsetting' that public resource has been 'abused'

Vicar Paul Tullet said church was not notified about filming of adult movie

The vicar of a 137-year-old parish church has described the decision by an adult film company to shoot an explicit fetish video on their grounds as 'upsetting'.

Paul Tullet, vicar at Water Orton Parish Church in north Warwickshire, said no permission had been sought by website PornXN to record on its premises after a hardcore video shot at the front door was uploaded online.

The film, featuring Hungarian pornstar Lyen Parker, shows the actress exposing her naked body and urinating in public.

Paul Tullet, vicar at Water Orton Parish Church, said no permission had been sought by website PornXN to record on its premises after a hardcore video shot at the hall of worship's front door was uploaded online

A narrator on the x-rated film, partly shot at the North Warwickshire church (pictured), says: 'We'll quickly run away before we get any vicars running after us, trying to shout at us'

The grounds of the church, which is nestled in the sleepy village of Water Orton, is one of the locations where this takes place.

An unidentified woman narrating from behind the camera can be heard giving instructions before the sordid act begins.

While being asked to take off her trousers, the actress dances around in front of the sign, giggling at the prospect of what she is about to do.

She then poses for photographs, while the camerawoman tells her she is 'just as naughty as everyone'.

She says: 'At the moment we are in this churchyard, which is pretty naughty. There's people going past.'

She is then 'dared' to stand in front of the church's main sign and perform degrading acts.

The woman filming tells her 'that's so bad', before zooming in on her and describing the sordid scene for viewers.

'We'll quickly run away before we get any vicars running after us, trying to shout at us,' the narrator adds.

The shoot then continues on a local high street and bus, where the actress is seen exposing her nude body

The shoot then continues on a local high street and bus, where the actress is seen exposing her nude body.

The video has since been shared widely online, racking up hundreds of thousands of views.

It has, however, been condemned vicar Paul Tullet.

He said: 'As I am sure you will be aware, churchyards are important public spaces and so valuable for grieving families looking for space to think, remember and pray.

'Churchyards cannot be monitored 24 hours a day and to hear that someone has abused this resource is upsetting.

'Permission was not sought for the filming and obviously, had it been, it would never have been granted.'
A convicted rapist who claims he is the last person to see missing Karen Chetcuti has been questioned as police reveal they hold grave fears for the mother-of-two.

Michael Cardomone, who was released from jail in July 2015 after serving nine years for rape, denied any part in the disappearance of Ms Chetcuti, from Whorouly, Victoria.

His property was searched and he questioned by detectives about Ms Chetcuti, who was last seen on Tuesday at around 7.20pm.

Mr Cardomone said he had invited the City of Wangaratta manager to pick tomatoes about 9pm on Tuesday, The Age reported.

Scroll down for video

Convicted rapist Michael Cardomone claims he is the last person to have seen missing mother-of-two Karen Chetcuti (pictured) but denies he had anything to do with her disappearane

Ms Chetcuti was last seen on Tuesday evening, when she was captured on CCTV at a supermarket and attended a pub near her home. Convicted rapist Michael Cardomone also says he saw her later that night

Ms Chetcuti's burnt out car, where it was found near Myrtleford, VIC, about 20km from her home

The scene where Ms Chetcuti's car was found burnt out, near Myrtleford, 20km from Whorouly

Ms Chetcuti's burnt out car was found on Thursday morning

Police released this image of Ms Chetcuti car, as it appeared before it was burnt out

Homicide Squad detectives, the Missing Persons Squad, sniffer dogs and local SES members were searching bushland near where her car was found

Earlier that evening, Ms Chetcuti left the Whorouly Hotel in Whorouly, south of Wangaratta, at around 7.30pm.

Mr Cardomone and another neighbour are both believed to have seen a white car leaving Ms Chetcuti's property on Tuesday evening, with her red sedan following.

A concerned friend reported her missing on Wednesday after she did not turn up for work, and her car was found burnt out 20km away from Whorouly on Halls Road, Myrtleford on Thursday morning.

Police fear Ms Chetcuti may be a victim of foul play. They continued the search for her on Saturday morning

Ms Chetcuti, 49, is a mother to two teenagers and a manager at the City of Wanagaratta

Mr Cardomone said he saw her car parked in the town 'sometime' before it was torched, The Age reported.

'That's totally alarming to us - the vehicle being burnt in that fashion,' Detective Sergeant Sol Solomon told 3AW on Friday.

'(She) didn't turn up for work on Wednesday, which is highly out of character for her.

'She's well known as being highly punctual, highly thought of and very efficient in her life.'

Homicide detectives suspect she was the victim of foul play.

'I strongly suspect that there is someone, or some others involved,' Detective Sergeant Sol Solomon told reporters on Friday.

'I really hope she's still alive, she could be still alive, but the longer it goes, the more grave the situation becomes,' he said.

Det Sgt Solomon said what was found at Ms Chetcuti's home - lights on, her purse and handbag left behind, but no mobile phone to be found - was 'a situation that appeared out of order'

On the evening she was reported as last being seen, she went to the Whorouly Hotel

Ms Chetcuti left the hotel about 7.30pm on Tuesday evening. Her neighbour, convicted rapist Michael Cardomone, claims he saw her later that evening, about 9pm

CCTV footage of Ms Chetcuti at a supermarket at 5pm on Tuesday shows her wearing a cream or yellow tank top and a dark skirt.

Ms Chetcuti is 175cm tall, of a medium build, with dark brown shoulder-length hair.

Her two children, aged 14 and 15, are staying with their father, who is separated from their mother.

Police have been providing support to the family.

Det Sgt Solomon said there was no suggestion the father was involved in the disappearance.

Homicide Squad detectives, the Missing Persons Squad, sniffer dogs and local SES members were searching bushland near where her car was found, 50km from Wangaratta.

The search for Ms Chetcuti, who left her house with the lights on and bag and purse at home - but not her mobile phone - resumed at first light on Saturday.

Victoria Police told Daily Mail Australia Saturday's search was focusing on Whorouly, Ms Chetcuti's home town.

Police are appealing for anyone who saw Karen or her red 2004 Citroen Sara, registration XWC 149, any time after 7.20pm on Tuesday.

They also want to speak to anyone who saw any suspicious activity in the area.

Victoria Police told Daily Mail Australia Saturday's search was focusing on Whorouly, Ms Chetcuti's home town
This is the heart-stopping moment a 14-month-old toddler falls from a second floor window - but miraculously gets up with just a few cuts and one bruise.

CCTV footage shows the young child - from Ceara, Fortaleza in Brazil - falling from a town-centre building with such force that she is pushed forward with the impact.

In the first milliseconds of the accident it seems hard to believe the girl - known as Helena Beatrice Nascimento - has survived the drop.

CCTV footage taken in Ceara, Fortaleza in Brazil shows the heart-stopping moment a 14-month-old child falls out her bed, which was placed next to a bar-less second floor window

But seconds later, the toddler, who lands prostrate face down on the cobbled stone ground lifts her head, pulls herself up onto her knees and even manages to raise herself into a shaky crouching position on her feet before falling backwards onto her bottom.

A moto-taxi driver is the first on the scene to rush to her aid. The man is so stunned that he's not sure what to do.

Miraculously, after a few seconds the child - known as Helena Beatrice Nascimento - gets up and tries to crawl across the ground. The child escaped the fall with just a few scrapes and a bruise to the head

A moto-taxi driver is the first on the scene to rush to her aid. The man is so stunned that he's not sure what to do. The child reaches its arms out to be comforted

As the baby reaches for him to be comforted, he looks up again and again in astonishment at the building, incredulous that she is not dead.

He is joined by another passer-by who picks up and cradles the stunned child.

The distraught mother appears shortly afterwards, rushing out of the building. In a desperate scene she grabs and comforts her baby relieved to find she is alive.

The infant lives with her mother and two older brothers who are five and seven-years-old.

Helena Beatrice's grandmother, Maria Veraneide Silva Nascimento, who was visiting the family at the time, said: 'Beatrice was sleeping in a bed right next to a window without bars in the bedroom.

Soon a crowd gathers and the distraught mother appears shortly afterwards, rushing out of the building. In a desperate scene she grabs and comforts her baby relieved to find she is alive

Her mother takes the child back into the apartment block. The child's grandmother, who was visiting at the time said: It's a miracle that she's alive. Anyone who sees this will think this is an impossible thing to happen. She said she believed an angel stopped her granddaughter from dying

'She must have woken up around 7.30am and we think she managed to get to the window and fall out. We are still in a state of shock that she survived.'

Mrs Silva Nasciment added: 'It's a miracle that she's alive. Anyone who sees this will think this is an impossible thing to happen.

'But I believe an angel stopped my granddaughter from dying today.'

Eyewitnesses said the baby's fall was broken by telephone wires which deflected the full impact of her plunge on the way down.

The child suffered a few scrapes and a slight bruise to her forehead and is expected to make a full recovery. She was released from hospital after a thorough check-up.




Steve Harvey is still trying to make amends after crowning the wrong woman at the Miss Universe competition last month.

In a two-episode special of the Steve Harvey Show titled, Miss Universe: The Truth, Harvey will meet with Miss Universe Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach and the woman he mistakenly crowned, Miss Colombia Ariadna Gutierrez Arevalo.

In the special, which has already been taped, Arevalo, 22, reveals what she has experienced in the month following the competition and discusses if she's ready to forgive Harvey, according to PEOPLE.

The Steve Harvey Show is airing a two-episode special titled Miss Universe: The Truth next week, where Harvey will meet with Miss Universe Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach (left) and the woman he mistakenly crowned, Miss Colombia Ariadna Gutierrez Arevalo (not pictured)

Miss Colombia 2015, Ariadna Gutierrez Arevalo, looks on as Miss Universe 2014 Paulina Vega removes her crown to give it to Miss Phillipines 2015, Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach

'This has caused a lot of sleepless nights for me,' Harvey, 58, said in a promo clip. 'I didn't do any interviews until I could talk to the two people who were affected the most, Pia and Ariadna.'

'No matter how tough it was for me, I can't imagine how it was for these two women. This finally gives me a chance to have a moment of closure,' he added.

During the pageant on December 20, Miss Colombia was initially crowned the winner by Harvey, when he accidentally announced the runner-up's name first instead of the winner.

A few seconds later he was forced to apologize, and say that he had made a mistake.

The crown was then taken off Arevalo's head and given to an equally confused and emotional Wurtzbach.

In the immediate aftermath of the crowning mix-up, Wurtzbach says she was unable to comfort Arevalo since she was surrounded by a group of other women.

Harvey said that after the mistake, he woke up at 2.30am and was unable to go back to sleep. He said his wife helped him through his tough times.

'She was the best,' Harvey said, holding back tears. 'Man, you gotta have somebody with you. Somebody to climb down in a hole with you.

Host Steve Harvey mistakenly named Arevalo (left) the winner instead of Wurtzbach (right) during the 2015 Miss Universe Pageant. He said the mistake has caused him 'sleepless nights'

When Wurtzbach told Harvey to 'move forward' and that she forgives him, Harvey leaned back into the couch and let out a sigh of relief

Wurtzbach laughed at Harvey's response, and he told her that it has been 'very, very difficult' to find closure after the blunder

'And she did that. She kept telling me, "Steve, keep your head up. Keep your head up, you did the right thing". She kept saying, "You did what your father raised you to be. You went out there and you took the hit".'

Harvey claims that his family has received death threats following the live-television flub, and he and his children fear being in public.

'People don't understand the damage of social media. Your kids go through this, your wife goes through this. Death threats against your family - I can't let my kids go nowhere,' Harvey said in the promo.

He added: 'That's difficult. It's very, very difficult. But as difficult as it was for me, I didn't do any interviews because I wanted to talk to the women first. Because regardless how I felt, I was still stuck on those two women. It really was, because I got daughters.'

In Monday's episode, Wurtzbach tells Harvey to 'move forward' and that she forgives him for not initially crowning her the winner.

'Don't beat yourself up for this anymore. Let's move forward, let's just be happy,' Wurtzbach, 26, said.

Harvey then let out a huge sigh of relief while sitting back on the couch.

'As strong as I try to be, this has been a dog fight. It's so crazy. I want some healing to be done, for you and Miss Colombia. I want that more than anything,' he said to Wurtzbach in the promo.

The Steve Harvey Show episodes will air on Monday and Tuesday.
Back in the late Seventies, Genette Tates name dominated the headlines in the same way that Madeleine McCanns did after she disappeared. Genettes face stared out from newsstands and missing posters across Britain, and her parents made emotional appeals on TV.

A reward of 23,000, raised by the local community, was put up for information leading to her safe return.

The 13-year-olds disappearance became synonymous with a single, haunting image which remains as chilling today as it was then: a picture of Genettes bike lying in the middle of a country lane near her home in Devon, from where she was snatched in broad daylight.

Investigation: Back in the late Seventies, Genette Tate's (left) face stared out from newsstands and 'missing' posters across Britain, and her parents made emotional appears on TV. One name dominated the police case files, that of child killer Robert Black (right)

Genette lived in the hamlet of Aylesbeare, three miles south-east of Exeter and close to the M5 motorway. She was a Girl Guide and a popular member of the church choir. Like many children of her generation, she also had a paper round.

At around 3.45 pm on Saturday, August 19, 1978, she was delivering the evening paper, the Express & Echo, to houses in Withen Lane. She stopped briefly to speak to two of her friends, before whizzing off on her bike. Moments later, her friends walked around the corner and found her bicycle  but there was no sign of Genette. The bikes back wheel was still spinning. The girl who vanished into thin air was the headline in one national newspaper the following morning.

The search for Genette  also known as Ginny  turned into the biggest missing person hunt in Britain, with the village hall transformed into a major incident room.

Scores of police officers were joined by Royal Marines based at the commando training centre at nearby Lympstone. While more than 7,000 volunteers combed the moors and woodland near Genettes home, divers scoured gravel pits, ponds, wells and silage pits. Helicopters and RAF reconnaissance aircraft were a constant presence above Aylesbeare.

In the weeks and months that followed, detectives resorted to increasingly desperate measures to try to find Genette.

Specialist sniffer dogs, used by the Israeli army, were flown in from the Middle East. Spiritualists were consulted, and a mother and her daughter were put under hypnosis in an attempt to help them recall details about a suspect vehicle in the area at the time Genette was snatched.

But no trace of Genette Tate was ever found. Not an item of clothing nor a strand of hair. Nothing.

Haunting: Genette Tate's bicycle lies abandoned in the spot from which she was snatched in 1978. When her friends discovered the bicycle, its back wheel was still spinning

Cheating the law: According to police, had Robert Black not died suddenly in prison from a suspected heart attack, he would have finally been charged with her murder

The case papers, including 3,500 statements and 12,000 exhibits crammed into 250 crates and weighing seven tonnes, are stored at the headquarters of the Devon and Cornwall constabulary in Exeter.

But one name, metaphorically speaking, stalks these files. That name is Robert Black.

Until this week, Black was serving multiple life sentences for murdering four girls in the 1980s and kidnapping and sexually assaulting a fifth. Only Moors Murderers Ian Brady and Myra Hindley, whose five victims were aged ten to 17, killed more children in modern British criminal history.

When we arrived home and parked up, we saw two of Genettes friends coming towards us pushing her bike. They said they could not find Genette. Genette's father, John Tate

Black was also, it has now emerged, the prime suspect  the only real suspect, in fact  in the abduction of Genette Tate all those years ago.

Had he not died suddenly from a suspected heart attack in jail in Northern Ireland a few days ago, at the age of 68, he was, according to police, about to be finally charged with her murder.

Genette would have been 50 now. The year she disappeared, Bjorn Borg became the first player in the modern era to record a hat-trick of mens singles titles at Wimbledon and Polish Cardinal Karol Wojtyla became Pope John Paul II.

What kind of woman would Genette have grown up to be? Would she have married and had children of her own? What would she look like? These are questions her parents have asked themselves for nearly four decades.

Most of all, though, they just want to know what happened to their daughter. They want to be able to bury her and lay flowers at her graveside  like the parents of any child who has ever died.

But any lingering hope they may have had about eventually finding some kind of peace was extinguished with the death of Robert Black.

Missing: Mounted police from Somerset and Avon organise the nationwide search for Genette Tate, who disappeared in Aylesbeare, Devon, in 1978

Desperate: Over the weeks and months that followed, police tried everything to find the missing girl. But no sign of her was ever found. Devon's Chief Constable John Alderson (centre) sets off with the search team

Genettes mother and father were already divorced when she went missing. Sheila Tate, as she was, has remarried and moved to Bristol. John Tate, 73, is confined to a wheelchair and lives in sheltered accommodation in Manchester.

Over the years, I tried to get to see him in prison, Mr Tate told me this week. All I wanted to do was to talk to him and find out what he did with her so we could give her a decent Christian burial.

I never got an opportunity. He wouldnt see me. Ive written lots of letters to him, but Ive never got anything back.

Above the fireplace in Mr Tates living room is an enlarged photograph of Genette sitting beside him outside their local library. They were waiting for the arrival of the annual carnival procession, and it was taken shortly before she was kidnapped.

Over the years, I tried to get to see [Robert Black] in prison. All I wanted to do was to talk to him and find out what he did with her so we could give her a decent Christian burial. Genette's father, John Tate

Genette lived with Mr Tate, then a sales rep, and her stepmother Vi, his second wife, following the break-up of his first marriage. On the fateful afternoon, Mr Tate and Vi were returning to Aylesbeare from Exeter.

When we arrived home and parked up, we saw two of Genettes friends coming towards us pushing her bike, recalled Mr Tate. They said they could not find Genette.

We went down the lane shouting her name over the hedge. We thought she might be playing a prank, although that was not the type of thing she would do. We couldnt believe anything bad had happened, not in the village.

Aylesbeare was described in one report at the time as a sun-dappled rural idyll with a 13th-century church and a 400-year-old pub and scarcely a car to be seen in its pretty, hedge-lined lanes.

Yet it was here that police are now as sure as they can be that Genette became Robert Blacks first victim.

The cruel irony is that the 13-year-old should never have been in Withen Lane that August day in 1978. Another paperboy was supposed to be on duty, but he called in sick and Genette agreed to fill in for him. Had she not done so, she most likely would still be alive today.

It would take 12 years, however, for Black to become the prime suspect.

It was in 1990 that, purely by chance, a suspicious local saw him bundling a six-year-old girl into his delivery van in the village of Stow in the Scottish Borders and made a note of his registration number.

Tragedy: Police examine Genette Tate's bicycle during the investigation. The cruel irony is that the 13-year-old should never have been in Withen Lane that August day in 1978

After molesting the little girl in a layby, Black made the mistake of doubling back through Stow, where the youngsters father bravely stepped out to halt the van. His barely-alive daughter was found hooded, bound, gagged and stuffed in a sleeping bag inside.

Black was jailed for life for the kidnap.

His conviction unlocked the key to a string of other unsolved child murders in the 1980s. Petrol receipts and employment records from the company he worked for  the now defunct London firm, Poster Dispatch  revealed he was in the relevant place at the relevant time when 11-year-old Susan Maxwell from Cornhill-on-Tweed, Northumberland, Caroline Hogg, five, from Edinburgh, and Sarah Harper, ten, from Morley in Leeds were abducted and killed.

Black was given a further ten life sentences for those crimes in 1994.

By now, detectives from Devon and Cornwall were convinced he had also taken Genette Tate. They felt certain hed killed her, but couldnt prove it because his employment file at Poster Dispatch prior to 1980 was not complete.

Family: A photograph of Genette Tate with her father, that was taken on holiday just three months before she vanished

No petrol receipts were found placing him nearby on the day she vanished, as they had done for the three other girls. At least one receipt, however, did put him in the vicinity shortly beforehand and other slips confirmed he knew the surrounding area well.

Other evidence emerged. In 1995, a series of revelations appeared in a book, The Murder Of Childhood, by Ray Wyre, a criminologist who pioneered the treatment of child sex offenders.

He taped conversations with Black inside Peterhead Prison in Aberdeenshire. It is believed that these were the only times Black ever spoke to anyone about his predilections.

During the interviews, Black admitted that he was always on the lookout for girls. Asked when he first got the idea of snatching a child, he started talking about a papergirl.

Did he mean Genette? Yes, Black replied, before going on to refer to the kidnapper in the third person.

Hes obviously persuaded her to get off her bike or grabbed her off her bike; one of the two, he said.

Then he got her into a vehicle and took her away. It seemed obvious, didnt it. If Id seen a papergirl, Id maybe park and watch for a while to see what sort of route...getting myself into position where it would be possible to take somebody.

Black, who was originally from Grangemouth in Stirlingshire and was put into a Barnardos home by his unmarried mother, appeared to have detailed knowledge of the crime scene, including the high hedges in the lane where Genette was last seen.

Officers from Devon and Cornwall went to interview Black in prison following the publication of Wyres book, but he refused to cooperate.

They continued to build a case against him, however, and the file will be submitted next month to the Crown Prosecution Service, despite Blacks death, in a bid to give Genettes family some measure of peace.

It is understood to contain fresh witness statements from fellow inmates and from two women who, as children, were targeted by a young Robert Black while they did paper rounds on their bikes but managed to escape his clutches.

Blacks interest in young girls is believed to have started when he was just 12, when he was accused of trying to rape a little girl.

Memory: Her parents still long to know what happened to their daughter, so they can bring her home and give her a proper burial. Her father, John Tate, wrote to Robert Black in prison numerous times, pleading with him to tell him what happened to his daughter

Heartbroken: Genette's mother Sheila Cook with her husband Bob at the scene of Genette's disappearance

Months after leaving care at the age of 16, he molested a seven-year-old girl in an abandoned air raid shelter on the pretext of showing her a box of kittens. He choked her to within an inch of her life.

It was the start of a campaign of attacks during which he admitted touching up more than 40 young girls over three years. It culminated in him being sent to Borstal in 1967 for indecent assault.

Detectives have now managed to confirm that at the time Genette Tate went missing a decade later, Black was making deliveries in a red van. A red van was one of the very few vehicles spotted near Aylesbeare at the crucial time. It was never traced or eliminated.

The catalyst for re-opening the Genette Tate case came four years ago when Black was convicted of abducting Jennifer Cardy, nine, in his van as she cycled to a friends house in County Antrim in 1981.

Why was this so significant? Because following a recent change in the law, evidence of bad character was put before the jury  including Blacks previous murder convictions. The jury took four hours and 15 minutes to reach its guilty verdicts. In 2013, the Court of Appeal upheld Blacks conviction.

It also meant that his previous bad character could be used were he to be prosecuted for the murder of Genette Tate.

Superintendent Paul Burgan, head of major crime in the Devon and Cornwall force, this week told the Mail that Black would have been charged. He said: The early indication from the CPS was that a charge was probable.

He admitted to being frustrated that Robert Black died before that could happen.

In Aylesbeare itself, lying in the shadow of St Marys Church, is a memorial stone for Genette. The poignant inscription reads: May she someday be returned to this place to Rest in Peace.
Brussels chief Jean-Claude Juncker said yesterday he was quite sure Britain will reach a deal on its EU membership renegotiation, sparking fears that an agreement has been stitched up.

The European Commission president refused to say how he could be so certain, simply saying: My knowledge is allowing me to tell you that.

But many were surprised that, with the summit to finalise the talks almost five weeks away, he could be so sure.

The President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker (pictured, right) said he was 'quite sure' Britain will reach a deal on its EU membership renegotiation

At a press conference in Brussels, he said: I am quite sure that well have a deal  not a compromise  a solution, a permanent solution  in February.

An agreement by leaders at the European Council meeting on February 18 and 19 would pave the way for David Cameron to call a referendum in June. Mr Junckers comments echoed those of George Osborne, who told BBC Newsnight on Thursday: Im pretty optimistic. I see the essential pieces of the deal falling into place.

The Chancellor came under fire yesterday after appearing to rule out future referendums on Europe if Britain votes to stay in the EU.

He said the coming vote was a once-in-a-lifetime chance, adding: Theres no second vote. This is the crucial decision of our lifetimes. Do we stay in the EU, a reformed EU, or do we leave?

Tory MEP Daniel Hannan feared the comments suggested the Governments referendum lock, which requires a vote on any EU treaty change, was dead.

He said: Were gearing up for the Government saying, If we get a vote to stay in, we will treat that as a mandate for a generation. If we vote to stay, thats it  were on the bus and theres no way off.

Ministers also faced criticism over revelations in yesterdays Mail that they were ready to agree a German proposal to bar EU migrants on the minimum wage from claiming benefits if the rule also applied to low-paid Britons. Tory MP Andrew Percy said: The Government must not do a deal that hits our citizens, especially the poorest.

No10 yesterday denied a deal had already been stitched up with EU leaders, and negotiations were continuing.

But Matthew Elliott, of the Vote Leave group, said ministers were focused more on managing expectations than fighting for a good deal for Britain.

Ukip leader Nigel Farage said: Mr Juncker confirmed that if you ask for very little you are likely to get it.

The Prime Ministers most controversial proposal is a four-year ban on benefits for EU migrants working in Britain, which critics say is discriminatory.
As a graduate of Oxford University, one of the worlds great seats of learning, Sizwe Mpofu-Walsh should be wise enough to thank his luck for the privileges he has been afforded in his young life.

After all, many of his fellow South Africans struggle in a country where unemployment in townships reaches 90 per cent and schools lack books and even desks.

This 26-year-old has suffered no such privations. Instead, he is the son of a fabulously wealthy, politically powerful figure who infamously had an affair with Winnie Mandela.

Life of privilege: Protest leader Sizwe Mpofu-Walsh (pictured right) meets Nelson Mandela (left)

This prompted her devastated husband Nelson Mandela to launch divorce proceedings two years after he was released from jail.

Mpofu-Walsh won a scholarship to attend Oxford, sponsored by George Weidenfeld (now Lord Weidenfeld), the Jewish philanthropist who fled the Nazis and, in 1938, came to Britain, a country he loved for its freedom of speech.

This young South African graduated last year and is now reading for a PhD. He has spent time in Washington, working as an intern at the Office of the President, and has featured in Vanity Fair magazine as one of tomorrows future global leaders today.

Indeed, like many budding politicians, he is still young enough to think he knows everything, when the reality is he has achieved little of substance in the real world.

But that did not prevent this part-time rapper  known as Vice V (for Vice Versa, because he has a white mother and black father)  from being invited to be given a platform on Radio 4s flagship Today programme this week to denounce Oxford as institutionally racist.

Speaking from his home city of Johannesburg  8,000 miles from Oxford  Mpofu-Walsh fuelled the row raging over a small, hitherto unremarkable statue on the facade of Oriel College, sitting in a niche overlooking the High Street, which has been passed by millions without comment since first being erected in 1911.

The statue is of the late Cecil John Rhodes, the British-born African adventurer, mining king and colonialist who bequeathed millions to set up the Rhodes Scholarship, a scheme to allow the poorest from all over the world to study at Oxford for free.

Supporters of a campaign to have the statue torn down, led by Mpofu-Walsh, claim they experience violence when they are forced to as much as stroll past this inanimate stone carving of Rhodes.

We dont think a debate is simply a gentlemanly discussion over tea and scones  debate involves taking action, Mpofu-Walsh said. We think Oxford is institutionally racist and by that we mean its had throughout its history significant biases against black people.

He continued: We believe that in Oxford theres a chance and an opportunity to reappraise how it presents itself to the world, and to make some additions to how it presents itself to the world  and to stop giving pride of place to the glorification and veneration of colonial genocidaires.

The ruling body of Oriel College, established by Edward II in 1325, is now seeking views on whether the statue should be pulled down.

One would have thought someone such as Mpofu-Walsh, who has benefited from Nelson Mandelas liberation of South Africa from its apartheid regime, would respect the views of the man who is seen as the father of his nation.

For Mandela made it clear he wanted to turn the Rhodes legacy to the greater good. When asked by the Rhodes Trust (the charity which runs the Rhodes scholarships) for help with its work with poor students in South Africa, he said: Cecil, now you and I are going to work together.

For his part, Oxford University chancellor Lord (Chris) Patten this week condemned the campaign to remove the statue as an effort to rewrite history to fit modern values.

Protest leader Sizwe Mpofu-Walsh's father Dali pictured with Winnie Mandela

If people at a university arent prepared to demonstrate the sort of generosity of spirit which Nelson Mandela showed towards Rhodes and towards history . . . then maybe they should think about being educated elsewhere, he said.

Nonetheless, the college has already agreed to remove a small plaque near the college entrance, which marks Rhodes time as a student there in the 1870s, before he set out for southern Africa, founding the de Beers diamond empire as well as having Rhodesia, now Zimbabwe, named after him.

What the BBC omitted to mention was the rather intriguing background of their interviewee, Mpofu-Walsh.

The truth is that he is seen as one of what is sneeringly called the Wa Benzi tribe  the People of the Mercedes Benz  a reference by impoverished Africans to the new black elite who are obsessed with wealth and drive expensive German cars.

Educated at an exclusive private school, St Johns College  known as the Eton of South Africa, where monthly fees are higher than the average annual wage  this 26-year-old has wanted for nothing during his life and is resolutely part of an establishment despised by ordinary, struggling South Africans.

At home, as well as campaigning against the iniquities of colonial rule, he regularly attends glitzy parties that draw the showbiz and political elite  of which he sees himself a part, as a future leader of the country.

His father is Dali Mpofu, once a powerful figure in the ruling anti-apartheid African National Congress party.

He was responsible for the break-up of the marriage between Nelson Mandela and Winnie, the young wife who the future South African president believed was waiting for him during his 27 years in prison for opposing apartheid.

As a young student, Dali attended the University of Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, where the daughter of a British diplomat was one of the teachers. Her name was Terry Oakley-Smith, a white liberal and part-time human rights activist, who began an affair with her African student, who was ten years her junior.

The result of this affair was the birth of Sizwe  the name means Nation  but his parents were not destined to stay together. After Dali graduated as a lawyer, he was assigned to a case involving Winnie Mandela, the so-called Mother of the Nation.

Intelligent and charming, with a penchant for older women, young Dali struck up a relationship with Winnie at the same time as she was under investigation over the activities of Mandela United.

This infamous group of thugs would torture suspected informers at the Mandela home in a part of Soweto, on the outskirts of Johannesburg, that is known as Beverly Hills on account of its opulence and private swimming pools.

When they first met, Dali was 25 and Winnie 55. They soon moved in together at the house in Soweto, where young black men were beaten and tortured as Winnie swigged from a brandy bottle and urged other members of Mandela United to sing African songs to drown out their cries of pain.

Word of the affair even reached Nelson Mandela in prison.

In 1989, he wrote to Winnie, the wife he adored and believed was waiting for his release, telling her to get that boy out of their house. Dali moved out, but the affair continued.

Even after Mandela was freed from prison in 1990, when photographs were shown all around the world of Winnie greeting her husband as he dramatically walked to freedom, the affair was still on-going. Winnie and Dali went on Concorde to New York, and took luxury trips all over South Africa in official limousines.

Winnie ensured that Dalis financial future  and that of his children  was secured after she was appointed head of the new black governments department of social work.

She persuaded her lover to give up his legal job and become her deputy (he was later accused of embezzling around 60,000 from the department, but charges were dropped).

But Mandela was no fool. He and Winnie had never shared a bed since his release from prison. Then, on another trip to America by Winnie, Nelson phoned his wifes hotel room and her lover answered the phone.

Indeed, there were reports that Nelson even caught his wife in bed with Dali at home in Soweto in 1991, prompting a blazing row between the couple.

Then a devastating leak ended the Mandela marriage for good in 1992, when a letter between Mandelas wife and her young lover appeared in the South African press.

Signed Its me by Winnie, it revealed that at one point Nelson Mandela, whom she called by his family nickname Tata, refused to speak to her for five months because of the affair.

Winnie referred to the mother of Dalis son, Sizwe, as a white hag and accused him of betraying her (Winnie) by running around f****** at the slightest emotional excuse, after she discovered he was having an affair with another woman.

I keep telling you the situation is deteriorating at home, you are not bothered because you are satisfying yourself every night with a woman, the letter said, adding: I wont be your bloody fool, Dali.

The statue of Cecil Rhodes, pictured on the Oriel College building, Oxford, is at the centre of a campaign by students

The letter also revealed evidence of corruption. I tell you, Ntombi (a woman in the ANC welfare department) is gossiping about the cheques we used to ask her to cash in the name of the Dept and how I gave you all that money, the letter says.

Less than a month after the letter was published, Nelson Mandela announced his separation from his wife.

Yet Dali remained close to powerful figures in the ruling African National Congress through his association with Winnie, a firebrand who was adored by many poor South Africans despite being linked to violence and murders.

After being forced to leave the government following the embezzlement probe, he was given the plum job of head of the South African Broadcasting Company, which the government controls by making political appointments.

While his son Sizwe was growing up with his mother at their home in an exclusive part of Johannesburg, with support from her former lover, Dali made more money when he parted ways with the national broadcaster with a severance payment of some 1 million  four years after taking the job.

Since then, Dali has worked as a lawyer on a number of high-profile cases, including representing Julius Malema, a powerful black politician and founder of the Economic Freedom Fighters, a group dedicated to Zimbabwe-style plundering of white property and land, which he has also now joined.

He represented miners in the official inquiry into the 2012 massacre at Marikana, where police opened fire on striking workers. But the inquiry has been temporarily put on hold because the miners can no longer afford Dalis legal fees of some 1,000 a day  more than the average South African earns in a year.

Meanwhile, he has kept up a relationship with his son, supporting his campaign against Cecil Rhodes.

Last July, Dali was in Oxford for Sizwes graduation, posing for photos among the university buildings  and reaffirming his support. Arrived in Oxford for the graduation ceremony, he wrote on Twitter. M Phil with Distinction! #ProudDad #RhodesMustFallOxford.

The background to the family of Sizwe Mpofu-Walsh, the public face of the campaign against Rhodes at Oxford, is important because it has helped fund his own gilded lifestyle and education, as well as his life in academia, while affording him the time and money to agitate against statues of Rhodes.

Let us just hope there is no repeat of the scenes at the University of Cape Town, where Sizwe helped launch a separate campaign on that campus against Rhodes.

There, statues of him have been smeared with human excrement and one black student leader threatened white staff by warning: We must not listen to whites, we do not need their apologies, they have to be removed and killed.
A headmaster who blamed very, very, very weak pupils for his schools poor exam results has suffered a stinging riposte from one of his star students.

Tamara Szalai, 16, hit out at Andy Crofts after he said her year group was swamped with the areas worst pupils, including refugees from war zones and other migrants, many of whom did not speak English.

He said staff were not to blame because the students in Year 11 last summer were never going to get to a reasonable standard.

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Star pupil Tamara Szalai (left), 16, hit out at headmaster Andy Crofts (right) after he said her year group was swamped with the areas worst pupils

Last year, only 31 per cent of children left The Quest Academy in Croydon, South London, with at least five A* to C grades including English and maths.

But in a letter to a local newspaper, Tamara pointed out that she had achieved a string of GCSE A grades in Year 11 despite arriving at the school from Hungary aged 11 and unable to speak English.

She told the Croydon Advertiser: It hurts us students that our hard work through all the chaos has been ignored and insulted.

Many received acceptable grades considering the conditions they had to learn in.

I am ashamed to have attended such a school where the students are blamed for a chaotic learning environment.

'I want to defend all the people who have been insulted, disparaged and trivialised by Mr Crofts.

The row began when Mr Crofts, who earns 100,000 a year, blamed last years poor results on the type of children at the school.

He said 41 per cent did not speak English as a first language and half were eligible for free school meals.

The head added: When parents were deciding where to send their children there was a lot of uncertainty about the school.

Most made other choices, so the year group we were left with was a very difficult mix with very low ability. They were very, very, very weak and I would challenge anyone to do better with them. Given their starting points, they did better than expected.

Criticism: An edited version of Tamara Szalais scathing letter send to a local newspaper

Some, he said, are asylum-seekers who arrive in Year 11 at 15 speaking no English, and with the reading and writing ability of a child of five or six, adding: I wouldnt accept the figures show were not doing a good job. Can these pupils go and do their A-levels? No they cant. But are they able to go on to other courses and develop their education and their life chances? Yes, of course.

Last year, the school was upgraded from requires improvement to good by Ofsted after inspectors found the head created a culture where success is expected from students of all abilities.

They noted that most children were eligible for the pupil premium, which is additional funding for disadvantaged pupils. Yesterday, other parents and former students also criticised Mr Crofts comments.

One parent, whose 15-year-old daughter is taking her GCSEs, said: In this day and age we know we have to cater for people who cannot speak English. To say the children are very weak just seems to me like it is an excuse  and not a very good one.

Another former student from the year group said: I cannot fault the teachers, but I do take issue with Mr Crofts words. To describe a whole year group as weak and low ability is ridiculous.

Timothy Godfrey, Croydon councils culture spokesman, said on Twitter it was an appalling way for a head to behave.

Writing on the school website, Mr Crofts said: When asked why more of this year group didnt make the C grade I commented that in some cases students had a very long way to go to achieve this.

We believe that we can improve previous ability, but there are limits, in some cases.
Jeremy Corbyns new equalities spokesman claimed the 2011 riots were the result of justified anger at racist policing, it has emerged.

Kate Osamor, the MP for Edmonton, North London, also described the police shooting of Mark Duggan  a violent gangster whose death led to the riots  as a clear miscarriage of justice.

Duggan was linked to ten shootings and two murders. But after his death in Tottenham at the hands of a police marksman, Miss Osamor said it was only a matter of time before a shared feeling of justified anger would explode on to the streets.

Kate Osamor, the MP for Edmonton, North London, (pictured in June) claimed the 2011 riots were the result of justified anger at racist policing, it has emerged

Attacking policing in the area as oppressive and racist, she said the shooting was one of a series of illegal procedures used against people in cities across England.

And she went on to claim that Tottenhams residents had been targeted for a concerted attack by the repressive forces of the State.

Last night it was also revealed that Mr Corbyns communications chief, former Guardian journalist Seumas Milne, has expressed sympathy with the 2011 riots, calling them a huge opportunity to channel anger.

Miss Osamor, who has been an MP since last May and is a member of Mr Corbyns inner circle, made her comments in an article she co-wrote with her mother Martha  also a Labour activist  in a 2012 edition of Campaign Briefing, a Left-wing pamphlet. At the time both were members of the Tottenham Constituency Labour Party.

Miss Osamor, the MP for Edmonton, North London, also described the police shooting of Mark Duggan  a violent gangster whose death led to the riots  as a clear miscarriage of justice (file picture)

In it they wrote that stories about Duggans criminality were superficial and designed to create an atmosphere of fear and terror. His shooting was a clear miscarriage of justice about bad police and bad law enforcement, she added. And the 47-year-old MP compared the riots which followed to the Arab Spring uprisings against dictatorships in the Middle East.

She wrote: The media, as usual have chosen to sensationalise several unfounded, unsubstantiated stories about the estate rather than find out the truth.

When the media focus their cameras on the Arab Spring, they tell us of innocent people being shot in Syria and Libya and the need to go and support the rebels against the oppressive dictatorship.

But when black people want answers to a clear miscarriage of justice about bad police and bad law enforcement, the media decide to report only the negative.

Duggan, 29, was shot dead in 2011 while he was under surveillance by undercover officers. They were monitoring him after they found out he was about to pick up a gun from a criminal associate. The riots which spread across London and the rest of the country following his shooting led to five deaths and 200million of damage.

Yesterday Miss Osamors comments sparked anger among police officers. Steve White, chairman of the Police Federation of England and Wales, said: They are dangerously inflammatory and wholly without foundation.

A lengthy inquiry into the death of Mark Duggan by an independent body found there was no misconduct by any of the armed officers involved.
Staff have been told to alter records to cover up serious problems at the NHS out-of-hours hotline, according to claims in a leaked report.

It reveals that there are still grave doubts over the safety of the 111 service in some areas, with a shortage of doctors and other staff putting patients at serious risk.

Some patients are being forced to wait more than 12 hours for out-of-hours care, while a constant lack of GPs is having a direct impact on safety, the NHS report found.

But staff at the service in one area say they felt unable to raise concerns because they were in fear of managers. Despite the seriousness of the allegations, NHS managers yesterday refused to publish the damning report on the 111 service and out-of-hours GP care in Norfolk and Wisbech, Cambridgeshire.

'Serious concerns': Some patients are being forced to wait more than 12 hours for out-of-hours care, while a constant lack of GPs is having a direct impact on safety, the NHS report found (file image)

And a spokesman for the 111 provider in the area said the claims made by their staff were completely unsubstantiated.

MPs reacted angrily, demanding the report be made public immediately and accusing managers of an utterly inadequate response to incredibly serious concerns.

The revelations come amid growing concerns about the state of out-of-hours care and the 111 hotline, which replaced NHS Direct and deals with urgent cases.

Last September the Daily Mail Investigations Unit revealed how out-of-hours services were in chaos in many parts of the country, with chronic staff shortages meaning 111 call centre staff with just three weeks training were left overwhelmed. At times, only one nurse was available to cover a population of more than 2.3million people in the Midlands, our investigation found.

I find the position of the NHS completely unacceptable. The public have the right to know what is going on. North Norfolk MP Norman Lamb, a former health minister

Ministers promised to investigate the Mails evidence.

But the latest claims  contained in an NHS report leaked to BBC Look East  suggest there are still serious problems at the 111 service.

The report was prepared after staff at the services in Norfolk and Wisbech raised concerns about safety. The 111 number and out-of-hours GP services in this area are run by the firm Integrated Care 24. It took over the contract last September.

Assessors from Norwich Clinical Commissioning Group inspected five IC24 bases in Norfolk and one in Cambridgeshire in November. Their report found that patients are suffering shocking delays when calling the out-of-hours service, with some facing waits of more than 12 hours.

The amount of time they are being left waiting poses a significant risk to patient safety, according to the report. A chronic shortage of GPs is having a direct impact on the quality and clinical safety of the service.

Patients calls are also being handled poorly and there are serious problems with the 111 computer system, it found.

'HORRIBLE': WE WERE FORCED TO WAIT EIGHT HOURS WITH MUM'S BODY A couple forced to wait eight hours with a body after calling 111 have spoken of their horrible experience. Janet Moore called 111 last October after her mother, Patricia Martin, died of lung disease at her home in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire, where the service is run by IC24. Mrs Martin, 86, had worked in the kitchens at Kensington Palace for Prince Charles and Princess Diana. Janet Moore called 111 last October after her mother, Patricia Martin (pictured), died of lung disease at her home in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire, where the service is run by IC24 Her daughter said she rang at 11.15am to ask if a doctor could come and certify the death. But it was 7.20pm before a GP reached her. When the doctor arrived he told Mrs Moore and her husband Allen, both 62, he had been available all day and would have come sooner had he been informed. The family also made calls to police, the coroners office and their local hospital, but were unable to find a doctor. Mrs Moore said: When it got to six hours we were getting really desperate. To sit here all day without a phone call, not knowing anything, ringing around saying what do we do, was horrible. IC24 apologised but claimed it had met its requirements under national standards by completing the visit within six hours. Advertisement

Staff also claimed they were under pressure from managers to distort records and keep silent about the scale of the problems. They said they had been asked to alter or not record accurately their contemporaneous notes after speaking to patients, and said they felt an element of fear about reporting their concerns.

The report concluded that the NHS was not clinically assured of the safety of the out-of-hours service and only partially assured of the 111 service. It demanded IC24 provide a detailed improvement action plan. Last night North Norfolk MP Norman Lamb, a former health minister, said the report should be published immediately. I find the position of the NHS completely unacceptable, he said. The public have the right to know what is going on.

Andrew Percy MP, a member of the Commons health select committee, said: These are very serious allegations. For any patient to face a 12-hour wait is completely unacceptable. This is an utterly inadequate response to incredibly serious concerns.

The amount of time patients are being left waiting poses a significant risk to patient safety, according to the report (file image)

IC24 initially told the Mail that the concerns of staff detailed in the report were completely unsubstantiated, saying they had been made by just two members of staff out of hundreds.

But later it issued another statement saying it was very sorry about the delays, and that the service was improving. It said it took all whistleblowing concerns extremely seriously and that it was treating these issues as a priority.

Last year IC24 paid its highest-earning director a salary of 170,000, including a 20,000 pay rise, while the total pay of its six directors rose by 44 per cent to a total of 750,000.
Comments made during American chat show, The Talk, which she hosts

But she claims their male co-stars are stuck with what they have got'

Mrs Osbourne, 63, said it was much easier for women to bare all in films

She has never kept her love of cosmetic surgery a secret.

And now Sharon Osbourne has claimed that such procedures make it easier for women to shoot nude scenes in films.

Mrs Osbourne, 63, claimed that it was much easier for women to bare all, as they are able to change their looks if they are unhappy with them, particularly their breasts.

She went on to add she felt this was not the case for men and instead they are stuck with what they have got, when it comes to their manhood.

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'Poor guys are stuck with what they have got': Mrs Osbourne pictured at The People's Choice Awards in Los Angeles this month

The comments were made during American chat show, The Talk, on which Mrs Osbourne is a host.

During the show, she admitted: I think it is much easier for women, because it is usually these [pointing at her breasts] that we dont like and we can get it surgically changed.

But poor guys are stuck with what they have got. It is like they have no help for them.

Talking about filming naked, the former X Factor judge suggested that computer-generated imagery (CGI) should be considered for male nude scenes.

When the idea of male enhancements was raised, Mrs Osbourne dismissed them, branding them ridiculous.

The mother of three has always been open about her love of cosmetic surgery and has previously revealed she spent 120,000 on procedures ranging from a gastric band to a full facelift and tummy tuck. She is also a fan of Botox and fillers.

She offered her opinion on the matter of nude scenes in light of comments made by actor Samuel L Jackson, who admitted that he would use a body double to film scenes that required him to disrobe.

Talking on American radio show Sirius XM, the Oscar nominee said: Women have body doubles all the time.

He explained that he was worried he might not measure up if he was to strip down, adding: I dont know if it is formidable enough.

'My aura is so big in film and I dont know if my d*** is big enough to fulfil my aura.
The owners of two care homes where elderly residents suffered appalling neglect have escaped prosecution.

Families say it is a disgrace that Soondressen and Maleenee Cooppen will not now be held responsible for betraying vulnerable people.

And they expressed disgust at photographs showing the couple hosting an opulent beach wedding for their privately-educated daughter Davina.

The Cooppens entertained scores of guests at the event at a paradise resort on their home island of Mauritius.

By contrast, the dementia patients at the filthy care homes they ran were starved and ignored by callous staff.

Beach party: Soondressen Cooppen, third from right, with his family at the lavish Mauritius wedding of his daughter Davina

The smell of urine was said to be overpowering and mould lined the walls.

Conditions were so bad that the homes were dramatically shut down  with the sudden evacuations being blamed for at least three deaths.

But a year on the multimillionaires appear not to have been held to account for conditions at the Merok Park care home in Banstead, Surrey, and Grantley Court in Sutton, south-west London.

A third home  Faygate House, also in Sutton  was later shut after a damning inspection.

The Metropolitan Police launched a criminal investigation into unexplained injuries suffered by four patients at Grantley Court.

But a spokesman said last night: The police investigation has now concluded and no criminal offences have been identified. No arrests were made.

The couple, who live in a huge 2.5million home in a gated community, are also thought to have made a profit from the closures after the care homes were sold off for a total of 4.5million.

Among those to suffer was 89-year-old Edna Slann whose health deteriorated rapidly during her stay at Grantley Court, leaving her with an unexplained head injury and a severe infection which her family believe contributed to her death in February.

Her daughter Linda Cackett, 55, said: I am angered and disgusted that the Cooppens seem to be carrying on with their lives as if nothing had happened yet there are many people who have had their lives changed forever because of their actions.

'It is a disgrace this has been allowed to happen without any consequences to them.

Mystery injuries: Edna Slann (pictured). Her daughter said she was 'angered and disgusted' that the Cooppens seemed to be carrying on with their lives 'as if nothing had happened'

The Care Quality Commission has also been criticised for allowing the elderly to live at the care homes.

Keith Collinss mother Jessie, 91, died when her health went downhill fast after her abrupt evacuation from Merok Park.

Mr Collins, 66, last night said: My mother was subjected to such inhumane practice and the care home was run on a shoe string. To see these pictures of the owners enjoying the high life and able to get away with treating these poor people like they did is beyond belief.

They have to be answerable for something. These people should not be able to get away with it.

The CQC was given new powers of prosecution but too late to prosecute the Cooppens, who have never apologised.

Surrey Police is looking into the circumstances of Merok Parks closure but a spokesman yesterday said a criminal investigation had not been launched.

It is understood that police searched the Cooppens home in Cheam, south-west London, as well as two care homes.

Merok Park was also investigated over suspected immigration offences, but the Home Office last night said no further action was taken.

Emergency: One care home was evacuated at short notice

The Cooppens could not be reached for comment yesterday.

Mr Cooppen was referred to the Nursing & Midwifery Council and an interim suspension order is in place.

Andrea Sutcliffe, the CQC chief inspector of adult social care, said: The appalling care the owners of Merok Park and Grantley Court allowed to happen shamefully failed the people who lived there and their families, and sadly served to undermine the publics confidence in care home services as a whole.

She said the CQC took the necessary steps to protect residents from harm in both cases.

She added: We must make sure that the good care we see in so many homes is the norm for everyone.

'In April 2015, CQC was granted new powers which mean in these situations we are now able to prosecute providers and personally hold them to account.
World-renowned: Professor Nadey Hakim has carried out more than 2,000 procedures in a 30-year career including the worlds first hand transplant

Patients have demanded that a world-class transplant surgeon who was unfairly dismissed is given his NHS job back.

Professor Nadey Hakim has carried out more than 2,000 procedures in a 30-year career including the worlds first hand transplant.

But bosses have refused to reinstate him at Hammersmith Hospital in London, even though an employment tribunal last month ruled he had been wrongly sacked. Some 15 months on from his dismissal, patients are calling for the 57-year-old to be allowed to return.

Rhonda Fahmy, 34, who donated a kidney to save her fathers life, said: Without a shadow of a doubt, he is a massive loss to the NHS.

Fatemeh Jabbari, 60, who gave a kidney to her sister, said: Im very, very upset to hear he was sacked and how he has been treated. The eminent surgeon was fired in 2014 for gross misconduct after he was accused of prioritising a private patient over an NHS case. Employment judge Sarah Goodman last month ruled in the medics favour, saying: If all clinicians were dismissed for an error of judgment then hospitals would be depleted of their staff. Imperial College NHS Trust, which runs the hospital, was told it may be ordered to rehire the professor.

Yet in a hearing last week to decide on the action it must now take, lawyers for the trust said there was no vacancy  despite hiring two new surgeons.

Prof Hakim, widely regarded as one of the best transplant surgeons in the world, said: It has been a nightmare. I knew Id done nothing wrong, but I was condemned, treated like a criminal. It has been like a knife in my heart.

Id never had a clinical or medical complaint against me. Ive trained almost every pancreatic transplant surgeon in London. So, its just been horrible.

In a glittering career, the clinician was part of the team that carried out the first ever hand transplant in 1998, three years after he had completed Londons first pancreas transplant. The surgeon has also transformed kidney removals, pioneering a new technique that reduced the duration of the operation from three hours to 45 minutes.

Born in Lebanon to Christian parents, he arrived in London in 1975 and has raised more than 3.5 million in research donations for the NHS. Prof Hakim suspects he was dismissed partly because colleagues dislike his support for the Conservative Party. The father of four is a major donor to the party and was a guest at the Tory Christmas party last month, along with David Cameron and Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt. The professors legal fight has cost 200,000, which he raised by remortgaging the family home in West Hampstead, North London. His vice-presidency of the prestigious Royal Society of Medicine was also suspended, and he has been barred from working in seven private hospitals.

HE'S A CREDIT TO THE NHS, SAYS ORGANS SWAP MOTHER New life: Emma Smith had her son Oliver after a double transplant A mother who underwent a double transplant under the care of Nadey Hakim said NHS bosses had deprived patients of an excellent surgeon. Emma Smith, 44, made history by becoming the first woman to conceive after a simultaneous kidney and pancreas transplant. Calling Prof Hakim a credit to the NHS, she said: His skill and expertise have had a dramatic effect on my life, not to mention the other patients he has performed surgery on. Miss Smith, who went on to have son Oliver after the operation in 2003, said: I am so shocked. He is not the sort of person you would expect to be in this predicament. To me, it sounds like he wasnt given the full information before the operation which led to his sacking and he should be reinstated. I cant see him as someone who would have prioritised his private work. Self-employed Miss Smith, of Henlow, Bedfordshire, has now had a second child, Evie, five. She added: Throughout his dealings with me he was very professional and the fact he is willing to work for the NHS fshows he is in his job for the welfare of patients and not to line his pockets. Advertisement

As pancreatic transplants may only be performed on the NHS, he has been unable to carry out the complex life-saving surgery whose methods he pioneered.

He said: Im very proud of the NHS; proud to have worked for them and to have trained with them, and I want to continue to offer them my time and expertise.

Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust said the surgeons actions caused unnecessary risk to a patients life and insisted he was fairly dismissed.

A spokesman denied that Prof Hakims dismissal was connected to his Tory links or related to professional jealousy. We will decide whether we have formal grounds to appeal once we have considered the written judgment, he said.
A body found buried in the backyard of a California home may be linked to the disappearance of a 27-year-old San Diego woman, police said.

Cesar Rosales, 40, was arrested on suspicion of murder on Friday after the body was found in his Fontana backyard. Two weeks ago, his acquaintance, Alejandra Carrion Gutierrez, was reported missing.

'The identity and gender of the body is still pending,' Fontana Police Department said in a news release after investigators found a deceased person buried on the property.

But in an earlier statement, which has since been disavowed, the police department identified the body as that of Gutierrez, who was reported missing on January 2, according to KTLA.

Cesar Rosales (left), 40, was arrested on suspicion of murder on Friday after a body was found in his Fontana backyard. Police first identified the body as Alejandra Carrion Gutierrez (right), 27, who was reported missing on January 2. But then police disavowed the statement and said the body had yet to be identified

The rescinded news release also said that Gutierrez and Rosales knew each. Pictured above is Rosales's torn-up backyard

The rescinded news release also said that Gutierrez and Rosales knew each other and that 'During the interview, Rosales admitted to the homicide and burying the body in his yard'.

It is unclear what Gutierrez's connection with Rosales is, according to ABC 7.

Gutierrez left her San Ysidro apartment at about 10pm on December 30 to meet a boyfriend at his house in Fontana, and hasn't been heard from since, her family said.

Gutierrez's unoccupied Mini Cooper was found on Saturday - a week after her family reported her missing - in Fontana.

'We don't know where she is at,' her ousin Elvia Toris, told NBC San Diego. 'She's never done something like this before. She's never left her kids and not given a phone call. That's why we are very, very worried.'

Rosales was ineligible for bail after he was booked into West Valley Detention Center, according to San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department records.

Anyone with information was asked to contact the Fontana Police Dispatch at (909) 350-7700.
Instead he is now destitute, living in a tent in Calais among other migrants

He says he was abandoned when our troops pulled out and forced to flee

Desperate: Fazel Dijilane, 23, in France

An interpreter injured by a bomb while working for the UK Army in Afghanistan is now sleeping rough in the Calais Jungle.

Fazel Dijilane, 23, spent eight months translating for soldiers on patrol, risking his life every day. But he says he was abandoned when our troops pulled out and was forced to flee after the Taliban accused him of being a spy.

He spent more than two years travelling across Europe to try to reach the UK, where he hoped to claim asylum.

But instead he is now destitute, living in a tent in Calais alongside hundreds of other migrants.

His injuries mean he is in constant pain, which is worsened by cold weather.

Mr Dijilane said: I am at the front door of the UK now. But it seems they dont care about the interpreters. He said he wanted to help British troops because they had left everything to fight for peace for us. But his cousin, a member of the Taliban, was killed and his family suspected Mr Dijilane of informing because of his work.

He said he was waiting for the UK Governments Labour Support Unit (LSU) in Afghanistan to consider his application to be relocated to the UK when he was threatened by the Taliban and had to flee.

He said: I lost everything: my mother, my sisters, my health, my country. I know many interpreters the Taliban have already killed. So I had to leave. Now, I am just asking for help.

Mr Dijilane, from Logar Province, started working for the Army in January 2012 as an interpreter for the 3rd battalion Yorkshire Regiment and the Royal Marines.

His father died of cancer 18 years ago, so he was the main breadwinner for his mother and six sisters. During one patrol, a remote-controlled IED went off and he was thrown backwards. He was taken to hospital and diagnosed with suspected nerve damage down one side of his body.

He said he was told he did not have to keep working after he was injured, but he chose to carry on to help fight for peace, and also to support his family.

In 2013, he was told his base was closing as British troops prepared to withdraw from Afghanistan.

He said they told him to go to Kabul to apply to the LSU, which offers support and sometimes relocation to the UK for staff who are being intimidated.

But he was threatened before he got an answer. Mr Dijilane said: They told me that after five days they would interview me but after five days I was still waiting and they said the programme has not started yet. Then they said maybe 2014, maybe 2015, but I could not wait that long, it was my life at risk.

I told them I could not go home, because everybody knew I worked for the British. When I was at home, I was frightened, I could not sleep. It is 90 per cent Taliban, my uncles, my cousins  all Taliban.

I received a lot of calls. They told me to go somewhere and lie low  or in a few days your life is finished. That is why I decided I should leave.

He fled in the middle of the night in April 2013 and travelled through ten countries, arriving in Calais five months ago. He has tried several times to jump on a UK-bound lorry, but finds it too difficult because of his injuries.

Mr Dijilane said he wants to come to the UK to finish his business studies. His appraisal papers from the Army say he was one of the most effective and experienced translators at the base and that they fully trust him.

An Afghan interpreter who risked his life to protect British soldiers is to be kicked out of the UK and sent back to the Taliban.

The 31-year-old, who fled Afghanistan after receiving death threats from the terror group, faces deportation after a judge ruled it was safe for him to go back and rejected his asylum claim.

This was despite serving and former Army officers giving evidence to a tribunal saying he saved many British lives and that he could be killed if he goes back.

The father of three, known as Ahmed, whose real name cannot be disclosed for his safety, said last night: It is like someone has executed me. The Taliban call me a traitor and a spy. If I go back, I know that they will find me  and kill me.

His case contrasts with that of a Sudanese migrant who walked 31 miles through the Channel Tunnel to Britain and was granted asylum this month. Abdul Rahman Haroun can now claim benefits and live in state-funded accommodation.

Sudanese migrant Abdul Rahman Haroun, walked 31 miles through the Channel Tunnel to Britain and was granted asylum

Senior military figures branded the ruling against Ahmed as ridiculous and Tory MP Julian Lewis, chairman of the Commons defence committee, said it was utterly indefensible.

The Daily Mails Betrayal of the Brave campaign, backed by military chiefs and MPs, has called for translators to be given sanctuary. The Government only grants asylum to those with at least a years service after December 2011  unless they can show they were threatened, in which case they can apply while still in Afghanistan under a separate intimidation scheme.

Ahmed, who is sleeping on a sofa in the North, joined the Army in 2007 and served in Helmand Province for over two years. He monitored Taliban radio and warned of imminent attacks and the location of roadside bombs. He also translated when they met locals. The Taliban branded him a slave and a spy for the British and he received death threats over the telephone.

In 2013 he paid people-smugglers in Kabul 3,215 to help him escape. He travelled via Turkey, Greece and Italy to Calais, and reached the UK in October that year in the back of a lorry. Two days later he put in an asylum claim, but it was rejected in October 2014. His lawyers appealed, but it was rejected again because the judge said it was safe to return. Ahmeds brother, also an ex-interpreter, was granted sanctuary on the grounds that the Taliban might kill him if he returned.

Ahmed said: [The Home Office] could come for me today, tomorrow, every day I am scared. I helped protect English people but now no one is helping me.

Colonel Simon Diggins, ex-military attache to the British Embassy in Kabul, said last night: Im appealing for a generosity of spirit. This man risked his life to help us. In evidence to the tribunal, he said the idea Ahmed would be safe in Kabul was as ridiculous as it is disingenuous.

Lieutenant Colonel Guy Stone, of the Welsh Guards, said Ahmed was loyal and brave, adding: He kept us alive. Major David Landon, of the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards, said he twice saw Afghan soldiers threatening Ahmed with rifles and that he would face a clear danger if he goes home.

Lord West, former head of the Navy, added: It seems absolutely extraordinary when you think of the people we are allowing to stay in this country and contrast that with someone who put his life on the line to assist our soldiers.

Tribunal judge Steven Alis said he had sympathy for Ahmed but added: If he has a fear of returning to ... his own village, I am satisfied it would not be unreasonable for him to relocate to a city such as Kabul where the Taliban has considerably less influence.

Ahmeds lawyer submitted new evidence, but he received a letter in November saying he was expected to make arrangements to leave without delay. His lawyer is now seeking a judicial review.

The Home Office said: All [asylum] claims are carefully considered ... but we expect those who are found not to need our protection to leave the UK. Our decision in this case has been upheld by an independent immigration judge.
If found guilty, the firm, founded by her father, could face serious sanction

Directly approaching victims is against the terms of the solicitors' code

Bethany Shiner, pictured, claims that her legal firm is being victimised over the level of claims against British troops who served in Iraq

A solicitor behind more than 1,000 claims against British troops yesterday said law firms were the victims  not the soldiers.

Bethany Shiner of Public Interest Lawyers  which is accused of hounding military personnel involved in Iraq for millions in compensation  sparked outrage after she claimed lawyers were being made into scapegoats. Her comments followed calls from campaigners for David Cameron to end the witchhunt against our armed forces, which could cost the taxpayer tens of millions of pounds and drag on for years.

Run by Miss Shiners father Phil, PIL is accused of touting for business after the conflict and is being investigated over claims its agent in Iraq approached alleged victims directly  a direct breach of the solicitors code of conduct.

If found guilty, the firm could have its legal aid withdrawn and any solicitors involved would be struck off.

Yesterday Miss Shiner said the firm absolutely deny using such practices  and claimed criticism of the firm was an attempt to deflect the British publics attention away from wrongdoing by the armed forces.

She told BBC Daily Politics: We are very concerned about how the focus has suddenly shifted on to the lawyers.

This is a mechanism to try and deflect the British publics attention away ... from very serious questions that need to be asked, and need to be answered by the Government. To instead scapegoat these issues  scapegoat the attention on to these lawyers.

Asked about PILs receipt of millions of pounds in taxpayer-funded legal aid, Miss Shiner, who qualified as a solicitor last year, said such aid was very, very important to Britains strong democracy.

She added that the firms lucrative work was about addressing grievances, securing accountability, securing the truth. But yesterday a former head of the Navy condemned the firms pursuit of British soldiers.

Admiral Lord West of Spithead said former soldiers  including those with post-traumatic stress disorder  were being accused via post and on the doorstep.

Public Interest Laywers was founded by Ms Shiner's father Phil Shiner, pictured, who have received millions in pounds of taxpayers' funds in the form of legal aid for taking cases against the Ministry of Defence

And he pointed to evidence that Abu Jamal, an agent used by PIL in Basra, knocked on the door of a distressed widow to try and take up her case.

There seems to be the creation of an industry which is trying to discover and bring complaints about British soldiers before British courts, he told the programme. It is wrong if law firms genuinely are sending out people trying to get trade.

He added: There is a tendency for people to look upon actions that happened in war ... as if youre on a summers day in Hyde Park and its not  this is very different circumstances.

PIL has told the Ministry of Defence it will submit 1,154 suits alleging negligence by British personnel in Iraq. A single incident can lead to a serviceman enduring five separate investigations over more than a decade.
Swaney's half-naked corpse was found floating on the river on Friday

on Thursday after doing yoga by the Mopan River

An ABC producer was killed while vacationing in Belize this week.

Executive producer of online operations, Anne Swaney, 39, arrived last Saturday to Nabatunich Resort, Benque Viejo, according to ABC.

Swaney was allegedly sexually assaulted before being killed after doing yoga on Thursday morning near the Mopan River nearby the resort.

A tour guide found Sawney's yoga mat another items near the river but he didn't see her and alerted the authorities.

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Tragic loss: ABC's Executive producer of online operations, Anne Swaney, 39, was kiled in Belize this week where she was vacationing

Dogs tracked her scent on Thursday night but she was not found until the next morning.

Benque Viejo Police Superintendent Daniel Arzu said that Swaney's injured corpse was found floating on the river. She was wearing just a bra.

She also had lacerations on the side of her head along with bruises on her neck.

'We suspect that she may have been sexually violated,' Arzu said.

'She had bruises around her neck that reveals that there might have been some strangulation or some sort of fight back.'

Discovered: Benque Viejo Police Superintendent Daniel Arzu said that Swaney's injured corpse was found floating on the river. She was wearing just a bra and appeared as though she may have been sexually assaulted

An investigation is ongoing and a suspect has not yet been identified.

An autopsy in underway, according to Chicagoist.

'She was a trailblazer in the digital news space and was one of our first website employees,' said John H. Idler, president of ABC7.

'Anne helped us evolve our business and our newsroom, but most importantly, she was a kind person who was always had a smile and a positive attitude.'

A State Department official said in a statement: 'We offer our sincerest condolences to her family and loved ones on their loss. Our consular staff is providing all possible consular assistance.'
Lead can cause behavior problems and learning disabilities in children as well as kidney ailments in adults

Local officials declared a public health emergency in October in response to elevated levels of lead in children

Flint pulled water from its river for 18 months until last fall but didn't use treatments that could have reduced corrosion and removed contaminants

Michigan health officials said they can't conclude that the increase was related to Flint's water

There were 87 confirmed Legionnaires' cases, including 10 deaths, from June 2014 to November 2015, compared to only 21 cases in 2012 and 2013

Drinking supplies were found to contain lead that had leached from old plumbing after the city switched sources to save money

The stomach-churning pictures of discolored drinking water that has come out of the taps of the residents of Flint, Michigan has been flooding social media.

Sickeningly, state officials insisted for months that the water was safe, despite growing evidence that they had reliable information showing how toxic the water truly was

Everyone from homeowners to hospitals was affected by the contamination which saw water turn a dirty shade of brown.

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Flint, Michigan, is facing a man made public health crisis. Its inhabitants were repeatedly told by government officials that visibly contaminated tap water was safe to drink

In April 2014, Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder decided to switch Flint's water source from the Detroit water system to the Flint River in a cost-cutting measure. Not long after the switch, complaints began streaming in regarding the quality of the water

Snyder pledged Monday that officials would make contact with every household in Flint to check whether residents have bottled water and a filter and want to be tested for lead exposure while his embattled administration works on a long-term solution to the city's water crisis

Protesters have been protesting at the capital demanding Governor Rick Snyders resignation for his role in the crisis and for his failure to act appropriately, many holding bottled tap water to showcase how obviously and thoroughly the water is polluted.

Most of the effects of lead poisoning are irreversible and can be serious, even deadly, and the exact extent and severity of the lead poisoning in Flint is still unknown.

Michigan Governor Rick Snyder has asked President Barack Obama to declare both an emergency and an expedited major disaster in the county.

Snyder said on late Thursday that he requested federal aid in Genesee County to protect the safety of Flint residents. Earlier this week, he sent the Michigan National Guard to distribute bottled water and other supplies.

Despite civic concerns, officials assured residents there was nothing to worry about, but to assuage the people's anxieties, the city said, they would provide free water filters

Flint resident Andrew Watson, back right, drops to the floor in tears as Flint Police stand guard at the city council chamber doors, not allowing city residents to listen to Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder speak

Bottles filled owned by Flint residents Jessica Owens and Tonya Williams, filled with water, sit on the table outside of city council chambers as Gov. Snyder speaks during a news conference in Flint

Unsafe: Even tap water in Flint's hospital is a dirty shade of brown in what is supposed to be a sterile area

The financially strapped city was under control of a state-appointed emergency manager when it switched its source of tap water from Detroit's system to the nearby Flint River in April 2014 to save money.

Flint, which is about 60 miles northwest of Detroit, returned to using that city's water in October after tests found elevated levels of lead in the water and in the blood of some children.

The more corrosive water from the Flint River leached lead from the city pipes more than Detroit water did, leading to the problems.

'I am asking President Obama to provide additional resources,' Snyder said Thursday.

On Friday, Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette said he would investigate whether any laws were violated in the crisis. 'No one should have to fear something as basic as turning on the kitchen faucet.'

The assistance Snyder has requested could include grants for temporary housing, home repairs and other needs. The Federal Emergency Management Agency will review the request and advise Obama.

Four percent of Flint's children have elevated levels of lead in their bloodstream  double the share affected a few years ago, according to tests from Flint's Hurley Medical Center confirmed by the state

The crisis from lead-poisoned water came after state authorities ignored months of health warnings about foul-smelling water in Flint

Flint residents already are being urged to use drinking water filters, which are being distributed for free along with bottled water

Flint residents Keri Webber, left, and Janice Barryman, center shouts out in support as more than 150 gather to protest against Gov. Rick Snyder, asking for his resignation and arrest in relation to Flint's water crisis

The White House said on Friday it would consider Snyder's request. A FEMA spokesman said the agency will give its recommendation to the president as soon as possible. Several Michigan members of Congress on Friday urged Obama to provide the aid.

Also on Friday, a bipartisan group of leaders on the House energy and commerce committee sent a letter to the Environmental Protection Agency requesting a briefing 'in the coming days' on the Flint crisis.

Some Flint residents sued Snyder, other officials, Michigan and the city on January 7 in Genesee County court, seeking class action status covering all residents.

Other Flint residents late last year filed a federal lawsuit. Genesee County also has seen a spike of Legionnaires' disease resulting in 10 deaths that may be related to the water crisis, state officials previously said.
Lucie McNulty's body was found last Friday, in the bedroom of her Wells, Maine, home

A reclusive woman who was found dead in her mobile home in Maine last week may have been dead as long as two-and-a-half years, police have revealed.

Now, those who knew McNulty have recalled their experiences with her.

Lucie McNulty's body was found last Friday, in the bedroom of her Wells, Maine, home by police officers who were conducting a welfare check on the woman, who would have been 69 years old.

Concerned neighbors had been calling police to check in on the woman since 2013, but authorities never found a reason to enter the home.

The latest attempt to make contact with McNulty came amid efforts to foreclose on her home, and authorities say she owed thousands of dollars in unpaid property taxes.

McNulty reportedly died of ischemic cardiovascular disease.

Her old Williamsville Central School District supervisor Frank Del Russo told the Portland Press Herald: 'She was a gifted flutist.

'She was the first flutist in the Erie County wind ensemble for many years.'

Del Russo revealed that McNulty went to SUNY-Fredonia and had been a music student there.

He told the newspaper: 'She was very "woe is me."

'She was a heavy woman. I dont think she dated. Her parents had died and she had no siblings. I think she just was very lonely.'

Shock: The body of Lucie McNulty was found dead inside her home in Wells, Maine (pictured above) last week when police were called to the mobile home to conduct a welfare check

The Williamsville Central School District's Rita Wolff told the Portland Press Herald that from 1970-2001 McNulty worked for the school district.

McNulty's former co-worker, Marilyn Smith, told the Buffalo News: 'She was private. Her business was her business.'

She also said: 'I would say she didn't welcome everyone's friendship.'

One of McNulty's old students Jill Terreri Ramos recalled to the Buffalo News: 'She had high standards.

'She wanted her students to succeed and took a firm hand in demanding excellence. She felt we could all succeed. She wouldn't write anyone off.'

Another former student, Phillip Rothman, said to WIVB: 'From the perspective of an 11-year-old, I seem to recall her being a good teacher.

'Strict but enthusiastic, and at least to my sixth grade ears, she got good results.'

He told the television station: 'I remembered her instantly. Although to be quite honest, I hadn't really thought about her in like, I guess it was 28 years, it's been that long.

'When I read the article, my heart sank. It was just such a sad story.'

Cause of death: It's believed that McNulty had been dead for two-and-a-half years, and that she died of a heart condition

McNulty's death sent shockwaves through her community.

While she had never socialized with her neighbors much, they knew her well enough to report their concerns about her whereabouts years ago.

The Portland Press Herald reported that McNulty moved into the area in 2000, after spending most of her life teaching music in Buffalo, New York.

According to the newspaper, she had no children and never married.

The Portland Press Herald reported when she first moved to the area, McNulty once invited a neighbor over for drinks at 10:30am.

Neighbor Lois Martin recalled in an interview with the newspaper: 'She had called and asked sort of out of the blue, "You seem nice. Do you like me?"'

'I said, "I guess, but I dont really know you." And then she said, "No one else likes me."'

The Portland Press Herald reported she soon fell out with the other neighbors when she refused to contribute to a collective fund that paid for a plowing on their roads in the winter.

After that, she kept mostly to herself and only appeared outside to drive her car down to the mailbox.

Martin told the newspaper: 'FedEx and UPS boxes were coming every day.

'I think that must have been how she got her food and whatever else she needed.'

The Portland Press Herald reported that it appears the last time McNulty was seen was in July 2013, the same month she was taken to the hospital in an ambulance.

It's unclear what the medical emergency was, but there were concerns about her whereabouts after the stay and police were called to conduct a welfare check days later.

The newspaper reported that no one came to the door.

Close to home: Lois Martin, neighbor of Lucy McNulty, speaks about her neighbor who police found dead inside her home at 43 Atkins Lane

According to the Portland Press Herald, police were again called to her home in 2014, when one of McNulty's old New York co-workers expressed concerns about a Christmas card he'd mailed that was sent back to him.

Again, police did not force their way into her home.

Lt. Gerald Congdon told the Portland Press Herald: 'There was absolutely nothing to indicate anything was wrong. The power was still on.'

The newspaper reported police found out McNulty's hadn't paid her property taxes in two years.

Congdon said: 'We decided that we had to get to the bottom of this one way or another.'

According to the Portland Press Herald, that's when they finally broke into the home and found McNulty's decayed corpse in her bedroom.

Martin told the newspaper, referring to police: 'I know their hands were tied.
Britain's state pension age is set to be raised again under a Government review to be launched next month.

Ministers are to unveil a radical review of the pensions regime this month, which could put greater weight on the number of years somebody has been paying in for.

Government sources insist no decision has been taken to further increase the existing state pension age, which is already due to rise to 68 by 2044.

Britain's state pension age is set to be raised again under a Government review to be launched next month

But figures produced by the independent Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) suggest this process will have to be accelerated to keep pace with rising life expectancy.

The OBR forecasts that the pension age will have to rise to 69 by the late 2040s before increasing again to 70 by the early 2060s.

This would mean people in their twenties and thirties today potentially having to work an extra year or two more than they are already expecting before being able to retire. Men of this age may end up having to work up to five years longer than their fathers, while women could be forced to work as much as ten years longer than their mothers.

However, the pill could be sweetened for some workers as the review will, for the first time, consider whether certain groups should be allowed to claim their pensions early.

Ministers have asked officials to examine whether the right to claim a pension could be triggered after working for a set number of years.

This could allow those who leave school at 16 to start work to claim their pension much earlier than those who study for a degree and do not enter the world of work until years later.

The year-long review, which began this month, will also look at variations in life expectancy between different groups and even different regions of the country.

Ministers are to unveil a radical review of the pensions regime this month, which could put greater weight on the number of years somebody has been paying in for

It will analyse whether the state pension age could be replaced by an age range, allowing some people to retire relatively early on a lower pension, while others stay working for longer in return for a more generous pension a few years later.

Ministers, who will have the final say over whether the pension age should rise, have previously indicated that people should, on average, expect to be able to enjoy a third of their adult life in retirement.

This raises the possibility that manual workers in some areas might be allowed to claim their pension earlier than those who have spent their working lives in offices in other places.

But ministers have ruled out setting a higher pension age for women, even though they have longer life expectancy. A Government source said the move would be politically unacceptable, and probably illegal under equality laws.

Chancellor George Osborne argued last month that increasing the state pension age in line with life expectancy is essential if Britains welfare system is to remain affordable in the long term.

The state pension age for women is already rising from 60 to 65 in line with men. It will then rise to 66 for both men and women in 2020  a move forecast to save the Treasury more than 5billion a year.

But increases to the state pension age are highly controversial, with critics warning that variations in life expectancy mean that some people will die before claiming pensions that others will enjoy for years.

Pensions minister Ros Altmann declined to comment on the review in detail, but said: I dont think just looking at pushing up the pension age is enough  it is too simplistic.
She's the former American beauty queen with a genius-level IQ, who abducted a young Mormon missionary and kept him as a sex slave for three days in a case that scandalized Britain in the late 1970's.

Now Joyce McKinney, perhaps better known by her moniker 'Madam Mayhem', will face a Los Angeles court next month, suing the Oscar-winning documentary filmmaker Errol Morris for his portrayal of her in his 2011 expose of the sexual assault, Tabloid.

McKinney was just 25 at the time of her bizarre exploits.

Now 66, the onetime Miss Wyoming claims Morris and the producers of Tabloid tricked her into giving an interview for the film, believing it would clear her name, but which only made her look even crazier.

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Due in court: Joyce McKinney - pictured in London in 1977 - is suing a documentary filmmaker for how he portrayed her in a 2011 film, almost 40 years after her bizarre exploits scandalized Britain

Joyce McKinney's arrest picture from Salt Lake County Sheriff's office. Joyce was arrested for kidnapping and holding hostage Kirk Anderson, who she claimed was her lover

No more beauty queen: Joyce McKinney is pictured here leaving a veterinarian hospital in 1999 in North Carolina

At the time of these pictures, McKinney was outed as the woman who had cloned five dogs, in yet another bizarre turn of events

'They offered me 45,000 (about $65,000) to settle, and I told them they could kiss my butt,' McKinney told The Hollywood Reporter.

'They made millions off me. I'm going to take it all the way to the end. I want my day in court.'

McKinney is suing for breach of contract, fraud, and the infliction of emotional distress.

Partially blind, she claims that the filmmakers broke into her home and stole photos and footage.

She also claims they forced her to sign release papers, threatening to kill her guide dog if she refused.

Her case is based around the argument that Tabloid portrayed her as a prostitute.

The defendants told THR that McKinney cannot demonstrate she was damaged.

'The evidence will show that Plaintiff willingly  in fact, eagerly  participated in the lengthy interview that is featured in the film,' states the defendants' trial memo.

Defendant: Errol Morris (left), the Oscar-winning documentarian behind 1988's Thin Blue Line, is behind sued by Joyce McKinney over his portrayal of her in his 2011 film, Tabloid (right)

McKinney will appear in court in LA when the case is next heard on February 29.

Tabloid brought McKinney's sordid story to a new generation after dominating headlines in 1977 and for years thereafter.

Ravished: Kirk Anderson, McKinney's kidnap victim

McKinney was 25 when she met her victim, Kirk Anderson, a hulking 19-year-old Mormon, in drama class at Brigham Young University in Utah.

McKinney, the overindulged only child of two school teachers from North Carolina, was a former Miss Wyoming beauty queen.

They had a brief affair (she says she became pregnant but miscarried), and a guilt-stricken Anderson went for advice to his bishop, who arranged for him to come to England on missionary work.

Undaunted, a besotted McKinney set a private detective on his trail and, discovering he was working at a church in the Surrey village of Ewell, set off in pursuit.

Accompanied by a bodybuilder bodyguard shed hired from a Los Angeles gym, a pilot and a devoted friend named Keith May, they flew on a commercial flight to Britain in the autumn of 1977.

The pilot, Jackson Shaw, recalls in the new film being impressed by McKinneys outstanding figure, particularly when she wore a see-through blouse and no bra at their first meeting. She had this strange wig she called Matilda which she wore whenever we went out, he adds.

But Shaw and the bodybuilder bailed out of the adventure when they saw the fake gun and chloroform which Joyce had brought with her, realising this was not the rescue mission she had described.

Renting a 17th-century cottage near Okehampton, she and May drove to Ewell, where May engaged their quarry in conversation by posing as a potential convert.

Wheels of justice: Joyce pictured with her mother Marilyn and father Davis after walking free from court

Waving a fake .38 revolver at the missionary in front of his church, May led him to McKinney  who giggles on screen during the documentary as she recalls the moment  in the car.

With Anderson  6ft 4in tall and 17st  lying in the back quaking under a blanket, they drove to the cottage.

McKinney cooked dinner and May then manacled their prisoner to a bed  spreadeagled  with a 10ft chain. McKinney says she had made up the bed with blue silk sheets with Andersons initials on them. She then attempted to relax him with a cinnamon oil back rub.

McKinney recalls in the film how she ripped off and burned what she describes as his special magic Mormon underwear with its protective occultic symbols.

She says: There was only one way to make Kirk get out of Mormonism, and that was to make love to him . . . because for a Mormon missionary to have a love affair is totally taboo.

She insists that she never raped him. Its impossible for a woman to do so, she argues, observing crudely: Its like trying to put a marshmallow into a parking meter.

On 19 September 1977, McKinney was arrested and charged, but vigorously denied the charges, claiming her relationship with Anderson had always been consensual. Some believe he was forced to lie by his church

Eventually, after promising to marry her and having his chains loosened, Anderson managed to escape and went to the police. He told them that during his ordeal McKinney said she would ravage him until she was sure she was pregnant.

His two captors were arrested three days later by officers who pulled over their car in Devon. Recalling her arrest this week, McKinney told me the police had been corrupt cops in the pay of the Mormons.

Glamour: The former American beauty queen pictured at a premiere in Leicester Square while she was awaiting trail for kidnapping

While the film relies on McKinneys dubious account of events  Keith May died in 2004 and Kirk Anderson, now a travel agent in Utah, refused to speak  its producers say they wanted to take her version of events at face value.

The story became a jaw-dropping saga of sexual obsession.

McKinneys first court appearance was a melee, the media gratefully leaping on her comment to the judge that she loved Anderson so much she would have skied down Mount Everest nude with a carnation up my nose for the love of that man.

She was sent to Holloway prison to await trial for false imprisonment, but amid concerns over her deteriorating mental health, she was released on bail after three months.

The Press whisked her off to parties where she met members of the Rolling Stones and the Bee Gees, and even  in a Rolls-Royce  to the premiere of the film The Stud, where she managed to upstage its star Joan Collins.

But then she disappeared. She and Keith May jumped bail, allegedly dressed as nuns, escaping to Canada on false passports while pretending to be deaf-mute mime artists.

While no one heard much from McKinney for years, it was a story that kept giving.

In 1984, she was arrested for stalking him outside the office where he worked in Utah. Police reportedly found chains and handcuffs in the boot of her car, suggesting she was hoping to repeat her sexually motivated kidnapping.

Improbably, she made headlines again in 2008 when a woman claiming to be a Hollywood scriptwriter and calling herself Bernann McKinney turned up in South Carolina.

For veteran journalists, there was something oddly familiar about the chubby dog lover who had paid a scientist $25,000 to have five puppies cloned from her pit bull, Booger. Initially she denied it, but eventually she had to admit that, yes, she was Joyce McKinney.
Killed: The funeral for Columbia medical student Daniella Moffson, 21, was held in New York on Friday

Hundreds of mourners gathered for an outdoor service in New York City to say goodbye to a Columbia University student killed in a crash in Honduras.

Daniella Moffson, 21, and her friends, Olivia Varley Erhardt, 20, and Abigail Flanagan, 45, were killed Wednesday when their bus veered off a steep cliff in Honduras while en route to the airport to fly home.

The three traveled to Honduras as part of Columbia University's Medical Brigade Program.

The New York Daily News reports that Moffson's father gave a eulogy Friday at the service.

He said she was giving and beautiful and went on the trip as a reward for her school efforts.

Family friend Adena Berkowitz tells the newspaper Moffson was a special young woman.

A dozen more Americans were injured in the crash, which investigators say was caused by a mechanical failure.

The bus fell at least 260 feet into a ravine when it crashed, officials said.

'This terrible and tragic loss is all the greater because these individuals were dedicating their passion and very special talents to serving those in need,' Columbia University President Lee C. Bollinger wrote in an email to students Wednesday night.

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Scene: This photo shows the bus on its side between the town of San Juancito and the capital city of Tegucigalpa, Honduras, following the crash on Wednesday January 13, 2016

'No endeavor more proudly exemplifies the traditions and values of our university.'

Columbia College sophomore Erhardt, Barnard College junior Moffson and Flanagan, a nurse practitioner at Columbia University Medical Center, were volunteering for the Columbia chapter of U.S.-based Global Brigades, which organizes international health and development missions. Barnard is a women-only college affiliated with Columbia University.

The volunteers brought medical supplies and took patients' vitals as they shadowed doctors and helped in a pharmacy in underserved communities.

One of Flanagan's two sons, a 19-year-old, was also volunteering with the group and was with his mother when the bus crashed but is OK, said Lisa Schachter, her longtime friend and fellow nurse practitioner.

An unidentified woman is loaded into an ambulance after the bus flipped on its side along the highway between the town of San Juancito and the capital city of Tegucigalpa in Honduras this week

'From a professional perspective, Abby was an expert clinician, and she was a role model to students,' she said Thursday.

'From a personal perspective, Abby really symbolized that true spirit of being a great friend. She was always the person to go to.'

Teachers at The Ramaz School, a modern Orthodox Jewish day school on Manhattan's Upper East Side, remembered Moffson as a special student who believed in volunteerism, spending her time in high school at various hospitals' pediatric units and then serving in a home that serves abused and abandoned children during a year abroad in Israel.

'I have to tell you, of all the students I've ever taught, this kid was as wonderful a human being as you could possibly have,' said Michael Lupinacci, who taught her algebra.

'She really put other people before herself all the time and that's the way she lived her life.'

Three people died after their bus crashed while taking them to the airport to fly home after a volunteer mission

Twelve more Americans were injured but are in a stable condition, according to the hospital's administration

Erhardt, of Cincinnati, Ohio, was a high-performing student who was as talented on the stage as she was on the volleyball court but never came off as boastful or brash, said Jim Renner, her principal at Mariemont High School.

'She was just a star among stars down here,' he said. 'But she never tried to throw her weight around. She was quiet and unassuming.'

Dr. Marc Rothenberg, director of the Division of Allergy and Immunology at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, wrote in an email to colleagues that Erhardt was a standout student in his lab last summer.
The last words of a 17-year-old black carjacking suspect fatally shot by a white Chicago police officer in 2013 were, 'I give up. I'm shot,' according to documents released Friday, a day after the city released video of the shooting.

A bullet struck Cedrick Chatman in the side, pierced his heart and lodged in his spine. He died as he was being taken to a hospital. Officer Lou Toth, who was pursuing Chatman when another officer shot the teenager, described Chatman's last words to investigators at the scene.

The information was included in hundreds of pages of documents that the city released Friday.

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A Chicago police officer, lower right corner of the frame, is seen aiming his gun at Cedrick Chatman, who is not pictured, during a foot chase on January 7, 2013, in Chicago

Victim: A bullet struck Cedrick Chatman in the side, pierced his heart and lodged in his spine. He died as he was being taken to a hospital

The officer who shot Chatman, Kevin Fry, consistently told investigators he saw Chatman turn with a dark object, causing him to believe his partner was in danger. Investigators said later the object was an iPhone box.

Video released Thursday that captured at least parts of the Jan. 7, 2013, incident in a South Shore neighborhood shows Chatman bolt out of a car and across a street with Toth on his heels. Chatman scoots through parked cars and toward an intersection. Less than 10 seconds pass from the time Chatman jumped out of the car to the fatal shots.

Fry can be seen trailing behind Toth, aiming his gun at Chatman from a crosswalk and firing as the teen began rounding the corner in front of a bodega.

The footage doesn't clearly answer the questions at the center of the case: Did Chatman, as Fry has said, turn toward the pursuing officers threateningly, and was he holding something that could have been mistaken for a gun?

Chatman scoots through parked cars and toward an intersection. Less than 10 seconds pass from the time Chatman jumped out of the car to the fatal shots

The events leading up to the fatal shooting apparently began with the beating of a man who had a 'side business' selling iPhones that he later claimed were lost or stolen so he could get a replacement, the police documents released Friday show.

The man called police to report he had been beaten, robbed and carjacked. He also told a 911 operator his attackers beat him 'with their fists.'

'I didn't see any weapon, like a knife or anything like that. There were so many of them. They all came out of the same house,' the man can be heard saying on audio released Friday.

He reports that his silver-gray Dodge Charger was stolen. Dispatchers radioed the information, not mentioning weapons, and an officer says his unit is behind the vehicle.

Seconds later, the dispatcher is told and repeats, 'Shots fired by police.'

Cedrick Chatman's last words were reportedly: 'I give up. I'm shot'

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel was using an annual breakfast honoring Martin Luther King Jr. to address efforts to restore people's trust amid the city's ongoing police shooting scandal.

The Chicago Tribune reports that Emanuel told attendees Friday that the city won't reach its potential without restoring trust between police and communities. He says the city has to 'root out the cancer' of police abuse as it deals with deadly violence on Chicago streets, noting the impact on black men in particular.

Emanuel and his administration have faced sharp criticism since the city released a police video in November showing a white police officer shooting a black teenager, Laquan McDonald, 16 times in 2014. The officer faces murder charges in the case.

Protesters tried to block the entrance of the breakfast and some disrupted the event. Several prominent city pastors also boycotted the annual event.
Benjamin Golden, 32, the former Taco Bell executive filmed beating an Uber driver last year is now attempting to sue the man he attacked for $5million

A former Taco Bell executive who was fired after video of him hitting an Uber driver went viral is now suing the man he attacked for $5million.

Benjamin Golden, 32, a former mid-level brand manager for the restaurant chain, claims his altercation with driver Edward Caban, 23, last year was illegally recorded.

Golden, who had previously apologized for his behavior, now insists that he caused no harm to Caban and that the driver owes him damages for hitting him in the eyes with pepper spray.

According to papers obtained by CNBC, Golden is also attempting to have the video footage barred as evidence in the criminal case against him on charges of assault and battery.

The legal battle between the pair began after Golden got into Caban's cab on Friday October 30, shortly after 8pm, having called him to a Mexican restaurant in Cosa Mesa, California.

Caban described Golden as 'incredibly intoxicated' and said that he refused to provide the full address of the house he was going to.

He claims that Golden 'insisted on telling me where to turn,' adding that he was fading in and out of consciousness while being 'belligerent', 'aggressive', and 'refusing to put his seat belt on'.

Golden was also swearing at Caban, he claims, telling him to 'f****** turn this piece of s*** around.'

Feeling increasingly uncomfortable, Caban said he turned his cab around, pulled into the well-lit parking lot of a supermarket, and asked Golden to get out.

Edward Caban, 23, recorded the attack in October last year which he said occurred after he asked Golden to get out of his car because he was too drunk to provide directions home

Footage shows Caban pulling over and asking Golden to leave, before the man in the backseat slaps him and pulls at his hair, after which Caban hits him with pepper spray

Before doing so, Caban said he grabbed a container of pepper spray and put it under his right thigh before flipping a camera on his dashboard to face into the car rather than out at the road.

Caban claims that Golden then became aggressive, slapping him, grabbing his hair and slamming his head against a window.

In the video, Caban can be seen using pepper spray on Golden, before shouting: 'Yeah, that's what happens. You got maced, motherf*****. Uber drivers don't get paid enough to deal with this s***.'

Following the attack, footage of the incident was put up on YouTube, where it has now been viewed more than 2million times.

Shortly after the attack last year, Golden admitted he was too drunk to recall the incident and said he 'sincerely apologized' for his behavior and 'accepts full responsibility' for any consequences

Now, however, it seems that Golden has changed his mind and claims that he caused no harm to Caban, and that if any harm was caused, it was Caban's own fault

Golden was charged with assault and battery, while Caban launched a civil suit seeking damages in excess of $25,000 assault, battery, and infliction of emotional distress.

Caban said he was forced to quit his job as a driver following the attack, and now lives in fear following the confrontation.

At the time, Golden said he was 'too drunk to remember' the incident properly, and his lawyers said he wanted to 'sincerely apologize' for his behavior and was 'extremely remorseful.'

The statement added: 'Mr. Golden accepts full responsibility for his actions and understands the consequences that may occur as a result.'

However, it seems that Golden has now changed his tune, blaming Caban for letting him into the car in the first place despite him being visibly drunk.

Golden is also claiming that the recording of the incident was made illegally, and is trying to have it thrown out of the criminal proceedings against him

Further, Golden is claiming damages for the 'emotional distress, humiliation, anxiety, fear, pain and suffering and the loss of his job' caused by the footage

Golden also denies causing any harm to Caban, and says that if any harm was caused, it was due to 'the negligence, fault or carelessness' of Caban himself.

He also claims that the video of the incident was recorded illegally under California state law which prohibits the recording of conversations without the agreement of all parties.

Golden is claiming damages for 'emotional distress, humiliation, anxiety, fear, pain and suffering and the loss of his job' after the video was released.

Further, Golden is also seeking damages against 'unknown third parties' who helped to circulate the video online.

Courtney Pilchman, the lawyer for Golden, branded Caban 'quite the opportunist' in his damages claim, saying she 'doesn't believe' he is suffering from emotional stress.
It's not every day that both a mother and son have to undergo the turmoil of cancer.

Tim Smith, a photojournalist from Manitoba, documented the daily life of Cheryl Mauthe and her six-year-old son Colin, both of whom suffered from the life-changing disease from 2014 into 2015.

The collection of touching photos is called 'Cancer Normal' can also be viewed on the photographer's website.

Colin was diagnosed with Leukemia in 2012 and in 2014, Mauthe, a single mother of two, was also told she had cancer.

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Family love: Cheryl and Colin, mother and son bonded by cancer, wrestle on the kitchen floor one evening in April. 'Were cancer buddies? You have cancer, too?' said Colin as he hugged his mother tight when she told him she had it in 214, two years after he was diagnosed with leukemia

Difficult news: Cheryl replays her conversation with Dr. Ethel MacIntosh in her head after their first meeting at the Breast Health Centre in Winnipeg

Suffers from leukemia: Colin eats a doughnut brought by his grandmother in a bed in the Brandon Regional Health Centre emergency room during a visit in March for a fever

Playful spirit: Cheryl is very conscious about giving her family as normal a life as possible despite the hands they've been dealt. This means taking time to play with her kids despite how lousy she feels

After learning she'd been diagnosed, Cheryl told both Colin and his sister Emily that she was ill.

'Were cancer buddies? You have cancer, too?' said Colin as he hugged his mother tight, according to Tim Smith's website.

Cheryl got an unexpected reaction from her daughter Emily who said that she felt left out.

'Emily starts to get upset and says, 'Its not fair, everybody has cancer except me! and storms to her bedroom.

'And Im sitting there thinking, I cant believe this is my family. I have one child thats excited because I have cancer with him and I have another child thats upset because she doesnt have cancer,' said Cheryl.

Despite being afraid that the cancer could be fatal, Cheryl did her best to ensure that her children felt safe.

Smith followed the family as they went to appointments, treatments, and certain surgeries.

Support: After the kids go downstairs to play, the weight of the following day's impending double mastectomy finally gets to Cheryl and she sobs in the arms of her friend Annie Jago-Fordyce. Within a few minutes she dries her tears and heads downstairs to play with her kids one last time before heading to surgery

Afraid: As fear envelops Cheryl and she begins to break down on the operating room table, she is comforted by Karen Sagness, a Clinical Resource Nurse for Plastic Surgery and Regina Kostetsky, an Anesthesia Clinical Assistant, who brush her hair out of her face and wipe away her tears

getting shots: Emily and Cheryl comfort Colin after a painful flu shot in November. Colin has an above average familiarity with needles and various other medical procedures but the incessant treatment can prove tiring

Under the knife: Monitors keep vigil over Cheryl's vital sign's while she is under anesthetic for the ten-hour surgery. A drape keeps the mess of surgery from her breathing tube and monitoring equipment

Before the operation: With her mother Lora at her side, Cheryl lies on a gurney in the pre-op holding area just before being wheeled into an operating room to undergo a lumpectomy. Hopes were that the results of the lumpectomy would eliminate the need for more invasive surgery but she later learned she had more tumors

The series is called 'cancer normal,' because Cheryl tried to make cancer a familiar word, a 'new normal,' for her family, according to CNN.com

Colin was also there to support his mother through the process, especially as she began to lose her hair, her eyelashes, and eyebrows.

Smith not only followed the family but also became a supportive friend.

'I find myself surprised at how much can be thrown at one person, or one family, and see them stay so positive through the majority of it all,' Smith told CNN in May.

Treatment: An unconscious Colin is rolled onto his side while being readied for a lumbar puncture at the Children's Hospital in Winnipeg in October. Colin goes to Winnipeg once a month for chemotherapy treatment and must undergo a lumbar puncture every three month's to confirm the cancer hasn't spread

Big smooch: A kiss on the cheek as Colin slowly wakes up after having a lumbar puncture and receiving chemotherapy

Frustration: Frustrated with missing school again and having to do work from home Colin cries. Every time there was a viral illness at the school such as fifth disease or hand, foot and mouth disease Colin would have to be pulled out of school because of his compromised immune system

Exhausted: Exhaustion and frustration while sorting out a plan for keeping Colin healthy after Emily contracted fifth disease, a common viral infection, at school in October

'On the surface, it seems so devastating. But I found those in-between moments that showed their happiness as a family.'

Some days Cheryl didn't want Smith's camera documenting her and he'd respect her wishes.

'It's a huge blessing to see yourself through someone else's eyes,' she said.

'Now, we can step back and look at that year. I'm so proud of who we've become. My kids have handled every moment with grace and dignity.'

After a long battle with the disease, Cheryl was declared cancer free in 2015 and doctors have been hopeful about Colin's Leukemia and guessed that he would be better by October. It's unknown is he is in fact without the disease.

Smith told CNN that he still keeps it touch with the family and is inspired by their story.

'You appreciate what you have,' Smith said. 'It made me realize that I don't want to live my whole life through the lens. I want to stop and enjoy life with my family, too.'

Unwell: In addition to all the negative side effects of chemotherapy, such as the pain and nausea, there is also the monotony of the treatments. Cheryl checks her phone while waiting out her fourth treatment at CancerCare's Western Manitoba Cancer Centre in August

Mourning: With her 1972 Chevy Rally Nova, willed to her by her father Doug, parked in the background, Cheryl visits his grave at the Brandon Municipal Cemetery, a ritual she honours every time she drives the classic car. Doug Mauthe passed away from ALS in 2012, less than four months after Colin's diagnosis
Barbara Michelle Pemberton, 47, has been charged with second-degree murder and child cruelty

A grandmother in Georgia has been charged with second-degree murder after allegedly leaving her 13-month-old grandson in the car with the heat running for five hours while she visited some friends.

Barbara Michelle Pemberton, 47, has also been charged with child cruelty, after the little boy was found dead in Rossville, Walker County, on Tuesday.

Pemberton told police she was watching the baby, Shadoe Braxton Pate, for her son while his wife worked, but when she arrived at her friend's house he was asleep in the back of her Ford Focus.

Instead of waking him, she left the car running with heat on while she went inside the house, according to The Times Free Press.

However, when she returned to the car about five hours later, about 4.20 p.m., Shadoe was dead.

Though Pemberton and her friends conducted CPR on Shadoe, and though paramedics rushed him to the hospital, the infant was pronounced dead at Hutcheson Medical Center.

Despite being a cold January day, police say that the combination of the sun pouring in through the window and the blast of heat gave the little boy heatstroke, which subsequently killed him.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation conducted an autopsy and concluded Thursday that Shadoe died of hyperthermia.

Investigators believe the temperature in the car rose to around 100 degrees by the time Pemberton checked on Shadoe.

'The time got away from her,' Sheriff Steve Wilson told The Times Free Press.

'At the same time, the people she was visiting indicated that they prodded her two or three times to go check on the child.

'There's not been a reasonable explanation (for ignoring that advice).'

Wilson said there was no outward evidence that Pemberton or her friends had been drinking or were on drugs.

Pemberton is being held in the Walker County Jail on a $100,000 bond.

Last year, 24 children nationwide died of heatstroke after they were left in cars, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported.
It is illegal to discriminate on the grounds of breastfeeding

A young mother was shocked after she was told to 'cover up or leave' while breastfeeding her daughter in a regional Queensland cafe.

Shavaun Milham, 20, said she left Gympie's Chatz Cafe in disgust when another mother told her of the new breastfeeding policy during a recent visit with her daughter Amelia.

'One of the mums in my group told me I had to cover up because they didn't allow it there, I ended up leaving and thought it was disgraceful ... every mother should be able to feed her baby wherever she wants,' Ms Milham told Courier Mail.

Shavaun Milham, 20, said she left Gympie's Chatz Cafe in disgust after another mother told her of the new breastfeeding policy during a recent visit with her daughter

The Chatz Cafe, part of the Victory Church and College in Gympie, introduced the breastfeeding policy after it says it received complaints from other customers

The Chatz Cafe, part of the Victory Church and College in Gympie, introduced the breastfeeding policy after it says it received complaints from other customers about mothers who 'didn't have any kind of modesty or decency'.

'This lady pulled down her singlet, exposed her whole breast, then proceeded to look for a dummy, a blanket, wipes and everything still with her breast exposed,' Victory Church Pastor Yuan Miller told Courier Mail.

'Do you expose your breast for long periods of time and make no attempt at being sensitive to other people? We don't have a problem with breastfeeding and we welcome breastfeeding, however this was about fair and modest behavior,' said Pastor Miller.

However, The Royal Gympie Hotel has made light of the public outcry by inviting mums to enjoy a free cup of tea while breastfeeding their children.

Chatz Cafe: 'Do you expose your breast for long periods of time and make no attempt at being sensitive to other people'

Under the federal Sex Discrimination Act 1984 it is illegal in Australia to discriminate against a person either directly or indirectly on the grounds of breastfeeding.

Public breastfeeding has become a controversial topic of late, after another mother was scolded by a complete stranger for breastfeeding her baby in a New Zealand supermarket.

Deijah Cook was shopping in a supermarket in Tauranga, when she had to feed her three-month-old son, Coby, because he was hungry and had been crying for 10 minutes.

I got down a couple of aisles when a lady stopped and she goes to me 'this is something you should be doing in the privacy of your car ... your breasts are for at home, you should be feeding your child at home or in the privacy of your car not out in public where others can see.'
The three young daughters of a fallen sailor accepted a Purple Heart on his behalf after he was killed in a terrorist-inspired shooting in Chattanooga last year.

Logistics Specialist Second Class Randall Smith and four Marines were killed when gunman Mohammed Abdulazeez attacked a Chattanooga Naval reserve center on July 16. All of the victims were eligible for Purple Heart Awards.

The ceremony for 26-year-old Smith fell on January 14, the same date he graduated from bootcamp and the date he married his wife, Angie Smith.

The three young daughters of logistics Specialist Second Class Randall Smith accepted a Purple Heart in their father's honor six months after he died

Smith, 26, was shot and killed when gunman Mohammed Abdulazeez attacked a Chattanooga Naval reserve center on July 16

Angie Smith, along with the couple's three daughters, accepted a Purple Heart shadow box at the ceremony.

The medal was presented to their eldest daughter, Lyla, by Cheif of Navy Reserve vice Adm Robin Braun and Captain Matt Berta, according to WDEF.

'Although the Purple Heart can never possibly replace this brave Sailor and these brave Marines, it is my hope that as their families and the entire Department of the Navy team continue to mourn their loss, these awards provide some small measure of solace,' Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus said at the ceremony.

'Their heroism and service to our nation will be remembered always,' he added.

Braun released a statement about the ceremony saying Navy Reserve Force was 'deeply saddened' by the death of Smith.

'The entire Navy Reserve Force was deeply saddened at the passing of LS2 Randall S Smith,' the statement said. 'He was a dedicated Sailor who cared deeply about his family, his community, and his country.

'His service and, indeed, his life will remain an inspiration for his Shipmates and all who were fortunate enough to have known him.'
Booked: Dustin Diamond will spend four months behind bars for stabbing a man in June

Former 'Saved by the Bell' actor Dustin Diamond has been booked into jail to start his four-month sentence for an altercation at a Wisconsin bar.

The Ozaukee County Jail website shows Diamond was booked Friday.

Diamond played Samuel 'Screech' Powers on the 1990s TV sitcom that also starred Mario Lopez, Tiffani Amber-Thiessen, Elizabeth Berkley and Mark-Paul Gosselaar.

He was convicted in June of carrying a concealed weapon and disorderly conduct, both misdemeanors.

He was cleared of a felony. He was to start jail during the summer, but a judge put the sentence on hold while Diamond appealed. Diamond withdrew his appeal last month.

Diamond testified he was trying to protect his girlfriend when he pulled out a pocketknife to ward people off and accidentally stabbed a man at the Port Washington bar on Christmas in 2014.

During sentencing in June, he told the court: 'I sincerely apologize to everyone involved. This was the single most terrifying experience of my life,' according to People.

'This is all I've been able to think about for the last six months.'

In court: Dustin Diamond testifies in the courtroom during his trial in the Ozaukee County Courthouse on May 29, 2015 in Port Washington, Wisconsin. Diamond, best known for his role as Screech on 'Saved by the Bell,' was booked in jail for four months this week

Saved By the Bell: Diamond played Samuel 'Screech' Powers on the 1990s TV sitcom that also starred Mario Lopez, Tiffani Amber-Thiessen, Elizabeth Berkley and Mark-Paul Gosselaar

Diamond testified that some people had wanted to shake his hand and pose for photos at the bar, but that others were badgering him and his girlfriend Amanda Schutz.

Diamond said he tried to help Schutz and took out his pocketknife to deter the group from hurting her more.

He said he was trying to scare bar patrons in Port Washington after his girlfriend was punched in the face.

'I felt like we were being set up for antagonistic purposes,' he said.

The man who was stabbed, 25-year-old Casey Smet, testified that he didn't know he had been stabbed until he had left the bar and was talking to police.
The founding editor of Australian women's magazine Cleo has spoken out about the rumoured end of the popular publication, after being in circulation for almost 44 years.

Ita Buttrose, 73, told The Australian that the magazine had lost its identity and 'doesn't know what it wants to be.'

The veteran journalist stood at the helm of the first edition published in November 1972, with media mogul Kerry Packer and said that she felt 'very sad' to potentially see Cleo's demise.

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Founding editor of Cleo, Ita Buttrose, 73, has spoken out about the rumoured end of the popular publication. She said that the magazine had lost its identity and 'doesn't know what it wants to be' but will be sad to see it go

Australian women's magazine Cleo will reportedly close its doors after 44 years. Above is the most recent cover featuring Adele

'If reports are correct, I feel very sad that something I was so proud of isn't going to continue,' said Ms Buttrose.

A reduction in staff members and overseas content brought in to fill the magazine had been a part of why the success of the publication was wavering.

'One of the reasons Cleo has been successful, in my view, is that it's always had a sense of humour. Its Australianness has been the point of difference.

'I think if you lose that, you lose your audience,' she added.

The first edition of Cleo was published in November 1972, with Ms Buttrose as editor alongside media mogul Kerry Packer

The publication known for its ability to speak about the then taboo issue of sex, was a major draw card for many years and Ms Buttrose said: 'Politics was unheard of in a women's magazine back then.'

'We wrote about sex, but we wrote about health and the need for better education for girls and women,' Ms Buttrose continued.

The founding editor said that Cleo wanted it to be 'OK to ask questions.'

'It's OK to want more and strive to get to the top,' she added.

The 73-year-old left the Cleo family in 1975 to join Mr Packer's flagship magazine The Australian Women's weekly till 1976.

She later moved to rival Rupert Murdoch's Daily Telegraph where she became the first female Editor-in-Chief.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Ms Buttrose for further comment.

Cleo featured articles that empowered women covering topics such as sex and contraception, and published the first male centrefold of actor Jack Thompson

Lisa Wilkinson (right) was Cleo's youngest ever editor at the age of 21

Staff, including editor Lucy Cousins, at the iconic magazine will be informed of the news on Friday, sources have told The Daily Telegraph.

The magazine is published by Bauer Media Group, which shut down Cleo's website without fanfare last month.

But a Bauer spokesman told Daily Mail Australia the reports were 'pure speculation'.

'The publisher is on holiday at the moment. He's not in the country. I've got no further comment and nothing is being issued today,' he said.

Cleo magazine's first edition was published in November 1972. Pictured above is the cover

This is supermodel Elle MacPherson on the cover of Cleo magazine in 1984

In the 12 months leading up to September 2015, the publication's readership had declined by 16 per cent, according to Roy Morgan research.

Cleo has featured articles that have empowered women for years, covering topics from 'What happens when you have a hysterectomy?' to 'Contraception: What you need to know'.

In 1975, the magazine published its first male centrefold of actor Jack Thompson.

The story of Cleo's rise was told in the ABC television series, Paper Giants: The Birth of Cleo, starring Offspring star Asher Keddie as Buttrose.

Notable winners of the competition include Osher Gunsberg (left) in 2004, comedian Andy Lee (centre) in 2006, actor Firass Dirani (right) in 2010

Cleo was the creation of Buttrose and the late media mogul, Kerry Packer (left with his wife, Ros)

The issue from December 2015 featured Australian model Shanina Shaik on the cover

The magazine has catapulted the careers of Australia's most respected media personalities, including Channel Nine's Today show host Lisa Wilkinson who became editor of the publication at the age of 21, and Mamamia founder Mia Freedman.

Ms Buttrose told the Telegraph she felt the closure of Cleo was 'like a death in the family' but the news was not unexpected to her.

'The writing was on the wall once I knew they were going to start stripping stories from other publications rather than commissioning stories here in Australia,' she said.

For its time, Cleo was forward-thinking with its controversial sealed section that had more explicit and mature content.

Cover girls of Cleo magazine include models Cindy Crawford (left) and Bambi Northwood Blyth (right)

An example of sealed section topics including orgasms, nipples, breast size, sexual habits and libido, according to a 1984 cover with supermodel Elle MacPherson on the front.

In 1987, the magazine's Bachelor of the Year competition was introduced, with AFL player Matt Buntine crowned last year's winner.

Notable winners of the competition include radio host Kyle Sandilands in 1997, television personality Osher Gunsberg in 2004, comedian Andy Lee in 2006, actor Firass Dirani in 2010 and Olympic swimmer Eamon Sullivan in 2011.

It has been reported by the Telegraph the competition would continue, but under sister publication Cosmopolitan.
The British policewoman's baby at the centre of an international child welfare battle could soon be returned to the UK.

But PC Louise Fielden is unlikely to get immediate custody of her 14-month-old son Samuel, it was revealed last night.

The complicated case is playing out in three separate New York courts and single mother Ms Fielden has accused American authorities of 'kidnapping' her baby and holding him 'hostage.'

Furious: Met PC Louise Fielden, pictured, has accused American authorities of 'kidnapping' her baby, Samuel

The officer, who works for the Metropolitan Police and is based in Tower Hamlets, east London, was arrested at a Manhattan hotel in April and charged with endangering the welfare of a child and resisting arrest.

She was accused of abandoning the baby alone in their room and then leaving him on the lobby floor while she went into a kitchen to make breakfast.

The charges were dropped earlier this month but her son remains in foster care in New York, while she has returned to the UK.

Miss Fielden is petitioning for the return of her child under the 1980 Hague Convention.

Yesterday, a Brooklyn Federal Court was told that she had agreed to cooperate with the US and British authorities so that the infant could be returned to the UK.

But her lawyer Andrew Spinnell admitted that he had no idea how long the process would take because the case was unprecedented.

Afterwards, Mr Spinnell said that Miss Fielden's cousin David Knowles, who lives in Bedfordshire and had originally agreed to care for the child, was 'no longer in the picture.'

He said: 'The child will be placed with the appropriate services near her home in England, then a court there will decide.'

Samuel, pictured left and right, has remained in the care of child services in New York since April last year

Asked how long it would take to resolve the situation, he added: 'I have no idea. I hope it isn't months.'

In a separate legal action, Miss Fielden, 42, is suing the New York City authorities, including the police and child welfare services, for up to 30 million.

She also objects to the foster mother caring for Samuel, claiming that Susan Sena is a leading light in a group called SWISH  Single Women in Support of Homos  and played 'porn bingo' on her birthday with an X-rated male actor.

PC Fielden, pictured, with bruises she claims were caused by excessive treatment by New York police

A third case is playing out in New York Family Court, where Miss Fielden has been accused of child neglect. There will be a hearing on that next week. (JAN 21)

She was accused of leaving him alone in the hotel room unattended for 30 minutes while she went to sterilise his bottles in hot water.

Fielden was also accused of leaving the boy on the floor of a kitchen while she ate breakfast.

The single mother was facing initial charges of endangering the welfare of a child, resisting arrest, and possession of a controlled substance because she had some Codeine pills for which she holds a prescription, which officers found in her luggage.

Speaking previously to the Daily Mail about her arrest, single mother Miss Fielden said: 'Two (police officer) grabbed my arms while another swept my legs from under me.

'I was handcuffed face down and the arresting officer called me a 'limey bitch', telling me I couldn't be a police officer as I had no respect. I was traumatised and shocked. I was not aggressive or difficult  I had co-operated.'

Miss Fielden was placed in a holding cell where, she claims, she was forced to sit for ten hours.

She claims she was physically assaulted by another prisoner who fondled her chest.

For eight months, she saw her son three times a week for a few hours a day at a supervision centre under the watchful eye of a social worker.

She said: 'All I could try to do was make it as normal and natural and loving for Samuel as possible.

'I played with him, read to him, gave him his milk. But it is heart- breaking. He cried each time I left.'

Miss Fielden said she spent three years trying to conceive via IVF.

She eventually fell pregnant early in 2014 using sperm from an anonymous Danish donor and gave birth to Samuel in October that year.

'I couldn't find the man of my dreams and I wasn't prepared to go through my life childless,' she said.
Shadow housing minister John Healey slammed his comments and said Prime Minister has 'no understanding' of pressures facing UK population

He previously said he feared his children would be unable to afford homes

David Cameron has come under fire for saying he worries about his children being able to afford a home after it was revealed he is believed to have earned 500,000 in rent during his time as Prime Minister.

The premier has rented out his luxury home in Notting Hill, London, since he left for 10 Downing Street in 2010.

Similar properties in the area go for rent at around 1,750 per week, meaning he would have raked in more than half a million pounds in cash in the past five-and-a-half years.

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David Cameron pictured at his Notting Hill property which has earned him 500,000 in rent since 2010

His comments over his children's future have now been slammed by opposition politicians.

According to the Daily Mirror, shadow housing minister John Healey said: 'If he thinks his kids have a problem buying a home, he should take a moment to think about what life is like for everyone else.

'Cameron and [George] Osborne have shown no understanding of the housing pressures facing millions.'

It comes as a Conservative housing bill is currently being debated in Parliament that would end life tenancies for council house residents and sell off a large swathe of social housing.

Developers would then be allowed to build flats worth up to 450,000 instead of new social housing.

The Prime Minister also told his MPs to vote against Labour's plans to aid first-time buyers and stop landlords renting out homes 'unfit' for use.

As previously reported, the Prime Minister told LBC Radio he feared his children would be priced out of the housing market.

Mr Cameron, who owns two homes with a combined worth of around 4.5million, said he was concerned his children Nancy, 11, Elwen, nine, and Florence, five, could struggle to afford property in future.

Mr Cameron previously said this week he fears his children will be priced out of the housing market

In the radio interview he said: I absolutely worry about it [his children affording a home]. This is why this is the first announcement I have made in 2016 of a series of steps to build more homes.

Mr Cameron added: All of us who own our own homes, you can remember the magic of that first moment, the first set of keys.

I want this to be a country where if you work hard, youre putting the hours in, you should be able to own a flat or a house of your own.
Six people, believed to have been refugees crossing the Mediterranean in an attempt to reach Europe, have been found dead off the eastern Greek island of Samos.

The bodies of two men and three women have been recovered by the Greek coast guard who are still trying to recover a sixth body in rough seas, a spokeswoman said Saturday.

Earlier this week, nine refugees were found dead off the coast of Turkey, taking the number of people who have died while trying to cross the Mediterranean to more than 60 in the first two weeks of this year.

Refugees and migrants aboard an inflatable dinghy are about to be rescued while attempting to reach the Greek island of Agathonisi, as Greek coast guards find six dead people off the eastern island of Samos

Saved: Ahmad Zarour, 32, from Syria, is rescued alongside 47 others, while attempting to reach the Greek island of Agathonisi, Dodecanese, southeastern Agean Sea, overnight

Deadly journey: The number of people who have died while trying to cross the Mediterranean so far in 2016 has now surpassed 60

Samos, which lies very close to the Turkish coast, is one of the main points of entry for migrants and refugees, most refugees from Syria and Iraq.

While winter crossings are even riskier than in summer, thousands are still attempting to make them.

More than 24,000 crossed the Mediterranean to Greece and Italy in the first two weeks of January, said IOM spokesman Joel Millman.

On Thursday, the bodies of nine people, some of whom may have drowned up to 10 days earlier, were found on Turkey's western coast this week as the flow of Europe-bound migrants persisted despite rough winter weather and the efforts of the Turkish government.

More than 24,000 crossed the Mediterranean to Greece and Italy in the first two weeks of January

A woman from Syria is rescued by Maltese-based NGO Migrant Offshore Aid Station near Agathonisi island

Rami Zarour, 39, from Syria, is rescued by MOAS near Agathonisi island in the early hours of Saturday

The bodies of five men and a woman were found washed up on the shores of Seferihisar in the coastal province of Izmir on Tuesday, district governor Resul Celik said, adding that doctors believed they drowned five to ten days before.

The coastguard said separately it had found the bodies of a girl and two women near Ayvacik, further north, after a boat part-capsized. It rescued 13 people, but a search continued for two men and a boy.

More than a million migrants arrived in the European Union last year fleeing war or poverty in the Middle East, Africa and Asia, and nearly 3,700 died or went missing en route. The great majority came via Turkey to Greece.
The apple cart has been well and truly upset in Somerset.

Drinks manufacturer C&C has left Shepton Mallet in shock with an announcement this week that it is moving the cider-making operation it runs there to Ireland, with the loss of 120 jobs.

Cider runs through the veins of the rustic Mendips town, which has been making the drink since 1770. One local has described the move as a 'crying shame'.

Drinks manufacturer C&C has left Shepton Mallet (pictured) in shock with an announcement this week that it is moving the cider-making operation there to Ireland, with the loss of 120 jobs

Raymond Blanc pictured judging Cider at The Royal Bath & West Show in Shepton Mallet in 2012. The town has been making cider since 1770

Favourites such as Somerset Snuffler, Ye Olde English and Addlestones will now be made in Clonmel, which will be upgraded to the 'core manufacturing site', according to Irish firm C&C.

The reaction in Shepton Mallet, which has one of the biggest cider factories in the world, was one of anger and bewilderment.

Steve Faulkner, a Unite senior shop steward, told The Guardian: People are devastated. It was a shock. The announcement came out of the blue. Cider has been produced at this site for centuries.

To take our product from Somerset to Ireland is unbelievable. You cant make Somerset cider in Ireland. It doesnt make sense to us.

Stella and Carlsberg have begun to encroach on C&Cs territory and the firm released a statement on its website that explained that the decision to shift the manufacturing process was brought about by an intensely competitive trading environment in the UK.

It said 'this has led to significant downward pricing pressure' and that the plant at Shepton Mallet had been running at an 'unsustainable' 34 per cent capacity. It's predicted that the plant at Clonmel will run at 75 per cent capacity.

The statement explained that Shepton Mallet will continue to press apples sourced from local producers.

Favourites such as Somerset Snuffler, Ye Olde English and Addlestones will now be made in Clonmel, Irish firm C&C said. Pictured is the town's cider-making factory, which produces Magners and Bulmers

The concentrate from this pulped fruit will then be shipped to the factory at Clonmel, which currently makes the ciders Bulmers and Magners.

However, the fact that Shepton Mallet will still play a role in the production process, with a skeleton staff, is of little solace to the local population, some of whom will lose their jobs after decades of service.

Master cider maker Bob Chaplin, who worked at the Shepton Mallet mill for more than 40 years, told The Guardian: It seems that shareholders come above everything else. So much history, knowledge will be lost. It is a very sad time.

And Mike Taft, landlord of the Bell, accused C&C of 'throwing away our heritage'. 'It's a crying shame for Somerset cider,' he added.

C&C continued: This has been a difficult decision for the Group and it is sad that the consolidation of production at the Clonmel site is the only viable option to maintain long term competitiveness.

C&C recognises the impact on employees and will work to provide support, training, and where possible, alternative employment.
A woman recovering in hospital got the shock of her life when she woke to find a wild ferret chomping down on the flesh between her thumb and finger.

The 41-year-old Wyong patient was due to be discharged from Gosford Hospital on the Central Coast later that day, but ended up spending an extra 24 hours in bed thanks to the surprise visitor.

'It wouldn't let go so they had to get the security guard to come in. He tried to get it off but it wouldn't let go,' a hospital employee who spoke to the woman after the attack told the Herald-Sun.

The furry creature snuck his way into the short-stay unit around 5.30am on Wednesday, scampering onto the woman's hospital bed before latching on to her hand.

A 41-year-old Wyong woman recovering in hospital was bitten by a wild ferret after it snuck into her room

She was staying in a short-stay unit at Gosford Hospital on the Central Coast

It took the security guard a good few minutes to pry the ferret from the lady's bleeding hand, eventually loosening its grip and allowing him to relocate it to a safe spot on the hospital grounds.

The woman spent another day in hospital as staff cleaned up the wound, gave her a tetanus shot and administered antibiotics.

The woman's room sits on the bottom floor of the hospital near it's emergency department - which is surrounded by heavy bush land.

'If you were an animal or snake you could slither into the hospital no trouble', the hospital employee explained.

It took a security guard to get the ferret to loosen its grip on the woman's hand

The hospitals acting director of nursing apologised for the bizarre animal intruder.

'The district investigated the incident and found that the services provided by its contracted pest control company  which performs periodical pest control services and implements preventive measures for all its facilities  were sufficient,' a statement released by the hospital read.

Ferrets typically sleep close to 18 hours a day and are most active at dusk or dawn - exactly the time this specific one chose to make his break-in.

They are not known to be aggressive creatures, and will usually only bite humans when they are scared.

Contrary to popular belief, ferrets are not rodents, and are found throughout Australia in the wild. It is illegal to keep ferrets as pets in Queensland and the Northern Territory.
A doctor has been charged with drugging, kidnapping and raping a woman in her 30s and holding her hostage in a purpose-built bunker in his home in Sweden for nearly a week.

He drugged the woman using strawberries laced with Rohypnol in her Stockholm home, after which he raped her and drove nearly 350miles to a property outside Kristianstad, south Sweden.

The 38-year-old is accused of keeping her locked up, raping and sexually abusing her for a week, but prosecutors believe he intended to keep her in the dungeon-like bunker for 'several years'.

Kidnapper:The 38-year-old doctor drugged the woman, who is in her 30s, using strawberries laced with Rohypnol in her flat in Stockholm , and drove nearly 350miles to his home in southern Sweden

Planned out: Police found two rubber masks in the man's bedroom, which he reportedly intended to use as disguises during their journey from Stockholm to Kristianstad

Evil: The doctor drugged the woman using chocolate-dipped strawberries, marking which of the berries he had laced with Rohypnol by drawing on the stem leaves

The pair had met once before when the doctor visited the woman in her flat in central Stockholm on September 12.

He is accused of drugging the woman with juice and chocolate-dipped strawberries, marking which of the berries he had laced with Rohypnol by drawing on the stem leaves.

He then raped the woman while she was passed out in her home, before transporting her in a wheelchair to his car, Aftonbladet reports.

He drove from Stockholm to his home, a large property outside Kristianstad, some 345 miles south of Stockholm, during which time he also injected her with a soporific to keep her sedated.

Prosecutors say he had brought two rubber masks of an old woman and a man with a beard to use as disguises during the car journey, which police later found in his bedroom.

Evidence: Police found traces of flunitrazepam - Rohypnol - on the juice and champagne bottles and the glass in the woman's flat

Patient: The kitchen in the bunker, which the man had spent five years building on his rural property

Hidden: The bunker also has a small covered courtyard so the person held captive could go outside without being seen by the neighbours

Project: The bunker even has a functioning toilet, and police believe the doctor had planned to keep at least one person there for 'several years'

Locked up: The man used two enforced doors to prevent the women from escaping the bunker

Prison: Police images taken inside the bunker indicates that it was still a work in progress

Upon arrival at the property he locked the woman in the prison-like bunker where he repeatedly raped her during six days in captivity.

The man is believed to have built the 60 square meter bunker himself, with the purpose of keeping at least one person captive over a long period of time, starting five years ago.

The concrete-enforced walls are 12.5 inches thick and the bunker has a bedroom, functioning toilet and a fully fitted kitchen, Swedish police reports.

The bunker even has a small, covered courtyard, where the person living in the bunker would be able to go outside without being seen by neighbours.

He also withdrew blood and took vaginal samples from the woman which he tested at a lab in his place of work, later confessing that he did this to ensure she did not have any STDs.

The layout of the bunker in the man's property, which had concrete enforced walls, a kitchen, toilet and bed

Plastic bag seized by police during a raid of the doctor's home, which includes used condoms and syringes

Disturbing findings: The two masks were found in the doctor's bedroom in his home in Kristianstad

He is also believed to have forced the woman to take contraceptive pills so he could have unprotected sex with her.

According to a police report seen by Swedish media, the woman was bound or cuffed for a majority of her time in captivity, including when the doctor raped her.

After a few days the doctor drove back to the woman's home in Stockholm to bring her some personal possessions, only to discover that she had been reported missing and police had broken into her flat.

The doctor is believed to have panicked, and brought the woman to Stockholm where they visited a police station together on September 18.

Prosecutors say the doctor forced the woman to tell police a fake story that she was safe and well, in order to call off the search, but officers grew suspicious and took her to one side.

The woman then told police the full story of her horrific ordeal, after which the man was arrested.

The doctor is also believed to have forced the woman to take contraceptive pills (seen being held up in the picture) so he could have unprotected sex with her

This gun was used to threaten the woman as the pair went to a police station in Stockholm where she was first made to tell officers she was safe and well, but after police grew suspicious, she was taken aside

Meticulous: After he drugged and raped in her home in Stockholm, the doctor used a wheelchair (pictured) to get the sedated woman into his car

'We believe his intention has been to keep the woman locked up for several years,' chief prosecutor Peter Claeson said in a statement.

'We also suspect him of planning this for years. Among other things, he has built the bunker to bring one or more victims.'

Friends of the doctor who have spoken to Swedish media have expressed their shock and surprise at the news.

'In the beginning, when this got out, you kind of thought that "maybe it's not so serious, maybe it's blown out of proportion", but now that he's been charged its become clear how f***ing sick this is. It's like a film,' a 'close friend' of the doctor told Kristianstadsbladet.

The friend describes the man as socially awkward but helpful and polite, but adds that he is 'almost too sharp, intellectually, for his own good'.
Donald Trump has slammed Ted Cruz again over his Canadian citizenship controversy yet again after an attorney filed a lawsuit demanding the courts rule he is not eligible to run for President.

Trump fired off a barrage of tweets on Saturday morning, saying his Republican rival 'was born in Canada and was a Canadian citizen until 15 months ago'.

The vengeful early morning rant came after Cruz questioned Trump's own right to run on account of his mother's Scottish roots.

Texas attorney Nelson Schwartz Sr filed a lawsuit on Thursday, seeking a declaratory judgment on whether Cruz's Canadian birth to an American woman disqualifies him from the race for the White House.

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Donald Trump has slammed Ted Cruz again over his Canadian citizenship controversy yet again after an attorney filed a lawsuit demanding the courts rule he is not eligible to run for President

Trump fired off a barrage of tweets on Saturday morning, saying his Republican rival 'was born in Canada and was a Canadian citizen until 15 months ago'

Donald Trump (left) is pictured here with his father Fred Jr, sister Elizabeth, mother Mary Anne and brother Robert. Cruz questioned whether Trump's mother's Scottish links made The Donald ineligible to run

Cruz and Trump - who are leading the Republican race - clashed at the GOP debate on Thursday over whether either of them are legally fit for the highest office in the land.

The billionaire real estate mogul said a 'big question mark' was hanging over Cruz's head because he was born in Canada.

However, Cruz's mother was born in America, making both her and her children U.S. citizens.

Some, including Trump, say that means he is not a 'natural born citizen', which is required to become President.

In a string of tweets on Saturday morning, Trump said: 'Ted Cruz was born in Canada and was a Canadian citizen until 15 months ago. Lawsuits have just been filed with more to follow. I told you so.

'Ted Cruz said he "didn't know" that he was a Canadian Citizen.

'Based on the fact that Ted Cruz was born in Canada and is therefore a "natural born Canadian," did he borrow unreported loans from C banks?'

Cruz mocked Trump's tweets later on Saturday. 'I think in terms of a commander in chief, we ought to have someone who isnt springing out of bed to tweet in a frantic response to the latest polls,' he said.

'I think the American people is looking for a commander in chief who is stable and steady and a calm hand to keep this country safe'.

The pair crossed swords at the Republican debate on Thursday night, with Cruz bringing up Trump's mother's Scottish roots.

Houston attorney Nelson Schwartz wants a declaratory judgment on Cruz's eligibility to be president

'At the end of the day, the legal issue is quite straightforward,' Cruz said. 'But I would note that the birther theories that Donald has been relying on, some of the more extreme ones insist that you must not only be born on U.S. soil, but have two parents born on U.S. soil.'.

He continued: 'I've spent my entire life defending the Constitution before the U.S. Supreme Court. And I'll tell you, I'm not gonna be taking legal advice from Donald Trump.'

He added: 'If this all works out, I'm happy to consider naming you VP and if you happen to be right, you'll get the top job at the end of the day.'

Trump said he would 'consider' that, but added: 'I think I'll go back to building buildings if it doesn't work out. I have a feeling it's going to work out actually.'

It was the first time the two front runners have shown any real form of animosity towards each other, having remained diplomatic up until now.

But Trump - perhaps sensing competition from Cruz - is now happy to play up the lawsuit filed by Houston attorney Mr Schwartz.

Mr Schwartz contends that Cruz - born Rafael Edward Cruz - 'was and is neither a natural born or native born U.S. citizen at the time of his birth'.

Cruz and Trump - who are leading the Republican race - clashed at the GOP debate on Thursday over whether either of them are legally fit for the highest office in the land.

Cruz was born in Canada in 1970 to an American woman, Eleanor, who was born in Wilmington, Delaware. But the senator held dual citizenship between the two countries for decades before renouncing his Canadian citizenship upon his election to the Senate in 2012.

His father was a Cuban who had been previously resident in the United States but was not at the time a US citizen.

Such a 'natural born' U.S. citizenship is provided for in the Constitution, but legal challenges to it are rare, especially on the presidential campaign trail.

Schwartz's filing says: 'This "natural born citizen" Constitution requirement has never been defined or determined by the U.S. Supreme Court, nor has it ever been amended or repealed as prescribed by the Constitution.'

Mitt Romney, who himself faced similar questions over his Mexican father when he ran for President in 2012, has defended Cruz.

But despite big names coming out in his favor, he still felt the need to make his birth certificate public in an attempt to end the doubts - and that does not appear to have worked.

A poll last week found that more than a quarter of Republican voters think he is not eligible to run.
He rejected a property in Goodna as it was opposite a childcare centre

Downs is now free to choose his own home with partner Sharon White

He was released from Brisbane jail in 2012 and has been supervised since

A pedophile has turned down renting a property after realising it was 'too much of a temptation' as it was directly opposite a childcare centre.

Raymond Phillip Downs, 59, has been jailed multiple times for molesting girls as young as six and frequently breached his supervision order for failing to wear his electronic ankle bracelet.

After being supervised for almost four years, Downs was allowed to choose a Brisbane property to rent - but decided against one opposite a Goodstart Early Learning centre in Goodna, The Courier Mail reported.

A pedophile has turned down renting a property after realising it was 'too much of a temptation' as it was directly opposite a Goodstart Early Learning centre (pictured)

In December, he told his case manager the property was 'too much of a temptation.'

Downs had planned to move in with his partner Sharon White and get a job as a truck driver in Kenmore, Goodna or Redbank Plains.

In 2015, he was not allowed to visit Ms White at her home address as there were 'signs of children living in the house and next door.'

Downs was released from jail in June 2012 and was supervised for almost four years until he was able to rent a home of his choice

Downs first offence was in 1974 when he was 18 years old and molested a six-year-old girl.

At 21, he kissed a 10-year-old girl at a swimming pool and molested another girl a year later after picking her up from school and driving her down an isolated track.

When he was 45, he molested a nine-year-old on multiple occasions.

Downs was released from jail in June 2012 and was supervised for almost four years until he was able to rent a home of his choice.
Kerry praised historic deal which he said makes 'the entire world' safer

Secretary of State John Kerry has announced that the economic sanctions against Iran have been lifted as four U.S. citizens were released by the Middle Eastern state as part of a prisoner swap.

Kerry said today that Iran has met its obligations to the U.N. atomic watchdog and that the sanctions have now been lifted as per promises made in the landmark nuclear agreement.

In a statement, Kerry said: 'Iran has undertaken significant steps that many, and I do mean many, people doubted would ever come to pass.

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John Kerry has hailed the lifting of sanction on Iran today following the nuclear deal, saying: 'The entire world is safer because the threat of the nuclear weapon has been reduced'

Kerry, who hailed the new deal with Iran today, is pictured talking with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif as the IAEA verified that the country has met all conditions under the nuclear deal

'And that should be recognized, even though the full measure of this achievement can only be realized by assuring continued full compliance in the coming years.

'Today marks the moment that the Iran nuclear agreement transitions from an ambitious set of promises on paper to measurable action in progress.

'Today, as a result of the actions taken since last July, the United States, our friends and allies in the Middle East, and the entire world are safer because the threat of the nuclear weapon has been reduced.'

Kerry (pictured signing papers to lift sanctions) said that Iran has taken 'significant steps' that 'many people doubted would ever come to pass'

President Barack Obama delegated authority to Kerry to make the determination.

Kerry's statement followed a determination by the International Atomic Energy Agency that Iran has complied with the deal to curb its nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief.

'Relations between Iran and the IAEA now enter a new phase. It is an important day for the international community. I congratulate all those who helped make it a reality,' Director General Yukiyo Ama of the International Atomic Energy Agency said.

Kerry's announcement about the sanctions against Iran being lifted came hours after it was reported that four Americans being held by Iran were released.

Rezaian, a Washington Post reporter, had been held by Iran since July 2014, when he was arrested and convicted of supposed espionage offences.

U.S. officials confirmed that 39-year-old Rezaian, former U.S. Marine Amir Hekmati, pastor Saeed Abedini and a fourth man, all of whom have U.S.-Iranian dual nationality, had been freed.

Pastor Saeed Abedni, was jailed for three years on charges of undermining national security, and former US Marine Amir Hekmati, who is serving 10 years for supposedly cooperating with hostile governments, are also said to have been released.

The fourth man freed is said to be Siamak Namazi, a businessman arrested in Tehran last year, however Iranian media have also named Nosratollah Khosrawi. Mr Namazi had campaigned for closer ties between the U.S. and Iran.

American journalist Jason Rezaian is among four U.S. citizens released by Iran as part of a prisoner swap, according to Iranian media

Former U.S. Marine Amir Hekmati (left) and pastor Saeed Abedini (right) are also believed to be among those released today

The fourth man freed is said to be Siamak Namazi, a businessman arrested in Tehran last year, however Iranian media have also named Nosratollah Khosrawi

All four Americans will fly to Switzerland on a Swiss plane before being taken to a U.S. military base in Germany for medical treatment, after which they will be repatriated.

Meanwhile a fifth American - student Matthew Trevithick - was also freed, but this was unrelated to the prisoner swap, which saw seven Iranian prisoners released or pardoned by the United States.

A U.S. official, speaking in Vienna where diplomats are meeting to implement Iran's nuclear deal, said: 'Our citizens have not yet been flown out of Iran, and we do not want to do anything that would complicate it.'

He told the Washington Post that 'Iranians wanted a goodwill gesture' in return, leading to the release of seven Iranian prisoners.

Iranian state media named the men as Nader Modanlo, Bahram Mechanic, Khosrow Afghahi, Arash Ghahraman, Tooraj Faridi, Nima Golestaneh and Ali Saboonchi.

All of the men are joint U.S.-Iranian citizens with the exception of Golestaneh who studied in Vermont but never gained citizenship.

Golestaneh was serving a jail sentence after admitting trying to steal millions of dollars of U.S. company software for the Iranian government.

Modanlo, Ghahreman and Saboonchi were all serving sentences for illegally supplying Iran with technology in violation of the U.S. trade bans.

Mechanic, Faridi and Afghahi, all of whom were arrested as part of the same alleged conspiracy, were also accused of violating the trade bans but were awaiting trial before being released.

State media also claimed that 14 Iranians were taken off an Interpol wanted list.

The source added that Iran refused to free the four men until the seven swapped prisoners had returned home.

'Authorities at the top had agreed to free the four Iranian-Americans only after the Iranian prisoners land in Tehran,' he said.

The Washington Post reporter has been held by Iran since July 2014, when he was arrested and convicted of espionage offences

A fifth American, student Matthew Trevithick (right), was also freed, but this was unrelated to the prisoner swap

Rezaian, who was born in California, was convicted in closed proceedings last year after being charged with espionage. The Post and the U.S. government denied the accusations, as did Rezaian.

He was sentenced to an undisclosed amount of time in jail .

The reporter, who was the Post's Tehran correspondent was originally detained with his wife in July 2014, but she was released on bail in October that year.

Former Marine Amir Hekmati, originally from Flint, Michigan, was arrested in Iran on espionage charges in 2011.

His family said he has lost significant weight in jail and has trouble breathing, raising fears he could have contracted tuberculosis.

Mr Hekmati went to Iran to visit family and spend time with his ailing grandmother.

After his arrest, his family says they were told to keep the matter quiet. He was sentenced to death in 2012. After a higher court ordered a retrial, he was sentenced in 2014 to 10 years in prison.

Pastor Saeed Abedini, from Boise, Idaho, was detained in 2012 for compromising national security after he was found to be preaching Christianity.

He was sentenced in 2013 to eight years in prison. President Barack Obama met his wife and children in 2015.

There are claims he was beaten in Iranian prison.

Siamak Namazi was working at Crescent Petroleum when his home was ransacked by Iranian authorities in October last year. He was arrested and has been detained since then.

Sanctions against Iran were be lifted Saturday. Iran's foreign minister Javad Zarif (pictured center in 2014) arrived in Vienna to meet officials from the UN

Republican presidential candidate Marco Rubio said the prisoner swap 'incentivized people to take Americans hostage' as he spoke in Iowa Saturday

Republican presidential candidate Marco Rubio slammed the Obama administration for 'incentivizing people to take Americans hostage and prisoner' by offering a swap.

He told the Washington Post: 'They shouldn't have been in jail. They should never  I just saw Jason's [Rezaian] brother on Tuesday night at the State of the Union. He should have never been in jail, he did nothing wrong.

'This is hostage-taking. It's pure and simple. Saeed Abedini, the same thing. Governments are taking Americans hostage because they believe they can gain concessions from this government under Barack Obama. It's created an incentive for more people to do this in the future.'

Fellow Republican presidential candidates Chris Christie, Ben Carson, Ted Cruz and Donald Trump also criticized the deal as not being fair to America.

According to The Guardian, Trump told a rally in New Hampshire: 'Theyre getting seven people, so essentially they get $150 billion plus seven, and we get four.'

However, Democratic candidate Bernie Sanders said: 'This good news shows that diplomacy can work even in this volatile region of the world.'

The announcement of the prisoners' release came - and was likely directly linked to - the imminent lifting of sanctions imposed on the Islamic republic.

Sanctions are set to be lifted today as last July's controversial nuclear deal between Iran and world powers led by the United States was expected to be implemented.

Iran's foreign minister Javad Zarif arrived in Vienna, headquarters of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the U.N. body expected to issue a report triggering the lifting of sanctions imposed by the UN, U.S., and EU.

Most of the sanctions will be removed today, freeing up the country's economy which has been hit by reduced exports.

Zarif is due to meet Secretary of Stgate John Kerry, EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini, and IAEA chief Yukiya Amano later today.

'Implementation day' of the nuclear deal agreed last year marks the biggest re-entry of a former pariah state onto the global economic stage since the end of the Cold War.

It also marks a turning point in the hostility between Iran and the United States that has shaped the Middle East since 1979.

The prisoner exchange comes during testing times for American-Iranian relations and just days after a diplomatic stand-off over 10 U.S. sailors who strayed into Iranian waters

Under the deal, Iran has agreed to stop enriching uranium, which world powers feared could be used to make a nuclear weapon.

Once sanctions are lifted, Iran plans to swiftly ramp up its exports of oil. Global companies that have been barred from doing business there are likely to set up shop almost immediately.

Iran's transport minister said the country had already agreed a deal with Airbus to by 114 planes after the sanctions are removed.

All of the Republican candidates running to be the next president of the United States have opposed the deal, with some saying they would tear it up if they took office.

The prisoner exchange comes during testing times for American-Iranian relations and just days after a diplomatic stand-off over 10 U.S. sailors who strayed into Iranian waters.

The nine men and a woman were detained on Farsi Island - a top secret Iranian government facility - for 16 hours before they were released.

Humiliating images of the sailors surrendering to the IRGC were broadcast on Iran's state TV and then sent around the world.

They were then seen huddled in bare room, while the female soldier was forced to wear a head scarf while she was detained.

One of the Navy commanders was then recorded apologizing for the mishap while enjoying food with his captives.
A September 11 widower did not take kindly to a remark about 'New York values' that Republican presidential candidate Ted Cruz made earlier this week.

James Smith lost his wife, Moira, in the horrific terrorist attacks in 2001. She was the only female law enforcement official killed that day, according to ABC News.

Smith, who is a retired NYPD officer, wrote in a Facebook post that he is 'disappointed' by Cruz's remarks.

During the GOP debate earlier this week, Cruz was asked to explain past comments he made about Donald Trump embodying 'New York values.'

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Tragic: James Smith (right) did not take kindly to a remark about 'New York values' that Ted Cruz made earlier this week. Smith lost his wife, Moira (left), in the horrific terrorist attacks in 2001. She was the only female law enforcement official killed that day

Smith, who is a retired NYPD officer, wrote in a Facebook post that he is 'disappointed' by Cruz's remarks

During the GOP debate earlier this week, Cruz was asked to explain past comments he made about Donald Trump embodying 'New York values'

'You know, I think most people know exactly what New York values are,' he replied.

'Listen, there are many, many wonderful, wonderful working men and women in the state of New York.

'But everyone understands that the values in New York City are socially liberal or pro-abortion or pro-gay-marriage, focus around money and the media.'

In Smith's Facebook post, he invited Cruz to the Big Apple.

'I was disappointed by your disparaging remarks about New York values somehow being different from Iowa and New Hampshire values,' Smith wrote.

'I invite you to come to the National 9-11 Memorial and Museum and see for yourself, and perhaps learn something about, the values of New Yorkers and the Heroes who defended American values on September 11th, 2001.'

In an interview with ABC News, Smith said that Cruz's comments saddened him.

'It's disheartening to go through another cycle where politicians are trying to divide us,' he told ABC News. 'I'm hoping that Ted Cruz doesn't actually feel that way.'

Smith added that 'New Yorkers may go about things differently', however, their values are the same as the rest of the country.

Cruz said: 'Listen, there are many, many wonderful, wonderful working men and women in the state of New York. 'But everyone understands that the values in New York City are socially liberal or pro-abortion or pro-gay-marriage, focus around money and the media'

Smith wrote the message above to Ted Cruz about his 'disparaging remarks about New York values'

The widower wants Cruz to apologize not only to New Yorkers, but Americans in general.

'I, and some of the other widows, would love to give him a tour and talk to him about how New York came together and America came together,' he told ABC News.

Smith is not the only one who wants Cruz to apologize for his comments that he originally made during an attack against Trump earlier this week. He tried to explain and clarify them further at Thursday night's GOP debate.

'Everyone understands that the values in New York City are socially liberal or pro-abortion or pro-gay marriage,' Cruz said.

He added that New Yorkers are focused 'around money and the media'.

The widower wants Cruz to apologize to not only New Yorkers, but Americans in general. 'I, and some of the other widows, would love to give him a tour and talk to him about how New York came together and America came together,' he told ABC News

Police Officer Moira Smith from the 13 Precinct was tragically killed on 9/11

Trump quickly fired back at Cruz calling his remark a 'very insulting statement.'

'New York is a great place, it's got great people, it's got loving people, wonderful people,' he said.

In addition, Democratic front-runner Hillary Clinton and New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio have agree with Trump's defense of the city against Cruz.

The hashtag 'NewYorkValues' has been shared on Twitter more than 10,000 times.
Federal authorities have captured a Colorado bank robber known as the 'Scream Robber', less than a month after he was placed on the FBI's 'Ten Most Wanted' list, the agency said.

Myloh Jaqory Mason, 25, was taken into custody at a Motel 6 in Thornton, Colorado on Friday afternoon on several charges including attempted first-degree murder and aggravated robbery, the FBI said in a statement.

The other charges include attempted second-degree kidnapping, first-degree assault and second degree assault as well as a federal charge of convicted felon in possession of a ballistic vest.

Federal authorities have captured 25-year-old Myloh Jaqory Mason, a Colorado bank robber known as the 'Scream Robber', less than a month after he was placed on the FBI's 'Ten Most Wanted' list, the agency said

He was arrested on several charges including attempted first-degree murder and aggravated robbery, the FBI said in a statement

'The capture of this dangerous felon means our community is safer, because we believe Mason would have continued committing violent crimes while he was on the run,' FBI Denver Division Special Agent in Charge Thomas Ravenelle said in a statement.

'I thank each of the task force members for their hard work and commitment, as they worked day and night to get him behind bars.'

Mason is believed to have robbed a bank two banks in Lakewood this fall, according to the FBI.

In a September 30 robbery in Lakewood, just west of Denver, he and two other suspects allegedly wore costumes and masks from the movie Scream, a horror film released in 1996.

Mason was taken into custody at a Motel 6 in Thornton, Colorado on Friday around 5.30pm

Mason was also arrested on charges including attempted second-degree kidnapping, first-degree assault and second degree assault as well as a federal charge of convicted felon in possession of a ballistic vest

The masks were inspired by Edvard Munch's 1893 painting The Scream.

During that robbery, Mason and the two suspects are said to have shoved guns in tellers' faces and threatened to kill them if they did not open the vault, according to the FBI.

Mason is also accused of robbing another bank with two other suspects in Lakewood in November where they allegedly brutalized tellers while wearing bright green and white skeleton masks.

Authorities said they then broke into a man's house, shot him and drove off in his minivan. They crashed the van and shot a woman while trying to steal her car.

'The crimes allegedly committed by Mason and his accomplices on November 18 made clearly evident his extreme danger to the entire public,' Lakewood Police Chief Kevin Paletta said in the FBI's statement.

It is unclear whether the other suspects have been captured.

Mason was placed on the agency's 'Ten Most Wanted' list on December 17, becoming the 505th person to be placed on the list since it was created in 1950, the FBI said.

Reward for tips leading to his arrest was set at $100,000, however no reward money will be paid out since a public tip did not lead to his arrest.
Pope Francis always appears only to happy to pose for selfies and take time out of his busy schedule to comfort those in need.

Now the Pope has taken things to a new level after being photographed appearing to bless an image of someone's relative on their mobile phone.

The unusual act took place when the Pope was greeting a large crowd at the Paul VI hall at the Vatican.

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The Pope has taken things to a new level after being photographed appearing to bless an image of someone's relative on their mobile phone

Pope Francis is set to become the third pope to visit Rome's main synagogue tomorrow in what is being promoted as a sign of continued Catholic-Jewish friendship.

The Vatican recently announced that it no longer supports official efforts for Catholics to convert the Jews.

But the visit also follows a series of developments that have upset some in the Jewish community, including a new Vatican treaty signed with the "state of Palestine" and Francis' own words and deeds that have been interpreted by some as favoring the Palestinian political cause.

The chief rabbi of Rome, Riccardo Di Segni, said that the papal visit was of great significance.

He said it aimed at showing five decades of improving Christian-Jewish relations and interfaith harmony, at a time of Islamic extremist violence around the globe.

Pope Francis waves as he arrives during a special audience with members of Christian Workers' Movement at the Paul VI hall at the Vatican

The ever popular Pope took time to greet the large crowd at the hall in the Vatican

Pope Francis is set to become the third pope to visit Rome's main synagogue tomorrow in what is being promoted as a sign of continued Catholic-Jewish friendship

Di Segni, the chief rabbi of Rome, told reporters this week that he would underline the crucial link between Jews and Israel in his speech on Sunday.

While welcoming the theoretical declaration that the Catholic Church cannot support institutional efforts at converting Jews, he said he hoped Francis would provide "concrete signs" translating that during his synagogue visit.
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Clean-up has begun on the island of Wangerooge, off the northern coast of Germany, after two sperm whales were stranded on its beaches earlier this week.

The mammals have arrived in Wilhelmshaven on the mainland last night and are waiting in the port for dissection, so that scientists could uncover the cause of death.

It comes as a pod of 12 whales were discovered dead on or off the coast of the Dutch island of Texel and the German islands of Wangerooge and Helgoland this week.

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Lifted: One of two sperm whales that stranded at the island Wangerooge is lifted with a crane in Wilhelmshaven, northern Germany

Process: The body of the beached sperm whales arrived in Wilhelmshaven, Germany, last night. Two dead sperm whales where found on the North Sea island and are to dissected in the coming days

Examined: Dutch whale experts, Aart Walen (left) and Michael von Leeuwen (right), began the dissection of two sperm whale carcasses on the pier of the JadeWeserPort in Wilhelmshaven, Germany, today

The sperm whale is one of the largest of the toothed whales and need deep waters.

In shallow waters, its body weight could cause it to suffocate although at present it's not clear whether this was the cause of death.

After death, bacteria and gasses multiply inside the whale.

With increasing, pressure, the bodies could explode, meaning that the mammals had to be moved and treated quickly.

Their bodies were opened up on the beach to allow any build up of gasses to escape before being moved with a crane.

The whales found on the East Frisian island of Wangerooge were both male and believed to weigh about 18 tons each.

They are currently kept on land at JadeWeserPort, where they will be dissected.

Horrific: A drone picture shows two dead sperm wales found off Heligoland lying on a pier in Nordstrand, Germany, 14 January 2016

After death: Experts examine a dead sperm whale on a pier in Nordstrand, Germany, as it's already showing signs of decomposition

In Texel: Aerial view of people dissecting the body one of the stranded sperm whales on the island of Texel, The Netherlands, 14 January

Enormous work: A team of whale experts begin the dissection of two sperm whale carcasses on the pier of the JadeWeserPort in Wilhelmshaven, Germany

The whales discovered further north, off of the coast of Heligoland, have been taken to Nordstrand, Germany, close to the border with Denmark.

They are kept on the pier as experts examined them.

Gruesome photos from the scene showed that the animals were already shrivelling with their skins peeling away.

The whales that were beached off the coast of Texel island on Tuesday were dissected in situ, leaving a grisly trail of entrails.

Marian Bestelink, a spokeswoman for the ministry of economic affairs, said: 'Experts found that the whales died during the night.'

'We are going to investigate why they beached and then we will remove them,' Bestelink said, adding that the process would probably take several days.

Experts said the beached whales had already been badly injured and their chances of survival were poor.

Volunteers tried to save them but called off their efforts late in the night because of bad weather and darkness.

The sperm whale is one of the largest of the toothed whales and need deep waters. In shallow waters, its body weight could cause it to suffocate although at present it's not clear whether this was the cause of death

Beached whale: Their bodies were opened up on the beach to allow any build up of gasses to escape before being moved with a crane
Since it was revealed that Sean Penn secretly traveled to Mexico to interview Joaquin 'El Chapo' Guzman Loera for Rolling Stone, the actor has insisted that he had nothing to do with the drug kingpin's recapture.

Speaking to CBS 60 Minutes' Charlie Rose, Penn said his intention in tracking down the escaped drug kingpin and writing about him for Rolling Stone was to kick-start a discussion of the US government's policy on the War on Drugs.

But the public's attention has instead been focused on the fact that Penn found and met with Guzman for seven hours in a mountain hideout last October while he was still evading Mexican officials.

He was apprehended only last week after six months on the run.

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Passionate: Speaking to CBS 60 Minutes' Charlie Rose, Sean Penn said his intention in tracking down the escaped drug kingpin and writing about him for Rolling Stone was to kick-start a discussion of the US government's policy on the War on Drugs

Emotional: Susan Constantine, a body language expert, analyzed Penn's interview with Rose to see if the two-time Oscar winning actor is just trying to cover his tracks

She explained that throughout the interview, Penn appears to be very passionate and emotional and that she doesn't think it was an act

Susan Constantine, a body language expert, analyzed Penn's interview with Rose for Radar Online to see if the two-time Oscar winning actor is just trying to cover his tracks.

She explained that throughout the interview, Penn appears to be very passionate and emotional and that she doesn't think it was an act.

Constantine highlighted a point of the interview when Rose asked the Hollywood star if he was responsible for the drug kingpin's recapture with the magazine publishing his exclusive interview.

'Instead of saying yes or no he went into dialogue - a very emotional dialogue - and that's where his voice started to crack up and it became very stressed. It's a stress indicator,' Constantine told Radar Online.

'There was a lot of emotion there and that's why the vocal chords get strained.

'It was as if almost he was holding back tears. He's passionate about this.

Constantine highlighted a point of the interview when Rose asked the Hollywood star if he was responsible for the drug kingpin's recapture

In regards Penn's body language for the question, Constantine said: 'There was a lot of emotion there and that's why the vocal chords get strained. It was as if almost he was holding back tears. He's passionate about this'

'You could hear it in his voice, in his body language. At points he was almost angry.'

She also mentioned that she believes that Penn was telling the truth to Rose during the interview.

'I think he was being honest. I did not see any indicators of deception expect when he avoided the question,' Constantine told Radar.

She explained that another point in the highly anticipated interview stuck out to her as well.

'The other thing was where he was asked if he regrets that the story came out before it should have - that's when he immediately goes to his collar and scratches his neck,' she said.

'At that point he was showing stress again. That is actually what we call a manipulator - especially the neck in this case that was showing that here was a lot of heat around it.

'It was like very hot under the collar, very intense and he felt enormous stress after that question.'

The full CBS interview with Penn and Rose will air Sunday on 60 Minutes.

She also said that at points in the interview Penn 'was almost angry'

In regards to when Penn answered if he regrets his Rolling Stone story being released, Constantine said: 'It was like very hot under the collar, very intense and he felt enormous stress after that question'

According to the New York Daily News, in the CBS interview Penn said: 'I have a terrible regret.

'I have a regret that the entire discussion about this article ignores its purpose, which was to contribute to this conversation on the war on drugs.

'We all want this drug problem to stop. ... We are the consumer. Whether you agree with Sean Penn or not, there is a complicity there. And if you are in the moral right, or on the far left, just as many of your children are doing these drugs ... And how much time have they spent in the last week since this article come [sic] out, talking about that? One per cent? I think that'd be generous.

'My article has failed,' he added, explaining that it lacked discussion about drug cartels and abuse.

Mexican officials have said security forces located the whereabouts of the world's most-wanted trafficker thanks to the secret interview with the actor.

But Penn denied this when Rose asked if he thought his visit had anything to do with El Chapo's capture.

'There is this myth about the visit that we made, my colleagues and I with El Chapo, that it was -- as the Attorney General of Mexico is quoted -- "essential" to his capture,' Penn said. 'We had met with him many weeks earlier...on October 2nd, in a place nowhere near where he was captured.'

Rolling Stone magazine released its full 17-minute video interview with El Chapo days after the notorious drug lord was captured and it emerged he had met with Oscar-winning actor Sean Penn (pictured together)

CBS reported that Penn added: 'Here's the things that we know: We know that the Mexican government ... they were clearly very humiliated by the notion that someone found him before they did.

'Well, nobody found him before they did. We didn't - we're not smarter than the DEA or the Mexican intelligence. We had a contact upon which we were able to facilitate an invitation.'

The 55-year-old actor and director pointed a finger of blame for the controversy at jealous journalists who did not take kindly to being outscooped by a Hollywood celebrity.

'When you get the story that every journalist in the world wanted, there's a lot of green-eyed monsters who gonna come give you a kiss,' Penn told Rose.

He went on to say that he think the reason he succeeded in scoring a meeting with the world's most wanted fugitive was because he is not a traditional journalist.

And when quizzed on whether he now feared for his life, Penn said 'no'.
warned the terrorists could then carry out attacks

Terrorists could be posing as homeless people to plant explosives on the Paris Metro underground system, two leading French politicians have warned.

Jihadis could 'easily blend in' with the estimated 300 people who sleep rough in underground stations during the winter, senators Alain Fouche and Francois Bonhomme said in a 50-page report.

They wrote in the document submitted to the French parliament: 'Terrorists can get in by blending with the homeless people that sleep in the Metro at night, then seize the opportunity to carry out any number of attacks. They could sabotage the stations or install explosives.'

Warning: Two leading French politicians have warned terrorists could be posing as homeless people to plant explosives on the Paris Metro (stock image)

Senators Alain Fouche (right) and Francois Bonhomme (left) said jihadis could 'easily blend in' with the estimated 300 people who sleep rough in underground stations

The senators said the warning was not issued to 'chase out' the homeless, but to highlight security loopholes the French capital's transport network.

To reduce the risk attacks, the senators called for more housing options for the homeless in Paris, and better security and CCTV coverage on the Metro.

France continues to be in a state of high alert following the November attacks in Paris which killed 130 people.

France's state-owned railway SNCF confirmed that security cameras which can predict terror attacks by monitoring suspicious behaviour and luggage could eventually be rolled out across France.

There are an estimated 300 people who sleep rough in underground stations during the winter (stock image)

A law is also under consideration in France to give SNCF security agents powers to perform pat-downs and search passengers' luggage.

Airport-style security gates were installed at Paris Gare du Nord station last month at a cost of 1.7 million pounds a year, but experts dismissed the extra security as 'terror theatre' that would have no practical effect.

French Prime Minister Manuel Valls has said that the authorities believe new terror attacks are being planned in France and in other European countries following the carnage in Paris.

He told the French media: 'We know that operations were being prepared and are still being prepared, not only against France but other European countries too.
Rescuers battled waves up to 30 feet Saturday as they searched for 12 Marines who are missing after two helicopters crashed off the Hawaiian island of Oahu.

On Saturday evening, the U.S. Marine Corps released the names of the missing officers.

Among the missing are Maj. Shawn M. Campbell, from College Station, Texas; Capt. Brian T. Kennedy, from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Capt. Kevin T. Roche, from St. Louis, Missouri; and Capt. Steven R. Torbert, from Florence, Alabama.

Sgt. Dillon J. Semolina, from Chaska, Minnesota; and Sgt. Adam C. Schoeller, from Gardners, Pennsylvania; Sgt. Jeffrey A. Sempler, from Woodruff, South Carolina; and Sgt. William J. Turner, from Florala, Alabama, are missing too.

Also missing are Cpl. Matthew R. Drown, from, Spring, Texas; Cpl. Thomas J. Jardas, from Fort Myers, Florida; Cpl. Christopher J. Orlando, from Hingham, Massachusetts; and Lance Cpl. Ty L. Hart, from Aumsville, Oregon.

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Captain Steven R. Robert, 29 from Florence, Alabama, is pictured here with his wife Kirsten. Torbert went missing as the helicopter in which he traveled went down over the Pacific Ocean near Oahu.

Captain Brian T. Kennedy, 31, from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania was on one of the crashed helicopters. He is pictured here with his sister Caitlin

Sgt. William J. Turner, 25, from Florala, Alabama, was among the 12 missing Marines involved in the helicopter crash

Cpl. Chris Orlando, from Hingham, Massachusetts, has been identified as one of 12 Marines missing after two two helicopters crashed off the Hawaiian island of Oahu

Sgt. Dillon Semolina, of Delano, Minnesota, was third in command on one of the helicopters

Semolina's family have since set up a GoFundMe page in order to help his parents, who are desperate to get to Hawaii as fast as possible as the search for their 24-year-old son continues

The waves dispersed the debris and complicated the search, which was expanded to include waters off Oahu's west coast. 'It makes finding things incredibly difficult,' Coast Guard spokesman Lt. Scott Carr said.

Winds died down to about 10 mph, but the National Weather Service said a high surf warning would remain in effect through Sunday morning.

The Coast Guard was notified late Thursday of the crash by a civilian who saw the aircraft flying then disappear and a fireball. Someone else reported a flare in the sky, Carr said. It was not clear if the fireball and the flare were the same.

Sgt. Jeffrey Sempler, from Woodruff, South Carolina, is missing and seen left and right in these photographs

Sgt. Adam Schoeller, from Gardners, Pennsylvania, has been named as one of the missing Marines

This photo taken in 2010 and provided by the Roche family, shows Capt. Kevin Roche. On Saturday, the U.S. Marine Corps released the names of the missing officers involved in a helicopter crash, including Roche

The Marines were alerted when the CH-53E helicopters carrying six crew members each failed to return to their base at Kaneohe Bay following a nighttime training mission. Hours later, a Coast Guard helicopter and C-130 airplane spotted debris 2 1/2 miles off of Oahu.

A Navy P-3 airplane was scouring the ocean, along with helicopters from the Coast Guard, Army, Navy and Honolulu police and fire departments. Two Navy warships and two Coast Guard cutters were on the scene. Honolulu lifeguards on personal watercraft were also looking.

The Coast Guard was keeping people out of a wide zone that spanned about 30 miles of shoreline, citing danger from debris. The zone extended from the shore to 8 miles off the coast.

Cpl. Thomas Jardas from Fort Myers, Florida, has also been named as among the missing

National Weather Service meteorologist Derek Wroe said Saturday that the surf peaked Friday afternoon and was slowly declining.

A storm about 1,500 miles to the north and northwest of Oahu was sending large swells to the islands, he said.

The transport helicopters were part of the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing at Marine Corps Base Hawaii. Known as Super Stallions, they are the U.S. military's largest helicopter, capable of carrying a light armored vehicle, 16 tons of cargo or a team of combat-equipped Marines, according to a Marine Corps website.

The Coast Guard initially reported that the choppers had collided, but Marine Capt. Timothy Irish said Friday that he did not know if the accident was a collision.

Lance Cpl. Ty Heart (pictured here with his wife) was one of the first missing Marines to be identified

The helicopters normally carry four crew members, but this particular flight also carried one or two instructor trainers, Irish said. He did not know if they were teaching the crew or just observing.

The family of Cpl. Christopher Orlando of Hingham, Massachusetts, said it was grateful for people's prayers. 'We continue to monitor the ongoing search effort in Hawaii and are thankful for the hard work of the many federal and local heroes undertaking this search and rescue mission,' the family said in a statement released by the Massachusetts State Police.

Ty Hart, a 21-year-old from Oregon, was in one of the helicopters, the Oregonian reported Friday night. The newspaper said Hart lives on base in Hawaii with his wife.

Hart's former high school football coach and teacher, Alan Kirby, described Hart as a positive kid who always had a smile on his face and called him a quick learner on the gridiron.

The family of Capt. Kevin Roche believes he was one of the Marines aboard the helicopters.

'We believe the Marines and Coast Guard are doing everything they can to bring Kevin and his fellow Marines home safely, and we are grateful to everyone involved in the rescue,' said a family statement distributed by brother-in-law Anthony Kuenzel in St. Louis.

Semolina, 24, was third in command on one of the helicopters, his father Mike De la Cruz, a retired Marine, told Fox 9.

De la Cruz said Semolina's crew took off at 10.40pm and was supposed to return to the base at 11.45pm.

Semolina's family have since set up a GoFundMe page in order to help his parents, who are desperate to get to Hawaii as fast as possible as the search for their son continues.

Chris Orlando was identified as one of the missing Marines by a friend. Orlando's mother is a retired Massachusetts State Trooper, police told FOX25.

Capt. Roche was described his family as a 'passionate Marine' and said they are praying for his safe return.

'We believe the Marines and Coast Guard are doing everything they can to bring Kevin and his fellow Marines home safely,' the family said in a statement.

Family: It is unknown whether Ty Hart, pictured here with family, survived the crash or if any others on board the plane are still alive

Houston natives Cpl. Matthew Drown (pictured left) and Maj. Shawn Campbell (pictured right), 41, were also on the helicopters during the crash

Drown (pictured center) joined the Marines shortly after graduating high school

'We are grateful to everyone involved in the rescue.'

Roche's identity was revealed to CNN by brother-in-law Anthony Kuenzel.

It was revealed on Friday that missing Marine Ty Hart, 21, had married his high school sweetheart just six months ago and enlisted in 2013.

Hart's wife Hannah lives on the base with him in Hawaii, according to OregonLive.com.

Maj. Shawn Campbell, 41, is a married father of four who lived in Hawaii with his family and has done three tours of duty in the Middle East.

His family said he was flying one of the helicopters, according to KHOU.

Fellow Texas native Cpl. Drown, 23, has been in the Marines for five years and joined shortly after graduating high school.

U.S. Marines walk on the beach Friday at Waimea Bay near Haleiwa, Hawaii, where two military helicopters crashed into the ocean about 2 miles offshore

Poor weather conditions continued to hamper the search as the US Coast Guard and Navy, as well as the Honolulu Fire Department, joined forces on Friday in the hunt for survivors

The Marines were alerted when the CH-53E helicopters carrying six crew members each failed to return to their base at Kaneohe Bay following a nighttime training mission

Poor weather conditions hampered the search as the US Coast Guard and Navy, as well as the Honolulu Fire Department, joined forces on Friday in the hunt for survivors.

'The weather is making it very difficult,' a Coast Guard spokesman said. 'It is very difficult to find things right now. Our goal is to find survivors.'

Surf rose to 40 feet on Friday and the Coast Guard said visibility only extended to one mile.

Coast Guard Lt. Scott Carr told Daily Mail Online that they have observed a debris field during the search and rescue mission.

Hawaii News Now reported fire and an empty life raft were also spotted.

Wreckage was reportedly strewn over a 2-mile area.

In a press release Friday, the Marine Corps urged residents of Oahu not to touch any debris floating into shore from the crashed helicopters.

Coast Guard Lt. Scott Carr told Daily Mail Online that they have observed a debris field during the search and rescue mission

In a press release Friday, the Marine Corps urged residents of Oahu not to touch any debris floating into shore from the crashed helicopters

The report of the downed aircraft came in at 11:38pm Thursday.

Elaray Navarro, a retiree who lives across the street from the beach, said she heard two booms late Thursday that were loud enough to shake her house.

'I threw my blanket off, put my slippers on and ran outside thinking it was a car accident,' she said.

She expressed concern for the crew as she watched the pounding surf from Haleiwa.

'I pray to the man upstairs to help them. To bring them home safely,' she said.

The aircraft involved were of the model CH-53, also known as Sea Stallions, according to a tweet posted by the Marines.

Two CH-53D helicopters approach a landing zone during an exercise in Oahu, Hawaii, in 2004. Two helicopters of the same model were involved in the crash, the Coast Guard reported

Military officials and Honolulu Police Department officers talk at a beach park where search and rescue officials are meeting in Haleiwa, Hawaii

The helicopters were from the Marine Corps Base Hawaii near Honolulu, the Marine Corps said.

The Marine Corps said the aircraft were from Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 463, Marine Aircraft Group 24, 1st Military Aircraft Wing in Hawaii.

On Friday afternoon, Marine Corps Base Hawaii announced it had set up a center for counseling, support and childcare for the families of the missing Marines.

The incident comes less than a year after the Marine Corps' new hybridized airplane-and-helicopter aircraft crashed during a training exercise, killing two Marines.

The MV-22 Osprey went down last May with 21 Marines and a Navy corpsman on board.

A US Navy ship operates off Haleiwa harbor in Hawaii on Friday

Fire department rescue personnel stand near a department helicopter at Haleiwa, Hawaii, on Friday
The body of Sadie Hartley (pictured), 60, was found around 10.40pm on Friday by police and paramedics called after an employee became concerned she had not been in touch

A 34-year-old woman has been arrested on suspicion of the murder of a 'thoroughly decent' businesswoman killed in a 'ferocious' knife attack at her 450,000 home, police said today.

Mother-of-three Sadie Hartley, 60, who runs a medical communications business, was found stabbed to death in the hallway of her house in the village of Helmshore, Lancashire, on Friday evening.

She was alone at the time as her partner Ian Johnston, an ex-fireman, was abroad on a skiing holiday in the Swiss Alps at the time. He is not considered a suspect.

A 34-year-old woman from Chester is in custody on suspicion of murder. Searches remain ongoing in the Chester area.

Nothing is believed to be missing from Ms Hartley's home, a large detached, stone-built property and there is no sign of forced entry.

Ms Hartley suffered defence injuries as she fought back from the attack, launched possibly on her doorstep.

Detectives said she died in a 'targeted attack' and do not believe the motive was robbery.

Police are now investigating the private and business life of the victim, who had two grown-up daughters and a son.

Detective Superintendent Paul Withers, from Lancashire Police said: 'She's a thoroughly decent lady, successful businesswoman who works very, very hard and she certainly didn't deserve to end her life in this manner.

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The 60-year-old businesswoman was found dead inside her rented home in the village of Helmshore, pictured

A red Audi TT is seen being towed from outside the house at the scene on Sunny Bank Road, Helmshore

'I don't feel this is a random attack, I think Sadie has been targeted by an individual who clearly had some issues with her for whatever reason and it is imperative we find out why this has happened.

'It was quite a ferocious attack on a lady at home alone. We are absolutely determined to identify who has done it so hopefully they will face the courts and a lengthy, lengthy custodial sentence.

'We are determined to get justice for Sadie and her extended family and her partner Ian.

'I genuinely believe the truth in this tale will come from this community.'

A director of her own business, Hartley Taylor, based in Knutsford, Cheshire, the victim was last seen alive on Thursday at a conference in Manchester with a colleague.

She was last in contact with a friend and work colleague around 7.30pm on Thursday evening, then stopped answering emails, which was unusual.

Police believe she was murdered sometime soon after.

In a statement Lancashire Police said: 'Sadie is last known to have made contact with a work colleague at around 7.30pm on Thursday January 14 but was not heard from since.

Police were pictured at the scene of murderthis morning as they seek clues as to who was responsible

It is thought Ms Hartley was last seen alive on Thursday at a conference in Manchester with a colleague. She is believed to have returned home and last made contact with family on Thursday evening

'At around 8pm on that night an old style Renault Clio car is seen on CCTV driving into Sunny Bank Road and driving off around a minute later.

'Officers want to trace this car. Was this your vehicle? Were you driving the car?'

Police and paramedics found her body around 10.40pm on Friday in the hallway of her house.

A post-mortem examination carried out on Saturday evening confirmed the cause of death as multiple stab wounds.

A police sniffer dog searches the forest opposite Ms Hartley's home. Forensics officers in white boiler suits could today be seen going in and out of the four bedroom detached property, alongside a gated-community

The search is hoping to find any evidence related to the murder of the 60-year-old businesswoman

Det Supt Withers described the attack as 'horrific' and one of the worst he had seen in his career.

Her partner, Mr Johnston, a volunteer with Rossendale and Pendle Mountain Rescue team, whose mother died just two months ago, is now back in the UK.

Police today made an appeal to identify a car and three individuals caught on CCTV in the area in the time leading up to the murder.

Forensics officers in white boiler suits could today be seen going in and out of the four bedroom detached property, alongside a gated-community.

An employee called at Ms Hartley's home last night after becoming concerned about her safety

The scene at Ms Hartley's 500,000 home today, where police and forensic experts remain on site

One local said there had been a spate of house burglaries in the neighbourhood with car keys being stolen from homes and vehicles snatched

A blue tent had been erected at the front door leading to an empty driveway.

Detective Superintendent Andy Murphy of Lancashire Police, said: 'We are in the early stages of our inquiries and are working to establish exactly how Sadie has come about these injuries.

'We have a large team of detectives dedicated to following all lines of inquiry.

'Specialist officers are supporting Sadie's family at this difficult time.

'I would urge anyone with information about Sadie's death to please get in contact with us at your earliest opportunity.'

Locals said the 450,000 home was rented by Ms Hartley for the past year from the owner who is in Australia

One local said there had been a spate of house burglaries in the neighbourhood with car keys being stolen from homes and vehicles snatched.

The woman, who did not want to be named, added: 'There's been a few robberies or burglaries of cars from the houses recently. There are a lot of people drive Ferraris and Mercedes live up there.'

Ian Fell, who has lived in the area for 30 years, said: 'I didn't know them, but it is a really nice area and it's shocking something like that has happened here.

'I've lived around here for around 30 years and there used to be a mill there before those houses were built - they are nice houses and must cost around half a million pounds each.'

One woman, who didn't wish to be named simply said: 'It's awful.'

Neighbours spoke of their disbelief that such a murder could happen among the close-knit community. The quiet Lancashire village has a population of just 5,800.

Martin Frost, 40, said: The whole village is in shock.

This isnt the sort of thing that happens around here. There has been a spate of car crimes recently but weve never had anything like this. The house has been burgled in the past too.

Theyve had a team here with poles searching down drains. Im not sure if theyre looking for a weapon but its bizarre to see so many police around here.

Locals said the house is rented from the owner who lives in Australia and Ms Hartley had lived there for about 12 months.

The 60-year-old was once a member of the Light Cavalry Honourable Artillery Company. The keen horse-rider had also run her own equine business.

More officers could be seen searching drains and making a finger-tip search of the cul-de-sac as detectives made house-to-house inquiries.

Any information you have could be vital for our investigation. Call us on 101 quoting incident reference 1481 of January 15.
Thousands of people have taken to the streets of German cities to protest against racism and violence that erupted against refugees after the mass sexual assaults in Cologne on New Year's Eve.

Rallies were organised in the southwestern city of Stuttgart by churches, labour unions and other groups to condemn attacks on asylum-seekers. Police estimated 7,000 people turned out for the protest.

Protestant bishop Frank Otfried July told protesters: 'Whether it's cowardly arson attacks on homes for asylum-seekers, foreigners being chased or sexist violence, we are showing it the red card.'

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A woman from Syria protests during the demonstration 'Syrian refugees say no to the Cologne assaults!' in Cologne

People from Syria hold placards with the messages: 'We respect the values of German society', 'No to sexism, no to racism' during a rally outside the main railway station in Cologne

Syrian refugees gathered to condemn the Cologne sexual assaults and to thank Germany for taking them in

Placards reading 'We are against sexism' and 'We respect the values of German society' are held during protest in Cologne

In Cologne, Syrian refugees gathered to condemn the Cologne sexual assaults and to thank Germany for taking them in.

Asylum-seekers were holding signs with the messages: 'We respect the values of German society', 'We are all Cologne', 'No to sexism, no to racism' and using the #SyrerGegenSexismus (Syrians Against Sexism) on Facebook and Twitter.

They also handed flowers to passer-by as they demonstrated against violence.

Others placed a rose with a sign reading 'No Violence' on steps at the Cologne main train station, where violence against women were perpetrated.

Syrian pianist Aeham Ahmad, winner of Beethoven Prize, also took part to the protest and played outside the station.

More than a thousand refugees are expected to join an anti-sexism protest outside Cologne cathedral, near the site of the attacks, on Saturday 16 January.

Syrian pianist Aeham Ahmad, winner of Beethoven Prize, also took part to the protest and played outside the station

Others placed a rose with a sign reading 'No Violence' on steps at the Cologne main train station, where violence against women were perpetrated

Refugees handed flowers to passer-by as they demonstrated against violence

The site of the protest was near the Cologne main train station where hundreds of women were groped and robbed in a throng of mostly Arab and North African men during New Year's Eve

A group of male refugees from Syria handed out leaflets on the streets of Cologne declaring:

'We, men from Syria, condemn in the strongest possible terms abuse against women and the attack and robberies on New Year's Eve'.

'We thank all the people in Germany, both women and men, for all of the help they have so far offered us. We want to show ourselves worthy of your help. We remain united: Your values are our values.'

It comes after far-right thugs ran riot in Leipzig, destroying doner kebab fast food restaurants, setting cars ablaze and smashing shop windows.

Around 250 hooligans of LEGIDA - the local branch of PEGIDA, an xenophobic and anti-organisation - went on a rampage that evoked memories of the wave of violence against Jews that erupted across Nazi Germany on the Kristallnacht attacks in 1938.

A man from Syria holds a placard reading 'Syrians against sexism' during a rally outside the main railway station in Cologne

Others hold a sign reading "No to violence against women" with a German flag

The migrant protest took place after far-right thugs from Leipzig's branch of PEGIDA went on a rampage against kebab restaurants and shops

Syrian refugees gathered to say no to violence and sexism

The right-wingers broke away from a largely peaceful march in the eastern city to trash the suburb of Connewitz.

At one point the demonstrators, who threw fireworks at police, attempted to build a barricade in a main street with signs and torn up paving stones before they were dispersed.

Firemen had to tackle a blaze in the attic of one building set alight by a wayward rocket fired by the rioters. A bus carrying leftist pro-asylum demonstrators was also attacked and seriously damaged.

'It was naked violence that took place here, nothing more,' Jung said. 'That has been established and there must be consequences.'

Police said they have identified and arrested 211 of the crowd of right-wing hooligans, many of them with criminal records for violence.

'This was a serious breach of the peace,' said a police spokesman, confirming that several police officers were injured in the clashes triggered by simmering anger over the New Year's Eve mass sex attacks against women in Cologne and several other German cities.

Some 250 hooded hooligans destroyed kebab restaurants in Leipzig

Two craftsmen repair the shattered windows of a clothing store the day after right-wing supporters rioted in Leipzig
Rosary beads, a metal poker chip and a statuette of a Hindu monkey god.

They may sound like a random collection of items, but they can all be found in President Barack Obama's pockets.

Obama revealed in his annual YouTube interview that he carries an array of trinkets around with him to remind himself of people he has met during his presidency.

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President Barack Obama revealed in his annual YouTube interview that he carries an array of trinkets around with him to remind himself of people he has met

The first of four items he showed in the 35-minute long interview with three YouTube users was rosary beads given to him by Pope Francis

Obama showed Ingrid Nilsen a statuette of the Hindu monkey god Hanuman (pictured), which he keeps in his pocket from time to time

The President said he keeps a bowl full of them in the White House and likes to take a few around with him.

Speaking to YouTuber Ingrid Nilsen, also known as Missglamorazzi, he said they gave him inspiration if he is ever feeling 'tired or discouraged'.

The first of four items he showed in the 35-minute long interview with three users of the video sharing website was rosary beads given to him by Pope Francis.

Obama said they meant a lot to him because of his admiration for the Pontiff, but also because it makes him think about 'peace and promoting understanding and ethical behavior'.

He also showed a small statue of the Buddha that he was given by a Buddhist, and a lucky poker chip handed to him by a handlebar mustachioed biker during his first campaign.

'This is a lucky poker chip that's metal that this biker gave me,' he said. 'He was like bald and had a handlebar mustache and a bunch of tats. This is when I was in Iowa in 2007. He said, "this is my lucky poker chip. You can have it."'

The President occasionally carries a Coptic cross with him that he was given while he was in Ethiopia

A biker with a handlebar mustache gave the President this metal poker chip as he campaigned in Iowa in 2007

He also showed Ms Nilsen a statuette of the Hindu monkey god Hanuman and a Coptic cross he was given in Ethiopia.

'The reason I thought it was useful to show these was because I carry them around all the time,' Obama said.

'I'm not that superstitious, it's not like I think necessarily I have to have them on me at all times, but it does remind me of all the other different people I've met along the way and how much they've invested in me.

'If I feel tired or I feel discouraged sometimes then I can reach into my pocket and say "that's something I can overcome because somebody gave me this privilege to work on these issues that affect them. I better get back to work."'

Earlier in the interview, the President faced questions on which Star Wars movie is the best and how dogs should wear pants.

Obama revealed he has not seen the newest Star Wars movie yet, even though a screening was held at the White House last month as it hit theaters.

He told YouTube user sWoozie, whose real name is Adande Thorne ,that he if he had to be a main character in the movie series, he would pick Hans Solo.

'I gotta go with Hans Solo, he's a little bit of a rebel,' he said.

Obama also said that he thought Kendrick Lamar would beat Drake in a rap battle.
Dr. Narenda Nagareddy was arrested after allegedly overprescribing medication that resulted in the death of 36 of his patients

A Georgia psychiatrist has been arrested after he allegedly ran a pill mill and overprescribed medication that resulted in the death of 36 of his patients.

Dr. Narenda Nagareddy has been charged with the unlawful overprescribing of opiates and benzodiazepine without a legitimate purpose for his patients, authorities said.

Nagareddy was arrested on Thursday at his Jonesboro office, which was raided by nearly 40 agents with the federal Drug Enforcement Administration as well as the Clayton County Police Department.

Investigators said it has been confirmed that at least 12 of Nagareddy's patients deaths' were the result of prescription drug intoxication, according to legal documents obtained by WSB-TV.

The document reads that a total of 36 of Nagareddy's patients died 'while being prescribed controlled substances' from the doctor.

It was the overdose death of a mother of two young boys that police said led them to Nagareddy.

Audrey Austin suffered a fatal overdose on of the two medications Nagareddy had prescribed her just the day before on February 20, 2014, according to her mother Ruth Carr.

Nagareddy's arrest warrant focuses on his prescriptions to Austin.

'She was an addict and he made it very easy for her,' Carr told WSB-TV.

Austin had only recently left rehab. Carr said Nagareddy's arrest is a long time coming.

'I knew that he was doing this with people other than my daughter,' she said. 'I knew that she wasn't the only one.'

It was the overdose death of Audrey Austin, a mother of two young boys, that police said led them to Nagareddy and his eventual arrest on Thursday at his Jonesboro, Georgia office

Austin suffered a fatal overdose on of the two medications Nagareddy had prescribed her just the day before on February 20, 2014, according to her mother Ruth Carr

Carr said she filed a medical board complaint against the doctor in 2012.

Legal documents state that former and current patients of Nagareddy have admitted to 'obtaining controlled substance prescriptions...without having a legitimate medical need' from the doctor.

'People come to this person for help, and instead of getting help, they're met with deadly consequences,' Clayton County Police Chief Mike Register told WSB-TV.

'If the allegations are true, he is Dr. Death, no doubt about it.'

Allegations alleging that Nagareddy is a drug pusher date back as old as 2010, when one reviewer claims they were kept 'wasted on seven different drugs'.

'If you want drugs this is your guy,' the person wrote on RateMds.com. 'If you want help, keep looking or youll (sic) end up in rehab.'

Another alleged patient of Nagareddy's wrote on Vitals.com that she paid $75 for 'basically the 60 seconds it takes to fill out a prescription'.

A DEA agent leads Nagareddy out of his office on Thursday following his arrest

Nagareddy's office (pictured) was raided by nearly 40 agents with the federal Drug Enforcement Administration as well as the Clayton County Police Department

'It's by no means a personal, "open up and tell me what's going on" type of relationship,' they wrote.

'It's a "hurry pay me" on his end, and a "hurry write the Rxs so I can leave" on my end!'

Other patients on these sites call Nagareddy a good doctor, one even crediting him for saving their life, and attorney Steven Frey said he is not responsible for anyone's death.

'I have had several calls from the medical community showing their full support,' he said. 'So I expect they will continue to do so and we will vigorously defend him.'

The State Board of Medical Examiners said Nagareddy has never been disciplined and has no criminal convictions, medical malpractice suits or medical settlements, according to Fox Carolina.

The term 'Pill mill' is used to define medical offices that dispense prescription medicine easily and for non-medical reasons without a physical exam, and often accepting only cash.

A sign currently hands on Nagareddy's office, advising those with prescription drug addiction to call the state's crisis line.
A British mother-of-one has been arrested in Argentina after police alleged she was a ringleader of a criminal gang in Buenos Aires.

Georgia Annie Wawman, from Marlborough in Wiltshire, stunned police with her 'barbie girl' appearance when she was arrested in a police raid on her home in the neighbourhood of Manzanares.

Police said the 26-year-old was suspected of being a key player in a gang which targeted gated communities and country clubs in exclusive neighbourhoods north of the capital.

Accused: British mother-of-one Georgia Annie Wawman was arrested in Buenos Aires for her suspected role in a criminal gang which stole cash and valuables from gated communities and country clubs

Ms Wawman was arrested along with eight suspected gang members in a series of house raids on Thursday, in the neighbourhoods of Del Viso and Manzanares.

As well as money, police say the gang snatched laptops, tablets and cameras during the robberies, along with jewellery and watches.

They were suspected of carrying out 16 raids in total in the northern regions of Campana, Escobar and Zarate, although police didn't immediately rule out the possibility that they were also involved in other unsolved robberies in the area.

Beauty: Local media nicknamed the 26-year-old, from Marlborough in Wiltshire, the 'English boss'

The gang are believed to have scouted out their targets prior to the thefts, by dressing up as police officers to avoid suspicion.

Police seized force caps, sweaters and reflective jackets in three of the raids.

In the majority of cases, the gang members waited until all members of the households were asleep until entering the properties under the cover of darkness.

A police spokesman said the gang broke through the country clubs perimeter fences, but as they wore latex gloves they left no fingerprints at the scene.

Ms Wawman arrived in Buenos Aires in 2006 to live with her stepmother.

Although she lived with her stepmother at first she soon met her boyfriend Jose Mino, a 32-year-old Argentinian.

Mr Mino, who is reported as being another of the gangs ringleaders, was also arrested.

Ms Wawman  who was arrested along with a 31-year-old woman from Paraguay, who allegedly was in possession of a number of guns - has been released from police custody, in order to care for her two-year-old son.




Thousands of cigarettes have been publicly burned in Turkmenistan as the president, a former dentist, embarks on a campaign to stamp out smoking.

State television in the secretive and authoritarian Central Asian nation broadcast images of village elders and diplomats looking on as blocks of cigarettes were shovelled into a stove on Friday.

Officials said the cigarettes were seized after being illegally smuggled into Turkmenistan, where smoking is legal, but strongly discouraged.

State television broadcast images of village elders and diplomats looking on as blocks of cigarettes were shovelled into a stove

Healthy-living obsessed President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov last week complained about the wide availability of cigarettes.

On Thursday, traders in the capital, Ashgabat, said authorities forced shops to stop selling them.

State anti-narcotics officials 'came to our shop recently and forced us to remove cigarettes from the shelves, threatening us with huge fines,' said Bairam Saryev, the 34-year-old owner of a small store.

Saryev's shop was one of those targeted in a wave of raids in the country after Berdymukhamedov slammed the country's anti-smoking strategy at a televised government meeting on January 5.

He threatened to dismiss the chief of the anti-narcotics agency and called for 'mass measures to eradicate smoking'.

Since then, owners of kiosks and shops have only sold cigarettes under the counter and 'only to regular customers and friends', said one Ashgabat kiosk trader called Vepa.

The ban on cigarette sales has not been officially announced or published by the government.

Health-obsessed: President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov complained about the wide availability of cigarettes

But 24-year-old Vepa said the fine for violating the ban amounted to '10 (average) monthly salaries'.

The sweeping move has resulted in already high prices for a pack of cigarettes doubling, Vepa said.

Berdymukhamedov took the helm of the Caspian nation in 2006. Turkmenistan is now the country with the lowest percentage of smokers in the world, according to the World Health Organisation.

Only eight per cent of the population smokes, WHO chief Margaret Chan said last year.

The country's previous president Saparmurat Niyazov was a chain smoker who quit in 2000 after heart surgery and subsequently signed an anti-smoking decree.

Gradually, stricter measures have been phased in, including a hike in excise taxes for tobacco in 2011 and a ban on smoking in public areas in 2013.
A US drone strike has killed three suspected Al-Qaeda militants in southern Yemen, according to local tribesmen.

Believed to be the first drone strike this year in Yemen, it targeted the militants' vehicle while they were traveling in Shabwa province, the tribesmen said.

They spoke on condition of anonymity because of security concerns. It was not immediately possible to verify their account and US officials rarely comment on the covert drone program.

Strikes: The US drone strike that killed three suspected Al Qaeda militants is believed to be the first in 2016

War-torn: Both Al Qaeda and ISIS are taking advantage of the civil war in Yemen

According to London based Bureau of Investigative Journalism, at least 21 US drone strikes were recorded in Yemen in 2015, killing up to 103 people - the vast majority of whom were militants.

The latest strike comes amid reports of divisions and defections among Al Qaeda's rival group, the Islamic State affiliate in Yemen, as a defected group leader gave an online testimony, claiming that ISIS fabricated videos to exaggerate their strength and presence.

In testimony posted online by Al Qaeda supporters, a man calling himself Antar al-Kanadi said he defected from ISIS because its leadership had become too extreme.

Al-Kanadi's allegations seem to match reports elsewhere of dissension within the Yemeni ISIS ranks.

According to The Long War Journal, which monitors militant group activity, more than a dozen ISIS leaders and scores of their fighters have rebelled against the top leader, Abu Bilal al-Harbi, for alleged violations of Islamic Shariah law.

'Seventy members of the Islamic State's Yemeni branch announced their `defection' from the Islamic State's wali in a letter published online on December 15,' it said.

Active: Al-Qaeda in Yemen has been described by the US as the terror organisation's most active branch

Al-Kanadi also alleged that ISIS in Yemen released two videos of training camps in Hadramawt province and fraudulently claimed they were elsewhere in the country.

Yemen has been mired in conflict between Shiite Houthi rebels and an internationally recognized government backed by a Saudi-led military coalition.

Both IS and Al Qaeda in Yemen have exploited Yemen's chaos and expanded their reach over the past year.

Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula has long been described by Washington as the global network's most active and dangerous branch.

The ISIS affiliate in Yemen has claimed responsibility for a series of bloody attacks including four suicide bomb attacks on mosques in Sanaa in March and the assassination of the governor of Aden province.




Former prosecutor Jeanine Pirro said she believes Steven Avery of Making a Murderer is guilty

A former prosecutor who appeared in HBO's series The Jinx: The Life and Deaths of Robert Durst, said she believes Steven Avery is guilty.

Jeanine Pirro, who wrote a book about her experience investigating Durst, has joined in on the national debate spurred by Netflix sensation Making a Murderer.

'I knew it with Durst and I know it with Avery. He's guilty!' Pirro said.

Pirro spoke out against Avery, who has received support across the country following the 10-episode documentary series, with Discovery Group President Henry Schleiff, according to Page Six.

The author of He Killed Them All: Robert Durst and My Quest for Justice was the District Attorney for Westchester County when she was asked to reopen Kathleen Durst's cold case in 1999.

Kathleen was married to Durst, now 72, when she disappeared in January 1982. She was officially declared dead in 2001 but her body was never found.

Durst's best friend and spokeswoman Susan Berman was found dead three weeks after Pirro's cold case investigation went public.

Pirro said in a November interview she 'knew' Durst was responsible for his wife's death the day she reopened the case - and that she believes he killed Berman because 'she knew too much'.

'He should be shot in the back of the head and his body should be dismembered, like he did to everyone else,' she told ABC's Nightline.

Durst was arrested in New Orleans on a weapons charge the night before the finale of The Jinx, in which in the very last scene he is heard uttering off-camera 'What the hell did I do? Killed them all of course.'

He will face first-degree murder charges for Berman's death in Los Angeles.

Pirro's assertion that Avery is guilty comes just days after his former fiancee Jodi Stachowski declared him a 'monster'.

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Pirro, who appeared in HBO's series The Jinx: The Life and Deaths of Robert Durst, said she 'knew' Avery was guilty just like she knew Durst was. Pirro investigated Durst as the District Attorney of Westchester

Durst was arrested in New Orleans on a weapons charge the night before the finale of The Jinx, in which in the very last scene he is heard uttering off-camera 'What the hell did I do? Killed them all of course'

Stachowski features prominently in the series and repeatedly asserts her belief that Avery had nothing to do with 25-year-old Teresa Halbach's murder.

But this week she insisted that she was never in love with Avery  and that he is not innocent.

In an interview set to air on Nancy Grace on Wednesday night, Stachowski  who was in prison at the time of Halbachs murder  also claimed Avery physically abused her.

I ate two boxes of rat poison just so I could go to the hospital and get away from him and ask them to get the police to help me, she told HLNs Natisha Lance.

Lance reports that multiple police reports corroborate the claim that there was a long history of abuse.

Stachowski said she was not aware if the documentarys filmmakers knew what her relationship with Avery was like.

But she said Avery always directed her to behave in a way that made him look good when the cameras were rolling.

Her problems with alcohol abuse and repeated arrests are seen on the documentary until her relationship with Avery ends.

Steven Avery (pictured left in 2007) was convicted of first-degree intentional homicide in the death of photographer Teresa Halbach (right)

Steven Averys former fiancee Jodi Stachowski (pictured on Netflix's Making A Murderer) has broken her silence  and said the truth needs to come out about what a monster he is

In an interview set to air on Nancy Grace on Wednesday night, Stachowski  who was in prison at the time of Halbachs murder  also claimed Avery physically abused her.

I ate two boxes of rat poison just so I could go to the hospital and get away from him and ask them to get the police to help me, she told HLNs Natisha Lance.

Lance reports that multiple police reports corroborate the claim that there was a long history of abuse.

She now says that he sent her a letter from prison, threatening to report her to the police.

Last year, when Making A Murderers creators Laura Ricciardi and Moira Demos asked her for one last interview, she said she declined  and even asked to not be featured in the 10-part series at all.

After the series phenomenal success  which sparked a number of petitions demanding Averys release - she said she realized she needed to speak out because it is full of a bunch of lies.

Making A Murderer has captivated viewers around the world since it began streaming on Netflix on December 18 last year.

It details the prosecution of Avery after Halbach, a 25-year-old photographer, is murdered in 2005. Her last known whereabouts was at the Avery familys auto salvage yard in Manitowoc County, Wisconsin, where she had gone to photograph a minivan for Auto Trader magazine.

Stachowski says she was physically abused by Avery. Pictured, Stachowski's last known residence, outside Appleton, Wisconsin

Avery (pictured in his 1985 mugshot) initially served 18 years in prison for a rape he did not commit

Avery had initially served 18 years in prison for a rape he did not commit. He was exonerated of the 1985 conviction in September 2003 after DNA evidence proved he was innocent.

Shortly before he was arrested for Halbachs murder, he had filed a $36million federal lawsuit against the county, its former sheriff and district attorney for the wrongful conviction.

The case was settled for $400,000 after Avery was charged with first-degree intentional homicide for the murder of Halbach.

Averys defense attorneys Dean Strang and Jerry Buting argued that Manitow County officers, who were in the middle of being deposed in the lawsuit, were also involved in the gathering of evidence in the Halbach case and may have planted evidence to frame him.

But Averys nephew Brendan Dassey, who was 16 at the time, then confessed to sexually assaulting Halbacg and cutting her throat on his uncles orders. He later said the confession had been coerced by investigators.

Avery, 53, and Dassey, now 26, were both convicted in March 2007 and remain in prison.

Avery was sentenced to life in prison without parole but Dassey, who is also serving a life sentence, has a chance for early release in 2048.

The documentary on Avery questioned the handling of his case and the motivation of Manitowoc County law enforcement officials.

Avery (left, in December 2015) and his nephew, Brendan Dassey (seen right in 2007) remain in prison

It suggests authorities planted evidence against the men, a claim that has been rejected by Robert Hermann, the current sheriff of Manitowoc County.

Both men continue to protest their innocence but despite the Netflix series casting doubt on their convictions, Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker has ruled out any chance of a pardon.

Meanwhile, authorities involved in the case insist the series is biased and omits crucial facts that led to Avery and Dassey being found guilty of Halbachs murder in 2007.

Ken Kratz, the former Calumet County district attorney who prosecuted Avery, is one of the series critics, saying Netflix should not have billed the series as a documentary.

He said evidence that was excluded from the series included that Avery had called Halbachs workplace to specifically ask for her the day she disappeared, that he had called her three times that day and that he once greeted her wearing only a trial.

Strang and Buting have continued to defend Avery in media appearances, and said evidence left out of the film is being blown out of proportion.

'The state is now trying to make that a lot of these pieces that weren't in the movie more sinister than they really were,' Buting told CBS' This Morning on Friday.

The attorneys also restated their belief that the evidence Manitowoc County had against Avery was planted at the scene.

Strang said he believes Avery's 'best hope' would be 'newly discovered evidence'.
A British woman dubbed the Barbie bandit has been arrested in Argentina after allegedly going on a robbery spree.

Blonde Georgia Wawman  who moved to South America two years ago  was questioned over a series of raids by a gang on at least 16 exclusive homes and country clubs in Buenos Aires.

According to local reports, Wawman was arrested with her boyfriend Jose Mino last Thursday along with six other people.

British mother-of-one Georgia Annie Wawman was arrested in Buenos Aires for her suspected role in a criminal gang which stole cash and valuables from gated communities and country clubs

Beauty: Local media has nicknamed the 26-year-old, from Marlborough in Wiltshire, the 'English boss'

Police seized guns, bullet-proof vests and even police uniforms when they raided homes belonging to members of the gang.

They also recovered tens of thousands of pounds worth of stolen property, including diamonds and expensive watches.

A police source said: In some cases the gang dressed up in police uniforms and cut through wires to enter properties.

'They used latex gloves to ensure there were no fingerprints. Wawman has an 18-month-old son with Mino.

'According to one report, after the gangs arrest they were held in separate cells and Wawman, from Marlborough, Wiltshire, allegedly shouted: Be careful about what you are going to say.
The United States has lifted most of its sanctions against Iran after a UN watchdog reported that Tehran had complied with a nuclear weapons deal.

Iran has been under strict international sanctions since October 2007, although the Untied States has had some form of economic restrictions on Tehran since 1979.

However, a report by the International Atomic Energy Agency said Tehran had fulfilled its commitments under a nuclear deal to prevent weapons development.

US secretary of state John Kerry, left, spoke with Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif in Vienna before the deal

Director of the International Atomic Enercy Agency Yukiya Amano, centre, passed a report onto the United Nations today which said that Iran had adhered to the terms of the new nuclear agreement

The historic agreement was ratified at the Palais Coburg Hotel in Vienna today, pictured

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon welcomed the implementation of the Iran nuclear deal.

He said: 'This achievement demonstrates that international proliferation concerns are best addressed through dialogue and patient diplomacy.'

The deal will allow Iran to access $100billion which had been seized by the international community while Tehran continued to develop its own nuclear deterrent.

US Secretary of State John Kerry said: 'Today marks the day of a safer world. This evening, we are really reminded once again of diplomacy's power to tackle significant challenges.'

Under the July 20 resolution, Iran is now 'called upon' to refrain from work on ballistic missiles designed to deliver nuclear weapons for up to eight years. Critics of the deal say the language does not make it obligatory.

The resolution allows for supply of ballistic missile technology and heavy weapons, such as tanks and attack helicopters, to Iran with Security Council approval, but the United States has pledged to veto any such requests.

The restrictions on ballistic missile technology are in place for eight years and on heavy weapons for five years. An arms embargo stopping Iran from buying or selling weapons remains in place for up to five years.

The resolution places restrictions on transferring nuclear technology to Iran for peaceful purposes for a decade.

Critics complain that at the end of the deal, Iran will be able to develop nuclear weapons 'within months'.

The United States has lifted most of its sanctions against Iran following the positive report from the watchdog

Barack Obama delegated responsibility to his Secretary of State John Kerry, pictured, to secure the deal

It allows all U.N. sanctions to be re-imposed if Iran breaches the deal in the next 10 years. If the Security Council receives a complaint of a breach it would then need to vote within 30 days on a resolution to extend sanctions relief.

Britain's Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond praised the deal describing it as 'an important landmark'.

He said: 'The nuclear deal with Iran, in which Britain played a major role, makes the Middle East and the wider world a safer place

'There were many sceptics who said Iran would never deliver on its side of the bargain, but the independent International Atomic Energy Agency has said they have.

'Iran's nuclear programme has been substantially rolled back," he added, before urging British businesses to capitalise on the lifting of international sanctions against Iran.

'The future is as important as the landmark we've reached today.'

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, pictured, criticised the deal claiming Iran was still working on acquiring nuclear weapons and accused Tehran of destabilising the Middle East and 'spreading terror'

However, the Israeli government claimed that Iran was still intent on acquiring nuclear weapons.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office released a statement, criticising the agreement: 'Even after signing the nuclear deal, Iran has not relinquished its ambition to obtain nuclear weapons, and continues to act to destabilise the Middle East and spread terror throughout the world while violating its international commitments.'

Mr Netanyahu warned his country would 'follow the implementation of the deal and warn of any violation'.

Iran's President Hassan Rouhani, whose 2013 election helped launch the Herculean diplomatic effort towards the July 14 Vienna deal, said it was a 'glorious victory' for the 'patient nation of Iran'.

He tweeted: 'I thank God for this blessing & bow to the greatness of the patient nation of Iran.'
Donald Trump stunned an otherwise rapt tea party crowd Saturday when he claimed partial credit for the morning's unexpected release of four American prisoners by the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Trump pointed to his own fierce complaints as one reason Tehran's mullahs sent them home on the same day crippling financial sanctions were to be lifted by Washington.

'I have been going wild for years about the prisoners  I call them the hostages  our four people,' Trump said Saturday at a surfside conference center in the resort town of Myrtle Beach.

'I've been hitting them hard. And I think I might have had something to do with it,' he boasted.

'You want to know the truth? Who's using it? It's a part of my staple thing. I mean, I go crazy when I hear about this.'

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FREED: American journalist Jason Rezaian (left) is among four U.S. citizens released by Iran as part of a prisoner swap. Also on their way home are (right, top-to-bottom) former U.S. Marine Amir Hekmati, pastor Saeed Abedini and a fourth man, all of whom have U.S.-Iranian dual nationality. Iranian media have named both businessman Siamak Namazi and Nosratollah Khosrawi as the fourth freed prisoner

Trump's speech, part of a South Carolina Tea Party Coalition annual meeting that drew about 1,500 conservative activists, came hours after The Donald's chief rival Ted Cruz addressed the same audience.

Cruz never mentioned Trump.

But the billionaire front-runner, speaking last, was in no danger of his crowd hearing push-back from the Texas senator.

Trump accused Cruz of being a pay-for-play politician who would reward donors with plum assignments, and hammered him over ethics questions raised by his failure to report a $1 million bank loan on one of several financial disclosure forms his political office requires.

Cruz partisans booed the attack while his own claque cheered.

Earlier in the day, Cruz had thanked God for the Americans' release. Trump carped that the Obama administration allowed it to take years.

'So today I hear, "Oh! They're being released",' a frenetic Trump complained. 'Like it's this big  First of all, it should have taken place three-and-a-half, four years ago, whenever the hell they started.

'You ever see an agreement take so long? How long has this thing been going? Years and years!'

'It should have been done right at the beginning!' he said, racing through an imaginary negotiation scenario he's outlined in dozens of stump speeches.

BROMANCE, INTERRUPTED: 'You give a campaign contribution to Ted Cruz  you get whatever the hell you want, okay? Whatever you want!' Trump said, adding that 'he's a very nice guy'

APOLITICAL: Cruz earlier had thanked God for the safe return of a Christian pastor and three other Americans held in Iran

'They should have said, "Listen: We gotta have our prisoners back." They would have said no. You leave the room. They'll call you back. You double up the sanctions!'

'They'll call you back within 48 hours  100 per cent, okay?' Trump explained. 'But we waited and waited and waited!'

The real estate tycoon also complained that Iran has secured the release of seven of its nationals sitting in American prisons for violating U.S. sanctions on Tehran, and received American guarantees that more than a dozen others won't be prosecuted.

'So here's the deal,' he fumed. 'We give them $150 billion. We give them essentially 22 people  21, 22 people  these are people that really did have problems. And we're getting back four people who didn't do anything wrong.'

'That's the way we negotiate. That's the way we negotiate. It's so sad. It's so sad.'

Trump spoke for nearly 45 minutes before mentioning Cruz, but the 'Art of the Deal' author wrapped him, too, into a negotiating lesson.

'We're going to have a country with spirit. We're going to have a country with pizzazz,' he lectured. 'We're going to have a country that works. We're going to use our smartest and brightest people. And I know who they are! I know so many of them.'

RINGING ENDORSEMENT: Trump was photographed Saturday against a Liberty Bell backdrop that blended in with his signature hairdo

He said America's political class, including the Obama administration, uses 'political hacks' to cut geopolitical deals.

'They're using people that gave campaign contributions,' he exclaimed, earning applause.

And then the hammer dropped.

'I mean, you give a campaign contribution to Ted Cruz  you get whatever the hell you want, okay? Whatever you want!' Trump said. 'I mean, he's a very nice guy.'

'But you give him  you have to give  right?' he continued, as some in the crowd booed and others clapped.

Trump also hit Cruz for a series of embarrassing revelations about bank loans he failed to disclose when he ran for the U.S. Senate in 2012.

One, for $1 million, came from Goldman Sachs, an investment bank where his wife Heidi is employed.

The other, a $500,000 line of credit, came from Citibank.

Cruz is amending his campaign finance filings, but Trump and his supporters smell blood in the water.

GLOVES OFF: Trump has begun hammering Cruz, on Twitter and in speeches, over revelations that the senator failed to report massive loans that helped finance his 2012 campaign

'Well, excuse me. Excuse me. He didn't report his bank loans?' Trump boomed as the booing continued.

'Excuse me? Didn't report his bank loans? Say whatever you want, he didn't report bank loans. He didn't report his bank loans.'

'He's got bank loans from Goldman Sachs, he's got bank loans from Citibank. And then he acts like Robin Hood? Say whatever you want, but it doesn't work that way,' Trump slashed.

The Donald focused the fat middle of his speech Saturday on his real estate development exploits, including the famed Wollman ice rink in Manhattan and an ongoing hotel project on a picturesque post office site in Washington, D.C.

That project sits on Pennsylvania Avenue, halfway between the White House and the U.S. Capitol.

An upbeat Trump predicted he would sweep into D.C. in 12 months, whether or not he bears the title of President-Elect.

'One way or another I'm getting to Pennsylvania Avenue,' he said, pointing to two different spots in the crowd.

'I'll either be here, or I'll be here.'
Privacy has become a growing issue as smart technologies work their way into every facet of daily life - and into homes.

Many conflicting views have arisen as result, but largely, Americans seem to share a common opinion on how willing they are to disclose their personal information: 'it depends.'

A study from the Pew Research Center reveals that many people are more willing to give up information when they will in some way benefit from it, but they feel unsettled by the potential uses for the data.

Privacy has become a growing issue as smart technologies work their way into every facet of daily life. Many conflicting views have arisen as result, but largely, Americans seem to share a common opinion on how willing they are to disclose their personal information: 'it depends'

WHAT THE STUDY FOUND The researchers collected the privacy wishes of adults across six scenarios: office surveillance cameras, sharing health information, retail loyalty cards, auto insurance, free social media, and smart thermostats. Many people were found to be more willing to give up information when they will in some way benefit from it. In the survey, participants expressed concerns about the threat of scammers and hackers, along with the 'creepiness' of interest-based profiling and location data. Some data, they felt, were being used invasively. If people were interested in what a particular company had to offer, or felt a general sense of trust, they were more likely to share information. The trust also depended heavily on what would happen after sharing data, whether personal information is available to third parties, and how long it would be held. Advertisement

The researchers surveyed 461 adults in the United States and nine online focus groups, each made up of 80 people.

In the paper titled Privacy and Information Sharing, authors Lee Rainie and Maeve Duggan, explain the varying responses of the people surveyed.

The researchers collected the privacy wishes of adults across six scenarios: office surveillance cameras, sharing health information, retail loyalty cards, auto insurance, free social media, and smart thermostats.

In the example of installing a 'smart thermostat,' doing so would save a customer some money on their energy bill, but it would also monitor their movements at home.

Most adults were not in support of this, with 55 percent indicating that they considered it an 'unacceptable tradeoff.'

'There will be no 'SMART' anythings in this household,' one respondent said, according to the paper.

'I have enough personal data being stolen by the government and sold [by companies] to spammers now.'

To the opposite degree, however, the majority thought it would be acceptable for employers to install surveillance cameras following workplace thefts, with 54 percent voting in this direction.

Many people in the survey expressed concerns about the threat of scammers and hackers, along with the 'creepiness' of interest-based profiling and location data.

The researchers collected the privacy wishes of adults across six scenarios. The majority thought it would be acceptable for employers to install surveillance cameras following workplace thefts, with 54 percent voting in this direction

Some data, they felt, were being used invasively.

If people were interested in what a particular company had to offer, or felt a general sense of trust, they were more likely to share information.

The trust also depended heavily on what would happen after sharing data, whether personal information is available to third parties, and how long it would be held.

'In my opinion, there is a woeful lack of disclosure on how personal information is used by companies,' said one respondent in the focus groups.

'If you read some of the terms of service, you are essentially giving the company the right to do almost anything with your personal information.'

Many adults in the subject group also expressed frustration on the solicitation that can result from information sharing.

In the example of installing a 'smart thermostat,' doing so would save a customer some money on their energy bill, but it would also monitor their movements at home. Most adults were not in support of this, with 55 percent indicating that they considered it an 'unacceptable tradeoff'

'I want control over what ads are being 'pushed back' to me: I have no interest in 'puppy portraits' but I may be interested in cameras, equipment, etc,' a respondent said.

'In an effort to 'target' my preferences, my inbox gets full of [expletive] that is not relevant to me.'

Some participants were more steadfast in their opinions: 17 percent of adults studied said they would not accept any of the deals described, while 4 percent said they would accept them all.

Americans were divided between uncertainty about the sharing of their personal data, and the acceptance of it as a part of modern life.
if cyberhackers have stolen information on US robots

US officials have ordered an investigation into claims China hacked a robotics research firm developing secretive military gadgets.

At least one China-backed cyberspy operation has stolen data from British firm QinetiQ, a Pentagon contractor.

The U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission has now issued an urgent call for analysts to write an unclassified report on China's current industrial and military robotics capabilities - and where they came from.

The U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission wants analysts to write a report on China's current industrial and military robotics capabilities - and where they came from.

IS CHINA PLANNING SPACE WAR? China's military is set to create a new 'Space Force' to strengthen its presence in low-Earth orbit. While there has been no official announcement, Washington Times sources claim the Space Force will be created within the People's Liberation Army. It will include nuclear missiles, electronic data forces, cyber threat units and signals intelligence. Advertisement

'The U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission (hereafter 'the Commission') invites submission of proposals to provide a one-time unclassified report on China's industrial and military robotics development,' the request says.

It asks for an investigation into 'what areas is China already ahead of the United States in the use or development of robotics with military applications? What U.S. or other dual-use robotics technologies have likely been acquired by China through technology transfers or cyber penetrations?'

The commission also intends to gauge the chances China's automation efforts could eclipse comparable Pentagon initiatives, including 'Offset,' a Defense Department research initiative meant to 'offset' technological advances made by adversaries, according to Defence One.

It follows claims that between 2007 and 2009, attackers tied to the People's Liberation Army allegedly hacked a QinetiQ specialist who worked on embedded software in microchips that control the company's military robots, Bloomberg reported, citing investigations by security firms Terremark and HBGary.

The Chinese military later showcased a bomb disposal robot in April 2012 that resembled QinetiQ's Dragon Runner.

Between 2007 and 2009, attackers tied to the People's Liberation Army allegedly hacked a QinetiQ specialist who worked on embedded software in microchips that control the company's military robots

The report will focus on 'The qualitative and quantitative nature of the transfer of United States production activities to the People's Republic of China, including the relocation of manufacturing, advanced technology and intellectual property, and research and development facilities, the impact of such transfers on the national security of the United States (including the dependence of the national security industrial base of the United States on imports from China), the economic security of the United States, and employment in the United States, and the adequacy of United States export control laws in relation to the People's Republic of China.'
Imagine boarding your flight and checking into an airport lounge without having any paperwork or physical identification.

Well that is what happened after Andreas Sjostrom implanted a near-field communication chip (NFC) in his hand before going to the airport to catch a flight.

Sjostrom took viewers on a journey as he waved his hand over a scanner, allowing him to slide through airport security and right to his seat on the plane.

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Well it might become a reality as an experiment revealed a near-field communication chip (NFC) can be used in place of airline booking details. Andreas Sjostrom took viewers on a journey as he waved his hand over a scanner that allowed him to slide through airport security effortlessly and right to his seat on the plane

HOW DOES A NEAR-FIELD COMMUNICATION CHIP WORK? NFC works by emitting a low power radio-frequency signature that can be recognized by sensors, which can then trigger pre-programmed events. NFC is currently used by mobile devices for one-tap Bluetooth pairing, as well as the transfer of photos and even payments. Once implanted in your hand, the NFC chip can be programmed for just about anything, including opening locks, starting your car, unlocking your computer or phone, or as a one-tap digital business card. Source: The Guardian Advertisement

'A few weeks ago I had an NFC chip implanted into my hand, just beneath the skin,' Sjostrom, vice president of digital for technology consulting at Sogeti, explained in the video.

'In this video I use the chip to pass through Stockholm Arlanda airport, through security, at the lounge, and finally through the gate to the aircraft.

The chip held his Scandinavian Airlines EuroBonus member ID, and since the airport has NFC readers all the way from security to the gate.

Sjostrom didn't need the traditional boarding pass, just a flick of his wrist to place the microchip on top of the scanner.

This type of cutting-edge technology has been used for digital payments, controlling mobile phones and unlocking doors, according to The Telegraph.

'The point is you don't need anything to be identified or recognized to go through a touch point,' Massimo Pascotta, who works with innovation at SAS, explained in the video.

'Whether it's security or a lounge, it's a breakthrough you didn't need to care about carrying a boarding pass or device with you.'

The chip held his Scandinavian Airlines EuroBonus member ID, and since the airport has NFC readers all the way from security to the gate. Sjostrom didn't need the traditional boarding pass, just a flick of his wrist to place the microchip on top of the scanner

The microchip used in this experiment was an xNT implant from Dangerous Things, which develops biohacking and citizen science equipment.

Amal Graafstra, CEO of Dangerous Things, told Mic the trial was part of Scandinavian Airlines' aim to further innovate its customer experiences, which currently includes an NFC-readable sticker that holds a passenger's details.

The microchip used in this experiment was an xNT implant from Dangerous Things, which develops biohacking and citizen science equipment. The kits come with microchips, surgical gloves and syringes that can be ordered directly through on the Dangerous Things website

The kits come with microchips, surgical gloves and syringes that can be ordered directly through on the Dangerous Things website.

It also comes with detailed instructions on how to implant the chip into your hand.

Sjostrom explained the process was painless and the only way to know the chip is in your skin is by rubbing your hand over it.

'I didn't have to pull out anything,' he explained.

This type of cutting-edge technology has been used for digital payments, controlling mobile phones and unlocking doors. It comes with detailed instructions on how to implant the chip into your hand. Process was painless and the only way to know the chip is in your skin is by rubbing your hand over it

'It gave me a new sensation, sort of a pre-notion of what it will be like in the future when we don't have to reach out with physical objects to accomplish things.'

Sjostrom suggested in the future, devices may be created that can be placed on top of the skin instead of inside it.

'I've tried it with public transportation solutions, I've connected it to NFC-enabled door lock systems in offices,' he added.
Ospreys rallied through boot of Dan Biggar and replacement Sam Davies

Clermont centre Wesley Fofana crashed over for early try

Incident occurred in 16th minute of Champions Cup clash in Swansea

Viktor Kolelishvili was lucky to escape with just a telling off and a penalty after the Clermont flanker pushed referee Wayne Barnes during his side's defeat by the Ospreys at the Liberty Stadium on Friday night.

The French visitors were defending a 7-3 lead at the time of the incident, thanks to an early try from Wesley Fofana, when Kolelishvili grew frustrated with Barnes' positioning.

The Georgian then shoved Barnes as Clermont prepared to repel another Ospreys attack drawing cries of derision from the home crowd.

Get out of my way! @ASMOfficiel's Vito Kolelishvili shoves ref Wayne Barnes and gets away with it! #ChampionsCup https://t.co/KEDCGS1YNc  Rugby on BT Sport (@btsportrugby) January 15, 2016

With his side guarding a 7-3 lead, Clermont flanker Viktor Kolelishvili points at referee Wayne Barnes

The Georgian then shoves the referee out of the way as the Ospreys go on the attack at the Liberty Stadium

As Ospreys scrum-half Brendon Leonard (9) prepares to feed the ball from the ruck, Barnes is pushed away

Barnes immediately halted play to have a stern word with Kolelishvili following his moment of madness

Kolelishvili was lucky to escape with just a warning and a penalty, which Dan Biggar subsequently converted

What a nuts thing to do! Fair play to Wayne Barnes for not over reacting. https://t.co/RTaC95VFQZ  Brian O'Driscoll (@BrianODriscoll) January 15, 2016

Barnes subsequently halted the match to deliver a stern warning to Kolelishvili.

'You've got to be careful. If I'm standing in your way, please just ask me to move,' Barnes told the back rower in the 16th minute of the Champions Cup clash.

Kolelishvili incurred Barnes' wrath later on in the first-half after he appeared to thrust his arm in Ospreys skipper Alun-Wyn Jones' face. The 26-year-old was dispatched to the sin-bin following the incident.

Clermont flanker Kolelishvili tussles with Ospreys lock Alun Wyn Jones on the deck

Sam Davies came off the bench to land three crucial second-half penalties for the home side

Despite Kolelishvili's indiscretions, Clermont were cruising at half-time at Swansea with Fofana's early score and Morgan Parra's boot securing a 13-6 lead.

The Welshmen also lost fly-half Dan Biggar through injury, but young playmaker Sam Davies came off to bench to inspire his side after the break.

Davies struck four penalties and a drop goal to seal a memorable European victory.
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I don't know about you, but when I would hear 'Memphis' I would think of the song Walking In Memphis, but now, as I sit on the flight home to England with my Priscilla Presley biography on my lap and Blue Christmas playing in my headphones, I have an abundance of amazing thoughts that come to mind when I now hear the word Memphis.

This year, in celebration of my mum Monica's pending 60th birthday, we decided to throw tradition out the window and spend Christmas on a Thelma and Louise-style road trip from Nashville to Memphis for a trip down music memory lane.

The moment we arrived in Memphis there was a sense of rock, blues and soul in the air. The feeling was palpable that we were somewhere very special.

First stop, Graceland!

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Roxanne and her mother outside the famous Graceland mansion. Roxanne said: 'Since my trip Ive been reading so much about Elvis and his life, I find him fascinating'

Graceland was the first stop on Roxanne's road trip with her mother. The actress is pictured here on the steps of Elvis' famous home

The King's clothes: Elvis' Las Vegas costumes and gold records on display at Graceland in Memphis

Elvis owned a lot of cars, with his Automobile Museum within Graceland containing just a small fraction of his collection

Graceland is a fans' paradise and here Roxanne and her mother try on some Elvis-style sunglasses

Roxanne revealed that Graceland was one of her favourite tourist attractions on the trip

For those who assume Graceland is merely a destination for those obsessed with the King of Rock 'n' Roll, trust me, it's not.

Memphis is a landmark of music history and if you aren't an Elvis fan when you arrive, you will soon become one throughout your trip.

The stretch of road that holds the Graceland mansion, his private airplanes and the museums of his costumes and cars is so magical and eerie that it awakens a passion in you that values the music from such a sacred time in history.

Roxanne at Graceland with one of Elvis many private planes. This one he named after his daughter, Lisa Marie

Roxanne pictured sitting in front of a famous image on display at Sun Studios of Elvis, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins and Jerry Lee Lewis

The pure fact that we can see, visit and look around the home of one of our most celebrated performers is so special and rare when you think about it.

The people of Memphis are so proud of Elvis and his legacy that everything is celebrated and showcased for us to see as though we were still in the 1960's.

Even icons like Michael Jackson and Whitney Houston don't have a tangible stomping ground for us to take in the legacy of their personal surroundings.

Elvis' well preserved and protected personal belongings and sanctuary brings people from all over the world to Memphis, keen to find out more about the man who carved music into the shape that it is today.

After mum and I walked around Elvis' house in awe, seeing the exact furnishings and layout that he lived in for the twenty years right up until his death, we then explored his personal planes which are parked right across the road by the gift shops.

Those who go must make sure they treat themselves to a famous banana and peanut butter toasted sandwich at the 50's diner within the Graceland quarters, Elvis' favourite snack. Very retro and very delicious - like him.

Roxanne inside one of Elvis private planes. 'This was one of the smaller ones but it was amazing to think Elvis once sat in these very seats himself,' Roxanne said

Roxanne will be starring in British film The Violators, which releases later this year. She's pictured here at the premiere of Wrong Turn 6, a film in which she played a character called Jillian

I was stunned at just how much musical history Memphis has. So much has come from just one place.

Stax museum is incredible. It features original costumes and cars belonging to the greats that have recorded there, from the likes of Otis Redding and Wilson Pickett, and footage from back in the day.

My favourite place we visited had to be Sun Studios, which looked more like a corner shop.

It's the famous recording studio that Elvis walked into one day with just enough money in his pocket to record a song.

From then on history was made, not only for Mr Presley but for many others that walked through the doors such as Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and other big names from the golden days of music.

The studio remains untouched and the tour gives you a brilliant insight into how it all happened.

Those four walls hold more stories than your grandparents.

Beale Street is the main hub of down town Memphis and you get a real sense of the city when you walk down it.

It's five minutes' walk from The Peabody Hotel, which is somewhere you should visit, if not stay, during your time in Memphis.

The Main Street trolleys at night in Peabody Place in Memphis, a city that Roxanne visited after a trip to Nashville

Roxanne explained that you get a real sense of Memphis when you take a walk down Beale Street (pictured)

It shone: Roxanne said her favourite place in Memphis was Sun Studio, where Elvis and the likes of Johnny Cash and Jerry Lee Lewis recorded songs

Soul searching: Roxanne paid a visit to Stax records, which boasted stars such as Otis Redding and Wilson Pickett

The Stax Soul Museum lets visitors step back in time to the birth of some of America's most-loved music

Luxury: Roxanne and her mother stayed at The Peabody Hotel, which the actress highly recommends

The Peabody is famous for its daily duck parade, in which ducks resident at the hotel waddle to the fountain in the main lobby

It's old school, yet luxurious and has a quirky tradition where little duck residents wander down from the elevator every day at 11am and 5pm to the amusement of visitors in the lobby.

The Lansky Bros store is still thriving on the corner of Beale St where Elvis loyally bought his tailored suits throughout his career and life.

If my grandad was alive today I would definitely have treated him to a few pieces from that store as it encompassed the style of a real gentleman.

Roxanne said she found the National Civil Rights Museum 'really interesting and moving'

The National Civil Rights Museum is an ex hotel where Martin Luther King was shot on the balcony. The shooter was staying in a boarding house opposite

Roxanne pictured at the World Premiere of Hooligan Factory in London's Odeon West End in June 2014

Like most places in Memphis, everywhere you go has an amazing story behind it that you only discover when you're there. It's a place like no other.

Around the corner from Beale St on a secluded little side street stands the Lorraine Motel where Martin Luther King was staying when he was shot and killed on the balcony. It's as though it has been frozen in time.

The former motel is now built into The National Civil Rights Museum and as you stand outside it you can hear the chant of his poignant speech echoing from the speakers to signify that his leadership and spirit is still very much honoured.

I'm all about trying the local food when I travel - as opposed to chain restaurants - and I'm glad I listened to the locals when going to the amazing Central Barbecue, which is behind the Lorraine Motel on a little corner.

Even the sharing platters are pretty epic. My mother looked bewildered behind her mammoth platter of barbecue ribs, pulled pork and fries. It was like Mam vs Food! Food won!

We left the city with our hearts as full as our bellies. As we drove by Graceland, which was lit up and dazzling, facing the Heartbreak Hotel, we knew this trip was one to tick off the bucket list with a smile.

It's clear to see why the city - through music - helped get so many people through adversity.

From Nashville to Memphis, Mama Monica and I can now truly say 'I'm a little bit country and I'm a little bit rock 'n' roll'.

Roxanne will be starring in British film The Violators, which releases later this year

TRAVEL FACTS Virgin Atlantic offer flights from the UK to Atlanta and their code share partner Delta Airlines operate an Atlanta to Nashville flight. Special offers on the Virgin Atlantic website. For car hire from Alamo at Nashville International Airport visit www.alamo.com. It takes roughly three and a half hours to drive from Nashville to Memphis on Interstate 40. Rooms at The Peabody, Memphis, start from 155 a night. Roxanne thanks Bumble & Bumble for the travel essentials. Advertisement
We all like a dollop of indulgence in the sunshine, but no one wants to return with a flabby reminder. Here's a solution.

On the Greek island of Lefkas, a friendly team of instructors offers a beach holiday that will help you inch towards the body beautiful.

Based at Vassiliki Bay, it teaches yoga, Pilates and higher-energy exercise classes, such as body sculpt, in a cool tent when the sun's calmed down.

In shape: Lefkas, a close neighbour of Kefalonia, offers glorious beaches on the Ionian Sea

Helping hand: Yoga, Pilates and higher-energy exercise classes are available at Vassiliki Bay

There are also guided bike rides, paddle-boarding sessions  trying to stand upright on a surfboard, long paddle in hand  and more.

But the programme, Healthy Options, is no Spartan regime. You can do as much or as little as you choose.

For me, that means early morning yoga before breakfast by the still empty beach, then another class or two  allowing plenty of time for afternoon dozing on a sun lounger.

Lefkas is known for its sailing, so as the wind picks up later in the day, the long, pebbled beach, flanked by green mountains, fills with windsurfers and sailors (swimmers have their own protected patch).

The crowd  mostly women, but men are welcome  can join in.

Into the blue:The Lefkas coastline is a woozy dream of cliffs, beaches and turquoise waters

An introductory windsurfing class is gloriously exhilarating, even though I spend more time in the water than on the board.

And a snorkelling trip, where we're dropped off by boat at an outcrop of rocks, has us drifting gently in perfectly clear waters  nature's own meditation lesson.

As evening falls, most people head to Vassiliki village at the end of the beach for huge prawns, fresh fish and salty Greek salads, before turning in early to our family-run apartments by the waterfront.

Like anything, there's an art to tuning out. While the programme caters for a range of abilities, you'd certainly feel the benefits of a few yoga classes before arriving.

All ablaze in orange: The west edge of Lefkas is a fine spot for sunset-watching as the evening fades

Tradition: The small village of Vassiliki still has a fishing harbour where boats pull in with the day's catch

To begin with, I'm rusty  and distracted. A pesky wasp holds my attention during a group meditation session and letting my hair down at a midweek barbecue means I fail to make the next morning's first class.

But by the end of the week, I am bending like the best of them and feeling far more relaxed than I do after a booze and snooze break.

And, even if I can't quite manage a headstand on a paddleboard like a fellow guest (a repeat visitor, I sniff), at least I don't fall off.
With its rum, cigars and crumbling Spanish colonial buildings, Cuba is a fascinating island trapped in a mid-20th Century time-warp.

There's no Starbucks or McDonald's, and unlike the rest of the Caribbean, the white-sand beaches do not ring to the sound of American voices. Well, not yet at least.

Following the reopening of US embassy in Havana, Cuba is no longer off-limits to Americans.

Cuban frenzy: Following the reopening of US embassy in Havana, Cuba is no longer off-limits to Americans. So make 2016 the year you go to Cuba on a cruise before it changes for ever

It won't be long before Hilton and Marriott open up hotels, and Havana is on the itineraries of vast cruise ships.

So make 2016 the year you go to Cuba on a cruise before it changes forever. Here's our pick of the best

Italian-style MSC Cruises (msccruises.co.uk, 020 3426 3010) is the first mainstream cruise line to make Havana the home port for one of its ships.

At sea: MSC Opera stays two nights in Havana at the start of its Western Caribbean cruises

MSC Opera stays two nights in Havana at the start of its Western Caribbean cruises, giving plenty of time to take a tour by vintage Chevrolet, visit the Museum of the Revolution, and watch cabaret acts in the Tropicana club before sailing on to Jamaica, the Cayman Islands and Mexico's Cozumel.

One-week cruises, with departures until April, cost from 949pp including flights.

Soak in the culutre: The MSC Opera cruise gives plenty of time to take a tour by vintage Chevrolet, visit the Museum of the Revolution, and watch cabaret acts in the Tropicana club

A sleek motor yacht is the luxurious base for a voyage around the coast of Cuba with Saga (travel.saga.co.uk, 0800 414383).

MS Panorama has 25 cabins, teak decks and a swimming platform, and it will be based in Havana before sailing to the tropical beaches of Maria la Gorda on Cuba's western tip and the island of Cayo Largo.

Then it's off to Casilda to visit the old colonial town of Trinidad, and Cienfuegos, where you can take a tour to the Bay of Pigs.

One-week cruises from January to March cost from 2,749pp including flights.

On the high seas: Arrive in Santiago, Cuba's second-largest city, with Voyages of Discovery. From there you can take a trip up to the highest point of the Gran Piedra mountain range for views of the Caribbean Sea

A two-week cruise from Cozumel in Mexico to Barbados with Voyages of Discovery (voyagesofdiscovery.co.uk, 01858 414002) includes an overnight stay in Havana, and you can also spend a day in Santiago, Cuba's second-largest city.

From there you can take a trip up to the highest point of the Gran Piedra mountain range for views of the Caribbean Sea.

The 540-passenger Voyager also calls at Ocho Rios in Jamaica, Santo Domingo in Dominican Republic and the French islands of Guadeloupe and Martinique, and has four relaxing days at sea.

This Flavours Of Cuba And The Caribbean cruise departs on April 11  fares cost from 1,699pp including flights.

Colourful: A two-week cruise from Cozumel in Mexico to Barbados with Voyages of Discovery includes an overnight stay in Havana

Cuba is 750 miles long from tip to tip and the most comfortable way to travel the length of its southern coast is aboard 100-passenger MS Serenissima expedition ship, with zodiac boats and guides to take you ashore to hidden coves for bird-watching and snorkelling.

The 11-night cruise with Noble Caledonia (noble-caledonia.co.uk) starts in Havana on April 11 and makes five calls on Cuba's south coast and islands.

You'll also go ashore in Jamaica and Cayman Brac, a sparsely populated Cayman island, before flying home from Grand Cayman. It costs from 4,695pp, including drinks with meals, excursions and flights.

Frequent visitor: Thomson Dream is making regular visits to Cuba from its base in Montego Bay, Jamaica

Thomson Dream (thomson.co.uk/cruise, 0871 230 2800) is making regular visits to Cuba from its base in Montego Bay, Jamaica.
The Elounda Gulf Villas & Suites consist of sumptuous accommodation with private pools and a beach club

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I've wanted to go to Crete ever since reading Victoria Hislop's novel The Island.

Like a siren, she lured me to the largest Greek island and then to Spinalonga, the tiny speck at the heart of her haunting story about a leper colony in the 1930s.

We drove east from Heraklion airport past the party resort of Malia, the archaeological treasures of Knossos, and dazzling white fishing villages until we arrived at our base, the Elounda Gulf Villas & Suites in Elounda.

True blue: The Gulf of Mirabello from the Elounda Gulf Villas & Suites offers spectacular ocean views

The Kadianakis family have created their own take on a Cretan village in the shape of 15 sumptuous suites, 18 luxurious villas with private pools, a beach club, a spa and a restaurant that combines the best of Greek cooking with world-class cuisine.

The resort hugs the hillside, but luckily you don't have to be a mountain goat to clamber up from the infinity pool to your private villa, as a team of white liveried bellboys sweep you up in golf buggies.

I came to eke out the last of the summer sun, and to explore Spinalonga, which sits on the glittering Gulf of Mirabello.

Boats depart daily from Elounda and Plaka for the eerie, arid and barren rocky outcrop.

I like being out at sea for the sense of timelessness and historic perspective you get on this most ancient of landscapes.

Poignant: Ever since reading Victoria Hislop's novel The Island, Helen wanted to visit Spinalonga, the tiny speck at the heart of her haunting story about a leper colony in the 1930s

Haunting: Stepping on to Spinalonga, Helen was immediately transported back to Hislop's book, her story of outcasts surviving a life of isolation

Stepping on to Spinalonga, I was immediately transported back to Hislop's book, her story of outcasts surviving a life of isolation.

During a sobering hour-long walk around the island, you can pace the grim walls and visit the dilapidated buildings  Town Hall, homes and wash-houses  to get a sense of exactly how the community existed.

In its own way, Spinalonga is a life-affirming place to visit.

Not quite so evocative is hiring a car to drive the switchback roads up into the mountains of mainland Crete.

On our way up, we called in at the unassuming Church of Panagia Kera to be astonished by the Byzantine frescoes.

And if you like arts and crafts, you'll love Kritsa, one of the oldest and most historic villages on the island.

Sacred surroundings: Helen visited the unassuming Church of Panagia Kera to be astonished by the Byzantine frescoes

Here, the aptly named Panoramic Taverna looks like the film set for Mamma Mia! and serves strong Greek coffee.

A feast was being prepared and the smell of home-cooked soutzoukakia  baked meatballs  was mouthwatering.

Tempting though it was to stay and see if Pierce Brosnan turned up, we wanted to get to the tomato-growing hot spot of Ierapetra, and to swim from the island's golden beaches to whip up an appetite for lunch at the scenic fishing hamlet of Mochlos.

On the menu was baked sea bream, grilled sardines and salad washed down with a Boutari sauvignon blanc at Taverna Bogazi.

Like so many other hostelries in Crete, the owner gave us the warmest of welcomes and found us a waterfront table  all at the mention of Victoria Hislop.
Adriano Zumbo has been tipped as one of the frontrunners to host Channel Seven's new reality TV dessert cooking competition.

According to The Daily Telegraph, the 34-year-old pasty chef is being considered for the role at the helm of the new show, after previously appearing as a guest judge on Channel Ten's Masterchef Australia.

With seven patisseries and cafes across Australia, Zumbo is famed for his signature macaroons as well as the intricate croquembouche tower he challenged contestants to recreate on the reality show.

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New gig? Adriano Zumbo has been tipped as one of the frontrunners to host Channel Seven's new dessert cooking competition show

And the man, dubbed everything from 'The Patissier of Pain' and 'Dark Lord of Pastry', is no stranger to using unexpected ingredients, including melted Redskin lollies as a ganache.

Speaking to Daily Mail Australia last year, Zumbo admitted getting to the top was not a given.

'Coming from an Italian family, my parents had supermarkets and they said I had to take over as any son should take over the family business - I copped a lot of flak when I said "no",' he revealed.

'When I told them I was going to be a pastry chef, they said "there's no future in that" but I I knew that I wanted to take a punt and use my hands in something I enjoyed- they're proud of me now.'

High profile: The 34-year-old pasty chef is reportedly being considered for the role after previously appearing on Channel Ten's Masterchef Australia as a guest judge

Competition: If he gets the role, Adriano would be in competition with friend Manu Feildel, who is a judge on Channel Seven's existing cooking show My Kitchen Rules

Years later, the food mastermind has five outlets in New South Wales and two in Victoria selling his delectable delights.

He also has created a line of Tim Tams, taking the famous Australian chocolate biscuits to a new level with a variety of new flavours and combinations.

Meanwhile, earlier this week Channel Seven released a casting call, encouraging Australians to apply for the new reality cooking show.

'Contestants will have to show off their cooking skills as they work against the clock, to impress the judges and deliver amazing dishes,' read the casting call.

'We're looking for home-cooks who are passionate about baking and desserts.'

Mastermind: With seven patisseries and cafes across Australia, Zumbo is famed for his signature macaroons as well as the intricate croquembouche tower he challenged contestants to recreate on Masterchef

Return of the Mac: A chiffon macademia crunch, kaddir lime and ginger glaze, lime macadamia and black pepper mousse made by Zumbo

An individual fondant - flour-less chocolate cake with macarons, Italian meringue, fresh strawberries and chocolate

It seems the program could very well mirror Foxtel rival The Great Australian Bake Off by focusing on desserts and sponges.

News of the latest addition to the TV schedule comes as more than 30 confirmed cooking shows prepare to air over the course of the year.

Featuring prominently is the eighth season of My Kitchen Rules, which returns to Seven in February, Aussie Barbecue Heroes and Masterchef.

Rival: The new dessert show may very well mirror Foxtel rival The Great Australian Bake Off (pictured) by focusing on desserts and sponges

Despite winning consistently high ratings during its debut season, Nine Network's The Hotplate will reportedly not feature in 2016.

The show was embroiled in a copyright infringement case last year after Seven claimed the format borrowed heavily from the hugely successful My Kitchen Rules.

Judges ruled the show could continue to air, with the recommendation that any legal action should be pursued before the start of the second season.

A statement released by Seven revealed that judges conceded they had 'an arguable case' against Nine for copyright infringement.

Off air: Despite winning consistently high ratings during its debut season, Nine Network's The Hotplate will reportedly not feature amongst the 30 returning cookery shows in 2016

Controversy: The Hotplate was embroiled in a copyright infringement case last year after Seven claimed the format borrowed heavily from the hugely successful My Kitchen Rules (pictured)

Experts in their field: Manu Feildel and Pete Evans are the judges on My Kitchen Rules, and will be joined by a mystery third judge this year

'There is a reasonable basis for Seven to argue that, directly or indirectly, the team responsible for developing the Hotplate format has copied the format, or a large part of the format, used in MKR,'it read.

The overwhelming trend for cooking shows has seen SBS launch The Food Network, a channel dedicated exclusively to the genre, which focuses primarily on foreign shows.

Over the coming year SBS will also air new shows from celebrity chefs Rachel Khoo, Shane Delia and Maeve OMeara.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Seven Network and Adriano Zumbo's representatives for further comment.
She's a poster girl for curvy women and an avid advocate of body confidence.

So, it was no surprise to see Robyn Lawley encouraging other women to feel great in their own skin when she took to Instagram on Friday.

The 26-year-old Australian model shared a heavily-filtered photo of herself in a busty bra and briefs, simply captioning the image: 'love your body'.

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'Love Your Body': On Friday Robyn Lawley took to Instagram to share a photo of herself in some racy lingerie, encouraging fans to feel confident in their own skin

In the shot, Robyn's head was cropped out of the frame, allowing the core focus of the image to be her curvy figure clad in racy lingerie.

Sporting a nude coloured bra with a lace trim at the base, the mother-of-one flaunted a generous glimpse of her cleavage.

And by teaming it with a pair of low slung matching lace-trim briefs, she allowed her toned tummy to also be on show for all to see.

The post comes after Robyn spent Wednesday on the set of a photo shoot, sporting a hippie chic-inspired look, complete with a septum nose ring.

Mixing it up: The post comes after Robyn spent a day on her suspected first photo shoot for 2015, sporting a hippie chic-inspired look, complete with a septum nose ring

Making a statement: The model sported some equally as striking make-up, with bold dusting of purple and pink eyeshadow smothered all around her green eyes on Wednesday

This seems to be Robyn's first major shoot for the new year after no doubt spending the holidays with loved ones including 11-month-old daughter Ripley, whom she shares with partner Everest Schmidt.

Last month Robyn was interviewed by The Daily Edition co-hosts Sally Obermeder and Tom Williams, speaking candidly about her serious health problems throughout 2015.

She opened up about her experiences after childbirth saying, 'My health just went down. I had vision loss, I had numbness in my hands, my hands weren't working like how they usually work.'

These weren't the only side effects that she was facing as she added, 'I got an MRI and my MRI came back with these lesions on my cerebral area and they were scared it could have been Multiple Sclerosis.'

Usual look: The 26-year-old is often seen modelling her curve-friendly swimwear range or walking the red carpet in stylish dresses

The Sydney-born beauty returned to Australia for treatment, where doctors eventually discovered what was happening to her.

'I had a different auto immune, because theyre all under this huge umbrella of auto immune where basically your cells are attacking themselves and your immune system doesn't know what to rightly attack or what not to so it starts attacking itself,' said Robyn.

Even simple tasks became difficult, with the brunette beauty telling the hosts: 'It got to a point where I just stopped talking for a little while because it was just so painful and everything hurt.'

She then added: 'I've never experienced anything like it in my entire life'.

Mother and daughter: Robyn welcomed her first daughter Ripley in February last year with partner Everest Schmidt

Since first being diagnosed with the condition she hasn't had any more attacks and explained what can bring them on.

The cover girl said: 'It usually happens when youre really stressed out or your body is at its weakest, like after child birth a lot of women are diagnosed with autoimmune conditions.'

Robyn is aware that having another baby, or an extremely stressful situation could bring on another attack and she revealed she isn't planning on having any more children.

'I'm very content and understand that I was very honoured to have Ripley and shes a great kid.'

The proud mum features her adorable little girl commonly on her Instagram feed, sharing plenty of candid family snaps with her followers.
She plays one of the most iconic characters in the history of EastEnders.

But Dame Barbara Windsor, 78, has finally decided to bring to an end her 21-year association with the famous soap, just as she made a shock return to the show in Friday night's episode.

After listening to her alcoholic son Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden) rant about his troubles, including his latest battle with booze, while swigging from a bottle of Cinzano, Peggy stunned viewers when she revealed her cancer had returned.

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It's been emotional: Barbara Windsor, 78, has finally decided to bring to an end her 21-year association with the famous soap, just as she made a shock return to the show in Friday night's episode

And this time there will be no recovery for the former landlady of The Queen Vic, as she cried: 'The cancers back! Im dying!'

Her final months in the show have been carefully plotted by the actress herself and executive producer Dominic Treadwell Collins, who began working on the exit last summer.

She said she had thought 'long and hard about it', but had realised it was time to say goodbye to the character.

Windsor said: 'Peggy is a character close to my heart, but I made the decision a while ago that I need to say goodbye to Peggy once and for all, as otherwise she will always be there, urging me to go back, and that is something I need to shut the door on.'

See more of the latest EastEnders spoilers as Peggy Mitchell returns to the square

Television icon: Windsor joined the soap to take over the role of Peggy from from Jo Warne in 1994 and played the character full-time until 2010

'And I thought that whilst the guvnor (Treadwell-Collins), who I adore, is still in charge I want him to be the one to oversee it. I am grateful that Dominic has accepted my decision and together, since late last summer, we have been secretly plotting Peggy's last scenes.'

Friday night's episode marked the start of Windsor's last storyline on the show. The scenes were filmed secretly in November 2015.

Treadwell-Collins said: 'Barbara is the real guvnor of EastEnders.

'So when she told me her decision back in the summer, we both had a little cry before getting excited about how Peggy Mitchell, the matriarch to end all matriarchs, could bid her final farewell to Albert Square.'

Hard-hitting: After listening to her alcoholic son Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden) rant about his troubles, including his latest battle with booze, Peggy stunned viewers when she revealed her cancer had returned

End of an era: This time there will be no recovery for the former landlady of The Queen Vic, as she cried: 'The cancers back! Im dying!'

He praised Windsor for creating one of the 'greatest ever characters on British television' and said her exit was the end of an EastEnders era.

He hinted at Peggy's exit on the show, saying it would be 'one of the most heartbreaking, uplifting and epic exits an EastEnders character has ever had.'

Windsor's final scenes are expected to be screened in late spring 2016.

And The Mirror reports that Peggy's death 'is likely' to result in her onscreen son Grant's (Ross Kemp) return to the show for the first time since 2006.

Peggy was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1996 and became the first character in the show's history to face the disease.

Despite being given the all-clear following a mammogram in 1997, the cancer returned two years later which led the Mitchell family matriarch to undergo a mastectomy, followed by a breast reconstruction.

Best known for her roles in Carry On films, Windsor joined the soap to take over the role of Peggy from from Jo Warne in 1994 and played the character full-time until 2010. Since then she has made occasional returns over the years.

Peggy's biggest storylines include her battle with breast cancer, her marriage to Frank Butcher, her feud and friendship with Pat Butcher and her marriage to Archie Mitchell, which resulted in the family losing The Queen Vic.
His strawberry-blond hair is just one of many attributes shared by his family of famous actors, including cousins Emilia and Freddie Fox, but Yorkshire-born thespian Laurence, left, has decided to break away from his roots. Literally.

Sharing this selfie online, the 37-year-old is unrecognisable as he reveals his newly darkened hair and moustache.

Sitting in the back of a car with a pair of dark glasses, he notes: The artist formerly known as Laurence Fox.

Laurence Fox, left, is playing French military hero General Charles De Gaulle, right in a new play

Normally Laurence Fox, pictured, is known for his blonde hair

However the new look is only temporary, as it is for a forthcoming theatre role in which Fox plays Charles de Gaulle, the 20th-century French military hero.

Perhaps he can share grooming tips with actress wife Billie Piper, who admits to using a special cream to keep her own tache under control.

Scarlett Curtis, 19-year-old daughter of Notting Hill director Richard Curtis and Emma Freud, joined the chorus of criticism yesterday of this years all-white Oscar nominations, complaining on social media about the missing women and men of colour in the film industry.

She conveniently forgot that her very own fathers film, Notting Hill, was attacked in 1999 for exactly the same reason.

Well, it was before her time.

Brits designer brags: They only took me 7 minutes to create

Following in the footsteps of Damien Hirst and Tracey Emin to create this years Brit award could easily inspire anxiety for Pam Hogg.

But it turns out the Scottish designer, whose outlandish semi-transparent wedding dress worn by Lady Mary Charteris was exhibited at the V&A, barely gave it much thought at all.

Pam Hogg admitted she spent only seven minutes creating the designs for this year's Brit Awards

I felt no pressure to make it. It doesnt matter who did it before me, she tells me at the Brits Nominations Party hosted by Google Play Music. When they asked me, Id just finished a show, and unlike other designers I make all my stuff myself.

'I designed it in my head in seven minutes. It took me seven minutes to think up the 13 different statues (above).

Surely the winners wont be too thrilled to learn she only spent an average of 32 seconds on their hard-earned accolade.

Elton's new snub to his hospitalised mum, 90

Sir Elton John paid touching tribute to his old friend David Bowie at a concert in Los Angeles this week, performing a rendition of Bowies first number one song Space Oddity.

Sadly, Sir Elton didnt feel the need to make a similar dediciation to his dear old mother.

MENTIONING NO NAMES... Which doting celebrity father parks on double yellow lines whenever he drops off his daughter on the school run, to the fury of fellow parents? Advertisement

For back home in Blighty, I hear the piano ticklers mum Sheila Farebrother, 90, is currently recovering in hospital in London after undergoing a hip operation this week.

No word from Sir Eltons spokesman whether hed been in touch with his ma  the pair fell out nearly eight years ago, following an explosive row, allegedly over his husband David Furnish.

Nor was Sheila able to rely on a visit from her friend Paul Bacon, who plies his trade as an Elton impersonator and whom she hired to entertain guests at her 90th birthday.
With I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! set to kick off later this month, the show's hosts have started making their way to the jungle.

On Saturday morning Joel Creasey and Heather Maltman arrived at Sydney airport, ready for their long-haul flight to South Africa, where they will be joined by hosts Julia Morris and Dr Chris Brown.

Taking to Twitter, Bachelor contestant Heather shared a photo of herself farewelling boyfriend Andrew Steel at the airport, while her on-screen partner-in-crime seemed to be more self-focused, claiming he was 'the most beautiful person' there.

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Time to take off: Joel Creasey shared this selfie alongside Heather Maltman on Saturday, as they awaited a flight from Sydney Airport bound for South Africa ahead of I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!

Posing with her arms wrapped tightly around her actor beau, the 30-year-old went make-up free for the cute selfie ahead of her trip.

'Noooooooooooo @andrewsteel6 look at that cute cute face,' she captioned the image in which she sported a multi-coloured knit sweater while flashing her signature smile for the camera.

Meanwhile, moments later 25-year-old Joel shared a snap of him and Heather in the Qantas lounge as they awaited a boarding call.

Confident: The 25-year-old male comedian shared a tweet about himself while at the airport, deciding he was the best looking at Sydney Airport for the morning

Saying their goodbyes: The former Bachelor contestant shared this snap of herself farewelling her beau, actor Andrew Steel

Refreshing: The pair enjoy some champagnes while on the flight

'WE ARE OFF TO AFRICA FOR TWO MONTHS!!' the media personality penned next to the selfie.

He then added: '@heather_maltman and I are at the @qantas lounge ready to depart for the jungle. Meet you there @ladyjuliamorris @drchrisbrown. We can play my favorite (sic) game 'I'm a Celelebrity (sic) Get Me a Goddamn Mai Tai' while we wait for the celebrities... victims... to arrive'.

Wearing a grey T-shirt, the funnyman gave his best pout for the camera, while Heather also pulled a quirky expression in the background.

The night before: Hours earlier Heather shared this photo of the pair enjoying some time together before she jetted off

He followed up his snap with a confident tweet, reading: 'I'm probably the most beautiful person at Sydney airport right now'.

The 2016 series of I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here! will once again be hosted by Julia Morris and Dr Chris Brown.

There will also be an additional companion program, which will air each night after the main show, hosted by Heather and Joel - the latter having been a contestant on the show last year.

The show sees a group of celebrities dropped into the jungle via helicopter with no luxuries, as they complete various challenges in the jungle.

New hosts with the most: The pair will be hosting a late night show separate to the main slot
They both won their Oscars three years ago and they continue to have each other's back.

Anne Hathaway, 33, took to Facebook on Friday to defend Jennifer Lawrences Golden Globes exchange with a reporter.

Dear the Internet, Hathaway began on her Facebook page. It's become pretty clear that the Jennifer Lawrence "scolding" was taken out of context and that she was dryly joking with a journalist who was indeed using his phone to take photos of her.

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J-Law fan: Anne Hathaway took to Facebook on Friday to defend fellow Oscar winner Jennifer Lawrence's exchange with a reporter at a Golden Globes press conference

The Joy star, 25, caused a stir when she hit out at a foreign reporter in the middle of a press conference, telling him to stop looking at his phone when he interviewed her.

The reporter asked Jennifer how she felt about Oscars night - which will be held on February 28, 2016 and for which she is also nominated for an award - when she interrupted with: 'You can't live your whole life behind your phone bro.

'You're just not gonna... You can't do that. You gotta live in the now,' she said as she rolled her eyes and wagged her finger at him, prompting the room to descend into laughter.

See more of the latest on Jennifer Lawrence as her fans defend her 'rude' outburst

Winners! Hathaway won her Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for Les Miserables while Lawrence won her Oscar for Best Actress for Silver Linings Playbook in 2013

Lawrence had just accepted the Golden Globe award for Best Actress in the Motion Picture Comedy category for her 2016 film Joy.

As the reporter continued his question about the Academy Awards for a second time, she corrected him by saying: 'We are at the Golden Globes, if you put your phone down, you'd know that.'

Some of those reacting to an online video of the outburst said they felt she had been rude to reporter Juan Pablo Fernandez-Feo, who works on behalf of Latin America's E! Network, predominantly in Argentina, Mexico and Venezuela.

Taken out of proportion? The Joy star was accused of being 'rude' to an E! Network reporter during a press conference that followed Sunday night's Golden Globe awards

Hathaway, who won her Oscar on the same stage as Lawrence did in 2013, shared her frustration of how the Silver Linings Playbook star's behavior was taken out of proportion.

Let's not continue the sad but common practice of building people - especially women - up just to viciously tear them down when we perceive them to have misstepped, wrote Hathaway, who won her Oscar for Les Miserables. Jennifer is a beautiful, talented, wildly successful, popular, FOUR TIME OSCAR NOMINATED young woman. Please let us not punish her for these things.

Hathaway signed off her Facebook post, saying: Sincerely, A J-Law fan followed by the hashtags #supportstrongwomen #imwithher #whycantwegiveloveonemorechance.

She's with her: The Les Miserables star shared her frustration of how Lawrence's behavior was taken out of proportion

JLaws behavior has received mixed reactions. Earlier in the week, This Morning presenters Holly Willoughby and Phllip Schofield weighed in on the debate, describing the A-list actress' reaction as 'harsh' and over the top.

Phillip felt sympathetic towards Fernandez-Feo, saying she should have been more sensitive because of the language barrier.

'It was so harsh. English clearly wasn't his first language. And as a reporter, he could have had his phone out because he was using it to record the Q&A', Schofield said.

Critical: This Morning presenter Phllip Schofield described the A-list actress' reaction as 'harsh' and over the top

At the 2013 Academy Awards, Hathaway won her Oscar for Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role for Les Miserables while Lawrence won her Oscar for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role Silver Linings Playbook.

Lawrence could add a second Best Actress Oscar to her mantelpiece next month after being nominated for her role in Joy on Thursday.

She's nominated in the category alongside Cate Blanchett (Carol), Brie Larson (Room), Charlotte Rampling (45 Years) and Saoirse Ronan (Brooklyn).
It's been a stressful few months for actress Jodi Anasta.

And it seems the 30-year-old, who announced a 'trial separation' from husband of three years, Braith Anasta, wanted to take some time away from the hustle and bustle of Sydney life.

The mother-of-one jetted into Bali on Saturday, travelling solo to a luxury resort, with her 22-month-old daughter Aleeia nowhere to be seen.

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Time alone: Jodi Anasta jetted into Bali on Saturday, travelling solo to a luxury resort, with her 22-month-old daughter Aleeia nowhere to be seen

Wearing an all white ensemble, the former Home And Away star looked down about her holiday-for-one.

She even covered her face with reflective silver-framed sunglasses while inside the hotel foyer.

The skin-tight white jeans, T-shirt and thin open cotton vest accentuated her very slim frame, which appears to be more slender in the wake of her break up.

Leaving her hair out in waves, the former soap star and model also appeared to be make-up free and in holiday mode, as she swapped her stilettos for metallic silver trainers.

Getting noticed? The former Home And Away star appeared to reluctantly wave at a passer-by as she held tight to her black over-sized handbag

All white! The model looked more slender than usual in the white skinny jeans and T-shirt combo

Helping hand! Jodi appeared to tip staff after they helped the solo starlet unload items out of the airport transfer

Make-up free: The mother-of-one appeared to be in holiday mode, being make-up free and having her brown locks wavy

As her bags were taken out of the airport transfer by resort staff, Jodi appeared to reluctantly wave to a passer-by, as she held tightly to her black handbag.

Perusing around a convenience store in the hotel, the model briefly removed her sunglasses as she looked around.

However, the frown on the brunette beauty's face didn't leave as she checked into the luxury resort.

On December 10, Jodi and Braith announced they had agreed to a 'temporary separation'.

Uncovered! The former Home And Away actress briefly removed her designer sunglasses as she perused around a convenience store but quickly popped them back on

Downcast: While the sunglasses came off, the socialite's frown didn't appear to as she checked in

Shock split: The couple announced a 'trial separation' after three years of marriage in a joint statement in early December

The couple, who were pictured in a heated argument at a Coogee park prior to the split, told Daily Mail Australia in a joint statement that they had decided to part ways after facing challenges 'like all married couples.'

'We are going to continue to support each other and remain best of friends, we only want the best for each other and more importantly our amazing daughter Aleeia,' they said.

'They would really appreciate it if the media can afford them some privacy during this time.'

A spokesman for the pair added: 'They have had challenges like all married couples and despite best efforts to make things work they have agreed that a trial separation is best for them and their precious daughter.'
They didn't find love on their respective reality shows, The Bachelor and The Bachelorette, but Dave Billsborrow and Sarah-Mae Amey appear to have found their own love story.

The pair took to their Instagram accounts on Saturday to gush about their latest memory-making moment - a koala encounter breakfast date at WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo.

The special tour was a Christmas present given to the former Cleo Bachelor contender from his florist girlfriend of two months.

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'Enjoying my Christmas present': Reality star Dave Billsborrow, 30, gushes over his Christmas present which included a breakfast and a kola tour at WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo

The 30-year-old plumber was the first to upload a snap from the morning's activities, which he captioned: 'Enjoying my Christmas present from @sarahmaelouise. Breakfast with the koalas.'

In the post, Dave beamed with joy as he posed next to his stunner of a girlfriend and the Australian native who was fast too sleep in the Eucalyptus tree.

The tradesman wore a blue business shirt and parted his hair neatly to one side.

While Sarah-Mae looked gorgeous in a stripped T-shirt as she posed with her perfect brunette locks out for the special occasion.

'When your boyfriend's favourite animal is a Koala': Sarah-Mae shared photos from their morning out, inlcuding shots of the couple kissing in the photo booth

Tilting her head towards the reality star, while showing off a big smile for the camera the pair looked loved up.

Sara-Mae also took to Instagram to upload an image which included a number of professional photos taken at the zoo, as well as shots of the couple kissing in a photo booth.

The florist captioned her post: 'When your boyfriend's favourite animal is a Koala, then a "Breakfast with the Koalas" makes for the perfect Christmas present [sic].'

Taking it to the next level: Dave and Sarah-Mae have been travelling together as they introduced each other to their respective parents

'Noosa, you were so amazing': The reality stars made sure they spent some one-on-one together while in Noosa

Recently the pair moved their relationship to the next level over the summer break.

They decided it was time to meet the parents and go on their holiday together.

First, they visited Dave's family and friends in Darwin before flying to the Gold Coast to meet Sara's relatives.

Before taking off again to enjoy some one-on-one time in Noosa.

Last week, The Bachelor series one contestant told the Daily Mail Australia about how 'excited' she was to have Dave meet her clan.

'He's coming home to the Gold Coast meet my family and friends next week so I'm really excited,' Sarah-Mae said at the time.

She also gushed about Dave's family, saying: 'His family are so, so beautiful.'

Match made in reality TV heaven! The pair have been dating for two months and were first introduced through her best friend Sam Frost and her man Sasha Mielczarek

The pair have been dating for two months and were first introduced through her best friend, and former Bachelorette, Sam Frost and her man Sasha Mielczarek.

Dave was a contestant on the show, who stayed in the friendzone with Sam and became good friends with Sasha.

While Sarah-Mae is now house mates with Sam, which led to the double date set up.

Recently, after celebrating her former Bachelor star Emily Hanson's baby shower, Sarah-Mae had nothing but kind words for Dave, who helped her set it all up, calling him 'Boyfriend of The Year.'
Oscar-nominated Leonardo DiCaprio hasn't been short of praise for The Revenant, but he's also not been short of admirers recently.

Choosing a rather subdued way to spend Friday night in Rome, where he'd just finished the Italian premiere, Leo was still approached by a female fan, weilding a love note, it seemed.

As a sign of his gratitude, the ladies' man, 41, pecked her on the cheek outside Dal Toscano eatery, a scene that was quite a contrast to his time in London, where it's now been claimed he entertained the company of up to four beautiful women after the European premiere.

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Low-key: Leonardo DiCaprio chose a rather subdued way to celebrate his Oscar nod with his family, stepping out at the Dal Toscano eatery on Friday evening wher he enjoyed a bite to eat with his parents but he still didn't escape the female attention because a stranger was seen to hand him a note

According to The Sun, the actor and environmentalist left a celebrity hotspot after two hours with four blonde beauties.

The star - who split from model girlfriend Kelly Rohrbach, 25, in December after dating for six months - is believed to have splashed out on a 500 bottle of Magnum vodka as he enjoyed the company of the ladies and his Inception co-star Lukas Haas.

A source told the newspaper: 'The girls all fitted Leos impeccable taste in women  they were very pretty, tall and had bleach-blonde hair.

'It wasnt long before he was taking the girls back to Claridges where hes staying.'

MailOnline has contacted a spokesperson for Leonardo DiCaprio, though a source confirmed on Friday that the actor returned to his hotel alone on Thursday.

So sweet: He looked suave as he gratefully received the letter that night and later kissed her on the cheek

In demand: It's obvious that he's in demand from the ladies, but Leonardo was all-too obliging of the attention

Precious: The handsome actor gave the lady a kiss as a sign of his gratitude

The source told MailOnline about a mystery brunette he was linked to after a night at The Groucho: 'The girl seemed to be with the club owners but I know that Leo went back to his hotel alone and jetted straight to Rome the next day.'

Opting for a more low-key affair in Rome on Friday night, Leonardo cut a dapper figure in a fitted black suit, deep in concentration as he made a call on his way back to his car.

Joining him on the occasion was his father, American comic book writer, George DiCaprio, and his German mother, Irmelin Indenbirken.

See more on Leonardo DiCaprio as he is tipped for Oscar success with The Revenant

Low-key: It was a quite a contrast to his time in London, where he's said to have entertained the company of up to four beautiful women

Dapper for dinner: Leonardo, 41, - who has been in Italy promote his new film, The Revenant - cut a dapper figure in a fitted black suit, deep in concentration as he made a call on his way back to his car

Family affair: Joining him on the occasion was his father, American comic book writer, George DiCaprio, (not pictured) and his German mother, Irmelin Indenbirken

Keeping a hand close to his chest and ducking his head down, Leonardo seemed to be engrossed in the call, which may have had something to do with his recent film triumph.

The five-time Oscar nominated star has finally been tipped for success for his role in gritty drama, The Revenant, which sees him play explorer Hugh Glass, who is left for dead after barely surviving a brutal bear attack.

Following the news Leonardo wasted no time getting out to celebrate, visiting London nightclub Libertine where he is said to have enjoyed the company of several females.

Party animal: Following his Oscar nod Leonardo wasted no time getting out to celebrate, visiting London nightclub Libertine where he is said to have enjoyed the company of several females
He reportedly went to great lengths to 'hide his playboy past' after meeting his superstar wife Cheryl Fernandez-Versini in 2014.

But Jean-Bernard has brushed off the claims by insisting 'he doesn't care' about the gossip surrounding him as he shared a shirtless photo of himself on social media on Saturday.

Seemingly addressing fresh accusations, made by The Sun on Saturday, that he has changed his name and exaggerated his wealthy upbringing, the 34-year-old restaurateur responded to a comment beneath his latest photo which claimed that his life before Cheryl was 'fake'.

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Getting shirty: Jean-Bernard has brushed off 'former playboy' claims by insisting 'he doesn't care' about the gossip surrounding him as he shared a shirtless photo of himself on social media on Saturday

'Talking about the living I would understand gossip and hate is usual in nowadays world for certain peoples...but talking about the dead that ,I won't allow that,' he began.

'Talk about me all you want I couldn't care less ! don't talk about my dead parents that were irreproachable and amazing if you would have done your homework you would know.'

Jean-Bernard's remark comes amid claims he attempted to conceal his playboy past from his 32-year-old wife, which allegedly saw him go by a series of different names.

Hitting back: The 34-year-old restaurateur had quite the response for one Instagram user who claimed his life before Cheryl was 'fake'

Heartbreak: It's believed the restaurateur's wife Cheryl Fernandez-Versini has began divorce proceedings

According to The Sun, the restaurateur has attempted to keep his 'former playboy' lifestyle a secret by removing countless snaps from his social media pages, and the internet altogether.

JB reportedly deleted 29 photos from his Instagram account, which saw him posing intimately with a host of beautiful women, some of whom looked remarkably like X Factor judge, Cheryl.

One snap saw the alleged playboy sit a scantily clad woman atop his shoulders as she wrapped her legs around his neck and playfully poked out her tongue.

See more of the latest news on Cheryl and Jean-Bernard's reported divorce proceedings

No Girls Aloud: Nowadays, the Instagram account of Cheryl's spouse would paint him as anything but a womaniser, as it boasts very few female pictures

Another shot shows Jean-Bernard pulling the hair of a woman in a nightclub, while a separate image depicts him cosying up with an unknown female who bears a striking resemblance to his wife at an event.

Nowadays, the Instagram account of Cheryl's spouse would paint him as anything but a womaniser, as it boasts very few female pictures.

'It seems pretty obvious that JB deleted these pictures off his account when he got together with Cheryl so his playboy past stayed hidden,' a source told The Sun.

JB's academic past has also been called into question, with The Sun questioning the authenticity of the finance degree he claims to have on his CV, from the reputable Institut Superieur de Gestion (ISG) in Paris.

When the publication contacted the business school, staff allegedly said that they had 'no record' of the Frenchman.

While Jean Bernard may well have studied at the institution, the questionable scenario has also raised doubts over the legitimacy of his claims he studied at New York University, which he told the NY Times in 2002.

The interview saw the entrepreneur say that he 'took a year off' to party and admitted that he preferred American women because they did not like 'long dates and complicated relationships'.

He also alleged that he split his time between Morocco, where his father Bernard was born, St Tropez and St Barts, where he claimed that his family owned a home. The businessman said that his jet-set lifestyle, which allowed him to party across the globe, was funded by 'an allowance from his parents,' The Sun wrote.

Keeping quiet: JB has also remained fairly tight-lipped on his own business ventures, though he was thought to be the joint owner of Cannes' pop-up eatery Cosy Box

Though it's since been alleged that JB's childhood may not have been quite as wealthy as he made out.

It's believed his father, who passed away last year aged 66, crafted office furniture, though his venture made him very little money.

His mother Francoise Fernandez is also thought to have been of a more humble disposition as an estate agent who had a side business in cookery.

It's claimed that her company Ferhol had a capital value of only 11,639 when she passed away from cancer in 2006, while his father's firm Ferver France was allegedly losing money in 2009 and 2010.

His late father did manage to turn things around further down the line, however, as Ferver France's profits from 2012, when the last documents were recorded, were 55,000.

It's suggested that there was no evidence of large office premises, as all of the family's businesses used their home address, which was reportedly a box standard three-bedroom house near Marseille, where the socialite lived with from 2003 until he met Cheryl in 2014.

JB has also remained fairly tight-lipped on his own business ventures, though he was thought to be the joint owner of Cannes' pop-up eatery Cosy Box.

However JB's friends in France reportedly told The Sun that Jean-Bernard has never owned his own business and was listed with the French government as a 'seasonal freelancer, who is in control of ensuring that international clients visit the country.

Split: According to The Mirror, Cheryl cited 'irreconcilable differences' as the reason for the split with JB, which allegedly happened in August

Jean-Bernard - who registered his won company last year with Cheryl's accountant Alan McEvoy in an attempt to start his won restaurant - has allegedly been jokingly likened to serial imposter Frederic Bourdin, nicknamed The Chameleon in France after adopting at least 500 false identities over the years.

Meanwhile, it's believed Cheryl and JB have already began divorce proceedings as of last week.

According to The Mirror, Cheryl cited 'irreconcilable differences' as the reason for the split with JB, which allegedly happened in August.

A source told the newspaper: 'In the end Cheryl realised she had married too soon and had been swept away by a bit of a whirlwind romance.

'Over time it became clear to each of them that they were very different people and from very different worlds.'

They added: 'They are now focusing on making sure they stay friends. The divorce is amicable and they have both said they will always be there for each other.'

Cheryl and Jean-Bernard - who married in in an intimate secret ceremony on the island of Mustique in July 2014 - were last pictured together attending Cheryl's good friends' Ant and Dec's joint birthday party in October last year.
The star-studded cast of Fox's upcoming Grease: Live is only a few weeks away from its performance of the beloved classic.

And at the Television Critics Association winter press tour they revealed what viewers can look forward to, including appearances by two original cast members from the 1978 film.

As reported by E! News, Didi Conn, who originally played Frenchy, and Barry Pearl, who originally played Doody, will be starring in the live show, alongside their successors in the roles, Carly Rae Jepsen and Jordan Fisher, respectively.

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'Mama OG #Frenchie and baby #Frenchie' Carly Rae Jepsen (Frenchy) shared this snap alongside Didi Conn who starred as Frenchy in the 1978 film, to celebrate her role in the upcoming Grease: Live production on Fox

Director Thomas Kail gushed about Didi's role, sharing: 'Didi is playing Vi who is the waitress who has a little scene with Frenchy. We do have a moment where we have the generations stare at each other...it was incredibly moving for all of us.'

The upcoming musical event will combine songs from both the wildly popular musical and the feature film.

Executive producer Marc Platt explained: 'We're combining Those Magic Changes and Freddie My Love - which Keke Palmer will sing - into an experience that works for live television.'

Following their lead: Didi (front right) and Barry Pearl (front left) both starred in the original musical film (1978), and will be appearing in Fox's upcoming TV special, alongside their successors

And they will take advantage of their surroundings on the Warner Bros. lot, using both soundstages and sets outside.

Two stages, a portion of the backlot, and 44 cameras will be put into use for the show, which will also feature a live audience - seemingly taking into consideration criticism of NBC's recent The Wiz Live!, which viewers felt suffered for its lack of an audience.

Marc even teased: 'The audience is designed into the set...they may be characters.'

Two generations: Jordan Fisher - who will star as Doody in Fox's show - showed off a smile as he posed beside Barry, who played the role in the 1978 film

Many of the stars have performed the show before, including Carly Rae who was Sandy in her high school production.

Kether Donohue (Jan) has previously played Frenchy in eighth grade, and Julianne Hough (Sandy) shared: 'I put the production on in my basement... I was Sandy, but then in the dance scene I transformed into Cha Cha.'

A new song has been added for Carly Rae's character, written by the Tony-winning writers behind Next to Normal, and Kether noted: 'We all cry during rehearsal.'

Ready to roll: Rehearsals have begun for the upcoming Grease: Live, which also stars (L to R) Keke Palmer, Carlos PenaVega, David Del Rio, Andrew Call, Vanessa Hudgens, Carly Rae, Jordan, Kether Donohue, Aaron Tveit, and Julianne Hough

Marc also gushed that original stars John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John have 'both been enormously supportive' of the production.

Julianne had received Olivia's blessing as the latter starred as a guest judge on an episode of Dancing with the Stars.

'This is my hero, this is my 5-year-old dream, so for her to give me that blessing to take that weight,' Julianne said, adding: 'I hope that she's watching...she's better than you'd hope she would be.'

Grease: Live airs on Fox January 31.
As a self confessed ladies' man there's no denying that he's well versed when it comes to dealing with tricky situations.

So offering advice to his Celebrity Big Brother housemate Jeremy McConnell, who is currently locked in a love triangle, Scotty T suggested that he should keep his options open.

Warning against pursing a relationship with fellow housemate Stephanie Davis, who is dating model Sam Reece, the Geordie Shore star told McConnell to distance himself from the actress.

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'Don't put all your eggs in one basket': CBB's Scotty T offered Jeremy McConnell advice over Stephanie Davis

As the lads shared a bath, McConnell seemed keen to find out what Scotty thought of his budding union with Davis.

The fake former Mr Ireland asserted: 'I think she's more trying to respect her morals rather than go with what she wants to do, do you get me?'

But not quite convinced, Scotty replied: 'It's got worse since someone mentioned it to Steph.

'All I'm saying is like, if she does like you then don't act like you've got a boyfriend.'

Defending his love interest, Jeremy added: 'I think she's just confused.'

'Yeah I know she is but at least admit that you're confused', said Scotty as he agreed.

See more news from the CBB house as Scotty T offers Jeremy McConnell love advice

Love triangle: Throughout this series viewers have seen things between Jeremy and Steph heat up despite the fact she is currently in a relationship with model Sam Reece

But clearly looking out for McConnell's best interest, Scotty let Jeremy know that he feels if anyone is at fault in the love triangle it is Steph.

He continued; 'You don't have anything to worry about, you are your own person, if you like someone that's not your fault.

'You've done nothing, don't ever think you're doing anything wrong.'

'I think she's just confused': Jeremy revealed he believes Steph is holding back her true emotions

'It's got worse': The Geordie Shore star stated that McConnell shouldn't feel at fault as he is single unlike Davis

Jeremy then admitted that his attraction to Davis was due to the fact he had never met anyone like her, he gushed: 'I swear down I've never met a bird to see as like a lad.'

He also revealed that no matter the outcome following their time in the house he would like to remain friends with the ex Hollyoaks star.

'I just feel for her because I can see that she's been hurt in the past and I just want to let her know that I'll be there for her regardless', he added.

Taking the edge of McConnell's confession, Scotty then chimed that Newcastle is full of women to rival Steph and told him to broaden his horizons.

The MTV star warned: 'She's a lovely girl but all I'm saying is like don't put all your eggs in one basket mate for that.'

'I'll be there for her': McConnell stated that no matter the outcome he is hoping to remain friends with Steph

Not having it! Scotty chimed that Jeremy would be able to find a woman to rival Davis in Newcastle

Meanwhile in Friday's episode of the Channel 5 show, Davis was shocked to discover she did indeed share a kiss with Jeremy on Thursday.

The former Hollyoaks actress questioned the tattooed model about their pre-bedtime antics after viewers saw them sneak under the covers together on the previous night.

Keen to clear her conscience, Stephanie, 22, asked the 25-year-old: 'Did I do anything before bed last night? We didn't do anything wrong did we?'

The Irish-born hunk told her to 'shush' before revealing that they'd kissed.

'We didn't do anything wrong did we?': Davis learned she DID kiss McConnell during Friday night's episode

'We kissed': Jeremy, 25, told Stephanie matter-of-factly while the housemates slept

The camera then shot to a conversation the couple were having with David Gest about their outrageous on-screen flirting.

David, 62, offered his thoughts on the complicated situation and advised them to stop climbing into each other's bed as 'it's not right because she's with somebody'.

In a matter-of-fact tone, the American television personality told them: 'Sometimes the excitement and the lonliness and being here... to get into his bed - it doesn't look great because you're in a relationship and he does have feelings for you.'

'When you say feelings, you know, it's just, she's obviously attractive,' Jeremy responded.

'You're attracted to her, she's a good looking girl. You're a good looking woman even though you've got one pimple now. But if we're to continue, you shouldn't sleep in the same bed, even if you need a cuddle - come to the old man, nothing's going to happen,' David reassured Stephanie.
Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen are the only main members of Full House that have decided not to return to the upcoming Netflix reboot, Fuller House.

And on Saturday People revealed that the series features a small joke at their expense, explaining that their character Michelle Tanner is absent from the family reunion because she's busy running her fashion empire in New York.

However, John Stamos (Jesse Katsopolis) was quick to clarify that the joke was all in good fun and 'not meant to be a diss.'

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All in good fun: John Stamos clarified that a joke in the first episode of Fuller House explaining the Olsen twins' absence is 'not meant to be a diss'

Scheduling conflicts: Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen (pictured at the CFDA Fashion Awards in June) were too busy with fashion labels The Row and Elizabeth and James to star in the series

'It was my idea,' the 52-year-old star revealed of the joke at the Fox All-Star Party in Pasadena, California, which hinted at the twins' work with their fashion lines The Row and Elizabeth and James.

The designers - now 29 - portrayed the youngest daughter of Danny Tanner (Bob Saget) on the series from 1987 to 1995.

The stars had previously discussed the series with executive producer Bob Boyett, who told People that production conflicted with their schedules.

The prospect of acting also made Ashley uncomfortable since she had not been in front of a camera since she was 17.

Boyett shared: 'Mary-Kate said, 'It would have to be me because Ash doesn't want to do it. But the timing is so bad for us.''

Despite their absence, John said the rest of the cast has had fun reuniting and working on the new project, especially with the freedom that Netflix provides.

Moving on: Mary-Kate and Ashley had starred as youngest child Michelle Tanner (also pictured, L to R) Jodie Sweetin, Bob Saget, Candace Cameron Bure, John, and Dave Coulier

'You know, I wanted to put a couple of dots in [the first episode], an homage, kind of,' the Grandfathered actor shared.

He continued: 'The beauty of that show is that there was so much of it and it was so much fun and on Netflix we could turn it in, it was 33 minutes or something. We didnt have to keep it at 22. It was sweet. I think people will like it.'

And though it has been difficult working on the reboot with fans' high expectations, John shared: 'I hope people like it.'

Fuller House debuts on Netflix on February 26.
She was just released from the Federal Correctional Institution in Danbury, Connecticut on December 23, after serving almost a year behind bars for fraud charges.

And on Thursday Teresa Giudice almost violated her probation as she rushed home following her first red carpet appearance, as reported by TMZ.

The 43-year-old cut it close to her 10pm curfew after stopping by the opening of sister-in-law Melissa Gorga's boutique Envy, but reportedly talked her way out of a ticket after encouraging her Uber driver to speed home.

Just made it! Teresa Giudice almost violated her probation on Thursday after attending her first red carpet event following her release from the Federal Correctional Institution in Danbury, Connecticut

Teresa was at the event with her 15-year-old daughter Gia, and had told E! News that she was 'feeling great,' adding: 'I'm happy to be here to support my brother and my sister-in-law Melissa.'

Since she was leaving close to her 10pm curfew, the Bravo star reportedly asked her Uber driver to rush to get her home, which caught the attention of a police officer.

However, as the driver was talking to the cop, Teresa came to their defense, explaining the situation from the back seat.

Speedy recovery: To avoid violating her 10pm curfew the star had called an Uber, instructing them to hurry home, which attracted the attention of the police

Just the two of us! Teresa had been spotted at the event - the opening of sister-in-law Melissa Gorga's boutique Envy - with her 15-year-old daughter Gia

According to a source, the cop immediately recognized The Real Housewives of New Jersey star and let her go, agreeing she had had a difficult enough year already.

Teresa had just served her time after she and husband Joe, 43, pleaded guilty in 2014 to 41 counts of fraud including bank mail, wire and bankruptcy fraud. The couple had filed for bankruptcy in 2009, claiming $11 million in debt.

They dropped their petitions in 2011, but that bankruptcy filing ultimately led to federal fraud charges against them.

Home for the holidays: After her release on December 23, Teresa spent Christmas with husband Joe and their four daughters Gia, Gabriella, 11, Milania, nine, and Audriana, six

The duo were accused of hiding assets and failing to disclose information about Teresa's Real Housewives salary, their businesses, and rental properties.

After her release, Teresa spent Christmas with husband Joe and their four daughters Gia, Gabriella, 11, Milania, nine, and Audriana, six.

While Teresa is already back filming her hit Bravo show and will soon be promoting new memoir Turning The Tables, Joe will begin serving his much longer 41-month sentence in March.
Al-Qaeda affiliate claims Ouagadougou attack: monitor group

An Al-Qaeda affiliate in Africa has claimed responsibility for Friday's attack on a restaurant in Ouagadougou in which a witness said several people were killed, according to a US-based jihadist monitoring group.

The "mujahideen brothers" of Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb "broke into a restaurant of one of the biggest hotels in the capital of Burkina Faso, and are now entrenched and the clashes are continuing with the enemies of the religion," the SITE Intelligence Group quoted an Arabic-language AQIM message as saying.

"O Allah, make it successful, and O nation of the Cross, wait for the glad tidings of what will harm you," the message added.

A Burkina Faso soldier stands near Hotel Splendid where attackers of a hotel and restaurant remain with sporadic gunfire continuing in the capital Ouagadougou on January 15, 2016 Ahmed Ouoba (AFP)

A Burkina Faso official said there were victims in the ongoing attack as well as hostages, and that the government was planning a counter-assault that may include foreign forces.

Friday's attack occurred in the Cappuccino restaurant across from the Splendid hotel, located in a busy central area of the city. Both establishments are popular with United Nations staff and westerners.

Several vehicles were on fire in the street near the four-star hotel.
Mexico's Pena Nieto to tour Gulf states, eye on oil

Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto will depart Sunday for state visits to Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, focused on economic and energy issues, his government said.

Pena Nieto, who is trying to breathe new life into Mexico's key oil sector, will seek to increase trade and investment ties with "a part of the world that is continually growing in importance," said Foreign Minister Claudia Ruiz Massieu.

More than 50 deals will be signed during the five-day Middle East tour, including on economic, trade and technological cooperation, said the government.

Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto in Mexico City on January 8, 2016 Omar Torres (AFP/File)

The president's delegation will include his energy, economy and foreign ministers, as well as a large contingent of business executives.

Energy Minister Pedro Joaquin Coldwell said Mexico was particularly interested in the Gulf states' large sovereign investment funds, "which represent an opportunity for Mexico to capture investment."

Mexico is keen to attract investment to its oil sector after Pena Nieto undertook reforms that ended state-run firm Pemex's 77-year monopoly.

The first two oil auctions after the landmark opening yielded disappointing results, though a third last month was a sell-out.

Pena Nieto's itinerary features business forums, investor roundtables and a keynote speech to the World Future Energy Summit in Abu Dhabi.
US high court to hear ex-governor's corruption appeal

The US Supreme Court said it would hear an appeal from Robert McDonnell, a former Virginia governor and rising Republican star who was convicted of corruption and faces two years in prison.

The nine justices are set to make a ruling by late June, in a blow to Democratic President Barack Obama's administration, which had tried to have the case thrown out.

McDonnell and his wife, who was also convicted, have yet to serve their respective sentences and have instead been released on bond while their appeals are pending.

Former Virginia governor Robert McDonnell (2nd R) leaves court after his sentencing was announced by a federal judge January 6, 2015, in Richmond, Virginia Alex Wong (Getty Images/AFP/File)

McDonnell, 61, was found guilty in 2014 of using his influence as governor to gain favors for local businessman Jonnie Williams in exchange for loans, luxury goods and vacations.

His wife, Maureen, had received a sentence of a year and one day.

McDonnell had been considered a top potential runningmate of then-Republican presidential contender Mitt Romney in 2012.
Cuba gets US trademark to sell Havana Club rum

The US Patent and Trademark Office has given Cuba a green light to sell Havana Club rum in America when it lifts its embargo against the communist island, documents showed.

The trademark, which was granted Wednesday, represents an end -- at least for the moment -- to a long legal battle between the two makers of the rum, Cuba and Bacardi, the latter of which produces the drink in Puerto Rico.

The origin of the seemingly endless legal squabble dates back to 1959, when Bacardi, which had produced rum in Cuba under both its own name and Havana Club, left the island as Fidel Castro came to power.

A worker checks bottles at a factory producing Havana Club rum, in San Jose de las Lajas, Cuba Adalberto Roque (AFP/File)

The company would go on to make Havana Club in Puerto Rico, especially for the US market.

In 1976, Cuba, which also continued to produce Havana Club, was able to register the trademark in the United States but was later denied it by the Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) in 2006.

Cuba pursued the matter all the way to the US Supreme Court, which refused to hear the case in 2012.

According to documents from the patent office, Cuban company Cubaexport received special permission from OFAC on Monday and filed the proper paperwork.
Three security officers killed in separate Mali attacks

Two soldiers and a guard were killed in two separate attacks in Mali, government and army sources confirmed.

In the first attack, two soldiers were killed when an aid convoy they were escorting was ambushed in northern Mali on Friday, security sources said, a week after the kidnapping of a Swiss national in the same area.

A local military source said two of the assailants were also killed during the exchange, around 70 kilometres (40 miles) from the desert caravan city of Timbuktu.

Malian soldiers secure a road between Goundam and Timbuktu, in northern Mali, during a joint anti-terrorist operation Philippe Desmazes (AFP/File)

"We quickly fired back at the assailants, whose identity we aren't exactly sure of," the source told AFP. A Malian security source confirmed the deaths and said one of the attackers had been arrested.

Late Friday armed men also attacked a market in Dioura in the central Mopti region, a source from the Malian army said.

The attackers killed a guard from the Water and Forests Agency, according to a local policewoman.

"These are armed Islamists who did this. They were shouting 'Allah Akbar' (God is greatest)," she said.

On January 8, gunmen abducted Swiss national Beatrice Stockly from her home in Timbuktu in the first such kidnapping of a westerner in northern Mali since the abduction and murder of two French journalists in November 2013.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility but Stockly, who is in her 40s and has lived in Timbuktu for years, had already been kidnapped in April 2012 by Islamist fighters.

At the time, the social worker was said to be the last Westerner living in the fabled trading post, which she refused to leave when it fell to Islamist Ansar Dine rebels on April 1, 2012 in an attack backed by Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb.

Around the same time, a loose alliance of Tuareg and Islamist rebels took advantage of the political chaos in Mali's capital that followed a coup, capturing the country's northern desert.

In 2013, the jihadists were chased from the region by a French-led military intervention, with a regional French counterterrorism force still conducting operations in the area.

But entire swathes of Mali's north remain beyond the reach of the Malian army and foreign troops.

In November, 20 people -- 14 of them foreigners -- were killed in an attack on the Radisson Blu hotel in the capital Bamako which was claimed by two jihadist groups.
Iran foreign minister departs for Vienna nuclear compliance talks

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif departed for Vienna early Saturday for talks with European Union and US counterparts on the country's landmark nuclear deal, the official IRNA news agency reported.

At the meeting later Saturday, also attended by US Secretary of State John Kerry and EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini, the Vienna-based IAEA nuclear watchdog is expected to announce that Iran has fulfilled its side of the deal to put an atomic bomb beyond its reach.

Zarif was accompanied by Ali Akbar Salehi, the head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organization, Iranian media said.
Cornet dominates shaky Bouchard to win Hobart International title

France's Alize Cornet stormed to a 6-1, 6-2 win over Eugenie Bouchard to claim her fifth career title at the Hobart International on Saturday.

The 42nd-ranked Cornet was too strong and consistent for the misfiring Canadian, winning the decider in 68 minutes in windy conditions.

But as much as seventh seed Cornet dominated, former world number five Bouchard was well off her game, losing serve seven times, producing five double faults and serving at just 48 percent.

France' Alize Cornet hits a return against Russia's Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova during their match on the third day of the Brisbane International on January 5, 2016 Saeed Khan (AFP/File)

"I was very focused for the whole tournament and the whole match today, now I can let go," Cornet said.

"Its my fifth title. Its been two years that I havent won a title, so it feels great.

Bouchard hit 34 unforced errors for the match to Cornets 17, a key difference. The Canadian struggled in the windy conditions, only holding serve once in the match.

"I was handling the wind much better than she did," Cornet said.

"I think she got a bit frustrated and she was trying to play winners too early in the points.

"I was patient, trying to be aggressive and playing the right shot at the right time and serving very well also. It all worked out my way today."

Cornet broke Bouchard's opening service game and then gave back the service break before reeling off five straight games to take the first set.

Bouchard broke Cornet's opening service in the second set and led 2-0 before the French star won six games in a row to take the set and the match.

It was 25-year-old Cornet's first WTA title since winning at Katowice in 2014, and gave her a perfect tune-up for next week's Australian Open in Melbourne.

Cornet will face Serbia's Bojana Jovanovski in the first round of the year's opening Grand Slam, with a possible second-round clash with second seed Simona Halep.

The 47th-ranked Bouchard, who beat three seeded players -- Alison Van Uytvanck, Camila Giorgi and Dominika Cibulkova -- on the way to the Hobart final, takes on another Serb Aleksandra Krunic in her first-round match in Melbourne.

"(It was a) rough day at the office. I didnt have the energy and emotional control as I need too, to be able to perform well," Bouchard said.

"I woke up and had personal family issues at home and things like that, and I couldnt keep my focus.

"As soon as things started going downhill, I really couldnt keep my emotions together."
Pakistan executed 332 after reinstating death penalty: report

Pakistan announced this week that authorities have executed 332 criminals and militants since lifting a moratorium on the death penalty in 2014, the first time an official tally has been released.

The South Asian nation unveiled a sweeping plan to curb militancy after Taliban assailants gunned down more than 150 people, most of them children, at an army-run school in Peshawar on December 16, 2014.

A six-year moratorium on the country's death penalty was lifted and the constitution amended to allow military courts to try those accused of carrying out attacks.

Pakistani protesters stand on a mock gallows representing Justice, media, national institutions and the parliament during a demonstration in Karachi in 2007 Rizwan Tabassum (AFP/File)

Hangings were initially reinstated only for those convicted of terrorism, but in March they were extended to all capital offences.

In a written reply submitted to the parliament on Friday, the Ministry of Interior and Narcotics Control said 332 people had been executed in the country.

However opponents of the policy stress that Pakistan's legal system is unjust, with rampant police torture and poor representation for victims during unfair trials, while the majority of those who are hanged are not convicted of terror charges.

"They (government) are hanging petty criminals but known terrorists on death row are awaiting their punishment for years," Asma Jahangir, a lawyer and human rights activist in Pakistan, told AFP.

The plan "can succeed only if it is fully implemented, but here we see a selective or very little implementation," she said.

She went on to accuse the government of failing to act consistently, citing the men convicted of murdering journalist Daniel Pearl in 2002, who were handed death sentence years ago but have yet to be hanged.

But supporters of the plan argue that executions are the only effective way to deal with the scourge of militancy in Pakistan.

According to the report submitted to parliament, 172 religious seminaries across the country have been also been closed on suspicions of having links to militant organisations.

Ten websites related to militant activity had also been blocked, it said, while more than 70 shops have been shuttered throughout Pakistan for selling material deemed to promote hate speech.

Meanwhile two thousand people have been arrested under the plan's scope while a similar number of cases of hate speech have also been registered.

In June 2014, the army launched the "Zarb-e-Azb" operation in a bid to wipe out militant bases in North Waziristan tribal area and so bring an end to the bloody decade-long Islamist insurgency that has cost Pakistan thousands of lives.

And since 2013, paramilitary troops and police have been engaged in an anti-militant and crime operation in Karachi.

Thousands of criminals have been arrested in the operation's wake along with 890 militants in the city. Militant attacks have fallen by 80 percent as a result, according to the report.
Jordan queen hits back at cartoon of drowned Syria boy

Jordan's Queen Rania has hit back at a cartoon in French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo depicting drowned Syrian toddler Aylan Kurdi as a grown-up refugee committing sexual offences in Germany.

The cartoon shows a pervert chasing a woman, with the caption asking: "What would have become of small Aylan if he grew up?"

"Someone who gropes asses in Germany," it added, referring to the multiple acts of sexual assault blamed on migrants on New Year's Eve.

Jordan's Queen Rania has hit back at a Charlie Hebdo cartoon depicting drowned Syrian toddler Aylan Kurdi as a grown-up committing sexual harassment in Germany Ben Pruchnie (POOL/AFP/File)

In response Queen Rania posted a cartoon on Facebook and Twitter by Jordan's Osama Hajjaj depicting the little boy lying face down on the beach alongside an older child with a backpack and finally a doctor.

The queen added the caption: "Aylan could've been a doctor, a teacher, a loving parent."

"Queen Rania gives an elegant and effective rebuttal that refutes the shameful Charlie Hebdo cartoon. She is such a class act!" Facebook user Jane Shartzer commented on the queen's page.

In September, the queen in a speech in Berlin urged Europeans not to "bolt the door for fear of the unknown" in response to the growing flood into the continent of refugees from Syria's brutal conflict.

The Charlie Hebdo drawing has triggered sharp criticism on social networks while Aylan's relatives in Canada expressed "disgust".

The magazine, contacted Thursday by AFP, declined to comment.
Mokhtar Belmokhtar, 'The Uncatchable' desert jihadist

Wily one-eyed Mokhtar Belmokhtar, whose jihadists have claimed the attack on a hotel in Burkina Faso, shot to global notoriety with a spectacular assault on an Algerian gas field in 2013, but had long been known as "The Uncatchable".

Washington has offered a $5 million (4.7 million euros) bounty for the 43-year-old, born and bred in the Algerian desert, and of all the jihadist leaders in the Sahel region straddling the southern Sahara, it is Belmokhtar who is most wanted.

He was behind the 2013 attack on the In Amenas natural gas complex in the remote south of his homeland, in which 39 hostages and 29 Islamists were killed.

Undated grab from a video obtained by ANI Mauritanian news agency reportedly shows former Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) emir Mokhtar Belmokhtar speaking at an undisclosed location

And his Al-Murabitoun group, an Al-Qaeda affiliate, also claimed responsibility for the jihadist siege at the Radisson Blu hotel in Mali's capital Bamako that left 20 dead in November, including 14 foreigners.

In May last year, he reaffirmed that Al-Murabitoun remained loyal to Al-Qaeda, denying the claim of allegiance to the Islamic State group made by another of the movement's leaders.

He was born in 1972 in the ancient desert city of Ghardaia, 600 kilometres (370 miles) south of the Algerian capital.

In a rare 2007 interview, he said he was drawn away from home by his fascination with the exploits of the mujahedeen fighting the Soviet occupation in Afghanistan, joining them in 1991 when he was barely 19 years old.

- Smuggling baron -

It was in Afghanistan that he claims to have lost his eye to shrapnel and where he had his first contact with Al-Qaeda, whose ranks he joined, eventually rising to a senior position.

He returned to Algeria in 1993, a year after the government sparked civil war by cancelling an election the Islamic Salvation Front was poised to win.

He joined the Armed Islamic Group (GIA), which conducted a violent campaign of civilian massacres in its battle against the government, sometimes wiping out entire villages.

Belmokhtar thrived thanks to his intimate knowledge of the nearly lawless "Grey Zone" of southern Algeria, northern Mali and neighbouring Niger.

In 1998, the Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat (GSPC) broke away from the GIA. Belmokhtar, now also nicknamed "The Uncatchable" by a former chief of French intelligence, went with them.

Nine years later, the GSPC formally adopted to the jihadist ideology of Osama bin Laden and renamed itself Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM).

These Islamists have spun a tight network across tribal and business lines that stretch across the sub-Sahara Sahel zone, supporting poor communities and protecting all kinds of traffickers.

They are comfortable operating in the harsh desert terrain and have made millions of dollars from the ransoms of European hostages.

With a reputation as a smuggling baron -- dealing in contraband cigarettes, stolen cars and even drugs, as well as profiting from illegal immigration networks -- Belmokhtar's commitment to AQIM's puritanical brand of Islam was questioned by some members of the group.

But in January 2013, a group calling itself the "Signatories in Blood", led by Belmokhtar, claimed responsibility for the Algerian gas field assault.

It took place a few days after France launched a military operation to help Malian troops in the north stem a jihadist invasion.

Then in May 2013, two months after reportedly being killed by Chadian troops in Mali, Belmokhtar claimed deadly attacks against Niger's army in Agadez and against French firm Areva, which mines uranium in Niger.
Two Australians have been kidnapped in Burkina Faso, officials said Saturday, as a Malian Islamist group said the couple were in the hands of Al-Qaeda-linked jihadists.

The Burkina government said the pair were kidnapped in Baraboule, near the west African country's borders with Niger and Mali.

A Burkinabe intelligence source told AFP the Australians were a couple in their 80s from the western city of Perth who had lived since 1972 in Djibo, near Baraboule.

Burnt vehicles are seen in the surroundings of the Splendid hotel in Burkina Faso's capital Ouagadougou on January 16, 2016 following an attack by Al-Qaeda linked gunmen Ahmed Ouoba (AFP)

News of the kidnapping came as a jihadist assault on an upmarket hotel in Burkina Faso's capital Ouagadougou left at least 26 people dead, including many foreigners.

Burkina Faso's Communications Minister Remi Dandjinou said Saturday the couple were Australian nationals, correcting an earlier interior ministry statement identifying them as Austrian.

A spokesman for Malian militant group Ansar Dine, Hamadou Ag Khallini, told AFP in a brief phone message that the couple were being held by jihadists from the Al-Qaeda-linked "Emirate of the Sahara".

He said they were alive and more details would be released soon.

A European diplomatic source confirmed they had received intelligence on Friday that a western couple had been kidnapped in Burkina Faso, without giving their nationality.

"According to our information, the kidnappers' objective is to take the hostages towards Mali," the source added, declining to give further details.

A military base in the same region was attacked by militants in August last year, with one Burkinabe policeman killed.

The Emirate of the Sahara is a branch of Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) operating in northern Mali, according to experts.

AQIM has claimed responsibility for the hotel attack saying it was "revenge against France and the disbelieving West", according to a statement carried by US-based monitoring group SITE.

The attack and kidnapping will heighten concerns that jihadist groups are casting their net wider in search of targets in west Africa, two months after a siege at a luxury hotel in Mali where 20 people were killed, again mostly foreigners.

Ansar Dine is one of the jihadist groups that seized control of northern Mali in March and April 2012.
Iran frees Jason Rezaian, three other dual-American citizens

Jason Rezaian, the Washington Post's Tehran correspondent, was among four Iranian-Americans freed Saturday in a prisoner swap, just hours before a nuclear deal with world powers was finally sealed.

Iranian state television and the judiciary reported that the four were released for seven Iranians in US custody, with an official in Washington confirming the exchange.

As well as Rezaian, Iran agreed to free Saeed Abedini, a Christian pastor from Idaho, Amir Hekmati, a former US Marine, and a fourth man named Nosratollah Khosravi.

Iranian-American Washington Post correspondent Jason Rezaian, covering a press conference at Iran's Foreign Ministry in Tehran, on September 10, 2013

A statement from the judiciary said the swap had been ordered by the Supreme National Security Council, the nation's top security committee, in line with national interests.

It took almost a year of negotiations, Iran's ambassador to the United Nations, Gholam Ali Khoshroo, told state television, with Switzerland playing an intermediary role.

"The release procedure is ongoing," he said, as it remained unclear if Rezaian and the other prisoners had left Iran. Unconfirmed reports suggested he may be headed to Geneva.

A fifth American, a student identified as Matthew Trevitick, was also to be released by Iran in a separate process, according to a US official.

California-born Rezaian was detained in July 2014 and later convicted after a trial on charges of espionage and other crimes against national security.

Abedini was jailed three years ago after being convicted of undermining national security.

And Hekmati, a former US Marine, had been serving 10 years for cooperating with hostile governments. Arrested when visiting relatives in Tehran, his family had long pled for his liberty.

It was unclear who Khosravi is. The official IRNA news agency issued an apology having named Siamak Namazi, a businessman and dual Iranian-American arrested last year in Tehran, as the fourth man set free. IRNA later changed its report, naming Khosravi.

The seven Iranians freed by the United States are Nader Modanlou, Baharam Mechanic, Khosrow Afghahi, Arash Ghahreman, Tooraj Faridi, Nima Golestaneh, and Ali Saboonchi, according to IRNA and the state broadcaster.

Fourteen other Iranians wanted by the FBI would no longer be sought for prosecution by Interpol, a US official said.

"We offered clemency to seven Iranians, six of whom are dual US-Iranian citizens, who had been convicted or are pending trial in the United States," the official added.

- Tried behind closed doors -

The prisoner swap came as Iran and major powers including the United States were finalising the implementation of last July's nuclear deal, which lifted international sanctions imposed on the Islamic republic.

Since his arrest in July 2014, Rezaian had become the highest-profile dual Iranian-American citizen held in Tehran's Evin Prison, particularly as the nuclear talks were unfolding.

His case played out in the Iranian media, where he was accused of spying and passing information about Iran to US government officials.

He finally went on trial in May last year behind closed doors in Branch 15 of the Tehran revolutionary court, which usually presides over political cases or those related to national security.

His newspaper vehemently defended him, insisting the charges were a sham and saying a miscarriage of justice had taken place, alleging that Rezaian was a hostage to the nuclear negotiations.

The Post's publisher said it was waiting for confirmation that Rezaian had flown out of Iran.

"We couldn't be happier to hear the news that Jason Rezaian has been released from Evin Prison," Frederick Ryan said.

"Once we receive more details and can confirm Jason has safely left Iran, we will have more to share," he added.

Tehran does not recognise dual nationality, and has said the cases of Rezaian and the others were a purely Iranian matter.

Among the offences the reporter was alleged to have committed was writing a letter to US President Barack Obama.

After a trial shrouded in secrecy, Iran's judiciary finally confirmed he had been convicted in October last year and sentenced to jail time but it never stated for how long he would be imprisoned.

There had been speculation for months that a prisoner swap could be done.

A sixth American, retired FBI agent Robert Levinson, went missing in southern Iran eight years ago. His fate remains unknown but a US official said Saturday Iran has again promised to help determine his whereabouts.

This photo from the American Center for Law and Justice taken on March 7, 2010 shows Saeed Abedini at an unknown location

Ali Rezaian (R), brother of Jason Rezaian (picture), testifies before the House Foreign Affairs Committee on June 2, 2015 in Washington, DC Chip Somodevilla (Getty/AFP/File)
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Washingtonians got their first close-up look Saturday at the giant panda cub Bei Bei, the new star of the National Zoo.

Until now, the cub could be viewed only through the so-called Panda Cam, a video hookup that has allowed people to watch the now five-month-old cub since its birth.

A line of visitors formed outside the panda enclosure on Saturday morning before opening time to get a look at the ball of fur inside its soundproof glass enclosed pen.

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Giant panda cub Bei Bei made his public debut at the National Zoo in Washington, DC on Saturday. His official media debut was a month ago

The now five-month-old panda, who was born on August 22, is seen above as he roams around in his soundproof, glass enclosed pin

Visitors came into the pen in groups of 50 at a time and were allowed about 10 minutes to view the panda, an endangered species

Some wore hats, sweaters and gloves with pandas on them.

Visitors came into the pen in groups of 50 at a time and were allowed about 10 minutes to view the panda, an endangered species. Upon leaving, some got right back in line to see Bei Bei again.

His keepers had worked to get him used to people by having zoo employees and reporters stop by to see him. The official media debut was a month ago.

Biologist Laurie Thompson holds Bei Bei as he makes his public debut. Bei Bai was given his name, which means 'precious' or 'treasure', five weeks after his birth by US and Chinese First Ladies Michelle Obama and Peng Liyuan

Thompson places Bei Bei inside his pin as onlookers take snaps on their cell phones of the exciting moment

Like his big sister Bao Bao and their older sibling Tai Shan, Bei Bei will be handed over to China at age four. His twin brother died shortly after birth

The precious cub is seen as he stretches out while laying down after waking up and takes a panda-sized yawn

Bei Bei has already been fussed over by two first ladies - Michelle Obama and her Chinese counterpart Peng Liyuan - during a state visit to Washington in September.

Bei Bei means precious in Mandarin.

Like his big sister Bao Bao and their older sibling Tai Shan, Bei Bei will be handed over to China at age four. (Bei Bei's twin brother died shortly after birth.)

Their parents, Mei Xian and Tian Tian, are on loan from China and will remain in Washington at least until 2020 under a recently renewed agreement.

Under that accord, the zoo pays $500,000 a year to support conservation efforts in China.

Bei Bei, Bao Bao and Tai Shan's parents, Mei Xian and Tian Tian, are on loan from China and will remain in Washington at least until 2020 under a recently renewed agreement

Bei Bei takes a little rest inside the panda enclosure on Saturday as visitors take in views of the cute giant panda cub

Visitors look on at Bei Bei as he plays with a ball inside his pin as he makes his public debut

Visitors wearing panda costumes wave at Bei Bei as Biologist Laurie Thompson holds the youngest giant panda cub

National Zoo visitors take pictures of giant Bei Bei and his mother Mei Xiang, rear, on Saturday
Washington Post welcomes Iran's release of reporter

The Washington Post welcomed Iran's release of its reporter Jason Rezaian on Saturday, in a message from its publisher Frederick Ryan.

"We couldn't be happier to hear the news that Jason Rezaian has been released from Evin Prison. Once we receive more details and can confirm Jason has safely left Iran, we will have more to share," he said.

Rezaian, a California-born Iranian-American, was detained in July 2014 and later convicted after a trial on charges of espionage and other crimes against national security.

Iranian-American Washington Post correspondent Jason Rezaian, covering a press conference at Iran's Foreign Ministry in Tehran, on September 10, 2013
Australia PM makes surprise visit to Iraq

Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull made an unannounced visit to Baghdad Saturday and held talks with his Iraqi counterpart on the fight against the Islamic State group, the premier's office said.

Australia is part of a US-led coalition carrying out air strikes against IS and providing training to Iraqi forces.

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi's office said he and Turnbull discussed the war against IS, strengthening relations between the two countries as well as economic and agricultural cooperation.

Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull made an unannounced visit to Baghdad on January 16, 2016, and held talks with his Iraqi counterpart on the fight against the Islamic State group, the premier's office said Saeed Khan (AFP/File)

Abadi welcomed Australia's support against IS, his office said.

Australia has carried out strikes against IS and deployed trainers to Iraq, but this week rejected a request from US Defence Secretary Ashton Carter for further contributions, saying current efforts are sufficient and will continue.

Turnbull is travelling to Washington for a two-day visit beginning Monday that will include a major foreign policy address and meeting with US President Barack Obama.

Talks are likely on the fight against IS and ratification of the 12-nation trans-Pacific trade deal.

Canberra has been increasingly concerned about the flow of fighters to Iraq and Syria to join extremist groups including IS.

It passed a law last month to strip dual nationals who fight with banned groups of their citizenship if they fight with banned groups oversees or are convicted of terrorism offences.

IS overran large areas north and west of Baghdad last year and also holds significant territory in Syria.
Thumbnail bios of those freed in US-Iran prisoner swap

The following are short biographies of the four Americans being released Saturday by Iran, and the seven Iranians freed by the United States under a prisoner swap.

- Jason Rezaian -

Rezaian, 39, had been The Washington Post's correspondent in Tehran since 2012. Born and raised in the San Francisco Bay area, the dual American-Iranian citizen had relatively little exposure to Iran until he was in his 20s and his father began visiting his homeland. That sparked the younger Rezaian's interest and he began studying Farsi on his own, his brother Ali told the Post.

Ali Rezaian (R), brother of Jason Rezaian (picture), testifies before the House Foreign Affairs Committee on June 2, 2015 in Washington, DC Chip Somodevilla (Getty/AFP/File)

After completing his studies at the New School, a university in New York, in 2000, he spent more and more time in Iran, freelancing for Western news organizations. "It was really important to him that people understand what life was like in Iran," said Ali Rezaian.

Jason Rezaian's Iranian connections grew stronger still when he met Yeganeh Salehi, an Iranian journalist. The two were married in April 2013 in Iran.

In July 2014, Iranian authorities raided the couple's apartment and took both into custody. Salehi was released three months later. Iran eventually tried Rezaian behind closed doors on charges including espionage -- charges that he, The Post and the US State Department vehemently reject.

His captivity in the notorious Evin prison in Tehran damaged his health, family members said.

- Amir Hekmati -

Hekmati is a 32-year-old American who was born in Arizona and grew up in Nebraska and Michigan. The decorated former US Marine infantry rifleman, linguist and translator served in Iraq after the 2003 US invasion, according to the freeamir.org website launched by supporters.

Hekmati traveled to Iran in 2011 to visit relatives including his ailing grandmother and was arrested on charges of spying for the CIA.

His ordeal included a forced confession aired on Iranian TV, his family says.

"I barely recognized him," his twin sister Leila said of the video, according to Al-Jazeera.

"He looked like he lost 50 to 60 pounds (23-27 kilograms), easily. And it seemed very forced and scripted."

In 2012, Hekmati was tried and sentenced to death. The ruling was overturned by a higher court, but in 2013, Hekmati got a 10-year jail sentence on grounds he had spied for hostile governments.

- Saeed Abedini -

Abedini, a 35-year-old Iranian native, was ordained a minister in 2008 through the American Evangelistic Association and conducted services in underground churches in Iran.

A convert from Islam to Christianity, he gained US citizenship through his marriage in 2010 to his wife Naghmeh, and he traveled often between the countries.

Abedini was arrested in September 2012 on a trip to Iran to set up an orphanage. He was sentenced the following January by the Iranian Revolutionary Court to eight years in prison on charges of disrupting national security through his work with the so-called house churches.

His family said his work with the churches took place when they were largely tolerated under the reformist president Mohammad Khatami, and that Abedini had abided by a 2009 agreement, made after a previous detention, to halt such activity.

The American Center for Law and Justice, a Christian-based group that has represented Abedini's wife and children, said he was tortured while in prison and beaten by fellow inmates, suffering facial injuries.

- Nosratollah Khosravi-Roodsari -

Little is known about this person.

A fifth American, identified as Matthew Trevithick, was also being released as part of a separate process.

In exchange for the release of the four Americans, the United States granted clemency to seven Iranians. Six had dual citizenship. All seven had either been convicted or were awaiting trial in the United States on charges of violating sanctions or export control violations.

Here are thumbnail sketches of the seven, named by Iran's judiciary and the state broadcaster as Nader Modanlou, Bahram Mechanic, Khosrow Afghahi, Arash Ghahreman, Tooraj Faridi, Nima Golestaneh and Ali Saboonchi:

- Nader Modanlou -

Modanlou, 55, was convicted in June 2013 of using his aerospace expertise and connections with Russia to help his native Iran launch its first satellite, in exchange for a $10 million brokering fee. The Iranian-born Modanlou, who had worked for NASA subcontractors, was also found guilty of money laundering. He was sentenced to eight years in prison followed by three years of supervised release.

- Arash Ghahreman -

Ghahreman, who came to the United States in 2007 and is a naturalized US citizen, was arrested in 2013 and convicted of planning to export military-capable technology -- gyrocompasses he attempted to buy from Northrop Grumman -- to Iran via a front company in Dubai. The 45-year-old was sentenced in August to six and a half years in prison.

- Nima Golestaneh -

In 2012, 30-year-old Golestaneh allegedly remotely accessed and attempted to steal costly software used in aerodynamic design from a Vermont-based company. Turkey extradited him to the United States last year, according to the US Institute of Peace. He signed a plea agreement and was awaiting sentencing, facing a possible 20 years in prison.

- Ali Saboonchi -

Saboonchi, 34, was indicted in 2013 on charges of conspiracy and illegally exporting manufactured industrial products and services to Iran, according to the FBI. From a company he started in Maryland, Saboonchi sent products used in the oil and gas industry to Iran by way of the United Arab Emirates and China. He was sentenced last February to two years in prison.

- Bahram Mechanic, Tooraj Faridi and Khosrow Afghahi -

Mechanic, 69, Faridi, 46, and Afghahi, 71, were part of a Houston-based Iranian procurement network, according to a federal indictment unsealed last year. Mechanic and Faridi, who are both naturalized US citizens, allegedly shipped banned microelectronics used to build missiles to Iran, charges carrying potential prison sentences of up to 20 years. Faridi, who co-owned Smart Power Systems of Houston with Mechanic, faced less serious charges. All three had pleaded not guilty.

A US official said that the United States also removed any Interpol "red" notices -- essentially international arrest warrants -- "and dismissed any charges against 14 Iranians for whom it was assessed that extradition requests were unlikely to be successful."

A photo taken on September 10, 2013 shows Iranian-American Washington Post correspondent Jason Rezaian and his Iranian wife Yeganeh Salehi in Tehran

Amir Hekmati traveled to Iran in 2011 to visit relatives including his ailing grandmother and was arrested on charges of spying for the CIA Joe Klamar (AFP/File)
Australian couple kidnapped by jihadists in Burkina Faso: Islamist group

Two Australians have been kidnapped in Burkina Faso, officials said Saturday, as a Malian Islamist group said the couple were in the hands of Al-Qaeda-linked jihadists.

The Burkina government said the pair were kidnapped in Baraboule, near the west African country's borders with Niger and Mali.

A Burkinabe intelligence source told AFP the Australians were a couple in their 80s from the western city of Perth who had lived since 1972 in Djibo, near Baraboule.

Burnt vehicles are seen in the surroundings of the Splendid hotel in Burkina Faso's capital Ouagadougou on January 16, 2016 following an attack by Al-Qaeda linked gunmen Ahmed Ouoba (AFP)

News of the kidnapping came as a jihadist assault on an upmarket hotel in Burkina Faso's capital Ouagadougou left at least 26 people dead, including many foreigners.

Burkina Faso's Communications Minister Remi Dandjinou said Saturday the couple were Australian nationals, correcting an earlier interior ministry statement identifying them as Austrian.

A spokesman for Malian militant group Ansar Dine, Hamadou Ag Khallini, told AFP in a brief phone message that the couple were being held by jihadists from the Al-Qaeda-linked "Emirate of the Sahara".

He said they were alive and more details would be released soon.

The Australian department of foreign affairs said it was aware of the reports but declined to comment further when contacted by AFP.

"Our post in Accra, Ghana, is working with local authorities on a suspected kidnapping. We will not comment further on the situation," it said.

A European diplomatic source confirmed they had received intelligence on Friday that a Western couple had been kidnapped in Burkina Faso, without giving their nationality.

"According to our information, the kidnappers' objective is to take the hostages towards Mali," the source added, declining to give further details.

A military base in the same region was attacked by militants in August last year, with one Burkinabe policeman killed.

The Emirate of the Sahara is a branch of Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) operating in northern Mali, according to experts.

AQIM has claimed responsibility for the hotel attack saying it was "revenge against France and the disbelieving West", according to a statement carried by US-based monitoring group SITE.

The attack and kidnapping will heighten concerns that jihadist groups are casting their net wider in search of targets in west Africa, two months after a siege at a luxury hotel in Mali where 20 people were killed, again mostly foreigners.

Ansar Dine is one of the jihadist groups that seized control of northern Mali in March and April 2012.
EU chief says Europe's reputation hurt over refugee effort

BRUSSELS (AP)  The European Union's reputation is being tarnished by the failure of member countries to manage the refugee emergency, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker warned Friday.

More than one million people arrived in Europe in 2015 seeking sanctuary or jobs. The numbers have overwhelmed border authorities and reception centers, particularly in Greece and Italy.

An EU plan was drawn up and launched in September to share 160,000 potential refugees in those two countries among EU partners, but fewer than 300 people have been processed.

European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker addresses the media at the EU Commission headquarters in Brussels on Friday, Jan. 15, 2016. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert)

Juncker said it is unacceptable "that certain member states say they are not going to accept refugees in their countries. That is not possible."

He said that Europe was known as a wealthy, admirable continent but that "now we do appear as being the weakest part, and the poorest part of the world."

Juncker said he was embarrassed explaining Europe's migrant problems to leaders of countries like Jordan or Lebanon, which are hosting more than two million refugees.

"Less arrogance and more performance, that's got to be our watchword for the future," he told reporters in Brussels at a year-opening press conference.

Part of the EU effort is to stop people leaving Turkey for Greece, and a package of incentives has been rolled out to persuade the Turkish authorities to do more.

However, Italy is currently blocking a multi-billion euro fund for Syrian refugees in Turkey, insisting the money be paid entirely from EU coffers rather than by member countries.

Dutch Finance Minister Jeroen Dijsselbloem said Friday after chairing a meeting of EU counterparts in Brussels that Italy had not lifted objections to the way the 3 billion euro ($3.3 billion) fund should be paid "but we hope that that is possible very, very soon."

Italy's Economy Minister Pier Carlo Padoan said Rome supports Turkey's efforts to manage two million Syrian refugees on its soil but wants to clarify "if there's still space in the EU budget so the 3 billion can be covered without member states' contributions."

Juncker's Commission is offering to pay 500 million euros.

European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker addresses the media at the EU Commission headquarters in Brussels on Friday, Jan. 15, 2016. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert)

European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker addresses the media at the EU Commission headquarters in Brussels on Friday, Jan. 15, 2016. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert)
Cruz's story of White House rejection leaves out job offer

AUSTIN, Texas (AP)  Ted Cruz has said that after working on George W. Bush's 2000 campaign, being passed over for a senior position with the new administration was "a crushing blow." Turns out, it was his own choice.

Cruz was offered a job as White House associate counsel shortly after Al Gore conceded the race in December, but he rejected it, members of the Bush transition team told The Associated Press. Cruz thought he was in line for the more senior role of deputy White House counsel.

The transition team members spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren't authorized to speak publicly for the former Bush administration. They said that even before the associate counsel job was offered to Cruz, the deputy counsel position had been set aside for Timothy Flanigan, a veteran of the George H.W. Bush administration.

Republican presidential candidate, Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, speaks during the Fox Business Network Republican presidential debate at the North Charleston Coliseum, Thursday, Jan. 14, 2016, in North Charleston, S.C. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)

Though the titles are similar, the deputy counsel reported directly to then-White House counsel and future U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, while the associate's role was one of nine working under Flanigan.

Cruz spokeswoman Catherine Frazier said late Friday that the senator remembers the events differently. She said Cruz wrote extensively in his autobiography, published last summer, about "his experience following the 2000 Bush campaign, and the lessons he learned from it."

"He did have a meeting expressing interest in the deputy counsel job," Frazier said, "but does not recall any job offer being made."

Still, the way the transition team officials describe the incident, it underscores a recurring theme of Cruz's career, how his overt personal ambition rubbed colleagues the wrong way  sometimes to his professional and political detriment. By setting his eyes on a bigger prize and bypassing the chance to work as an administration lawyer in the White House, Cruz missed potentially invaluable experience and insight into the job he is now seeking.

"It's knowing how government works. It's knowing how decisions get made," Rear Adm. Bobby Ray Inman, director of the National Security Agency from 1977 to 1981, said of the benefits of working in the White House. "You just learn from seeing what gets their attention."

In his book, "A Time for Truth," Cruz described being devastated that he couldn't land a senior administration job, but he also acknowledged that part of the reason he didn't was because he was "far too cocky for my own good."

In the summer of 1999, Cruz was at a Washington party when a law school friend introduced him to Josh Bolten, a future White House chief of staff who was then working as policy director for Bush's presidential campaign. Cruz became an Austin-based domestic policy adviser to Bush, and also met his future wife, Heidi, while working on the campaign.

Amid the recount in Florida, Cruz headed to Tallahassee and helped devise legal strategy and draft pleadings to the U.S. and Florida Supreme Courts.

Clay Johnson III, who was executive director of the transition team, said that though valuable, Cruz's campaign experience wouldn't have been enough to qualify him for a role at the level of deputy counsel. Cruz eventually caught on with the new administration as an associate deputy U.S. attorney general, and later was director of the Office of Policy Planning for the Federal Trade Commission.

Had Cruz accepted the post in the White House counsel's office, however, it would have been harder for him to become the tea party hero who won election in the Senate in 2012.

Bill O'Sullivan of the Texas Patriots PAC, a conservative grassroots organization outside Houston, said Cruz's career as a Washington outsider burgeoned after he left the Bush administration.

"If he stayed in Washington and was a functionary," Sullivan said, "no one would know who he is today."
Heart-pounding action? Hollywood can now measure that

LOS ANGELES (AP)  Ever been told a movie is a heart-pounding thriller that'll have you on the edge of your seat? Thanks to wearable technology, Hollywood has the tools to prove it.

20th Century Fox says that it used a wearable wristband on over 100 people in test screenings for Oscar-contender "The Revenant" before it hit theaters in December. It's unclear if it's the first studio to obtain this sort of data from audiences, but experts say it's unlikely to be the last.

By measuring heart rate, skin moisture, movement, and audible gasps, Fox found the Leonardo DiCaprio vehicle had 14 heart-pounding moments where it measured significant jumps in people's heart rates. Fifteen scenes evoked fight-or-flight responses, as determined by a range of indicators taken together. The audience was also almost completely motionless for just over half of the 2.6-hour movie  in other words, says the studio, on the edge of their seats.

FILE - This file photo provided by Twentieth Century Fox shows Leonardo DiCaprio as Hugh Glass in a scene from the film, "The Revenant." 20th Century Fox says that it used a wearable wristband on over 100 people in test screenings for Oscar nominated film before it hit theaters in December 2015. (Courtesy Twentieth Century Fox via AP, File)

George Dewey, Fox's senior vice president of digital, said the data complements traditional written surveys and focus groups. One of its advantages, he said, is that it cuts through some of the statistical "noise" that results when audience members influence each other after the movie.

"This is a pure way to measure individual audience response," he said.

Companies like the Innerscope Research unit of measurement and ratings giant Nielsen have been doing such biometric-based audience testing for nearly a decade, said Carl Marci, Nielsen's chief neuroscientist. But Hollywood, he said, has been shy about applying these techniques to movies due to the time and expense involved.

Taking such measurements has previously involved bringing viewers into the lab one at a time, where they can be monitored by medical-grade equipment that tracks everything from brainwaves to eye movement. The spread of inexpensive wearable sensors, however, is bringing costs down to the point where even movie producers with tight budgets can consider them.

Sensors that are "wearable and smaller and lighter and less expensive" are starting to hit the marketplace, Marci said. "This is one example of the wave."

Lightwave Inc., the technology company Fox hired to run the test, said it opted for the sensor-laden wristband to avoid "white coat syndrome"  the sort of elevated blood pressure and heart rate people experience when they know they're being tested. (Or just going to the doctor.)

"The participant feels like they're just going to a movie," said Lightwave CEO Rana June.

For now, Fox plans to use the technology for marketing  for instance, to highlight scenes that provoke more of a reaction among women in advertising that targets them. But "Revenant" director Alejandro Inarritu also saw the results, Dewey acknowledged. And it's not hard to imagine such pulse and respiratory data influencing the way directors and editors put together their films, much the way test-audience reactions can lead filmmakers to drop certain scenes, or even to change a movie's ending entirely.

Dewey, however, played down the likely impact on the moviemaking process. "Nothing's ever going to replace the artistry of filmmaking," he said.

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Facts about Taiwan for Saturday presidential election

TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP)  Some basic information about the self-governing island democracy of Taiwan, which is holding elections for president and the 133-seat national legislature Saturday:

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HISTORY  Despite Beijing's claim Taiwan has been part of China since ancient times, permanent Chinese settlement did not begin until the Dutch colonial period in the 17th century. Spain had also operated a colony there for a time, while Portuguese sailors are credited with naming it "Formosa," the Beautiful Island, by which it was known for much of its history. Ming dynasty warlord Koxinga expelled the Dutch in 1662, but his stronghold was itself conquered by the Manchu Qing dynasty that overthrew the Ming. Not until 1887 was Taiwan made a province and 10 years later it became a Japanese colony as a result of the First Sino-Japanese war. Following the end of World War II, it was handed to the Nationalist Party-run Republic of China under Chiang Kai-shek, who moved his government there in 1949 after the Communist Party swept to power in China, while still claiming to be the sole legitimate ruler of mainland China.

Supporters of Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party presidential candidate Tsai Ing-wen attend a rally before polling day in Banqiao district of Taipei, Taiwan, Friday, Jan. 15, 2016. Taiwan will hold its presidential election on Jan. 16, 2016. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)

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PEOPLE  Taiwan's population of 23 million includes a range of aboriginal tribespeople, whose ancestors lived on the island for thousands of years before the arrival of Chinese settlers. The earliest arrivals were primarily farmers and fishermen from Fujian who spokes varieties of the Hoklo, or Hokkien, dialect. They were joined by members of the Hakka ethnic group from Fujian and Guangdong province to the south who have long been culturally and linguistically distinct from China's Han majority. A new wave of mainland migrants came with Chinese rule in 1945, peaking in 1949 when about 2 million soldiers, administrators, business people and others arrived along with the defeated Nationalist government. Once made up of large families, its current fertility rate of just over one child per woman is among the world's lowest.

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GEOGRAPHY  Slightly larger than the U.S. state of Maryland, Taiwan lies about 160 kilometers (100 miles) across the Taiwan Strait from the Chinese province of Fujian. The main island is dominated by the Central Mountain Range, forcing the majority of the population into a fertile plain running along the west coast. The thinly populated east coast looks out on the Pacific. In addition to the main island, Taiwan also includes the Penghu, or Pescadores, island group in the Taiwan Strait along with Matsu and Kinmen just off the Chinese coast.

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POLITICS  The Nationalists devastated the native Taiwanese political elite in a 1947 crackdown and imposed a harsh form of martial law in 1949. The subsequent years were known as the White Terror, during which tens of thousands of intellectuals and suspected subversives were arrested and executed. An opposition movement began taking shape in the 1970s and Chiang Kai-sheck's son and successor Chiang Ching-kuo began promoting native Taiwanese to higher office, eventually ending martial law in 1987. The first direct presidential election was held in 1996 and the main opposition Democratic Progressive Party gained power in 2000 under president Chen Shui-bian.

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POLITICAL SYSTEM  Taiwan is a hybrid democracy that mixes elements of European-style parliamentary systems with a presidential system similar to that in the United States. Executive powers are concentrated in the president as head of state, while legislation is passed by the 133-seat legislature known as the Legislative Yuan, which elects a speaker from the majority party. The president also appoints the premier, who is required to appear before the legislature to answer questions and defend the president's agenda. Conflicts have arisen in the past when the president comes from a party that doesn't enjoy a legislative majority, causing gridlock. The system is a strong contrast to China's Marxist-Leninist style one-party state with its toothless legislature and eschewing of the separation of powers.

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ECONOMY  Taiwan began moving from a largely agricultural economy to one based on increasingly high-tech manufacturing In the latter half of the 20th century. Although it remains dominated by small and medium size industries, it has created global brands including Formosa Plastics, Acer computers, Giant bicycles and electronics maker Foxconn. While it formerly dwarfed the Chinese economy, today Taiwan stands as the world's 26th largest, according to the International Monetary Fund, compared to China's second place ranking. However, its people remain much better off, ranking 32nd in per capita income compared to China's 74th ranking position. With exports slowing and wages stagnant, growth is expected to average around 2 percent annually over the next five years.

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RELATIONS WITH CHINA  While Taiwan-China relations have improved enormously since the days of their bitter Cold War rivalry, a large majority of Taiwanese reject China's demand for political unification in favor of maintaining the status-quo of de-facto independence. Taiwan maintains its own constitution, flag, national anthem and other trappings of sovereignty under its official title of the Republic of China. It also maintains a robust military to respond to China's threat to impose unification by force, backed by an implicit U.S. security guarantee. While the future of official exchanges is unclear, economic ties continue to grow, to the consternation of some younger Taiwanese who see China as a threat to their future economic wellbeing.

A supporter of Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party presidential candidate Tsai Ing-wen cheers at a rally before polling day in Banqiao district of Taipei, Taiwan, Friday, Jan. 15, 2016. Taiwan will hold its presidential election on Jan. 16, 2016. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)

An elderly woman lights a cigarette wearing a cap with the words "Light Up Taiwan" during a rally for Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party presidential candidate Tsai Ing-wen in Banqiao district of Taipei, Taiwan, Friday, Jan. 15, 2016. Taiwan will hold its presidential election on Jan. 16, 2016. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)

A supporter of Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party presidential candidate Tsai Ing-wen attends a rally before polling day in Banqiao district of Taipei, Taiwan, Friday, Jan. 15, 2016. Taiwan will hold its presidential election on Jan. 16, 2016. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)

Supporter of Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party presidential candidate Tsai Ing-wen attend a rally before polling day in Banqiao district of Taipei, Taiwan, Friday, Jan. 15, 2016. Taiwan will hold its presidential election on Jan. 16, 2016. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)

A supporter of "Taiwan Independence" hands out flags after attending the final rally for Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party presidential candidate Tsai Ing-wen in Taipei, Taiwan, Friday, Jan. 15, 2016. Taiwan will hold its presidential election on Jan. 16, 2016. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)
Saturday, January 23

Today is Saturday, Jan. 23, the 23rd day of 2016. There are 343 days left in the year.

Highlights in history on this date:

1542 - King Henry VIII takes the title of King of Ireland.

1570 - Earl of Moray, Regent of Scotland, is assassinated.

1579 - The Union of Utrecht is signed by the provinces of the Netherlands committed to carrying on resistance to Spain. It becomes the foundation of the state of the Netherlands.

1631 - France, under Treaty of Barwalde, undertakes to subsidize Sweden in Thirty Years' War.

1789 - Georgetown University is established in present-day Washington.

1799 - French troops capture Italian city of Naples.

1845 - U.S. Congress decides all national elections would be held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November.

1849 - Prussia suggests German union without Austria; Dr. Elizabeth Blackwell receives the first doctor of medicine degree awarded to an American woman.

1878 - Britain's cabinet sends fleet to Constantinople at Sultan Abdul-Hamid II's request.

1913 - Nazim Pasha is murdered in Turkish coup, and Shevket Pasha forms ministry.

1918 - The Soviet government officially severs relations with the church.

1920 - Netherlands refuses to surrender Germany's former Kaiser Wilhelm II to Allies for punishment as World War I criminal.

1937 - Seventeen Communist leaders confess in Moscow that they conspired with Leon Trotsky to undermine Soviet regime of Josef Stalin in the "Great Purge."

1945 - Soviet forces reach Oder River in World War II.

1950 - The Knesset proclaims Jerusalem as Israel's capital.

1968 - North Korea seizes the U.S. Navy ship Pueblo, charging it had intruded into the communist nation's territorial waters on a spying mission. The crew is released 11 months later.

1973 - U.S. President Richard M. Nixon announces that an accord has been reached in the Vietnam War.

1977 - The TV miniseries "Roots," based on the Alex Haley novel about an African-American family's heritage, begins airing on ABC television. It becomes one of the most-watched shows in U.S. history.

1985 - Debate in Britain's House of Lords is carried live on television for the first time.

1989 - Civilian commandos and army troops backed by tanks battle at infantry base on outskirts of Buenos Aires, Argentina.

1991 - The Angolan government accepts a peace plan that ends 15-year-old civil war with UNITA rebels.

1994 - Gunmen believed to be leftist guerrillas fire at a gathering of political rivals in northwest Colombia, killing at least 35 people.

1996 - Yigal Amir confesses in court to killing Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin.

2000 - Over a million people march through downtown Madrid to call for peace after a car-bomb attack is seen as a resurgence of Basque separatists' 32-year-old campaign of violence. Nearly 800 people have been killed during this period.

2001 - A new administration in the Philippines moves to freeze the bank accounts of ousted President Joseph Estrada and begins a criminal investigation against him.

2002 - A previously unknown militant group kidnaps Daniel Pearl, a reporter for the U.S. Wall Street Journal newspaper, in Karachi, Pakistan. Pearl, who had been working on a story about Islamist militant groups in that country, is later killed.

2007 - More than 100,000 mourners choke the streets of Istanbul for the funeral of Hrant Dink, the Armenian journalist who was gunned down on Jan. 19 because of public statements made about the mass killings of Armenians by Turks in the early 20th century.

2012 - France's parliament votes to make it a crime to deny that the killings of Armenians by Ottoman Turks nearly a century ago constituted a genocide, risking more sanctions from Turkey.

2015  China records its first drop in coal production since 2,000 last year as the world's biggest greenhouse gas emitter pulls back on its use of fossil fuel and switches to cleaner energy sources.

Today's Birthdays:

Marie Henri Beyle Stendahl, French author (1783-1842); Edouard Manet, French artist (1832-1883); Jeanne Moreau, French actress (1928--); Derek Walcott, Caribbean poet and Nobel laureate (1930--); Rutger Hauer, Dutch-born actor (1944--); Mariska Hargitay, U.S. actress (1964--).

Thought For Today:
Things to know about 12-week-old Los Angeles gas leak

LOS ANGELES (AP)  A leak from an underground natural gas storage facility that has sickened Los Angeles residents and sent thousands from their homes has been out of control for 12 weeks and a possible fix is expected no sooner than March. Here are some things to know about it:

SCOPE OF THE PROBLEM

Gov. Jerry Brown declared an emergency for the Southern California Gas Co. leak that some environmentalists are calling the worst disaster since the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico in 2010.

FILE - In this Jan. 6, 2016, file photo, a truck leaves the Southern California Gas Co. facility where a natural gas well has been leaking uncontrollably for weeks in the Porter Ranch section of Los Angeles. In trying to reassure the public there's no long-term health risk from the leak, Southern California Gas Co. has said in news releases and FAQs on its website that since the crisis began, just two air samples briefly showed elevated concentrations of the substance. But a closer look at the online data by The Associated Press and outside experts actually shows that a dozen samples from the Porter Ranch community contained at least twice the amount of benzene that Southern California air regulators consider the normal background level. (AP Photo/Brian Melley, File)

The leak first reported Oct. 23 has foiled efforts to contain it, and some attempts may have made the problem worse.

In addition to bathing the Porter Ranch community in a foul smell that is blamed for nausea, nosebleeds, headaches and other symptoms, it has also released an immense amount of climate-changing methane equivalent at one point to about a quarter of the state's total output of the gas.

A SoCalGas executive has said the leak is unprecedented. Financial filings show the company anticipates spending $50 million a month for the complex effort to cap the leak and up to $7,500 a month for each of the 4,500 families being relocated through as late as April.

It also faces more than two dozen lawsuits, some of which are seeking class-action status.

POSSIBLE DANGER

The company has said the leak, which is located about a mile from the nearest homes, does not pose an imminent threat to public safety. But crews are working under safety restrictions around the flammable gas, and efforts to stop the leak may have weakened the well and created a greater problem.

The Los Angeles Times reported Friday that a "blowout" is a concern after seven attempts to plug the leak by pouring a muddy mix into it.

A blowout would send a large amount of gas directly up the well instead of dissipating through the ground and could cause a massive fire if sparked. Workers cannot use cellphones and wear watches at the site because of fire danger.

"If the wellhead fails, the thing is just going to be full blast," said Gene Nelson, a physical sciences professor at Cuesta College. "It will be a horrible, horrible problem. The leak rates would go way up."

Attempts to stop the high-pressure leak with a briny solution have created a crater around the wellhead and opened up a vent in the ground about 20 feet from the well.

Sempra Energy, which owns the gas company, would not comment on the blowout danger.

The company is drilling a relief well to intercept the well and plug it about a mile-and-a-half underground where it taps into a vacant oil field storing natural gas.

Regulators have also expressed fears that the attempts to burn off escaping natural gas will lead to an explosion.

The state Public Utility Commission has asked the company in a letter to address its concerns by Tuesday.

The letter says the burn-off system as currently devised "is NOT fully designed and needs further work and analysis," according to the Los Angeles Times.

THE GAS COMPANY'S RESPONSE

SoCalGas initially acted slowly to publicly acknowledge the leak and notify residents about what happened.

It eventually apologized for its response, and it has posted on a website daily updates and results from twice-daily air quality tests as part of efforts to be more open with the public about what's going on.

In summarizing air quality reports, the company understated levels of the cancer-causing chemical benzene found in the community. After inquiries from The Associated Press, SoCalGas acknowledged Thursday that higher-than-normal readings had been found in at least 14 samples. It previously stated that just two air samples over the past three months showed elevated concentrations of the compound.

A spokeswoman said the error was an oversight that would be corrected. The incorrect information was still on the website Friday.

WHERE IS THE GOVERNMENT?

An alphabet soup of state and local government agencies are overseeing work at the site of the leak and issuing a variety of orders to fix the problem.

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health ordered the company to relocate anyone seeking to move while the leak continues. The South Coast Air Quality Management District issued a notice of violation for the leak and can assess penalties ranging from $1,000 to $1 million a day for each day of the nuisance.

The state Division of Oil, Gas, and Geothermal Resources is overseeing efforts to stop the leak and will investigate the cause once it's plugged.

California lawmakers proposed bills this week that will carry stronger regulations to prevent future incidents like the one at the Aliso Canyon facility. One proposed bill would require safety valves on such wells. The leaking well previously had a safety valve, but it was removed in 1979 after it leaked. A replacement wasn't required.

Lawmakers want the company to cover the costs of the leak, pay for greenhouse gas emissions and not pass them on to customers through higher rates.
Cruz failed to disclose 2nd loan for 2012 Senate run

WASHINGTON (AP)  The New York Times is reporting that Republican presidential candidate Ted Cruz failed to disclose a loan from Citibank that was used to help finance his successful 2012 Senate campaign.

The newspaper says the Texas senator sent a letter Thursday to federal election officials acknowledging his failure to report the loan.

Cruz has been under scrutiny since the Times reported Wednesday that he had failed to report a 2012 campaign loan from Goldman Sachs, where his wife, Heidi Cruz, is an employee. The Times reports that the two bank loans combined totaled as much as $1 million.

Republican presidential candidate, Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, speaks at a Conservative Leadership Project presidential forum, Friday, Jan. 15, 2016, in Columbia, S.C. (AP Photo/Sean Rayford)
US renews El Salvador travel warning due to rampant violence

SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador (AP)  The United States has renewed its travel warning for Americans going to El Salvador, a country experiencing record levels of violence.

The U.S. State Department says that U.S. citizens visiting El Salvador for long periods have an increased risk of being victims of extortion by the Mara Salvatrucha and 18th Street gangs, the country's major organized crime groups.

The warning issued Friday says that while no information suggests that Americans are specifically targeted, crime and violence are serious problems throughout the country. It said the murder rate for the country is one of the highest in the world.
Son of Guatemala ex-president blocked from leaving country

GUATEMALA CITY (AP)  A judge has blocked the son of Guatemala's jailed ex-president from leaving the country because he too faces criminal allegations.

The prosecution says Otto Perez Leal illegally used government money to finance a re-election bid as mayor of the city of Mixco. He lost the election and then lost his immunity from prosecution when his term ended Friday.
Hillary Clinton campaign deploys husband Bill very carefully

KEENE, New Hampshire (AP)  Bill Clinton promised voters in 1992 that they'd be getting "two for the price of one" if they elected him to the White House  a presidential duo of the young Arkansas governor and his Yale Law-educated wife.

Nearly a quarter century later, the duo is back  but not quite the same.

As 2016 Democratic front-runner Hillary Clinton fends off a rising challenge from challenger Bernie Sanders, a Vermont senator, her campaign aides are grappling with how best to deploy what she has described as her "not-so-secret weapon."

FILE - In this July 21, 1992 file photo, then-Democratic presidential nominee Bill Clinton stands with his wife Hillary Clinton during a campaign stop at General Butler State Park in Carrollton, Ky. Bill Clinton promised voters in 1992 that theyd be getting two for the price of one if they elected him to the White House, a presidential duo of the young Arkansas governor and his Yale Law-educated wife. Near a quarter century later, the duo is back, but not quite the same. (AP Photo/Greg Gibson, File)

During campaign swings through early voting states Iowa and New Hampshire, Bill Clinton treaded fastidiously through tightly controlled campaign events. A natural-born chit-chatter, he was not giving interviews. When he stopped to talk with reporters after one recent event, campaign aides turned up the music, making a conversation all but impossible.

His remarks to voters have been relatively subdued: long on history, statistics and nostalgia. He's dodged questions about Sanders and Republican front-runner Donald Trump, who's been baiting the Clinton family with comments about the former president's past sexual improprieties

"I'm not going there," Bill Clinton said on Wednesday, when asked about Sanders at a campaign event in New Hampshire. "I came here to tell people why I thought Hillary should be president and her ideas are better."

While Bill Clinton remains a popular figure among Democrats, some of the key achievements of his administration form the basis of Sanders' critique against his wife  that she's too willing to compromise liberal ideals for political gain.

Sanders has denounced his rival's policies on trade, same-sex marriage, crime and welfare cuts. He's made reinstating Glass-Stegall, a Depression-era banking law repealed under Bill Clinton's administration, a central attack line of his campaign.

Clinton aides say those critiques miss the larger picture of wage growth, job creation and a balanced budget. In a debate last month, Clinton said she would turn to her husband for economic advice.

"He carries a message of peace and prosperity under his presidency and I think a lot of Americans would like to get back to those days," Clinton said in an interview on NBC's "Today Show" on Wednesday.

Bill Clinton has said that he regrets approving the Defense of Marriage Act and the "don't ask, don't tell" policy that banned gays and lesbians from military service. He also has looked back with regret on signing the 1994 crime bill, which led to tougher sentencing for drug offenses.

"I signed a bill that made the problem worse," the former president told an audience at the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People's annual meeting in Philadelphia in July. "And I want to admit it."

On Wednesday in New Hampshire, Bill Clinton detailed the economic growth under his administration, listing statistics on wage growth, the decline in poverty and insurance rates.

He walked voters through Hillary Clinton's policy priorities, stressing the need to invest in infrastructure, renewable energy, small business, college affordability and paid leave. And he sprinkled his remarks with his wife's foreign policy and domestic accomplishments as first lady, New York senator and secretary of state.

"Whatever I say about Hillary's plans, you're entitled to give it a little discount," he said. "But I ought to get some credit for knowing something about how to run the economy."

Former President Bill Clinton poses for a photo with members of the audience after speaking at a campaign event for his wife, Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, Friday, Jan. 15, 2016, at Morningside College in Sioux City, Iowa. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik)
Police say man arrested in US vehicle stolen from refuge

BURNS, Ore. (AP)  Authorities arrested a man they said was driving a government vehicle stolen from a wildlife refuge being occupied by an armed group protesting federal land policies as the standoff in Oregon's high desert hit the two-week mark.

Kenneth Medenbach, 62, of Crescent was arrested by Oregon State Police at a grocery store in Burns for investigation of unauthorized use of a motor vehicle. It was unclear if he has a lawyer. Medenbach is already facing charges in U.S. District Court in Medford after authorities said he illegally camped on federal land between May and November last year, according to federal court records.

Authorities also say they recovered a second stolen vehicle from the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge but provided no other details. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service previously reported the vehicles had been stolen.

The Malheur National Wildlife Refuge near Burns, Ore., is seen from atop an old fire lookout on Friday, Jan. 15, 2016. A small, armed group has been occupying the refuge since Jan. 2 to protest federal land use policies. (AP Photo/Keith Ridler)

So far, authorities have not tried to remove the group from the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge. As the situation drags on, people in the local area are growing increasingly weary and wary of the group.

Cement barriers have been erected to block streets around the county courthouse in the small eastern Oregon town of Burns, where police from around the state have set up a command center.

About 30 miles to the south at the refuge, other protesters carrying what appear to be military-style rifles scan the snow-covered rangeland from atop an old fire lookout that gives them a sweeping view of roads leading into the area.

"If we all keep a calm about us everything will be OK," Brenda Pointere said Thursday as she exited a Burns restaurant. "It started out calm, but the longer it goes on  you start to hear rumors."

The occupation started Jan. 2 as a protest over two area ranchers who had been convicted of arson being returned to prison to serve longer sentences.

Afterward, a group led by Ammon Bundy traveled to occupy the refuge to protest the ranchers' return to prison and demand that the 300-square-mile refuge be turned over to local control.

Bundy said he understood the frustration of Harney County residents. "They have been suppressed to the point where they're ready to act," he told The Associated Press on Thursday inside a heated wildlife refuge building while his brother, Ryan, and two women sat nearby.

Burns, nearby Hines and the local area have been in an economic tailspin for decades after the loss of a lumber mill that some blamed on federal restrictions involving timber harvests. Restrictions on other federal lands are a common theme of frustration.

The Bundys had planned a meeting with community members Friday night, but it was in limbo after county officials said they couldn't use the fairgrounds.

Arizona rancher Robert "LaVoy" Finicum, a spokesman for the group, told reporters Friday that protesters were still hopeful the meeting might occur next week, perhaps Monday, if they can find a location. He criticized local officials for "making sure we have no access to facilities to talk to the residents."

The group has said they won't leave until the ranchers jailed for arson are freed and the refuge is turned over to local control.

Locals who agreed to be interviewed were themselves conflicted, expressing anger toward federal land policies but bothered by the armed takeover. "I don't agree with anything they're doing right now," Ben McCanna said about the occupiers at the refuge.

But McCanna, 54, also said the ranchers' return to prison was wrong, and that he was irked that the U.S. Forest Service closed off access to one of his favorite camping spots in nearby Malheur National Forest.

Also Friday, the chairwoman of the Burns Paiute Tribe asked federal officials to bring criminal charges if any ancient artifacts are damaged or missing from the refuge currently occupied by the group.

Thousands of ancient artifacts and maps to prehistoric sites are kept at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge. Tribe Chairwoman Charlotte Rodrique sent a letter to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service urging federal prosecution, if warranted.

Ryan Bundy has said the group isn't interested in the artifacts, but it wants the refuge land opened to ranchers and loggers.

A man gets into a truck at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge near Burns, Ore., Friday, Jan. 15, 2016. The group that has been occupying the refuge since Jan. 2 has been calling it the Harney county Resource Center. (AP Photo/Keith Ridler)

A police vehicle drives through a downtown street in Burns, Oregon, Friday, Jan. 15, 2016. As a standoff at a nearby Oregon wildlife refuge hits the two-week mark, local residents are growing increasingly weary and wary. (AP Photo/Keith Ridler)

Ammon Bundy speaks to reporters at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in Burns, Ore., on Thursday, Jan. 14, 2016. Bundy is the leader of a small, armed group that has been occupying the remote refuge in Oregon since Jan. 2 to protest federal land policies. (AP Photo/Keith Ridler)
Taiwan elects 1st female president, rejects pro-China party

TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP)  Taiwan elected Tsai Ing-wen as its first female president Saturday, handing her pro-independence party its first majority in the national legislature and rejecting the China-friendly party that has led the self-governing island for eight years.

The result should be deeply unsettling to China, which may respond by further reducing Taipei's already limited ability to win diplomatic allies and participate in international organizations.

In a statement issued after Tsai's win, the Chinese Cabinet's body for handling Taiwan affairs reaffirmed its opposition to Taiwan independence, but said it would work to maintain peace and stability between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait.

Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party, DPP, presidential candidate, Tsai Ing-wen, raises her hands as she declares victory in the presidential election Saturday, Jan. 16, 2016, in Taipei, Taiwan. (AP Photo/Vincent Yu)

"Our will is as strong as a rock, our attitude unswerving on the principal matter of safeguarding national sovereignty and territorial integrity," the Taiwan Affairs Office said.

Voters concerned that Taiwan's economy is under threat from China and broadly opposed to Beijing's demands for political unification resoundingly chose Tsai over the Nationalists' Eric Chu, a late replacement for his party's original candidate who was seen as alienating voters.

Tsai said her victory was a further show of Taiwan's ingrained democracy and its people wish for a government "steadfast in protecting this nation's sovereignty." She too pledged to maintain the status quo with China. She said both sides have a responsibility to find a mutually acceptable means of interacting, while adding that Taiwan's international space must be respected.

She said she would correct past policy mistakes, but warned that "the challenges that Taiwan faces will not disappear in one day."

Chu resigned from his party's leadership to take responsibility for the massive loss. In the final tally, Tsai won more than 56 percent of votes, while Chu had 31 percent and a third-party candidate trailing in the distance. Outgoing President Ma Ying-jeou is constitutionally barred from another term.

Making Tsai's task easier, her Democratic Progressive Party won 68 seats in the 113-member national legislature that has been traditionally dominated by the Nationalists, who took 36 seats, with the rest won by independents and smaller parties. Illustrating the extent of their defeat, the Nationalists had won 64 seats four years ago. The new legislature convenes next month while Tsai is set to be inaugurated in May.

The United States, Taiwan's most important ally and source of defensive arms, congratulated Tsai.

"We share with the Taiwan people a profound interest in the continuation of cross-Strait peace and stability," State Department spokesman John Kirby said in a statement.

Tsai said one of her top priorities would be to unite Taiwan in order to gain strength and respect from abroad.

Addressing a thin crowd of a few hundred supporters at his campaign headquarters, the Nationalists' Chu said: "We failed. The Nationalist Party lost the elections. We didn't work hard enough." He followed his concession speech by making a long bow.

Reflecting unease over a slowdown in Taiwan's once-mighty economy, undeclared voter Hsieh Lee-fung said providing opportunities to the next generation was the most important issue.

"Economic progress is related closely to our leadership, like land reform and housing prices. People aren't making enough money to afford homes," Hsieh said.

Tsai has proposed to open 200,000 units of affordable housing in eight years. Her party suggested in May that Taiwan's laws change to raise wages and cut work weeks from 84 per two weeks to 40 in one.

Tsai also reaffirmed Taiwan's sovereignty claim over East China Sea islands also claimed by China but controlled by Japan. She said Taiwan would also work to lower tensions in the South China Sea, where Taiwan, China and four other governments share overlapping territorial claims.

Tsai said she work to recruit talented people to her cabinet, increase the competitiveness of Taiwan's export-oriented economy and safeguard the food supply following a series of scandals.

Her win will introduce new uncertainty in the complicated relationship between Taiwan and mainland China, which claims the island as its own territory and threatens to use force if it declares formal independence.

"Taiwan and China need to keep some distance," said Willie Yao, a computer engineer who said he backed Tsai. "The change of president would mean still letting Taiwanese make the decision."

Tsai has refused to endorse the principle that Taiwan and China are parts of a single nation to be unified eventually. Beijing has made that its baseline for continuing negotiations that have produced a series of pacts on trade, transport and exchanges. Observers say China is likely to adopt a wait-and-see approach, but might use diplomatic and economic pressure if Tsai is seen as straying too far from its unification agenda.

In its statement, Beijing's Taiwan Affairs Office reiterated its insistence on the "one China principle."

"We are willing to strengthen contact with any political party or social group that agrees that the two sides of the Strait belong to one China," the office said.

Taiwan was a Japanese colony from 1895 to 1945, and split again from China amid civil war in 1949.

An electronic board above the stage shows portraits of Democratic Progressive Party, DPP, presidential candidate Tsai Ing-wen, left, and her vice presidential running mate Chen Chien-jen as they celebrate winning the presidential election Saturday, Jan. 16, 2016, in Taipei, Taiwan. Pro-independence party candidate Tsai Ing-wen claimed victory in Taiwan's presidential election late Saturday, defeating the China-friendly party that has led the self-governing island for eight years and soon to be come its first female head of state. (AP Photo/Wally Santana)

Supporters of Democratic Progressive Party, DPP, presidential candidate Tsai Ing-wen cheer as polling numbers in her favor start to arrive outside the campaign headquarters Saturday, Jan. 16, 2016, in Taipei, Taiwan. Pro-independence party candidate Tsai Ing-wen claimed victory in Taiwan's presidential election late Saturday, defeating the China-friendly party that has led the self-governing island for eight years and soon to be come its first female head of state. (AP Photo/Wally Santana)
US, EU lift sanctions against Iran amid landmark nuke deal

VIENNA (AP)  The U.N. nuclear agency certified Saturday that Iran has met all of its commitments under last summer's landmark nuclear deal, crowning years of U.S.-led efforts to crimp Iran's ability to make atomic weapons. For Iran, the move lifts Western economic sanctions that have been in place for years, unlocking access to $100 billion in frozen assets and unleashing new opportunities for its battered economy.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and the top diplomats of Iran and the European Union hailed the accord, reached after years of setbacks and a full decade after the start of international diplomacy aimed at reducing the possibility that Tehran could turn its nuclear programs to weapons making.

"Today marks the first day of a safer world," Kerry declared in Vienna. "This evening, we are really reminded once again of diplomacy's power to tackle significant challenges."

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry talks with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, right, after the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) verified that Iran has met all conditions under the nuclear deal, in Vienna, Saturday Jan. 16, 2016. (Kevin Lamarque/Pool via AP)

Additionally, Kerry linked the trust built between Iran and the United States over the past two years of talks to the release by Iran Saturday of four Americans who also hold Iranian nationality.

"Thanks to years of hard work and committed dialogue," he said, "we have made vital breakthroughs related to both the nuclear negotiations and a separate long-term diplomatic effort" that led to the freeing of the Americans.

EU Foreign Policy chief Federica Mogherini  in a statement also read in Farsi by Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Jawad Zarif  said the accord "demonstrates that with political will, perseverance, and through multilateral diplomacy, we can solve the most difficult issues and find practical solutions that are effectively implemented."

In Washington, U.S. President Barack Obama signed executive orders lifting economic sanctions on Iran, while Kerry confirmed that the U.N.'s International Atomic Energy Agency could verify that "Iran has fully implemented its required commitments."

The July 14 deal, struck after decades of hostility, defused the likelihood of U.S. or Israeli military action against Iran while creating an opening for future cooperation on calming the tumultuous Middle East. But proof that it had been fully implemented had been lacking until Saturday.

For Tehran, the report translates into a huge financial windfall while also helping its efforts at international image rehabilitation.

Beyond sanctions lifting and the unlocking of frozen assets, certification by the IAEA opens the path to new oil, trade and financial opportunities that could prove far more valuable for Tehran in the long run.

Not even waiting for the IAEA report, Iranian Transport Minister Abbas Akhondi said his country had reached a deal with the European consortium Airbus to buy 114 passenger planes once the sanctions are lifted.

As diplomatic maneuvering on the nuclear issue dragged into the night, another source of U.S.-Iranian tension moved toward resolution with officials of both nations announcing the prisoner releases. The four Americans imprisoned in Iran were exchanged for seven Iranians held or charged in the United States.

U.S. officials said the four  Washington Post reporter Jason Rezaian, former U.S. Marine Amir Hekmati, pastor Saeed Abedini and Nosratollah Khosravi-Roodsari  were to be flown from Iran to Switzerland on a Swiss plane and then brought to a U.S. military hospital in Landstuhl, Germany, for medical treatment.

In return, the U.S. will either pardon or drop charges against seven Iranians  six of them dual citizens  accused or convicted of violating U.S. sanctions. The U.S. will also drop Interpol "red notices"  essentially arrest warrants  on a handful of sought Iranian fugitives.

Rezaian is a dual Iran-U.S. citizen convicted of espionage by Iran in a closed-door trial in 2015. The Post and the U.S. government have denied the accusations, as has Rezaian. He had been held more than 543 days.

U.S. officials said a fifth American detained in Iran, a student, has been released in a move unrelated to the prisoner swap. They said the student, identified as Matthew Trevithick, was already on his way home.

Among the sanctions lifted will be those imposed between 2006 and 2010 by the U.N. Security Council as it attempted to pressure the Islamic Republic to curb uranium enrichment and other activities that could also be used for nuclear weapons. Iran sees that move and the recent closure of a decade-long investigation of whether it worked on such weapons as a formal end to the allegations against it.

But the deal is also a boon for the White House. U.S. President Barack Obama's greatest foreign policy triumph, it has turned tensions into a first step toward cooperation with Iran, a major regional power instrumental for ending the Syrian conflict and other Middle East crises.

The July 14 deal with six world powers puts Iran's various nuclear activities under IAEA watch for up to 15 years, with an option to re-impose sanctions should Tehran break its commitments.

It aims to increase the time Iran would need to make enough fissile material for a nuclear weapon from several months to a year, primarily by capping Tehran's ability to enrich uranium, which can create material ranging from reactor fuel to warhead material. Under the deal, Iran committed to reduce its operating centrifuges enriching uranium by two-thirds, to just over 5,000 machines.

The IAEA report, obtained by The Associated Press, ticked off that commitment and others as met.

With news of the deal's implementation breaking long after midnight in Tehran, there was no repeat of the boisterous street celebrations that met agreement in July on the accord. But social media networking sites were abuzz.

"Hello to life without sanctions," said one message. Another praised both Zarif and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, whose taking office in 2013 led to the start of serious negotiations after years of essential deadlock. "Thank you Rouhani," one said. "Thank you Zarif."

Since the world's attention focused on Iran's nuclear program more than a decade ago with revelations of its secret uranium enrichment program, Tehran has insisted that it was working only to power a future network of reactors and on medical and scientific research.

Iran denied any work or interest in nuclear arms even after the IAEA closed a prolonged probe with a November assessment that Tehran had an organized research and development program into such weapons up to 2003 and more scattered research and development activities up to 2009.

Still, it had little choice but to negotiate an end to the conflict after years of seeing as its revenues from oil sales  its chief income  dry up due to increasing U.S., European Union and other sanctions.

But the talks turned serious only after the pragmatic Rouhani took office in 2013.

For years, Washington had refused to even sit at the same table with Iran, joining the nuclear talks only in 2008, five years after the first international attempts to negotiate a deal.

By the fall of 2013, however, Kerry had met with his Iranian counterpart and Obama had called Rouhani in what was the first direct communication between a U.S. and Iranian president since the 1979 Islamic revolution led to the U.S. Embassy hostage taking and a diplomatic freeze.

The public goodwill quickly faded, however, and the realities of negotiating a mutually acceptable deal sank in. Deadlines were repeatedly extended by months.

The bickering went on to the very end, with the July 14 agreement emerging only after a series of white-knuckle late and overnight sessions, punctuated by threats from both sides to walk away from the table.

Both sides took hits amid the diplomatic maneuvering  Iran from hardliners accusing Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif of selling out his country's interests and the White House from skeptics at home and abroad  particularly in the Middle East  who said the deal would keep Tehran's bomb-making capacities intact.

All-out lobbying by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu against the agreement also was unsuccessful. Warning that Iran has not given up its nuclear ambitions, his office urged world powers Saturday to respond harshly to any violations of the deal by Iran.

Without that, "Iran will think it can continue to develop a nuclear weapon, destabilize the region and spread terror," the statement said.

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Associated Press writers Ali Akbar Dareini in Tehran and Josef Federman in Jerusalem contributed

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry signs a series of documents in Vienna, Austria, Saturday Jan. 16, 2016. U.S. Secretary of State, John Kerry confirms Iran in compliance with nuclear deal and lifts US nuclear-related sanctions. (Kevin Lamarque/Pool via AP)

Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, IAEA, Yukiya Amano of Japan addresses the media at the International Atomic Energy Agency, IAEA, in Vienna, Austria, Saturday, Jan. 16, 2016. (AP Photo/Ronald Zak)

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry delivers a statement that sanctions will be lifted on Iran after the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) verified that Iran has met all conditions under the nuclear deal, in Vienna, Saturday Jan. 16, 2016. (Kevin Lamarque/Pool via AP)

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry addresses the media at the International Atomic Energy Agency, IAEA, in Vienna, Austria, Saturday, Jan. 16, 2016. U.S. Secretary of State, John Kerry confirms Iran in compliance with nuclear deal, lifts US nuclear-related sanctions. (AP Photo/Ronald Zak)

Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, IAEA, Yukiya Amano of Japan addresses the media at the International Atomic Energy Agency, IAEA, in Vienna, Austria, Saturday, Jan. 16, 2016. (AP Photo/Ronald Zak)

FILE - In this Tuesday, July 28, 2015, file photo, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif speaks with media in a joint press conference with European Union foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini in Tehran, Iran. Iran's foreign minister says an imminent report by the U.N. nuclear agency later Saturday, Jan. 16, 2016, will bring a 'good day' for Iran because it will lead to lifting sanctions. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi, File )

U.S. Secretary of State, John Kerry, departs London on his way to Vienna, Austria for what is expected to be "implementation day" of the Iran nuclear deal following the release of the final report issued by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Saturday, Jan. 16, 2016. (Kevin Lamarque/Pool Photo via AP)

Journalists waiting for a press statement at the International Atomic Energy Agency, IAEA, in Vienna, Austria, Saturday, Jan. 16, 2016. Iran's foreign minister suggested Saturday that the U.N. atomic agency is close to certifying that his country has met all commitments under its landmark nuclear deal with six world powers, as he began a series of meetings with his European Union and U.S. counterparts on implementing the accord. Iranian foreign Mohammad Javad Zarif and EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini, who met Saturday morning, were to be joined later by U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry in Vienna, headquarters of the IAEA. (AP Photo/Ronald Zak)

Journalists waiting for a press statement at the International Atomic Energy Agency, IAEA, in Vienna, Austria, Saturday, Jan. 16, 2016. Iran's foreign minister suggested Saturday that the U.N. atomic agency is close to certifying that his country has met all commitments under its landmark nuclear deal with six world powers, as he began a series of meetings with his European Union and U.S. counterparts on implementing the accord. Iranian foreign Mohammad Javad Zarif and EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini, who met Saturday morning, were to be joined later by U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry in Vienna, headquarters of the IAEA. (AP Photo/Ronald Zak)

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, left, meets with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, right, in Vienna, Austria, Saturday, Jan. 16, 2016, on what is expected to be "implementation day," the day the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) verifies that Iran has met all conditions under the nuclear deal. (Kevin Lamarque/Pool Photo via AP)

U.S. Secretary of State, John Kerry, is greeted by the US Ambassador to Austria, Alexa Wesner, left, as he steps from his plane Saturday, Jan. 16, 2016, upon his arrival in Vienna, Austria on what is expected to be "implementation day," the day the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) verifies that Iran has met all conditions under the nuclear deal. (Kevin Lamarque/Pool Photo via AP)

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry talks with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, right, after the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) verified that Iran has met all conditions under the nuclear deal, in Vienna, Saturday Jan. 16, 2016. (Kevin Lamarque/Pool via AP)
Japan, US, S. Korea to work for strong warning to N. Korea

TOKYO (AP)  Senior diplomats from the U.S., Japan and South Korea concurred Saturday on the need for a strong response in the U.N. Security Council to North Korea's recent nuclear test.

U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Antony Blinken and his Japanese and South Korean counterparts said Saturday that a failure to send a clear message would risk further provocations by Pyongyang.

"The failure to take significant measures now almost guarantees North Korea will continue to repeat these moves," Blinken said. "It's the opposite of what we seek in the region."

The three said they agreed on the need for early adoption of the strongest resolution possible. But they did not give specifics of their talks, saying the discussions on a U.N. resolution were ongoing.

"If it's not resolved now, in coming years we may have to pay a higher price and therefore we need a clear message," said Lim Sung-nam, South Korea's first vice minister of foreign affairs.

All three said they were hoping that China, the North's closest ally and chief source of aid, would also work for a strong resolution.

North Korea is urging the world community to accept it as a nuclear power. Pyongyang has said it could stop nuclear tests in exchange for the U.S. scrapping joint military drills with South Korea. It also is calling for a peace treaty with the U.S., echoing demands that were rejected by Washington in the past.

Blinken chastised North Korea for the "flaunting of its international obligations."
Senate to take up bill for more scrutiny of Syrian refugees

WASHINGTON (AP)  The Senate will consider new rigorous screening procedures for Syrian and Iraqi refugees seeking to enter the United States as national security looms large for voters in an election year.

Propelled by the Islamic State group's attacks in Paris, the GOP-backed legislation raced through the House last November with 289 votes. That veto-proof margin included 47 Democrats despite the Obama administration's opposition to the measure.

The legislation will have a much harder time making it through the Senate in the week ahead.

FILE - In this Jan. 14, 2016 file photo, Syrian refugees inside the border wait to be approved to get into Jordan, in the Hadalat reception area, near the northeastern Jordanian border with Syria, and Iraq, near the town of Ruwaished, Jordan. The Senate will consider new rigorous screening procedures for Syrian and Iraqi refugees seeking to enter the United States as national security looms large for voters in an election year. (AP Photo/Raad Adayleh, File)

Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., needs at least six Democrats to join all 54 Republicans to approve a motion clearing the bill for final passage in the 100-member chamber.

The Senate's top Democrat, Harry Reid of Nevada, said last year that was not going to happen. Even if it did, President Barack Obama has pledged to veto the bill if it got to him.

The upshot may be more of the same on Capitol Hill: A war of words, with Republicans blasting Obama for failing to do what they see as necessary to secure the United States and Democrats accusing the GOP of fearmongering to score points with voters.

Some of the key points to know about the Syrian-Iraqi refugee legislation:

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WHAT THE HOUSE BILL DOES

IS controls territory in Syria and Iraq. As a result of the extremists' harsh, uncompromising rule, people in those areas have tried to flee and make it to the United States. The House-passed American Security Against Foreign Enemies Act is rooted in concerns the current process of screening refugee is inadequate and could allow a terrorist to be admitted into the United States.

The legislation would order FBI background checks for Syrian and Iraqi refugees and require that the FBI, Homeland Security Department and the director of National Intelligence certify that each refugee is not a security threat. The bill's requirements would effectively suspend admissions of Syrian and Iraqi refugees.

Republicans pointed to the arrest this month of two Iraqi refugees with suspected links to terrorism as one more example of the flawed vetting system.

Over the past few months, voters' concerns about terrorism have surged and their confidence in the government's ability to defeat IS and other extremist groups has plummeted, according to a national survey conducted in December by the Pew Research Center.

"I think there's a sense we need to do everything we can to demonstrate we take seriously the responsibility to protect the country," Republican Sen. John Thune of South Dakota, a member of the GOP leadership, said last week at a party retreat in Baltimore.

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A PROMISE TO VETO

The White House said Obama would veto the House bill. The legislation "would provide no meaningful additional security for the American people," it said in a Nov. 18 statement.

Refugees of all nationalities, including Syrians and Iraqis, already face a demanding screening process, and the legislation "would unacceptably hamper our efforts to assist some of the most vulnerable people in the world," the statement said. The White House said more than 2,100 Syrian refugees have been admitted to the United States since 2001 and not one has been arrested or deported on terrorism-related grounds.

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'DON'T WORRY, IT WON'T GET PASSED'

After the House passed the bill Nov. 19, Reid predicted it would die in the Senate. "Don't worry, it won't get passed," Reid told reporters.

A final decision on how the Democrats will proceed is expected on Wednesday at their weekly caucus meeting.

Without support from Democrats, the math doesn't work for McConnell. He needs a half-dozen Democrats to pass a motion to proceed and eventually allow a vote on the legislation. Thirteen more Democrats would be needed to reach a veto-proof tally.

Despite Reid's optimism, the House vote demonstrated that opposing the legislation can be dicey for Democrats facing tight 2016 elections. Before the House vote, White House aides went to the Capitol to win over Democrats. Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney, D-N.Y., told them, in a forceful exchange, that voting "no" could hurt Democrats at the polls.

Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I., said other steps should include addressing illegal immigration more broadly and barring the sale of guns to people on federal terrorism watch lists  a move the Senate recently rejected.

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AP Congressional Correspondent Erica Werner contributed to this report.

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Online:

Summary of House bill: http://tinyurl.com/h349uw6

White House veto threat: http://tinyurl.com/ogoqn62

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Follow Richard Lardner on Twitter at http://twitter.com/rplardner
As primary race tightens, Democrats brace for a messy winter

WASHINGTON (AP)  There was a time when Democrats fretted about Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign becoming a coronation and leaving her without the tests of a primary season to prepare for a general election matchup against the Republican nominee.

No one is worried about that anymore.

In the past two weeks, the Democratic race has gone from a relatively civil disagreement over policy to a contentious winter competition between former Secretary of State Clinton and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders.

In this photo taken Jan. 12, 2016, Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton speaks in Ames, Iowa. There was a time when Democrats fretted about Hillary Clintons presidential campaign becoming a coronation, leaving her without the tests of a primary season to prepare for a general election matchup against the Republican nominee. In the past two weeks, the race for the Democratic Partys 2016 presidential nomination has evolved from relatively civil disagreement over policy into a contentious winter competition between Clinton and Bernie Sanders, the independent senator from Vermont. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)

Clinton's institutional strength and her support among the minority voters who make up a large portion of the party's base still put her in a formidable position, even as polls show Sanders surging in Iowa and maintaining an edge in New Hampshire.

But should Sanders prevail in those first two states on the 2016 campaign calendar, Clinton's bid to succeed President Barack Obama may mean a much longer and messier path than her supporters once envisioned. It would plunge Democrats into the kind of primary fight they have gleefully watched Republicans struggle to contain in the past year.

"You have to look at these numbers and say there's a real race going on," said Democratic pollster Mark Mellman. "It's a race where Hillary Clinton has significant advantages in the long run. But it's a real race."

The contest was certain to intensify this weekend, with the Democratic candidates gathering in Charleston, South Carolina, on Saturday night for a party dinner and the annual fish fry hosted by Rep. James Clyburn, D-S.C. Then there's the Sunday night debate, the final one before the Iowa caucuses on Feb. 1. The New Hampshire primary is Feb. 9.

"I think it is a new phase of the campaign," said Joel Benenson, Clinton's chief campaign strategist. "We talked about how close this was going to be in (Iowa and New Hampshire). They always are historically and we're ready to have this debate engaged."

In the past week, Clinton has shifted course in apparent response to Sanders' strong poll results. She has stepped up her criticism of her rival, a self-described democratic socialist, after carefully avoiding that during the campaign.

The new approach carries risks. Sanders is popular with liberals who are part of the coalition that Clinton will need to win the White House.

Clinton and her supporters still remember her disappointing third-place finish in Iowa in 2008 against Obama. Clinton's team has retooled her schedule to add stops in Iowa in the week ahead. The candidate has made near-daily television appearances where she has challenged Sanders' stances on health care and gun control.

Clinton and Sanders were each booked on four Sunday morning news shows.

Her campaign said Saturday it was sending out top party representatives, including the mayor of Atlanta and the former mayors of Philadelphia and Los Angeles, to campaign for her in Iowa. Former President Bill Clinton has been out making her case in early voting states, and daughter Chelsea Clinton has offered critical words about Sanders, leading to a back-and-forth over his health care plan.

"They're very afraid of a repeat in 2008 and they're getting very aggressive," said Sanders campaign manager Jeff Weaver. "I expect at any moment now they'll go hard negative on us and we're prepared for that. But we won't be negative on them."

Clinton has tried to dismiss Sanders' proposals as unrealistic and disingenuous. She points to his 2005 vote for legislation giving gun manufactures immunity from lawsuits as a sign that the senator wouldn't fight forcefully enough against powerful interest groups.

Sunday's debate is in the city where a 21-year-old white man shot and killed nine people attending a prayer service at an African-American church last summer. The setting may give Clinton a chance to confront Sanders on his past votes related to gun control.

But in a campaign that has seen billionaire Donald Trump rise to the top of the Republican presidential field by capitalizing on an electorate angry with the political establishment, Clinton may once again be embracing the mantle of experience at a time when outsider status is in vogue.

"What she's trying to do is cast Bernie as, I don't want to say a protest candidate, but as a message candidate against someone who is grounded in the reality of governance," said former Obama campaign strategist David Axelrod. "The danger is that you also make yourself an exponent of governance the way people see it today.

"In an anti-establishment time," Axelrod said, "you're essentially branding yourself as the establishment candidate."

The campaign could take a much tougher turn in the weeks ahead.

Clinton's campaign complained this past week when Sanders aired an ad that suggested Clinton wouldn't be tough enough on Wall Street. That could clear the way for Clinton's team to retaliate with its own critical advertising.

After Iowa and New Hampshire, the calendar seemingly swings in Clinton's favor. She has an edge in Nevada, the first caucus state with a significant segment of Latino voters, and in South Carolina, where black voters make up more than half of the electorate.

From there, the campaign will play out in a series of Southern states holding contests on the March 1 "Super Tuesday" primaries, where African-American voters are pivotal.

The question for Sanders is whether he can expand his support beyond the white voters who dominate the first two contests in Iowa and New Hampshire.

"If  and it's a very big if  Bernie Sanders wins both Iowa and New Hampshire, there will be a lot of heartburn. There will be a lot of handwringing," Mellman said. "But for him to win the nomination over the long term, he's got to get beyond that base."

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Follow Lisa Lerer and Ken Thomas on Twitter at: http://twitter.com/llerer and http://twitter.com/KThomasDC

FILE - In this Jan. 14, 2016 file photo, Democratic presidential candidate, Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt, speaks in Hanover, N.H. There was a time when Democrats fretted about Hillary Clintons presidential campaign becoming a coronation, leaving her without the tests of a primary season to prepare for a general election matchup against the Republican nominee. In the past two weeks, the race for the Democratic Partys 2016 presidential nomination has evolved from relatively civil disagreement over policy into a contentious winter competition between Clinton and Bernie Sanders, the independent senator from Vermont. (AP Photo/John Minchillo, File)
Iran releases Americans in breakthrough prisoner exchange

VIENNA (AP)  Four Americans detained in Iran will be coming home and seven Iranians in U.S. custody also will win their freedom in a breakthrough swap negotiated by the longtime foes, officials in both countries said. As well, a fifth American was freed separately.

The news emerged as a landmark deal took effect Saturday relieving sanctions on Iran in return for its progress in pulling back its nuclear program.

Washington Post reporter Jason Rezaian, former U.S. Marine Amir Hekmati, pastor Saeed Abedini and Nosratollah Khosravi-Roodsari, whose name had not been previously made public, were freed from custody in Iran and were to be flown to Switzerland, U.S. officials said. U.S. student Matthew Trevithick was released independently of the exchange on Saturday and already was on his way home.

FILE - In this photo April 11, 2013 file photo, Jason Rezaian, an Iranian-American correspondent for the Washington Post, smiles as he attends a presidential campaign of President Hassan Rouhani in Tehran, Iran. A source close to Iran's judiciary confirmed to The Associated Press, Saturday, Jan. 16, 2016 that jailed Washington Post bureau chief Jason Rezaian is one of four dual-national prisoners freed by Iran's government and previously announced on Iranian state television without naming those released. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi, File)

In turn, the U.S. will pardon or drop charges against seven Iranians  six of whom are dual U.S.-Iranian citizens  accused or convicted of violating U.S. sanctions.

Three were serving prison terms and now have received a commutation or pardon. Three others were awaiting trial; the last one made a plea agreement.

It's unclear if they will leave the U.S. for Iran. They are free to stay in the United States.

In addition, the U.S. will drop Interpol "red notices"  essentially arrest warrants  on 14 Iranian fugitives it has sought, officials said.

The announcement of the exchange came shortly before Iran was certified as having met all commitments under the nuclear deal with six world powers.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and other officials involved in the accord met in Vienna as the diplomatic achievement unfolded.

The release of the prisoners and the nuclear deal developments capped weeks of intense U.S.-Iran diplomacy that took several unexpected turns after an Iranian ballistic missile test in October and then the detention on Jan. 12 by Iran of 10 U.S. Navy sailors and their two boats in the Persian Gulf.

The four Americans released in Iran under the negotiated prisoner exchange were still in that country early Sunday as arrangements progressed to get them out, a senior Obama administration official said. Speaking on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the situation, the official said efforts were underway to get the four together and on a plane out of Tehran.

Kerry said the Americans had been released from Iranian custody.

Frederick J. Ryan, Jr., publisher of The Washington Post, said in a statement, "We couldn't be happier to hear the news that Jason Rezaian has been released from Evin Prison. Once we receive more details and can confirm Jason has safely left Iran, we will have more to share."

Hekmati's family released a statement saying: "We thank everyone for your thoughts during this time. There are still many unknowns. At this point, we are hoping and praying for Amir's long-awaited return."

Trevithick's parents said he was freed after 40 days at a prison in Tehran. They did not say why Iran detained him. Trevithick, who is from Hingham, Massachusetts, co-founded a research center based in Turkey that assesses the humanitarian crisis in the area and traveled to Iran in September for a four-month language program.

Negotiations over detainees grew out of the Iran nuclear talks. In discussions in Europe and elsewhere, Kerry and nuclear negotiator Wendy Sherman were able to establish a separate channel of talks that would focus on the U.S. citizens.

American officials didn't want the citizens used as leverage in the nuclear talks, and didn't want to lose their possible release if the talks failed to produce an agreement.

The discussions then gained speed after last July's nuclear deal. In talks in Geneva and elsewhere, a team led by Obama's anti-Islamic State group envoy, Brett McGurk, worked on the details of a possible prisoner swap. The Iranians originally sought 19 people as part of the exchange; U.S. officials whittled down the number to seven.

Among American politicians, Republican presidential candidates Donald Trump and Ted Cruz and House Speaker Paul Ryan gave cautious praise to the release of the prisoners, particularly Abedini, but said they never should have been held in the first place. Democratic candidate Bernie Sanders praised diplomacy as the key to solving the detainee issue. Hillary Clinton also welcomed the developments while saying Iran should not be thanked because it should never have detained the Americans.

Robert Levinson, who disappeared in Iran in 2007 while working for the CIA on an unapproved intelligence mission, wasn't part of the deal. American officials are unsure if the former FBI agent is even still alive. The Iranians have always denied knowing his location.

Levinson's case was aggressively pursued, officials said, adding that Iran has committed to continue cooperating in trying to determine Levinson's whereabouts.

The exchange also didn't cover Siamak Namazi, an Iranian-American businessman who advocated better ties between Iran and the U.S. He was thought to have been arrested in October.

According to the official IRNA news agency, the seven freed Iranians are Nader Modanlo, Bahram Mechanic, Khosrow Afghahi, Arash Ghahraman, Tooraj Faridi, Nima Golestaneh and Ali Saboonchi. It didn't provide any further details.

The lawyer for Mechanic, who has been jailed since his indictment last April on charges of illegally exporting microelectronics technology to Iran, said his client was "elated" to be pardoned.

"He's been incarcerated for nine months for a crime that he's just accused of but did not commit," said lawyer Joel Androphy. "To me, it's just an injustice. You would expect this in some third-world country, not the United States." The Justice Department uses the spelling of 'Mechanic' in court filings.

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Dareini reported from Tehran, Iran; Lee reported from Washington. Darlene Superville, Donna Cassata and Eric Tucker in Washington, Amy Anthony in Providence, Rhode Island, Adam Schreck in Dubai and George Jahn in Vienna contributed to this report.

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This story has been corrected with the proper spellings of Mechanic, Khosravi-Roodsari and Trevithick.

FILE - In this Tuesday, Dec. 27, 2011 video frame grab image made from the Iranian broadcaster IRIB TV, U.S. citizen Amir Mirzaei Hekmati, accused by Iran of spying for the CIA, sits in Tehran's revolutionary court, in Iran. Iran state television has reported that the government has released several dual-national prisoners. The Associated Press has confirmed that three of them were Washington Post reporter Jason Rezaian, former U.S. Marine Amir Hekmati and pastor Saeed Abedini. (AP Photo/IRIB, File) IRAN OUT TV OUT
GE's unplugging leaves many unsettled in Connecticut town

FAIRFIELD, Conn. (AP)  It's not just the loss of loyal customers that worries jeweler Howard Diamond, or the extra tax burden that businesses like his may have to carry as General Electric pulls the plug on Fairfield. As he approaches retirement and thinks about selling his home in town, he also fears an exodus of GE employees driving down real estate values.

"You feel badly for yourself, but you feel badly for everybody else, too," said Diamond, an owner of Fairfield Center Jewelers.

With average household incomes far exceeding $100,000, Fairfield has enough going for it to weather the change. But GE's departure has many in the town of 60,000 people and other nearby shoreline communities fretting over the loss of revenue, charitable spending, and the prestige that comes with being home to a storied, $130 billion company.

FILE - In this Jan. 14, 2016 file photo, the GE logo adorns a sign on the General Electric Co., corporate headquarters campus in Fairfield, Conn. General Electric announced Wednesday it will move its headquarters from Fairfield to the Seaport District of Boston. General Electrics relocation has many in Fairfield fretting over the loss of tax revenue, charitable spending, and the prestige that comes with being home to a $130 billion company. (AP Photo/Michael Melia, File)

GE announced this week it will move its global headquarters to Boston and leave behind its sprawling campus in a rural area of Fairfield, where it employs 800 people. The move is expected to occur in stages and be completed in 2018.

The company is the town's biggest payer of property taxes, at $1.6 million annually, and the income tax on company salaries boosts towns up and down Connecticut's Gold Coast. But Fairfield First Selectman Michael Tetreau said the impact goes deeper.

"It's definitely a hit on our community. Not just the economy, but the community," said Tetreau, who counts friends among the GE employees. "These are people who have been very involved."

GE employees hold seats on boards of charities across Fairfield County, and the GE Foundation has given millions to local schools and other causes. After the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre in nearby Newtown, GE lent the services of several executives to help the town manage the aftermath and gave a $15 million gift.

Tetreau plans to meet next week with GE to discuss how to minimize the impact on Fairfield. There is hope another large employer will eventually buy the GE property. To overcome the blow to Fairfield's image in the meantime, he said he expects the town will also mount a campaign to emphasize the town's benefits, including strong schools for employees with families.

Several people interviewed in town had angry words for elected leaders, looking to cast blame. It was dissatisfaction with proposed state business taxes that led GE to announce in June that it was exploring a move, although the company said this week that it began evaluating its headquarters location three years ago.

Candace Adams, president of Berkshire Hathaway Services New England, said she expects houses that come onto the market will be absorbed without major disruptions. The biggest hit, she said, is likely be the psychological impact on buyers in a region where GE has been part of the civic fabric so long.

Diamond, the jeweler, said Fairfield will be fine in the long run. In 1974, when his uncle was among the business leaders involved in the push to bring GE from New York City, he said the big concern was traffic. Nobody talks about that anymore, and he said the town will adapt to this, too.

"There will be an adjustment period," he said.

In this Thursday, Jan. 14, 2016 photo, Howard Diamond, an owner of Fairfield Center Jewelers, stands inside his store in Fairfield, Conn. Diamond is among those in town who are worried about the impact the city will suffer when General Electric moves its headquarters from Fairfield to Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Melia)
In Flint, Michigan, daily life revolves around lead fears

FLINT, Mich. (AP)  The longest line at Freeman Elementary School's Family Fun Night was not for face painting or food. It was for lead testing.

For three months, families in the former auto manufacturing hub of Flint have taken their children for blood tests and lived on bottled water after doctors found high levels of lead in the bodies of the community's youngest people.

"It really is a scary situation to know that we can't get clean drinking water," said Sherri Miller, who brought her first-grade son, Jameer, to have a finger-prick blood sample tested. "It really is scary to think someone knew about this" and did nothing.

In a photo from Jan. 2, 2016, Rabecka Cordell picks up a case of bottled water outside the fire station in Flint, Mich. We both have lead poisoning, said Cordell, who learned that two weeks ago from her doctor. She says she has leukemia and her son has learning and speech disabilities. She will not even bathe in Flint water and wont wash her son in it. (AP Photo/Roger Schneider)

Nearly two years have passed since safe drinking water flowed from Flint faucets. The financially troubled city began drawing its water from the Flint River in 2014 to save money. Officials failed to treat the corrosive water properly to prevent metal leaching from old pipes. Worse, residents didn't learn they were drinking tainted water until the state issued warnings a year and a half after the switch was made.

For the city's 100,000 residents, daily life is now all about lead.

Before the crisis, Flint, about an hour's drive north of Detroit, had become a symbol of the decline of the U.S. auto industry, having suffered waves of auto plant layoffs and the loss of half its population. Forty-one percent of the population falls below the poverty line.

These days, it's a place where parents fear for the health of young children, who can develop learning disabilities and behavior problems from lead exposure.

"It has such damning, lifelong and generational consequences," said Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha, director of pediatric residency at Hurley Children's Hospital, where more than 2,000 children have been tested. She is credited with bringing the problem to the public's attention after state agencies initially dismissed her concerns.

"It was frustrating that it went on for so long," Hanna-Attisha said, complaining that even since the state began taking action, "everything has been slow."

Gov. Rick Snyder finally acknowledged in late September that the water was unsafe, saying the consequences of switching to Flint River water were not "fully understood." The decision to use the river was made while a Snyder-appointed emergency manager was running city government.

The city, which had been under state supervision since 2011, returned to local control last April.

Flint went back to Detroit water in October, but some fear the old pipes were so damaged that they must be replaced, at costs estimated as high as $1.5 billion.

On Monday, Snyder apologized to Flint and pledged that officials would contact every household to ensure families have bottled water and a filter and to check whether they want to be tested for lead exposure.

He also promised to seek a long-term solution.

"This is a crisis," the governor said. "So we're responding appropriately. There's more work to be done."

Snyder's many critics got louder at midweek, when the governor announced that two spikes in Legionnaires' disease had occurred in the county that includes Flint during the time Flint River water was used. Ten people died. Michigan health officials said they cannot conclude that the outbreak stemmed from Flint's water, but others argued it probably had.

Late Thursday, Snyder asked President Barack Obama to issue a federal disaster declaration in an effort to get federal aid, a move critics countered should have been taken sooner. The president signed an emergency declaration on Saturday and ordered federal aid for the city.

After Snyder declared a state of emergency Jan. 5, residents could go to fire stations to pick up a daily ration of one case of bottled water per household and a water filter. But even that effort fell short.

The following Monday, a pile of empty filter boxes was stacked against the wall at one station. One woman came back three times in the hope of getting one. Hours later, even the water was gone after volunteers had given out almost 900 cases. And the fire station had not received any of the lead test kits that had been promised.

Volunteers also began going door-to-door to distribute water. Snyder called on the National Guard to help.

For angry residents, it's still not enough.

"The state was telling everybody, 'It's fine, relax. ... It's safe,'" even as people complained that the water looked cloudy and tasted bad, said community activist Melissa Mays. "They lied."

Mays, her husband and three sons ages 11, 12 and 17 are taking medication to reduce high lead and other heavy metal levels in their blood.

"Like everybody else, we drank and cooked with it because they told us it was safe," she said.

Rabecka Cordell said she learned from her doctor that both she and her 5-year-old son, Dayne, have lead poisoning. She said she also has leukemia, and her son has learning and speech disabilities.

She won't even bathe in the water and won't wash her son in it.

"It's ridiculous," Cordell said.

At the elementary school's lead testing on Tuesday, more than 50 kids lined up. One was fifth-grader Maleah Gill.

"You wonder how long has it been in her system?" said her father, Matt Gill. "How much has she taken in? What's the effects?

Hurley Children's Hospital is distributing 10,000 booklets on mitigating the effects of lead on children, including recipes high in iron, calcium and vitamin C. Adding to the challenge is that there are few grocers with fresh produce within Flint city limits. At a local farmers market, the hospital offers weekly recipe and cooking demonstrations with lead in mind. The first one was hearty egg burritos.

Nutrition "has a huge mitigating role," Hanna-Attisha said.

She urged parents to consult early and often with a pediatrician.

In consultations, the doctor said, "we need to give families hope that with secondary prevention interventions, not every kid is going to have problems."

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Follow Roger Schneider on Twitter at https://twitter.com/rogschneider.
Lawyer: African to stay jailed in American's slaying

ROME (AP)  An Italian judge on Saturday upheld the arrest of a Senegalese man jailed in the slaying of an American woman, the suspect's lawyer said.

The judge questioned Cheik Tidiane Diaw, suspected of killing Ashley Olsen, at a closed-door hearing earlier in Florence to determine if he should stay in jail. The lawyer, Antonio Voce, said Judge Matteo Zanobini ruled that Diaw should remain behind bars.

While prosecutors have accused Diaw of aggravated homicide, no formal charges have been lodged.

The wooden casket carrying the remains of Ashley Olsen, 35, is brought into the Santo Spirito basilica during her funeral service in Florence, Italy, Friday, Jan. 15, 2016. Prosecutors say she was killed by a Senegalese man, Cheik Tidiane Diaw, she met at a disco, after a night of cocaine-fueled sex followed by a fight. (AP Photo/Fabrizio Giovannozzi)

Olsen, 35, originally from Florida, was found dead in her apartment on Jan. 9 after her Italian boyfriend, an artist in Florence, became alarmed when he hadn't heard from her and asked the apartment's owner to let him inside to check.

An autopsy determined she had been strangled a day earlier and also suffered skull fractures. According to witnesses, Olsen and Diaw met at a Florence nightclub a few hours before the attack.

Prosecutors said surveillance video cameras along the route showed the two walked together toward her apartment. They also told reporters that Olsen and Diaw weren't very lucid since they had consumed alcohol and likely other substances. Investigators said the woman was slain after the two had sex, which the prosecutors described as consensual. Lab analyses following last week's autopsy are expected to determine exactly what substances Olsen had consumed.

Voce said Diaw has told investigators that he and Olsen consumed "a lot of cocaine and a lot of alcohol."

Speaking by telephone from Florence, the lawyer also said his client Diaw told the judge at the hearing that he used Olsen's telephone to try to call for help. Investigators have said Diaw took the woman's phone with him when he left the apartment.

According to the lawyer, Diaw denies strangling Olsen, contending he pushed her to the floor twice after she shoved him in what he described as humiliating attempt to make him leave the apartment after sex. Voce says Diaw has also maintained that Olsen was alive when he left the house in a taxi.

Police arrested him after finding traces of his DNA on a condom and cigarette butt in the apartment. Diaw, 27, was living at his brother's flat in Florence and had work giving out publicity flyers about the city's nightclubs.

Olsen's funeral was held Friday in Florence. Her burial had to be in Italy, because the murder probe is still in progress.
Rethinking solitary: National prisons group pushes changes

ST. CLAIRSVILLE, Ohio (AP)  As states rethink the use of solitary confinement to punish unruly inmates, a prisons oversight group is reshaping national accreditation standards to ease such procedures.

Proposals range from mandatory health care visits and mental illness treatment for inmates in segregation to more time out of cells for recreation and education.

"The punishment that we give to Americans is deprivation of their liberty, but it doesn't mean that we try to punish them more while their liberty is deprived," said James Gondles, executive director of the American Correctional Association.

In this Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2015 photo, Michele Miller, warden of Belmont Correctional Institution in St. Clairsville, Ohio, discusses efforts to ease the harsh nature of solitary confinement, while sitting in a converted office used for classes for inmates confined to solitary but allowed out for extended periods of time, in St. Clairsville, Ohio. Miller says a change in philosophy dealing with solitary confinement has led to a decline in inmates returning to the segregated cells. (AP Photo/Andrew Welsh-Huggins)

In Michigan, the state's 7-year-old Incentives in Segregation program has led to reductions in misbehavior by inmates whose good behavior is rewarded with privileges in a step system.

Last month, New York prison officials agreed to overhaul their use of solitary confinement, offering a broad slate of reforms aimed at reducing the number of inmates sent to "the box." In September, California said it would end its unlimited isolation of imprisoned gang leaders, restricting a practice that once kept hundreds of inmates in notorious segregation units for a decade or longer.

Also in September, the Association of State Correctional Administrators issued a report calling prolonged isolation of inmates in jails and prisons "a grave problem in the United States."

Critics of rigid solitary confinement say it's a dehumanizing form of punishment that increases inmates' anxiety and anger, strips them of social contact necessary to interact safely with others, and makes it harder for inmates to integrate back into the general prison population and, upon release, society.

Inmates sent to solitary should be prisoners "we're afraid of, not mad at," said Gary Mohr, director of the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction.

Mohr and Rick Raemisch, the Colorado prisons director, are developing the new American Correctional Association standards based on changes they're pushing at home.

A 2014 Colorado law bans the placement of inmates with serious mental illnesses in solitary confinement. That law was enacted after the fatal 2013 shooting of Tom Clements, then the state's prisons director, by a former inmate who had been released after spending much of his sentence in solitary confinement.

Ex-Ohio inmate Johnny Hairston says anything is better than the traditional approach to segregation.

Hairston, 59, said he spent many days "in the hole" during 15 years in and out of several Ohio prisons on drug trafficking, forgery and robbery charges. Usually he was sent down for fighting, he says.

"I'd always identify myself as the animal," said Hairston, now a security guard at a Columbus social services agency. "Once you go to the hole, it's like becoming that animal that people go to the zoo to see."

At Belmont Correctional Institution in eastern Ohio, the state is looking at alternatives to the old concept of solitary as "the jail within the jail."

In the past, inmates caught using drugs could wait weeks before learning whether they'd end up in solitary. Once there, they stayed in small cells for 23 hours a day with a short break spent in only a slightly bigger holding area for bare-bones recreation like using a pull-up bar. Inmates often just spent their time talking to fellow solitary prisoners.

Today, a streamlined system removes such rule breakers from the general prison population much faster. And instead of ending up in a tiny cell with no privileges, they're housed in a separate, dormitory-style wing and given the chance to take substance abuse programs and other classes. A 90-day sentence can be reduced by a month if inmates accept the educational opportunities.

Inmates sent to solitary for bigger offenses, like fighting, are still housed in traditional solitary cells but are also given access to classes and counseling out of their cells  unheard of in the past. Ohio is testing the idea of enhanced solitary at a few other prisons around the state.

The change in philosophy has led to a decline in inmates returning to segregation, Belmont warden Michele Miller said.

"When you let them back out, it was kind of a crap shoot on whether they were going to violate rules again or not, because we had taken all pro-social activity away from them in segregation," she said.

The American Correctional Association will take testimony on new, more lenient solitary standards at its national conference in New Orleans beginning Friday, with final ratification expected by August, Gondles said.

The goal is preventing new victims of crime by focusing on inmate rehabilitation, including their time in solitary, Raemisch said.

"I don't see my mission as punishing someone once they get to prison," he said. "Anybody that's been through a prison knows just being there is punishment enough."

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Andrew Welsh-Huggins can be reached on Twitter at https://twitter.com/awhcolumbus. His work can be found at http://bigstory.ap.org/content/andrew-welsh-huggins

In this Friday, Dec. 18, 2015 photo, Johnny Hairston, an ex-Ohio offender who served several years in prison, discusses his stints in solitary confinement for fighting and other rule breaking in Columbus, Ohio. Hairston, now a security guard at a social outreach center, described the experience of solitary as equivalent to an animal on display in a zoo. As states rethink the use of solitary confinement to punish unruly inmates, the American Correctional Association is reshaping national accreditation standards to ease such procedures. (AP Photo/Andrew Welsh-Huggins)
Kansas' uncertain state finances weighs on some lawmakers

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP)  Already frustrated by Kansas frequently overshooting how much money the state will bring in month to month, state Sen. Jim Denning was anything but comforted by fellow Republican Gov. Sam Brownback's latest budget plan and the widening gap it looks to fill.

Unveiled Wednesday to the Republican-dominated Legislature, the spending blueprint for the fiscal year that begins in July projects a $190 million hole  something Brownback believes can be patched by such things as juggling state funds and selling off assets of a soon-to-be-privatized state agency.

It isn't a unique crisis  Illinois' budget gap is said to be anywhere from $5 billion to $8 billion and Oklahoma is at about $900 million for the coming fiscal year.

In this Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2016 photo,Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback delivers his State of the State address to a joint session of the legislature in Topeka, Kan. Repeated misses in Kansas' monthly revenue projections has clouded the state's ability to balance budgets, and some lawmakers are thinking the process could use reform. (AP Photo/Orlin Wagner)

Kansas' budget woes began after the Legislature got on board with Brownback's plan to slash personal income taxes in 2012 and 2013 in hopes of stoking the economy. But in this election year, discontent among Kansas lawmakers, some of whom voted for those tax cuts, isn't hard to find.

"I'm not comfortable with the present situation," Denning, the second in command of the Senate Ways and Means Committee, told The Associated Press after a hearing in which state budget director Shawn Sullivan outlined Brownback's fiscal recommendations. "We're walking a tightrope without a safety net."

Kansas' official financial forecast is drafted every six months by Department of Revenue officials, Sullivan and members of his staff, researchers and economists from three state universities. But with the dozens of changes made to state tax laws since 2012, some critics contend that makes tax collections more volatile and harder to predict.

"It's a bit like predicting the weather, and it's hard to get it perfect," said Duane Goossen, who served as Kansas' budget director for 13 years under GOP and Democratic governors before Brownback took office in 2011.

While states prefer having reserves to use for month-to-month shortfalls, Kansas doesn't have any money in the bank, "and I think that's why you're seeing frustration from legislators," added Goossen, a vocal Brownback critic now serving as a senior fellow at the nonpartisan Kansas Center for Economic Growth. "They have no flexibility."

All told, the state's monthly tax collections failed to meet expectations in 17 of the 24 months in fiscal years 2014 and 2015. Tax receipts missed projections for all but two months of last year. Lawmakers weary of revenue forecasts that are frequently proven overly optimistic point to 2014, when wild swings dominated the first six months  exceeding expectations by a combined $127 million at first, then followed by three months that came up a total of $333 million short of expectations.

As a result, the state slashed its projections in November 2014, April 2015 and last November. For the looming fiscal year, the downward revision in tax collections was $186 million.

Democrats and some Republicans argue the financial problems show that Brownback's tax-cutting experiment has failed. That crowd includes Republican Sen. Carolyn McGinn, who said Friday that she reluctantly voted for the cuts to support Brownback and believed lawmakers would get the chance to fine-tune the measure after it passed.

McGinn, who's from Sedgwick in south-central Kansas, said she wanted a phased-in approach to the tax cuts "rather than jumping off the cliff without a parachute," but said "all we've done is tax shifting." Lawmakers preserved most of the income tax cuts last year but raised sales and cigarette taxes.

"We were doing well before all of this," she said. "We were going through a recession like every other state. But we're not coming out like the others."

Brownback didn't talk about the budget during his State of the State speech, presenting his budget plan a day later. He has said national forces, including soft to no growth in key Kansas industries such as aviation, agriculture and energy production, have prevented the state from expanding as much as hoped.

Republican Sen. Jeff Melcher of Leawood wondered aloud during the recent budget hearing whether the state's revenue-estimating process could be improved, perhaps by bringing in outsiders to help with financial modeling.

"I kind of look at this budget as a Plan B in the event that everything works out well," Melcher said, pressing the need for an alternate spending plan "based on the history of what we see and anticipating that history is not going to change dramatically."

Sullivan suggested there may be room for that and promised to study it and get back to lawmakers, all of whom are up for election this year. Democrats hope to pick up seats in each chamber by making Brownback and the budget problems the main issue.

"We're in a very uncertain time," added Denning, who represents the Kansas City suburb of Overland Park, "and it's happening on our watch."
Autopsy: US woman found dead in Belize was strangled

BELIZE CITY, Belize (AP)  An autopsy on the body of a U.S. tourist found dead in western Belize has determined that she was strangled to death.

Anne Swaney, 39, died from "asphyxia due to compression of the neck area, throttling and blunt force traumatic injuries to the head and neck," according to the post-mortem report prepared by Dr. Leyden Ken on Friday night.

Swaney worked for ABC-Channel 7 in Chicago. Her body was discovered Friday morning floating face-down in the Mopan River, which flows into Belize from Guatemala.

Police in the border town of Benque Viejo del Carmen were questioning an unidentified Guatemalan national, who was fishing in the area but denied any involvement in her death.

"We currently have him in custody and we will be pursuing an interview for him to give account of himself," Superintendent Daniel Arzu told local TV news.

Swaney was vacationing at the Nabitunich resort in the Cayo district when she was reported missing Thursday.

Police say members of a tour group she should have been part of returned to the resort and couldn't find her.

Her belongings were later found on a deck by the riverside where she had gone to do yoga exercises.

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A look at the dual-national prisoners released by Iran

WASHINGTON (AP)  The Iranian government has released four dual-national prisoners: Washington Post reporter Jason Rezaian, former U.S. Marine Amir Hekmati, pastor Saeed Abedini and Nosratollah Khosravi-Roodsari, whose name had not been previously made public. A fifth American detained in Iran, Matthew Trevithick, was released in a move unrelated to the swap, U.S. officials said.

A look at the four:

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FILE - In this June 2, 2015 file photo, Naghmeh Abedini holds a necklace with a photograph of her husband, Saeed Abedini, on Capitol Hill in Washington. Iran state television has reported that the government has released several dual-national prisoners. The Associated Press has confirmed that three of them were Washington Post reporter Jason Rezaian, former U.S. Marine Amir Hekmati and pastor Saeed Abedini. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, File)

Jason Rezaian, a reporter with The Washington Post, has been detained since July 2014 when Iranian security forces raided his home and seized his wife and him.

Rezaian, who was born in California and holds both U.S. and Iranian citizenship, was convicted in closed proceedings last year after being charged with espionage and related allegations. The length of his sentence has not been disclosed. The Post and the U.S. government have denied the accusations, as has Rezaian. His wife, Yeganeh Salehi, was released on bail in October 2014. Rezaian was the Post's Tehran correspondent and was accredited to work in the country by the Iranian government.

Rezaian, who has covered Iran for the Post since 2012, grew up in Marin County, California, and spent most of his life in the United States. The Post, U.S. officials and Rezaian's family have all called for his release.

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Former U.S. Marine Amir Hekmati of Flint, Michigan, was detained in August 2011 on espionage charges. His family says he has lost significant weight and has trouble breathing, raising fears he could contract tuberculosis. Hekmati says he went to Iran to visit family and spend time with his ailing grandmother. After his arrest, family members say they were told to keep the matter quiet.

He was convicted of spying and sentenced to death in 2012. After a higher court ordered a retrial, he was sentenced in 2014 to 10 years on a lesser charge.

His sister, Sarah, has said her brother renounces his dual Iranian citizenship and vows never to return to Iran if he's allowed to leave. He made the comments in a letter he dictated to his mother by phone.

"It has become very clear to me that those responsible view Iranian-Americans not as citizens or even human beings, but as bargaining chips and tools for propaganda," he wrote in the letter sent to the State Department's Iranian interest section in Washington.

"Considering how little value the Ministry of Intelligence places on my Iranian citizenship and passport, I, too, place little value on them and inform you, effectively that I formally renounce my Iranian citizenship and passport."

Hekmati was born in Arizona and raised in Michigan. He and his family deny any wrongdoing, and say his imprisonment has included physical and mental torture and long periods of solitary confinement in a tiny cell.

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Pastor Saeed Abedini of Boise, Idaho, was detained for compromising national security, presumably because of Christian proselytizing, in September 2012. He was sentenced in 2013 to eight years in prison. President Barack Obama met his wife and children in 2015. There are claims he was beaten in Iranian prison. Abedini was previously arrested in 2009 and released after promising to stop organizing churches in homes. At the time of his arrest, he was running an orphanage in Iran.

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The fourth is Nosratollah Khosravi-Roodsari, whose name had not been previously made public.

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Matthew Trevithick, a student, was released after 40 days of detention at Evin Prison in Tehran, according to a statement from his parents. Trevithick had traveled to Iran in September for a four-month, intensive language program at the Dehkhoda Institute, a language center affiliated with Tehran University.

He is co-founder of a research center based in Turkey that assesses the humanitarian crisis in the area. Trevithick took a leave of absence from the center in September to focus on increasing his fluency in Dari, a language closed related to Farsi. His parents said he learned the language while living in Afghanistan for four years. U.S. officials said he was released earlier and was already on his way home, while the four in the negotiated swap were still in Iran on Sunday as work progressed to get them on a plane.

FILE - In this Tuesday, Dec. 27, 2011 video frame grab image made from the Iranian broadcaster IRIB TV, U.S. citizen Amir Mirzaei Hekmati, accused by Iran of spying for the CIA, sits in Tehran's revolutionary court, in Iran. Iran state television has reported that the government has released several dual-national prisoners. The Associated Press has confirmed that three of them were Washington Post reporter Jason Rezaian, former U.S. Marine Amir Hekmati and pastor Saeed Abedini. (AP Photo/IRIB, File) IRAN OUT TV OUT
Czechs honor student who burned himself to death in 1968

PRAGUE (AP)  A memorial has been unveiled in Prague to honor a Charles University student who burned himself to death to protest the 1968 Soviet-led invasion of what was then Czechoslovakia.

Jan Palach set himself ablaze at Wenceslas Square in Prague on Jan. 16, 1969, almost five months after the armies of five Warsaw Pact countries crushed the liberal reforms known as the Prague Spring. He died three days later.

The brutal crackdown turned Czechoslovakia into a hard-line Communist regime, a political era that ended only after the 1989 Velvet Revolution led by Vaclav Havel.

People attend unveiling of an memorial to honor a Charles University student Jan Palach who set himself ablaze to protest the 1968 Soviet-led invasion of what was then Czechoslovakia in Prague, Czech Republic, Saturday, Jan. 16, 2016. Palach set himself on fire at downtown Wenceslas Square on Jan 16, 1969. Two monumental pieces designed by U.S. architect John Hejduk, one dedicated to Palach, the other to his mother, are placed near the Faculty of Arts where he studied. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

Two pieces designed by U.S. architect John Hejduk and dedicated to Palach and his mother were unveiled Saturday near the Faculty of Arts where Palach studied. Each is a big cube with spikes representing flames on top.
Poland's defense chief: We want constant NATO, US presence

WARSAW, Poland (AP)  Poland's defense minister says his country wants to have permanent NATO and U.S. troops' presence to ward off security threats.

Poland's security concerns have been raised by the armed conflict in neighboring Ukraine and by the role that another neighbor, Russia, has in it.

Minister Antoni Macierewicz said Saturday the goal of Poland's new conservative government is to have a "lasting presence of NATO and American troops and a permanent air defense." Standing alongside U.S. Ambassador Paul W. Jones, Macierewicz said talks are underway concerning the U.S. Patriot system.

Macierewicz spoke following a Polish-U.S. missile defense exercise at a test range in Skwierzyna in western Poland.
Louis C.K. still mulling future of 'Louie'

PASADENA, Calif. (AP)  A roundup of news Saturday from the Television Critics Association winter meeting, at which TV networks and streaming services are presenting details on upcoming programs.

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LOUIE'S FUTURE

FILE - In a Sunday, Sept. 20, 2015 file photo, Tracy Morgan presents the award for outstanding drama series at the 67th Primetime Emmy Awards, at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. Morgan may soon be returning to regular television work at the FX network.FX announced that Morgan will develop and star in a comedy pilot about a career criminal trying to make it back into society after 15 years in prison. Morgan, the former "30 Rock" and "Saturday Night Live" comic, was seriously hurt in a New Jersey highway crash in June 2014. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

A return of the comedy "Louie" is a mystery at the FX network.

Louis C.K., creator of the series that is a fictional look at his life, said he didn't know when or if there will be more episodes. He's producing four other programs, one of which, "Baskets," premieres on FX next Thursday. "Louie" may be the type of series that reappears periodically over a long period of time, said John Landgraf, CEO of the FX Networks.

When asked how often he thinks about working on "Louie," Louis C.K. answered, "every 48 days."

"Where are you in the cycle?" asked fellow comic Louie Anderson, appearing with him at a news conference for "Baskets."

"It just started at zero," Louis C.K. answered.

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ANDERSON IN DRAG

Veteran comic Louie Anderson appears in an unusual role in the new FX comedy "Baskets"  as star Zach Galifianakis' mother.

Co-producer Louis C.K. said it was a spur-of-the-moment decision, when he thought of Anderson's voice when discussing casting for Galifianakis' mother. He called Anderson and there was no hesitation.

"I'm playing this as a mom," said Anderson, who wears lipstick and an understated blouse in the comedy's first episode. "I really used my mom as the base of it and added mean people I've met throughout my life."

Louis C.K. said it never felt to him like Anderson's casting was a stunt. "It was just that he felt like Zach's mother," he said.

"My mom's going to love that," Galifianakis said.

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COMPETITIVE FIRE

Is the pressure of competing with streaming services beginning to get under the skin of John Landgraf, CEO of the FX Networks?

Landgraf, who launched a discussion within the television industry last summer by suggesting that there are too many original programs being made for most consumers to get a grip on, noted that Netflix has offered some 55 adult-oriented series and appears to have deeper pockets than many traditional TV competitors.

Landgraf's successful boutique network lost bidding wars to Netflix for the recent series "Master of None" and "The Crown."

"If I had 55 at-bats over three years, don't you think we'd come out with some pretty good television?" he said. "You just accept the realities of the competitive environment that we're in."

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MORGAN'S RETURN

Tracy Morgan may soon be returning to regular television work at the FX network.

FX announced that Morgan will develop and star in a comedy pilot about a career criminal trying to make it back into society after 15 years in prison. Jordan Peele of Comedy Central's "Key and Peele" is a co-writer of the show's pilot.

Morgan, the former "30 Rock" and "Saturday Night Live" comic, was seriously hurt in a New Jersey highway crash in June 2014 and has been getting back to work in recent months after a long recuperation.

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FALK'S BABY

Screenwriter Stephen Falk may have some explaining to do at home.

The creator of the FX series "You're the Worst" was asked how he finds the time to juggle that work with other producing jobs, such as on Netflix's "Orange is the New Black." He explained that "You're the Worst" was his center of attention, his baby. Then he quickly caught himself.
Rubio jabs Republican leaders: Anger not enough

JOHNSTON, Iowa (AP)  In a swipe at the his party's front-runners, Republican White House hopeful Marco Rubio charged Saturday that anger alone isn't enough to qualify someone to be president.

"We also have to have someone for president who knows exactly what they're going to do when they get there," the Florida senator said, as he courted Iowa voters ahead of the state's Feb. 1 caucuses.

Rubio called out leading candidates, real-estate mogul Donald Trump and Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, by name during a town hall-style meeting in Johnston, Iowa, the first of four scheduled campaign appearances Saturday. Trump and Cruz are surging in the polls, in part, by successfully tapping into conservative anger about the direction of the country.

Republican presidential candidate, Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla. waits at the side of the stage while being introduced, before speaking at a campaign stop in Council Bluffs, Iowa, Saturday, Jan. 16, 2016. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik)

In a debate this week, Trump declared that he "gladly" accepted "the mantle of anger."

"Obviously, I share the frustration that others have about the future of our country and where it's headed. But I'm going to detail exactly what we're going to do about it," Rubio said. "Donald hasn't done that, whether it's on national security or on the other issues. I think that's a huge difference."

At a campaign stop in Council Bluffs, Rubio said Trump's mantra, "We're gonna make America great," shouldn't be enough to win voters' support.

"How?" Rubio asked. "You deserve to know that."

Rubio also condemned Senate colleague Cruz for supporting federal budgets that would decrease defense spending and for proposing a "European-style" value-added tax. Cruz's tax plan, in particular, would "really hurt seniors," Rubio said.

And repeating criticism he outlined in Thursday's debate, Rubio likened New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie's policies to those of President Barack Obama. The Florida senator accused Christie of supporting Common Core education standards, gun control and the Supreme Court nomination of Sonia Sotomayor.

"I would never support someone like that to the Supreme Court," Rubio charged.

Christie has disputed the assertion that he backed Sotomayor, but in 2009 Christie said, "I support her appointment to the Supreme Court and urge the Senate to keep politics out of the process and confirm her nomination."

Rubio promised to avoid personal attacks in the days leading up to the Iowa caucuses, but would continue to outline policy differences between his Republican rivals.

"These are policy differences," he said. "We're all going to be on the same team soon enough."

Rubio has been criticized for not spending as much time on the ground in early voting states as some of his Republican competitors. He chartered a private plane to make four stops on Saturday and another five on Monday.

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Follow Steve Peoples on Twitter at https://twitter.com/sppeoples.

Republican presidential candidate, Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla. listens to a question from the crowd during a rally, Saturday, Jan. 16, 2016, in Johnston, Iowa. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Republican presidential candidate, Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., center, shakes hands with supporters as he arrives for a rally, Saturday, Jan. 16, 2016, in Johnston, Iowa. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Launch set for US-European ocean-monitoring satellite

LOS ANGELES (AP)  The latest in a series of U.S.-European satellites designed to detect and measure ocean phenomena like El Nino is scheduled for launch this weekend aboard a SpaceX rocket that will attempt to land its discarded first stage on a floating barge.

If the launch is successful, the Jason-3 satellite would continue an unbroken record of more than two decades of sea level measurements from orbit. Liftoff from Vandenberg Air Force Base, northwest of Los Angeles, was planned for a 30-second window at 10:42 a.m. PST Sunday, with a backup opportunity on Monday.

Air Force meteorologists predicted 100 percent favorable weather for the launch, NASA said.

This undated artist rendering provided by NASA shows the Jason-3 satellite. The latest in a series of U.S.-European satellites designed to detect ocean events like El Nino is scheduled for launch Sunday, Jan. 17, from California. If successful, the Jason 3 satellite will continue more than two decades of sea level measurements. (NASA via AP)

As the current El Nino in the eastern Pacific has strengthened, Jason-3 has been stuck on the ground. Jason-3's launch was originally scheduled for August 2015 aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. However, the launch was postponed after a different Falcon 9 rocket failed during a supply mission to the International Space Station in June. After correcting the problem, a successful launch last month restored Falcon 9s to flight status.

Like its three predecessors, Jason-3 is equipped with radar altimeter to bounce microwave energy off the ocean and a GPS system to identify the satellite's precise location. Timing of how long it takes the signal to return indicates sea level height, which rises or falls depending on the temperature of the water.

The data collected can detect the weather-altering El Nino condition and its opposite, La Nina, and are most familiar to the public in images of the Pacific Ocean that use colors to illustrate variations in heat. Other pragmatic uses include measuring global sea level rise, and forecasting the strength of hurricanes, other severe weather and ocean conditions for the shipping industry and in response to oil spills.

"Jason allows us to get the big picture in terms of sea-level change in the years to come," said Laury Miller, Jason-3 program scientist.

Jason-3 is a project of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, NASA, the French space agency Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales, and the European Organization for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites. It was built by Thales Alenia of France.

Jason-3 will ultimately replace Jason-2, which has been in orbit since mid-2008 and has been tracking the current El Nino that experts say has tied the 1997-98 version as the strongest recorded and is expected to last through the winter before weakening in spring.

Despite being in its eighth year and only designed to last five, Jason-2 "is still in great shape," Jason-3 project scientist Josh Willis said. After being used to help calibrate the new satellite, Jason-2 will be moved to an orbit to study the shape of the sea floor.

The series of spacecraft began with Topex-Poseidon, which operated from 1992 to 2006. Topex, short for ocean surface topography experiment, revolutionized understanding of the role of ocean temperature on climate. Its successor, Jason-1, operated from 2001 until it was decommissioned in 2013.

Mission scientists emphasized at a prelaunch briefing that it is important to maintain an unbroken record of global sea level variation.

SpaceX will use the Jason-3 launch to again try to land a Falcon 9 first stage on an oceangoing barge, with the second stage and satellite continuing toward orbit. The Hawthorne, California, company hopes to reduce launch costs by reusing rockets rather than having them fall into the ocean.

Two previous attempts to land a rocket on a barge in the Atlantic failed, but last month SpaceX succeeded in returning a rocket to a vertical landing at Cape Canaveral, Florida, after putting a cluster of satellites into orbit.

Hans Koenigsmann, vice president of mission assurance for Space-X, said the current rocket would have been able to return to land but the company does not have environmental approval at Vandenberg yet.

Meteorologists predict swells of 10- to 13-feet where the barge will be waiting for the rocket landing attempt.

"The sea state is good for surfing and a little high for landing but we don't anticipate that that's going to be a major problem," said Koenigsmann. "I'm really hopeful. We had a really good landing last time."

The barge landing attempt would not be visible from shore because it will occur beyond the horizon, he said.
Activists: IS kills at least 135 in eastern Syria

BEIRUT (AP)  Islamic State militants on Saturday killed dozens of people, most of them pro-government militiamen, in wide-scale attacks on government-held areas of the eastern city of Deir el-Zour, opposition activists said.

The opposition activist group the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said at least 135 people were killed, at least 80 of them soldiers and pro-government militiamen and the rest civilians, in the attacks which saw the group make significant advances in the contested city.

The Islamic State group controls most of the province and provincial capital with the same name, while the government controls a few neighborhoods in the northern part of the city and the adjacent military airport. Most of the casualties took place in the area of Baghaliyeh near the northern tip of the city.

The state news agency SANA said IS militants committed "a massacre," killing dozens of civilians in Baghaliyeh village. It did not elaborate. The Lebanon-based Al-Mayadeen TV, which is close to the Syrian government, also reported a massacre and said IS killed 280 people, including women and children, and threw their bodies in the Euphrates River. It said the group took more than 400 civilians hostage.

The reports could not be independently confirmed.
England on the up, won't get ahead of themselves, says Cook

JOHANNESBURG (AP)  AB de Villiers said it: The stats do lie when it comes to how good this England test team is.

"Look, they're definitely not the No. 5 team in the world," the South Africa captain said. "They're much better than that. Hopefully, they won't get to No. 1."

That appears to be the direction the English are heading in though.

Englands bowler Ben Stokes, middle, celebrates with teammates after dismissing South Africas batsman Chris Morris, for one run on the third day of the third test cricket match at Wanderers stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa, Saturday, Jan. 16, 2016. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

Alastair Cook's side has enjoyed some eye-catching recent campaigns: Winning in India, regaining the Ashes, and now claiming a first series victory over South Africa in over a decade. And in South Africa.

"I generally don't look too far ahead," Cook said on Saturday after victory in the third test to take the series and topple the South Africans from No. 1. "I don't think this side looks too far ahead."

With South Africa rebuilding, the No. 1 test ranking is up for grabs.

But England's big recent results have instead come after setting smaller goals. A key part of England's success in South Africa was focusing on working out local conditions in the warmup games, according to Cook. Or working on becoming a better fielding team after dropping too many catches in the second test. The little things that come together.

Cook said England's recipe for success was "our attitude at training. Our attitude in thinking what we can do better, rather than thinking we are already there."

India, the new No. 1 after England's win in Johannesburg, the Proteas, Australia, and Pakistan are all ranked ahead of England.

Yet, England has a lineup that appears to have the potential to surpass them. There are match-winners like big-hitting allrounder Ben Stokes, who smashed a record-breaking double-century in the second test in South Africa, and quick bowler Stuart Broad, whose breathtaking spell of 6-17 off 12.1 overs on Saturday effectively decided the series.

Broad showed he's capable of repeated brilliance after his 8-15 off 9.3 overs against Australia last year. Add to that the batting consistency of Cook and Joe Root, and a batting order that runs very deep without affecting any of England's bowling threat. England has youth on its side, too. And a good team spirit, Cook said.

"It's a real privilege to lead this group at the moment because they are desperate to do well, enjoying each other's success," Cook said.

De Villiers also noticed England's potential.

"They've got a bright future by the looks of it. Lots of young players with lots of talent," he said. "It looks like they've got lots of maturity as well. Difficult to play against."

Englands captain Alastair Cook, during the match presentation on the third day of the third test cricket match between South Africa and England, at Wanderers stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa, Saturday, Jan. 16, 2016. England beat South Africa by 7 wickets. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

Englands bowler Stuart Broad, left, gestures after taking a second wicket, that of South Africas batsman Stiaan van Zyl, on the third day of the third test cricket match between South Africa and England, at Wanderers stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa, Saturday, Jan. 16, 2016. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

Englands bowler Stuart Broad, left, acknowledges the crowd and the teammates at the end of their innings for taking 6 wickets on the third day of the third test cricket match between South Africa and England, at Wanderers stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa, Saturday, Jan. 16, 2016. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

Englands bowler Stuart Broad, second from right, celebrates with teammates after dismissing South Africas batsman Hashim Amla, for five runs on the third day of the third test cricket match at Wanderers stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa, Saturday, Jan. 16, 2016. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)
Obama signs emergency order over Flint water

DETROIT (AP)  President Barack Obama signed an emergency declaration Saturday that clears the way for federal aid for Flint, Michigan, which is undergoing a drinking water crisis.

The White House also said the Federal Emergency Management Agency will coordinate all disaster relief efforts to "alleviate the hardship and suffering" on residents. FEMA has been authorized to provide water, filters, cartridges and other items for 90 days. Flint can get up to $5 million in direct funding, though the state must match 25 percent and more money can come through an act of Congress.

Republican Gov. Rick Snyder requested emergency and disaster declarations late Thursday, saying needs "far exceed the state's capability," and added that emergency measures could cost $41 million. Snyder said Saturday that Obama denied the disaster declaration request based on the legal requirement that such relief is intended for natural events, fires, floods or explosions. Despite the legal limitation, the governor is considering an appeal to exhaust "every opportunity to provide resources" for residents, Snyder spokesman Dave Murray said.

In this photo taken De. 18, 2015, President Barack Obama speaks during a news conference in the briefing room at the White House in Washington. On Saturday, Jan. 16, 2016, the president signed emergency declaration and ordered federal aid for Flint, Mich., authorizing the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Homeland Security Department to coordinate relief efforts. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

The tap water in Flint, population 99,000, became contaminated after the city switched from the Detroit water system to the Flint River while a pipeline to Lake Huron is under construction. The corrosive water lacked adequate treatment and caused lead to leach from old pipes in homes and schools.

Flint returned to the Detroit system in October after elevated lead levels were discovered in children, and could tap into the new pipeline by summer. But officials remain concerned that old pipes could continue to leach lead, to which exposure can cause behavior problems and learning disabilities in children as well as kidney ailments in adults.

The National Guard has been distributing free water, filters and other supplies, and FEMA workers already were providing logistical and technical support.

Democratic U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow said she will push for long-term resources, and U.S. Rep. Dan Kildee, also a Democrat, said residents "deserve every resource available to make sure they have safe water and are able to recover from this terrible man-made disaster created by the state."

The U.S. Justice Department is helping the Environmental Protection Agency investigate the matter, and state Attorney General Bill Schuette has opened his own probe, which could focus on whether environmental laws were broken or if there was official misconduct.

St. Clair Shores resident Terra Castro wipes away tears as she takes a moment to reflect on the state of emergency in Flint while dropping off more than 500 cases of bottled water with about 20 Detroit-based volunteers on Saturday, Jan. 16, 2016, at Mission of Hope on Flint, Mich.'s north side. President Barack Obama has signed an emergency declaration for Flint, Michigan, that clears the way for federal aid to the city undergoing a drinking water crisis. (Jake May/The Flint Journal-MLive.com via AP) LOCAL TELEVISION OUT; LOCAL INTERNET OUT; MANDATORY CREDIT
GOP candidates praise prisoner release, hit Obama on Iran

The release of four Americans detained by Iran won praise on Saturday from several Republicans running for president, along with condemnation of the Obama administration for its dealings with the Islamic Republic.

There were exceptions, with Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul saying he was pleased "our government did not sit idly by" as Iran held pastor Saeed Abedini, who was among those freed.

Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, meanwhile, warned the deal created an incentive for other governments around the world to take Americans hostage, even though just a few months ago he had urged Secretary of State John Kerry to "use every tool at your disposal" to free Americans held in Iran.

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks during a campaign stop, Saturday, Jan. 16, 2016, in Portsmouth, N.H. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

In return, the U.S. agreed to pardon or drop charges against seven Iranians  six of whom are dual U.S.-Iranian citizens  accused or convicted of violating U.S. sanctions.

Along with Abedini, those released include Washington Post reporter Jason Rezaian, former U.S. Marine Amir Hekmati and Nosratollah Khosravi-Roodsari, whose name had not been previously made public. Student Matthew Trevithick was also released in a move unrelated to the swap, U.S. officials said.

Here's a deeper look at what the candidates had to say on Saturday about the prisoner exchange.

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DONALD TRUMP

The Republican front-runner said while he's happy the prisoners are coming back, "it's a disgrace they've been there for so long."

"This should have been done three or four years ago," Trump told a crowd gathered at a car dealership on a snowy Saturday in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.

Trump said he would need to look into the details of the deal to free the prisoners, but he said his initial assessment was that it "doesn't sound too good."

"They get $150 billion, plus seven and we get four," said Trump, referring to the approximately $100 billion in Iranian assets that will be unfrozen as part of the Islamic Republic's nuclear deal with the U.S. and five other world powers.

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MARCO RUBIO

Florida Sen. Marco Rubio said that while he is happy for the freed Americans and their families, the U.S. "shouldn't be involved in swaps. This never should have happened."

"Governments are taking Americans hostage, because they believe they can gain concessions from this government under Barack Obama," Rubio said while campaigning in Iowa. "It's created an incentive for more people to do this in the future."

That's not the message Rubio was sending earlier this year, after the nuclear deal with Iran was announced.

In July, he wrote to Secretary of State John Kerry that it is "unacceptable that the United States has reached a final agreement with Iran while innocent Americans languish in the most brutal conditions of Iranian jail cells."

He went on to add, "These American citizens deserve to be released unconditionally, and I urge you to use every tool at your disposal to secure their freedom."

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JEB BUSH

Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush called the release "good news," but suggested the U.S. decision to release Iranian prisoners in exchange amounted to the latest example of "weakness" in the Obama administration's dealings with Iran.

"Let's take a step back here. The bigger issue is that we've legitimized a regime who shows no interest in actually moving toward the so-called community of nations," Bush told voters at a town hall in Amherst, New Hampshire.

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RAND PAUL

In a statement, the Kentucky senator praised Abedini as "an incredibly brave man for risking his life for his Christian beliefs."

Taking a different tack than several others in the Republican presidential race, Paul didn't use the release to condemn the Obama administration for its actions in brokering the nuclear deal with Iran.

Instead, he said, "I am pleased that our government did not sit idly by while an American citizen was persecuted abroad due to religious intolerance.

"The United States stands as a beacon of freedom and hope for those across the globe, and as such, we must continue to fight for the safe return of those wrongfully imprisoned abroad based on their religious beliefs."

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TED CRUZ

Speaking at a tea party convention in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, Texas Sen. Ted Cruz called the prisoner swap another sign of Obama's weakness on the world stage.

"I want to start by giving thanks ... but at the same time we've got to shake our heads at how it happened," Cruz said.

Cruz told the crowd that while Iran released a pastor and journalist, among others, the U.S. freed Iranians accused of violating sanctions and assisting the Tehran regime's nuclear ambitions.

"You'll notice the Obama administration announces the good news and then hides the bad news," Cruz said. "While we celebrate their return, this deal serves as piece of propaganda for both Iran and the Obama administration."

Republican presidential candidate, Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla. speaks at a campaign stop in Council Bluffs, Iowa, Saturday, Jan. 16, 2016. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik)

Republican presidential candidate, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush speaks during a campaign stop at Souhegan High School, Saturday, Jan. 16, 2016, in Amherst,NH (AP Photo/Jim Cole)
Welby says sorry to gays for 'hurt' caused by church

The Archbishop of Canterbury has apologised to the gay and lesbian community for the "hurt and pain" caused by the church.

The Most Rev Justin Welby said it was a "constant source of deep sadness" that people were persecuted because of their sexuality as he spoke after a meeting of Anglican leaders.

Mr Welby said facing protesters, particularly those from Africa, was a reminder of the "pain and suffering of many LGBTI people around the world".

Gay rights campaigners outside a press conference at Canterbury Cathedral in Kent

"For me it's a constant source of deep sadness, the number of people who are persecuted for their sexuality," he said.

"I don't have the right to speak for everyone. I wanted to take this opportunity...to say how sorry I am for the hurt and pain, in the past and present, the church has caused."

Mr Welby spoke after church leaders agreed to sanction the American branch of the Anglican Communion over its views on marriage and homosexuality.

The meeting of Anglican primates in Canterbury, Kent, reached an agreement on measures against the US Episcopal Church, which a statement said had made a "fundamental departure from the faith and teaching" by endorsing gay marriage.

The agreement upheld a "traditional doctrine" of marriage as being between a man and a woman.

Speaking at a press conference afterwards, Mr Welby admitted the church's decision made it look outdated in some parts of the world such as the UK and the US, but not in others.

He insisted the US Episcopal Church had not been sanctioned but had faced "consequences", and the decision was supported by the "overwhelming majority" of Anglican primates.

The summit aimed to avert a permanent divide in the Anglican Communion amid conflict dating back to the liberal church's consecration of Canon Gene Robinson, who is gay, as bishop of New Hampshire in 2003.

The primates' statement said: "The traditional doctrine of the church in view of the teaching of scripture, upholds marriage as between a man and a woman in faithful, life-long union. The majority of those gathered reaffirm this teaching."

The head of the Episcopalian church said g ays and lesbians would experience "great pain" from the decision and "the exclusion or segregation of anybody is not the way of God".

Presiding Bishop Michael Curry said: "All people are God's children and that we're all created equal in God's eyes. Those who are baptised followers of Jesus - whether they are straight gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgendered - if they're committed to following the way of Jesus, they should have equal access to all of the services and sacraments in the life of the church.

Speaking to BBC Radio 4's World Tonight, he compared the experience of the gay and lesbian community to that of the African-American community "who were excluded and segregated".

He added: "This decision is going to bring great pain for people in our church who really believe that this is supposed to be a house of prayer for all people."

The Episcopalian church has been banned from taking part in ecumenical and interfaith bodies, internal committees or votes on doctrine or polity for a period of three years.

The Anglican leaders said there was a "unanimous desire to walk together" and the divisions had caused "deep pain throughout our Communion".

The decision was met with dismay by some including senior Labour MP and former Anglican minister Chris Bryant, who is gay.
Labour Party 'a changed place', Jeremy Corbyn tells Unite Scotland conference

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has told Scottish voters he leads a changed party after his chief union paymaster urged the party leadership to apologise for "betraying" Scotland.

Mr Corbyn said Labour has got things wrong on many issues in the past but insisted he now leads a different party, in a speech to the first Unite Scottish policy conference.

Unite boss Len McCluskey earlier urged Labour to apologise for "betraying" Scotland to stem the drift towards the SNP which already claims two thirds of Unite's Scottish membership.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn is among four key speakers at the Unite Scotland conference over the weekend

Mr Corbyn described Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale as "a fantastic leader who is rebuilding our party", in his speech to conference in Clydebank, West Dunbartonshire.

In response to Mr McCluskey, Scottish Labour also stressed that "there is a new generation in charge".

Mr Corbyn attacked the SNP's "college funding cuts" and "cuts to Scottish council budgets" and urged the SNP to work with Labour to derail the Trade Union Bill designed to curtail the activities of unions.

He said: "I'm not saying that the Labour Party has never got things wrong in the past.

"It certainly has and I have been in parliament long enough to be very proud of many things that have been achieved, but also felt that we let people down in private finance initiatives and many, many other issues like that.

"But I have to say also that the Labour Party is a changed place at the present time.

"The Labour Party standing in the May elections is a different party with a renewed sense of social justice at the heart of our party."

He added: "The (Clement) Attlee government inherited a national debt four times the size of the one that George Osborne inherited in 2010.

"That government created the national health service, built hundreds of thousands of council homes and introduced a social security system.

"Today, all those institutions of fairness and opportunity built by our movement are being systematically dismantled.

"In Scotland and in England college funding is being cut (and) adult education budgets are being slashed."

He continued: "Kezia Dugdale is a fantastic leader who is rebuilding our party.

"We are fighting the Tories on tax and social security. We stopped their cuts to tax credits, we are resisting cuts to Scottish council budgets that pay for schools and social care.

"Labour councils across Scotland have pledged that they will refuse to implement the Tories' Trade Union Bill.

"We appeal to the SNP: work with us to derail this Bill."

He went on: "When the Scottish Parliament receive more powers over tax and welfare it should harness those powers to try and do its best to end austerity in Scotland and prevent people suffering the ravages of the so-called Welfare Reform Bill that is going through parliament."

Earlier, Mr McCluskey said: "The ideology of New Labour effectively alienated large swathes of the Scottish working class, which manifested itself quite dramatically last May.

"Kezia (Dugdale) has to effectively say: 'Labour is under new management, we apologise for betraying you, and we will start from scratch to try and build that trust up."

A Scottish Labour spokesman said: "Under Kezia Dugdale's leadership there is a new generation in charge of Scottish Labour.
'No Labour defence review role' for Ken Livingstone

Former London mayor Ken Livingstone will have no formal role in Labour's review of its defence policy, the party has announced.

The terms of reference for the review were published by shadow defence secretary Emily Thornberry, who said she aimed to produce an interim report by June for consideration by the party's national policy forum and annual conference.

The review is widely expected to bring tensions within the party over nuclear disarmament to a head by recommending a switch in policy away from the current position of support for the renewal of Britain's Trident deterrent, in line with leader Jeremy Corbyn's long-held unilateralist views.

Shadow defence secretary Emily Thornberry has launched Labour's defence policy review

Ms Thornberry said she was "extremely sceptical" about Trident and would ask some "very difficult questions" about its future.

The appointment in November of Mr Livingstone as co-convenor of a commission on international policy - which includes security and defence - was widely seen as an attempt to curb the influence of then-shadow defence secretary Maria Eagle on the decision over Trident renewal. Pro-renewal Ms Eagle was replaced in last week's reshuffle by Ms Thornberry.

The shadow defence secretary told the BBC: "My views are on the record: I am extremely sceptical about Trident and I will not be afraid to ask some very difficult questions and I need to hear the evidence about it and I will then come to a view.

"I go into this wanting to look at the evidence before we make policy."

As recently as Wednesday, Mr Livingstone - a close ally of the party leader - appeared to suggest that he expected to be working on the review, saying he hoped the recommendation on Trident could be rushed through within 8-10 weeks, which would be "a lot of work for me and Emily".

However, after Ms Thornberry launched the review alone, Mr Livingstone said that he had voluntarily decided to step aside following a discussion over lunch in which they agreed on all aspects of defence policy.

"I said: 'You and I agree on absolutely everything. There wasn't a single thing we didn't agree on. I think you should lead on this. You are the defence spokesperson, you have got to explain it in Parliament and at the next election.' I am delighted," he told Channel 4 News.

Labour sources confirmed that Mr Livingstone would not be acting as co-chair. Asked about Mr Livingstone's position, a Labour spokeswoman said: "There is no formal role in the defence review."

But she pointed out that anyone could make a submission to the review and it would feed in to the international policy commission, of which Mr Livingstone is co-convener with shadow foreign secretary Hilary Benn.

Any attempt to change policy on Trident is likely to provoke a split in Labour's frontbench team, with three shadow cabinet members - shadow work and pensions secretary Owen Smith, shadow education secretary Lucy Powell and shadow justice secretary Lord Falconer - already refusing to rule out quitting their posts if the party drops its backing for the nuclear deterrent.

Prime Minister David Cameron is expected to call a Commons vote on Trident renewal within the coming months.
Foreign Secretary welcomes lifting of sanctions as Iran honours nuclear deal

Britain has welcomed the lifting of international sanctions on Iran after the international nuclear watchdog said the Tehran government had met all its obligations under a deal with six international powers.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Vienna confirmed that the conditions set under the agreement last July had been fulfilled paving the way for Iran to resume oil exports while recouping around 100 billion dollars in frozen assets.

Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond said the findings of the IAEA inspectors had confounded sceptics who said that Iran would never give up on its nuclear programme.

Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond has welcomed the lifting of sanctions on Iran over its nuclear programme.

He urged British firms to take advantage of the new opportunities that would open as Iran was brought in from the cold.

"The nuclear deal with Iran, in which Britain played a major role, makes the Middle East and the wider world a safer place. Years of patient and persistent diplomacy, and difficult technical work, have borne fruit as we now implement the deal," he said.

"There were many sceptics who said Iran would never deliver on its side of the bargain, but the independent International Atomic Energy Agency has said they have.

" Tonnes of uranium have been shipped out of Iran, thousands of centrifuges have been taken out of use and the core has been removed from the Arak reactor. Iran's nuclear programme has been substantially rolled back, in return for the lifting of sanctions and the economic benefits that will bring.
Nigeria opposition spokesman charged with money laundering -agency

ABUJA, Jan 15 (Reuters) - A spokesman for Nigeria's main opposition party has been charged with money laundering involving 400 million naira ($2 million) intended for defence spending that the financial crimes agency said on Friday was used to fund an election campaign.

President Muhammadu Buhari's election victory in March ended the rule of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) which had been in power since Nigeria returned to civilian government in 1999.

Buhari says he wants to root out widespread corruption but the PDP has accused the president of mounting a witch-hunt against its members.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) said PDP spokesman Olisa Metuh diverted funds through the office of the National Security Adviser between November 2014 and March 2015 and used the money for PDP "campaign activities ... and other personal purposes".

Metuh pleaded not guilty to seven counts of money laundering at the capital Abuja's high court and was remanded in custody until a bail hearing on Tuesday.

He is accused of colluding with former National Security Adviser Sambo Dasuki, who also served under former President Goodluck Jonathan and was charged with money laundering and criminal breach of trust last month, to divert the funds.

Dasuki has also pleaded not guilty. He was arrested on Dec. 1 in relation to an investigation into a $2 billion arms deal.

Buhari called for Dasuki's arrest in November, accusing him of stealing funds through phantom arms contracts and hampering the fight against the Islamist militant group Boko Haram.
Renault shares slide further despite emissions assurances

By Laurence Frost

PARIS, Jan 15 (Reuters) - French assurances failed to impress Renault investors on Friday over concerns the carmaker could be drawn into a damaging diesel emissions probe in Volkswagen's wake.

Renault shares fell further even as officials reiterated it had not been caught cheating on engine emissions, a day after raids at three of the carmaker's facilities came to light.

The assurances "alleviate some of our concerns that the use of defeat devices ... affects other automobile companies than Volkswagen," said Yasmina Serghini, Senior Credit Officer at debt rating agency Moody's.

But the French investigation is ongoing, she cautioned in a note, and "other countries such as the UK have similar procedures in place, the results of which are still unknown".

Renault shares, which tumbled 8.9 percent on Thursday, fell a further 3.4 percent to 75.13 euros, outpacing the European auto sector's 3 percent slide amid investor wariness in the wake of the Volkswagen scandal.

Officials reiterated that no "defeat devices" had been found on Renault models tested in a French follow-up investigation, launched after VW admitted using such banned software to cheat on U.S. nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions tests.

The French probe has already found emissions from Renault diesels - and several other unnamed brands - in excess of statutory limits that had been met in European regulatory testing, widely acknowledged to be flawed.

The environment and economy ministers, Segolene Royal and Emmanuel Macron, scrambled on Thursday to deny that Renault had been caught using software cheats - which typically set out to meet pollution limits only during official tests.

In a statement, the carmaker also said French officials "consider that the investigation in progress has not revealed the presence of cheat software in Renault vehicles". A spokesman declined further comment.

Renault had disputed November claims by German environmental group DUH that its popular Espace model released NOx emissions 25 times over legal limits during a Swiss study.

But French Green deputy Denis Baupin, a member of the technical committee overseeing the investigation, said on Friday it was still "too early to say" whether Renault had committed any fraud by claiming compliance with pollution rules.

"With Renault at risk of being the next (manufacturer) to face an emissions scandal, investors may remain understandably nervous" about the sector, Exane BNP Paribas analyst Stuart Pearson said. "The industry is not yet out of the woods."

Renault's share plunge also appeared to delay a planned reduction of the government's stake in the carmaker, as Macron said the stake sale would now wait until the price improved.

"Our intention is not to sell these shares at a loss to the taxpayer," the economy minister told reporters.

Macron had pledged to cut the holding back to its longstanding 15 percent level after raising it to 19.7 percent last April in order to secure double voting rights in a vote at the company's 2015 shareholder meeting.
Ex-Venezuela bank official avoids prison time in bribery case

By Nate Raymond and Brendan Pierson

NEW YORK, Jan 15 (Reuters) - A former official with a Venezuelan state-owned bank on Friday avoided prison time beyond the 16-1/2 months she already served after admitting that she accepted millions of dollars in bribes from a Wall Street brokerage to which she steered business.

Maria de los Angeles Gonzalez de Hernandez, who was a senior official at Caracas-based Banco de Desarrollo Economico y Social de Venezuela, also known as Bandes, was further ordered by U.S. District Judge Denise Cote to forfeit the roughly $5 million she garnered from the scheme.

Cote said she was "affected by the degree of remorse" Gonzalez showed in a statement she read to the court through an interpreter.

"We're enormously grateful for the court's compassion and understanding," said Jane Moscowitz, Gonzalez's attorney, after the sentencing.

Gonzalez, 57, was arrested in 2013 as part of a bribery probe involving New York-based Direct Access Partners and Venezuelan state-owned development banks.

The investigation led to charges against Benito Chinea, Direct Access Partners' ex-chief executive, and Joseph DeMeneses, a managing director, each of whom was sentenced to four years in prison in March 2015.

Prosecutors said Direct Access made more than $60 million in fees from trading business referred by Gonzalez.

Direct Access employees in turn paid about $5 million to Gonzalez, who prosecutors said in turn paid a portion of the money to another Bandes employee involved in the scheme.

Prosecutors said Direct Access employees also schemed to direct payments to a banker at another Venezuelan-state owned development bank, Banfoandes.

The scheme was uncovered during a periodic U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission review. Federal prosecutors and the SEC announced initial charges in May 2013, helping to push Direct Access's parent company into bankruptcy.

Gonzalez, who was arrested in Miami at that time, pleaded guilty in November 2013 to charges including conspiracy to violate the Travel Act and to commit money laundering.

Her plea came after three former Direct Access employees - Jose Alejandro Hurtado, Ernesto Lujan and Tomas Clarke - also pleaded guilty to charges including that they violated the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.

Like Gonzalez, they agreed to cooperate with authorities as part of their plea deals. Cote in December sentenced Hurtado to three years in prison and Lugan and Clarke to two years in prison.
Swedish citizens get 11 years in U.S. prison for al Shabaab support

By Nate Raymond

NEW YORK, Jan 15 (Reuters) - Two Swedish citizens who U.S. prosecutors said fought alongside the Islamist militant group al Shabaab in Somalia in battles to take control of the country's capital of Mogadishu were sentenced to 11 years in prison on Friday.

Ali Yasin Ahmed, 31, and Mohamed Yusuf, 33, were sentenced by U.S. District Judge John Gleeson in Brooklyn, New York, in light of their guilty pleas in May to conspiring to provide material support to al Shabaab.

Prosecutors had sought 15 years in prison for the Somali-born men, who they called "operational members of a terrorist organization."

But while Gleeson said that was correct, he said he also partly accepted their lawyers' characterizations of the men as freedom fighters who only joined al Shabaab in order to return to war-torn Somalia to fight against Ethiopia.

"This is not a black-and-white situation," Gleeson said.

Prosecutors said Ahmed and Yusuf abandoned their homes in Sweden in 2008 to travel to Somalia to undergo military and doctrinal training with al Shabaab.

The militant group, which seeks to overthrow Somalia's Western-backed government and impose a strict version of sharia, or Islamic law, has links to al Qaeda and has carried out attacks in Kenya and Ethiopia.

After receiving training, Ahmed and Yusuf traveled to Mogadishu, where they fought in battles alongside other U.S. and European fighters who had joined al Shabaab to take control of the city in 2009, prosecutors said.

Ahmed and Yusuf continued to train and fight with al Shabaab, prosecutors said, and Yusuf appeared in a propaganda video filmed in Mogadishu urging people to fight on behalf of the militant group.

The men and a former British citizen, Madhi Hashi, were arrested in August 2012 in Djibouti after illegally crossing the border from Somalia on their way to Yemen to join al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, prosecutors said.

Their lawyers said the men were tortured while in custody in Djibouti over the next several months before being turned over U.S. authorities for prosecution, though their case had no allegations that they intended any direct harm to the United States.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Shreve Ariail said the "unconscionable" treatment they received in Djibouti factored into extending plea deals that capped their prison terms at 15 years.
U.S. military member aids French forces at Burkina hotel -official

WASHINGTON, Jan 15 (Reuters) - One member of the U.S. military is providing advice and assistance to French forces at a hotel in Burkina Faso's capital that was attacked on Friday by suspected Islamist militants, a U.S. defense official said.

The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said France had requested immediate U.S. intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance support. The United States was working to support that request, the official added.

No further details were immediately available.
Taiwan opposition wins presidency, China warns against independence move

By J.R. Wu and Ben Blanchard

TAIPEI Jan 16 (Reuters) - Taiwan's independence-leaning opposition leader Tsai Ing-wen won a convincing victory in presidential elections on Saturday and pledged to maintain peace with giant neighbour China, which warned it would oppose any move towards independence.

Tsai, leader of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), will be thrust into one of Asia's toughest and most dangerous jobs, with China pointing hundreds of missiles at the island it claims, decades after losing Nationalists fled from Mao Zedong's Communists to Taiwan in the Chinese civil war in 1949.

Tsai said she would establish "consistent, predictable and sustainable" relations with China and not be provocative, to ensure the status quo.

She risks antagonising China if she attempts to forcefully assert Taiwan's sovereignty and reverses eight years of warming China ties under incumbent President Ma Ying-jeou of the Nationalists.

"Both sides have a responsibility to do their utmost to find mutually acceptable ways to interact with respect and reciprocity and ensure no provocation and no surprises," Tsai added, having taken around 56 percent of the vote.

She added, however, that she would defend Taiwan's interests and its sovereignty. China has not renounced the use of force to ensure eventual unification with the island.

"Our democracy, national identity and international space must be fully respected and any suppression would undermine the stability of cross-Strait relations," she said.

In a statement carried by state media, China's Taiwan Affairs Office said the achievements and peace of the past eight years should be cherished, and that it would not tolerate any Taiwan independence activities.

"On important issues of principle like protecting the country's sovereignty and territorial integrity, our will is as hard as rock," it said.

China was willing to have exchanges with any party, as long as they recognise both sides of the Taiwan Strait belong to one China, it added.

Support for the DPP has swelled since 2014, when hundreds of students occupied Taiwan's parliament for weeks protesting against a China trade bill in the largest display of anti-China sentiment the island had seen in years.

Outside DPP headquarters, supporters cried for joy.

Optometrist David Chen, 28, said he wanted Tsai to stand up to China.

"We're not a part of China. I definitely think we should exist as two countries," he told Reuters. "If it's possible for Tsai, I want her to push for independence. More and more Taiwanese people want this."

Tsai, a lawyer, got an even stronger mandate as the DPP also won a majority in parliament in polls held the same day.

Tsai will have to balance the superpower interests of China, which is also Taiwan's largest trading partner, and the United States with those of her freewheeling, democratic home.

TAIWAN DOLLAR SUFFERS

The U.S. State Department said it looked forward to working with Tsai.

"We share with the Taiwan people a profound interest in the continuation of cross-Strait peace and stability," it said.

Still, underscoring investor worries about uncertainty following her possible victory, on Friday the Taiwan dollar ended lower against the U.S. dollar in its weakest closing since April 2009. Following the vote, a senior central bank official told Reuters that Taiwan's central bank "always maintains stability in the market".

Perhaps fearful of allowing discussion about democracy on an island Beijing says it owns, Chinese censors moved swiftly to block searches for Tsai's name on Weibo, China's answer to Twitter.

Some Chinese managed to post about the vote though.

"Why is there no election for the chairman in China? I condemn this," said one Weibo user.

Relations had already been strained by a 16-year-old Taiwan singer with a South Korean girl band who inadvertently shot to the top of the election agenda on polling day after she publicly apologised for holding a Taiwan flag, prompting China and Taiwan to trade accusations.

Tsai referred to the spat in her victory speech, saying the incident would remind her that as president her most important duty was to unite and strengthen the country.

The election comes at a tricky time for Taiwan's export-dependent economy, which slipped into recession in the third quarter last year. China is also Taiwan's top trading partner and Taiwan's favourite investment destination.

Tsai has the tide of history against her. Ma and his predecessors all failed to bring about a lasting reconciliation with China.

Shots were traded between the two sides as recently as the mid-1970s.

At stake are relations with an ascendant and increasingly assertive China under President Xi Jinping.

Tsai has been ambiguous on her China policy, merely pledging, in public anyway, to maintain the status quo. Beijing has warned repeatedly that hard-earned peace across the Taiwan Strait could be affected by a Tsai win.

The United States has expressed concerns about the danger of worsening China-Taiwan ties, at a time when China's navy is increasingly flexing its muscles in the South China and East China Seas and expanding territorial claims.

China has held out the "one country, two systems" formula, under which the British colony of Hong Kong returned to China in 1997, as a solution for Taiwan. But both the Nationalists and DPP have rejected the idea.
California residents vent frustrations over state's biggest gas leak

By Paula Lehman

LOS ANGELES, Jan 15 (Reuters) - California residents sickened and forced to evacuate their homes in the biggest methane gas leak in state history voiced their frustrations at a public meeting on Friday, with many saying they opposed the resumption of work at the natural gas facility.

Neither the state nor the utility have been able to stop the leak that has affected thousands of residents since it was detected on Oct. 23 at an underground natural gas storage field in Porter Ranch in northern Los Angeles.

Environmental activists such as Erin Brockovich have called it the worst leak in the United States since the 2010 BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

Southern California Gas Co, one of the country's biggest gas utilities and a division of San Diego-based Sempra Energy , has said the leak was caused by a broken injection-well pipe several hundred feet beneath the surface of the 3,600-acre field. The company aims to complete a relief well to stop the leak by late March.

The late Friday meeting marked the highest level delegation of California officials to the Porter Ranch area since Governor Jerry Brown visited the site on Jan. 4, prompting him to declare a state of emergency.

About 1,000 residents attended the meeting to voice their concerns to a panel of local and state officials that included Mark Ghilarducci, the director of the governor's office of emergency services, and Matt Rodriquez, Secretary of Environmental Protection in California.

Attendees held signs that read "Shut it ALL Down," and asked about the immediate impact on their health, whether they had stayed in their homes or decided to relocate, with expenses to be covered by Southern California Gas Co.

""What are you doing now?" meeting attendee and longtime Porter Ranch resident Scott Barrer said. "Legislation down the road doesn't work. We're still paying gas bills to the people who are poisoning us."
Malaysia arrests suspected IS militant with weapons in Kuala Lumpur

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 16 (Reuters) - Malaysian police said on Saturday they had arrested a suspected militant with weapons and documents related to the Islamic State group at a train station in the capital Kuala Lumpur.

Inspector-General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar said in a tweet that the man was arrested on Friday at a station in Jelatik, close to the centre of the city.

No further details were immediately available. Police were expected to release more details later in the day.

Malaysia has been on high alert since bomb and gun attacks in neighbouring Indonesia's capital city on Thursday.

Security has been beefed up security in public areas and the country is taking extra measures to secure border areas fearing inflitration of terrorists.

Indonesian police killed one suspected militant and arrested two more in raids across the country on Friday, a day after an attack by Islamic State suicide bombers and gunmen in Jakarta that killed seven people.
Malaysian police say suspected IS-linked militant was planning suicide attack

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 16 (Reuters) - Malaysia's police chief said on Saturday that a suspected militant arrested in a metro station in Kuala Lumpur had confessed to planning a suicide atttack in the country.

The 28-year-old male was arrested on Friday with weapons and documents related to the Islamic State group, police said.

In a statement, Inspector-General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar said the suspect confessed to planning a suicide attack in Malaysia after receiving orders from a foreign IS member in Syria. No other details were immediately available.

He said three other people suspected of being supporters of Islamic State were also arrested between Jan. 11 and Jan. 15. The three were arrested at Kuala Lumpur international airport after they returned from Turkey, where they were detained for trying to make their way into Syria.
Macedonia opposition threatens to boycott election called to end crisis

By Kole Casule

SKOPJE, Jan 16 (Reuters) - A European Union-brokered deal to end a political crisis in Macedonia hung in the balance on Saturday after opponents of conservative Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski threatened to boycott an early parliamentary election in April.

All sides had agreed last year to an April 24 election, two years ahead of schedule, under EU mediation to end months of bitter standoff over allegations against Gruevski's government of illegal phone-tapping and widespread abuse of office.

But opposition Social Democrat leader Zoran Zaev said overnight that not all conditions had been met for a free and fair election in the tiny ex-Yugoslav republic, citing a lack of media reform to reduce government influence and failure to conduct a thorough review of the electoral roll.

"We won't accept elections without timely regulation of the media or timely clearing of the voter list," Zaev told reporters after emerging from late-night talks with Gruevski and the EU's enlargement commissioner, Johannes Hahn, who brokered the original deal.

"If there are elections on April 24 we will not take part," Zaev said. "We will continue to fight for free, fair and democratic conditions in which to hold elections."

Almost a decade in power, Gruevski's government was bombarded last year by allegations of illegal surveillance, meddling in the media and judiciary, rigging elections and appointing party faithful to public sector jobs.

The accusations stemmed from a slew of phone-taps released by Zaev, who said the government had conducted the surveillance. Gruevski denied this and dismissed the accusations as a plot to bring him down.

He submitted his resignation to parliament on Friday, in line with the deal, but said it would become effective 100 days before the election, which has yet to be officially called.

"DEEPER INTO CRISIS"

Gruevski accused Zaev of trying "to take the country even deeper into crisis".

"He just wanted to postpone elections, without any serious arguments," he told reporters.

Gruevski's commands enough votes in parliament to endorse his resignation and force an election regardless of Zaev's threats to boycott.

Hahn said he still expected all sides to stick to the election agreement, promising the poll would be closely monitored by European observers.

He warned of the need for an effective government capable of confronting the challenges the Balkan country faces in terms of the economy and a large wave of migrants crossing its territory from Greece en route to western Europe.
Malaysia says suspected IS-linked militant was planning suicide attack

By Rozanna Latiff and Praveen Menon

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 16 (Reuters) - Malaysia's police chief said on Saturday that a suspected militant arrested in a train station in Kuala Lumpur had confessed to planning a suicide attack in the country.

The 28-year-old Malaysian man is believed to be a member of the Islamic State (IS) militant group and was arrested on Friday with weapons and documents related to IS, the police said.

In a statement, Inspector-General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar said the suspect confessed to planning a suicide attack in Malaysia after receiving orders from a foreign IS member in Syria.

"The suspect is also responsible for hanging IS flags at several locations in the states of Terengganu, Perak, Selangor and Johor, in order to warn the government to stop arresting IS members in Malaysia," Khalid said in the statement.

No further details were given on where and how he was planning the attack.

Malaysia has been on high alert since a bomb and gun attack in neighbouring Indonesia's capital on Thursday. It has beefed security in public areas and on its borders.

Indonesian police killed one suspected militant and arrested two more in raids across the country on Friday, a day after an attack by Islamic State suicide bombers and gunmen in Jakarta that killed seven people. They announced more arrests on Saturday.

MORE ARRESTS

Khalid said three other people suspected of being supporters of Islamic State were also arrested between Jan. 11 and Jan. 15.

The three were arrested at Kuala Lumpur international airport after they returned from Turkey, where they were detained for trying to make their way into Syria to join IS.

The three suspects are aged between 23 and 28. A picture of the arrest released by police appeared to indicate one of the suspects was a woman.

Police said the three were recruited by a known Malaysian IS member named Muhammad Wanndy Mohamed Jedi, who is based in Syria. Muhammad Wanndy has been linked to a video released last year that showed a man being beheaded there.

Before today's arrest, Malaysia has detained 145 people since 2013 on suspicion of links with Islamic State.

In September, Malaysian police thwarted a plot to detonate bombs in Kuala Lumpur's vibrant tourist area of Bukit Bintang. Other recent plots frustrated by Malaysian security forces included plans to raid army camps and seize weapons.
Drone strike kills three suspected militants in Yemen

ADEN, Jan 16 (Reuters) - A drone strike killed three suspected al Qaeda militants in an overnight attack in central Yemen, a local official said on Saturday, as a U.S. campaign goes on amid a wider civil war in the country.

The apparent U.S. drone attack targeted a car travelling on Friday night in the Ruqot area of eastern Shabwa province, a remote desert area where al Qaeda militants are believed to be operating. It was the first such attack reported this year.

Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) has taken advantage of a conflict pitting Houthi militiamen against forces loyal to President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi to grab territory and operate more openly.

It seized control of two towns in southern Yemen at the beginning of December, deploying fighters on the streets and blowing up the house of a local tribal militia commander before withdrawing.

The United States has kept up a drone campaign against the militants, adding to near-daily air strikes by a Saudi-led Gulf Arab coalition, which intervened in the war last March to rout the Iran-backed Houthis and restore Hadi's government.
Maldives allows jailed former leader to travel to UK for surgery

By Shihar Aneez

COLOMBO, Jan 16 (Reuters) - The Maldives on Saturday granted permission for jailed former leader Mohamed Nasheed to travel to Britain for surgery after pressure from the international community including human rights groups and his lawyer Amal Clooney.

Nasheed, the Maldives' first democratically elected leader, is serving a 13-year sentence on terrorism charges after a rapid trial last March. The case drew international criticism.

The decision by President Abdullah Yameen's government, which rejected the same request two months ago, comes after pressure by rights groups and the United Nations over the case.

"Maldives has granted permission to former President Mohamed Nasheed to travel to the United Kingdom to undertake a surgery at his request," the Maldives foreign ministry said.

"Nasheed was granted permission under the condition to serve the remainder of the sentence upon return to the Maldives after the surgery."

Political colleagues say he is suffering from back pain.

The permission was granted after a visit of Indian Foreign secretary S. Jaishankar, an unannounced visit by Sri Lanka's two top ministers and ahead of a visit of Hugo Swire, British minister of state for Asia.

Hamid Abdul Ghafoor, Nasheed's Maldivian Democratic Party spokesman, said a similar request was rejected two months ago, but was granted this time after Nasheed's legal team headed by human rights lawyer Amal Clooney started lobbying for sanctions on Maldives leaders.

"This medical leave comes after heavy international pressure. The whole trial process is wrong," he told Reuters.

Nasheed was ousted in disputed circumstances in 2012 for ordering the arrest of a judge.

The United Nations, the United States and human rights groups have said Yameen's government failed to follow due process and that the case was politically motivated.

Clooney, who is married to Hollywood actor George Clooney, early this week criticised Yameen's administration.
Iranians in U.S. prisons to be released in exchange deal

By Joel Schectman and Yeganeh Torbati

WASHINGTON, Jan 16 (Reuters) - Eight Iranians jailed or facing charges in the United States for sanctions violations are to be released under an exchange deal for Americans held in Iran, according to a lawyer, court records and people familiar with the matter.

The following is information on the eight Iranians:

* President Barack Obama has pardoned Bahram Mechanic, Khosrow Afghahi, and Tooraj Faridi, a lawyer for one of the men said. The men were charged in 2015 of shipping electronics to Iran. Mechanic and Afghahi were both being held in a Houston jail awaiting trial. Faridi, an employee at Mechanic's electronics company, was out on bail. Citing "significant foreign policy interests," U.S. prosecutors have also already filed a motion to drop charges against a fourth man in the case, Matin Sadeghi, who is out of the country and authorities have considered a fugitive.

* U.S. authorities are moving to commute the sentence of Ali Saboonchi, a U.S. citizen and resident of Maryland, who was convicted of export violations in 2014, accoring to people familiar with the matter. He is currently serving a two-year sentence in Virginia and had been due to be released in November 2016. Between 2009 and 2013, Saboonchi and several associates tried to export industrial parts to customers in Iran, according to an indictment filed in 2013.

* The U.S. Justice Department moved to drop charges against Seyed Abolfazl Shahab Jamili, who was accused in 2014 of helping to ship thousands of Chinese manufactured parts "with nuclear applications" to Iran. Jamili was also accused of exporting to Iran U.S.-built pressure transducers, used in nuclear centrifuges. In a filing early on Saturday morning, prosecutors asked to dismiss charges against Jamili, "based upon issues regarding securing extradition of the defendant and significant foreign policy interests."

* Alireza Moazami Goudarzi was charged in 2012 of trying to purchase aircraft parts from a U.S. supplier for shipment to Iran. He was arrested in Malaysia in 2012 in connection with the case, and the United States was seeking his extradition, according to the Justice Department.
Greek workers march to parliament to protest pension reform

By Renee Maltezou

ATHENS, Jan 16 (Reuters) - Greek workers marched through the streets of Athens on Saturday to protest against the leftist-led government's planned pension reform, which the country's international creditors have demanded as part of its third bailout.

About 3,000 public and private sector workers, pensioners and students rallied peacefully outside parliament. They held banners reading "You cannot bargain with social security" and chanted "Your hands off our pensions!"

"We will fight to protect our rights and force the government to withdraw this monstrous plan that it calls a reform," the secretary-general of the private sector union GSEE, Nikos Kioutsoukis, told Reuters.

Turnout in recent protests has been weak, mainly due to austerity fatigue and resignation after five years of belt-tightening and two bailouts that have shut businesses and pushed up unemployment but have not pulled Greece out of crisis.

On Feb. 4, labour unions will stage a 24-hour general strike against the planned reform, the third such walkout in three months. Turnout will indicate the level of resistance the government faces as it pushes through unpopular measures.

This week lawyers staged one of their biggest rallies in recent years. They have threatened to step up labour action and farmers are also preparing pension protests.

Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras was first elected a year ago promising to end austerity. After tough negotiations, he signed up to a third bailout in July and was re-elected in September on a mandate to implement it while protecting the vulnerable.

Greece's first bailout review is expected to officially begin next week. The lenders currently see a fiscal gap of well over 1.5 percent of GDP for 2016, according to sources close to the talks, and expect tough talks on pension reform.

"We will defend what is non-negotiable for us," Labour Minister George Katrougalos told Greek Skai TV, referring to pension cuts. Economy Minister George Stathakis told the Real News newspaper he expected a compromise to be reached.

The government, which has a slim parliamentary majority, has sought broad political support for the reforms it needs to legislate to pass the review and start talks on debt relief.

But newly elected conservative leader Kyriakos Mitsotakis said this week his New Democracy party would reject the pension reform bill. An Alco poll for Sunday's Proto Thema newspaper put New Democracy 3.9 points ahead of Tsipras's Syriza.

As part of the bailout and to appease angry voters, Tsipras has also vowed to go after tax dodgers and fight corruption, which many Greeks blame for the country's fiscal woes.

On Saturday, he met Norbert-Walter Borjans, finance minister of the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia, which has given Athens details of accounts held by Greeks in Switzerland.
UNHCR to seek new help for refugees in Turkey, push resettlement

By Melih Aslan

ISTANBUL, Jan 16 (Reuters) - The United Nations' refugee agency will seek additional resources for Turkey, the world's largest host of refugees, and push for more resettlement, its head said on Saturday, as the war in Syria is set to enter its sixth year.

Filipo Grandi, the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), also cautioned against anti-refugee sentiment. A suicide bomber with links to Islamic State killed 10 German tourists in Istanbul this week after registering as a refugee, according to Turkish officials.

The UNHCR has called for a "massive resettlement" of Syrian and other refugees within Europe to distribute hundreds of thousands of people who are part of the largest movement of refugees since World War Two.

"We will do whatever we can to help the Turkish government find additional resources for people who are living here under temporary protection to make their lives as good as we can," Grandi, who took the helm at the UNHCR this month, told reporters in Istanbul.

"We will work on other aspects as well ... We will work on more resettlement opportunities," he said after meeting refugees at camps near the Syrian border in his first visit as commissioner at the agency.

The UNHCR currently supports Turkey with relief items, field monitoring and technical advice.

'FEAR' OF REFUGEES

Grandi said it would be "dangerous" to fear refugees after it was revealed that Nabil Fadli, a Syrian who blew himself up in Istanbul in a crowd of German sightseers this week, had fought with Islamic State before registering with authorities in Istanbul on Jan. 5, officials said.

"What would be dangerous would be to generalise and to say that because one or two refugees, or even 10, have done something wrong ... all refugees are terrorists or criminals. The overwhelming majority are not," Grandi said at a news conference after meeting Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu.

About 10 percent of the 2.2 million Syrians sheltering in Turkey stay in camps. The rest try to make ends meet in cities around the country, often working illegally for a fraction of the minimum wage.

Grandi praised Turkish plans to award more work permits to some refugees, calling it a "very courageous and important gesture ... Work permits will help people live a better life, whether they'll stay here long or short," he said.

Otherwise, refugees depend on aid organisations' handouts or must beg for money, he added.
U.N. nuclear watchdog chief to visit Tehran on Sunday

LONDON, Jan 16 (Reuters) - U.N. nuclear watchdog chief Yukiya Amano will travel to Tehran on Sunday to meet Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and the head of the Atomic Energy Organisation of Iran, the International Atomic Energy Organisation (IAEA) said on Saturday.
France to be vigilant Iran nuclear deal "strictly respected" - Fabius

PARIS, Jan 16 (Reuters) - France will keep a close eye out to ensure that Iran's nuclear deal with diplomatic powers is strictly respected, Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said on Saturday in a statement.

Welcoming the deal's implementation, Fabius said that it was an important step in international efforts to control nuclear proliferation.
It all started with that dead toddler.

This image of the body of a Syrian boy drowned today on a Turkish beach is emblematic of the world's failure in Syria pic.twitter.com/IYiIPgvieG  Liz Sly (@LizSly) September 2, 2015

A video game-like, West-driven Middle Eastern war, fleeing people of bombed lands, the Mediterranean, Europe that lies beyond the deep blue Mediterranean, sinking flotillas, influx of "refugees", torn Europe, (insert dead toddler's picture here), confused Europe, Angela Merkel's "humane" sanity, "opening of the gates", European largesse, European liberalism, some more of European liberalism (despite fiscal crunch, looming financial slump), somewhere on Facebook link to "Madaya starvation deaths" (Madaya where? Syrian town, close to the capital? Capital where? Damascus? Oh okay), another child (not plump, at all - skeletal, in fact, ribs, ribs, ribs, big eyes; oh what big eyes!), and then, and then, New Years Eve, Germany, Tahurrush jama'i'.

Tahurrush jama'i'.

Cologne. Cologne is in Germany. Cologne is the city that saw the "Arabian rape game", like a distorted thousand and one Arabian nights, where women, white European women, were groped and digitally penetrated by marauding macaques of North African, Arabic morphologies.

"Too many Muslim men are misogynists", shouted The Telegraph.

"The Arabic gang-rape 'Taharrush' phenomenon which sees women surrounded by groups of men in crowds and sexually assaulted... and has now spread to Europe." That was the Daily Mail.

We see women, harassed, harrowed women, white women, narrating their tales of trauma. Groped by a brown, Muslim mob. The bloody Oriental Despot who is F$%#'ing also getting our F$%#'ing doles, our taxes given away to entertain these #Rapefugees.

Send 'em back, #Rapefugees.

How often does Europe change its mind? From fears about a "Muslim Europe" because surely its "inherent Christianity is under threat" from the refugee ingress, to paranoia (not entirely unjustified) about "jihadi terror attacks" targeting its "sitting duck cities", Paris especially - Europe has seesawed. And the nerve centres of the continent - Paris, London, Berlin - as well as smaller, unmarked upon conurbations such as Cologne, have been the crucibles of sociopolitical experiments.

Experiments borne not of some exclusive Enlightenment values that Euro-America claims to have, but of inevitable consequences of fossil-fuel engineered globalisation and its discontents, the centrifuge of demographies and peoples thrown asunder because of unending wars of territorial control, to supposedly energise an imagined future.

The splintered chorus of bourgeois Europe's collective rage, guilt, shame, hypocrisy, moral high ground and ethical responsibility has been obscuring the real pain and pathos of the global migrant crisis, emanating at present from the killing fields of Syria. It's always, always about Europe/America, and how it creates, lives up to, or fails standards and milestones of being human.

The vast swathes of West Asian battle-infested zones, are therefore, just laboratories of measuring degradation, humiliation and the depths to which human beings can push fellow humans, particularly of a different skin colour or religion.

And if this is all the "known unknowns", if this is the blase base, the very starting point - this unforgivable knowledge of the chain of predation, orchestrated and monetised suffering - then how, just how, can a reconnaissance, a change of heart and change of guard take place?

If everyone is already aware of the Syrian death camps, where shards rain from the skies as the ground becomes a mine maze, and if despite that, all it takes is one night of rampant sexual criminality from the Muslim male to brand millions of asylum-seekers as rapists and molesters, backstabbing Europe by taking its women (the ultimate sanctum sanctorum in any conflict is the female body and claims over it), then how does one describe, comment upon, warn against and criticise it?

No explanation helps, or changes anything, anymore. Explanations, seething opinion pages filled with righteous anger, reflection, illumination fall flat, disappear beneath the stinking sink of reciprocal prejudices.

What propriety in the face of mutual animosity? What culture? What civilisation?

Therefore, Charlie Hebdo.

Charlie Hebdo on the Cologne incident.

The thing is that barely one year since this tiny French satirical magazine faced the most gruesome attack not just on its people, the uber talented Charb and his team of intrepid cartoonists, Charlie Hebdo had the vintage gumption to hold up a mirror to Europe's face. And that mirror did not sugarcoat the bitter truth.

In fact, Charlie Hebdo's latest cartoon frontpaged the ugly, racist voice within Europe's gut: "What would have little Aylan Kurdi grown up to be? Ass groper in Germany".

Did Charlie Hebdo caricature the "pig-faced" Muslim "rapefugees" (considering their religious proscription on pork) and present them, without an iota of self-doubt or irony, as the logical and golden career choice for that dead toddler Aylan Kurdi had he lived? Did Charlie Hebdo make grotesque fun of baby Aylan, whose death made him a superstar of pain, a posterboy of unbelievable tragedy, thereby affording him some "dignity in death"?

Charlie Hebdo mocking Aylan, the child that drowned. Where are all you "Je Suis Charlie"s at now? Disgusting. pic.twitter.com/zdJEOr397o   (@Tayyxb) September 14, 2015

Or did Charlie Hebdo say what Europe has been toying with, exposing its hardly hidden biases against the incoming Muslims, by "using" baby Aylan Kurdi, who has been mummified as the last reservoir of a civilised response to unspeakable tragedy?

Charlie Hebdo's instrument of expression - the satire - is a double-edged sword. It has bled the magazine itself, literally, while making impacts so gigantic and explosive that the world has been forced to come to terms with and acknowledge ideas, issues, bigotries, industrial slaughters and systemic discriminations, which it otherwise wants buried under telegenic news and its manufactured consensus.

Its brash and unsparing laughter in the face of all things politically revolting and repressive is a slap on the polished cheeks of the perpetrators. Whether they are the exploitative gatekeepers of a much-abused faith, or neo-fascists in search of newer, more rabid ideologies to inflame the disenfranchised, everyone has faced Hebdo's derision.

It's the "derision of madmen", mad men who spare no one, not even gods.

The furore against Charlie Hebdo's latest cartoon on the Cologne sexual violence involving refugees and white female citizens is interesting because there was no furore against the Telegraph piece or the one on ScoopWhoop, which in fact not only say the exact same thing, but also invent an "Arabian rape game", Tahurrush jama'i'.

If rapes committed by military men (Israeli, American, Indian, Russian, Chinese, the list is endless) in war zones do not make anyone spring up and loudly proclaim an "Israeli/American/Indian rape game", then what flimsy ground allows European media to brand a particular incident involving alleged sexual crimes by some miscreants who happened to be Muslim refugees as a case of "Arabian rape game"?

What blatant display of entrenched prejudice is this?

And if it took Charlie Hebdo to reinsert that dead toddler Aylan Kurdi to drive home the point, to bring Europe face to face with its intellectual and emotional atrophy, then so be it.
HANNIBAL, Mo.  A nature preserve planned in the northeast Missouri town of Hannibal will be more than a place to picnic or walk in the woods  it will serve as a protected area for tens of thousands of endangered bats.

The Sodalis Nature Preserve will be built near the Mississippi River and wont cost the city anything. The Canadian company Enbridge Inc., whose nearly 600-mile-long Flanagan South Pipeline passes near Hannibal, will pay for land acquisition, management and maintenance as part of a mitigation fund to offset the impact to federally endangered species and migratory birds.

About 168,000 federally endangered Indiana bats hibernate in a former limestone mine that closed a half-century ago and in the cave network nearby, according to Shauna Marquardt, a biologist for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The bats, which have had the endangered designation since 1973, are endangered largely because of disturbance by humans, the service said.

Protection of this hibernation site is probably the most significant conservation and recovery action weve taken for Indiana bats in recent history, Marquardt said.

The service, along with The Conservation Fund and the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation, are also partners in the project, development of which was approved by the Hannibal City Council.

The bats that hibernate in Hannibal make up about one-third of all known Indiana bats (their scientific name is Myotis sodalis, hence the preserve name), Marquardt said, and arrive by the thousands in October, often in such full force that they create a near blackout. They participate in a swarming exercise that is part of the mating ritual before beginning hibernation in November, and typically return to forests in parts of northern Missouri, southeastern Iowa and western Illinois in early spring.

Other Indiana bats are in several eastern states, especially Indiana, where more than 200,000 of them also hibernate. The bats got their name because the first one was found in an Indiana cave in 1904.

The same Hannibal caves and mine house five other species of hibernating bats, too  including gray bats and the federally threatened northern long-eared bats.

Its another potential tourist attraction in Mark Twains hometown, which is about 120 miles northwest of St. Louis, and the Mark Twain Cave, which is east of the new preserve, draws hundreds of thousands of visitors annually.

I think people will come from throughout the region, said Andy Dorian, Hannibals Parks and Recreation director. Not everybody has something like this in their backyard.

The preserve will open to the public after land purchases are completed this month, with a dedication ceremony expected on April 17  National Bat Appreciation Day  Marquardt said. The land will remain forested, though plans are in place for an approximate 6-mile hiking and biking trail.

Visitors will not be allowed inside the cave or mine to better protect the bats, which play a major role in the ecosystem as a predator of insects that can damage forests and crops.

The heritage foundation will maintain a conservation easement to ensure that mine gates remain in place to protect the bats. The Fish and Wildlife Service will monitor and manage the bat population in the mine and on surrounding property.

Jim Salter reports for The Associated Press.
For a mayor happy to boast about his city's record low crime rates, Bill de Blasio has spent a lot of time lately talking about gun violence. As he should, because New York remains a dangerous and frightening city if you live in certain neighborhoods  in Brooklyn and the Bronx  still afflicted by gangs, drugs and shootings.

Horrifying reports of a gang rape in Brownsville this month are just one reminder that New York's public-safety successes are incomplete, and that there is never time for complacency in deterring and prosecuting crime.

Mr. de Blasio announced on Tuesday two encouraging new approaches in pursuit of a safer city: the creation of a specialized court in Brooklyn to handle gun-possession cases, and a "Gun Violence Suppression Division," of 200 police officers, mostly detectives, to handle illegal-gun cases and nothing else.

One thing to know about gun court is that it isn't drug court. Drug courts and other specialized courts try to keep defendants out of prison, to shield them from the worst of the justice system and put them on a better path in life. Gun court starts from a different premise, explained recently by Police Commissioner William Bratton: "They need to be treated with every ounce of justice system that we can apply to them, to basically get them off the streets and keep them away from us."

"They" being repeat offenders, often young men in street gangs, who are relatively few in number but blamed by the police for most gun violence. When New York first experimented with gun court  in Brooklyn, under Mayor Michael Bloomberg from 2003 to 2009  it was trying to solve a dilemma: Shootings plagued some neighborhoods, but gun cases frequently dragged on and conviction rates were low. Justice was seen as slow, inefficient and inconsistent.

Mr. de Blasio's revived plan, an aide said, has the same motives: "to identify the strongest cases out of the gate" and to send them to two judges in two courtrooms in State Supreme Court in Brooklyn. The plan is to dispose of cases more quickly, to get high-risk repeat offenders off the street, with sentences appropriate to the seriousness of the crime, and not let low-priority offenders and bad cases languish in Rikers.

The long bottoming out of the crime rate in New York City has been something to marvel at, but the challenge is to keep the gains from eroding while restoring law and order to the pockets of the city plagued by stubborn violence. There are many wrong ways to tackle that problem, including the ridiculously wide "stop-and-frisk" dragnet set by Mr. Bratton's predecessor Raymond Kelly, which harmed hundreds of thousands of innocent young men in the pursuit of a fractional subset of violent criminals.

Mr. de Blasio and Mr. Bratton say they are now doing the opposite, with a tack that is not necessarily harsher but smarter. Its success will rely not just on greater efficiency in the courtroom, but also on good policing on the front end, with well-trained officers respecting the Constitution and the residents of the crime-plagued neighborhoods they are pledged to protect.

The answer as always is the swift, sure and consistent application of justice, with stiff sentences where they are justified, and no neighborhoods left to fall through the cracks.
Here is a basic list of some essentials you may need to survive 1. A sturdy army surplus backpack. 2. A first aid kit, including bandages, iodine, alcohol, gauze and painkillers. 3. Close range melee type weapons. Machetes, Bowie knives, axe, katana, kukri. 4. Long range weapons. You will need a rifle or a 180 lb crossbow, preferably with optical sights. Make sure you have plenty of ammunition or bolts. 5. Clothing. At least one set each of hot weather and cold weather clothing, you can always ditch what you dont need. 6. Boots. A sturdy new pair of military combat boots, preferably steel toe caps. 7. Manuals. When youre on the run, starving, and out of water you wont be thinking clearly, manuals are a good way to ensure you will not forget important information. An army wilderness survival handbook and a wilderness observation and tracking book would be useful. 8. Water. Make sure you have a canteen and get purification tablets to refill. 9. Rain gear. 10. A fire kit. Make sure all your matches and lighters are sealed in plastic. Bring kindling if you can. 11. Light. Bring an army style red lensed flash light. The red light will not ruin your night vision (your natural night vision) so you will not be left in the dark when you have to turn it off. 12. Medicine. Any important medication you may be on i.e. insulin, asthma medications. 13. Radios. If there are others in your group you will want to be able to communicate with them if you get lost. 14. Hand signals. If you have others in your group you will need to be able to communicate with them silently, make sure everyone in the group understands the hand signals. 15. Navigational equipment. Bring a compass and maps of the surrounding area. Good maps include road maps, hiking maps, and topographical maps. Make sure you know how to use a compass and read a map. 16. Shelter. A tent if you can carry it, something that will keep you out of the wind and rain. Knowledge on how to build a makeshift shelter is also useful. 17. A hand-crank radio. You will want to keep updated on new reports and such. 18. Batteries. Solar powered charger. 19. A watch, wind-up best pick as batteries eventually run out. 20. Cooking equipment. This includes a pot of some sort, eating utensils, and something to cut wood with. A Commando Saw which is like barbed piano wire and will fit in your pocket. 21. Fishing equipment. Maybe not a rod, but bring hooks, lots of line, and lures. 22. Knowledge. This is your absolute best weapon. Once you have chosen the place or area you will run to make sure you know it like the back of your hand. You may have food rations already stashed away in cannisters deep in the ground, or a secluded well-protected dwelling. No doubt others have thought of the same location, it will be your knowledge of the area that makes you better. If there is a stream, know where it starts and where it goes. Know the hills, the mountains, the trails, the flora, fauna and climactic conditions year round.
Ottawa: The Supreme Court of Canada decided on Friday to allow doctor-assisted suicide across the country under certain circumstances, while giving the government more time to pass a law governing the practice.



The decision came as officials confirmed that a patient had already been helped to die in the French-speaking province of Quebec.

The court had overturned a ban on physician-assisted suicide last February, putting Canada in the company of a handful of Western countries to make it legal.



But it had said the decision would not take effect for a year, giving the government time to produce legislation.



The work got off schedule because of the October election and the defeat of the Conservative government by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's Liberals. The newly elected justice minister had asked for the decision to be suspended for an extra six months.



Instead, the court gave the go-ahead for assisted suicide to begin now under certain conditions and granted the federal government four more months to come up with a national law.



The Canadian government said it respected the judgment and the additional time would help it develop an approach "that protects the most vulnerable among us while respecting the inherent dignity of all Canadians."



Polls show physician-assisted suicide has broad support but the issue has divided politicians in Parliament as they grapple with how to protect vulnerable Canadians while respecting their rights and choices at the end of life.



The court ruled doctors would be allowed to facilitate the death of patients in Quebec, which had already put its own law into effect in December.



Since the change in provincial law on December 10, one person carried out an assisted suicide in Quebec City, a spokeswoman for the health and social services centre for the Quebec City region said in an email.



There is no way to say whether this was the first assisted-suicide under the new laws as Quebec does not currently keep such statistics, said Joanne Beauvais, a spokeswoman for provincial Health Minister Gaetan Barrette.



The Supreme Court ruling said people outside Quebec can apply to their provincial superior court for judicial authorisation "to those who wish to exercise their rights" to doctor-assisted death.



Friday's decision was split 5-4, with Chief Justice Beverley McLachlin and three others disagreeing with giving an exemption to Quebec and to other individuals.
Jakarta: Indonesian police killed one suspected militant and arrested two more in raids across the country on Friday, a day after an attack by ISIS suicide bombers and gunmen in the heart of the Southeast Asian nation's capital.



Seven people were killed in Thursday's late-morning siege near a busy shopping district, despite multiple blasts and a gunfight, and five of the dead were the attackers themselves.



Nevertheless, it was the first time the radical group has targeted the country with the world's largest Muslim population, and the brazenness of the attack suggested a new brand of militancy in a country more used to low-level strikes on police.

Police chiefs across the country were on high alert, some embassies in Jakarta were closed for the day and security was stepped up on the resort island of Bali, a draw for tourists from Australia and other Asian countries.



"It's clear that the (Jakarta attackers) didn't set this up themselves. For this, we are searching for the networks and who was involved in this action," said Anton Charliyan, national police spokesman.



Security forces killed one suspected militant in a gun battle in Central Sulawesi, while two others were arrested in the city of Cirebon in West Java.



The three were believed to be ISIS supporters, but not directly connected to the Jakarta attack, police said.



Returning to the area outside Jakarta's oldest department store, Sarinah, where Thursday's attack unfolded, the city's police chief said the rise of ISIS was a cause for serious concern.

"We need to strengthen our response and preventive measures, including legislation to prevent them ... and we hope our counterparts in other countries can work together because it is not home-grown terrorism, it is part of the ISIS network," Tito Karnavian said.



In response to the Jakarta attacks, Philippine President Benigno Aquino ordered security forces to strengthen defences of "soft" targets. Malaysia placed the country on its highest alert.



Experts agree that there is a growing threat from radicalised Muslims inspired by ISIS, some of whom may have fought with the group in Syria.



However, they said the low death toll on Thursday pointed to the involvement of poorly trained local militants whose weapons were crude.



An Indonesian and a man of dual Canadian-Algerian nationality were killed along with the attackers. Twenty-four people were seriously wounded, including an Austrian, a German and a Dutchman.



ISIS said in its claim of responsibility that "a group of soldiers of the caliphate in Indonesia targeted a gathering from the crusader alliance that fights the Islamic State in Jakarta".



Police confirmed that ISIS was responsible and named an Indonesian militant, Bahrun Naim, as the mastermind.



They believe Naim leads a militant network known as Katibah Nusantara and is pulling strings from Raqqa, Islamic State's de facto capital in Syria.



"His vision is to unite all ISIS supporting elements in Southeast Asia, including Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines," Jakarta police chief Karnavian said.



Islamist militants from those three countries have a record of working together, and several Malaysians are known to have carried out suicide attacks in the Middle East.



Echoes Of Paris



Indonesia has seen attacks by Islamist militants before, but a coordinated assault by a team of suicide bombers and gunmen is unprecedented and has echoes of the siege in Mumbai seven years ago and in Paris last November.



In a recent blog post, entitled "Lessons from the Paris Attacks", Naim had urged his Indonesian audience to study the planning, targeting, timing, coordination, security and courage of the jihadis in the French capital.



The country had been on edge for weeks over the threat posed by Islamist militants, and counter-terrorism police had rounded up about 20 people with suspected links to ISIS.



There was a spate of militant attacks in Indonesia in the 2000s, the deadliest of which was a nightclub bombing on Bali that killed 202 people, most of them tourists.



Police have been largely successful in destroying domestic militant cells since then, but officials have more recently been worrying about a resurgence inspired by ISIS.



Many experts believe, however, that Indonesia, a vibrant democracy where the vast majority of Muslims practise a moderate form of Islam, is not likely to be tipped into a cauldron of radicalism.
There once this time when Switzerland was the de facto location whenever a Bollywood film required a foreign shoot. Filmmakers presented the same pristine vistas repeatedly; and even when budgets expanded, as did themes, filmmakers were not so experimental in their choices of locations.

But over the past two years, Bollywood has expanded its directions  quite literally. If you happened to sit through just a few films from the latter half of 2015 alone  Dilwale, Dil Dhadakne Do, Tamasha, Phantom, to name a few  you would have been transported to destinations like Bulgaria, Iceland, Greece, Corsica and Beirut. The trend can perhaps be traced back to Zindagi Milegi Na Dobara, which many said was almost a tourism advertisement for Spain. Other films like Kick (Poland) and PK (Belgium) have also capitalised on the beauty of untapped foreign locations for their shoots.

So just what is drawing Bollywood to newer, unexplored territories? And is it pushing Indian travellers to visit the places theyve seen on the big screen?

Where the South goes

The South film industry has perhaps taken the lead when it comes to venturing to newer locations. Director Shankar explored stunning new settings for Jeans (which had Aishwarya Rai dancing against all the Seven Wonders of the world) and later, in Robot, for which Rajinikanth and Ash shot at locations such as Machu Picchu in Peru, and in Brazil.

If Rohit Shettys song sequence for Gerua (from Dilwale) was shot in Iceland, it was because he had previously seen the song Eno Eno Panithuli from the Suriya starrer Aadhavan, that had been filmed there. Says Rohit Shetty, To be honest, it was Suriyas film that was shot in Iceland (that prompted me to go there). One of our line producers told us about the location. I told Shah Rukh about it, and he said, Lets go. So we went and shot the song there.

Bulgaria too, had played host to the shoots of films like Bahubali and Masss (Tamil) before drawing Dilwale and Shivay to its shores.



Wooed to travel

Perhaps the key reason that new destinations are being explored by Bollywood filmmakers is because of ardent wooing by their tourism boards. Bulgaria was very keen to tap into the power of Bollywood. Stefan Ionkov, the head of the Commercial & Economic Affairs Office of Bulgaria to India, says that they have been working actively on bringing Bollywood shoots to Bulgaria, because the strategy proved to be so successful for Switzerland, Spain and Germany. It took over two years to bring the right film projects to Bulgaria  in this case, Dilwale, and Ajay Devgns upcoming Shivay. Having Rohit Shetty, Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol in Bulgaria has been achieved with a lot of work, dedication I am happy and proud that we have already built our relation of trust with Bollywood, says Stefan.

Tourism Ireland worked closely with Yash Raj Films to bring the Ek Tha Tiger shoot to Dublin. Soon, films like David and 1: Nenokkadine had also booked their tickets for the island country, drawn by what the tourism board had to offer.

Tourism Ireland works with the Irish Film Board (IFB) and Northern Ireland Screen (NSI) to support the filming of Bollywood movies in Ireland  visas, screen location facilitation etc, says Huzan Fraser, the India representative for Tourism Ireland. For Ek Tha Tiger, Tourism Ireland undertook a television, print and digital campaign during the release of the film in India to showcase Ireland as an attractive destination. Also, the IFB offers a range of tax incentives for filming on the island of Ireland (a new 32 per cent incentive is available since 2015), an expansion of eligible expenditure criteria and greater flexibility in the application process. We also conduct familiarisation visits for Bollywood producers to Ireland.

In return, several filmmakers also shoot promotional videos for these destinations  SRKs Red Chillies presented a short one called Welcome to Bulgaria which garnered over 4,00,000 views on YouTube says Stefan; Ajay Devgn has also featured in a promotional video for the country, while Imtiaz Alis video showcasing Corsica and his experiences shooting there has received millions of likes on Facebook.



Scripting demands

Of course, while there will be filmmakers who take their shoots to destinations previously unknown, simply because they can afford to, there are others who believe their script truly demands it. In Zoya Akhtars films, ZNMD and Dil Dhadake Do, the locations (Spain and a cruise on the Mediterranean) were inseparable from the plot. The same can be said for Imtiaz Ali, who set his Tamasha in picturesque Corsica. Imtiaz had said that right from the time that he began writing the script, his first choice of a location had been Corsica. In fact, Deepika Padukones character is shown to be a huge fan of the comic Asterix in Corsica, which is how she ends up travelling there.

(The story was about) two people meeting at a place thats very unusual. A good place, but definitely not a regular destination for Indians (to travel to). Corsica has a distinct, unique culture. It is not modern, it is not old-fashioned; they have kept their food and music and culture. I (was) lucky that it has not been explored cinematically, but I think that people will more and more go to Corsica (after this), Imtiaz said, explaining why he chose it.

Ek Tha Tiger shoot at Trinity College Dublin

For director Kabir Khan, locations also speak to his love for adventure. So from shooting in Beirut for Phantom to heading off to Kabul for Kabul Express and on home ground, Sonmarg and Zoji La for Bajrangi Bhaijaan  the locations of his films attest to the directors own personality.



Convenience counts too!

Sometimes, the logistics may drive a filmmaker to look for an out-of-the-ordinary shoot location. Kunal Kohli first ventured to shoot Fanaa in the Tatra Mountains in southern Poland, because his original location, Kashmir, presented several difficulties. Ajay Devgn had previously meant to shoot Shivay in Calgary, Canada. However, his team felt the location was not feasible for filming the high-octane action sequences in mind (it was accessible only by chopper) so they opted for the Rila Mountain in Bulgaria.

Some filmmakers may have found newer destinations a whole lot more welcoming to shoot in. As Stefan Ionkov tells us, the services of the largest film studio in the Balkans (the Nu Boyana Film Studio) are available to overseas film crews. We have professional dancers, costume designers, shooting equipment After Shivay, we have another 10 Indian movies being shot in Bulgaria in 2016 alone, he says.

But not every new location offers such seamless infrastructure to film crews. Imtiaz Ali admitted that shooting in Corsica was not without its challenges. Corsica was a very expensive location  but it was a location I wanted. Not much shooting happens in Corsica so everything had to be set by us almost for the first time. There was no steady catering and all the other services a team requires on a shoot were not established. We had to rely a lot on the smart people (around us) to help us out, he told us.

PK shoot in Bruges

And while Zoya Akhtar made the idea of a cruise holiday look like a dream in DDD, she has said that shooting it was logistically insane. The production house Excel ironed out every possible detail before starting work on the film.

Then there are certain locations that offer their own dangers  as Kabir Khan found when he went to Kabul for Kabul Express. Kabir recounts, During the shoot, we got death threats from the Taliban.

The Indian ambassador told us that five men had been sent to attack us. We sent John and Arshad back to Mumbai. But Adi (Aditya Chopra, producer) was very supportive; he said YRF would recreate Kabul in any part of the world for me I met intelligence and security officers and after five days, I told Adi we could continue (in Kabul). Hats off to John and Arshad for coming back. Nobody is insured in a war zone.



Does it really help tourism?

Does Bollywood drive Indian tourists to explore the destinations it showcases? The answer, according to experts, is a resounding yes. Says Daniel DSouza of Kuoni India, Bollywood-inspired holidays are a huge draw. Any location featured prominently in a movie instantly become aspirational and popular with travellers. We have witnessed a surge of demand for holidays to locations where movies have been shot. Switzerland, New Zealand, Australia, Spain, Corsica have gained prominence with Indian clients after being extensively featured in Indian movies. With increasing number of Bollywood producers exploring newer destinations for their movies, we will see this trend growing in future.

We witnessed an uptake in queries for Corsica, after the release of Tamasha. Dil Dhadakne Do has inspired Indian families to take cruise vacations, and we are seeing unprecedented demand of over 23 per cent to short haul favourites like Dubai, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia and Hong Kong. Similarly, movies like Dil Chahta Hai, Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara, Finding Fanny have catapulted self-drive vacations to long hauls such as Spain, adds Jatinder Paul Singh, of Thomas Cook India.
Islamabad: Pakistan is considering to ban the Falah-e-Insaniat Foundation (FIF), a charity organisation run by Jamaatud Dawa (JuD) chief Hafiz Mohammed Saeed, officials here said.

The development comes after Pakistan launched a massive crackdown against the madrassas (religious seminaries) run by the proscribed Jaish-e-Mohamed (JeM). JuD is accused of promoting terror in India.

India also believes the JuD masterminded the Mumbai attacks that killed scores of people.

Earlier, Pakistan detained JeM chief Maulana Masood Azhar. However, Pakistan has refused to officially confirm the arrest of Maulana Masood Azhar with the authorities claiming he was under protective custody.

Officials said the government was likely to ban FIF. The Ministry of Interior said, it had started serious consultations with all the stakeholders before banning FIF and final decision would be taken in next few days. There is a demand within Pakistan and from other countries that both JuD and FIF be banned.

The government of Pakistan had banned LeT on January 14, 2002 in the aftermath of December 2001 attack on the Indian Parliament but the organisation continued to operate under the new names.
A Commission of Inquiry (CoI) set up by the Arvind Kejriwal government has suffered a setback with Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung refusing to help the panel get the 2002 CNG fitness scam documents from the Anti-Corruption Branch.



Jung wrote to the CoI head informing him that he was bound by the Union governments decision on not recognising the proceedings as legally valid.



The Justice (retired) S N Aggarwal inquiry commission, was set up by the Delhi government to probe the award of contract, by the Sheila Dikshit government, for inspection and certification of commercial CNG vehicles for fitness to a firm in 2002.



Jungs letter to Justice Aggarwal said the Ministry of Home Affairs considered the CoI illegal so he should not expect any help from his office.



I am constitutionally bound to follow the instructions of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Govt of India and am, therefore unable to assist in this matter, said Jungs January 8 letter.



Justice Aggarwal earlier wrote to Jung asking him to direct ACB chief M K Meena to present records relating to the alleged CNG fitness scam before him.



The AAP government has maintained that Meena, an appointee of Jung, has been allegedly trying to suppress the scam and shield Jung who himself appears to be in the wrong in the scam.



The charge has been denied by Meena. The CoI earlier had also issued a non-bailable warrant against Meena in September, which was stayed by the Delhi High Court. Justice Aggarwal had accused Meena of delaying the proceedings of the Commission.



Jungs letter to Justice Aggarwal is likely to give fresh political ammunition to the AAP government which has trained guns on the Centre for frequently troubling it and using the CBI for vendetta driven raid on the Secretariat.



Soon after the CoI was constituted, the MHA in August declared the CoI legally null and void The Ministry, which controls Raj Niwas, said the Kejriwal-led Delhi government was not competent to set up such a probe.


With an increased frequency and nearly no major technical snag, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation has beaten all odds to shoulder the bulk of crowd during the city governments 15-day road rationing scheme that started from January 1. Hence, proving once again, it is the lifeline of the national capital.



Though Delhi Metro saw above normal rush during the peak hours, its increased frequency did the trick. Even commuters praised the Delhi Metros efforts of running additional trains during the 15-day odd-even trial period. Usually I have to wait for 10 to 15 minutes at Dwarka Mor to get a train to Dwarka Sector 21, but during this 15-day period I was abe to get a metro within 4 to 5 minutes, said Urvashi Shukla, who works with a non-profit organisation.



Had the Delhi Metro not run additional trains during peak hours, there would have been massive rush at the major intersections like Rajiv Chowk and Central Secretariat, said Rohit Trivedi, a government employee.



Even car owners appreciated Metro services. I seldom take Metro to reach my office in Okhla, I prefer my car over public transport. I had to take Metro once or twice during the odd-even scheme and it changed my perception about the public transport, said Ravi Kalra, CEO of a private firm. I am actually thinking to take Metro to reach my office at least a couple of times a month, added Kalra who lives in Vasant Kunj.



The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) said that necessary measures were planned in advance and put in place to manage additional rush of passengers. All lines and stations were thoroughly monitored throughout the day to ensure smooth operations at all stations on different corridors.



Even first time travellers did not have a hard time reaching their destinations. I never take Metro or DTC bus to commute in the city as I have my own car. But the governments odd-even restrictions forced me to take the Metro. To my surprise, I likeed it, said Tanya Narula, who works at an MNC.



Its not that over crowded like people say. Or may be its because of the Delhi Metro Rail Corporations increased frequency of trains, but its the most convenient way to reach your destinations, she added.



Experts said that the Delhi Metro has a potential of sustaining an increased frequency if provided an adequate infrastructure as such an mechanism would require more trains.


Fifteen days of odd-even rule has made a visible impact on Delhis traffic, if not as much on pollution. Smooth traffic at Connaught Place is the biggest example of this change.



Being a favourite shopping destination of Delhiites, CP also has offices of many national and multinational companies which choked the roads with vehicles all the time. However, things have changed during the trial.



If we see Delhi as the body, CP has to be its heart, but the ever-increasing numbers of vehicles here were choking the roads, denting its image as the preferred choice for shopping and recreation. Since January 1, however, I can see the change for the better, said Sartek, a musician.



I live in south Delhi, and often come here for my musical shows and programmes. Earlier, it used to take more than one hour to reach here, but now I reach here in half an hour only, Sartek added.



Hanging around in the central park, a young couple agreed that the lost charm of CP was back since the start of the scheme.



Earlier, we had to negotiate all types of vehicles just to go from one place to another even while walking in the inner circle of CP, which used to put us off and we had started avoiding CP. Now, however, we are back here enjoying the excellent weather and traffic is the last thing in our mind, said Sushant, a Delhi University student.



The experience, however, is not pleasant for everyone, especially for people coming from outside Delhi.



Looking distressed and holding a pair of cloth bags in his hands, Kapil Rastogi, a jeweller, had come all the way from Moradabad to visit All India Institute of Medical Sciences.



Today, my mother had an appointment with a doctor at AIIMS, so I started off from Moradabad early in the morning. After reaching Gazrola, I switched on my FM radio and heard the RJ talking about Friday being the last day of the odd or even scheme, said Rastogi.



After checking on the Delhi Police website I got to know that my car whose registration number ends with an even one will draw a challan if it enters Delhi after 8 am. So I stepped on the gas and was at AIIMS before 8 am, Rastogi added.



Rastogi, who spent more than Rs 2,000 just to travel in Delhi in autos after parking his car at AIIMS, complains that he was fleeced by autowallahs, once they figured out that he was an outsider.



They charged me Rs 250 from AIIMS to CP, and when I inquired about the charges for Vasant Kunj from CP they were asking for Rs 700. My mother is sitting in the car, and we can move out only after 8 pm. You can imagine our plight. Next time I will avoid coming on my personal vehicle to Delhi, Rastogi said.


Putting its weight behind the banned Jaish-e-Mohammad, JuD chief Hafiz Saeed today chided Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's government for detaining Jaish chief and activists in connection with the Pathankot terror attack.



Addressing the Friday sermon at JuD headquarters here, Saeed said that the Pakistan government is taking action against JeM to "please" India.



"The arrests are regrettable as the Nawaz government is only doing so to please Modi sarkar (government). The arrests will only encourage the Indian government to put further pressure on Pakistan to backtrack it's stance on Kashmir," he said.



Saeed further said the Pakistani government is ignoring "national interest" for the sake of its friendship with India.



The LeJ founder also criticised the Pakistani news analysts for appreciating the government for arrests made in connection with the January 2 attack on an Indian airbase in Pathankot.


Tsai Ing-wen of Taiwan's main opposition party will become the island's first female president after the ruling Kuomintang conceded defeat in polls today, as voters turned their backs on closer China ties.





"I'm sorry... We've lost. The KMT has suffered an election defeat. We haven't worked hard enough and we failed voters' expectations," said KMT candidate Eric Chu addressing crowds at the party's headquarters in Taipei.



The vote count is continuing but live television figures from polling stations show Tsai has secured a historic landslide victory, with around 60 per cent against 30 per cent for Chu.



Support for Tsai has surged as voters have become increasingly uneasy about a recent rapprochement with China under KMT president Ma Ying-jeou, who must step down after a maximum two terms.



As the economy stagnates, many are frustrated that trade pacts signed with the mainland have failed to benefit ordinary Taiwanese.
In a major step ahead of the Budget, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday announced a Rs 10,000 crore fund for start-ups and a slew of tax incentives as he promised to hand-hold all those who show the guts to make a beginning in India.



The tax breaks include a three-year income tax holiday, exemptions from capital gains tax if someone invested their own wealth to begin a start-up, 80 per cent reduction in patent fees and a Rs 500 crore credit guarantee fund.



India, that is full of youth power needs a psychological change. The young in India need to come out of the job-seeker mentality to that of job provider, the prime minister said, as he unveiled start-up India movement and launched an Action Plan in the national capital.



The programme was attended by more than 1,500 CEOs and founders of top start-ups from across the country. With 4,200 start-ups, India ranks third globally and with $18 billion pumped into Indian start-ups between 2010-15, $9 billion came in 2015 alone. Modi also asked young entrepreneurs to suggest ways for minimising government interference in start-up businesses.



We have seen the governments do a lot for the past 70 years and we have also seen where we have reached, today I want you to tell me, what we (government) should not do, so that you (entrepreneurs) can move freely and reach a new height, Modi said from a podium which read We Unobstacle.



Encouraging investors, the prime minister said that start-ups should not only be thought of as those high-fi businesses which use lakhs of rupees, complex technologies and apps but also those which are very basic and can create jobs for a few people.



If someone starts an initiative which gives jobs to even five people, that initiative has the potential to take India forward, the prime minister said, as he gave example of Indian handicraft sector with promising potential.



To promote the ease of doing business, he said there will be self-certification based compliance for start-ups, which will also include self-certified environment regulation.



No inspection



There will be no inspection of a start-up business for an initial three years.

Modi, however, said that the government will be vigilant about zero defect in the business model.



The prime minister said, his government will launch a mobile app from April 1 that will enable start-up to get clearances in one day. The government was also bringing a scheme to make filing of patents simpler.



There is no exit plan for start-ups, the prime minister said, adding that the central government was making faster exits for start-ups because failures shouldnt stop you forever. One who runs away from water cannot learn to swim. We are bringing a bill in Parliament to let start-ups exit in 90 days, he said.


In 2010, Japanese architect Kazuyo Sejima (born 1956) became the first woman to direct the Architecture sector of the Venice Biennale. The 21st century has just started, she reflected on the occasion. Many radical changes are taking place.





In such a rapid-changing context, can architecture clarify new values and a new lifestyle for the present? Hopefully, this show will be a chance to experience the manifold possibilities of architecture, as well as to account for its plurality of approaches, each one of them being a different way of living.



The theme of the biennale  People Meet in Architecture  in many ways reflected what Sejima (and Ryue Nishizawa, her partner at the architecture practice SANAA) thought about architecture. Basically, all of our projects try to create an atmosphere for people. We have said before that we try to make architecture that feels like a park. This has to do with making an atmosphere that can be experienced and used in many ways. It can be grand or it can be intimate.



Founded in 1995, SANAA (Sejima and Nishizawa and Associates) has, over the years, planned, designed and executed some path-breaking projects across the world. Its international portfolio includes prestigious museums, university buildings, fashion houses, exhibition pavilions, shops, offices and housing projects.



SANAAs innovative approach and meticulous arrangement have received wide critical and popular acclaim. The partnership came into limelight in 2004 when the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art in Kanazawa, designed by SANAA, won the hugely sought-after Golden Lion award at the Venice Biennale.



It was indeed SANAAs first major public building, and one which defined its future direction. Located in the very centre of Kanazawa city, it had begun with the concept of an open museum which would cater not only to art professionals and experts, but also to general public at large.



We proposed a museum without a front or back so that people could enter freely from any direction. We also thought carefully about its effect on the surroundings and the relationship of the building with its context, because of the historical background of the region. When the building was completed and we saw that people enjoyed using the museum, we truly realised how wonderful it is for architecture to be open. A great deal of our aims became more obvious to us because of this museum.



Circular in form with a diameter of 113 metres, the Kanazawa Museum focused not only on the main exhibition hall, but also zones for people to interact viz cafe-restaurants, meeting rooms, library, theatre, lecture hall, and even a nursery and day-care facility. Thanks to the unique design elements which included corridors, passageways and glass peripherals, visitors could see deep into the central core, and penetrate the exhibition zone. With such a structure in place, the museum became a hub of activity at all times of the day, attracting visitors of all ages  from preschoolers, teenage art students, office workers, young mothers to old-age pensioners.



The Golden Lion award was followed by several others for SANAA. Five years ago, Sejima and Nishizawa won the prestigious Pritzker Architecture Prize (often referred to as the Nobel Prize for architecture). The jury citation on their selection summed up their architectural practice: For architecture that is simultaneously delicate and powerful, precise and fluid, ingenious but not overly or overtly clever; for the creation of buildings that successfully interact with their contexts and the activities they contain, creating a sense of fullness and experiential richness; for a singular architectural language that springs from a collaborative process that is both unique and inspirational; for their notable completed buildings and the promise of new projects together, Kazuyo Sejima and Ryue Nishizawa are the recipients of the 2010 Pritzker Architecture Prize.



Full house



Sejima, who was named the Young Architect of the Year in Japan way back in 1992 and has taught at Princeton University, the Polytechnique de Lausanne, Tama Art University and Keio University, was recently in Bengaluru to address a gathering of architects, students and general public.



Invited by MASA (Malnad Architecture Student Association), she presented a birds-eye view of her work through nine projects executed by SANAA during the last 10 years. The 80-odd minute presentation kept the packed auditorium of NIMHANS Convention Centre spellbound.



Among others, Sejimas lecture touched on SANAAs groundbreaking efforts such as: The Rolex Learning Centre in Lausanne, Switzerland (a highly innovative building spread over one single fluid space of 20,000 sq metres with gentle slopes, terraces and complex curving roof providing a seamless network of services, social spaces, spaces to study, and beautiful outdoor spaces); The New Museum of Contemporary Art in New York (which rises 174 feet above street level and appears as a stack of six boxes with delicate and filmy, softly shimmering exterior); The Louvre-Lens in France (the Musee du Louvres new sister gallery featuring a 360-metre-long chain of cuboidal glass and aluminium galleries that house a permanent art collection as well as temporary exhibitions); and the Grace Farms parkland project (a sinuous 83,000-square-foot, $67 million building called The River, set on 80 acres of open space in tony, architecturally-exceptional New Canaan, Connecticut, USA).



In each of these projects the Japanese architects had explored the ideas of lightness and transparency, found ways to make a building reflect its location and natural surroundings, and continually pushed the boundaries of their concepts to new extremes. Architecture is not just about solving problems, said Sejima. It is going beyond the obvious, developing processes and expanding the functions of the building  be it a museum, a learning centre, or a housing project.



Emphasising the need to develop an organic relationship between different spaces and their functions, she proposed that every space could be independent yet connected. Each space has a different character. For instance, a library has to be silent and somber, while a cafe has to be lively. It is necessary to provide an organic continuity between individual spaces, as also between the building and the surrounding environment, the people, and their activities.
A solo trip was on the cards for long, and I finally mustered the courage to go ahead, allaying fears of loneliness and boredom. The destination was Greece.





My first evening in Athens began on an off-beat note as I went on a walking tour of the unexplored parts of the capital with Demetra Papaconstantinou, an accomplished archaeologist from This is Athens, a group of volunteers committed to promoting tourism.

The walk began at Syntagma Square, also called the Constitution Square, in honour of the Constitution that the first king of Greece, Otto, was forced to grant after a military uprising in September 1843.



Overlooking the square is the 19th century Old Royal Palace, which is now the Greek Parliament. For the next two hours, we walked around the illuminated Acropolis Hill  which presented a beautiful spectacle at night  and Plaka, the social melting pot of Athens. While the old Plaka area has little shops peddling local ware on narrow streets, the new extension is a world apart with a wide cobbled walkway offering top international brands.



Land of the gods



The second day was devoted to a city tour, starting with the Kallimarmaro stadium, which was constructed in the ancient times to host the Panathenaic Games, in honour of Goddess Athena, the protector of Athens. In 329 BC, the wooden seats were replaced with fine marble, while in 140 BC, the seating capacity was increased to 50,000. The stadium fell into disuse for many centuries, until it was renovated to host the first modern Olympics in 1896.



We then passed by several important landmarks like the national library, Temple of Zeus and the Parliament building. Though these structures are of great historical importance, they pale in terms of architectural splendour when compared to our own monuments like Rashtrapathi Bhavan, Vidhana Soudha, Central Library or even the Town Hall.



Our next stop was at the Parthenon on Acropolis Hill, which was severely damaged during the Morean War in 1687, and bears no resemble to what is projected in tourist brochures. The government has now undertaken an ambitious project to restore all destroyed monuments to their original shape.



Greece is best explored by foot and a short walk downhill took us to the Acropolis Museum, a modern structure which stood out like a sore thumb amidst the ruins around. The museum holds some of the most valuable artefacts of Greece from the prehistoric times, but they are no match to the intricate work seen at Belur, Halebeedu or Khajuraho.

In the afternoon, I joined a group of tourists visiting the Temple of Poseidon at Cape Sounion. While the 70 km drive by the Mediterranean offers a visual treat, the exhilarating view from the 444 BC temple which sits on a peninsula can turn even an unromantic soul to a poet.



The third day in Greece saw me on a six-hour cruise to Mykonos, with most of the time spent on the ships deck admiring the beautiful ports on the way as the cool sea breeze kissed my face.



Island treasures



Mykonos is a picture postcard island known for its pristine beaches, the most famous being Paradise, Kalafatis and Kalo Livadi. Measuring barely 14 by 10 km, the island is inhabited by about 10,000 people, most of whom live in the main town, Chora.



However, Mykonoss claim to fame is its fairy tale township Little Venice, which sits pretty on the beach with the calm sea water gently lashing its walls. It is a maze of criss-crossing alleys where whitewashed shops, houses and quaint churches run into each other. The path measuring no more than five feet resembles a galli in India, except that it is spotlessly clean, with even the cobbled footpath painted.



Towards the other end of the town are the iconic 16th century windmills which were in use until the middle of the 20th century, to mill wheat. There are 16 such windmills spread across Mykonos, which is also called the island of winds.



Little Venice is lined with tavernas, as the Greeks call them, offering an impressive range of food and a spectacular view of the sea. Like the Indians, the Greeks are also fond of kababs, the hot favourite being souvlaki, comprising small pieces of meat grilled on a skewer. Vegetarians can feast on a variety of salads starting with the Greek salad, baked vegetables or the delectable yemista  tomatoes stuffed with rice and herbs. Greece also boasts of several traditional sweet dishes, but the king of desserts is the baklava, a sinful pastry made of filo, filled with nuts and held together with honey.



Apart from the beaches and Little Venice, another star attraction is the UNESCO-protected archaeological site of Delos. The evenings are generally spent watching the sunset as the blue waters of the Mediterranean turn crimson. Mykonos also prides itself as the party destination of Greece, attracting DJs from across the world. Mykonos is said to be one of the most romantic islands in Europe and offers a perfect getaway for honeymooners.



After two nights in Mykonos, the next port of call was Santorini, a journey of two-and-a-half hours by a high-speed ferry. Santorini was once a single island which was destroyed by a massive volcanic eruption around 1613 BC, creating several splinter islands and a lagoon measuring 12 by 7 km. As the ferry approaches the island, you are dwarfed by a 1,000-feet-high volcanic cliff that cups the small port and the lagoon on three sides, offering a mesmerising sight. The port carved out at the bottom of this sheer cliff is an engineering marvel.



A steep drive takes you to the mainland. The towns of Fira and Oia precariously cling to the slopes of the cliff, and their whitewashed buildings can be mistaken for a snow-capped mountain from a distance.



The next day, which was my sixth in Greece, was spent visiting a few islands on a traditional wooden boat. The tour first took us to the Santorini volcano, a huge mass of lava deposits. The volcanic hill with its huge craters resembles the moons surface. A 30-minute walk from the picturesque Erinia harbour takes you to the top of the hill which presents an exhilarating view of the sea around.



The boat then proceeded to Palea Kameni island known for its hot springs, an indication that the volcano is still alive. We were later dropped off at the beautiful island of Therasia for lunch, before sailing to Oia, where the rest of the evening was spent watching an amazing sunset.



The following day, I took an 11-hour cruise back to Athens, en route Bengaluru. Greece is for those who love sailing and walking. In one week, I had spent over 24 hours on the sea, while I lost count of the number of kilometres I had walked.



In the end, I enjoyed both, my holiday in Greece and my first solo trip. Travelling alone affords you a chance to make new friends, introspect over life, explore places at your own pace, do your own thing, and above all, it unshackles you from your travel group or companion. Sometimes, you are your best company.
Max India, one of Indias leading multi business corporates, has announced its demerger into three listed companies  Max Financial Services, Max India, and Max Ventures and Industries  to provide its investors with specific and undiluted access to its diverse lines of businesses, unlock shareholder value and enable sharper focus on each operating business.





The first holding company, Max Financial Services (MFS) will focus solely on managing the Groups flagship life insurance business, through its 72 per cent shareholding in Max Life.



It will become the first Indian listed company exclusively focused on life insurance, a press release said.



The second holding company, which retains the name Max India, will manage investments in the high potential Health and Allied businesses - Max Healthcare, Max Bupa and Antara Senior Living. The third holding company, Max Ventures & Industries (MVIL) will manage the investment in the manufacturing subsidiary, Max Speciality Films, which is an innovation leader in the Speciality Packaging Films business.
The Union Home Ministry on Saturday held a day-long interaction with the intelligence and investigation agencies of the Centre and states to firm up an action plan for containing growing influence of Islamic State among Muslim youths.





In the meeting chaired by Home Minister Rajnath Singh, emphasis was laid on focussing on welfare schemes for minorities, sprucing social media response and capacity building of police.



The home minister, in his concluding remarks, exhibited confidence that Indias traditions and family values will triumph over even this evil to hold back youth from minorities in getting influenced by such ideologies propagated by IS.



Though the traction that Daesh (an arabic acronym for IS) has got in India is extremely limited, and almost insignificant relative to other countries, there is a need to keep up vigil on all fronts, and not let down our guard in any manner, Singh told the gathering of top cops.



He appreciated that most Muslim organisations in country had come out against both Daesh and other forms of terrorism which had helped in countering its influence.



According to a press release issued by the Home Ministry, the issues discussed included inter-alia misuse of social media; sources of impetus that attract persons, especially youth, to Daesh and the growth of Daesh influence in Indias neighbourhood. The best possible law enforcement response; the need for appropriate welfare schemes for minorities; social media strategies to be followed; and capacity building of state police organisations, specially in the area of information technology were other topics deliberated at length in the meeting.



National intelligence, investigative agencies and law enforcement officers from 13 states and Union territory were present to discuss on sources of impetus that attract persons to IS.



Thirteen states and a Union territory attended the interaction. The government has also been working with foreign countries to help them identify Muslim youths from India who manage to escape to join IS. Only two days ago, four youths were detained in Syria for trying to join IS.



Last December, three youths were arrested from Nagpur airport before they managed to fly off to fight for IS.


Notwithstanding opposition from the Shiv Sena, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will join French President Francois Hollande later this month to push for early deal on the proposed nuclear power plant at Jaitapur in Maharashtra.





Modi and Hollande, who will be on a visit to New Delhi to attend the Republic Day ceremony as chief guest, are likely to prod Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited and French multinational AREVA to expeditiously negotiations for the six 1650 MWe power plants. Modis forthcoming visit to Washington at the end of March may also see the US nuclear giant Westinghouse Electric Company making a significant announcement on the progress of its negotiation with the NPCIL for the techno-commercial agreement for the proposed atomic power plant at Mithi Virdi in Gujarat.



AREVA and NPCIL had signed pre-engineering agreement for the power plant at Jaitapur during Modis visit to Paris in April last. They are now engaged in negotiations for the techno-commercial agreement.
Even as India agreed to host a team of investigators from Pakistan to probe the recent terror strike on the IAF facility at Pathankot in Punjab, it is still not clear if they would be allowed to visit the forward airbase.





Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on Saturday did not give a direct reply when journalists asked him in Jaipur if Pakistans Special Investigation Team would be allowed to visit the scene of the terror strike, given the fact that the forward airbase had several strategic assets of the IAF. I can assure (or guarantee) that without my permission, no one can come.



Those terrorists who came in were the last, a PTI report from Jaipur quoted him as saying in response. The Pakistan SIT  comprising senior intelligence and counter-terrorism officials of the country  will soon visit India. It will conduct a probe into the attack and collect evidences to be used by the prosecution against the Jaish-e-Mohammed operatives arrested in Pakistan for plotting the latest terrorist attack in India.


A day before the launch of Start Up India initiative, President Pranab Mukherjee said India has "woken up" too late on encouraging new entrepreneurs and owned up responsibility for the delay, noting that he had been a finance minister earlier.





"I cannot pass on the buck to anybody. I will have to take the buck to myself because I was in administration too long, " he told a group of leading Silicon Valley CEOs, entrepreneurs, technologists and venture capitalists.



He appreciated Prime Minister Narendra Modi for taking the initiative. "Some of you have correctly pointed out that they (new entrepreneurs) feel confident, they want to do. It is the job of the government to create the policy environment to encourage entrepreneurship. We have taken too long but nonetheless we have taken that decision.



We have woken up," he said, referring to the 'Start-Up' campaign which is aimed at boosting entrepreneurship at grassroots level.Mukherjee said, we have people with great competence and talent but unless we create the appropriate ambience to promote entrepreneurship and risk-taking ability, we may not be able to achieve the intended benefits. Mere political freedom, if not backed by economic freedom, will not solve the problems of the countrys vast multitude of people.



He stated that there are chances that out of every 100 new enterprises, if 30 are bound to succeed, one has to be prepared that 60 may be bound to die and 10 would be in the grey area i.e. they may succeed or may not succeed. Mukherjee said it was technology and entrepreneurship that will drive our countrys production to optimum levels.
National Green Tribunal on Saturday directed Adani-Hazira Port Private Limited and Hazira Infrastructure Private Limited to pay Rs 25 crore in four weeks towards compensation and restoration of damages to the environment.





A bench comprising Justice V R Kingaonkar (Judicial Member) and Dr Ajay A Deshpande (Expert Member), issued the directive in a case filed by Hazira Machchimaar Samiti challenging Environmental Clearance (EC) granted by the Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF) in 2013 for further development of Port activities at Hazira in Surat.



The tribunal has also instructed the collector to demolish the construction over 25 hectares and restore the land in case the company refuses to comply with its order.



The NGT bench in Surat ordered the Adani group to deposit Rs 25 crore with the Surat Collector, which shall be kept in an escrow account till further directions with regard to compensation and restoration.



The tribunal also directed the Adani group to pay the litigation cost of Rs 200,000 to each of the members of the Machhimaar Samiti.



In their complaint to the NGT, Hazira Machchimaar Samiti alleged that the 2013 environment clearance to Hazira port was invalid. They alleged that the company had begun construction work without any legal approval.



As per an agreement signed with the Gujarat Maritime Board in April 2002, the company had to plant mangroves in 550 hectares but no plantation was done.


As a growing number of researchers into the disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose are claiming that he did not die in the 1945 plane crash over Taiwan, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee threw her weight behind the contentious belief.





Seemingly a move to put pressure on the BJP-led Central government, her statement comes days before Prime Minister Narendra Modi is to declassify files related to Netaji.

Im not a historian. Im speaking from the perspective of a common man and my hunch is he didnt die in that crash, Mamata said during a ceremony at Netaji Bhavan, Boses ancestral home in south Kolkata.



She cited as possible proof the recent revelation that successive Congress governments have been spying on the Bose family for decades.



She was announcing the governments move to sanction funds for restoration of the car Netaji used to escape Kolkata in January 1941 on his way to Germany.



Banerjee was referring to the crash over Taiwans Taihoku on August 18, 1945, which some believe is how he died. In recent times, a number of researches presented documents to suggest he survived the crash and might have spent the rest of his days in a Soviet gulag.



She added that secret files with the Russian government could shed more light on Netajis mysterious disappearance.



Ive no idea whether the prime minister took up the issue with Russian authorities during his recent visit but I can say for sure it should have been done long ago. The question is why the government did not take up the issue with Russia, she stated.

DH News Service


Surprising observers here, former Congress legislator and Tollywood actress Jayasudha joined the Telugu Desam Party on Saturday with high words of praise for Chandrababu Naidu.





Jayasudha, who lost the 2014 Assembly polls from Secunderabad on a Congress ticket, met Naidu at his riverside residence near Vijayawada to join the party.



I was impressed by the extraordinary work the Chief Minister has been doing despite all odds in the bifurcated state, Jayasudha said after joining the party.



State municipal affairs minister Narayana hoped that her entry into the TDP fold would strengthen its womens wing.



Following her loss in the Assembly elections, Jayasudha has been staying away from party affairs.


The Higher Education Council has proposed that courses on cyber security be introduced in all the universities in the State.





According to the department officials, the courses would include topics such as cyber forensics, computer security and information security among others.



Speaking to mediapersons on Saturday, Minister for Higher Education T B Jaychandra said, This is a topic concerning all our lives. Moreover, the field also has several job opportunities. It is estimated that there are over a million jobs in the field. We want our students to make use of the opportunity.



He said the government had secured considerable funding under the Centrally sponsored RUSA scheme (Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan) this time, and a mentor would be appointed for each institution to make the best use of the funds.

The State has received Rs 20 crore each for four universities and 92 colleges. Colleges that have NAAC (National Assessment and Accreditation Council) accreditation are eligible for funds under RUSA.



Rating system



In an attempt to enhance the quality of education and to build healthy competition among different universities in the State, the Council has come up with a set of parameters for assessment of the universities in Karnataka. Accordingly, each university will assess every department and come up with a comprehensive report.



The parameters for assessment have been categorised into: Primary criteria (research excellence, teaching excellence), secondary criteria (employability, innovation, infrastructure), third mission (inclusiveness and social impact).



Each of these categories will carry different scores. For instance, research excellence, academic excellence, employability and inclusiveness and social impact are assessed for 200 points each and innovation and infrastructure for 100 points each.



Recruitment



The State government is actively considering the proposal of guest lecturers of first grade colleges and they would soon fill the posts of assistant professors, Jayachandra said. This will give job opportunities to a large number of teachers working as guest lecturers, he said adding that it was likely to happen in the first week of February.



Grading system



The Department of Higher Education has constituted a committee under the chairmanship of former vice chancellor of Goa University, Prof S B Sondhe, to look into the examination evaluation system of different institutions. The move comes in the wake of complaints by a section of engineering students that they were at a disadvantage compared with their peers in autonomous colleges.



Autonomous colleges have a grading system as opposed to marks in percentage given in other universities in the State. For jobs, when the grades were converted into percentage, the students in autonomous colleges stood to gain at least 8 per cent more marks, students had complained.



Generation UK



Jayachandra said two universities from Karnataka would be chosen for inviting students from the United Kingdom as part of the Generation UK programme, which aims to build collaboration, engagement and trust between the UK and India.



In all, nine universities across the country will be chosen for the programme. Bangalore University, the University of Mysore and Gulbarga University are among the institutions shortlisted for the purpose.



For the first time, Karnataka is also participating in Education World Forum, to be hosted in London. Jayachandra and Higher Education Department principal secretary Bharath Lal Meena will take part in the event.




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The family of Alexie Kanrilak, would like to extend our deepest gratitude from the bottom of our hearts to everyone that helped us out during the loss of our beloved Rose Ann Kanrilak.

First and foremost, we are forever grateful to the 1st Responders here in Chevak, the Chevak Public Safety, Float Health Aide and Panita Matchian, who volunteered her time. The Pilot that flew the Paramedics out to Chevak, quyana to the paremedics and all the Doctors and Nurses at ANMC. We acknowledge everyone that stayed with us at hospital, quyana cakneq for your support. Your support helped us more than you ever imagined.

Her beautiful coffin was made by Lance Fermoyle, Adam Hill, Kirby Tangiegak, Travis Paniyak, Sam Mann and Helen Tommy. The cross was made by Norman and Leo Pingayak, Clifford Paniyak and Tommy Umugak. Quyana to the ladies that helped prepare the house, Stella Lake, Cora Charles, Charlene Joe, Cecelia Atchak, and Mary Jones. Quyana to Laura Atcherian, Susie Friday-Tall, Dottie Chayalkun and Stella Lake for greeting Ala Rose at her home. Quyana to Our Cache for donating for the household goods. Forever grateful for the Gravediggers who are, Lee Joe, Eddie Night, Timothy I. Matchian, Jay Bell Jr., Curtis Paniyak, Isaac Atchak and Ula Ulric Ulroan.

For all that donated to the Funeral Home, quyana cakneq to City of Chevak, Chevak Traditional Council, Chevak Company Corporation, CVRF, Calista Corporation. Quyana to those of you that helped us with RAVN Points and Alaska Airlines miles to bring our family together, John R Stone, Veronica Ulroan, Emanuella Friday, Peter Tuluk, and to Alaska Airlines for donating miles and RAVN for waiving fees.

The Go Fund Me page on Facebook helped us out with the Funeral Home, plane fares, flowers and expenses, quyana to: Teddy Atchak, Kathleen Stanton, Martha Flores, Mareo Kendrick, Cheryl Smart, Bruce Morrill, Sue Unin, Clifford Paniyak, Jessica Major, Serita Unin, Jean and Mark Tennant, Andrea, Kathie Gillet, Casey Ferguson, Rebecca Nayamin, Esther Friday, Lorita Clough, Charlene Tuluk, Amber Gauthier, Jason and Dee Slats, Nelson Simon, Albina Joe, Chester Mark and Irene Active.

Quyana to those of you that transferred or deposited to our AK USA account, you all helped us with the Funeral Home, plane fares, flowers and expenses. Quyana to: Lynette and Kaitlyn Pequeno, Jonita Kim, Richard Pequeno, Mark Agimuk, Virginia E. Slats, Desiree Kamuyu, Johanna Boyscout, Gregory Aloralrea, Rudi Joseph, Emanuella Friday, Martha and Jonathan Geter, Paul Nukusuk, Jolene Nukusuk, Christi Pleasant, Dara Friday, Clara Tunuchuk, Amira Martz, Nelson A. Simon, Marilee Tuluk, Cheyenne Peter, Katherine Brower and Casey Ferguson.

Quyana to the people that donated for the raffle. Shoes and boots were donated by Deanna Smart, Mabel and Kendra Pequeno, Ninja Turtle hat-Jonita Kim, Capri leggings-Alvina Imgalrea, Long sleeve shirt-Louise Stone, qaspeq apron-Mabel Pequeno, modern day qaspeq-Auna Naneng, Roses Own Creation-Rose Nunn, headdress- Cody Pequeno, Fish skin doll- Mabel Pequeno and 34 earrings made by Miranda Friday.

Quyana cakneq to the ones that bought raffle tickets, Norma Tunutmoak, Agatha Ulroan, Emanuella Friday, Colleen Fermoyle, Blaise and Marcella Atcherian, Skye Chayalkun, Ajey Moses, Esther Friday, Dimitri Friday, Clarissa Tall, Rayann Seton, Pauline Miles, Jolene Nash, Cecelia Atchak, Monica Friday, Amber Gauthier, Deborah Aguchuk, Cecelia Andrews, Mary T Matchian, Flora Ayuluk, Dottie and Frank Chayalkun, Veronica Ulroan, Eunice Ann Turner, Charlene Tuluk, Ciara Chayalkun, Josephine John, Dayna Nash, Raymond Atchak, Charlotte Kanrilak, Cathy Joe, Doreen Matchian, Denise Tangiegak and Chester Bukowski.

Quyana to every one of you that prayed and stayed with us during our loss, your prayers kept us strong and your presence kept us going. Quyana cakneq to everyone that brought us food, sang songs, and those that stayed the night at the house. Please forgive us if we forgot any of you, as it was not intentional. We leave you all with a bible verse and pray that our Almighty Father will bless each and everyone of you abundantly.

Isaiah 41:10 Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Quyana.

Alexie, Serena, Micah and Bryson Kanrilak

Chevak, AK

Congressional Shush Fund Needs Exposure

In this country, you are innocent until proven guilty.

At the same time, as Lord Acton noted, power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely.

With the recent announcement of Matt Lauer joining the ever expanding ranks of powerful people in Hollywood, Congress and other arenas being accused of sexual predation and intimidation of women, we are reminded that nothing is new under the sun. What has been done will be done again.

Paul told the people of Corinth that he was afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds will be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ.

The iniquities of each of us have separated us from God. Our only hope is in Christ who became sin on our behalf.

Romans tells us however that God created Government as a restraining influence to lift up that which is good and to punish evil. Regarding this issue with our elected officials in Washington, DC, it looks as though a separate fund was created to protect those being accused of sexual harassment or other discriminatory practices. Certainly, because of our sin nature, there will be those playing the victim part for malicious reasons. Ask Justice Thomas about that.

However, if we the taxpayers, according to a story broken by Laura Ingraham, have been paying for a Congressional shush fund, its time for the hammer to fall. The Congressional Accountability Act of 1995, was passed by the Senate (98-1) and by the House of Representatives voted (390-0). Senator Lisa Murkowski and Congressman Don Young both voted for it.

Did those 488 elected officials who voted for the bill know that it provided shush funds to silence accusers? We dont know.

What we do know is that over $15 million in taxpayer funds have been paid to settle the claims and that it is now well past time to shine a bright light and provide clarity so that voters can make informed decisions.

Nobody is above the law  including those who make them.

Standing for familiesin His name.

Jim Minnery  President

Alaska Family Action

Anchorage, AK

Local Students Given Opportunity to Study Abroad

Qualified high school students are offered a unique opportunity to spend an academic year, semester or summer holiday in Europe, Asia, North or South America, Australia or South Africa as part of the ASSE International Student Exchange Program.

Students, 15 to 18 years old, qualify on the basis of academic performance, character references and a genuine desire to experience life abroad with a volunteer host family.

Families abroad are carefully screened to provide a caring environment in which students can learn the language and culture of their host country. Students do not need to know the language of the host country prior to departure but will acquire the language skills through experiencing the day to day culture of their host country. ASSE students attend regular high school classes along with their new teenage friends.

ASSE is dedicated to promoting closer ties of friendship between the United States and other countries by fostering intercultural understanding through youth exchange programs.

ASSE also provides international opportunities for families to host students from Spain, Mexico, Germany, Great Britain, France, Brazil, Thailand, Japan, and many more. These carefully screened and selected students are 15 to 18 years old and will attend the local American high school for an academic year.

Students or families interested in learning more about becoming an ASSE exchange student or host family should contact us at 1-800-733-2773 or visit our website at asse.com, host.asse.com or email us [email protected]

Cindy Keeney

ASSE Western Regional Office

An Open Letter to the Hundreds of Millions of Americans Who Have Worked for, Volunteered for, Donated to, or Benefited from the Work of a Charitable Nonprofit: i.e., every living person in the USA

Our tax system is a mess, we all know, so real reform would be welcome. But not like this. Congress could have opted to move the tax code in the direction of fairness. Instead, they have favored corporations and the wealthy. Congress could have acted to strengthen our communities. Instead, they are proposing to cut revenues that will lead to massive spending cuts at the federal, state, local, and nonprofit levels due to automatic cuts through sequestration.

The National Council of Nonprofits calls on you to protect the well-being of current and future generations by being Americas conscience; take three minutes as soon as you finish reading this plea to pick up the phone and call your Senators (202-224-3121) to tell them to vote NO on the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act bill and start over.

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act changes personal exemptions and the standard deduction in a way that effectively denies 95 percent of taxpayers any tax incentive for giving back to their communities. The amount to which tax incentives drive donations can be disputed, but surely it will cut revenues some. Indeed, economists at the Tax Policy Center at the Urban Institute report that the tax change would reduce giving by $13 billion to $20 billion every year. The same group estimates that changes in the estate tax will reduce giving to charitable purposes by another $4 billion.

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act will also add an estimated $1.5 trillion to the federal deficit over 10 years. We all know that rising deficit levels can and will be used to justify further program cuts, with real-world consequences. For every meal cut, shelter closed, or arts program eliminated as a result of spending cuts made in the name of deficit reduction, the tax bill would add to the unfunded mandates on charitable nonprofits and foundations to fill in the gaps. Congress will be imposing long-term suffering on our communities to secure what can, at best, be seen as short-term political gain.

The House tax bill, which passed, contains a particularly self-serving provision for politicians, a provision that would rip away the longstanding protection that all 501(c)(3) organizationscharitable nonprofits, houses of worship, and private foundationshave had from demands by candidates for public office and their political operatives to drag us into the toxic political wasteland, diverting us from our proper missions. The Senate bill does not, yet, but as the New York Times noted earlier this week, it may get slipped into the Senate version as well. The overwhelming majority of nonprofits, including religious organizations, vigorously oppose this change. If a bill that rolled back the Johnson Amendment became law, nonprofits could be pressured to endorse politicians and therefore become explicitly partisan and cast public doubt on the motives of our entire sector. We must not let this happen. This is a most radical change in the law, such that any bill should be defeated because of this fatal flaw alone.

In our work, we seek to serve people and forge stronger community bonds every day. Thats why it is so baffling and sad, frankly, to see Congress debate measures that could harm our ability to strengthen lives, build communities, expand job opportunities, and promote solutions. Both versions of the tax reform bills put politicians concern for passing somethinganythingahead of the best interests of the American people. Its time for every Senator to slow down and consider the massive damage they are about to do. We all need to urge them to Vote No on this bill, and start over with legislation that prioritizes people over partisanship and communities over corporations.

Tim Delaney, President and CEO

National Council of Nonprofits

AARP SCAM ALERT

Scam artists set up fake websites offering anything you could want to buy as gifts around the holidays, at prices that are too-good-to-be-true. And guess what? They are! Youll never receive the gift you thought you bought, and the scammers could turn around and use your credit card information for their own purchases. Stick to well-known shopping sites, and always type in the web address, rather than clicking from a link to the retailer. Be a fraud fighter! If you can spot a scam, you can stop a scam. Report scams to local law enforcement and contact the AARP Fraud Watch Network at www.aarp.org/fraudwatchnetwork for more information on fraud prevention.

Ann Secrest, Director of Communications

AARP Alaska

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U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski, Dan Sullivan, and Congressman Don Young, (all R-Alaska), today (July 2nd, 2019) welcomed an announcement by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) that the agency approved $53.8 million to restore losses for Alaska fisheries impacted by the 2016 Gulf of Alaska pink salmon fishery disaster.

NOAA approved and transferred the funds to the Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission, the agency tasked with distributing the relief payments to fishermen and their deckhands, processors, and for salmon research in the affected regions.

This funding has been a long-time coming. We are pleased that Alaskans who have been waiting for this economic relief that was promised to them will finally receive it. By restoring losses incurred during the 2016 pink salmon disaster, our federal government is following through not only on the commitment we made to Alaskas commercial fisherman, but also to their families, processors, and coastal communities who were hit hard by this disaster, said the Alaska Congressional Delegation. We pushed hard to secure this relief for those whose livelihoods depend on the health of our fisheries. And we will continue to stand up for Alaskas fisheries to ensure that this industry that is so vital to our state remains strong and vibrant for generations to come.

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by Calista Staff

Calista (cha-LIS-tuh) Corporations Board of Directors approved the 2019 Akilista (aw-KE-lis-ta) distribution. This year marks the largest Akilista distribution in Calistas history.

2019 Akilista distribution total: $2.97 million, 15 percent increase from 2018

1,600 new Shareholders

Over 31,000 Shareholders total

$1.8 million economic impact in YK Delta

Direct deposit forms due by October 31

Calista also recently issued shares to over 1,600 eligible enrollment applicants. These new Shareholders will be eligible for the Akilista distribution. This expansion brings Calistas total to over 31,400 Shareholders, compared to about 13,500 two years ago.

Distributions are by share. The average Shareholder owns about 100 shares. This year saw an increase of about 1 cent per share over last yeareven after adding thousands of new Shareholders.

The total number of shares increased from about 2.7 million last year to over 3.3 million. As a result, this fall distribution will be approximately $0.88 per share. The final value for the Akilista distribution will be determined after October 25, the official date of record. All Shareholders recorded and identified as of this date will receive this distribution.

Direct deposits and check mailing are scheduled by the close of business November 20, 2019. Direct deposit forms must be completed and on file by October 31. The forms are available on the Common Forms page of Calistas website, www.CalistaCorp.com/Shareholders/Common-Forms.

The Akilista distribution is based on the average market value of the Akilista investment portfolio for the prior three years. The first Akilista distribution occurred in 2014.

Calista distributions relieve costly food and energy bills, says Calista Board Chair Robert Beans. The distributions economic impact for the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta is about $1.8 million, since about 65 percent of our Shareholders live in the Region.

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by David Bedard

Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska  For almost 200 Junior ROTC cadets representing high schools across Southcentral and Western Alaska, 176th Wing C-17 Globemaster III and HC-130J Combat King II aircraft served as magic carpet rides soaring over the Chugach Mountain Range during a May 28 orientation flight out of Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson.

When 144th Airlift Squadron aircrew switched white lights illuminating the hold of the C-17 to tactical red lights, East High School Army JROTC Cadet Seraiah Calogero quickly produced her smartphone and began meticulously documenting the experience. A simple flick of a switch proved to be a wonder to Calogero and dozens of her friends as they strained to see a world bathed in monochromatic crimson light.

The experience was part of the weeklong JROTC Cadet Leadership Challenge camp hosted by Anchorage School District and Bethel Regional High School JROTC programs, which included tours of the 210th Rescue Squadrons HH-60G Pave Hawk combat search-and-rescue helicopter and facilities of the 176th Maintenance Group.

I attended JCLC at JBER in 1994 before anyone had any kind of inkling of what a smartphone would look like or do. I was filled with wonder as I met no-kidding Soldiers and Airmen and got up close and personal with the incredible gear they used every day. I have to admit, I have become jaded over the years, and an F-22 Raptor thundering overhead has become as routine to me as a passing city bus.

Fortunately, many of the veterans who teach JROTC havent lost that sense of wonder.

Its exciting, said retired Army Maj. Daniel Erskine, East High School senior Army instructor and JCLC commandant. For an old Soldier, an old Airman, Sailor or Marine, we do that stuff our whole career, and we get desensitized to it.

For the cadets, seeing the officers and Airmen doing their jobs, smelling the jet fuel, hearing the airplanes, it becomes very real, the major concluded.

Perhaps the C-17s closest civilian counterpart is the 747 Jumbo Jet cargo plane, except the 747 cant land on a short dirt airfield, shoot missile-confusing flares, or swallow a 70-ton M-1A2 Abrams tank whole. For their part, the cadets were thrilled to cycle into the cockpit where they saw a panoramic view of Alaskas glory, far more immersive than peering out of a jetliners tiny window.

It was a cool experience, Calogero said. I can say not too many people get to do it.

Her counterparts from other schools boarded an HC-130J Combat King II operated by Alaska Air National Guardsmen of 211th Rescue Squadron. Superficially similar to the C-130 Hercules cargo variant, the HC-130 is specially configured for search-and-rescue missions and is outfitted with wing-mounted pods, which can refuel 210th RQS Pave Hawks in flight.

During their tour of the HH-60, cadets crawled into the cockpit  a little more snug than the C-17 flight deck  and marveled at the rows of gauges and foot pedals that control who knows what. They also got hands on with the M134 minigun and M2 .50-caliber machine gun.

East High School Cadet Emily Parks palmed the charging handle of the window-mounted M2 and struggled to rack it back. Turns out it wasnt as easy as she imagined, but she got the hang of it.

The cadets also toured the 176th Maintenance Squadron Propulsion Flight, where they began to blindly disassemble an HC-130 demo engine. Later, they saw the 176th MXS machine shop where metal parts are fabricated from billets, and composite parts can be 3D printed.

At the conclusion of the tour, after seeing the cadets smiling faces as they met with Airmen and got a taste of what it is aircrew and maintenance professionals do every day, I couldnt help but recapture a youthful appreciation for how amazing service members are. The wonder is back.

David Bedard writes from the 176th Wing Public Affairs office.

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by the Office of the U.S. Marshals Service

Under Operation (RAAVEN) Rural Alaska Anti-Violence Enforcement, federal, state and local law enforcement officers joined together to account for registered sex offenders, and to locate and arrest individuals with warrants who were living in Western Alaska.

This multi-agency operation focused its efforts in Bethel and 13 surrounding villages, to include Napakiak, Napaskiak, Kwethluk, Akiachak, Akiak, Nunapitchuk, Kasigluk, Tuluksak, Eek, Tuntutuliak, Kwigillinok, Stony River, and Kipnuk.

Participating in this joint operation (December 9-13) were the U.S. Marshals Service, Alaska State Troopers, Anchorage Police Department (as members of the Alaska USMS-Sex Offender Task Force), Alaska Department of Corrections-Adult Probation, Bethel Police Department, Alaska Public Safety-Sex Offender Registry, Village Police Officers and Tribal Police Officers.

Operation RAAVEN was initiated in response to Attorney General William P. Barrs declaration of a law enforcement emergency in rural Alaska.

This past week, law enforcement teams arrested individuals with outstanding warrants, conducted sex offender compliance checks, re-registered non-compliant sex offenders, conducted investigations and requested warrants when necessary, conducted probation home visits and searches, assisted with general calls for law enforcement service, as-well-as updated photographs and documentation for the Alaska Sex Offender Registry (SOR).

The intent was to arrest anyone who was non-compliant with their sex offender registration requirements or a fugitive with warrants.

Additionally, the teams verified that the areas sex offenders are living where they are reporting to the Alaska SOR and State Probation.

The successful operation netted the following results:

140 Compliance verifications were conducted on convicted sex offenders.

126 Convicted sex offenders were confirmed to be living where they have reported to the Alaska SOR.

11 Convicted sex offenders were non-compliant with registration requirements and were re-registered.

3 State Failure to Register as a Sex Offender warrants to be requested from the State of Alaska.

26 State Probation, Parole and Pre-trial field visits conducted.

14 Subjects were arrested on warrants, including charges of murder, possession of child pornography, felony assault, misconduct with a weapon, parole violation, probation violation, violation of pretrial conditions, importing alcohol and trespassing.

Although this operation has concluded, the focus will continue with repeated attempts to verify that registered sex offenders are held accountable and that other violent fugitives are taken into custody to protect the public through the coordinated operations and daily efforts nationwide by USMS and their law enforcement partners.

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We tell you the top 10 things you need to know about the StartupIndia action plan

The #StartupIndia launch has been a much anticipated event this past week. Now that the Honourable Prime Minister, Mr. Narandra Modi has revealed the specifics of the Startup India Action Plan, here are some things you need to know:

1. General flavour of the policy

There was great emphasis on getting the govt out of the way in order to pave the way for success. At the very start of the address PM Modi set the tone for his address by asking the audience to tell the govt. what the govt should NOT do for a change. We did a lot over the past 70 years, he added.

2. Self-certification to reduce compliance burden

In order to reduce the regulatory burden, the new compliance regime will be based on self-certification. Startups shall be allowed to self-certify compliance with labour and environment laws. In case of labour laws, no inspections will be conducted for a period of three years. In case of environmental laws, startups under white category would be able to certify compliances.

3. Startup India Hub to be the single point of contact for the ecosystem

The action plan acknowledges the importance of hand-holding startups through their lifecycle. Towards this goal, a Startup India Hub will be set up which will act as the single point of contact for the entire Startup ecosystem. The Startup India Hub is slated to be "a friend, mentor and guide" for startups through their entire journey.

4. New mobile app to enable easy establishment of startups

A new mobile app will be launched on the 1st of April, 2016 which will enable starting a startup in one day. This app is going to serve as a single platform for information exchange and interaction point with Government and Regulatory Institutions. This is to ensure that startups are registered in one day. Startups will also be able to file for various clearances / approvals / registrations through this mobile app and web portal. PM Modi has also promised brevity in the forms. We're pretty sure many an engineering student is heaving a sigh of relief right about now.

5. Assistance with patent filing

a. To address the patents issues impeding startups, certain reforms were announced in the registration process for patents. PM acknowledged the importance of intellectual property rights protection, at the same time, admitting how lengthy and time consuming the process is. As part of the action plan, startups are to be given assistance via a fast track mechanism for startup patent applications. A panel of facilitators to provide legal support and assistance in filing and disposal of patent applications as well as trademarks and designs under relevant Acts. Government shall bear the entire fees of the facilitators for any number of patents, and trademarks etc that the startups may file. The examination process is going to be hastened. Additionally, Local Chambers of Commerce to be roped in for providing know how and grassroots level assistance to startups.

b. 80 percent rebate on filing of patent applications by startups (vis-a-vis other companies).

6. Lack of experience to no longer be an impediment with regards to Public Procurement

To provide an equal platform to startups vis-a-vis the experienced entrepreneurs / companies in public procurement. Startups (in the manufacturing sector) shall be exempted from the criteria of prior experience / turn over without any relaxation in quality standards or technical parameters.

7. Exit assistance for startups

The reality is that startups do fail. In which case the action plan has put forth contingencies and assistance to address those unfortunate situations. To make it easier for startups to exit, provision for fast-tracking closure of businesses have been included in the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Bill of 2015. The PM encouraged the support of the public to get this bill passed in the parliament using social media. Startups with simple debt structures may be wound up within a period of 90 days from filing an application for winding up on a fast-track basis. The PM said he is always willing to support the brave entrepreneurs who dare to fail. A nice gesture, we think.

8. A "fund of funds" with a corpus of Rs. 10,000 crore to be setup

To provide funding support for development and growth of innovation driven enterprises. Government will set up a fund with an initial corpus of Rs. 2500 crore and a total of Rs. 10,000 crore over a period of 4 years. Credit guarantee fund to assist startups and entrepreneurs across all sections of society. The fund size will be Rs. 500 crore per year and will be disbursed through NCGTC / SIDBI.

9. Special tax breaks for startups

Exemption shall be given in case Capital Gains are invested in the funds of funds. In addition, existing capital gains tax exemption for investment in newly formed manufacturing MSMEs by individuals shall be extended to all startups. The PM said the FM will enumerate further on the specifics. Furthermore profits accrued by startups to be exempt from tax for a period of three years. To be specific, to promote the growth of Startups, profits of startups set up after 1st April shall be exempted from income-tax for a period of three years. The PM also hinted at the government formulating special schemes for women startups.

In line with the exemption available to venture capital funds to invest in startups above Fair Market Value (FMV) investments made by incubators above FMV shall also be exempted.

10. Incubation and Industry-Academia Partnership - Atal Innovation Mission (AIM)

The launch of a new programme called Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) plans to promote the incubator and tinkering culture in the country. There will be sector specific incubators set up in the country. 500 tinkering labs with 3D printing facilities will be established in universities across India including small towns. Nation-wide awards to be handed out. This is with the aim to give a competitive edge to technology-based startups. Saving the best for last, this for us, is the highlight of the plan. Places to tinker always foster great innovation.
Democrat Nan Whaley pins campaign to unseat Gov. DeWine on abortion

Democrat Nan Whaley is pinning her campaign to unseat incumbent Republican Gov. Mike DeWine on one issue: abortion.
A $2.5 billion steel export deal that India struck with Iran in 2014 that allowed Iran to buy the metal skirting western sanctions is in jeopardy after Iran's options for doing business opened up with the sanctions almost coming to an end. The deal is simply stuck with no payments made or shipments delivered since last fall and has instead become mired in a dispute. In fact, reports said, Iranian Gas Engineering and Development Company (IGEDC) has written to state-run trader STC India Ltd stating that steel shipments have been irregular and far below terms set out in the $2.5 billion contract. The steel deal ran into trouble in September, when Tehran failed to clear dues of about Rs450 crore ($66.7 million) for steel exported to it by STC. STC was supposed to supply 1 million tonnes of steel in the first year of the contract, which is for a total of 2.5 million tonnes of steel plate and coil over the three-year span. By September of last year, however, STC had supplied only about 450,000 tonnes of steel. In its 22 December letter, IGEDC told STC that it needed to expedite supplies and make them regular. ''Not only have the deliveries been irregular, we have not even received'' the minimum quantity of 50,000 tonnes per month in most months, IGEDC wrote. The source said STC supplied the steel to Iran based on availability and demand from Tehran, which was why the shipments were far below the expected levels The letter, IGEDC had also stated that it would like to deal directly with Essar Steel India Ltd, which was supplying the steel to STC for export, if the state trader cannot make regular shipments. ''We strongly urge STC to either be more flexible to enable regular and faster shipments or allow the contract to be dealt directly between IGEDC and the manufacturer,'' it wrote. As the end of sanctions nears and prospects of better business deals improve, Tehran is taking a more assertive posture in dealing with its trading partners. This also explains the impasse in the steel import deal. As things stand, Indian companies have problem dealing directly with Iran as payments often fail to come through. Reports also said, STC halted shipments after Iran stopped making payments in September. STC was involved in order to allow steel exports without violating sanctions that prevented private Indian companies from dealing directly with Iran. Now, with Western sanctions expected to be lifted under the nuclear deal struck in July between Tehran, the United States, Britain, France, Germany, Russia and China, Iran can have far more freedom in striking trade deals. India has been one of the few countries willing to do business with Tehran under the Sanctions regime and Iran had no choice then than to strike deal with India for the metal. The end of sanctions means more trade partners for Iran, such as those from Europe and China. Also, Iran would then have a wider choice of supply sources. India is the top oil client of Iran after China, and Essar Oil, an affiliate of Essar Steel, is a key customer of the National Iranian Oil Co (NIOC). However, China can still have an upper hand in striking a deal with Iran. India struck the three-year steel supply contract with Iran in June 2014, after its trade balance with Iran ballooned and to help facilitate business for Indian companies. Also, Indian refiners have been paying 45 per cent of their oil dues to Iran in rupees, which Tehran could use only for importing goods, including steel, from India. The forthcoming visit of Chinese prime minister Wen Jiabao will further complicate the process of doing businesss with Tehran for India.








The failure of EU member states to deliver solutions to the migration crisis would have ''enormous economic consequences'' for the bloc, EC president Jean-Claude Juncker has warned, as Austria joined other countries that had imposed border controls.

Austria's new restrictions, were unveiled 10 days after Sweden and Denmark added to the migration squeeze in Germany, where allies of chancellor Angela Merkel had demanded a migration ''Plan B''.

As hundreds of migrants and refugees continued to arrive in Greece yesterday, Juncker warned of a domino effect of border closures across Europe risking the EU's passport-free Schengen zone, the euro currency area and the European economy.

''Schengen is one of the biggest achievements of the European integration process . . . whoever kills Schengen carries the internal market to its grave,'' said Juncker in Brussels.

''The damage for the European growth perspectives will be enormous . . . the euro [will] make no sense.''

The grave assessment was shared by Germany's finance minister Wolfgang Schauble who warned that Schengen was ''close to failing''.

Austria earlier announced plans to cap the number of asylum applications it would accept year.

Declining to specify an upper limit, interior minister Johanna Mikl-Leitner said ''everyone knows it's not possible'' for Austria to accept another 120,000 as in 2015.

Juncker, yesterday also blamed ''arrogant'' refugees for the failure of his policy to rehouse tens of thousands of migrants across the continent.

Juncker turned on national governments and migrants themselves for the failure of an EU policy that was aimed at relieving the burden of the migrant crisis by spreading 160,000 people around the bloc in a series of airlifts.

It had moved 272 people, including four to Lithuania and six to Belgium, but only 17 of the 28 EU states had volunteered to take them.

Diplomats had pointed out that the scheme could not work due to the migrants' insistence on being settled only in Germany as they had no wish to be sent to the poorer east.


Iran set to be unshackled from sanctions today

An International Atomic Energy Agency report verifying that Iran has kept its promises under last year`s nuclear deal with world powers a report triggering sanctions relief for Tehran is likely to be issued today.

The report, if issued, would mark the consummation of the 14 July 2015 nuclear agreement. Under the deal, Iran agreed to shrink its atomic programme in exchange for the lifting of some European Union, US and United Nations sanctions, which would allow billions of dollars of investment to flow into the country.

In a sign its implementation may be at hand, US Secretary of State John Kerry, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini will meet in Vienna today, the US State Department said.

"All parties have continued making steady progress towards Implementation Day of the JCPOA, which will ensure the exclusively peaceful nature of Iran`s nuclear program," said US State Department spokesman Mark Toner, referring to the formal title of the deal, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.

Iranian and other officials had previously said they expected the report from the UN nuclear watchdog, the Vienna-based International Atomic Energy Agency, to come out on Friday.

"Almost all details are ironed out," said another diplomatic source, based in the Austrian capital.

The IAEA is in charge of verifying that Iran has carried out all of the nuclear-related steps required in the deal it struck with the United States, Russia, China, Britain, France and Germany. It must release a report once it has done so.

The IAEA declined comment on the timing of the report.

Iranian officials have said Zarif and Mogherini would issue a statement on Saturday or Sunday on the "Implementation Day" of the nuclear deal and the lifting of sanctions.

Since July, Iran has drastically reduced the number of centrifuges installed at its enrichment sites, shipped tonnes of low-enriched uranium materials to Russia and dismantled the core of its Arak nuclear reactor.

UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said there could be a meeting in relation to Iran on Saturday in Vienna, where the 14 July deal was reached, but did not elaborate.

"There may be some sort of a meeting tomorrow in Vienna, after which, if everything goes well, we will issue a statement from the Secretary-General," he told reporters.

In another sign implementation may be near, US President Barack Obama delegated authority to Kerry to take steps to ease some sanctions.

However, a US official said this was "one of many preparatory steps" Washington had to take to ease sanctions once the IAEA verifies Iran has met its nuclear obligations.
GriefShare at Bethel Baptist Church will begin its winter/spring session on Jan. 20 and continue to April 16. The class meets Wednesdays from 6-7:30 p.m. each week in room 502. Each lesson is free-standing; participants can begin and end at any point in the course. This support group is for adults who have lost a loved one to death. Child care options are available. Bethel Baptist is located at 3257 E. Cottonwood Road, Dothan. For more information, contact Kathy Stumbaugh at 334-792-5908 or visit GriefShare.org.

Klondyke Gospel Music Center, located between Newton and Ozark at 3885 Highway 123 S., will host The Knight Family from Afton, Tennessee, Jan. 22; Dusty Aleman from Bernice, Oklahoma, Jan. 23; The Violet Maynard Family from Columbus, Georgia, Jan. 29; Ronnie Griffin from Macon, Georgia, Jan. 30. All concerts start at 7 p.m. Admission is free; offering will be taken. For more information, call 334-405-1500. Klondyke is now holding church services on Sundays at 3 p.m. The name of the ministry is Christ is King Ministry with the Revs. James and Loretta Turner leading the worship services.

Daleville Christian Fellowship Worship Center, located at 1 Martin Luther King Jr. Circle, Daleville, will host the 22nd annual Peace Parade and Program on Saturday, Jan. 23. Participants will be transported from the church to the starting point at Advanced Auto Parts in Daleville beginning at 9:30 a.m. The parade will begin at 10 a.m., and the program will follow in the Archbishop Carl McComb Community Life Center. Bishop Richard Barnes of Valley Christian Fellowship, Riverdale, Georgia, will be the keynote speaker, and lunch will be served after the program. For more information, call 334-598-6279.

Grimes Gospel Lighthouse, 1512 County Road 25, Grimes, will host The Knight Family from Afton, Georgia, at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 23, and Ken Robertson from Panama City, Florida, on Jan. 30. An offering will be taken. Call 334-983-4654 or 334-714-4658 for more information.

New Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church, 2627 Kinsey Road, Dothan, will hold a Deacon and Deaconess Day service on Jan. 24 at 2:30 p.m. Guest speaker will be the Rev. Wilbert Dawsey of Burdeshaw Street Missionary Baptist Church in Dothan. Lunch will be served and everyone is invited. Call 334-673-9770 for more information.

Ladies Power Lunch will be held in the fellowship hall at First Baptist Church in Enterprise on Jan. 28 at 12-1 p.m. Ladies Power Luncheon is open to the community. Guest speaker will be Christen Price from Dothan. Please RSVP by calling Michele at the church office by Monday Jan. 25. Child care is also provided with RSVP by Jan. 25.

The Perrys will be in concert at First Free Will Baptist Church, 1461 Timbers Drive, Dothan, on Friday, Jan. 29, at 7 p.m. An offering will be received. For more information, call 334-792-3316, email ffwbdothan@centurytel.net or visit ffwbdothan.org.

Smyrna Baptist Church, 1800 Husky Road, Dothan, will host a Fifth Sunday Night sing on Jan. 31 at 6 p.m. featuring The Conrad Family from Cowarts. Food and fellowship following sing. Call 334-792-7297 for more information.

Mabson United Methodist Church will hold a Fifth Sunday Sing on Jan. 31 at 6 p.m. The church is located at 2883 E. County Road 36, about 5 miles outside city limits on the corner of East County Road 36 and County Road 20 South.

Maple Avenue Baptist Church, 1009 W. Maple Ave., Geneva, will host the monthly luncheon of the 39ers C.L.U.B. on Feb. 9 at 11 a.m. If you have been involved in the 39ers C.L.U.B., contact your table hostess by Feb. 2 to make or cancel your reservation. If you would like to be a part of the 39ers C.L.U.B. and have never been before, call the church office at 334-684-9617 by Feb. 2. The 39ers C.L.U.B. (Christians Living Under the Blood) is a non-denominational luncheon held the second Tuesday of each month. Cost is $5 per person. The Rev. Bill Pritchett will present the February program. Pritchett is currently serving as the interim pastor of Piney Grove Baptist Church in Samson. Prior to this ministry, he was pastor for 11 years of Southside Baptist Church in Andalusia. He is a graduate of Baptist College of Florida and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.
LOUTHS estimated 4,000 Muslim residents were celebrating recently after getting the all-clear to be buried locally for the first time.

LOUTHS estimated 4,000 Muslim residents were celebrating recently after getting the all-clear to be buried locally for the first time.

Greenore man Mohammed Salim Lennon, who has been campaigning for the right for the best part of six years, said he was delighted that people from his religion could now be buried in St Patricks Cemetery in Dowdallshill.

Before this all Muslims from the area who passed away had to be buried in Newcastle Cemetery in Dublin. However, after lengthy campaigns and the assistance of Sinn Fein councillor Tomas Sharkey, County Council chairman Peter Savage and RTE television, the battle for equality has finally been won.

Mohammed told The Dundalk Democrat: Delighted isnt the word to describe me at the moment.

When we started to apply for this status six years ago we couldnt even get a meeting with the burial board. We applied first as individuals and then as a community but earlier this year Peter Savage, who would be my local rep, had a meeting with me and he said it was his first year on the burial board in all the years he had been involved with the council.

He said hed try and do something for me and it took off from them.

Myself and Imam went along to the burial board and after about three months they got back to us with the good news. There are some small negotiations that need to be carried out but nothing that worries me.

Muslims will now be buried in a specially designated area of the graveyard in Dowdallshill although Muslim burials are somewhat different to Christian burials, as Mohammed explained.

The main difference is the orientation of the grave. Were led on our right hand side, not our backs, facing Mecca.

Because were buried on our sides were not buried in a coffin. Muslims are never buried in coffins but instead were covered in a white cut cloth.

Before now there were only four other sites in the country for Muslims to be buried: Dublin, Cork, Galway and Ballyhaunis. Its a shocking statistic given the fact its an ever growing community.

We reckon there are about 1,000 Muslims in Dundalk and theres an even bigger community in Drogheda. There are then many more scattered throughout the county so the estimate of 4,000 might not be too wide of the mark.

In the coming weeks, the father of two  who was born in Greenore before living for a short time in Belfast  will feature on RTE One show Meet the Neighbours. The show premieres on April 22, with his programme featured on April 29.

He feels it, plus the intervention of Cllr Tomas Sharkey helped the Muslims achieve their goal of getting buried locally.

The show and Tomas were pivotal in getting it over the line. Tomas raised it at a Louth County Council meeting and although they have no authority over burials, as a result of that weve got an invite to raise the matter with the Drogheda Burial Board, which could see a burial site being designated there too.

For us its all about integration. Weve 100,000 children gone abroad through emigration in the past year and theyre now non-nationals in whatever country theyre in so lets hope theyre treated with kindness, understanding and sympathy there.

Thats all were asking for here, he said.
Presidential candidate Bernie Sanders has finally joined Hillary Clinton in speaking out about the poisoning of Flints drinking water by the Snyder administration. In a statement released by his campaign, he calls for the resignation of Gov. Snyder:

U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders on Saturday called on Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder to resign for his administrations failure to deal with a lead-poisoning crisis that has sickened thousands of children in Flint, Michigan. There are no excuses. The governor long ago knew about the lead in Flints water. He did nothing. As a result, hundreds of children were poisoned. Thousands may have been exposed to potential brain damage from lead. Gov. Snyder should resign, Sanders said. Problems with Flints public water system date to a decision nearly two years ago by a receiver, appointed by the governor, who decided to cut costs by drawing the citys drinking water from the polluted Flint River instead of from Lake Huron. The governor and other state officials knew  but did not acknowledge until last fall  that the river water was corroding pipes and causing lead to leach into the drinking water. The decision not to add chemicals to prevent corrosion of the pipes was made at the direction of the governors Department of Environmental Quality. The state health department in Michigan apparently knew about elevated lead levels in the blood of children but did not warn the public. Because of the conduct by Gov. Snyders administration and his refusal to take responsibility, families will suffer from lead poisoning for the rest of their lives. Children in Flint will be plagued with brain damage and other health problems. The people of Flint deserve more than an apology, Sanders said.

Meanwhile, we now have details about Gov. Snyders request for federal assistance and it falls far short of what will be needed to fix the massive systemic infrastructure problems in Flint. Flint Mayor Karen Weaver has estimated that the cost of replacing all of the lead-containing water lines in the city will cost upwards of $1.5 billion. How much is Gov. Snyder asking for in his request for a state of emergency declaration from the Obama administration? Just 6.4% of the amount needed for the pipeline replacement alone: $96 million:

Gov. Rick Snyder has asked President Barack Obama to declare a federal emergency in Flint and expedite $96 million in disaster relief for Genesee County as a result of the citys lead-contaminated water crisis. The White House on Friday promised a quick review of the request, which the governor made late Thursday night to help Flint residents and repair a public water pipeline infrastructure damaged by corrosive river water blamed for lead contamination. [] I have determined that this incident is potentially of such severity and magnitude that effective recovery is beyond the capabilities of the State of Michigan and the affected local governments and that federal relief assistance is necessary, Snyder wrote in a nine-page letter to Obama that came nine days after he declared a state emergency in the city. Documents show the Snyder administrations request includes: $54.6 million for the repair of damaged lead service lines on private property.

$10.3 million for 90 days of water.

$31 million for a years worth of filters and other water supplies.

The amount of money requested for explicitly pipeline replacement is actually only 3.6% of the $1.5 billion Mayor Weaver believes is needed. Strangely, Gov. Snyder seems to know his request is far short of whats needed:

The governors application estimated the cost of replacing Flints water infrastructure at $712.8 million for public lines and $54.6 million for private lines.

So, why ask for only $54.6 million when thats less than a tenth of what they admit it will cost? Where will the rest of the money come from, the amount needed to pay for replacing public water lines? If history is a guide, expect cuts to education and social programs with another tax break for big corporations tossed in for good measure (its an election year, after all.)

One final thing: its clear that The Detroit News is attempting to subtly sway public opinion on this. While nearly every other news organization is placing the blame for this human-made catastrophe squarely on the shoulders of Gov. Snyder and his incompetent administration, the The News deflects blame back on Flint officials when they make statements like this:

The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality admitted it failed to force the city to treat the water with corrosion controls, which caused old lead connections to leech.

Lets be clear about this. They didnt just fail to force the city to treat the water with corrosion controls. They literally told the city it didnt need to when they approved their water treatment plans for moving to the Flint River as the source of their drinking water. And when problems arose, DEQ had lead testing reports altered and took other steps to avoid taking action on the poisoning of the drinking water with lead.

The News appears to be intentionally perpetuating the myth that Flint officials are too incompetent to run the city. The truth is that the most colossal ineptitude in this story came from Snyders DEQ administrators and his hand-picked Emergency Managers like Darnell Earley, who functioned as a one-man government in Flint.

Period.

[Photo credit: Gage Skidmore | Flickr]
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It took a genuine catastrophe in Flint for people to notice, but whats going on in Michigan should be a screeching alarm to America of the dangers of right-wing governance.

Rick Snyders soggy demeanor and business connections bless him with the shiny veneer of being a moderate. Few people understood the radicalism his complete lack of charisma hid.

Elected in a Tea Party wave, Snyder narrowly won re-election, mostly due to the strength of Barack Obamas accomplishments, the Michael Bloomberg-backed saturation of the TV airwaves, and an establishment-endorsed sense of competence.

Even as the Flint water crisis had become impossible to ignore in December of last year, the dean of bland DC centrism praised Snyders refreshing approach to politics in Michigan.

Its about as refreshing a glass of lead-poisoned water.

The Flint Water Crisis is the culmination of six years of governance by corporatism gone wild. The belief that the powerful need a break and the poor need to pay is the only through-line of this administration. And much of America is finally getting that. It just took every child in Flint under the age of 6  all 8,657 of them  being poisoned by lead to make them see it

If you live in Michigan, you know this first hand. If you read Eclectablog, youve been hearing the alarm bell ringing for half a decade.

Our fearless publisher Chris Savage has been tearing the hair out of his head to get people to understand what is being done to this state that has been just about entirely under Republican control on the state level since 2010. Just look at his head now:

Beyond the Flint Water Crisis, here are some examples of the essential work he does:

Hes chronicled Snyders fixation on the undemocratic abominations known as Emergency Managers.

Hes documented the failures of the governors failed educational experiments, which are tearing the few roots left in our most struggling communities.

Hes shown us how the costs of the governors gifts to the rich and corporations have been paid almost entirely by the poor.

And recently hes documented how Republicans backed by Rick Snyder want to seal the damage theyve done by tilting campaigns toward toward corporate interests and making it even harder to vote.

Hes also built a great team that support and expand on his effort.

Your generous donations support Chris work and keep Eclectablog alive.

Donating to this kind of effort is the kind of involvement in politics we need to have any hope of providing accountability in this era when true journalism is increasingly unsustainable.

Being a part of a public service like Eclectablog should make you feel better and it will. Dont believe me? Try it! Please donate now.

For those groups and individuals who find what we do here at Eclectablog worthy of supporting with a direct financial contribution, there are three ways to help.

First, you can make your donation using this PayPal form:

With YOUR support, all regular contributors at Eclectablog are paid for their work. If you would like to send a check to avoid fees being taken out, send it to: Chris Savage, P.O. Box 32, Dexter, MI 48130. Otherwise, you can use this Paypal form: Basic supporter - $75 Gold level supporter - $125 Platinum level supporter - $250 Other Amount:

You can choose which level of support you wish to give us from the dropdown box or choose a different level if you wish by using the Other amount box. The default is $60 which is basically $1 per week after the fees are taken out, a pretty good value.

Or you can wait until the TinyPass pop-up pops up (every tenth click on the site) and donate that way. If you do that, the popups will go away as long as you have cookies enabled. Like with the Paypal form, the default amounts for annual or monthly donations can be adjusted to whatever you wish them to be. They are currently set to be around $1 per week. Again, its a great value.

Finally, if you would prefer to send a check, send Chris an email and hell give you the address. This is the most beneficial way for us because it avoids the Paypal and Tinypass fees that are taken from contributions to the site.

If you work for an organization that would like to support our efforts by placing an ad, click HERE for our ad rates and more information.

By the way, you dont have to be an organization to run an ad. Maybe youd like to surprise your favorite progressive with a birthday message on Eclectablog or help promote your favorite group. Again, click HERE for more info.

If you cannot afford to support us financially, there are other ways that you can still help.

For instance, please share our content on your Facebook page or other social media like Twitter, Reddit, etc. Put a Like on our Facebook page and click the Invite friends button and encourage your friends to like us, too.

Thanks so much for your continued support,

LOLGOP, Chris, Anne, Amy, Tony, Emma, John, Judy, and Sommer

[Caricature by DonkeyHotey from photos by Anne C. Savage for Eclectablog]
Before the Internet, messages were spread by television and newspaper ads and highway billboards. Today that is done through social media. Virtually everyone knows about it, and many people use it. Does it make any sense that a U.S. government agency could violate any laws for using social media to carry out its mission?

Doesnt make sense to me. However, last month, the U.S.Government Accountability Office ruled that the Environmental Protection Agency violated federal law and took part in covert propaganda by using social media to solicit support for an Obama administration rule aimed at protecting streams and surface waters.

Having followed theEPA for many years, I have always thought that the point of the agency is to help protect the environment for future generations. Using social media to help protect the nations streams and surface waters seems to make a lot of sense, particularly since the EPAs website states that its mission is to protect health and the environment.

Free Speech and Social Media

Over the years, many people have filed lawsuits involving libel, slander and even revenge porn related to anonymous social media postings. Since under the U.S. Constitution, the First Amendment gives everyone the right to free speech, the principles should apply to social media.

However, when these types of cases were first filed in the 1990s, they routinely failed, maybe because judges didnt understand or lawyers were not good at explaining their claims, or both. Then around 2000, U.S. courts accepted what was called cybersmear as a legitimate legal claim. However, if there was a grain of truth to a statement in question, it was not considered cybersmear.

For example, if a posting stated that an EPA commissioner was incompetent, which is an opinion, that posting would be considered free speech under the First Amendment. However, a posting stating that the commissioner is a convicted felon, if untrue, would be not be protected free speech.

The standard also is different for a public figure than for a private citizen. In 1964, the Supreme Court decided in New York Times v. Sullivan that slander or libel directed at a public figure is entitled to less protection than a nonpublic figure. Based on the Sullivan standard, the EPA is open to criticism, but whether is violating a federal law is altogether different.

EPA Doesnt Back Down

Last month, EPA spokesperson Liz Purchia posted a blog on the EPA website defending the agencys use of the GSA-approved Thunderclap social media platform to get the word out about our historic Clean Water Rule  a law to better protect the streams and wetlands that are the foundation of our nations water resources.

The page on Thunderclap included the EPA logo and byline with this message: Clean Water is important to me. I support EPAs efforts to protect it for my health, my family, and my community, she said.

The EPA Thunderclap page was linked to an EPA website with information about the rule. We shared this page with all of our stakeholders  no matter what sector, geographic location, or perspective  with the goal of catalyzing our public engagement process, and getting people excited about the importance of clean water, Purchia said.

Apparently the EPA is not backing down.

Senate Inquiry

The GAO is the investigative arm of the Congress, which is currently controlled by the Republican Party. This inquiry began last year when the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee requested that the GAO review the EPAs use of social media, and in particular Thunderclap.

During the inquiry, Sen. James M. Inhofe of Oklahoma, the committee chairman, requested that the GAO expand its inquiry to examine whether EPAs activities constituted prohibited covert propaganda or publicity. Other senators requested more information.

The GAOs finding confirms what I have long suspected, that EPA will go to extreme lengths and even violate the law to promote its activist environmental agenda, Inhofe said after the GAO submitted its 26-page report last month.

The Senate committee took note of other highlights of the GAO report about the EPA.

We conclude that EPAs use of Thunderclap constitutes covert propaganda, in violation of the publicity or propaganda prohibition, the report says.

We conclude that EPA violated the anti-lobbying provisions contained in appropriations acts for FY 2015 when it obligated and expended funds in connection with establishing the hyperlinks to the webpages of environmental action groups, it maintains.

Because EPA obligated and expended appropriated funds in violation of specific prohibitions, we also conclude that EPA violated the Antideficiency Act, 31 U.S.C. 1341(a)(1)(A), as the agencys appropriations were not available for these prohibited purposes, the report says.

Next Steps

Congress seems to have made this more political than legal in nature, which means there likely will be a political resolution rather than a lawsuit between the GAO and the EPA.

Regardless of how the issue is resolved, the legal issues presented are interesting and could result in more scrutiny of other U.S. agencies and their use of social media, giving other agencies free rein over social media use, or something in between.
Foursquare on Thursday announced that cofounder Dennis Crowley has assumed a new executive role, and that it has raised US$45 million in a new round of funding led by Union Square Ventures.

Crowley has moved from his perch as CEO into the newly created position of executive chairman, which will let him focus on developing new products. Jeff Glueck, who served as COO for the past year, has taken the CEO helm.

Crowley named Steven Rosenblatt, a four-year veteran of the firm, as president  essentially acting as Gluecks copilot. Rosenblatt will oversee revenue and business-to-business offerings.

With our business maturing and with our enterprise solutions (Places API, Places Insights) and as programmatic advertising platform (Pinpoint) fueling our revenue growth, I felt like now is the right time to put the strongest executives in the companys top leadership positions, Crowley noted on Thursday.

Recent Turnaround

Foursquare has gained enormous traction over the past 18 months, Glueck pointed out, citing new customer agreements with Apple, Twitter and Pinterest, and an additional 100,000 developers tapping its location data.

Foursquare and Swarm have more than 50 million monthly active users, he said, and check-ins are at an all time high.

The company has launched two new B2B platforms  the ad platform Pinpoint, and Place Insights and Places tools for developers  which reported revenue increases of 170 percent and 160 percent respectively in 2015, according to Glueck.

In the midst of all that recent success, theres a downside. The latest round of funding cuts in half the companys valuation of $650 million, compared with its valuation in 2013, during a prior fundraising period, The New York Times reported.

Foursquare has not commented on valuation and will not do so, said spokesperson Sarah Spagnolo.

However, funding from both inside and outside investors, including USV and Morgan Stanley, is proof that our business is strong and showing tremendous momentum, she told the E-Commerce Times.

The company is pursuing growth aggressively, with plans to hire 30 additional employees across sales, engineering and other functions, Spagnolo said.

Practical Move

The shakeup is a classical business school maneuver to put control of Foursquares operations in the hands of some experienced executives who have practical day-to-day management capabilities, observed Charles King, principal analyst at Pund-IT.

The decision also suggests that Crowley doesnt have the experience or capacity to effectively handle the CEO role, he told the E-Commerce Times. Theres no shame in that  founding a company and running a business are two different processes with very different skill sets.

King said hed be very surprised if Its likely the new venture capital funders were behind  or even demanded  the change, suggested King.

I see the move as driven by the new investors, said Kevin Krewell, principal analyst at Tirias Research.

Foursquare has good location technology and needs to find another outlet for the tech, as competitors have stunted the growth of the original Foursquare app, he told the E-Commerce Times.

Swarm isnt a particularly compelling product, though, Krewell added.

The company now will focus on monetizing its location data, in particular to help target programmatic advertising via Foursquares Pinpoint ad product, suggested Jay Wilson, research director for social marketing at Gartner.

The challenge will be keeping that data coming in by keeping users engaged, he told the E-Commerce Times.

Thats a big challenge indeed, given the ubiquity of GPS location capabilities  now found on Facebook, Instagram and other apps, Wilson said.

The company also needs to find innovative marketing applications for Swarm and Foursquare, he said, adding that there hasnt been enough interest coming from mid-tier and enterprise marketers on that front, despite the success Foursquare has had on the local, small business level.

That goal could account for the elevation of Jeff Glueck, who served as CMO at Travelocity, Wilson speculated.

Foursquare deserves praise for hanging tough when it came under fire for failing to live up to the industry hype, maintained investor Fred Wilson, a partner at Union Square Ventures.

Crowley and his team have built a real business that is sustainable, he told the E-Commerce Times, pointing to its location API as the most used in the business.

You can say what you will about Foursquare  and dont bother because it most certainly has already been said and not very nicely, Wilson remarked, but it has survived and is thriving.
Chinese President Xi Jinping recently told an international delegation of cybersecurity and technology experts that governments must be allowed to exercise sovereign rights and decision making over Internet use within their own countries.

Speaking earlier this month at the second annual World Internet Conference in Wuzhen, China, the president effectively called for a revised order in Internet governance. One nation should not be empowered to call all the shots, requiring less-advanced countries to abide by its rules, he maintained.

The principle of sovereign equality enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations is one of the basic norms of contemporary international relations, Xi told attendees at the conference. It covers all aspects of state-to-state relations, which also include cyberspace.

A Growing Internet Power

China is beginning to flex its muscle as a powerful player in the global Internet discussion, as the country is considered the worlds biggest growth market in Internet commerce and has the single largest population of people on earth, with more than 1.3 billion.

We should respect the right of individual countries to independently choose their own path of cyber development and model of cyber regulation and participate in international cyberspace governance on an equal footing Xi said, according to text released by the Xinhua news agency.

Xi was communicating what China considers its right as a sovereign nation to exercise control over commerce and communications coming into and out of that country, said cybersecurity expert William Hagestad, who attended the conference.

Xis mandate, which stems from a Politburo-approved national security law approved this summer, is more about ensuring the national security, stability and sovereignty of communist Chinas Internet, Hagestad told TechNewsWorld.

However, the speech could be laying the groundwork for a more repressive regime that will monitor and regulate the Internet even more closely.

It sounds like this is the first step towards creating a censored environment, at the very least, tech analyst Jeff Kagan told TechNewsWorld.

Open Markets, Closed Expression

While they do support a market freedom agenda and seem to be applying that to the Internet, the government still cracks down on freedom of expression of their citizens, said Carolina Rossini, vice president international relations at Public Knowledge.

During the World Conference on International Telecommunications in 2012, for example, China, Russia and other countries tried to redefine the Net as a series of state-controlled and supervised networks, she told TechNewsWorld.

In negotiations on the future of the knowledge society, which took place during the World Summit on the Information Society at the United Nations earlier this month, China attempted to water down human rights language, Rossini noted.

So I do not feel this message [from Xi] represents any change or support of human rights. It actually expresses the hard reality that users face in China every day, and also a lack of willingness of China to accept the Internet as core public good for societal growth.

Amnesty International put out a statement prior to the start of the Internet conference in China, urging technology companies to reject the governments policies on Internet use. The human rights organization called China one of the most repressive regimes in the world when it came to free speech and open use of the Internet.

China recently tried to get technology companies to sign a pledge that would guarantee the storage of data within China, along with a promise not to harm Chinas national security, the group noted.

Tech companies must not turn a blind eye to such repression, said Roseann Rife, East Asia research director at Amnesty International, or give credence to any notion of Internet sovereignty that is an attack on the rights to freedom of expression or privacy.
Apple is phasing out its iAd sales team and moving toward an automated system, according to news reports this week.

Then-CEO Steve Jobs launched iAd six years ago to provide an alternative to existing mobile advertising platforms, but it never caught fire.

Under the new iAd platform, publishers reportedly will be more easily able to sell directly through the platform, and theyll be able to keep 100 percent of ad revenues. Currently, Apple takes 30 percent of an ads revenue on the network.

Changes in the program will occur soon, with members of the iAd team reportedly being cut loose as early as next week.

Neglected Stepchild

A number of factors contributed to iAds demise, noted John Carroll, a mass communications professor atBoston University.

The iAd sales team has been a neglected stepchild at Apple, he told the E-Commerce Times. The havent gotten the backing and support that would have helped them to overcome some of the obstacles theyve encountered.

Those obstacles include exercising too much control over the ads placed by advertisers, making placement of ads more complicated than it needs to be, and refusing to share data with advertisers.

That combination put the team at a disadvantage in terms of selling mobile ads, Carroll said.

The numbers bear that out, he added. They have a very small percentage of mobile ad revenues.

In the final analysis, Carroll continued, Apple executives concluded the company was better off turning the business over to the publishers and letting them keep the revenue and the data.

This has been coming for quite awhile, he said. The question is, why didnt they pull the plug sooner?

An Unusual Fail

Apples heart wasnt in iAd nor was it equipped for success in the tough world of advertising sales, Carroll maintained.

The Apple culture isnt suited to the rough-and-tumble world of ad sales, he said. For that reason, the program didnt generate much momentum or support within the company.

This is one of the few times that Apple has fallen on its face, Carroll added.

Apple failed where other tech companies have succeeded, according to Rob Enderle, principal analyst at the Enderle Group.

This goes into the loss column for Apple and the win column for firms like Google and Facebook who are doing far better in this space, he told the E-Commerce Times.

What is really kind of funny is that Apple is an advertising powerhouse when it comes to doing advertising and Google is an advertising powerhouse when it comes to selling ads, but Apple doesnt understand the sales side and Google doesnt understand the execution side, Enderle added.

This effort was in Googles area of expertise, and Apple just wasnt able to execute, he said. Youd think that if you understood one side of the business, the other side would be easy, but this showcases that isnt the case.

A Better Course for Apple

Another beneficiary of Apples decision to revamp iAd will be content publishers.

This puts control back in the publishers hands, and assuming the tools Apple creates are efficient, this removes a lot of factors that might have led publishers to hesitate participating in platforms like Apple News, Boston Universitys Carroll said.

Apples rethinking of iAd may be the best course for the company, noted Patrick Moorhead, principal analyst atMoor Insights & Strategy.

Apple getting out of this business is a good thing, he told the E-Commerce Times.

Strategically, Apple has attempted to separate itself from Google and Facebook in terms of privacy, Moorhead explained. By getting out of iAd, Apple can now definitively stand on solid ground that they have nothing to do with the ad business, and thats good for Apple.
ProPublica last week launched whats believed to be the first major news site on the dark Web, according to Wired.

The sites purpose reportedly is to maximize the privacy of readers.

TheTor hidden service goes beyond SSL in that visits to sites are hidden from eavesdroppers and Internet service providers.

Anyone monitoring the various Tor nodes can track visitors who use a Tor browser to view ProPublicas regular site. Using the Tor hidden service retains visitors anonymity, Wired reported.

Wow! It gets pretty bad when you have to hide which news sites you visit, observed Rob Enderle, principal analyst at the Enderle Group.

ProPublica has not yet advertised the hidden site and did not respond to our request for further details.

No Taint From the Dark Web?

The dark Web is noted for hostingcriminals of various stripes.

However, ProPublicas site is positioned not like a dark Web underground site for criminals, but a news portal with high privacy for its readers and authors, which is an interesting idea, pointed out Andrew Komarov, chief intelligence officer atInfoArmor.

The real names of authors will be published on the site, so theyre not really criminals hiding from others, but people who want to have the right to a free press, he told TechNewsWorld.

This project is a very interesting initiative to preserve journalists and readers privacy and also to avoid censorship of the mass media, which is global, Komarov added.

Sidestepping Surveillance

ProPublicas move appears to be a reaction to the increasing surveillance of private citizens by governments worldwide.

This is happening simply because people are getting fed up with not having any privacy, technology industry analystJeff Kagan told TechNewsWorld.

I happen to agree with ProPublica that you have to be poking around in the dark Web for your own protection, said Laura DiDio, a research director at Strategy Analytics.

We are in a day and age when everyones becoming more and more extremist, she told TechNewsWorld.

Privacy Is the Key

With increasing concern about excessive privacy violations by relatively liberal governments like that of the United States, theres a far higher legitimate demand for the dark Web than there ever has been, Enderle told TechNewsWorld.

When you become afraid of your own government largely because its treating you as a criminal, then you are likely to begin using resources typically used by criminals to protect yourself, he said.

The FBI and the U.S. National Security Agency have been pressing cybersecurity vendors to rethink encryption of their products.

Senior officials from the White House and U.S. intelligence and law enforcement, including FBI director James Comey and National Intelligence Director James Clapper, met with Silicon Valley executives last week to discuss countering militants use of social media.

Gentrification of the Dark Web

ProPublica isnt the first mainstream company to use the dark Web.

Facebook offersaccess on the dark Web, and public librarians have locked horns with law enforcement over providing Web access through Tor.

The dark Web also has peaceful users trying to protect their privacy or fight for human rights, Komarov said, and ProPublicas project is a great example of this.

The Eventual Blowback

Accessing ProPublicas site on the dark Web may spark surveillance, Enderle warned.

If youre seen using Tor resources, law enforcement may immediately assume youre doing something illegal or dangerous, even though you arent, he said.

I cant see why law enforcement would care that much about ProPublica in the U.S., Enderle said. I think using Tor would be the bigger red flag.
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By Michael Martina

BEIJING (Reuters) - China on Friday acknowledged for the first time that it is communicating with the United States about Ling Wancheng, the brother of a disgraced one-time aide to former President Hu Jintao, in a case that could complicate ties.

Authorities have been tight-lipped about revealing any information about Ling, who is in the United States, sources have told Reuters.

China has demanded his return, the New York Times had earlier reported, in a case that could strain Sino-U.S. ties if he were to seek to defect.

The government has given no details of any crime Ling is suspected of and he has not appeared on any wanted lists, but two of his brothers have been accused of corruption, including a former senior aide to President Xi Jinping's predecessor Hu Jintao.

Last month, Liu Jianchao, who runs the ruling Communist Party's anti-graft watchdog's team trying to repatriate graft suspects, told reporters Ling's case had nothing to do with him and he did not know who was in charge of it.

But on Friday, in response to a question from Reuters at a news conference, Liu confirmed for the first time contacts with the United States about the case.

"As for the case of Ling Wancheng, the Chinese side is handling it and is communicating with the United States," Liu said.

Ling was in the United States, Liu told Reuters later. He praised a "very positive" U.S. attitude on anti-corruption cooperation.

Peter Carr, a spokesman for the U.S. Justice Department, said the United States and China "regularly engage on law enforcement matters of mutual concern, including fugitives and anti-corruption".

However, he added: "We do not go into the details of those discussions.?

Gabrielle Price, a spokeswoman for the U.S. State Department, said China had provided the United States with a number of specific cases of concern, and added:

"All cases must be supported by sufficient evidence and work their way through the judicial system in accordance with applicable law."

Last July, China said it would prosecute Ling's brother, Ling Jihua, a former senior aide to Hu, after an investigation found that he had taken bribes and engaged in other corrupt behaviour.

Another brother, Ling Zhengce, has also been accused of corruption.

Since assuming power in late 2012, Xi Jinping has pursued a relentless campaign against corruption, warning that the problem could threaten the party's ability to retain power, though some analysts say he is also eliminating rivals.

Ling Jihua's case has presented a dilemma for Beijing. His position is particularly sensitive because of his connection with Hu.

China's efforts at repatriating corrupt officials overseas have long been hampered by Western countries' reluctance to sign extradition deals, partly out of concern about its judicial system.

Rights groups say Chinese authorities use torture and the death penalty is common in corruption cases.

(Reportng by Michael Martina in Beijing and Julia Harte and David Brunnstrom in Washington; Writing by Sui-Lee Wee; Editing by Robert Birsel and Sandra Maler)
Re: Swiss to claim costs from asylum seekers



Italy against the EU 3 billions deal with Turkey

http://www.euractiv.com/sections/jus...d-italy-320993



Quote:

The move marks a further escalation in Italy's combative position on EU issues. Prime Minister Matteo Renzi blasted German Chancellor Angela Merkel at an EU summit in December over EU policies on energy, banking and migration.

Since then, Italy has reiterated its opposition to the funding of the EU plan to stem migrants coming to Europe from the Middle East and Asia through Turkey, officials said. The plan is strongly backed by Germany, which is the final destination of most.

>> Read: EU and Turkey agree on 3 billion refugee deal

"There is only one member state that still has objections against the funding for Turkey. We do not understand why Italy is blocking it," a European diplomat said.

Germany's Finance Minister Wolfgang Schauble is expected to raise the issue at today's meeting of EU finance ministers in Brussels, a diplomat said.

The draft plan foresees that one third of the 3 billion should come from the EU budget and the remaining 2 billion from EU states.

EU states gave initial backing to the aid plan at a summit with Turkey in November and the EU summit last month.

"The EU is now seen as backtracking. We need to solve this urgently so we can credibly negotiate with Ankara to stem the flow," the EU source said.

There was no immediate comment from the Italian government.

The EU is far from satisfied with Turkey's cooperation in stemming the flow of migrants to Europe, European Commission First Vice-President Frans Timmermans said on 7 January.

>> Read: EU 'long way from satisfied' with Turkish migrant cooperation

>> Read: Frontex cannot say if Turkey stemmed refugee flow

Italy wants more leeway on deficits

At today's meeting, finance ministers will pursue talks on how the 2 billion national funding for Turkey would be treated under EU deficit rules. And Italy could well be at the centre of attention.

Italy is currently in talks with the EU Commission on whether it can be granted more fiscal leeway in its 2016 budget. But the European Commission considers Rome has already been given more budget flexibility than any of its partners and Rome should tone down its anti-EU rhetoric.

Pierre Moscovici, the EU's Economic Affairs Commissioner, said he could "never understand" Italy's negative approach, considering that the Commission has said it will consider Rome's requests for budget flexibility even though these go beyond those of most of its peers.

"Despite everything they criticise, and they say 'we haven't got enough,' when they have more than anyone else," said Moscovici, in unusually direct tone for a European Commissioner.

"It's fine in terms of rhetoric, but not in terms of reality," he said, adding that he had "always considered that an attitude of cooperation and compromise is more effective than conflict."







Italy is blocking a European Union plan to provide Turkey with 3 billion in aid in exchange for a commitment to stem the flow of migrants into Europe, two European officials said yesterday (14 January).The move marks a further escalation in Italy's combative position on EU issues. Prime Minister Matteo Renzi blasted German Chancellor Angela Merkel at an EU summit in December over EU policies on energy, banking and migration.Since then, Italy has reiterated its opposition to the funding of the EU plan to stem migrants coming to Europe from the Middle East and Asia through Turkey, officials said. The plan is strongly backed by Germany, which is the final destination of most."There is only one member state that still has objections against the funding for Turkey. We do not understand why Italy is blocking it," a European diplomat said.Germany's Finance Minister Wolfgang Schauble is expected to raise the issue at today's meeting of EU finance ministers in Brussels, a diplomat said.The draft plan foresees that one third of the 3 billion should come from the EU budget and the remaining 2 billion from EU states.EU states gave initial backing to the aid plan at a summit with Turkey in November and the EU summit last month."The EU is now seen as backtracking. We need to solve this urgently so we can credibly negotiate with Ankara to stem the flow," the EU source said.There was no immediate comment from the Italian government.The EU is far from satisfied with Turkey's cooperation in stemming the flow of migrants to Europe, European Commission First Vice-President Frans Timmermans said on 7 January.At today's meeting, finance ministers will pursue talks on how the 2 billion national funding for Turkey would be treated under EU deficit rules. And Italy could well be at the centre of attention.Italy is currently in talks with the EU Commission on whether it can be granted more fiscal leeway in its 2016 budget. But the European Commission considers Rome has already been given more budget flexibility than any of its partners and Rome should tone down its anti-EU rhetoric.Pierre Moscovici, the EU's Economic Affairs Commissioner, said he could "never understand" Italy's negative approach, considering that the Commission has said it will consider Rome's requests for budget flexibility even though these go beyond those of most of its peers."Despite everything they criticise, and they say 'we haven't got enough,' when they have more than anyone else," said Moscovici, in unusually direct tone for a European Commissioner."It's fine in terms of rhetoric, but not in terms of reality," he said, adding that he had "always considered that an attitude of cooperation and compromise is more effective than conflict." Ahem, let's move on...Italy against the EU 3 billions deal with Turkey
A project of the co-operative ABC La Sapienza in Tavola and PwC, a multinational operating in the field of corporate consultancy that played a crucial role in the organization and funding phases of the restaurant. The projects gives inmates the possibility of social re-integration.

In the restaurant, four prisoners work as waiters and five other prisoners cook in the kitchen, which are headed by a professional chef - a team that works in Italys first restaurant located in a prison.

According to LifeGate, InGalera opened on Oct. 26 of last year at the II Casa di Reclusione of Milano Bollate, with a clear objective: following prisoners in a rehabilitation process of social inclusion.

It is a ground-breaking project, made possible thanks to the collaboration with ABC. The co-operative was already working in the food industry, but it never managed to launch a restaurant, said Francesco Ferrara, partner of PwC. Thanks to the prison of Bollate, we succeeded in integrating 3 different worlds: prison, businesses, and education. On this occasion, PwC managed the red tape and business plan, as well as engaged prisoners in training sessions.

The project is a real social experiment. A prison opens its doors to people, allowing them to experience reality outside their four-walled cells. Moreover, it allows prisoners to be gradually included in the society.

I really hope InGalera will become a credible and renowned brand and that it will be able to represent a crucial element in prisoners CVs, because too often society stigmatises them. I want to help fighting this stigma, said Silvia Polleri, President of the co-operative ABC La Sapienza in Tavola.

During lunch and dinnertime, 50 seats are open from Monday to Saturday. Wed like this project to become replicable, because it has huge social benefits, said Ferrara. We hope it will be successful also in other prisons.
Being in prison due to criminal offense is not an easy thing as an individual. The reason that these offenders are imprisoned is for them to learn the consequence of their criminal activities.

However, instead of prisoners getting encouraging atmosphere while in prison, sometimes the place only adds up negativity. That's why in Trinity County Prison, they decided to do something about it and to save the taxpayers, the county's sheriff came up with a plan that would help both inmates by engaging them in farming.

The program not only aims to rehabilitate these individuals but to help develop their skills , work ethic and sense of responsibility.

Check out this county and its bright ideas.
Boulder, Colorado, USA - Today, people are major agents of landscape change and catalysts for erosion, but what did people do to the environment before the industrial revolution -- before mechanized agriculture? The impact that indigenous peoples had on their landscapes, and when, are often difficult to determine. In this article for Geology, Eric W. Portenga and colleagues show that the use of fire by native Australians had little impact on the erosion of the landscapes they inhabited.

By counting atoms of beryllium-10 in rock and stream sediment samples from Australia's southeastern Tablelands and comparing them to the total amount of beryllium-10 the team was predicted they would find, they were able to model the effect of Aboriginal burning-practices on the rate of erosion in this landscape.

Portenga and colleagues found that Aboriginal burning was not intense enough, or used for long enough, to change significantly the Tablelands' natural long-term rate of landscape erosion over the preceding thousands to millions of years. They also concluded that Aboriginal burning started affecting natural erosion processes in the Tablelands only in the past few thousand years.

These findings show that in southeastern Australia, Aboriginal impact on the landscapes was much less and much more recent than previously thought.

FEATURED ARTICLE

A late Holocene onset of Aboriginal burning in southeastern Australia

Eric W. Portenga et al., School of Geographical and Earth Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK. This article is OPEN ACCESS online at http://dx.doi.org/10.1130/G37257.1. For more information, please contact Eric Portenga, University of Glasgow, eric.portenga@glasgow.ac.uk.

Other recently posted GEOLOGY articles are highlighted below:

Gas pathways and remotely triggered earthquakes beneath Mount Fuji, Japan Mercury anomaly, Deccan volcanism, and the end-Cretaceous mass extinction Tracking Adria indentation beneath the Alps by detrital zircon U-Pb geochronology: Implications for the Oligocene-Miocene dynamics of the Adriatic microplate A climatic control on reorganization of ocean circulation during the mid-Cenomanian event and Cenomanian-Turonian oceanic anoxic event (OAE 2): Nd isotope evidence Stronger or longer: Discriminating between Hawaiian and Strombolian eruption styles Rhenium-osmium isotope fractionation at the oceanic crust-mantle boundary

Gas pathways and remotely triggered earthquakes beneath Mount Fuji, Japan

Koki Aizawa et al., Earthquake Research Institute, University of Tokyo, Yayoi 1-1-1, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0032, Japan. This article is online at http://dx.doi.org/10.1130/G37313.1.

Large earthquakes sometimes trigger local seismicity that is distal to their rupture zones. Various mechanisms for this triggered seismicity have been proposed, based on either the static stress change or ground shaking from seismic waves, but local geological structure is rarely studied to discern why this seismicity is remotely induced. In this study, Koki Aizawa and colleagues present the results of a joint 3-D resistivity and isotopic analysis of the groundwater system surrounding Mount Fuji, Japan, where increased seismicity was observed following the 2011 Tohoku-Oki megathrust earthquake. Their results suggest a previously unknown N20E-S20W-trending structure that they interpret to be a fracture zone that allows magmatic gas to preferentially move upward through the groundwater network. The local seismicity triggered by the Tohoku-Oki megathrust earthquake occurred within this gas pathway. Upwelling of gas-rich hydrous fluids and/or gas bubbles are considered to promote earthquake generation. These types of gas pathways are also present beneath active faults, and may therefore be important not only for triggering seismicity beneath volcanoes, but for generating inland earthquakes.

Mercury anomaly, Deccan volcanism, and the end-Cretaceous mass extinction

Eric Font et al., IDL-FCUL (Instituto Dom Luis, Faculdade de Ciencias da Universidade de Lisboa), Campo Grande, Edificio C1, Piso 1, 1749-016 Lisbon, Portugal. This article is online at http://dx.doi.org/10.1130/G37451.1.

The direct correlation between the Cretaceous-Paleogene (KPg) mass extinction and Deccan Trap volcanism in India inevitably leads to questions concerning the role volcanic gas emissions played in this global die-off. Well documented is the role of greenhouse gases (CO2, SO2) leading to rapid global climate warming of 4-8 degrees C and cooling, but also acid rain and ocean acidification. Less well known are the toxic effects of volcanic gases such as Cl, N, and Hg across the KPg boundary. Mercury (Hg) is extremely toxic, easily transported globally and persists in the environment. Here, Eric Font and colleagues report anomalous concentrations of mercury (Hg) in the KPg boundary at Bidart (France) within stratigraphic layers that are coeval with major Deccan eruption Phase-2. The Hg-enhanced level spans from 80 cm below the KPg boundary to 30 cm above in the early Danian. This interval also reveals high fragmentation of calcareous planktic foraminiferal shells that indicates ocean acidification, one of the leading adverse effects of greenhouse warming and possibly the major cause for the diversity decline and mass extinction. The discovery of anomalous Hg concentrations in the same interval suggests toxicity as important contributor to Deccan-related environmental changes leading up to the mass extinction and delayed recovery.

Tracking Adria indentation beneath the Alps by detrital zircon U-Pb geochronology: Implications for the Oligocene-Miocene dynamics of the Adriatic microplate

Marco G. Malusa et al., Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza 4, 20126 Milan, Italy. This article is online at http://dx.doi.org/10.1130/G37407.1.

In this article, Marco G. Malusa and colleagues constrain the timing of progressive indentation of the Adriatic microplate beneath the European Alps by utilizing detrital zircon U-Pb geochronology on Adriatic foredeep turbidites. They compared the geochronologic fingerprints of the exhuming tectonic domes of the Central Alps (Ticino and Toce subdomes) with those of the Oligo-Miocene turbidites chiefly derived from their erosion. The team found that the ratio between Variscan and Caledonian zircon grains (which are dominant in the Toce and Ticino subdomes, respectively) sharply increases approx. 23 to 24 million years ago. This major provenance change marks the westward shift of the Adriatic indenter beneath the Central Alps, and the associated right-lateral activity of the Insubric Fault. Coexistence of strike-slip motion at the northern boundary of the Adriatic microplate approx. 23 to 24 million years ago, and of trench retreat during scissor-type backarc opening to the west, requires a near-vertical rotation axis located at the northern tip of the Ligurian-Provencal basin. They propose that the rotation axis position was controlled by the interaction between the European and the Adriatic slabs, which may have collided at depth by the end of the Oligocene triggering the westward shift of the Adriatic indenter beneath the Central Alps.

A climatic control on reorganization of ocean circulation during the mid-Cenomanian event and Cenomanian-Turonian oceanic anoxic event (OAE 2): Nd isotope evidence

Xin-Yuan Zheng et al., Department of Earth Sciences, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3AN, UK. This article is online at http://dx.doi.org/10.1130/G37354.1.

The warm Cretaceous had witnessed dramatic climate changes, including an extreme one named oceanic anoxic event 2 (OAE 2), during which the deep ocean was devoid of oxygen on a global scale for almost half a million years. The role of ocean circulation in these climate events remains unclear. Isotopic ratios of the element neodymium (Nd) are fingerprints of water masses in the ocean, and, in this study, Xin-Yuan Zheng and colleagues used this proxy, mostly recorded in fossil fish teeth, to track changes in ocean circulation in the European epicontinental sea across a climate event analogous to OAE 2 -- the mid-Cenomanian event I (MCE I). They found recurrent circulation reorganizations in response to transient climate cooling during the event. Episodic invasions of high-latitude marine species to the mid-latitudes always started after circulation changes had occurred, implying a slower biological response to climate change. This sequence of change in climate, ocean circulation and biology is identical to that seen during OAE 2. The high sensitivity of ocean circulation to carbon cycle changes during MCE I and OAE 2 may be critical in replenishing upper ocean nutrients from the deep ocean or volcanic sources, fueling these events for long periods of time.

Stronger or longer: Discriminating between Hawaiian and Strombolian eruption styles

B.F. Houghton et al., Department of Geology and Geophysics, University of Hawai'i, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822, USA. This article is online at http://dx.doi.org/10.1130/G37423.1.

Kilauea, Stromboli, and Etna are the three most intensely monitored, continually active volcanoes in the world and also locations of large and growing volcano-tourism operations. Small eruptions at these volcanoes create large problems because of their high frequency and high accessibility. This study reexamines how to distinguish the two classical styles of small eruptions, Strombolian explosions and Hawaiian "fountains," using new sets of data from these volcanoes. It proposes that they key difference is neither the size nor the strength of the eruptions but their duration, with a gap between 40 and 1200 seconds that separates short-lived Strombolian events from prolonged Hawaiian ones. This is a first-order distinction in volcanology, linked to the extent to which gas released by the molten rock, or magma, in the plumbing system of the volcanoes remains linked to, or escapes from, the magma during its final ascent to the surface.

Rhenium-osmium isotope fractionation at the oceanic crust-mantle boundary

Alessio Sanfilippo et al., Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra e dell'Ambiente, Universita degli Studi di Pavia, Via Ferrata 1, 27100 Pavia, Italy. This article is online at http://dx.doi.org/10.1130/G37428.1.

This study by Alessio Sanfilippo and colleagues shows that rocks from the oceanic crust-mantle boundary in the Central Indian Ridge have variable rhenium-osmium isotope compositions. Motivated by the assumption that mantle rocks (source of magmatism) and crust (products of crystallization) must preserve similar isotopic ratios, the team argues that the variability of the rocks of this study is related to reactive processes occurring at the crust-mantle boundary. In particular, they infer that the chemistry of the lowermost sector of the oceanic crust is shaped by interactions between primary melts and mantle peridotites. Under this light, they propose that the crust-mantle boundary acts as a "reactive filter," which may modify the isotopic composition of the melts delivered to the surface.

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GEOLOGY articles are online http://geology.gsapubs.org/. Representatives of the media may obtain complimentary articles by contacting Kea Giles at the e-mail address above. Please discuss articles of interest with the authors before publishing stories on their work, and please make reference to GEOLOGY in articles published. Non-media requests for articles may be directed to GSA Sales and Service, gsaservice@geosociety.org.

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Thanks to the Internet, amateur volunteers known as "citizen scientists" can readily donate their time and effort to science--in fields ranging from medicine to zoology to astrophysics. The astrophysics project Space Warps offers a compelling example of why citizen science has become such a popular tool and how valuable it can be.

Late last year, in a pair of research papers, Space Warps announced the discovery of 29 new gravitational lenses. These arced or blobby features, seen in images of deep space, are actually distant galaxies whose light has been bent by the mass of foreground galaxies. Scientists prize these rare, cosmic phenomena because they offer tantalizing glimpses of objects too distant and dim to be otherwise seen.

This haul of lenses was obtained over an 8-month period by about 37,000 Space Warps volunteers who reviewed 430,000 digital images in a massive, online photo library. Automated computer programs have identified most of the approximately 500 gravitational lenses discovered to date. However, computers failed to flag the 29 lenses the Space Warps volunteers spotted.

"Human beings are very good at pattern recognition. The dynamic range that our eyes and our brains offer is much greater than a computer algorithm," said Anupreeta More, a project researcher at the Kavli Institute for the Physics and Mathematics of the Universe (Kavli IPMU) at the University of Tokyo and a co-principal investigator for Space Warps. More was one of the three astrophysicists who participated in a roundtable discussion, hosted by The Kavli Foundation, about the growing role that citizen scientists are playing in astrophysics.

More and her colleagues designed Space Warps to take advantage of these human abilities. So far, besides the 29 new gravitational lens candidates, Space Warpers have also turned up a never-before-seen lensing scenario that looks like a red ring in the project's image archive. Researchers are still working out the source of this red ring, which they suspect is the warped features of a background galaxy containing a supermassive black hole as well as regions of new star formation.

Discovering such strange, new phenomena is a hallmark of citizen science. Among the most famous examples is Hanny's Voorwerp, a galaxy-size gas cloud discovered in 2007 in a project called Galaxy Zoo, one of the earliest astronomy projects.

"Citizen scientists... have really enabled us to produce important findings. They've inspired us with their dedication and productivity," said Aprajita Verma, a senior researcher in the department of physics at the University of Oxford and also a co-principal investigator for Space Warps. "We've learned from our analysis that basically anyone who joins Space Warps has an impact on the results."

As astronomical datasets continue to increase in size, there will be no shortage of opportunities for eager citizen scientists. For instance, the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope, opening in 2022, will collect 30 terabytes of data nightly as it observes the whole sky every few days from the vantage of the Southern Hemisphere. Computerized object-recognition programs will certainly play an important role in analyzing these data, but human volunteers are likely to remain integral.

"I think there will be citizen involvement for a long while and it will become more interesting as we use machines to do more of the routine work and filter the data," said Chris Lintott, a professor of astrophysics and the citizen science lead at the University of Oxford. "The tasks for citizen scientists will involve more varied things--more of the unusual, Hanny's Voorwerp-type of discoveries."

Lintott, who is also a co-founder of Galaxy Zoo and the principal investigator for the Zooniverse citizen science web portal, added: "Plus, a lot of unusual discoveries will need to be followed up, and I'd like to see citizen scientists get further into the process of analysis. Without them, I think we're going to end up with a pile of interesting objects which professional scientists just don't have time to deal with."

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Read the full conversation with astrophysicists Anupreeta More, Aprajita Verma and Chris Lintott on The Kavli Foundation website: http://www.kavlifoundation.org/science-spotlights/crowdsourcing-universe-how-citizen-scientists-are-driving-discovery
New research has revealed how disease-associated changes in 2 interlinked networks within the brain may play a key role in the development of the symptoms of dementia

New research has revealed how disease-associated changes in two interlinked networks within the brain may play a key role in the development of the symptoms of dementia.

The University of Exeter Medical School led two studies, each of which moves us a step closer to understanding the onset of dementia, and potentially to paving the way for future therapies. Both studies, part-funded by Alzheimer's Research UK, are published in the Journal of Neuroscience and involved collaboration with the University of Bristol.

Both studies shed light on how two parts of the brain's 'GPS' navigation system malfunctions in dementia, and point to likely underpinning causes for loss of orientation that is commonly experienced by people living with the condition.

In the first study, the team studied a part of the brain called the entorhinal cortex. Located near the base of the brain, this region is associated with functions including memory formation and navigation, and contains so-called "grid cells". These nerve cells fire electrical discharges in a grid-like pattern, much like the grid on an Ordnance Survey map. Paralleling the different scales employed by different maps, the grid firing patterns in the entorhinal cortex also have different scales, with cells at the top of the cortex having a more tightly packed grid pattern than those at the bottom. Scientists believe that this top-to-bottom gradient of different grid scales contributes pivotally to our sense of spatial location.

The team compared the activity in the entorhinal cortex of healthy mice and mice with dementia. They found that top-to-bottom gradients in electrical activity in the entorhinal cortex are not present in mice with dementia. Their findings suggest that the fine navigational detail, such as you would find on a large-scale map, is not correctly represented in patients with dementia.

Dr Jon Brown at the University of Exeter Medical School led the studies, as part of his Alzheimer's Research UK Senior Fellowship. He said: "This is an exciting discovery because it is the first time grid cell activity has been linked to the onset of disease. We now need further research to better establish how these findings translate to dementia in humans."

In the second study, researchers examined "place cells" located in the hippocampus, a brain structure known to be critical in processing learning and memory, both affected by dementia. Place cells help us to identify where we are within a certain space.

The team found that the hippocampus of mice with dementia was associated with specific disturbances in synaptic, cellular, and network-level function, meaning that spatial information was wrongly encoded and spatial memory was impaired.

Dr Brown said: "Dementia is one of the greatest health challenges of our time, and we still have so much to learn about its causes, as well as about how our brains work. This research makes progress in both areas, and is another small step along the road to earlier diagnoses and finding new treatments and therapies."

Professor Andrew Randall, who co-supervised much of the work, said: "This has been a fascinating experimental journey for our research teams, and much of the pivotal work was carried out by talented PhD students. We look forward to producing much more work of this nature as members of Exeter's growing dementia research community."

Dr Laura Phipps from Alzheimer's Research UK, said: "There are 850,000 people in the UK with dementia and a tenth of those are living in the South West. It is vital that researchers explore the complexities of the brain, to understand more about the causes of the condition and how we can tackle it. Dementia is not just a synonym for forgetfulness - these findings in mice highlight the impact that diseases like Alzheimer's can have on spatial orientation. It will now be important to build on this research, to understand whether this chain of events can be targeted in the hunt for new treatments."

The University of Exeter forms part of the Alzheimer's Research UK South West Research Network - a community of dementia researchers in Exeter and Plymouth, working collaboratively to accelerate progress in dementia research.

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The Texas Advance Directive Act (TADA) allows a hospital bioethics committee and doctors to veto wanted life-sustaining treatment if they believe the suffering thereby caused is unwarranted  with the cost of care always in the unspoken background. It is a form of ad hoc health care rationing  death panels, if you will  that place the moral values and opinions of strangers over those of the patient and family.

Futile care theory would even allow strangers to veto the contents of a patients written and expressly stated advance directive.

Texas Right to Life (among others) has been an adamant opponent of the law, attempting to get it repealed. This effort has been impeded repeatedly by the Texas Catholic Conference (see my article here) perhaps because the states Catholic hospital association likes the law. Texas Alliance for Life (TAL) often carries the Catholic Conferences water on this matter, in agreement on this issue, ironically, with the utilitarian bioethics movement.

Why? Its a bit of a puzzlement. I dont doubt, they think it is the right thing. But it should also be noted that hospitals benefit financially by refusing wanted but expensive treatment. Perhaps their social justice inclinations see limited resources as best spent on other patients.

In the wake of the Chris Dunn case, in which the patient  conscience and aware  clearly wanted life-sustaining treatment to continue, TAL defenders of futile care expose the doctor knows best arrogance of the futile care movement. From Balancing the Rights of Patients and Doctors, in Public Discourse (my emphasis):

A person in possession of his mental faculties is not morally bound to choose treatments whose negative effects are disproportionate to any good that could come from them. By the law of transitivity, it would seem to follow that neither his doctor nor his surrogates are either. Some may say that patients are the only ones able to judge the proportionality of suffering due to life-sustaining treatments. In this case, those treatments decreased the ability of the patient to judge.

I have heard such excuses and rationalizations in futile care controversies again and again: The patient doesnt really know what is best; the family is acting on guilt; misplaced religious belief is forcing a wrong choice; they should leave such decisions to the experts. Bah!

Besides, Catholic moral teaching  at least, as I understand it  allows the patient to decide when suffering being experienced supersedes the benefit being received. It does not give that decision to doctors or bioethicists. Thus, for example, St. John Paul II decided not to try to stay alive by any means necessary. He was not prevented from doing so by others as is done in futile care cases.

The article also exhibits some mendacity by omission when it discusses the refusal by other hospitals to take Dunn, while leaving out important facts:

It is telling that, even with the assistance of the hospital over several weeks to find another care provider, none would accept Chriss transfer, indicating that other doctors agreed with the attending physicians prognosis.

But patients caught up in futile care cases usually lose money for hospitals in our capitated funding system. Moreover, this whole Texas controversy began when Houston hospitals created a futile care policy and agreed to honor such determinations made by other institutions. Heads we win, tails you lose.

If continuing wanted treatment is the wrong thing to do, that should not be decided by a Star Chamber bioethics committee made up of colleagues who reflect corporate or institutional values, meeting in secret with no real transparency or accountability. Rather, if maintaining life when that is wanted is so egregious as to be inhumane, the controversy belongs in open court, with cross examination, an official record, and a right to appeal.

Bioethics committees have a very important role to play as mediating bodies in the event of treatment disputes. But they should never be empowered to become institutionally authorized, quasi-judicial death panels.

Cross-posted at Human Exceptionalism.

Image credit:  Monkey Business / Dollar Photo Club.
Don't take this as advice as it isn't intended as such. If you want proper advice seek out a professional who know's all about debt and financial law in the UK.

This is just my opinion.



1.

Can't force you to pay anything.

Can track you down if they feel it is worth the effort and expense but waste of time as NZ is outside of their jurisdiction and NZ law does not recognize CCJ's n all that stuff from another country. NZ law would only be interested in debt that you had here in NZ.

No, however, you have a responsibility to declare the truth when asked if you have any debts yada yada or you could be in breach of a finance agreement/contract.



2. Only if you wanna pay them back or make it easy for them to hound you here in NZ.



3. I believe it is a period of 7 years. Had a colleague in the UK who went through debt repayment issues left to her from an ex. partner who did a flit and she was told she wouldn't be eligible for any finance/credit/mortgage for 7 years. Also have a mate here who stopped paying his Irish mortgage a couple of years ago as he was in serious negative equity. House was repossessed and sold by the mortgage company to pay off as much of the debt as possible. He then filed for bankruptcy and was told he will be unable to get any finance, mortgage, credit for a period of 7 years.



4. No sorry.



5. You cannot withdraw pension funds until you reach NRD (normal retirement date).



Don't use a debt recovery company....You know, the ones that promise to get the vultures off your back in return for commission off the debts over the next 50 years of your life. Will cost you more in the long term and you'll be paying the debts off for many many years.

Best bet (if you want to do something about the debt) is to contact the companies directly, apologise, give em an excuse and plead with them/negotiate with them to help you repay the debt with consideration of your current financial position etc. They'll most likely freeze the interest and maybe allow a settlement at a lower figure.
AUSTIN  Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is the subject of a second criminal investigation  unrelated to the accusations that led to his felony indictments last year  concerning his role in a 2004 land deal in Collin County, his lawyers confirmed Friday.

Two special prosecutors have been appointed to look into the case, said Paxton attorney Bill Mateja, who added he believes that his client will be found innocent of any misconduct.

We have cooperated fully with these attorneys and are confident that they will find no wrongdoing on the part of General Paxton and anyone involved, Mateja said. While the attorneys investigating this might be referred to as special prosecutors, at this junction they are merely investigating whether anyone engaged in any improper conduct in connection with the sale of the property.

At the center of the investigation is a parcel of undeveloped land off Eldorado Parkway in McKinney bought by a company called Eldorado-Collin in 2004. Paxton, then a state representative, and college friend Greg Willis, who later would become a judge and now serves as Collin County district attorney, were limited partners in the company.

More than a year later, Eldorado-Collin sold the land to a company called Cornerstone, which sold it to the Central Appraisal District of Collin County. Eventually, the appraisal district headquarters was built there.

According to a May 2014 Dallas Morning News report, Before Cornerstone bought the property, officials from Paxtons company sought and received a critical zoning change from McKinney. That paved the way for the appraisal district building.

Paxton has said he was not involved in the rezoning effort, and Mateja on Friday said his client was not involved in the sale of the land to the appraisal district.

Importantly, the property was sold, and not by General Paxton or any business he was involved with, but by a Dallas real estate company named Cornerstone, with which Paxton had no involvement, Mateja said. Cornerstone had earlier purchased the property from a limited partnership in which Paxton was merely a limited partner. Paxton was not involved in the sale of the property to Cornerstone, which is typical of the role of a limited partner.

A month before Paxton was indicted on charges unrelated to the land deal, pro-Democratic interest group Lone Star Project filed a formal complaint about the land deal with a grand jury and the U.S. attorney in the Eastern District of Texas.

Mateja said the prosecutors were brought on after a Collin County resident asked the district attorneys office to investigate the sale of property to the Collin County Appraisal District.

Ty Clevenger, a local blogger and former Justice Department lawyer, wrote extensively about the land deal last year and sent a letter on the issue to the grand jury that indicted Paxton. Speaking from New York City, where he recently moved, Clevenger said he was glad the land deal was being investigated.

The reason I kept pushing so hard on that issue is because I believe it went well beyond Ken Paxton, he said. I believe a lot of other political players in Collin County probably had their hand in the cookie jar.

Fort Worth lawyers Bob Gill and David Miles Brissette are the new prosecutors who will oversee the land deal investigation.

In a statement Friday, they said it was their goal to conduct our investigation in a manner consistent with the Texas Rules of Disciplinary and Professional Conduct and the National Prosecution Standards. As such, we are unable to comment further at this time.

A Collin County grand jury in July indicted Paxton on three felony counts of violating state securities laws. He is accused of funneling clients to a friends investment firm without being properly registered with the state and for encouraging others to invest in a North Texas technology startup without disclosing that he was being paid by the company.

Willis, the Collin County district attorney, recused himself in that case, which eventually was handed over to three Houston criminal defense lawyers for prosecution. Those special prosecutors declined comment on the new investigation.

Also on Friday, the Austin-American Statesman reported that the three special prosecutors originally appointed to the case have sued the attorney generals office to block the release of documents related to Paxtons defense. The Dallas Morning News last year requested access to these records, but the prosecutors argued they should not be released because they contain documents that could hinder the attorney generals ability to defend himself.

Paxtons office countered, and in a move that could have negative repercussions for the attorney general, said it had to release the documents because the prosecutors did not take all necessary steps to block their release.

Paxton, a Republican who was elected in November 2014, has pleaded not guilty to all the charges and has asked for a trial in Collin County. He has also appealed to the 5th Court of Appeals in Dallas a recent ruling by the cases presiding judge not to quash his indictments.

lauren.mcgaughy@chron.com

twitter.com/lmcgaughy
Mr Smith said the project should be given priority status by both the Commonwealth and WA governments as he hoped the Northern Australia Roads Package combined with the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility would provide the primary source of public and private funding to stimulate infrastructure development across northern Australia.
Dozens of first responders honored in 2022 Valor Awards

The awards, organized by the Greater Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce, recognized the efforts of first responders throughout Cumberland County.
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Health on Female First

Women who are planning a pregnancy are advised to take 400 microgram folic acid supplements daily for three months before conceiving and until the end of the first trimester of pregnancy to prevent neural tube disorders in the foetus.

However, a new European study, a randomised controlled trial (RCT), has suggested that cognitive skills in 8-year olds could be positively influenced by folate supplements taken by their mothers from week 20 of pregnancy.

Should women, therefore, take additional folate throughout pregnancy? Responding to these exciting findings, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (AJCN). Dr Carrie Ruxton from the Health Supplements Information Service has made the following comments "This study was part of a larger RCT where women from Hungary, Germany and Spain were given supplements of fish oil, 5-methyltetrahydrofolate (a form of folic acid used in food supplements) or a combination of both nutrients from week 20 of pregnancy. The offspring were then followed up for several years to examine neurodevelopment and cognitive function using a variety of tests including response conflict-resolution ability (using congruent and incongruent conditions), alerting, and spatial orienting of attention."

"The results showed that the group of children whose mothers received folate supplements displayed a significantly better ability to solve response conflicts. This is an important indicator of superior cognitive function because the process of solving conflicts involves understanding other people's points of views, using language to resolve disputes and considering different strategies and solutions."

"In addition, the brain scans of the children in the study revealed that folate supplementation was associated with higher activation of the midcingulate cortex, indicating that early nutrition was influencing the functionality of specific brain areas involved in executive processing."

"At present, women are urged to take folic acid supplements for just the first 12 weeks of pregnancy but this new study suggests that benefits arise from taking them for longer. The type of folate used in the study - 5-methyltetrahydrofolate - has an identical effect and bioavailability to the folic acid used in overthe-counter vitamin supplements, as well as the folic acid added to fortified foods such as breakfast cereals. Natural folate, found in orange juice and green leafy vegetables, is still useful but is less bioavailable and active in the body."

"A worrying finding from studies is that only a third of British women take folic acid before becoming pregnant, as advised by the NHS. Indeed, only 6% of pregnant women aged under 20 years had taken folic acid supplements in the weeks prior to conception."

"In conclusion, more women planning a pregnancy need to take daily folic acid supplements as advised to help prevent birth defects in their children. In response to this new study, they should consider continuing the folic acid supplementation until delivery to access potential cognitive function advantages."

by Emma Barlow for www.femalefirst.co.uk


The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) has rejected the findings of Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) that highlighted corruption in garment supply chain. BGMEA described the report as baseless and intended to damage the image of the RMG sector.At a press conference on January 15, BGMEA President Siddiqur Rahman protested the report of the TIB on garment supply chain.

The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) has rejected the findings of Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) that#

TIB's report on RMG sector about corruption is totally baseless, intentional, false and ill motivated and we strongly reject the findings, Rahman said at the press briefing.He denied the allegation of selling the imported fabrics in local markets by the garment makers.On sub-contracts, Rahman said the garment makers execute sub-contracts with the permission from the buyers to whom they supply the products."So, if buyers allow sub-contracting, there is no offence in it," Rahman said.Rahman claimed that the TIB interviewed only 74 people from RMG stakeholders but made generalised comments on the entire sector.TIB's report released on January 14 said the supply chain of the country's biggest export earner is plagued by irregularities and corruption for which global apparel buyers are also responsible.The anti-corruption watchdog detected anomalies at 16 stages -- from order placement to shipment -- in the apparel supply chain.According to the TIB, irregularities and corruption at different stages of the chain have become almost a custom in some cases. And various stakeholders, including factory owners, buyers, auditors and inspectors, are involved in it.The TIB prepared the report based on information gathered from November 2014 to April last year through interviews of stakeholders, including buyers and global brands or their agents, garment factory owners and exporters, workers, compliance auditors, factory inspectors, merchandisers, shipping agents and bankers.It conducted the study jointly with Transparency International, Germany.The TIB said this is a qualitative study through which it could detect the stages of corruption in the supply chain of garment industry. It didn't quantify the amounts of illegal transactions that take place in the supply chain. (SH)

Fibre2Fashion News Desk - India
West Bengal can potentially emerge as a major textile hub with the state government unveiling plans for more than a dozen textile parks.Textile and garment was one of the focus areas at the recent Bengal Global Business Summit in Kolkata. Addressing industry leaders at the summit, said Rajiva Sinha, Principal Secretary, MSME and Textile, announced the launch of 13 Textile Parks under the project Texpro Bengal which would provide industry land, infrastructure, single window clearance, environment compliant infra, power apart from a host of subsides (capital, land, stamp duty, labour, power etc) under the Bengal Textile Policy, 2013.

West Bengal can potentially emerge as a major textile hub with the state government unveiling plans for more than a dozen textile parks.Textile and#

Sinha said Texpro Bengal is a push to establish West Bengal as a leading destination of globally competitive value-added textile like readymade garments, processed power loom and knitted fabric, technical textile and apparel products for both domestic and international markets.He said industry has to come forward to assist the government to achieve the desired goal. Sinha also stressed the need for institutionalisation of every plan and programme so that the process is not disturbed in future. He said manufacturers have also equal responsibility with the government to ensure proper growth of the industry and sought their suggestions and ideas for the betterment of the sector.The 13 textile parks envisage a space of 22.7 million sq ft. The government has received Expressions of Interest (EOIs) for more than 50 per cent of the space offered under Texpro Bengal.The Bangladeshi delegation also showed interest in investing and leading Chamber FBCCI shared an EOI to shift a planned large distribution depot for Bangladesh Garment Companies from Gujarat to Bengal.In his presentation, CMAI president, Rahul Mehta pointed out that industry should do away with old perception in every aspect and make them suitable to the present fast developing scenario. He said West Bengal has so many manufacturers, but there is no major brand excepting a few. This is because of fear of being a large one to avoid any complication. He said future of an industry depends on brand at the same time, retail sector has to be standarised through an effective policy.Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC) Vice Chairman Amit Goyal, in his address ruled out any indifferent attitude of the council towards West Bengal, as alleged by a section of the people, saying that it will provide all possible assistance to the industry in the state for marketing its products in the global market. He also assured the industry leaders for holding some national garment fairs in future in Kolkata to promote the brands from the state.To provide an enabling ecosystem to support and nurture startups in the state, the West Bengal Government also launched the state startup policy at the Bengal Global Business Summit.
Textile furnishings are of great importance for 88 per cent of hotels, a study report titled 'Textiles in Hotel Design: Hotel Furnishing Success Factors' released by Messe Frankfurt at Heimtextil 2016 informed.In the study, 200 decision makers from German first-class hotels provided new insights into textile furnishing with details of procurement channels, trends, sources of inspiration and information, and buying criteria.

Textile furnishings are of great importance for 88 per cent of hotels, a study report titled 'Textiles in Hotel Design: Hotel Furnishing Success#

The important findings include that many guests rate the quality of their hotel room in accordance with the quality of the bed.Therefore, bed linen and mattresses are considered to be particularly important by 84 and 80 per cent of hoteliers, respectively, the report observed.In the case of city hotels, the figure for mattresses rises to no less than 95 per cent, while bedding, which 69 per cent rate as being important, is also a significant factor for textile furnishing, the report explained.However, 78 per cent of respondents perceive towels as being even more important, while rounding off the top-five list of the most important product categories for the hotels polled is table linen with 61 per cent.By contrast, 57 per cent respondents ranked curtains among the five most important products for country hotels.Also, external experts, such as architects of interior-furnishing specialists, play a more important role for country hotels than for city hotels and hotel chains.The report also noted that quality is the most important criterion when it comes to purchasing for 93 per cent of hotels and ease of care and cleaning are highly rated by 82 per cent.Only 49 per cent regard the price as a decisive criterion and certainly less important than sustainability, which is mentioned as one of the five most important criteria by 53 per cent of all respondents.For country hotels, for 54 per cent of respondents, the long-term availability of products is a major factor compared to only 31 per cent for all hotels.Asked about anticipated trends, 42 per cent of hoteliers said that quality was most important, while for 46 per cent, sustainability is a trend in the city.34 per cent of respondents believe that sustainability will also play a leading role as a future trend and around 28 per cent see a greater design orientation as a trend.The report also divulged that 43 per cent of hoteliers attend fairs and congresses to gain inspiration and gather information, while 40 per cent use the traditional catalogue.
The Bride Wars' and 'Silver Lining Playbook' actresses seen to have become close friends after sharing the stage in 2013 to receive their respective Oscars.

Though JLaw was slammed for being rude to a journalist during Golden Globes, Anne Hathaway defends Jennifer Lawrence by saying, she was dryly joking'

Yes, Anne Hathaway actually spoke for her friend and fellow actor. Yesterday, January 15, 2016, she took to Facebook to post the below lines,

Dear the Internet, It's become pretty clear that the Jennifer Lawrence "scolding" was taken out of context and that she was dryly joking with a journalist who was indeed using his phone to take photos of her.'

Courtesy: Daily Mail

She continued saying, Let's not continue the sad but common practice of building people - especially women - up just to viciously tear them down when we perceive them to have misstepped.'

'Jennifer is a beautiful, talented, wildly successful,

popular, FOUR TIME OSCAR NOMINATED young woman. Please let us not punish her for these things.'

Courtesy: Daily Mail

We recently told you about what happened between the Golden Globes winning actress Jennifer Lawrence and a foreign journalist who was using his phone while asking her questions.

The actress told him to stop using his phone and live in the moment. She also told him that they were at Golden Globes when he asked her how she feels about the Academy Awards 2016 that's happening in February.

While some people felt Jennifer Lawrence was purely rude and inconsiderate, as he was a foreign journalist who was looking into his phone for questions, this is what Anne Hathaway had to say.

We sure can't say who is at fault and who is to blame as none knows what exactly the journalist was using his phone for. Nevertheless, JLaw was as blunt as always. What do you feel about it? Leave your comments below.


BRUSSELS (dpa-AFX) - Rating agency Standard & Poor's on Friday affirmed Croatia's long term and short term credit ratings at 'BB' and 'B', respectively, citing weak growth, poor public finances and delay in reforms.



The outlook on the ratings remains 'negative', the agency said, reflecting the view that there is at least a one-in-three possibility that ratings could be downgraded in the next 6-12 months.



'In our view, Croatia's six-year long recession has ended, but growth in 2016 will be relatively weak and mainly dependent on external factors,' S&P said.



'At the same time, public finances remain in poor shape and reform planning has not yet started because the government hasn't been finalized since the election in November 2015.'



The ratings are supported by slightly decreasing external debt because of deleveraging in the financial sector, which somewhat offsets that of the public sector, which is mounting, the agency noted.



S&P raised the 2015 growth estimate for Croatia to 0.9 percent from 0.2 percent. However, the agency said growth will remain relatively weak over 2016-2019 at an average 1.4 percent.



'We continue to see downside risks to our GDP forecast, for instance, if the recovery in the Eurozone, Croatia's main trading partner, were to falter,' S&P said.



The country's ratings may be lowered if government policies do not robustly counter the entrenched fiscal and economic hurdles after the new government is formed, S&P said. The agency expects a new government formation this month.



Further, S&P said ratings could also be downgraded if the agency perceived that the Croatian National Bank's effectiveness or credibility was being undermined if increased 'euroization' weakens its policy transmission mechanism.



Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

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JAKARTA (dpa-AFX) - Standard & Poor's upgraded Iceland's credit rating on Friday, citing further progress toward resolving the issues preventing the lifting of capital controls and declining debt levels.



The rating agency raised its long term sovereign credit ratings on Iceland to 'BBB+' from 'BBB' with stable outlook and affirmed the short term ratings at 'A2'.



'The upgrade primarily reflects the further progress Iceland has achieved in resolving the issues standing in the way of capital account liberalization since June 2015,' S&P said.



'In particular, the comprehensive proposals unveiled in mid-2015 have received support from the creditors of the three banks that defaulted in the 2008 crisis (the old bank estates), thereby reducing the uncertainties surrounding the capital account liberalization plan.'



Iceland had imposed capital controls in 2008 to avoid a flight of funds from the country after the biggest three banks, namely Kaupthing, Glitnir and LBI defaulted on $85 billion debt. The government decided last year to lift them progressively.



Further, S&P said the upgrade also reflects the expectation that general government debt will continue to decline over the next four years, lowering government expenditure on interest payments.



Meanwhile, the stable outlook balances the upside potential stemming from materially faster-than-anticipated reduction in public debt levels against downside risks, primarily stemming from the expectation of sizable wage hikes, the agency added.



The Transfer & Convertibility Assessment, which shows the probability of capital and exchange controls being imposed, was also raised to 'BBB+' from 'BBB'.



Iceland's ratings may be raised further if capital controls are fully lifted without putting the balance of payments or financial stability at risk, S&P said.



Elsewhere, Fitch Ratings affirmed Iceland's long-term foreign and local currency Issuer Default Ratings at 'BBB+' and 'A-', respectively with Stable Outlooks.



The ratings are underpinned by a very high level of income per capita compared with 'BBB' rating peers, and indicators of human development and governance more akin to the highest-rated sovereigns, the agency noted.



Fitch said Iceland's public debt sustainability is improving and the process leading to capital account liberalization will bring about a sizeable, one-off improvement in fiscal balances in 2016.



Sustained robust growth momentum without excessive imbalances and continued improvements in debt dynamics and external balance could lead to an upgrade, the agency said.



Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

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OTTAWA, ONTARIO -- (Marketwired) -- 01/16/16 -- Itinerary for the Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, for Sunday, January 17, 2016:

Peterborough

9:00 a.m. The Prime Minister will join Minister Monsef to meet with the board of the Kawartha Muslim Religious Association and will attend a private reception with community leaders. Closed to media

Peterborough

10:00 a.m The Prime Minister will attend an open house of the Masjid Al- Salaam with Minister Monsef. Masjid Al-Salaam 784 Parkhill Road W. Peterborough, ON

Notes for media:

-- The Prime Minister will make brief remarks -- Photo opportunity only

St. Andrews by-the-Sea

4:00 p.m. The Prime Minister will arrive at the Algonquin Resort for the Cabinet Retreat.

Contacts:

PMO Media Relations:

(613) 957-5555




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Linxo, an Aix-en-Provence, France-based mobile and online personal financial management service, raised 2m in funding.

Backers include existing investor Credit Mutuel Arkea and new shareholder Credit Agricoles Fireca.

The company intends to use the funds to support the international growth of the company.

Founded in 2010 by Bruno Van Haetsdaele, Founder and CEO, Linxo provides consumers with a platform to analyze, manage and optimize their financial assets. It allows them to budget, compare, and evaluate their personal assets to make better decisions, save money and use assets better in a single centralized interface.

The company has also built an algorithm predicting the trend of a bank account.

To date, the app has been used by over 850k people.

FinSMEs

16/01/2016
Spanish telecommunications company Telefonica SA has expressed interest in buying AT&T Inc's pay TV assets in Latin America, which could be valued at around $10 billion, according to people familiar with the matter.

AT&T bought the Latin American assets as part of its acquisition of DirecTV last year. The business includes satellite and cable television services in Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela, Argentina and several other countries.

The U.S. telecoms company has yet to decide if it will explore a deal with Telefonica or another company, the people familiar with the matter said.

Other parties are interested in AT&T's assets in specific countries, and the company may choose to run several sale processes, one of the people said. One potential buyer could be Liberty Global Plc, that person added.

The sources asked not to be identified because the deliberations are confidential.

Telefonica and AT&T declined to comment. Liberty Global could not immediately be reached for comment.

AT&T has about 19 million pay TV subscribers in Central and South America, making it the biggest player in the region. But profits have been pressured by depreciating currencies in Brazil and other Latin American countries.

Chief Executive Randall Stephenson said at an industry conference in December that AT&T would consider selling the Latin American business, but that the company was patient.

"So if somebody were interested in talking about a strategic combination of those assets with a different product, we would have to look at it. Would we consider selling them? Yes, but we are in no rush," Stephenson said.

Telefonica, which has debt of about 50 billion euros ($54 billion), has been shuffling its portfolio in recent months. It agreed to sell its O2 UK business to CK Hutchison Holdings Ltd for 10.3 billion pounds ($15 billion). It is also planning to sell or spin off its Spanish infrastructure unit, including wireless towers, later this year, Reuters previously reported.

The Spanish company is a major wireless player in Latin America under the brands Movistar in Argentina, Chile, Colombia and Mexico; it also owns Vivo in Brazil. Telefonica's regional pay TV operations, however, are smaller, and trail AT&T and American Movil's Claro.

AT&T owns about 93 percent of Sky Brasil, the largest satellite provider in the region's biggest economy. It owns PanAmericana, which offers satellite TV services under the DirecTV brand in countries including Venezuela, Argentina, Chile, Colombia and Puerto Rico. It is also a shareholder in Sky Mexico, which is controlled by Mexico's Grupo Televisa.

(Reporting by Liana B. Baker and Malathi Nayak in New York; Additional reporting by Andres Gonzalez in Madrid; Editing by Tiffany Wu)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
TOKYO Japan's Nikkei share average tumbled 4 percent on Thursday morning after Wall Street languished on worries about weak oil prices and a slowdown in the global economy, battering global cyclical stocks such as exporters.

The Nikkei stumbled 3.7 percent to 17,063.21 in mid-morning trade after hitting as low as 17,004.12, the lowest since late September. If the benchmark index falls below 16,901.49, an intraday low marked on Sept. 29, it will be the lowest in more than a year.

"I wouldn't be surprised if it falls further and below the 17,000-line," said Hiroaki Mino, director of investment information department at Mizuho Securities, adding that sentiment could deteriorate even further if worries about the global economy accelerate.

On Wednesday, two top Federal Reserve officials expressed concerns about slowing Chinese growth. Boston Fed President Eric Rosengren said global and U.S. economic growth may be slipping and could force the Fed into a more gradual course of rate hikes than officials currently expect.

"Investors are increasingly worried that the (U.S.) market is not strong enough to withstand an initial view that the Fed would hike rates four times this year," said Masashi Oda, senior investment officer at Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank.

All of the Topix's 33 subsectors were in negative territory, with oil stocks, mining companies and exporters underperforming.

Inpex Corp dived 5.1 percent, Sumitomo Metal Mining shed 4.1 percent, Honda Motor Co fell 4.5 percent, Murata Manufacturing dropped 6.4 percent and Fanuc Corp stumbled 4.9 percent.

Sumitomo Corp nosedived 8.7 percent after saying it would take a writedown of 77 billion yen on its Madagascar nickel project for the Oct-Dec quarter and withdrew its earnings forecast for the year through March 2016.

Japan's machinery data, which was released early in the morning, did not help sentiment at all. Core machinery orders fell 14.4 percent in November from the previous month, down for the first time in three months and marking a bigger decline than economists' median estimate for a 7.9 percent drop.

The broader Topix dropped 3.4 percent to 1,392.57 and the JPX-Nikkei Index 400 fell 3.5 percent to 12,533.67.

(Editing by Sam Holmes)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
Editor's Note: This article has been republished in the light of 7 February leopard attack in a school in Bengaluru. Sanjay Gubbi who took photographs for Firstpost for the following article was grievously injured in Sunday's attacks.

Bengaluru is known for many things, good and bad: pubs, great weather, awful traffic, even more awful roads, corrupt civic officials, you name it. But strangest of all, its becoming famous for the wild animals that prowl the citys suburbs.

Two years ago, a herd of 15 elephants went on a rampage near Sarjapura Road (watch video here), in the citys south-east sector. Authorities were forced to block roads and shut down the many schools in the area. Before that, elephants invaded the campus of an engineering college on Mysore Road. Students ran helter-skelter to escape, but luckily no one was hurt.

While elephants have visited the city for several years, a more recent phenomenon is the sight of leopards prowling the roads. Last year, speeding vehicles ran over and killed two leopards on the NICE Road that connects Bengalurus IT hub, Electronic City, with Peenya, the citys manufacturing hub. A signboard urging motorists to look out for road-crossing leopards, put up by the Karnataka Forest Department, is largely ignored as vehicles zoom by at top speed.

The problem was highlighted earlier this week by wildlife biologist and conservationist Sanjay Gubbi, of the Nature Conservation Foundation. In a report posted on the National Geographic website, Gubbi points out that Bengaluru is one of a few metropolis in the world that hosts large wild mammals such as elephants, leopards, sloth bears, and even tigers within a distance of a few kilometers from the center of the city. Among them, says Gubbi, two species make headlines, quite often  the elephant and the leopard.

Based on camera traps and other methods, Gubbi estimates there are around 15 to 20 leopards within a radius of 20 kilometers from the Vidhana Soudha, which is considered the centre of Bengaluru. Gubbi, in collaboration with the Forest Department, headed a project that tracked six radio-collared leopards. The project studied leopard ecology, behavior, population dynamics, and attempted to better understand man-leopard conflict.

Across India, the status of the big cat varies from Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List with some subspecies classified as Critically Endangered. While most of Indias leopards live in protected areas and reserved forests, some also live in overlapping human habitats. Bengaluru is an example where the rapid and unplanned growth of the city has expanded to touch, and even intrude into traditional wildlife habitat.

Gubbi says, Negative interactions happen when people and livestock go into the leopards natural habitat (forests, rocky outcrops) or when leopards come into human-dominated areas. The leopards prey on livestock, which are easy to kill, and this brings them into harms way from humans who will try to kill them. In rare circumstances, leopards have attacked and killed humans.

But its not that humans are in danger of being killed by leopards; the opposite is true. Vehicular collisions are a major cause of leopard deaths. In Bengaluru alone, four leopards were run over and killed by speeding vehicles over the past four years. Across Karnataka state, around 25 leopards were run over in the same period. Gubbi says,in India, the challenge comes primarily from the conversion of existing small roads with low-volume traffic into high-speed highways. The situation is exacerbated due to therapid rise in the number of motor vehicles.

Apart from being run over, leopards frequently get trapped in places they cant escape from. In Bengaluru, six leopards, mostly trapped in wells or homes, were captured and translocated, one of them to a zoo. The reason that leopards stay on in areas where humans live is that they have find it easy to kill domestic animals like dogs, goats, and cattle. A hungry leopard will also hunt cats and rats.

Gubbis research into leopards involves setting up camera traps to track leopard movements. He found that leopards moved along the same paths used by elderly couplesgoing for evening walks and children going to school. Even though, the movements of human beings and animals were separated by a few hours, it clearly shows how much overlap there is among human beings and wild animals.Leopards are shy and will go to great lengths to avoid human beings, but the danger of a tragedy cannot be ruled out.

Is there a solution? Gubbi says, It's a contentious question and truly there is no straight forward answer to this. The forest department tries to address this problem in the way they understand the problem and solutions. At the same time, wildlife science hasn't really given a practical, long-term, scalable solution to address human-wildlife conflict. Besides, the forest department is plagued by other problems such as shortage of personnel and financial resources.

Gubbi says that the loss and conversion of the leopards natural habitat seems to be an important driver for this spotted cat to come into conflict with humans. A comprehensive plan, where leopard habitats that occur adjoining to cities and towns, needs to be drawn up for long-term leopard preservation in the country.

Watch how this leopard prowled neighbourhoods in Bengaluru in 2014


In a sensational triple murder, Kolkata Police on Saturday recovered bodies of three members of a family  a woman and her two teenage sons  from their posh third-floor apartment in Palm Avenue in South Kolkata, right opposite CPM leader and former chief minister Budhhadeb Bhattacharjee's residence.

Reports say the husband, Neil Fonseca, was found lying in a critical condition with cuts on his neck. The 49-year-old, undergoing treatment in a city hospital, reportedly told the police that he was forced to kill his wife Jessica after she murdered their twin sons Tarren and Joshua, both Class 9 students.

"The murder took place early in the morning. The husband is also injured and admitted in the hospital. He has given us some statements. Primarily, it seems family conflict led to this.

"There are several injuries by heavy objects. The exact reason will come out in the post-mortem," Joint Commissioner of Police Debashish Boral was quoted, as saying in a Business Standard report.

Officers from the local Karaya Police Station rushed to the spot and recovered the blood-soaked bodies after getting information that the family was not responding to phone calls.

Police are looking at a possible case of adultery and resultant friction among the family members who usually avoided socializing with neighbours and generally kept to themselves, add local TV channels.

According to a report in DNA, the couple who returned last night from a party at a city club, got into a brawl.

Neil, the father of the two sons and daughter Samantha, claimed in his statement to the police that after emerging from a shower, he found his two sons murdered by wife Jessica. Later, both of them got into a fight with sharp knives, leaving each other seriously injured.

In a throwback to the infamous Aarushi murder case, what has raised the suspicion of the investigators is that when this entire incident was taking place, daughter Samantha and Neil's sister-in-law Shabana Ansar were sleeping in the room next door but did not hear any sound.

Senior Kolkata Police officers inspected the site along with homicide squad personnel. Sniffer dogs were also taken to the building.
by Anupam Gupta

Reacting to a public interest litigation (PIL) moved by Prashant Bhushans Centre for Public Interest Litigation, a Supreme Court Bench headed by the Chief Justice of India has recently voiced a concern that goes back long years: the credentials and motives of the PIL litigant.

Professor Upendra Baxi prefers to describe this category of litigation in more conceptualised terms as social class litigation on the American pattern. However, the concept almost invariably employed in India for this phenomenon is public interest litigation. The nomenclature is crucially important in this case because the range of litigation that is embraced or encompassed in this phenomenon or concept happens to be almost unlimited and as subjective and elastic as the phrase public interest.

No less significant, however, than the identity and credibility of the PIL petitioner, whether an individual or an organisation, is the attitude and approach of the court or, more specifically, the Bench that is entrusted with the responsibility of hearing and deciding PILs.

A celebrated aphorism about equity jurisprudence in England in the past was that equity is the length of the Chancellors foot, the chancellor here being the Lord Chancellor who was then the head of the English judicial system and presided over the Court of Chancery.

This historic allusion is of some relevance here because, like equity, public interest litigation in India too is as short-lived or long-lived, as rigorous or loose, and as broad or narrow as the predilections, preferences, values and psychology of the Bench entrusted with hearing PILs.

The entry on Equity in the latest fourth edition of Jowitts Dictionary of English Law, published in 2015, a comprehensive entry spanning almost three closely printed pages, states that for a long time equity was an indefinite standard of right and wrong, and was regarded as having the function of mitigating the rigour and supplying the defects of the common law without any limitation except the personal opinions of each Chancellor.

It is fairly common nowadays that the Chief Justices Bench in a High Court, or the seniormost puisne bench next below the chief justice, hears PILs. During the tenure of a particular chief justice or the presiding judge of the PIL bench, the approach to PILs is a measure, dimension and reflection of the value system of the chief justice or presiding judge. If he is averse to public interest litigation, the PIL stream tends soon to dry up. If, however, he is receptive and sympathetic and does not attempt to cramp the jurisdiction, a whole variety and spectrum of causes come flooding before the court demanding judicial intervention.

In the last year or two, the Supreme Court, which was earlier rather circumspect, if not averse to, initiating suo motu action, has started acting suo motu. Judicial intervention on this basis, even more than a conventional PIL filed by a litigant, opens up a Pandoras box of concerns.

From SP Guptas case in 1981 to Balwant Singh Chaufals case in 2010, the judicial discourse on PILs has been reiterated periodically with more or less eloquence and has now turned into a platitude. It remains, at the best, a massive truism.

The most important thing about PILs is the subjectivity of the exercise. The phrase public interest is completely open-ended. The court or the bench concerned will employ this phrase to do what it wishes to do, by saying it is in the public interest so to do, and, equally firmly, not do something by saying that it is not in the public interest to do so. PIL is what the court or the bench entrusted with hearing PIL, chooses to make of it. This is an absolutely accurate measure and definition of public interest litigation both in its positive aspects, which are not few, and in its negative aspects which are often smothered in the platitudinous eloquence of judicial discourse but occasionally surface as with the recent observations of Chief Justice Thakur.

Despite my more than three decades at the Bar, and a long line of distinguished judgements holding forth on PILs, I must confess that (from a purely functional point of view) I am none the wiser today on the true nature and scope of public interest litigation.

There is a crying need to introduce discipline in the entire PIL exercise. There is also an indispensable imperative to maintain balance and display judicial statesmanship in handling PILs. Both judges and lawyers must of course be alive and sensitive to larger public and social concerns of the age, even of the moment. They should be wary, however, of immediate and simplistic translation of media reportage or coverage of contemporary events into litigation. Otherwise, the distinction between law as a discipline or adjudication as a responsibility of the highest order and what is happening outside the court would lose its definiteness.

Judges and the judicial process must, by definition, maintain a certain level of detachment and distance from immediate contemporaenity in order to take a deeper, richer and holistic view of the issue.

The quality of PIL pleadings, documentation and research also needs desperately to rise to the level of a Brandeis brief (after US justice Louis Brandeis, apropos of his labour as a lawyer before elevation to the Supreme Court), a paradigm that appears impossible today to attain or even to aspire to.

Senior Advocate, Punjab and Haryana High Court *As told to Firstpost
The Bihar government clarified that 13.5 per cent VAT will be applied on packaged dry samosas and kachoris that are selling over Rs 600 per kg and not those sold at wayside eateries, reports The Indian Express. Earlier this week, Bihar said it will impose a "luxury tax" on samosas -- one of the country's most popular snacks -- sparking widespread outrage.

The Bihar government announced plans this week for the new levy to offset an anticipated plunge in the state's revenues when a ban on alcohol sales comes into force in April.

Bihar, one of India's poorest states, is anticipating a Rs 4,000 crore annual excise tax loss once the proposed liquor ban kicks in. The state cabinet on 13 January decided to impose VAT on selected luxury items, including clothes selling for over Rs 500 per metre and saris priced over Rs 2,000, cosmetics, mosquito repellents, perfumes, inverters, industrial cables, transformers and sand.

Opposition BJP got a good chance to hit out at the Nitish Kumar government, saying the measure would not help in increasing revenue collection.

Though we have nothing against taxation of packaged samosas and kachoris but it is only five per cent in neighbouring states like UP, West Bengal and Jharkhand. Any tax not compatible with neighbouring states gives rise to tax evasion. Plus, such taxation on food items is not going to substantially increase tax collection, BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi is quoted as saying in The Indian Express.

Cosmetics, perfumes and some sweets were also among the "luxury" items to be taxed at 13.5 percent, but the decision to include the much-loved pastry snack was met with bafflement on social media.

"Weird tax alert! Ready for samosa politics?" Twitter user Shruti Malhotra wrote, while Azeem Shaikh posted: "Eh? Please leave the humble #samosa alone."

Opposition politicians in the eastern state, which is also one of India's most populous, warned the tax would hurt ordinary people.

"This is a foolish, anti-people idea that will hurt the masses," Devesh Kumar, spokesman for the Bharatiya Janata Party in Bihar, told AFP.

"Besides exposing the state's precarious financial situation, a luxury tax on popular snacks like samosas and kachoris also exposes a lack of ideas," he said.

The row recalls the 2012 controversy over Britain's plan to extend levies on takeaway food to Cornish pasties and other hot snacks.

The government was forced to back down after a public outcry over what became known as the "pasty tax".

With AFP inputs
New Delhi: By getting the Manpreet Badal-led Peoples Party of Punjab (PPP) in its fold, the Congress has strengthened its position ahead of the Punjab assembly election in 2017. However, what could have been an easy battle for the party against the Shiromani Akali Dal has turned out to be rather complex with the emergence of AAP in the state.

The Arvind Kejriwal-led party is working its charm among the masses with the usual blunt talk on corruption and poor governance, and indications are that it is gradually replacing the Congress as the principal challenger to the ruling establishment, which also includes the BJP.

Kejriwal kick-started his Punjab campaign at Maghi Mela rally on 14 January by attacking both the SAD-BJP combine and the Congress, and asked people to vote for AAP to end corruption, drug abuse, farmer suicides and put the state back on right track.

If voted to power in 2017, AAP government will give Rs 1 crore compensation to the family of jawans who lost their lives in Pathankot attack, Kejriwal had said. He was welcomed with an enthusiastic response in terms of crowd participation.

What do the Congress top guns make of AAP?

AAP is no challenge to the Congress. Gathering crowd from other states in a public meeting is different from winning an election. Its a party of disruptionists, Punjab Pradesh Congress chief, Capt Amarinder Singh told Firstpost.

Many in the party from the state wont take AAP as lightly though. They feel its presence has queered the pitch somewhat and even if it does not win the elections, it might end up impacting the chances of the Congress by eating into anti-incumbency votes.

PPP chief Manpreet Badal said, PPP is the original AAP as we were the first party that decided to shun the VIP culture and be a harbinger of change by introducing an alternative politics. AAP is no challenge for the Congress because it has no blueprint to offer to the people of Punjab on various problems the state has been grappling with. The Congress has a clear road map on how to tackle with the drug menace, unemployment, corruption, mis-governance and bring growth.

Theres nothing new about Kejriwals announcement. In my previous tenure as CM, I had given Rs 2 crore to martyrs families and Param Vir Chakra awardees, and also to Olympian shooter Abhinav Bindra. Ive taken an oath to end drug menace in Punjab in four weeks, if we came to power. Kejriwals stunts wont work, remarked Amarinder Singh.

Shakeel Ahmad, Congress general secretary in charge of Punjab, added, In the recent rally of AAP, the party got people from Delhi, Haryana and Rajasthan to show strength. It is already facing severe internal dissension in the state. Two of its MPs have gone against AAP. First, it has to keep its house in order before challenging anyone.

Replying to a query from Firstpost on why the PPP merged with the Congress, Manpreet, former finance minister in the Parkash Singh Badals cabinet who resigned in 2010 following differences with his chief minister uncle and cousin deputy CM Sukhbir Singh Badal, said: Our Punjab agenda matched with that of the Congress and we decided to merge.

Its an unconditional merger with the Congress. There was no precondition. My meeting with party vice president Rahul Gandhi was excellent. Our Punjab agenda matched with that of the Congress and we decided to merge. We wont accept any position unless we win the hearts of the people of Punjab, Badal said. Manpreet Badal has a pan-Punjab presence, with grip on district and panchayat levels, remarked former Punjab CM Amarinder Singh.

Ahmad said, In the last assembly election, the Congress lost by a difference of 0.1 percent and Manpreet Badal got 6% votes. Had we been together, we would have won the election. Now were working on that arithmetic. The AAP is not a challenge for us, despite three Congress leaders having joined it. They have vacancies in the party, so disgruntled people or those who wont get ticket this time will join AAP. It wont make any difference to us. In fact, PPPs merger will strengthen Congress in Punjab.

Were no big player in Punjab, but despite that the Congress party treated us with dignity and kindness. Rahul Gandhi wants to infuse energy among youth and our association will go a long way. He accepted our 11-point Memorandum of understanding that speaks about improving states revenue, to restore Punjab its rightful place, get rid of drug menace, crime and corruption, improve the condition of farmers and agriculture in the state, etc, added Badal, who has the credit to be the youngest MLA and FM in Punjab.

Dr Ravinder Dhaliwal, district president Moga of PPP said, Were determined to take both SAD and AAP head on in the 2017 election. This merger will be beneficial to both Congress and PPP, as well now work together from grass root level to the top.
Mumbai: Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi on Saturday attacked the Bharatiya Janata Party and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh for what he termed as their "rigid thinking" which hampers creativity and start-ups in the country.

Interacting with B-school students of the prestigious Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies (NMIMS) in Mumbai, Gandhi said the BJP-RSS have "a clear idea of what the world should be" according to their viewpoint.

"When you are intolerant, you curb the movement of ideas... India needs openness, flexibility... You can't have start-ups and be intolerant at the same time," Gandhi said.

Citing examples, he said the Congress party brought and encouraged a culture of tolerance in the country, people were free to discuss ideas which ultimately culminated in the freedom movement.

Clad in casual jeans and tee-shirt, Gandhi urged the students not to put "labels on people, industry or things, as labels are human inventions" and stifle growth.

Hitting out at the ruling BJP-led NDA's policies, the Congress leader said India is essentially an agrarian economy, but the present government was not doing enough for the farmers.

"We have been a traditional agri-economy, but we have made a smooth transition from agri to IT and knowledge economy now. A few years ago, we had launched National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA), it was strongly resisted, but now it contributes in a large measure to the nine percent growth as it was injecting cash into rural economy and it built a rural infrastructure," Gandhi pointed out.

Though Indian farms are now divided and not capable of sustaining families, he said agriculture was not a problem for the farmers, but for the businessmen, industrialists, etc.

"The UPA had strategy of supporting farmers, but the present government has a different focus which is not on farmers or agriculture... They tried to stop NREGA and other UPA policies, but we put pressure on them," he said.

Replying to a question on China, Gandhi said the Asian Communist giant is more powerful and economically stronger, but it grabs and pulls you as it is a centralised economy.

On the other hand, India's power is never about the military, but about ideas with which we make the other person turn around to our perspective -- "India grabs you, but you never feel it."

But, he said for all its growth, now at 11 percent, China paid a price with many people dying, but not in India with a 9 percent growth -- "We are a soft power... and not a threat to the world."

To a query on the start-up hype, Gandhi said any start-up requires a whole support system to allow an entrepreneur to grow, with access to finance, freedom from government regulations, infrastructure, etc.

"That's why it's considered easier to launch start-ups in states like Maharashtra or Karnataka, but businesses face a huge problem in Uttar Pradesh or Bihar, though some of the most entrepreneurial people come from there," Gandhi said.

IANS
WASHINGTON President Barack Obama pardoned three Iranians charged with sanctions violations as U.S. authorities moved to drop charges or commute prison sentences for five other men, according to court records and people familiar with the matter.

The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The moves came as Iran released four Americans held in Iranian jails and as major powers prepared to implement a nuclear deal that would lift economic sanctions against Tehran in exchange for steps to curb its nuclear program.

The men pardoned were Bahram Mechanic, Tooraj Faridi, and Khosrow Afghahi, according to Mechanic's lawyer, Joel Androphy. They were accused in 2015 of shipping electronics to Iran. Mechanic and Afghahi were being held without bail in Houston, while Faridi was out on bail. All three are Iranian-American dual citizens and had pleaded not guilty.

Androphy said Mechanic and Afghahi had not been released yet and that their release was contingent on the four American prisoners leaving Iran.

"We're ecstatic that the president has decided to pardon them for basically trade issues," Androphy told Reuters.

The U.S. Justice Department also moved to drop sanctions charges against four other men who are outside the United States, according to electronic court filings.

U.S. authorities have considered three of them fugitives and had been seeking extradition from Malaysia for one.

A spokesman for the Justice Department referred questions to the White House.

Authorities were also working to obtain early release for Ali Saboonchi, convicted of export violations in 2014, according to people familiar with the matter. Between 2009 and 2013, Saboonchi and several associates tried to export industrial parts to customers in Iran, according to an indictment filed in 2013. He was sentenced to two years in prison and was due to be released in November 2016.

U.S. officials characterized the move as a humanitarian gesture, but one sanctions expert said the leniency shown toward Iranians accused of sanctions violations could set a bad precedent.

"Iran may think it can detain U.S. citizens in order to get releases of people arrested on sanctions charges," said David Albright, of the Institute for Science and International Security in Washington.

Citing "significant foreign policy interests" of the United States, federal prosecutors in Massachusetts, New York, California, and Texas asked federal judges on early Saturday morning to dismiss charges against the four Iranians. Dozens of Iranians have been charged with U.S. sanctions violations since 2008.

The electronic filings came hours before U.S. officials said the four Americans being held in Iran were being released.

(Editing by Kevin Krolicki and Ross Colvin)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
by Mohammad Jawad/ DPA

Kabul: A life devoted to music nearly came to an abrupt end with a 2014 bomb blast during a cultural show in Kabul: Ahmad Naser Sarmast, who is head of the Afghanistan National Institute of Music, was left deaf.

"I was lucky to be alive," says Dr Sarmast, recalling the terrorist attack. He was flown to Australia for surgery and has recovered 90 percent of his hearing in his right ear. The left ear will follow.

"I have more surgery coming up and doctors have assured me that after this surgery, I will get most of my hearing back," says Sarmast, who insists that not even a bombing campaign can drive him out of his native land.

With a PhD in music studies from Monash University in Australia, Sarmast says he owed it to his country to return after his studies and "create a centre for culture and for traditional Afghan music that has been moribund for so many years."

The school currently has 170 children and young people aged from 10 to 20 on its roll.

"I felt an obligation towards my culture. It was a way to pay back my community," he says. "The music institute was my idea from the start." His efforts to set it up began in 2008 and the one-of-a-kind academy formally started operations in 2010.

The Sarmast institute does not focus exclusively on western classical music.

"He has built up an entire symphony orchestra, with violins, violas, cellos and so on, but he also teaches traditional music, which is not common among conservatories in Asia. They tend to turn up their noses at local music," said Tiago de Oliveira Pinto of Germany.

"In that way he is very progressive."

Brazilian-born Professor Oliveira, who teaches music ethnology at the Music College of Weimar, has helped develop the Kabul curriculum.

"I saw no one paying attention to traditional Afghan music or bringing it back to life," explains Sarmast, who among seven children is the only one who followed in the footsteps of his father, Salim Sarmast, a renowned Afghan musician.

When he set out to obtain financial assistance, officials at international agencies and foreign embassies told him that Afghanistan had other priorities and music was a luxury.

"Music is not a luxury; it is a necessity. It is a tool to bring good relations between countries. It is a tool for healing the soul, improving the economy and portraying the cultural diversity of the community that we live in," says Sarmast.

Sarmast argues a democratic society needs more than free political parties. A democracy also needs to raise up its own culture.

Most of the funding ended up coming from the World Bank.

While showing a dpa reporter around the institute, his students brightened up when they saw him.

To a teenage girl in the hallway, he asks, "Are you prepared for exam?"

"Yes I am, teacher," says the student, smiling.

"I know you: you pass your time not paying attention to your classes. Study hard. I don't want to fail you. I will personally observe your test," he admonishes her.

In the rehearsal rooms, students are playing numerous instruments: 11-year-old Tarannum is practicing on the piano.

Sarmast observes her closely and corrects her mistakes, but then has to leave for a packed day of work and appointments.

Tarannum continues playing an old French song on the piano. In the background, a flute and traditional Afghan instruments are audible.

Tarannum is originally from western province of Herat and has been at the school for the past three years.

"I had interest in music since I was a little child," says Tarannum. "Music will help me improve personally."

She says her dream is to become a great musician one day.

Every scholar must specialize in two instruments: an international one like the piano or violin and an Afghan one like the stringed rhubab or the dol, a kind of drum.

Another student, 18-year-old Negin Khapalwak, has been at the institute for the past five years and is now its first woman conductor. Her all-female orchestra of 40 is preparing for a first public performance.

A native of Kunar, Afghanistan, she had to go through a lot to convince her parents, especially her mother, to let her attend the school.

"Being a girl, even my relatives were against me being at this institute, let alone leading an orchestra," says Negin.

She has become one of the faces of the institute, playing in numerous concerts abroad including at the Kennedy Center in Washington and in Berlin in December 2015 in the presence of the German and Afghan presidents to mark the centenary of diplomatic relations.

"Every tour we take is a mission and that mission is to echo and express the positive changes in Afghanistan," says Sarmast.

The Germany visit nearly fell apart because Berlin is very restrictive in issuing visas to Afghans out of fear that they will decamp and refuse to go home. Afghans make up a large portion of the 1 million asylum seekers who entered Germany in 2015.

Only five students, comprising two girls and three boys, and five teachers were granted visas. Sarmast said the German embassy had required all their families to be present to sign a consent form, which was impossible for orphans and children from far provinces.

The suicide-bomb blast that nearly killed Sarmast went off while a group from his institute was performing on stage at the French Cultural Institute (IFA), just 500 metres from the presidential palace.

"I am not afraid, nor will I ever be of the terrorists that deny change to Afghanistan," says Sarmast, who insists the project will go on, despite the Taliban's hostility to theatre and music.

"We are also planning on hiring the students as teachers once they graduate," says Sarmast, adding, "This way, we won't have to pay a huge sum of money for international instructors and the money benefits an Afghan family."
SEOUL/TOKYO North Korea on Saturday demanded the conclusion of a peace treaty with the United States and a halt to U.S. military exercises with South Korea to end its nuclear tests.

But U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Pyongyang needed to demonstrate by its action that it was serious about denuclearisation for any dialogues to start.

"We now have unfortunately a decade during which North Korea has totally reversed its obligations to international community, when it comes to missile and nuclear programmes," Blinken told a news conference in Tokyo.

"So it's very hard to take any of their overtures very seriously, particularly in the wake of their fourth nuclear test," he said, after meeting his counterpart from Japan and South Korea.

North Korea said on Jan. 6 it had tested a hydrogen bomb, provoking condemnation from its neighbours and the United States.

The isolated state has long sought a peace treaty with the United States, as well as an end to the exercises by South Korea and the United States, which has about 28,500 troops based in South Korea.

"Still valid are all proposals for preserving peace and stability on the peninsula and in Northeast Asia including the ones for ceasing our nuclear test and the conclusion of a peace treaty in return for U.S. halt to joint military exercises," North Korea's official KCNA news agency cited a spokesman for the country's foreign ministry as saying early on Saturday.

But asked if the United States would consider a halt to joint exercises, U.S. State Department spokesman John Kirby said it had alliance commitments to South Korea.

"We are going to continue to make sure the alliance is ready in all respects to act in defense of the South Korean people and the security of the peninsula," he told a regular news briefing.

Vice foreign ministers from the United States, Japan and South Korea also agreed to seek tough U.S. sanctions on Pyongyang, calling for China to take more actions.

China is North Korea's main economic and diplomatic backer, although relations between the Cold War allies have cooled in recent years.

The two Koreas remain in a technical state of war since their 1950-53 conflict ended in a truce, not a peace treaty.

Experts have expressed doubt that the North's fourth nuclear test was of a hydrogen bomb, as the blast was roughly the same size as that from its previous test, of a less powerful atomic bomb, in 2013.

Pyongyang is under U.N. sanctions for its nuclear and missile programmes.

Blinken said that Pyongyang should look to the example of Iran.

Iran's foreign minister said international sanctions on the country will be lifted on Saturday when the United Nations nuclear agency declares Tehran has complied with an agreement to scale back its nuclear programme.

"What made that agreement (with Iran) possible was the decision by Iran to freeze, and in some respects roll back, its nuclear programme, in order to allow time and space to see if we could negotiate a comprehensive agreement."

(Reporting by Tony Munroe in Seoul, Hideyuki Sano in Tokyo; Additional reporting by David Brunnstrom in Washington; Editing by Andrew Roche and Stephen Powell)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
A Boston mobster who posed as an Idaho rancher for more than a decade goes to court in Boise next month.Enrico Ponzo, 47, is representing himself and plans to argue that he suffered from a mental defect, reported the Idaho Statesman. His court filing did not give details on his mental condition, but noted that the judge who oversaw his 2013 Boston trial ordered treatment for a mental defect.Enrico Ponzo in 1994.Ponzo went by the name Jeffrey John Jay Shaw while living in Idaho. He is charged with the unlawful possession of firearms, identity theft and possession of documents with intent to use them fraudulently.He was arrested in February 2011 after authorities were tipped off about his true identity. They found 22 rifles, eight handguns and 34,000 rounds of ammunition at his home near Marsing.In addition, police seized $100,000 in cash and $65,000 worth of gold coins from the home. They said there was also evidence that a floor safe had been looted.Authorities also found forged drivers licenses and ID cards with the names of at least 10 people Ponzo impersonated during his 16 years on the run. He hid out in five different states before moving to Idaho.Senior US District Judge Edward J. Lodge advised Ponzo against self-representation, but the man insisted that he be allowed to represent himself, Lodge wrote.Boise attorney Jeff Brownson will attend the trial as standby counsel for Ponzo. He can help Ponzo with procedural questions but will not be allowed to question witnesses or advance the defense case.In the Idaho case, Ponzo faces up to 10 years in prison on each weapons charge and up to five years for each fraudulent document charge. Identity theft carries a mandatory two-year sentence for each count and it must be served separately from any other sentence.A Boston jury found Ponzo responsible for trying to kill two rivals, including a Mafia leader who was shot outside a restaurant by masked men. He was sentenced to 28 years in prison and ordered to give up $2.3 million in drug profits.At the Boston sentencing, Ponzo said he was a changed man who had lived a crime-free life for 18 years.After all the posturing, rhetoric, excuses, blaming others, the time has come for you to pay for your crimes, the judge told him, according to the Boston Globe. You can run, but ultimately you cannot hide from your sordid past in organized crime.http://nypost.com/2016/01/15/mobster-who-posed-as-idaho-rancher-set-for-trial/
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The ever-dropping oil price is teasing new lows as politics, statistics, and public opinion combine to hammer it into the ground.

In this clip, Sean O'Reilly, Tyler Crowe, and Taylor Muckerman talk about how Saudi Arabia's recent undercutting moves against Iran have changed the public's perception of OPEC, and how China's stock market performance and its stock market "circuit breaker" is scaring people even further from investing into anything associated with the commodity.

A full transcript follows the video.

This podcast was recorded on Jan. 7, 2016.

Sean O'Reilly: It's been a pleasant year so far in the energy sector, hasn't it, guys?



Tyler Crowe: Oh, it's great. Absolutely wonderful.



O'Reilly: Oil went into the holidays at the 30s; it's actually now at new lows. I think $32.50 was the low today; I think it's up a little bit now. Kind of a dismal start, so we pretty much have to talk about it. Why is this happening? I thought we were at the bottom last year.



Taylor Muckerman: We're always at the bottom. Until we're always at the top.



Crowe: Yeah, you always love those qualifying statistics like "Well, this is the worst three days to start a year. It's not the first three days ever, it's just the worst the days to start a year." It's like, well, OK, whatever.



Muckerman: Pick a day and time and find a stat.



Crowe: Yeah. "This is the worst third Tuesday in a month for ... " I don't know how long. But there's just so many of those that are just fascinating. Or stupid. I don't know what you want to call it.



O'Reilly: Didn't the slide start when Saudi Arabia and Iran cut ties? Wasn't that when things started sliding again?



Muckerman: It's tough to really pin down when they stared, when they stopped, and when they kept going. Typically, you would imagine that --



O'Reilly: Well, you were talking before we were on air, and I wanted to segue to the chart you're looking at with terror and all that stuff.



Muckerman: So, basically the reason it's sliding that people are saying now is that Saudi Arabia is like, "You know what, Iran?"



O'Reilly: "We don't like you!"



Muckerman: "You're coming online and we don't think you're going to be able to do it because we're just going to sell it to Europe at a very steep discount." So they're basically undercutting Iran, rather than a military action against them. They're just basically saying, "Up yours, we're going to cut prices, specifically to the people that you're most likely to sell to."



O'Reilly: And the market is taking this as basically, the odds of OPEC coordinating ... they were really low before, but now, it's like not even possible. The reason oil's falling is that, after Saudi Arabia and Iran cut ties, people are like, "There's no way OPEC is going to even talk to each other now."



Crowe: There's so many reasons why oil's going down. So there's that. Everyone thinks OPEC is losing their minds, a herd of cats that's going to go off and do its own thing.



Muckerman: Well, these are, arguably, the two most powerful countries in OPEC. And they were never very amiable to begin with, and then you go off and behead a foreign national from Iran ...



Crowe: And then, you've got inventory data where people are losing their minds over inventory data, and all of these things, everybody's losing their minds after watching China's stock market fall over the past few days, going, "Oh, China's falling into a pit of despair."



Muckerman: We need an oil circuit breaker.



Crowe: Yeah.



O'Reilly: Yes, perfect.



Muckerman: We need a circuit breaker for oil price sell-offs.



O'Reilly: Crowe and I were talking earlier, like, the Chinese circuit breaker for their stock market, it's basically a self-fulfilling prophecy, because when it falls to, like, halfway down to where the circuit breaker would kick in, everybody is like, "Oh, it's going to happen."



Muckerman: And then they sell out because they're scared.



O'Reilly: And then it happens, because they're think it will.



Crowe: Well, luckily, today, they got rid of it.



O'Reilly: Yay.



Crowe: Yay. We'll see what happens with that.



Muckerman: Until tomorrow, when they reinstate it.



O'Reilly: Yeah. It's like, "We're just going to stop all trading forever! We don't like the stock market anymore!"
The unified wall of companies against labeling products that contain genetically modified organisms (GMOs) appears to be cracking. Campbell Soup (CPB 0.85%) last week said it would take the lead on the issue and voluntarily label which ingredients it uses that come from genetically modified organisms. Because food manufacturers have stridently blocked efforts to require such labeling, this could lead to the opposition's crumbling.

Required reading

It's clearly a momentous development. Plenty of companies have told consumers if a product or two of theirs was GMO-free, but they've never identified which ones actually contain such lab-altered organisms. They fear that if the public realizes just how widespread GMO usage is, there might be a consumer revolt.

General Mills (GIS -0.18%), for instance, made a big deal of its decision to go GMO-free with its original Cheerios brand of cereal, but was less than forthcoming about its protein-fortified Cheerios, which derive their protein punch from soy. Soybeans are the most widely engineered crop in the U.S., with 94% of the supply coming from GMOs. Corn, at 89%, is tied for second with cottonseed as the second-most-modified crop grown.

Post Holdings (POST -1.29%) was able to earn the Non-GMO Project's "verified" stamp of approval for its Grape-Nuts cereal by specifically avoiding soy. Yet it hasn't labeled its other cereals that do use soy as containing GMOs.

Other food companies, like PepsiCo (PEP -0.97%) -- which announced last month that its Tropicana brand orange juice will sport the Non-GMO Project Verified label -- have been criticized for merely jumping on the bandwagon because no GM oranges have been approved for commercial sale. Essentially, Pepsi's Tropicana OJ has always been GMO-free, but it's trying to gain points from the halo effect by marketing them as such.

A simmering cauldron?

Campbell's decision is notable for several reasons:

It's a national brand willing to label all its products that contain GMOs.

It's unabashedly in favor of GMOs, saying they've been proven safe for human consumption and can help feed the world.

It will no longer support efforts opposing a national labeling law.

What's undoubtedly caused the soup maker to act is the various state-level initiatives to mandate labeling for products sold locally. Vermont, for example, has a law that goes into effect this July. Connecticut and Maine have also passed laws, but they won't go live unless a number of other states also pass such laws.

It becomes an untenable situation if food manufacturers have to deal with a patchwork quilt of state laws that may not all require the same thing. Congress recently passed a bill that would prohibit states from enforcing their own labeling laws, but the Senate has yet to vote on the measure, meaning Vermont's law will eventually kick in. It's why Campbell Soup says it will no longer support efforts to block a federal standard. A single rule that all food producers can follow would eliminate uncertainty and minimize the costs of compliance. But if the federal government doesn't act, Campbell Soup will do so on its own.

Like Prego, it's in there

About three-quarters of all Campbell's products contain ingredients that are likely GMO, as they contain one or more of the four most genetically modified crops: soy, corn, sugar beets, and canola.

Most GM crops crops have been engineered to resist the withering effects of herbicides like glyphosate, the key ingredient in Monsanto's (MON) Roundup, the most widely used glyphosate-based herbicide, or Dow Chemical's (DOW) Enlist Weed Control System, whose constituent component -- 2,4-D -- is perhaps also best known as one half of the deadly Vietnam War-era herbicide Agent Orange. Many crops have also been made to be insect-resistant, typically by having the gene from the soil bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis, or Bt, made available in them.

Can't hold back the tide

In announcing its decision to support a federal labeling law, Campbell Soup acknowledged that U.S. consumers overwhelmingly support food manufacturers identifying which ingredients are GMO. It pointed to a Consumer Reports survey showing 92% of respondents were in favor of such a measure, and Campbell says "now is the time for the federal government to act quickly to implement a federal solution."

That'll be a bitter pill for the Grocery Manufacturers Association to swallow, as it has lobbied hard against both state and federal labeling laws. But if by Campbell's actions labeling suddenly is seen not only as doable, but practical, too, the entire wall of opposition may fall.
The marijuana movement has been practically unstoppable for two decades now. Since 1996, nearly two dozen states have legalized the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes, and four states (along with Washington D.C.) now allow adults over the age of 21 to purchase marijuana for recreational purposes in licensed dispensaries. The thought of this would have been nothing short of laughable even as recently as a decade ago.

Access to medical marijuana means new potential treatment pathways for patients with glaucoma and certain types of terminal cancers. For states legalizing retail marijuana, it means added revenue that's primarily being used to fund education, bolster law enforcement, and go toward drug awareness programs.

This state is blazing its own trail

But 2016 is looking as if it'll be marijuana's most important year yet. Recreational marijuana initiatives could find their way onto as many as a dozen state ballots, with Nevada being the first state already confirmed to have an initiative on its November ballot. However, one state appears ready to blaze its own trail when it comes to legalizing recreational marijuana.

According to a recent article from The Washington Post, Vermont is angling to become the first state to legalize recreational marijuana without putting it to vote on a ballot initiative or referendum. In other words, Vermont's Governor, Peter Shumlin (D), could be looking for legislators within the state to legalize recreational marijuana without voters having their say.

The move shouldn't come as too much of a surprise, since Vermont decriminalized marijuana in 2013. Decriminalizing marijuana doesn't mean smoking or possessing marijuana is legal -- law enforcement can still fine adults over age 21 caught in possession of marijuana and seize the drug, as well as arrest those with excessive amounts of marijuana or persons under the age of 21 caught in possession of the drug. However, decriminalization is typically viewed as the telltale step prior to a recreational marijuana initiative.

Vermont's pathway to legalization could become a model for other states

However, some of the key requirements that Shumlin wants to outline in any passed marijuana laws are unique.

For example, recreational legalization in Vermont wouldn't include marijuana edibles. The concern with marijuana edibles is that they're incredibly difficult to regulate. It's tough to ensure the quality and content of THC in edibles remains consistent, it's difficult for law enforcement officers to do their job if they can't tell what foods do and do not contain marijuana, and it's much easier for edibles to fall into the hands of adolescents. Another of Shumlin's key points is that recreational marijuana laws need to be designed to keep adolescents from purchasing marijuana.

Another interesting point is that Vermont would look to strength its existing DUI laws. One of the biggest issues with marijuana's legalization is the potential effect THC can have on a driver's impairment. As we examined last week, Hound Labs is in the process of testing a breathalyzer that can measure THC content in a user, which, if approved, could wind up helping law enforcement in a big way by getting impaired drivers off the roads and ensuring law enforcement doesn't arrest non-impaired drivers. Vermont could be a model for other states by setting harsh DUI laws with the assistance of Hound Labs' devices.

Lastly, it's interesting that Shumlin's focus will only be on taxing marijuana at "modest" levels, as opposed to Colorado and Washington, which are taxing the product fairly aggressively. Oregon is probably the best model when it comes to competing against the black market because of the infrastructure that was in place well before voters chose to legalize recreational marijuana in 2014. However, Shumlin believes that keeping taxes low could drive a stake through the heart of the black market by making the legal product more cost-competitive.

Little victories don't guarantee a big reward

Unfortunately for potential investors, regardless of what Vermont's legislators choose to do in 2016, it doesn't look as if marijuana legislation at the federal level will be changing much if at all.

One key victory for marijuana supporters in 2015 was the Obama administration loosening the regulations tied to medical marijuana research. Beyond this, though, marijuana regulations at the federal level have been at a veritable standstill.

The big worry for Congress remains the overall safety profile of marijuana. There's seemingly no end to the conflicting reports of marijuana's risks and benefits, and lawmakers want to ensure they have as encompassing a view of the drug as possible before they decide its fate at the federal level. Let's also mention that we're in the midst of an election cycle, and few politicians are likely willing to go out on a limb when it comes to marijuana legislation until after the elections are over.

What this means is more hardship for marijuana-based businesses, and thus few growth opportunities for investors. As it stands now, federal law still views the marijuana plant as illegal. This view generally keeps banking institutions on the sidelines for fear of federal prosecution, meaning marijuana businesses have minimal access to credit lines or even basic banking functions. It also means that marijuana-based businesses can't take normal business deductions on their taxes since they're selling a federally illegal substance. Altogether these challenges could be bad news for investors looking to profit from marijuana in 2016.

It's always possible that the marijuana industry could come through in a big way for individual investors, but the first step would be some form of decriminalization or rescheduling of marijuana at the federal level. Until we see signs that Capitol Hill is ready to change its stance, it's probably in your best interests to keep your money far away from marijuana stocks.
The oil market's long slide has been going on for long enough now that you can start to see value investors kicking the tires on the energy sector. There is still a chance there is more pain ahead, but at today's depressed prices, there's also a very good chance that picking up shares in 2016 could turn into some very impressive returns over the coming years.

We asked three of our energy contributors to highlight a company in the oil and gas sector they think has a good chance of performing well in the future and is worth buying in 2016. Here's what they had to say.

Matt DiLallo: The oil market is notoriously cyclical, and it's currently in the midst of its most bearish down cycle in decades. That said, while times are clearly tough right now, there do appear to be better days ahead. That's because the current oil price is way too low to sustain production, let alone grow it to meet growing demand. While there's no telling when the next up cycle will occur, ConocoPhillips (COP 2.73%) is one of the top oil stocks to own through the recovery.

ConocoPhillips has two key ingredients that are crucial at this point in the cycle. First, it has an A-rated balance sheet, which gives it nearly unparalleled financial flexibility. That strength provides the company with the ability to continue to fund long-term investments at a time when a lot of its peers are only focusing on the short term. Further, its financial strength virtually assures it will be around when the up cycle finally arrives.

The other key factor is the company's diversified low-cost global resource base. This portfolio of resources consists of two key components: low-decline cash flowing assets such as oil sands and LNG as well as high-return short-cycle assets such as shale. This diversification does two things for the company. First, it provides it with a stable base of production that produces cash flow during the downturn, while also providing strong upside potential to be captured when conditions improve.

Overall, ConocoPhillips offers a great blend of stability and upside, making it one of the best oil stocks to buy for what could a very unpredictable year.

Tyler Crowe: Here's one of the things about investing in oil stocks in 2016. It's entirely possible that we don't see a recovery in oil prices this year. Since there is so much uncertainty in what oil prices will do and the potential ramifications on the balance sheets of oil stocks, investors are best off investing and building their positions in the highest-quality companies in the space. One company that fits this description is Helmerich & Payne (HP -0.28%).

Helmerich & Payne has been around a long time and is one of the premiere land rig owners in the oil patch, but what makes it so compelling right now is that it was one of the companies that had the foresight to convert its fleet of rigs to handle the complex drilling used in hydraulic fracturing. This newer, more capable fleet has helped it almost double its market share, mostly at the expense of its larger competitors.

What is even more impressive about this fleet conversion is that the company has been able to keep a very tidy balance sheet the entire time. In fact, even after 18 months of slumping oil prices, Helmerich & Payne still has more cash on the balance sheet -- about $750 million -- than total debt. This, in large part, has to do with the company's management taking a very prudent approach to capital allocation over the years and the acknowledgement that this is a very cyclical business that can go through these very rough patches.

Helmerich & Payne won't see any large uptick in earnings until drilling activity increases again, and that will require higher oil prices. In the meantime, though, investors can build a position in this high-quality company and let this dividend aristocrat pay you a strong yield while you wait for the oil industry's turnaround.

Jason Hall: One of the world's biggest oil refiners, Phillips 66 (PSX 1.91%) is a lot more. Oil refining is incredibly expensive, and not much of a growth business, but it's very lucrative and has been the company's cash cow since it went public as a spinoff of ConocoPhillips in 2012.

But instead of investing huge capital to grow refining with limited potential returns, management is investing in growth segments including natural gas pipelines, export facilities for NGLs like propane, and its petrochemicals business.

Furthermore, the company is largely insulated from the falling prices of oil and gas. Yes, cheap oil will mean lower revenues, and the narrowing spread between Brent crude and lower-cost North American crudes that Phillips 66 can buy will have some impact on profits, but since the company is a buyer, not a producer, it benefits from lower manufacturing costs when feedstocks fall.

Looking long term, demand for things like fertilizer, car tires, fabrics, and plastics is only increasing with a growing global population, and natural gas is a major ingredient in their manufacture. Phillips 66 is positioning itself to be a major player in both distributing natural gas and using it in manufacturing.

Don't just take my word for it. Over the past year, Warren Buffett has invested almost $5 billion in it, making it one of Berkshire Hathaway's largest holdings, and giving the company an 11% stake in Phillips 66. With shares down 5% this year and 18% from their all-time high in November, Phillips 66 should be high on your list of top oil stocks for 2016.
Laughter--- it makes you feel good, puts you in a better mood and can even boost your health. In fact some studies suggest a good chuckle can lower blood pressure and strengthen the immune system. But could laughter help a marriage in trouble?



Dr. Manny Alvarez, senior managing health editor of FoxNews.com, recently sat down with Dani Klein Modisett, a comedian and author of Take My Spouse Please, to discuss how following the rules of comedy can keep marriages happy and thriving.



Modisetts comedy-meets-marriage counseling idea came to her while she was reminiscing through a course book for a stand-up comedy class she had taught at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) in 1999.



When you're a comedian people always say to you, That's the hardest thing in the world to do. But I personally was having a hard time in my marriage and thought, No actually, I think maybe marriage is harder than stand-up, Modisett told FoxNews.com. And I thought, Well why don't I look at that syllabus of that hardest thing that I taught and see if there's anything applicable.



The comedic pro quickly discovered that every topic in her syllabus was relevant to marriage.



Showing up, listening, the importance of timing, letting go of a bad night, surrounding yourself with other positive people, the element of surprise-- it turns out, [its all] really important for staying in a happy, long-term marriage, she said.



Showing up isnt as simple as it sounds, Modisett noted. In her book she describes it as, the low-fanfare task of just being there for each other.

If theres an event that your spouse has to go to and you really don't feel like it, you go, you show up. You show up for each other, she said.



Throughout the book, Modisett shares personal stories from famous comedians, comedy writers and long-term spouses. One such couple, Joanne and Ralph Humphrey, explained how showing up can be as easy as holding your tongue when facing an in-law at a family event.



I did this for my husband, Joanne told Modisett in the book. And he totally understood why I would never do this again and he probably loved me even more for just sitting there and not flipping the table over. I didnt, because this was something he asked me to do for him. It wasnt about me.



Listening sounds like an obvious recommendation, but its not just about what youre hearing, its about really taking in everything like a comedian takes in an audience, Modisett said.



[Its important] just to be there, but if I'm on my phone and I'm distracted, and kind of swatting you away, that's not being there, and that's not listening, she said. It can be as simple as like-- put your phone down. Talk and listen, take each other in.



For many couples, one of the most difficult rules to follow is to have sex regularly.



I say that sex is to a marriage what jokes are to an audience, without it everybody gets restless, she said.



Modisett further explains that married people also like new material, just like long-term comedy fans get excited about fresh jokes. One way to shake things up is to laugh together.



If you ever read through personals ads, or any of the eHarmony [ads], it's all, I want a man who makes me laugh and the reason is because you figure if a man can move you to laughter, you start to think as a woman, Hmm, I wonder how else he can move me? It's sexy. It's a turn on, Modisett said.



Another benefit of bringing more humor into your marriage is how it can help diffuse fights and arguments.



The most important thing I learned is that you don't have to say the first thing that you think in a marriage, Modisett said. Lou Schneider, who's a comedy writer I interviewed for the book said, You know you'll never regret what you didn't say, but you might regret what you said. So in your marriage, be able to just have a pause and ask yourself, Do I really need to say this? And do I need to say it right now?"



For more information on Modisett and her book visit DaniKlein.com.
Americans have to wait until November to find out who their next president will be, but in a sense, the winner of the 2016 election is already clear: its Vladimir Putin.

As the race begins, we find ourselves in the midst of a global crisis. Iran is testing long-range, precision-guided ballistic missiles that could deliver a nuclear bomb, arguably in violation of U.N. agreements, and the terms of the Obama administrations much-trumpeted nuclear deal. North Korea is testing, or claims to be testing, hydrogen bombs; for years, the U.S. has essentially ignored Pyongyangs nuclear ambitions.

And after executing a prominent Shiite cleric, Saudi Arabia has cut off diplomatic relations with Iran after a mob set ablaze the Saudi embassy in Tehran. The tensions between these Middle East rivals bode poorly for American relations with each country as well as for regional stability (such as it is).

In short, this is hardly the time for America to disengage from the world. But to listen to the leading presidential candidates in both parties, disengagement seems to be where the momentum is. And thats where Putin comes inbecause while disengagement will cost the United States dearly, its a windfall for the Russian president.

On the Republican side, its no surprise that Putin has boosted Donald Trump as a very bright and talented man and the absolute leader in the presidential race. In Trump, Putin sees the candidate most like him: driven by ego and deal-making over long-term thinking. Putin also knew that Trump would welcome his endorsement and defend him.

And Trump did.

When asked about allegations that Putin has had journalists murdered, Trump coolly replied, I think our country does plenty of killing also. In his 60 Minutes interview last fall, Trump boasted that he and Putin would get along very well and that if [Putin] wants to be bombing ISIS, let him bomb themanother indication of a hands-off American approach in the region. Trump believes he and Putin can cooperate: I believe  and I may be wrong, in which case Id probably have to take a different path. But I would get along with a lot of the world leaders that this country is not getting along with, he said at the CNN debate in September.

Trumps closest rival is Texas senator Ted Cruz, who has been a strident Putin critic. Cruz has promised that as president, he wouldnt allow Putin to move unimpeded into the [Middle East] to advance an agenda that is contrary to our own, has called for a reassertion of American exceptionalism, and says that America should emulate the decisive actions that empowered Ronald Reagan to win the Cold War without firing a shot.

That isnt Putin-friendly language, to be sure. But Cruzs bellicose rhetoric obscures the substance of his proposed policies, which would play right into Russias hands. In practical effect, Cruz is expressing a pro-Putin position when he says, If we topple [Syrian president] Assad, ISIS will take over Syria and it will worsen U.S. national security interests, or when he mistakenly claims that removing Assad from power would be materially worse for U.S. national security interests.

The senator is dead wrong.

If the United States disengages in Syria and stays on the sidelines in the Middle East, we will leave a void that will be filled by Russia and its proxies, Hamas and Hezbollah. Leaving Assad in power will send a message to our allies that we continue to allow red lines to be crossed.

A Cruz presidency would leave room for the Russians and Chinese to advance their interestswhether in the Middle East or in the South China Sea. Not to mention the holes left by his opposition to the metadata program, a serious national security need that Cruz doesnt support.

Weve had enough of these hands-off policies already, under President Obama. Putin is making inroads with longtime U.S. allies in the Middle East, such as Saudi Arabia and Egypt, both disgruntled with the administrations lack of support. Putin met with Saudi Arabias defense minister in Moscow last October, where they confirmed that Saudi Arabia and Russia have similar goals in Syria. The Egyptian government signed a contract with Russias state-owned Rosatom Atomic Energy to build a nuclear plant in Egypt.

Sure, some Republican candidatesespecially Marco Rubio, Jeb Bush, and Carly Fiorinaare taking a hard line against Putin. But none are faring well in the polls. Rubio cant break out of the low teens, and Bush languishes in the low single digits. Fiorina is sliding into also-ran status.

On the Democratic side, the Obama administrations obvious mishandling of Russian policy has given Putin lots of room to pursue his goalsand Hillary Clinton has endorsed Obamas policies across the board. She may have given Putin his biggest lift by praising the Russian Reset that she orchestrated as Secretary of State. In a 2014 NPR interview, she maintained that the reset worked, and that it was meant to be a device to try to refocus attention on the transactional efforts that we needed to get done with the Russians.

History tells a different story. Before Putin illegally annexed Crimea, Clinton went to Yalta and warned the Russians against aggression. The Russians came anyway. Since then, she has scarcely criticized the administration for its refusal to meaningfully aid an increasingly desperate Ukraine.

Nor has Clinton dissociated herself from the administrations other foreign policy failures. She has supported the Iran nuclear deal without apparent concern about Russias support, tacit and explicit, for the Tehran regime. And she has even backed Obamas failing ISIS strategy, offering that a lot of the right moves have been made and that she would have advised him to do exactly as I believe he is now doing.

This adds to the evidence that even though Hillary has decried Obamas foreign policy doctrine that we shouldnt do stupid stuff  she said Great nations need organizing principles, and Dont do stupid stuff is not an organizing principle  she seems to be tolerating and rationalizing ill conceived policies all the while saying we need to do more.

Clinton, of course, is considered a lock to get the Democratic nomination. Trump and Cruz are lapping the Republican field. How things will play out remains to be seen, but the debate over whether Vladimir Putin is operating from a position of weakness or strength should stop.

Putin has a clear strategy that has propelled him to military victory in Crimea, and he holds strong positions in Syria and Ukraine. He is on a mission to advance Russian interests around the world and reestablish Russia as a global superpower. We are doing nothing to stop him, and our politicians have no serious plan for the future.

Just listen to Americas leading presidential candidates. As long as they talk this way, it wont matter to Putin whos leading in the polls. Hell be assured that, come January 2017, another American president will help him #MakeRussiaGreatAgain.
Its a day that we had hoped and prayed would arrive.

American Pastor Saeed Abedini  along with three other Americans  was released from an Iranian prison Saturday  freed after spending more than three years in Irans most brutal prison.

When Pastor Saeeds wife, Naghmeh, heard the news she told us that her two young children, as you can imagine, were very excited and couldnt wait to see their dad again.

In Naghmehs words: This has been an answer to prayer. This is a critical time for me and my family. We look forward to Saeeds return and want to thank the millions of people who have stood with us in prayer during this most difficult time.

We will no doubt learn more about the details of how all of this unfolded in the days ahead, but right now  as the Abedini family rejoices  I am grateful for the millions of people who signed our petitions and raised their voices of support during Pastor Saeeds ordeal. To all of them, a very heartfelt thank you.

It has been a privilege for us to represent the Abedini family as we worked in this country and abroad to advocate on behalf of Pastor Saeed.

There will be plenty of time in the days and weeks ahead for analysis and further comment about the release of Pastor Saeed and the three other Americans who were also held in Iran.

But  on this day  the most important headline for us: Pastor Saeeds freedom is truly an answer to prayer.
For over three years, millions of Americans and people around the world have made Pastor Abedini a focal point of their prayers and petitions. The news of his release is made even more special because today is January 16th which is commemorated as Religious Freedom Day in the United States.



We are grateful to the members of Congress on both sides of the aisle who tirelessly advocated for the release of Pastor Abedini. Congress and the American people clearly made the difference in engaging the Obama administration to step up pressure on the Iranian government.



Iran and the nations of the world must understand that we will not leave behind any American who is in a foreign prison for simply standing up for a God given human right. Pastor Abedinis imprisonment and torture is a reminder of the vigilance required to preserve and promote not just our First Freedom as Americans, but the basic human right of the freedom of religion.



Today is a day for rejoicing and we pray it will prompt the administration to make the promotion of religious freedom a greater priority, and do so by designating ISISs attempts to exterminate minority religious groups  including Christians -- as genocide.



The reality is that there are Christians and religious minorities throughout the Middle East and around the world who look toward America, hoping they are not forgotten and that someone will speak out on their behalf.
Charles Krauthammer told viewers Friday on Special Report with Bret Baier that Republican presidential candidate Ted Cruz was speechless, gobsmacked... dumbstruck at the end of Thursdays Fox Business Network GOP primary debate.

The Texas senator criticized fellow Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump for embodying what he called "New York values.

Krauthammer, a syndicated columnist and Fox News contributor, said that while Cruz was dazzling on the birther issue, he got thoroughly crushed on the New York thing.

Krauthammer seemed surprised by the way Cruz handled Trumps attacks, calling the exchange uncharacteristic of Cruz because he is always prepared.

Trump had played the 9/11 card the day before, Krauthammer said, [Cruz] should have known it was coming.

"And if you saw the split screen at the end of hat exchange, Cruz was speechless," Krauthammer said.
New national polling is showing Bernie Sanders gaining ground on Democratic frontrunner Hillary Clinton, casting into doubt Clinton as the inevitable nominee for the party, and recalling the 2008 race where Clinton was eventually beaten by underdog Barack Obama.

Despite a 30 percent-plus lead over Sanders in the summer in many polls, Clinton's lead has shrunk drastically in recent months as she continues to be dogged by doubts about her candidacy, while Sanders continues to gain strength in key states and across the U.S.

With key votes in Iowa and New Hampshire just weeks away, Clinton's apparent firm hold on the nomination seems to be slipping away.

Polls now show Sanders with a comfortable lead in New Hampshire. A Fox News Poll released last week showed Sanders with a commanding 13 point lead in the Granite State, with a 50-37 point margin. The poll shows a stunning increase for Sanders, who was only one point ahead in a similar poll in November.

Meanwhile in Iowa, Clinton's once solid lead is dwindling and it seems the Hawkeye State is up for grabs. The Real Clear Politics average shows Clinton with a four point lead, with some polls showing the two tied and a recent Quinnipiac poll actually showing Sanders with a five point lead.

Should Sanders win the coveted prizes of both Iowa and New Hampshire, it would hand him momentum going into trickier states such as South Carolina, and would raise serious questions about Clinton's ability to secure the nomination.

It isnt just in the vital states of Iowa and New Hampshire where Clintons lead is narrowing  polls are showing Sanders gaining ground nationally.

The latest Fox News Poll showed Clinton with a 15 point lead nationally. Thats down from a 25 point advantage as recently as two months ago, suggesting the race is tightening and that Sanders may be a serious concern for the Clinton camp.

Clintons troubles sealing the nomination despite being labeled by many as the inevitable nominee has echoes of the 2008 Democratic primary, in which she held a similar status but was beaten in Iowa by then-Sen. Barack Obama. Obama gained enormous momentum from the win in Iowa and eventually went on to win the nomination.

The Washington Posts Philip Bump compared the 2016 and 2008 races and concluded that Clinton was actually doing better in 2008 than she is now.

Nationally, she was doing much better in 2008 than she is right now, perhaps in part because the anti-Clinton vote in 2008 was still split between two people -- Barack Obama and John Edwards -- instead of just one. But that recent trend line, a function of two new national polls that were close after a bit of a lull, is not very good news [for Clinton], Bump wrote.

The narrowing of the race comes as Sanders and Clinton have ratcheted up the rhetoric at each other. Clinton has called for Sanders to be more specific about his proposals and how he would pay for proposals such as a single-payer health care system.

"I wish that we could elect a Democratic president who could wave a magic wand and say, 'We shall do this, and we shall do that,' " Clinton said this week in Iowa. "That ain't the real world we're living in!"

Sanders for his part has also turned up the heat on the former Secretary of State and released a TV spot Thursday that appeared to take a shot at Hillary Clintons record on Wall Street.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Iran on Saturday reportedly released Washington Post reporter Jason Rezaian and three other dual-national prisoners.

Iranian state television said four dual-nationality prisoners were released, and a person close to Iran's judiciary said Rezaian was among them.

The announcement comes as the International Atomic Energy Agency certifies as early as Saturday that Iran, as part of a landmark deal, has fulfilled its commitments to curb its development of a nuclear weapon in exchange for world powers returning $100 billion in frozen assets.

Multiple sources confirmed to Fox News that American pastor Saeed Abedini is among those Tehran is releasing. And Marine Amir Hekmati is reportedly one of the others being released, in exchange for seven Iranians being held in U.S. prisons.

Secretary of State John Kerry is meeting in Vienna with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and the five other world leader officials involved in the accord.

The Iranian report did not identify the prisoners, and U.S. officials would not immediately confirm the announcement. But they had indicated a prisoner deal would be separate from Saturday's expected "implementation" of the nuclear pact.

"Were delighted this day has finally arrived, said Jay

Sekulow, chief counsel of the American Center for Law and Justice, which represents the Abedini family. "Pastor Saeed should never been imprisoned in the first place.

Abedini's wife, Naghmeh Abedini, said through the group, "This has been an answer to prayer. "Thank the millions of people who have stood with us in prayer during this most difficult time.

The Washington Post said it could not confirm Rezaians release and that it has no information about a change in his case.

It was unclear who is the fourth person being released. State TV reported it was Siamak Namazi, the son of a politician from the era of the shah, while the official IRNA news agency said it was Nosratollah Khosravi. The different accounts could not be reconciled immediately.

The prisoner exchange and expected implementation of the nuclear deal and sanctions relief, caps a week of intense U.S.-Iran diplomacy that took an unexpected turn on Tuesday with the detention by Iran of 10 U.S. Navy sailors and their two boats in the Persian Gulf.

They were released in less than 24 hours after Kerry intervened with Zarif in multiple telephone calls that administration officials hailed as a channel of communication opened because of the nuclear negotiations.

Certification by the IAEA would allow Iran to immediately recoup some $100 billion in assets frozen overseas. The benefits of new oil, trade and financial opportunities from suspended sanctions could prove far more valuable for Tehran in the long run.

Kris Coratti, vice president of communications and spokeswoman for The Post, said that "while we are hopeful, we have not received any official word of Jason's release."

Hekmati's lawyer, Mahmoud Alizadeh Tabatabaei, said Hekmati called him earlier Saturday from prison.

"He told me that judiciary officials have called for a meeting with him. But I've not been formally informed if he is free now," he said, adding that negotiations for the prisoners' release has been going on for the past two months.

A report by the semi-official ISNA news agency quoted a statement from the Tehran prosecutor's office as saying the inmates were freed "within the framework of exchanging prisoners." It did not elaborate.

Rezaian was born in California and holds both U.S. and Iranian citizenship. He was convicted in closed proceedings last year after being charged with espionage and related allegations. The Post and the U.S. government have denied the accusations, as has Rezaian. Rezaian was the Post's Tehran correspondent and was accredited to work in the country by the Iranian government.

Hekmati, of Flint, Michigan, was detained in August 2011 on espionage charges. Hekmati went to Iran to visit family and spend time with his ailing grandmother.

Abedini of Boise, Idaho, was detained for compromising national security, presumably because of Christian proselytizing, in September 2012. He was sentenced in 2013 to 8 years in prison.

We are grateful to the members of Congress on both sides of the aisle who tirelessly advocated for the release of Pastor Abedini," said Tony Perkins, head of the Family Research Council. "Congress and the American people clearly made the difference

in engaging the Obama administration to step up pressure on the Iranian government."

Namazi is an Iranian-American businessman who advocated better ties between Iran and the U.S.

Separately, Robert Levinson disappeared in Iran in 2007 while working for the CIA on an unapproved intelligence mission. American officials are unsure if the former FBI agent is even still alive. Iranian officials deny knowing where he is. Levinson traveled to Kish island and checked into hotel, purportedly investigating cigarette smuggling. He met U.S. fugitive Dawud Salahuddin, the last man known to see him.

The CIA family paid Levinson's family over $2 million and some staffers lost their jobs over his unauthorized work. A proof of life video surfaced in 2011, saying he was held by a group. His family received photos that year, too, of Levinson bearded, shackled, wearing orange jumpsuit and holding signs in broken English. He has seven children. He suffers from diabetes and high blood pressure.

The Obama administration has said the Americans came up in every conversation with the Iranians.

The Associated Press contributed to this reports.
A proxy war is underway in cyberspace, according to I.T. security analysts, and it is pitting numerous foreign institutions against Russian-speaking cyber militias beholden to President Vladimir Putin.

As has been evidenced by a steady wave of sophisticated cyberattacks targeting nation states and private sector organizations whose policies run counter to that of Moscow, Fox News is told groups of patriotic Eastern European hackers are using cyberattacks as a means to achieve Russias geopolitical goals.

Intelligence sources with knowledge of these cyberattacks tell Fox News the cyber militias are acting on behalf of the Putin regime. Furthermore, Fox is told security analysts have found evidence that Russian government-linked individuals have distributed cyberattack tools to these groups via underground web forums.

Over the last two years, analysts have researched web-based attacks leveraged against NATO, Frances TV5Monde, segments of the Polish financial sector, and the Dutch Safety Board  which concluded that doomed Malaysia Airlines flight 17 was actually brought down by a Russian-made missile. Researchers found evidence that each of those cyberattacks was carried out by different Russian-speaking cyber militias.

We see this confluence of motive, where what looks like some recycled criminal malware has been upgraded in a sophisticated way, said Keith Smith, vice president of threat intelligence for Colorado-based cybersecurity firm root9B. A lot of people suspect that that's Russias attempt to force us as analysts to ascribe to a criminal organization what is in fact the actions of a nation state  Russia.

The United States is in these hackers crosshairs as well. As economic sanctions were leveled against Russia after its incursion into Crimea and Eastern Ukraine, the cyber militias began widespread attacks aimed at U.S. government officials and segments of the financial and defense sectors. The hack attacks were in furtherance of a campaign dubbed Operation Pawn Storm by cybersecurity firm Trend Micro.

The Office of the Director of National Intelligence declined to comment on this activity, but in congressional testimony last year, DNI James Clapper publicly acknowledged the pervasiveness of Russian cyber activity aimed at the United States.

The Silicon Valley of talent that exists in the world on a cyberattack and cybercrime perspective exists in Eastern Europe, according to Trend Micro chief cybersecurity officer Tom Kellermann. Most of those actors  who are the best hackers in the world, period  are beholden and pay homage to the legacy and the power of the former Russian and Soviet regime. They do so by acting out patriotically.

Perhaps the most dramatic show of patriotic Russian cyber aggression came on December 23 when some 800,000 Ukrainians were left in the dark following a widespread power outage.

Soon after the incident, researchers at U.S. cyber intelligence firm iSight Partners found evidence that the blackout was the result of a cyber intrusion by one such patriotic hacking militia. The culprit, as determined by iSights analysis, was likely a Russian-speaking group dubbed Sandworm Team, whose name comes from its references to the science fiction series Dune.

ISight drew its conclusion after a piece of malicious computer code was found on the Ukrainian Power Authoritys system. That destructive malware, known as BlackEnergy3, is unique to that particular hacking group, according to iSight.

Sandworm has been implicated by the company for having carried out numerous cyberattacks with Russian interests in mind; most notably, attacks carried out against the Ukrainian government and NATO in 2014. And according to iSight officials, the group is one of many.

We are actively monitoring seven different cyber espionage groups right now that we believe are of Russian origin, said Steve Ward, iSight Partners senior director.

Researchers have found that the attackers utilized wiper malware to disable Ukrainian Power Authority computer systems, which is similar in nature to the destructive malware used in the 2014 cyberattack on Sony Pictures. But what makes the December hack on the Ukrainian grid a watershed moment, according to researchers, is the combination of the destructive component and the actual target of the attack.

According to Trend Micros Tom Kellermann, the December 23 incident is the first instance in which a specifically directed cyberattack was used to take down the energy sector in a given nation state.

And while experts argue that achieving a similar result against the U.S. power grid would be a far more complex task, nonetheless, this recent cyber-induced blackout has added fuel to already loud concerns over hackers mounting abilities to cause physical harm and destruction.

You're seeing this cyber manifestation of attacks that can change, alter and diminish your physical reality, said Kellermann. What you have in cyberspace right now is a free fire zone.
Republicans on Capitol Hill and the campaign trail expressed optimism and happiness Saturday about Iran releasing five U.S. citizens but continued raising concerns about the nuclear deal with Tehran that is expected completed this weekend and connected to the accord.



Hopeful this long ordeal for our four Americans held hostage in Iran finally appears to be over, tweeted GOP presidential candidate and Texas Sen. Ted Cruz. Praise God! Surely bad parts of Obama's latest deal, but prayers of thanksgiving that Pastor Saeed is coming home.

The four Americans were released in an apparent prisoner-swap purportedly for as many as a dozen Iranians being detained in the United States. A fifth American was also released, but he was not part of first exchange.

House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., said through a spokeswoman that he was glad about the Americans being released but is awaiting details on the ransom paid for their freedom.

The first four Americans released were Washington Post reporter Jason Rezaian, former U.S. Marine Amir Hekmati, pastor Saeed Abedini and Nosratollah Khosravi, whose name had not been previously made public.

They are being flown to Switzerland aboard a Swiss aircraft. And upon their arrival, they will be taken to a U.S. military hospital in Landstuhl, Germany, for medical treatment, U.S. officials said.

The fifth American is being identified as student Matthew Trevithnick, and is already on his way home, the officials said. They spoke about the prisoner exchange on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss it publicly.

Secretary of State John Kerry is set to announce Saturday that Iran has complied with all of the requirement on curtailing it efforts to build a nuclear weapon, in exchange for getting back $100 billion in frozen assets.

Republicans and others critics of the deal say the United States and the five other world powers let Tehran off too easy, in part by failing to demand stricter inspections of nuclear-related facilities.

President Obama and others in his administration have argued that reaching a perfect deal would be nearly impossible and that this deal is better than no deal with a rouge nation that poses a regional and global nuclear threat.

"I am very pleased that four American citizens, who were illegally imprisoned by Iran in flagrant violation of longstanding international human rights norms, have finally been released, said GOP presidential candidate Ben Carson. "However,  president Obama's nuclear agreement with Iran is fatally flawed and gravely jeopardizes the national security interests of the American people, our ally Israel and other peaceful nations in the Middle East and around the world.

He also said releasing the roughly $100 billion to Iran and allow the country to continue exporting terrorism around the world.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
We hate to kick a dead horse but unfortunately, Android fragmentation is an issue that continues to rear its ugly head. Time and time again we see problems arise that call Googles Android strategy into question, and fragmentation has to be at the top of the list for consumers. Because of the nature of Googles mobile software, new versions dont typically reach end users for several months or even several years after release. Why? Because updates have to be tweaked and thoroughly tested by device vendors and then again by wireless carriers before they reach end user handsets.

This means that the latest and greatest features Android has to offer wont even reach users with brand new flagship smartphones for two, four, even six months or more after release. And now, a new study once again reminds us that this is a big pain point for consumers.

DONT MISS: I just saved $146 on an Amazon purchase without lifting a finger

Android 6.0 Marshmallow was first released to the public in early October, more than three months ago. According to Googles latest Android version distribution data, which is current as of January 4, 2016, Marshmallow is currently installed on just 0.7% of all Android handsets that access the Google Play store. The most popular version of Android is currently Android 4.4 KitKat, which was released in October 2013.

Meanwhile, Apples latest major release came less than one month prior to Android 6.0 in September of last year. In the same amount of time it took Marshmallow to reach 0.7% of devices, iOS 9 was installed on 75% of all iOS devices that access the App Store as of January 11th, 2016, according to Apples data.

Apple doesnt have the same barriers as Google when it comes to distributing software updates, and end users benefit as a result.

Why are we bringing this issue up again? The results of a study conducted recently by researchers from the University of British Columbia and the University of California, Berkeley are yet another reminder of the issue.

As relayed by CNET, the study found that 80% of respondents want the ability to block apps they install from being granted certain permissions. For example, an app might request access your photos, contacts and location upon installation. Rather than grant all of these permissions to an app, 80% of people would like the ability to grant some but block others, as is the case in iOS.

Heres the problem: Android already has this functionality, its just that more than 99% of Android users dont yet have access to the updated version of Android that includes this feature.

Android 6.0 Marshmallow, first released in 2015, will not be the most popular version of Android among users until late 2017 into early 2018. By then, Android 8.0 will have been released and people on Marshmallow will be using software that is painfully old and outdated. Meanwhile, the vast majority of iPhone and iPad users will be on Apples just-released iOS 11 software, and theyll have access to all of the new features that come with it.
Eight people were reportedly taken to Washington hospitals Friday after possible lead exposure in a building in the U.S. Capitol complex.

The Washington Post reported, citing a news release from the House Sergeant at Arms, that all eight were being evaluated for potential lead exposure. The area around the Longworth House Office Building cafeteria was not being used for food prep.

Authorities discovered Friday morning that lead paint dust might have been released during renovation work during the night, according to the Post. The Longworth Building is one of three buildings that are being renovated.

Timothy Wilson, a Washington Fire Department spokesman, told the Post the symptoms were minor and that fire officials evaluated 10 people and eight decided to go to the hospital.

The cafeteria will remain closed until more tests are finished, authorities said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Click for more from The Washington Post.
Federal authorities arrested a suspected bank robber, who is also listed on the FBIs Top Ten Most Wanted List, in Colorado on Friday Night.

Myloh Jaqory Mason , 25, was apprehended by the FBI task force and SWAT without incidents at a motel in Thornton, according to KDVR-TV. The FBI Rocky Mountain Safe Streets Task Force said Mason was arrested without incident.

FBI's Rocky Mountain Safe Streets Task Force CAPTURES Top 10 Most Wanted Myloh Mason tonight without incident. pic.twitter.com/o9YfzZKF4k  FBI Denver (@FBIDenver) January 16, 2016

Mason was charged with attempted first-degree murder, aggravated robbery, attempted second-degree kidnapping, first-degree assault and second-degree assault. KDVR-TV reported he is also facing a federal charge of convicted felon in possession of a ballistic vest.

He is believed to be involved in at least two bank robberies late last year. The FBI says Mason and two others wearing outfits from the movie Scream allegedly shoved guns in the faces of Lakewood bank tellers and told them theyd die unless they opened the vault. The incident occurred Sept. 30.

The second incident happed on Nov. 18 in another Lakewood bank. Authorities say Mason and two others wore bright green and white skeleton masks when they took over the bank. The two suspects allegedly assaulted tellers and got into the vault. Mason and his accomplice are accused of shooting two people.

The capture of this dangerous felon means our community is safer, because we believe Mason would have continued committing violent crimes while he was on the run, said FBI Denver Division Special Agent in Charge Thomas Ravenelle. I thank each of the task force members for their hard work and commitment, as they worked day and night to get him behind bars.

Mason had been wanted by the FBI since Dec. 17. He was the 505th person placed on the Most Wanted List, which was established in 1950. Hes the 474th fugitive captured by authorities.

Click for more from KDVR-TV.
Former South Dakota police officer Russell Bertram claimed his young fiancee was shot and killed in a tragic 2009 hunting accident.

But state prosecutors are saying the truth was far more sinister. The 64-year old Bertram is charged with first-degree murder in the death of 26-year-old Leonila (lee-oh-NEE'-luh) Stickney and will stand trial next month.

Prosecutors suggest in court filings that the case involves money, jealousy and tangled relationships.

Bertram says he was putting his shotgun back into his truck in October 2009 when it went off accidentally, striking Stickney in the abdomen.

But several months later, the victim's estranged husband, found out that a life insurance company was processing a claim that Bertram had taken out on his fiancee and contacted the South Dakota attorney general's office's criminal division.
Miguel Facusse, a wealthy Honduran businessman involved in a two-decade fight with poor farmers who invaded his palm plantations on the Atlantic coast, died Tuesday in the capital, his family said. He was 91.

The family did not report the cause of death for Facusse, who was long a member of Honduras' business elite. His nephew Carlos Flores Facusse was president in 1997-2001, and the military used Facusse's private plane to fly the ousted President Manuel Zelaya out of the country in 2009.

Born in August 1924 to a family of Christian Palestinians who migrated to Honduras, Facusse made substantial investments in Central America and Cuba.

In July 1960 he founded Dinant Chemicals of Central America SA, which was associated with U.S. companies such as Procter & Gamble, American Home Products and Stepan Chemical to distribute and market canned food and household goods in the region.

In 1991, Facusse and three other businessmen bought thousands of acres of fertile land along of the Aguan River, about 600 kilometers (372 miles) northeast of Tegucigalpa. The land had been owned by peasant cooperatives that went bankrupt after Honduras opened its economy to freer trade and the poor farmers complained that the land was taken unfairly.

Shortly before the coup that removed Zelaya in 2009, the farmers invaded the plantations with government support, setting off a conflict that so far has caused at least 150 deaths among the activists and security guards working for Facusse's Dinant Corp.

Seeking to calm the situation, the government signed agreements three years ago to pay $27 million to Facusse and distribute parcels of land to more than 5,000 farmers. Facusse's company contends the government has failed to meet the payment schedule.
Burkina Faso President Roch Marc Christian Kabore said Saturday that 28 people were killed when an Al Qaeda-affiliated terror group seized an upscale hotel in the capital of Ouagadougou.

Internal Affairs Minister Simon Compaore announced the siege was over and that 126 hostages had been freed and four jihadist gunmen were killed as forces regained control of the Splendid Hotel. He said at least 10 bodies were discovered in the Cappuccino Cafe, located next to the hotel.

Kabore later said a fourth gunman had been killed and that two of the extremists were women.

Al Qaeda of Islamic Maghreb, or AQIM, claimed responsibility for the attacks Friday, according to SITE Intelligence Group which monitors jihadist activity.

Like the extremist attacks from Paris to Jakarta, the assailants in the Friday evening attack targeted an area where people from different nationalities gathered to enjoy life.

In a message posted in Arabic on the militants' "Muslim Africa" Telegram account, it said fighters had "broke into a restaurant of one of the biggest hotels in the capital of Burkina Faso, and are now entrenched and the clashes are continuing with the enemies of the religion." Fighters who spoke by phone later "asserted the fall of many dead Crusaders," AQIM said, according to SITE.

The Associated Press reported that gunfire was exchanged well into Saturday. French forces arrived in Ouagadougou from neighboring Mali to aid the effort. Burkinabe soldiers already had stormed the building, at one point briefly setting part of the building ablaze with their explosives.

Cars in front of the hotel also had been set on fire by the attackers, who stormed the bustling area downtown Friday evening.

A Defense official told Fox News Friday the Pentagon was closely following the incident and that all Defense officials were accounted for.

"We have about 75 U.S. military personnel in Burkina Faso," the official said, "We currently know of 1 U.S. military member who is embedded with French forces providing advice and assistance to French forces at the hotel."

Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in a statement Saturday that six of the dead were Canadians.

Witness Vital Nounagnon told the AP that he saw four men wearing turbans attack the hotel and neighboring Cappuccino Cafe about 7:30 p.m. Another witness who gave only his first name, Gilbert, said that when Burkinabe security forces first arrived, they turned around rather than confront the attackers.

"But we know that the gunmen won't get out of the hotel alive," he said. "Our country is not for jihadists or terrorists. They got it wrong."

Burkina Faso is largely a Muslim country and has for years been spared from the violence carried out by Islamic extremist groups who were abducting foreigners for ransom in Mali and Niger. Then, last April, a Romanian national was kidnapped in an attack that was the first of its kind in the country.

The country also has been in growing political turmoil since its longtime president was ousted in a popular uprising in late 2014. Last September members of a presidential guard launched a coup that lasted only about a week. The transitional government returned to power until Burkina Faso's November election ushered in new leaders.

Friday's violence mirrored a devastating attack on the Radisson Blu hotel in neighboring Mali back in November that left 20 people dead. In that case, Malian troops  backed by French and American special forces  swarmed in to retake the building and free terrified guests and hotel staff during a siege that lasted more than seven hours.

The Bamako hotel attack also was claimed by a leader of AQIM, who said it had been carried out as a declaration of unity with Algerian militant Moktar Belmoktar's extremist group Al-Mourabitoun, according to an audio speech that was distributed by SITE at the time. Belmoktar was a former leader in AQIM before starting his own group, which now has merged back with Al Qaeda.

Fox News' Lucas Tomlinson and the Associated Press contributed to this report.
The White House acknowledged Saturday that the prisoner exchange with Iran that included Washington Post reporter Jason Razaian was connected to the international nuclear deal with Tehran but that it was also was just a one-time-only situation that will not open the door to prisoner swapping between the rival nations.

As Secretary of State John Kerry and Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif recently concluded the nuclear talks, they also recognized a unique opportunity  for release of those citizens, a senior Obama administration official said on a conference call with reporters.

This is one-time-only type of arrangement. We don't anticipate replicated in the future, but if the window opened up (wed) wanted to take advantage of it, the official also said.

The exchange was four Americans held in Iran for seven Iranians sentenced or awaiting trial in the United States who are not associated with terrorism.

The other Americans released were pastor Saeed Abedini, former U.S. Marine Amir Hekmati and Nosratollah Khosravi.

Administration officials also said the seven Iranians were offered clemency and were not associated with violent crimes.

They also said none of the Americans or Iranians were used a bargaining chip in the nuclear deal and that negotiations for their release were only indirectly connected to the nuclear deal, for fear of ruining it.

The United States also removed any Interpol red notices and dismissed any charges against 14 Iranians previously sought but not in U.S. custody.

They were released hours before Kerry announced that Iran had fulfilling its duties toward curtailing its pursuit of a nuclear weapon, in exchange for the lifting of crippling economic sanction and the return of $100 billion in frozen assets.

This has been an answer to prayer, said the pastors wife, Naghmeh Abedini. We look forward to Saeed's return and want to thank the millions of people who have stood with us in prayer during this most difficult time.

It was not yet clear when the Americans could return to the U.S. They were first being flown to Germany, for a medical evaluation at a U.S. facility in that country.

One additional American, student Matthew Trevithick, was freed unrelated to the others' release. Trevithick was already on his way home before the exchange was announced.

The deal came just before International Atomic Energy Agency certified later Saturday that Iran had met all commitments under the landmark nuclear deal with six world powers. The deal ends sanctions against Iran and frees more than $100 billion in the nations frozen assets.

Today marks the first day of a safer world, Kerry said.

A spokeswoman for House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., said the congressman and his staff are glad about the Americans being released but awaiting details on the ransom paid for their freedom.

Rezaian, 39, the Posts Tehran-based correspondent, was convicted in closed proceedings last year after being charged with espionage and related allegations. The Post and the U.S. government have denied the accusations. Rezaian was initially arrested in July 2014 with his wife and two photojournalists, but the other three were freed shortly afterward.

Kris Coratti, spokeswoman for The Washington Post, said, "while we are hopeful, we have not received any official word of Jason's release."

Hekmati, 32, of Flint, Michigan, was arrested in August 2011, accused of being a spy. His family says he was in Tehran to visit his ailing grandmother and had received permission to make the visit from the Iranian Interests Section of the Pakistani Embassy in Washington D.C. Initially convicted of spying and sentenced to death, the initial verdict was overturned and Hekmati was instead given 10 years.

Hekmati's lawyer, Mahmoud Alizadeh Tabatabaei, said Hekmati called him earlier Saturday from prison.

"He told me that judiciary officials have called for a meeting with him. But I've not been formally informed if he is free now," he said, adding that negotiations for the prisoners' release have been going on for the past two months.

Abedini was trying to build a secular orphanage in his homeland when he was arrested in September of 2012. A native of Iran, he had made frequent trips back to the Islamic Republic to see members of his family, even after converting to Christianity. He had previously been in trouble with Iranian authorities for allegedly organizing Christian gatherings in private homes as part of an underground movement.

Were delighted this day has finally arrived, said Jay Sekulow, chief counsel of the American Center for Law & Justice, which has represented Abedinis Boise, Idaho, family since his arrest. Pastor Saeed should never been imprisoned in the first place. He spent more than three years in an Iranian prison. Were grateful for the millions of people who have stood with us in our ongoing efforts.

The family of Trevithick said he had gone to Iran in September for a four-month, intensive language program at the Dehkhoda Institute, a language center affiliated with Tehran University. They said he runs a humanitarian group called the Syria Research and Evaluation Organization based in Turkey.

We are profoundly grateful to all those who worked for his release and are happy for all the families whose loved ones are also heading home, the family said.

The release of prisoners did not include Robert Levinson, a former FBI agent last seen in Iran but whose status is unknown. The 67-year-old disappeared in 2007 while working for the CIA on an unapproved intelligence mission.

The administration official said U.S. negotiators raised the issue of Levinson at every opportunity but were not able to achieve resolution on his whereabouts or on bringing him home. However, the officials said such discussions will continue.

Levinson traveled to Kish Island and checked into a hotel, purportedly investigating cigarette smuggling. He met U.S. fugitive Dawud Salahuddin, the last man known to see him.

The CIA family paid Levinson's family more than $2 million and some staffers lost their jobs over his unauthorized work. A proof of life video surfaced in 2011, saying Levinson was held by a group. His family received photos that year, too, of Levinson bearded, shackled, wearing orange jumpsuit and holding signs in broken English.

The release of the prisoners, along with the expected implementation of the nuclear deal and sanctions relief, caps a week of intense U.S.-Iran diplomacy that took an unexpected turn on Tuesday with the detention by Iran of 10 U.S. Navy sailors and their two boats in the Persian Gulf.

They were released in less than 24 hours after Kerry intervened with Zarif in multiple telephone calls that administration officials hailed as a channel of communication opened because of the nuclear negotiations.

FoxNews.com's Greg Wilson and Perry Chiaramonte and the Associated Press contributed to this report
A lawyer for a Senegalese man suspected of killing American woman in Florence says an Italian judge is expected to uphold his client's jailing.

The judge questioned Cheik Tidiane Diaw at a closed-door hearing Saturday in Florence to determine if the suspect should stay in custody as Ashley Olsen's murder probe continues.

Olsen, 35, originally from Florida, was found dead in her apartment on Jan. 9. An autopsy determined she was strangled a day earlier and suffered skull fractures. According to witnesses, Olsen and Diaw were together at a Florence night club a few hours before the attack.

Lawyer Antonio Voce says Diaw told the judge he tried to telephone for help. Diaw denies strangling Olsen, contending he pushed her to the floor twice after she shoved him.
An autopsy shows that an American news producer found dead while staying in a vacation resort in Belize was strangled.

Anne Swaney died of "asphyxia due to compression of the neck area, throttling and blunt force traumatic injuries to the head and neck," according to the coroners report prepared by Dr. Leyden Ken.

Swaney, 39, executive producer of online operations at ABC7 Chicago, was a guest at the Nabitunich resort in the town of Benque Viejo del Carmen when she was reported missing Thursday, according to police.

She was killed in a scenic place, a 400-acre farm close to the jungle and Mayan ruins near the Guatemala border, her station reported late Friday.

Her murder stunned co-workers, who described Swaney as an avid world traveler.

She was supposed to go on a horseback riding trip with other members of the resort, according to ABC7. When it was learned that there were more riders than there were horses, Swaney decided to stay back and do yoga on a wooden deck by the riverside.

Benque Viejo Police Superintendent Daniel Arzu said that members of the tour group that Swaney shouldve been part of couldnt find her when they returned from their excursion.

Swaneys body was located face down in the river Friday morning, police said. Injuries to her head and bruises around the neck have authorities treating the death as a homicide.

Authorities said Swaney was transported to San Ignacio Hospital in Belize where she was pronounced dead.

According to the ABC affiliate, investigators were questioning a man who was seen fishing near where Swaneys body was found. However, he was not considered a prime suspect in the murder. Police said the man insisted he was just fishing and has nothing to do with her death.

She was a light, a source of laughter and smiles, a source of wisdom thats really one of a kind, the news station said in a Twitter post.

In May 2015, two Americans were murdered in a drug-related armed robbery. Two Americans were also kidnapped at gunpoint in January 2014 near the Guatemala border.

There was no nationwide tourist advisory for Belize, but those who visit the country are encouraged to be careful due to the increased crime rate.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Click here for more from ABC7 Chicago.
A senior Sudanese security official says 14 people were killed during last week's protests in Western Darfur but denied that police were responsible.

In remarks published by the pro-government Al-Sudani daily on Saturday, Police Chief Atif Fadul said 13 civilians and six policemen were wounded in the protests, which took place in front and inside the governor's office on Jan. 10. Those figures are the first official toll to emerge from the unrest.

The African Union has expressed concern over "continued tension" in and around the town of Genaina in Western Darfur after residents of Mouli, near the border with Chad, staged a demonstration against an assault by a pro-government militia on their village.

Fadul said police showed restraint. Sudanese security forces have violently dispersed protests in the past.
Thermalabs Announces Natural Bamboo Fiber Scrub Exfoliator

Cosmetics brand Thermalabs has just announced a brand new exfoliating product that is expected to hit the global marketplace soon.

--

Thermalabs has announced that it will launch a brand new exfoliation product in the next few hours. The release, already baptized the world's best natural eco-friendly body scrub exfoliator, is a gloves pack. Exfoliating bath gloves are a common beauty product that helps remove the dead skin cells from your body. Exfoliation is an age-old cosmetics practice that is known to have multiple benefits not only for the skin but for the body. To start with, it helps detoxifies the skin, brighten complexion, improve skin tone, kill bacteria, reduce sun damage and fine lines, and prevent breakouts as well. The end result of all this is a younger and healthier skin.

Thermalabs is a cosmetics brand that became popular due to their top-notch formulations for the self-tanning market. The company was launched a little over 2 years ago, but today happens to be one of the most impactful brands in the industry. Thermalabs focus on natural and eco-friendly, green products is one of the key factors that have contributed to its massive success. The company's headquarters are in New York, although it operates a production facility in Israel.

The company has produced at least a dozen products thus far. These include about half a dozen self-tanning lotions and accessories. Some of Thermalabs most popular products include the Gold Standard Tanner, the Ultimitt self-tanning applicator mitt, and the Glow2Go disposable tan wipes. In the second half of 2015, Thermalabs produced a travel-sized and extra-large versions of the Gold Standard Tanner. The company's formulations are based on highly organic and natural ingredients such as Aloe Leaf Juice and Japanese Green Tea Leaf Extract.

Thermalabs new eco-friendly body scrub exfoliator is made from Bamboo Fiber and Loofah. Users who purchase this product will also get a free guide that will enlighten them on the art of exfoliating. With this premium product, Thermalabs is looking to increase its global market share. There's a growing need for highly organic and natural cosmetics products that get results without subjecting the user's skin to adverse effects. Critics are debating the ability of this product to capture the interest of users. Although it appears designed to get optimal results, there's no telling how the market will receive it.

Thermalabs is committed to a skin-cancer free world. The company already contributes 10% of its annual profits to nonprofits that increase awareness on skin cancer, and educational missions that are dedicated to finding a cure for cancer. More so, the company's products are consistently natural and organic, getting the results users desire without exposing them to the hazards of dangerous chemicals. Thermalabs approach to the industry has helped it graduate from a little-known brand to a global company that has hundreds of thousands of users from all continents of the world. As the year 2016 continues to unfold, it'll be interesting to see what else Thermalabs has up its sleeve.

For more information about us, please visit http://www.thermalabs.com

Contact Info:

Name: Alex Howard

Organization: Thermalabs



Video URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4uxg4-Qq1Hk

Source: http://marketersmedia.com/thermalabs-announces-natural-bamboo-fiber-scrub-exfoliator/101287

Release ID: 101287

For more information visit r



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Interior Design Trend-Spotters and Influencers Announce 2016 Colors of the Year

Just in time for the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS) that will take place January 19-21 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, the nation's leading observers and influencers of design trends have announced their selections for color of the year for 2016.

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Increasing stress and strife make soft, muted colors even more popular.

Just in time for the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS) that will take place January 19-21 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, the nation's leading observers and influencers of design trends have announced their selections for color of the year for 2016.

Both Benjamin Moore and Behr announced classic, off-white shades as the most on-trend colors entering 2016 - Simply White and Ivory Keys, respectively. In making its annual selection, Benjamin Moore's experts track trends in home furnishings, fashion, art and architecture. The company's creative director, Ellen O'Neill, expressed the design industry's growing affection for white. "White is not just a design trend, it is a design essential, she said. "It was inevitable that we would ultimately recognize white as our Color of the Year." Five of BM's top-selling paint colors are variants of white. Simply White is considered the most neutral among them, gauged under various lighting conditions.

Sherwin-Williams and Glidden might have used the same crystal ball in forecasting their Alabaster and Cappuccino White, respectively, as 2016's most popular paint colors. In explaining the benefits of Alabaster on our otherwise over-stimulated psyches, Jackie Jordan, director of color marketing at Sherwin Williams offered, "Alabaster represents a straightforward and necessary shift to mindfulness. It provides an oasis of calmness, spirituality and 'less is more' visual relief." In much the same way, Glidden's lightly-tinted Cappuccino White, described as a "calm and creamy neutral that pairs well with other delicate colors to create a warm, peaceful color palette," aims to warm a room and to soothe the weary soul.

PPG and Kelly-Moore Paints each reached similar, but slightly different conclusions. PPG named their Paradise Found - a soft, soothing green - their color of the year. It "represents the ease & rejuvenation one feels in nature," according to a company post on Pinterest. Kelly-Moore, surveyed interior designers and members of the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) who selected K-M's Horizon Gray as the 2016 stand-out. Mary Lawlor, Manager of Color Marketing, agrees there's a shift to softer, calmer colors, including gray, stating, "Gray continues to take center stage for neutrals and this atmospheric mid-toned gray provides comfort and versatility."

Color experts at Pantone, whose Pantone Matching System (PMS) helps ensure uniform color standards in printing and in the manufacture of paints, for example, for the first time ever named two different interior colors of the year: serenity - a light blue, and rose quartz - a soft pink. VP Laurie Pressman of the Pantone Color Institute explains that "these two inviting shades embody the mindset of tranquility and inner peace consumers seem to be looking for. In the kitchen, whether in tabletop, countertop appliances, flooring or walls, the combination of these two shades helps create a welcoming and comforting space."

Echoing the sentiment in favor of multiple color picks and roses and pinks in particular, Sara McLean of Dunn-Edwards Paints concurs: "I believe that the combination of colors tells the story. It's about the entire palette and how a collection of colors evokes a feeling."

This information was compiled by Butcher Block Co., an online seller of John Boos butcher block tables and islands available in a wide variety of colored bases. BBC strives to stay atop kitchen design trends and to share such information with visitors to its website.

For more information about us, please visit https://butcherblockco.com

Contact Info:

Name: Kathleen Grodsky

Organization: Butcher Block Co.

Address: 10448 N 21st Pl Phoenix, Arizona 85028

Phone: +1 877 845 5597

Release ID: 101379

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Regulatory red tape and gaps in co-ordination and communication between stakeholders are among the obstacles limiting improvements in livestock health, welfare and productivity, an industry workshop concluded.

About 30 livestock sector stakeholders, including pig, sheep and dairy farmers, vets, academics and government agency officials, met in London on Wednesday (13 January) to discuss the development and application of an integrated approach to health, welfare and productivity.

The workshop, funded by the Wellcome Trust, was overseen by researchers from Kings College London, Hull University, Glasgow University, Newcastle University, Leeds Trinity University and Newcastle University, who sought to pinpoint what needs to be done to achieve this.

See also: Scots set up body to cut farming red tape

One purpose of this workshop was to bring together individuals with common interests in improving the health of farming as a whole, to consider how integrated approaches cutting across academic disciplines can improve our understanding of them, Rowland Kao from Glasgow University told Farmers Weekly.

Ahead of a series of tasks, participants were told that such improvements are essential to meet projected consumer demand for animal proteins.

They also heard that current difficulties largely arise as expertise in health, welfare and productivity is too compartmentalised.

Obstacles

Participants were asked to pinpoint the key obstacles that prevented the industry responding to problems of health, welfare and productivity.

Among those identified were:

Too much red tape

Labour constraints

Unbalanced perspectives in policymaking  there should be a more interdisciplinary approach to policymaking

Cultural barriers to collaborative work in the industry

Short-termism  a lack of long-term strategy in the industry

Low morale  a lack of status and aspiration.

Lack of data and performance measurement

Lack of data collation and analysis  participants concluded there is a lot of data out there, but a lack of clarity about what to do with it.

Overall, it shows there are gaps in coordination and communication, concluded one group.

Stakeholders said the challenge is how to address these obstacles all together at the same time or where emphasis should be placed.

See also: 12 government plans to boost farming and rural productivity

Mr Kao concluded: In my view, one of the most significant obstacles to achieving improved resilience of the farming industry, including health welfare and productivity of the animal, farm and industry levels, is an adequate balancing of costs and benefits associated with food security.

These cost and benefits must encompass not just financial considerations but social, cultural and ecological as well.

It must consider both the farmers themselves and other important stakeholders in the system, he added.

The workshops findings will be refined at a second, smaller workshop in Leeds in April, and a short article for publication in an academic journal is planned.
10:15 a.m. Update:

No suspects have been arrested in the Friday night shooting at Sharis Restaurant, but the Corvallis Police Department has released the name of the 29-year-old victim.

Jason Scott Williams, of Corvallis, died at the scene from injuries he suffered during the shooting, according to a release from the Corvallis Police Department. The Oregon State Medical Examiners Office in Portland is scheduled to conduct the autopsy.

Corvallis police also confirmed that a 35-year-old Forrest Grove woman suffered a minor injury during the shooting and was transported from the scene to Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center. The woman, whose name is being withheld at this time, was treated and released, according to police.

The second female victim and Williams are acquaintances, and had been at the restaurant together prior to the shooting, Corvallis police said in the release.

The Corvallis Police Department, Benton County Sheriffs Office, Benton County Search and Rescue and the Linn Benton Major Crime Team are continuing an investigation and search for evidence at the scene, according to the release.

Northwest Ninth Street was open to traffic Saturday morning, although one lane in front of Sharis Restaurant remained closed from about Beca Avenue to the north and Buchanan Avenue to the south of the restaurant. Incident command vehicles remained at the scene along with several police vehicles.

Corvallis Police are asking anyone with information, or who may have seen something suspicious around the time of the shooting, to call 541-766-6913.

1 a.m. Update:

Corvallis police have not yet arrested a suspect in the shooting death at Shari's restaurant in Corvallis Friday night, but say there is no known threat to the community at this time.

Northwest Ninth Street was shut down at Beca Avenue to the north and at Buchanan Avenue to the south of the restaurant as of 11 p.m. Friday. There was a strong law enforcement presence at the scene. The emergency dispatch center received the call about the shooting at 7:45 p.m.

Lt. Cord Wood, a spokesman for the Corvallis Police Department, said at 11:30 p.m. Friday that no suspect had been taken into custody, but he added that there is no known threat to the community at this time.

"An investigation at the scene is underway," Corvallis police said in a 9:27 p.m. press release. "At this time there is one person who is deceased, and one other individual receiving treatment for unknown injuries."

Police have not released the names of the person who was killed ot the one who was injured.

"Officers are currently on scene investigating the circumstances that led up to this incident. The investigation is considered a homicide at this time. Please stay out of the area and allow investigators to continue working the crime scene."

Observers on the scene reported that a body, apparently that of an adult male, was lying on the sidewalk in front of the restaurant, and witnesses told the Gazette-Times they saw another man, who appeared to be conscious and alert, taken away in an ambulance.

A Corvallis Police Department vehicle was parked in front of the body, which was covered by a sheet.

The Corvallis Police Department, Benton County Sheriff's Office and Albany Police Department have incident command trucks parked at the scene and have set up a tent between the vehicles.

Sheriff's deputies and Oregon State Police troopers armed with rifles are at the scene, and paramedics are also present. A police dog and its handler were on the scene.

Corvallis police are urging residents to stay out of the area and allow officers to investigate. There is no known threat to the community at this time.
11:30 a.m. UPDATE: Wiley Creek to remain as an assisted living facility

SWEET HOME  Samaritan Health Services will continue to operate Wiley Creek Community in Sweet Home as an independent and assisted living facility, according to a Friday morning press release.

Weve heard the concerns from the Wiley Creek residents and the Sweet Home community, said Larry A. Mullins, president and CEO of Samaritan Health Services. Out of sincere respect and concern for the residents of Wiley Creek and their families, we will continue our assisted living operations and will look for ways to add to those services on the campus.

The decision came about a heated public meeting held in Sweet Home Thursday evening. Nearly 200 people attended, including about 100 people who held a candlelight vigil in support of keeping the assisted care living facility open.

Mullins said Samaritan still intends to establish a 15-bed treatment facility, open to anyone in need, including those served by Medicare and/or the Oregon Health Plan (IHN-CCO), and will explore other location options to develop the program in the region.

Several feasible options have been presented since making the original announcement to transition Wiley Creek just a few days ago.

Alcohol and drug treatment is a critical, high-priority health care need in our communities, said Mullins. We are committed to working with our partners to address this need in the most effective manner possible."

We sincerely regret the anxiety created for residents and families, Mullins said. We remain committed to serving our Wiley Creek residents and we will work hard to reestablish our relationship and good faith with the Sweet Home community."

SWEET HOME  A Samaritan Health Services executive apologized for not providing warning of a plan to uproot more than 40 residents from the Wiley Creek Community and turn the assisted living center into a 15-bed voluntary drug and alcohol treatment facility.

Im very sorry it was handled that way, said Marty Cahill, CEO of Lebanon Community Hospital, during a Thursday night meeting at the Wiley Creek Lodge that was attended by about 200 community members. More than 50 others participated in a vigil outside.

Samaritan has backtracked from the switch, however, after a maelstrom of negative reaction. Cahill said the nonprofit has been made aware of alternative sites, and that a couple had merit and are being vetted. A decision will be made before another community meeting at 9 a.m. Saturday at Wiley Creek.

Right now, were in a holding pattern, Cahill said. He repeated a variation of this statement several times as he came under heavy criticism from locals, who called the switch hidden and even a form of elder abuse due to the stress it put on Wiley Creek residents.

Wiley Creek residents were blindsided on Tuesday when Samaritan informed them that they had three months to find alternative housing options. At the same time, 35 employees were told they would need to find new jobs.

The decision had been under consideration for a year, including in public forums and meetings, Cahill said.

Nobody ever talked this over with us, said Mona Waibel, 88, a former teacher who has written history books on Sweet Home. She moved into Wiley Creek three months ago, after her husband died. I fell in love with this place and it was great. And now were going to be kicked out, she said.

Waibel added that she never would have moved into the facility had she known the change was being considered.

It was just a bombshell, said Molly Mosby, 88, who lives in one of 20 independent living cottages in the community.

They dropped it on us. Everybodys been in turmoil ever since, said Marcie Reilly, another cottage resident.

Family members of Wiley Creek Lodge and cottage residents also blasted Samaritan for not informing them of the changes before they were announced. Some accused the nonprofit of choosing addicts over elderly residents who were the backbone of the community. They also said it was the only such facility in Sweet Home.

Bob Dalton of Sweet Home, Waibels son-in-law, had a more measured response.

He told the crowd his father was an alcoholic who died early. I understand the need for treatment facilities, he said. But Dalton added that those shouldnt come at the cost of residential centers for older residents.

Linn County does not have a residential drug treatment facility. Corvallis has two of the centers, but one serves only teens and the other only women.

We probably need one of these in every county, said Doug Byson, Samaritan chief administrative officer. Samaritan also has health care facilities in Lincoln County.

Linn and Benton counties have 16 assisted living and memory care facilities, and that factored into Samaritans decision to switch Wiley Creek to a drug treatment center, Cahill said in a previous interview.
SWEET HOME  Samaritan Health Services will continue to operate Wiley Creek Community in Sweet Home as an independent and assisted living facility, according to a Friday morning press release.

Weve heard the concerns from the Wiley Creek residents and the Sweet Home community, said Larry A. Mullins, president and CEO of Samaritan Health Services. Out of sincere respect and concern for the residents of Wiley Creek and their families, we will continue our assisted living operations and will look for ways to add to those services on the campus.

The decision came about a heated public meeting held in Sweet Home Thursday evening. Nearly 200 people attended, including about 100 people who held a candlelight vigil in support of keeping the assisted care living facility open.

Mullins said Samaritan still intends to establish a 15-bed treatment facility, open to anyone in need, including those served by Medicare and/or the Oregon Health Plan (IHN-CCO), and will explore other location options to develop the program in the region.

Several feasible options have been presented since making the original announcement to transition Wiley Creek just a few days ago.

Alcohol and drug treatment is a critical, high-priority health care need in our communities, said Mullins. We are committed to working with our partners to address this need in the most effective manner possible."

We sincerely regret the anxiety created for residents and families, Mullins said. We remain committed to serving our Wiley Creek residents and we will work hard to reestablish our relationship and good faith with the Sweet Home community."

SWEET HOME  A Samaritan Health Services executive apologized for not providing warning of a plan to uproot more than 40 residents from the Wiley Creek Community and turn the assisted living center into a 15-bed voluntary drug and alcohol treatment facility.

Im very sorry it was handled that way, said Marty Cahill, CEO of Lebanon Community Hospital, during a Thursday night meeting at the Wiley Creek Lodge that was attended by about 200 community members. More than 50 others participated in a vigil outside.

Samaritan has backtracked from the switch, however, after a maelstrom of negative reaction. Cahill said the nonprofit has been made aware of alternative sites, and that a couple had merit and are being vetted. A decision will be made before another community meeting at 9 a.m. Saturday at Wiley Creek.

Right now, were in a holding pattern, Cahill said. He repeated a variation of this statement several times as he came under heavy criticism from locals, who called the switch hidden and even a form of elder abuse due to the stress it put on Wiley Creek residents.

Wiley Creek residents were blindsided on Tuesday when Samaritan informed them that they had three months to find alternative housing options. At the same time, 35 employees were told they would need to find new jobs.

The decision had been under consideration for a year, including in public forums and meetings, Cahill said.

Nobody ever talked this over with us, said Mona Waibel, 88, a former teacher who has written history books on Sweet Home. She moved into Wiley Creek three months ago, after her husband died. I fell in love with this place and it was great. And now were going to be kicked out, she said.

Waibel added that she never would have moved into the facility had she known the change was being considered.

It was just a bombshell, said Molly Mosby, 88, who lives in one of 20 independent living cottages in the community.

They dropped it on us. Everybodys been in turmoil ever since, said Marcie Reilly, another cottage resident.

Family members of Wiley Creek Lodge and cottage residents also blasted Samaritan for not informing them of the changes before they were announced. Some accused the nonprofit of choosing addicts over elderly residents who were the backbone of the community. They also said it was the only such facility in Sweet Home.

Bob Dalton of Sweet Home, Waibels son-in-law, had a more measured response.

He told the crowd his father was an alcoholic who died early. I understand the need for treatment facilities, he said. But Dalton added that those shouldnt come at the cost of residential centers for older residents.

Linn County does not have a residential drug treatment facility. Corvallis has two of the centers, but one serves only teens and the other only women.

We probably need one of these in every county, said Doug Byson, Samaritan chief administrative officer. Samaritan also has health care facilities in Lincoln County.

Linn and Benton counties have 16 assisted living and memory care facilities, and that factored into Samaritans decision to switch Wiley Creek to a drug treatment center, Cahill said in a previous interview.
Five Killed In Niger As APC, PDP Supporters Clash 24 Hours To LG Election

bohlah at 16-01-2016 07:36 AM (6 years ago) (m)

At least five persons have been killed in a clash that erupted between supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Bida Local Government Area of Niger State.

At least five persons have been killed in a clash that erupted between supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Bida Local Government Area of Niger State.

The incident, which occurred at about 7pm on Friday, is coming barely 24 hours to the LG election in the state.



It was gathered that problem ensued after a vehicle reportedly belonging to the APC rammed into a crowd of PDP supporters.



The situation sparked into a free for all, leading to attacks on members of both parties.



Aggrieved members of the PDP burnt brooms and threw them at APC supporters.



The remains of the deceased have been deposited at the Federal Medical Centre, Bida.



Confirming the incident, police spokesman in the state, Bala Elkana, said it was a case of an accident that degenerated into crisis.



Elkana said the crisis happened after both parties held their campaigns in the city.



For more scintillating and juicy stories, follow the official Naijapals accounts On Twitter - https://twitter.com/Naijapals and Facebook - www.facebook.com/naijapals The incident, which occurred at about 7pm on Friday, is coming barely 24 hours to the LG election in the state.It was gathered that problem ensued after a vehicle reportedly belonging to the APC rammed into a crowd of PDP supporters.The situation sparked into a free for all, leading to attacks on members of both parties.Aggrieved members of the PDP burnt brooms and threw them at APC supporters.The remains of the deceased have been deposited at the Federal Medical Centre, Bida.Confirming the incident, police spokesman in the state, Bala Elkana, said it was a case of an accident that degenerated into crisis.Elkana said the crisis happened after both parties held their campaigns in the city.

Post Reply I have been reporting on latest news from Nigeria for almost 10 years now. I report on every possible news area I come across, but always ensure my reports are compiled with dignity and fact to uphold my personal values and duty as a journalist Posted: at 16-01-2016 07:36 AM (6 years ago) | Addicted Hero

winace at 16-01-2016 08:06 AM (6 years ago)

(f) APC why, why all dis. Is it cus u are in power do u think u are god so other party shld bow for u? Its so sad dis is wat Ficul and others encourage. Why kill jt to get wat u want. May those who APC vehicle ram and kill souls rest in peace. Posted: at 16-01-2016 08:06 AM (6 years ago) | Addicted Hero APC why, why all dis. Is it cus u are in power do u think u are god so other party shld bow for u?Its so sad dis is wat Ficul and others encourage. Why kill jt to get wat u want. May those who APC vehicle ram and kill souls rest in peace. Reply

zezprincess at 16-01-2016 08:08 AM (6 years ago)

(f) Hmmmmm,RIP,This is the game of politics @ work otherwise how apc vehicle go ran go inside pdp camp? I no see any other place? Abi na only them waka come? Posted: at 16-01-2016 08:08 AM (6 years ago) | Hero Hmmmmm,RIP,This is the game of politics @ work otherwise how apc vehicle go ran go inside pdp camp? I no see any other place? Abi na only them waka come? Reply

kp45 at 16-01-2016 09:58 AM (6 years ago)

(m) God for them all. Posted: at 16-01-2016 09:58 AM (6 years ago) | Hero God for them all. Reply

Ennyolalekan at 16-01-2016 10:43 AM (6 years ago)

(m) how I wish Posted: at 16-01-2016 10:43 AM (6 years ago) | Gistmaniac how I wish Reply

names at 16-01-2016 11:03 AM (6 years ago)

(m) Stupidity of highest order, killing yourselves for people who dose not care Posted: at 16-01-2016 11:03 AM (6 years ago) | Newbie Stupidity of highest order, killing yourselves for people who dose not care Reply

DAMILARE100 at 16-01-2016 11:27 AM (6 years ago)

(m) They would have stories to tell in Hell. Posted: at 16-01-2016 11:27 AM (6 years ago) | Gistmaniac They would have stories to tell in Hell. Reply

gogoman at 16-01-2016 11:30 AM (6 years ago)

(m) kill each other, at least make we reduce small.. we too plenty for naija self Posted: at 16-01-2016 11:30 AM (6 years ago) | Addicted Hero kill each other, at least make we reduce small.. we too plenty for naija self Reply

Oworen25 at 16-01-2016 03:33 PM (6 years ago)

(m) They APC people are too bloody in nature any parties where Aboki be the head the most be killing always Posted: at 16-01-2016 03:33 PM (6 years ago) | Hero They APC people are too bloody in nature any parties where Aboki be the head the most be killing always Reply
bohlah at 16-01-2016 05:03 PM (6 years ago) (m)

After being on the run for so long, a notorious trafficker, who has been on the wanted lists of Nigeria, Benin Republic and Togolese immigration services, has been nabbed in Oyo state. Check out her confessions...



A 30-year-old notorious trafficker, Falilat Janta, who was on the wanted lists of Nigeria, Benin Republic and Togolese immigrations services, has been arrested with her baby girl in Iseyin area of Oyo State after being on the run for a long time.

After being on the run for so long, a notorious trafficker, who has been on the wanted lists of Nigeria, Benin Republic and Togolese immigration services, has been nabbed in Oyo state. Check out her confessions...A 30-year-old notorious trafficker, Falilat Janta, who was on the wanted lists of Nigeria, Benin Republic and Togolese immigrations services, has been arrested with her baby girl in Iseyin area of Oyo State after being on the run for a long time.

The Comptroller of Immigration, Oyo State Command, Innocent Akatu, who made this disclosure said;



"This is a special occasion because a notorious trafficker who had been on the wanted lists of Nigeria, Benin Republic and Togolese immigration departments has been arrested. She is young but she has been involved deeply in human trafficking.



Janta (first right) with some of her victims

She was once arrested but because she was pregnant, she was let off the hook on compassionate grounds. She has since proved to be unrepentant. She trafficked four ladies to Nigeria and handed them over to end users.



Two of them worked in Lekki, in Lagos. We have two letters from the Togolese government seeking our help to locate the girls. Their parents had been looking for them for some years."



According to reports, Janta was also alleged to engage the girls in prostitution, a claim she denied even though she confessed to bringing them to Nigeria illegally.



"I am from Togo and I was doing house maid in Nigeria before I was arrested. I travelled home three years ago and brought the girls to Nigeria. I told their parents that they were going to Nigeria to work as house girls. I collected their salaries and kept for them. I did not use them for prostitution," she said.



One of her victims, a 28-year ol Akowa Yaovi, said Janta told her that she would work in Nigeria and earn good salary but she had never been paid any money. "I work in a local restaurant in Lekki area of Lagos State. She takes all the money. I have three children in Togo and they live with my husband," said Yaovi.



Another victim, 21-year old Joy Sama, said she escaped being raped by a man she was locked with in a room.



"I was taken to a room in Lagos and locked in there with a man who attempted to force himself on me but when I shouted for help, he left. Then people came to my aid. That was the only time I was almost forced to have sex with a man," she said.



For more scintillating and juicy stories, follow the official Naijapals accounts On Twitter - https://twitter.com/Naijapals and Facebook - www.facebook.com/naijapals The Comptroller of Immigration, Oyo State Command, Innocent Akatu, who made this disclosure said;"This is a special occasion because a notorious trafficker who had been on the wanted lists of Nigeria, Benin Republic and Togolese immigration departments has been arrested. She is young but she has been involved deeply in human trafficking.She was once arrested but because she was pregnant, she was let off the hook on compassionate grounds. She has since proved to be unrepentant. She trafficked four ladies to Nigeria and handed them over to end users.Two of them worked in Lekki, in Lagos. We have two letters from the Togolese government seeking our help to locate the girls. Their parents had been looking for them for some years."According to reports, Janta was also alleged to engage the girls in prostitution, a claim she denied even though she confessed to bringing them to Nigeria illegally."I am from Togo and I was doing house maid in Nigeria before I was arrested. I travelled home three years ago and brought the girls to Nigeria. I told their parents that they were going to Nigeria to work as house girls. I collected their salaries and kept for them. I did not use them for prostitution," she said.One of her victims, a 28-year ol Akowa Yaovi, said Janta told her that she would work in Nigeria and earn good salary but she had never been paid any money. "I work in a local restaurant in Lekki area of Lagos State. She takes all the money. I have three children in Togo and they live with my husband," said Yaovi.Another victim, 21-year old Joy Sama, said she escaped being raped by a man she was locked with in a room."I was taken to a room in Lagos and locked in there with a man who attempted to force himself on me but when I shouted for help, he left. Then people came to my aid. That was the only time I was almost forced to have sex with a man," she said.

Post Reply I have been reporting on latest news from Nigeria for almost 10 years now. I report on every possible news area I come across, but always ensure my reports are compiled with dignity and fact to uphold my personal values and duty as a journalist Posted: at 16-01-2016 05:03 PM (6 years ago) | Addicted Hero
nametalkam at 16-01-2016 07:58 PM (6 years ago) (m)



The US Embassy in Nigeria reportedly made an estimated N2.1 billion on visa applications it rejected in 2015.

The US Embassy in Nigeria reportedly made an estimated N2.1 billion on visa applications it rejected in 2015.

Findings made by The Herald indicate that the US Embassy made a total of N5.1 billion from the 158,914 applicants who sought to travel to America for business, tourism and medical purposes.



Of these only, 94,102 applications representing 60% of applicants were approved whilst 64,812 were denied.



US Embassy officials disclosed that they were able to interview 141% more applicants in 2015 due to changes made in their intake procedures. These changes include not allowing applicants to sit down but to remain standing throughout the entire process.



One applicant who recently went for the Visa interview in the Lagos Consulate complained of feeling faint and was repeatedly told by security officials that she was not allowed to stand.



Other applicants complained of sweating due to inadequate air conditioning system for the hundreds of applicants who file through the application room at any given moment on a daily basis.



Despite the harsh treatment, thousands of Nigerians still want to visit the United States, with some seeking for greener pastures abroad whilst others harbour genuine intentions to visit and return to Nigeria, their home country.



Many Nigerians complain of the arbitrariness of the Visa issuance process as the Consular Officers do not have to grant you a visa even if the error in interpreting the information the applicant provided is their own.



For instance an applicant could have a fledgling business in Nigeria, earning N50 million per annum and have family back in Nigeria, however the CO can still deny the application on a general ground under section 214(b).



Kemi a travel analyst says, Applicants refused nonimmigrant visas are handed standard rejection letters stating that the reason they were denied is because they lack strong ties to their home countries and do not meet the standards for issuance of the visa. In fact, the actual reasons for the denial vary greatly. As is often the case, the actual reason may not be a legitimate, valid reason.



Findings made by The Herald indicate that the US Embassy made a total of N5.1 billion from the 158,914 applicants who sought to travel to America for business, tourism and medical purposes.Of these only, 94,102 applications representing 60% of applicants were approved whilst 64,812 were denied.US Embassy officials disclosed that they were able to interview 141% more applicants in 2015 due to changes made in their intake procedures. These changes include not allowing applicants to sit down but to remain standing throughout the entire process.One applicant who recently went for the Visa interview in the Lagos Consulate complained of feeling faint and was repeatedly told by security officials that she was not allowed to stand.Other applicants complained of sweating due to inadequate air conditioning system for the hundreds of applicants who file through the application room at any given moment on a daily basis.Despite the harsh treatment, thousands of Nigerians still want to visit the United States, with some seeking for greener pastures abroad whilst others harbour genuine intentions to visit and return to Nigeria, their home country.Many Nigerians complain of the arbitrariness of the Visa issuance process as the Consular Officers do not have to grant you a visa even if the error in interpreting the information the applicant provided is their own.For instance an applicant could have a fledgling business in Nigeria, earning N50 million per annum and have family back in Nigeria, however the CO can still deny the application on a general ground under section 214(b).Kemi a travel analyst says, Applicants refused nonimmigrant visas are handed standard rejection letters stating that the reason they were denied is because they lack strong ties to their home countries and do not meet the standards for issuance of the visa. In fact, the actual reasons for the denial vary greatly. As is often the case, the actual reason may not be a legitimate, valid reason.

Post Reply I specialize in investigative reportage across several subject matter and sectors but mainly focus on metro events and investigation. Do leave your thoughts and opinion on my reports to let me know what you think about them. Thank you Posted: at 16-01-2016 07:58 PM (6 years ago) | Addicted Hero
Tsai Ing-wen Becomes The First Female President In Taiwan - Photos

nametalkam at 16-01-2016 08:23 PM (6 years ago) (m)

Polls have closed in Taiwan today in a landmark election which has seen Tsai Ing Wen emerge victorious.





Tsai Ing Wens Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) were always favorites to win the election that had at its center Taiwans relations with China.



Taiwans ruling Nationalist Party (KMT) has conceded defeat in the presidential election with candidate Eric Chu saying, The KMT has suffered an election defeat. We havent worked hard enough and we failed voters expectations. Tsai Ing Wens Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) were always favorites to win the election that had at its center Taiwans relations with China.Taiwans ruling Nationalist Party (KMT) has conceded defeat in the presidential election with candidate Eric Chu saying, The KMT has suffered an election defeat. We havent worked hard enough and we failed voters expectations.

Post Reply I specialize in investigative reportage across several subject matter and sectors but mainly focus on metro events and investigation. Do leave your thoughts and opinion on my reports to let me know what you think about them. Thank you Posted: at 16-01-2016 08:23 PM (6 years ago) | Addicted Hero

beneno at 16-01-2016 08:31 PM (6 years ago)

(m) her teeth no be this Generation own. Posted: at 16-01-2016 08:31 PM (6 years ago) | Addicted Hero her teeth no be this Generation own. Reply

nwaafoigbo at 16-01-2016 08:37 PM (6 years ago)

(m) Quote from: ben eno on 16-01-2016 08:31 PM her teeth no be this Generation own.

na only her teeth u see Posted: at 16-01-2016 08:37 PM (6 years ago) | Upcoming na only her teeth u see Reply

beneno at 16-01-2016 08:38 PM (6 years ago)

(m)

anybody wey she first tell goodmorning before she bruch teeth,that prson no fit persive any other thing for one month Posted: at 16-01-2016 08:38 PM (6 years ago) | Addicted Hero anybody wey she first tell goodmorning before she bruch teeth,that prson no fit persive any other thing for one month Reply

kp45 at 16-01-2016 08:47 PM (6 years ago)

(m) Congrat Posted: at 16-01-2016 08:47 PM (6 years ago) | Hero Congrat Reply

gogoman at 16-01-2016 08:54 PM (6 years ago)

(m) Good girl, go fight the corruption in BEIJING Posted: at 16-01-2016 08:54 PM (6 years ago) | Addicted Hero Good girl, go fight the corruption in BEIJING Reply

SOGaiya at 16-01-2016 09:09 PM (6 years ago)

(m) I See Posted: at 16-01-2016 09:09 PM (6 years ago) | Gistmaniac I See Reply

DAMILARE100 at 16-01-2016 09:10 PM (6 years ago)

(m) Quote from: ben eno on 16-01-2016 08:31 PM her teeth no be this Generation own.

....... no be by teeth, na by brain wey una own leaders no get. Posted: at 16-01-2016 09:10 PM (6 years ago) | Gistmaniac ....... no be by teeth, na by brain wey una own leaders no get. Reply

DAMILARE100 at 16-01-2016 09:11 PM (6 years ago)

(m) Congratulations madam. I envy you. Posted: at 16-01-2016 09:11 PM (6 years ago) | Gistmaniac Congratulations madam. I envy you. Reply

akinmanchy at 16-01-2016 09:18 PM (6 years ago)

(m) Na one madam. I support women empowerment in Africa Life na jeje so just try to take am softly Posted: at 16-01-2016 09:18 PM (6 years ago) | Hero Na one madam. I support women empowerment in Africa Reply

Ennyolalekan at 16-01-2016 09:44 PM (6 years ago)

(m) how I wish Posted: at 16-01-2016 09:44 PM (6 years ago) | Gistmaniac how I wish Reply

winace at 16-01-2016 10:22 PM (6 years ago)

(f) Congratulations. Posted: at 16-01-2016 10:22 PM (6 years ago) | Addicted Hero Congratulations. Reply

zezprincess at 16-01-2016 10:42 PM (6 years ago)

(f) Waow,woman president,congrats jare. Posted: at 16-01-2016 10:42 PM (6 years ago) | Hero Waow,woman president,congrats jare. Reply

Oworen25 at 16-01-2016 11:28 PM (6 years ago)

(m) Nice one and congratulations to her, make our Nigerian women no begin to look on that one oh Posted: at 16-01-2016 11:28 PM (6 years ago) | Hero Nice one and congratulations to her, make our Nigerian women no begin to look on that one oh Reply

proly at 17-01-2016 05:24 AM (6 years ago)

(f) Congrat Posted: at 17-01-2016 05:24 AM (6 years ago) | Hero Congrat Reply

odegbalegu at 17-01-2016 06:22 AM (6 years ago)

(m) matured Democratic behavior copied from gej. Weldon kmt n congrat DPP Posted: at 17-01-2016 06:22 AM (6 years ago) | Gistmaniac matured Democratic behavior copied from gej. Weldon kmt n congrat DPP Reply

Ennyolalekan at 17-01-2016 10:39 AM (6 years ago)

(m) how I wish Posted: at 17-01-2016 10:39 AM (6 years ago) | Gistmaniac how I wish Reply

osamabinladin at 17-01-2016 10:46 AM (6 years ago)

(m) Congrats ! Posted: at 17-01-2016 10:46 AM (6 years ago) | Hero Congrats ! Reply

AmazingMarie at 17-01-2016 06:58 PM (6 years ago)

(f) congrats keep the vision and be focused so that distraction will not bring you down Posted: at 17-01-2016 06:58 PM (6 years ago) | Hero congrats keep the vision and be focused so that distraction will not bring you down Reply
World Bank concerned over Facebook's model of free internet News oi -GizBot Bureau

The World Bank has said net neutrality should ensure greatest possible internet access to users and not undermine their fundamental rights and freedoms, voicing concern over moves by companies globally including Facebook in India to provide people free internet with restricted access.

"Care should be taken to ensure that users have the greatest possible access to internet-based content, applications and services of their choice," said the World Bank in a report. "But traffic management measures, while legitimate, should not reduce the enjoyment of fundamental rights and freedoms, particularly freedom of expression," the report said.

SEE ALSO: 5 Simple Steps To Play YouTube Videos With The Screen Off

The bank in its voluminous 350-page report 'World Development Report 2016: Digital Dividends said the balance here should be carefully calibrated so that network operators continue to have incentives to build out and continuously improve networks and network capacity.

Weighing its view on net neutrality, the international financial institution in its report refer to the debate in many developing countries like India and offers made by companies like Facebook.

"The recent trend to develop services in which some basic content can be accessed free of data charges (such as Facebook's Free Basics or Internet.org), while other content is subject to data charges, would appear to be the antithesis of net neutrality and a distortion of markets," it said.

"Nevertheless, some defend the practice as a means of extending internet use in low-income countries. In India, following protests, some participating organisations withdrew support to Airtel Zero and Internet.org, as the regulator indicated that these platforms do not provide equal treatment to all online services," the report said.

SEE ALSO: Coolpad to launch a new phone on January 15: Fingerprint Scanner, 3GB RAM in Tow

An open and free internet is a key contributing factor to innovation in the digital economy, making it critical to protect this openness, it added. "This report is saying that what we want to do is to make the internet accessible, affordable, open and safe. So anything which is contributing to this trend is a good thing," said Deepak Mishra, who authored the with Uwe Deichmann.

Source PTI

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Operation Desert Storm: 25 years later, AMC doing more with less

By Staff Sgt. Stephenie Wade, Air Mobility Command Public Affairs / Published January 15, 2016

SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. (AFNS) -- Iraqi forces attacked Kuwait Aug. 2, 1990, setting into motion a massive military response from a coalition of nations to protect Saudi Arabia from invasion with Operation Desert Shield. After Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein refused to withdraw from Kuwait, Desert Shield gave way to Operation Desert Storm Jan. 17, 1991, and soon concluded with a ceasefire at the end of February.

Twenty-five years later, Mobility Air Forces are continuing to fuel the fight and provide airlift with most of the same airframes the Air Force used during Desert Storm.

Jan. 17 marks the 25th anniversary of the total force performing the most rapid airlift movement in history. Nearly 472,800 people and approximately 465,000 tons of cargo were deployed to the Persian Gulf in eight months.

The buildup

Airlift and air refueling enabled the rapid arrival of the first U.S. forces in Desert Shield. Two F-15 Eagle squadrons from Langley Air Force Base, Virginia, arrived in Saudi Arabia on Aug. 7, 1990.

Military Airlift Command launched its first airlift mission that day as well, a C-141 mission from Charleston AFB, South Carolina, carrying airlift control elements.

Within the next 24 hours, ALCEs were in place in Saudi Arabia to manage the airlift flow. The ALCE personnel and cargo were carried on 37 C-141s, 10 C-5 Galaxies and 10 C-130 Hercules missions. U.S. Transportation Command completed the largest unit deployment ever via air with 412 strategic airlift aircraft. From Aug. 8-26, the Strategic Airlift Command airlifted the 82nd Airborne Division to Saudi Arabia while simultaneously moving the 101st Airborne Division from Aug. 17-25.

In a little more than two months, the XVIII Airborne Corps, consisting of an airborne division, an air-assault division, two heavy divisions, an armored cavalry regiment, and the requisite array of combat support and combat service support assets, deployed. The arriving inventory included more than 120,000 troops, 700 tanks, 1,400 armored fighting vehicles, and 600 artillery pieces.

Not long into the operation, a lack of spare parts impeded the buildup to Desert Storm. To help cope with priority deliveries, TRANSCOM established a special code 9AU and an airlift system to support. On Oct. 30, 1990, Mobility Air Forces began a special airlift operation called Desert Express to provide daily delivery of spare parts considered absolutely crucial to the war effort.

This was a new concept of airlift operations, which involved C-141 deliveries from Charleston AFB to Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. With a stop for refueling, the journey took about 17 hours one way, according to a document titled 'So Many, So Much, So Far, So Fast: United States Transportation Command and Strategic Deployment for Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm.'

On Dec. 23, the airlift sustainment backlog peaked 10,300 tons. On Feb. 13, USTRANSCOM began flying a second C-141 flight per day to tackle the backlog until it was discontinued May 20, 1991. By the end of the war, Desert Express flew nearly 135 missions.

Operation Desert Storm

Directed by USTRANSCOM, the Military Airlift Command managed the Desert Shield/Desert Storm strategic airlift. MAC's active-duty force joined with MAC-gained aircraft and crews from the Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard to make up a total strategic airlift force.

The 'surge' of total force and the first activation of the Civilian Reserve Airlift Fleet was essential to the Desert Shield/Desert Storm success. There were 12,894 strategic airlift missions during both operations.

Commercial airline augmentation was also crucial to the airlift effort. The Civil Reserve Air Fleet was activated for the first time during Desert Shield/Desert Storm and flew 3,309 missions.

Altogether, commercial aircraft delivered 321,005 passengers and 145,225 tons of cargo, including 64 percent of passenger movements, according to the USTRANSCOM historical document.

On the military airlift side, the C-130 supported intra-theater needs and is credited with 1,193 tactical airlift missions. More than 145 C-130 aircraft deployed in support of Desert Shield/Desert Storm. The C-130s flew 46,500 sorties and moved more than 209,000 people and 300,000 tons of supplies within the theater.

The C-141 was called the 'workhorse' of Desert Shield/Desert Storm, according to the USTRANSCOM document. It flew 8,536 strategic airlift missions, followed by the C-5 with 3,770; the KC-10 with 379 and the C-9 with 209. The C-141 and C-5 accounted for 361,147 tons, or 66 percent of the cargo airlifted in support of the Gulf War.

Gen. Hansford T. Johnson, the MAC commander at the time, compared the first few weeks of deployment effort to airlifting a small city.

'We moved, in essence, a Midwestern town the size of Lafayette, Indiana, or Jefferson City, Missouri,' Johnson was quoted as saying in the MAC history book. 'In addition, we've also moved the equivalent of all their cars, trucks, foodstuffs, stocks, household goods and water supply.'

The Strategic Airlift Command led refueling missions during Desert Shield/Desert Storm.

'Once the deployment order was given on Aug. 7, 1990, tankers played an integral role in getting forces and aircraft to the deployed theater of operations,' retired Air Force Gen. Kenneth Keller, the former SAC director of operations, said during a 2009 AMC Tanker Living Legends Speaker Series.

Seven B-52Gs from Barksdale AFB, Louisiana, dropped the first bombs to initiate Operation Desert Storm Jan. 17, 1991. The bombers launched 35 conventional air launch cruise missiles, flew 14,000 miles for more than 35 hours without landing.

These were the first combat sorties launched for the liberation of Kuwait in support of Operation Desert Storm, and it marked the longest combat sortie flight totaling 14,000 miles in 35 hours and 24 minutes. This mission required multiple four inflight refuels outbound and four returning, according to the Air Force Global Strike Command.

'Without the phenomenal tanker support we had for the war, we could not have accomplished what we did,' retired Lt. Gen. Patrick Caruana said in the Tanker Living Legends Speaker Series. Caruana was the U.S. Central Air Forces' air campaign planner and commander during Desert Shield/Desert Storm.

Tankers flew 4,967 sorties and off-loaded more than 28.2 million gallons of fuel to 14,588 receivers during the 132 days of Desert Shield buildup, according to the Air Force History Office document 'Seventy-Five Years of Inflight Refueling.' The 43 days of Desert Storm included 15,434 sorties and dispensed 110.2 million gallons of fuel to U.S. and allied aircraft.

'Desert Shield and Desert Storm demonstrated the U.S. Air Force's capability to respond to crisis and contingency situations in times of intense demand with limited resources,' said Gen. Carlton D. Everhart II, the AMC commander. 'Today, Headquarters AMC planners evaluate these operations to determine more efficient methods of providing rapid global mobility and enhance AMC's agility.'

Evolution of Air Mobility Command

Following Desert Storm, SAC and MAC merged to form Air Mobility Command. One constant through the years is the demand for rapid global mobility through aeromedical evacuation, airlift and aerial refueling. Today, AMC is meeting high demands with a smaller force and older fleet.

In the past 25 years, AMC retired the C-141B/C and the C-9A; made improvements to current airframes, C-5, KC-135 Stratotanker, C-130 and C-17 Globemaster III; and adopted a new airframe, the KC-46 Pegasus.

Mobility Airmen are off-loading more fuel now in support of the fight against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant than what was offloaded when U.S. forces were on the ground in Iraq, operating with only 27 percent of the KC-135 fleet size originally assigned to AMC in 1992.

During 2010, at the height of Operation Enduring Freedom, Mobility Air Forces moved 856,208 short tons of cargo -- the most in OEF history, compared to 543,548 short tons moved in the Gulf War. That same year, AMC had 429 aircraft assigned, less than half of the number of aircraft assigned at its inception in 1992.

'For the past 25 years since Desert Storm and Desert Shield, the (United States) has been in a state of continuous conflict,' said Terry Johnson, the Air Mobility Command's air, space and information operations deputy director on Scott AFB, Illinois. 'As we come out of Southwest Asia and shift from a constant state of continuous conflict, (Air Mobility Command's) focus needs to return to maintaining readiness especially after a period of fiscal austerity."

Today, there's one Mobility Air Forces departure every 2.8 minutes, every day, 365 days per year.

'The Air Force puts the 'rapid' in global mobility,' Gen. Everhart said. 'AMC is still required to support an increasingly demanding operations tempo while preserving the capability to surge if called upon. Without our total force and Civil Reserve Air Fleet partners, surge operations would be almost impossible.'

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A look back at Desert Storm, 25 years later

By Senior Airman Hailey Haux, Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs / Published January 15, 2016

WASHINGTON (AFNS) -- Twenty-five years ago, the Air Force participated in Operation Desert Storm, the largest air campaign since the conflict in Southeast Asia. The campaign's purpose was to drive the Iraqi military out of Kuwait, release the country from Saddam Hussein's invasion and reestablish its sovereignty.

On the morning of Aug. 2, 1990, Iraq invaded nearby Kuwait. In less than four hours, Iraqi forces occupied the capital, Kuwait City, and Hussein soon annexed the country as the 19th province of Iraq. The U.S. government initiated Operation Desert Shield in response.

Several months later on Jan. 16, 1991, following Congressional concurrence with United Nations efforts to enforce a resolution that demanded Iraq's withdrawal from Kuwait, Desert Storm was launched.

"The real mission, the immediacy of that mission  was to deploy as many forces as possible to deter further aggressiveness by the Iraqi military and of course the Air Force was the first on the list, along with the Navy and the aircraft carriers, to deploy in the region," said retired Lt. Gen. Bruce A. "Orville" Wright, a Desert Shield/Storm veteran. "It was a rapid deployment of forces from the continental United States (and some forces from Europe) to put enough airpower in place so the Iraqi military would be discouraged, if not deterred.

"We took out their eyes and ears, their control capability," he continued. "The entire ground operations lasted about 100 hours and that's a credit to the joint coalition airpower that was employed against the Iraqi military. We were all excited, that's what we trained for our whole career. To take 24 F-16s and a squadron of very capable highly-trained pilots and maintenance professionals  and defeat what was then the largest ground force."

The air campaign marked the initial phase of the war and for the Air Force, air superiority was the goal. With more than 68,800 total force Airmen being rapidly deployed in support of Desert Storm, there were approximately 69,406 sorties flown by 30 different types of aircraft.

"I remember thinking, 'Saddam Hussein has no idea what's coming,' and after the first 60 minutes of the war, he will be largely disconnected from his tactical forces and he was. They tried to reconnect, but in many ways we began the decapitation of the leadership within the first 15 minutes of the war," said Maj. Gen. Paul T. Johnson, an operational capability requirements director and Desert Shield veteran. "I really hope we can remember how we came together as a joint and a coalition team, nations from all over the world, all of the services supporting each other, generating effects for one another to achieve an effect in an incredibly short period of time."

Desert Storm marked the first conflict in history to make comprehensive use of stealth and space systems support capabilities against a modern, integrated air defense, allowing the Air Force to succeed in their endeavor of air superiority.

"Over time I have come to understand the enabling capabilities that came to us from space, came to us out of stealth (and) that came to us out of new weapons and ammunitions that allowed us to do things in ways that we hadn't done them before," Johnson said. "Our ability to dynamically command and control across an entire theater there were things that, looking back now in hindsight, fundamentally began the transformation of airpower. There are so many things that we take for granted today  that saw their beginnings in Desert Storm."

As with any mission, operation or task, there are lessons learned. Desert Storm taught the Air Force that being on the cutting edge of revolutionary technology is critical to success.

"That was the first time the investments, that had been made in some cases a decade or two decades earlier, came together on the battlefield and for the first time the world saw what the United States Air Force could do," said Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James. "Looking back and learning from Desert Storm, it is more important than ever before that we continue to modernize our force, gaining the advantage to defeat any adversary we may face in the future."

On Feb. 28, 1991, following six weeks of air attacks and 100 hours of a ground campaign, President George H.W. Bush declared a cessation of operations and announced that Kuwait had been liberated.

"The memories and lessons learned from Desert Storm continue to define today who we are," Wright said. "We have the ability to defend the nation that's founded on, not just the history of Desert Storm but the history of airpower from World War I to World War II to Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm and today. We have been in this fight now for 25 years and those Airmen who are out there today are critical. They are critically important to the safety of our fellow citizens and critically important to the future of the United States of America."

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Southcom Responsible for Wide Range of Missions

By Lisa Ferdinando DoD News, Defense Media Activity

MIAMI, January 15, 2016  From interdicting illicit drugs, conducting counterterrorism missions, fighting human trafficking, responding to humanitarian crises, to training with regional partners, a typical mission at U.S. Southern Command is anything but typical.

The command is vitally important to the United States and in promoting peace and stability in its area of responsibility, Navy Adm. Kurt W. Tidd said yesterday after taking command of Southcom.

'U.S. Southern Command has been safeguarding the interests of our nation for well over five decades,' the admiral said, following the ceremony at Southcom's headquarters here.

The command is responsible for U.S. military operations in Central and South America and the Caribbean, an area of that covers more than 16 million square miles.

One of the five geographic combatant commands, its priorities are building partner capacity and security cooperation, contingency response, detainee operations in Guantanamo, countering transnational organize crime, and promoting democracy.

Partnerships Key to Success

Southcom works extensively with interagency and regional partners to successfully execute its many missions, noted Marine Corps Gen. Joseph F. Dunford, Jr., the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

The command conducts multi-national exercises, and is ready to respond to crises and contingencies, including natural disasters, mass migration or an attack on critical infrastructure, the chairman said.

Dunford described a scenario to illustrate the many areas of cooperation:

Joint Interagency Task Force - South might learn of a suspicious vessel in international waters off the coast of Panama. From there, a U.S. Customs and Border Protection aircraft might be tasked with locating the vessel in international waters.

Then, the vessel might sprint into Panama's territorial waters, dumping its bales of cocaine along the way. A Coast Guard cutter with Drug Enforcement Administration agents on board might seize the drugs while Panamanian officials intercept the vessel and make arrests.

'In another area of responsibly, that kind of coordination and cooperation might be remarkable,' the chairman said. 'In the United States Southern Command, it's just another day.'

Unique Mission, Unique Personnel

Southcom, through its personnel and wide-ranging missions, is unique among combatant commands, according to Marine Corps Gen. John F. Kelly, who relinquished command of Southcom yesterday.

'It takes a ... unique set of talents to operate here in this part of the world,' he said, noting that amongst its personnel, Southcom counts diplomats, human rights advocates and social and economic developers.

The command is comprised of five components and three joint task forces and employs about 1,200 permanently assigned military and civilian personnel.

The dedicated personnel should receive the credit for all the successes of the command, Kelly said. 'They have made a difference, not only for our country, but for our partner nations,' he noted.

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SWRMC Divers Complete Emergent Blade Change Out, Grooming on USS Stockdale

Navy News Service

Story Number: NNS160115-17

Release Date: 1/15/2016 3:34:00 PM

By Cassandra Eichner, Southwest Regional Maintenance Center Public Affairs

SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- Southwest Regional Maintenance Center SWRMC divers successfully completed the replacement of a damaged control pitch propeller blade and the grooming of another blade on Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Stockdale (DDG 106) Jan. 3 at Naval Base San Diego.

The source of the damage to the blades is unknown and was noticed during a routine cleaning and inspection by a local contractor.

'We were requested to complete the replacement [of #1 blade] and grooming [of #5 blade] in support of the ship's upcoming deployment schedule in January,' said Navy Diver 2nd Class Eric J. Stephenson, diving supervisor and diver for this job. 'Normally these jobs are completed in dry dock, but there was no time to wait and our team can complete the job much cheaper and faster than dry docking.'

With no time to spare, SWRMC divers immediately began coordinating with Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA). NAVSEA representatives shipped a trailer to the dive team with all the tools and materials needed to complete the change out of the #1 blade.

While they waited for the trailer and new blade to arrive the dive team completed the grooming of the #5 blade, which had a dent.

'When the propeller gets a dent it ruins the hydrodynamics of the blade which will cause cavitation and ruins the blade,' said Stephenson. 'When we groom it, we take a file to the damaged area of the blade and we file it down to a smooth surface.'

Once the trailer and new blade arrived, the team quickly got to work preparing to change out the #1 blade, which had a crack on the Prairie air system.

The Prairie air system supplies air along the propeller blade leading edge to reduce the hydrodynamic noise originating at the propeller. Masker air forms an air bubble screen around the hull of the ship, reducing transmission of machinery noise to the surrounding waters.

With cranes, rigging gear, and support equipment in place, SWRMC divers began the process of changing out the blade. NAVSEA technical representatives were on scene to assist from topside and were critical to successful completion of the job.

SWRMC divers removed the bolts that hold the blade in place and sent them to SWRMC's non-destructive testing (NDT) subject-matter experts for evaluation. Each bolt must pass an NDT inspection prior to being reattached.

Divers then proceeded to remove the blade and got an unpleasant surprise.

'When we pulled the blade off we noticed there was oil leaking into the water, so that was an immediate all stop,' said Stephenson. 'The initial course of action was to set the blade back down so we can regroup, set up the oil boom, and get the oil abatement team on station.'

A NAVSEA technical representative determined the leak was a hub seal failure. With the newly identified hub seal failure, divers had to acquire an entirely new work package that included the shaft seal replacement. Typically work packages take several days to complete, but Al Rehl, SWRMC subject-matter expert, was able to turn around a new package in less than 24 hours.

To prevent oil leaking during the shaft seal replacement, divers had the shaft jacked from the 12 o'clock position to the 6 o'clock position. Once the position was set divers made the necessary repairs. After completion they rotated shaft back to the 12 o'clock position and put the new blade on. The NDT approved bolts were then torqued back into place.

Despite the unplanned shaft seal replacement all repairs were completed within the prescribed period of performance, which included the New Year's holiday.

SWRMC's mission is, 'Our uniquely qualified team provides superior ship maintenance, modernization and technical support to ships in the Pacific Fleet, who stand ready to fight and win.'

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Nearly 1,200 killed by Boko Haram in Cameroon

Iran Press TV

Fri Jan 15, 2016 4:56PM

Cameroon says nearly 1,200 people have been killed in the country by the Nigeria-based Boko Haram terror group since 2013.

Issa Tchiroma Bakary, Cameroon's communications minister, said Friday that Boko Haram militants had carried out 315 raids and 32 bomb attacks in the country's northern border areas.

"1,098 civilians, 67 of our soldiers and three police officials have been killed in these barbaric attacks by the Boko Haram terrorist group," the minister told reporters in the capital Yaounde.

Since July last year, Cameroon's far north has seen a wave of attacks attributed to Boko Haram Takriri militants. This year, the number of attacks has soared to an almost daily basis.

"In the face of such unjustified and gratuitous harassment our defense and security forces have inflicted heavy losses on the enemy," Bakary said, adding that the extremist militants are now sending their women or girls to carry out bomb attacks.

Since late November, the Cameroon army has carried out operations in several border areas aimed at weakening Nigerian militants active in the region.

Boko Haram has over the past year stepped up cross-border attacks in Niger, Chad and Cameroon, targeting busy markets, mosques, religious leaders and tribal chiefs opposed to them.

The militant group, which is affiliated to Daesh, maintains strongholds in areas that are difficult to access, such as the Sambisa forest, the Mandara mountains and the numerous islands of Lake Chad.

Boko Haram's six-year military campaign has left about 20,000 people dead in Nigeria, and hundreds of others in neighboring Cameroon, Niger and Chad.

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Yemen turning into another forgotten conflict, ICRC warns

Iran Press TV

Fri Jan 15, 2016 11:32AM

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has warned about the dire situation of Yemeni patients and numerous attacks on hospitals there, saying the world should not forget the crisis.

Robert Mardini, who heads the ICRC's operations for the Near and Middle East, said the situation in Yemen is turning into one of the world's "forgotten conflicts" some nine months into the Saudi military campaign against its impoverished neighbor.

The ICRC's outgoing health coordinator in Yemen, Monica Arpagaus, also said last week that hospitals in Yemen are no longer safe.

"We have incidents where hospitals have been targeted and patients have been injured and staffs have been killed," said the official.

"Drugs, medication and medical supplies have been prevented from crossing frontlines into hospitals which desperately need these supplies."

Saudi military has started a military campaign against Yemen since March 2015. Riyadh's airstrikes have taken a heavy toll on the country's facilities and infrastructure, destroying many hospitals, schools and factories.

The Saudi military has also blocked the flow of relief aid into Yemen, creating an unprecedented humanitarian crisis in the impoverished Arabian Peninsula state.

More than 7,500 people have been killed and over 14,000 others injured since last March.

Riyadh's warplanes have not even spared the hospitals run by Doctors Without Borders (MSF) in Yemen. In the latest of such air raids, Saudi warplanes targeted an MSF health facility in Sa'ada Province on January, killing four people and wounding several others.

The MSF slammed the raid as part of a "worrying pattern" of attacks on medical facilities.

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Al-Shabab militants attack African Union base Somalia

Iran Press TV

Fri Jan 15, 2016 9:15AM

Al-Qaeda-linked al-Shabab militants have attacked an African Union peacekeepers base in southern Somalia, with the group claiming to have killed dozens of soldiers.

A military officer said a car bomb exploded Friday at the gate of the base and their fighters went in and that heavy gunfire was going on inside the base.

Residents said they could hear sporadic gunfire between the militant group and the Somali army in the town of Ceel Cado near the Kenyan border.

There were no immediate official reports about casualties from the attack.

An al-Shabab spokesman claimed that they had killed 63 Kenyan soldiers in the attack and captured the town of el-Adde.

Kenyan forces form part of the Amisom contingent, along with troops from Ethiopia, Burundi, Uganda and Djibouti. The mission is estimated to have lost at least 1,100 troops since 2009.

The African Union Mission in Somalia has deployed about 22,000 peacekeepers to help government forces stabilize the country.

Al-Shabab militants have frequently staged attacks against government officials and civilians over the past years.

Somalia hasn't had a functioning central administration since civil war erupted a quarter of a century ago.

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Egyptian forces kill 30 militants in Sinai Peninsula

Iran Press TV

Fri Jan 15, 2016 6:49AM

Egyptian armed forces have killed 30 militants as they foiled an attack targeting a security checkpoint in the restive Sinai Peninsula.

The fatalities came as the militants tried to storm the security checkpoint in the North Sinai city of Sheikh Zuweid on Thursday, prompting the Egyptian soldiers stationed there to respond, said army spokesman Brigadier General Mohamed Samir.

Some 10 other militants were wounded in the ensuing clashes, which also claimed the lives of four army personnel and left eight injured, Samir added.

The Egyptian army further destroyed eight militant hideouts as well as four of their vehicles and a motorbike during the counter-operation in the area, according to the security official.

In another incident on Thursday, Daesh-linked militants bombed a section of the pipeline carrying gas to Jordan and to a major industrial zone in North Sinai.

The Egyptian affiliate of the Takfiri Daesh terror group, known as Velayat Sinai, claimed responsibility for the blast that took place close to the North Sinai village of el-Midan.

Over the past few years, militants have used the Sinai Peninsula as a safe haven to carry out deadly attacks mainly targeting Egyptian army and police forces.

Velayat Sinai, previously known as Ansar Bait al-Maqdis, has claimed responsibility for most of the assaults. The group pledged allegiance to Daesh in November 2014.

The Egyptian army has long been engaged in military operations against the militants in the volatile region, which has been under a state of emergency since October 2014.

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Army soldiers kill 5 PKK militants in southeastern Turkey

Iran Press TV

Fri Jan 15, 2016 12:37AM

The Turkish military says five members of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) have been killed during separate counter-terrorism operations in the troubled southeastern part of the country.

The Turkish General Staff announced in a statement on Thursday that the PKK terrorists had lost their lives in the provinces of Sirnak and Diyarbakir the previous day.

Turkish army forces also seized 121 cartridges and an unspecified number of Kalashnikov assault rifles in the town of Cizre, located about 1,200 kilometers (745 miles) southeast of the capital, Ankara, on Wednesday. Several improvised explosive devices were also destroyed.

Elsewhere in the Silopi district of Sirnak Province, Turkish forces detained at least 10 PKK terrorists and their collaborators.

The Turkish General Staff said in a statement on Tuesday that a total of 578 PKK terrorists had been killed in southeastern Turkey since December 15 last year.

Ankara has been engaged in a large-scale campaign against the PKK in its southern border region in the past few months. The Turkish military has also been conducting offensives against the positions of the group in northern Iraq.

The operations began in the wake of a deadly July bombing in the southern Turkish town of Suruc. More than 30 people died in the attack, which the Turkish government blamed on Daesh Takfiri terrorist group.

After the bombing, the PKK militants, who accuse the government in Ankara of supporting Daesh, engaged in a series of attacks against Turkish police and security forces, in turn prompting the Turkish military operations.

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UN condemns attack on African Union base in southern region of Somalia

15 January 2016  United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has condemned the terrorist attack perpetrated by Al Shabaab this morning against an African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) base in the town of El Adde, Gedo region in Somalia.

In a statement issued by his spokesperson, which noted that details of the incident are still being verified, the Secretary-General commended the efforts of AMISOM troops working for peace in Somalia.

"He affirms that this attack will not diminish the resolve of the United Nations to work hand in hand with the African Union and AMISOM to support the people and Government of Somalia," said the statement.

Later in the day, the UN Security Council also condemned the attack and underscored its full support to AMISOM in delivering their mandate to reduce the threat posed by the terrorist group Al Shabaab and armed opposition groups in Somalia. The members of the Security Council also underscored their gratitude for the bravery and sacrifices of AMISOM personnel in carrying out their mandate.

In a press statement, the members of the Council underlined the need to bring perpetrators, organizers, financiers and sponsors of these reprehensible acts of terrorism to justice and stressed that those responsible for these killings should be held accountable.

The Security Council further stressed the need to take measures to prevent and suppress the financing of Al Shabaab, and any other terrorist group in Somalia. The 15-member body paid tribute to all international actors working to bring peace and stability in Somalia.

Expressing similar condemnation, the Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (SRCC) for Somalia, Ambassador Francisco Madeira also commended the fast response and gallantry exhibited by its troops.

"Attacks such as this further demonstrate the vile nature of Al Shabaab, whose sole purpose is to spread terror and continue the destabilization of Somalia. Our resolve can only be rejuvenated, to fight on until Somalia is freed of all elements of terror," he underscored.

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Mozambique: clashes between Government, opposition forces send civilians fleeing to Malawi

15 January 2016  Clashes between Mozambique Government forces and the opposition Mozambican National Resistance, or RENAMO, have forced an increasing number of people to flee Mozambique and seek asylum in Malawi over the last few weeks, the United Nations refugee agency cautioned today.

In the village of Kapise, Mwanza district, some 100 kilometres south of Malawi's capital, Lilongwe, registration teams from the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) recorded the arrival of 1,297 people  two thirds of them women and children  with over 900 people awaiting registration. Another 400 new arrivals have been reported in 16 villages located further south in the district of Chikwawa.

The Mozambicans said they fled fighting between the opposition RENAMO and Government forces. Refugee women told a UNHCR protection officer how their homes were burned down with one grandmother left inside to die. They said Government forces were attacking villages believed to be harbouring opposition members. UNHCR has been unable to confirm the accuracy of these allegations, spokesperson Karin de Gruijl told reporters at a news briefing in Geneva.

UNHCR is working with the Government to coordinate the response to assist the newly arrived refugees. The UN World Food Programme (WFP) was providing food and Doctors Without Borders (MSF) is already on the ground with a mobile clinic. Malaria is a major concern and the number of patients seen daily has increased from 70 to 250. With the looming fear of a cholera outbreak, MSF has been quick to drill two boreholes and are planning on drilling a third to improve the water supply, Ms. de Gruil added.

She went on to say that the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF), is putting up temporary latrines and washrooms to avert health disasters, and has also provided two large tents where children can play and learn. The UN Population Fund (UNFPA) plans to work on maternal health. The Government of Malawi is considering reopening Luwani refugee camp, which previously hosted refugees from Mozambique during the civil war (1977 -1992), when over a million Mozambican refugees fled to neighbouring Malawi.

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Afghan Officials Unable to Confirm IS Commander's Death in Drone Strike

by VOA News January 15, 2016

Officials in Afghanistan say they could not confirm the death of a top commander of the Islamic State group in Afghanistan.

On Thursday, the Afghan officials had said a U.S. drone strike killed Islamic State's top commander in the area along with at least 11 other insurgents.

But Achin district Governor Haji Ghalib, who had reported Hafiz Saeed Khan's death Thursday, told VOA's Afghan Service Friday: "The information we received yesterday was not accurate. After receiving accurate information, we realized he had not been killed."

Nevertheless, Ghalib said that 12 IS fighters, including an IS commander, had been killed in Thursday's drone strike in the region.

Colonel Mohammad Numan Hatifi, a spokesman for the 201st Army Corps in Jalalabad, the capital of Nangarhar province, also dismissed reports of Hafiz Saeed Khan's death.

"The report was a lie," he told VOA. "Hafiz Sayeed is not in Afghanistan. He's in Pakistan."

There is no independent confirmation Khan is inside Pakistan.

The Islamic State group did not have any immediate comment about Thursday's drone strike. Khan, a former Taliban commander who switched sides to join the Islamic State militant group more than a year ago, was said to have been killed six months ago, but the terrorist group denied that report at the time.

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Burkina Faso Hotel Raided After Suspected Militants Take Hostages

by VOA News January 15, 2016

Elite security forces in Burkina Faso have stormed an upscale hotel frequented by foreigners in the capital where suspected Islamist militants are holding hostages.

The raid began about five hours after gunmen attacked the Splendid Hotel in Ouagadougou late Friday. A fire was seen blazing in the lobby of the hotel after the raid began.

It was not immediately known how many people might have been killed during the siege, but initial reports said 20 people were dead and another 15 were wounded.

'It is continuing at this time. We are trying to know how many attackers they are to better coordinate our actions. Hostages have been taken. The operation could take several hours,' the officer said, asking not to be named.

The local al-Qaida affiliate known as AQIM claimed responsibility as the attack was ongoing, according to the SITE Intelligence Group, which monitors jihadist activity.

A U.S. defense official said AFRICOM, the U.S. military command center for Africa, was monitoring the situation, and that all U.S. defense personnel were accounted for, contradicting some reports that U.S. military personnel were sheltering in the hotel.

U.S. State Department spokesman John Kirby said the U.S. 'strongly condemns the attack,' and the U.S. Embassy in Ouagadougou 'is making every effort to account for U.S. citizens in the city.'

Burkina Faso has endured bouts of political turmoil since October 2014 when President Blaise Compaore was overthrown in a popular uprising. Last September, members of a presidential guard launched a coup that lasted about a week. The transitional government returned to power until Burkina Faso's November election ushered in new leaders.

However, Islamist militants have carried out attacks at similar hotels in neighboring Mali, including one on the Radisson Blu hotel in November that left 20 people dead.

VOA's Carla Babb and Pam Dockins and the VOA Africa service contributed to this report.

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Iran Reformists Seek Electoral Gains After Nuclear Deal

by Heather Murdock January 15, 2016

Iranians go to the polls next month to elect two major bodies of leadership: the Parliament and the Assembly of Experts, the country's top body of clerics.

At the same time, as Iran prepares to rejoin world economic markets with the implementation of the Iran nuclear deal, the current secular government hopes its performance will ensure electoral victories in the upcoming polls.

The deal, which aims to curb Iran's nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief, is seen as reformist President Hassan Rouhani's biggest foreign policy win, and it is expected to pump billions of dollars into the economy.

As elections approach, the president and his allies are in a hurry to show the public and religious leaders this deal lives up to its promises, according to analysts.

"He is a bit of in a rush to implement and to have the sanctions lifted by election time," said Yan St.-Pierre, who heads the security consulting group Mosecon. "So he can say, 'Look, my plan is actually working, we are on course.'"

The elections will be critical in shaping Iranian policy for years to come, St. Pierre added. Other analysts warn that hardliners may seek to exploit what some see as failures, like the Iran-Saudi diplomatic dispute, to discredit reformers.

"It may turn off their supporters, the people who are looking for reform to give up the government and they would not support the elections," explained Camelia Entekhabifard, an Iranian author and news commentator.

Ali Vaez, the International Crisis Group's senior analyst for Iran, said that if the diplomatic break with Saudi Arabia is used as a political tool ahead of elections, however, the results may be "irrelevant."

"Voters go to the polls mostly motivated by domestic issues and not by foreign policy issues," he said.

Clerics court widespread support

The current Assembly of Experts also has a lot riding on the upcoming election, according to Entekhabifard, as it may be called upon to select a new Supreme Leader to replace 76-year-old Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

"If he wants to resign, he wants to give up the power, if he dies during these eight years," she said, "it is important that this assembly chooses the Supreme Leader by claiming having had a massive support of the people coming to cast their votes at this election."

High voter turnout, she added, will ensure the Assembly of Experts maintains its authority as the country turns away from isolationism.

In a speech last week, the Supreme Leader called on all voters  even those that disagreed with him  to turn up at the polls.

"I emphasize and insist that everybody should take part in our elections," he said. "I have repeatedly said that even those who do not agree with the Islamic Republic should take part in our elections in order to safeguard the country and raise its status."

The Assembly of Experts also has considerable power to affect the outcome of the election, according to St. Pierre of Mosecon. The religious body has the authority to accept or reject candidates before the vote.

"The vetting process allows them to put a candidate who will be more inclined to support their position in parliament," he said. "So that's part of the process to ensure the upper circle  the Assembly of Experts and the clerics, the Supreme Council  maintain the ultimate power."

This doesn't exclude the possibility that the newly-elected leadership will be more reform-minded, noted St. Pierre. And recent events, including the swift release of 10 U.S. sailors captured this week in Iranian waters, have signaled a shift in Iran that hasn't been seen since the current governmental system was formed after the 1979 revolution.

The heart of the system, though, will remain the religious authorities who are quick to point out they remain decidedly anti-Western, despite their possibly grudging support for the Iran deal.

A [parliament] that repeats what the enemy says  in the case of nuclear negotiations or in the case of different other issues  is very different from a [parliament] that is independent, liberated and courageous," the Supreme Leader said in his speech.

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Iraqi forces flush Daesh terrorists out of another Anbar area

Iran Press TV

Fri Jan 15, 2016 2:25AM

Iraqi government forces have liberated another region in the western province of Anbar from Daesh Takfiri militants, as they continue to gain ground in battles against the foreign-backed terrorists.

Commander of the Army's 8th Brigade Brigadier-General Majid al-Fatlawi told Arabic-language al-Sumaria satellite television network that Iraqi troopers wrested control of Albu Soudah area, which lies east of Anbar's provincial capital city of Ramadi, from Daesh on Thursday following heavy clashes with terrorists.

Fatlawi added that ten Daesh members were killed in the process, and a vehicle belonging to the Takfiris and loaded with munitions destroyed.

There were no immediate reports of casualties on the side of Iraqi army.

Fighters from pro-government Popular Mobilization Units also repelled a Daesh attack on the Makhoul Mountains, which lie 40 kilometers (24.8 miles) north of Salahuddin's provincial capital city of Tikrit, killing 20 terrorists. A number of snipers were among the slain militants.

Iraqi security personnel also targeted militant positions in the town of Husaybah, situated seven kilometers (4.5 miles) east of Ramadi, killing at least seven Daesh terrorists.

Also on Thursday, Iraqi military and allied fighters from Popular Mobilization Units recaptured the northern village of Tal Kusaiba, located some 35 kilometers (20 miles) east of Tikrit.

Police said a chief constable of Tal Kusaiba and his guard along with nine volunteer fighters were killed during a Daesh ambush earlier in the day.

The northern and western parts of Iraq have been plagued by violence ever since Daesh began an offensive on Iraqi territory in June 2014.

Army soldiers and Popular Mobilization Units have joined forces and are taking back militant-held regions in joint operations.

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Some 80 Pakistani militants surrender in North Waziristan

Iran Press TV

Fri Jan 15, 2016 11:9PM

Some 80 pro-Taliban militants have surrendered to government forces in Pakistan's North Waziristan tribal region near the Afghan border.

The men who laid down arms on Friday were from a militant group led by Hafiz Gul Bahadur and affiliated with the terrorist Haqqani network.

A Pakistani security official and three tribal sources involved in negotiating a deal between the government and the militants confirmed the rare incident.

Tribal leaders, speaking on condition of anonymity, expressed cautious hope that more militants might follow suit.

'I believe this is the beginning and many more will follow them if the surrendered militants are given amnesty,' one tribal leader said.

The development follows a drop in overall Taliban violence in Pakistan, partly due to an anti-Taliban military offensive in North Waziristan since June 2014, when a deadly raid on the Karachi International Airport ended the government's faltering peace talks with the militants.

Pakistan's army intensified its military operations after pro-Taliban elements killed over 150 people, most of them children, in an armed assault on a school in the northwestern city of Peshawar in December 2014. Pakistani officials say over 3,400 militants have been killed since the launch of the operation.

Also on Friday, Pakistani security officials said the leader of Jaish-e-Mohammed Takfiri militant group, Maulana Masood Azhar, has been taken into 'protective custody' amid a probe to find whether he is linked to a recent attack on an Indian airbase. Some 25 other members of the militant group have also been detained.

Gunmen, dressed in Indian army uniforms and suspected to be from the Jaish-e-Mohammed, attacked the Pathankot airbase in India's northern state of Punjab on January 2. The four-day-long raid claimed the lives of seven Indian soldiers and all six assailants.

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Pakistan Continues Crackdown on IS Loyalists

by Ayaz Gul January 15, 2016

Authorities in Pakistan have made fresh arrests as part of their crackdown on Islamic State loyalists to prevent the Middle Eastern terror group from establishing a foothold in the country.

The arrests came as a top Pakistani leader dismissed U.S. President Barack Obama's assertions in his annual State of the Union address this week that Pakistan will be among the countries where instability will continue for decades in the wake of the threat from IS and al-Qaida.

Pakistani media reports said Friday that counterterrorism forces have rounded up 60 suspected IS supporters from different cities of the northwestern Khyber Pkhtunkhwa province as well as adjoining tribal areas bordering Afghanistan.

Information gleaned from IS supporters detained in recent weeks from parts of the country's most populous province, Punjab, had reportedly led Pakistani authorities to make the fresh arrests.

Without giving any other details, a senior provincial security official, on condition of anonymity, confirmed to VOA the arrests of "a few people who were in possession of IS literature."

The Pakistan government has vowed not to allow IS to establish a foothold in the country and cites raids against suspected cells of the group as a practical demonstration of its resolve.

"We have taken decisive action against terrorism," Sartaj Aziz, Pakistani advisor to the prime minister on foreign policy, told reporters in Islamabad Friday.

Diminished threat

When asked whether he agreed with President Obama's concerns about future instability in Pakistan, Aziz characterized them as mere predictions, and insisted that unlike the rest of the world, terrorism in his country is going down because of a focused national policy against the threat.

"These are obviously (Obama's) apprehensions and we have to prove through our both action as well policies that his prediction will not come out true as far as Pakistan (is concerned)," Aziz asserted.

The advisor noted that instability in Afghanistan remains a source of worry for Pakistan but it is working with the neighboring country to help it become more stable.

IS, which controls large territories in Iraq and Syria, has found some bases particularly in eastern Afghan areas on the Pakistani border.

The Middle Eastern terrorist group identifies Afghanistan, Pakistan and parts of Iran as its "Khorsan province." Early last year it appointed a Pakistani militant leader, Hafiz Saeed Khan, as its emir (chief) for the region who is believed to be based on the Afghan side of the long porous border.

Khorasan classification

In Washington, the U.S. government announced Thursday that Islamic State - Khorasan is now formally listed as a foreign terrorist organization. It said Islamic State's regional operatives are primarily former members of the Afghan Taliban and the Tehrik-e-Taliban group waging a bloody insurgency against the state of Pakistan.

Islamic State - Khorasan, which is about one-year-old, said its first major attack in Afghanistan, on Wednesday, targeted Pakistan's consulate in Jalalabad, the capital of the eastern Afghan border province of Nangarhar.

The assault left seven Afghan security personnel dead and caused injuries to at least ten people, including a Pakistani staff member at the diplomatic facility, according to officials.

Meanwhile, authorities in the Afghan province said it is unclear whether a U.S. drone strike Thursday killed Khan, along with 11 other militants in Achin district, which is believed to be and IS stronghold in Afghanistan.

"U.S. confirmed a strike in Achin District, Nangarhar province January 14 against a threat to the force. At this time we cannot confirm the claim that Hafiz Saeed (Khan) was involved in this strike, " the U.S. military said in a brief statement sent to VOA.

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Syrian army forces liberate more regions in Aleppo Province

Iran Press TV

Thu Jan 14, 2016 9:33PM

Syrian forces backed by fighters from popular defense groups have liberated another town in the northwestern province of Aleppo, tightening the noose around the foreign-sponsored terrorists operating in the strategic region.

On Thursday, Syrian army troops and their allied forces established control over the Kurdish-majority town of Tell Aran, which lies in the al-Safira district of the province, the so-called Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported.

The Britain-based monitoring group further noted that sporadic exchanges of gunfire could still be heard in the town as Syrian soldiers are purging the area of Takfiri terrorists.

Syrian government forces are now heading towards the city of al-Bab, which is situated about 30 kilometers (20 miles) from the Turkish border and serves as a bastion for members of the Takfiri Daesh militant group. Al-Bab fell into the hands of the terrorists in 2012.

Additionally, Syrian army forces wrested control over Surayb village and surrounding farms in the eastern part of Aleppo Province following fierce battles with Daesh militants.

A large number of Daesh Takfiris were reportedly killed during the mop-up operation, while several others fled to neighboring villages.

Syrian soldiers also stormed the hideouts of the al-Qaeda-linked al-Nusra Front militants in the Old City of Aleppo, killing or wounding scores of them in the process.

Elsewhere in the western town of Deir al-Fardis, Syrian soldiers established control over the town and are combing the last remaining positions of the Takfiri militants.

Syrian army troops also launched an offensive in the southern town of al-Shaykh Maskin, killing or wounding an unspecified number of terrorists. A vehicle belonging to the militants was also destroyed during the operation.

The conflict in Syria, which flared in March 2011, has claimed the lives of more than 260,000 people and left over one million injured, according to the United Nations.

The world body says 12.2 million people, including more than 5.6 million children, remain in need of humanitarian assistance in Syria. The militancy has also displaced nearly half of the country's population.

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Syrian forces recapture two key villages in Aleppo

Iran Press TV

Fri Jan 15, 2016 5:33PM

Syrian army troops have managed to retake two key villages in the province of Aleppo from Daesh terrorists, inflicting heavy losses on the foreign-backed Takfiri militants.

The Syrian troops retook control of al-Abboudiyeh village to the southeast of the recently-liberated Ein al-Bayda village as well as al-Ajouziyeh village, 60 kilometers to the east of Aleppo city, Syria's official news agency, SANA, said.

Meanwhile, the army struck heavy blows at Daesh in al-Bab, Arran, Qiter, al-Mifilseh and Wadiaa in the eastern countryside of Aleppo, destroying the terrorists' vehicles, positions and weapons.

The terrorists also suffered heavy losses and casualties in al-Mansourah village in the western countryside of Aleppo.

The Syrian forces also killed an unspecified number of terrorists and destroyed militants' weapons and ammunition during mop-up operations in several neighborhoods of Aleppo city.

Elsewhere, the Syrian army and popular forces took control of all the hills overlooking the road between the towns of al-Mahsa and al-Qaryatayn in the southeastern countryside of Homs, killing and inuring an unspecified number of Daesh terrorists.

The recapture cuts off one of the terrorists' major supply routes, a military source said.

Syrian forces have been battling terrorist militants on different fronts throughout Syria since March 2011, when the foreign-sponsored militancy began. Over 260,000 people have been killed during the past few years of turmoil while millions of others have been displaced.

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Russia launches humanitarian operation in Syria

Iran Press TV

Fri Jan 15, 2016 1:9PM

Russia has begun humanitarian operations in Syria, where it has been engaged in an aerial campaign against terrorist groups over the past few months.

Officials in the Russian Defense Ministry said on Friday that peaceful life is returning to Syria as a result of Moscow's joint military operation with the Syrian government against militants.

"The inhabitants are gradually coming back to Syrian cities and peaceful life is returning ... in this context, the implementation of humanitarian operations will be a new line of work for the Russian armed forces in Syria," said General Sergei Rudskoi, a senior Russian General Staff official.

He added that most of the relief aid is being sent to the eastern city of Dayr al-Zawr, which has been under siege by Daesh terrorists.

The Syrian air force used Russian military equipment to airdrop 22 tonnes of aid in the city, said the Russian official, adding, "Our work in this direction will continue."

Russia began its air campaign against the Daesh and other Takfiri groups in Syria last September upon a request from Damascus. The Russian airstrikes have killed hundreds of terrorists while destroying their major weaponry and illegal oil installations.

Also on Friday, Russia called on the warring sides in Syria to step up their efforts to ensure the delivery of humanitarian aid to the areas under siege.

The Russian Foreign Ministry said the situation in the towns of Madaya, Fu'ah and Kafriya is a source of particular concern.

The United Nations aid convoys entered the three locations earlier in the week after Damascus and militants reached an agreement to allow the delivery of aid.

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Ailing Economy Dominates Final Hours of Taiwan Presidential Race

by Ralph Jennings January 15, 2016

Taiwanese voters will pick a new president Saturday after an intense final-hours campaign focused on the island's ailing economy. Voters want higher salaries, cheaper housing and more jobs. Both top candidates say they have solutions.

Taiwan's economy slipped into recession in September and export orders, the island's lifeblood, have fallen for nine months. Workers complain they cannot afford to buy apartments in Taipei on wages as low as $600 a month or pay to care for children and aging parents. These issues have chased Taiwan's two major party candidates as they scour the streets for votes ahead of Saturday's election. Taiwan's opposition party candidate is leading in polls.

Wang Yeh-lih, political science professor at National Taiwan University, says voters are looking to the next president for a more comfortable living.

He believes the economy is a leading election issue as people demand higher incomes, seek more job opportunities and press other issues related to their personal pocketbooks. Wang adds that common people want to see how a change in party works out because the current Nationalist Party performed poorly over the past eight years.

Taiwan industrialized in the 1960s, but living standards lag those in Japan, South Korea and other places that took the same course. Still, land and labor cost enough to send investors offshore, taking capital out of Taiwan and reducing the number of local jobs.

Current President Ma Ying-jeou disappointed voters by missing targets to raise salaries, lower unemployment and increase the half-trillion-dollar GDP. Since 2008, his Nationalist government has looked for economic support from China. The two countries have signed 23 deals aimed mainly at boosting trade, tourism and investment. China is a powerful Taiwan political rival of seven decades and also the world's second largest economy.

Opposition Democratic Progressive Party candidate Tsai Ing-wen has said she would move to help Taiwan's smaller enterprises get ahead in the domestic market and overseas. In May, her party suggested changing laws to raise wages and shorten work hours from 84 every two weeks to 40 per week. She advocates creating jobs through a network of neighborhood caretakers for children.

The opposition candidate also wants to build 200,000 units of affordable housing to ease worries about high land prices. Apartments in Taipei are priced comparably to other major world cities.

Pre-election opinion polls give Tsai a lead of at least eight percentage points.

The Nationalist candidate, Eric Chu, has pledged to raise the minimum wage in phases from today's $600 per month to just under $900 per month by 2020. Chu suggests opening neighborhood senior care centers to look after elders when their adult children go to work. A party spokesman says he would push for affordable housing in existing units rather than building new ones.

China is another key piece in the puzzle. Candidates traded barbs over which party is best suited to manage relations with the island's massive neighbor.

'It's important that America and China and other countries around the world want us to keep peace on both sides and maintain regional stability,' said Chu. 'I promise that I can fulfill that task if I am elected."

DPP presidential candidate Tsai Ing-wen said 'we will maintain the status quo [between China and Taiwan. The two sides will continue to pursue peace and interactive development."

Taiwan election officials will announce the new president Saturday and the winner will take office in May, when President Ma must step down due to term limits.

Bill Ide in Taipai contributed to this report.

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Turkey's Economy Sees Fallout from Terrorism, Russian Sanctions

by Kasim Cindemir January 15, 2016

Terrorism and Russian sanctions have left Turkey's already struggling economy bracing for the worst.

Tourism seems sure to take hit, analysts say, after a suicide bomber aligned with Islamic State (IS) blew himself up in a crowd of German tourists this week, killing 10. German tourists make up roughly 15 percent of Turkey's tourism industry, which earns the country $34 billion annually.

"Who will want to come to Turkey now?" asked Refet Kayakiran, a Turkish tourism expert.

"After the bombing, Turkey tourism is finished,' he added, noting the rash of German tourism cancellations.

The bombing came as the Turkish economy starts to see the effects of Russian sanctions, which Moscow imposed following a diplomatic row with Ankara over Turkey's downing of a Russian fighter jet in along the Turkish-Syrian border last November.

Turkey said the jet, operating in support of government forces against rebels in Syria's civil war, entered its air space  a charge Russia denied.

Russia's sanctions are largely aimed at Turkey's tourist, agricultural and banking sectors.

'Turkey will lose $3.1 billion worth of trade in 2016 due to Russian economic sanctions,' Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Mehmet Simsek said last week at a meeting in Washington.

Kayakiran said the combination of Russian sanctions and terrorism fears will have a ripple effect, hurting not only hotels and resorts, but also shop owners, cab drivers and street vendors, whose livelihoods depend on visitors.

"Making up for these losses may take many years," he said. "How can you calculate that in numbers?"

Russia has banned the import of Turkish fruits and vegetables, poultry and even salt.

"Russia has 60 percent of our fruit and vegetable exports," said Burhan Er, the president of the Turkish Fruit and Vegetable Sellers Association. "We lost all of that. Russia is a big market for us."

Russian Tourists

Moscow also banned the sale of charter vacations to Turkey for Russian citizens.

In Istanbul's touristy Laleli area, where shops sell mostly leather products, clothes, carpets, and souvenirs, the impact is already seen.

"Business with Russia was already slowing down," said Laleli businessman Zafer Soylu. "The downing of the Russian jet added to that. Many shops around here will have to close."

Losing Russian tourists could cost Turkey more than $3 billion a year, according to industry experts. In 2014 alone, 4.5 million Russian tourists visited Turkey.

Food Exports, Energy

The Russian ban on imported Turkish food products will mean financial losses of about $764 million, the Turkish Agriculture Ministry said last week.

Moscow has also suspended a new pipeline project called 'Turkish Stream' that was to deliver natural gas exports to Turkey. Russia's state nuclear company Rosatom suspended work on a $20 billion nuclear plant in Akkuyu, Turkey.

Aydin Sezer, a former trade official who represented the Turkish government in Moscow, told VOA that Russian sanctions would cost Turkey more than $12 billion annually  four times Turkish government estimates.

One of Turkey's biggest financial institutions, Is Bankasi, said in a report on the impact of Russian sanctions that exports, along with trade and construction revenue, will be the 'hardest hit areas' for Turkey. At best, Turkey's annual losses will be $4.4 billion; in the worst-case scenario, it could reach to $7.3 billion, the report said.

Turkish exports to Russia in 2015 were valued at nearly $4 billion, according to government figures. The top three Turkish export items to Russia are fruits and vegetables, textile products and motor vehicles.

Turkey's imports from Russia were more than $25 billion in 2014 and a little more than $21 billion in 2015. Oil and natural gas imports counted for more than $16 billion in 2014 and almost $13 billion last year. Iron, steel and other metal imports also top the list.

Turkey and Russia have, to varying degrees, long been in a proxy war in Syria, with Russia backing Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and Turkey supporting Assad's Sunni opponents. Turkey has also recently increased its cooperation with the international coalition against IS in Syria.

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Stateside for now.





We're a Foreign Service family formerly posted for 3 years to Frankfurt, Germany after having spent 2 years in Manila, Philippines, 1 year in Lome', Togo (no, not Tonga), 3 years in Chennai, India, (3 years in Virginia), and 4 years in Amman, Jordan. Ian and I were supposed to go to Baghdad together in 2019, but that changed and Ian went on alone. He returned in May 2020 in the midst of the epidemic, and here we are now.





I am a former Army brat (lived in Belgium, Zaire, Algeria, Niger, visited too many places to list), now Foreign Service spouse. I tag along where ever Ian takes us and try to keep the family sane. Between 1996 when we got married and 2003 when we moved to Manila we lived in Virginia, Maryland, Georgia, and Florida, and visited several other states.





Since 2003 as a family we have been to:





Manila & Cebu & Bohol & Palawan, Philippines - 2003-2005

Singapore, Singapore - multiple times

Hong Kong - Easter 2004

Bangkok & Chiang Mai, Thailand - 2004

New Zealand, both islands - Summer 2004

Sydney, Australia - Summer 2004

Lome', Togo - 2005-2006

Accra, Ghana - 2006

Chennai - 2006-2009

Jaipur & Pushkar & Agra & New Delhi, India - Oct 2006

Cochin, Kerala, India - 2007

Brussels & USA & Beijing & KL - Round the World winter 2007-2008

Colombo, Sri Lanka - 2008

Amman, Jordan - 2012-2016

Hungerford & London & Reading, England - Summer 2013

Cardiff, Wales - Summer 2013

Fanore & Inis Oirr & Dublin, Ireland - Summer 2013

Jerusalem - Thanksgiving, Nov 2013

Cairo, Egypt - Dec 2013

Prague, Czech Republic - Christmas, Dec 2014

Strangford, Northern Ireland - Summer 2015

Edinburgh, Scotland - Summer 2015

Back to London, England - Summer 2015

Tel Aviv and Moscow - October 2015 (I, M, and N)

Vienna, Austria - Christmas, December 2015

Frankfurt, Germany - 2016-2019

Cork, Ireland - Oct 2016 (parents and boys to visit Katherine during her semester abroad)

Dublin - July 2017 (all of us to visit Katherine during internship)

Luxembourg - November 2017 (parents and boys, Thanksgiving)

Paris - Dec 2017 (Ian took Rebecca for a weekend)

London - Hamilton! - March 2018

Budapest, Hungary - May 2018 (Ian and Nicholas)

Essex/Sussex, England - June 2018 (Ian, Michele, Becca, Jonathon)

Back to Copenhagen - Oct 2018 (Ian and Nicholas)

Geneva, Switzerland - Dec 2018

Krakow, Poland - April 2019 (I, M, J)

London - Sept 2019 (M, J)





Parents Only:

Istanbul, Turkey - Feb 2015 (with friends) Paris, France - Mar 2015 (we won free flights!) Back to London again - November 2015 (grandma came too for the Dr. Who Festival) South Ari Atoll, Maldives - May 20th Anniversary Trip 2016 Copenhagen, Denmark - March 2017 Antananarivo, Madagascar - March 2017 Johannesburg & Pretoria SA - March 2017 Berlin - May 21st Anniversary Trip 2017 Copenhagen (again) - October 2017 (with a lunch in Sweden)

Bruges - January 2018 (Christmas present!)

Wroclaw, Poland - October 2018

Copenhagen (again) - March 2019 (with an escape room in Sweden)

London - Feb 2020 (to see Jonathon at university)









Rebecca traveled to Oman with chorus (2013), Ethiopia with Week Without Walls (WWW 2014), Qatar with swimming (2014) and volleyball (2015), and Kuwait with basketball (2016). She also went to Amsterdam in 2017 for a weekend.





Rebecca and Nicholas traveled through Vietnam on WWW 2015 and Thailand for WWW 2016.





Katherine went to Kuwait with volleyball (2014) and France with WWW 2014, and did a semester abroad in Cork, Ireland in 2016. She's was in Dublin for her university internship summer 2017.





Jonathon went to Kuwait with Academic Games (2015) and had a school trip to Berlin (2016). He had a week of canoeing in Sweden in summer 2017, and a week of snowboarding in Austria in 2018. He's now at University in the UK.





Nicholas went to Norway with the Marines (2020).





Ian has been to Ethiopia (2006), Benin (2006), South Korea (2004), Liberia (2016), Central African Republic (2016), Cameroon (2016), Algeria (2017), Morocco (2017), Tunisia (2017), Turkmenistan (2017), Suriname (2018), Brunei (2018), Auckland NZ (2018). He also covers Sanaa and Tripoli (no travel there), Copenhagen and Accra. Ian aided after the Mumbai Massacre (2008), and also went to Bangalore and Hyderabad in India. A life goal for him is to serve in Russia or Canada, or really any place that has a decent hockey scene. He spent Jun2e 2019-May2020 in Baghdad.





It's a GlobeHopper world.




Butterflies in plight: Monarch migration is in Texas. But wait, is this all of them?
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By Ross Mcswain

RICHLAND SPRINGS - San Saba County has always been an interesting place to visit. It has lots of scenery, big shade trees and lots of fresh water. It was a choice place for early-day pioneers to locate.

This small community, once a thriving place with a bank, stores and other places of commerce, also was a nationally known tourist location. It had a "Treasure Cave" that was equal to other large caves that dot the Hill Country area. At one time it was described as "one of the prettiest underground showplaces" in the country, rivaling such places as Royal Gorge in Colorado.

But Richland Springs' Treasure Cave would be open to the public only for a short time. A variety of ailments caused its demise, including the Depression, floods and muddy roads. The state was reluctant to pave the road leading to the cavern.

When closed prior to World War II, the cavern contained 14 rooms that had been developed for sightseeing. The last known publicity story appeared in a June 1941 issue of this newspaper, in which a reporter noted that five additional rooms were being readied for opening. The story also stated that the cave was averaging several hundred visitors each week. Apparently it never opened to show off the new formations.

The cavern, tucked away on the old Billy Gibbons ranch southwest of here, has now been closed for decades. When I visited the cavern site in 1979, the landowner agreed to show me around the old cave headquarters area if I would promise not to reveal his name or the exact location of the cave.

"Every spelunker in the country will want to crawl back into that old cave when your story comes out," he said. "I would rather this place remain closed and out of the limelight."

According to old clippings from the Richland Springs Eye Witness, which ended publication in the 1950s, the cave was accidently discovered in 1922 by trapper Mark Terry. He found the small opening during a bitterly cold day when he saw what appeared to be smoke rising from the ground. It was warm air coming out of the cave and hitting cold air at the surface. Later, it was reported that early-day cave explorer Milam Shaw took a few people into the cave.

A San Antonio man, Lon Piper, a busy promoter at that time, learned of the cave and bought 10 acres of land spread over the surface of the cave from the late "Uncle Billy" Gibbons, the ranch owner. Piper quickly gathered a work crew and started cleaning out the unusual red clay found in the cave along with tons of bat guano.

Piper was no stranger to developing tourist sites, and his ideas were far advanced for the time. He helped develop the Royal Gorge Bridge, and was a partner in the Grande Courts, one of the state's first motel chains.

The red clay found in the cave became a beauty aid. When wet, it made a smooth mud that was believed to be beneficial to the skin. The clay was packaged and marketed as a mud pack for women. Hundreds of pounds of the stuff was sold.

The late Hoot Gibson of Richland Springs told me in 1979 that the cave's potential as a tourist site was slowed when Piper could not get an all-weather road constructed to the location.

"That's what knocked the props out of the deal," he said. In addition, the Depression was keeping people at home. When several big rains came in the 1930s, the cave was flooded, damaging the walkways and the Delco electrical system.

The cave provided local men some good wages during those tough economic times. Gibson said he made from $1.25 to $1.50 per day shoveling clay and other debris and wheeling it out of the cave in a wheelbarrow. Later, he served as a guide.

Gibson said he wanted to go back into the cave before it was sealed, but it would be "too risky. That place had the biggest rattlers in it I ever saw."

I'll be seeing you Out Yonder.

Ross McSwain can be contacted at yonder11@suddenlink.net.
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By Maribel Salazar

After pleading no contest, Dr. Randolph Rountree was found guilty Wednesday of sexually assaulting a sedated patient in his office, was sentenced to six years in prison and was fined $10,000.

Rountree, a San Angelo obstetrician/gynecologist, could have faced up to 20 years in prison for the Feb. 14 assault. Rountree will be eligible for parole after he serves half of his sentence ? three years.

The fine is the maximum possible.

Rountree will be required to register as a sex offender for life.

The Texas Medical Board suspended Rountree's medical license in April.

Police ? required by state law to protect the identity of alleged sexual assault victims ? have withheld the woman's name. The Standard-Times also does not identify victims of sexual assault.

According to the affidavit, filed in February in a Tom Green County justice court and signed by San Angelo Police Detective Kathryn Walker, the assault occurred after Rountree sedated the woman. She had gone to Rountree's office on North Irving Street to have stitches removed on the evening of Valentine's Day.

Rountree, the woman and her newborn were the only people present in the office when she was sedated, the affidavit states, adding that the patient's husband arrived later.

The woman awoke "three or four times" during the procedure, the affidavit states. Each time, she told police, the doctor was assaulting her.

"It's my understanding that the sedation was pretty heavy," police spokesman Lt. Curtis Milbourn has said, explaining why the woman did not try to stop the assault.

After the verdict Wednesday, the victim read a statement she directed to Rountree.

"Instead of hiding in some dark alley and assaulting women behind some bush, you hide in the sanctity of your white coat and boldly assault women in sterile examining rooms," she said.

"Right here and right now, you cannot hide behind your career, power, money or charm," she continued. "Here, it does not matter how involved you were at church, or what master's (degree) you achieved at some university."

The woman also read a statement on behalf of her husband, who was in the courtroom with her. "You locked the doors to your office and you sexually assaulted her," she read. "It is now your turn to be locked out ? locked out from society so that you cannot hurt anyone anymore."

Rountree did not visibly acknowledge the woman during her statement.

The woman declined additional comment.

Rountree also declined comment. After the victim read her statement, Rountree's fingerprints were taken, and he was led out of the Tom Green County courtroom in handcuffs.

All but two of the 20 spaces on the state's side of the courtroom were filled by complainants and their supporters.

Among them was another woman who accuses Rountree of sexually assaulting her in 2005. She said she "couldn't even look at him" while he was being handcuffed.

"I haven't been able to be a productive mother, wife ? I'm withdrawn, you name it," she said.

The status of the investigation into the woman's complaint was unclear Wednesday.

Now working to establish a nonprofit organization to help women, she said she hopes to provide a place for women to go for support. She said she hopes to call the organization SWANS ? Strong Women Are Not Silent.
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SAN ANGELO

Last Chance for CEU training set Feb. 2

The annual "Last Chance" Continuing Education Unit Course will be offered from 12:30-6 p.m. Feb. 2 at Texas A&M Research and Extension Center, north of San Angelo on U.S. 87.

Five Texas Department of Agriculture credits will be available  one in integrated pest management, two general, one law and regulations and one drift minimization.

"This has become an annual event for us," said Josh Blanek, Tom Green County agricultural agent. "We call it the last chance course because it's the last time our office will offer TDA continuing education units before this year's leap year's Feb. 29 deadline."

Blanek said all Texas Department of Agriculture private applicator license holders must earn 15 CEUs in specific categories over the five-year period a license is valid. Older licenses renew at the end of February, although more recently issued licenses renew on the anniversary of the date they were originally issued.

Individual registration is $25 upon arrival. For more information and to RSVP so an accurate lunch and training materials count can be made, call 325-659-6523.

Mohair Council meeting slated

The Mohair Council of America will hold its Winter Meeting on Feb. 2 at Zentner's Daughter Steakhouse, 1909 Knickerbocker Road in San Angelo.

The event will begin at 9:30 a.m. with the Mohair Producers Board, followed at 10 a.m. by the Mohair Directors/Membership meeting. There will be a noon break for lunch.

The membership meeting will also include discussion of issues of concern to mohair producers. Reports will be given by related industry organizations.

Attendees are asked to RSVP to the Mohair Council office at 1-800-583-3161 or email Darlene@mohairusa.com.

Predator board updates rules

The Sheep & Goat Predator Management Board has announced new guidelines to better serve the industry, according to a news release.

Because of dwindling funds, the board's directors voted at the December meeting to fund the Producer Assistance Program only. They elected not to continue funding contracted private helicopter flying services.

For more information, call 325-659-8777.

MULESHOE

Cotton Conference scheduled Jan. 29

The Llano Estacado Cotton Conference conducted by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service in Bailey County is set for Jan. 29 at the Bailey County Coliseum in Muleshoe.

Registration will begin at 8:30 a.m., and the program will follow at 9 a.m.

The conference will target cotton producers in the High Plains and provide them with information about crop management and industry issues, said Curtis Preston, Bailey County agricultural agent.

Individual registration is $15 upon arrival. For more information, call 806-272-4583.
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Discussion resumes series at Fort Concho

By Staff Report

Angelo State University continues the grant-funded program, "Latino Americans: 500 Years of History," with "Latino Americans in the Armed Forces: A Roundtable Discussion" at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 9, in the Commissary of the Fort Concho National Historic Landmark, 630 S. Oakes St.

The roundtable discussion, which is free and open to the public, also is co-sponsored by a separate National Endowment for the Humanities-supported project, "War Stories: West Texans and the Experience of War, World War I to the Present," co-directed by Christine Lamberson and Kanisorn Wongsrichanalai of ASU's history faculty.

"Latino Americans: 500 Years of History," a public programming initiative produced by the NEH and the American Library Association, is part of an NEH initiative, The Common Good: The Humanities in the Public Square, www.neh.gov/commongood.

Three additional events are scheduled for the "Latino Americans: 500 Years of History" series:

Saturday, March 5  "A Latino History of 'Sesame Street' con Cuentos Y Canciones" by Kathryn Ostrofsky of the ASU history faculty at 2 p.m. in the Sugg Community Room of Stephens Central Library, 33 W. Beauregard Ave.

Tuesday, March 29  "The Spanish Colonial Background of America's Latin Population" by Frank de la Teja of Texas State University at 7 p.m. in Room 100 of the Mathematics-Computer Science Building, 2200 Dena Drive. Tuesday,

April 12  "In War Laws Are Silent: The Sleepy Lagoon Murder Trial of 1942" by Mark Weitz, an Austin-based legal expert and independent scholar, at 7 p.m. in the Sugg Community Room of Stephens Central Library, 33 W. Beauregard Ave.

Funded by a grant from the NEH and the ALA, the series is sponsored by ASU's Department of History and Porter Henderson Library. The series is also supported by the Tom Green County Library System, the San Angelo Museum of Fine Arts, ASU's Office of the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, ASU's Center for Community Engagement and Fort Concho National Historic Landmark.

More information is available online at www.angelo.edu/latinoamericans or by contacting the Department of History at 325-942-2324.
Adam Sauceda/Standard-Times An open Bible lies next to broadcasting equipment in a small office at the 9th & Main Church of Christ. In its outreach and evangelical efforts, the church has acquired a broadcast license and expects to have a radio tower by the church building operating soon.

SHARE Adam Sauceda/Standard-Times Rick Popejoy hosts a live radio show out of The 9th & Main Church of Christ. The church hopes to build their own radio station soon. Shot/Archived:01.13.16 Adam Sauceda/Standard-Times The 9th & Main Church of Christ currently broadcasts their program with minimum equipment and a Bible out of an office. Shot/Archived:01.13.16 Adam Sauceda/Standard-Times Rick Popejoy broadcasts a message of faith out of an office at The 9th & Main Church of Christ. The church will soon be able to reach San Angelo listeners directly with an FM radio station. Adam Sauceda/Standard-Times Rick Popejoy broadcasts The 9th & Main Church of Christas live radio show. Currently the church broadcasts their program with minimum equipment and a Bible out of an office. Shot/Archived:01.13.16

Church to use radio, TV, Internet to deliver the gospel

By Rashda Khan

The 9th and Main Church of Christ is willing to spread its message any which way it can  knocking on doors, using broadcast media, and importing evangelists.

"With a Sunday attendance of between 100 to 125 people, we're just a small congregation," said Rick Popejoy, a gospel preacher and a church elder. "If you want to grow you have to do those things to precipitate growth."

Several members of the church leadership work together to do an hourlong radio show  Reflections  11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Monday through Friday on The Gospel Radio Network, a 24/7 Internet radio station. It's a show that allows listeners to participate via live call-ins, texts and chat windows. The church also had two 30-minute shows on Suddenlink's Homesource, Channel 9 on cable television until recently.

Now the church is about to get a show on KIDY FOX, create podcasts for free downloads on iTunes, and set up a 90-foot broadcast tower and get its own radio station.

"We want to saturate the Concho Valley with the gospel," Popejoy said. "If we have people we can't reach, we want to find ways to reach them. "

Dennis Reed, another church elder, said that when the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) opened up a rare window for the public to get licensed for low band FM stations, the church jumped on the opportunity. The church has received its FCC permit along with the call letters KWOJ 102.5. They'll have 18 months to get the station up and running.

The San Angelo city council recently approved a zone change at 901 N. Main  from Two-family Residential (RS-2) to Office Commercial (CO)  that will allow the church to make the necessary improvements to make their broadcast dreams happen.

Now the church will be looking to put up the broadcast tower and build a 900 to 1,200 square-foot radio station that could also probably have an area to use as a small television studio. "This is so we can actually have a space to produce our programming instead of using our classrooms," Popejoy said, adding that he expected the project to be completed and have new equipment on order sometime this summer. He is working to get a station manager.

"Then we'll flip the switch and go live," he said. "We want to keep it as local as possible."

All of this will be paid for by church funds. According to Popejoy, the general congregation  outside of the leadership  felt this was a good use of funds.

Rafael Ramirez, a minister and evangelist brought in from Mexico, is excited about the new station. "Even though we have shows on the Internet radio station, having our own local station will give more time and let us do more programming." He hopes to have something in Spanish.

"I have been here for seven months and I have been searching and searching for Spanish language stations, there aren't too many," Ramirez said. "Those that are here are mostly music stations. It's a great opportunity and we need to take advantage."

Popejoy agreed. "The Spanish (speaking) population in Texas is growing and we definitely want to reach them."

What's next for Popejoy? He's already on Facebook but is resisting Twitter. "I'm so connected to electronics that now and then I have to rebel against something. Right now it's tweeting."

However, he is looking forward to the new opportunities and challenges the church's new radio station will bring. Popejoy, who was brought in by the local church from Oklahoma for evangelism, has more than 30 years of experience preaching and has spearheaded several radio shows and videos in different regions that include Oklahoma, Texas, Wyoming, North and South Dakota, and Idaho.

"I do campaigns to help congregations get a boost," he said. "I do the door-knocking and canvassing the neighborhood, hold tent meetings, and do radio and television work. I have never had a campaign where we didn't add new members.

"There are just so many different ways you can reach people."
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By Staff Report

Walmart announced plans Friday to close 269 stores worldwide  including four in small towns near San Angelo and Abilene.

Walmart stores in Anson, Haskell, Merkel and Winters will close Jan. 28.

The four area Walmart Neighborhood Markets, or express stores, have all been open only about a year. Each employed about 30 full-time and part-time employees, according to stories written when the stores opened.

The stores, which include pharmacies and gas pumps, were part of a pilot program by Walmart.

Meanwhile, site work has started on two stores in San Angelo: a Neighborhood Market at Knickerbocker Road and Valley View Boulevard and a Supercenter at Bryant Boulevard and South Jackson Street. A Walmart spokesperson said no San Angelo locations are affected by Friday's announcement.

"Actively managing our portfolio of assets is essential to maintaining a healthy business," Doug McMillon, president and CEO, said in a news release. "Closing stores is never an easy decision, but it is necessary to keep the company strong and positioned for the future."

According to Friday's announcement, 154 locations will close in the U.S. as the company looks to reposition itself in a difficult retail climate.

The closures include Walmart and Sam's Club locations and will affect 16,000 employees globally, about 10,000 of whom are in the U.S. Closures in the U.S. include all 102 Walmart Express locations  a pilot program started in 2011 to appeal to customers who wanted smaller-format stores. Walmart will also close 23 Neighborhood Markets, 12 Supercenters, seven stores in Puerto Rico, six discount centers and four Sam's Clubs.

The Bentonville, Arkansas, company said more than 95 percent of the affected stores in the U.S. are within 10 miles of another of its stores, and it hopes employees can transfer. The company said it would provide 60 days of pay if employees are unable to be transferred, and severance for those eligible.

The retailer said it will focus more on e-commerce and expanding pick-up services for customers. Wal-Mart also said it would open 50 to 60 new Supercenters, 85 to 95 new Neighborhood Markets and seven to 10 new Sam's Clubs across the U.S. in fiscal year 2017.

Worker advocates said they fear this could be the beginning of a slew of cuts.

"This sends a chilling message to the company's hard-working employees that they could be next," said Jess Levin, communications director for Making Change at Walmart, in a statement.

Making Change at Walmart is a coalition anchored by the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union that is pushing for better pay and benefits at the retailer.

Walmart is just the latest chain to announce store closures after the retail industry struggled through the holiday season.

Last week, Macy's said it was closing 40 of its department stores and cutting 4,800 jobs. Two days ago, Sears Holding Corp. said it was closing a number of Kmart stores across the country.
Associated Press file FILE - In this March 13, 2007 file photo, Steven Avery listens to testimony in the courtroom at the Calumet County Courthouse in Chilton, Wis. Avery, a convicted killer who is the subject of the Netflix series iMaking a Murdereri filed a new appeal seeking his release Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2016 in an appeals court in Madison, Wi. Avery was convicted of first-degree intentional homicide in the death of photographer Teresa Halbach a decade ago. (AP Photo/Morry Gash, Pool, File)

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By Tom Kertscher

MILWAUKEE  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.

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.
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Move seen as way to curb fatal encounters

By Stephen Montemayor

MINNEAPOLIS  Deadly police shootings across the country are forcing some big city police departments to take a new look at whether stun guns  typically called Tasers  could reduce the number of fatal encounters between officers and the public.

Last month, for example, Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced plans to buy hundreds of additional Tasers for his city's police department and ensure every officer is trained to use them by June. The plans followed heated protests after a dashboard video showed an officer shooting a fleeing teen 16 times in a 2014 confrontation.

But equipping all police officers with Tasers is expensive, and the evidence that the devices reduce the number of officer-involved shootings is mixed: A 2010 expansion of Tasers in Chicago failed to produce a dip in police shootings. In addition, Tasers themselves also have proved to be deadly at times.

Though law enforcement analysts concede that Tasers are not a perfect solution, some say it is inevitable that alternatives to deadly force will get a longer look within major departments, including Minneapolis and St. Paul.

"They are going to have to budget for that," said Jeff Garland, a defense tactics instructor at Hennepin Technical College who spent 31 years in law enforcement. "If they don't look at alternatives, the other alternative is like in Ferguson, Cleveland and Baltimore: You're going to be paying a heck of a lot more money with wrongful death suits."

In Minneapolis  itself dealing with ongoing unrest after police in November shot Jamar Clark, an unarmed black man they say was reaching for an officer's gun  just 60 percent of the department's patrol officers are equipped with one of the 300 devices available, according to spokesman John Elder.

"Cost is certainly a factor," said Elder, adding that the devices can run up to $1,500 per officer.

In St. Paul, where most officers have carried Tasers since 2010, occasions in which officers shot a firearm at suspects averaged more than five a year from 2012 to 2014, resulting in six deaths. Sgt. Mike Ernster, a St. Paul Police spokesman, said the department trained every officer to use Tasers in 2008 and began issuing them to every new police academy cadet in 2010.

Most of the 10 percent of those still unequipped, Ernster said, are older officers who have the option of being trained.

Tasers don't guarantee non-deadly encounters, however. A Star Tribune database of deaths after police use of force since 2000 includes more than a dozen deaths after encounters in which a Taser was used  though some cases also involved guns.

One man died when he fell and hit his head after an officer hit him with a Taser. Another "experienced a medical event" and died. A 76-year-old nursing home patient died after being tased and a 26-year-old's heart stopped on the way to jail.

Studies and U.S. Supreme Court decisions influenced Taser guidelines advising officers not to use the device on a person for longer than five seconds at a time.

A 2014 study published by the American Heart Association said the devices can cause cardiac arrest if used for too long or on people with certain medical conditions. The study said police should treat Tasers "with the same level of respect as a firearm."

Garland said the "five-second window" created by a Taser shock creates an expectation that the officer will have time to take the suspect in custody.

"If you give someone a five-second ride, if you do that more than three times you're going to have to justify why you didn't do other things to keep that person on the ground," Garland said.

Asked if there was a more effective way than a Taser to avoid the need for lethal force, Elder said "officers respond to hundreds of different and individual situations, presenting dozens of unique and situational variables."

For Burnsville Police Chief Eric Gieseke, anything short of a gun-wielding suspect is an opportunity to first consider alternative means of resolving the confrontation.

"We train them that if you confront someone with a gun, you have to meet them with the same force," Gieseke said. "(But) firearms are a last resort for us; if there's anything in between there to gain control, we consider that a success."
Photo courtesy of Danny Meyer Sabrina Idom plays Mina, a young woman with breast cancer, and Adam Rich plays a rabbi and several other colorful characters in the ASU fall production of keepingabreast.

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By Laurel Scott

For the second year in a row, Angelo State University's theater program will take center stage as host of the five-state regional Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival (KCACTF) on Feb. 24-27.

Michael Burnett, ASU theater faculty and vice chairman of KCACTF Region 6, helped bring the festival to West Texas. Students from throughout Region 6, which includes Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma and New Mexico, will be performing and making presentations at the ASU Auditorium, Modular Theatre, Studio Theatre and C.J. Davidson Conference Center.

"The festival brings regional recognition to ASU's theater program and 800 to 950 attendees to the campus," Burnett said. "Last year, the campus facilities really made an impression. A number of participants commented on the excellence of the facilities."

KCACTF, a national organization based at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., was founded in 1969 to celebrate the educational and creative process of university and college theater and is organized in eight regional festivals.

Highlight of the Region 6 festival, which is open to the public, will be performances of five invited productions:

"EchoBOOM" by Caitlin Montanye Parrish, University of Central Oklahoma;

"Laramie Project" by Moises Kaufmann & Others, University of Oklahoma;

"The Turn of the Screw" by Jeffrey Hatcher, Bossier Parish Community College, Louisiana;

"Lonesome West" by Martin McDonagh, Sam Houston State University; and

"Bug" by Tracy Letts, University of the Ozarks, Arkansas.

"There will be five fully produced plays, two showcase productions and 18 new play readings," Burnett said. "To get that amount of theater in four days is just cool."

Angelo State students will do a full-length reading of ASU alumna Jackie Rosenfeld's play, "keepingabreast," as well as perform a scene from ASU's production of "Expecting Isabel." Both plays were fall productions of ASU University Theatre.

Students are stars of the festival, both in competing for scholarships and fellowships and in serving as hosts.

ASU senior Josiah Hernandez knows firsthand how the experience can pay off for students. After ASU hosted last year's Region 6 festival, he was awarded a one-week fellowship to the Kennedy Center to study stage management.

"Hosting the Region 6 Festival for the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival is such an incredible experience as a student," the San Angelo native said. "You get the opportunity to meet students from other schools who are just as passionate, driven and committed to their craft as you and to make lifelong friendships."

This year, Hernandez is again entered for stage management in the festival's Design, Technology and Management awards division. Also competing in this division will be ASU students Adam Rich, of Hilton Head, S.C., for co-costume design on "Smokey Joe's Cafe," Nick Ellis, of Houston, for costume design on "The Dinner Party;" Samantha Lewis, of San Angelo, for scenic design on "Expecting Isabel;" Brittani Beggs, of Greenwood, for costume design on "keepingabreast;" and Callie Stenson, of Brownwood, for projection design on "Expecting Isabel."

The festival also offers opportunities to win Irene Ryan Acting Scholarships, awarded to 16 outstanding regional student performers. Rich is competing for his role in "keepingabreast," along with fellow ASU students Sabrina Idom, of Lubbock, and Kala Young, of Breckenridge. Tessa Handlin, of Lubbock, Saxon Rhoad, of The Woodlands, and Julia Timme, of Tyler, have been nominated for their roles in "Expecting Isabel."

Rich and Lewis also are entered in the Region 6 Musical Theatre Initiative for their work on ASU's spring 2015 production of "Smokey Joe's Cafe." They are competing for a scholarship to attend a Broadway-based performance institute in New York City.

The presentations and performances are an experience not to be missed.

"Anytime there's a festival and you're in the area and you're a theater buff, you should make the effort to attend," Burnett said.

A guidebook of the festival schedule will be available as a cellphone app on the Region 6 website, www.kcactf6.org. Tickets will be available to the public for $10 at the door of the venue; however, seating will be limited.

Laurel Scott is a news and information specialist in the ASU Office of Communications and Marketing.
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20 to 25 such groups active in city, police say

By Jennifer Rios

Court testimony in the murder of Robert Guevara, as a defense attorney promised, shone some light on the darker side of San Angelo.

At the conclusion of a four-day trial, Margarita Ramirez was sent to prison for 30 years on a conviction of first-degree murder. She is the third person sent away on murder charges in Guevara's death, but her trial was the first ? the other two entered pleas ? and testimony in the trial gave a rare glimpse into the operations and reach of gangs in San Angelo.

Twenty to 25 gangs exist in the city, San Angelo Police Department Officer Bobby Elrod told the courtroom from the witness stand Thursday. They include prison gangs, street gangs and cliques, said Elrod, who is with the department's joint task force gang unit.

Sgt. Mike Hernandez, who is also with the unit, estimated that 25 percent of the city's crime can be tied back to gangs.

As the name implies, prison gangs typically include people who have been incarcerated. Elrod described street gangs as "younger kiddos" who are involved in criminal activity ? fights, underage drinking and drugs. According to a police database on gangs, members include children as young as 10.

The final type, a clique, is a group that people join in prison for protection but have no obligation to once they are released. The hierarchy that exists in most gangs does not apply.

"I guess you could say the prison gangs are more structured," Hernandez said. "They have their hierarchy. The juveniles aren't quite as sophisticated, yet, as the adults.

"But that's what they graduate to."

Bandana-style face coverings ? like the ones Phillip Michael Mendoza and Larry Carson wore the night Guevara was shot ? are typical of gang members who want to show their flags or colors, he said. Initiations can range from jumpings, where the prospective recruit is beaten by members, to being arrested or having the recruit assault someone.

The names of murder victim Robert Guevara and Roger Claxton, whose trial on a charge of first-degree murder is scheduled for Jan. 19, were not in the department's gang database, Elrod told jurors. Those of Phillip Michael Mendoza, 19, who pleaded guilty in July to firing the shot that killed Guevara, and Larry Carson, 18, who pleaded guilty to murder in August and, according to testimony, disposed of the rifle used to kill Guevara, were.

Mendoza was sentenced to 40 years, Carson to 20.

Gonzalo Rios, the lead defense attorney for Ramirez, called teenagers who were at the shooting that night but not arrested to testify about how that gang worked. All identified Mendoza as a leader ? someone they listened to without question. Even those who weren't in the gang agreed to go along.

"They said, ?Do you want to go fight?' and I said, ?Yeah,' " said a 16-year-old not charged in the case. A 14-year-old called to testify had a similar story ? he just knew someone was "talking smack" and had to be dealt with.

Earlier this month, City Council members approved a request to bring back the city's juvenile curfew ordinance for another three years. Police Chief Tim Vasquez brought the item before the council, which voted unanimously to have city staff bring back the law for public readings and approval.

Vasquez has said the curfew was enacted in February 1996 during a period of escalating gang violence in San Angelo, much of which involved young people. Since it has been in effect, violent crime during those hours has declined, he said.

In order to keep gang violence under control, Hernandez said, the force takes a proactive approach ? keeping tabs on people and speaking to youths about other options. Warrant roundups the task force undertakes with Immigration and Customs Enforcement is another way the unit works.

"We try to feel the pulse of things going on and stay on top of things," he said.

A person is classified in the database as a gang member if he or she fits two of 10 possible requirements, which include being a self-professed gang member, being arrested in the commission of an offense in a group of three or more, wearing the same colors or having the same tattoos.

Overall, people rarely see a lot of gang activity in the city, Hernandez said.

"I think every city has their 5 percent," Hernandez said. "The only reason ours would be smaller than Dallas, Houston or El Paso is because of our population."
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The contrast couldn't have been greater. And it's one Americans will see over and over throughout 2016.

For months, Republican presidential candidates have used their debates and their many other platforms to portray the United States as facing disaster at home and abroad, blaming President Barack Obama's policies. The state of the union, GOP front-runner Donald Trump said, is "a mess."

On Tuesday night, Obama took what might be his last major opportunity to counter that picture by presenting Congress and the nation an accounting of the progress since he inherited the worst domestic economy since the Great Depression some 75 years earlier.

"The state of our union is strong," Obama said, declaring that "anyone claiming that America's economy is in decline is peddling fiction." And he hailed a record including "the longest streak of private-sector job creation in history," the auto industry's "best year ever" and the access of 17 million more Americans to health care.

The president's final State of the Union speech summed up an impressive record of domestic accomplishment. But it also provided the basis for Democrat candidates to challenge the GOP's exaggerated claims of national decline.

Obama listed specific issues such as gun control, criminal justice reform and trade where he hopes for progress before leaving office. But he also addressed the bitter partisanship of recent years, urging bipartisan efforts to "fix our politics" and declaring "one of the few regrets of my presidency (is) that the rancor and suspicion between the parties has gotten worse, instead of better."

In doing so, however, he failed to acknowledge how much his sharp attacks on GOP critics  for example, saying foes of the Iran nuclear agreement were making "common cause" with Iranian hard-liners  has angered Republicans, and did not hesitate to take some not-so-veiled shots at several Republicans hoping to succeed him.

Having earlier Tuesday told NBC News' "Today" show he could only imagine Trump giving a State of the Union speech on "Saturday Night Live," he said it was wrong for politicians to "insult Muslims," presumably referring to Trump's call to halt Muslim immigration.

He also said answering threats like the Islamic State requires "more than tough talk or calls to carpet-bomb civilians," alluding to a statement by Texas Sen. Ted Cruz. (Interestingly, in her official Republican response, Gov. Nikki Haley of South Carolina also seemed to target Trump, warning against the "temptation" to follow "the siren call of the angriest voices.")

Obama's speech underscored the political dilemma facing Democrats: Despite the tangible economic achievements Obama cited, many Americans have not felt the economic recovery, leaving Americans sharply divided over his presidency. His Democratic base remains strong, but a slim overall margin rates him unfavorably and a large majority says the country remains headed in the wrong direction.

Despite some international successes, such as killing Osama bin Laden and extricating most U.S. troops from Iraq and Afghanistan, Americans are most critical of Obama's handling of events abroad, especially the terrorist threats from the Islamic State which he insisted, while posing "an enormous danger" to individuals, "do not threaten our national existence."

The president cited the Iranian nuclear agreement on a night that much-criticized measure may have helped him avoid a major embarrassment following Tuesday's Persian Gulf incident in which Iranians captured 10 American sailors on a ship that went off course into their territorial waters. Thanks to improved relations between the two countries, U.S. officials were able to arrange their release by the time Americans awoke Wednesday.

Meanwhile, by devoting three-fourths of Tuesday's speech to domestic affairs, Obama acknowledged that his role in history, beyond his election as the country's first president of color, hinges on the long-term impact of a domestic record that journalist Michael Grunwald wrote recently in Politico "has produced much more sweeping change than most of his supporters or detractors realize."

In fact, even some Republicans acknowledge the impact of the array of health, education, energy and financial measures enacted under Obama. Former Texas Sen. Phil Gramm, writing in The Wall Street Journal, called him, along with Franklin D. Roosevelt and Ronald Reagan, "one of the three most transformative presidents in the past century."

But supporters such as Grunwald and critics like Gramm disagree on whether that transformation has been beneficial. That debate, like Obama's speech, will define the 2016 campaign.

Carl P. Leubsdorf is the former Washington bureau chief of the Dallas Morning News. Contact him at carl.p.leubsdorf@gmail.com.
(TNS) -- Mayor Marty Walsh today will unveil a first-of-its-kind public platform of performance metrics for city services, a bold move toward open data that marks the halfway point of his first term in office.Fresh off a two-month testing period, the digital watchdog service known as CityScore lists the most telling data indicators from every facet of municipal government  including the citys 311 app  and plainly states whether their performance is at, above or below targets.From school attendance to the number of missed trash collections to stabbings and homicides to the rate of potholes being filled and graffiti being scrubbed, whether benchmarks are being met is there for all to see.Complete transparency, is how Walsh described what the new platform represents for him. And willingness to put out information even though it might not tell a good story every day. Were willing to put it out there and let people know.Scores are derived by comparing current performance to either a goal set by the city or a three-year historical average. Anything over one means the city has surpassed targets, and anything below one means its falling short. A score of exactly one means the city is spot-on.Conceived and developed by Walshs tech team, the back-end of the platform runs on Microsofts data management tool, SQL server. It feeds into business intelligence software that visually displays the data at boston.gov/CityScore, scheduled to go live at 11:30 a.m. today.Designed with a green backdrop and white letters that hark back to the citys famous Fenway Park scoreboard, CityScore boasts a pretty simple interface, with columns that list the performance of each category by the day, week and month.Walsh is the first to admit he was initially hesitant to expose the live innards of city government on a 24/7 basis. When his chief of staff, Daniel Koh, first came to him with the idea, he said he wondered if CityScore might be a bit too transparent.I was concerned about having it live, he said in an interview at his City Hall office, where CityScore is displayed on a 55-inch monitor. Walsh took about a week to consider the initial proposal and ultimately determined it was the right thing to do.We should be striving for excellence in customer service, Walsh said. Thats why were putting it out there. We shouldnt be hiding it. If somebody wants to be critical of what were doing, thats OK because we should be doing better.In areas where performance is falling short, the score will show up in red, and thats when Walshs team starts digging deeper.For the most part, the mayor says, department heads and employees like having the scores public because it shows how hard they work. And theyve gotten used to having their own wall-mounted screens that feature CityScore and other digital charts.The system is still being tweaked. Yesterday, for instance, the score for free public Wi-Fi users was out-of-whack.Metrics are still being added, and the next step is to calculate the scores with realtime data as opposed to the 24-hour lag that currently exists.CityScore may end up being more than just a tool for Boston, with federal records showing city officials have applied to trademark the name.No one has this. This is the first of its kind in the country  in the world, Walsh said.What a difference two years makes. Its tough to imagine the late Mayor Thomas M. Menino peacefully coexisting with a veritable stock ticker of city performance. Yet much of the data used in calculating the scores was digitized under Menino. He didnt personally embrace technology, but he knew its value. Walsh does both.Chris Osgood, the mayors chief of streets, said the scores motivate staff, like the maintenance workers who were hitting their 48-hour targets and asked for it to be bumped to 24.Said Osgood, Its a great example of how a department has said, You know what, weve been hitting this 48-hour target and we can actually do better.?
Hello, Neighbor Theyre not the CIO, but they often live next door. Theyre the newest residents of the C-suite in government, often filling roles that have only just been defined.



//Chief Talent Officer

Last year New Zealand added a chief talent officer to its State Services Commission. An announcement about the position said the commission was going through a major reform in order to provide better public services and in line with that thinking also needed to ensure that it had skilled and effective workers. The chief talent officer improves the capability and capacity of senior leaders in the State services, identifies and addresses skills gaps and develops skilled leaders for the future.



//Chief Scientific Adviser

The United Kingdom released a document in February describing in detail the role of the chief scientific adviser, who guides the prime minister and cabinet on science, technology and engineering to ensure effective systems are in place for managing and using science. In addition, a majority of the UKs departments have a chief scientific adviser, allowing them to work together across government, helping to make sure decisions are informed by science and engineering advice.



//Chief Risk Officer

Risk management has changed considerably as digital threats become increasingly pervasive. While the role of chief risk officer isnt new, its evolving as the threat landscape changes. For example, Linda Lacewell was appointed as New Yorks first chief risk officer in June. Her tech background includes working as an architect of the states open data portal. While risk management may have focused on compliance in the past, this C role is likely to be more involved in technology and cybersecurity going forward.





Washington, D.C.: A Crystal Clear Connection

Louisville, Ky.: Two Roles Meld into One

Crowdsourcing the CDO In the rush to enact open data policies and dive into innovation projects, governments are seriously considering the value of chief data officers  and officials in Long Beach, Calif., are no different. But the city is taking a different approach: crowdsourcing.



For cities, chief data officers often oversee the nuances in analytics projects and open data policies, coordinate department data initiatives, and vet potential tech partnerships with the private sector. For citizens, the role is most visible in their advocacy for civic apps and volunteer expertise.



Major metropolitan cities often have them; San Francisco, New York, Chicago and Philadelphia are among this lot. Theyre even at the state and federal levels too. But despite the rise to prominence, theres an unspoken majority of midsize to smaller jurisdictions still evaluating the cost-benefit ratios.



In Long Beach, where Mayor Robert Garcia has probed avenues to expand civic tech and open data, CIO Bryan Sastokas said the city has opted to experiment with crowdsourcing. It intends to test whether community members can deliver on three duties of the chief data officer role: identifying high-value data that benefits citizens; supporting the cleaning and formatting of open data; and presenting open data insights to citizens via mobile and Web apps.



Im part of a municipality, were not really data wonks here, Sastokas said. But if other people can help, well gladly publish data, well gladly put it in the right area.



At more than 470,000 residents, Long Beach is a sizable city; however, it doesnt have the numbers of cities like New York or San Francisco. Nor does it pretend to have the same commercial composition of a tech hotbed like the Silicon Valley. So the question was whether the position, which costs around six figures, would be worth it.



In the short term, Sastokas said that answer is no, especially when weighed against the citys current tech initiatives that can spur part of the roles crowdsourcing support. For example, the city hosts innovation events and civic hackathons to engage with the local community.



Sastokas said the data officer experiment will be a first for the city and there are no expectations. If results are positive, Long Beach will scale the practice. The crowdsourced data position could also be packaged as a model for smaller and similarly sized cities.



I really hope that the community embraces this type of approach, Sastokas said. Were not going to lose anything if they dont, but we have so much to gain if they do.



The foreseeable barrier to the citys plans might be crowdsourcing incentives. To cultivate ongoing crowdsourcing, the community will require continued outreach. Likewise, responsiveness to citizen suggestions and requests may need to be heightened. For example, participants contributing input may disengage if feedback isnt heeded quickly, data isnt published or transparency falters.



Additionally, speed and efficiency arent likely to compare with a staffed position. Chief data officers also toil in policy work and eliminating red tape, and can assign leads in departments to bolster open data use and publishing.



What the crowdsourced data officer may be, though, is a low-stakes option for cities to find services they wouldnt have otherwise. Equally, it could act as a way to test-drive such functions before investing in a full-time position.



Sastokas said the civic tech communitys work for the public good may be an initial driver. But he guessed that local entrepreneurship may be a big influencer as well, especially if new city data can stimulate business.



Whatever results from the attempt, Sastokas is optimistic about the endeavor and eager to test its merits. If its successful, he said, it will just show the value of a collective and engaged society.

 Jason Shueh





West Virginia: Paying Attention to Privacy

Gilbert, Ariz.: Appointing a C-Person for the Digital Realm

San Diego: CDO Appointment Sets Wheels in Motion

For a while there, trendy C-suite titles were taking on a distinctly religious overtone. Chief Inspiration Officer. Chief Internet Evangelist. Chief Everything Officer. Things have settled down some, but the groundswell of chiefs in the last few years has left its mark, especially in functions related to IT.Chief data/privacy/performance/digital officers appear in government with increasing frequency. Each has some overlap with the CIOs function, so each state and local government has to work out in its own way just which chief will oversee what domain.All this unfolds against a backdrop in which public-sector CIOs are taking on an increasingly strategic role in civic operations. Do the new Cs undermine that growing influence? Depends how you want to play it.Some CIOs will take a very major role in overall technology strategy across government, both in terms of internal systems and systems that are customer facing, said Frank Scavo, president of consulting firm Strativa. Others will focus more on blocking and tackling and infrastructure. Ultimately the CIO needs to think about: What role do you want to play in this organization?For those content to play a supporting role, the new Cs may be a welcome addition. Either way, for the new Cs, challenges and opportunities await.It isnt always easy to see how a new chiefs role might overlap the terrain of the IT head. But in Tony Saudeks case, the connections crystal clear.Technology for us is the great enabler. Its what gets us to the high-definition information, said Saudek, chief performance officer of Washington, D.C. He came to the position after serving as special assistant to the under secretary of benefits at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, where he managed the VBA Stat process, aimed at reducing the backlog of veterans benefits.Technology lets us know not just how many pounds the trash collection teams have picked up, but specifically which homes are they getting to, what is their average amount of trash, is it changing as the city demographics have changed? How does rainfall change trash collection? Technology allows us to ask much higher-quality questions.For all this to happen, Saudek relies on his IT colleagues. Rather than compete for the rights to information, he said, My work relies on the flow of information, while the chief technology officer and his staff are the enablers of that. I think of myself as a prime client for the CTO.Changing public expectation may help to account for the C in Saudeks title. The role of performance officer has taken on higher prominence as citizens have called for more transparency and accountability in government.Ironically IT advances have played a large role in fueling the publics expectations when it comes to civic performance. People realize that information often is there for the asking. As a result, Saudeks largest challenge is one he shares with his tech peers.The biggest hurdle we face is in setting expectations, he said. In a world of iPhones and articles on big data, it can be frustrating to people at all levels of government that there should be things that seem so knowable, that we just dont know.People ask: Why hasnt this public land been mowed? Well, is the land actually public? Who has the tax records? Its a performance and IT issue at the same time. Ultimately its an issue of good governance.The CTO and I have to spend a lot of our time setting expectations for the mayor, city administration and other customers, saying we do sympathize, we feel this should be knowable  and yet it is going to take weeks or even months to make it knowable, Saudek said.Its clear that the role of the newfangled C sometimes can rub up against the shoulders of a more traditional C-suite resident. Sometimes, in fact, the two can come so close they literally meld into one.Theresa Reno-Weber came on in 2012 as Louisville, Ky.s chief of performance improvement with an aim toward establishing a statistics office. As weve seen, the performance chief relies heavily on IT to deliver data. In Reno-Webers case, that reliance became so pronounced that in August 2014 she got a title change, becoming chief of performance and technology. A strong IT director manages daily technology affairs, but overall IT sits on her plate right alongside performance.The move seemed a natural one, as the effort to expose data became, increasingly, an effort to access data. A lot of the work we were doing would get held up in trying to access the data from legacy systems, she said.Reno-Webers efforts to compile statistics exposed gaping holes in the IT infrastructure. Some of our departments are over a barrel if someone is out on vacation. They literally cannot access their information, she said.The combined position has generated some interesting results. In the past, under a traditional CIO hierarchy, the city ran a work order management system across more than a dozen departments, but IT didnt recognize it as an enterprise system and so did not support it. Reno-Weber said that with her multiple C roles, she is able to catch situations like that before they fall through the cracks. Because I oversee the performance and the strategy of the operation, I get a broader perspective, an ability to connect the dots.Privacy in West Virginia cuts a wide swath, encompassing health records, financial data and educational information. A range of laws define privacy expectations, and every department that reports to the governor has its own privacy officer. Chief Privacy Officer Sallie Milam has been holding all those pieces together since 2003  a long tenure in a position that has only recently emerged elsewhere in government.She came to the job following a stint as executive director of the West Virginia Health Information Network, a logical jumping-off point, with health at the center of so many privacy discussions.Weve been around a long time, Milam said of her 50-person team. Over those years the privacy chief has led development of requirements in response to changing laws. Shes created baseline policies for the executive branch and led training for some 26,000 employees.When it comes to relations with the technology chief, Milam joins many of todays new chiefs in describing a relationship that straddles a delicate line between IT and its close cousins. Take for example incident response. When a potential privacy breach emerges, Milams group and the CTOs security team go in simultaneously. They collaborate through the investigation, each supporting the targeted department in its own way.I see our jobs as pretty discreet, while requiring really good collaboration and coordination, she said.At the same time, theres always room for improvement in any relationship, and Milam said shed be pleased if IT were to take her role a little closer to heart. I would love it if IT folks got into privacy more, if we could be building privacy into the heart of a project rather than trying to bolt it on at the end, she said. We could have those privacy principles built into the design right from the beginning.Sometimes the chain of what constitutes IT can extend in unexpected directions. In Gilbert, Ariz., for example, former TV executive Dana Berchman signed on in 2012 as the citys first chief digital officer. With a population of 239,000 expected to grow by 100,000 in the next five to 10 years, it made sense to put a dedicated C-person in charge of the digital realm.Then a funny thing happened. The city manager looked up and realized there was no depth to Gilberts communications department: just a public information officer and a few AV techs. It was all very reactive, Berchman said. We didnt have branding, we didnt have guidelines, we didnt have social media channels. Our mayor was the only mayor in the area who wasnt on Twitter.Its that last bit that is worth noting: Thanks to the social media explosion, Gilberts digital chief found herself the C version of communications director too. Social media is digital  lets give it to the digital person.Melding the roles has sometimes been a challenge, like when Berchman started asking employees to build their LinkedIn profiles. People were confused. They would say, You want us looking for jobs while were at work? No, we want you to network, to build relationships.While Berchman works in close cooperation with the citys IT director, he is more focused on the internal, keeping all of the systems running, she said.Maksim Pecherskiy ran a one-man shop from November 2014 until hiring his first employee in September 2015. It took that long just to figure out how big the mountain was that he was about to climb.My job got created with the open data policy, he said. Mayor Kevin Faulconer and a lot of the members of the council were strong supporters of that policy, which effectively said that the city has a lot of data and we need to open it up to the citizens.His appointment set the wheels in motion, with 40 departments compiling data inventories: What did they have, where was it, and why did it matter? This could have been farmed out to the IT shop  it is data, after all  but given the depth and breadth of analysis that would be needed, the task required its own level of administration.The inventory was a very human-powered process. IT helped a lot, but it would have been very hard for IT alone to work across all the departments with training processes, with interactions that happen at all the different levels, Pecherskiy said.The human element has always factored into Pecherskiys work. Before taking on his present job he worked as a Code for America fellow in Puerto Rico, crafting a tool to help business owners and residents search and apply for government programs.Pecherskiy works a few doors down from the CIO and also partners closely with the CISO. The data chief said his high-level designation makes it possible to achieve things that otherwise might not happen. The C lets me work across the organization, Pecherskiy said. It lets me call up a department head directly and say, Lets have lunch. I dont think I would be able to do that if I didnt have the C.
No video of shooting

Meant to stop minor crimes

New York steps up effort

(TNS) -- BARTs longtime practice of relying primarily on decoy surveillance cameras inside trains appears to be unusual among major city transit agencies and prompted criticism Thursday from a Bay Area congressman who has long fought to steer federal funding to the agency to beef up security.Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Dublin, said he was surprised to learn that the vast majority of ceiling-mounted surveillance units in BART rail cars are dummies with no cameras inside.The Chronicle revealed the decoy program after BART failed to capture video footage of a killing last weekend on a train, even though the attacker opened fire just feet from what appeared to be cameras.I look at those cameras myself. I had assumed that every time I got on BART those cameras were rolling and someone was watching, said Swalwell, who sits on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, in a phone interview from Los Angeles.I think with the technology we have today  and knowing transportation systems are not just targets for criminals but for terrorism  we would be well served to improve security on trains and what we are able to see, Swalwell said.BARTs on-train security may get an upgrade before the agency begins transitioning to a new fleet of cars in 2017. Spokeswoman Alicia Trost said Thursday that BART will in the coming year outfit a select number of train cars with cameras that can be monitored remotely in real time.On Saturday night, the gunman fired multiple shots at his victim from close range on a crowded BART car as it pulled into the West Oakland Station. The suspect was recorded entering the Pittsburg/Bay Point Station and fleeing the West Oakland Station  images that BART police circulated in hopes of tracking the man down.But investigators lost a chance to view the killing and what may have immediately precipitated it. As of Thursday, the victim had not been identified and the killer remained on the loose. A motive is unknown.Swalwell, a former member of the Homeland Security Committee who represents much of eastern Alameda County, has been instrumental in winning funding for BART security projects. In June, he and five other Bay Area members of Congress signed a letter urging the Department of Homeland Security to fund patrol teams and security cameras at the West Oakland Station.Since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, BART has received $200 million in federal and state security funds, with most of the money designated for specific projects, officials said.Swalwell said he would have helped petition for more federal cash for the train cameras  if he knew most were fakes.He said he also wasnt aware that none of the onboard devices  there are four in each car  can be monitored remotely in real time, which would allow BART to better respond to unfolding emergencies.Whether its protecting passengers from a violent crime or a terrorist incident, making sure you have cameras that work and are seen by a live person is important, Swalwell said.BARTs police chief, Kenton Rainey, said Thursday that the pictures the agency released of the suspect  taken by more modern station cameras  prove the security system functioned as intended. He acknowledged some of the cameras were decoys, but said, Im not going to say how many.Chronicle reporters walked the length of several BART trains and found that roughly three-fourths of the cameras appeared to be dummies. But even some of the actual cameras in many BART trains dont work, according to two police sources familiar with the matter.We have a layered security system, and it worked, Rainey said. We captured images of the suspect. We know where he entered and exited the system, and we got a very clear image.Decoy surveillance cameras are common in private security across the country, used by construction firms and businesses and advertised online in a variety of models. A former BART police sergeant who consults with agencies on police tactics and security said they can serve a purpose.I think the benefit is that is if somebodys going to do a minor crime, its going to deter them from doing that, said the consultant, Don Cameron of Martinez. But if a guy is going to shoot someone, it doesnt matter.BART officials said every car in the new fleet will be equipped with cutting-edge cameras producing footage that can be watched live from a central monitoring station. Those cars are expected to arrive between 2017 and 2021.A lot has changed in the way cameras are designed and used since BART began installing them inside trains in 1998, an effort aimed chiefly at stopping vandals and other low-level criminals. Eighty were initially installed in a pilot program. and more were added in 2000.According to BART Director Tom Radulovich, board members were told at the time that many of the cameras were not real.Rainey said Wednesday that he did not know any other jurisdiction that has a robust system like this. However, BART seems to stand out from other major metropolitan transit agencies in deploying decoy cameras.The Chicago Transit Authority recently used federal grant money to outfit all of its trains and buses with security cameras  none of which are decoys, officials said.Our more than 23,000 cameras are across all of our rail cars, buses and stations, all of which are equipped and fully functional, said an agency spokesman, Jeff Tolman.Officials with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, which manages New York City subways, trains and buses, have said they are installing hundreds of cameras aboard new buses and trains. A spokesman for New Yorks transportation workers union said there are no dummy cameras on trains or buses.The same goes for San Franciscos transit system. Paul Rose, a spokesman for Muni, said all of the agencys vehicles  buses, rail and cable cars  are outfitted with cameras.We dont have any decoy cameras, he said. Theyre all active.
#YouTubeAsksObama How will joe Biden spearhead the fight against cancer, and what tools will we use to find a cure?  Alex Bradley-Popovic (@AlexBradleyPopo) January 15, 2016

Seriously, how cool is it that there's something like #YouTubeAsksObama   Raya (@itsrayaaa) January 15, 2016

President Obama took to video sharing platform YouTube in a three-part, live-streamed interview with popular platform personalities in Washington, D.C., Friday afternoon.The session, hashtagged YouTubeAsksObama, was the most recent iteration of the presidents online community outreach efforts and centered on topics ranging from the technology and civil rights to his choice of Star Wars characters and preferred choice of dog pants.Obama is well regarded as the tech president, having pushed for national tech-centric policy and partnerships within the larger industry, and his administration has worked to integrate modern communication tools into the fabric of the White Houses information sharing program.The roughly hour-long program reached a peak of around 40,000 real-time viewers, according to the platforms view counter, and Twitter users posted hundreds of tweet  some questions, some reaction  throughout the course of the broadcast.Though many questions were submitted by viewers via the social media site, the set of three interviews seemed to stay only to questions gathered in advance by the so-called YouTube creator hosts, which included Adande Thorne (aka sWooZie), Destin Sandlin of the channel Smarter Every Day and Ingrid Nilsen, a popular lifestyle vlogger.Each of the YouTube stars have subscribers in the neighborhood of 3 million people, and their respective video views have gathered several hundred million.Thorne spoke with Obama first and tackled the issues of racial profiling and police accountability, minimum wage, the state of politics, gun control and terrorism before turning to more pop culture-centric questions.Obama responded to the larger question of terrorism in the U.S. by saying that, while the threat is most severe in other countries like Iraq and Syria, the use of social media and online tools has allowed for recruiting on the part of radical groups like the Islamic State (ISIS, ISIL, IS). He said authorities needed to be savvy and nimble to counter the threat moving forward.Our top priority has to be to make sure we protect the homeland. Youve seen in San Bernardino and other situations, because they have such an online presence, they have the capacity potentially to inspire people who already are troubled  That poses a danger, he said. Ive been pushing the government generally to say we have to get up to speed. The old ways of communicating are not the ways that young people are receiving information.We have to be as savvy and as nimble as an organization like ISIL is, he added.The 44th president spoke with Sandlin about the countrys plan for the Space Program and the need for more funding and partnerships before exploration of deep space was possible. Sandlin and Obama also touched on the need for a more efficient smart grid and a more up-to-date air traffic control system.Ill give you an example of where we should be investing, and that is a smart grid, Obama said. The way we link up energy is hugely inefficient in this country. Weve made huge investments to create a broadband network; my goal is 98 percent of households linked up to high-speed Internet, but the basic electricity grid that we have wastes huge amounts of energy, and we could do that in a fairly short amount of time.He tied in the nations aging air traffic systems saying airplane fuel waste was another example of the inefficiencies posed by out of date technology.During his conversation with Nilsen, Obama again addressed terrorism, health care, national LGTBQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer) rights and the state of cancer research.The key for us now is to put a lot more money into research, a lot more money into science, he said. If we do, I think were going to see some really big breakthroughs soon and obviously that would have a revolutionary impact on the lives of people every day.Since Obama first took office in 2008, his administration has embraced technology and social media as means of making the White House more accessible and transparent. White House press briefings have also been conducted in a similar live stream format without the external comment/question component.A #YouTubeAsksObama interview was also conducted in January 2015
(TNS) -- It seems as if every state and metro area is striving to be an innovation economy these days  indeed, President Barack Obama talked about it in his State of the Union address and it was a theme throughout the Greater Miami Chambers economic summit this week . Yet, according to some recent analyses, Florida may be falling behind.In a Bloomberg analysis released this month, Florida ranks 35th among the 50 states on its state innovation index. The index is based on six measures: research and development intensity; productivity; high tech density; concentration in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) employment; science- and engineering-degree holders; and patent activity.Florida scored relatively well in high-tech density (13th among states) and down the middle in patent activity (22nd), according to the analysis. But the Sunshine State ranked 32nd for the number of degree-holders in science and engineering, 36th in R&D intensity, 41st in STEM concentration and 44th in productivity.The Bloomberg state innovation index ranked Massachusetts tops in the country, followed by California, Washington, New Jersey and Connecticut. In the Southeast, North Carolina was the clear front-runner, ranking 16th nationwide, and Georgia landed at No. 26. The five lowest-ranked states for innovation were Louisiana, Arkansas, South Dakota, West Virginia and Mississippi.Innovation usually leads to job creation, and high-skilled job creation, mostly, Nariman Behravesh, chief economist at global market analysis firm IHS, told Bloomberg. But there are other jobs that come with it; namely, that as the labor force grows, they need haircuts, they need landscapers, all that stuff  so it does tend to have linkages to other parts of the economy.Behravesh noted the contribution of universities: MIT graduates have produced about 400 startup businesses over the past couple of decades, which then creates a cluster of companies that propel the labor market and growth.The Florida Research Consortium and the Florida Chamber Foundation are conducting a series of reports analyzing the components of Floridas innovation economy, starting with higher education. identifies a significant funding shortfall for higher education in Florida. It notes that in recent studies by The Pew Charitable Trusts and the State Higher Education Executive Officers Association, Florida is identified as the lowest of the 50 states in funding per full-time student. It goes on to show that the gap is particularly large at the states Carnegie-designated very high research universities. At these institutions in Florida, total funding per student is 51 percent of the average of all the other states and 42 percent of the average of California, Texas and New York.Research shows us that a strong university system is a necessary foundational element for developing a dynamic innovation economy. This report shows us that investing in human capital leads to increased competitiveness  something we must do to secure Florida's future, said Jerry Parrish, chief economist and director of research for the Florida Chamber Foundation.The Milken Institutes Best-Performing Cities index for 2015 ranks U.S. metropolitan areas by how well they are creating and sustaining jobs and economic growth, by measuring job creation, wage gains and technology industry growth trends. At the top of the index are San Jose and San Francisco in California; Provo, Utah; Austin, Texas; Raleigh, N.C.; and Seattle. While 11 Florida cities ranked in the top 100, South Florida cities fell in the middle of the pack, with Fort Lauderdale at 41, West Palm Beach at 50 and Miami at 65. Eight Florida metro areas were in the top 25 for fastest-growing metros; this group included Fort Lauderdale but not Miami or West Palm.Florida and local economic development organizations can learn from the most successful states and regions across the U.S. The most prominent performers are U.S. tech hubs and metro areas with the highest technology growth rates. We need a new direction with a prime focus on higher paying job creation and a more diverse and sustainable industry mix, said Dale Gregory, executive director of the nonprofit InternetCoast, which tracks data such as Florida and South Florida STEM employment university R&D expenditures , venture capital investment and other metrics on icoast.com The Progressive Policy Institutes Chief Economic Strategist Michael Mandel recently released a list of the top 25 App Economy states that ranked Florida sixth in the nation for the number of jobs, with more than 59,000 app economy jobs in December 2015, up from 15,000 in April 2012.However, when the institute measured the number of app economy jobs on a per-capita basis, the state fell to 28th, a spokesman said.
Jean Todt says he is confident F1 is moving towards a solution on the thorny topic of engines.

The manufacturers had been given a deadline of January 15 - Friday - to come up with alternate proposals to the controversial idea of 'parallel' engine rules.

"I think we are very close," said the FIA president, amid speculation the carmakers want to keep the current 'power units' but will agree to sell them to customers at a much lower price.

Todt said the proposals will be aired at Monday's strategy group meeting in Geneva.

Also to be discussed there, he said, is the renewed idea of bringing back refuelling, and whether it would help to spice up an increasingly criticised sport.

"At least we should discuss it," said Todt.

He also played down suggestions that the 21-race calendar for 2016 is too long, saying: "If you love motor sport and have access to it, you have to be happy.

"We must not forget that there are people in the world who do not have any access -- even to drinking water."

(GMM)
The Nussbaum Center will host a three-part series to help people become more comfortable communicating, presenting themselves, and taking risks.

Called the Do You series, it will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. Jan. 20, Jan. 27 and Feb. 3 at the center, 1451 S. Elm-Eugene St. in Greensboro.

The costs is $75 and registration is required.

Contact Susan Reinecke at (336) 402-4126 or trexfacilitation@gmail.com.

Beginning beekeeping course being offered

The Guilford County Beekeepers Association and the North Carolina Extension Service will offer the Beginners Beekeeping Course series at 7 p.m. Thursdays, Jan. 21-March 3 at the Guilford County Cooperative Extension, 3309 Burlington Road in Greensboro.

Classes meet for about two hours following an outline to provide students with facts and skills necessary for certification in beekeeping.

The cost is $25 for individuals or $35 per family. A book, handouts and membership dues are included.

For information, call (336) 740-1703 or visit www.guilfordbeekeepers.org.

Live taping of Tablet Magazine podcast

A live taping of the Tablet Magazine podcast, Unorthodox, will be held at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 25 at the American Hebrew Academy, 4334 Hobbs Road in Greensboro.

Broadcast time is 7 p.m.; there will be no admission during the live podcast. A brief dessert reception will follow the broadcast.

Registration is required. Send an email to Hillary Zaken at hzaken@americanhebrewacademy.org.

Host Mark Oppenheimer and Tablet staffers Stephanie Butnick and Liel Leibovitz will discuss the latest news of the Jews with irreverence, wit and a healthy dose of Yiddishkeit.

Fifth Friday Open Mic Night is set for Jan 29

The High Point Arts Council will hold its first Fifth Friday Open Mic Night from 7 to 10 p.m. Jan. 29 at the Centennial Station Arts Center, 121 S. Centennial St. in High Point. Bands that are interested in performing may call ahead to reserve their slot or sign up at 5 p.m. at Centennial Station on the night of the show. Each band will be given a 20 minute slot that includes set up and tear down. The council will provide a drum set, piano, and sound system for the bands to use. All additional instruments will have to be provided by the band.

The Fifth Friday Open Mic Night will be free to the public and will give local musicians the opportunity to show their talents.

For information, call (336) 889-2787, Ext 26, or email programs@highpointarts.org.

Federal student aid workshops scheduled

College Funding Innovations will offer workshops about federal student aid from 6 to 7 p.m. Jan. 21 and Jan. 26 at the Bridlewood Suites (RE/MAX Building), 204 Muirs Chapel Road, Suite 105 in Greensboro.

Pah Fehlig will present information about the changes impacting current high school students, how financial aid is awarded, expensive mistakes to avoid, and how to protect assets.

Registration is required; call (336) 790-7148 or email pat@collegefundinginnovations.com.

Talk/performance at Bennett College

E. Patrick Johnson will present a talk/performance, The Beekeeper: Performing Black Southern Women Who Love Women, at 7 p.m. Jan. 25 in the Global Learning Center Auditorium at Bennett College. The event is free and open to the public.

Johnsons lecture/performance is based on oral histories of black southern women who desire women. Johnson will discuss some of the methodological challenges of being a man conducting research on women as well as cover some of the topics that he found to be common among many of the women he interviewed. In addition, Johnson will perform excerpts from some of the oral histories.

Horse management classes in Greensboro

Horse management classes will be offered from 7 to 9 p.m. Mondays, Jan. 25-March 4 at the Guilford County Cooperative Extension, 3309 Burlington Road, Greensboro.

Topics include: Natural horsemanship and round pen exhibition, equine nutrition, equine first aid and injuries, general health care/vet maintenance  alternative medicine, and pest control in feed room and around the barn.

The cost is $30 for the entire series or $5 per session.

Registration is required. Contact Ben Chase, extension livestock agent, at (336) 342-8235 or ben_chase@ncsu.edu.
TEHRAN, Iran  U.S. officials confirmed Saturday that Iran has released four U.S.-Iranian prisoners, including Jason Rezaian, the Washington Post reporter who had been held since July 2014 on espionage and other charges.

Tehran has also agreed to continue to try to find a fifth American, Robert Levinson, who was working in an unauthorized CIA operation when he disappeared in Iran in 2007, a U.S. official said.

In return, the U.S. has offered clemency to seven Iranians, six of whom are dual citizens, who were convicted in the U.S. or awaiting trial, according to the official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity for lack of authorization to speak publicly. The U.S. also removed so-called red notices from Interpol and dismissed charges against 14 Iranians whom it believed would never be extradited.

A fifth American detained in Iran, a student, was also released in a move unrelated to the prisoner exchange, Iranian media reported. He was identified as Matthew Trevithick.

Rezaian, 39, a native Marin County, Calif., had been held in Irans Evin Prison for what the Fars News Agency in Iran, citing an Iranian Revolutionary Guard report Saturday, said were attempts to help the U.S. Senate to advance its regime change plots in Iran.

But Rezaian, a bureau chief for the Post in Tehran since 2012, appeared to have been a victim of both international and Iranian domestic politics. His imprisonment has seriously affected his health, family members have said.

The other U.S.-Iranian nationals released were identified as Amir Hekmati, a former U.S. Marine accused of spying for the Central Intelligence Agency; Saeed Abedini, an Iranian American Christian pastor accused of attempting to undermine national security by establishing churches in private homes; and Nostratollah Khosravi, whose name had not previously been made public.

This has been an answer to prayer, Abedinis wife, Naghmeh, said in a statement released by the American Center for Law and Justice, a conservative Christian-based group. This is a critical time for me and my family. We look forward to Saeeds return and want to thank the millions of people who have stood with us in prayer during this most difficult time.

Levinsons family also welcomed the news of the releases but was distressed that their loved one was not among those freed.

We are happy for the other families. But once again, Bob Levinson has been left behind, they said in a statement posted on a family website. We are devastated.

Irans government has never acknowledged holding Levinson, but has said that the countrys intelligence services could help look for him.

Iranian media identified the Iranians freed from U.S. jails as Nader Modanlou, Bahram Mechanic, Khosrow Afqahi, Arash Ghahreman, Touraj Faridi, Nima Golestaneh and Ali Sabounchi.

The prisoner exchange likely would have been approved by Irans highest authority, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
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Laura Shattuck
Over the past decade, about 150 companies have achieved skyrocketing valuations of $1 billion or more. This has raised the bar, and made this once unattainable valuation the goal of many companies across all industries.

Healthcare, for example, was traditionally viewed as a slow burn for investors since it was heavily regulated and contingent on the Food and Drug Administration. Today, we are seeing high-growth numbers and more rapid returns on investment with the evolving and in-demand digital health industry that is driving exits such as FitBit, Evolent Health and Teledoc.

Related: 5 Reasons to Dream Big, Even When You Think You Have No Business Doing So

Investors are betting high on digital health with more than $4.7 billion invested already this year and $6.5 billion invested in 2014, according to StartUp Health Insights. As an industry veteran and founder of TriZetto, which Cognizant bought last fall for $2.7 billion, I am often asked how to spot a successful company. Here are three tips to keep in mind when building a successful business:

1. Know what your organization is and what it isn't.

Many companies go through an identity crisis early on -- is it a product, service or enterprise company? Define the mission of your organization and keep it focused to set expectations for your investors, create your role in the market and provide both security and purpose for your employees.

This also means understanding your customers and their needs. Do research. Make sure there is a market and demand for your product or service before you invest millions of dollars into it. Even if you think you know what consumers want, your assumptions may be entirely off base.

But if the results of the research dont support your original plan, dont be afraid to change. Some of the biggest companies have been the result of a pivot -- they were originally going down one path and recognized that it was prudent to change course. For example, Twitter actually began as a network to find podcasts, but as iTunes grew in popularity, the founders feared the companys demise and gave employees two weeks to come up with ideas to take the company in a new direction -- hence the birth of the microblogging platform.

I experienced this at my current company when I realized that leveraging social media in healthcare was not enough to really impact health and wellness. There was a bigger, more pressing need to organize and systematize the consumer health world by connecting consumers with the right tools and resources to optimize their health and get rewarded.

Related: 4 Ways to Differentiate Your Brand in a Congested Marketplace

2. Create a foundation for growth.

Among the earliest and most crucial hires I make at any organization are in human-capital management and business-development functions. Many health IT companies start staffing up on engineering and sales, thinking that making and selling the product is all that matters. That is important, but you need to have the right people running the mothership for it to go intergalactic.

With a strong human-resources function, you can recruit and retain the talent needed to accomplish your goals in a competitive marketplace. And, with an experienced business development executive, you can augment and partner as needed.

3. Grow internally while acquiring other companies.

For todays companies, to scale and achieve high growth rates organically is rare. It will put undue strain on existing resources with constant onboarding and often leads to hierarchical vs. productive growth.

To make quantum leaps as a company, I find that 50 percent organic and 50 percent inorganic growth is a solid formula. In other words, you continue to ramp up existing teams (organic growth), but also acquire mature companies to bring in new expertise or expand upon current product offerings (inorganic growth). This also provides the opportunity to grow your audience and customer base and retain consistent attention for your company.

Employing these concepts cant guarantee success, as there are many factors at play. But these proven business strategies have served me well as I have built and sold companies throughout my career. At the end of the day, real success is accomplished by having a sound idea, flawless execution and a dash of luck.

Related: 5 Questions to Ask Before Acquiring a Business

Related:

How South Africa Built a Booming Wine Business

Ready for a Legit Office Space? Think About These 4 Things Before Starting Your Search.

7 Hacks to a 5-Figure Webinar



Copyright 2016 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved
An Easton woman has pleaded guilty to ripping off her former Greenwich employer by using its American Express card to buy herself more than $250,000 worth of clothing, theater tickets, vacations, kids parties and other goods.

Along with buying a $11,000 jungle gym, she also used the Amex card to make donations to charties.

Dawn Mininberg faces up to 20 years behind bars for her lavish spending spree on a Greenwich companys dime; make that a quarter million dollars.

Deirdre M. Daly, U.S. attorney for Connecticut, said Mininberg waived her right to indictment and pleaded guilty Friday before U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to one count of wire fraud stemming from her theft of more than $250,000 from her employer.

How did Mininberg get away with this?

According to court documents and statements made in court, Mininberg worked for the Greenwich company providing financial services and was issued an American Express corporate credit card for business purposes.

As part of her duties, she prepared expense reports justifying the charges to all of the corporate credit cards, including her own.

She used her position to hide her expenditure of these corporate funds for personal items, categorizing them as office supplies, meals, meetings or lodging, Daly said in a release.

In pleading guilty, Mininberg admitted she charged more than $250,000 in personal expenses to her corporate credit card.

Mininberg will again face Underhill on April 8, when she is sentenced.
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The word Kalimur has no formal meaning in any language.

But in a few years, you could be hearing it everywhere.

For those who invented it and their followers, the word evokes feelings of longing, hardship, love, youth and perhaps soon, redemption.

Kalimur is just what we make of it and what our experience with our fans creates, said Brett Steinberg, a 2013 Greenwich High School grad and a junior at the University of Connecticut.

Steinberg is lead vocalist and pianist of Kalimur, an alternative rock band that has been steadily

gaining traction since its inception last February.

Made up of four UConn students, Kalimur released its first album, Ghosts We Used to Know, last summer and has been touring throughout Connecticut and New York City since. Last week they performed at Pianos, a music venue on the Lower East Side of Manhattan, in advance of the Jan. 25 release of their second album, Redemption, followed by a headlining performance at The Space in Hamden on Jan. 29.

Tuning up

For those who knew Steinberg growing up, it comes as no surprise that hes in a band.

The Greenwich resident started producing solo albums in high school and last summer wrote a play called Absolute, a coming-of-age story about a group of 20-somethings in Brooklyn, that was performed at the Toquet Hall teen center in Westport.

At UConn, Steinberg became friends with future bandmate Tyler Berkich. The bassist, who is from Stamford, started accompanying him on songs, and the two began to entertain the idea of starting a band.

But for months thats all it remained, an idea. That is, until the summer of 2014, when, as they headed into their sophomore year, Steinberg and Berkich performed Steinbergs solo album, Age of Wonder, as the opening act to the alternative band Paradise Fears at The Space.

It was this loud, rocking, electric feel to the show and the environment was so amazing, said Steinberg, speaking this week with Berkich at his home in Greenwich, where the band practices when theyre not in school.

When I got to see what he was doing  and feel the feeling of being on stage and the crowd interacting with me, I knew it was something I wanted to do, said Berkich, who has played bass since he was young. I knew right then I didnt just want to be in a band, I wanted to be in this band.

A few weeks later, they recruited guitarist Alex Trouern-Trend and drummer Jonah Propfe. In true rock n roll tradition, the vibe among group members wasnt exactly harmonious.

Not gonna lie, we didnt hit it off at first, Steinberg said of Trouern-Trend.

Hes really talented, but I have no clue how to describe his personality, Berkich added about Propfe.

The dynamics changed as they all plugged in and began playing together.

As weird as it sounds, it was magical, Berkich said.

Chemistry clicking, they turned to the matter of a name. An early possibility was Steinberg and the Sparks. There were a lot of sparks for a while, Steinberg said. I was trying to be artsy.

Then, one day, Kalimur just popped into his head.

Steinberg presented the idea to the band. They all liked the notion that their music would infuse the word with meaning.

I liked the aesthetic of the word, and I thought it left a blank canvas for us, Berkich said.

They have been Kalimur ever since.

Play it live

The band publicly performed for the first time at a Battle of the Bands event at the Webster Underground in Hartford in February.

Through music, the band members became each others closest friends.

Were a bunch of weirdos, so it worked out really well, Berkich said.

We prioritize in the band that we can get along, Steinberg said. What comes before playing at the show is, Are we going to be laughing in the car going up to the venue?

Soon Kalimur began gaining attention, and making money, performing all around the state.

Sometimes the band members drive long hours after class just to perform for 30 minutes, and drive back late into the night in time for class the next day.

That half an hour makes it all worth it, Berkich said.

Were realistic dreamers. We have ambitions and we figure out how to make it work, added Steinberg.

The members pay out-of-pocket for equipment, gas and merchandise.

Its a priority to us to make sure we can look back at what were doing and feel a sense of fulfillment, feel its something we can stand behind, Steinberg said.

Though much of the music industry has gone digital  Kalimur currently has 17,000 followers on Twitter and 2,165 likes on Facebook  the band really values building an audience the old way. Steinberg and Berkich said performing live is their favorite part.

I like connecting with people in a real way and in a show you really can, Steinberg said.

Berkich said it continues to amaze him that people pay to watch him do what he loves, comparing it to someone showing up at my door one day and saying Hi Tyler, I just want to watch you eat spaghetti. 

He and Steinberg laughed at the thought.

And they watch and then they say Thank you so much, and leave, applauding, saying things like Can you sign my fork?  Berkich continued. Thats basically what it is. Its so magical.

When you can look them in the eyes and share an experience with them, theres nothing like that, Steinberg said.

New album

When creating the bands sound, Steinberg said they thought a lot about balancing whats artistically true to the band members with what they know a wider audience will enjoy.

The band members bring in different musical influences. Trouern-Trend and Prompfe enjoy classic rock, Berkich, hard rock and metal, and Steinberg, alternative.

Its a mosaic of influences that creates something that might sound familiar to some people, but never sounds like something else. It sounds like its own thing, I like to think, Steinberg said .

Their first album, which was released in April of last year, a month after their first performance in Hartford, was written by Steinberg during winter break.

As the Ghost reference in the title alludes, the album is wistful and reflective, a rearview mirror to the trials and tribulations of youthful, universal experiences of love and loss.

Redemption is much more in-the-moment.

Its saying, its OK to feel. Youre not the only one that feels the heaviness of life, Steinberg said.

You should always be trying to come out and look at the bright side and how you can look forward, Berkich said.

For the second album, each band member touched every part of the song development, from the writing to the final stages of production. The songs, they said, tell stories and express emotions that at least one of them has experienced or felt.

Whether its people coming to a show or listening to a song of ours, I hope that our album is comforting, Steinberg said. I hope it gives this idea that if youre having anxiety at 3 a.m. and cant go to sleep, by all means flip to a song of ours and understand that youre not the only one that has experienced life in all its amazing glory, and all its tough moments.

Redemption will be released on Jan. 25 and can be ordered on iTunes.

SFoster-Frau@scni.com; @SilviaElenaFF
Lumia 950 also back in stock at US and Canadian Microsoft Stores

Just days after the Microsoft Lumia 950 XL returned to the company's online stores in the US and Canada, the device's smaller cousin Lumia 950 is also back in stock in both countries.

As for the price, the 5.2-inch, Windows 10-powered device carries a tag of $549 in the United States, while over in Canada, it will set you back CAD 749, which is around $515 at current exchange rates.

What's worth mentioning here is that despite being in stock, the phone won't ship immediately - both listings currently show a shipping date of February 8, 2016.

Source 1 2




Haiti - Diplomacy : Two new Ambassadors accredited





Friday, January 15, 2016, at the National Palace, the President Michel Martelly, received the credentials of two new Ambassadors accredited to Haiti. They are the Ambassador of the Republic of Finland, Roy Eriksson and that of Venezuela, Luis Ernesto Diaz Curbelo, which replaces Pedro Antonio Canino Gonzalez.



These new Ambassadors reiterated the commitment of their countries to support the President Martelly in its efforts to improve the living conditions of the Haitian population.



For his part, the Head of State reassured them of his willingness to work to strengthen the bonds of friendship and cooperation between Haiti and their countries.



After handing over their credentials, the two new Ambassador have been distinctly welcomed to the Haitian National Pantheon Museum (MUPANAH) by the Director General of the institution, Michele G. Frisch, where they respectively conducted a floral offering in memory of the Fathers of the Fatherland.



Following the memorial ceremony, a guided tour of the permanent exhibition of the museum was offered to the two Ambassadors, so that they can discover the history and culture of Haiti.



HL/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - News : Electoral Zapping...





Jude Celestin ready to meet Martelly but...

Friday, Gerald Germain, the Political Adviser to the presidential candidate of LAPEH, confirmed that Jude Celestin would be ready to meet President Michel Martelly but without the presence of Jovenel Moise. Adding that Jude Celestin had been informed of the invitation of the Head of State on social networks...



The country is a victim of the CEP dixit L. Lamothe

Friday, the former Prime Minister Laurent Lamothe speaking about the CEP declared "When I was PM, I was among those who encouraged the elections. However, the CEP is working on remote control, the flaws that the CEP has, candidates can not be held responsible. The country is a victim of this Electoral Council, since the first day I denounced the arbitrary actions of the Council [...]"



75 millions Gourdes for political parties

A fund of 75 million gourdes is available to political parties "37.5 million for the presidential, 15 million for senatorial and 22.5 million gourdes for elections of deputies," informed Roody Stanley Penn, the Spokesman of the Provisional Electoral Council (CEP).



The holding of the National Assembly is not a priority

According to the Senator Wesner Polycarpe, after having established its bureau, the preoccupation of the Senate is not the holding of the National Assembly "Our concern at this time is January 24, the date fixed for the holding of the second round of the presidential elections and of partial legislative and February 7, 2016," indicating that the National Assembly will be scheduled based on the popular agenda and of the street...



List of 10 national organizations

The Provisional Electoral Council, in accordance with the Electoral Decree of March 2, 2015, publishes the list of national electoral observation organizations, empowered to monitor the voting on 24 January 2016. The criteria applied to the publication of this new list have been as follows : Be legally recognized; Having experience in the field of election observation; Having produced a report on the progress of the last election observed.



List of approved organizations :

1. Conseil National d'Observation Electorale (CNO)

2. Centre d'Observation et de Formation Electorale (COFE)

3. Coalition de la Jeunesse Haitienne pour lIntegration (COJHIT)

4. Collectif 4 decembre

5. Conseil Haitien des Acteurs Non Etatiques (CONHANE)

6. Institut Mobile d'Education Democratique (IMED)

7. Justice et Paix

8. Plateforme des Organisations Haitiennes des Droits Humains (POHOH)

9. Observatoire Citoyen pour lInstitutionnalisation de la Democratie (OCID)

10. Reseau National de Defense des Droits Humains (RNDDH)



HL/ HaitiLibre


















Published on 2016/01/15 | Source

On January 15th, JTBC's new Friday & Saturday drama, "Madame Antoine" has unveiled their heartwarming behind-the-scenes images.

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In the images, Han Ye-seul's signature lively appeals are embodied in her bright and cheerful smiles in full. Sung Joon also exudes the unexpected appeals of the cool-headed analyzer side hidden behind his sophisticated appearance, while he strikes the cute pose showing a victory sign with his fingers and his face looks emotionless.

'Jeong Jinwoon' playing Choi Seung-chan and Lee Joo-hyung playing Won Ji-ho also posed showing off each one's own victory sign with their hands. Kim Jae-kyung, who makes a special appearance in the drama, is also seen smiling brightly in one of the images.

"Madame Antoine" production team said, "The bright energy among the cast is a great encouragement on the filming set. We believe the viewers will be able to feel the energy in the drama as well" and "We'd like to ask for much support and interest for this warm and sweet drama".

"Madame Antoine" is a romantic comedy about a pseudo fortune teller named Ko Hye-rim (Han Ye-seul) who believes in fantasy of love and Choi Soo-hyeon (Sung Joon) who can't let love in. The first episode will go on air at 8:30 PM on January 22nd.
Published on 2016/01/16

See how K-art is moving in on global markets, it's going to be an exciting year for art lovers in Seoul, take a walk around Jeju with photographer Kristine Sergejeva, and Lisa Speakman snaps up The Korean Bell of Friendship.

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"K-art poised to lead to Korean Wave in the global market"

Perhaps one aspect of the K-wave that has not received as much attention as it should is K-art. From the street art of Seoul to the high-art galleries and traditional treasures, South Korea has rich and booming arts industry that's gaining traction worldwide: "Global individual arts collectors and arts museums are re-evaluating monochromatic paintings and it is fairly to say this has led more people to pay attention to Korean arts before and after those painting works", said Choi Yoon-seok, director at Seoul Auction.

READ ON THE DONG-A ILBO

"Seoul braces for big art names"

Museums and galleries in Seoul have an exciting year of excellence ahead of them. In addition to foreigners like Anish Kapoor and Olafur Eliasson, local masters like Lee Jung-seob, Yoo Young-guk, Chung Chang-sub and Nam June Paik with all have exhibitions throughout the year for the public to enjoy. Find out when and where with this informative piece by Korea Herald's Lee Woo-young.

READ ON THE NATION

"Is Jeju my new dream place for spending an old age with my friends and closest ones in the commune? Winter Walk Around the Magical South Korean Island Jeju".

This is a great post on DAO.sophy about one blogger's walk around South Korea's famous Jeju island. Here what it's all about: "Magical South Korean island Jeju explored in the winter by foot and captured in images by the Latvian traveler, adventurer and photographer Kristine Sergejeva. 26 trails, 26 days, 422 km. Each day is described in one blog post presenting the selection of the best photos, highlights of the day and the thought of the day". Enjoy, and be sure to go see for yourself!

READ ON DAO.SOPHY

"Korean Bell of Friendship"

Enjoy this series of beautiful images of The Korean Bell of Friendship in Angel's Gate Park by photographer Lisa Speakman. These snaps are seriously stunning: "The bell was presented to the American People by the Republic of Korea to celebrate the U.S. bicentennial and to symbolize the friendship between the nations. Dedicated on October 3rd, 1976, the bell is made of 17 tons of copper and tin as well as a few other metals to add to the tone of the bell. It's a massive 7 1/2 feet around, stands 12 feet tall and has an average thickness of 8 inches".

READ ON LISA SPEAKMAN PHOTOGRAPHY
Korean Movie | 2015

 Drama

Directed by Yoon Yeo-chang ()

100min | Release date in South Korea: 2016/05/19

Synopsis

Dong-goo, a lowlife thug, has always been living a hopeless miserable life. One day, he accidentally obtains a bankbook with such a large amount of money as much as one billion won. He travels down to Busan in order to try to obtain the PIN number for the bank account. As Dong-goo meets the eight year old boy, Bok-gi (Jo Won-bin), who believes Dong-goo is his dad, and the boys mother, Ae-sook (Hong Ah-reum) in Busan, their story begins.

Source
Korean Movie | 2014

 Drama  Melodrama  Romance

Directed by Choi Jeong-min ()

88min | Release date in South Korea: Released on VOD

Synopsis

The hatred...I don't want to go back.

Moo-kyeong is in despair as his current life is in misery thanks to the traces of his past so he decides to kill himself.

He heads to Jinhae, his hometown, to cut off all connections of the past that's been bothering him.



I miss it like crazy...I want to go back!

Bo-kyeong continues to live today based on the traces of her past but the recollection of pain can't be comforted. She doesn't let go of the past and believes happiness with return.

One day, Moo-kyeong visits Bo-kyeong's workplace and the two become dangerous companions.

Source
Published on 2016/01/16 | Source

"Mood of the Day"

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Genres: Comedy and Romance

Running Time: 102 min.

Directed by: Jo Kyoo-jang

Starring: Moon Chae-won, Yoo Yeon-seok

Synopsis: Soo-jung has been with her boyfriend for 10 years, but their romance is now nothing but a lukewarm relationship. The night before her business trip to Busan, Soo-jung heard that her friend is getting married to her first love, and feels distracted. On a train to Busan, she sits next to Jae-hyun, who's claiming himself as an Agapemonite, an obscure Christian sect where men took many spiritual brides, and that he will willingly jump into bed with a woman for one night. Falling for her gorgeous hips, he keeps coming on to her during the journey. She tries to push him away, but ends up sharing a car ride to Busan with him due to the sudden breakdown of the train.
Harlow is a former New Town in Essex with a population of 86,000. Located in the upper Stort Valley, it was built in the decades after the Second World War to ease overcrowding and London and provide homes for people bombed out during the Blitz. It includes Britain's first pedestrian precinct and first modern residential tower block, The Lawn. Old Harlow, the historic part of the town, was mentioned in the Domesday Book. David and Victoria Beckham's former home, Rowneybury House, nicknamed 'Beckingham Palace', is nearby.

13:46, 17 OCT 2022
Meanwhile, in Poppintree, the modular homes are starting to take shape (C O'Riordan)

Another Dublin community has hit out at government plans to build modular houses for homeless families.

Residents in Belcamp, Coolock, have voiced their opposition to plans to build 38 of the units on a site in the area.

Fine Gael councillor Declan Flanagan submitted a question to Dublin City Council managers, who are leading the project, on behalf of his constituents.

Mr Flanagan said residents would "welcome permanent homes in the area" but were opposed to the modular units being erected there.

He said residents "would like to know why two open spaces half-a-mile from the estate, which are owned by Nama and Dublin City Council (DCC), were not chosen for the modular housing instead".

It comes as locals in Finglas and Drimnagh have threatened to take legal action in a bid to stall plans to build units in their communities.

In Balbriggan, residents are also opposed to plans for taking 40 units on an estate in the north Dublin town.

Meanwhile, in Poppintree, the modular homes are starting to take shape.

A number of the terraced, two-storey units are on site with hopes that the first families could be housed there within weeks.

The Ballymun site was the first selected by the council for a fast-track delivery, and Minister Alan Kelly originally pledged to have the 22-unit development ready in time for Christmas.

However, two separate protests at the site and bad weather that followed pushed the project back. Around 500 modular units are planned for Dublin city and county.
Gardai have received 2,500 pages of deleted messages from the Facebook account of a teenager whose mother believes was bullied online before taking his own life.

The information came from Facebook through US authorities following an application by the DPP, an inquest heard.

Darren Hughes Gibson (17) was found dead at Stephenstown Industrial Estate in Balbriggan, north Co Dublin, on August 23, 2012.

He had been reported missing by his mother, Elaine Hughes, after he failed to return to the family home at New Haven Bay the previous night.

Harassment

Det Insp Kieran Holohan of Balbriggan Garda Station said gardai had downloaded and saved 2,500 pages of messages sent to and from Darren's Facebook account. They were deleted after his death.

"We applied to Facebook and got the information back," he said.

The information provided by Facebook includes messages sent after Darren's death, Dublin Coroner's Court heard.

"There are messages post-death that would be of interest, including mentions of bullying; friends of his making comments," Det Insp Holohan said.

The messages include inferences of harassment and bullying, the court heard.

Gardai have identified a number of examples of "reading material" they have concerns about.

Three conversations in particular "stand above" the others, the court heard.

Interviews have begun and a number of statements have been taken, though gardai were experiencing difficulties contacting many of those involved.

Gardai agreed to send a sample of complaints arising from the Facebook messages to the DPP to progress the case.

Det Insp Holohan said there was a legal difficulty because while there would be concerns about some messages, they might not be considered harassment in the legal sense.

"I'm conscious of bringing the correct closure to it," he said.

Ms Hughes said her son was bullied throughout his life for the colour of his skin and because he wore a hearing aid.

Speaking from the public gallery, she said she wanted gardai to bring charges in order to progress the case.

"This is why we're still in the situation we are in, nobody will follow through with charges," she said. "It's either bullying and harassment or it's not.

"He was a child, he can't be here to defend himself. I should be able to give a statement on his behalf in order to follow through with the charges.

"I'm looking for closure. I want to know what happened my son. I want justice for him, and if it stops it happening to anyone else. People can't get away with it."

Coroner Dr Brian Farrell agreed to adjourned the inquest until April 15 for further mention.

Compassion

In 2014, gardai said they had been liaising with the FBI on retrieving the messages from Facebook and, at that stage, claimed the company was not cooperating.

Following an inquest hearing in June of that year, Ms Hughes appealed to Facebook to "show some compassion" by releasing the messages to the coroner.

The 2014 hearing prompted Facebook to issue a statement saying it would "respond to valid legal requests for information".

The company spokesperson stated Facebook "encourages law enforcement agencies to follow our guidelines to help take their cases forward".
A senior Government minister has described the accessing of the phone records of journalists by the Garda Siochana Ombudsman Commission (GSOC) as "a little bit odd and sinister".

Health Minister Leo Varadkar made the comments as pressure mounts on Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald, to review legislation introduced last year which gave far-reaching snooping powers to the garda watchdog.

Mr Varadkar said that if the phone records of journalists had been accessed it represented "an infringement on freedoms".

His comments came amid controversy over the accessing by the Garda Siochana Ombudsman Commission (GSOC) of the phone records of two journalists as part of an investigation into allegations of garda leaks to the media.

Records

Neither of the journalists was informed their records were being scrutinised.

One of the journalists involved, Conor Feehan, is the Herald's chief reporter.

Two gardai have been quizzed as part of the probe, which was sparked by a complaint to GSOC by a friend of the late model Katy French, who died of a drug overdose in December 2007.

Amnesty International yesterday backed calls for the legislation to be reviewed.

Amnesty executive director Colm O'Gorman said it was essential that the scrutiny of communications should be subject to judicial supervision.

Under laws enacted last year, GSOC was given garda-level powers to access the phone and email records of individuals.

The garda watchdog can access such records without first getting the clearance of a judge.

GSOC is refusing to comment on the issue and questions submitted by the Herald about the procedures the commission uses have gone unanswered.

Commenting on the controversy, Mr Varadkar said he would be speaking with Ms Fitzgerald about it in the coming days. "I do think there is something a little bit odd and sinister that any Government body would be monitoring the phones of journalists," he said.

"If that is the case [it] would represent an infringement on freedoms in my view."

Ms Fitzgerald's spokesman said it would be inappropriate to comment as a High Court case is being taken to challenge data retention laws.
Thousands of Virginia property owners have fuller pocketbooks this year, thanks to the Virginia Oil &Gas Board doing the right thing, finally.

The boards action occurred only after a strong nudging from a new state law, but together with the state Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy, the board is addressing an embarrassing backlog of escrowed royalty payments. In 2015, the board put $4.5 million in the hands of rightful owners  landowners whose properties have for years been the source of natural gas, coal bed methane, mined from no-longer-used coal seams.

The nudge is a law, originally introduced by Virginia Delegate Terry Kilgore, R-Gate City, that defines both the Oil & Gas boards authority in releasing escrowed royalties and established that landowners who sold only coal rights years ago still own the gas.

After buying access rights from coal companies, more than 20 years ago, the gas companies claimed they also owned the gas  setting up a dispute over royalties that forced the payments into a state-managed escrow account that the Oil & Gas board claimed it was unable to resolve.

The resulting standoff resulted in often unaudited escrow accounts totaling more than $24 million by 2010, and hundreds of unhappy gas owners who had for years been unable to force a change or even receive serious consideration from the Oil & Gas board, which claimed its hands were tied.

Kilgore introduced the legislation in early 2015 after dozens of Southwest Virginia residents joined forces to file a federal lawsuit over the practices of the gas companies and the states inability to address the escrow backlog, as well as irregularities in the accounting of the royalties.

That standoff and the failed management of the escrow accounts were outlined in a series of articles published by the Bristol Herald Courier in 2009. Titled Underfoot, Out of Reach, the series earned the newspaper and reporter Daniel Gilbert the 2010 Pulitzer Prize for Public Service.

But the real reward is the news that thousands of property owners are finally receiving the royalties that have been theirs all along.

Thumbs up to 

Those who offered the winning numbers for the United Way Southwest Virginia deserve thumbs up for providing more than $1.5 million in donations. The multi-county United Way met its fundraising goal, so who could blame them for claiming theyd hit the lottery. They did, a lottery of generosity.

SBK Animal Center has the right idea: Half-price adoption fees to reduce occupancy numbers. Those cats and dogs deserve good homes, and the reduced fees, offered Tuesday only, opened up the opportunities for loving owners on a budget. The center should offer that special on a regular basis.

Thumbs down to 

Election-year politics that are, well, political. Common sense offers little expected change on that front in this, a presidential election year. After all, its been politics and campaigns as usual for more than a year already. Add to the disappointing prospects that theres nothing but a standoff promised for Virginias future, as the rhetoric intensifies between a GOP-controlled legislature and a Democratic governor who in his state-of-the-state speech warned lawmakers against sending him any bill he doesnt like. Well, yes, he has the veto power. But was it necessary to taunt Republican lawmakers into sending bills  and wasting time  on the most divisive subjects among them?
BUCKNACKT'S SORDID TAWDRY BLOG We should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive & well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate, bier or wein in hand, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming "WHOO-HOO, WHAT A RIDE!!!!!!"
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A right-wing hardliner once accused of engineering a communal flare-up in Madhya Pradeshs Harda has allegedly threatened similar violence if police did not stop harassing Hindus over the assault on a Muslim couple allegedly by members of a cow protection group.

The alleged threat by Surendra Singh Rajpurohit alias Tiger was made to Harda superintendent of police (SP) Prem Babu Sharma on his mobile phone, the officer said on Saturday.

Rajpurohit, however, denied the charge though an audio clip containing the purported threat has gone viral in the state.

The alleged threat was made in the backdrop of police arresting nine people in the district after Hindu right-wing activists belonging to a cow protection group allegedly assaulted a Muslim couple on a train in Harda on the suspicion of carrying beef on Wednesday.

Police later said it was buffalo meat found in another passengers luggage. The couple was travelling from Khandwa to hometown Harda on the Kushinagar Express.

During the phone call Rajpurohit, who formed Gau Raksha commando force in 2007, accuses the SP of only taking action against Hindus due to some pressure. Rajpurohit tells SP had he forgotten what happened in September 2013, when riots had broken out in Harda following allegations of Muslims killing a calf. Houses and business establishments of several Muslim families were torched. Postmortem reports had later proved that the calf had died after consuming polythene bags.

Responding to this, a person purported to be Rajpurohit said he too would die for the cause of the Hindus and wont allow any atrocities on them.

Talking to HT on phone, Prem Shankar Sharma confirmed receiving a call from Rajpurohit.

Rajpurohit wielded such clout in the district that he wore uniform similar to military fatigues and forced people to prostate in front of him and also stomped on them. He openly carried arms.
The Capital is playing host to one of the most awaited weddings of the year. Come January 19 and actor Asin Thottumkal will get hitched to Rahul Sharma, a business honcho, at Dusit Devarana. Honouring their respective religions, the couple will have a Christian (for Asin) as well as a Hindu wedding ceremony.

While the white-themed Christian wedding will happen in the morning at the makeshift church created in the hotel premises itself, a mandap is being erected on a water body for the Hindu ceremony at night. A source further tells us: Both the ceremonies will be private. While around 50 guests are invited for the Christian wedding, the Hindu ceremony will be attended by 200 guests. In all likelihood, there will also be a private house party next day at Rahuls farmhouse at Sonali Farms, West End Greens.

Read: Asin-Rahul Sharmas wedding date is fixed

Read: Asin prepares for her wedding with Micromaxs Rahul Sharma

Nishant Choubey, executive sous chef of the hotel, has elaborate plans. A special 10-tier vanilla-flavoured cake is being designed for the occasion. Post the Christian wedding, the guests will head to the hotels Chinese restaurant for lunch and Indian cuisine will be served at dinner, either in the lawn area or in the ballroom, depending on the weather. The food menu is strictly vegetarian.

Read: Yes, I fixed Asins marriage, says Akshay Kumar

Read: Asin set to marry Micromax founder Rahul Sharma

While the food and venue is sorted out, designer Sabyasachi Mukherjee has taken care of Asins outfits. The actor will be seen wearing the designers creations at her wedding functions.

After the private wedding, a grand reception will be thrown in Mumbai on January 23. The invite for the reception was recently shared on Instagram by actor Akshay Kumar, who played Cupid for the couple.

Follow @htshowbiz for more.
The ancestral home of legendary Bollywood filmstar Raj Kapoor in Pakistans Peshawar will soon be a part of history after the provincial government of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa failed to come up with a plan to save it.

The News, a local daily, said that the demolition of the historic Kapoor Haveli, which is the birth place of Raj Kapoor and several others, has started. The roof of the 98-year-old house was pulled down on Thursday.

The multi-storied house, located in Dhakki Munawwar Shah near the famous Qissa Khwani bazaar in the city, originally had six storeys and several rooms. Its front is adorned with exquisite floral motifs and jharokhas.

The provincial administration had earlier tried to buy the house from its present owners and wanted to convert it into a museum but the plan could not come through after price became an issue.

Read: I asked Ranbir not to come over to our house at 2 am, says Kareena Kapoor

We negotiated with the owners of the building but there were many issues that did not let us go through with a deal, senior minister Shahram Khan said.

To make matters more complicated, an ownership dispute over the house also prevented a deal with the government, say observers. However, some say that the provincial government could have worked harder to put together a deal.

Shahid Shamim, a local journalist, said that some progress was made with regards the purchase of the property in the past but officials showed disinterest and that is why the owners ran out of options.

Read: Vyjayanthimalas autobiography leaves Kapoor clan fuming

Read: Raj Kapoor - The face behind the star

They will be building a shopping plaza or a small hotel here, Shamim said.

The News reported that the house is being pulled down bit by bit in order to escape any action by the relevant government departments. The top three storeys were demolished some two decades ago on the pretext of weak structure.

The historic house was constructed by Dewan Basheshwarnath Kapoor, father of Prithviraj Kapoor and grandfather of Raj Kapoor in 1918. Among the notable members of the family Trilok Kapoor, Prithivirajs younger brother, and Raj Kapoor were born there.

Read: RK expands his Pali bungalow

Raj Kapoor was born in the haveli on December 14, 1924. Two of his younger siblings, who died early in 1931, were also born here. His brothers Shammi Kapoor and Shashi Kapoor were born in India, but they have visited and lived at the mansion in the past.

After the partition in 1947, the remaining members of the family left country and later the ownership of house changed hands. Though the Kapoor family relocated to Mumbai and flourished there, they visited their family home in Peshawar from time to time.

Read: The Kapoors on Diwali dinners and being foodies

Raj Kapoors younger brother Shashi Kapoor and his sons, Randhir Kapoor and Rishi Kapoor, visited their family home in 1990. The locals gave them a rousing welcome. They took some soil from the compound of the house to remember the heritage. Former mayor of Peshawar, late Saeed Ahmad Jan, had played host to them.

In 2013, Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had declared the ancestral house of Bollywoods another great actor Dilip Kumar as national heritage. His house also stands in the same locality as the Kapoor Haveli in Qissa Khwani bazaar.

Follow @htshowbiz for more.
Kabir Bedi (70) tied the knot with Parveen Dusanj (41) on Friday (January 15) in an intimate ceremony in Alibaug, with their families and a few close friends in attendance. The couple has been together for the last 10 years. Interestingly, at the time of going to press, we were informed that they planned to break the news to everyone at Kabirs birthday party on Saturday (January 16) night.

An insider reveals, The invitation was sent for Kabirs birthday party in Mumbai. His family and friends from Bengaluru, Boston (USA), London (UK), Dubai (UAE), Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) and Europe flew in. The card read, Kabir Bedi and Parveen Dusanj invite you to Kabirs birthday, and come early for the Sufi performance. The idea was that after hearing a soulful Sufi recital, Kabir and Parveen would make the surprise announcement.

The card read, Kabir Bedi and Parveen Dusanj invite you to Kabirs birthday, and come early for the Sufi performance. (Razak Khatri)

A day before the birthday celebration, on January 15, Kabirs family and a few close friends had been whisked away on speedboats from the Gateway of India to Alibaug under the pretext of a pre-birthday bash at a family members house. The wedding came as a surprise for everyone.

Read: I was ordained a monk at 10, says Kabir Bedi

It was a traditional ceremony preceded by blessings at the gurdwara.

Parveen and I have been together for more than 10 years. The timing of the marriage at this time was really Parveens decision. I had proposed to her on Romes historic Spanish Steps six years ago on a bended knee. She agreed, but kept me in suspense as to when [we would tie the knot]. As friends and family were flying in from all over the world for my birthday, Parveen felt this was the best time to get married. So it all happened very suddenly. We had a magically beautiful intimate ceremony in Alibaug. Only members of both families, and a few close friends were present. It was held amid palms, on the lawns of a beautiful beach-front home that belongs to Dipak and Sohni Tanna, who is my niece. It was a traditional ceremony preceded by blessings at the gurdwara, says Kabir, speaking exclusively to HT Cafe.

The newly-weds with Parveens brothers, Parvinder Dusanj (extreme left) and Kuldeep Dusanj (extreme right). (Razak Khatri)

Parveen says she wanted her marriage ceremony to be a private and intimate affair. and thats exactly what it was. We kept it a secret, and planned to make a surprise announcement on Kabirs birthday, where all friends and loved ones were gathering. Keeping it a secret added to the fun. Friends who came to Alibaug thought they were coming for a pre-birthday dinner. Its been several days of joyous celebrations and partying. These are very happy days for us, she says.
Entertainment / Music

by Maxwell Teedzai in Harare

INSTEAD OF COWERING down to intergenerational transmission of poverty, violence, exclusion and discrimination, two outstanding Zimbabwean teenage girls from Harare's poor Ruwa African Township have dared the odds by pursuing enduringly their passion and calling into the predominantly male infested professional Mbira music circles.Precious Chapeyama and Hana Hleketere are the talk of the little township of Ruwa.'We first started playing the Nyonga Nyonga Mbira when we joined the Marimba Club at Terrence Cecil Hard Government Secondary School in Ruwa under the patronage of a Miss Nyanungo,' narrated Hana.Precious Chepayama born and bred in Ruwa and Hana Hleketere born at Rujeko Clinic in Harare's Dzivarasekwa suburb, are now both turning 17 this year. They both hail from very poor and marginalized African families, which struggled to put them through primary and secondary school. Precious lost both parents in a bizarre and tragic encounter while Hana is a fatherless girl.'I've been through thick and thin, losing both my mom and dad in the same year through unclear circumstances' recalled Precious.Apparently Precious' grandparents are taking care of her at their late parents' house in Ruwa. Hana on the one hand lost her father in 2007. Unfortunately due to patriarchal dominance in African inheritance customs, Hana's mother lost custody of her matrimonial house to her in-laws.She retorted the ordeal of tenant-ship as her mother has to keep on moving from house to house as most landlords are ignorant of the plight of widows raising their families.The Mbira is indeed a classic instrument of Zimbabwe, with an entire musical genre developed around it. It consists of approximately 20-24 flattened metal prongs which are fastened at one end to a wooden resonator body (usually some sort of box shape). The Mbira sits in a calabash (gourd) which acts as its resonator. The free ends of the metal prongs are plucked with the thumb of the left hand and the thumb and index finger of the right hand. The most important feature of Mbira music is its chiming, cyclical nature, with each new repetition varying slightly from the last.Apparently the Secretary-General of the United Nations Ban Ki-moon has said that: 'The newly adopted Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) rightly include key targets for gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls. They offer an opportunity for a global commitment to breaking intergenerational transmission of poverty, violence, exclusion and discrimination  and realizing our vision of a life of dignity for all.'As the global community launches the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for implementation over the next 15 years, it is a good time to recognize the achievements made in supporting young girls, while at the same time aspiring to support the current and upcoming generation of adolescent girls, to truly fulfil their potential as key actors in achieving a sustainable and equitable world. In recognition of the importance of investing in adolescent girls' empowerment and rights, both today and in the future, the theme of International Day of the Girl Child for 2015 is: The Power of the Adolescent Girl: Vision for 2030.UN agencies, Member States, civil society organizations, and private sector stakeholders are called on to commit to putting adolescent girls at the centre of sustainable development efforts.The commitment by the global community to realizing the potential of adolescent girls will directly translate into the girls as powerful and positive change agents for their own empowerment, for advancing gender equality and for the sustainable advancement of their nations.On December 19, 2011, the United Nations General Assembly adopted Resolution 66/170 to declare 11 October as the International Day of the Girl Child, to recognize girls' rights and the unique challenges girls face around the world.There is great need for extensive media coverage in Zimbabwe if we are to positively deal with issues surrounding the plight of the girl-child and women. More awareness programs and pressure groups ought to be set up if the battled is to be won.The two Nyonga Nyonga Mbira outfit, Precise and Hana, are set to record their debut album and from the mock performance recorded by this reporter, the future is brighter for the duet.
The China-led Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) was inaugurated by President Xi Jinping on Saturday amid hope that it will streamline infrastructure investments across the continent.

Based in Beijing, the bank aims to disburse $1.2 billion in 2016 of which at least half, around $600 million, is expected to be pumped into infrastructure projects in India. New Delhi has already submitted a list of infrastructure projects it wants the AIIB to fund across sectors like power, drinking water and roads.

Experts have speculated that the AIIB with an authorised capital of $100 billion was Chinas effort to rival the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank. As of now, 57 countries including Germany, UK, Russia and South Korea have joined since the memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed in October, 2014 with only 19 members.

Chinese finance minister Lou Jiwei was elected as the first chairman of the AIIB council and former ADB vice-president Jin Liqun was elected as the first AIIB president. While China, with 26.06% voting shares, remains the strongest, India has 7.51% voting shares is the second largest shareholder followed by Russia with 5.93% voting shares.

In real terms, India has pledged to pay $8.37 billion, 20% of the paid-up capital, which is to be paid in five instalments. Till now, New Delhi has put in $334.7 billion. Explaining Indias role in the China-led bank, Dinesh Sharma, additional secretary, said New Delhi has been with China on the bank from the beginning.

He added that India asked but did not insist on getting the vice-presidents post, despite being the second largest share holder.

Sharma indicated that the AIIB will function parallel to the BRICS New Development Bank (NDB), headed by veteran Indian banker KV Kamath.

The NDB is also doing well. There are informal structural linkages between the two. While the AIIB is for Asia, the NDB is not limited to Asia. So chances are the AIIB could be partner of the NDB in Asia and the NDB could be complementary to the World Bank, he said.
As Silicon Valley heavyweights queue up to be a part of the Start-Up India celebration on January 16, Indias aspiring entrepreneurs will be watching out for what the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government will have for them in this grand mela.

With 4,200 enterprises, India already ranks third in the world in terms of the number of start-ups, behind the US and the UK. Investors, venture capitalists and angel investors worldwide see the country as the next destination for budding start-ups.

Saturdays meet, which will see the government and the private sector brainstorm together on a common platform, is likely to build a new era of job creators. Present at the Vigyan Bhavan on the occasion will be finance minister Arun Jaitley, secretary, DIPP Amitabh Kant, minister of state for commerce and industry Nirmala Sitharaman and other senior government officials, and 40 leading CEOs, such as SoftBanks Masayoshi Son, WeWorks Adam Nuemann and Ubers Travis Kalanick.

Here are five things to watch out for from this meet:

1. Compliance Relief: As cited by the investors, one of the biggest challenges faced by entrepreneurs in India is the time and effort taken to start a venture. Even worse are the requirements to close an enterprise down. Folding up is synonymous with start-ups, and given that failure becomes an inspiration and learning for the next venture, the action plan is likely to streamline compliances and procedures on both fronts.

2. Simplified tax structure: The government feels start-ups do not need any tax breaks, but hopeful investors ask why, if stock market investments do not attract taxes, does investing in start-ups get taxed. Not just this, to push women and youngsters to steer the journey from ideation to reality, tax breaks are what can add momentum to the start-up revolution in India, they say.

3. Fund raising: Often cited is that India is not short of ideas, but what curtails growth is the lack of funding, fund raising channels and most importantly, a collateral to cite for an entrepreneur. Seed funding, another important aspect of funding, is not yet developed in India. Ideas that need the right funding and investment to prove the concepts and their worth is the challenge. Government grants can be a great source of seed funding but that alone cannot be catering to the start-up fetish. Though government has been proposing schemes and initiatives to be a part of the action plan which will be for collateral free loans, but will this alone be able to solve the concerns? That needs to be heard out.

4. Skill Development beyond technology: Technology driven start-ups are already making a move, be it in the e-commerce drive or the virtual reality space. But, for start-ups to be working at the grassroots, other areas such as agriculture, bio-technology and many more are yet to be exploited by the youth. Thus, a special drive for start-ups in these unheard of areas for start-ups will actually build the culture in India.

5. Job Creation: 70% of jobs in US are created by start-ups this is what Silicon Valley CEOs cited to both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Commerce and Industry Minister Nirmala Sitharaman as they landed in Delhi a day before the grand event. With such examples and huge rates of unemployment in India, the action plan for job creation will be a major area in the plan.
I am in awe of people with strong political opinions. How do they utter the same thoughts day after day? Its like having bread and jam all the time and never getting tired of it. Its like reading the same book every day or singing the same old song. Dont they get bored?

My political views are more nuanced. After a restful nights sleep, I am in a kindly, optimistic frame of mind so essential to being a liberal. In the morning paper, I read about all kinds of mayhem. The Pathankot attack? I hope it doesnt derail talks with Pakistan. The Saudi-Iran standoff? We must carefully listen to both sides. Some guy murdering his wife? Ah well, boys will be boys. While having a hot water bath, I sing the Marseillaise. My liberalism is blunted a bit when I get my eggs boiled instead of scrambled for breakfast, but I believe everybody is entitled to their opinion and it is possible that, from some points of view, boiled eggs are better than scrambled. Nevertheless, I get the feeling, munching a soggy piece of toast, even liberals must draw a line somewhere.

That sentiment is strengthened on my way to work. Stuck in an interminable traffic jam, I realise liberalism doesnt work. The problem is too many people, too many cars who dont obey the rules. We must have a strong leader who can crush lawbreakers. As a biker cuts lanes and veers dangerously close, I curse the pseudo-secular scum. It is people like these, I think, as a car overtakes me from the left, who destroy the nation. I hum Deutschland uber alles to calm myself. By the time I reach office, I vow to read Mein Kampf.

That mood starts to ebb when my boss doesnt respond to my Nazi salute. As I slowly sink under a pile of work, my resentment grows. Why should I work so hard while the upper classes frolic? After the editor shouts at me for missing a deadline, I start longing for a revolution. We workers must rise up and overthrow my bloodsucking boss, I think, carving a hammer and sickle on my desk. I start humming the Internationale.

After a long and excellent lunch, I feel less revolutionary. I am inclined to social democracy by the time I have dessert.

Imagine my delight when my boss tells me Ive got a fat bonus. This is the beauty of the free market system, I realise, giving people incentives to perform. I feel even better when I hear the slime who sits next to me hasnt got a bonus. We productive workers must be rewarded, I reason, while the losers are sacked. How else can the economy progress? I think Ill read Hayek and Ayn Rand.

But things get really interesting after work, when over drinks with friends, I run across the entire spectrum of political opinions from left to right and back again in a few hours, before forgetting which side I am on and caring even less.

I realise this might sound a bit erratic. I have therefore drawn up a time-table so that when folks ask me, say, whether I am a conservative, I can reply, Yes, usually between 3 and 6 pm, every alternate day.

Manas Chakravarty is Consulting Editor, Mint. The views expressed are personal.

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The prime ministers surprise visit to Lahore on Christmas day to personally wish Nawaz Sharif happy birthday was a bold and brave act. It suggests a dramatic and, I presume, strategic shift in Mr Modis thinking about how to tackle Indias six-decade-old problems with Pakistan. Thats why some warmly welcomed the gesture whilst others were sharply critical. It turned on whether they believe a change, in fact, lets be honest, a reversal of Mr Modis thinking was necessary or apostasy.

Mr Modis Lahore journey reminded me of Anwar Sadats historic decision of 1977  which, similarly, took the world by surprise  to fly to Jerusalem, address the Knesset and reset Egyptian-Israeli relations. Both decisions were risky and divisive. That was the gamble. But both also showed statesmanship because they were rooted in a willingness to accept mistakes and rethink, change course and try again. Thats why they opened up new horizons and made a second chance possible.

Sadat paid for his visionary act with his life, but Egypts relationship with Israel remained on the trajectory he had placed it. Today, its a testament to his thinking and many consider it his greatest legacy.

Fortunately, the cost Modi has to face up to is different although no less drastic. He knows that any breakthrough in relations with Pakistan would provoke terror. Just as Kargil followed Vajpayees visit to Lahore in 1999 and Mumbai occurred after progress on the back-channel in the mid-2000s so, too, Pathankot succeeded the second Lahore visit.

This was not just expected, it was almost inevitable. Therefore, it would have been  indeed, it had to be  factored into Mr Modis thinking before he embarked on his Christmas day gesture.

Of course, its one thing to anticipate Pathankot and altogether another to respond appropriately. This is where Mr Modis dilemma began because this is where his bravery  as well as his conviction and resolve  was put to the test. This is when he had to either grit his teeth and stand his ground or change his mind.

Which would it be? Or, to put it differently, after the expected and predicted Pathankot attack what were Mr Modis options? If he went ahead with the talks he knew he would be accused of back-tracking from his much-trumpeted stand that talks and terror cannot go together. But if he did a U-turn and backed away from his Yuletide initiative many would conclude his Lahore visit was gimmickry and, worse, he lacked conviction or had lost his nerve.

Nawaz Sharif tried to help by acting swiftly and, perhaps, decisively. The investigation, raids and arrests he launched, with the Army and ISI chiefs on board, were a good first step. The arrest of Masood Azhar and his brother would have clinched matters but they were never confirmed. This still left Mr Modi caught between the devil and the deep blue sea.

Eventually, the prime minister chose to postpone the talks. The Foreign Office spokesperson repeatedly said this was done in a mutually acceptable manner and the talks will happen in the very near future. I suspect this was the politically easy response because no one explained why the postponement was necessary. But, happily, it keeps the dialogue process alive.

I wish Mr Modi had been a little bolder but Im thankful he wasnt more timid. However, this also means I can hope  perhaps, even be confident  he will regain his Christmas form.

The views expressed are personal.

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Nearly 35% people living in Delhi  one in every three Delhi residents tested  cannot breathe properly, shows preliminary report from on-spot lung function tests.

Of the 3,019 Delhiites whose lung functions were tested by the government in the last 15 days, 1,037  or 34.3%  had impaired lung function, the report said.

Ten vans deputed by the Delhi government  in collaboration with Maulana Azad Medical College across the city performed spirometry tests on residents who volunteered to take the test. Spirometry is a test which checks the volume of air inhaled and exhaled to judge whether the lungs are functioning healthily.

A score of 90% on the test is ideal with 80% too considered to be normal. But, if the score goes below 70%, the lung function of a person is said to be impaired and he/she could be referred to a nearby hospital for consultation with a pulmonologist.

The researchers, after the 15-day test, found that the highest percent (48.25%) of residents living with impaired lung function belonged from Gokulpuri.

We need to look at the reasons as to why the percentage is so high in this area. Unlike areas like Rajiv Chowk or Delhi Secretariat, where different kinds of people keep coming and going, the people tested in Gokulpuri were local residents, said Dr Suneela Garg, head of the department of community medicine at Maulana Azad Medical College.

At 42.9%, the percentage of people having impaired lungs at Rajiv Chowk, too, was observed to be higher than the citys average.

The van at Delhi Secretariat tested 659 people, of which 320 had impaired lung function.

This means as many as 48.5% people coming to the area scored less than 70% on the Spirometry test.

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The Congress said on Saturday said Delhi Police might have been under pressure to harass Shashi Tharror unnecessarily in the Sunanda Pushkar murder case.

Delhi Police chief BS Bassi had on Saturday confirmed that Sunanda Pushkars death was due to unnatural causes.

It is for Delhi Police to see whether the death of Sunanda Pushkar was natural or not. The whole thing seems to be a very big mess. Sometimes evidences say something else and sometimes something else, Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit told ANI.

I only hope that there is nothing else in this case. Mr Tharoor is a very strong, powerful Congress leader and sometimes news comes that this case is being used to harass him unnecessarily and perhaps pressure may be put on the Delhi Police to do things, which the evidence may not be pointing at, he added.

Coming out in full support of Tharoor, the Congress also labelled the latest updates as nothing more than motivated leaks by the Delhi police. who have not been able to crack the case.

The police are still clueless about the cause or nature of the murder nor have they arrested the guilty. We urge the BJP government and the investigating agency to stop the media trail through leaks and focus on an impartial probe bereft of political motives, another Congress spokesperson said.

The police were quick to react. Delhi police is not under any kind of pressure as far as probe in Sunanda Pushkar murder case is concerned. Whatever is being done in the case is totally based on merits. What we can ensure is a fair investigation that will be free from any kind of political or individual pressure. We have registered a murder case and all our efforts are to collect evidence to prove the charges in the court of law, a senior Delhi Police officer privy to the probe told HT.

Meanwhile, asserting that Shashi Tharoors wife was poisoned to death, BJP leader Subramanian Swamy on Saturday accused Bassi of not revealing the exact chemical compound that was responsible for her death.

Police commissioner is not telling the media that the FBI found presence of heart arrest-injectable poison lidocaine in Sunandas body, Swamy tweeted.

(With inputs from agencies)
The NDA government appeared headed for another round of bitter confrontation with the academia, this time over the appointment of vice-chancellors in two of the countrys most prestigious institutions  Delhi University and the Jawaharlal Nehru University.

The development comes in the wake of the resignation of nuclear scientist Anil Kakodkar from the board of governors of IIT Bombay and the subsequent decision of Raghunath K Shevgaonkar to quit as the director of IIT Delhi.

Through representations routed through leaders of Opposition parties, faculty members of the two universities have sought President Pranab Mukherjees intervention into serious violation of statutory norms and interference by the human resources development ministry in the selection process.

Responding to one such representation sent by Janata Dal (United) leader KC Tyagi, the Presidents officer on special duty (OSD) Suresh Yadav informed in a letter dated January 11 that the complaint has been forwarded to the HRD ministry for appropriate attention.

The NDA government has been systematically working at destroying academic institutions with aims of imposing a communal agenda, Tyagi alleged. Crying foul over the insertion of a fresh pre-qualification clause requiring applicants to have at least 10 years experience as professor, the teaching staff of the two universities are asserting that this was in contravention of the statutes laid down for the two universities by an act of Parliament.

Faculty members are also protesting the ministrys directive to the universities to place advertisements defining the format of the selection process.

Identical advertisements for the two posts were published in a Delhi newspaper on August 5 and August 15.

So far, it had been the search committees prerogative to conceive and follow a particular mode of selection. By setting out a defined format and inserting pre-conditions violative of the statute of the two universities, the ministry is attempting to tinker with procedures, possibly in pursuance of ulterior motives, one DU professor alleged.

HT sent out a questionnaire to the HRD ministry on the issue, but no response was received till late Friday night.

In a separate memorandum to the office of the President, leaders of womens organisations and concerned citizens have also strongly objected to a particular candidate whose name has featured in the list of names forwarded by the search panel for the top job in Delhi University. The particular candidate has been accused in a case of sexual harassment.

A candidate with such a black mark should not have been considered at all for the top job, JNU professor Nivedita Menon said.

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Even as India celebrated five years of being polio-free on Wednesday, a suicide bomber blew himself up outside a polio vaccination centre in neighbouring Pakistan and killed 15 people, mostly cops, there to accompany health workers setting out to give children polio drops.

Indias last wild polio case was reported in the Howrah district in West Bengal on January 13, 2011. Since then, the virus, which cripples and kills young children, has not infected anyone in India.

Its neighbours havent done as well. Pakistan and Afghanistan are the only two countries in the world where polio remains endemic and infection has never stopped. In 2015, Pakistan had 52 cases, Afghanistan had 19, while Myanmar reported two vaccine-derived polio cases.

While most of Pakistan is polio-free, the infection flourishes in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas, from where it periodically spreads to other parts of the country and beyond its borders.

Pakistans woes

Health worker administrates polio-vaccine drops to a child during anti-polio immunization campaign at Pak-Afghan Border on November 24, 2014 in Chaman. (Shutterstock)

The Quetta attack is the latest in a series of attacks on polio workers by the Taliban and other Islamist militant groups in Pakistan that have taken close to 100 lives since 2012. Polio vaccinators became targets after the CIA organised a fake vaccination drive to confirm Osama Bin Laden was living in the Pakistani military town of Abbottabad, where he was killed in 2011.

The Taliban was quick to declare all vaccinators were spies and issue a fatwa declaring polio drops were poison and a part of a global conspiracy to sterilise Muslims. The presence of GPS-trackers on polio-vaccine coolers to confirm whether vaccinators were going to their assigned destinations and giving polio drops to all the children who need it added fuel to the suspicion that health workers were agents of the devil and should be stopped and destroyed.

Frequent attacks forced Pakistan to stop largescale vaccinations through 2013, which resulted in polio cases soaring the next year to 306, the highest in 14 years. The most recent attack came in November 2015, when gunmen shot dead the head of an immunisation programme in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa district of Swabi.

Indias win

With wild polio virus still thriving in neighbouring Pakistan and Afghanistan, India cannot let its guard down. (HT Photo)

In 2009, india topped the worlds polio charts with 741 cases, which was close to half of the 1,604 polio cases reported from around the world. Intensive vaccination drives coupled with close case tracking and surveillance helped the country bring polio down to zero in less than two years. On Jan 13 this year, India completed half a decade of being polio free.

But with wild polio virus still thriving in neighbouring Pakistan and Afghanistan, India cannot let its guard down. Following the World Health Organisations International Travel and Health recommendations, all travellers to polio-affected areas have to carry a polio vaccination certificate before travel and people staying for more then four weeks in areas where transmission continues need an additional dose off polio drops or inactivated polio vaccine within four weeks to 12 months of travel.

In April, India will be among 155 countries that will stop using the trivalent oral polio vaccine and switch to the bivalent version of the vaccine, to stop vaccine-derived poliovirus cases.

Read: India completes 5 polio-free years; last case reported on Jan 2011

Vaccine trouble

Vaccine-derived poliovirus are very rare strains of polio that can mutate from the weakened poliovirus in the oral polio vaccine when a childs immunisation is very low, allowing the vaccine virus to circulate amongst unprotected children for an extended period of time. In 2015, 27 vaccine-derived polio cases were reported across seven countries. Of these, 24 cases were in countries that had been free of polio for more than one year.

The wild poliovirus type 2 was eradicated from the world in September 2015, which made the type 2 component -- which causes 90% of vaccine-derived polio cases -- redundant. So switching from the trivalent vaccine that protects against all three polio strains to the bivalent vaccine that doesnt contain type 2 is expected cut down the numbers of vaccine-derived polio cases.

A child receives a polio vaccine in Kano, Nigeria. (AP)

Children got infected with vaccine-derived polio virus in seven countries in 2015, with four of them -- Pakistan, Guinea, Lao Peoples Democratic Republic and Myanmar -- reporting outbreaks caused by type 2, and Madagascar, Nigeria and Ukraine (the first case of polio in Europe since 2010), with type 1. had type.

Despite the challenges, 2015 ended in an optimistic note. Only 71 polio cases were reported, the lowest ever. Africa has been free of polio for more than a year, with the last case in Somalia on August 11, 2014. Vaccines work against polio, and ensuring they reach every child can help stamp out the disease forever.

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The US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has found traces of an anti-anxiety drug in the body of socialite Sunanda Pushkar, police sources said on Friday, which corroborates earlier findings of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS).

An 11-page report analysing the FBIs conclusions has been submitted to Delhi Police probing the case, police commissioner BS Bassi said on Friday, adding that the high-profile case will be now taken to the logical conclusion.

Besides traces of the antianxiety drug Alphrax, the FBI lab has also found an anesthetic drug Lidocaine Gel in the viscera of Pushkar, found dead in a fivestar hotel in Delhi on the night of January 17, 2014, sources added.

Samples of the viscera were sent to an FBI lab in Washington after the Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL) ruled out the presence of the anti-depressant drug Alphrax in her body.

Read more: Sunandas death not natural, police reviewing viscera report: Bassi

Two used Alphrax strips were recovered from the crime scene and was used as circumstantial evidence in the high-profile case.

The body of Pushkar, 51, was recovered a day after her spat with Pakistani journalist Mehr Tarar on Twitter over her alleged affair with Tharoor.

In their statement to police, Pushkars doctors had also denied prescribing the drug to her.

In January last year, police had claimed that Pushkar was poisoned, and registered a murder case against unknown persons.

The sources said the FBI lab report states that radiation levels in Pushkars viscera samples were within permissible levels and could not have caused her death.

The AIIMS report, however, only upholds the findings of their initial autopsy report submitted on January 20, 2014, instead of giving out an analysis of the report submitted by FBI, the sources said.

In its autopsy report, AIIMS had mentioned the cause of Pushkars death as poisoning; and the same has been confirmed and endorsed by the FBI, said Dr Sudhir Gupta, the head of AIIMS forensic medicine department. He had headed the medical board that conducted Pushkars autopsy.

Bassi, meanwhile, held a meeting which was attended by the special investigation team (SIT) probing the case. Special commissioner of Delhi Police (law and order) Deepak Mishra briefed about all related angles in the case.

The investigators have so far conducted polygraph test on six persons, all prime witnesses in the case, including Tharoors domestic help Narayan Singh, driver Bajrangi and Sanjay Dewan, a close friend of the couple.

Tharoor was not subjected to the test but was questioned thrice.

Pushkars son Shiv Menon was also quizzed by the SIT on February 5 last year.
News / Local

by Adelaide Moyo

A 13-YEAR-OLD girl from Binga, who had sex with her boyfriend who is twice her age, stunned a court when she begged a magistrate to let him off the hook so that they could get married.The two first met on Christmas day, fell in love and had sex the following day.Prince Mukombwe, 26, of Siachilaba, is facing two counts of having sex with a minor.The girl told Binga magistrate Aeline Munamati that her parents wanted him jailed, but she wanted him freed."I love him my parents got him arrested because they think I am still young. May the court please release him. We want to get married and start a new life," said the juvenile.The Form One pupil told the magistrate to set free Mukombwe because she loved him and they wanted to settle down.Mukombwe pleaded guilty to the charges and was sentenced to an effective 12 months in prison.The magistrate lashed out at the girl and told her that she was too young to be thinking about marriage.She advised her to pursue her studies before thinking about having her own home.Prosecuting, Bruce Maphosa told the court that Mukombwe met the girl and proposed love sometime in December.The two fell in love and had consensual sex at the accused's place of residence on December 26."On December 25 Mukombwe met the girl at Siachilaba Business Centre and they fell in love. He invited the girl to spend the night at his residence.During the night of December 26, the two engaged in consensual intercourse once. On January 1, the two again engaged in sexual intercourse with the girl's consent," the prosecutor said.It is said that Mukombwe gave his sweetheart a $1 after the sexual encounter.The court heard that the change in the girl's behaviour prompted her parents to question her.She revealed that she had sexual intercourse with Mukombwe leading to his arrest.
Kolkata police arrested Sambia Sohrab later on Saturday evening in connection with the Audi hit-and-run case.

Confirming the arrest, joint CP crime, Debasish Boral said, The anti rowdy section of the detective department arrested him from the central Kolkata area. For the sake of further investigation we are not disclosing the exact location.

In the afternoon, Kolkata Police had said that Sambia--the younger son of Trinamool Congress leader Mohammahed Sohrab was behind the wheels of the car that had mowed down IAF personnel Corporal Abhimanyu Gaud during the rehearsal of Republic Day parade on Wednesday.

Read | IAF mans death: Accused TMC leaders son partied before accident

A senior Kolkata Police officer said, Sachin Shah, who is employed in one of the hotels owned by Sohrab in Jorashanko area of the city was first called for questioning in connection with Wednesdays mishap and later on arrested.

Going by what has emerged from our investigations we are somewhat sure that it was Sambia who was driving the car that killed Corporal Abhimanyu Gaud, the IAF drill instructor, the officer said.

Police have already initiated a case under sections 302 (murder) and 120 (B) criminal conspiracy.

Read | Audi hit-and-run case: Senior Kolkata cop advised Sohrabs to flee

Police had launched a manhunt to nab the former RJD MLA and his two sons, Ambia and Sambia, who have been absconding since the incident. A 22-member special investigation team (SIT) had been formed to probe the incident.

A senior Kolkata Police officer has come under the scanner in the Audi hit-and-run case after he allegedly advised the father-sons trio to flee the state after the incident, sources close to the probe team said.

On Saturday afternoon, a few members of the SIT had left for Bihar where they were suspected to be hiding.

Read | Did 32-year-olds love for fast cars cost IAF official his life?

(With inputs from PTI)
Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi on Saturday said his party would clear the Goods and Services Tax (GST) bill in 15 minutes if the Central government accepted three conditions put up by them.

There should be a cap of 18% on GST rate, constitution of a fair disputes resolution mechanism, and removal of the proposed 1% interstate tax from the bill. These are not big conditions. It is not wrong of us to say we dont want unlimited taxes on people, said Gandhi while interacting with students of Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies in Mumbai. The day these conditions are accepted, we will pass the GST in 15 minutes, he said.

As the BJP has attacked the Congress for stalling the bill, Gandhi insisted his party was not to be blamed for the situation. Congress brought the GST to the table. (Then PM) Manmohan Singh and his team designed it. The BJP stopped it for seven years and didnt allow it to pass. Manmohan Singh had umpteen conversations with then Gujarat CM Narendra Modi but he continued to oppose it, Gandhi said.
The Uttar Pradesh government on Saturday clarified that it had not issued any new order about the marital status criterion in Urdu teachers appointment and thus there was no question of revoking it.

We did not issue any new order specific to marital status, nor have revoked it. Status quo would prevail. Just as in any government job, be a person a Hindu or Muslim, no one with multiple wives can be employed by the government. Media is creating all the confusion, UP minister of state for basic education Wasim Ahmed told Hindustan Times on Saturday.

Wasim further clarified: Anyone can apply, but only those who fulfil eligibility and qualifications would get the job. However, those with more than one wife would not get the job as per the pre-existent rules and regulations under which the government cannot employ someone with multiple wives.

The state government said the appointments would be made as per the rules and regulation in the past and there will be no change.

The government recently issued notice for appointment of 3,500 Urdu teachers in primary schools. It mentioned that candidates applying for the post must reveal their marital status and all those with two living wives would not be eligible. Women candidates married to a man with other wife/wives have also been barred from applying. But Wasim said this rule is not specific to urdu teachers or muslim applicants. It is common for all kinds of appointments and all communities.

The Muslim Personal Law Board has strongly opposed the move by the state government, saying the order was violative of Islamic law and rights of Muslims.

On Tuesday, some section of media reported that men with two wives cannot be appointed as Urdu teachers in UP and on Friday-Saturday some reported that now men with two wives can be recruited as Urdu teachers.
The Indian high commission has asked the Pakistan government for consular access to Mumbai man Hamid Nehal Ansari, who is in the custody of the Pakistan army, foreign minister Sushma Swaraj said in a tweet on Saturday.

On Thursday, reports emerged that the 30-year-old engineer who went missing over three years ago was being held in a Pakistani jail and facing trial in military courts. Ansari was in Pakistan to meet a girl he had befriended on the Internet.

He had befriended a Kohat-based woman through social media and crossed into Pakistan from Afghanistan, where he gone in search of a job in November 2012, according to Qazi Muhammad Anwar, counsel for Ansaris mother Fauzia.

He had been staying at a hotel in Kohat when the police, assisted by Intelligence Bureau officials, arrested him on November 12, 2012.

The intelligence agencies arrested him from a hotel in Kohat and since then his family and friends have been unaware of his whereabouts, Anwar was quoted as saying in the Pakistani newspaper Express Tribune. He added that as per a police inquiry report, Ansari was being held by the intelligence agencies.

After Ansari went missing, his mother had filed a complaint at a police station in Mumbai. She had also contacted the Afghan consulate in the city. The petitioner subsequently sent an application to the human rights cell of the Supreme Court in Islamabad, which forwarded the case to the Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances in March 2014, the paper said.

In April, the commission directed the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa home and tribal affairs department to form a joint investigation team to trace Ansari. An FIR was subsequently lodged at the city police station in Karak district in connection with the case.

Hamids mother Fauzia Ansari said that her son had gone to Kabul looking for a job.

After a long struggle, we came to know that he is safe there under the watch of the government. We are at least satisfied that he is fine. He is very talented but he never got desired job. He didnt have job satisfaction, she told ANI.

He came to know about the job opening of manager at Kabul airport. He went to Kabul. We were in continuous touch but after 10 days there was no contact, she added.

She said that they had approached the Afghanistan embassy to inquire about her son. They later discovered that Hamid was trying to help a tribal girl who was being ill-treated in Pakistan.

He was trying to help her and then he contacted other friends of nearby areas. They said that the girl is from tribal area, and no one can intervene in this, she said.

Maybe it wasnt a right step though his intentions were good. We were so anxious whether he is dead or alive but we came to know yesterday that he is there, she added.

She also thanked the Government of India for their efforts to help her son.

(The) Indian government has been very supportive, they showed us many letters which they sent to the Pakistan high commission, she said.

According to reports, a divisional bench of the Peshawar high court disposed off the case of Hamid after the government confirmed that he was currently in army custody and facing trial in military courts.
A delegation of Bhartiya Janata Party leaders on Saturday met President Pranab Mukherjee over the violence in West Bengals Malda district and urged him to seek a detailed report from the governor.

The party accused the Mamata Banerjee government in West Bengal of promoting vote bank politics by protecting those involved in Malda violence and said that it posed a threat to national security.

The delegation, led by party general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya and other central and state leaders submitted a memorandum to the president.

BJP alleged inaction on part of the state government on the Malda violence and claimed that the TMC governments policy of appeasement and vote bank politics posed a threat to national security. They also raised the issue of violence in Birbhum in West Bengal.

The delegation also presented another memorandum to the President on the inaction on the part of WB government in arresting the accused in the hit-and-run case involving the son of a TMC leader who killed an Air Force jawan while he was rehearsing for the Republic Day parade in Kolkata.

The Malda incident is linked to the countrys internal security... This vote bank politics poses a threat to internal security as the same mob also raised pro-Pakistan slogans. That is why we have requested the President to seek his own report from the Governor and the report sought by the central government from the state will help stop the threat caused to the countrys internal security, Vijayvargiya told reporters after meeting the President.

Why was the police station burnt? The reality is that it was burnt as all those leading that violent clash are linked with fake currency and opium cultivation and are anti-social elements who burnt the police station to put an end to their criminal activities.

Unfortunately, all those are being protected by Mamata Banerjee. A number of TMC leaders are involved in such activities and there is vote bank politics played there. The minority community there is somewhere linked in all these three incidents and due to this vote bank politics, the West Bengal chief minister is not acting against them, he added.
Factionalism and differences within the Congress surfaced on the first day of the vice-president Rahul Gandhis visit to Mumbai on Friday.

As the city unit chief Sanjay Nirupams detractors were gunning for his head, Gandhi did not hesitate to remind party leaders that he knows how to intervene for the sake of the discipline within the party.

Gandhi, who inaugurated a hall named after the partys former city unit chief late Murli Deora at party office in Mumbai, termed the party complicated, but asserted that, unlike the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, it believes in democracy. He said that though there was nothing wrong in having differences, the workers should come together in the larger interest of the party.

Gandhi, in his seven-minute address to the party workers at Azad Maidan, warned the party workers that he will intervene for the sake of discipline if the differences are not buried at the right time. He hailed the late Deora for his contribution to the party during his 22-year tenure.

Gandhi said, Congress is complicated to understand and I have learnt this after working with state units since 2004. Congress believes in democracy and there is room for the anger, differences, fighting as we do not work like the RSS. But to sustain in the long term, the workers should join hands and take everybody along by keeping the differences aside, he said.

Gandhi said, while hoping for the victory in the BMC elections, said that the Maharashtra has Congress in its DNA and the state has traditionally stood by the party for decades.

While speaking before Gandhi, partys other state and city leaders could not stop themselves from exhibiting the brewing unrest. Former city unit chief Gurudas Kamat took a dig at the incumbent president and arch rival Sanjay Nirupam and said that a victory in the ensuing civic elections will be possible only if a favourable environment is created.

State unit chief Ashok Chavan too took a veiled dig at warring factions and said that the party should be headed the way Murli Deora did. Former city unit chief Kripashankar Singh, indirectly suggested at the need in the leadership of the partys Mumbai unit.

The infighting within the Congress city unit has time and again come to the fore in the past few weeks, ever since Congress Darshan, the mouthpiece of the party, published articles criticising Jawaharlal Nehru and with remarks about Congress president Sonia Gandhi in its December edition.

Holding Nirupam responsible for the derogatory remarks, his detractors have been demanding his resignation. Two groups even stood against each other on Wednesday during a meeting called to finalise the itinerary of Gandhis Mumbai visit.

Kamathad to issue a clarification, hours before Gandhis arrival on Friday appealing to the party workers to maintain discipline.
Putting weight behind the banned Jaish-e-Mohammad, JuD chief Hafiz Saeed chided Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharifs government on Friday for reportedly detaining Jaish chief and activists in connection with the Pathankot terror attack.

Addressing the Friday sermon at JuD headquarters in Lahore, Saeed said that the Pakistan government is taking action against JeM to please India.

The arrests are regrettable as the Nawaz government is only doing so to please Modi sarkar (government). The arrests will only encourage the Indian government to put further pressure on Pakistan to backtrack its stance on Kashmir, he said.

Read | Pak militants attacked Pathankot airbase, Jaish operative tells HT

Saeed further said the Pakistani government is ignoring national interest for the sake of its friendship with India.

The LeJ founder also criticised the Pakistani news analysts for appreciating the government for arrests made in connection with the January 2 attack on an Indian airbase in Pathankot.

India and Pakistan had mutually agreed to put off talks between their foreign secretaries to the very near future as the neighbours tried to cushion their fragile peace process from the fallout of the Pathankot attack.

External affairs ministry official spokesperson Vikas Swarup had earlier said India wants action by Pakistan that is credible and comprehensive and brings to book all the perpetrators of the Pathankot terror attack.

Read | Foreign secy talks soon, India will help Pak probe on Pathankot attack
Rattled by the Aam Aadmi Partys show of strength at Muktsars Maghi Mela on Thursday and recent desertions in the party, the Congress has found some consolation in the form of the unconditional merger of Manpreet Singh Badals Peoples Party of Punjab (PPP).

The move has also strengthened the position of Punjab Congress chief Captain Amarinder Singh who had come under criticism following the defections of some of his colleagues to the AAP soon after he took over from Partap Singh Bajwa.

The 2017 polls are widely seen a battle between the AAP and the Congress with the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD)-BJP combine facing a huge anti-incumbency. The rampant drug menace in the state along with charges of corruption against its leaders has put the ruling SAD in a tight spot ahead of the crucial polls.

Amarinder is said to have been keen on PPPs merger rather than going for an alliance, arguing that the Congress would have definitely won the 2012 assembly elections had the two parties fought the polls together. In the run-up to the merger, Manpreet had thrice met Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi to discuss the finer points of the unification move.

Though the PPP had secured 5.04% vote share in 2012 assembly elections, there has been skepticism about Manpreets ability to make a mark in Punjabs electoral politics. He lost from both Gidderbaha and Maur constituencies in 2012 polls and was defeated by cousin Sukhbir Singh Badals wife Harsimrat Kaur Badal from Bathinda in 2014 Lok Sabha elections which he contested on the Congress symbol.

Manpreet admitted that he had been approached by the AAP as well but he found the Congress a bigger, better and more experienced platform. But AAP sources said there was a lot of resentment among its Punjab leaders to any move to take Manpreet into the party fold.

The response to Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwals rally at Muktsar on Thursday has given a major boost to the AAP in Punjab. Political analysts have maintained that the voters are seeing the AAP as a viable alternative to both the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and the Congress.

Though Amarinder had described the AAP as a junkyard for the political deadwood, the fact is that several of his Congress colleagues, including Sukhpal Singh Khaira, Aman Arora and CD Kambhoj, and those from other parties have in the recent past joined the new party. But Manpreets merger is now expected to stop further defections in the Congress and restore confidence among the otherwise demoralised workers.

On Friday, senior leader and former Congress Working Committee (CWC) member Jagmeet Singh Brar created a flutter with his tweet hailing Kejriwals Muktsar rally. AAP, Maghi conference at Muktsar(Pb), a record breaker. Never before In Muktsar, so many people heard any leader from Punjab or India, he tweeted.

Earlier soon after the debacle in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, Brar had rubbed the Congress leadership the wrong way by suggesting that party chief Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi should take a two-year break from politics and hand over the reins of the organisation to some other leader. While he was immediately sacked from the party, the Congress president revoked his suspension a year later.

Brars latest remarks fuelled speculation that he could be sending feelers to the AAP, especially after Amarinder had reportedly snubbed him by not allowing to him to speak at December 15 Bathinda rally.

With Kejriwal ruling himself out as the chief ministerial candidate in Punjab, the AAP is looking for a credible face with a clean image to lead the party in upcoming elections in the state after. State convener Sucha Singh Chhotepur, senior advocate HS Phoolka and Lok Sabha MP from Sangrur Bhagwant Mann are among the prominent contenders for leading the party.

Buoyed by the PPPs merger, the Congress is trying to explore the possibilities of a tie-up with the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and Left parties in its bid to replicate Bihar-style grand alliance in the state.

Though the alliance strategy will be firmed by the central leadership, Amarinder is said to be in touch with local leaders of the BSP, CPM and the CPI to put up a united fight against the ruling Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD)-BJP combine.

We are now looking for a broad-based alliance for the next election. We are trying to get all secular parties together against the fundamentalist force, Amarinder said.

A week ago, Punjab BSP chief Avtar Singh Karimpuri had said in Jalandhar that his party would accept Amarinders offer provided there was a good proposal from the Congress.

In the 2012 elections, the BSPs vote share had increased from 4.13% to 4.30% but failed to open its account in the 117-member state assembly.

On the other hand, the vote share of both the CPI and the CPM decreased drastically from 2007 polls. The CPIs vote share dropped from 3.31% in 2007 to 2.49% in 2012, while that of the CPM fell from 2.25% to 2.09%.

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Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi, who is on a two-day visit to Mumbai, kicked off campaigning for the 2017 civic polls, which are to be held in February next year, on Friday.

While lambasting the BJP-Shiv Sena for their poor performance at all levels of their governance, he focused largely on issues related to Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and urged party workers to get a Congress mayor elected in the civic polls.

Targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modis flagship schemes Swacch Bharat and Smart City projects, Gandhi said that taking photographs with brooms wont help clean Mumbai, which does not have adequate solid waste management infrastructure and Rs 100 crore cannot transform a megapolis into a smart city.

Owing to BJP-Shiv Senas misrule, the BMC does not have proper plans for disposal of about 1,000 tonnes of solid waste that is generated in the city every day.

There are various issues such as high rates of electricity, shortage of water supply and poor drainage system in the city. People are disillusioned and angry with the BJP-Sena rule, he said.

I want you (party workers) to turn that anger into sympathy for Congress so we have a Congress mayor next election, said the Gandhi scion, while addressing Congress party workers in Malad.

Gandhi was flanked by the entire Congress city and state leadership on the dais, including state president Ashok Chavan, city president Sanjay Nirupam, former chief ministers Prithviraj Chavan and Narayan Rane.

While expressing concerns over allocation of just Rs 100 crore to Mumbai under the Smart City project, he attempted to relate these issues with the city, apparently keeping in mind the upcoming civic elections.

When we (Congress) were in power, we allocated about Rs 2,000 crore to cities such as Nanded under JNNURM scheme. Modi has given just Rs 100 crore to Mumbai, which makes no sense. This is one of the reasons why the BJP government has lost credibility so fast, said Gandhi, adding that Modi government was good at marketing of various schemes but failed in the implementation.

Gandhi ensured that his speech takes cognisance of Congress traditional voters  urban poor, dalits and Muslims  who visibly dominated the crowd of about 3,500.

He alleged that the Modi government in its pursuit of promoting start-ups, entrepreneurs and big businesses at the cost of the poor people, labourers, hawkers.

There is confusion among people across the country over their future as BJP has forgotten them. Congress will work for their upliftment, Gandhi said, mocking Modi that just speeches will not bring development.
News / National

by Felex Share

Thousands of teachers whose contracts were not renewed will only be considered for employment if vacancies arise after the rationalisation of the teaching establishment being done by Government, Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Minister Prisca Mupfumira, has said.This follows media reports that Government had fired over 3 000 qualified teachers this term by refusing to renew their contracts. Minister Mupfumira yesterday said the 2015 Civil Service Audit report revealed that there were 5 588 teachers over the authorised establishment. She said continuous engagement of educators on contracts would unnecessarily increase the Government wage bill."Following the adoption and approval of the Civil Service Audit Report findings and recommendations by Cabinet on November 17, 2015, the Civil Service Commission at its meeting of December 15, 2015 directed that the secretary for Primary and Secondary Education should first reconcile the staffing in schools before submitting requests for the Commission's consideration," Minister Mupfumira said."Despite the over establishment, the Commission has allowed the recruitment of teachers in critical manpower shortage areas such as science and mathematics in all 10 provinces."The audit report, carried out by the CSC at the instruction of Cabinet, will guide Government in the implementation of key reforms in the public service sector. It has recommendations, some which have taken effect, that are expected to plug unnecessary costs that had pushed the civil service wage bill to unprecedented levels. Minister Mupfumira said extensions of contracts would be done if there were vacancies."It is a fact that a contract is renewed where there is a vacancy," she said."They will be considered if there are gaps. The Ministry of Primary and Secondary education is rationalising over establishment in schools everywhere in the country before considering any new appointments, conversions and extensions of terms of employment. The continuous engagement of the teachers without rationalising overstaffing has a net effect of increasing the wage bill, since the overstaffing situation remain unresolved."She added: "We do not want to have the same situation we had before the audit. We will not rush to hire anyone again and it is a matter of time before the parent Ministry completes reconciling its establishment." Most of teachers who were being engaged on contracts left Zimbabwe between 2000 and 2008 when the country faced sanctions-induced economic hardships.The country's economic situation has improved since 2009 and the educators are now trooping back. Government intends to reduce its wage bill by more than $400 million annually by implementing recommendations of the civil service audit report.Already drastic measures like the reduction of student teachers and trainee's allowances, resuscitation of pension contributions and termination of salaries paid to teachers at private and trust schools have been operationalised.All vacant posts have been abolished, bus fare for civil servants has been re-introduced, under-used staff is being redeployed, funding of bridging courses has been scrapped while all members who were abusing various types of leave, tampering with pay sheets and attendance registers have been charged.The rationalisation exercise is also heading towards other sectors such as Judicial Service Commission, Defence Forces Service Commission, Police Service Commission, Prisons and Correctional Service Commission and the Heath Service Board where the CSC has no mandate to conduct any stock-taking.Only members governed by the Public Service Act (Chapter16:04) were audited and they chew about 29,9 percent of the budget.
The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sanghs (RSS) plan to reach out to Christians by setting up an organisation on the lines of the Muslim Rashtriya Manch didnt find favour with Catholics who form about 70% of the community.

The RSS was planning to float a Rashtriya Isai Manch modeled on its Muslim wing that was formed in 2002 at the initiative of then chief KS Sudarshan. He made a call to Indianise all churches then but it failed to make much impact.

The Sangh, the BJPs ideological mentor, has been sending feelers to the church for more than a year but to no avail. It seems the church is wary of our overtures. Our move is not political but only want to create goodwill with the community and dispel some mutual apprehensions, a senior RSS leader from central Kerala said. RSS leader Indresh Kumar even met two archbishops and many diocese heads in December in New Delhi to discuss the plan. Later, it sent some functionaries to Kerala which has the highest concentration of Christian in the country.

Some sections of the church were initially sympathetic to the BJP government at the Centre but reports of a plan to impose a ban on beef and the growing debate over intolerance sweeping through the country held them back. The VHPs plan to reconvert some believers also added to their apprehension. The Congress, which enjoyed the churchs backing in Kerala, too sniffed trouble and warned the RSS against the move.

Cardinal Baselois Cleemis, president of the Catholic Bishops Conference of India, has made it clear that he was yet to be convinced about the need for such an organisation.

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As thousands of home buyers anxiously await the possession of their flats in the national capital region (NCR), the Supreme Court on Friday warned real estate companies against launching huge projects that flout environmental norms and seducing gullible buyers.

A three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice of India TS Thakur indicated that it may insist on prior environmental clearance rather than post-facto approvals for all real estate projects.

You people (builders) are constructing huge projects without any clearances and then selling it to people who later crowd around the court demanding that they be given possessionYou are misleading people, seducing them to buy such flats on one hand and on the other destroying the environment, Justice Thakur said.

The court indicated that it may restore an earlier National Green Tribunal (NGT) order disallowing real estate builders from getting such post-facto approvals.

The NGT in July last year quashed an environment ministry circular that allowed post-facto clearances, but it was subsequently stayed last year by a bench headed by then CJI H L Dattu.

On Friday, the SC said it would reconsider stay order and posted the matter for hearing on January 22.
A senior Kolkata Police officer has come under the scanner in the Audi hit-and-run case after he allegedly advised Trinamool Congress leader Mhd Sohrab and his two sons flee the state after the incident, sources close to the probe team said.

Police have launched a manhunt to nab Trinamool Congress leader Mohammed Sohrab and his two sons Ambia and Sambia, who are absconding after a speeding Audi owned by the family killed a 21-year-old air force officer, Corporal Abhimanyu Gaud, in Kolkata on Wednesday.

It was, however, not clear who was behind the wheel when the accident took place.

A 22-member special investigation team (SIT) has been formed to probe the incident.

Soon after SIT took over the investigation, we started scanning call details of the father and his two sons. We found that Sohrab called a senior officer January 13 morning - around four hours after the incident  requesting him to bail out his sons. The police officer suggested him to flee with family, said a source from the detective department.

The source, however, declined to reveal the name of the senior officer who advised the Trinamool leader to flee with his sons.

Read | Speeding Audi runs over air force official during Kolkata R-Day drill

On Saturday afternoon, a few members of the SIT left for Bihar where they are suspected to be hiding.

Police feel that Bihar might be safe place to hide for Sohrab and his sons since he (Mhd Sohrab) was a former MLA of the RJD and has good political connections in that state.

Kolkata Police, however, officially denied the claims of a senior officer receiving any telephone call from Mhd Sohrab.

Yes, we have collected call records and transcripts of the calls of the absconders to find out who they telephoned before they switched off their cell phones and escaped. But I dont have any information that anyone of them called a senior officer for advice, said Debasish Boral, joint CP crime, Kolkata Police.

On the evening of the incident, chief minister Mamata Banerjee had said that the government was taking this case very seriously and would initiate murder cases against the offenders.

Read | IAF officials death: Police issue look-out notice against Sohrabs

Police initiated a murder case against unknown accused and formed a 22 member Special Investigation Team (SIT) headed by a deputy commissioner of detective department.

On Saturday afternoon, a group of BJP workers led by the head of the womens wing Rupa Ganguly held demonstrations in front of the Lalbazar headquarters of Kolkata Police demanding prompt arrest of the culprits of the hit-and-run incident.

West Bengal is not at all safe. It becomes more dangerous if leaders of the ruling party or their relatives commit a crime. Police turns blind, deaf and dumb and we are protesting to awaken them, said Ganguly.
Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi said on Saturday that start-ups and intolerance cannot exist together, reviving the debate over intolerance on a day when Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched his ambitious Start-Up India plan to boost entrepreneurship.

There is a contradiction in saying that I want start-ups and I would be intolerant. Start-ups require free movement of ideas. Intolerance doesnt allow that, Gandhi said in an interaction with students of Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies in Mumbai.

He, however, said start-ups did need a boost. A start-up requires a whole ecosystem including infrastructure, finance and doing away with red tape to allow an entrepreneur to grow... Big businesses can go around regulations, small businesses cannot do that, Gandhi said.

Talking to students after a wonderful question-answer session with them @nmims_india pic.twitter.com/j5e9BvodlX  Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) January 16, 2016

In an interaction that went on for more than an hour, Gandhi answered students questions on the economy, China-India relations, the goods and services tax bill, start-ups, censorship, education, terrorism and the involvement of politicians in sports administration.

I will not tell others how to live their lives. BJP categorises people. That is the difference between us and BJP-RSS philosophy, Gandhi said.

He said no education institutes of international standards can be built if there is an atmosphere of intolerance.

On the governments handling of the Pathankot terror attack, Gandhi said terrorist strikes cannot be prevented but they can be handled in a better way. Following the Mumbai terror attacks, we managed to isolate Pakistan internationally and tied down their hands.
External affairs minister Sushma Swarajs two-day visit to Israel from January 17 is expected to give a boost to burgeoning cooperation in areas as diverse as counter-terrorism and water management.

Swarajs visit also reflects Indias traditional balancing act between Palestine and Israel. She will first travel to Ramallah for talks with the Palestinian leadership before heading to Israel for her two-day visit.

Though India established diplomatic relations with Israel 24 years ago, things remained firmly in the closet for almost a decade. The first visit by an Indian foreign minister to Israel took place in 2000 under the first NDA government, when Jaswant Singhs trip led to the formation of a joint anti-terror commission.

For a long time, security and defence cooperation has underpinned the bilateral relationship  India has emerged the largest buyer of Israeli military hardware and only Russia supplies more defence equipment to India than Israel.

BJP-led governments have had fewer reasons to be cautious about the relationship with Israel and Swarajs visit is expected to pave the way for a trip by Prime Minister Narendra Modi  the first such visit by an Indian premier.

Israel is rolling out the red carpet for Swaraj, who is no stranger to the country. She visited Israel in 2008 as chairperson of the Indo-Israel Parliamentary Friendship Group.

During the current trip, she will meet President Reuven Rivlin, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, defence minister Moshe Yaalon, national infrastructure minister Yuval Steinitz and members of the Jewish-Indian community.

Israeli ambassador Daniel Carmon said this week the greater visibility of the bilateral relationship was no longer ceremonial and the two sides are working closely on similar challenges and joint interests.

Defence continues to be a central pillar of the bilateral relationship  Indian and Israeli warships successfully tested the jointly developed Barak long-range surface-to-air missile system during November-December, which will now serve as a missile defence shield for warships and key facilities such as offshore oil platforms.

But Israel also wants to be a key player in the Make in India initiative, especially in defence manufacturing through technology transfers and joint research, technology start-ups and cyber-security.

Swarajs visit will also provide the Israeli leadership an opportunity to brief her on the Israeli perspective on latest developments in the volatile Middle East.

Despite the growing convergence, Iran remains an area where the two sides have differing perspectives. Iran is an important source of energy supplies for India but Carmon pointed out that Iran doesnt even recognise the existence of Israel when he was asked if New Delhi could help improve relations between the two countries.

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The Red Road hit-and-run incident that claimed an Indian Air Force personnels life received a fresh twist on Friday after the sister-in-law of Sonu, a friend of Ambia Sohrab, lodged a missing complaint stating that Sonu called them on the evening of the mishap and said that Sambia Sohrab was driving the car.

Sonu is a close friend of both Sambia and Ambia  the two sons of Trinamool leader Md Sohrab.

Read more: IAF officials death: Police issue look-out notice against Sohrabs

Priyanka Khan, the wife of Sonus elder brother, lodged the missing complaint at Bowbazar police station stating that Sonu went missing since the day of the incident. According to the complaint, Sonu telephoned his brother on January 13 evening saying that he was in Kolaghat.

Sonu also claimed that he, with a few other friends, was in another car that was following the killer Audi SUV.

We have to verify the claims of a second car following the Audi. Sonus family member gave us the number from which they claimed Sonu made the call. Though the number isnt Sonus, its tower location was Kolaghat on the evening of the incident. We are trying to track the owner of the number, a senior police officer said.

Read more: Did 32-year-olds love for fast cars cost IAF official his life?

Although the police are not in a position to believe the version in the complaint right now, initial claims made by army personnel present on the accident spot suggesting that only one person seemed to be present inside the car match with the complaint lodged with the police. We are not concerned about how many people were inside the car. Right now, our main target is to nab all the three accused (Ambia Sohrab, Sambia Sohrab and Sonu). Well only be able to throw more light in the case once we have them in our custody, a police officer said.

Top sources claimed Ambia, Sambia and Sonu, along with one more friend, Johnny, were together at a pub on Central Avenue till 9 pm on January 12. From there, they headed towards a prominent club on Kona Expressway and their cell phones were switched off around midnight.

In all probability, they were at the club through the night and were on their way back when they hit the IAF corporal, a police officer said.

Buzz is that the Sohrab siblings might even have escaped somewhere overseas, with China being spoken of as a likely destination as Sambia has an office and an accommodation there. Sambia oversees exports Chinese fruits to Bangladesh from this office.
A 43-year old woman and her 14-year-old twin sons were found dead with their throats slit early on Saturday inside their house in south Kolkatas Karaya area, police said.

Jessica Fonseca and her sons, Daren and Joshua, were found dead early on Saturday in one of the rooms in the ground floor of their house. Her 47-year-old husband, Neil, was found with some injuries and taken to a hospital.

The bodies were discovered by Jessicas sister Shabana who lives in the same building. She reportedly said in her statement to the police that the family had dinner at a restaurant in the Dalhousie area on Friday night and returned home very late. Police said the crime was possibly committed between 3 and 5am.

Senior police officers rushed to the spot and sniffer dogs were also brought in by officers of the homicide squad.

Joint commissioner of police Debasish Boral told Hindustan Times that preliminary examination of the bodies revealed deep slits in the victims throats. The bodies have been sent for postmortem examination and investigation is on, he added.

The incident not only added to the rising number of crimes in the city but created a panic in the area as the victims house is right opposite the government apartment where former chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee lives.

Officers from the detective department are recording Neils statement as he is now in a position to talk to the police.
Days after vowing to continue with the quota stir even if it cost him his freedom, Patidar leader Hardik Patel on Friday said he was open to negotiations with the state government to break the deadlock over the OBC status demand. We are in favour of negotiations (with the government), said the 22-year-old convener of the Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti outside Vijapur court in Mehsana.

He was brought to court by Surat police in connection with the hearing of a loot case and is lodged in Surat Rajpore Jail in connection with a sedition case.

Hardiks change in stance has come when the Gujarat government, after negotiations with senior community leaders, has withdrawn 74 FIRs against agitators booked for damaging public property in August 2015.

His statement is significant given that on three previous occasions between July and September 2015, Hardik did not go to meetings called by the government. At the end of the only meeting held between them last year, the government had declared a special education package for upper caste students.
A woman and her daughter sustained serious injuries after they jumped off a moving train in a bid to catch a purse snatcher.

The incident took place between the Bhopal and Bairagarh railway stations. According to the railway police, Asha Tiwari, 51, and her daughter Anjana, 21 were travelling on the Narmada Express. On Friday at around 5.30 am, a thief grabbed Ashas purse and ran.

Asha and Anjana began chasing the thief, who, while trying to escape, jumped out of the train which was running at a low speed.

The mother and daughter jumped out of the train as well, but were injured in the process, allowing the thief to escape.

After reaching Bhopal, they lodged a complaint with the railway police. They were admitted to Hamidia Hospital.
Union minister for communications and information technology Ravi Shankar Prasad will inaugurate the Kesarbagh rail overbridge (ROB) in Indore on Sunday. The 800-metre rail overbridge project was hanging fire for the last eight years and was finally completed under the supervision of the Madhya Pradesh high court.

A prey to bureaucratic red tape and political slugfest, several politicians, including the chief minister, had earlier turned down the request to inaugurate the rail overbridge. Lok Sabha speaker and partys MP from Indore, Sumitra Mahajan, had opted to stay away from controversial rail overbridge right from the beginning, while recently chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan too turned down the IDAs request for formally opening the rail overbridge.

A few locals, supported by Congress legislator Jitu Patwari, on January 6 evening drove on the over-bridge in their vehicles as a symbolic protest against the prolonged delay in ROBs construction. The IDA and its contractors had missed as many as 14 deadlines set by the Madhya Pradesh high court.

Sanjay Kamle, who had moved the high court against prolonged delay in completion of the ROB, said the act was a reaction to the IDAs reluctant behaviour.

The contract for construction of the bridge was awarded on July 16, 2007 and it was slated to complete by July 15, 2008.
News / National

by Stephen Jakes

On 13 January 2016, Heal Zimbabwe took the Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Emmerson Mnangagwa to the Constitutional Court over delays in providing an effective and independent mechanism for receiving and investigating complaints from members of the public about the misconduct of the part of members of the security services in compliance with Section 210 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe.In a statement Heal Zimbabwe said the decision to take the Minister to court was necessitated by the government's delay in providing an Act of Parliament that sets up the complaints mechanism against members of the security services 2 years after the new constitution became operational."The constitutional court case come at a time when Heal Zimbabwe is continuing to witness and record cases of brutality by the security services such as the police against innocent civilians and human rights defenders," said the trust. "Of particular interest, victims of the 2008 political violence have not yet received justice or compensation for the inhumane treatment and abuse they suffered at the hands of security personnel who were leading a crusade of eliminating opposition supporters and human rights defenders during the violent 2008 elections. Recently, security personnel have been used to assault vendors during demonstrations."The trust said on 4 January 2016, police heavily assaulted and arrested members of Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (RTUZ) who were demonstrating against the failure and delays by the government to remunerate civil servants."Despite the constitution compelling security services to protect and secure the lives and property of people, the abuse of innocent civilians has continued unabated. The National Peace and Reconciliation Commission (NPRC), a constitutional body responsible for post-conflict justice, healing and reconciliation is yet to be operationalized," said the trust."Presiding over the case, Deputy Chief Justice Luke Malaba reserved the judgement over the case implying that he will deliver his ruling at a later date to be advised."
More than 100 people were injured in kite-flying-related incidents on Makar Sankranti in Jaipur on Friday snd the police arrested three people for selling banned manjha (kite thread).

Around 40 people came to SMS Hospital due to cuts by kite strings or falling from roof-top while flying kites. Of them, five were admitted to the hospital and the rest were discharged after a first-aid treatment. Thirty-five people were taken to Kanwatia hospital for treatment.

An official at the SMS hospital told HT that majority who came for treatment were children below 15 years of age.

To crack down on the sale of Chinese, plastic or chemical abrasive kite thread, the district administration had formed teams of forest, police and Jaipur Municipal Corporation officials in different pockets of the city.

The city police had also arrested three people for selling banned thread. Around 3,000 charkhis of illegal kite strings were also seized.

The government had also allotted Rs 30,000 to the environment committee of each district to create awareness.

On Thursday, the number of injured were 300 in Jaipur with the SMS hospital treating more than 80 from 8am to 7pm. Thirteen seriously injured were admitted to the hospital.

Around 200 injured had approached other hospitals in the city.

The SMS official said comparatively the number of accidents this Sakranti had declined and the major reason for this could be the awareness programmes being run by the district administration.

Parents are aware about the news of dangerous Chinese kite threads, he said.

In 2015, the SMS Hospital had received 51 cases in emergency ward, including 28 children.
With the tagline of jaane kya dikh jaaye, Vasundhara Raje-led Rajasthan government on Friday launched a multi-crore rupees media campaign to create a buzz about the state in order to increase tourist footfalls by 2020.

From launching a website, advertisement campaign for print and television to an outdoor campaign, the state government is all out to push for tourism.

Unveiling the campaign at Bikaner House here on Friday, Raje said the government aims to double the footfall of international tourists by 2020 from 1.5 million to 3 million.

This campaign will herald Rajasthan tourism 3.0. Rajasthan Tourism 1.0 of the 80s was about our landscape, the harsh terrain and the adventures immortalised by Satyajit Ray on celluloid. The 90s saw version 2.0, with a forward looking vision which included our heritage properties. With Rajasthan tourism 3.0, we aim to implement an integrated plan that revolves around experience, infrastructure, cleanliness, security and marketing, she said.

Union tourism minister Mahesh Sharma, who was also present at the launch, said a helpline  1363  will be launched in 12 languages on January 26 for tourists to register complaints seek assistance.

India is safe and our endeavour is to make it (destinations) all the more safe for the tourists and we are planning to provide them a SIM card in their welcome kit itself which they will get immediately after landing at the airports. It is important to showcase our country in the right spirit. Violence is taking place across the world and India is one of the safer counties in the world and I can say that Rajasthan is the safest, said Sharma.
Chief minister Akhilesh Yadav on Friday told captains of industry that the Samajwadi Party was coming back to power in the state after next years polls.

Addressing the Assocham conference on Uttar Pradesh @ Double Digit Growth  Unfolding Investment Opportunities, Yadav said: You (industrialists) must come to UP now as only one year is left (for assembly polls). If you want to come back after a year then also I will welcome you as we (Samajwadi Party) are coming back to power.

Downplaying the frequent verbal duels between the state and the Centre, Yadav assured industrialists that they were united when it came to development of Uttar Pradesh.

We will take support from the Centre also to ensure progress of the state.

The Prime Minister (Modi is MP from Varanasi) is also from Uttar Pradesh, he said.

To prove his point, the chief minister said UP got the centres support for the Lucknow metro project.

Yadav announced that the detailed project report (DPR) of Kanpur Metro had been finalized and that Varanasi Metro was next in line. He said UP was the only state in the country that was pursuing metro rail projects in five cities -- Lucknow, Noida, Ghaziabad, Kanpur and Varanasi.

Listing steps taken by his government in augmenting infrastructure in the state, Yadav said several projects had been executed and many were in the pipeline.

He also mentioned the proposed 302-km Lucknow-Agra Expressway, the ambitious 382-km Lucknow-Ballia Expressway and upcoming Amul dairy milk projects in Lucknow, Varanasi and Kanpur.Its a wrong notion that nothing happens in the right manner in Uttar Pradesh because, if you remove the states contribution to the Indian economy, you can see that country is not progressing, asserted the CM.

Later chief secretary Alok Ranjan assured all help to the industrialists, who included Assocham chief Sunil Kanoria, Radico Khaitan Ltd CMD Lalit Khaitan, GKG Group chairman Manoj Gupta, Smart Global (Spice Group) executive director Preeti Malhotra, Monnet Ispat and Energy Ltd CMD Sandeep Jajodia and others.

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Thaarai Thappattai

Director: Bala

Cast: M Sasikumar, Varalaxmi Sarathkumar

Rating: 4/5

Balas Thaarai Thappattai is a powerful documentation of a folk form in Tamil Nadu that is performed by extremely agile women to the beat of several musical instruments, but chiefly a drum called thaarai thappattai. Narrated through a gripping plotline and embellished with some haunting Ilaiyaraaj music and almost acrobatic dances, the film is a tragic reminder of how ancient Indian traditions and arts are falling prey to modernism, struggling, in the bargain, to retain their purity and the very essence of their cultural uniqueness.

Thaarai Thappattais opening sequences draw us most bluntly into this conflict. We see a foreign television crew eager to capture the essence of Tamil Nadus temple town of Thanjavur, chance upon the ageing Pulavar Samy (GM Kumar), whose brilliance as a drum player is unrecognised, a rejection that pushes him to anger and alcoholism.

Read: Rajini Murugan, Gethu... Tamil screens to overflow on Pongal

Narrated through a gripping plotline and embellished with some haunting Ilaiyaraaj music and almost acrobatic dances, the film is a tragic reminder of how ancient Indian traditions and arts are falling prey to modernism. (Tamildirectorbala/Facebook)

The crew is not impressed with Samys performance and wants something more commercial. His son Sannaasi (Sasikumar), who heads a troupe of folk players, steps in to give the television crew a saucy, seductive number in which the chief dancer, Sooravali (Varalaxmi Sarathkumar), produces the fireworks with her skimpy costumes and fiery steps. Off the ground, Sooravali is a drunk, in love with Sannaasi and extremely fond of his old man.

Fan to Dangal: Movies we cannot wait to watch in 2016

When the troupe gets a chance to sail to the Andamans for a show, the members are deliriously happy, but things take a nasty turn on the island when the sponsors expect sexual favours from Sooravali and other women.

The film weaves into its fictional narrative a whole lot of unsavoury truths about folk forms in general and this includes abuse of women, considered easy prey because of their provocative mannerisms. And, finding their source of livelihood getting battered in the face of poor patronage, a couple of members branch off into a vulgar, degrading form of dance.

Watch Thaarai Thappattai trailer here:

A subtext of the movie is the love story between Sooravali and Sannaasi that takes on an ominous pattern -- perhaps conveying the death of traditional beauty.

Bala, sometimes referred to as the Mike Leigh of Tamil cinema, has been an expert in characterisations, tracing the dark and disturbing lives of the working class. An excellent example of this has been Naan Kadavul. In Thaarai Thappattai too, his characters come alive most vividly as they struggle to survive, fighting the modern world that is unfeeling towards fascinating culture.

Sasikumar has always been a great actor, but the surprising find has been Sarathkumar, who plays the dancer with a kind of unbelievable strength. In a way, the movie belongs to her.

ott:10:ht-entertainment_listing-desktop
The CBI on Saturday opposed former CEO Peter Mukerjeas bail application. The central agency told the court Peters wife Indrani had admitted she confessed to murdering her daughter Sheena Bora, a day after the incident in 2012.

The CBI, in a written reply to the bail application filed by Peter, claimed Indrani revealed this during interrogation. The CBI claimed Peter had played a key role in the conspiracy to conceal the murder. While opposing the bail, CBI counsel Bharat Badami submitted that further investigation was still in progress and he should not be released on bail.

Peter had, on January 4, moved a bail application stating he has been falsely implicated by the agency. It is absurd to suggest that the applicant would conspire with his wifes ex-husband to murder Sheena. The applicant did not stand to gain anything from the murder of Sheena and the CBI has miserably failed to even remotely show what has been the gain. All the allegations by CBI in this regards are in air, Peter said in his bail application.

Peters lawyers  Mihir Gheewala and Kushal Mor  have sought time to reply to the CBIs reply. Meanwhile, the central agency also sought time to file a reply to Indranis former husband Sanjeev Khannas bail application. Both the bail applications are now scheduled for hearing on January 30.

According to the prosecution, the three accused  Indrani, her former driver Shyamvar Rai and Khanna  had kidnapped Sheena from Bandra and strangulated her in the car on April 24, 2012 and dumped her body in a suitcase. The next day, they allegedly burned the suitcase in Pen, Raigad.

CBI officials said although Peter was out of India during the murder, was aware of the conspiracy.
Rattled by the growing public anger at the BMCs plans to hand over Mumbais open spaces to private entities, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday intervened to put the move on hold and order a review.

Just two days back, his party, the BJP, had done a U-turn and backed its ally the Shiv Sena to push through the controversial open spaces policy in the teeth of opposition from activists who had warned that citizens would lose access to the citys 1068 open spaces if it was implemented. Hindustan Times has long campaigned to save our open spaces, ever since the policy was first implemented in 2006-07 and resulted in nine large plots falling into private hands, out of bounds to the public.

Fadnavis has now directed BMC commissioner Ajoy Mehta to review the policy and submit it to him after taking into consideration citizens objections. He has also asked Mehta to take back possession of 235 open spaces given to private entities in 2007 under the earlier policy.

Read: 600 spaces in Mumbai are now open to misuse

That policy was put on hold within a year but in recent months the Shiv Sena has been pushing to revive it with some modifications, which it claimed addressed citizens concerns. But no one was convinced, not even the BJP, whose city chief Ashish Shelar had publically called for a review just two months back. But on Wednesday, he and his party colleagues had helped the Sena push the policy through in the BMC general council.

But as the protests grew, the BJP backtracked again. Earlier in the day, the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray too had jumped into the fray adding to the disquiet in the BJP, which is very keen to outdo the Sena in the BMC elections scheduled in 2017.

He threatened to campaign against the policy, accusing the Sena-BJP of favouring builders. The entire policy is tailor-made to suit the builders lobby. These builders will take over the ground, construct clubs and restrict the entry of the common citizens, Thackeray alleged.

Fadnavis intervened after a BJP delegation met him and called attention to citizens concerns about the policy. These very same BJP members had cleared the policy in the civic body on Wednesday.

We have provided a permanent solution to the citizens of Mumbai. The 235 open spaces with private entities and NGOs will be taken back and also the policy, which was opposed by citizens, will be amended. This is a citizens victory and they should congratulate the CM for this, said Shelar.

Sources close to the developments, however, told HT that Thackerays decision to oppose the policy sent alarm bells ringing in the BJP camp, worried about the fallout during the civic elections next year.

Its U-turn has left the Sena out in the cold and is expected to widen the rift between the saffron allies further.

Citizen activists have cautiously welcomed the move. Nayana Kathpalia, trustee, NAGAR, said, It is a good move provided there is some action. We are tired of these flip-flops since 2007. We just want BMC to maintain these open spaces with their own budget. We dont even need an open space policy.

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Two months after poet Gulzar first spoke about intolerant attitude, he reiterated his dissatisfaction over the rising intolerance in the country on Saturday. Even if the universe remains silent, writers will continue to express even if their tongues are cut, he said,

Speaking at the inaugural session of 89th annual Marathi literary meet at Pimpri-Chinchwad, Gulzar said students should also be taught by English writers. He also highlighted the need for similar literary events for all Indian languages.

Literary meet president Sripal Sabnis, who had been in controversy a few days ago for his remark on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, continued his attack on Hindu outfits.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis was not present when Sabnis began his speech. Fadnaviss presence was a matter of speculation as BJP had strongly objected Sabniss earlier remarks and threatened to disrupt the literary meet if Sabnis did not tender an apology. The BJP had pulled down curtains after Sabnis regretted his remarks.

Fadnavis said India was and is tolerant and will continue to be so because of its fundamental ideology.

Former union minister Sharad Pawar underlined the need to change the procedure of electing president of literary meet.
The state government has announced an investigation following reports that question papers of the Maharashtra Teachers Eligibility Test (MHTET) for primary teachers, which was held on Saturday, were allegedly leaked on a social messaging app in places such as Dhule, Beed and Pune.

Education officials said that depending on the findings from the investigation, they will decide whether to have a re-exam. A decision will be taken in 48 hours, officials said.

Around 3.2 lakh teaching aspirants had appeared for the licentiate exam across 1,076 exam centres across the state. It is compulsory for teachers to qualify in this exam under the Right to Education (RTE) Act, 2009.

According to the education department, the test papers meant for primary teachers were leaked online, before the exam began in the morning. On Saturday morning, a person, who was not an exam candidate, complained at the police control room at Kothrud in Pune about receiving a call from a person, who offered to send a copy of the paper on a messaging app for Rs50,000.

Acting on the complaint, the police approached the Maharashtra State Council of Examinations that conducts the exam. The council had also received calls about the leaked paper from Dhule and Beed.

A student brought it to our notice that the solved paper was available on WhatsApp. On tallying the images of the paper, we found that they matched Saturdays question paper, said Purshottam Bhapkar, education commissioner. Police cases have been filed in Kothrud police station, he confirmed.

Education minister Vinod Tawde said, The principal secretary, Nand Kumar, has been ordered to investigate the incident and submit a report within 48 hours. Stringent action will be taken against anybody found responsible for the leak including senior education officials.
A day after Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis ordered a review of the controversial open space policy, which was passed in the general body meeting of the civic body, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has now sought to reopen the same for discussion.

BJP MLA and corporator Ameet Satam has moved a notice of motion to reopen the policy in the general body meeting of Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) for discussion. This means the implementation of the policy in its present form will be stalled.

Read more: Fadnavis intervenes to save Mumbais open spaces

Satam has said the policy was not citizen-friendly and the views of the citizens needed to be incorporated.

The reopening of any policy cannot be done within three months of its approval; hence, Satams notice of motion will be taken into consideration only after three months.

It is at the general body meeting that the fate of the policy will be decided and not according to the civic chief Ajoy Mehtas review report.

Even if the review report of Mehta is positive but a majority of corporators at the general body meeting choose to reopen the policy for discussion, the power will lie with the elected body to change the policy further.

Civic sources said the concerns of the citizen groups- open spaces will be misused and will be out of bounds for citizens- will be tackled on priority.

Mehta said, Citizens concerns will be addressed. No construction will be allowed on open spaces (recreation grounds or playgrounds) and it will be a part of the DCR that is under revision.

Meanwhile, Mehta will initiate the process of taking over 235 open spaces from private entities, who had been allotted spaces under the old adoption policy, from Monday.

He has sought legal opinion from the law department of BMC on the further course of action-whether to issue letters asking representatives of the entities to be present on a particular date when the civic officials take over the plot or to send notices or carry advertisements in newspapers.

The Sena, however, continued to defend the policy saying it was would help maintain open spaces better.

Standing committee chairman Yashodhar Phanse, said, We have been talking about taking back over 200 plots from private entities and it is good that the civic administration will do it now. We still stick to our stand that it is a good policy.

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Six Bangladeshi nationals have been arrested in Bihar in two separate incidents, one for carrying forged documents that identified him as an Indian and five others for a dacoity in Siwan, north Bihar.

In one incident, the Patna police on Thursday arrested a Bangladesh national for trying to procure an Indian passport citing forged papers that identified him as a resident of Nawada in south central Bihar.

Acting on a tip-off, a police team caught Abdul Mannan, a resident of Kalopra Parsen under Navagaon district of Bangladesh, from the premises of the regional passport office at Ashiana Nagar under Shastri Nagar police station here.

Although he had furnished his residential address at a location in Nawada in Bihar, the man was unable to speak Hindi. This raised suspicion among the officials at the office, who informed the police.

Mannan then tried to flee from the scene but the police arrested him. During a search of his personal effects, the officers found a fake Aadhaar card, a pass book of a bank branch at Nawada and a cell phone.

During his interrogation, Mannan revealed the name of one Noor Mohammad of Nawada who allegedly provided him fake documents and sent him to the regional passport office in Patna to get his Indian passport.

According to Patna SSP Manu Maharaaj, members of gang facilitating the making of fake passports in the state capital fraudulently used the documents of an Indian national to process the passport request of the Bangladeshi national.

Maharaaj told HT that preliminary investigation suggested that after procuring an Indian passport on the basis of forged papers, the Bangla national was planning to head to Saudi Arabia.

Some passport officials were also under the police scanner, this connection. Following the arrest of Mannan, the police have decided to launch a passport verification drive, the SSP said, adding this was not an isolated incident.

Earlier, in 2012, a joint team of IB and Patna police had arrested Bangladesh resident Mohammed Noor Nabi from regional passport office at Ashiana Nagar, also on the charge of trying to procure a passport using forged documents.

At that time, Shahabul Haq, a local resident, was also arrested for trying to facilitate Nabi. A senior state official said it was suspected that several Bangladeshi nationals had managed to obtain Indian passports using spurious papers.

In the other incident, the Siwan police have arrested 12 criminals of a gang, including five Bangladeshi men, for their involvement in a series of recent incidents of dacoity and loot.

The Bangladeshi nationals were identified as Sahinoor (Dhaka), Ekram, Mohammad Badal Khan, Imadul Sheikh and Reena Khatoon. All these persons had rented an accommodation at Makhdumsarai in Siwan and managed to procure Aadhaar card and Voter ID cards.

The mastermind of the gang, Esraful, husband of Khatoon, also a Bangladeshi man, had yet to be arrested, said ASP Arvind Kumar Gupta. According to Gupta, all the five Bangladeshis had been residing in the area for the past one-and-a half years, under assumed names.

We are looking at how these persons, whose credentials appear to be fake, managed to get permanent residency certificate, Voter ID, bank passbook and Aadhaar card to project themselves as Indian citizens, said Gupta.

A case had been registered against them for illegal stay in the area under the relevant sections of the Foreigners Act, the ASP added.

For the purpose of establishing their credentials as Indians, the arrested persons claimed to have bribed local election office and Aadhaar card officials to procure the fake papers, other sources said.

On being questioned, the arrested persons revealed the names of several persons, including an advocate and a government official who helped them procure Aadhaar and Voter ID cards.

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News / National

by Stephen Jakes

Harare City Council has come under fire for failing to fulfil most of the promises it made to residents.Harare Residents Trust said the Harare Mayor and ward councillor,Bernard Manyenyeni held a meeting with Mt Pleseant residents on 10 December 2015."Residents raised concerns on road maintenance and street lighting. The Mayor suggested that the residents should either contribute towards street lighting or wait for the council to carry out that exercise, whose time frame is not yet known," said the trust."The question comes now which the HRT will keep on asking since when and up to when will the time frame end?. When will the city fathers wake up and address residents' concerns?. Residents what are your view on the council's unknown time frame of providing services we pay for?."
In a major headway in the murder case of a pundit (priest) here, Tarn Taran police succeeded in arresting the accused on Saturday.

The accused has been identified as Gurvel Singh, a resident of Rashiana village. The arrest was made on Saturday in connection with the murder of pundit Inder Lal on Thursday.

Lal, a resident of Amritsar, ran his business from a shop in Tarn Taran. He reportedly went to Fatehabad village to hold a hawan (Hindu religious ceremony) on Wednesday morning (January 13) but did not return home. Later, he was found murdered with severed head at Allowal village on Thursday. His family members recognised him by seeing the words written on his arm.

In a press conference held here on Saturday, senior superintendent of police (SSP) Manmohan Sharma said many questions arose as the body of the deceased was found with severed head. Special police teams were constituted under the supervision of superintendent of police (investigation) Jagmohan Singh, Sharma added.

He said police scanned and interrogated people connected with the deceased and Gurvel Singh came to fore as the prime suspect during the investigation. Gurvel confessed his crime when police interrogated him, Sharma added.

In his confession to police, Gurvel Singh said, I was a client of pundit Inder Lal and was in contact with him for the last 6-7 years. As I am suffering from a serious disease, I used to meet Lal frequently for treatment of the disease with kala elam (black magic), in which he was an expert. I used to pay him whatever fee he charged. I remained normal for a few days during the treatment and then fell ill again.

Gradually, he started exploiting me by demanding more money in the name of treating the disease. I started doubting Lals intentions and thought that he himself provoked the disease and then took a lot of money for its treatment. I was financially as well as physically beleaguered and got fed up with his attitude, Gurvel told police.

He further said in his confession, On January 13, Lal demanded `5,000 fee on phone which angered me so much that I decided to kill him. We chose Fatehabad village as venue of our meeting on the next day. I reached there on time and asked him to get inside my car so that he could recite mantars of kala elam. As soon as he started reciting the mantars, I attacked him with a sharp-edged weapon and he died on the spot.

Gurvel further said he covered Lals body with a cloth and took it to a lonely place near Allowal village. So that no one recognised the body, I severed the head, put the body in a sack and threw it in an irrigation drain. I hid the severed head under a bridge at around 8.30pm, he said during the interrogation.

SP (investigation) Jagmohan Singh said police were investigating the matter further and trying to identify the reasons behind the crime.

People had also expressed their anger against the police for not nabbing the accused by staging a dharna outside the SSPs office on Friday

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Despite the cold weather, tens of thousands of devotees visited gurdwaras across north India on Saturday morning to offer prayers on the occasion of the 349th birth anniversary of the 10th Sikh guru Gobind Singh.

Hundreds of devotees thronged the holiest of Sikh shrine Harmandar Sahib, popularly known as Golden Temple, in Amritsar and the Takht Keshgarh Sahib at Anandpur Sahib, the second most important Sikh shrine where the guru spent a number of years and founded the Khalsa Panth in 1699, to offer prayers.

Devotees could be seen visiting other gurdwaras across Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh to offer prayers despite the cold weather. The maximum temperatures ranged from 10 to 16 degrees in the region on Friday.

This is an important year. Next year will mark the 350th birth anniversary of Guru Gobind Singh. This whole year will mark celebrations of the 10 master, Gurbaksh Singh, a devotee visiting the Anandpur Sahib shrine, 80 km from here, said.

The Punjab government is already working on plans to celebrate the 350th birth anniversary of the guru in January 2017 in a big way.

The main celebrations next year will be in Bihars capital Patna, the birth place of Guru Gobind Singh. Special celebrations will be held in Anandpur Sahib and Harmandar Sahib.

The Punjab cabinet has accorded the approval for constitution of a foundation for celebration of 350th Parkash Utsav of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji from 4th to 6th January, 2017, a Punjab government spokesman said here on Saturday.

Memorable festivities will continue throughout the year during which seminars will be conducted on history and philosophy of Sri Guru Sahib. The meaningfulness of dissemination of Guru Sahibs ideology has increased during the present era of rising communalism and social partitions, the spokesman said.
The high court on Friday issued a notice to the Haryana government on a petition by Satlok ashram head Rampal seeking quashing of a first information report (FIR) against him for the November 2014 violence and seeking a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into the deaths reported in the violence.

The notice was issued by the single-judge bench of justice Fateh Deep Singh, seeking the states response by January 22.

Rampals counsel SK Garg Narwana said that during the November 2014 crackdown by the police to arrest Rampal, a woman had died. The police had registered an FIR against Rampal on the charges of murder and criminal conspiracy. But, later the post-mortem examination found that she died of pneumonia.

The counsel contended that Rampal was being falsely implicated by the police and all the deaths, reported during the incident, should be probed by the CBI to ascertain truth.

The petitioner has also sought quashing of murder charges against him by cops in this case. Besides, attempt to murder, murder, destroying public property, and violating the Arms Act, Rampal is accused of waging war against the state in the matter.

Rampal is presently behind bars. The police and paramilitary forces had smoked him out of his ashram after days of operation, in which six people were killed, on November 19, 2014.

The high court had ordered his arrest as he was evading personal appearance in a contempt of court case.
Three to four shots were fired at an approaching highway patrolling party of Punjab Police on Saturday afternoon from a car parked on the wrong side of the Patiala road at Zirakpur in this district.

Somebody had tipped police about weapons on board this white Mitsubishi Lancer. When the cops spotted it near Gurdwara Nabha Sahib with a mud-covered registration-number plate, they pulled in front of it and moved in for search. This is when the four men inside opened fire.

The policemen were lucky not to be injured but the attackers got away, Zirakpur station house officer (SHO) Deepinder Singh Dhillon has confirmed, adding that police also fired back. Police have sealed the area and started combing it. They have registered a case on the complaint of head constable Lekh Ram of the highway patrol.
Chief minister Virbhadra Singh has expressed deep grief over the demise of renowned litterateur 86-year-old Satyen Sharma, who died after prolonged illness in Dehradun on Saturday evening.

Satyen Sharma was born on April 4, 1930 at Dehradun and joined HP public relations department in 1957 as sub-editor of Himprastha magazine. He retired as senior editor from the department in 1988.

The chief minister said, Sharma contributed immensely towards the field of literature and provided a suitable platform to a number of young writers to exhibit their talent. His death was a great loss to the literary world, especially to Himachal Pradesh.

He expressed deep sympathies with the bereaved family members and prayed for the peace of the departed soul.

In his condolence message, information and public relations minister Mukesh Agnigotri said, Sharma was a reputed writer and he also contributed enormously to the information and public relations department of the state government.

Information and public relations director MP Sood, officers and employees of the department, have also mourned the passing away of Satyen Sharma and prayed to the almighty for peace of the departed soul.

Sharma remained associated with many prominent poets and writers of the country like Nirala and was one of the litterateurs, who worked for promoting literary activities in the state. While serving in the publication wing of the public relations department, he contributed greatly in dissemination of policies and programmes of the state government up to grassroots level.

Sharma was also associated with radio rural forum, a radio programme of the public relations department. He gave his invaluable services in preparation of developmental stories while working in film division of the department.
Khushpinder Singh (25), a villager from Bahadurpur in this district, is reported to have been shot to death by robbers in the US mid-western state of Indiana on Friday. An acquaintance broke the news to his family on Saturday morning.

Khushpinders father Satpal, an ex-serviceman, was told that his son had just opened his store when two black assailants opened fire on him, killing him on the spot, and fled after looting the shop. Satpal said Khushpinder had gone to the US in 2010 in search of better opportunities after school.

He had opened a department store in the US in partnership with another Indian-origin man and had never reported any enmity with anyone. Robbery seems to be the only motive in his murder, said Satpal.

He recalled that Khushpinder had called home two days ago to tell the family about his wellbeing. It is difficult to believe that he is no more, said Satpal, who lost his wife sometime ago.
Confirming suspicions, 25-year-old Saira Bano was allegedly smothered by the accused Manohar Lal Gupta, the police said on Friday.

The post-mortem report of the victim stated that she suffered head injury, which led to internal bleeding. She was smothered to death, police said.

Gupta was running a flesh trade racket and Bano was working with him, police said. Banos body was found from his cars boot when he was going to dispose it of in the wee hours on Wednesday near industrial area here.

According to the post-mortem, Bano suffered head injury which led to internal bleeding, but she was smothered to death.

On Tuesday night at Rajans (another accused) house in sector 10 here, she asked for her dues, which amounted to around Rs 1.5 lakh. Gupta refused to pay her. It led to a quarrel between them, said Station House Officer (SHO), Sector 20 police station, Ajit Singh.

As Bano was screaming, he pressed against her mouth, and also put a handkerchief. In a fit of rage, he hit her. She fell down and her head hit something hard due to which she became unconscious.

After that Gupta went to sleep. And in the wee hours of Wednesday, with the help of Rajan and his wife Payal, he packed the body in a gunny bag and went out to dispose, SHO added.

Bano had come from Mumbai to Chandigarh a few months back in search for work. Owing to financial constraints she took to flesh trade.

She came in contact with Nishant, who was into flesh trade.

Later, she met Gupta, the prime accused, who was earlier in jail too for 18 months in connection with a rape case registered at Ropar.

On Friday, post-mortem was conducted as no one from her family came.

The police were likely to wait till Saturday for any family member after which it would conduct the burial.

All the three accused in the case, are charged for murder, will be produced before the court on January 20.
To ensure transparency in all the activities of students at different stages, Panjab University (PU) syndicate meet scheduled for January 23 will be finalising the modified mechanism for redressal of grievances of students.

Varsity had framed mechanism for redressal of grievances of students by which they will be provided an appellate authority. As per the proposal, a student will be able to submit his complaint directly to the head of the department instead of going to a department-level committee or university-level committee for academic or administrative issue.

The procedure will now come up as agenda item before syndicate meeting on January 23. Dean Student Welfare, Prof Navdeep Goyal, has framed the guidelines in which he has suggested for the formation of department-level and university-level committees.

PU syndicate will also be raising the issue of facilities for the persons with disability for the conduct of written examination with immediate effect and also on the difference in the scheme of syllabus taught to the students of MBA 3rd semester at PURC, Ludhiana and at the University Business School, PU, for the session 2015-16. Following the demand from a majority of students, the issue of extension in the date of admission to all classes under semester system, through USOL with late fee of `20,000 will also be taken up at the syndicate.
The Punjab and Haryana high court has refused to interfere in a Punjab Police decision in which the security cover given to former superintendent of police (SP) Ajmer Singh Romana was withdrawn post retirement.

The high court bench of justice RK Jain said in its order that the petitioner had brought nothing on record to prove that he had received any kind of threat to his life and liberty from terrorists, and so, there was no reason for the court to interfere in the decision of the government. The SP, who retired in 2009, had moved court alleging threat to his life and submitted that while posted as assistant sub-inspector (ASI) at Nabha Sadar in Patiala district in 1984, he had been injured by terrorists of the Babla group, who had killed constable Basant Singh in the attack. Romana had joined the police service in 1976.

He further submitted that as station house officer (SHO) in Khanna, he had also looked into 1988s Daheru case (in which a police party engaged in an encounter shortly before Operation Black Thunder had abandoned its weapons and fled); and been given a personal security officer, who had been withdrawn recently. The government, on the other hand, submitted that it had no provision for security cover to retired police officers, except in the case of threat perception.

The security is also subject to regular periodic review, according to which it may be reduced, retained, increased or removed, depending upon the threat perception, the state government claimed, arguing that the additional director general of police had evaluated the threat perception to Romana before the latters security cover had been withdrawn.

The high court observed that it had been more than 30 years since the petitioner had last received any threat from the Babla terrorist gang after registering a case in 1984. It observed that similarly, after the Daheru incident, the petitioner had served safely as SHO at Tapa (Barnala), Dhuri (Sangrur), Walianwali (Bathinda); and as deputy superintendent of police and SP at Rupnagar, Majitha, Bathinda and Khanna.

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News / National

by Stephen Jakes

Harare Residents Trust has claimed that there are fears that the ruling Zanu PF may send its officials across 46 wards in Harare to conduct service delivery consultations yet the party has no mandate given by the people in the city.The trust said it expect that elected Councillors, working with their officials in local authorities should conduct consultations on service delivery in urban councils, and not political parties."It is frightening to read and hear that there are plans by the ruling party to deploy its officials across the 46 wards of Harare to conduct service delivery consultations," said the trust." If they gather their information, where will they take them? Because under the local government system, the issues emerging from the communities have to be channelled to the council through either the council committees or individual councillors, and in some instances through the District Offices."The trust said there is nothing completely wrong for a political party to mobilise its membership to contribute to the development of a local authority for the purposes of their party mobilisation, but there is everything wrong when the political activities interfere with the operations of a local authority."The HRT believes that local authorities should be depoliticized to ensure effective and efficient service provision," the trust said.
Unidentified miscreants decamped with Rs 11.91 lakh on Saturday after breaking open an unguarded automated teller machine (ATM) of Union Bank of India branch at Basti Bawa Khel locality on the busy Kapurthala road.

Its the sixth ATM heist in the Jalandhar police commissionerates jurisdiction in the past nine months and in most cases cops have failed to find any major clues pertaining to gangs involved in these thefts.

Surveillance camera footage revealed that a man wearing a helmet entered the ATM kiosk at 5.35 am and smashed the camera within 15 seconds.

The miscreants then used gas-cutters to break open three cash boxes and took away the fourth box with them. Police said the miscreants had managed to disconnect the wires of the machines inbuilt camera.

The kiosk was unguarded. Sources said clear instructions have been given to banks that if an ATM doesnt have a guard, then the bank should lock the kiosks at night. However, in this case, the kiosk was open, making it an easy target for the thieves.

The ATM was targeted at 5.35 am but police received the information about the crime after nearly three hours.

Senior police officials, including additional deputy commissioner of police (investigation) Vivek Sheel Soni, assistant commissioner of police (ACP investigation) Harjinder Singh, ACP west Ravinder Pal Singh Sandhu and sleuths from CIA wing inspected the crime scene. Forensic experts also collected samples from the spot.

A case has been registered against unknown persons at the Basti Bawa Khel police station.

Banks assistant manager Vijay Kumar said the request for deployment of guard had been sent to the higher authorities. We are awaiting their response, he added.

In a similar way, miscreants had looted Rs 12.10 lakh from the UCO bank ATM in Guru Gobind Singh Avenue on November 14 last year.

ASI heading naka near crime spot suspended

The Jalandhar police have suspended assistant sub-inspector (ASI) Resham Singh, who was heading the naka near the ATM kiosk . The naka was held from 8 pm on Friday till 8 am on Saturday. The thieves targeted the ATM around 5.30 am.

Police have also ordered an inquiry against three other cops who were with ASI during the naka. An explanation has also been sought from station house officer Basti Bawa Khel police station over the incident.
Punjab deputy chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badal on Saturday said there was need to check narco terrorism by introducing modern surveillance systems along the international border with Pakistan. Sukhbir claimed that Punjab had the highest drug conviction rate in the country and was implementing an effective de-addiction drive.

The deputy chief minister, who also holds the home portfolio, said the porous and riverine tracts along the border and lack of sufficient manpower to maintain vigil effectively were hurting the state that has witnessed two fidayeen strikes in the span of less than six months.

He said effective steps should be taken immediately to seal the border and stop entry of contraband into the state.

He alleged that the Congress has launched a vicious campaign to malign the image of the state by calling its youth drug addicts.

He said Punjab had launched a crusade against drug menaces and there should be no room for dirty politics on this issue. The mudslinging would only strengthen the hands of anti-Punjab forces, he added.

Sukhbir said in 2015 the state narcotics control bureau confiscated 63 consignments in the border areas besides some heavy seizures of drugs, including 12-kg heroin in Tarn Taran, 18 kg in Amritsar, 13kg in Ferozepur, 25kg heroin in Fazilka and 74kg in Ferozepur.

The deputy CM said the Punjab Police was keeping a constant vigil along the international borders to prevent the inflow of drugs into the state. As part of this, police were taking strict action against unscrupulous elements indulging in drug trade and had put 75,399 persons behind bars from 2007-2014. This includes five BSF officials.
Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) is set to introduce Wi-fi in 18 commercial and public zones in three cities in Jharkhand  Ranchi, Jamshedpur and Dhanbad.

The telecommunications companys proposal to extend the facility has already been approved, with BSNL officials stating that the three cities could be Wi-fi enabled within six months.

We got the approval for the project and the tendering process for equipment has begun, said AN Dhanorkar, BSNL general manager (consumer fixed asset), Jharkhand circle. He said that the company had earlier planned to introduce the facility by end of this fiscal but it could be delayed by a few more months.

The service will be available at minimal charge for all smartphone users, including those operating on other networks.

The charges have not been fixed yet but it will be cheaper than the 3G rates of different mobile network companies, said Sujit Kumar, BSNL general manager (consumer mobility) of Jharkhand circle. He said that the Wi-fi speed would be 54 mbps, which could be increased as per the demand.

The department of information technology (IT) is also drafting a proposal for extending Wi-fi to the entire city of Ranchi.

We are working on a proposal to provide the Wi-fi facility to the entire city. Internet would be provided free for a certain duration, which is yet to be decided. It could be 15 or 30 minutes a day, IT special secretary Sarvesh Singhal said.

If BSNL is able to provide the facility at the earliest, the Jharkhand government may think of extending financial support to the company for providing free Wi-fi to residents of Ranchi, a source in the CM secretariat said.

Under the Digital India mission, the Raghubar Das government has already announced Wi-fi for more than 4,500 panchayat buildings in the state. The move will help the government monitor the working of panchayati raj institutions (PRIs) via video conferencing and online data updates, an official said.

The facility could also be extended to primary health centres and post offices in the panchayat, Singhal said.

The state has given the Jharkhand Agency for Promotion of Information Technology (JAP-IT) the responsibility for implementing the project.
Actor-filmmaker Kamal and his erstwhile assistant Rajesh M Selva will be working together again in a yet untitled Tamil actioner. Thoongaavanam was their last outing together. Kamal will team up with Rajesh for another project later this year. It will be an out-and-out action film thats most likely going to be shot in Mauritius, said a source close to Haasan.

According to the source, this project was supposed to happen even before Thoongaavanam. Things didnt work out back then. Hence, theyre reuniting now to work on it. Its most likely to go on the floors later this year, the source added.

Thoongaavanam review: A better Kamal film, pacy and slick

Kamal, meanwhile, is busy putting together the cast for his next Tamil outing with filmmaker TK Rajeev Kumar. In this project, Shruti Haasan will team up with her father for the first time.

ott:10:ht-entertainment_listing-desktop
Thirty-three hostages have been evacuated from a hotel in Ouagadougou, the capital of Burkina Faso, that was attacked by suspected Islamist militants, minister of communications Remis Dandjinou said on Saturday.

Liberation of Minister (of Public Service, Labour and Social Security) Clement Sawadogo and about 30 hostages, Dandjinou said on Twitter, adding that they were taken to hospital. The operation continues.

Al Qaeda militants struck an upscale hotel and nearby cafe late Friday that are popular with Westerners in Burkina Fasos capital, taking an unknown number of hostages and forcing others to hide for their lives as gunfire and explosions rang out. The countrys troops backed by French forces were still trying to retake control of the building eight hours later.

It was not immediately known how many people may have been killed during the siege, though a survivor told hospital director Robert Sangare he estimated the toll could be as high as 20. At least 15 other people were seriously wounded by bullets and undergoing treatment at the Yalgado Ouedraogo hospital, he said.

The local al Qaeda affiliate known as AQIM claimed responsibility online as the attack was ongoing in downtown Ouagadougou at the 147-room Splendid Hotel, according to the SITE Intelligence Group.

In a message posted in Arabic on the militants Muslim Africa Telegram account, it said fighters had broke into a restaurant of one of the biggest hotels in the capital of Burkina Faso, and are now entrenched and the clashes are continuing with the enemies of the religion. Fighters who spoke by phone later asserted the fall of many dead Crusaders, AQIM said, according to SITE.

In the early morning hours, French forces arrived in Ouagadougou from neighbouring Mali to aid the effort. Burkinabe soldiers already had stormed the building, at one point briefly setting part of the building ablaze with their explosives.

Cars in front of the hotel also had been set on fire by the attackers, who stormed the bustling area downtown Friday evening.

Witness Vital Nounagnon told the AP that he saw four men wearing turbans attack the hotel and neighboring Cappuccino Cafe about 7:30 p.m. Another witness who gave only his first name, Gilbert, said that when Burkinabe security forces first arrived, they turned around rather than confront the attackers.

But we know that the gunmen wont get out of the hotel alive, he said. Our country is not for jihadists or terrorists. They got it wrong.

A man who works the day shift at the Cappuccino Cafe, Alpha Ouedraogo, had left just 90 minutes before the attack began. He said he had been in touch by phone with other employees and that more than a dozen of them were in hiding and awaiting rescue.

Burkina Faso, a largely Muslim country, had for years been mostly spared from the violence carried out by Islamic extremist groups who were abducting foreigners for ransom in Mali and Niger. Then last April, a Romanian national was kidnapped in an attack that was the first of its kind in Burkina Faso.

The country also has been in growing political turmoil since its longtime president was ousted in a popular uprising in late 2014. Last September members of a presidential guard launched a coup that lasted only about a week. The transitional government returned to power until Burkina Fasos November election ushered in new leaders.

Fridays violence mirrored a devastating attack on the Radisson Blu hotel in neighboring Mali back in November that left 20 people dead. In that case, Malian troops - backed by French and American special forces - swarmed in to retake the building and free terrified guests and hotel staff during a siege that lasted more than seven hours.

The Bamako hotel attack also was claimed by a leader of AQIM, who said it had been carried out as a declaration of unity with Algerian militant Moktar Belmoktars extremist group Al-Mourabitoun, according to an audio speech that was distributed by SITE at the time. Belmoktar was a former leader in AQIM before starting his own group, which now has merged back with al Qaeda.
More than 30 Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) operatives, including their leader, Masood Azhar, are in protective custody of the Punjab government but there is no official word on their arrest, local media has reported.

On Thursday, Rana Sanaullah, the law minister of Punjab province and a top leader of the PML-N party, conceded during a television talk show that Azhar and his associates were in protective custody after the foreign office spokesperson had informed in his weekly press briefing that he had no news of the arrest.

Law experts have insisted that the confusion is being intentionally created by the government so that Azhar does not get to be released through the local courts. The idea is not to officially acknowledge that he is in custody, said one official.

The fate of the JeM operatives depends on the outcome of the visit by Pakistani law enforcers to Pathankot, where they expect to be given evidence under which warrants of arrest can be issued.

Read | Masood Azhar in custody, but Jaish offices not closed: Pakistan minister

Masood Azhar has been taken into protective custody by the counter-terrorism force. This has been done so that if the information (provided by India) on the Pathankot incident is developed by our agencies, then the people connected to the incident can be arrested in that case, Sanaullah said.

So were holding on to (Azhar) for now, so that we can arrest him if necessary in this case, he added.

Sanaullah, who has himself been accused of having close links to radical groups in the past, further said authorities had not sealed offices of any organisations or caught anyone.

On Friday, the local law enforcement authorities claimed to have closed more seminaries of the JeM located in Sialkot and other parts of Punjab province. However, seminaries run by the JeM in Karachi and other parts of the country remain untouched.

Read | Pakistani militants attacked Pathankot airbase, Jaish operative tells HT

In the meantime, Pakistan is finalising the team it intends to send to Pathankot to collect evidence so that a comprehensive charge-sheet can be presented in Pakistani courts to formally detain JeM operatives.

Officials said the JeM has already approached the Lahore high court for the release of its members through lawyers. Azhar, in a message to the local media, did not comment on whether his group was involved in the Pathankot attack but insisted his detention was unlawful.

If the Pakistani authorities are unable to give enough evidence, it is feared that the courts will set Azhar free as they did in the case of (Lashkar-e-Taiba commander) Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi, said Kamil Mir, a Lahore-based lawyer.

Read | Making of a terrorist: Babri demolition triggered Masood Azhars jihad
A western German town has barred adult male asylum seekers from its public indoor swimming pool after receiving complaints that some women were sexually harassed there.

It was the latest sign of social tensions related to the arrival last year of 1.1 million migrants in Germany, followed by sex assaults on women by young male asylum seekers and migrants during New Years Eve celebrations in the city of Cologne.

The deputy mayor of Bornheim, a town of 48,000 some 30 km south of Cologne, said on Friday that a difficult decision was taken to send a clear message that breaching German cultural norms was a red line that should not be crossed.

There have been complaints of sexual harassment and chatting-up going on in this swimming pool ... by groups of young men, and this has prompted some women to leave (the premises), Markus Schnapka told Reuters.

This led to my decision that adult males from our asylum shelters may not enter the swimming pool until further notice.

He did not say how the ban would be enforced. German media say asylum seekers, who get no funds from the state, must present an identification document to be admitted to pools at a discounted rate.

Schnapka said his town had begun a campaign in local asylum seekers shelters to teach the occupants about gender equality and respect for women.

The gang attacks on women outside Colognes historic cathedral on the Rhine river deepened public doubts about Chancellor Angela Merkels open-door policy towards refugees fleeing conflicts in the Middle East and about Germanys ability to integrate the mainly Muslim and Arab newcomers.

Police investigations into the incidents of sexual molestation are focusing on 19 suspects, including 10 asylum seekers and nine illegal migrants thought to be from North Africa. Police said the suspects came from outside Cologne.

On Thursday, a carnival parade planned for next month in Rheinberg, a town north of Cologne, was cancelled after organisers said they would not be able to provide a security plan for the event on Feb. 8 as required by police.

German media reports said the decision arose partly from the fact that the parade route would have run near an asylum shelter with 500 residents. Rheinberg Mayor Frank Tatzel denied this when contacted by Reuters.

Merkel is now under increasing pressure to stem the flow of migrants coming to Germany. Several thousand continue to stream in every day and there has been a backlash by right-wing nationalist groups.
At least one Indian man was among the 63 hostages evacuated on Saturday from a hotel in Ouagadougou, the capital of Burkina Faso, that was attacked by suspected Islamist militants.

Sixty-three hostages, including 33 wounded, were evacuated in the early hours of Saturday, communication minister Remis Dandjinou told AFP.

There are some dead but we dont have the numbers. The assault is ongoing with the Burkinabe forces supported by French special forces, Dandjinou said, adding that amongst those rescued was labour minister Clement Sawadogo.

Information about the Indian man as one of the hostages came to light after a concerned friend, Gaurav Garg, took to Twitter to seek help from external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj. Garg said his friend Viraj was stuck in Splendid Hotel that was besieged by al Qaeda-linked gunmen..

In his first tweet, Garg said he was staying in Bravia Hotel in Burkina Faso, in vicinity of the hotel under attack, and sought immediate help.

@SushmaSwaraj Hi Mam , I am currently in Burkina Faso nearby Splendid Hotel . I am in Bravia Hotel requesting you to help NO: +22665932161  gaurav garg (@gangsta_gaurav) January 16, 2016

He later said his friend Viraj was among the hostages in Splendid Hotel.

@SushmaSwaraj My Friend Viraj is stuck in Splendid Hotel Where terrorist are helding hostage .Requesting your assistance #BurkinaFaso  gaurav garg (@gangsta_gaurav) January 16, 2016

After his second tweet went without any response, Hindustan Times decided to intervene. We sent out a tweet about an Indian man being stuck in the hotel under attack to Sushma Swarajs Twitter handle.

Indian man stuck in hotel under attack in #BurkinaFaso seeks assistance from @SushmaSwaraj https://t.co/enhOAE4vzs  Hindustan Times (@htTweets) January 16, 2016

However, by miraculous luck, Viraj was rescued by security forces just minutes later, even before the Indian ministry of external affairs could mobilise efforts for the same  though report has not yet been confirmed.

Nonetheless, understandably relieved, Garg extended his thanks to both HT and Sushma Swaraj in another tweet.

@htTweets @SushmaSwaraj . He is rescued by forces . I will update again , trying to get him on phone . Thanks for the support guys .  gaurav garg (@gangsta_gaurav) January 16, 2016

The recent attack comes less than two months after a jihadist hostage siege at the luxury Radisson Blu Hotel in the Malian capital Bamako in November.

The head of the citys main hospital on Friday had confirmed at least 20 dead and another 15 injured.

Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) has claimed responsibility for the attack, according to US-based monitoring group SITE.

The mujahideen brothers of AQIM broke into a restaurant of one of the biggest hotels in the capital of Burkina Faso, and are now entrenched and the clashes are continuing with the enemies of the religion, SITE quoted the group as saying.

A witness also reported seeing four assailants who were of Arab descent or white appearance and wearing turbans.

Several attacks have taken place in Burkina Faso in recent months, but no such assaults have yet hit the capital.

The countrys troops backed by French forces are still trying to retake control of the building hours after the attack began
News / National

by Staff Reporter

A self proclaimed rich man from Harare has approached the court seeking the custody of three children accusing one of his estranged wives of being irresponsible.Passwell Mubayiwa filed the application before magistrate Marehwanazvo Gofa who dismissed it and granted the custody of children in favour of estranged wife Naume Muchada.Mubayiwa had indicated that he was willing to take care of the children because his wife spends most of the time beyond borders of Zimbabwe.He said at some point she spent 12 months away from them in South Africa.He said two of the children will be in boarding school under his supervision while the younger one will be in pre school staying with him.But Muchada said the husband should be honest in court because she was still his wife.She said he was lying that they divorced as he spent the whole of October and December at her home.She said the problem was that he stays with another woman.She refused to give him the children because he has never supported them.
Irans foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said nuclear-related sanctions on his country would be lifted on Saturday, telling reporters in Vienna it was a good day for the world.

Its a good day for the people of Iran... and also a good day for the region. The sanctions will be lifted today, he said after arriving in Austrias capital, according to the ISNA news agency.

His comments came after diplomatic sources said the UN nuclear watchdog would likely say Iran had complied with last Julys landmark agreement with world powers on Tehrans atomic programme.

Zarif, who led Iran in nuclear talks with the United States, Britain, China, France, Russia and Germany, said the deal had removed from the Middle East the shadow of a baseless confrontation.

It proved that we can solve important problems through diplomacy, not threats and pressure, and thus today is definitely an important day, he added.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) report will allow US secretary of state John Kerry, Zarif and EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini, to announce in Vienna that the deal can enter into force, the diplomatic sources said.

Under the July 14 deal, Iran agreed to scale down dramatically key areas of its nuclear activities in exchange for relief from crippling sanctions, notably on Tehrans oil exports.

These steps, combined with tighter IAEA inspections, extend to at least one year -- from just a few months previously -- how long Iran would need to make enough fissile material for one nuclear bomb.

Iran has always denied seeking an atomic weapon, saying its activities are only for peaceful purposes such as power generation and medical research.
Indonesia has identified one of five attackers in the deadly Jakarta violence as a previously-jailed militant whose picture -- captured amid the mayhem -- went viral in the country as the grim face of Islamic extremism.

All five attackers died in coordinated suicide bombings and shootings in central Jakarta on Thursday, which also killed two civilians, wounded two dozen people, and appeared to confirm rising fears of the Islamic State groups (IS) emergence in the worlds most populous Muslim country.

The attack has been claimed by IS, which has ruthlessly carved out a self-proclaimed caliphate in Syria and Iraq, and Indonesian police have more specifically blamed a southeast Asian affiliate of the group known as Katibah Nusantara.

Police say they have identified four of the five attackers, and late on Friday released the first name, a militant named Afif. Many Indonesians go by a single name.

Afif, who also uses the alias Sunakim, had trained in an Islamic paramilitary camp in Indonesias semi-autonomous Aceh region in 2010, national police chief Badrodin Haiti told reporters.

He was sentenced to seven years in jail for his involvement in the camp but was released last year, Haiti added. He gave no further details.

Haiti confirmed to reporters that Afif was the attacker in blue jeans, black T-shirt and a black hat pictured preparing to raise his handgun in a photo that rippled across Indonesias hyperactive social media universe.

The police chief said Afif has been recruited to IS by Indonesian extremist Bahrum Naim, who is believed to be a founding member of Katibah Nusantara and who police say orchestrated Thursdays attacks from Syria.

Haiti added that Naim himself was arrested in Indonesia in 2010 for illegal possession of ammunition and received a one-year jail term.

We found ammunitions and we processed him and he received a one-year (sentence). Now he is doing it again, Haiti said.

Indonesian police launched raids across the country on Friday in the wake of the countrys worst such attack in seven years, saying they suspected a broader extremist network was behind it.

If confirmed to be the work of Katibah Nusantara, which is made up primarily of Malay-speaking Indonesians and Malaysians, it would mark the first violence in Southeast Asia by the group.

Authorities in southeast Asian countries with significant Muslim populations have repeatedly warned of the potential for their citizens to return from fighting alongside IS in the Middle East and carry out violence at home.

Police have said one of the two victims of Indonesias worst terror incident in seven years was a local. The other was a dual Algerian-Canadian citizen, Algerias government has said.
In a change of guard largely unnoticed by the rest of the country, Louisiana governor Bobby Jindal added an ex to his designation and slipped out of office earlier this week.

Indian Americans as a community have one less governor now Nikki Haley continues as South Carolina governor, but only till she is picked up as a vice-presidential candidate. There is a good chance of that, but until then she is the only one.

However, few Indian-Americans will miss Jindal, a man they once cherished and celebrated but grew to dislike  intensely in some quarters  as he distanced himself from them.

Good riddance, he had become an embarrassment, an Indian-American political operative in DC said. He didnt want to be identified as he once worked for Jindal.

Jindal, who ended a tepid bid for his partys nomination to run for the White House in November, was the first Indian-American ever elected governor.

Before that, he was the second Indian American ever elected to the House of Representatives  the first was Dalip Singh Saund, a first generation immigrant from Punjab.

Jindal, a Rhodes Scholar like Bill Clinton, had begun to be noticed as assistant secretary of health in George W Bushs administration. He had obvious potential, many recall. And before long, he was running for office. First, for governorship of Louisiana, which he failed the first time, and then congress, where he twice succeeded. Then he returned to run for governorship, and won twice.

Many Indian-Americans recall going to work for him. We were young, so was he, and we were all so excited for him and the community, said one of them, a Republican operative.

But gradually  and no one quite remembers when exactly  Jindal began distancing himself from the community, or so many said they felt  to broaden his appeal, perhaps.

What chance does a skinny guy with a dark complexion and a funny name have to get elected president of the United States? Jindal joked at a DC event in 2013. But perhaps he believed that.

Named Piyush Jindal by his parents, who came to the US from Punjab, as a child he began calling himself Bobby after a character in The Brady Bunch, a television show.

He converted to Christianity as a teen and, to complete the switch, he began calling himself American and not Indian-American around the time he announced his White House run.

His career took off in the meantime. John McCain considered him as a running mate in 2008, and pundits generally said he was ready for the White House. Not if, but when.

The community didnt quite give up on him though, strangely. His White House run announcement was greeted by a storm of indignant tweets calling him a wannabe white, and worse.

And when he suspended his campaign in November, Hari Kondabolu, an Indian-American comic, tweeted, This is the second time Bobby Jindal quit a race.

Jindal hasnt discussed his plans publicly. His aides have said he will work at a DC think tank he co-founded in 2014, America Next, when he was considering a run.

Will he run again? He is only 44.
Oscar-winning actor Sean Penn on Friday rejected Mexicos claim that his secret meeting with Joaquin El Chapo Guzman was crucial to the drug kingpins recapture, saying officials were trying to put him in the crosshairs of the feared cartel.

Penn also told talk show host Charlie Rose that he regrets the fallout from the Rolling Stone article based on his interview with Guzman. Their meeting in a jungle hideout was the first interview anyone scored with the fugitive drug lord, and Penn said he had hoped it would spur a broader discussion on the drug war.

In Penns first major television interview about the meeting, Rose asked the actor whether he believed Mexico President Enrique Pena Nietos government had deliberately sought to credit him with Guzmans capture to put him at risk from the Sinaloa Cartel.

Yes, Penn replied.

There is this myth about the visit that we made, my colleagues and I with El Chapo, that it was... essential to his capture, Penn said.

We know the Mexican government, they clearly were humiliated by the notion that someone found him before they did, added Penn.

The actor, who has won Oscars for Mystic River and Milk, said he met Guzman many weeks before his arrest, in a location far from where the kingpin fell into police hands in northern Mexico six months after staging a spectacular prison break through a tunnel in his cell floor.

I have a terrible regret, Penn said in the interview recorded on Thursday in California. I have a regret that the entire discussion about this article ignores its purpose, which was to try to contribute to this discussion about the policy on the war on drugs.

Let me be clear. My article has failed, said Penn.

Rolling Stone published Penns article on Saturday, a day after Guzmans recapture. The piece cited the drug lord boasting about smuggling drugs into the United States, and about laundering ill-gotten gains.

Guzmans lawyer on Wednesday accused Penn of lying, and said he should be called to give evidence.

He (Guzman) could not have made these claims... Mr Guzman is a very serious man, very intelligent, Juan Pablo Badillo said. Wheres the proof? Wheres the audio?

Neither Penns publicist nor Rolling Stone have commented on Badillos claims. The excerpt of the Rose interview, published ahead of its full airing on CBS on Sunday, did not address the lawyers comments.

A government spokesman said on Tuesday that Mexico was not directly investigating Penn nor his companion, actress Kate del Castillo, but rather the circumstances around the meeting.
This photo was taken at the Marine Museum in N Va. It is one of many plaques that are offered there, demonstrating the "Determination" (another plaque there) of the Marine Corp and those that serve in it.

That museum is something to see. To those that are in the DC area, it is well worth making the time to see.

I use this image for this piece because of its irony. The GOP candidates don't know any more about leadership than they do about the man in the moon; and it shows.
Yahoo is set to release 13.5TB worth of data gathered from an estimate of 20 million users of the website. But users need not fret about the data dump, as the company says that the users will be anonymous and the data will only be given to academic research communities who wish to contribute to the advancement of machine learning and artificial intelligence.

The data will reveal basic information such as age, gender and general location. The most important part of the data, however, is the information on how these users interact with the website's news web services like Yahoo! News and Yahoo! Finance. This includes information on what devices they used to visit the site, what articles they read and how long they stay on an article, Slash Gear reports.

This move by Yahoo is part of the company's means of attracting talented minds to join its quest to be ahead in researching on artificial intelligence.

With the large-scale data that Yahoo is going to provide, researchers can determine patterns in what kinds of headlines or design features attract a specific group of people. Determining these patterns can greatly contribute to machine learning, Wall Street Journal reports.

While data dumps like this rarely occur outside Internet companies because of what the data could reveal about the business, it is not the first time that Yahoo has done it. There have been 56 previous releases in the Yahoo Labs Webscope program, which encompasses advertising, image, social and ratings data, among other categories, according to Venture Beat.

What sets apart this data dump is the large data, which is allegedly the biggest data dump ever made, with the last known biggest size at only 1TB, Venture Beat added.

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Two hundred militants were killed in Turkish retaliatory attacks on Daesh (ISIS/ISIL) locations along the border with Syria and Iraq.

Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said Thursday that the Turkish military fired around 500 artillery rounds on Daesh targets in the last 48 hours in retaliation for Tuesday's deadly suicide bombing in Istanbul, according to the Daily Sabah.

"Turkey will continue to punish with even greater force any threat that is directed against Turkey or its guests. We will press ahead with our determined struggle until the Daesh terrorist organization leaves Turkey's borders ... and until it loses its ability to continue with its acts that soil our sacred religion, Islam," Davutoglu said, according to the Associated Press.

At least 10 people, mostly German tourists, were killed and 15 others were injured in a ISIS suicide bombing at Istanbul's popular Sultanahmet tourist square on Tuesday, as HNGN previously reported.

The terror attack, which targeted a group of German tourists, occurred near popular tourist spots Sultan Ahmet Camii (Blue Mosque) and Ayasofya (Hagia Sofia).

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan visited the blast site on Friday and condemned the deadly attack, saying that the presence of Daesh in Turkey is not acceptable,

"There have been 10 acts by Daesh against Turkey so far. Our combat against any terrorist organization, especially the PKK and Daesh, will continue resolutely," Erdogan said, according to Anadolu Agency.

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Sonny Ray the pit bull has his own Instagram account, with more than 70,000 faithful followers who anxiously await his next picture that owner Josh Reyes posts daily. Reyes and Sonny Ray are working to change the stigma attached to the loveable breed, and their pro-pit bull and pro-rescue energy is definitely contagious. Running around their hometown of Los Angeles, Reyes and Sonny Ray encounter all kinds of people, making new friends and new fans wherever they go.

Reyes rescued Sonny Ray in June 2010, finding him in an abandoned house in his neighborhood. The pair have been inseparable best buds ever since. Six months after Sonny Ray was rescued, he became a certified emotional therapy dog, and Reyes decided Sonny Ray would be the perfect ambassador for his mission to change the world's views on pit bulls.

The affable Reyes and his happy sunglass-wearing pittie are perfectly match partners in crime. Never without sunglasses, Sonny Ray loves wearing them and has plenty of shades to match his mood.

"The single moment that changed my life was when I put sunglasses on a dog and it made the world smile," says Reyes, according to Dogster. "Angels come in all shapes and sizes - some have paws and some wear shades."

Reyes even made Sonny Ray the face of his Dogumantry brand. Dogumantry's mission is to spread love and smiles through Sonny Ray, a job that the beautiful sunglasses wearing pittie takes seriously, or as seriously as he can. Spreading the love is a perfect job for Sonny Ray.

"To lead a life in which we are inspired and can inspire others, our hearts have to be alive; they have to be filled with passion and enthusiasm," says Reyes. "To achieve that, we need the courage to live true to ourselves. Rather than borrowing from or imitating others, we need the conviction to be able to think for ourselves and to take action out of our own sense of responsibility."

One of Reyes and Sonny Ray's favorite groups is Reversed Rescue, an Los Angeles-based rescue that helps pit bulls. The dynamic duo has helped Reversed Rescue for years every chance they can.

Follow Sonny Ray on Instagram and keep up with his blog I'm not a Monster. Let Sonny Ray put a smile on your face today.

@ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
A new case of Ebola virus has been reported from Sierra Leone within only hours of the World Health Organization declaring the whole of West Africa - including Sierra Leone - as free of the virus, according to CNN.

The new case is that of a woman named Mariatu Jalloh, who was apparently traveling around the northern part of the country and visited areas along the country's border with Guinea.

Jalloh first had symptoms of vomiting and diarrhoea on Thursday of last week. She took herself to a government hospital in the town of Magburaka. There, even though a sample of her body tissue was taken, her condition was diagnosed as that of "severe cold," and she was apparently given some medicines to cure that and asked to go home. From that time, her health gradually deteriorated and she died on Tuesday.

After her death, nearly five people (not belonging to her family) were also involved in death ceremonies and the disposing of her corpse. In the meantime, a swab that was taken from her corpse was looked at in three separate tests by a lab run by Public Health England. It turned out that each of those three tests ended up positive for the Ebola virus.

The government of Sierra Leone has since quarantined all the family members of her family in order to isolate potential carriers of the virus. The people that were involved in dealing with her corpse were also added to that list. Now, the government is trying to trace all the other people that could potentially have come into contact with Jalloh before her death and then figure out if any of those other people also need to be quarantined, Reuters reported.

People in these areas are being advised not to take Ebola lightly. Even though the WHO may make formal declarations that a particular country is Ebola-free, people have to continue to adopt the strictest of health and hygiene guidelines and practices that they adopted on a daily basis during the peak of the outbreak, according to Channel News Asia/AFP.

@ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Anderson Cooper stepped up to the plate this week and hit a home run. When Cooper found out that a canine ballistic vest would have saved the life of a fallen K9 named Krijger with the Norfolk Virginia police department, he purchased enough vests to outfit all of the Norfolk police department's K9 unit.

The 4-year-old Belgian Malinois Krijger was shot and killed during a shootout involving the Norfolk police department during a domestic violence call, according to Barkpost. Krijger would be alive if he was wearing a $2,200 ballistic vest, something just not in the budget for the police department. Since Krijger's death, fundraisers had begun to purchase one vest at a time, but thanks to Cooper, the dogs at the Norfolk police department will be covered.

In 2015, Cooper had interviewed retired SEAL Jimmy Hatch, who runs a Virginia based charity, Spike's K9 Fund. It was through Spike's K9 Fund that Cooper made the donation after hearing of the plight through Hatch, since the pair remained in contact after the interview.

Hatch posted the CNN anchor's donation on Spike K9's website.

"We are humbled to announce that Anderson Cooper has donated his speaking fee for his upcoming 'Norfolk Forum' speech (26 January) to Spike's K9 Fund for the K9 Krijger Ballistic Vest Campaign. His donation was quite generous. All of the Norfolk K9's will be outfitted and we will start outfitting K9's from other cities in Hampton Roads with the remainder," he wrote.

The Norfolk Police Department showed their appreciation in a post on their Facebook page. "Dogs love us unconditionally and, every day, many of them selflessly risk their lives to protect us. Anderson Cooper did a beautiful thing by donating this money and making sure that they are protected when they put their lives on the line," they wrote.

Indeed he did. We already knew that Cooper was an animal lover, having posted a loving tribute to his dog Molly, who passed in 2015. But today, Anderson Cooper became a hero for the Norfolk PD K9 unit.





@ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
News / National

by Staff reporter

A HARARE woman was on Thursday ordered to undergo civil imprisonment of two months for failing to settle rent arrears amounting to $250.Skanyisiwe Ngwenya had the sentence suspended by magistrate Marehwanazvo Gofa on condition she pays Mr Abel Zhakata the $250 by the end of this month.Mr Zhakata, who had applied for Ngwenya's civil imprisonment, told the court that the woman was ordered by the same court to settle the arrears by October last year but failed.He said since the order was granted, Ngwenya had become evasive, prompting him to apply for civil imprisonment."I am applying for civil imprisonment because she has failed to give me my $250 rent arrears she owed me since August 2014," Mr Zhakata said."She was ordered by this honorable court to pay the money before the end of October last year but she was nowhere to be found after the order was granted. So I think it is better if she goes to prison because she has failed to give me my money," he said.Ngwenya pleaded with the court to give her time to look for the money.She claimed her husband, who was responsible for the rent, had deserted her."I never refused to pay him his money but at the moment I am not employed and have nowhere to get the money. If the court is amenable I will give him his money by 20 January but it will be in instalments," she said.
The water crisis in Flint, Mich, continues to develop, as Michigan governor Rick Snyder on Friday asked President Barack Obama for a federal declaration and help. Snyder also indicated that he would like the administrative authority of the mayor of Flint to be restored, and Michigan's Attorney General has launched a new probe into the situation.

Snyder formally requested President Barack Obama to declare the Flint situation as a federal disaster. His request also included a formal request for financial and other assistance from the federal government. The value of the request is more than $31 million. The money has been requested to procure water-testing equipment, water filters, filter cartridges and clean drinking water. Snyder also wants - for anyone that wishes for the lead level in his or her body to be checked - for such checks to be done fast and with ease. Snyder's letter also says that Michigan State's financial resources are inadequate to address the needs of Flint at this time. A White House spokesperson said that the request would be considered "expeditiously," according to Lake Placid News.

Karen Weaver has been the mayor of Flint since her election in November. For the past two years, the city of Flint has been administered by an official administrator representing the state of Michigan. The administrator's actions, in turn, are monitored by an advisory board. This is because the administration was taken over by the state of Michigan, as the city of Flint was previously mismanaged financially and was therefore in a state of financial emergency. Snyder has now written to the advisory board that he wishes the authority of the administration of the city to be restored and transferred back to the elected mayor of the city, the Associated Press reported.

Bill Schuette, Michigan's Attorney General, will be probing whether the sequence of events that led to the water crisis specifically involved any infringements of Michigan laws. This is in addition to the probe that federal prosecutors, working with the U.S. Environment Protection Agency, have already started into the causes of the crisis, according to The Daily Croton.

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Iran announced that has released four prisoners, one of whom is reportedly Jason Rezaian, a correspondent for the Washington Post who had been detained since 2014. All four of the prisoners, Iranian-American dual nationals, were reportedly released "within the framework of exchanging prisoners," ISNA news agency quoted the Tehran prosecutor's office as saying, according to the Associated Press.

Rezaian has been in custody in Iran since July 22, 2014. He was convicted of espionage against the Iranian state and "propaganda against the establishment" in October 2015 and then sentenced to a undisclosed prison term in November 2015.

Iran is in possession of three other U.S. prisoners, reported BBC News. While it is unclear who is being released, they are:

 Former U.S. Marine Amir Hekmati of Flint, Mich. He was detained in August 2011 on espionage charges while in the country to visit his grandmother. Though initially sentenced to death in 2012, he got a reduced sentence of 10 years in 2014 following a retrial. His family fears he may contract tuberculosis, citing his significant weight loss and breathing problems that he has experienced since his incarceration.

 Pastor Saeed Abedini of Boise, Idaho. He was detained for compromising national security, likely because of Christian proselytizing, in September 2012, a charge which he had already been arrested for previously in 2009. He was sentenced in 2013 to eight years in prison. There are claims that he was subjected to physical violence during his incarceration..

 Siamak Namazi, head of strategic planning at UAE-based Crescent Petroleum Co. and the son of a politician from the shah's era.

News of the release comes following a tense period in U.S.-Iran relations. In late December, U.S. officials alleged that the Iranian Navy unnecessarily provoked them by launching a test missile nearby a U.S. warship, and early this week, Iran released 10 U.S. naval officers who they held in captivity for a brief moment after a mechanical error caused their two ships to drift into Iranian territorial waters.

The release also comes on the same day of the historic nuclear accord that Iran struck with the U.S. and other world powers was due to be implemented.

@ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
A Chicago woman who was taking a week-long vacation in Belize was murdered while doing yoga, police said, according to CBS Chicago. She has since been identified as Anne Swaney, a 39-year-old executive web producer for ABC 7 in Chicago.

Swaney was reported missing on Thursday after she did not return from her morning yoga session. She had declined to take part in a group horseback ride but was missing when the group returned, ABC7 Chicago reported.

Police found Swaney semi-naked and facedown in a river Friday morning, with injuries suggesting that she may have been strangled. Benque Viejo Police Superintendent Daniel Arzu told reporters that investigators suspect that she had also been sexually assaulted.

Investigators stated Friday that they had a man in questioning who was known to be fishing close to the crime scene, but he was not considered a prime suspect at the current time, ABC11 reported. Arzu claimed that the area around the resort was not known to be a dangerous area and that current evidence points towards Swaney's murder being a random crime.

"We have not had any records in that particular area that our locals may have involved in any sort of crime within that area. We consider that area to be a peaceful area," he told reporters.

ABC7 Chicago has been paying tribute to Swaney since the news of her death, with President and General Manager John Idler describing the news as "a tragic loss for our newsroom, and really for the entire station and for the city of Chicago." Other staff members and friends praised Swaney's kindness and temperament, with fellow web producer Rosie Powers calling her "a light, a source of laughter and smiles, and a source of wisdom that's really one of a kind."

"We offer our sincerest condolences to her family and loved ones on their loss," the U.S. State Department said in a statement, according to the New York Daily News.

@ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
This is the first part of a 2-part article series that discusses the emerging importance at looking at mobile app message streams to understand the search and booking bevaviour of online travel company customers. We explain why you need it and how you can get the 360 degree channel view that includes mobille app traffic.

Let's talk about distribution technologies and how we get the business info we want to help drive decisions. Perhaps focusing mostly on Airlines and Hoteliers, but not excluding the wider travel product market, the supplier organisations in this complex world have multiple classes of channels that they need to manage with an effective way. I think of "classes" as disparate groups of similar technology based distribution mechanisms that include the direct website, the indirect push distributor, the indirect web and the direct mobile API. Direct means straight interaction with the customer and indirect means through one or more third party distributors.

Distribution Channels

The direct website is the brand.com and it probably drives nearly half of business volume directly to the consumer, especially in domestic or other specialised markets. . Tools like Google Analytics, Omniture (Adobe Marketing Cloud) and WebTrends to name a few are used to track who comes and goes. These technologies also allow monitoring of smart phone/tablet browser users that get nudged to the mobile friendly variant of www.brand.comaka m.brand.com. Websites respond with finished web pages (with analytical JavaScript tagging) containing product and service information neatly presented using HTML to end customers.

The indirect push type distributors take once or maybe several times a day, an upload of all the product and service availability data to refresh their distribution inventory. This is product and service data only and although possibly in XML, it can equally be sent in some binary format. The airline or hotel group can only expect reporting of bookings and is entirely dependent on the distributor for any search derived business intelligence.

The indirect API is usually based on XML technology and allows wholesalers to connect in real-time directly to the booking platform to search availability and pricing and hopefully book directly too. This traffic is product and service data only in a human readable text. Again, no presentation instructions are included and consumer presentation is handled by the OTA website at the consumer end of the supply chain. A variant of this channel probably handles metasearch traffic.

The direct mobile API is similar to the direct API except it is more likely to be based on JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) technology and RESTful protocols. This combination provides a lightweight form of data transfer that, although similar to XML, requires less processing and network bandwidth to deliver product and service availability to mobile applications. JSON is product and service data in a less readable form while the mobile app already contains the presentation data.

Distribution Pie Photo by Triometric

Ok, so what about the pie?

Everyone wants more pie. How about being able to analyse and report on all 360of the distribution pie? Pretty much every airline and hotel group captures and analyses their website data. Existing analytics software can deliver a treasure trove of website page popularity and visitor traffic that the marketing teams pour over and use to drive product decisions and offers, as well as manage prices and other activities. Let's assume that some 40% of bookings comes via this channel so it equates is 144of our pie and the analytics covers searches and bookings. What about the other 216of other channels?

The push distributor will most likely report on bookings but not on searches. This is unfortunate because searches represent probably 95% or more of the traffic and yet the airline or hotel group ends up knowing nothing about the market demand and trends that this traffic represents. They might be satisfied with the level of bookings via the channel but the "how many didn't convert, why not and what can we do about it?" type questions sadly go unanswered.

The direct web API uses XML over HTTP but does not use HTML so it can't be tracked using JavaScript tagging embedded in the HTML trick used by so many website analysis tools. That leaves three choices here. Firstly, the obvious do nothing approach and run blind  there are a surprisingly higher number of takers here. Second, use some in-house hard to maintain/use log file analysis designed by the guy who left last Christmas to get basic data about what happened yesterday or thirdly, adopt Triometric technology to deliver detailed, drillable real time analysis of search and booking transactions along with alerting and other important benefits.

So what about the mobile API? As the use of mobile technology has grown the larger enterprises have developed mobile apps. These not only offer the opportunity to search and book, they usually provide the opportunity to track and manage previous bookings e.g. a flight or room. This latter feature means that the user is more likely required to set up an account connection within the app which means they can be individually identified. This all sounds like a great opportunity and it is except, the same challenges exist with the mobile API that exist with the direct XML based API. In terms of technology, the underlying communications probably rely on either JSON or XML. Although JSON was originally designed to enable the transfer of structured data within an HTML environment, in this case it is being used outside of HTML/JavaScript and there is no opportunity to use tagging for monitoring. We are back to logging or using the Triometric platform for message decipher to get the wealth of intelligence embedded. (I mention our platform here, as we have just announced impending support for analysing JSON traffic streams as well as XML).

All the pie

The opportunity for the business is clearly to encourage their end customers to use their mobile app and benefit from a whole host of loyalty incentives delivered directly to their smartphone. Ironically this may be diverting traffic from brand.com which the marketing department is empowered to analyse in great detail so keeping sight of this traffic becomes a challenge.

The goal for online travel businesses is to be omni-channel  or put simply be able to address their customers' requirements irrespective of the channel /medium the client has selected to engage with them on. To achieve this, the business needs detailed client information and analytics across all channels. The business will struggle to be effective if it is running blind on one or more significant distribution channel. Different markets are usually addressed through different channels (that's why they exist) so it isn't appropriate to assume that analytics from one channel can be simply applied to others.

In short the business needs to have a full 360 visibility of distribution  all of the pie  and it really should be the priority to use available technology and business intelligence reporting to plug the gaps that exist today.

This article was first published on the Triometric Travel Blog. Triometric specialises in a travel analytics platform for online travel companies (suppliers and intermediaries) that delivers detailed business intelligence and performance analysis of their APIs.

About Triometric

Triometric helps online travel distributors meet the challenges and opportunities of today's fragmented distribution landscape using XML analytics. Built to the highest industry standards for business and IT professionals, Triometric technology is a powerful end-to-end API analytics platform that helps customers manage their complex distribution environment by giving them deep insight into their search and booking traffic. This actionable intelligence enables online travel intermediaries and suppliers to optimise their business performance by improving choice, increasing revenue and reducing costs.

Triometric customers include some of the leaders in the travel industry including GTA, Hotelbeds, Destinations of the World (DoTW), Miki Travel, and Bonotel..

Sonja Woodman

Marketing Manager

Triometric

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After delivering his eighth and final State of the Union address earlier this week, President Obama sat down with Adande Thorne (better known by his YouTube alias Swoozie) to answer a multitude of questions posed via the hashtag #YouTubeAsksObama. Among the questions was one that has been cause for contentious debate within the hip hop community: Drake or Kendrick Lamar?

Gotta go with Kendrick, Obama said. Im just saying. I think Drake is an outstanding entertainer but Kendrick, his lyrics, his last album was outstanding. Best album I think last year.

Obama has been vocal about his admiration for Lamars music; he named How Much a Dollar Cost his favorite song of 2015, and Lamar recently paid Obama a visit in the White House to promote his mentoring program.

Watch Obama give his answer at the 27-minute mark below.

Barack Obama
News / National

by Staff reporter

The trial of Steven Sugden, a Russian accused of infiltrating the Office of the Registrar-General and having fake passports processed, is set to resume on January 26 at the Harare Magistrates' Court.Sugden was arrested by the police's Serious Fraud Squad and his trial started on December 7.He is facing two counts of fraud involving criminally acquiring and possessing two travel documents using "fake" identity documentation.Magistrate Mr Tendai Mahwe heard that on December 10 last year, Sugden misrepresented to the Registrar-General's Office that he was not born in Zimbabwe and had never applied for Zimbabwean citizenship.But according to the RG's Office, Sugden reportedly acquired two Zimbabwean passports, one in Bindura and the other in Chinhoyi, using a manufactured birth certificate and a fake national identity card which were then strangely entered into the RG's database.Mr Daniel Machinga Gozhora, a senior security officer in the RG's Office, who represented interests of the Government department in the case as a witness, said the birth certificate used by Sugden and the national identity document got into the system through acts of criminality.He said officers who connived in the matter had been laid off and arrested.According to the State outline, Austin Kusokora from the RG's Office, who is at large, entered the identity card details into the system in 2012, while Elijah Sithole from the same office in Bindura, who received the application form from Sugden, was appearing in court over the matter.It is the State case that Sugden used a national identity document belonging to Jerry White, an alien, and a birth certificate for Sarudzai Kufa to acquire the passports.The court heard that the national identity number used was issued when Sugden was about nine years old and hence he did not qualify to hold such a document.Mr Gozhora, who testified that he has been employed for 20 years in the RG's Office, said criminals were now using every means to compete with the advancing technology to keep afloat their covert criminal business."Your Worship, criminals use all means to penetrate systems," he told Mr Mahwe.In the case, the RG's Office has maintained that the alleged criminality of Sugden was assisted by officers employed by the office and that all those who connived in the act obtained some benefits from him.Mr Gozhora told the court that normally a passport application goes through a minimum of 30 hands before it is finalised, but in this case, the Sugden's was only handled by a few conniving hands.In the RG's Office records, Sugden's documents appear, including his photograph, although the birth certificate, national identity card and passports are fake, the court was told.
There are six David Bowie albums in the Irish Top 30 this week, following the sad news about the death of the rock icon announced earlier in the week...

David Bowies new album Blackstar, released just before he died, has shot straight to No.1 in the Irish album charts. And in what is a remarkable expression of the love and affection in which the star was held, the retrospective Nothing Has Changed, released in 2014, has also charted at No.4  one of six Bowie albums in total that feature in the Top 30.

Best of Bowie lands at No.17; The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust re-enters the charts at No.20; Hunky Dory is at No.24; and The Best of David Bowie 1969-1974 is at No.27.

In what has been a good start to the year for retail, Blackstar knocks Justin Biebers mega-selling Purpose off the top spot, with Adeles monster global smash hit 25 at No.3.

Also new in the charts, at No.13, is Villagers' Where Have You Been All My Life, a collection of re-recordings of material from the bands three albums to date, which effectively re-imagines the songs in a different and newly cohesive way. Among the most notable updates is that of the first single release from the record, Memoir  which had previously appeared as a B-side.

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It is the only new Irish album in the Top 30.

Bowie's dominance is just as notable in the UK where he makes up 25% of the album chart, and has 13 songs, led at No.12 by 'Heroes', in the Top 100 Tracks. Blackstar sold almost 150,000 copies to claim the LP top spot, with Nothing Has Changed, The Best Of David Bowie 1969/1974, Hunky Dory, The Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust And The Spiders From Mars, Best Of Bowie, Aladdin Sane, The Next Day, Low, and Diamond Dogs also featuring. In total, he's sold 241,000 albums and 167,000 singles in the UK over the course of the week. His songs have been streamed 19 million times on the likes of Apple Music and Spotify who report a 2,822% increase in plays since his death last Monday.
What have Bruce, the President of Ireland and Bette Midler got in common? They all featured  alongside Truman Capote, amongst others  in P.J. Maras Mad Hatters Box, which appeared in Hot Press in 1985.

The Mad Hatters Box  a forerunner of many of the questionnaires that now litter all types of media  has been running in Hot Press for a very long time. It has included many of the leading lights of Irish society. Among those featured in its hallowed slot early in the magazine, was P.J. Mara, the former Fianna Fail Government Press Secretary, whose death was announced yesterday.

Being long, and in its own way searching, the Mad Hatter often provides unexpected insights into individuals and their taste. P.Js Mad Hatter certainly did that. Even those who knew him may be surprised to see that he was a fan of The Boss  meaning Bruce Springsteen, who had appeared in Slane Castle that year, rather than the man he himself called The Boss on a daily basis, Charlie Haughey.

It might surprise others to see him name Truman Capotes Music For Chameleons as his favourite book  and the author himself is given a nod, alongside the British journalist and satirist Malcolm Muggeridge, in the Favourite Author question.

And who is the "First Person Hed Invite To His Birthday Party"? Answering this, P.J. name-checked Michael D. Higgins  then a Labour Senator and Hot Press columnist, and now the President of Ireland.

P.J. was also gloriously old-school and non-P.C. in his choice of non-alcoholic beer as Humanity's Most Useless Invention! There are more surprises in what is a fascinating mini-portrait of how P.J. Mara looked at the world...

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THE MAD HATTERS BOX By P.J. Mara.

Who would be the last person youd invite to your birthday party?

Conor Cruise OBrien.

Who would be the first person youd invite to your birthday party?

Hot Press Political Correspondent Michael D. Higgins.

Favourite saying?

And to think of the amount of money your mother spent on your education.

Favourite record?

I Am Sailing.

Favourite Book?

Music For Chameleons.

Favourite film?

Danton.

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Favourite author?

Malcolm Muggeridge or Truman Capote.

Favourite actor/actress?

Jack Nicholson.

Favourite musician?

The Boss (other one).

Most embarrassing moment of your life?

Getting scratched picking blackberries in June.

Favourite food/drink/stimulant?

Irish whiskey.

TV programme?

Spitting Image.

Favourite TV personality?

Mrs. Shane Ross.

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Favourite item of clothing?

Ties.

Most desirable date?

Bette Midler.

Favourite method of relaxation?

Sleeping.

If you werent pursuing your present career, what other career might you have chosen?

His

Biggest thrill?

When we win the next General Election

Biggest disappointment?

Being burned down.

Your concept of heaven?

Never being burned down.

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Your concept of hell?

Always being burned down.

What would be your dying words?

Could I try again?

Greatest ambition?

Never to be found out.

Period of history youd most like to have lived in and why?

The French Revolution.

If you werent a human being which animal would you have chosen to be?

Lion.

If you were told that the world was ending tomorrow morning, how would you react/what would you do?

Go on the razzle.

Your nominee for the worlds best-dressed person?

Myself.

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Favourite term of abuse?

Margaret Thatcher.

Biggest fear?

Being found out.

Humanitys most useful invention?

Air-conditioning in a public-house.

Humanitys most useless invention?

Non-alcoholic beer.
Houston is replete with examples of individuals who have assumed the leadership of flagging area institutions and have taken them to the next level. Consider the strides that University of Houston has made during the administration of Chancellor Renu Khator. Or take the Texas Medical Center - it was once an institution largely concerned with parking. Transformed under President and CEO Dr. Bobby Robbins, the TMC is now exploring the development of a new 28-acre campus focused on research and collaboration among its members.

Now another such rising star is on the horizon - the Houston Zoo.

The zoo not only plays an important role in the education and recreation of area residents, but it also fulfills a global role in wildlife conservation. That's why we're glad that a potential change agent has moved to town to take up the reins there.

Lee Ehmke, the new CEO of the Houston Zoo, has announced his intention to shepherd our zoo, which already sees more than 2.4 million guests annually, from good to world-class in time for its 100th anniversary in 2022.

Zoos and museums are always works in progress, and while former CEO Deborah Cannon did a commendable job, much remains to be done to complete the zoo's transition from a confining and dull place to one that is natural and stimulating for the animals as well as the zoo guests.

A needed redesign of the zoo's uninviting entrance is already on Ehmke's short list. In addition, Ehmke wants to shorten ticket lines, replace the sea lions' pool and overhaul the dated Macaw Cafe, which is just inside the gates.

It's important for a transformational leader to have a long-range vision as well as a list of quick fixes, and here Ehmke doesn't disappoint. He plans to trim the number of animals on exhibit, roughly 6,000 now, and improve habitats for those that remain.

A satellite zoo outside the city is another item on Ehmke's wish list. Given the growth of Montgomery and Fort Bend Counties, this idea has a lot of appeal. "Think of a wild animal park-a safari park - that would allow for more conservation and more breeding," Ehmke told Chronicle reporter Claudia Feldman. Finally, Ehmke wants to build on the important conservation work that the zoo has undertaken around the globe.

As a lawyer with an advanced degree in exhibit design, Ehmke possesses unique skills for the task. Board members who worked with him at the Minnesota Zoo describe him as artistic and able to use his skills to transport visitors to another place.

Each of his renovations and upgrades will have to be paid for in advance, but that doesn't faze Ehmke, according to Feldman. Nor should it. Houston has a tradition of supporting leaders with talent and vision.

A world-class city should have a world class zoo. It's our time to pursue zoo greatness.
A Cabool man faces a felony charge of making a terroristic threat following a Nov. 3 bomb threat at the Texas County Justice Center.

Sheriff James Sigman said Cabool police on Thursday night located and arrested Roger L. Wake, 31, of 330 Maple St. in Cabool. A warrant for Wakes arrest was issued Dec. 21 after the case was presented to a grand jury.

The case began when Wake and his son were in courtroom B at the justice center for court proceedings, and left to go to the restroom. He allegedly returned to the courtroom and told a court deputy at about 9:30 a.m. that another man had approached him in the restroom and said there was a bomb in the building and Wake and his son should leave.

After extensive review of security video, authorities determined there was no other man.

He pretty much made the story up, Sigman said, with no real explanation as to why. But there was nobody else involved, and no one else in the bathroom.

The bailiff who Wake told his story to notified a judge, and Sigman was then advised of the situation.

Courtroom A was also in full session that day, as about 100 people were scheduled to appear in front of a judge. Both courtrooms and all county offices in the building were subsequently evacuated.

A Missouri State Highway Patrol bomb squad was summoned and arrived shortly after noon. Sigman and other law enforcement personnel made a thorough sweep of the building even before the bomb squads arrival.

When we made a sweep of the building, there was nothing obvious, but we left the building evacuated, he said. When the bomb squad arrived, we checked everything again and didnt find anything, and we were certain everything was good.

Sigman said security video left no doubt Wake acted on his own.

This video security system in this building is pretty amazing, he said. There are cameras all over the place inside and outside  you cant get away from them. We had to examine a lot of video, but it was time well spent. We have a good case.

Wake is held in the Texas County Jail on $250,000 bond.

It was a strange event, and you might think there would have been more flare to the end of this case, Sigman said. But there wasnt; there was no other guy.
Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 16-01-15 Cyprus Press and Information Office: Turkish Cypriot Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article From: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/> TURKISH CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW No. 09/16 15.01.2016 [A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS [01] Ban Ki-moon will meet with Akinci and Anastasiades in Davos [02] Hammond said that the U.K. is a "strong supporter" of the Cyprus settlement [03] Burcu: The solution of the Cyprus problem will influence positively all fields of life [04] Member of the newly established Technical Committee on Education made statements to Kibris [05] Schulz: Resolution of the Cyprus issue will be "symbol of hope" for the world [06] Kalyoncu: The water issue will be finalized soon [07] The CTP agreed to support the "government" to overcome the water crisis with Turkey [08] The "tourism ministry" participates in the tourism fair "Vankatiebeurs" [09] Turkey shells ISIL positions after Istanbul attack [10] Turkish Police detain 12 academics amid accusations by President Erdogan of "terrorist propaganda" [11] US Ambassador Bass: PKK needs to cease its attacks and needs to stop declaring autonomy [A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS [01] Ban Ki-moon will meet with Akinci and Anastasiades in Davos Turkish Cypriot daily Vatan (15.01.16) reports that the Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci said that the maps and related issues will be settled at the end of the negotiation process. Akinci stressed that the issues "Territory" and "Security and Guarantees" are the issues that will be solved with the participation of all sides and the guarantor countries. In statements to the press after his meeting with the Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Anastasiades, Akinci reiterated that chapters on "Governance and Power Sharing", "Economy and EU matter" and more recently the "Property" chapters have been taken up during the last few months. Noting that the issue of "territory" is an issue that will be solved in a meeting that the guarantor countries will also participate, Akinci explained that there is a mutual understanding on the chapter "Territory" that the names of villages, maps and percentage will be discussed at the last stage of the process. "Maps and related issues will be settled at the end of the process where we shall be shutting ourselves somewhere in order to avoid any speculation", Akinci added. He also reiterated that the security and guarantee issue as agreed by all sides will also be taken up at the end of the process with the participation of the guarantor powers. Noting that there are also different understandings, he said that the negotiations are focusing on how to overcome these difficulties and build bridges on these divergences. Akinci added that yesterday's meeting was very beneficial on this understanding. Meanwhile, the paper reports that Akinci said that both leaders accepted an invitation, which came yesterday during their meeting, from the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to meet in Davos, Switzerland on the side-lines of the World Economic Forum. The meeting is scheduled to take place on Thursday the 21st of January. Finally, both leaders announced their members' lists of the Technical Committee on Education. (DPs) [02] Hammond said that the U.K. is a "strong supporter" of the Cyprus settlement According to Ankara Anatolia news agency (14.01.16), British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond has said that the U.K. will stand by Turkey in its fight against terrorism. Addressing a joint press conference with his Turkish counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu at the annual ambassadors' conference in Ankara on Thursday, Hammond described Turkey as a close and valued partner of the U.K. About Turkey's EU accession process, Hammond said: "The U.K. has always been the strongest supporter of Turkey's membership. We will continue to support Turkey's EU trajectory and we firmly believe that achieving the reforms that U.K. is proposing will make EU a better and stronger partner for Turkey. The EU needs strong relationship with Turkey. Turkey needs a strong relationship with the EU". Commenting on the Cyprus issue, Hammond said that the U.K. is a "strong supporter" of the Cyprus settlement and added: "We are willing to do whatever we need to do to facilitate a settlement". Cavusoglu, for his part, said: "We know that [they] need our support, meaning the support of guarantor countries, especially the U.K., Greece, and Turkey's support. Turkey keeps giving the strongest support all the time. But this time we want to see results. It is needed to reach a result." Turkey's EU Minister Volkan Bozkir has previously said that an anticipated referendum on Cypriot reunification would likely be held in the first half of 2016. About the freezing of bank accounts of the Turkish diplomats following a British court decision to implement a ruling made in Cyprus, Hammond said: "The courts in the U.K. are completely independent of the government. On this occasion, we have sought to intervene in this case to ensure that the court recognizes that some of the accounts that have been frozen are accounts operated by the Turkish embassy in London. So yes, we are taking action to try to resolve the situation, which is regrettable". On this issue, Cavusoglu said: "Of course we too believe in the independence of courts and the governments shouldn't [get] involved. But there are international agreements that we are a part of and these agreements are above internal law and the courts should comply with them". (DPs) [03] Burcu: The solution of the Cyprus problem will influence positively all fields of life Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper (15.01.16) reports that Baris Burcu, spokesman of the Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci, has said that together with the solution of the Cyprus problem, the Turkish Cypriots will experience big and positive developments both politically and in all fields of life. In statements to a television station last night, Burcu noted that Akinci is exerting efforts for a solution which will establish the freedom, equality and safety of the Turkish Cypriots and added that after the desired solution is reached, sufficient time for debates will be given. Burcu argued that with the solution, the status of the Turkish Cypriots will experience a "revolutionary change". "We will start organizing our lives, not as the unrecognized institutions and individuals of an unrecognized state, but as institutions and individuals of a recognized state in which we are equal partners", he added. Noting that absolutely no legislative process will be taking place by excluding the will of the Turkish Cypriots, Burcu added that he could say the same for the legal system and the executive power. "There is no principle of superiority between the laws of the founding state and the laws of the federal state", he argued describing as very important the representation of the Turkish Cypriots and their right of having a say in the legislative, executive and judicial organs of the federal state. Replying to a question, Burcu said that it is not possible to step back from the bi-zonality and bi-communality and noted that the necessary measures will be taken for this to materialize in the everyday life. (I/Ts.) [04] Member of the newly established Technical Committee on Education made statements to Kibris Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (15.01.16) reports that Onurkan Samani member of the bi-communal Committee of Association of Historical Dialogue was also appointed as member of the Technical Committee on Education and made statements to Kibris about her new post. Samani stated that the aim of the new Committee is to bring up children and persons who will have the consciousness of a common motherland under a federal state. She also stated that efforts will be made so that things to change and contemporary programs based on EU values to be adopted in the education system of both sides. Additionally, in the framework of the confidence building measures students and teachers could meet and exchange views. [05] Schulz: Resolution of the Cyprus issue will be "symbol of hope" for the world According to Ankara Anatolia news agency (14.01.16), European Parliament President Martin Schulz said that it is possible to reach a solution on the divided island of Cyprus. Addressing the European Parliament in Brussels on Thursday, Schulz spoke about the Cyprus issue while listing EU's priorities in the New Year. "I think it's possible to achieve reunification of Cyprus and negotiation between the two groups on the island is looking very promising at the moment", he said. "We must do everything within [the] power of EU institutions to ensure we play our part in a constructive outcome", Schulz added. "If in this crisis year, we can achieve the reunification of Cyprus, I think this is a symbol that would speak to the international community and would give everyone hope", Schulz said. (DPs) [06] Kalyoncu: The water issue will be finalized soon Illegal Bayrak television (15.01.16) broadcast that self-styled prime minister Omer Kalyoncu expressed his views on the water issue, BESKI and the economic protocol speaking after a meeting of the "Council of ministers". Touching upon the issue of BESKI, he expressed the need to wait and see the developments on the issue. "Both wings of the government have carried out work on this issue. I think we will finalize it soon" he said, adding that work on drafting the 2016-2018 economic protocol was also about to be completed. The economic protocol is almost completed. However, we will give extra time to the ministries if they want to add anything to the protocol which should be finalized in a week's time. The technical delegations of the TRNC and Turkey have been discussing the issue. I think it is about to be finalized" Kalyoncu said. [07] The CTP agreed to support the "government" to overcome the water crisis with Turkey Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper (15.01.16) reports that the party assembly of the major "coalition partner", the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) convened last night for 3.5 hours and "achieved serious progress" on the issue of the administration and the management of the water transferred to the occupied area of Cyprus from Turkey with pipelines. The party agreed that an autonomous water administration board should be established with the participation of the "municipalities" and an international tender to be invited for the management of the water. Taking into consideration its own sensitivities, CTP's assembly decided also the establishment of a technical water committee. The members of the assembly agreed that they are close to reaching a consensus on the issue. The technical committee will carry out the technical work in the direction of quickly overcoming the crisis with Turkey. The tendency of CTP offering support to any kind of initiative undertaken by the "government" on this issue prevailed in the assembly last night. After the consensus within the CTP, the attention is now turned to the UBP, reports Havadis, noting that the UBP is expected to convene today and evaluate CTP's decisions. Writing in his column in Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika (15.01.16), Mehmet Levent notes that the water issue is heading towards a solution in favor of Turkey and against the "TRNC". Levent notes that Turkey paid no attention to the establishment of BESKI Company by the "municipalities" and said that Turkey has the position "administrating this water is a serious job, you cannot do this". "It demanded the water to be administrated by Turkey and to be formed by a method determined by Turkey", he says pointing out that Turkey insisted that the land from which the water will pass should belong to Ankara and asked for the right to control the underground water resources of the island. Levent reports the following: "There is no agreement between the CTP and the UBP on the water issue. The UBP has in any case been submissive from the very beginning. The government wing in the CTP says one thing while the party assembly says another thing. There were some who were even seeing elections in the end. At this very moment, Tugrul Turkes comes on the scene and says 'We have no intention of spoiling the coalition in Cyprus'! That is, the issue is a matter of intention. [?] So, what else he should say?" Finally, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (15.01.16) covers the issue under the title "The CTP has no intention of spoiling the government". (I/Ts.) [08] The "tourism ministry" participates in the tourism fair "Vankatiebeurs" Turkish Cypriot daily Haberal Kibrisli (15.01.16) reports that the so-called ministry of tourism is participating in the tourism fair "Vankatiebeurs", which is held in Utrecht, Netherlands between January 12 and 17, within the framework of promoting the tourism sector abroad. (DPs) [09] Turkey shells ISIL positions after Istanbul attack Ankara Anatolia news agency (15.01.16) reports that Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said that 200 militants were killed in artillery attacks on ISIL positions in Syria and Iraq. "About 200 ISIL militants, those detected one by one, including so-called regional-heads were neutralized (referring to killing) within the last 48 hours," Davutoglu said addressing the 8th Ambassador's conference in Ankara. Turkish PM said that after detected that ISIL carried out the attack in Sultanahmet, Istanbul, Turkish artillery carried out more than 500 shots against ISIL positions in Syria and Iraq. [10] Turkish Police detain 12 academics amid accusations by President Erdogan of "terrorist propaganda" Ankara Anatolia news agency (15.01.16) reports that Turkish Police in the northwestern province of Kocaeli have detained 12 academics that signed a petition to call for an end to military operations in Southeast Anatolia, just days after President Recep Tayyip Erdogan slammed the academics for making "terrorist propaganda." The Kocaeli Public Prosecutor's Office launched an investigation against 21 academics from Kocaeli University that signed a petition by the "Academics for Peace" initiative. The signatories of the petition, some 1,128 local and international academics and intellectuals, were labeled "poor excuses for intellectuals," by Erdogan. Police raided the academics' houses early on Jan. 15 and detained 12 who were at their declared addresses at the time. The remaining nine will also be detained. According to reports, the academics are being charged with violating the controversial Article 301 of the Turkish Penal Code, according to which it is illegal to insult the Turkish nation, the state of the Turkish Republic or the Grand Assembly of Turkey and the state's judicial institutions. The academics are also accused of "terrorist propaganda." In addition, Hurriyet Daily News (15.01.16) reports that Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu has slammed hundreds of academics and intellectuals who called on Ankara to end military operations in southeast Turkey, urging them to condemn acts of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) instead. "It is really very saddening that some of our academics have signed such a declaration while we are fighting terrorism. Every day we are fighting against international terror such as DAESH and against the separatist terrorist organization that kills civilians in dormitories, including a five-month-old baby. We working to secure the life and security of our citizens," Davutoglu said on Jan. 14, speaking at a technology forum. [11] US Ambassador Bass: PKK needs to cease its attacks and needs to stop declaring autonomy Turkish daily Sabah (15.01.16) publishes an interview with the U.S. Ankara envoy Bass who said that PKK organization should give up policies for autonomy and use of violence and that Washington does not approve of the PKK-affiliated PYD's efforts to form a Kurdish corridor disregarding the demographic structure of northern Syria. "The PKK needs to cease its attacks and it needs to stop declaring autonomy within zones or neighborhoods or regions inside Turkey. That's an attempt to change political arrangements by force, and that is something we strongly reject," Bass said regarding PKK attacks while defining the resumption of large-scale violence in the southeast as a great tragedy. "We believe strongly that the last thing the wider region needs, the last thing that Turkey needs, is more conflict," he said, and added that security forces that conduct operations should have restraint and be done with precision to avoid killing civilians and impact wider communities and civilians. "We continue to strongly urge both the PKK to stop its attacks, and the government to be ready to begin a new, or a resumed, political conversation with people across society about that important political future," Bass said. [?] As to whether the U.S. shares Turkey's concerns about the establishment of a Kurdish corridor in northern Syria and a potential change in regional demography, Bass said that the U.S. does not support the Democratic Union Party (PYD) or its armed Peoples' Protection Units (YPG) being the force that clears ISIL out of that remaining section of the border, displacing Arab communities in the areas and connecting the areas under its control in north central and northeastern Syria. " TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION http://www.moi.gov.cy/pio (CS / AM) Cyprus Press and Information Office: Turkish Cypriot Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article
News / National

by Ivan Zhakata

Caledonia residents in Harare East were yesterday left horrified after a man killed his wife with an axe and burnt their house before committing suicide following an alleged domestic dispute.Police chief spokesperson Senior Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba said she was yet to get the details of what transpired.Yesterday afternoon, mourners were gathered at the homestead and the two bodies were taken to hospital for post-mortem.According to family spokesperson Mrs Tambudzai Kamangirai, MacDonald Gava and Patricia Chipiri had been having marital problemsShe said the incident occurred at around 3am and she was shocked when she received a call at around 7am informing her about the deaths and the burning.Mrs Kamangira said Chipiri accused Gava of having an extra- marital affair with a woman from the same neighbourhood.This did not go well with Gava who then killed her before drinking what is suspected to be poison and setting the house on fire."They were having domestic disputes from long back and in some cases I had to intervene to calm them down," said Mrs Kamangira.The couple left a child and Chipiri was said to be pregnant when she was killed.
Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 16-01-15 Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article From: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/> CONTENTS [01] ND leader on social security proposal: Govt punishing working people [02] Tax revenue at 39% of GDP in Greece, Eurostat [03] Running water restored to Iraklio's 'Lions Fountain' [01] ND leader on social security proposal: Govt punishing working people Main opposition leader Kyriakos Mitsotakis, fresh from his victory in an internal party election for president, sharply criticized the government on Friday for crushing, as he charged, self-employed professionals, recently hired people and pensioners with its policies. He made the statement after a meeting with the president of the Athens Bar Association, Vassilis Alexandris. The two men reportedly discussed a hotly contested proposal by the government to increase social security contributions in order to shore up Greece's feeble pension system. "In other words, the government is punishing the work of the people that the Greek economy so desperately needs to restart. Every day that goes by, it is made more obvious that the SYRIZA-ANEL coalition governmnet is seriously hurting Greece," he said. [02] Tax revenue at 39% of GDP in Greece, Eurostat Tax revenue, including social contributions, stood at 39 pct of GDP in Greece in 2014, up from 33.5 pct in 2010 and 38.3 pct in 2013, Eurostat said on Friday. The EU executive's statistics agency, in a report released here, said that the ratio of tax revenue and social contributions to GDP in the Eurozone was 41.5 pct and in the EU 40 pct. The ratio of 2014 tax revenue to GDP was highest in Denmark (50.8 pct,), Belgium and France (both at 47.9 pct), while the lowest shares were recorded in Romania (27.7 pct of GDP), Bulgaria (27.8 pct) and Lithuania (28.0 pct) as well as Switzerland (27.1 pct). Between 2013 and 2014 decreases in the tax-to-GDP ratio were observed in eight Member States (Belgium, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Luxembourg, Portugal, Slovenia, Sweden and the United Kingdom) as well as Norway and Switzerland. The largest decreases in the tax-to-GDP ratio were observed in Norway (-1.0 percentage points), the Czech Republic (-0.7 pp.), the United Kingdom (-0.5 pp), Belgium and Slovenia (both -0.3 pp.). For Luxembourg and Switzerland, the observed decreases were very slight (below -0.1 pp.). For Portugal, a decrease of -0.2 pp. between 2013 to 2014 followed a 2.7 pp. increase between 2012 and 2013. Increases in the tax-to-GDP ratios were observed in twenty Member States as well as Iceland and Serbia. In percentage points, the highest increases in percentage of GDP from 2013 to 2014 were recorded by Iceland (2.9 p.p.), Denmark (from 48.1 to 50.8 pct of GDP, or approximately 2.75 pp. of GDP), Cyprus (2.6 p.p.), Malta (1.4 p.p.) and Serbia (1.0 pp.). While Cyprus and Malta reported a comparatively low tax-to-GDP ratio, Denmark increased a relatively high tax-to-GDP ratio. [03] Running water restored to Iraklio's 'Lions Fountain' ANA-MPA -- Running water flowed in Iraklio's Venetian-era Morosini Fountain - better known as the Lions Fountain - for the first time in 10 years after the water supply was reconnected on Friday, restoring the landmark to its former glory. . One of the historic landmarks of the old quarter of the Cretan city, located in Iraklio's Eleftherios Venizelos Square, the water line was reconnected on a pilot basis. The water flows through a special zeolite filter to ensure that it does not damage the monument, which will be monitored and regularly cleaned. The project aims to showcase both the monument and the historic centre of Iraklio, as the fountain is considered one of the finest examples of 17th century sculpture on Crete. The fountain was commissioned by the greatest Venetian commander of the 17th century, Franceso Morosini, with the aid of engineers from Venice, and includes works to transport water from the Giouhta springs above Kamares and along the Arab-Byzantine wall to the fountain. Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article
A Vancouver-based company is kicking off the new year with a new policy for its employees: take off as many days as you want.

BuildDirect, an E-commerce site for home improvement products, announced Monday that staffers are eligible for unlimited vacation time, so long as they meet their sales goals.

"We think we hired talented, capable people who are good at figuring how to get their job done while balancing with time off," Heidi Rolston, vice-president of people, told HuffPost B.C. on Friday. "[But] we are commited to aggressive results, so people are still expected to meet commitments and promises they made."

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Employees aren't limited to how much they can take per year, but only four weeks at a time is the company's "rough" standard, Rolston said.

All of the company's roughly 300 salaried employees will be paid for their time off.

"We got a round of applause [after the announcement]," Rolston said. "We feel there's huge value in them taking time off to spend time with family and friends, pursue their interests, travel ... We're confident people won't abuse it."

Companies like Netflix, Virgin and LinkedIn all offer similar policies.

Canadians' vacation days often left unused

In 2014, a survey found that 26 per cent of Canadians weren't using the paid vacation days available to them.

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Nearly a quarter said they were saving the days in case of emergency, and 13 per cent said it was because they didn't want a vacation.
Turkey in the ... wha?!

Delta Airlines is being mercilessly mocked on social media after a passenger brought a turkey on a flight as an "emotional support animal."

The strange passenger began trending after Reddit user biggestlittlepickle posted this photo of a turkey sitting in the Comfort Plus section on Sunday:

Reddit user unclelimpy, who claims to have known the pilot on that flight, posted this picture, apparently showing the same turkey in a wheelchair:

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Delta spokesperson Ashton Morrow confirmed to USA Today that the airline had accommodated the turkey under the U.S.'s Air Carrier Access Act.

The act allows emotional support animals to accompany passengers with disabilities, so long as they have approval from a mental health professional.

"While we can't always accommodate all pets, Delta employees made a judgment call based in part on extensive documentation from the customer," she said.

"We review each case and make every effort to accommodate our customers' travel needs while also taking into consideration the health and safety of other passengers."

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There are some restrictions on animals that passengers can bring aboard.

Delta doesn't allow travelers to bring creatures including hedgehogs, insects, ferrets, snakes, rodents spiders or farm poultry  although it appears this turkey trotted around that rule.

This isn't the first time an unusual animal has made its way on to a flight.

In 2014, New Yorker writer Patricia Marx wrote a lengthy article about therapy animals in which she was permitted to fly with a pig from Newark to Boston.

Not only did the flight allow the pig aboard, but Marx also had an easier time going through security than she had without it.

But pigs don't always fly.

A woman was told to leave a US Airways flight in 2014 after she brought a pot-bellied pig aboard as an emotional support animal, ABC News reported.

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The pig was reportedly being disruptive and causing a smell in the cabin.

Also on HuffPost:
One of three men who initially raised suspicion by taking photos and videos inside a downtown Vancouver shopping mall has come forward.

Mohammed Sharaz told CBC News he was travelling to Vancouver from Manchester with his son and a friend, who are in town getting treatment for vision impairment. Police have since said their actions were "completely innocent."

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"My friend, when he looks at anything head on, he doesn't see like me and you do," Sharaz said.

"So he'll take a picture or a movie and then later on when he gets back he zooms into it and he watches stuff. He takes pictures of anything and everything."

But their images were publicized after an internal police memo was leaked to a local website. The memo described three "suspicious" men seen taking images of the downtown Pacific Centre mall entrances and exits.

Police have since said their actions were "completely innocent."

Mohammed Sharaz was with his friend and son at the Pacific Centre mall. (Photo: Wikimedia)

Sharaz said he bought his son a phone to take pictures to show his friends and family back home.

According to Global News, both Sharaz's friend and son are getting treated at the Wellspring Clinic for Holistic Medicine.

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Dr. Weidong Yu confirmed the two men are his patients.

Because they dont see well, they take more photos, he told Global News.

He described the men as very nice folks to the Vancouver Sun.

"My son's got a disability. My friend's got a disability. We're the last people who are going to be hired by some terrorist organization to take video of stuff."

Sharaz said when he saw the reports, he phoned police right away.

He said he had no issues with how police handled the situation, but was more afraid of being targeted by vigilantes.

"Obviously [the police] didn't feel threatened by us or anything," he said. "I haven't heard from them since."

"My son's got a disability. My friend's got a disability. We're the last people who are going to be hired by some terrorist organization to take video of stuff," he said.

Sharaz said the three of them have stayed inside since they found out photos of them were circulating on social media.

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Vancouver Police Chief Adam Palmer. (Photo: CP)

On Friday, Vancouver Police Chief Adam Palmer said information about the suspicious incident, included in a police internal memo, was never meant to be released to the media.

"We weren't planning on going public with it at this point because we didn't feel it was something serious enough to go public with at this point," he said.

Later that day, police released a statement saying the men had co-operated with investigators.

"The investigation has conclusively determined that their actions were completely innocent," the statement read.

Also on HuffPost

Vancouver Police Cold Cases See Gallery
Al-Qaida militants struck an upscale hotel and nearby cafe in Burkina Faso's capital late on Friday that are popular with Westerners, taking an unknown number of hostages and forcing others to hide for their lives. AFP reported at least 20 people have died.

Three hours after the initial attack, gunfire could still be heard as soldiers in an armored vehicle finally approached the area where cars had been set ablaze.

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The local al-Qaida affiliate known as AQIM claimed responsibility online as the attack was ongoing in downtown Ouagadougou at the 147-room Splendid Hotel, according to the SITE Intelligence Group.

#UPDATE At least 20 dead in Burkina Faso hotel attack, hospital chief tells AFP https://t.co/7wSebmMhsE#Ouagadougoupic.twitter.com/TDU9eHFVFt  AFP news agency (@AFP) January 16, 2016

In a message posted in Arabic on the militants' "Muslim Africa" Telegram account, it said fighters had "broke into a restaurant of one of the biggest hotels in the capital of Burkina Faso, and are now entrenched and the clashes are continuing with the enemies of the religion."

Witness Vital Nounagnon told the AP that he saw four men attack the hotel and neighboring Cappuccino Cafe about 7:30 p.m. Another witness who gave only his first name, Gilbert, said that when Burkinabe security forces first arrived, they turned around rather than confront the attackers.

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"But we know that the gunmen won't get out of the hotel alive," he said. "Our country is not for jihadists or terrorists. They got it wrong."

Al Qaedas North African branch claims credit for attack on hotel in Burkina Faso. https://t.co/wPOQuqFWRYpic.twitter.com/TCtOBtwOrr  New York Times World (@nytimesworld) January 16, 2016

A man who works the day shift at the Cappuccino Cafe, Alpha Ouedraogo, had left just 90 minutes before the attack began. He said he had been in touch by phone with other employees and that more than a dozen of them were in hiding and awaiting rescue.

Burkina Faso, a largely Muslim country, has been in turmoil since its longtime president was ousted in a popular uprising in late 2014. Last September members of a presidential guard launched a coup that lasted only about a week. The transitional government returned to power until Burkina Faso's November election ushered in new leaders.

Friday's violence mirrored a devastating attack on the Radisson Blu hotel in neighboring Mali back in November that left 20 people dead. In that case, Malian troops  backed by French and American special forces  swarmed in to retake the building and free terrified guests and hotel staff during a siege that lasted more than seven hours.

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Al Qaeda affiliate claims attack on hotel in Burkina Faso's capital https://t.co/L35UTMT48Vpic.twitter.com/CIyZJ0zVWO  Los Angeles Times (@latimes) January 15, 2016
Four Al-Qaeda militants have been killed after Burkina Faso and French forces stormed a luxury hotel on Saturday, freeing more than 126 hostages.

In addition to the extremists, at least 23 people were killed after popular tourist spots Splendid Hotel and a nearby cafe in Ouagadougou were targeted on Friday, the Associated Press reports.

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Three attackers - two of whom were female - were killed at the hotel and a fourth was killed when security forces cleared out a second hotel nearby.

Burkina Faso and French forces outside Splendid Hotel on Saturday morning

There were 27 people, belonging to 18 nationalities, who were killed during the attack. The death toll could still rise, the country's security minister said.

Simon Compaore told AFP security forces were still searching for casualties. We dont yet have a total tally of the dead. The Burkinabe forces are still combing the hotel, he said.

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The local al-Qaida affiliate known as AQIM claimed responsibility online as the attack was ongoing in downtown Ouagadougou at the 147-room Splendid Hotel, according to the SITE Intelligence Group.

In a message posted in Arabic on the militants' "Muslim Africa" Telegram account, it said fighters had "broke into a restaurant of one of the biggest hotels in the capital of Burkina Faso, and are now entrenched and the clashes are continuing with the enemies of the religion."

Al Qaeda affiliate claims attack on hotel in Burkina Faso's capital https://t.co/L35UTMT48Vpic.twitter.com/CIyZJ0zVWO  Los Angeles Times (@latimes) January 15, 2016

Military forces fought to take back the building on Saturday morning, which had been blackened by a fire during the assault.

The security forces took control of the Splendid Hotel and were searching nearby hotels to be sure no other extremists were hiding. The search continued even after security forces found and killed a fourth extremist at the Hotel Yibi, President Roch Marc Christian Kabore said.

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About 33 people were wounded and 126 people were freed after the morning call to prayer signaled a new day in this West African nation, said Minister of Security and Internal Affairs Simon Compaore.

Cars and motorbikes were burned, and overturned chairs and shards of glass lay scattered near the hotel. Onlookers were kept far away from the fighting that continued into daylight.

The harrowing attack was launched by the same extremists behind a similar siege at an upscale hotel in Bamako, Mali in November that left 20 dead.

Special police forces are seen during search operations following an attack by Al-Qaeda linked gunmen

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Dozens of French forces arrived overnight from neighboring Mali to aid in the rescue.

One US military member was embedded with French forces at the scene, and the United States was working to help provide France with surveillance and reconnaissance help, according to a US senior defense official who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to discuss the matter publicly.

Witness Vital Nounagnon told the AP that he saw four men attack the hotel and neighboring Cappuccino Cafe about 7:30 p.m.

A witness who gave only his first name, Gilbert, said that when Burkinabe security forces first arrived, they turned around rather than confront the attackers.

"But we know that the gunmen won't get out of the hotel alive," he said. "Our country is not for jihadists or terrorists. They got it wrong."

Ten bodies were found inside the cafe, said Burkina Faso's Internal Affairs Minister Simon Compaore.

Burkina Faso, a largely Muslim country, has been in turmoil since its longtime president was ousted in a popular uprising in late 2014. Last September members of a presidential guard launched a coup that lasted only about a week. The transitional government returned to power until Burkina Faso's November election ushered in new leaders.

Friday's violence mirrored a devastating attack on the Radisson Blu hotel in neighboring Mali back in November that left 20 people dead. In that case, Malian troops  backed by French and American special forces  swarmed in to retake the building and free terrified guests and hotel staff during a siege that lasted more than seven hours.

The country also has been in growing political turmoil since its longtime president was ousted in a popular uprising in late 2014.

In a separate development, an Austrian doctor and his wife were kidnapped Friday night by extremists in Burkina Faso's north near its border with Mali, Abi Ouattara, security ministry spokeswoman, said Saturday.

The ministry did not have immediate information on how long the two Austrians had been in northern Burkina Faso, where they were doing volunteer work. Jihadis took the two from the town of Baraboule in the Soum province in Burkina Faso's Sahel region, Ouattara said.

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Britons have been warned not to travel to an area of Burkina Faso following a terrorist attack on a hotel and cafe on Friday, which left 27 people dead.

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Four Al-Qaeda militants were killed after Burkina Faso and French forces stormed the hotel and neighbouring cafe on Saturday, where hostages were being held by extremists. So far, 23 people have been confirmed dead.

Britons are being warned not to travel to an area of Burkina Faso following the terrorist attack

After the seige ended on Saturday morning, Hammond said: "I utterly condemn the appalling attack in Ouagadougou last night and offer my deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of those who have been killed and injured.

"The United Kingdom stands with President (Roch Marc) Kabore and the people of Burkina Faso in the fight against terrorism.

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"We advise British nationals in Burkina Faso to avoid the area where the attack took place, follow the instructions of local security authorities and monitor Foreign Office (FCO) travel advice."

The FCO warned against travelling north of the town of Boulsa, as it is near to the border with Mali.

The FCO advice states: "You should avoid the area and follow the instructions of local security authorities."

Security forces sit outside The Splendid Hotel, left rear, which was under siege by militants

The siege began on Friday and ended on Saturday.

Three attackers - two of whom were female - were killed at the hotel and a fourth was killed when security forces cleared out a second hotel nearby.

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There were 27 people, belonging to 18 nationalities, who were killed during the attack. The death toll could still rise, the country's security minister said.

The FCO states: "There could be unannounced demonstrations and strikes and the security situation may deteriorate. You should remain vigilant and stay away from large public gatherings.

"The airport and land borders may be subject to closure at short notice. Monitor local media and check with your airline for more information."

The local Al-Qaeda affiliate known as AQIM claimed responsibility online as the attack was ongoing in downtown Ouagadougou at the 147-room Splendid Hotel, according to the SITE Intelligence Group.

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In a message posted in Arabic on the militants' "Muslim Africa" Telegram account, it said fighters had "broke into a restaurant of one of the biggest hotels in the capital of Burkina Faso, and are now entrenched and the clashes are continuing with the enemies of the religion."

Military forces fought to take back the building on Saturday morning, which had been blackened by a fire during the assault.

The security forces took control of the Splendid Hotel and were searching nearby hotels to be sure no other extremists were hiding. The search continued even after security forces found and killed a fourth extremist at the Hotel Yibi, President Roch Marc Christian Kabore said.

About 33 people were wounded and 126 people were freed after the morning call to prayer signaled a new day in this West African nation, said Minister of Security and Internal Affairs Simon Compaore.

Cars and motorbikes were burned, and overturned chairs and shards of glass lay scattered near the hotel. Onlookers were kept far away from the fighting that continued into daylight.

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The harrowing attack was launched by the same extremists behind a similar siege at an upscale hotel in Bamako, Mali in November that left 20 dead.
News / National

by Staff reporter

A member of the Zimbabwe National Army and four other people who were arrested in Penhalonga after being found in possession of 326 bales of second hand clothes have appeared at the Mutare Magistrates Court for their initial remand.A provincial anti-smuggling operation code-named "Tranquility" has started to pay dividends following the arrest of the five.Staff Sergeant Cloud Charasika based at 3.1 Infantry Battalion, who was the base commander deployed to counter anti-smuggling, Philip Chiwanza, Titus Chikwenda, Ndingaiteyi Mutowo and Bernard Tafundikira were arrested during the anti-smuggling campaign.The five, who contravened Section 174 of the Customs and Excise Act chapter 23:2, appeared before Magistrate Poterai Gwezhira who remanded them in custody to the 29th of this month.Magistrate Gwezhira will, however, deliver bail application ruling for Charasika.The state which was represented by Brian Goto alleges that on the 14th of January police received information to the effect that some smugglers were intending to smuggle second hand goods from Mozambique into Zimbabwe through an illegal entry point in Penhalonga.The police set an ambush at Monarch and during the night two trucks and an escorting vehicle were intercepted leading to the arrest of five accused persons.Mutowo was arrested together with Tafundikira and Charasika who was clad in a Zimbabwe National Army uniform.Government has intensified its thrust to curb the illegal smuggling of goods through designated and undesignated entry points.
Hundreds of animal rights activists paid tribute to the late David Bowie by singing his iconic track 'Heroes' during a demonstration in London on Saturday.

The protestors sang the 1977 hit to honour Bowie, who gave his permission for it to be used in the Oscar-winning documentary about the Taiji dolphin slaughter, The Cove.

Campaigners were protesting against the killing of dolphins in Japan during today's demonstration.

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Hundreds of demonstrators waved banners and inflatable dolphins as the crowd gathered opposite the Japanese embassy

Tears for Taiji in London today pic.twitter.com/0MB5Liotr4  dominic dyer (@domdyer70) January 16, 2016

The stop the Taiji dolphin slaughter buggy outside Japanese Embassy in London today pic.twitter.com/5162R6mIkb  dominic dyer (@domdyer70) January 16, 2016

Dominic Dyer, from the Born Free Foundation, introduced the tribute to Bowie.

He said: "David Bowie is now for ever linked with the dolphin protection movement through his song 'Heroes', which closes The Cove.

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"For a man who famously protected his music and generated tens of millions from his back catalogue, the fact he allowed the song to be used in the film for next to nothing, says an awful lot about his care and compassion for animals

"The humble genius from Brixton who inspired and captivated the world has a well deserved place in the wildlife heroes hall of fame."

The march for dolphins goes past the Ritz pic.twitter.com/ldeSMQJ6xs  dominic dyer (@domdyer70) January 16, 2016

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'Heroes' was loudly sang as the anthem blared from a speaker.

The protesters were calling for an end to the hunting practices of the fishing village of Taiji, Japan, where dolphins are regularly killed and on which the 2009 film is based.

Dyer said the bravery of the filmmakers in producing the documentary made the song an apt soundtrack for the demonstration.

Speaking about the dolphin slaughter, Dyer said: "It's not the value of dead dolphins which keeps the Taiji slaughter going, but the trade in live dolphins which are taken away for the international marine park business in places like China, Korea, Thailand and Egypt.

"A dead dolphin might only be worth 250 to the fisherman, but a live dolphin selected by a marine park buyer can net them over 100,000.

"The Taiji dolphin drives have nothing to do with culture they are about ignorance greed and corruption".

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As many as 138 dolphins have been killed in the cove this year alone, according to organisers.

A video of Dyer's speech outside the Japanese Embassy was uploaded to Facebook:

Dominic Dyer speech outside Japanese embassy 16/9/16 in for the Taiji Dolphins slaughtered in Taiji cove Japan #stoptheslaughter LONDON - Taiji March from Cavendish square to the Embassy Posted by Emily Lawrence on Saturday, January 16, 2016
EastEnders legend Barbara Windsor has opened up about her upcoming emotional exit from the soap.

MORE 'EASTENDERS':

In Friday nights episode, soap fans were stunned when Peggy Mitchell made an appearance completely out of the blue, to deliver the devastating news to her son, Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden), that she was dying of cancer.

It has now been confirmed that the iconic former Walford residents final scenes will air later this year, with Barbara explaining why she decided to bow out as Peggy, explaining she felt it was the right time to shut the door on the character.

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Barbara Windsor as Peggy Mitchell

She has explained: Everyone knows I love EastEnders and that will never change. Peggy is a character close to my heart but I made the decision a while ago that I need to say goodbye to Peggy once and for all as otherwise she will always be there, urging me to go back and that is something I need to shut the door on.

After thinking long and hard about it, I realised that it is time for me and the audience to say our final farewells to the lady who I have loved for many years and I thought that whilst the guvnor [executive producer Dominic Treadwell-Collins], who I adore, is still in charge, I want him to be the one to oversee it.

I am grateful that Dominic has accepted my decision and together, since late last summer, we have been secretly plotting Peggys last scenes.

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Her final scenes as Peggy will be aired in late spring 2016.

Peggy delivers the shocking news

Barbaras return to Albert Square had been kept secret from soap fans ahead of transmission, with the character being given a visit from her son, who learned she was back from abroad.

Producer Dominic Treadwell-Collins has also said: In Peggy Mitchell, Barbara has created one of the greatest ever characters on British television, someone who has become as synonymous with EastEnders as The Queen Vic itself.

So this is the end of an EastEnders era. But it is also an opportunity to send Peggy Mitchell out in style in what will be one of the most heartbreaking, uplifting and epic exits an EastEnders character has ever had.

Since leaving the soap in 2010, Barbara has made several guest appearances in the soap, most recently last year, when she starred in scenes opposite new Queen Vic landlord, Mick Carter, played by Danny Dyer.

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Away from the soap, Barbara was honoured with a damehood in the Queens New Years Honours List, at the tail-end of 2015, for her charity work.
EPA

A swimming complex in Germany has become the first in the country to ban migrants after a spate of sexual harassment claims.

Men from a nearby asylum shelter would be refused entry until they "got the message", a government official warned, as Germany grapples with concerns about sex crimes committed by those who have only recently entered the country.

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The leisure centre in Bornheim, just 12 miles south of Cologne, where several asylum seekers groped, robbed and raped women on New Years Eve, made its decision after an emergency meeting.

"There have been complaints of sexual harassment and chatting-up going on in this swimming pool... by groups of young men, and this has prompted some women to leave," Markus Schnapka, the head of Bornheim's social affairs department said.

The swimming pool migrants are now barred from

"At the public meeting, I made it quite clear that it was an extremely difficult decision and it's clear that many innocent refugees are also affected by this."

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He added that so far none of the local incidents had resulted in criminal complaints, but it was clear that action needed to be taken to prevent the situation escalating.

'We are mainly talking about verbal attacks," Schnapka said.

It comes after two schoolgirls were sexually assaulted by a gang of Syrian children in another leisure centre in Munich.

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Cologne sexual assault protest See gallery

They surrounded a 17-year-old girl in the pool before one groped her underneath her swimming costume - an offence that constitutes rape under local law.

When the girl's sister, who is just 14, tried to stop the trio, she too was groped by the Syrian teens, who were all aged under 15.

The girls managed to flee and raise the alarm with the lifeguard at the swimming pool, who called police.
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn with London mayoral candidate Sadiq Khan MP and fans protesting against the Living Wage before the Barclays Premier League match at the Emirates Stadium, London. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Sunday November 8, 2015. See PA story SOCCER Arsenal. Photo credit should read: Nigel French/PA Wire. EDITORIAL USE ONLY No use with unauthorised audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or Nigel French/PA Wire

Labour's candidate for London mayor, Sadiq Khan, has said he will not be a patsy for Jeremy Corbyn and the party leadership

"I am going to be my own person," Khan said on Saturday. "There will be occasions where you see Jeremy and I campaign together passionately, he said. "But when there are occasions I disagree with Jeremy  I will be doing so."

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"I dont apologise for being Londons advocate, even to the Labour Party, rather than a salesman for the leadership," he said.

"Cities dont elect patsies for their leadership," Khan said, citing the independent natures of Boris Johnson and Ken Livingstone as well as current New York mayor Bill de Blasio and Chicago's Rahm Emanuel.

Khan appears to be on course to beat Conservative Zac Goldsmith to succeed Boris Johnson in City Hall at May's election. A recent YouGov poll for LBC Radio had the Labour MP on 31% and the Tory on 24%.
Westboro Baptist Church: 'The most hated family in America' - famed and vilified for picketing at the funerals of innocent people and celebrating their passing.

They celebrate at services held for men beaten to death for being gay; military servicemen and women killed in Iraq; and now they've turned their focus to David Bowie.

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That's right - one of music's most legendary figures is having his memorial picketed by WBC.

Tributes paid to Bowie in Brixton, South London

"Perfect picket place", they said in response to news the 69-year-old, who died of cancer, would be remembered at a memorial service in New York's Carnegie Hall.

But in spectacular trolling fashion, a group of activists known as 'Planting Peace' who occupy the 'Equality House' compound just across the street from the WBC have come up with a campaign to raise money for children with cancer.

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The anti-WBC headquaters in Topeka, Kansas

The group's president said helping save youngsters lives suffering from the same disease that took Bowie on Monday this week was the perfect way to honour him and hit back at Westboro.

He was a role model when it came to transcending any social norms or boundaries with his individuality and personal expression," they wrote.

"He taught us all that being different was something to embrace and celebrate. This is a small gesture to honor his legacy and the difference he made to so many."

Decrying messages religious chiefs sent to Bowie's widow on Twitter - telling her not to follow the man she was married to for 23 years into hell - they said:

"When the WBC began tweeting hateful messages to Mr Bowies family and targeting various memorials for picketing, we felt like launching a fundraiser and providing a positive outlet for support that will help children and families battling cancer would be the perfect way to honour Mr Bowie and show that acts of love and compassion speak louder than messages of hate."

The campaign has raised over $27,000 (19,000) so far, with heartwarming tributes being paid by donors including one that reads: "In memory of my brother, Trey."

"What a beautiful way to honor this legend in the face of such disrespectful cruelty. Thank you," said another $20 donor.
Emails, Gchats, DMs, Facebook messages and all other forms of online communication are a sacred entity.

It's where we say things that can't be said out loud.

It's where we cross time zones and chat to the loved ones who are oceans away from us.

For the majority of us, it's where life happens.

This week a ruling from the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) appeared to give work bosses the right to violate this sacredness.

The case was around a Romanian engineer, Bogdan Barbulescu, who used Yahoo Messenger, set up for work purposes, to chat with his fiancee and brother.

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According to his employers he had broken company rules by using the firm's equipment during working hours, to conduct private matters.

ECHR found the organisation had not violated Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights, because "it is not unreasonable for an employer to want to verify that the employees are completing their professional tasks during working hours."

The UK panicked. People argued the case was simply another moved towards increased surveillance - "an inherent feature of capitalism," one publication said.

It reasoned the ruling ignores the way people work today - the "24/7 always-on" culture, where the lines between work and play have become indistinguishable.

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While I don't agree with mass surveillance and I do believe in the right to respect one's "private and family life," the outcry also got me thinking about why bosses snooping on our emails could be a good thing.

Thankfully, I work for a company that actively highlights the need for a healthy work/life balance.

Bosses are forever encouraging colleagues to try new ways (including banning phones from the bedroom) to keep work at work.

However, this is not always a priority for every employer and perhaps knowing that you're being watched is just another way to keep work at work.

Simply put (and this could be an oversimplification) if your company wants you to only message friends during downtime and bosses during working hours - perhaps that's not the end of the world?

Hear me right, I'm not saying employers should have a free pass to all the information you have stored on a work device.

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Indeed, Ian Brownhill, a Barrister at No.5 Chambers and employment law expert said the ruling could have implications for employers too:

"Employers beware though, reading an employee's personal internal correspondence has implications under the Data Protection Act and depending on how you got by the password, perhaps even the criminal law."

However, Andrew Cutting, a Council of Europe spokesperson does make a valid point about how we should view the engineer's case.

Blogging on the Huffington Post he writes:

"Legislation has not been altered as a result of Tuesday's judgment, either in Romania or any of the 46 other Council of Europe member states, which include the UK.

"In short, not much has changed."

It could, he added, "help persuade workers and their bosses to clarify exactly where the boundaries lie concerning personal communications at work."

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The boundaries he speaks of are different for each of us.
If the Labour Party didn't exist today - would we invent it? There is no legal requirement to maintain us. Unless we can answer that are we wasting each others time? Like two bald men fighting over a comb?

However your meetings may sometimes feel, political parties do not exist for the sake of it. They are the practical expression of our hopes for a different world.

And in a democracy they are successful when they are a vision many - not the few - can get behind.

Choice between principle or power is no choice at all. Whether a party of power or party of protest - we won't change the world unless we are a party of purpose.

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Yet too much now rests on being united by what we are not - mainly not being the Tories, sometimes not the nationalists, and God forbid the liberals.

That does not make us the alternative government in waiting. It doesn't even really make us the opposition. It just makes us 'not them'.

Mocking those who voted for others only reinforces this problem. Share all the Facebook statuses and memes you want - it doesn't speak to who WE are or why anyone should care.

And this from the party of Keir Hardie's sunshine of socialism, Nye Bevan's vision of the NHS, Harold Wilson's white heat of technology.

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But the truth is when you take away what we all agree on - wanting Labour to be in Downing Street - there are now divisions real and profound.

But here's the good news. Difference can be healthy and constructive. Faced head on they can help us answer the question of what, why and how we succeed again in making a difference.

And whatever the papers or the Twittersphere say, the real divisions are not of left and right, of Blair vs Corbyn. They are of radicalism vs conservativism.

The tension between wanting to protect what we see as precious, and our ambition to provoke change in the world to come. Of creating a new vision of Britain, or trying restore times long gone.

To have a clash of ideas - not a clash of individuals - we all need more than a rest period from Twitter.

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To separate divisions over purpose - so we cannot be in the same political party - and divisions over process - arguments over how to get to our shared destination.

Because public services, economic models, legislation are all processes to secure our purpose, not an end in themselves. And uncertainty about what we stand for and why is our Achilles heel with the British public.

Throughout the last Parliament we didn't reach a consensus on what our economic position should be until it was too late.

Our last manifesto had no un-funded spending commitments. Yet people still trusted the Tories more with their money. That's the party that made 25 billion worth of unfunded spending commitments. And then accused us of economic incompetence.

Recognising the electorate chose that is not easy. They did so because the Tories had a purpose. They made everything about reducing the deficit and making the 'hard choices' - the long term economic plan - it required.

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Our purpose is to secure the best out of each of us for the benefit of all of us. To be the difference between only some prospering, and all of us being able to contribute to and profit from our shared success. To achieve more together than we do alone.

What does that mean? Somewhere in my constituency is a kid who could cure cancer. It's a belief that gets me out of bed, tackling my inbox and putting up with the 3am calls about bin collections. The chance to help give him or her their route to success is a job I relish - because imagine how much better all our will be if they do it.

We ARE more than 'not Tories'. Yes, we know markets alone fall short in breaking down these barriers. We are Labour because we put our faith in people instead. In being able to work together to tackle the inequalities holding us all back.

And it's the ambition Hardie, Attlee, Wilson, Blair and Jeremy share.

But there ARE different ways of making change happen.

I am an unashamed radical. I don't want to sit on the sidelines of globalisation, trying just to shield the public from damage.

I don't want to prop up failing institutions, because they are better than nothing.

No. I want to provoke change for the better and as quickly as possible, knowing it is hard to live with as it happens. I make the call that we can't stop progress. Instead we must shape it so it rips through those barriers that hold people back.

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That when someone invented a sat nav, the days of the cabby were numbered long before Uber appeared. The radical way forward is to find new ways of supporting those affected to diversify and thrive, not to write them - or innovation - off.

To find new ways - because fifty years ago this was a nation dying of infectious diseases, so we needed hospitals ready to take those with TB. Now we're a nation divided by long term conditions - to keep people well, not just wait until they are sick, of course the NHS has to change.

When people are developing complications in untreated diabetes but hospital beds are blocked with social care patients we cannot stand still.

To find new ways - thirty years ago the Cold War defined foreign affairs. But now suicide bombs and YouTube videos do. Those who plan deaths in Britain from a base 50,000 miles away. The plight of the Yazidi women and the conduct of the Saudi government dominate our Facebook timelines. Our fight for human rights and peace cannot stop at our borders.

To find new ways - twenty years ago the best we could do in helping young people with business ideas was young enterprise. In the 21st century with people like Jamal Edwards around, that just doesn't cut it. So instead of arguing about tuition fees for just 50% of kids, lets aim higher.

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Lets ensure every 18 year old has the capital they need to get on - whether to study, start a business or learn a craft.

But here's the thing. I could be mistaken. So I want people to show me evidence of what works and why - and what didn't.

You think I'm wrong? Great! Work with me, and together we'll come up with something sharper. Refined. Possible. Credible. And yes radical.

We need not to ignore these differences, or punish them, but face them head on - and in doing so jointly come up with something better.

Because when I hear people say that we've now reached a consensus on our economic position - I think, have we? When did that happen? I know I have a lot of questions and concerns to raise and I bet you do too.

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No one has the preserve on being right- not the Fabians, Progress, not the Co-op, not Momentum. Not even Owen. But if we choose to work together in this way, we can bring out the best in each other.

Its easier said than done - to admit you might be wrong. That the world might be changing and its hard to keep up. An open mind isn't easy - no one likes a clever clogs.

But radical or conservative, don't be comfortable with the Henry Ford model of political parties - you can have any view as long as it's mine - rather than able to engage with the world in which the people we represent live. A public still unsure what our purpose is, let alone how we would achieve it - but thankfully still wanting to know.

So let's not waste our time or theirs. Let's disagree and debate and then decide what we are for. To act on the purpose of Labour. For getting the best out of each of us for the benefit of all of us. For deeds not just words.

Because its when we choose to work this way.

That's how we become a party not just worth voting for, or even campaigning for.

That's how we become worth inventing in the first place.
supplied

A cloud of fear hung across the city of Perth, WA, when news broke in 1996-97 that three young women had been murdered, one by one. It happened in a safe suburb. It happened to girls that could have been anybody's daughter, sister or best friend. It changed Perth forever.

It changed how people went out at night, it changed social habits and it made people feel unsafe. The fear was quite palpable. And what made it even worse is that nearly 20 years later -- nobody has ever been caught.

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How incredible is it that with CCTV cameras and DNA, a monster managed to get away with the crime of snuffing out the lives of three beautiful young women? The girls had been socialising in a nice, safe suburb and he was able to abduct them, kill them, leave two of their bodies in bushland and not leave a trace. It was like the killer vanished into thin air. Along with Sarah, whose body still has not been found.

There are few West Australians who do not know the names Sarah Spiers, Ciara Glennon and Jane Rimmer. There are few West Australians who dont immediately recognise the girls faces, which have been plastered on posters and across newspapers and TV reports for the last twenty years.

Jane Rimmer. Picture Supplied

The girls all had one thing in in common: theyd all been out socialising in the upmarket suburb of Claremont. The phrase Claremont Serial Killer was a constant on everybodys lips. Even today, many in Perth who had been teenagers at the time the girls went missing have a story to tell.

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Urban myths are stones that still gather moss, no matter how many years have rolled passed.

Even this journalist, (who hails from Perth), has a connection -- my friends ex-boyfriend once dated one of the victims. And the father of my family friend had worked with a victims father. She told of the unspeakable horror of the girls parents when police broke the news that that their beloved daughters body had been discovered. My friends and I had walked home from the Claremont pub many times. Sometimes we'd stupidly hitch-hiked. But never again.

It is still one of Australias most horrific unsolved mysteries. Task Force Macro is the nations longest-running and most expensive murder investigation in history. More than 3,000 people have been investigated and yet it remains an unsolved crime.

Sarah Spiers. Picture Supplied

While the bodies of Ciara and Jane were found in bushland, Sarahs body was never found.

Timeline:

18 year old Sarah Spiers went missing from outside a Claremont bar in January 1996. Her body has never been found.

Jane Rimmer, aged 23, was abducted from Claremont in June 1996 and her body found in bushland south of Perth that August.

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Ciara Glennon, aged 27, disappeared in March 1997. Her body was found in bushland north of Perth, 19 days after she was last seen in Claremont.

Ciara Glennon. Picture Supplied

Journalist Ros Thomas was working as a reporter for the Seven Network's Today Tonight at the time of the killings and she was invited to spend a night with Taskforce Macro.

All of a sudden, one of the cops turned to me and said, Youd be the killers perfect victim. Youre a size 12, fair-haired and curvy, Thomas said.

(Another journalist told me this week, when I repeated what Thomas had told me; "That's something only a Perth cop would say.")

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It was a strange night following the taskforce around at night. Theyd sit in cars, waiting outside the Claremont pub and making sure any women leaving would be safely getting in cars with friends. But most people stayed well away from Claremont. And, of course nobody dared to catch a taxi.

The first suspect in the killings was a taxi driver. Thats because Jane, Ciara and Sarah had let friends know they were catching a taxi home. The phrase, "Don't get a taxi!" was thrown at anybody going out for a drink in the affluent western suburbs.

Police have been relentless with their investigation, despite the passage of time. As recently as 2008, police released previously unseen CCTV footage, showing Jane Rimmer exchanging a greeting with an unidentified man outside the Continental Hotel in Claremont at midnight on June 9, the night she disappeared.

The hotel had closed for the night and a man approaches Jane; she seems to acknowledge him. Then he walks out of view while Jane remains on the footpath for several minutes. When the rotating camera moves away from Jane, then returns -- she is gone.

We all had our theories. There was a well-known local politician I interviewed on an unrelated story and he had an employee who was a taxi driver. There were stories going around about the politician's possible connection with the crimes. One theory is that the politician used the taxi driver to get his victims, then he could have his way with them. There were other things about that man that made me very suspicious. He was once caught sleeping in his car near the Claremont social district but, when cops questioned him, he told them that he was looking out for any girls to make sure they were safe, Thomas told Huffington Post Australia.

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On a personal note: the photograph the police used of Jane Rimmer showed her in a dress that was identical to a dress Id recently worn to a friends wedding. That always freaked me out -- that Jane and I had the same dress and that dress was all over the news. Also there was so many stories swirling around Perth: stories that a man was driving around Claremont with an axe, masking tape and black plastic. Stories that a 13-year-old girl who was murdered years ago was his first victim.

Thats another thing the cops told me. That most serial killers practice a lot before they get their 'perfect murder and there were a string of crimes that had similarities to the Claremont killings. Then the killer got good at what he was doing and that the three Claremont murders were finally his perfect murders.

Advertising executive Rebecca Nadal lived and worked in Claremont at the time of the killings and, to this day, is amazed that the crime is still unsolved.

I recently attended a talk about the psychological profile of the Claremont Serial Killer at Murdoch University, where the criminologist said someone from the SAS or armed forces would have the balls, stealth, strength and skills to carry it off, Nadal said.

That was the first Id heard of that angle. Given that Campbell Barracks is right next to Claremont, and the Claremont is their local pub, I wondered why this hadnt been explored more in the press.

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Nadal also recalls a time when people were afraid to go out at night and that Claremont, once the playground for the younger generation, abandoned the trendy suburb and flocked to nearby Subiaco,

The killings were great for business for Subiaco but Claremont was like a ghost town at night. I remember there were cops everywhere. The only people in Claremont at night were all the cops. After the first girl went missing, nobody would let a girl walk to her car alone -- even if the car park was next to the pub. And if a friend walked you to your car, you would then drive her to her car.

I remember hitchhiking down Stirling Highway in the middle of the night during the Burnie period. (Previous serial killers who terrorised Perth girls) However, you wouldnt dream of walking down Bayview Terrace alone after Sarah Spiers went missing. Everybody was afraid.

Bret Christian, the editor of the Post Newspapers, recently broke a story that police have forensic evidence linking Ciara Glennon's killer with a rapist who abducted a 17-year-old woman from a Claremont street then raped her in nearby Karrakatta Cemetery in 1995.

According to the Post, the young woman had left a Claremont nightclub, Club Bay View, shortly after midnight and was walking to a friend's house when she was abducted, taken to the cemetery, raped and released.

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WA Police issued a statement in response to the report.

"For operational reasons the macro taskforce is not commented on similar media reports about possible links to other crimes," a spokesperson said.

But Christian is confident the Post's information is correct.

I wouldn't have published it otherwise. The police havent denied it and people are pleasantly surprised to hear that the cops are still actively investigating the murders and theyre making progress, Christian said.

Theres also been new information coming forward from members of the public: that a woman was kidnapped near Claremont, but never reported it. Another woman was lured into a car in central Claremont, but never reported it until now.

Christian told The Huffington Post Australia that there had been some unfortunate blunders, early in the investigation.

The Perth cops hired a man who said he was an FBI profiler, who told the public to let cops know if you see anybody behaving oddly, such as washing their car frantically, or any suspicious behaviour. All that achieved is thousands of people called the police hotline, dobbing in ex-husbands, or neighbours they were feuding with... and they just swamped the cops with useless information.

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The AGE via Getty Images (AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND OUT) Asylum seekers on their first day in the compound at Nauru after their long voyages on the Tampa, Aceng and Manoora, 19 September 2001. The AGE Picture by ANGELA WYLIE (Photo by Fairfax Media/Fairfax Media via Getty Images)

The Greens want Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull to take urgent action to address a "growing epidemic" of self-harm in Australian immigration detention centres following reports of a self-harming crisis among asylum seekers.

There were 188 incidents of self-harm involving asylum seekers at Nauru in the year to July 2015, and 55 self-harm acts at Papua New Guinea's Manus Island, Fairfax Media reported on Saturday.

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The acts of self harm reportedly included detainees swallowing insect repellent, stuffing tea bags down their throats and pouring boiling water over themselves.

#auspol Asylum seekers: Self-harm in detention centres at epidemic levels, internal documents show https://t.co/iHNXN85gLS  Jason davies (@jarjarstevens) January 15, 2016

Today's report comes after the company contracted to run Australia's detention centre at Nauru told a Senate inquiry in August there were 253 incidents of self-harm reported on the Pacific island between September 2012 and April 2015.

Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young called on the Immigration Minister Peter Dutton to address the issue of self-harm among detainees as a priority.

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The current situation is unacceptable and, as a strong and compassionate people, we could be doing so much better, she said.

The fact that children are so traumatised that theyre resorting to shocking acts of self-harm is appalling.

There is no excuse for Mr Turnbull to turn a blind eye to these conditions, he must act. His Minister, Peter Dutton, is responsible for this misery and must be held to account."

Last year's senate report was critical of the operator of Nauru's detention centre, saying secrecy surrounding the facility contributed to fear among those detained there.

'The culture of secrecy which surrounds offshore processing only serves to increase the risk of wrongdoing and abuse and contribute to fear among asylum seekers that no one will protect them, and that misconduct by staff will go unpunished,' the report said.

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Transfield Services, the Australian government contractor that runs the detention centre, recently changed its name to Broadspectrum.

The report of widespread self-harm at detention centres comes a day after the government released of an official statement vindicating the conduct of a number Save the Children workers who were removed from Nauru in 2014.

This man is now Australia's Treasurer. Why would you believe anything he says after this expose? https://t.co/BuBYd0KdjU#auspol  Christine Milne (@ChristineMilne) January 15, 2016

The Save the Children workers were sent home after the government claimed there were political motivations behind them raising asylum seekers' concerns about sexual harassment from guards.

Labor's Richard Marles said Friday's official statement found "no evidence the staff acted outside their duties and that they should be offered compensation".

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"The Government needs to today issue an immediate apology to Save the Children and the staff involved," he said.
Auscape via Getty Images Elliott Heads, a popular tourist destination: coastal village with a small ocean beach and an expansive sandy river delta for relaxation and sunbathing. near Bundaberg, Queensland, Australia. (Photo by Auscape/UIG via Getty Images)

The Fun Police have officially arrived -- and they are here to gain a few 'Likes' as they shut down parties.

On Friday Victoria Police jumped on Facebook to invite themselves to an Australia Day party at Melbournes St Kilda Beach, which had gained the attention of more than 20,000 guests.

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Writing to the party hosts, Jai Motherwell and Clint White, Vic Police showed an interest in attending the Triple J Hottest 100 Party 2016 at St Kilda Beach.

"Hi Jai and Clint. This is Victoria Police," the authorities said.

"We know this party is not sanctioned by Triple J, so we're assuming you haven't got any permits from Port Phillip Council either? If that's the case, we'll pay you a visit on Australia Day and let's hope we don't spoil your party!"

The man responsible for the post -- which has gained more than 8,000 likes and 200 shares -- is Mark Bayly, the Victoria Police Online Communications Manager, who told The Huffington Post Australia he's found the response "very positive" with people engaging with the light-hearted authority.

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"The St.Kilda Police Station approached me with the view to composing a social media post which I did and posted on the party page today," Bayly told HuffPost Australia.

"It is a very good way of engaging around an issue like this."

Bayly said the hosts "were very good about it" and "admitted things had got out of hand".

The hosts have since cancelled the event, writing to guests on the event Facebook page on Friday afternoon.

"We have decided to shut this event down. The numbers have blown way out of proportion and you can't trust 20,000 strangers to do the right thing," the hosts wrote.

"We will be working with the Victorian Police and local city council about this matter leading into the event. Please respect our decision and share around that the event has been cancelled. There are plenty of other parties in St Kilda for Australia Day. Who's keen to catch Fatboy Slim?!"

And will the Fun Police continue trawling Facebook to monitor Victoria's party scene?
News / National

by Staff Reporter

Calls have been made for the Chirundu Border Post to operate around the clock.The border post operates for 16 hours from 6am to 10pm but some policy makers are of the view that the facility is being under utilised, given its status as Southern Africa's sole One Stop Border Post.Lawmaker Reuben Marumahoko says it doesn't make business sense to have Beitbridge Border Post operate for 24 hours yet the traffic in transit to countries north of Zambia cannot proceed past Chirundu after 10pm, a situation that results in costly delays for cross border truckers.Marumahoko expressed the sentiments in Chirundu during the Chirundu Local Board stakeholders feedback meeting.The Minister of State for Mashonaland West Faber Chidarikire promised to take up the issue, saying Chirundu has the potential to grow into a big town given its strategic position as the entry and exit point to and from Southern Africa.Other stakeholders proposed that Chirundu be considered for tourism investment and growth, expressing concern over the general lack of investment in the northern border town.Chirundu lacks any meaningful economic and social services and infrastructure, save for the main imposing complex housing border control departments from both Zimbabwe and Zambia.The Chirundu Local Board, which is still in its infancy, is, however, intent on transforming the face of the border settlement, and is set to put a number of social services infrastructure in the town.
ASSOCIATED PRESS Iraqi security forces clear the Soufiya neighborhood of Islamic State fighters in central Ramadi, 70 miles (115 kilometers) west of Baghdad, Iraq, Thursday, Jan. 14, 2016. More than two weeks after central Ramadi was declared liberated, Iraq's counter terrorism forces are slowly battling pockets of Islamic State militants on the northeastern edges. Commanders on the ground say roadside bombs, bobby-trapped houses and the militant group's use of civilians as human shields are the main factors slowing their progress. (AP Photo/Khalid Mohammed)

The Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has visited Baghdad for a surprise meeting with Australian troops and to hold talks with the Iraqi government.

Mr Turnbull met with Iraqi Prime Minister Dr Haider Al-Abadi to discuss the current security situation in Iraq, Iraqs military campaign against Islamic State, and the humanitarian situation in the country.

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We are strongly committed to helping Iraq in its fight against Daesh. Daesh is a threat to all of us and we need to continue to work together to defeat these terrorists, Mr Turnbull said after meeting with Dr Al-Abadi.

He said that the victory against Islamic State needed to be one that endures and called for reconciliation between different groups in Iraq.

There needs to be a solution, an outcome, a reconciliation in Syria. Borders are of course just lines on the map. Unless there is an end to the war in Syria, it will be challenging to maintain the peace in Iraq as we discussed.

The prime minister was mobbed for selfies on his visit to Camp Baird, Australia's national command and support base for the Middle East region.

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His first visit to the region as leader was well received by Australian defence force members who are making the second-largest contribution to the fight against Islamic State in Iraq behind the United States.

You really do us proud and you are doing vitally important work, not just for Iraq, not just for the region, but for the whole world. We have a global struggle against terrorism and you are in the front line, Mr Turnbull said.

He also visited Taij military base, where Australian and New Zealand soldiers are training local forces.

Mr Turnbull said Australia was encouraging other European countries to make a greater contribution to military commitment in the region.

He also stressed the importance of local soldiers.

"The most important boots on the ground are Iraqi boots," Mr Turnbull told troops.
By Al Norman

BENTONVILLE, AR. Wal-Mart headquarters announced January 15th that the company will close a total of 269 stores world-wide, of which 154 are locations in the U.S. This store implosion represents the end of the line for Wal-Mart's smallest format, the so-called Wal-Mart Express. But it also reveals the giant retailer's over-saturation of American markets.

The Express stores were a 4 year experiment that under-performed. In addition, 12 supercenters are going dark, and 23 Neighborhood Markets. States losing the most Express stores were Texas (20) , North Carolina (16) and Arkansas (10). Nine states are losing Neighborhood Markets, 9 states are losing supercenters, and 3 states are losing Wal-Mart discount stores. Most of these "dark stores" are in the deep South, where Wal-Marts are most saturated.

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Another major U.S. Wal-Mart contraction was in April of 2008, when the retailer scrapped 45 supercenter proposals---but these were paper projects not yet in the ground.

Going forward, Wal-Mart promises to focus on strengthening its supercenters, and smaller Neighborhood Markets---but the real accent now is on growing its e-commerce business (e.g. chasing Amazon) and hoping that customer pick-up services in their parking lots will catch on. But I am not alone in describing the superstores as Wal-Mart's dinosaurs---and the Digital Age as their coming Ice Age.

Wal-Mart CEO Doug McMillon, tried to polish the apple on these closures by reminding the media that "we'll open well more than 300 stores around the world next year. So we are committed to growing, but we are being disciplined about it." Translation: Wal-Mart will only be opening 50 to 60 Supercenters in America this coming year---which pales to its halcyon sprawl years in the 1980s when it cut-ribbons at a 250 to 350 store clip per year. Even as late as 2007, Wal-Mart's Annual Report said the retailer's "planned expenditures will include the construction of...265 to 270 new supercenters."

No doubt Wall Street will reward Wal-Mart for finally showing some "discipline" in its bricks and mortar store growth--but in its own Q&A format interview with McMillon, the company disclosed a very telling metric:



"More than 95% of the stores closing in the U.S. are within 10 miles on average of another Walmart."

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In other words, Wal-Mart reached the point of store saturation years ago, and is only acting on that now. No retail trade area needs a Wal-Mart every ten miles. The stores that were chalked for closure this week were, frankly, redundant.

Wal-Mart has been cannibalizing its own stores for years by over-saturating market penetration. In 2007, John Menzer, Wal-Mart's Chief Administrative Officer, told shareholders: "We also have been focused this year on reducing cannibalization of existing stores via our more strategic selection of U.S. real estate projects... As we continue to add new stores in the United States, we do so with an understanding that additional stores may take sales away from existing units." That was nearly 9 years ago.

If Wal-Mart were to eliminate every store within 10 miles of another Wal-Mart, it would thin out its unit count by at least 25%. The company, and small town America would be better for it.

The real losers here are the 10,000 U.S. Wal-Mart workers at stores shutting down. The company promises to give them 60 days pay and help in finding job placements--but it's a nervous road ahead for this non-union workforce. They have no collective bargaining to protect them.

Although the business media has been blaming employee wage hikes on Wal-Mart's financial woes, the company admits this is not the case. In response to the question: "Are you having to close stores and clubs because of Walmart's investment in wages?" McMillon answers:

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"Not at all...Our investment in associate wages and training is a long-term investment that is already paying off. ..As a result, we are seeing improvements in our comp sales, customer traffic and customer satisfaction scores." But what good is a higher wage if you have no job to go with it?

Final note: CEO McMillon boasts that according to Wal-Mart customer experience surveys, "70% of our stores have achieved the initial clean, fast, friendly goal we set for them, and we'll raise the bar for the coming fiscal year."

That means, shoppers, that 30% of the stores Wal-Mart has out there today are dirty, slow and unfriendly.
Oscar-nominated and Emmy Award-winning composer Van-Anh Vo premieres her new musical epic this month in San Francisco, inspired by the experiences of the Vietnamese Boat People. Integrating traditional and new instruments, video, field recordings and interviews with survivors, The Odysseyfrom Vietnam to America reflects the resilience of the human spirit and the price of freedom. The work was created in partnership with Asian Americans for Community Involvement (AACI). She spoke with New America Media editor Andrew Lam



Van-Anh Vanessa Vo: NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert

How difficult was it to be a woman breaking into the traditional music scene in Vietnam, where men have dominated for centuries?

It was not easy. But I started to learn music when I was four. My father taught me. I learned dan tranh [plucked zither] when I was six. I went to the National Conservatory of Music that leaned toward a western education. For traditional music, I had to find the right masters, who are all men. However, the master-apprentice system only works with masters family members. I refused to accept the notion that [just because] I am not a family member I couldnt learn the music. I started to go to the masters house but none of them wanted to take me in. I literally had to be an in-house slave for three years before I earned the masters trust and was accepted to be his apprentice. Since then he introduced me to other masters and I learned traditional music from them.

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One of my masters took me to spiritual ceremonies. But as soon as I arrived, everyone rolled their eyes. Youre not supposed to have a female player there. I just walked in and started to play. And as soon as I played, you could see people realize music is music and it didnt matter if you are male or female. If you have determination, if you want and wish to learn enough,I think even difficult people will eventually accept you.

What is it like growing up in Vietnam?

I was born after the Vietnam War ended. My childhood was very happy even though we were very poor. I saw many strange objects. Like the washbasin and garbage bins were made from an artillery shell, the school stairwell was made from parts of a downed B-52 bomber.My father enlisted in the army but to avoid fighting he joined the music section. He and his bandmates had to play music to cheer the survivors after battles. After the war he became a musician for the national orchestra.

Since my father worked for the national theater, he was assigned a 260-square-foot studio for the family. Everyone around worked in the arts. Early in the morning, I would hear people practice their music. Someone in front practiced Cai Luong [southern folk opera]. Someone in the back practiced Western Opera. To the right someone was practicing funeral music. To the left someone was learning the rhythm of American rock. I guess it all sank into me somehow.



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How was your transition from Vietnam to America?

I came here the first time for my concert tour in 1995, right after the two countries reestablished their relationship. I was performing in the San Francisco Bay Area for about a month. I met my future husband who was a volunteer who hosted us. After five years we married and I moved here in 2001. My husband was a refugee and boat person but hes been here a long time.

What I love about America is that its so free. You can do whatever you want, and theres such diversity in the Bay Area. I figured Id find a way to do my music in my own voice, to put the heartbeat of the 21st century in my work. I listened to jazz and I found that it has the same pentatonic scale as traditional Vietnamese music. The terms jam and improvisation are very familiar in Vietnamese traditional music. How is jazz like traditional Vietnamese music? In traditional music, we learn it first the way it is. After you master it, you start to create your own version of the song.

Three- Mountain Pass, your latest album, is a major step in making the Old World new again with a nod to chamber music. How do you walk the line between traditional Vietnamese music and western music?

Its a fine line to walk. I rearranged the traditional music Lieu Thuy Truong - Green River Delta - for the Kronos Quartet to play with me. Kronos and I spent a long time together to get to the roots of the musical genres and really get into the Vietnamese culture. To express the sound from Vietnamese traditional music, I had them use chopsticks on violins. We tried other things like pencils, but it didnt work so well. So we went to a nearby Vietnamese restaurant and tried the chopsticks on the violin to give perfect sounds of Vietnamese Dan Nguyet [moon lute] and it sounded exactly like it was supposed to. For the cello, we used the sea turtle shell pick to pluck.

You were not a refugee, but The Odyssey from Vietnam to America really speaks to the refugee experience.

The Odyssey praises the strength of the human spirit and the resilience that we all have. I came here in much better condition than other refugees. But before moving here, I was a well-established musician. And coming here, I became no one. I started from zero again. However, I learned from all my friends what they had to go through as refugees, as boat people, and I realized my struggle means nothing compared to the struggles of others. I was curious how they could survive. What helped them find strength and hope? I started to read documents written in a refugee camp and I couldnt stop reading. Those documents tell me where they came from, how they left Vietnam, their fear of being pushed out to sea, their hope. I interviewed 50 or so boat people who survived. I asked them about the sounds they remembered during their trip. The only tool I have is music. So I find ways to share their stories through music.

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TEDxSanJoaquin - Vanessa Vo - Breathing New Air into Tradition



How do you make your music accessible to people who arent familiar with traditional Vietnamese instruments?

To me, Vietnamese traditional instruments are just another language. I believe the audience can still relate to the despair, sadness, danger and joy. I care more about how I can use sounds to express human emotions and feelings. Besides music, we also have videos of interviews with boat people, images and real documents. Together, they help the audience take the journey.

The Odyssey - From Vietnam to America premieres January 22, 2016 in San Francisco. Visit the Yerba Buena program page for more information: http://ybca.org/odyssey
When we are in love, we open to all that life has to offer

with passion, excitement, and acceptance.

John Lennon

The promise that I give to couples whose ceremonies I design and officiate is that your ceremony will be meaningful and memorable, for you and for your guests.

As a celebrant in the South of France, I meet guests who may come from as many as 20 different countries for one wedding. They make a considerable commitment of time and expense to be there.

Often I talk with guests who find the weddings they attend have little to do with the couple. The ceremony is boring. They cannot wait for it to end, so they can get on with the party.

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Wherever you hold your wedding, with imagination your ceremony can come to life, be moving, heartfelt and touching. If your guests have come from far and wide to be with you, they will be very glad you made the effort to be authentic and true to yourselves in your celebration.

Including Symbolic Exchanges brings a personal touch that makes your wedding engaging for your witnesses. These exchanges reflect your values and priorities. They are the creative touches that makes your wedding ceremony inspiring.

Here are a few ideas for you.

1.The Unity Candle

Candlelight is soft and beautiful. The Ceremony invites your mothers, or significant relatives, to light candles that represent the love they gave to you. From the two candles a third is lit, which represents the love that you share as a couple.

However, if your ceremony is out of doors, lighting candles seems to invite the softest breeze to blow them out. I prefer not to do the candle ceremony if your wedding is outside.

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2.The Sand Ceremony

The Sand Ceremony is a good alternative to the Unity Candle if you are outside. You start with two containers with different coloured sands, each representing your individual strengths and qualities. When the sands are combined in layers in a third glass container, they cannot be separated - or certainly not very easily.

This ceremony is good for giving children a part to play, including them in the celebration. One couple had 7 boys between them from their previous marriages. Each chose their own colour of sand to add to the family glass tank. For younger children, pouring sands is fun, and fun for others to watch.

3.Hand-fasting

Binding your hands together was a Celtic ceremony, and in past times, represented the whole marriage. I combine this with a Blessing of your Hands. You join hands, bound by a sash that picks up your colour scheme. The image of joining hands speaks to the commitment you are making with each other.



4.Common Cup Exchange - Plus!

Bride and groom drink wine from the same glass. This exchange reminds you that your joy is doubled and your troubles halved, because they are shared. One couple extended this ceremony to their guests. A shot glass of rose wine was handed out to everyone to appreciate their presence on this day. Needless to say, this gesture was very popular

5.Smashing the Glass

Often I am asked to officiate a mixed Jewish and other faith wedding. Concluding the ceremony with smashing the glass is a fun tradition with several meanings associated with it. I usually choose the most positive and uplifting text.

6.Rose Exchange

Rose buds in four colours make up this ritual. Each colour represents a quality that will blossom and grow in their marriage. For example, red is passion, pink is tenderness, white is purity and yellow is understanding. Bride and groom each put the coloured rose stems into a vase, claiming the qualities that will enrich their marriage.

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7.Shawl Blessing

One groom's mother knitted a large soft shawl at her prayer group. She added her good wishes into the threads of wool as she knitted. Prayers of the group were added to it. During the ceremony, the shawl was draped over the shoulders of her son and daughter-in-law to be, with her blessings for their marriage.

8.Cultural Traditions

Bread and Salt (Russian, Eastern European), Honey Dip (Persian), Date and Milk (Tunisian).

You may not have a cultural tradition from your families. With your celebrant, you could create an exchange of your own that will bring your wedding to life and leave a lasting memory of your celebration for you and your guests to take home.

For your Anne Naylor Wedding and more suggestions for creating the Wedding of your dreams go to Anne Naylor Celebrant.
Title VII of the federal Civil Rights Act of 1964, among other requirements, prohibits discrimination in employment based upon religion for covered employers who have 15 or more employees (42 U.S.C. Sec. 2000e). Employees' religious beliefs and practices are entitled to "reasonable accommodation" in the workplace unless it would cause the employer an "undue hardship." Asserted claims of prohibited discrimination must typically be made to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) or comparable state agency within 180 days of the discriminating event. Note that many states have similar statutes that may include more employers or have different procedural requirements. This comment provides a brief and incomplete educational overview of the complex topic of religious discrimination in private sector employment. Public employees have a somewhat different situation. Always contact an experienced employment discrimination attorney in a specific situation.



Courts have difficulty precisely defining "religion." Courts do not judge religious doctrines. This is as ancient as the Biblical account in Acts 18 of a Roman Proconsul declining to hear such a case. Numerous modern U.S. court decisions address employer "undue hardship." These cases may conclude, for example, that since customers prefer that employees without tattoos serve them, it is an undue hardship if an employer cannot require their covering, even if the tattoos are religiously inspired.

Courts state that a religious belief or practice is "sincere," "central," "influences behavior," and addresses "ultimate ideas" concerning "life, purpose, and death." However, the courts have concluded that "religion" may exist without the individual believing in a traditional Deity or acting in conformity with an established religious group. In other words, it is legally possible to have a one person "religion."



Courts distinguish "religion" from social, political, or ethical viewpoints. Personal preferences in appearance such as hairstyle, clothing, or jewelry do not constitute "religion." Nutritional preferences or political affiliations are not "religion." The analysis becomes very factually specific. A religious practice or belief is "sincerely held" ("bona fide") based upon both the employee's subjective belief and objective practice. While a court will not determine the ultimate truth or reasonableness of the subjective religious belief, the court will take note of consistent objective practice. The employee must be consistent in belief and practice in order to successfully assert religion.

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Courts have determined that both "disparate treatment" (different treatment due to the employee's religion) or a failure to "reasonably accommodate" an employee's religious belief or practice (absent employer undue hardship) are forms of unlawful religious discrimination in employment. Precisely what is a "reasonable accommodation" in a specific situation? This is fact specific.

Note that not only must the employee have a bona fide religious belief, she or he must typically inform the employer of this belief. Why did the employer take the adverse employment action in question? Did the employee fail to comply with a job requirement that conflicted with the communicated religious belief when a reasonable accommodation was possible? A 2015 U.S. Supreme Court decision (8:1) involved a successful lawsuit by a prospective employee who was denied employment after wearing a hijab to an employment interview but without requesting a religious accommodation (EEOC v. Abercrombie & Fitch). However, this case involves unique facts.

Consequently, from the employer's viewpoint:

1.Is there notification or reason to know that a reasonable religious accommodation may be appropriate?

2.If so, initiate communication with the employee concerning possible accommodations. The accommodation process involves cooperation and dialogue and cannot be unilaterally undertaken by either party.

3.Listen to the employee's request and why the employee wants it.

4.An employer does not have to provide the employee with her or his requested accommodation if the employer prefers to provide a different but reasonable alternative.

5.An employer needs to be factually objective concerning what accommodation is reasonable or might create an undue hardship.

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The following are some general types of proposed reasonable accommodation:

1 .Flex schedules or personal leave policies.

2.Schedule and shift exchanging done voluntarily.

3.Modification in employer grooming standards or dress codes.

4.Voluntary transfers and sometimes voluntary demotion. Be cautious.

5. Allowing non-disruptive prayer and/or religious conversation outside of customer service areas. This is very fact specific.

An employer might possibly reject a proposed accommodation because it:

1.Imposes more than a de minimis (very small) cost or administrative burden.

2.Creates building or business code violations, or other legal violations or safety issues.

3.Violates contract rights or a collective bargaining contract.

4.Creates workplace disruption, workplace conflicts, or damages customer interactions. Be factually objective.

5. Adversely impacts the corporate brand or creates community disdain.



Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs regulations require federal contractors and subcontractors to provide employees and prospective employees with accommodations for religious observance and practice, specifically mentioning Sabbath and religious holiday observance (41 CFR 60-50.3). However, in determining what might constitute an undue hardship to the employer, the regulation states that factors such as business necessity, financial costs and expenses, and resulting personnel problems may be considered.

Religious faiths and religious educational institutions may discriminate on the basis of religion in employment decisions. Additionally, when an employee's conduct is contrary to the religious principles of the religious institution, the employee may be terminated. However, determining if a particular employer is "religious" may be difficult. Courts frequently examine the relative mixture of secular and religious activities occurring within the organization.



"Ministerial" employees are not allowed to sue religious employers under anti-discrimination statutes, including the Americans with Disabilities Act, as decided by the U.S. Supreme Court in a 2012 unanimous decision (Hosanna-Tabor Evangelical Lutheran Church and School v. EEOC). The teacher in question had completed a course of theological study and accepted a "call," teaching both religious and secular classes in kindergarten and the fourth grade. After a dispute with her employer concerning disability leave for narcolepsy, she was terminated. Upon reviewing the facts of this situation, as well as the history of religious liberty and the First Amendment, the Supreme Court concluded that the ministerial exception bared her lawsuit. The Court noted that it expressed no opinion concerning whether or not the ministerial exception would prohibit other types of lawsuits, such as breach of contract or tort (injury).

Consequently, a religious employee would be advised to have a written employment contract containing provisions for disability and severance benefits, etc.

The federal Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993, in broad overview, prohibits government from substantially burdening one's exercise of religion unless the government demonstrates a compelling interest and the governmental burden is the least restrictive method to address this compelling interest (42 U.S.C. Sec. 2000bb-1). In 2014 the U.S. Supreme Court utilized this statute to limit regulations under the federal Affordable Care Act that required employers to provide health insurance coverage for some methods of contraception (Burwell v. Hobby Lobby Stores). This complex topic is beyond the scope of a brief comment.
It's always a little funny listening to someone speak English as a second language. Their pronunciation of certain words and the roundabout sentences they use to express themselves seem adorable if not harmless. But how do we sound when speaking a second language? In many cases our mistakes are earth shattering for us and life scarring for them. Here are the top five mistakes Americans make after about a year of studying Italian.

1. There's a BIG (and completely inappropriate) difference between "pecorino" and "pecorina."

Pecorino cheese is the cheese that comes from the pecora, or sheep. When asking for it, it's important to get the gender ending correct.

"Nonna, per favore dammi il pecorino" - Grandmother, would you please pass me the aged sheep's cheese.

"Nonna, per favore dammi la pecorina" - Grandmother, would you please bend over so that I may enter you doggy-style.

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2. Pepperoni isn't the same thing in Italy that it is in the U.S.

Pepperoni Pizza represents 36 percent of all pizzas sold in the USA. But if you're looking to try your favorite topping on your next trip to Italy, beware! Ordering pepperoni pizza in Italy will yield a pie topped with roasted red bell peppers or "pepperoni". My guess is that you'll want to order the salame piccante (spicy sausage, known in America as pepperoni).

3. The easiest way to insult an Italian: Order your pasta "al dente."

Italians know how to cook their pasta, don't ask for it al dente. Proof:

4. Mixing up your masculine and feminine forms of fruit terminology could end up being pretty offensive, especially if you're talking about figs.

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In Italian all fruit is feminine and the tree from which it comes is masculine, for example apple is la mela, apple tree is il melo.

That is, all fruit but figs. Figs and fig trees are always masculine, using the feminine ending means pussy -- don't get caught asking to buy a bag of vaginas from the fruit vendor because you ordered fica instead of fico.

Fun Fact: Fika means "coffee time" in Swedish, hence the name of the chain. But you'll often overhear Italians visiting New York wondering why there is a coffee shop called ... Well, you know, keep your ears open for those Italians outside of Fika, they're hysterical to listen in on, even if you don't understand what they're saying.
There might have been "too much" in the bill, the Virginia Democrat said, but it was better than letting the economy unravel.
Ted Cruz, right, speaks as Donald Trump looks on during the CNN Republican presidential debate at the Venetian Hotel & Casino on Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2015, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

On Tuesday of this past week, President Obama delivered the annual State of the Union (SOTU) address to a Joint Session of Congress. And then on Thursday, the Republican candidates for their party's nomination held their sixth televised debate. The contrasts in tone couldn't have been sharper, defining the deep partisan divide that has tragically paralyzed our ability to address critical issues facing our country.

For his part, the President sought to frame his SOTU remarks as confident, optimistic, and forward looking. He challenged those who promoted despair and cynicism, noting the progress that has been made in cutting unemployment in half, rescuing America's auto industry, and passing health care reform that has enabled 17 million more Americans to receive coverage. While acknowledging that real problems of income inequality remain, he noted that with investments in education, job training, and continued Wall Street reform, progress could be made.

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The President also used the address to challenge the notion being propagated by some that America is in decline all over the world. It is undeniable that we face new challenges from a deeply unsettled Middle East, from an emboldened Russia, an aggressive China, and the persistent threat of terrorism. But he noted that in the face of these challenges, working with allies, we have made progress in addressing climate change and stopping the spread of Ebola, in securing agreements to stop Iran's nuclear program, promote trade with Asian partners, and in opening relations with Cuba. He concluded, that despite diplomatic setbacks, persistent and de-stabilizing conflicts, and the continuing threat of terrorism, America's standing has, in fact, improved in almost every country in the world.

As is the case in every SOTU address, the President proposed that Congress take action in a number of areas that he maintained would build on the progress we have made and create a more prosperous and secure America in the future. But his most compelling remarks came near the end of his speech when he returned to a theme that has shaped his entire public life--the need to bring an end to "the rancor and suspicion" that has divided us and inhibited bipartisan cooperation.

He began by urging office holders to "reject any politics that targets people because of race or religion." He went on to note that:

"This isn't a matter of political correctness. This is a matter of understanding what makes us strong. The world respects us not just for our arsenal, it respects us for our diversity and our openness and the way we respect every faith...When politicians insult Muslims...that doesn't make us safer...It diminishes us in the eyes of the world. It makes it harder to achieve our goals. It betrays who we are as a country."

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He closed with this appeal: "The future we want--opportunity and security for our families, a rising standard of living, a sustainable, peaceful planet for our kid--all that is within our reach. But it will only happen if we work together...if we can have rational, constructive debates...if we fix our politics. [This] doesn't mean we have to agree on everything...[But] it doesn't work if we think our political opponents are unpatriotic or trying to weaken America...Democracy grinds to a halt without a willingness to compromise...Our public life withers when only the most extreme voices get all the attention...We have to change the system to reflect our better selves."

These concluding thoughts struck me as prescient as I listened to the tone and content of the GOP debate that followed the SOTU just two days latter. If the President sought to elevate our political discourse and seek compromise, many of those competing for the Republican nomination were clearly moving in the opposite direction. Ohio Governor John Kasich and former Florida Governor Jeb Bush stood out as exceptions, but their voices were often drown out by the harsh and unyielding rhetoric of their competitors.

Five of the seven candidates (all but Kasich and Bush) either rejected new Muslim immigrants or questioned the wisdom of admitting them. Trump calling Muslim immigrants a "great Trojan Horse" that would allow terrorists entry into America.

The two hour slug-fest featured an abundance of intramural squabbling. Donald Trump and Texas Senator Ted Cruz were at war with one another, as were New Jersey Governor Chris Christie and Florida Senator Marco Rubio. While blood was drawn, the combatants saved their harshest and most demeaning jabs for President Obama.

Rubio, for example, had this to say: "Barack Obama does not believe that America is a great global power. Barack Obama believes that America is an arrogant global power that needs to be cut down to size. And that's how you get a foreign policy where we cut deals with our enemies like Iran and we betray our allies like Israel and we gut our military and we go around the world like he has done on 10 separate occasions and apologized for America."

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Trump added, "Our country is being run by incompetent people...We are a stupid country laughed at by people all over the world."

And the most boorish insult of the night was delivered by Christie when, speaking of the President, whom he once embraced, thanking him for the support he offered to his hurricane ravaged state, said "We are going to kick your rear end out of the White House come this fall."

The entire affair was a sad display of our politics at its worst, made all the more troubling by the fact that the two candidates (Kasich and Bush) who continually attempted to elevate the discourse, are, at this point, polling near the bottom of the GOP pack.

There are, to be sure, legitimate challenges that Republicans and Democrats can offer to the President's performance, to date. The Affordable Care Act needs fixing. Not enough has been done to correct income inequality, the racial divide, and widespread corrosive government surveillance. There have been failures in foreign policy, too. We mishandled the Syrian civil war and the Israeli-Palestinian peace process, and while the P5+1 agreement with Iran was an achievement, we should have been more attentive to the concerns of anxious Arab allies who felt sidelined and betrayed by their exclusion from the process.

But all these efforts could have been advanced had there been constructive bipartisan cooperation. And, even now, they can and should be discussed without the rancorous and divisive rhetoric that makes forward progress impossible. As the president noted in his State of the Union, the fact that the tone of politics hasn't changed is one of his lasting regrets. But "it takes two to tango" and from the performance of Trump and company, the other side doesn't appear ready to end the state of our dis-union.

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When I listened to President Obama's final State of the Union, I was struck by these two particular but related themes. First, for our Democracy to work, we need people to work together to solve problems and address social issues. We can't all be shouting at each other, calling each other names and refusing to cooperate with those with whom we have disagreements. The President observed that he was disappointed that in seven years in office, he could not bring civility to political discourse. Second, the President spoke to the need to improve voting, both by increasing the number of people who vote and insuring that gerrymandering and money do not diminish these votes. Voting hurdles for vulnerable populations are, sadly, real.

In short, the President was speaking about how we can animate the first three words of our Constitution: We the People...

The following day, by total coincidence, I landed at the newly opened and remarkable Edward M. Kennedy Institute in Boston, located next door to the famed John F. Kennedy Library and Museum. To be candid, until recently, I did not even know it existed. The Institute is the brainchild of now deceased Senator Ted Kennedy and is designed to foster an understanding of our Democracy (particularly through how the Senate functions) and the potential for and importance of engagement in the political process by all people.

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A key word for the Institute is "participatory" democracy; it is even in their Mission Statement. And, the same can be said for the President's observations that democracy does not just happen; it requires people to participate by speaking up and out, by engaging in discourse with others, in voting, among other avenues.

The Institute does not just talk the talk in terms of the concept of "participation." It walks the walk. The one story building has an authentic replica of the Senate Chamber, gallery and all. The model Senate is majestic and just being in the room helps remove some of the current cynicism from which many of us suffer based on how the "real" Senate is working. Visitors can participate in simulations there where they hear about legislation and then debate it and actually vote on hand-held devices.

And, when you walk around the building, the walls are interactive, begging for visitors to engage. The various speaker series are all designed to foster engagement too - speakers with different viewpoints are paired together. Complex simulations of legislative process are offered to high school and college students on relevant historical and contemporary issues. Students hear arguments, they read proposed legislation, they caucus, they debate, they compromise, they vote.

Recognizing the many issues surrounding access to voting for vulnerable populations and the importance of the youth vote, the Institute will soon enable those Massachusetts high school students who participate in a program onsite to sign up to be notified of their right to right when they turn 18. Under the able leadership of Jean MacCormack, the Institute is putting meat on the bones of Democracy.

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Although certainly not by design as the timing is inverted, the Institute is literally demonstrating the two above noted themes within President Obama's 2016 State of the Union. But here is my takeaway - and it is relevant for both politics and campuses. We need to engage with each other, we need listen to each other, and we need to be able to compromise. The Institute has an upcoming presentation about a new book coauthored by Trent Lott and Tom Daschle (both have been on the Institute's Board) about the breakdown in American politics. It almost strains the imagination to realize that representatives from different sides of the aisle are working together on a book about the need for civil debate and then compromise. That is how Senator Ted Kennedy viewed the political process too, as Trent reminded me recently: we need to work together and have the capacity to compromise. The responses to SOTU suggest we are not operating in that "compromise" space now.

The word "compromise" needs to be unwrapped a bit more fully. We all have values that we hold dear in our personal lives. They guide how we engage with others and how we spend our time and our money. The work-family balance is all about our deeply held values. These values direct, too, how we engage with our communities and reflect oft-times our religions, our ethnicities, and our races. I am not talking about compromising these personal values.

The political compromises suggested by the President and reflected at the Institute and by Trent Lott and Tom Daschle have to do with pragmatism and making Democracy work for all. In that context, we may be and should be willing to bend at the perimeters and perhaps even deeper to enable passage of legislation. Consider this example: we may believe strenuously in the right to bear arms but we can appreciate that guns can get in the wrong hands; so we need to pass laws that circumscribe who can get weapons, what type of weapons and under what circumstances. There has to be a way for compromise on the topic of gun violence.

So, how do we demonstrate the importance of participation -- conversation and compromise -- to Americans, particularly young people who literally hold the future of Democracy in their hands? One way is by modeling the desired behavior in our classrooms, in our homes, in our political debates, in our rhetoric, in our writing, in our use of social media.

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On this latter point, we live in a new world where if you shout, the shouting is not just heard by a small audience and then reported upon in a lone newspaper or two. Voices are literally seen and heard and written about in long and short form across the globe. And rest assured, if one misspeaks or speaks offensively, it is not a one-time gaff or indiscretion. It is repeated and repeated, again and again.

In a recent and very good piece, Peter Salovey, the President of Yale, spoke forcefully about how campuses can be places where democratic principles can be fostered; campuses can model civil discourse across controversial topics. He's right and the classroom is one such place within a campus. That is why - howsoever one spins it - the absence of Nicholas and Erika Christakis from the classroom at this moment in time is troubling; it sends the completely wrong message. By not teaching, they lose the opportunity to role model quality engagement for students.

Role modeling civil discourse can and should, but often does not, occur within families. Sadly, I know that all too well from personal experience. The Hallmark family is just that: present on paper and in words but not in reality. More broadly, when I used to teach financial empowerment education, I would ask participants how they talked about money in their family because that is often where we learn our first money lessons. A standard response was: my father yelled and my mother spent. I would chime in: that is not talking about money, that is yelling and acting out about money, and there's a huge difference. And, we could help families improve how they communicate with each other more effectively.

The President is right to ask us to animate our democratic principles by changing how we engage with each other. The Kennedy Institute is, for those who visit and engage, setting an example for how we engage more civilly and how, in so doing, we accomplish more together than we could standing separately.

Now, if only the rest of us could just "get with the program," so to speak. With the election season before us, one surefire way to get some traction here would be for all of us to speak up and out and against about candidates who are not engaging civilly, calling them out for their incivility and praising those candidates, whether or not we agree wit their substantive views, who role model the best parts of our Democracy - civil discourse on difficult issues.

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portrait of black dog walking on leash

As a dog owner, you may find leash laws to be anything from unnecessary to unreasonable, especially if you have the sweetest dog to roam the face of the planet. You may think the only reason a dog should be restrained is if it is aggressive, inclined to attack people or other dogs. You therefore may feel entirely baffled why someone would get their panties up in a bunch to see your dog bounding happily across a park, especially when it looks so darned cute doing so.

As someone who needs to stay away from dogs, for reasons that are invisible to the outside observer, I'd like to share some considerations for keeping your dog on a leash, not because it's the law, but because you care about the wellbeing of your fellow humans:

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First, some people are afraid of dogs, for a host of reasons, including past trauma. I know of people who were bitten by dogs, as the owners shouted from across the park, "Don't worry, he's friendly!" Of course he's friendly to you. He's your dog. Relationships, and therefore interactions, are contextual. Just as a child might be the loveliest little munchkin ever, to her parents, but a terror to other children on the school playground, so can a dog have an entirely different interaction with the person who feeds him and with a random stranger he encounters.

Second, some people are allergic to dogs, in some cases severely so. Getting a dog's nose or hair on one's clothing can lead to an asthmatic reaction. In case you don't know how crummy that is, hold your breath until your face turns purple, and you'll start to get the gist. This situation is complicated by the logistics of getting into one's car or walking into one's house with clothing contaminated by dog hairs. It's not like you can strip naked before going home. (We have laws about that too).

Third, some people have disabilities - both visible and invisible - that make it dangerous for the fast, abrupt, and unpredictable movement of dogs, particularly on a narrow trail, even if the dogs don't actually make contact. In my own case, after a decade of chronic and debilitating pain - through which I was alternately bedridden, housebound, and wheelchair bound - my body is hypersensitive. So when a dog comes flying at me, my body braces itself, all my nerves fire off, and all my micro-muscles contract - triggering a pain episode that can last for hours, days, or weeks.

On a number of occasions, I enjoyed a perfectly lovely walk or jog, until a dog came barreling at me - following which I hobbled my way back to the car, in pain. That knowledge of how things can go down, in and of itself, exacerbates the fight-or-flight stress response my body goes through, every time an unleashed dog is in my vicinity.

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Then there are people who simply don't appreciate being startled by dogs, others who altogether dislike dogs, and still others whose own dogs - especially the teeny-tiny, quivering types - need protection from strange pooches.

The bottom line is that there are many people who need dogs under control in shared space, for health, safety, and/or comfort reasons. I believe it is for these reasons, as well as for reasons related to order, cleanliness, and ecology, that there are leash laws. This reality is no way a commentary or judgment on dogs as a species. We can love and adore dogs in general, and/or love our own family dogs in particular, but not enjoy or feel safe with strange dogs running all over the damn place.

Consider it this way: Dogs sans leashes is kind of smoking circa 1980s.

Prior to the no-smoking laws throughout the United States, those with asthma, chemical sensitivity, and allergies were de facto barred from restaurants, bars, nightclubs, and even airplanes. "It's the job of smoke to travel," a smoker I interviewed for an article remarked many years ago, indicating that where there was a lit cigarette, everyone in the vicinity was affected, regardless of designated smoking/non-smoking sections.

Similarly, where there is a dog off-leash, everyone in the vicinity is impacted - not only by a dog actually charging at us, but by the possibility that it might. To avoid the consequences that may follow, and the anxiety of the dealing with the situation entirely, numerous people have stopped going to city parks and trails or, alternately still go but walk along the sidelines, on guard and on edge.

In my own case, when I see your dog running around off-leash, I go to a different part of the park, or I leave the park altogether. You may not realize you are affecting me, because - having to stay away from dogs-on-the-loose - I cannot get close enough to you to ask you to please put a leash on your dog. Besides, half the time, I have noticed that you are not even carrying a leash.

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As an alternative to outright defying leash laws, dog owners can take a beloved pooch to any number of dog parks, designed for those who want to set their own dogs free or who want to personally enjoy the exuberance of other people's dogs. Perhaps there are not enough dog parks in your city - a perfectly valid critique. In that case, there is the option of petitioning a city for more such parks. While that action may be a royal pain in the ass, the alternative of your dog-liberating, law-defying rebellion is this:
Opinion / Columnist

Chaos continues to rule at Christian College of Southern Africa (CCOSA) despite the warning shots of a brewing eruptive crisis.The college leadership is not showing any signs of appreciating our own situation as students. Instead, after an interface in which we presented our disgruntlement to the college, the Principal is now fully motivated to lead by bad example of firing some of us who are vocal in sounding how they are compromising our interests at the college. That is cowardice, and we should make it clear that no level of intimidation will ever stop us from standing for our academic rights.We are ready to fight to a bitter end until sanity prevails at CCOSA. If he thinks intimidation is the only option available, we will engage the judiciary legal justice and all its systems to mediate our matters so see who gonna be the loser. This is something serious life matter because we came to CCOSA to study for careers that we believe will take care of us till the end of our lives. Therefore we can't allow any Jack and Jill to distort our future while we watch. We are not after fighting anyone, but good corporate governance to the best of our expectations.The logical thing for the college now is to find immediate solutions in addressing our problems that we are facing. We are demanding the most basic items which make our academic lives simple, such as making available unrestricted wifi-internet access to us all on campus, reviews of all fees and levies as well as making sure that these are put to good use as part of academic investment, tutors are well motivated by extending their payment in time so that they are re-invigorated to work hard to our service, scrapping-off late payment of fees fine, quick publication of our results before commencement of new semester, provision of adequate power points for our lap-tops in all classrooms, good hygiene on all ablution facilities, as well as establishment of a just business relationship between college and students.The most stumbling block at CCOSA is the college Principal who seems to lack production for he does very little to improve our situation. He lacks leadership prowess. We have always raised issues with him, but he seems incapable of finding workable solutions. He is only active when he wants us to pay our fees in full and in time, and he doesn't reciprocate by doing the same in our favour.We informally tried to share our plight with some senior officials at the college. Amazingly, they express massive anger against his leadership style which they describe as 'disastrous'. They accuse him of running the institution like his personal family asset. They say he has the tendency to take his own way all the time. Hence, his perennial misfiring on strategic issues which have the potential to taint the corporate image of the institution.We as students we are demanding very little. All we need is the immediate end to such destructive ways of doing business. Or we should be addressed giving justifications for handling our issues lackadaisically.
He punches hard, he's opinionated, his commentary is biting, his cartoons are thought provoking, and he doesn't regret being a magnet for nasty criticism.

He is Brazilian cartoonist Carlos Latuff who doesn't mince words or hold back on stirring up people, in his country and across continents.



Carlos Latuff (courtesy Latuff)

"I got threats from cops, Zionists, Islamists, neo-Nazis - the list is long," he said of his many detractors who have tried to intimidate him on different occasions.

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So much so that an American rabbi who called him an anti-Semite castigated the Huffington Post for publishing his cartoons.

Eddy Portnoy, who reviewed Joel Kotek's book "Cartoons and Extremism: Israel and the Jews in Arab and Western Media" in the progressive Jewish publication The Forward wrote that Latuff's material was furiously critical of Israel and its leaders in often terribly obnoxious ways.

"His work will surely upset even nominal supporters of Israel, but it is a stretch to categorize his cartoons as antisemitic, and it is a disservice to the fight against genuine antisemitism to have included them," Portnoy added.

Latuff is unrepentant about his scathing remarks and illustrations. He loves being provocative.

"One of the most notorious threats was in 2006 by a website linked to the Likud," Latuff noted of the online denunciation by the site close to Israel's right-wing government.

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Screen shot of Likud-linked site that Latuff said attacked him

I asked why he feels so strongly about an issue so far removed geographically since he is not Palestinian - his grandfather hailed from Lebanon.

"I have supported their cause since I visited the West Bank in 1998," he said.

In a recent cartoon with an Israeli soldier in the likeness of Mark Zuckerberg standing guard at Israel's "separation wall" and barring a Palestinian youth from entering Facebook, Latuff slammed the social media site for censoring a cartoon critical of Israel.



Screen shot of "@Facebook censors cartoon critical of Israel"



In another he took aim at U.S. presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump for groveling at Israel's feet to curry favor with American Jews and pro-Israel campaign contributors.



Screen shot of U.S. presidential candidates Donald Trump & Hillary Clinton

licking Israel's boots

Latuff also turns his gibes at his country's authorities.

In one illustration he denounced Brazilian police's excessive use of force and tweeted that if there were a "violence-o-meter" in the country, the Sao Paolo police would top the gauge.



Screen shot of "If in #Brazil we had a 'violence-o-meter,' surely the Sao Paulo

police @PMESP would reach the peak!"

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Latuff's graffiti and cartoons about police brutality earned him arrests in his hometown of Rio de Janeiro.

"They were mostly attempts (at) censorship (of) my work in Brazil," he explained, adding that highlighting law enforcement officers' heavy-handedness was a taboo subject.

Asked what inspires him and triggers his creative juices, Latuff replied: "Some issues boil my blood, like police brutality in Brazil and elsewhere, state terrorism, censorship."

The U.S. gun violence and race debate also come out loud and clear in his cartoons. He's squarely against what he sees as double standards in how American police officers respond to perceived threats by blacks, minorities and whites.



Screen shot of "This Comic Sums up the Double Standard Used to Excuse

White Violence"

He also disparaged President Barack Obama's tear-shedding speech about guns in America while the U.S. provides weapons to what he termed Syrian mercenaries killing civilians.

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Screen shot of "When will you stop sending weapons to #Syria mercenaries

(a.k.a. rebels)? #AskPOTUS"

But Latuff's attacks aren't limited to the West.

He recently took a swipe at Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, portraying him as a puppeteer in military garb manipulating Egypt's recent legislative elections to ensure his supporters' victory.



Screen shot of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi manipulating figures

in Egypt's parliament

Turkish President Recep Tayyib Erdogan is another favorite target, notably his edicts against journalists and free speech campaigners. In fact, Latuff often tweets remarks in Turkish to accompany his cartoons.

I asked him if he spoke Arabic and if he was conversant in different languages since his tweets often appear in any number of languages.

"No, I ask friends to translate," he said.

The Middle East's volatile Sunni-Shiite schism is equally in Latuff's crosshairs, with an Arab and an Iranian each carrying a barrel of gunpowder and trying to ignite each other's trailing explosive material.



Screen shot of the suicide Sunni-Shiite strife

Further east, the cartoonist turns his sights to North Korea's volatile leader Kim Jong-un drawing him at the center of a nuclear hazardous material sign.

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Screen shot of nuclear Kim Jong-un

This week Latuff drew the Grim Reaper listing cities where he'd wreaked terrorism havoc and the cartoonist expressed solidarity with Indonesians through the "Pray for Jakarta" hashtag.



Screen shot of "#PrayForJakarta"

Earlier this month he revived a 2012 illustration of French caricaturist Stephane Charbonnier, a/k/a Charb, one of the Charlie Hebdo cartoonists killed in an attack on that Paris publication to mark the first anniversary of the massacre.

Freelancer Latuff supplies cartoons to several Middle East-related and Brazilian outlets.
Power Plant in the sunrise

During his State of the Union address, Barack Obama alluded, not for the first time during his presidency, to John Muir's old camping buddy, Theodore Roosevelt, whom he clearly admires. But the president also paid tribute to T.R. in another way: by following the admonition to "speak softly and carry a big stick." Here are the words the president spoke: "I'm going to push to change the way we manage our oil and coal resources, so that they better reflect the costs they impose on taxpayers and our planet."

Sounds sensible, right? Sitting right behind the president, House Speaker Paul Ryan didn't even flinch, although I think I saw him squeeze his eyes shut like someone in Star Wars who just felt a disturbance in the Dark Side of the Force.

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Today the president followed through on those sensible words in a big way, with Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell's announcement that the U.S. would stop issuing new coal leases on public lands while it conducts the first major review of the country's coal-leasing program since Barack Obama was a freshman in college. You could say it's about time.

This announcement is important for many reasons. Start with the fact that the coal industry has been robbing taxpayers blind for decades by paying next to nothing for the coal they take from our lands (and exploiting loopholes to avoid even that pittance). The phrase that comes to mind is "held up without a gun."

You could say that our current coal-leasing system is broken and dysfunctional, but it's actually been doing an excellent job of polluting our environment, harming our health, and disrupting our climate -- while making us pay for the privilege. The sooner this stops, the better. Let's hope this review leads to the permanent end of business-as-usual for a program that has devastated thousands of acres of public lands.

More broadly, the announcement signals that, even with a successful Paris climate summit behind him, President Obama has no intention of declaring "mission accomplished." Coal remains the world's biggest source of carbon pollution. The idea that we should permit corporations to mine, sell, and burn coal taken from our public lands with no accountability for the consequences? That never made sense. Now that virtually the entire world has recognized we must leave dirty fuels in the ground, our current federal coal-leasing program looks downright insane. With today's action, the U.S. is once again asserting international climate leadership. For that, both the president and Interior Secretary Jewell deserve tremendous kudos -- and the thanks of anyone who cares about public lands, clean air, or climate action.

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Dramatic and significant as today's announcement is, though, it won't change everything overnight. Current coal leases aren't being canceled, and the government reports a 20-year production supply from those leases. This announcement will not shut down existing mines, nor will it put people out of work. But it does confirm something we already knew: Coal is a shrinking part of how we generate electricity, and we will rely on coal less and less as clean, renewable energy comes online.

As we leave coal behind, though, we must make sure we don't also abandon the thousands of Americans who still rely on the coal industry from Appalachia to Montana. They deserve a just transition to the clean energy economy. In fact, we need them to help build the 100 percent clean energy future. Already, the U.S. solar installation sector alone employs 77 percent more people than the coal-mining industry.

We can keep dirty coal in the ground and protect our public lands from mining and generate electricity with clean energy and give people better jobs. Thanks to today's announcement, we're that much closer to making it happen.
FLINT, MI - JANUARY 13: The Flint Water Plant tower is shown January 13, 2016 in Flint, Michigan. On Tuesday, Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder activated the National Guard to help the American Red Cross distribute water to Flint residents to help them deal with the lead contamination that is in the City of Flint's water supply. (Photo by Bill Pugliano/Getty Images)

Dear President Obama,

I am writing this to you from the place where I was born -- Flint, Michigan. Please consider this personal appeal from me and the 102,000 citizens of the city of Flint who have been poisoned -- not by a mistake, not by a natural disaster, but by a governor and his administration who, to "cut costs," took over the city of Flint from its duly elected leaders, unhooked the city from its fresh water supply of Lake Huron, and then made the people drink the toxic water from the Flint River. This was nearly two years ago.

This week it was revealed that at least 10 people in Flint have now been killed by these premeditated actions of the Governor of Michigan. This governor, Rick Snyder, nullified the democratic election of this mostly African-American city -- where 41% of the people live below the "official" poverty line -- and replaced the elected Mayor and city council with a crony who was instructed to take all his orders from the governor's office.

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One of those orders from the State of Michigan was this: "It costs too much money to supply Flint with clean drinking water from Lake Huron (the 3rd largest body of fresh water in the world). We can save a lot of money doing this differently. So unhook the city from that source and let them drink the water known as 'General Motors' Sewer' -- the Flint River."

And, lo and behold, the Governor was right. It was a lot cheaper! Fifteen million dollars cheaper! And for saving all that money, it is now estimated that to repair the damaged water system in Flint, it will cost at least $1.5 billion. Someone had suggested to the governor, before he did this, that the river contained many toxins. He ignored that. One of his own people said maybe they should add a safe-to-drink "corrosive protector" to the water so that the toxins in said water wouldn't leach the lead off the aging water pipe infrastructure and into the drinking water. "How much will that cost?" asked the governor's office.

"Just $100 a day for only 3 months," the governor was told. Oh, $100 a day?! THAT'S TOO MUCH!, came the reply from the governor. Don't worry about the lead. "Lead is a seasonal thing," he would later explain to the public. "Heck, there's lead in everything!" Just let them drink the river water.

This is a city full of poor black people, a city where half the population (including myself) found a way to escape the misery and the madness (the crime rate is so bad, we've lead the country in murders for most years -- and just to get an idea of what that means, if NYC had the same murder rate as Flint last year, over 4,000 New Yorkers would have been killed, instead of the 340 who actually were).

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"Mr. President, we need YOUR help -- TODAY. 100,000 people have no water to drink, to cook with or to bathe in."





My city has been pummeled by General Motors, Wall Street and the State and Federal governments. It's no surprise that the Republicans who control our State Capitol in Michigan didn't have to worry about any push-back from the residents of Flint because, to them, that's just a bunch of eviscerated black people who have absolutely no power, "don't vote for us any way," and have NO means to fight back.

And now, after every single child in Flint has been poisoned with lead-filled water that the State knew a year ago was in that water, we learn that the governor's office sought to cover it up, hiding it not just from the defenseless African Americans they secretly fear and despise, but also hiding it from YOU and the federal government! (Link)

And, as if things couldn't get any worse, the news of 87 people with Legionnaires Disease happened this week. Ten Flint residents have been KILLED by this disease which is caused by tainted water. Not by gun violence, not in Afghanistan, but by an act of racism and violence perpetrated by the -- I'm sorry to say -- white, Republican governor of Michigan who knew months ago the water was toxic.

All fingers from the doctors and scientists point to the filthy, toxic Flint River as the cause of this Legionnaires Disease outbreak. 10 human souls deceased. In an average year, Flint already had an astounding 8 cases (and rarely a death) of people contracting Legionnaires Disease. Since the citizens of Flint were forced to use the water from the Flint River, EIGHTY-SEVEN CASES OF LEGIONNAIRES DISEASE have happened! AND TEN DEATHS! And the number is expected to rise.

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President Obama -- the people of Flint are crying out to you for help. Our Congressman, Dan Kildee, has called the federal government for assistance. But he's been told that it's a "State issue" and that "the State of Michigan has to be the one asking the feds for the help."

NO! The STATE is the one who CAUSED THIS! That's like asking the fox if he could repair the chicken coop. No, Mr. President, we need YOUR help -- TODAY. 100,000 people have no water to drink, to cook with or to bathe in.

This week, you are coming to Michigan to attend the Detroit Auto Show. We implore you to come to Flint, less than an hour's drive north of Detroit. Do not ignore this tragedy taking place every day. This may be Gov. Snyder's Katrina, but it will become your Bush-Flying-Over-New Orleans Moment if you come to Michigan and then just fly away. I know you don't want that image of flying over us as you "fake-sad" look down on Flint just as Bush did in that never-to-be-forgotten photo-op over New Orleans. I know you are going to come to the rescue here in Flint. I can't imagine any other scenario.

We need:

The CDC here at once to truly assess all of the disease and damage that has been forced upon the people of Flint. FEMA has to supply large water containers in every home in Flint -- and they must be filled by water trucks until the new infrastructure is resolved. The EPA must take over matters from the State (can the governor be removed and replaced like he did to the mayor of Flint?). Immediately. You must send in the Army Corps of Engineers to build that new water infrastructure. Otherwise, you might as well just evacuate all the people from Flint and move them to a white city that has clean drinking water -- and where this would never happen.

President Obama, I'm counting on you to give us a response. Can we expect to see you, in Flint, in the next few days?

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Yours,

Michael Moore

Filmmaker

Flint native
The intersection of lobbyists, political consultants and public relations professionals has been inevitable, given the industry trends. But now with changes New York State is considering, PR pros would be no different from lobbyists in the eyes of the law.

The Joint Commission on Public Ethics (JCOPE), the state agency that regulates lobbying and enforces ethics laws, is considering whether or not to require PR pros to register as lobbyists and report any contact they have with media outlets about public affairs issues. Whether or not a reporter or a spokesperson initiated the contact (phone call, text message, email, etc.), it would need to be logged and reported or PR pros could be subject to hefty fines.

Naturally, this proposal has raised red flags by the PR industry and First Amendment advocates. And it's easy to see why when you realize that even off-the-record conversations with reporters would need to be documented and reported.

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This comes in the wake of a scandalous year for New York State politics that has made ethics reform the hot topic at the Capitol in Albany. Those discussions also include requiring political consultants to register as lobbyists.

But this stage was set well before US Attorney Preet Bahrara dominated headlines with convictions of top state legislators.

From Albany to K Street in Washington, DC, the lobbying industry has seen the growth of political consultants that are not subject to the intense oversight that governs lobbyists. These individuals and firms are able to fly under the radar by avoiding the key defining factor that separates consultants from lobbyists: attempting to influence government actions, such as legislation, regulation, budgets or contracts.

Not having to register as a lobbyist certainly has its advantages. Consultants are able to avoid paperwork and disclosure forms that detail clients, fees, issues, meetings and more.

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In addition, lobbyists can face restrictions on employment. Governments at all levels, including President Obama's administration, impose limitations or bans on hiring lobbyists for government positions.

Furthermore, government employees leaving to work in the private sector are often restricted from lobbying for a period of time. I know this firsthand, as I was subject to a temporary ban on lobbying after I went from serving as Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo's Chief of Staff to working in PR at Tipping Point Communications.

The scope of PR is wide, but one of the things I enjoy most is helping businesses and nonprofit organizations be better advocates and build relationships with elected officials. Whether it's inviting elected officials to cut the ribbon on a new business or pitching an op-ed by a nonprofit about their cause, these are common occurrences for PR pros.

Unfortunately, it's not hard to see how anyone operating without a leash or a moral compass could run afoul. And most of us would agree that we can do a better job of cleaning up and preventing corruption in government.

But it's also important to remember that numerous scandals, including Watergate, have come to light through whistleblowers and leaks to the press. Afterall, sunlight is the best disinfectant.

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Even before the "Night of Shame" on New Year's Eve in Cologne further fueled an already fervent anti-foreigner backlash, German leaders were desperately looking to Turkey to stem the flow of refugees headed to Europe from the war-torn Mideast. Now 10 German tourists have lost their lives at the foot of the Blue Mosque and the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul. They are the victims of yet another suicide bombing by the self-proclaimed Islamic State in the wake of Turkey's decision last July to allow U.S. warplanes to fly from its soil to attack militant positions in Syria. Along the old route of the Orient Express, violence and disorder are weaving an interrelated and self-reinforcing pattern of crises that will be hard to unravel.

Writing from Istanbul, Kaya Genc recalls French novelist Gustave Flaubert's observation on a visit there during another tumultuous period in 1850 that aptly fits events today both in Turkey and Europe: "Everything here is breaking up, as with us." Also writing from Istanbul, Behlul Ozkan argues that there is plenty of blame to go around for the linked crises of the Syrian civil war, the rise of ISIS, terrorism and refugees: "The U.S. and EU are also to blame, having assisted Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Qatar in their destabilization of Syria," he says. Omer Taspnar writes that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's fight against the Kurds is inhibiting a serious assault on ISIS.

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World Reporter Nick Robins-Early chronicles the political turmoil and violence that have wracked Turkey over recent months while Charlotte Alfred, another world reporter, details efforts by authorities to ban media coverage of terror bombings. WorldPost Middle East Correspondent Sophia Jones reports that the tourism industry is reeling after the attack near Istanbul's most visited sites. She also follows the story of the struggle to get aid to 60,000 people starving and isolated in Syria. Amnesty International's Diana Semaan echoes our own "Forgotten Fact" report in pointing out that the hunger crisis in Syria extends beyond the city of Madaya that made headlines in recent days. Former British Prime Minister Gordon Brown hopes that "out of tragedy and chaos" in Syria, Jordan and Lebanon a new commitment will arise from the international community to get child refugees back into school.

Alex Gorlach writes from Berlin that "the events in Cologne on New Year's Eve have turned the rhetoric in Germany on its head. Conceit and complacency have given way to searching self-doubt, as if waking up with a nasty hangover on New Year's Day." From London, Bonny Brooks worries that "left-wing apologism" over refugees is "fueling right-wing populism." "In our reluctance to face up to the painful -- yet credible -- reports of migrant involvement in these horrific Cologne attacks," she writes, "we have unwittingly given succor to those who would deny haven to any refugees at all." Ahmed Agdas, a young German politician from the Christian Democratic Union, writes, "we can get over Cologne." "The truth is we need time," he continues. "Time for an orderly process and for integration. Time for our state's rule of law. Time for reflection and differentiation. Time for our civilized character."

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Writing from Tunis on the fifth anniversary of the toppling of former President Ben Ali, Amira Yahyaoui further deflates the hopes of the Arab Spring in the one place it seemed to have worked. "When dictatorships fall, the political vacuum that ensues is quickly filled by political activists from the anti-dictatorship opposition," she says. "Unfortunately, what these figures have in legitimacy they lack in competency and experience. They are unable to take on the task of reforming the state. As a result, a counter-revolutionary discourse emerges almost organically: 'it was better before.'" Soumaya Ghannoushi sees Tunisia today as "the only glimmer of light" in the "raging sea of civil strife, disorder and resurgent tyranny" in the Arab world due in large part to political compromises that have nonetheless given "a chance for the old guards to reposition themselves within the new system." At the invitation of HuffPost Tunisia, several Tunisians share their memories of the Jasmine Revolution five years on.

Ali Al-Ahmed argues that the Saudi execution of the Shia cleric Nimr al-Nimr earlier this month, which set off open confrontation with Iran, could mark the beginning of the end of the Saudi monarchy. Tony Badran says the Obama administration is engaging in a dangerous gamble by embracing Iran and dissolving its traditional relationship with Saudi Arabia as the pillar of U.S. Mideast policy. Asma Afsaruddin describes how she explained to a student how Islam is not monolithic. Antonia Blumberg lists 11 must-read books by Muslim authors from "The Essential Rumi" to Azar Nafisi's "Reading Lolita in Tehran." Noting the recent anniversary of the Charlie Hebdo attack, philosopher Bernard-Henri Levy writes from Paris that the West is facing an "intellectual emergency" in its weak defense of the Enlightenment.

Writing from Jakarta in the aftermath of the ISIS-claimed attack there this week, Wimar Witoelar assesses the situation. "There is a base of support for ISIS in Indonesia," he says, "But public declarations by a thousand or two people do not represent active support for ISIS. Islamic terrorism and professions of support for it in Indonesia remain curiosities. The conflict in Syria and its geopolitical implications has captured the imagination of the public because of empathy for the suffering of Middle East Muslims -- which have a distinctly different cultural base from eclectic Indonesian Muslims."

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As the world enters 2016, former U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan sums up the bleak global situation, with particular attention to the Mideast and the refugee crisis, by quoting William Butler Yeats: "'The best lack all conviction while the worst are full of passionate intensity.'" Futurist Jeremy Rifkin scores the idea of a "Fourth Industrial Revolution" characterized by a fusion of technologies that is blurring the lines between the physical, digital and biological spheres as the organizing theme of the World Economic Forum convening in Davos next week. Rifkin sees this as premature since what he calls the "Third Industrial Revolution" is only just underway. "The evolution of digitalization has barely begun to run its course," he writes, "and its new configuration in the form of the Internet of Things represents the next stage of its development."

Daniel Robelo argues that the recent capture of 'El Chapo,' the Mexican drug lord, is a sensational distraction from the failed drug war being waged by Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto. Vocativ tells the story of Twitter users who accused Mexican authorities of using the 'El Chapo' capture and Sean Penn interview to turn attention away from the serious social ills facing the country. In an interview, Steven Dudley, co-director of InSight Crime, a group that tracks organized crime in Latin America, talks about how Guzman's capture is likely to impact the Sinaloa cartel and Mexico's drug war.

As U.S. President Barack Obama delivered his final State of the Union address this week, Lawrence Jacobs writes that Obama is "the most consequential second-term president since the Second World War." Ahead of the Taiwan elections this weekend, J. Michael Cole reports from Taipei that voters are as concerned with domestic issues such as air pollution as they are with relations with Beijing. WorldPost China Correspondent Matt Sheehan tells the story of 55-year-old Beijing resident, Zou Yi, who has taken a photo of the skyline from his window every day for the last three years and posted them all on social media as a way to document pollution. U.S. Representative Matt Salmon argues that America should no longer accept China's denial of government-sponsored hack attacks. Eric Olander and Cobus van Staden look at how China's cooling economy is sending a chill through Africa.

In our Singularity series this week we consider the crisis in cosmology over how to experimentally confirm the existence of dark matter. Finally, looking at pop culture, Fusion this week names the three countries where Adele's "25" did not top the charts.

WHO WE ARE EDITORS: Nathan Gardels, Senior Advisor to the Berggruen Institute on Governance and the long-time editor of NPQ and the Global Viewpoint Network of the Los Angeles Times Syndicate/Tribune Media, is the Editor-in-Chief of The WorldPost. Farah Mohamed is the Managing Editor of The WorldPost. Kathleen Miles is the Senior Editor of The WorldPost. Alex Gardels and Peter Mellgard are the Associate Editors of The WorldPost. Katie Nelson is the National Editor at the Huffington Post, overseeing The WorldPost and HuffPost's editorial coverage. Eline Gordts is HuffPost's Senior World Editor. Charlotte Alfred and Nick Robins-Early are World Reporters. Rowaida Abdelaziz is Social Media Editor. CORRESPONDENTS: Sophia Jones in Istanbul; Matt Sheehan in Beijing. EDITORIAL BOARD: Nicolas Berggruen, Nathan Gardels, Arianna Huffington, Eric Schmidt (Google Inc.), Pierre Omidyar (First Look Media) Juan Luis Cebrian (El Pais/PRISA), Walter Isaacson (Aspen Institute/TIME-CNN), John Elkann (Corriere della Sera, La Stampa), Wadah Khanfar (Al Jazeera), Dileep Padgaonkar (Times of India) and Yoichi Funabashi (Asahi Shimbun). VICE PRESIDENT OF OPERATIONS: Dawn Nakagawa. CONTRIBUTING EDITORS: Moises Naim (former editor of Foreign Policy), Nayan Chanda (Yale/Global; Far Eastern Economic Review) and Katherine Keating (One-On-One). Sergio Munoz Bata and Parag Khanna are Contributing Editors-At-Large. The Asia Society and its ChinaFile, edited by Orville Schell, is our primary partner on Asia coverage. Eric X. Li and the Chunqiu Institute/Fudan University in Shanghai and Guancha.cn also provide first person voices from China. We also draw on the content of China Digital Times. Seung-yoon Lee is The WorldPost link in South Korea. Jared Cohen of Google Ideas provides regular commentary from young thinkers, leaders and activists around the globe. Bruce Mau provides regular columns from MassiveChangeNetwork.com on the "whole mind" way of thinking. Patrick Soon-Shiong is Contributing Editor for Health and Medicine. ADVISORY COUNCIL: Members of the Berggruen Institute's 21st Century Council and Council for the Future of Europe serve as the Advisory Council -- as well as regular contributors -- to the site. These include, Jacques Attali, Shaukat Aziz, Gordon Brown, Fernando Henrique Cardoso, Juan Luis Cebrian, Jack Dorsey, Mohamed El-Erian, Francis Fukuyama, Felipe Gonzalez, John Gray, Reid Hoffman, Fred Hu, Mo Ibrahim, Alexei Kudrin, Pascal Lamy, Kishore Mahbubani, Alain Minc, Dambisa Moyo, Laura Tyson, Elon Musk, Pierre Omidyar, Raghuram Rajan, Nouriel Roubini, Nicolas Sarkozy, Eric Schmidt, Gerhard Schroeder, Peter Schwartz, Amartya Sen, Jeff Skoll, Michael Spence, Joe Stiglitz, Larry Summers, Wu Jianmin, George Yeo, Fareed Zakaria, Ernesto Zedillo, Ahmed Zewail, and Zheng Bijian. From the Europe group, these include: Marek Belka, Tony Blair, Jacques Delors, Niall Ferguson, Anthony Giddens, Otmar Issing, Mario Monti, Robert Mundell, Peter Sutherland and Guy Verhofstadt.

MISSION STATEMENT

The WorldPost is a global media bridge that seeks to connect the world and connect the dots. Gathering together top editors and first person contributors from all corners of the planet, we aspire to be the one publication where the whole world meets.

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CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 23: Democratic presidential candidate U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders, (I-VT) speaks during a news conference December 23, 2015 in Chicago, Illinois. Sanders, who is seeking the nomination from the Democratic Party talked about police reform and preventing people of color from being victimized by police officers across the country. (Photo by Joshua Lott/Getty Images)

With polls tightening in advance of the critical Iowa Caucus, media outlets have sat up and taken notice of maverick insurgent candidate Bernie Sanders. With momentum on his side, the independent senator from Vermont might be able to replicate the unstoppable Obama coalition of 2008, yet in certain critical respects Sanders still lags. While Obama was able to attract educated whites, he also garnered significant support from minorities, including the increasingly important Latino bloc.

To date, Bernie has pulled out all the stops in an effort to court Latinos, but many are still unfamiliar with the left-leaning democratic socialist. If he wishes to solidify his support among Latinos, Bernie must broaden his definition of "political revolution" in an effort to prove that his candidacy has as much to do with building a popular movement as getting elected to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

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Deep Roots

When people think about the growing Latino population in the U.S., they typically consider large cities such as New York, Chicago or Los Angeles. Yet in recent years, Latinos have spread out into rural areas such as Iowa. Indeed, from 2000-2014 Latinos grew a whopping 110% in Iowa, and they are projected to represent 13% of the state's population by 2025. Today, Iowa's Latino population, most of whom is Mexican and Mexican-American, numbers some 174,000.

Latinos have deep ties to Iowa as many helped to build the state's original railroad while others migrated to the area in search of farming work. Today, Latinos have helped to revitalize many economically stagnant areas of Iowa, and Des Moines now hosts its own "Little Mexico" neighborhood. National Journal remarks that "in many ways, Latinos saved Iowa." For many years, the publication notes, young people left Iowa's small towns in droves in search of employment in the big city. Then, the "Latino revolution" hit the state, and new arrivals acquired jobs in manufacturing and meatpacking plants.

Iowa's Latino Profile

Despite such historic trends, Latinos still have a long way to go politically. Even with their growing numbers Latinos still number only 6 percent of the state's overall population. Historically, Latinos have hardly represented a blip on the caucus radar, with fewer than a thousand people participating in the last 2012 contest. Today, 50,000 Latinos are registered to vote in Iowa, most of whom are independents with a third Democrat and a small number of Republicans.

Iowa has a grand total of 2 million voters, though turnout can be low so early in the electoral season with only about 200,000 people generally participating in the caucus. This year, however, organizers hope to increase Latino turnout to some 10,000 for both Republican and Democratic contests. That number would be quite small, though Latinos make up a critical swing vote in some legislative districts. Take, for example, the small meatpacking city of Marshalltown in central Iowa. The town used to be lily-white, but since the 1980s and the expansion of the meatpacking industry, Mexicans have moved in and today the city's population is one quarter Latino.

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With the polling so close, Sanders must do his utmost to turn out every last Latino to caucus on his behalf. That may be a tough order, since the state's caucus system can be difficult to navigate for newcomers [for more on the mechanics of this process, see a recent report about Iowa Latinos which aired on MSNBC]. Moreover, despite their growing numbers Latinos aren't very politically active at the local level. Currently, there are no Latinos in the state legislature and they hold only a tiny number of elective offices. In some Iowa towns, community meetings are still dominated by white residents. Latinos are not only marginalized politically but also socially. Indeed, the poverty rate afflicting Iowa's Latinos is much higher than that of the rest of the state.

Galvanizing Iowa's Latinos

Despite such disadvantages, Latinos may be galvanized this year like never before. Local Republican Congressman Steve King recently alienated many when he remarked that young migrants have calves the sizes of melons from carrying drugs. Those comments, in addition to Donald Trump's incendiary rhetoric on the campaign trail, which linked Mexicans to "rapists" and "criminals," prompted hundreds of Latinos to protest the Republican frontrunner during a political event in Sioux City.

Just what are the issues which matter most to Iowa Latinos? To be sure, many are still disappointed with the Obama administration's failure to enact comprehensive immigration reform. Some in fact still smart from the memory of a 2006 immigration raid at Marshalltown's Swift and Co. meatpacking plant. As a result of the raid, dozens of workers were arrested and parents were abruptly separated from their families. Outraged over the authorities' high-handed approach, Latino youth at the local high school staged a walkout. Two years later, officials raided another meatpacking plant in the northeastern Iowa town of Postville, arresting a whopping 400 undocumented migrants. To this day, some Latinos worry that a routine traffic stop could result in deportation.

Iowa's Latino Youth Vote

It would be a mistake, however, to pigeonhole the diverse interests of the local Latino population. While immigration is a key issue to many, other concerns top the list such as education. That's not too surprising given the specific characteristics of Iowa's Latino population, which is quite young in comparison to the rest of the state. In fact, the median age of Latinos is 22 compared to 38 for Iowa as a whole. In Des Moines alone, Latinos make up 23 percent of students enrolled in public schools. Even though they represent a growing segment of the population, Iowa's Latinos lag far behind other state residents when it comes to acquiring a university degree, and college affordability ranks as a key concern.

Meanwhile, students in Iowa's three public universities are reportedly going into debt at alarming rates. Beset with such escalating debt, many students at Iowa's public colleges are dropping out. The Iowa Press Citizen reports that the state "has the dubious distinction of ranking No. 8 in the country in average student debt, at just under $30,000. Iowa's community college students also take out loans at more than twice the national average, and most of the schools' students have a higher-than-average default rate."

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Revamping the "Political Revolution"

With just a scant two weeks to go before the Iowa caucus, just where does this underlying context leave Bernie Sanders? To his credit, the Vermont Senator has done his utmost to engage with Latinos on many of the pressing issues of the day. Though his initial stance on immigration was somewhat convoluted and perplexing, Bernie has made great strides and has developed a progressive and forward-looking immigration platform. And on education, another key concern within the Latino community, Sanders advocates free tuition at public colleges. In fact, the democratic socialist even met with Latinos in the town of Muscatine to discuss his specific proposals.

So far so good, but Bernie has been extremely reluctant to expand the definition of his "political revolution." Ostensibly, the candidate conceives of his revolution as people coming together for the purpose of phone banking, canvassing and the like. In the event that he gets elected, Bernie might even marshal his supporters in advance of key votes in Congress. Yet as I've stated in previous columns, there's no rule stating that a presidential candidate can't call for political protest in the midst of a campaign. Adopting more radical and innovative tactics could be particularly relevant in Iowa, where the polls are razor thin and turning out the Latino vote could mean the difference between victory and defeat.

Retooling Iowa Strategy

Thus far, Bernie has advanced many progressive ideas which will appeal to Iowa's Latino voters. The problem, however, is that some may still be unfamiliar with the maverick politician. Now that Bernie is enjoying some increased visibility in the media spotlight, he might want to take advantage of the attention by launching well-coordinated protests in Iowa or elsewhere.

On immigration, for example, Bernie might help to protest U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention centers, where Latino migrants are routinely subjected to deplorable and inhumane conditions. While he's at it, Sanders could help organize student protests calling for free public tuition at local Iowa colleges. Perhaps, Bernie might also seek to deploy Latino pop icons at such events which would surely appeal to the youth vote.

To be sure, such tactics are not guaranteed to succeed. However, by thinking creatively Bernie may wind up attracting more scrutiny from Iowa's Latinos. They in turn will be impressed that Sanders is at least willing to experiment and potentially spearhead a movement while breaking out of the narrow and standard confines of a presidential campaign.

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Vegan restaurants in Los Angeles are fairly easy to come by. From swanky to casual, raw food to junk food, plant-based eaters can find a variety of options throughout the city.

So, aside from its well-designed interior and celebrity owner, what makes Moby's Little Pine different from other vegan restaurants in LA?

This one is a non-profit.

In a recent interview, longtime musician and 28-year vegan Moby says 100% of Little Pine's profits will be donated to animal rights organizations. The main recipient will be Little Pine Profits, an animal welfare foundation set to launch early this year.

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"Other money will go to existing animal welfare organizations like Mercy for Animals, The Humane Society, and the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine," Moby says, while the rest will go towards lobbying efforts to end subsidies for animal agriculture.

The concept is rare but not new. Non-profit restaurants across the country have experienced varying degrees of success, and places like COLORS and Oregon Public House have consistently generated enough income to cover operating expenses and fund their respective causes.

Moby was able to purchase the building that houses Little Pine. Being the restaurant's owner and landlord means surplus funds for a completely organic kitchen.

"Real estate is a bit less expensive [in LA]," Moby says, "so I feel like people can open restaurants and experiment a little more here."

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Los Angeles is known for embracing veganism, and this year's drought has more residents making the connection between meat and water.

Much of California's water supply is used to irrigate crops for livestock. The higher demand for meat means more crops for cattle feed, which is why reducing meat consumption is often seen as the most effective strategy for water conservation.

In an interview with BBC, former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger encouraged people to cut down on meat.

"28% of the greenhouse gases come from eating meat."

Schwarzenegger doesn't think everyone will become vegan overnight, but he encourages meat eaters to go vegetarian a few days a week.

Moby's noticed more plant-based eating among his omnivorous friends. "10 years ago, trying to get my meat-eating friends to go to a vegan restaurant was impossible," he says.

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"Now, I feel like vegan food has become so much better and so much more interesting that a lot of my meat-eating friends are really happy to go to vegan restaurants a couple times a week."
The last State of the Union address of the 44th US President Barack Hussein Obama was lackluster compared to the global hype that accompanied his election to the White House 7 years ago. Obama today seems crushed, admitting that the US has become more skeptical, divided and begrudged under his tenure, and expressing regret for failing to bring Americans together.

However, Obama is not sorry for a lot of things, and is rigidly adamant that his views and policies are the right ones. He is convinced that his historic legacy will have him classed as a visionary who saved the United States from arrogance, condescension and war.

However, his opponents have a different view. They blame him for dwarfing the United States and its global leadership, weakening its clout, and undermining its prestige. Barack Obama's arrogance and conceit has radically helped expand the gap and deepen US divisions, they say.

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History will be the judge. But Barack Obama is clearly determined for Iran to be the crown jewel of his legacy, by closing the book on hostility with Tehran and recognizing the legitimacy of the mullah regime and their 36-year-old Iranian revolution. This happened through the nuclear deal, which acknowledged Tehran's "right" to possess nuclear capabilities while postponing its ability to build nuclear weapons by 10 years, in return for lifting the sanctions on Iran and accepting for it to have a leading regional role.

However, Obama's historical legacy is different from the legacy he leaves at the end of his term a year from now. What kind of America and what kind of world has the Democratic president contributed to making? Will Obama leave a more difficult task for his successor than the one he inherited from Republican President George W. Bush? And more broadly, does a one-term or two-term president shape US foreign policy, or is he or she one chain of long-term strategic US policymaking, which usually spans at least two decades?

Those who revere Obama and consider him a good president that saved America cite a series of his supposed achievements to justify their support.

First of all, they say, he has read well the mood of the US public opinion, and met its demands including pulling out from Bush's wars fought in retaliation for the terror attacks of 9/11. Those attacks blindsided the American people, who then associated the terror to Arabs especially Sunni Arabs. However, the majority of Americans soon turned against Bush's wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, especially after it turned out that the evidence for the WMD premise for the latter war had been falsified. Ultimately, Obama took heed, and withdrew from Afghanistan and Iraq, and resisted further military entanglements abroad.

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Secondly, Barack Obama's supporters say he protected the US from further major terror attacks, though some reluctantly admit Bush's role in this. They attribute the elimination of al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden to Obama, and cite it in response to accusations of his weakness or cowardice. They say that Obama, like Bush, had adopted the doctrine of "we fight terrorists abroad so we don't have to fight them in American cities."

Thirdly, Obama's supporters are fond of his "leading from behind" doctrine, which they believe has helped keep the US away from involvement in wars. They believe this has shared the burden with others instead of US shoulders bearing it all alone, and by doing so, outsourced the economic, political and military cost to those who are willing. In their view, this has allowed the US to exercise leadership without a cost, a major achievement in their eyes.

Fourthly, Obama's backers say his withdrawals have helped improve the economy, allowing the president to focus on internal issues and tackle unemployment. To them, the Obamacare healthcare scheme is also a success.

Fifthly, the pro-Obama doctrine base is proud of his non-confrontational relationship with China and of his intent to appease nations that have a history of confrontation with the United States. They believe Obama's pivot to Asia away from the Middle East is wise and worthwhile. In their view, it is time to get rid of the historical bonds with the Middle East, particularly as concerns oil, as there is less US need for Middle Eastern oil following the discovery of massive oil reserves in the US and the collapse of oil prices to below $30 a barrel.

Sixthly, the supporters of Obama's policies and doctrine perceive the relationship with Russia only from the standpoint of coordination and consultation on radical disputes or to build semi-alliances like the one in Syria. The supporters are also fond of the decision made by the Obama administration to manage crises with Russia directly, including over Georgia and then Crimea, at a time when Western sanctions have been imposed on Russia. The discourse of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) has changed in the era of Barack Obama as well.

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Seventh, Obama's supporters agree with his Syria policy, including his backtracking on his redlines regarding chemical weapons and the departure of Bashar al-Assad. They support his categorical rejection of getting involved five years ago when protests in Syria erupted demanding reforms, with the result being that a humanitarian catastrophe was created, killing 300,000 people and displacing 9 million, while turning Syria into a magnet for terrorism.

Eighth, the pro-Obama camp accordingly has no qualms about blessing a Russian-Iranian alliance with the Assad regime and Hezbollah, which Washington still classes as a terrorist group. That is as long as the United States can escape involvement in the Syrian quagmire, regardless of the radical change in regional and international balances of power this has caused, which is in fact desirable by some in this camp.

Ninth, the supporters of Obama's policies have not kept up with what happened after Obama's famous speech in Cairo, which was supposed to inaugurate bold policies including the determination to resolve the Arab-Israeli conflict and the Palestinian issue. They did not keep up with the bid to encourage the Turkish model of Islamist democracy in Egypt, when the Muslim Brotherhood was endorsed as the "moderate" alternative after the ouster of Hosni Mubarak. Instead, they saw all this as an achievement, part of Obama's "leading from behind."

Something similar happened when Muammar Gaddafi was toppled in Libya, although the US was more involved there through US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and US ambassador to the UN at the time Susan Rice. This too was seen as an achievement.

Tenth, the engagement with Cuba is cited as an achievement. Eliminating Ebola is seen as an achievement. And the climate change agreement is an achievement too, claim the supporters of Obama.

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On the other hand, those who assign moral, political, and visionary responsibility to Obama rebut the claim the he is a peace advocate whose hands are free of blood. They cite the drone wars and the covert wars that practically fulfilled the desires of the Americans, as long as there were no American bodies being flown back home and scenes of carnage caused by the US. In reality, Obama's policies and drone wars did leave behind scores of victims.

Yet this is not the main argument against Obama among his critics, who believe he is a neo-isolationist president. The first criticism against Obama is that he tore apart harmony in America. While George W. Bush arguably created divisions, Obama deepened them, they say.

Obama's critics say Obama turned the US from a superpower to a paper tiger. It is this, in their view, that has allowed Russia to see the US as "infirm" and weak.

Obama's critics believe his pattern of leading from behind gives a mandate to the likes of Russia and Iran, from Georgia and Syria to Yemen, Iraq, and Lebanon, at the expense of US interests and values. They say that the true leader is not someone who reads moods and events well, but someone visionary who protects the exceptional and leading role of the United States of America.

They say the cost of isolationism, the reputation of weakness and decline, and of abandoning allies will be dear for the United States, despite all claims to the otherwise. The critics say economic recovery would have happened regardless of Obamas policies.

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Critics say Obama's policies vis-a-vis Russia, Iran, Hezbollah, Assad, and China have fueled Sunni and Shiite extremism, allowed militias to take matters into their own hands rather than states, gave Iran the key to expand regionally and challenge the US, and proved the accusations against Washington of abandoning friends and allies, while making Russia a leader in the Middle East in cooperation with Iran and in conflict with Turkey.

The critics say the vengeful culture behind installing Shiite Iran as leader in the Sunni-majority Muslim world will repel Sunni partners, who are necessary in the war with ISIS, al-Qaeda and all terror groups, and will also deepen Sunni-Shiite strife by creating a cycle of resentment and revenge.

The Obama legacy, according to his critics, is the death of hundreds of thousands of civilians in Libya and Syria through half-baked intervention and non-intervention. Refusing to amid this does not exempt the US of moral responsibility and does not befit a superpower that claims to uphold supreme values, in the critics' view. Evading this predicament and pretending that everything is alright amid a huge humanitarian disaster, and remaining silent vis-a-vis starvation, barrel bombs, and war crimes is moral bankruptcy, whatever the justifications.

Obama's critics are opposed to the core of his policy that claims to fight ISIS while there is a de-facto alliance with Iran-backed militias and while Obama is turning a blind eye to Russian strikes on Syrian rebel groups instead of IS. They oppose bowing down to Tehran's dictates and the legitimization of its violation of international resolutions, whether through its ballistic missile program or its overseas military meddling, among other things.

They say the world Obama has left behind is not safe or secure, but is a ticking time bomb. President Barack Hussein Obama is still in the process of shaping his historic legacy but he has placed it in the hands of others. The coming Iranian elections will be a test. The endgame in Syria will be a test. If ISIS strikes in US cities, this will also undermine Obama's legacy.

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So perhaps the proven legacy of the 44th president is that he has seen as greatness as an unnecessary burden for the United States, and decided to "lead from behind" believing this best serves US interests. Was this a decision Obama made, or was it part of long-term US strategic thinking that often carries contradictory elements, all meant to preserve US power?
WASHINGTON, DC - NOVEMBER 6: FILE,The Washington Post via Getty Images's Jason Rezaian at The Washington Post via Getty Images in Washington, DC on November 6, 2013. (Photo by Zoeann Murphy/The Washington Post via Getty Images)

Diplomacy's great promise is that one can never predict where discussions will lead once they have begun. Serious, sustained negotiations first produced a historic nuclear deal between the U.S. and Iran. They continued working together to ensure that 10 American sailors were released from Iranian custody less than 24 hours after inadvertently crossing into Iran's territorial waters. And now, high-level negotiations have led to the release of four Americans imprisoned in Iran in exchange for Iranians imprisoned in the U.S. The positive impact that diplomacy is having on human rights cannot be overstated. Sustaining this momentum will be critical.

For me, the release of these prisoners is personal. As I've written in these pages before, Jason Rezaian is my friend. He never should have been imprisoned in the first place, and after a year and a half, he has finally been reunited with his family. Imagine for a moment that your friend or family member was unjustly imprisoned, and it should be clear for all to see that this was the right thing for the Obama administration to do. Period.

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This prisoner release personifies the persistence and wisdom of the Obama administration's diplomatic efforts. It simply could not have happened without dialogue between the U.S. and Iran. The nuclear deal helped begin that dialogue and create the political space necessary for prisoners to be freed. Like the release of 10 U.S. sailors, this exchange is a direct result of the nuclear deal. In Washington, Iran hawks on both sides of the aisle, as well neoconservatives who dominate the Republican foreign policy establishment, will no doubt try to downplay this fact.

This prisoner release personifies the persistence and wisdom of the Obama administration's diplomatic efforts.

As their off-the-handle responses to this past week's U.S. sailor incident show, they will likely try to claim that nuclear negotiations prevented a prisoner release from happening sooner. This couldn't be further from the truth. Two of the four Americans now released from Iranian custody were imprisoned long before serious nuclear talks began in 2013. These two exceptions were unjustly imprisoned because of political disputes in Iran that have nothing to do with them. As the old saying goes: When the elephants fight, it's the grass that gets trampled.

The Obama administration deserves a ton of credit. It had the patience and vision to disregard the aforementioned domestic political circus, absorb the inevitable backlash and prioritize doing what it knew was right. Think about it: Why are hawks complaining at a time when American citizens have been freed from Iranian prison cells and reunited with their families? Shouldn't their safety and freedom be the top priority? Obama's team once again took the necessary diplomatic steps that provide the best hope for a better future. In doing so, the human rights of American prisoners were restored.

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This prisoner release is also another important step in the long journey to improve human rights in Iran. First and foremost: War is the ultimate human rights abuse, and thanks to the nuclear deal, that worst possible outcome has been averted. Building off that, the human rights of Iranian citizens have been restored now that they are free from American prison. However, winning the long game on human rights issues in Iran requires far more patience than today's 24-hour news cycle provides.

This exchange is a direct result of the nuclear deal.

Make no mistake: The human rights situation in Iran is far from acceptable. The Iranian government must take more steps to improve the treatment of its own citizens. To achieve a systemic shift in Iran's human rights record, much more is needed, but an important first step is re-establishing communications. Absent direct dialogue, Washington is unable to impact the trajectory of such changes.

Many of us anticipated the challenge Iranians now face. As I wrote with Trita Parsi in 2010, "An Iranian opening to the U.S. will likely be accompanied with a tightening of domestic restrictions as the government will not want its policy to be understood as a sign of weakness." This is precisely the dynamic in Tehran today.

Iranian civil society understands this better than any Washington-based pundit, and that's a major reason why they supported the nuclear deal from the outset. More generally, they glance at the surrounding region and see that violent change rarely improves human rights, while gradual, indigenous reform has a slower but greater chance of success. More specifically, their recent experience shows that when U.S.-Iran tensions increase, so too does their government's domestic crackdown. When Washington and Tehran take steps to de-escalate tensions, they gradually enjoy more breathing room.

It simply could not have happened without dialogue between the U.S. and Iran.

This prisoner release is a small but important example of the impact that U.S.-Iran dialogue can have. As relations between Washington and Tehran slowly thaw, it forces the Iranian government to look inward and address its own shortcomings rather than blame foreign powers. This helps improve the ability of Iranian moderates, pragmatists and civil society to hold their government accountable.

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To recap: diplomacy -- not bluster, bombs or bullets -- has produced the most rigorous nuclear deal in the history of the world; safely returned in record time 10 American sailors who inadvertently crossed into Iran's territorial waters; and reunited four Americans imprisoned in Iran with their families. All of this happened in two years. And it doesn't have to stop now. More is possible. The echo chamber of hawkish, disproven voices in Washington cannot change this undisputed truth: The freedom of four American prisoners is yet another triumph of U.S.-Iran diplomacy. What a time to be alive. Welcome home, gentlemen.
US President Barack Obama speaks on stage at a town hall meeting at McKinley Senior High School on January 14, 2016 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. / AFP / MANDEL NGAN (Photo credit should read MANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty Images)

President Obama's valedictory State of the Union last week brimmed with optimism. Refraining from a traditional laundry list of policy proposals, he stayed rooted in big themes about America, our future and the challenges ahead. He spoke eloquently about how our democracy is built upon "voices of unarmed truth and unconditional love."

But "the most important thing [he] want[ed] to say" was that "the future we want ... will only happen if we fix our politics." Among other things, we "have to reduce the influence of money in our politics" that allows "hidden interests [to] bankroll our elections. ... If our existing approach to campaign finance can't pass muster in the courts, we need to work together to find a real solution."

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I watched the speech with three close friends. One of them asked a question I'm sure was repeated in living rooms across the country: "Okay, sounds good; but what are the action steps?"

We've heard President Obama talk plenty about the problem of money in politics. In his 2010 State of the Union, the President famously called out the Supreme Court one week after its 5-4 decision in Citizens United. And in last year's address, he mentioned the need to "spend less time drowning in dark money for ads that pull us into the gutter."

Americans, too, are well acquainted with the problem of money in politics. They know that the power of big money is a barrier to the kind of democracy that works for everyone. It makes it harder for Americans who lack personal resources or wealthy connections to mount competitive campaigns. As the President put it in August, "the influence of Super PACs and the ability of a handful of billionaires to dictate who can compete or not compete ... that's a problem." A New York Times/CBS News poll last summer found that 84% of Americans - irrespective of party - believe that money has too much influence in political campaigns today.

What we need are solutions. The same poll found that 85% of us believe we should "fundamentally change" or "completely rebuild" the system for funding political campaigns.

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There are real solutions - some that the president can implement alone, some requiring cooperation with Congress, some at the administrative level, and some implemented at the state level - that will restore balance to our campaign finance system. Moreover, they pass constitutional muster and enjoy broad support from Americans of all political stripes.

The solutions are discussed in the "Fighting Big Money, Empowering People: A 21st Century Democracy Agenda" that 13 groups, including Common Cause, are urging presidential candidates to adopt. They are built on successes at the federal, state, and municipal levels.

The agenda is guided by five principals of democracy, along with policies that will put it in practice:

Everyone participates. It's important that everyone have a fair chance to influence their representatives based on the merits of their ideas - not the size of their bank accounts. Voter-owned, publicly financed campaigns would set new priorities on Capitol Hill and in state legislatures throughout the country. Proposals to do this would provide public funds to amplify small donations to candidates that agree to lower contribution limits. Such systems have had great success at the state level in Connecticut and at the municipal level in New York City, for example. In Maine, a robust majority of voters updated the state's system in November.

Public financing lets legislators spend less time fundraising from deep-pocketed out-of-state donors and more time with neighbors and constituents. It also would provide a more diverse Congress that is more representative of America. Voter-owned publicly financed campaigns would go a long way toward restoring the fundamental promise of democracy, giving us representatives responsive to the needs of their constituents and not just their financial backers. Bills pending in Congress to implement this system include the Government By the People Act, the Empowering Citizens Act, the EMPOWER Act, and the Fair Elections Now Act.

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Everyone's voice is heard. In McCutcheon v. FEC, another 5-4 Supreme Court decision that ushered more money into politics, Justice Stephen Breyer wrote in his dissent that "where enough money calls the tune, the general public will not be heard." That's why it's important to maintain meaningful contribution limits - so that everyday Americans aren't drowned out by wealthy spenders. Some states like Oregon and Virginia have no contribution limits at all - politicians can accept checks in any amount from any source. That brings with it the risk that Justice Breyer warned about. The Supreme Court has long upheld contribution limits to candidates and parties.

Everyone knows who is trying to influence our views and our representatives. A fully informed electorate is key to a healthy democracy. Transparency in political spending lets us follow-the-money and gauge for ourselves who - and what - might be influencing our representatives' decisions. The Supreme Court - by a vote of 8-1 in Citizens United - upheld disclosure laws so that the voters may "give proper weight to different speakers" and decide "whether elected officials are 'in the pocket' of so-called moneyed interests." Since 2010, nearly one-third of outside money - to the tune of more than $500,000,000 - has come from secret sources. Congress could shine a light on this money by passing the DISCLOSE Act, which would require organizations spending money to influence elections to disclose their major donors to the public. Importantly, the DISCLOSE Act would fill in the gaps after Citizens United and let voters see the ultimate sources of campaign-spending - even when the money is funneled through shell organizations. States like Massachusetts and Rhode Island have passed new laws modeled on the DISCLOSE Act.

Even with a gridlocked Congress, agencies like the Federal Election Commission have independent authority to update their disclosure regulations post-Citizens United; the Securities & Exchange Commission could require public corporations to disclose political spending to shareholders; the Federal Communications Commission could require advertisers to disclose their "true identity;" and the Department of Treasury could draw brighter lines about political activity so that organizations do not abuse the system to hide campaign donors. And pursuant to his own authority, President Obama could sign an executive order - as over one million people have urged - to require federal contractors to disclose their political spending. According to Public Citizen, this would reach at least 70% of Fortune 100 companies.

Everyone plays by fair, common-sense rules. President Obama made clear in his State of the Union that solutions must "pass muster in the courts." All of the solutions discussed so far are consistent with the Supreme Court's guidance - namely, that campaign finance laws may only survive First Amendment scrutiny if they curb corruption and its appearance. A discussion of how the Court's definition of corruption has narrowed under the Roberts Court is beyond the scope of this blog post. Still, there are other constitutional rationales - such as political equality - that could justify our campaign finance laws. It may take new Supreme Court justices - or even a constitutional amendment - to restore this jurisprudence and allow Congress and the states to pass stronger laws than those discussed above.

Everyone is held accountable, with enforceable penalties to deter bad behavior. Our laws are only as good as they are enforced. The Federal Election Commission is notoriously dysfunctional and increasingly failing to rein in violations of the law. Commissioner Ann Ravel, who stepped down as FEC Chair two weeks ago but remains on the Commission, told the New York Times that the "likelihood of the laws being enforced is slim. People think the FEC is dysfunctional. It's worse than dysfunctional." One solution would create a new agency with real power to hold violators accountable - and to write regulations consistent with the law. A bipartisan bill - the Restoring Integrity to America's Elections Act - is now pending in Congress. It would, among other things, reduce partisanship on the Commission and give the agency the teeth it needs to uphold public confidence in the integrity of our campaign finance system.

These solutions are far from exhaustive - and are by no means exclusive. Together, we can work to put these in place and stay true to the promise of democracy.
While principal organizers of the upcoming Royal Society meeting on a paradigm shift to a more sublime evolutionary synthesis are mum about exactly who's invited to speak, I've compiled a list of likely presenters -- which follows -- based on a range of sources. The meeting scheduled for November 7-9 is a public one, co-sponsored by the British Academy for the humanities and social sciences.



DENIS NOBLE



SIR PATRICK BATESON



NANCY CARTWRIGHT, LADY HAMPSHIRE



JOHN DUPRE



KEVIN LALAND

Cartwright and Dupre are associated with the Stanford School of Philosophy of Science that argues against the unity of science. Laland is an ally of some of "the Altenberg 16" scientists listed on The Third Way of Evolution page -- Gerd Muller, Eva Jablonka and John Odling-Smee, who until recently had been thinkng an extended synthesis was enough, i.e., a grafting onto the modern synthesis. However, their recent paper indicates that the extended synthesis they once envisioned could now be more along the lines of what Denis Noble is arguing for -- replacement.

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The other Altenberg 16 name associated with The Third Way of Evolution page -- which many of the scientists attending the upcoming conference are part of -- is cell biologist Stuart Newman. Newman gave me his perspective recently on what he termed the "new thinking":

"Nonlinear means that you can't look at straight lines of descent anymore because viruses and other entities are coming in at all stages of evolution. Classically this -- horizontal transfer -- has been considered a rare thing. With the new understanding of what viruses can do, the nonlinear approach becomes much more prominent. The idea is that when you look at the early history of life and the origin of the cell, you really can't track linearly from primitive form through changes in the genome to later forms because entities are now understood to be coming in laterally from other forms. It's new thinking and I have no disagreement with it."

But a source familiar with the proposal submitted to the British Academy regarding the Royal Society event was measured in their assessment of the upcoming meeting, characterizing it as "conservative," one that will largely address "process," i.e., developmental biology.

So will the November gathering actually go all the way in recommending neo-Darwinism be replaced? Clearly, the answer depends on the list of invited speakers. Names of the 20 or so presenters will be officially announced by the Royal Society shortly. Hopefully, the outcome of the meeting will also be influenced by audience participation.

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Reservations to attend the meeting are "first come, first served." Registration is now open (no registration fee). The last time I checked, there were still roughly 260 seats available in the room.



As yet, there are no plans to stream proceedings over the Internet during the event, making it possible for those unable to attend to ask questions. WHY NOT? Surely the oldest scientific society in the world has the technical know-how to make such arrangements. So far the Royal Society has only indicated that it will post talks online following the event.

Here is my projected lineup of event speakers (partial list):

Patrick Bateson

Nancy Cartwright

Terrence Deacon

John Dupre

Scott Gilbert

Mae-Wan Ho

Eva Jablonka

Michael Joyner

Evelyn Fox Keller

Kevin Laland

Armin Moczek

Gerd Muller

Stuart Newman

Denis Noble

John Odling-Smee

Peter Saunders

James Shapiro

I was informed by the Royal Society science program office that there will be no formal presentations on viruses, per se, which seems peculiar considering viruses are now understood to be the biggest part of the biosphere, and a key reason for paradigm shift. Viruses and microbes -- both organisms -- were left out of the modern synthesis.

Seriously missing then from the proceedings will be Paradigm Shifters and virus specialists/enthusiasts: Eugene Koonin, Luis Villarreal, Ricardo Flores, Frantisek Baluska, Corrado Spadafora, Gunther Witzany and Eibi Nevo.

Nigel Goldenfeld, long-time collaborator of Carl Woese, will also not be there. Goldenfeld and his team have been investigating the origin and evolution of life since 2012, funded by NASA. Goldenfeld thinks we need a theory of life. He's told me this:

"The Modern Synthesis doesn't address and doesn't claim to address issues of how do living systems even arise in the first place and how do you account for the very existence of life as a phenomenon."

Other Paradigm Shifters -- Adrian Bejan, Jonathan Delafield-Butt and David Edelman -- are likely to attend. It is unclear if Kalevi Kull and the school of biosemiotics will be presenting. Lynn Margulis and Carl Woese will be forever missed at such gatherings.

Royal Society president Venkatraman Ramakrishnan will not be a speaker, but I would be surprised if both Venki Ramakrishnan and his predecessor, Paul Nurse did not drop in.

Will Richard Dawkins and Jerry Coyne be among the invited speakers, to defend the selfish gene? We will soon find out. . .
Quebec, Canada

One of my sons recently asked me who the defining public figure in my life has been. I answered him without hesitation: Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. My response is a common one, but as I reflect on my vague memories of when he was alive, and the powerful legacy he left behind, I'm reminded of how poignant his message was and remains. It's his legacy that I call upon and seek to live out every day.

During a time of great concern and unrest in our communities, country, and world, celebrating Rev. King's birthday brings me joy and hope. The fact that his birthday is a nationally recognized holiday makes me both proud and optimistic.

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Thanks to the efforts of the Corporation of National Service and the King Family, millions of Americans will recognize King's birthday by participating in a day of service, making the day "a day on, not just a day off." As a result, a great deal of good work will be done - parks will be cleaned, enrichment activities will be held, celebrations will be organized and perhaps most important of all, people will come together.

Service is a great thing to do. As King said, "everybody can be great, because everybody can serve." (http://www.nationalservice.gov/mlkday) But Dr. King didn't just talk about service. While many of us remember King as a drum major for justice, a leader for racial freedom, King was more than that. Reverend King was a reverend, and a prophet: one who spoke out against injustice, fought for the right to vote for African Americans, stood with those who sought to unionize, and demanded that all people be treated with dignity and respect. He didn't just talk about service - he talked about faith. He sought to reconcile more than just people with one another, he sought to reconcile the world as it was with the world as it ought to be. He sought to live out his faith through service and justice, and encouraged others to do the same.

Unfortunately, for many organizations born out of the Civil Rights Movement, the connection between service, justice, and faith, has been lost. Take AmeriCorps as an example. AmeriCorps is the largest program run by the Corporation of National Service. Each year, it offers more than 77,000 Americans an opportunity to serve and to receive educational benefits. But because AmeriCorps is a federal program, there is a list of prohibited activities. This is understandable, especially given the political climate of today, but it is important to note that many of the activities prohibited as part of AmeriCorps are the very activities that Rev. Dr. King used to bring about the change that he sought, and to live out his faith authentically. The list of prohibited activities includes:

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a. Attempting to influence legislation;

b. Organizing or engaging in protests, petitions, boycotts, or strikes;

c. Assisting, promoting, or deterring union organizing;

d. Impairing existing contracts for services or collective bargaining agreements;

e. Engaging in partisan political activities, or other activities designed to influence the outcome of an election to any public office;

f. Participating in, or endorsing, events or activities that are likely to include advocacy for or against political parties, political platforms, political candidates, proposed legislation, or elected officials;

g. Engaging in religious instruction, conducting worship services, providing instruction as part of a program that includes mandatory religious instruction or worship, constructing or operating facilities devoted to religious instruction or worship, maintaining facilities primarily or inherently devoted to religious instruction or worship, or engaging in any form of religious proselytization;

These prohibited activities are exactly what Rev. Dr. King did! I can only imagine how perplexed he might be if he saw a group honoring him with a day of service but prohibiting the very things he did and stood for in the processes.

The point here is not to be critical or organizations like AmeriCorps. Nor do I intend to diminish the great work done by people of secular or religious faiths on MLK day. The point is to honor what it is, and wonder what it could be. What would it look like for those of us of faith to not only live out the service he called for, but live out the prophetic call for justice and freedom, and, like King, to call on our faith and faith stories as we do so?

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Led by his commitment to his faith, his family, and his sense of patriotism, Rev. Dr. King was a man who embodied this prophetic call for justice. As we move forward, let us tell the whole story of Rev. Dr. King, and live out all that he said and did.

 Charity must be directed by a commitment to justice;

 Prophetic witness and action call for systemic change,

 Changing the world requires political action to shape public policy,

 Diversity is the cornerstone to effective, fulfilling and lasting engagement in the world.

At the King Historical Center, which hosts the King Center for Non-Violent Social Justice, there is a reflecting pool. In the middle of the reflection pool, there is a tomb where both Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King lie. On the wall at the center, engraved in stone, there is a quote from King which reads, "We are determined here in Montgomery to work and fight until justice runs down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream." In that sentence, King quotes the Prophet Amos. At the heart of many of his speeches and sermons were quotes from the Hebrew Prophets and African-American Spirituals. While King's quotes remain powerful and inspirational to the world, it is important to remember how his faith - how the prophets before him - inspired him and impacted his mission and life.

So let us all serve, and when we celebrate Rev. King's birthday through service, let us remember. Let us remember that:

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King was inspired, sustained and strengthened by his faith. May we be also.

King inserted himself into the political debates of the day, at great personal and professional risk and criticism. May we also seek to bring about change by participating fully in the political process.

King stood, walked, marched and was jailed with and for those who were most vulnerable. Let us be prepared to do likewise.

King prayed for peace, fought for peace and sought to live a committed life. May we also.
JAKARTA, INDONESIA - JANUARY 15: An Indonesian woman lights candles near the site of yesterday's terrorist attack during a 'We Are Not Afraid' rally on January 15, 2016 in Jakarta, Indonesia. Islamic State suicide bombers and gunmen struck the capital of Indonesia on January 14, killing at least two and wounding 24 during the attacks. (Photo by Ed Wray/Getty Images)

JAKARTA, Indonesia -- Ever since I was a child in the 1950s we have had terrorists around us. We could not drive from the capital of Jakarta to the mountain city of Bandung after dark because there was danger from terrorists using Islamic symbols to wage their campaign for a religious state. They never caught the hearts and minds of the vast majority. Ultimately, they became history, here and gone after their 15 minutes of fame. Indonesia has certainly experienced its share of terrorism and jihadist movements since independence in 1945. In 1949, the organization Darul Islam proclaimed an "Islamic state" and staged a series of armed rebellions against the government in the 1950s and early 1960s. The militant Islamist movement then split into numerous groups, from Laskar Jihad to Jemaah Islamiyah, which executed the 2002 Bali bombings. Later on in the 1960s another kind of terrorism kept us awake, this time using communist ideology to seek a proletarian dictatorship. That failed also. The resolution was bloody and tragic: political upheaval, the iron hand of the army crushing dissent. It became unclear who the terrorists were: left-wing extremists or military hard-liners. Hundreds of thousands died in military overreaction and communist ideology was banned until the present day.

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An Indonesian officer offering weapons instruction during a hunt for guerrilla communists in Borneo, Dec. 1968. (Keystone-France/Gamma-Keystone via Getty Images)

With the banning of the far left, there were only hard-liners on the right: the military and religious extremists. When terrorism became internationalized at the turn of the century, terrorist cells sprang up like McDonalds franchises. But they never sold billions of hamburgers. Instead they are curiosities kept alive by foreign money and foreign groups. In 2002, the Bali bombings surprised us with an al Qaeda-type attack, killing more than 200 people. Smaller attacks came in the years after that, and on Jan. 14, we

our first attack by the so-called Islamic State, which was tragic if a bit farcical. Seven were killed -- five of them the terrorists themselves.

There is a base of support for ISIS in Indonesia. But public declarations by a thousand people do not represent active support for ISIS. Islamic terrorism and professions of support for it in Indonesia remain curiosities. The conflict in Syria and its geopolitical implications has captured the imagination of the public because of empathy for the suffering of Middle Eastern Muslims -- which have a distinctly different cultural base from eclectic Indonesian Muslims.

Not many Indonesians have made the trip to distant Syria -- the Indonesian government estimates around 700 have as of July 2015. In comparison, the Soufan Group estimates that for France, it's 1,700; for Russia, 2,400; and for Tunisia, 6,000. In the larger Indonesian public, reactions on social media after the attack came instantly, and comedy drowned out tragedy.

you messed up with the wrong country. you are drunk, terrorist  #KamiTidakTakut  pic.twitter.com/18q46c156e   (@apalcas) January 14, 2016

To be sure, terrorism is not a laughing matter. But lifelong hardship has trained us to roll with the punches, and it is easier to laugh at our problems than seek serious reform, which has been proceeding at variable pace since 1998. Underneath the turmoil and dysfunctions, which have been a hallmark of Indonesia since independence in 1945, ours is a pluralistic and relaxed society. The hard sell does not work in the long run. And Muslims are the best guarantee against terror. Indonesia's two biggest Islamic organizations called for a calm and unified response.

The Jakarta Globe

, a major Indonesia news source, issued this

:

"All elements of this nation should not be provoked into doing harm," Said Aqil Siradj, the chairman of the 40-million-strong Nahdlatul Ulama, said on Thursday ... Said called on the public "not to be influenced by any parties claiming to act on behalf of religion or jihad but that instead carry out radicalism and terrorism." "We should also remain vigilant, unified and increase our solidarity to create a sense of safety in daily life," he added. Muhammadiyah, Indonesia's second-biggest Islamic group, with some 30 million members, urged the public "to remain calm and put their trust in the security authorities." "Countering terrorism should be comprehensively conducted through various approaches," said Haedar Nashir, the Muhammadiyah chairman.

Quite a different approach from the Donald Trump campaign against Islam.

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Hindustan Times via Getty Images NEW DELHI, INDIA - DECEMBER 1: AAP MLA Parmila Tokas during the Delhi Assembly Winter Session at Delhi Vidhan Sabha on December 1, 2015 in New Delhi, India. Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia presented the Delhi Janlokpal Bill 2015, saying it was an attempt at revamping and strengthening the anti-corruption legislation in the city. Delhi government on Monday tabled a landmark Janlokpal Bill to make the city a Corruption Free Zone. (Photo by Sonu Mehta/Hindustan Times via Getty Images)

NEW DELHI -- The husband of an Aam Aadmi Party MLA was today arrested in connection with an incident in which a central government official was allegedly obstructed from discharging his duty and also assaulted in a south Delhi area, police said.

On December 15, Delhi Police had registered a case based on a complaint by a CPWD official alleging that he was beaten up by several women at the behest of RK Puram legislator Parmila Tokas' husband, Dheeraj, and other party workers during an illegal slum removal drive in RK Puram Sector 12, a police official said.

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After receiving the complaint, the police had registered an FIR under sections 186 (obstructing public servant in discharge of public functions), 332 (voluntarily causing hurt to deter public servant from his duty) and 353 (assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty) of the IPC at the R K Puram Police Station, the police official said.

The complaint attached with the FIR also alleged that the MLA had "instigated" the assault.

Dheeraj was arrested after he failed to respond to notices sent by the police asking him to join the investigation into the case, the official said, adding Tokas has been sent a notice too and legal action is likely to be taken against her if she doesn't cooperate.

Tokas could not be reached out for comments even after several attempts.

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ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE - In this Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2015, file photo, Chirag Patel helps his father, Sureshbhai Patel, out of the car as they arrive outside the federal courthouse before start of a trial against Madison, Ala., police Officer Eric Sloan Parker, in Huntsville, Ala. Sureshbhai Patel, who was visiting relatives from his native India in February, was walking in his son's neighborhood when police responding to a call about a suspicious person stopped to question him. A police video captured an officer slamming the man to the ground, partially paralyzing him. The story was one of the top news items for Alabama in 2015. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson, File)

HUNTSVILLE -- A federal judge on Wednesday threw out a civil rights case against an Alabama police officer accused of using excessive force on an Indian man.

U.S. District Judge Madeline Haikala granted a motion to acquit Madison police officer Eric Parker after his two previous trials ended in hung juries.

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In her 92-page opinion, Haikala said evidence that was presented during Parker's two trials didn't eliminate reasonable doubt that Parker was guilty of a crime.

The judge expressed regret for what happened to Patel but also empathised with Parker. She said: "If Mr. Parker or Mr. Patel could take that time back, both would surely do things differently and avoid the events that have forever changed both of their lives."

AL.com reported: "The first trial ended with a jury split along race and gender. Ten white males pushed to acquit and two black female jurors pushed for guilty. The second trial saw both sides grew more divisive, as Tuten opined in his opening statements for the defense: "When you come to the U.S. we expect you to follow our laws and speak our language. Mr. Patel bears as much responsibility for this as anyone."

Parker had slammed 58-year-old Sureshbhai Patel down face first during a suspicious person investigation in February. The incident was recorded on cameras inside patrol vehicles and Patel was injured in the takedown.

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Eric Parker.

Parker has testified that Patel tried to pull away from him, indicating he may have been up to no good.

Patel has said through an interpreter that he doesn't speak English and couldn't understand officers' orders.

Excerpts from the judgment, published in Alabama-based AL.com said that Haikala, however, opined, "Trial testimony indicates that Mr. Patel had the opportunity to become familiar with simple English commands like 'stop' and 'come' because Mr. Patel had visited his son in Alabama twice before Mr. Patel moved to the United States, the more recent visit lasting eight months."

Parker had testified that Patel's actions and appearance were "in sequence" with those of a burglar. He told jurors, Patel tried walking away and wouldn't answer questions when officers approached him. Parker has said he was suspicious when Patel reached for his pockets and when he pulled one of his hands free during a pat-down.

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While justifying that Parker was not out of line while intercepting Sureshbhai Patel and then using force on him, the judgment said that officers are mostly trained to be alert and prompt in situations where they get a call about suspicious activity. The judgment read: "Relying on his twenty years of experience as a patrol officer, Officer Charles Spence, one of the officers who responded to the check subject call, stated that an officer who responds to a check subject call does not know what to expect because you dont know the situation you are going into. Any situation we go into usually is totally unknown. All right? Unknown mental status, unknown behavioral status, unknown weapons, knives, drugs.

Sureshbhai Patel in hospital.

Patel wasn't armed and suffered a spinal injury when he was thrown down face-first on a lawn. During the first trial, Parker said he lost his balance and fell on top of the man.

However, Haikala emphasised that Parker, while pinning down Patel, had apparently tried his best to protect him from grievous hurt. The judgment said, "Officer Parker also testified that as he began to execute the takedown, he directed his body toward the grass and away from the concrete sidewalk because he did not want Mr. Patel to hit the hard concrete. The dashcam video confirms that Officer Parker tried to direct Mr. Patel's fall to the grass rather than the sidewalk."

Jurors watched police video that shows an officer knocking Patel's legs out from under him and pushing him face-first to the ground. Patel said his arms and legs went numb after the impact, and he could not stand on his own. Parker's colleagues had given conflicting testimony on whether the takedown violated department policy or was necessary.

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The judgment reads: "The dashcam video contradicts Mr. Patel's adamant testimony that he walked away from the officers only once and he took only two steps, evidence that is particularly damaging to Mr. Patel's credibility because the record demonstrates that counsel for the Government showed Mr. Patel the enhanced dashcam video the morning before he testified, and that video confirms that Mr. Patel walked away three times before the takedown. Mr. Patel may not have understood the questions that the interpreter was conveying to him, or Mr. Patel simply may not want to acknowledge that he walked away more than once and took more than two steps. In either case, his incredible testimony undercuts not only his assertion that he did not walk away from the police but also his testimony that he did not jerk his arms away from Officer Parker while Officer Parker tried to restrain his hands for a pat down."

Sureshbhai's son Chirag Patel.

The judge also made the observation that while officers know that when a person says he doesn't understand English, he may have a problem communicating, they are also trained to not trust the subject blindly. Especially if the subject has been accused of being 'suspicious' in a call received by the police.

"When examining the totality of the circumstances concerning use of force, an officer may take into account the fact that an individual who is the subject of a suspicious person call disregards commands and walks away from officers. Officers are trained that armed subjects will be evasive and will refuse to answer questions. In evaluating a subjects compliance with commands, an officer must consider the possibility that a person who indicates that he cannot speak English or otherwise has a challenge communicating may not understand an officers commands, but police do not assume that a subject who states that he does not speak English (or experiences some other difficulty communicating) is telling the truth."

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She also noted that Patel had stepped out without identification, for which Parker could have arrested him but didn't.

Jurors deliberated for days in both trials and Parker's attorney Robert Tuten said after the second mistrial in November that the length of the jury's discussions highlights the complexity of the case. Tuten has called the case an unfortunate escalation of police tactics.

The police had received a call from one of Patel's neighbours saying that he had spotted a 'skinny, 'black' man walking around the area suspiciously on February 6, 2015.

The website also reported that Parker 'still faces a state charge of misdemeanor assault in Limestone County'.

With inputs from Associated Press

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V Sunil

India is not renowned as a land of opportunity. There is no Indian dream that is the Easts counter offer to the American dream. Opportunity, mentorship and lines of credit move more smoothly along lines of family and inheritance. So while you see countless Indians move overseas to make their fortunes, you dont hear about Americans, for instance, moving to India to pursue the 'Indian dream'.

At its core, 'Make in India', Prime Minister Modis priority project, is a promise to change this. Its an invitation to the world to come make their fortunes in India, and the attendant promise that the playing field will be level, both for Indians and foreigners. Modi is himself a fitting ambassador of the dreamhe famously rose from humble origins to the lands highest office.

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But it is less well known that a key creative force behind the 'Make in India' campaign, who is also the designer of the famous 'moving lion' logo, is an excellent ambassador of the India story, too. A Kerala-born man who had to drop out of school to make a living as a mechanic and then rose to be counted among Indias top creative professionals.

But was the logo not made by a foreign company, as was reported in a story that went viral yesterday? Well, yes and no.

The apprentice

V. Sunil was born in 1967 in Kannur in northern Kerala in a family of modest meanshis father worked as a bus conductor. School taught Sunil two thingsstudies were not for him, and that he had a talent for the arts.

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So he left school after class 10. I really needed a job. Like every malayali, I had an uncle who lived in Bangalore. So I moved there to become a mechanic, he said.

He was hoping to get hired as an apprentice at a reputed factory in WhitefieldGears and Pinions Pvt Ltd. The company didnt hire anyone that year.

While he twiddled his thumb at his uncles, a neighbor noticed his talent for the arts. And through him, Sunil landed his first creative jobdesigning cassette covers for a company that made Gujarati devotional songs.

That didnt last more than a month. I remember, that place was a mess, Sunil says.

Then he found another job at a company that did exhibitions and events. Soon after, he got hired at the studio at Contract Advertising, a global ad firm, which had just set up office in Bangalore. His outlier talent didnt go unnoticed and Contract bosses allowed him to do independent projects without an art directors supervision.

He then got hired at the ad firm Tara Sinha McCann Erickson as art director and moved to their Delhi office. Subsequent stints followed at Contract, Lintas and Ogilvy. By then he had cemented his reputation as a maverick visual talent and an ideas man, and had risen the ladder to become creative director.

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Ogilvy boss Piyush Pandey entrusted Sunil to turn around the firms flagging Delhi office. And there he worked on the Incredible India campaign. This was when Sunil worked with IAS officer Amitabh Kant, a rising bureaucrat who had been credited with success in marketing Kerala as Gods Own Country. Years later, the duo would come together for the 'Make In India' global campaign.

Sunil considers Pandey to be the ad man with a unique vision in India. Pandey reciprocates the sentiment. Sunil is a terrific guy. I worked with him a long time. He has a novel design vision and head on his shoulders.

Made for India

In 2004, Sunil partnered with Mohit Jayal to set up their own boutique firm called A.

It was modeled around a trend in global advertising that had emerged in Europe and in the USboutique ad shops who prize their independence and promise to clients edgy creative work that can supercharge a brand. Of this, the best known was Portland, Oregon-headquartered Weiden + Kennedy, trusted by brands such as Nike, Coca Cola and Honda.

You dont need a lot of people walking around sleepless to get things done. Thats the old way of doing it. You just need two or three really smart people thinking clearly. For the execution anyway you are dependent on others to a degree. So thats the model we followed, Sunil says.

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This best project that came out of A was perhaps the airline Indigo. A walked into the highly contested pitch at the last minute and walked away with the mandate. We pitched our vision of what an airline should be, rather than an ad campaign, Sunil says.

As collaboration with Indigos Rahul Bhatia created an experience that was rare in any industry in India. It used every available surfacefrom the boarding pass to baggage tags to ramps to sandwich boxes to tell a story and build a brand message.

A created many memorable campaigns for Royal Enfield and also continued to work on Incredible India. It created a very successful Made for India campaign for a Nokia phone.

During a 2007 meeting, Dan Weiden of W+K, the man who coined Nikes Just Do It tagline, told Sunil and Mohit that in them and in A, he saw a younger W+K. Soon after, A merged with W+K to become the global agencys India outpost. Sunil and Jayal became profit sharing partners at W+K.

That is how when the agency won the mandate for Make In India in 2014, it came to be said that the logo was designed by a foreign firm.

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But it was Sunil, the man who left home to become a mechanic and ended up partnering with the worlds biggest names in advertising, who had designed the look and the logo, and indeed the campaign.

Sunil is amused by the controversy. Well, we need to get this notion out of our heads. The work needs to be done by the best, Indian or foreign. People dont realize that all the major agencies in India are part of global networks.

As it happens, Sunil and Mohit quit W+K India in December. They will launch a new company soon, which will work in publishing, urban regeneration (working on some spaces in Jodhpur) and another project they are yet to announce. The company will be called Motherland, after the small magazine they published out of W+K. The magazine will now be expanded.

Sunil says he has a unique partnership with Kant, who has a very difficult job making a massive program like 'Make in India' happen while working within the framework of the government. Its not like a CEO approving a campaign. In the government, every penny you spend needs to be justified. But we have a great working relationship. Amitabh gets it. It would be very hard to work with someone who doesnt, Sunil says.

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And does he think 'Make in India' is a success as a program?

It is a success, since I know the inside story. It became too big too fast as an idea. In terms of policy, a lot of change is happening. Not that everything is perfect on the ground.

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Lingaraj GJ via Getty Images The metropolis of Delhi was not planned for this volume of traffic. Clogged roads with buses, cars, autorickshaws, bullock carts, cycles, bikes etc are a regular feature.

NEW DELHI -- The Delhi Government has collected over Rs 2 crore from the over 10,000 challans issued by traffic police, transport department and Sub Divisional Magistrates to violators of odd-even scheme which ended today.

According to official data, as many as 10,021 people were challaned for violating car-rationing scheme, which came into force from January 1.

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The Sub Divisional Magistrates (SDM) challaned as many as 5,582 motorists, while around 2,870 people were fined by the Delhi Traffic police for violating the scheme, a senior official said

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal praised the traffic police for their assistance in enforcing the odd-even scheme.

The Government had stipulated Rs 2,000 penalty under relevant sections of Motor Vehicle Act for each violation of the restrictions rolled out on January 1 and remained in force between 8 AM to 8 PM during weekdays.

The AAP government has already announced that it will provide subsidy on purchase of cycles, from the money collected as challans during the implementation of period of odd-even scheme.

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According to the government's plan, after the car-rationing pilot scheme is wrapped up, the government will constitute a committee to work out further modalities of the idea.

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gopal1035/Flickr Leaving for darshan to Shani Shingnapur #mannat #karma #faith

The Shani Shingnapur temple in Maharashtra is bracing for a fierce battle come Republic Day.

The temple has been in the eye of a storm due to its strict norms regarding letting women step on to the holy platform of the famous shrine. And on 26 January, led by an NGO named Bahumata Brigade, 400 women are set to break the ancient custom and make their way on to the 'sacred' platform.

On the other hand, according to a report in The Indian Express, right-wing outfits led by Sanatan Sanstha, Hindu Janjagruti Samiti (HJS) and its womens wing Ranragini Shakha, among others, have decided to mobilise over 2,000 women to form a protective circle outside the temple to stop the rebels from entering the temple. They have vowed to not let fellow women breach the sanctum sanctorum frequented by men.

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As per the Adhyatma Shastra (spiritual science), lord Shani is considered as Ugra Devata. The vibrations emerging from him have harmful effects on women So the issue of women not being allowed to worship lord Shani from close proximity should not be seen as gender inequality. We have a temple in Rajasthan where men are not allowed to worship. Instead of studying spiritual reasons behind Hindu traditions, organisations like Bhumata Brigade and atheist groups want to do a publicity stunt at Shani Shingnapur temple, Sunil Ghanwat, an office-bearer of HJS told IE.

According to Ranragini Shakha, women villagers are also against breaking traditions and allowing women inside the temple.

"We will follow democratic ways. If anyone tries to break the tradition, we would stop them with the help of police, a member told IE.

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In fact, according to a report in Pune Mirror, a team of cops from Ahmednagar travelled to Pune on Thursday with a cautionary notice for the Bhumata Brigade against staging a protest on Republic Day.

In November 2015, a woman had tried to enter the innermost sanctum of the Shani temple. The alleged 'violation' had caused the trustees of the temple to perform a purification ritual, says an article in Atheist Republic.

In December last year, four women tried to climb the holy platform but their attempts were foiled by the temple authorities.

A Shani Shingnapur devotee told HuffPost India on condition of anonymity, that men are allowed into the sanctum sanctorum after they have cleansed themselves. "They have to take a bath and wear a wet or lungi or dhoti because water is considered to have purified the cloth. Then the men can enter the innermost chamber. Women are not allowed inside."

The protesting brigade of the Bahumata Brigade can expect little or no help from the newly-appointed woman chairperson of Shani Shingnapur Temple Trust in Ahmednagar district who has declared that she will not break the tradition of disallowing women into the sanctum sanctorum.

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Similarly, the head of a lawyers group fighting for the right of women to enter the Sabarimala temple in Kerala has been receiving hundreds of death threats warning him to drop the petition he filed in Supreme Court. The popular Ayyappa temple in Kerala bars women between 10-50 years of age from entering the temple.

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MONEY SHARMA via Getty Images Indian Finance Minister Arun Jaitley speaks during the inaugural session of Start Up India in New Delhi on January 16, 2016. The Start Up India mission envisages technology business incubators and research facilities aimed at start-up entreperneurs. AFP PHOTO / Money SHARMA / AFP / MONEY SHARMA (Photo credit should read MONEY SHARMA/AFP/Getty Images)

NEW DELHI -- Government in the Budget next month will announce a friendly tax regime that will encourage setting up of startups in the country, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said on Saturday.

"We have already worked upon an entrepreneur-friendly taxation regime. There are some steps, which can be taken up by notifications, which would be taken forthwith. Others require legislative provisions, which can only come as part of the Finance Bill when Budget is presented in order to create a friendly taxation regime for startups," he said at the Start Up India conference here.

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Recognising the need to encourage startups, a fund was suggested in the Budget last year, he said.

He assured the startups that both the banking system and the government will make the resources available to them.

Besides Start Up, the Finance Minister said the government will launch Stand Up India scheme under which, bank branches will lend to entrepreneurs belonging to SC/STs and women.

"On Independence Day Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) announced the Stand Up India scheme. The Stand Up India would be separately launched. It is a programme, which envisages women entrepreneurs and entrepreneurs belonging to the SC, STs (to get funding from banks). These were the segments which were not throwing up entrepreneurs.

"Each bank branch, public sector or private sector, would actually adopt one in the SC/ST category and one in the women category. So they will adopt two such entrepreneurs and fund them to set up establishments," he said.

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By funding trading or manufacturing establishment of this segment, almost 3,00,000 new entrepreneurs over the next two years will be created, he said.

To promote startups, the Finance Minister said the government is easing the process of doing business.

"Another very significant difference of what makes it a landmark event is a final break or the ultimate break that you have with the conventional licence raj of India," he said.

"We did well to break off from it in 1991 but it was only partial. It was partial because who would be funded there was an invisible role of state, control over land permissions, foreign investment proposal and of course unless the political nods came to venture into newer areas which involved a lot of capital, a lot of energy going into it and an entrepreneur or investors was normally reluctant," he said.

Emphasising that the government has limited potential to create jobs, Jaitley said, the private sector has its own challenges.

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"The private sector own expansion itself is throwing up a challenge because they have over-stressed themselves and their stress in turn gets reflected on our banking system, something which the RBI and the govt working in tandem, and over the next few months are going to add to the bankers ability to improve and be able to lend with a greater amounts," he said.

Under these circumstances, the government had to explore new areas and it is among those newer areas that it conceived of the MUDRA scheme.

Pradhan Mantri Micro Units Development Refinance Agency (MUDRA) Yojana that government conceived of, is intended to target 25 per cent of the bottom part of India's population.

"So people get loans from refinance agencies, public and private sector banks and other agencies. Earlier, they were being exploited by lenders at very high rates and now they get at bank rate and I must say the programme has been reasonably successful. In the last 4-5 months, almost 1.73 crore entrepreneurs have been enabled with loans," he said.

He expressed hope that the figure would be significantly higher by the end of this financial year.

"We are going to roll over that programme year after year and smaller entrepreneurs are being created by that process," he added.

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On the economy, Arun Jaitley observed that India has its own challenges despite being the fastest growing large economy in the world.

"Unquestionably, the world economy has slowed down. Now we can take a limited satisfaction that even in a crisis like situation in the world, we are growing much faster. The world recognises us as probably the fastest growing among the major economies, but then we are not without our own challenges," he said.

"We are fully conscious of the adverse situation in which we are. We are struggling to keep respectable growth rate (despite) certain advantages like we have a booming services sector, we have a manufacturing sector slowly growing, we have increased our public spending, we have opened our doors wide enough and foreign investment is coming in a big way, at least in the urban areas we can see an increasing demand," he said.

These are the engines that are keeping this growth rate alive, he said.

Talking about headwinds to economic growth, the finance minister said, slow agriculture production due to weak monsoon and subdued private investment are a few challenges.

"If you look at the direction in which the conventional global economy is moving today, we almost are moving from a crisis situation literally by the day. Nobody really can envisage looking down the tunnel as to what the situation of the world economy, one year or two year from now is going to be. Nobody can seriously predict as to what the emerging challenges down the few months are going to be," he said.

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"Earlier crisis like situation came once a decade, today it may emerge twice in a day. You may have the impact of Chinese economy and their currency on one part of the world and you may have the oil prices striking you at the other part of the world and you will have a global impact simultaneously of these challenges," he added.

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ASSOCIATED PRESS Sureshbhai Patel steadies himself with a walker as he arrives at the federal courthouse before start of a trial against Madison, Ala., police officer Eric Sloan Parker, Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2015, in Huntsville, Ala. Patel, who was visiting relatives from his native India in February, was walking in his son's neighborhood when police responding to a call about a suspicious person stopped to question him. A police video captured an officer slamming the man to the ground, partially paralyzing him. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

Sureshbhai Patel went for a walk in Huntsville, Alabama. He ended up paralysed, beaten up not by muggers or hoodlums but by the citys own policemen. The story caused an international furore. A 57-year-old grandfather thrown down face first by the police because he spoke no English. Officer Eric Parker was arrested and charged with use of excessive force. The Governor of Alabama, Robert Bentley, personally apologized to India and in a letter addressed to the Consul-General in Atlanta hoped that Mr. Patel will regain full use of his legs and assured the Indian government as well as Indians living and working in the state that we will see that justice is done".

Neither that wish nor that assurance came true.

Sureshbai Patel is unable to walk or grip his hands and a vertebra in his neck has been replaced by a metal cylinder. And after two attempts at a trial ended in deadlock, the judge has dismissed the case this week and decided there will not be a third trial. The government has had two full and fair chances to obtain a conviction, she said. It will not have another.

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Also Read: Why A US Court Acquitted Cop Charged With Assaulting Indian Grandfather

Parker had been charged under what is called the color of law statute which holds public officials like police officers to a higher standard of performance. A conviction was never going to be easy despite the reassurances from the governor. As Deepa Iyer writes in RaceFiles (w)hether its the hate crime laws or the color of law statute, the standards of proof that federal investigators must meet in order to bring charges against public officials are too high.

Even the US Attorney General Eric Holder had admitted that and said that standards of proof needed to bring charges might need to be lowered. And it remains dishearteningly unusual for a police officer to actually be convicted for excessive use of force in the line of duty. At least Eric Parker was charged. Many cases do not even get that far and that is the anger that fuels the Black Lives Matter movement.

But what is even more disheartening about the Sureshbhai Patel case was that his immigration status was what ended up being in the dock as much as the policemans use of excessive force that left him paralysed. The defence attorney said bluntly, When you come to the US we expect you to follow our laws and speak our language. Mr. Patel bears as much responsibility for this as anyone.

It is an astonishing statement and one wonders if the defence attorney would apply the same speak our language test for an American abroad with equal fervour.

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Eric Parker.

On top of that the judge pointed out the Patel had himself violated US law by being a resident alien who had left his sons house without identification. That is indeed the law but if that law were applied to everyone who happened to step out for an evening stroll in their sons neighhourhood, the police force in America would be able to do little else but deal with those misdemeanours. And surely the punishment for that should not mean never being able to walk again.

This case laid bare not just the issue of police violence but Americas festering racial faultline. A neighbour had raised an alarm against Patel by referring to him as the skinny black guy. The first jury that deadlocked, split on racial and gender lines. Only the two black women wanted to find Parker guilty. The ten white men wanted him acquitted. Racial stereotypes about the criminal black coupled with hostility towards the immigrant who struggled with English proved to be a double whammy that day in Alabama. As Iyer points out Mr. Patels encounter with law enforcement was sparked and catalyzed by anti-Black racism, but his nationality and limited English ability had much to do with the assault as well. If one sparked the assault, the other delivered the knockout punch.

Also Read: Indian Grandfather Paralysed By Cop Was Not Threatening

It seems that after the first jury deadlocked, the defence sharpened its attack on Patel the immigrant as a way to defend Parker the aggressive policemen. He went from the hapless immigrant with a poor command of English to an obstinate immigrant who did not play by the rules. Its unfortunate that he didnt speak English. But in America thats the language we speak, said the defense attorney.

One must remember Patel was visiting his son. He did not live in Alabama. He claimed that he had managed to say no English five times and India three times. It is as if the lawyer was arguing that no visiting Indian grandfather, no Chinese grandmother, no Spanish aunt should dare go on a morning walk in America until they have passed their TOEFL examination. Otherwise the law will not be responsible for what might happen to them. If you act like a criminal you are going to be treated like one, opined the defence attorney.

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Judge Haikala has said that Mr Patel has the right to be free from excessive force as every citizen of this country and that it is appropriate to grieve his injury. But what is also appropriate to grieve is the fact that in a country which prides itself more than most about being built by immigrants, an immigrant who could not speak English should have to pay such a terrible price. In a country where Nikki Haley talks about being the proud daughter of Indian immigrants, and Barack Obama says America is every immigrant, Sureshbhai Patel finds no justice, and his sin ultimately is that he is an immigrant who does not understand English.

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- T. S. Eliot

Thoughts After Lambeth

"The World is trying the experiment of attempting to form a civilized but non-Christian mentality. The experiment will fail; but we must be very patient in awaiting its collapse; meanwhile redeeming the time: so that the Faith may be preserved alive through the dark ages before us; to renew and rebuild civilization, and save the World from suicide."
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Imperial Valley News Center

CNO Announces Five Initiatives to Drive Sexual Assaults to Zero

Washington, DC - A line of effort in the recently released "Design to Maintain Maritime Superiority" is to strengthen our Navy team which is composed of active and reserve Sailors, Navy civilians, and families. On Jan 14 Chief of Naval Operations Admiral John Richardson announced a new set of sexual assault prevention and response initiatives to lower the obstacles to reporting, provide added support to survivors, and prevent re-victimization.

During the announcement Richardson told reporters an important element of this effort is to eliminate self-inflicted destructive behavior, sexual assault being among the most egregious. He went on to say sexual harassment and sexual assault have absolutely no place in our Navy and are contrary to our core values.



"Eliminating sexual assault requires more than words, zero-tolerance requires an all-hands effort," said Richardson.



Here are the five initiatives CNO announced to help "end the scourge of sexual assault" in our Navy:



1) A Shipmate is not a "bystander." If you see something wrong, do something right. It is every Sailor's responsibility to "step up and step in" to help their shipmate when they observe or become aware of undesired and destructive behavior. In 2015, Navy adopted a new training approach, shifting from traditional lecture-style training to a more dynamic program called "Chart the Course." Chart the Course moves beyond the "bystander" approach and combines scenario-based videos with facilitator-led discussions to achieve an interactive learning experience. The training provides insight on what to do when faced with challenging situations.



2) Establish Counselors within the Fleet and Family Support Centers as a resource for victim support. Building on the success we have experienced with deployed resiliency counselors on "big decks," there are potential gains if we are able to replicate the counseling and support provided under the Navy Family Advocacy Program for Sailors impacted by sexual assault. In addition to enhanced care, we expect the availability of these counselors to provide an opportunity to go after the social and structural barriers to male victim reporting. These counselors will provide opportunities to collaborate with local civilian facilities and counselors to ensure we are using every available measure to support our survivors. We are currently determining how to pilot this concept to get a better assessment.



3) Improve our personnel management practices and procedures, following a sexual assault experience, to ensure our Sailors are put in the best position possible to succeed. This includes examining our present detailing practices so to preclude administrative or management decisions and actions that unintentionally result in the Sailor reliving the sexual assault experience. In addition to the expedited transfer program, this could also include honoring a survivor's request for an expedited discharge, should they desire to leave the Navy.



4) Continue our efforts to educate our Sailors and reduce alcohol abuse in the Navy, particularly binge drinking. The data clearly reflects that alcohol abuse is a factor in most of the Navy's sexual assault cases. We need to ensure that our accountability processes and options, administrative and otherwise, provide the tools we need to effectively deal with incidents where alcohol abuse has been established.



5) Better utilize technology to remove cultural barriers and stigma associated with reporting a sexual assault or seeking advice and counsel. We are currently exploring a number of computer applications piloted at universities. We expect to be able to begin introducing a "Navy version" within the year.



CNO concluded his discussion by thanking Congress for the focus, attention, and assistance they have provided on this issue and the commitment to eliminate sexual assault.



"I want to continue to confront this scourge in our workforce. Until we go to zero we can never be satisfied."
Imperial Valley News Center

National Security Council Meeting on Counter-ISIL

Washington, DC - President Obama today convened his National Security Council to discuss the intensification of our campaign to degrade and destroy ISIL. The President was briefed on recent progress by Iraqi security forces in taking back Ramadi, and on ways we and our partners in the Global Coalition to Counter ISIL continue to accelerate and integrate the military campaign on all possible fronts in Iraq and Syria.

The President directed his national security team to continue to intensify ongoing efforts to degrade and destroy ISIL, including by working with our partners to increase our military cooperation, disrupting foreign fighter networks, halting ISIL expansion outside of Syria and Iraq, countering ISIL financing, disrupting any ISIL external plotting efforts, and countering ISIL's propaganda and messaging. The President emphasized that degrading and destroying ISIL will continue to require coordination and cooperation among a wide range of global partners, and the United States is strongly committed to continuing to lead the shared efforts of the Global Coalition to Counter ISIL.
Imperial Valley News Center

DOE Announces $11 Million for Seven New Projects to Test New Options for Optimal Efficiency of the U.S. Electric Grid

Washington, DC - The Energy Departments (DOE) Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) announced $11 million in funding for seven transformational projects that will develop realistic, open-access models and data repositories to aid in improving the U.S. electric grid.

ARPA-Es new program, Generating Realistic Information for the Development of Distribution and Transmission Algorithms (GRID DATA), follows the release of DOEs comprehensive new Grid Modernization Multi-Year Program Plan announced yesterday by U.S. Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz in Miami, Forida, which is part of an ongoing effort that reflects the Obama Administrations commitment to improving the resiliency, reliability, and security of the nations electricity delivery system.

With recent advances in computing technology and optimization software, researchers have developed new algorithms, the computations that serve as the basis to develop software, to solve how power can be most efficiently transmitted and distributed on the electric grid. However, existing models that test these algorithms are dated, inaccurate or incomplete; meanwhile, models that use real data from the electric grid cannot be shared publicly due to security and privacy challenges. The GRID DATA program seeks to overcome these limitations by creating new models and data repositories that can be used by members of the research community to develop accurate tests and evaluations for emerging optimization technologies to plan for the future of the electric grid.

Improving the resiliency and reliability of the U.S. electric grid is vital to our nations energy future, said ARPA-E Director Dr. Ellen D. Williams. Developing new power system models will help to move our nation towards a more reliable, safe and secure grid of the future.

Five of the GRID DATA projects will develop detailed simulation models for development and testing of transformational power system optimization and control algorithms to enable grid flexibility, improve energy efficiency and substantially reduce the cost of integrating renewable generation technologies onto the grid. These projects will create three different types of grid models (transmission, distribution and hybrid power systems) that include details on electricity generation facilities and customer demand in order to build realistic and open-access power systems. The project teams intend to partner with Independent System Operators (ISOs) or utilities to generate new models based on real data while other projects will create realistic but artificial models.

Two of the GRID DATA project teams will create interactive and publicly available repositories to store the power system models, as well as other models developed by the engineering community. These collaborative repositories will encourage a more accurate and comprehensive evaluation of emerging grid optimization tools, which will improve grid reliability and security while improving efficiency.
Senior Meal Programs RFPs Technical Workshop on January 20

El Centro, California - Wednesday, January 20, the County of Imperial Area Agency on Aging (AAA) will host a Technical Workshop for the Requests for Proposals (RFP) for both the Senior Congregate Nutrition Service Program and the Home Delivered Meals Service Program. The workshop will run from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the County Administration Building in El Centro.

Last week, the AAA released two RFPs for the competitive selection of providers for both senior meal programs. Current contracts will expire June 30, 2016; therefore the AAA is seeking proposals for both programs to begin July 1, 2016.

The Senior Congregate Nutrition Program serves meals and related nutrition services in a group setting to individuals who are age 60 or over. The Home Delivered Meals Service Program provides healthy meals daily and related nutrition services to meet the needs of individuals age 60 or over who have no support system in place to assist them in shopping for or preparing meals.

The AAA is a division of the County of Imperial under the direction of Public Administrator Norma Saikhon, managed by Cheryl Viegas-Walker and provides the following services to seniors: congregate meals, home-delivered meals, in-home respite care, information and assistance, ombudsman program, senior health clinics, and legal assistance. The AAA is the regional focal point of services to older adults.

If interested parties have specific questions or inquiries, please submit that information in advance of the Technical Workshop to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. so that AAA staff may be prepared to respond.
NIST Simulates Fast, Accurate DNA Sequencing Through Graphene Nanopore

Washington, DC - Researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have simulated a new concept for rapid, accurate gene sequencing by pulling a DNA molecule through a tiny, chemically activated hole in graphene an ultrathin sheet of carbon atoms and detecting changes in electrical current.

The NIST study suggests the method could identify about 66 billion basesthe smallest units of genetic informationper second with 90 percent accuracy and no false positives. If demonstrated experimentally, the NIST method might ultimately be faster and cheaper than conventional DNA sequencing, meeting a critical need for applications such as forensics.

Conventional sequencing, developed in the 1970s, involves separating, copying, labeling and reassembling pieces of DNA to read the genetic information. The new NIST proposal is a twist on the more recent nanopore sequencing idea of pulling DNA through a hole in specific materials, originally a protein. This conceptpioneered 20 years ago at NISTis based on the passage of electrically charged particles (ions) through the pore. The idea remains popular but poses challenges such as unwanted electrical noise, or interference, and inadequate selectivity.

By contrast, NISTs new proposal is to create temporary chemical bonds and rely on graphenes capability to convert the mechanical strains from breaking those bonds into measurable blips in electrical current.

"This is essentially a tiny strain sensor, says NIST theorist Alex Smolyanitsky, who came up with the idea and led the project. We did not invent a complete technology. We outlined a new physical principle that can potentially be far superior to anything else out there.

Caption: NIST concept for DNA sequencing through a graphene nanopore Credit: Smolyanitsky/NIST

Graphene is popular in nanopore-sequencing proposals due to its electrical properties and miniaturized thin-film structure. In the new NIST method, a graphene nanoribbon (4.5 by 15.5 nanometers) has several copies of a base attached to the nanopore (2.5 nm wide). DNAs genetic code is built from four kinds of bases, which bond in pairs as cytosineguanine and thymineadenine.

In simulations (see accompanying animation) of how the sensor would perform at room temperature in water, cytosine is attached to the nanopore to detect guanine. A single-strand (unzipped) DNA molecule is pulled through the pore. When guanine passes by, hydrogen bonds form with the cytosine. As the DNA continues moving, the graphene is yanked and then slips back into position as the bonds break.

The NIST study focused on how this strain affects graphenes electronic properties and found that temporary changes in electrical current indeed indicate that a target base has just passed by. To detect all four bases, four graphene ribbons, each with a different base inserted in the pore, could be stacked vertically to create an integrated DNA sensor.

The researchers combined simulated data with theory to estimate levels of measurable signal variations. Signal strength was in the milliampere range, stronger than in the earlier ion-current nanopore methods. Based on the performance of 90 percent accuracy without any false positives (i.e., errors were due to missed bases rather than wrong ones), the researchers suggest that four independent measurements of the same DNA strand would produce 99.99 percent accuracy, as required for sequencing the human genome.

The study authors concluded that the proposed method shows significant promise for realistic DNA sensing devices without the need for advanced data processing, microscopes, or highly restricted operating conditions. Other than attaching bases to the nanopore, all sensor components have been demonstrated experimentally by other research groups. Theoretical analysis suggests that basic electronic filtering methods could isolate the useful electrical signals. The proposed method could also be used with other strain-sensitive membranes, such as molybdenum disulfide.

About half of the simulations were performed by a co-author at the University of Groningen in the Netherlands. The rest were done at NIST.

Paper: E. Paulechka, T.A. Wassenaar, K. Kroenlein, A. Kazakov, and A. Smolyanitsky. 2016. Nucleobase-functionalized graphene nanoribbons for accurate high-speed DNA sequencing. Nanoscale. Advance Article. DOI: 10.1039/C5NR07061A.
Secretary of State John Kerry Travel to Zurich, Davos, Riyadh, Vientiane, Phnom Penh, and Beijing

Washington, DC - U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry will travel to Zurich, Switzerland, on January 20 where he will meet with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to discuss Syria and Ukraine.

Secretary Kerry will then travel to the 2016 World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting taking place in Davos, Switzerland, January 21-22 to consult with world leaders from government, business, and civil society.

Secretary Kerry will travel to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on January 23 to meet with senior Saudi Arabian leaders, as well as the Foreign Ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council states to discuss bilateral and regional issues.

Secretary Kerry will then travel to Vientiane, Laos, on January 25 to meet with Lao Prime Minister Thongsing Thammavong and Foreign Minister/Deputy Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith to discuss the upcoming Special U.S.-ASEAN Summit in Sunnylands, California, affirm support for Laos as this years ASEAN Chair, and express continued U.S. interest in a close bilateral relationship.

Secretary Kerry will travel to Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on January 26 to meet with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen and Foreign Minister/Deputy Prime Minister Hor Namhong to discuss the upcoming special U.S.-ASEAN summit in Sunnylands, California and seek ways to further strengthen bilateral cooperation and the growing bilateral economic relationship.

Secretary Kerry will then travel to Beijing, People's Republic of China, on January 27 for meetings with senior leaders of the Chinese government to discuss a range of global, regional, and bilateral issues, including North Korea.
President Obamas Call with President Enrique Pena Nieto of Mexico

Washington, DC - The President spoke by phone today with President of Mexico Enrique Pena Nieto to congratulate him on the arrest of Joaquin El Chapo Guzman and to review broader security and economic issues.

The leaders agreed that two of the most important pillars in the strong and enduring United States  Mexico relationship are a cooperative and supportive security dynamic as well as deep and robust economic bonds. They agreed on the importance of taking steps to advance the approval of the Trans-Pacific Partnership. President Obama and President Pena Nieto both reaffirmed the importance of all aspects of the bilateral relationship.
Watch: Viral Video Of Glass Octopus Leaves Internet In Wonder
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EastEnders stalwart Dame Barbara Windsor has announced she will be making a final departure from the soap, as it is revealed her famous character Peggy Mitchell will be killed off by the shows writers.

Announcing her decision, Dame Barbara said she had thought long and hard about it but had decided it was time to say goodbye to her much-loved character as the feisty landlady of the Queen Vic. Well known for her Get outta mah pub! catchphrase, she made her debut on the BBC One soap in 1994, playing the character full-time until 2010, and has made occasional returns since.

Viewers of EastEnders saw Peggy make an appearance on Friday nights episode, revealing that her cancer had returned. The shows executive producer Dominic Treadwell-Collins hinted at her exit on the show, saying it would be one of the most heartbreaking, uplifting and epic exits an EastEnders character has ever had.

Dame Barbara said: "Peggy is a character close to my heart but I made the decision a while ago that I need to say goodbye to her once and for all, as otherwise she will always be there, urging me to go back, and that is something I need to shut the door on.

She added: "After thinking long and hard about it, I realised that it is time for me and the audience to say our final farewells to the lady who I have loved for many years and I thought that whilst the guvnor, who I adore, is still in charge I want him to be the one to oversee it," she added.

Dame Barbara Windsor: career in pictures Show all 14 1 /14 Dame Barbara Windsor: career in pictures Dame Barbara Windsor: career in pictures Barbara-Windsor.jpg Getty Images Dame Barbara Windsor: career in pictures 256262.bin Getty Images Dame Barbara Windsor: career in pictures 256263.bin Getty Images Dame Barbara Windsor: career in pictures 256264.bin Getty Images Dame Barbara Windsor: career in pictures 256265.bin Getty Images Dame Barbara Windsor: career in pictures 256266.bin Getty Images Dame Barbara Windsor: career in pictures 256267.bin Getty Images Dame Barbara Windsor: career in pictures 256268.bin Getty Images Dame Barbara Windsor: career in pictures 256269.bin Getty Images Dame Barbara Windsor: career in pictures 256261.bin Getty Images Dame Barbara Windsor: career in pictures peggy-mitchell-eastenders.jpg BBC Dame Barbara Windsor: career in pictures 256273.bin Getty Images Dame Barbara Windsor: career in pictures 256275.bin Getty Images Dame Barbara Windsor: career in pictures peggy-mitchell.jpg PA

Some of Peggys biggest storylines included her battle with breast cancer, her marriage to Frank, her feud and friendship with Pat Butcher and her marriage to Archie Mitchell, which resulted in the family losing The Queen Vic. Before joining the show Dame Barbara was best known for her Carry On movies

Mr Treadwell-Collins praised Dame Barbara for creating one of the greatest ever characters on British television and said her exit was the end of EastEnders era. He added: "When she told me her decision back in the summer, we both had a little cry before getting excited about how Peggy Mitchell, the matriarch to end all matriarchs, could bid her final farewell to Albert Square.

Barbara is the real guvnor of EastEnders.

Additional reporting by Press Association
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If you're booking summer holidays now, sort out your car hire too to save a packet. Last year, for instance, a traveller hiring a medium-sized family car for the first week of August in Nice could have saved more than 100 by booking in February, compared with June.

The research, by iCarhireinsurance.com, found the greatest savings in Barcelona  where drivers hiring with Hertz could have saved 122 by booking in advance  and in Nice with Avis or Sixt, where drivers could have saved 121. Paying for extras in advance, such as excess insurance, can also help you save.

But don't buy flights too soon

On the other hand, don't buy flights too far in advance. Almost nine out of ten of us pay over the odds by booking at the wrong time, warns Skyscanner.net. Its research shows that half of us book flights at least 13 weeks before flying, when the best time, on average, is just seven weeks in advance.

Stick your neck out

Restaurant chain Giraffe is offering two-for-one on all main meals until the end of January at its 62 branches.

Sushi is a cure for sadness

YO! Sushi will be offering a free blue plate on Monday 18 January to mark what marketing companies claim is the saddest day of the year. To get the free plate you'll have to buy two dishes. The deal is part of its Happy Month, where 40 of the most popular dishes are priced at just 2.70 until 29 January.

Nectar's Eurostar discount

Nectar is offering its cardholders Eurostar return fares to Brussels or Paris for just 58, for trips until 23 March. But there are just 10,000 seats available. To apply, visit the Nectar app.
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The worlds largest company may owe a serious amount in back taxes.

Apple Inc has been accused of owing $8 billion (5.6 billion) after a European Commission investigation, Bloomberg reports.

Apples Irish subsidiary generated $64.1 billion (59 billion) between 2004 and 2014. The European Union says that the California-based tech giant has only paid a small fraction of the $8 billion it owes.

The EC has been investigating Apples taxes since 2014 and has said that it would reach a decision by this coming March.

Tax authorities have also scrutinized the tax arrangements of Starbucks, Amazon and McDonalds.

During an interview with CBS 60 Minutes program, Apple CEO Tim Cook addressed the criticism of his companys tax policies.

That's total political crap, there is no truth behind it, Mr Cook said back in December 2015.

We pay every tax dollar we owe.
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Drink, drugs, foul language, and fouler behaviour  barely has the new year started and another bank has found itself at the centre of a lurid and damaging scandal.

Fortunately for the City of London, this one took place on the other side of the world, involving sacked traders at Australian bank ANZ.

Etienne Alexiou and Patrick OConnor were fired in 2015 for what the bank said were serious breaches of its code of conduct and are now suing the bank.

Mr Alexiou, who wants A$30m (14m), was let go for what the bank claimed were lewd and offensive communications made via Bloomberg terminals. He had been stood down last year as a result of a regulatory investigation.

He fired back in his lawsuit by alleging a toxic culture, at odds with the behaviour the bank says is demanded of its staff. In one incident, reported by the Sydney Morning Herald, court documents he filed allege that a senior ANZ trader had said what a waste, it should have been sprinkled on a birthday cake, after a white substance was found in a toilet of the banks dealing room floor.

Of even greater concern to the bank, he lodged further claims about the behaviour of staff towards investors and clients.

In a separate claim a senior bond salesman, Patrick OConnor, is taking action against the bank after he was sacked for running up A$37,000 of expenses. These were said to have included rent, healthcare payments and the purchase of rare coins. The bank also cited allegedly lewd communications by him.

Mr OConnor, a 10 year veteran of the bank, claimed such expense filings were common practice. He wants his job back along with damages and his 2015 bonus of A$800,000 plus the reinstatement of unvested shares. Failing that, he wants compensation for lost earnings.

ANZs chief risk officer Nigel Williams claimed their conduct had been highly inappropriate. ANZ will be vigorously defending both their court applications, he said. Mr Williams said the bank was investigating claims made by the traders but questioned the accuracy of some of them.
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Police have cleared the former chief of the British Army, Lord Bramall, of child sexual offence allegations after nearly a year-long investigation.

In a statement released on Friday, the Metropolitan police said there was insufficient evidence to bring a prosecution against the highly decorated soldier and former chief of the defence staff.

The 92-year-old was never arrested and has denied all the allegations since he was interviewed under caution in April 2015 as part of Operation Midland  the police investigation into historical child abuse allegations.

Scotland Yard said in statement: Officers working on Operation Midland have today, Friday 15 January, informed a man in his 90s from Farnham, who was interviewed under caution on 30 April 2015, that he will face no further action.

Following a thorough investigation officers have concluded there is insufficient evidence to request the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) to consider charging the man with any offences.

Speaking to the Times, Lord Bramall, who was head of the armed forces during the Falklands war, said: I think its a terrible thing for someone of my age, with an impeccable record of public service... Only now, very grudgingly, do they say they dont propose to take any action.

To have these awful, entirely untrue allegations hanging over ones head, without the police saying there is not a grain of truth in them, is really awful.

He added: When [the claims] came out they were so bizarre, grotesque and absurd. I knew there was not one grain of truth in them. I was mystified the police could believe them.
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The Archbishop of Canterbury has apologised for the "hurt and pain" the Church of England has caused for the LGBT community.

The Rev Justin Welby said it was a "constant source of deep sadness" people were persecuted because of their sexuality.

"I don't have the right to speak for everyone. I wanted to take this opportunity...to say how sorry I am for the hurt and pain, in the past and present, the church has caused," he said.

Mr Welby made the comments after a four-day meeting of 39 Anglican primates in Canterbury, in which Anglican leaders agreed to restrict a liberal US-branch of the church, including banning it from decision-making for three years.

Mr Welby insisted the US Episcopal Church had not been sanctioned but had faced "consequences", and the decision was supported by the "overwhelming majority" of Anglican priests.

The leaders upheld a "traditional doctrine" of marriage as being between a man and a woman.

The decision has been heavily criticised and crowds of people gathered in protest outside Canterbury Cathedral.

Labour MP and former Anglican minister Chris Bryant, who is gay, said he had "fully given up on Anglican church" after the decision.

He tweeted: "I've finally given up on Anglican church today after its love-empty decision on sexuality. One day it will seem wrong as supporting slavery."

The Archbishop of Uganda walked out of the summit after failing to get a resolution passed for the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Church of Canada to withdraw from Communion activities.

Stanley Ntagali said the churches should be excluded "until they repented of their decisions that have torn the fabric of the Anglican Communion at its deepest level".

Mr Welby has been asked to lead a task group "with the intention of restoration of relationship, the rebuilding of mutual trust, healing the legacy of hurt, recognising the extent of our commonality and exploring our deep differences".

Additional reporting by Press Association
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A Conservative peer has provoked an angry reaction after advising shopkeepers in Crickhowell, the small Welsh market town that rose to national prominence when its businesses decided to set up their own offshore tax avoidance scheme, to tone down their criticism of George Osborne.

Lord Crickhowell, who served as Secretary of State for Wales in Margaret Thatchers cabinet, was accused by one local businessman of trying to keep the peasants in check by suggesting in a series of emails that the group should steer clear of criticising the Chancellor as they try to expand their protest into a national campaign.

Recommended Read more Businesses learn how to evade tax in The Town That Took On The Taxman

Steve Lewis, who runs the towns Number 18 Cafe alongside his wife Sam, told The Independent he had resisted the lobbying from the Tory peer, who he described as part of the establishment.

The cafe is one of the businesses taking part in The Town That Took On The Taxman, a documentary due to air on BBC2 next Wednesday.

Lord Crickhowell, 81, contacted Mr Lewis and another member of the group in December after the towns tax protest attracted national attention. In an email, he said they were making a strategic mistake in attacking Mr Osbornes failure to close tax avoidance loopholes in the UK and advised them to withdraw their criticism before it is circulated any more.

He is not your enemy but an ally looking for support and ammunition to win a battle with hugely hostile and powerful forces, the peer wrote of the Chancellor. George has inherited a tax system with all its complications and absurdities and is faced, as you are, by the corporations with their lawyers and accountants... your object should not be to fight George Osborne but to join as allies in a battle in which your objectives are identical.

The email drew a sharp response from Mr Lewis, who said the Chancellor was the campaigns ultimate target. He added: Cosying up to George Osborne is not where we want to be... no intelligent man could possibly defend me paying eight times the tax of Facebook, but he has this issue well on the back burner. He has no appetite for this fight and has kicked it into someone elses field.

In a second email, Lord Crickhowell said he was surprised by the intemperate response to his advice and suggested that he would be unable to secure a debate on tax avoidance in the House of Lords unless the group changed its tactics. What would throw a spanner in the works, cause me embarrassment and set your cause back would be an attack on the Chancellor from you to coincide with the debate and BBC launch, he wrote. If that is your intention I will not waste any more time.

Lord Crickhowell also visited the town to hold a meeting with Mr Lewis and other members of the group. It was clear to me that he was on a fishing trip  he was there as a Conservative grandee, thinking: This guys going after George Osborne, lets see if we can nip it in the bud, Mr Lewis said. I found him incredibly condescending. It was a pat on the head, You dont understand how the big game works.

The cafe owner said that while some of the other local businesses might see the BBC programme as the end of their fight, for him it was only the start. He intends to take the campaign to the courts if necessary, even if in doing so he loses the support of the towns other businesses.

When contacted by The Independent, Lord Crickhowell said he was an enthusiastic supporter of the towns fair tax campaign and denied that he had been trying to defend the Chancellor. The advice Ive given has been related to strategy, he added. The fact is that the Chancellor is probably as keen as the people involved in the campaign to get to the endgame of dealing with international companies avoiding tax. Push him, push him hard, but dont regard him as an enemy.

He added that during his time in Crickhowell he had also been informed about the administrative burden faced by small businesses, an issue he has since raised with the Government. Im entirely behind them  and actually have taken action to see that the points go to an appropriate minister, he said.
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An estimated 3,000 people across the country sleep rough each night. And as the UK braces itself for blizzards and lows of -15C this weekend, it's likely that some of them will freeze to death in the street.

This message, whch is being widely shared on social media, tells people what they can do to help:

But the details in this post are out-of-date, as a St Mungo's employee explained in a follow-up email:

Via the Streetlink website, you can can enter an accurate site for a genuine rough sleeper, and an outreach team in the relevant area will make their way there as quickly as possible to act on the report. You can also call their 24-hour hotline on 0300 5000914, and there's even a Streetlink app available:

Make sure that you're sharing the correct information, as distributed this winter by St Mungo's. Importantly, though the original post refers only to London, Streetlink is a nationwide service.

The homelessness crisis is particularly acute in the capital, where around 750 people sleep rough on any given night, but homeless people across the UK can be referred through the system.

Homelessness has doubled since the implementation of austerity by David Cameron's Conservatives in 2010, with both direct cuts to homelessness services and wider cuts to welfare and benefits driving people onto the streets. The average life expectancy for a homeless person in Britain is just 47-years-old.

In pictures: Winter weather hits the UK Show all 17 1 /17 In pictures: Winter weather hits the UK In pictures: Winter weather hits the UK A man works in the snow in the Yorkshire Dales near Hawes In pictures: Winter weather hits the UK A man jogs past the partially frozen Sefton Park Lake in Liverpool PA In pictures: Winter weather hits the UK A jogger runs through the snow under the Angel of the North in Gateshead, Tyne and Wear PA In pictures: Winter weather hits the UK A man walks through the snow close to the Angel of the North in Gateshead, Tyne and Wear PA In pictures: Winter weather hits the UK Temperatures drop as night time falls and snow blankets moors in the Peak District near Buxton Getty Images In pictures: Winter weather hits the UK Temperatures drop, as night time falls, and snow enhances the complex pattern of fields on the moors in the Peak District near Buxton Getty Images In pictures: Winter weather hits the UK A van waits to be recovered after sliding into a ditch on an icy road in the Peak District near Buxton Getty Images In pictures: Winter weather hits the UK Snow blankets the countryside in the Peak District near Buxton Getty Images In pictures: Winter weather hits the UK Farmers on the Richmondshire and Cumbria border take feed for the sheep on the Pennine tops with the A66 trans Pennine route in the background as snow falls across many parts of the UK PA In pictures: Winter weather hits the UK A tractor with a snow plough parked outside the Tan Hill Inn in Swaledale, North Yorkshire as snow falls in the Pennines PA In pictures: Winter weather hits the UK Cars make their way through the snow on the A1 northbound in Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, as the UK braced for a new wave of bad weather after forecasters issued warnings of heavy snow in parts of England and Scotland PA In pictures: Winter weather hits the UK Snowfalls over high ground of the Pennines at Tan Hill PA In pictures: Winter weather hits the UK Sue and Chris Betts take their dog for a walk in the snow near Beamish, Tyne and Wear after heavy snow in the area PA In pictures: Winter weather hits the UK Clyde Wind Farm near Abington in Scotland PA In pictures: Winter weather hits the UK Sheep near Abington in Scotland PA In pictures: Winter weather hits the UK Snow in Abington in Scotland as the cold weather hits parts of the UK PA In pictures: Winter weather hits the UK Snow blankets the countryside in the Peak District near Buxton Getty Images

While it might not get as cold in the capital as in exposed, rural areas in the north of the country, London temperatures are still expected to drop to freezing, and it's likely that there will also be snowfall.

Around 20,000 people a year die in the UK as a result of cold winter weather, their health problems exacerbated by fuel poverty and a lack of affordable housing.
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David Cameron has earnt up to 500,000 in rent whilst Prime Minister, it has been reported.

According to The Mirror, since moving into 10 Downing Street in May 2010 when he first became Prime Minister, Mr Cameron has been letting out his home in the luxury London district of Notting Hill.

A similar property in the area can be rented for 1,750 per week. This would suggest that if Mr Camerons property were to be let for a similar rate, he would have received an estimated 500,000 in rent over the course of the past 67 months.

Research released earlier this week revealed that a growing number of MPs are landlords. 128 Conservative MPs (39 per cent) are now landlords, followed by 26 per cent of SNP MPs and 22 per cent of Labour MPs.

Chancellor George Osborne has also been revealed as renting out a residential property in London since 2011.

David Cameron's biggest controversies Show all 8 1 /8 David Cameron's biggest controversies David Cameron's biggest controversies Pig-gate A book released by Conservative peer Lord Ashcroft alleged that an MP and Oxford contemporary of David Cameron had allegedly seen a photograph of Mr Cameron performing a sex act on a pig while at university. Downing Street did not comment on the allegations and the peer said they could have been a case of mistaken identity David Hartley/REX Shutterstock David Cameron's biggest controversies Swarm of migrants In July 2015 David Cameron referred to refugees coming into Europe from the Middle East and North Africa as a swarm. He was criticised for using the language, which critics said was dehumanising Getty David Cameron's biggest controversies Child tax credits In April 2015 David Cameron was asked whether hed cut child tax credits. No, I dont want to do that, he said, saying that he rejected reports that he would. Shortly after the election the Government unveiled cuts to child tax credits EPA David Cameron's biggest controversies Cycling to work As leader of the opposition David Cameron was regularly photographed cycling to work. In early 2006 he was photographed cycling but with a driver in a car carrying his belongings. It was suggested at the time the cycling was just for show and that having two vehicles on the road instead of one was wasteful Rex David Cameron's biggest controversies Andy Coulson David Cameron employed former News of the World editor Andy Coulson as government communications director from 2010. After stepping down from the post due to coverage of the phone hacking affairs, Mr Coulson was later found guilty of conspiracy to intercept voicemails. He served a short prison sentence AFP David Cameron's biggest controversies His personal windmill Early in his leadership of the Conservative David Cameron made an effort to change the partys image by making eco-friendly gesures. As one of these gestures, the future PM put a wind turbine on his house. However, the turbine later had to be removed after neighbours condemned it as an eyesore and the councils planning committee said it had been put in the wrong place Getty David Cameron's biggest controversies Funeral selfie David Cameron was pictured posing for a selfie with Danish PM Helle Thorning-Schmidt and Barack Obama at Nelson Mandelas funeral. Some in the press criticised the prime minister for showing in an inappropriately low level of respect for the gravity of the occasion AFP/Getty Images David Cameron's biggest controversies Eating a hotdog with a knife and fork The Prime Minister was pictured eating a hotdog with a knife and fork in the run up to the 2015 general election. He was accused of being posh. I had a very privileged upbringing... I've never tried to hide that, he said Reuters

Earlier this week, a government Housing Bill was criticised for signalling the end of the road for affordable housing. Conservative MPs voted against an amendment which would require that landlords ensure rented properties were fit for human habitation.

The bill will also see the introduction of pay to stay fees for residents of council housing who earn more than 30,000.

Lifelong tenancies of social housing will be phased out and replaced with contracts lasting between two and five years, which campaigners say will result in greatly reduced security for residents.

The Independent has contacted David Cameron for comment.
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Leaving the European Union would be a risk to the safety of people on British streets, Labours shadow immigration minister and the former Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP ) Sir Keir Starmer has said.

In an interview with The Independent, Sir Keir said the UK relied on EU criminal justice systems 24/7 to combat terrorism and serious organised crime at home.

Drawing on five years experience as the head of the Crown Prosecution Service, he warned that Brexit would risk vital partnerships with police and investigators in other European countries.

Theres the potential for a real reduction in our capacity to deal with serious and organised crime and terrorism, he said. Anybody whos been involved in this on a practical, operational level recognises the risks here.

Its a risk to the safety of people in this country.

Sir Keir, who entered politics after standing down as DPP in 2013, and was elected as Labours MP for Holborn in May, also accused the Government of shirking its moral responsibility to help refugees in Europe, and pledged to help his party come to a coherent, over-arching policy on immigration  an issue that has dogged it for a decade, and has been identified as a key weakness of last years election campaign.

Supporters of Britains remaining in the EU will seize on his warnings of the security implications of Brexit, which he said were founded on his own experience as DPP, working with European counterparts to tackle cross-border issues such as trafficking, cyber crime and terror.

We rely very heavily on the EU criminal justice measures and when I say very heavily, I mean 24/7, he said. Im talking here about terrorism, people trafficking, cyber crime, sexual exploitation, trafficking of children and paedophilia: they all go across the borders into Europe.

To give you a practical example, if you have a number of [criminals] operating in different jurisdictions, you absolutely have to arrest them on the same day at precisely the same time. It requires a huge amount of co-ordination. If you arrest one person in Paris, 10 minutes before you intend to arrest someone in London on the same allegation, the person in London will be gone by the time you get there.

Outside the EU, the UK would have to renegotiate joint agreements on criminal justice issues with individual EU member states, and could lose mutual arrangements that allow short-notice information-sharing on court rulings and convictions in other EU states, which he said could be vital for setting bail conditions for arrested suspects.

Sir Keir is about to embark on a three-month review of Labours immigration policy, and will tour the UK taking views from the public, trade unions, businesses and universities. A report into the partys election defeat, carried out by the former Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett, this week identified a failure to communicate with working-class voters concerned about immigration as one of the main reasons for Labours poor performance at the polls.

Sir Keir maintained that the party had reached a balanced position on immigration in its 2015 manifesto, but admitted it needed to be willing to talk to voters. The party needs to be talking to people all of the time and that is going to involve uncomfortable conversations, he said.

He said his tour would take into account changes since the election affecting immigration policy: including the EU referendum and Europes refugee crisis.

Last week he visited the Calais and Dunkirk refugee camps, and has written to the Home Secretary Theresa May, urging the Government to do more to alleviate the humanitarian crisis facing people there, and to consider resettling unaccompanied child refugees, of whom there are 150 in Calais and an unknown number in Dunkirk.

Anybody with responsibility for refugees or immigration should take the time to visit the camps in Calais and Dunkirk, he said.

NO compromise: Solution expected

David Cameron appears to be edging towards a deal over Britains relationship with Brussels after the European Commission president said he was confident agreement can be reached next month.

The prediction by Jean-Claude Juncker followed a similar forecast from Donald Tusk, the president of the European Council. Mr Cameron has spoken of his belief that a deal would be hammered out at an EU leaders summit on 18 February, paving the way to a membership referendum in the summer. George Osborne has also said essential pieces were falling into place.

Mr Juncker said that some of Mr Camerons demands, including restrictions on EU nationals claiming benefits, remained very, very difficult issues. But he added: Im quite sure we will have a deal, not a compromise, a solution, a permanent solution in February.
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Companies would be banned from paying senior executives vastly higher wages than junior employees, and would not be allowed to hand out dividends until all staff were earning the Living Wage, under plans signalled today by Jeremy Corbyn.

The Labour leader, who is setting out proposals to close the gap between top earners and low-paid staff, will commit the party to act to institutionalise fairness.

He also repeated his support for bringing the railways back into public ownership and for democratic control of the energy giants.

Mr Corbyns critics, both inside and outside the party, will seize on his plans as evidence that he is trying to drive its platform to the left. Any move to intervene in company pay is also bound to face fierce criticism from business.

But the Labour leaders allies insist his commitment to tackling inequality will strike a chord with the public who are dismayed by the excesses of company bosses.

Mr Corbyn told a Fabian conference in London: Too much of the proceeds of growth have accumulated to those at the top.

He argued: Everyone benefits when companies succeed. One proposal is pay ratios between top and bottom, so that the rewards dont just accrue to those at the top.

The most ridiculous claims made about Jeremy Corbyn Show all 11 1 /11 The most ridiculous claims made about Jeremy Corbyn The most ridiculous claims made about Jeremy Corbyn He called Hezbollah and Hamas friends True. In a speech made to the Stop the War Coalition in 2009, Mr Corbyn called representatives from both groups friends after inviting them to Parliament. He later told Channel 4 he wanted both groups, who have factions designated as international terror organisations, to be part of the debate for the Middle East peace process. I use (the word friends) in a collective way, saying our friends are prepared to talk, he added. Does it mean I agree with Hamas and what it does? No. Does it mean I agree with Hezbollah and what they do? No. Reuters The most ridiculous claims made about Jeremy Corbyn Jeremy Corbyn thinks the death of Osama bin Laden was a tragedy Partly false. David Cameron used this as a line of attack at the Conservative Party conference but appears to have left out all context from Mr Corbyns original remarks. In an 2011 interview on Iranian television, the then-backbencher said the fact the al-Qaeda leader was not put on trial was the tragedy, continuing: The World Trade Center was a tragedy, the attack on Afghanistan was a tragedy, the war in Iraq was a tragedy. The most ridiculous claims made about Jeremy Corbyn He is haunted by the legacy of his evil great-great-grandfather False. A Daily Express expose revealed that the Labour leaders ancestor, James Sargent, was the despotic master of a Victorian workhouse. Addressing the report at the Labour conference, Mr Corbyn said he had never heard of him before, adding: I want to take this opportunity to apologise for not doing the decent thing and going back in time and having a chat with him about his appalling behaviour. The most ridiculous claims made about Jeremy Corbyn Jeremy Corbyn raised a motion about pigeon bombs in Parliament This one is true. On 21 May 2004, Mr Corbyn raised an early day motion entitled pigeon bombs, proposing that the House register being appalled but barely surprised that MI5 reportedly proposed to load pigeons with explosives as a weapon. The motion continued: The House believes that humans represent the most obscene, perverted, cruel, uncivilised and lethal species ever to inhabit the planet and looks forward to the day when the inevitable asteroid slams into the earth and wipes them out thus giving nature the opportunity to start again. It was not carried. The most ridiculous claims made about Jeremy Corbyn He rides a Communist bicycle False. A report in The Times referred to Mr Corbyn, known for his cycling, riding a Chairman Mao-style bicycle earlier this year. Less thorough journalists might have referred to it as just a bicycle, but no, so we have to conclude that whenever we see somebody on a bicycle from now on, there goes another supporter of Chairman Mao, he later joked. The most ridiculous claims made about Jeremy Corbyn 'Jeremy Corbyn will appoint a special minister for Jews' False so far. The Sun report in December was allegedly based on a rumour passed to the paper by a Daily Express columnist who has written pieces critical of the Labour leader in the past. The minister did not materialise in his shadow cabinet. The most ridiculous claims made about Jeremy Corbyn Jeremy Corbyn wishes Britain would abolish its Army False. Another gem from The Sun took comments made at a Hiroshima remembrance parade in August 2012 where Mr Corbyn supported Costa Ricas move to abolish it armed forces. Wouldnt it be wonderful if every politician around the worldabolished the army and took pride in the fact that they dont have an army, he added. The caveat that every politician must take the step suggests Mr Corbyn does not support UK disarmament just yet. The most ridiculous claims made about Jeremy Corbyn Jeremy Corbyn stole sandwiches meant for veterans False. The Guido Fawkes blog claimed that the Labour leader took sandwiches meant for veterans at at Battle of Britain memorial service in September but a photo later emerged showing him being handed one by Costa volunteers, who later confirmed they were given to all guests. The most ridiculous claims made about Jeremy Corbyn He missed the induction into the Queens privy council True. After much speculation about Mr Corbyns republican views and willingness to bow to the monarch, his office confirmed that he did not attend the official induction to the privy council because of a prior engagement, but did not rule out joining the body. The most ridiculous claims made about Jeremy Corbyn Jeremy Corbyn refuses to sing the national anthem. Partly true. The Labour leader was filmed standing in silence as God Save the Queen was sung at a Battle of Britain remembrance service but will reportedly sing it in future. Mr Corbyn was elusive on the issue in an interview, saying he would show memorials respect in the proper way, but sources said he would sing the anthem at future occasions. The most ridiculous claims made about Jeremy Corbyn He is a member of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Cheese True. The group lists its purpose as the following: To increase awareness of issues surrounding the dairy industry and focus on economic issues affecting the dairy industry and producers.

Of the G7 nations, only the US has greater income inequality than the UK. Pay inequality on this scale is neither necessary nor inevitable. The High Pay Centre think-tank has calculated that the average chief executive of a FTSE100 company is paid 183 times more than the average wage. It also found that only one-quarter of those firms were Living-Wage accredited.

Mr Corbyn also floated a plan to ban or restrict firms from distributing dividends to shareholders if they are not paying the Living Wage to all staff. Only profitable employers will be paying dividends. If they depend on cheap labour for those profits, then I think there is a question over whether that is a business model to which we should be turning a blind eye.

He pointed to research by the OECD which concluded that failure to distribute wealth more evenly hinders economic growth. A more equal society is not only fairer, it does better in terms of economic stability and wealth creation, he said.

The Labour leader argued that train fares would fall and investment increase if the railways were returned to public ownership. It would be governed not remotely from Whitehall, but by passengers, rail workers and politicians, local and national, he added.

Bringing gas and electricity companies under democratic control would also help to reduce costs and ease the transition to carbon-free energy supplies, he claimed.

Do you know that half of German energy suppliers are owned by local authorities, communities and small businesses? There are now over 180 German towns and cities taking over their local electricity grids, selling themselves cleaner, and cheaper, electricity they increasingly produce for themselves. That is something we as Labour should want to emulate  and the most innovative Labour councils are starting to do so.

Mr Corbyn said that Labour would reverse cuts to social care, introduce universal childcare, create a lifelong education service and embark on a major house-building programme.

Fairness isnt just an abstract morality that we claim, it is something we together  as Labour  have delivered over decades in Britain, he will say. [The Conservatives] concept of fairness is of a very different order to ours. Fairness for only a few is not fairness, but privilege.

He added that the impact of the flooding was exacerbated by cuts to flood defences, that the Tories laissez-faire attitude to the steel industry could let a downturn become a death spiral.
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Security forces stormed a second hotel in Burkina Faso on Saturday morning to find al-Qaeda militants who killed at least 20 people and took more than 100 hostages.

Security forces moved to the Yibi Hotel after clearing the nearby four-star Splendid Hotel across the street, where extremists had launched bombing and shooting attacks believed to have targeted Westerners.

President Roch Marc Christian Kabore said that troops from Burkina Faso and France killed a fourth jihadist during the operation and that two of the attackers who died previously were women.

Army forces drive near Hotel Splendid where the attackers remain with sporadic gunfire continuing in Burkina Faso's capital Ouagadougou on Jnauary 15, 2016. (AFP/Getty Images)

They had stormed the four-star Splendid Hotel and adjoining Cafe Cappucino late on Friday night, detonating bombs that set surrounding cars on fire.

The siege ended on Saturday morning as security forces freed 126 people and killed three attackers, the interior minister, Simon Compaore, said.

The hotel is popular with Western visitors, United Nations workers, diplomats and and French soldiers based in Burkina Faso for Operation Barkhana, which is fighting Islamist militants across the Sahel region.

A doctor who treated some of those wounded in the attack said victims told him that the attackers appeared to target Westerners but victims nationalities were unknown.

Paramedics tend to a wounded man in the surrounding of the hotel Splendide and the cafe Cappuccino during the attack on January 15, 2016. (AFP/Getty Images)

Russias Honorary Council in Burkina Faso, Anna Rachina-Kulibali, told Tass news agency the Cappuccino Cafe is owned by a Ukrainian citizen.

There are foreigners [among the dead], possibly Europeans and locals, she added.

At least 10 bodies were found in the Cappuccino Cafe, next to the hotel in Ouagadougou, and there were fears the death toll would rise as security forces moved through the building.

Mr Compaore described the three attackers first killed as "an Arab and two black Africans", adding that 33 hostages had been wounded.

Burkina Faso hotel attack - in pictures Show all 10 1 /10 Burkina Faso hotel attack - in pictures Burkina Faso hotel attack - in pictures Burkina Faso attack Vehicles burn outside the Splendid Hotel Reuters Burkina Faso hotel attack - in pictures Burkina Faso attack The scene of an attack on a hotel, in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso AP Television Burkina Faso hotel attack - in pictures Burkina Faso attack Burkina Faso soldiers evacuate an injured man (3rd L) from the Splendid hotel during an attack on both the hotel and a restaurant by Al-Qaeda linked gunmen late on January 15, 2016. AFP/Getty Images Burkina Faso hotel attack - in pictures Burkina Faso attack French troops gather by the Labour Ministry building in the surroundings of the Splendid hotel during an attack on both the hotel and a restaurant by Al-Qaeda linked gunmen on January 15, 2016. AFP/Getty Images Burkina Faso hotel attack - in pictures Burkina Faso attack French soldiers take position in the surroundings of the Splendid hotel and a restaurant during an attack on both the hotel and restaurant by Al-Qaeda linked gunmen early on January 16, 2016. AFP/Getty Images Burkina Faso hotel attack - in pictures Burkina Faso attack Paramedics tend to a wounded man in the surrounding of the hotel Splendide and the cafe Cappuccino during the attack on January 15, 2016. AFP/Getty Images Burkina Faso hotel attack - in pictures Burkina Faso attack French first responders tend to wounded people in the surrounding of the hotel Splendide and the cafE Cappuccino during the attack on January 15, 2016. AFP/Getty Images Burkina Faso hotel attack - in pictures Burkina Faso attack A Burkinabe soldier looks out from behind a wall before A counter-assault on Islamist gunmen at the Splendid Hotel in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, January 16, 2016. Reuters Burkina Faso hotel attack - in pictures Burkina Faso attack Army forces drive near Hotel Splendid where the attackers remain with sporadic gunfire continuing in Burkina Faso's capital Ouagadougou on Jnauary 15, 2016. AFP/Getty Images Burkina Faso hotel attack - in pictures Burkina Faso attack French and US soldiers gather before launching a counter-assault on Islamist gunmen at the Splendid Hotel in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, January 16, 2016. Reuters

Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) claimed responsibility for the assault, which was believed to be linked to its allied al-Murabitoun group.

In a message posted in Arabic on its Muslim Africa Telegram account, the terrorist group said fighters had broke into a restaurant of one of the biggest hotels in the capital of Burkina Faso, and are now entrenched and the clashes are continuing with the enemies of the religion.

Fighters who spoke by phone later asserted the fall of many dead Crusaders, AQIM said, according to the SITE intelligence group.

Burkina Faso's new government, which was appointed on Wednesday following the election of President Roch Marc Kabore in November, was due to hold an emergency cabinet meeting on the crisis.

Additional reporting by AP and Reuters
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A friend of an elderly Australian couple kidnapped by terrorists in Burkina Faso has described them as great people who devoted their lives to the local community.

The man and woman, who The Independent has chosen not to name, had lived in the town of Djibo near the Malian border for decades working at a hospital.

They were abducted from their home in the early hours of Saturday morning, as al-Qaeda militants held 150 hostages more than 100 miles away in the capital, Ouagadougou.

 Burkina Faso hotel siege ends

At least 23 people from 18 countries were killed in the bomb and shooting attacks at the Splendid Hotel and adjoining Cappuccino restaurant before security forces ended the siege.

That atrocity was claimed by Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), saying it was carried out in revenge against France and the disbelieving West, but another group said it was responsible for the kidnapping.

Hamadou Ag Khallini, a spokesperson for Malian Islamists Ansar Dine, told AFP that the couple were being held by jihadists from the al-Qaeda-linked Emirate of the Sahara.

He said they were alive and more details would be released soon.

A friend of the Australian couple, who did not want to be named, told The Independent the doctor and his wife moved to Burkina Faso in the 1970s and founded Djibos first medical clinic, which is now full of patients and without its only doctor.

They were taken at about 4am, the man said. They were sleeping and they were taken from their beds. The door was found open and his glasses were found on the side.

Burkina Faso hotel attack - in pictures Show all 10 1 /10 Burkina Faso hotel attack - in pictures Burkina Faso hotel attack - in pictures Burkina Faso attack Vehicles burn outside the Splendid Hotel Reuters Burkina Faso hotel attack - in pictures Burkina Faso attack The scene of an attack on a hotel, in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso AP Television Burkina Faso hotel attack - in pictures Burkina Faso attack Burkina Faso soldiers evacuate an injured man (3rd L) from the Splendid hotel during an attack on both the hotel and a restaurant by Al-Qaeda linked gunmen late on January 15, 2016. AFP/Getty Images Burkina Faso hotel attack - in pictures Burkina Faso attack French troops gather by the Labour Ministry building in the surroundings of the Splendid hotel during an attack on both the hotel and a restaurant by Al-Qaeda linked gunmen on January 15, 2016. AFP/Getty Images Burkina Faso hotel attack - in pictures Burkina Faso attack French soldiers take position in the surroundings of the Splendid hotel and a restaurant during an attack on both the hotel and restaurant by Al-Qaeda linked gunmen early on January 16, 2016. AFP/Getty Images Burkina Faso hotel attack - in pictures Burkina Faso attack Paramedics tend to a wounded man in the surrounding of the hotel Splendide and the cafe Cappuccino during the attack on January 15, 2016. AFP/Getty Images Burkina Faso hotel attack - in pictures Burkina Faso attack French first responders tend to wounded people in the surrounding of the hotel Splendide and the cafE Cappuccino during the attack on January 15, 2016. AFP/Getty Images Burkina Faso hotel attack - in pictures Burkina Faso attack A Burkinabe soldier looks out from behind a wall before A counter-assault on Islamist gunmen at the Splendid Hotel in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, January 16, 2016. Reuters Burkina Faso hotel attack - in pictures Burkina Faso attack Army forces drive near Hotel Splendid where the attackers remain with sporadic gunfire continuing in Burkina Faso's capital Ouagadougou on Jnauary 15, 2016. AFP/Getty Images Burkina Faso hotel attack - in pictures Burkina Faso attack French and US soldiers gather before launching a counter-assault on Islamist gunmen at the Splendid Hotel in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, January 16, 2016. Reuters

The couples friend, who lived in Burkina Faso with his family until six months ago, said that although the doctor is 82 and his wife a few years younger, they still work full-time.

Theyre an old couple but they have a phenomenal amount of energy, theyre just great people, he added.

The man said he was shocked by the attack at the Splendid Hotel, recalling how he used to visit the Cappuccino cafe with his wife and children, adding: It was a nice little restaurant, it was very popular with Westerners.

There have been several kidnappings and attacks along Burkina Fasos border with Mali, where the French army, UN and African Union members intervened to drive out Islamist militants in 2013.

A Romanian security officer was kidnapped while working for a mining company in Tambao in April and three members of Burkina Fasos gendarmerie were killed in another attack along the border in October.

(FCO)

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) advises against all travel to northern parts of the country, particularly to areas bordering Mali and Niger.

There is a risk that terrorist groups including al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), the Movement for Unity and Jihad in West Africa (MUJWA) and al-Mourabitoun may cross the borders from Mali and northern Niger into Burkina Faso to carry out kidnap attacks, its travel advise says.

More than 25 Westerners have been kidnapped in the Sahel region, including parts of Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, Senegal and other nations, since 2008 and many are still being held.

Al-Qaeda has been known to send its own militants or pay criminal gangs to carry out kidnappings on its behalf, sometimes taking foreigners to remote desert areas in northern Mali to be exchanged for multi-million dollar ransom payments.

Burkina Faso has been undergoing political turmoil since its president of 27 years was ousted in a popular uprising in late 2014, followed by a failed military coup in September last year.

Update: Initial reports quoting Burkina Faso's government said the kidnapped couple were Austrian but the interior minister later confirmed they were Australian and this article was corrected accordingly.
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More than 100 hostages have been rescued from a hotel in Burkina Faso where al-Qaeda attack left at least 23 people dead.

Two women were among the militants who stormed the four-star Splendid Hotel and a nearby cafe late on Friday night, detonating bombs that set surrounding cars on fire.

Simon Compaore, the interior minister, said the siege was over by 8am local time on Saturday morning, with 126 people rescued and three attackers killed.

Burkina Faso's soldiers evacuate an injured man (3rd L) from the Splendid hotel during an attack on both the hotel and a restaurant by Al-Qaeda linked gunmen late on January 15, 2016. (AFP/Getty Images)

Troops carrying out searches at the nearby Yibi Hotel this morning found and killed a fourth attacker.

Heavy gunfire had been reported early on Saturday morning as forces from Burkina Faso, France and the US battled militants believed to be from Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) and the allied al-Murabitoun group.

Security forces re-taking the hotel found it was rigged with explosives, slowing their process.

What's making our job more difficult is that they've rigged the access to the upper floors, the Burkinabe officer said.

French and US soldiers gather before launching a counter-assault on Islamist gunmen at the Splendid Hotel in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, January 16, 2016. (Reuters)

The hotel is popular with Western visitors, United Nations workers, diplomats and and French soldiers based in Burkina Faso for Operation Barkhana, which is fighting Islamist militants across the Sahel region.

A doctor who treated some of those wounded in the attack said they had told him that the attackers appeared to target Westerners and officials said the victims were from 18 different countries.

A spokesperson for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office said officials were monitoring the situation closely.

We are not aware of any British Nationals being caught up in the terrorist attack in Ouagadougou but are urgently looking into whether any have been affected," she added.

Russias Honorary Council in Burkina Faso, Anna Rachina-Kulibali, told Tass news agency the Cappuccino Cafe is owned by a Ukrainian citizen.

There are foreigners [among the dead], possibly Europeans and locals, she added.

Paramedics tend to a wounded man in the surrounding of the hotel Splendide and the cafe Cappuccino during the attack on January 15, 2016. (AFP/Getty Images)

At least 10 bodies were found in the Cappuccino Cafe, next to the hotel in Ouagadougou, and there were fears the death toll would rise as security forces moved through the building.

Three jihadists were killed. They were an Arab and two black Africans, Mr Compaore told Reuters, adding that 33 hostages had been wounded.

Dozens of French forces arrived overnight from neighbouring Mali to aid the rescue, while at least one US military member was at the scene and the American military was giving surveillance and reconnaissance help.

We know that the gunmen won't get out of the hotel alive, said one witness, who gave only his first name, Gilbert. Our country is not for jihadists or terrorists. They got it wrong.

AQIM claimed responsibility as the gun battles continued, posting a message in Arabic on its Muslim Africa Telegram account.

It said fighters had broke into a restaurant of one of the biggest hotels in the capital of Burkina Faso, and are now entrenched and the clashes are continuing with the enemies of the religion.

Burkina Faso hotel attack - in pictures Show all 10 1 /10 Burkina Faso hotel attack - in pictures Burkina Faso hotel attack - in pictures Burkina Faso attack Vehicles burn outside the Splendid Hotel Reuters Burkina Faso hotel attack - in pictures Burkina Faso attack The scene of an attack on a hotel, in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso AP Television Burkina Faso hotel attack - in pictures Burkina Faso attack Burkina Faso soldiers evacuate an injured man (3rd L) from the Splendid hotel during an attack on both the hotel and a restaurant by Al-Qaeda linked gunmen late on January 15, 2016. AFP/Getty Images Burkina Faso hotel attack - in pictures Burkina Faso attack French troops gather by the Labour Ministry building in the surroundings of the Splendid hotel during an attack on both the hotel and a restaurant by Al-Qaeda linked gunmen on January 15, 2016. AFP/Getty Images Burkina Faso hotel attack - in pictures Burkina Faso attack French soldiers take position in the surroundings of the Splendid hotel and a restaurant during an attack on both the hotel and restaurant by Al-Qaeda linked gunmen early on January 16, 2016. AFP/Getty Images Burkina Faso hotel attack - in pictures Burkina Faso attack Paramedics tend to a wounded man in the surrounding of the hotel Splendide and the cafe Cappuccino during the attack on January 15, 2016. AFP/Getty Images Burkina Faso hotel attack - in pictures Burkina Faso attack French first responders tend to wounded people in the surrounding of the hotel Splendide and the cafE Cappuccino during the attack on January 15, 2016. AFP/Getty Images Burkina Faso hotel attack - in pictures Burkina Faso attack A Burkinabe soldier looks out from behind a wall before A counter-assault on Islamist gunmen at the Splendid Hotel in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, January 16, 2016. Reuters Burkina Faso hotel attack - in pictures Burkina Faso attack Army forces drive near Hotel Splendid where the attackers remain with sporadic gunfire continuing in Burkina Faso's capital Ouagadougou on Jnauary 15, 2016. AFP/Getty Images Burkina Faso hotel attack - in pictures Burkina Faso attack French and US soldiers gather before launching a counter-assault on Islamist gunmen at the Splendid Hotel in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, January 16, 2016. Reuters

Fighters who spoke by phone later "asserted the fall of many dead Crusaders," AQIM said, according to the SITE intelligence group.

Burkina Faso, a Muslim-majority nation in West Africa, saw a rise in violence in April when a Romanian citizen was kidnapped in an attack similar to those carried out by Islamist militants in neighbouring Mali and Niger.

The country also has been in growing political turmoil since its president of 27 years was ousted in a popular uprising in late 2014, followed by a military coup in September last year.

A transitional government returned to power until Burkina Faso's November election ushered in new leaders.

Friday's violence mirrored AQIMs attack on the Radisson Blu hotel in Mali in November that left 20 people dead after a seven-hour siege stopped by Malian troops backed by French and American special forces.

Additional reporting by AP
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A Georgia psychiatrist dubbed Dr Death by police has been arrested on suspicion of over-prescribing prescription medication, after 36 of his patients died.

Twelve of the 36 patients who reportedly died under the care of Dr. Narendra Nagareddy suffered fatal overdoses of prescribed medication.

Clayton County police chief Mike Register told WSB-TV Channel 2 News: He's a psychiatrist in Jonesboro who has been overprescribing opiates and benzodiazepine, and the last several years has had a multitude of overdoses and overdose deaths.

People come to this person for help, and instead of getting help, they're met with deadly consequences.

If the allegations are true, he is Dr. Death, no doubt about it.

Among the patients who died following treatment by the psychiatrist is 29-year-old mum-of-two Audrey Austin, who suffered a fatal overdose of prescription medication just days after visiting the psychiatrist in February 2014.

It is believed the psychiatrists arrest came about due to the death of Miss Austin.

Dr Nagareddy has allegedly also received several complaints regarding the prescription of medication, since gaining his licence in 1999.

However, it is not thought that there are currently any medical malpractice suits or settlements against the psychiatrist, who denies the charges against him.
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A group of black pastors who are angry about police violence in Chicago have boycotted an annual breakfast with the local Mayor to commemorate Martin Luther King.

Protestors and a handful of religious leaders entered the Hyatt Hotel and tried to get into the room where the breakfast was being held but security staff led them back outside.

They called for Mayor Rahm Emanuel to step down. One protestor shouted 16 shots! to express the groups anger and frustration over the case of Laquan McDonald, the 17-year-old who was killed by the police in October 2014.

The protest comes after the police released new footage that shows white policeman Jason Van Dyke shooting black teenager Mr McDonald as he walked away from him.

The police has also released a video of the fatal shooting of Cedrick Chatman in January 2013, which shows that, contrary to police statements, Mr Chatman did not point a dark object at them.

According to ABC 7 Chicago, 70 pastors decided to boycott the breakfast with the Mayor.

This boycott is not in opposition to Harold Washington nor Martin Luther King Jr. This boycott stands for the very cause that they stood for, it was through protesting that achievement was made. To sit by and do nothing is to endorse what is going on, said Bishop Edgar Mullins, pastor of Grace Family Worship Center church, as reported by Reuters.

The first Martin Luther King commemoration breakfast was held 31 years ago in Washington.

A wave of protests over the killing of Mr McDonald led Mayor Emanuel to fire his police chief and accept an investigation into the police department. Policeman Jason van Dyke has been charged with first-degree murder.

Mayor Emanuel apologized for the shooting of Mr McDonald in December at a special City Council meeting and said police officers were too quick to shoot.
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In the city of Flint, Michigan, water runs an ominous brown colour as the city suffers through a water crisis.

Residents are barred from drinking - or even cooking - with the water, because it contains poisonously high levels of lead.

A photo by photojournalist Jake May from The Flint Journal, taken during a protest in front of Michigan Governor Rick Snyder's office on Thursday and later shared on Reddit, shows the dark colour of the water.

Other pictures of the colour of the water have been shared on social media.

Locals are forced to fetch bottled water from wherever they can find it.

On Thursday, around 200 people called for the resignation of governor Rick Snyder outside Flint City Hall, the Detroit Free Press reports.

The city's drinking water became contaminated it switched from water coming from Detroit to its own river in April 2014, because Detroit water had been too expensive.

However, nothing was done to address the corrosive properties of Flint River water, which began scouring the city's mostly lead-based network of service pipes, exposing the city to lead poisoning.

A year and a half later, researchers found the proportion of children with above-average lead levels in their blood had doubled, according to the Washington Post.

The city has now been reconnected to the Detroit supply supply, but it may be another year before the water is safe to drink again.
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The subject line said "Bomb," and the email  sent to more than 600 current and former students at one of the District's best-regarded charter schools  appeared to come from a Muslim students account.

But the message was in fact written by two pranksters, school officials said. The two boys, both high school seniors at high-performing Washington Latin Public Charter School, were expelled for threatening violence, said Head of School Martha Cutts.

"I was never really worried that it was a real threat, but you have to obviously take those things very seriously," Ms Cutts said. "It can be very unsettling for students to open an email and read that."

The email was sent on Wednesday, and it was short: "Friday there will be big boom."

Terror attacks in San Bernardino, California, and Paris have put many schools on edge. Several Boston-area schools were evacuated on Friday after receiving bomb threats via telephone, Reuters reported. In December, an emailed threat of violence prompted Los Angeles Unified  the United States' second-largest school district  to take the unprecedented step of shuttering schools for all 650,000 of its students. Later that month, a much smaller district in Nashua, New Hampshire, cancelled classes for the same reason.

The incident at Washington Latin was a case not of hacking but of opportunistic identity fraud, Cutts said. A pair of students opened a laptop during class time and discovered that a previous user  a student who happened to be Muslim  had failed to sign out of his school email account. They sent the short email to students in grades eight and above, as well as two classes of alumni, Ms Cutts said.

Potential mischief-makers, take note: School administrators quickly were able to figure out which laptop had sent the message and where that laptop was located when the email was sent. Armed with that information, it was not difficult to figure out who was to blame.

The Muslim student is fine, Ms Cutts said, and received a lot of support from other students.

Ibrahim Hooper, spokesman for the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), said CAIR has seen an increase in bullying of Muslim students in recent years. He said the email should be considered anti-Muslim bullying and a hate crime.

Its based on the overall atmosphere of Islamophobia in our society, Hooper said. If the students werent hearing and seeing this kind of anti-Muslim sentiment in their daily lives, they wouldnt have even thought to use a Muslim students email account to send a bomb threat.

 Obama: anti-Muslim rhetoric is just wrong

He said anti-Muslim incidents have spiked since the Paris and San Bernardino attacks. He blamed the anti-Muslim rhetoric of Donald Trump and other politicians that he said have helped make Islamophobia part of mainstream culture.

Its been a really bad few months, he said.

World news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 World news in pictures World news in pictures 30 September 2020 Pope Francis prays with priests at the end of a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 29 September 2020 A girl's silhouette is seen from behind a fabric in a tent along a beach by Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 September 2020 A Chinese woman takes a photo of herself in front of a flower display dedicated to frontline health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Beijing, China. China will celebrate national day marking the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1st Getty World news in pictures 27 September 2020 The Glass Mountain Inn burns as the Glass Fire moves through the area in St. Helena, California. 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. Tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters massed close to Thailand's royal palace, in a huge rally calling for PM Prayut Chan-O-Cha to step down and demanding reforms to the monarchy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 September 2020 Supporters of Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr maintain social distancing as they attend Friday prayers after the coronavirus disease restrictions were eased, in Kufa mosque, near Najaf, Iraq Reuters World news in pictures 17 September 2020 A protester climbs on The Triumph of the Republic at 'the Place de la Nation' as thousands of protesters take part in a demonstration during a national day strike called by labor unions asking for better salary and against jobs cut in Paris, France EPA World news in pictures 16 September 2020 A fire raging near the Lazzaretto of Ancona in Italy. The huge blaze broke out overnight at the port of Ancona. Firefighters have brought the fire under control but they expected to keep working through the day EPA World news in pictures 15 September 2020 Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny posing for a selfie with his family at Berlin's Charite hospital. In an Instagram post he said he could now breathe independently following his suspected poisoning last month Alexei Navalny/Instagram/AFP World news in pictures 14 September 2020 Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba and former Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida celebrate after Suga was elected as new head of the ruling party at the Liberal Democratic Party's leadership election in Tokyo Reuters World news in pictures 13 September 2020 A man stands behind a burning barricade during the fifth straight day of protests against police brutality in Bogota AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 September 2020 Police officers block and detain protesters during an opposition rally to protest the official presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus. Daily protests calling for the authoritarian president's resignation are now in their second month AP World news in pictures 11 September 2020 Members of 'Omnium Cultural' celebrate the 20th 'Festa per la llibertat' ('Fiesta for the freedom') to mark the Day of Catalonia in Barcelona. Omnion Cultural fights for the independence of Catalonia EPA World news in pictures 10 September 2020 The Moria refugee camp, two days after Greece's biggest migrant camp, was destroyed by fire. Thousands of asylum seekers on the island of Lesbos are now homeless AFP via Getty World news in pictures 9 September 2020 Pope Francis takes off his face mask as he arrives by car to hold a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 8 September 2020 A home is engulfed in flames during the "Creek Fire" in the Tollhouse area of California AFP via Getty World news in pictures 7 September 2020 A couple take photos along a sea wall of the waves brought by Typhoon Haishen in the eastern port city of Sokcho AFP via Getty World news in pictures 6 September 2020 Novak Djokovic and a tournament official tends to a linesperson who was struck with a ball by Djokovic during his match against Pablo Carreno Busta at the US Open USA Today Sports/Reuters World news in pictures 5 September 2020 Protesters confront police at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne, Australia, during an anti-lockdown rally AFP via Getty World news in pictures 4 September 2020 A woman looks on from a rooftop as rescue workers dig through the rubble of a damaged building in Beirut. A search began for possible survivors after a scanner detected a pulse one month after the mega-blast at the adjacent port AFP via Getty World news in pictures 3 September 2020 A full moon next to the Virgen del Panecillo statue in Quito, Ecuador EPA World news in pictures 2 September 2020 A Palestinian woman reacts as Israeli forces demolish her animal shed near Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank Reuters World news in pictures 1 September 2020 Students protest against presidential elections results in Minsk TUT.BY/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 31 August 2020 The pack rides during the 3rd stage of the Tour de France between Nice and Sisteron AFP via Getty World news in pictures 30 August 2020 Law enforcement officers block a street during a rally of opposition supporters protesting against presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus Reuters World news in pictures 29 August 2020 A woman holding a placard reading "Stop Censorship - Yes to the Freedom of Expression" shouts in a megaphone during a protest against the mandatory wearing of face masks in Paris. Masks, which were already compulsory on public transport, in enclosed public spaces, and outdoors in Paris in certain high-congestion areas around tourist sites, were made mandatory outdoors citywide on August 28 to fight the rising coronavirus infections AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 August 2020 Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe bows to the national flag at the start of a press conference at the prime minister official residence in Tokyo. Abe announced he will resign over health problems, in a bombshell development that kicks off a leadership contest in the world's third-largest economy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 27 August 2020 Residents take cover behind a tree trunk from rubber bullets fired by South African Police Service (SAPS) in Eldorado Park, near Johannesburg, during a protest by community members after a 16-year old boy was reported dead AFP via Getty World news in pictures 26 August 2020 People scatter rose petals on a statue of Mother Teresa marking her 110th birth anniversary in Ahmedabad AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 August 2020 An aerial view shows beach-goers standing on salt formations in the Dead Sea near Ein Bokeq, Israel Reuters World news in pictures 24 August 2020 Health workers use a fingertip pulse oximeter and check the body temperature of a fisherwoman inside the Dharavi slum during a door-to-door Covid-19 coronavirus screening in Mumbai AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 August 2020 People carry an idol of the Hindu god Ganesh, the deity of prosperity, to immerse it off the coast of the Arabian sea during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India Reuters World news in pictures 22 August 2020 Firefighters watch as flames from the LNU Lightning Complex fires approach a home in Napa County, California AP World news in pictures 21 August 2020 Members of the Israeli security forces arrest a Palestinian demonstrator during a rally to protest against Israel's plan to annex parts of the occupied West Bank AFP via Getty World news in pictures 20 August 2020 A man pushes his bicycle through a deserted road after prohibitory orders were imposed by district officials for a week to contain the spread of the Covid-19 in Kathmandu AFP via Getty World news in pictures 19 August 2020 A car burns while parked at a residence in Vacaville, California. Dozens of fires are burning out of control throughout Northern California as fire resources are spread thin AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 August 2020 Students use their mobile phones as flashlights at an anti-government rally at Mahidol University in Nakhon Pathom. Thailand has seen near-daily protests in recent weeks by students demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha AFP via Getty World news in pictures 17 August 2020 Members of the Kayapo tribe block the BR163 highway during a protest outside Novo Progresso in Para state, Brazil. Indigenous protesters blocked a major transamazonian highway to protest against the lack of governmental support during the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic and illegal deforestation in and around their territories AFP via Getty World news in pictures 16 August 2020 Lightning forks over the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge as a storm passes over Oakland AP World news in pictures 15 August 2020 Belarus opposition supporters gather near the Pushkinskaya metro station where Alexander Taraikovsky, a 34-year-old protester died on August 10, during their protest rally in central Minsk AFP via Getty World news in pictures 14 August 2020 AlphaTauri's driver Daniil Kvyat takes part in the second practice session at the Circuit de Catalunya in Montmelo near Barcelona ahead of the Spanish F1 Grand Prix AFP via Getty World news in pictures 13 August 2020 Soldiers of the Brazilian Armed Forces during a disinfection of the Christ The Redeemer statue at the Corcovado mountain prior to the opening of the touristic attraction in Rio AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 August 2020 Young elephant bulls tussle playfully on World Elephant Day at the Amboseli National Park in Kenya AFP via Getty

The two boys were expelled, and Ms Cutts said that whenever she has had to expel a student, she speaks to the school to explain  without mentioning names  what happened and what the consequences were. "These are absolutely teachable moments," she said.

One important lesson from this particular incident? Shut down your email account when youre finished.

But the email threat also was a perfect example of the power of words and the need to use them wisely and respectfully, Ms Cutts said.

"One of the things we say at our school," Cutts said, "is words matter."

Copyright: Washington Post
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A move to ban child marriages in Pakistan has been withdrawn after meeting staunch resistance from a religious body, which branded the bill as anti-Islamic.

The ruling party politician who introduced the bill, Marvi Menon of the Pakistan Muslim League party, withdrew it after the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) dubbed the bill blasphemous.

The CII unanimously rejected the proposed Child Marriage Restraint (Amendment) Bill 2014 on "purely religious grounds", reports The Express Tribune.

CII Chairman Mohammad Khan Sheerani said the bill contradicted Islamic teachings.

He said: Parliament cannot create legislation that is against the teachings of the Holy Quran or Sunnah.

The proposed legislation recommended giving out harsher punishments to those entering a marriage with a minor, as well as raising the minimum age of marriage for women to 18-years-old.

The current minimum age for marriage is 16-years-old for women, and 18-years-old for men.

This law, stipulated in the Child Marriage Restriction Act of 1929, has been ruled by the CII as non-compliant with Islamic laws.

In May 2014, the council reiterated its earlier ruling that girls as young as nine-years-old were eligible for marriage if the signs of puberty are visible.
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Hundreds of people, including parents, have expressed their "disgust" at the invention of lifelike child sex dolls aimed at preventing paedophiles from offending.

In an interview with The Atlantic, Shin Takagi, the founder of Japanese company Trottla, which manufactures the dolls, claims they prevent paedophiles from acting on their urges and that he is "helping people express their desires, legally and ethically".

But many people are shocked by the news and condemned those who buy the dolls as sick and creepy.

Independent readers discussed the likelihood of the dolls preventing paedophiles from acting on their desires on real children.

Commenting on an earlier article about the dolls, reader John Vianny said: "Are we sure that making a crime with a doll dont push them easier to make it in the real world? [sic]

"I think it encourages it; sooner or later they wish to have a real person instead of plastic."

Another reader said the dolls existences were "truly shocking", while another thinks there will be "further development of things like these disgusting dolls".

The Mirror Online reported some of their readers said the dolls normalise a sexual attraction to children.

Several of their readers suggested paedophiles should "kill themselves", with one commenter recommending getting "a gun and one bullet load aim at your face and pull it [sic]".

Some Independent readers believe the dolls are a good idea, and that using the dolls would limit any potential harm to a child.

One said: "This Japanese company should be applauded for trying something and actualy trying to solve the problem"

Another reader who has lived in Japan, Tiko, said: "As long as a person isnt harming anyone, I think its acceptable."

Phillip Fawcett agreed, continuing the argument: "Its enlightened, its simple and its harmless.

Sinthetics sex dolls: in pictures Show all 20 1 /20 Sinthetics sex dolls: in pictures Sinthetics sex dolls: in pictures Sinthetics sex dolls 'Gabriel' doll Sinthetics Sinthetics sex dolls: in pictures Sinthetics sex dolls 'Celestine' doll Sinthetics Sinthetics sex dolls: in pictures Sinthetics sex dolls 'Gabriel' doll body Sinthetics Sinthetics sex dolls: in pictures Sinthetics sex dolls 'William' doll Sinthetics Sinthetics sex dolls: in pictures Sinthetics sex dolls 'Alicia' doll Sinthetics Sinthetics sex dolls: in pictures Sinthetics sex dolls Sinthetics feet Sinthetics Sinthetics sex dolls: in pictures Sinthetics sex dolls 'Kimiko' doll Sinthetics Sinthetics sex dolls: in pictures Sinthetics sex dolls Arm hair on Sinthetics doll Sinthetics Sinthetics sex dolls: in pictures Sinthetics sex dolls Sinthetics Sinthetics sex dolls: in pictures Sinthetics sex dolls 'Monique' and 'Honey' dolls Sinthetics Sinthetics sex dolls: in pictures Sinthetics sex dolls 'Lara' doll Sinthetics Sinthetics sex dolls: in pictures Sinthetics sex dolls 'Willow' doll Sinthetics Sinthetics sex dolls: in pictures Sinthetics sex dolls 'Tasha' doll Sinthetics Sinthetics sex dolls: in pictures Sinthetics sex dolls 'William' doll Sinthetics Sinthetics sex dolls: in pictures Sinthetics sex dolls 'Kimiko' doll Sinthetics Sinthetics sex dolls: in pictures Sinthetics sex dolls 'Celeste' doll Sinthetics Sinthetics sex dolls: in pictures Sinthetics sex dolls 'Celeste' doll Sinthetics Sinthetics sex dolls: in pictures Sinthetics sex dolls 'Monique' doll Sinthetics Sinthetics sex dolls: in pictures Sinthetics sex dolls 'Gabriel' doll Sinthetics Sinthetics sex dolls: in pictures Sinthetics sex dolls 'Celeste' doll Sinthetics

"If you want to ban such dolls, then by the same token you need to ban any movie that depicts violence or rape, since they are also created for the dark side of human imagination."

Mr Takagi, who believes the dolls save children from sexual abuse, said he receives letters from buyers thanking him for creating the dolls, as it helps them "keep from committing a crime".

Treatments for paedophilia include cognitive-behavioural therapy and chemical castration, but an analysis by the Mayo Clinic found these treatments "do not change the paedophiles basic sexual orientation towards children".
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Taiwans ruling party has conceded defeat in the island's presidential elections, meaning opposition leader Tsai Ing-wen will become the islands first woman president.

By 7 pm local time (11am GMT), Ms Tsai, head of the opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), had recorded more than 4,655,000 votes, far ahead of Eric Chu of the ruling Nationalists or Kuomintang (KMT) with some 2,614,000 votes.

The KMTs eight years in power have seen warming ties with China but a slowing economy, and the result raises the prospect of a new era of uncertainty in ties with China.

Chu announced his resignation as KMT chairman.

Even before polls closed, China reaffirmed its opposition to independence for the island that it still regards as a renegade province. Incredibly, Ms Tsai's name was blocked on

We wont interfere in Taiwans elections. What we are concerned about is the cross-strait relationship, a spokesman for China's Taiwan Affairs Office said, according to Chinese state media.

On the surface, this is an election all about current President Ma Ying-Jeous failure to breathe life back into one of Asias former economic tigers. But dig a little deeper, and this is a vote that sees Taiwan finding its feet after two decades as a democracy, and reimagining itself as a nation quite separate from its communist big brother across the Taiwan Strait.

For eight years, Mr Ma and the KMT had promised that improved ties with China would help to rescue Taiwans ailing economy but has failed to deliver on that promise: Closer integration has indeed helped trade and tourism to boom, but Mr Mas open door policy has benefitted business tycoons more than ordinary people. The economy as a whole is thought to have barely expanded by 1 per cent last year.

Wealth inequality increased while the KMT was in office, 38-year-old engineer Wang Wei-min said after voting, his eight-month-old daughter sleeping in a baby carrier on his chest and his wife at his side. I want my daughter to grow up in a society of freedom and opportunity, where resources are not cornered by the wealthy.

With Mr Ma constitutionally barred from standing again, the KMT is fielding its 54-year-old US-educated chairman Eric Chu, but is sticking to a broadly similar script.

Ms Tsai, by contrast, focused her campaign resolutely on domestic concerns, employment and housing, modernizing the economy, and forming a government that is closer to the people.

World news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 World news in pictures World news in pictures 30 September 2020 Pope Francis prays with priests at the end of a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 29 September 2020 A girl's silhouette is seen from behind a fabric in a tent along a beach by Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 September 2020 A Chinese woman takes a photo of herself in front of a flower display dedicated to frontline health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Beijing, China. China will celebrate national day marking the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1st Getty World news in pictures 27 September 2020 The Glass Mountain Inn burns as the Glass Fire moves through the area in St. Helena, California. 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. Tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters massed close to Thailand's royal palace, in a huge rally calling for PM Prayut Chan-O-Cha to step down and demanding reforms to the monarchy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 September 2020 Supporters of Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr maintain social distancing as they attend Friday prayers after the coronavirus disease restrictions were eased, in Kufa mosque, near Najaf, Iraq Reuters World news in pictures 17 September 2020 A protester climbs on The Triumph of the Republic at 'the Place de la Nation' as thousands of protesters take part in a demonstration during a national day strike called by labor unions asking for better salary and against jobs cut in Paris, France EPA World news in pictures 16 September 2020 A fire raging near the Lazzaretto of Ancona in Italy. The huge blaze broke out overnight at the port of Ancona. Firefighters have brought the fire under control but they expected to keep working through the day EPA World news in pictures 15 September 2020 Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny posing for a selfie with his family at Berlin's Charite hospital. In an Instagram post he said he could now breathe independently following his suspected poisoning last month Alexei Navalny/Instagram/AFP World news in pictures 14 September 2020 Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba and former Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida celebrate after Suga was elected as new head of the ruling party at the Liberal Democratic Party's leadership election in Tokyo Reuters World news in pictures 13 September 2020 A man stands behind a burning barricade during the fifth straight day of protests against police brutality in Bogota AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 September 2020 Police officers block and detain protesters during an opposition rally to protest the official presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus. Daily protests calling for the authoritarian president's resignation are now in their second month AP World news in pictures 11 September 2020 Members of 'Omnium Cultural' celebrate the 20th 'Festa per la llibertat' ('Fiesta for the freedom') to mark the Day of Catalonia in Barcelona. Omnion Cultural fights for the independence of Catalonia EPA World news in pictures 10 September 2020 The Moria refugee camp, two days after Greece's biggest migrant camp, was destroyed by fire. Thousands of asylum seekers on the island of Lesbos are now homeless AFP via Getty World news in pictures 9 September 2020 Pope Francis takes off his face mask as he arrives by car to hold a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 8 September 2020 A home is engulfed in flames during the "Creek Fire" in the Tollhouse area of California AFP via Getty World news in pictures 7 September 2020 A couple take photos along a sea wall of the waves brought by Typhoon Haishen in the eastern port city of Sokcho AFP via Getty World news in pictures 6 September 2020 Novak Djokovic and a tournament official tends to a linesperson who was struck with a ball by Djokovic during his match against Pablo Carreno Busta at the US Open USA Today Sports/Reuters World news in pictures 5 September 2020 Protesters confront police at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne, Australia, during an anti-lockdown rally AFP via Getty World news in pictures 4 September 2020 A woman looks on from a rooftop as rescue workers dig through the rubble of a damaged building in Beirut. A search began for possible survivors after a scanner detected a pulse one month after the mega-blast at the adjacent port AFP via Getty World news in pictures 3 September 2020 A full moon next to the Virgen del Panecillo statue in Quito, Ecuador EPA World news in pictures 2 September 2020 A Palestinian woman reacts as Israeli forces demolish her animal shed near Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank Reuters World news in pictures 1 September 2020 Students protest against presidential elections results in Minsk TUT.BY/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 31 August 2020 The pack rides during the 3rd stage of the Tour de France between Nice and Sisteron AFP via Getty World news in pictures 30 August 2020 Law enforcement officers block a street during a rally of opposition supporters protesting against presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus Reuters World news in pictures 29 August 2020 A woman holding a placard reading "Stop Censorship - Yes to the Freedom of Expression" shouts in a megaphone during a protest against the mandatory wearing of face masks in Paris. Masks, which were already compulsory on public transport, in enclosed public spaces, and outdoors in Paris in certain high-congestion areas around tourist sites, were made mandatory outdoors citywide on August 28 to fight the rising coronavirus infections AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 August 2020 Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe bows to the national flag at the start of a press conference at the prime minister official residence in Tokyo. Abe announced he will resign over health problems, in a bombshell development that kicks off a leadership contest in the world's third-largest economy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 27 August 2020 Residents take cover behind a tree trunk from rubber bullets fired by South African Police Service (SAPS) in Eldorado Park, near Johannesburg, during a protest by community members after a 16-year old boy was reported dead AFP via Getty World news in pictures 26 August 2020 People scatter rose petals on a statue of Mother Teresa marking her 110th birth anniversary in Ahmedabad AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 August 2020 An aerial view shows beach-goers standing on salt formations in the Dead Sea near Ein Bokeq, Israel Reuters World news in pictures 24 August 2020 Health workers use a fingertip pulse oximeter and check the body temperature of a fisherwoman inside the Dharavi slum during a door-to-door Covid-19 coronavirus screening in Mumbai AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 August 2020 People carry an idol of the Hindu god Ganesh, the deity of prosperity, to immerse it off the coast of the Arabian sea during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India Reuters World news in pictures 22 August 2020 Firefighters watch as flames from the LNU Lightning Complex fires approach a home in Napa County, California AP World news in pictures 21 August 2020 Members of the Israeli security forces arrest a Palestinian demonstrator during a rally to protest against Israel's plan to annex parts of the occupied West Bank AFP via Getty World news in pictures 20 August 2020 A man pushes his bicycle through a deserted road after prohibitory orders were imposed by district officials for a week to contain the spread of the Covid-19 in Kathmandu AFP via Getty World news in pictures 19 August 2020 A car burns while parked at a residence in Vacaville, California. Dozens of fires are burning out of control throughout Northern California as fire resources are spread thin AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 August 2020 Students use their mobile phones as flashlights at an anti-government rally at Mahidol University in Nakhon Pathom. Thailand has seen near-daily protests in recent weeks by students demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha AFP via Getty World news in pictures 17 August 2020 Members of the Kayapo tribe block the BR163 highway during a protest outside Novo Progresso in Para state, Brazil. Indigenous protesters blocked a major transamazonian highway to protest against the lack of governmental support during the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic and illegal deforestation in and around their territories AFP via Getty World news in pictures 16 August 2020 Lightning forks over the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge as a storm passes over Oakland AP World news in pictures 15 August 2020 Belarus opposition supporters gather near the Pushkinskaya metro station where Alexander Taraikovsky, a 34-year-old protester died on August 10, during their protest rally in central Minsk AFP via Getty World news in pictures 14 August 2020 AlphaTauri's driver Daniil Kvyat takes part in the second practice session at the Circuit de Catalunya in Montmelo near Barcelona ahead of the Spanish F1 Grand Prix AFP via Getty World news in pictures 13 August 2020 Soldiers of the Brazilian Armed Forces during a disinfection of the Christ The Redeemer statue at the Corcovado mountain prior to the opening of the touristic attraction in Rio AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 August 2020 Young elephant bulls tussle playfully on World Elephant Day at the Amboseli National Park in Kenya AFP via Getty

This election is not about beating anyone, it is about beating the difficulties this country is facing, Ms Tsai told thousands of cheering, flag-waving supporters at her final campaign rally on Friday night. We are only one step away from a new era.

If Im elected president, Ill make peoples voice the foundation of policymaking, she added. Democracy is not just an election, it is our daily life.

Yet even if Tsai did not mention China in her closing speech, Taiwans powerful neighbour still looms like a shadow over this election.

Beijing still views Taiwan as part of its territory and threatens to use force if it ever declares independence. It has found a degree of accommodation with the KMT after both sides agreed, in 1992, on the idea that there was one China, even though they disagree on who the nations rightful rulers are. That is known as the 1992 consensus.

Today, the Chinese official said the 1992 consensus and opposition to independence formed the basis for peaceful development. That foundation should be safeguarded and valued, he said.

Ms Tsai insists she wants good relations with China, and stresses the need for communication. However, she wants to maintain the status quo of de facto independence, and has refused to endorse the one China principle  because that would mean renouncing any possibility of eventual, formal independence.

How Beijing would react to a Tsai presidency is one of the big unanswered questions going into Saturdays vote, and it is question the KMT has tried to ruthlessly exploit, warning of chaos and catastrophe, of economic fallout and security risks if Tsai should win.

The KMTs Mr Chu made a last appeal Friday for voters to make a wise decision. I believe that both sides of the Taiwan Strait, the United States and the whole world are looking for a peaceful relationship between Taiwan and China. My election can give everyone confidence.

Voting at a polling booth set up beside of a Catholic Church on Saturday, 48-year-old baker James Chu agreed. Tsai hasnt explained how shell deal with the question of Taiwans independence, he said. If Taiwan wants development, it must cooperate with China, but that conflicts with her partys principles.

Yet most other voters dont seem swayed by that argument. Thats partly because many had grown uncomfortable with Taiwans growing dependence on China under Ma, partly because they trust Tsai to handle cross-strait relations sensibly, but also because her likely victory would reflect a fundamental shift in the way Taiwanese people think of themselves, experts say.

I care more about domestic affairs than I do about cross-strait relations, said engineer Wang. I believe Tsai can do a better job for Taiwans domestic affairs.

More and more, the people of this island think of themselves not as Chinese people, nor even so much as both Taiwanese and Chinese, but as exclusively Taiwanese, polls show.

It is a process that really got underway after Taiwan became a democracy, and that has accelerated as ties with China have blossomed under Mr Mas presidency.

The more contact people have had with China, the more they feel: Chinas great, but its just not us,  said Nathan Batto, an assistant research fellow at Academia Sinica in Taipei.

At the root of this shift lies the two nations very different histories in the 20th century, their different cultures and fundamentally different political systems, Batto said.

Democracy is a core part of Taiwans political identity now, he said.

At Ms Tsais rally, some openly declared their desire for an independent homeland, like 40-year-old white-collar worker Celine Chen. I want the whole world to know that we are Taiwan, we are not China, she said.

Yet others prefer the middle ground that Ms Tsai has so far chalked out.

Tsai is an intelligent woman, said Gine Shuen, a 37-year-old teacher. Although she is the leader of the DPP, she doesnt insist on separating Taiwan from China, nor on making Taiwan too close to China. She keeps an open mind, wants communication and has a tolerant attitude, which is the best way to deal with the cross-strait relationship.
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In the last days of campaigning in Taiwans presidential election, questions of war and peace were never far from the candidates minds.

If [you] dont vote for the nationalists, the future is really uncertain, President Ma Ying-jeou said in his final campaign speech. Our policy is aiming for peace and stability. We can assure everyone that there wont be a war across the Strait. Tsai Ing-wen, the candidate for the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), who is forecast to win with a substantial majority, also directed attention to the theme. All countries must work hard together, she said ahead of todays election, to maintain peace in the Taiwan Strait.

War across the Taiwan Strait? Is that something we should worry about?

Well, maybe. The problem is that, although the Republic of China (Taiwan) and the Peoples Republic of China (China) have been ruled as two countries with two systems since Chiang Kai-sheks Kuomintang fled to the island at the end of the civil war, it is a reality that Beijing has never accepted. Reunification has always been the goal.

One understands why. In its attempt to right the wrongs of the century of shame, when Chinese territory was carved up by the colonial powers, Beijing has had no hesitation in appropriating entire regions, notably Tibet, where its historic claims are seemingly as persuasive as Americas claim to the Moon. So why would it finesse a claim to Taiwan, where 98 per cent of the population is ethnically Chinese?

Yet, its a claim  or, to put it more accurately, a threat  about which the 23 million people of Taiwan are ever more leery.

The reason may strike us in Britain as odd. After all, its only a few months since the PRCs President Xi Jinping was riding down the Mall with the Queen, and George Osborne was imploring the communist Chinese government, Lets stick together and make a golden decade for both our countries.

But in Taiwan they see these things very differently. Sticking together, the policy of the Kuomintang (nationalist) President Ma Ying-jeou over the past seven years, has put Taiwan in the doldrums: this year, GDP growth is expected to be less than 1 per cent. Youth unemployment is soaring. The brightest of the young are voting with their feet, fleeing abroad for work  ironically, many find better opportunities in mainland China itself. The Chinese behemoth may be slowing down, but Taiwan got there before it. Taiwans dilemma is reminiscent of that of countries such as Czechoslovakia and Hungary in the late 1980s, as the Soviet Union, already on the skids, kept its Warsaw Pact satellites clasped firmly to its capacious bosom.

Taiwans problem is that, because the US  and, indeed, practically the whole world  kowtows to Chinas One China claim over the island, its freedom of action is strictly limited. Nearly 40 per cent of trade is with the mainland, as is two-thirds of foreign investment.

Beijings policy over the seven years of President Mas rule has been one of ever-closer union, with successive trade deals and the lifting of travel bans. But, with the shrivelling of economic growth in recent years, the charm of the Chinese embrace has faded. Instead, its the menace and the intimidation that are resented.

Taiwan has been a functioning democracy only for the past 20 years, but it is immensely proud of the achievement and conscious of how that marks it off from the mainland. It paid keen attention to the brave but fruitless mass struggle of the people of Hong Kong to wrest the right to choose their own candidates from Beijing.

Like Hongkongers, the Taiwanese watch in consternation as rowdy crocodiles of mainland tourists tramp across their beauty spots. They pay close attention to Beijings ever more arrogant assertions of hegemony over its neighbourhood, with its claim to almost the entire extent of the South China Sea. And they note that, throughout the years of growing concord under Kuomintang rule, Beijing has taken no steps to remove the 700 or so missiles permanently pointed at the island.

All of these pressures and resentments underline the DPP juggernaut, which promises to give Tsai Ing-wen, a lawyer trained in the US and at LSE, a formidable mandate.

People familiar with her emphasise her cautious, ultra-prudent style. Not long ago, she touted Margaret Thatcher as her favoured role model. Noting how poorly that went down with young Taiwanese  as well, no doubt, with Beijing  she prefers these days to compare herself to Angela Merkel. Stability and prudence are her favoured themes.

We want to maintain the status quo, her senior party colleague Joseph Wu said this week  in other words, to avoid antagonising Beijing to the extent that tensions between the two Chinas rise. But, as he went on to say, We want to maintain the democratic way of life.

As mainland China falters, Taiwan is increasingly eager to shake off its embrace. But the dangers are plain. A former engineer and a DPP supporter in the south, 60-year-old How Chang-cheng, put it like this: China talks about resolving the tensions, but they are still pointing 700 missiles towards us. One could come flying over any time. We must try to protect our democracy. China will try to take it away from us. But if we step over the red line, there could be war. Maybe thats why we need someone calmer, like Tsai. Maybe she can make a difference.
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An American woman has told how she was rescued from being sexually assaulted on New Years Eve in Cologne by a group of Syrian refugees.

Caitlin Duncan, a neuroscience student from Seattle, told the New York Times she had become separated from her boyfriend in the crowded square outside the citys famous cathedral and main railway station.

She described a man stealing her hat before another grabbed her from behind, searching through her pockets and a third man tried to kiss her face and neck.

 Cologne victims speak

The 27-year-old escaped and attempted to complain to police but they were busy trying to clear the square and shoved her back into the crowd, where another group of men started groping her and pulling her hair.

I went into a kind of fighting mode, and kicked and hit and pushed until I got away, she said. I was getting really scared.

That was when she was approached by a group of Syrian refugees offering help.

They formed a protective cordon around Ms Duncan to help her through the crowd, offered to phone her boyfriend and searched for him with her when she could not remember his number.

Police guard the area around the cathedral in Cologne after reports of attacks on men of North African or Arab appearance, in retaliation for the New Years Eve sex assaults (EPA)

The couple were eventually reunited inside the railway station, with Ms Duncan crying in relief.

Among the group was Hesham Ahmad Mohammad, a 32-year-old primary school teacher who fled Aleppo and was celebrating New Years Eve in Cologne with other Syrian friends who have recently arrived in Germany.

He told the New York Times he was also frightened by the groups committing the attacks, saying they had lost their minds on drink and drugs.

We keep hearing news about refugees all day: They are bad people, they must go back to their home,  he said.

When I hear that in the news, I am sad. Because we know that there were bad boys and bad people. But the good people, nobody speaks about them.

Germany reacts to Cologne New Year's Eve attacks Show all 13 1 /13 Germany reacts to Cologne New Year's Eve attacks Germany reacts to Cologne New Year's Eve attacks Women protest against sexism outside Cologne Cathedral on 5 January after the assaults Oliver Berg/EPA Germany reacts to Cologne New Year's Eve attacks Women protest against sexism in Cologne following the rash of sex attacks on New Year's Eve Wolfgang Rattay/Reuters Germany reacts to Cologne New Year's Eve attacks Police initially failed to mention the assaults in report the following morning EPA Germany reacts to Cologne New Year's Eve attacks Police officers patrol in front of the main station of Cologne, Germany AP Germany reacts to Cologne New Year's Eve attacks German far-right supporters demonstrate at Cologne`s train station (Reuters) Reuters Germany reacts to Cologne New Year's Eve attacks Supporters of anti-immigration right-wing movement Pegida in Cologne, Germany, January 9, 2016. Reuters Germany reacts to Cologne New Year's Eve attacks Police used pepper spray to control supporters of Pegida, Hogesa (Hooligans against Salafists) and other right-wing populist groups as they protested against the New Year's Eve sex attacks on 9 January, 2016 in Cologne, Germany Reuters Germany reacts to Cologne New Year's Eve attacks Police use a water cannon during a protest march by supporters of anti-immigration right-wing movement Pegida in Cologne, Germany, January 9, 2016 Reuters Germany reacts to Cologne New Year's Eve attacks Police use pepper spray against supporters of anti-immigration right-wing movement Pegida, in Cologne, Germany, January 9, 2016. Reuters Germany reacts to Cologne New Year's Eve attacks Artist Mira Moire protests naked in Cologne against the mass sex attacks on New Year's Eve AP Germany reacts to Cologne New Year's Eve attacks A demonstrator holds a sign in German that reads 'No violence against women' during a demonstration in the wake of the sexual assaults on New Year's Eve, outside the cathedeal in Cologne, Germany, 09 January 2016. EPA Germany reacts to Cologne New Year's Eve attacks Counter demonstrators hold up a sign reading "Against sexism, against racism" as they protest against a demonstration of the islamophobic movement PEGIDA at the train station in Cologne, Germany, on January 9, 2016. AFP/Getty Images Germany reacts to Cologne New Year's Eve attacks Demonstration by a womens group on Saturday (AP) AP

Ms Duncan said she and Mr Mohammad are now friends and speak regularly, adding: In the end it turned out really well.

Police said asylum seekers were among up to 1,000 drunken men mostly of Arab of North African origin responsible for the attacks, sparking a wave of anti-refugee protests and revenge attacks across Germany.

Opinion polls show support for taking in current levels of migrants has declined in the fortnight since the assaults, while Angela Merkel has already vowed to review asylum rules and make it easier to deport foreign criminals.

A total of 751 people have filed 676 criminal complaints relating to the New Years Eve in Cologne, including 347 allegations of sexual assault.

Out of 19 main suspects being investigated, 10 are asylum seekers, and the hunt for perpetrators continues.

Police have put up appeals for information in Arabic and German in all refugee accommodation in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia.

Rewards are being offered for anything leading to arrests for sexual offences, the poster says, describing groups of young men approaching victims to rob them and commit "serious sexual assaults".

Tensions continued in Germany today, with a public swimming pool in the town of Bornheim banning male asylum seekers because of sexual harassment complaints.

Businesses also reported a huge increase German sales of Tasers and pepper spray since New Years Eve.

People are afraid of refugees, manufacturer Vladimir Kupa told the Handelsblatt newspaper.

Additional reporting by agencies
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Male asylum seekers have been banned from a public swimming pool in Bornheim, Germany, after women complained that they were being harassed.

Bornheim is a small town 20 km south of Cologne, where more than 100 women were allegedly sexually assaulted by a large group of men on New Year's Eve. Many of these men were said to be asylum-seekers, and the attacks have lead to an increase in hostility towards German's large refugee population.

None of the complaints in Bornheim have involved a crime being committed, and a government spokesperson told Reuters that social workers were working with refugees in the town to improve their behaviour. But he added that men from a nearby asylum seeker centre would not be allowed into the pool until they got the message that harrassment was not acceptable.

There have been complaints of sexual harrassment and chatting-up... by groups of young men, and this has prompted some women to leave, explained Markus Schapka.

Germany is set to introduce new ID cards for refugees in February, which may help officials in Bornheim to put this ruling into practice. The decision by Bornheim officials comes as public opinion turns against the 1.1 million refugees who claimed asylum in Germany last year.

A poll published by ZDF on Friday found that 66 per cent of Germans now feel that their country will not be able to handle the current influx of asylum-seekers, up from 46 per cent in December.

Refugees settle in Germany Show all 12 1 /12 Refugees settle in Germany Refugees settle in Germany Germany Mohamed Zayat, a refugee from Syria, plays with his daughter Ranim, who is nearly 3, in the one room they and Mohamed's wife Laloosh call home at an asylum-seekers' shelter in Vossberg village on October 9, 2015 in Letschin, Germany. The Zayats arrived approximately two months ago after trekking through Turkey, Greece and the Balkans and are now waiting for local authorities to process their asylum application, after which they will be allowed to live independently and settle elsewhere in Germany. Approximately 60 asylum-seekers, mostly from Syria, Chechnya and Somalia, live at the Vossberg shelter, which is run by the Arbeiter-Samariter Bund (ASB) charity 2015 Getty Images Refugees settle in Germany Germany A refugee child Amnat Musayeva points to a star with her photo and name that decorates the door to her classroom as teacher Martina Fischer looks on at the local kindergarten Amnat and her siblings attend on October 9, 2015 in Letschin, Germany. The children live with their family at an asylum-seekers' shelter in nearby Vossberg village and are waiting for local authorities to process their asylum applications. Approximately 60 asylum-seekers, mostly from Syria, Chechnya and Somalia, live at the Vossberg shelter, which is run by the Arbeiter-Samariter Bund (ASB) charity Getty Images Refugees settle in Germany Germany Kurdish Syrian asylum-applicant Mohamed Ali Hussein (R), 19, and fellow applicant Autur, from Latvia, load benches onto a truckbed while performing community service, for which they receive a small allowance, in Wilhelmsaue village on October 9, 2015 near Letschin, Germany. Mohamed and Autur live at an asylum-applicants' shelter in nearby Vossberg village. Approximately 60 asylum-seekers, mostly from Syria, Chechnya and Somalia, live at the Vossberg shelter, which is run by the Arbeiter-Samariter Bund (ASB) charity Getty Images Refugees settle in Germany Germany Mohamed Ali Hussein ((L), 19, and his cousin Sinjar Hussein, 34, sweep leaves at a cemetery in Gieshof village, for which they receive a small allowance, near Letschin Getty Images Refugees settle in Germany Germany Mohamed Zayat, a refugee from Syria, looks among donated clothing in the basement of the asylum-seekers' shelter that is home to Mohamed, his wife Laloosh and their daughter Ranim as residents' laundry dries behind in Vossberg village on October 9, 2015 in Letschin, Germany. The Zayats arrived approximately two months ago after trekking through Turkey, Greece and the Balkans and are now waiting for local authorities to process their asylum application, after which they will be allowed to live independently and settle elsewhere in Germany Getty Images Refugees settle in Germany Germany Asya Sugaipova (L), Mohza Mukayeva and Khadra Zhukova prepare food in the communal kitchen at the asylum-seekers' shelter that is their home in Vossberg village in Letschin Getty Images Refugees settle in Germany Germany Efrah Abdullahi Ahmed looks down from the communal kitchen window at her daughter Sumaya, 10, who had just returned from school, at the asylum-seekers' shelter that is their home in Vossberg Getty Images Refugees settle in Germany Germany Asylum-applicants, including Syrians Mohamed Ali Hussein (C-R, in black jacket) and Fadi Almasalmeh (C), return from grocery shopping with other refugees to the asylum-applicants' shelter that is their home in Vossberg village in Letschin Getty Images Refugees settle in Germany Germany Mohamed Zayat (2nd from L), a refugee from Syria, smokes a cigarette after shopping for groceries with his daughter Ranim, who is nearly 3, and fellow-Syrian refugees Mohamed Ali Hussein (C) and Fadi Almasalmeh (L) at a local supermarket on October 9, 2015 in Letschin, Germany. All of them live at an asylum-seekers' shelter in nearby Vossberg village and are waiting for local authorities to process their asylum applications, after which they will be allowed to live independently and settle elsewhere in Germany 2015 Getty Images Refugees settle in Germany Germany Kurdish Syrian refugees Leila, 9, carries her sister Avin, 1, in the backyard at the asylum-seekers' shelter that is home to them and their family in Vossberg village in Letschin Getty Images Refugees settle in Germany Germany Somali refugees and husband and wife Said Ahmed Gure (R) and Ayaan Gure pose with their infant son Muzammili, who was born in Germany, in the room they share at an asylum-seekers' shelter in Vossberg village on October 9, 2015 in Letschin, Germany. Approximately 60 asylum-seekers, mostly from Syria, Chechnya and Somalia, live at the Vossberg shelter, which is run by the Arbeiter-Samariter Bund (ASB) charity, and are waiting for authorities to process their application for asylum 2015 Getty Images Refugees settle in Germany Germany German Chancellor Angela Merkel pauses for a selfie with a refugee after she visited the AWO Refugium Askanierring shelter for refugees in Berlin Getty Images

Even prior to the arrival of a significant number of refugees in Germany, a 2014 study found that an estimated 5 million women (13 per cent of the female population) reported having experienced criminal sexual abuse. The report authors found that the sexual assault rate in Germany was already at a level significantly above the average for the EU.
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When the distinctive blue hull of the offshore supply ship Odyssey Explorer appeared off the coast of Cyprus shortly before Christmas, the authorities wasted little time in acting on a tip-off that they should take a look at what was on board.

The 40-year-old British-built vessel docked in Limassol and within hours was made the subject of a temporary confiscation order. Customs officers and officials from the Cypriot Department of Antiquities were shown the cargo hold, where they found 57 plastic crates containing 588 separate artefacts dating from the 18th century.

Recommended Read more Call for UK to take tougher action to save antiquities from Isis

The 300-year-old finds were seized on suspicion of being antiques recovered without permission from Cypriot waters.

For Odyssey Marine Exploration, the American underwater archaeology and salvage company which owns the Odyssey Explorer, it was the latest international incident during two decades of scouring the worlds oceans to pinpoint historic  and often treasure-laden  wrecks.

The seizure of the Explorer took place within days of the announcement of a major restructuring of the Florida-based company, which included the sale of its painstakingly acquired database of potentially lucrative shipwrecks in order to settle its multimillion-dollar debts while keeping a 21 per cent share in profits from future projects.

The company also continues to hold contracts with the British government and other UK bodies for the recovery of several historic naval gunships and cargo vessels.

The hold of the ship housed 57 plastic crates containing 588 separate artefacts dating from the 18th century

The agreements include a deal to undertake the exploration of the HMS Victory, a predecessor to Nelsons flagship of the same name, which sank in the English Channel in 1744. But the enduring ability of marine archaeology to generate friction between the authorities and treasure hunters was last week in evidence as Cypriot experts pored over the contents of the Odyssey Explorers cargo hold.

The Independent on Sunday has been told that the items collected from an unspecified wreck in the eastern Mediterranean by the Bahamian-flagged vessel include porcelain, metal forks, spoons, cups and everyday objects such as Ottoman pipes likely to have belonged to the crew of the sunken vessel.

The Cypriot authorities have acknowledged that the artefacts do not appear to have originated from Cyprus, leaving open the possibility that they came from waters off the coast of Lebanon, where it is claimed the vessel may have been operating prior to its arrival in Limassol.

In a statement, the Cypriot foreign minister, Ioannis Kasoulides, said his country had an obligation to investigate the cargo and seek information from the Odyssey Explorers 13-strong crew. He suggested that the vessel may have been operating within the exclusive economic zone of Lebanon, which extends to 212 nautical miles from the coast.

Odyssey has strongly denied that its ship had been operating illegally or that it had been within either Cypriot or Lebanese territorial waters (extending to 12 nautical miles from their coasts).

In a statement, the company said: The project design anticipates full publication of the results of the op- eration and exhibit of the ... artefacts.

Our crew was operating legally in the Mediterranean Sea within the parameters governed by United Nations Law of the Sea. Permissions for such projects not required.

It added: Information provided  by Cypriot law enforcement stated that their investigation confirmed that Odyssey Explorer did not operate illegally and the investigation concluded without any charges.

The Cypriot authorities were this weekend tight-lipped about their findings, confirming only that the Odyssey Explorer had been cleared to leave Limassol and the seized artefacts remain under lock and key at an undisclosed customs facility.

A Cypriot government source told The IoS: The inspection [of the artefacts] continues but it is a sensitive subject. The ship is free to leave Cyprus.

Odyssey has previously had to contend with other seizures of its vessels amid legal rancour.

In 2007, the Odyssey Explorer was ordered to surrender to the Spanish authorities under what its captain said had been threat of deadly force as it left Gibraltar. The vessel was eventually allowed to continue on its way after a search.

The incident coincided with rising tensions between Odyssey and the Spanish authorities after the company announced it had recovered 17 tons of silver coins from a wreck that, it later transpired, was an early 19th-century Spanish frigate, the Nuestra Senora de la Mercedes, and Odyssey was forced to return the bullion after a five-year legal battle that went to the US Supreme Court.

The Odyssey Explorer left Limassol on Friday, bound for Beirut.
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No Icelanders under the age of 25 believe the creation story that God was responsible for creating the universe, a new poll claims.

The poll, commissioned by the Icelandic Ethical Humanist Association, claims that 93.9 per cent in the under 25 category responded that the universe was created by the Big Bang. Just over 6 per cent responded with dont know or other. None of the respondents, however, believed that the universe had been created by God.

The Iceland Magazine, which reported the findings, added that the poll showed younger people and inhabitants of Reykjavik were the least religious. It added: 80.6 per cent of those older than 55 identified as Christian and only 11.8 per cent said they were atheists. At the same time 40.5 per cent of people who were 25 years or younger said they were atheists, and only 42 per cent said they were Christian.

One Reddit user, however, criticised the poll as misleading. They said: The question in the asked in the poll was confusing. It was how do you think the universe came to be? and the answers were the universe came to be in the big bang and God created the universe or Dont know and other"

The user added: Many people believe that God is the root cause of the big bang, and the comments in the Other section of the poll (page 14) are overwhelmingly about something to that effect, e.g. God created the world in the big bang .

Other users pointed to the fact that the Big Bang theory was originally hypothesised by the Catholic priest and physicist Georges Lemaitre.

In October 2014 Pope Francis said the theories of evolution and the Big Bang were real and God is not a "magician with a magic wand". Speaking at the Pontifical Academy of Sciences, the Pope made comments which experts said put an end to the pseudo theories of creationism and intelligent design that some argue were encouraged by his predecessor, Benedict XVI.

Francis explained that both scientific theories were not incompatible with the existence of a creator  arguing instead that they require it.
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Human smugglers made a record profit last year of between $3bn and $6bn (2bn-4bn) by exploiting the misery of refugees  which means governments must up their game or risk further growth of this ruthless industry, the head of Europol has told The Independent on Sunday.

The business of human smuggling is now in the Champions League of criminal enterprises in Europe, Rob Wainwright said, close to rivalling the trade in illicit drugs. New research by the EUs law enforcement body based on debriefings with 1,500 asylum-seekers, refugees and economic migrants showed that 90 per cent had paid a criminal gang to reach Europe.

With the UNHCR estimating that more than a million people have fled war, poverty and persecution in the past year risking their lives on the clandestine journey to Europe, that means a lot of people making a lot of money, Mr Wainwright said.

We also know that, on average, each migrant is paying between $3,000 and $6,000 to a criminal facilitator for their journey. So you do the simple math, and youre up to a turnover in 2015 of between $3bn- $6bn. They are big figures. Its running into billions of dollars made by criminal networks in one year alone in Europe.

New research has shown that 90 per cent of asylum-seekers, refugees and economic migrants had paid a criminal gang to reach Europe (AFP)

Last year has been seismic in the development of the people-smuggling trade in Europe in particular, and we are now talking about its being a multibillion-dollar industry in the way it hasnt before, and the Champions League of criminal sectors in Europe alongside drugs.

The criminal networks stretch from sub-Saharan Africa to Scandinavia, with tens of thousands of people involved in the trade. Mr Wainwright said that Europol identified 10,700 suspects last year alone, hinting at the scale of the illicit enterprise. The facilitators range from petty criminals, making fake passports, to taxi drivers taking migrants across countries and over borders, to established organised crime syndicates.

A person fleeing their home will pay different smuggling gangs at different points throughout their journey. A Syrian may have to pay to leave their country without detection by the security forces, then buy fake documents in Turkey, before purchasing their perilous passage on a rubber dingy or boat launched into the waves, towards Greece.

If they arrive safely on Europes shores, another smuggler is engaged to taken them over the buffer of Balkan states to reach the passport-free Schengen zone and the chance of a safe life in richer nations such as Germany, Austria or Sweden. With Hungary and a number of other countries in Europe shutting down their borders and building fences, the migrants are forced to part with ever-increasing amounts of money to reach safety.

Abuses are reported all along the migration routes: smugglers disappear with a familys life savings, scuttle boats on purpose to stop anyone returning to shore, or sell the most desperate people to kidnapping and extortion gangs.

Refugee crisis - in pictures Show all 27 1 /27 Refugee crisis - in pictures Refugee crisis - in pictures A child looks through the fence at the Moria detention camp for migrants and refugees at the island of Lesbos on May 24, 2016. AFP/Getty Images Refugee crisis - in pictures Ahmad Zarour, 32, from Syria, reacts after his rescue by MOAS (Migrant Offshore Aid Station) while attempting to reach the Greek island of Agathonisi, Dodecanese, southeastern Agean Sea Refugee crisis - in pictures Syrian migrants holding life vests gather onto a pebble beach in the Yesil liman district of Canakkale, northwestern Turkey, after being stopped by Turkish police in their attempt to reach the Greek island of Lesbos on 29 January 2016. Getty Images Refugee crisis - in pictures Refugees flash the 'V for victory' sign during a demonstration as they block the Greek-Macedonian border Refugee crisis - in pictures Migrants have been braving sub zero temperatures as they cross the border from Macedonia into Serbia. Refugee crisis - in pictures A sinking boat is seen behind a Turkish gendarme off the coast of Canakkale's Bademli district on January 30, 2016. At least 33 migrants drowned on January 30 when their boat sank in the Aegean Sea while trying to cross from Turkey to Greece. Getty Images Refugee crisis - in pictures A general view of a shelter for migrants inside a hangar of the former Tempelhof airport in Berlin, Germany Refugee crisis - in pictures Refugees protest behind a fence against restrictions limiting passage at the Greek-Macedonian border, near Gevgelija. Since last week, Macedonia has restricted passage to northern Europe to only Syrians, Iraqis and Afghans who are considered war refugees. All other nationalities are deemed economic migrants and told to turn back. Macedonia has finished building a fence on its frontier with Greece becoming the latest country in Europe to build a border barrier aimed at checking the flow of refugees Refugee crisis - in pictures A father and his child wait after being caught by Turkish gendarme on 27 January 2016 at Canakkale's Kucukkuyu district Refugee crisis - in pictures Migrants make hand signals as they arrive into the southern Spanish port of Malaga on 27 January, 2016 after an inflatable boat carrying 55 Africans, seven of them women and six chidren, was rescued by the Spanish coast guard off the Spanish coast. Refugee crisis - in pictures A refugee holds two children as dozens arrive on an overcrowded boat on the Greek island of Lesbos Refugee crisis - in pictures A child, covered by emergency blankets, reacts as she arrives, with other refugees and migrants, on the Greek island of Lesbos, At least five migrants including three children, died after four boats sank between Turkey and Greece, as rescue workers searched the sea for dozens more, the Greek coastguard said Refugee crisis - in pictures Migrants wait under outside the Moria registration camp on the Lesbos. Over 400,000 people have landed on Greek islands from neighbouring Turkey since the beginning of the year Refugee crisis - in pictures The bodies of Christian refugees are buried separately from Muslim refugees at the Agios Panteleimonas cemetery in Mytilene, Lesbos Refugee crisis - in pictures Macedonian police officers control a crowd of refugees as they prepare to enter a camp after crossing the Greek border into Macedonia near Gevgelija Getty Images Refugee crisis - in pictures A refugee tries to force the entry to a camp as Macedonian police officers control a crowd after crossing the Greek border into Macedonia near Gevgelija Getty Images Refugee crisis - in pictures Refugees are seen aboard a Turkish fishing boat as they arrive on the Greek island of Lesbos after crossing a part of the Aegean Sea from the Turkish coast to Lesbos Reuters Refugee crisis - in pictures An elderly woman sings a lullaby to baby on a beach after arriving with other refugees on the Greek island of Lesbos after crossing the Aegean sea from Turkey Getty Images Refugee crisis - in pictures A man collapses as refugees make land from an overloaded rubber dinghy after crossing the Aegean see from Turkey, at the island of Lesbos EPA Refugee crisis - in pictures A girl reacts as refugees arrive by boat on the Greek island of Lesbos after crossing the Aegean sea from Turkey Getty Images Refugee crisis - in pictures Refugees make a show of hands as they queue after crossing the Greek border into Macedonia near Gevgelija Getty Images Refugee crisis - in pictures People help a wheelchair user board a train with others, heading towards Serbia, at the transit camp for refugees near the southern Macedonian town of Gevgelija AP Refugee crisis - in pictures Refugees board a train, after crossing the Greek-Macedonian border, near Gevgelija. Macedonia is a key transit country in the Balkans migration route into the EU, with thousands of asylum seekers - many of them from Syria, Afghanistan, Iraq and Somalia - entering the country every day Getty Images Refugee crisis - in pictures An aerial picture shows the "New Jungle" refugee camp where some 3,500 people live while they attempt to enter Britain, near the port of Calais, northern France Getty Images Refugee crisis - in pictures A Syrian girl reacts as she helped by a volunteer upon her arrival from Turkey on the Greek island of Lesbos, after having crossed the Aegean Sea EPA Refugee crisis - in pictures Refugees arrive by boat on the Greek island of Lesbos after crossing the Aegean sea from Turkey Getty Images Refugee crisis - in pictures Beds ready for use for migrants and refugees are prepared at a processing center on January 27, 2016 in Passau, Germany. The flow of migrants arriving in Passau has dropped to between 500 and 1,000 per day, down significantly from last November, when in the same region up to 6,000 migrants were arriving daily.

With many of the people-smuggling networks now getting involved in other criminal enterprises such as narcotics trafficking, security services and governments need to redouble their efforts to shut them down, Mr Wainwright said.

Criminals that were active in the drugs business or predominantly active in the people-smuggling business are now turning their hand to a bit of both and are finding that their contacts and networks and routes and methods of concealment can work in both fields.

The first challenge for governments and policing agencies was dealing with the scale of the new arrivals. If a million more people want to come to Europe this year, there is a natural demand for these criminal services, which will therefore sustain a long-term growth model for this particular criminal sector, Mr Wainwright said.

Were going to have to up our game in terms of dismantling this criminal infrastructure in a more successful way then we have done in the past, he added.

Arrivals reaching Lesbos (AP)

Countries in the EU needed to work on a coordinated response to the crisis, both at the entry point to the Union and in intelligence-sharing to target the criminal kingpins. Better planning of international arrest operations would help, he said, while police forces across the bloc needed to prioritise complaints related to smuggling.

And intelligence-sharing and cooperation between nations was all the more important, given indications that terror groups may be now exploiting the chaotic response to the refugee crisis.

Two members of the gang of Isis-affiliated attackers who killed 130 people in Paris on 13 November had apparently entered Europe using the Balkan migration route, and Mr Wainwright said it was crucial to make sure Greece was supplied with the technology, manpower and resources to carry out effective security screening of all new arrivals.

When you put the external border of the EU under such strain that it has to cope with a million new arrivals at just a few of the external border points, then you can see how difficult it is to run a systematic and reliable screening process, he said. This is the single most important thing to get right: to make sure that we can help the Greek authorities, who have been swamped.

Germany proposes fuel levy to fund European aid for refugees

Germanys finance minister, Wolfgang Schauble (above), has floated the idea of a European tax on petrol to help finance the Continents efforts to manage the crisis. The EU has struggled to find common ground. Germany and Sweden have allowed large numbers of refugees in but others are reluctant to share the burden.

If the funds in national budgets and the European budget arent enough, lets agree, for example, to raise a levy on every litre of gasoline, Mr Schauble told the daily newspaper Sueddeutsche Zeitung. Why not agree this at the European level if the task is so urgent?

Meanwhile, the UNs refugee agency, the UNHCR, is to seek more resources for Turkey, the worlds largest host of refugees, and has called for a massive resettlement of Syrian and other refugees within Europe.

We will do whatever we can to help the Turkish government find additional resources for people living here under temporary protection to make their lives as good as we can, said Filippo Grandi, who took the helm at the UNHCR this month and met refugees at camps near the Syrian border.

AP
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A teacher at a Catholic school in Spain, who accidentally projected porn and sex chat websites to a class of 12-year-olds, has lost an appeal against his dismissal.

The unnamed teacher at Sagrado Corazon de Don Benito, in Badajoz, projected the images for almost an hour during a Year 8 exam, visiting several different porn websites using his computer, which he did not realise was connected to the overhead projector, according to The Local.

This week, the teacher appealed a decision by the schools parents association to dismiss him following the incident in April 2014, claiming his behaviour was due to traumatic childhood experiences.

However, The Local reported that the High Court in Extremadura, in western Spain, rejected the teachers appeal on the grounds that his behaviour was negligent, despite the incident being an accident, and upheld the schools decision to dismiss him.

It is believed that the teacher initially reported the incident to the schools headmaster after realising his computer was connected to the projector, after which an investigation was launched by the school.

On its website, the school stated that while the mans teaching career had been faultless to date, it had appointed a commission to investigate what had happened and took the decision to fire the teacher, with the objective of protecting the students.

The school added that it had dismissed the teacher following a serious breach of trust, and disloyalty, for connecting to sites with sexual content while in the classroom.
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Saudi Arabias foreign minister has urged Britain to respect his countrys use of the death penalty, two weeks after the oil-rich kingdom executed 47 people in one day.

Adel al-Jubeir, responding to a question over the kingdoms terrible image problem, put to him by Channel 4 News Jonathan Rugman, said: Well on this issue we have a fundamental difference. In your country, you do no execute people, we respect it. In our country the death penalty is part of our laws and you have to respect this as it is the law, part of the law, in the United States and other countries.

He added: With regards to the perception of Saudi Arabia among the British public, this is a problem we need to work on. We have not been good at explaining ourselves, we have not done a good job at reaching out to the British media or to the British public or to the British institutions, academic institutions, think thanks and so forth.

We maybe not have been as communicative as we should be.

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

The foreign ministers comments come after international outcry over the Saudi kingdoms execution of 47 prisoners in one day earlier this month. Among those put to death was the prominent Shia cleric and dissident Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr who was a vocal supporter of the mass anti-government protests that flared up in the kingdoms oil-rich Eastern Province in 2011.

Amnesty International said the Saudi authorities had demonstrated utter disregard for human rights. Philip Luther, director of Amnestys Middle East and North Africa programme, added: The killing of Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr in particular suggests they are also using the death penalty in the name of counter-terror to settle scores and crush dissidents.

He added: Carrying out a death sentence when there are serious questions about the fairness of the trial is a monstrous and irreversible justice.

According to several groups that monitor the death penalty worldwide, the kingdom executed 157 people in 2015, with beheadings reaching their highest level in two decades. Saudi Arabia, however, does not release annual tallies, though it does announce individual executions in state media throughout the year.
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A network of Syrian activists working against Isis has exposed the barbaric reality of life in the city of Raqqa.

Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently (RBSS) are a group of citizen journalists which report on crucifixions, executions and general life in the so-called Islamic State.

Earlier this month, they reported that a 20-year-old jihadi had shot his mother in the head with an assault rifle in front of a crowd, after she was accused of apostasy.

Using around 70 contributors inside Raqqa and its surrounding area, the group gathers pictures, videos and firsthand accounts of life within the city.

 ISIS killer dubbed new 'Jihadi John'

Abdel-Aziz al-Hamza, co-founder of RBSS, described how life had changed within the headquarters of Isis in The Times Magazine.

"It was a normal city," he told the magazine. "You could do what you wanted: drink, smoke, whatever."

However, life drastically changed when Isis took control of the city in January 2014.

"They started to change the city. They painted the city black and started to kidnap its citizens and execute them."

He added: "But no one heard what was going on, so we decided to show the reality of life in the city, the reality of Isis.

"It was a duty for us. We used to fight the Syrian government regime, and now we had a regime that was even worse."

In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Show all 19 1 /19 In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Syrian boys cry following Russian air strikes on the rebel-held Fardous neighbourhood of the northern embattled Syrian city of Aleppo Getty In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Russian defense ministry spokesman Major General Igor Konashenkov speaks to the media in Moscow, Russia. Konashenkov strongly warned the United States against striking Syrian government forces and issued a thinly-veiled threat to use Russian air defense assets to protect them AP In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Syrians wait to receive treatment at a hospital following Russian air strikes on the rebel-held Fardous neighbourhood of the northern embattled Syrian city of Alepp Getty In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Russian Deputy Defense Minister Anatoly Antonov speaks at a briefing in the Defense Ministry in Moscow, Russia. Antonov said the Russian air strikes in Syria have killed about 35,000 militants, including about 2,700 residents of Russia AP In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Jameel Mustafa Habboush, receives oxygen from civil defence volunteers, known as the white helmets, as they rescue him from under the rubble of a building following Russian air strikes on the rebel-held Fardous neighbourhood of the northern embattled Syrian city of Aleppo Getty In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Civil defence members rest amidst rubble in a site hit by what activists said were airstrikes carried out by the Russian air force in the town of Douma, eastern Ghouta in Damascus, Syria Reuters In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria A girl carrying a baby inspects damage in a site hit by what activists said were airstrikes carried out by the Russian air force in the town of Douma, eastern Ghouta in Damascus, Syria Reuters In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Civilians and civil defence members look for survivors at a site damaged after Russian air strikes on the Syrian rebel-held city of Idlib, Syria Reuters In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Civilians and civil defence members carry an injured woman on a stretcher at a site damaged after Russian air strikes on the Syrian rebel-held city of Idlib, Syria Reuters In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Volunteers from Syria Civil Defence, also known as the White Helmets, help civilians after Russia carried out its first airstrikes in Syria In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria The aftermath of Russian airstrike in Talbiseh, Syria In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Smoke billows from buildings in Talbiseh, in Homs province, western Syria, after airstrikes by Russian warplanes AP In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Russian Air Forces carry out an air strike in the ISIS controlled Al-Raqqah Governorate. Russia's KAB-500s bombs completely destroy the Liwa al-Haqq command unit In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Caspian Flotilla of the Russian Navy firing Kalibr cruise missiles against remote Isis targets in Syria A TASS/ITAR-TASS Photo/Corbis In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Russia claimed it hit eight Isis targets, including a "terrorist HQ and co-ordination centre" that was completely destroyed In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria A video grab taken from the footage made available on the Russian Defence Ministry's official website, purporting to show an airstrike in Syria In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria A release from the Russian defence ministry purportedly showing targets in Syria being hit In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Russia launched air strikes in war-torn Syria, its first military engagement outside the former Soviet Union since the occupation of Afghanistan in 1979. Russian warplanes carried out strikes in three Syrian provinces along with regime aircraft as Putin seeks to steal US President Barack Obama's thunder by pushing a rival plan to defeat Isis militants in Syria In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Caspian Flotilla of the Russian Navy firing Kalibr cruise missiles against remote Isis targets in Syria, a thousand kilometres away. The targets include ammunition factories, ammunition and fuel depots, command centres, and training camps A TASS/ITAR-TASS Photo/Corbis

He went on to describe Raqqa as a "prison", in which only those with special permission to travel for medical reasons can leave.

RBSS is doing all it can to stop Isis recruiting civilians in Raqqa. Its supporters have been putting up anti-Isis posters and graffiti, and have even distributed a magazine containing subversive material with the same cover as an Isis publication.

Isis have hunted and killed the group's members, murdering filmmaker Naji Jerf, and beheading two others.

"There are rewards for anyone who kills one of us," Mr al-Hamza told The Times Magazine. "We don't know the amount, but I am sure it's a big number."
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Iran has announced its decision to release four US prisoners, including the Washington Post journalist Jason Rezaian, as US Secretary of State John Kerry arrives in Vienna to finalise the nuclear agreement between the two countries.

Mr Rezaian, a dual Iranian-American national, was serving as the newspapers Tehran bureau chief when he and his wife, Yeganeh Salehi, were arrested in a raid at their home in June 2014.

She was released four months later but he remained in Evin Prison for months on charges including espionage and propaganda against the establishment.

 Final hearing for US reporter held in Iran

Mr Rezaians eventual conviction after a closed trial provoked a global outcry from American diplomats and human rights groups, seeing him sentenced to an undisclosed period in prison in November last year.

His imprisonment and that of other American-Iranians was understood to be one of the many issues to be addressed as relations between the two countries thawed following the successful nuclear talks.

On Saturday, Irans justice department announced that it had reached a settlement on the exchange of a number of prisoners.

Abbas Jaafari, a prosecutor, told state media that four dual nationality Iranian-American prisoners will be freed in return for seven Iranian nationals in US jails.

The settlement included a clause according to which the US will no longer pursue extradition of 14 Iranians for alleged involvement in purchasing arms from the US to Iran, the report said.

They were jailed at Evin Prison, which is known for its political prisoners (AFP/Getty Images)

Fars News identified Mr Rezaian among those freed alongside Amir Hekmati, Saeed Abedini and an unnamed prisoner jailed in recent years. The fourth man was named on Iran's IRIB TV as Nosratollah Khosravi.

Mr Hekmati is a former US marine originally sentenced to death for allegedly spying for the CIA and Iran, whose case was taken up by diplomats and the US Senate.

That sentence was overturned by the Iranian Supreme Court in 2012 and after a re-trial two years later he was handed a 10-year prison term.

Mr Abedini, an Iranian-American Christian preacher, was detained in 2012 and later sentenced to eight years in prison on charges of undermining national security with alleged religious meetings.

The US State Department was among those condemning the sentence and his removal to the notorious Gohardasht Prison also provoked outrage.

US officials say a fifth American detained in Iran, a student, has been released in a move unrelated to a prisoner swap earlier between the two countries.

They say the student, identified as Matthew Trevithnick, was released independently of the exchange on Saturday and already was on his way home. They spoke about the prisoner exchange on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss it publicly.

Supporters protest calling for Jason Rezaian's immediate release on December 3, 2015 in New York City. (Getty Images)

Mr Kerry is expected to go over final details over the nuclear deal with Irans foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif.

Mr Zarif, who arrived in Vienna earlier, said international sanctions on Iran will be lifted when the UN declares Tehrans compliance with an agreement to scale back its nuclear programme.

The lifting of the sanctions will allow the country to access the global financial system and export Iranian oil internationally, as well as ease the burden of severe economic hardship on millions of Iranians.

The removal of banking and trade sanctions would enable foreign investors to enter the market of 80 million people.

Today is a good day for the Iranian people as the sanctions will be lifted today, Mr Zarif was quoted as saying by Irans ISNA agency.

New York protests against Iran nuclear deal Show all 10 1 /10 New York protests against Iran nuclear deal New York protests against Iran nuclear deal New York A woman holds a poster as she takes part in a rally on Times Square in New York opposing the nuclear deal with Iran New York protests against Iran nuclear deal New York An inflatable mushroom cloud stands among demonstrators during a rally apposing the nuclear deal with Iran New York protests against Iran nuclear deal New York Protesters rally against the nuclear deal with Iran in Times Square New York protests against Iran nuclear deal New York A member of the Neturei Karta Orthodox Jews sect is escorted away by New York City Police during a rally near Times Square to demand that Congress vote down the proposed US deal with Iran in New York New York protests against Iran nuclear deal New York A woman shouts slogans during a rally against the nuclear deal with Iran in Times Square in New York New York protests against Iran nuclear deal New York A protestor holds a placard during a demonstration and rally apposing the nuclear deal with Iran in Times Square New York protests against Iran nuclear deal New York Some of several thousand protestors crowd into 7th Avenue at 42nd street as they demonstrate during a rally apposing the nuclear deal with Iran New York protests against Iran nuclear deal New York A woman holds a placard as she joins several thousand other protestors to demonstrate during a rally apposing the nuclear deal with Iran New York protests against Iran nuclear deal New York Protesters rallied against the Iran nuclear deal in New York's Times Square KENA BETANCUR/AFP/Getty Images New York protests against Iran nuclear deal New York Protestors shout slogans as they demonstrate during a rally apposing the nuclear deal with Iran

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is expected to release a report on Saturday assessing the countrys compliance with an agreement made with foreign powers including the US and the EU.

The deal, which was agreed on in July 2015, has seen Iran get rid of a number of centrifuges and a heavy-water reactor which could be used in the production of nuclear weapons.

It also meant Iran agreed to forego the enrichment of uranium, which world powers fear can be used to make a nuclear weapon.

Iranian president Hassan Rouhani called the deal historic, but some US Republicans have voiced concern that the agreement does not do enough to ensure Iran cannot develop a bomb, according to BBC.

Mr Zarif hailed the deal as a triumph of diplomacy on Twitter, and said it is not a ceiling but a solid foundation.

Once the deal is finalised, Iran will be carrying out what has been dubbed as Implementation Day, which marks the biggest re-entry of a former pariah state into the global economic stage since the end of the Cold War.

As soon as the sanctions are lifted, Iran plans to swiftly increase oil exports by 500,000 barrels a day, with an additional 500,000 a day in the following six months.

Additional reporting by Reuters
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Rape Crisis centres from across England and Wales received an average of over 3,000 calls a week - some 165,000 in the 12 months to 31 March 2015 - as students of both gender came forward to report being raped at university, according to one survey.

The recent survey, conducted by The Telegraph, showed how a third of female students in Britain have endured a sexual assault or unwanted advances at university and also discovered half of female students - and a third of their male counterparts - knew of a friend or relative who experienced some form of sexual assault.

Further finding also showed how over 30 per cent of female students had been the victim of inappropriate touching or groping, as one in eight males told how they had been subjected to groping and unwanted advances.

Do these statistics, however, show people are unaware of the definition of consent?

According to Sutter Health Palo Alto Medical Foundation, consent is that both people in a sexual encounter must agree to it, and either person may decide at any time that they no longer consent and want to stop the activity.

The new site's article further reinforced that by consenting to one behaviour does not obligate people to consent to any others. Ultimately, by consenting on one occasion also does not obligate persons to consent on any other occasion. Therefore each sexual encounter requires consent on its own accord.

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

Specialists concur that determining consent revolves around two questions; does the person want to give consent? And is the person capable of giving consent? Interpreting signs and guessing can lead to sexual offences or even rape.

Students are being encouraged to read on their sexual rights, so they are aware what their own rights are in a sexual encounter, for example the right to stop giving consent.

If you have been affected by any of the issues in the article, please visit Rape Crisis

Twitter: @YazyTauk
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The University of Oxfords Cecil Rhodes row, simmering away nicely for the past fortnight or so, was brought back to boiling point last week by a speech from the institutions chancellor, the former Conservative Party chairman, Lord Patten. Students of the controversy may remember that certain Oxford students are calling for the removal of a statue of Rhodes  a great 19th-century benefactor who doubled up as the architect of South African apartheid  on the grounds that he was a racist and imperialist. There has also been a temporising suggestion that the statue, parked at Oriel College, may be retained but supplemented by a plaque explaining to passers-by how conspicuously short Rhodes falls of contemporary moral yardsticks.

Lord Patten, about whom there is, as a Victorian novelist might say, none of your light nonsense, was clearly not in a conciliatory mood. Speaking at a ceremony to install Professor Louise Richardson as Oxfords first female vice-chancellor, he defended the relationship with Rhodes and remarked that the universitys history was not a blank page on which we can write our own version of what it should have been according to contemporary views and prejudices. He added: We should not be harried into ill-considered actions actions, moreover, which may cast doubt on the ability of some who study here to gain a place at this university on their own merits.

The second sentence is, you imagine, a coded reference to the student activist who claimed that Rhodes was South Africas Hitler, and Lord Pattens implication in making it a hint that people who make sweeping historical comparisons of this kind might want to start off by doing a little elementary research. Naturally, the Oxford spat is fascinating for what it tells us about 21st-century attitudes to Cecil Rhodes and his legacy, but it is even more fascinating for what it tells us about 21st-century attitudes to the past  a seething mass of opinion, it might be argued, in the centre of which two contradictory attitudes do battle with each other. One of them, held by Lord Patten, argues that history, however tarnished to a modern gaze, should at least be allowed to have a life of its own. The other is at all times keen to impose modern judgements on past time.

Curiously, the idea that we could appease our consciences about Rhodess part in the history of late-Victorian southern Africa by putting up a sign itemising some of the things he had done wrong reminded me of a visit my wife and I paid in the summer to the Swedish History Museum in Stockholm. It is a wonderful building, exquisitely designed, imaginatively laid out, crammed with eye-catching material, and these particular English visitors walked around it in a state of deep discomfort. The discomfort lay in the fact that virtually every artefact came accompanied by a rather censorious caption, explaining the historical context from the angle of modern social democratic orthodoxy.

Lord Patten argues that history should be allowed to have a life of its own (Rex)

A set of tableware from the medieval period? This, we learned, dated from a time when ordinary Swedes were being greatly oppressed by the nobility And so it went on, to the point where one could barely gaze at a 19th-century handkerchief without being lectured on conditions in the Swedish handkerchief factories and the misery of the people who laboured in them. None of which is to ignore the fact that medieval Swedish noblemen probably did oppress their bondsmen and women, or that a 19th-century factory was a thing of horror, merely to say that this kind of information is patronising in the extreme, that it attempts to form the onlookers judgements for them and, in lecturing the past on its own shortcomings, ends up treating it with something very like contempt.

As for the emotion that lies at its core, this, you sometimes feel, is not so much a high-minded disdain for a group of people who did not, alas, possess some of our advantages, as a kind of squeamishness; a refusal to concede that the past, however much we may deplore the fact, was not like now; that most of the individuals who wandered around in it had plausible reasons for behaving as they did; and that, while we may not sometimes like how they behaved, our task as their descendants is to attempt  however sketchily  to see them on their terms as well as through the more exacting prism of contemporary morality.

A good test of where you stand on this is to look at the lost second verse of the national anthem, with its lines about frustrating the knavish tricks of the countrys enemies and confounding their politics  barbarism, from the vantage point of 2016. Yet, surely, even now, wouldnt most Britons want their countrys enemies frustrated and confounded? This one certainly would.

The difficulty in this approach, of course, is that it involves admitting truths about ourselves, or about humankind in general, that we may very well not want to hear. To start seriously examining some of the implications of slavery, for example  a subject still capable of provoking demands for apologies and reparations  is to draw practically everyone into its net: that beacon of liberal enlightenment William Gladstone, whose first parliamentary speech involved a defence of his familys plantation interests; George Orwell, whose ancestor the Earl of Westmorland benefited from the slave trade and whose wealth, trickling down to his heirs, was undeniably tainted; and numberless West African potentates who did deals with slave traders and happily connived in trafficking their own citizens across the Atlantic.

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It is the same with, let us say, the opening up of America in the mid-19th century. Admirers and annotators of Laura Ingalls Wilders series of Little House books, which follow the adventures of Pa and Ma Ingalls and their brood of daughters through Kansas and the Dakotas in the 1870s generally turn very nervous at the point where native Americans enter the story, for it is a fact that the scrupulous, God-fearing, moral and otherwise kindly Ma hated the Indians. But however dreadful this may seem to a modern sensibility, so would any 19th-century descendant of Scottish Presbyterians who fetched up in the American Midwest. Ma thinks the Indians dirty and idle and wonders why they cant settle down and farm land like the hard-working entrepreneurial newcomers, 99 per cent of whom would have shared her view.

To turn even closer to home, my father (born 1921), who spent five years in the RAF fighting the Nazis, used to say that, had he been born in Hamburg rather than in Norwich, he would certainly as a teenager have joined the Hitler Youth, on the grounds that, back in the 1930s, to a boy hot for diversion and a social life, it would have looked like a slightly more politicised version of the Boy Scouts. I dont think this meant that my father had any fascist sympathies. Rather, that he knew that he was a child of his time and that, had the tide of that time flowed in a particular direction, he would probably have gone along for the ride.

To return to Cecil Rhodes and the question of the statue erected in his honour at Oriel College, Oxford, it is worth asking just who or what would benefit from having it taken down or captioned with some disapproving remarks. The answer, you fear, is neither the history of which he was a part or the descendants of the people he exploited, but the moral sensibilities of the 21st-century activists protesting about him. But you dont engage with past time to feel good about yourself or to loftily pronounce that Rhodes, or sweet, good-natured Ma Ingalls, was a bad person. You do so to make sense of it and gain an understanding of it. These tasks are rarely accomplished by overturning statues or lecturing museum visitors on the iniquities of long-dead Swedish aristocrats.
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As it happens, I know exactly when I last set foot inside a church. It was in Sicily last summer, when I went to see a painting by Caravaggio which hangs in a small Catholic church in Ortigia. I havent been inside an Anglican church for ages, and thats something I share with the vast majority of the population. In a country where around three-fifths of us say were not religious, only 760,000 people attend Sunday services. That is according to the Church of Englands own attendance figures, which have just been published.

The church has been in decline for years, and it didnt help matters last week when Anglican leaders made a desperate and discreditable attempt to appease conservative bishops who oppose homosexuality. With brilliant timing, it then emerged that the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, is joining talks with other Christian churches about a proposal to fix the date of Easter. This lofty announcement was accompanied by a warning that competing franchises (Anglican, Catholic, Coptic) have been arguing about this since the 10th century, so we shouldnt expect an agreement any time soon.

There is a temptation to ask why they cant get a move on  ecclesiastical time clearly proceeds at a glacial pace  but Im wondering why it should be left to the church at all. At present, the date of Easter varies by up to 35 days, creating a logistical nightmare for schools, shops and people who work in the leisure industry. They would benefit from having a fixed spring break each year, so why is the government waiting passively for the churches to resolve an arcane theological argument? One of the things I like about the modern world is that employees have an entitlement to holidays, but that has more to do with recognition of workers rights than religion.

The only time church attendance goes up is at Christmas  2.4 million people went to a Christmas service in 2014  and that says more about tradition and an impulse to do something together than belief in God.

The monarchy, the other institution charged with meeting these needs, is doing a bit better, at least on the face of it, but thats because it has managed to insert itself into popular culture in a way the church hasnt. The younger royals appear endlessly in celebrity magazines where they share the same pages as pop stars and contestants on reality TV. Theres been a corresponding decline in deference, with their appearance subjected to the same critical scrutiny as that of Oscar nominees. Only this weekend, a Mail writer lamented Prince Williams appearance, plaintively asking, What has happened to the handsome prince of my girlhood fantasy?

Its not hard to see a blurring between royalty and celebrity here, with the royals well aware that it works in their favour, even if they dont love it. It reached the height of absurdity recently when TV presenters Ant and Dec conducted a fawning interview with Prince Charles, not long after rather more probing broadcasters revealed the lengthy contract he expects them to sign. Its all about control and media management, so we shouldnt be surprised if the arrangements for the Queens 90th birthday raise questions about how much the Royal Family cares about its supposedly central role of bringing the country together.

The centrepiece is a lunch for 10,000 people in the Mall in June, invoking memories (for older people) of the Silver Jubilee celebrations in 1977. We hope that people in Britain and across the Commonwealth will dust off their picnic tables and join us in celebrating this very special occasion, declares a website set up to promote the event. But the Patrons Lunch is open mainly to individuals involved with charities supported by the Queen, and they will have to pay 150 each for the privilege of sharing a hamper. It features prominently on the website but the only thing I can tell you about whats inside is that the food will be provided by the official sponsors, including Marks & Spencer. Im quite fond of M&S but 150 is a bit steep to sit at a trestle table and nibble some of their ready-made hors doeuvres.

An exclusive bash of this sort misses the point, even by the monarchys standards. Its been clear for years that even the most secular societies yearn for individuals and events capable of overriding the differences between us, temporarily at least. Politics cant do it and religion certainly cant, which is why the demise of a single well-known person sometimes has such a massive effect.

When people talked about the death of David Bowie last week, they were also talking about themselves and the culture they grew up in. These outpourings of grief are not an entirely benign phenomenon but they highlight a space left by the decline of organised religion, which a combination of humanism and popular culture are trying to fill. I suspect that many more people will listen to Bowies music than go to church this weekend, and thats a good thing.

Twitter.com/@polblonde; politicalblonde.com
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The first time I saw David Cameron lose his cool since the election was on Tuesday last week. He snapped: If you dont think there is a cell of people sitting in Raqqa who are planning to try to do damage to this country, then you dont know what you are talking about.

He was replying to Andrew Tyrie, the Conservative chairman of the Treasury select committee, who also chairs the Liaison Committee. The Prime Ministers sessions before this committee, made up of the chairs of all select committees, have been renowned for dullness since they were started by Tony Blair 14 years ago to show what an open and accountable guy he was.

But this session was hand-to-hand combat from the start, when Tyrie tried to establish that the Prime Minister would continue to appear three times a parliamentary session. That sounds right, said Cameron. One between Easter and summer recess, and one ... Tyrie interrupted: I think it will be two before the summer.

Cameron replied: I hadnt banked on that. I think that might be more difficult. Translation: No.

Tyrie: Would you like to have a word with your bank?

Cameron: Let me take that away and think about it. Translation: I said no.

Julian Lewis, Conservative chair of the defence select committee, asked for more information about the 70,000 moderate forces in Syria whom British air strikes are intended to assist. Cameron said: I have given you my answer about what we are going to publish and I am not going to change that answer.

That was another No. Tyrie pressed him, and he said: I have considered it, but I have given the answer I think is appropriate. Again, Google Translate gives that as: I said no.

Things then started to get properly testy, as Cameron accused Tyrie of calling him a liar (saying that no one is going to believe me unless I give more detail), and they clashed over Libya (an intervention that had gone disastrously wrong, said Tyrie).

They got into an argument over how much information the Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC) should be given in scrutinising the use of drone strikes in Syria. Tyrie wanted more; Cameron defended his right to keep things back. He was happy to have the ISC look at the intelligence, he said, but not to assess decisions about the strikes themselves  he would answer to the committee for those himself. It was when Tyrie objected that Cameron lost patience and told him he didnt know what he was talking about.

Not only was this gripping theatre compared with the sleepy going-through-the-motions of Prime Ministers Questions the next day, but you also sensed that Cameron was being tested. At PMQs, all he had to do was remember some statistics about housing. Here, he was forced to think: we witnessed an actual debate.

The argument is finely balanced. Tyrie pointed to a loophole in the principle that military action should be accountable to Parliament. Cameron gave his reasons for limited disclosure: You have to be incredibly careful with highly sensitive information  information that, if revealed, could result in somebodys death; the source that gave you that information could be at risk. But it needed Tyries tenacious questioning, which plainly irritated the Prime Minister, to make him spell out his argument.

Tuesdays exchanges go some way to answering a question that has been troubling MPs ever since Jeremy Corbyns election as Labour leader: who will provide an opposition to this government?

Although Corbyn claims it was his pressure that caused the Government to postpone tax credit cuts and to cancel the Saudi prisons contract, those were changes made by Tories under pressure from Tory MPs.

A common theme among MPs  especially among Tories, interestingly enough  is that it is unhealthy to lack a credible alternative government. When you have a strong opposition, you get better legislation out of this place, one of them said last week. Im not sure how true that is. Was the poll tax the product of Labours weakness in 1987? But it must be likely that decision-makers make better decisions if they feel they will pay for mistakes. One of the PMs advisers told me last week that Labour seems entirely focused on Trident and anti-austerity, leaving the Government to make all the running on social policy  adoption, early years, mental health, prisons.

You dont have to approve of Tory policy on any of these subjects to know that he had a point. We mustnt be complacent, ever, as a government, he said, but I could not exactly hear the fear in his voice.

I have always been sceptical of the argument that, if the opposition is feeble, it is the duty of the media to oppose the government. Journalists should hold ministers to account, obviously, but it is not their job to provide political opposition.

A more convincing case can be made that, if the opposition is weak, governing parties will naturally provide their own counterweight. For much of the New Labour period, the Leader of the Opposition was, in effect, Gordon Brown  although opinions differ on how constructive his manoeuvring was, especially later on. For the last government, the Liberal Democrats provided an internal check and balance. But now, if visitors from another planet asked me to take them to my Leader of the Opposition, I would bring them to Andrew Tyrie.

Twitter.com/@JohnRentoul
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This weekend, people will die of cold in their own homes  in this, the worlds fifth-largest economy  because they cannot afford to pay the high prices charged by energy companies.

Though the cost of fuel to the Big Six has tumbled, they have not cut prices to match. And, rather than make them do so, the Government has turned its fire on clean, renewable power.

It is a great, if underpublicised, scandal. Every seven winter minutes, it is authoritatively calculated, an older person dies from the cold. Even relatively mild January temperatures increase heart attacks and strokes and now  with winter finally taking hold  Public Health England is officially advising pensioners to turn up their heating.

But they cant afford to. Nearly two-thirds of over-65s told a survey last week that they would be likely to cut back on their energy usage instead, with more than half apparently struggling to pay their bills. And its not only the elderly. More than five million British households live in fuel poverty and a higher proportion have to devote more of their incomes to energy than in any other EU country except Estonia.

This year should have brought some relief. The wholesale price of fuel  which makes up nearly 50 per cent of household energy bills  has crashed over the past two years: the cost of gas to the suppliers has halved. But bills, which previously shot up like a rocket, have only drifted down like a feather.

Until last Mays general election, the Big Six companies said they could not cut prices for fear of being caught by Ed Milibands planned price freeze. Immediately after the unexpected Tory victory, the new Energy Secretary, Amber Rudd, wrote to ask them to do so  the response was minimal while their costs have continued to plummet. Dermot Nolan, the chief executive of Ofgem, the energy regulator, has joined the chorus calling for reductions.

Eco-friendly cities: in pictures Show all 10 1 /10 Eco-friendly cities: in pictures Eco-friendly cities: in pictures 1. Copenhagen, Denmark 55% of residents in the Danish capital cycle to work or school, and over 30% of public transport uses renewable fuel. The city is also aiming to be carbon-neutral by 2025. Getty Images Eco-friendly cities: in pictures 2. Stockholm, Sweden All trains in the Swedish capital run on renewable fuels, and buses run on a hybrid of ethanol and electricity. The city also has seven nature reserves which improve air quality. Getty Eco-friendly cities: in pictures 3. Hamburg, Germany The German city, which was the European Green Capital in 2011, uses 200,000 low-energy lamps across 400 public buildings. 3,000 hectares of state-owned parkland are also available for the million people who use them every week. Getty Images Eco-friendly cities: in pictures 4. Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain There are over 130,000 trees and 90km of bicycle lanes in this northern city of Spain. Citizens also have access to 210 organic farming plots, and there is a public green space within 300 metres of every house. Eco-friendly cities: in pictures 5. Nantes, France As the first city in France to re-introduce electric tramways, Nantes has set itself targets to reduce air pollution and carbon dioxide emissions. 15% of daily travels are undertaken on public transport, and only 11% of rubbish goes to landfill. Eco-friendly cities: in pictures 6. Bristol, UK The birthplace of Banksy and this years European Green Capital, Bristol employs around 9000 people in its low carbon economy initiative. Additionally, 34% of the city is made up of green and blue open spaces and homes have become 25% more efficient over the last decade. Getty Images Eco-friendly cities: in pictures 7. Ljubljana, Slovenia The Slovenian capital has a pedestrian-only city-centre and 94% of residents take part in the organic waste collection system. With over 190km of cycle paths and almost all residents living less than 300m from public transport, the city has promoted environmentally-friendly ways of travelling. Eco-friendly cities: in pictures 8. Oslo, Norway The Norweigan capital has the worlds most electric cars per capita, reducing emissions by 50% since 1991. With the aim to make public transport fossil fuel-free by 2020, the citys authority is making sure residents are as eco-friendly as possible. Getty Images Eco-friendly cities: in pictures 9. Brussels, Belgium Best known for its beer and chocolate, the city which is home to the European Parliament, reduced CO2 emissions by 13,000 tonnes between 2007 and 2009. By 2018, it hopes to have reduced car traffic by 20% from its 2001 level. Eco-friendly cities: in pictures 10. Nijmegen, Netherlands Located on the River Waal, this lesser-known Dutch city fuels its buses with biogas and citizen participation is encouraged through multiple green initiatives. Around 14,000 homes are heated using a network of waste heat, and the city aims to be energy neutral by 2040.

The Big Six point out that they buy their fuel over extended periods, evening out fluctuations. But last summer the Competition Commission concluded that they were overcharging households by a staggering 1.2bn a year. An unofficial survey suggests it is now almost 3bn.

You would expect top-level outrage, wouldnt you? But the Prime Minister merely said last week that bills were not falling as fast as I would like. Admittedly, an inquiry is due shortly to propose ways to increase competition, but the Governments real ire has been reserved for comparatively blameless renewables.

Since the election, ministers have implemented, or announced, at least nine measures to restrict them, from ending subsidies for onshore wind to scrapping targets for zero-carbon homes; from ending tax breaks for community renewables projects to slashing feed-in tariffs for rooftop solar power. The reason given? To keep down household energy bills.

This is just the latest sign that they have swallowed the line advanced by the energy companies when they were rapidly raising prices a few years ago. Government subsidies for green energy, they kept saying, were largely responsible  even though the Department of Energy and Climate Changes own figures show that they caused less than a tenth of the rise.

The public never bought the spin: 75 per cent of respondents told a poll they didnt believe it. The Prime Minister did, reportedly calling for an end to the green crap. And he seems to believe it still. On Tuesday, he told the Commons Liaison Committee: Every penny that I put into these technologies is a penny that goes on someones electricity bill.

Well, hes right about one thing: only pennies are involved. Effectively shutting down onshore wind will save just 30p on a 1,300 average annual electricity bill, while (now slightly modified) plans to almost eliminate subsidies for rooftop solar would have cut it by just 1.20. The cost of supporting renewables makes up only 50-70 of that 1,300 (official figures vary). So even eliminating all support  with all that would mean for the battles against climate change, air pollution and unemployment (as they are much more job-intensive than fossil fuels)  would save well under half of the 175 reduction that, it was estimated last week, energy companies could deliver by fairer pricing.

Another 35 goes to improve energy efficiency, mainly by insulating poorer peoples homes. It used to be more, but this was one of the main victims of the green crap episode. While the poor got less, the Big Six reaped a bonanza, saving 2bn by having to take fewer, cheaper conservation measures. And, almost six months later, several of them had together failed to pass on to 3.7 million of their customers the 50 it was supposed to save them.

Insulation is important: the leakiness of British homes wastes so much energy that bills are among the highest in Europe, even though our prices per unit are among the lowest. In 2013, David Cameron pledged to make ours the continents most energy-efficient country. But energy-saving measures have been scrapped even faster than ones supporting renewable power.

The Prime Minister gets testy when (as at last weeks hearing) he is accused of not living up to his professed green ambitions. He seems to believe that he is fulfilling them, suggesting, not for the first time, that he is in denial about what is really happening.

Perhaps reality is finally beginning to dawn. Last week, he called the winter deaths a standing rebuke. He should accept it as such, take action and target the real culprits.
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Hey guys, its couples night at our strip club  do you like sweaty fake tits? The bored-looking man trying to lure tourists into his Las Vegas strip joint had clearly lost the will to live. Its a feeling that most sane people experience after a couple of days in this anything goes desert town. Im here for work and staying at the rather swanky, casino-free, Mandarin Oriental. This makes a sojourn here a lot more tolerable than usual. Being casino-free is an extraordinarily rare thing in this town. Even as you step off the plane there are slot machines tempting you to jettison your hand luggage and get stuck in.

Later, wandering around one of the vast hotel casinos that line the Strip, I started to have an out-of-body sensation. This city tends to have that effect. Vegas carpets are hideous, forcing your eyes up to the gaming machines and tables. Oxygen is supposedly pumped into the rooms, and you will never see any clocks. The place becomes a permanent neon night with a handy ATM never more than a hundred yards away. On my first night out, I eventually escaped the glitzy, cash-draining sensory overload and ended up in a bar drinking something called ass juice. Stay classy Las Vegas.

Recommended Read more Watch Britney Spears get stuck up a tree in Las Vegas

The following day I headed to a gun range to chat to some customers about politics while we fired machine-guns. I was careful not express my less than positive views on Donald Trump as he is very popular among the Vegas shooting community. Mind you, the establishment owners were surprisingly pro-Obama. We love the guy, every time he talks about gun control, our sales shoot up by 500 per cent.

The last time I was in a Vegas firing range, in 2003, the targets included Saddam Hussein, Osama bin Laden and Jacques Chirac (this was the era of cheese-eating, surrender monkeys and freedom fries). I wondered who the new bogeymen would be. To my surprise, most targets were zombies and masked intruders. The American enemy had turned faceless.

Isis just dont have a public face we can make a target out of said the shooting instructor despondently.

I chatted to a couple on a shooting date. As her boyfriend hammered away on an enormous assault rifle, the girl told me that she was the star of a YouTube channel in which she shot large guns while dressed only in a bikini. I nodded and smiled, like this was a normal conversation.

The link between shooting and women is pushed hard in the publicity brochures for these shooting ranges. One offered a VIP shooting session and the photo showed a man in a tuxedo holding a large gun, sitting on a bed in between two busty-looking women wearing very little. I asked the owner if the girls and the bed came with the package and he looked confused and said of course not. I didnt take this any further. Its difficult to be cheeky to someone carrying a powerful pistol in a holster on their hip.
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The civil war in Syria will soon enter its sixth year  and already six million children have been displaced from their homes, of whom two million are refugees holed up in Lebanon, Turkey and Jordan. The figure is likely to rise to 2.5 million by the years end.

No one can predict how long the boys and girls will be away from their homes but, even after years of war, the majority of refugee children are deprived of the basic right to go to school and are on the streets.

Recommended Read more Artworks by Syrian refugee children

Unless new money for education is found at the fourth United Nations Syria Pledging Conference in London on 4 February, hundreds of thousands will go through their school-age years without ever entering a classroom.

We know that the future of the region depends on educated young people. But the evidence is that children are being forced into child labour  and girls into early marriage  and, the longer children are out of school, the less likely they are ever to return to complete their education. And we know also that it is the absence of educational opportunities in the region that is one of the most important factors in family decisions to embark on the dangerous voyages to Europe.

Only a monumental effort by public and private sectors can begin to undo the damage done to millions of childrens lives over the past five years.

So at Davos this week, two weeks before the London conference, business will be challenged on what part it can play to help one million Syrian refugee children secure the education they need in the biggest refugee crisis since 1945.

And, in a unique venture, the Global Business Coalition for Education is bringing together dozens of concerned companies ready to offer everything from books and computers and online learning facilities to help for job placement for school leavers and accelerated learning programmes for children who have been out of school for years.

Currently, humanitarian aid  which focuses on food, shelter and healthcare  offers little for education in emergencies, even when refugees have been in camps or displaced for years on end. And, sadly, at the moment, development aid is not geared to emergencies or to conflict zones. In both cases  humanitarian and development aid  the private sector role has never been formalised

This spring, the first World Humanitarian Summit will convene in Istanbul. The creation of a global humanitarian fund drawing on the widest possible set of contributors  foundations, charities, companies and governments  allied to our plan to provide education for one million Syrian refugee children this year, will write a new chapter in the history of humanitarian aid. And not before time.

Sarah Brown is president of Theirworld and chair of the Global Business Coalition for Education
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How straightforward, how unreal, it all seems now  25 years on. At 3am Baghdad time on 17 January 1991, the first President Bush unleashed Operation Desert Storm to drive Saddam Husseins forces from Kuwait. If only everything today were as simple in the Middle East.

Desert Storm began with a bombing campaign that devastated Iraqs infrastructure and military supply lines. Then came a ground war that lasted 100 hours, in which a vast international coalition led by 500,000 US troops routed the worlds fourth largest army. The US lost 146 men, 35 of them to friendly fire. On 28 February, Bush announced a ceasefire. Americas goal had been achieved. Kuwait was liberated.

The First Gulf War, it seemed then, was a model of its kind, built upon painstaking and skilful diplomacy, legitimised by an unequivocal resolution of the UN Security Council, and perfectly executed. The goal was circumscribed and clear; there would be no advance to Baghdad, and no US takeover of Iraq such as the one that would happen, with baneful consequences, a dozen years later. In other ways, too, the war was a landmark. It was held to have banished Vietnam syndrome, whereby the US supposedly had no stomach for foreign conflicts. It ushered in a fresh era of public veneration for the military that persists, outwardly at least, to this day.

In Stormin  Norman Schwarzkopf, it produced Americas most charismatic military commander since the Second World War and it was also the first television war, where you could watch Cruise missile launches and strikes as they happened. And, mirabile dictu, thanks to financial contributions from grateful allies such as Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, it damn near turned a profit.

That was then. Today, filtered through the subsequent turmoil in the Middle East, the war takes on a different hue. Since 1991, the region has been turned on its head: by the 9/11 attacks and the growth of non-state militant Islam; by the younger Bushs invasion of Iraq in 2003; and by the Arab Spring, with its sad, unintended legacy of a collapsed Libya, an even more repressive military regime in Egypt, unspeakable tragedy in Syria, and the possibility of a generalised Sunni-Shia conflict across the region.

The First Gulf War still ranks as a success. But seen from a modern vantage point, it is an anomaly: a conflict between states, fought by organised land armies. Bush Snr, who had fought in the Second World War, saw Saddam as a new Hitler, out to seize an empire of oil  first Kuwait, then Saudi Arabia, then who knew where. The First Gulf War happened 25 years ago. It feels like a century.

Nor was it perfect. In retrospect, costly mistakes were clearly made that have contributed to todays chaos in the region. One reason Bush Snr didnt march on Baghdad was that he thought Iraqis themselves would take care of their humiliated leader. But, instead, Bushs son finished the job, with disastrous consequences.

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There were other errors: the lack of a USS Missouri moment  a surrender ceremony inflicted upon Saddam akin to that in 1945 of the Japanese government  even though the famous old battleship was on war duty in the Gulf, and could easily have been used to make a devastating symbolic point.

Instead, neither Saddam nor his foreign minister, Tariq Aziz, was summoned to the ceasefire signing that was attended by Schwarzkopf and a couple of Iraqi generals. The latter asked to be allowed to use helicopters, saying they were vital for communications. Schwarzkopf agreed  only for the helicopters to be used in southern Iraq to suppress brutally the Shia Marsh Arabs, whom Bush had encouraged to rise up against Saddam. That perceived betrayal would not quickly be forgotten.

The US had tilted towards Sunni-controlled Iraq in the Iran-Iraq conflict, but the First Gulf War represented Washingtons debut direct military foray into the regions sectarian politics. It has never really got out since. The dazzling triumph of American arms may have exorcised Vietnams ghosts, but it led to a belief that US power was irresistible, and the hubris that helped bring about the blunder of 2003.

Inevitably, the two wars are compared: the fathers good war of necessity, to stamp out a dictators aggression and safeguard the worlds oil, versus the sons vengeful war of choice based on bad, if not doctored, intelligence and a naive belief that Jeffersonian democracy would take root on the banks of the Euphrates and Tigris.

In fact, they have a critical element in common: the contrast between the battlefield, where on each occasion the US swept all before it, and the aftermath of battle, which the country was far less prepared to handle. Military victories are one thing, satisfactory political outcomes quite another. Barack Obama, so reluctant to commit boots on the ground in Syria, has taken the lesson to heart.

In retrospect, you can argue that Bush Snr formally ended his war too soon, instead of waiting a little while to see how the dust would settle. As for Bush Jnr, he would have done better to accept that, for all Saddams post-1991 antics, no-fly zones and sanctions meant that the dictator was in his proverbial box. It wasnt an ideal situation, but one that Washington could have lived with.

And todays age of terror was partly shaped by that war. The US could not be confronted on the battlefield, Osama bin Laden concluded, but it could be by deadly infiltrators as in 9/11, by a fifth column, or simply by fear. Listen to the apocalyptic rhetoric of the Republican candidates vying to succeed Obama, and Bin Laden surely had a point. America is still the power that can make the biggest difference in the region. But, as the First Gulf War proved, the US cant save the Middle East from itself.
Liquidators of IBRC have 2.1bn in cash left over from the mass sell-off of loans, the Irish Independent has learned.

The size of the liquidators' pot, left over after the Central Bank got the bulk of cash raised by selling off business and home loans, means former Anglo Irish Bank junior bondholders are closer to recouping 270m owed since the rescue of the bust bank in 2008.

Only bondholders who successfully fought off a legal move by the bank back in 2010 to "burn" them by imposing losses are still in line to get paid.

The bondholder claim ranks behind 1.1bn owed to the State in the line of priority for payment, but taxpayers have no hope of recovering the bulk of the 34bn sunk into the former Anglo Irish Bank and Irish Nationwide Building Society, which merged to form IBRC.

The 2.1bn figure is contained in a written response to a question from Fianna Fail TD Michael McGrath to Finance Minister Michael Noonan.

The reply indicates that liquidators have enough cash to pay bondholders but says its uncertain if or when that will happen.

"The ultimate level of dividend paid, if any, to each creditor cannot be known until such time as all loan assets are sold, the total level of adjudicated creditors is finalised and the other contingent creditor claims which may crystallise, including those from litigation, are known."

A major uncertainty is the outcome of long running legal cases including claims and counterclaims for sums running into billions of euro between IBRC and the family of businessman Sean Quinn.

IBRC's special liquidators, Kieran Wallace and Eamonn Richardson, will publish an update on the winding up of the former bank over the next two months, according to the minister.

Even the threat of a bondholder pay out is politically toxic given the losses suffered by taxpayer.

New Central Bank Governor Philip Lane met yesterday with the Ballyhea Says No protest group, which has been opposed to bondholder bailouts, and with a number of politicians.

"Far from being the 'redundant' issue as described by Tanaiste Joan Burton in the past week, due to the IBRC bond sale (legacy of the Anglo Irish Bank/INBS Promissory Notes), bank debt is very alive and kicking," its spokesman, Diarmuid O'Flyn, said following the meeting.

Mr O'Flynn said the political will does not exist to take action that could limit further ongoing losses on debts associated with the bank bailouts, but said he believes the group has an "ally" in Governor Lane.

The Ballyhea campaign wants candidates in the General Election to back the formation of a cross-party Dail committee to address the issue.
Fresh plan for former headquarters of Irish Distillers, makers of Jameson whiskey. Photo: Aidan Crawley / Bloomberg

The former headquarters of Irish Distillers in Dublin is to be partly razed and redeveloped in a multi-million euro project.

A new office development is planned at the historic Smithfield site by a company controlled by Joe and Patrick Linders.

Linders of Smithfield has sought planning permission from Dublin City Council for the extensive redevelopment of the prime site. It's the second time the Linders proposed a redevelopment of the site, with a previous plan having been rejected by the council in 2011.

Now the company wants to partly demolish the former headquarters which Irish Distillers vacated in 2009 when it moved to a new office in Ballsbridge.

It had been in the premises, which incorporates old buildings that were once used for whiskey warehousing and maturation, since the 1980s when it was converted to offices.

Linders of Smithfield plans to develop a property ranging in height from four to seven storeys above a double basement, which will comprise a gross floor area of 20,500 sq ft.

A restaurant and bar are also planned at the new building.

There will also be a total of six roof terraces, three on the fifth floor and three on the sixth.

The 2011 application by Linders of Smithfield to redevelop the former Irish Distillers HQ was rejected partly because that project required the total demolition of the premises.

The council said at the time that given the historic interest and industrial character of the existing building, the proposal to entirely demolish it would be contrary to development plan policies.

Linders had intended to build a new seven-storey premises, with three another three levels below ground.
A petrol price war has broken out after one of the largest fuel retailers in the State cut its prices by 3c a litre.

The move means that the cost of motor fuel is now on a par with the cost of a litre of bottled water.

Applegreen is to reduce its prices back to what it said were 2009 levels at its 133 forecourts.

The group said the lowest price for a litre of petrol would now be as 1.16 at its forecourts, with diesel as low as 1.01.

Price cuts by Applegreen are expected to prompt a response from other big petrol retailers such as Topaz, Esso, Texaco and Maxol, along with independents.

A spokesman for Topaz said the company was passing on the fall in oil prices to consumers as they happened.

Chief executive of Applegreen Bob Etchingham said pump prices have now fallen by 25c since June last year.

"Falling crude oil prices has seen petrol and diesel pump prices drop significantly over the past number of months. This is really positive news for the driving public in Ireland," he said.

The moves comes as crude oil prices continued to fall below $30 a barrel on world markets yesterday, with predictions that oil will drop to $20, with some investors suggesting a $10 price.

Dublin garage Emo in Mount Brown in Kilmainham became one of the first in the capital to sell diesel below 1. Earlier in the week, service stations in Mayo dropped their prices to this level.

The Irish Petrol Retailers' Association (IPRA), which represents 550 independent fuel retailers, said its members would respond to the price cuts by larger petrol retail groups.

David Blevings of the IPRA said: "At the end of the day they all set their own price, but independent petrol retailers will respond. They have to move down to compete."

He said drivers would benefit from more price cuts, especially if predictions by international investment bank Goldman Sachs that a barrel of crude would fall to $20 were correct.

Asked how low prices at the pumps would go, Mr Blevings said: "Who knows? We are in uncharted waters. How long it goes on we don't know, but prices do have further to fall."

AA Ireland director Conor Faughnan said pump prices would be even lower if taxes had not been increased five times in the emergency Budgets by a succession of governments since 2008. He said this had added 20c to the prices of both fuels for drivers.

This time last year motorists were paying as little as 122.8c per litre of petrol and 117.8c for diesel.

The average price of a litre of petrol is now 125.9c, with diesel at 109.9c across the country, according to comparison site Pumps.ie.
Micheal Martin is his party's greatest asset and biggest liability at one and the same time.

Since embarking on "Operation Rescue Fianna Fail" after their electoral meltdown in February 2011, the Cork politician has had mixed luck at best.

After a few opinion poll flurries and a good 2014 local election result, the party is struggling in the popularity ratings and near enough to where it was in its darkest hour.

Above all, Fianna Fail cannot challenge as a potential leader of the next government. Brave talk of leading efforts to oust Enda Kenny smacks of whistling past the graveyard.

Insistence on ruling out Fine Gael and Sinn Fein as coalition partners smacks of a stance for the election campaign only, which may be revisited.

On the doorsteps, party canvassers hear former Fianna Fail supporters cite his name as a reason for reticence about returning to the fold. Already, there are mutterings from some constituencies about a reluctance to put up election posters bearing Martin's image.

There are many good things about Martin - even when he is mired in difficulty. He is intelligent, quick-thinking, and is one of the most experienced politicians in the country with 26 years in the Dail and 13 years' cabinet experience in very senior posts.

The biggest Martin negative is his close linkage to the Fianna Fail past and the calamity of economic bust. He was part of Bertie Ahern's frontbench from early 1995, and only quit Brian Cowen's ill-starred cabinet on January 19, 2011, days before everything came crashing down.

His past meant he could hardly oppose the austerity and had to back the Fine Gael-Labour Coalition implementing draconian policies he himself had helped frame. Experience as health minister limited scope to attack the Government on health in an election which will take place amid ongoing hospital A&E strife.

But Martin's difficulties are not confined to legacy issues. From the outset, he has struggled to frame a recasting of Fianna Fail's republicanism which could appeal to many citizens through a message on equality of opportunity. His attempts to take the party along a more liberal, secularist policy road have been stymied by his own conservative colleagues.

Problems are compounded by his having a small Dail team with few colleagues of ability and experience. There is a huge reliance on Michael McGrath marking Finance; Billy Kelleher on Health; Willie O'Dea on Social Welfare; and Niall Collins on Justice.

For the moment, Martin also has another advantage: there isn't anybody else. As Willie O'Dea sardonically noted, the party is not "coming down with Churchills".

But that situation may not last beyond the election. This election will define Micheal Martin's future.
'The most unlikely savoury foods can contain several spoons of added sugar' Photo: Despositphotos

An apparently healthy diet can conceal three times the amount of sugar a person should ideally consume each day - because so much is now hidden in everyday foods.

The most unlikely savoury foods can contain several spoons of added sugar, while so-called "low fat" versions of products are often sweetened to make them more palatable.

A typical daily menu of a consumer who is health conscious can still leave them eating nearly 16 spoons of sugar, according to an analysis by the Irish Independent.

This amount of sugar can make up around 14pc of the daily calorie consumption of a sedentary woman - nearly three times the ideal 5pc limit set by the World Health Organisation.

Dr Cliodhna Foley-Nolan, director of Human Health and Nutrition in Safefood, who compiled a conservative day's menu, pointed out it did not include any fizzy drinks or chocolate bars.

"If you were having these meals in a day, you would think you were being very good," she pointed out.

"But as can be seen, it is very easy for the hidden sugars to add up."

She added: "We are not suggesting people don't eat, but they should be aware of how sugar can creep up when you have anything processed."

Our high sugar intake has been linked to rising levels of overweight and obesity which are contributing to heart disease, diabetes and even cancer.

She said a fruit yogurt can contain around three spoons of sugar. A dinner of spaghetti bolognese has sauces with sugar.

Some breakfast cereals, while nutritious, also have sugars lurking in their ingredients.

The culprits are sugars added to food and drink known as "free sugars".

We do not need to avoid sugars which occur naturally in foods such as fresh fruit and milk.

Dr Foley-Nolan pointed out that most people "habitually buy the same foods" so one way of cutting down was to look for alternatives.

"Rather than tackling everything at once, try to make one change at a time."

For instance, examine three types of yogurt, check the labels and compare them. Choose one that is tasty and has the least amount of sugar.

Instead of buying a fruit yogurt, look for a plain version and add fruit. "Look around at some of the cereals. Are there cereals that will be acceptable to the household and go for one with the lowest sugar."

Instead of having a glass of orange juice in the morning, have a piece of fruit such as an orange or mandarin.

Obesity expert Prof Donal O'Shea has also criticised food labels which can leave consumers confused about levels of sugar.

Health Minister Leo Varadkar said: "We're working with the food industry to slowly reduce the amount of sugar, fat and salt in food. By reducing in stages, rather than doing it overnight, consumers won't notice any difference and the food will taste just as good.

"This is known as reformulation, and along with reducing portion sizes, it's one of the most effective ways to reduce obesity.

"I met the industry last month and I'll be making a further announcement on this topic in a few weeks' time. In the meantime, I am calling on the industry to commit to binding targets to reduce added sugar and salt. But we should remember that this is a free country and there's only so much that you can regulate for.

"Everyone should be free to make their own decisions about the food they eat, but they also need to understand the consequences of the decisions."
A number of families evicted from a halting site in Dundalk yesterday returned to their mobile homes last night.

A number of families who were not placed in emergency accommodation last night returned to the halting site they had been evicted from earlier that day.

Residents reported that six mobile homes and up to eight caravans remain at the site.

A Garda operation to remove the temporary homes is ongoing. Equipment to remove the homes is expected on the Louth site on Monday.

Reports had previously suggest a "stand-off" with gardai, although a representative from An Garda Siochana told Independent.ie that they are "monitoring the situation" and that there is "no situation, no incident".

On Thursday night, Louth County Council met with Traveller representatives to agree on temporary accommodation for the 17 families involved.

Read More

The council will also work to secure long-term accommodation for Travellers.

Louth TD Gerry Adams said that the decision to evict 17 families was "unreasonable and unnecessary".

Woodland Park was formerly an official halting site but it was closed in 2008.
Staff at a local supermarket were threatened and assaulted in an armed robbery yesterday evening.

One man, aged in his late 20s to early 30s, entered the store on Fairyhouse Road in Ratoath at around 7.20pm.

He threatened employees with a gun before leaving the shop in Co Meath with an amount of cash.

At least one male employee suffered minor injuries during an altercation with the armed raider.

The thief then fled the scene on foot, carrying a green plastic bag, and went in the direction of Riverwalk, a pedestrian area opposite the shop.

He wore a mask over his face but is described as being approximately 5'11" in height and of a strong build.

At the time of the robbery, the raider wore a beetroot coloured hooded jumper which had white draw strings and a red t-shirt underneath.

He was also wearing blue jeans, white socks and white runners which had white soles and a black trim around the ankles.

Investigating Gardai are appealing for witnesses and anyone with information is asked to contact Ashbourne Garda Station on 01 8010600, The Garda Confidential Line, 1800 666111 or any Garda Station.
A young mother and her two sons who had been missing from their home in Co Wicklow since last Tuesday have been located.

Joanna Rose (30) and her children, 5-year-old Benjamin and Vincent (3), were last seen at their home at Newcourt Villas in Bray on January 12.

However the three were located safe and well this afternoon.

Gardai have thanked the public for their assisstance.
More than 2,000 Irish teens have had their social media photos 'hijacked' and exploited via vile international sex websites.

The shocking revelation came as a major Internet safety group, ChildWatch.ie, said it has identified Irish youngsters who are now deemed to be at 'high risk' due to internet users becoming aware of their identities, locations and then subjecting them to cyber-stalking.

It emerged teenage girls from four counties are involved in the latest 'image harvesting' controversy which has shocked Cork.

It was initially believed almost 50 Cork teens had their innocent social media photos hijacked, and then uploaded to a hardcore international porn site. Now it is understood that thousands were affected.

The photos were uploaded by a user nicknamed 'Irish Exposed', who has an Irish IP address.

Safety campaigner, Pat McKenna, of Childwatch.ie, warned that the revelations underline the need for legislation to be urgently reviewed.

"It is a bigger national problem - you don't have to go outside the borders of Ireland to see the extent of this problem," he said.

"This has been going on since 2008. Images of girls in their school uniforms have even been uploaded. Some of the sites they were uploaded to are fairly dire. It was pretty obvious since 2013 that this was a major problem."

Childwatch.ie warned that Ireland and other EU countries urgently need a special internet agency specifically equipped to deal with these types of online issues.

"The law is a very blunt instrument and you need a special agency that moves quickly with the times and is able to deal with these things," he added.

"These crimes are very technical and all suspected technical crimes are very time-consuming for the gardai, because computers have to be examined and such."

The greatest concern, he warned, was that girls could be identified through geo-tagging on social media - and then be subjected to cyber-stalking from people who spot the 'hijacked' images on a porn site.

It has now emerged that girls from Cork, Dublin, Galway and Waterford had their images uploaded to the porn site.

Gardai have received formal complaints from a number of the teens involved and are treating the matter as "very serious".

One young Irish woman, Lizzy Ryan (19), said she found it "sickening" that some people were attempting to blame the innocent teens.

Lizzy, from Templeogue in Dublin, said it was "very disturbing" that clear preferences were shown on the site for the social media photos which depicted the youngest girls.

"I find it appalling that some people out there are actually victim-blaming," she said.

She added that she knows several people left traumatised by what happened.

Another teen, Katie Kirwin (19), from Cork, admitted she found some of the vile comments on the site about the photos to be "sickening and quite alarming".

She has lodged a complaint with gardai.

But she said she is "fuming" that it is taking so long for her formal statement to be taken.
Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin has had his salary topped up to the tune of at least 30,000-a-year from a taxpayer-backed fund.

The payment was used in 2014 to bump his pay level up to 117,258.

And he received a further top-up last year, details of which Fianna Fail has yet to reveal.

Mr Martin accepted the additional payment despite saying in 2012 he wasn't taking any top-ups.

The cash was drawn from one of two funds, worth a combined 13.8m annually, which parties and Independent TDs can access without having to provide detailed public accounts for where the money goes.

Records show the cash was used for a variety of purposes, ranging from the general administration of party organisations to hiring public relations consultants, research and policy development.

However, Mr Martin was the only party leader who used a portion of it to top up their basic TD's salary of 87,258 during the lifetime of the current Dail.

The top-up meant he was being paid at a level close to that of a junior minister in 2014.

It was claimed from a fund called the Parliamentary Activities Allowance, previously known as the Party Leaders Allowance.

More than 31.3m has been dispersed to parties and Independent TDs and senators from this fund since 2011.

The fund allows for a payment to a party leader of a salary or honorarium in respect of duties arising from his or her activities as leader of a party as distinct from those of a member of the Dail.

According to the Standards in Public Office Commission, payments made from the fund are not subject to income tax under the Oireachtas Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices (Amendment) Act 2014.

In a statement, Fianna Fail said Mr Martin had not taken a payment from the party's Parliamentary Activities Allowance in 2011, 2012 and 2013 "as the party stabilised its finances".

"From 2014 onwards, he did take payment from the party to reflect the additional workload that he takes as party leader," it said.

The statement pointed out that both Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny and former Labour leader Eamon Gilmore "took similar payments from this allowance for the full five-year period of the last Dail".

When asked what top-up Mr Martin had received last year, his spokesman said he didn't have the figure to hand and that it would be supplied "as normal" in an annual return to SIPO.

The annual return for 2015 is not due to be made until March.

A query as to who in Fianna Fail decided Mr Martin should receive the payment did not receive a response.

Prior to the last general election, it was the norm for Opposition party leaders to claim top-ups from the Parliamentary Activities Allowance.

However, Opposition party leaders, including Mr Martin, ended the practice of taking payments from the fund after it emerged Enda Kenny had received an annual 48,344 top-up on his salary in the years before he became Taoiseach.

Mr Martin is the only party leader who resumed acceptance of a top-up in the intervening period.

While in Opposition, Mr Gilmore and his then deputy leader Joan Burton had their salaries topped up by a combined 22,100 in 2010.

However, no Labour leader has taken a top-up from the fund since then.

Audited

Another taxpayer-funded cash stream, known as Electoral Act Funding, has netted the main political parties 20.3m since 2011.

Parties are restricted from spending the money from either of the two funds directly on election or referendum expenses.

Due to archaic regulations, they are not required to provide receipts or invoices for the cash spent or declare the identity of service providers used.

They are required to have their accounts audited, but only the bare minimum of information actually has to be supplied to SIPO and in some cases it has been submitted in handwritten form.
MEP Luke 'Ming' Flanagan has apologised to a Fianna Fail politician for comments he posted on his Facebook page on the morning of the October 2014 by-election.

A defamation action taken by Councillor Ivan Connaughton against Mr Flanagan was settled at Roscommon Circuit Court.

In an apology read to the court, Mr Flanagan said that on October 10, 2014, he had posted comments on his Facebook page referring to remarks made by Ivan Connaughton in an article in the 'Roscommon Herald' in February 2011.

"In hindsight, Mr Flanagan accepts that he misinterpreted the comments made by Mr Connaughton and he is happy to correct the record in this regard," Judge Doirbhile Flanagan was told.

The apology, read on Mr Flanagan's behalf, added: "Mr Flanagan apologises to Mr Connaughton for any hurt caused."

Cllr Connaughton led the initial counts in the Roscommon South Leitrim by-election in 2014. But in what was regarded as a surprise defeat for Fianna Fail, the seat was ultimately taken by Independent candidate Michael Fitzmaurice, who had been endorsed by Mr Flanagan.

Both Mr Flanagan and Mr Connaughton were yesterday at Roscommon courthouse for the hearing, which had been expected to continue all day.

At the outset, counsel for both men requested an adjournment to allow talks to take place, and after almost three hours, Judge Flanagan heard that there had been a settlement. She adjourned the case until March to allow for implementation of the settlement.

Speaking afterwards, Cllr Connaughton said that he was delighted with the outcome.

"I did not take this case for financial gain," said the Athleague-based auctioneer.

"I wanted to clear my name and now I just want to move on with my political career and my business."

Mr Connaughton said he felt he had no choice but to take the case.
Former ICTU general secretary David Begg, who has been appointed as chairman of the Pensions Authority. Photo: Tom Burke

Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams has described the decision of Tanaiste Joan Burton to appoint former union boss David Begg to a State board as crass stupidity.

Mr Adams said his party has not yet decided whether it will support a no motion confidence in the Labour Party leader which will be debated in the Dail next Tuesday and Wednesday.

But he said: I think the arrogance of the Tanaiste is just staggering. This is the government which presented itself as being about transparency and reform and democratic revolution.

Just the absolutely arrogance and crass stupidity. If she wanted to appoint anybody she could have done it through the procedures that are in place, she didnt, he said.

Ms Burton is to face a motion of no confidence from the Independent Alliance in the Dail next Tuesday amid accusations of cronyism.

The ex-Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) boss said that he would not be "hounded out" of his new position as Pensions Authority chairman - but added he would have no problem standing aside if the Government wanted to review his appointment.

Ms Burton bypassed the normal public appointments procedure to personally offer Mr Begg (63) the 20,000-a-year post.

She used a little-known clause in the guidelines for making appointments to State boards which says that a minister can independently identify a person "who is evidently and objectively highly qualified" for the position.

In a series of radio interviews yesterday, Mr Begg hit out at Independent TD Shane Ross who has criticised the appointment, saying Mr Ross has a 30-year history "of attacking me".

"I'm not going to be hounded out of the job by some people who think they can exercise this as a cause celebre for themselves. If the heat gets very high, you can't just abandon the kitchen," he said.

In response, Mr Ross told the Irish Independent that the appointment was "a terrible example of continued cronyism".

He said his group did not expect to win the motion of no confidence, but added: "It will highlight that political patronism is alive and well in the dying days of the Dail."

Asked last night whether Ms Burton might review the decision in light of the controversy, a spokesman for the Labour Party leader said: "The Tanaiste has nominated David Begg because of his wide-ranging expertise, abilities and track record in dealing with private and public sector issues, including pensions, throughout his career, and believes he will be an excellent appointment to the Pensions Authority."

Mr Begg has not yet received a formal letter of appointment but is already listed on the Pension Authority website as its chairman.

He is due to appear before the Joint Committee on Education and Social Protection at the end of the month, where TDs and senators will be able to question his qualifications for the job.

Public Expenditure Minister Brendan Howlin rejected the charge of cronyism "because David Begg is not a member of the Labour Party, to my knowledge has never been, but he is somebody who is regarded highly by every politician, well maybe [not by] one or two that you could mention, but by the vast majority of politicians for his work in the trade union movement over the last 30 years".

Both the Irish Business and Employers Confederation (Ibec) and the Impact trade union welcomed the appointment.

"There has been an awful lot of unnecessary mock outrages about the appointment," said Impact's Niall Shanahan.

Danny McCoy of Ibec said: "David Begg is highly respected and will bring a wealth of relevant experience to the role of chairman."
A couple walks in the Dublin Mountains near Kilakee. Photo: Colin Keegan

A week of cold temperatures stalled openings at dozens of schools around Ireland, as roads remain treacherous and frozen.

The south and north of the island have been hit hardest by the arctic blast, with serious disruption in parts of Cork.

Gardai and the Road Safety Authority (RSA) warned that the icy conditions may persist for several days.

Rainfall in the early hours of the morning yesterday froze on roads leaving many covered in black ice.

Schools in Cork agreed to facilitate parents in light of travel chaos over icy roads and delayed classroom starts in a bid to allow families extra time given the treacherous conditions.

At the height of the morning rush hour, more than 30 bus routes were either suspended or cancelled throughout Cork city and county.

One bus collided with two cars on the outskirts of Cork city due to severe ice. Bus services only resumed after the thaw and black ice also resulted in severe traffic tailbacks.

Gardai also appealed to motorists to drive with extreme caution, particularly on secondary roads or routes through housing estates which may not have been gritted. Roads in Tipperary and Limerick were also hit by ice.

More than 20 schools in Cavan closed yesterday, giving students some reason to celebrate. A number of schools in Longford also remained closed due to snowfall in the area.

Kerry avoided the worst of the Siberian road conditions though some routes on higher areas were described as quite hazardous.

Meanwhile, drivers in the Midlands have been urged to exercise caution as roads remain slippy due to ice, frost and snow in places.

One person was injured after their car skidded outside Longford town, and they were later taken to Mullingar Regional Hospital. The cold snap is set to continue over the weekend, but an approaching band of cloud will bring some increase in temperatures.

Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Previous Next Close 'The big freeze has hit Ballinaglera!' Sent in by Adelle McGourty @AdelleMcGourty on Twitter using #IndoSubmit. 'Dennis the sausage dog,enjoying the weather in dromore ruan co.clare ' Sent in by amon corry @eamondocorleone on Twitter using #IndoSubmit Sent in by Rob Smith via contact@independent.ie Photo sent in by @MurphyGPhotos on Twitter Snow in the Midlands Credit: Jane Last Sent in by Belmullet CGS (@belmullet_cgs) on Twitter using #IndoSubmit 'Beautiful start to Friday in Erris!' 'Wild Wicklow Gap'. Sent in by Pol O'Conghaile using #IndoSubmit 'Roads not the best!' Sent in by Aidan C. (@CotterAidan) on Twitter using #IndoSubmit 'Roads not the best!' Sent in by Aidan C. (@CotterAidan) on Twitter using #IndoSubmit Sent in by davitt groarke via contact@independent.ie of Co Leitrim Sent in by davitt groarke via contact@independent.ie of Co Leitrim Snow in Teenageragh, Kiltimagh, Co Mayo Snow in Teenageragh, Kiltimagh, Co Mayo Snow in Teenageragh, Kiltimagh, Co Mayo Snow in Teenageragh, Kiltimagh, Co Mayo Snow in Teenageragh, Kiltimagh, Co Mayo Snow in Mayo - Pic Lorna Larkin Snow in Mayo - Pic Lorna Larkin / Facebook

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Aoife Murray, forecaster with Met Eireann, said values will plunge as low as -5C over night.

Tonight is set to be slightly warmer, although temperatures climb to just 1C in some places.

While unsettled weather is expected from Sunday, Met Eireann does not expect the same extreme conditions of last month.

And heading into next week, temperatures are expected to creep back up to double figures again, at least during daytime.

The mercury will reach up to 11C by Tuesday or Wednesday.
Minister for Transport Paschal Donohoe has called on road users to remain vigilant in 2016. Photo: Frank McGrath

Up to 60,000 Dart commuters may face traffic chaos later this month as a row at the transport company deepened last night.

Irish Rail accused unions of "misleading the public" as they announced members are balloting for industrial action over the introduction of a new 10-minute service.

News that the drivers may down tools comes as Luas drivers prepare to mount two 48-hour strikes next month.

The National Bus and Rail Drivers Union said strike action on the Dart will begin on January 31 if the company forges ahead with a plan to run Dart trains every 10 minutes.

It claims the change is being brought in without agreement with staff, and there are not enough drivers trained to implement the roster. "The earliest they would have extra drivers trained is June," said general secretary Dermot O'Leary.

Siptu drivers will also ballot next week.

Transport Minister Paschal Donohoe warned the 48-hour Luas strike will damage the economy in the capital.

"I want to reiterate the disruption and damage that this will cause to commuters in Dublin, and the economy in Dublin," he said at the launch of a fleet of 116 new buses at Bus Eireann.

"This period should be used by everybody who is involved in this dispute to sit down, have reasonable negotiations and make sure these strikes do not happen.

"If they do happen, tens of thousands of people are going to be affected each day, for four days, and it will do terrible damage to our economy in Dublin, just as our economy in Dublin is now beginning to recover."

Elsewhere, teacher strikes could close second-level schools and third-level colleges for a day each in coming weeks.

Teachers in almost half the country's second-level schools are threatening a one-day stoppage before the General Election. If it goes ahead, it would close about 350 community colleges and comprehensive and community schools, as well as colleges of further education.

No date has been set, but the Teachers' Union of Ireland (TUI) said it would happen within weeks unless there were meaningful talks on a range of issues, including lower salary scales introduced for new teachers in 2012 and the problem of casualisation in the profession.

TUI president Gerry Quinn said 30pc of second-level teachers were employed on a temporary and/or part-time basis and this proportion grows to 50pc for those under 35.

A Department of Education spokesperson said the last two budgets had seen an increase in the spend on education and the department was also implementing reforms to tackle casualisation.

Earlier this week, lecturers in institutes of technology who are TUI members announced plans for a one-day strike on February 3.

Key concerns include funding for institutes of technology, a 32pc rise in student numbers when lecturer numbers have fallen by 10pc and the precarious employment status of many lecturers.
It was polling day, June 6, 1997. PJ sashayed into the room in his own inimitable style for the daily 7am team meeting at the Fianna Fail election centre on Hume Street - referred to by the wags as 'The Mother Ship'.

Ten of us gathered there daily without fail at his instruction to plan the general election campaign. Voting day was no different. Even though there was no more publicity to be had because of the moratorium, we were still instructed to present ourselves suited and booted. We did as he said. Impeccably dressed in a crisp, cream suit and a white panama hat, he beamed as the newspapers strewn on the table whistled up "It's payback time".

Towering over us all, PJ smiled from ear to ear with that effervescent, mischievous twinkle in his eye that spoke a million words, conveying a hint of a secret that only he knew, but just couldn't tell. One of the assembled captured our bewilderment at the departure from his normal attire by saying: "Jaysus PJ, you look like the man from Del Monte."

Quick as a flash, his rapier wit boomed back: "Yes peasants, I have just been out whipping a few slaves on the plantation. They are going to say YES!"

Expand Close PJ Mara with his wife Breda. Photo: Ann Egan / Facebook

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This is how I will remember PJ - irreverent, irrepressible, happy, and funny, with little regard for political correctness but lightening sharp.

There are a thousand such stories. PJ was erudite, urbane, gifted, stylish and most of all intelligent. His love of poetry, art and history belied the stereotype that PR types are shallow, one-dimensional creatures. Lots of people are remarkably well read but few people can recall the appropriate quote or reference with the alacrity that PJ did. He knew how to use information.

Tom Vaughan-Lawlor's recent attempt to portray him in the drama 'Charlie' was valiant but did not quite capture his panache or the gravitas that the man had. No saint, he was prone to the odd bout of coursing invective which was delivered sparingly but with the same speed as his flashing smile.

In a political and professional sense, PJ Mara did not just live and breathe politics; he ingested it through his skin like osmosis. It was in his bones and he never let it go, nor would he ever have wanted to. A talisman for the Fianna Fail party, they will lament his loss today and in the future because he understood every nuance of every single constituency. He loved Fianna Fail and never grew tired of extolling the virtues of the people from the organisation who were willing to put themselves front and centre to get elected. He never lost respect for those who knocked on doors. Neither did he ever look at the electorate as people who could be taken for granted. He accepted that an Irish voter was a well-informed one who required constant attention. Complaints from flagging Soldiers of Destiny in campaign HQ, tiring at the end of a 12-hour shift, were greeted with the same response from PJ: "Go out and knock on a f***ing door, listen to real people's problems, then tell me you're tired."

Expand Close PJ Mara at the launch of Fianna Fail manifesto on Health during the 2002 General Election Campaign.Photo: Leon Farrell/RollingNews.ie / Facebook

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From the chicken and chips circuit with Haughey, to the slick election campaigns he presided over for Fianna Fail, he was the first of his kind in this country. Before Twitter even became an idea in Silicon Valley, PJ had cornered the market here and never confined himself to 140 characters. Not ever. An Irish spin doctor never to be matched in terms of charisma, charm and cunning, he was not just the first of his kind; he was one of a kind, utterly unique.

His appeal and his likeability extended way beyond normal political relationships. He had a personality that drew people in, whether they liked it or not. He was incorrigible and insatiable at the same time, and we loved him for it.

It was this charm, emotional intelligence and tremendous business acumen that led him on a path of reinvention several times and allowed him to maintain his relevance in every campaign that he oversaw. It also made him indispensable to every party leader he served. It's not easy to quantify the significance of his contribution to Fianna Fail in terms of numbers of seats but it is even harder to quantify the effect that he had on the profession of public relations and lobbying in this country. A political Svengali, the benchmark against which the rest of us who followed would be measured and fail miserably.

A veritable sponge for information, he was able to absorb a tremendous amount of detail and regurgitate it with ease and speed in a way that the people of Ireland understood. Many people who excel in their chosen profession have a tendency to pull the ladder up after them and, in particular, to discount those coming after them as inexperienced people with nothing to offer. Not PJ, he always encouraged the younger generation. He sought them out to some extent as a way to plug the gap in his disconnect with the changing communication channels.

Expand Close PJ Mara pictured in 1998. Photo: Declan Shanahan / Facebook

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He loved news, but he loved gossip even more and if there was a loop, PJ had to be in it. He encouraged everyone to participate; he shared his knowledge and his contacts and this typified his generosity of spirit.

More than any of that, PJ was a kind and nice, gentle man. Self-possessed with manners that cannot be learned or taught, just intrinsic. He was simply a joy to be around. He was a great, great friend and a tremendous father to his two children and was truly loyal to those he liked and loved.

The boy from Drumcondra who made good on Wellington Road will be laid to rest where he was most at home, among friends at his wife Breda's family home in Kinvara.

They say you have made it in this world if you are known by only one name. PJ got it down to two letters.

Yesterday, I was asked by a foreign journalist, how did PJ Mara shape Irish politics and where did PJ Mara fit in the Irish political landscape? I immediately knew he had never met him, because if he had, he could never have asked that question.

The point is PJ didn't fit in. He stood out. In a world of black and white, PJ Mara was Technicolor.
The glossy campaign adorns billboards and metro stations across Marseille, France's second largest city and one of its most diverse. My baguette from a local boulangerie even came wrapped in paper displaying the campaign logo this week.

'For 2016, let us be united', it reads grandly above a map of France composed of scores of images of individual people, supposedly French citizens.

A closer look reveals that this purported representation of France united is a rather homogenous one. There are few faces that are not white, for example, and none that explicitly show a French Muslim - say a woman wearing the hijab or headscarf - despite France being home to Europe's largest Muslim population, many of whom live in this port city shaped by generations of immigration. The message is hardly one that conveys a France confidently united in difference.

In fact, a year after the terrorist attack on the offices of the satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo, France feels anything but united. The killing of 12 people at the magazine and four people at a kosher supermarket two days later prompted rallies of solidarity across the country, with four million taking to the streets in one day. But efforts to give the impression of 'France united' last January were rather misleading. The sentiment didn't quite echo everywhere. In Marseille at the time, I spoke to local Muslims who, while they abhorred the deadly attacks on Charlie Hebdo, felt disconnected from the 'Je Suis Charlie' slogan, celebrating a magazine they felt had repeatedly insulted their faith.

French media reported school children in hardscrabble suburbs with large immigrant populations elsewhere in the country rejecting the slogan for similar reasons.

France was to be knocked sideways again in November, with multi-pronged attacks, again in Paris, by militants claiming allegiance to Isil, which left 130 people dead.

The sense of threat still hangs in the air in Paris and other major cities like Marseille - where this week a Jewish teacher wearing a kippa, or skullcap, was attacked by a machete-wielding youth who claimed Isil sympathies. A national state of emergency declared in the aftermath of the November attacks remains, with 2,764 arrest warrants issued since mid-December. Heavily armed soldiers and police patrol the streets and there is a sense of wariness in crowded areas and on public transport.

Official rhetoric has been stark. France is at war and must prepare itself for the possibility of further strikes, President Francois Hollande warned grimly in his new year address.

But many fear a heavy-handedness in Hollande's actions under the state of emergency, one that could deepen France's already worrying social fragmentation and simmering tensions.

In yet another manifestation of the latter, a Muslim prayer hall in Corsica was ransacked last month by a mob yelling "Arabs out", after firefighters were attacked on a housing estate which is home to many immigrants.

Hollande's own party is bitterly divided over a proposed security law which would expand police powers and, most controversially, strip French citizenship from those with dual nationality in terrorism cases. Critics say the move would exacerbate existing fissures in a country where some 5pc of French people between 18 and 50 hold two passports.

Most of these are of north African origin and come from communities that form the backbone of France's Muslim population. Tellingly, the proposed law is supported by the far-right National Front, which made the most significant gains in its history in regional elections last month, even if it did not secure any seats in the final round due to tactical voting by supporters of the mainstream parties.

Several commentators have argued that Hollande's proposed plan to revoke citizenship, while hardly a deterrent against terrorists who are prepared to die for their cause, has faint echoes of the way French citizens of Jewish origin were treated under the Vichy regime during World War II.

They worry France is in danger of betraying fundamental values in the name of security when instead it should be focusing on deeper, more uncomfortable questions about why France can often appear to be several countries in one, divided along numerous faultlines.

The vexed questions of what France is, what it stands for, and what it means to be French have rarely looked more urgent. It will take much, much more than a poster campaign to unite a nation so divided.
In 1963, PJ Mara first came into contact with one of Ireland's most controversial and colourful politicians, Charles J Haughey, when he joined the O'Donovan Rossa cumann in Dublin.

Attracted by the twin prospects of gaining and using power, as well as using his own political skills, Mara eventually professed a unique loyalty to his Boss in a way that had never been seen before in Irish public life. For a start, Mara brought a new dimension to the party's press office and as Government Press Secretary. He was viewed largely as Haughey's personal spokesman, rather than that of the Government.

Mara became a close aide of Haughey after he had been sacked by Jack Lynch in 1970. In a clearly devised strategy to regain support, there began what infamously became known as the 'chicken and chips' circuit, where the duo visited the four corners of the country on a regular basis, attending and addressing Fianna Fail meetings of all kinds. The programme was gruelling but it paid off in 1975 when Haughey was appointed as health spokesman by Lynch.

When Fianna Fail returned to office in 1977, Haughey was appointed minister for health and social welfare. There then began the second leg of the long-term strategy to have Haughey elected leader of Fianna Fail and Taoiseach.

In November 1979, Jack Lynch was forced to stand down as Taoiseach and Mara helped orchestrate the successful leadership battle against George Colley.

However, the early 1980s saw a major term of political instability, with three elections in a row, and there began a series of heaves against Haughey's leadership, with Mara put to the pin of his collar to defend his leader.

Ever since the Arms Trial, Haughey's relations with the media had gone sour and Mara made up for this grave deficiency in spades. He wined and dined journalists and newspaper editors. These meetings and lunches were invaluable in rebuilding Haughey's relationship with the media. Skilfully, over a period of time, he transformed Haughey's image by softening it and by emphasising the positive points. In this regard, he probably worked a minor miracle during the mid-80s.

The possessor of superb social skills and a gregarious and open manner, he liked to engage with journalists, lawyers, businessmen, people from the arts world and others in a social atmosphere in the pubs and restaurants around Government Buildings. Sitting aloft on a high stool in the Shelbourne's Horse Show bar and smoking a Monte Cristo cigar, he exchanged anecdotes and gossip about friends and foes - most of it unfit to print - in an irreverent and entertaining fashion. Political affiliation was irrelevant at these impromptu get-togethers.

Back in government in 1987, Mara adopted similar antics in the rarefied atmosphere of the political correspondents' room of Leinster House, where he was keenly aware that the heavyweight writers of the day had a much higher regard for Jack Lynch.

Ever the practical man, when the results of the 1989 election showed a coalition was possible with the PDs, his advice to Haughey was simple: "Seventy-seven and six makes 83. Let's go for it."

When finally the end came for Haughey and he was forced to stand down in 1992, Mara accepted it gracefully. He had already built up a huge range of business contacts on which he could call to begin a new and highly successful second career. But he never lost interest in politics and his beloved Fianna Fail and returned on three occasions to be director of elections for the party under Bertie Ahern, where he proved to be successful yet again.

Although always associated with the name of Charles Haughey, Mara was also very much his own man. He tried on a couple of occasions, unsuccessfully, to get elected to Dublin City Council and to Seanad Eireann, where he was appointed for a short term in 1982 by Haughey as a Taoiseach's nominee.

Tim Ryan is the author of 'Mara, PJ' (Blackwater Press)
We hope 2016 will see the Office of Public Works (OPW) swiftly implementing plans to stop or lessen the impact of river floods like those this winter, which caused hundreds to leave their homes and saw some areas that had never been flooded before being submerged.

Fermoy and Mallow have two flood defences each and one more for each town is under construction. Clonmel's flood defences worked well, but Bandon was flooded twice in December and is in urgent need of any defences, like Midleton and Glanmire. Cork city will have to wait some years more.

The OPW surveyed nearly all areas in the country at flood risk.

There have been worst floods in the Northern Hemisphere, such as the Great Mississippi Flood of 1927, when the river flowed at a peak of 2 million cubic feet per second, leaving half a million people homeless.

They had a flood in 1993 with about 1 million cubic feet per second. Compare this with here, when up to 500 cubic metres (17,657 cubic feet) per second were released on the River Shannon's Parteen weir after days of rains in December.

The year 2011 saw another major Mississippi flood caused by storms and spring snow melt in some states. Over the decades, US army engineers built higher levees, pump stations, flood gates and flood walls, costing billions of dollars, along parts of the 2,320-mile-long river, which is seen as the artery of the United States.

After the 2011 flood, however, the US authorities consulted experts outside their country for more ideas.

Perhaps, with their successes and mistakes in this area, the US army engineers can be consulted on our flood defences.

The Netherlands have had serious river floods over the years which caused the authorities to move people from their homes in areas regarded as indefensible from floods to live on higher ground - a process funded by the government.

For me, the photo of this winter's floods was the one of the black and white working dog Murphy as he swam through a flood, leading his owner.

And, finally, great work by the Scouting Ireland groups in Bandon and Glanmire providing hot drinks and food during the floods.

Mary Sullivan

Cork

Bad planning caused flood chaos

I have the greatest sympathy for those people affected by the recent flooding. However, the insurance companies should not be compelled to insure these properties. As one of their representatives pointed out, they insure against risk, not against certainty - also, it would be most unfair to impose a levy on all those others insured.

Surely the answer is for the Government or for a group of those affected to sue their local councillors or planners, who gave planning permission to build on known flood plains? One councillor's quoted answer to the problem was to "build the houses on stilts". And yet we continue to vote for these types!

Also culpable are those builders and developers who built in these areas.

I also feel the banks who gave out mortgages on these properties should bear part of the responsibility. Banks always insist on a surveyor's report before offering a mortgage, were they not aware of the problem?

Mike Mahon

Templeogue, Dublin 6W

Fear of Catholic hierarchy

David Quinn is correct that "fear of sparking anti-Catholicism and anti-clericalism did not prevent a thorough investigation of clerical sex abuse scandals and their causes." (Irish Independent, January 15).

Rather, it was fear of the influence of the Catholic hierarchy that prevented such investigations for generations.

Dr John Doherty

Gaoth Dobhair, Co Dhun na nGall

1916 Rising's child victims

Ivan Yates suggests that "The centenary commemorations should encompass respectful remembrance of all deaths, including the 40 innocent children." (Irish Independent, January 14).

Certainly, they should, though it is striking that there are many memorials erected across Ireland which are dedicated to the 1916 Rising, but to my knowledge there is none to remember the 40 children (aged between two and 16) that were killed during the fighting.

Since most of these children were from poor, working-class backgrounds, they were soon forgotten.

Thanks to meticulous research in recent times, we now know their names and something of their circumstances.

This year, we have a timely opportunity in which to acknowledge those short young lives.

While it is inevitable that political parties will prioritise their efforts on the pomp and ceremony that is likely to accompany the commemorations, it would be heartening if a few would promote the erection of a prominent memorial for these victims, who had remained anonymous for far too long.

John Bellew

Dunleer, Co Louth

Challenging inequality

Elaine Howley is right to raise the alarm about the difficulties experienced by disabled people (Irish Independent, January 13).

The rights of people with learning and physical disabilities have long been recognised. However, in practice these inalienable rights are violated in countries that often pride themselves on being tolerant, fair, open and accessible to all.

Inequality remains an insurmountable obstacle in our societies, which is usually compounded by many forms of hidden racism, discrimination and bias, depriving societies of their cognitive assets and as a consequence preventing them from achieving their full potential.

I have seen clinics, schools, colleges, arts and community centres and physiotherapy centres, where the physical structures had not been built to accommodate disabled people's needs.

As Mahatma Gandhi put it, "without action, we are not going anywhere", and so it is time to champion the cause of disabled people, the elderly and the marginalised, challenging inequality and shaking the world in a gentle way.

Dr Munjed Farid Al Qutob

London NW2, United Kingdom
Dundalk Photographic Society has stormed ahead in the Photographic Society of America international inter-club competition having been promoted for this season's competition.

Dundalk Photographic Society (DPS) were promoted into the B section of competition, which consists of four rounds and each club submits six images per round from six different authors.

The competition is a projected image one so DPS's team of selectors Denis Whelehan, Colm Kane and Dave Martin always bear this in mind when selecting the images.

The images selected for this first round were awarded three accolades scoring a minimum of 13 out of the maximum 15 points, another two of the images achieved scores of 12.

Dundalk accrued a total score of 74 points with London Camera Club in second place with a score of 65 points followed by Sunderland Camera Club on 63 points.

The awarded photographers in this round were Tony McDonnell, Colm Kane and Marty Garland. Highly commended went to Gabriel O'Shaughnessy and Arthur Carron.

On the domestic scene DPS has had two of its members present panels of ten images during distinction sittings of the Irish Photographic Federation in a bid to gain their licentiateship distinction in photography.

Paul Marry presented his panel in the NUIG Life Course building in Galway and was awarded his licentiateship, Sean Kenny also presented a panel of images for assessment which took place in Thurles and he too was awarded the licentiateship.

DPS have hosted several visitors since the start of this season including Greg Matthews from Dublin Camera Club. Greg presented some of his work which formed part of his panel of images which won him the title of Irish Street Photographer of the Year 2015.

His presentation proved to be a real eye opener both in viewing his images and in knowledge gained regarding the genre that is street photography.

Irene Froy, one of the UK's most distinguished club photographers, conducted what she considered would be her last trip to Ireland and as an old friend of Dundalk, Irene included DPS in her programme which included an evening lecture in the club rooms and a full day workshop.

Irene talked to Dundalk members and visitors from other clubs through her vast body of work in her evening lecture and demonstrated how to produce her signature style during editing using Photoshop during her day long workshop. Dundalk man, photographer/journalist Patrick Clarke and now marketing manager of Seemless photography visited DPS and gave them a lecture and demonstration on the theory and techniques of using continuous LED lighting in studio and portrait lighting, this technology in lighting and its use using digital cameras is only starting to emerge in the photography scene.

DPS would like to extend a big thanks to Patrick Clarke, Irene Froy and Greg Matthews.
The start of 2016 can only mean one thing and that has to be the De La Salle Graduation Ball which took place in the Nuremore Hotel in Carrickmacross on Monday night and there were no less than four huge buses leaving in front of St. Patrick's cathedral to take the party revellers to their big night.

I was only bedside Kelly's Monument when I caught up with the first man there, none other than Ryan Doyle from Lennonstown Manor who told me he and a group of his mates weren't taking dates and were going to make it a 'lads night out'. Providing moral support for him outside the cathedral were parents Mary and Patrick and sister Patrice who wanted to wish them all a great night.

Still no one getting out of their cars, it was time to go start annoying anyone who would open a window to me and the first couple I met up with were Aaron McArdle and Alana Breen both from Knockbridge who got out and told me they couldn't wait for the fun to get going.

Next I got a word with Sean Clelland from Bay Estate who had brought Niamh Begley from Manydown Close, both we were looking extremely well and had been taken to the cathedral by Derek Clelland who told me he wanted to make sure they arrived safely, it was the getting home afterwards I wondered about!

After this I headed over for a quick word with Conor McLoughlin from Knockbridge who told me he wasn't bringing anyone and was just going 'for the fun of it'.

Not too long later I met up with Sean Kelly from Cedarwood Park who was with Alyshia Jackson from Barton Park and Sean assured me it was going to be a nice quiet night, yea, even Alyshia didn't believe that one!

Just jumping out of the motor I then caught up with Josh Martin from Ashling Park who was there supported by Chenelle Martin from Ashling Park and Greg McDonagh from Blackrock who were there to give him a good send off and he was really looking forward to the night.

I then headed over for a quick word with David Lambe from Ravensdale who had brought Olivia Treanor from Bellurgan Road who were both looking well and told me it was going to be a fantastic night for sure.

Next I headed over for a chat with Jessica McElroy who told me she was with Cian Brodigan and they were up for a mad one with Shannon McElroy and Matthew McCaughey all from Bay Estate and couldn't wait for the buses to get going so the craic would get started.

After this I met up with Ridwas Bodunrin and Shakira Abubakar both from Armagh Road who were standing chatting to Ciaran Donnelly from Knockbridge and Orlaith Mulholland from Kilkerley who told me it was going to be nothing short of a brilliant night.

Making my way through the crowds I then got talking Ultan Markey from Ardee who had brought Chloe Donnelly from Marsh Road Bellurgan who were looking really well together and were there with Chloe mum Margaret whom I fell out with as soon as she said I worked for some other newspaper based not too far from where we were on the night, The Argus is the only one!

Standing close by were Jack Watters from Old Muirhevna who was with the lovely Emer Brennan from Tallanstown and they were having a night of it with Ryan Kirk from Knockbridge and Laura Byrne from Stabannon and the ladies looked exceptionally well in their red and green dresses respectively.

Next I got talking to Killian Staunton from Dromiskin and Chloe Shields from Darver who were just after arriving and told me it was going to be an epic night for sure.

Looking sharp on the evening were Saoirse Kelly and Fiach Murphy both from Blackrock and it has to be said that Fiach had to win the award for the only gentleman there showing real style on the evening because he had forfeited his jacket to make sure the lovely Saoirse didn't get a chill.

Just arrived and ready to party was Christian Clarke from St. Nicholas Avenue who was in the company of Rachel Bohan from Meadow View and they were having a laugh with Christian's mum Selena who told me she hoped they all have a mad night.

After this I headed over for a chat with Ross Dillon from Newtownbalregan who was with Megan Ryan from Bay Estate and Ross was doing the gentlemanly thing of offering his jacket to keep Megan warm, but she seemed ok without it, cool or what?

Meanwhile back over near the monument I then go talking to a group who included Carl Farrell from Clancullen Park who told me he was lucky enough to be with Emily Mulpeter from Bay Estate and they were on for an excellent night and they were with Jack Martin who had brought Demi Boswell both from Lisdoo as well as Rosie Martin from Dundrum who was with Dylan McDonald from Meadow View who were up for a major night of laughs together.

Finally, before the buses started to pull away I then met up with Jordan O'Hare from St. Nicholas Avenue who had brought Clare Leddy from Inniskeen and they told me it was going to be the best night of the year yet!
On Saturday night I headed for the Lisdoo where a rather special 21st birthday party was taking place for Hannah Mulholland from Kilkerley and there to make sure she had a fantastic night were her parents Susan and Bernard, brothers Robert, Rory and Ben, boyfriend Pavel Lavrinovics from Bridge Street and a huge collection of family and friends.

Hannah, who is currently studying to be a primary school teacher in St. Patrick's is also part of the Cross Border Orchestra where she plays flute and whistle, was looking exceptionally well and was looking forward to an action packed night.

After briefly speaking to the birthday girl I then caught up with three ladies who were also looking well and they were Gillian Tennyson from Kilkerley, Lorna Sharkey from Carrick Road and Nicola Gonnelly from Cedarwood Park who told me that Gillian and Lorna have been childhood best friends of Hannah's while Nicola 'just found her at school', but all three were on for a major night with their bestie.

Not too long later I then caught up with Gen Gillen from Kildare, Kerry McArdle and Sean McGahey both from Castleblaney and Laura Morne from Drogheda who told me they are all studying with Hannah in St. Patricks and were up for a totally mad night.

After this I headed over for a chat with Hans De Kat originally from The Netherlands but now living in Warrenpoint and he was with Roisin Ward-Morrow from Dromiskin whom, not only is she a school friend of Hannah's, plays fiddle with her in the Cross Border Orchestra, but has formed a duet with her called Goltrai playing trad and classical and went on to say they're available for weddings and events!

Next I headed over for a chat with Keith Farrell from Dublin who was having a laugh with Gen Gillen and assured me it was going to be a mental night for sure.

Also in their company were Sarah Barrett from Ballinasloe, Hannah Gregory from Dunleer and Claire McNulty from Inniskeen who were all looking very well and were definitely there to party.

Making my way over to another table I then met up with Hannah's brother Robert Mulholland who was with his girlfriend Ciara Gately the well known accountant from Lucan and they were having a laugh with Eavan McCarthy from Donaghmore who was in great form and got a good laugh when I asked where she was from!

I then headed for a table where I met the Carron's from Skerries including aunty Eileen, husband Dominic, cousins Tom and Aoife who all wanted to wish Hannah a very happy 21st and hoped she had an excellent night.

Little did I know it but the next table I visited was packed full of the D4's, yes first I met my old friend John McCarthy with his wife aunty Ursula, uncle Thomas and Leona Mulholland who was with his parents Tommy and Margaret Mulholland from Plaster, Kathleen McCabe and daughter Elaine, regular babysitter Annie Fee all from Donaghmore who wanted a major shout out for John and Mary McGeown also from Donaghmore who unfortunately couldn't be there on the night, but I was reliably informed that John would make you a mean set of gates! They were also there with aunty Margaret Mulholland from Willow Grove and Geraldine and Paul Kneel from Kilkerley who weren't sure if they wanted to be associated with the D4 possee.

Meanwhile up at the bar I got taking to Geraldine and Paul's son Stephen Kneel from Tankardsrock who was having a laugh with Ciaran Sunderland from Louth Village, Jason Newman from Magheragh and Niall O'Shea from Blackrock who are all friends of Hannah's except Niall who was a bit of gatecrasher like me.

They were then joined by Hannah's brother Ben Mulholland from Donaghmore who was just after arriving in with Emily Reilly from Brid-a-crinn and they were up for making the best of the night.

Next I headed for granny Marjorie Gallagher from Balbriggan whom I was reliably informed was number one babysitter where Hannah was concerned and she was with her sons and their wives Paul and Mairead Gallagher up from Kilkenny as well as John and Eileen Gallagher from Balbriggan who were with their kids Lynda and Shaun who all wanted to wish Hannah a very happy 21st.

Finally before I departed I met up with uncle Arthur and Mary Mulholland from Blackrock and Arthur is also Hannah's godfather and they also wanted a special mention for the birthday girl and hoped she had a sensational night.
A 'promenade' style professional production re-examining the events of 1916 in Dundalk is in the pipeline for March and is the centrepiece of An Tain Arts Centre's new programme for the first six months of this year, which was recently unveiled by the centre's managing director Paul Hayes.

The first in-house production at the Tain Arts Centre is the premier of An Easter Service, which takes place from March 24 to 28. The script has been finalised and will feature the stories of local people who took part in the events of Easter Week 1916.

Paul said: 'This is the first 'promenade' style production in the Tain Theatre that will feature audiences not sitting static in a seat watching a stage but rather moving around various places in the Town Hall such as the lobby and the council chamber to see the action from different perspectives.

'In association with Upstate Theatre Project, and featuring a cast of local community particupants, I think this will present a unique take on the events of Easter Week in Dundalk in 1916.

'We are continuing to seek actors from Dundalk to take part in the show; there is so much talent in this town as displayed in the many theatre groups working here and I would love to see some of the people who have made such an impact on stage in Dundalk get involved in this and lend their talents to it.

'The next meeting is on Wednesday (January 13) from 7pm and I would love to see as many people as possible there'.

The programme for the first third of the year shows the centre's ability to link together different strands of the arts under a theme such as the re-examination and reinterpretation of events that history may have initially painted in black and white. The centre's first exhibition of the year is by artist Paul Woods who takes a new look at the violence of war in his new work.

'Oradour, Elegy for a Town' explores the processes of warfare and 'how it leads of barbarism and the destruction of the innocent', while later in the year, Leanne Mullen, Declan Honan and Rosie Martin explore the themes of identity and belonging in 'Sense of Place'.

Dundalk Photographic Society's much anticipated annual exhibition will round off the gallery programme for this part of the year.

The themes of rebellion, workers' and women's rights continue through the Film Club, which shows monthly evening movies complemented by afternoon screenings.

Paul said: 'The afternoon shows are followed by tea and coffee and give people the chance to talk to others about the movie they have just watched and it is a really lovely way to spend an afternoon'.

Included in this year's programme are 'Iris', a documentary about the fashion icon Iris Apfel; 'Suffragette' which tells the story of the battle for women's right to vote and 'Mia Madre', a story of loss set against the background of workers' protest.

Secondary school students will be pleased to know that the company in residence, Quintessence Theatre, return to the main stage in April for a series of Shakespeare for Schools which feature their interpretations of Romeo and Juliet and Hamlet. And new for this year, the inaugural Artist in Residence and bursary scheme will soon be launched, to take place from June to September and will be open to recent graduates and artists at the start of their career who want to establish a collaborative practice in a community setting. See antain.ie.
Oxfam Dundalk has issued an appeal for unwanted Christmas gifts to be donated. The shop on Clanbrassil Street is asking people to consider giving clothes, accessories and other items which can be turned into much-needed funds for Oxfam's work worldwide, including the emergency response to the ongoing refugee crisis.

Shop manager Marie Neary said: 'Oxfam Dundalk has been open since 1990 and for almost 26 years we have experienced incredible generosity from the local community in Dundalk and Co. Louth - not only in terms of our wonderful volunteers but also supporters who donate and shop in-store.

'Got a new winter coat or some woollies and don't know what to do with the old ones? Or even a book you've already read or DVD you've already watched? Think twice before shoving them to the back of the wardrobe or in that drawer that holds everything.

'At Oxfam Dundalk we want the things you don't and are calling on people to support their local store by dropping in those less than perfect presents and other unwanted items. Every donation counts, no matter how big or small. It only takes a moment to bag an unwanted gift, but that can go a long way towards changing the life of someone living in poverty'.

Oxfam Dundalk welcomes a wide range of donations. These can include clothes, unopened beauty products, books, gadgets and jewellery, as well as bags and accessories, CDs, DVDs, homewares, soft furnishings, furniture and even wedding dresses.

The funds raised support Oxfam's work, including responding to emergencies.
A Dundalk man is campaigning for the full repair of a 'dangerous pothole' along one of the town's busiest thoroughfare's.

Local resident Michael Singleton highlighted the 'two foot wide hole' along Stapleton Place, which he said was causing a dangerous situation along the roads as motorists swerved to avoid it.

'The hole seen is nine inches deep and two feet across and on a sharp bend, plus the rest of the surface is breaking up. A patch will not cut it now and cars are already having damaged wheels and punctures.'

Louth County Council were on site on Friday last to fill the hole, but admitted that it is a temporary solution until full repairs are carried out later this year.

A patch had been applied to the area last year, but this deteriorated over the last few months.

A spokesman for Louth County Council told the Argus: 'It had been planned to do more extensive repairs in late 2015. However there is a fragile old cast iron water main directly below the area that requires repair and it was highly likely that it would burst during repair operations due to the necessary depth of repair required.'

'Irish Water intends to relay this section of main later this year. Therefore the road repairs and water main works will be coordinated.'

But local resident Michael Singleton said the road 'should be a priority for the council' as it is one of the busiest routes in town.

'Traffic runs at approximately one vehicle every two seconds through about 12 hours per day including heavy goods vehicles.

'This is just unacceptable as we all pay a huge amount yearly for road tax and yet are left with main routes in worse condition than many farm tracks.'
The beer keg bomb that was found during an operation near Kilkurry in May 2014

A bomb in a beer keg that was uncovered during a Garda operation near Kilcurry Church in 2014 has been put on display by Gardai in Dublin who warned 'dissident republicans paramilitaries' are becoming increasingly skilled at making bombs.

The haul, put on display in Dublin, included a number of rockets, AK-47 rifles, semtex explosives, handguns and ammunition and were seized by Gardai in a number of counties.

Assistant Garda Commissioner John O'Mahoney said the beer keg bomb, which was found at Kilcurry in May 2014, was discovered about 400m from the border and was 'ready for use in Northern Ireland'.

The Assistant Commissioner said: 'I can say with confidence that our interventions and arrests have, without doubt, saved lives. 'Just in the last two years we have over 30 firearms seized, over 1,000 rounds of ammunition, a number of mortars, a number of rocket launchers.

Over the course of last year, 31 people were arrested on suspicion of dissident republican paramilitary activity, 22 of whom were charged at the Special Criminal Court.

Mr O'Mahoney said that over the past five or six years, Gardai had seen 'a steady and a gradual rise in the activities of dissident republicans' and said their methods were 'becoming more sophisticated', particularly their bomb-making capacity.

The assistant commissioner said there was evidence that dissident republicans were providing support for attacks carried out in the North, with funding from organised crime such as drug dealing and extortion.

He warned that dissident republican paramilitaries continued to 'pose a real threat to life', particularly to members of the security forces in the North, and appealed to the public to report suspicious activity to the Gardai.

He added that Gardai are in daily contact with their counterparts in the PSNI and said there is 'excellent' co-operation between the two forces in combating dissident violence.
A Dromiskin man has been given a suspended sentence for his role in helping a gang trying to flood Britain with hundreds of thousands of euro worth of illegal cigarettes and alcohol in a plot that was masterminded from behind bars in South Yorkshire.

James Woods, (58), from Canal Road, pleaded guilty to money laundering when he appeared at Sheffield Crown Court last year but was given a 12 month sentence suspended for 18 months last week.

And Vincent McGeough, (68), from Carmoyle Estate in Keady, was given a similar sentence for money laundering after the British Revenue and Customs (HMRC) investigation.

Irvin Dunn, 56, who orchestrated the fraud from behind bars, and his brother Wayne Dunn, 57, from South Yorkshire, were jailed for their involvement in the distribution and sale of the illicit goods between January and October 2013. Lee Pearson, 33, of South Yorkshire, was also sentenced for his part in the conspiracy.

The full extent of the fraud began to unravel after HMRC officers witnessed the handover of a bag containing almost 110,000 involving Woods and McGeough close to East Midlands Airport in April 2013.

Woods was arrested immediately but McGeough fled, flagging down a car only to find it was being driven by an HMRC investigator. He was then arrested and mobile phones and the cash seized.

Searches were carried out of Wayne Dunn's home, leading officers to his younger brother, Irvin Dunn, who appeared to be organising the fraud from his prison cell.

A spokesperson for the HMRC said: 'These men all played a part in flooding the UK with illegal cigarettes, tobacco and alcohol solely to line their own pockets with money that should have been funding vital public services.

Irvin Dunn even pulled the strings while he was in prison using coded messages. But their fraud has been broken down and picked apart and now they are all paying the price'.
The family of Francis White, the 28 year-old Dundalk man stabbed to death in New York in August, 1996, say they have never received an apology from his killer, who last week was released from prison on parole.

Jamie Carr (25), from Howard Beach, Queens, NY pleaded guilty to manslaughter in 1996 and was released on bail, but a year later he was arrested again for allegedly selling cocaine.

Carr was sentenced to a minimum of 12 and a half years for the manslaughter of Mr White, originally from Newtownbalregan.

He was first eligible for parole in 2009. This first application was blocked by the efforts of White's brother Breen, who dashed from his home in Co. Armagh to New York to keep his brother's killer in jail.

Francis White lived in the US for seven years, working as a chef before his death. He was stabbed 13 times outside a bar in Forest Hills in Queens for being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Carr was making fake IDs with a friend in a store beside O'Hanlon's bar when he entered the bar looking for change for a $100 note and two bottles of beer to take away.

When Carr was refused a brawl broke out, and Carr was thrown out of the bar by the owner Sean O'Hanlon and the bartender on duty that night, Tom Shannon.

White left the bar a short time afterwards and was met by Carr, who was standing outside, still enraged.

Although the Dundalk man played no part in the earlier altercation, Carr called on him to fight.

Witnesses reported that White threw off Carr's angry provocations and showed no sign of wanting to become involved.

Reaching into his car, Jamie Carr pulled out his knife and ran after the Irishman, stabbing him in the throat and proceeding to stab him a further 12 times.

Carr was released on parole on January 4, the day before what would have been White's 48th birthday.

Speaking to IrishCentral,com from a visit to his brother's grave to wish him 'happy birthday', Francis' brother Breen White claims that Carr has not once attempted to contact the White family in apology and had not shown any sign of remorse.

'We're feeling awful but we knew it (his release) was going to come someday,' Breen continued.

'We're very disappointed. He was a long time in jail, but he's still a young man and still young enough to start a family, something Francis never had the chance to do.'

Francis was engaged to be married and planning to move to England when his life was taken.

With the help of Deputy Executive Assistant District Attorney Dan Saunders, who had legally assisted the family when Carr was initially convicted, the Whites submitted victim impact statements every two years since 2009 to prevent Carr from walking free.

Breen, his father Bernard, and his two sisters, Deirdre and Maria, hoped to once again delay Carr's release, especially following their first Christmas without their mother Lydia, who died last February after a short illness, and the parole date falling on Francis' birthday, a day already full of sorrowful remembrance.
Tony and Faye Healy with members of the Spectac brew team

Three businesses from Co Louth will feature as exhibitors at the Alltech craft brews and food fair.

Dundalk-based Spectac International will join Dan Kelly Cider and Jack Cody's Brewery from Drogheda at the three-day event from Friday, 5 February at the convention centre, Dublin.

For Spectac International and Dan Kelly Cider, the last year has been an exciting one, with both companies experiencing growth.

Spectac is the only manufacturer of stainless steel vessels for breweries and distilleries in Ireland, manufacturing craft and industrial-sized units.

The company moved into a 44,000 sq ft location in Finnabair business park, increasing capacity, employment and scope.

Dan Kelly Cider recently signed a deal to export to Spain, and is planning to export to Italy soon.

The company also exports to USA, Germany, UK, Austria and France; and has a number of new products planned.

The 2016 fair will host more than 50 Irish and international breweries, cider producers, distilleries and craft brew distributors who will be sampling in excess of 300 craft brews from all over the world, including many seasonal and once-off brews created just for the event!

Last year more than 10,000 people attended the event which will also offer a selection of the best of Irish foods including cheese and baked goods and hot food options.

On the Friday, Alltech will attempt to break the Guinness world record for the largest beer tasting at the event.
A young woman has been given a four month sentence after she asked Judge Flann Brennan to send her to prison so she can complete a hairdressing course.

Amy Reenan, (26), with a former address at 49 Park Street, admitted a number of offences related to her drug addiction.

Solicitor Conor MacGuill said Reenan has been in custody since November 25 and 'has done very well'. A report, dated December 16, is 'very encouraging', he said, as she is on a methadone programme now and is on 'ever decreasing doses'.

Mr MacGuill said: 'Peculiarly, she is asking the court to sentence her as she would like to complete a hairdressing course which starts in the prison, the Dochas Centre, on January 30 and will last for ten weeks and it is hoped that it would be a springboard for her to continue her education in that field on her release.

Judge Brennan was told how Reenan took two bottles of Mickey Finn, worth 26, from the Topaz, Dublin Road on July 22 2012. She also admitted stealing a bottle of the same drink from the shop on June 12 2012.

On New Year's Eve of that year, she ordered food from the Chip and Deli to be delivered to an address and she closed the door on the delivery driver when he asked her for the 19 for the food he's handed over.

A year later, she ordered a pizza, worth 15, and refused to pay the driver again.

She was found with 20 worth of heroin on July 13 2012 when she was searched by Gardai.

On St Stephen's Day of 2012, she was found to be one of a number of people who were living at 49 Park Street without the permission of the owner in what was a squat and Gardai were called after he tried to get them out.

On June 22 2014, she was one of two women who were arrested after they caused a disturbance and were 'a danger to themselves' at North Road, Drogheda.

Reenan, who was previous convictions for public order offences.

Mr MacGuill said: 'At a very early stage in these matters before the court, it became obvious the type of lifestyle she was inhabiting at the time. She was living in a squat, drinking and ordering food she didn't pay for. This was not the healthy enjoyment of life in the company of other adults.

'Although the court will be concerned about the number of offences, the matters are at the lower end of the scale. She regrets coming before the court in this fashion. She had sought to deal with her issues in the community - that wasn't possible and she consented to a remand in custody.

'She has done well and is taking decreasing amounts of methadone and unusually is asking to be sentenced'. Judge Brennan imposed a four month sentence and told Reenan: 'Your biggest problem will be when you come out'.
Lisa Hamilton, Sarah Shorthall and Catherine Byrne from St Mary's in Arklow with their project 'The Arklow Egg Heads: Cracking the Facts on Egg Quality'

It seems that secondary school pupils across Wicklow have a true aptitude for science, as half of the entries submitted to this year's BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition picked up awards.

A total of 11 projects from 22 entered impressed the judges enough to receive an award indicating that all the hard work put in by the students and their teachers over many months was all worth it.

This year, Wicklow had a very strong presence at the event in the RDS and eight schools from around the county had projects in the finals.

Donovan Webb, a student at East Glendalough Secondary School picked up second place in the Intermediate Individual Technology category for his project while second place in the Intermediate Individual Chemical, Physical and Mathematical award went to Sean Byrne of Avondale Community College.

Mary Kate Condron who also attends Avondale Community College came second in the Senior Individual Biological and Ecological category while Joshua Dargan Hayes of St Gerard's, Bray won a special award in the Individual Intermediate Technology category.

Seven projects were highly commended - Jade Duffy and Lauren Fahey, Dominican College, Wicklow; Joshua Dargan Hayes, St Gerard's; Luc de Barra, Colaiste Raithin; Laura Curry and Sophie Windsor, Avondale Community College; Sarah Shortall, Catherine Byrne and Lisa Hamilton, St Mary's College, Arklow; Rachael Millea and Saoirse O'Reilly, Dominican College; and David Fleming and Conor Windsor, Avondale Community College.

Wicklow TD Andrew Doyle, who visited the showcase, paid tribute to the innovation of the Wicklow students.

'The level of innovation displayed is truly inspiring.We must pay tribute to the students, parents, teachers and organisers as a great celebration of creative and innovative thinking and talent that exists amongst Wicklow's youth. It simply stresses the importance in cultivating and nurturing the counties talent of our future scientists and engineers,' he said.
Hauliers will have a few extra shekels in their pockets this year thanks to the Government's decreased motor tax.

All of this will mean savings for businesses across the country and will help to create jobs - according to Deputy Aine Collins (FG).

She said from dealing with the Irish Road Haulage Association, she knows that the reduction will have a significant impact.

"The haulage industry is absolutely crucial to a small export oriented economy like Ireland and a huge number of jobs are dependent on it. The Government recognises this and Budget 2016 has capped commercial motor tax at 900 per annum which is significant for hauliers, lowering their costs and enabling them to better compete with competitors such as those in the UK," she said.

It now means from this month, the number of rates of commercial motor tax has been reduced from 20 to five and will now range in cost from 90 to 900 per year, which is down from a maximum cost of 5,195. The changes will save many hauliers over 4,000 per year.

She also said the Government has set aside 6 billion for investment in road networks which she said is extremely beneficial for road hauliers.

Of the 6 billion, the Government is setting aside 4.4 billion for essential maintenance and strengthening works on networks and restoring roads to the quality levels required by businesses for increased efficiencies. The remainder of the investment will be for progressing new priority roads projects.

Deputy Collins said by 2022, "significant progress" will have been made in tackling bottlenecks.
Under EU Regulations all flock keepers must count the numbers of sheep and/or goats present in their flock and return this number to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine via the annual sheep census form.

The date selected for the annual sheep census is Sunday December 13. It is very important for sheep farmers to submit the completed Sheep Census Form on time as other farm payments such as Areas of Natural Constraints (Area Aid) and Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) may get affected by late or non-submission of the form.

A further requirement is that they must also record the total numbers of sheep on that date on their Flock Register. The page to record this is towards the front of the Flock Register book.

The 2015 Sheep/Goat Census Form must be submitted to the Sheep/Goat Census Unit, Direct Payment Unit 6E, Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Agriculture House, Kildare Street, Dublin 2 by the closing date of January 29, 2016.

In the event of the census form being posted to and not received by the Department, please note the only acceptable proof of postage in respect of 2015 Sheep Goat Census form is Registered post receipt /Express post receipt.

Online Census

While you will have received a pre-printed paper form, you may also submit your 2015 Sheep/Goat Census online by means of the agfood.ie login system.

Alternatively you can get your authorised agent/consultant to do this for you. Online submissions have the advantage of having being instantly validated and recorded. The closing date of January 29, 2016 also applies to Online Census.

To access the Online Census first login to Agfood.ie. , go to Direct Payments, click Applications on the top menu and select Sheep Census. Fill in the relevant details and press save.

You must press the SAVE button at the bottom of the screen in order for your census return to be successfully submitted.

Notes on completing the Form

You must, by law, complete and return this census form even if you have no sheep/goats. If you have no sheep/goats at this time you must complete the total box with a zero (0) and return.

If you do not intend to re-enter sheep/goat farming in the immediate future you should also tick the relevant box.

If you tick this box your sheep/goat designator will be made dormant. However this can easily be re-activated at a later date should you decide to re-enter sheep/goat farming.

Farmers should have sheep of a suitable breed to graze uplands or commonages if they are declaring this type of land on their BPS.

This may also be important for GLAS applicants who have these types of lands. For this reason the numbers for mountain type or mountain cross sheep should be completed.

For farmers that mark sheep there is a section to indicate the colour and position of markings.

Finally there is a tick box to permit the Department to transfer your sheep census data to Sheep Ireland.

The new Forestry Programme offers landowners and existing forest owners new options in relation to forest establishment and management with a range of attractive grants and annual premiums.

A change to forestry, like any new farm enterprise raises many questions and upcoming Forestry Clinics organised by Teagasc will provide an ideal opportunity to explore how forestry might work for landowners/farmers.

A one-to-one consultation with an experienced Teagasc forestry adviser will provide independent and objective advice, and can help anyone interested in the area to address a plethora of issues, including the following questions:

* What grants and premiums are available?

* How can forestry improve farm income and environment ?

* What interaction exists with other farm schemes e.g. BPS, AEOS, etc?

* What are the opportunities for non-farmers under the new forestry programme?

* How should one apply in order to get the job done right first time?

* Issues surrounding thinning during management of the forestry and timber sales following felling.

But the new options are not only geared at farmers as the forestry programme also offers landowners who are not farming the opportunity to avail of the same annual planting premiums as farmers.

Teagasc Forestry Development Officer John Casey will be able to provide details of the nearest available clinics. He can be contacted on 022-21936 or 087-2242283. Email: john.casey@teagasc.ie

The IFA Executive Council last week decided to set the end of April as the timeline for full elections for President and all national positions of the Association. All County Executives AGMs and County Officer elections will also be completed by 31st March.

The meeting re-affirmed that the Executive Council is the Governing Body of the Association and will be the collective leadership of the IFA until the election of the new President in April.

The Executive Council agreed in principle that the existing rules would be changed so that all top IFA positions would be on the basis of two two-year terms of office.
In the county of Cork last year, there were 40 steel aluminium trailers stolen with some which ended up on the popular website donedeal.ie

However, The Irish Farmers Association along with Gardai plan to slam the breaks on thefts from farms with their recently launched theftstop.ie

TheftStop provides farmers with a unique security ID and members can then mark their machinery and equipment with it and upload a picture to theftstop. Theftstop will then maintain the database of all stolen equipment for members to view online. In addition, theftstop will also communicate with members in the event of farm machinery theft.

A garda source told The Corkman that in 2015 there were 40 farm trailers of which some were "of a very high end spec," stolen from the county of Cork.

"These trailers can but not always end up on the popular website donedeal.ie. Gardai are often inundated with calls from farmers as their machinery has been stolen. We have taken calls from farmers from throughout North Cork. This is a new initiative with the IFA and it is one which we hope prove fruitful," he said.

Billy Cotter, chairman of the North Cork IFA told The Corkman that it is a fantastic initiative.

Mr Cotter was himself a victim of theft as his 700 fence was stolen from a yard on his farm in Castletownroche in September 2012 just after lunch-time. It was never recovered.

However, he said if theftstop.ie had been in place back then it would have meant that his property was valueless to sell on. "Everything is marked and there is special paint for farmers to use that is impossible to paint over. A serial number can be punched into engines and farmers then simply log on to theftstop.ie and by using their IFA details upload all the information. If anything is stolen, then the serial number is out there and is registered," he said.

"This really is fool-proof and farmers can also put stickers on their farm gates to let anyone know that all their machinery details are on the theft.ie website. Having farm machinery stolen is a major headache for the farming community. No one wants to go back out and spend thousands of euro replacing stolen property," he said.

Mr Cotter said at numerous IFA meetings, stolen property has quite often been the bane of farmers lives.

"Quiet often stolen farm machinery is opportunistic but it is also the case that vans go into yards and case out the yard before hand. We are really happy with theftstop.ie and we hope that as many farmers as possible sign up," he said.

The Corkman contacted DoneDeal and a spokesperson said it would clearly like to state that the vast majority of its placed adverts on the site are completely genuine with a "tiny proportion," representing only 0.02% of placed adverts, reported as suspected stolen goods over the course of the year.

In relation to the farm machinery section of DoneDeal and in particular to farm trailers that are advertised on the site, the spokesperson said DoneDeal can confirm that only two trailer ads from the Cork area were removed from the site in 2015 following suspicions of stolen property. In each case these reported ads were brought to the attention of the Gardai by DoneDeal and the items were subsequently recovered and criminal prosecutions pursued in the case of one of the items.

He said DoneDeal's terms and conditions clearly state that advertising containing illegal, offending or harmful material is not allowed. He said DoneDeal has a close working relationship with Gardai and this process has proven of great help in effectively progressing any Garda investigations.

The spokesperson also said that DoneDeal are in the process of initiating discussions with the IFA to support their recently launched theftstop.ie and it is hoped that further details will be announced in the coming weeks.

In the county of Cork last year, there were 40 steel aluminium trailers stolen with some which ended up on the popular website donedeal.ie

However, The Irish Farmers Association along with Gardai plan to slam the breaks on thefts from farms with their recently launched theftstop.ie

TheftStop provides farmers with a unique security ID and members can then mark their machinery and equipment with it and upload a picture to theftstop. Theftstop will then maintain the database of all stolen equipment for members to view online. In addition, theftstop will also communicate with members in the event of farm machinery theft.

A garda source told The Corkman that in 2015 there were 40 farm trailers of which some were "of a very high end spec," stolen from the county of Cork.

"These trailers can but not always end up on the popular website donedeal.ie. Gardai are often inundated with calls from farmers as their machinery has been stolen. We have taken calls from farmers from throughout North Cork. This is a new initiative with the IFA and it is one which we hope prove fruitful," he said.

Billy Cotter, chairman of the North Cork IFA told The Corkman that it is a fantastic initiative.

Mr Cotter was himself a victim of theft as his 700 fence was stolen from a yard on his farm in Castletownroche in September 2012 just after lunch-time. It was never recovered.

However, he said if theftstop.ie had been in place back then it would have meant that his property was valueless to sell on.

"Everything is marked and there is special paint for farmers to use that is impossible to paint over. A serial number can be punched into engines and farmers then simply log on to theftstop.ie and by using their IFA details upload all the information. If anything is stolen, then the serial number is out there and is registered," he said.

"This really is fool-proof and farmers can also put stickers on their farm gates to let anyone know that all their machinery details are on the theft.ie website. Having farm machinery stolen is a major headache for the farming community. No one wants to go back out and spend thousands of euro replacing stolen property," he said.

Mr Cotter said at numerous IFA meetings, stolen property has quite often been the bane of farmers lives.

"Quiet often stolen farm machinery is opportunistic but it is also the case that vans go into yards and case out the yard before hand. We are really happy with theftstop.ie and we hope that as many farmers as possible sign up," he said.

The Corkman contacted DoneDeal and a spokesperson said it would clearly like to state that the vast majority of its placed adverts on the site are completely genuine with a "tiny proportion," representing only 0.02% of placed adverts, reported as suspected stolen goods over the course of the year.

In relation to the farm machinery section of DoneDeal and in particular to farm trailers that are advertised on the site, the spokesperson said DoneDeal can confirm that only two trailer ads from the Cork area were removed from the site in 2015 following suspicions of stolen property. In each case these reported ads were brought to the attention of the Gardai by DoneDeal and the items were subsequently recovered and criminal prosecutions pursued in the case of one of the items.

He said DoneDeal's terms and conditions clearly state that advertising containing illegal, offending or harmful material is not allowed. He said DoneDeal has a close working relationship with Gardai and this process has proven of great help in effectively progressing any Garda investigations.

The spokesperson also said that DoneDeal are in the process of initiating discussions with the IFA to support their recently launched theftstop.ie and it is hoped that further details will be announced in the coming weeks.
So, 2016, the centenary year, is upon us and what a year it will be with over 300 events and projects taking place right throughout the county.

The County Cork 2016 Centenary programme, available on request from the County Hall, was launched just prior to Christmas and the City Programme was launched on Thursday, 7th January. Both programmes are available to view online via www.ireland.ie, a website that contains a wealth of information on all things happening nationally for 2016.

More detailed information on events in County Cork and indeed a chronological calendar of events is available on the homepage of Cork County Council's heritage website www.corkcoco.ie/heritage.

2016 is all about participation, as it was in 1916, and it hoped that as many people as possible will engage in what it is and indeed what it means to be Irish this year, by attending and participating in the myriad of centenary themed activites.

A number of 1916 themed events takes place over the coming days. On Friday 15th January at 3pm in the Council Chamber, County Hall, there will be a talk on the Irish Flag; its history and its significance. The Irish flag traces its orgin to the County of Waterford in the 19th century and was adopted by the Leaders of the Easter Rising 1916. The tricolour was later given its constitutional status in 1937. The story of the flag is an interesting one, and the story it represents a most unifying one. As with any national flag there will always be a particular protocol pertaining to it and the lecture on the 15th will also remark on the proper use of the flag and will also highlight examples of improper use such as draping on cars or trains or using a logo on the flag. The 15th of January is also a date of note in that it marks the closing date for submission of entries for the County Library's Short Story Competition. The theme for the From the Well Short Story Competition this year is Revolution and a selection of the winning entries will feature in a publication to be released later in the year.

On Saturday, 16th January, there will be a most absorbing talk in Midleton Library at 12 noon. Local historian Tony Harpur will deliver a talk on Albina Broderick, daughter of the 8th Viscount Midleton, who became one of the foremost Irish Republican Women at the start of the 20th Century, having even changed her own personal name to Gobnait Ni Bhruadair. Albina's/Gobnait's story is a most fascinating one and this event is not to be missed.

A few days later on Monday 18th January, there will be an illustrated lecture in Ballincollig entitled 'Remembering the five men executed by British Crown Forces following the ill-fated Dripsey Ambush of January 29, 1921'. The talk, which will take place in the Ballincollig Rugby Club at 8pm, organised by the Muskerry Local History Society, will be given by Tim O'Brien and will detail the formation and growth of the volunteer movement in the Donoughmore, Courtbrack and Inniscarra areas as well as the ambush plan; the capture of volunteers; the subsequent court martial at Cork's Victoria Barracks; the traumatic execution morning plus key commemoration ceremonies at the ambush location. The Dripsey Ambush was a prominent event in the Irish War of Independence and this lecture should prove to be most interesting.

Dripsey is just one of many important ambush sites in County Cork, other notable sites in this regard include Crossbarry, Kilmichael, Beal na mBlath and Coolnacaheragh. Such sites are held in the highest of regard locally and many community groups having taken it upon themselves to regularly promote and upkeep these sites. For any other community groups looking to promote and protect such sites in their locality, including a range of other heritage sites including castles, ringforts or mills, the Heritage Council's Adopt a Monument Scheme should be of great interest. Community Groups can propose sites in their area to be including in the scheme, which will equip those groups with the relevant expertise, mentoring, support and training to ensure the longterm preservation and promotion of the site(s) in question. Please note that all applications must be submitted to the Heritage Council by Friday January 22nd 2016, and for more information visit www.heritagecouncil.ie.
It's almost a decade ago when Rev Michael Graham and Fr Iggy O'Donovan hit the headlines, nationally and internationally.

At Easter, 2006, they jointly celebrated an Easter Sunday mass in the Augustinian Church.

It drew a mixed reaction, but the basis was sound, a bid to mark the 90th anniversary of the Easter Rising 'with inclusiveness' as Taoiseach at the time, Bertie Ahern called for. It was the first joint mass with a Protestant minister since the reformation.

In time, the great debate eased off, but that unique, controversial, ground-breaking moment in Drogheda's history will never be forgotten.

On January 29th next, the Grahams will leave Drogheda for the last time, a new life in Cyprus beckons, a retirement from the everyday work.

'We've been on holidays there, and it's nice so that's where we intend to settle,' he stated this week.

He has spent the last 18 years in Drogheda, but the early days were not so fortunate - his church burnt down after a year.

'It was a tough time and we had to fundraise to rebuild it and we were out of it for three years,' he states.

St Peter's Church of Ireland then added a hall, which has become a well-known meeting place for various groups.

'It will be sad saying goodbye to the friends we have met here down the years,' he admits.

But he leaves the Boyneside with a solid foundation, the church used by both Indian and Russian Orthodox members, as well as his its own community.

It has also become home to classical concerts, now famed for their brilliance.

His last service will be on Sunday January 17th at 11.30am, with the archbishop hoping to attend.

He works in a wide area, catering for a community in Ardee, Collon, Dunleer and Castlebellingham.

'I suppose I think of the people we have lost in our small community when I look around the churches,' he states.

As it stands, there is no immediate replacement stepping into his shoes, Julianstown is also open.

'It is a case of someone having to apply for the job,' he adds.
Drogheda's Borough status will return if Labour are returned to government.

That's the promise from Minister Ged Nash who has secured agreement from party colleagues that the town will be returning to 'self rule' in the years ahead.

"Our major urban areas are the drivers of economic development. They need their own budgets, vision and civic leadership and we will restore those functions to Drogheda and other major urban areas,' he declared.

"When Phil Hogan dreamed up the 'reform' of local government my colleagues eyes were off the ball. Busy saving the country from economic ruin, a careless and frankly stupid decision was taken by a Fine Gael Minister which emasculated towns like Drogheda, Wexford & Kilkenny as regional powers.

'Brendan Howlin and I have agreed that this wrong will be put right by Labour if we are elected to government.'

And the minister has also asked election candidates not to be 'talking down' Drogheda as a place for employment opportunities.

"With a boundary review in place, the National Spatial Strategy to be reviewed in 2016 and the Drogheda area identified as the focus for a National Digital Payments cluster, I'm disappointed to see some election candidates make claims that Drogheda is not a priority for jobs investment by government.

"And it's particularly concerning at a time of unprecedented opportunity for the town.'

He says Enterprise Ireland has invested in the first new large scale manufacturing facility to locate in Drogheda in living memory.

"The identification of the Drogheda and M1 corridor as the National Digital Payments Centre in the government's Action Plan for Jobs to be promoted by IDA and Enterprise Ireland is a radical step change for investment and government policy in Drogheda.

"So too is the location of the LMETB HQ in Drogheda - the first new state agency to locate in Drogheda.'

He has revealed that the IDAD had held a number of potential investment visits to the town in the last few months.

'I am certain that we will see significant investment in Drogheda very soon,' he remarked.

"All of the evidence points to a very successful few years ahead for Drogheda because of the groundwork I have laid down. I will complete the job I started. Drogheda will only develop and fulfill it's potential by retaining a strong voice at the top level of a stable government."
Local students were amongst the over 3,000 4th, 5th and 6th class students from across the country who displayed their class projects at the RDS Primary Science Fair in Dublin, with another 2,000 student participants to display at the Limerick Fair this weekend.

Supported by the RDS for the seventh successive year, the RDS Primary Science Fair Dublin, which displays at the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition, proved once again to be very popular with tens of thousands of visitors to the primary school projects.

Working under the supervision of their teacher, the entire class are encouraged to be inquisitive and curious about the world around them. This led to three Drogheda and one Tenure class projects such as:

 How can different stimuli affect children's ability to retain information when studying? Mell NS

 Does everyone taste the same? Aston Village ETNS, Dunlin Street

 Can you change the colour of a plant by changing the colour of its water? Scoil Naomh Buithe, Tenure, Dunleer

 An feidir linn meid uisce ar dteaghlaigh a mheas agus conas e sin a laghdu? Scoil Aonghusa, Geata an Domhnaigh

One of the aims of the RDS Primary Science Fair is to develop teacher confidence and skills in teaching STEM subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) using an inquiry-based approach. Better teaching of STEM in primary education is considered by many experts to be crucial in strengthening Ireland's international science performance.
The positive results for Swords and the area around Dublin Airport in last week's Irish Business Against Litter (IBAL) survey, will help the council to continue to market the Fingal capital as a tourist destination.

That is the view of the chief executive of Fingal County Council, Paul Reid who congratulated everyone who worked to put Swords in the top ten most litter-free towns in the country.

Mr Reid said: 'I am delighted to see the results of the IBAL survey, which recognises the great work being done in Fingal by staff and stakeholders alike, and allows us to continue to market Fingal as a high quality tourism destination.'

The council says it recognises the importance of maintenance of the Dublin Airport and Swords area as a 'key factor in maintaining and growing tourism in Fingal, and as a driver of economic development, delivering income, business enterprises and jobs'.

According to the local authority, up to half a billion euro per year is spent by visitors to Fingal. This supports an estimated one in four jobs in Fingal, or approximately 20,000 jobs.

A council statement on the IBAL survey said: 'Our Operational staff have continued to maintain the transport routes to and from the Airport and environs to a very high standard, with all areas inspected being marked as litter free, and well presented.

'Also mentioned were our colourful planted areas, neat and tidy green verges, paving and fencing.

'Similarly, Swords Main Street was marked as litter free, and noted with abundant flower displays adding to the overall excellent presentation.'

Both Swords and the environs of Dublin Airport came in for huge praise in the survey with Swords finishing in the top ten and deemed to be 'cleaner than European norms'.
Dominic Goland Brauders (centre) who is volunteering in Ghana for six months pictured at the coffee morning in Siopa Linn, Tara Hill, with his parents Gerry Brauders and Caroline Goland

Siopa Linn, Tara Hill, hosted a charity event recently to help a local student raise funds for a centre in Africa where he will volunteer for six months.

A coffee morning was held to raise funds for the Padre Pio Rehabilitation Centre in Ahotokurom, Ghana. Dominic Goland Brauders, a second year student at UL, is going to Ghana this week for six months as part of his co-operative educational programme, to volunteer at a centre which helps those who have leprosy or are disadvantaged.

Dominic asked his aunt Elizabeth Mulligan, who runs Siopa Linn, if he could hold the coffee morning in the shop and she was only too happy to oblige. 'We were delighted to have it,' she said. 'There was great support and a lovely atmosphere. It was lovely for the community to come together. We've had a very good few first months, and the shop is becoming a place for little gatherings.'

Dominic thanked Elizabeth for the use of the venue and he also thanked his parents Caroline Goland and Gerry Brauders, as well as Rose McDonald for their support.

Some 776 was raised on the day, and Dominic said it will be put to very good use in the community where he will be working. The trip has been organised as part of his course in UL, where he studies history, politics, sociology and social studies.

He was inspired to return to Africa after a trip to Gambia four years ago with Gorey Community School. He thanked all who supported the event, including those who donated raffle prizes or bought tickets.
Houses prices across Wexford have risen significantly in the past year.

According to the latest figures from Daft.ie houses prices in Wexford rose a whopping 12.4 per cent in the past year.

The average asking price in Wexford during 2015 was 160,235. In neighbouring Kilkenny the average asking price is 1`71,048, an increase of 12.5 per cent while the average asking price in Carlow is 140,536, an increase of 4.9 per cent.

The average asking price in Wicklow is 273,869, a rise of 9.2 per cent while in Waterford county it's 174,900, an increase of 15.1 per cent.

During the final quarter of 2015 there was a drop of 1.1 per cent in asking prices across the county.

Some of this may be attributed to a drop of 6.4 per cent in the asking price for one bed apartments which stands at 55,000. This is the only house type in Wexford that saw a drop in price with all other homes seeing an increase in asking prices.

The average asking price of a two bed terraced home is 70,000, an increase of 9.2 per cent while a three bed semi rose by 14.1 per cent to 105,000.

Four bed bungalows also increased seeing a rise of 11.4 per cent to 209,000 while five bed detached homes increased the most rising by 15.4 per cent to 239,0000.

Ronan Lyons of Daft.ie said that the housing market needs a complete overhaul to cope with supply and demand.

'There are four main areas where government intervention is needed in the housing market. The first relates to the supply of mortgage credit which is largely in place now. The second relates to the supply of private housing: here the government needs to limit construction costs relative to our incomes in the same way mortgage credit is now linked to the real economy.

'The third area for government action - supply of public housing - follows directly on from the second. Once you have decided what the minimum cost is for building a home, anyone earning less than this needs a subsidy to give them access to housing.

'Otherwise, they are being denied their human right to housing. Unfortunately, this is an area where very little change has taken place in Ireland over the years.'

'The final area for government policy relates to land use. In many ways, this is the one area where emergency measures are not required. Land use has been dysfunctional in Ireland for decades. To ensure that decade after decade, land is used well and thus housing is readily available and affordable, a land tax is required.'
A homemade rocket, which is believed to have been found in Courtown last year, was unveiled to the public last week. It's thought that the crude weapon, which has no aiming system, could have done widespread damage if fired.

The rocket was seized last year in a garda crackdown on dissident Republican groups. While gardai were anxious not to officially comment on any of the items individually, reporters at the press conference were told informally that the rocket on display was found in Courtown, and that it was one of four such rockets seized across the country last year. They were made using designs based on the Qassam rocket, popular with Hamas, and its warhead could contain a kilo of semtex in its warhead, meaning it could have done widespread damage.

The Garda Press Office said it couldn't discuss specific items as there are matters before the courts concerning some of the weapons seized. Garda Assistant Commissioner John O'Mahoney said that dissident republican groups have killed several people since 2009, have targeted security personnel in Northern Ireland, and that they continue to pose a threat to members of the public. Items on display included a beer keg bomb, mortars, a sniper rifle, AK4 rifles, ammunition, four rockets, and a sample of explosives. Gardai made 31 arrests in connection with dissident republican activity across Ireland last year and 22 of them were brought before the Special Criminal Court.

A quiet Courtown estate was dramatically evacuated last May when a holiday home was searched. It was reported at the time that a massive partially completed bomb was found on a bed upstairs, just two feet away from the headboards of children sleeping next door. It was believed that the bomb may have been intended for use in an attack on a British army base during the visit of Prince Charles. Residents were told at the time that if the bomb had gone off, it could have taken out five houses. It was one of 20 such raids across the country that day.
IDA Ireland, the Government agency responsible for attracting foreign direct investment, will have no excuse not to put Wexford at the top of its list for attracting Foreign Direct Investment once natural gas comes on tap and the New Ross and Enniscorthy bypasses are completed.

The IDA has just announced the highest level of employment in its client companies in its 67-year history. Total employment at overseas companies now stands at 187,056 people, the highest level on record. However, Wexford did not benefit substantially.

Over the same period, 184 jobs were created in the Model County under the Enterprise Ireland umbrella.

'In Wexford, 4,696 people are employed in the 123 companies supported by the Department of Jobs, through Enterprise Ireland. These companies created 184 additional new jobs in Wexford in 2015, an increase of four per cent on the previous year,' said Minister Paul Kehoe.

'Over 400 additional new EI jobs have been created in Wexford since the launch of the Government's Action Plan for Jobs,' he said.

The IDA said meanwhile its client companies created just under 19,000 (18,983) jobs on the ground during the year across a range of sectors, with every region of Ireland posting net gains in jobs. Net jobs were 11,833 compared to 7,131 in the same time period last year - representing a year-on-year rise of 66 per cent.

The IDA has been criticised in the past for not showing enough interest in the Model County, the excuse often given as poor accessibility and the lack of natural gas, and certainly the list of jobs created nationally under its banner last year reveal little or none of consequence in this county, according to its critics.

Former Wexford mayor Cllr George Lawlor said that with natural gas coming on tap for industry early this year, including to major employers like Celtic Linen and CocaCola, and both the Enniscorthy and New Ross bypasses under way, the IDA would have no excuse not to put Wexford at the top of its list for attracting foreign direct investment and creating jobs here.

Nationally, the latest result means that more than one-in-five private sector jobs in the economy (direct and indirect employment), are as a result of IDA-supported FDI representing a vital economic contribution by the multinational sector. The performance was produced against a background of global economic uncertainty, intense foreign competition and a changing global taxation landscape. The ability to source skilled talent was the chief driver of the performance, said the organisation - combined with Ireland's long track record of attracting global companies. Ireland's stable taxation regime has also contributed to investor confidence. IDA Ireland says the positive results are the first indication of how its new five-year strategy is performing.
According to Kerry County Council figures 17 properties in Kerry had to be evacuated due to floods since December 3

According to Kerry County Council figures 17 properties in Kerry had to be evacuated due to floods since December 3.

In all but two cases the residents of these properties have since returned to their homes.

The council report says that 48 houses across the county were flooded but that while the need repairs they are habitable.

Meanwhile 24 business premises across the county were flooded.

The storms left 506 properties inaccessible due to flooded roads and as of Monday the council said 27 properties still remain at risk of flooding.

The county's entire road network suffered significant damage and pothole and drainage issues are expected to continue for at least a month.

The December storms caused enormous damage to piers, harbours and coastal roads around the county.

Further damage to the Cliff Road at Rossbeigh will require 1.1 million to repair while coastal protection works on the Tralee Fenit Road will need 250,000.

1.1 million worth of damage was caused to Ballinskelligs Pier which suffered structural damage and undermining.

In Ballyheigue at Cliff Road 500,000 is needed to repair storm damage to approximately 280 meters of the rock armour along the coastal route.

Scraggane Pier in the Maharees was further damaged and undermined and will need repairs worth 80,000.

THE scale of the task that faced the emergency services and council staff during the December storms has been laid bare in figures published by Kerry County Council.

On Monday Tralee councillors were briefed on the council's response to the storms and the figures provided make for staggering reading.

In all 250 people were involved in the response to the storms. This included 100 council outdoor staff, 30 fire fighters, 100 Civil Defence Volunteers and 20 senior council staff.

Working extremely long hours, these staff and volunteers co-ordinated a countywide effort that saw 18,000 sandbags distributed across the county.

During Storm Desmond 500 properties were at risk of flooding and seven families had to be rescued. In Glenflesk volunteers from the Red Cross, Kerry Mountain Rescue and Killarney Inland Shore rescue evacuated the residents of one home. Meanwhile the HSE arranged for two high wheeled military transporters to be dispatched to the Tralee and Kenmare areas to assist in rescuing ill people and flood casualties.

THE floods that swamped parts of the county after the December storms caused well over 4 million of damage.

The figure was revealed at Monday's meeting of the Tralee Municipal District Council where councillors were briefed on the damage caused by storms Desmond and Frank and severe heavy rain on December 11 and 12.

When Storm Desmond hit, an average of around 82mm of rain fell on the county. Tralee was worst hit with a massive 114mm of rain falling on the town in just 36 hours causing serious flooding in southern areas of the town.

The water levels recorded in the River Lee at Ballymullen were their highest since the gauge was installed in 1975. Meanwhile council management said in Glenflesk the flooding caused by Storm Desmond was a one in 1,000 event.

More heavy rains arrived on December 11 and 12 with around 50mm falling over the county. This time though the damage was less severe and no properties flooded.

The next deluge came on December 29 and 30 with the Killorglin, Fossa, Killarney and Ardfert areas worst affected.

During the three storms the council's Severe Weather Response plan was implemented. The council's Flood Emergency Management Team met 15 times and held 17 conference calls with emergency services during the three extreme weather events.

According to the briefing notes the December 11 rains caused 860,000 of damage to public infrastructures with the response costing 244,447. Strom Frank caused 607,000 and the response cost 162,000.Damage costs for the Storm Desmond were not available.

Damage to piers and harbours was over 2.3 million.
Back in 1980 when Kenmare native Flor McCarthy left school to take up farming full-time, it's unlikely the whispering winds around the hills of Neidin would have foretold that one day he would run as a candidate for the presidency of the IFA.

But a lifetime of experience later, Flor could just become the first ever Kerry man to preside over the association and his track record, both as farmer and IFA official, places him firmly in the reckoning.

Understandably, given the recent controversies over hefty top level salaries - Flor would not comment on the outgoing members - many IFA members wish the circumstances surrounding the need to elect a new president were otherwise. But opportunity sometimes emerges from the most unlikely of portals and it's an opportunity that Flor is keen to grasp.

"I left school in 1980 to start farming at 18 and took over the running of a small farm at 21 years of age. I'm farming all my life and I'm the sixth generation to farm here, so to become president of the IFA would be like a dream," explained Flor.

"It would not only be a dream, but an honour. It would also be an amazing achievement as all previous presidents have more or less come from within a 70 mile radius of Portlaoise, so if I was able to achieve it, it would be great. I actually believe it would be good for the IFA to have a leader coming from one of the more peripheral areas of the country as it would show we are all-inclusive," he added.

Outside of family life with his wife Mary and four children, Flor is the current IFA rural development committee chair with a CV listing some important jobs in the IFA over the years: chair of the Kerry executive; member of the EU advisory committee on rural development; representative on the Copa rural development group and, when he's not overseeing the administrative side of things, he works at his suckler and sheep farm in Kenmare. Flor recently described himself as a 'good ground hurler' which he attributes to the experiences garnered over many decades within the farming sector.

"All through my farming life I have been decisive and that's a quality we need in the organisation. I'd be known as a good campaigner over the years. I've helped elect a lot of former presidents over the years, so I'd be known as a strong political campaigner within the sector. Down here in Kerry there wouldn't be as many people as active as other parts, so I'd be seen as a strong performer in this part of the country," he said.

Flor's rivals in the race are Joe Healy from Galway and Henry Burns from Laois and all three candidates are vowing to introduce that oft used election promise: 'to bring change'. But when asked for specifics, Flor gets straight to the point saying the IFA needs to get its core priorities right.

"For a start, you only have to look at the way the organisation is being run at the moment.

"I think the commercial side of the organisation needs to be eased off on its own. What I mean is that the main body of the organisation needs to be about representing farmers on its own and have farmers' core interests represented in Europe, national level and within government. We need to put the focus back in the main business of the organisation.

"And we need a separate commercial side that would have nothing to do with the day-to-day running of farming. Commercial concerns could perhaps be reported back to the main body of the organisation at quarterly intervals.

"One of the big flaws we had in recent years is having the two interests mixed in together which isn't sustainable going forward."

The livelihood of farmers is a further area of concern for Flor, one he intends to give his full attention to if elected president in April. He argues that the prospect of farmers working to produce food, only to achieve negative equity as their reward, is past the point of acceptance.

"If I were leader of the IFA I would be demanding a better price for what we produce based on our cost of production. I feel strongly that the leader of the IFA should be a farmer who is actually farming across a wide range of enterprises.

"We can hire in the expertise, but the man representing the farmers has to be less willing to accept the Co-ops, PLCs and factories' side of the story and put forward the farmer's side. If I was president I would look for a better return from the British market.

"As an organisation we are too willing to understand the reasons why these big suppliers can't pay a return. We have to become less understanding to our purchasers and explain that we need a margin for what we produce, whether it be milk, beef, sheep meat or green."

Then there's the issue of farm safety and while Flor is highly supportive of the safety schemes introduced by Minister Coveney, he feels strongly that persuasion rather than penalisation is the preferred option when it comes to implementing safety.

Flor also believes that many unsafe aspects of farming are caused by low incomes with some farmers simply unable to make the necessary repairs at the drop of a hat, something he is keen to address if elected.

"I think we have to use the carrot rather than the stick on this one. I strongly welcomed the farm safety scheme introduced by Minister Coveney two years ago but we need more initiatives and grant aid to encourage farmers to undertake actions on their farms which would be way more effective than penalising.

"There is a grant system there but we need to do way more to promote it. It's a massive issue and, speaking as a farmer myself, I recognise that safety on the farm is a major issue. We need to move towards a system where farmers are advised on safety, but definitely no penalties.

"The inspection regime needs to be more farmer-friendly and needs to move towards a method of simplification for the farmer which is something I intend to make a priority - if elected."
Houses prices across Wexford have risen significantly in the past year.

According to the latest figures from Daft.ie houses prices in Wexford rose a whopping 12.4 per cent in the past year.

The average asking price in Wexford during 2015 was 160,235. In neighbouring Kilkenny the average asking price is 171,048, an increase of 12.5 per cent while the average asking price in Carlow is 140,536, an increase of 4.9 per cent.

The average asking price in Wicklow is 273,869, a rise of 9.2 per cent while in Waterford county it's 174,900, an increase of 15.1 per cent.

During the final quarter of 2015 there was a drop of 1.1 per cent in asking prices across the county.

Some of this may be attributed to a drop of 6.4 per cent in the asking price for one bed apartments which stands at 55,000. This is the only house type in Wexford that saw a drop in price with all other homes seeing an increase in asking prices.

The average asking price of a two bed terraced home is 70,000, an increase of 9.2 per cent while a three bed semi rose by 14.1 per cent to 105,000.

Four bed bungalows also increased seeing a rise of 11.4 per cent to 209,000 while five bed detached homes increased the most rising by 15.4 per cent to 239,0000.

Ronan Lyons of Daft.ie said that the housing market needs a complete overhaul to cope with supply and demand.

'There are four main areas where government intervention is needed in the housing market. The first relates to the supply of mortgage credit which is largely in place now. The second relates to the supply of private housing: here the government needs to limit construction costs relative to our incomes in the same way mortgage credit is now linked to the real economy.

'The third area for government action - supply of public housing - follows directly on from the second. Once you have decided what the minimum cost is for building a home, anyone earning less than this needs a subsidy to give them access to housing.

'Otherwise, they are being denied their human right to housing. Unfortunately, this is an area where very little change has taken place in Ireland over the years.'

'The final area for government policy relates to land use. In many ways, this is the one area where emergency measures are not required. Land use has been dysfunctional in Ireland for decades. To ensure that decade after decade, land is used well and thus housing is readily available and affordable, a land tax is required.'
Just as this year's Young Scientist Exhibition opened its doors at the RDS on Thursday a much quieter event was taking place at Dublin's Mansion House. Two students from Mzumbe Secondary School in Morogoro, Tanzania presented the Lord Mayor of Dublin Criona Ni Dhalaigh with gifts from their country, symbolising aspects of life in Tanzania.

Edwin Luguku and John Method, won the 2015 Young Scientists Exhibition Tanzania (YSET) and part of their prize included attending last week's Irish Young Scientist Exhibition. The project that won them the top prize was 'The Effects Of Plastic Bags On Morogoro And Reducing Their Use'.

The YSET is the brainchild of Joe Clowry. Before moving to NUI Maynooth, where he was Education Officer with the Combat Diseases of Poverty Consortium, he taught science, biology and development education at Carlow CBS.

'Between 2008 and 2011 I worked with 40 researchers from east Africa in Maynooth and we visited Irish schools looking at projects the youngsters were preparing for the Young Scientist Exhibition. The African researchers could not believe how advanced the Irish youngsters were when it came to scientific matters. We were working on a probiotics for people living with HIV. I met Professor Michael Kelly SJ, who has spent most of his life working in Africa, and he suggested that we should take the project to Africa. And that's really the genesis of YSET. We picked Tanzania because it has the least developed scientific infrastructure in east Africa,' Joe explains.

The first YSET was launched in 2011 and last year 130 schools in Tanzania exhibited their projects in Dar es Salaam. Up to 300 schools entered the competition but due to space restrictions there was only room for the top 130 exhibitors.

The exhibition has so captured the imagination of the youth in Tanzania that young people last year spent three days getting to the event and another three days travelling back home afterwards.

The project is funded by Irish Aid, BG Tanzania and other organisations such as Concern Worldwide. Joe Clowry explained to me how he happened to meet the then Concern CEO Tom Arnold at a function at the Irish Embassy in Dar es Salaam.

'I was telling Tom about the project and he immediately realised its potential and offered me any help I needed. He allowed me use the Concern offices in Tanzania and anytime I ever mention that the project is supported by Concern, doors automatically open for me,' he smiles. Concern annually presents the Niall Weldon Award at the YSET. Niall was secretary at Aer Lingus, who were the original sponsors of the Young Scientist Exhibition and for over 25 years he was the chairman of the organising committee of the exhibition.

For Edwin and John it's their first time to leave Tanzania. Lord Mayor Criona Ni Dhalaigh told them they were visiting a great city and strongly advised them it was a special place to have some fun and 'craic'.

It's a project that offers great potential. Why not Irish schools set up partnerships with fellow exhibitors in Tanzania and other African countries? Working and learning together always makes sense.
As some 52,000 students fill in their CAO application form this month ahead of the February 1st deadline, IT Sligo is holding a special event on January 12th to help students and their parents weigh up the options and make informed course choices.

The Institute is holding a CAO Information Evening on campus on Tuesday, January 12th, from 6 to 8pm.

"The event will give visitors the opportunities to meet and talk with existing students and staff at the Institute and get meaningful information on IT Sligo's student support services, SUSI grants and fees," explains Hollie Hastings, who is Student Liaison Officer at IT Sligo. The evening will also devote time to the actual CAO application process.

"Filling in the online form can be a stressful process for many students," says Stephanie Gregg, the Institute's Student Recruitment/Retention Officer. "Our guide to completing the online CAO form will take you through the key information and dates, and will help make the process easy and straightforward."

The Information Evening will also include a series of talks on SUSI grants, mature students and alternative entry routes such as the Breaking the Mould Access Programme which is designed to make higher education accessible to students who are under-represented at third level due to a variety of social and economic reasons, including long-term unemployment, low family income or little or no tradition of progression onto higher education.

Meanwhile. NUI Galway is hosting a Mature Students Open Evening on Wednesday, 13 January at 6pm in the Aula Maxima, Quadrangle.

The information evening is designed those aged 23 and over who are considering embarking on full-time or part-time undergraduate degree programmes at NUI Galway. In attendance will be representatives from each of the University's five colleges to answer questions on degree options available, and the University's Careers Office will also be on hand to provide advice on careers opportunities and CV preparation.
A woman who begged the District Court not to send her to prison after she re-offended while under a suspended prison sentence has been given a second chance.

Helen Doran (26) of The Oaks, Frenchpark, Roscommon, shoplifted from Oriental Emporium, Upper Abbey Street, Dublin 1 last September 24th.

She appeared at Sligo Court as she was under a suspended sentence from a previous sitting of the court on a theft charge.

"Unfortunately she's blotted her copybook again and was sent back here before you," her solicitor Mr Gerard McGovern told Judge Kilrane.

"Words can't explain how sorry I am," said Doran from the witness box.

"I'm a lone parent of two children, I'm homeless, I'm a drug addict but now drug-free.

"I'm actually begging you not to send me to prison," she said to the judge.

"The value of the good was relatively low which suggests it was petty," said Inspector Paul Kilcoyne.

"I'd ask you to give her one last chance," said Mr McGovern.

"She has two young children, she was in a relationship that went wrong," he added.

Judge Kilrane noted Doran was convicted of a larceny charge at Sligo District Court last February 5th and he had sentenced her to three months in prison, suspended on condition she did not re-offend.

"In the circumstances, for 24.20, to activate the suspended sentence would be somewhat excessive.

"I'm going to leave it suspended," he told Doran.

"But if it happens again, you will serve a prison sentence," he warned her.
A recent study reveals that commercial vacancy rates in Sligo are the highest in the country.

The report found that commercial vacancy rates in the county stand at 16.4% making it the biggest rate recorded in Ireland.

Despite reducing from 16.5% to 16.4% this year, it is still the highest figure in the country according to GeoDirectory, who carried out the survey.

Sligo's high figures are well above the average, which is standing at 12.6% nationally.

The study found that there are more than 28,000 vacant commercial buildings in Ireland.

The new research is from the Q4 2015 edition of GeoView which is published twice a year. It is the third annual review of commercial vacancy rates in Ireland that not only provides national data but also analyses the data by quarter, by county, by province and across a broad range of sectors in the Irish economy.

The review found that the national average commercial vacancy rate in Q4 2015 was 12.6%. This figure represents a decrease in commercial vacancy of 0.2 percentage points since Q4 2014.

A total of 16 counties recorded a decrease in commercial vacancy rates between Q4 2014 and Q4 2015. Kerry recorded the lowest vacancy rate of any county in Q4 2015 at 9.2%.

Although there were a drop in numbers for counties within Leinster and Munster, many counties in Connacht and Ulster have yet to recover and are still showing an increase in vacancy rates. The data was published by GeoDirectory which was jointly established by An Post and Ordnance Survey Ireland (OSi) to create and manage Ireland's only complete database of commercial and residential buildings. The largest percentage point increase was seen in Leitrim where the vacancy rate increased by 0.6pp to 16.1% last year.

Also in 2015, Leitrim, Longford and Carlow had the lowest number of commercial address points with less than 3,000 units in each county, as was the case throughout 2013 and 2014. Dara Keog, CEO of GeoDirectory, said: "Connacht and Ulster still seem to be struggling, however there are strong signs of a recovery with just 8 counties across the country showing an increase in commercial vacancy rates year on year."
A student at St Angela's College has begun a campaign to have Sligo County Council install cycle lanes on the road out to the college.

Francie Johnston regularly cycles to lectures at the college but has to negotiate the narrow winding R286 road between Ballinode and Clogherrevagh on the shores of Lough Gill.

"It seems like it would benefit the local community and the college population," he told The Sligo Champion.

"A few of us students have formed a lobby group to get a safety lane put in. They have cycle lanes out to Strandhill and Rosses Point, why not here?" he said.

"We'd like to see it start around Davy's garage and see how far the Council would go with it," he said. The mature Access student got the idea for the campaign in his politics classes, run by lecturer Marie McGloin. He says they have the full backing of the local community.

Francie's spoken with local resident James Flynn who said "the road has become dangerous and is no longer safe to walk, especially for children."

The new lobby group have already contacted Sligo County Councillors Seamus Kilgannon and Martin Baker about the issue. "Cllr Kilgannon is going to be supporting us," said Francie.

"St Angela's has one major hindrance to its development - the road between the College and Sligo is narrow, has many bends and is in urgent need of a path for cyclists and pedestrians," he said. "If the Council grants a path it will allow the college and council to bring something positive to the local people and area. The group will be vigorously lobbying in the new term," he added.
The recent winter storms took their toll of Wicklow's wonderful coast, with whole chunks of the shore eaten away by the raging gales woking in corrosive cahooots with high tides.

Paul Leahy has been keeping an eye on the ever-shifting sands of the most famous strip of the county's illustrious sand for more than half a century.

His beloved Brittas Bay took its share of the pounding inflicted by the bad weather of December and early January, with dunes eroded and the quality of the strand altered.

But he is glad to report that there is no hint of crisis on the scale being experienced on The Murrough north of Wicklow town, where the railway line was threatened by erosion.

Paul is convinced that Brittas will bounce back from the latest changes and be fit once more to welcome thousands of holiday makers and day trippers as usual when summer comes around.

'I call myself a community activist,' says the man who has become synonymous with the bay, though his roots are far from this sometimes wild and always wonderful place.

'I am originally from Dublin but I moved here to Brittas in 1960 when I was young. I have been here ever since.'

He grew up in Ballsbridge in fashionable Dublin 4 and his family had a shop in the centre of the city but the lure of the sands called and the Leahys had a holiday home near to the sea.

That holiday home provided base camp for the full time move and so the teenager was liberated to enjoy the run of the dunes that have provided the backdrop to his adult life.

'I was always interested in politics and history,' he muses. 'I came from a Fine Gael background - so I joined Fianna Fail at an early stage.' Paul laughs at the memory of adolescent rebellion.

He reckoned that the party of Eamon de Valera, to which he was recruited at the age of 18, put him in closer touch than FG with what he calls his Celtic heritage.

He became for a time part of Dick Roche's backroom team, admiring the Bray-based lecturer-turned-politician as articulate and sophisticated, canvassing for him in several General Elections.

However, Paul eventually lost faith in Fianna Fail during his fifties, concerned at the undercurrent of what he considered corruption dogging the party at the time of the Celtic Tiger.

'I ended up in the Green Party - because the planet is going down the tubes due to greed,' he recalls. 'Our ability to sustain human life on this planet is being destroyed by corporate greed.'

He nailed his green colours to the mast in the last local elections but failed to secure a seat on Wicklow County Council, blaming a bout of poor health for failure to put in a full effort on the hustings.

So, he continues to be an outsider, devoting his campaigning energies to the protection and development of Brittas.

That is where he runs a small caravan park with 19 pitches not far from the strand. Most of his customers are Dubs.

He brings his dogs - one lolloping German shepherd and one busy Jack Russell - out for a walk along the beach most days.

He also continues to be the principal mover and shaker in the Brittas Bay community development group which keeps the faith with their regular litter pick-ups along the strand on the final Saturday of each month.

He is happy to show the man from the 'Wicklow People' around on a glorious, chilly January afternoon when just a handful of cars may be found at the entrance to the massive public car park.

On any summer weekend, this place will be heaving with life as the people of the greater Dublin area make Brittas their playground in their thousands.

They have been doing so for decades and their access to the strand has been made even easier by the layout of the improved M11 motorway.

The turn off at Jack White's (named after the secretive 18th century smuggler who would have been appalled at such a mass incursion into his territory) is clearly signed Brittas Bay.

The bucket-and-spade battalions are welcome as far as Paul Leahy is concerned, though he is keen to ensure that the resident community of Brittas is never swamped by the visitors.

'All the world feels Brittas Bay is theirs. We are on the doorstep of a city with one million people and we are certainly not knocking that.'

In the immediate wake of Storms Desmond, Eva and Frank, the place is not readily accessible to such multitudes, with the car park gates locked for the winter.

On the boardwalk leading down through the dunes to the beach, hastily improvised signs warn everyone to exercise 'extreme caution' in approaching the beach as there are 'steep drops'.

While the phrases are slightly exaggerated, there is no doubt but that the waves have chomped into the sandy shoreline, making the transition from beach to dune abrupt.

After scrambling down the allegedly steep drop, beach walkers are immediately aware that the strand is stonier than it was last year, though the ecologically minded community activist is not overly agitated.

'I do see changes and I have taken photographs over the years. Sand from the dunes has fallen and been swept away northward. It is now building up at the north end.

'The dunes change all the time. They are like living organisms. I am not too concerned by what I see - I have seen it before. You need to be watching for fifty years.'

He recalls that he used to scour the sands for the coins that fell from the pockets of the tourists squirming under their towels to change into their swim suits.

The good Green of 2016 might be expected to mount his ecological high horse and issue dire warnings about the effects of global warming but he is in fact fairly laid back.

'I do not see evidence of global warming, though the sea level does appear to be higher. I think that future generations will be able to enjoy Brittas.'

As he looks out towards the rocks of Ardinary at the southern end of the bay, he suggests that most of the change is cyclical - and the only thing permanent around here is change.

His principal concern as he picks at the ashy remains of an old campfire is that the people who come with their six pack beers and their tents in defiance of the by-laws are complexly unregulated.

'Camping offers fantastic potential for the area but it has to be supervised,' is his line.

Brittas Bay is officially listed as a Special Area of Conservation by the National Parks and Wildlife Service who have identified several species of rare plants in the area.

Paul Leahy is sceptical about the designation, feeling that a sighting of the service's wildlife rangers is less likely than finding a Greater Bird's-foot-trefoil (Lotus uliginosus) or any of the other strains of unusual fauna.

His expertise is concentrated more on the plastic bottles, fish crates, ropes, drink cans, cartons other rubbish which defy the best efforts of the litter pickers.

The county council has shown willing to engage contractors to carry out regular clean-ups but the local authority's plans to levy charges on visitors are met with suspicion by watchdog Paul.

Beachcombers may find their ramblings enlivened by finding a baby seal or maybe a horseshoe shed by one of the steeds exercised on the firm sand.

Though there has been discussion over the years of rock armour being put in place, he does not find the notion of dumping a line of expensive but ugly boulders at all appealing.

It might work to defend the trains along The Murrough but the swirl of winds and currents in his bay would likely find a way around any such defences along the three and a half miles of the bay.

Brittas Bay has taken all that the sea has thrown at it for centuries and it will continue to do so for centuries more, to the delight of those who live near her or who just come for the day.
Fire and smoke rising from Splendid Hotel in Ouagadougou where suspected Islamist fighters are holding hostages in this still image from a video grab Photo: Reuters

Al-Qa'ida militants struck an upscale hotel and nearby cafe that are popular with Westerners in Burkina Faso's capital last night, taking an unknown number of hostages and forcing others to hide for their lives.

Three hours after the attack began, gunfire could still be heard as soldiers in an armoured vehicle finally approached the area where cars had been set ablaze.

The local al-Qa'ida affiliate known as AQIM claimed responsibility online as the attack was ongoing in downtown Ouagadougou at the 147-room Splendid Hotel, according to the SITE Intelligence Group.

In a message posted in Arabic on the militants' "Muslim Africa" Telegram account, it said fighters had "broke into a restaurant of one of the biggest hotels in the capital of Burkina Faso, and are now entrenched and the clashes are continuing with the enemies of the religion."

Witness Vital Nounagnon said that he saw four men attack the hotel and neighbouring Cappuccino Cafe about 7.30pm. Another witness who gave only his first name, Gilbert, said that when Burkinabe security forces first arrived, they turned around rather than confront the attackers.

A man who works the day shift at the Cappuccino Cafe, Alpha Ouedraogo, had left just 90 minutes before the attack began. He said he had been in touch by phone with other employees and that more than a dozen of them were in hiding and awaiting rescue.

Burkina Faso, a largely Muslim country, has been in turmoil since its longtime president was ousted in a popular uprising in late 2014. Last September, members of a presidential guard launched a coup that lasted about a week. The transitional government returned to power until Burkina Faso's November election ushered in new leaders.

Yesterday's violence mirrored an attack on the Radisson Blu hotel in neighbouring Mali in November that left 20 people dead. In that case, Malian troops - backed by French and US special forces - swarmed in to end a seven-hour siege.
In this grab taken from video by Associate Press Television, two unidentified armed men approach a vehicle, near to a hotel, in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso (Associated Press Television)

A motorcyclist rides along a road while fire and smoke rising from Splendid Hotel in Ouagadougou where suspected Islamist fighters are holding hostages in this still image from a video grab REUTERS/RTB via REUTERS TV

A view shows vehicles on fire outside Splendid Hotel in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso in this still image taken from a video January 15, 2016, during a siege by Islamist gunmen. REUTERS/Reuters TV

In this image taken from video from AP Television, a rescued woman sits in a vehicle with bullet hole in windshield near the Splendid Hotel (AP Television via AP)

Burkina Faso and French forces killed at least three extremists and freed 126 people as they took back control of a luxury hotel in the capital that had been seized by the attackers, the minister of security said Saturday.

The Islamic extremists stormed the hotel and a nearby cafe Friday night.

Gunfire ramped up early Saturday as gendarme and military forces fought to take back the fire-blackened building. They took control of the Splendid Hotel and were searching nearby hotels to be sure there were not extremists hiding there, said minister of security and internal affairs Simon Compaore.

About 33 people have been wounded, and officials are still determining the number of casualties, he said. At least 10 bodies had been found so far, another government minister said.

BREAKING: Burkina Faso president: Forces kill fourth extremist at nearby hotel; 2 women attackers; 23 killed  The Associated Press (@AP) January 16, 2016

The harrowing attack was launched by the same extremists behind a similar siege at an upmarket hotel in Bamako, Mali in November that left 20 dead.

It was not immediately known how many people remained inside the hotel in Ouagadougou as the morning call to prayer signalled a new day in the West African nation.

Dozens of French forces arrived overnight from neighbouring Mali to help the rescue. One US military member was embedded with French forces at the scene, and the United States was working to help provide France with surveillance and reconnaissance help, according to a US senior defence official.

An al Qaida affiliate known as AQIM, or al Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb, claimed responsibility online as the attack was under way in central Ouagadougou at the 147-room hotel, according to the Site Intelligence Group.

Expand Close Security officers take their positions outside Splendid Hotel in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso in this still image taken from a video January 15, 2016, during a siege by Islamist gunmen. REUTERS/Reuters TV / Facebook

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Whatsapp Security officers take their positions outside Splendid Hotel in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso in this still image taken from a video January 15, 2016, during a siege by Islamist gunmen. REUTERS/Reuters TV

In a message posted in Arabic on the militants' "Muslim Africa" Telegram account, it said fighters "broke into a restaurant of one of the biggest hotels in the capital of Burkina Faso, and are now entrenched and the clashes are continuing with the enemies of the religion." Fighters who spoke by phone later "asserted the fall of many dead crusaders," AQIM said, according to Site.

Mr Compaore said that already 10 bodies had been found inside the Cappuccino Cafe, a restaurant next to the Splendid Hotel.

"We know that the gunmen won't get out of the hotel alive," said one witness, who gave only his first name, Gilbert. "Our country is not for jihadists or terrorists. They got it wrong."

Burkina Faso, a largely Muslim country, had for years been mostly spared from the violence carried out by Islamic extremist groups who were abducting foreigners for ransom in Mali and Niger. Then last April, a Romanian national was kidnapped in an attack that was the first of its kind in Burkina Faso.

The country also has been in growing political turmoil since its longtime president was ousted in a popular uprising in late 2014.
The US Coast Guard is desperately searching for survivors of a mid-air crash off the coast of Hawaii between two military helicopters carrying a total of 12 marines.

A coast guard spokeswoman said a debris field had been spotted about two miles north of the island of Oahu, but that there was no sign of the 12 marines nearly five hours into the search.

The debris field reportedly included an empty lifeboat and a small fire.

The marines are believed to have been carrying out a late night exercise over the ocean when the collision took place.

The seas were rough in the area, with waves of about 15 feet and swells of 30 to 40 feet.

There was an active high surf warning in the area from the National Weather Service yesterday.

Local media said witnesses to the collision reported a loud boom and a flash in the sky. It is not yet known what caused the collision.

There are three helicopters and a coast guard plane involved in the search for the marines.

The US navy and marines are also involved in the operation.

"The aircraft are from Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 463, Marine Aircraft Group 24, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing from Marine Corps Base Hawaii," the Marine Corps said.
An explosion is seen outside the Starbucks in Jakarta, Indonesia, during the attack on Thursday. Photo: Reuters

An attack by suicide bombers in the heart of Indonesia's capital was funded by the Isil terrorist group, police said yesterday, as they seized an Isil flag from the home of one of the attackers and carried out raids across the country in which one suspected militant was killed.

National police chief General Badrodin Haiti told reporters that Thursday's attack was funded by Isil through Bahrun Naim, an Indonesian who spent one year in jail for illegal possession of weapons in 2011, and is now in Syria fighting for the group.

Supporters of Isil also circulated a claim of responsibility for the attack on Twitter. Isil controls territory in Syria and Iraq, and its ambition to create an Islamic caliphate has attracted some 30,000 foreign fighters from around the world, including a few hundred Indonesians and Malaysians.

The Isil link, if proved, poses a challenge to Indonesian security forces. Until now, the group was known only to have sympathisers with no active cells capable of planning and carrying out a plot such as Thursday's, in which five men attacked a Starbucks cafe and a traffic police booth with handmade bombs, guns and suicide belts.

They killed two people, one a Canadian and the other an Indonesian, and injured 20 in the first major attack in Indonesia since 2009. The militants were killed, either by their suicide vests or by police.

The attack "was funded by Isis (Isil) in Syria through Bahrun Naim," Gen Haiti said. He did not elaborate. He also identified one of the five attackers as Sunakim, who in 2010 was sentenced to seven years in jail for his involvement in military-style training in Aceh, but was released early.

Police conducted raids across Indonesia but was it unclear whether those arrested were suspected of links to the bombing or if police were rounding up militants as part of a broader crackdown in its aftermath.

They also outlined a partial reconstruction of events based on security camera video, part of which showed a Starbucks customer escaping from the grip of a bomber before he detonated his suicide bomb. Police did not identify the customer but said he or she suffered minor injuries.

National police spokesman Major General Anton Charliyan said an Isil flag was found in the home of one of the attackers and raids were conducted in Java, Kalimantan and Sulawesi, with four arrests made. He said three men arrested at dawn in their homes on the outskirts of Jakarta were no longer suspected of being linked to the attack.

Gun battle

Gen Haiti said a suspected militant was killed in a gun battle in central Sulawesi, the hiding place of Indonesia's most wanted Islamic radical, Abu Wardah Santoso, who leads the East Indonesia Mujahidin network that has pledged allegiance to Isil. He said the man wasn't linked to Thursday's attack.

Jakarta residents remained shaken by Thursday's events but refused to be cowed.

About 200 people, mostly youngsters with flowers in their hands, gathered in front of the Starbucks in a show of sympathy for the victims and solidarity against extremist violence. They unfurled posters that read: "We are not afraid."
A rescued woman sits in a vehicle with bullet hole in the windscreen near the Splendid Hotel (AP Television/AP)

Four extremists have been killed by security forces and more than 126 people were freed after a luxury hotel in Burkina Faso was seized by al Qaida-linked militants.

In addition to the four jihadis, at least 23 people were killed in the attack at the Splendid Hotel and a nearby cafe in the West African country's capital, Ouagadougou.

Three attackers died at the hotel, with a fourth killed when security forces cleared out a second hotel nearby.

Two of the three attackers at the Splendid Hotel were identified as female, Burkina Faso's president Roch Marc Christian Kabore said on national radio.

In a separate development, an Austrian doctor and his wife were kidnapped on Friday night by extremists in Burkina Faso's north near its border with Mali, security ministry spokeswoman Abi Ouattara said.

Jihadis took the couple from the town of Baraboule in the Soum province in Burkina Faso's Sahel region, Ms Ouattara said. There was no immediate confirmation of the kidnapping from Austrian officials.

In the capital, the Islamic extremists stormed the Splendid Hotel and a nearby cafe on Friday night.

Gunfire was exchanged early on Saturday as police and military forces fought to take back the building which had been blackened by a fire during the assault.

Security forces from Burkina Faso and France took control of the Splendid Hotel and are searching nearby hotels to be sure no other extremists were in hiding. The search continued even after security forces found and killed a fourth extremist at the Hotel Yibi.

About 33 people were wounded and 126 people were freed.

The harrowing attack was launched by the same extremists behind a similar siege at a luxury hotel last November in Bamako, Mali, that left 20 dead.

Dozens of French forces arrived overnight from neighbouring Mali to help the rescue effort.

One US military member was embedded with French forces at the scene, and the United States is working to help provide France with surveillance and reconnaissance help.

An al Qaida affiliate known as AQIM, or al Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb, claimed responsibility as the attack was ongoing in Ouagadougou at the 147-room hotel, according to the SITE Intelligence Group.

An online message claimed fighters "broke into a restaurant of one of the biggest hotels in the capital of Burkina Faso, and are now entrenched and the clashes are continuing with the enemies of the religion".

Jihadis who spoke by phone later "asserted the fall of many dead Crusaders," AQIM said, according to SITE.

Burkina Faso's internal affairs minister Simon Compaore said that 10 bodies were found inside the Cappuccino Cafe, a restaurant located next to the Splendid Hotel.

Burkina Faso, a largely Muslim country, had for years been largely spared from the violence carried out by Islamic extremist groups who were abducting foreigners for ransom in Mali and Niger.

Then last April, a Romanian national was kidnapped, the first such incident of its kind in Burkina Faso.

The country has seen growing political turmoil since its long-serving president was ousted in a popular uprising in late 2014.

Last September, members of a presidential guard launched a coup that lasted only about a week. The transitional government returned to power until Burkina Faso's November election ushered in new leaders.

The hotel attack in Mali in November also was claimed by a leader of AQIM, who said it had been carried out as a declaration of unity with Algerian militant Moktar Belmoktar's extremist group Al-Mourabitoun.

Belmoktar was a former leader in AQIM before starting his own group, which has now been reabsorbed by al Qaida.
Ebola has killed more than 11,300 people, mostly in west Africa, since it emerged at the end of 2013 (AP)

A woman who died this week in Sierra Leone tested positive for Ebola, officials said, in a setback for the region the day after the World Health Organisation (WHO) had declared the epidemic over.

The WHO warned on Thursday that new Ebola cases were possible even after virus transmission was halted in Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea - the three African nations hardest hit by the epidemic that left more than 11,300 people dead.

Already 10 other flare-ups have taken place in areas where virus transmission was thought to have ended, raising new questions about WHO procedures in assessing whether an epidemic is over.

The global health body said Sierra Leone's government was moving rapidly to contain the new threat, but it was not clear how the 22-year-old woman who died contracted Ebola. All known transmission chains in that country had been halted in November.

Francis Langoba Kellie, a spokesman for Sierra Leone's Office of National Security, said the woman had come from the country's Kambia district and had gone to the Tonkolili district for medical care.

Authorities are tracing her contacts and have dispatched teams to the area to investigate how she might have contracted the virus and if she might have infected others. Certain areas will be quarantined, he said.

The WHO declared the latest Ebola outbreak over in Liberia on Thursday after no new cases emerged there during a 42-day waiting period. That benchmark had already been met in Guinea and Sierra Leone.

"Our...response capabilities are very high and there is no cause for concern," said Mr Kellie. "We encourage the public to continue to practise the hygiene regulations which were in force during the period while Ebola was raging and the emergency regulations are still in force."

WHO spokesman Tarik Jasarevic said "there is a risk, and this outbreak is in a critical phase right now, where we are moving from case management to management of risk."
This picture provided by The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), working alongside the Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC) and the United Nations (UN), shows a convoy containing food, medical items, blankets and other materials being delivered to the town of Madaya in Syria, Monday (ICRC via AP)

A Syrian girl waits with her family, who say they have received permission from the Syrian government to leave the besieged town, as they depart after an aid convoy entered Madaya REUTERS/Omar Sanadiki

The U.N. Children's Fund UNICEF have confirmed cases of severe malnutrition among children in the besieged western Syrian town of Madaya, where local relief workers reported at least 32 deaths of starvation in the past month.

Medics supported by the international medical humanitarian organisation Medecins Sans Frontieres/ Doctors Without Borders (MSF) in the besieged town of Madayahave confirmed five deaths from starvation since the first UN/ICRC/SARC humanitarian convoy arrived on the afternoon of 11 January.

These deaths would bring the total deaths from starvation confirmed by the MSF-supported medics in Madaya to 35.

This is shocking; patients are still dying despite the arrival of two big international humanitarian convoys, says Brice de le Vingne, Director of Operations for MSF.

Some of the current patients may not survive another day. Medical evacuations for the most critically sick and malnourished need to happen immediately, and it is hard to understand why patients clinging on to life have not already been evacuated. Nothing should be allowed to hold this up and everything possible should be done by the warring parties and the agencies involved in the convoys to expedite these evacuations as a life-saving humanitarian act.

A mobile clinic and medical team of the Syrian Arab Red Crescent was on its way to Madaya after the government approved an urgent request, and a vaccination campaign is planned next week, the World Health Organization (WHO) said.

Two convoys of aid supplies were delivered this week to the town of 42,000 under a months-long blockade. The United Nations said another convoy was planned to Madaya, sealed off by pro-government forces, and rebel-besieged villages of al-Foua and Kefraya in Idlib next week, and that regular access was needed.

"UNICEF ... can confirm that cases of severe malnutrition were found among children," it said in a statement, after the United Nations and Red Cross had entered the town on Monday and Thursday to deliver aid for the first time since October.

UNICEF spokesman Christophe Boulierac told a news briefing in Geneva that UNICEF and WHO staff were able to screen 25 children under five and 22 of them showed signs of moderate to severe malnutrition. All were now receiving treatment.

A further 10 children aged from 6 to 18 were examined and six showed signs of severe malnutrition, he said.

UNICEF staff also witnessed the death of a severely malnourished 16-year-old boy in Madaya, while a 17-year-old boy in "life-threatening condition" and a pregnant women with obstructed labour need to be evacuated, Boulierac said.

Abeer Pamuk of the SOS Children's Villages charity said of the children she saw in Madaya: "They all looked pale and skinny. They could barely talk or walk. Their teeth are black, their gums are bleeding, and they have lots of health problems with their skin, hair, nails, teeth.

"They have basically been surviving on grass. Some families also reported having eaten cats," she said in a statement. "A lot of people were also giving their children sleeping pills, because the children could not stop crying from hunger, and their parents had nothing to feed them."

She said her agency was working to bring unaccompanied and separated children from Madaya to care centres in quieter areas just outside the capital Damascus.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said three people in critical condition were evacuated to a hospital in the city of Latakia, on Syria's government-controlled Mediterranean coast, from Kefraya and al-Foua on Friday.

DYING OF STARVATION

World Food Programme (WFP) spokeswoman Bettina Luescher said that the local relief committee in Madaya had provided figures on the extent of starvation, but it could not verify them.

"Our nutritionist...was saying that it is clear that the nutritional situation is very bad, the adults look very emaciated. According to a member of the relief committee, 32 people have died of starvation in the last 30-day period."

Dozens of deaths from starvation have been reported by monitoring groups, local doctors, and aid agencies from Madaya.

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said on Thursday Syria's warring parties, particularly the government, were committing "atrocious acts" and he condemned the use of starvation as a weapon of war in the nearly five-year-old conflict.

"It can also be a crime against humanity. But it would very much depend on the circumstances, and the threshold of proof is often much more difficult for a crime against humanity (than for a war crime)," U.N. human rights spokesman Rupert Colville told a briefing in Geneva on Friday.

The United Nations says there are some 450,000 people trapped in around 15 siege locations across Syria, including in areas controlled by the government, Islamic State militants and other insurgent groups.
DwaNtraquis Rashaad Campbell

SHARE Dw'Ntraquis Rashaad Campbell Dw'Ntraquis Rashaad Campbell

By Independent Mail

The Oconee County Sheriffs Office is seeking the publics help to find a Greenwood man wanted on multiple charges, including murder, in a March incident near Seneca.

DwNtraquis Rashaad Campbell, 30, of Oak Hill Street was charged on March 9 with murder in the shooting death of Anthony Letron Holden of Seneca. Campbell also was charged with three counts of attempted murder in the shooting of three other people and possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime, according to an Oconee County Sheriffs Office statement.

Warrants and information about Campbell have been entered into the National Crime Information Centers database.

Campbell also goes by the alias Rah-Rah or Rashaad or Shaad, according to the sheriffs office statement.

The warrants were issued against Campbell after an incident March 8 at the former Sonnys Bar and Grill on Wells Highway at Shiloh Road in Seneca.

Campbell has a history of violent crime and has outstanding warrants in Greenwood, South Carolina, and Columbus, Georgia, said Capt. Greg Reed of the sheriffs office. He may also have ties to Anderson, South Carolina, as well. We have been following up on leads in the case, but those leads obviously have not led to Campbells capture. We are asking anyone with any information about Campbells whereabouts to please contact us so we can take him into custody.

Campbell is considered armed and dangerous, and anyone who comes in contact with him should avoid him and contact their local law enforcement agency and report his location to them. Our investigation is continuing.

The Oconee County Sheriffs Office issued a statement March 12 asking for the publics help to find Campbell.

If anyone has any information on the whereabouts of DwNtraquis Rashaad Campbell, you are asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-888-CRIME-SC or text in your tip to 274637, said Jimmy Watt, public information officer for the sheriffs office. All tips received through Crime Stoppers are anonymous and confidential, and if your tip to Crime Stoppers leads to an arrest, you could be eligible for a cash reward of up to $2,000.

A person may also relay information about this case directly to an investigator with the Oconee County Sheriffs Office by calling 864-718-1052.

For the victims of this crime and their families, justice needs to be served, said Oconee County Sheriff Mike Crenshaw. For those injured, the emotional scars will be there even after the physical scars are healed. For the Holden family, a mother has lost a son and two small children will grow up without their father in their lives. Campbell needs to be arrested and made to be held accountable and responsible for his actions the night of March 8, 2015.
Predicting the biggest Anderson and Pickens football games of Week 9

Westside-Easley and Powdersville-Wren lead the best games around Anderson and Pickens in Week 9 of the high school football season.
Shaw

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By Mike Ellis Ellism@Independentmail.Com 864-260-1277

HONEA PATH  Former Honea Path police officer Robert Shaw was arrested by South Carolina Law Enforcement Division agents Friday and charged with misconduct in office.

Shaw is accused of making false statements about the circumstances of a November 2014 arrest that left Brian Hatcher beaten and bloodied.

Hatcher was in critical condition and hospitalized for a week.

The police department originally said Hatcher exited his car while wielding what appeared to be a knife.

Honea Path Police Chief David King reported the arrest to state officials the day after it happened.

Shaw is accused of making false statements regarding the arrest of Hatcher on Nov. 14, 2014, according to an arrest warrant obtained by Independent Mail coverage partner WSPA News Channel 7.

Shaw and former Honea Path officer John Bell were fired April 24.

King said at the time that 10th Judicial Circuit Solicitor Chrissy Adams had refused to prosecute any cases handled by the two men, and that he had no option but to fire the officers because of the ongoing investigation and conversations with Adams.

King did not immediately respond to a request for comment Friday evening.

Shaw was allowed to resign from the Anderson Police Department in 2013, the day after he was confronted by internal affairs officers about allegations of misconduct.

He was hired in Honea Path six months later.

Shaw remained in custody Friday night at the Anderson County Detention Center in lieu of a personal recognizance bond.

Follow Mike Ellis on Twitter @MikeEllis_AIM
Climate change could play a spoiler as India races to increase electricity production to meet the demands of the as-yet-unserved 300 million households and fuel economic growth. (ET)Enhanced transmission corridor availability, increased trade volume pulled down spot power prices at the Indian exchanges in December 2015. (ET)The country's grid-connected solar power generation capacity has crossed the 5,000 MW mark, with Rajasthan on top, followed by Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh, said the government. (ET)Wind turbine maker Suzlon Group said it has received an additional credit facility of Rs 2,300 crore above the existing working capital lines to meet its requirements for execution of projects. (ET) Power Finance Corp 's arm PFC Consulting Ltd has floated a global tender for Rs 4,400-crore transmission project ERSS-XVIII to strengthen electricity network in the eastern region. (ET) CESC a fully integrated power utility company of RP-Sanjiv Goenka Group has firmed up plans to invest over Rs 2,500 crore in setting up solar and wind generation capacity. (ET) NTPC has cut average cost of generating electricity from coal by 13.6 per cent in the last three months by slashing coal imports, saving consumers Rs 300 crore a month. (ET)




Report says that Rajan is likely to reiterate his tough stand on recognising bad loans. Reserve Bank of India Governor Raghuram Rajan will meet bank chiefs next week to review the state of bad loans

RBI's approach has prompted some bankers to raise the issue with ministry officials.

Rajan has set March 2017 as deadline for banks to clean up balance sheets.
State Bank of India (SBI) on Friday announced the launch of SBI e-Smart SME platform to offer easy working capital to online e-commerce players.The country's largest bank has initially a tied up with Snapdeal to offer instant loans to its sellers.The e-commerce growth has created a new ecosystem enabling more than 5 lakh sellers to sell product on digital platform. It has also opened up opportunities for the banking industry, SBI Chairperson Arundhati Bhattacharya told reporters in Mumbai yesterday.SBI E-Smart SME will use data analytics gathered by Snapdeal to assess the sellers credit worthiness, instead of traditional lending based on financial statements like balance sheet and income tax returns.SBI is also planning a similar tie-up with Flipkart, Paytm and Amazon going forward, Bhattacharya said.The biggest challenge for SMEs is to raise financing through formal banking is often they dont have collateral or a long history of financial statements to give confidence to lender," she said.Through this real time analytics tool we have created with SBI, we can assign a credit score to all sellers on our platforms, Snapdeal co-founder & CEO Kunal Bahl said.
India is witnessing an epochal period in its history right now: economically, socially, and industrially. Old regimes are being dismissed, and a new order is taking precedence in every domain. The world is looking at us with a hope: A country, with over a billion populace, will be the engine of growth for the global economy in the next few decades.As the post-liberalization generation of India gained maturity, coupled with the advent of internet services in the country, people have realized that traditional jobs are not the only means of survival. They can do something of their own and add more worth to themselves as well as the society at large, than by merely treading on the same path that their previous generation walked upon.It is due to this new approach in ideas, that we are witnessing a boom in the startup culture in India. NASSCOMs India Start-up Report 2014 highlighted that India has the 3rd largest base in the world for start-ups, with nearly 3100 of them operating in the country. Nearly 1000 new ones get added to the pool annually and it is expected that by 2020, there would be 11500 startups employing 2,50,000 people. Hyper-growth, capital availability and acquisitions are the leading drivers of the growing startup ecosystem in India. Indian start-ups today are well positioned to address the entire Asian market opportunity and also expand beyond the US and European region.Almost every day, theres news of some start-up company raising handsome funds in winsome rounds. It is estimated that in the first quarter of 2015, Indian start-ups raised nearly $1.7bn from investors. When compared to last years data of the corresponding period, theres nearly a 300% jump in the amount raised. The sectors that have attracted major chunk of the funding include mobile, e-commerce and consumer web verticals.The valuations of some of the start-ups in India have been eye-popping, to say the least. India is home to eight Unicorns, a term used for start-ups having valuation of more than $1billion. Zomato is valued for nearly $1billion, while Snapdeal has been valued $5 billion. Institutional and strategic investors like Tiger Global (TG), venture funds like Helion Ventures and Venture Capitalists (VC) such as Accel Ventures have been very aggressive in the Indian start-up ecosystem, with TG alone having investments in 17 companies in 2015, with investing in rounds totaling $1billion. Accel, one of the biggest VCs in Indian start-ups, has raised its largest funding round in March 2015, which is 30% larger than the past three cumulative rounds. Surely, with truckloads of money available with the investors, fledgling companies are magically reaching valuations in seven and eight figures.In theory, everything is perfect. However, in reality, there are a lot of challenges faced by start-ups in India. The general ease of doing business in India is not yet in place. The pace at which start-ups operate is very fast whereas government processes are lengthy and often take a long time for clearance formalities and paperwork.Here is where 'Start Up India, Stand Up India' begins to take shape. It can be a catalyst to initiate a new working model in the country, where seamless integration exists between private investors and state regulations.Ankita Tandon, Chief Operating Officer, CouponDunia says "Through the 'Start Up India, Stand Up India' initiative, one expects our government to simplify all these processes and make it easier for the start-up community to not only set up but also scale up their business. Our Government should also encourage micro-entrepreneurship by investing and dedicating an exclusive fund for entrepreneurs apart from the ones provided by the VCs and angel investors. Furthermore, the government should address the challenges faced by start-up companies and set up proper compliance and redressal forums for addressing these issues. Any start is a good start."Majority of the startups and e-commerce companies rely heavily on external sources of funding however, such fundings are only available from key foreign players. Presently investment by Indian players in the startups and e-commerce industry is at a very superficial level and Indian banks and financial institutions need to be encouraged to participate in funding of startups.. This step will facilitate the wealth created by such startups and e-commerce companies to stay in the Indian economy.Ameen Khwaja, Founder & CEO, LatestOne.com says, "The Indian laws particularly for listed entities are impossible for any startups to get listed on Stock Exchanges. It is also impossible for an entrepreneur to take the stock in his Company through Sweat Equity because of the existing tax laws which are taxing Sweat Equity upfront by considering it as deemed income. They must make sure that tax laws are amended for entrepreneurs/technocrats to own substantial percentage of the company by virtue of Sweat Equity and ESOPs but not taxed upfront. "
Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, on behalf of Prime Minister Narendra Modi lifted the curtains off the "Start Up India, Stand up India" initiative in Delhi. With a view to encourage entrepreneurship in the country and to fecilitate a friendlier business environment, the initiative has been a brain child of the PM, which he had announced from the ramparts of the Red Fort on 15th August 2014.With investors pumping nearly $9 billion into Indian startups in 2015 and the trend witnessing a strong upsurge in the current year, India is emerging as a global powerhouse in the world of startups.Here are the key takeaways from the event, which is laid the foundation of what would possibly be a long but successful road to self development of the nation.Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while introducing a slew of measures to build an ecosystem for the start ups operating in the country, declared that they will not have to pay any taxes on their profits for three years."There will be no income tax on startups' profits for three years," PM Modi said amid enthusiastic cheers at Vigyan Bhawan, from the entrepreneurs who had gathered there. He also assured the community of minimum interference from the government, saying "If the government pulls back, a lot can happen."Among the other things, he announced a a startup fund of Rs. 10,000 Crore, waiver of capital gains tax for startups, fast track mechanism for filing patents for startups and 80 per cent rebate for filing patents by startups.Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, while highlighting the need for such an initiative, said that an overpopulated economy like India has no other alternative than entrepreneurship. He elucidated that the government is a mere facilitator in the whole process of entrepreneurship, and do not play active role in its day to day functioning."We broke away from License Raj in 1991, moving away from the constrained economy. But that break was partial." he said, stressing that the government's focus in the last one year has been to create a friendly environment for business.He announced that there will be friendly taxation policies in the forthcoming budget."We have already worked upon entrepreneurial friendly taxation. Some of this can be done through notification, some steps have been taken and other requires legislative consent that would be included when the finance bill is presented," said Jaitley.Speaking at the launch of "Start up India, Stand Up India" initiative, Softbank CEO Masayoshi Son praised the growing start up culture in India and said that this century belongs to India, terming the initiative as "beginning of big bang start up boom in India"."India can be bigger in momentum than China in next 10 years; 21st century belongs to India," said Son. Softbank holds a lion's share of investment in India, as it funds one of the largest e-commerce venture Snapdeal, as well as scores of solar power projects. This year, Son is planning to pump in more funds in the country as he is optimistic about its future."Last year alone Softbank invested USD 2 billion in India... If we rescale, it will only go up" he stated, while talking about future investments. He plans to invest his money in technology, or in companies that use technology to disrupt businesses.
Different cultures have different traditions. While some are distinctively charming, others are downright bizarre.

1. 'Night Hunting' in Bhutan

Known as Bomena in eastern parts of the Himalayan kingdom, young men looking for love and marriage set out at night for a different kind of hunt. They break into the rooms of eligible spinsters and spend the night there. If caught, they have to marry the girl, or work in her father's fields as a punishment.

This tradition is much debated today as women are subjected to rape and an invasion of privacy.

thislandpress.com

2. Bullet Ant gloves of the Satere-Mawe tribe

When boys of this Amazonian tribe come of age, they must prove their manhood in a tradition that's torturous and terrifying. The young men trap bullet ants which are then drugged by a medicine man, who places the deadly creatures in woven mitts.

It is said the sting of a bullet ant can be compared to a bullet hitting the flesh. The young men then have to wear the mitts on their hands and dance for ten minutes to take their mind of the pain. Satere-Mawe men have to go through this ritual at least 20 times in their lifetime.

modernnotion.com

3. Thaipusam

Celebrated by Hindus in Southern India and South East Asia, the festival of Thaipusam observes the victory of Lord Murugan over an evil spirit. Devotees pierce themselves with sharp objects through different parts of their bodies while going into a complete trance. Some even go as far as pulling vehicles with hooks pierced into their backs.

seeyousoon.ca

4. Bathroom ban after marriage

Newly married couples of the Tidong community in Indonesia are prohibited from using the washroom for three days after their marriage. Breaking the rules of the observation will bring bad luck in their married life like stillbirth and death.

Relatives of the couple supervise them over the three days after which they are bathed and may answer their calls of nature.

zumfeed.com

5. Penis Festival, Japan

Better known as the Kanamara Matsuri, devotees carry a large sculpture in the shape of a penis and parade through the streets of Kawasaki in Japan. It is said that a demoness with vaginal teeth seduced men to their deaths until temple priests used a metal d**k to destroy her deadly secret weapon.

Several sex workers take part in this festival to pray for good health and protection against STDs.

event-carnival.com

6. Consuming the dead

The Yanomami tribe who reside in the Amazon rainforest bordering Venezuela and Brazil are repelled by the idea of burying the dead. They believe the no physical trace of the body should be left in order to allow the spirit to rest in peace. The ash and bone powder obtained after cremation is mixed into a plantain soup which is consumed by the deceased's family.

By doing this, the Yanomami believe the soul of their lost and loved one will reside within them.

blog.sevenpods.com

7. Famadihana, Madagascar

Death is a time of sorrow and silence even if it means visiting the grave of a loved one who passed away years ago. Not in the Hauts Plateaux of Madagascar though, because July and September witnesses the custom of Famadihana. The 'turning of the dead' involves exhuming the remains of deceased relatives and re-wrapping their bones in fresh cloth.

Relatives also take time to ask their dead ancestors for blessings and things they might need in the world of the living. While this is not spooky, it is described by many travellers as more of a party with plenty of rum to go around. Some revellers dance to tunes from the accordion along with remains of the dead.

africanlens.com

8. Toddler tossing in India

In some parts of Gujarat, Maharashtra and Karnataka, toddlers are tossed from the roof of temples 15-30 feet above the ground and are caught by a blanket held out by devotees. This practice is age old and is said to bring good luck to the child. It is a traumatic ordeal for the toddler and child rights activists managed to ban it in 2011.

However, devotees continued to practise it in 2012.

dailymail.co.uk/ youtube

9. Tooth Filing, Bali

While most of us file our nails, Balinese men and women have their teeth filed in preparation for marriage. Smoothed teeth are symbolic of control on sinful emotions like lust, greed, anger and jealousy. These mark of a passage into adulthood, and is an extremely gruelling and painful experience.

indonesia-tourism.com

10. Gerewol Festival

A pageantry of beauty and talent is something that has been used to evaluate a woman's worth since time immemorial. However, in the Wodaabe tribe, it's the men who have to be all prim and proper. The courtship festival known as Gerewol is where men dress up in all their finery and appear in front of the women to show them what they've got.

They take part in a dance competition called Yaake where the winners are chosen based on their overall good looks and dancing skills.

afrotourism.com
In India, rivers are much more than just sources of water. Most rivers in India are considered deities, and have stories or myths revolving around them. In fact, each river brings with it a unique myth, legend, or mythological explanation that is fascinating in its own way. Since the time of the Vedas, poets have written about these rivers, till today they've often been used as metaphors in commercial films. Our rivers, above everything, are an inspiration to one and all. Yet, we know very little about them. Read on as we bring you the most exciting stories that revolve around these rivers.

1. Ganga

Flickr.com/Andrea Santoni

Ganga or Ganges rises from the western Himalayas in the state of Uttarakhand. Hindus regard Ganga as the most sacred river and goddess Ganga is perceived as Mokshdayini, the goddess whose waters will free you from your sins. The myth has it that Ganga came on earth to bring salvation to mankind. Apart from religious beliefs, Ganga has been eminent historically too. Many provincial capitals such as Patliputra, Kashi, Patna, Bhagalpur, Calcutta and Kampilya were located on its banks.

2. Yamuna

Flickr.com/Claudio

The Yamuna, sometimes called Jamuna, originates from Yamunotri glacier in Uttarakhand. In Hindu mythology, Yamuna is considered the daughter of Sun God, Surya, and sister of Yama, the God of Death. According to popular legends, bathing in its sacred waters frees one from the sufferings of death. Theres another famous folklore about Yamuna. Once Lord Krishna was playing with his friends on the banks of Yamuna. Suddenly he realised that one of his friends drank its water and died. He then found out that Yamuna had become toxic as a huge serpent had moved in to the river. Krishna then fought with the serpent, and asked him to move away from the river. As a result, Yamuna was clean again.

3. Brahmaputra

Flickr.com/Michael Foley

The Brahmaputra river originates from the Chemayungdung glacier, located on the side of the Himalayas around Tibet. It enters India at Arunachal Pradesh. Unlike most rivers in India, Brahmaputra has a male name. In mythology, the river is considered the son of Brahma, and hence the name. Legend has it that a sage named Shantanu was living around Kailash, with his beautiful wife Amodha. Lord Brahma got enchanted with her beauty, but refused to his proposal. It is believed that Brahmaputra is Brahmas son, conceived by Amodha. In fact, even today there is a water source in that area called Brahmkund, from where the river has supposedly originated.

4. Narmada

Flickr.com/Pablo Ares

River Narmada originates from Amarkantak on the Amarkantak hill in Madhya Pradesh. There are many stories about Narmada. According to a fable, once Lord Shiva sat meditating and started sweating. Lord Shivas sweat got collected in a tank which started flowing in the form river Narmada. There is a saying among the locals about all pebble stones of the Narmada turning into Shivlingas.

5. Chambal

Flickr.com/Koshy Koshy

The Chambal river begins from Singar Chouri peak on the northern slopes of Vindhyan escarpment located in Madhya Pradesh. In ancient days, Chambal river was known as Charmanvati, a river on whose banks leather is dried. Also, according to the Mahabharata, the color of the water became red due to the blood of slaughtered animals whose skins were dried on its banks. Thats the reason it came to be known as Chamda (skin) or Charmanvati.

6. Kaveri

Flickr.com/Asif Musthafa

Kaveri rises from the Western Ghats in Karnataka. According to mythology, King Kavera was blessed with a daughter Kaveri who ended up marrying saint Agastya. One day, when the saint went for a bath,and to keep Kaveri safe, he turned her into water and put her in his Kamandala, a utensil used to store holy water. Meanwhile, Lord Ganesha in the form of a crow overturned the utensil. The water came out of it and Kaveri became a river.

7. Beas River

Flickr.com/Rajarshi Mitra

Beas rises in the Himalayas near Himachal Pradesh. The fascinating fact about this river is that it marked the eastern border of Alexander the Great's territory in 326 BC.

8. Tapti

Flickr.com/Indiawaterportal

Tapti flows from the eastern Satpura range in southern Madhya Pradesh. According to Hindu mythology, Tapi ot Tapti is the daughter of Surya. Another version of the theory says Surya created Tapi to save himself from his own heat.

9. Godavari

Wikipedia

Godavari, the second largest river in India, starts in Maharashtra. It is also called the Dakshin Ganga- Ganges of the south. According to a legend, Sage Gautama lived in the Brahmagiri Hills at Trimbakeshwar with his wife Ahalya. He stocked rice at home. However, a cow entered his home and ate all the rice. The sage tried to scare the cow with Durbha grass, but it fell dead. As the cow is considered a holy animal in Hinduism, the sage wished to get rid of the sin of Gohatya - killing a sacred cow. He prayed to Lord Shiva and requested him to divert the river Ganges so that he could be purified. Lord Shiva, pleased with the sage, diverted Ganges to flow close to his house. He gave some water from his own utensil too. When his water descended over the dead cow, it came back to life and river Godavri was created. This way sage Gautama was redeemed of all his sins. It is believed that Ganga was brought down to Trimbakeshwar by him. The river is also known as Gautami by the locals.

10. Chenab

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Chenab river forms in the upper Himalayas, near the Spiti district in Himachal Pradesh. It is a major river for both India and Pakistan. Chenab is called the river of romance in many folk stories. According to a myth, Sohni was swimming to meet her lover Mahilwal, when she drowned in Chenab. In fact, the locals also believe that the romance between Mirza and Sahiban brewed on the banks of Chenab and Ravi.

11. Krishna river

Flickr.com/Sarath Kuchi

Krishna begins from the western ghats near Mahabaleshwar, in the state of Maharashtra. Krishna does not have a mythological connection, but it has witnessed many eras of Indias history. The first historical reference of the river is as Kannavenna which was the southern boundary of Empror Ashoks empire. The Vijayanagar empire came up on its banks. Even the Peshwas of Maharashtra built massive monuments on the banks of Krishna.

12. Saraswati river

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Saraswati river no longer exists. It is believed that it originated from Saraswati-Rupin glacier in Uttarakhand. There are a lot of references to this river in Vedic texts. It is mentioned over 50 times in hymns of the Rig Veda. Many experts and geologists identify the Ghaggar-Hakra river or the dried up part of it as the river Saraswati, but it remains controversial to this day. Our government has always shown enthusiasm in the quest to find the Saraswati river even though it goes beyond historical evidence. Lets hope to find it someday.

Have we missed anything? Let us know in the comments below!
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I know you're waiting for Airlift with bated breath. The Akshay Kumar film is being pegged as one of the biggest releases this New Year. And why not? After all, it uncovers the story of India's biggest air evacuation during the Gulf war, a story that needs to be told. And unlike many films that try and take sides to bash political entities, Airlift tells a different side of the picture. Lead actor Akshay has spoken about the same stating that he completely detests nation-bashing in films. He refuted claims that the film will disturb people from other nations, and said he would never be a part of any such project.

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"It's (Airlift) not about a nation, it's about saving people. I hate any kind of nation-bashing in films. I don't like it... It's not a war film and it's not about destruction. It is just the story of how people were rescued from that war zone."

The actor, who has already done patriotic films like Holiday and Baby, added that he got emotionally connected with Airlift, and will the audience.

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"This did happen to me. I got a little bit choked once. I think this will happen to anyone, who cares for the people and country because the film is about someone who cared for his country and sacrificed a lot. I think when the people will watch it they will also feel it."

Akshay plays Ranjit Katyal, who had a crucial role in the evacuation of Kuwait-based Indians during the Iraq-Kuwait war in 1990. The film is from Ranjit's point of view. Akshay said he was happy that the nation would get to know the real hero who went unnoticed during the crisis.

The big ticket film also stars The Lunchbox actress Nimrat Kaur.

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"He had gone unnoticed. Not many people know about him. Hope he will get recognition with this film."

Air India entered the Guinness Book of World Records for the civil airline that evacuated the most people till date. The Indian government airlifted over 170,000 Indians from Kuwait, using 488 flights in just 59 days. Can't wait to watch this.
In the last decade or so, India has been caught unaware and under-prepared for natural disasters. Floods in Tamil Nadu, Bihar, Maharashtra, Orissa, Assam, Uttarakhand and Jammu and Kashmir have accounted for a massive loss of life and property in the recent past. To counter this, India is planning to set up a centralised water data facility as part of its high-tech flood forecasting systems. A 10-member delegation of senior officials recently visited the Netherlands and France to learn about the early warning systems and how they can replicate the same in India. Even the United States and the United Kingdom are using these warning systems for both flood and drought forecasting.

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Officials say that the proposed National Water Informatics Centre (NWIC) in Delhi, linked to all Central and state hydrological, meteorological, oceanographic, environment and socio-economic databases, could be an ambitious leap towards better advanced preparations and disaster management. They also plan to collaborate with Netherlands' UNESCO-IHE Institute for Water Education, which is the largest facility of its kind in the world. The delegation was in Holland between November 9th and 12th, visiting government and private universities. On the 13th, they were in France and visited the UNESCO headquarters and several other departments and institutions.

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Talking about the issue, a senior official said, "We plan to depute two groups of officers to the Netherlands to understand the functioning of their 'water information centre' and 'water room'. We're also looking at possible cooperation with France to scale up our forecasting mechanism." Although water expert Manoj Misra is against replicating completely largely because the monsoon season in India is much different from any of the European nations. He said, "There is a fundamental difference between our hydrology and river dynamics, including flood scenarios and the European situation. We must learn and adapt, but evolve practices and technologies which are rooted in our special hydrology and river dynamics."

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The floods that happened in Tamil Nadu recently claimed more than 400 lives and displaced thousands, not to mention the irreparable damage caused to the property. The excessive rainwater couldn't leave the city because of the vast open space, floodplains, streams and water drains that were there for construction purposes.
Mumbai attack mastermind and Jamma-ud-Dawa chief Hafiz Saeed is at it again with his hate speech against India. Addressing a rally, Saeed said India and Israel are within the range of Pakistan's nuclear weapons.

Taking a potshot at India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Lashkar chief said that the PM is setting the Army officers in Jammu and Kashmir.

But it's not just India - he even targeted Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif by saying he couldn't push US president Barack Obama hard enough to discuss the Islamabad case. Earlier he had also criticised the Pakistani PM's government for detaining Jaish chief and activists in connection with the Pathankot terror attack. According to him, it was done only to "please" India.

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He said, "The arrests are regrettable as the Nawaz government is only doing so to please Modi sarkar (government). The arrests will only encourage the Indian government to put further pressure on Pakistan to backtrack its stance on Kashmir,"

While Pakistani government is making tall claims of tracking down terror, these words of hatred don't really help.
Maharashtra Transport department has given three-wheeler permits to 548 women in the sate who will soon be behind the wheel.

Twitter/ Representative Image

This includes 465 women in the Mumbai metropolitan region and 83 others are from other parts of the state.

These autorickshaws which will be painted in pink, and is aimed at providing jobs to women and also to protect women commuters from sexual harassment. Women passengers will also get preference in these autos.

Incidentally, Mumbai is not the first city to start the pink auto initiative. Ranchi had started it, following the Delhi gang-rape of 2012.

Telegraph

On similar lines, Kerala had, in 2013, launched 'She Taxi', India's first 24x7 women taxi network aimed at providing safe cab service to female commuters.

Madhyamam

Following the success of the initiative, the state is now planning a 'She-Bus', driven and managed exclusively by women for women.
Corruption has been failing us innumerable times despite strict laws being implemented. We raise our voices about the system being flawed, about politicians being corrupt, about public money being wasted etc. But corruption starts at a basic level. It starts with us. Whenever we get hauled up by the cops for violating traffic rules, we try to get away by offering a few hundred bucks to the cop instead of paying a challan. Bribery is one of the biggest problems faced by the country on a daily basis and only we are to be blamed for it.

But in a very positive step towards anti-corruption taken by the Maharashtra government, a move that will help curb the mishandling of cash, Mumbai traffic police will stop accepting fines in cash from January 12th, 2016. Payments will only be made by online transactions on the spot, or within a fixed deadline through a new e-challan system. This brilliant scheme will be fully operational across the city in the next 6 months. The government aims to reach complete transparency between the traffic police and the law breakers.

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The payment of the fine can only be made through debit or credit cards. Those not carrying a card will be issued an e-challan. There will be a 15-day window to pay the fines through the National Electronics Funds Transfer (NEFT). If the payment isn't made by the 16th day, the offender will have to pay an extra Rs 10 per day. Along with that, that person's license will be suspended the next time he's caught for non-payment of fine. However, since these e-challan machines are being rented out from private companies, an additional Rs.9.50 will be levied on each fine. The State Bank Of India has already tied up with the government for online transactions.

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The e-challan system was officially launched by the traffic department of Mumbai along with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Transport Minister Diwakar Raote, Director General of Police Pravin Dixit and Commissioner of Police Ahmad Javed by formally announcing the scheme and handing over 1,000 e-challan machines to traffic constables.

The department is also thinking about introducing prepaid cards for those who aren't comfortable paying via debit or credit cards. Here are the respective fines for common offenses-

 Drunk driving: Rs 2,000

 No license: Rs 300

 Jumping signals: Rs 100

 No helmet or seatbelt: Rs 100

 No documents: Rs 100

 Wrong parking: Rs 100

 Tinted glass: Rs 100

 Triple-seat riding: Rs 100

Mumbai will not be the first city to introduce a cashless system. Hyderabad was the first city to introduce the system in 2014 and it has definitely helped in tackling corruption at the ground level.

Images used for representational purposes only.
It's great news for the most loyal friends of the Indian Army. Not only are the Army dogs set to feature in the Republic Day parade after a hiatus of 26 years, but the government is also working on a policy to stop their mercy killing after retirement.

Additional solicitor general Sanjay Jain said the government was working on a policy that would be drafted by March 2016 that would arrange the rehabilitation of Army dogs. Though the policy is yet to be adopted, the Army has stopped the killing of ageing animals serving in the Army. Except for the ones who are suffering from incurable, terminal diseases.

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In mid-September 2015, advocate Sanjay Kumar Singh had appealed to the Delhi HC against euthanasia of animals, saying the "act of the Indian Army killing their service stocks once their duty years are over is so unreasonable".

The Army had been asked by the Defense Ministry to deal with the cases of animals suffering from terminal injuries and diseases as per the provisions of Section 13 (3) of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960.

thebetterindia

On November last year, Remount Veterinary Services Directorate in the Army headquarters in Delhi had published an advertisement inviting interest from individuals and NGOs to rehabilitate unfit dogs, horses and mules.
BJP leader Subramaniam Swamy is back in action, with his new target, Aamir Khan, possibly after the whole 'Intolerant India' fiasco.

Khan was dropped from the Incredible India campaign, but Swamy's accusation centers around the actor's work.

Aamir Khan collaborated with Pak's ISI to promote his film PK: Subramanian Swamy pic.twitter.com/0jnmJnwhWY  ANI (@ANI_news) January 16, 2016

The ultra right wing BJP leader claims that the Bollywood superstar used Pakistan's ISI (Inter Services Intelligence) to promote his last film, PK, which received an uproarious backlash from religious leaders.

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In an earlier tweet, Swamy had claimed that Raju Hirani's film was financed by sources in Dubai and in the ISI. He asked the DRI (Directorate of Revenue Intelligence) to investigate.
Many don't know but 16th January 1941 is one of the most important dates to remember in India's historical past. Today was the day Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose made the 'great escape' from house arrest by the British in, what was then known as, Calcutta. To put it politely, Netaji made the British intelligence look like a bunch of headless chickens as it became one of the most talked about topics at the time.

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On this day in 1941, Netaji, and his nephew Sisir K. Bose, sat in a car that is now on display at his Calcutta home. From there, he managed to make his way to Peshawar. From there, he was helped by supporters of Aga Khan III to get into Afganistan. After assuming the guise of a Pashtun insurance agent ("Ziaudddin") to reach Afghanistan, Bose changed his guise and travelled to Moscow on the Italian passport of an Italian nobleman "Count Orlando Mazzotta". From Moscow, he reached Rome, and from there he travelled to Germany. Truly one of the greatest escape stories in history.

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Days before files on Bose got declassified by the government, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said that she didn't believe that the freedom fighter died in an air crash, and demanded a probe into the 'Russian angle' of Netaji's disappearance. There have been demands by Netaji's family and several others for declassification of secret files as they hope that it will help answer questions regarding his mysterious disappearance in 1945.

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The secret files related to Subhas Chandra Bose will be declassified by the central government beginning 23 January, his birth anniversary, as his family and several supporters hope it'll finally have some answers to him vanishing in thin air.
For nearly 400 years, Dalits and women, all in the name of "tradition", had been barred from entering the famous Parsuram temple in Garhwal's Jaunsar Bawar region. All that is set to change now with the management of the Parsuram temple announcing that "everyone will in future be welcome".

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But Dalit leaders and activists, who said they had been fighting a bitter battle to end this discrimination, said a greater war was yet to be won as 339 other temples in the region still have the ban.

The decision, the temple's management said, has been taken "in a bid to move with the times".

Chairman of the committee, Jawahar Singh Chauhan, told The Times Of India, "This region is on the path of progress. Our literacy rate has gone up and people want scenarios to change." In the past few months, Dalits of the region had held several protests condemning these strictures.

The Parsuram temple announcement has come at a time when debates around restrictions placed on menstruating women from entering Sabarimala have been raging across various platforms.

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Temple authorities, however, justified the prohibition that was in place till now and said there really had been no official rule stopping Dalits from coming to the temple.

"Dalits are hesitant to enter the temple premises because of certain beliefs. We want to send them a message that everyone is equal before the Almighty and no one can be stopped from entering a place of worship," Chauhan added.

Welcoming the decision, Dalit leader Daulat Kunwar said, "They have finally given an official confirmation that the ban has been lifted. We have been raising this issue for the past 13 years. We welcome the move but there are 339 other temples in the region which also need to give their approval for the entry of Dalits." He rebutted Chauhan's claim and said Dalits were often stopped at the temple gates with brute force.

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Known for its animal sacrifices, the temple has also said that there will be no more slaughter of animals of any kind. The temple, which was built over 400 years ago, sees the largest footfall among temples in the belt. Thousands offer sacrifices here before making a wish, or after they feel something has been granted to them by god.
Burkina Faso government said a siege at a hotel in capital Ouagadougou by suspected Islamist militants is over, after all the four gunmen were neutralized by the army.

AFP

Burkina Faso minister of security said 126 people have been freed, while 22 others who were taken hostage were killed by the terrorists who took control of the hotel. Those killed in the stand-off belonged to 18 different countries. Below are some of the pictures from the siege...

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Reuters

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Reuters

The 147-room Splendid Hotel, popular among foreigners and diplomats was targeted by an Al-Qaeda linked group Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb on Friday night after the nearby Cappuccino Cafe was struck by heavy gunfire. According to reports at least two of the attackers were women.

AFP

US and French troops from neighbouring Mali had rushed into Burkina Faso to help the local troops to fight the terrorists.

AFP

In November last year, AQIM gunmen killed 22 people in an attack on a Raddison Blu hotel in the capital of Mali, Bamako.




Follow us on world bank to be anchor investor in rail development fund suresh prabhu

WASHINGTON: The World Bank would be the anchor investor in the new Railway Development Fund, which would be used to fund modernisation of Indian railways, Union Minister Suresh Prabhu has said.

However, Prabhu did not divulge the size of the fund, but indicated that it would be the largest ever provided by the World Bank to the Indian Railways.

Prabhu is here to attend a World Bank meeting on transportation. During his stay in the US capital, he also met officials of the International Finance Corporation, the US Transportation Secretary Anthony Renard Foxx, and some of the think-tanks.

The International Finance Corporation (IFC) would look into the possibility of revenue generation through non-railway operation, he said.

"To help us monetization issues, bringing in the global best practices. Globally railways get 30-40 percent of their income from non-railway operations. In India it is not even two percent. So this is going to be challenging time particularly when Indian railways would have to bear the additional burden of the pay commission," he said.

During his meeting with Secretary Foxx, the two leaders decided to create an umbrella agreement with the Department of Transportation about transportation sector in general.

"Today we also agreed to make railway specific umbrella agreement with the Transport Department, which would help to work on many things," Prabhu said.

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Follow us on extreme innovation detachable cabins to rescue people during plane crashes

New Delhi: Engineers have designed a new life-saving prototype for planes to save passenger's life during an emergency.

The innovation, from Russian inventor Tatarenko Vladimir Nikolaevich, suggests that future aircrafts be designed with a detachable cabin which can prove as a life-saving technique during emergencies for people travelling through aeroplanes.

Nikolaevich's prototype, which took three years to be developed, has parachutes attached to its roof and rubber tubes filled with air on the bottom of its cabin as the safety mechanism.

At the time of an emergency or a mishap with the plane, the parachutes attached to the cabin will automatically open once the lower capsule gets separated from the aircraft.

The prototype also includes storage space designed to hold the luggage during the emergency landing of the cabin.

The capsule will be released within seconds of an emergency situation. Two gunpowder engines will take control to slow it down once it gets ejected from the plane. This will be followed by the parachute popping out for safe landing of the cabin.

According to Tatarenko, this invention could prove to be a crucial life-saving technique in the coming future.

Here is the video:

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Follow us on why we need to worry about taharrush gamea the arabic gang rape game

New Delhi: The term Taharrush gamea' may not sound as horrendous as it actually is. But, it is certainly one of the topics to worry about immediately.

If the cases of sexual assault on women were not enough to disturb our minds, this new gang rape tradition from Arab, which is now spreading in Europe, will give you a rude shock.

What is Taharrush gamea?

Taharrush gamea - the Arabic term which roughly translates to collective harassment' is a phenomenon where a group of young men target the lone woman at public place.

It is carried by a large number of attackers (men) who sexually assault the lone women either by groping them or raping them.

How it happens?

In this public gang rape phenomenon, the men first surround their victim in circles. Thereafter, the men in inner circle sexually assault her while men in the outer circle watch or divert outsiders' attention away from the hell happening inside.

First Occurrence

The phenomenon was first seen in 2011 when a South African reporter Lara Logan was attacked by a large group of men while she was reporting on celebrations at Cairo's Tharir Square in Egypt.

Her attack was one of the first known instances of 'taharrush' to be reported in Western media.

She recounted her ordeal several months after the incident saying, Suddenly, before I even know what's happening, I feel hands grabbing my breasts, grabbing my crotch, grabbing me from behind. I mean, and it's not one person and then it stops, it's like one person and another person and another person.

From Middle East to Europe

This shameful phenomenon is spreading its wing in the Europe. During the New Year celebrations, the women across German cities have suffered the sexual assault at the public place from the men of foreign origin.

The police feared that it is the coming of Arab's gang rape phenomenon to the western world.

The New Year saw a horrifying chaos outside the Cologne cathedral where fireworks were launched into the crowd and horde of drunken Arab or North African men were assaulting women.

Later, the leaked reports proved that the police was unable to stop the disorder, as the little police staff was incompetent to deal with the massive gathering.

As per the reports by NRW state, following that 516 criminal complaints had been registered out of which 237 of were of a sexual nature.

Cologne Police, in a separate report, also presented the graphical descriptions of the crime. It listed the pictures of men grabbing women between the legs, on the breasts, buttocks, and men having inside women's pants and skirts

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Follow us on hafiz saeed chides pakistan government says action against jaish to please india

Lahore: Putting weight behind the banned Jaish-e-Mohammad, JuD chief Hafiz Saeed chided Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's government on Friday for reportedly detaining Jaish chief and activists in connection with the Pathankot terror attack.

Addressing the Friday sermon at JuD headquarters in Lahore, Saeed said that the Pakistan government is taking action against JeM to please India.

The arrests are regrettable as the Nawaz government is only doing so to please Modi sarkar (government). The arrests will only encourage the Indian government to put further pressure on Pakistan to backtrack it's stance on Kashmir, he said.

Saeed further said the Pakistani government is ignoring national interest for the sake of its friendship with India.

The LeJ founder also criticised the Pakistani news analysts for appreciating the government for arrests made in connection with the January 2 attack on an Indian airbase in Pathankot.

India and Pakistan had mutually agreed to put off talks between their foreign secretaries to the very near future as the neighbours tried to cushion their fragile peace process from the fallout of the Pathankot attack.

External affairs ministry official spokesperson Vikas Swarup had earlier said India wants action by Pakistan that is credible and comprehensive and brings to book all the perpetrators of the Pathankot terror attack.

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Follow us on matter of faith not hygiene why women do not visit sabarimala

A petition challenging the practice of restricting the entry of women into the Sabrimala temple in Kerala has caught the attention of the entire country. The PIL has sought entry for all women and girls in the temple. The apex court, on January 11, had questioned the age-old tradition of banning entry of women of menstrual age group in the temple saying this cannot be done under the Constitution.

The matter will be heard on February 8. While it will be interesting to see how the case unfolds in court, a look into the legend behind this age-old tradition is equally worthwhile. A walk through the history behind Sabarimala's relevance and the faith of its thousands of devotees unveils some interesting facets regarding the beliefs held by the pilgrims and the equality in caste and religion that it promotes.

Interestingly, even if the court lifted the restrictions, women who believe in the deity will not be lining up to visit the highly revered Ayappa.

Who is Ayappa?

A historical figure, Ayappa was the prince of a small kingdom called Panthalam. Located in the Patthanamthitta district in Kerala, the palace he was brought up in still exists. Apart from the historical aspects, there is another popular legend regarding Ayappa.

According to puranic history, Ayappa is the son of Vishnu and Shiva - a result of a union of their forces and is believed to possess traits of both gods, making him a potent deity in the eyes of his devotees.

The Babar connection

Babar, whom prince Ayappa defeated in battle, was one of his most loyal subjects. In fact, Babar (Vavar in Malayalam) is still believed to be present in spirit at a mosque in Erumeli. Believers feel Vavar protects pilgrims who make the difficult 40-km trek through the woods to the main temple on top of the hill. So, besides the hordes of visitors that throng the Sabarimala temple, Muslims too undertake a journey to the mosque at Erumeli and the Vavar shrine, which faces the temple on the hill-top.

Breaking barriers

Sabarimala is believed to be an essence of inclusiveness and openly welcomes people of all faiths and castes. There are no caste-based restrictions on people visiting the Sabarimala temple. Devotees are uniformly dressed in black. Besides signifying a renunciation of all worldly pleasures, it also underlines that everyone is equal before Ayappa.

The hierarchy among pilgrims is based not on caste, but on the number of times they have made the pilgrimage. Before embarking upon the journey, devotees lead a 40-day-long ascetic life and pray in groups. It is probably one of the very few instances where the prayers can even be led by a Dalit. Moreover, a Brahmin in the prayer group must still touch his feet.

Who put the restrictions in place?

Legend has it that the restrictions on women entering the temple were placed by none other than Ayappa himself. Ayappa is considered to have taken a vow of celibacy in order to focus on the prayers of his devotees. As per popular belief, his vow of celibacy will only end once kanni swamis (first-time devotees) stop visiting the Sabarimala temple.

Why restrict women?

As per Ayappa's puranic history, his birth  through the unification of forces of Shiva and Vishnu  was destined to destroy a female demon who had a boon of life and could only be vanquished by a child born of both Shiva and Vishnu.

When Ayappa killed the demon, a beautiful woman emerged from the body. She had been cursed to live as a demon, but her killing had rid her of the curse. The woman offered Ayappa her hand in marriage, which Ayappa refused. Ayappa explained that her mission was to go to Sabarimala where he would heed to the prayers of his devotees.

Ayappa then assures her that he will marry her when kanni-swamis stop visiting Sabarimala. The woman continues to sit and wait for him at a neighbouring shrine near the main temple and is worshipped as Malikapurathamma.

And that is why women do not go to Sabarimala. It is partly out of empathy for Malikapurathamma and her eternal wait besides their respect for Ayappa's commitment to answer the prayers of his devotees.

Devotees strongly believe that since he is celibate, he should not be distracted. It is this belief that has deterred women from going to Sabarimala, and not because of menstruation or being unclean.

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Follow us on no one in mea educated enough to deal with pakistan ram jethmalani

Pune: Senior lawyer Ram Jethmalani today rebuked the government over the handling of affairs with Pakistan after the Pathankot attack, saying they are "not educated enough" to deal with the troubled nation.

"There is a serious happening at Pathankot and it needs to be seriously investigated, but the manner in which they (government) are dealing with Pakistan is unforgivable," Jethmalani told reporters on the sidelines of Law Day and Justice Y V Chandrachud Memorial Public Lecture at a law college here.

The Rajya Sabha MP said the government should continue talks with Pakistan but it should know what to talk. "You (Centre) want to talk to Pakistan, talk to them all the time. But the government should know what they are talking. I regret to say that no one in the Ministry (of External Affairs) is educated enough," he said.

Jethmalani further said that his letter, addressed to Congress president Sonia Gandhi, where he reportedly offered to defend her and party vice president Rahul Gandhi in the National Herald case, was "misquoted" by a section of media.

"What I had written to Mrs Gandhi was (her party) should not disrupt the Rajya Sabha and also advised her that if she wants to claim innocence, she should go to the court as Parliament is not the place.

"I had written in my letter that Congress has many noted lawyers and if someone does not take the case, I will prepare to represent you," the former BJP leader said, while claiming that he was quoted out of context.

He, however, said he will represent Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in the defamation case filed by Finance minister Arun Jaitley.

The former Law minister also said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has "cheated" the nation on issues of black money and One-Rank-One-Pension.

In his address to law students, Jethmalani denounced ISIS over its brutalities and said Muslim majority countries themselves are now turning against the dreaded terror outfit.

(WIth PTI inputs)

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Follow us on tax breaks no govt inspection and rs 10k cr fund modi s startup plan

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today unveiled the government's 'Startup India Standup India' plan at an event at Vigyan Bhavan in the national capital. The programme aims to make a conducive atmosphere for new-age entrepreneurship and provide equal opportunities to all.

Setting up of a corpus fund of Rs. 10,000 crore to fund startups, attractive tax incentives and minimum government interference constitute the major plans of the government to spur entrpreneurship in the country. "I had spoken about 'Startup India' from the Red Fort and today we are seeing it materialise. We are here so that you can tell us what we should not do," the Prime Minister said at the event in New Delhi.

Speaking at the event, the PM also lauded the country's intellectual capital. "India may have a million problems but we also have a billion minds. When I say Startup India, I also mean to say stand up India. India is blessed to be a nation of youngsters. The kind of innovative India we are witnessing today is one of a kind," he said.

Delving upon the idea of a startup and its relevance to India, Modi said, "This Startup India movement is not just guided by money or fame. The purpose is beyond that. Start up does not mean a billion dollar company where thousands work. It is about employing even five people and developing India. We need to bring in a psychological change in mindset of youths from that of a job-seeker to that of a job-creator."

The Prime Minister also applauded the efforts of those who had dared to venture beyond the conventional and stressed that they owed their success to their ability to take risks.

"In the beginning when someone would have shared their plan to begin a start up, people around them would have discouraged them. But today, when those people have become successful, everyone has started thinking about ways to start their own startups," he said, adding, "people who have achieved this success today, they are not just entrepreneurs but are adventurous as well. Sometimes I wish God had given me capabilities like you people (startup entrepreneurs) have.

"When I was listening to Ritesh(Founder,Oyo Rooms) I wondered why a 'chai wala' did not think of starting a hotel chain," he said in a lighter vein. Uber 'Kuber' ban gaya," he added, much to the amusement of the audience.

The Prime MInister also promised to facilitate easier exit options for entrepreneurs and said the government will introduce a bill on bankruptcy in the parliament. However, in a dig at the Congress for repeated disruptions, he hinted that the fate of the bill would eventually depend upon the functioning of the House. "Baaki to aap sab jaante hi hain. I urge you to get on to Facebook and Twitter to get across the message to them," he said.

Here are the highlights of the government's plan for startups:

* Credit guarantee scheme worth Rs 10,000 crore for startups in the next four years. Funds of around 500 crore to be given every year.

* Atal Innovation Mission to give impetus to innovation and encourage the talent among people

* Profit from start-ups established after April 1, 2016, to be exempted from Income Tax for three years

* No government inspection for start-ups for three years

* A regime promoting self-certification based compliance, including environmental regulation.

* Startup India Hub to be developed as a single point of contact.

* A mobile App to be launched to facilitate beginning a startup in one day.The App will have a small application form that can be easily filled for registration.

* Easier patent filing norms in the offing.

* Free patent filing planned. Patent fee reduced by 80 per cent.

* Relaxed norms of public procurement for startups.

* Faster exits to be facilitated for startups. Bankruptcy Bill to be introduced in parliament.

* Increased participation of women in startups.

* Tax exemption on investments above fair market value.

* Core innovation programmes in 5 lakh schools.

Latest India News
Follow us on sc asks centre to clear its stand on euthanasia

New Delhi: The Supreme court has asked government to make its stand clear on the issue of euthanasia.

A five-judge Constitution Bench led by Justice Anil R Dave asked whether a terminally ill person, medically diagnosed to be in the last stages of life, could be kept alive on life support system even though he had willed against it?

"Is the government making its stand clear in a reasonable time," the court asked Additional Solicitor General P S Patwalia, who sought some time to get instruction from competent authority.

The law officer apprised the bench about the 241st report of the Law Commission which has stated that passive euthanasia should be allowed with certain safeguards and there was a proposed law -- Medical Treatment of Terminally Ill Patient (Protection of Patients and Medical Practioners) Bill, 2006.

He said his contention will also be based on 6.7 regulation of 2002 under Medical Council of India Act which says that practicing euthanasia shall constitute unethical conduct. However on specific occasions, the question of withdrawing supporting devices to sustain cardio-pulmonary function even after brain death, shall be decided only by a doctors' team and not merely by the treating physician alone.

Taking note of his submission especially that the Law Commission's 241st report was under government's consideration, the bench, which also comprised Justices Kurian Joseph, Shiva Kirti Singh, A K Goel and R F Nariman, said it will await the outcome of the report which is under the Centre's consideration and posted the matter for hearing on February one.

The bench was hearing a PIL filed in 2005 by NGO Common Cause which said when a medical expert opines that the person afflicted with a terminal disease has reached a point of no return, then he should be given the right to refuse being put on life support system as otherwise, it would only prolong his agony.

The apex court had two years ago issued notices to states and Union Territories on the issue, even as the Centre had strongly opposed the petition saying it is a form of suicide which cannot be allowed

(PTI)

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Follow us on 126 hostages freed from burkina faso hotel operation over

Burkina Faso (Africa): Burkina Faso and French forces killed at least three extremists and freed 126 people as they took back control of a luxury hotel in the capital that had been seized by the attackers, the minister of security said Saturday.

The Islamic extremists stormed the hotel and a nearby cafe Friday night.

Gunfire ramped up early Saturday as gendarme and military forces fought to take back the fire-blackened building. They took control of the Splendid Hotel and were searching nearby hotels to be sure there were not extremists hiding there, said Minister of Security and Internal Affairs Simon Compaore.

About 33 people have been wounded, and officials are still determining the number of casualties, he said. At least 10 bodies had been found so far, another government minister said.

The harrowing attack was launched by the same extremists behind a similar siege at an upscale hotel in Bamako, Mali in November that left 20 dead. It was not immediately known how many people remained inside the hotel in Ouagadougou as the morning call to prayer signaled a new day in this West African nation.

Dozens of French forces arrived overnight from neighboring Mali to aid in the rescue. One U.S. military member was embedded with French forces at the scene, and the United States was working to help provide France with surveillance and reconnaissance help, according to a U.S. senior defense official who was not authorized to discuss the matter publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.

An al-Qaida affiliate known as AQIM, or al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb, claimed responsibility online as the attack was ongoing in downtown Ouagadougou at the 147-room hotel, according to the SITE Intelligence Group.

In a message posted in Arabic on the militants' Muslim Africa Telegram account, it said fighters broke into a restaurant of one of the biggest hotels in the capital of Burkina Faso, and are now entrenched and the clashes are continuing with the enemies of the religion. Fighters who spoke by phone later asserted the fall of many dead Crusaders, AQIM said, according to SITE.

Internal Affairs Minister Simon Compaore said that already 10 bodies had been found inside the Cappuccino Cafe, a restaurant that is located next to the Splendid Hotel.

We know that the gunmen won't get out of the hotel alive, said one witness, who gave only his first name, Gilbert. Our country is not for jihadists or terrorists. They got it wrong.

Burkina Faso, a largely Muslim country, had for years been mostly spared from the violence carried out by Islamic extremist groups who were abducting foreigners for ransom in Mali and Niger. Then last April, a Romanian national was kidnapped in an attack that was the first of its kind in Burkina Faso.

The country also has been in growing political turmoil since its longtime president was ousted in a popular uprising in late 2014. Last September members of a presidential guard launched a coup that lasted only about a week. The transitional government returned to power until Burkina Faso's November election ushered in new leaders.

The hotel attack in Mali in November also was claimed by a leader of AQIM, who said it had been carried out as a declaration of unity with Algerian militant Moktar Belmoktar's extremist group Al-Mourabitoun, according to an audio speech that was distributed by SITE at the time. Belmoktar was a former leader in AQIM before starting his own group, which now has merged back with al-Qaida.

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Follow us on peshawar attack fallout pakistan sent 332 to gallows since dec 2014

Islamabad: A total of 332 militants and criminals have been executed in Pakistan after the troubled nation lifted a six-year moratorium on death penalties following the ghastly attack on school children in Peshawar on December 16, 2014, by the Taliban.

This is also the first-ever official tally released by Pakistan on the number of executions carried out.

Following the Peshawar attack that left over 150 people dead  most of them being children  at an Army-run school, Islamabad unveiled a comprehensive National Action Plan (NAP) to curb militancy.

It was in accordance with this NAP that the six-year moratorium on the country's death penalty was lifted and the Constitution amended to allow military courts to try those accused of carrying out attacks.

Hangings were initially reinstated only for those convicted of terrorism. However, in March 2015, executions were extended to all capital offences.

In a written reply submitted to Parliament on Friday, Pakistan's Ministry of Interior and Narcotics Control said 332 people had been executed in the country.

Supporters of capital punishment argue that executions are the only effective way to deal with the scourge of militancy in Pakistan. However, critics believe that the legal system is unjust, with rampant police torture and poor representation for victims during trials. A majority of those who are hanged are not convicted of terror charges, they claim.

Figures rolled out by Amnesty International suggest that Pakistan is on track to become one of the world's top executioners in 2015.

According to the report submitted to Parliament, 172 madrassas across the country have also been closed on suspicions of having links to militant organisations. 993 URLs and 10 websites of organizations have been blocked, it added.

The dossier further said that 98.3 million unregistered SIM cards have been blocked.

More than 2,000 cases of hate speech have also been registered, while 2,195 people have been arrested. More than 70 shops have been shuttered throughout Pakistan for selling material deemed to promote hate speech.

Since 2013, paramilitary troops and police have been engaged in an anti-militant and crime operation in Karachi, the report says. Thousands of criminals have been arrested in the operation's wake along with 890 militants in the city. Officials say militant attacks have fallen by 80 per cent as a result, according to the report.

Latest World News
Follow us on us school district adds diwali eid to school calendar holiday

Washington: A US school district has unanimously voted to add Diwali, Eid al-Adha and Chinese Lunar New Year's Eve in the school holiday calendar, for the first time in the school system's history.

Indian-American community hailed the decision by Howard County Public School System, which manages 71 schools and serves nearly 50,000 students, as "historic".

"I am extremely pleased by the Board's ability to discuss and unanimously agree to seek ways to recognise the diverse backgrounds of Howard County's students and families," Board of Education Chairwoman Christine O'Connor said in a statement

after the eight member board unanimously supported such a motion.

"We want to do our best to find flexibility within the calendar to provide opportunities for all students to experience all cultures within our community."

Latest World News
Follow us on aamir khan collaborated with isi to promote pk subramanian swamy

New Delhi: BJP leader Subramian Swamy today alleged that actor Aamir Khan had collaborated with Pakistani intelligence agency ISI to promote his film PK in 2014.

"I don't give importance to the statements made by Aamir Khan. I know this fact that he had collaborated with the Pakistan's ISI to promote his movie 'PK'. He has still not come out with a clarification," Swamy told ANI.

Swamy, known for not mincing his words, had earlier questioned funding of PK during its release. Swamy has alleged that PK's Dubai leg of promotion has been funded by a company called ARY, which allegedly has terror links. To bolster his claim, Swamy has even retweeted a picture where ARY Digital features prominently in the backdrop where the stars are sitting.

He had earlier said that PK hurt the religious sentiments of people across the communities. He claims that even Sikhs are hurt by the movie as it has disparaged a Sikh as a beggar.

Aamir has been facing the flak from a section of leaders for making 'intolerant India' remark.

In November, Aamir had expressed alarm and despondency over the rise in cases displaying intolerance in the last six to eight months.He had said that a sense of `insecurity` and `fear` had seeped deep within society.

"When I go home and talk to Kiran (Aamir`s wife), for the first time she says, `Should we move out of India?`" Khan said.
Follow us on factionalism surface within mumbai congress ahead of rahul s visit starting today

Mumbai: The issue of alleged factionalism within the Mumbai unit of Congress is again in focus as party vice-president Rahul Gandhi begins his two-day visit to the city today.

There were noisy scenes at a party meeting two days ago to discuss the programs during Rahul's visit with slogan-shouting by rival factions who wanted to ensure that the route of Rahul's rally covered specific areas.

Some media reports claimed party legislators Naseem Khan and Aslam Shaikh came to blows, though both the leaders denied it.

Before that, the Congress high command had sought an explanation from Mumbai Congress chief Sanjay Nirupam over two articles in a party journal criticising Jawaharlal Nehru and terming Sonia Gandhi's father a "fascist soldier".

The disciplinary action committee of AICC headed by senior leader A K Antony also issued a show-cause notice to Nirupam.

Those close to Nirupam alleged that his rivals in Mumbai Congress leaked the information about the articles to the media.

On arrival in Mumbai today, Rahul will be addressing a meeting of party workers in Malad and later he will inaugurate the Murli Deora Hall at the Mumbai Regional Congress Committee office in South Mumbai.

On January 16, he will interact with students of a management institute in suburban Vile Parle and later participate in padyatra from Bandra Bandstand to Dharavi slum.
Follow us on next raid on manish sisodia satyendra jain says kejriwal

New Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal today took made a fresh salvo at Prime Minister Narendra Modi saying that the CBI could raid the offices of Delhi's Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia or Health minister Satyendra Jain.

PMO sources-Next raid on Manish or Satinder. Officers under them being pressurized to get something wrong signed from them, Kejriwal tweeted on Friday.

Kejriwal's attack on the central government is the latest in the ongoing tussle between the Centre and the Delhi government who continue to be at odds with each other over one issue or the other.

Modi Ji, aap kuch bhi kar lo, sachai humare saath hai, Bhagwan humare saath hai. Aap humara kuch nahi bigaad sakte (Modi ji, no matter what you do, truth is on our side, God is on our side. You cannot harm us at all, Kejriwal wrote on the micro-blogging site.

After the CBI conducted raids on the office of Kejriwal's Principal Secretary Rajendra Kumar, the CM alleged that the agency had been directed to go after all Opposition parties and finish those who don't fall in line.

"A CBI officer told me yesterday that CBI has been asked to target all opposition parties and finish those who don't fall in line," Kejriwal had said then.

The Aam Aadmi Party had further alleged that the CBI raids were actually aimed at searching files related to DDCA, which Finance Minister Arun Jaitley headed for 13 years till 2013. Kejriwal has alleged the finance minister of corruption while heading the DDCA.

Meanwhile, Jaitley has dragged the Delhi CM to court over defamation.
Follow us on j k pdp wants assurance from pm modi on agenda of alliance

New Delhi/Srinagar: People's Democratic Party (PDP) has toughened its stand on government formation in Jammu and Kashmir with reports suggesting that the party wants an assurance from the BJP bigwigs that spirit of the agenda for alliance will be respected and upheld.

Naeem Akhtar, PDP leader and a close confidant of Mehbooba Mufti, said that PDP 'was expecting concrete action on an agenda for governance agreed upon last year, to continue an alliance'.

"An agenda of alliance was drafted and it has to be implemented," he said.

There are also reports doing the rounds PDP leaders are against any 'reassurance' from the level of BJP general secretary Ram Madhav and that a written assurance must come from either the Home Minister or the Prime Minister.

Akhtar said that party chief Mehbooba Mufti has not spoken to anybody on government formation or becoming the chief minister in the state after Sayeed's death.

The PDP leader also said that his party was reviewing how much of the 'common vision' of PM Narendra Modi and Mufti Mohammad Saeed regarding J&K had been taken forward.

On the other hand, senior BJP leader and J&K in charge Avinash Khanna said that it was awaiting a first move by Mehbooba Mufti on forming the new government.

"PDP is yet to make a first move. Let the PDP lay out their cards, then we will comment," he said.

The state is under Governor's rule as Mufti, picked by the PDP to replace her father as CM, has refused to take oath after the week-long state mourning on the death of J&K CM Mufti Mohammad Sayeed ended on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, former J&K chief minister Omar Abdullah yesterday said the PDP's review of the performance of its coalition with the BJP was a vindication of opposition charge that the government did 'absolutely nothing' in the past 10 months.

"Effectively making our point that their government did absolutely nothing for 10 months," Omar said.

"Why is BJP in a fix? PDP needs to explain why it surrendered these issues for 10 months and still praised coalition," Omar said in response to media reports.

Referring to the PDP's stand of addressing the external and internal dimensions of the Kashmir issue, the opposition leader said both facets of the issue were playing up and there was confusion about both.
Follow us on pm narendra modi to unveil start up india plan today

New Delhi: What is seen as a major breakthrough for entereneurship in India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will unveil the 'Start-Up India' initiative along with a 'Start-Up Action Plan' in the capital today. CEOs, well Known members of Indian-American diaspora, founders of top start-ups will also be present at the event.

"The launch event is aimed at celebrating the entrepreneurship spirit of country's youth and will be attended by CEOs and founders of top start-ups from across the country and abroad," the Prime Minister's Office said in a release yesterday.

The latest campaign is aimed to provide a conducible environment for doing business for budding entereneurs.

The government is expected to earmark around Rs 2000 crore for the initiative.

Transparent tax regime, easier registration norms and simple exit policy will be provided to give a boost to start-ups, Commerce and Industry Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said.

The prime minister is expected to address many issues including delays in incorporating and shutting down a firm, liberalisation of labour laws and easing flow of early-stage capital. The big day will also result in a clear definition of a startup.



The programme, to be held at Vigyan Bhawan, is aimed at promoting bank financing for start-up ventures and offering incentives to boost entrepreneurship and job-creation.



PM Modi will release the Start-Up Action Plan, visit a virtual exhibition and then interact with start-up entrepreneurs at the event.



In a session called "Face-to-face with policy-makers", secretaries of ministries and departments concerned will respond to queries on how an enabling ecosystem for start-ups could be created.



"The objective is to reinforce the commitment of the government towards creating an ecosystem that is conducive for growth of start-ups," the PMO said.



The event will also feature interactive sessions with global corporate leaders and venture capitalists like SoftBank founder Masayoshi Son and WeWork founder Adam Nuemann.



The event will be telecast live in IITs, IIMs, NITs, IIITs and central universities and in over 350 districts of India.

(Inputs IANS)
Follow us on punjab cm s nephew manpreet badal joins congress

New Delhi: Manpreet Badal, the estranged nephew of Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, today joined Congress after meeting party Vice President Rahul Gandhi.

Hectic parleys were held between the former Akali leader and Punjab Congress chief Amarinder Singh and other senior party leaders before the decision was taken to merge Badal's outfit, People's Party of Punjab, with Congress, sources said.

The merger was sealed today during a meeting between Badal and Rahul at the latter's residence here where Singh and AICC General Secretary Shakeel Ahmad were also present, they said.

A formal announcement in this regard is likely to be made soon, they added.

Manpreet Badal had unsuccessfully contested the 2014 General Elections from Bathinda on a Congress ticket against his sister-in-law and Akali leader Harsimrat Kaur Badal.

He was earlier part of the ruling Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) government and held the finance portfolio until his exit from the party over differences with his uncle Parkash Singh Badal and cousin Sukhbir Singh Badal.

He had thereafter launched the People's Party of Punjab.
U.S. Media Condemns Irans Aggression in Intercepting U.S. Naval Ships  in Iranian Waters





By Glenn Greenwald

January 15, 2016 " Information Clearing House " - " The Intercept " - News broke last night, hours before President Obamas State of the Union address, that two U.S. Navy ships in the Persian Gulf were seized by Iran, and the 10 sailors on board were arrested. The Iranian government quickly said, and even the U.S. government itself seemed to acknowledge, that these ships had entered Iranian waters without permission, and were thus inside Iranian territory when detained. CNNs Barbara Starr, as she always does, immediately went on the air with Wolf Blitzer to read what U.S. officials told her to say: We are told that right now, what the U.S. thinks may have happened, is that one of these small boats experienced a mechanical problem  perhaps beginning to drift.  It was at that point, the theory goes right now, that they drifted into Iranian territorial waters.

It goes without saying that every country has the right to patrol and defend its territorial waters and to intercept other nations military boats that enter without permission. Indeed, the White House itself last night was clear that, in its view, this was not a hostile act by Iran and that Iran had given assurances that the sailors would be promptly released. And this morning they were released, exactly as Iran promised they would be, after Iran said it determined the trespassing was accidental and the U.S. apologized and promised no future transgressions.

Despite all of this, most U.S. news accounts last night quickly skimmed over  or outright ignored  the rather critical fact that the U.S. ships had drifted into Iranian waters. Instead, all sorts of TV news personalities and U.S. establishment figures puffed out their chest and instantly donned their Tough Warrior pose to proclaim that this was an act of aggression  virtually an act of war: not by the U.S., but by Iran. They had taken our sailors hostage, showing yet again how menacing and untrustworthy they are. Completely typical was this instant analysis from former Clinton and Bush Middle East negotiator Aaron David Miller, now at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars:

Iran detains US sailors. Released promptly or not, a hostile act by a regime that acts w/o US cost/consequence https://t.co/0MNy0FnsjI  Aaron David Miller (@aarondmiller2) January 12, 2016

(Isnt it such a mystery  given even-handed diplomats like this  why the U.S. failed to facilitate an Israel/Palestine peace deal and is perceived around the world as hopelessly biased toward Israel?) Millers proclamation  issued when almost no facts were known  was immediately re-tweeted by New York Times columnist Nick Kristof to his 1.7 million followers (amazingly, when numerous people pointed out that Miller issued this inflammatory claim without any facts whatsoever, he lashed out at critics with the condescension and limitless projection typical of U.S. establishment elites: Twitter is an amazing vehicle: it allows instant and at times inaccurate analysis but always intemperate and ad hominem responses; by instant and at times inaccurate analysis, he meant his critics, not his own fact-free claim). Nick Kristof himself then added:

Iranian hardliners have been systematically trying to undermine Rouhani and damage US-Iranian relations. Seizing sailors, that'll do it.  Nicholas Kristof (@NickKristof) January 12, 2016

The truly imbecilic Joe Scarborough of MSNBC turned himself into an instant self-parody of a pseudo-tough guy compensating for all sorts of inadequacies:

Hey Iran, you have exactly 300 days left to push a US president around. Enjoy it while you can. After that, there will be hell to pay.  Joe Scarborough (@JoeNBC) January 12, 2016

But, as usual, the most alarmist, jingoistic coverage came from the always-war-hungry CNN. For hours, the network emphasized in the most alarmist of tones that the sailors had been picked up by the Revolutionary Guard, which, in the words of Starr, is one of the most aggressive elements of the military and national security apparatus in that country. CNN host Erin Burnett intoned at the top of her prime-time show: Next, breaking news: American sailors seized by Iran. The revolutionary guard arresting 10 American sailors in the Persian Gulf.

For hours, CNN anchors and guests all but declared war on Iran, insisting that this behavior demonstrated how aggressive and menacing it was, while warning that this could turn into another hostage crisis. Immediately after her opening headline-alarm, here is how Burnett explained the situation to CNN viewers:

Ten American Navy sailors, nine men and one woman, seized by Iranian Revolutionary Guards in the Persian Gulf tonight. The Americans ran two boats, each equipped with three 50 caliber machine gun. Irans news agency announcing those sailors are under arrest. U.S. officials say the sailors were simply on a training mission traveling from Kuwait to Bahrain. It is a major embarrassment for the Obama administration coming just hours before the president will be here delivering his final State of the Union address.

Notice whats missing? The fact that the ships had entered Iranian waters. Instead, they were simply on a training mission traveling from Kuwait to Bahrain when the Iranian Revolutionary Guard seized them. That is Baghdad Bob-level propaganda.

CNN then brought on national security reporter Jim Sciutto. Throughout the show, Burnett kept implying that Iran did this on purpose to humiliate Obama and the U.S. during his State of the Union speech: Iran is acutely aware of important events in American politics tonight, she told Sciutto. Only then did Sciutto mention that the ships were in Iranian waters as he gently pointed out the blatantly irrational nature of her conspiracy theory: Who could have predicted that you would have two U.S. small Navy boats, one of which either had a mechanical problem or a navigational error that put it into Irans territorial waters? He then added: But you know, I dont like the sound, it sounds like a cliche to say the timing, whether accidental or not, couldnt be worse.

CNN then brought on its White House correspondent Jim Acosta to say: This is sort of like an October surprise right before the State of the Union Address. The network then spoke to a former U.S. intelligence official who, citing Irans language, suggested that what that means is that the Geneva Convention protections that are established by international law may not be invoked by the Iranians: in other words, they may abuse and even torture the sailors. Former CIA operative Robert Baer warned viewers: Im not saying thats going to happen, but it could be another hostage crisis, which would very much cloud this administrations foreign policy in a very, very ugly way. David Gergen warned that this was part of a broader trend showing Iranian aggression: We have understood that with the nuclear agreement it not only would contain their nuclear program but they would start behaving themselves constructively. And that is exactly what they are not doing now.

Over and over, CNNs on-air personalities emphasized the Revolutionary Guard angle and barely acknowledged, or outright ignored, that the ships had entered Iranian waters. This was how Sciutto reported the event on Jake Tappers The Lead:

TAPPER: Jim, you have some new details on who precisely may be behind this? JIM SCIUTTO, CNN CHIEF NATIONAL SECURITY CORRESPONDENT: This is a key detail. Irans state Fars News Agency is reporting that the U.S. sailors were picked up by boats from Irans Revolutionary Guard Corps. This is very much tied to the hard-line camp in Iran, which has, in effect, its own military, including its own navy really in the Persian Gulf, which has contested U.S. ships before, U.S. aircraft carrier a couple of weeks ago. To be clear, that is a hard-line camp that is opposed to detente in effect with the U.S. and certainly opposed to the nuclear deal, which is meant to be implemented in the next several days.  TAPPER: Obviously, we are praying for those 10 sailors. Thank you so much, Jim Sciutto.

Just imagine what would happen if the situation had been reversed: if two Iranian naval ships had entered U.S. waters off the East Coast of the country without permission or notice. Wolf Blitzer would have declared war within minutes; Aaron David Miller would have sprained one of his fingers madly tweeting about Iranian aggression and the need to show resolve; and Joe Scarborough would have videotaped himself throwing one of his Starbucks cups at a picture of the mullahs to show them that they cannot push America around and there will be hell to pay. And, needless to say, the U.S. government would have  quite rightly  detained the Iranian ships and the sailors aboard them to determine why they had entered U.S. waters (and had the government released the Iranians less than 24 hours later, the U.S. media would have compared Obama to Neville Chamberlain).

But somehow, the U.S. media instantly converted the invasion of Iranian waters by U.S. ships into an act of aggression by Iran. Thats in part because the U.S. political and media establishment believes the world is owned by the United States (recall how the U.S., with a straight face, regularly condemned Iran for interference in Iraq even while the U.S. was occupying Iraq with 100,000 troops). Thus, the U.S. military has the absolute right to go anywhere it wants  even into Iranian waters  and its inherently an act of aggression for anyone else to resist. That was the clear premise of the bulk of the U.S. commentary last night.

The reaction is also explained in part by the permanent narrative that any countries adverse to the U.S. are inherently evil and aggressive. The U.S. is constantly depicted as a victim of Iranian aggression even as the U.S. spends more on its military than the next seven countries combined, and Iran spends less than 3 percent of what the U.S. does. The U.S.s top ally in the region after Israel, Saudi Arabia, spends more than five times what Iran does on its military. For the last 15 years, Iran has been almost completely encircled by U.S. troops in Iraq and Afghanistan and U.S. military bases extremely close to Iranian borders. But in the tale told by the U.S. media, its Iran that is aggressively threatening the U.S.

But the media reaction last night is also explained by the fact that their self-assigned role in life is to instantly defend their government and demonize any governments that defy it. Even when the White House was saying it did not yet regard the Iranian conduct as an act of aggression, American journalists were insisting that it was. The U.S. does not officially have state TV; it has something much better and more effective: journalists who are nominally independent, legally free to say what they want, and voluntarily even more nationalistic and jingoistic and government-defending than U.S. government spokespeople themselves.
What Accounts for the Saudi Regimes Hysterical Belligerence? The Agony of Death

By Ismael Hossein-Zadeh

January 15, 2016 " Information Clearing House " - " Counterpunch " - The purpose of this essay is to explain, not describe, the frantically belligerent behavior of the Saudi regime. The goal is not to delve into what the regime and its imperialist enablers have done, or are doing; that unsavory record of atrocities, both at home and abroad, is abundantly exposed by other writers/commentators [1]. It is, rather, to focus on why they have done or are doing what they do.

In the Throes of the Agony of Death

The Saudi rulers find themselves in a losing race against time, or history. Although in denial, they cannot but realize the historical reality that the days of ruling by birthright are long past, and that the House of Saud as the ruler of the kingdom by inheritance is obsolete.

This is the main reason for the Saudis frantically belligerent behavior. The hysteria is tantamount to the frenzy of the proverbial agony of a prolonged death. It explains why they react so harshly to any social or geopolitical development at home or in the region that they perceive as a threat to their rule.

It explains why, for example, they have been so intensely hostile to the Iranian revolution that terminated the rule of their dictatorial counterpart, the Shah of Iran, in that country. In the demise of the Shah they saw their own downfall.

It also explains their hostility to the Arab Spring uprisings in Egypt and Tunisia that ended the perpetual rule of Hosni Mubarak in Cairo and that of

Ben Ali in Tunis. Panicked by the specter of the spread of those revolutionary upheavals to other countries in the region, especially the kngdoms and sheikhdoms in the Persian Gulf area, the Saudi rules and their well-known patrons abroad promptly embarked on damage control. (The not-so-secret patrons of the House of Saud include mainly the military-industrial-security-intelligence complex, Neocon forces and the Israel lobby.)

The ensuing agenda of containment, derailment and preemption of similar revolutionary upheavals has been comprehensive and multi-prong. Among other schemes, the agenda has included the following:

(1) brutally cracking down on peaceful opposition at home, including summary executions and ferocious beheadings; (2) pursuing destabilizing policies in places such as Syria, Iran, Lebanon, Iraq, and Yemen by funding and/or arming rabidly violent Wahhabi/Salafi jihadists and other mercenaries; (3) trying to sabotage genuine international efforts to reduce tensions and bloodshed in Syria, Yemen and other places; (4) trying to sabotage the nuclear agreement and other tension-reducing efforts between Iran and Western powers; (5) pursuing policies that would promote tensions and divisions along ethnic, nationalist and religious lines in the region, such as the provocative beheading of the prominent and peaceful Shia critic Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr ; and (6) seeking chaos to cover terror tracks, as the well-known expert in international affairs Finian Cunningham put it [2].

To the dismay of the Saudi regime, while these depraved policies have succeeded in causing enormous amounts of death and destruction in the region, they have failed in achieving their objectives: stability in the Saudi kingdom and security for its regime. On the contrary, the reckless policies of trying to eliminate its perceived opponents have backfired: the regime is now more vulnerable than four or five years ago when it embarked (in the immediate aftermath of the 2011 Arab Spring revolutions) on the vainly aggressive policy of trying to eliminate the supposed dangers to its rule.

The illegal war on Yemen, carried out with the support of the United States, has turned from what was supposed to be a cakewalk into a stalemate. Not only has it solidified and emboldened the sovereignty-aspiring Houthis resistance to the Saudi-led aggression, it has also considerably benefited al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP). Likewise, the War on Syria, largely funded by the Saudi regime, has fallen way short of its goal of unseating President Assad. Here too the aggression has handsomely benefited a motley array of mercenary and jihadi groups, especially those affiliated with Jabhat al-Nusra, known as al-Qaeda in Syria, and the so-called Islamic State.

In both of these countries the power and influence of the Saudi regime and its partners in crime is in decline while the resistance is gradually gaining the upper hand, especially in Syriathanks largely to the support from Russia and Iran.

Perhaps more tragically for the Saudi regime, has been the failure of its oil war against Russia and Iran. Recklessly saturating global markets with unlimited supply of oil in the face of dwindling demand and increased production in the U.S. has reduced the price of oil by more than 60 percent. This has led to an officially-declared budget deficit of $98 billion for the current fiscal year, which has forced the regime to curb social spending and/or economic safety net programs. There are indications that the unprecedented belt-tightening economic policies are creating public discontent, which is bound to make the regime even more vulnerable.

A bigger blowback from the regimes oil war, however, goes beyond economic problems at home. More importantly, it has led to an unintended consequence that tends to make the regime les secure by reducing its economic and geopolitical worth to its imperialist benefactors. Cheap and abundant energy in global markets is bound to undermine the indispensability of the House of Saud to its imperial patrons. In using oil as a weapon against their rivals, the spoiled big babies of Western powers in the Arabian Peninsula may have pushed their luck too far.

Combined, these blowbacks and ominous consequences of the Saudi regimes belligerent policies have made the regime and its allies in the region more vulnerable while giving strength and credibility to the resisting forces in Syria, Iraq, Yemen, and Lebanon, supported by Iran and Russia. These unintended consequences of the Saudi rulers aggressions explain why they are panic-stricken and behave hysterically.

References

[1] See, for example, Finian Cunningham, Saudis Seek Chaos to Cover Terror Tracks; Jim Lobe, Neocons Defend Saudi Arabia; and Pepe Escobar, Fear And Loathing in the House of Saud.
Home Sign up for our FREE Daily Email Newsletter Israels Imperial Need to Build Walls and Ban Books



For the Netanyahu government, restricting ideas is as important as seizing territory



By David Palumbo-Liu



January 15, 2016 " Information Clearing House " - " Al Jazeera " - In his celebrated essay The Wall and the Books, the Argentinian writer Jorge Luis Borges recounts that the Chinese emperor who ordered the construction of the Great Wall was also responsible for destroying books. For Borges, the acts are signs of the emperors desire to wall off China from the outside world and from ideas. Borges goes so far as to say that these two acts are common to all despots, writing, Burning books and building fortifications are common tasks of emperors. In the last week of 2015, Israels Minister of Education Naftali Bennett acted in a similar imperial manner. He suggested the permanent annexation of the West Bank, and he barred a book from being taught in Israeli schools. Both acts have caused an international uproar. On Dec. 28, Bennett declared to the Knessets pro-settler Land of Israel Caucus, The time has come to say Israel is ours  To go from strategic defense to a process of initiating the implementation of Israeli sovereignty over the territories under Israeli control in Judea and Samaria. That this control is illegal by international law seems not a matter of concern. The Land of Israel Caucus has recently been pushing for an easing of restrictions on settlement building in the West Bank. Anyone paying any attention to what has been happening in Israel can attest that under the regime of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the extreme right wing has been bolder than ever in flouting international law and continuing its colonial project of subjugation, seizure of land and property and annexation. While Bennett has been voicing similar proposals for years, he has become even more aggressive, recently saying he forced Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to backtrack on recent comments he made of possible Israeli unilateral pullouts in the West Bank by giving the prime minister a verbal bullet between the eyes. All in the name of asserting a Jewish supremacist state for Jews only. Bennetts book banning takes this vision of Jewish supremacy and extends it into the literary imagination. Why was Dorit Rabinyans Gader Haya (literally Hedgerow but known in English as Borderlife) banned from use in high schools? Simply because it dares represent a romantic relationship between a Jewish woman and an Arab man. According to Haaretz: Among the reasons stated for the disqualification of Dorit Rabinyans Gader Haya  is the need to maintain what was referred to as the identity and the heritage of students in every sector and the belief that intimate relations between Jews and non-Jews threatens the separate identity. The Education Ministry also expressed concern that young people of adolescent age dont have the systemic view that includes considerations involving maintaining the national-ethnic identity of the people and the significance of miscegenation. It is important to understand how this fear of miscegenation, one of the hallmarks of racism, has been part of the landscape in Israel for years. There has been wide reporting on the ultra-Orthodox anti-miscegenation squads that target and harass Jewish women who date Arab men. Such efforts have entered Israeli education. In 2008, for example, schools in Kiryat Gat started a program to prevent Jewish girls from dating exploitative Arabs, Haaretz reported. The program included an educational video titled Sleeping With the Enemy. Now this kind of purity policing has percolated to the very top of the national administration and extended to the censorship of the very idea of mixed dating. Educators, politicians and writers in Israel are not taking this lying down. Israeli novelist Haim Beer, for example, told Haaretz the decision was a dizzying and dangerous act: This is none of Naftali Bennetts business, Beer said. Tomorrow he will disqualify Behind the Fence because [Hayim Nahman] Bialiks hero falls in love with a Christian, and hell create a committee to monitor relationships in literature. Zionist Union whip Merav Michaeli tied the move to unequal restrictions on voting and censorship: Hordes of Arabs are on their way to the polling stations, Arabs are taking our girls  these are two sides of the same coin. In a place where people are disqualified, its clear that books that represent them as humans are also disqualified. In a place where people with views that are unacceptable to the government are marked, its clear that works of literature and art are also censored. Michaeli is right. The type of education Bennett wishes to maintain is one of radical and absolute separation, of irreconcilable difference. And this is no simple declaration of separate but equal. It is difference coupled with domination, racial supremacy and an all-out effort to segregate and keep separate. It contradicts what should be a core purpose of Israeli education: to help students in Israel think through the problems and possibilities of relations between Israelis and Palestinians in a profound and humanistic manner. What is especially destructive and blind about this kind of censorship is that it extends far beyond reining in political speech; it goes to the heart of the imagination. One is now being told that one simply cannot have certain thoughts, especially thoughts that might well imagine a life different from the one dictated by the state. Under these circumstances, with Israel annexing territory, displacing people from their home and lands, walling off huge portions of illegally occupied land and now walling off the imagination, we are witnessing an anti-democratic regime uninterested in world opinion or international law. And that is precisely why the country has invested millions of dollars to defeat the boycott, divestment and sanction movement, for it has become effective where governments have failed. It has raised the consciousness of the global community and mobilized ordinary citizens to break through the walls of disinformation and prejudice that have protected Israels government from scrutiny. There is no rightward drift in Israel today; it is moving full steam ahead with clamping down on anything that it sees as a threat to its purity, including love. In this new year, we need to propose and act for another kind of imagining of the world. David Palumbo-Liu is the Louise Hewlett Nixon Professor at Stanford University. His most recent book is "The Deliverance of Others: Reading Literature in a Global Age." Click for Spanish , German , Dutch , Danish , French , translation- Note- Translation may take a moment to load. 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Money for Nothing Except Winning!! By Philip Farruggio



January 15, 2016 " Information Clearing House " - Every American who believes that we are a democracy needs to watch the 2013 documentary, Citizen Koch. Yes, it was a biased look at how the billionaire far right wing Koch brothers (whose father organized the John Birch Society in the 1950s) used their money to influence Governor Scott Walkers 2010 successful bid to union bust and strangle the safety net in Wisconsin. I say biased because not once in the 86 minute (well produced by the way) film did anyone against the Tea Party craziness of the Koch/Walker coalition ever mention military spending. Why is that important you may ask? Well, the whole premise of the right wing assault on working stiffs was that Wisconsin was going broke and could not afford to continue paying for safety net programs and of course for public sector workers benefits. To see how money does rule, the Koch influenced propaganda campaign got many rank and file Wisconsin folks to vote for Walker and the Republicans. Walker then went ahead and not only cut the spending mentioned above, but went after what the Koch gang really wanted: NO Collective bargaining for public employees and then many of those same folks finally turned on Walker but too late. The Recall campaign actually succeeded in having a new election, but the Koch gang outspent them 8 to 1 and that is what always counts. Walker won the recall and the working stiffs got stiffed! And then shortly after the same thing happened in Michigan (home of the UAW and for generations a bastion of union strength) by making it a Right to Work state. For those out there who dont know, Right to Work means limiting the unions power to organize. OK, now where does this all fit in with my previous assertion about military spending? Well, currently, and for over 15 years, over 50% of your federal taxes goes towards military spending, higher than even during the Cold War. To help the states with their deficits, Uncle Sam has traditionally done the following: Revenue Sharing. This is when the federal government sends back to the states a portion of revenues collected through taxes to help them balance the books and this money is FREE! Imagine if the military spending was cut by 25%, which translates currently into about $170 BILLION a year. Each state would get a share of that amount. In Wisconsins case, and that of all our states, there would be no urgency to cut many programs, or to cut pensions or authorize union busting except of course if the Tea Party manipulators like the Kochs had their way. Sadly, because we have a Democratic president who follows the lead of the Military Industrial Empire and he and his party wont even mention drastic cuts in military spending, the subject is taboo, even in films like Citizen Koch. And the money train just keeps on rolling. Heres the skinny of it: Trump and Cruz are neck and neck in not only the polls but in cash! Interesting how Ted Cruz has moved to the head of the class as he has also raised the most money for his campaign. We know Trump has the open pocketbook to spend his own fortune, and even he has been raising great amounts of other peoples cash too. So, there you have it: The leading Republican poll getters are also the ones with the most campaign spending cash. Ditto for Ms. Hillary on the  lesser of two evils  side. She is outpolling Sanders and of course out raising him in donations by a lot! What does that tell you about the suckers we call The American Voters? The more you drum them with ads the more they will support you. As far as President Obama, when he was  candidate Obama  in 2008, they made this propaganda of how he got oodles of money from small donors you know Ma and Pa Middle America. Well, he may have gotten more donations from working stiffs than McCain, but the majority of Obamas campaign spending cash came from big donors..just like with Gov. Walker, where his campaign bragged that 75% of his donors gave $50.00 or less. But, as we all know, the majority of his campaign CASH came from a handful of donors. Getting back to Obama, when he was championing his Affordable Health Care Act in 2009 those of us in the know knew that he would never trumpet for a public option AKA Medicare for All who want it. How did we know? Well, as they say Follow Da Money  from the 2008 campaign: The health care industry gave approximately $7.5 million to McCain and  over $ 21 million to Obama. Do you think he would cut the private health insurance industry out of the mix folks? The same way that we who know knew that candidate Obama was not going to go after the Wall Street banksters by discontinuing the Bush gangs bailout gift (made possible by the support of the loyal opposition Democratic Party of course). NO, how could he when his chief economic advisor for his campaign in 2008 was none other than Larry Lets repeal Glass Steagall Act Summers, who never met a rich banker he did not like, or so they say. When new President Obama actually put together a small task force to weigh the options of perhaps NOT giving in totally to the bankster bailout, according to author Kari Lydersen in her book Mayor 1%, he had his chief of staff Rahm Emanuel chair it. According to Lydersen, Obama said he was going home for dinner and wanted the group to reach a consensus on a viable plan of action. Lydersen claims that Emanuel bullied and badgered the group to agree to continue the bailout. Now it seems the karma is hitting home for Rahm, with many in Chicago wanting him out as mayor due to the disgraceful police scandal. As for his boss Mr. Obama, it seems nothing has changed concerning Wall Street greed and exploitation from when he took office. So much for leadership. Sadly, as 2016 is upon us, nothing has changed in our nations massive military spending. Instead, it will get worse! The Military Industrial Empire has sold us on the fact that we are not safe here at home due to ISIL. They have convinced many Americans that the over 50% of our federal taxes going for military spending is not enough! No, now with this new threat we need more military spending! As if our missiles and smart bombs can stop this group of fanatics. Maybe if we closed our military bases in the Middle East and its environs and stopped occupying Afghanistan ( and to some extent our massive footprint in Iraq ) perhaps the Arab world would begin seeing us in a different light. Many now believe that it was because of our illegal and immoral invasion and occupation of Iraq that served as a recruiting tool for fringe groups like this ISIL. Of course, it would help if our president went to the UN and told the world that America was wrong to do that, as it was and is to send our drone missiles to kill too many innocents  what an epiphany! Mr. Obama shed tears publically when trumpeting tighter gun control as he referenced those poor kids getting gunned down in Sandy Hook. Bravo for him! Oh wait, what about all those little Arab kids in Afghanistan, Yemen, Iraq and Pakistan blown away by the drone missiles that Mr. Obama authorized? No tears for them. It is time for the good working stiffs of America to walk away from the 2 Party One Party con job and start realizing that it is this empire that is bankrupting not only our economy but our morality as fellow humans. Philip A Farruggio is a semi retired baby boomer born and bred in blue collar Brooklyn NYC. He is the son and grandson of Brooklyn longshoremen, and educated at ' free tuition ' Brooklyn College, class of ' 74. Philip has written over 300 columns since 2001 and his work is found on many fine progressive sites like World News Trust, Nation of Change, Information Clearinghouse, Intrepid Report, Sleuth Journal, Dandelion Salad, Counterpunch and Dissident Voice. He can be reached at paf1222@bellsouth.net See also Are Gates and Rockefeller using their influence to set agenda in poor states? : Study identifies Bill and Melinda Gates and Rockefeller foundations among rich donors that are close to government and may be skewing priorities
Indonesia Snubs Saudi Anti-terror Coalition... Then Its Capital Gets Hit

By Finian Cunningham



January 15, 2016 " Information Clearing House " - " RT " - Indonesia joins a growing list of countries beyond the Middle East region reportedly hit by the Islamic State group or its affiliates. Is it a case of IS simply going global, or is there something else to the latest incident in Indonesia?

On the face of it, the attacks this week in downtown Jakarta  the Indonesian capital of 10 million people  are similar to those carried out in Paris last November, albeit with much less deadly results. Both involved a team of suicide bombers and gun attacks.

In the Paris attacks, some eight armed men killed 130 people when they struck at various public venues on November 13. This week in Jakarta up to 15 assailants armed with explosives and rifles managed to kill only two civilians; the other five reported dead were attackers who were shot by police or blew themselves up.

From the terrorists point of view, the Jakarta operation was a failure. That failure was partly due to the vigilance of Indonesian police, who had increased security across the capital in recent weeks due to what they said was the interception of terror communications.

Jakarta deputy police chief Budi Gunawan was quoted by The Wall Street Journal as saying that a homegrown Islamist network in the Java city of Solo had been plotting terror attacks with jihadists based in Syria.

We detected communications between a Syria group and the Solo group, said Gunawan. Following the Jakarta violence, the IS group reportedly claimed responsibility.

The question is: whats behind the uptick in IS-affiliated activity in Indonesia? Police reportedly made several arrests against suspected IS operatives in recent weeks.

Indonesia is no stranger to terrorism carried out by Islamist groups. Between 2000 and 2009, there were six major terrorist atrocities. The biggest one was the bombings in the tourist resort of Bali in 2002 which killed over 200 people. But for the past five years, the country has enjoyed relative peace.

Author and expert on Indonesia Jeremy Menchik told France 24 in an interview Thursday night that the relative quiet in the worlds fourth largest nation has been achieved because of the countrys relatively democratic transition having been able to co-opt dissident Islamist groups.

With a population of over 240 million, Indonesia is the worlds most populous Muslim country. While the country suffered from a brutal dictatorship under Suharto from 1965 until the late 1990s, it has since managed to steer a more benign, inclusive and secular political path.

Under President Joko Widodo, elected in 2014, Indonesia has managed to contain its erstwhile radical Islamist problem.

One month ago, on December 17, Saudi Arabia launched a 34 Islamic nation anti-terror coalition, with an ostentatious announcement in the Saudi capital Riyadh. The surprise initiative was welcomed by Washington and London, although it was greeted with skepticism by many observers given the documented role that the Saudi rulers have had in funding and arming terror groups, including the Islamic State and other Al Qaeda-linked militants.

Skeptics noted that the Saudi-led coalition of 34 Islamic nations appeared to be hastily cobbled together, with some of the nominal member countries later saying that they had not been consulted by the Saudis in its formation. Not included in the Saudi initiative of the anti-terror Islamic bloc were Iraq and Iran, perhaps unsurprisingly given the Saudi antagonism with these mainly Shiite countries.

Even more pointedly, two major Islamic nations, Algeria and Indonesia, explicitly declined to participate in the Saudi-led alliance.

Given the prominence of Indonesia as the worlds biggest Muslim country, the Saudi initiative was thus dealt a severe public relations blow by Jakartas refusal to sign up.

It is believed that Saudi Arabia has been behind the funding of radical Islamist groups within Indonesia going back several years, according to the Financial Times.

With that in mind, the Indonesia authorities most likely snubbed the Saudi anti-terror coalition last month for precisely the same reasons that many analysts dismissed it. Seeing it as a cynical public-relations gimmick by the Saudis who are trying to burnish their badly tarnished international image over suspected links with terrorism, particularly in Syrias five-year conflict.

That raises the plausible conjecture that the terror attacks this week in Jakarta by an IS-connected group may have been orchestrated as a form of retaliation against the Indonesian government for its embarrassing snub against the Saudis last month.

If the Saudis and Western intelligence are indeed in some murky way driving jihadist terrorism for their geopolitical agenda, then it stands to reason that such terror groups could be manipulated by these same protagonists in Indonesia - or anywhere else for that matter.

A terror attack in the heart of Jakarta apparently carried out by the IS group would serve as a sharp warning to Indonesia over its derisory putdown of the Western-backed Saudi anti-terror coalition.

The sudden uptick in Islamist terror activity in Indonesia and the failure of the attackers in Jakarta to inflict greater damage suggest that the assault was hurriedly planned. As in the orders to the operatives were hastily dispatched and acted on.
Republican Presidential Debate Video The GOP frontrunner is master of the one liner and the angry rhetoric. Posted December 15, 2016 Donald Trump Loses A Terrible GOP Debate By Zogby Actually we all lost the GOP debate Thursday night. The event went a full 71 minutes before any substance was discussed. We suffered embarrassing exchanges between Donald Trump and Ted Cruz on natural born citizenship. That one lasted far too long but Cruz got the better of it. He dismissed Trumps charges as false and came back with a previously unknown fact that Trumps mother was Scottish and a better known fact that Trump never raised the birther issue on Cruz until the polls between the two actually tightened. A stupid rejoinder to a stupid issue. Judging by the audiences response, Trump received a lot of boos on this one. Point for Cruz. The second bout of stupidity was an exchange between Marco Rubio and Chris Christie. To be fair, a candidate cannot always control what one of its support PACs say in a commercial, but Rubio honestly supported the charges that Christie was an Obama-like liberal because he allegedly wrote a check for Planned Parenthood as well as supported gun control and Common Core. Christie was able to deftly dismiss these charges and the factual record is on Christies side. Donald Trump did not like the comments made earlier in the week by South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley who warned against anger by admitting he likes Nikki but I am angry about the mess we are in. And Cruz scored against Trump again by reminding the audience that Trump once supported gun control because I am from New York  neither the position nor the geography things that play well in South Carolina. Silly stuff. Goofy to be sure. But then the debate moved to some substance and the candidates performed a lot better. All the candidates got a fair amount of time because only seven of them were on the stage. All stated conservative positions adequately but there were some substantial differences in demeanor (the angry vs. the steady) and policy. Here is how I see the results based solely on who I can picture as a GOP President. Chris Christie: The New Jersey governor was the winner. He emerges as the leader of the establishment and a forceful representative of the moderate, conservative establishment. He has a successful alternative governance model to consider. John Kasich: He got the chance to state and restate his successful experience in both Congress and in Ohio. He, like Christie, has a solid mantra about making government work for people and a force for good. Jeb Bush: This was his best debate and moment. He came off as the steady hand and as a reminder that anger is not a platform. He stood up to Trumps comments on banning all Muslims by offering a more reasonable policy of tweaking the US vetting policy for refugees. Ted Cruz: Cruz scored a lot of points and is the leader of the conservative wing. He is a seasoned debater and made Trump look like a minor league bench warmer by reminding him (and everybody else) that he argued for the Constitution at the Supreme Court for many years. Marco Rubio: Rubio was eloquent and focused as usual but we are getting closer to voters casting a ballot but he took his hits in this debate. He effectively went after Cruz and held his ground on defense. But Cruz wounded him too. Are either of them ready to really be President of the United States? Donald Trump: The GOP frontrunner is master of the one liner and the angry rhetoric. No doubt he has support but he got a lot of boos and hisses tonight. Corporate raider Carl Icahn as a negotiator for the United States against China? Angry voters are also angry against Wall Street, too. I am not sure what happens in the polls. I am sure he has a lot of support among those who want to punch someone  especially a public servant  in the nose. But there was some vulnerability tonight. Ben Carson: Carson fading in the polls because there is just no there there. The Republican Debate: Seven Trumped-Up Survivors By Robert Borosage Seven contenders lined up in the main Republican debate Thursday night in Charleston, South Carolina. Donald Trump, still leading in national polls, may not have won the night, but he has surely dictated its terms. The candidates were trumped-up, the vitriol hot, the rhetoric over the top. Occasional efforts to introduce common sense  usually by John Kasich and Jeb Bush from the far wings of the stage  were lost amid the tumult. Obama is gutting our military. (Bush). Hillary isnt just a disaster. Shes disqualified from being commander-in-chief (Rubio). The president doesnt believe in the Constitution or in free enterprise (Marco Rubio). The president is a petulant child (Chris Christie  who is the last person who should call someone else petulant). And of course Trump outdid them all: our military is a disaster; our health care a horror show; we have no borders; illegal immigration is beyond belief, our vets are treated horribly. No wonder gentle Dr. Ben Carson asked Is this America? With the Iowa caucuses impending, the insults were directed not just at the president and Hillary Clinton but at each other as well. Bush scorned the quibbling of backbench senators, reiterated that Trumps comments were unhinged. Trump once more called Bush a weak person. Rubio dissed Christie as a liberal, Cruz as a flip-flopper. Trump doubled down on Cruzs citizenship. Cruz scorned Trumps New York values (gays, abortion, money, media). Trump trumped that by invoking the courage of New Yorkers in the face of 9/11. Lost in all this was any glimmer of a program or an idea about dealing with real challenges facing the country. Like an affable grandfather in his cups at the end of a bar, Gov. Kasich kept peddling the old remedies  lower taxes, less regulation, balanced budgets, a cool head at the helm. But he sounded wistful, not wise. No, according to these folks, America needs more muscle, more guns, more inequality, more venom. Climate change, the way the rules are rigged for the few, the way our politics are corrupted, our criminal injustice system and more got little or no mention. Who won? Most pundits award the prize to Rubio, but he mostly reprised old speech lines with new intensity. He struck me as the definition of callow. Carson, Bush and Kasich fade in the bombast. Christie was off his game. Trump was more active than he normally is, but Id say Cruz had the best of the night. He is smart, slick, devious and shameless. The right mix for this cage match. Robert L. Borosage is the founder and president of the Institute for Americas Future and co-director of its sister organization, the Campaign for Americas Future.
Heres the Thing About Terrorism Obama Wont Tell You





Our wildly inflated fear of terrorism is a self-fulfilling prophecy.



By Peter Certo

January 15, 2016 " Information Clearing House " - " FPIF " - One in 3.5 million: Thats your annual risk of dying from a terrorist attack in the United States, at least according to Cato analyst John Mueller. Rounded generously, that comes out to roughly 3 one-hundred thousandths of a percentage point, or 0.00003 percent.

And this, according to a recent Gallup poll cited by The New York Times, is the percentage of Americans worried that they or someone in their family would be a victim of terrorism: 51.

So thats 51 percent of Americans who think a terrorist attack against themselves is sufficiently likely to warrant their personal concern, versus a 0.00003 percent chance it might actually happen. If youll forgive my amateur number crunching, that means Americans are overestimating their personal exposure to terrorism by a factor of approximately 1.7 million.

Its no wonder people play the lottery.

A public mood that overestimates the risk of terrorism by upwards of 2 million times, you might imagine, is a pretty significant headwind for a presidential administration that  with a few notable exceptions, like the surge in Afghanistan and the free-ranging drone war  has generally sought to wind down the full-blown militarized response its predecessor took to terrorism.

But more militarization, particularly in the Middle East, is exactly what this insanely distorted threat perception would seem to demand. With Americans more fearful of terrorism than at any time since 9/11, its no wonder Republican presidential candidates like Ted Cruz can call for bona fide war crimes like carpet-bombing Syria  and then revel in applause rather opprobrium.

In a more rational world, it would be easy to explain away the problem by arguing that the risk of terrorism in the U.S. is actually quite small, while the human costs of yet another ill-considered military intervention in the Middle East could be enormous. But the politics of terrorism are anything but. As a society were irrational about it, said a former administration security official quoted by the Times. But government has to accept that irrationality rather than fight it.

Gawker s Hamilton Nolan drew a less charitable conclusion from those comments: The public is too dumb to hear the truth about terrorism.

Threading the Needle

All this helps explain why Obama said what he did about Americas ongoing ISIS war in his final State of the Union address. Masses of fighters on the back of pickup trucks and twisted souls plotting in apartments or garages pose an enormous danger to civilians and must be stopped, he allowed. But they do not threaten our national existence. Thats the story [the Islamic State] wants to tell; thats the kind of propaganda they use to recruit.

In all this, Obama was essentially correct. Yet he tempered this disclaimer with the reassurance that We spend more on our military than the next eight nations combined  a fact more commonly cited by critics of Americas post-9/11 militarization than its supporters.

And then came an appeal to the carpet-bombing constituency.

Calling the Islamic State killers and fanatics who have to be rooted out, hunted down, and destroyed, Obama boasted: With nearly 10,000 air strikes, we are taking out their leadership, their oil, their training camps, and their weapons. We are training, arming, and supporting forces who are steadily reclaiming territory in Iraq and Syria.

Feel better?

Obama wanted to temper the hysteria of those who would look at ISIS and claim, as he put it, this is World War III. But given the apparently prevalent view to the contrary, he had to reassure his listeners that were still dropping an awful lot of bombs. Its a college try at breaking the political taboo, identified by the Times, against lecturing people about the real  and low  risk of terrorism.

Unfortunately, that only illustrates a much deeper American taboo about foreign terrorism against the United States: namely, admitting that its almost always a response to U.S. foreign policies.

You know, policies like launching 10,000 air strikes.

Why Us?

Obama said something else that was pretty instructive: In todays world, were threatened less by evil empires and more by failing states. Thats true, basically: Theres no conventional power on earth that poses an imminent military threat to the U.S.

But why, then, should failing states?

The usual answer is that weak or failing states offer fertile ground for militant groups to organize, train, recruit, and arm themselves. Thats how the Arab-dominated group that became al-Qaeda used Afghanistan in the years between the Soviet invasion and the 9/11 attacks (though they also plotted in decidedly stable environs like Hamburg). And its how the Islamic State is using Syria now after bursting out of its origins in Iraq, where it formed the core of a Sunni insurgency against the U.S.-backed Shiite government.

It makes sense that failing states might present opportunities for militant groups. And its reasonable to expect that failed states in the Muslim world would appeal to Islamist groups in particular. But all this explains nothing about why their militancy should uniquely threaten the United States. After all, if theyre simply religious zealots, hell-bent on killing or converting the infidels, why shouldnt these failing states be a concern to non-Muslim powers like Brazil? Or Japan? Or South Africa?

Why arent they reduced to bean-counting air strikes on countries halfway around the world?

The simple answer is that no other non-Muslim country on earth has intervened in the region as extensively as the United States has.

Our Demons

Robert Pape  a political scientist whos studied every suicide attack on record  argues that while religious appeals can help recruit suicide bombers, virtually all suicide terrorism can be reduced to political motives that are essentially secular. What 95 percent of all suicide attacks have in common, since 1980, is not religion, he concludes. Instead, they have a specific strategic motivation to respond to a military intervention, often specifically a military occupation, of territory that the terrorists view as their homeland or prize greatly.

Lets look at some of our favorite demons.

In the years before al-Qaeda pulled off the 9/11 attacks (and since, for that matter), the U.S. propped up dictatorships in places like Saudi Arabia and Egypt, which ruthlessly repressed Islamist challengers. It armed and protected Israel, even as the country bombed its Muslim (and Christian) neighbors in Palestine and Lebanon, and violated UN resolutions against illegal settlement building in occupied Palestinian lands. And in between its two full-scale invasions of the country, the U.S. imposed a devastating sanctions regime on Iraq, which restricted the flow of food and medicine and is estimated to have caused some half a million Iraqi children to die.

Some Washington policy makers have professed benign motivations for these policies  in making strategic partnerships against terrorists, for example, protecting a besieged ally, or attempting to undermine the Iraqi dictatorship. But one could forgive the victims of those policies for seeing them differently.

In his letter explaining the 9/11 attacks, Osama bin Laden mentioned all of these things and more to argue that U.S. intervention in the Muslim world had to be stopped. Aside from its anti-Semitic ramblings, social conservatism, and appeals to the Quran, in fact, parts of the letter could have been written by any reputable international human rights organization.

Similarly, the Islamic State  an avowedly murderous organization, to be sure  emerged out of a Sunni insurgency against an increasingly sectarian U.S.-backed government in Baghdad after the second Iraq War, expanding into Syria in an audacious bid for strategic depth and territory. To the extent that its engaged in international terrorism  against France, Turkey, Lebanon, and Russia, among others  the attacks have been levied principally against foreign powers that have thrown themselves into the Syrian civil war on the side of its enemies.

If ISIS attempts to attack the U.S., it will certainly serve a propaganda purpose like the one Obama described. But it will also serve as a counterattack for those 10,000 air strikes he boasted about.

A Self-Fulfilling Prophecy

None of this excuses terrorism by al-Qaeda, ISIS, or anyone else. But if Obama or anyone else wants to take a realistic look at the threat, we cant just look at the likelihood of it. We have to look at the reasons for it.

All things considered, given the scope of U.S. actions in the Middle East since 9/11  by my count weve toppled three governments, launched a drone war stretching from Somalia to the Philippines, and sent hundreds of thousands of troops to Iraq and Afghanistan  a 0.0003 percent per capita risk of terrorism is quite modest, even if it feels much higher to some critics of the president.

But with Obama responding to those critics by launching nearly 10,000 air strikes and training, arming, and supporting a hodgepodge of armed forces in the region, theres a very significant risk that our inflated threat perception will become a self-fulfilling prophecy.

The fact is, theres not a bomb on this planet powerful enough to heal the political divisions in Iraq and Syria that have enabled the rise of ISIS. But if Obama legitimizes his hawkish critics by papering over the problem with bombs, hes only paving the way for the Ted Cruzes and Donald Trumps of the world to argue that if some bombs are good, more bombs are better. And our fear-fueled plunge into intervention will only deepen our exposure to terrorism.

Peter Certo is an editorial assistant for OtherWords and Foreign Policy In Focus at the Institute for Policy Studies. www.ips-dc.org
IS: Just a Murderous Death Cult? By Ian Sinclair January 15, 2016 " Information Clearing House " - " MEE " - The language and framing we use to speak about an issue can either illuminate and help to explain or it can obfuscate and limit our understanding, and thus keep possible solutions out of reach. Driven by the medias McCarthy-style witch hunt of anyone who does not publicly denounce Islamic State (IS) in the strongest terms humanly possible, politicians and commentators have fallen into the dangerous habit of simplistically defining and dismissing IS. They are an evil death cult, the Prime Minister told parliament in December 2015. Following her leaders example, Education Secretary Nicky Morgan called them a murderous death cult on BBC Question Time. Not to be outdone, the neutral BBCs Andrew Neil named them A bunch of loser jihadists and Islamist scumbags carrying out Beheading, crucifixions, amputations, slavery, mass murder, medieval squalor a death cult barbarity that would shame the Middle Ages. The Left has scarcely been better. Appearing on the BBCs Sunday Politics left-wing writer Owen Jones stated IS is a murderous death cult that attracts these pathetic, murdering losers. Challenged on how we should deal with the group, Jones explained: Obviously there is no prospect, ever, of negotiating with this murderous death cult. They dont want to negotiate, they have an apocalyptic vision of the world which they wish to satisfy. These statements certainly describe one, very public, side of IS. However, as the retired American General Stanley McChrystal told The Guardian, If the West see ISIS as an almost stereotypical band of psychopathic killers, we risk dramatically underestimating them. Charlie Winter, a senior researcher focusing on IS at Georgia State University concurs, explaining: Far from being an army of irrational, bloodthirsty fanatics, ISIS is a deeply calculating political organisation with an extremely complex, well-planned infrastructure. Writing about ISs attempted state-building, Charles Lister, author of The Syrian Jihad: Al-Qaeda, the Islamic State and the Evolution of an Insurgency, notes ISISs standard governance practice includes establishing public welfare programmes, offering countless forms of social service, commercial good quality inspections, tax offices, transport companies and much more. In a 2014 article titled "The Islamic State of Iraq and Syria has a Consumer Protection Office," Aaron Zelin, a Fellow at the International Centre for the Study of Radicalisation and Political Violence, comments that the groups sophisticated bureaucracy includes a court system and a roving police force, along with services such as an electricity department, a post office, road repairs, religious schools and healthcare. ISIS helps run bread factories and provides fruit and vegetables to many families, Zelin notes. In Raqqa, ISIS has established a food kitchen to feed the needy and an Office for Orphans to help pair them with families as well as conducting polio-vaccination campaigns. Apparently IS have set up a complaints office (complete with a suggestions boxes) in an attempt to weed out corruption. And last week The Guardian reported on the organisations research and development centre run by technicians and scientists and its communications team, which is staffed by up to 100 people and has a schedule and workload that could rival a television network. Rather than wilfully play into the medias seedy little game of feigned moral outrage, politicians and commentators need to face up to some very inconvenient facts. According to the EU Commissioner for Justice over 5,000 Europeans have travelled to Iraq and Syria to join IS. Numerous reports have noted that many Sunnis have chosen to live under IS control rather than the Iraqi government. According to Paul Rogers, Professor of Peace Studies at Bradford University, there is evidence of refugee flows into IS-controlled territory. Though far from easy, there are positive steps that could be taken in response. To stop IS recruiting in the West we need to stop publicly labelling the people who join them pathetic, murdering losers and engage and deal with the complex personal, social, economic and political factors that lead them to turn to ISIS in the first place. To reduce ISs power and control in Iraq we need to consider why much of the Sunni population is so wary of the Iraqi government forces. And to reduce ISs authority in Syria we need to reduce the violence and chaos that the group exploits and push for an end to the war as soon as possible. The problem is this: all these possible solutions involve coming to terms with our own reprehensible role in the crisis. The Wests military interventions in the Middle East have undoubtedly played a key role in radicalising Muslims residing in the West. The West has supported the Iraqi government while it gunned down unarmed Sunni demonstrators, barrel bombed Sunni-dominated areas and let Shia militias run wild, carrying out widespread war crimes. And in Syria the West has helped to escalate the conflict and wrecked attempts at negotiation a peaceful solution to the conflict. So as well as being deeply unhelpful when it comes to defeating IS, calling them a murderous death cult also has an important political role  of moving the spotlight away from own destructive actions. If we are serious about helping to reduce ISs power and territory, what we desperately need is a grown-up, nuanced, evidenced-based debate about the organisation and the reasons behind its growth and continued existence. To take one example, a rational approach would dismiss Owen Joness crude assertion that there is no prospect, ever, of negotiating with IS and ask questions about ISs internal divisions and factions and its external support. Is there a more moderate or pragmatic wing of the group? How might groups or fighters that are currently fighting with or allied to IS be persuaded to break away? Could we negotiate with the state and non-state actors currently supporting IS? Would it be possible to persuade  that is negotiate with  those who plan on joining IS in the future? And finally we need to remember the simplistic and often hysterical public statements and positions the media demands politicians and commentators robotically parrot are not necessarily good for the wider world and are not helpful if we wish to reduce the terror threat to the UK and other countries. -Ian Sinclair is a freelance writer based in London and the author of The March that Shook Blair: An Oral History of 15 February 2003 . He tweets @IanJSinclair
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, yesterday, described the call for secession by Biafra protagonists as a dead agitation borne out of sheer ignorance and error of judgment.

Speaking in Abuja during a roundtable discussion organized by Nextier Advisory, a public sector advisory firm spearheaded by Patrick O. Okigbo III, with the theme: Nigeria and the Biafra Agitation. The ex-president asked leaders from the South-East geopolitical zone to call the protesters to order. He said only those who did not experience the Nigerian civil war would embark on such a malevolent exercise.

No right-thinking person who has experienced the horror of war will ever agitate for more wars. Most wars stem from real and perceived injustices and dissatisfaction and invariably wars emanate from a desire to correct or redress such situations, Obasanjo said.

Our civil war wasnt any different. But at the end, almost all wars, jaw-jaw takes over from boom and devastation of the gun. That is the path of wisdom, prudence and political sagacity. If the elders abdicate their responsibility to the immaturity, inadequate experience, unrealistic idealism and the frustration of the young, it will no doubt lead to disaster, the former president said.
Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose has advised President Muhammadu Buhari against his order for some ex-military chiefs to be probed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged involvement in the $2.1 billion arms deal, stressing that whatever is done to the men should be in line with the armed forces rules of engagement.

Governor Fayose, who reacted to President Buharis order through his Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, said all they are just doing is to brandish figures to deceive Nigerians and demonized the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and those opposed to his dictatorship in the All Progressive Congress (APC).

Till today, the amount they have charged people for stealing is not up to N10 billion and $2.1 billion they claimed was stolen is about N600 billion.

The president must let Nigerians see where the arms deal is in the 2015 Budget and publish details of the imaginary $2.1 billion scam. Also, the President must tell Nigerians how his friend, Jafaru Isa was able to return N100 million to the EFCC within three days because there are insinuations that the N100 million refunded came from the Presidency, Fayose said.

He said it was strange for serving military generals to be interrogated by junior police officers.

The president should not act in a way that he will be perceived as ridiculing the armed forces.

Even though I am not a military officer, but I know that there is what us called orderly room trial or court martial, which military men who erred in the performance of their duties are made to go through. It is until they are found guilty and probably dismissed that they are made to face court trial.

In this case, how does it feel for a serving Military General to be interrogated by an Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP)?

I think we should not destroy our democratic institutions, especially the judiciary and the armed forces because we are fighting corruption.

Already, the President has ridiculed the judiciary by disobeying the courts and coming on television to say that orders of the court do not hold waters. He is also destroying the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) by turning it to commission for inconclusive elections. He should not ridicule the military, and men of goodwill should advise the President to thread cautiously.

Also, the international community, especially the United States, United Kingdom and the United Nations should caution the President against actions capable of bringing down institutions of government under the guise of fighting corruption, Fayose said.
Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has opened up on how former President Goodluck Jonathan allegedly threatened to cage him after May 29 for supporting the candidature of President Muhammadu Buhari in the last general elections.

Speaking at a meeting with leaders of All Progressives Congress, APC, across the three Senatorial Districts of Edo State on Thursday, Oshiomhole said around this time last year, the tension in Nigeria was such that Prophets of doom around the world were almost unanimous that Nigeria would not survive 2015 but as you can see, man proposes, God disposes.

Around this time last year, in January, a few weeks to the election, many were saying quite recklessly on radio and television that we were finished.

The former President, Goodluck Jonathan told our National Chairman, Chief John Odigie Oyegun to inform me that after the election, he will put me, Adams, the son of Oshiomhole in a hole and I told Chief Oyegun to inform him to dig that hole very deep because although I am short, in the course of pushing me into the hole, nobody knows who will get there first.

Since he is taller than me, he needs to dig the hole deep enough so that either of us can get in. In the end, he is inside the hole and I am busy putting dust into that hole.

Oshiomhole continued, In this hall, around this time last year, we held a meeting to share information about what was going on in various local governments and the specific challenges in each of those local government in order to fashion out appropriate response.

Some of the statements that we shared in those meetings included threats that by June, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole would have been impeached because PDP would write results whether we liked it or not. They would overrun the House of Assembly and once the House is proclaimed in June, before the end of June, Comrade would be banished to his house in the village and from there to prison.

Those who made those threats, who supervised those processes, even now in their early 90s are writing letters to explain how they shared money meant for defence. Every evil weapon they fashioned against me did not prosper and even the ones they are fashioning now will not prosper.

Reminding the party leaders of the journey so far and how the APC has risen from ground zero to become the leading party in Nigeria, Oshiomhole said, When we came in about 7 years ago, my party had no control even of one ward. We had no control of one local government, but today, we control wards, local, state and by the special grace of God, federal. Things have changed. The one who tamed a lion with bare hands, now with automatic weapons, no antelope can dare us in our own forest.
The Governor-elect of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello, has called on Nigerians to always reflect on the sacrifices made by members of the Armed Forces in keeping our nation together.

The governor-elect, who made the appeal in a message to the people of Kogi State through his media office on the 2016 Armed Forces Remembrance Day, said: our nation owes her unity to the sacrifices of these fallen heroes, adding that we must therefore keep their dreams of a united and indivisible Nigeria.

Mr. Bello noted that the choice of a special day as Armed Forces Remembrance Day is to underscore the need for all of us to rededicate ourselves to support our men and women who have been put in harms way for us to live in peace.

Asserting that security and liberty are basic ingredients that guarantees the progress of any nation, the governor-elect urged Nigerians to continue to support the members of the armed forces for their huge sacrifices.

We must continue to rise in support of our armed forces in all ways we can and at all times. That is the honour they deserve for their sacrifices. God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria, he said.
Canadian police are conducting an investigation along with the Liquor Control Board of Ontario after a Toronto shopper discovered that a vodka bottle he purchased at a local store had been filled with water. Rick Crumpton, 62, purchased a plastic 1.75-liter bottle of Smirnoff vodka at an LCBO store, but discovered something tasted off when he mixed himself a cocktail upon arriving at home.

So I took a swig right from the vodka bottle and thought, Man, this tastes like water,' he told CTV Toronto. Crumpton then called the store where an unsurprised employee informed him this happens all the time, although the LCBO told CBC News that his was the first complaint of this kind it had received. Concerned that the liquid in the bottle may have been hazardous, Crumpton sent the bottle for independent analysis that confirmed the bottle contained water with residual amounts of alcohol.

LCBO spokesman Keeley Rogers stated that there was sufficient evidence at this time to indicate that this was the result of deliberate product tampering. LCBO takes product tampering and fraudulent returns very seriously, and we are working closely with local police, as this is a criminal matter, Rodgers said.

Const. Victor Kwong of Toronto police said that surveillance footage indicates a singular suspect is involved with a number of similar incidents throughout Ontario. In response the LCBO has stated that plastic bottle products will no longer be available for resale once returned and all employees will undergo mandatory refresher training. Crumpton appreciated the measures taken by the LCBO and said he hopes it stops anybody from ever trying to do this again.

UPI.
The Senate, Saturday, slammed former interim National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Bisi Akande over his statement in which he described the claim that the 2016 budget was missing from the upper legislative chamber as an indication of the indiscipline that produced its leadership.

In a statement by its spokesman, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, the Senate expressed surprise that a man of Akandes calibre would indulge in making conclusions based on rumours.

We have said it several times that the budget was not missing. That two versions of the details of the budget exist and this is no longer in doubt as the Presidency has equally admitted this.

We expect a man of Akandes calibre to cross-check his facts and take us up on our words. That he decided to ignore the facts and make comments on speculations is regrettable. He is a man who had served in government. He is a leader of the party with the majority in the Senate and he has several channels of cross-checking facts as against speculations, Abdullahi stated.

The Senate spokesperson stated further that: Chief Akande is still sulking after his groups failed attempt to impose certain individuals as the leaders of the Senate last year. So, he was in a hurry to condemn the leadership. We want him to know that the leadership of the Senate can only emerge through the provisions of the constitution and the standing rules of the institution. As a democrat, Akande should know that once the majority has elected the leadership, all parties to the contest ought to accept the decision.

To continue belly-aching and working to undermine the institution because of the failure to get ones choice candidates elected cast doubts on his democratic credentials. It appears he is only a democrat when he has his way. We advise him to move on and let us help the legislative institution to focus on its agenda to serve the people in line with the much needed change that President Muhammadu Buhari promised the nation, Abdullahi added.
Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole has appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to grant Presidential pardon to the 66 soldiers whose death sentences were recently commuted to 10 years imprisonment by Army Authorities, for offences ranging from insubordination to mutiny, among others.

I ask Edo people to stand by our Armed Forces, to support the efforts of President Muhammadu Buhari to reposition the Armed Forces, to re-kit them but also to revive our economy. The revelation about diversion of funds meant to equip the Armed Forces is not funny and therefore we must all give the President the support he needs to bring to justice those who diverted money meant to secure all of us and convert them to political funds, the governor said as the state commemorated the Armed Forces Remembrance Day.

These same people sat in the comfort of their office, looking at their loot and they had the guts to put on trial soldiers who were ill-equipped and were asked to go and commit suicide in the face of Boko Haram. I am happy that the Military have in their wisdom through their own judicial process committed those death sentences to various terms of imprisonment for those soldiers who were involved.

I am not an apostle or a supporter of indiscipline but I believe it is also a matter of hypocrisy to tie the legs of a young man or a woman and ask him to go and get involved in an Olympic race. If you chain him, how can he run?

I, therefore, want to lend my voice on behalf of the people of Edo State, that those soldiers at best can be dismissed from the Armed Forces, but they should not be allowed to wallow in prison. The point has been made that money meant for them was shared. If those who shared it are not likely to face death sentence, they even enjoy the liberty of bail from our high court, nothing justifies harsh treatment to the victims of their own executive rascality.

So, I appeal to President Buhari to use his powers to grant them pardon even if they will not be allowed to retain their uniforms. We all have learnt to be vigilant and to support our Armed Forces.

Speaking further, Oshiomole said: I want to use this occasion to appeal to our political class not to allow their personal and selfish interest to override national interest and consideration and make inflammatory statements that questions the unity of our great country. I hold the view that the unity of a nation state cannot be treated the way the unity of voluntary association is done.

He pledged the governments continued support for the Armed Forces and the wards of soldiers who paid the supreme price in ensuring the unity of the nation.

Edo State Government will support the legion with the sum of 10million naira and I will appeal to the legion to particularly show firm support to those widows arising from Boko Haram activities. If there is any of them whose children is in Edo State who are supposed to be in school, in universities and they are not there, because their parents are no more, Edo State Government even at this hour, we are ready to pick up their school fees that they may be able to attend university, colleges of education or polytechnics as the case may be to show that we do care that they died just so that we might survive here, Oshiomole promised.
In an ironical twist of fate, West Africa has been declared free of the two-year Ebola epidemic just as the sub-region is facing a renewed disease epidemic threat in the guise of Lassa fever. For most West Africans, particularly Nigerians that had an unpalatable taste of the devastating Ebola outbreak, it isnt yet time to heave a sigh of relief.

The Sun

National Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has asked the National Assembly to commence impeachment of President Muhammadu Buhari for what it called various constitutional breaches especially the submission of two versions of the 2006 budget.

Thisday

The Police have arrested a suspected cyber scammer, Elom Nzube for allegedly impersonating a Tanzanian, Dr. Reginald Remengi and blackmailing Mrs. Tinu Abiola, the Managing Director, HTM International Nigeria Ltd.

Daily Times
The Arewa Community United Foundation, ACUF, has warned those threatening violence against the state that nothing unwholesome must happen to President Muhammadu Buhari in the discharge of his duties as the leader of the most populous black nation on earth.

The Foundation accepted that while it is normal for the opposition party in the country to demand for unrealizable targets and express their opinions; the president should not be impeded from performing his duties and functions.

The Lagos State Secretary of the Foundation, Alhaji Musa Saleh, made this known in Lagos on Friday at the yearly national prayer and 50th year remembrance of the Late Sardauna of Sokoto, Sir Ahmadu Bello, killed in the first military coup detat witnessed in the country on January 15,1966.

Saleh said although they were gathered to pray and remember the legacies left behind by their leaders before they were cut-off, we have to say now that we dont want such event to happen to our leaders anymore. Today we have President Muhammadu Buhari on seat, for those who are threatening national violence against the state, we warn them that nothing must happen to Buhari, hes there, he has been elected by popular majority vote and hes carrying out the administration of this country in the way to rebuild the country for greater posterity. So we are warning that nothing should happen to him but we all should support him to achieve the desired goal for the country.

He said for Nigeria to develop, national unity should be encouraged and segregation discouraged, noting it as the fastest path to greatness.

The South West leader of the Arewa Community, Architect Ahmed Kabiru Abdullahi, who also spoke on the occasion, said the death of the late Sardauna was not only the worst thing to happen to Northern Nigeria but also the worst thing to happen to the country as a whole.

Abdullahi said late Sir Ahmadu Bellos demise with others, marked the beginning of problems of under-development of the country and he believes that the administration of President Buhari is toeing the same line of development started by the late Sardauna and Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, by holding unto Nigeria as one without letting go of his constituency, the Northern region.

On how successive Northern leaders have not been able to emulate the success of the late Ahmadu Bello in developing the North, Abdullahi said Every leader has tried, but it is possible at a time not to have people who can build up on your legacy as those who came after late Ahmadu Bello, yet they made their own impacts, but they have not been able to match up to the big shoes and it is our hope that President Buhari should be able to match up. It is our hope and we are confident that Buhari will match up.

Speaking on the agitation for break-up of Nigeria by some pro-Biafra youth, he asked did they put it together, can you break what you did not put together, thats injustice. They are working against themselves. They should change and let Nigeria be because I know Nigeria will be with or without them. Nigeria has come to stay. The Giant of Africa has come to stay.
Former President, Olusegun Obasanjo bagged a Masters Degree in Theology at the fifth convocation of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) on Saturday.

The Vice-Chancellor of the University, Prof. Vincent Tenebe, said in his address at the ceremony that Obasanjo was among other notable Nigerians in the list of the 10,653 graduands which also included the Emir of Hadejia, Jigawa State, Alhaji Adamu Abubakar and the traditional ruler of Awgu, Enugu State, Igwe Felix Okechukwu.

Having been given the admission to study MA/PhD in Christian Theology, Obasanjo will continue with his Ph.D fully.

This is very unique considering his age and commitments; he also made a very good cumulative grade point, Tenebe said.

Speaking further, the VC said that NOUN had achieved its primary mandate of having study centres in all the state capitals across the country. The institution said it will commence the last aspect of its mandate, which is to establish study centres in all the 774 local governments in the next 15 years.

He said that the total number of study centre across the country stood at 72 alongside four new research centres.

Tenebe also appealed to relevant authorities to admit graduates of NOUN into law school as was done in other countries.

We will not relent in our appeal to the Council for Legal Education to give NOUN Law graduates the opportunity to attend the Law School and be called to the Bar.

If other countries such as UK, India, South Africa, Tanzania, among others allow their Open Universities Law graduates to attend Law School and are called to the Bar, Nigeria has no justifiable reasons to hold her Open University graduates down.

We must move forward in all these areas as a progressive country, he said.
The Abuja Division of the Federal High Court, yesterday, remanded the embattled National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Mr. Olisa Metuh in prison custody. In this piece, INFORMATION NIGERIA takes a look at how he landed there

1. The PDP spokesman who is facing trial alongside his firm, Destra Investment Limited, over alleged N400m fraud, yesterday, pleaded not guilty to the charge against him.

2. The fund which was withdrawn from an account of the Office of the NSA operated with the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, was allegedly transferred to Metuh through account no. 0040437573, which Destra Investments Limited operated with Diamond Bank Plc.

3. The anti-graft agency told the court that though the fund was siphoned to boost campaign activities of the PDP, it said that Metuh diverted most of it to his personal use.

4. It alleged that Metuh converted part of the money to one Million US Dollars which he used for his personal business and Metuh was also alleged to have transferred the sum of N21.7m to another chieftain of the PDP, Chief Tony Anenih.

5. Metuh had after his arraignment yesterday, urged trial Justice Okon Abang to grant him bail pending hearing and determination of the case against him.He made the oral bail application through his lawyer, Dr. Onyechi Ikpeazu, SAN.

6. The prosecuting agency argued that the nature of the charge against the accused person was not such that he could orally persuade the court to okay his release from detention, saying he ought to have deposed an affidavit in support of a written bail application, a motion which the judge obliged.


President Muhammadu Buhari, will on Sunday, embark on a three-day official visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) where he will join the Secretary General of the United Nations, Mr. Ban Ki-moon, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan of Abu Dhabi and other participants as a special guest of honour at this years edition of the World Future Energy Summit.

A statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant to the President, Garba Shehu, in Abuja on Saturday, said, the summit, which is now in its ninth year of existence, has developed into one of the worlds most influential events dedicated to advancing future energy, energy efficiency and clean technologies.

According to the statement, Buhari will also lead a team of his ministers to bilateral talks with the government of the UAE, after which a number of agreements between both countries on economic, trade and bilateral relations are expected to be signed.

From the visit, Nigeria also expects to get more support from the UAE for its war against terrorism and the recovery of Nigerias stolen funds, it said.

The ministers accompanying the president for the visit include Power, Works and Housing, Petroleum, Environment, Justice, Trade and Investment, Finance and Foreign Affairs Ministers. The National Security Adviser will also be on the presidents delegation.

President Buhari will return to Abuja on Tuesday.
Oil prices have fallen below $30 a barrel, a new 12-year low, amid renewed concerns of slow growth in China  the worlds second largest economy. The oil price had briefly fallen below $30 previously on Tuesday. On Friday, US crude futures were 5.45 percent lower at $29.50 per barrel, while the March Brent contract was down 4.4 percent at $29.52 a barrel.

Global markets sank on Friday after Chinas Shanghai stock index dropped to its lowest level in more than one year. The Shanghai Composite Index finished at 2,900.97, down 3.6 percent, its lowest close since December 8, 2014.

Chinas official Xinhua News Agency reported that banks new yuan loans during the last month fell compared with a year earlier, in a sign that momentum for the credit that fuels economic growth was slowing.

Hong Kongs benchmark stock index closed at its lowest level in nearly three and a half years on Friday. Al Jazeeras Rob McBride, reporting from Hong Kong, said: The bears are predicting that it could in fact still fall further.

Our correspondent added that China GDP figures for the last quarter of 2015 are likely to show a slowdown. The big question for [Chinese] authorities is, will they allow that slowing process a soft landing or a hard one? On evidence from the past couple of weeks, things are starting to feel very bumpy right now.

Aljazeera.
Controversial viral rapper, Vic O, has voluntarily offered to perform for free at Senator Ben Murray Bruces birthday, after the millionaire tweeted thanking other prominent stars for doing the same thing.

Senator Murray Bruce who was born on February 17, plans to celebrate his upcoming 60th birthday.

He tweeted today, thanking top Nigerian celebrities such as Don Jazzy, 2 Face, Wizkid, Dbanj, Iyanya, Tekno, Harrysong, and more for signing up to perform for free at his upcoming birthday party.

In two tweets, he said:

Id like to thank @official2baba, @wizkidayo, @iamdbanj, @Iyanya, Tekno and Harrysong for signing up to perform at my birthday for free!

I also want to thank the Don, @DONJAZZY, @timayatimaya, @MAVINRECORDS and @OfficialWaje for signing on to perform for free at my birthday.

Following his tweets of appreciation, Vic O had retweeted Murray Bruces tweets before asking in reply to the tweets, if the senator had no plans of inviting him to the party.

Vic O tweeted saying:

Dont you want me to perform at your birthday also. Every song i sang was a hit from After Party to Uche face.
The change in IT hiring was illustrated this week by General Electric Co., which announced it is moving its headquarters from Fairfield County, Conn., to Boston. In doing so, Jeff Immelt, GE's CEO, said Greater Boston is home to 55 colleges and universities, and "attracts a diverse, technologically fluent workforce."

Four months prior, GE announced formation of a new business, GE Digital, a $6 billion unit with a goal of becoming "a top 10 software company by 2020," said Immelt at the announcement. To help staff up for this initiative, GE is hiring technology workers capable of new product development.

This isn't happening just at GE. IT employment is broadly shifting away from infrastructure support, which is increasingly vulnerable to offshore outsourcing and migration to cloud services.

"GE is basically reinventing itself and trying to become the leading industrial software company in the world," said Erik Dorr, vice president of research at management consulting firm Hackett Group.

For GE this means building platforms to support new technologies, such as Internet of Things-enabled products. "They recognize that all of this is predicated on having access to top talent," said Dorr.

IT employment has, in the past, followed the economy. The Great Recession resulted in massive IT job layoffs, as companies cut back-office operations. But today's shift to "digitization" of products -- turning consumer wares into connected products, adapting to mobile and utilizing business intelligence, robotics and social media -- have all increased demand for people with these skills.

This means that if the global stock sell-off and crashing oil prices result in new waves of layoffs, tech workers who develop new products, markets and digital experiences may be in the best position to survive.

Firms "are going to hire these people no matter what happens to the economy," said David Foote, the CEO of Foote Associates, which researches the IT labor market. "If there is a downturn, they work even harder to keep the people they've got," he said.

Technology jobs are now embedded throughout organizations, and many CIOs may not have the control over technology spending they once did. But they still are responsible for a sizeable part of IT spending.

Estimates of the number of new IT jobs added last year range from 125,000 to about 180,000, similar to what happened in 2014. This is based on an analysis of government labor data by labor market analysts.

In 2016, IT budgets "are still growing, but only at 2% at the median," said Frank Scavo, the president of Computer Economics, a research firm. That's down from 3% IT budget growth in 2015.

"We do not see layoffs on the horizon," said Scavo, whose firm runs ongoing surveys of IT managers. "It's not a hiring boom by any means, but tech staffing is still healthy," he said. Only 7 percent of IT executives expect to see staff cuts in 2016, while 40% plan to hire more staff members, said Scavo.

But Victor Janulaitis, the CEO of Janco Associates, said IT hiring, which slowed in the last few months of last year, will be impacted by the financial market turmoil. "I think we're seeing the first phase of a new downturn in the economy," he said. He expects IT hiring to be flat this year.

For his part, Mark Roberts, the CEO of TechServe Alliance, which also tracks IT hiring, doesn't see the recent softening in IT hiring as a sign of impending economic decline.

"IT employment has been growing at a very steady clip and still outperforms the overall workforce," said Roberts. "At some point, the significantly elevated rate of growth is not sustainable," he said.

There's another factor that may have had a role in GE's move to Boston: GE has been angry over Connecticut's rising tax rates, creating a political storm.

The tax climate is more favorable in Massachusetts than Connecticut, says the Tax Foundation, an independent tax policy research organization. Massachusetts is ranked 25th nationally, versus Connecticut, near the bottom of tax favorability at 44. But the tax climate is even worse in California, which is ranked at 48, and that's the state with the nation's highest concentration of technology jobs.

This story, "New job realities ahead for IT workers" was originally published by Computerworld .
When Facebook co-founder Chris Hughes bought the New Republic in 2012, he hoped to find a sustainable business model for the publication. The push for such a model, along with some stunning ineptitude, led more than two dozen staffers and high-profile contributors to walk out in December 2014.

Now, after spending $20 million in a quest for sustainability, the 32-year-old Hughes is putting the magazine up for sale, confessing that he failed to grasp "the difficulty of transitioning an old and traditional institution into a digital media company in todays quickly evolving climate."

Hughes is still hoping that someday, somebody will find a way to make TNR viable. "The New York Times, The Atlantic, and other traditional outlets seem to have found business models that work for them," Hughes said. "I hope that this institution will one day be part of that list." But he's no longer going to throw money at this challenge.

Apart from the spicy drama around the meltdown of a fabled political journal, this is a familiar story. The fundamental, life-or-death challenge facing nearly all media outlets today is the quest for a sustainable business model. It's incredibly difficult stuff, but there have, indeed, been hopeful signs of models that work. We were among the few defenders of Hugheswho was trashed, in part, because he wanted to move beyond TNR's longtime, but doomed, business model, which entailed rich owners losing their shirts and passing the thing to somebody else. As we wrote in this lengthy piece last year, Hughes was clearly not interested in TNR as a philanthropic endeavor, but as a business project.

So what happens now, with the verdict that no for-profit model may ever be able to sustain TNR?

Well, maybe this is the final end of TNR, a publication that some have arguedmost notably Ezra Kleinhas been rendered less relevant by a rising flood of opinion journalism in recent years.

Or maybe the next move, to extend TNR's very long life, is to turn the publication into a nonprofit and keep it afloat with philanthropic dollars. There's been speculation along exactly these linesthat Hughes may sell the magazine to a philanthropist who would transform it into a nonprofit.

Would that strategy work?

Maybe, and maybe not. One problem, here, is that the august TNR brand was closely associated with many of its veteran high-powered writers, all of whom fled the magazine. It's now much less of a trophy property for a wealthy donor than was the case a few years ago.

And even if a benefactor could lure back many of the former TNR writers, or recruit some impressive new ones, the question would remain about whether it could regain anything like the influence it once wieldedwhich would be the only real reason for a donor to sink millions into sustaining the magazine. It's been a long time since TNR was "in-flight reading for Air Force One," and the day may well have passed when any opinion journal can play that role amid an unending deluge of digital information. It's just hard to see TNR's unique value proposition.

On the other hand, we could imagine a scenario for philanthropic resuscitation that goes something like this: A wealthy new owner takes it over, reconstitutes it as a nonprofit, and then invests not just in strong new writers, but in developing a robust fundraising capacity to seek donations and grants. In particular, TNR could seek funding to cover issues of interest to foundationslike, say, healthcare or educationa fundraising model that has attracted serious money for other media outlets. The American Prospect used this approach in the past, doing a series of funder-backed special issuesnot a story that ended so well, as the Prospect was ultimately forced to downsize for lack of funding.

However, what the Prospect lacked was a serious sugar daddy who could reliably be a core part of a revenue model that didn't just hinge on foundation grants, but also money from subscriptions and advertising. In other words, with a major benefactor in the mixone who would give more in some years than in others, depending on how other funding wentthe Prospect's model may well have held up.

You could imagine a TNR benefactor who doesn't want to give many millions forever, but who would backstop the magazine on a smaller scale over many years as part of a diversified nonprofit funding model. You could also imagine that person recruiting a board of donors to further diversify the funding sources.

With a core major donor, a cast of smaller supporting donors, and a bunch of foundations in the mix, TNR would have a fighting chance. Meanwhile, it could creatively explore other revenue channels that media outlets have used to survive, such as custom research, events and conferences, specialized newsletters, and more.

Is this all a pipe dream, given the larger, unanswered question about TNR's unique value proposition in this day and age? Maybe. And let's not forget another problem, here, which is that all foundations have agendas, and it's problematic when media outlets rely on this source of fundinga point we've discussed often at IP.

Still, as yet another media publication faces extinction, it's impossible to not look at philanthropic solutions. One of the values of philanthropy, remember, is that it can address market failures. And journalism is one obvious place where markets can't deliver important public goods.
The state of Connecticut is launching a new website to help fight fraud, waste and abuse in state government.

Officials say the website, located at FightFraud.ct.gov, will make it easier for the public to report suspicious conduct.

It will also educate the public about whats considered waste, fraud and abuse in government programs.

Connecticut residents will be able to report suspected wrongdoing in areas including tax filings, health care, anti-trust violations, unfair competition, workers compensation and more.

The website stems from a task force created by Gov. Dannel P. Malloy in 2013 to coordinate efforts by 13 state agencies to beef up anti-government fraud efforts and ultimately recover state funds.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Fraud Connecticut
The state of New York has the third-largest economy in the United States with a gross domestic product (GDP) of $1.7 trillion, trailing only Texas and California. New York's economy is so large, it would rank as the twelfth largest economy in the world if it were its own country.

Its signature metropolitan center, New York City, is the single largest regional urban economy in the country. New York City is the leading job hub for banking, finance, and communication in the U.S. New York is also a major manufacturing center and shipping port, and it has a thriving technological sector.

The leading industries in New York are not just driving the state's economy; they are big drivers on a national and global scale.

New York state's economy is the third-largest in the U.S., behind that of California and Texas.

In 2020, New York had a GDP of $1.7 trillion, which would place it as one of the largest economies in the world.

The leading industries in New York include financial services, healthcare, professional and business services, retail trade, manufacturing, and education.

1. Financial Services

The financial services sector is synonymous with Wall Street, which is located in Manhattan. The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), founded in 1817, is likely the most influential securities exchange in the world. This sector does not lead New York in terms of total employees (that would be educational and health services) but it does by GDP, generating $429 billion for the state. The financial services sector is clearly one of the most influential industries in the state.

Financial services are highly concentrated in New York City. All told, there are more than 330,000 financial services workers in New York.

2. Healthcare

New York is home to nearly 20 million people as of July 2019 (latest information), which means there is a lot of demand for healthcare services. The New York Department of Labor indicates there are more employees in the "Education and Health Services" industry than any other.

Unlike financial services, however, the average salary for healthcare jobs in New York falls below state averages, which is approximately $95,000 per year as of September 2021, whereas for a healthcare worker the average salary is $69,861.

The educational services, healthcare, and social assistance industry contributed $135 billion to the state's GDP in 2020.

3. Professional and Business Services

As of August 2021, there were an estimated 1.3 million New Yorkers working in professional and business services. This broad field includes a great number of different professional groups, such as lawyers, accountants, mechanics, and marketers, who share similar characteristics.

These are the professionals who make daily life possible for individuals and businesses, and who work primarily in supplemental roles to other, more notable sectors. For this reason, this group of professions is highly sensitive to economic cycles; unlike financial services, which leads economic trends in many cases, professional and technical services are beholden to the success of other industries.

Professional and business services contributed $195 billion to New York's GDP in 2020.

4. Retail Trade

Retail trade also includes a large number of subindustries, such as food and beverage, clothing retailers, electronics retailers, auto retailers, and everything else that comes to mind when invoking images of Fifth Avenue. As in finance and manufacturing, New York retailers and their marketing advisers are major trendsetters in the national industry.

According to the Retail Council of New York State, there are more than 941,000 workers in more than 77,000 New York retail businesses. Many of these jobs are spread throughout the greater New York City area.

This is another cyclical industry that tends to be very hard hit during economic recessions, though some defensive industries, such as food, do not necessarily see the same fluctuations. Like professional services, retail trade is often a trailing sector and is usually a byproduct rather than a cause of a healthy New York economy.

The retail trade industry contributed $64.5 billion to New York's GDP in 2020.

5. Manufacturing

New York exports a wide variety of manufactured goods to other states and foreign countries. The manufacturing sector is a leader in railroad rolling stock, as many of the earliest railroads were financed or founded in New York; garments, as New York City is the fashion capital of the U.S.; elevator parts; glass; and many other products.

As many cheaper and lower-paying manufacturing jobs continue to relocate overseas, New York has seen a corresponding rise in technical manufacturing. This includes computer products, mobile devices, video games, 3-D printing, and general software engineering tools. These jobs tend to pay well above the average state wage.

The per capita personal income in 2020 in New York was $75,548, which increased from $71,682 in 2019.

The great manufacturing hub of New York is located just east of Newark and Staten Island in what locals refer to as the Five Boroughs. After more than a decade of bleeding jobs away from New York's high-tax and high-cost environment, an entrepreneurial boom led to net gains in manufacturing in 2014.

The industry contributed $61 billion to New York's GDP in 2020.

6. Educational Services

Though not typically thought of as a leading industry, the educational sector in New York nonetheless has a substantial impact on the state and its residents, and in attracting new talent that eventually enters the New York business scene. As discussed above, it is usually grouped with the healthcare services industry.

There are hundreds of thousands of teachers, teachers' assistants, professors, tutors, childcare workers, educational agencies, and other education sector employees in the state. Many of them are public employees, as the government is the largest employer in the state, though there is also a healthy private education market.

New York has seen a large uptick in college attendees, both young and old, over the 21st century, and an increasing number of new employees in other New York sectors were educated in the state. As part of the healthcare and social services sector, this industry contributed $135 billion to New York's GDP in 2020.

Which City Has the Highest GDP in the World? The city with the highest GDP in 2020 was Tokyo, with an estimated GDP of $1.6 billion. In the same report, New York City comes in second with the source estimating GDP at $1.5 billion. In third comes Los Angeles.

Which U.S. City Has the Highest GDP? The U.S. city with the highest GDP is New York City, with an approximate GDP of $1.4 trillion in 2020.
Although never much of a gambler, I am strongly tempted to place a bet on the result of the next Irish general election. It is expected to take place at the end of February or in early March and might even happen sooner. There are so many possible outcomes to the contest that you could just be lucky and hit the jackpot.

At time of writing, the shortest odds with Irish bookmaker Paddy Power are on a coalition between Fine Gael and Fianna Fail at 13/8. Up to recently this looked like a pretty remote possibility but it has been gaining some credence lately.

A long-time member of Fianna Fail who formerly held a very lofty position but is now out in the cold told me it would cause ructions in the party. That is undoubtedly true but the leadership could still decide to go ahead. When couples get engaged to be married it can cause problems in either or both families, but the wedding usually takes place anyway.

Going it alone in government used to be portrayed as a "core value" for Fianna Fail but they abandoned that in 1989 when then-leader Charles J. Haughey formed a coalition with the Progressive Democrats who were headed by his longtime critic and opponent, Desmond O'Malley. Elements among the FF membership were unhappy about the alliance with a man who had previously been expelled from the party, but it still went ahead.

If a coalition of any kind happens to be on the table for Fianna Fail after this election, the party is committed to holding a special conference to agree its position.

In the event that an alliance with Fine Gael is under discussion, the debate will be very interesting from an historical point of view as well as for other reasons.

The two parties trace their origins to the vicious Civil War of 1922-23. There have traditionally been class distinctions between them as well, with Fine Gael traditionally seen as representing the big farmers and professional classes, but these differences have eroded over the years.

Some of the other betting options include: the existing Fine Gael-Labour coalition to be re-elected: 9/4; Fine Gael majority government: 14/1; Fianna Fail-Sinn Fein-Labour alliance: 18/1; Fine Gael-Sinn Fein combination: 22/1; Sinn Fein majority government: 66/1.

Even in advance of Taoiseach Enda Kenny blowing the starting whistle, the pre-election dogfight between the parties is already been under way. But once the votes are counted, attitudes will almost certainly change. In the words of the ill-fated Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi: "Politics is about the getting and wielding of power."

Those who are lucky enough to have a seat in the newly-elected Dail Eireann will take stock of the situation very rapidly and assess the outlook for the next five years, which is the normal period until the subsequent general election.

The prospect of spending all that time on the opposition benches, listening to undeserving (in your eyes) members of the cabinet mumbling through prepared speeches, is not very appealing. A text message attributed to former government minister Mary Harney is often quoted as follows: "Your worst day in government is better than your best day in opposition."

Nobody knows for certain at this point in time what the lie of the land will be and the variety of potential combinations is intriguing. Some observers still believe the most likely outcome is a return of the Fine Gael-Labour coalition, but with much fewer seats than at present and relying on the support of independent non-party TDs and/or the smaller fringe parties outside the mainstream.

There will be 158 members in the next Dail: due to changes in electoral boundaries this is eight fewer than the current assembly. After the election, one of the TDs will be elected as Ceann Comhairle (Speaker) of the House and then whoever wants to become Taoiseach will need at least 79 votes for a majority.

Academic analyst Dr Adrian Kavanagh from Maynooth University regularly translates poll results into potential Dail seats. The precise figures he derived from surveys conducted in the last quarter of 2015 were as follows: Fine Gael 59.2; Fianna Fail 32.3; Sinn Fein 27.2; Labour 4.9; Independents and fringe parties 34.3. If you drop the decimal points, that rounds off at a total of 157 seats with the last one up for grabs.

Since some of the current Labour deputies have a strong local presence, especially in rural areas, the estimate of only five seats for that party is probably too low. Most observers would be surprised if Labour came back with fewer than ten TDs.

The other estimates may not be too far out, even taking into account Tip O'Neill's dictum that "All politics is local". Fine Gael's fortunes have clearly improved. At the end of January, workers should notice an extra amount in their pay-packets due to a modest reduction in the tax burden by the Government.

Fianna Fail will probably be ahead of Sinn Fein but not by much. The Independents and Others category is unlikely to return 34 TDs as voters will be seeking to elect a government and there is too much uncertainty in supporting fringe candidates.

Fine Gael is playing the stability card and deriving benefit from the improvement in Ireland's economic situation. Enda Kenny's party looks like taking at least 55 seats. However, some of these may well be at the expense of Labour who will have a tough battle to get into double figures. However, there will be no shortage of Independents offering to help the two parties make up the numbers to remain in government.

Relying on Independents is seen as an unstable option by many. Fianna Fail could come back with as many as 40 seats and a coalition with Fine Gael would have a very big majority that could provide stable government for the full five-year Dail term.

However, Enda Kenny would still be Taoiseach. The only way for Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin to become head of government appears to be an alliance with Sinn Fein plus Labour and/or a scattering of Independents and Others. That would be quite a turn-up for the books and it is clear that Martin does not hold Gerry Adams and Sinn Fein in high regard, to put it mildly.

Meanwhile, Adams has dismissed out of hand a report in one of the Sunday newspapers which suggested he might be about to step down as Sinn Fein leader, to be replaced on an interim basis by Dublin TD and party vice-president, Mary Lou McDonald or Donegalman and abstentionist MP for West Tyrone, Pat Doherty, until an election took place internally.

However, judging from the warmth of the reception Adams got from the capacity crowd at a party gathering in Dublin's Mansion House recently, he does not need to worry about being edged out of his top position any time soon.

Deaglan de Breadun is the author of "Power Play: The Rise of Modern Sinn Fein", published recently by Merrion Press
A recent episode of PBSs Finding Your Roots explored the colorful Irish roots of three of the USs most well-known social commentatorsBill OReilly, Soledad OBrien and Bill Maherand among their interesting array of ancestors we find convicts shipped off to Australia, successful early 20th century female business owners, bartenders, union presidents, victims of the Irish famine, and soldiers in the First World War.

All three are among the one out of ten Americans who claim Irish heritage, and attributing much of their own success and determination to their Irish roots.

Its the blarney, its the dash of courage, handed down from the past, said OReilly, while both Maher and OBrien admitted to feeling more cut off from their Irish heritage.

As an award-winning journalist, documentarian, news anchor and producer, Soledad OBrien has been applauded for her coverage of diversity and races issues. Although she has explored the heritage of her Afro-Cuban mother, the story of her Australian father of Irish descent was largely left behind.

READ MORE: How to trace your roots in Ireland - tips on finding your Irish ancestors.

With thanks to the Finding the Roots team, however, she discovered a history of strong business women within her Irish family located in Australia, as well as few Scottish convicts transported to the land down under to pay for their crimes.

OBriens father escaped to the US in the 1950s, eager not to work as a chemical engineer in the family mill established several generations before. The journalist had never before known the full story behind the growth of this mill, however, and the efforts of a widow with ten children to keep the business alive.

Patrick OBrien, from Milltown, Co. Clare, and Ellen Fitzgerald, from Bantry, Co. Cork, arrived in Toowoomba in Queensland, Australia, in the 1870s and quickly departed from their positions as a laborer and a servant to establish the Defiance Mill, still run by OBrien family at the time of her fathers departure.

Although unable to establish any more about Ellens past, Patricks father, Anthony OBrienSoledads great great grandfatherappears under County Clare in the Griffith Valuation Book of 1809. The family are shown as tenant farmers leasing a house and land from a planted landlord, keeping them in poverty throughout the years of the Great Hunger. Still feeling the after effects of famine-time Ireland, Anthonys son Patrick decided to take his chance at passage to Australia.

By the time of her great grandfathers death in 1906, Patrick OBrien was one of the towns most prominent businessmen but his death left his wife and 10 children in dire straits. Although Ellen was left with the mill, she did not have any cash to keep it going and so called on the local wheat farmers to keep the business afloat.

By the time Ellen died 40 years later, she was the owner of three leading businesses and had increased the mills profit from 10,000 to 150,000.

Bill Maher also had massive tales of success in his own family history, including an Irish American grandfather who negotiated with none other that the President of the United States of America.

Mahers grandfather, also named William, died before he was born and so Maher never came to hear how he organized one of the biggest strikes ever seen in the New York harbor in January 1919 while he was serving as president of the Masters, Mates and Pilots Union.

With 16,000 workers on strike, the President was forced to intervene through weeks of negotiations and William Maher secured concessions including an eight hour day for the workers. A huge feat when unions were only fledgling in the city.

As with Soledad OBrien, Maher is also the descendant of those Irish fleeing post-famine Ireland. Coming into New York in the 1850s, Denis and Mary Greaney left Killury in Co. Kerry for a new life in the US.

READ MORE: The top five questions about Irish genealogy.

Bill OReilly too is a descendent of the Irish of this era with his great-grandfather John OReilly fleeing from Clonoose, Co. Cavan with only his twin brother alongside him at just 16 years old. Living in one of the worst struck parts of the country during the Great Hunger, the O'Reilly family were potato farmers, vastly affected by the blight that destroyed their crop for five straight years. The towns population dropped by 30 per cent during this time and eager to escape the same fate, John made his way to Brooklyn, New York.

Taking up residence in Sunset Park, an old Irish enclave in Brooklyn, he saved enough money to buy his own salon, taking on one of the Irish jobs that remains a stereotype to this dayselling liquor.

There were also some surprising overlaps between the trios family histories.

As was revealed on IrishCentral at the end of 2015, the episode had already announced the shocking connection between political polar-opposites Maher and OReilly, discovered through a DNA test of the Y chromosome.

The Y-DNA test analyses the y-chromosome passed from father to son to reveal the Haplogroup your DNA is designated to. Both men shared a Haplogroup R1MB222 with host Henry Louis Gates Jnr, traced back to the legendary 5th century Irish figure Niall of the Nine Hostages, believed to have 3 million male descendants worldwide.

Ive always considered myself a warrior, Bill OReilly said of the discovery.

Not only this but Maher and OReilly are even more closely related than the 5th century, with DNA results showing that they shared a connection within the past 500 years.

READ MORE: Bill Maher and Bill OReilly are related through ancient Celtic King.

Soledad OBrien also shares a funny connection with a late night talk show host known for his sometimes critical comments of her. Stephen Colbert, who they describe as super Irish, shares DNA with the journalist showing their families paths crossed at some point in the past few hundred years.

You can find out more about Irish genealogy here.
Got a small one on the way? Check out these trendy Irish baby names.

Irish baby names, in our opinion, are always on-trend. But back in 2016, Buzzfeed chose 17 Irish names that they predicted were about to "take over."

Read More: The most popular Irish baby names in America

Here's a breakdown of the 17 Irish names as chosen by Buzzfeed. Whats certain going through the list is that these names may well indeed "take over," but most likely only in the United States - we reckon itll be a long time before you meet a young fella in Carlow town called Tierney, Bartley, or Vaughn!

Quinn

This Irish baby name means wise, counsel or intelligent.

Quinn is one of the most popular Irish surnames and is to be found in every county in Ireland. The Irish original from which the surname derives is O Cuinn, from Conn, a popular personal name, meaning chief or leader.

Nessa

Originally a Viking name it became popular in Ireland in the 14th century. In Irish history Nessa was the mother of Conor Mac Nessa, king of Ulster. A powerful and beautiful woman, ambitious for her son, she tricked her second husband, Fergus, into giving up his kingdom to his stepson.

Colm

(pronounced: C-uh-lum)

Colm means dove in the Irish language. The name may also be an abbreviation of the name Malcolm or Columba.

Siobhan

(pronounced: Shev-aun)

It is derived from the French name Jeanne, which was introduced into Ireland by the Anglo-Normans in the Middle Ages. Siobhan is the Irish version of the English name Joan, which means 'God is gracious.

The Greek name is a feminine form of the Greek Ioannes, which is in turn a shortened form of the Hebrew Johanan, which is where the meaning God is gracious comes from.

Read More: These were Irelands most popular baby names in 2019

Sinead

(pronounced: Shin-aid)

Sinead is the Irish version of the name Jane or Jennifer, derived from the French name Jeanette and the Scottish name Jean. Again this name has its origins in the Hebrew name Johanan and also means "God is gracious."

Bradan

(pronounced: Bray-dawn)

This names comes the word bradan, meaning salmon. The name is derived from the legend of Bradan Feasa (The Salmon of Knowledge), a tale of the Irish hero Fionn MacCool.

Bartley

This is the Irish form of the Hebrew name Bartholomew, meaning the Son of Tamai. It is also derived from the name Parthalon, the leaders of the first people believed to have occupied Ireland after the biblical flood of 2800BC. Legend says that he brought agriculture to the land.

Strictly this isnt an Irish name but has gained popularity lately in the west of Ireland.

Finn

Derived from the legendary hero Fionn Mac Cool, a central character in Irish folklore and myth, the name means fair-headed. Fionn was incredibly strong, brave, handsome, generous and wise, a wisdom he acquired by touching the Salmon of Knowledge and then sucking his thumb.

Read More: This Irish name is the most popular name for baby boys in New York

Tierney

(pronounced: Teer-nee)

The name means lord or chief and implies that the child lord of the household.

It comes from the 6th-century saint Tierney of Clones. He had the privilege of being baptized by St. Conleth of Kildare with St. Brigid as his godmother. As a young man he was captured by pirates and taken to the English king who placed him in the monastery of Rosnat in England. He later returned to Ireland and became Bishop of Clogher, in County Down.

Aisling

Meaning dream or vision, Aisling has its origins in the 17th and 18th centuries, in Irish poetry.

Cliona

(pronounced: klee-na)

The name comes from the Irish clodhna, meaning shapely. In Irish mythology, Cliodhna is a Queen of the Banshees (fairies) of the Tuatha De Danann. Cleena of Carrigcleena is the potent banshee that rules as queen over the sidheog (fairy women of the hills) of South Munster.

In some Irish myths Cliodhna is a goddess of love and beauty. She is said to have three brightly colored birds who eat apples from an otherworldly tree and whose sweet song heals the sick. She leaves the otherworldly island of Tir Tairngire ("the land of promise") to be with her mortal lover, Ciabhan, but is taken by a wave as she sleeps due to the music played by a minstrel of Manannan mac Lir in Glandore harbor in County Cork: the tide there is known as Tonn Chliodhna, "Cliodhna's Wave."

Regan

This can be used for a boy or girl. The name comes from the Irish word ri, meaning king and the diminutive  in. So the name means the kings child.

Read More: Did you know these unique baby names have Irish roots?

Caoimhe

(pronounced: Qwee-va)

Caoimhe, or the Northern Irish Keeva, is derived from the Irish caomh meaning beautiful, gentle or precious.

Killian

Killian or Cillian an anglicized version of the Irish name Cillin. Cill meaning "church" in Gaelic while the suffix -in is used affectionately to indicate a pet or diminutive status.

The name is also said to be derived from Saint Kilian, an Irish missionary to Germany in the 7th century, who, according to the Acta Sanctorum, was born in Mullagh, County Cavan.

Ronan

Ronan is the anglicized version of the name Ronan, meaning little seal (Ron meaning seal and -an being a diminutive suffix). The name comes from the legend of a seal who is warned never to stray too close to the land. When the seal child is swept ashore by a huge wave, she becomes trapped in a human form, known as a Selkie or seal maiden. Although she lives as the wife of a fisherman and bears him children, known as ronans or little seals, she never quite loses her sea-longing. Eventually, she finds the seal-skin which the fisherman has hidden and slips back into the ocean. But she cant forget her husband and children and can even be seen swimming close to the shore, keeping a watchful eye on them.

Niamh

(pronounced: Nee-ve)

Niamh is an old Irish name meaning bright and radiant. In mythology, Niamh was a goddess, the daughter of the god of the sea and one of the queens of Tir na nOg, the land of eternal youth. She was the lover of the poet-hero Oisin.

Vaughn

This ones tenuously Irish. Originally a Welsh surname it is used as a form of the Irish surname McMahon. In Welsh it comes from the word bychan, meaning small.

H/T: Buzzfeed.

*Originally published in 2016, updated in July 2020

Read More: Popular Irish girl names as Gaeilge

What's your favorite Irish name? Let us know in the comments!
A body has been found inside a container dumped in the Grand Canal, gardai have said.

The discovery was made this afternoon at the waterway near Ardclough village, Co Kildare, and close to the border with Co Dublin.
Pro-independence party candidate Tsai Ing-wen has claimed victory in Taiwans presidential election, to become the islands first female head of state.

Tsai said in her victory speech on Saturday that the election outcome was a further show of how ingrained democracy has become in Taiwan.
Iran's nuclear programme is set to top the agenda at talks in Vienna today.

Representatives - will meet with EU and American counterparts to discuss progress of a deal reached last year.

It is expected that the UN atomic watchdog will say that Iran has complied with the agreement aimed at putting a nuclear bomb out of Tehran's reach.

Iran has always denied wanting nuclear weapons saying its activities are exclusively for peaceful purposes like power generation.

The deal will bring an end to 10 years of isolations for Tehran who has been banned from trading with the US.

Foreign companies dealing with Iran will no longer be punished by the US.




Because I accept a book for review, that is no guarantee that it will be done. I try to have my reviews done on a timely basis but life does interfere. I thank you for allowing me to take a look at your work!
The State-owned lender refused to say whether as part of the settlement it will receive full compensation for the huge legal costs it incurred in pursuing the case for almost 13 years in a Manhattan court.

The litigation will likely be among the costliest ever conducted by an Irish company.

AIB  then in private hands  first filed the complaint in May 2003. Rusnak has long since completed his sentence.

He was released early from prison in 2008, after serving a conviction for fraud. As a trader, Rusnak had hid mounting losses while employed at AIBs former US unit, Allfirst Bank in Baltimore.

Revelations of Rusnaks losses in February 2002 had rocked AIB.

Rusnak had been employed to trade spot and forward trades in foreign currencies by Allfirst from 1993. He started to fraudulently hide trading losses around March 1997, by using fake option trades.

Judge Deborah A Batts who had presided over most of the legal back and forth argument over almost 13 years in Manhattan signed off on the agreement between the litigants attorneys on Thursday.

AIB legal claims against Citibank, Citibanks counterclaims against AIB, and Citibanks third-party claims against M&T Bank are hereby dismissed on the merits and in their entiretywithout award of costs, expenses, or attorneys fees to either party, the judge wrote.

Large groups of US lawyers for AIB and Citibank, and until 2012 for Bank of America, had taken dozens of witness statements from around the world.

Before the eleventh-hour settlement, the dispute was heading to trial.

In late June 2015, Judge Batts had given AIB the green light to pursue its claim against Citibank. Rusnak had used tactics, including holdover trades, to disguise his trading losses from Allfirsts staff, the judge had ruled.

Rusnak was trading with Citibank as a counterparty, but, from early 2000, Citibank and Allfirst upgraded this agreement to a prime counterparty relationship.

Allfirst alleges that Citibank engaged in a series of sham transactions that effectively enabled Rusnak to get under his $250m balance sheet limit, convince his back office to confirm various fake transactions, and extend his ongoing fraud, the judge ruled last summer.

She had ruled Citibank argues that Rusnak committed fraud in his capacity as Allfirsts agent.
Apple, which has said it will appeal an adverse ruling, is being scrutinised by regulators who have accused the iPhone maker of using its Irish subsidiaries to avoid paying taxes on revenue generated outside the US.

The probe dates back to 2014 and a decision could come after the upcoming general election, Finance Minister Michael Noonan said earlier this month.

Brussels contends that Apples corporate arrangement in Ireland allows it to calculate profits using more favourable accounting methods.

While Apple generates about 55% of its revenue outside the US, its foreign tax rate is about 1.8%, according to the analysis.

If the EC decides to enforce a tougher accounting standard, Apple may owe taxes at a 12.5% rate, on $64.1bn profit mae from 2004 to 2012.

Apple is the highest profile case of US companies facing scrutiny from officials in Europe. Starbucks, Amazon, and McDonalds also have had its tax policies questioned.

In October, Apple listed scrutiny of its taxes as a risk factor to investors.

The US Internal Revenue Service has also examined the companys tax returns, Apple said.

If tax rates change, Apple has said its financial condition, operating results and cash flows could be adversely affected.

Apple CEO Tim Cook has denied the company uses tricks to avoid paying taxes and branded criticism the company has faced from US lawmakers as political crap.

He said the US tax system is outdated.

Additional reporting by the Irish Examiner
While party secretary of Liaoning province, current premier Li Keqiang considered official GDP measures to be so unreliable that he instead measured growth by looking at electricity consumption, rail cargo, and bank lending, according to a US diplomatic cable obtained by Wikileaks.

OK then, how about looking at company accounts? There have been problems there, too.

Sino-Forest shares were suspended from trading in 2011 after short-seller Muddy Waters accused the company of claiming to own forests and sell timber that did not exist.

Software business Longtop Financial went public in the US and filed prompt accounts every year until 2011, when Deloitte started turning up missing transaction records and off-books loans and ended up having some of its documents stolen during a confrontation with its own audit client.

Chinese companies from Hanergy to Tianhe Chemical to NQ Mobile have faced questions over their accounting in recent years.

It may be tempting in the circumstances to believe that China is turtles all the way down  that theres no hard foundation for its economy and no numbers can be trusted. Tempting, but mistaken.

For a sanity check, have a look at what blue-chip overseas companies are saying.

Sales in China from KFC outlets open at least 12 months gained 5% in December, although they fell 11% at Pizza Hut, the chains owner Yum! Brands said this week.

Thats from a company thats had its share of problems in the middle kingdom.

Starbucks plans to open 500 stores in the country in the year through September, and Nissan chief executive officer Carlos Ghosn also sees healthy growth this year.

UBS will double its staff in the nation over the next five years.

China provided some 24% of Apples revenue in the most recent quarter and will eventually become its biggest market, chief executive officer Tim Cook told investors in October.

Fresh from a visit to the country, he said Apples stores there were among its busiest globally.

Drugmaker AstraZeneca counted China as its fastest-growing market globally in the first nine months of last year, with an 11% revenue share in the most recent period.

H&M is opening its 300th store there and Uniqlo owner Fast Retailing plans to open 100 outlets every year. Its possible that some of these companies are mistaken.

Like the Chinese government and domestic companies, foreign businesses may have middle-ranking officials on the ground with an incentive to massage the numbers and paint a brighter picture than is warranted.

Chinas total public and private debt, in particular, is now equivalent to more than two years worth of gross domestic product, raising the question of how much of current growth is being driven by incomes and how much by credit.

Of course, if companies and governments were able to give perfect forecasts of where economies are headed, there would be no sudden reversals of investment flows and no recessions.

As Bloomberg Intelligences Tom Orlik pointed out this week, Chinas economic data is actually broadly consistent, and foreign-exchange reserves remain ample to cover any capital flows as the yuan depreciates.

It is one thing to believe that Chinas government sometimes fudges its data or that Chinese companies occasionally commit fraud  the same things happen in many other countries, including rich Western ones.

But to assume that all foreign investors in the country are in on the scam and failing to ring any warning bells verges on conspiracy theory.

Aspects of Chinas economy may be murky, but its not turtles all the way down.

This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of Bloomberg and its owners.
The outlook for world growth has darkened considerably since late last year, as doubts about the outlook for Chinas economy resurface.

Fears the world is heading into recession have been reflected in the dramatic falls for world stock markets in the first few weeks of January, reminding investors of the Chinese market rout that rocked stock markets across the world last summer.

However, the CSO figures published yesterday showed seasonally adjusted exports totalled almost 9.14bn in November  up by over 1.7bn from November 2014.

Irish exporters have also seen some erosion in the favourable currency conditions and the weak euro that last year helped propel their exports into Britain.

Sterling has fallen sharply since the start of the year and was trading at one stage yesterday at 76.03 pence against the euro, down almost 1% in the day.

Sterling is now 3% lower against the euro since the start of 2016.

Finance Minister Michael Noonan summed it up, telling reporters earlier this month that the Government was watchful about China even though Ireland was not a directly a large trading partner with the Asian giant.

Ireland however did a lot of trade with countries who in turn do a lot of business with China, he said.

That said, the CSO figures show that Irish-based firms exported 2.1bn of goods to China, Hong Kong, and Macao in the first 11 months of 2015, up from 1.95bn in the same period in 2014.

Chinese exports therefore accounted for almost 2.5% of all Irish exports of 84.4bn in the January to end of November period.

Over the same period, Ireland imported 4bn in goods from China, up sharply from the 3.1bn in imports a year ago. Most categories of exports showed rises in the January to November period from a year earlier.

The exceptions included exports of live animals, dairy products, tobacco, hides, crude fertilisers, scrap metals, inorganic chemicals, paper, non-ferrous metals, power-generating equipment, and prefabricated buildings.

On imports, the CSO said that road vehicles in November rose by 43% to 401m in November 2015 from November 2014.
The Irish stock market yesterday plunged by more than 2% as the new year sell-off advanced across the US, European and Asian exchanges on fears that Chinas economy, the second largest in the world, was faltering.

A further slide in the price of crude oil this week to $30 a barrel, although helpful for oil-importing economies, has further roiled the Chinese currency and oil stocks.

David Holohan, chief investment officer at Merrion Capital, said that, across the world, the torrid start to the new year had revived memories of the dark days of 2009.

Focus has fallen on China whose economy has been growing a lot slower that official data suggested, but the stock market rout is clearly being driven by fear, and rationality will return to markets, Mr Holohan said.

Capital Economics in London also yesterday said it believed concerns related to growth in China and subsequent market turmoil have been overdone.

The oil price plunge ncreased the chances of a V-shaped rebound, it said.

Shares in Intel, the worlds biggest semiconductor maker, tumbled as much as 10% on Friday on first-quarter sales that were held back by the continued slump in demand for personal computers.

Across Europe, shares fell to their lowest since December 2014. Copper also hit a six-and-a-half year low.

Stocks are being driven by oil, and given that the Iranian sanctions are due to be lifted, thats causing even more nervousness about this glut of oil that we have, said Zeg Choudhry, managing director of Lontrad.

Chinese shares closed at their lowest level since December 2014.

Enrico Vaccari, fund manager at Italys Consultinvest, said investors were testing central banks to see whether they had ammunition left to prop up markets and the economy. The ECB holds its next policy meeting on Thursday.

Emerging-market stocks slumped to the lowest since 2009, set for a third straight weekly decline. Russias currency led declines among developing nations.

Additional reporting: Reuters and Bloomberg
New figures show that profits before interest and rent at Chockablock Ltd that operates Carton House in Co Kildare rose to 1.55m from 919,000.

It posted a pre-tax profit of 148,000, after having posted a loss of 1.34m in 2013.

The figures show 2014 revenues fell marginally to 16.63m from 17.1m.

Staff numbers at the 165-bedroom hotel were unchanged at 308 and total staff costs came to 6.83m.

In 2011, bad bank Nama acquired the groups loans.

The directors say in the accounts that they are in discussions with other investors and lenders to secure continuing finance for the company.

The firm in 2014 paid 1.2m in rent, interest payments of 192,000 and had non-cash depreciation costs of 376,000.

The rent had fallen sharply from the 2m it paid out the previous year.

The shareholder deficit decreased slightly to 9.1m and its cash pile fell to 511,000 from 596,000.

Separately, accounts filed by the operator of the Shelbourne Hotel in Dublin show a pre-tax profit of 1m in the first year of operation.

US property investor Kennedy Wilson took control of the hotel when it purchased the hotels debt in 2013.

The accounts for KW Shelbourne Ops Ltd show revenues of 14.4m between December 18, 2013 and the end of December in 2014.

It had operating lease rentals of 2.58m and non-cash depreciation costs of 394,027.
The projects environmental impact report finds that even using the most pessimistic growth forecasts, the benefits of the motorway would outweigh its cost by two to one and deliver significant advantages to road users.

The report compiled in 2009 and published the following year considers three traffic growth scenarios up to 2015, all of which would deliver significant positive returns on the project now estimated to cost 800m.

Despite the report being six years old, its findings remain as relevant today, according to one of the countrys senior transport engineers.

Richard Bowen, senior engineer with the Transport Infrastructure Ireland, formerly the National Road Authority, said the analysis showed that, even in the worst case scenario, the benefits of the scheme were significant.

Should the project be granted approval the analysis would have to be re-run before an application can be made to Bord Pleanala for approval but the results would reflect those of the 2009 report, he said.

The [cost-benefit analysis] is made up of costs, land, and construction primarily, and benefits which are broadly proportional to traffic flows along the route, said Mr Bowen.

Since 2009, when the environmental impact statement was prepared, both the costs and traffic flows will have decreased, though not necessarily in proportion to each other.

The environmental impact statement was prepared in 2009 against an uncertain economic outlook and efforts were made to assess a worst case scenario for the cost-benefit analysis by using a low-low traffic growth scenario.

This still showed that the benefits of the scheme outweighed the costs by a factor of two. If, or when, a detailed cost-benefit analysis is re-run, the scheme should still provide a strong economic case for investment.

Business groups have campaigned for years for a link between the countrys second and third cities.

Analysts suggest that the motorway could significantly improve the economic links between the two cities, delivering growth and developing the region as a counterbalance to the rapid growth in Dublin and its surrounds.

Ibec Cork regional director Peter OShaughnessy said the issue must be a matter of priority to allow the region to achieve its economic potential.

With half a million people living within 10km of the proposed motorway, the crucial M20 Cork-Limerick project needs to be urgently progressed, said Mr OShaughnessy.

If delivered, this project can support economic recovery in the entire south-west and mid-west regions and will underpin the regional contribution to the national economy.

The lack of a motorway is damaging connectivity and competitiveness of the region.

The proposed mid-term review of the Capital Investment Plan this year should be used to channel windfall corporate tax gains to essential projects such as the Cork-Limerick motorway.

The project was again shelved when it failed to be included in the Governments 27bn capital plan late last year.
Their hit list consists of three gangs in west Dublin, an international gang based in Limerick, a notorious family in Waterford, another outfit in Galway, and a seventh from the Midlands.

The impact of travelling burglary gangs, who have been terrorising large parts of the country, has become one of the biggest crime priorities for both Garda Commissioner Noirin O Sullivan and Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald in recent years.

It led to the establishment of national investigations against roaming gangs, first with Operation Fiacla in 2012 and, last November, with a intensified operation, codenamed Thor.

Thor is budgeted to run for three months, at which stage its continuance will be reviewed.

CAB boss Detective Chief Superintendent Eugene Corcoran said in recent years the activities of travelling groups became a particular menace and a primary focus for Garda operations. He said the publicity attached to some of the most terrifying of cases highlighted to everyone the danger the gangs posed.

We are trying to concentrate our efforts on the groups causing particular concern, Mr Corcoran told the Irish Examiner.

He said these amounted to about six or seven of the main travelling gangs. They include:

Two to three major gangs in the Tallaght and wider west Dublin area, including two notorious extended families that have been targeted before;

An international outfit located in Co Limerick engaged in burglaries here and various lucrative criminal activities abroad, including the illegal trade in protected rhino horn;

A violent extended family located in Waterford, again involved in various criminality, including burglaries;

A criminal family located in Galway, the subject of previous action from CAB;

A seventh gang in the Midlands, centred around Mullingar and Athlone, Co Westmeath, with connections to the Waterford outfit.

CAB boss Detective Chief Superintendent Eugene Corcoran

Chief Supt Corcoran said the gangs in west Dublin include a group that are back and forth to the city from other parts, highlighting the connections many of these gangs have in different parts of the country.

He said CAB investigators are targeting the gangs both under proceeds of crime legislation, which concerns the seizure of assets such as property, cars, and jewellery and also under Revenue acts, which allows for the taxing of income deemed to accrue from crime.

In addition, some of the gangs are being targeted under social welfare laws, with the possibility of reducing or stopping payments or demanding repayments.

Chief Supt Corcoran said it was not yet possible to estimate the value of assets they will seek to freeze, but said you could be looking at several million euro. He said it could be less, but also said it could be a lot more.

He added: Its very much a situation where were trying to identify assets and they are trying to conceal them. Our efforts will yield something, but may not yield as much as we would ideally like.

The CAB boss said that they had to compile a case that will convince the court of evidential links.

He said the assets would be mostly property and vehicles, the latter often in the form of frequent purchase and changing of vehicles. Chief Supt Corcoran said some of the gangs had also bought up land.

He said the vehicles are often bought in the name of younger members of the family.

He said cash can also be dispersed throughout a wider family. Many of the investigations are continuing into this year.

His comments follow the publication of the CAB 2014 annual report on Thursday, which showed a 140% jump in the value of assets seized, from 2.8m in 2013 to 6.76m in 2014.

This included 6.2m in cash/finances, 447,000 in property, 76,500 in vehicles and 17,000 in jewellery.
Mr Varadkar yesterday appealed to people, even those disillusioned with Irelands leading cancer charity, to continue supporting its biggest fundraiser event, Daffodil Day on March 11.

Its chief executive, John McCormack, yesterday said he was taking a salary cut as part of the charitys effort to find the funds necessary to maintain a financial support programme for children with cancer.

He said it was a personal decision to take the 7% cut, which will reduce his salary from 145,000 to 135,000 from the start of this month.

The charity said this week that it could no longer afford to run the programmes. A day later, in the face of mounting public anger over the cutback, it reinstated the hardship fund for families of children with cancer but said it would no longer be available, after January 31, for adults.

Mr Varadkar, attending the launch of Daffodil Day in Croke Park yesterday, said that, whatever about the controversy, the money raised on Daffodil Day was really important.

He said the numbers of people surviving cancer was increasing all the time and that had not happened by accident.

It happened because of greater emphasis on prevention, better special services, funding from the taxpayer, and policies and strategies from the Government, said Mr Varadkar.

Health Minister Leo Varadkar

All along the way, the Irish Cancer Society had been a huge advocate for patients and had played a leading role in the development of cancer-screening programmes and treatment centres.

They are a crucial partner, not just for Government but a crucial support for cancer patients and their families.

And, whatever about the controversy that occurred this week, the money that is raised for Daffodil Day is really important in that regard.

Asked if the State should be supporting families experiencing hardship because of cancer, Mr Varadkar said the Department of Healths budget on cancer this year was up by 10m but the money was destined for the health services.

He said the Department of Social Protection helped to support families and adults experiencing cancer, providing illness benefit, sick pay, and also exceptional needs payments.

However, his department would be open to holding discussions with the Irish Cancer Society on how funding could be increased for a range of health services it was providing.

Mr Varadkar referred to the charitys night nurse programme and other supports that are part of the health services, pointing out that his department already provides funding for the transport which the society provides to patients.

Mr McCormack, meanwhile, said that he was delighted to hear of Mr Varadkars backing for the charity and its work.

Now more than ever the Irish Cancer Society needs the support of the people of Ireland if we are to maintain the free services for cancer patients, which are run only by us, he said.

The charity has Daffodil Centres in 13 hospitals and spends funds on cancer research in Ireland.

300 volunteers at Daffodil Day launch

Jackie Austin and Rachel Marum from Rush, Co Dublin were among around 300 Daffodil Day volunteers who attended the launch of the Irish Cancer Societys Daffodil Day yesterday.

Although it was a crisp bright winters day, there was a cloud of a different kind over Croke Park where the event was held.

Earlier in the week, the charity confirmed it had decided to cut hardship payments to cancer patients because it could no longer afford them. A day later, in the face of a public backlash, it announced it was reinstating financial aid, but only for families of children suffering from the disease.

And just before the rallying of the troops, the charitys chief executive, John McCormack, said he was reducing his salary from 145,000 to 135,000.

The societys head of fund-raising, Mark Mellett, said it was vital that Daffodil Day, March 11, reached its ambitious target of 3.5m.

Jackie, a breast cancer survivor, said she was disappointed that the hardship fund for adults had been cut but regarded Mr McCormacks salary cut as an effort to make amends.

Both Jackie and Rachel are members of Rush Daffodil Day committee that organises lots of events for Daffodil Day in the coastal town.

Asked if people would be put off from donating because of the recent controversy, Jackie said she did not think so, with funds still available for families of children with cancer.

I am hoping it will make people more enthusiastic about supporting Daffodil Day because they know that more funding is needed for the services, she said.

Jackie, who was treated for breast cancer 13 years ago, said they did not have a problem raising money in Rush. They raised 37,700 last year.

The charity is very close to my heart so I will keep supporting it, she said.

Rachel believed the deaths from cancer of two talented performers, David Bowie and Alan Rickman, would also help the fundraising drive.

Of course, they were not local but so many people knew them so they will still raise the profile.

www.cancer.ie
The senior Fine Gael minister hit out at the situation and said he will be speaking to the Minister for Justice, Frances Fitzgerald, about the matter in the coming days after the situation was revealed yesterday.

Under previously hidden powers, the Garda Siochana Ombudsman Commission has confirmed it accessed the phone records of two crime reporters from the Herald and the Daily Mail after a complaint was made by a friend of the late model Katy French about alleged leaking of information by individual gardai.

As part of existing legislation, officers above the rank of chief superintendent and the GSOC  the States garda watchdog  can perform covert surveillance of journalists phone and computer records if they believe there is a reason to conduct such an operation.

However, the measure is highly controversial as it risks preventing genuine whistle-blower information needed to highlight issues in the force from making it into the public domain.

Katy French

Speaking to reporters at the launch of the Irish Cancer Societys launch of its annual daffodil day event, which will take place on March 11, Mr Varadkar said revelations that some journalists phones and computers have been tapped and covertly examined by elements of the State is deeply troubling.

Describing the events as sinister, he said they potentially breach a citizens right to privacy and he will raise the issue with Ms Fitzgerald in coming days.

I only really heard about it for the first time this morning, but obviously I will be speaking to the Minister for Justice about it in the next couple of days, said Mr Varadkar. I do think theres something a little bit odd and sinister that any Government body would be monitoring the phones of journalists, if that is the case, and would represent an infringement on freedoms in my view.

The revelation of GSOC phone examinations and their potential impact on whistle-blowers led to an outcry from the opposition yesterday.

In particular, Social Democrats leader Catherine Murphy  who the Irish Examiner reported last week has been using throwaway mobile phones since April over fears her phone was being tapped  said the situation would have a chilling effect on people trying to reveal hidden information about the force.

Social Democrats leader Catherine Murphy

The Garda Siochana has been mired in controversy on a number of occasions over the past two years over its handling and treatment of internal whistle-blowers, including Maurice McCabe.

Meanwhile, technology rights group Digital Rights Ireland has confirmed it plans to take a High Court case against the State over the phone and computer surveillance laws after successfully fighting a similar EU rule in 2014.

We are challenging primarily the obligation to retain this information on the entire population. As part of that challenge we are saying the mechanisms governing access to information are also inadequate, said the groups chairman, UCD law lecturer TJ McIntyre.

The National Union of Journalists also hit out at the garda move, saying that the current system is worrying.
Fianna Fail city councillor, Tom ODriscoll, said with just months to go before the proposed May launch of Norwegian Airlines Cork to Boston service, he has concerns that the US Department of Transportation (DoT) still has not made a decision on its foreign carrier licence application, two years after it was submitted.

He called for a high-level diplomatic intervention, led by Transport Minister Paschal Donohue, to ensure the transatlantic service  a long-term strategic goal of Cork Airport and which has been described as a game-changer for the airport and the wider region  is secured.

Time is running out and concerns are mounting. I think its time now for the transport minister to intervene at the highest level to ensure this service gets off the ground, he said.

Last September, Norwegian, Europes third largest low-cost airline, announced plans to launch a new direct low-cost transatlantic service five times a week from Cork to Boston in May, using its Irish-registered subsidiary, Norwegian Air International (NAI).

The announcement was hailed across the region.

Norway is not a member of the European Union  one of the reasons Norwegian has established the NAI subsidiary to avail of the Open Skies Agreement between the US and the EU.

The airline said the proposed service would be the first phase of a planned major expansion of its services out of Ireland and the UK.

The expansion also includes a proposed Cork to Barcelona service from May, operating up to five flights a week, and a Cork to New York service in 2017.

But the airline stressed at the time that the transatlantic flights were dependent on the US DoT approving NAIs application for a foreign carrier permit.

The airline lodged its application two years ago and is still awaiting a decision. It said it is the longest pending application of its kind.

A spokesman for the airline said they are still committed to launching the Cork to US services pending a decision on the licence, but he declined to be drawn on whether the licensing delays could delay the launch of the service.

It is clear that there is huge support for these new routes from the Irish authorities, the airport, and the wider public, he said.

We urge the DoT to finally give their approval which will unlock the door for these new routes, bringing greater competition, more choice and better fares for passengers on both sides of the atlantic.

Fianna Fail city councillor Tom ODriscoll

Mr Donohoe said he discussed the matter with the EU Transport Commissioner in December and is optimistic that the European Commission will take the appropriate steps under the Open Skies agreement to help resolve the dispute.

Aviation sources say the airlines application to US authorities for a foreign carrier permit is in full accordance with the Open Skies  a position backed by the commission which was a partner to the deal.

The 2007 agreement provides that any airline registered and approved by an EU member state may be granted traffic rights to fly from anywhere in the EU to anywhere in the US.

But Norwegians spokesman said their Irish subsidiary cant release tickets for sale, details on fare costs or scheduling information on the proposed Cork-Boston service until the permit is sanctioned.

What is stalling Corks first US flights?

Low-cost airline Norwegian, wants to operate US transatlantic flights from Cork Airport using its Irish-registered Dublin-based subsidiary Norwegian Air International (NAI).

However, the service cant start until the US Department of Transportation grants a foreign carrier licence to the company.

Norwegians US opponents, including the big three US legacy airlines  American, United and Delta  and a number of US unions, including the Airline Pilots Organisation, have said they are concerned that NAI is a flag of convenience designed to circumvent the labour laws of Norway and the US.

US legacy airlines also tried to block low-cost carriers like Southwest Airlines from entering the US domestic market.

In NAIs case, the opponents have alleged that Norwegian offers sub-standard working conditions, that its union is hostile, and that its business model compromises safety.

Aviation analysts have described their arguments as anti-competitive.

Their concerns, which have been brought to the US Congress, are understood to have delayed the US Department of Transports decision on the foreign carrier permit.

Submitted more than two years ago, the licence application is now the longest pending application of its kind. Norwegian has emphatically rejected its opponents claims, saying that NAI fully complies with European safety standards, and that its staff in the US and Norway follow the labour laws of these countries and are trained according to EU standards.

It says NAI was set up here to access future traffic rights to and from the EU, because this country has fully adapted the Cape Town Convention, which provides Norwegian with better financing conditions, and because of Irelands high standing in the global aviation industry.

Norwegian said it has employed more than 300 US cabin crew in Fort Lauderdale and New York, and that it received almost 6,000 applications for the positions.

It says its US staff say their wages and benefits are better than those of their US airline counterparts, and that its intercontinental long-haul pilots have a global pay scale, which means they all earn about the same.

It also says that most of its pilots, cabin crew, technicians and admin staff in Scandinavia are union members.
Warm tributes were paid yesterday to Mr Mara, who died aged 73 in the Beacon Hospital in south Dublin, where he had been ill for more than seven months.

Former taoiseach Bertie Ahern led tributes to Mr Mara, who died about 1am surrounded by his family.

Mr Mara, who was most famous for his central role in former taoiseach Charles J Haugheys controversial time as leader of the country, went on be Mr Aherns director of elections in 1997, 2002,and 2007.

He was made a household name by his portrayal on the sketch show Scrap Saturday on RTE radio. Mr Haughey resigned in 1992 and PJ Mara went into the private sector shortly afterwards, where his skills were in demand and clients included Tony OReilly, Tony Ryan, and Denis OBrien.

A larger than life character who played a central role in Fianna Fail for more than three decades, Mr Mara was Charles Haugheys press officer and confidant in the 1980s and Bertie Aherns director of elections for each of the three-in-a-row victories between 1997 and 2007.

Mr Ahern said Mr Mara was a really loyal and good friend to him.

I have been close to him since the early 1970s since I joined Fianna Fail, he said. I knew him from growing up in north Dublin and we all knew each other. PJ was a wonderful person. He was hugely clever and smart. He could handle any situation. The most tense battles in Leinster House, PJ would be at the heart of it. He was never one to dodge a fight as some people do in politics.

But he was always a bit of fun when the rocks and bottles were flying in Leinster House. Some of the schemes he would come up to get out of the mess were brilliant. There was nobody better to be spending time with. I travelled the length and breadth of the country with him in the 1970s and he was always wonderful company.

Mr Mara himself faced controversy in 2002 when the Flood Tribunal found he had failed to co-operate as he had not disclosed an offshore account he had held in the Isle of Man.

In more recent times, he was a director of Mr OBriens Digicel company.

Mr OBrien said: PJ Mara was an amazing friend, colleague, and intellect who made an indelible impression on everybody he worked with. He joined the Digicel board in 2003 and made a vast contribution to our strategic direction and growth.

He was an astute adviser and a tremendous and insightful ambassador. We will miss him dearly and our thoughts and prayers are with his family.

Requiem Mass for Mr Mara is to take place today at 4pm at St Marys Church, Haddington Rd, Dublin. His remains will then be brought for burial tomorrow at 3pm to Mount Cross Cemetery, Kinvara, Co Galway.

Eamon Dunphy paid tribute to his fellow Drumcondra native.

He was always a distinguished figure. Even as a kid, he always had a presence about him, he said.

PJ MARA'S LAST INTERVIEW: Banking inquiry would absolve Fianna Fail of blame

PJ MARA'S LAST INTERVIEW: Lobbying is a way of life

PJ MARA'S LAST INTERVIEW: Mara happy to be father again at 71
On one occasion, Anne Fennell, 57, referred to President Higgins as a ladyboy and on another told the receptionist that the President and Sabrina [sic] Higgins would go home in plastic bags if they set foot on English soil.

She made repeated threats to bomb the President over a number of phone calls in April 2014 and again in October the same year.

Dublin Circuit Criminal Court also heard that the entire area around Dail Eireann had to be searched on November 18, 2014, when Fennell called to say there would be a bomb at the main gate. The parliamentary usher who took the call later told gardai that Fennell, a former An Post worker, had hung up screaming.

Fennell, of Monastery Gate Green, Clondalkin, Dublin, pleaded guilty to making persistent annoying phone calls and sending obscene or menacing phone messages to Aras an Uachtarain, the Department of Finance, the European Commission Representation, An Post Dublin Mail Centre, and the constituency offices of TDs Alan Kelly, Aodhan O Riordain, and Noel Coonan between February 2 and December 1, 2014. She has no previous convictions.

Superintendent Michael Cryan told Elva Duffy, prosecuting, that Fennell apologised to gardai when they arrested her after tracing the calls to her mobile phone.

She said she had been reacting to news stories on television and told officers she was lonely. She added that her threats were just words.

Supt Cryan said Fennell revealed that she rang Dail Eireann weekly to complain about various issues.

Supt Cryan described how Fennell had phoned the Department of Finance on February 26, 2014, ranting and raving and threatening to bomb President Higgins if he went to Britain.

She threatened the EU Commission with a bomb in March if Europe did not lay off Cyprus and its economy.

On November 17, 18, and 19, 2014 she called Mr Kellys Nenagh office and threatened him and his family.

She claimed that a previous bomb threat had been a dry run and that she would put a bullet in [Mr Kellys] head.

She also phoned the office of Mr O Riordain in November 2014, threatening to blow up his car.

Mr White submitted to Judge Melanie Greally that his client was deeply, deeply regretful for her behaviour and offered no excused for it. He said she had a poor but good childhood, had once been in a relationship, and had worked with An Post for 11 years.

He asked the judge to give his client a chance, adding that the public interest lay in her rehabilitation. Judge Greally noted from a photograph handed to her in court that Fennell lived in sub-human conditions.

He remanded Fennell on continuing bail to July so that she could continue with her psychological therapy and engage with the probation services.

The judge ordered a probation and welfare report to see if any structures could be put in place to give Fennell a more pro-social existence, as her offending seemed due to her isolation.
The words health spa conjure to mind Zen-like oases of calm, fluffy white robes, endless pampering and, invariably, stratospheric prices. New Body & Mind Resorts on the tropical island of Koh Samui in southern Thailand is somewhat different.

While its secluded beachfront location, health-conscious menu, and superb treatments make it a magnet for many a weary traveller, the majority of guests  men and women of all ages and nationalities  come to the resort to participate in its acclaimed Ultimate Detox, an intensive juice fasting programme that typically results in significant weight loss but, more importantly, acts as an incredibly effective springboard to a healthier lifestyle.

The prospect of a day without solid food, let alone an entire week (guests can choose the duration of their programme from four days or more in length, but the best benefits are achieved after seven or more days), is anathema to many; as, indeed, is the concept of a daily, self-administered colonic irrigation.

And yet, since opening in 1999, New Body & Mind has been so successful that bookings are typically made months in advance and the number of guests who return again (and again) is staggering.

A blend of Taoist and perhaps somewhat alternative Western thinking, the Ultimate Detox is brilliant in its simplicity and effectiveness. In short, the programme consists of a daily routine of taking, at intervals of three or four hours, five glasses of colon cleanse formula consisting of psyllium husk, activated charcoal, Bentonite clay, and holy basil seeds.

Far more palatable than it sounds, the concoction helps to keep hunger pangs at bay while working as an intestinal cleanser that loosens the waste matter.

Two herbal pellets (a mixture of natural parasite cleansing herbs bonded together with molasses) are also taken each night, while friendly bacteria are administered every day through a powerful nutritional supplement in liquid form.

As part of the detoxification process, the regime includes one daily self-administered 12.5-litre colonic irrigation with a coffee enema.

The colonic irrigations are, mercifully, utterly painless, clearing a build-up of toxic waste that accumulates over the years.

A detailed description of the mechanics of colonic hydrotherapy are explained in detail to guests on arrival. The entire procedure takes between 30 and 60 minutes and is as hygienic as it is painless.

Thats not to say it comes naturally  at first it is, by all accounts, a slightly disconcerting experience, but one that soon, as all detoxers happily attested, becomes part of the relaxing daily routine and as easy as riding a bike.

To enhance and accelerate the benefits of the detox, a guided exercise programme is organised each day. Activities include a bracing 6am walk (a surprisingly enjoyable start to the day), stretching exercises, a 60-minute yoga class, and organised group activities such as step aerobics, kayaking, and resistance training.

Participation is not essential but is encouraged. Theres also a blissful hour spent in the resorts massage salas where expert therapists gentle kneed away guests aches and pains.

The thinking behind the provision of so many activities is two-fold: a busy schedule keeps fasters minds off the task in hand, while the exercise involved helps enhance a feeling of wellbeing.

Similarly, a daily workshop, which is typically an hour in duration, is laid on for those on the programme and can cover anything from mind management and nutrition and wellness to Q&A sessions with medical professionals and lessons on Thai cooking and culture.

Other daily activities provided as part of the programme include a half-hour daily session in an infra-red sauna, which encourages the flushing out of toxins while also enhancing lymphatic circulation; and, before bedtime, a blissful 20-minute relaxation in a piping hot herbal steam, which accelerates the release of toxins through the skin, promotes healthier respiratory and metabolic function and provides a wonderfully soporific afterglow.

The fourth day sees the inclusion of a forebodingly monikered gallbladder and liver cleanse, which involves the consumption of two Epsom salts drinks in the evening followed by a special drink made using orange juice, garlic, ginger, and a large amount of olive oil. A further two glasses of Epsom salts mixed with water are taken the following morning.

Proponents of gallbladder cleansing claim that the treatment helps break up gallstones and stimulates the gallbladder to release them in stool. Certainly, the large dose of olive oil coupled with the Epsom salts has a significant laxative effect.

Incredible as it may sound, few clients complain of boredom or even hunger. Although some complain of occasional restlessness and sporadic cravings for food on the first and second days, the temptation of a hearty meal soon subsides, and any feelings of hunger thereafter are rare.

In any event, the programme is not without some form of sustenance: three fresh juices daily (carrot, beetroot, and garlic; cucumber, apple, celery, and ginger; and tamarind) and an evening vegetable broth, a clear soup packed with vitamins and minerals.

Despite the repetitive nature of the daily regime, boredom is not a common complaint. The islands breathtaking scenery and beaches (including the secluded Lipa Noi, whose powdery white sands and clear blue water are beside the resort) provide ready-made distractions, while New Body & Mind has an extensive selection of pampering treatments, such as massage, manicures and pedicures, scrubs and wraps to while away the hours.

But what is the ideology behind such a seemingly draconian detoxification programme? Isnt it a little extreme? Does the human body really need to detox? Indeed, isnt the very term scoffed at by some medics?

According to the resorts genial programme director, Patrick Van Brussel, the detox programmes trigger a powerful cleansing process that reaches down to every cell and tissue in the body. With the curtailment of food, all organs and glands get a much-needed rest, during which their tissues are purified and rejuvenated, and their functions balanced and regulated.

The inclusion of daily colonic irrigation, meanwhile, serves as a means of improving our digestion and the ability of the intestine to absorb nutrients from what we eat and drink.

All protocols have been implemented into our detox programmes because people have been eating more and more processed foods and high meat intake, which contributes to chronic constipation, a sluggish immune system, and highly stressed digestive organs, Van Brussel explains.

Certainly, on paper at least, the idea of undertaking a seven-day detox programme complete with a daily colonic irrigation is far from attractive, but in practice, its far easier than one might imagine.

My fellow detoxers ranged in age from mid-20s to late-70s and each sailed through their respective programmes, each vowing to return  if, indeed, they were not already repeat visitors.

For others that might experience difficulties with their detoxification, the resorts on-site staff are a superb resource. Caring, emphatic, and extremely knowledgeable, they offer counselling and support, making the whole experience as enjoyable  and successful  as possible.

As for the all-important results of the programme, well, they speak for themselves. All of those participating with me on the programme  a mixture of stressed-out executives, married couples, travellers, and pensioners  sang the praises of the benefits they had experienced.

Most spoke of feeling more in tune with their bodies, almost all had lost several kilos, while many experienced heightened energy levels, greater lucidity of mind, and increased suppleness.

As for my experience? I can testify that the seven days passed almost effortlessly and hunger pangs were notable only by their absence. By the end of the week, I truly felt completely relaxed, revitalised and thoroughly cleansed  and over four kilos lighter.

While my next holiday in Thailand will certainly involve more Som Tam (spicy papaya salad) than this one, its safe to say that, like many others, I will return for a second Ultimate Detox in the not distant future.

New Body and Mind Retreats (newbodyandmind.com) are situated on the west coast of Koh Samui, which is renowned for its quiet, serene beaches and small local villages, far removed from the islands busy tourists centres.

Prices are available on application as programmes are created on a bespoke basis, depending on an individuals objectives and requirements. Further details on +66 (0)77 423 189 (GMT +7); +66 (0)844 408 853 (GMT +7); or at sawadee@newbodyandmind.com

There are direct flights to Koh Samui from Bangkok, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, and Hong Kong.

Winter break in Cannes

With the Cote dAzur famous for its mild winters, there are some new offers available at the Irish managed Mimozas Resort Cannes.

Prices for winter breaks begin at 152 for two nights or 228 for a three-night stay in the coming weeks. The Mimozas Resort has Provencale style buildings boasting one, two, and three bedroom apartments, all with their own private balcony.

Details available on: www.mimozascannes.com

Canadian flights seat sale

Air Transat has launched a seat sale valid up to February 1 on selected flights to Canada between April and October. The airline operates four flights per week from Dublin to Toronto and a weekly service to Montreal. For the first time this summer, the airline will offer connecting flights between Toronto and Vancouver. Prices start from 213 one way and 450 return. Flights to Vancouver range between 735 and 1,045. Call 018-666700 or visit www.airtransat.ie.

Big Apple luxury breaks

Luxury breaks in New York are currently on sale with Sunway to include business class flights and a stay in the well-known Fitzpatricks Grand Central Hotel. Sunway is quoting prices from 1,565 for the three-night deal with departures in March. The flight packages are based on a sale fare with BA/AA who offer club world seats that convert into a fully flat bed. Prices are based on two adults sharing. Details on www.sunway.ie or call 01-2311833.

Early booking Bermuda bargains

Aloha Holidays has some early booking offers for Bermuda with savings of up to 50% at the three star all-inclusive Grotto Bay resort. Bookings before January 31 for one-week including flights and transfers from 2,636 per adult and 1,880 per child (under 12) sharing before the hotel discount is applied. Packages are also available in the five-star Cambridge Beaches where B&B deals are available from 2,345. Details: www.AlohaHolidays.ie or telephone 01-2108391.

Emirates global flights sale

There are two days to go in the Emirates global sale that offers prices from Dublin to Dubai and Australia from 499 and 869 respectively. Several other destinations are included with prices pitched in and around 600-700. The award-winning airline also offers inclusive Business Class fares from Ireland, Bangkok, Mauritius, Johannesburg among them, and prices start from 2,140. Contact any travel agent or visit www.emirates.ie
Going to college in Galway traumatised me, or rather, the weather did. All other memories of my year in the City of the Tribes have faded in the face of what seemed to me to be unrelenting rain, storms and more rain.

If Eskimos have more than 40 words for snow, the Irish must have more than 100 for rain, I would mutter darkly, making the daily crossing of the Salmon Weir bridge while being buffeted by gale force winds and battered by rain determined to saturate my very bones.

These were the days before Aldi and Lidl introduced us to affordable waterproofs and the concept that there is no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing. So having made the daunting journey into college, I would then have to sit soaked and steaming in my clothes for the rest of the day, face burnt off me, blue fingers stiff from the cold.

When the chance came to have an overnight in Galway, I knew what I what have to bring  sturdy waterproof boots and my trusty Helly Hansen knee-length coat. Whatever Galway was going to throw at me this time, I was ready for it.

But I wasnt. For one thing, the sun shone and as we wound our way around its pedestrianised cobbled streets. Amid the hustle and bustle and street performers and market stalls, I was reminded of a whole host of memories I had hidden away and the real reason why people go to Galway. Galway has an unique atmosphere, one of youth, of hope and vibrancy.

It has great bars, cafes, restaurants and quirky shops ideal for pottering away an afternoon in, all in an historic setting which reminds you why people have been coming here for centuries.

I was introduced to its revamped Latin Quarter  often referred to as the cultural heart of the city and home to many of the those quirky and best-known shops, pubs, restaurants and hotels, along with historic landmarks, events and attractions. Amazing smells assault your senses as more and more of the restaurants have outdoor seating areas in its seemingly ever-increasing pedestrianised zone.

The area is defined by some of the citys most historic landmarks and stretches from the Spanish Arch at Long Walk to OBriens Bridge to St Nicholas Church and back (via Buttermilk Lane) to An Taibhdhearc on Middle Street. It is home to the Saturday Market, Galway City Museum and the internationally acclaimed Druid Theatre Company.

We stayed in the House Hotel, a stunning old stone building just off Quay Street which has been transformed into a stunning boutique hotel. Its modern makeover only complements the unassuming historic exterior with its classic grey palette and hot pink couches.

The hotel has 40 bedrooms, each uniquely designed with minimal fuss and maximum style. The House Hotel reception/lounge area is designed to put you at ease from the moment you check in with large couches and comfy armchairs, ideal for snuggling up with a good book or chatting over high tea.

The hotel also has a Cocktail Bar with an award-winning mixologist  cocktail maker to the uninitiated  making the House Hotel an ideal meeting point for a night out, whether you are staying there or not. With a number of cocktails under our belt it was time to venture once more onto the streets.

Dont be fooled by the exterior of Galways pubs. Many may look like small, traditional pubs, but inside they take on a Labyrinthian quality, with all the glorious chance meetings such explorations can result in. The Quays bar, The Front Door and The Dail Bar are three such pubs and well worth checking out.

In The Dail Bar, we struck up conversation with a Sligo man whose friend had got lucky and he was lamenting his luck with the ladies, yet undeterred to the possibility of finding love. There was also a group of American women hoping to find love so they had an excuse to stay in Ireland a little bit longer.

Galway is that kind of place. It seems a bit easier to start a conversation at the bar, everyone is out for a good time and the possibilities, particularly for a bit of romance, seem endless. I had forgotten how much fun I myself had had in Galway all those years ago and how many times my friends from Cork were willing to make the journey up to visit me  or rather the city.

Another of the more well known bars in this area is The Kings Head, and it was there we went for something to eat, at its Chop House restaurant. Its tasting menu was simply incredible. From scallops to crab claws, oysters to venison, each course was better than the last. All dark wood and high benches, The Chop House is getting a well deserved reputation for its fine food and despite the dizzying array of restaurants in Galway, we will definitely be going back.

The city has a special relationship with the sea, not only evident from its great selection of seafood on offer in its restaurants. From May, tours of Galway Harbour on a Galway Hooker are hoping to kick off, which would be the ideal way to banish any cobwebs from a previous night out on the town.

For the little less adventurous there is always the chance to take a walk along the prom at Salt Hill or take a wander around the Spanish Arch.

Galway has so much to offer, all within walking distance, that it is not just a place to go for its annual racing festival, but a year-round destination. Ive finally dealt with my weather related demons. No one goes anywhere in Ireland for the weather, and Galway has something special that will warm your very soul.

www.thelatinquarter.ie

www.thehousehotel.ie - Prices start from 99 a room.
It all seems rather tawdry for the son and brother of two former presidents, but Bushs campaign is floundering and this appears to be another effort to boost it ahead of the first presidential selection contests in Iowa and New Hampshire in the coming weeks.

The spat began on Tuesday when Bushs Right to Rise Political Action Committee accused Marco Rubio of political flip-flopping in an ad featuring his high-heeled Beatle boots dancing around issues to the tune of Nancy Sinatras song These Boots Were Made for Walkin.

Americans, struggling for better jobs and higher wages in this election year, were scratching their heads when Bush followed up on Wednesday by questioning Rubios height and suggesting it can be a factor in a persons intelligence.

I dont have a height issue, he said on MSNBC. My wife tells me theres an inverse relationship between height and intelligence.

The 6ft 3in Bush then taunted the 5ft 10in Rubio for complaining about the boots ad.

The former Florida governor also implied he was tougher than Rubio.

I think we need leaders that run to the challenge, run to the fire to try to solve the problem rather than cut and run if theres a problem, Bush said.

Rubio called the focus on his boots craziness, given the many challenges facing America. Have people lost their minds? he wondered.

Many Republicans are concerned about the nature of the attacks on Rubio, whom they increasingly see as the last remaining mainstream alternative to Trump or the rightist Texas senator Ted Cruz. They had pinned their hopes on Bush securing the nomination, backed by his dynastic family and a record $100m campaign war chest. But his campaign never managed to take off and has been overwhelmed by Trumps rise.

To the dismay of the Republican establishment, Trump and Cruz look set to make strong gains in the presidential primaries and unless Bush can achieve a third place showing in the early deciders, his campaign could soon be doomed.

Does he want his legacy to be that he elected Donald Trump or Ted Cruz? said Stuart Stevens, the strategist who ran Mitt Romneys 2012 campaign against incumbent Barack Obama.

The Bush-Rubio rivalry is more about style than substance. Rubio, 44, a Florida senator, started out as a friend and protege of Bush, who is 20 years his senior. However, everything changed when both became presidential candidates last year, especially when Rubio overtook Bush in polls and debate performances.

Bush is not the only one fixated on Rubios boots. Illustrious media such as The New York Times and The Washington Post have also weighed in on the subject. Likewise, the height issue has come up for discussion.

Courtesy of US News & World Report, for example, we learn that, since 1900, the taller candidate has won the US presidential election 19 times, while the shorter one has won just eight.

Democratic frontrunner Hillary Clinton had better watch out  she comes in at 5ft 7in.
KATIE KIRWAN struck a defiant tone when asked this week if she would change her online habits in light of the discovery that her innocuous Facebook photographs had been harvested and uploaded to a pornographic internet forum.

People keep asking me that, the 19-year-old said in exasperation.

It can happen to you at any time, anywhere. Even if you dont use the internet, someone can still take a picture of you and use it like that.

There are no measures that are enough. I feel that the perpetrators are the problem, they need to be caught and made an example of. You dont have to be on social media for this to affect you, she said.

She has a point. None of the images taken from Ms Kirwan or her peers over a five-year period could be deemed provocative or explicit. They are typical of the kind of photographs taken by teens  pictures from nights out, group shots, and selfies.

None of them suggest that the young women are, as one forum member said, asking for it.

Such comments are indicative, however, of one of the motivations behind such exploitative websites. Underlying the sexual gratification these forum members derive from sharing these images is a thirst for control.

Many of the misogynistic, violent remarks accompanying the shared pictures involve graphic descriptions of forcing these young women to degrade themselves against their will.

While these women  or disturbingly in many cases, young girls  are out living their lives, pathetic voyeurs debasing themselves behind a screen fantasise about how they can dominate these girls, command them, and ultimately shatter the carefree life they watch on social media.

This is why Ms Kirwans defiance is the perfect response. She has not yielded an iota of influence to the men who fantasise about controlling her. Since discovering their unwanted attention, Ms Kirwan and her friends have controlled the narrative by appearing on radio, television, and in newspapers, sharing their experience to raise awareness.

They are not the meek, compliant fictions played out on a computer screen, but strong young women willingly putting themselves into the public eye to do their bit to right a wrong.

If young women allow the lurid attentions of anonymous cowards dictate how they live their online life, where is the line drawn?

Should young women shun group photo opportunities in case someone puts the picture online? Should they avoid public spaces in case a creep with a cameraphone decides to make them his latest offering to his network of perverts?

It is defiance in the face of a gross personal invasion that has prompted Ms Kirwan and her peers to publicly challenge the perpetrators rather than delete their Facebook profiles and shy away.

The onus now is on us to respond in kind. We must not surrender to the instinct that tells us to shield young girls from harm, but instead ensure that the full force of the law is there to strike fear into those who prey on their youth.

Parents who will not have grown up with social media may understandably feel defensive in light of what emerged this week, but locking up our daughters only serves to grant to these men a degree of the power they crave.

Barrister Fergal Crehan yesterday told this newspaper that it is uncertain whether the perpetrators of this invasion are guilty of any crime under Irish law.

This needs to change.

Internet sleuths may attempt to uncover the men responsible for sharing the girls pictures, however such vigilantism will not bring proper justice, even if the guilty parties are identified.

But this mob justice will thrive in a vacuum where there are no clear laws in place to punish this behaviour, and make examples of those responsible.

We pride ourselves on having an environment capable of hosting the European headquarters of online giants such as Google and Facebook; it is time our legislation caught up.

The response to the distasteful story that emerged this week is not to tell our daughters to hide their light under a bushel, but instead to ensure that those who would seek to exploit youthful innocence will think twice before they engage in their sordid behaviour.
While they engage in the standard rhetoric about the events of Easter week not belonging to anybody, this is usually followed by a treatise on why it belongs to them. We are also witnessing the wailing of those who claim that the men of 1916 were betrayed by those who governed the new State. Oh Lord above, please keep us safe during the coming year.

On January 7 in the Mansion House, Sinn Fein launched its Join The Rising programme of events for the year. Gerry Adams urged his followers to join the rising against Fianna Fail, Fine Gael and Labour in the pending election. He mentioned much of the dark aspects of the State, particularly through the early and middle decades of the last century, inviting his devotees to speculate that things would have been so much different if Sinn Fein had been in charge.

In this newspaper last Monday, former Sinn Fein publicity director, Danny Morrison, went further. He compared the aims, objectives and modus operandi of the 1916 insurgents with those of the Provisional IRA.

To justify or to sympathise or at the minimum to understand 1916, is to justify, sympathise or, at the minimum, understand the IRAs armed struggle in the North, Morrison wrote.

Complementing these gents interpretation of the Rising was the artist Robert Ballagh, who spoke on The Late, Late Show last week about the leaders having been betrayed by the State that emerged from turbulence of 1916-23.

These people (the leaders) were not merely rebels, they were visionaries, Ballagh declared.

What they wanted was a complete transformation in Irish society and the nature of that transformation was set down in the Proclamation.

What would Patrick Pearse  or the other signatories to the Proclamation  have made of the Provisional IRAs campaign of violence? What kind of Ireland would have evolved if Pearse had been spared by the British, and the death sentence on Eamon De Valera carried out?

Pearse took up arms in a highly militarised world. His engagement with violence lasted six days. There is evidence he was concerned about the loss of civilian life during Easter Week, and his surrender was at least in part down to a wish to prevent further innocent deaths.

None of that is to place the man on a pedestal or even enter the debate about his contested legacy. But there is absolutely nothing to suggest he would have found common cause with the aims or modus operandi of an organisation that persisted with killing for their political objectives over 25 years.

The campaign of violence was fuelled by money from armed robbery, extortion, and a range of criminal activities which involved real victims. The modus operandi required the installation of a regime of fear in many Catholic working class communities in the North. And it was all governed by a moral compass that promoted the killing of anybody whose death was deemed necessary to further the aims of the movement.

One such victim was Patsy Gillespie, a Catholic father of three from Derry. He worked as a cook in a British army base. He was told by the IRA to give up his job or risk his life. He chose to continue supporting his family. On one occasion in 1990, the IRA forced him to drive a bomb into the base and gave him just enough time to flee. The bomb failed to detonate.

On October 24 that year, the IRA took over his house, holding Gillespies family at gunpoint while he was forced to drive to a rural spot where he was put in a van loaded with 450kg of explosives.

He was told to drive to a border checkpoint on the Buncrana Road outside Derry. When he arrived at the checkpoint, he tried to get out of the van to warn the soldiers, but the bomb detonated as he opened the door.

The IRA had installed a device to ensure the bomb would explode when the door was opened. Gillespie and five British soldiers were killed by these people who saw themselves as carrying the flame from the GPO.

Would Pearse have gone along with that? There is nothing in his background to suggest he was capable of sinking to depravity of that order. One can only speculate; but those who were among the small minority who saw killing as a solution over 25 years do much more than speculate when they claim lineage to the GPO.

What of the Ireland that grew out of the embers of 1916? Sinn Fein, and Robert Ballagh for one, believe it was a betrayal of the executed leaders.

Eamon de Valera was a leader in 1916 who was sentenced to be executed but was ultimately saved from the firing squad.

He went on to live rather than die for Ireland. Nobody had more input than he in shaping the State that emerged. That State was a cold, harsh place for minorities; those who didnt conform to strict mores; and even for the female half of the population.

It was dominated by a Church obsessed with power. And it was governed in an inept manner that did little to alleviate poverty, to the point of pretending that emigration didnt exist.

But who can claim that it would have been any different under Pearse or the other signatories to the aspirational proclamation? If anything, it might be speculated that Pearses Ireland would be more in thrall to the Church; more inward looking; more Gaelic at the expense of catering for the welfare of all its citizens.

What of his comrade-in-arms, James Connolly? For sure, Connollys Ireland would have been far removed from what emerged. But would a socialist workers republic have ever gained traction among the electorate?

Could the flock have ever been coaxed to leave the Church, keepers of their salvation? One need only look at the outcome of Noel Brownes Mother and Child scheme, some 30 years after the States birth, to realise that the Church and the powerful so-called professions would have ensured short shrift for Connolly.

In any event, a year after the Rising there was a revolution to install a workers Republic in Russia. And where exactly did that lead? Connolly was an honourable man, but had he lived its highly unlikely he would have any major impact on the State that emerged.

All manner of views from the unreconstructed mythologising of Mr Ballagh, to the outer shores of revisionism occupied by John Bruton, are going to be aired in the year of remembrance.

But please, no more ransacking of graves for political points, either for electoral purposes, or in trying to make spurious likes between Easter Week a century ago and the kind of people who murdered Patsy Gillespie and more than 1,800 other human beings.
Bradley County detectives investigating New Years Day damage to the grounds at Oak Grove Elementary School have charged two men.

Sheriff Eric Watson said they received calls from a number of citizens responding to media reports asking for help identifying those caught on school surveillance video driving a van around the playground and onto the walking track and field area of the school.

As a result the investigation by property crimes detectives, Tanner Lee Ellenburg, 18, of Second Street, and Brant Austin Miolen, 18, of Lee Street, are scheduled to appear in General Sessions Court on Jan. 28, where they are each charged with vandalism under $500.

Sheriff Watson said, I want to thank the various media organizations for getting this information out to the community and to those who took the time to call in tips about the vehicle and possible suspects.
Ever the modest ex-teacher, Mr Kenny marked his own forray into the fields of surrealist fantasy fiction titled What I Did When I Was Taoiseach, and awarded himself a remarkable 93% success rate.

Yes, Enda used your money to produce a dodgy dossier on his time in power telling you how lucky you are to have him as your leader because he has achieved almost 100% of the things he promised you.

Even Kim Jong-uns Workers Party only awarded itself 87.5% of the seats in North Koreas Supreme Peoples Assembly at the last elections in 2014 for fear anything higher might look a bit suspicious and ridiculous  though at just 99.97%, the regime must have been disappointed with the low turn-out.

But our own Enda Kimmy has no such need for modesty because he is truly the political messiah of our age.

And Micheal Martin confirmed his exalted status by attempting to land a Judas kiss on him  well, unveiling a lovely big picture of a smiling Enda.

Having learned absolutely nothing from the nodding dogs of Dermot Ahern and Noel Dempsey emphatically denying they knew anything about the Troika arriving just as Fianna Fail surrendered Irish economic sovereignty to foreign occupiers, Micheal again took the public for idiots.

How else can you explain him denying that FF was engaged in personal attack ads at the exact moment he was revealing a giant personal attack ad?

To make things even more perverse, the personal attack ad in question was completely justifiable as it highlighted Mr Kennys blatant backtracking on a decade-old pledge to end what he himself called the scandal of patients on trolleys.

While we gratefully marvel at the 93% success rate of this magnificent administration, it is only a matter of weeks since a 91-year-old man was left to languish on a trolley for 29 hours with some 500 other desperate souls in an example of routine Government inhumanity that one doctor at Tallagh Hospital described as an act of torture.

Enda failed miserably to deliver his trolley promise and has now abandoned the ambition completely as the crisis reaches record levels, so why not be open about attacking him for that gross failure? But, somehow, Enda seems stoppable as this election is not really about who will be Taoiseach, but rather, who will be leader of the opposition.

Fine Gael will be well short of a majority, but easily the largest party, and, however many ballots it takes, and however short the term may last, Enda will cross the line in the Dail vote to head the next government.

But who will oppose him?

In the scramble for relevance, Mr Martin, who so hates personalised attacks, turned on Gerry Army Council? What Army Council? Adams, stating: Sinn Fein are a mafia organisation, they use a vow of omerta to operate. If you look at the child sex abuse scandals of Mairia Cahill and Paudie McGahon and the subsequent denials you can see how these stories were covered up. Later they admitted using internal courts or whatever.

Oh so sensitive Gerry got very upset by this, saying: Its offensive to me as an individual.

So, though he denies membership (which 89% of voters believe to be a lie according to an RTE poll) Adams has no problem at all being associated with the Provisional IRA  a killing machine organisation that murdered Irish soldiers and gardai, as well as some 1,800 other people, mainly civilians, many of them children, yet gets all touchy at being compared to a character out of The Sopranos?

Most curious.

Mr Adams noted with some amusement that Shane Ross and his Independent Alliance were praying for him after they insisted Sinn Fein would need a Pauline conversion to democracy before they would consider propping them up in coalition.

But would the IA ever be in that King-maker position anyway? Their lack of engagement with reality was on show at the launch of their election charter when more than half a dozen of them said they wanted to be in the next Cabinet.

And while its always nice to dream, their grandly named charter is really just a charter flight to the Bermuda Triangle of Irish politics as one by one, whichever IA TDs take their Dail seats will disappear from any deal as ego and rampant localism rip the grouping apart.

And such vanity politics brings us to the Lucindanista Party, also known as Renua  a name which is meaningless in both Irish and English.

Ms Creighton sounded very shaky on the I Love Lucinda Partys tax stance, but then when you are a one-woman operation masquerading as a national movement it must be tricky to stay on top of all 15 government portfolios.

Not everyone can be as (almost) perfect as Mr 93% himself, and his Endaness was a teasing Taoiseach when he refused to reveal the election date, stating instead: I have a date in my head.

Some unkind people would no doubt muse there is plenty of empty space in that head for the date in question to get quite lonely there by itself, so why not end this phoney poll farce and blow the whistle?

In a rare moment of self-awareness, Mr Kenny told the Dail: I am not God, and I cannot predict the extent of rainfall. That is one of the reasons we have invested in far more sophisticated long-term weather forecasting.

Leaving aside the fact that sounds like a major reason we have invested in such storm warning equipment is because Enda suddenly realised he could not predict the weather after all, it is nice to know that, despite his almost immaculate record in office, he, unlike Kim Jong-un, does not actually believe he is a living deity.

The only problem for Fine Gael election chiefs now is where to actually hide Mr Kenny for the duration of the election campaign so he doesnt royally muck everything up.

Kim Jong-un is said to believe a complex network of defensive shelter tunnels in north eastern North Korea is so deep he could survive a US nuclear counter attack there.

Sounds like the ideal spot to park the Taoiseach until the votes are safely counted.

Ticket to Pyongyang, Enda?

Best to just check that Leo and Simon havent mistakenly booked it one way before you board though.
A mobile clinic and medical team of the Syrian Arab Red Crescent was on its way to Madaya after the government approved an urgent request, and a vaccination campaign is planned next week, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said.

Two convoys of aid supplies were delivered this week to the town of 42,000 affected by the months-long blockade. The UN said a convoy was planned to Madaya, which is besieged by pro-government forces, and two rebel-besieged villages of Foua and Kefraya in Idlib next week and that regular access was needed.

Unicef... can confirm that cases of severe malnutrition were found among children, it said in a statement, after the United Nations and Red Cross had entered the town on Monday and Thursday to deliver aid for the first time since October. Unicef spokesman Christophe Boulierac told a news briefing in Geneva Unicef and World Health Organisation staff were able to screen 25 children under five for malnutrition and 22 showed signs of moderate to severe malnutrition. All were now receiving treatment.

A further 10 children aged from six to 18 were screened and six showed signs of severe malnutrition, he said.

Unicef staff also witnessed the death of a severely malnourished 16-year-old boy in Madaya, while a 17-year-old boy in life-threatening condition and a pregnant woman with obstructed labour needed evacuation, Boulierac said.

World Food Programme spokeswoman Bettina Luescher said that the local relief committee in Madaya had provided figures on the extent of starvation, but it could not verify them.

Our nutritionist...was saying that it is clear that the nutritional situation is very bad, the adults look very emaciated. According to a member of the relief committee 32 people have died of starvation in the last 30-day period.

Dozens of deaths from starvation have been reported by monitoring groups, local doctors, and aid agencies from Madaya.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said on Thursday that Syrias warring parties, particularly the government, were committing atrocious acts and condemned the use of starvation as a weapon of war in the nearly five-year-old conflict.

UN human rights spokesman Rupert Colville said: It can also be a crime against humanity.... the threshold of proof is often much more difficult for a crime against humanity [than for a war crime].
A Prince William County judge convicted 31-year-old Sarah Jordan of Woodbridge on 13 felony and misdemeanour counts, including child cruelty, and assault and battery. She was found not guilty on four counts.

Jordan was the lead teacher in a Minnieland Academy classroom of one-year-old children in Woodbridge.

Witnesses testified that Jordan intentionally tripped children; encouraged them to fight each other; and sprayed them in the face with a hose.

Jordan testified in her own defence and denied the accusations. She said she occasionally used the hose to sprinkle kids with water but never tried to hurt them.

During the trial, parents told the judge their children began acting out at home after school, court officials confirm. One young girl was told by Jordan she was ugly and looked like a rat.

One father said his son was under Jordans care at Minnieland and the boy had been forced to fight other children.

The teacher was making him the class bully made to fight, he told reporters. She knows what she did. Justice has prevailed.

Three co-workers at the school testified against Jordan, saying they had witnessed her abusing the toddlers. Jordan suggested the accusations stemmed from workplace disputes with her co-workers.

She said she occasionally used the hose to sprinkle children with water because the sprinkler attachment was broken but never tried to hurt them.

But prosecutor Ashleigh Landers said the three co-workers who testified they witnessed Jordan abusing the toddlers had no bias against Jordan and one of them even considered Jordan a friend.

Landers said in her closing argument the atmosphere fostered by Jordan was almost creating like a baby fight club and did immeasurable damage to the psyches of impressionable children.

Jordan is being held by authorities and will be sentenced on May 6. Her lawyer, Adrian Showells, noted that Jordan still has the right to appeal but otherwise declined to comment.

One of her colleagues, Kierra Spriggs, 26, faces similar charges, and is set to go to trial next month.
The Republican Party debate  the first of the year  came less than three weeks before the Iowa caucuses kick off this years voting.

Trump has led the GOP field for months, confounding Republican leaders and many of his rivals.

However, Cruz forcefully defended his ability to serve as president. He suggested Trump was only turning on him because he is challenging Trumps lead, particularly in Iowa, which kicks off voting on February 1.

The Constitution hasnt changed  but the poll numbers have, Cruz said. The Texas senator was born in Canada, but his mother is American, which legal scholars agree fits with the Constitutions provision that only a natural born citizen may be president.

The heated exchanges signalled an end to months of relative civility between Trump and Cruz, both of whom are appealing to Republican voters deeply frustrated with Democrats in Washington and sometimes with their own party leaders.

Cruz renewed his criticism of Trumps New York values, a coded questioning of Trumps conservatism that elicited an unexpectedly emotional response from the real estate mogul about the citys response to the September 11, 2001, attacks.

No place on earth could have handled that more beautifully, more humanely than New York, Trump said. That was a very insulting statement Ted made.

Cruz defended his failure to disclose loans of some $1m from Wall Street banks on federal election forms during his 2012 Senate campaign, saying it was little more than a paperwork error.

Underscoring the split in the party that has defined the turbulent Republican primary, the more mainstream candidates on stage fought to edge their way into the debate.

On the economy and security, the candidates offered a sharp contrast to the optimistic portrait of the nation US president Barack Obama outlined in his State of the Union address earlier this week, warning that sticking with Democrats in the November election could have dire consequences.

On Tuesday night, I watched story time with Barack Obama, and it sounds like everything in the world was going amazing, said New Jersey governor Chris Christie.

Former Florida governor Jeb Bush suggested the country was less safe under Obama and declared Hillary Clinton, the Democratic front-runner, would be a national security disaster.

Florida senator Marco Rubio went even further, saying Clinton was disqualified for being commander in chief, accusing her of mishandling classified information and lying to the families of Americans killed in the 2012 attacks in Libya.

Rubio likened Christies policies to Obamas, particularly on guns and education reform  an attack Christie declared false. Seeking to undermine Rubios qualifications for president, Christie suggested that senators talk and talk and talk while governors such as himself are held accountable for everything you do.
I have a terrible regret, Penn said. I have a regret that the entire discussion about this article ignores its purpose, which was to try to contribute to this discussion about the policy on the war on drugs.

Guzman was recaptured last week, six months after staging a spectacular prison break through a tunnel in his cell floor.

While on the run, Guzman met secretly with Penn at a jungle hideout  a move the government says was essential to his capture.

The article based on the interview by Penn, 55, was published in Rolling Stone magazine, and quotes Guzman boasting about his drug shipments and the laundering of money through major Mexican and foreign companies.

The actor refuted claims that his interview led to El Chapos arrest.

There is this myth about the visit that we made, my colleagues and I with El Chapo, that it was... essential to his capture, Penn said. He said he had met with Guzman many weeks and in a location far from the capture.

Mexican officials wanted to encourage drug cartels to blame Guzmans capture on the meeting, Penn said, because the government was embarrassed that Penn and his coworkers found the drug kingpin before they could.

Penn said he could be in danger but was not afraid of potential threats. He did not say who had organised the meeting with Guzman, but said he had a contact facilitate an invitation.
Business The Irrawaddy Business Roundup (Jan 16, 2016)

Outgoing government ties up loose ends; Burma welcomes AIIB; Mon State to get gas power upgrade; Chinas Sino Great Wall to build in Burma.

Outgoing Government Hands Port Deals to Well-Connected Regional Firm

The administration of President Thein Sein has given concessions to operate two dry ports to a regional logistics giant, the latest contract to be awarded after the election defeat of the ruling Union Solidarity and Development Party in November.

According to a report in the Wall Street Journal, leaders of the National League for Democracy are concerned that projects are being rushed through before power is handed over in the coming months. The opposition party won an overwhelming majority at the polls and is set to lead the next government, which will inherit projects approved by the outgoing administration.

The government announced last month that Chinese firm CITIC would build a port and industrial zone as part of a special economic zone development in Kyaukphyu, Arakan State. The supposedly open tendering process, which was repeatedly delayed, ended up awarding the deals to a consortium led by the state-owned Chinese firm that had long been involved in the SEZ plan.

One losing bidder complained that the government delayed the tender, without providing any updates to companies in the running, but sped it up in recent weeks, the Wall Street Journal reported. Two other businesspeople said contracts for other projects, including for road construction and energy production, are being passed through only now, in the last weeks of the administration.

This week, it emerged that the Ministry of Rail Transportations Myanma Railways awarded the rights to two potentially lucrative port developmentsin the countrys major economic centers of Rangoon and Mandalayto a company that has high-level links in Burma and the region.

The firm, Kerry Logistics, announced on Monday that it had won the contract, which it said was part of the Burmese governments efforts to seize new opportunities for cross-border trade upon entering the ASEAN Economic Community, referring to the regional integration scheme that officially began at the start of the year.

The inland ports will serve as container and cargo terminals linked by railway to major routes in the country, and as hubs for the exporters, importers and domestic logistics service providers of cargoes in and out of Yangon and Thilawa Ports, as well as for cross-border cargoes from neighboring countries such as China and Thailand, Kerry Logistics said in its statement.

The firm is part of the Kuok/Kerry Group, founded by Malaysian-born billionaire Robert Kuok. Kuoks business empire also includes Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts, which owns and operates the upscale Sule Shangri-La hotel and Shangri-La Residences in Rangoon.

According to a U.S diplomatic cable released by WikiLeaks, the hotel, formerly known as Traders, was built in a partnership between Kuok Singapore Ltd, and Steven Law, the US Treasury-blacklisted head of drug-trafficking linked local firm Asia World. Asia Worlds sprawling operations include running Rangoons main port and its airport.

The new dry port concessions were officially awarded to Kerry Logistics Singapore-based subsidiary KLN (Singapore) Pte Ltd, part of Kerry Logistics Network, which has its headquarters in Hong Kong. That company is chaired by George Yeo, formerly a senior official in the Singaporean government.

Yeo served as Singapores Foreign Minister from 2005 to 2011, and during that time argued publicly against regional and international sanctions against the Burmese military regime. That regime ceded power in 2011 to the government led by the military-backed USDP, headed by retired General Thein Sein.

In Kerry Logistics statement, Yeo thanked the Burmese government for its trust in the company.

Given Kerry Logistics presence in ASEAN, our goal is to further strengthen the linkage among countries in the region and seek accelerated growth by developing an integrated Greater Mekong Region platform covering Thailand, Cambodia, Myanmar and Laos, he was quoted saying.

Burma Finance Official Welcomes New China-Led Bank

Finance Minister Win Shein is set to attend the official opening Saturday of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), a Chinese-led initiative that is seen as an effort to shake up US dominance of global financial institutions.

The Chinese state newswire, Xinhua, said in a report that Burma anticipates good prospects from the banks opening, which will be attended by Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang.

The report cited Burmas Deputy Minister of Finance Maung Maung Thein, who said that Win Shein will personally attend.

Our expectation and view on the opening of the AIIB are good and clear, that was why we participated as a founding member, Maung Maung Thein was quoted saying. The AIIB is assumed as a dependable bank which supports regional development.

Burma will contribute US$264.5 million to the banks capital, but the country could turn out to be a major beneficiary of the banks largesseat least $50 billion.

While Burma is in desperate need of more investment in infrastructure developments, its relationship with China is complicated. The bank is officially multilateral and involves a number of Western nations, but China will have a veto over funding decisions, and is the biggest financier of the bank.

Prior to the political and economic opening that began in 2011, China was by far the largest investor in the country, and was backing major projects in sectors from mining to energy.

Thein Sein in 2011 suspended work on the Chinese-led Myitsone hydropower dam, and new Chinese investments all but dried up.

More recently, however, Chinese interests were given a boost by the awarding of the contract to build a port and industrial zone at Kyaukphyu to a Chinese state-run firm last month. But it remains to be seen how a new government led by the National League for Democracy will deal with the domestically controversial issue of Chinese investment.

Historian Thant Myint-U wrote in an article for Foreign Policy this week that Burma needs to reset its engagement with its giant neighbor. As well as realizing that development cannot take place at the expense of peace with ethnic armed groups, Burmese leaders should be more active in directing Chinese investment.

[R]ather than letting China take the lead, Burma should formulate its own comprehensive plan for the multi-billion dollar infrastructure development it needs to revitalize its economy, Thant Myint-U wrote. China should be invited and encouraged to play a major role, but only within a framework set by the Burmese government in close consultation with the affected communities.

Towers Company Gets Backing From European Development Financiers

Mobile phone tower company Irrawaddy Green Towers is getting $122 million of funding from a group of European development financing institutions, amid growing competition in the telecommunications infrastructure sector.

The Netherlands Development Finance Company, known as FMO, announced last month that it had arranged the funding, which also involves other European state-linked financial institutions.

A $109 million loan and a smaller subordinated loan of $13 million, over periods of eight and nine years, respectively, will help Irrawaddy Green Towers toward its goal of building more than 2,000 towers as Burmas mobile network expands, the announcement said.

The senior loan is syndicated among European Development Finance Institutions with following participations: Deutsche Investitions- und Entwicklungsgesellschaft mbH DEG (Germany), Proparco (France), CDC Group (Great Britain), BIO (Belgium) and OeEB (Austria), the statement said.

Irrawaddy Green Towers website says it is the only company building phone towers in Burma with any local ownership. Its sponsors include local firm Barons Telelink, as well as executives from Dubai-based Alcazar Capital Limited and M1 Group, a investment firm based in Beirut.

In March 2014, the company announced that it had been selected by Telenor to build and manage 1,438 towers for the Norway-based companys mobile phone network in Burma.

A number of companies are competing for tower-building business in the mobile telecoms sector, including Apollo Towers, Pan Asia Towers and Myanmar Infrastructure Group. After Malaysian conglomerates Axiata and OCK Group also entered the market late last year, analysts at BMI Research predicted that the sector could be set to see consolidation, with larger players buying up smaller competitors.

A report this month in Global Trade Review, noted that the latest injection of investment comes from development lenders, rather than from commercial banks. The World Banks International Finance Corporation is also lending up to $150 million to Ooredoo Myanmar to finance the roll-out of its network.

[T]he fact that there are no commercial banks on the latest deals suggests that they may be continuing to act cautiously towards Myanmar, amid confusion over ownership of assets which could result in banks lending to sanctioned individuals, the magazine reported.

Study Completed for Mon State Gas Power Upgrade

A Norwegian consulting firm has announced that it has completed a feasibility study for a World Bank-funded gas power station in Mon State, making way for the plant to be up and running on less than two years.

A combined cycle gas turbine plant will be installed to replace an existing, and less efficient, gas turbine power station in Thaton Township. Funding of $140 million for the project was approved by the World Bank in 2013.

In a recent announcement, Norconsult said it had conducted the study for the Myanmar Electric Power Enterprise, with the consulting services paid for by the Norwegian government.

The firm said the new plant would be producing power in less than two years, and would provide cheaper electricity than other deals the government has signed recently with private firms. The government has been rushing to sign contracts with independent power producers, including a number of other gas-fired power stations, to address the chronic shortfall in power supply that has been a drag on industrial development.

The new plant will be substantially more fuel-efficient than the old plant, with a thermal efficiency more than twice as high as the old plant, the Norconsult announcement said.

The new plant will therefore generate more than twice as much power per year with the same fuel consumption as the old plant.

Chinas Sino Great Wall Wins Burma Construction Contracts: Report

Chinese company Sino Great Wall has reportedly been awarded two construction contracts in Burma by a local company.

According to its website, Sino Great Wall International Engineering has worked closely with the Chinese government on domestic construction projects, and is also involved in building hotels and other luxury developments in Sri Lanka, Cambodia and Kuwait, among other locations.

A Reuters brief on Thursday cited Chinese media saying that Sino Great Walls engineering unit wins bid for two construction contracts by Maha Land Development Co Ltd in Myanmar for a combined $200 million.

Maha Land Development appears to be part of local conglomerate Mottama Holdings, which has interests in metals and retail.
Economy Dateline Irrawaddy: Suu Kyi Is Having to Make a lot of Compromises

This week, the panel discusses how the National League for Democracy (NLD) might handle Burmas substantial challenges after the government handover in March.

Aung Zaw: Welcome to Dateline Irrawaddy! This week, well discuss the challenges that await Daw Aung San Suu Kyis National League for Democracy [NLD] government. Irrawaddy news crew members Ko Thalung Zaung Htet and Ko Htet Naing Zaw will join me for the discussion.

Were all anticipating a peaceful transfer of power, which will be the first in Burmas modern history. According to the procedure, the new Parliament will convene in February and power will be transferred in March. If this really happens, it is something to take pride in as a country that refers to itself as Shwe Myanmar [Golden Myanmar]. But before any of this happens, theres a question: Will Daw Aung San Suu Kyi become president? She said both before and after the election that she would be above the president, and shes repeatedly commented on her desire to assume the countrys highest office. But Article 59[f] of the Constitution bars her from the presidency. So lets discuss whether shell be able to become president.

Thalun Zaung Htet: Article 59[f] is still in force. But Thura U Aung Ko of the Union Solidarity and Development Party [USDP] said that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi can assume the presidency if that clause is suspended. Article 59[f], which lays out an eligibility criterion for the presidency, states that the spouse or children of the president shall not owe allegiance to a foreign power. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has two sons who are British citizens, which serves as a barrier to her bid for the presidency. If the article is suspended, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi can become president.

But some legal experts argue that it cant be suspended. Parliaments speakers have said that bills proposed by the government and lawmakers for debate will be postponed until the next Parliament convenes. So given the circumstances, its impossible to suspend Article 59[f], and its unlikely that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi can become the president through the Parliament. However, Commander-in-Chief Min Aung Hlaing, President U Thein Sein and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi have been in frequent communication with each other, so there might be another means by which Daw Aung San Suu Kyi can take up the office of president.

AZ: The 2008 Constitution has drawn criticism because it was drafted against the will of the people by a military regime that calls itself the Tatmadaw. To some people both in the government and in the military, this paves the way for changing the Constitution. Its beyond a doubt that the people want Daw Aung San Suu Kyi as their president. It doesnt matter if she actually becomes president, because people across the country already regard her as the countrys leader, a sentiment they overwhelming showed in the November election. Shes essentially the leader of this country. Former Snr-Gen Than Shwe has also reportedly endorsed her as Burmas future president. Whats your view on this, Ko Htet Naing Zaw?

Htet Naing Zaw: Im afraid this power transfer wont be as smooth as the media says. According to NLD sources, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi is having to make a lot of compromises with President U Thein Sein and Military Chief Snr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing. For example, shes been asked to keep the governments lead peace negotiator, Minister U Aung Min, and appoint certain members of the USDP to her cabinet. And some compromises that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has been quiet about have pushed her into a corner. Shes said she will form a government of national reconciliation. Still, some NLD members dont fully understand this situation and have even asked for minister positions.

AZ: I heard the NLD will release the list of nominees for its cabinet at the end of the month.

TZH: Its already out. They made a provisional list at the central executive committee meeting a couple of days ago.

AZ: Id like to pick up what Ko Htet Naing Zaw said. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has had to go her entire political life making compromisesshes 70 now. Even though shes been given a mandate by the people, she has to negotiate. This reflects the complicated political problems of our country.

Lets talk about what would happen if Daw Aung San Suu Kyi were to become president and assume executive power for the first time. Previously, she was the opposition, and she was described in both local and international media as the democratic opposition leader. But in March the media will start to talk about the Daw Aung San Suu Kyi government. Lets discuss what challenges there will be. Ko Thalun, I think peace is the most important issue for Burma.

TZH: The Union Peace Conference [the start of a political dialogue involving the government, ethnic armed groups and other national stakeholders] kicked off in Naypyidaw on Jan. 12. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi only vaguely talked about peace in her speech, stressing that all ethnicities, including both NCA [national ceasefire agreement] signatories and non-signatories, will have to work together to achieve peace. Its the first time shes attended peace talks since she said that she would lead the peace process. One could say that this is her first step toward building peace. But there are lots of challenges waiting for her in this process. There is distrust between the military and ethnic groups and also between government and the military.

AZ: Again, some ethnic groups dont trust Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.

TZH: Even though there is distrust, she shouldnt hold a peace conference or a ceasefire signing. She should rebuild this trust. Only after that will she be able to proceed with the peace process. U Thein Seins government has constantly engaged in the process, but its failed to achieve the desired results because it could not rebuild trust. The [government-backed] Myanmar Peace Center has supposedly held hundreds of peace talks. But they didnt do what they needed to dobuild trust. So even if a truce is signed, peace wont prevail. There are still clashes happening around the country.

AZ: NCA signatories as well as non-signatories will be waiting to see what long-term and short-term policies on the peace process an NLD-led government will come up with. Donor organizations, most of them from Western countries, as well as from China and other neighboring countries in the region, will also be waiting. The question is whether the NLD and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi really understand the issue, the cause of this civil war and the ensuing conflict.

HNZ: We can be more optimistic about the peace process if Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and the NLD government dont walk down the path paved by President U Thein Sein but instead go down another.

AZ: What do you mean?

HNZ: For starters, holding individual talks with each ethnic group to build trust and then holding collective talks. The key demand of ethnic groups is equality. The peace process will work better if the NLD approaches each group with goodwill. Again, the NLD needs to convince the military of the merits of national reconciliation. If it caters to the military, it will only undermine trust between the NLD and ethnic groups.

AZ: It needs to be careful that it doesnt get stuck between the two. If ethnic groups think that the NLD has links with the military, they wont trust Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. This is a huge hurdle. Id like to draw attention to ethnic people in hilly regions, especially in northern Burma. Looking back, most ethnic people in northern Burma have never been under military rule. Theyve never been under anyones control. Thats why those who attempt to take control of those areas are facing so many difficulties now. It would be very difficult for Burma to achieve peace, no matter who is leading the country, unless he or she understands the complicated conflicts occurring there.

People have high expectations for Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and the NLD, and hope that they will be able to create jobs for people and improve economic, social, health and educational standards. They think, Weve voted for them, now what will they do for us in return? The government is supposed to serve the interests of the people, isnt it? It must serve the public. A leader elected by the people is the servant of the people. What will the NLD do for the people?

TZH: Theyve adopted a six-point economic policy, and there are 10 points in the details. However, the points are very broad. The NLD will come to power in March. But theyve yet to specify economic policies for Burmas development. They always say, read our election declaration. Ive read it and still cant find anything satisfactory.

AZ: Its a huge challenge. In spite of its rich resources, Burma is still considered a third world country, and indeed its one of the poorest countries on the planet. But theres great potential. Businessmen at home and abroad are waiting to see what policies the NLD will adopt to overcome Burmas current economic challenges, how it will make use of the countrys potential. My final question: Ko Htet Naing Zaw, what opportunities can the NLD create for social, economic and educational progress for the country? And what will be the challenges?

HNZ: Young people hope that there will be more job opportunities once Daw Aung San Suu Kyis government comes to power. But as Ko Thalun Zaung Htet said, their manifesto is very vague, and it hasnt outlined any details on how to create jobs. However, there will be more job opportunities if foreign investments come into Burma. The international community expects Daw Aung San Suu Kyis government to successfully assume power, and there is a direct relationship between foreign investment and job opportunities. So its fair to conclude that job prospects will be greater once the NLD comes to power.

AZ: Thats very general. Its not that foreign investment will increase just because Daw Aung San Suu Kyis government has come to power. Foreign investment will come only when policies are good. Isnt the most important question how the government will handle this? Challenges lie ahead for the NLD in 2016.
In celebration of the 10th anniversary of HullaBOWLoo, Chattanooga Area Food Banks signature fundraising event, the CAFB Event Planning Committee is hosting Charit-aBOWL, an open gallery exhibition of handcrafted artwork on Friday, Feb. 5, from 5:308:30 p.m. at the Chattanooga WorkSpace Gallery. All pieces featured in the exhibition are focused around a theme of food, family and cooking traditions. The work, which represents over 44 local artists, will be on display through Feb. 26 and has been donated for sale at the CAFB HullaBOWLoo event on Saturday, Feb. 27.

The Charit-a-BOWL exhibition is a feast of color and textures all celebrating our areas diverse craft talents and artisans. Were so grateful to those participating in this show and for our communitys support of the Chattanooga Area Food Banks hunger relief efforts said Marisa Ogles, CAFB director of External Relations.

This year, the Food Bank partnered with local artists to share in HullaBOWLoo's creative legacy and to highlight the 50th year of Tennessee Craft. Area artisans have donated handmade pieces to be sold at HullaBOWLoo. The community is invited to view the handmade donations at the Charit-a-BOWL exhibition prior to the HullaBOWLoo event. Chattanooga WorkSpace Gallery is at 302 W 6th St,

Ultimately, the CAFB Event Planning Committee hopes to raise financial support for CAFB programs through the handcrafted art donations. The Charit-a-BOWL exhibition is funded through ArtsBuilds Community Cultural Connections Grant Project and is supported by corporate sponsors including Derthick Henley & Wilkerson Architecture and Continental Films. Ann Treadwell, curator and program director for the Jewish Cultural Center of Greater Chattanooga, serves as juror for the exhibition and will be selecting artist award winners.

Learn more about HullaBOWLoo and the Charit-a-BOWL exhibition by visiting www.hullabowloo.com.
Here is the upcoming City Council agenda for Tuesday:

I. Call to Order

II. Pledge of Allegiance/Invocation (Councilman Grohn).



III. Minute Approval.



IV. Special Presentation.



V. Ordinances  Final Reading:



ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT



a. An ordinance to amend Chattanooga City Code, Part II, Chapter 38, Zoning

Ordinance, Section 38-361 to update the Flood Insurance Rate Map

Community Panel Numbers.



b.





2015-143 Steven Ryan/Community Funeral and Brainerd Church of Christ(R-1 Residential Zone to R-4 Special Zone). An ordinance to amendChattanooga City Code, Part II, Chapter 38, Zoning Ordinance, so as torezone property located at 4203 Brainerd Road, more particularlydescribed herein, from R-1 Residential Zone to R-4 Special Zone, subject tocertain conditions. (District 5) (Recommended for approval byPlanning)2015-143 Steven Ryan/Community Funeral and Brainerd Church of Christ(R-1 Residential Zone to R-4 Special Zone). An ordinance to amendChattanooga City Code, Part II, Chapter 38, Zoning Ordinance, so as torezone property located at 4203 Brainerd Road, more particularlydescribed herein, from R-1 Residential Zone to R-4 Special Zone, subject tocertain conditions. (Staff Version)2015-143 Steven Ryan/Community Funeral and Brainerd Church of Christ(R-1 Residential Zone to R-4 Special Zone). An ordinance to amendChattanooga City Code, Part II, Chapter 38, Zoning Ordinance, so as torezone property located at 4203 Brainerd Road, more particularlydescribed herein, from R-1 Residential Zone to R-4 Special Zone.(Applicant Version)SAFETYc. An ordinance to amend Chattanooga City Code, Chapter 7, Article II,Sections 7-17 and 7-18, relative to Licensing and Vaccination of Dogs andCats. (Sponsored by Councilman Anderson and CouncilmanMitchell) (Revised)VI. Ordinances  First Reading:HUMAN RESOURCESa. An ordinance to amend Chattanooga City Code, Part II, Chapter 2, relativeto the General Pension Plan.b. An ordinance to amend Chattanooga City Code, Part II, Chapter 2, relativeto the Fire and Police Pension Fund.VII. Resolutions:ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENTa. A resolution to make certain findings relating to the Yanfeng USAutomotive Interior Systems I LLC Project, to delegate certain authorityto the Industrial Development Board of the City of Chattanooga, and toauthorize the Mayor to enter into and execute an Agreement forPayments in Lieu of Ad Valorem Taxes.b. A resolution authorizing the amendment of Resolution No. 25536 tochange the department name from Neighborhood Services andCommunity Development to Economic and Community Development, andto include the Deputy Administrator as an alternate certifying officer fordocuments relative to the environmental review process as required byFederal Regulations effective June 1, 2008.VIII. Departmental Reports:a) Police.b) Fire.c) Economic and Community Development.d) Youth and Family Development.e) Transportation.f) Public Works.g) Finance.h) IT.i) Human Resources.j) General Services.IX. Purchases.X. Other Business.a) City Attorney Report.(1) A resolution authorizing the acceptance of support,financial or otherwise, to City Employees fromorganizations and agencies seeking to assist individualswho sustained injuries or trauma from the tragic incidentthat occurred on July 16, 2015.(2) A resolution repealing Resolution Nos. 18697, 18710, 19757,20026, 20480, 24117, 24977, and 27969 establishing newrules of procedure for the City Council of the City ofChattanooga, Tennessee.XI. Committee Reports.XII. Agenda Session for Tuesday, January 26, 2016.XIII. Recognition of Persons Wishing to Address the Council on Non-AgendaMatters.XIV. Adjournment.Agenda for Tuesday, January 19, 20161. Call to Order.2. Pledge of Allegiance/Invocation (Councilman Gilbert).3. Minute Approval.4. Special Presentation.5. Ordinances  Final Reading:HUMAN RESOURCESa. An ordinance to amend Chattanooga City Code, Part II, Chapter 2, relativeto the General Pension Plan.b. An ordinance to amend Chattanooga City Code, Part II, Chapter 2, relativeto the Fire and Police Pension Fund.6. Ordinances  First Reading: (None)7. Resolutions:HUMAN RESOURCESa. A resolution authorizing the Director of Human Resources to renewblanket contract number 51976 with LifeServices EAP for the EmployeeAssistance Program for one (1) year at the rate of $1.20 per employee permonth for an annual cost of approximately $33,500.00.b. A resolution authorizing the appointment of Aaron Bertera as a specialpolice officer (unarmed) for the McKamey Animal Center to do specialduty as prescribed herein, subject to certain conditions.GENERAL SERVICESc. MR-2016-002 City of Chattanooga Real Property Office/Gail Hart. Aresolution declaring surplus of property located at 1815 E. Main Streetand further identified as Tax Map No. 156B-D-009. (District 8)d. MR-2016-008 City of Chattanooga Real Property Office/Gail Hart. Aresolution declaring surplus of property located at 1600 Central Avenue,further identified as Tax Map No. 146P-J-001, and authorizing the Mayor toenter into a donation agreement, in substantially the form attached, andany related documents, between the Young Mens Christian Associationof Metropolitan Chattanooga and the City of Chattanooga for thedonation of the property. (District 8)e. A resolution authorizing the Mayor to execute the agreement to exerciseoption to renew between the City of Chattanooga and the University ofTennessee, on behalf of its Chattanooga Campus, for the building knownas Warner Park Fieldhouse located at 301 N. Holtzclaw Avenue, for anadditional five (5) year term, with no remaining options to renew.(District 8)POLICEf. A resolution authorizing the Chief of the Police Department to enter intoan annual renewal license and support for IBM i2 COPLINK from January1, 2016 to December 31, 2016.PUBLIC WORKS AND TRANSPORTATIONPublic Worksg. A resolution authorizing the approval of Change Order No. (Final) forThomas Brothers Construction Company relative to Contract No. S-14-001-201, Concord Street Storm Drainage Improvements, for a decreasedamount of $34,629.71, for a revised contract amount not to exceed$816,995.85, and release the remaining contingency amount of $16,177.44.(District 2)h. A resolution authorizing the approval of Change Order No. 1 (Final) forDillard Construction, Inc. relative to Contract No. S-10-008-201, BrainerdLevee Certification Construction, for a decreased amount of $4,676.10, fora revised contract amount not to exceed $321,171.90, and to release theremaining contingency amount of $32,600.00. (District 6)i. A resolution authorizing the Administrator for the Department of PublicWorks to award Contract No. S-12-003-201 to Thomas BrothersConstruction Company, Inc., McCutcheon Road  Drainage Improvements,in the amount of $1,575,061.73, with a contingency amount of $155,000.00,for an amount not to exceed $1,730,061.73. (District 6)Transportationj. A resolution authorizing the Administrator for the Department ofTransportation to enter into a software sublicense agreement with theTennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) to accept a nonexclusive,non-transferable, royalty free software sublicense for the useof software programs for Active Intelligent Transportation Systemmanagement.k. A resolution authorizing the Administrator for the Department ofTransportation to amend an agreement with Cannon and Cannon, Inc.relative to Contract No. E-12-022-101 originally established underResolution No. 27588 for professional services associated with CityRoundabout Design, for a decreased amount of $68,215.47, for a revisedcontract amount of $13,784.53.l. A resolution authorizing the Administrator for the Department ofTransportation to apply for and, if awarded, accept the first phase of aSmart City Challenge grant from the United States Department ofTransportation (USDOT), for planning and development of a Smart CityChallenge application that will demonstrate Chattanoogas unique abilityto use interactive technology and data-driven solutions to connecttransportation assets and infrastructure to make transportation safer,easier, and more reliable, for an amount of $100,000.00.8. Departmental Reports:a) Police.b) Fire.c) Economic and Community Development.d) Youth and Family Development.e) Transportation.f) Public Works.g) Finance.h) IT.i) Human Resources.j) General Services.9. Purchases.10. Other Business.11. Committee Reports.12. Agenda Session for Tuesday, February 2, 2016.13. Recognition of Persons Wishing to Address the Council on Non-AgendaMatters.14. Adjournment.
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The Indiana men's and women's swimming and diving teams swam well in their first meet of 2016 at the Georgia Tech quad meet on Saturday afternoon at McAuley Aquatic Center in Atlanta.The 11-ranked Indiana men's team defeated No. 22 Duke, 198-102, and Georgia Tech, 212.50-87.50. IU lost to No. 6-ranked Michigan, 176-118.The 16-ranked Hoosier women's team beat Duke, 190-110, and Georgia Tech, 227-73. IU fell to the No. 8 Wolverines, 174-126.On the day, the Hoosiers racked up 10 individual wins on the day, withandeach notching two victories apiece to lead Indiana. The IU swimmers totaled 16 NCAA B cut times on the afternoon, while the Hoosier divers racked up a pair of NCAA Zones qualifying scores.In the 200 medley relay, the IU women's team ofandplaced second with a season-best time of 1:40.91. On the men's side, the Hoosier team ofandtook third with a mark of 1:28.40.led the way for the Hoosiers in the 1000 freestyle, placing second overall with a time of 10:02.92. For the IU men,took third place with a mark of 9:16.07.started 2016 off with a victory, as the sophomore won the 200 free with a NCAA B cut and season-best time of 1:35.85. For the IU women,placed second with a NCAA B cut mark of 1:47.92.The Hoosier men made it back-to-back wins astouched the wall first in the 100 backstroke with a NCAA B cut mark of 48.23.led the IU women, taking third with a NCAA B qualifying time of 55.07.made it three-straight victories for the IU men, winning the 100 breaststroke with a NCAA B cut time of 54.23. On the women's side,touched the wall first for the Hoosier women with a NCAA B qualifying time of 1:00.91.was just behind her in second place with a NCAA B mark of 1:01.94.In the 50 freestyle,placed third with a mark of 23.52, whiletook fourth with a NCAA B cut time of 20.19.In 1-meter diving,led the Hoosier women, winning with a score of 264.55.placed eighth with a mark of 214.25. For the IU men,took second place with a score of 292.30, whilecame in seventh with a mark of 255.40.earned his second win of the day, touching the wall first in the 100 freestyle with a NCAA B cut time of 44.11. For the IU women,took fourth overall with a mark of 50.93.In the 200 backstroke,continued his strong meet, placing second with a NCAA B cut time of 1:46.24. For the Hoosier women,took third with a NCAA B and season-best time of 1:58.74.Indiana completed the sweep of the breaststroke events, asandeach touched the wall first in the 200 breast for the Hoosiers. On the women's side, King won with a NCAA B cut time of 2:11.97, withplacing third with a NCAA B mark of 2:15.13. For the IU men, Kurz won with a NCAA B qualifying time of 1:59.63.In the 500 freestyle,earned a runner-up finish, timing in with a NCAA B cut and season-best mark of 4:46.26. On the men's side,placed third with a time of 4:29.74.led the way for the IU women in the 100 butterfly, timing in at 55.71 to take fourth place. For the men,finished fifth with a mark of 48.82.In 3-meter diving,took home first place, winning with a total of 369.75  a NCAA Zones qualifying standard.finished seventh with a mark of 269.70. On the women's side,earned her second runner-up of the meet, totaling 290.70 to notch her second NCAA Zones qualifying score of the day.placed sixth with a total of 263.95.had a great swim for the Hoosiers in the 200 IM, placing third overall with a NCAA B cut time of 1:48.78. Finnerty's time ranks him as the 18-fastest 200 IM swimmer in school history. For the IU women,took fifth with a mark of 2:04.50.In the final event of the day  the 400 freestyle relay  the IU men's team ofandfinished second with a time of 3:00.06, ranking them fourth all-time in IU history. On the women's side, the team ofandtook third with a time of 3:26.64. That mark ranks the team seventh all-time in IU history.The Indiana men's and women's swimming and diving teams will be back in action on Saturday, January 23 when the Hoosiers will host Purdue at at the Counsilman-Billingsley Aquatic Center for Senior Day.The meet is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. ET and will be broadcast live online on BTN Plus.Be sure to keep up with all the latest news on the Indiana men's and women's swimming and diving teams on social media  Twitter Facebook and Instagram
Known for his roles in Die Hard, Sweeney Todd, Love Actually, and the most memorable one which is Proffesor Severus Snape in the Harry Potter series, a giant of British screen and stage Alan Rickman has died at the age of 69, as reported by The Guardian on Thursday.

His family confirmed his death to be peaceful and surrounded by loved-ones. He had secretly been battling cancer. Tributes from the fans who know him as Snape have been causing a lot of internet traffic. Though the people who knew him personally make sure to express their grief mostly on their social media accounts.

His Potter co-star Daniel Radcliffe, took to his Google+ account to write about his friendship with Rickman, saying that he was one of the people who treated him more of a peer than a child during their filming days. He also revealed that Rickman has been very supportive of him and his post-Potter activities.

"Alan Rickman is undoubtedly one of the greatest actors I will ever work with. He is also, one of the loyalest and most supportive people I've ever met in the film industry. He was so encouraging of me both on set and in the years post-Potter. I'm pretty sure he came and saw everything I ever did on stage both in London and New York. He didn't have to do that. I know other people who've been friends with him for him for much longer than I have and all they say 'if you call Alan, it doesn't matter where in the world he is or how busy he is with what he's doing, he'll get back to you within a day'," Radcliffe wrote.

Radcliffe also added that people usually create their perceptions of actors based on the roles they play, that is why some people might be surprised to learn how Rickman is contrary to some of his scary characters, for he is actually extremely kind, generous, self-deprecating and funny.
In light of the unimaginable assault of the Ooltewah basketball players and the resulting debacle of the HCDE and Superintendent Rick Smith, I found an interesting article:



http://www.homes. timesfreepress.com/news/2011/ jul/08/smith-new-schools- chief/



Let us hope that major changes will occur by ousting personal political agendas in the HCDE, and there be a renewed focus on the children of Hamilton County.

I am a former Signal Mountain resident and a graduate of the Hamilton County school system. It is very disheartening to hear of the seemingly widespread educational and discipline issues in the schools. All of the wonderful awards that Chattanooga has received mean nothing if the school system is failing these children, especially in such a public and horrific manner.

May these bullied young men, and the other bullied students, find the inner strength to recover from their mental and physical traumas, and be able to forgive those adults who abdicated their responsibilities to these children.



Donna Beason Emmett

Ider, Ala.
I find that I am comforted by the Latin inscription on a plaque by the door of our home. Vocatus atque non vocatus Deus aderit which translates as Bidden or not bidden, God is present.

The saying is reported to be a Delphic oracle. Carl Jung, Swiss psychiatrist and writer, carved this inscription over his door to remind him and his patients of Gods presence and another quote Timor del initium sapiente. The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom. (Jungs Letters) God is present, and we need His wisdom.

We might, therefore, define prayer as practicing an awareness of the presence of God. Saint Francis, circa 1181, who was the founder of the Franciscans, described prayer in the same way.

Francis love of nature and his faith in Gods omnipresence were instrumental in his devotional life. Francis is also known for his prayer that begins with Make me an instrument of your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love.

For me, his thoughts and words are true prayers. I find the recitation of certain familiar phrases or words are not necessarily prayers. They might even be a ritualistic barrier to true prayer. I have found that at times in my life, I had to stop saying prayers in order to truly pray or to be sensitive to Gods presence. Maybe that is why Jesus advised that when we pray, we should retreat to our closet or seek solitude (Matthew 6:5-6).

As I have said before, there seems to be an inordinate concern in our culture with public prayer. We feel we must begin all public meetings and functions with prayer, even ball games. If divine guidance is sought, do it quietly and privately. Ralph Waldo Emerson famously felt he had to abandon his ministry because he could not, in good consciences, pray publicly. The next time you hear a public prayer, listen carefully to determine if it is truly directed toward God or the audience.

There are different types of prayers; some, too few, are prayers of praise and thanksgiving to God. There are also prayers of confession when we acknowledge our sins and ask Gods forgiveness. There are prayers for Gods presence and guidance through difficult times. Finally, there are prayers of intercession and petition. These are prayers used most frequently in our lives. We ask God for special blessings for those we love or want to help. This is fine, but we should not only pray but act.

I think of those who send their prayers when some terrible event occurs such as a mass shooting. Along with prayers, individuals might lobby for safer gun control and better mental health services. I also remember several years ago when a group of students approached me to pray for a family that needed money to heat their home. I encouraged them to pray, but also suggested that they chop some wood while they prayed. Along with prayer, remember that most of us are capable of solving problems and lending a helping hand.

Since God is always present, perhaps we should have times of silence and meditation. Paul in Romans 8:26-27 advises us to remain silent and follow scripture, In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for Gods people in accordance with the will of God.

Another form of prayer in the New Testament is speaking in tongues or glossolalia, a phenomenon which some claim today. Some regard it as proof that one has the Holy Spirit. It is said to be a divine language that ordinarily requires an interpreter. Others believe that it is merely an experience of religious ecstasy. Paul talks about it in I Corinthians 14:1-15. It seems that in the New Testament, God, most often, speaks spiritually to those who pray if they have an inner intuitive sense of His speaking.

We should not forget that Jesus disciples struggled and asked Him to teach them how to pray. He gave them the well-known Our Father or The Lords Prayer in Matthew 6:5-13. The repetition of this prayer should not become rote or meaningless. It is the best guide for proper prayer, but must be connected to the sense of Gods presence. Above all, practice an awareness of the presence of God in life, and follow.
Meet The Awesome Artist Behind This David Bowie Window Light

By Rachel Cromidas in Arts & Entertainment on Jan 15, 2016 7:04PM



via artist Ben Zurwaski

In the days following the death of music and art icon David Bowie, one of the most poignant local tributes to him was a light-box of his face, circa the Ziggy Stardust days, in a North Center apartment window.

The portrait, which features Bowie's signature flaming orange hair and lightning bolt face-paint, was made in a frenzied day off work by Chicagoan Ben Zurawski, a 32-year-old artist who makes Chicago-themed window light-boxes and custom flipbook art as The Flippist.

"The morning I heard of his passing, I decided I would take a day off from work and make the sign. I just listened to his music all day and cobbled it together," he told Chicagoist. "It was cathartic. Figured Chicago could used a cool random Bowie beacon brightening up things a bit on that day as people returned home from work."

The Bowie sign is very DIYit's made of posterboard, hot-glue, tracing paper, and leftover Christmas lights. Zurawski said he will likely keep the sign up for a few more weeks. He's pleased with the joy the sign seems to be bringing passersby.

"We've heard a good amount of chatter from the sidewalk below and have caused a few photo opps in the process," he said.

Though his artistic bread-and-butter is customized flip-books, many of which have gone viral, Zurawski's window lights are well-known in his neighborhood. On Halloween, for example, he put up two fake street signs that re-imagined North Center's Damen and Bell Plaine avenues as "Demon Avenue" and "Helle Paine." For Christmas, a "Merry Princemas" lightbox sign sparked a neighborhood singalong, in costume, to Prince tunes.



via artist Ben Zurwaski

Zurawski's got some even more eccentric bragging rights, too: After making and selling paper mache versions of Clocky from Pee-wee's Playhouse, Zurawski travelled to L.A. for a live stage performance of Pee-wee's Playhouse, during which Pee-wee himself helped Zurawski propose to his now-wife. He's also the proud owner of Dorkymetaldetecting.com, and a self-described dorky metal detectora hobby he and his wife share, making them our new favorite couple.

"If anyone is interested in letting us detect your yard, give us a holler!" Zurawski told Chicagoist via email. "Find out the history in your yard and meet the WORLD FAMOUS WEIRD (but friendly) SIGN GUY! We don't make a mess, no cost, and of course you can keep anything we find if you want it."

But back to the Bowie sign. Here's a step-by-step guide to how it was made:


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Milwaukee's program that requires an additional level of inspections for apartment buildings near the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and other neighborhoods could be eliminated under a bill pending in the Legislature.

Supporters of the residential rental inspection program say it helps uncover building code violations, leading to improvements for older apartments that shore up property values.

Opponents say it gives city building inspectors too much power, which they say can be used arbitrarily.

The Common Council and Mayor Tom Barrett approved the program in 2009. It requires apartments located mainly near UWM and in the Lindsay Heights area, on the north side, to be certified by city building inspectors before they can be rented.

Well-maintained buildings receive a four-year certificate. Buildings with units that have what the city calls "disqualifying violations" receive a one-year certificate after the violations have been corrected.

Apartment building owners said the ordinance unfairly imposes additional inspection fees, which are $86 for each apartment unit. They said building inspectors should instead focus on a relatively small group of bad landlords.

Supporters said the ordinance is needed to better deal with problem landlords. That includes building owners who create hazardous situations by illegally putting too many tenants into apartments.

The program initially affected around 3,700 units in Lindsay Heights, bounded roughly by I-43, N. 29th St., W. Galena St. and W. Wright St., and in a neighborhood near UWM, bordered by N. Cambridge Ave., N. Hackett Ave., E. Newberry Blvd. and E. Edgewood Ave.

It was expanded in 2015 to another part of the city  a small neighborhood west of Lindsay Park. That area is bordered by W. Congress, W. Marion, N. 87th and N. 92nd streets.

Also, apartment buildings designated as nuisance properties by the Milwaukee Police Department are inspected under the program, said Erica Lewandowski, special enforcement manager for the Department of Neighborhood Services.

Bill has been altered

The pending legislation, Assembly Bill 568, initially included a provision that would prohibit Wisconsin communities from operating such programs.

Some of those programs charge building owners annual fees while doing inspections only every five years, said Sen. Frank Lasee (R-De Pere), a co-sponsor of the legislation.

Lasee also said the programs in Milwaukee and other communities place an unfair focus on buildings in certain neighborhoods.

The bill was recently revised by co-sponsor Rep. Robert Brooks (R-Saukville).

It now gives communities the authority to do regularly scheduled apartment building inspections that are not initiated by tenant complaints.

But it also says those inspections must apply to all residential rental properties, barring a city from focusing on certain neighborhoods, said Brenda Wood, a lobbyist for the City of Milwaukee

"We would either have to expand the program citywide or abolish it," Wood said.

Apartment building owners, such as Milwaukee landlord Orville Seymer, say the regular system of building inspectors responding to complaints from tenants works well without an additional level of scrutiny.

The city should instead focus on landlords who are overcrowding their apartments with too many students, said Carole Wehner, who operates rentals near UWM.

Wehner said the program has led to inspectors writing orders for minor improvements, such as painting the floor of a front porch, for her properties.

However, Pamela Frautschi, who lives near UWM, said the program has uncovered a large number of building code violations in her neighborhood.

Students are often first-time renters, and are "often unaware that certain conditions they are living with are legally substandard," Frautschi wrote in a letter to legislators.

Actions of renters cited

Some renters, including students, knowingly violate apartment capacity rules to reduce their rent, according to the Department of Neighborhood Services. Renters also fear being evicted for complaining to building inspectors.

Poorly operated apartment buildings can affect nearby homes, and eliminating the program would hurt property values in those neighborhoods, said Jennifer Gonda, the city's director of intergovernmental relations.

Another provision in AB 568 would prohibit communities from designating a building as historic if the property owner objects. That is opposed by historic preservationists and officials from Milwaukee and other cities.

The legislation's registered opponents include the cities of Milwaukee and Madison, and Legal Action of Wisconsin Inc., which represents low-income tenants in litigation involving landlords.

Supporters include the Apartment Association of Southeastern Wisconsin Inc., Apartment Association of South Central Wisconsin and Wisconsin Realtors Association.

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Michael Black and Aziz Draper perform in a scene from First Stages production of Holes. Credit: Paul Ruffolo

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When you dig into the past, there's no telling what stories you'll unearth  particularly if you don't presume to know what you'll find even before you get started.

That's one valuable take-away from the stage adaptation of novelist Louis Sachar's award-winning "Holes." A huge hit for First Stage in 2004, it's now back, in a marvelous and inspiring First Stage production that opened Friday night under Jeff Frank's direction.

At their most literal level, the "Holes" in Sachar's title are what Stanley Yelnats finds himself digging, after being convicted of a theft he didn't commit and sent to the misnamed Camp Green Lake  a waterless juvenile detention facility described by Sachar as a "dry, flat wasteland"  to "build character."

Wearing regulation orange, each boy must do so by digging a daily hole under the hot sun for the comically villainous warden (Mary MacDonald Kerr) and her toadies (Todd Denning and Zach Thomas Woods)

Bullied at school, Stanley  Kaden Rhodes in the Rattlesnake cast of alternating young actors on stage Friday night  accepts his latest tribulation as par for the course; he's convinced his luck will always be bad because his family is cursed, thanks to wrongs committed by his "no-good-dirty-rotten-pig-stealing-great-great grandfather."

"Holes" gives us that back story, unfolding in long-ago Latvia before Stanley's allegedly "rotten" ancestor (Alec Wellenstein) emigrated to America.

It also gives us the horrific back story of Green Lake  largest watering hole in Texas until a racist hate crime at the dawn of the 20th century destroys a budding romance between a black onion farmer (Sherrick Robinson) and a white schoolteacher (Bree Beelow). The ensuing drought turns this onetime paradise into a parched hell.

That's a lot of story to unpack, which is among the reasons First Stage recommends "Holes" for those 9 and up. But Frank and his cast present the flashbacks in "Holes" with remarkable clarity.

They're aided by Rick Rasmussen's multitiered set, which provides a realistic re-creation of a desert landscape while enabling past and present to bleed into each other, with the past unfolding upstage and periodically invading the hole diggers' downstage present.

That's what the past always does, when one digs beneath the surface of things. Are we condemned to repeat it, digging ourselves still deeper into the holes we've made? Or might we actually change history by learning from it?

Stanley and fellow digger Zero (Collin Woldt)  a homeless black child who can't read and who is similarly bullied and vilified  are tasked with answering this question. Watching their moving efforts to do so together  just days before we celebrate the birthday of Martin Luther King Jr.  who is to say we can't uncover a better, long-buried story of who we might yet be?

IF YOU GO

"Holes" continues through Feb. 14 at the Marcus Center's Todd Wehr Theater, 929 N. Water St. For tickets, call (414) 273-7206 or visit firststage.org. Read more about this production at TapMilwaukee.com.

TAKEAWAYS

The Gang of Six: The Rattlesnake cast's ensemble of six orange-clad boys does an excellent job of creating individualized characters while also re-creating some of the same ugly hierarchies  and engaging in some of the same nasty bullying  unfolding around them.

Much like "Holes" itself, however, they also add leavening humor. And there are things about each of them that are likable, good and true  suggesting, much as this entire show does, that each generation isn't necessarily condemned to double down on the mistakes of its predecessors. In addition to Rhodes and Woldt as Stanley and Zero, the commendable gang of six within the Rattlesnake cast includes Jacob Badovski (Zig), Michael Black (Armpit), Aziz Draper (X-Ray) and Sam Nunez (Magnet).

Fate and Free Will: Two more of this Rattlesnake cast's dozen young performers dramatize a running theme in "Holes." To steal from Jeff Frank's characteristically insightful director's note, "are we victims of our fate, or do we make our own destiny?"

In a flashback to 19th-century Latvia, Wellenstein's earnest Elya  Stanley's much-maligned great-great-grandfather  is madly in love with the comically stupid Myra (delightfully played by Madalyn Mainwood). Tasked with choosing between Elya and a second suitor, Myra asks them to pick a number instead  with a view toward marrying the man who comes closest to the number in her head. One couldn't more vividly (or comically) demonstrate the difference between leaving one's future to chance and building a future that one chooses and works for.

"Holes" and "Ragtime": For Elya, seizing hold of one's destiny eventually means leaving behind the superstitious, backward-looking Latvia in which he was raised and emigrating to the promising, forward-looking world of America  the same land in which an enterprising black onion farmer named Sam imagines he might forge a future including a white woman named Kate.

Watching these men pursue the American dream  that beautifully inscribed, frequently broken promise of a land where we might yet become all we've ever imagined we could be  what comes to mind is the musical "Ragtime."

For all their obvious differences in structure and scale, both pieces feature turn-of-the century stories involving charismatic and ultimately thwarted black men, juxtaposed with stories of similarly enterprising emigrants from Latvia  all as a means of meditating on the meaning of America, what happens when it fails to live up to its potential and what that history might teach us as we move forward.

The Power of Story: "Ragtime" consciously foregrounds the power of storytelling, as a once-young boy looks back as an old man, tracing who he has become from what he and his country once were. "Holes" makes a similar move, conjuring a gypsy (Malkia Stampley) who plays an integral role in starting this story and also beautifully completes it (I won't say more).

Much as Sachar does in his originating novel, Stampley's gypsy suggests to us through this stage adaptation that even our folklore and fairy tales should never become formulas. Our ways of seeing the past can and should evolve, reflecting how we ourselves have changed and grown. Otherwise, we really are just digging the same old holes and threatening to bury ourselves alive. It's no accident that Rasmussen's holes resemble individualized, isolating graves.

If Only: When Elya lands in America, he arrives with a song, learned from Stampley's gypsy and passed on through the generations of Elya's family so that it's known by Stanley himself. In a verse that begins and ends with the words "if only," this song sorrows for a world where so much proves harder than it should and where so many are lonely. But the words "if only" also dare to imagine a world that might be different and better, even if one can't ever picture what that world might be like.

Teetering on knife's edge between hope and despair, this song and these words reach toward without ever quite achieving resolution. Sung often enough, for long enough, the hope in words like "if only" might readily curdle into disappointment and then resignation.

Will that song forever remain the same, hoping for more while stuck with less? Or might we learn to sing it differently and more declaratively, thereby pointing toward a more joyous ending? That's another version of Frank's aptly poised question about fate and free will. If you want to learn whether and how it gets answered  and whether or not this song ever gets sung differently  you'll need to leave the comfy confines where you've holed up for winter and come see this show.
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The Metropolitan Builders Association (MBA) wrapped up its Home Building and Remodeling Show last weekend and Kristine Hillmer, executive director of the MBA, had one word to describe the 3-day event, Fantastic! There was a 40% increase in exhibitors and a 45% increase in attendance. People have been waiting to start projects on their homes or theyre tired of putting off building. In general, people have more confidence now in the economy. They feel more financially secure and they are tired of waiting.

Exhibitors saw enthusiastic crowds and got quality leads. This is such a great show for people to compare and contrast services, products and vendors in an environment with good energy, Hillmer said. Attendees are relaxed. They are interested in making contacts, doing research and getting ideas.

Ann Rodrigues, co-owner of David & Goliath Homes and DG Remodeling, said the company she and her husband, David, own and run have participated in the MBA show for the past 20 years. Its now at the Exposition Center at Wisconsin State Fair Park and it seemed to draw more attendees from the Western Lakes area, she said. It was good to hear people talking about investing in their homes again. There were people who told us they already had their lots. We were thrilled with the response.

The hard data backs it up. Hillmer said preliminary results from attendee surveys show 54% of attendees are looking to remodel their homes. The show is great way to meet multiple remodelers. Its a very effective and efficient use of your time. Everything is there. You can see products and demonstration and speak with our exhibitors about what you are looking for.

Whether building or remodeling, Hillmer said homeowners are always looking to do something to their homes. Painting, new cabinets, flooring...we had a really wide variety of exhibitors. The MBA Home Building and Remodeling Show is a members-only show, which gives each exhibitor MBA-endorsed credibility. There is a code of ethics that must be adhered to for every member. Our members are qualified builders, remodelers and trades people  each a credit to the industry.

Nonns Kitchen Bath and Flooring was a major sponsor of this years show. Weve been a sponsor in previous years, as well as for the Parade of Homes, said Adam Nonn, CEO of the company. Participation does two things: helps our business model and supports the MBA. We want to be top-of-mind and recognized as a valuable resource to homeowners and our retail partners.

Nonn said attendance was great. People came to get ideas. Whether looking to replace a backsplash or cabinets, people are looking to invest in their homes. We also met with attendees who came with building plans in hand as they get ready to build.

Christi Pryor, marketing manager for Callen Construction, thought the MBA made some very positive changes this year. The new location offered an open space that felt accessible so attendees could see all the offerings.

Pryor liked the innovation at this years event. They offered a show app with the show map and seminar information. You could tag yourself at the event and there was newsfeed where attendees could share information about what they are seeing and experiencing.

Callen saw interest in both exterior and interior products and services they offer. We had a 50/50 split between attendees interested our exterior products, like windows, siding, roofing and kitchen, bath and lower level remodels. We doubled our leads over the previous year.

Pryor said the Step Beyond Green feature was very popular. The MBA also did a great job getting quality vendors at the show, she said. The new In and Out area of the show drew a lot of crowd interest, too. There were three landscaped areas and separate area designed as a sport court.

We had increased participation on the part of our members, increased attendance and increased interest from the public, Hillmer said. Intuitively, the feeling in the market, both nationally and locally, is that we can anticipate continued growth in our industry.

The next events on the MBA 2016 calendar are the Spring Tour and the Parade of Homes. The Spring Tour in late April is a great opportunity for attendees to tour a concentrated number of new model open houses in our area, Hillmer said. Our Parade of Homes will run August 13 through September 5, 2016. We have two locations this year: Windrush in the Village of Hartland and Weyerhaven in Menomonee Falls.


SHARE Kathie Stolpman (right) was the longtime executive director of Sojourner Truth House in Milwaukee. With her in this 2007 photo is Angela Mancuso, who was then associate director of the center. Rick Wood

By of the

A conversation over a morning cup of coffee changed the trajectory of Kathie Stolpman's life and career.

Back in 1982, Stolpman was a stay-at-home mom in Brookfield. Her husband, the Rev. Michael Stolpman, was an Episcopal priest and board member of Sojourner Truth House, the first domestic violence shelter in Milwaukee. At the time, the shelter was short of funds and staff and Stolpman's husband asked her to help out.

So, the stay-at-home mom took a $5-an-hour part-time job.

"I think that first day she found her true calling and felt an immediate feeling that she was where she needed to be," said her son, Andrew.

Stolpman, who served as the shelter's executive director for 25 years before her retirement in 2008, died Thursday at her home in Saint John's On The Lake. She was 73 and had Parkinson's disease.

"She was an extremely outspoken advocate for peace and for nonviolence, especially domestic violence," her son said. "That was one part we'd see, someone who was very fierce in protecting the institution of Sojourner Truth House and making sure there was a safe place for battered women to go.

"What people didn't see is that she was just a very kind and caring and sweet and gentle woman who loved her family and loved her kids and enjoyed nothing more than being with them at home," he said. "She really taught us a lot when we were growing up."

Born and raised in Madison, Kathie Froker graduated in 1964 from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in social work. Her father, Rudolph, had been the dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.

In Madison, she met Michael Stolpman; they were married in August 1965. They later lived in Richland Center before settling in the Milwaukee area. Michael Stolpman rose to become canon of the Diocese in Milwaukee. He died in 1990.

At Sojourner Truth House, Stolpman became director and ran the shelter in 1983. A year later, she was named executive director.

"Violence forever changes a life," Stolpman said during a 2008 interview with the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. "We have to be especially concerned with the next generation. I feel strongly that the high incidence of violence in the city today needs more attention."

In 1986, Milwaukee police asked Sojourner Truth House to operate a 24-hour hotline for domestic violence victims. Calls spiked from 450 to more than 1,800 in one month and Stolpman said, "Our life changed forever."

"Kathie always said that nobody should expect or tolerate violence or abuse," said Angela Mancuso, who succeeded Stolpman as executive director at Sojourner Truth House. "That goes back to the idea of treating everybody with dignity and respect."

In 2009, the Sojourner Family Peace Center was created after the merger of Sojourner Truth House and the Task Force on Family Violence.

"Through her actions, she created the foundation upon which this agency sits," said Carmen Pitre, executive director of Sojourner Family Peace Center. "Without her, we would not be here. I said to the staff that she walked in the footsteps of Sojourner Truth herself."

Besides her son, Andrew, survivors include her daughter, Amy Conkle; her brother, Lowell Froker; twin sister, Connie Bogue; sister Nancy Mayne; and three grandchildren.

Kathie Stolpman

A memorial service will take place at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Saint John's On The Lake, 1840 N. Prospect Ave. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials in Stolpman's name to the Sojourner Family Peace Center, 619 W. Walnut St., Milwaukee, WI 53212; or the Department of Neurology, Attn: Vicki Conte, Froedtert and the Medical College of Wisconsin, 9200 W. Wisconsin Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53226.
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Madison  Assembly Republicans are pushing a bill to eliminate Wisconsin's minimum hunting age, raising questions about how young is too young to fire a gun in the woods.

The measure's supporters say parents should have the power to decide whether their child is ready to hunt. Opponents counter that young children aren't physically or mentally ready to wield long guns and could hurt themselves or others.

"Can that 1-day-old to 9-year-old differentiate between shoot (or) don't shoot?" Joseph Lacenski, president of the Wisconsin Hunter Education Instruction Association, said in remarks submitted to the Assembly natural resources committee. "Can they differentiate between what is killing vs. hunting? Can they rationalize the difference between video games they have been playing and the consequences of the real world?"

Right now, children as young as 10 can hunt in Wisconsin without passing a safety course if they're accompanied by a mentor. The mentor must remain within arm's length of the student, and they can have only one weapon between them. The number of mentored hunt licenses has steadily grown, from 19,054 in 2010, the program's first year, to 31,250 in fiscal year 2014, according to the Department of Natural Resources.

Under Rep. Joel Kleefisch's bill (AB411), anyone of any age could hunt without safety training alongside a mentor, and the mentor could carry his or her own weapon.

The Oconomowoc Republican said the bill will give parents the ability to make choices for their children. The measure also will resolve conflicts for mentors who want to hunt themselves but don't have much time to spend in the woods by allowing them to teach and hunt simultaneously, he said.

He submitted data from the Sportsmen's Alliance and Families Afield to the natural resources committee that show children younger than 10 can participate in mentored hunts in 34 of the 41 states that offer programs and that Wisconsin is one of only four states that limit mentor-student teams to a single weapon.

"Our utmost goal is to look at safety first," Kleefisch said. "So many other states have safely introduced new hunters to hunting without the burdensome regulation we have in Wisconsin."

The National Rifle Association, the gun rights group Wisconsin FORCE, Whitetails of Wisconsin and the state bear hunters association all have registered in support of the bill, according to state Government Accountability Board records.

Opponents maintain young children can't handle large-bore rifles and shotguns. Ray Anderson, a Madison-area hunting safety instructor, submitted remarks to the committee saying he tells parents not to even enroll their children in training until they're at least 12.

"Too many children age 10 or younger are not ready to hunt," he wrote. "We've had situations in class where 9- and 10-year-olds simply don't have the maturity to handle a firearm. They inadvertently point the firearm at others and instructors. I implore you to not pass (the bill). If anything, raise the minimum age limit to 12 or at least age 11."

Others contend that allowing mentors to hunt while teaching would diminish students' experiences because their teachers would be more focused on their own success. The instructor association's Lacenski warned in his remarks to the committee that a mentor could purchase a license for a newborn and then use it along with his own to kill two deer for himself.

Kleefisch, who said he has mentored more than a dozen hunters in the past year, said mentors are honorable.

"If selfishness was the motivation of the mentor, he or she would simply hunt by themselves," he said.

DNR officials declined to comment, saying the agency typically doesn't talk about pending legislation.

The natural resources committee is set to vote on the bill Wednesday. Passage there is likely. The bill's prospects beyond that are murky. Committee approval would clear the way for a vote on the full Assembly floor, but Republicans are swamping their leaders with bills as the session draws to a close and it's unclear if Speaker Robin Vos supports the measure. His spokeswoman didn't immediately respond to an email seeking comment on the bill's chances.
Brooks says judge can't 'tell him what to do' on Day 13 of Christmas Parade trial
Video: Black Journalist Describes Being 'Tossed Around' By Chicago Police During Protests

By Rachel Cromidas in News on Jan 16, 2016 4:23PM

by Kate Shepherd and Rachel Cromidas

A Sun-Times reporter recently described how police officers tossed her and other black reporters around "like a sack of rice" while they covered a high-profile anti-police violence protest on Michigan Avenue last year.



At a Wednesday panel discussion on how journalists cover the Black Lives Matter movement, Maudlyne Ihejirika said she saw Chicago police officers become physically violent with local activists and young black people during one post-Thanksgiving protest following the release of the video of police fatally shooting Laquan McDonald.

Protesters had been peacefully blocking the entrances to several high-end clothing stores on the Magnificent Mile during one of the biggest shopping days of the year. Hours into the protest, after protesters arrived at the entrance to Victoria's Secret, Ihejirika said the police officers began grabbing and pushing protesters away from the doors. After one cop grabbed and pushed anti-violence activist Ameena Matthews of CeaseFire, who is recovering from cancer, and another protester grabbed the officer's arm in response, police began grabbing everyone around:

officers just started grabbing people, and they grabbed me and they tossed me like I was a sack of rice, and they grabbed Lolly Bowean of the Tribune and they tossed her like a sack of rice. They grabbed Kathy [Chaney, of WBEZ], pushed Kathy, and Kathy went stumbling back. We were like, "We're media, you can't do that," and the officer told me, "Get out of my face." If that was the way he treated me and what he thought of me, I knew what he thought of the protesters, and I knew what he wanted to do with the protesters, even though he was not allowed to.

Ihejirika was joined on the panel, hosted by the Chicago Headline Club and the Chicago chapter of the National Association of Black Journalists, by WBEZ reporter Chaney, the editorial director of City Bureau Darryl Holliday, and Damon Williams, a local activist.

The panelists discussed the birth of the Black Lives Matter movement following the fatal shooting of Travyon Martin by George Zimmerman in Florida nearly four years ago, and how the Laquan McDonald video has been a game changer since it became public in November. The video has made the Chicago media scrutinize the police in a way they've never done before, Ihejirika said:



One of the things that I have been struck by is how the realization post-Laquan McDonald of just how complicit the media itself, ourselves, have been in this whole issue. We as the media put the microphone up to the police spokesman's mouth and say, "What happened in this shooting?" The police spokesman spits out the party line, we go back to our news entity, and we write it or we broadcast it. That was pre-Laquan McDonald. We were completely complicit, and I can say that unequivocally because of what we learned in Laquan Mcdonald. Go back and read the clips, we asked what happened, they told us the young man turned, went toward [the officer], he feared for his life, he shot him. We went back, wrote the story, and everyone moved on. Today we find out it is a bold faced lie. And it has not only been Laquan. In the wake of Laquan, there has been a slow drip, drip, drip of revelations of new casesnew only in that they are new to us, but they existed for the past several years, winding their way through federal courts because someone said, no, my loved one did not have a gun, and they filed a civil suit. But the media had already written the police party line.

You can watch the entire panel, courtesy of Chicago Access Network Television (CAN TV).


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A Dane County apartment complex accused of discriminating against two tenants with disabilities must pay them $40,000 and take steps to improve compliance with the Fair Housing Act, under an agreement with federal prosecutors announced Friday.

The proposed settlement was filed Friday in federal court in Madison, along with a complaint alleging the company's owner and manager had violated the Fair Housing Act.

The action was filed by the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice.

Laura Doty, who has cerebral palsy and reduced vision, and her adult daughter Brenda Doty, who has Down syndrome, moved into an apartment at Applewood Apartments in Cross Plains in July 2013.

According to the lawsuit, Applewood of Cross Plains LLC and William Ranguette refused to renew the Dotys' lease because of their disabilities, demanded they develop a plan to deal with Brenda's Down syndrome and pressured them to move.

On top of that, the suit claims, managers at the apartments failed to take action to curtail harassment by other tenants, such as telling the Dotys they didn't belong at the complex and that Brenda should be at an institution.

One tenant continually followed them around the complex and stared, according to the complaint.

Despite calls to the police, requests for intervention from the Dotys' advocate and from a worker with Catholic Charities, the harassment continued and the Dotys moved out at the end of their lease, but to a more expensive, less-convenient location.

Under the proposed consent agreement, which must still be approved by a federal judge, the defendants would pay the Dotys and their advocate a total of $40,000 in damages, agree to attend fair housing training and maintain non-discriminatory policies at Applewood.

The defendants deny any discrimination or wrongdoing, according to the consent agreement.

"The Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination on many bases, including disability," U.S. Attorney John W. Vaudreuil of the Western District of Wisconsin said in a statement.

"Persons living with disabilities have an equal right to protection under the Act and we will enforce the Act when such offensive conduct interferes with their rights to use and enjoyment of their home."
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By Peter Certo | (Foreign Policy In Focus) |  

One in 3.5 million: Thats your annual risk of dying from a terrorist attack in the United States, at least according to Cato analyst John Mueller. Rounded generously, that comes out to roughly 3 one-hundred thousandths of a percentage point, or 0.00003 percent.

And this, according to a recent Gallup poll cited by The New York Times, is the percentage of Americans worried that they or someone in their family would be a victim of terrorism: 51.

So thats 51 percent of Americans who think a terrorist attack against themselves is sufficiently likely to warrant their personal concern, versus a 0.00003 percent chance it might actually happen. If youll forgive my amateur number crunching, that means Americans are overestimating their personal exposure to terrorism by a factor of approximately 1.7 million.

Its no wonder people play the lottery.

A public mood that overestimates the risk of terrorism by upwards of 2 million times, you might imagine, is a pretty significant headwind for a presidential administration that  with a few notable exceptions, like the surge in Afghanistan and the free-ranging drone war  has generally sought to wind down the full-blown militarized response its predecessor took to terrorism.

But more militarization, particularly in the Middle East, is exactly what this insanely distorted threat perception would seem to demand. With Americans more fearful of terrorism than at any time since 9/11, its no wonder Republican presidential candidates like Ted Cruz can call for bona fide war crimes like carpet-bombing Syria  and then revel in applause rather opprobrium.

In a more rational world, it would be easy to explain away the problem by arguing that the risk of terrorism in the U.S. is actually quite small, while the human costs of yet another ill-considered military intervention in the Middle East could be enormous. But the politics of terrorism are anything but. As a society were irrational about it, said a former administration security official quoted by the Times. But government has to accept that irrationality rather than fight it.

Gawkers Hamilton Nolan drew a less charitable conclusion from those comments: The public is too dumb to hear the truth about terrorism.

Threading the Needle

All this helps explain why Obama said what he did about Americas ongoing ISIS war in his final State of the Union address. Masses of fighters on the back of pickup trucks and twisted souls plotting in apartments or garages pose an enormous danger to civilians and must be stopped, he allowed. But they do not threaten our national existence. Thats the story [the Islamic State] wants to tell; thats the kind of propaganda they use to recruit.

In all this, Obama was essentially correct. Yet he tempered this disclaimer with the reassurance that We spend more on our military than the next eight nations combined  a fact more commonly cited by critics of Americas post-9/11 militarization than its supporters.

And then came an appeal to the carpet-bombing constituency.

Calling the Islamic State killers and fanatics who have to be rooted out, hunted down, and destroyed, Obama boasted: With nearly 10,000 air strikes, we are taking out their leadership, their oil, their training camps, and their weapons. We are training, arming, and supporting forces who are steadily reclaiming territory in Iraq and Syria.

Feel better?

Obama wanted to temper the hysteria of those who would look at ISIS and claim, as he put it, this is World War III. But given the apparently prevalent view to the contrary, he had to reassure his listeners that were still dropping an awful lot of bombs. Its a college try at breaking the political taboo, identified by the Times, against lecturing people about the real  and low  risk of terrorism.

Unfortunately, that only illustrates a much deeper American taboo about foreign terrorism against the United States: namely, admitting that its almost always a response to U.S. foreign policies.

You know, policies like launching 10,000 air strikes.

Why Us?

Obama said something else that was pretty instructive: In todays world, were threatened less by evil empires and more by failing states. Thats true, basically: Theres no conventional power on earth that poses an imminent military threat to the U.S.

But why, then, should failing states?

The usual answer is that weak or failing states offer fertile ground for militant groups to organize, train, recruit, and arm themselves. Thats how the Arab-dominated group that became al-Qaeda used Afghanistan in the years between the Soviet invasion and the 9/11 attacks (though they also plotted in decidedly stable environs like Hamburg). And its how the Islamic State is using Syria now after bursting out of its origins in Iraq, where it formed the core of a Sunni insurgency against the U.S.-backed Shiite government.

It makes sense that failing states might present opportunities for militant groups. And its reasonable to expect that failed states in the Muslim world would appeal to Islamist groups in particular. But all this explains nothing about why their militancy should uniquely threaten the United States. After all, if theyre simply religious zealots, hell-bent on killing or converting the infidels, why shouldnt these failing states be a concern to non-Muslim powers like Brazil? Or Japan? Or South Africa?

Why arent they reduced to bean-counting air strikes on countries halfway around the world?

The simple answer is that no other non-Muslim country on earth has intervened in the region as extensively as the United States has.

Our Demons

Robert Pape  a political scientist whos studied every suicide attack on record  argues that while religious appeals can help recruit suicide bombers, virtually all suicide terrorism can be reduced to political motives that are essentially secular. What 95 percent of all suicide attacks have in common, since 1980, is not religion, he concludes. Instead, they have a specific strategic motivation to respond to a military intervention, often specifically a military occupation, of territory that the terrorists view as their homeland or prize greatly.

Lets look at some of our favorite demons.

In the years before al-Qaeda pulled off the 9/11 attacks (and since, for that matter), the U.S. propped up dictatorships in places like Saudi Arabia and Egypt, which ruthlessly repressed Islamist challengers. It armed and protected Israel, even as the country bombed its Muslim (and Christian) neighbors in Palestine and Lebanon, and violated UN resolutions against illegal settlement building in occupied Palestinian lands. And in between its two full-scale invasions of the country, the U.S. imposed a devastating sanctions regime on Iraq, which restricted the flow of food and medicine and is estimated to have caused some half a million Iraqi children to die.

Some Washington policy makers have professed benign motivations for these policies  in making strategic partnerships against terrorists, for example, protecting a besieged ally, or attempting to undermine the Iraqi dictatorship. But one could forgive the victims of those policies for seeing them differently.

In his letter explaining the 9/11 attacks, Osama bin Laden mentioned all of these things and more to argue that U.S. intervention in the Muslim world had to be stopped. Aside from its anti-Semitic ramblings, social conservatism, and appeals to the Quran, in fact, parts of the letter could have been written by any reputable international human rights organization.

Similarly, the Islamic State  an avowedly murderous organization, to be sure  emerged out of a Sunni insurgency against an increasingly sectarian U.S.-backed government in Baghdad after the second Iraq War, expanding into Syria in an audacious bid for strategic depth and territory. To the extent that its engaged in international terrorism  against France, Turkey, Lebanon, and Russia, among others  the attacks have been levied principally against foreign powers that have thrown themselves into the Syrian civil war on the side of its enemies.

If ISIS attempts to attack the U.S., it will certainly serve a propaganda purpose like the one Obama described. But it will also serve as a counterattack for those 10,000 air strikes he boasted about.

A Self-Fulfilling Prophecy

None of this excuses terrorism by al-Qaeda, ISIS, or anyone else. But if Obama or anyone else wants to take a realistic look at the threat, we cant just look at the likelihood of it. We have to look at the reasons for it.

All things considered, given the scope of U.S. actions in the Middle East since 9/11  by my count weve toppled three governments, launched a drone war stretching from Somalia to the Philippines, and sent hundreds of thousands of troops to Iraq and Afghanistan  a 0.00003 percent per capita risk of terrorism is quite modest, even if it feels much higher to some critics of the president.

But with Obama responding to those critics by launching nearly 10,000 air strikes and training, arming, and supporting a hodgepodge of armed forces in the region, theres a very significant risk that our inflated threat perception will become a self-fulfilling prophecy.

The fact is, theres not a bomb on this planet powerful enough to heal the political divisions in Iraq and Syria that have enabled the rise of ISIS. But if Obama legitimizes his hawkish critics by papering over the problem with bombs, hes only paving the way for the Ted Cruzes and Donald Trumps of the world to argue that if some bombs are good, more bombs are better. And our fear-fueled plunge into intervention will only deepen our exposure to terrorism.

Peter Certo is the editor of Foreign Policy In Focus.

Via FPIF



Related video added by Juan Cole:

CNN: Terror group uses Trump to recruit
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By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) |  

Matthew Weaver of the Guardian reports retired MIT linguist Noam Chomskys reply to a personal attack by Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan.

Erdogan criticized Chomsky and other international scholars who signed a petition against the Turkish governments current vendetta against Kurdish-Turkish citizens in the countrys southeast. Erdogan demanded that Chomsky come to southeast Turkey to see the terrorism committed by the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) with his own eyes, implying that Chomsky and other signatories of the petition are mere armchair scholars.

Chomsky replied via an email to The Guardian:

Turkey blamed Isis [for the attack on Istanbul], which Erdogan has been aiding in many ways, while also supporting the al-Nusra Front, which is hardly different. He then launched a tirade against those who condemn his crimes against Kurds  who happen to be the main ground force opposing Isis in both Syria and Iraq. Is there any need for further comment?

Chomsky points out that the Turkish air force has bombed the Syrian Kurds of the YPG, who are distantly linked to the PKK. They are post-Marxists with an anarchist bent i.e. their ideology is close to Chomskys own. Those Syrian Kurds have been the most effective fighters against Daesh (ISIS, ISIL). So for Turkey to attempt to weaken the Syrian Kurds inevitably helps Daesh.

PKK fighters have also helped against Daesh in Iraq. Turkey has also been bombing them. But the PKK has killed dozens of Turkish troops and police in eastern Anatolia since Erdogan broke off the peace talks last summer.

Erdogans government is supporting the Syrian Army of Conquest, a Saudi-backed Salafi movement of rebels against the government of Bashar al-Assad in Syria. One component of the Army of Conquest is the Nusra Front or al-Qaeda in Syria. So Chomsky is reminding Erdogan that, iimplicitly, his government backs al-Qaeda while bombing Kurds who are the best hope for a victory over Daesh.

I doubt if Erdogans government is helping Daesh. But it is clear that Turkish and American armaments have been leaking from vetted groups to al-Qaeda and Daesh. And, there isnt much evidence of Erdogan having taken Daesh very seriously the Turkish air force has flown a hundred times more missions against the PKK than against Daesh.

The dispute began when over a thousand academics in Turkey and abroad signed a petition directed at Erdogan and his prime minister, Ahmet Davutoglu, saying they would not be party to the crimes committed against innocent Kurdish-Turkish villagers in the countrys southeast, who were being harmed and even starved by arbitrary curfews. The letter said:

As academics and researchers of this country, we will not be a party to this crime! The Turkish state has effectively condemned its citizens in Sur, Silvan, Nusaybin, Cizre, Silopi, and many other towns and neighborhoods in the Kurdish provinces to hunger through its use of curfews that have been ongoing for weeks. It has attacked these settlements with heavy weapons and equipment that would only be mobilized in wartime. As a result, the right to life, liberty, and security, and in particular the prohibition of torture and ill-treatment protected by the constitution and international conventions have been violated. This deliberate and planned massacre is in serious violation of Turkeys own laws and international treaties to which Turkey is a party. These actions are in serious violation of international law. We demand the state to abandon its deliberate massacre and deportation of Kurdish and other peoples in the region. We also demand the state to lift the curfew, punish those who are responsible for human rights violations, and compensate those citizens who have experienced material and psychological damage. For this purpose we demand that independent national and international observers to be given access to the region and that they be allowed to monitor and report on the incidents. We demand the government to prepare the conditions for negotiations and create a road map that would lead to a lasting peace which includes the demands of the Kurdish political movement. We demand inclusion of independent observers from broad sections of society in these negotiations. We also declare our willingness to volunteer as observers. We oppose suppression of any kind of the opposition. We, as academics and researchers working on and/or in Turkey, declare that we will not be a party to this massacre by remaining silent and demand an immediate end to the violence perpetrated by the state. We will continue advocacy with political parties, the parliament, and international public opinion until our demands are met

The Turkish state responded heavy-handedly, arresting nearly two dozen academics on charges of signing the petition, most of whom were released after questioning. The petition does not support the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), a designated terrorist organization, but rather supports the human rights of Turkish citizens of the southeast. But Erdogan and his partisans accused the petitioners of supporting terrorism. It is a ridiculous charge, similar to the tactics of the Likud Party of Israel, which equates opposition to Occupation and oppression of Palestinians with support for terrorism.

The Committee on Academic Freedom of the Middle East Studies Association of North America wrote a letter to the Turkish government protesting these moves:

Dear Prime Minister Davutoglu: We write on behalf of the Middle East Studies Association (MESA) of North America and its Committee on Academic Freedom to express our serious concern over reports that the Higher Education Council (Yuksek Ogretim Kurulu, or YOK) had an emergency meeting to commence an investigation against scholars who signed a petition for peace in the Kurdish regions of the country (Peace Petition). YOK officials are reportedly treating this petition as pro-PKK terrorist propaganda that falls outside of the protections of academic freedom. Further, there are reports that YOK plans to convene university rectors to take additional action against signatories at their universities. These actions by YOK represent a violation of academic freedom and are consistent with broader efforts on the part of the state to punish critics of state policies. MESA was founded in 1966 to promote scholarship and teaching on the Middle East and North Africa. The preeminent organization in the field, the Association publishes the International Journal of Middle East Studies and has nearly 3000 members worldwide. MESA is committed to ensuring academic freedom and freedom of expression, both within the region and in connection with the study of the region in North America and elsewhere. The governments actions against the Peace Petition signatories are distressing for at least three reasons. First, investigating the signatories after President Recep Tayyip Erdogan criticized the campaign in a public address, calling the signatories traitors, suggests that YOKs actions are inappropriately politicized. As we noted in our letter sent on January 7, 2016, the government has enhanced YOKs regulatory authorities in ways that are inimical to university autonomy. In this environment, it is hardly surprising that universities are proactively taking punitive measures in anticipation of your governments actions. Within a day of President Erdogans speech and the announcement of the YOK investigation several universities initiated punitive measures against their faculty. Assistant Professor Hulya Dogan at Bartn University is reportedly under investigation by her university for being a signatory of the petition. Likewise Sivas Cumhuriyet University has reportedly launched an investigation against Professor Ali Celiksoz for having signed the petition. Associate Professor Latife Akyuz has been suspended by Duzce University administration, and a criminal investigation has been opened against her for terrorism propagandaall for being a signatory of the petition. The rector of Abdullah Gul University in Kayseri, has reportedly demanded the resignation of Professor Bulent Tanju solely on the grounds that he is a signatory of the Peace Petition. The local prosecutor in Kayseri, taking note of the rectors action, has also initiated a criminal investigation against Professor Tanju under Articles 216 and 301 of the Penal Code. The mere act of signing the Peace Petition has left Professor Tanju facing possible charges for inflaming hatred and hostility among peoples and denigration of the Turkish nation under these penal provisions. Lecturer Umran Roda Suvagc from Hakkari University has been taken into custody for having signed the petition. Further disciplinary investigations have reportedly been initiated by the rectors of four universitiesSamsun Ondokuz Mays University, Antalya Akdeniz University, Abant Izzet Baysal University, and Ankara Hacettepe Universityagainst members of their faculties who are signatories. Many more universities are likely to follow suit, amounting to a wave of punitive actions against academics solely on the grounds that they have criticized the governments policies in the southeastern provinces. In a university system in which rectors are appointed by the state and YOK is free to initiate politicized investigations of academics, the actions being taken against signatories of the Peace Petition are a stark reminder that restrictions on academic freedom have become a matter of state policy in Turkey. Second, among the signatories of the petition are scholars whose research is on the Kurds, other minorities, politics, history, and other related fields. That is, their scholarly work is related to the concerns raised in the text of the petition. By treating the Peace Petition as treasonous and launching an investigation of signatories, the government is effectively interfering with the ability of these academics to conduct their research. President Erdogan suggests that the petition calls for foreigners to intervene to correct the situation in Turkey. In fact, the petition called for national and international independent observers to monitor the situation in the Kurdish region. This is not a call for foreign intervention, but rather an invitation to engage in the kind of independent observation that is the hallmark of both human rights monitoring and academic research. To investigate and criminalize a petition in which scholars call for independent observers to monitor areas under siege and curfew where civilian deaths have been reported is to strike at the heart of the academic enterprisethe ability to conduct independent research. Finally, since the general elections in 2011, this is our twentieth letter calling upon your government to protect academic freedom in Turkey. Unfortunately, more often than not these letters have identified instances in which members of your government have used their authority to silence critics within Turkish academic circles by branding them terrorists or traitors for engaging in academic research or exercising their right to free speech to call for peaceful political change. Equally, these cases have often arisen in the context of academics conducting research or publishing findings critical of your governments policies with respect to Kurdish citizens or the Kurdish regions of the country. The politicization of regulatory powers over higher education to punish dissent and silence critics of your governments policies on various issues, including Kurdish rights, represents a serious violation of academic freedom, freedom of speech and freedom of assembly, and has cast a long shadow over the democratic credentials of your government. As a member state of the Council of Europe and a signatory of the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, Turkey is required to protect freedom of thought, expression and assembly. Turkey is also a signatory to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and the Final Act of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), all of which protect the rights to freedom of expression and association, which are at the heart of academic freedom. These rights are also enshrined in articles 25-27 of the Turkish Constitution. We urge your government to take all necessary steps to ensure that these rights are protected. We respectfully ask that your government take immediate steps to ensure that YOK drop any investigation of or action against the signatories of the Peace Petition and that any actionsincluding university, YOK or criminal investigations or chargesagainst Professors Bulent Tanju, Hulya Dogan, Latife Akyuz, Umran Roda Suvagc and others be reversed. As of this writing reports are emerging about additional disciplinary investigations as well as an independent criminal investigation launched by the Istanbul Public Prosecution Office against all the signatories under Article 301 of the Penal Code and Article 7 of Anti-terror Law alleging terrorist organization propaganda; we respectfully demand that any such investigations also be dropped. Against a backdrop of mounting international condemnation of the erosion of democratic rights and freedoms under your administration, taking steps to protect academic freedom and the right to education would be an important step to address concerns about human rights in Turkey. Thank you for your attention to this matter. We look forward to your positive response. Yours sincerely, Beth Baron

MESA President

Professor, City University of New York Amy W. Newhall

MESA Executive Director

Associate Professor, University of Arizona 



Related video added by Juan Cole:

Press TV: Chomsky accuses Turkish president of hypocrisy
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Maan News Agency |  

BETHLEHEM (Maan)  Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday waded into a growing row over a call by Swedish Foreign Minister Margot Wallstrom for an investigation into the possibility that Israeli forces have been carrying out extrajudicial executions.

Speaking to foreign reporters at a new years reception, Netanyahu said Wallstroms comments had singled out Israel in an absurd way and were outrageous, immoral, unjust, and just wrong.

The prime minister said: People are defending themselves against assailants wielding knives who are about to stab them to death  and thats extrajudicial killings?

Wallstrom made the call during a Swedish parliamentary debate on Tuesday, pointing to months of violence in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory, where scores of Palestinians have been shot dead in recent months.

It is vital that there is a thorough, credible investigation into these deaths in order to clarify and bring about possible accountability, Wallstrom was reported to have said.

Israels Foreign Ministry quickly responded by expressing outrage, saying that her comments presented a distorted representation of reality and were an indication of Wallstroms biased and hostile attitude toward Israel.

The ministry said that Wallstrom would play no part in relations between Israel and the Palestinians in the foreseeable future.

The ministrys chief spokesperson Emmanuel Nahshon later added that Wallstrom was not welcome in Israel.

Asked for clarification of his remarks, spokesperson Alon Lavi told Maan that the Swedish Foreign Minister had not been banned from Israel, although she was nevertheless not welcome.

He said that her views were not objective and one-sided, and that they were encouraging violence against Israelis.

Jamal Nazzal, the chief spokesperson for Fatah in Europe, on Thursday welcomed the call, thanking Sweden for its courageous policies toward defending human rights and democracy throughout the world.

In a statement, he said: We dont understand the negative reaction of the Israeli government to such an international call to accept accountability and international law.

Palestinians and rights groups have referred to multiple cases where alleged Palestinian attackers were shot dead as extrajudicial killings, arguing that Israeli soldiers had insufficient reason to kill.

Amnesty International called on Israel in late October to stop its unlawful killings, saying that the groups investigations had found at least four cases where Palestinians were deliberately shot dead when they posed no imminent threat.

There is mounting evidence that, as tensions have risen dramatically, in some cases Israeli forces appear to have ripped up the rulebook and resorted to extreme and unlawful measures, the groups Middle East and North Africa director, Philip Luther, said.

Intentional lethal force should only be used when absolutely necessary to protect life, he said. Instead we are increasingly seeing Israeli forces recklessly flouting international standards by shooting to kill in situations where it is completely unjustified.

At that time, one month into the unrest, Israeli forces had killed some 60 Palestinians. That figure has since risen to more than 150 Palestinians, with the violence continuing into the new year.

Via Maan News Agency

-

Related video added by Juan Cole:

Press TV from last month: Sweden accuses Israel of executing Palestinians without trial 
Six executives of a state-owned mining company have received punishments ranging from the sack to official warnings over their negligent handling of a deadly landslide in northwest China's Shaanxi Province in August.

The heads of Shaanxi Wuzhou Mining Co. failed to take emergency measures or report the landslide that killed eight people and left 57 missing when it hit workers quarters at the company's Shanyang County branch as well as three private homes in the early hours of Aug. 12.

The provincial government fired or demoted four of the executives, handing two of them over for criminal investigation.

The general manager and deputy general manager of Shaanxi Nonferrous Metal Group, which holds shares in the mining company, both received a Party warning.

The provincial government said Wang Changqing and Li Wenyi, the deputy heads of Shaanxi Wuzhou's Shanyang branch, were directly responsible for the accident. They were both killed in the landslide.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn.  Donna Lou Herwig, 90, of Knoxville died Monday, Jan. 11, 2016, in Knoxville.

A celebration of life will be later.

Click Funeral Home Farragut Chapel is in charge of arrangements.



Donna could light up a room with her smile. She was gracious, cheerful and loved to travel.

She was born Aug. 7, 1925, in Neligh, Neb., to Charles and Nellie (Staple) Eubank. She attended Cottey College, received a Bachelor of Social Work from the University of Iowa and a Master of Library Science from Catholic University. She was a beloved elementary school librarian and a 70-year member of the P.E.O. Sisterhood where she truly enjoyed supporting young women in their educational endeavors.

She had an abiding faith and was active at Walker Chapel in Arlington, Va., and Concord United Methodist in Knoxville. Donna was an accomplished musician and was a violin soloist with the Kansas City Symphony.

She met her true love, Lloyd, at the University of Iowa and they were blessed with 67 years of marriage. She and Lloyd brought forth a large beautiful family who inherited her strength, her sweetness and her love. Donna loved family gatherings, particularly the annual reunions at Bunker Hill in Missouri and Sanibel Island in Florida. She was very proud of her childrens and grandchildrens accomplishments and supported them in all they did.

Survivors include her loving husband, Lloyd; children and spouses, Lisa and Dave Stinton, Carol and Rich Altwerger, Jonathan and Roberta Herwig, Nancy and Rick Wood and Richard and Michelle Herwig; 12 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Her spirit continues in the many lives she touched.

Memorials are suggested to P.E.O. Foundation, 3700 Grand Ave., Des Moines, IA 50312.

Visit www.clickfh.com for funeral home information.
Jan 2016 - Cloudfone, most well-known smart phone and tablet manufacturer in Philippines, has held a product launching press conference in Manila and announced that latest cloudfone smart phone based on SoFIA 3G-R cooperatively developed by Rockchip and Intel, is put into mass production and will distribute worldwide recently.



Cloudfone smart phone adopt SoFIA 3G-R(X3-C3230RK), Quad-core processor; 5 inch with resolution of 1280*720; 1GB+8GB and 2GB+16GB memory specs , support GSM/GPRS/EDGE 850/900/1800MHz/1900MHz and WCDMA 2100(1900)/900(850)MHz. Front and rear camera pixels are 2 million pixels and 8 million pixels, respectively; the standard configuration is Bluetooth 4.0/WiFiGPS/FM/G-sensor etc.; the system is Android 5.1 Lollipop. cloudfone smart phone special edition is cooperative with most popular movie Star Wars and Disney. It will launch authorized accessories at the same time.



"There are several technology advantages of SoFIA 3G-R (X3-C3230RK) processor which make the terminal products very competitive in the market: faster, multitasking ability, lower consumption and super endurance, especially the superiorities of multimedia and 3D game performance. cloudfone will be powered by SoFIA 3G-R to enlarge their competitiveness in aboard and domestic market." cloudfone said during the press conference.



SoFIA 3G-R X3-C3230RKis developed cooperatively by Rockchip and Intel, 28nm manufacturing technology, Intel Atom framework, Quad-core 64 bits processor, positioning in middle-end 3G smart communication products. The Baseband technology of SoFIA chips is widely authenticated in the world and has mature applications. The sensitivity, stability and covering power of spectrum and signal are much better than similar products.



With high stability and integration ability, SoFIA 3G-R X3-C3230RKis mature and conductive to middle-end 3G products.  Rockchip senior VP Feng Chen said in the interview, With gradually improvement of market share of Rockchip communication solution in Philippines, we will have more input in technology and product development and provide more services and support to smart phone manufacturers and brands in Philippines



Philippines have become Southeast Asia's third-largest smart phone sales market. According to the data released by IDC in 2015, the shipment of smart phone in Philippines has reached 12.4 million last year, only behind Indonesia (25 million) and Thailand (16.5 million) in Southeast Asia.



The analysts said that Rockchip and local manufacturers in Philippines have achieved win-win cooperation. Taking advantages of SoFIA 3G-R (X3-C3230RK) and integrated supply chain solution of Rockchip in China, cloudfone will rapidly extend its market share in Philippines. Using the experience of successfully cooperating with famous brands in Indonesia and Africa, Rockchip will realize the goal that SoFIA 3G-R can occupy communication chip market in the near future.








This website is intended for U.S. visitors only.
THE Broadcasting Authority of Ireland have issued a 70 day licence to Community Radio Kilkenny City (CRKC). The station last broadcast at 88.7FM and online (radiokilkenny.ie) from May to August this year. The station will start broadcasting again this Friday and will be on air every Friday, Saturday and Sunday until April of next year.

THE Broadcasting Authority of Ireland have issued a 70 day licence to Community Radio Kilkenny City (CRKC). The station last broadcast at 88.7FM and online (radiokilkenny.ie) from May to August this year. The station will start broadcasting again this Friday and will be on air every Friday, Saturday and Sunday until April of next year.

The station is a community project broadcasting with the help of over 70 volunteers and is run from its base in the Hebron Industrial Estate in Kilkenny. The station has been a great opportunity for anyone interested in gaining some media experience both front of house and behind the scenes. In fact several of the volunteers have been participating in a FETAC Level 5 radio programme production course at the station over the last few months where they have gained all the experience they need to be able to produce their own shows.

However as the station is now on air for a third day each week, it needs more volunteers. This is great news for anyone else interested in getting involved in the station as no prior radio experience is necessary. If you fancy yourself as the next Ryan Tubridy or Marian Finucane, email the station at info@communityradiokilkennycity.ie to get an application form and get your media career started! Volunteers are aged from 18 to 80 and the station welcomes all applications.

For those of you who may not want to be the king/queen of the airwaves, you can still help out the station and be involved in a great community project by becoming a shareholder of the station. Shares can be purchased for less than 15 per share. Shareholders are eligible to be elected members of the Board of Management or the Broadcasting or Membership committees of the community radio. To be elected, they must first be nominated by a member of one of the six constituent groups within the radio co-operative - general public, voluntary presenters, voluntary organisations, commercial interests, statutory bodies or the Churches. Notice of nomination should be given to the Secretary of the Board of Management  not less than five clear days before the AGM which will be held before the end of January 2013. Elections to these positions will then be held at the AGM. Notices for this AGM will appear in the local press and on CRKC some weeks before the date of the meeting. The station is a great example of community spirit in action and everyone involved should be congratulated for their tremendous efforts.
The city of Bremerton hopes to eventually build a roundabout on the west end of the Manette Bridge.

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By Josh Farley of the Kitsap Sun

BREMERTON  The prospect of a roundabout at the other end of the Manette Bridge is not dead.

Crews are close to completing a $3.5 million project that expanded sidewalks and added bike lanes on Washington Avenue, while also taking the former four-lane road down to two lanes between the bridge and Fifth Street.

The city is spending $11,000 to get a "detailed concept and a cost estimate" for a roundabout at Washington's intersection with the bridge, according to Chal Martin, the city's public works director. Martin and Bremerton Mayor Patty Lent believe state funding could become available in the next few years to complete a roundabout there.

"We look at any opportunity to move the ball forward," he said of the design work. "We're always working on programming the next project."

The roundabout was discussed after the city won a $1.7 million state bicycle and pedestrian grant to fund the Washington Avenue work. A roundabout, expected to cost somewhere around $600,000, was unaffordable under the current project.

The city hired local engineering firm Parametrix to design the roundabout, work that is still ongoing. Officials hope to have a preliminary design and an estimate of how much the roundabout would cost by the end of February, according to City Engineer Tom Knuckey.

Traffic engineers believe the roundabout would keep traffic on Washington moving better than a signal, which stops cars entirely.

Austin Kershaw, a daily commuter to the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard aboard a Kitsap Transit worker-driver bus, believes a roundabout would help during rush hour.

"I think it would make things flow better at that time," he said. "The light often backs up traffic."

Martin is hopeful that the city could install a roundabout there, not only for its functionality but because it's a "nice architectural feature" that would match the roundabout on the Manette side of the bridge. He believes the project is a good candidate for grant funding from the state's Transportation Improvement Board, on which Lent is a member.

"Good projects attract grant funding," Martin said.
Mark Kelley, a professional photographer and outdoor enthusiast, rides along on the zip line tour Rachel and Matthew DeSpain ran in Alaska. The couple wanted to start a tour on Bainbridge before neighbors protested. (Submitted photo)

SHARE Visitors prepare to ride the zip line tour Rachel and Matthew DeSpain ran in Alaska. The couple wanted to start a tour on Bainbridge before neighbors protested. Submitted photo.

By Rachel Seymour of the Kitsap Sun

BAINBRIDGE ISLAND  A Bainbridge Island couple is postponing plans for zip line tours among the trees on Bainbridge Island after outcry from neighbors and other island residents.

Rachel and Matthew DeSpain moved to the island two years ago and planned to provide zip line tours near Lynwood Center, along with a retail store in the Pleasant Beach Village development. The couple previously ran a zip line tour company in Juneau, Alaska, for about a decade.

The couple withdrew their applications after neighbors registered complaints with them and with the city about traffic, privacy, noise and environmental impacts. Instead, they will focus on their retail shop, Bainbridge Island Outfitters, Rachel said.

"We made this decision out of respect for our neighbors," she said in an email.

More than 70 residents signed a petition opposing the zip line tours.

One petitioner questioned how many trees would be cut down and noted the already existing light and noise disturbance from the businesses in the Pleasant Beach Village development. Others commented on noise from a nearby pool, along with concerns for wildlife living in the wooded area where the tours were proposed.

According to Rachel, some of the concerns were "misconceptions."

"A lot of people thought there were going to be motors and lights, when in reality it was going to be a zero electricity tour," she wrote in her email.

Another letter to the city, signed by about 40 residents, cited concerns about people screaming or yelling during zip line tours, before mentioning noise issues with the Pleasant Beach Village's Manor House.

"We heard music from the Manor House and from the bands in front of the businesses last summer," according to the letter. "Surrounding residential neighborhoods should not be expected to tolerate excessive noise levels."

The couple will continue with plans for their retail shop in Lynwood, where clients can rent outdoor gear, Rachel said.

"We are still really excited to open the shop, but brick and mortar retail can be challenging," she wrote. "We'll really need the community's support to make ends meet with the retail shop alone, but we're going to do our best to put together a unique variety of merchandise and gear rentals inspired by island life in the Pacific Northwest."
They day before we fly out to Antarctica, we get kitted out by Antarctica New Zealand in Christchurch. Its nice and warm in Scott Base (model of which is above) but outside it can range from a relatively pleasant 0C to a less pleasant -57C. And further afield it has been known to be as low as -90C.

So Antarctica NZ make sure everyone travelling down has gear for all conditions.

Their warehouse has a wide range of styles and colours, so long as they are orange!

First to go on is the base layer. Thanks Icebreaker!

Then the mid layer.

Then the overalls.

Then you out on the first jacket.

Then a second jacket

And finally a third jacket. And as we were in a well heated warehouse, you can imagine how hot I am at this stage!

You also get two pairs of boots.

And a headband, hat, balaclava and neck gaiter!

Plus of course three pairs of gloves and mittens.

I am now confident I can spend a long long time outdoors without being cold. If anything the danger is overheating.

Also you need to wear much of the gear for the flight down to Antarctica  you cant just change into it once you land. This is in case you crash. So Im expecting (I wrote this before I landed) a warm flight over!

By chance there were some visiting huskies when I was in at the Antarctica Centre in Christchurch.

I got to play with all seven of them. Such gorgeous dogs. I want one!

Then headed back to the airport hotel for dinner and the final sleep. Was glad to find the report in time on Friday had changed from 6 am to 8.30 am. Due to leave at 11 am and arrive at 7 pm. Will blog the flight separately.

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For the next week I will be blogging from Antarctica, having just arrived at Scott Base on a United States Air Force Hercules.

Technically it is night time here but of course there is no night  the sun doesnt set for around three months. But we landed early evening.

Im here, along with the NZ Heralds Science reporter, to report on this amazing continent, what New Zealand does in Antarctica, the science projects done here and the work of Antarctica New Zealand. We successfully applied to come through their Community Engagement Programme which brings down media, artists and writers.

Words can not convey how excited I am to be here. Its been a dream of mine for many years to come to Antarctica, and to actually be able to live at Scott Base, interview staff and scientists, and spend a week on this amazing continent is beyond amazing.

I thought I would start with a quote from one of the many books I have read about the continent. This is from Gabrielle Walkers Antarctica  an intimate portrait of the worlds most mysterious continent.

Antarctica is like nowhere else on Earth. While there are other wild places or ones that seem extreme, this is the only continent in the world where people have never permanently lived. In the interior of the continent there is nothing to make a living from  no food, no shelter, no clothing, no fuel, no liquid water. Nothing but ice.  There are no trees, or indeed plants of any kind; no land animals; nothing but glaciers, snowfields and sepia-toned rocks.

Expect lots of photos, and lots of stories as I explore Earths largest science laboratory.

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Stuff reports:

A year after giving away the coordinates of Islamic State fighters on social media, the bumbling jihadist Mark John Taylor has apparently resurfaced online and is encouraging others to join him in Syria.

According to a Linkedin profile purporting to come from the former New Zealand soldier, Taylor has been teaching English to children in Raqqa under Islamic State since October 2014.

Taylor claims to have been teaching English to children between the ages of 5 and 12, teaching with a puppet and enjoyed having fun with the students .

Living in the heart of the Islamic State is a good experience and I encourage others to come and see for themselves.
Gov. Scott Walkers administration still wont explain what happened to text messages sought by the Wisconsin State Journal related to a failed taxpayer loan to a business owned by a top Walker donor.

The refusal comes despite a reversal this week by the state Public Records Board of an earlier decision over what constitutes transitory public records and when such records can be destroyed. The administration cited the revised policy shortly after it was changed in August in explaining why the text messages werent available.

The text messages could shed more light on an effort by then-Department of Administration Secretary Mike Huebsch to press for the questionable Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. loan, which has yet to be repaid.

What happened to the text messages is also significant because state law prohibits government agencies from destroying records after a request has been made for them. Anyone who intentionally destroys public records can be subject to criminal penalties.

Without answers from the Walker administration about what happened to the records and when, its unclear whether the administration followed the law, said attorney Bob Dreps, an expert on the state Public Records Law who also has represented the State Journal in such cases.

Dreps said the administrations use of the Public Records Boards initial policy shift was a fig leaf to cover up what had happened to the text messages. But he said state law doesnt give the public recourse unless a requester can prove that the records were destroyed after a request was made for them.

Attorney General Brad Schimel also expressed concern Thursday that state law doesnt provide a remedy in cases where records are destroyed prematurely. He made the comments at a meeting of the Wisconsin Freedom of Information Council.

That doesnt make sense to me, Schimel said of the lack of a remedy. This is one area where it makes sense to update the law.

The Public Records Law itself provides penalties if a public official destroys a record after it has been requested, but it remains unclear if or when the DOA text messages were destroyed. Administration spokesman Jim Dick this week declined to provide answers about what happened to the texts the newspaper requested.

Ive looked into your questions. For the request you referenced, DOA complied with the Public Records Law, Dick said Friday. DOA will continue, as weve always done, to comply with the Public Records Law.

Request denied twice

On April 29, the State Journal asked DOA for all of its records regarding Building Committee Inc. or its owner William Minahan since December 2010. Some records were provided shortly before the newspaper published a report on May 17 about WEDCs $500,000 loan to BCI, which noted that Huebsch sought unsuccessfully to provide the company with even more money.

On June 19, DOA responded further to the State Journals records request with about 200 pages of documents, including an Aug. 30, 2011, email in which DOA Deputy Secretary Chris Schoenherr indicated that he had been sending texts about Minahan.

Just talking (I should say texting) about you, Schoenherr wrote to Minahan. Secretary Huebsch wanted to touch base with you tomorrow on developments on our end  is there a time and number that would work best?

On June 22, the State Journal asked DOA for all text messages between Schoenherr and Huebsch related to BCI. On July 3, DOA said it had no records responsive to the request.

On July 28, the State Journal filed a slightly amended request for Schoenherrs text messages, to which the administration said on Aug. 25 it had no records on file. In a follow-up email, then-DOA spokesman Cullen Werwie added: Its worth noting transitory messages are not required to be retained.

Asked for a statutory citation, he referenced the Public Records Boards policy for retaining transitory correspondence, which had just been changed Aug. 24. Previously, transitory correspondence was to be retained until no longer needed. The change meant transitory correspondence didnt have to be retained at all.

On Oct. 29, in response to a separate request for records by liberal advocacy group One Wisconsin Now, DOA lawyer Elisabeth Winterhack also cited the new transitory records retention policy in explaining why police logs of anticipated visitors to the Governors Mansion werent maintained.

Jenni Dye, research director for OWN, said she doesnt believe the police logs meet the definition of transitory records.

The State Journal reported on those two examples in early December, after which the Wisconsin Freedom of Information Council filed a complaint with the Dane County District Attorneys Office alleging the board violated the states public meetings law by not noticing the transitory records changes or recording them in the meetings minutes.

On Monday, the board reversed its decision after receiving nearly 1,900 emails from the public criticizing the change.

On Wednesday, Walker said he has not received, nor has he asked for, an explanation of what happened to the text messages, while acknowledging that his administrations policy is to make such communications available as required by the Public Records Law.

The bottom line is we expect people to follow the law and if they dont we expect there to be consequences, Walker said. Right now in the state of Wisconsin, if you ask for information about state business and it came in on whether its official email, personal email or text message, the expectation is that information from my office or anyone else in our administration should be provided.
Now let us praise laundry lists. Every year at State of the Union time, the president and his staff say the speech will not include them. But the laundry wont keep track of itself. The union is varied and expansive, and so are the responsibilities of its chief executive. Enumerating accomplishments and objectives amounts to lists, which Barack Obama had in plenty Tuesday night.

The interesting thing is why this particular laundry was chosen. By what principle does the president want personalized medical treatments, paid leave, pre-K for all, the cure for cancer, a transition away from dirty energy, and the Trans-Pacific Partnership?

Obama advanced no ideological claim of what government should do; no technocratic vision of how its performance might be improved. The lists exist because Obama, who sees the next frontier, chose them. His person unites his agenda  not quite in the leadership league, he admits, of Lincoln or Roosevelt, but he has obviously thought hard and long about the comparison.

This was the way Obama was introduced to the country eight years ago. His victory in the Iowa caucuses had little to do with an ideological vision or policy agenda (which was, in fact, the utterly predictable liberalism of a backbench senator). That giddy night, he claimed that a divided and disillusioned country found a common purpose. His 38 percent in the caucus proved we are one people. We would move beyond the bitterness and pettiness and anger thats consumed Washington. This was the place, Obama said, where America remembered what it means to hope. Elsewhere he would say: I have become a symbol of the possibility of America returning to our best traditions.

Obama would bring balance to the Force. Prospectively, with eight years ahead, this was inspiring. Retrospectively, with seven years behind, the same claim comes across as self-centered and a little sad  a world-historic figure picking through the refuse of the years for this shiny accomplishment and that. His solutions to 21st-century problems look suspiciously like 20th-century liberalism. And where has Obama actually left his party and American liberalism?

Obama is the first Democrat since Franklin Roosevelt to win back-to-back majorities of the national popular vote. But members of his party who venture beyond the 18 acres of the White House will find political ruin. Since taking office, Democrats have lost 13 Senate seats, 69 House seats, 11 governorships, 30 state legislative chambers and more than 900 state legislative seats. In border states that not long ago produced national Democratic leaders  such as Arkansas and Tennessee  the Democratic collapse is especially pronounced. Few presidents have done better for themselves and worse for their parties.

And perhaps most disturbingly for Americas liberal party, trust in government to do the right thing is near historical lows. According to a Pew Research Center average, just 19 percent of Americans trust government to do the right thing all or most of the time. The whole of the Democratic agenda, the whole of Hillary Clintons agenda  from gun control to immigration reform to reducing greenhouse gases  requires some modicum of trust in the capacity of government to act in the public interest. What is liberalism without public trust in government? A college class.

Declining trust in government is part of a larger decline in the trust of institutions generally. But it is fair to say that the launch of Obamacare, the Veterans Affairs hospital scandal and the IRS political targeting scandal did little to halt the slide. Obama was either complicit in the trend, or helpless against it.

The same could be said of political polarization  which Obama eventually decided he could not fight, and joined with enthusiasm. Or the rise of an angry, anti-establishment populism. More than 10 years of belief that America is on the wrong track has hardened into outrage and cynicism, and left some Americans vulnerable to ideologues and demagogues. These will be remembered as the characteristics of the Obama era  not hope, but anger and cynicism. It was a time when many Americans learned to rage.

The president and the future nominee of his party now have one advantage. Somehow these trends have produced another cult of personality, on the other political side  untethered to ideas, offering only himself as the solution to our problems, turning bitterness and pettiness into a previously undiscovered political art. This might be the strangest turn: a Republican Party that copies and amplifies the worst tendencies of our time.

Michael Gersons email address is michaelgerson@ washpost.com.

 2016, Washington Post Writers Group
Nearly three dozen Knoxvillians were in the crowd that descended on Nashville on the opening day of the state Legislature to show support for Insure Tennessee  even though Republican legislative leaders and the governor have said the health insurance program is dead.

"It was a successful day. We delivered the message that Insure Tennessee is still alive. We have not folded our tents, we have not slunk off over into the corner. There is energy and enthusiasm, and we're going to keep fighting," said retired TVA executive John Stewart, who was among those traveling by bus to the State Capitol on Tuesday.

Stewart said the rally, attended by hundreds, was a collaborative effort of the Tennessee Justice Center, the Tennessee Health Care Campaign and other statewide organizations. Former state Rep. Gloria Johnson was involved through Organizing For Action, with which she works.

Insure Tennessee was proposed by Gov. Bill Haslam last year as an alternative to expanding Medicaid provided in the federal Affordable Care Act, or Obamacare.

Under the plan, the federal government would pick up the cost of new, previously ineligible enrollees for the first three years. Some 280,000 low-income Tennesseans would benefit.

Two separate Senate committees killed the plan in special and regular sessions.

Stewart said he had it from an "authoritative source" that by focusing on some key people to have a change of heart, like House Speaker Beth Harwell, R-Nashville, that the program might pass.

He didn't want to name his source, but his son is state Rep. Mike Stewart of Nashville, Democratic House Caucus chairman.

"It would be a tougher job in the Senate," Stewart said.

State Sen. Becky Duncan Massey, R-Knoxville, who supported the program in a Senate Health Committee vote, said a "very" grassroots effort in the House is needed "to get momentum." She said she suspects there is a bill the program could be attached to if interest is there.

Her colleague, Sen. Richard Briggs, R-Knoxville, also an Insure Tennessee supporter, was a rally speaker.

Afterward, the group went inside the statehouse and lined hallways, many wearing their trademark purple T-shirts.

Johnson, a Democrat who was defeated by Republican Rep. Eddie Smith for re-election to represent the 13th District, was contacted for comment since she represents Organizing For Action. She replied by email she wasn't available because she was at the hospital with a family member.

"The rally was awesome by the way!" she said.
Kary Pickard, neonatal nurse clinician, left, Jennifer Schlomer, NICU staff development specialist, and Casey Reynolds, neonatal nurse clinician, are pictured Thursday at East Tennessee Childrens Hospital. They formed a team for the upcoming JDRF walk after all their sons were diagnosed with Type I diabetes. (AMY SMOTHERMAN BURGESS/NEWS SENTINEL)

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By Kristi L. Nelson of the Knoxville News Sentinel

When Kary Pickard's 6-year-old son, Nolan, was diagnosed with Type I diabetes last summer, she turned to work for support.

That's not just because Pickard is a nurse clinician at East Tennessee Children's Hospital. But Pickard knew two of her co-workers in the hospital's neonatal intensive care unit would understand exactly what she was dealing with.

Jennifer Schlomer's son Brixan was diagnosed with Type I diabetes when he was 5, and Casey Reynolds' son Connor when he was 4. By the time of Noah's diagnosis, they were experts, Pickard said.

"Their support to me has been amazing," said Pickard, who said the three nurses and their husbands formed something of an informal support group, even getting together outside of work.

Type I diabetes occurs when the body's immune system destroys the cells in the pancreas that produce insulin, a necessary hormone that regulates how the body absorbs sugar and uses carbohydrates and fat. People with Type I diabetes must daily monitor the level of glucose in their blood and take insulin to regulate it. Researchers haven't found what causes Type I diabetes. Left untreated, it can cause serious complications leading to death.

Pickard, like Schlomer and Reynolds, learned about diabetes during nursing school  but that was more than a decade ago, and Type I diabetes isn't something they regularly deal with in their NICU jobs.

So it took some education and adjustment, Pickard said. For her family, one of the most difficult changes was not being able to eat dinner together on nights she works late, since Noah now has a regimented eating schedule.

This year, Pickard decided the three and their families should have a team in the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation's fundraising walk, April 23 at World's Fair Park. They're augmenting Team NBC's money today with a vendor and craft fair from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at Union Baptist Church, 6701 Washington Pike.

Besides handmade crafts, vendors will sell Thirty-One, Origami Owl, Young Living, Jamberry Nails, Pampered Chef and other such projects. They'll have a bake sale and a raffle and will sell team T-shirts and sign up walkers.

"We're all kind of right there together" with their sons' diagnoses, Pickard said. "Luckily, I have them."
SHARE Joe Armstrong, state representative Becky Duncan Massey Rep. Bill Dunn, R-Knoxville State Rep. Martin Daniel

By Mike Blackerby of the Knoxville News Sentinel

A dozen area legislators weighed in on such familiar hot-button topics as the University of Tennessee diversity controversy and carrying guns in schools Saturday during a public forum hosted by the East Tennessee Society of Professional Journalists at the Bearden Banquet Hall.

The annual ETSPJ Legislative Luncheon featured questions submitted by journalists and the general public to the panel of state representatives and state senators by moderator John Becker of WBIR-TV, Channel 10.

Panel members were asked about recent recommendations by the University of Tennessee's Office for Diversity and Inclusion that holiday parties should exclude religious and cultural references and that students, employees and others be addressed by such gender-neutral pronouns as "xe," "xem" and "xyr." The suggestions drew national attention, with conservatives decrying the recommendations as political correctness run amok and saying UT had overstepped its boundaries. Several legislators have called for defunding the school's Office for Diversity and Inclusion.

Some legislators also questioned UT spending $4.7 million on salaries and benefits in the diversity program, and the $217,252 salary and benefits package of Rickey Hall, UT vice chancellor for diversity.

Legislators were asked Saturday about how serious they were about shutting down or reducing diversity programs at UT. Several said the mission statement of the Office for Diversity and Inclusion needs to be clarified.

"What does a diversity guy do all day?" asked state Rep. Bill Dunn, R-Knoxville, whose comment drew murmurs from some of the 50 people in the audience. "We have to justify why someone is getting a six-figure income."

Rep. Martin Daniel, another Knoxville Republican, agreed.

"We support diversity programs at any institution of higher learning, but it has gotten out of hand," said Daniel, a frequent critic of the diversity initiatives at UT. "It has taken on a whole life of its own, spilling over into other areas like transgender rights and gay and lesbian issues."

"What's wrong with that?" asked someone in the audience.

State Sen. Becky Duncan Massey, R-Knoxville, said she has been flooded with comments from her constituents about the diversity issue.

"(They want to know) what are the good things (UT diversity officials) are doing," Massey said. "How are they meeting their goals, and what are your achievements?"

Panel members were also asked whether they favor allowing anyone who has qualified for a gun carry permit  other than a school resource officer or security officer  to carry a gun in public schools.

Four of the 12 panelists said they favor allowing permit holders to carry guns in schools.

Rep. Joe Armstrong, D-Knoxville, said he was against carrying guns in schools, based on input he has received from Knoxville police.

But state Rep. Jimmy Matlock, R-Lenoir City, said his constituents have a different take on open carry in schools.

"Law enforcement in Loudon and Roane County favor it," Matlock said.

While Gov. Bill Haslam recently said increasing the state gas tax in 2016 to fund transportation projects appears to be off the table, legislators were asked whether they would eventually be on board with an increase. Tennessee hasn't increased its gas tax of 21 cents per gallon since 1989. Haslam and others say unless state fuel tax revenues increase, existing highway and long-term transportation needs will not be met.

Generally, an increase of 8 to 21 cents per gallon has been mentioned as a possibility.

"I'd like to see a plan laid out," said state Sen. Randy McNally, R-Oak Ridge. "In order to pass it, (the fuel tax increase) needs to be kept in single digits."

Massey said fixing the state's road and infrastructure problems will take more than just passing a fuel-tax hike.

Like McNally, she wants to see a game plan first.

"We have to come up with a multi-prong solution," Massey said.
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By Chris Buice

At the University of Tennessee even Hindus celebrate Christmas. I know because I've seen smiling friends pose by Christmas trees.

"In Peace We Celebrate Our Differences" was the theme of the annual international fair when I was a student. This attitude still reigns whenever I return to my alma mater for that event and see young people sharing art, music, dance, food and culture from around the world. This year I also went to the Diwali program for the Hindu Festival of Lights, put on by the Indian Student Association. I "liked" the organization on Facebook. Its post for Dec. 25, 2015, was "Wishing You a Very Merry Christmas."

UT may be "Ready for the World," as its slogan suggests, but the Tennessee Legislature may need some time to catch up. Knox County's delegation wants to form a special House-Senate committee to investigate the university's Office for Diversity and Inclusion, in part for allegedly waging a war on Christmas. Legislators who cannot muster enough votes to remove the bust of Nathan Bedford Forrest, founder of the Ku Klux Klan, from the statehouse grounds are going to tutor the university on how to do diversity work well. This could get interesting.

Jesus once said to the easily offended, "You tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness." Perhaps today we should say, "You honor the founder of a hate group in your workplace but read every line of every memo of other organizations in search of something to offend you."

What gives?

Ever since Socrates was forced to drink hemlock, academics have played to a tough crowd. While revered in our time, Socrates was condemned to death by the elected leaders of his time. Apparently they did not know they had a good thing. His crime was teaching philosophy, which involves teaching young people to think for themselves (in ways that might diverge from their parents or elders.) So if Rickey Hall, Vice Chancellor for Diversity and Inclusion, finds himself in the hot seat, he is in good company.

I have to feel empathy for this generation of college students. As soon as they say goodbye to helicopter parents, they say hello to helicopter legislators. At Harvard, Princeton and Yale, students are having conversations about gender-neutral pronouns. Our young people may wonder why they need to be sheltered from the subject by the heavy hand of government. "How can we be ready for the world" they might ask, "if we are not even ready for graduate school in our own country?"

When U.S. Rep. John J. Duncan Jr. criticized our university, it made Fox News. When the leaders of Christian ministries on campus wrote a statement in support of the university's efforts at inclusion, the national media did not show up. Duncan often tells us that Washington politicians are out of touch with Tennessee. He may be right. So here's my view on the ground: If Christians are ever thrown to the lions once again it will not be in Neyland Stadium.

"In Peace We Celebrate Our Differences," but during election season we tend to amplify our disagreements. At UT's international fair I've seen Israelis socializing with Palestinians, Indians with Pakistanis  peoples with a history of war enjoying a day in peace. Perhaps we can learn to do the same. We may have something to learn from UT after all.

Chris Buice is pastor of Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church in Knoxville.
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In the 2016 legislative session, the Tennessee House of Representatives will reconsider the tuition equality bill, HB 0675, that affects Tennessee high school students.

In April 2015, during the last session, this bill passed the Senate and all of the House committees. It passed the full House by a vote of 49 to 47, falling short of the required constitutional majority of 50 by one vote. Consequently, it will need to be re-introduced in the House this legislative session.

The League of Women Voters of Tennessee fully supports the passage of this bill. The bill will allow young Tennessee students who were brought to the U.S. by undocumented immigrant parents to attend Tennessee universities and colleges without having to pay out-of-state tuition as currently required. Out-of-state tuition often costs more than three times that of in-state tuition, making it virtually impossible for many of these Tennessee students to attend college.

In addition, these students are not eligible for any state or federal tuition assistance or scholarships. Meanwhile, their undocumented families pay all the taxes that other citizens pay. According to the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition, undocumented residents of Tennessee paid over $157 million in state sales and property taxes in 2011 alone.

It should be noted that in-state college tuition is available for students who have lived in Tennessee for more than one year and who are U.S. citizens. Undocumented students can be granted this lawful status by applying for and receiving Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA. More than 9,000 undocumented Tennessee students have received DACA; thousands more are currently in the application process. Another 8,000 will age into eligibility in the next decade.

Providing these students with in-state tuition rates makes good sense for several reasons.

Our Tennessee educators and public school system have already invested heavily in the education of these students in grades K-12. Most of these immigrant children have lived in Tennessee their entire lives. They have attended Tennessee schools, played sports, joined clubs and fully participated in Tennessee school life.

A better-educated workforce is the best economic policy for Tennessee. A worker with a post-secondary degree makes $1.3 million more in his/her lifetime, adding substantially to Tennessee's productivity and tax base. Currently, fewer than 29 percent of Tennesseans 25 and older hold a post-secondary degree and Gov. Bill Haslam has set a worthy goal of increasing that number to 55 percent by 2025. Passing the tuition equity bill is an essential step toward reaching that goal.

The League of Women Voters would like to thank those area legislators who voted favorably for these students last April. We urge you to continue your support. For those legislators who did not vote for this bill, we hope that you will reconsider your position.
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Eighty-two percent of Tennesseans are now able to take advantage of the broadband speed level the Federal Communications Commission deems necessary for future online connectivity, according to the FCC's Broadband Availability in America report released last January. That is a far cry from 2007, when the state ranked among the lowest in the country with regard to broadband adoption and only 43 percent of households had access to the Internet.

This fall, however, a potential impediment to further progress could rear its ugly head when the Internet Tax Moratorium  a law that bans state and local governments from taxing Internet access  is set to expire.

The most recent iteration of the moratorium was included in Congress' recently passed spending package, but will face an extension vote for the eighth time in a few short months. Fortunately for consumers, an additional measure, appropriately titled the Permanent Internet Tax Freedom Act, or PITFA, has been included in legislation dealing with customs issues. This package, which passed the U.S. House of Representatives and now awaits a vote in the Senate, would finally cement a key taxpayer protection into law and would supersede the temporary extension included in the budget deal.

But some senators, including Tennessee's own Lamar Alexander, are attempting to derail PITFA despite its overwhelming bipartisan support. In fact, in a recent Wall Street Journal editorial, the newspaper wrote, "Sen. Alexander tells us that his opposition to the Internet Tax Freedom Act is a 'simple matter of federalism,' and that it's 'none of Washington's business' whether states and localities want to apply new taxes online. The Senator is mis-defining federalism to justify more taxing."

The Internet tax moratorium was originally signed in 1998 to keep governments from overtaxing this technology the way they tend to do with phone, video and other telecommunication services. Despite consistent and unanimous support for the ban in the House, Alexander, along with Sen. Bob Corker, continue attempts to link a totally separate and controversial piece of legislation, the Marketplace Fairness Act, with PITFA.

The MFA, championed by Alexander and co-sponsored by Corker, would allow governments to reach across borders and enforce sales tax collections from retailers with no physical presence in their state. Although the bill's primary concern is with sales taxes on Internet purchases, that issue should not be conflated with service taxes on Internet access.

The United States has a complex and outdated tax system, along with excessive tax rates. More than 10,000 state and local jurisdictions across the nation tax communication services, and a permanent extension of the moratorium would prevent this burden from getting even more difficult for consumers to bear. Americans are already socked with a 17 percent average rate on telephone and voice, and 12 percent on cable and video, versus an average general sales tax rate of 7 percent. PITFA can keep this onerous tax load from spreading to the Internet.

As The Wall Street Journal noted, "Mr. Alexander, who has fought for over a decade to increase taxes on the Internet, claims to be unaware that communications are taxed more heavily than other goods and services. He also says he doesn't know if states would reduce other taxes if they were given more power to tax the Internet and that he would not urge his state of Tennessee to make such offsetting cuts."

This would be detrimental to Tennessee's consumers. Instead, the state's senators should pass the Permanent Internet Tax Freedom Acta win for Congress, taxpayers and Americans across the country.
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A look at recent events in the news that pleased us ...

Better access: After being challenged by the News Sentinel, Knox County Schools officials have ceased copying driver's licenses of people requesting personnel files and will revert to following school board policy.

State law requires a person requesting a public record to prove Tennessee residency, which can be accomplished by showing a driver's license. A driver's license contains exactly the kind of information that is redacted in a personnel file. State law exempts public employees' home addresses, Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers and other personal information from public view.

Kathy Sims, chief human resources officer for the school system, said human resources employees will keep a written record of who views personnel files, but copies of driver's licenses will not be included.

Economic impact: Pellissippi State Community College had a $1.4 billion economic impact in Knox and Blount counties over the past five years, a new report shows, with an average of $272 million pumped into the economy per year. The annual impact report is based on business volume, jobs and individual income as a result of the community college's spending. Not included in the study is the indirect impact of having a trained workforce available to local businesses.

Pellissippi is now the largest community college in the state with an enrollment of more than 10,300, including about 1,700 in the first cohort of students receiving the Tennessee Promise last-dollar scholarship.

New routes: Knoxville's McGhee Tyson Airport is getting new nonstop service to Las Vegas and Washington, D.C., this spring as Allegiant Air adds routes to those cities. Allegiant announced Tuesday that it will begin year-round service May 13 from Knoxville to Las Vegas McCarran International Airport and seasonal service from May 20 to Aug. 16 from Knoxville to Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport.

Dishonor guard: Authorities say a Byrdstown man has been charged with stealing thousands of dollars from an honor guard account of the Hull-York chapter of the Disabled American Veterans, according to The Associated Press. A Pickett County grand jury indicted Glen Williams, 65, on a charge of theft over $60,000. He was arrested at his home Wednesday and was booked on $100,000 bond.
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David Hunter's progressive fire burned brightly in the anti-gun tirade in his recent column. It almost made me ashamed to be a member of the National Rifle Association and a Second Amendment supporter. I suppressed my wavering and silently vowed to be strong in the face of having words like paranoid and delusion added in describing NRA membership.

Hunter proudly acknowledged his past voluntary military service and his police force membership. With those experiences in his past, how can he so avidly support a commander in chief who displays little respect for either endeavor? President Barack Obama made the Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl swap, five terrorists for one deserter. Desertion is a punishable offense, not one to laud and praise. Military honor is not enhanced by preferential treatment for deserters.

Hunter gets the mandatory gun show loophole lament into his dismal portrayal of gun sources for those committing mass murder. Can he or Obama document any case where the mass shooter acquired his weapons at a gun show?

Hunter says that the paranoid and delusional conservative gun "zealots" fear confiscation of all firearms will be the final solution to the claimed gun possession problem supposedly plaguing our country. A covert objective is accomplished in small steps over time, not in one giant leap. I hope such a happening is unlikely here any time soon, but the small steps are undeniable. I feel sure that complacent Australians felt immune from this unbelievable action until it occurred.

Hunter is a progressive, maybe even a liberal, and his disdain for conservatism is apparent. Even with his willingness to accept more useless gun regulations, he should be tolerant enough to allow other opinions to be held without so spiteful a rebuttal.

Bill Pryor, Knoxville
Knoxville student selected for United States Senate Youth Program





KNOXVILLE -- Delegates to the 54th annual United States Senate Youth Program (USSYP) have been chosen, and one of those is Justin Cross of Knoxville. Cross is one of two students chosen across the state to be part of the group of 104 student delegates who will attend the programs 54th annual Washington Week from March 5-12, 2016 in Washington, D.C. according to an announcement made today by Senators Lamar Alexander and Bob Corker today.



The motivation for the program is to increase young Americans understanding of the interrelationships of the three branches of government, learn the caliber and responsibilities of federally elected and appointed officials, and emphasize the vital importance of democratic decision making not only for America but for people around the world.



This is an extremely competitive merit-based program which includes an intensive week-long study of the federal government and the people who lead it. The overall mission of the program is to help instill within each class of USSYP student delegates more profound knowledge of the American political process and a lifelong commitment to public service. In addition to the program week, The Hearst Foundations, which fully funds the USSYP, provide each student with a $5,000 undergraduate college scholarship with encouragement to continue coursework in government, history and public affairs. Transportation and all expenses for Washington Week are also provided by The Hearst Foundations; no government funds are utilized. The USSYP was created by Senate Resolution 324 in 1962.



Justin Cross attends the L&N STEM Academy in Knoxville and serves as the Student Body president. He holds leadership positions in 4-H at the county, regional, and state levels and serves as the 2015-2016 Tennessee 4-H State Council president. As a leader, Justin always strives to give back to his community and school, and he is an active volunteer through several clubs and organizations. Justin speaks to educate citizens about the importance of Tennessee agriculture in support of the Governors Rural Challenge.



Claire Barnett was the other student chosen from Tennessee. Barnett attends Rossview High School in Clarksville and serves as the Student Body president. She is the 3 year editor-in chief of her school yearbook, the Kentucky-Tennessee Key Club governor and president of her school's National Honor Society. She has a career goal of political communications and has a passion for public service, reflected in her involvement in a local youth leadership program, a city council, and a county committee. Claire is also a National Merit semifinalist.



Chosen as alternates to the 2016 program were Taylor Savell, a resident of Mt. Juliet, who attends Mt. Juliet High School and Tucker Scott, a resident of Knoxville, who attends Farragut High School.



The chief educational officer in each state selects the delegates after nomination by teachers and principals. This years delegates were designated by Ms. Candice McQueen, Commissioner of Education.



While in Washington the student delegates attend meetings and briefings with Senators, House Representatives and Congressional staff, the President, a Justice of the Supreme Court, leaders of cabinet agencies, an Ambassador to the United States and senior members of the national media. The students will also tour many of the national monuments and several museums and they will stay at the historic Mayflower Hotel in downtown Washington, D.C.



In addition to exceptional leadership abilities and a strong commitment to volunteer work, the student delegates generally rank academically in the top one percent of their states among high school juniors and seniors. Now more than 5,000 strong, alumni of the program continue to excel and develop impressive qualities that are often directed toward public service. Among the many distinguished alumni are: Senator Susan Collins, the first alumna to be elected U.S. Senator; Senator Cory Gardner, the second alumnus to be elected U.S. Senator and the first to be elected to the U.S. House of Representatives; New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, the first alumnus to be elected governor; former Chief Judge Robert Henry, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit; former Ambassador to West Germany Richard Burt, and former presidential advisors Thomas "Mack" McLarty and Karl Rove. Additional notables include former Lt. Governor of Idaho David Leroy, former president of the Progressive Policy Institute Robert Shapiro, military officers, members of state legislatures, Foreign Service officers, top congressional staff, healthcare providers and university educators.



Members of the USSYP 2016 54th annual Senate Advisory Committee are: Senator Cory Gardner of Colorado, Republican Co-Chair; Senator Mazie K. Hirono of Hawaii, Democratic Co-Chair; Senate Advisory Members: Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Michael B. Enzi (R-WY), David Perdue (R-GA), Tim Scott (R-SC), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Robert P. Casey (D-PA), Patrick J. Leahy (D-VT). Each year, the Honorary Co- Chairs of the program are the Vice President of the United States and the Senate Majority and Minority Leaders.

Published January 16, 2016










Ambassador (ret.) Ilan Baruch is currently the policy advisor for MK Zehava Galon, Chairperson of MERETZ and a peace activist. He resigned from the MFA on grounds of principle, after 36 years of diplomatic career. It included overseas postings in Asia, Europe and Africa. Head-quarter postings: founder/director of the Palestinian Autonomy department, head - coordination of the Multilateral Peace Process and head - Middle East division for economic cooperation. Baruch was a team member of the Israeli delegation to the Oslo Peace negotiations, and participated in various negotiations with the Palestinian Authority, Jordan and Egypt on economic agreements. His last posting was Ambassador of Israel to South Africa, as well as Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe. Since his early retirement, Baruch is devoting his time and experience to projects in public diplomacy, is running a weekly program in the "All for Peace" radio, and contributes political analysis in different media outlets.

...I am concerned with the far left, as seen in universities within the European Union who have called for the divestment from Israel. This is similar to the movement that was taken by many universities calling for divestment from South Africa. This serves to feed the "citadel Israel" mentality which leads to isolationism. This is not good for us, this is not good for the Palestinians and it is not good for anyone interested in the peace process...

Tonight we heard from former Israeli Ambassador Ilan Baruch on the BDS Movement. Baruch resigned his position with the Foreign Ministry over currently policy toward the Palestinians. For context, here is his bio:And what does he say about BDS? This interview from last year sums up what he told our group from Chicago Theological Seminary tonight:Ambassador Baruch did speak strongly for international pressure to bring the current Israeli government to the peace table and urged, as we have heard from many here, that additional grassroots programs be developed to bring Israelis and Palestinians together. Personal relationships and not politics are the key to peace, he said.- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
By Choi Sung-jin



The "frenemy" relationships between Samsung Electronics and its two U.S. rivals/partners  Apple and Qualcomm  are deepening still, as the three compete and cooperate with one another, industry sources say.



Samsung is producing two different application processors (APs), the brains of smarphones - "Exynos8" based on its own 14-nano, second-generation process, and "snapdragon" designed by Qualcomm  on consignment. These chips are called foundry products and their manufacturers, foundry producers.



For Samsung, the fourth-largest foundry producer in the world, to manufacture the APs of Qualcomm, the world's top chip designer, was like "much-needed rain that eases a draught," as it came immediately after Apple, which buys 80 percent of Samsung's foundry production, selected Taiwan's TSMC as the foundry producer of its A10 chips for iPhone 7, an industry analyst said.



"Samsung's foundry production of the snapdragon 820 means it could diversify the clients of its foundry business, which will in turn contribute to the company's stable performance and continuous growth," said Shin Hyeon-jun, an analyst at LG Investment and Securities.



Qualcomm has come to the rescue of Samsung this time around. Last year, however, Samsung was the bad guy for Qualcomm as the Korean company used its Exynos chips for Galaxy 6 phones, instead of Qualcomm's AP, straining the bottom line of the U.S. chip designer.



"Last year was a difficult period for both Samsung and Qualcomm," said an industry executive. "This year, they will return to a win-win relationship."



Samsung, by adopting the Android operating system, is at the forefront of the anti-Apple camp, yet it can ill afford to want Apple to suffer from slumping sales or shipment drops. Apple may be a formidable competitor for Samsung in the smartphone business but is also a big client for the Samsung's semiconductor and display units, the sources said.



Samsung's display department has depended on its own smartphone unit for up to half of its annual sales, and is in dire need of large external clients, such as Apple. Apple, the world's most advanced and profitable smartphone maker, has also depended on Samsung as a parts supplier but is moving to diversify its supply sources, for instance, to LG Electronics for displays.



"Samsung has countered Apple's supplier-diversifying attempts by raising its technological barriers," an industry official said. "In the future, however, Samsung will have to strengthen cooperation with its competitors, too, and make more frenemies."




By Choi Sung-jin



A protracted economic slump has produced a slew of winning businesses, and one group of winners are the low-cost flight services.



According to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, the low-cost carriers, or LCCs, have taken 56.3 percent of the domestic air-service market for themselves, beating their larger competitors, and even their profitability is improving, too.



When Jeju Air, the largest LCC in Korea, offered an extremely cheap ticket of 7,000 won ($5.80) for the Seoul-Jeju Island route, 210,000 people stampeded to buy them, paralyzing the company's server, an episode demonstrating the consumers' zeal to snatch up anything priced low.



The combined sales of the five LCCs totaled 1.7 trillion won in 2014, 3.4 times higher than the year before. Jeju Air's sales have grown by 35 percent on average since their opening. Their operating profits also rose from 2.4 to 5.2 percent during the same period, far higher than the comparable rate of 2.8 percent recorded by the flagship carriers in 2014.



Empty seats are also increasingly difficult to find. Industry officials set the occupancy rate of 70-75 percent as the breakeven point for an airline. The occupancy rate of LLCs has risen to 87 percent, 12 percentage points higher than breakeven point and 10 percentage points higher than the 77 percent reached by Korean Air and Asiana Airlines.



The prolonged economic slump is behind the rapid growth of LLCs. "People's desire to consume has combined with realistic restraints to pursue small luxuries,'" an analyst said. "The high growth of LLCs will continue for the next five to eight years."



Carefully calculated marketing tactics have also helped. The ultra-cheap tickets, for instance, are the result of good analysis of big data, which predicts vacancies throughout the year so the LLCs can sell them in advance.



Freight accounts for only 20-30 percent of these specially priced tickets with the other 70-80 percent being taxes such as fuel surcharge and airport fees not related with carriers' revenue. LLCs incur little loss from the sale of these special-price tickets as they account for less than 1 percent of revenue.



The biggest stumbling block to the LLCs' further growth are safety risks, as seen by a series of incidents, both large and small, recently, including a broken cabin pressure control device on a Jeju Air flight and a problematic hatch on a Jin Air flight.



The average age of the 82 aircraft run by the LLCs is 12 years with some of them being 17 years and older, compared with 8.9 years for the flagship carriers. LLCs have also spent only 5.7 billion won to prevent accidents between 2013 and the first half of last year.



"Consumers will shun LLCs, however cheap their tickets are, if they fail to ensure safety," said an industry executive. "Lack of safety consciousness will pose the biggest obstacle to their further growth."




A group of Vietnamese people who visited South Korea without a visa have disappeared from the country's resort island of Jeju, authorities said Friday.

The 46 are among 155 Vietnamese who came to the island on Tuesday for a six-day trip. Ten others who attempted to flee -- nine men and one woman -- were caught earlier this week and are under investigation, according to the local immigration office.

The immigration office said it is investigating if they were trying to look for illegal employment in South Korea.

"If they go outside the (Jeju) province, they will be charged with violating the Special Act on the Establishment of Jeju Special Self-Governing Province and the Development of a Free International City," an official from the office said. "If they are caught over illegal employment, they will be charged with the violation of immigration control law."

The Vietnamese tourists can leave the country on Sunday as planned if they are cleared of suspicion, the official added.












/Yonhap

U.S. Ambassador to Seoul Mark Lippert hosted a party Friday to celebrate the first birthday of his son, according to the U.S. embassy here.

The party was held at the ambassador's residence, with guests from various backgrounds, including five South Korean netizens who took part in a survey earlier this week.

Photos posted on the embassy's Twitter account showed Lippert, his wife and their son celebrating in traditional Korean style, with fruit and Korean rice cakes on a large table. The boy's Korean name is Sejun.

Following Korean tradition, the ambassador also had Sejun pick one out of various objects laid out before him. Dressed in the Korean national costume, hanbok, Sejun grabbed a brush, which is meant to show he will become a writer. (Yonhap)
Lim Sung-nam, South Korean Vice Foreign Minister, right, talks with Tony Blinken, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State, Saturday in Tokyo, for bilateral discussions about the sanctions against North Korea, ahead of the trilateral meeting that includes Japanese Foreign Vice Minister Akitaka Saiki./Yonhap

South Korea, the United States and Japan reaffirmed Saturday in Tokyo their commitment to strong and effective sanctions on North Korea for its Jan. 6 nuclear test.

The three nations also urged China to take action against North Korea.

In their discussions, South Korean Vice Foreign Minister Lim Sung-nam, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Tony Blinken and Japanese Foreign Vice Minister Akitaka Saiki confirmed that the three nations stood together on sanctions against North Korea and that they will work to deter further provocations by the North.

Earlier in the day, Lim met in a bilateral meeting with Blinken, agreeing to push for "strong and comprehensive" sanctions against the North.

Neighboring nations have been engaged in a flurry of bilateral and trilateral talks, as the international community moves to impose sanctions to punish the North for its latest nuclear test.
North Korea's foreign ministry criticized South Korea's psychological warfare Friday, calling it an "odd provocation."

South Korea resumed anti-Pyongyang loudspeaker broadcasts into the North last week in retaliation for the communist country's fourth nuclear test. North Korea reacts angrily to the broadcasts because they are critical of the Kim Jong-un regime.

"Our hydrogen bomb test was part of a normal process to fulfill our 'byongjin' policy," a ministry spokesman said in a statement carried by the North's Korean Central News Agency. "The South Korean puppets' resumption of psychological warfare broadcasts is an odd provocation that has nothing to do with the normal process."

Under the "byongjin" policy, North Korea has sought to develop both its economy and nuclear weapons program.

The statement is the first reaction out of a North Korean government organization since the broadcasts were resumed.

The spokesman reiterated Pyongyang's claim that the nuclear program is a defensive measure against the U.S.'s hostile policy toward it, adding the country has no plans to use nuclear weapons recklessly.(Yonhap)
A newspaper published by China's ruling Communist Party has expressed its opposition to tougher sanctions against North Korea following its fourth nuclear test, despite calls by South Korea to put enough pressure on Pyongyang to rein in the wayward neighbor.

In an editorial published on Friday, the state-run Global Times newspaper also indicated that China put its top priority on maintaining stability in North Korea, rather than its denuclearizion.

All eyes are on the role of China, which keeps North Korea's moribund economy afloat, after Pyongyang announced on Jan. 6 that it conducted a "successful" test of a hydrogen bomb that marked the isolated regime's fourth nuclear test since 2006.

The latest nuclear test is seen as a diplomatic failure by Chinese President Xi Jinping in trying to rein in the key ally.

While China has said it is "firmly opposed" to the nuclear test, Beijing's leadership has been reluctant to use more leverage over Pyongyang because it could lead to the North's collapse and instability at its border.

The editorial reads that stronger sanctions against North Korea "will not work and might bring new variables."

China's "180-degree turn on North Korea policy may lead to new conflicts in Northeast Asia," the paper warned.

This week, South Korean President Park Geun-hye called on China to take "necessary" action in punishing North Korea for its latest nuclear test with the strongest international sanctions.

Hwang Joon-kook, Seoul's chief envoy on North Korea's nuclear issues, held talks with his Chinese counterpart Wu Dawei and Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Li Baodong on Thursday.

After meeting with the Chinese officials, Hwang told reporters that China has been "actively reviewing" a draft U.N. resolution against North Korea, but it still "remains to be seen" whether Beijing will put enough pressure on Pyongyang. (Yonhap)
South Korea could file a criminal complaint against the local unit of Volkswagen with the prosecution unless the German carmaker provides required data and information needed for its planned emissions testing, a government source said Friday.



In November, the environment ministry ordered Volkswagen Korea to recall about 125,000 vehicles whose emissions were found to have been faked through the so-called defeat device. It was also asked to submit a recall plan by Jan. 6, including how it would maintain fuel efficiency even after removing the cheating device.



Volkswagen submitted the plan as required, but the ministry recently determined that it is "insufficient" and officially requested more information and data needed to carry out its test of the cars in question.



"We sent our official request to Volkswagen on Thursday to submit supplementary information needed to carry out our emissions tests on its cars," an environment ministry official told the English division of Yonhap News Agency on customary condition of anonymity.



"If their supplementary information turns out to be insufficient again, we will see it as a failure to submit their recall plan by the deadline in the first place and refer this matter for criminal investigation," he added.



It is the first time that the government overtly expressed its interest in seeking a criminal investigation into the German carmaker since the fake emissions scandal started last year.



He declined to elaborate on what additional information has been requested from Volkswagen, except to say that it did not provide data and explanations "technically" needed to confirm the carmaker's claims related to fuel efficiency, quality improvement and others.



In its initial recall plan, Volkswagen said that there will be no change in fuel efficiency and power even after removing the defeat device covertly installed to fake emissions results.



It also hoped to start the recall process during the first half of the year on the precondition that its recall plan gets approved by the government.



On Wednesday, the California Air Resources Board rejected Volkswagen's recall plan for U.S. customers, citing as reasons a lack of details and insufficient information related to fuel efficiency, emissions and safety. (Yonhap)




The Navy conducted a live fire exercise in the Yellow Sea on Friday involving five warships as maritime forces increased their defense readiness, the Navy said.

The maritime live fire drill held in the waters south of the Northern Limit Line in the Yellow Sea mobilized the Navy's newest frigate FFG Gyeonggi and four other warships as well as a sea-based fighter helicopter.

Naval artillery shells were fired and anti-submarine bombs were dropped during the drill by the Navy's Second Fleet which is in charge of defending the Yellow Sea-side of the NLL.

"This latest exercise is designed to bolster troops' combat readiness to smash the enemy's maritime provocations with speed, accuracy and might," said Capt. Kang Seog-bong who commanded the drill.

The NLL in the Yellow Sea has frequently been a source of inter-Korean military tensions as the North disputes the de facto maritime border drawn by the United Nations Command after the armistice agreement signed in 1953.

In a historic military provocation in 2010, North Korea fired artillery shells into the South Korean island of Yeonpyeong near the NLL, killing four South Koreans. (Yonhap)
Celebrate your inner nerd with my new t-shirt design! Available on my Spreadshirt shop in multiple colors and products.
A dozen people have been found accountable for lapses that contributed to the massive mistaken shipment of live anthrax samples from a U.S. Army laboratory in Utah, an investigation report said Friday.

They include Brig. Gen. William E. King, who then as a colonel commanded the Dugway Proving Ground laboratory between 2009 and 2011. The Army investigation report accused him of actions that "perpetuated a complacent atmosphere" among lab workers.

Leaders at the laboratory "created conditions allowing a culture of complacency to flourish. As a result, laboratory personnel did not always follow rules, regulations and procedures," the report said. "Certain leadership and oversight staff failed to take appropriate action, and several laboratory technicians employed questionable laboratory practices."

Those oversight and laboratory deficiencies may have been contributing factors, but there is insufficient evidence to establish any single failure as the proximate cause for the inadvertent shipment, the report said.

It also said the inadvertent shipment is "a serious breach of regulations, but did not pose a risk to public health."

In late May, the Pentagon announced that the Dugway lab sent live anthrax samples to laboratories in nine U.S. states, as well as an American military base in South Korea. Further mistaken shipments have since been revealed, bringing the total to 194 in the U.S. and nine in foreign countries.

The bacteria should have been made inactive before being shipped.

Anthrax is a lethal disease caused by Bacillus anthracis, but the term is commonly used to refer to the causative agent itself. In 2001, anthrax-laced letters were mailed to U.S. news media and Senate offices, killing five people. (Yonhap)
The SLFP does not condone the continuation of the Emergency Regulations (The Public Security Ordinance) more than a day necessary

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PRESS RELEASE

China Firms Up Its Plan To Land on the Far Side of the Moon

Jan. 14, 2016 (EIRNS)Chinese scientists reported today on the progress of the ambitious Change-4 mission to land a spacecraft on the far side of the Moon. This has never been attempted before. As Liu Jizhong, from the Lunar Exploration Aerospace Engineering Center, explained on China Central Televisions China 24 program today, the mission will be launched by 2020.

Recall that the Change-4 spacecraft was designed to be a back-up to the Change-3 lunar rover mission, in case that mission were not successful. But it was deemed to be unnecessary to repeat that mission, so the Change-4 craft has been repurposed to land on the far side of the Moon. Liu explained that this requires changes in the design of the spacecraft, requiring some extra time. (Change-5 will go next, in 2017, to carry out a very challenging sample return mission).

Because the lander is facing away from Earth, sitting on the far side, communication cannot be direct. An orbiter will accompany the lander so that radio signals can go from the lander to an orbiter, to send data to Earth, and in the reverse for Change-4 to receive commands from Earth.

Space scientist and CCTV commentator Yuguang Yang, said that China has just decided that the Change-4 mission will be open to private investment by companies and individuals. He explained that the far side of the Moon is "very special," but that the landing is very difficult. Asked why there would be private investment in such a high-risk mission, when there is no return on the investment, Yang said that there will be applications from the new technology, as there are from navigational satellites.
PRESS RELEASE

President Xi Takes New Silk Road to Iran and Saudi Arabia

Jan. 14, 2016 (EIRNS)In a rather unprecedented move, Chinese President Xi Jinping will travel to Iran and Saudi Arabia at a time of growing tensions between these two nations. This is a direct intervention into the Mideast political situation, in which China has often been reticent to become too deeply involved. Yet China recently sent an envoy, Zhang Ming, to mediate in the conflict. Xi is also scheduled to visit Egypt between Jan. 20 and 22.

The Belt and Road will be topping the agenda of the President as he travels through this crucial region, Guo Xiangang, vice president of the China Institute of International Studies, told Xinhua. While the visits have not yet been officially announced by the Foreign Ministry, the Ministry did release yesterday its first Arab Policy Paper on the nature and significance of Chinas relations with the Arab countries on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the establishment of their relations with the Arab nations. China traditionally has close relations also with Iran, which is its primary source of oil.
PRESS RELEASE

170 Economists and Financial Experts Back Sanders Policy on Glass-Steagall

Jan. 15, 2016 (EIRNS)One hundred and seventy prominent economists and financial experts from more than 100 universities and other institutions issued a letter called, Economists and Financial Experts in Favor of Sen. Sanders Wall St. Reforms, in which they not only vigorously call for reinstating Glass-Steagall and other Wall Street reforms, but also explicitly criticize Hillary Clintons stand on the banks.

The signers, including former Labor Secretary Robert Reich, University of Texas Prof. James Galbraith, Dean Baker from the Center for Economic and Policy Research in Washington, DC, former U.S. Congressman Brad Miller (D-NC), and William Black, University of Missouri-Kansas City, say in the letter:

In our view, Sen. Bernie Sanders plan for comprehensive financial reform is critical for avoiding another too-big-to-fail financial crisis. The Senator is correct that the biggest banks must be broken up and that a new 21st Century Glass-Steagall Act, separating investment from commercial banking, must be enacted.

Wall Streets largest banks are now far bigger than they were before the crisis, and they still have every incentive to take excessive risks. No major Wall Street executive has been indicted for the fraudulent behavior that led up to the 2008 crash, and fines imposed on the banks have been only a fraction of the banks potential gains....

Secretary Hillary Clintons more modest proposals do not go far enough.... they leave intact the titanic financial conglomerates that practice most shadow banking.... Given the size and political power of Wall Street, her proposal would only invite more dilution and finagle.
The Scheimer house, on the market for the first time ever, was commissioned prior to Modernist architect Richard Neutras death and completed by his son, Dion Neutra, in 1972. An indoor stream and waterfall feature are among water-centric characteristics of the post-and-beam design. Walls of floor-to-ceiling glass overlook a large reflecting pool and a swimming pool and spa on the nearly 3-acre site.

Location: 18918 La Montana Pl., Tarzana, 91356

Asking price: $5.5 million

Year built: 1972

Architect: Dion Neutra

House size: 5,500 square feet, four bedrooms, five bathrooms

Lot size: 2.88 acres

Features: Post-and-beam design; walls of floor-to-ceiling windows; open-plan living room with fireplace; center-island kitchen; swimming pool and spa; exterior water feature; circular motor court

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About the area: In November, 24 single-family homes sold in the 91356 ZIP Code at a median price of $925,000, according to CoreLogic. That was a 6.9% increase in price from November 2014.

Agents: Aaron Kirman, John Aaroe Group, (310) 272-8002, and Andrea Korchek, Wish Sothebys International Realty, (818) 371-0933

To submit a candidate for Home of the Week, send high-resolution color photos via Dropbox.com, permission from the photographer to publish the images and a description of the house to homeoftheweek@latimes.com.
Outside a modest midcity theater, the rainstorm is fierce. Angry sheets of water slam against the pavement, but inside, the storm is even more ferocious.

Aaayaah! yells choreographer Ana Maria Alvarez, turning up the volume on a track of primal drumbeating and high-pitched screaming in a small rehearsal space. Her dancers whip around one another in rolling, wave-like motions, as if being flung about by an oceans undercurrent. They raise their fists to the ceiling, shaking empty water bottles, the sharp crinkling and popping of plastic mixing with a chorus of percussion instruments, panting and shrieking.

Then the dancers collapse, melting into one another before falling apart, like loose parts of a rickety ship that has come undone in a tempest.

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1 / 5 Contra-Tiempo artistic director Ana Maria Alvarez (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 2 / 5 Dancers in Agua Furiosa: Bianca Medina, left, Samad Guerra, Francisco Herrejon and Jannet Galdamez rehearse as choreographer Ana Maria Alvarez, bottom, instructs them. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 3 / 5 Dancers of Agua Furiosa: Bianca Medina, left, Samad Guerra and Jannet Galdamez rehearse as Contra-Tiempo artistic director Ana Maria Alvarez, right, looks on. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 4 / 5 Dancers of Agua Furiosa, from left, Bianca Medina, Samad Guerra and Jannet Galdamez rehearse as Contra-Tiempo artistic director Ana Maria Alvarez, far right, looks on. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 5 / 5 Dancers of Agua Furiosa: Bianca Medina, left, Francisco Herrejon, Samad Guerra and Jannet Galdamez (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times)

The activist-oriented contemporary dance company Contra-Tiempo is rehearsing its latest work, Agua Furiosa, which premiered at the Center for the Art of Performance at UCLA on Jan. 14. The piece, inspired by Shakespeares The Tempest and Oya, the Afro-Cuban god of wind and storms, encompasses racial conflict, economic inequity, gun violence and the politics of water and drought.

The piece isnt about any one of those things but about how theyre connected, says Alvarez, founding artistic director of the Los Angeles company. These issues swirl together to create a larger idea of society and who we are as human beings and how were grappling with nature.

All of Contra-Tiempos work is highly political. Alvarez  who grew up in a bilingual household in the South with an American mother and Cuban father, both union organizers  founded the multilingual dance company in 2005 after completing her UCLA masters thesis on salsa as a language of resistance. Contra Tiempo, or Against the Times, partly about immigration, was the first piece the company performed in 2006-07, in towns along the U.S.-Mexico border. The companys most recently staged piece, Full Still Hungry, premiered at the John Anson Ford theater in 2011 exploring food politics and the economic effect of hunger in the U.S.

Growing up the way I did, I always felt that my job as an artist was to figure out how to engage with society and create work thats in conversation with whats happening in the world, Alvarez says. And really have my art spark dialogue and be a catalyst for change, pushing forward ideas of community, love, compassion and justice.

Agua Furiosa follows in that tradition of social responsibility, but the impetus for the work is also personal for Alvarez. She created the piece in response to feeling like she needed to better protect her now 5-year-old son, Sidney, from violence aimed at children of color.

Every time you go on Facebook or Instagram, every time you turn on the television, were hearing about this incredible issue were having in our country right now where young men and women of color  kids  are being murdered by policemen, by vigilante neighbors who patrol people, and people keep getting off, Alvarez says. Our justice system has these loopholes where people can do this and its not a crime. So it feels like this incredible crime against humanity.

Using The Tempest as a jumping-off point, she says, was her way of broaching that issue.

Its about family, exile, slavery, violence, patriarchy, nature  it takes on so much, Alvarez says. Agua Furiosa isnt an adaptation of The Tempest. Its a counter-narrative to it.

Like all of Contra-Tiempos work, Agua Furiosa blends salsa, Afro-Cuban movement, hip-hop and other forms of contemporary dance into what Alvarez calls urban Latin dance theater. But the production, featuring hip-hop and Afro-diasporic-influenced electronic music composed for the piece by Los Angeles sound artist d. Sabela grimes, is a bit of a departure in that its more heavily Afro-Cuban than salsa-influenced.

The work incorporates live performance from jazz vocalist Pyeng Threadgill and dance thats alternately intense or soft and vulnerable. Interactive call and response chanting involves the audience and performers.

Were not doing this in isolation, we dont want you to sit there and be quiet, Alvarez says. We want to know youre out there and feel your engagement.

The drought started about six months after Alvarez began composing the piece. Water imagery appears throughout the production; the performers dance in and around buckets of water, rattle and shake empty water bottles and deploy umbrellas. By the end of the show, Alvarez says, lets just say theres water on the stage.

Were filling the space with the consumption of water as well as the emptiness of lack of water.

Although Alvarez wrote and choreographed Agua Furiosa, the two-year process of creating it was highly collaborative. She incorporated personal stories from her dancers and other staffers. The company also worked with the community to further develop the piece through 10 months of choreographic labs around L.A. Members of the public gave verbal critiques of the work and participated in dance workshops and traditional Native American story circling.

That interactive process is as much what Contra-Tiempo is about, Alvarez says, as the resulting dance performance. Building community and using urban Latin dance to initiate a conversation about social justice are primary goals of the company.

Which is why, after the eight-night L.A. run of Agua Furiosa at UCLA, Contra-Tiempo will take the production on tour through eight cities in the South. At each stop, performers will hold workshops with the public at universities, local theaters and community centers to discuss race, compassion and social justice.

I know the need for this kind of work in the South from my own experience growing up there as a woman of color, Alvarez says. Young people are our incredible hope in terms of transforming our culture  young people are the future. I know that may sound cliche, but I believe it in my deepest heart.

deborah.vankin@latimes.com
Tom Stoppard became an overnight success at age 29 when his play Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead was staged at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 1966. A year later, the National Theatre production opened at the Old Vic in London and on Broadway, where it won four Tony Awards, including best play.

The absurdist comedy revolves around the two minor characters  Rosencrantz and Guildenstern  from Shakespeares Hamlet. The two are always in the wings of the Bards tragedy, where they briefly interact with the major characters from that play including Hamlet, Ophelia, the Player and Polonius and have no idea of their tragic fate.

Hollywood soon took interest in this young playwright and his existential comedy.

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I think there was some interest, I think, from MGM, said Stoppard, 78, by phone from his country home in Britain. British director John Boorman (Deliverance) was initially attached to the project.

I remember then sitting down writing a script for John and realize looking back I had no idea what a screenplay was, said Stoppard, who has written such award-winning plays as The Real Thing, Arcadia, Travesties and Night and Day. He won an Oscar for co-writing the 1998 Academy Award-winning best film, Shakespeare in Love.

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Had the Boorman-directed film come to fruition, Stoppard said, it would have been a heavy number.

But by the time he wrote the screenplay to Rosencrantz for the 1990 film version that was released theatrically in 1991, Stoppard had several film projects to his credit, including co-writing Terry Gilliams 1985 classic, Brazil.

I knew enough to know that [a screenplay] shouldnt get too wordy, Stoppard said. I felt by that time that I knew a little more about writing screenplays, though I still dont know enough until this day, really.

He also wasnt a young Turk any more. What happens when you get older is that you feel freer and looser about defending or protecting your original text, Stoppard said. I started having fun with it.

The comedy, which stars Gary Oldman as Rosencrantz, Tim Roth as Guildenstern, Richard Dreyfuss as the Player, Iain Glenn as Hamlet, Joanna Miles as Gertrude and Ian Richardson as Polonius, received generally strong reviews and even won the Venice Film Festivals top prize over the odds-on favorite, Martin Scorseses Goodfellas.

Gore Vidal was the head of the judges and loved the movie, noted the films producer, Michael Brandman. He thought it was reflective of everything the Venice Film Festival should be celebrating.

And now the film has just been released in a 25th-anniversary edition on Blu-ray and DVD with an interview with Stoppard.

Brandman had always been a huge fan of the play and felt it would make a good movie. His friend fellow producer Emanuel Azenberg, who had produced The Real Thing on Broadway, arranged a meeting between Brandman and Stoppard in London.

But Stoppard recalled being initially trepidatious. I think they had to ask me more than once, he said. In my usual way I backed off. I wasnt sure about making films out of plays. (Rosencrantz & Guildenstern is the only Stoppard play to be adapted for cinema.)

After Stoppard did agree, Cinecom Pictures became interested in getting involved in the distribution of the movie, Brandman said, if we could raise the money. My old boss Lee Rich was running MGM, which controlled the underlying rights, and I was able to secure those. Then we set out in search of a director.

They didnt have to look far. Stoppards feature directing career began and ended with Rosencrantz & Guildenstern.

Its hard to explain why I ended up doing it, Stoppard said. My memory of this is that it made it easier to get the little money we needed if the writer was directing it. I think the theory being since I had never directed a film, I might turn out to be a great film director. I realized pretty soon that if this was going to be adjusted and adapted, I was the person who would be the least defensive about it. I felt it needed a bit of disrespect. My fear was it would be over-respected and would look like a filmed play.

Though Roth jokingly described himself as sort of young and stupid in 1990, he knew who Stoppard was and had read some of his plays before he was sent the script.

Its a terrific read, said Roth, who is in Quentin Tarantinos latest film, The Hateful Eight.

Roth met with Stoppard at his place in London about the film. Gary Oldman was there, Roth said. We worked together before with [director] Mike Leigh. Me, Tom and Gary sat and chatted. He was very interested in bringing us together as the characters.

But Daniel Day-Lewis, who was appearing in Londons West End in Hamlet, was also interested in Guildenstern. In fact, Stoppard said, he was supposed to see Day-Lewis in the play that night.

Roth told me he assumed that was the end of that if Daniel Day-Lewis was already interested, Stoppard said. I showed up at the theater and found out that Daniel Day-Lewis was off that night. I never did get to see him.

And thats how Roth got the part. I owe Danny big time, the actor said, laughing.

Roth noted the film was probably more in Garys wheelhouse than his at the time. I dont know if you saw Gary on stage. He was an incredible stage actor. We would flock to see him, so he was more ready. I was completely not ready. I had done theater, but I hadnt done the classics. I was very nervous about the Shakespeare aspect of it.

So Roth had to have that fear slapped out of me by Tom, who told Roth just to treat the Shakespearean language as modern dialogue. It took me a while to adjust to it, but I have to say I really loved it.

The film was shot in and around Zagreb in Croatia. It was a marvelous, intense period, Stoppard said. I think we shot for 35 days.

Stoppard asked for advice from his crew, including cinematographer Peter Biziou. It would have been nice to have made a film before this one, Stoppard said. And though he likes the film, I would probably like to take a few minutes out of it.

As to why he never directed another feature, Stoppard said that I didnt consider myself a film director then, and I dont consider myself a film director now. It just made life easier.

susan.king@latimes.com
The recently concluded Palm Springs International Film Festival, which prides itself on showcasing an extensive roster of foreign-language films in its public programs, has for the last handful of years also sponsored a private event for some of the filmmakers who make the trip out to the desert.

Spearheaded by the festivals creative director, Helen Du Toit, the festival stages a retreat at the scenic and historic Sunnylands Center and Gardens in Rancho Mirage for a day of conversation and interaction. Most of the participants were filmmakers from other countries.

This years retreats, held this month, featured one day with 16 fiction feature directors and another day with nine documentary filmmakers.

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Attending the day for fiction filmmakers were Paddy Breathnach (Viva, Ireland), Saskia Diesing (Nena, Netherlands), Deniz Gamze Erguven (Mustang, France), Heidi Greensmith (Winter, United Kingdom), Ciro Guerra (Embrace of the Serpent, Colombia), Grimur Hakonarson (Rams, Iceland), Slavek Horak (Home Care, Czech Republic), Klaus Haro (The Fencer, Finland), Naji Abu Nowar (Theeb, Jordan), Raam Reddy (Thithi, India), Raf Reyntjens (Paradise Trips, Belgium), Michal Rogalski (Summer Solstice, Poland), Adriano Valerio (Banat, Italy), Leena Yadav (Parched, India), Yareed Zeleke (Lamb from Ethiopia) and Yorgos Zois (Interruption, Greece).

Early in the day producer Ron Yerxa arrived and by taking a seat amid the oblong circle of chairs that ringed a small conference room, immediately set the dynamic as more of an extended conversation than a formal address.

I thought it would be nice to deliver a big profound talk, Yerxa joked. Unfortunately that doesnt seem about to happen.

Rather he spoke candidly about various issues in the making of films with his producing partner Albert Berger, relating stories from the making of such notable American independent films as Little Miss Sunshine, The Ice Harvest, Election, Low Down and Nebraska.

The directors responded to his candor by quickly dropping any wariness of their own, engaging with Yerxa and one another. Through the day they would share stories, problems and questions on a wide range of filmmaking issues, including the strings that can come with some funding, the process of casting, how best to shoot a sex scene and the art of wrangling large crowd scenes.

By the time the group broke at the end of the day for cocktails and dinner  where they were joined by some of the documentary directors as well  it seemed as if connections had been made and perhaps even a few questions genuinely answered. The festival strives to bring the world to Palm Springs; now the filmmakers could take some of these conversations out into the world.

As Yerxa noted earlier in the day, What I think is so great about why youre here and the work you do, these films open a world of perceptions.

mark.olsen@latimes.com
For those who reportedly feel they are being edged out of center stage, their fingers pried from the steering wheel of this great nation, its been a good week. First, the Oscar nominations were dominated by tales of man versus everything, and now Showtime offers Billions, a near-orgiastic celebration of urban virility.

Fear not, beleaguered white men. Your version of the American dream remains the essential stuff of not just legend but also Oscar bait and lots of very good premium cable television.

Because Billions is very good television. How could it not be? Created by Brian Koppelman, David Levien (Oceans Thirteen) and Andrew Ross Sorkin (Too Big to Fail), it crackles with the self-confident repartee of those accustomed to high stakes and giddy heights delivered against backdrops that seem lifted from Esquires Interiors We Love issue. (If there were such a thing. Which there should be.)

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More important, Billions pits Damian Lewis as Bobby Axelrod, a self-made billionaire, hedge-fund king and shark about town, against Paul Giamatti as Chuck Rhoades, the equally ruthless if far less soignee attorney general who has sworn to have Axelrods scalp.

To which Axe (why name a character Axelrod if hes not going to go by Axe?) replies: I double-dog dare you, dude.

Power and pride are not the only things around which two of New Yorks most powerful titans (its right there, in the press kit, powerful titans) circle. Theres also a dame, because theres always a dame, only this time, thankfully, its not what you think.

Chucks wife, Wendy (Maggie Siff), works for Axe, who apparently shes known for years. Many will remember Siff as Mad Mens Rachel Menken Katz, but as Wendy, her moments facing off with Axe, dealing with clients and performing a near-miracle by making her marriage seem believable are among the best of the series.

Wendy is not just one of Axes high-flying traders, shes the in-house psychologist who deconstructs and then rebuilds those high-flying traders, including Axe, so they can go out there and pillage the economy.

Or whatever it is we think insider-traded hedge funds do these days, now that enough time has passed since Wall Street stole our economy so we can treat it as just another high-drama workplace, like a hospital or a fire station.

As Axes wife, Lara, Malin Akerman also does a lot of scene stealing  though blond and beautiful, Lara is no social X-ray; she came from nothing and plays by street rules.

But the shows female power remains strictly behind the throne, Wendys especially. She spends her days propping up the masters at both ends of the universe, and though it would be easy, and much more unexpected, to imagine a series that revolved around her character, Billions is not that show .

This story, like so many stories, is about two men attempting to ... well, since this is a family newspaper, well say dominate each other.

In an early episode, Axe uses the familys untrained dog to explain the importance of marking your territory. If that werent obvious enough, the dog is then fixed into apparently permanent listlessness, prompting Axe to react with a little territory marking of his own. No ones going to fix ol Axe, thats for sure.

Rhoades eventually has his own dog scene. It too is rather ridiculous for a variety of reasons, but the point is made: Men are animals, and the alpha will out.

To disguise this, a little, everyone in Billions is rich  Rhoades is the child of privilege and has the domineering father to prove it. Axe is Axe  which gives the entire production a Powerball winner tone. As with many cinematic depictions of wealth, the conspicuous consumption is just as hot, and sometimes hotter, than the sex. Which is also plentiful and, in the opening scene anyway, shocking (sorry, Showtime but American Horror Story has gotten most everywhere first).

Yet in almost every case, the sex is simply an extension of the shows main fetish: male-on-male power plays.

As these stories inevitably do, Billions emphasizes the notion that Axe and Rhoades are not as different as their jobs imply: They are just playing opposite sides of the same game. This fine line cheat is what allows viewers to align with the bad guy, which one is most certainly encouraged to do here. As is pointed out in a hilarious paean to Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, the audience never roots for the super-posse, they root for Butch and Sundance.

Lewis and Giamatti are two of the best actors working  no doubt they will soon be battling each other for an Emmy  and their presence together is great wealth of its own sort. Axe is one of Lewis more voluble roles, but the actor maintains his power over stillness by allowing his character to say much while giving little away. Giamatti may splutter and spit a bit more, but he is just as menacing, albeit much more human.

They are surrounded by a fine supporting cast, including a Machiavellian David Costabile as Axes consiglieore Wags, Toby Leonard Moore as Rhoades right-hand man and so many other white men in suits that its often hard to keep track.

They all dance and throw punches in a script fast-paced and brimming with literate wit. If occasionally you stop to wonder why, exactly, Wendy doesnt quit her job, or when screenwriters will realize that the whole snorting coke off a womans breasts has gotten very old, or what any of this means anyway, theres Axe pulling off another coup or Rhoades bringing the hammer down.

Billions isnt so much about titans as gladiators, and as in ancient Rome, male spectacle is the point.

mary.mcnamara@latimes.com

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Billions

Where: Showtime

When: 10 p.m. Sunday

Rating: TV-MA-L (may be unsuitable for children under the age of 17, with an advisory for coarse language)
The Civil War returns to television after a long absence to remind us that as bad as this countrys political divisions may seem, they could be, and have been, much worse.

Also that PBS is still counting on viewers like you to tune in even after Downton Abbey ends in a few weeks.

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The networks first American-produced drama in 10 years, Mercy Street attempts to capture the complex realities of the Civil War through the nexus of a Union hospital in Alexandria, Va. The title refers to the road leading to Mansion House, a military-commissioned hotel where soldiers from both sides often suffer as much as they did on the battlefields.

While the limits of early medicine brutally echo The Knick (down to the perils of self-medicating surgeons), the series is much more of an ensemble drama with characters representing as many sides of the conflict as co-creators Lisa Wolfinger and David Zabel felt they could handle without actually boasting a cast of thousands.

Also unlike The Knick, or Downton Abbey for that matter, Mercy Street is an old-school period drama, more reminiscent of a mid-20th century miniseries than the glossy grit of the post-cable world; its tone, like its hoop skirts and too often its characters, goes for big and sweeping rather than exquisitely detailed

Its 1862 when two new nurses join the staff of Mansion House: Mary Phinney (Mary Elizabeth Winstead), a staunch supporter of the Union who is also, oddly enough, the widow of a German nobleman, and Emma Green (Hannah James), a Southern belle whose family owned Mansion House before the Union occupation. Mary has been assigned as the hospitals first head nurse by her instructor Nurse Dix (an underused Cherry Jones), who feels it is just the place for a noisy abolitionist.

She is greeted with marvelous disdain by Nurse Hastings (Tara Summers), whose constant name-dropping of Florence Nightingale, with whom she worked in the Crimea, is one of the best things in the first hour  surely this is the first character in the history of television to name-drop Florence Nightingale.

Nurse Hastings is not thrilled by Marys new managerial position, nor are most of the doctors, including hospital supervisor Dr. Alfred Summers (the always wonderful Peter Gerety), the belligerent careerist Dr. Byron Hale (Norbert Leo Butz) and the more kindly but still racist Dr. Jedediah Foster (Josh Radnor). (What is the point of writing a Civil War drama if you cant have a character named Jedediah, especially when hes played by a former member of the How I Met Your Mother cast?)

As for Emma: Her parents, James (Gary Cole) and Jane (Donna Murphy), believe the war will soon be over, with the South victorious; meanwhile they are attempting to cope with what they see as a temporary reality. Emma visits Mansion House in hopes of finding her beau, Frank Stringfellow. Seeing that many of the staff, including Mary, would ignore even grievously wounded Confederate soldiers, she decides to stay.

Occupied by Union Forces, Alexandria is now free territory, though many believe escaped slaves  referred to as contraband  are not to be trusted and should possibly be returned. Even free black men and women are treated at best as second-class citizens. So Samuel Diggs (McKinley Belcher III) must hide his knowledge of medicine, as contraband, Aurelia Johnson (Shalita Grant), has fallen into the clutches of the hospitals brutal steward.

As the story progresses, there are personal crises, political machinations, terrible suffering and rebel plots  John Wilkes Booth even makes an appearance  all offered with an air of hope that refuses to choose sides. While Mercy Street explores the viciousness of slavery and provides villains aplenty, its heart lies in its attempt to fulfill its tag line: Blood is not blue or gray.

It is an enormous undertaking, far more ambitious than many other period dramas, with their reliance on unshaven antiheroes and brothel scenes. Overcrowded with plot, character and intent, the production has an earnest theatricality that can be both charming and tedious. Certainly viewers have become used to a more seamless, if often self-indulgent, artistic vision.

Mercy Streets creators are clearly more interested in fleshing out a variety of themes than fastidiously measuring the distance between the cutlery or the depths to which a lead character will sink.

Its difficult to see it becoming the new Downton if for no other reason than the Southern accent is no match for Brit of any variety. But then who needs a new Downton? Mercy Street is less polished than other period dramas, but its also less precious, and that alone feels refreshing.

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Mercy Street

Where: KOCE

When: 10 p.m. Sunday

Rating: TV-14-L (may be unsuitable for children under the age of 14 with an advisory for coarse language)
British author Graham Greene, in his 1980 book, Ways of Escape, put into words what most writers know: Writing is a form of therapy; sometimes I wonder how all those who do not write, compose or paint can manage to escape the madness, melancholia, the panic and fear which is inherent in a human situation.

Academicians trace the idea of writing as therapy to the time of Egyptian pharaoh Ramses II, about 1,200 BC. The entrance to his royal library declared: House of Healing for the Soul. American Unitarian minister Samuel Crothers coined the term bibliotherapy in 1916. In the late 1980s, James Pennebaker, psychology professor at the University of Texas at Austin, led the modern writing therapy movement in a landmark research study that showed the potential health benefits of expressive writing about emotional upheaval.

In the last two decades, writing therapy has joined dance and art therapy as a legitimate therapeutic tool. And that has triggered growing interest in a type of writing that focuses on the healing power of putting feelings down on paper or screen  as evidenced by the burgeoning popularity of the memoir, as well as the use of journaling in businesses and American schools.

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We see writing as such a valuable vehicle to help students achieve deeper, richer self-insight, says Greta Vollmer, former director of UC Berkeleys Bay Area Writing Project, a 40-year-old program for teachers who teach writing in kindergarten through 12th grade. We find youngsters can write their way to solutions, to a kind of inner peace and self-understanding.

Heartfelt prose

So many people carry their secret stories of shame for years and years in their bodies, not just in their minds, says Nancy Aronie, the author of Writing From the Heart. She leads workshops at Esalen in Big Sur and other locations. But they feel lighter  less emotionally burdened  when they can literally let them out by putting them on paper or screen.

As evidence of her process therapeutic value, among many examples, she recounts the story of an 83-year-old retired Episcopal priest who disowned his daughter when she announced she was a lesbian. As he read his account to our group, he broke down crying, recalls Aronie. He realized how wrong he was and said, Who am I that I could I have lost my daughter over such small-mindedness? It was gorgeous. His breakthrough led to a reconciliation with his daughter, Aronie says.

For her own therapy, Aronie is writing a book about her son Dan, who died in 2010 from complications from multiple sclerosis at age 38. Id started it two years before he died. It helped me understand how his illness had held me hostage for so long. Those insights helped change our entire relationship.

Therapeutic value

A 2013 study showed that blogging has therapeutic value for teenagers experiencing social and emotional difficulties. So why not apply that notion to teens facing perhaps the most difficult writing assignment of their young lives: the college application essay?

High school seniors come to me with so much fear about this, says Craig Heller, an Emmy-winning writer in Woodland Hills who tutors students preparing their college essays. By and large, the majority disdain writing and are not self-reflective at that age.

Yet the prompts from colleges ask them to dig deep, in words. Stanford University, for example, famously asks: What matters to you and why? Another college: Pick an experience from your own life and explain how it has influenced your development.

Heller encourages students by saying, Writing this essay is an opportunity for you to explore what you didnt know you didnt know about yourself. He finds that patience and perseverance help him help them use this process to gain greater insight into themselves and their motivations.

I recently worked with a student who had extremely low self-esteem, recalls Heller. Developing and writing his college essays put him in touch with his positive qualities, which bolstered his confidence both socially and academically. The more drafts he wrote, the more he realized he was a unique person with uncommon skills and interests.

Here are some contacts for writing therapy.

Writing from the Heart workshops, https://chilmarkwritingworkshop.com

Craig Hellers college essay progam, www.collegeessaysolutions.com

health@latimes.com

Garfinkel, author of Travel Writing for Profit and Pleasure, will lead a writing retreat in Baja California at Costa Baja Resort April 14-19.

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Many midcentury aficionados are familiar with the Case Study Houses sponsored by Arts & Architecture magazine (1945-62), which commissioned major architects of the day  Charles Eames, Raphael Soriano, Richard Neutra, to name a few  to build inexpensive and efficient model homes. Pierre Koenigs Case Study House No. 22, which cantilevers over the Hollywood Hills, has become a Los Angeles landmark, and 10 of the 36 proposed Case Study Houses are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Much less known is the Horizon Homes program, which was sponsored by a nationwide association of cement companies in the early 60s. Their goal: to show how a house could be built inexpensively with concrete, as well as to promote creative new ways to use the product. In the process, scores of progressive home designs that utilized exposed concrete and masonry exclusively in the construction were created.

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FOR THE RECORD

Jan. 20, 8:33 a.m.: An earlier version of this post said that a Horizon home designed by architect Fred McDowell was owned by ceramicist Harrison McIntosh. The Claremont home described was never owned by McIntosh.

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Both programs had goals of building innovative and inexpensive housing, says Laguna Niguel author Ted Wells, whose book, Horizon Homes: Living the Concrete Dream, is to be released this year by Guardian Stewardship Editions. They each succeeded in producing some outstanding homes, but both failed in cost effectiveness related to production.

The house has a pie shape, a cantilevered roof and a wall of glass forming the perimeter. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Just when midcentury enthusiasts thought they knew everything there was to know about the movement, the book  and the conversations it will inspire  will offer fresh information and insight on an overlooked part of the perennially popular movement. It will illustrate another aspect of how creative Midcentury Modern architects were, says Wells.

According to the author, 11 Horizon Homes were built in Southern California. One has been lovingly restored by aerospace executive Einar Johnson and his partner, silk scarves importer Pat Gough. (The couple, big fans of Midcentury Modern, also own a 1962 Ray Kappe home in Los Angeles.) Johnson was looking online for another home closer to his new workplace in Irvine in 2004 when he spied architect George Bissells futuristic-looking 1964 Laguna Niguel residence. He was intrigued by the round dwelling, with its pie shape and cantilevered concrete roof as well as the uninterrupted wall of glass that forms the perimeter of the house with every room opening to the outdoor landscaping and views.

See the most-read stories in Life & Style this hour >>

It took two years for the couple to restore the two-bedroom residence. Their most tedious chore was removing the faux brick that covered the original vertical-ribbed cinder block in the kitchen. All the grooves had been filled in with a binding agent, Johnson says. It had to be chipped out bit by bit. They also refreshed the interior with a coat of matte white paint, including the living rooms focal point  a sprayed-on shotcrete fireplace, hand-finished into a free-form, organic shape. Its so smooth  visitors cant take their hands off it, says Johnson, who likes the low maintenance of the concrete home. Weve yet to have any cracks in the concrete roof or walls  all it needs is a coat of paint every few years.

The most tedious part to renovate was removing the faux brick that covered the original vertical-ribbed cinder block in the kitchen. All the grooves had been filled in with a binding agent, Johnson says. It had to be chipped out bit by bit. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Another Horizon home, designed by architect Fred McDowell in the 60s, was included in a 2011 LACMA retrospective  California Design 1930-1965: Living in a Modern Way. The hillside house in Claremont, a regional winner of the Portland Cement Assn.'s 1964 Horizon Homes competition for its unusual use of glass and cement, features a horizontal facade of glass panels and cast concrete columns, rafters and beams. Cement elements, cast elsewhere, were helicoptered onto the narrow site, according to Claremont Heritage, and over the years survived several significant fires that destroyed a number of nearby homes.

According to structural engineer Hanns Baumann, who consulted on the Bissell home, concrete is one of the best building materials. Concrete is nonflammable and is good at withstanding earthquakes and hurricane force winds, says Baumann, a principal in Baumann Research and Development Corp. in Orange County. Initially building in wood might be cheaper, but then you may have rot and termite problems down the road. Concrete homes have a much lower maintenance cost and longer life.

Although there were more than 150 homes built across the country as part of the Horizon Homes program  many of which are still fresh and futuristic today, says Wells, concrete homes did not really take off to the degree anticipated. The houses were too different and most lenders didnt want to finance anything modern.

Bathroom of Einar Johnson and Pat Goughs Horizon home in Laguna Niguel. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Still, homeowners such as massage therapist Morgan Mancha and marketer Andrew Trinh, who purchased a Horizon home in Riverside in 2012 but had never heard of the program, have become enthusiasts. They praise their home for staying cool on hot summer days. The home built by Kurt Steinmann in 1963 is also very quiet. When there are loud noises outside we dont hear them.... Its like a fortress, says Mancha. We have other friends with midcentury wood homes that have termite issues.... With a concrete home, well never have to worry.

home@latimes.com

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The idea was to roam a four-block sector of skid row in downtown Los Angeles, but a MASH unit of outreach workers didnt get far Friday morning.

It took two hours to circle a single block in the human catastrophe that is skid row.

From the moment the nurses, mental health specialists, addiction counselors and other team members hit the street, they drew a crowd. Especially when people discovered that their mission is to find housing for people living in tents on the citys sidewalks or in business owners doorways.

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Were like magnets out here, said Elizabeth Hill-Nishimura, a mental health worker.

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A heroin addict with grotesquely swollen arms and hands pulled back gauze on his right arm to reveal an oozing, quarter-size hole. He pinched the area around his gaping abscess and squeezed puss into the gutter.

The team found and examined two dialysis patients, one with yellow eyes and skin.

A woman in her late 60s sat in front of her tent with medication for diabetes and epilepsy, and nurse Carrie Bach administered eye drops for her glaucoma.

Elizabeth Hill-Nishimura and Tulus Hairston are outreach workers trying to help L.A.'s homeless. (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

A woman of about 40 said shed been raped multiple times, and beaten as well, and signed up for help.

Tents lined entire blocks, reefer filled the air, people with mental illness talked to themselves, sirens screamed.

Mankaa Fokwa, a nurse practitioner, visited skid row for the first time recently to see if she wanted to work with the outreach team.

When I drove down here, Fokwa said, I could not believe this is the United States of America.

Equally shocking was the fact that such conditions could be allowed to exist  a few blocks from the local halls of power  without more than piecemeal intervention over the years and never enough temporary or permanent supportive housing.

I would have thought skid row had tons of outreach ... but in reality there isnt, said Marc Trotz, L.A. Countys director of Housing for Health. I never see anyone kneeling down helping somebody.... If youre really serious about areas that have high concentrations of homeless people, you have to treat this like a natural disaster or a health emergency, which it is.

This new outreach strategy is a big, long-overdue step in the right direction, and part of a collaboration between city, county and nonprofit agencies. Four six-person teams have been going out five days a week for two weeks now, gathering names and stories and trying to link people with services and ultimately get them off the street and out of the revolving doors at hospitals, courts and jails.

Its way too early to know how well this is going to work. A lot of people on skid row are seriously addicted, mentally ill or both, and too damaged to make good choices.

But its one of the smartest approaches Ive seen, and its about time. Weve long had hordes of people living on Southern Californias streets and under its freeway overpasses because of the climate, low wages, high rents, untreated mental illness and other factors. But the numbers have spiked, up to about 44,000 countywide, with new encampments all over the place.

A small number of the people living in these wretched places have assaulted and robbed people who live or work in these areas. This has driven up crime rates. And that, more than the thought of a tired old woman like Barbara Brown, dying on the street in a heap of wet bedding as she did earlier this month, is what tends to get peoples attention.

Under pressure to do something, city and county officials have produced fat reports filled with ambitious proposals. And state officials have come up with a $2-billion housing plan. With enough cooperation, something good could come of all this, but thats going to require public support and political courage.

The L.A. city plan, for instance, calls for a $1.9-billion investment over the next 10 years, mostly for housing. And thats on top of $100 million annually Mayor Eric Garcetti wants to spend on other homeless programs, without cutting into other city services or creating a huge budget deficit. No easy feat.

I will push for as much as we can get, Garcetti told me last week.

He said hes been doing his own on-the-street research in homeless communities. He mentioned six sources of money he would support tapping, including document fees and something known as a linkage fee on new developments. He said hes open to any source of new funding but has doubts that voters would approve a parcel tax or housing bond.

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Our conversation made it even more clear to me that Garcetti understands the complexities and huge costs of an honest fix.

If he wants to establish a steady source of money and be the mayor who helps to solve the crisis of people living like stray dogs in a city of riches, however, hes going to have to get out front and pull, rather than stand back and push.

Or, as the city plan from city administrative officer Miguel Santana puts it: While the costs to fully address homelessness are significant, the cost of inaction will continue to grow.

There was no inaction or hesitation on the part of the team I tagged along with Friday. It included engagement workers Hector Gonzalez and Tulus Hairston and addiction specialist Debra Fracasso.

By the end of morning rounds, the team had directed three people into detox programs. They learned that one of their earlier contacts had already moved into housing and another was about to be placed.

Hairston and Fracasso have an advantage on the streets. They were both once homeless and resisted help, so they know how to relate, and theyre not discouraged when someone brushes them off at first, as people with mental illness often do.

We have to get them to trust that were going to work with them all the way through, said Hairston, who was diagnosed with schizophrenia and went from homelessness to a rescue mission to transitional housing to having his own place. He wants to get a college degree in public policy.

This is what we came from. This is us, Fracasso said after interviewing a woman with mental health issues and four years of homelessness. Just because people are down here doesnt mean they cant change.

steve.lopez@latimes.com

Twitter: @LATstevelopez

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When El Nino storms hit Southern California, Pacific Coast Highway is the first line of battle between man and nature.

This scenic ribbon of asphalt, sandwiched by steep mountains on one side and ocean on the other, has fought with rock slides and erosion since it was built almost a century ago.

El Nino rains of the past have left portions of the coastal route battered. But they also have given transportation engineers and local officials lessons in how to make PCH more stable as California faces what experts forecast will be one of the strongest El Ninos on record.

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In recent years, officials have spent millions of dollars in creative engineering to strengthen PCH against a double threat: rocks and heavy rain coming down the coastal mountains and high surf crashing in from the ocean. Steel rock netting, concrete debris barriers and fortified sea walls now adorn the iconic route from Santa Monica to Ventura, the highways roughly 30 most perilous miles.

This winters conveyor belt of El Nino storms will be a major test of these advances.

Keeping PCH open from natural disasters coming from both the bluff side and the ocean side is quite the challenge, said Deborah Wong, a deputy director for the California Department of Transportation. Its at sea level, so there are no pumps to pump anything. Its right by the ocean, where you also have to deal with storm surges.

For tens of thousands of residents and commuters, PCH is the vital route to get safely in and out of their isolated canyon and coastal communities.

PCH is very vulnerable, but people have to use it every day to get anywhere. It really is a lifeline, Malibu Mayor Laura Zahn Rosenthal said. It has people living on it, it has stores, it has restaurants, it has parks. The school buses use PCH every day! ... It impacts our security. Lets say parts of PCH come down, and we have a fire, its much more difficult for fire engines to come through.

Local residents, resigned to a history of mudslides and flooding, are bracing for the worst.

Its an accident waiting to happen, unfortunately, and it happens often, said Seth Jacobson, who has lived in Malibu for 20 years.

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He worries about getting landlocked, and how hed get back to his kids in time if PCH shuts down during the workday. If a landslide closes off PCH, commuters would have to wind through the canyons  but these narrow roads, some hundreds of feet high, can be even more dangerous when its raining, he said.

It locks us in. Theres really only two ways out, Jacobson said. One is to go over one of the canyons, or to go north, go up, reach Oxnard and hit the 101 from there. And the amount of time it would take would be unbelievable.

Hell never forget the last major El Nino storms in 1998 when, according to Times archives, a 350-foot-by-220-foot chunk of hillside collapsed near Las Flores Canyon. That section of PCH was closed for months, he recalled. He left for work at 5:30 a.m. each morning to make it to Santa Monica by 8:30 a.m.

Others recall leaving a car every day on one side of the landslide, walking across the road closure, and driving a second car to where they needed to go.

The mission to keep PCH open through the El Nino season has been going on for months.

Caltrans engineers, Malibu officials, parks and coastal agencies have been coordinating storm projects and storing emergency equipment near areas they expect to be the most vulnerable.

All were trying to do is work with what we have, said Patrick Chandler, a spokesman for Caltrans. Across the nation, its not like were building any new freeways.

After a series of slides in 2014 shut down the Point Mugu State Park area for more than two months, officials put in new netting to prevent rocks from falling onto the road, Chandler said. The rock netting  3,000 pounds of steel  required a helicopter and a team of people spidering over the cables as it was installed.

And since November, Caltrans has been erecting a 20-foot-high sea wall along Las Tunas State Beach with boulders as heavy as 14 tons. These boulders, stacked together like giant puzzle pieces to support a crumbling slope that holds up PCH, will dissipate the strength of incoming waves. Without the erosion protection, this stretch of PCH could wash out.

It basically helps break up the waves, so you dont have a continual onslaught from the high tide or big waves hitting the bare slopes here and causing more erosion, Chandler said.

So far, no significant storm damage has been reported on PCH, particularly in the trouble spots west and east of Malibu. (By the time PCH reaches Long Beach and Orange County, the bluffs are less steep and the highway further inland).

NEWSLETTER: Get the days top headlines from Times Editor Davan Maharaj >>

Similar rock walls have been built along other sections of PCH over the years. On the mountain side, K-Rails have been anchored in to buffer against cascading flows of mud and debris.

But officials say this is just the beginning. El Nino tends to bring back-to-back storms that hose the region in January, February and March. Three storms dumped record amounts of rainfall this month, covering the Southland with floods, mud and even snow. More storms are on the way.

PCH is really tough because when there are any incidents, even an accident, youre kind of stuck. Add the weather and nature part, and its just a really tough area to deal with, Chandler said. If we dont do what we need to do, there is no highway.

Experts acknowledge these measures wont stop Mother Nature at her worst. If a continuation of rain oversaturates a slope and brings an entire chunk of hillside crashing on to the roadway, officials will need to close the road for safety and to clean the mess.

When the first major El Nino rains arrived this month, Chandler met with sea wall workers at Las Tunas. As he walked along the shoulder of PCH, he paused at a water utility hydrant straddling the remnants of the eroded slope, the lines already exposed to the ocean.

It is crazy to stand here and think that PCH used to extend all the way here, he said, watching the sea rise with the pounding rain. He checked his phone and learned that a possible mudflow had hit further up in Ventura County, and boulders had reportedly fallen onto Malibu Canyon Road, choking up traffic where the road joins PCH.

The stories have repeated itself over the decades. In 1943, a slide north of Santa Monica Canyon swept across the roadway, crashed through a railing and knocked a ticket booth over the embankment and onto the beach. Boulders the size of cars fell onto the highway during the 1998 storm season. In 2010, a rock crashed down and knocked out a womans engine, setting her car on fire.

Perhaps the most infamous slide occurred in 1979, after earthen debris rumbled onto the PCH near Big Rock Drive. Residents were furious with the monthlong road closure as officials grappled with how to make the roadway safe again.

The situation was so tense that Heinz Heckeroth, Caltrans chief deputy at the time, told the Times in 1979: We are still seriously considering and studying the possibility of a ferry boat system because we feel that there should be an alternative to the buses for commuters who do not wish to risk their lives daily.

More recently, a series of scattered showers in November 2014 unleashed a dozen mud and rock slides in the Point Mugu State Park area, trapping motorists and shutting down a crucial stretch of PCH for more than two months. The deluge was so strong that concrete barriers  20,000 pounds of K-Rail engineered to hold back mudflows and debris  were pushed 75 feet across the road. Waves crashed in from the other side, and the road was overtaken.

The landslides is one consequence of the fact that PCH was built where no road really should be, at least without the aid of modern engineering, Nathan Masters, a Los Angeles historian at the USC libraries, said.

The highway, completed in 1929, was considered a feat of engineering at the time. Built as part of an interstate network that ran from the Mexico border to Canada, it closed the gaps between small coastal towns and provided the first reliable transportation link between Santa Monica and Ventura  a journey that once took hours over the Conejo Grade or required rushing along the sea when the tide was low.

However perilous, the highway remains a fixture in Southern California. Past proposals to tunnel or reroute PCH were buried before they took hold. The highway has remained essentially unchanged since the 1940s, after a few realignments in known trouble spots  such as blasting a path through Mugu Rock instead of curving around  and a sweeping upgrade that widened the highway.

PCH seems to have a special place in our collective self-identity, Masters said, rattling off images of open-top convertibles, Malibu surfers and Beach Boys-era woodies.

It also created what Masters calls a feedback loop. Building PCH enabled more development along the route, which further reinforces the need to keep the highway.

Since we built the highway, it has influenced our settlement patterns, Masters said. There are subdivisions that have opened up in the hills directly abutting the highway. So even if maintaining the highway requires a lot of money and engineering, were sort of locked into that arrangement.

rosanna.xia@latimes.com

Twitter: @RosannaXia

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A Los Angeles County Superior Court judge ruled Friday that the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California must release the names and addresses of recipients of millions of dollars in turf replacement rebates.

The L.A. Department of Water and Power sued MWD in late July to block the release of the data to the San Diego Union-Tribune, a sister newspaper of the Los Angeles Times. Three other agencies  West Basin Municipal Water District, Foothill Municipal Water District and Upper San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District  later joined the DWP suit.

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FOR THE RECORD: A previous version of this article said that L.A. Superior Court Judge James C. Chalfant said the MWD acted illegally by intentionally delaying disclosure of public records. Chalfant wrote that a 30-day extension that MWD granted itself was unlawful, but he also stated there was no independent remedy for failure to timely comply with the San Diego Union-Tribunes records request.

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Judge James C. Chalfant, in a 33-page ruling, said the DWP had failed to show that the public interest would be better served by keeping the names and addresses secret than by disclosing them  as required under the California Public Records Act. About 20% of rebate recipients were DWP customers, according to court records.

The public cannot fully evaluate whether the program was fairly administered without inefficiency or favoritism without disclosure of project addresses and names, Chalfant wrote.

Under the rebate program, the MWD offered grants to individuals and businesses that replaced their turf with drought-tolerant landscaping. The program soared in popularity last year, as officials upped the budget from its typical $20 million in past years to $100 million, then $340 million.

The data had remained private since August when Chalfant issued an order that temporarily prevented the MWD from giving it out. The MWD has already released detailed rebate information for agencies not involved in the suit.

Kelly Aviles, an attorney for the Union-Tribune, said she was extremely pleased with Fridays ruling.

It sends a clear message to public agencies that they cannot use public funds and prevent the public from knowing what they did with those funds, Aviles said.

DWP spokesman Joe Ramallo said late Friday that the agency was reviewing the judges decision and will seek further advice from the city attorney and direction from our board on whether to appeal.

Tina Shim, an attorney for the DWP, argued during a hearing Thursday that releasing the data would violate the privacy of recipients who may not have known their information would be made public.

Were concerned about a public agencys obligation to protect the privacy interests of private customers, Shim said. These are private individuals. These are not public employees, these are not people who have committed any crimes, these are not people have broken or violated any ordinances.

Chalfant wrote that there was not a serious privacy invasion because the same information is already available to the public through other means and because there is no stigma associated with participating in the rebate program.

MWD spokesman Bob Muir said the agency was reviewing the ruling but said it validated our claim that the information was public information.

Aviles said the MWD should immediately provide the records, but Muir said the agency would wait until the temporary restraining order is lifted.

taylor.goldenstein@latimes.com

Twitter: @taygoldenstein
Posted by Hawthorne Police on Friday, January 15, 2016

Hawthorne police on Friday arrested a suspected street racer in connection with a crash that killed a 35-year-old man.

Alfredo Perez Davila, 23, was driving a silver Chevrolet Cobalt just before 1 p.m. on Friday when he began racing a red Chevrolet Camaro northbound in the 13100 block of Crenshaw Boulevard, the Hawthorne Police Department said.

See the most-read stories this hour >>

During the race, Davila lost control of the Cobalt and swerved across several lanes of traffic before striking the center median and becoming airborne into southbound lanes of traffic, police said.

The Cobalt slammed into a Honda CRV driving southbound.

The catastrophic force of the collision resulted in the total destruction of the Honda and the instantaneous death of its driver and sole occupant, a 35-year-old male, Hawthorne police said in a statement.

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Video from nearby businesses showed the Cobalt rolling over the top of the Honda before coming to rest in the street, authorities said.

Davila was treated after complaints of pain on the scene and booked on suspicion of murder.

Police are still looking for the driver of the red Camaro, who fled northbound on Crenshaw, authorities said.

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There are places to legally race, the police department said on Facebook. The streets where all our families drive is not one of them!

Police are asking members of the public who might have information regarding the driver of the Camaro to call 310-349-2708.

Follow me at @haileybranson / Google+

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When a Pomona nurse received a text from her son with a picture of a winning Powerball ticket after Wednesdays $1.6-billion drawing, she and her co-workers erupted with joy.

Word spread quickly and her employers public relations team began promoting the story to reporters. The only problem: The ticket was doctored.

While California Lottery officials quickly determined it was fake -- it carried the wrong vendor identification -- the horse was already out of the barn. Major media outlets had run with the story.

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The womans family was distraught.

Its too embarrassing, the nurses daughter told a reporter, asking that her name not be used to avoid bringing more attention to her family. Everyone is congratulating us.

California Lottery officials still dont know who bought a winning Powerball jackpot ticket worth $528 million before taxes at a Chino Hills 7-Eleven. But thanks to photo editing software and the biggest jackpot in U.S. lottery history, fake claims proliferated this week, gaining attention for a few publicity seekers and breaking some hearts along the way.

People can put together some pretty elaborate things, said California Lottery spokesman Alex Traverso. I never wouldve thought Id spend half my day trying to shoot down all these crazy stories.

Three tickets matched Wednesdays winning Powerball numbers -- one in Florida, one in Tennessee and the one purchased in Chino Hills.

Lottery officials say they will not know who the California winner is until that person comes to a lottery office to claim his or her prize. They arent investigating claims of individuals who go online to profess that theyve won, Traverso said. A Tennessee couple was verified on Friday to have won the jackpot in that state, according to reports.

The spread of fake stories had gotten so out of hand that on Friday lottery officials issued a news release advising media to proceed with caution and a degree of skepticism when it comes to any report of someone in possession of the winning ticket.

When a verified winner did come forward, lottery officials would issue a news release with the winners name, which is public information, the release said.

Dubious stories of big winners began flying around almost as soon as the winning numbers were announced.

In the minutes after the drawing, a well-known skateboarder posted his winning ticket on Instagram. Another man held an impromptu news conference in the parking lot of the 7-Eleven, where the ticket was sold, claiming to be the winner.

Then there was the poor nurse in Pomona.

On Thursday, a spokeswoman for a group of California healthcare facilities began calling reporters to say that one of their employees was the winner -- possibly thanks to the companys generous chief executive buying thousands of tickets for his employees and patients.

I couldnt be happier for her, David Levy, an administrator at Park Avenue Healthcare & Wellness Centre in Pomona, told The Times on Thursday. Shes got a big family, this is a beautiful story.

But in the end, Levy, the spokeswoman, the chief executive, her co-workers and even the nurse herself had all fallen for a prank.

The nurses son had snapped a picture of a ticket on Facebook and sent it to his mother, her daughter said.

I feel like quitting, the daughter said. She works alongside her mother at the healthcare center.

Traverso said the best way lottery officials have to spot fakes on social media is the number sequence at the bottom of the ticket, just above the bar code. That identifies the store where the ticket was sold, among other things.

While doctored lottery tickets have been around for years, the fervor generated by the prospect of a $1.6-billion win seemed to have given hoaxers a boost.

A lot of what were seeing is someone having their moment in the sun, Traverso said. But it hasnt risen to this level before because everyone right now is trying to figure out who this winner is. The magnifying glass isnt usually there when its a smaller amount.

Erik Bragg, the skateboarder whose photo of a winning ticket was quickly met with skepticism even as it spread widely on social media Wednesday night, said he knew the story would have legs.

Biggest jackpot in history? overnight billionaire? posting a photo of yourself with the winning ticket 1 minute after the numbers are called? figured my photo would go viral, he wrote in an email.

He declined to say any more, since the episode had landed him a spot on TV.

Hed be telling his story exclusively on Jimmy Kimmel Live next week, he said.
The FBIs top investigator in the San Bernardino terrorist attack said Friday that the husband and wife who shot and killed 14 people on Dec. 2 intended to detonate an explosive device inside the room, though the exact timetable of the plot remains unclear.

David Bowdich, the assistant director in charge of the FBIs Los Angeles field office, said Friday that investigators now believe that Syed Rizwan Farook and his wife, Tashfeen Malik, attempted to detonate a pipe bomb hidden inside a bag at the Inland Regional Center.

What investigators still dont know is whether they planned to detonate the bomb first and then open fire on first responders, or to detonate the device as paramedics and police descended on the facility to tend to gunshot victims.

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Was the intent to detonate prior to their attack? Bowdich asked. We just dont have the answer.

During a news briefing last week, Bowdich said Farook brought a bag containing the pipe bomb into the facility when he arrived at 8:37 a.m. An FBI affidavit said the device was made of three galvanized steel pipes and smokeless powder and was attached to a remote-control toy car. The bomb was armed and ready to detonate.

See the most-read stories this hour >>

Agents found a remote control for a toy car in the couples SUV, the affidavit said.

But this marks the first time officials have said they believe the couple attempted to detonate the device.

Farook and Malik drove around San Bernardino and Redlands between the time of the attack and their deaths in a gun battle with police hours later. In that three-hour, 42-minute window, the couple did not stray far from the facility, according to Bowdich. At one point, they even returned to Waterman Avenue and drove in the direction of the building.

A federal law enforcement source previously told The Times that it is possible the couple were unable to detonate the device because the remote was out of range. Sprinklers that went off after the shooting could have also interfered with the explosives, said the source, who requested anonymity to speak candidly about an active investigation.

Bowdich said it may be impossible for investigators to determine the couples exact plans for use of the bomb, as they have recovered no documents, schematics or other electronic data that reveal planning for the assault.

And I will be quite frank. I am not sure we will ever know that answer, he said Friday.

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The idea that Farook wanted to attack in waves bears an eerie resemblance to his aborted plans for a terror attack on a nearby school or freeway in 2012. Court documents show that Farook and Enrique Marquez, a longtime friend who has been charged in connection with the attacks, had previously planned to open fire on a section of the 91 Freeway or at Riverside City College.

In the event of either attack, documents show, Farook wanted to first shoot civilians, then lie in wait and fire on paramedics and police as they rushed to the scene.

Though FBI agents have scoured the couples social media accounts and other electronic devices, they have yet to locate the hard drive from their home computer, Bowdich said. He said the hard drive is one of the crucial pieces of outstanding evidence.

Bowdich also said Friday that investigators continue to explore whether Farooks relatives, or anyone else, had prior knowledge of the attack. During meetings, survivors have asked Bowdich how Farooks family could not have known about his plans, given the stockpile of weapons found inside the familys Redlands home.

The answer is, we are still working through that, he said Friday. This is an investigation we are being very cautious with.... We just dont know at this point.

Marquez, who has admitted to purchasing two of the weapons used in the shootings, has also been charged in connection with the case. The FBI, however, said Marquez was not part of the Dec. 2 plot.

The agency has so far uncovered no evidence of plans for a second attack, despite the fact that the couple had stockpiled thousands of rounds of ammunition and a dozen explosive devices inside their home.

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Six weeks into the investigation, Bowdich said there is still much that may be difficult or impossible to determine about the couples actions.

One of the unexplained questions we have is, Why that day and why that venue? he said. Did they plan secondary attacks? We just dont know. They were heavily armed.

Last week, the FBI released a detailed timeline of Farook and Maliks movements between the shootings and their deaths in a firefight with police hours later. By reviewing cellphone records, surveillance footage and witness accounts, the agency has managed to determined their movements for all but 18 minutes of that time frame.

Until we know what happened in those 18 minutes, I am uncomfortable and my investigators are uncomfortable, Bowdich said Friday. Because you just dont know if they met with someone, and that is disconcerting.

Follow @lacrimes and @JamesQueallyLAT for crime and police news in Southern California.

FULL COVERAGE: Terror attack in San Bernardino >>

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The rancher arrived with the evening snowfall. He wore a white hat, a silk scarf and a face carved with Western credibility. The Bundy brothers were not expecting him, but they had a problem he thought he could help solve.

On the one hand, their armed standoff, deep into its second week, had gained an air of stability. Over at the bunkhouse, pork and potato salad donated by a hay farmer were being served.

A man whose military clothing had a patch that read MILITIA cleaned an antique Russian rifle. Another had put aside his assault weapon to strum a guitar and bellow something not complimentary of President Obama into a camera streaming live on YouTube. Hellboy, the horse that has become the standoffs unofficial mascot and irresistible camera bait, warmed in a stable.

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Across the compound, hunkered in the wildlife offices they have claimed as their headquarters, the Bundy brothers welcomed their visitors assistance.

Were kind of in limbo, Ammon Bundy, the bearded leader of the occupation, told the rancher.

The Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in Oregon, where scores of bird species and other fauna live on nearly 200,000 acres, has become a different kind of refuge this winter  a place where the Bundys and the self-appointed militia protecting them have settled in but also appear increasingly confined.

Bundy explained the problem: The media were portraying them as gun-toting mean guys who are only here for ourselves. His solution: They want to go into the nearby town of Burns so they can talk directly to the people they say they are trying to protect from the federal government  the residents of Harney County.

They also would explain why they have led an armed occupation of this remote refuge in southeast Oregon, he said, and outline the terms under which they would leave peacefully.

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The trouble is that the people of Harney County, at least through their elected leaders, including Judge Steven Grasty, the chairman of the county commission, have refused to allow the Bundys and their supporters to use the fairgrounds or any other county space. The Bundys had hoped to hold a meeting Friday but canceled because they had no place to meet.

Although they took over a federal facility, they have been unable to command a county site.

How can I help? the rancher asked the Bundys.

Get us a venue, they told him. Get us a building.

To hear the brothers tell it, the people would rally around their simple goal: transfer federal lands to local control. Let the county decide where ranchers can graze their cattle, where loggers can cut down trees, where farmers can draw water.

In the end, Bundy said, the county becomes the administrative body that has jurisdiction over all the public lands.

As his brother, Ryan, put it: Make Harney a federal-free county.

The rancher is among those who like the idea, though he is not as optimistic it could happen.

I would go for a federal-free county, yes, he said. Something will happen from this exposure were getting.

But what that something will be is hard to say. Local and federal officials havent tried to force out the protesters, though theyve asked them to vacate more than once. The occupiers have bivouacked here since Jan. 2 in a compound that includes offices, a bunkhouse and support buildings.

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Theyve gone through files, apparently looking for proof of federal malfeasance, and this week used U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service equipment to tear up a fence so that cattle could graze in the refuge. The move didnt quite rally the populace. The man whose property abuts the refuge sent out ranch hands to repair the fence.

The rancher with the silk scarf has been here since the 1960s and also grazes cattle on land adjacent to the refuge. He said he had seen ranching families give up under the burden of federal restrictions, including the Hammonds, the father and son from Harney County whose imprisonment for setting fire to federal lands is among the issues that brought the Bundys and others here.

The rancher is active in the county and on a first-name basis with Grasty and the other commissioners. He agreed to let a reporter join his meeting with the Bundys on the condition that he not be identified.

His idea to end the occupation: form a coalition between ranchers and local government  15 to 20 men  who would mediate this thing.

Weve got to take our country back, and this is the way we can do it, he said. The government is not just going to give us the keys.

The Bundys agreed, of course.

The Bundy family, backed by armed militiamen, did not back down in 2014 in a standoff over ranching fees with federal officials in Nevada.

This is the way all wars have happened: The land and the resources get so controlled by one entity and not available to the people that the people get frustrated and then they end up retaliating, Ammon Bundy said. So this is a peaceful effort to make sure that that doesnt happen.

Peaceful? What about the young guys carrying semiautomatic weapons at the top of the hill?

Thats ridiculous that you would connect walking around with arms to violence, Ammon Bundy told a reporter. Thats what keeps it peaceful.

Someone else in the room named Rosa Parks as a role model. The rancher invoked Martin Luther King Jr.

You know what happens when people protest? Ammon Bundy said. They get beat. They get sprayed with mace, they get handcuffed with zip ties. They get abused in all kinds of different ways. The 1st Amendment right was meant to be expressed with the 2nd Amendment right. Government should not come down upon a people that are protesting for their rights and beat them up. And were not going to allow that to happen.

Were not going to get beat up. Were not dumb.

Back at the bunkhouse, there appeared to be about 40 people coming and going to dinner. Signs outside said No alcohol and No smoking. There was no prohibition on firearms.

The mood was light and people greeted one another warmly, even though most had met just recently. They seemed to revel in the alternate world they had created. This will be bigger than anyone outside understands, they said. Just look at the supply room where shelves were piled high with provisions sent in by supporters  beans and beef, Saltines and cans of sweet corn.

The guy playing the guitar said that his name was Scotty Willingham but that he sometimes went by Scotty Wills, like Bob Wills, the old Western bandleader. On a whiteboard mounted next to an American flag in the living room, he had written, If you are not willing to die for what you believe in  then you are living for nothing.

Willingham said he had lived in Leadville, Colo., and worked as a property manager but left it all behind to join the Bundys. More people would come, he promised. And if something happened, well, just watch.

Within an hour, he said, gesturing to the luminous white hills, we could have 1,000 people here.

william.yardley@latimes.com

Twitter: @yardleyLAT

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The controversial Eli Broad-backed initiative that was designed to double charter-school attendance in the Los Angeles Unified School District has been shape-shifting ever since an early draft was leaked months ago. The goal of enrolling half of the districts students in charter schools within eight years has been dropped. Now, those involved in the planning say, no specific enrollment goal will be included in the eventual plan. Seed money would be disbursed not just to open more charter schools, as originally intended, but to help fund new high-performing district schools of all types  including magnets, pilot schools and neighborhood schools  using successful existing schools as models.

There are all kinds of excellent schools in L.A. Unified -- just not enough of them, especially in neighborhoods where low-income students live.

If thats how things actually work out, it would be a real improvement on the original concept. There are all kinds of excellent schools in L.A. Unified  just not enough of them, especially in neighborhoods where low-income students live. Instead of perpetuating the war between charters and traditional district public schools, and creating sharp division and bad feeling throughout the district, a more encompassing effort to open and support good schools of all sorts would offer parents a true choice.

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Heres another change in the plan: Although it is still well-funded, it apparently wont be quite the half-a-billion-dollar effort originally envisioned. Donations havent been coming in at that level. Though fundraising will continue, the numbers being talked about now are more like two-thirds that amount.

That could be part of the reason for the avowed change of mission. The original draft was widely criticized after The Times reported on it, and the backlash didnt come solely from the teachers unions and other typical charter-school opponents. Community leaders also were unhappy about deal developed in private that could potentially harm traditional district schools. They worried that the district would be unable to absorb the financial losses from the creation of that many charter schools, as state education funding followed students to their new schools. The new, softer approach came partly in response to the widespread criticism  but it also might make fundraising easier by creating a more politically palatable school-improvement plan.

The realities involved in staffing so many charter schools also played a part. The state is already struggling with shortages of teachers and principals; even charter-school supporters fretted that the initiative might collapse under its own weight in the rush to find enough educators to staff 260 new schools. Thats especially true given that teacher turnover tends to be high at charter schools.

The original critics of the plan  the teachers union and its supporters  remain suspicious. They worry that the nonprofit Great Public Schools Now, created to carry out the initiative, will still attempt to flood the district with new charter schools. The non-profits own leaders say that most of the money raised would still go still into creating charters  which are more expensive to create because they often need to pay for their own campuses  but that they are sincere about providing seed money for large numbers of traditional district schools as well.

The L.A. Unified school board voted Tuesday on a resolution opposing the Broad plan, though its language was vague and the initiative itself was not specifically mentioned. But that wont help the situation, and besides, theres little the board can do, under current state law, to prevent a barrage of new charter schools. State law governs charter-school approval; the board can reject charter applications only on certain, narrow grounds, and their effect on public-school financing isnt among those reasons. What the resolution might accomplish is to continue making this a politically divisive issue. Potential donors might then decline to join the effort, but would that really be helpful to students?

A better move would be to call on Great Public Schools Now to provide a place at the table for the districts new superintendent, Michelle King, to participate in the planning process. If the new nonprofit organization hopes to overcome resistance in the community, it needs to be more open about its planning and it needs to open the process to public discussion  after all, whether charter schools or not, these are all public schools.

The new plan, if it moves forward, should include funding for for outside auditors to measure its progress and to make sure it is succeeding. The plan should also be dedicated to leveling the playing field by ensuring that new charter schools encourage enrollment of special-education students and foster children and students who might not otherwise know about or apply to charters. And it should focus on finding ways to prevent rapid teacher turnover. At its best, the initiative would not be about pitting charters against district schools, but rather about expanding the number of first-rate schools for the districts most disadvantaged students.

The Times receives funding for its digital initiative, Education Matters, from the California Endowment, the Wasserman Foundation and the Baxter Family Foundation. The California Community Foundation and United Way of Greater Los Angeles administer grants from the Broad Foundation to support this effort. Under terms of the grants, The Times retains complete control over editorial content.

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In 2004, I wrote a piece for Slate about efforts by Rowan Williams, then the archbishop of Canterbury, to soothe divisions within the worldwide Anglican Communion over homosexuality. I suggested that it was unlikely that Williams would be able to preserve unity between the liberal-minded U.S. Episcopal Church and more conservative Anglican churches elsewhere, particularly in Africa.

This week, the schism Williams tried to avert a decade ago seemed to come closer.

At a meeting in Canterbury, England, most of the primates (presiding bishops) of national churches agreed to suspend the Episcopal Churchs participation in various activities of the worldwide Anglican Communion for three years. They took that action in light of the American churchs approval of rites for marriages that can be used to unite same-sex couples.

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Justin Welby, Williams successor as archbishop of Canterbury, tried to ease the sting by apologizing for the hurt and pain the church had caused gay people over the years. The presiding bishop of the U.S. church, Michael Curry, expressed disappointment with this weeks actions but said it is not the end of the road . . . we have more work of love to do.

Its tempting to regard the fissures in the Anglican Communion as peculiar to that collection of churches, which trace their existence to the Church of England that separated from Roman Catholicism in the 16th century. Compared to the Roman Catholic Church, both the Anglican Communion and its constituent churches are highly decentralized. The archbishop of Canterbury is not an Anglican pope, even with respect to the Church of England.

Still, it would be a mistake to think that the split between Western liberals and conservatives from the so-called Global South is peculiar to Anglicans. Roman Catholic bishops in Africa and South America also tend to be much more traditionalist about sexuality than some, though not all, of their counterparts in the West.

That fact was evident during the recent Synods of Bishops on the family in Rome. And liberal Roman Catholic clergymen  like their Anglican counterparts  sometimes take an unsympathetic (some would say patronizing) view of their Third World counterparts conservatism.

Even if Pope Francis gives national bishops conferences greater authority, its unlikely that the Roman Catholic Church will ever be as decentralized as the Anglican Communion. Nevertheless, large numbers of Catholics  including, perhaps, some bishops  believe that the churchs condemnation of same-sex marriage is unjust.

For the foreseeable future, the Roman Catholic Church will continue to adhere to its teaching that marriage can exist only between a man and a woman. But cracks are likely to develop at the parish level.

Gay and lesbian Catholic couples may not receive a church wedding; but increasingly they may find that they are welcome at Sunday Mass and at the Communion rail. However unofficial, such accommodation will become common knowledge in the larger church. Catholic bishops in the Global South will surely object.

Today the Christian culture wars over marriage and sexuality are being waged in Canterbury; tomorrow, or the day after, the battleground might be Rome.

Follow Michael McGough on Twitter @MichaelMcGough3
To the editor: Doyle McManus column shows us one of the big reasons why poor Jeb Bush is doing so poorly in the polls: With his party under the control of the far right, the Republicans would rather lob grenades at Bill and Hillary Clinton than actually win the election. Bill Clinton is fair game, McManus tells us. Its as if his sexual history happened recently. (Sadly, Trump is right in this case: Bill Clinton is fair game, Opinion, Jan. 13)

Ah! A dream come true for the Clinton haters! Nearly 20 years ago, and the meter is still running. And the fun is just starting  again!

But what if Jeb Bush ends up winning the nomination? Those Clinton haters might be reminded of weapons of mass destruction that werent there, of Osama bin Laden getting away, of tall buildings falling to the ground, of torture that offended our allies standards of decency and of the bottom falling out of the economy. They probably didnt find it funny when Vice President Dick Cheney shot his friend and his friend apologized  to him.

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Now, those topics are kind of a downer. Its so much more fun to be on offense.

Too bad McManus doesnt have better sense than to fall for this.

Stan Brown, Victorville

..

To the editor: Hillary Clinton needs to put the business of her husbands affairs behind her. She should address the public and Donald Trumps taunting by saying the following:

Yes, my husband cheated on me. It was the darkest time in my marriage, if not my life. Because we truly loved each other and our daughter, we sought counseling, worked through our problems and remained married. Today, our relationship is stronger than ever.

End of conversation.

Hillary Clinton did what many other men and women do when their marriages are on the rocks  work it out. How is that considered enabling her husbands abhorrent behavior?

Terrie McKinley, Aliso Viejo

..

To the editor: Perhaps Bill Clintons past is fair game, but whether thats the case is not the best question to ask. The better question is where do we go from here?

Im a small business owner and private investor. The Clinton years were, by far, the most prosperous of my lifetime.

Bill Clinton did a naughty thing; the Republican House voted to impeach him; the Senate declined to remove him; and the rest of us want to move on.

Sexual dalliance is wrong and politically unwise but not confined to one political party. Voters know this but seem more inclined to punish hypocrites than sinners. So Trump should take care what he asks for.

Delton Lee Johnson, Santa Paula

..

To the editor: If Hillary Clinton enabled her husbands infidelity, then did she enable the eight years of economic boom during his presidency?

Using the same logic, if Jacqueline Kennedy enabled her husbands affairs, then did she enable the successful resolution of the Cuban Missile Crisis? Was Eleanor Roosevelt responsible for leading the country to victory during World War II?

As one with multiple marriages and affairs, Trump is a poor judge of what makes a good marriage. As McManus states, voters decided long time ago about Bill Clinton  we like him a lot. Hillary Clinton should be judged on her own qualifications and character as a potential president and not as the wife of Bill Clinton.

Donna Handy, Santa Barbara

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To the editor: Thank you for publishing Leo Golinkins most timely essay about our current national paranoia. Its comforting to hear the voice of reason from a U.S. citizen who experienced the darkness of the Cold War as a native son of the Soviet Union. (Heinous, ideological enemy? The U.S. has been there before, Opinion, Jan. 14)

Unfortunately, on Thursday evening, we heard the antithesis of his reasoning during the GOP presidential debate. In the primary campaign, we have heard how the end is near, that we need to carpet bomb the Middle East until we make the sand glow.

It appears reason is a virtue that few in the campaign have cultivated.

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Frank Ferrone, El Cajon

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To the editor: Gee, Im sorry that Americans are offending Golinkin by being concerned about Islamic terrorists. What offends me is Golinkins snide references to Sen. Joseph McCarthys campaign against communist infiltration into our government back in the Cold War days.

History has, at the very least, partly vindicated McCarthy.

Meredith Gardner, a brilliant cryptologist, had broken the Soviet codes in the mid-1940s and regularly deciphered Russian secret messages flowing between Washington and Moscow. This was not publicly acknowledged until 1996 when the U.S. Commission on Government Security honored him as an unsung hero of the Cold War.

He had ultimately found cover names for more than 300 Americans who were spying for the Soviets. There was not a single agency of the American government that the Soviets hadnt infiltrated. All this was kept secret so the Soviet code messages could continue to be intercepted.

Unfortunately, little has been done to rehabilitate McCarthy.

James E. Bie, Palm Desert

..

To the editor: Im old enough to remember McCarthy. Its amazing how much presidential candidate Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) looks and sounds like him.

Reincarnation, anyone?

Jim Woodard, Woodland Hills

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As Hillary Clinton has seen her lead evaporate in Iowa, and some allies are openly fretting that she could repeat her 2008 loss here, she is deploying one of her most powerful weapons - her husband.

With just more than two weeks before Iowa holds the first nominating contests of 2016, former President Clinton crisscrossed the state for rallies in metropolitan areas and rural outposts, trying to convince voters that his wife is uniquely qualified to be president now because of her experience and mettle.

If you want to know who can rebuild the economy, deal with the social issues, stop the presidents progress from being repealed and keep the country safe, this is not a close question, Clinton told several hundred people Saturday evening at a rally at a high school in Des Moines, accompanied by daughter Chelsea.

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But close is exactly what the Democratic race is in Iowa. Clintons once routinely double-digit lead over Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders has dwindled, with a Des Moines Register/Bloomberg Politics poll this week giving her the support of 42% of likely Democratic caucusgoers to Sanders 40%, well within the margin of error.

Even her supporters say they cant predict a win, and fear the fallout of a loss.

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It could go either way. Its a jump ball, said veteran Democratic strategist Brad Armstrong, who endorsed Clinton last summer. If Clinton loses, its no secret it would be a problem. Of course, not one that is insurmountable, but it would certainly prolong the primary in a way I dont think the Clinton campaign would want.

Bill Clinton remains a masterful campaigner, and the crowds over the course of two days punctuated his remarks with laughter, whoops of agreement and warm, sustained applause, exactly the kind of enthusiasm his wifes campaign needs to keep pace with the zeal Sanders is generating to help ensure that supporters turn out to caucus for her.

Bill Clinton never mentioned Sanders or the tightening of the race in his raspy, low-key remarks.

I dont know if Im any good in this election because Im a happy grandfather, Im not really mad anymore, he joked in front of a crowd of nearly 300 at a community college in Marshalltown on Friday.

The crowds particularly warmed to Clinton when he spoke about his relationship with his wife. In Marshalltown, he recalled meeting his wife 45 years ago while they were law students.

There was this energy coming off her, and I walked up behind her and I almost touched her on the back and I lost my guts. I thought, this is not going to be some drive-by, he said.

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Hillary, he said, saw him staring at her in the library, walked up and said, If youre going to keep looking at me and Im going to keep looking back, we at least ought to be introduced. Im Hillary Rodham, whats your name?

Bill continued, telling the crowd: I couldnt remember my name. And in one way or another weve been together ever since.

He recounted his wifes accomplishments since then -- work she did to help children and the poor in Arkansas, bipartisan efforts while in the U.S. Senate and foreign policy achievements as secretary of State.

The former president argued that the nations lot has improved during President Obamas tenure, but that Americans were anxious because of stagnating wages and uncertainty. The next president, he said, needed to be able to prolong the progress made under Obama while creating broad-based prosperity.

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Decide whats best for America, Clinton said. It is not close who would be the best commander-in-chief. Its not close whos the best change agent when it comes to economic and social growth. It is not close who has demonstrated the toughness to preserve our Constitution, to preserve our basic liberties, and the self-confidence to cooperate with people across party lines and geographic lines when necessary. Thats what you need.

Pam Spears and LeeAnn Toms, friends from nearby Toledo, did not need to be convinced.

Ive been a Hillary fan forever and a day, said Spears, who caucused for her in 2008. Shes a tremendous human being with a lot of talent and expertise, and as far as Im concerned, thats what the country needs.

Toms caucused for Obama eight years ago, drawn by his charisma. But this time, she said she is set on Clinton because of her decades of service to the nation. But the retiree and other Clinton supporters, such as Tim Wicks of Des Moines, have nothing negative to say about Sanders, but are worried about his candidacy.

Hes got quite a following and hes getting people excited. Its going to be a battle, said Wicks, 61, who plans to caucus for Clinton.

Indeed, some in the Bill Clinton-adoring crowd remained undecided, saying they admired both candidates.

Jane Holder, 65, said she was drawn to see the former president, but remains undecided about whether she will caucus for Clinton or Sanders.

They both believe in the things I want to happen to our country, so I think theyre both strong candidates, said Holder, a Marshalltown resident. I think they would both be very good.

Twitter: @LATSeema

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Life runs in the slow lane in the drowsy village of Cuttings Wharf on the banks of the Napa River, about 40 miles northeast of San Francisco.

Named for pioneer grower Francis Cutting, who built a wharf here in 1893 to accommodate paddlewheel steamers transporting his fruit to a cannery in Oakland, Cuttings Wharf (population about 250) still maintains its reputation as a bucolic maritime and agricultural community.

Pleasure craft, including jetskis, outboards and sailboats, share the winding river that discharges into the San Pablo Bay about 11 miles to the south with commercial barges pulled by tugboats.

On the shore and wharf, which has been rebuilt and is now a county-owned recreational facility, fisherman angle for sturgeon, halibut and bluegill.

And on the gently rolling hills above town lie more than a dozen sprawling grape vineyards producing a variety of wines, such as chardonnay, pinot-noir and merlot.

Motion picture director Francis Ford Coppola, who owns a winery northwest of here, filmed several scenes of Apocalypse Now on the river not far from Cuttings Wharf, including one in which Martin Sheen, playing the role of a U.S. Army captain, sets off in a patrol boat on the fictional Nung River for war-torn Cambodia with orders to assassinate a renegade and crazed colonel portrayed by Marlon Brando.

But along with its vineyards, wine tasting rooms and river traffic, a startling, ghostly apparition not mentioned in the tourist guidebooks sits in the mud adjacent to Cuttings Wharf surrounded by tall, reedy cattails, tule bullrushes and the nests of heron, egrets and mallards.

The rotting, bleached bones, the lifeless, crumbling hulk of the long-forgotten SS Cabrillo, a 194-foot steamship that carried passengers from Southern California to Catalina Island beginning with its launching in 1904 until the early 1940s.

The 611-ton Cabrillo, named for Spanish explorer Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo, who in 1542 claimed for Spain what is present-day California, was one of the most luxurious and best-known Catalina steamers in the Wilmington Transportation Co.'s Great White Fleet, which included the SS Avalon, which was built in 1920 and sank off the Palos Verdes Peninsula in the early 1960s, and the SS Catalina, constructed in 1924 and scrapped in 2009 following its partial sinking in Ensenada Harbor.

Nicknamed the Queen of the South Coast, according to Gail Fornasiere of the Catalina Island Museum, the Cabrillo had a crew of 59, a Japanese teakwood deck and grand staircase, grained Honduras paneling, a tier-glassed mahogany bar, elegant restaurant and 10 private staterooms.

The liner, which made the San Pedro-Catalina run in slightly less than two hours, carried hundreds of thousands of passengers during its career, many of whom traveled to its Los Angeles pier on special trains from Orange County, Pasadena and other points in Southern California.

An article in the local Napa Register published Sept. 20, 1969 said the ship had served as a neat dodge from nationwide prohibition laws, and movie stars such as Clark Gable and Charlie Chaplin took their swill aboard the Cabrillo.

One old wag, added the newspaper, recalled an evenings frivolities, which were capped by a guest chasing a nude young lady across the weather decks with a squirting champagne bottle aimed at strategic portions of her anatomy.

How the luxurious liner than could carry 1,200 passengers was moved to Cuttings Wharf and ended its last days here it itself a captivating story.

Following its use as a passenger ship from 1904 through the second year of World War II, the Cabrillo was commandeered by the War Shipping Administration in 1942, given the designation U.S. Army Troopship FS-100 and moved to the Bay Area, where it carried countless thousands of troops to and from San Francisco, Oakland and Camp Stoneman on the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta until wars end.

The Cabrillos conversion to an Army vessel was not its first. In 1939, it was featured in the motion picture The Real Glory starring Gary Cooper, David Niven and Broderick Crawford. Filmed at Point Mugu north of Malibu, the movie portrayed the Cabrillo as a U.S. Army gunboat battling ruthless Moro guerrillas along a river in the Philippines following the 1898 Spanish-American War when the Philippines, as well as Cuba, Puerto Rico and Guam, had been seized from Spain by the United States.

Following WW II the 44-year-old steamship was deemed too old and obsolete for further military and passenger use, was laid up in the Bay Area for several years, and in 1951 purchased by the Moore family that owned Moores Cafe on the Cuttings Wharf riverfront.

Towed to Cuttings Wharf from Oakland, the liner over the years was stripped by vandals of its machinery, fittings, furnishings and three-deck wooden superstructure after the Moores plans to turn it into an elegant floating restaurant, nightclub and hotel evaporated because of unanticipated high costs.

Today, the Cabrillos deteriorating hull is all that is left of the once-grand Queen of the South Coast, and its only visitors are beavers, otters, raccoons, bobcats and the occasional curious traveler.

The wreckage, lying in a muddy river cul-de-sac near the long-closed Moores Cafe, is well out of the way of boaters and fishermen, and Dennis Weber, communications director of the California Division of Boating and Waterways, said his office has received no public complaints about the abandoned Cabrillo.

Sgt. Chris Carlisle, commander of Napa Countys Marine Division, agrees, stating, The shipwreck poses no danger to commercial and recreational vessels on the river, and there are no plans to remove it.

Kirby Long, manager of the Napa Valley Marina, which lies about a half-mile downstream from the wreckage, said, No one cares about the SS Cabrillo anymore. In a few years, therell probably be nothing left of her.

Newport Beach resident DAVID C. HENLEY is a long-time foreign correspondent and a member of the Board of Trustees of Chapman University.
The Angels agreed to terms with veteran reliever Al Alburquerque on a one-year, $1.1-million contract, pending a physical, on Friday, but have yet to reach 2016 contract agreements for two arbitration-eligible players, pitcher Garrett Richards and right fielder Kole Calhoun.

The Angels offered Richards $5.3 million and the hard-throwing right-hander countered with $7.1 million. The team offered Calhoun $2.35 million and he asked for $3.9 million.

If the sides cant reach agreements in the next two weeks, they would go to hearings in February in which an arbitrator would choose one figure or the other.

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Richards, 27, returned from left-knee surgery to go 15-12 with a 3.65 earned-run average in 32 starts last season, striking out 176 and walking 76 in 207 1/3 innings. Calhoun, 28, hit .256 with 26 homers, 23 doubles, 83 runs batted in and 78 runs last season, and he won a Gold Glove Award for his defense.

Alburquerque, 29, was not tendered a contract by Detroit after going 4-1 with a 4.21 ERA in 67 games, striking out 58 and walking 33 in 62 innings. He had a 17-6 record and 3.20 ERA in five seasons with the Tigers, averaging 11 strikeouts and 5.0 walks per nine innings.

The average velocity of Alburquerques fastball has declined steadily, but not precipitously, from a high of 95.4 mph as a rookie in 2011 to a low of 93.1 mph last season, according to Fangraphs. That may have contributed to a drop in his strikeout rate, to 8.4 per nine innings in 2015.

Alburquerque, who is under club control through 2017, will add depth to a bullpen that lost Trevor Gott, who was traded to Washington for third baseman Yunel Escobar. He will join Fernando Salas and Mike Morin in the mix of relievers leading to setup man Joe Smith and closer Huston Street.

mike.digiovanna@latimes.com

Twitter: @MikeDiGiovanna
My wife, Laurel, and I, jet-lagged, headed to our balcony stateroom on the Azamara Quest to let the rhythmic wash of the hull through the Aegean Sea lull us to sleep. In the morning, we found a letter from the ships captain, Jose Vilarinho, slipped under our door. I am writing, it began, with important information regarding our passage through the Gulf of Aden.

We knew the gulf was the infamous hunting ground of Somalian pirates and that cruise ships  most notably the Seabourn Spirit in 2005 and Oceanias Nautica in 2008  had been approached. Though these events were years ago, attacks on cargo ships have continued and, in fact, three vessels were approached during the days we were in the gulf. Though weve made dozens of cruises, we had never experienced anything like this.

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The letter outlined precautions that would last for five days. The ship would be darkened at night to improve visibility for the lookouts: crew volunteers who were posted around the clock during the passage through the Gulf of Aden. Exterior deck lights would be doused and curtains closed in public rooms and staterooms. If the words Operation Safe Haven were broadcast over the public address system, passengers would move to the interior of the ship and follow crew instructions. We were more intrigued than alarmed.

Cruising as usual

Our mid-October departure from Piraeus, Greece, on the 694-passenger Quest had been picture-perfect and sunset-tinted, with ferries shuttling in and out as lights twinkled on in Athens sprawling port city. With the sun dropping into the Aegean, it was an auspicious beginning to our 15-night, 3,733-nautical mile voyage to Dubai, promising adventures that would include transiting the Suez Canal.

This was a repositioning cruise, getting the Quest from the Mediterranean to the Far East, which meant many sea days  nine in all, counting the canal transit  and affordable fares. Of the five port calls, three  Rhodes, Greece; Kas, Turkey; and Limassol, Cyprus  came at the beginning, providing no rest for the weary. Muscat in Oman and Dubai, where the ship spent a full day and a night before we disembarked, were at the end.

At Rhodes, the Quest docked adjacent to Old Town, where we strolled through winding lanes, stopping at the Jewish Museum in Kahal Shalom, said to be the oldest synagogue in Greece. We wandered freely, knowing that we couldnt go too far astray in this compact, walled city.

Kas, on Turkeys Turquoise Coast, was a highlight. Three among our traveling group of six had been there before and knew we could charter a gulet  a wooden boat, usually sail-powered, though ours wasnt  that would take us to Kekova Island and its partly sunken ancient city. We found Ali Sarica, appropriately nicknamed Captain Garlic, and his gulet Batin 2. After we came to terms  $75 apiece, including a tip, for our all-day trip  Ali and Fatima, his wife, first mate and cook, headed off on motor scooters for lunch provisions.

Batin 2 was ideal for us, with plenty of shaded space forward for lounging and sightseeing and a long table aft that would hold a luncheon of rice and salads all freshly prepared en route by Fatima while we motored to a small Kekova cove. We swam among the ruins in water that was sparkling clear and turquoise. Ali grilled chicken. Garlic reigned.

In Limassol, the next port, the AzAmazing Evening took place, a signature event offered on most Azamara cruises. Ours was a chamber concert performed in front of medieval Kolossi Castle. Unfortunately, predicted rain mandated a large tent, which obscured the view of the castles facade  but a wise precaution because a wild thunderstorm blew in, adding drama to the concert. It reportedly hadnt rained in months.

Uninterrupted sea time

When the Quest loosed its lines in Limassol one minute before midnight, we said goodbye to land for the next week plus. This was unusual for Azamara Club Cruises, which usually features longer stays, more overnights, and night touring. But we were repositioning and happy with the prospect of uninterrupted sea time.

For me that would mean luxuriating with books on chaise longues on Deck 5, close to the sea, or sitting on our balcony. Laurel did that too, but each sea day would find her rehearsing, with 20 shipmates, as the High Seas Choir prepared songs from Mamma Mia that would be performed as the opening act of the ships final on-board show, a tribute to Broadway called Stage Door of Dreams.

Much more filled days at sea. Our friends planned theirs around multiple trivia contests daily, and lectures on such subjects as Alexander the Great and the Suez Canal. The latter interested me most because I knew the canal transit, from 4 a.m to midafternoon, would be intriguing, with war monuments, the soaring Mubarak Peace Bridge and countless skiffs that rowed or sailed up to us to wave.

As we cleared the canal, a boat approached and five blue-suited men boarded  from Protection Vessels International  as backup security. They proved an amiable presence  perhaps explained by the absence of any pirate encounter. On a misty full-moon night, with Deck 5 darkened as we boomed through the Gulf of Aden, spray flying, their head honcho enjoyed the moment as much as we.

And I get paid for this, he said with a chuckle. They participated in (but lost) the on-deck tug-of-war among various crew departments for which passengers gathered en masse and Capt. Vilarinho acted as cheerleader.

We do this on repositioning trips with lots of sea days, chief engineer Roberto said when I complimented him on the event. Its fun for the crew too. Another sea day highlight, also featuring the crew, was Quest Expo, when each department, from engine to deck to spa, filled the main lounge with tools of their trade and fielded questions from passengers. Then there was the Iron Chef competition, which pitted cruise director Russ against hotel director Philip.

Eat, drink, and be happy was always Russ mantra, and we did just that, in Discoveries, the main dining room, and the two extra-charge restaurants: Prime C (a steakhouse) and Aqualina (contemporary Italian). A nationality-themed buffet was offered in Windows every night, and three times we dined on its open deck aft. The Sunset Bar there was our favorite cocktail spot.

One special dinner was the barbecue buffet on White Night, an Azamara staple, when the pool deck is set with white tablecloths and festively decorated, and passengers are encouraged to wear white. Because it fell on Halloween, it became White/Fright Night and officers were in costume.

There I spotted a pirate. I couldnt identify him but thought he was oddly familiar. Later, I realized it was Capt. Vilarinho. He and the similarly attired hotel director were the only pirates we saw on our voyage.

::

If you go

Azamara Club Cruises, (877) 999-9553; www.azamaraclubcruises.com. Even swollen to $2,536 by taxes, fees, port expenses and insurance, our $1,999 base fare for a balcony stateroom for 16 nights was a bargain, considering most alcohol and coffee drinks are included, as are gratuities. Azamara on Oct. 7 will offer a similar trans-Suez voyage from Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy, to Dubai aboard the Journey, Quests sister ship. The lines two ships will receive major refurbishments and upgrades during dry dockings early this year.

travel@latimes.com
A grand house. Social change set against the backdrop of history. Class divisions. All the stuff of drama done as only PBS can do it.

We are speaking not of Downton Abbey but of Mercy Street, making its premiere Sunday night on PBS. The series, with Ridley Scott as executive producer, delves into the lives of Americans beyond the Civil War battlefield, at the very hospital that existed then at Carlyle House in Alexandria.

Huh? Civil War? Alexandria? For one who prides herself on history, and has lived in nearby Arlington for years, this is not how we perceive Alexandria, founded in 1749. Any school kid knows that George Washington and Thomas Jefferson strolled these tree-shaded streets, imbibing at Gadsbys Tavern and praying at Christ Church. I was taken off-guard in the most delightful of ways.

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It turns out that some of Carlyle Houses most fascinating history took place years after Scottish merchant John Carlyle built the stone mansion in 1753, when Alexandria consisted of a cluster of log cabins.

Shows inspiration

It all began when furniture manufacturer James Green bought the house in 1848, along with the neighboring building, and added on the four-story, luxury Mansion House Hotel.

The day after Virginia seceded from the Union, on May 24, 1861, Union troops marched into town, seizing the hotel to use as a hospital. And thus was the inspiration for Mercy Street.

The show centers on two nurses, Mary Phinney, an abolitionist from the North, and Emma Green, daughter of James Green and an entitled Southern belle (who in real-life wasnt a nurse). They clash, of course. But there are many other back stories, inspired by actual Civil War-era Alexandrians  the intermingling of self-emancipated and freed blacks, espionage, the role of women as nurses, and doctors pushing the boundaries of medical science among them.

The whole new world of Civil War Alexandria opened up to me. As I set out to explore all the real-life sites related to this history, I was happy to learn that many have set up Mercy Street exhibits and events.

Alexandrias entanglement with the Civil War started at the Monaco Alexandria hotel on nearby King Street, then an inn called Marshall House. I had my bachelorette dinner there a couple of years ago but hadnt picked up on the allusions to the Civil War in its decor: wallpaper designs taken from a Civil War-era dress pattern, and military seals and uniform buttons reflected in the hallways carpet patterns.

The day after Virginia seceded, innkeeper James Jackson flew the Confederate flag from the buildings roof, declaring it would be removed only over his dead body. Well, when the Union forces arrived in Alexandria, one of the first things they did was tear down the flag  and kill Jackson after he shot one of their officers.

Carlyle House

Mansion House Hospital doesnt exist any longer; it was torn down in the 1970s. But Carlyle House still stands as a historic house museum, for the most part interpreting its colonial history. On the second floor, though, a new exhibition showcases a Civil War-era surgical theater, along with a depiction of a patients ward and a stewards room.

The most fascinating items are actual Mansion House Hospital artifacts  patients letters, a photo album of nurses and doctors and photographs depicting the hospital. Frank Stringfellows original field case was there too  he was the Confederate spy who married Emma Green; what better cover for a spy to have than hanging out in Alexandria to pursue his sweetheart?

Nearby, the Stabler-Leadbeater apothecary shop, which served as a sort of combo CVS/Home Depot, dates to 1792. Now a museum, rows of glass jars line the walls just as they did when George Washington  and, later, the Green family as well as the Union quartermaster  came here to stock up on everything from liquid opium (laudanum) to dental equipment to window panes. A new exhibit touches on all this, with artifacts that include written orders from Mansion House Hospital, Green family invoices and medicine labels from the time.

One of Mercy Streets main themes is the plight of African Americans, and so I stopped by the Alexandria Black History Museum for more insight  the director, Audrey Davis, consulted for the show. The current exhibit tells the story of fugitive slaves who flooded into Union-controlled Alexandria. One photo drew my attention. A group of U.S. Colored Troops stand proudly; I learned that they all had signed a petition requesting that African American troops be buried at the Soldiers Cemetery. An early Black Lives Matter moment, Davis told me.

On South Washington Street at Prince Street, the statue of a Confederate soldier stands above the rushing cars, his back stolidly to the north. In all the times Ive driven past, I had no idea that Alexandria, in Southern-sympathetic Virginia, had been the wars longest-occupied city in the Confederacy. I wondered what thoughts went through this soldiers head as he witnessed his way of life being changed forever. Maybe his character will show up in a future Mercy Street episode and Ill find out.

::

If you go

THE BEST WAY TO ALEXANDRIA, VA.

From LAX, Alaska, American and Virgin America offer nonstop service to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. American and Southwest offer direct service (stop, no change of planes), and American, Southwest, Delta, United, Virgin America, Alaska and United offer connecting service (change of planes). Restricted round-trip fares from $375, including taxes and fees.

Alexandria is about 7 miles south of Washington, D.C. From Reagan National, drive or take a cab about 3 miles south on the George Washington Memorial Parkway.

WHERE TO STAY

Kimptons Monaco Alexandria, 480 King St., Alexandria; (703) 549-6080, www.monaco-alexandria.com. This 241-room, recently redesigned hotel is offering a special Have Mercy package through July 1, including deluxe accommodations with modern Civil War-inspired decor, two tickets to Carlyle House Historic Park and a 5% donation to the American Red Cross. Doubles from $126.

Hilton Alexandria Old Town, 1767 King St., Alexandria; (703) 837-0440 or (800) 445-8667, www.lat.ms/1OOcMfb. Just steps from the King Street Metro, this upscale, recently renovated hotel offers 252 comfortable rooms. Doubles from $129.

WHERE TO EAT

Jackson 20, 480 King St.; (703) 842-2790, www.jackson20.com. This local favorite adjacent to Monaco Alexandria serves modern American tavern fare and Civil War-inspired cocktails. Entrees run about $20 to $38.

Magnolias on King, 703 King St.; (703) 838-9090, www.magnoliasonking.com. This hot new restaurant offers Southern immersion cuisine. Entrees about $22 to $36.

Restaurant Eve, 110 S. Pitt St.; (703) 706-0450, https://restauranteve.com. Chef-restaurateur Cathal Armstrong serves outstanding New American in a historic row house and warehouse. Entrees about $36 to $41.

TO LEARN MORE

Alexandria Visitors Center, 221 King St.; (703) 746-3301 or (800) 388-9119, www.visitalexandriava.com.

Who These Wounded Are: The Extraordinary Stories of the Mansion House Hospital, Carlyle House Historic Park, 121 N. Fairfax St.; (703) 549-2997, www.nvrpa.org.

Green Family Exhibit, Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum, 105-107 S. Fairfax St.; (703) 746-3852, www.apothecarymuseum.org.

The Journey to Be Free: Self-Emancipation and Alexandrias Contraband Heritage, Alexandria Black History Museum, 902 Wythe St.; (703) 746-4356, www.alexandriava.gov/BlackHistory.

travel@latimes.com
A Hong Kong publisher has suspended plans for a book criticizing Chinese President Xi Jinping, a sign that the recent disappearance of five booksellers has exacted a heavy toll on the citys independent publishing industry.

Jin Zhong, head of the Hong Kong publishing house Open, decided in early January to scrap plans to publish Xi Jinpings Nightmare by Yu Jie, a Chinese writer and democracy activist living in the U.S.

Many booksellers are afraid of selling these kinds of books now, Jin said in a phone interview Thursday. This crisis is very severe.

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Hong Kong, a former British colony of seven million in southern China, has long been a haven for free speech  since 1997, Beijing has administered the city under a one country, two systems arrangement, exempting it from the mainlands heavy censorship constraints. Tomes about the private lives of mainland political leaders  some well-sourced, others largely speculative  have become popular purchases for mainland tourists on cross-border trips.

Yet since October, five people tied to Mighty Current Media, a publishing house behind several recent political exposes, have gone missing under mysterious circumstances, casting a pall over the industry. One, British citizen Lee Bo, went missing on Dec. 30 while he was in Hong Kong, raising fears that mainland authorities have conducted an extralegal  and possibly unprecedented  political abduction in the territory.

The whole thing about Hong Kongs safety in the publishing industry, including book and magazine publishing, is that we are guaranteed by law that Beijing and Hong Kong will not cross into each others territories and arrest people, Jin said. So this time we need to consider a lot of things, and take a step back in order to protect ourselves.

Under such circumstances, he said, many of my family members said since you know theres such a risk, why do you want to do this? Do you not want your family anymore? Since you can avoid [persecution], why not just avoid it? So I decided to tell Yu Jie to hold temporarily and wait for a bit.

Yu has already written one highly critical book about Xi Jinping, Godfather of China Xi Jinping. Several booksellers initially refused to publish the book, and the few who agreed faced heavy intimidation. One, Yiu Mantin, was arrested during a visit to mainland China before its release. Chinese authorities accused him of smuggling industrial paint, and in May 2014, sentenced him to 10 years in prison.

Jin agreed to publish the book after Yius arrest; it was released in 2014.

On Tuesday, Yu wrote an op-ed in the local newspaper Apple Daily claiming that several other Hong Kong booksellers had refused to publish Xi Jinpings Nightmare, and he now planned to publish it in Taiwan. He called the democratic island a last lighthouse of publishing freedom in ethnic Chinese society.

The disappearances began in October when Gui Minhai, a China-born Swedish national and co-owner of the bookstore Causeway Bay Books, went missing while in Thailand. Three other bookstore operators, Lui Bo, Cheung Jiping and Lam Wing-kei, were reported missing in November. They were last seen on the mainland.

Lee was also a co-owner of Causeway Bay Books, which is run by Mighty Current. Since his disappearance Dec. 30, the store has closed, and at least one prominent bookstore chain, Page One, has taken politically sensitive books off its shelves.

On Sunday, thousands of Hong Kong residents gathered to protest Lee Bos disappearance, shouting free Lee Bo! and waving banners that read missing person.

The disappearances imply that nowadays even the basic law of Hong Kong is not enough to protect the personal safety of activists, or people who show their disagreement to the Communist Party, said Joshua Wong, a 19-year-old activist who helped lead the Umbrella Movement, a massive pro-democracy protest that rocked the city last autumn.

Even the booksellers and their peers, they just sell their books  they didnt violate any law, or any regulation in Hong Kong, but they still face persecution and abduction.

Since Lee Bo vanished, the mystery surrounding his disappearance, and his current treatment, have deepened. No mainland or Hong Kong authorities have confirmed that the booksellers were detained. Last week Lees wife Choi Ka-ping, a columnist, said that she received a handwritten fax from Lee, saying that he decided to return to the mainland in order to understand some personal issues.

Hong Kongs top official, Leung Chun-ying, said in a policy speech Wednesday that he has raised the case of the missing booksellers with Beijing. I have already conveyed the Hong Kong governments and the publics concern to the relevant bodies, he said, according to local media reports.

Joseph Yu-shek Cheng, a retired professor of political science at the City University of Hong Kong, said Lees disappearance shows that China is willing to abrogate its promises of one country, two systems.

Its very scary, he said. I think it is sad, in the sense that the Chinese authorities do not care anymore about the international impact, the international image, and they are apparently willing to pay the price.

I do believe the price is substantial, he said. Because in the long term, people will see that and say, how can I trust you? I mean people in Hong Kong are all asking that question, quietly. How can I trust what the leaders say? How can I trust the promises and pledges of the Chinese authorities?

Times staff writer Julie Makinen contributed to this report.
Indonesian police said Saturday that they have arrested 12 people suspected of links to the Jakarta bombings.

The audacious attacks by suicide bombers and gunmen on Thursday in central Jakarta killed seven people, including two civilians. It was the first major assault by militants in Indonesia since 2009. Police said the attackers were tied to the Islamic State group.

See the most-read stories this hour >>

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National police chief Gen. Badrodin Haiti told reporters that arrests were made in west and east Java and in Kalimantan.

Elaborating on an earlier claim that the militants received funding via an Indonesian fighting with Islamic State in Syria, he said police have determined money was transferred to Indonesia via Western Union.

Separately, authorities say they have blocked more than a dozen websites expressing support for Thursdays attack as they try to counter radical Islamic ideology online.

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Communications Ministry spokesman Ismail Cawidu urged Indonesians to report militant websites and social media accounts.

In recent years, Indonesian counterterrorism forces successfully stamped out the extremist group Jemaah Islamiyah that was responsible for several attacks, including the 2002 bombings of bars in Bali in which 202 people were killed, as well as two hotel bombings in Jakarta in 2009 that killed seven people.

NEWSLETTER: Get the days top headlines from Times Editor Davan Maharaj >>

Terrorism experts say ISIS supporters in Indonesia are drawn from the remnants of Jemaah Islamiyah and other groups but are also trying to recruit new members.

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The dilemma arose again, this time in Marseille, France, after an attack on a Jewish teacher: Should skullcaps be left at home or worn freely regardless of potential dangers?

The teacher was attacked by a machete-brandishing teenager this week outside the La Source Jewish School in the southern French port of Marseille. The teacher was wearing a skullcap, also known by the Hebrew word kippa and the Yiddish word yarmulke.

French media reported that the 15-year-old attacker told police he regretted not having killed his victim, who was stabbed in the back and hand. The youth, who reportedly cited the Islamic State extremist group while being questioned by police, has been accused of attempted homicide.

After the attack, Zvi Ammar, head of the Israelite Consistory of Marseille, suggested Jews might want to go without the yarmulke until better days, while also saying it was the hardest decision he had ever made. The skullcaps are worn in public by Orthodox Jews or during prayer.

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But Ammars suggestion sparked concern and criticism among Jews and non-Jews.

French President Francois Hollande said he regretted that Jewish people felt they had to conceal or abandon their skullcaps out of fear of attack.

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It is intolerable that in our country citizens should feel so upset and under assault because of their religious choice that they would conclude that they have to hide, Hollande told the AFP news agency.

Joel Mergui, president of the Central Israelite Consistory of France, rejected the advice to stop wearing yarmulkes.

If we have to give up wearing all distinctive sign of our identity we have to ask ourselves frankly, what is our future in France? Mergui told the daily Le Monde newspaper.

France has the worlds third largest Jewish community, which has been targeted in a number of high-profile attacks in recent years.

In January, two days after the attack on the satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo that left 12 dead, a Frenchman who declared allegiance to Islamic State killed four hostages at a Jewish supermarket in the French capital.

Anti-Semitism is nothing new in France. During the German occupation of the country in World War II, French police were complicit in the arrest of many Jews later sent to the Nazi death camps.

In 1980, the French Israeli Liberal Union synagogue was bombed on the evening of Shabbat and the day of the Simhat Torah celebration. The bomb, in the bags of a motorbike parked near the synagogue, killed four  a Portuguese concierge, an Israeli tourist and two French passersby  and injured 46.

Afterward, French prime minister Raymond Barre caused a scandal by declaring the odious attack intended to hit Israelites going to the synagogue had hit innocent French crossing the road, inadvertently suggesting only the French were innocent.

Hassan Diab, a Canadian of Lebanese origin, was extradited to France in November 2014 in connection with the bombing.

In November last year, a history professor at another Jewish school in Marseille was injured after being set upon by three men who shouted anti-Semitic insults at him.

According to an opinion poll carried out by the French pollsters IFOP, 47% of Jewish men say they have suffered at least one anti-Semitic attack.

A 2004 law in France bans any conspicuous religious symbols in French schools. The law was seen as an attempt to ban the Muslim veil, thus it is widely known as the headscarf ban, but in principle it also covers the yarmulkes, large crosses, turbans and other faith symbols.

Frances chief rabbi, Haim Korsia, reportedly said that asking people to stop wearing skullcaps projected part of the responsibility for attacks on the victims.

What is the limit?  Someone who walks in the street on Saturday morning on his way to the synagogue, isnt it too visibly Jewish? Korsia said, according to the Associated Press. It doesnt end. And then, some people wont be allowed to wear a [Christian] cross in the street, to wear such or such religious sign? At some point, we have to defend the model of our society and it is a society of secularism and freedom of religious practice.

Willsher is a special correspondent.

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Within the quietly thriving gay scene in Indias entertainment and financial capital, one thing appears to be common.

Everybody from the gay community is using Grindr, Inder Vhatwar, a Mumbai fashion entrepreneur, said of the dating app geared toward gay men.

Despite a national law banning same-sex intercourse, tens of thousands of gay Indians use Grindr for social networking, dating and, yes, sex. As in many other Asian countries where homosexuality is outlawed or taboo, Grindr and similar apps have opened up a new digital frontier for gays but also raised concerns about privacy, safety and government clampdowns.

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Grindrs international appeal is in the spotlight following the announcement Monday that a Chinese gaming company had purchased a majority stake the Hollywood start-up for $93 million. The deal with Beijing Kunlun World Wide Technology Co. values Grindr, founded in 2009, at $155 million.

Company founder and Chief Executive Joel Simkhai said the sale would allow Grindr to accelerate the growth of the largest network for gay men in the world.

That includes users in Afghanistan and Pakistan -- where homosexuality is illegal on the grounds that its un-Islamic -- and in China, where not long ago gays and lesbians had so few ways to meet that they formed surreptitious communities around public toilets, parks and bathhouses.

After news of the sale, Beijing Kunluns stock shot up more than 10% in China, highlighting a huge demand among the countrys gay community for new ways to connect.

Homosexuality was a criminal offense in China until 1997 and classified as a psychological disorder until 2001. Chinese authorities do not recognize same-sex marriages, and many Chinese families, employers and schools still consider homosexuality taboo, forcing many Chinese gays and lesbians to keep their sexuality a secret.

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Grindr is far from Chinas most popular gay dating app. That position is held by Blued, a homegrown start-up founded by an ex-policeman, Ma Baoli, in 2012. Blued has attracted 22 million gay male users, accounting for about 85% of Chinas gay dating app market, the company wrote in a 2015 report. Half its users are between 18 and 25 years old.

Blued is more important for Chinese people than Grindr is for Americans, said Sun Mo, 25, a media operations manager at the Beijing LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) Center.

In America, if you dont use Grindr, you can go to a gay bar. You can find gay people around. In China, apart from Beijing, Guangzhou and Shanghai  in smaller cities, and in the countryside  you cant find any gay organizations or gay bars whatsoever.

Indian cities, too, have only handfuls of gay-friendly bars, and members of the LGBT community say the countrys conservative views on marriage and family keep many of them in the closet. But Indias Grindr community is diverse, ranging from male sex workers to orthodox Hindus, users say.

If you download the app, you will be shocked to notice how many gay men are around you, said Ashok Row Kavi, founder of the Humsafar Trust, a gay rights organization in Mumbai. At any one time on Grindr, there are 100 to 200 gay men in a one-kilometer [half-mile] radius.

Sexual behaviors are coming way out in urban places, and Grindr is bringing out the best and worst of them.

In 2013, Indias Supreme Court reinstated a 153-year-old law criminalizing sex against the order of nature, which includes same-sex relations. While the law does not ban homosexuality  and few gays have been prosecuted under it  activists say thieves and corrupt cops have used it to harass and blackmail sexual minorities.

Grindr, which uses a cellphones GPS function to pinpoint a users location, has made it easier to find targets, users say.

Vhatwar, who runs one of Mumbais only clothing companies aimed at gay men, said a friend recently invited a man he met on Grindr back to his apartment and got undressed. A second man showed up and the two threatened to disclose the incident, making off with the victims laptop, iPad and wallet, said Vhatwar.

When Vhatwar and his friend went to report the incident, the police took hours to register the complaint. Four men were arrested but later released on bail, he said.

In India, any person using any dating app should be cautious, Vhatwar said. During initial chatting, you do not disclose personal details and even when you decide to meet, you make sure you meet at a public place. Then you decide whether you want to go further.

Kavi said the problem has gotten so serious that gay community leaders have set up a crisis management cell to assist Grindr blackmail victims.

In Pakistan in April 2014, a serial killer confessed to using a gay dating app, Manjam, to meet three men at their homes in Lahore, where he drugged and strangled them. The case shocked gay circles and prompted many people to delete their profiles on Grindr and similar apps. Many Grindr users dont show their faces in profile pictures; others give fake names.

Despite legal prohibitions, Pakistans gay community flourishes in the shadows in Lahore and other major cities. Dating apps help people meet in a country where it is illegal for the Muslim majority to drink alcohol.

We do not have gay bars  in fact, we do not have any bars, so there are not a lot of places for people to meet specifically for sex, said Iqbal Qasim, executive director of the Naz Male Health Alliance in Lahore.

Grindr is one of the main avenues that people have to meet each other within the LGBT community.

The government bans many LGBT-related sites, but Grindr remains widely used. And while there has been at least one case of a Facebook post leading to a jail sentence in Pakistan  for hate speech  there is no known case of a Grindr user being arrested.

The authorities  are probably not even aware of Grindr, Qasim said.

Few countries have gone so far as to ban the app. Authorities in Muslim-majority Turkey blocked Grindr in 2013 as a protection measure, a move that activists have challenged in the countrys constitutional court.

China, which operates one of the worlds most extensive censorship regimes, has not touched gay dating apps. Yet the countrys political environment is volatile  officials have recently tightened controls over social media  and users say a clampdown isnt unthinkable.

A 23-year-old masters student in Shanghai who asked to be identified only by his surname, Chou, said he met his first boyfriend through a Grindr competitor, the U.S.-based app Jackd. Chou described it as a very, very good memory for me, even though weve broken up by now.

If the Chinese government attempts to interfere with such apps, its going to be a big issue, Chou said. Theyd be blocking a way for people to find happiness  a way to love and be loved by another person.

Bengali reported from Mumbai and Kaiman from Beijing. Special correspondents Parth M.N. in Mumbai and Yingzhi Yang in Beijing contributed to this report.

Follow @SBengali and @JRKaiman on Twitter

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An attack on a luxury Burkina Faso hotel and restaurant popular with foreigners left at least 28 victims, including one American, dead as an Al Qaeda affiliate staked out turf in the region, signaling a troubling surge of extremism.

Four assailants also died in the overnight attack at the Splendid Hotel and nearby Cappuccino Cafe in the capital, Ouagadougou, which was aimed squarely at foreign interests in West Africa, with at least 18 nationalities among the dead.

The State Department identified the dead American as Michael James Riddering. The Associated Press described him as a 45-year-old missionary who was among those killed at the Cappuccino Cafe.

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Witnesses said the gunmen appeared to target foreigners when they opened fire, Reuters reported.

Dozens of others were injured, according to Burkinabe authorities. Burkinabe forces freed about 150 hostages from the hotel with the help of French special forces and U.S. reconnaissance and surveillance.

Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, or AQIM, claimed responsibility for the attack in an online statement, according to the SITE Intelligence Group, highlighting growing competition between Al Qaeda allies and loyalists of a rival group, Islamic State, which has been trying to woo extremists in the region.

The attack comes months after another Al Qaeda affiliate, Al Mourabitoun, launched a similar attack on the Radisson Blu hotel in the Malian capital, Bamako, killing 20 people, including an American aid worker, as well as Russian and Chinese citizens.

As the Burkina Faso hotel siege drew to a close there were reports that two Australians, a doctor and his wife, had been kidnapped in the countrys north, near the Malian border, according to Burkinabe officials.

Until recently, Burkina Faso has been spared the terrorist attacks and kidnappings that have plagued other countries in the region such as Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Algeria and Libya. The first sign of trouble was a kidnapping last April, when a Romanian was seized.

Burkina Faso has played a key role in U.S. counter-terrorism training operations in the region, but has recently been troubled by political instability. An attempt by former President Blaise Compaore to extend his rule sparked a popular revolt in 2014, toppling him from power. Compaore fled to Ivory Coast, but his allies launched an abortive coup last year.

President Roch Marc Christian Kabore was elected in November and sworn into office last month.

Visiting the Splendid Hotel in the aftermath of the attack, Kabore cautioned that citizens of Burkina Faso, who were unaccustomed to such attacks, must learn to be vigilant about terrorism.

The situation were experiencing since yesterday in Burkina Faso is unprecedented, he said Saturday. These are vile, cowardly acts, and the victims are innocent people. He said in a radio statement that three of the attackers were women.

The attacks and several recent kidnappings of foreigners in Burkina Faso sent a message that foreign aid workers, diplomats, businessmen and journalists are targets for West African terrorists, as are states that cooperate with Americas counter-terrorism initiatives in the region.

They also mark an upsurge in the activity of Al Qaeda affiliates, after Islamic State last year won the loyalty of the Nigerian extremist group, Boko Haram, which was responsible for more killings than any other militant group in 2015.

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Al Qaeda affiliates in West Africa have preyed on countries with political instability, porous borders and lax controls, to embed themselves into the region. Burkina Faso and Mali were both seen as bastions of stability until recent years. As political instability took hold, both proved vulnerable to infiltration by extremists.

The attacks threaten foreign investment in the region, condemning countries to a cycle of poverty and instability, making it easier for terrorist groups to recruit alienated, jobless young men to their cause.

Rivalry between Al Qaeda and Islamic State is playing out across Africa, with the Somali militant group known as Shabab split on whether to join Islamic State. Hundreds of Shabab fighters defected from the group over the conflict, Kenyan officials said last month.

The Ouagadougou attack began about 8.30 p.m. when gunmen stormed the hotel and cafe, killing people and seizing hostages. Burkinabe security forces seized control of the hotel and freed hostages early Saturday.

French forces were flown in from Mali overnight, while the U.S. provided surveillance and reconnaissance assistance, the Associated Press reported, citing an unnamed U.S. defense official.

France, the longtime colonial power in Burkina Faso, has played an aggressive role in trying to crush terrorist groups in the region and intervened in Mali in 2013 after several extremist groups took over half the country.

French President Francois Hollande on Saturday confirmed that French forces took part in the assault that ended the Splendid Hotel attack.

Follow @RobynDixon_LAT for news from Africa.

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Jason Rezaian grew up in the Bay Area, but his fathers home country, Iran, always had a big piece of his heart.

The Marin County native drove around with a California license plate holder that read, Powered by ghormeh sabzi, an Iranian dish, his mother, Mary Breme Rezaian, wrote in the Washington Post.

On his 8th birthday, Rezaians family got him a passport, hoping he would someday visit Iran. Their wish came true, and then some: He learned Farsi and eventually moved to Iran, where he wrote for publications including the San Francisco Chronicle and penned a blog called Inside Iran.

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In 2012, Rezaian became a Tehran correspondent for the Washington Post, writing stories that he hoped would give readers a more nuanced view of a country that fascinated him, the newspaper has said.

Along with stories about international politics and nuclear negotiations, Rezaian also wrote telling portraits of daily life: people flocking to American-style water parks during a scorching summer, the countrys state television broadcasting  and censoring  Hollywood blockbusters like Gravity and Titanic, the proliferation of high-end hamburger restaurants with Route 66 signs and James Dean photos.

Its a short escape into a different environment, Rezaian quoted a burger joint owner as saying in a 2014 article. Iranians love the American style. The grass is greener in the U.S.

Rezaian and his Iranian wife, Yeganeh Salehi, a journalist for the United Arab Emirates newspaper the National, were arrested at their home in July 2014. Salehi was released on bail about two months later, while Rezaian languished in the countrys notorious Evin Prison in Tehran for 18 months, held on espionage and other charges.

On Saturday, U.S. officials confirmed that Rezaian was one of four U.S.-Iranian prisoners freed by Iran in a prisoner exchange. In return, the United States has offered clemency to seven Iranians, six of whom are dual citizens, convicted in the U.S. or awaiting trial, said a U.S. official who was not authorized to speak publicly. (A fifth U.S. detainee was also freed, but his case was said to be unrelated to the prisoner swap.)

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Rezaian and the Post have long denied the allegations of spying, saying he merely acted as a journalist.

We couldnt be happier to hear the news that Jason Rezaian has been released from Evin Prison, Post publisher Frederick J. Ryan Jr. said in a statement Saturday. Once we receive more details and can confirm Jason has safely left Iran, we will have more to share.

President Obama, in an April speech at the White House Correspondents dinner in Washington, said Rezaian had been imprisoned in Tehran for nothing more than writing about the hopes and fears of the Iranian people, carrying their stories to the readers of the Washington Post in an effort to bridge our common humanity.

Irans Fars New Agency, citing an Iranian Revolutionary Guard report on Saturday, said he had been held because of attempts to help the U.S. Senate to advance its regime change plots in Iran.

Rezaians family could not immediately be reached for comment, but his brother, Ali Rezaian, of Mill Valley, Calif., said Saturday on Twitter that, while he had not yet received any direct confirmation that the journalist had been released, We all hope it is true.

Before his arrest, Rezaian and his Iranian wife were interviewed in Tehran by Anthony Bourdain, host of CNNs Parts Unknown program. Rezaian spoke of his deep feelings for his fathers homeland, but also evinced some nostalgia for the United States.

Im at a point now, after almost five years now, where I miss certain things about home, Rezaian told CNN. I miss my buddies. I miss burritos. I miss having certain beverages with my buddies and burritos at certain types of establishments. But I love it. I love it, and I hate it, you know. But its home. Its become home.

Rezaian, 39, grew up in Marin County, one of two sons born to an Iranian rug seller and an American mother.

His late father, Taghi Rezaian, came to the United States from Iran as a foreign exchange student in 1959, the San Francisco Chronicle reported. He owned Persian rug stores in Mill Valley and Petaluma, where he was known as a gregarious businessman.

According to the Post, the swimming pool at the Rezaians Marin County home was the hub for the extended family.

In 1994 Rezaian graduated from Marin Academy, a college preparatory school in San Rafael, where he was captain of the basketball team. He later attended the New Schools Eugene Lang College of Liberal Arts in New York City.

Rezaian took his first trip to Iran in 2000 and fell in love with the country, moving there in 2008 to become a freelance journalist, according to the Post. In 2013 he married Salehi, an English translator who became a journalist.

The images of Iran that Jason saw in the U.S. media troubled him greatly because he knew how limited and inaccurate most of them were, his mother wrote in the Post. The American public and their leaders need to see the real Iran, all its parts, he once told me.

His brother, Ali, told the Post that Jason really wanted to demystify the place, to tell the truth about the people.

Rezaian has been described by family and friends as an avid Oakland As fan, and one of his last stories for the Post, published five days before his arrest, was about Iranian baseball.

Twitter: @haileybranson

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Taiwan elected 59-year-old Tsai Ing-wen of the Democratic Progressive Party as the islands first female president on Saturday, ousting the Nationalists from the presidential palace after a campaign that hinged on issues of relations with mainland China, the slowing economy, government transparency and social justice. Here are her first remarks to the media.

Friends from the domestic and international media. Thank you for your patience.

Today, the Taiwanese people have used their ballots to make history. We have now experienced the third transition of political power. For the first time, there has also been a transition of Taiwans legislative majority. I would like to express my deepest gratitude to all the people that went to the ballot box today and casted their sacred vote. Regardless of how you voted, the exercise of democratic expression was the most important meaning of this election.

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In 2016, through our democratic elections, we have yet again showed the world the pride of being a democratic country and how proud we are as Taiwanese. Our message to the international community is that democracy, as a value, is deeply engrained in the Taiwanese people. Our democratic way of life is forever the resolve of Taiwans 23 million people.

I would also like to thank my two admirable opponents: Chairman Eric Chu from the KMT and Chairman James Soong from the PFP. I want to thank them for showcasing the spirit of our democracy and letting this election run smoothly. Although we have battled each other during this election, their critique and suggestions will now serve as motivation for me to work harder and be better.

I believe that further to competition with each other, political parties can work together. In the interim between the new legislature and the presidential inauguration, the DPP will maintain closer communication and consultations with the current government, in accordance with the constitutional framework. We will support the government in maintaining political stability and normalcy in the transition period.

We also look forward to working with the main political parties to establish a framework for discussing major policies. We will put political polarization behind us and look forward to the arrival of an era of New Politics in Taiwan.

We would like to also thank all the voters that voted for Tsai Ing-wen, Chen Chien-jen, the DPP, and our legislative candidates. Thank you for helping the DPP stand up again and for again entrusting us to govern this country.

For me, this is not just about an election victory. The results today tell me that the people want to see a government more willing to listen to the people, a government that is more transparent and accountable, and a government that is more capable of leading us past our current challenges and taking care of those in need. They tell me that the people expect a government that can lead this country into a new generation and a government that is steadfast in protecting this countrys sovereignty.

Tsai Ing-wen waves to supporters after being elected as Taiwans first female president on Saturday. (Sam Yeh / AFP/Getty Images)

Today represents the first kilometer in our road to reform. The responsibility that has been entrusted to us is the strongest measure of support for my future reforms. I promise: the new legislature that will take office on February 1 and the new government that will take office on May 20 will turn these expectations into reality as a matter of the highest priority.

We have to also be candid in saying that reform will not happen in one day. And the challenges that Taiwan faces will not immediately disappear. But in the four years ahead, I will do everything I can to realize my promises: to turn Taiwan into a more advanced country, engage in the necessary development of our infrastructure, and fix the policy failures of the past. I will rebuild the peoples trust in government and create a stable foundation for Taiwans future development.

On behalf of the Taiwanese people, I would also like to use this opportunity to thank our international friends, including the U.S., Japan, and other countries, for their support towards Taiwans democratic election. As part of international society, Taiwan is willing to participate in international cooperation efforts, sharing the same benefits and shouldering the same responsibilities as our partners from around the world. We will also greatly contribute towards peace and stability in the region.

During this election, I had promised on many occasions, that I will build a consistent, predictable, and sustainable cross-strait relationship. As the 14th president-elect of the Republic of China, I reaffirm that after my new administration takes office on May 20, the Republic of China constitutional order, the results of cross-strait negotiations, interactions and exchanges, and democratic principles and the will of the Taiwanese people, will become the foundation for future cross-strait relations. My position will move past partisan politics. Following the will and consensus of the Taiwanese people, we will work to maintain the status quo for peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, in order to bring the greatest benefits and well-being to the Taiwanese people.

I also want to emphasize that both sides of the strait have a responsibility to find mutually acceptable means of interaction that are based on dignity and reciprocity. We must ensure that no provocations or accidents take place. The results of todays election showcases the will of the Taiwanese people. It is the shared resolve of Taiwans 23 million people that the Republic of China is a democratic country. Our democratic system, national identity, and international space must be respected. Any forms of suppression will harm the stability of cross-strait relations.

Finally, I want to emphasize that I have an important responsibility and that is to strengthen the unity of this country.

Over the past few days, we have seen news that has shaken Taiwanese society. An entertainer  a young 16 year old girl  working in South Korea  recently attracted opposition after she was filmed holding the Republic of China flag. This incident has angered many Taiwanese people, regardless of their political affiliation.

This particular incident will serve as a constant reminder to me about the importance of our countrys strength and unity to those outside our borders. This will be one of the most important responsibilities for me as the next president of the Republic of China.

Taiwan has many challenges ahead, both from outside and inside the country. This election is now over and that brings to an end the conflicts and friction of the election campaign. I will march forward together with the 23 million people of Taiwan. Together, we will overcome the challenges that this country faces. We will not be divided by an election. Instead, we will become even more united because of our democracy.

Thank you everybody.
World powers signed off Saturday on a historic deal that curbs Irans nuclear weapons-building, eases economic sanctions that have long crippled the Islamic Republic and rewrites diplomatic dynamics throughout the Middle East.

Tens of billions of dollars will soon be available to Iran, as well as access to the international banking system and global markets for the sale of oil and gas for the first time in years, greatly bolstering its ability to rejoin the world economy.

President Obama immediately issued an executive order canceling numerous sanctions levied by the U.S.

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The deal, coupled with a secretly negotiated swap that freed prisoners including Washington Post reporter Jason Rezaian, signals a new, if still tentative, era of cooperation between Washington and Tehran after decades of sharp-edged acrimony.

Today marks the first day of a safer world, Secretary of State John F. Kerry said in Vienna after the United Nations nuclear watchdog, headquartered there, certified that Iran had complied with significant steps aimed at dismantling its nuclear production capabilities and had agreed to the most rigorous inspections on Iranian soil to date.

Today marks the moment that the Iran nuclear agreement transitions from an ambitious set of promises on paper to measurable action in progress, Kerry added.

Word of the U.N. certification rang out from Vienna to the capitals of the negotiating countries; on the campaign trail, where Republicans were quick both to praise the Americans release and to decry the administrations negotiating techniques; and in Los Angeles, home to the worlds largest Iranian expat community.

The two countries have been bitter enemies since Iranian Islamic revolutionaries seized the U.S. Embassy in Tehran in 1979 and took hostages. No one is expecting the renewal of diplomatic ties any time soon  indeed, sanctions remain in place tied to Irans human-rights record and funding of groups the U.S. views as terrorists  but the Obama administration credited a newfound rapprochement with seeing the nuclear deal to fruition as well as securing the freedom of the American prisoners.

That same spirit, which experts agree has to have been approved by Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, also led to the quick release last week of 10 U.S. sailors detained in Iranian waters. What might have become a major international incident a few years ago was resolved within hours.

Even as Washingtons relationship with Tehran seems on a smoother course  Kerry and his Iranian counterpart, Mohammad Javad Zarif, are on the phone just about daily  the United States longest-standing allies in the region, Saudi Arabia and Israel, have appeared increasingly on the outs.

Both Saudi Arabia and Israel opposed the nuclear deal, saying Iran could not be trusted and fearing a less-isolated Iran able finally to join the world economic and political stage. The governments of both are notoriously distrustful of and unfriendly with the Obama administration. U.S. officials can point to more fruitful talks with Iran while relations with Israel and the Saudis have turned increasingly frigid.

That Iran has been cooperative also reflects its desire to emerge from its long status as pariah state, as well as an apparent ascendancy, for now, of Iranian moderates, including Zarif and President Hassan Rouhani. They hoped to show gains to their public before elections next month.

The biggest carrot, of course, was the release of billions of dollars  $50 billion immediately that has been held in Asian banks, and then other income from finally being allowed to sell its oil and gas on the open market.

The major test now will be whether relations between Iran and the U.S. evolve to encompass broader issues. Iran could cooperate on untangling the complex conflicts in the region, such as the civil war in Syria, where Tehran backs President Bashar Assad.

There is momentum; how do you translate that into a new turning point? Fawaz Gerges, author of The New Middle East: Protest and Revolution in the Arab World, said on CNN.

The Obama administration argued that the deal will impede Irans ability to build a nuclear bomb for years. It has hailed the deal as the epitome of successful foreign diplomacy.

Republican presidential candidates and other opponents attacked the deal and, while welcoming the return of the prisoners, said the U.S. should not engage in such swaps and the freed men should never have been allowed to languish in jail as long as they did.

It tells us all we need to know about the Iranian regime, Sen. Marco Rubio told reporters in Johnston, Iowa, after a campaign event. They take people hostage to gain concessions. And the fact they can get away with it with this administration has created an incentive for more governments to do this.

House Speaker Paul D. Ryan attacked the deal, saying the release of the money will allow Iran to fund terrorism.

Even Hillary Clinton, Obamas former secretary of State under whose tenure the Iran talks started, was less than enthusiastic.

While she welcomed the safe return of the prisoners and praised the implementation of the nuclear agreement as an important achievement of democracy backed by pressure, she added: We shouldnt thank Iran for the prisoners or for following through on its obligations.

She noted that Iran has violated other U.N. resolutions with its ballistic missile program, including several recent launches. The Obama administration contemplated new sanctions then but backed down, possibly to avoid derailing the nuclear deal.

So we cant take our eye off the ball, Clinton said.

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Administration officials took pains to say the negotiations for the release of the prisoners were conducted on a separate track from the nuclear deal. However, they said the nuclear talks fostered relationships and increased access to Iranian intelligence and other officials that made the prisoner release possible.

To meet its obligations, Iran had to remove the core of its plutonium-producing heavy water reactor at Arak, then fill the reactor with cement and destroy it; dismantle or mothball thousands of centrifuges, which are used to enrich uranium; and ship nearly its entire stockpile of enriched uranium to Russia for reprocessing.

Iranian and U.S. officials have said all these steps have been taken, more than tripling the time Iran would need to produce a single nuclear weapon.

The government in Tehran will quickly gain access to more than $50 billion in frozen assets and oil revenue. The U.S. embargo on trade with Iran will continue, but several exceptions will be allowed, including the import and export of food and carpets.

Four hundred Iranian individuals will be removed from U.S. government blacklists, while Europe will allow trade in software, gold and metals, and transportation equipment.

In recent months, business delegations from Europe, Asia and elsewhere have been making the rounds in Tehran with an eye toward new business opportunities in the nation of 80 million, which has long been economically isolated because of sanctions.

tracy.wilkinson@latimes.com

patrick.mcdonnell@latimes.com

Wilkinson reported from Washington and McDonnell from Beirut. Times staff writer Seema Mehta in Johnston, Iowa, contributed to this report.

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Panama's archbishop Monsignor Jose Domingo Ulloa has expressed his support to the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) in line with the canal's expansion project.

According to La Estrella, Ulloa has recognized the importance of the Panama Canal in the country and ACP's responsibility in the project.

He claimed that he is confident that this project will be completed "in contractual terms" under ACP's watch.

La Estrella explained the archbishop met with ACP administrator Jorge Luis Quijano to know more about the project, and to clarify issues posed by parishioners.

"We have been clarified many doubts and will now have information that helps us to communicate to communities the good work that the Panama Canal, which is a business of all Panamanians," Ulloa said.

The Panama archbishop also expressed hope that the expansion will be finished based on the set timeline, as per Panama America.

"In all, we are confident that will be delivered during the second half of this year," he mentioned, noting that its opening will be a holiday to celebrate for all Panamanians.

Situated between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, the Panama Canal provides an easier and faster route for ships who would not want to take the Cape Horn route.

Its official website explained that the expansion, which started in 2007 and costs $5.2 billion, aims to create "a new lane of traffic" along the canal with the construction of new locks, thus doubling its capacity.

The Wall Street Journal said the main purpose is to really enable larger ships to carry more goods through a deeper canal.

Existing locks in the Panama Canal reportedly carried 5,000 TEUs (twenty foot equivalent unit), but the expansion promises a capacity of 13,000 TEUs, more than double the previous capacity of the canal.

"It will have a direct impact on economies of scale and international maritime trade," added the official website.

The expansion also involved creating an access channel in the Pacific, improving navigational channels through dredging and improving water supply.

There had been delays in the opening of the canal expansion because of some internal conflicts and needed repairs, but Quijano told TVN that they are sticking with the deadlines they have set for this year.

He noted that the flood locks will be carried out this month, while water-saving basins will be tested.

A navigation test should also be expected three months from now. Quijano also noted that by April, they also want to have a lock function in the Atlantic, which is the "most suitable" passage for vessels.

 2015 Latin One. All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
The United States government has been aware for so long about "Arab extremists" entering the country and using Mexico as their channel, state department documents revealed.

In a Judicial Watch exclusive, it was indicated that US had knowledge of these individuals coming into the country with the aid of smuggling network cells in Mexico.

The documents disclosed that among those who penetrated the country using these "cells" was Al Qaeda leader Adnan G. El Shurkrjumah, who was under the Federal Bureau of Investigation's (FBI) watch list.

According to CNN, Shukrijumah, who was wanted for his connection to the terror attack plans in Pakistan and the United Kingdom, was killed last December 2014 by the army in Pakistan.

He was also believed to be involved in the 2010 plan to have two suicide bombers kill themselves in the New York City subway.

Judicial Watch added that Shukrijumah also had a hand in the plan to bomb Oprah Winfrey's Harpo Studios and the Sears Tower, both in Chicago.

An InfoWars report added that that the most wanted terrorist was able to cross back and forth into the US and schooled meetings with other militant Islamists in Texas.

He even reportedly flew an aircraft going to Cielo Dorado, Anthony in New Mexico.

But CNN highlighted that although Shukrijumah was born in Saudi Arabia, he moved to the US when he was young.

His family established residence in Brooklyn, New York, where his father worked as a preacher at a mosque.

While he was in the US, the terrorist was believed to have odd jobs like selling second-hand cars. He also reportedly studied in South Florida, where he took up a course in chemistry and information technology. Shukrijumah exerted effort to learn the English language by enrolling himself in classes that helped him adopt to his new hometown.

His co-conspirators in his terrorism plans -- Emad Karakrah and Hector Pedroza Huerta -- have already been arrested in 2014 in the United States.

Aside from this information, the state documents also detailed that smuggling networks in Mexico provide logistical help to Arabs who want to get onto US soil.

PJ Media noted that the revelation of these documents was not really surprising since "the ranks of 'immigrants' from Latin America have suddenly swelled as the legion of 'migrants' from the Islamic region."

It explained that this has since caused the thriving of drug cartels in the United States because of the illegal crossing of borders. The same report blamed the past and present administration for being lenient in terms of border security.

 2015 Latin One. All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
COLUMBUS  A 62-year-old Columbus man has been bound over for trial in district court on four drug and weapons possession charges that could keep him behind bars for decades.

Defendant Steven Randall waived his preliminary hearing Thursday in Platte County Court and was bound over on charges of possession of methamphetamine with intent to deliver, possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, possession of a deadly weapon by a prohibited person and possession of a short-barreled shotgun.

Judge Frank Skorupa set Randall for arraignment Jan. 22 on the charges filed after Columbus Police and a Nebraska State Patrol SWAT team served a search warrant at the defendants residence in Elm Trailer Park in the 3300 block of 25th Street in December.

Randall has been in custody at the county jail since the Dec. 17 drug raid.

Court documents describe multiple handguns, three shotguns and ammunition, more than an ounce of meth, marijuana, drug paraphernalia and other items seized during the bust.

Police Investigator Jeremy Zywiec wrote in his statement supporting Randalls arrest that the search warrant was sought following a meeting with a confidential informant.

One of the shotguns was located in the bedroom under a pillow on the bed, Zywiec wrote in his statement. The shotgun was a pistol grip shotgun with a total length of approximately 25 1/2 inches. The barrel length was measured at 15 inches.

Officers also seized a digital scale, large quantity of meth and marijuana pipes and notebook paper with dollar amounts and weights noted that appeared to be a ledger of drugs sold or purchased, the investigator wrote.

Randall, who had an outstanding bench warrant in Platte County for failure to appear for a debtors exam at the time of the raid, was previously convicted of burglary in August 1978 and forgery in October 2002.

Possession of meth and possession of a firearm by a prohibited person are Class 1C and 1D felonies, respectively. Each is punishable by up to 50 years in prison and call for five- and three-year mandatory minimum sentences.
'Marijuana Website' Launched in Mexico to Promote Healthy Debate on Weed Issues

media@latinoshealth.com By Ivan Menchavez Jan 15, 2016 06:17 AM EST

Despite critics' effort to stop the legalization of marijuana in Mexico, the Mexican government recently launched a "marijuana website." The purpose of the website is to facilitate the incoming debate on marijuana use in the country on Jan. 26.

The debate is said to clear the issue about marijuana's involvement in everyone's health and prevention. The event will be held in the Mexican city resort of Cancun.

There are already 15 foreign and Mexican participants who committed themselves to join the forum, according to a report by Latin Fox News.

The scheduled debate on Jan. 26 will be followed by another forum on Feb. 23 with the discussion about human rights and ethics. There will also be another debate on March 8, in which they will talk about the economy and regulatory aspects. The fourth debate will be held on March 22, during this time the participants will address the issues on public safety.

The last schedule of the series of debates will be held in Mexico City on April 5. In the final forum, they will look into all the topics from the previous scheduled debates.

The debate was organized in the request of Mexico's president Enrique Pena Nieto after the country's Supreme Court said that it is unconstitutional to ban Mexicans from using and growing marijuana for recreational purposes. The Mexico's General Health Law prohibits anybody from using marijuana for any purpose other than medicinal.

The president on his part is against the legalization of marijuana.

Meanwhile, the "marijuana website" will provide information about marijuana usage. It will also provide links to the other countries stand on marijuana including the law of three states in the U.S. There will also be research results and articles about public health, marijuana consumption, public safety, medical benefit of marijuana, prison system, human rights and information about the development of the economy in the country.

Roberto Campa, the country's human rights secretary, said that all information will be public, which also includes the current state of marijuana addiction in Mexico as well as the risk factor of the drug.

According to a report by Yahoo! News, there are many people in Mexico who support the legalization of marijuana. They stated that legalizing the drug would affect drug cartels in South America as they get big revenues out of the drug. It will also reduce the number of drug-related attacks in the country, which has been a major problem in some Mexican cities.

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A runner up at one of Brazil's major beauty contests has died after getting fillers injected to her face, reports said.

Raquel Santos from Rio de Janeiro, despite being only 28 years old, turned to cosmetic surgery to have her "laugh lines" erased. However, the model got a heart attack after getting her face injected with fillers.

"The 28-year-old, who was a finalist in the popular Musa do Brasil competition in December, suffered a cardiac arrest following the procedure on Monday," MailOnline confirmed. "Police are now investigating whether her reportedly daily use of an illegal horse medicine, which she injected before workouts as a performance enhancer, might have contributed to her death."

In connection with this, authorities have reportedly interrupted the mother-of-two's funeral and took away the body to verify whether allegations that Santos' death certificate was erroneous were true.

And although the autopsy was done by Wednesday, her remains have not been released yet " due to a dispute over whether Ms Santos was dead upon her arrival at the hospital," The Independent said.

The clinic doctor said that Santos was still alive when brought to the hospital, which denied this.

"Wagner Moraes, the surgeon who carried out the procedure, defended the operation and suggested the complications occurred due to Ms Santos' alleged use of the animal steroid injection, Potenay and her heavy smoking," the publication relayed.

The said drug has cardio-respiratory stimulant mefentermine, which tends to raise blood pressure. The drug, Potenay, has increasingly become popular among bodybuilders in Brazil due to its muscle-building capacity.

According to the model's friends, she was afraid about the prospect of possibly dying during a cosmetic procedure. However, as she was a "slave of vanity," she overlooked her fears and engaged in "every procedure imaginable."

According to G1, a pal, Debora Azevedo, revealed that the deceased was very concerned about her appearance, even going so far as to "have procedures without telling her friends so we wouldn't fight with her."

"She was as addicted to working out as she was to plastic surgery," Azevedo added.

Moraes also said that the procedure only lasted 2 minutes, but was complicated by Santos' Potenay intake. He said she even took the drug every day, even on the day of the cosmetic surgery, as also noted by Fox News Latino.

According to MailOnline, Santos left behind two sons, aged 7 and 13.

Meanwhile, boyfriend Gilberto Azevedo said that he thought she was "fine as she was."

"But she always wanted more, unnecessarily," he said, describing her discontent over her looks.

"She was a very happy person, friendly and full of dreams. All she ever wanted to do was become a model," he added.

WATCH:

 2015 Latinos Post. All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
El Chapo is El Romantico too?

Previously, it was reported that drug lord Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman was more eager to meet Mexican actress Kate del Castillo than Hollywood star Sean Penn. Now, we get more information on the reason behind that, other than the fact that Castillo starred in a TV series that had her playing pretty much a female El Chapo. And also the obvious fact that the actress looks easy on the eyes.

"The transcripts published Wednesday by the newspaper Milenio - and confirmed as authentic by a federal official - showed that Guzman was less interested in making a movie about his life than he was in flirting with the actress," Mashable said.

Apparently, the drug kingpin was so into her he let her talk him into allowing Penn to interview him.

One of the officials said that Guzman may have "had an obsessive interest in her," even calling her "hermosa," which is Spanish for "beautiful."

The official also revealed that the drug lord sent many texts to the actress, with many of them expressing "admiration and a longing for the next meeting, more than concern about the purported movie project."

"I'll tell you, I am more excited about you than the (movie) script," one Guzman text read. ''I'll take care of you," another said.

"I will take care of you more than I do my own eyes," another line from one of his texts said, as noted by Slate.

Indeed, even while running from the law, Guzman was not against letting his inner Romeo out.

Further along their communication, Guzman had said "I love you" to the actress, which she did not reciprocate immediately. Rather, Del Castillo opted to focus on her excitement about meeting him in person.

"Good afternoon, how's the best woman in the world, the smartest one, whom I admire greatly?" another El Chapo text went, to which the actress replied by calling him "my beautiful friend."

"Thank you, my friend, for your well wishes. Your friend loves you. Bye," El Chapo replied.

Del Castillo countered this with, "I love my friend, bye."

There were other text exchanges later on that talked about Guzman wanting the actress to meet his mom, and also her favorite food. However, Del Castillo later warned the drug lord that she was being surveilled, resulting in the end of their text communications in early November last year. The texting began around late September in 2015.

Officials said that Guzman's obsession with the actress led to his capture. His desire to see her, coupled with the increased pressure by the military on his territory, had made him ditch his mountain hideout and settle in a safe house in Los Mochis, which was already put under surveillance even before the former fugitive arrived.

Sounds like a Samson and Delilah scenario. It could probably be said that a woman ultimately led to his downfall. What do you think?

WATCH:

 2015 Latinos Post. All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Mexican director Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu, who also helmed the Oscar-nominated film "The Revenant," has some words to say about Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump and his racist comments about Mexican immigration in the United States. During his interview with WNYC's "Studio 360" show, the director said he pitied Trump and called him a "poor man."

Inarritu's recent comments came after Trump notoriously labeled the Mexican immigrants as "rapists" and accused them of "bringing in crime" in the United States when he announced his presidential candidacy in June. According to Business Insider, Trump earned the hatred of many Mexican celebrities including actresses America Ferrera and Eva Longoria, who spoke against Trump's remarks.

Inarritu said Trump's position is "coming from ignorance." The Mexican director also added that blaming undocumented immigrants for crime is "planting seeds of hate."

"To be so rich and to be so bitter -- it's a poor man whose only possession is money," Inarritu said, as per MSNBC. "When you generalize like that, you are taking out the humanity, the integrity of human lives. That has been historically the way horrible things have happened to humanity."

Inarritu touched on Mexican immigration in his 2006 film "Babel." Last year, the Latino director was the only person of color nominated in a major acting or directing category at the Academy Awards. He ultimately triumph in early 2015 for the comedy-drama "Birdman." And when he's accepting awards for his filmmaking, he always thanks the Mexican people for their support.

Speaking of the Academy Award nominations, Inarritu has recently grabbed 12 Oscar nods on Thursday for his 2015 film, "The Revenant," including best picture, best director and best actor. Fox News Latino noted the film depicted the story of Hugh Glass, played by Leonardo DiCaprio, a 19th-century explorer and fur trapper who was mauled by a bear and left for dead by the other members of his expedition team.

Inarritu's film was also nominated for best supporting actor (Tom Hardy), best cinematography, best costume design, best film editing, best makeup and hairstyling, best production design, best sound mixing and best visual effects.

Meanwhile, "Mad Max: Fury Road," which was helmed by George Miller, was also nominated in 10 categories, while Ridley Scott's "The Martian" has earned seven nods. And "Star Wars: The Force Awakens," the top-grossing film of all time in North America, received five Oscar nominations.

For the best actress category, the nominees are Cate Blanchett for "Carol," Brie Larson for "Room," Jennifer Lawrence for "Joy," Charlotte Rampling for "45 Years" and Saoirse Ronan for "Brooklyn."

The 88th Annual Academy Awards be hosted by Chris Rock and will be held on Sunday, Feb. 28 at the Dolby Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center in California. It will be televised on ABC at 7 p.m., E! News reported.
The country's oldest Spanish-language newspaper, El Diario/La Prensa, is in danger of closing down.

According to the Huffington Post, the New York paper has been declining since it was purchased by the Argentinean conservative daily news company, La Nacion.

The move was supposed to help the paper make a smooth and successful transition to digital media.

However, the results were not as predicted. Despite a multi-million dollar investment, employees complained that the new foreign managers created a pessimistic work environment and pushed a focus on national news coverage.

Since the La Nacion takeover, about 75 percent of the paper's editorial staff were let go, with another round of layoffs to be announced this Friday.

Employee Oscar Hernandez spoke with the Huffington Post about the staff's dissatisfaction, and the general uncertainty about the paper's future. He said the paper's former CEO, Francisco Seghezzo, told the staff that the print edition would likely be ending its run.

"You're killing the very substance of information that's been such a part of the community for so many years," said Hernandez. "Is this the downfall of a newspaper, or is it the downfall of a community?"

This year's new CEO, Gabriel Dantur, denied that the print edition would be ending, although he admitted they may reduce pages to cut costs. He said the company was searching for new strategies in advertising, and ways to boost revenue.

"The goal is to assure El Diario's sustainability," Dantur said to HuffPost. "We're aware these are difficult times. But a business that isn't self-sustaining, unless it's a charity, can't be independent."

La Prensa started production in 1913, becoming one of the most successful Spanish-language papers in the city. In the sixties, it merged with rival newspaper El Diario to give it its current moniker.

The rise of the Internet and digital media proved a challenge to the paper's survival, as it did to many print media companies. While the paper still garners local interest, many Latino New Yorkers worry that it will soon be forgotten.

The paper's already become irrelevant to a lot of people," said Angelo Falcon, the director of the National Institute of Latino Policy, to HuffPost. "There is no paper or mechanism that has replaced El Diario and the role that it played historically. It's a big loss."
Students at Liberty University are outraged over the fact that the evangelical Christian school has chosen Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump to speak on campus Monday in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. As a result, some students are even planning to protest the decision by holding a peaceful demonstration Monday morning.

"I immediately felt that it was somewhat inappropriate, and then I started to hear from people who felt the same way," said law student Eli McGowan, an organizer of the protest, about the school's decision to bring Trump in as a guest speaker during an interview with Yahoo News.

He argued that Trump's politics are divisive and stand in complete contrast to Dr. King's legacy.

"Mr. Trump, by his actions and his words, he's really revealed that he is antagonistic to the ideals that Dr. King lived for and ended up dying for," said McGowan.

Officials at the university, however, have defended their decision to solicit the GOP front-runner as a guest speaker on MLK day at Liberty University's "convocations," a student gathering at in Lynchburg, Virginia.

"Our President (Jerry Falwell Jr.) invited Mr. Trump specifically for that day cause we felt like it's a great opportunity for him to speak about among other topics about racial equality about making this country become more and more the very dream that Martin Luther King had," said David Nasser, Sr. Vice President of Spiritual Development, for Liberty University, according to ABC affliate WSET.

Likewise, Mark Hine, the senior vice president for student affairs at Liberty University, said the convocation will give the billionaire business man the opportunity to commemorate King.

"I think this one was picked to afford Mr. Trump the opportunity to, among other things, honor Dr. King. It wasn't like we said, 'Let's go find someone who would be anti-Martin Luther King,'" Hine told Yahoo News. "I don't know that absolutely everything Trump would say aligns with Martin Luther King, but I don't see him in any way as being the total opposite."

McGowan, however, does not agree with celebrating MLK Day with Trump, who has previously called for a ban on Muslim entering the U.S. and building a wall on the U.S.-Mexico border.

"Mr. Trump is someone who enjoys and profits from dividing people among racial, gender, national and ethnic lines, and mocking those he doesn't have much in common with. Whereas Dr. King was a great unifier and sought to understand even his enemies," McGowan said.

He added that he and other protesters plan to hold signs with quotes from Dr. King at their demonstration.

"We will try to really cast a light on what Dr. King stood for while not participating in a convocation that gives a stage to who really has made it clear that he is not in favor of that same goodwill treatment of all people"
After many months of being questioned about his citizenship, GOP presidential candidate Ted Cruz finally got his first federal lawsuit, which questions his place of birth.

A Texas attorney named Newton Schwartz is questioning Cruz, who was born in Canada to an American mother and a Cuban father. In the lawsuit, Schwartz stated that the presidential candidate would be violating the U.S. Constitution if he became the president.

According to him, "I have an uncertainty about it and no one has brought this up before." He added that his doubts stemmed from the wording of the constitution.

But as reported by Latino Fox News, Cruz maintained that he's an American citizen by birth due to the fact that despite being born in a different country, his mother is an American citizen. Furthermore, the U.S. Supreme Court has not even questioned his eligibility to run as president.

It's interesting to note that Cruz is not the first presidential candidate to have his citizenship questioned, nor is he the first to be born outside of the country.

Case in point, fellow Republican candidate Marco Rubio has also faced a similar "birther" issue. According to CNN, Rubio faced the same predicament back in 2011 because of the very reason that both of his parents are of Cuban ancestry.

Mario Apuzzo, a lawyer from New Jersey, said that the Florida governor is ineligible because despite being born in America, both of his parents did not become citizens until 1975, Tampa Bay News reported.

However, just like President Obama's citizenship issue, it did not garner traction and here he is now, running against Ted Cruz and Donald Trump for the presidency.

The issue against Cruz's citizenship is what Trump usually shoots against him. However, Cruz just said that instead of focusing on his citizenship, which he had repeatedly maintained as American, he suggested that they should just focus on the candidate who is best prepared to become the president of the United States.

He also fired back at Trump and said that if he keeps on bringing up this issue, Trump would also be ineligible. After all, Donald Trump's mother was born in Scotland.

However, the businessman-turned-politician has since fired back and countered that he was born in the United States -- just like Rubio.

Nevertheless, Cruz noted that the real reason Trump is bringing this up is due to the fact that he is creeping in closer and closer in the polls.

Cruz said, "Since September, the Constitution hasn't changed. But the poll numbers have."
The Democratic presidential candidates will square off in a live televised debate Sunday night, just two weeks before the first vote in the Democratic contest is held at the Iowa Caucuses.

Starting at 9 p.m. EST, Hillary Clinton, Bernie Sanders and Martin O'Malley will go head-to-head in a two-hour debate in Charleston, South Carolina. It will be held at the Gaillard Center, down the street from the Emanuel AME Church where nine African Americans were fatally shot by confessed killer Dylan Roof last June. It will air on NBC and stream on YouTube. NBC's evening news anchor Lester Holt will moderate.

Along with NBC News and YouTube, the debate will also be hosted by the Congressional Black Caucus Institute and the South Carolina Democratic Party.

Hillary Clinton is expected to give an aggressive debate performance in wake of Bernie Sanders' surge in recent polls. Although Clinton has maintained a strong national lead in the primary race, a new Monmouth University poll revealed that she is trailing the Vermont senator by 14 points in New Hampshire, an important early voting state. Sanders has also gained a 5-point lead over the Democratic front-runner in Iowa, another key state, according to a Quinnipiac University poll.

It is likely that the former secretary of state will attack Sanders on his voting record on gun control being that he supported protection for gun manufacturers from lawsuits. However, both candidates are in support of President Barack Obama's executive action proposal to curb gun violence by expanding background checks and closing the loophole on firearms sold at gun shows.

Viewers should also expect the candidates to be asked to address race relations in America and health care, according to The Miami Herald.

Click here to watch the debate online via the NBC News YouTube channel.
The Supreme Court of Appeal has purportedly discriminated against Oscar Pistorius, failing to take into account his disability, vulnerability and anxiety, when convicting him of murder.

This is one of the arguments in Pistorius's appeal to have the Constitutional Court overturn the ruling.

As per Times Live, the Pretoria High Court convicted the amputee sprinter of homicide in September 2014 for allegedly murdering his law graduate girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp. Pistorius has stated in his defense that he thought she was an intruder which had him shoot her that got the model killed.

Pistorius and his team has filed papers on Monday to ask the Constitutional Court to hear his appeal against the SCA's judgment. The athlete's lawyer, Andrew Fawcett, has argued how the disabled sprinter was "incorrectly and unfairly convicted of murder."

The second ground for appeal points to the alleged legal errors of the SCA in its application of the principle of dolus eventualis.

The defendant's team argues that Pistorius did not have the intention to kill in the form of dolus eventualis as the court ruled. Fawcett said that the court only considered the first component of dolus eventualis that regards the accused guilty, as he/she has foresaw the risk of death yet continued the act regardless of the consequences. However, the court allegedly disregarded the second component in which the accused must have known his actions were unlawful.

To this, Fawcett claims that Pistorius acted out of fear, believing that his and Steenkamp's lives were in danger, thus acting in self-defence and therefore lawfully. He added that the SCA erred in considering Pistorius in an objective test of the "rational person" when the SCA should have taken Pistorius's subjective state of mind that was affected by his anxiety disorder, serious physical disability and vulnerability.

"At the time of the incident [Pistorius] was on his stumps, which made him more vulnerable and anxious." Fawcett argued.

Thus by measuring Pistorius's conduct against the objective standard of a rational person, the SCA has therefore unfairly discriminated against the athlete on the grounds of his disability, vulnerability and anxiety.

The state now has 10 days to respond if it plans to oppose the application. Pistorius is under house arrest while the Constitutional Court decides if it will hear the case. The hearing is scheduled for April 18.
An ex-pastor, Jacob Malone, raped and impregnated a teenage parishioner in Pennsylvania will return from Ecuador and will turn himself in. Malone's attorney said he is expecting his client to return from his trip and will take a flight this week.

According to Fox News, Jacob 'Jake' Malone began sexually assaulting the girl when he invited the girl to live with his family when he was still a pastor. The girl was then 17 when they had a relationship and it began back in September 2014.

CNN reported that Malone first met the girl in 2009 when she was 12 years old in Mesa, Arizona. After a few years, Malone moved to Minnesota with his family to become a pastor for another church and he invited the girl to move with him together with his family. The victim alleged that Malone began trying to have inappropriate contact with her while in Minnesota. Then the teen moved with Malone and his family to Pennsylvania in 2014. According to Detective Scott Pezick of the West Whiteland Police Department, Malone took a pastor position at Calvary Fellowship Downingtown, a nondenominational church.

After some time in Pennsylvania, Malone began sexually assaulting her. The girl said to the police that he gave her alcohol when she turned 18.

CBS News stated that 33-year-old Exton resident Jacob Malone's attorney has been in contact with the police. Rev. Bill Bateman says Malone worked for 18 months in their church. He resigned in November after rumors about him surfaced. Rumors say he also had an inappropriate relationship with another girl from another state and he impregnated the teenage girl living with his family.

Pastor Bateman said they were really shocked when Malone flew to Ecuador to visit acquaintances while he was wanted in the state. Detective Scott Pezick said Malone took an advantage of the girl who's looking for guidance in an adult. Police department in Arizona is in the middle of investigating the other allegations to the ex-pastor about having relationship with a minor. When Malone is back in Pennsylvania, the police will contact him.
COLUMBUS  Dr. Anthony Krueger was still two years away from finishing his radiology residency at the University of Nebraska Medical Center when he started reaching out to hospitals for employment.

With Midwest roots, Krueger didnt want to stray too far from home, which for him is South Sioux City and Newman Grove for his wife. One of the places he connected with was Columbus Community Hospital.

Even though he also had interest in working in large cities like Lincoln and Omaha, he chose Columbus when the job offers started to come in and began working in radiology at the hospital last June.

Working in a smaller, rural community hasnt meant handling a lighter caseload.

It is a lot busier than I expected coming to a town Columbus size, Krueger said.

Being one of three radiologists contracted to work at CCH keeps him busy. Finding the right fit professionally was a goal, but even more important was a personal fit in a community for his family, which includes three young children.

Columbus had the right combination, so much so that he can see himself settling down here permanently.

We dont have any plans to leave. I want to stay until I retire, Krueger said.

That is exactly what hospitals like to hear from their recruits. They not only want to get doctors on staff, they also want to retain them long-term.

With a growing nationwide shortage of physicians, recruitment and retention are becoming even more important. Rural hospitals arent an exception.

Hospitals in smaller communities, like CCH, are employing different strategies to fill the need for physicians.

One way hospitals are securing doctors is by reaching out to medical students who are early in their career planning.

Amy Blaser, vice president of physician relations at CCH, said hospitals used to be able to connect with physicians who had just a few months left in their residency program and still had a good chance of being competitive in the hiring process. Now that connection is made much earlier, sometimes in the first year or two of residency.

More and more physicians are wanting to have a clearer, definitive idea of where they are going once they complete their residency after Year 2 or 3, Blaser said.

Right now, CCH is recruiting heavily for specialties like otolaryngology (ear, nose and throat), pediatrics, ophthalmology and internal medicine to fill positions in the community. The hospital hires physicians to be employed at CCH, as well as private practices.

Since Mike Hansen came aboard as CEO of CCH six years ago, the hospital has stepped in to help recruit physicians for local providers.

The charge from the board was to realize the potential of the hospital to become a rural referral center. So probably the biggest part of that or the biggest gap in that is filling in provider needs, he said.

At that time, there were gaps in the types of physicians who needed to be recruited.

Physicians are really the engine that runs our hospital because they provide all the referrals. In order to grow and continue to prosper, you need to have that engine. So we set out to build our provider base, Hansen said.

Physicians already working in the community proved to be a big help in the recruitment process.

Good physicians recruit good physicians. It is really the quality of physicians here that are a key factor in recruiting additional doctors, Blaser said.

Selling a community to a potential employee is a factor, too, because that is where they are going to live and raise their families. Highlighting the housing, schools, recreation and work opportunities for a spouse is important. Other tools include offering compensation packages, loan reimbursement, sign-on bonuses and paying for moving expenses.

Building a connection, though, remains a crucial part of the process.

I dont know if there is magic in recruiting. Its about relationships, said Connie Peters, president of CHI Health Schuyler.

Within the last year, that hospital has brought on two physicians to increase the number of doctors on staff at the 25-bed critical access facility to four. Three are in family practice and the other in internal medicine. Specialists from Omaha, Lincoln, Columbus and other areas also come to the community on a regular basis to see patients.

Peters said it is difficult to recruit doctors to small communities. Part of that is because its challenging to be a rural physician. They often arent only working in a clinic, but also the emergency room and with patient care.

It is a demanding career, she said.

Once a doctor is recruited to a rural area, chances are it will be long-term.

That is the case for Genoa Medical Facilities, which contracted with two doctors who have been working in the community for more than a decade each at Park Street Medical Clinic.

We have not had to recruit for a while. Weve been fortunate to have a pretty sold group of providers, said Cory Nelson, who is in his first year as CEO of the hospital.

The 19-bed critical access facility relies on those physicians, mid-level providers like nurse practitioners and telecommunications to meet the needs of patients.

When recruiting, Nelson said it can be years in the making. It can even go back to reaching out to high school students who show an interest in the medical field. Getting in touch with someone who has Midwest roots can give recruiters a leg up on the competition.

Once you get someone back to the area, you have a chance to hold on to them, Nelson said.

Blaser said the majority of her recruiting efforts in Columbus are done through word of mouth, meetings and phone calls. A search firm is rarely used. The hospital, which features 47 acute care beds, has 640 people on staff and employs 10-12 doctors at a time in the emergency room and orthopedics. Other recruitment efforts are done for the private practices here, like Columbus Family Practice, Columbus Medical Center and Columbus Childrens Healthcare, among others.

Since 2010, 72 new providers have been added to the community, including 55 physicians and 17 physician assistants or nurse practitioners. About half of those providers have moved here and made Columbus their primary practice. The other half are visiting physicians who come to see patients on a weekly, monthly or quarterly basis. Being able to use those visiting physicians helps plug holes in certain specialties.

Our population size isnt large enough to support a full-time physician in some specialty areas. What we do is recruit physicians from larger cities to actually satellite here and bring their practice and services here so our patients wont have to travel, Blaser said.

When reaching out to potential employees, Blaser said she paints a realistic picture of the community and doesnt oversell it.

If Columbus is screened as a good fit for the entire family, if we can get the physician for a site visit, it is very rare that we arent successful in getting that physician to come to Columbus, she said.

Currently there are six positions CCH is trying to fill in Columbus. Since the hospital has helped fill the needs in the medical community, Hansen said it has been good to see the effects.

Whats really been interesting to watch as we fill those gaps and as we really build our provider community is to watch the change and shift in outmigration from Columbus to other cities. We are starting to stem a lot of that outmigration. We are also, very interestingly, starting to get people to come from Omaha, Lincoln and out of state to our facility because of the quality of the providers we brought here, he said.

Recruiting and retention is a critical part of health care and Peters of CHI Health Schuyler said it will continue to be in the future because of the shortage of physicians.

It certainly will remain a priority. The success of any clinic or hospital is sustainability of medical staff, she said.
Venezuela opposition congress has finally started the business of writing laws, but it backed down in a dispute with the Supreme Court and removed three opposition lawmakers who are under investigation for alleged vote cheating.

Venezuela Supreme Court had barred three opposition lawmakers and a government legislator from office pending a probe into alleged electoral fraud in the jungle state Amazonas. But the new congress president, Henry Ramos, who was sworn on Jan 5 after the opposition's victory in December's election, defiantly swore the three lawmakers during his first days on the job.

The Supreme Court held the National Assembly earlier this week after the barred lawmakers were sworn. The high court said the three lawmakers could not be sworn-in until officials had investigated claims over vote fraud. The judges said that any laws passed by congress would be null and void until the three lawmakers leave their seats, Reuters reported.

The three opposition lawmakers were expected to leave their seats on Wednesday. They said in a letter that they completely reject the ruling. However, they said, "by leaving, we help free parliament from the institutional ambush they (the government) want to lead it into."

The opposition argues that even without its barred lawmakers, it still has a two-thirds super majority in chamber to challenge the government of President Nicolas Maduro. After the barred lawmakers left their seats, the oppostion has 109 of an effective sitting total of 163 seats.

Supporters of Maduro's government claimed that the opposition's victory in congressional elections was fraught with fraud, Bloomberg reported. Maduro's government is likely to argue that based on the cahamber's total capacity of 167 seats, the opposition will have less than a two-thirds majority.

The opposition leaders said the back down move was a tactical retreat from the government's "intitutional ambush". According to VoA News, the oppositions are starting to outline policy proposals to give amnesty to jailed activists, a bill to give people in public housing the title to their homes, and a project to audit major institutions.

Opposition lawmakers started work Thursday on legislation that would free dozens of jailed activists who participated in 2014 anti-government protests. Human rights groups consider these people to be political prisoners, while the government says the activists linked to violence that left dozens dead.

President Maduro warned that he would never accept an amnesty law. The opposition said it seeks the removal of President Maduro within six months.
This list of five financial tips could also be called New Years resolutions, but since most resolutions are not followed, I think the ideas should be presented as tips. Use them if you can.

1. Know your costs. You cannot control what you cannot measure. Start with accurate books. An accurate set of books is one that is reconciled to the bank statements (including loan statements) and accounts for all transactions. It accurately codes expenses, especially the big co-op bills that may pay for many types of expenses, including personal use items such as fuel or tires that need to be separated out.

2. Family living expenses. For three years in a row now, out of pocket family living costs for the farmers we work with have hovered just under $100,000 on average. As we see profitability decline, many operations will need to pull back on family living. These costs tend to be sneaky, but if you need to, keep track of all expenditures for a month or two to determine what could be lowered or eliminated. You need to make sure your family understands why you are setting the budget and backs the effort. Having one spouse on a budget and the other continuing old habits will only cause conflict and wont solve a spending problem.

3. Evaluate debt load. The average debt load for farms included in the Nebraska Farm Business averages reached just over $1 million at the close of 2014. In 2004, the average debt was just around $450,000. When we had higher commodity prices, the debt load wasnt a serious issue, but with lower prices, it needs to be examined. Debt is not necessarily a bad thing and is certainly a helpful way to grow and manage a farm business, but the more debt you carry, the more risk you carry. As income drops, the ability to repay drops. If you believe we are in a long-term down cycle, its important to get debt under control. A high debt load going into a downturn means the operation has less flexibility to take advantage of opportunities that may present themselves with assets that are on sale.

4. Examine the cost of inputs. Almost 35 percent of the total cost to produce an acre of corn is comprised of four categories (seed, fertilizer, chemicals and crop insurance). These inputs are obviously important to the bottom line of net return. Re-evaluating which inputs to buy and how many additives to include will be imperative this year. Carefully weigh the cost of the input versus the expected return. Work with agronomy specialists to examine the cost of one unit of x (fertilizer for instance) vs. the expected income from that application. Note that this is change in income, not expected yield.

5. Cash rents. Landlords want to increase the rent because taxes are increasing. Tenants want to decrease the cost because commodity prices have decreased. There is no right answer in this battle, but the reality is that the free market doesnt seem ready to fully back off. Contact me with questions about rental rates, I can visit with anyone about this. Im suggesting a lower base with a bonus for higher crop prices, if they do go up. I would be glad to help anyone with the details of such a lease arrangement.

I would suggest that most will have to use a combination of all five areas to balance the books for 2016. Tina Barrett with the Nebraska Farm Business Association Inc., provided some of the information used in this weeks column.

Reminder: Call 402-563-4901 to register to attend the Cover Crop/No Till Seminar on Jan. 29.
Mazda's Koeru-inspired crossover spied undisguised in China

Jan 16, 2016, 7:00am ET

Mazda is preparing a sleek crossover with an almost coupe-like roof line.

Blurry, low-resolution spy shots seemingly taken in a factory in China give us a good idea of what to expect from the production version of the Mazda Koeru concept.

Tentatively called either CX-4 or CX-6, the Koeru's basic design has made the jump from concept to production with only minor changes. The tall belt line, the low roof line, and the rakish D-pillar are essentially unchanged, but the crossover gets new tail lamps and a less futuristic front end that falls in line with Mazda's current design language.

The crossover is believed to ride on the same platform as the CX-5, and it will likely use the same engines. That means entry-level models will boast a 2.0-liter four-cylinder mill rated at 155 horsepower and 150 lb-ft. of torque, and more potent models will benefit from a 184-horsepower 2.5-liter four-banger. Buyers will be asked to choose between a six-speed automatic transmission and an enthusiast-friendly six-speed manual gearbox.

Mazda hasn't announced when it will show the production version of the Koeru concept. We wouldn't be surprised to see it debut next month at the Chicago Auto Show, but the Japanese car maker might hold off on revealing it until the much larger Geneva Auto Show opens its doors in March.
Jason Sarnoski sworn in as freeholder director for 2016.

Jason Sarnoski, left, is sworn in as freeholder director for 2016 by state Sen. Michael Doherty. With Sarnoski is his wife Tammi and children Skyler and Jason. (Courtesy photo)

Jason Sarnoski says a lot has changed since he became a Warren County freeholder five years ago, when "the financial trend of the county was unsustainable."

Warren County Freeholder Director Jason Sarnoski kicked off his re-election campaign Jan. 15, 2016, at Warren County Community College. (Courtesy photo)

"This year, for the first time in a very long time, Warren County has a sustainable, balanced budget that does not require one time tricks or fixes to balance, that does not call for a tax increase, and that is predictable year over year," he said.

Now the three-member freeholder board's director, Sarnoski on Friday at Warren County Community College officially kicked off his re-election campaign with a pledged focus on economic redevelopment.

"We'll be bringing new business into the county," the Republican from Lopatcong Township said in a phone interview Saturday.

A newly formed economic development committee and the planned hire of a contracted economic development director will help toward that goal, he said.

The freeholder director also said the county budget will be the lowest-spending since 2005, after last year's sale of the Warren Haven nursing home to a private operator, among other cost-cutting efforts.

Sarnoski also promised upgrades to the county courthouse. The project is under review by state historic preservation officials.

"We've got some great plans for the future," Sarnoski said. "The bottom line is that you look at all the issues going on in the state and various other counties ... those things don't happen in Warren County. We work together, we make hard choices and we do things right."

New Jersey's primary is June 7. The general election is Nov. 8.

Steve Novak may be reached at snovak@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @type2supernovak. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.
Welcome to our weekly roundup of what the Scottish Liberal Democrats, led by Willie Rennie, have been getting up to. Theyve covered a pretty extensive array of issues from health to housing to police spying to local services to cuts to college places.

McInnes says there are still questions to answer on police spying

After a senior Police Officer gave evidence on the police spying scandal to a Holyrood Committee, Alison McInnes says that his answers were not satisfactory:

The guidance on accessing communications data is very straightforward. Police Scotlands account of how this came about is nowhere near as clear. We were told this morning that senior officers had raised concerns over applications to access communications data but they seem to have gone through regardless. These were serious breaches and we need understand what went wrong here. Months after the first reports that Police Scotland had hacked communications data unlawfully, we are still no closer to a full account of how we got here.

NHS in crisis

Jim Hume has been highlighting many issues where the NHS in Scotland is falling short. First, his research showed that Scotland was facing an acute GP shortage as GP training places were not being taken up:

The fear must be that the extra training places announced by the First Minister last year will not help encourage more students to enter primary care or relieve the huge pressure on local GP practices. With dozens of training posts left vacant this year, SNP ministers must explain how they will ensure uptake of these and the 100 extra places they have announced. Welcome though they are, more training places will do no good at all unless there are doctors to fill them.

The SNP Government have not published a key review of mental health services. Jim said:

First we were told that the report would be published in the summer. Then that it would be published before Christmas but still we have seen nothing. What on earth is going on? We know that services for young people and other vulnerable groups are stretched. The NHS cannot put the right resources in the right places unless we identify gaps in services. That is what this report will help identify.

Jim highlighted the worst week for A & E waiting times since June:

Over Hogmanay, the number of patients forced to wait more than four hours to see a doctor more than doubled. We know that this is likely to be a busy time for hospitals and doubtless health boards will have taken action to boost the workforce available. The fact that so many hospitals and health boards still missed their targets suggests that they are still not getting the support they need from SNP ministers and services are stretched as a result.

A million days of homelessness

Jim also found yet another broken SNP manifesto promise  they barely built 2/3 of the social housing that they promised this year. Even if theyd met their own target, its only half of what was needed:

Ministers keep claiming their administration has reached its affordable housing target for this parliamentary term but their manifesto pledge was to build 6,000 new socially-rented houses each year, a total of 30,000 over the course of this session. They have backtracked on that promise, which would have helped give those people who cannot get a mortgage a roof over their heads.

This is all the more important given alarming figures showing a rise in the number of children in temporary accommodation:

The 8% rise in the number of children living in temporary accommodation is utterly appalling and a damning indictment of the SNPs failure to meet their target on socially-rented housing. Temporary accommodation can be an important means of providing a safety net for individuals and families who might otherwise find themselves on the street but it should not be relied upon in the long term. Spending lengthy periods of time in temporary accommodation can be hugely disruptive to the lives of children and families, who need the stability and security a permanent home offers. Only yesterday we discovered that children living in Scotland suffered nearly one million days of homelessness last year. Scottish Liberal Democrats believe that what Scottish families need is access to socially-rented accommodation.

Education

Liam McArthur has also been busy this week. First of all he tackled the SNPs strategy to close the widening attainment gap.

Thanks to Liberal Democrats, children in England are allocated a pupil premium based on their individual needs. By contrast, the Scottish Governments stubborn insistence on an area-based approach still ignores the needs of children in many communities across Scotland. This broad-brush approach fails to acknowledge there are children in real need living in every part of the country. As such, it is difficult to see how the First Minister is living up to her promise to close the attainment gap completely.

He slammed the SNPs return to national testing, which he believes undermines the ethos of the Curriculum for Excellence:

Where I have a problem is with the determination to reintroduce national standardised testing in our primary schools. This move, whose sole advocates previously were the Scottish Conservatives, goes against the very ethos of Curriculum for Excellence. Whether Ministers believe they are sanctioning teaching to the test and league tables, these are still likely to be an inevitable consequence of introducing national testing. That is why teaching unions, individual teachers, parent teacher councils and parents are all expressing concern. The ambition of creating a world-class education system is one I wholeheartedly support. So too is the objective of enabling every child and young person to fulfil their potential, whatever their background. I question, however, whether the SNPs obsession with a return to national standardised testing, under-achievement on early learning and cuts to Council funding are a recipe for achieving those aims.

And he condemned the SNPs record in Further Education  there are 152,000 fewer places than there were in 2007/8.

The swingeing cuts we have seen to part-time courses has been a huge blow for parents, carers and others who are looking to gain new skills but cannot afford to study full time. People who need to work to pay the bills have been priced out of the education system. Fewer students are studying for fewer qualifications and the flexibility that part-time courses offered has been lost. That is the reality of what the SNPs college reforms have meant for students. The Further Education sector has been hammered on the SNPs watch.

Power to local councils

Nine years of Council Tax freeze have put massive pressure on Council services. Willie Rennie asked the First Minister to stop penalising local councils at First Ministers Questions. He also managed a side-swipe at the Tories, who are putting out leaflets across Scotland talking about how they are the low tax party when their councillors in Moray are planning to raise local taxes by 18%.

The First Minister seems to think that she has treated Scottish councils reasonably and fairly. Are we talking about the same country? Moray is only the first to consider taking on the SNPs council tax freeze. Many more Scottish councils are being forced to think about it too. John Swinney must have known this kind of reaction was inevitable as soon as he announced his 500m cuts. Teachers are striking, children from poorer backgrounds are missing out and nursery education targets have been missed. But the First Minister is still refusing to consider plans to protect these services. SNP cuts to council budgets have to stop now

Barriers to small business

Willie Rennie highlighted the problems faced by a new distillery in his constituency:

This new start-up business faced many hurdles imposed by government that need to be reviewed. The business rates originally set failed to recognise the special challenges of establishing an operation which does not see an immediate return on the investment. And the planning system was slow and cumbersome, making it difficult to set up the business quickly. The government must do more to ensure that firms are given a helping hand rather than left facing unreasonable barriers

Tavish calls for Audit Scotland investigation into charity founded by SNP MP

Tavish Scott said Audit Scotland should investigate a charity which received 16,000 in 2012 but has only donated a tiny proportion of its income to good causes:

If less than 3% of this charitys income has been donated to good causes, Scottish Ministers need to explain why. People are concerned that public money is going to organisations with very close ties to the SNP. This should be independently investigated by Audit Scotland who are beholden to no government.

Scott slams grotesque college pay off

The Public Audit Committee report does not understate the extent of the failures of governance that led to these grotesque sweetheart deals for senior staff at Coatbridge College.

There was a litany of failure that allowed the system to be abused. The checks and balances that were in place clearly did not prevent the paying out of hundreds of thousands of pounds which left the college in the red. We knew that SNP mergers have seen funding slashed and the number of student places plummet at many colleges across Scotland. What this sorry episode reveals is that it also helped lead to failures of governance and created the space for unscrupulous individuals to line their pockets at the expense of students. We need an urgent review of the role of the Scottish Funding Council in light of these unacceptable payouts

SNP found wanting on Freedom of Information

Tavish also took the SNP to task over their record on freedom of information. The Government has been heavily resistant to actually providing information and they fought several reasonable requests all the way, most notably on whether they had taken legal advice over our potential EU membership. They now propose a slight extension, but Tavish said that just wasnt good enough:

81% of the public think the firms building and maintaining schools and hospitals should be subject to FOI and over the last ten years 15,000 tenants have lost enforceable rights because council housing stock has been transferred to housing associations, which are not subject to FOI. The SNPs attitude towards transparency is well known  their approach to extending coverage of FOI legislation is ad hoc at best. Their secretive multi-million-pound deals with private firms delivering major infrastructure projects such as schools, hospitals and roads shows they are more than happy to keep some things hidden. This minor change will not deliver. The 2002 Act was meant to be the start of the process of opening up government and improving transparency. This announcement is largely just restoring rights that have been lost.

SNP delays farm payments

Tavish slammed the SNP for delaying CAP payments to farmers.

Crofters and farmers are increasingly worried by the Cabinet Secretarys wall of silence. He promised letters before Christmas. Most arrived after New Year. Most producers do not know what they are getting or when. So the Scottish Government must set out a timetable for vital CAP payments. This is especially needed for all those under even greater financial pressure because of the dreadful flooding in many parts of the country.

SNP cons Glasgow and Edinburgh over high speed rail link

The SNP announced in 2012 that there would be a high speed rail link between Edinburgh and Glasgow. This week, they admitted that he project had been quietly shelved:

Tavish Scott said:

Three years ago the First Minister said there would be full steam ahead on this project. There was a grand ceremony in Glasgow addressed by two Cabinet ministers. Whats happened since is that the SNP have shelved the project but hoped nobody would notice. The SNPs about-turn on their plans for this route shows a lack of respect for people in the two cities. They conned everyone into thinking that they would build this bullet railway from a blank page. They could never tell us where the terminus was in either city or the route it would take. These plans have been kept secret. And now they have tried to keep their cancellation secret.

* Caron Lindsay is Editor of Liberal Democrat Voice and blogs at Caron's Musings
There was a time not so long ago when self-professed liberals and progressives applauded each others superciliousness by demonizing every conservative who dared question the birthplace of Barack Obama.

They haughtily declared themselves above the obviously racist intent of those who disputed a certificate of live birth as having the same merit as an actual birth certificate.

Moreover, they dismissed the fact that, at the time of Barack Obamas birth, the law stated that a candidate eligible for President must be born of a parent who has been a citizen for at least ten years, five of which must occur after the age of 14. Baracks mother was 18 when he was born.

Birthers was the invective created to disparage these critics, which both liberals and moderate Democrats sneered at as a new was to pass the time.

Then, something funny happened on the way to the 2016 Presidential electionbirther belittlers became birthers themselves.

The Presidents spokesperson, Josh Not So Ernest, began quoting Donald Trump questioning Ted Cruz nationality.

He took it upon himself to forward the notion that Republican Cruz may not be eligible to become president, as he was born in Canada to an American citizen (who was in her mid-thirties at the time, making Cruz a natural citizen per relevant law.)

A Democratic member of Congress recently stated to a national audience that he will file an eligibility lawsuit should Cruz be the Republican nominee.

Democrats flooded social media with claims that Cruz is not a natural citizen, giving birth to their own birthed movement questioning the citizen status of an Hispanic American.

Add to this the racist cartoon of liberal Ann Telnaes depicting the Hispanic daughters of Ted Cruz as dark-skinned monkeys and you have a very real embodiment of the worst of the Democratic Party.

The point of the conservative birthed movement was to invalidate President Obamas policies by invalidating his election. It wasnt the most erudite of schemes, as next-in-line Vice President Joe Biden would simply go through the motions of repeating Baracks failed policies.

The point of the liberal birther movement seems to be to invalidate the campaign of the man they suspect would garner more votes against their candidate than Donald Trump.

If this is their way of protecting Hillary Clinton, theyd better look at the most recent polls. The less scandalous Bernie Sanders is currently leading Hillary in both New Hampshire and Iowa.

Or perhaps theyre just so cranky about President Obamas status being questioned that theyre ready to go howling after Ted Cruz with pitchforks and torches.

The problems for Democrats are two-fold.

First, a Democratic member of Congress challenging Ted Cruz citizen status in court means the party would own the birthed movement as much as the conservatives who filed suits against Obama.

Second, owning this movement tattoos the party with the indelible hypocrite scrawls.

So much for years of holier-than-thou back pats for always supporting the minority candidate and sneering down their noses at those who would challenge Obamas eligibility status. After all, the only explanation why Republicans were so doggedly determined to discredit his ability to be president was some nefarious underlying hatred for the man, or so Democrats would have you believe.

So, using their own presumptions, what would be their own nefarious underlying hatred driving their dogged determination to discredit the Republicans very eligibility to be considered a candidate for President?

Perhaps its revenge. Perhaps its something deeper, as depicted by the pen of Ann Telnaes. Perhaps there is a disdain for American minorities who refuse to follow the dictates of the Democratic Party.

Sheriff David Clarke of Milwaukee County, Wisconsin, maintains Democrats keep minorities in their party with plantation politics.

African-American women Lynnette Hardaway and Rochelle Richards went viral with their ditch the Democratic plantation YouTube video.

In his State of the Union Address, President Obama asked, How do we make our politics reflect the best in us, not the worst?

I suspect his own answer to that question is, I got nuthin.
Two pivotal years in Polish history and the colorful stamps behind them

Jan 15, 2016, 8 AM

A dove of peace flew over the date of May 9, 1945, on a 1980 stamp celebrating victory day over Nazi Germany.

The 50th anniversary of the Katyn Forest Massacre, a mass execution by Soviet secret police in 1940, is memorialized on a stamp issued July 20, 1990, by Poland. The massacre had long been denied by the Soviets.

The souvenir sheet issued by Poland on May 25, 1990, is significant in portraying the Polish eagle again topped with a crown, a nationalist pairing that had been forbidden under communism.

In 1990, Polish stamps were able to abandon the communist party line for the first time in decades. Native son Karol Wojtyla, Pope John Paul II, was honored with a stamp on May 18 for his 70th birthday.

A memorial built in 1981 to honor victims of the 1956 uprising in Poznan appears on a 1990 stamp. This design would have been forbidden under communist rule.

A stamp for the 75th anniversary of the Revolution of 1905 depicts workers marching with a red flag.

This stamp issued Aug. 31, 1990, celebrates the 10th anniversary of Solidarnosc, the peoples free trade union, and its role in Polands triumph over communism.

The April 21, 1980, stamp for the 35th anniversary of the Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance between Poland and the USSR.

The two stamps marking the 8th Congress of the communist Polish United Workers Party in February 1980. The first, above, has the party slogan, For the continued development of socialist Poland, for the well-being of the Polish nation. The second stamp,

The 25th anniversary of the signing of the Warsaw Pact, which created the military alliance of the Eastern Bloc nations, was marked by a stamp issued on May 14, 1980.

By Gary Dudney

Whos up and whos down in the politics of a nation is often reflected in the choices made for the subject matter of commemorative stamps. This dynamic is particularly evident in stamps issued in Poland in 1980 and again in 1990.

The year 1980 marked the end of a decade of unmitigated disasters for the Polish United Workers Party (PZPR), the communist party that had controlled Poland since shortly after World War II.

Party leader Edward Giereks attempt to fix a failing economy had resulted in massive debt to the West, but had failed to end the poor living conditions that sparked unrest among Polands working class.

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The election of Polish-born Karol Wojtyla as Pope John Paul II and his visit to Poland in 1979 further bolstered the populations dissatisfaction with the government.

In the late 1970s, strikes erupted along the Baltic coast in the influential shipbuilding industry, and out of the turmoil arose the independent trade union Solidarnosc (Solidarity). In 1980, Gierek fell from power, replaced by Stanislaw Kania, who attempted party reform to placate the workers.

Once legalized, however, Solidarity quickly spread throughout the country and shifted the center of political power in Poland until the declaration of martial law put an end to the unions legal status.

It is against this incredible backdrop of social and political chaos and transformation that the subject matter of the commemorative stamps of 1980 must be evaluated.

The PZPR wanted the stamps to reflect a long-standing status quo  that is, the party firmly in control and guiding the nation  but it was a status quo that was fast changing.

On Feb. 11, 1980, a two-stamp set (Scott 2378-2379) marked the occasion of the 8th Party Congress.

The first stamp carries a party slogan, for the continued development of socialist Poland, for the well-being of the Polish nation. The second stamp shows a smiling, hard-hatted worker with a carnation, a symbol of socialism and the labor movement, stuck through a buttonhole in his work shirt.

Of course, by 1980, economic woes made party slogans seem both laughable and cynical to most Poles, and ironically it was the real-life equivalent of the worker portrayed on the stamp who was marching in the street, supporting Solidarity and calling for the end of monolithic party control.

Another status quo of Polish life, the Russian Soviet control over Poland and the other USSR satellite nations, is recalled on Scott 2385, issued April 21, 1980, and commemorating the 35th anniversary of the Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance between Poland and the Soviet Union.

On May 14, Scott 2389 was issued to mark the 25th anniversary of the signing of the Warsaw Pact, which officially created the military alliance of the Eastern Bloc nations.

The communist/socialist theme was also expressed with Scott 2386 (April 22, 1980), which pictures a benign, smiling Vladimir Lenin and commemorates his 110th birthday anniversary.

Scott 2387 (May 1) depicts workers marching with a red flag in the Revolution of 1905, and Scott 2388 (May 9) proclaims that date in 1945 as victory day over Nazi Germany. (Moscow time placed victory day in the Soviet Union on the May 9, whereas the other Allies celebrate the occasion on May 8.)

All three stamps would have reminded Poles of the intricate links between the Polish and Russian nations.

By 1990, the rear-guard action the communists were fighting to maintain control in Poland was over. Gorbachev had unleashed the forces of glasnost (openness) and perestroika (reformation) and the Soviet Union was headed for breakup in 1991.

In Poland, the communist government had collapsed, former shipyard electrician Lech Walesa had become president, and the Sejm, Polands parliament, had voted in December 1989 to end the leading role of the party, restore the name and symbols of old Poland and institute a market economy.

Thus, the choice of subject matter for stamps issued in 1990 was out of the control of the party for the first time since shortly after World War II.

Rather than pushing the party line and endlessly reminding Poles of how seemingly inextricably linked were the Russian and Polish nations, stamps could now be used to reflect the popular will  and also to settle some old grievances.

Scott 2966, issued on May 18, 1990, honors the 70th birthday of Pope John Paul II, who had emerged as a leading figure in the transition of the Polish state and the collapse of communism.

This stamp was followed on May 25 by a souvenir sheet (Scott 2967) depicting the first Polish stamp coupled with a 1,000-zloty commemorative version of the stamp.

Whats significant about this commemorative stamp is that it shows the Polish eagle topped with a crown. In communist Poland, the eagle had been retained as a national symbol but the crown had been stripped away.

Three stamps issued later in 1990 took on subjects that had been forbidden in the communist era. Scott 2971 (June 28) shows the monument in Poznan erected in 1981, when Solidarity temporarily held sway, commemorating the deaths of protesting workers at the hands of Polish militiamen in June 1956. Poles had long considered this incident a betrayal of the Polish nation by the party.

An even more inflammatory subject was addressed on Scott 2975 (July 20), marking the 50th anniversary of the Katyn Forest Massacre. The stamp shows the critical date 1940 in red lettering across the bar of a Christian cross.

The Soviets had long maintained that this massacre of thousands of Polish military officers and civilians had been the work of the Nazis, but the location and timing of the event had always definitively shown that the Soviets, under cover of war, carried out the mass executions of captured army officers, police and thousands of individuals considered undesirable intelligentsia.

Finally, Scott 2982 (issued Aug. 31, 1990) triumphantly celebrates the 10th anniversary of Solidarnosc, with a design of the iconic symbol of a hand with two fingers raised in the V for victory sign, superimposed over the familiar logo of the trade union.

The stamp marks the final victory of the peoples free trade union over the long-ruling communist party in Poland.

Subsequent years saw Poland joining the European Union and NATO, bringing the country full circle from economic and military alliances with the Soviet Union to becoming part of the very organizations in the West that were in opposition to the USSR.

The history is all right there in the stamps.
VFW Auxiliary 3704

COLUMBUS  VFW Auxiliary 3704 met Jan. 13 at the VFW Club. The meeting was opened with the opening prayer and the flag salute. The minutes from the December meeting and the treasurers report were presented. Alice Rhode reported for the Americanism committee. She reported on the recent visit of President Obama to Omaha earlier that day. Mary Lou Stamm reported on Community Service. Donations of cell phones for the Cell Phones for Soldiers project has increased since Christmas. Our donations of cell phones have provided 27,000 minutes of phone time on calling cards for our soldiers. Lila Lewis reported on Veterans and Family Support. Gift cards to local grocery stores were provided at Christmas to deserving veterans in the area. Mary Hefti reported on the Courtesy and Gold Star committees. A memorial was sent to the family of recently deceased member Janette Ryba. Our Gold Star mother, Doris Geiser, was presented with a Christmas gift from the auxiliary. Hazel Adams reported on the Legislative committee, encouraging members to let her know of any contacts made with congress members or representatives. President Geanne Chlopek reminded members of the Mid-Winter Conference to be held in Lincoln at the Downtown Holiday Inn on Feb. 4-5. Dixie Hild will be the national representative at the conference. Members who decorated the Christmas tree  Geanne Chlopek, Alice Rhode and Bernice Arlt  were complimented and thanked for the attractiveness of the tree. A donation will be made to the Post 3704 Scholarship Fund. Bingo lunches for the month of January were discussed. The charter was draped in memory of Janette Ryba. The meeting concluded with the closing ceremonies. The next meeting will be Feb. 10 at 7:30 p.m. at the VFW Club.

Columbus Womens Club

COLUMBUS  The Columbus Womens Club held its meeting on Jan. 11 at 1 p.m. with 21 members attending. Member Cheryl Hall gave a very interesting talk about her travels to Africa. She also brought a scrapbook and pictures so we could see some of the animals and beautiful scenery. President Patti Luebbe called the meeting to order with the Pledge of Allegiance and Collect. The secretary read the minutes from the December meeting, and they were approved as read. The Treasurers report, given by Karen Melcher, was approved as read. Sue McClure reported the Ernestine Quick reception will be held Jan. 24 from 2-4 p.m., hosted by the Columbus Arts Council committee. There are only a few seats left for the bus trip planned for Jan. 30 to the Flower Festival at St. Cecelias Cathedral. After the flower show, there will be a lunch at Joslyn Museum. Patti Luebbe reported that she and Mary McGuire will be chairing the Festival of Trees in November. Imogene reported four January birthdays. The next meeting will be Feb. 8 at the library. Guest will be Columbus Days Queen Isabella, Jamie Snyder. Meeting was adjourned.

Catholic Daughters of the Americas Court Little Flower #988

COLUMBUS  Court Little Flower met Jan. 11 at 7 p.m. with 29 members present. Keynote speaker for the evening was Karen VanDyke. She gave a presentation about Educate Uganda, which is a non-profit organization that provides sponsorships for some of Ugandas orphaned children. They do missionary work, build classrooms and provide school supplies to teachers and students in Uganda, along with many other good things they do. Special guests for the evening were Dean and Colleen Soulliere and Dick and Joan VanDyke. Opening prayer and pledge were led by Chaplain Fr. Mike Keating, with all officers present. Minutes of the last meeting were read by Louise Bridges and filed as read. Vice Regent Monica Veik read the correspondence. Treasurers report was given by Mary Ann Schmidt and filed as read. National convention will be held in Pittsburgh July 20-24. Deadline for delegates and alternates is March 15. Joan VanDyke reported all the perpetual rosary slips were handed out. Membership: Laurie Hemmer took her pledge to be a new member. Legislative: We all need to pray. Election guide will be coming out from the archdiocese. Old and New Business: A list of homebound CDA members was passed around, asking us to send them cards and visit them. The CDA first annual rummage sale will be March 12 from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Knights of Columbus Hall. Barb Cave reported we will have 15 tables for rent for $25 per table. Contact Barb Cave if you would like a table for this event or to sign up to help for the rummage sale. January Birthdays: Dorie Schrad, Rose Braun, Alice Becker and Fr. Mike. January Anniversary: Dorie Schrad. Attendance prize winner was Laurie Cemper, but she was not present. Chairladies were Joanna Jarecke, Virginia Staroscik, Marie Mielak and committee. Next meeting will be Feb. 8 with the crowning of the Queen of Hearts and a card social. Meeting was closed with a prayer for the good of the order, given by Fr. Mike.

BDAA

COLUMBUS  The BDAA met at the Columbus Resource Center Jan. 12 with 28 members present. The meeting was called to order by President Arlys Wehrer. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited and America was sung. No birthdays or anniversaries in December. January had three birthdays and three anniversaries. Happy Birthday was sung to the members. The minutes of the last meeting were read and approved. The treasurer reported we have 86 paid members. The report was read and filed. New retirees are Sally Martens and Alice Nagorski. Lorraine Mann gave the sunshine report. Mavis Applegate will accept items for the scrapbook. A place for all the books will be found. The eat out days will be at T&K Pitstop for lunch on Jan. 28 at 11:30 a.m. Turn left at first corner south of Loup Bridge. Feb. 25 will be breakfast at Picket Fence at 8:30 a.m. The Valentines luncheon will be Feb. 9 at noon at the VFW. Make reservations to Louise or Arlys. There were 140 who attended the Christmas party. The officers for 2016 are: President, Arlys Wehrer; Vice President, Mike Tworek; Secretary, Dave Rinehart; and Treasurer, Louise Stopak. A motion to increase memorial to the family of deceased members from $10 to $15 was made and carried. Meeting was adjourned and closed with a prayer. Attendance prize winners were Pauline Sanders, Louise Stopak and Virginia Kudron. The 50/50 prize winners were Carol Kasper, Ken Schaer and Lorraine Mann. Bingo was played.




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.
Not all psychotic episodes signal the beginning of a long-term mental health disorder like schizophrenia. In fact, when patients experience one of these short-term breaks with reality, it's not precisely clear how the individuals should be diagnosed.

Now, a new study finds there are no significant differences in the prognosis for patients who have four different types of brief psychotic episodes. (Such episodes may involve hallucinations or delusions, or less severe symptoms such as disorientation, disorganized thinking or speech that doesn't make sense.)

The new findings, based on a review of research covering 11,133 patients, highlight how little is understood about how psychosis may progress, the researchers said.

"In the history of psychiatry, it has been a challenge to understand the prognosis of brief and remitting psychotic episodes.  The best treatment was not clear, and long-term outcomes were not clear," said Paolo Fusar-Poli, one of the authors of the new study and a clinical senior lecturer in psychosis studies at King's College London. [Top 10 Controversial Psychiatric Disorders]

Types of psychosis

People who experience psychotic episodes may be diagnosed with schizophrenia, or with a more short-term mental health condition. To be diagnosed with schizophrenia under the guidelines of psychiatry's handbook, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) 5, patients must have at least two psychotic symptoms for at least a month, and at least one of those symptoms must consist of delusions, hallucinations or disorganized speech.

People who have psychosis symptoms that last less than a month, or who have only one symptom instead of two, are instead diagnosed with a condition called "brief psychotic disorder." (In addition, the symptoms can't be the result of drug use.)

But there are other ways to classify people who have brief psychotic breaks, outside of the DSM criteria. The World Health Organization, in its International Statistical Classification of Diseases (ICD) 10, uses a category called "acute and transient psychotic disorder," for patients who don't meet the criteria for having schizophrenia. Under this breakdown, patients' symptoms must last at least three months (rather than one month) to be diagnosed with schizophrenia.

And two other classifications in the psychology literature peg these psychotic events not as disorders in themselves, but rather as risk factors for future psychosis. These diagnoses are "BLIPS" (brief and limited psychotic symptoms), which puts the cutoff for symptoms at less than one week, or "BIPS" (brief intermittent psychotic symptoms), which puts the cutoff at three months.

Clearly, this system leads to confusion, Fusar-Poli told Live Science. Are patients who are undergoing a psychotic break mentally ill by definition? Are they just at risk for developing a mental illness in the future? And what is the line between the two?

Psychosis prognosis

Fusar-Poli said he and his colleagues wanted to find out if these different definitions were meaningful, particularly for predicting how a patient would do in the long run. The researchers suspected that the length of a psychotic break would predict whether a person was at higher risk of ongoing problems with psychosis, he said.

But that's not what the investigators found after analyzing 93 earlier studies of more than 11,000 patients who'd experienced brief psychotic episodes. The scientists looked at how these patients fared over time and compared that with the outlook for patients diagnosed with first-episode schizophrenia.

"Our main finding is that there is no substantial prognosis difference across all of these competing diagnostic constructs," Fusar-Poli said. Whether a person was diagnosed with brief psychotic disorder, acute and transient psychotic disorder, BLIPS, or BIPS, he or she had about a 50-50 chance of experiencing another psychotic event in the future. In comparison, almost all patients with first-episode schizophrenia experienced future psychosis.

The finding suggests that "researchers should compromise on a common definition" of brief psychotic events, Fusar-Poli said. In an editorial accompanying the Jan. 13 publication of the research in the journal JAMA Psychiatry, Australian researchers suggested basing the definition on patients' treatment needs.

The study points to the need to treat psychotic episodes aggressively, Fusar-Poli said. If even a one-day break with reality brings with it a 50 percent chance of further problems, patients need help to prevent a worst-case scenario, he said.

Follow Stephanie Pappas on Twitter and Google+. Follow us @livescience, Facebook & Google+. Original article on Live Science.
The injuries on this mammoth carcass, excavated here by Sergey Gorbunov, suggests that ancient people butchered it about 45,000 years ago.

The slashed and punctured bones of a woolly mammoth suggest that humans lived in the far northern reaches of Siberia earlier than scientists had previously thought, a new study finds.

Before the surprising discovery, researchers thought that humans lived in the freezing Siberian Arctic no earlier than about 30,000 to 35,000 years ago. Now, the newly studied mammoth carcass suggests that people lived in the area, where they butchered the likes of this giant animal about 45,000 years ago.

"We now have an enormous extension of the space that was inhabited at 45,000 years ago," said Vladimir Pitulko, a senior research scientist at the Russian Academy of Sciences and co-lead researcher on the study. [Image Gallery: Stunning Mammoth Unearthed]

Paleolithic human remains are rarely found in the Eurasian Arctic. But all expectations were overturned in 2012, when a team found the carcass of an "exceptionally complete" woolly mammoth on the eastern shore of Yenisei Bay, located in the central Siberian Arctic, the researchers wrote in the study.

These injuries were likely made by human weapons, including those on the left scapula (a), an incision on the right rib (b) and a deep cut on the left fifth rib (c). (Image credit: Vladimir Pitulko)

The extreme cold preserved some of the male mammoth's soft tissue, including the remains of its fat hump and its penis, they said.

However, injuries found on the mammoth's bones  including its ribs, left shoulder bone, right tusk and cheekbone  suggest that it had a violent end. Some of the bones have dents and punctures, possibly from thrusting spears, the researchers said.

"[These injuries] are clearly related to the death of the animal, which was killed and then partly butchered," Pitulko said in a statement he emailed to journalists.

The ancient hunters likely removed the mammoth's tongue and some of its internal organs, but it's unclear why they didn't take more of the beast.

"Maybe some obstacle appeared and prevented them from returning  who knows?" Pitulko told Live Science.

Bag of bones

Using radiocarbon dating, the researchers dated the mammoth's tibia (shinbone) and surrounding materials to about 45,000 years ago. Radiocarbon dating measures the amount of carbon-14 (a carbon isotope, or variant with a different number of neutrons in its nucleus) left in a once-living organism, and can be used reliably to date material to about 50,000 years ago, although some techniques allow researchers to date older organic objects.

Map showing the location of the fossil mammoth scientists say was killed by hunters. (Image credit: by Karl Tate, Infographics artist)

The researchers also found a Pleistocene wolf humerus (arm bone) that had been injured by a "sharp implement with a conical tip," Pitulko said in the statement. The bone, also discovered in Arctic Siberia, dates to about 47,000 years ago, they found.

The wolf bone was uncovered near the bones of ancient bison, reindeer and rhinoceros, all of which have evidence of human modification. This finding suggests that ancient humans hunted and ate a variety of mammals, not just mammoths, Pitulko said. [In Images: Ancient Beasts of the Arctic]

The hunters who butchered the mammoth and wolf were far from the Bering Land Bridge, which lay exposed at that time. However, perhaps their advanced hunting knowledge helped them survive in the Arctic. It may have also helped those who crossed the land bridge survive the journey, Pitulko said.

The damaged tip of the mammoth tusk. (Image credit: Pavel Ivanov)

The new study is "splendidly done," said Ross MacPhee, a curator of mammalogy at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City, who was not involved in the new research.

If the mammoth had sustained just one wound, it would have been harder to say it was caused by humans, MacPhee said. For instance, the damaged tusk could be the result of daily mammoth living, he said.

"[But] there's not just the one wound; there's lots of them, and they're quite convincing," MacPhee said.

He added that the mammoth finding is "another nail in the coffin that people exclusively caused the extinctions of these megabeasts."

If people have been hunting mammoths since 45,000 years ago, they would have needed to quickly overhunt them to kill off the mammoths; otherwise, the giants would have likely had enough individuals to continue breeding, MacPhee said.

The study was published online yesterday (Jan. 14) in the journal Science.

Follow Laura Geggel on Twitter @LauraGeggel. Follow Live Science @livescience, Facebook & Google+. Original article on Live Science.
Thought-provoking artwork by Texas-based artist Ryder Richards takes life at Laredo Community College where his latest exhibit, a thing of this world, will begin its month-long housing with an opening reception on Thursday, Jan. 21 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. in the Martha Fenstermaker Memorial Visual Arts Gallery, located inside the Visual and Performing Arts Center.

The exhibition is hosted by the LCC Visual Arts Department.

Admission is free and open to the public.

Featured artwork on display will include a bold mix of art mediums, including acrylic, graphite and mixed media works. Subject matter covers a diverse range of topics such as conspiracy theories, pseudo-psychology, physics and cultural labor.

We are excited to have such as an accomplished artist as Mr. Richards as our first visiting artist this spring. We welcome the opportunity to bring a contemporary visual experience to LCC, said LCC Visual Arts Instructor Lestat Alexander. The exhibit provides a great learning experience for our art students, not only to stimulate their artistic creativeness, but to extend beyond their known experiences and boundaries.

Hailing from Roswell, New Mexico, Richards holds a bachelor of fine arts in drawing and painting from Texas Tech University and a master of fine arts in painting from Texas Christian University.

Richards currently serves as a visiting scholar at Eastfield College. Prior to this appointment, Richards was the gallery coordinator at Richland College in Dallas. During his tenure at the gallery, Richards acquired regional prestige for its role as an experimental art venue.

He co-founded the RJP Nomadic Gallery, a traveling exhibit on wheels and founder of the Culture Laboratory Collective, a group of renowned artists from various parts of the United States who strive to challenge social cohesion and group-think mentalities.

Richards has served as an artist in residence in various programs across the country, including a year-long fellowship in Roswell and an international artist residency in Hilden, Germany.

His contributions to the visual arts are not only limited to the art studio. Richards is a contributing writer for various art publications including glasstire.com and D Magazine. In 2014, Richards established Eutopia: A Contemporary Art Review, a website that focuses on international art and architecture reviews by contributing writers.

In addition, Richards will hold a workshop titled, Die Trying: DIY Gas Masks on Friday, Jan. 22 from 12 to 3 p.m. in the Guadalupe and Lilia Martinez Fine Arts Center, room 113. Admission is free and open to students and the public, but space is limited.

To sign up for the workshop, visit the LCC Visual Arts Department office, located at the Visual and Performing Arts Center, room 128.

The artwork will be available for viewing until Thursday, Feb. 25. Gallery hours are Monday through Thursday from 8 to 11:30 a.m. and 1 to 5:30 p.m. and Friday from 8 to 11:30 a.m.

For more information on the exhibition, contact the LCC Visual Arts Department at 721-5224.
To the editor:

Religions should not meddle with politics.

Whenever religions meddle with politics, all types of evils occur.

When religions meddle with science, medical progress is severely restricted.

Religion is based on faith.

Science and governments should be based on reason, experimentation and objective proof.

Jesus overturned many Jewish laws, allowed work on the Sabbath, spoke out about stoning an adulterous women, rejected the eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth law.

Jesus also stressed separation of church and state.

His enemies tried to entrap him by showing him a Roman coin and asking him if it was lawful to pay tribute (taxes) to Caesar.

Jesus replied that since the coin showed an image of Caesar, they should give to Caesar what is Caesars and give God what is Gods.

Jesus healed the sick, condemned the rich for their avarice and said that when we do a kind deed to the poorest among us, we are doing it to him.

The history of the world is the history of religious confrontation.

The Crusades, the Protestant Reformation, the Puritan Civil War, the Salem Witch Trials, all involved religious confrontations.

The Nazi attacks on Jews and the current ISIS conflict in the Middle East also involve religious differences.

Martin Luther, the Protestant reformer, claimed that faith was more reliable than reason.

He destroyed the Catholic reliance on the sacraments, penance and works of mercy.

Luther summed all of the Protestant beliefs in the line: The righteous shall live by faith [alone] (Romans 1:17). Luther added the word alone for emphasis.

He also conveniently disregarded Pauls admonition: But now abideth faith, hope, love, these three; and the greatest of these is love (1 Corinthians 13:13).

If all that is needed for salvation is faith in Jesus, there is no need to love our neighbor and to care for the poor.

Jesus required not only that we love God, but that we also love our neighbor, especially the poor.

The American revolutionaries Jefferson, Franklin, Paine and others were highly skeptical of religion.

That is why they prohibited a religious test to hold public office, and they demanded separation of church and state in the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

Current Republican contenders for the presidency all claim to be Christians. In my opinion, they are not true Christians, because they detest the poor, especially illegal immigrants.

They side with the rich, and they favor war.

Jesus loved the poor; he condemned the rich in many statements, and he told us to forgive and pray for our enemies.

Republican candidates are just trying to fool Christian fundamentalists to vote for them.

We must separate religion from politics.

Sincerely,

Manuel B. Blanco, Sr.
Resources for all concerned with culture of authoritarianism in society, banalisation of communalism, (also chauvinism, parochialism and identity politics) rise of the far right in India (and with occasional information on other countries of South Asia and beyond)
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History is a set of lies agreed upon. The Dude
The Conservative Wahoo

The Blog: A compendium of thoughts on politics, world affairs, economics, pop culture and social issues, from the center right perspective of me--Bryan McGrath--a University of Virginia graduate who spent a career in the world's greatest Navy keeping my mouth shut about politics and social issues (ok, publicly keeping it shut). Those days are over! Pull up a chair and chime in where you will. Keep it clean, civil, concise and relevant.



The Fish: The fish is a "coat of arms" for the blog, symbolizing three formative influences in the life of the blog founder. The first is his experience at the University of Virginia--symbolized most importantly by the fish itself, or a caricature of a "Wahoo", the fish we have acquired as an informal nickname. Additionally there is the sword, the sword of a Cavalier. It is not wielded in a threatening manner, as this is a civil blog. But it is there, should it be needed. Thirdly, there is the influence of 21 years in the Navy--symbolized by the anchor on the Wahoo's fin (and again, the sword) . Finally, there is the bowler, tuxedo, and monocle, symbols of a refined, intellectual conservatism, or what I seek to encourage here.



The Policy: I take FULL responsibility for what I write. I will not be held responsible for the content of my comments section--as long as it is civil and passes my own inscrutable sniff tests, it will appear. If the comment offends you, that is on you.






Revised Preventive Measures to Reduce the Possible Risk of Transmission of Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease and Variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease by Blood and Blood Products Guidance for Industry

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Food and Drug Administration Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research May 2010 Updated January 2016

i

Table of Contents

I. INTRODUCTION..............................................................................................................1

II. BACKGROUND................................................................................................................3

A. CJD and vCJD....................................................................................................... 3

B. Evolution of the Global BSE epidemic................................................................ 6

C. TSE Agents and Blood.......................................................................................... 7

D. FDA Regulatory History .................................................................................... 10

E. Rationale for Geographic Donor Deferrals ...................................................... 15

III. EXPLANATION OF CURRENT VCJD RECOMMENDATIONS...........................17

A. Exposure to British Beef in the U.K.................................................................. 17

B. Exposure to British Beef Products Distributed Outside of the U.K............... 17

C. Indigenous BSE Exposure Outside the U.K. .................................................... 18

D. Potential Infection with vCJD Agent Acquired by Transfusion .................... 21

E. Exposure to Bovine Insulin ................................................................................ 21

F. Reports of Biological Product Deviations ......................................................... 21

G. Definitions............................................................................................................ 22

IV. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR DONOR DEFERRAL ................................................24

A. Donor Deferral Criteria ..................................................................................... 24

B. Questions to Identify Donors at an Increased Risk for CJD .......................... 25

C. Donor Reentry after Donor Deferral for Risk of Familial CJD..................... 26

D. Questions for Identifying Donors at Risk for Exposure to BSE..................... 26

V. POST-DONATION INFORMATION: RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PRODUCT RETRIEVAL AND QUARANTINE, CONSIGNEE NOTIFICATION, AND BIOLOGICAL PRODUCT DEVIATION REPORTING...........................................29

A. Whole Blood and Blood Components Intended for Transfusion, Cellular Blood Components Intended for Further Manufacture into Injectable Products, and Source Plasma From Donors with CJD or CJD Risk Factors29

B. Whole Blood and Blood Components Intended for Transfusion, Source Leukocytes and Other Cellular Blood Components Intended for Further Manufacture into Injectable Products, from Donors with Geographic Risk Deferrals and/or Exposure to Bovine Insulin Made in the U.K. since 1980.. 30

C. Source Plasma and Recovered Plasma from Donors with Geographic Risk Deferrals and/or Exposure to Bovine Insulin Made in the U.K. Since 1980 . 31

D. Whole Blood and Blood Components Intended for Transfusion, Recovered Plasma, Source Leukocytes, Other Cellular Blood Components Intended for Manufacturing into Injectable Products, and Source Plasma from Donors with vCJD, suspected vCJD, or CJD and Age Less Than 55 Years............... 31

E. Plasma Derivatives.............................................................................................. 32

F. Disposal of Retrieved and Quarantined Products ........................................... 33

VI. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR RECIPIENT TRACING AND NOTIFICATION...34

Contains Nonbinding Recommendations

ii VII. LABELING RECOMMENDATIONS...........................................................................34

VIII. IMPLEMENTATION OF RECOMMENDATIONS...................................................36

IX. THE IMPACT OF GEOGRAPHIC DONOR DEFERRALS THAT ARE MORE STRINGENT THAN THOSE RECOMMENDED BY THIS GUIDANCE...............37

X. SOURCES OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ........................................................38

XI. REFERENCES.................................................................................................................39

APPENDIX TABLE 1: DONOR DEFERRAL, PRODUCT DISPOSITION, RECIPIENT NOTIFICATION FOR WHOLE BLOOD, BLOOD COMPONENTS INTENDED FOR TRANSFUSION, SOURCE LEUKOCYTES, AND OTHER CELLULAR BLOOD COMPONENTS INTENDED FOR FURTHER MANUFACTURE...........45

APPENDIX TABLE 2: DONOR DEFERRAL, PRODUCT DISPOSTION, AND RECIPIENT NOTIFICATION FOR SOURCE PLASMA (SP), RECOVER PLASMA (RP) AND PLASMA DERIVATIVES (PD) ................................................47

Contains Nonbinding Recommendations

1

Revised Preventive Measures to Reduce the Possible Risk of Transmission of Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease and Variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease by Blood and Blood Products

Guidance for Industry

This guidance represents the current thinking of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA or Agency) on this topic. It does not establish any rights for any person and is not binding on FDA or the public. You can use an alternative approach if it satisfies the requirements of the applicable statutes and regulations. To discuss an alternative approach, contact the FDA staff responsible for this guidance as listed on the title page.

I. INTRODUCTION

II. BACKGROUND

A. CJD and vCJD

CJD is a rare but invariably fatal degenerative disease of the central nervous system, one of a group of transmissible diseases called transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) or prion diseases. TSEs are associated with a poorly understood transmissible agent (Refs. 1-6), now designated TSE agents or prions (Ref. 7). Cases of sporadic CJDthe most common human TSEoccur at low frequency by an unknown mechanism. CJD may be acquired by an identified exogenous (usually iatrogenic) exposure to infectious material; or it may be familial, associated with one of a number of mutations in the prion-protein-encoding (PRNP) gene. Clinical latency for iatrogenic CJD, following point exposures to contaminated materials, has sometimes exceeded 30 years (Ref. 8); incubation periods of kuruanother human TSEappear to have sometimes exceeded 50 years (Ref. 9).

In 1996, a previously unrecognized variant of CJD, now designated vCJD, was reported in the United Kingdom (U.K.) (Ref. 10). vCJD is distinguished from CJD by differences in clinical presentation, cerebral imaging and neuropathologic changes, summarized in Table 1 (Refs. 10-14).

snip...

B. Evolution of the Global BSE Epidemic

================================

LOL, I omitted this part, see real facts on BSE typical and atypical risk factors and the infamous BSE MRR policy, the legal trading of TSE prion disease in links below. ...tss

================================

D. FDA Regulatory History

================================

LOL, see links below as well for past regulatory history by the FDA. ...TSS

================================

2. Evidence that vCJD Has Been Transmitted by Blood Products

Soon after the first description in the U.K. of vCJD affecting 10 young patients in 1996 (Ref. 10), vCJD was recognized to be an emerging infectious disease with several unique clinical and pathological characteristics differing from those of previously known forms of CJD. It was uncertain whether human blood might transmit the vCJD agent. FDA therefore recommended in the 1999 guidance a donor deferral policy more stringent for donors at increased risk of vCJD than for those at increased risk of the classical forms of the disease (see Section IV below), including a recommendation to withdraw plasma derivatives should a plasma donor later be diagnosed with vCJD (a situation never recognized in the U.S. to date) and a case-by-case review when a plasma donor is suspected of having vCJD (including all donors with onset of CJD before the age of 55 years) instead of a more common form of CJD.

In December 2003, U.K. authorities reported a case of vCJD in a recipient of non-leukoreduced red blood cell concentrate obtained from a clinically healthy donor who later developed typical vCJD (Ref. 53). In July 2004, a second recipient of non-leukoreduced red blood cell concentrate from another such donor in the U.K. was reported to have died of other causes without clinical or neuropathological evidence of vCJD, but at autopsy the recipient had abnormal accumulations of prion protein in lymphoid tissues (Ref. 54). This finding is typical of vCJD, although the recipient had a PRNP genotype (heterozygous for the sequences encoding methionine and valine at PRNP codon 129 [129 MV]) not previously found in cases of vCJD (all of which have been 129 MM homozygous). Two additional recipients of non-leukoreduced red blood cell concentrates from a donor incubating vCJD were subsequently reported by U.K. authorities in February 2006 (Refs. 55-56) and January 200726 to have died with confirmed vCJD. These four cases provided convincing epidemiological evidence that vCJD infections have been transmitted by non-leukoreduced red blood cell concentrates. Although no other blood components have been associated with transfusion-transmitted vCJD, experience is still too limited to allow a conclusion that other blood components cannot transmit the infection.

24 U.K. Health Protection Agency (HPA), vCJD abnormal prion protein found in a patient with haemophilia at post mortem, dated February 17, 2009, and Variant CJD and plasma products, dated July 27, 2009 at http://www.hpa.org.uk

25 Transfusion Medicine Epidemiology Review: http://www.cjd.ed.ac.uk/TMER/TMER.htm

26 Transfusion Medicine Epidemiology Review: http://www.cjd.ed.ac.uk/TMER/TMER.htm

Contains Nonbinding Recommendations

10

In February 2009, the United Kingdom Health Protection Agency announced evidence of vCJD infection in a patient with type-A hemophilia at postmortem.27 The patient had been treated with human plasma-derived Factor VIII clotting factor manufactured using plasma from U.K. donors, including one batch that was manufactured using plasma from a donor who later developed typical vCJD. This is the first report that vCJD abnormal protein has been found in a patient with hemophilia or any patient treated with plasma products. The patient, who was over 70 years old, died of other causes and may have been exposed to other risk factors for vCJD. A risk assessment performed by U.K. health authorities concluded that, assuming that the abnormal prion protein finding was a marker for asymptomatic vCJD infection, the most likely source of such an infection was plasma-derived Factor VIII, rather than dietary exposure, endoscopy procedures, or red blood cell transfusions.

At this time, plasma derivatives have not been implicated in vCJD transmission in any country other than the U.K. To date, no U.S.-licensed plasma-derived products have been manufactured from a donor known to have developed vCJD and no cases of vCJD have been reported from use of a U.S.-licensed plasma derivative. In addition, published studies and information submitted to FDA show that certain plasma derivative manufacturing steps can remove TSE infectivity, although such experiments have inherent limitations (Refs. 51, 57). Based on animal studies as well as on FDA risk assessments, the possibility of vCJD transmission by a U.S.-licensed plasma derivative is extremely small.

snip...

Criteria A.

Donor deferral criteria 1-7 apply to all donors. Donor deferral criterion 8 (residence in Europe for 5 years or more between 1980 and the present) applies to all donors with the exception of donors of Source Plasma.

1. You should permanently defer donors who have been diagnosed with vCJD or any other form of CJD.66

2. You should permanently defer donors at increased risk for CJD (as identified by questions 2 and 3 in Section IV.B. Donors are considered to have an increased risk for CJD if they have received a dura mater transplant or an injection of human cadaveric pituitary-derived growth hormone. Donors with one or more blood relatives diagnosed with CJD (as identified in Section IV.B., Question 1 below) are also considered to be at increased risk of CJD, and should be indefinitely deferred (see Section IV.C. for donor reentry recommendations).

3. You should indefinitely defer donors who have spent three months or more cumulatively in the U.K. from the beginning of 1980 through the end of 1996.

4. You should indefinitely defer donors who have spent five years or more cumulatively in France from the beginning of 1980 to the present.

5. You should indefinitely defer former or current U.S. military personnel, civilian military personnel, and their dependents as follows:

a. Individuals who resided at U.S. military bases in Northern Europe (Germany, United Kingdom, Belgium, and the Netherlands) for six months or more from 1980 through 1990, or

b. Individuals who resided at U.S. military bases elsewhere in Europe (Greece, Turkey, Spain, Portugal, and Italy) for six months or more from 1980 through 1996.

6. You should indefinitely defer donors who have received a transfusion of blood or blood components in the U.K. or in France between the beginning of 1980 and the present.

66 For the purposes of this document, FDA considers the less common TSEs, Gerstmann-Straussler-Scheinker syndrome and fatal insomnia syndromes, to be equivalent in risk to familial and sporadic CJD. The blood establishment need not name these rare syndromes in the questionnaire but might consider them as equivalent in risk to CJD if, in response to a question about CJD, the donor offers information that a family member has been diagnosed with one of them.

Contains Nonbinding Recommendations 25

7. You should indefinitely defer donors who have injected bovine insulin since 1980, unless you can confirm that the product was not manufactured after 1980 from U.K. cattle.

8. You should indefinitely defer donors of Whole Blood, blood components for transfusion, and Source Leukocytes, who have lived cumulatively for five years or more in Europe from the beginning of 1980 until the present. (Note this criterion includes time spent in the U.K. from 1980 through 1996 and time spent in France from 1980 to the present.) Unless otherwise unsuitable (for example, because they lived in the U.K. or France or on U.S. military bases for the periods of time noted previously), these donors remain eligible for Source Plasma donation.

NOTE: Donors who are otherwise deferred based upon the above criteria 2-8 may continue to donate if they are participating in a CBER-approved program that allows collection of Source Plasma solely for use in manufacturing of non-injectable products. We recommend special labeling for products obtained from such donors (see Section VII.A).

Questions to Identify Donors at an Increased Risk for CJD B.

You should question frequent Source Plasma donors at the first donation following implementation of the recommendations in this guidance, and annually thereafter. You should question donors of Whole Blood and blood components, infrequent Source Plasma donors and Source Leukocyte donors at each donation. If the donor is not familiar with the term Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease, you may take that as a negative response. These questions are similar to those in the 1999 and 2002 guidances. We consider donors who answer Yes to any of the questions below to have an increased risk for developing CJD.

Question 1: Have any of your blood relatives ever had Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease?67

Question 2: Have you ever received growth hormone made from human pituitary glands?

NOTE: If the donor is uncertain about his or her treatment, the following question describing human pituitary-derived growth hormone injections may be asked: Was the hormone treatment given repeatedly by injection? This question needs to be asked only once, since human cadaveric pituitary growth hormone is no longer available.

67 See footnote 66.

Contains Nonbinding Recommendations

26

Question 3: Have you ever received a dura mater (brain covering) graft?

NOTE: This question may be preceded by the more general question Have you ever had brain surgery? Ask the specific question only if the donor responds yes to the general question.

Donor Reentry after Donor Deferral for Risk of Familial CJD C.

If you defer a donor because of family history of CJD, you may reenter that donor if:

1) The diagnosis of CJD in the family member(s) is confidently excluded, or CJD in the family member(s) is iatrogenic, or the family member(s) is (are) not a blood relative(s); or

2) Laboratory testing (gene sequencing) shows that the donor does not have a mutation associated with familial CJD. Note that gene sequencing of the donor is not necessary to demonstrate that the donor is not at risk for familial CJD. Sequencing of the family member with CJD or the appropriate parent of the donor, if the CJD-affected family member was a second-degree relative, may be sufficient to demonstrate that the donor does not have a mutation associated with familial CJD.

Questions for Identifying Donors at Risk for Exposure to BSE D.

1. Method of Donor Questioning

Due to the added complexity of screening donors for cumulative periods of potential exposure to BSE, a trained staff member should administer the revised geographic donor deferral criteria by face-to-face interview to each new donor (as defined in your blood establishments standard operating procedures (SOP)). Instead of face-to-face interviews, you may use a computerized interactive donor interview program that includes an audio component (audio-CASI) as described in the FDA guidance entitled Guidance for Industry: Streamlining the Donor Interview Process: Recommendations for Self-Administered Questionnaires, dated July 2003.68 You should submit changes to your donor interview procedure according to 21 CFR 601.12. For repeat donors, you may use alternative methods for introducing and emphasizing the new questions. Your alternative method should provide the repeat donor with a detailed description of the changes to the donor questionnaire, to highlight any new questions and modifications.

68 Available at http://www.fda.gov/BiologicsBloodVaccines/GuidanceComplianceRegulatoryInformation/Guidances/Blood/ucm075086.htm

Contains Nonbinding Recommendations 27

2. Donor Questions

You should indefinitely defer donors who answer Yes to the following questions:

To identify donors with geographic risk of BSE exposure.

SNIP...

LOL...

NO NEED TO GO ANY FURTHER, BECAUSE THE GEOGRAPHICAL RISK ASSESSMENT ON BSE EXPOSURE IS BASED ON FALSE INFORMATION AND LIES, thanks to the USDA, FDA, and OIE, in my opinion, see information and links below. ...tss

see full text ;

P197

Misfolded prion protein (PrPTSE) can be detected in the blood of squirrel monkeys infected with variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD)

Larisa Cervenakova1, Oksana Yakovleva1, Paula Saa1, David M. Asher2, Thomas R. Kreil3, Susan Gibson4, Christian Abee5, James W. Ironside6, Paul W. Brown7 1Scientific Affairs, American Red Cross, Rockville, MD, USA, 2Office of Blood Research and Review, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, FDA, Silver Prion2015 Program Guide

36

Prion 2015 Fort Collins Spring, MD, USA, 3Global Pathogen Safety, Baxter BioScience, Vienna, Austria, 4University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL (deceased), USA, 5University of Texas, Anderson Cancer Center, Bastrop, TX, USA, 6National CJD Surveillance Unit, Edinburgh, UK, 7NINDS, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD (retired), USA

Variant CJD infections have been recognized in 4 recipients of non-leukocyte-depleted red blood cell (RBC) transfusions (and in a hemophilia patient treated with a plasmaderived coagulation factor). In the UK, PrPTSE has been detected in blood of 70% of vCJD patients and in appendices of as many as 1 in 2000 asymptomatic individuals. Reliable tests are needed to detect blood donors infected with vCJD before the appearance of overt illness to protect transfusion recipients. We previously reported the co-localization of PrPTSE with extracellular vesicles (EVs) in plasma of vCJD-infected mice. Here we report detecting PrPTSE in EVs from archived plasma samples of vCJD-infected squirrel monkeys. Blood was collected from infected and uninfected monkeys into anticoagulant every 3 months and separated into RBCs, buffy coat and plasma. EVs were extracted from plasma using ExoQuickTM. PMCA was performed using uninfected TgHu mouse brain homogenate as PrPC substrate. We tested samples of blood from 2 groups of monkeys inoculated intracerebrally with vCJD brain diluted 10-1 (4 monkeys) or 10-3 (3 monkeys) and from 4 control monkeys inoculated with 10-1 normal human brain. PrPTSE was detected in plasma EV of 5 of 7 vCJD-inoculated monkeys (3/4 10-1 and 2/3 10-3). Multiple tests of control plasma EV samples from the 4 control monkeys were all negative. Whole blood collected from 4 monkeys during incubation and clinical stages of vCJD was transfused into individual recipient monkeys. We continue to test archived plasma samples from donor and transfusion-recipient monkeys. Baxter and FABS funded the study.

prion2013

ORIGINAL RESEARCH

Blood transmission studies of prion infectivity in the squirrel monkey (Saimiri sciureus): the Baxter study

Diane L. Ritchie1,*, Susan V. Gibson2,, Christian R. Abee3, Thomas R. Kreil4, James W. Ironside1 and Paul Brown5

Article first published online: 23 NOV 2015

DOI: 10.1111/trf.13422

 2015 AABB

Issue

Cover image for Vol. 55 Issue 11

Transfusion

Early View (Online Version of Record published before inclusion in an issue)

Abstract

BACKGROUND

Four secondary transmissions of variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD) infectivity have been associated with the transfusion of nonleukoreduced red blood cells collected from vCJD patients during the asymptomatic phase of the disease. Establishing efficient experimental models for assessing the risk of future transmissions of vCJD infectivity via blood transfusion is of paramount importance in view of a study of archived appendix samples in which the prevalence of asymptomatic vCJD infection in the United Kingdom was estimated at approximately 1 in 2000 of the population. In this study, we investigated transmission of vCJD and sporadic CJD (sCJD) infectivity from blood using the squirrel monkey, which is highly susceptible to experimental challenge with human prion disease.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

Whole blood collected from vCJD- and sCJD-infected squirrel monkeys was transfused at multiple time points into recipient squirrel monkeys. Blood recipients were euthanized approximately 7 years after their first blood transfusion.

RESULTS

No clinical or pathologic signs of a prion disease were observed in either the sCJD- or the vCJD-transfused monkeys, and immunohistochemistry and biochemical investigations showed no PrPTSE in central nervous system or lymphoreticular tissues. Similarly, monkeys inoculated intracerebrally (IC) and intravenously (IV) with either buffy coat or plasma from vCJD and sCJD patients failed to develop disease. However, white blood cells from a chimpanzee-passaged strain of human Gerstmann-Straussler-Scheinker (GSS) disease transmitted autopsy-proven disease to two IC-inoculated monkeys after incubation periods of 34 and 39 months.

CONCLUSION

Blood transmits GSS but not sCJD or vCJD infectivity to IC- or IV-inoculated squirrel monkeys within a 7-year observation period.

2015 PRION CONFERENCE

*** RE-P.164: Blood transmission of prion infectivity in the squirrel monkey: The Baxter study

***suggest that blood donations from cases of GSS (and perhaps other familial forms of TSE) carry more risk than from vCJD cases, and that little or no risk is associated with sCJD. ***

P.164: Blood transmission of prion infectivity in the squirrel monkey: The Baxter study

Paul Brown1, Diane Ritchie2, James Ironside2, Christian Abee3, Thomas Kreil4, and Susan Gibson5 1NIH (retired); Bethesda, MD USA; 2University of Edinburgh; Edinburgh, UK; 3University of Texas; Bastrop, TX USA; 4Baxter Bioscience; Vienna, Austria; 5University of South Alabama; Mobile, AL USA

Five vCJD disease transmissions and an estimated 1 in 2000 silent infections in UK residents emphasize the continued need for information about disease risk in humans. A large study of blood component infectivity in a non-human primate model has now been completed and analyzed. Among 1 GSS, 4 sCJD, and 3 vCJD cases, only GSS leukocytes transmitted disease within a 56 year surveillance period. A transmission study in recipients of multiple whole blood transfusions during the incubation and clinical stages of sCJD and vCJD in ic-infected donor animals was uniformly negative. These results, together with other laboratory studies in rodents and nonhuman primates and epidemiological observations in humans, suggest that blood donations from cases of GSS (and perhaps other familial forms of TSE) carry more risk than from vCJD cases, and that little or no risk is associated with sCJD. The issue of decades-long incubation periods in silent vCJD carriers remains open.

ran across an old paper from 1984 ;

***The occurrence of contact cases raises the possibility that transmission in families may be effected by an unusually virulent strain of the agent. ***

Monday, November 23, 2015

*** Blood transmission studies of prion infectivity in the squirrel monkey (Saimiri sciureus): the Baxter study





Article | Open



Preclinical detection of infectivity and disease-specific PrP in blood throughout the incubation period of prion disease



Elizabeth B. Sawyer , Julie Ann Edgeworth , Claire Thomas , John Collinge

& Graham S. Jackson



Scientific Reports 5, Article number: 17742 (2015) doi:10.1038/srep17742 Download Citation Diagnostic markers | Experimental models of disease | Prion diseases

Received:18 June 2015Accepted:06 November 2015Published online:03 December 2015



Abstract



Variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD) is a fatal neurodegenerative disorder characterised by accumulation of pathological isoforms of the prion protein, PrP. Although cases of clinical vCJD are rare, there is evidence there may be tens of thousands of infectious carriers in the United Kingdom alone. This raises concern about the potential for perpetuation of infection via medical procedures, in particular transfusion of contaminated blood products. Accurate biochemical detection of prion infection is crucial to mitigate risk and we have previously reported a blood assay for vCJD. This assay is sensitive for abnormal PrP conformers at the earliest stages of preclinical prion disease in mice and precedes the maximum infectious titre in blood. Not only does this support the possibility of screening asymptomatic individuals, it will also facilitate the elucidation of the complex relationship that exists between the ensemble of abnormal PrP conformers present in blood and the relationship to infectivity.



Discussion



The ability to accurately diagnose prion infection using biochemical methods is crucial to protect public health from iatrogenic transmissions, particularly arising from the transfusion of contaminated blood and blood products10,11,12,33. In the United Kingdom (UK) measures taken to prevent secondary infections of vCJD have included leucodepletion of donor blood, sourcing of plasma from non-UK sources, exclusion of transfusion recipients from donation, use of recombinant clotting factors for patients with bleeding disorders and ceasing the use of UK plasma for fractionation and export34. We have previously reported the development19 and validation20,35 of a blood test for vCJD based upon the detection of abnormal disease-specific isoforms of PrP, which is now in clinical use for the diagnosis of prion disease. The wider application of this test, or indeed other emerging assays36,37, for screening asymptomatic individuals for potential infection is confounded by an inability to confirm that an assay detection limit is sufficient for the detection of preclinical infections. This problem arises as there are currently no samples available from individuals confirmed as sub-clinical carriers of vCJD with which to assess either the prevalence of prionaemia in BSE prion-exposed populations or the sensitivity of any potential blood tests. A definitive answer will require prolonged longitudinal study of individuals testing positive to determine what proportion of patients with vCJD prionaemia go on to develop clinical vCJD and how many are chronic carriers38.



It has been suggested that carriers would have lower concentrations of abnormal PrP compared to individuals with clinical CJD13, and this seems likely. Despite potentially lower levels, animal models indicate clear preclinical blood involvement23,24,39,40 and very efficient transmission of prion infection has been demonstrated from blood taken from sheep in early preclinical stages of scrapie9. The use of the RML-prion strain allows rapid and precise estimates of low prion titre using cell-based assays41,42. Previous attempts to detect infectivity in low titre sources have required either the use of large numbers of recipient animals or the transfusion or large volumes of infected analyte in large animals. By using the SSBA18 we have not only verified but accurately quantified the presence of infectivity in blood even at the earliest stages of preclinical prion disease. A comparison of RML-infected brain diluted into either FVB/N-Prnp0/0 brain homogenate or blood showed that although the presence of whole blood impacted on the overall detection limit of the assay, it remained capable of detecting RML prions at concentrations of less than 1 LD50 units/ml. Infectivity was found to rise by approximately 1020-fold throughout the incubation period (Fig. 4) as might be anticipated from historical estimates derived from conventional large scale rodent bioassays26, albeit with significant fluctuations approaching the clinical end-point of disease. The significant increase in infectious titre in the last few days of the incubation period are unexpected with the change in titre identifiable only as a result of the high precision of SSBA and related cell-culture assays which are providing unique insights into the replication of prion isoforms during pathogenesis43,44. Levels of MMP-9 in serum provide an indication of BBB integrity and although complicated by age-related decline45, sudden elevation towards the clinical end point for prion disease (Fig. 5) may indicate a sudden perturbation leading to exchange of prion material between the CNS and circulating blood and fluctuations in the concentration of prion disease-related PrP isoforms in blood.



Surprisingly, analysis of the same samples using our DDA assay revealed relatively consistent positive signals throughout the RML incubation period (Fig. 3). Positive detection was achieved from the earliest time point sampled and could not be ascribed to the detection of residual inoculum as similar signals were not observed in the blood of FVB/N-Prnp0/0 mice unable to replicate prions (data not shown), and the half-life of prion-infected inocula has previously been shown to be short: 36 hours in rodent brain tissue46 and less in cell-culture47. The lack of correlation between DDA reactivity and infectivity seen by SSBA indicates DDA is capable of detecting a wider ensemble of abnormal PrP conformers associated with prion infection44,48 of which infectivity may only constitute a minority component. Such observations are not without precedent and there is increasing evidence to suggest that abnormal PrP conformers may be as much as 106-fold more abundant than assayable infectivity49. The ability to detect the plethora of abnormal PrP increases the analytical sensitivity of assays and in the case of DDA an analytical sensitivity equivalent to a 109-fold dilution of prion-infected brain is sufficient for clinical sensitivity at the earliest stages of preclinical prion disease.



http://www.nature.com/articles/srep17742



Article | OpenPreclinical detection of infectivity and disease-specific PrP in blood throughout the incubation period of prion diseaseElizabeth B. Sawyer , Julie Ann Edgeworth , Claire Thomas , John Collinge& Graham S. JacksonScientific Reports 5, Article number: 17742 (2015) doi:10.1038/srep17742 Download Citation Diagnostic markers | Experimental models of disease | Prion diseasesReceived:18 June 2015Accepted:06 November 2015Published online:03 December 2015AbstractVariant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD) is a fatal neurodegenerative disorder characterised by accumulation of pathological isoforms of the prion protein, PrP. Although cases of clinical vCJD are rare, there is evidence there may be tens of thousands of infectious carriers in the United Kingdom alone. This raises concern about the potential for perpetuation of infection via medical procedures, in particular transfusion of contaminated blood products. Accurate biochemical detection of prion infection is crucial to mitigate risk and we have previously reported a blood assay for vCJD. This assay is sensitive for abnormal PrP conformers at the earliest stages of preclinical prion disease in mice and precedes the maximum infectious titre in blood. Not only does this support the possibility of screening asymptomatic individuals, it will also facilitate the elucidation of the complex relationship that exists between the ensemble of abnormal PrP conformers present in blood and the relationship to infectivity.DiscussionThe ability to accurately diagnose prion infection using biochemical methods is crucial to protect public health from iatrogenic transmissions, particularly arising from the transfusion of contaminated blood and blood products10,11,12,33. In the United Kingdom (UK) measures taken to prevent secondary infections of vCJD have included leucodepletion of donor blood, sourcing of plasma from non-UK sources, exclusion of transfusion recipients from donation, use of recombinant clotting factors for patients with bleeding disorders and ceasing the use of UK plasma for fractionation and export34. We have previously reported the development19 and validation20,35 of a blood test for vCJD based upon the detection of abnormal disease-specific isoforms of PrP, which is now in clinical use for the diagnosis of prion disease. The wider application of this test, or indeed other emerging assays36,37, for screening asymptomatic individuals for potential infection is confounded by an inability to confirm that an assay detection limit is sufficient for the detection of preclinical infections. This problem arises as there are currently no samples available from individuals confirmed as sub-clinical carriers of vCJD with which to assess either the prevalence of prionaemia in BSE prion-exposed populations or the sensitivity of any potential blood tests. A definitive answer will require prolonged longitudinal study of individuals testing positive to determine what proportion of patients with vCJD prionaemia go on to develop clinical vCJD and how many are chronic carriers38.It has been suggested that carriers would have lower concentrations of abnormal PrP compared to individuals with clinical CJD13, and this seems likely. Despite potentially lower levels, animal models indicate clear preclinical blood involvement23,24,39,40 and very efficient transmission of prion infection has been demonstrated from blood taken from sheep in early preclinical stages of scrapie9. The use of the RML-prion strain allows rapid and precise estimates of low prion titre using cell-based assays41,42. Previous attempts to detect infectivity in low titre sources have required either the use of large numbers of recipient animals or the transfusion or large volumes of infected analyte in large animals. By using the SSBA18 we have not only verified but accurately quantified the presence of infectivity in blood even at the earliest stages of preclinical prion disease. A comparison of RML-infected brain diluted into either FVB/N-Prnp0/0 brain homogenate or blood showed that although the presence of whole blood impacted on the overall detection limit of the assay, it remained capable of detecting RML prions at concentrations of less than 1 LD50 units/ml. Infectivity was found to rise by approximately 1020-fold throughout the incubation period (Fig. 4) as might be anticipated from historical estimates derived from conventional large scale rodent bioassays26, albeit with significant fluctuations approaching the clinical end-point of disease. The significant increase in infectious titre in the last few days of the incubation period are unexpected with the change in titre identifiable only as a result of the high precision of SSBA and related cell-culture assays which are providing unique insights into the replication of prion isoforms during pathogenesis43,44. Levels of MMP-9 in serum provide an indication of BBB integrity and although complicated by age-related decline45, sudden elevation towards the clinical end point for prion disease (Fig. 5) may indicate a sudden perturbation leading to exchange of prion material between the CNS and circulating blood and fluctuations in the concentration of prion disease-related PrP isoforms in blood.Surprisingly, analysis of the same samples using our DDA assay revealed relatively consistent positive signals throughout the RML incubation period (Fig. 3). Positive detection was achieved from the earliest time point sampled and could not be ascribed to the detection of residual inoculum as similar signals were not observed in the blood of FVB/N-Prnp0/0 mice unable to replicate prions (data not shown), and the half-life of prion-infected inocula has previously been shown to be short: 36 hours in rodent brain tissue46 and less in cell-culture47. The lack of correlation between DDA reactivity and infectivity seen by SSBA indicates DDA is capable of detecting a wider ensemble of abnormal PrP conformers associated with prion infection44,48 of which infectivity may only constitute a minority component. Such observations are not without precedent and there is increasing evidence to suggest that abnormal PrP conformers may be as much as 106-fold more abundant than assayable infectivity49. The ability to detect the plethora of abnormal PrP increases the analytical sensitivity of assays and in the case of DDA an analytical sensitivity equivalent to a 109-fold dilution of prion-infected brain is sufficient for clinical sensitivity at the earliest stages of preclinical prion disease.

Research Project: TRANSMISSION, DIFFERENTIATION, AND PATHOBIOLOGY OF TRANSMISSIBLE SPONGIFORM ENCEPHALOPATHIES

Title: Transmission of scrapie prions to primate after an extended silent incubation period

Authors

item Comoy, Emmanuel - item Mikol, Jacqueline - item Luccantoni-Freire, Sophie - item Correia, Evelyne - item Lescoutra-Etchegaray, Nathalie - item Durand, Valerie - item Dehen, Capucine - item Andreoletti, Olivier - item Casalone, Cristina - item Richt, Juergen item Greenlee, Justin item Baron, Thierry - item Benestad, Sylvie - item Hills, Bob - item Brown, Paul - item Deslys, Jean-Philippe -

Submitted to: Scientific Reports Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal Publication Acceptance Date: May 28, 2015 Publication Date: June 30, 2015 Citation: Comoy, E.E., Mikol, J., Luccantoni-Freire, S., Correia, E., Lescoutra-Etchegaray, N., Durand, V., Dehen, C., Andreoletti, O., Casalone, C., Richt, J.A., Greenlee, J.J., Baron, T., Benestad, S., Brown, P., Deslys, J. 2015. Transmission of scrapie prions to primate after an extended silent incubation period. Scientific Reports. 5:11573.

Interpretive Summary:

The transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (also called prion diseases) are fatal neurodegenerative diseases that affect animals and humans. The agent of prion diseases is a misfolded form of the prion protein that is resistant to breakdown by the host cells. Since all mammals express prion protein on the surface of various cells such as neurons, all mammals are, in theory, capable of replicating prion diseases. One example of a prion disease, bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE; also called mad cow disease), has been shown to infect cattle, sheep, exotic undulates, cats, non-human primates, and humans when the new host is exposed to feeds or foods contaminated with the disease agent. The purpose of this study was to test whether non-human primates (cynomologous macaque) are susceptible to the agent of sheep scrapie. After an incubation period of approximately 10 years a macaque developed progressive clinical signs suggestive of neurologic disease. Upon postmortem examination and microscopic examination of tissues, there was a widespread distribution of lesions consistent with a transmissible spongiform encephalopathy. This information will have a scientific impact since it is the first study that demonstrates the transmission of scrapie to a non-human primate with a close genetic relationship to humans. This information is especially useful to regulatory officials and those involved with risk assessment of the potential transmission of animal prion diseases to humans.

Technical Abstract:

Classical bovine spongiform encephalopathy (c-BSE) is an animal prion disease that also causes variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in humans. Over the past decades, c-BSE's zoonotic potential has been the driving force in establishing extensive protective measures for animal and human health. In complement to the recent demonstration that humanized mice are susceptible to scrapie, we report here the first observation of direct transmission of a natural classical scrapie isolate to a macaque after a 10-year incubation period. Neuropathologic examination revealed all of the features of a prion disease: spongiform change, neuronal loss, and accumulation of PrPres throughout the CNS.

***This observation strengthens the questioning of the harmlessness of scrapie to humans, at a time when protective measures for human and animal health are being dismantled and reduced as c-BSE is considered controlled and being eradicated. Our results underscore the importance of precautionary and protective measures and the necessity for long-term experimental transmission studies to assess the zoonotic potential of other animal prion strains.

*** Docket No. APHIS-2007-0127 Scrapie in Sheep and Goats Terry Singeltary Sr. Submission ***

Docket No. APHIS-2007-0127 Scrapie in Sheep and Goats

SUMMARY: We are reopening the comment period for our proposed rule that would revise completely the scrapie regulations, which concern the risk groups and categories established for individual animals and for flocks, the use of genetic testing as a means of assigning risk levels to animals, movement restrictions for animals found to be genetically less susceptible or resistant to scrapie, and recordkeeping requirements. This action will allow interested persons additional time to prepare and submit comments.

DATES: The comment period for the proposed rule published on September 10, 2015 (80 FR 54660-54692) is reopened. We will consider all comments that we receive on or before December 9, 2015. ...

COMMENT SUBMISSION TERRY S. SINGELTARY SR.

WITH regards to Docket No. APHIS-2007-0127 Scrapie in Sheep and Goats, I kindly submit the following ;

>>>The last major revision of the scrapie regulations occurred on August 21, 2001, when we published in theFederal Register(66 FR 43964, Docket No. 97-093-5) a final rule amending part 79 by imposing additional restrictions on the interstate movement of sheep and goats.<<<

Indeed, much science has changed about the Scrapie TSE prion, including more science linking Scrapie to humans. sadly, politics, industry, and trade, have not changed, and those usually trump sound science, as is the case with all Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy TSE Prion disease in livestock producing animals and the OIE. we can look no further at the legal trading of the Scrapie TSE prion both typical and atypical of all strains, and CWD all stains. With as much science of old, and now more new science to back this up, Scrapie of all types i.e. atypical and typical, BSE all strains, and CWD all strains, should be regulated in trade as BSE TSE PRION. In fact, I urge APHIS et al and the OIE, and all trading partners to take heed to the latest science on the TSE prion disease, all of them, and seriously reconsider the blatant disregards for human and animal health, all in the name of trade, with the continued relaxing of TSE Prion trade regulations through the NEGLIGIBLE BSE RISK PROGRAM, which was set up to fail in the first place. If the world does not go back to the BSE RISK ASSESSMENTS, enhance, and or change that assessment process to include all TSE prion disease, i.e. TSE RISK ASSESSMENT, if we do not do this and if we continue this farce with OIE and the USDA et al, and the NEGLIGIBLE BSE RISK PROGRAM, we will never eradicate the TSE prion aka mad cow type disease, they will continue to mutate and spread among species of human and animal origin, and they will continue to kill. ...

please see ;

O.05: Transmission of prions to primates after extended silent incubation periods: Implications for BSE and scrapie risk assessment in human populations

Emmanuel Comoy, Jacqueline Mikol, Valerie Durand, Sophie Luccantoni, Evelyne Correia, Nathalie Lescoutra, Capucine Dehen, and Jean-Philippe Deslys Atomic Energy Commission; Fontenay-aux-Roses, France

Prion diseases (PD) are the unique neurodegenerative proteinopathies reputed to be transmissible under field conditions since decades. The transmission of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) to humans evidenced that an animal PD might be zoonotic under appropriate conditions. Contrarily, in the absence of obvious (epidemiological or experimental) elements supporting a transmission or genetic predispositions, PD, like the other proteinopathies, are reputed to occur spontaneously (atpical animal prion strains, sporadic CJD summing 80% of human prion cases). Non-human primate models provided the first evidences supporting the transmissibiity of human prion strains and the zoonotic potential of BSE. Among them, cynomolgus macaques brought major information for BSE risk assessment for human health (Chen, 2014), according to their phylogenetic proximity to humans and extended lifetime. We used this model to assess the zoonotic potential of other animal PD from bovine, ovine and cervid origins even after very long silent incubation periods.

*** We recently observed the direct transmission of a natural classical scrapie isolate to macaque after a 10-year silent incubation period,

***with features similar to some reported for human cases of sporadic CJD, albeit requiring fourfold long incubation than BSE. Scrapie, as recently evoked in humanized mice (Cassard, 2014),

***is the third potentially zoonotic PD (with BSE and L-type BSE),

***thus questioning the origin of human sporadic cases. We will present an updated panorama of our different transmission studies and discuss the implications of such extended incubation periods on risk assessment of animal PD for human health.

===============

***thus questioning the origin of human sporadic cases***

===============

snip...see ;

Monday, November 16, 2015

*** Docket No. APHIS-2007-0127 Scrapie in Sheep and Goats Terry Singeltary Sr. Submission ***

==========================================

***our findings suggest that possible transmission risk of H-type BSE to sheep and human. Bioassay will be required to determine whether the PMCA products are infectious to these animals.

==========================================

PRION 2015 CONFERENCE FT. COLLINS CWD RISK FACTORS TO HUMANS

*** LATE-BREAKING ABSTRACTS PRION 2015 CONFERENCE ***

O18

Zoonotic Potential of CWD Prions

Liuting Qing1, Ignazio Cali1,2, Jue Yuan1, Shenghai Huang3, Diane Kofskey1, Pierluigi Gambetti1, Wenquan Zou1, Qingzhong Kong1 1Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA, 2Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy, 3Encore Health Resources, Houston, Texas, USA

*** These results indicate that the CWD prion has the potential to infect human CNS and peripheral lymphoid tissues and that there might be asymptomatic human carriers of CWD infection.

==================

***These results indicate that the CWD prion has the potential to infect human CNS and peripheral lymphoid tissues and that there might be asymptomatic human carriers of CWD infection.***

==================

P.105: RT-QuIC models trans-species prion transmission

Kristen Davenport, Davin Henderson, Candace Mathiason, and Edward Hoover Prion Research Center; Colorado State University; Fort Collins, CO USA

Conversely, FSE maintained sufficient BSE characteristics to more efficiently convert bovine rPrP than feline rPrP. Additionally, human rPrP was competent for conversion by CWD and fCWD.

***This insinuates that, at the level of protein:protein interactions, the barrier preventing transmission of CWD to humans is less robust than previously estimated.

================

***This insinuates that, at the level of protein:protein interactions, the barrier preventing transmission of CWD to humans is less robust than previously estimated.***

================

*** These results would seem to suggest that CWD does indeed have zoonotic potential, at least as judged by the compatibility of CWD prions and their human PrPC target. Furthermore, extrapolation from this simple in vitro assay suggests that if zoonotic CWD occurred, it would most likely effect those of the PRNP codon 129-MM genotype and that the PrPres type would be similar to that found in the most common subtype of sCJD (MM1).***

*** The potential impact of prion diseases on human health was greatly magnified by the recognition that interspecies transfer of BSE to humans by beef ingestion resulted in vCJD. While changes in animal feed constituents and slaughter practices appear to have curtailed vCJD, there is concern that CWD of free-ranging deer and elk in the U.S. might also cross the species barrier. Thus, consuming venison could be a source of human prion disease. Whether BSE and CWD represent interspecies scrapie transfer or are newly arisen prion diseases is unknown. Therefore, the possibility of transmission of prion disease through other food animals cannot be ruled out. There is evidence that vCJD can be transmitted through blood transfusion. There is likely a pool of unknown size of asymptomatic individuals infected with vCJD, and there may be asymptomatic individuals infected with the CWD equivalent. These circumstances represent a potential threat to blood, blood products, and plasma supplies.

now, lets see what the authors said about this casual link, personal communications years ago. see where it is stated NO STRONG evidence. so, does this mean there IS casual evidence ???? Our conclusion stating that we found no strong evidence of CWD transmission to humans

From: TSS (216-119-163-189.ipset45.wt.net)

Subject: CWD aka MAD DEER/ELK TO HUMANS ???

Date: September 30, 2002 at 7:06 am PST

From: "Belay, Ermias"

To: Cc: "Race, Richard (NIH)" ; ; "Belay, Ermias"

Sent: Monday, September 30, 2002 9:22 AM

Subject: RE: TO CDC AND NIH - PUB MED- 3 MORE DEATHS - CWD - YOUNG HUNTERS

Dear Sir/Madam,

In the Archives of Neurology you quoted (the abstract of which was attached to your email), we did not say CWD in humans will present like variant CJD. That assumption would be wrong. I encourage you to read the whole article and call me if you have questions or need more clarification (phone: 404-639-3091). Also, we do not claim that "no-one has ever been infected with prion disease from eating venison." Our conclusion stating that we found no strong evidence of CWD transmission to humans in the article you quoted or in any other forum is limited to the patients we investigated.

Ermias Belay, M.D. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

-----Original Message-----

From: Sent: Sunday, September 29, 2002 10:15 AM

To: rr26k@nih.gov; rrace@niaid.nih.gov; ebb8@CDC.GOV

Subject: TO CDC AND NIH - PUB MED- 3 MORE DEATHS - CWD - YOUNG HUNTERS

Sunday, November 10, 2002 6:26 PM ......snip........end..............TSS

Thursday, April 03, 2008

A prion disease of cervids: Chronic wasting disease 2008 1: Vet Res. 2008 Apr 3;39(4):41 A prion disease of cervids: Chronic wasting disease Sigurdson CJ.

snip...

*** twenty-seven CJD patients who regularly consumed venison were reported to the Surveillance Center***,

snip... full text ;

CJD is so rare in people under age 30, one case in a billion (leaving out medical mishaps), that four cases under 30 is "very high," says Colorado neurologist Bosque. "Then, if you add these other two from Wisconsin [cases in the newspaper], six cases of CJD in people associated with venison is very, very high." Only now, with Mary Riley, there are at least seven, and possibly eight, with Steve, her dining companion. "It's not critical mass that matters," however, Belay says. "One case would do it for me." The chance that two people who know each other would both contact CJD, like the two Wisconsin sportsmen, is so unlikely, experts say, it would happen only once in 140 years.

Given the incubation period for TSEs in humans, it may require another generation to write the final chapter on CWD in Wisconsin. "Does chronic wasting disease pass into humans? We'll be able to answer that in 2022," says Race. Meanwhile, the state has become part of an immense experiment.

I urge everyone to watch this video closely...terry

*** you can see video here and interview with Jeff's Mom, and scientist telling you to test everything and potential risk factors for humans ***

*** These results would seem to suggest that CWD does indeed have zoonotic potential, at least as judged by the compatibility of CWD prions and their human PrPC target. Furthermore, extrapolation from this simple in vitro assay suggests that if zoonotic CWD occurred, it would most likely effect those of the PRNP codon 129-MM genotype and that the PrPres type would be similar to that found in the most common subtype of sCJD (MM1).***

Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease, Prion Protein Gene Codon 129VV, and a Novel PrPSc Type in a Young British Woman

Simon Mead, PhD, MRCP; Susan Joiner, MSc; Melanie Desbruslais, BSc; et al Arch Neurol. 2007;64(12):1780 doi:10.1001/archneur.64.12.1780

Observation | December 2007 Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease, Prion Protein Gene Codon 129VV, and a Novel PrPSc Type in a Young British Woman Simon Mead, PhD, MRCP; Susan Joiner, MSc; Melanie Desbruslais, BSc; Jonathan A. Beck, BSc; Michael ODonoghue, PhD; Peter Lantos, FRCP; Jonathan D. F. Wadsworth, PhD; John Collinge, FRS [+-] Author Affiliations Author Affiliations: MRC [Medical Research Council] Prion Unit and Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, Institute of Neurology, University College London, National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, London, England (Drs Mead, Wadsworth, and Collinge; Mss Joiner and Desbruslais; and Mr Beck); and Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London (Dr Lantos). Dr ODonoghue is now with the Department of Clinical Neurology, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS [National Health Service] Trust, Nottingham, England.

Arch Neurol. 2007;64(12):1780-1784. doi:10.1001/archneur.64.12.1780.

ABSTRACT Background Variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD) is an acquired prion disease causally related to bovine spongiform encephalopathy that has occurred predominantly in young adults. All clinical cases studied have been methionine homozygotes at codon 129 of the prion protein gene (PRNP) with distinctive neuropathological findings and molecular strain type (PrPSc type 4). Modeling studies in transgenic mice suggest that other PRNP genotypes will also be susceptible to infection with bovine spongiform encephalopathy prions but may develop distinctive phenotypes.

Objective To describe the histopathologic and molecular investigation in a young British woman with atypical sporadic CJD and valine homozygosity at PRNP codon 129.

Design Case report, autopsy, and molecular analysis.

Setting Specialist neurology referral center, together with the laboratory services of the MRC [Medical Research Council] Prion Unit.

Subject Single hospitalized patient.

Main Outcome Measures Autopsy findings and molecular investigation results.

Results Autopsy findings were atypical of sporadic CJD, with marked gray and white matter degeneration and widespread prion protein (PrP) deposition. Lymphoreticular tissue was not available for analysis. Molecular analysis of PrPSc (the scrapie isoform of PrP) from cerebellar tissue demonstrated a novel PrPSc type similar to that seen in vCJD (PrPSc type 4). However, this could be distinguished from the typical vCJD pattern by an altered protease cleavage site in the presence of the metal ion chelator EDTA.

Conclusions Further studies will be required to characterize the prion strain seen in this patient and to investigate its etiologic relationship with bovine spongiform encephalopathy. This case illustrates the importance of molecular analysis of prion disease, including the use of EDTA to investigate the metal dependence of protease cleavage patterns of PrPSc.

COMMENT Does the PrPSc typing suggest a BSE-related cause, or can our findings be accommodated by the spectrum seen in sporadic CJD cases worldwide?

The molecular strain typing of the patient's brain material demonstrated a novel PrPSc type when compared with our archived cases.21 There is as yet no internationally agreed-on classification of PrPSc type. Parchi and colleagues23 identified 2 PrPSc types in sporadic CJD. However, Hill et al21 described 3 PrPSc types associated with sporadic and iatrogenic CJD (types 1-3) and PrPSc type 4 associated with vCJD. The PrPSc type 5 has, to our knowledge, been observed only in mice expressing human PrP 129V inoculated with vCJD.3,12 Hill et al21 recently described a novel PrPSc type 6 in sporadic CJD.

The PrPSc type from our case has features similar to PrPSc type 4 (vCJD) in the predominance of the diglycosylated band; however, it is distinct from PrPSc type 4 in the dependence of the protease cleavage pattern of PrPSc on metal ions, suggesting a distinct PrPSc conformation. Unfortunately, only cerebellum was available for Western blotting in this case, although in vCJD cases from which whole brain was available we have not found evidence of any regional variation in PrPSc type. Others have reported coexistence of Gambetti PrPSc type 1 in the brain from patients with vCJD as a minority component.24 It would also have been interesting to look for peripheral lymphoreticular PrP deposition because this is prominent in vCJD, but that tissue was not available for analysis. Transmission of BSE isolates to transgenic mice expressing human PrP 129 valine results in clinical prion disease with undetectable PrPSc; however, transmission of vCJD isolates to the same mice produces PrPSc type 5 that shares the same predominance of diglycosylated PrPSc to that of PrPSc type 4, and these data suggest that the molecular signature of BSE may be preserved after BSE transmission to PRNP codon 129 VV humans.3,12 Transmission studies of the current case in transgenic mice are now being undertaken to investigate transmission characteristics.

We have described a novel PrPSc type that would be designated type 7 by our classification. A firm connection between novel PrPSc types and BSE cannot be made on the basis of a single case, and it will be important to see whether other similar cases occur in the United Kingdom and other BSE-exposed countries but not elsewhere and to perform detailed transmission studies of prions from this patient into transgenic and conventional mice to compare with BSE-derived isolates from cattle and other species. Two other cases of prion disease with valine homozygosity and atypical features have been reported in the United Kingdom and the Netherlands. One of these cases was atypical because of very young onset and a protracted psychiatric history25; the other was notable because certain clinical and molecular features of the case overlapped with those of vCJD, including Western blot analysis of autopsied brain showing a predominance of a diglycosylated PrPSc isoform.26

We recommend keeping an open mind about the etiology of such cases during the ensuing years. These cases emphasize the importance both of continued surveillance of prion disease and the further development and refinement of molecular classification of prion diseases of humans and animals. It will also be important to assess lymphoreticular involvement in subsequent cases either at diagnostic tonsil biopsy or at autopsy.

2015

I strenuously once again urge the FDA and its industry constituents, to make it MANDATORY that all ruminant feed be banned to all ruminants, and this should include all cervids as soon as possible for the following reasons...

======

In the USA, under the Food and Drug Administrations BSE Feed Regulation (21 CFR 589.2000) most material (exceptions include milk, tallow, and gelatin) from deer and elk is prohibited for use in feed for ruminant animals. With regards to feed for non-ruminant animals, under FDA law, CWD positive deer may not be used for any animal feed or feed ingredients. For elk and deer considered at high risk for CWD, the FDA recommends that these animals do not enter the animal feed system.

***However, this recommendation is guidance and not a requirement by law.

======

31 Jan 2015 at 20:14 GMT

*** Ruminant feed ban for cervids in the United States? ***

31 Jan 2015 at 20:14 GMT

*** Singeltary reply ; Molecular, Biochemical and Genetic Characteristics of BSE in Canada Singeltary reply ;

It is clear that the designing scientists must also have shared Mr Bradleys surprise at the results because all the dose levels right down to 1 gram triggered infection.

it is clear that the designing scientists must have also shared Mr Bradleys surprise at the results because all the dose levels right down to 1 gram triggered infection.

Evidence That Transmissible Mink Encephalopathy Results from Feeding Infected Cattle

Over the next 8-10 weeks, approximately 40% of all the adult mink on the farm died from TME.

snip...

The rancher was a ''dead stock'' feeder using mostly (>95%) downer or dead dairy cattle...

In Confidence - Perceptions of unconventional slow virus diseases of animals in the USA - APRIL-MAY 1989 - G A H Wells

3. Prof. A. Robertson gave a brief account of BSE. The US approach was to accord it a very low profile indeed. Dr. A Thiermann showed the picture in the ''Independent'' with cattle being incinerated and thought this was a fanatical incident to be avoided in the US at all costs. ...

10 years post mad cow feed ban August 1997

10,000,000+ LBS. of PROHIBITED BANNED MAD COW FEED I.E. BLOOD LACED MBM IN COMMERCE USA 2007

Date: March 21, 2007 at 2:27 pm PST

RECALLS AND FIELD CORRECTIONS: VETERINARY MEDICINES -- CLASS II

PRODUCT

Bulk cattle feed made with recalled Darling's 85% Blood Meal, Flash Dried, Recall # V-024-2007

CODE

Cattle feed delivered between 01/12/2007 and 01/26/2007

RECALLING FIRM/MANUFACTURER

Pfeiffer, Arno, Inc, Greenbush, WI. by conversation on February 5, 2007.

Firm initiated recall is ongoing.

REASON

Blood meal used to make cattle feed was recalled because it was cross- contaminated with prohibited bovine meat and bone meal that had been manufactured on common equipment and labeling did not bear cautionary BSE statement.

VOLUME OF PRODUCT IN COMMERCE

42,090 lbs.

DISTRIBUTION

WI

___________________________________

PRODUCT

Custom dairy premix products: MNM ALL PURPOSE Pellet, HILLSIDE/CDL Prot- Buffer Meal, LEE, M.-CLOSE UP PX Pellet, HIGH DESERT/ GHC LACT Meal, TATARKA, M CUST PROT Meal, SUNRIDGE/CDL PROTEIN Blend, LOURENZO, K PVM DAIRY Meal, DOUBLE B DAIRY/GHC LAC Mineral, WEST PIONT/GHC CLOSEUP Mineral, WEST POINT/GHC LACT Meal, JENKS, J/COMPASS PROTEIN Meal, COPPINI - 8# SPECIAL DAIRY Mix, GULICK, L-LACT Meal (Bulk), TRIPLE J - PROTEIN/LACTATION, ROCK CREEK/GHC MILK Mineral, BETTENCOURT/GHC S.SIDE MK-MN, BETTENCOURT #1/GHC MILK MINR, V&C DAIRY/GHC LACT Meal, VEENSTRA, F/GHC LACT Meal, SMUTNY, A- BYPASS ML W/SMARTA, Recall # V-025-2007

CODE

The firm does not utilize a code - only shipping documentation with commodity and weights identified.

RECALLING FIRM/MANUFACTURER

Rangen, Inc, Buhl, ID, by letters on February 13 and 14, 2007. Firm initiated recall is complete.

REASON

Products manufactured from bulk feed containing blood meal that was cross contaminated with prohibited meat and bone meal and the labeling did not bear cautionary BSE statement.

VOLUME OF PRODUCT IN COMMERCE

9,997,976 lbs.

DISTRIBUTION

ID and NV

END OF ENFORCEMENT REPORT FOR MARCH 21, 2007

16 years post mad cow feed ban August 1997

2013

Sunday, December 15, 2013

FDA PART 589 -- SUBSTANCES PROHIBITED FROM USE IN ANIMAL FOOD OR FEED VIOLATIONS OFFICIAL ACTION INDICATED OIA UPDATE DECEMBER 2013 UPDATE

17 years post mad cow feed ban August 1997

Tuesday, December 23, 2014

FDA PART 589 -- SUBSTANCES PROHIBITED FROM USE IN ANIMAL FOOD OR FEED VIOLATIONS OFFICIAL ACTION INDICATED OAI UPDATE DECEMBER 2014 BSE TSE PRION

Sunday, June 14, 2015

Larrys Custom Meats Inc. Recalls Beef Tongue Products That May Contain Specified Risk Materials BSE TSE Prion

*** Monday, October 26, 2015 ***

*** FDA PART 589 -- SUBSTANCES PROHIBITED FROM USE IN ANIMAL FOOD OR FEED VIOLATIONS OFFICIAL ACTION INDICATED OIA UPDATE October 2015 ***

the OIE BSE TSE Prion policy now, the BSE MRR, legalized the free trading of the TSE Prion disease, humans and animals have now become expendable. ...

AS i said before, OIE should hang up there jock strap now, since it appears they will buckle every time a country makes some political hay about trade protocol, commodities and futures. IF they are not going to be science based, they should do everyone a favor and dissolve there organization.

IN A NUT SHELL ;

(Adopted by the International Committee of the OIE on 23 May 2006)

11. Information published by the OIE is derived from appropriate declarations made by the official Veterinary Services of Member Countries. The OIE is not responsible for inaccurate publication of country disease status based on inaccurate information or changes in epidemiological status or other significant events that were not promptly reported to the Central Bureau,

snip...see ;

*** Thursday, January 14, 2016

*** EMERGING ANIMAL DISEASES Actions Needed to Better Position USDA to Address Future Risks Report to the Chairman, Committee on Energy and Commerce, House of Representatives December 2015 GAO-16-132

*** GAO

Sunday, October 18, 2015

World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) and the Institut Pasteur Cooperating on animal disease and zoonosis research

Thursday, December 17, 2015

Annual report of the Scientific Network on BSE-TSE 2015 EFSA-Q-2015-00738 10 December 2015

Friday, January 1, 2016

South Korea Lifts Ban on Beef, Veal Imports From Canada

US CONGRESS, another failed entity...tss

Tuesday, December 29, 2015

*** Congress repeals country-of-origin labeling rule for beef and pork

December 28, 2015 at 2:21am

*** Australian government assessing risk of importing beef from US, Japan and the Netherlands

Thursday, December 24, 2015

Infectious disease spread is fueled by international trade

*** you can find some history of the BSE cases in Canada and Kleins BSE SSS policy comment here ;

Tuesday, August 12, 2014

MAD COW USDA TSE PRION COVER UP or JUST IGNORANCE, for the record AUGUST 2014

Saturday, December 12, 2015

*** BOVINE SPONGIFORM ENCEPHALOPATHY BSE TSE PRION REPORT DECEMBER 14, 2015

Thursday, October 22, 2015

*** Former Ag Secretary Ann Veneman talks women in agriculture and we talk mad cow disease USDA and what really happened

*** Needless conflict ***

Nature 485, 279280 (17 May 2012) doi:10.1038/485279b

Published online 16 May 2012

Terry S. Singeltary Sr. said:

I kindly wish to submit the following please ;

REPORT OF THE MEETING OF THE OIE TERRESTRIAL ANIMAL HEALTH STANDARDS COMMISSION Paris, 1928 February 2013

In response to a Member Countrys detailed justification for listing of chronic wasting disease of cervids (CWD) against the criteria of Article 1.2.2., the Code Commission recommended this disease be reconsidered for listing.

OIE CWD TSE PRION TO HUMANS RISK FACTORS STILL IGNORED

REPORT OF THE MEETING OF THE OIE TERRESTRIAL ANIMAL HEALTH STANDARDS COMMISSION Paris, 1726 September 2013

Item 5 Criteria for listing diseases (Chapter 1.2.)

Comments were received from Australia, EU, Japan, New Zealand, Switzerland, Thailand and AU-IBAR The Code Commission noted a Member Countrys comment suggesting that greater clarity was needed for the term significant morbidity and mortality. As noted in the February 2013 report, the Code Commission considered that the structured process of listing diseases, first by an expert group whose conclusions are documented and circulated for Member Countries review and comment, then consideration by the World Assembly of Delegates before final adoption, is sufficiently rigorous and transparent.

link updated ;

Monday, May 05, 2014

Member Country details for listing OIE CWD 2013 against the criteria of Article 1.2.2., the Code Commission recommends consideration for listing

*** Singeltary submission ;

*** Program Standards: Chronic Wasting Disease Herd Certification Program and Interstate Movement of Farmed or Captive Deer, Elk, and Moose

*** DOCUMENT ID: APHIS-2006-0118-0411 ***

see attachments PDF @ bottom of submission...tss

SCRAPIE TO HUMANS RISK FACTORS STILL IGNORED

***This information will have a scientific impact since it is the first study that demonstrates the transmission of scrapie to a non-human primate with a close genetic relationship to humans. This information is especially useful to regulatory officials and those involved with risk assessment of the potential transmission of animal prion diseases to humans.

***This observation strengthens the questioning of the harmlessness of scrapie to humans, at a time when protective measures for human and animal health are being dismantled and reduced as c-BSE is considered controlled and being eradicated. Our results underscore the importance of precautionary and protective measures and the necessity for long-term experimental transmission studies to assess the zoonotic potential of other animal prion strains.

Monday, November 16, 2015

*** Docket No. APHIS-2007-0127 Scrapie in Sheep and Goats Terry Singeltary Sr. Submission ***

98 | Veterinary Record | January 24, 2015

EDITORIAL

Scrapie: a particularly persistent pathogen

Cristina Acin

Resistant prions in the environment have been the sword of Damocles for scrapie control and eradication. Attempts to establish which physical and chemical agents could be applied to inactivate or moderate scrapie infectivity were initiated in the 1960s and 1970s,with the first study of this type focusing on the effect of heat treatment in reducing prion infectivity (Hunter and Millson 1964). Nowadays, most of the chemical procedures that aim to inactivate the prion protein are based on the method developed by Kimberlin and collaborators (1983). This procedure consists of treatment with 20,000 parts per million free chlorine solution, for a minimum of one hour, of all surfaces that need to be sterilised (in laboratories, lambing pens, slaughterhouses, and so on). Despite this, veterinarians and farmers may still ask a range of questions, such as Is there an official procedure published somewhere? and Is there an international organisation which recommends and defines the exact method of scrapie decontamination that must be applied?

From a European perspective, it is difficult to find a treatment that could be applied, especially in relation to the disinfection of surfaces in lambing pens of affected flocks. A 999/2001 EU regulation on controlling spongiform encephalopathies (European Parliament and Council 2001) did not specify a particular decontamination measure to be used when an outbreak of scrapie is diagnosed. There is only a brief recommendation in Annex VII concerning the control and eradication of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSE s).

Chapter B of the regulation explains the measures that must be applied if new caprine animals are to be introduced to a holding where a scrapie outbreak has previously been diagnosed. In that case, the statement indicates that caprine animals can be introduced provided that a cleaning and disinfection of all animal housing on the premises has been carried out following destocking.

Issues around cleaning and disinfection are common in prion prevention recommendations, but relevant authorities, veterinarians and farmers may have difficulties in finding the specific protocol which applies. The European Food and Safety Authority (EFSA ) published a detailed report about the efficacy of certain biocides, such as sodium hydroxide, sodium hypochlorite, guanidine and even a formulation of copper or iron metal ions in combination with hydrogen peroxide, against prions (EFSA 2009). The report was based on scientific evidence (Fichet and others 2004, Lemmer and others 2004, Gao and others 2006, Solassol and others 2006) but unfortunately the decontamination measures were not assessed under outbreak conditions.

The EFSA Panel on Biological Hazards recently published its conclusions on the scrapie situation in the EU after 10 years of monitoring and control of the disease in sheep and goats (EFSA 2014), and one of the most interesting findings was the Icelandic experience regarding the effect of disinfection in scrapie control. The Icelandic plan consisted of: culling scrapie-affected sheep or the whole flock in newly diagnosed outbreaks; deep cleaning and disinfection of stables, sheds, barns and equipment with high pressure washing followed by cleaning with 500 parts per million of hypochlorite; drying and treatment with 300 ppm of iodophor; and restocking was not permitted for at least two years. Even when all of these measures were implemented, scrapie recurred on several farms, indicating that the infectious agent survived for years in the environment, even as many as 16 years after restocking (Georgsson and others 2006).

In the rest of the countries considered in the EFSA (2014) report, recommendations for disinfection measures were not specifically defined at the government level. In the report, the only recommendation that is made for sheep is repopulation with sheep with scrapie-resistant genotypes. This reduces the risk of scrapie recurrence but it is difficult to know its effect on the infection.

Until the EFSA was established (in May 2003), scientific opinions about TSE s were provided by the Scientific Steering Committee (SSC) of the EC, whose advice regarding inactivation procedures focused on treating animal waste at high temperatures (150C for three hours) and high pressure alkaline hydrolysis (SSC 2003). At the same time, the TSE Risk Management Subgroup of the Advisory Committee on Dangerous Pathogens (ACDP) in the UK published guidance on safe working and the prevention of TSE infection. Annex C of the ACDP report established that sodium hypochlorite was considered to be effective, but only if 20,000 ppm of available chlorine was present for at least one hour, which has practical limitations such as the release of chlorine gas, corrosion, incompatibility with formaldehyde, alcohols and acids, rapid inactivation of its active chemicals and the stability of dilutions (ACDP 2009).

In an international context, the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) does not recommend a specific disinfection protocol for prion agents in its Terrestrial Code or Manual. Chapter 4.13 of the Terrestrial Code, General recommendations on disinfection and disinsection (OIE 2014), focuses on foot-and-mouth disease virus, mycobacteria and Bacillus anthracis, but not on prion disinfection. Nevertheless, the last update published by the OIE on bovine spongiform encephalopathy (OIE 2012) indicates that few effective decontamination techniques are available to inactivate the agent on surfaces, and recommends the removal of all organic material and the use of sodium hydroxide, or a sodium hypochlorite solution containing 2 per cent available chlorine, for more than one hour at 20C.

The World Health Organization outlines guidelines for the control of TSE s, and also emphasises the importance of mechanically cleaning surfaces before disinfection with sodium hydroxide or sodium hypochlorite for one hour (WHO 1999).

Finally, the relevant agencies in both Canada and the USA suggest that the best treatments for surfaces potentially contaminated with prions are sodium hydroxide or sodium hypochlorite at 20,000 ppm. This is a 2 per cent solution, while most commercial household bleaches contain 5.25 per cent sodium hypochlorite. It is therefore recommended to dilute one part 5.25 per cent bleach with 1.5 parts water (CDC 2009, Canadian Food Inspection Agency 2013).

So what should we do about disinfection against prions? First, it is suggested that a single protocol be created by international authorities to homogenise inactivation procedures and enable their application in all scrapie-affected countries. Sodium hypochlorite with 20,000 ppm of available chlorine seems to be the procedure used in most countries, as noted in a paper summarised on p 99 of this issue of Veterinary Record (Hawkins and others 2015). But are we totally sure of its effectiveness as a preventive measure in a scrapie outbreak? Would an in-depth study of the recurrence of scrapie disease be needed?

What we can conclude is that, if we want to fight prion diseases, and specifically classical scrapie, we must focus on the accuracy of diagnosis, monitoring and surveillance; appropriate animal identification and control of movements; and, in the end, have homogeneous and suitable protocols to decontaminate and disinfect lambing barns, sheds and equipment available to veterinarians and farmers. Finally, further investigations into the resistance of prion proteins in the diversity of environmental surfaces are required.

References

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98 | Veterinary Record | January 24, 2015

*** These results suggest that AA fibrils are relatively heat stable and that similar to prions, autoclaving at 135 C is required to destroy the pathogenicity of AA fibrils.

*** These findings may contribute to the prevention of AA fibril transmission through food materials to different animals and especially to humans.

New studies on the heat resistance of hamster-adapted scrapie agent: Threshold survival after ashing at 600C suggests an inorganic template of replication

The infectious agents responsible for transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE) are notoriously resistant to most physical and chemical methods used for inactivating pathogens, including heat. It has long been recognized, for example, that boiling is ineffective and that higher temperatures are most efficient when combined with steam under pressure (i.e., autoclaving). As a means of decontamination, dry heat is used only at the extremely high temperatures achieved during incineration, usually in excess of 600C. It has been assumed, without proof, that incineration totally inactivates the agents of TSE, whether of human or animal origin.

Prion Infected Meat-and-Bone Meal Is Still Infectious after Biodiesel Production

Histochemical analysis of hamster brains inoculated with the solid residue showed typical spongiform degeneration and vacuolation. Re-inoculation of these brains into a new cohort of hamsters led to onset of clinical scrapie symptoms within 75 days, suggesting that the specific infectivity of the prion protein was not changed during the biodiesel process. The biodiesel reaction cannot be considered a viable prion decontamination method for MBM, although we observed increased survival time of hamsters and reduced infectivity greater than 6 log orders in the solid MBM residue. Furthermore, results from our study compare for the first time prion detection by Western Blot versus an infectivity bioassay for analysis of biodiesel reaction products. We could show that biochemical analysis alone is insufficient for detection of prion infectivity after a biodiesel process.

Detection of protease-resistant cervid prion protein in water from a CWD-endemic area

The data presented here demonstrate that sPMCA can detect low levels of PrPCWD in the environment, corroborate previous biological and experimental data suggesting long term persistence of prions in the environment2,3 and imply that PrPCWD accumulation over time may contribute to transmission of CWD in areas where it has been endemic for decades. This work demonstrates the utility of sPMCA to evaluate other environmental water sources for PrPCWD, including smaller bodies of water such as vernal pools and wallows, where large numbers of cervids congregate and into which prions from infected animals may be shed and concentrated to infectious levels.

A Quantitative Assessment of the Amount of Prion Diverted to Category 1 Materials and Wastewater During Processing

Keywords:Abattoir;bovine spongiform encephalopathy;QRA;scrapie;TSE

In this article the development and parameterization of a quantitative assessment is described that estimates the amount of TSE infectivity that is present in a whole animal carcass (bovine spongiform encephalopathy [BSE] for cattle and classical/atypical scrapie for sheep and lambs) and the amounts that subsequently fall to the floor during processing at facilities that handle specified risk material (SRM). BSE in cattle was found to contain the most oral doses, with a mean of 9864 BO ID50s (310, 38840) in a whole carcass compared to a mean of 1851 OO ID50s (600, 4070) and 614 OO ID50s (155, 1509) for a sheep infected with classical and atypical scrapie, respectively. Lambs contained the least infectivity with a mean of 251 OO ID50s (83, 548) for classical scrapie and 1 OO ID50s (0.2, 2) for atypical scrapie. The highest amounts of infectivity falling to the floor and entering the drains from slaughtering a whole carcass at SRM facilities were found to be from cattle infected with BSE at rendering and large incineration facilities with 7.4 BO ID50s (0.1, 29), intermediate plants and small incinerators with a mean of 4.5 BO ID50s (0.1, 18), and collection centers, 3.6 BO ID50s (0.1, 14). The lowest amounts entering drains are from lambs infected with classical and atypical scrapie at intermediate plants and atypical scrapie at collection centers with a mean of 3  107 OO ID50s (2  108, 1  106) per carcass. The results of this model provide key inputs for the model in the companion paper published here.

*** Infectious agent of sheep scrapie may persist in the environment for at least 16 years ***

Gudmundur Georgsson1, Sigurdur Sigurdarson2 and Paul Brown3

PL1

Using in vitro prion replication for high sensitive detection of prions and prionlike proteins and for understanding mechanisms of transmission.

Claudio Soto

Mitchell Center for Alzheimer's diseases and related Brain disorders, Department of Neurology, University of Texas Medical School at Houston.

Prion and prion-like proteins are misfolded protein aggregates with the ability to selfpropagate to spread disease between cells, organs and in some cases across individuals. I n T r a n s m i s s i b l e s p o n g i f o r m encephalopathies (TSEs), prions are mostly composed by a misfolded form of the prion protein (PrPSc), which propagates by transmitting its misfolding to the normal prion protein (PrPC). The availability of a procedure to replicate prions in the laboratory may be important to study the mechanism of prion and prion-like spreading and to develop high sensitive detection of small quantities of misfolded proteins in biological fluids, tissues and environmental samples. Protein Misfolding Cyclic Amplification (PMCA) is a simple, fast and efficient methodology to mimic prion replication in the test tube. PMCA is a platform technology that may enable amplification of any prion-like misfolded protein aggregating through a seeding/nucleation process. In TSEs, PMCA is able to detect the equivalent of one single molecule of infectious PrPSc and propagate prions that maintain high infectivity, strain properties and species specificity. Using PMCA we have been able to detect PrPSc in blood and urine of experimentally infected animals and humans affected by vCJD with high sensitivity and specificity. Recently, we have expanded the principles of PMCA to amplify amyloid-beta (A) and alphasynuclein (-syn) aggregates implicated in Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases, respectively. Experiments are ongoing to study the utility of this technology to detect A and -syn aggregates in samples of CSF and blood from patients affected by these diseases.

=========================

***Recently, we have been using PMCA to study the role of environmental prion contamination on the horizontal spreading of TSEs. These experiments have focused on the study of the interaction of prions with plants and environmentally relevant surfaces. Our results show that plants (both leaves and roots) bind tightly to prions present in brain extracts and excreta (urine and feces) and retain even small quantities of PrPSc for long periods of time. Strikingly, ingestion of prioncontaminated leaves and roots produced disease with a 100% attack rate and an incubation period not substantially longer than feeding animals directly with scrapie brain homogenate. Furthermore, plants can uptake prions from contaminated soil and transport them to different parts of the plant tissue (stem and leaves). Similarly, prions bind tightly to a variety of environmentally relevant surfaces, including stones, wood, metals, plastic, glass, cement, etc. Prion contaminated surfaces efficiently transmit prion disease when these materials were directly injected into the brain of animals and strikingly when the contaminated surfaces were just placed in the animal cage. These findings demonstrate that environmental materials can efficiently bind infectious prions and act as carriers of infectivity, suggesting that they may play an important role in the horizontal transmission of the disease.

========================

Since its invention 13 years ago, PMCA has helped to answer fundamental questions of prion propagation and has broad applications in research areas including the food industry, blood bank safety and human and veterinary disease diagnosis.

Wednesday, December 16, 2015

Objects in contact with classical scrapie sheep act as a reservoir for scrapie transmission

Objects in contact with classical scrapie sheep act as a reservoir for scrapie transmission

Timm Konold1*, Stephen A. C. Hawkins2, Lisa C. Thurston3, Ben C. Maddison4, Kevin C. Gough5, Anthony Duarte1 and Hugh A. Simmons1

1 Animal Sciences Unit, Animal and Plant Health Agency Weybridge, Addlestone, UK, 2 Pathology Department, Animal and Plant Health Agency Weybridge, Addlestone, UK, 3 Surveillance and Laboratory Services, Animal and Plant Health Agency Penrith, Penrith, UK, 4 ADAS UK, School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington, UK, 5 School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington, UK

Classical scrapie is an environmentally transmissible prion disease of sheep and goats. Prions can persist and remain potentially infectious in the environment for many years and thus pose a risk of infecting animals after re-stocking. In vitro studies using serial protein misfolding cyclic amplification (sPMCA) have suggested that objects on a scrapie affected sheep farm could contribute to disease transmission. This in vivo study aimed to determine the role of field furniture (water troughs, feeding troughs, fencing, and other objects that sheep may rub against) used by a scrapie-infected sheep flock as a vector for disease transmission to scrapie-free lambs with the prion protein genotype VRQ/VRQ, which is associated with high susceptibility to classical scrapie. When the field furniture was placed in clean accommodation, sheep became infected when exposed to either a water trough (four out of five) or to objects used for rubbing (four out of seven). This field furniture had been used by the scrapie-infected flock 8 weeks earlier and had previously been shown to harbor scrapie prions by sPMCA. Sheep also became infected (20 out of 23) through exposure to contaminated field furniture placed within pasture not used by scrapie-infected sheep for 40 months, even though swabs from this furniture tested negative by PMCA. This infection rate decreased (1 out of 12) on the same paddock after replacement with clean field furniture. Twelve grazing sheep exposed to field furniture not in contact with scrapie-infected sheep for 18 months remained scrapie free. The findings of this study highlight the role of field furniture used by scrapie-infected sheep to act as a reservoir for disease re-introduction although infectivity declines considerably if the field furniture has not been in contact with scrapie-infected sheep for several months. PMCA may not be as sensitive as VRQ/VRQ sheep to test for environmental contamination.

snip...

Discussion

Classical scrapie is an environmentally transmissible disease because it has been reported in naive, supposedly previously unexposed sheep placed in pastures formerly occupied by scrapie-infected sheep (4, 19, 20). Although the vector for disease transmission is not known, soil is likely to be an important reservoir for prions (2) where  based on studies in rodents  prions can adhere to minerals as a biologically active form (21) and remain infectious for more than 2 years (22). Similarly, chronic wasting disease (CWD) has re-occurred in mule deer housed in paddocks used by infected deer 2 years earlier, which was assumed to be through foraging and soil consumption (23).

Our study suggested that the risk of acquiring scrapie infection was greater through exposure to contaminated wooden, plastic, and metal surfaces via water or food troughs, fencing, and hurdles than through grazing. Drinking from a water trough used by the scrapie flock was sufficient to cause infection in sheep in a clean building. Exposure to fences and other objects used for rubbing also led to infection, which supported the hypothesis that skin may be a vector for disease transmission (9). The risk of these objects to cause infection was further demonstrated when 87% of 23 sheep presented with PrPSc in lymphoid tissue after grazing on one of the paddocks, which contained metal hurdles, a metal lamb creep and a water trough in contact with the scrapie flock up to 8 weeks earlier, whereas no infection had been demonstrated previously in sheep grazing on this paddock, when equipped with new fencing and field furniture. When the contaminated furniture and fencing were removed, the infection rate dropped significantly to 8% of 12 sheep, with soil of the paddock as the most likely source of infection caused by shedding of prions from the scrapie-infected sheep in this paddock up to a week earlier.

This study also indicated that the level of contamination of field furniture sufficient to cause infection was dependent on two factors: stage of incubation period and time of last use by scrapie-infected sheep. Drinking from a water trough that had been used by scrapie sheep in the predominantly pre-clinical phase did not appear to cause infection, whereas infection was shown in sheep drinking from the water trough used by scrapie sheep in the later stage of the disease. It is possible that contamination occurred through shedding of prions in saliva, which may have contaminated the surface of the water trough and subsequently the water when it was refilled. Contamination appeared to be sufficient to cause infection only if the trough was in contact with sheep that included clinical cases. Indeed, there is an increased risk of bodily fluid infectivity with disease progression in scrapie (24) and CWD (25) based on PrPSc detection by sPMCA. Although ultraviolet light and heat under natural conditions do not inactivate prions (26), furniture in contact with the scrapie flock, which was assumed to be sufficiently contaminated to cause infection, did not act as vector for disease if not used for 18 months, which suggest that the weathering process alone was sufficient to inactivate prions.

PrPSc detection by sPMCA is increasingly used as a surrogate for infectivity measurements by bioassay in sheep or mice. In this reported study, however, the levels of PrPSc present in the environment were below the limit of detection of the sPMCA method, yet were still sufficient to cause infection of in-contact animals. In the present study, the outdoor objects were removed from the infected flock 8 weeks prior to sampling and were positive by sPMCA at very low levels (2 out of 37 reactions). As this sPMCA assay also yielded 2 positive reactions out of 139 in samples from the scrapie-free farm, the sPMCA assay could not detect PrPSc on any of the objects above the background of the assay. False positive reactions with sPMCA at a low frequency associated with de novo formation of infectious prions have been reported (27, 28). This is in contrast to our previous study where we demonstrated that outdoor objects that had been in contact with the scrapie-infected flock up to 20 days prior to sampling harbored PrPSc that was detectable by sPMCA analysis [4 out of 15 reactions (12)] and was significantly more positive by the assay compared to analogous samples from the scrapie-free farm. This discrepancy could be due to the use of a different sPMCA substrate between the studies that may alter the efficiency of amplification of the environmental PrPSc. In addition, the present study had a longer timeframe between the objects being in contact with the infected flock and sampling, which may affect the levels of extractable PrPSc. Alternatively, there may be potentially patchy contamination of this furniture with PrPSc, which may have been missed by swabbing. The failure of sPMCA to detect CWD-associated PrP in saliva from clinically affected deer despite confirmation of infectivity in saliva-inoculated transgenic mice was associated with as yet unidentified inhibitors in saliva (29), and it is possible that the sensitivity of sPMCA is affected by other substances in the tested material. In addition, sampling of amplifiable PrPSc and subsequent detection by sPMCA may be more difficult from furniture exposed to weather, which is supported by the observation that PrPSc was detected by sPMCA more frequently in indoor than outdoor furniture (12). A recent experimental study has demonstrated that repeated cycles of drying and wetting of prion-contaminated soil, equivalent to what is expected under natural weathering conditions, could reduce PMCA amplification efficiency and extend the incubation period in hamsters inoculated with soil samples (30). This seems to apply also to this study even though the reduction in infectivity was more dramatic in the sPMCA assays than in the sheep model. Sheep were not kept until clinical end-point, which would have enabled us to compare incubation periods, but the lack of infection in sheep exposed to furniture that had not been in contact with scrapie sheep for a longer time period supports the hypothesis that prion degradation and subsequent loss of infectivity occurs even under natural conditions.

In conclusion, the results in the current study indicate that removal of furniture that had been in contact with scrapie-infected animals should be recommended, particularly since cleaning and decontamination may not effectively remove scrapie infectivity (31), even though infectivity declines considerably if the pasture and the field furniture have not been in contact with scrapie-infected sheep for several months. As sPMCA failed to detect PrPSc in furniture that was subjected to weathering, even though exposure led to infection in sheep, this method may not always be reliable in predicting the risk of scrapie infection through environmental contamination. These results suggest that the VRQ/VRQ sheep model may be more sensitive than sPMCA for the detection of environmentally associated scrapie, and suggest that extremely low levels of scrapie contamination are able to cause infection in susceptible sheep genotypes.

Keywords: classical scrapie, prion, transmissible spongiform encephalopathy, sheep, field furniture, reservoir, serial protein misfolding cyclic amplification

Wednesday, December 16, 2015

*** Objects in contact with classical scrapie sheep act as a reservoir for scrapie transmission

Tuesday, December 16, 2014

Evidence for zoonotic potential of ovine scrapie prions

Herve Cassard,1, n1 Juan-Maria Torres,2, n1 Caroline Lacroux,1, Jean-Yves Douet,1, Sylvie L. Benestad,3, Frederic Lantier,4, Severine Lugan,1, Isabelle Lantier,4, Pierrette Costes,1, Naima Aron,1, Fabienne Reine,5, Laetitia Herzog,5, Juan-Carlos Espinosa,2, Vincent Beringue5, & Olivier Andreoletti1, Affiliations Contributions Corresponding author Journal name: Nature Communications Volume: 5, Article number: 5821 DOI: doi:10.1038/ncomms6821 Received 07 August 2014 Accepted 10 November 2014 Published 16 December 2014 Article tools Citation Reprints Rights & permissions Article metrics

Abstract

Although Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) is the cause of variant Creutzfeldt Jakob disease (vCJD) in humans, the zoonotic potential of scrapie prions remains unknown. Mice genetically engineered to overexpress the human prion protein (tgHu) have emerged as highly relevant models for gauging the capacity of prions to transmit to humans. These models can propagate human prions without any apparent transmission barrier and have been used used to confirm the zoonotic ability of BSE. Here we show that a panel of sheep scrapie prions transmit to several tgHu mice models with an efficiency comparable to that of cattle BSE. The serial transmission of different scrapie isolates in these mice led to the propagation of prions that are phenotypically identical to those causing sporadic CJD (sCJD) in humans. These results demonstrate that scrapie prions have a zoonotic potential and raise new questions about the possible link between animal and human prions.

Subject terms: Biological sciences Medical research At a glance

why do we not want to do TSE transmission studies on chimpanzees $

5. A positive result from a chimpanzee challenged severly would likely create alarm in some circles even if the result could not be interpreted for man. I have a view that all these agents could be transmitted provided a large enough dose by appropriate routes was given and the animals kept long enough. Until the mechanisms of the species barrier are more clearly understood it might be best to retain that hypothesis.

snip...

R. BRADLEY

Monday, January 4, 2016

Long live the OIE, or time to close 
A brigade of Katibat al Murabitoon in AQIM

Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), Al Qaedas official branch in North Africa, has claimed responsibility for an attack today on a popular hotel in the West African country of Burkina Faso. The attack is still ongoing in Burkina Fasos capital of Ouagadougou as of publishing of this story and the number of casualties has not yet been confirmed. Burkina Faso is located south of Mali and has suffered some spillover of the conflict there.

According to the BBC, the attack began with two car bombs detonating near the Splendid Hotel and an assault team attacking the perimeter after the blasts. In addition to the hotel, a nearby restaurant is also said to have been targeted by the jihadists. Hostages are also thought to be involved, but reports have varied on the total number. The Splendid Hotel is a popular hotel with UN staff, French and Western military personnel, and other Westerners.

In statement released online, AQIMs Africa Muslim account said that your mujahideen brothers in Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghrebs Katibat al Murabitoon have broken into a restaurant in the one of the biggest hotels in Burkina Faso and are now holed up in the hotel and clashes are continuing with the enemies of Islam.

The attack in Ouagadougou is similar to AQIM and Al Murabitoons attack in Malis capital of Bamako in November. In that attack, the jihadists stormed the Radisson Blue in Bamako, killing 22 civilians and taking more than 100 people hostage before being killed in a joint raid led by Malian forces. Al Murabitoon said it was responsible in conjunction with the Sahara Emirate of AQIM, according to a statement sent to Al Jazeera. In August, Al Murabitoon attacked a hotel in the central Malian town of Sevare, killing 12.

The attack in Bamako heralded the reintigration of Al Murabitoon into AQIM. On Dec. 4, AQIMs Al Andalus Media released an audio statement from Abdelmalek Droukdel, the emir of AQIM, announcing the merger of Al Murabitoon into its ranks. The same statement also said that the Bamako attack was the first joint assault carried out by the two.

Al Murabitoon is led by Mokhtar Belmokhtar, a veteran African jihadist who is openly loyal to Ayman al Zawahiri and has denounced the Islamic State. Belmokhtar was originally a commander in AQIM before splitting with the group over personal disagreements with Droukdel and other leaders. Belmokhtar and his followers have been behind several spectacular attacks in West Africa over the past several years, including the January 2013 suicide assault on the In Amenas gas facility in southeastern Algeria, and the May 2013 suicide assaults in Niger which targeted a military barracks and uranium mine.

Caleb Weiss is a research analyst at FDD's Long War Journal and a senior analyst at the Bridgeway Foundation, where he focuses on the spread of the Islamic State in Central Africa.

Are you a dedicated reader of FDD's Long War Journal? Has our research benefitted you or your team over the years? Support our independent reporting and analysis today by considering a one-time or monthly donation. Thanks for reading! You can make a tax-deductible donation here.
Map of Al Qaeda-linked attacks in Mali and neighboring countries since 2014. Map made by Caleb Weiss for The Long War Journal.

A joint Burkinabe-French special forces unit ended an al Qaeda siege on a hotel that began yesterday in the West African nation of Burkina Faso. Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), Al Qaedas official branch in North Africa, claimed responsibility for the attack which reportedly killed more than 20 people from more than 18 countries. More than 100 hostages have reportedly now been freed from the standoff.

The jihadists opened the assault by detonating two car bombs near the Splendid Hotel. After the blasts, an assault team estimated at six gunmen, attacked the perimeter, according to the BBC. The jihadists also targeted the nearby Cappuccino cafe.

The hotel was then raided by Burkinabe and French special forces after the blasts, killing the attackers. However, as the attack at the Splendid Hotel was concluding, jihadists also targeted the nearby Yibi Hotel. A Burkinabe official later confirmed that one attacker was killed at the second hotel. Burkina Fasos Interior Minister also stated that two black Africans and an Arab were among the killed attackers, but this has yet to be confirmed. Burkina Fasos president, Roch Kabore, stated that at least 150 hostages were freed in the joint raid.

AQIM quickly claimed credit for the deadly assault. In statement released online, AQIMs Africa Muslim account said that your mujahideen brothers in Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghrebs Katibat al Murabitoon have broken into a restaurant in the one of the biggest hotels in Burkina Faso and are now holed up in the hotel and clashes are continuing with the enemies of Islam.

AQIM also released a photo explaining its justification for the attack. In a new message from the heroic champions of Islam, with their blood and their bodies, to the slaves of the cross, the occupiers of our homes, the looters of our wealth, and who would undermine our security, launched a group of knights, Al Murabitoon, on a commando raid in Hotel Splendid. The jihadist group went on to say that, in the heart of the Burkinabe capital, Ouagadougou, and where employees of the kuffar [apostate] United Nations frequent, [this is] a reminder to the worshipers of the cross of their crimes against our people in Central Africa and Mali and other Muslim countries and revenge for our Prophet.

While the hotel siege was ongoing, two suspected jihadist attacks also occurred in northern Burkina Faso. Near the town of Tin Akoff, which sits close to the Malian border, two gendarmes were killed by suspected jihadists when 20 gunmen stormed a nearby village yesterday. Additionally, an Austrian couple was kidnapped today by suspected jihadists near the Burkina Faso town of Baraboule, also near the Malian border.

Easy borders and a chaotic political landscape have likely made it easier for Al Qaeda to operate in Burkina Faso. In early April 2015, Al Murabitoon kidnapped a Romanian from a manganese mine in northern Burkina Faso. Al Murabitoon quickly put out a statement to the Mauritanian news agency Al Akhbar, in which the group took credit for the kidnapping. Months later, the jihadist group released a video in which the hostage, identified as Iulian Ghergut, was shown to still be alive. [See Threat Matrix report, Al Murabitoon shows Romanian hostage in new video.]

The attack in Ouagadougou is similar to AQIM and Al Murabitoons attack in Malis capital of Bamako last November. In that attack, the jihadists stormed the Radisson Blue in Bamako, killing 22 civilians and taking more than 100 people hostage before being killed in a joint raid led by Malian forces. Al Murabitoon said it was responsible in conjunction with the Sahara Emirate of AQIM, according to a statement sent to Al Jazeera. Last August, Al Murabitoon attacked a hotel in the central Malian town of Sevare, killing 12.

The attack in Bamako heralded the reintegration of Al Murabitoon into AQIM. On Dec. 4, AQIMs Al Andalus Media released an audio statement from Abdelmalek Droukdel, the emir of AQIM, announcing the merger of Al Murabitoon into its ranks. The same statement also said that the Bamako attack was the first joint assault carried out by the two.

Al Murabitoon is led by Mokhtar Belmokhtar, a veteran African jihadist who is openly loyal to Ayman al Zawahiri and has denounced the Islamic State. Belmokhtar was originally a commander in AQIM before splitting with the group over personal disagreements with Droukdel and other leaders. Belmokhtar and his followers have been behind several spectacular attacks in West Africa over the past several years, including the January 2013 suicide assault on the In Amenas gas facility in southeastern Algeria, and the May 2013 suicide assaults in Niger which targeted a military barracks and uranium mine.

Caleb Weiss is a research analyst at FDD's Long War Journal and a senior analyst at the Bridgeway Foundation, where he focuses on the spread of the Islamic State in Central Africa.

Are you a dedicated reader of FDD's Long War Journal? Has our research benefitted you or your team over the years? Support our independent reporting and analysis today by considering a one-time or monthly donation. Thanks for reading! You can make a tax-deductible donation here.
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Via G1.globo.com: Brazil confirms first three deaths from chikungunya in 2015. Edited excerpt from the Google translation, and then a comment:

Three people were killed by chikungunya in Brazil in 2015, two in Bahia and one in Sergipe, according to the epidemiological report of the Health Ministry announced on Friday (15). The three victims were elderly, 85, 83 and 75, and had a history of chronic diseases.

The data appears in the same report that the ministry shows the numbers of dengue, a disease that had a record of cases in the country in 2015.

According to the report, there were recorded last year 20,661 cases of chikungunya fever in Brazil. Of this total, 7,823 cases were confirmed and 10 420 are under investigation. Currently, 84 municipalities report indigenous transmission (circulation) of the virus.

Record of dengue

In 2015, there were 1,649,008 probable cases of dengue in the country, the ministry said the report. The number is the highest recorded in the time series which started in 1990. The previous record was in 2013, with 1,452,489.

If Zika in just a year has achieved case numbers comparable to dengue's, by this time in 2017 Latin American governments will stand or fall depending on their response to it. And in the meantime, dengue and chikungunya will continue to erode their economies.
Via G1.globo.com: Minister announces diagnosis of Zika, dengue and chikungunya simultaneous. Edited excerpt from the Google translation:

An important innovation allows the simultaneous diagnosis of dengue, the zika virus and chikungunya fever. The information was announced by the Minister of Health, Marcelo Castro, visiting the campus of the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz) on Saturday morning (16).

According to the Institute, the innovation will ensure greater flexibility for the diagnosis made in network the Ministries of Health laboratories, as well as reduce costs and allow the substitution of foreign inputs for a national product. The new test takes about three hours to prepare and obtain results.

The expectation is that the test is still available in the first half of this year. "We already have 18 of the 27 central laboratories equipped for this test and now in February Fiocruz will produce these tests," said the minister. The cost estimate for the diagnosis is US $20 per test.

Test detects Zika only during infection period

The new NAT Kit, however, it works by PCR - Detection of viral genetic material segments - and is only able to detect pathogens during the viral infection, which lasts only a few days.

Fiocruz and other research institutes in the country still seeking ways to create a test zika by serology, which evaluates the reaction of the immune system of the patient. This type of test is more practical to perform and identify past infection, but as yet exists only for chikungunya and dengue.

Only with the test by serology, which can be carried out in health centers, scientists have to start making a more accurate map of the spread of Zika in the country. With serology, pregnant women at an advanced stage may also know whether or not they had the virus early in pregnancy, with risk of neurological damage to the fetus.
Thanks to Nigerian doctors (@HealthFolk) for tweeting the link to this AFP report via Medical Xpress: Fears mount in Nigeria over Lassa outbreak, response. Excerpt:

At least 44 people have died from Lassa fever in Nigeria with the death toll expected to rise, underscoring the difficulty in combating deadly viruses in a region still reeling from Ebola.

While health authorities assure Africa's most populous country of more than 170 million they have the haemorrhagic virus under control, there are fears the scale of the outbreak is being downplayed.

The outbreak was only announced in Januarymonths after the first case of the disease happened in Augustwith subsequent deaths reported in 10 states, including in the nation's central capital Abuja and the bustling oil hub of Port Harcourt.

Experts warn the disease, transmitted through the faeces, urine and blood of rats as well as human bodily fluids, may have spread as people criss-crossed the country in packed buses during the festive season.

"It is possible we are only seeing the tip of the iceberg," Chikwe Ihekweazu, an infectious disease epidemiologist, told AFP.

"My biggest worry at the moment is that given that the cases that have been reported are from a very wide geographical area, transmission chains will be difficult to identify, making control very difficult."

During the massive Ebola outbreak in 2014, the World Health Organization (WHO) described Nigeria as a "spectacular success" story, praising Africa's biggest economy for preventing an "apocalyptic urban outbreak" with strong leadership and a rapid response.

Only seven people died from 19 confirmed cases of the disease out of more than 11,000 deaths in west Africa.

Alarming spread

Yet the recent Lassa flare-up indicates Nigeria's health care system is not so resilient, with issues ranging from basic health education to doctor diligence.

Michael Asuzu, professor of public health at the University of Ibadan, in southwest Nigeria, said the Lassa response took so long to gear up because residents in the initial infected village of Foka, in the northwest state of Niger, attributed deaths to supernatural forces.

"They thought it was related to some traditional things they were doing at the time, so there was cultural secrecy surrounding it," said Asuzu, who is chairing an expert committee appointed by the government to investigate the outbreak.

"They attributed it to God's will."

Scientists familiar with the disease say that though Lassa fever outbreaks are not uncommon in Nigeria, the death toll of the recent outbreak is alarming.

"From the numbers that are reported, it think it's really bad for the country," Lassa researcher Deborah Ehichioya said. "It's not normal."

Also via Twitter, Olami Adewumi Tos (@oatzeal) reports that Lagos now has its first Lassa case of the outbreak.
Propelled by six consecutive months of rising cargo volumes in the final two quarters of 2015, the Port of Long Beach recovered from systemic congestion and cargo diversion in the first quarter to deliver one of its strongest results on record. For only the third time in its 105-year history, Long Beach topped 7 million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units, a standard container unit) during the year.



Cargo volume climbed 5.4 percent in 2015 compared to 2014, as the Southern California seaport and its industry partners transformed the challenges of congestion at the start of last year into a scene of free-flowing cargo and record setting months.



Were gratified to see the business growth  we worked diligently over these past 12 months to recover from a very challenging start to the year, resulting in record volume and productivity gains and the strong and steady return of diverted cargo," said Port of Long Beach CEO Jon Slangerup. "We credit terminal operators, labor, shipping lines, cargo owners and our local community with pulling together to turn things around.



In December, the Port achieved 5.1 percent overall growth, compared to December 2014. Imports increased 7 percent to 296,002 TEUs, while exports fell 4.1 percent to 126,118 TEUs. In December, empties rose 9.5 percent to 174,328 TEUs.



For 2015, a total of 7,192,066 TEUs moved through the harbor. Imports rose 3.1 percent to 3,625,263 TEUs, while exports dropped 4.9 percent to 1,525,560. Empty containers rose 20.2 percent to 2,041,243 TEUs. The strong dollar continues to favor imports and discourage exports, resulting in more empties being sent back overseas to be refilled with goods.



During July and August, Long Beach achieved record cargo volumes resulting in the Ports biggest quarter in its history  more than 2 million TEUs moved through the Port in the third quarter.



With an ongoing $4 billion program to modernize its facilities this decade, the Port of Long Beach is building the Port of the Future by investing in capital and service improvements that will bring long-term, environmentally sustainable growth.



CEO Jon Slangerup will present more information about the Ports 2015 accomplishments and plans for 2016 during the annual State of the Port address on Thursday, Jan. 21. Please go to www.polb.com/StateOfThePort for more details.
Austal USA delivered the nations sixth Expeditionary Fast Transport vessel, USNS Brunswick (EPF 6), to the U.S. Navy here Jan. 14, 2016. The Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF) program, formerly named the Joint High Speed Vessel (JHSV) program, provides the Navy with a high-speed intra-theater transport capability. The Brunswick is a 338-ft. long aluminum catamaran capable of transporting 600 tons 1,200 nautical miles at an average speed of 35 knots, and is designed to operate in austere ports and waterways, providing added flexibility to U.S. warfighters worldwide. The ship's flight deck can also support flight operations for a wide variety of aircraft, including a CH-53 Super Stallion. This is the sixth ship in a 10-ship, $1.6 billion block-buy contract.

Upon delivery of USNS Brunswick, there will be three Spearhead-class EPFs under construction at Austals Mobile, Ala. shipyard. The future USNS Carson City (EPF 7) was christened Jan. 16, 2016, and is slated to launch early next week. Modules for the future USNS Yuma (EPF 8) and USNS Bismarck (EPF 9) are under construction in Austals module manufacturing facility with the construction of Burlington (EPF 10) scheduled to begin in early 2016. EPF 11 and 12 have been fully funded by Congress in the 2015 and 2016 Omnibus Appropriations Bills. The Navy awarded Austal a $54 million contract in October to fund long lead materials for EPF 11.

In addition to the EPF program, Austal is also under contract to build Independence-variant Littoral Combat Ships (LCS) for the U.S. Navy. Three LCS have been delivered while an additional six are in various stages of construction.
Mr Antonio Cachapuz de Medeiros was elected today at a Special Meeting of States Parties to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea in New York.



The meeting was held to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Judge Vicente Marotta Range (Brazil) on 18 May 2015. In accordance with article 6 of the Statute of the Tribunal, Mr Cachapuz de Medeiros will hold office for the remainder of his

predecessor's nine-year term, which expires on 30 September 2017.



Mr Cachapuz de Medeiros has been Legal Advisor to the Ministry of External Relations of Brazil since 1998, heading diplomatic delegations to over 40 international conferences and bilateral meetings. He is a Member of the Permanent Court of Arbitration and an honorary Member of the Governing Council of UNIDROIT. He has acted as Judge of the Administrative-Labour Court of MERCOSUR, as President of the Administrative-Labour Court of the Latin American Integration Association. He is Professor of Public International Law at the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul. His biography may be found on the Tribunals website.
The Coast Guard assisted with the release of 130 sea turtles Thursday into Gulf Stream waters off the Outer Banks.



The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Cushing, along with their family members, assisted North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission personnel in releasing the sea turtles.



The rehabilitated sea turtles were among many that experienced cold-water shock along the North Carolina coast in recent weeks. Cushing crew members assisted with the rescue of many of the cold-water shocked turtles last week.



We got word about a week ago that turtles were stranded and they were freezing," said Fireman Anthony C. Williams. "We partnered with the North Carolina Wildlife Resources commission to assist. Just as we protect people, we protect sea life.
Stock Market Another Day In The Downtrend....7-Year Uptrend Line Gone For Now..

We had a confluence of events come together this morning. Last night we had the usual bad action out of China, which naturally put some pressure on the global markets. Europe follows China and we follow Europe, thus, step one took place. Step two was the price of oil, which is definitely affecting the markets. Oil got crushed overnight and this too had an adverse effect on our futures. Lastly, and in my opinion, most importantly, we had a cascade of bad earnings reports from two key sectors in the market. In the world of semi-conductors, we saw Analog Devices, Inc. (ADI) warn on future guidance. They are a key supplier to Apple Inc. (AAPL), and this also verifies the reports coming in that AAPL is seeing a slowdown. Intel Corportation (INTC) joined in with the bad news as well.

They warned on future guidance, which saw the stock get crushed today. In the world of the financial stocks we saw bad news come out leaders Wells Fargo & Company (WFC) and Citigroup Inc. (C). Both stocks following the guidance trail lower. Both stocks hit very hard with the rest of the sector taken down in sympathy. These stocks are part of a theme since the earnings season began. We've seen Tractor Supply Company (TSCO) as well as CSX Corp. (CSX) tell the same story. They're everywhere, and what's even more interesting is that many companies are coming out ahead of their earnings date to let everyone know things aren't very good. Even if the past quarter was fine it's what they're saying about the future that has everyone disturbed. It's harder and harder to justify Disneyland.Those ridiculous P/E's are finally taking a little hit. Markets never really care about froth or insane valuations. However, at times, the market has to reluctantly pay attention. It never wants to, and that is the truth, but every once in a while for a few months the market takes those bloated valuations down some. It never lasts all that long and eventually those Disneyland valuations will come back, but for a while, the market is making them pay a bit, and for those who haven't exited, the pain is fairly intense. So while today wasn't anything to get too upset about, it was as bad as yesterday, in fact worse, and yesterday gave the bulls a lot of hope. A big up day was taken back with an even larger down day today. No celebrating for those frustrated bulls this three-day weekend.The market is dealing with incredibly oversold oscillators rarely seen. The question is whether it's ready to stay that oversold or bounce. The problem in terms of bouncing is what the bears have been able to do technically. Yesterday the market rallied hard, and back tested the S&P 500 1925 weekly uptrend line that has been in effect for seven years. We closed a couple of points below, but this still gave the bulls hope since the market was so deeply compressed at oversold. It was not to be, and the problem was just doubled. 1925 is trend-line resistance now, but you can now add in massive gap resistance at 1921. The bears made a statement with this gap down. It puts a wall between current price and 1925. Nothing is impossible for this market, especially when you're talking about a bullish scenario. That said, the market bears did something they haven't been able to do for nearly seven full years.Lose the weekly uptrend line, and put a large open gap between current price and that 1925 level. Good work by the bears. Can they make it stick with the market so oversold. You'd think not, but we shall see if this gap actually somehow prevents a move back above. The technical damage is real. A very interesting thing to do with regards to making this trend line more difficult to take back. Very interesting work by the bears. The bulls have their work cut out for them no doubt. A tough job just became quite a bit more complicated. They'll need to find a catalyst to get the job done, and what they may be in this environment, is a mystery to me. The bears have done their first good work in seven years. Now they need to keep the door shut on 1925 S&P 500.Leadership is basically gone. No matter where you look, whether at individual stocks or individual sectors, there's just no leadership. Technology stocks were the leaders, but even the fang stocks are getting hit harder now. Nothing too sever, but they are struggling more and more as time moves on. AAPL had more bad news from ADI today. That stock has seen a tremendous move lower. No real end in sight for now. It will bounce like everything else, but sustainable upside is not on the docket for now. Semiconductors, transports and just about everything else is in a down trend. I don't need to tell you how bad the world of commodities is. There's really nowhere to turn where you can hide your dollars.The global stock markets aren't doing any better. It's not as if you will have a better experience if you trade out of the United States. This is a global situation and that makes it harder to have a good experience with equities. The real message being to keep things very light. Don't chase strength when you see it. We are very due for a strong bounce, but the loss of S&P 500 1925 with a strong gap down puts that in question. very interesting times for sure.

Peace,



Jack

Jack Steiman is author of SwingTradeOnline.com ( www.swingtradeonline.com ). Former columnist for TheStreet.com, Jack is renowned for calling major shifts in the market, including the market bottom in mid-2002 and the market top in October 2007.

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SPRINGFIELD -- The former Gus & Paul's Bakery & Deli building at 1209 Sumner Ave., may be in the process of being sold, said Evan Plotkin, president of real estate brokerage NAI Plotkin here in Springfield.

An offer was made on the property during the auction conducted Dec. 1 by Aaron Posnik Co. of Springfield, Plotkin said. But the deal was not completed at the auction and both parties are still negotiating.

Plotkin said he couldn't disclose more details, except to say that this happens sometimes when real estate goes up on the auction block.

Posnik Co. said this week it sold all the fixtures, bakery equipment, furnishings, etc.

Gus & Paul's, long an icon of the East Forest Park neighborhood well known for its bread and cakes, closed on New Year's Eve in 2013.

In 2012, business owner Gordon R. Weissman wrote an appeal to the community saying business fell off and he was then in danger of having to close. At the time, Weissman said he was losing business to supermarket bakeries and consumers who sought one-stop convenience over quality.

Business picked up after his appeal became public. But it wasn't enough and Weissman was forced to close the family business.

Weissman later went to New York City to bake for Russ & Daughters Cafe, a spinoff eatery from the flagship Russ & Daughters, the famous Jewish specialty shop in Manhattan's Lower East Side.

Brothers Paul and Gus Weissman started Gus & Paul's in 1958 after migrating to Springfield from the Bronx.

In Springfield, real estate records list Gloria A. Weissman, widow of Paul Weissman and mother of the Weissman brothers who ran Gus & Paul's in recent decades, as the owner of the building.

Those same city records say the building and land is assessed at $341,900.

NAI Plotkin lists the building and property for sale for $325,000.

It is a 5,200-square-foot single-story building on a 7,870-square-foot lot on one of Springfield busiest streets.
BROCKTON

 State Police troopers attended to a 17-year-old shooting victim early Friday morning after he was found bleeding from multiple gunshot wounds.

In a written statement, the Massachusetts State Police said members of the Gang Unit were conducting an investigation in the area of Forrest and Warren streets in Brockton at about 3 a.m. Friday, when they heard multiple gunshots nearby. When they arrived at the scene of the shooting they found a 17-year-old male trying to get into the back seat of a car. As they approached, however, they saw the youth toss a handgun under the vehicle.

The shooting victim was transported to a local hospital. His condition was not clear. Under the car police found a 9mm Smith & Wesson handgun with an obliterated serial number, and with one round in the chamber and six more in the magazine.

Troopers determined the victim was too young to legally carry a firearm. He will be summoned to face firearms charges at a later date.

The driver of the car the wounded youth was trying to enter said he merely stopped to help the victim. A passenger in the car was determined to be the subject of two outstanding arrest warrants and was taken into custody.
SALEM A 35-year-old Lynn man was sentenced to reduced charges after he admitted he killed a 3-month-old baby boy he once thought was his own son.

Anthony Gideika beat baby Chase Gideika so badly that prosecutors told the court that some doctors found injuries on the child that they had never before seen in an abuse case.

The Lynn Item reported that Gideika was sentenced Friday in Salem Superior Court to serve 16 to 20 years in state prison after he entered guilty pleas to charges of manslaughter and assault and battery on a child resulting in serious bodily injury. He will also serve five years of probation after completing his sentence. Prosecutors said they agreed to reduced charges in the case after Gideika confessed to the degree he beat the child.

Gideika was living with the baby's mother, Jennifer Nelson, and the twin baby boys, Chase and Anthony, Jr., he thought were his own children until just a month before the beating death. Officials said in June of 2013 Gideika found out he was not the father and was having a hard time with that knowledge.

On the evening of July 7, 2013, Nelson left the boys in Gidieka's care as she went to a tattoo party. While she was gone, authorities said Gideika beat Chase, just the one baby, in the head, torso and genitals.

In the early morning hours of July 8, Lynn police were called to the home with a report of a baby in distress. According to WCVB-TV, Chase was taken first to the North Shore Children's Hospital and then transferred to Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. There, doctors found multiple skull fractures, leg fractures, retinal hemorrhages, and swelling and bruising of the testicles. In one of the baby's eyes, the lens was displaced by the vicious beating. A prosecutor told the court that, "Long-time child abuse doctors had never actually seen it before." Officials said the child was beaten so badly that they did not recognize the architecture of his brain. The baby was unresponsive when doctor's first saw him and later died of his injuries.

WCVB-TV reported that the Chief Medical Examiner's Office ruled the death a homicide caused by blunt force trauma to the head and torso.

At first, Gidieka told authorities that he tripped and dropped the baby several times. But eventually, he confessed to the brutal beatings. HIs defense attorney said Gideika is a veteran and claimed he is 100-percent disabled by PTSD after serving in Iraq.

Nelson, the boys' mother, faces criminal charges as well. She has been charged with permitting substantial injury to a child, willfully misleading police and reckless endangerment of a child. She is currently in custody awaiting a March trial date.

According to a report of an investigation conducted by the state Office of the Child Advocate, Nelson had a child removed from her home approximately a year before the death of Baby Chase. In 2012, the state Department of Children and Families received a report of neglect of Nelson's then 3-year-old son. He was taken from his mother and placed in a foster home. Months later Nelson gave birth to the twin boys.

WCVB-TV reported that prosecutors told the court that the twins were born drug addicted and tested positive for methadone and benzodiazepine. The babies showed signs of withdrawal but were nevertheless allowed to go home with their mother.

Chase's twin brother, Anthony, Jr., has been placed with a foster family.
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BOSTON - A 26-year-old Dorchester man was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison for the sex trafficking of two teen girls.

(DEMAND ABOLITION/FACEBOOK)

BOSTON - A Dorchester man was sentenced Friday to 15 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to his role in a cross-country sex trafficking scheme.

Corey Norris, aka "Case," pleaded guilty in September to carting two 17-year-old girls around to various states for prostitution jobs between 2008 and 2014. Their routes included stops in Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Maryland, Nevada, Georgia, Florida, and California, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.

Norris, 26, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to sex traffic minors by force, fraud and coercion; sex trafficking and attempted sex trafficking of a minor; sex trafficking and attempted sex trafficking by force, fraud, and coercion; transportation of a minor to engage in criminal sexual activity; and conspiracy to transport a minor to engage in criminal sexual activity.

U.S. District Judge Denise J. Casper described Norris's crimes as "horrific," noting that the victims were "targeted specifically because of their vulnerability." Casper added that the fact that "prostitution still finds paying customers" does not detract from the women's status as victims.

Norris' defense lawyer argued that his client was essentially abandoned when his mother died of a heroin overdose when he was 12 years old. Attorney Thomas Iovieno wrote in a pre-sentencing memo that Norris was subsequently raised in a series of abusive foster care settings and abruptly cut loose by the state when he was 18.

"Inner city young black males are confronted with this dilemma at an early age and generally, as in this case, lack the parental guidance, education, psychological make up and common sense necessary to avoid the pitfalls of such decisions and are drawn to the easy life of criminal activity because they feel they have no chance at success otherwise," the attorney wrote.

He also argued the girls were "duped" rather than forced into prostitution.

Norris' guilty plea comes on the heels of a similar federal prosecution in Western Massachusetts. Milford and Tiana Lewis, a married couple from Springfield, were charged in December with human trafficking after several women came forward to say they were recruited as hookers for "Sinful Innocence," a business allegedly founded by the Lewises.

Some of those women told investigators they were threatened, beaten and sometimes worked without pay. Both Lewises are being held behind bars pending trial in U.S. District Court.
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Sister Barbara Masterson, a Maryknoll Sister

(submitted photo)



SPRINGFIELD - Springfield native and Cathedral High School graduate Sister Barbara Masterson will celebrate her 70th jubilee as a Maryknoll Sister Feb. 14 with a Mass at 10:30 a.m. in the Main Chapel at the Maryknoll Sisters Center in Ossining, N.Y.

She is one of 21 Maryknoll sisters marking 70 years with the congregation in 2016.

Born in Syracuse, N.Y., Sister Barbara grew up in Springfield, where she attended Holy Name School, graduating in 1942, and Cathedral High School, graduating in 1946.

Attendance at a missions exhibition in Springfield in 1944 stirred a desire in Sister Barbara to "save souls," and on Oct. 5, 1946, she entered Maryknoll Sisters from Holy Name Parish, Springfield.

She studied nursing at St. Francis Hospital School of Nursing in Hartford, CT.

She worked at a tuberculosis hospital run by the congregation until 1959. She was then sent to Hawaii, where she worked at the Maui Children's Home and St. Anthony's Convent.

In 1979 she moved to Cochabamba, a city 8,500 feet above sea level and Bolivia's jungle lowlands where she would work for eight years at the Archdiocesan Family Life Center.

Collaborating with Cathy Breen of the Maryknoll Mission Association of the Faithful, the lay missioner program, and two Bolivian women, the group worked with ten-year-old children who were often the main care givers of the family, helping them develop leadership skills and teaching them health promotion and accident prevention through use of dramatic skits, music and song.

Sister Barbara's work among these Bolivian poor continued until 2001, when she retired, living first at the Maryknoll Sisters Convent in Monrovia, CA, until 2008, when she moved back to the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY, where she currently resides.


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BOSTON - A Pennsylvania man pleaded guilty to "sextortion" and cyberstalking in U.S. District Court this week.

(The Republican file)

BOSTON - A Pennsylvania man pleaded guilty in federal court this week to the "sextortion" of a Boston-area college student he met online.

James F. Connor V, 20, of West Chester, Penn., pleaded guilty to one count of cyberstalking and one count of extortion.

According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, the two met via social media in 2012 and developed an online romance. During the course of the relationship, the victim sent Connor naked pictures of herself through Snapchat and engaged in sexually explicit video chats with him using FaceTime. Connor saved many of these images, according to a news release by federal prosecutors.

When the dialogue fizzled, Connor didn't handle it well.

"Connor attempted to continue communications with the victim and initiated a campaign of harassment and intimidation. He threatened to harm her physically and harm her reputation by publicly disseminating the sexually explicit images," prosecutors said.

He also threatened suicide and sent the woman pictures of himself with a knife to his throat with blood - later determined to be fake - dripping down his neck.

"In September 2015, Connor escalated his campaign of harassment when he began blackmailing the victim and threatening to send the sexually explicit images to her parents and Twitter followers if she did not send additional naked pictures and engage in sexually explicit video chats with him," the release said.

As part of the harassment, Connor set a quota of weekly sexually explicit photos with specific demands and insisted that the woman break up with her boyfriend. He also "spoofed" the victim through text messages and phone calls. The application allows users to adopt other phone numbers to conceal their calling identity.

Connor was arrested and charged in 2015 after the victim reported the pattern of harassment to law enforcement officials.

He faces up to five years in prison at his sentencing, set for April 7 in U.S. District Court in Boston.
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Massachusetts state police responded to "robo call" bomb threats made to high schools in the eastern part of the state on Friday.

The "robo call" bomb threats were received at Bourne High School and Arlington Catholic High School.

Massachusetts state police coordinated with Quincy police who responded to high schools who received additional threats. Boston police responded to a similar incident, Jennifer Mieth, public information officer for the state fire marshal's office, said.

No explosive devices were found in any school, Mieth said.

She said Chelsea High School had a separate bomb threat which does not seem to be related.

The investigation into the source of the threats is ongoing, as similar threats were experienced in Maryland Friday as well, Mieth said.

She said law enforcement takes every threat seriously until it can be ascertained that there is no actual risk.

Massachusetts General Law has severe penalties for making a hoax bomb threat in the state including imprisonment and/or a fine of not more than $10,000.
SPRINGFIELD - Life got complicated for an alleged brother and sister heroin-dealing team this week after they were arrested for selling "Life is Beautiful" heroin.

Miguel Cordero-Morales, 24; Linda Mercado, 27, pleaded not guilty to possession of heroin, crack cocaine, powdered cocaine and marijuana, all with intent to distribute, during their arraignment Friday in Springfield District Court.

The siblings were arrested after Springfield narcotics detectives raided their apartment at 8 Rodney Circle in Indian Orchard, Assistant District Attorney Cary Szafranski said during the bail hearing.

Another suspect, Abner Rivera, 31, of Springfield, was also charged during the raid,

The defendants were engaged in a high-volume Xbox game and failed to hear the raid team knocking on their door, police said.

Police seized 14 packets of "Life is Beautiful" heroin; four bags of crack cocaine; two grams of powdered cocaine and less than an ounce or marijuana, along with $381, packaging material and a scale, Szafranski said.

The siblings were identified as targets of the investigation, according to Szafranski, who requested $2,500 cash bail for each.

Defense lawyers opposed the request, claiming neither sibling lived at the apartment and were only visiting when police arrived.

Attorney Roderick O'Connor said the narcotics were "secreted' in the master bedroom; only $123 and 19 grams of marijuana were found in plain sight in common areas.

Without reviewing the police search warrant, which was not available Friday, "it's impossible to know on what basis a person is a target," said O'Connor, who represented Linda Mercado.

"She was playing video games when the police came in," O'Connor said.

Attorney Kevin Riddell, representing Cordero-Morales, said there was no evidence that his client knew heroin and cocaine were kept in the bedroom.

Neither sibling had a criminal record, the lawyers said.

Defense lawyer Thomas Bessette said Rivera was not identified as a target and had only few minor offenses on his criminal record.

The prosecutor, however, said Rivera had cases in Connecticut and New York.

Judge Matthew Shea set bail at $250 each for Mercado and Cordello-Morales and $2,000 for Rivera, citing his out-of-state record.

In addition, all three must report once a week to the Probation Department while the case is pending, Shea said.

The defendants are due back in court on Feb. 8.
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police cruiser lights

(Republican file)

GRANBY, Conn. - A stabbing at a Connecticut car wash sent a man to the hospital.

Granby police said an altercation occurred between two males in the mid 20s Friday around 3:55 p.m. at Granby Auto Wash at 116 Salmon Brook Street.

One of the men, who knew each other, was stabbed in the abdomen, police said.

Police broadcast a description of the suspect's vehicle to area Police Departments.

Bloomfield police stopped the suspect at Blue Hills and Elizabeth Avenues in Bloomfield.

Police said the man was taken into custody without incident.

Police said they were in the process of charging the suspect.

The victim, whose injuries were thought to be non life-threatening, was being treated at St. Francis Hospital in Hartford.
SPRINGFIELD - State officials are seeking to revoke the probation of Long Dinh Duong, a twice-convicted sex offender facing new sex assault charges in Springfield.

Duong, 46, pleaded not guilty last month to six charges, including rape of a child by force and indecent assault and battery on a person under 14. A native of Vietnam, Duong is classified as a Level II sex offender.

The new charges triggered a violation notice and order to surrender for Duong, who is on probation for a 2012 conviction for fondling a co-worker at an Agawam bookbinding company.

On Dec. 23, a judge appointed defense lawyer Tracy E. Duncan to represent Duong at upcoming hearings. No hearing dates have been scheduled.

Bail was also set at $10,000 on the probation violation charge - a formality since Duong was already held on $100,000 bail in Springfield District Court.

The new charges date back to 2011 when Duong allegedly began abusing the victim when she was in middle school and continued after she entered high school; the girl's mother dismissed her claims and blamed the victim for causing trouble, according to police and court documents.

Springfield police and the state Department of Children and Families investigated and supported the girl's claims, Assistant District Attorney Cary Szafranski said.

Duong has been held at the Hampden County House of Correction since his arrest on Dec. 2.

Two weeks ago, Judge Patricia Poehler reduced Duong's district court bail to $10,000, although he told the judge he has no money.

The reduction was requested by defense lawyer Paul Rudof, who said his client has the support of his family and the local Vietnamese community.

The victim's mother and Duong's sister were in court to support him, according to Rudof, who said the victim was feuding with her mother and threatened to put Duong in jail as revenge.

The lawyer also said federal immigration officials are attempting to deport Duong, further complicating his legal status.
WORCESTER - Central Massachusetts veterans will receive more services and have to travel less this spring due to a collaboration between the Veterans Affairs Administration and the University of Massachusetts Medical School.

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert McDonald has officially cut the ribbon for a new VA Central Western Massachusetts Healthcare System facility at 377 Plantation St., in a former laboratory of the medical school's biotech facility.

The VA current has an outpatient clinic on Lincoln Street. The new office will not only offer podiatry, but it will increase available optometrists from three to seven and add a service veterans now have to travel for, audiology, according to John Collins, director VA Central Western Massachusetts Healthcare System.

The VA has also agreed to lease space in another UMass Medical School building, its ambulatory care building, as well.

"It's a great day and a great space," Collins said. "It's another step in our collaboration and hopefully one of many more pieces to come."

Dr. Michael Mayo-Smith, network director said the VA "can bring a lot to the medical school" by way of sharing recruiting and doctors skills. While the area has one of the top medical schools, it did not have a robust affiliation with the VA, he said.

"We want to make this the first of many steps," Mayo-Smith said. "We want to being as many VA services to the many veterans who live in this area of the state."

Describing the collaboration as a "unity of purpose and vision," McDonald said similar collaborations with hospitals and academic institutions help the federal agency meet its mission.

"This is a team sport and this can't be done by the VA alone," McDonald said. "We depend upon academic partners like the University of Massachusetts for their expertise, for the resources, for the training that we do."

Opening the state's medical school to veterans was an idea that came from the school itself, according to Congressman James McGovern. McGovern, like John Collins, said he was hopeful for more collaboration in the future.

"I don't believe we would be here talking about this if it wasn't for Chancellor Michael Collins and Dean (Terence) Flotte," McGovern said. "They're the ones who came to me and said we have to do better by our veterans."

"What has motivated everybody is our commitment to our veterans," McGovern said. "These are the people who put their lives on the line for our country, who have served our country and when they came back they have built up our communities and raised our families. We can never re-pay them."
Chris Davis

Baltimore Orioles' Chris Davis walks to the dugout after the last game of the season in Baltimore Oct. 4. (AP Photo/Gail Burton)

After a long, drawn-out process, slugger Chris Davis has re-signed with the Baltimore Orioles. The deal is worth seven years, $161 million, according to MLB Network's Jon Heyman.

What does Davis' return to Baltimore mean for the AL East?

Well, the Orioles still need to upgrade their starting rotation, but they remain a force offensively. They should be able to at least stay fairly competitive with a lineup that includes Davis, Adam Jones, Manny Machado, Matt Wieters and newcomer Mark Trumbo.

The goal now for Baltimore will be adding a starter but little remains on the free agent market. With Davis re-signed Baltimore now can turn its attention to the pursuit for pitching.

The Orioles were 25th out of 30 major league teams in starting pitching ERA (4.53) during 2015. And they lost their best starter, Wei-Yin Chen, in free agency this offseason.

Chen, who signed with the Marlins, went 46-32 with a 3.72 ERA in 117 starts the past four seasons for Baltimore. He posted an 11-8 record with a 3.34 ERA in 31 starts (191 1/3 innings) in 2015.

It's likely Baltimore was waiting on a decision from Davis before pursuing a pitcher. Now, there's not much left. Ian Kennedy reportedly signed with the Kansas City Royals today.

Yovani Gallardo is the only real impact starting pitcher remaining. The Toronto Blue Jays, somewhat out of nowhere, reportedly have become one team interested in the right-handed Gallardo.

Could the O's make a trade for a starter? Possibly.

Re-signing Davis helps. He has been a main part of the Orioles' success since 2012. Not only has he led the AL in homers two of the past three years, but he's also a leader in the clubhouse.

On paper, though, Baltimore doesn't seem as talented as Toronto, Boston and New York and possibly Tampa Bay, who lacks offense but might potentially have the best starting rotation in the AL East.
One Montana http://www.onemt.org/ , a growing, Bozeman-based nonprofit organization, is seeking a motivated and experienced individual to take the organization to the next level.

The successful candidate will enjoy creative problem solving, maintaining and developing statewide networks of partners and supporters, managing large scale projects, and will take a lead role in fundraising. An entrepreneurial spirit and a strong sense of fiscal responsibility are required. The ability to work with diverse partners in a collaborative and nonpartisan environment is essential. Strong preference will be given to candidates who demonstrate work experience in Montana.

The Executive Director will work in partnership with a motivated staff and board to ensure a strong future for Montana.

This position comes with a competitive salary and benefits package.

A full job description can be obtained by contacting Matthew Bitz at [email protected] or by calling 406-522-7654. The application deadline is February 22nd, 2016.
Via News24 Nigeria: Lassa fever patients to be isolated in National Hospital. Excerpt:

The National Hospital, Abuja (NHA) says the hospital has designated isolation wards for the management of suspected Lassa fever outbreak in the FCT and its environs.

Dr Olutayo Haastrup, spokesperson of the hospital, disclosed this to the media on Friday in Abuja.

Haastrup said the hospital had prepared four isolation wards and instituted standard precaution in handling any outbreak.

"The hospital is fully prepared, measures have been taken and as soon as we have any suspected case of Lassa, we will be proactive in handling it."

"We have created isolation wards in the hospital being the apex referral centre in the FCT and all the necessary kits and facilities have been procured," Haastrup said.

According to him, the hospital has trained 200 health personnel to raise more awareness on the treatment and management of the virus
Whether benchmarks are being met on school attendance, the number of missed trash collections, stabbings and more is there for all to see.

Fresh off a two-month testing period, the digital watchdog service known as CityScore http://www.cityofboston.gov/cityscore/ lists the most telling data indicators from every facet of municipal government  including the citys 311 app  and plainly states whether their performance is at, above or below targets.

Heres how it works: CityScore takes a look at metrics from different city departments and combines them into a single number that represents the citys overall performance. Scores are compared to either a goal set by the city or a historical performance average. A score of 1 means the city is meeting its target. A score of less than 1 means the city is not meeting its target. And a score of more than 1 means the city is exceeding its target.

by Jessica Van Sack, Boston Herald

Full Story: http://www.govtech.com/dc/articles/Boston-Mayor-to-Unveil-Data-Driven-Performance-Platform.html
Via ReliefWeb, an Agence France-Presse report: Haiti hit with Zika virus outbreak: official.

Haiti's health ministry said Friday the country has been hit by an outbreak of the Zika virus, a mosquito-borne ailment similar to dengue fever that is rapidly spreading through the Caribbean.

Health Minister Florence Duperval Guillaume confirmed the outbreak at a press conference, saying that she too, was recovering from a bout of the illness.

"Even I fell ill," the minister said, although she did not have the diagnosis confirmed by testing.

A health lab in Trinidad and Tobago confirmed on Thursday that five out of 11 Haitian blood samples tested positive for the disease -- a finding suggesting that it could be rampant in this impoverished nation.

There have been no known fatalities from Zika, but the virus is of particular concern to pregnant women, because it can lead to birth defects and miscarriage.

Zika is spread by the Aedes genus of mosquitoes, some varieties of which also spread dengue virus, yellow fever virus and Chikungunya.

A female mosquito bites an infected person and then carries the virus to the next person she bites.

Symptoms, which usually are relatively mild, can include fever, rash, conjunctivitis and headache. In more serious cases, they can include muscle pain, swelling and an itchy rash.

Haitian officials have been taken to task for what critics said has been a slow response to the outbreak.
by Karl Greenberg , January 15, 2016

Toyotas diversity agency is behind a new campaign for the RAV4 Hybrid. It centers on a character named Ravelle Forman (a play on RAV4). Initially on social video, it is also launching as at least one TV spot.

The integrated campaign stars Keegan-Michael Key as an ersatz drivers' ed teacher at a driving school. The effort includes a :30 broadcast spot, Why Wouldnt Ya, which establishes the central theme of the parody campaign.

In the ads, Ravelle teaches his students about the vehicle, which is parked outside, touting various aspects of it as he tries to change their perception of the crossover.

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For the effort, Burrell brought in several production partners and director Tucker Gates of Independent Media, who has helmed shows like Parks and Recreation, The Office, and House of Cards. Burrell, in a statement, said Gates process in the spot involved a lot of improvisation.

The campaign also benefits from Toyotas agency arrangement where the campaigns are developed at the start with everyone in the room. The volume of spots and videos in this campaign required particularly close collaboration with the agency, says Bob Ackerman, creative editor and partner at Chicago FX house Colonie, which worked on the campaign. Weve worked with Burrell on numerous projects over the years, and always find that having EVP, chief creative officer Lewis Williams and his team in the room sparks new ideas  and collaborating with them on this project was no exception.

Two of six online spots, which are on Toyotas YouTube channel (all of them were shot on Cal States campus in Los Angeles), will live on Toyotas Facebook page. While the posting of the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid campaign is editorially driven, it also called for a considerable amount of visual effects, handled by Colonie.
by Wendy Davis , Staff Writer @wendyndavis, January 15, 2016

Dish recently urged the Federal Communications Commission to reject Charter's proposed $89 billion merger with Time Warner Cable and Bright House Networks, arguing that the deal would enable the broadband provider to undermine Sling TV.

Now HBO -- which recently launched the stand-alone streaming service HBO Now -- is expressing similar fears.

Representatives from HBO say in a new FCC filing that they recently met with regulators to warn that a post-merger Charter would be in a position to hinder over-the-top video services.

"The discussion focused on certain statements made by representatives of Charter, both in private interactions and in public forums, including analyst calls and television interviews," HBO's filing states. "Some of these statements raise concerns because they suggest that a combined Charter/Time Warner Cable would be inclined to take action directed at programmers ... with the purpose and/or effect of slowing down the development of OTT options to the detriment of consumers."

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If the deal closes, New Charter (the post-merger name of the company) would extend its broadband footprint to almost 30% of the U.S.

For its part, Charter told regulators this week that it has no incentive to hinder online video distributors, because Web video is driving demand for high-speed broadband. "Charter views the availability of OVD services in its footprint as a benefit to Charter, its customers, and OVDs," the company writes in a new filing. (Most of that letter, like Dish's original filing, isn't publicly available -- presumably because both companies' documents reference sealed material.)

Last year, Charter promised that it will follow some of the net neutrality rules for at least three years as a merger condition, even if the regulations are vacated in court. The company also promised that it won't cap broadband data, or charge customers based on their data consumption, for at least three years. In addition, Charter said it won't charge content companies like Netflix extra fees to interconnect directly with Charter's servers.

So far, however, those assurances obviously have not convinced companies like HBO and Dish that Charter will not use its control over the broadband pipes to thwart online video competitors.


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Study author Bruce Kimball, a chemical ecologist with the USDA National Wildlife Research Center (NWRC) who is stationed at the Monell Center, said, "Previous research from the USDA and Monell has focused on body odor changes due to exogenous sources such as viruses or vaccines. Now we have evidence that urinary odor signatures can be altered by changes in the brain characteristic of Alzheimer's disease. This finding may also have implications for other neurologic diseases."Study author Daniel Wesson, a neuroscientist at the Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, said, "While this research is at the proof-of-concept stage, the identification of distinctive odor signatures may someday point the way to human biomarkers to identify Alzheimer's at early stages."In the study, published online in, researchers studied three separate mouse models, known as APP mice, which mimic Alzheimer's-related brain pathology.Using both behavioral and chemical analyses, the researchers found that each strain of APP mice produced urinary odor profiles that could be distinguished from those of control mice.The odor changes did not result from the appearance of new chemical compounds, but instead reflected a relative shift of the concentrations of existing urinary compounds.The odor differences between APP and control mice were mostly independent of age and preceded detectable amounts of plaque build-up in the brains of the APP mice. These findings suggest that the characteristic odor signature is related to the presence of an underlying gene rather than to the actual development of pathological changes in the brain.Additional studies showed that the distinctive odor profiles could be used to predicatively identify APP mice versus control mice.Because Alzheimer's is a uniquely human disease, scientists create models of associated brain pathology to study the disease in mice. One of the hallmark pathological indicators of Alzheimer's disease is an excess formation of amyloid plaque deposits in the brain. Scientists mimic this pathology in mouse models by introducing human genes associated with mutations of the amyloid-beta; precursor protein gene into the mouse genome. These genes are then pharmacologically activated to make excess amyloid-beta; protein, leading to plaque buildup in the brains of APP mice.Wesson and study co-author Donald Wilson of the Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research and New York University School of Medicine utilize the mouse Alzheimer's models to examine the role of olfactory dysfunction as an early biomarker of Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative disorders.The researchers note that extensive studies are needed to identify and characterize Alzheimer's-related odor signatures in humans.Source: Eurekalert
HARRISBURG  Birds are out and alpacas are in for the 100th Pennsylvania Farm Show.

For the first time in several years, there are no poultry exhibits due to the threat of highly pathogenic avian influenza.

For the first time ever, alpacas had their own show instead of being an exotic display at the Farm Show.

Pennsylvania State Alpaca Princess Sabrina McClintock, a member of the Cumberland County 4-H Alpaca Club, said she was honored to participate in the industrys first show at the Farm Show. It is something that I will remember forever, she said.

Alpacas, native to South America, are popular for their exotic looks and soft fleece. Natalie Burger, alpaca judge, called their fleece amazing and added that demand for alpacas is growing.

We hope that one day alpacas will be a household name, she said. As time goes on, we can only see the alpaca industry getting stronger.

Participation in the alpaca show was limited to 4-H members who qualified at locally held events.

Those members came to the Farm Show and competed in showmanship classes where handlers were judged on how well they knew and showed their animals and obstacle course classes in which they led the alpacas through such challenges as a jump, a bridge, and a hula hoop.

Area Obstacle Course winners include:

McClintock of Cumberland County 4-H Alpaca Club, first place in Intermediate Group 1 with Lee.

Kayla Dabek of Cumberland County 4-H Alpaca Club, fourth place in Intermediate Group 1 with Apollos Dream

Karson Hair of Cumberland County 4-H Alpaca Club, third place in Intermediate Group 2 with Peruvian Cambria

Area Showmanship winners include:

McClintock of Cumberland County 4-H Alpaca Club, first place in Intermediate Group 1 with Lee.

Kayla Dabek of Cumberland County 4-H Alpaca Club, fifth place in Intermediate Group 1 with Apollos Dream

Karson Hair of Cumberland County 4-H Alpaca Club, third place in Intermediate Group 2 with Peruvian Cambria.

The Pennsylvania Farm show closes at 5 p.m. today. Admission is free and parking is $15.
HARRISBURG  Spun Gold lived up to her name Friday by winning Supreme Champion Dairy Cow honors at the 100th Pennsylvania Farm Show.

The 1,900-pound Red and White cow owned by Roy Thompson and Jeremy McDonald of Wellsville beat cows in six other breeds to win the top prize. The Supreme Champion Dairy Cow title is considered the Miss Pennsylvania of the bovine industry.

An eight-year-old Holstein owned by Jill Dice and Galen Martin of Fredericksburg won reserve Supreme Champion Dairy Cow. Last year, that cow took top honors in the competition.

The contest began when seven cows lumbered into the show ring accompanied by their owners. Judges took several minutes to evaluate them, then unanimously selected Spun Gold.

Nathan Heim, one of the three judges, said that Spun Gold had a phenomenal mammary system, a well-attached udder and strong legs which walked correctly.

Judges and Pennsylvania dairy princess and her court presented Thompson with a purple and gold banner. They also told him he would receive a $1,000 premium.

Thompson, a fourth generation farmer, smiled sadly. He called Friday a bittersweet day, noting that McDonald was killed in a traffic accident last month.

Jeremy and I worked with this cow, Thompson said after the award presentation. Weve been friends for 20 years. I think Jeremy helped us win today.

Thompson said that some of the prize money will go to a college fund for Tyler, McDonalds young son.

Nathan Heim, one of the three judges who picked Spun Gold as the Supreme Champion, said she had a phenomenal mammary system, a well-attached udder and strong legs which walked correctly.

Thompson described Spun Gold as a mellow cow. He said she lives on the farm of Deanna Bendig of Gettysburg. Thompsons daughter, Amanda Thompson of Wellsville, won top breed honors for her 3-year-old Jersey.

Also contending for the top award an Ayrshire owned by Rebekah Baumgardner of Dillsburg; a Brown Swiss owned by Abbie Kuhlman of Troy; a Guernsey owned by Aaron Gable of Snider Homestead Farms in New Enterprise; a Jersey owned by Amanda Thompson of Wellsville; Milking Shorthorn owned by Donnette and Keith Fisher of New Enterprise.
Union Hotel in Upper Allen Township was once a major commercial enterprise along the old state road from Harrisburg to points southwest.

Perched upon the highest hill in Shepherdstown, the inn could be easily seen by any traveler making the journey to Gettysburg and the Maryland border during the late 19th century.

Now, the building, which sits at at 240 Gettysburg Pike in the Shepherdstown Municipal Historic District, is once again on the market for sale.

In recent years, the building acted as a private residence before Cornelia Appleby opened the Union Hotel restaurant in October 2007. The sit-down restaurant changed to Cafe Cornelia in 2010, but the business eventually closed in June 2010.

James, Smith, Dietterick & Connelly Law Offices moved into the structure in 2012.

Historic tavern

The massive structure once housed a tavern, a large dining room, a general store and a beer and liquor cellar. There were overnight accommodations for a dozen or more guests and a large public hall on the third floor with a stage to host civil, political and social events for the clientele.

Documents on file at the Cumberland County Historical Society describe how the Union Hotel played a vital role in the network of waystations that supported the local economy. The paperwork was submitted as part of the application process to have the building listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Built in 1860 by Abraham and Mary Zook, the inn is an example of Georgian style architecture modified with Federal and Italianate elements. It made the register in part because 95 percent of its original exterior is intact and virtually unchanged.

The building served as an inn and tavern from about 1860 to 1918  the year Prohibition started. At that time, the Union Hotel was owned by Adolphus Busch of the Anheuser-Busch Brewing Co., according to the documents. The company sold the inn on Oct. 26, 1918.

The building then became a private home until John Ungar bought it in October 1922, renamed it the Hilltop Inn and operated a Pennsylvania Dutch style restaurant until 1932 when it again became a private home.

It is one of a handful of historic and landmark properties up for sale throughout Cumberland County. The old state road known as the Gettysburg Pike has given way to U.S. Route 15.
The Carlisle Area Chamber of Commerce, along with event sponsor M&T Bank, will host the 2016 annual Economic Forecast Breakfast Jan. 28.

Scott D. Ehrig, Managing Director, Wilmington Trust will deliver the firms 2016 capital markets forecast and economic outlook for the national and regional economy. Ehrig is the managing director of investments for Wilmingtons wealth advisory business in central, western and northern Pennsylvania.

In addition to supervising teams of investment advisors in the Keystone region of Pennsylvania, he serves as the firms regional expert on economic matters and is a member of Wilmingtons third-party investment manager selection and monitoring committee, the Manager Strategies Group. He has more than two decades of experience in trust investments and portfolio management.

Prior to joining M&T in 2005, he was the Chief Investment Officer at First Commonwealth Trust Company and a portfolio manager with J.P. Morgan Chase. He is a frequent guest speaker and panelist on WITFs Smart Talk, Pennsylvania Cable Network and is a speaker at many regional Chamber events.

The Economic Forecast Breakfast is scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 28 at the Carlisle Country Club, 1242 Harrisburg Pike, Carlisle. The program will begin with registration and breakfast at 7:30 a.m. followed by the program from 8 to 9 a.m. Cost to attend is $25 per Chamber member and $35 per non-member. VIP tables of eight are available for $200.

To purchase tickets, contact the Carlisle Area Chamber of Commerce at 717-243-4515, email events@carlislechamber.org or visit www.carlislechamber.org.

Reservations are required and must be made by Friday, Jan. 22. No refunds will be given after this date. In the case of inclement weather, the event will only be canceled if the Governor declares a state of emergency.
Early reports from a century ago spoke of a grim prognosis for Pvt. Ross Humer, a Pennsylvania state trooper seriously injured in a riot at a Catholic church on Jan. 16, 1916.

Both newspapers in town ran front-page stories about the Carlisle man being on his death bed in a Luzerne County hospital suffering from a compound skull fracture.

He was among the contingent of troopers sent to disperse a mob of about 1,000 men and women ringing the Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in Dupont near Wilkes-Barre.

Humer was in the thick of the fight when a burly man crept up behind him and struck him on the head with a heavy club, The Carlisle Evening Herald reported the day after the riot.

That same day, The Evening Sentinel wrote how Humer was unconscious and dying of injuries suffered in a riot that grew out of sectional strife caused by the recent appointment of a controversial priest.

The Herald followed up on Jan. 18 with a story about physicians who were hopeful they could save the troopers life and believed his condition was improving. X-rays were ordered to ascertain the extent of the head trauma.

The Sentinel then set the record straight on Jan. 19 with a report Humer had not suffered a skull fracture, but was recovering from a concussion. This story was based on a letter family members in Carlisle received from trooper W. Grant Humer, who was Rosss father.

Grant had visited Ross the afternoon of the riot and found his son lying in a bed unconscious in a hospital in Pittston, a town outside Dupont. He remained with him and Ross did not recover consciousness until 1:30 Monday morning (Jan. 17), The Sentinel reported. He rested well into Monday night. Ross recognized his father and was able to talk with him speaking only a few words.

The Jan. 19 story painted an optimistic picture. Physicians had hopes for his recovery, it read. This is the sincere wish of the popular young mans army of friends.

In a column published Jan. 18, the editorial board of The Sentinel had some choice words for those in command of the detachment sent to quell the mob at the Dupont church:

The injury of a Carlisle young man ... raises the question as to the need of such a body as the state police. In this case, they seemed to have acted as sheriffs deputies and to have incited rather than quieted the people. Instead of preserving the peace, the sheriff seemed to be allied with those on one side of the dispute, and against the other. Young Humer was going his duty and obeying orders, but we wonder if the whole matter had been properly handled if there had need been of any bloodshed at all.

Riot

As the story goes, about a month before the riot, Bishop Hoban appointed a new priest rector of the church over the objections of a faction of parishioners who favored a deposed priest who was later charged with inciting the riot.

Trouble ensued after the new priest tried to take over leadership of the church, forcing the issue into the Luzerne County court system where the president judge issued a ruling in favor of the new priest and ordered the local sheriff George Buss to take charge of the affair. A contingent of state police was called in to protect the new priest when the church reopened on Jan. 16 after being closed for three weeks.

On the day of the riot, Sheriff Buss was accompanied by a squad of mounted state troopers who escorted the new priest to the church over to find that the building had been occupied by the militant faction and surrounded by a mob that swelled to 1,000 angry men and women.

Most of the men were armed with clubs, many of which were studded with small nails, The Sentinel reported. Others had handfuls of stones. Carlisle newspapers mentioned how female rioters were equipped with pepper and mustard to fling at the eyes of law enforcement.

As the contingent tried to enter the gate, the sheriff called on the crowd to disperse. Instead, the crowd refused to budge and launched a shower of stones. This forced Capt. Leon Pitcher to put in a request for reinforcements, and 20 more state troopers hurried to the scene in automobiles from the barracks in Wyoming, Pennsylvania. The record is unclear whether Humer was part of the mounted detail or was among the reinforcements.

Captain Pitcher then insisted on the mob vacating the premises, and another shower of rocks followed, The Sentinel reported. The police then demolished a portion of the fence and, led by the mounted officers, charged into the mob.

In her book Justice to All: The Story of the Pennsylvania State Police, author Katherine Mayo described how the mob held its ground fighting the state police with long-handled, sharp-edged mine shovels, lengths of lead pipe, brass knuckles, crowbars, nail-studded pickets and heavy oak clubs bristling with nails. Meanwhile, rioters in the church building were flinging stones mingled with the Amazonian fire of mustard, pepper and splintering glass.

But little by little, the crowd was driven back; subdued, Mayo wrote in her book. One by one the ringleaders were cut out and herded into the church basement. Based on her description, Humer was injured in the opening moments of the fray.

All of the 31 state troopers were injured, but of this number only seven have real severe injuries, The Herald reported on Jan. 18. It is estimated about 100 rioters were hurt, and that the injuries of about a score are of a serious nature. One rioter was shot and died hours later, and another rioter was critically injured and reported as dying.

Seventy-one men were brought before the Luzerne County court system on charges that included rioting, unlawful assembly and accessories before the fact to felonious wounding.
HURON COUNTY  The increasing number of wind turbines threatens the ability for a McKinley Township landowner to safely operate a private airstrip, an Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association official said in a letter addressed to the county.

Recently, the ability for general aviation pilots and the landowner to arrive and depart the facility safely has been threatened by an increasing number of wind turbines  specifically wind turbine T-30, Bryan Budds, Great Lakes Regional Manager of the Maryland-based nonprofit, which advocates for general aviation, writes in a Jan. 6 letter to Huron County Planning Commission Chair Clark Brock.

AOPA strongly believes wind turbine T-30  located less than (a mile) from the runways approach and within the airports traffic pattern  poses a clear and significant danger for any aircraft operating from the airport.

The turbine is planned as part of Minnesota-based Geronimo Energys 30-turbine Apple Blossom wind project in McKinley and Winsor townships. AOPA says the Riverside Airfield is located at the intersection of Richmond and North Caseville roads and has been an operational, private-use airport for more than a decade.

In the letter, Budds requests county planners postpone any permits or approvals for the project until a time when safe ingress and egress from private airstrips in the immediate vicinity can be assured.

County Building and Zoning Director Jeff Smith said the McKinley Township landowner is a participant in the wind project. He said planners want to address Budds letter and the landowners concerns at the Feb. 3 planning commission meeting. Because the county received the letter at the 11th hour  Smith said it arrived at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 6, before the 7 p.m. planning commission meeting  planners didnt discuss it.

I asked Geronimo to address this also, Smith said.

Lindsay Smith, marketing and communications manager at Geronimo Energy in Edina, Minnesota, says the Apple Blossom layout was approved by Huron county planners on June 3, 2015, and has also received approvals from the Federal Aviation Administration and Michigan Department of Transportations Office of Aeronautics.

We are currently working with the landowner regarding this matter, she said in an email.

Jeff Smith said his office knew of the issue and Geronimo moved some turbines to accommodate the landowners request. He said he also stated to the landowner that planners would discuss the matter in February.

Part of that discussion could include a response to a statement in Budds letter: Since the airfield does not meet criteria for federal or state tall tower protection, Huron County is the only line of protection for pilots operating to or from the airfield.

We strongly urge you to fully consider all impacts to safe aviation operations to and from Riverside Airfield before approving any permits related (to) wind turbine T-30, the letter states.

But according to Jeff Smith, people choose where they want to put private airstrips in the county.

We dont regulate private airstrips, he said.

Putting wind turbines or other tall structures a mile away from the county-owned, public use Huron County Memorial Airport, however, would not be allowed under the countys airport zoning ordinance, he said.

MDOT and the FAA would not allow it, he said.

When county commissioners voted to support the Apple Blossom wind project last April (http://bit.ly/1bf2nIs), Project Manager David Shiflett said the developer made a switch that would situate turbines on a smaller tower and a rotor diameter covering 50 more feet.

Were still in compliance with the tall structures act and FAA, Shiflett then told commissioners.

Geronimo has faced other barriers to the project, most notably concern and opposition from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, some residents and wildlife advocates and former Board of Commissioners Chair John Nugent because turbines were planned for within three miles of the Saginaw Bay shoreline. It led the developer to rework the project, which Shiflett said was a Herculean task.

In a last minute decision in April 2015 (http://bit.ly/1bTTOUs), county commissioners voted to axe a section of the moratorium on new wind energy projects that would have allowed the Apple Blossom project to continue. An attorney representing Geronimo threatened suit, claiming the decision violated the developers due process rights. Commissioners then made a deal to avoid being sued and let the project continue during the moratorium (bit.ly/1E25voP).
Air Force Gets Its Own Combat Dive Badge After Using the Navy's for Years

Air Force officials said there is a notable distinction between Navy divers and their divers, which was a key reason for...
A fast-track discharge upon request for sexual assault victims and a new app that will assist in reporting of sexual harassment and assault are among a handful of new initiatives the Navy is pursuing to crack down on the crime and support survivors.

Chief of Naval Operations Adm. John Richardson said he wants to have a system in place by this spring that will allow survivors to receive an expedited discharge from the service, but still keep access to support programs and counseling them might need. He said he's also working with personnel officials to make sure an alleged sexual assault victim and the alleged perpetrator cannot end up at the same command later in their careers.

"Certainly, if it's a substantiated sexual assault, it will be dealt with and that person will be disciplined appropriately and probably not continue on with their career," Richardson told reporters Thursday. "But let's say something happens and it doesn't result in a conviction or something along those lines. There's nothing hardwired to prevent those people from being assigned to the command in the future."

Richardson, who became CNO in September, said he wanted to send a clear message to the fleet about the importance of cracking down on sexual assaults and protecting and supporting survivors when a crime has been committed.

"I want to do everything I can to try and lower obstacles to reporting, certainly do anything I can to prevent any sense of re-victimization," he said. And for those persons who are survivors, I want to give them everything I can to recover as quickly as possible and get on with their lives."

The Navy, he said, is considering development of an app based on those in use on some college campuses that will make it easier to report sexual harassment or assault. Such a tool, he said, would remove stigma for survivors, making reporting data more accurate and possibly reducing stigma preventing male sexual assault victims from coming forward.

A 2014 report by the Rand Corporation found the Navy had the highest incidence of sexual assault with a male as the victim, with 1.5 percent of male sailors reporting having survived an assault.

The Navy is also working to expand a program in which civilian resiliency counselors have deployed aboard amphibious assault ships to provide help to survivors and others who might have qualms about reaching out to a chaplain. Richardson said the service planned to move that program ashore, installing counselors at larger bases to augment existing support programs for sailors.

And in the interest of reinforcing the message that all sailors are expected to intervene if they observe harassment or assault, Richardson said he's doing away with terms like "bystander intervention" to describe a sailor's responsibility to step in and defend a colleague in trouble.

"The term 'bystander' creates the perception of a choice, or haven if you will, for inaction," Richardson said. "That's not what a shipmate is. A shipmate always moves to help another shipmate."

Richardson said his time frame to implement all these initiatives was "brisk," and said the new programs would be presented to the fleet as they became ready.

"I'm not going to wait for the slowest thing to implement the fastest thing," he said.

--Hope Hodge Seck can be reached at hope.seck@monster.com. Follow her on Twitter at @HopeSeck.
The LeTort Regional Authority (LRA), a nonprofit municipal organization that preserves and protects the LeTort Spring Run and its watershed, as well as the LeTort Nature Trail, announced Friday that Union Quarries is a new sponsor of the Friends of the LeTort.

The companys sponsorship will enable the LRA to continue improving the 2-mile-long nature trail and monitoring the water quality of the Pennsylvania Exceptional Value limestone stream. Union Quarries has been an in-kind donor of materials and manpower to maintain the trail since it was developed in 1974.

We are tremendously grateful for the generous support of Union Quarries, said Andrew Parker, LRA chair. This will help us to provide Cumberland County families with more outdoor recreational opportunities on the LeTort Nature Trail and along the LeTort Spring Run.

Union Quarries is located on Bonnybrook Road in South Middleton Township, adjacent to the nature trail and spring run.

"As a neighbor of these two important natural resources, Union Quarries is proud to protect them, said Glenn Buffington, Union Quarries president. They add so much to the quality of life in our community. Many of our employees enjoy fishing on the LeTort and walking on the trail. Its vital to preserve them for future generations.

Founded in 1967, Union Quarries provides limestone, ready-mix concrete, and bituminous concrete to commercial and residential customers. For more information, visit www.unionquarries.com.
Last month, the Boston Globes Nick Cafardo reported that Trevor Cahill had offers from the Pirates and Orioles to sign as a starting pitcher, but he turned them down in favor of a relief role with the Cubs. Cafardo noted that Cahills preference was to start, but that he preferred to remain in Chicago. Today, Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times tweets that, according to Cubs pitching coach Chris Bosio, the Pirates offer was for two years. The deal he accepted from the Cubs was only for one year and $4.25MM. It sounds, then, like Cahills preference to stay with the Cubs was strong indeed. Heres more from the NL Central.

This offseason hasnt gone the way the Cardinals had planned, with Jason Heyward and John Lackey heading elsewhere and David Price rejecting them for the Red Sox. But GM John Mozeliak is confident the team has what it needs to succeed, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch writes. I feel like the answer for us is still we feel we have the right pieces, he says. If we go out and add an outfielder  where are they going to play? Who is not playing? How does that affect us? What does the short-term view look like vs. the long-term commitment? Honestly, we feel very comfortable with what we have. Mozeliak says the team likes the idea of giving Randal Grichuk the opportunity to start in center field. The club also likes the idea of giving playing time to Stephen Piscotty and Brandon Moss .

had planned, with and heading elsewhere and rejecting them for the Red Sox. But GM John Mozeliak is confident the team has what it needs to succeed, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch writes. I feel like the answer for us is still we feel we have the right pieces, he says. If we go out and add an outfielder  where are they going to play? Who is not playing? How does that affect us? What does the short-term view look like vs. the long-term commitment? Honestly, we feel very comfortable with what we have. Mozeliak says the team likes the idea of giving the opportunity to start in center field. The club also likes the idea of giving playing time to and . Mozeliak says there has lately been more momentum for bringing the designated hitter to the National League, according to Goold (on Twitter). Cubs president of baseball operations Theo Epstein also addressed the possibility of the DH coming to the NL today, according to Bruce Miles of the Daily Herald (also on Twitter). We have so many good hitters coming that we wouldnt mind the DH, Epstein says. Against most NL competitors, the DH likely would be an advantage for the Cubs, given their strong group of young hitters and the presence of a defensively-challenged slugger in Kyle Schwarber on their roster. Epstein adds, though, that he doesnt feel any change to NL rules is imminent.
GRAND RAPIDS TOWNSHIP, MI - Builder James Bronkema made a splash in West Michigan during the late 1940s by introducing a new style of modern houses patterned after the ranch houses being built in California.

Almost 70 years later, this Bronkema house at 77 Lakeview Dr. SE retains the heated brick floors, walnut paneling and rough-sawn exposed rafters that made his creations stand apart from the traditional homes that were popular during the post-war housing boom.

Bradley Veneklase, who recently listed the house for sale at $525,000, brought back many of Bronkema's original features after buying the house on a "short sale" in 2011.

Veneklase also updated some of the features while keeping the house's modern-style roots. The kitchen was opened up and a screened-in porch was enclosed to expand the family living spaces that Bronkema espoused as part of his modernistic vision.

Before he started tearing out walls or flooring, Veneklase said he contacted the builder, who listed it as his home address in a 1951. Bronkema, who was living in California at the time, died in February 2014 at age 89.

"He told me it was one of his favorite houses," said Veneklase, an associate broker for Parkland Properties, a Grand Rapids company whose owner, Jonathan Rooks, has revived several historic West Michigan buildings for apartment and condominiums housing.

Veneklase said he's grateful for the opportunity to have rescued the years of half-hearted attempts to modernize the house, located in the "Golden Triangle," a term for Grand Rapids Township homes located in the desirable East Grand Rapids school district.

"Eighty percent of the buyers out there couldn't see we could make it," says Veneklase. "There would have been all kinds of ways to screw this house up."

When he took possession of the three-bedroom house, Veneklase said one of his first tasks was cleaning up the brick flooring, which had grown dingy and stained during years of wear and being covered with rugs and carpeting.

He also retained the home's wide custom-built front door, the walnut paneling and rough-sawn timbers were milled from trees on the building site and hold up the gently pitched roof. The cedar timbers are supported by brick partitions that run through the center of the home.

Veneklase departed from the original floor plan when he incorporated a screened-in porch into the living area and installed insulated windows to create a larger great room and informal dining room that is anchored by of the home's two fireplaces.

The kitchen got the biggest makeover as Veneklase removed a partition and installed an island with a Caesarstone Quartz countertops. He replaced the original cabinets and installed new appliances.

The master suite was upgraded with a modern ensuite bathroom with maple cabinets, a walk-in shower and closet. The paneled walls in the master bedroom were brightened with drywall.

The other two bedrooms are small in keeping with Bronkema's mid-century modern philosophy of encouraging families to spend time with each other in common areas.

"In building a house today, the designer must study the family for whom the house is being built and determine its needs in the number and types of rooms," the Bronkema told a Grand Rapids Herald reporter in a 1951 article shortly after he was elected the youngest president of the Grand Rapids Homebuilders Association at age 25.

"I have tried to incorporate a family room in most of the homes I have built as I believe this room is one of the most important in the house. There, the family can really get to know one another as the room is planned for relaxation."

True to Bronkema's design, Veneklase says the cozy family room is his favorite room. Its large fireplace and broad windows overlook the backyard while clerestory windows at the peak of the cathedral ceiling deliver sunlight in the morning.

On the other side of the family room's brick partition with built-in planters, there's a formal dining room with built-in cabinetry that is masked within the carefully sawn and mitered walnut paneling.

Built on a concrete slab, the California-style house includes a two-stall garage with a built-in storage room in the back.

Bronkema, a 1942 Grand Rapids Christian High School graduate who attended Calvin College before he became a U.S. Navy pilot in World War II, built more than 150 of his low-slung homes and office buildings in West Michigan before he left for Tampa, Fla. in 1960.

In 1970, Bronkema moved to San Francisco, where he oversaw the development of the Embarcadero Center, a giant retail development with more than 3 million square feet of floor space.

He continued as the managing partner and CEO of Embarcadero Center until his retirement in 1989. In 1987, he chaired the committee to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Golden Gate Bridge.

This is one of several articles Mlive has published about mid-century modern-style houses in recent months. Here are some links to those articles:

 'Like living in a piece of art,' says owner of mid-century modern by Gunnar Birkerts



 Backyard train rolls behind this mid-century modern gem

 Midland's mid-century modern homes create real estate destination

 'Mid-century with a modern twist' featured in 2015 Spring Parade of Homes

 $1.4M riverside home enjoys 270-feet of frontage, multiple water vistas

 Inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright, 'Usonian' house embraces Japanese 'shibui'



 'Usonian' cottage by Frank Lloyd Wright's master builder remains intact along Thornapple River

Jim Harger covers business for MLive/Grand Rapids Press. Email him at jharger@mlive.com or follow him on Twitter or Facebook or Google+.
Ann Arbor-area residents may join in the protest against Gov. Rick Snyder's handing of the Flint water crisis.

Michigan Rising's Washtenaw County chapter is hosting an "Arrest Governor Snyder" protest from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, Jan. 18 outside the University of Michigan's Rackham Building, 915 E. Washington in Ann Arbor.

A march will start at 4:30 p.m. along Washington to Snyder's Main Street home, 211 S. Main St. in Ann Arbor. The protesters plan to form a moving circle, according to the event's Facebook page.

There are 122 people attending the protest, according to Facebook, and nearly 300 more people indicating they are "interested" in the protest.

The event organizers did not respond to requests for comment.

Since Flint switched its water source from Lake Huron to the Flint River in April 2014, the city has found elevated levels of lead in the water and in some of the city's youngest residents. Some experts say recent deaths from Legionnaires' Disease also could be linked to the city's water.

Snyder declared a state of emergency in the city on Jan. 5, and on Thursday, Jan. 14 asked President Barack Obama to declare a federal emergency in Flint.

The state's handling of the crisis has come under national scrutiny as Flint residents, politicians and news media have criticized Snyder's administration--including calls for his resignation--for not taking action earlier.

Snyder and his administration have said they are working to protect citizens from the water.

Lindsay Knake is a cops and courts reporter for The Ann Arbor News. Follow her on twitter or contact her at 989-372-2498 or lknake@mlive.com.
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The city of Ann Arbor has prevailed in a legal case challenging the city's footing drain disconnection program.

(File photo | The Ann Arbor News)

A Washtenaw County judge has dismissed a lawsuit that challenged the legality of Ann Arbor's footing drain disconnection program.

Circuit Judge Timothy Connors signed the final order on Friday afternoon in the case that was brought against the city nearly two years ago, dismissing the entire case.

Connors sided with the city a week ago, throwing out the main claim from the plaintiffs, who argued work done under the city's FDD program represented a government taking of private property.

"We are pleased that this final order dismissing this case was entered," City Attorney Stephen Postema said in a statement on Friday. "Plaintiffs' counsel conceded that there were no other claims in this case, other than that dismissed last week by Judge Connors. Therefore, the entire Yu case is dismissed with this order."

Ann Arbor attorney Irvin Mermelstein and co-counsel Dan O'Brien represented two sets of plaintiffs in the case -- Anita Yu, who lives on Georgetown Boulevard, and John Boyer and Mary Raab, who live on Delaware Drive.

They're residents who've gone through the FDD program and have argued it constitutes a physical intrusion and permanent occupation of their homes.

Mermelstein has argued the city owes homeowners who've gone through the program many millions of dollars in collective compensation.

The FDD program, started by the city in 2001 to address problems with basement sewage backups, has required many homeowners in targeted neighborhoods to disconnect footing drains around their homes and install sump pumps.

That diverts stormwater away from the city's sanitary sewer system and instead to the stormwater drainage system.

City officials maintain the FDD program is both legal and effective at reducing basement sewage backups.

However, some residents argue the city's stormwater drainage system is inadequate, becoming overwhelmed in heavy rainstorms, and some complain they've experienced basement flooding and water problems they didn't have before the city made them disconnect their footing drains and install sump pumps.

And some residents argue it's a burden to have to live with and maintain the sump pumps, limiting their enjoyment of their homes.

In a second lawsuit filed against the city over the FDD program last year, Mermelstein and O'Briere are representing Lynn Lumbard, another resident who has made similar claims challenging the FDD program. Postema said the city will be seeking the same result in the second case, which is still pending.

Mermelstein said last week he was disappointed by the court's decision to throw out the main claim in the Yu case.

"The plaintiffs respectfully disagree with Judge Connors' decision in their case," he said in an email on Friday. "They are considering their options but expect to appeal the ruling to the Michigan Court of Appeals."

Ryan Stanton covers the city beat for The Ann Arbor News. Reach him at ryanstanton@mlive.com.
A Pinckney High School student charged with rape is in jail until Monday, Jan. 18 for sending a Snapchat on his mother's phone, the Livingston Daily reports.

A Livingston County Circuit Court judge on Jan. 15 revoked Nicklaus Haggerty Lefebvre's bond and ordered him to spend the weekend in jail for violating a bond condition that prohibits him from having contact with the victim in a pending sexual assault case, according to the report.

Lefebvre, 17, is charged with three counts of third-degree criminal sexual conduct, one count of child abusive commercial activity for allegedly photographing the assault and one count of furnishing alcohol to a minor.

Police say Lefebvre and at least two other suspect gave alcohol to a 15-year-old girl and took her to a home where they performed sexual acts on her in December.

A tentative trial date is scheduled for March 7, and Lefebvre next appears in court on Jan. 22 for a hearing.

Lindsay Knake is a cops and courts reporter for The Ann Arbor News. Follow her on twitter or contact her at 989-372-2498 or lknake@mlive.com.
DETROIT (AP) -- The Belle Isle Park Advisory Committee is scheduled to discuss law enforcement, infrastructure planning and other general updates at its next meeting.

The meeting is scheduled to start Thursday morning at the Flynn Pavilion on the island park east of downtown Detroit.

Belle Isle became a state park in 2014 under a 30-year lease agreement with Detroit, which had struggled for years to come up with money to maintain and improve the park. Michigan's Natural Resources department now manages it.

The advisory committee advises the state on implementation of improvements, master planning and public safety for Belle Isle.
SOUTHFIELD, MI -- A Federal Bureau of Investigation task force officer, while conducting a child exploitation sting at the Marriott Hotel in Southfield Friday night, was shot by a suspect who was then shot and killed, according to FBI spokeswoman Jill Washburn.

Washburn said she couldn't confirm or deny a WDIV-TV, Channel 4 News report that the suspect committed suicide, and that the law enforcer's injuries weren't fatal.

State Police First Lt. Michael Shaw told WDIV the officer is OK.

"It's a task-force officer in the (Southeast Michigan Crimes Against Children Task Force)," Washburn said. "We were conducting an operation out here this evening. They encountered the subject, shots were fired, we have a task force officer who was shot, and the subject was also shot."

The shooting occurred in the hotel parking lot along Northwestern Highway in Southfield.

Washburn, who was on scene, said she could not immediately release any further information and was unsure when an update might be available.

The task force includes officers from multiple agencies but is headed by the FBI. Officials haven't said what agency the involved law enforcement officer is from.

It's unclear what the objective of the sting was and what the shooter's involvement might have been. His identity has not been released.
CLARKSTON, MI - The state has taken control of the credit union allegedly victimized by a Fenton-area businessman accused of embezzling more than $20 million from it.

State regulators announced this week that the Clarkston Brandon Community Credit Union has been placed into conservatorship after Michael LaJoice allegedly stole over $20 million from it since 2013.

The National Credit Union Administration will serve as the conservator.

"All of the 9,400 CBCCU members should be assured that all of their deposits are protected and they will have continued, uninterrupted access to their funds," said Department of Insurance and Financial Services Director Patrick M. McPharlin. "All Michigan state-chartered credit unions are insured by the NCUA for up to $250,000 per depositor and sometimes more. CBCCU will continue regular hours under management of NCUA."

The NCUA will assume control of the credit union to ensure the facility's financial stability and safe operation, according to a release from DIFS.

LaJoice, 36, of Tyrone Township, was charged Friday, Jan. 8, with 14 counts of embezzlement in Clarkston District Court after police say he admitted to stealing over $20 million since 2013 while working as CFO for the Clarkston Brandon Community Credit Union in Independence Township.
LAS VEGAS  In a city built on luring tourists with cheap thrills and free cocktails, a big part of the Las Vegas Strip will soon slash its most basic freebie: parking.

MGM Resorts International announced Friday that it will become the first major casino company to start charging visitors this year for parking. The move could bring in millions of dollars annually and dramatically change a tourism hotspot that increasingly caters to visitors who come for pricey attractions besides gambling.

Experts called the parking fee surprising, but it follows another trend MGM pioneered: the resort fee, now the standard on the Strip.

Sin Citys largest hotel-casino operator said it will charge up to $10 for overnight self-parking at most of its Strip properties starting this spring, coinciding with the April opening of the Las Vegas-based companys T-Mobile Arena.

MGM Resorts has 35,310 rooms and 37,000 parking spots on the Strip, which come at a premium during major events. The parking fees will come at Mandalay Bay, Delano, Luxor, Excalibur, Monte Carlo, New York-New York, Vdara, Aria, Bellagio, The Mirage and MGM Grand.

Valet parking will cost more, but some parking at the Circus Circus hotel and the Crystals and Mandalay Bay Place shopping centers will still be free, as will MGMs properties in Mississippi, Michigan and China.

Parking at some Strip hotels will be cheaper than others, and Clark County residents will get a grace period.

Customers near and far vowed on social media to take their business elsewhere, even urging a letter-writing campaign to the company.

The fees shake up a long-held entitlement of free parking among locals, said Michael Green, a history professor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. They expect tourists to foot the bill on amenities that locals enjoy, he said.

Gambling revenue used to offset those costs easily, but the focus has shifted to other offerings since Nevada stopped being the only state with legal gambling in 1978, the professor said.

Thats one reason to move to fee-based parking  70 percent of MGMs revenue comes from outside the casino, including celebrity restaurants, high-end shops, shows and nightclubs, said Corey Sanders, the companys chief operating officer.

Though MGM may be the first to disrupt the Strips parking model, Sanders said he believes competitors will follow suit. It took about five years for Strip properties to take up the resort fees that MGM started in 2008, Bumazhny said.

Therell be initial backlash, but a month from now, three months from now, people will completely forget about it, Sanders said.
Clearly the only explanation for Jeb Bushs almost effortless stroll to the Republican nomination is the pernicious stranglehold of big money in politics.

Oh, wait. Bush is in the low single digits in most national polls, despite his campaign and his super PAC raising more than $100 million.

Perhaps thats only because Donald Trump, the billionaire populist, is buying the nomination with his dragons hoard of gold? Well, no. Trump has spent less than any other major candidate.

But surely Hillary Clinton, with her close ties to Wall Street, her husbands storied hobnobbing with the global .001 percent, not to mention her vast Rolodex of Clinton Inc. supporters going back four decades, has bought herself the nomination?

It doesnt look that way, according to the polls. Shes losing ground to Sen. Bernie Sanders in both Iowa and New Hampshire. Sanders has raised more money from small donors than any other candidate in American history. And hes done so by declaring nothing short of war on what he calls the billionaire class.

I do not exaggerate when I tell you that the foundations of American democracy are being undermined, Sanders told some students at the University of Chicago (and pretty much anyone else hes ever talked to). American democracy is not supposed to be about billionaires buying elections.

Youd think that if the billionaire class  all 536 people  had the kind of unfettered control over the U.S. political system Sanders believes them to have, Mr. Sanders would be asking, Would you like fries with that?

Instead, hes got a plausible, if not yet entirely probable, shot at the Democratic presidential nomination. And even if he doesnt emerge victorious, hes already dragged Clinton to the left on the issues the billionaires are supposed to care about.

And Trump, widely disliked among his fellow billionaires  at least the Republican ones  has had remarkable success demonizing his wealthy peers.

The simple fact is that almost everywhere you look, the super-rich are being stymied by democracy. In 2014, David Brat, an unknown academic, defeated the second most powerful Republican in Congress, then-House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, even though Cantor spent more money on steak dinners than Brat did on his whole campaign. The recent referendum on marijuana legalization in Ohio was lavishly funded  and failed. And just a reminder: Barack Obama beat Mitt Romney and his plutocrat pals.

Those evil corporations arent faring much better. We constantly hear about their vise grip on Washington, yet we still have the highest corporate tax rate in the developed world (not counting United Arab Emirates). Big corporations rightly want to be able to repatriate their profits earned overseas without being taxed on them again. (Most countries allow corporations to pay taxes on profits solely in the jurisdictions where they were earned.) And yet they cant get it done.

Even the dreaded Koch Brothers, those supposed super-villains, have failed to buy the policies they prefer.

And yet, to listen to countless pundits and politicians, we live in an oligarchy now. Clinton, who benefits from no less than five super PACs, thinks the Citizens United case, which made super PACs possible, is such a threat to democracy that the First Amendment should be rewritten to get rid of them.

Democrats dont like Citizens United because they think it might blunt their advantages. According to OpenSecrets.org, of the top five organizations  i.e., unions and corporate PACs  that give to federal candidates, all (mostly public unions) give 97 percent to 100 percent of their donations to liberals and Democrats. Of the top 10, eight give almost exclusively to the left. Of the top 25, 18 donate disproportionately to the left.

By the way, Koch Industries is No. 49 on the list, and the National Rifle Association is No. 74.

One can certainly understand why average citizens find this billionaire class stuff plausible. Government certainly has become more and more unresponsive and aloof. (Public sector unions are a big reason why.) And it is obviously true that big money  variously defined  plays a significant role in our politics.

But you know what plays a bigger role? Politics. The NRA is a good case in point. President Obama insists that the gun lobby owns Congress, which is why he cant get the gun-control policies he wants passed. The truth, however, is that politicians care more about votes than money, and if they follow his advice, theyll also follow so many Democrats who were fired for agreeing with Obama.

Thats actually how democracy is supposed to work.

Jonah Goldberg is a fellow at the American Enterprise Institute and a senior editor of National Review. You can email him at goldbergcolumn@gmail.com.
Enterprising Ghanaian gospel musician, Bernard Amankwah has donated musical instruments and other items to the Osu Children's home.

The donation worth GHc15,000 the musician noted, is part of efforts to set up a music school for the facility which provides home and shelter for orphans.

Items Bernard Amankwah, who is the founder of His Presence Ministry, donated included, three keyboards, set of drums, two cordless microphones, one power mixer, two long range speakers, two speaker stands, two microphone stands, boxes of water and bags of detergents.

At the ceremony, the gospel musician, who also donated bibles to the home, explained that most people make donations to orphanages with just the basic needs of the children in terms of food in mind, neglecting their spiritual needs.

He noted that the donation of the musical instruments was inspired by the fact that just as every church sees it fit to get sound equipment and instruments to enhance their service, these little ones also deserve to praise God with instruments and sounds.

The items were received by Mrs Christina Addo, administrator of the Osu Children's Home. Mrs Christina Addo after receiving the items thanked the musician for his generosity and promised that the items will be used for the intended purpose.

The Osu Children's Home donation is part of an annual initiative by Bernard Amankwah to give back to the needy.

Last year, the musician put smiles on the faces of the children of the Village of Hope at Gomoa Fetteh in the Central Region.

He donated several items including sound equipment, bags of rice, detergents, mineral water  worth over GH 10,000 to the facility.
16.01.2016 LISTEN

The fastest rapper and 2012 BET Awards winner Sarkodie has been invited to perform at the Indigo Concert at The O2 on Friday March 11, in celebration of Ghana's 59th independence.

The Ghanaian award winning rapper, who has carved a niche for himself on the world music scene, will become the first African rapper to headline the renowned Indigo at The O2, as he celebrates Ghana's 59th independence.

He will be at his musical best with some great performances from both his old and latest repertoire.

The BET award winner, MTV Africa Music award winner and MOBO award nominee, who recently joined Fuse ODG on the last leg of his UK tour, is one of the major driving forces of the growing popularity of Ghanaian and Afrobeats music on the international music landscape.

Sarkodie will be taking his live music experience to the next level as he has enlisted the support of one of UK's most sought after live bands, The Compozers to rock the crowd, and UK Afrobeats pioneer, DJ Abrantee to host the event.

The audience is in for a mega treat with Sarkodie's skilful 50-syllables-per-second flow, countless hits from a career spanning 15 years and a flux of surprise guest performers, including his personal DJ Mensah to ensure a show-stopper.
As we enter 2016, it is helpful to reflect on the words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Many Americans are familiar with his 1963 I Have a Dream speech; I have found that Dr. Kings April 1963 Letter from a Birmingham Jail framed his themes four months before the historic March on Washington. In both the speech and letter, he restates explicitly the promise of America that is the inheritance of its citizens, regardless of race, religion, or national origin.

As we look back on the national and world events of 2015, it is easy for us to be distressed by the state of affairs. Moreover, that can lead to understandable pessimism about our future  we may wonder whether the dream of Dr. King is possible. Importantly then, he caused Americans to have difficult and uncomfortable conversations.

King wrote, We merely bring to the surface the hidden tension that is already alive. We bring it out in the open, where it can be seen and dealt with. Like a boil that can never be cured so long as it is covered up but must be opened with all its ugliness to the natural medicines of air and light, injustice must be exposed, with all the tension its exposure creates, to the light of human conscience and the air of national opinion before it can be cured.

In response to complacency about the plight of others, he continued: We will have to repent in this generation not merely for the hateful words and actions of the bad people but for the appalling silence of the good people. Human progress never rolls in on wheels of inevitability; it comes through the tireless efforts of men [and women] willing to be co-workers with God. ... Now is the time to make real the promise of democracy and transform our pending national elegy into a creative psalm of brotherhood. Now is the time to lift our national policy from the quicksand of racial injustice to the solid rock of human dignity.

Dr. Kings words, which first entered the national psyche from a jail in Birmingham and then on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington DC, had to be accompanied by deeds of Americans who were called to action. Not bystanders, but citizens became the catalyst for change and justice in America that we still seek today.

Each year our Carlisle community continues Americas quest to embrace Dr. Kings Dream and will celebrate its 27th year commemoration of his birthday. We will gather Sunday for a short march in downtown Carlisle followed by an ecumenical service at St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church.

Over the course of this month, you have seen notices of the Jan. 17, 2016 event with the theme, Rev. Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Day of Service: Making Rev. Dr. Kings Dream a Reality in Our Community!

Community members and organizations will have the opportunity to gather and demonstrate support for those ideals, which are rooted in American values. Our commemoration committee invites you to be part of this celebration within our Carlisle community.

You can track the work of the your community-based committee on Facebook by following: http://www.facebook.com/#!/CarlisleMartinLutherKingCommemoration

Charles D. Allen, Col., U.S. Army Retired is a Professor, Leadership and Cultural Studies U.S. Army War College. Allen, Robin Orner and Jon Ross are the co-Chairs for the Rev, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemoration Committee.
Bukavu (DR Congo) (AFP) - At least 20 people were killed in a gold mine collapse in the Democratic Republic of Congo, a local minister said on Sunday.

The deaths occurred overnight at the mine in the South Kivu region in the east of the country, the province's mines minister Apollinaire Bulindi said.

The toll is likely to rise "because many people were working in a disorderly way in this quarry," Bulindi said, referring to "illegal miners".

The Makungu mine where the accident took place is located in the Fizi district of Sud Kivu near the border with the Tanganyika province.

"We (the provincial authorities) do not control this quarry, these are soldiers who are working there...," he said.

Sud Kivu province has some of Democratic Republic of Congo's richest mineral deposits.

Much of the gold mined there, however, is smuggled out of the country to Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi, and from there allegedly to Dubai, according to the OECD.
Ouagadougou (AFP) - The death toll in an attack by jihadists on a top hotel in the capital of Burkina Faso rose to 29 on Saturday, with 30 injured, the country's Security Minister Simon Compaore said.

The bodies of three jihadists had been identified. All three were men, the minister said, adding that they were "very young". The previous death toll in the incident overnight Friday to Saturday had put the number of dead at 26, from 18 different nationalities.

A total of 126 people were freed from the four-star Splendid hotel after security forces retook the facility and nearby Cappuccino restaurant on Saturday more than 12 hours after the attack began, Compaore told AFP.

The assault on the two venues, popular with Westerners and UN personnel, was crushed by midday but the police and military were still combing the area for other suspects, a security source said.

Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) claimed the attack on behalf of an affiliate, saying the strike on the former French colony was in "revenge against France and the disbelieving West", according to a statement carried by US-based monitoring group SITE.

AQIM said the gunmen were from the Al-Murabitoun group of notorious Algerian extremist Mokhtar Belmokhtar.

The attack will heighten concerns that jihadist groups are casting their net wider in search of targets in west Africa, two months after a siege at a luxury hotel in neighbouring Mali, where 20 people were killed, again mostly foreigners.

AQIM and Al-Murabitoun jointly claimed that attack.

President Roch Marc Christian Kabore, who took office just last month, a year after a popular uprising ousted longtime leader Blaise Compaore, called on his fellow citizens to show "courage".

Burkina Faso has "never caved in under any circumstances and it's not going to start now," he said.

- 'There was blood everywhere' -

The attack began around 7.45 pm on Saturday when an unknown number of attackers stormed the 147-room Splendid hotel in the heart of Ouagadougou.

An AFP reporter saw three gunmen wearing turbans firing on Avenue Kwame Nkrumah, one of the city's main thoroughfares. Another witness reported seeing four assailants.

The hotel and its environs were transformed into a battleground as Burkina Faso troops, backed by French forces based in the city under a regional counterterrorism initiative, launched an attempt to retake the hotel around 2 am.

The US, which has a small contingent in the country, said it supported French forces in the operation.

Several guests managed to escape from the hotel through side entrances, including Labour Minister Clement Sawadogo, who emerged unscathed.

"It was horrible... there was blood everywhere. They were firing at people at close range," Yannick Sawadogo, one of those who escaped, told AFP.

"They were walking around people and firing at people who were not dead."

Compaore, the interior minister, told AFP that 10 bodies had been discovered on the terrace of the Cappuccino restaurant.

- Australian couple abducted -

French President Francois Hollande denounced the "odious and cowardly attack", with the European Union and Britain issuing similar condemnations.

Also on Saturday, the Burkina government said that two Australians were kidnapped Friday in the northern Baraboule region, near the border with Niger and Mali.

Malian militant group Ansar Dine told AFP the couple were being held by jihadists from the Al-Qaeda-linked "Emirate of the Sahara".

The army meanwhile said a heavily-armed group of about 20 people also carried out an attack Friday near the border with Mali, killing two people -- a police officer and a civilian -- and leaving two others wounded.

The attack in Ouagadougou was unprecedented in Burkina Faso and comes as people were enjoying a return to stability after the election which ended a shaky transitional period following Compaore's ouster, including a failed coup.

"The elections went off well...That makes the country a symbol of progress, which is what those people want to destroy," Cynthia Ohayon, a security analyst with the International Crisis Group said.

Al-Murabitoun had already begun to move into the impoverished country of around 17 million. In April last year, the group claimed the abduction of the Romanian security chief of a mine in the country's north.

Burkina Faso is one of the five countries in the restive Sahel region that is hosting France's Barkhane counter-terror mission.
15.01.2016 LISTEN

Police in Indonesia have identified four out of five of the Jakarta attackers. Two were previously convicted militants.

Police named one  Afif Sunakim, seen carrying a gun and rucksack during the attacks. He was given a seven-year jail term for attending a militant camp.

All five died in Thursdays attacks, which left two civilians dead and were claimed by Islamic State (IS).

Three arrests were made on Friday but it is unclear if they are connected.

Security forces battled militants for hours in the busy commercial district where the militants struck.

A Canadian and an Indonesian national died, and at least 20 people were injured.

The assault ended when two attackers died in a suicide bombing, police say, with the other three killed in gun battles.

Following recent IS threats, the country, which had been attacked by Islamist militants several times in the past, had been on high alert.

Gen Badrodin Haiti, the national police chief, said Sunakim and one other attacker had both been convicted criminals.

Jakartas chief of police, Insp Gen Tito Karnavian, said a hunt was under way for terror cells believed to be behind the attack.

Three men were arrested near Jakarta early on Friday, police told local media.

A police spokesman, Anton Charliyan, confirmed on Friday that those who organised the attacks were associated with IS.

Two of the perpetrators, he added, were known to have committed similar radical activities some time ago.

Earlier, Bahrum Naim, an Indonesian believed to be fighting with IS in Syria, was named as the suspected co-ordinator.

Insp Gen Karnavian said Naims vision was to unite various IS-supporting groups across South East Asia.

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IS released a statement saying it had targeted citizens of countries which are part of the international coalition fighting the group, which controls parts of Syria and Iraq.

Game-changer for Indonesia  Ali Moore, BBC News, Jakarta

Life is getting back to normal on the junction where the attack happened  but only up to a point.

Traffic is flowing and the road sweepers are busy but the police post which was hit remains boarded up, and the Starbucks cafe at the centre of the attack is surrounded by iron fencing, curious onlookers and media using anything at hand to peer over the top at the blown out windows.

The condolence flowers have now been removed  probably to stop the crowds gathering to take selfies, risking their lives in the morning traffic.

But with the citys police chief admitting Thursdays assault is likely to be a game-changer for Indonesia, there is no doubt the risk of another attack has taken a new form. And no matter how tiny the group, as he called them, they have proved they can kill.

Insp Gen Karnavian told the BBC the main culprits were connected to other cells in Java and Sulawesi and we are chasing them.

He said one IS plot had been foiled at the end of 2015 and a number of people detained, among them a man who said he had been instructed by Naim.

Naim has been linked to the IS-allied East Indonesia Mujahidin Group (MIT), which is based on the island of Sulawesi.

Insp Gen Karnavian said Indonesia had significantly developed its understanding of domestic militant networks since the 2002 bomb attack in Bali, which killed 202 people.

Some 1,000 people linked to radical networks had been brought to justice in Indonesia since 2000, he said, but some had since been released from prison and had the potential to pose a threat.

What we need to do today is strengthen capability and also sharing information with others because it is not home grown in Indonesia but it is part of a global network, he said.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo tweeted on Friday that there was no place for terrorism on Earth and that every citizen in the world needed to fight it.

Indonesia has suffered militant attacks in the past, but has been relatively successful in curbing home-grown Islamist extremism after a spate of attacks in the last decade.

-bbc
15.01.2016 LISTEN

Pakistan has shut down several religious schools run by the Jaish-e-Mohammad militant group, Punjab provinces law minister has said.

Fourteen people were arrested in a police raid on a mosque and seminary near the city of Daska, officials said.

The closures follow arrests this week of several members of the group, which India says was behind the recent assault on the Pathankot air base.

Jaish-e-Mohammad leader Maulana Masood Azhar is among those being held.

Seven Indian soldiers and six militants were killed in the gun battle at Pathankot , which lasted four days when heavily-armed gunmen entered the base dressed in Indian army uniforms.

The attack came days after the Indian and Pakistani leaders, Narendra Modi and Nawaz Sharif, met in Lahore to launch a surprise peace initiative.

Pakistan in the aftermath of the attack said that it would take action against Mr Azhars group whose headquarters are in Punjab province.

India has repeatedly accused the government of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif of providing militants with a sanctuary. Sealed off

Officials of the Counter-Terrorism Department raided the Jamiatul Nur seminary in the Daska area on Thursday and arrested more than a dozen people, Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah told the Reuters news agency.

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The seminary has been sealed off and documents and literature have been confiscated from the premises.

Mr Sanaullah said other offices and seminaries administered by Jaish-e-Mohammad were also raided and closed, in addition to numerous arrests.

The law minister in a TV interview on Thursday said that Mr Azhar had been taken into protective custody prior to a decision being taken as to whether he should face legal action for his involvement in the Pathankot attack.

He said such a move would only be taken if it were proved beyond doubt.

There has been no response so far from Jaish-e-Mohammad to the latest raids.

India on Thursday announced that it would re-schedule diplomatic talks with Pakistan which were postponed after the Pathankot attack.

It is not clear if any action has been taken by Pakistan against Jaish-e-Mohammads two major seminaries in Bahawalpur, which many say serve as the groups headquarters.

Started by Muslim cleric Maulana Masood Azhar, Jaish-e-Mohammed has been blamed for attacks on Indian soil in the past, including one in 2001 on the parliament in Delhi which took the nuclear-armed rivals to the brink of war.

-bbc
Former Chief Executive of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) Sylvester Mensah says despite negative reportage the scheme attracted in the last couple of weeks, Ghanas Health Insurance Scheme remains a global model.

According to him, the scheme has also become a centre for international knowledge and experience sharing while maintaining that the NHIA is considered a leading agency under the Ministry of Health in terms of performance and systems.

"What has attracted the attention of international players in Health insurance industry is the Scheme's management approach, structure, strategy and systems," Mr. Mensah noted Thursday, January 14, 2016, while speaking at the 67th Annual New Year School at the University of Ghana.

Mr Mensah, who was invited as a resource person, spoke on the topic; "Ghanas NHIS model and the transition from Millenium Development Goals (MDGs) to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and ICT efficiency".

This year's Annual New Year School is under the theme  "Promoting universal health for sustainable development in Ghana and the role of ICT".

Mr. Mensah advised academia to endeavour to help the debate on performance by making comparative analysis and assessment of Ghanas NHIS with other countries in both developed and developing countries, in order to develop a more comprehensive understanding of Ghanas efforts at ensuring Universal Financial Risk Protection against Health Care delivery.

He took his audience through Ghanas NHIS model, funding strategy, trends in utilization and active membership as well as the scheme's focus under the Sustainable Development Goals. According to the former Chief Executive, the NHIA has the largest ICT infrastructure in the country presently, with a wide deployment of ICT for improved efficiency.

Mr Mensah listed a number of ICT applications such as membership registration, nationwide instant issuance of bio-ID cards with authentication devices which are yet to be deployed in all health facilities nationwide, claims and e-claims applications. The rest are call centre services, voice and data communication platform linking schemes and providers as well as securing free internal communication within the NHIA Data Centre and a data recovery site among others.

Despite being the leader in ICT deployment in the country, Mr. Mensah said the NHIA still has a lot of miles to cover

as he foresees the inherent sustainability to be a potential threat to the scheme.

He however, concluded that government is undertaking a comprehensive review of the scheme to restructure its benefit package, exemption regime as well as other equity considerations to redefine what to purchase and for whom, in relation to available funding in the medium to long term.
16.01.2016 LISTEN

Precious reader, owing to some circumstances beyond my control, I was unable to publish the insightful analysis of the year 2016 which I promised last week. It will be published either next week or thenceforward. Thank you for your patience. Meanwhile, let's reflect on this article: A week ago, a group of some doctrinally divided Christian youth at Tema hotly argued over whether it is proper for most churches to worship on Sundays instead of on Saturdays; and finally, they nearly resorted to exchange of blows to settle scores, had some elderly people not intervened!

Naive, but rather interesting, the whole debate was; as during that argumentation, either side was seen waxing more and more peevish every moment, defiantly claiming that its position was unassailably right and that of the other was wrong. Without doubt, such debates continue to recur in several places in our Christian world; oftentimes, with either side finally feeling embittered. But should this be so in our Christendom?

Let's open this 'harmless' debate by identifying the two opposing groups as 'Sabbatarians' (that is, those Christians who prefer to worship on Saturdays or on Sabbath days), and 'Kuriakenians' (from the Greek work 'kuriaken' meaning, the 'Lord's Day or Sunday' when many people go to church to worship the Lord)

The Sabbatarians take their premise of Saturday-worshipping from Genesis 20: 8,10, 11 which depicts God as saying :  Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labour and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. On it, you shall not do any work .For, in six days the Lord made the heavens and earth . but He rested on the seventh day. Therefore, the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy (NIV Bible)

The Sabbatarians therefore argue that since the seventh day is Saturday, and thus the Sabbath day, which the Lord has made holy, that day must be remembered and kept holy by an act of worshipping the Lord. In other words, they dispute that worshipping of God on Saturdays is robustly enjoined in Genesis 20 : 8-11, and therefore going to church on Saturdays is strictly in keeping with God's own commandment.

The second salient point posited by the Sabbatarians is that when people refuse to worship on the Sabbath, they break the decree of God and commit high-handed rebellion and therefore are liable to be punished by death! Sabbatarians cite a Biblical example of a man who worked on a Sabbath day and thus broke the Sabbath worship and holiday-decree, whereupon God commanded that the man must die He was therefore stoned to death. (Numbers 15:32-36)

From this, the Sabbatarians argue that even through such Mosaic physical death by stoning is not applicable in our modern-day civilization, spiritual death (or death of Sabbath offenders' souls which are likely to send them to hell) could be the eventual punishment of non-Sabbath keepers.

It appears the Kuriakenians (or worshippers on Sundays) have several responses to the Sabbatarian arguments.

Firstly, the Kuriakenians claim that the observance of the Sabbath under the Mosaic 'law', was strictly speaking, meant for the Jews only, but not for the 'gentiles' most of whom are now Christians who are spread throughout the whole world.

Secondly, Jesus who made Himself known as the Lord of the Sabbath (Matthew 12 : 8) often set aside Sabbatical observances and healed or worked on Saturdays (Matthew 12:1-14), whilst he taught that The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath . (Mark 2:27). This consideration alone, so it is argued, should liberate Christians from the complex observances and heavy burdens of the Sabbath, prompting them to worship at any agreed-upon day.

This day became Sunday, immediately after Christ's death; and this was chosen by the early Christians who were prompted to do so for three reasons. One, Sunday was the day of the resurrection of Christ. Two, it was the day when Jesus mostly appeared to His disciples  after He had resurrected from death. Three, it was the day the Holy Spirit was poured out on Christ's disciples, which gave them the spiritual enablement to form the Christian church through evangelism and miracles that were wrought (that very Sunday)! And four, by analytical observation and historical reckoning, Christ himself was born on Sunday!

It thus became the established practice of the early Christians to meet on the first day of the week (Acts 20:7, 1 Corinthians 16:2) which was known in Greek as 'Kuriaken de Kuriou', meaning 'The Lord's Day of the Lord.' And they met for fellowship and the Lord's Supper (Communion).

The famous theologian, Professor Merril Unger of the US writes that The Jewish Christians at first observed both the seventh and the first day of the week, but the Gentile Christians (in Europe and Asia) kept the 'Lord's Day' from the beginning. The controversy over Saturday-Sunday worship was initially resolved by St. Paul who argued that each one is entitled to his own conviction as to whether Saturday or Sunday may be the proper or holy day for Christian worship. (Romans 14:5-6).

However, almost three years after (ie. around AD 60), St Paul, probably after theological considerations of the Saturday Sabbath controversy that had gripped Colosse, once a leading city in Turkey, wrote to state that the Jewish Sabbath had been abolished by Christians with the establishment of the Christian church, because the Sabbath was typological  merely a shadow of the death ('rest') and resurrection of Christ. (Colossians 2:16-17).

Indeed, the Apostolic institution of Sunday as the Lord's Day (a day for worship) has been universally accepted by Christendom, as it had earlier been reinforced by State edicts of King Constantine (AD 313) and emperor Theodosius (AD 391), until the Baptist traditions of John Smyth and Thomas Helwys of 16th century, and the Adventist doctrines of William Miller of the early 19th century, revived the Sabbath worshipping question. And this, to some extent, has re-surfaced the old bone of contention between the vast majority of Sunday-worshipping Christians (the Kuriakenians) and the rather small Christian minority of Sabbath-day worshippers (the Sabbatarians)

In my point of view, this Sabbath-or-Sunday worship controversy is unimportant, because neither this or that can give any Christian a free licence to go to heaven. It is the outright practice of the teachings of Christ which will land a believer in God's kingdom. Even though, I am a Sunday-worshipper, I think our brethren who dissent on this should be lovingly tolerated and allowed to freely practise their faith. After all, we can worship any day of the week, be it Wednesday or Friday or Saturday or Sunday!

By Apostle Kwamena Ahinful


16.01.2016 LISTEN

The delegation with the Eastern regional minister

The final funeral rites of Oseadeeyo Addo Dankwa III, the Omanhene of the Akuapem Traditional Area in the Eastern Region, who passed away last year, will take place from 1-8 February, this year.

The Krontihene and acting President of the Akuapem Traditional Council, Osahene Offei Kwasi Agyeman made this known when he led a delegation of chiefs of the Akuapem Traditional Council to officially inform the Eastern Regional Minister, Antwi Boasiako Sekyere about the funeral arrangements for the late paramount chief.

Osahene Offei Kwasi Agyeman, who outlined the programmes for the funeral, said the laying in state and wake keeping would take place on 1st February 2016.

He added that the church service would be held on Sunday, 7th February.

Minister's Intervention

The Regional Minister, on his part, thanked the chiefs for updating him and his office about the funeral arrangements and promised to do everything possible to ensure its success.

He said the late chief was a statesman and prayed that all would ensure peace and unity before, during and after funeral at Akwapem.

Background

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The late Oseadeeyo Addo Dankwa III, who was installed as Paramount chief of the Akuapem Traditional Area in 1974, died at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra.

Oseadeeyo Addo Dankwa III had his secondary education at the Presbyterian Secondary School, Odumase Krobo. In his final year at PRESEC, he became the senior prefect of the school and obtained Cambridge School Certificate in 1951.

He was in charge of admissions at the Academic Registrar's Office, University College of Gold Coast from 1952 to 1956 and it was during this period that he studied as a private student and obtained his 'A' Level and Intermediate B.Sc Economic certificates.

In October 1956, he was admitted to the University College of Ghana and obtained B.Sc Economics from the University of London in 1959.

After graduation, he worked briefly as a co-operative officer at the Department of Co-operatives and as a senior auditor at the Auditor General's Department.

When Mensah Sarbah Hall was opened at the University of Ghana in 1963, he was appointed its bursar in charge of financial and administrative matters.

He was the President of the Akuapem Traditional Council from 1974 until his demise. He was also a member of the Eastern Regional House of Chiefs from till his demise.

The late Okupeman chief was also the chairman of the Publicity Committee National House of Chiefs 1990-1994, President of the Eastern Regional House of Chiefs 1994-2000 and also a Member, Standing Committee of the National House of Chiefs 1994-2000.

He served on many boards of several institutions.

Oseadeyo Addo Dankwa III, the longest serving Okuapehene, was installed as paramount chief at the age of 44 and reigned for 35 years.

The five divisions of Akuapem Traditional Council- Kronti, Adonteng, Gyaase, Nifa and Benkum were represented by the divisional chiefs- Osabarima Offei Kwasi Agyeman, Otubour Gyan Kwasi, Nana Osim Kwatia III, Nenye Otutu Kono III and Enyine Osabarima Asiedu Okoo II respectively.

From Daniel Bampoe, Akropong

[email protected]


16.01.2016 LISTEN

We have the US to thank for some very good examples of incisive political shorthand.

Body language; damage limitation; eyeball to eyeball; plausible deniability.

The expression to which I want to draw to your attention today is to distance oneself from a policy or decision which ones position in government or business would normally require that one supported.

When a Minister or other high official publicly distances himself or herself from a governmental decision, it may well be that he/she is suffering from a psychological blow which makes it impossible to hide ones discomfiture over the decision altogether.

One seeks a clever way to indicate ones opposition without causing offence. But alas, that is a very difficult goal to achieve, for ones sub-conscious would be dying to direct ones tongue to rubbish the decision. Thus you hear people saying that they misspoke, or were misquoted or that their words were taken out of context.

President John Dramani Mahama ought to note some statements attributed to no less than three of the most important members of his Cabinet, regarding his governments decision to host the two ex-Guantanamo detainees in Ghana.

The first Minister, the Foreign Minister, Mrs Hanna Tetteh. Now, a Minister of Foreign Affairs should be one of the most respected members of any government. He or she is supposed to have a grasp of both national affairs (so that he/she can explain her governments actions clearly to foreign leaders with whom he/she might interact) as well as foreign affairs (so that he/she can interpret to the Government, developments in the international arena that might directly or indirectly impinge on the interests of his/her nation.

To execute this dual responsibility well, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs provides its Minister with minutes or papers prepared on all manner of subjects by directors who have been in the business for a long time.

These directors rely on junior staff, who are steeped in their subjects and who read everything about their areas of responsibility. The bright juniors draft the bones of the papers, which the directors, using their vast experience, flesh out and then send to their Minister.

Directors in charge of intelligence, economic relations and specific geographical areas are constantly briefing their Minister on important developments, both at home and abroad. So unless the Minister is side-lining them for reasons only known to the Minister, there is absolutely no excuse for the Minister to be caught hopping  or floundering  on any subject.

I repeat that: there is absolutely no excuse for the Minister to be caught hopping  floundering  on any subject.

Yet, please read this:

QUOTE: The (Ghanaian) Foreign Minister in a radio interview, said the suspected terrorists were only 'foot-soldiers' of Osama Bin Laden's Al-Qaeda. UNQUOTE

Does this not suggest that our Foreign Minister has not yet fully grasped the nature of terrorist organisations? Her director of external intelligence must be kicking himself, for obviously, he knows that in a terrorist organisation, the most dangerous people are in fact the foot-soldiers whom Mrs Tetteh dismissed out of hand. It is foot-soldiers who carry out the most dangerous form of attacks  suicide bombings. It is foot-soldiers who convey messages to and from their leadership to the general membership; it is foot-soldiers who obtain intelligence on military and police movements, as well as political intelligence and transmit it  be it through sophisticated or rudimentary methods  to the leadership.

The leadership hides away, drawing up target lists and formulating plans on how to hit the targets. Then it communicates these to foot-soldiers through other foot-soldiers. And all the world hears is BOOOOM! Boko Haram, or Al Qaeda, or Al Shabbab, or Anser-al-Din would have struck again, and done so with a pre-planned finesse that usually leaves no trace of the perpetrators. Foot-soldiers, Mrs Tetteh implied, are not to be feared. Sad. big joke, that..

Mrs Tetteh was also reported to have said this:

QUOTE: Foreign Minister Hanna Tetteh has disclosed [that] she was not privy to some of the details surrounding the coming into Ghana of two terror suspects. According to her, the decision was taken by President John Mahama in consultation with some security chiefs.

Speaking to an Accra-based radio station 3FM, Hanna Tetteh said [that] at some point of the discussion, she had to be excused. UNQUOTE

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I repeat that: Hanna Tetteh said [that] at some point of the discussion, she had to be excused.

This, I am afraid, is one of the most bizarre reports of how a government operates that has ever come to my knowledge.

You see, normally, no communication can pass between two countries without their Foreign Ministers being fully aware of every bit of the information contained in it. No contact can be made, either  on a government-to-government basis  without the Foreign Ministers of the two governments being fully aware of whats going on. So, how can the Foreign Minister be excluded from the discussion of any aspect of an issue that concerns relations between her country and another country?

Of course, she is not expected to be told about the operational details of a military or police plan to house or carry out surveillance of the ex-Gitmo detainees during their stay in Ghana. But neither do I expect the President to be bothered with that. The security chiefs would draw up their detailed plans, and inform personnel of the government about them on a need-to-know basis. But the broad policy decisions should be taken with the full participation of the Foreign Minister, in my opinion.

The Minister of the Interior, Mr Mark Woyongo, has also said something similar to what the Foreign Minister said: QUOTE: Interior Minister Mark Woyongo says he was not involved in discussions on the two former Guantanamo Bay detainees who were recently transferred to Ghana. I don't know the details for their being here. I wasn't privy to the discussions but maybe that can be found from National Security.UNQUOTE

The Minister of the Interior is in charge of the police and immigration services. And he was not involved in the discussions relating to how two ex-terrorists could be settled in Ghana without endangering public safety?

Finally, the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice is engaged in a dispute with JoyFM, over whether she claimed, in a conversation with a JoyFM staff member, that she too was not privy to the decision to bring the two ex-Gitmo detainees to Ghana.

Of course, being a lawyer, the Attorney-General would be careful about what she said, and I do sometimes despair about the reporting of some of our media houses. Nevertheless, what the AG is reported to have said tallies with the statements made by her two aforementioned colleagues.

If that is correct, it raises the question: how can the governments legal advisor not be asked to give her opinion on the issue of the resettlement of the Gitmo duo? There most certainly are legal implications over a decision to resettle them. We now know, of course, that both Occupy-Ghana and the NPP have jumped on the legal implications, pointing out that in bringing the two ex-detainees to Ghana, the Government has infringed Ghanas immigration laws, in respect of admitting into the country, persons who are, or have been, members of terrorist organisations.

Being the executive president of a democratic country does not permit one to override the courtesies and conventions that have been built up, in the past, up to shore up a countrys administration. In any case, as President Barack Obama reminded us when he addressed the Ghana Parliament in July 2009, a president must not act in such a way as to weaken the institutions of the country. It is these institutions that should give the president support in his attempt to carry out good governance.

For consider this: What happens if the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, for instance, becomes negligent or apathetic over Ghanas foreign relations, because its top brass have been made to believe that their opinions do not count at the presidency?

Certainly, to brush aside ones Ministers of Foreign Affairs is careless; to ignore the Minister of the Interior is to court disaster and to close ones ears to the Minister of Justice is to risk committing treason.

These lapses do little to portray President Mahama as a statesman. And the body language of the Ministers appears to show that they would much rather distance themselves from their President, who has become, perhaps, somewhat over-extended.

Mrs Tettehs statement that the US did not show the Ghana Government the Wikileaks report on the two detainees is laughable.

The US had no business to educate the Ghanaian Minister!

Her own research people should have the entire Wikileaks date on their files.

By Cameron Duodu

www.cameronduodu.com


16.01.2016 LISTEN

The man who allegedly killed his girlfriend in his room at Buokrom Estate in Kumasi in the Ashanti Region and absconded has been found hanging on a rope at Agona Swedru in the Central region.

The man, who was only identified as Baffuor was alleged to have killed his girlfriend at Buokrom Estate and left the lifeless body in his room.

The decomposing body of the lady known only as Suzy was found in the room upon suspicion of tenants.

The landlord, Richard Boakye led other tenants in the house to forcibly open the door following a stench emanating from the room.

Mr. Boakye suspects the boyfriend may have murdered his lover.

The Mampongteng police who visited the scene found the body lying in a pool of blood with some personal belongings of the deceased scattered in the room

The police have since been on the lookout for the suspect.

But family member of the deceased lady said they found the lifeless body of the man hanging on a rope tied to a tree in Agona Swedru.

Though it is unclear what might have triggered him to take his own life, the family say they suspect he committed that act to avoid facing the law.

The Buokrom Police Commander, Superintendent Julius Kpebbeon who confirmed the latest development on Adom Fm said investigations are underway to unravel the truth surrounding the matter.
16.01.2016 LISTEN

The outgoing Chief of Defence Staff, Vice Admiral Mathew Quashie has handed over the staff of office to Air Vice Marshal Michael Sampson-Oje during a ceremony at the forecourt of Burma Hall, Accra yesterday.

The activity was graced by the heads of security agencies.

Prior to his appointment, AVM Sampson Oje was the Chief of the Air Staff.

AVM Michael Sampson-Oje, who was commissioned into the Ghana Armed Forces in 1977 as a pilot, has flown various aircraft types logging over 12,000 flying hours.

By his new appointment as CDS, Air Vice Marshal Michael Sampson Oje becomes responsible to the Commander-in-Chief of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) for all administrative and operational matters with regards to the Ghana Armed Forces.

His assumption of office as CDS was preceded by a pulling-out ceremony of the former CDS Vice Admiral Quashie, who served for 45 years.

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The former CDS was described as longest serving officer in the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) during a pulling-out ceremony.

He expressed his appreciation to staff of the military for their cooperation during his tenure of office.

He urged personnel to be guided by the details of the Oath of Allegiance they swore when they were commissioned.

Admiral Quashie appealed to the Commander-in-chief of the Ghana Armed Forces to make judicious use of the many seasoned retired senior military officers the GAF has produced over the years.

A think-tank of non partisan retired high ranking military officers can be created to offer strategic advice and direction to the government.

The new CDS AVM Samson-Oje gave the assurance that he will hold on to the good principles of his predecessor while introducing fresh ideas in line with contemporary security trends.

By Solomon Ofori


16.01.2016 LISTEN

The history of policing in Ghana dates back to the days of the Gold Coast Constabulary when military duties and policing were vested in the constabulary under expectedly a colonial officer appointed from the Colonial Office in England.

The old order changed, however, when it was decided by the colonial masters to detach policing from the Gold Coast Constabulary through the promulgation of the Police Ordinance of 1894.

Gold Coast Marine Police Patrol on duty

(from left) Escort Policeman, Marine Police Constable and a General Police Constable all of the Gold Coast Police

One of the features of the Gold Coast Police was the Marine Police Unit (MPU). For those who do not appreciate the need for this unit, the decision of the colonial authorities even in those days suffices for a response.

Having gone through periods of disbandment and re-establishment, the unit has an interesting history.

After a lengthy hiatus this colonial days' creation was resurrected, the aftermath of important meetings to respond to emerging developments such as the oil discovery and others.

COP David Asante-Apeatu

COP David Asante-Apeatu

Commissioner of Police David Asante-Apeatu, the Director General in charge of the MPU, is a fine gentleman who loves his work. Interacting with him recently as the unit informally commemorates its four years of re-introduction, one gets a picture of a man who wants to leave a lasting legacy for generations yet to come in marine policing, a baby he is nurturing.

This feature article is hinged largely on his presentation on the subject and I must say it is a fantastic piece of the history of the Ghana Police Service and by extension of the Gold Coast and Ghana.

As he made available all the necessary pictures and data to help in presenting this feature, he did not show any sign of fatigue or even boredom from my sometimes repetitive questions.

The Marine Police Unit

In the beginning it was part of the Police Force of the colonial establishment, having been established on, as COP Asante-Apeatu said, 'experimental basis'. For unavailable reasons, however, this feature of the Colonial Police was disbanded on 1st April, 1942 and handed over to the Customs Department. The formations of the then Gold Coast Police Force were the General Police, Escort Police, Railway Police, Marine Police Unit and the Criminal Investigations Department (CID). But with the disbandment the number was reduced to four.

Whatever happened to the security roles being undertaken by the MPU following its disbandment is not known and perhaps can be a subject of research by chroniclers of Police history.

Marine Police speed boats

Marine Police speed boats

Re-introduction

In June 1952, however, something prompted the authorities to rescind their decision and reintroduce marine policing as a unit of the Gold Coast Police.

The re-introduction has been informed by a number of factors broadly covering the protection of the environment, natural resources and general security maintenance of the country's shoreline and some nautical miles into the sea.

Maritime Crimes

Many crimes whose impact on the economy and security are far-reaching continue to be committed by criminals and pirates on the high seas.

The Marine Police personnel, unlike Navy personnel, are versed in prosecution and matters relating to law enforcement as contained in the Police Act. Be it as it may, the work of the MPU is complementary to the Navy's.

Marine Police during a training session

Marine Police during a training session

The Navy and the MPU need each other in the rather challenging and perilous mission of policing our part of the Atlantic Ocean.

The International Maritime Authority, according to COP Asante-Apeatu, states that between 80 and 90 percent of maritime crime takes place within the anchorage of coastal states, another factor which makes the role of the MPU sine qua non.

Human trafficking, now a crime in vogue in many parts of the maritime world, has posed a major security threat to many a country. Ghana as a sovereign country is not exempted and so personnel as part of their training are made to appreciate this challenge and how it is their primary responsibility to police.

The get-rich-quick attitude of many persons across the world has made the drug trade very attractive and the most preferred. The oceans have over the years been used by drug pushers around the world.

That is another area where the role of the MPU comes in handy.

Exotic Flora and Fauna

.

Many countries, Ghana not being an exemption, have natural fauna and flora which because of their near extinction and other considerations are protected, protection which cannot be effective if there is no appropriate policing system on the seaa preferred route to smuggle these out. One of the roles of the MPU is therefore to ensure that such species are not smuggled out to other countries.

Madagascar is said to have some of the rarest species of fauna and so it is common for arrests to be made by smugglers of these species out of the country. It is home to one of the smallest species of frogs in the world among others.

There are portions of the ocean which are natural habitats of some species of marine life and therefore need protection in the form of policing. Only an effective marine policing can ensure that the marine lives here are adequately protected from human predators who need them for various reasons.

Taxes

The MPU helps the Customs to meet their revenue target by ensuring that smugglers do not use the ocean to evade taxes, another important role which is economic in nature.

In a world where terrorism and insurgency activities are rampant, gunrunning features a great deal. Such activities provide another source of illicit firearms for criminals.

No agency is more primed and mandated to thwart the activities of these hoodlums than a well resourced and trained MPU.

Without adequate policing of our portion of the Atlantic Ocean, bad persons would dump all manner of toxic stuff into the sea and pose a threat to both marine and human lives.

The ocean as a rich source of countless marine lifesome yet to be discoveredrequires sufficient policing. Therein also lies the importance of an MPU.

Fishing Industry

The fishing industry contributes immensely to the GDP of the country and as COP Asante-Apeatu pointed out, it provides $1bnrepresenting 4.5% of the GDP in 2000. A decline of $600,000 by 2008 was attributable to various sources. As an employment means to over two million persons, it is an industry which should be protected by all means.

Without policing some species of fish would soon be depleted. The MPU works hand in hand with the relevant agencies to provide protection for such endangered stocks in specific portions of the sea.

A portion of the sea, although covered by water, is considered part of the land. This portion of the sea therefore, by this description, falls directly under the jurisdiction of the MPU. This is an apt defence for the re-establishment of the MPU.

Unorthodoxy

In their quest for making big catches, smart fishermen have adopted crude and unorthodox means of catching fish. Some of these ways, which include using light to attract fishes and internationally disapproved fishing nets which collect very young fishes, are affecting the variety of fish in our sea. Some of the fingerlings trapped in the disapproved fishing nets are eventually thrown back into the sea.

Chemicals such as DDT are known to be used by unscrupulous fishermen to catch fish. These toxic and lethal chemicals not only kill adult fishes, they destroy young ones and even pose danger to humans who consume the catches.

New MPU

The discovery of oil and gas in commercial quantities and the need to police the accompanying facilities related to the operations and the industry in general informed the need to put in place the necessary security strategies.

One of these included the re-establishment of an MPU. This was the outcome of the deliberations of a ministerial committee in April 2010.

One of the recommendations which led to the re-establishment of the MPU was the need to increase police presence in areas where exploration of the natural resource is going to be undertaken.

The MPU is charged with, among others, law enforcement activities to protect the facilities from saboteurs, terrorist activities and vandalism.

In April 2011 the MPU was formally re-established, as COP Asante-Apeatu said, to meet the exigencies of the Service.

Operations commenced with the provision of six speed boats by government as training for the pioneers of the unit by Leemar Group Limited.

A Marine Police Academy was also established in Aiyanase for the training of personnel, which included physical training, boat and skipper training, and leakage patching among others.

Focus

The focus of the MPU, COP Asante-Apeatu said, includes the security patrol of the sea and landing sites and the promotion of compliance and patrol of sea ports.

Needs

The MPU would need more facilities to enable it carry out its mandate. It would for instance need more vessels so it can support the Ghana Navy which also undertakes constant patrols of the sea.

We have learnt that the MPU intends setting up stations at Ada, Princess Town, Kpando-Torko and Yeji.

By A.R. Gomda


16.01.2016 LISTEN

Arrested Managers Of Microfinance Operations In BA

Aggrieved customers of some troubled microfinance companies in the Brong Ahafo Region yesterday showed open hostility towards the Bank of Ghana at a public forum in Sunyani.

The customers, whose investments were locked up with DKM Diamond Microfinance, God Is Love Fun Club, Jastar Motors and Investments Company Limited, Eye Adom Fun Club, Care for Humanity Fun Club, Little Drops Association and Perfect Urge, claimed they were rather hurt more by the Bank of Ghana after the public forum on the way forward.

A lot of the customers stayed away from the government-engineered forum where five operators of the collapsed schemes were paraded in handcuffs.

The Bureau of National Investigations (BNI) had arrested Martin Kuudening Delle, Managing Director of DKM Financial Services; Noel Nortey, the Nkoranza Branch Manager of God Is Love Fun Club; Charles Asum, Managing Director of Jastar Group of Companies and Monica Afriyie, popularly called Maame Korkor, Managing Director of God Is Love.

Yesterday another operator was also paraded in handcuffs, bringing the number of arrests to five.

A few customers who attended the forum were in an angry mood after hearing speeches by officials of BoG, which they described as a waste of time, money and an exercise in futility, insisting that nothing could stop them from chasing their monies.

BoG Forum On Microfinace Group In BA (DKM)

BoG Forum On Microfinace Group In BA

As security operatives led the five suspects in handcuffs into the hall, everybody wanted to catch a glimpse of them, with the paparazzi and others using cameras and mobile phones to take snap shots of them. They were sent away after some few minutes.

The aggrieved customers said bringing in the five arrested microfinance operators to the forum was a deliberate effort by government and BoG to throw dust into their eyes.

They questioned why the organisers did not allow them to answer questions at the forum.

An aggrieved customer from Nkoranza, Victor Quarshie, lamented that bringing them in handcuffs to the forum was a wasted exercise.

The forum, which most aggrieved customers had thought was to explain the way forward on how to receive their locked up monies, rather turned out to be a rehash of all the things they knew already, they said.

One customer who went out of the hall before the close of the forum said, Government is only interested in distancing itself from the problem, but not to retrieve our monies for us.

.

Contrary to the expectation that the event would attract a large number of customers who would hear something favourable from BoG, most people rather boycotted it, leaving an empty hall to the amazement of journalists and some government and BoG officials.

Due to this, the programme, scheduled to start at 10am, rather commenced around 12noon, as organisers were waiting for more people to fill the vacant seats. The few who came were eventually disappointed.

The participants included chiefs, security officers, queen mothers, journalists and a few victims of the scam.

The unusual number of police presence also drove some customers away.

DAILY GUIDE gathered that some customers, on reaching the venue, had to return because of the number of police officers they saw, as they could not be sure of their safety, it was gathered.

Security Scare Customers Away From The Forum (Police)

Security Scare Customers Away From The Forum

Nothing New

When Remold Amanfo, Head of Banking Supervision at the BoG took the floor, he explained why they had to place a moratorium on the microfinance operators. When he paused for questions, people started murmuring, indicating that they had not heard anything new.

Almost all those who commented said they thought they were coming to hear modalities that would be used to invite them for their monies after President Mahama had hinted that the operators' assets would be liquidated and proceeds shared to them.

They shouted at BoG officials and said the latter should be charged for causing financial loss to the state.

After the forum, DAILY GUIDE observed that the customers were more disappointed, desperate and anxious than before.

The Regional Minister, Eric Opoku and the Omanhene of Nkoranza, Okatakyi Agyeman Kudom V, had to run away before the forum closed.

It would be recalled that the youth of Nkoranza were last Thursday angry with their Omanhene for trying to reverse curses invoked on Electoral Commission officials by the youth, who asked them not to set foot there to conduct the district level election.

The youth therefore dared the Omanhene to refund their investments for them before allowing elections to take place in the district.

FROM Daniel Yao Dayee

[email protected]


16.01.2016 LISTEN

The Salaga T.I Ahmadiyya Senior High School (SHS) in the East Gonja District of the Northern region has suspended 10 students indefinitely for causing riot in the school.

In a letter dated December 29, 2015, the school said the move was part of measures to ensure peace in the school following the demonstration by the students.

It said the protest led to the death of one Francis and the subsequent closing down of the school indefinitely by the Regional Director of Education in July, 2015.

The affected students are Mohammed Saani Adams, Alhassan Issahaku, Issahaku Jabirl, Abubakari, A Razak, Mustapha A Razak, Haruna Safianu, Karimu Obeng Francis, Duniye Ussif, Abukari Abdul-Karim, Sachibu Haruna.

The authorities of the school further cautioned parents to ensure that their wards stay of the school's premises until further directives.

Several efforts by the paper to get the reaction of the school authorities proved futile since most of the committee members refused to comment on the particular issue.

It would be recalled that some persons died while dozens sustained injuries following a riot by students of the Salaga T.I. Ahmadiyya Senior High School (SHS) in the Northern Region to demand the removal of their headmaster.

The deceased, who were not students, were hit by stray bullets fired by a combined team of police and military personnel, who attempted to disperse the rampaging students.

According to eyewitnesses, one of the deceased persons  a farmer from a neighbouring village  was in Salaga to withdraw money from the Credit Union when he met his untimely death.

It has also been established that the protestors set the school's boys' dormitory and the dining hall ablaze.

It took several hours for personnel of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) to quench the inferno, which was spreading to other structures on campus.

The Northern Regional Police spokesperson, ASP Ebenezer Tetteh was unable to give the exact number of injured persons or deceased persons.

According to them, the conduct of the security personnel had heightened tension in the town.

In the heat of the protest, the students vandalised a single cabin Toyota Pick-up with registration number GP 2947 belonging to the police.

From Eric Kombat, Salaga
Immediate past commander of the Ghana Armed Forces Vice Admiral Matthew Quashie is cautioning politicians against acts that could plunge the nation into chaos during the 2016 elections.

He is concerned recent incidents of political killings could spill over if not dealt with.

The former Chief of Defence Staff is also asking the public to support the security agencies in keeping the peace of the country.

He was speaking at a ceremony at Burma Camp to hand over command to new CDS Air Vice Marshal Samson-Oje.

"If within their own party they can do that how about if it is another party. They should learn to control themselves. They should learn to jaw-jaw instead of war-war," he said.

The Armed Forces is cautioning the public against the activities of unscrupulous persons engaged in recruitment scams.

Head of Public Affairs Col Eric Aggrey Quarshie says contrary to information making rounds on social media, no recruitment is going on currently.

If anybody comes and tells you i can help you apply for officers, is a liar because you cannot. The process has already started. We are yet to do that for the other ranks which is the recruitment.

"So that rumour going on, on whatsapp is not true," he said.

Asked if his outfit is going to investigate who the alleged fraudsters are, Col Quarshie said it is difficult to arrest people based on information on whatsapp.

"What the public needs to understand is that you don't get recruitment information on whatsapp," he advised.
16.01.2016 LISTEN

SOME GENERAL OBSERVATIONS

Agriculture plays a vital role in development because it feeds populations and industries, and generates foreign exchange earnings as well. Cocoa, for instance, has been a major source of revenue for national development since its nationalization under the progressive government of Nkrumah. Yet, it appears the discovery of commercial quantities of oil and gas is gradually contributing to a diversion of policy attention and strategic investment from agriculture. We may be lucky to have hearkened to US-based Nigerian scientist Philip Emeagwalis advice to Nigerian leaders, to diversify the national economy and not to rely exclusively or overwhelmingly on petro-dollars alone for underwriting the countrys development economics and political economy.

This prophetic indictment of Nigerias political economy has bitten so deeply into the convenient conceit of Nigerian leadership, to the extent that drastic cuts in oil products on the international market are being felt in the Nigerian economy and the living standard and quality of life of the Nigerian people. Ghana is no different. What is more, policy modalities such as the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) and Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) threaten the status primacy of agriculture in strategic priorities of national development. Corporatizing food production and distribution is what GMOs is centrally about, hence a need for food sovereignty. It is unfortunate, even sad, to see Ghana importing basic vegetables such as tomatoes from Burkina Faso.

What happened to the enviable status of Ghana as the worlds largest producer of cocoa? Scientific agriculture (agronomy) and industrial agriculture, large-scale mechanized farming, good road networks and arteries, large-scale storage facilities, investment from government (subsidies) and the private sector, understanding of agricultural meteorology (agro-meteorology), and ready markets are some of the policy variables required to breathe new life into agriculture, a declining sector of the Ghanaian economy.

Much has been made of the fact that our trained agricultural graduates and specialists prefer the service industry, for instance, to agriculture. This is not untrue. This perception could result from the fact that agriculture is generally not seen as a noble profession from the point of view of the educated elite, or of ordinary educated citizens. Rather, it is generally seen as a dirty preoccupation by some in the educated class, with others viewing it with some level of intellectual disgust and skepticism. It could also be that financial returns from agriculture are not so great, even reliable, in this sector.

Whatever the reasons are, agriculture is a force to reckon with. No economy can survive it. A people capable of self-sufficiency in agriculture have no need for others to feed them. It makes dependency complex somewhat immaterial in a potential validation of the socioeconomic and political enterprise of famine. Such a people have enough room to pursue technological, industrial, and scientific development and advancement. America is a good example, with a tiny minority of the population feeding the entire population and parts of the world. Alas, agricultural beggary constitutes one of the primary causations of Africas entrenched dependency complex and development conundrums.

Yet, we have large untapped and fallow acreages of land whose generosity can feed Ghanaians and her budding industries and generate excess supplies (glut) for the international market. Nevertheless, the virtual absence of supply chain management in Ghanas political economy makes for an underperforming sector represented by agriculture. Unreliable energy supply, power shedding, or power outages do not even make refrigeration technologies in our proposed storage facilities an attractive policy suggestion.

Regardless, in the hypothetical scenario that these facilities are available government can buy excess agricultural products for use in the school-feeding program, psychiatric institutions, etc. This is important because agriculture as a whole does not stand alone as is generally considered to be the case. It is an institutional octopus with its supple arms set in almost every facet of Ghanaian national life. It is the virtual soul of any national enterprise, of national psychology.

The national enterprise and national psychology of any body politic are inclusive of the dynamic politics of the collective agency of stomach psychology. They are inseparable, so to speak. This is why we worry when we realize that the fast rise of the service industry as an important foreign exchange earner for Ghana threatens to push agriculture further to the backwater of policy misprioritization and intellectual backwardness characterizing Ghanas Fourth Republic. Yet the services industry can play a major role in revamping the agricultural sector by way of providing loan facilities to farmers, investing in agriculture, advertisements, insurance, legal counseling, marketing advice, and what have you.

AGRICULTURE AND THE SERVICE INDUSTRY

More fundamentally, procurement, information technology, operations management, and logistics are essential areas the service industry can cover, for agriculture has become a highly technological and scientific venture, with the service industry concentrating on agribusiness. This is why Ghana needs educated farmers, scientists, and specialists in the agricultural sector, with emphasis on agricultural epigenetics. But agriculture should not be limited to plant biology or botany. Knowledge of plant biology or botany has been extremely important in the development of plant-based pharmacology and herbal medicine, of pharmacopoeia, though the modern science of medicine is fast moving away from plant-based pharmacology and pharmacognosy to synthetic pharmacology and pharmacogenetics.

Agriculturists have also played a major role in the cultivation of artemisinin which is used for treating and managing malaria, as well as of opium poppy whose opiate derivatives have immense implications for pain management and oncology. Herbal medicine is still an important area of clinical research.

ANIMAL HUSBANDRY

For a long time guinea pigs have provided the avenue for such research. Botany and zoology work hand in hand. Animal husbandry, animal science, theriogenology, wildlife farming, and animal breeding are essential micro-sectors of the agriculture. It is heartening to be in the know that Ghana is doing somewhat well in the area of animal husbandry, with grass-cutter farming eventually becoming a lucrative industry. It is a foreign exchange earner.

PUBLIC HEALTH CONCERNS AND DISEASE BURDEN

The recent Ebola virus epidemic shows how important it is for our scientists to develop protocols for clinical epidemiology and virology. We need to come up with advanced technologies to identify potential vectors and natural reservoirs (nidus (es)/nidi) of emerging diseases and infectious agents. Thus, it is not overstating the case for acquisition of scientific literacy, even if such knowledge is passable, to be tied to knowledge of agricultural practices and, in turn, to knowledge of microbiology.

Take note of the following vectors and reservoirs: Armadillo/Rabbit/Mice (Leprosy; Mycobacterium Leprae), Snails (Schistosomiasis), Field Mice (Lassa Fever), Birds (Avian Influenza), Pigs (Cestode/Tapeworm Infections), Shellfish (Cholera; Vibrio Cholerae), Bats (Ebola Virus Disease/Rabies), Bushmeat (Ebola Virus), Monkey/Chimpanzee (Simian Immunodeficiency Virus), and so forth. Likewise, unwashed raw vegetables and fruits may contain dangerous bacteria like E. coli, much the same way raw or unpasteurized milk may contain dangerous bacteria. Thus public, personalized, and specialized knowledge of animal hygiene and microbiology is a must for the pursuit and effective functioning of public health diktats. Also knowledge of epidemiology, public health law, and etiology are essential to an understanding of animal hygiene, microbiology, and public health.

Finally, fishery or fish farming is another area calling for serious research. There is no denying the fact that, oil exploration in Ghana is driving away fishermen and potentially threatening the survival of the fish industry itself in the Western Region, including such environmentally-unfriendly acts as poisoning fish and other aquatic animals. Lead and mercury accumulation in tuna is another public health concern. We cannot ignore the larger field of aquafarming or aquaculture. Poultry farming and livestock production need equal attention in our agricultural economy. All in all, we cannot risk undermining the institutional efforts of public health by exclusivizing general knowledge of food-, water-, and vector-borne paradigms from strategic policy considerations as part of the everyday running of the political economy of the body politic.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

First, adding value to our agricultural products is as important as seeding itself. In other words, the link between seeding and adding value to raw materials is the abode of a countrys real wealth and national genius. As a result, investment in food engineering is a necessary policy strategy for agricultural development and food security. A crucial component of food engineering is packaging engineering. This calls for large-scale refrigeration, storage facilities, materials management, and expertise in both inventory control analysis (systems) and food science. Legally mandated ingredient labeling and eliminating the underground economy of food fraud should be seen as distant corollaries of food engineering.

Food security, safety, and preservation as well as moving away from the outdated Guggisberg Economic Model (GEM) of dependency complex are the primary motivations for effective food-engineering strategies. After all, GEM makes economic sense insofar as the political praxis of export-oriented industrialization and comparative advantage. Still, we need both export and import markets for our agricultural products.

Second, we need to take soil science and crop/plant science serious. Investment if plant genomics, agricultural/plant biotechnology, and biological engineering are also important. Our scientists need to develop or acquire research techniques in these areas to increase the nutritional quality of edible foods as well as to produce disease resistance and drought tolerance plants. Let us point out that agricultural biotechnology (and agronomics) requires knowledge of mathematics, such as design of experiments, statistics (stochastic and deterministic models), analytics, and therefore we need to invest in the mathematical sciences.

Third, we need to address the production and technical shortcomings of horticulture. The focus should be on enhancing the nutritional quality of vegetables in our food chain. Horticulture should be taught and practiced in Ghanaian schools as part of the curricula of agricultural science and food science.

Fourth, Ghanaians need to make a holistic assessment of the viability of our theses on agriculture by taking into consideration food security versus food insecurity, rural development, poverty reduction, employment opportunities, and environmental sustainability.

Fifth, increasing crop yield or agricultural output across all sectors of Ghanas agricultural economy should be a national priority. We need to build strategic reserves and to explore the benefits of agricultural nuclear technology. Importantly, Kwame Nkrumahs Nov. 25, 1964 presentation, titled Dr. Kwame Nkrumahs Ghana Atomic Reactor Foundation Stone Speech on the website of the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission (GAEC), captures the strategic policy adoption of nuclear technology for increasing crop and livestock production in Ghanas agricultural economy. Pest management (Sterile Insect Technique, SIT) or pestology is a natural beneficiary of agricultural nuclear technology.

Sixth, quality control and quality assurance are required to monitor and maintain high standards in agricultural products. Monitoring and eliminating possibilities of heavy metals entering Ghanas food-chains should be pursued at every level of the food-chains. Pollution via galamsey as well as via other mining activities should be closely monitored by the appropriate authorities. The Food & Drugs Authority (FDA), the Ministry of Health, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) should be proactive in the exercise of their oversight responsibilities. Our food-chains run the risk of heavy-metal imbibition in the face of official and non-official dereliction. It requires the moral and social-political proactiveness of collective agency to effectively deal with the problems of pollution and pesticide waste and their far-reaching repercussions.

Seventh, we need to build more as well as maintain our farm-to-market road networks. This falls on the Ministry of Transports shoulders.

Eighth, we need to seriously look at population growth and urbanization and the aggregate stress they put on land economy and the political economy of agricultural. We need to take a hard look at agricultural diversification and the political economy of strategic reserve. A diversified economy and depolicization are key to national development.

Finally, the leaderships of the Savannah Accelerated Development Authority (SADA), the Youth Employment Agency (YEA), the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, the Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum, the Ministry of Employment and Labor Relations, the Ghana National Association of Farmers & Fishermen (GNAFF), parliamentary select committee for Food, Agriculture and Cocoa Affairs, and Food Sovereignty Ghana have a role to play in this assessment exercise. In the final analysis, we can make sense of these convoluted suggestions in the larger context of the Millennium Development Goals/Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations.

These institutions should pivot strategic policy directions of food security on the concept of food sovereignty, rather than allowing foreign concerns to corporatize food production and distribution, a point already conceded.

CONCLUSION

This is why we need capable men and women with the necessary expertise to carry out serious environmental impact assessment (analysis) for the agricultural sector. We need capable men and women with expertise in climate impact analysis (climatology or atmospheric science) as well. Environmental and climate impact analysis should be tied to policy concerns of desertification, afforestation, afforestation, soil erosion, environmental engineering, and phytoremediation. We need to take care of anthropogenic emissions of greenhouse gases on the platform of environmental and climate impact analysis.

Our people should not go hungry for lack of strategic and tactical planning in the agricultural sector on the part of the political class. Have we forgotten the songs We Are the World, Hear n Aid, Tears Are Not Enough? and Do They Know Its Christmas? so soon? One wonders if our corrupt politicians ever consumed plant and animal protein while growing up, an ingredient required for brain development, a lack of which can spell disaster for psychological malnutrition. Let us therefore develop the science and technology to enhance plant and animal protein for human consumption. Let us also encourage our people to patronize locally produced agricultural products. This calls for patriotism. But the political class must first provide leadership given their sophisticated taste for foreign products, expectations, and culture. In this regard Ghanaian agriculture has a long way to go, we reckon.

We shall return
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16.01.2016 LISTEN

Thursday, January 14, 2016

Folks, just look at these NPP people and their campaign of hot-air blowing: "New voters register or not; Mahama must goNPP"

As reported, "A former Chairman of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), Peter Mac Manu, has served notice the Mahama administration will be changed in 2016 whether the Electoral Commission compiles a new voters register or not. Mr. Mac Manu, who is the leader of Nana Akufo-Addos 2016 Campaign Team, made the assertion at the partys headquarters on Thursday. He was responding to the ECs position not to create a new voters register...

We also have a special message for President John Mahama and his NDC. Please listen to this message carefully. With or without a new register, your time is up; change is coming. The Ghanaian people cannot wait to get rid of you with their votes. The Ghanaian people are not prepared to have this years election stolen from them.

The Ghanaian people are fed up with the eight years of needless suffering under the NDC. Ghanaians have had enough of your incompetence, corruption and deceit. They have risen to the challenge for change. Ghanaians are ready to protect the ballot at the various polling stations and we the NPP are steady and ready to lead the people on this charge for change. (See http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/New-voters-register-or-not-Mahama-must-go-NPP-407647).

What again should we tell these NPP people before they stack more on their house of cards to fall flat on them?

Will president Mahama just GO because the NPP people wish so? While President Mahama is connecting with the voters, explaining his government's performance to them and urging them to be patient and tolerant while it addresses the challenges, these NPP people are busy, goring each other, dismantling their own party's structures, and blowing hot air all over the place.

Is that how to make President Mahama GO? Is that how to effect the change that they are dreaming of?

Elections are won by those who know how to connect with the voters, not those creating smokescreens behind which they hide to foment trouble;

not those instigating violence in pursuit of their skewed political ambitions;

not those offering no particular solution to the problems that they mount rooftops to hammer on as if those problems just cropped up when president Mahama took over the rein;

not those enjoying the comfort of their perch in the affairs of the NPP;

not those "doing tricks" with the party's finances;

not those who don't know how to do productive politics and resort to insults and tribal politics.

When will these NPP people stop blowing this hot air and get down to real political business among the electorate?

Now, they know that a new voters register is, after all, not their saviour at the polls? Their kind of "kokompe politics" is beyond ridiculous!!

Why are they back-tracking now on the voters register after doing all they could (including the al-Houdini work of a fictitious Togolese voters register) to have things done their way and failing? After isolating Ewes to be disenfranchised because of their being characterized as "Togolese" by the NPP and its Dr. Bawumia? After failing to give Ghanaians anything on the Ghanaian voters register regarding happenings in neighbouring Burkina Faso and Ivory Coast, contrary to what they did about the Togolese one?

Then, just when the EC has begun cleaning up the register, what do we have? The NPP has ordered it to stop, forthwith all internal auditing processes rolled out by the electoral body towards cleaning up the 2012 register of voters ahead of the November elections. Its reason? Until all parties can satisfy themselves on the modalities and the means by which the so-called internal cleaning is being done. (See http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/NPP-orders-EC-to-stop-voter-roll-audit-407716).

Just before then, the NPP had expressed alarm at the fact that the EC had discovered multiple registrations of about 200,000 people in the Ashanti Region. (See http://www.myjoyonline.com/politics/2016/January-14th/ecs-claim-of-200000-multiple-registrations-in-ashanti-strange-npp.php).

And now, the harsh tune is that the EC is signing the tune of a particular political party whose name Mac Manu couldnt disclose at the press conference. This kind of paranoia wont fetch them any political capital. Tweeeeeeeeeeaaaa!

I shall return
16.01.2016 LISTEN

Friday, January 15, 2016

Folks, we have already bared our teeth to bite the Mahama-led administration for agreeing to settle the two former detainees of the Guantanamo Bay in Ghana. And we now know from President Mahama's slip-up that they are based in Takoradi. Why Takoradi? And how does the government expect the residents of Takoradi to receive the news of these Yemeni undesirables being accommodated in their midst?

Much is emerging for us to continue to question the rationale behind the deal. President Mahama has denied rumours that he and his administration took 300 million Dollars as kickback from the deal. Fair enough, for as long as no one can come up with any documentary evidence on the deal to that effect. But it doesn't stop tongues from wagging. Thus, the question being asked is: What exactly necessitated our government's willingness to harbour the two Yemeni undesirables (or any other not put out there in the public domain)?

Let's re-frame these questions: What is the benefit to Ghana for agreeing to host these undesirables? Certainly, nothing to do with "compassion" or "altruism" because Ghanaians have no connection with Yemen to warrant anybody from there being sent into the country to be catered for at the expense of the system. So, what is the sense in bringing these people to Ghana?

The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration (Hannah Tetteh) has tried to defuse everything, making pronouncements to calm nerves but not succeeding in any way. She is clearly reducing everything to absurdity. The more she opens her mouth, the more she raises disturbing questions. And she isn't even positioned to answer those questions. Who, then, will do so to set Ghanaians at ease? Terrorism is nobody's play thing!!

Eventually, Hannah Tetteh is saying that she wasn't even privy to all that transpired in the negotiations to have the ex-detainees relocated in Ghana. Who is privy to all that happened? We need more information so we can unpack everything to ensure that no one plays any fast and dirty game on/with us. We may be poor but we are happy to be peace-loving people.

More lies are being unearthed. We were initially told that the burden of supporting the ex-detainees would be solely borne by the US only for it to be debunked by a high-ranking and well-informed US official who said that Ghana will bear part of the cost. Why should it be so? What does Ghana hope to reap from this deal, bearing part of the cost for hosting these Yemeni undesirables?

As if we are not already "tortured", the matter has assumed political and religious dimensions, which we will unpack to know their dangerous ramifications for the country, especially in this volatile Election 2016 period.

While the NPP has condemned the government for pandering to the US' interests, it is comfortable that its flagbearer, Akufo-Addo, is silent over the matter and that he will be better off not commenting on it. Those in the NDC (apart from Hannah Tetteh and President Mahama) have chosen to keep their mouths sealed, clearly because they don't want to expose the government's underbelly for attack. But they would be better off doing so, especially now that the matter has given Ghanaians another window through which to view the government's intents and purposes.

Meantime, the matter is gathering storm at the religious front, which is dangerous for the country. While the Christian Council of Ghana is at the government's throat for showing compassion to "Muslims" and asking that all prisoners in Ghana be released to prove that the government is compassionate, something different is coming from the Muslim front.

The national chief Imam, Alhaji Nuhu Sharubutu, is reported to have urged Ghanaians, especially the Muslim community, "to accept the detainees on humanitarian grounds because accepting to receive and protect the two Gitmo detainees was in line with the Islamic mission of compassion and humanitarianism. " (See http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/Gitmo-saga-Hana-Tetteh-raps-Chief-Imam-407633).

The Daily Guide newspaper, which reported that the National Chief Imam (90 years old) made the call after interacting with Hannah Tetteh, had sought to create the impression that the Foreign Affairs Minister had "awed" Alhaji Sharubutu. In the common parlance, "awing" could mean many things, one of which is "bribe" or something to that effect. It means that the National Chief Imam's palms had been greased for him to go that way. I don't know what happened because I wasn't there; but I can infer from the tone of the news report to guess the way I want to. Anybody else can do anything on that score.

We are seeing the seeds of religious conflict being sown. That is the potential danger for Ghana. Forget about anything else and concentrate on why the conflict between Christians and Muslims could become the powder keg on which the country is being placed. We already know how religious sentiments have featured in our national and local politics. Is it really necessary to widen the scope to this level in terms of the Yemeni undesirables?

We already have too much internecine warfare, social unrests, and many others provoked by chieftaincy and land disputes or ethnic conflicts. And there are many flashpoints of trouble all over the country to scare the people. Why add that of religion and terrorism to it? And why complicate matters by bringing into the country those who have no traditional roots in Ghana? Why, oh, why?

Be it what it may, the questions that emerge are daunting: What exactly does Ghana hope to benefit from this deal to move it forward as fast as is needed to solve the existential problems facing the citizens? Why would the Mahama-led administration go this way if there is no reward for the country (especially now that we know that the cost of keeping these Yemeni undesirables in Ghana will not be borne by the US alone but also by Ghana?) What is the reciprocal benefit to Ghana? And why should these undesirables tainted as terrorists be given this prominence to the disadvantage of Ghanaians? Many more questions abound, which will feed this deal into national politics and harm the NDC's interests!!

Here, then, comes the real issue of international relations dimension. If the Mahama-led administration can't stand its grounds to prevent these undesirables from being dumped on/in Ghana, what guarantee is there that it can act judiciously to secure Ghana's interests against being undermined? Let us not deceive ourselves that the mere fact that Ghana's territorial integrity has not been undermined over the years means it can't ever be. Entering into deals of this sort prepare the grounds for future trouble!!

Folks, this matter is not as slight as is being portrayed by the government and its lackeys defending it. That is why it will be politically sensible for the government to go beyond where it is now to level with Ghanaians. If it deceives itself that it can easily brush it under the rug, it will be setting itself up for more woes than it is prepared for. And public intellectuals like us doing the yeoman's job of raising pertinent issues to boost public discourse won't sit down unconcerned. We will talk, no matter what!!

The basis for apprehension about this deal should be clear by now. Now that the battle line is drawn between Christians (at least as represented by the strident criticisms of the Christian Council) and the Muslims (as portrayed by the pacifist stance of the National Chief Imam), we expect the issue to break all bounds and become more contentious than it has been so far. Is this what President Mahama wants at this point when there are already more pressing existential problems weighing down heavily on his administration to make him lose sleep? Inconceivable. Inadmissible. Woebetide those in authority today who take the people for granted!!

I shall return
The New Patriotic Party Member of Parliament for Ablekuma West is accusing the president of willfully bringing two self confessed terrorists into Ghana.

Quoting Ghana's anti-terrorism act, part of which prohibits terrorists or suspected terrorists from entering into Ghana Ursula Owusu Ekufful said the president, his executive presidency notwithstanding, has sworn to uphold the laws of the country and must not be seen to be violating it with impunity.

She said the continuous stay in the country of the two terror suspects will be a continuous breach of the law and the president must apply the laws without fail by sending them back.

"Our president should be able to say I am sorry America we goofed we cannot do it because our laws prohibit it."

"We must apply our laws and send them back," she said.

She was speaking in an all female edition of Joy FM's Newsfile programme which also had Deputy Transport Minister Joyce Mogtari and Susan Adu Amankwa.

The admission into Ghana of the two Yemini terror suspects has created a huge controversy in the country.

While the government and its spokespersons vehemently support the decision, civil societies and religious groups have condemned it.

The fault lines in the controversial decision visibly played out on Newsfile with Ursula Owusu and the Convention People's Party's Susan Adu Amakwaa having a go at each other.

Laws

Ursula Owusu does not understand why her government will turn a blind eye, in fact, break its own laws while accepting to do America a favour.

"The president swore to uphold the law. By accepting to host these self confessed terrorist he has broken the law," she said, adding, "America knowing how dangerous these detainees are quickly put in place a law to prevent America from accepting them into their country... America is respecting that law and they are asking us to flout ours. As for us, our laws don't matter. The security of our nation doesn't matter."

National Security



President John Mahama has suggested the decison was taken after a thorough consultaion with national security and that the security of the country was taken into consideration. But Ursula Owusu inferred that President John Mahama never consulted the National Security Council in taking the "reckless" decision to accept two suspected Yemeni terrorists into Ghana.

She said the "unwittingly honest" admission by Foreign Minister Hanna Tetteh and Interior Minister Mark Woyongo that they were partly or never consulted at all in the decision to bring the two suspects is evidence enough that the president perhaps consulted only his national security advisor before taking this decision and that is not good enough.

By law both the Foreign and Interior Ministers are part of the National Security Council and ought to have been part of this decision every step of the way, she pointed out.

Dismissals

There have been calls for the dismissals of both the Foreign Minister and Interior Minister for displaying some level of ignorance on the circumstance leading to the arrival of the two suspects.

Hanna Tetteh said she was privy to only part of the discussion that led to the arrival of the suspects whilst the Interior Minister said he was not privy at all.

Kweku Baako Jnr is one of those who believe the two ministers must be sacked because they gave the president away by their "indiscrete" admission that they did not have full knowledge of what had happened despite the crucial roles they play in terms of security.

But Ursula Owusu disagreed saying the two must rather be commended for speaking the truth irrespective of how unwitting they sounded.

"They have spoken the truth. Are we saying they must lie to protect the president? If they had lied to protect the president we would not have known how this whole decision was taken.

"That our president sat somewhere in a room with the national security advisor and took this decision without consulting the council," she deduced.

Gitmo-Ebola



The second vice chair of the Convention People's Party Susan Adu Amankwaa disagreed vehemently with Ursula Owusu.

She said the utterances of the NPP member as well as others, some of which were uninformed only served to create fear and panic in the country.

She said like the ebola vaccine trial that was done in the country, a lot of uninformed opinions have hijacked the airwaves and are creating fear and panic when in fact there are professionals dealing with the situation.

"If the two suspects were self confessed terrorists, would the US set them free?" she asked.

While admitting there is some risk involved in allowing the two to live in Ghana for two years, "we shouldn't allow comments that will create fear and panic."

"It is alright for people to be afraid but we have to be careful," she indicated.
After 60-plus years of helping his friends and neighbors find the right home or making sure their insurance coverage protected them from all the bad things life has to offer, Cecil Hulsey, the 90-year-old owner of Coldwell Banker-Hulsey Real Estate Agency, has finally decided to retire.

I started selling insurance in 1947 and real estate in 1956, Hulsey said. I have always enjoyed my career. I have met a lot of people who were just starting out and whose family grew over the years.

Although Hulsey is retired, the real estate agency that bears his name will still go on helping people find the right home. According to Kim Hutson, who with her husband Brian have bought the agency, everything will remain same.

As a native of the Farmington area, growing up in Doe Run and graduating from Doe Run High School in 1942, Hulsey stated there was never a doubt in his mind that he would not live his life just miles from where he was raised.

His devotion to his hometown was evident even as a young radar bombardier on a B29 during World War II. Showing his salesmanship and his enthusiasm for Farmington, he convinced his fellow flight crew members to name their super fortress the City of Farmington.

According to Hulsey, it wasnt all that difficult to convince the crew after he told them about his hometown and how great all the people were.

Stationed in Guam during the war, Hulsey and the rest of the City of Farmington crew would officially fly 27 missions, although he believes it was really 29 missions.

Three or four days after we arrived in Guam, we began bombing airfields where Kamikaze pilots were taking off, Hulsey said. We flew five missions in nine days.

During a mission, Hulseys B29 had an engine shot out and they were forced to land on an island that earlier in the war was the home to one of the bloodiest battles in the Pacific Theater.

We were on our fifth mission in nine days when our engine was shot out, Hulsey said. We had to land on Iwo Jima. It was a life saver.

Once home from the war, Hulseys sales career began as the result of a recommendation from his family doctor.

According to Hulsey, Dr. L. M. Stanfield was talking to a local insurance agent who was in need of a young man to come work for him.

Dr. Stanfield sent word to me about the position, Hulsey said. I went in for the interview and that was it.

By coincidence, Tom Stanfield  the son of the gentleman who recommended Hulsey for the job  is one of the two agents working for Hulsey the longest. Mary Gilliam has been with Hulsey for 30 years.

For the next nine years, Hulsey would work exclusively in the insurance field, but in 1957 he entered the real estate business as well.

I began selling insurance and real estate simultaneously, Hulsey said. I also did real estate appraising as well, so for a while I had three jobs.

As the years passed, Hulsey saw Farmington grow, not quickly like some towns but steadily, offering something for both family and business.

The appearance of the community was a big draw, Hulsey said. When people were scouting for companies or for themselves, it was our job as real estate agents and members of the community to drive them around. The great thing about Farmington is there isnt, nor has there ever been, a bad part of town.

In addition, the longtime realtor also added that the city being a county seat and having stable employment has been a great benefit to the city.

We have had continued growth, Hulsey said. We didnt have big industry come in and then five or six years later close the plant. We have had places like the state hospital that has had a stabilizing effect on Farmington.

Hulsey also stated that some of the appeal of Farmington is the thriving downtown area and businesses who have done a fantastic job in keeping their business local.

Hulsey also recognized the efforts of city leaders in keeping the city thriving.

(Farmington Mayor) Mit Landrum and (City Administrator) Greg Beavers have had a very positive effect on the growth of Farmington, Hulsey said. They are doing a fantastic job.

Over the years, Hulsey has been an active member of the community not only as a businessman, but as a community champion. For years, he was a member of the Farmington Chamber of Commerce and the Rotary Club serving as secretary to both organizations and he even helped to get a new high school built.

Now that he no longer owns the insurance agency, which he sold in the 1990s, nor his real estate agency, Hulseys plans seem pretty simple  spending his days with his wife of 67 years, Jean, and staying healthy.

For many in the Farmington area, Hulsey will always be the person who sold them their first home and made sure they were well covered. But mostly, they may remember him as a friend and a valuable asset to the community.

A retirement party in Hulseys honor will take place at 4 to 7 p.m. on Jan. 21 at the Farmington Public Library.
16.01.2016 LISTEN

At least 23 people of 18 different nationalities are now known to have died after Islamist militants attacked a luxury hotel in Burkina Faso.

Al-Qaeda militants attacked the Splendid Hotel in the West African states capital, Ouagadougou, as well as a cafe and another hotel nearby.

Four of the attackers were killed, two of them reportedly women.

The siege at the Splendid was declared over after a joint operation by local and French security forces.

The Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) militant group has said it carried out the attack.

Bukinabe President Roch Kabore, who arrived at the scene on Saturday morning amid tight security, announced the death toll and the liberation of at least 150 hostages.

The French Ambassador, Gilles Thibault, gave a higher death toll of 27 and denied any women were among the militants killed at the hotel.

In November, an AQIM attack on a hotel in the Malian capital Bamako left 19 people dead.

In another development, two Austrian citizens, a doctor and his wife, were kidnapped overnight in northern Burkina Faso near the border with Mali, Burkinabe officials said.

Militants attacked the Splendid and the nearby Cappuccino cafe on Friday evening, setting off several explosions. Both places are popular with UN staff and foreigners.

.

Survivors described how the militants went from person to person, touching their bodies to see if they moved.

They started shooting, shooting, and everybody lay down on the ground, said Mariette, who escaped from the hotel with her younger sister.

As soon as you lifted your head they would shoot straightaway, so you had to pretend to be dead. And they even came to touch our feet to check if we were alive. As soon as you were alive, they would shoot at you.

Interior Minister Simon Compaore said 10 bodies had been found on the cafe terrace alone. He added that at least 33 hostages had been injured.

As the end of the siege at the Splendid was being announced, reports came in that militants had taken up position at the Yibi hotel, a short distance away. One attacker was killed at the Yibi, officials said later.

Remi Dandjinou, the Burkinabe communications minister, told the BBC earlier that between six and seven militants had attacked the Splendid, adding that they had been staying at the hotel as guests.

Interior Minister Compaore said two black Africans and an Arab were among the militants killed.

Burkina Faso recently held its first presidential election since a coup earlier last year.

That coup toppled long-time leader Blaise Compaore, who had governed for 27 years.

bbc
Bamako (AFP) - Wily one-eyed Mokhtar Belmokhtar, whose jihadists have claimed the attack on a hotel in Burkina Faso, shot to global notoriety with a spectacular assault on an Algerian gas field in 2013, but had long been known as "The Uncatchable".

Washington has offered a $5 million (4.7 million euros) bounty for the 43-year-old, born and bred in the Algerian desert, and of all the jihadist leaders in the Sahel region straddling the southern Sahara, it is Belmokhtar who is most wanted.

He was behind the 2013 attack on the In Amenas natural gas complex in the remote south of his homeland, in which 39 hostages and 29 Islamists were killed.

And his Al-Murabitoun group, an Al-Qaeda affiliate, also claimed responsibility for the jihadist siege at the Radisson Blu hotel in Mali's capital Bamako that left 20 dead in November, including 14 foreigners.

In May last year, he reaffirmed that Al-Murabitoun remained loyal to Al-Qaeda, denying the claim of allegiance to the Islamic State group made by another of the movement's leaders.

He was born in 1972 in the ancient desert city of Ghardaia, 600 kilometres (370 miles) south of the Algerian capital.

In a rare 2007 interview, he said he was drawn away from home by his fascination with the exploits of the mujahedeen fighting the Soviet occupation in Afghanistan, joining them in 1991 when he was barely 19 years old.

- Smuggling baron -

It was in Afghanistan that he claims to have lost his eye to shrapnel and where he had his first contact with Al-Qaeda, whose ranks he joined, eventually rising to a senior position.

He returned to Algeria in 1993, a year after the government sparked civil war by cancelling an election the Islamic Salvation Front was poised to win.

He joined the Armed Islamic Group (GIA), which conducted a violent campaign of civilian massacres in its battle against the government, sometimes wiping out entire villages.

Belmokhtar thrived thanks to his intimate knowledge of the nearly lawless "Grey Zone" of southern Algeria, northern Mali and neighbouring Niger.

In 1998, the Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat (GSPC) broke away from the GIA. Belmokhtar, now also nicknamed "The Uncatchable" by a former chief of French intelligence, went with them.

Nine years later, the GSPC formally adopted to the jihadist ideology of Osama bin Laden and renamed itself Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM).

These Islamists have spun a tight network across tribal and business lines that stretch across the sub-Sahara Sahel zone, supporting poor communities and protecting all kinds of traffickers.

They are comfortable operating in the harsh desert terrain and have made millions of dollars from the ransoms of European hostages.

With a reputation as a smuggling baron -- dealing in contraband cigarettes, stolen cars and even drugs, as well as profiting from illegal immigration networks -- Belmokhtar's commitment to AQIM's puritanical brand of Islam was questioned by some members of the group.

But in January 2013, a group calling itself the "Signatories in Blood", led by Belmokhtar, claimed responsibility for the Algerian gas field assault.

It took place a few days after France launched a military operation to help Malian troops in the north stem a jihadist invasion.

Then in May 2013, two months after reportedly being killed by Chadian troops in Mali, Belmokhtar claimed deadly attacks against Niger's army in Agadez and against French firm Areva, which mines uranium in Niger.
US-based research and education think tank, Africa Center for International Law and Accountability (ACILA) has urged Burkina Faso to cancel the international arrest warrant against Mr. Guillaume Soro, current Speaker of Parliament of Cote d'Ivoire because the action violates international law.

According to ACILA, even though Burkina Faso's action is aimed at bringing Mr. Soro to account for his alleged role in the coup in Burkina Faso in 2014, the arrest warrant violates immunity provisions in international law.

A statement issued by Mr. Carl Mensah, Deputy Executive Director of ACILA, said that under international law unless a state is acting pursuant to an arrest warrant issued by an international court with legitimate jurisdiction, a state official, such as the speaker of parliament of Cote dIvoire, is immune from the criminal prosecution of Burkina Faso, a foreign state.

Mr. Mensah said that a judge in France had rescinded a similar arrest warrant for Mr. Soro in December last year citing his immunity from prosecution while he was on a state visit in France.

The statement comes following an international arrest warrant issued by Burkina Fasos military tribunal for the arrest of Cote dIvoires current speaker of speaker for his alleged involvement in a coup in Burkina Faso in September 2014.

Burkina Fasos prosecutor, Colonel Sita Sangare said Friday that the warrant against Guillaume Soro was issued through Interpol and the foreign ministry. He said phone calls between Soro and a former Burkina Faso minister Djibril Bassole are part of the prosecution, according to a report by the Associated Press (AP).

ACILA is incorporated under US law as a 501(c) (3) research and education think tank which aims to contribute to African scholarship through enhanced understanding of international law and public accountability.
Ouagadougou (AFP) - Two Australians have been kidnapped in Burkina Faso, officials said Saturday, as a Malian Islamist group said the couple were in the hands of Al-Qaeda-linked jihadists.

The Burkina government said the pair were kidnapped in Baraboule, near the west African country's borders with Niger and Mali.

News of the kidnapping came as a jihadist assault on an upmarket hotel in Ouagadougou left at least 26 people dead, including many foreigners, in the latest violence to hit the impoverished west African state.

Burkina Faso's Communications Minister Remi Dandjinou said Saturday the couple were Australian nationals, correcting an earlier interior ministry statement identifying them as Austrian.

A spokesman for Malian militant group Ansar Dine, Hamadou Ag Khallini, told AFP in a brief phone message that the couple were being held by jihadists from the Al-Qaeda-linked "Emirate of the Sahara".

He said they were alive and more details would be released soon.

A resident in the town of Djibo, near Baraboule, said the couple had lived in the area since 1972.

A military base in the same region was attacked by militants in August last year, with one Burkinabe policeman killed.

Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) claimed responsibility for the hotel attack saying it was "revenge against France and the disbelieving West", according to a statement carried by US-based monitoring group SITE.

The attack and kidnapping will heighten concerns that jihadist groups are casting their net wider in search of targets in west Africa, two months after a siege at a luxury hotel in neighbouring Mali, where 20 people were killed, against mostly foreigners.
The Presidential Candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) for the 2016 elections, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, on Friday, January 15, 2016 made a historic visit to the ultra-modern Pentecost Convention Centre (PCC) located at Gomoa Fetteh, near Kasoa.

The presidential candidate of the leading opposition party was at the Centre to inspect the facility which is Ghanas new purpose-built, world-class conference and event center. His visit coincided with the Churchs 5th All Ministers and Wives Conference which was being held at the Centre.

Nana Akufo-Addo and his team which comprised the partys Acting National Chairman, Freddy Blay; former General Secretary, Kwadwo Owusu-Afriyie aka Sir John, and Ken Ofori Atta, a leading member of the party among others, were highly impressed with the great infrastructure and state-of-the-art facilities at the Centre.

Addressing the church and the NPP officials, the Chairman of the Church of Pentecost and President of the Ghana Pentecostal and Charismatic Council (GPCC), Apostle Dr. Opoku Onyinah, on behalf of the Church Welcomed Nana Akufo-Addo and his entourage to the Centre.

Apostle Dr. Opoku Onyinah explained that the leadership of the Church usually invites government officials and other dignitaries to the Churchs General Council meetings, conventions and other official ceremonies, but not on that particular conference.

This is a time of prayer and house cleaning exercise. Therefore, because of the polarization of politics in Ghana, when we heard of your [Nana Addos] visitation to the Centre our initial reaction was to say please not this time, perhaps later.

But we also realized it would have been a mistake, and uncharacteristic of a Pentecostal church planted in the soil of Ghana to do that. That is, that would have gone against not only Pentecostal practices but also Ghanaian culture. We therefore decided to use the opportunity to interact with you, Apostle Dr. Opoku Onyinah stated.

The Chairman added: I do not need to say that as a church, our members belong to different political affiliations in the country, but for the purpose of this gathering it may be appropriate to reiterate it.

Because of the political plurality of our members, we have advised our pastors to be circumspect in their pronouncements at church. We seek to always cooperate with the government of the day as it steers the affairs of our dear nation in accordance with the constitution of the land.

I would like to say that, I thank the Lord that you [Nana Addo] have taken time to visit our center, knowing that you are the leader of the main opposition party, he stated.

Touching on the impending general elections, Apostle Dr. Opoku Onyinah expressed concern about the apprehensions and tensions that characterize elections in Ghana and Africa as a whole.

He therefore appealed to all the political parties, including the NPP to conduct their campaigns in a peaceful manner to ensure peaceful elections, come November 7.

We realize that when elections are drawing near, many people panic; because of past experiences of other African countries, especially some of our neighboring countries. People are apprehensive and do not know what will happen.

Few days ago, in the interaction with the press, the President of the nation gave us the assurance that on the part of the government, he would put all things in place to make the election peaceful.

As you are here, we would be grateful if you could bring us a word of greeting, and also give us some assurance on the side of your party on peaceful elections, he said.

On corruption, Apostle Dr. Opoku Onyinah noted that Ghana can develop if corruption is dealt with and the resources of the country are prudently managed.

Nana Akufo-Addo, on his part, thanked the leadership of The Church of Pentecost for the warm reception given him and his team.

He was shocked that the Chairman of the Church disclosed that the massive infrastructural development and facilities at the Centre were all funded through prudent financial management of the Churchs own resources without any foreign support or bank facility.

According to Nana Akufo-Addo, the nation could best be run by the Church looking at what they have been able to achieve at the Convention Centre.

He pledged his commitment to national peace as he has always done over the years, saying, I dont want a drop of blood of a Ghanaian to be spilt for me to become president of this nation.

He also stated his commitment to ensuring good governance and prudent economic management when God helps him to become the president of the nation.

The NPP presidential candidate called for prayer support from the church to ensure successful and peaceful elections.

Apostle Dr. Opoku Onyinah led the church to pray for the nation and all political party leaders, including Nana Addo.

Earlier, the General Secretary of the Church, Apostle Alexander Nana Yaw Kumi-Larbi; the Centre Manager, Apostle Nana Yaw Adjei and the Projects, Development and Estate Manager of the Church, Pastor Dr. Joseph Buertey, took Nana Akufo-Addo and his entourage round the facility.

The Pentecost Convention Centre, which has become the pride of the country, was commissioned by His Excellency President John Dramani Mahama in 2013. It is currently the biggest and the finest all-purpose conference destination center which has attracted the attention and use of many people and corporate bodies worldwide.

PENTECOST NEWS

APOSTLE DR. OPOKU ONYINAH (R) AND THE GENERAL SECRETARY, APOSTLE KUMI-LARBI (L) INTERACTING WITH NANA ADDO
"Marhabaan bikum fi Ghana," Umar Muhammad Bin Atef and Khalid Muhammad Salih Al-Dhuby.

The amplified brouhaha over the accommodation of Guantanamo Bay ex-detainees here in Ghana is my prime reason for writing this crucial letter. Yes, the pen is mightier than the sword, so I earnestly seek to dissect the delicate matter in hand fair and square. Barely 24 hours ago, Curr3ncy released a satirical rap video aimed at addressing the Gitmo issue. In fact, the witty but logical content of his lyrics was absolutely on point though politically incorrect.

Earlier, I also did pen down a purely satirical message - "I Brought Bill Gates to Ghana in 2013;" Mahama Fires back at his Detractors - to satirise our president's autocratic decision to accept freed Yemenis in Ghana. Folks, the court of public opinion has been made murky owing to the heightened agitations of the masses regarding the prevailing chaos.

Moreover, no one can gainsay the assertion that terrorism is a chief global trouble, plunging the international community into a state of bewilderment, frankly speaking. Look! I need not to be a connoisseur of foreign policy or global politics to state that the privations of terrorism are unspeakably enormous. And since the insurgency of Boko Haram started in 2009, it has killed 20000 people and displaced 2.3 million people from their homes, according to Wikipedia.

Again, according to a 2015 global terrorism index report on statista.com, Nigeria was ranked 3rd, scoring 9.21 points out of the total 10 points; just behind Afghanistan, 2nd with 9.23 points, and Iraq, 1st with 10 points. For Yemen placed 7th with 7.64 points. Say what? In 2014, the global economic costs of terrorism amounted to $52 billion while 13463 terrorist attacks were recorded worldwide.

Meanwhile, the citizens of Ghana have obviously showed their teeth against a backdrop of our government's apparent breach of our public security. Indeed, the social democratic party in government has played fast and loose concerning this all-important Gitmo matter. Also, every soul in Ghana probably smells the glaring threat of terrorism after the freed Yemeni prisoners were accommodated here in our peaceful nation. Dr. Michael J. K. Bokor emphasised that, "We may be poor but we are happy to be peace-loving people." A good friend of mine, Edith's fearful comment goes like, "I really feel bad about it. It's really pathetic. They can hurt us o." And a humorous comment by a Ghanaian on Facebook suggested that, "Please, someone should call the National Chief Imam to advice them. We don't want any confusion bia. We don't want any gidi gidi."

Now to the released Yemeni detainees living in our sovereign country ruled by peace, love and harmony! Min fadlik, abide by the ethos of the Ghanaian society with fear of reverence. Brethren, I beseech you by the mercies of God not to cause any violence during your 2-year stay here in the Republic of Ghana. You are free to practise your Islamic religion as per Article 21, Clause 1, Paragraph (C) of our 1992 Constitution, but within the confines of Ghanaian laws. No jihadist ideologies or attitudes shall be tolerated in our own country, for that will contradict the moral fabric of our circular society. Besides, you openly admitted that we the good people of Ghana are hospitable and kind, so no kind of evil from you shall befall Ghana. I therefore challenge the state to discharge its security duties lawfully and sensibly.

Bark Alllah fik, alrrijal!

Yours sincerely,

Sir Article.

Source: sirarticle.blogspot.com
Slyvester Mensah

16.01.2016 LISTEN

The former Chief Executive Officer of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Mr. Sylvester Mensah has disclosed that the performance debate of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) is the surest approach to appreciate the level of satisfactory work being done by the Authority.

He said there is the need to sustain the performance debate in a regular time-bound fashion because of the peculiar character of the Scheme which has given way to perceptions and speculations in the minds of many people.

Mr. Mensah was speaking to some invitees on the side lines after he has done a presentation at the 67th Annual New Year School hosted by the University of Ghana in Accra.

Invited as a resource person to treat the topic: GHANAS NHIS MODEL AND THE TRANSITION FROM MDGs TO SDGs AND ICT EFFICIENCY, Mr. Sylvester Mensah said the NHIA as a public institution which has the responsibility of equitably administering the health insurance of Ghanaians is so paramount that a constant closed- up monitoring of its activities is put in place to assuage any misgivings the public has for the image of the scheme.

According to him, Ghanas NHIS remains a leading global model and a centre for international knowledge and experience sharing. He pointed out that international players in the health insurance industry are attracted to pay more attention to Ghanas Scheme because of its management approach, structure, strategies and systems.

Mr. Mensah was of the opinion that since the academia is better placed to offer long lasting and rewarding contributions in the performance debate of the health insurance scheme, it will be appropriate for the intelligentsia to join hands with the government, stakeholders and the general public to have dialogue periodically to help fine- tune the challenges the Authority has been facing in the discharge of their work.

He asked the academia to make comparative analysis and assessment of Ghanas NHIS with other health insurance models in both developed and developing countries to create a more comprehensive understanding of Ghanas efforts of ensuring Universal Financial Risk Protection (UFRP) against health care delivery.

He took his audience through Ghanas NHIS model, funding strategy, trends in utilization and active membership as well as the schemes focus under the Sustainable Development Goals. According to the former Chief Executive, the NHIA has the largest ICT infrastructure in the country presently with a wide development of ICT for improved efficiency.

Mr. Mensah listed a number of ICT applications such as; Membership Registration, Nation-wide Instant issuance of Bio-ID cards with authentication devices which are yet to be developed in all health facilities nation-wide, Claims and E- Claims applications, Call Centre services, Voice and Data communication platform linking schemes and providers as well as securing free internal communication within the NHIA, Data Centre and a data recovery site among others. He is convinced that the NHIA is a leader in ICT deployment but still has a lot of miles to cover.

Mr. Sylvester Mensah confirmed that the greatest threat to the scheme is its inherent sustainability challenge which the government and all stakeholders are making effort to fix. He affirmed that the scheme has systems to address issues of demand and supply.

He pointed to the direction that the NHIS has come very far in alleviating hardships of the health care delivery of Ghanaians and to enhance a top-gear performance of the NHIA, government is undertaking a comprehensive review of the scheme to restructure its benefit package, exemption regime as well as other equity considerations to redefine what to purchase and for whom in relation to available funding in the medium to long term.

The former NHIA boss was optimistic that the government has the capacity and capability to ameliorate the perceived conditions which are negating the gains of the scheme to the satisfaction of Ghanaians especially the service providers
The hosting of two ex Guantanamo detainees in Ghana has set tongues wagging in every corner of the country. The two, Mahmoud Omar Mohammed Bin Atef and Khalid Shayk Mohammed are known to have trained with the terrorist group Al Qeda and have been detained for fourteen years. They have been transferred to Ghana on the request of the USA.

Terrorism being a prime heated issue has over the years gained the attention of many in other parts of the world. It is sad to say that, terrorist groups have caused havoc to many in other parts of the world. This should be a reason to keep countries which have not fallen prey to terrorism to be kept on their toes .The Al-Shabab of Somalia and Kenya, the Islamic State of Syria and Iraq, Boko Haram in Nigeria and Cameroun, Houthi rebels in Yemen among other groups have caused havoc to many and are known to be dangerous.

Again, the recent terrorist attacks in Mali, France and other parts of the world cannot be left out in discussing terrorism. According to the 2014 edition of the Global Terrorism Index from the Institute of economics and peace, the world experienced a 61% increase in terrorist attacks within a single year. Worrying as this may be, the president of Ghana has welcomed two ex- detainees known or suspected to be notorious terrorists. This was an agreement between the USA and Ghana to host these two ex-detainees for two years. It was initially made known to Ghanaians that, their stay here would be at the expense of the USA, however it is reported that Ghana would partly bear the cost.

Ever since the news was broken to Ghanaians that, these two suspected criminals have been hosted by the government of Ghana, many have been enveloped in fear. This is because Ghanaians are privy to the many terrorist attacks in other parts of the world and the dire consequences of terrorism. The president used his executive powers to take a unilateral decision in welcoming these people to Ghana. This has not gone well with some Ghanaians while other parliamentarians have concluded that, the president did not show respect to Ghanaians in taking such a unilateral decision.

Due to the weight the issue carries, many have been left with no other choice than to voice their opinions out. The Christian Council of Ghana, the Ghana Pentecostal and Charismatic Council, the Catholic Bishop conference and other stakeholders have made their opinions known. Dr. Vladimir Antwi an international relations expert also added his voice to it and made it known the dire consequences this could bring the nation.

They have all staunchly expressed their objection to this decision. Unfortunately, the public outcry seems to have fallen on deaf ears. Government officials including the chief imam have however supported this decision in the wake of this outcry.

Hannah Tetteh, minister of foreign affairs, Mark Woyongo ,minister of interior claim they arent privy to some of the details surrounding the coming into Ghana of the two terror suspects. Yet these are the people who have come to the defence of the stay of these criminal suspects in the country claiming they pose little risk to the country. If indeed these people pose little or no threat, why are they kept under surveillance and monitoring every day? Why dont they leave them to live and move freely in the country? Will any of these government officials be willing to keep them in their houses? Will they for once learn some lessons from what is happening in other countries as a result of terrorism?

The president has denied taking something from the USA in its request to host these detainees. However, it seems so obvious to many Ghanaians that this offer was triggered by a quid pro quo. Even if keeping these people in Ghana was devoid of pecuniary compensation as claimed by the president; what was the rationale behind their stay in Ghana?

The president could not give any answer than telling Ghanaians that he is only showing compassion to the two ex-detainees as a Christian. Its good to be compassionate and we do not deny this fact. He should however consider these before he reaches a conclusion on compassion: The God he claims to serve brought punishment upon Adam and Eve for their disobedience and this has continued from generations to generations; he destroyed the earth with flood; he destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah; he destroyed the first born sons of Egypt; he destroyed the city of Jericho. He will come back and on judgement day, cast the unrighteous into the lakes of fire. It is though admitted that, he brought Jesus Christ to die for our sins but he punished his people for disobedience.

Is he more compassionate than the God hes a mere servant to, the most gracious and ever merciful one? Is the president more Christian than the Americans? If it is about compassion, then Ghanaians should be the first to enjoy it not foreigners because charity begins at home. Our opinions may vary, but the president should not show compassion to two foreigners at the peril of over twenty-five million citizens of the country. Is the government not exposing its gullibility in taking this decision and subjecting itself to ridicule in the eyes of Americans?

The risk of every venture determines its returns as financial laws put it. In other words the higher the risk, the higher the returns and vice versa. In our situation, the risk is very high and the returns does not match it in any way. If indeed huge sum of money was taken to host these people, it would be worth considering the returns and the security threat the nation puts itself. In 2007, the US department of defence assessed Mahmoud Omar Mohammed Bin Atef as a high risk as he is likely to pose a threat to the US, its interests and allies, medium threat from a detention perspective and of high intelligence value. These are suspected criminals the USA which has all the security gadgets and intelligence are rejecting. Why have we chosen to play with the exposed fangs of a deadly snake when even the blind around us have briskly walked away? How on earth do we choose to suffocate in carbon monoxide when our whole body is immersed in a sea of unadulterated oxygen? If the two ex-detainees pose little or no risk, why have they chosen to send them to Ghana? Do we have to swallow everything from the USA in acquiescence? Do they consider themselves more human than us or do they breathe a different air? It is of interest to note that, the USA as well endowed as it is has never taken the risk upon itself to keep them. They see the future to be bleak in keeping them. The question that would be left unanswered in the minds of Ghanaians is, even if the USA as well resourced as it is has walked away, why Ghana a less endowed country?

It goes without saying that our politicians wait for problems to spiral out of control before they put in measures to curb them. The background of these people are enough to reject them and their presence in Ghana adds no value but a security threat. The USA has brought these people here at the detriment of Ghanaians and it would be very necessary for the president to act swiftly by rescinding his decision. Every good leader does not take a decision that would put his people in danger. I believe its for this reason Barack Obama did not keep the ex-detainees in the USA.

It is high time parliamentarians, civil society organisations, opinion leaders, chiefs and all other Ghanaians raise a resolute objection against the unilateral decision taken.

[email protected]
16.01.2016 LISTEN

As I said in my previous journalistic piece, I have maintained, and continue to do, that we need not to stoke and stir religious tension in Ghana. The fact that Muslims are in the minority, while Christians are overwhelmingly in majority, does not mean that we cannot experience inter-religious conflicts that have ravaged some countries around the world.

This is particularly true because the two cosmological religions, Islam and Christianity, are missionary-oriented, and have optimism for future universal appeal. Again, Islam stands next to Christianity in competing for the souls of the lost globally. It is for this reason why the president of the land, John D. Mahama, should have exercised commonsense in taking such a decision that could polarize the Ghanaian community that is essentially pluralistic religiously.

As a Christian, I have always assumed the singular and honorable decision to defend the cause of Christ at all time, and everywhere. I do so in respect to the stipulation in I Peter 3:15 and Jude 3. I must say that I respect Sheikh Aremeyaw, and would offer him the equal rights to make his opinion known, or voice his concerns about issues that affect the nation. But I rather think that he should not take things for granted, and assume that everybody, as he said on Joy FM on January 15, 2016, is ignorant of current affairs in the global community. I write this issue, purposely, to point out the lapses in the logic of Sheikh Aremeyaw while he was on Joy FM. He made arguments that would not stand the test of critical logical analysis. My response is based on some of his pronunciations on Joy FM yesterday. I will take the issues one after the other, respond to them, and provide my personal opinion.

First, Sheikh Aremeyaw said that, We hate evil, we hate crime, but we dont hate people. This statement, at face value, appears to be convincing. After all, some Christians uncritically make similar assertion that, God loves the sinner, but hates sin. This statement is nowhere found in the bible: It is one of the numerous pseudo-biblical texts, such as God helps those who help themselves, to dilute the zeal of the Christian to win more souls for Christ. Again, this assertion is in tandem with the position of Mary Eddy Baker, the founder of Christian Science, a cult of Christianity, who asseverates that evil/sin is just an illusion: evil is psychological issue, since it is the state of mind. But, let me affirm the truism that evil is an existential reality.

Evil does not exist in abstract. It is also not a state of the mind. Having said that let me say that the position of Sheikh Aremeyaw is not consistent with logic and reality. First, what goes to hell, sin or the sinner? Second, who was hanged on the cross because he carried the sins of the elect, sin or Jesus? Is there a rigid separation between the sinner and sin? How do we know sin if it is not expressed in the material world? Is Satan an embodiment of evil/sin or separated from sin? Given that sin/evil is separate from their material dependent, then do we have evil? Sheikh, if a thief breaks into your house, and threatens to kill you, your wife, and children, would you attack the thief if you have a gun or you will attack sin? If we should like sinners/evil-doers, and not sin, then why do we go to court to seek redress when we are offended? So, Sheikh, Im sorry, you cannot hate sin without hating the sinner. There is no rigidity in the separation between the sin and the sinner. The two are mutually integrated.

Second, Sheikh argues that Christians should be compassionate. Eiii Sheikh, when the Muslim terrorists go chopping off heads and slitting throats, do they express compassion? What do you mean by compassion? Perhaps, we should do some hermeneutics and exegesis of the term compassion. We can do that by posing some questions: first, when do we show compassion: when you are not under attack or when your life is under threat? Sheikh, would you show compassion to a thief who threatens to kill you and your family, or you would sacrifice compassion to put up resistance? Do we sacrifice compassion at the expense of justice? How do we correlate compassion/mercy and justice? I ask these questions based on the potential background of the duo terrorists. Now, since the Sheikh invoked the Christian belief in God to seek compassion from Christians, let me ask these questions: is God roundly compassionate without justice? Can God forgive sin without God becoming a sinner/unjust? If a judge let go a murderer from facing the repercussion of his murderous act or facing the full rigours of the law, because the judge wants to be compassionate, has the judge followed the rules of the law court or has the judge been just? In other words, would the judge be considered a just judge, following his abjuring of the murderer without the judge being considered an unfair and unjust judge? Sheikh, if you care to know, in Christian theology, which is the ultimate truth, God CANNOT FORGIVE SIN WITHOUT GOD BECOMING A SINNER.

This explains the Christina logic of substitutionary potency of the death of Christ. Substitutionary sacrifice has resemblance in most religions. In African Traditional Religion, particularly among the Akan, substitutionary sacrifice is very central to the cosmogony of the Akan. A classical case is that of Egya Ahor, the heroic person, who was sacrificed to avert an epidemic that threatened the lives of the people of Anyan Abaasa and other people in Central Region of Ghana. This explains the religious significance of the celebration of Ahooba festival in honour of the vicarious death of Agya Ahor. There are several examples, but for the purposes of this piece, I will end it there.

In Christian theological logic, but for the death of Christ, God COULD NOT have shown compassion. God could not forgive sin without God becoming a sinner, because the compassion/love/mercy attributes of God is not independent of Gods attribute of justice. Gods attributes of justice and compassion/mercy means that God punishes sin and rewards good. Again, the bible is also clear, The wages of sin is death, not life. But according to the bible, again, all human beings are sinners, and all human beings are in need of salvation/redemption.

And that redemption came about only through the substitutionary death of Christ. Unlike Muslims, who sacrifice ram and cattle in imitation of what Abraham did, in Christianity, we do not sacrifice anything because Christ has already sacrificed a once-for-all sacrifice that is still efficacious. Now, let me appeal to what the Muslim would understand: When Abraham was to sacrifice his son (Isaac, not Ishmael, according to Islamic theology), God provided a substitution in the form of an animal. But when it came to the issue of the redemption of the elect, God did not stop the sacrifice/crucifixion of Jesus Christ, because He (Jesus Christ) is the ONLY medium and avenue for redemption.

The next issue Sheikh Aremeyaw talks about is Ghanaian hospitality. He argues lamely that because Ghanaians are proverbially known for our hospitality, we should extend the long-cherished virtue to the terrorists. This again is a weak argument. In fact, most African communities are reeling under the pangs of underdevelopment, partly because they took their hospitality for granted and extend hand to the devil, the European colonisers.

Our hospitality has always led to the emergence of people who are factors and collaborators and also abet with the enemy to loot the resource base of Africa. Sheikh, should we compromise on our safety because of our hospitality? Should our hospitality mean we should open our doors to any man who wears a beard and the turban? Sheikh, would you open your door of hospitality so wide that you would take in visitors whose character is questionable? Please, we need to be logical in our thinking. If we pursue such weak and lazy intellectualism, we lose credibility to be listened to. Sheikh, please we cannot allow in persons whose terrorists background is a threat to our peaceful and serene environment! Sheikh, come again!

Another error in thinking: The Sheikh claims Muslims are equally victims of terrorism, since terrorists attack Muslims, too. Again, this argument wont fly if subjected to basic logical deduction. Indeed, for the Sheikh to make such an argument suggest that he has very limited knowledge about the internally fragmentation of Islam. Yes, terrorists attack some Muslims because those Muslims do not submit to their ideological thinking, which for them (the terrorist) is essentially Islam.

Again, it is not always true that terrorists attack in- discriminatory. Last year (April 2, 2015), when Al-Shabab, an Islamic terrorist group, attacked Garissa University in Kenya, they separated the so-called infidels (non-Muslims) from Muslims. In the same way, when they attacked the West Gate mall in 2013, they separated the Muslims from the non-Muslims, an incident that led to the sudden death an academic don, Kofi Awoonor. In both instances, reciting some words in Arabic was enough to save ones life from the killing spree of Al-Shabab. So, Sheikh, yes, Muslim terrorists attack Muslims, but they do so because such Muslims have failed to understand their (terrorists) interpretation and hermeneutics about jihad.

What is more, the Sheikh argues that we (referring to Ghanaians, particularly Christians) should be respect human dignity. Yes, human dignity is fundamental right, but how do we show dignity to a person, who is a threat to our peace? Why do we respect the rights of people who dont respect the rights of others? In relation to this point, the Sheikh avers that the president would not deliberately plunge the country into chaos.

Yes, theoretically, that is true. But in practice, we have had leaders who deliberately led their country into war. Consider the case of George Bush Jnr, sending US soldiers to go and kill and be killed. Again, it is true that every wise leader would not send his country into a state of instability, but as humans we could err in our decisions. So, we should not ascribe the attributes of a deity to an earthly-mortal being. John Dramani Mahama can make a mistake, and this case, all the evidences point to the fact that he erred. That explains why he should have done extensive consultation.

Lastly, the Sheikh argues that the terrorists can be reformed, even if they are terrorists at all. Well, this argument could make sense in some aspect, and nonsense in another sense. It is sensible in the sense that socialization is necessary for nurturing a biological being to be a social being (to use the expression of the Ghanaian sociologist, Max Assimeng). So, the transition from a biological being to a social being is important. But, the kind of reform that these terrorists need is not what Ghana can provide.

These terrorists need to be reformed and re-oriented to qualify for group living. And if such a reformation is to be taken seriously, then we should take the position of the Catholic Bishop, Osei Mensah-Bonsu that they should be taken to Saudi Arabia, where the Sharia is full operation to help the terrorists exemplify the ideals of Islam. I argue in this line because, Islam, which is a complete lifestyle requires the existence of the Sharia to help Muslims to live according to the ideals of the religion.

The duo terrorists are a threat to Ghanas peace. President JM should send them back to the United States; after all, the majority of Ghanaians is in favour of repatriating the terrorists. As I keep saying if, indeed, they are no a threat to the peace of Ghana, the best place for them to be taken to is not Ghana, but their cultural-relative cultures. I call on all well-meaning Ghanaians to protest the recalcitrant position the president has taken.

Is it by force that the president should accept terrorists to have them reformed for society, when the entire Ghanaian society is not in favour of it? Let me also add that Sheikh Aremeyaw should be mindful about his, sometimes, reckless comments. Obviously, what he is doing is emblematic of the Arab philosophy that says that, Stay by your brother whether he the oppressor or being oppressed.

Sheikh Aremeyaw, please maintain silence, if you know your comments would balefully affect Ghanaians.

Satyagraha!!

Charles Prempeh ( [email protected] ), Makerere Institute of Socical Research, Makerere University, Uganda
The Pamela Bridgewater Project in Accra has appealed to the National Democratic Congress (NDC) parliamentary candidate for the Klottey Korle constituency, Dr. Ezenator Agyeman-Rawlings, to direct her humanitarian efforts towards helping the State School for the Deaf.

The project wants Dr. Agyeman-Rawlings to play an advocacy role by pressurizing the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) to re-start the construction of a boarding facility for the pupils of the school.

A letter addressed to the parliamentary aspirant and signed by the Project Director of the Pamela Bridgewater Project, Mr. Yahaya Alhassan, said just as you had the heart and influence to support the flood victims, we believe you can put pressure on GETFund to also act.

For reasons which are not clear, construction work on some GETFund supported projects at the State School for the Deaf, including a hostel, have been abandoned. Authorities of the fund have remained tight lipped over the issue.

Pupils of the school are not happy with the state of affairs, especially with the boarding facility, which is to ease their burden of having to go to school from their homes amidst all the dangers they go through.

The State School for the Deaf is located at Adjei-Kojo at Tema West, near Ashiaman. Many of the students come to school from as far as Akosombo, Old Ada, Prampram, New Ningo, Kotoku, Mallam Junction, Madina, Kasoa, Adenta and Dansoman.

The kids often complain of tiredness and hunger and we are forced to overstay to meet the contact hours the letter quoted a concerned teacher of the school who pleaded anonymity for fear of reprisal from the authorities.

The scariest moment for the kids is when they have to cross the Tema motor-way to get to their school. They do not hear the hooting of horns by drivers. The drivers are also never ready to slow down for these pupils to cross the road.

A footbridge is definitely needed to make it easier for these kids to be able to cross the road without any difficulty Mr. Alhassan said when he was contacted for comments.

According to the letter, the pupils also face other dangers such as being kidnapped by some unscrupulous persons whiles on their way to school. Some also get lost for several days or weeks.

The quick completion of the boarding facility on the campus of the school is expected to make the pupils safe and also improve learning.

The letter is trusting on the abilities of Dr. Ezenator to lead a campaign to compel GETFund to quickly re-start the construction of the boarding facility to make it convenient for the kids, who have consistently demonstrated the desire to seek education despite their hearing challenges.

A bus meant to be used to convey the pupils to and from school is also rusting in the garage due to mechanical faults. When even the bus is functioning, the absence of fuel coupons means that the bus cannot still perform its functions.

The situation of the bus has meant that the pupils have to regularly find their way to and from school every day and it is not uncommon to see them pleading for motorists on the fast track Tema motor-way to pick them up. They usually get missing as a result.

These pupils are also Ghanaians and their inability to hear does not make them less of humans and therefore the state must start discharging its responsibilities to them Mr. Alhassan noted.
DES MOINES  Whos leading the Republican presidential race here in Iowa? Most recent polls say Ted Cruz, including last months edition of the influential Des Moines Register poll, which had Cruz ahead of second-place Donald Trump by 10 points.

Yet there is a nagging sense  at least nagging to rival campaigns  that Trump may be closer to Cruz than the Register suggested, and that the race in Iowa could be virtually even at this point.

I look at Trump, and his ceiling is so much higher than everyone elses, says Craig Robinson, a former political director of the Iowa GOP who now runs the Iowa Republican blog. His campaign has gone out and had people self-identify that theyre interested in him, and theyve captured that data.

Robinsons assessment runs counter to one of the dearest-held assumptions of the political punditocracy. Many commentators believe Trump has a high floor but a low ceiling  that is, his supporters really, really support him and are unlikely to go anywhere else, but he doesnt have much room to grow, because he already has the loyalty of Republicans who are inclined to like him.

To Robinson, thats not the way it looks in Iowa. Start with the numbers.

In 2000, George W. Bush won the caucuses with 35,231 votes. In 2008, Mike Huckabee won with 40,954. In 2012, Rick Santorum won with 29,839.

Ted Cruz is swimming in a pond where the capacity is about 30,000 votes, says Robinson. I look at Trump and think that Trump is at that 30,000 mark now, and has the ability to blow past it  if they do a good job of turning their people out.

Trump has assembled an Iowa team that puts a lot of stock in gathering the basic data needed to turn potential voters into actual voters. But Cruz, finishing up a six-day race across Iowa, has run a smart campaign, too. He is the natural fit, says Robinson of Cruz, appealing to the activists who are going to turn out anyway. Of course, that might be the key to victory if it turns out Trump cant blow by, or even hit, the 30,000 mark. (On the other hand, Robinson believes Cruzs opposition to the ethanol mandate might do him more damage here than some Beltway Republicans believe.)

In any event, even if Trump and Cruz do well, there will be room for someone else, too. In 2012, in addition to Santorums 29,839, Mitt Romney received 29,805 votes and Ron Paul won 26,036. Marco Rubio, Chris Christie  someone can do pretty well here without winning.

As campaigning intensifies across the state, theres another feeling among politicos here: that Iowa, critically important to the nominating process, has gotten the short end of the stick from the Republican Party.

What sense does it make to have the Iowa caucuses lead off Republican presidential voting on Monday, Feb. 1, and not have a Republican debate here  not even one  until Jan. 28, the Thursday before the caucuses?

It doesnt make much sense at all, but that is what the Republican National Committee has wrought. There have been GOP debates in Ohio, California, Colorado, Wisconsin and Nevada, and there will be another next week in South Carolina, while Iowa, for all its importance, will be left out until about 90 hours before the voting begins.

The result is that an Iowa perspective on issues and events has been shut out of the debates, and its too late to change that now. And of course, there havent been that many debates in the first place  there will be a total of seven before the caucuses. In 2012, there were 13 debates  three in Iowa  before Iowans voted.

More debates in Iowa this time around would have meant the voters knew more before voting; candidates strengths and weaknesses would have been more systematically exposed. But thats not what the RNC wanted.

With the caucuses less than three and a half weeks away, even candidates who havent made a big play for Iowa, like Chris Christie, are stepping up their involvement here. But at this point, Iowa still looks like a two-man Cruz-Trump race. And Trumps position could be stronger than some observers believe.
you are here:
January 16, 2016

When And How Will The U.S. Infringe On The Iran Deal?

The nuclear deal with Iran may go into implementation today.

The question I am currently asking myself is:

How long until the U.S. will, one way or another, transgress against it - if not in letter then in spirit?

Libya disarmed in December 2003 and was attacked by the U.S. and others -with the help of Islamist proxy forces- in February 2011.

I do not expect a Libya like war against Iran. But the U.S. is never short of some subterfuge to to break agreements. Some reason will be found that then will be used to infringe on the nuclear agreement and to implement new measures to hinder Iran's development. The time-frame for this will be much shorter than the eight years it took to attack Libya.

Other ideas?

Posted by b on January 16, 2016 at 18:38 UTC | Permalink

Comments
There are historical moments that often slip by both pundits and partisans. President Obamas final State of the Union address is one of them.

Blake Hounshell is Politicos digital editorial director, a veteran journalist who is given to wry tweets and light mocking of politicians. But, humorous, or serious, I quote his tweet because it mirrored the common partisan Republican reaction: Obama spends (his) entire speech attacking Republicans and then wonders why American politics is so divisive.

Calling Obamas State of the Union an attack on Republicans  some said it was anti-Trump  is like saying that the Gettysburg Address was an attack on the Confederacy. Or that President Lincoln made an anti-Jefferson Davis speech.

This is how I saw the speech  and yes, I am a partisan too: Obamas final State of the Union address was more a declaration of Americas core values, of our commonly held principles that should transcend our political divisions. This final address embodied more of his core beliefs and the presidents clear, firm vision for Americas future.

Like most presidents entering their final year, Obama was supposed to do a few victory laps, recall his accomplishments, offer a few platitudes, and slink away to lame duck status for the rest of the election year. Instead, he put the pedal to the metal, as NASCAR fans say.

Obama also plunged into the 2016 presidential election like a man whose strong convictions have not wavered, and one who has every intention of leading until the next president is on the inaugural platform and says, So help me, God.

Obama listed four questions the nation needs to answer. (I defy you to find the political commentator or official critic who mentioned them to their viewers or readers who missed the address.) Personally, I liked question four best:

First, how do we give everyone a fair shot at opportunity and security in this new economy?

Second, how do we make technology work for us, and not against us ...

Third, how do we keep America safe and lead the world without becoming its policeman?

And finally, how can we make our politics reflect whats best in us, and not whats worst?

South Carolina Republican Gov. Nikki Haley, with an advance copy of Obamas speech, also acknowledged Obamas call for better politics, and made a remarkable and courageous admission that we wont hear out of Washington, except from Obama and a handful of members of Congress:

We need to be honest with each other, and with ourselves: While Democrats in Washington bear much responsibility for the problems facing America today, they do not bear it alone. There is more than enough blame to go around.

We as Republicans need to own that truth. We need to recognize our contributions to the erosion of the public trust in Americas leadership. We need to accept that weve played a role in how and why our government is broken.

Obama acknowledged his role: Its one of the few regrets of my presidency ... that the rancor and suspicion between the parties has gotten worse instead of better. Theres no doubt a president with the gifts of Lincoln or Roosevelt might have better bridged the divide.

The future we want, Obama said, will only happen if we fix our politics.

Obama wasnt merely referring to one candidates out-sized, crude, even cruel, rhetoric, mouthed daily, though thats important to correct.

But in a season where political correctness seems under attack and big money is flowing through the political gridlock, its simply impossible to find common ground.

Obama went further. He believes the way to fix government is to begin to reform our political system itself.

He said we need to reform campaign financing and end the practice where a few families and hidden special interests control the ads on the airwaves. Most importantly, Weve got to make voting easier, not harder, and modernize it for the way we live now.

Obama also implored citizens to act on how we vote: urging us to demand that Congressional districts be drawn so that the voters pick a candidate, rather than having a candidate who picks the voters he wants.

I cant do these things on my own. Obama said, Changes in our political process ... depend on you. Thats whats meant by a government of, by and for the people.

We the People. We the American people. This final address should challenge us all to work together and fix our politics, because we are very important stakeholders in our democracy.

In just a few weeks, every eligible citizen will have an opportunity to vote. And the menu is full of candidates promising to fix this or change that. Were going to choose between two distinct worldviews  either the one that contracts and retreats, or the one Obama laid out, and enter the future with hope, not fear.

I still believe in hope  hope in the powerful sense that we are indeed ready for a better future.
via Facebook.

The West Texas Jazz Society will celebrate 50 years in 2016. To celebrate a half-century of music appreciation and concerts in the Permian Basin, David Leonnig is taking a closer look at the organization's history in his documentary "Sure Proud You All Could Come: West Texas Jazz at 50." But with such an undertaking, he's hoping other jazz and film enthusiasts can help him to make the movie.

With most of his interviews completed, Leonnig is shooting for a May premiere at this year's annual jazz party. He's created a Kickstarter campaign to help him raise the $20,000 needed to complete the film. When he decided to become a digital storyteller in 2008, Leonnig didn't expect to find the story of jazz here in the desert.
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The sight is a curious one. The vibrant building on a dry plat of land just south of Loop 250 with gravel roads and scattered shrubs hosts a smattering of cars during the lunch hour. At the Big Spring Street entrance, a small sign identifies the place as Midlands newest taco stand.

Nemes Cocina Fresca is the brainchild of Neme Torres, the owner of downtowns Cancun Grill. Open from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., the mini restaurant serves up breakfast burritos, a selection of tacos and even specialized burgers. The building, which looks like conjoined shipping containers, features a patio seating area for patrons to brave the elements and wait for their meal.

I like the concept of this, because its wide open, Torres said. Right now were doing good, but when it starts warming up its going to be really, really fun.

Torres said construction began more than a year ago and concluded in April, but due to electrical complications the opening was delayed. The restaurateur had always wanted to open up a breakfast spot because of his love for the most important meal of the day.

Im a breakfast-type of guy, and I wont miss it, Torres said. Now that I got my own place, I eat here almost everyday. Places like this attract all kinds of people. People can only afford to go to fancy restaurants once in awhile. But here, people can come several times a week.

The street style tacos was a merger of the foods Torres experienced while working throughout Mexico and the influence of Mexico City on head chef Pepe Huerta.

I wanted to try to make the tacos like theyre made down there, Huerta said. We try to avoid Tex-Mex, and make it completely authentic with ingredients and preparation. We try to keep everything fresh.

As for its unique location, Torres isnt concerned with his new establishments location. The owner doubts hell even need to purchase a larger sign for drivers.

To me, my sign is putting good product on the table, Torres said. I dont believe so much in fashion and glamour because if I have the biggest sign and my food is no good, it doesnt matter. Its about your product.

Customers are braving the chilly weather to eat there, and some are leaving gracious compliments, Huerta said.

It was good the first time, patron Brady Cook said. The location is kind of weird, but I dont work very far away and saw them building it.

When warmer weather nears, both the chef and owner expect larger turnouts. When spring is officially upon Midland, Torres expects to remain open into a few evenings throughout the week with special limited menus.

I believe were ready for the crowds, Huerta said. We want as many people as possible to show up when the weather gets nicer.

The restaurant accepts orders by phone or text.

Nemes Cocina Fresca is located at 4401 N. Big Spring St. . Hours are 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., Tuesday-Saturday. 432-312-4302. mkt.com/nemes.
HOUSTON (AP)  A former Houston police officer faces up to 30 years in prison after being convicted of helping a Mexican cartel traffic drugs.

A federal jury in New Orleans convicted Noe Juarez on Friday of conspiracy to distribute cocaine and conspiracy to possess firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense.
Since it was released this past September, "Til' It Happens to You," written by Lady Gaga and Diane Warren, has been stirring emotions in the industry. Fittingly, the song has been nominated for an Oscar for Best Original Song for its appearance in the Kirby Dirk directed documentary ,The Hunting Ground. The film chronicles the rampant sexual assaults occurring daily on U.S. college campuses. In spite of the exciting news, Gaga remembered who the song was written for and paid tribute to the victims and survivors of sexual violence via comments on Twitter following the Oscar nod.

"Myself and Diane are simply honored to represent the voices of so many survivors," Gaga wrote in a lengthy note on Twitter that paid homage to those fighting for justice.

Til It Happens To You my original score with @Diane_Warren for "The Hunting Ground" was nominated for an OSCAR pic.twitter.com/S7kJZAY6u5  The Countess (@ladygaga) January 14, 2016

"Til' It Happens to You" joins the list of nominated film songs, which include the themes for Fifty Shades of Grey, Racing Extinction, Youth and the James Bond film, Spectre.

Warren also opened up about the song following their nomination in a recent interview with Billboard, "When I called her and played her the song, it was more of a somber ballad, but she really made it epic," Warren said about Gaga's contribution. "She made it hers and took it to another level by arranging the sh*t out of it and singing the sh*t out of it." With any luck, the eighth time will be the charm at the Oscars for Warren; with Gaga's help.

The Hollywood Reporter also chronicled an emotional event where Gaga and Warren performed the song together at the Peninsula Hotel in Beverly Hills. The pop-star reportedly had tears in her eyes when she thanked the filmmakers for letting her be part of the project. When she and Warren sat together at the keyboard, they also urged those in attendance to reach out to young people in the industry.

 2015 MusicTimes.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
WASHINGTON  What boxer Sonny Listons manager said of him (Sonny had his good points, the trouble was his bad points) is true of Marco Rubio. His strengths include intelligence, articulateness and, usually, cheerfulness. His misjudgments involve, in ascending order of importance, the Senate immigration bill of 2013, sugar, Libya and S-590. Together these reveal a recurring penchant for ill-considered undertakings.

Rubios retreat, under withering political heat, from the immigration bill was undignified but not reprehensible. The bill had 1,197 pages because the 906-page Affordable Care Act had not slaked the congressional appetite for comprehensive solutions to complex problems. The immigration bill solved everything, down to the hourly wage of immigrant agricultural sorters ($9.84). Rubio shared this serene knowingness.

His sugar addiction is a reprehensible but not startling example of the routine entanglements of big government and big business. He has benefited from the support of Floridas wealthy sugar producers, who have benefited from sugar import quotas and other corporate welfare that forces Americans to pay approximately twice the world price for sugar. What is, however, startling is Rubios preposterous defense of this corporate welfare as a national security imperative: Without our government rigging the sugar market, other countries will capture the market share, our agricultural capacity will be developed into real estate, you know, housing and so forth, and then we lose the capacity to produce our own food, at which point were at the mercy of a foreign country for food security.

This promiscuous invocation of national security brings us to Rubios enthusiastic support of the Barack Obama/Hillary Clinton intervention in Libya, which Rubio faults for having been insufficiently enthusiastic. This 2011 plunge into a tribal societys civil war, this eight-month assassination attempt using fighter bombers, this supposedly humanitarian imperialism appealed to Secretary of State Clinton and other progressives precisely because it had no discernible connection to any vital U.S. interest. Rubio supported this third adventure in regime change in the Muslim world since 9/11, perhaps on the principle that practice makes perfect.

Today, his sensible complaint is that the Obama administration (like the previous administration regarding Iraq) had no plans for preventing chaos after the Libyan regime was decapitated. His not-at-all sensible implication, however, is that America should have buckled down to nation-building there.

Rubios misjudgment regarding Libya indicates a susceptibility to slapdash foreign policies. His support of S-590, the Campus Accountability and Safety Act, indicates a susceptibility to trendy temptations, carelessness regarding evidence, and indifference to constitutional values.

Wielding irrelevant laws, spurious social science and financial coercion, the Obama administration is pressuring colleges and universities to traduce standards of due process when dealing with students accused of sexual assault. Claiming that a 1972 law prohibiting sex discrimination in education somehow empowers the government to dictate institutions disciplinary procedures, the administration is dictating that a mere preponderance of the evidence, rather than clear and convincing evidence, be used in determining a life-shattering verdict of guilt.

Stuart Taylor Jr. and KC Johnson  a lawyer and an academic, neither Republicans  write that the administration justifies this by citing a single resoundingly discredited study purporting to prove an epidemic (involving one in five women) of campus sexual assaults. The administration opposes allowing accused students to cross-examine their accusers, and favors a form of double jeopardy  allowing accusers to appeal not-guilty findings.

Rubio is one of 12 Republican senators collaborating with the administration by co-sponsoring legislation that would codify requiring improvised campus disciplinary proceedings to supplant law enforcement and the criminal justice system. Proposed by Democrat Claire McCaskill of Missouri, the legislation is, as Taylor and Johnson say, designed to advance the administrations agenda. The legislations language radiates prejudgment: By repeatedly referring to accusers as victims, it presumes the guilt of the accused. Taylor and Johnson write:

Americas universities are in the grip of a dangerous presume-guilt-and-rush-to-judgment culture. ... An entire generation of college students is learning to disregard due process and the dispassionate evaluation of evidence. And dozens of clearly or at least probably innocent students, whose cases we will detail in a book we are now writing, have been branded sex criminals, been railroaded out of their universities, and seen their hopes and dreams ruined.

By co-sponsoring S-590, Rubio is helping the administration sacrifice a core constitutional value, due process, in order to advance progressives cultural aggression. The next Republican president should be someone committed to promptly stopping this disgrace, not someone who would sign S-590s affirmation of it.
Known for its huge draw, Glastonbury is promising more female headliners in 2016. The head organizer, Emily Eavis, has made it her personal mission to add more women following the controversy that occurred last year over the lack of female acts booked. The festival is slated for the weekend of June 22-26 at Worthy Farm in the UK and Muse, Adele and Coldplay have been rumored as headliners.

According to NME, a study conducted in 2014 showed that a mere 3.5 percent of festival performers that year were all-female groups in comparison to the whopping 43 percent that were all-male groups. Solo female artists ranked even lower on the scale, with just 15% women to 24% solo male acts.

"There are loads of great female MCs coming through this year which is quite exciting," Eavis said in an interview with Noisey. "Little Simz and Lady Leshurr and people like that. There's a feeling in the Silver Hayes that a lot of exciting stuff will be happening over there. This is the crunch point with all our bookings."

Eavis also expressed that the festival is aiming to include more genres in the roster at this year's event, saying, "Musically we're still keeping it as open as possible. We've got a great bill coming together. In fact, we're quite far down the line with that. Hopefully we'll be able to give you some names soon."

When asked if she could even give a hint about possible headliner names, she said, "Hmmm. Not really. But we are strong on women this year, I have to say. The Park is my, kind of, baby. We get really extremely excited about what we put on there."

There have been a number of rumored acts for Glastonbury 2016, but the whispers that Miley Cyrus, who recently released experimental pop album Miley Cyrus & Her Dead Petz, might be performing were by far, the most bizarre. Organizer Michael Eavis originally debunked reports that Cyrus would be a potential performer at Glastonbury, but did admit that "there's a place" for Cyrus at the festival recently.

 2015 MusicTimes.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Earlier this week, incarcerated rapper C-Murder released his 2 Stainz diss track. Although 2 Chainz, the tracks intended target, has already responded via Instagram, he revealed that he does not plan to fire back on record. He also shared his thoughts on the song while talking with TMZ.

During a brief catch-up with the outlet, Chainz spoke highly of Murder and admitted that he was disappointed with the matter.

"I'll always be a fan of No Limit," he said when asked about "2 Stainz". "I didn't even listen to it. At the end of the day I've got nothing but love [for him]. I respect southern artists on they grind. They know how to get them bands up, they know how to feed they family. I'm down with all that stuff... [I'm] disappointed that he's upset but I've got nothing but love for the man... Hope he can come home and take care of his family. I ain't got no time to kick somebody while they already down."

When asked what come have prompted C-Murders diss track, 2 Chainz seemed to be just as baffled as the rest of the general public.

"You probably have to go to Angola and ask him," he said. "I'm not sure."

On "2 Stainz," C-Murder calls out 2 Chainz for his use of Tru, which Murder claims that he originated. "I made this TRU sh*t, 2 Chainz / F*ck you, n*gga / P*ssy-ass n*gga," C-Murder raps.

As previously noted, C-Murder has used "Tru" in his music, including for the titles of the 2002 album Tru Dawgs and 2006's The Tru Story...Continued. 2 Chainz has also used the term for project titles like Based on a T.R.U. Story, T.R.U. REALigon and T.R.U. Jack City.

 2015 MusicTimes.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
The Disco Biscuits have confirmed Camp Bisco's return to the festival's new home at Montage Mountain in Scranton, Pennsylvania on July 14-16. Additionally, the jamtronica pioneers have announced some upcoming tour dates including their return to New York following their lengthy New Year's run.

The Disco Biscuits members Marc Brownstein, Allen Aucoin, Jon Gutwillig and Aron Magner will hit the road again in early February, kicking things off with three nights at The Fillmore in their founding place of Philadelphia, JamBands.com reports. March sees the band playing Aura Music and Arts Festival in Florida before holding down a two-night run at The Capitol Theatre in Port Chester just outside of New York City, where they will be joined by The New Deal.

The months leading up to Camp Bisco find the band playing the Sweetwater 420 Festival in Atlanta, followed by a four-night takeover of the Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Denver. As usual the band has various different ticket options for fans who want to attend multiple dates of any given run without necessarily breaking the bank. Head on over to their website for more information about each of these tour stops.

This July marks the festival's second summer at Montage Mountain Ski Resort after calling Indian Lookout Country Club in Mariaville, New York home for nearly 14 years. The Biscuits founded the annual festival in the late 90s with the purpose of bringing the jam band and electronic dance music scenes together for several days of camping and dancing, but a slew of drug-related deaths and other incidents in recent years had led to the festival taking a hiatus in 2014.

The festival's successful reincarnation in the new location last summer featured the usual lineup of hundreds of livetronica, trance fusion and electronic bass music acts including Bassnectar, Pretty Lights, Snails, Tipper, STS9 and Big Gigantic among others. It also boasted a stage located right next to a wave pool, attendee access to the waterpark rides, an entire village of hippie wares for sale and voter registration opportunities with the nonpartisan nonprofit organization known as HeadCount. It's no surprise that the festival is returning to the new location this summer.

As JamBase.com reports, the band and festival organizers shared a letter this week alongside the confirmed festival dates and location. In that letter, the bandmembers state: "We, along with our Camp Bisco team, have learned a lot over the last year in our new home and are looking forward to making 2016 the best Camp Bisco ever - from the days spent on the waterslides and the nights spent at the stages, we'll be working hard to make Montage the most spectacular place to spend a weekend with music and friends come July."

While the lineup has not yet been announced, fans already know for sure they can count on several sets from the Biscuits. Tickets are already on sale; for more information head over to the festival's website. Check out the Aftermovie from last year's event below.

 2015 MusicTimes.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
In a new interview, Rostam Batmanglij discussed his latest solo project with the release of "EOS," a whirling electronic soundscape anchored by choral voices. He also talked about his work with pop stars from Carly Rae Jepsen to Charlie XCX and the possibilities of a new Vampire Weekend album.

According to Pitchfork, the single and music video for "EOS" is out via XL Recordings and was directed by Batmanglij himself with animation by Jon Race. According to a statement, the video revolves around a 25-second photograph taken during a trip to desert dunes outside Jaisalmer, India.

Batmanglij and his engineer were on a five-day recording binge and he said he needed something new to work on to spark his creativity. He found that inspiration in an old recording on his phone.

"I'm always collecting ideas on my phone but usually it's individual building blocks of a song, this was the essential elements all coming out together," Batmanglij described in the statement. "The rest of the song started to take shape because what I recorded kept reminding of a very specific place and time in my life. I wanted to capture that feeling, and finishing the song became about chasing it down."

Watch the music video below.

He's collaborated in the past with Charli XCX, Jenny Lewis, Wavves, Cloud Nothings, Carly Rae Jepsen, Ra Ra Riot and others but he's perhaps most famous for his work in Vampire Weekend.

He said it's too early to talk about the new album yet, but said that he's always making beats that he can hear Ezra Koenig singing in his head. Batmanglij said they swap ideas back and forth and collaborate in that way, but said he thinks more existentially, where as Koenig writes more deliberately.

When asked if the new album would be a big shift in sound for the band Batmanglij said, "I would hope to make a record that interacts with culture in a macro sense. That is something to aspire to."

 2015 MusicTimes.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
February can't come soon enough! HBO will be premiering their animated series, Animals, on February 5th and we can't wait to see it. What's exciting about it for music fans is that rappers A$AP Rocky and A$AP Ferg will be lending their voices to the series.

The series, due to start on February 5th, is about a variety of talking animals living in New York City. The animals include horses, rats, pigeons, roaches, cats, dogs and more. HBO has pulled a unique list of celebrities that include Wanda Sykes, Nick Kroll, Marc Maron, Molly Shannon and many more. Rocky and Ferg will also be a part of this great cast. Check out the trailer and tell us what you think of the new series. The short snippet is very entertaining.

A$AP Mob recently announced that they would be celebrating A$AP Yams on the anniversary of his death with a show on January 18th in NYC. Rocky & A$AP Mob will be joined by Joey Bada$$ and Pro Era, Flatbush Zombies, Aston Matthews and more at the show.

Rocky hit up Ebro in the Morning to promote the show but they also discussed being on the Forbes' list and the rumored beef with Travi$ Scott. Rocky addressed the rumors by stating he does not have beef with Travi$ and though it has been said that Travi$ isn't a fan of the comparisons between the two rappers, Rocky isn't worried about it. "They do say imitation is the highest form of flattery... But what I will say about that is, you can't come at a rapper with video clips. You gotta come with music. That man, he doing his thing, he doing what he supposed to do. He gettin' fly, he f**kin' b***hes, and he makin' music. I don't see the problem."

WARNING: VIDEO CONTAINS GRAPHIC LANGUAGE

 2015 MusicTimes.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
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
if we know something Nick cannon, it is that he never misses a chance to create beautiful moments with his children. Recently, it was no different when he took a trip to
It is wicked to place political ...
California Water Board View Photos

Sacramento, CA  The State Water Resources Control Board released a proposed draft of the Emergency Water Conservation Regulations similar to its previous requirements.

Katheryn Landau, Environmental Scientist in Groundwater Management Program at State Water Resources Control Board, says, We are not even close to where we need to be to and conserving what we have is the most cost effective effective way to stretch out supply. We dont know if the next two months are going to bring the considerable rain and snow that we need to make a dent in this drought and we certainly dont know what will follow that.

As reported in November Governor Brown extended a mandatory 25 percent water use reduction. He also bolstered Californias enforcement of the reduction, citing a range of extreme weather events noting not only the severity of the four year drought but also the impact of wildfires and El Nino. The order posted here called for the water board to review the water situation in January 2016 and, if needed, choose to extend the emergency restrictions until Oct. 31, 2016.

The water board noted it will readdress the situation fully in April after the majority of the rainy season is over. The Conservation Regulations state The drought conditions that formed the basis of the Governors emergency proclamations continue to exist; and the drought conditions will likely continue for the foreseeable future and additional action by both the State Water Resources Control Board and local water suppliers will likely be necessary to prevent waste and unreasonable use of water and to further promote conservation.

The full text of the draft with minor changes of current regulations is online here.

Local water conservation efforts of the three major districts; Calaveras County Water District (CCWD), Tuolumne Utilities District (TUD) and Groveland Community Services District (GCSD) were detailed in our January 5, 2016 news story here.
Ahwanhee Hotel...or Majestic Yosemite Hotel View Photos

Sonora, CA  The online petition, which is related to Yosemite National Park renaming several iconic sites due to a trademark lawsuit with its current concessioner, has not only locals signing it, but people from around the world.

Since it was first put up at noon on Friday, the petition has collected 871 signatures as of Saturday at 7:45 a.m. and counting. As first reported by Clarke Broadcasting, the petition, authored by local Columbia College Art Professor Laurie Sylwester to the U.S. Congress calls for the release of those names to the citizens of the United States. Slywester cries, Outrage! We certainly arent going to change the names. I was outragedI just jumped in there. I thought Ive never done a petition. We need to have our voices heard.

Thursday, park officials announced the renaming of several iconic sites, like the Ahwahnne and Wawona hotels, to avoid potential trademark infringement issues with its soon to be departing concessions contractor, Delaware North, known as DNC Parks & Resorts at Yosemite, Inc. As previously reported, Park spokesperson Scott Gediman contends that DNC submitted and received the name trademarks without National Park Services approval. Sylwester argues just because DNC used a backdoor process to claim ownership of those names, doesnt make it right. She is calling for a boycott of the concessioner, charging, They [Delaware North] need to do the right thing and release those names. Its absolutely absurd. If people are outraged, they need to put financial pressure on Delaware North, write them letters. When we make them feel the pain economically, they can release those names.

The petition notes that tax dollars support Yosemite National Park citing, No corporation may own that great heritage. Signatures have come as far away as Australia and Hawaii. Sylwester adds, I think we should be able to reach a million if people keep doing their due diligence and passing this petition on.

Click here to view the petition.
Field Poll Death Penalty in California View Photos

San Francisco, CA  A new poll shows just as many people want to do away with the death penalty as those who want to speed up the process.

A new Field Poll found that 48 percent of voters are in favor of speeding up the execution process. While another, nearly 47 percent want to do away with the death penalty altogether and replacing it with life-in-prison without the possibility of parole. This is in contrast to a 2014 poll that revealed 52 percent supported making the process fast as opposed to 40 percent calling for life prison terms.

What to do in regards to the states death penalty law divides voters along political, demographic, regional, and religious lines. Field Poll provides this breakdown of its findings:

 While most Republicans and conservatives prefer taking steps to speed up administration of the law, majorities of registered Democrats, liberals and political independents would rather do away with the death penalty altogether and replace it with life-in-prison without parole.

 While majorities of white non-Hispanics and Asian Americans would rather take steps to speed up the execution process, most Latinos and African Americans back replacing capital punishment with a sentence of life-in-prison without parole.

 While majorities of Protestants and other non-Catholic Christians support efforts to speed up the execution process, most Catholics and voters affiliated with non-Christian religions would rather do away with the death sentence in favor of life-in-prison without parole.

 While voters living in the states forty-eight inland counties favor speeding up implementation of the death penalty law, a majority of those living in states more populous coastal counties favor the laws elimination.

 While voters age 50 or older back the idea of speeding up the execution process, more voters under age 50 favor replacing the death penalty with life-in-prison without parole.

Since voters restored the death penalty in 1978, about 900 inmates have been sentenced to death, with the punishment carried out on 13 inmates, and none in the past decade.
Snake hunters are heading to South Florida to catch Burmese pythons.

The 2016 Python Challenge starts Saturday in wildlife areas throughout South Florida, including the Everglades. It runs through Valentine's Day.



The Burmese python is not native to Florida. While the snakes are not venomous, they are a threat to the ecosystem and native wildlife.

In 2013 there were 1,600 participants, but only 68 pythons were captured.

This year the Everglades National Park itself is being included in the hunting grounds. However, only authorized agents are allowed to catch snakes in the park.

State wildlife officials hope the hunt increases python sightings and removals from the wetlands.

Scientists say thousands of pythons are to blame for the decline of native wildlife.

There are $25 individual registration fee to take part in the Python Challenge. You have to pass an online training module before you can register. There are also cash prizes being given out for catching the most pythons and catching the longest python.

All the information for the 2016 Python Challenge can be found on the official website.
Chipotle says its stores will open several hours later than normal for one day next month so it can hold a meeting following a series of food scares.

The Denver-based chain says all its stores will open at 3 p.m. local time on Feb. 8. Stores typically open at 11 a.m.

The delayed openings are so employees can take part in a team meeting to discuss changes the company is making to tighten its food safety measures. Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc. also says the company will thank employees for their work in recent weeks.

The chain's sales have tanked since an E. coli outbreak that came to light at the end of October. Its problem worsened after a norovirus outbreak in Boston in early December that sickened dozens.

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A teenager was sent to the hospital after a traffic stop turned into a shooting Saturday.

Police say that shortly after midnight, they noticed a white Dodge Charger driving through a shopping plaza on Pine Hills Road. Officers said they pulled in front of the car and noticed the driver wasn't wearing a seat belt.

When officers got out of the patrol car, they say the Charger accelerated towards one of the officers.

Officer Jonathan Mills opened fire, hitting the 17-year-old driver, according to police.

"After the officer fired at the suspect, the driver still continued to flee," police spokesperson Wanda Ford said. "After he fled, he crashed into an abandoned house and fled the scene."

The teen was taken into custody, then taken to the hospital, where he was last listed as being in stable condition.

Police say the Dodge Charger had been reported stolen out of Orange County. In addition, the teenager who was shot has a criminal history that includes three felony arrests for car theft and burglary.

His new charges include aggravated assault on a police officer. We are not naming in him in accordance with our crime guidelines, as it is unknown whether he will be charged as an adult.

Investigators are still looking for two other people who were seen inside the Charger with the teen.



The officer who opened fire has been placed on paid administrative leave, which is standard during officer-involved shootings.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is handling the investigation.
During Tuesdays State of the Union address, President Barack Obama give Vice President Joe Biden a special assignment, to oversee a new moonshot effort to cure cancer.

That mission is particularly poignant to Joe and Jill Biden, who lost their 46-year-old son Beau to brain cancer in May. It is equally meaningful to Jon and Kimberly Wade who lost an 8-year-old son to brain cancer Christmas Eve.

President Obama called attention to both families represented inside the House Chambers that evening. Joe Biden was seated behind the president while Kimberly Wade was in the gallery with first lady Michelle Obama, and Wades son, Jacky, was seated on the House floor.

The Wades are former Plainview residents. Jon Wade was CEO of Covenant Hospital Plainview until early 2009 and is now CEO at Jersey Community Hospital in Jerseyville, Illinois. Their sons, Jonny and Jacky, were born in Lubbock on April 9, 2007, while the family was living in Plainview. The kids were 2 when they moved to Mountain View, Missouri, and 6 when they went to Jerseyville, north of St. Louis.

In December 2014, according to his obituary, Jonny got a headache. Eight days later, the day after Christmas, he was diagnosed with brain cancer. During the next year, he endured numerous surgeries, treatments and medications and endured much suffering and pain. Although he deteriorated physically, his spirit showed unimaginable strength, and his story continues to inspire people worldwide.

Project Team Jonny, thanks to the efforts of Jon and Kimberly Wade and others, continues their sons special mission to raise awareness about the need for increased funding for pediatric cancer research.

In a Team Jonny Facebook post, Kimberly Wade talks about attending the State of the Union address.

Only by the grace of God was I able to remain strong through the eight hours we spent on Capitol Hill meeting and speaking to all who would listen about Jonny and his mission. I woke up that morning at 2:45 a.m. thinking about and missing Jonny terribly. I began praying for strength and for all legislators hearts be open to our story. God (and Jonny) did indeed make that happen.

U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis and staff took the Wades under their wing that day, she notes.

Congressman Davis walked us from one room to another introducing us and acting as if we were rockstars. We met countless congressmen and women as well as many senators who all knew of Jonny and were already wearing a #teamjonny wristband that Rodney provided along with a letter. I was overwhelmed with the outpouring of sympathies, sweet words and promises to help in any way they could.

Davis, with twins of his own, seated Jacky by his side on the House floor during the presidents speech. I sat above in the gallery in front of the president, Kimberly Wade wrote. I could see Jacky from my seat and we shared waves often. I watched as many legislators showed him their wristbands. They would also look up to the gallery where I sat, pull up their sleeve and show me their wristband.

While lamenting that Jonny couldnt be there too, she wrote, For now, Jon, Jacky and I will continue to fight for more pediatric cancer funding (Jonny's mission) so that more children don't have to endure the pain and suffering that Jonny did. I, too, don't want any other kid to have cancer. 

She plans in the months ahead to reach out to Vice President Biden often on behalf of the fight against pediatric cancer.

As Jonny said, If they want me to be a man, they have to help me be a man. Vice President Biden, won't you help all our children grow up to be men and women by finding a cure for pediatric cancer?
Three specialized and highly distinctive vehicles have recently been added to the Hale County Sheriffs Department fleet  at minimal cost to the county.

In December, the department received  at no cost  a retired Lubbock ambulance from the Lubbock Sheriffs Office. In February, the local department was awarded a pair of military Humvees that had just been brought back from use in Iraq. The only cost to the county was for transporting the two vehicles from a military depot in Colorado Springs, Colo.

Weve already had occasion to use all three, said Deputy Ruben Liscano, who was instrumental in acquiring the vehicles. Liscano is a detective as well as commander of the departments SWAT team.

The Humvees came to the sheriffs department through the U.S. Defense Departments equipment reutilization program where surplus military equipment is made available to other governmental agencies.

Weve been able to get a number of items thus far, Liscano explained, including body armor, fatigues, bags, backpacks and various tactical tools for our SWAT team. And we are going through the application process to receive some specialized weapons as well.

In the countys application for the Humvees, Liscano said that they would be used for deployment with the SWAT team as well as during emergency situations, particularly to assist law enforcement, ambulance and fire department personnel in rural areas that might not be accessible to regular vehicles.

They are 4-wheel-drive, diesel-powered vehicles that should be able to go just about anywhere during inclement weather and through rough terrain, Liscano said. And we already have been using them during our SWAT training exercises.

The AM General 1 1/4-ton vehicles both were originally deployed in Iraq during Desert Storm. They are tan with canvas tops. One is a pickup-style cargo/troop carrier while the other is a four-door personnel vehicle.

The paperwork we got with them lists their value at $34,735 each, Liscano explained. Theyre non-armored and had been used for training on an American base in Iraq. The older one, a 1986 model, only had 500 miles on the odometer when we got it. The other one, a 1989 model, had about 4,000 miles.

Both were well-maintained and in good mechanical condition. The cargo/troop carrier came with a power winch installed in the front bumper.

Once we got our approval, we only had a few days to pick them up and get them back here, Liscano said. We were going to send a county-owned truck and trailer to Colorado to pick them up, but found out that it would be cheaper to have a local company arrange transportation. As a result, the entire cost to the county was only about $1,000.

The ambulance is a diesel-powered 1989-model F350 Ford that the Lubbock Sheriffs Office already had converted into a SWAT command unit after it had been retired by the University Medical Centers EMS. Late last year, Lubbock retired it again after that department received a newer and larger retired ambulance from UMC EMS.

They were getting ready to list it on an auction site when I told them that we might be interested in acquiring it, Liscano said. We told them that we needed it for our own SWAT team, and they ended up giving it to us at no cost.

Since that time, the unit has been repainted a drab gray and the interior has been reworked to provide more seating for team members.

Its now pretty well equipped for SWAT situations with shields, door rams, lights and all kinds of tactical tools, Liscano said. And the nice thing is that when we go out on a call or raid, we can take the entire team in this one vehicle instead of having to go in four or five pickups.

Liscano said the mobile command unit already has been used during one SWAT call involving a barricaded suspect north of Hale Center as well as during training exercises.

The teams distinctive shield/patch is painted on both sides of the mobile command unit  a tornado to recognize the countys location in Tornado Alley and team number 1212.

We noticed that most SWAT teams had a unit number as part of the logo, so we decided we needed a number, too, Liscano said.

So they added up the radio call signs of each of the original team members  Liscano is County 25  and the resulting total was 1212.

To comment:

dmcdonough@hearstnp.com

806.296.1350
Image source: Gilead Sciences.

In December, the well-heeled Gilead Sciences inked a collaboration deal with Galapagos on the JAK1 inhibitor filgotinib, and this week, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission granted early termination of the waiting period associated with the agreement, clearing the way for the deal to close by the end of January.

The FTC's decision is in keeping with the two companies' previously announced timeline to begin phase 3 trials of filbotinib this year, positioning Gilead Sciences to compete in an autoimmune disease market worth billions of dollars in sales annually.

Detailing the deal

Gilead Sciences will hand over $300 million in upfront cash to license filbotinib from Galapagos, and it will also pay Galapagos $425 million in cash in exchange for a 15% ownership stake in the company.

Additionally, Gilead Sciences has agreed to pay Galapagos up to an additional $1.35 billion in development and commercial milestones, and if filbotinib is approved, Galapagos will receive tiered royalties beginning at 20% in most markets. Galapagos can also opt-in to co-promote filbotinib in specific European markets, including Germany, and if it does, it will split profit (or losses) equally in those markets with Gilead Sciences.

A monstrously big market

The market for autoimmune disease treatment is one of the biggest prescription drug markets in the world, and rheumatoid arthritis is one of the largest autoimmune disease indications. Worldwide, up to 1% of the population suffers from rheumatoid arthritis, including about 1.5 million people in the United States.

So far, Gilead Sciences' efforts to tap into this market consist mostly of a few under-the-radar, in-house projects. Therefore, this deal could be trans-formative because filbotinib has already completed phase 2 trials in rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn's disease, and results have been encouraging. In addition to demonstrating efficacy, the drug has also been well-tolerated with a low risk of drug interactions.

A clean safety profile and limited drug interactions may provide Gilead Sciences with a big advantage over current biologic therapies used to treat rheumatoid arthritis. Biologics, including AbbVie's $12 billion per year plus anti-TNF therapy, Humira, often don't play nicely with other medications. Further, filbotinib's oral dosing could help it win market share away from biologics, which are injected instead.

Overall, filbotinib potential advantages could allow it to capitalize on spending growth anticipated for rheumatoid arthritis treatment. According to GBI Research, the rheumatoid arthritis market will climb to $9.3 billion in 2020, up from $6.4 billion in 2013.

Looking ahead

There's no guarantee that filbotinib's trials will pan out, or that competing drugs in development won't prove to be better.

Previously, Galapagos was teamed up with AbbVie on filbotinib, yet AbbVie exited that relationship after filbotinib's phase 2 results were published. Instead, AbbVie has decided to develop its own drugs to succeed Humira, which loses patent protection later this year. Because AbbVie opted-out of further development of filbotinib, it appears the company believes its drugs are as good as, or better than, filbotinib. If that's true, then filbotinib's market opportunity may end up being smaller than hoped.

Nevertheless, after reviewing the same information AbbVie did, Gilead Sciences still decided that filbotinib is worth the risk, and given Gilead Sciences' impressive track record in HIV and hepatitis C, investors may want to give management the benefit of the doubt that it sees something in filbotinib that AbbVie doesn't.

The next billion-dollar iSecret

The world's biggest tech company forgot to show you something at its recent event, but a few Wall Street analysts and the Fool didn't miss a beat: There's a small company that's powering their brand-new gadgets and the coming revolution in technology. And we think its stock price has nearly unlimited room to run for early, in-the-know investors! To be one of them, just click here.

The article Gilead Sciences' Galapagos Deal Advances It Toward a Multibillion-Dollar Market originally appeared on Fool.com.

Copyright  1995 - 2016 The Motley Fool, LLC. All rights reserved. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
If you're looking to find the group of oil producers least affected by the oil price collapse, look north. The rapidly weakening Canadian dollar has provided something of a cushion from the oil-price blow for Canadian producers like Suncor (NYSE: SU).

Source: xe.com.

This chart shows how many "loonies" each U.S. dollar has been worth since OPEC announced its decision not to cut production on Thanksgiving weekend in 2014.

Like their American counterparts, Canadian producers have their oil priced in U.S. dollars. Back in November 2014, that meant every $1 revenue in U.S. dollars meant $1.12 Canadian. Today every U.S. dollar of revenue equates to $1.39 Canadian. Everything else being equal, that would be a 24% increase to revenue.

Unlike the American producers, most Canadian producers have expenses (salaries, administration, royalties, taxes, capex) that are based in Canadian dollars. Therefore, while these companies have benefited from the weakening Canadian dollar on the revenue side, there has been no impact on the expense side.

How big of a help is this for Canadian producers? An example might illustrate best. For a company producing 100,000 barrels of oil per day and receiving $50 USD per barrel, annual revenue at the November 2014 and current exchange rates would look like this:

November 2014: 100,000 bpd x 365 days x $50 per barrel x 1.12 exchange = $2.04 billion of revenue.

December 2015: 100,000 bpd x 365 days x $50 per barrel x 1.39 exchange = $2.53 billion of revenue.

The difference between those two exchange rates equates to roughly $500 million of revenue over the course of a full year. With expenses remaining in Canadian dollars and therefore not increasing proportionately, most of that additional revenue could turn into cash flow from operations.

That is certainly a material difference and could be enough to separate some companies from life and death if the oil price doesn't recover sooner rather than later.

Not all Canadian oil is created equal

One thing investors have to be careful with when looking at Canadian producers is the type of oil that they produce. According to Canada's National Energy Board, production in December by type breaks out like this:

Conventional light oil: 890,000 barrels per day.

Upgraded bitumen: 1,051,510 barrels per day.

Heavy oil/bitumen: 1,859,699 barrels per day.

All of this oil is priced in U.S. dollars, but the differential for the various oil types to West Texas Intermediate is very, well, different. Conventional light oil and upgraded bitumen both are a lighter, easier to refine crude and therefore have small differentials to WTI pricing. Heavy oil and bitumen (Western Canadian select), on the other hand, are heavier and harder to refine, hence they have wide differentials. Western Canadian Select has recently been receiving a discount of $13.30 per barrel from WTI, which means it's being sold for $20 per barrel.

With oil sands producers typically being high cost producers, that low realized selling price is a problem. New oil sands projects have a break-even price for oil that is estimated to be $90 or higher. Shale oil production break-even costs are lower, but still considerably higher than the current oil price.

Unless you're certain that oil prices are going to surge higher in 2016 and are actually looking to make a short term bet, pure heavy oil/bitumen producers should probably be avoided. Since heavy oil/bitumen makes up almost half of Canada's production, that touches a lot of companies.

Suncor is a bitumen/oil sands producer, but only 19% of its production is priced off Western Canadian select.

Source: Suncor November corporate presentation.

That's because the vast majority of its bitumen production is upgraded to be a more like those lighter, easier to process crude and receives a price similar to and sometimes at a slight premium to WTI. This upgraded oil is known as synthetic crude oil (SCO), the biggest three producers of which are Suncor, Canadian Natural Resources, and Canadian Oil Sands.

That upgraded production plus the weakened Canadian dollar have been very beneficial to Suncor's cash-generating ability in 2015. Suncor's refining operations have been an even bigger help.

If you drill into Suncor's first nine months, you'll find that the company was able to generate $467 million of free cash flow. That's cash flow left over after capital spending. A closer look will reveal that the refining and marketing division is the biggest reason. While generating $2.27 billion in cash flow though nine months, the refining and marketing division for Suncor required only $465 million in capital spending. That is $1.8 billion of free cash flow created by this business line.

Free cash flow is not a common thing in the energy sector these days.

Continental Resources (NYSE: CLR) provides a view of an America producer of decent size that doesn't have Suncor's Canadian dollar and refining benefits.

While Suncor generated free cash flow, Continental's cash flow statement shows only $1.4 billion of cash flow being generated against $2.6 billion of capital spending. Suncor's balance sheet has actually strengthened while Continental has massively overspent and used debt to fund it.

Suncor's $1.8 billion of free cash flow from refining covered all of the company's $1.2 billion of dividend payments and another $600 million of spending for the E&P business. Without that $1.8 billion of free cash flow, Suncor would have either had to eliminate its dividend, cut capital spending on the E&P business, or allow its balance sheet to deteriorate.

The bottom line

The weakening of the Canadian dollar, the upgraded oil pricing, and the refining business have allowed Suncor to retain a strong financial position. That strong financial position has undoubtedly helped Suncor's share price which is allowing the company to use it as a currency to try and opportunistically take over competitor Canadian Oil Sands.

For a strong company like Suncor, capitalizing on an opportunistic takeover of Canadian Oil Sands may mean that it is entirely possible that Suncor comes out the other side of this oil crash in better shape that it went into it. That is assuming of course that at some point there is an "other side."

The next billion-dollar iSecret

The world's biggest tech company forgot to show you something at its recent event, but a few Wall Street analysts and the Fool didn't miss a beat: There's a small company that's powering their brand-new gadgets and the coming revolution in technology. And we think its stock price has nearly unlimited room to run for early in-the-know investors! To be one of them, just click here.

The article Why Canadian Oil Companies Are Doing Better Than You Might Think originally appeared on Fool.com.

Copyright  1995 - 2016 The Motley Fool, LLC. All rights reserved. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
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PORT WASHINGTON, Wis.  Former "Saved by the Bell" actor Dustin Diamond has been booked into jail to start his four-month sentence for an altercation at a Wisconsin bar.

The Ozaukee County Jail website shows Diamond was booked Friday.

Diamond played Screech on the 1990s high school comedy. He was convicted in June of carrying a concealed weapon and disorderly conduct, both misdemeanors. He was cleared of a felony. He was to start jail during the summer, but a judge put the sentence on hold while Diamond appealed. Diamond withdrew his appeal last month.

Diamond testified he was trying to protect his girlfriend when he pulled out a pocketknife to ward people off and accidentally stabbed a man at the Port Washington bar on Christmas in 2014.

Port Washington is 25 miles north of Milwaukee.
My middle school days were defined by armfuls of multi-colored Sillybandz, a side-ponytail reminiscent of Deb from Napoleon Dynamite and a preoccupation with Taylor Swift.

Most people, myself included, would prefer not to think about those cringe-worthy years, where petty drama and hellacious clothing trends swarmed the halls in a cloud of embarrassment.

However, as soon as I began reading Unfriended, by Rachel Vail, I was reminded of two things: Middle school is still awful, and it doesnt make for a particularly good book.

Unfriended chronicles the story of sixth-grade student Truly, and how her social life changes after leaving her uncool friend Hazel in favor of the more popular Natasha.

When both Hazel and Natasha turn against Truly, a slew of hurtful online attacks ensue, making Truly miserable and causing the situation to spiral out of control.

Throughout the novel, Vails writing appears noticeably disconnected from how middle schoolers speak, including terms such as wannabe slut and raging bee-yotch. This language quickly grows bothersome, making the reader wonder how Vail expects her readers to sit through 282 pages of conversation with hashtags such as #yolo added in mid-sentence.

From Truly, a seemingly perfect student whose two siblings are plagued with disabilities, to Clay, a seemingly confident boy who lives in his brothers shadow, Unfriended contains a variety of interesting, complex characters.

However, Vail fails to delve into the intricate lives of main characters Truly, Clay, Hazel, Brooke, Natasha and Jack, instead centering the story on surface-level conflict that prevents the characters from, pun intended, truly developing.

Unfriended jumps straight from the climax to the resolution, without any explanation or plot developments in between. The story has many loose ends and concludes with an unrealistic, too-tidy resolution.

While Unfriended addresses the issue of bullying, it fails to acknowledge the negative effects the behavior has on teens, making no mention of depression, anxiety or substance abuse.

Although the target audience may seem too young to read about these topics, Vail misses a prime opportunity to educate her audience on a relevant social issue.

Although Unfriended has the potential to be an engaging read, its obsolete language, shallow plot, lack of resolution and failure to explore the effects of bullying make it a disappointing read.

Amanda Wasserman is a Teenlink correspondent who attends the American Heritage School.
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A 29-year-old man arrested Friday is accused of trafficking, drugging and tattooing a 14-year-old girl in September.

Jonathan Christopher Moehle faces four felony charges of trafficking a person less than 18 years of age, serious bodily injury to a child by tattooing, serious bodily injury to a child by forced narcotics use and aggravated robbery, San Antonio Police said.

According to an arrest affidavit, Moehle became friends with the teenager on Facebook in early September and communicated with her through the social media sites instant messaging service for a couple of weeks.

On Sept. 22, Moehle and the 14-year-old arranged for him and two other men to pick her and a male friend up from Ingram Park Mall, the report said. After robbing the girls friend of Xanax pills and money, and then threatening him with a knife and crowbar, Moehle and his friends left her friend on the side of the road, then took the girl along with them to purchase heroin, methamphetamine and crack cocaine, the affidavit said.

The teen told authorities that the men began shooting up the drugs and that Moehle held her arm down while another man forcibly injected her, leaving what the report called "many needle marks in her arms."

After purportedly being forced to take drugs, the teen told investigators that she was tired and nauseated. After succumbing to the effects of the drugs, she told police she woke up with a throbbing pain on her ankle and found that the word "XANANTONIO" had been tattoeed on her, along with a diamond on the left wrist and a large flower on the right forearm with the word "Greedy" and tribal work on the top right forearm.

Both Moehle and one of the men with him that night told investigators they had been up for approximately four or five days running off of a mixture of drugs, and took the teen to another friend's house.

According to the affidavit, Moehle's friend had sex with the teenager more than once after Moehle brought the girl over.

The teen told police she was fearful of the men because of the violent tendencies they exhibited in robbing her friend as well as their tattoos that tied them to a local gang.

Moehle and his friends left to purchase more drugs, and when they returned the teen told authorities she made Moehle and his friend aware that she had been sexually assaulted and screamed "I am 14 years old I and I want to go home."

Approximately 48 hours after meeting with Moehle and his friends, the girl was taken to a neighborhood and dropped off, when police were called.

The teen had previously alleged she was sexually assaulted in late August by another man affiliated with a local rap group, the affidavit said. Police believe Moehle requested her on Facebook through mutual friends of the group.

It is unclear whether or not the other men will face any charges.

mmedina@express-news.net
Apparently some people feel so strongly about Ted Cruz that they are emailing his one-time college roommate faulting him for not killing Cruz when he could.

Screenwriter Craig Mazin and the future Republican presidential candidate were paired together as freshmen at Princeton in 1988. And Mazin has never forgotten it.


but NOBODY vetted Barack Obama after Barack Obama politicized his own mother's cancer

for his own political gain during the 2008 democratic race, and then again in the presidential debates.

Did Barack Obama tend to his own mother in any personal way

during her last couple of years of life, when she was dying of cancer in Hawaii?





If I am wrong, or can be proven wrong about my concern, then I will stand corrected.

But until then, the timeline I have been able to put together shows that Barack Obama

chose to finish writing his book instead of being with his mother.

With apologizes to the filmmaker for politicizing his film,Or, did Barack Obama CHOOSE to fly over Hawaii, where his mother was dying of cancer,so he could go to Bali to finish writing his book about his sperm donor father?
The number of women in San Antonio and Bexar County who dont receive prenatal care is a tragedy  one whose impact could have been greatly diminished had Texas expanded Medicaid as part of the Affordable Care Act.

Jessica Belascos three-part series, Behind from the Start, which ended Tuesday, outlines the problem and quotes experts who point to solutions. There is agreement that no silver bullet exists, but there is also broad consensus that women with primary care doctors are more likely to get the prenatal care they and their babies need.

For too many Texas women, that cannot happen. Many of them fall into the limbo of being poor but nonetheless earning too much to qualify for subsidized coverage under the Affordable Care Act. Without that help, they go without coverage. Medicaid expansion was to have addressed this need.

Originally required of the states by the ACA as enacted, the U.S. Supreme Court made Medicaid expansion an option in the ruling that confirmed the overall constitutionality of the measure. Then-Gov. Rick Perry, his successor, Gov. Greg Abbott, and the Legislature, in two sessions, made sure that Texas has remained among the 17 or so states that have opted out.

And Texans lack of coverage  the state leads the nation in the number of uninsured, even with inroads made by the ACA  has had predictable fallout. Among them are women in Bexar County who find themselves poor and pregnant.

In 2014, nearly a quarter of women started prenatal care in their second or third trimester, which means that nearly 40 percent of live births in Bexar County were to women who received no or late prenatal care, Belasco reported.

Then another type of fallout occurs. San Antonio has one of the highest rates of premature births in the nation and the highest among Texas five largest cities. Premature births, in turn, often lead to lingering health problems and disabilities after birth.

So much of this could be prevented.

Yes, Medicaid provides health care for low-income pregnant Texans. But these women often find the process for getting this care unnavigable. So, care is delayed, beyond even the first trimester. And when these women are approved for care, they often cant find providers who accept Medicaid.

This points to other parts of the solution  more expert help for women to secure Medicaid; a process far more streamlined and understandable for unsophisticated clients; and a presumption of eligibility at the outset that allows for prenatal care immediately. Also, higher payments to doctors from Medicaid could help with the shortage of physicians accepting these clients.

There are, Belasco reports, nonprofit organizations that try mightily to connect low-income pregnant women with all the services they need, including prenatal care. However, while these groups help women numbering in the dozens, the need is in the hundreds, even thousands, in Bexar County.

So, needed is more such help or more outreach  as one person quoted in the series proposes  by going directly into the highest-need ZIP codes to find these women. And there is also a need for more flexible hours at clinics serving these women. They are often the working poor, people who cannot take time off work to get medical care.

This problem has been flying under the radar of local public health officials, now remedied by Belascos expert reporting, accomplished as part of a project for the National Health Journalism Fellowship, a program of the Center for Health Journalism at the USC Annenberg School of Journalism.

Other parts of the solution: preventing teen pregnancy and also all unwanted pregnancies. This last one occurs less frequently when women have access to primary care doctors before they are pregnant. But for women who have no access to such care, it is inescapable that Texas does not have their best interests at heart. It wages war against the organization that has the most successful and storied history of preventing both teen pregnancies and unwanted pregnancies generally.

This, of course, is Planned Parenthood, caught up in the states ongoing culture war on abortion. Strange, then, that Texas seems to care so little for the babies who suffer from their mothers lack of prenatal care.

Solutions are within the states grasp. In the name of decency, it must act.
Dear Texas toter:

Ive not personally come across any of you since the open-carry law took effect Jan. 1 and am hoping I never do.

One can hope that there actually is no hunger to pack handguns openly, either as expression of purist Second Amendment sensibility or to channel that inner macho (or macha). Or maybe so many businesses have banned weapons that an open-toter sighting will be akin to finding a Texas legislator who doesnt blindly follow the dictates of the National Rifle Association.

But in the interest of neighborliness, heres what I think any potential toter should know. If you flaunt your handgun anywhere near me  on the street or in a business  I wont think of you as neighborly. People who have healthy regard for their own safety and that of loved ones wont. And if I see you in a business, Ill think twice about returning.

Many of us are going to think of you  and any business that accommodates you  as rude. You know, much like those neighbors who let their dogs do their, um, thing on our lawns and dont pick up. We will believe you possess all the common sense and courtesy they do. I fear well be picking up after some of you. With body bags.

More than that, tote a gun in front of me and you will inspire dread. I will be afraid of you.

Maybe that appeals to you  look how tough I am. And well be thinking: How more insecure can you be? And rude. And frightening.

I will not feel safe or protected. Quite the opposite. I will have no idea if your safety is on. I wont know if you are locked and loaded. I will have no idea how proficient you are, if youve been in combat with a gun, whether you have any sustained combat or police training, or whether youve even fired your weapon recently.

I know that the new law requires open toters to possess a permit, the one required for concealed weapon carry. And I know that some modicum of training was required for you to receive the permit, but I see on a website that it is a four-hour class. Neither this nor the curriculum instills confidence.

Heck, I wont know if you even have one of those permits and had any training. Its not as if Im going to walk up and demand to see a permit. Id be afraid to do this even if I were an armed police officer. Maybe youre one of those aforementioned Second Amendment purists who believes in constitutional carry, which means you dont think government has any right requiring a permit or training.

But maybe youre a quasi-purist with a permit and want to tote your handgun openly as an object lesson for the rest of us about your inviolate rights.

Lets see. If youve inspired dread and fear, and your actions are deemed by many as rude or macho bravado, do you think open carry will create legions of folks who share your Second Amendment interpretations? Sorry, we will not become fellow travelers. A lot of open carry will just make many of us think Texas has drunk too much of that NRA Kook-Aid  um, Kool-Aid.

Yes, a person could have fears about those who have concealed weapon permits, too. But unseen guns dont generate the same reactions as visible guns. They just dont. Out of sight, out of mind.

Or maybe this is all about you telegraphing to the bad guys that youre not fair game. Forgive me if I dont think youve made yourself safer from a loon with a gun. I dont want to be collateral damage in a shootout in any case. Oh, and if open toters become the rule, I wont be surprised by any uptick in armed robberies  as in armed guys robbing you of your arms.

And do you think reasonable police officers will view you as allies or tragedies waiting to happen? I also wonder if police and other open toters will accord the same presumption of legality to armed African-Americans, Latinos or people others believe to be Muslims.

So, how about no one openly carrying guns at all?

To sum up. Not neighborly. Rude. Frightening. Dangerous.

Did I mention dangerous? Bears repeating.

o.ricardo.pimentel@express-news.net

Twitter: @oricardopimente
Posted on 01/16/2016, 11:00 am, by mySteinbach

At approximately 5pm, on January 11, 2016, officers from the Headingley RCMP received a report of two suspicious males in Elie.

Officers spoke to a 13-year-old female who stated that she was approached by two males in a van while she was in the parking lot of the Elie Community Centre. The males started asking her questions about where she lived and how old she was. The youth walked away and called her parents.

The van is described as a metallic blue colour. Both males were described as aboriginal in appearance, approximately 35-40 years old with medium length hair. The passenger of the vehicle was speaking with the female youth and was described as tall, skinny and wearing a black sweater.

While there were no violence or threats, we need to be overly cautious and share this incident with our communities, said Sgt. Bert Paquet of the Manitoba RCMP. Parents are also reminded to take the time to discuss safety scenarios with their kids, and what to do in cases like these. Anyone with information about this or similar cases is asked to contact their police of jurisdiction.
<p>FILE PHOTO -- Ralph Stayer, CEO of Johnsonville Sausage, talks to a film crew during the opening of the Johnsonville Sausage Marketplace in North Naples on Sunday, Nov. 16, 2014. (Samuel Wilson/Staff)</p>

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By Tim Aten

They call him the Sausage King, but they wont be calling him CEO much longer.

Naples resident Ralph Stayer, is planning to retire from the helm of Johnsonville Sausage on April 1.

Stayer, 71, son of the late founders of Johnsonville Sausage, grew up a part of the family business and has been at the helm of the national company since 1968.

Ive been at it for 56 years. You get to a point where its time to let the next generation go in, Stayer said in an interview from his home Saturday.

Former Oscar Mayer CEO Nick Meriggioli was tapped to succeed Stayer.

Johnsonville is owned by the family, but its a meritocracy, Stayer said. My responsibility was finding someone who is going to be better at running it than I was. I found that guy.

Both have known each other for many years, so when Stayer learned Meriggioli was available for the job, the decision was a no-brainer, he said.

During my time at Oscar Mayer, I have admired Ralph Stayer and the success of the Johnsonville business, Meriggioli said in a statement issued by Johnsonville. I am humbled and grateful for the opportunity to lead this great company and look forward to continuing their impressive growth and business performance.

From a single butcher shop to an international sausage provider, Stayer oversaw the company his parents started from their town of Sheboygan Falls, Wisconsin.

Over the years, I never imagined what was going to come. I kept seeing bigger and bigger opportunities, Stayer said. It just kept growing and growing.

Today, Johnsonville produces more than 40 different varieties of sausage and is the nations top-selling brand of brats, Italian sausage, smoked-cooked links and fresh breakfast sausage links. The company also produces meatballs, sausage slices and pork patties.

After his April 1 retirement, Stayer and his wife Shelly plan to stay in Naples, where they own a one-of-its-kind Johnsonville Sausage Marketplace that opened last fall on Naples Boulevard in North Naples.

Shelly Stayer also owns Grace & Shellys Cupcake shops, with locations in Southwest Florida and Wisconsin.

Stayers parents, Ralph F. and Alice Stayer, also retired in Naples. Ralph F. Stayer died in Naples in 2007 at age 92, and his life was celebrated by 700 friends and family members and a visit from the Johnsonville Big Taste Grill, a 65-foot truck that can cook 750 bratwursts at once. Alice Stayer died in North Naples in 2013 at age 96.

Stayer said his proudest moment as CEO is linked to his companys success.

I realized that my job was to help others succeed  that they werent there for me, I was there for them. Rather than using people to build a business, use the business to build the people, Stayer said. Its the proudest moment because we helped so many people.

Stayer will remain as chairman of the board at Johnsonville for the next year or two, during the transition to the new CEO, he said.

Otherwise, its time for me to ride into the sunset.
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Volunteer Services For Animals

Daniel, a handsome tabby boy, needs a home and a family to love! Are you the one for Daniel? Adopt him 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays at PetSmart, 2255 Pine Ridge Road, North Naples. View adoptable pets daily at PetSmart. Information: 239-290-6274

Brooke's Legacy

Kylo Ren is a 3-month-old neutered male terrier mix. He has started his apprenticeship in leading the way toward fulfilling all the roles and rules a puppy should know. He is ready to join your family!

Information: brookeslegacyanimalrescue.org

Naples Cat Alliance

Zuma, a 3-year-old Siamese beauty, has gorgeous eyes and a personality to match! Meet her at our adoption center at 7785 Davis Blvd., Suite 104, East Naples, or PetSmart at Coconut Point mall, Estero. Information: naplescatalliance.org or 239-370-8727

Lee County Animal Services

Lucy, a 6-year-old Labrador /Staffordshire terrier mix, loves people and thinks she's a tiny lap dog. She lost her sight, but can get around like every other dog. Email kennel@leegov.com. Adoption fee: $25

Tear Drop, a gray and cream short hair, is 2 years old. He's handsome, smart, playful and loving. Consider taking one of his friends home too so I'll have a companion  cats are two for one.

Adoption fees: $30 during Yappy New Year promo. Lee County Animal Services, open 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday at 5600 Banner Drive, Fort Myers. Information: 239-533-7387 or LeeLostPets.com

Couch Potato Greyhound

Van, a gorgeous sleek black greyhound with a white chest and feet, is a super good boy, but he does not do well with cats. Adopt him for $275. Information: 239-330-7895 or 45mphcouchpotato.com

For the Love of Cats

Alanna is a 1-year-old small snowshoe Siamese mix kitten. She is a sweet and loving little girl. Adoption fee: $55. See all the cats and kittens available for adoption 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at PetSmart, 2235 Pine Ridge Road, Naples. Information: 239-642-8674 or fortheloveofcatsfl.com

Collier County Domestic Animal Services

Tiger, a 1-year-old male brown brindle and white whippet mix, is handsome, friendly and well-behaved.

Nancy, a 3-month-old female black tabby short hair, is beautiful and has a great personality.

Adoption fees for cats are $10 (January) and dogs are $85 at Collier County Domestic Animal Services, open 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday at 7610 Davis Blvd., East Naples. Information: 239-252-7387 or colliergov.net/pets

Camp Many Paws

Jade will do well with other cats. See her at Pet Supermarket, 2416 U.S. 41 E., East Naples. Information: 239-438-2963

Humane Society Naples

Blackie is a sweet, 2-year-old, short hair mix that is laid-back. His adoption fee is $55 at Humane Society Naples, 370 Airport-Pulling Road N., Naples, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Information: 239-643-1555 or HSNaples.org
A beloved shell from the beaches of Sanibel Island and a program flier commemorating Collier County's 90th birthday are among items the state of Florida plans to keep in a time capsule for more than 80 years.

Florida's Department of State collected mementos from all 67 counties, including Collier and Lee, for the capsule to be sealed Tuesday morning in the R.A. Gray Building in Tallahassee, home of the department of state and of the Museum of Florida History.

There, the stainless steel cylinder is expected to remain, closed and on display above ground, until March 3, 2095, the 250th anniversary of Florida's statehood.

The time capsule dedication concludes this year's Viva Florida 500 celebrations, which marked Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de Leon's 1513 arrival. Katie Kole, a department spokeswoman, said counties submitted coins, proclamations ? 'you name it' ? for the tribute.

'It will be interesting for people in 2095 to open (the time capsule) up and see how people came together this year to promote our cultural heritage,' Kole said.

Inspiration for the state's time capsule came from similar Viva Florida 500 events launched statewide by the Florida Department of State's Division of Library and Information Services, Kole said.

About a year ago, the division sent time capsules to every public library system in the state.

Collier buried one at the Naples Depot Museum on May 8, which was the 90th anniversary of the county's founding. The time capsule will be opened 10 years later on Collier County's 100th birthday.

For the state capsule, Collier County contributed a program flier from its event to connect the two moments, said Patricia DeGroot, a public library system spokeswoman.

'By all means, we wanted Collier County to be included in the capital,' DeGroot said.

An alphabet cone shell from Sanibel Island will represent Lee County in the state time capsule. The shell came from the desk of Candy Heise, a Sanibel Library reference librarian.

'The main reason people come to the beaches of Sanibel and Captiva is because (they're) the shell capital, and to have a shell represent Lee County makes sense to me,' Heise said.

Alphabet cone shells, shaped as their name suggests, are usually a couple inches long and covered in brown or orange spots that can look like letters and numbers.

Jose Leal, a marine biologist and a curator for the Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum on Sanibel Island, said the 'remarkable' alphabet cone shells can be found on the Florida shoreline from Tampa Bay to the Keys.

'There are very few top notch shells that folks want to find, and the alphabet cone is one of them,' Leal said.

At least two more time capsules will be sealed in Southwest Florida as part of Viva Florida 500.

The Sanibel Library expects to have a ceremony for its time capsule in early 2014, Heise said.

The Lee County Public Library System will dedicate its capsule during the Fort Myers Regional Library's grand opening celebration Jan. 11.

Margie Byers, development specialist for the Lee County Public Library system, said the list of items inside of the time capsule will remain secret until it is opened in 49 years, a surprise for those who open it on the 175th anniversary of Lee County's founding.

'They are going to see exactly what the year 2013 was like,' Byers said.

When the state's time capsule is unsealed and the small shell could be in someone's hand again, Heise hopes the person who holds her keepsake will find it familiar.

'With the ways things are changing, let's hope that we can still find shells on our beaches,' she said. 'It's hard to say what it will be like 80 years from now.'

What would you have put in the capsule? Share your feedback in our comments.
SHARE Ronald Hood

By Jacob Carpenter of the Naples Daily News

Florida taxpayers could soon be covering the cost of hormone therapy and gender-identity treatments for dangerous sex offenders in the care of Department of Children and Families, according to documents filed in a federal lawsuit filed in Fort Myers.

DCF officials are finishing a policy that pays for the medical treatment for gender dysphoria, formerly known as gender identity disorder. That includes sex offenders who have completed prison sentences, but are being civilly committed because they're deemed a danger to society.

The Department of Corrections also offers coverage for some inmates. The agency's policy provides and pays for gender treatment when it's determined that it is medically necessary.

In a motion filed last week, Assistant Attorney General Kenneth Wilson wrote that the "process to implement a (gender identity dysphoria) policy/procedure was well beyond initial concept and was moving forward toward the final stage of development, with the expectation that the approval process will begin shortly."

It wasn't immediately clear whether the policy would include coverage of gender reassignment surgery. When asked if such surgeries would be part of the treatment offered, DCF spokeswoman Michelle Glady said in an email that "treatment options would be available based on a patient's clinical needs." A draft copy of the policy, however, states that "a real-life experience for the purpose of gender reassignment therapy is not possible."

The decision to create a policy comes as Erika Hood, a transgender woman who has been civilly committed since 2000, is suing DCF for access to gender identity dysphoria, or GID, treatment. GID is a widely acknowledged medical condition in which individuals identify with a different gender than their physical gender.

A Fort Myers federal judge already has said the refusal to provide any type of gender identity dysphoria treatment could constitute cruel and unusual punishment. Several prior court rulings across the country have established that GID is a "serious medical condition" deserving medical treatment.

U.S. District Court Judge John E. Steele also said in February the limited evidence available to him in Hood's case suggests that DCF has a "de facto" policy against GID treatment.

In his motion, Wilson wrote that he met with officials from DCF and the Florida Civil Commitment Center in Arcadia, where Hood is held, to discuss Hood's lawsuit. Wilson wrote that "as a result of discussions," FCCC officials began to develop a policy for GID treatment.

Hood has argued that FCCC officials have refused to address her GID, denying her requests for hormone therapy, female clothing and other gender-specific items.

"The Department of Children and Family Services and the FCCC have engaged in discrimination against the plaintiff simply because she does not conform to their standards of decency and their ideas of humanity," Hood, who's representing herself in court, wrote in a March 2015 court filing.

DCF officials and its lawyers, however, have argued that Hood does not suffer from GID. She was diagnosed by two doctors in 2000, but hasn't been diagnosed since. In 2010, a doctor wrote that Hood "reports sometimes feeling like a man and sometimes like a woman, rather than like a woman all the time."

Available court documents don't show whether DCF is agreeing to provide GID-related treatment for Hood. Citing medical privacy laws, Glady would not disclose whether the settlement includes any specific treatment for Hood.
FILE -- The District School Board of Collier County unveiled a new logo at a news conference on Jan. 28, 2015. (Carolina Hidalgo/File photo)

By Melhor Leonor of the Naples Daily News

An online petition protesting Aug. 10 as the first day of school in Collier County has garnered close to 900 signatures from many who say the early start will cut into their summer vacations.

"It's too early to start school, practically and fundamentally," said local parent Linda Sonders, whose two children attend public schools in Collier County. "Aug. 10 is still in the heart of summer."

Sonders and another local parent, Katie Deans, started the Change.org petition Wednesday, a day after school board members unanimously agreed to start classes on the earliest day that Florida law allows. Sonders expressed frustration that the process allowed for little parent input, while a parent on the district's calendar committee says district staff disregarded their recommendations.

"Camps are still in session, many take vacations with their northern families and kids need to be kids," wrote one supporter of the online petition, which requests that the first day of the school year in 2016 be moved from Aug. 10 to Aug. 15.

Even Naples mayoral candidate Bill Barnett jumped in on the online discussion: "Many working families in our community cannot take time off during season and therefore must use the summer months to plan quality family time," he wrote on the petition.

In setting Aug. 10 as the start date, the board took advantage of legislation approved by Florida lawmakers last year that allowed districts more flexibility on when they could start school.

Previously, Florida law prohibited districts from starting classes more than 14 days before Labor Day. But when Labor Day fell on Sept. 7 last year, as late as it possibly could, school districts asked for the change and lawmakers obliged. School can now start as early as Aug. 10 every year.

Deans said much of the frustration comes from parents feeling "blindsided" by the early start.

"I get robocalls for town hall meetings, the 5K run," Deans said. "Why is there nothing to say, 'We're going to start school a whole week earlier?'"

Also at issue is the source of the proposed calendar. Every year a committee is convened to create a calendar and propose it to the school board. The committee is mostly comprised of district staff, but includes some parents and community members.

David McElrath, a parent member of the committee, said he was surprised to see the early start date on the proposed calendar.

"We put forward three or four recommendations, none of which had Aug. 10 as a start date," McElrath said. "The committee wasn't given the opportunity to know what was being submitted or when. I only found out when parents I know called me saying, 'Your calendar committee approved this?' The answer is, "No we didn't."

McElrath says he felt the calendar was presented as the committee's recommendation, which he feels it was not.

"If you're not going to listen to the committee's recommendations, don't have a committee," he said. "It's upsetting, because we put a lot of time into this."

Another nonstaff member of the committee, Irvin Povlov, was among a handful of public speakers Tuesday who asked for changes to the proposed calendar.

Board member Erika Donalds said she'd be willing to bring back the issue for discussion at the next board meeting in February. Donalds added that while many have signed the petition, board members have not received nearly as many emails expressing discontent with the Aug. 10 start date.

"I think people assume school board members are looking at the petition or on Facebook. While I've seen it, we're not getting the emails," Donalds said. "Make sure you email board members with your concerns."

Board chairwoman Julie Sprague said responses she's received in emails to the start of school date are split.

"It's one of those things ... It happens every year. There are some people that are going to love you and some people who are not going to like you," Sprague said. "I'm sensitive to concerns and I hear them, but we've never not had anyone upset."

Sprague also pointed to the intricacies of setting the calendar. Starting on Aug. 10 aligns with the start date in Lee County, where many Collier County teacher live.

David Farbman, a senior researcher with the National Center on Time and Learning, says Collier is following suit with nationwide trends to start earlier in the year.

"The tourism industry tends to pushback on the early start, along with parents who want to take later summer vacations," he said. "School districts tends to push for an earlier start because it gives them more instruction time before standardized exams."
A group of students visiting from Spain enjoy a milk shake at the All American Shake Shop during a tour of Naples, Wednesday, January 13, 2016. From left to right: Teresa Garcia, Clara Ochotorena Maria Nonllau and Marisa Alba. Community School of Naples is hosting 25 students from grade 6-10 from a sister school in Valencia, Spain. for two weeks. (Marc Beaudin/Special to the News)

SHARE Elie Wood, left, a Community School of Naples student and Bea Barbera a student from Spain enjoy a laugh and a milk shake at the All American Shake Shop during a tour of Naples, Wednesday, January 13, 2016. Community School of Naples is hosting 25 students from grade 6-10 from a sister school in Valencia, Spain. for two weeks. (Marc Beaudin/Special to the News) Celia Lillo, left and Carla Martinez stay in touch with friends back home in Spain, at the All American Shake Shop during a tour of Naples, Wednesday, January 13, 2016. Community School of Naples is hosting 25 students from grade 6-10 from a sister school in Valencia, Spain. for two weeks. (Marc Beaudin/Special to the News) Alex Zupcic, center, enjoys a milk shake at the All American Shake Shop during a tour of Naples, Wednesday, January 13, 2016. Next to him are Ricardo Payri, left and Fernando Tena. Community School of Naples is hosting 25 students from grade 6-10 from a sister school in Valencia, Spain. for two weeks. (Marc Beaudin/Special to the News)

By Melhor Leonor of the Naples Daily News

On their first night as roommates, Naples student Harper Pertchik and Spanish exchange student Marisa Alba Munoz found they were both ardent fans of Justin Bieber.

The also quickly realized that their everyday schedules hardly align. Americans eat dinner in the early evening. Marisa, like most Spaniards, punctuates her days with a 10 p.m. meal.

Harper is an 8th grader at Community School of Naples, and Marisa is a 9th grader at the American School of Valencia. Both attend private schools on different sides of the Atlantic Ocean, connected by an exchange program meant to bridge the cultural gap.

"One thing that surprised me was that she's never had macaroni and cheese," Harper said. "That just blew my mind. I'm taking her to Panera Bread tomorrow, so we'll see how that goes."

After a week with one another, they can chatter endlessly about their contrasting lives  how America seems greener, how Spaniards eat more vegetables.

These conversations are replicated inside the homes of two dozen Naples families hosting students from the American School of Valencia. In its second year, the program brought 25 students in grades 6th through 10th from Valencia, Spain to study and live with local Community School students for two weeks.

"The host family has just one more kid at their house. They go to school, if their host kid plays sports, they'll go to practice. If the family goes out to dinner, they come along," Johnson said. "I think it helps make the world smaller."

Marc Tomas, an eighth grader who traveled to Naples from Spain, said he has felt at home with his host family, but is aware of the contrasts with Spain.

"Everything is much bigger," he said. "We also eat at different times and wake up at different times. We sleep and go to school at different times."

The exchange program is reciprocal in that local students hosting students from Spain will get a chance in March to travel to Valencia and spend two weeks there.

Community School 10th grader Ellie Wood is hosting a student from Spain for the second year in a row. She met the student she is hosting this year, Bea Barbera, when she traveled to Valencia last year.

She got to attend the Festival of Fire, or Las Fallas, in Valencia last year, and spent time with locals.

"I felt like the two kisses thing and how close the Spanish are was so different from America. We just shake hands and say 'Hi,' They get all up in there," Ellie said.

Because host families provide most of what students need, Community School students pay little more than the cost of airfare and travel insurance to go abroad. Johnson said financial aid is available.

"The kids that are hosting will be hosted in March, so they'll get two weeks together here and two weeks together there," Johnson said. "They go to school at ASV, they live with the host family, and the host families provide a roof and make an extra plate of meals."

The exchange program began as the idea of American School of Valencia director Michael Smith, a former Naples resident.

Smith now lives in Valencia, but on a trip to Naples roughly two years ago, he pitched his idea to Community School Head David Watson.

"Within 50 minutes, we had the whole program sketched out," Smith said.

He said that one of the goals of his school in Spain is to produce students who think globally.

"If we have a better relationship we each other, we can solve a myriad world problems," Smith said. "It's these type of experiences that open students minds. It also knocks down stereotypes our students have: Americans are not all fat, we don't always eat hot dogs and we don't all carry guns."

He added exchange programs prepare students for a competitive work environment: "If you understand life in a global sense and can speak world languages, those are skills that work very well in the marketplace."
SHARE Florida Lt. Governor Carlos Lopez-Cantera speaks with Florida Gov. Rick Scott at Global Tech LED on Friday, Jan. 15, 2016, in Bonita Springs. Scott and Lopez-Cantera stopped at the lighting manufacturing business as part of the Million Miles for a Million Jobs bus tour of the state. (David Albers/Staff) Florida Gov. Rick Scott steps off his bus during a speaking appearance at Global Tech LED on Friday, Jan. 15, 2016, in Bonita Springs. Scott stopped at the lighting manufacturing business as part of his Million Miles for a Million Jobs bus tour of the state. (David Albers/Staff)

By Laura Layden of the Naples Daily News

Gov. Rick Scott ended his statewide "Million Miles for a Million Jobs" tour Friday at a Bonita Springs business as he promoted his legislative agenda of tax breaks and incentives for businesses.

Scott visited Global Tech LED off Old 41 Road after making stops earlier in the day in The Villages and Sarasota.

"This state is full of great companies and people trying to build a life for them and their families and their employees and Global Tech is an example of what is going on all across our state," he said.

Global Tech has added 14 new employees over the past two years. In 2014, the company, in business since 2008, relocated from East Naples to Bonita Springs, giving it room to grow. Its new location spans 25,000 square feet.

In the past few years, its workforce has expanded from 15 employees to nearly 60 at its headquarters. It also has sales representatives across the country and around the world.

On his whirlwind three-day tour, Scott also made stops in Tampa, Sunrise, Orlando, Boca Raton, Rockledge and Green Cove Springs.

Scott touted the creation of more than 1 million jobs in the state over the past five years since he took office, giving credit to companies like Global Tech and other local manufacturers, such as Azimuth Technology in Naples and Storm Smart in Fort Myers, whose executives stood alongside him as he spoke about the state's success in a warm warehouse.

"We have 300,000 job openings in the state right now, 300,000. You can get a job in the state," Scott said.

Lt. Gov. Carlos Lopez-Cantera, who joined Scott on the tour, said Florida is showing other states and Washington, D.C. how it's done, governing with less taxes, less government and more freedom for business owners. He pointed to the oversized blue bus they arrived in parked out front, with the number 1 million on it.

"It's not just a number. That's a person, that's a family that is now able to have the pride and dignity of providing for their family and meeting the needs of their home, their budgets," he said.

Since he took office, Scott said the state has cut taxes 50 times and has done away with 4,000 regulations.

"We have thousands of people moving to our state right now," he boasted.

Besides celebrating job creation, Scott used the tour to promote his latest tax cut plan and to push a new economic development plan that includes the creation of a $250 million Florida Enterprise Fund to lure more businesses to the state, a move that has drawn some opposition. The final stop drew a crowd of dozens of Scott supporters, including government and economic development leaders from Lee and Charlotte counties.

"Global Tech LED is delighted to have Gov. Scott come visit us. We are so pro-Gov. Scott because he's so job oriented and Florida needs to be job oriented to secure jobs here in the state of Florida," said Gary Mart, the company's CEO, a few hours before the visit.

Global Tech's electrical component parts are manufactured in St. Petersburg and its products are finished off at its headquarters. The company sells LED fixtures for new construction and retrofit kits to convert traditional HID, or high output, lighting systems to LED for commercial use indoors and outdoors. Its fixtures include streetlights, parking lot lights, ceiling lights and flood lights.

"The situation is that Gov. Scott sees that we have to be more than just a tourist destination, that we have to start bringing manufacturing jobs to the state of Florida because it's evening out the tourism and the hospitality sector with manufacturing jobs that will allow higher tech and higher paid jobs to come to Florida," Mart said.
Baker Hospital at NCH (Submitted Photo)

SHARE The NCH Downtown Naples Hospital has been renamed NCH Baker Hospital. The name change for the 391-bed hospital was announced at a brunch Saturday at the NCH Telford Center. Courtesy of Julie Pedretti The NCH Downtown Naples Hospital has been renamed NCH Baker Hospital. The name change for the 391-bed hospital was announced at a brunch Saturday at the NCH Telford Center. Courtesy of Julie Pedretti The NCH Downtown Naples Hospital has been renamed NCH Baker Hospital. The name change for the 391-bed hospital was announced at a brunch Saturday at the NCH Telford Center. Courtesy of Julie Pedretti The NCH Downtown Naples Hospital has been renamed NCH Baker Hospital. The name change for the 391-bed hospital was announced at a brunch Saturday at the NCH Telford Center. Courtesy of Julie Pedretti Related Coverage NCH honors co-founder of Jabil Circuit for $8.5M contribution

By Liz Freeman of the Naples Daily News

The NCH Downtown Naples Hospital has been renamed NCH Baker Hospital to recognize significant philanthropy from Jay and Patty Baker through the years and a recent $15 million gift, hospital leaders said.

The name change for the 391-bed hospital was announced at a brunch Saturday at the NCH Telford Center attended by 150 supporters of the nonprofit hospital system.

"We are indebted to Jay and Patty Baker for their years of financial support and commitment to NCH," Dr. Allen Weiss, president and chief executive officer of NCH, said in a news release.

"With their cumulative gifts of more than $23 million, they clearly understand and support the need to provide quality, accessible health care in the community," Weiss said. "In recognition for and to honor their significant financial commitments to NCH, we are pleased to name our downtown hospital for them."

The NCH board of trustees made the decision last fall to rename the hospital after the Bakers, said Jim Martin, NCH chief development officer.

The couple's recent $15 million gift will be used for two projects, he said.

A $62-million modernization of surgery services is underway and $12 million of their gift will be used for that project; the remaining $3 million will be used for inpatient palliative care systemwide, Martin said.

"Palliative care is very important to them," he said.

The hospital system also operates NCH North Naples Hospital off Immokalee Road, which is retaining its current name.

Longtime residents of Naples, the Bakers have supported numerous causes locally and nationally, while NCH is second in the breadth of their philanthropy, Martin said.

The couple have given to the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, Jay Baker's alma mater, for the new academic center and to provide scholarships to undergraduates and graduates. Their gift to the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York has endowed 40 scholarships.

In 2015, in recognition of a $10-million gift to the Ichan School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York, the national palliative care center was named after them.

"That is great company," Martin said. "They are unabashedly not afraid to do good with their money. That is their DNA. They just want to do good."

The Bakers provided $5 million as seed money to build the 123-bed patient tower at NCH North Naples. The tower, which opened in 2007, is named after them.

At the hospital system's Magnolia Ball in 2011, they made a gift to oncology services at the North Naples hospital in honor of both their parents.

"For many years, (they) have been making gifts, with very specific interests in mind," Martin said. "They understand the many aspects of health care, especially geriatric and palliative care, and they are willing to take the lead in funding to enhance and grow these much needed programs."

Mariann MacDonald, chairwoman of the hospital board of trustees, said the couple's contributions to NCH have had a positive impact and will continue to do so for many years.

"We are so appreciative of the gifts made by the Bakers to help NCH meet the health care needs of the region," she said in a news release. "(They) have been generous to so many organizations and we are thrilled to know that NCH is among their favorite beneficiaries. Their contributions have had a strong, positive impact on NCH and will continue to do so for many decades to come."

Jay Baker served as president of Kohl's Corp in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, from 1986 to 2000 when he retired. Patty Baker is a Tony Award-winning Broadway producer, a voting Tony member, and she has served as a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Board of Trustees. She is a graduate of Hunter College in New York, where she serves on the foundation's board of directors.

"We are proud to support and allow our names on things we care so much about," Jay Baker said in a news release.

He served on the NCH board of trustees for many years and saw the commitment to ensuring everyone in need had access to quality health care.

They evaluate where their gifts can have the greatest impact, Patty Baker said.

"No one can doubt that health care is one of the most valued services," she said in a news release. "We hope we don't need it but when we do, we want it to be the very best it can be. I feel strongly that NCH will continue its track record of using our gifts, and those of all donors, in the most effective and efficient manner possible."

The Bakers support the arts locally and elsewhere. She is the creator and co-founder of the Patty and Jay Baker Naples Museum of Art located at Artis-Naples. In 2012, they received the Naples International Film Festival's Voice of the Arts Award for their arts support, which includes the Naples Philharmonic Orchestra and the Naples Players.

Jay Baker has served as chairman of the United Performing Arts Fund in Milwaukee and raised $10 million for various performing arts in Milwaukee.
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By Ryan Mills of the Naples Daily News

Fifteen years ago, Tom Monaghan saw a need. Of the roughly 200 law schools in the United States, only a tiny fraction pursued the law from a decidedly spiritual perspective.

Ever the businessman, Monaghan, the founder of Domino's Pizza, set out to start a new school; a school with fidelity to the Catholic Church that would teach the best of Catholic intellectual thought and produce legal and political leaders for the future.

"I feel like history is one big battle between good and evil, and most of the battles are waged by attorneys," Monaghan said Friday night as the Ava Maria School of Law he founded celebrated its first 15 years.

About 150 school leaders, students and local dignitaries celebrated the landmark with the "Queen of Heaven Ball" at the Ritz-Carlton, Naples. They dined on Caprese salad, beef tenderloin, seared stone bass and Almond Joy warm chocolate cake.

The Keynote speaker was Charles J. Chaput, the archbishop of Philadelphia who hosted Pope Francis in 2015.

Monaghan founded Ave Maria School of Law in Ann Arbor, Michigan. It held its first class in 2000 and received full accreditation in 2005. Four years later, Monaghan moved the law school to Collier County.

Ave Maria School of Law now has 269 enrolled students and 1,200 alumni. Last April the school purchased its North Naples campus in the Vineyards community. Previously it rented the property from Ave Maria University, its sister school.

"It's not easy to open a law school and then to move it from one part of the country to another. That was not without a lot of pain," said Monaghan, dressed in a tuxedo.

Dean Kevin Cieply, who joined the law school in 2014, said Ave Maria provides a unique learning environment with its spiritual focus and commitment to the concept of natural law  the belief that man can ascertain, through his or her senses, the laws of nature and of God.

Ave Maria is also regularly ranked among the most politically conservative law schools in the country.

"We have a fairly large percentage of our students seek out nonprofit organizations that either have a conservative agenda or a religious agenda," Cieply said.

The law school has also faced growing pains over the years. Most notably, it has battled fluctuating bar passage rates that are regularly below the statewide average. In 2015, only 22 of the 46 students who took the bar exam in July passed  47.8 percent of the school's first-time test takers, below the statewide passage rate of 68.9 percent.

Improving performance on the bar exam is the school's No. 1 priority, Cieply said.

"We're putting our full attention to the issue and we've done a tremendous amount over the last couple of years to improve that," he said. "It's not something you improve over night, but I believe we're going to start making some significant strides in that area."

The school also received some unwanted attention last year when it was revealed that it has been on a federal financial watchlist since 2005 due to its debt-to-income ratio. But Cieply said that, too, is being taken care of.

"It's not a concern anymore because yesterday Tom Monaghan has agreed to forgive an amount of debt which will take us off that list next year," he said.

Kellie Fiedorek, 32, a 2009 Ave Maria School of Law graduate, flew into Naples Friday to attend the ball. Fiedorek works as legal counsel for the conservative Alliance Defending Freedom and is on the religious liberty advisory board of Sen. Marco Rubio's presidential campaign.

She is proud of her school, which she said provides students with a solid foundation in legal reasoning and equips them to think about the world with a broader perspective.

"It teaches us to not only be lawyers," she said, "but faith-filled citizens."
Pedro Rodriguez looks to cut limbs Friday, Jan. 15, 2016 at the most western part of Sharwood Drive in North Naples, Fla. Collier County crew members worked to remove the fallen tree. With heavy rain and a tornado watch in effect for Collier County, until 5 p.m., the region saw downpours, downed trees and other storm hazards. Pedro Rodriguez, who was operating the chainsaw, said the tree was mahogany. (Corey Perrine/Staff)

By Ryan Mills and Kristine Gill of the Naples Daily News

A line of severe storms pounded Southwest Florida on Friday, spawning a tornado, flooding roads and snapping trees.

The worst of the weather moved out of the region by early afternoon, but forecasters calling for another round of storms for late Saturday or Sunday.

"That's going to be our next potential for some strong storms," said Kristen Kirchhaine, a meteorologist with NBC-2.

Coming less than a week after a tornado ripped through Cape Coral damaging about 200 homes, Friday's storms heightened concerns about a potential repeat. At least one tornado did touch down, damaging a building's roof in the Whiskey Creek neighborhood in south Lee County, the National Weather Service reported.

But for the most part Friday's storm just dumped a lot of rain, flooded ditches, slowed traffic and reset plenty of clocks with power outages. Fort Myers was doused by a record 2.59 inches of rain, said Richard Rude, a National Weather Service meteorologist.

In Lee County, about 26,500 customers were out of power by early afternoon, according to Florida Power & Light. In Collier County, more than 9,300 customers were temporarily without power. The company services more than 200,000 customers in Collier County and about 250,000 in Lee County.

The outages only increased throughout the morning as crews rushed to restore power.

A power outage at the Hollywood 20 Regal Cinema on Hollywood Boulevard in North Naples forced patrons to leave the theaters Friday afternoon.

Nearby, Barron Collier High School was also out of power. District Spokesman Greg Turchetta said the administration building along with Osceola Elementary School, and Poinciana Elementary School also lost power.

In Lee County, parents were allowed to keep their children home as an excused absence due to the weather, but otherwise it was business as usual.

There were also some weather-related delays and diversions at Southwest Florida International Airport, and some portions of the airport were temporarily operating on generator power, spokeswoman Vicki Moreland said. Anyone flying this weekend should check with their individual carrier for the most up-to-date information about possible delays.

The American Cancer Society's annual Cattle Baron's Ball had to make alternate plans for its Saturday festivities after Friday's heavy winds destroyed two event tents at Six Bends Harley-Davidson near Interstate 75 and Daniels Road in Fort Myers, NBC-2 reported.

Officials said more than $250,000 in equipment was damaged, the station reported.

"I was actually running toward the Harley dealership building as the tent was completely picked up and moved," said Stacey Mueller, of the American Cancer Society of Lee County. "When I turned around, that is when it was torn apart."

After Sunday's expected storms pass through, Southwest Florida will likely experience below average temperatures early next week, with highs in the 60s and lows in the 40s, said NBC-2's Kirchhaine.

The average high temperature this time of year is 74 degrees, she said.

"This is the kind of thing we would expect more in an El Nino year like this," Kirchhaine said of the climate pattern that affects weather worldwide.
Walkers head out under a massive balloon arch. Harry Chapin Food Bank of Southwest Florida held their eighth annual WINK News Feeds Families Hunger Walk Saturday morning at Miromar Outlets in Estero, with over 1,000 participants and the goal of raising $330,000 to fight hunger in Southwest Florida. Lance Shearer/Special to the Daily News

SHARE Harriet McHenry, left, and Shelley Cooper of the Gulf Coast Vikings march in full regalia. Harry Chapin Food Bank of Southwest Florida held their eighth annual WINK News Feeds Families Hunger Walk Saturday morning at Miromar Outlets in Estero, with over 1,000 participants and the goal of raising $330,000 to fight hunger in Southwest Florida. Lance Shearer/Special to the Daily News FGCU mascot Azul the Eagle works to whip up the crowd before the walk. Harry Chapin Food Bank of Southwest Florida held their eighth annual WINK News Feeds Families Hunger Walk Saturday morning at Miromar Outlets in Estero, with over 1,000 participants and the goal of raising $330,000 to fight hunger in Southwest Florida. Lance Shearer/Special to the Daily News Cheryl Catanzaro, from right, Amber DiAngelo, and Brooke Miller of Panera Bread hand out bagles. Harry Chapin Food Bank of Southwest Florida held their eighth annual WINK News Feeds Families Hunger Walk Saturday morning at Miromar Outlets in Estero, with over 1,000 participants and the goal of raising $330,000 to fight hunger in Southwest Florida. Lance Shearer/Special to the Daily News Related Photos Walk to benefit Harry Chapin Food Bank

By Patrick Riley of the Naples Daily News

Well before the many shops at Miromar Outlets opened their doors to bustling shoppers and strolling patrons Saturday morning, the mall was abuzz with the cheerful chatter of young and old.

In the still sleepy parking lot, they met  families with strollers, grandmothers with walkers, dogs on leashes and children with the seemingly endless energy of the early morning  to join together in the fight against hunger.

More than 70 teams and close to 800 people registered to participate in the 8th annual "WINK News Feeds Families Hunger Walk" benefiting the Harry Chapin Food Bank of Southwest Florida, said Marta Hodson, community relations manager for the food bank. Together they raised more than $290,000 in the weeks leading up to the free event and throughout Saturday morning.

"People make pledges, come out and show their support," Hodson said. "It's a great way for the community to do their part in whatever way they can. Every donation, every dollar that's donated to us can provide $6 worth of food."

Food that is much needed, she said, even in a part of Florida that is often associated with wealth and prosperity.

"Over 30,000 people every month get some sort of food assistance from our partner agencies  40 percent are children, over 10 percent are seniors," Hodson said. "I think it's easy to think that we live in paradise and there's not a need, but the need is there. Yes, the economy is better, but people are still digging out of a deep hole that they were in before. So they need that little bit of help."

One of the many there to help Saturday was Frank Barrett, president of the Purdue University Alumni Club for Southwest Florida.

Clad in a gray Purdue sweatshirt, Barrett clutched a heavy, yellow and black Purdue flag, surrounded by fellow former Boilermakers, dressed head to toe in black and gold.

"Some years we walked separately because we couldn't find each other," said Barrett, 71, of North Ft. Myers. "But with this they find me."

Not too far from the Boilermakers stood the Vikings.

Wearing their gold Viking hats, adorned with Norway pins and fake, blond braids, Harriet McHenry, 69, and Shelley Cooper, 67, patiently waited for the start of the 2-mile walk around the mall.

"We're here to support the community and to get a little exercise," said Cooper, of Estero. "We are the Gulf Coast Vikings."

Cooper and McHenry are the president and vice president, respectively, of the Sons of Norway, a fraternal organization that promotes the heritage and cultures of the Scandinavian countries. Saturday the two joined the hunger walk, to help those in need and "window shop" during their march, said Cooper.

"Who's going to entice us?" she said.

The duo had already eaten breakfast at home, but many others filled up on complimentary orange juice, water, coffee and cinnamon crunch bagels before starting their march through the mall concourse, past stores, fountains and dainty palm trees.

Closing out the colorful stream of participants was 98-year-old Anne Paniagua, of Fort Myers, patiently and steadily moving her walker forward, step by step.

"I'm glad I'm here," said Paniagua, whose daughter Madeline works at Harry Chapin Food Bank. "This is my first walk I'm ever walking and it's not going to be my last."

Donations to the Harry Chapin Food Bank can be made at www.harrychapinfoodbank.org.
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Kudos

Well-deserved accolades were traded around the room when Collier County commissioners, Collier Sheriff Kevin Rambosk and various advocates for battling the scourge of modern-day slavery gathered Tuesday for the presentation of a proclamation recognizing January as Human Trafficking Awareness Month.

Commissioner Georgia Hiller led the way as a new logo and campaign "Stop Modern Slavery" was unveiled, featuring T-shirts and information sharing via social media, including Twitter and a Facebook page at www.facebook.com/empowermententerprises.

Among those recognized were staffers in Rambosk's human trafficking unit; Linda Oberhaus, executive director of the Shelter for Abused Women & Children in Collier County, which provides a secure place to stay for trafficking victims; and Angelina Spencer, president of Empowerment Enterprises Ltd., a Washington, D.C., political management firm.

Rambosk shared the news of the weekend arrests of two suspects charged locally with trafficking and the rescuing of four victims, and he said as many as a dozen other victims may have been protected by the arrests. Community help is needed to continue battling the crime, Rambosk said.

Hiller said the victims in question weren't brought here from another country; they were locals. She noted that traffickers target both genders and all ages.

Spencer said a human trafficker can earn $100,000 or more yearly off each victim.

It's often in sex rings, but also can be in domestic or farm labor, for example.

"Collier County is committed to taking a firm stand against human trafficking and

will remain focused on ensuring that all Collier County residents are safe and

abusers are held accountable for their crimes," the proclamation states.

If you suspect someone is a trafficking victim, call local law enforcement, the shelter's 24-hour crisis hotline at 239-775-1101 or the National Human Trafficking Resource Center 24/7 hotline at 1-888-373-7888 or text 233733 (BE FREE).

Kicks

During a presentation this week about whether fluoride should be taken out of the water distributed by Collier County government's utility, newly chosen Chairwoman Donna Fiala reached over and grabbed a plastic bottle of water.

"Did you notice everybody up here has their own bottle of water," she said, referring to the commission dais. "Nobody drinks their regular water it seems."

Ouch.

Lest we forget, Collier government's utility won honors in 2015 for producing the best tasting drinking water in Southwest Florida. The award, a regional and statewide competition yearly among public water utilities, is held by the Florida Section of the American Water Works Association. The state's top award last year ultimately went to the city of Tallahassee.

Collier County's utility won the statewide award in 2012. Ave Maria's utility won top state honors in 2014 and 2010 for the best drinking water in the state. Bonita Springs Utilities Inc. has regularly fared well in the competition.

It's also a reminder that it never hurts to look at the fine print on your water bottle label. For example, the label on a plastic bottle sold recently by a Southwest Florida International Airport vendor showed it came from the water system in Zephyrhills, "the city of pure water" northeast of Tampa.

Kudos

Collier County School Board members made the right call this week in adjusting a proposed 2016-17 school year calendar after hearing concerns from the Jewish community.

As had been proposed, Yom Kippur would have been a regular school day and the second day, Oct. 3, of Rosh Hashana was a regular school day, and Oct. 4 a half school day although there are morning services before the Jewish holy holiday ends that evening.

Board members sought a middle ground by keeping Aug. 10 as the start of the school year, reducing the days out of school in the week before Christmas but keeping Oct. 4 a full school day.
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Gary Lefebvre, Naples

PC dangers

Recently in Philadelphia, police officer Jesse Hartnett was shot multiple times in his patrol car.

A man approached, identified as Edward Archer, pulled out a gun and opened fire, pumping about a dozen rounds into the driver's side window.

The suspect confessed to the shooting and said he did it in the name of Islam, and that he pledged allegiance to ISIS. The suspect said that he shot the officer because police enforce laws that do not comply with Sharia law or the Quran.

There was no doubt that he was inspired by his Islamic beliefs in his attempt to kill a police officer.

Mayor Jim Kenney is quoted as saying: "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 the screen."

Who would ever agree with this statement? This politician is so clueless that it boggles the mind. The politically correct believers will get us killed.
<p>Executive and Artistic Director Shannon Franklin speaks to the audience Thursday, Nov. 6, 2014 at ArtisaNaples in Naples, Fla. Hundreds came to kick off the 6th Annual Naples International Film Festival. Patrons viewed a screening of Song One starring Oscar-winning actress Anne Hathaway. (Corey Perrine/Staff)</p>

SHARE Shannon Franklin, Executive and Artistic Director of the Naples International Film Festival on NewsMakers 10-20-13.

By Chris Silk of the Naples Daily News

The Naples International Film Festival will head into 2016 minus the talents of Shannon Franklin, who announced she is stepping down as executive and artistic director effective Feb. 1 to focus on "new opportunities."

Franklin has been the face of NIFF since 2011 and will assume a seat on the festival's advisory board.

"I am so grateful to have been given the chance to lead such an outstanding organization full of talented and dedicated people who have truly become like family to me," said Franklin. "It really is the right time for NIFF and for me. The company has matured beautifully over the years, and I genuinely feel it's poised to do bigger and better things for this community."

The festival, now in its eighth year, showcases documentaries, features and short films. Franklin was named executive director in 2011.

Last year's edition, held in November 2015, saw dozens of events between showings at Silverspot at Mercato, opening and closing galas at ArtisNaples and a late-night party with audience members and filmmakers at seafood restaurant ROW by Captain Brien. The documentary "The Last Man on the Moon," about Apollo 17 astronaut Eugene Cernan, headlined the event.

"This year  we literally brought to Naples the last man to have ever walked on the moon!" Franklin said. "Interviewing astronaut (Eugene) Cernan on the ArtisNaples stage in front of a spellbound audience was truly a highlight of my life."

Franklin said picking a favorite from among the dozens of films programmed over the past five years was "impossible" but pointed to 2012 documentary "Honor Flight" as another "very special moment" for the ability to showcase the film and the cause.

The film, about a Midwest community joining together to honor World War II veterans, went on to win multiple awards as well as earn a Guinness Book of World Records entry for largest film screening. A Collier County Honor Flight chapter was formed in 2013 and has ferried hundreds of veterans back and forth to Washington, D.C. and drawn an impassioned response from the community.

A Naples native, Franklin left for the bright lights of Tinseltown after graduating from the University of Florida with a theater degree. She spent 10 years acting, doing voice-over work and even running a production company.

Post-festival, Franklin, who once told a magazine that she "lives, sleeps and breathes movies," plans to start a local film production company with her husband Zach, a Naples lawyer who also has been involved with the festival since 2011.

"We've been developing several feature-length film projects with some friends and colleagues in the industry," Franklin said. "One of those stories is perfectly suited for Naples, and we ultimately intend to shoot it here as one of our first projects up."

Filmmaker, author and producer Jon Fitzgerald, who co-founded Utah's Slamdance Film Festival with a focus on emerging talent in 1995, will take over as executive director. Fitzgerald has also previously directed the AFI Los Angeles Film Festival as well as the Santa Barbara and Abu Dhabi International Film Festivals. His latest projects include documentary film "The Milky Way" about mothers and breast-feeding.

"Jon has been involved with the festival since 2009  as a filmmaker and through his service on NIFF's Advisory Board  and is perfectly suited to take the festival to the next level," said Naples International Film Festival board president Bill Hoffman.

No dates have been set for the 2016 Naples International Film Festival, although the opening night gala (usually held in early November) at Artis-Naples has become an unofficial kickoff of the city's social season.
Courtesy of NBC-2.com

By Kristen Kirchhaine, NBC-2.com

Saturday morning begins with areas of patchy, dense fog across Southwest Florida. Drivers should use caution if heading out early this morning.

The fog will dissipate by 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. giving way to partial sunshine for the afternoon. High temperatures will climb into the mid to upper 70's.

By Saturday night, clouds will be on the increase ahead of our next weather system. Starting as early as Sunday morning, the next round of rain and storms will be moving into Southwest Florida from the Gulf of Mexico. Similar to the last few rounds of storms, severe weather is a possibility.

Click here to get the full weather forecast at NBC-2.com.
Larson on Wallace incident: 'It is what it is'

Kyle Larson responds to his wreck with Bubba Wallace and Wallace's retaliation at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
'Deep financial and intellectual ties'

'Califf's appointment is hardly surprising'

(NaturalNews) In his last months in office, President Obama continues to pursue his policy of appointing industry insiders and lobbyists to important posts within the federal government.A glaring example is his recent nomination of Dr. Robert Califf to become the new head of the FDA when current commissioner Margaret Hamburg steps down in March.Califf has just received the support of a Senate committee, and is now expected to receive full senate approval of the appointment  despite revelations that he has close ties to the pharmaceutical industry Even mainstream media outlets have voiced concerns over the appointment. A number of journalists and observers are questioning the potential impartiality of an appointee who has worked so closely with Big Pharma for so many years.From"Califf is widely respected in the public and private sectors, but his candidacy is seen by some as a threat to the independence and authority of the FDA, thanks to his views on the need to accelerate change and his deep financial and intellectual ties to the pharmaceutical and medical device industries."Califf says his salary is contractually underwritten in part by several large pharmaceutical companies, including Merck, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Eli Lilly and Novartis. He also receives as much as $100,000 a year in consulting fees from some of those companies, and from others, according to his 2014 conflict of interest disclosure."From 2006 to 2015, Califf worked for Faculty Connection, a company which provides 'regulatory consulting' for the medical industry. In other words, its services are designed to help pharmaceutical companies and others within the industry sidestep federal regulations.Califf is certainly a champion for deregulation of the drug industry. One of his stated goals is to bring the pharmaceutical industry and the regulatory agencies closer so that new drugs can gain approval more quickly and easily.He defends his ties to the industry, saying that it would be "useful to have someone [leading the FDA] who understands how companies operate because you're interacting with them all the time."In other words, let the fox guard the hen house  which seems to have been the guiding philosophy behind many of President Obama's appointments As Jeffrey Phillips of WeAreChange.org noted:"Califf's appointment is hardly surprising. Michael Taylor, the current Deputy Commissioner for Foods at the FDA  also appointed by Barack Obama  used to be Monsanto's vice president for public policy."Collusion between corporations and the FDA is widely documented. This influence has presumably contributed to many questionable decisions, such as the FDA's approval of oxycontin for children or the ongoing approval of countless dangerous drugs that are later recalled." Democrats such as Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren have been outspoken in opposition of the Califf nomination, but there is at least one Republican member of Congress who also believes he is unfit for the role of FDA chief.From"Senator Lisa Murkowski, a Republican from Alaska, said she will place a 'hold' on his nomination to prevent a Senate vote, saying she's angry about her treatment by Califf and the FDA when she raised concerns about the agency's plans for the labeling of genetically modified fish."Murkowski, who wants mandatory labeling, says she talked to Califf about the issue after the committee's confirmation hearing in November, and that he promised to listen to her concerns. But shortly after the hearing, the FDA issued guidelines that called for voluntary labeling of genetically modified foods, not mandatory labeling."Murkowski said Califf was "not straightforward" regarding his knowledge of the FDA's plans.However, by the time of the Senate committee's vote on Tuesday, January 12, Elizabeth Warren had backed down from her previous objections, saying that after reviewing Califf's record she is "satisfied that he has conducted himself with integrity as an academic researcher."Bernie Sanders simply didn't show up on Tuesday  he was too busy campaigning for the presidency.Apparently it'sas usual this week in Washington, D.C.
Worker honey bees with living mothers -- the queen -- seem more altruistic because of those mother genes, or matrigenes. But when the queen dies and their fathers' genes (patrigenes) begin to lead, they become ruthless competitors, says a new study led by Pennsylvania State University.

This provides support for a long-existing theory about kin selection--with the idea being that "giving" behavior is one way to transfer maternal genes to the following generation.

"We usually think of honey bees as ideal cooperators, with all the members of the colony working together harmoniously," Christina Grozinger, entomology professor at Penn State said in a release. "Our studies demonstrate that there is actually conflict--called intragenomic conflict--among the genes inherited from the father and those inherited from the mother."

The structure for all this altruism in a normal colony is that the workers remain sterile and contribute all their efforts to bringing up other offspring of the queen. After a queen's death, things can happen in two ways: Either workers remain altruistic, or they begin to reproduce themselves -- they activate their ovaries and lay unfertilized eggs. The eggs produce males.

In 2003, researcher David Queller posted a model showing, basically, this: All workers have the same set of matrigenes from their mother, the queen. But they have different patrigenes because the queen mated with 10 or more male bees. If a worker helps to raise her sister workers, she helps pass on the matrigenes. But if she acts on her own and reproduces herself, more of her patrigenes go on to the next generation.The patrigenes would promote selfish behavior, according to a statement.

In this recent study at Penn State, researchers were able to use modern genomic testing for the first time to prove the 2003 model. The results were published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

"It is very strange to think that your genes might be fighting with each other based on whether they came from your mother or your father," Queller said in the release. "Yet, this is just what we found. It turns out that when a queen dies, worker bees behave the way their fathers want them to, producing sons when possible."

For more great nature science stories and general news, please visit our sister site, Headlines and Global News (HNGN).

-Follow Catherine on Twitter @TreesWhales
Michigan's top prosecutor launched an investigation Friday into the Flint water crisis to see if any laws were broken  as the local sheriff declared that "people lied to us," NBC News reported.

"In 21st century America, no one should have to fear something as basic as turning on the kitchen faucet," Attorney General Bill Schuette said in a statement.

Federal prosecutors said earlier this month theyre working with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on an investigation into problems with lead in Flints water supply.

Schuette's announcement comes just hours after Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder announced hes asking President Barack Obama to issue an emergency and major disaster declaration.
New developments emerged Sunday in the murder of a producer for ABC7 Chicago whose body was found in Belize on Friday morning, authorities say.

One man remains in custody in connection with the murder and Belizean police revealed Sunday that they plan to bring in two tour guides for questioning.

A 24-year-old Guatemalan man who had entered Belize illegally was taken into custody Friday morning, and has not been charged with the murder, but is being interrogated by police. Authorities say he told police that he was on a fishing expedition in the area of the resort where 39-year-old Anne Swaney was staying.

Swaney was the executive producer of online operations for abc7chicago.com.

She was found dead after a daylong search with bruises on her neck and lacerations on either side of her head, Benque Viejo Police Superintendent Daniel Arzu told NBC Chicago. Police believe she may have been sexually assaulted.

Post-mortem reports show that Swaney was bleeding profusely, but there was no blood on the deck where her belongings were found, police said Sunday, which leads them to believe that the crime may have been committed somewhere else.

Police are searching with a K9 unit today for any evidence, including blood, her cell phone, and her clothes. They say that there have not been any pings from her missing cell phone, which they think could be in the river where she was found.

Benque Viejo Police Superintendent Daniel Arzu

Swaney arrived Saturday alone for a seven-day vacation at Nabatunich Resort, Arzu said.

Swaney went out to do yoga Thursday morning around 8 a.m. along the Mopan River near the resort, Arzu said. Hours later, a tour guide found her belongings along the river but no sign of her.

Dogs were brought in to help search for Swaney Thursday night. Her scent was picked up near the river, though she was not located until the following day when she was found floating face-down in the river wearing only a bra Friday morning, authorities say.

"We suspect that she may have been sexually violated, Arzu said. She had bruises around her neck that reveals that there might have been some strangulation or some sort of fight back.

A producer for ABC7 Chicago was killed in Belize, police in the nation confirmed. NBC 5s Regina Waldroup reports.

However, an autopsy performed by the Benque Viejo Police Department was unable to determine conclusively if she had been sexually assaulted. The cause of death was ruled to be asphyxia by compression of the neck, manual strangulation and blunt force trauma to the head and neck, which police believe was committed with a rock.

DNA evidence was collected from Swaney's body, according to authorities. It was not semen, but is being analyzed to find a possible link to any persons of interest.

Police say the Guatemalan man has been giving them misleading information and conflicting statements. According to authorities, when he was taken into custody near the scene Friday morning, he did not have any fishing equipment, but he did have a knife, which is currently being analyzed. He is charged with immigration offenses and will be in court Monday morning.

"We will be pursuing an interview and investigation to for him to give account for himself and as well we will be relying on the results of the post mortem examination and the forensic evidence collected from the area," Arzu said of the man in custody on Saturday morning.

Based on his interrogation, police believe he will greatly assist in the investigation, though the entire staff and tour guides will also continue to be questioned, Arzu added. He also said that the Benque Viejo Police Department is bringing in more detectives from other areas to work on the case, and they are warning tourists against being in remote areas alone.

Swaney's family members will not be traveling to Belize, but are arranging to have her body taken to the U.S. by no later than Wednesday.

Benque Viejo Police Superintendent Daniel Arzu

A State Department official said in a statement: "We offer our sincerest condolences to her family and loved ones on their loss. Our consular staff is providing all possible consular assistance."

Swaney was an avid world traveler and lover of horses, friends said.

"When she walked on the premises, it was like you knew Anne was here," said Carol Waynauskas of Sarah's Stables in Willow Springs, where Swaney spent much of her time with her horse Sequia.

"Him and her made a great pair," said Waynauskas, referring to the horse. "He's gonna miss her."

"A lot of people are terribly broken up about this," President and General Manager of ABC7 John H. Idler said. "She had that capacity to make everybody around here better. She demanded that from those around her. She mentored people throughout her career."
An Easton woman who pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud after stealing $380,000 from her employer for high-end personal gifts has been sentenced to one year and a day in prison, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.

Dawn Mininberg, 48, was sentenced on Tuesday to prison time, followed by a year of home confinement and two additional years of supervised release.

Federal officials said she worked for a Greenwich company, where she provided financial services. Over a two year period, she charged $380,000 in personal expenses on her corporate American Express card, including lavish clothing, theater tickets, children's parties and lessons, vacations, an $11,000 jungle gym and charitable donations, according to federal officials.

As part of her duties, Mininberg would justify charges on expense reports, including her own.

While doing expense reports, she admitted to using her position to hide her expenditures by categorizing personal purchases as office supplies, meals, meetings or lodging for the company, according to federal authorities.

Miniberg was also ordered to pay $386,907.77 in restitution.
Family members gathered Saturday to lay to rest an 79-year-old Bristol woman whose death has raised suspicions for investigators, who found evidence at the scene to indicate it could be a murder.

The obituary for Maureen M. Gaski, 79, of Bristol, says she "passed away surrounded by her loving family" on Friday, Jan. 8.

Gaski would have been 80 Jan. 21 and was born in Bristol in 1936. She graduated from Bristol High School, where she met her would-be husband, Edward "Scratch" Gaski, according to her obituary.

She lived in Bristol for all her life and worked for 20 years as a health aide at Northeast School.

Gaski treasured time spent with family.

"Maureen especially loved attending her families events, trips to Ireland visiting her 'special Irish family,' Island cruises, fun times in Wellfleet, Westbrook, Island Pond, Vermont and Maine," her obituary states.

She is survived by her children, Mark, Janice, Geoffrey, Kevin, Debbie and Lisa and 13 grandchildren, according to her obituary.

"She was affectionately called 'Honey', 'Bachi' or 'Bach' and will always be remembered for her caring, love, devotion and sincere generosity by all who she touched. Words cannot express how much we will miss 'Mom' and our 'Babcia'. Her love, zeal, and passion for life will always be a real example to those who knew her," her obituary reads.

Police responded to Gaski's Sheffield Lane home around 4:30 p.m. Friday of last week after a family member reported that she was in cardiac arrest and officers found her chest and neck covered in blood, police said.

Gaski was brought to the emergency room at Bristol Hospital, where she was pronounced dead and the doctor told police she had four suspicious cuts on her neck.

After hearing that, police went back to the house and found one of Gaskis family members outside the house, who asked police if theyd been in the house.

He mentioned finding a bloody knife in the basement, according to the police documents, and said he thought someone had gone into the house and killed Gaski.

As police checked the house, they found blood in the first-floor bathroom, including blood smears that indicated someone might have tried to clean it up, the police documents state.

Police also found pieces of eyeglasses on the bottom step of the stairs connecting the basement and first floor, as well as a trail of blood leading to a small table in the basement with a blood-covered knife on it. Under the knife police found blood smears, which they said indicated a possible clean-up attempt, police said.

Police seized several items into evidence and are investigating.

Gaski was buried in St. Joseph Cemetery in Bristol.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation), 20 Batterson Park Rd, #302, Farmington, CT 06032.

The family also invites those who knew Gaski to write condolence messages in her guestbook at www.dupontfuneralhome.com.

You can see her full obituary here.


U.S. and Iranian officials announced Saturday that Iran freed four dual-nationality prisoners, including Washington Post reporter Jason Rezaian, and a fifth detained American in exchange for for seven Iranians held or charged in the United States.

Rezaian, former Marine Amir Hekmati, pastor Saeed Abidini, Nosratollah Khosravi were to be flown from Iran to Switzerland on a Swiss plane and then brought to a U.S. military base in Landstuhl, Germany, for medical treatment, a senior White House official confirmed to NBC News.

Rezaian's wife and mother were expected to be on the plane.

The student, identified as Matthew Trevithick, was released independently of the exchange on Saturday and already was on his way home, said U.S. officials.

In return, the U.S. will pardon or drop charges against seven Iranians  six of whom are dual U.S.-Iranian citizens  accused or convicted of violating U.S. sanctions.

Three were serving prison terms and now have received a commutation or pardon. Three others were awaiting trial; the last one made a plea agreement.

It's unclear if these individuals will leave the U.S. for Iran. They are free to stay in the United States.

In addition, the U.S. will drop Interpol "red notices"  essentially arrest warrants  on 14 Iranian fugitives it has sought, the officials said.

The announcement of the exchange came as the International Atomic Energy Agency was close to certifying that Iran had met all commitments under the nuclear deal with six world powers.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry was meeting in Vienna with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and other officials involved in the accord, and it was expected that such certification could come Saturday.

The release of the prisoners and the nuclear deal developments cap a week of intense U.S.-Iran diplomacy that took an unexpected turn on Tuesday with the detention by Iran of 10 U.S. Navy sailors and their two boats in the Persian Gulf. The sailors were released in less than 24 hours after Kerry intervened with Zarif in multiple telephone calls that administration officials hailed as a channel of communication opened because of the nuclear negotiations.

"Through a diplomatic channel that was established with the focus of getting our detained U.S. citizens home, we can confirm Iran has released from imprisonment four Americans detained in Iran," one of the U.S. officials said.

Frederick J. Ryan, Jr., publisher of The Washington Post, said in a statement, "We couldn't be happier to hear the news that Jason Rezaian has been released from Evin Prison. Once we receive more details and can confirm Jason has safely left Iran, we will have more to share."

Hekmati's lawyer, Mahmoud Alizadeh Tabatabaei, said Hekmati called him earlier Saturday from prison.

"He told me that judiciary officials have called for a meeting with him. But I've not been formally informed if he is free now," he said, adding that negotiations for the prisoners' release has been going on for the past two months.

Hekmati's family released a statement saying: "We thank everyone for your thoughts during this time. There are still many unknowns. At this point, we are hoping and praying for Amir's long-awaited return."

The negotiations over the American detainees grew out of the Iran nuclear talks. In discussions in Europe and elsewhere, Kerry and nuclear negotiator Wendy Sherman were able to establish a separate channel of talks that would focus on the U.S. citizens.

But that channel was kept separate from the nuclear conversations. American officials didn't want the citizens used as leverage in the nuclear talks, and didn't want to lose their possible release if the talks failed to produce an agreement.

The discussions then gained speed after last July's nuclear deal. In talks in Geneva and elsewhere, a team led by Obama's anti-Islamic State group envoy, Brett McGurk, worked on the details of a possible prisoner swap. The Iranians originally sought 19 individuals as part of the exchange; U.S. officials whittled down the number to seven.

U.S. officials stressed that the Americans were a priority. But the Iranians wanted a goodwill gesture or reciprocal measure in return, the officials said.

Among American politicians, Republican presidential candidates Donald Trump and Ted Cruz and U.S. House Speaker Paul Ryan gave cautious praise to the release of the prisoners, particularly Abedini, but said they never should have been held in the first place. Democratic candidate Bernie Sanders praised diplomacy as the key to solving the detainee issue.

Rezaian was born in California and holds both U.S. and Iranian citizenship. He was convicted in closed proceedings last year after being charged with espionage and related allegations. The Post, for which he covered Iran, and the U.S. government have denied the accusations, as has Rezaian.

Hekmati, of Flint, Michigan, was detained in August 2011 on espionage charges. Hekmati went to Iran to visit family and spend time with his ailing grandmother.

Abedini of Boise, Idaho, was detained for compromising national security, presumably because of Christian proselytizing, in September 2012. He was sentenced in 2013 to 8 years in prison.

Robert Levinson, who disappeared in Iran in 2007 while working for the CIA on an unapproved intelligence mission, wasn't part of the deal. American officials are unsure if the former FBI agent is even still alive. The Iranians have always denied knowing his location.

Levinson's case was aggressively pursued, the officials said, adding that Iran has committed to continue cooperating in trying to determine Levinson's whereabouts.

"We are happy for the other families. But once again, Bob Levinson has been left behind," the Levinson family said in a statement. "We are devastated."

The exchange also didn't cover Siamak Namazi, an Iranian-American businessman who advocated better ties between Iran and the U.S. He was reportedly arrested in October.

According to the official IRNA news agency, the seven freed Iranians are Nader Modanloo, Bahram Mekanik, Khosrow Afghahi, Arash Ghahraman, Tooraj Faridi, Nima Golestaneh and Ali Saboonchi. It didn't provide any further details.

The Obama administration has said the Americans came up in every conversation with the Iranians.
A day after Republican presidential candidate Ted Cruz drew the ire of New Yorkers with his comment suggesting that "New York values" included a focus on money and media, the Texas senator is doubling down on his criticism of the "liberal elite" here.

Asked by a reporter after a South Carolina event Friday if he would apologize for his comments, Cruz responded, "Well, you're right, Donald Trump, Hillary Clinton and Andrew Cuomo and Bill de Blasio have all demanded an apology, and I'm happy to apologize."

But he continued, in rhetoric that made clear the apology wasn't the one expected of him: "I apologize to the millions of New Yorkers who have been let down by liberal politicians in that state."

"I apologize to all the pro-life, pro-marriage, pro-Second Amendment New Yorkers who were told by Gov. Cuomo that they have no place in New York because that's not who New Yorkers are," he said.

"I apologize to all the small businesses who have been driven out of New York City by crushing taxes and regulations," he added.

Perhaps in one of the most inflammatory parts of his "apology," Cruz said: "I apologize to all the cops and firefighters and 9/11 heroes who had no choice but to stand and turn their backs on Mayor de Blasio because Mayor de Blasio over and over again stands with the looters and criminals rather than the brave men and women."

He went on to say he had "good news to the good people of New York."

"I believe 2016 is going to be an election like 1980, and help is on the way," he said. "People are waking up, and just like millions of New Yorkers, they're fed up with policies that don't fight for the working men and women of this country but instead further the elite liberal views that have taken this country down a path that is not working."

De Blasio and Cuomo - two New York figures who have often been at odds in recent months - joined forces to respond to Cruz's comments with an opinion piece published Friday night by the New York Daily News.

"If he had any class or possessed true presidential timber, Ted Cruz would offer New Yorkers a real apology instead of sarcasm," the pair wrote. "His rhetoric this week is unfit for anyone who hopes to lead the American people."

True New York values, the two wrote, are defined by: "Acceptance. Compassion. Tolerance. Resilience. Equality. The principles that built the greatest nation on the earth, and that continue to help guide it today."

Donald Trump also criticized Cruz's statement, taking to Twitter to call it a "wiseguy apology" and a disgrace.

During the debate Thursday, moderator Maria Bartiromo asked Cruz to explain past comments he had made about Trump embodying "New York values."

"You know, I think most people know exactly what New York values are," the candidate said.

"I am from New York. I don't," Bartiromo said.

"There are many, many wonderful, wonderful working men and women in the state of New York, but everyone understands that the values in New York City are socially liberal, are pro-abortion, are pro-gay marriage, focus around money and the media," Cruz said.

The jab appeared to be an attempt to dismantle Trump's identity as a conservative, but many said it backfired after an emotional response from Trump, who was born and raised in Queens.

[Cruz] has insulted a lot of people. New York is a great place, great people, loving people, and wonderful people," he said, before going on to detail the "beautiful, humane" response he saw in the aftermath of the Sept. 11 terror attacks.

One in 38 Americans lives in New York City, but the state's record of going for the Democrat in the winner-take-all electoral college system means Republicans rarely have to worry about insulting the populace.

Bashing the big city has long been a winning strategy in more conservative parts of the country, namely the Midwest and the South. (Likewise, New Yorkers have long been famous for looking down their noses at  well, everyone).

Not a lot of New Yorkers have given money to Cruz's bid for the White House. His campaign took in only about $487,000 from New York contributors through Sept. 30, according to the most recent filings. But one New Yorker, Wall Street hedge fund mogul Robert Mercer, contributed $11 million last April to a super PAC that supports Cruz.

Cruz "has no trouble taking money from New York City, but he's quick to insult our people and our values," said de Blasio.
Uber picked up a hefty tab Wednesday when a judge fined the taxi-alternative's California subsidiary $7.3 million for refusing to give state regulators information about its business practices, including when its drivers turn down ride requests and how accessible vehicles are to disabled riders.

The fine was part of a ruling by an administrative law judge at the California Public Utilities Commission, the regulatory agency that allowed Uber and its competitors such as Lyft to operate in the state as long as the companies reported aspects of their activities.

The judge agreed with utility commission staff who said Uber's California subsidiary, Rasier-CA, has not filed all required reports, specifically about how often it provided disabled-accessible vehicles, places where drivers tend to turn down ride requests, and the causes of accidents.

Uber's app allows passengers to request a ride directly from drivers in the area  and allows drivers to decline the request. The utilities commission wants to see whether drivers are accepting fares evenly.

Attorneys for Rasier-CA had argued that the company provided sufficient information to the commission. The judge acknowledged that the company provided some of the contested information but said it was not enough.

In a written statement, Uber spokeswoman Eva Behrend called the ruling and fine "deeply disappointing" and said the company would appeal.

"Uber has already provided substantial amounts of data to the California Public Utilities Commission, information we have provided elsewhere with no complaints," Behrend wrote, adding that submitting more detailed information could affect the privacy of passengers and drivers.

In a written statement, the utilities commission said Uber was the only company of its kind not to comply with the reporting requirements.

Uber has previously tussled with public officials. In Portland, Oregon, for example it had an extended disagreement with the city that led it to suspend operations. In France, Uber suspended its low-cost service following an escalating legal dispute and sometimes-violent tensions with traditional French taxi drivers. French authorities had ordered the service  called UberPop  shut down, but Uber refused, pending a legal decision at a top French court.
Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi is sharply criticizing a measure that she says would derail an ongoing lawsuit alleging Medicaid fraud.

Bondi on Wednesday personally testified against a bill (HB 421) proposed by a Panama City Republican. Bondi called the measure sponsored by Rep. Jay Trumbull an "end run'' and a "desperate attempt'' to help companies that provide laboratory testing for the state's safety net health care program. Bondi's office has alleged that the companies are overcharging the state.

A lobbyist for one of the testing companies told a House panel that Bondi's criticisms were not based on "facts.''

But Bondi asserted that the bill could wind up costing taxpayers tens of millions of dollars. California in 2011 reached settlements totaling nearly $300 million with the two companies.

After Bondi testified, the House committee delayed a vote on the bill.
Devon Still happily announced earlier this week that his daughter Leah was done with her final cancer treatment, but it was a day he initially feared might never come.

"When we first started off, it seemed so far away,'' Still told TODAY.com. "When she received her first treatment and it didn't work, that was the scariest moment. I thought I would end up losing my daughter."

Leah, 5, has been an inspiration in the fight against pediatric cancer since she was diagnosed with stage 4 neuroblastoma in June 2014 and given a 50-50 chance to survive by doctors. Devon, a defensive lineman with the Houston Texans, documented her battle on Instagram, which gave him a chance to reflect this week on how far she has come since that scary time 18 months ago.

"I looked through all the different pictures from when we started until the end, and I feel very blessed that we were able to make it through this,'' he said. "Social media really helped a lot during the dark times."
An ex-prosecutor is expected to testify that he promised Bill Cosby would never be charged over a 2005 sex-assault complaint, but a judge must decide if that constitutes an immunity deal.



Then-prosecutor Bruce Castor will be a key witness for the defense at a Feb. 2 hearing over what Cosby's lawyers have called a "non-prosecution agreement."



The defense argues that prosecutors who charged Cosby last month unfairly used his deposition testimony from the accuser's civil lawsuit against him. Castor supports their position.



But Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin Steele, the prosecutor handling Cosby's case, said there is no evidence of a signed immunity agreement. Cosby's lawyers did not attach one to their recent motion to dismiss the case.



On Saturday, accuser Andrea Constand's lawyer said she never knew of such an agreement.



"He (Castor) said ... that he talked to us about it. That's a lie," lawyer Dolores Troiani said. "It never happened."



Castor, in announcing that he wouldn't charge Cosby in 2005, had warned both sides that he could revisit the decision.



"District Attorney Castor cautions all parties ... that he will reconsider this decision should the need arise," he wrote in a press release. "Much exists in this investigation that could be used (by others) to portray persons on both sides of the issue in a less than flattering light."



Castor did not immediately return a call Saturday, after CNN reported that he sent an email to his successor Risa Vetri Ferman on September 23, 2015 explaining the agreement with Cosby's attorneys. In the email, which was obtained by NBC10, Castor told Ferman not to prosecute Cosby because of an agreement with lawyers stating Cosby would not incriminate himself by giving a deposition.

Castor also told Ferman the criminal case was too weak for an arrest and that Constand should pursue a civil case. He also said the only way for Constand to win in civil court was for Cosby to testify. Castor warned Ferman that she would need to make a case without a deposition, stating Cosby could possibly sue Montgomery County and that the deposition would be thrown out if it was used.



Castor mounted an unsuccessful campaign against Steele to return to office last fall. His decision not to charge Cosby was an issue in the race.



In Cosby's deposition, unsealed last year, the TV icon and champion of family values detailed his romantic interest in Constand, who is gay; his pursuit of other young women during his long marriage; and his use of quaaludes in the 1970s as a seduction tool.



He said that on the night in question, he gave Constand wine and pills before performing a sex act. He called it consensual. She said she was drugged and violated.



Cosby settled the lawsuit soon after giving his deposition.



Steele considered the deposition testimony along with the avalanche of new accusers making similar claims as he weighed the decision to charge Cosby before the 12-year statute of limitations expired this month.



According to Troiani, Cosby could have invoked his Fifth Amendment right not to answer some questions at the deposition. But a jury could have made "a negative inference" about the decision if the case went to trial, she said.



The Feb. 2 hearing was initially scheduled as a preliminary hearing to determine if Steele has enough evidence to send the case to trial. But a judge has agreed to instead hear arguments on the defense motion to dismiss. His lawyers will also attack the 12-year delay to file charges and Steele's plan to call other Cosby accusers to show a pattern of behavior.


A Virginia man who was allegedly attempting to travel to Syria to join the Islamic State group and a man accused of helping him have been arrested, according to a press release from the U.S. Department of Justice.

Joseph Hassan Farrokh, 28, of Woodbridge, Virginia, was arrested Friday afternoon at the Richmond International Airport as he attempted to board a flight to Chicago. Officials said once he reached Chicago, he intended to board a flight to Amman, Jordan, with an ultimate destination of Syria.

Mahmoud Amin Mohamed Elhassan, 25, also of Woodbridge, was arrested Friday evening after returning from driving Farrokh to Richmond.

Farrokh, who is a U.S. citizen originally from Pennsylvania, has been charged with attempting to provide material support and resources to a designated foreign terrorist organization.

Elhassan, who is a legal permanent U.S. resident originally from Sudan, has been charged with aiding and abetting Farrokhs attempt to provide material support and resources to a designated foreign terrorist organization.

According to the criminal complaints, Farrokh been trying to leave the United States and join ISIL in Syria since Nov. 20, 2015. Farrokh purchased an airline ticket on Dec. 21, 2015, for flights departing on Jan. 15 from Richmond with an ultimate arrival destination of Jordan, and would then travel to Syria.

The complaints state Elhassan introduced Farrokh to a person who Elhassan believed had connections to individuals engaged in jihad overseas. The person was an FBI informant cooperating with law enforcement as part of a plea deal for a reduced sentence in a criminal case, according to the complaint.

Elhassan also knew of Farrokhs plans to travel to Syria to join the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), a journey Farrokh believed was facilitated by the informant, and two other associates  also FBI informants. Farrokh told the informants that he lied to his family and had informed them that he intended to travel to Saudi Arabia to study.

In a taped conversation between Elhassan and one of the informants, the Sudanese-born man reported that Farrokh was close to leaving for Syria, and that his route would be through Jordan, not Turkey as previously planned.

According to the complaint, Farrokh told Elhassan that he "wanted to go right away and 'chop their heads.'" Elhassan called his attitude as that of an "extremist," to which Farrokh responded that he just "belongs on the battlefield and would rather go by himself."

Elhassan picked up Farrokh Friday morning and drove him to Richmond to a location approximately one mile from the airport, according to the criminal complaints. Farrokh then took a cab to the airport, checked in for his flight, cleared security and was arrested as he was approaching his departure gate.

After driving Farrokh to Richmond, Elhassan returned to Woodbridge and voluntarily consented to an interview by FBI agents. During the interview, Elhassan lied to agents about a number of things, including when he last saw Farrokh.

When asked when he had last seen Farrokh, Elhassan told the agents it had been earlier in the day in Woodbridge. Elhassan also stated that Farrokh was going to the Dulles International Airport to fly to California to attend a funeral and would be gone for two weeks.

U.S. Rep. Barbara Comstock (R-Va.) praised authories for discovering and ending the alleged plot.

Our federal law enforcement and national security agencies are working day and night to keep us safe from a radical Islamic threat that is constant," she said. "These latest arrests within the Commonwealth demonstrate the threat is real, and we need our intelligence capabilities to be agile and vigilant. I commend the federal agents and our intelligence professionals who are operating in this difficult threat environment on a job well done.

Farrokh and Elhassan each face a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, if convicted. The initial appearance for both men is scheduled for Jan. 19, 2016, in front of U.S. Magistrate Judge Theresa C. Buchanan at the federal courthouse in Alexandria.
Animal care staff in Rancho Santa Fe got a little surprise Monday morning when they found a puppy smaller than the size of a water dish in the back lobby of the Helen Woodward Animal Center.

The weeks old puppy had been abandoned by a blonde woman caught on surveillance video, who left her in an overnight crate to be assigned to another dog.

The woman had left two other dogs in her car while she walked into the building to abandon Piccolo.

The woman left no note or information for the dog dubbed Piccolo by staff (meaning small in Italian), who was still too young to feed herself without her mothers milk.

At less than one pound, Piccolo was far too young to survive on her own. Center adoptions staff immediately placed her in an intensive care incubator to get her body heat back to where it needed to be. While her exam showed no emergency medical care was necessary, she was suffering the stress of being separated from her mother and seemed unsure of how to eat without her mother's milk. Assisting Piccolo with learning how to eat formula and how to take water from a syringe to keep her hydrated has been the primary concern since her arrival at the center.

"There was so much confusion about where she had come from," stated Helen Woodward Animal Inventory Manager LaBeth Thompson. "Four of our staff members were checking around the building to see if Piccolo was one of ours and trying to figure out how she had ended up in Bruce's crate. We have such a regular morning routine with feeding and caring for the pets and it was so unusual to find a puppy that no one was familiar with."

Abandoning any animal without care on public or private property is a misdemeanor.

"We understand that whoever did this may have had good intentions," explained Helen Woodward Animal Services Manager Ed Farrelly. "But leaving such a young puppy in a place we may not have found it for many hours is not a way to ensure this puppy's health. Its body temperature could have dropped dangerously low and it could have been severely malnourished and dehydrated by the time we found it."

Piccolo is under constant care and each evening vet technician Shea Halle takes her home to monitor her health. Piccolo shows clear signs of missing her mom. She snuggles and nuzzles into Halle's neck, and tries to nurse like a kitten. Care staff are sure of one thing  for such a little puppy she has created a big stir.

Piccolo should be up for adoption when she has reached eight weeks old. For more information on adopting her go to the centers website, contact the Adoptions Department at 858-756-4117 ext. 1, or stop by the center at 6461 El Apajo Road in Rancho Santa Fe.
Gov. Jerry Brown announced late Friday night he is reversing the decision to release a convicted cop killer on parole, keeping the man who killed San Diego Police Officer Archie Buggs behind bars.

Jesus Cecena has spent 37 years in prison for the execution style death of Buggs, a 4-year veteran of the San Diego Police Department (SDPD). In 1978, Buggs pulled over Cecena for a traffic stop in Skyline. In response, Cecena pulled out a gun and shot the 30-year-old officer to death.

In August, the state Parole Board granted Cecena parole  a decision vehemently opposed by local law enforcement and the San Diego County District Attorneys office.

On Friday, Gov. Brown decided Cecena needed to remain in prison.

Mr. Cecena turned a routine stop for speeding into a cold-blooded execution of a beloved police officer who worked earnestly to protect his community, Brown wrote in his decision. Mr. Cecenas actions had a devastating impact not only on Officer Buggs family and friends, but also on those who served with him, the law enforcement community generally, and members of the public. Click here to read the governor's full decision.

Brown said he believes the convict still poses an unreasonable risk of danger to the public if he is let out of prison because he has not fully accepted responsibility for Buggs murder and has not acknowledged his calculated actions.

Cecena was originally sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole in 1979, but in 1982, the sentencing law regarding minors changed. Cecena's sentence was amended to life with the chance of parole because, though he was a known gang member, he was 17 at the time of the shooting, San Diego District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis said.

Since his sentence changed, Cecena was denied parole more than a dozen times.

But in 2014, a two-member panel from the Parole Board sent a letter to the governor's office, recommending Cecena be released. They said he was eligible for Youth Offender parole under the state's law.

Local law enforcement was immediately outraged and began their fight to keep Cecena in prison.

Brown later overturned the panel's 2014 recommendation, as he did the 2015 recommendation.

In his decision released Friday, Brown said he recognizes that Cecena was 17 years old at the time, experienced an instable childhood and made efforts to improve himself while in prison.

However, they are outweighed by negative factors that demonstrate he remains unsuitable for parole, the governor wrote.

On Saturday, SDPD Chief Shelley Zimmerman released this statement praising Brown's decision:

We applaud the Governors decision to deny parole for the killer of Officer Archie Buggs. Police officers put their lives on the line every single day to protect our citizens who we so proudly serve. This decision sends a clear message that will help keep our communities safer and our police officers safer.



A heartfelt thank you to everyone who stood with us in this battle to keep this cold blooded killer behind bars. In the end, our voices were heard. Please keep the family, colleagues, and friends of Officer Archie Buggs in your thoughts and prayers as they continue to this day, to mourn the loss of a loved one.

San Diego County District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis also released a statement Saturday about Browns decision to keep Cecena locked up.



Thanks to the Governor and all those who worked so hard to make sure Officer Buggs' voice was heard, a cop killer will remain behind bars where he belongs, Dumanis said. This was a cold-blooded execution of an on-duty SD police officer, which devastated the officers family, his department and our community.



Cecena's crime was callous, inexplicably senseless and demonstrated a total disregard for human life and disdain for those in a position of authority, the DA added.


Burkina Faso and French forces killed a fourth extremist Saturday after freeing 126 people and killing three other attackers to end the seizure of a luxury hotel by al-Qaida-linked militants, Burkina Faso officials said.

In addition to the extremists, at least 23 people were killed in the attack at the Splendid Hotel in Ouagadougou, the capital, the president said. The fourth jihadist was killed when security forces cleared out a second hotel that was nearby.

Two of the three attackers were identified as female, President Roch Marc Christian Kabore said on national radio.

The State Department told NBC News it was trying to establish if any Americans were caught up in the assault and said the U.S. Embassy in Ouagadougou was "making every effort to account for U.S. citizens in the city."

The Islamic extremists stormed the Splendid Hotel and a nearby cafe Friday night.

Gunfire ramped up early Saturday as gendarme and military forces fought to take back the building which had been blackened by a fire during the assault. The security forces took control of the Splendid Hotel and were searching nearby hotels to be sure no other extremists were hiding. The search continued even after security forces found and killed a fourth extremist at the Hotel Yibi, the president said.

About 33 people have been wounded and the operation freed 126 people after the morning call to prayer signaled a new day in this West African nation, said Minister of Security and Internal Affairs Simon Compaore.

Cars and motorbikes were burned, and overturned chairs and shards of glass lay scattered near the hotel. Onlookers were kept far away from the fighting that continued into daylight.

The harrowing attack was launched by the same extremists behind a similar siege at an upscale hotel in Bamako, Mali in November that left 20 dead.

Dozens of French forces arrived overnight from neighboring Mali to aid in the rescue. One U.S. military member was embedded with French forces at the scene, and the United States was working to help provide France with surveillance and reconnaissance help, according to a U.S. senior defense official who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss the matter publicly.

An al-Qaida affiliate known as AQIM, or al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb, claimed responsibility online as the attack was ongoing in downtown Ouagadougou at the 147-room hotel, according to the SITE Intelligence Group.

In a message posted in Arabic on the extremists' "Muslim Africa" Telegram account, it said fighters "broke into a restaurant of one of the biggest hotels in the capital of Burkina Faso, and are now entrenched and the clashes are continuing with the enemies of the religion." Fighters who spoke by phone later "asserted the fall of many dead Crusaders," AQIM said, according to SITE.

Burkina Faso's Internal Affairs Minister Simon Compaore said that 10 bodies were found inside the Cappuccino Cafe, a restaurant located next to the Splendid Hotel.

"We know that the gunmen won't get out of the hotel alive," said one witness, who gave only his first name, Gilbert. "Our country is not for jihadists or terrorists. They got it wrong."

Burkina Faso, a largely Muslim country, had for years been largely spared from the violence carried out by Islamic extremist groups who were abducting foreigners for ransom in Mali and Niger. Then last April, a Romanian national was kidnapped in an attack that was the first of its kind in Burkina Faso.

The country also has been in growing political turmoil since its longtime president was ousted in a popular uprising in late 2014. Last September members of a presidential guard launched a coup that lasted only about a week. The transitional government returned to power until Burkina Faso's November election ushered in new leaders.

The hotel attack in Mali in November also was claimed by a leader of AQIM, who said it had been carried out as a declaration of unity with Algerian militant Moktar Belmoktar's extremist group Al-Mourabitoun, according to an audio speech that was distributed by SITE at the time. Belmoktar was a former leader in AQIM before starting his own group, which now has merged back with al-Qaida.

In a separate development, Abi Ouattara, spokeswoman for Burkina Faso's ministry of security and internal affairs, says an Austrian doctor and his wife were kidnapped by extremists in the country's north near its border with Mali.

The spokeswoman said the jihadists abducted the two from the town of Baraboule in the Soum province in Burkina Faso's Sahel region.

The ministry did not have immediate information on how long the two had been in northern Burkina Faso, where they were doing volunteer work.
A man who works as a school bus aide is accused of sending lewd photographs of himself to a teenager at an Fairfax County school for students with special needs.

Morrice Stephenson, 24, was arrested Friday after a 16-year-old girl reported he sent her inappropriate photos, Fairfax County police said.

Administrators at Quander Road School called police shortly after noon Wednesday when the student reported the incident. The student said she received at least two inappropriate photos from the bus aide in November and December, police said.

Detectives arrested and charged Stephenson, of Alexandria, with two felony counts of soliciting a minor using a communication device. He is being held without bond at the Fairfax County jail.

Stephenson and the minor are acquaintances, police said.

Bus aides are school employees who help students and ensure safety during bus rides.

Anyone with information is asked to call police at 1-866-411-TIPS or 703-691-2131, visit www.fairfaxcrimesolvers.org or send a text message to CRIMES with TIP187 plus your message.
A D.C. man was sentenced to 18 months in prison Friday in a stolen identity tax refund fraud scheme involving people on public assistance.

Ezekiel Raspberry participated in an extensive stolen identity refund fraud scheme that involved more than 130 people, according to prosecutors. Refunds were sought for tax years 2005 through 2012 in the names of senior citizens, people in assisted living facilities, drug addicts and prisoners whose identities had been stolen. Some refunds were sought in the names of people who were participants in the scheme.

More than 400 taxpayer addresses located in D.C., Maryland and Virginia were listed.

From September 2008 through November 2010, Raspberry, 39, conspired with others to file 145 fraudulent tax returns to defraud the IRS of $315,076, according to court documents. Raspberry received refund checks from a co-conspirator and deposited them into his bank account, then withdrew funds and gave them to the co-conspirator, keeping some of the money for himself.

The fraudulent tax returns included schedules C and C-EZ falsely claiming each taxpayer ran a fake business. The returns falsely said the taxpayer had gross receipts and two or more dependent children, when they actually either victims of identity theft, misled into providing his or her identifying information, or was in on the scheme.

Raspberry is one of 16 people who pleaded guilty to charges in U.S. District Court. The overall case involves at least 12,000 fraudulent federal income tax returns that sought refunds of at least $42 million, according to court documents.

Raspberry pleaded guilty Nov. 10 to conspiracy to defraud the U.S. with respect to claims.

Following his prison term, Raspberry will be placed on three years of supervised release where he must also complete 100 hours of community service. He also was ordered to pay $315,076 in restitution to the IRS.
A military veteran who was robbed and shot in Prince George's County before Christmas got justice Friday, when his attackers were each sentenced to more than 30 years in prison.

Rakeem "Killa" Solomon, 22, was sentenced to 30 years in prison for attacking Roger Whitfield, 65, as he sold wholesale goods in November in Bladensburg, Maryland. His accomplice, Dennis Alvarez, was sentenced to 35 years.

"I'm grateful it ended the way it did. We got all the perpetrators locked up for the appropriate amount of time," said Whitfield, a Vietnam War veteran who has disabilities.

Whitfield was selling designer coats and boots out of his car on Nov. 4 to make money to buy Christmas gifts for his 13 grandchildren. He told police two men grabbed him and demanded his keys and money. He said he initially resisted, but decided to give up all his items when he thought of his family.

Prosecutors say Solomon ordered Alvarez to shoot the veteran even though he was cooperating.

"They were getting ready to flee with all of his items in his car and [Solomon] said 'Bust him anyway,' and so [Alvarez] turned around and shot him," Gina Ford of the Prince George's County State's Attorney's Office said.

Whitfield suffered massive internal injuries.

"This injured me, physically, more than being in the war," he said. "I came closer to death here in Prince George's County than I did in Vietnam."

Solomon's family begged for leniency, saying he grew up without a father and could be rehabilitated. Solomon turned to Whitfield on Friday in the courtroom.

"I apologize to the victim. I apologize to his wife. Hopefully one day you'll find forgiveness," he said.

"I just say God bless him," said Whitfield's wife, Ginger Whitfield.

In the weeks following the shooting, police found a YouTube video of Solomon rapping. He was shown wearing a plaid shirt and black jacket -- the same jacket he wore the night of the shooting, which was caught on surveillance video. In the YouTube video, Solomon held a gun -- the same gun police believe he used on Whitfield.

A tipster who saw News4's report about the attack gave police the description of Solomon's car and location: The Copper's Landing Apartments off Annapolis Road. Bladensburg police contacted U.S. marshals for assistance, and Solomon was taken into custody without incident.

Ginger Whitfield expressed her gratitude to prosecutors, police and News4.

"I'm thanking the state's attorneys office for a job well done and the Bladensburg Police Department, that started it all going. and NBC4, of course, you [Darcy Spencer] and Jackie [Bensen], who followed my husband's story," she said.

Solomon's brother also was sentenced to 18 months in jail. Prosecutors said he wiped fingerprints off Whitfield's stolen car.
A local Marine is among those missing after two Marine Corps helicopters crashed late Thursday night off the Hawaiian island of Oahu, according to Massachusetts State Police.

The helicopters, carrying six crew members each, collided and went down while on a nighttime training mission, and rescuers searched choppy waters Friday where debris had been sighted, military officials said.

Among them was Marine Cpl. Christopher Orlando, of Hingham.



There was no immediate word on the fate of those aboard or what caused the crash.



The transport helicopters known as CH-53Es crashed just before midnight Thursday, officials said.



A Coast Guard helicopter and C-130 airplane spotted a debris field 2 1/2 miles offshore early Friday. The debris covered an area of 2 miles, Marine Capt. Timothy Irish said.



The choppers are part of the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing at Marine Corps Base Hawaii. Known as Super Stallions, they are the U.S. military's largest helicopter, capable of carrying a light armored vehicle, 16 tons of cargo or a team of combat-equipped Marines, according to a Marine Corps website.



Elaray Navarro, a retiree who lives across the street from the beach, said she heard two booms late Thursday that were loud enough to shake her house.



"I threw my blanket off, put my slippers on and ran outside thinking it was a car accident," she said.



She expressed concern for the crew as she watched the pounding surf from a beach park in Haleiwa.



"I pray to the man upstairs to help them. To bring them home safely," she said.



The search included Air Force units, as well as a Honolulu Fire Department rescue boat and Coast Guard cutters, officials said.



Two Navy ships, the USS John Paul Jones and the USS Gridley, were also participating, along with a Navy squadron of SH-60 helicopters, Navy spokeswoman Agnes Tauyan said.



As the rescue efforts went on, about two dozen Marines gathered Friday morning on the beach at Waimea Bay, a popular surfing spot a few miles from the search operation.



The family of Capt. Kevin Roche believes he was also one of the missing Marines aboard the helicopters.



"We believe the Marines and Coast Guard are doing everything they can to bring Kevin and his fellow Marines home safely, and we are grateful to everyone involved in the rescue," said a family statement distributed by brother-in-law Anthony Kuenzel in St. Louis, Missouri.



An aunt posted on a Marine Corps Facebook page that three Marines visited Roche's parents and reported that he was missing.



Steady rain was falling on the North Shore just before daybreak, and rough water conditions were forecast.



A swell approaching the area was to bring dangerous 30- to 40-foot waves to beaches and 10- to 20-foot seas near the rescue operation, National Weather Service meteorologist Matthew Foster said. Winds were expected to be relatively calm at 10 mph or less.



The crash comes less than a year after a Marine Corps tilt-rotor aircraft crashed during a training exercise in Hawaii, killing two Marines. The MV-22 Osprey went down last May with 21 Marines and a Navy corpsman on board.



In 2011, one serviceman was killed and three others injured when a CH-53D Sea Stallion chopper crashed in Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii.
Gillette Stadium will be packed when the New England Patriots take on the Kansas City Chiefs in Saturday's playoff game, but the week hasn't been without controversy.

To start there was coach Bill Belichick's mysterious black eye and Rob Gronkowski missing practice. Chandler Jones also took an alleged disoriented walk from his home to the Foxboro Police Station early Sunday morning.



The Jones incident ended in a short hospital visit, from what the Boston Globe calls a bad reaction to synthetic marijuana.

"I think it's overdramatized already," said one Pats fan. Another said, "It is what it is, he went to get some help, he got help and I think he'll be ready to play tomm."

On ESPN Friday, Former Pats Player Tedy Bruschi called the Jones incident an embarrassment to the organization, and questioned whether or not Belichick punishes Jones in Saturday's game. "I hope they gather up all their facts, and if discipline is warranted, maybe it needs to be," said Bruschi. Some Fans also nervous about the injury report, which came out late Friday---who will and won't be hitting the field.



Gronkowski is listed as questionable with a knee and back injury.
Friday, nearly two years after voters in Burlington, Vermont, approved of proposed changes to the city charter that would set three new rules related to gun possession in the state's largest city, there was a renewed push to get those changes approved by the Vermont Legislature.

Mayor Miro Weinberger, D-Burlington, has been urging Statehouse approval of the charter changes since they were first approved on Town Meeting Day in March of 2014. The rules would ban guns in establishments licensed to sell alcohol in the city, would mandate guns in Burlington be locked up when not in use, and would give police operating in Burlington the authority to seize weapons from suspected domestic abusers.

"Guns and alcohol don't mix particularly well," Weinberger told necn, describing one of the charter changes he wants to see made official in the Statehouse in Montpelier. "The Legislature not approving this charter change is getting in the way of our ability to keep the public, to keep our police officers, and to keep people working out in the public safe."

Last month, Zen Lounge in downtown Burlington was the scene of what police described as a very dangerous combination. Victor Anghelache, 31, was allegedly drunk, with a gun inside the club, and threatening to shoot people as bouncers were kicking him out, according to the Burlington Police Department.

Anghelache pled not guilty to an aggravated assault charge and was released on bond.

Some members of the Vermont Legislature, which must sign off on the proposed Burlington charter changes, have been hesitant to do so. Some have wondered if the idea runs counter to the U.S. Constitution, and others have said one community in the state should not have different rules than all the rest.

"If we're going to talk about it, it should be statewide," said Rep. Debbie Evans, D-Essex, referring to Burlington's proposal to ban guns in bars. "It would likely go to the courts [for legal challenges], too, so that's another question."

Burlington City Councilor Adam Roof, I-Ward 8, told necn he believes concerns over public safety are issues cities should be able to control in order to protect people within their communities.

"I think there's no place for firearms in those establishments in Burlington, Vermont," Roof said Friday of bars and nightclubs.

Roof, who said he used to work as a bartender and in other roles inside bars and busy night spots, noted he has witnessed guns and ammo inside bars in Burlington, and has found related paraphernalia that had been dropped on the floor of at least one Burlington establishment, and forgotten by the gun owner.

"I've found, on two occasions, a fully-loaded magazine. Fifteen rounds," Roof said. "If you're that intoxicated and leaving a magazine, you really shouldn't be having it on you. And I don't know anyone who carries a magazine without a firearm right next to it.

Roof was glad to hear that Friday, the state representatives serving Burlington re-introduced the city's charter change proposals, which will be considered first by the House Committee on Government Operations. The guns in bars question, the safe storage requirement, and the authority to seize guns from abuse suspects will each be considered as a separate bill, according to the bill filing system.

"This is for safety," said Rep. Joanna Cole, D-Burlington. "And these bills are narrower than they were the last time they were considered, which should mean they'll stand up better in the courts."

Evan Hughes, the vice president of the Vermont Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs, acknowledged that consuming alcohol and handling firearms do not mix, calling that a basic tenet of gun ownership.

However, Hughes objects to the notion of individual communities setting policies around gun ownership, arguing the definition of an establishment serving alcohol is a very broad one, and could include private events. Hughes also argues that Burlington's other proposed charter changes could create problems with the way state rules are enforced in other communities.

"It would create a patchwork of conflicting laws around Vermont," Hughes told necn. "There's a reason why there's a strong central government in the state of Vermont, it's so there's uniformity in the laws throughout the state."

The House panel is expected to start work on Burlingtons firearms questions this month.
Thousands of Christmas cards from around 30 local Norfolk charities have gone on sale today (October 19) at the Original Norwich Charity Christmas Card Shop inside St Peter Mancroft church in Norwich city centre.

Thousands of Christmas cards from around 30 local Norfolk charities have gone on sale today (October 19) at the Original Norwich Charity Christmas Card Shop inside St Peter Mancroft church in Norwich city centre.

Revelation Christian Resource Centre and Cafe Revelation in Norwich is a Christian resource centre, offering a bookshop, a meeting place and a welcoming refuge for refreshment open to visitors of any faith or none. Read more

Farewell as Yarmouth church leader moves on Captain Marie Burr, the Salvation Army leader in Great Yarmouth, has paid tribute to everyone at the church and charity after she left her post at the end of last month to move to a new role. Read more

Norwich Cathedral chorister in BBC final Norwich Cathedral chorister Alice Platten has her sights set on being crowned BBC Young Chorister of the Year after reaching the final stages of the prestigious nationwide competition. Read more

Norwich to hear pastor, Policeman and tramp tale Essex Baptist Pastor Dave McDowell has been a Policeman, fed orphans in India and lived under a boat as a tramp. He will tell his remarkable story at the October dinner of Norwich FGB on Wednesday October 26. Read more

Pioneer UK leader speaks at Sheringham church Ness Wilson, national leader of the Pioneer network of churches, was the main speaker at a day of teaching and worship held at Lighthouse Community Church in Sheringham on 12 October, to be followed up by Word and Worship sessions at October half term. Read more

Youth for Christ lights a fire in north Breckland North Breckland Youth for Christ will be putting on a mini residential camp this year to coincide with Bonfire Night. Read more

Delia Smith interviewed at Norwich church Top TV cook and well-known writer Delia Smith spoke about her faith at SOUL Churchs weekly Chapel gathering on October 11. Read more

Children's Christian holiday club in Briston A half term childrens holiday bible club is taking place in Briston next week, and there is no charge to take part in the fun. Read more

Ashill church puts on music to touch the soul The Fountain of Life Church in Ashill is hosting an afternoon concert in early November with classical, jazz, opera, ballads and pop classics. Read more

Fakenhams new rector is officially installed Rev Tracy Jessop has been officially installed as Rector for Fakenham during a service at Fakenham Parish Church on Tuesday September 27, fourteen months after their last reverend retired. Read more

Norwich homeless charity holds information evening Homelessness charity St Martins is holding an information evening on Thursday 3rd November at The Forum in Norwich for anyone who would like to know more about the work of the charity and to potentially become a volunteer. Read more

Sheringhams harvest flowers and Fairtrade boost Giving thanks for Harvest was the theme of the Harvest Flower Festival held at St Andrews Methodist Church, Sheringham at the beginning of October, which included a Traidcraft stall. Read more

ENYP needs Project Coordinator and Youth Worker Norfolk Christian charity ENYP is seeking to appoint new workers who have a passion to support children, youth and community food provision. Read more

Christmas resources at Revelation Norwich Christian Resource Centre is all stocked up for Christmas: Cards, wrap, bags, gifts, candles and advent calendars are all ready for you to browse and buy! Read more

Christian artist captures delight of the Creator Charlotte Ashenden is a portrait artist with 22 years experience, painting children, adults, houses and animals in an incredibly detailed and realistic style, capturing the character of the subject she is painting. Read more

Christian speaker visits Norfolk and Waveney Two local Christian organisations are joining forces to bring pastor and conference speaker Andy Prime to Lowestoft and Norwich later this month. Read more

Global Leadership Conference returns to Norwich After a three- year break the Global Leadership Summit returns to Norwich on November 25 at the Kings Centre, hosted by Norwich Youth for Christ. Read more
Delhi Likely to Be in Grip of Smog in Next 3 Days, Punjab Fails to Douse Farm Fires; GRAP 2 Enforced
First look - JMS returns to Thor as the Thunder God prepares to battle Thanos in Death Notes special

Thor visits Thanos' past and future with a host of all-star creators
BODY IN SHALLOW GRAVE

A man who police picked up after Hassina Khan, 41, was reported missing, is said to have confessed to police that he had killed the woman and subsequently led officers to the area where the grave was dug up and Khans body found.

Tearful relatives yesterday screamed at police offcers near the area where the grave was dug up, accusing officers of not taking numerous reports of assault and threats levelled at Khan and blaming lawmen for her death.

If all yuh had listened this would never have happened. If all yuh had listened, screamed Felisha Mohammed, the 20-year-old daughter of Khan.

The weeping daughter later collapsed in a faint and was held by her father Nazimool Mohammed as another person fanned her face with a piece of cardboard.

Officers stood nearby, ignoring the accusations of the anguished family members as they went about securing and processing the crime scene. The victims sister Hanifah Khan, told Newsday, The station (Couva Police Station) have a lot of reports about (the name of the suspect). My sister took out a protection order against him. The police are aware of everything.

That man kept following her all over the place. When everything happened, we gave the police a lot of information that could have helped. If only they had treated this as an urgent issue, my sister could have still been alive. His hand was swollen and the police asked him how it got swollen and he said he fell.

And that was that. No follow up...

no investigation, Khan said.

The police had a lot, a lot of information. One Mr Nanan, officer Nanan said he would deal with the situation. He tell us he will go and search the apartment today. Today is Friday...she missing since Tuesday and you want to go Friday to search the apartment? It is just ridiculous! SHE SAW DEATH Relatives said Hassina saw her death by the hands of the suspect as a fait accomplu. She left behind a letter detailing a history of severe abuse at the hands of the man whom she identified by name. Ever a doting mother, Khan  relatives said  requested that her children Felisha, 20; Brandon Mohammed, 17, and five-year-old Gabriela, be taken care of after she is murdered.

Relatives showed Newsday Khans letter written on a diary page.

On September 23, 2010, he hit me on my belly. That was very painful, the lash I got on my belly.

He said he does not want the baby and he wish me and the baby could dead. The first time, he pelt me on my belly with a bottle and I called the police but they never came. (Name called) is trying to kill me. He said he would do it. I am scared. He said if I leave him he would destroy the most important thing to me, my kids.

He always remind me of his past, a criminal one, the letter stated.

If anything happens to me, he did it purposely. Please who ever get this show it to the cops and take care of my kids Felisha and Brandon. Everything I own is for them. Hassina Khan, the letter ended.

Khan, whose family reported her missing on Tuesday, was found in a shallow grave not far from her Dow Village, California home at 3 pm yesterday. Police said a man who was in custody, confessed yesterday to killing her and led officers to where he had buried her. According to relatives, the man had changed his name after being deported from the US some years ago.

Khan (Hanifah) told Newsday that the man had stabbed his exwife 14 times in the United States for which he was jailed and subsequently deported. But (Hassina) was unaware of the mans criminal past when they began a relationship. Even after that relationship ended, the man continued to stalk, assault and threaten Hassina.

During the interview, relatives pointed out a woman standing nearby as the one who introduced the suspect to Hassina.

The woman ran off while the victims relatives had to be restrained by police when they tried to run after the woman.

Khans mother Jean Khan, was inconsolable as she was hugged by relatives as undertakers arrived to take away her daughters body after it was dug up. She demanded that the man be charged, tried and, killed in the same way he killed my daughter! Khans boyfriend Terry Mahadeo vented his frustration too, over her death, saying if police had intervened sooner in the face of numerous reports and complaints, this would not have happened.

Khan leaves to mourn her children and mother as well as several sisters and brothers. Her first Nazimool, who was married to her for 13 years, yesterday said he would assume responsibility for all three children. Southern Division Homicide are continuing investigations
Accused No. 7 freed

After spending nine years in prison, Joel Fraser was freed by Justice Malcolm Holdip who upheld his no-case submission, agreeing with defence lawyers that the prosecution failed to present evidence linking Fraser to the crime.

A somewhat subdued Fraser would only tell reporters, as he walked out of the courthouse with his lawyers Ulric Skerritt and Nikolas Ali, Justice has been served. Moments earlier, Justice Holdip read out his ruling giving reasons for upholding Frasers no-case submission and directed the foreman of the jury to formally return a not-guilty verdict in Frasers favour.

This court has ruled on a matter of law in relation to accused number seven. This court must now discharge him. Mr Foreman, I will now direct you as a matter of law when asked by the clerk in relation to accused number seven, you must announce not-guilty so I can formally discharge him, Justice Holdip directed.

Relatives of the accused men in the public gallery of the courtroom listened intently as the foreman announced, Not guilty. There were audible expressions of relief from some of those sitting in the public gallery, when the judge addressed Fraser directly. Mr Fraser, the formal verdict has been provided by the jury. I must also comply. You are hereby discharged from being an accused in this court. Jurors were then instructed to return to court on Monday, when the defence opens it case as similar applications were made by Frasers co-accused when prosecutors closed their case last year. All except Frasers were overruled by Holdip. The remaining ten men on trial - Shervon Peters; Keida Garcia, Marlon Trimmingham; Earl Trimmingham; Ronald Armstrong; Antonio Charles; Lyndon James; Devon Peters; Anthony Dwayne Gloster and Jamile Garcia - will have the opportunity to either testify in their defence or call witnesses before the jury is allowed to deliberate on evidence presented by the prosecution and defence.

Naipaul-Coolman was abducted from her home at Lange Park, Chaguanas on December 19, 2006. A $122,000 ransom was paid but she was not released and her body never found. Jurors were empaneled in June, 2013. Lead prosecutor Israel Khan SC, opened the prosecutions case on March 24, 2014, and gave details of Naipaul-Coolmans gruesome murder.

Prosecutors alleged Naipaul-Coolman was held captive in a house at Upper La Puerta, Diego Martin before being killed and her body disposed of. At the trial, Frasers attorney, during cross examination of retired Assistant Commissioner of Police Nadir Khan, provided an alibi for his client, saying he was working overtime at WASA during the period it was alleged he participated in Naipaul- Coolmans murder.
Swine flu cases rise to 67

These included all health workers, pregnant women, children between the ages of three and five, the elderly over 65, and anyone suffering from diabetes, or on immune suppressive drugs .

Speaking during the formal opening of wards 18 and 20 at the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex, Mt Hope, yesterday, Deyalsingh said there were 67 confirmed cases of H1N1, up from 46 one week ago. This meant that between last Friday and yesterday, there were 21 new cases .

The number of fatalities were five .

I implore that all at risk groups get vaccinated, especially pregnant women. In Trinidad and Tobago there are about 10,000 pregnancies annually. The flu season is between October to May. Anyone who finds themselves pregnant now, please go to your health centre and get vaccinated free of charge, he said .

The minister said the ministry has received 8,000 vaccines from Belize, 5,000 from St Lucia, and 37,500 from the Pan American Health Authority (PAHO) .

We have more than enough vaccines to vaccinate everyone in the at-risk groups, please avail yourself to the opportunity to be vaccinated at any of the health centres, he said .

However, Deyalsingh said they did not vaccinate the healthy population, which included from teens to those in their early 50s .

The swine flu will not affect you severely. You brush it off because your immune system is robust, he said. The minister also addressed the issue of the mosquito- borne viruses Zika and CHIKV entering the country. He said the Centre of Disease Control was thinking of advising pregnant women against travelling to countries where there was the Zika virus because of the risk of microcephaly .

The absolute link between Zika and microcephaly has not been absolutely proven yet, but there seemed to be a lot of association with it. Asked if they would be screening for the virus at ports of entry, Deyalsingh said be guided by best practice as determined by its health advisory partners World Health Organisation, PAHO and the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) .

All information coming out of these organisations tells us there is no benefit to be had in screening at ports of entry any of these mosquito-borne illnesses. The best defence against mosquito- borne illnesses is source reduction of aedes egypti at your home and yards, and that means a partnership of the ministry doing its part and the home-owner doing his part, he said .

Deyalsingh said there was a feeling within the national community that spraying and fogging were the best ways to control the aedes egypti. However, he said all evidence around the world said this was incorrect. That is a short term fix. The level of responsibility lies with the homeowner to clear home of breeding sites, he said .

The minister also said that while ebola was a deadly disease, the citizenry should not be unduly concerned .

Many of the countries that had ebola have now been declared ebola-free. Ebola will continue to be a major health issue, and we will be guided by PAHOs recommendations to deal with ebola .

My best information coming out of PAHO and WHO is that ebola seems to been contained in West Africa, and there are little if any cases coming out from West Africa, so that we should not be unduly concerned, the minister said .
Used car dealers reject policy changes

Thats the response of President of the TT Automotive Dealers Association (TTADA), Visham Babwah, to Trade Minister Paula Gopee-Scoons announcement yesterday of changes to the Revised Policy on the Foreign Used Car Industry, in Trinidad and Tobago.

Effective yesterday (January 15), the age-limit of gasoline powered foreign used cars was reduced from six years to four years, while individuals importing foreign used right-hand drive cars for personal use can only do so once, every four years, instead of once every three years.

The age limit of such cars is now set at four years.

Speaking to reporters outside the ministrys head office, Nicholas Tower, Port-of-Spain a few hours after Gopee- Scoons press conference, Babwah also claimed the move was the latest example of a newly-installed government to bow to big business. This move; taking the (gasoline) vehicle (age limit) to four years, is a kind of death to the industry, because back in 2008, about 200- plus dealers went out of business when the limit was four years. Out of the 13,500 (quota), we only imported about 5,000 vehicles. This decision would affect the lives of middle and lower- income citizens, so it shows they (Cabinet) dont care about the citizens of this country, Babwah claimed.

Vice-President of TTADA, Rhondall Feeles, lamented the negative effect that the reduced age-limit would have on future sales.

Back in 2008, a Tiida cost TT $100,000 (when) we had to buy vehicles in the fouryear- old bracket. Now its about $75,000 so it makes no sense for us as businessmen to invest, and then you cant sell anything. Were going to have to send home workers because nobody paying $100,000 for a Tiida now. Feeles lamented that he ordered vehicles in the six-year-old category based on the policy as it existed prior to yesterday, and is now in a quandary about whether or not those vehicles would be exempt from the changes.

I made investments to have 2010/six-yearold vehicles land in the country by February. So what they going to say? Our money and our investment have gone to nought? Because you secretly changed it to four years, and for no good reason? Feeles asked.

Regarding the ministers argument that traffic congestion was one of the reasons for the policy changes, Feeles pointed out that foreign used car dealers are allowed to import 13,500 vehicles per year while there are 10,000 vehicles per licence plate series.

We havent imported more than 9,000 vehicles, so it means we only import one series, but every (citizen) could say they seeing six series for the entire year, for years gone by.

The new car dealerships have no quota, Feeles argued.
US Military Really Didn't Want

You to Know What's in New

Washington Post Investigation
(Newser)  There has long been a question of whether someone ordered a security team to "stand down" rather than hurrying to the rescue of the US diplomatic compound in Benghazi on Sept. 11, 2012, and in the new "Benghazi movie," 13 Hours, the highest-ranking CIA operative at a secret agency compound located less than a mile from the diplomatic mission is seen issuing just such an order. Now, for the first time ever, the officer who was in charge of the CIA's Benghazi base on the night of the attacks is speaking outto refute the movie's version of events. "There never was a stand-down order," the base chief, who will only go by his first name, Bob, tells the Washington Post. "At no time did I ever second-guess that the team would depart." He insists he never said anything that could have been "interpreted as equivalent" to a stand-down order, either, despite filmmakers' repeated claims that the movie is extraordinarily accurate.

Both the film and the book upon which it is based claim that Bob kept a team of US contractors hired to protect the CIA's Benghazi base from heading to the rescue until it was too late; the book's author says he stands by his work, which is based on firsthand accounts from the contractors. "I think the evidence is extremely strong that the guys account is far more credible" than Bob's, he says, adding that he tried to speak with Bob but was never granted access by the CIA. But Bob insists the rescue of US Ambassador Chris Stevens was always a priority, and that though he was "concerned about an ambush" and leaving the base "more vulnerable to attack" due to the security team's departure, he never told them to wait and "there was never any question that there was going to be a rescue mission." Click for his full interview with the Post; a second CIA officer at Benghazi that night supports his version of events. (Read more Benghazi stories.)
(Newser)  An Arkansas man was sentenced to life in prison without the chance of parole Friday for the suffocation death of a real estate agent he was accused of luring to a fake home showing as part of a plot to kidnap her for ransom. Arron Lewis' punishment came shortly after a jury in Little Rock convicted him of capital murder and kidnapping for the death of 50-year-old Beverly Carter. She disappeared in September 2014 after telling her husband that she was showing a house to a prospective buyer in a rural area near Little Rock. Prosecutors said Lewis and his estranged wife, Crystal Lowery, set up the fake house showing with Carter, then kidnapped her. They argued that Carter was killed when the ransom plot went awry. Her body was later discovered in a shallow grave at a concrete plant where Lewis once worked, and an autopsy found she was suffocated.

Lewis' attorneys argued that Carter died accidentally during a consensual sex act, a claim that prosecutors said was a total fabrication. Carter's son, Carl Carter Jr. said his mother was wrongly portrayed. "For the guilty to be able to drag her sweet name through the mud ... it is awful," he said during a victim impact statement he gave in court before Lewis was sentenced. Lowery pleaded guilty last year to first-degree murder and kidnapping and was sentenced to 30 years in prison. She testified as a witness for the prosecution and denied Lewis' claims that the death was accidental. Lewis was automatically sentenced to life in prison without parole on the capital murder charge, and the jury sentenced him to an additional life term on the kidnapping charge. (Read more murder stories.)
(Newser)  A Pennsylvania prosecutor's sexual assault case against Bill Cosby could be in deep trouble, according to an email obtained by CNN. In the email, former Montgomery County DA Bruce Castor tells a successor that he made an agreement with Cosby that a deposition from a 2005 civil case brought by accuser Andrea Constand would not be used in any criminal case. "Unless you can make out a case without that deposition and without anything the deposition led you to, I think Cosby would have an action against the County and maybe even against you personally," warns Castor, who says he "can see no possibility that Cosby's deposition could be used in a state criminal case."

The depositionin which Cosby admits that he obtained Quaaludes to drug women he sexually desiredis a key piece of evidence in the criminal case, which was filed weeks before the statute of limitations ran out on his alleged 2004 assault of Constand, reports the New York Daily News. The Castor email was sent three months earlier. New Montgomery County DA Kevin Steele apparently thinks the deposition can still be used, despite Castor's verbal agreement with Cosby. "There is a specific legal method to grant immunity. That was not done in 2005," he tells CNN. (Some of Cosby's 60 or so accusers are expected to testify in the case, which could send him to prison for up to a decade.)
(Newser)  Ted Cruz, facing a huge backlash for his "New York values" comments, issued an "apology" to New Yorkers on Fridaynot for anything he said, but for the liberal policies they have to live under. "I apologize to the millions of New Yorkers who have been let down by liberal politicians in that state," Cruz said at a South Carolina event, per USA Today, listing policies like Gov. Andrew Cuomo's ban on fracking and promising that "help is on the way." "I apologize to all the New Yorkers who are pro-life and pro-marriage and pro-Second Amendment," he said, per the New York Times, which notes that he also issued pseudo-apologies in a press release, showing "an impressive handle on New York politics."

The New York Daily Newswhich had a Friday front page telling Cruz to "go back to Canada," with a picture of the Statue of Liberty giving him the fingerreports that Cruz used the cover in a fundraising email to supporters. "This is the lowest attack against Ted to date and the troubling fact is its not going to stop," the email said. Donald Trump robustly defended New York during Thursday night's GOP debate, winning praise even from Hillary Clinton, who tweeted: "Just this once, Trump's right," NBC reports. (Read more Ted Cruz stories.)
(Newser)  Burkina Faso and French forces killed a fourth extremist Saturday after freeing 126 people and killing three other attackers to end the seizure of a luxury hotel by al-Qaeda-linked militants, officials said. In addition to the extremists, at least 23 people were killed in the attack at the Splendid Hotel in Ouagadougou, the capital, the president said. The fourth jihadist was killed when security forces cleared out a second hotel that was nearby. Two of the attackers were female, President Roch Marc Christian Kabore said on national radio. The Islamic extremists stormed the Splendid Hotel and a nearby cafe Friday night.

About 33 people have been wounded and the operation freed 126 people, said Minister of Security and Internal Affairs Simon Compaore. Dozens of French forces arrived overnight from neighboring Mali to aid in the rescue. One US military member was embedded with French forces at the scene, and the United States helped provide France with surveillance and reconnaissance help, according to a US senior defense official who spoke on condition of anonymity. An al-Qaeda affiliate known as AQIM, or al-Qaieda in the Islamic Maghreb, claimed responsibility online as the attack was ongoing in downtown Ouagadougou at the 147-room hotel, according to the SITE Intelligence Group. (Read more al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb stories.)
(Newser)  The small-town Tennessee couple that bought one of three magic tickets splitting the world-record $1.6 billion Powerball jackpot says they don't plan to quit their jobs or buy a new house. Their daughter, however, wants a horse. At a news conference Friday, John and Lisa Robertson said they won't stop working and won't make any wild purchases. They'll pay off their mortgage and their daughter's student loans, but have no desire to move from their gray, one-story house in a close-knit community into a luxurious compound somewhere. Lisa works at a dermatologist's office. John is a warehouse supervisor. Both plan to return to work Monday, they said. They bought the ticket at a grocery store in their west Tennessee hometown of Munford, population 6,000.

Friends and neighbors say the Robinsons are a hard-working, responsible family with the ability to humbly deal with their new fortune. "That's what we've done all our lives, is work," John Robinson said. "You just can't sit down and lay down and not do nothing anymore. Because how long are you going to last? We do want to enjoy a little bit of our earnings, and maybe invest a little bit of it so our son and daughter will have it and they'll never need anything again." The couple, who opted to take the prize in a lump sum of nearly $328 million instead of in annual installments, also plan help certain friends, give to the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, and donate to their church. (Lottery officials are still waiting to hear from winners in Florida and California, where a nurse's win turned out to be a prank.)
(Newser)  Three years after a month-long hunt involving 1,600 hunters bagged a grand total of 68 pythons, Florida is bringing back the "Python Challenge." The hunt, part of efforts to get rid of the invasive species that is squeezing native wildlife like opossums out of the Everglades, kicks off on Saturday and officials say more than 600 people have signed up, CNN reports. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission says cash prizes will go to the hunter who captures or kills the most Burmese pythons and to the hunter that comes back with the longest one. Officials say the last hunt provided a lot of valuable data, although the snakes are too good at hiding for them to be easy prey for amateur hunters.

Nick Wiley, the commission's executive director, tells the Tampa Bay Times that he realizes the event is unlikely to remove large numbers of snakes. "But any pythons that are removed will be helpful, and it reinforces the message that we need all hands on deck to help remove pythons from the Everglades while we earnestly seek more effective measures," he says. The Times notes that the snakes are such a threat to native wildlife that even PETA hasn't suggested that the pythons be captured alive. Instead, the organization has asked officials to ban decapitation and require snakes to be shot in the head, destroying the brain for an instant kill. (Read more Florida stories.)
(Newser)  Authorities in Belize say an American tourist found face-down in a river on Friday was strangled, ABC 7 reports. Anne Swaney, a 39-year-old executive producer for ABC 7 in Chicago, was staying at the Nabitunich resort in the town of Benque Viejo del Carmen on the Belize-Guatemala border. She was supposed to go on a group horseback ride on Thursday, but stayed back because there were too few horses. Instead, authorities tell ABC, Swaney went to a deck on the river to do yoga. The resort owner reported Swaney missing when she failed to return after nine hours, reports Breaking Belize News. Searchers found Swaney's belongings on the deck by the river; the next morning they found her partially clothed body in the water.

Bruises on her neck and lacerations on both sides of her head "led us to believe that she was murdered," the local police superintendent tells CBS Chicago. "We also suspect that she might have been sexually violated." Autopsy results have confirmed that Swaney was strangled, per ABC 7. John H. Idler, president and general manager of ABC 7, says Swaney was an avid traveler and a "trailblazer in the digital news space," adding that she was "a kind person who always had a smile and a positive attitude." There is no nationwide tourist advisory for Belize, ABC 7 notes, but visitors are advised to be cautiousespecially in the Cayo District, where Swaney was killedbecause of an increase in crimes against tourists in the Central American country in recent years. (Read more Belize stories.)
(Newser)  The UN nuclear agency certified Saturday that Iran has met all of its commitments under last summer's landmark nuclear deal, crowning years of US-led efforts to crimp Iran's ability to make atomic weapons. For Iran, the move lifts Western economic sanctions that have been in place for years, unlocking access to $100 billion in frozen assets and unleashing new opportunities for its battered economy. Secretary of State John Kerry and the top diplomats of Iran and the European Union hailed the accord, reached after years of setbacks and a full decade after the start of international diplomacy aimed at reducing the possibility that Tehran could turn its nuclear programs to make atomic arms.

And Kerry linked the trust built between Iran and the United States over the past two years of talks to the breakthrough release by Iran Saturday of four Americans who also hold Iranian nationality. "Today marks the day of a safer world," he declared. In Washington, President Barack Obama signed executive orders lifting economic sanctions on Iran, while Kerry who led the last years of negotiations with Zarif that culminated in the July 14 deal, confirmed that the UN's International Atomic Energy Agency could verify that "Iran has fully implemented its required commitments." "Relations between Iran and the IAEA now enter a new phase," said IAEA director general Yukiya Amano. "It is an important day for the international community." (Read more Iran stories.)
Islamabad:

The Joint Investigation Team (JIT) set up by Pakistan to probe the Pathankot attack has decided to seek from India the DNA reports and finger prints of the slain terrorists amid its keenness to expedite the probe, an official said.



The team, headed by IG Rai Tahir of Punjab Counter-Terrorism Department, held a meeting here Islamabad to discuss the progress in probe investigation into the incident.



The meeting deliberated on the information received from interrogation of several suspects held so far, the official said.



According to the official, the team decided to expedite the probe, whose progress is clearly linked to the Foreign Secretary-level talks between the two countries which was to be held today but was deferred.



The team decided to seek information from India about DNA reports and finger prints of killed attackers, he said.



The team also decided to seek other information from India like how the terrorists entered the country, about their stay and whether there was any insider link.



It is expected that the team will also visit India to probe the attack.



Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had earlier this week formed the JIT after India provided the leads and linked the Foreign Secretary-level talks to Islamabads decisive action on the terror attack on its air base.



The JIT comprises officials from Intelligence Bureau (IB), Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and Military Intelligence.

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Lahore:

Putting its weight behind the banned Jaish-e-Mohammad, JuD chief Hafiz Saeed has chided Prime Minister Nawaz Sharifs government for detaining Jaish chief and activists in connection with the Pathankot terror attack.



Addressing the Friday sermon at JuD headquarters here, Saeed said that the Pakistan government is taking action against JeM to please India.



The arrests are regrettable as the Nawaz government is only doing so to please Modi sarkar (government). The arrests will only encourage the Indian government to put further pressure on Pakistan to backtrack its stance on Kashmir, he said.



Saeed further said the Pakistani government is ignoring national interest for the sake of its friendship with India.



The LeJ founder also criticised the Pakistani news analysts for appreciating the government for arrests made in connection with the January 2 attack on an Indian airbase in Pathankot.

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New Delhi:

Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan have found themselves landed in yet another controversy after a case has been filed against them in a Meerut court.

Actually, at the time of SRKs appearance in Bigg Boss Nau for Dilwale movie promotion, some fans had pointed out that the Khan duo were walking in boots in a Kali Mata temple.

The two iconic Khans had appeared in a promo of Bigg Boss. The promo has been shot for the upcoming episode which was aired after some time with Shah Rukh as a guest. Shah Rukh Khan will be attending the show to promote his upcoming movie Dilwale.

Actually, the idol of goddess Maa Kali is taken in background of the promo as an adaptation of duos 90s superhit Karan-Arjun.

In the movie, the two actors played the role of two brothers who were killed by the bad men in their village. Apparently, it seems that maker to attract traction for the show, which is yet to be aired, replaced the background with the help of a chroma.

At that moment it seemed that no major controvesry will break out after this. But now, a local court here today accepted a plea by Hindu Mahasabha against Bollywood superstars Salman Khan, Shah Rukh Khan and a private TV channel. But after filing of this case it seems that actor duo are in trouble. The court has fixed the date for hearing on January 18.

Here is the picture:





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New Delhi:

Indian army dogs, who have saved the lives of numerous soldiers in counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency operations, will march down the Rajpath for Republic Day Parade on January 26 after a gap of 26 years.



The Army, which has about 1,200 Labradors and German Shepherds, have selected 36 canines to march down the Rajpath with their handlers. Sources said the marching of the canine squad at the Republic Day Parade on Rajpath will be after a gap of 26 years.



Mansi, a four-year-old Labrador, and her Kashmiri master Bashir Ahmed War from the Territorial Army (TA) had made the country proud when they made the supreme sacrifice while gallantly fighting a group of heavily-armed infiltrators in the high altitude area along the Line of Control (LoC) in Tangdhar sector in August last year.



A war dog training school was raised on March 1, 1960 at Meerut. Basic and advance training to dogs and their trainers on specialised jobs like explosive detection, mine detection, tracking, guarding and assaulting is imparted at the Remount and Veterinary Corps (RVC) Centre and College.



The army dogs and their trainers of this Corps have won one Shourya Chakra, six Sena Medals, 142 COAS Commendation Cards, six VCOAS Commendation Cards and 448 GOC-in-C Commendation Cards.



The motto of the Corps is Pashu Seva Ashmakam Dharm.



The Army had come under severe criticism from the common people and dog lovers across the world after it was revealed in an RTI reply last year that dogs, horses and mules are put to sleep after their retirement.



Following a PIL, the government had in September informed the Delhi High Court that it would come out with a policy on the issue within six months.



Though a final policy is yet to be adopted, the Army has stopped further killing of ageing animals, except for those suffering incurable, terminal diseases and injuries.



The development came at a time when many countries, including the US and France, have special rehabilitation schemes for military dogs. The gallantry medal was awarded to a police dog killed after the Paris attacks last year.



The Indian army dogs are trained in sniffing bombs, hunting down enemies, locating secret places and fetching evidence. The Army generally uses Labradors, German Shepherds and Belgian Shepherds, depending on the altitude and weather, besides the nature of assignment which may include routine patrol to explosives detection.

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New Delhi:

Government in the Budget next month will announce a friendly tax regime that will encourage setting up of startups in the country, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said today.



We have already worked upon an entrepreneur-friendly taxation regime. There are some steps, which can be taken up by notifications, which would be taken forthwith. Others require legislative provisions, which can only come as part of the Finance Bill when Budget is presented in order to create a friendly taxation regime for startups, he said at the Start Up India conference here.



Recognising the need to encourage startups, a fund was suggested in the Budget last year, he said.



He assured the startups that both the banking system and the government will make the resources available to them.



Besides Start Up, the Finance Minister said the government will launch Stand Up India scheme under which, bank branches will lend to entrepreneurs belonging to SC/STs and women.



On Independence Day Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) announced the Stand Up India scheme. The Stand Up India would be separately launched. It is a programme, which envisages women entrepreneurs and entrepreneurs belonging to the SC, STs (to get funding from banks). These were the segments which were not throwing up entrepreneurs.



Each bank branch, public sector or private sector, would actually adopt one in the SC/ST category and one in the women category. So they will adopt two such entrepreneurs and fund them to set up establishments, he said.



By funding trading or manufacturing establishment of this segment, almost 3,00,000 new entrepreneurs over the next two years will be created, he said.

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Lucknow:

No agitation will be required for building Ram temple in Ayodhya since Narendra Modi is heading the government at the centre and he will ensure the construction by enacting a law, according to VHP president Pravin Togadia.



Till there is a government of Bhai Narendra in Delhi, there will not be any talk of agitation (for Ram Temple), he told a VHP programme here.



Modi is a man of firm resolve and I am confident that he will ensure the construction by getting a law enacted by Parliament, he said.



The firebrand VHP leader demanded a special session of Parliament for enacting a law for paving way for contruction of Ram Temple as was done in the case of Somnath Temple when Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel was the Home Minister.



Appealing to all the political parties to help in this regard, Togadia said Ram temple is a matter of faith and not an election issue..the benefit of framing a law for it will not go to any one party but to BJP, Congress, SP, BSP and all.



On the attack on Pathankot airbase and ties with Pakistan, he said any attack on the armed forces is termed as war.



Pakistan regards India as enemy and a policy should be framed regarding an enemy in such a way.., he said.



Togadia added, we will consider that Pakistan has changed only when it hands over Dawood Ibrahim, Maulana Azhar Masood, Lakhiur Rehman Lakhvi and Hafiz Saeed to India.

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Washington:

Indian Automaker Mahindra has launched its all electric scooter GenZe in a Californian city this week as part of its effort to create a niche space for itself in the green technology two-wheeler market in the US.

Mahindras GenZe 2.0, the first connected all-electric scooter, was conceived in Silicon Valley and engineered/assembled in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Designed to help alleviate challenges associated with urban commuting, parking, congestion and pollution, the scooter was formally launched at a recent event in Oakland, California in the presence of the city Mayor Libby Schaaf and Mahindra Group chairman Anand Mahindra.

Oakland is the perfect place to combine electric bikes and electric scooters, with mobility sharing and solar power. Projects like Bike Solar Oakland and San Francisco's Scoot Networks are the type of Smart City Initiatives we are launching in Oakland, Schaaf said.

We are so happy to be working with Mahindra GenZe this is the kind of innovation and partnership we want to see finding that pragmatic but visionary intersection of business, environment and technology to equitably serve our community, she said.

The GenZe 2.0 launch event in Oakland recognises the creativity and determination of the Mahindra Genze team to design and develop a remarkably distinctive product, said Anand Mahindra.

GenZe2.0 has a removable lithium-ion battery that can be recharged at any standard electrical outlet, providing optimal freedom and ease of use.

Its smart, utilitarian design offers ample rear storage space so people can get where they want and take their belongings with them.

Beyond its use as a personal vehicle, the GenZe 2.0 has also attracted a lot of attention from cities and corporate campuses who are searching for efficient multi-modal and first/last mile solutions to help augment existing transportation infrastructure, a media release said.
Vienna:

Archeologists in Austria today said they had found what they believe to be Europes oldest prosthetic implant in the shape of a wooden foot dating from the sixth century.



The discovery was made in the grave of a man missing his left foot and ankle at Hemmaberg in southern Austria. Instead at the end of his leg was an iron ring and remnants of a clump of wood and leather.



He appears to have got over the loss of his foot and lived for two more years at least with this implant, and walking pretty well, Sabine Ladstaetter from the Austrian Archeological Institute (OeAI) told AFP.



The skeleton of what appears to have been a high-ranking Frankish figure was discovered in 2013, but it is only now that the very, very surprising findings about the foot have emerged, she said.



The infection risk alone would have been extremely high, which shows how good the medical treatment was. And dont forget this was at the edge of the civilised world in the sixth century, Ladstaetter said.



Until pagan Slavs arrived in the 7th century, Hemmaberg was the most important Christian pilgrimage site north of the Alps containing six churches. It was rediscovered in the early 20th century.



The OeAI is part of the Austrian Academy of Sciences (OeAW).

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Patna:

A jeweller was shot dead by armed men near Rajapur in the heart of the city over an alleged extortion demand, police said.



The jeweller Ravi Kant fell to the ground after sustaining bullet injuries and succumbed while being taken to Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH), Senior Superintendent of Police Manu Maharaj told PTI.



Kant owns a shop in Rajapur bridge area in the heart of the city.



Eyewitness said the killers fled from the scene on foot brandishing revolver after gunning down Kant.



The SSP said that kins of the victim complained that a 'history-sheeter' Durgesh Sharma had demanded extortion money from him and the murder is linked to his not paying "rangdari" (extortion).



A case has been registered with Shri Krishna Puri police station and search is on for the killer, the SSP said.

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New Delhi :

The Government action plan for new ventures will have a significant impact on driving enthusiasm among aspiring entrepreneurs to start their businesses without worrying too much about regulations and taxation, according to promising startup founders.

Startups across the country lauded the efforts to promote the entrepreneurial spirit in the country and said action plan unveiled today reflects a better understanding by the government of the ecosystem.

Flipkart co-founder Sachin Bansal said the intent of the government is right.

There is a greater understanding of the startup ecosystem. They (startups) will benefit a lot from the incentives, tax benefits. To what extent is something that will have to be seen, he told PTI.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today unveiled a slew of incentives to boost start-up businesses, offering them a tax holiday and inspector raj-free regime for three years, capital gains tax exemption and Rs 10,000 crore corpus to fund them.

This is way beyond our expectation. Its like a budget on steroids... Start ups dont require money from government. The best thing is that they have removed tax, inspector visits which were cumbersome. Also, bringing start ups to mainstream with the awards is an incredible effort, Paytm founder Vijay Shekhar Sharma said.

India, which has the third-largest number of start-ups globally, will allow a 20 per cent tax on capital gains made on investments by entrepreneurs after selling own assets.

Besides, the credit guarantee fund for startups would help flow of venture debt from the banking system to startups by standing guarantee against risks.

Practo founder and CEO Shashank ND said the move will benefit entrepreneurs significantly as they can get capital without letting go of equity.

Deep Kalra, founders of one of Indias earliest tech startups, Makemytrip, said he was impressed that the government is not only talking about startups but has taken positive steps to support the ecosystem.

I think the Rs 10,000 crore fund is fantastic, capital gains and no compliance, that will be really helpful to those in the manufacturing sector, he added.

Faster exit was again a breather for many startup who again feel morally down with their failures. It will not be late when india will become worlds largest startup hub, Myheera.com founder and Director Puja Bansal said.

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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.
A blog about life under, and resisting, a dictatorship
Report: Russia arming Hezbollah with heavy weapons as part of alliance with Syria, Iran

(NationalSecurity.news) Lebanon-based group Hezbollah has long been designated a terrorist organization by the United States, but these days its fighters are being armed by Russia, and with heavy weapons, as part of a new alliance Moscow has formed with Iran and Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

As reported by The Daily Beast, Lebanese field commanders whose troops are fighting in Syria say the weapons are arriving from Moscow with no strings attached, and that there now exists a relationship of complete coordination between Damascus, Tehran, Moscow and Hezbollah leaders. In addition, these commanders said that direct cooperation between the Party of God and Russia is increasing.

The U.S. and European Union both consider Hezbollah, which has clashed often with Israel, as a terrorist group with long ties to Iran. However, as The Daily Beast further reports, there is more here than meets the eye.

Hezbollah was formed, then trained and funded by Iran, mostly, with Syrian assistance, following Israels invasion of neighboring Lebanon in 1982. Initially the organization became notable for suicide bombings that struck Israeli, French and American targets in Lebanon, to include an attack against a U.S. Marine barracks in Beirut, where 241 U.S. military personnel were killed in 1983.

Over time Hezbollah grew to be a proxy army in Lebanon and became stronger than the Lebanese army. For years, it was considered throughout the Arab world to be the preeminent force battling Israeli occupation of Lebanese territory. At the same time, Hezbollah grew to be the most potent political force in Lebanon.

However, its reputation as a nationalist force has been dimmed somewhat by its involvement in the Syrian civil war, in defense of the Assad regime. The Daily Beast reported in December that some of its troops have grown weary of the unending conflict in Syria and, after multiple deployments, have opted not to return.

Hezbollah commanders who spoke to The DB said that the organization now gets long-range tactical missiles, anti-tank weapons and laser-guided rockets from Russia.

We are strategic allies in the Middle East right nowthe Russians are our allies and give us weapons, said one of the Hezbollah officers who chose to call himself Commander Bakr.

He went on to note that Russian airstrikes against both ISIS and anti-Assad rebels have changed the dynamic of the ground war, giving Hezbollah  supported also by Iran  the advantage.

Around Latakia [Syria] was very difficult for us, Bakr added. However, when Moscow began its own airstrike campaign in September, the intervention of the Russians made it much easier.

He also said Russia was relying on Hezbollah to provide intelligence so that targets can be selected for maximum effect.

Without their air force we cant advance and they couldnt give us air support without our information from the ground, he said, noting that Moscows involvement includes Russian special forces on the ground in the Latakia region, especially near the airport used by Russian warplanes.

Others who spoke with The DB said Hezbollah fighters were training Syrian troops on the use of the Russia-supplied weaponry.

See also:

The Daily Beast

NationalSecurity.news is part of the USA Features Media network of sites.

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Autumn Driscoll / Hearst Connecticut Media

In the midst of a lingering crisis over food-borne illnesses, Chipotle Mexican Grill on Friday said its stores will open several hours later than normal for one day next month so it can hold a meeting following a series of food scares.

The Denver-based chain says all its stores will open at 3 p.m. local time on Feb. 8, four hours later than usual.
The medical marijuana program in Connecticut is rapidly growing with the amount of registered patients more than doubling in the first year of operation and close to doubling again in the last six months.

We thought we would get to 6,000 at the end of the year, we are almost at 8,000, said Jonathan A. Harris, commissioner of Connecticuts Department of Consumer Protection.

According to the department, which oversees the medical marijuana program, in June 2014 the program had 1,398 registered patients. A year later the number of patients rose to 4,100 and as of December 30, there were 7,912 patients.

If the trend continues at its current pace of approximately 400 new patients per month, Harris conservatively estimates the program could grow to more than 10,000 patients by the end of the year, particularly as the stigma surrounding the drug dissipates and a growing body of research identifies more medical applications.

The programs growth has been steady enough that in June 2015 the department issued a request for applications for new dispensaries, specifically in New Haven and Fairfield counties, where 1,997 and 1,817 patients are currently registered, respectively  by far the largest concentrations of patients in the state.

With two counties comprising more than 50 percent of the total patient population, more dispensaries are needed beyond the single locations that currently serve each county, Harris said.

His office has collected 19 applications, slightly fewer than the 27 received at the programs inception, with the expectation that up to three new dispensaries will be selected by the end of March.

Only four companies are permitted to produce medical marijuana in the state, and with supply more than meeting demand there is no immediate need to increase the number of suppliers, though that may change as the program evolves, Harris said.

Angela DAmico, owner of the Compassionate Care Center in Bethel, also known as D&B Wellness, has seen her patient base grow dramatically since she began providing medical marijuana in September 2014 when the first crops of medical marijuana were ready for distribution.

At that time her dispensary served 250 patients compared with more than 2,100 now, she said.

It has been an amazing ride, she said. We fought really hard to get here we went through almost every municipality in Fairfield County. Thank God Bethel accepted us.

Serving patients for little more than a year, DAmico said business has been very rewarding with clear successes in patient care including reduction in tumors and treatment of opiate addiction.

We have hundreds of patients getting off opiates, she said. We were able to get them off and they go on concentrated high dose oil and we are having a lot of success.

Both DAmico and Harris cite the ongoing regional and national crisis with opiate and opioid addiction as a key areas where medicinal marijuana has been particularly successful and will likely help propel the case for its effectiveness as medicine.

It is becoming actually more viable because of the crisis we are having with opioids, Harris said. This is a really good alternative in many ways without the problems of addiction and injury and death from overdose.

Along with an increase in patients, DAmico said doctors are also increasingly approaching her dispensary to learn more about the marijuana as medicine.

We are still working on fighting the stigma, she said. The thing is for us to really get out there and educate doctors so they are comfortable and knowledgeable about the medicine.

However, the number of doctors who have embraced the program is significantly rising, Harris said.

In September 2014, 81 physicians were registered to recommend marijuana to their patients. At the end of December 2015 that number had risen to 405, Harris said.

There was some understandable  and there is still Im sure  reluctance by physicians, he said.

Reece Alvarez is a writer with the Fairfield County Business Journal. For more go to www.westfaironline.com.
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TRUMBULL  Plans are moving forward to complete a 4,500-foot gap of the Pequonnock trail from White Plains to Quarry roads.

Once completed, the Pequonnock River Trail will extend about 16.2 miles from Bridgeport to Newtown.

Part of the new segment will include tunnels under Route 25 ramps and using an abandoned bridge over the Merritt Parkway.

The state Department of Transportation says design for the $3.5 million trail segment was completed in December and will go out to bid later this year.

DOT says a number of ongoing trail projects in the state will enhance continuity with the existing bicycle trail system throughout Connecticut and provide an alternative to motor vehicle transportation.

The Pequonnock trail extension is part of DOTs plan to close gaps on multi-use trails that would be part of a 2,900-mile trail linking Calais, Maine, at the Canadian border, with Key West, Fla.

About 200 miles of that trail would be through Connecticut using sections of the Housatonic River Trail, Naugatuck River Greenway, the Pequonnock River Greenway and other trails.

Its part of a long-running dream  a trail on the river from Long Island Sound, through Bridgeport, into the woods of Trumbull and Monroe and up to the Newtown border. The trail today is mostly finished, other than the most difficult portion through a highly congested urban center.

The first section of the rail-to-trail path opened in 1999, beginning in Wolfe Park in Monroe and ending at the Newtown town line.

In 2014, two key projects were completed, closing gaps and linking the Pequonock trail from Quarry Road in Trumbull to Crown Street in Bridgeport.
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Results from the Connecticut Republican Straw Poll mirrored those seen in national polls with real estate mogul Donald Trump scoring a resounding win in the nonbinding vote held Friday night in six separate towns.

Trump recieved 35 percent of the vote, beating Florida Sen. Marco Rubio and Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, who polled at 18 percent and 17 percent respectively, according to results released by the Connecticut Republican Party.

Of the six municipalities, Trump won four of them with victories in Brookfield, Stamford, Stratford and Manchester.

Cruz edged out Trump in Southington 18-16 and the two tied in Groton with six votes each .

Brookfield GOP Chairman Matt Grimes said Trumps popularity with voters, who came from Danbury, Bethel, Brookfield and other nearby towns, wasnt surprising.

I think Trump is attracting people who are fed up and angry, Grimes said. Hes also a nonpolitician and hes not beholden to anybody.

The vote was similar to an October Quinnipiac University survey, which also showed Trump with a commanding lead.

The event, although not a scientific poll, was an opportunity to energize Republican voters about four months before the relatively late Connecticut primary on April 26.

It was also a chance to fill campaign coffers with the $15 ballot fee that will be deposited into the federal fundraising account of the state Republican Party.

Grimes kicked off the Brookfield festivities with a rousing speech aimed at several Democrats who he said are ineffective in dealing with important issues.

Lets make 2016 the year we send (U.S. Rep.) Elizabeth Esty back to Cheshire once and for all, Grimes said to vigorous applause. We need to stop Hillary Clinton and the road starts here.

Several elected local, state and aspiring national politicians spoke at the Brookfield site, including state Rep. Stephen Harding, Danbury Mayor Mark Boughton, Sherman First Selectman Clay Cope, who is challenging Esty, and U.S. Senate candidate August Wolf, who is vying to unseat Democratic U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal.

Many of those who spoke stressed that no matter who individual Republicans vote for in the straw poll or primary, the party needed to unite around the nominee, come Election Day.

Whether youre all in for Jeb (Bush) or taking back the country with Carly (Fiorina) or you want to defeat the Washington machine with Rand (Paul)  whatever your flavor is, Boughton said, we all have to work together and get our candidate elected.

Wolf, a Stamford resident and former Olympian, called Blumenthal a career politician, and lamented what he called a bad economy.

The American dream is on life support, Wolf said.

Not unsurprisingly, the economy and national security were among the most important issues for those who attended. Many were also upset with President Barack Obamas leadership.

I dont like whats happening in this country, said Brookfield resident Bruce Benysek. The president and Governor Dan Malloy are destroying America as I know it.

Annette Nacinovich, also a Brookfield resident, relished the chance to hear from the speakers.

Im concerned about the security of our country and the lack of jobs, Nacinovich said. I have a lack of confidence in our leaders.

In addition to several speeches, attendees found no shortage of campaign literature on the candidates.

Others who received Straw Poll votes were: Bush, the former Florida governor, and retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson, with three each; ex-Hewlett Packard CEO Fiorina, with two; and Paul, the Kentucky senator, with one.

While the state is not always a major player in picking the presidential nominee, some believe the wide-open field could heighten the importance this time of Connecticuts 28 delegates, who will help choose the partys nominee at the GOP National Convention, scheduled for July.

awolff@newstimes.com; 203-731-3333; @awolffster
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DANBURY  There are days when it seems the planes flying over Chris Tuccios backyard a half-mile west of Danbury Airport will crash into the trees along the ridgetop.

The sight is more a trick of perception than a cause for alarm. Planes commonly seem lower than their true altitude, especially with a clear blue sky above them.

But in recent months, the Federal Aviation Administration has grown so concerned about trees obstructing the western approach to Danbury Airports Runway 8 that it has banned all bad-weather night landings until the trees are cut back.

The problem is that the trees are on private property. That means Danbury has to cut deals with six homeowners for the right to cut back trees that have penetrated the reserved air space. The cost for 12 stands of trees is nearly $1 million  most of which will be reimbursed by the FAA and the state.

If $1 million seems like a lot of money to spend on tree work a half-mile from a noncommercial airport, it is.

But Danbury is no ordinary general aviation airport. With 70,000 combined takeoffs and landings each year, Danbury is the busiest airport of its kind in Connecticut. Until the trees are cleared, the restriction on night landings is costing the local charter aviation business a lot of money.

Were losing $35,000 to $50,000 a month, and it is having a severe impact, said Wayne Toher, president of Reliant Air, who has to divert planes to Westchester County Airport on the Greenwich border. The impact has been lessened because the weather has been good, but the weather is about to get bad.

Meanwhile, in Tuccios high-elevation neighborhood, several homeowners said they are unsure what to think until they begin negotiations with the city.

It sounds like there is no choice, said Anthony Giovannone, one of four homeowners on Cel Bret Drive with problematic trees. It doesnt sound like there is any point to refusing, but it would be hard to react without knowing what will happen to the trees.

The short answer is that homeowners can decide whether trees are removed or merely topped off, said Michael Safranek, the assistant airport administrator. But first, the homeowner has to agree on the terms of a land use deal, known as an avigation easement. The city estimates it will cost $440,000 to buy the six easements.

Once we have the avigation rights, if the homeowner says, I just want it topped; I dont want you to take the tree away, we will work with him any way we can as long as we satisfy the safety concerns of the FAA, Safranek said.

The last time the city took on a tree-clearing project this size west of the airport was in 2007, when it bought 10 acres on Miry Brook Road for $500,000, most of which was reimbursed by the FAA.

We have done a ton of tree-clearing as per the FAA and we will honor its request to do this project as well, Mayor Mark Boughton said. But the negotiation process is going to take time.

Trouble trees

Lynn Brown is a longtime Danbury resident who lives on a ridge overlooking Miry Brook Road, where a small stand of trees has grown into the Runway 8 approach zone.

If this only involves cutting the trees back, I dont have any issue with that, said Brown, a retired New Fairfield High School science teacher. They did some serious trimming years ago on the property next to mine, and I thought they were done with it, because what used to be a wooded hill is now a grassland.

Brown has a hangar on her property that once housed a MiG-17  a high performance Soviet jet fighter that had a high profile during the Cold War. Brown bought the jet as an art object  not to fly it  and has since sold it.

Her brother is the pilot in the family, and he is upset that night flights on Runway 8 are restricted.

Ive had enough with the inefficiency and inadequacy of the airport for letting this go, said Drew Brown, a charter pilot who also lives on Miry Brook Road.

You cant land at night if its not a clear night from the western approach  and we need that approach, Drew Brown said. I know they have plans to cut the trees down, but they are a day late and a dollar short.

The problem is that pilots relying on cockpit sensors to guide their flight in less-than-optimum visibility conditions cannot see obstructions in the landing zone through the windshield.

If I am just looking at my instruments, my instruments are telling me that I am at this height and at this speed and at this level, and that is what I am following, Safranek said. My instruments dont know that the tree is there, and that is why the FAA says it is not safe.

For years the airport has maintained a 70-foot pole topped with steady red lights in the Cel Bret Drive neighborhood to warn pilots about the intruding trees. But recently the FAA decided the obstruction lights were not enough and that the trees needed to go, Safranek said.

There have been no crashes or mishaps on the western approach to the airport because of the protruding trees, Safranek said.

A small plane did crash into the neighborhood in 2011; it landed upside-down in the front lawn of a home on the Ridgefield side of Briar Ridge Road. The early-afternoon crash was equipment-related.

That crash happened before Chris Tuccio and his wife moved into the Cel Bret Drive neighborhood two years ago.

Sometimes they are coming straight across our back yard, and it really does look like they are going to hit some of those trees over there, said Tuccio, who is not one of the affected homeowners. It depends on the route theyre taking.

The FAA in early November issued a notice to pilots restricting their ability to land at night.

The height and location of the (trees) adversely affect two instrument approach procedures that pilots use to land safely on Runway 8, the FAA said in a statement on Friday. The FAA is working with the airport sponsor to address a small cluster (of trees) that remain. Meanwhile the FAA restrictions on nighttime operations remain in effect.

Boughton said the city is responding at an appropriate pace.

Danbury is not a commercial airport  it is a general aviation airport, Boughton said. We have to balance the needs of the users with the needs of the community.

rryser@newstimes.com; 203-731-3342
Welcome

This is a little blog of mine, just to kick around what I see going on in the world outside my window. Though primarily a blog looking at the world through Christian colored lenses, I'll touch on anything and everything, from culture and news to reflections on my own pilgrimage through the Christian Faith, to family and fun, history, vacations, movies, pets, cooking, delivery truck driving, you name it.



Anyone can comment, I'll be pretty loose about it. Just be polite, follow basic rules of good behavior pre-MTV, and unless it gets threatening, vulgar, or outright mean (and that's not just being in a disagreement), I'll let the posts stand as they are. So welcome and enjoy.




The All Progressives Congress in Cross River State has threatened to sue Governor Ben Ayade for failing to constitute the board of the S...

The All Progressives Congress in Cross River State has threatened to sue Governor Ben Ayade for failing to constitute the board of the State Independent Electoral Commission ahead of the October local government election.The Vice-Chairman of APC in the states Central Senatorial District, Mr. Cletus Obun, said in an interview in Calabar that the party had given the governor a 30-day ultimatum to constitute the CROSIEC board.Obun said it was sad that with less than three months to the announcement for conduct of local government election, the governor had not deemed it necessary to constitute the board.He said, The Cross River State Independent Electoral Commission is expected to conduct election between August and November, unfortunately, in the hurry of Governor Ben Ayade to create small enclave for himself while a fundamental issue like local government election has been neglected.The constitution stipulates that elections are conducted 90 days before the expiration of the tenure of local government chairmen which is December. If it is so, it means election should be conducted around October while notice of election ought to come out in April.This is almost the middle of January and you do not have a commission, how do they prepare themselves? A budget has been passed for the election, so, there is no excuse why that election must not hold. We are giving the governor notice that in the next 30 days, if he is not ready, we will take him to court.The APC will take him to court to ensure that he abides with everything that the law says he should do under Section 7 of the Nigerian Constitution. In the history of Cross River State, we have always had elected officials at the local government councils. Therefore Governor Ayade should not drag the state backward through dictatorship by bringing interim members.But reacting to the complaint, the state Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Mr. John Okon, said it was too early to make case for the local government election slated for the last quarter of the year.Okon said Ayade was working on constituting befitting board members and urged the APC to be patient.He said, A board like CROSIEC is not something you rush to create. I believe the governor is working on it. It is too early to start making noise about the conduct of the local government election. Even in some many APC states, there had not been local government elections.
Former militant leader in the Niger Delta region, Chief Ateke Tom, has denied giving a 14-day ultimatum to President Muhammadu Buhari, to...

Former militant leader in the Niger Delta region, Chief Ateke Tom, has denied giving a 14-day ultimatum to President Muhammadu Buhari, to grant the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) the right to establish the Republic of Biafra, or he would resume armed struggle.He also debunked media reports that held a meeting with leaders of IPOB, and other groups pushing for the sovereignty of the former Eastern Region as Republic of Biafra.Speaking through his spokesman, Ifeanyi Ogbonna, Ateke, who is the leader of the defunct Niger Delta Vigilante (NDV), reiterated his warning to members of the public to stop using his pictures unauthorised.Emphasising that there was no such meeting and he never threatened to declare war on Buhari-led government, the ex-militant leader stated that the allegations were the handiwork of his detractors, enjoining Nigerians to support Buharis administration.Atekes spokesman said, The High Chief has no time for such talk and he has been in his village of Okrika and has nothing to do with any Biafra meeting. Nigerians should be patient with the Buhari-led government and support him. Buhari is a good man; he is a peace-loving man.
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Friday dismissed the current agitation for the resurrection of the Biafra secessionist agenda as a...

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Friday dismissed the current agitation for the resurrection of the Biafra secessionist agenda as a hopeless and futile exercise.Obasanjo said this while presenting a paper entitled: Resurgent Biafra agitation: Born in error, ignorance and frustration at a public discussion on Biafra organised by Nextier Advisory in Abuja.He advised Nigerians especially the people of the South- East, not to take the secessionist agitation or agitators seriously as doing so would only lead to disaster.According to him, Biafra as a secession issue is dead and nobody should tread that path.He, however, said he considers the current agitation as more of a cry for attention, amelioration and improvement of socio-economic conditions and situations, especially of the youth in Nigeria in general, but in the South East in particular.The retired army general-turned-politician said, No right-thinking person who has experienced the horror or war will ever agitate for more war.Obasanjo said, Biafra agitation as a means of calling for secession or severance from Nigeria is a hopeless and futile exercise on which nobody in seriousness should embark.However, I see it as a symbol of desperation, despair and frustration of the youth being expressed by them for all to hear and redress in the South East and elsewhere in the county. But Biafra, never again! And we must avoid the coalition of the unwilling but forced by circumstances.He explained that the country currently had enough problems, saying, Nigeria cannot afford to go from Boko Haram insurgency to any other insurgency under any guise. And on no account should we wittingly or unwittingly allow this to happen again.The former President maintained that the solution to the current agitation lies in a collaborative effort between genuine leaders and elders in the South East and a purpose driven leadership at all levels of governance.He explained that Nigeria must consider youth education, welfare, well-being, empowerment and employment as a lifelong collective duty, obligation and responsibility.Obasanjo noted that much as the youth have rights to express their frustration, such rights do not include embarking on wanton and wicked acts of destruction of the property ordinary men and women in the markets to make the situation even worse for poor and helpless citizens.Bitterness, anger, destruction and wickedness can only worsen an already bad socio-economic situation. That will be unwise, he said.
President Muhammadu Buhari will on Sunday depart Abuja for a three-day official visit to the United Arab Emirates. The Presidents iti...

The Presidents itinerary was contained in a statement made available to journalists on Saturday by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu.Shehu said in the course of the visit, Buhari would join the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Mr. Ban Ki Moon; Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan of Abu Dhabi and other participants as a special guest of honour at this years edition of the World Future Energy Summit.He said the summit which is now in its ninth year has developed into one of the worlds most influential events dedicated to advancing future energy, energy efficiency and clean technologies.The statement read in part, In a move signalling Nigerias reengagement with the Middle-East region, President Buhari will also lead a team of his ministers to bilateral talks with the government of the UAE.After the talks, a number of agreements between both countries on economic, trade and bilateral relations are expected to be signed.From the visit, Nigeria also expects to get more support from the UAE for its war against terrorism and the recovery of Nigerias stolen funds.President Buhari is also scheduled to meet with leading UAE businessmen who are interested in Nigeria with a view to encouraging greater investment inflows to critical sectors such as power supply, oil, gas and agriculture.The President, who will be accompanied by the Ministers of Power, Works and Housing; Petroleum, Environment; Justice; Trade and Investment; Finance and Foreign Affairs, as well as the National Security Adviser, will also meet with Nigerian professionals in the UAE before returning to Abuja on Tuesday, January 19.
President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday challenged the nations military on the requisite intelligence to find and rescue the missing girls...

Th President said that the nation was relying on the military on the intelligence and the right strategy from the ground forces to rescue the abducted girls from the captivity of the Boko Haram insurgents.Buhari who recalled that he held a meeting with the parents of the missing secondary school girls who were abducted by the Boko Haram in April, 2014 on Thursday stressed that expectations were on the military to recover them.Buhari made the comment while speaking on a live chat with the commanders and troops of the Operation Lafiya Dole shortly after the wreath laying ceremony of the 2016 Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebration in Abuja on Friday.The President also promised to provide the necessary arms and ammunition and the logistics to the troops for the prosecution of the campaign against the insurgency in the North East.Buhari who placed emphasis on the welfare of the troops said that the government would ensure payment of their allowances to sustain the families of the troops battling the insurgents in the North East.He said, I have just completed the parade, it was a very successful one and I am very pleased indeed with this innovation. More so I didnt know about it before. It was very impressive and a morale booster. I congratulate you very much indeed.Yesterday, I had a meeting with the mothers and fathers of the Chibok girls. The nation is anxiously waiting for you to provide intelligence on their whereabouts and then, the ground forces developing the strategy and tactics to recover them. We wish you the best of 2016.I hope you have been able to cope in spite of the weather over there, it is dusty, it is cold. And from the situation report I have been receiving, I am very impressed, and I thank you and congratulate you for doing your best in the circumstances. Thank you very much indeed.Please tell them that we are all concerned here about their performance, as much as the rest of the nation. I hope they are in touch with their respective families at home and I hope everybody is fine.I assure you, the government is doing its best, to make sure that they are provided with the best that is possible in terms of military hardware and efficiency in logistics, and that you are paid your allowances so that your family would be happy back in the barracks.The President was briefed with live pictures from the battle fronts of the operational theatre with facilities provided by the Eagle Mobile Command Post of the Armed Forces led by Maj.Gen. Clement Olukoju.The Theatre Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole, Maj. Gen Hassan Umoru and the Air Component Commander and Deputy Commander of the operation, AVM Isiaka Amao, took turns to speak with the President through the new innovation, the Eagle Command Post.The Command post brought pictures of Nigerian Air Force aircraft of surveillance and other missions, troops deployment in Bitta, Borno State, and some of the devastation caused by the defeated insurgents.
A U.S. Supreme Court decision striking down part of Florida's death penalty system will not immediately impact cases in Delaware, but could pave the way for future legal challenges in both states, experts say.





On Tuesday, the Supreme Court ruled 8-1 that Florida's procedure for death sentences is unconstitutional because it gives too much power to judges - and not enough to juries.





Delaware, Alabama and Florida are the only states that allow judges to override a jury's recommendation of life, and, instead, impose a sentence of death. However, judges in Delaware have not been using that power.





For that reason, the U.S. Supreme Court ruling is not expected to impact the 14 people currently on death row in Delaware, according to Robert Dunham, executive director of the nonprofit Death Penalty Information Center in Washington, D.C.





Local attorneys are still reviewing the decision - and are waiting to see what the impact will be on Delaware's death penalty statute.





The Department of Justice issued a statement saying the opinion is still under review. Brendan O'Neill, the state's chief defender, said the court opinion could restrict the application of the death penalty in Delaware.





"It's my opinion that it really casts doubt on the validity of Delaware's death penalty scheme," he said.





The ruling comes at a time when Delaware's death penalty statute is being scrutinized.





Lawmakers attempted to repeal Delaware's death penalty in May, but were blocked in a 6-5 vote by a crucial House committee for the 2nd time in 2 years. Gov. Jack Markell has said he would sign a repeal bill if it made its way to his desk.





Juries that are not in agreement





The Supreme Court ruling Tuesday is part of a larger trend of the courts trying to eliminate death penalty practices in states that deviate from the norm. The most obvious deviation that will have to be considered in the future is the practice of allowing juries that are not unanimous to recommend death sentences, Dunham said.





If the Supreme Court were to consider that narrow issue, it could affect Delaware, he said.





"Almost the entire country rejects the practice of non-unanimous juries, except in Delaware, Alabama and Florida," he said. "Delaware's practice of permitting non-unanimous jury recommendations will remain in the spotlight, and it is very likely there will be constitutional challenges."





Kristin Froehlich, of Delaware Citizens Opposed to the Death Penalty, agreed that legal challenges could be coming.





"I definitely think [Tuesday's decision] will make everyone take a look at Delaware's death penalty law," she said. "I would rather have Delaware as a state make the choice to get rid of the death penalty, instead, of waiting for the Supreme Court to do that for us."





A Harvard Law School study found that requiring juries to be unanimous in Florida, Alabama and Delaware would have caused a drop in death sentences over the last 5 years. The 3 states would have returned 26 death sentences since 2010, instead of 117, according to the Death Penalty Information Center.





Had these states followed the sentencing system used by all other death penalty states, the total number of death sentences imposed in the United States would have decreased by 21 %.





The process of sentencing someone to death in Delaware requires three steps.





Once a person is found guilty of 1st-degree murder, the jury must unanimously agree that the evidence shows beyond a reasonable doubt that at least 1 of 22 statutory aggravating factors has been met. Factors can include that the victim was an on-duty law enforcement officer, pregnant, severely handicapped, over age 62, under age 14, or was killed to prevent he or she from testifying in court.





Finally, each juror has to decide whether the aggravating factors outweigh the mitigating factors. That decision does not need to be unanimous, and the judge is not bound by those findings and can reach a different conclusion.





For example, in the case of Derek Powell, the man accused of killing a Georgetown police officer, the jury found two statutory aggravators beyond a reasonable doubt. On the 2nd issue, the jury found 7-5 that the aggravating factors outweighed the mitigating factors, and recommended Powell be sentenced to death.





The judge evaluated the evidence and sentenced Powell to death. Powell is currently Delaware's youngest death row inmate.





The Pensacola murder





The Supreme Court opinion for Florida did not consider the issue of unanimous juries - only the issue of judge's having the final say for death sentences.





The opinion in Florida stemmed from the case of Timothy Lee Hurst, who was convicted of the 1998 murder of his manager at a Popeye's restaurant in Pensacola. A jury was divided 7-5 in favor of death, and a judge imposed a death sentence.





Florida's solicitor general argued that the system was acceptable because a jury first decides if the defendant is eligible for the death penalty.





Writing for the court, Justice Sonia Sotomayor said a jury's "mere recommendation is not enough."





"The Sixth Amendment requires a jury, not a judge, to find each fact necessary to impose a sentence of death," Sotomayor said.





The justices sent the case back to the Florida Supreme Court to determine whether the error in sentencing Hurst was harmless, or whether he should get a new sentencing hearing.





Justice Samuel Alito dissented, saying that the trial judge in Florida simply performs a reviewing function that duplicates what the jury has done.





Sotomayor said Florida's system is flawed because it allows a sentencing judge to find aggravating factors "independent of a jury's fact-finding."





Three of Florida's current death row inmates were sentenced over the jury's life recommendation. But no judge had overridden a jury recommendation in a death penalty case since 1999, according to state officials.





Froehlich said Delaware's death penalty statute, which is similar to Florida, needs to be examined.





"In Delaware, people say we have such a strong law, it will prevent errors, but in fact, we have one of the broadest death penalty statutes," she said. "We have the highest number of aggravating factors; we don't require unanimous juries; and we have the judge override. It really is ripe for error."





Source: The News Journal, January 15, 2016




Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State, Weekend, advised President Muhammadu Buhari on his order for 18 Military Generals to be probed b...

Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State, Weekend, advised President Muhammadu Buhari on his order for 18 Military Generals to be probed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged involvement in the $2.1 billion arms deal.Governor Fayose, who reacted to President Buharis order for the 18 serving and retired military chiefs to appear before the EFCC from Monday, through his Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, said the military officers ought to have been probed in accordance with the armed forces rules of engagement.The governor, who reiterated his support for the fight against corruption, however, dismissed the $2.1 billion arms deal as a scam, noting that all they are just doing is to brandish figures to deceive Nigerians and demonized the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and those opposed tohis dictatorship in the All Progressive Congress (APC).Till today, the amount they have charged people for stealing is not up to N10 billion and $2.1 billion they claimed was stolen is about N600 billion.The president must let Nigerians see where the arms deal is in the 2015 Budget and publish details of the imaginary $2.1 billion scam. Also, the President must tell Nigerians how his friend, Jafaru Isa was able to return N100 million to the EFCC within three days because there are insinuations that the N100 million refunded came from the Presidency.Fayose said it was strange for serving military generals to be interrogated by junior police officers, adding that The president should not act in a way that he will be perceived as ridiculing the armed forces.He said: Even though I am not a military officer, but I know that there is what us called orderly room trial or court martial, which military men who erred in the performance of their duties are made to go through. It is until they are found guilty and probably dismissed that they are made to face court trial.In this case, how does it feel for a serving Military General to be interrogated by an Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP)?I think we should not destroy our democratic institutions, especially the judiciary and the armed forces because we are fighting corruption.Already, the President has ridiculed the judiciary by disobeying the courts and coming on television to say that orders oyf the court do not hold waters. He is also destroying the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) by turning it to commission for inconclusive elections. He should not ridicule the military, and men of goodwill should advise the President to thread cautiously.Also, the international community, especially the United States, United Kingdom and the United Nations should caution the President against actions capable of bringing down institutions of government under the guise of fighting corruption.
Remarks by His Excellency, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, Former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria The Southern Christian Lea...

Remarks by His Excellency, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, Former President of the Federal Republic of NigeriaThe Southern Christian Leadership Conference,Atlanta, on Thursday 14th, January, 2016.ProtocolsI thank the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, for inviting and honoring me today, and especially so, as this invitation comes right about the period when the world stands still in recognition of the selfless sacrifice of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.I have learnt not to look up to any man, except he is taller than I, or to look down on a fellow mortal, except I am admiring his shoes.When we think of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), it is virtually impossible to separate this worthy body from its founder, the late great Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, or from epoch making landmark events of the American Civil Rights movement.I am pleased to know that the Southern Christian Leadership Conference is not just one of the great American institutions, it is also one of her more potent vehicles for the advancement of liberty and freedom for all Gods people. For that, I also commend Charles Steele for his leadership and commitment to peace and justice nationally and globally.The Southern Christian Leadership Conference and Dr. Martin Luther King Jrs principles of non violent protests played a great part in the independence movement in my native country Nigeria and indeed throughout Africa as a whole.Dr. Martin Luther King Jr witnessed the British Union Jack being lowered in Ghana in 1957 when Ghana became the first Sub-Saharan African nation to gain independence, an action which set off a positive chain reaction all over the continent.In 1963, Ambassador Leslie O. Harriman, Nigerias Permanent Representative to the United Nations, who prosecuted our anti apartheid strategy at the UN, testified of the support he received from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr in kick starting that noble effort.Suffice to say that the efforts of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr in advancing Liberty and equal rights transcended national boundaries.Speaking for my foundation, the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation, I must say that I have been inspired by this great man and the worthy institutions and legacies he left behind and I am further inspired to continuing doing good and advancing human freedoms just by being present here today.My personal takeaway from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, is service to God and the brotherhood and equality of all men before their Creator.In keeping with that, I have learnt not to look up to any man, except he is taller than I, or to look down on a fellow mortal, except I am admiring his shoes.Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. famously said: Power at its best is love implementing the demands of justice. Justice at its best is love correcting everything that stands against love.Those words helped me deliver on my stated promise to deepen democracy in Nigeria and in the process demonstrate through action that nobodys political ambition is worth the blood of any Nigerian.Once again, I thank the Southern Christian Leadership Conference for having me. May God bless you and continue to raise up from among you men and women who will continue in the footsteps of your worthy forebears.
Former President Goodluck Jonathan has said that he will not relent in working for the democracy, peace and progress of Nigeria. Jonath...

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has said that he will not relent in working for the democracy, peace and progress of Nigeria.Jonathan stated this on his Facebook page after being honoured with the Presidents Award by an African-American civil rights organisation based in Atlanta, Georgia, United States, Southern Christian Leadership Conference.The 59-year-old organisations founder and first president was the renowned late American civil rights activist, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.SCLCs National President/CEO, Charles Steel Jr., said on the organisations website that the award given to Jonathan was in recognition of his leadership in human rights, social justice and the universal fight for freedom.Thereafter, Jonathan wrote on his Facebook page that the award would inspire him to work for the advancement of democracy in Nigeria.He said, I thank Dr. Charles Steele Jr, President of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference in Atlanta, Georgia, and the executive of the SCLC for honouring me today (Thursday).It was also a pleasure to meet Naomi King, the sister of the late American Civil Rights leader and founder of the SCLC, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, who was kind enough to attend the event and identify with the goals and aspirations of the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation.By this award, I am further inspired to continue to work for the advancement of democracy, peace and progress in Nigeria and Africa.Jonathan had last week won the African Sun Times 2015 International Person of the Year Award.In 2015, despite challenges, we held violence-free elections that transferred power from one political party to another and from an incumbent to the opposition, without rancour, bitterness or strife.In the process, we proved that nobodys political ambition is worth the blood of any Nigerian or any national of any country for that matter. That, to me, is a most worthy testimonial of the character of the Nigerian nation and the resilience of our people, which is why I dedicate this honour to them, the former president had said after receiving the award.
Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole has revealed how former President Goodluck Jonathan threatened to cage him after May 29 for ...

Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole has revealed how former President Goodluck Jonathan threatened to cage him after May 29 for throwing his weight behind the candidature of President Muhammadu Buhari in the last general elections.Speaking at a meeting with APC leaders across the three Senatorial Districts of Edo State on Thursday, a highly elated Oshiomhole said around this time last year, the tension in Nigeria was such that Prophets of doom around the world were almost unanimous that Nigeria would not survive 2015 but as you can see, man proposes, God disposes.Around this time last year, in January, a few weeks to the election, many were saying quite recklessly on radio and television that we were finished.The former President, Goodluck Jonathan told our National Chairman, Chief John Odigie Oyegun to inform me that after the election, he will put me, Adams, the son of Oshiomhole in a hole and I told Chief Oyegun to inform him to dig that hole very deep because although I am short, in the course of pushing me into the hole, nobody knows who will get there first.Since he is taller than me, he needs to dig the hole deep enough so that either of us can get in. In the end, he is inside the hole and I am busy putting dust into that hole.Oshiomhole continued, In this hall, around this time last year, we held a meeting to share information about what was going on in various local governments and the specific challenges in each of those local government in order to fashion out appropriate response.Some of the statements that we shared in those meetings included threats that by June, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole would have been impeached because PDP would write results whether we liked it or not. They would overrun the House of Assembly and once the House is proclaimed in June, before the end of June, Comrade would be banished to his house in the village and from there to prison.Those who made those threats, who supervised those processes, even now in their early 90s are writing letters to explain how they shared money meant for defence. Every evil weapon they fashioned against me did not prosper and even the ones they are fashioning now will not prosper.Reminding the party leaders of the journey so far and how the Party has risen from ground zero to become the leading party in Nigeria, Oshiomhole said, When we came in about 7 years ago, my party had no control even of one ward. We had no control of one local government, but today, we control wards, local, state and by the special grace of God, federal. Things have changed. The one who tamed a lion with bare hands, now with automatic weapons, no antelope can dare us in our own forest.
Boko Haram insurgents yesterday attacked the 120 Task Force Battalion of the Army at Goniri in Gujba Local Government Area of Yobe...

Boko Haram insurgents yesterday attacked the 120 Task Force Battalion of the Army at Goniri in Gujba Local Government Area of Yobe state.The insurgents appeared to have come from Shettimari in the Borno axis of the town and engaged the soldiers in a fierce fight that lasted for almost four hours.A military source said the attack was effectively repelled.But we lost one soldier in the fight, the source said .Spokesperson for the 27 Task Force Brigade in Damaturu Lt. George Okupe who confirmed the attack told newsmen that no soldier lost his life in the attack except one soldier that was wounded.He said that the terrorists came by foot to the 120 Task Force Battalion in Goniri at about 5.50am on Friday and immediately launched an attack.They were over-powered and the rest fled,he said.Lt. Okupe said about 14 Boko Haram terrorists were killed in Tashan Fulani Village around Chorokusko in Babangida Local Government Area of Yobe State while weapons including 6AK 47 riffles, 3 IEDs, four 36 handheld grenades 1GPMG, 4 magazines, 382 Rams of 7.62 MM Nato were recovered from the terrorists.Goniri is one of the communities in Yobe state recently recovered from Boko Haram by soldiers and it is currently being cleared of deadly mines laid by the terrorists.Yesterdays attack came less than 24 hours after the Minister of Interior Abdulrahman Dambazau visited Yobe in company of all the service chiefs including Police Inspector General SolomonArase, the Comptroller General of Immigration Service, Martins Kure Abashe, Comptroller General of Prison Service, Dr. Peter Ekpendu ,and the Commandant General, Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corp, Abdullahi Gana to assess the extent of destruction to police and other security formations .
Nigerian striker, Obafemi Martins on Saturday settled the beef between Nigerian musicians, Wizkid and Dammy Krane today. Martins throug...

It all started at my party on Thursday at Quilox and settled here at my house @wizkidayo and @big_daddy_krane are cool  A photo posted by Obafemi Martins (@obagoal) on Jan 16, 2016 at 12:11pm PST

Nigerian striker, Obafemi Martins on Saturday settled the beef between Nigerian musicians, Wizkid and Dammy Krane today.Martins through his Instagram page revealedNigerianEye gathered that Wizkid and Dammy Krane were engaged in a physical brawl in the early hours of Friday Morning in Lagos.The altercation occurred at a nightclub located in Victoria Island during a party organized by Super eagles striker Obafemi Martins.Dammy Krane was reportedly attacked by Wizkid at Obafemi Martins All Black party at Quilox night club.The two were said to be sitting on the same table with Obafemi Martin and others when the fight broke out.Eyewitnesses say Wizkid didnt like a comment Dammy Krane made at the table and without warning, punched him in the face, some claim he hit Dammy with a glass cup. Dammy picked up a bottle and threw it at Wizkid but missed and before he could do anything else, others got involved and separated the two.The assault left a gash on Dammy Kranes face.Among those in attendance at the party were 2face Idibia, Tekno, Skuki, Timaya and Sexy Steel.Before this latest incident, both stars have been at war over unauthorized use of music content.
The Chairman, Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission, Mr. Nta Ekpo, said on Friday that the anti-graft agenc...

The Chairman, Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission, Mr. Nta Ekpo, said on Friday that the anti-graft agency had been unable to successfully carry out its statutory responsibility of fighting corruption due to insufficient funds.Nta stated this when he hosted members of the Senate Committee on Anti-Corruption and Financial Crimes headed by Senator Chukwuka Utazi in his office.The ICPC boss told his visitors that the yearly budget of his agency was insufficient to carry out its responsibilities and fight corruption.He said, In 2015, the commission proposed N9.5bn, but N4.9bn was appropriated, while N4.2bn was released.The difference between what was appropriated and released is N697, 470,164m. The budget performance for 2015 on recurrent and capital is 100 per cent based on releases.In 2016 budget, so far, information from Budget Office (ceiling) for recurrent is N680, 984,456 as against N764, 182,724, while it was N300m in 2015 and N132m in 2014 appropriations.Utazi said the Senate would work out modalities on how to strengthen anti-corruption institutions.He said during the consideration of the 2016 budget at the committee levels, issues raised by the ICPC would be addressed.He said, This administration has to fight corruption and we are here as a committee to strengthen this commission.We are also asking you to look at the ICPC Act and then bring suggestions as amendments that will help us do our job.We are going to help the President succeed in his fight against corruption. We must also focus on prevention, rather than prosecution.It bothers us that the only thing we hear about ICPC and other anti-graft agencies is prosecution.
The Abuja Division of the Federal High Court, yesterday, remanded the embattled National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic ...

The Abuja Division of the Federal High Court, yesterday, remanded the embattled National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Mr. Olisa Metuh in prison custody.Metuh who is answering to a seven-count criminal charge that was preferred against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, will remain in prison till Tuesday when the court will determine whether or not he should be released on bail.Meantime, the PDP spokesman who is facing trial alongside his firm, Destra Investment Limited, over alleged N400m fraud, yesterday, pleaded not guilty to the charge against him.The charge against Metuh borders on alleged money laundering, breach of trust and criminal diversion of public funds.Specifically, EFCC, alleged that the accused person had in November, 2014, received the sum of N400m from the erstwhile National Security Adviser, NSA, Col. Sambo Dasuki, rtd.The fund which was withdrawn from an account the Office of the NSA operated with the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, was allegedly transferred to Metuh through account no. 0040437573, which Destra Investments Limited operated with Diamond Bank Plc.The anti-graft agency told the court that though the fund was siphoned to boost campaign activities of the PDP, it said that Metuh diverted most of it to his personal use.It alleged that Metuh converted part of the money to one Million US Dollars which he used for his personal business.Besides, Metuh was alleged to have transferred the sum of N21.7m to another chieftain of the PDP, Chief Tony Anenih.The charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/05/2016, was signed by the Assistant Director, Legal & Prosecution Department of the EFCC, Mr. Sylvanus Tahir.Metuh had after his arraignment yesterday, urged trial Justice Okon Abang to grant him bail pending hearing and determination of the case against him.He made the oral bail application through his lawyer, Dr. Onyechi Ikpeazu, SAN.Ikpeazu, SAN, who anchored the request on the provision of section 162 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, contended that the offence allegedly committed by his client is a bailable one.He further placed reliance on section 35 and 36 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, to insist that under the law, his client ought to be deemed innocent until ingredients of the charge against him are established.Ikpeazu equally relied on the decided case-law in Abiola vs FRN, 2005, and argued that the court had powers to exercise its discretion in favour of Metuh, based on an oral bail request.My lord we do not intend to go outside the law, but to rest the application on the constitutional right of the defendant. We are not going beyond the charge against him, so the issue of bringing an affidavit does not arise, Ikpeazu added.However, EFCC, yesterday, vehemently opposed Metuhs oral bail application.The commission, through its lawyer Sylvanus Tahir, maintained that Metuh should have filed a formal bail application.The prosecuting agency argued that the nature of the charge against the accused person was not such that he could orally persuade the court to okay his release from detention, saying he ought to have deposed an affidavit in support of a written bail application.It is our position that the accused person cannot orally move this court to grant him bail. As it stands, he has not placed any material that could sway the court to exercise its discretion one way or the other, Tahir argued.At that juncture, the defence counsel pleaded the court to allow his client to remain in the custody of the EFCC pending the determination of his bail, an application that was opposed by the prosecuting counsel.In a short ruling, Justice Abang agreed with the EFCC, even as he directed Metuh to file a formal bail application.Consequently, the court remanded the accused person in prison custody.Justice Abang further directed Metuhs lawyer to file and serve the bail application within six hours from the time the ruling was delivered yesterday, just as he also gave EFCC 24 hours to file its objection to the application if it has any.Besides, the court, yesterday, fixed January 25 to commence full-blown hearing on the substantive charge against Metuh.It will be recalled that Metuh had been in the custody of the EFCC since January 5 when he was arrested.Already, the anti-graft agency has lined up 18 witnesses that will testify against him and his firm during the trial.Among those to testify in the case are representatives of the Office of the NSA, representatives of Diamond bank, Access Bank, Sterling Bank, First Bank, Heritage Bank, Nneka Nicole Ararume, Alhaji Abba Dabo, Mallam Kabiru Ibrahim, Olayinka Badejo Okusanya of CMC comet, Ahmadu Umar of Kwalaye Investment Limited, Theophilus Musa of Capital Fields Investment and six EFCC investigators.The court had on Thursday, adjourned till January 20 to hear a motion challenging his continued detention in EFCC custody.Justice Abang adjourned hearing on Metuhs fundamental right enforcement suit on a day the EFCC insisted that his detention was sequel to a valid court order.Counsel to the EFCC, Mr. Jacobs, SAN, had maintained that the commission obtained a remand order against Metuh in line with provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015.Jacobs said the ACJA, 2015, permitted the EFCC to detain an accused person pending completion of investigation into criminal allegations against such person, so far there is a valid approval from a competent court.It is arrant nonsense for anybody or group to say that the suspect is being detained illegally for political reasons. EFCC is established by law and as such, cannot take the laws into its own hand. The truth is that there is a valid and subsisting court order that permitted the detention of the man.The order was issued by the court based on the avalanche of documentary evidence that was placed before it, Jacobs added.The EFCC lawyer told the court on Thursday that the commission would need time to study Metuhs fundamental right enforcement suit which he said was only served on the anti-graft agency Wednesday morning.Arguing that EFCC have five days to respond to Metuhs suit, Jacobs, persuaded Justice Abang to adjourn the matter which he said was not ripe for hearing.Some of the charges against Metuh read: That you, Olisa Metuh and Destra Investment Limited, on or about the 24th November, 2014, in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, took possession of the sum of N400, 000,000.00 (Four Hundred Million Naira) only, paid into the account of Destra Investments Limited with Diamond Bank Plc. Account No. 0040437573 from the account of the Office of the National Security Adviser with the Central Bank of Nigeria without contract award, when you reasonably ought to have known that the said fund formed part of the proceeds of an unlawful activity of Col. Mohammed Sambo Dasuki (Rtd) the then NSA (To wit: criminal breach of trust and corruption) and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 15(2) (d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011, as amended in 2012 and punishable under section 15(3) of the same Act.That you, Olisa Metuh and Destra Investment Limited on or about the 24th November, 2014 in Abuja converted the sum of N400m paid into the account of Destra Investment Limited with Diamond Bank Plc, Account No: 0040437573 from the account of the office of the National Security Adviser with the Central Bank of Nigeria without contract award when you reasonably ought to have known that the said fund formed part of the proceeds of an unlawful activity of Col. Mohammed Sambo Dasuki (Rtd) the then National Security Adviser (To Wit: criminal breach of trust and corruption) and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 15(2), (d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 as amended in 2012 and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act.That you, Olisa Metuh and Destra Investments Limited on or about the 24th November, 2014 in Abuja, did retain the sum of N400m on behalf of the Peoples Democratic Party of its campaign activities by concealing the said sum in your account with Diamond Bank Plc, when you reasonably ought to have known that such fund formed part of the proceeds of an unlawful activity of Col. Sambo Dasuki (Rtd), the then National Security Adviser, (to wit: criminal breach of trust and corruption), and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 17(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 as amended in 2012 and punishable under Section 17(b) of the same Act.The you, Olisa Metuh and Destra Investments Limited on or about the 2nd Dec. 2014 in Abuja did make a cash payment through your agent one Nneka Nicole Ararume to one Kabiru Ibrahim, a non financial initiation to the tune of $1,000,000.00 USD (One Million United States Dollars) only and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1 of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 as amended in 2012 and punishable under Section 16(2)(b) of the same Act.That you, Olisa Metuh and Destra Investments Limited on or about the 2nd Dec. 2014 in Abuja, did make a cash payment through your agent one Nneka Nicole Ararume to one Sie Iyenome of Capital Field Investment, to the tune of $1,000,000.00 USD (One Million United States Dollars) only and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1 of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 as amended in 2012 and punishable under Section 16(2)(b) of the same Act.That you, Olisa Metuh and Destra and Destra Investments Limited on or about the 4th Dec. 2014 in Abuja, did transfer the sum of N21,776,000.00 (Twenty-One Million, Seven Hundred and Seventy Six Thousand Naira) being part of the sum of N400m which directly represented the proceeds of an unlawful activity of Col. Mohammed Sambo Dasuki (Rtd), the then National Security Adviser (to wit: Criminal Breach of Trust and corruption) to Chief Anthony Anenih and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 15(2) (b) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 amended in 2012 and punishable under Section 16(2)(b) of the same Act.
The Peoples Democratic Party has called on the National Assembly to impeach President Muhammadu Buhari for what it described as various ...

The Peoples Democratic Party has called on the National Assembly to impeach President Muhammadu Buhari for what it described as various constitutional breaches, especially the submission of two versions of the 2016 budget proposal.The National Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party made the call on Thursday in a statement by its Acting National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus.It asked the National Assembly to thoroughly investigate what it described as a shameful act, including what it called the distortion and banding of figures to accommodate personal interest.We therefore call on the National Assembly to commence the impeachment of President Muhammadu Buhari for the various constitutional breaches especially the submission of two versions of the 2016 budget, the party stated.The PDP asked the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, to resign for allegedly plunging the countrys currency policy into chaos, an action that has thrown investors into total confusion.It also asked the Ministers of Finance, Budget and National Planning and the Presidential Adviser on National Assembly to resign, saying they had failed to provide the much-needed capacity in the management of the nations economy, which he said resulted in the crashing of the nations currency to as low as N305 to a dollar.The Senate had on Thursday accused the executive of smuggling copies of a doctored version of the 2016 Appropriation Bill into the upper chamber of the National Assembly.The Senate stated this while discussing the report of its Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, which it set up to investigate the alleged disappearance of the budget.The Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki, after a two-hour executive session with his colleagues, explained that the upper chamber deliberated extensively on the report of the committee behind closed doorsAt the plenary, Saraki said the committee, in its report, revealed that the Senate had in its possession two versions of the 2016 budget proposal.According to him, the first version is the hard copy submitted by President Muhammadu Buhari while the second is a different version produced and brought into the Senate by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Senator Ita Enang.He noted that if the Presidency wanted to amend the initial version of the bill that was submitted to the National Assembly, there were proper legislative channels to do so.Saraki said, Our findings revealed that Senator Ita Enang, the SSA to the President on NASS Matters, printed copies of the 2016 Appropriation Bill and brought them to the Senate. We have discovered that what he brought was different from the version presented to us by Mr. President.We have resolved to consider only the version presented by Mr. President as soon as we receive the soft copies of the original document from the Executive.The Chairman, Senate Committee on National Identity, Senator Kabiru Marafa, however, faulted the argument of some of his colleagues that two versions of the 2016 budget, were available in the Senate.Marafa, in an interview with journalists in his office on Thursday, challenged the Senate leadership to make the two versions of the 2016 budget available to members of the public or identify the differences.He denied Enangs culpability in the alleged smuggling of the doctored document into the Senate, adding that such action was impossible.Marafa added, I dont understand what is playing out. We started with one problem and we are ending with another problem. Today, we say there are two versions, the procedure of laying budget is very clear.President Muhammadu Buhari laid the budget in December. If somebody says there are two versions, where is the second version and when did we have procedure of collecting budget from SSA? We have procedure. I think it is very necessary to differentiate what is fake from original.
Tsai Ing-wen has been elected Taiwans first female president. Ms Tsai, 59, leads the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) that wants ind...

Tsai Ing-wen has been elected Taiwans first female president.Ms Tsai, 59, leads the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) that wants independence from China, the BBC reports.In her victory speech, she vowed to preserve the status quo in relations with China, adding Beijing must respect Taiwans democracy and both sides must ensure there are no provocations.China sees the island as a breakaway province  which it has threatened to take back by force if necessary.In her speech, Ms Tsai hailed a new era in Taiwan and pledged to co-operate with other political parties on major issues.The will of the Taiwanese people would be the basis for relations with China, Ms Tsai said, urging both sides to show dignity and reciprocity in their relations.She thanked the United States and Japan for their support and vowed Taiwan would contribute to peace and stability in the region.Ms Tsai had a commanding lead in the vote count when Eric Chu of the ruling Kuomintang (KMT) admitted defeat.Mr. Chu congratulated Tsai Ing-wen and announced he was quitting as KMT head.Taiwans Premier Mao Chi-kuo also resigned.
Washington: The Taliban in Afghanistan have yet to decide to join renewed peace efforts despite an urgent need to get talks going before the spring fighting season begins in April, a senior US administration official said on Thursday.

Delegates from Afghanistan, Pakistan, China and the United States held talks in Pakistan on Monday to try to resurrect efforts to end nearly 15 years of bloodshed in Afghanistan. They plan to meet again in Kabul on Monday.

We are very keen to emphasise the urgency of having talks going in view of the need to be talking and getting a process going during the lull in the fighting season, the senior official said.

He said the four countries had agreed that no Afghan groups would be excluded from the talks and that there would be no preconditions for joining.

Its clear that the Taliban have not yet decided to join the reconciliation process, but we are proceeding on the basis that we have to test the proposition, the official said.

It was up to the Afghan government to discuss what incentives the Taliban could be offered, he said, adding there were indications the militant group wanted to avoid the international isolation it felt when in power before 2001.

Despite intensified battles, the Taliban had been unable to hold onto territory they had seized, the official said.

It is by no means certain they necessarily can win on the battlefield, he said. If the Taliban sought a degree of legitimacy, that can only be achieved by them negotiating a place on the political table.

On Tuesday, Afghanistans chief negotiator, deputy foreign minister Hekmat Karzai, said he was hopeful the insurgents would join the process but warned that public support would wane if there were no quick results.

A previous round broke down in July after it became known that the Talibans founder and leader, Mullah Mohammad Omar, had been dead for two years and his deputy Mullah Akhtar Mansour had been in control.

The news badly damaged trust between Kabul and Islamabad, which many in Afghanistan believed had taken part in the cover-up.


Osun State Governor, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola, has said those involved in sharing the $2.1bn meant for arms procurement should be served adeq...

Osun State Governor, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola, has said those involved in sharing the $2.1bn meant for arms procurement should be served adequate punishment commensurate to the crime committed against the nation.The governor said this in Osogbo on Friday at the 2016 Armed Forces Remembrance Day in honour of fallen heroes.While commending President Muhammdu Buhari for unraveling the looting, he said that all those found guilty should be severely punished without exception.Aregbesola lamented the situation where some of the soldiers caught and indicted have been pardoned and some losing their commission while others face uncertain future, said it was pertinent that a fresh inquiry be set up so that justice will be done.The governor stated that the corruption perpetrated by the past administration caused massive destruction of lives and property adding that lack of superior weapons by the military forced some soldiers to run away from the insurgents.He said, It is even a monumental scandal of unimaginable proportion that funds meant for procuring arms for soldiers are shared among members of the Peoples Democratic Party without the least compunction.I commend the efforts of President Muhammadu Buhari in unravelling this heinous crime and I sincerely hope that all those involved will receive full retribution. Some of the soldiers caught in the maelstrom and indicted have been pardoned but some have lost their commission while others face uncertain future.Considering the circumstances of this unusual event, it is pertinent that a fresh inquiry be set up so that justice will be given to all those involved and our gallant soldiers will not be punished unjustly.Reacting to the report of the committee set up to probe the roles of soldiers in the Ekiti and Osun governorship elections in 2014, he said that the deployment of soldiers for the election was unnecessary.Aregbesola added, The military high command also set up an inquiry into the roles soldiers played in the Ekiti and Osun governorship elections of 2014. The committee has submitted its report and made recommendations.As a victim of the reckless deployment of soldiers in those elections, I will say it was an avoidable deployment of soldiers for a civilian duty and for which there was no threat beyond the capability of the police and other security agencies.
The BringBackOurGirls coalition has expressed excitement over President Buharis directive to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commissio...

The BringBackOurGirls coalition has expressed excitement over President Buharis directive to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to probe how funds meant for equipping the military was misappropriated.The BBOG spokesman, Tunji Olanrewaju, called on the government to bring the full weight of the law to bear on anyone indicted for diversion of the arms fund.He stated that the group had just rounded off a candle light procession in honour of fallen soldiers, adding that BBOG members also participated in an event commemorating the Armed Forces Remembrance Day organised by retired and serving soldiers in Abuja.Olanrewaju stated that in the light of the revelation that some former senior military chiefs diverted money meant for arming the military, the government should therefore pardon the soldiers convicted for mutiny.He called on President Buhari to exercise his prerogative of mercy and pardon the convicted soldiers whose conviction had been commuted to 10 years in prison.He argued that the convicted soldiers were right not to go and engage Boko Haram insurgents with bare hands, describing this as a suicide mission.He said, On the directive of the president, everybody in the BBOG was excited. The people that misappropriated the money meant for purchase of the arms should not only be made to refund it, they should also serve prison terms. The full weight of the law should be brought upon them.On the soldiers convicted for mutiny, we are appealing to the government to exercise discretion; the president should exercise his prerogative of mercy and pardon those soldiers who were convicted for mutiny, whose sentences were commuted to 10 years.In the light of the revelation of the diversion of money meant for resourcing and equipping the military, we expect that the president would consider this and overlook the offence the soldiers may have committed. We feel that the officers were rightthey were under-armed, they were sent to go and die.
BORDENTOWN TOWNSHIP -- Local officials and environmental groups concerned with the impact of the proposed natural gas projects in the region are holding a forum to discuss the issues and spread awareness.

The Jan. 20 forum is being hosted by Bordentown Township and advocacy group Food and Water Watch.

The proposed $130 million New Jersey Natural Gas pipeline has become a cause of concern for residents and elected officials in several Burlington, Monmouth and Ocean County towns.

The 28-mile, 30-inch Southern Reliability Link would begin in Chesterfield and continue through North Hanover, Upper Freehold, Plumsted and Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst before connecting to the utility's system in Manchester.

Williams Co., which owns and operates the Transco pipeline, is also awaiting approval to build a compressor station that would take gas from its Trenton Woodbury line and send it into the NJNG pipeline.

"A lot of people don't know that this project is planned or they don't understand or they don't know of the implications of a project like this," Bordentown Township Mayor Jill Popko said.

She also put out a call to county freeholders, state senators, Assemblymembers, U.S. Sens. Cory Booker and Robert Melendez and U.S. Reps. Chris Smith and Tom MacArthur in the hopes that they would be able to talk to and hear their constituents' concerns.

"If they're not going to come out and take the time to hear what they have to say and hear their concerns, I think that speaks volumes," Popko said of the legislators. "I know that our Congressional and Senate representatives hear plenty from their lobbyists, but maybe it's time to hear from their constituents."

She said the compressor station is most concerning to township residents since it would sit on the Bordentown-Chesterfield border.

"The expanse of that project and the environmental degradation that it would bring to our area is phenomenal," she said. "If there is a blowdown and if there is, worst-case scenario, a leak or an explosion, we have schools, churches and homes in that area that would be directly affected."

Williams also wants a permanent easement from Bordentown Township, but facing opposition, may have to take over the property through eminent domain.

"We want no part of their project," Popko said. "We do not support their project and we don't want them on our public property at all. They're not welcome."

The forum will include speakers from Food and Water Watch, Responsible-Pipeline and the Sierra Club and residents who created a Google Group to voice their concerns.

The forum is at 7 p.m. in the Bordentown Township Community Center, 3 Municipal Drive. Light refreshments will be served.

Cristina Rojas may be reached at crojas@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @CristinaRojasTT. Find The Times of Trenton on Facebook.
Most Wanted Jan 15.jpg

Linda Tomlin and James Mead (Submitted photos)

BRIDGETON -- The Cumberland County Sheriff's Office would like your help in finding two of their most-wanted fugitives.

Linda Tomlin, 37, is being sought on one Superior Court of New Jersey Family Court warrant for failing to pay $54,794.43 in child support payments. Tomlin is described as a white female, 5-foot-5-inches tall, 160 pounds, with blue eyes and brown hair. She has a tattoo on her right ankle. Her last known address was Hesstown Road, Millville.

James T. Mead, 36, is being sought on four Superior Court of New Jersey Criminal Court warrants for failure to appear. Mead is described as a white male, 5-foot-8-inches tall, 170 pounds, with hazel eyes and brown hair. He has a tattoo on his upper right arm of a skull with wings and a tattoo on his left wrist "LILY." His last known address was Opal Road, Commercial Township.

Sheriff Robert A. Austino asks anyone who comes in contact with these individuals to call the police immediately. You should contact state or local police, or the Cumberland County Sheriff's Department TIP-LINE at 856-451-0625.

Citizens are reminded not to approach, confront, or detain these fugitives.

Don E. Woods may be reached at dwoods@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @donewoods1. Find the South Jersey Times on Facebook.
NEWARK -- Nearly 10 months after admitting he strangled his pregnant wife to death in their East Orange home, Babatope Owoseni is looking to take it back.

Owoseni, 36, has filed a motion to withdraw the guilty plea he entered on March 19, 2015 in connection with the Dec. 27, 2013 killing of 26-year-old Fatoumata Owoseni, who was nine months pregnant at the time.

The unborn child died as a result of the attack, authorities said.

During a brief hearing on Friday, Superior Court Judge Ronald Wigler said Owoseni's attorney, John Haggerty, had filed the motion on Thursday.

Essex County Assistant Prosecutor Ralph Amirata, who is handling the case, told the judge he would be able to file a response to the motion after receives the transcript of Owoseni's plea hearing.

Wigler said Amirata would hopefully file his response by next Friday or soon afterward, and the judge instructed the attorneys to return to court on Feb. 5 for oral arguments on the motion.

Owoseni remains in custody at the Essex County Correctional Facility in lieu of $750,000 bail. Owoseni initially indicated last year that he wanted to withdraw his guilty plea.

Outside the courtroom after Friday's hearing, Haggerty declined to discuss the specific defense arguments being made as part of the motion.

RELATED: N.J. man accused of killing pregnant wife looks to withdraw guilty plea

Owoseni had been charged with murder in his wife's death. A murder charge carries a minimum sentence of 30 years in state prison and a maximum sentence of life in prison, which equates to 75 years.

Under a plea agreement, Owoseni pleaded guilty to an aggravated manslaughter charge and prosecutors agreed to recommend a 16-year prison sentence for him, authorities said. Under that sentence, Owoseni would have to serve 14 years before becoming eligible for parole.

In pleading guilty, Owoseni admitted to killing his wife during an argument in their East Orange home, authorities said.

Although the unborn child died as a result of the attack, Owoseni cannot be charged under state law with the murder of the unborn child.

New Jersey is one of only a dozen states where an unborn child is not recognized as a victim of a crime in the homicide of a pregnant woman, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. The other 38 states have so-called "fetal homicide laws," the group states.

During the New Jersey Legislature's two-year legislative session that ended on Tuesday, Republican State Assembly members introduced a fetal homicide bill to make the death of an unborn child constitute a separate act of murder in New Jersey when the expecting mother is killed.

Under the bill, a person convicted of fetal homicide would be sentenced to 20 years in prison without parole.

The legislation, called the "Motherhood Violence Act," was introduced in December 2014 and referred to the Assembly Women and Children Committee, but the committee never voted on transferring the bill to the full Assembly for a vote.

Bill Wichert may be reached at bwichert@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @BillWichertNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
NEWARK -- In letters written by supporters of Rutgers-Newark professor Anna Stubblefield, Superior Court Judge Siobhan Teare on Friday said the mother of two was described as a compassionate person who cares about people with disabilities.



But since Stubblefield sexually assaulted a disabled man, the judge said her actions are "the perfect example of a predator preying on their prey."



Stubblefield "took advantage of her position of power over someone that she knew or should have known was mentally and physically disabled and had no means to resist," Teare said.



A few moments later, the judge sentenced Stubblefield, 46, of West Orange, to 12 years in state prison for abusing the 35-year-old victim, known as D.J., in her Newark office in 2011. D.J. has cerebral palsy and is unable to speak beyond making noises.



Stubblefield has claimed she and D.J. fell in love, and that she communicated with him via a controversial typing method, known as "facilitated communication."



But an Essex County jury determined D.J. is mentally incompetent and could not consent to the sexual activity, and found Stubblefield guilty on Oct. 2 of two counts of first-degree aggravated sexual assault. She was facing between 10 and 40 years in prison.

RELATED: Professor loses bid to throw out conviction for sex assault of disabled man



Standing beside his mother on Friday in the Newark courtroom, D.J.'s brother grew emotional as he discussed how Stubblefield "raped" D.J. and harassed their family.



"I don't think Anna understood the depth of pain she caused my family," the brother said.



"An able-bodied woman raped a disabled young man that could not consent to sex," he later added. "You were wrong, Anna. You committed a crime. There is no gray area."



Stubblefield must serve slightly more than 10 years before becoming eligible for parole. After her release from prison, she will be subject to parole supervision for life and she must comply with the reporting requirements of the state's Megan's Law.



Since Stubblefield was convicted of two counts of first-degree aggravated sexual assault, her position as a Rutgers professor is forfeited and she will be disqualified from any future public employment, according to the judge.



The former chairwoman of the Rutgers' philosophy department, Stubblefield was dressed in a pink prison jumpsuit and appeared mostly calm throughout Friday's hearing.



In brief remarks before receiving her sentence, Stubblefield apologized and expressed "my dismay and my regret and my sorrow that my actions have led to so much distress."



But Stubblefield's teenage daughter, Zoe, then stepped to the front of the courtoom and struck a more aggressive tone.

(L-R) Defense attorney James Patton looks toward his client Rutgers-Newark professor Anna Stubblefield, as she addresses the court before being sentenced to 12 years for sexually abusing a disabled man in her Newark office in 2011. Newark, NJ 1/15/16 (Robert Sciarrino | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com)

Zoe Stubblefield, whose parents are divorced, claimed her estranged father drove her mother to D.J., and she refuted the claims by D.J.'s family about his mental incompetence. With her mother being in prison, Zoe Stubblefield said she is "forced to take care of myself."



Zoe Stubblefield said she has a mental disability and that her mother is "a very good person" who has taken care of her. Referring to her mother, Zoe Stubblefield said "her being in prison is simply not fair at all."



"She's never done anything wrong in her whole life," said Zoe Stubblefield, referring to her mother. "She's like the cleanest, most goody-two-shoes woman I've ever met."



After returning to her seat, Zoe Stubblefield was ultimately removed from the courtroom by Essex County sheriff's officers, because she had an outburst during the statement of D.J.'s brother.



When D.J.'s brother said he and his mother were praying for the Stubblefield family, including her ex-husband, Zoe Stubblefield shouted an expletive in regard to her father and D.J.'s brother.



The long-running case has centered on the extent of D.J.'s disabilities and whether he was able to communicate with Stubblefield.



During the trial, the state presented testimony from psychologists who determined D.J. is mentally incompetent and cannot consent to sexual activity. As a result of his cognitive impairments, D.J.'s mother and brother have been designated as his legal guardians.



D.J. also wears diapers and requires assistance with walking, bathing, dressing and eating, his mother testified during the trial.



But Stubblefield claimed during the trial that D.J. is not intellectually impaired and was able to communicate through facilitated communication. Under that technique, Stubblefield said she provided physical support to D.J. as he typed messages on a keyboard.



Critics argue the technique is ineffective, saying studies have shown the facilitators are controlling the users' movements. Several scientific organizations have declared the technique is invalid.

MORE: Professor found guilty of sexually assaulting disabled man



Stubblefield first met D.J. in 2009 through his brother, then a Rutgers student, who was taking a course of Stubblefield's. During one class, Stubblefield presented a video that dealt with facilitated communication, and the brother later asked her for more information about the method to see if it might help D.J.



Over the next two years, Stubblefield worked with D.J. through facilitated communication. During the trial, she claimed D.J. was able to communicate through the typing method, including by writing papers that were presented at conferences and essays for a literature class at Rutgers.



Stubblefield said she and D.J. fell in love and ultimately disclosed their sexual relationship to his mother and brother in May 2011. Looking to have Stubblefield keep her distance, the brother ultimately reported the matter to a Rutgers official and the university later contacted Essex County prosecutors.



During Friday's sentencing, Stubblefield's attorney, James Patton, called for a more lenient sentence, saying she "intended no harm and anticipated no harm."

Patton said Stubblefield did not believe D.J. was mentally defective or physically helpless, but instead considered him intelligent and able to consent. He said she did not try to exploit him, but she was "trying to open up the world so that he could communicate with other people."

"She was a woman who had fallen in love," Patton told the judge, later adding: "This is simply a woman who grossly miscalculated the intelligence of the individual that she believed that she was in a relationship with."



But Essex County Assistant Prosecutor Eric Plant, who tried the case, "used her position of power to carry out this crime upon D.J. and his family." He argued Stubblefield presented herself to D.J.'s family that she could be "his only voice."



"That is how she was able to groom him for sexual behavior," Plant said during the hearing. Plant called for a 15-year prison sentence for Stubblefield.

In a news release, Plant later added that Stubblefield "used her position to prey on the victim.

"What she did was not only criminal, it was cruel. Knowing how desperately families of disabled individuals are for some hope, she mislead the victim's family into believing that she was making progress in helping their son to communicate while all the while she was simply satisfying her own tawdry desires," Plant said in the release. "In the process, she did great damage to this young man, his family and even her own family."

Bill Wichert may be reached at bwichert@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @BillWichertNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
WOODBURY -- A Camden man was sentenced to six years in New Jersey state prison Friday for a sexual relationship with a 14-year-old girl in 2013 that produced a child, according to the Gloucester County Prosecutor's Office.

Charles E. Montgomery, 24, had a requested for a reduction in his negotiated sentence denied after the defense argued that he was misled by a girl who claimed to be 18. The prosecutor's office said the four-month sexual relationship was consensual.

The prosecutor's office said they opposed the more lenient sentence, saying the law imposes "strict liability" on the adult. Superior Court Judge Kevin T. Smith agreed, saying the adult is expected to have "greater wisdom."

Once he's released from prison, Montgomery will subject to the requirements of Megan's Law. He will not be allowed to have contact with the victim and no unsupervised contact with children, including his own unless approved by a Family Court, according to the prosecutor's office.

Robert A. Decamp III, 25, of Millville, admitted to having a consensual relationship that produced a child with the same girl in Deptford in 2012. He was sentenced to six years in state prison on October 2015. The girl's father reported both relationships after he acquired custody of her, according to the prosecutor's office.

Alex Young may be reached at ayoung@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @AlexYoungSJT. Find the South Jersey Times on Facebook.
Washington: US President Barack Obama underlined the need for coordination and cooperation among a wide range of global partners to degrade and destroy the dreaded Islamic State terror group in the aftermath of terrorist attack in Indonesia and other parts of the world.

"Obama convened his National Security Council to discuss the intensification of our campaign to degrade and destroy ISIL," the White House said.

The President was briefed on recent progress by Iraqi security forces in taking back Ramadi, and on ways US and its partners in the Global Coalition to Counter ISIL or ISIS continue to accelerate and integrate the military campaign on all possible fronts in Iraq and Syria, it said.

Obama directed his national security team to continue to intensify ongoing efforts to degrade and destroy ISIL, including by working with American partners to increase its military cooperation, disrupting foreign fighter networks, halting ISIL expansion outside of Syria and Iraq, countering ISIL financing, disrupting any ISIL external plotting efforts, and countering ISIL's propaganda and messaging.

"The President emphasised that degrading and destroying ISIL will continue to require coordination and cooperation among a wide range of global partners, and the United States is strongly committed to continuing to lead the shared efforts of the Global Coalition to Counter ISIL," the White House said.

Earlier in the day, White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest said the Jakarta attack shows the ability of ISIL to spread their violence, mayhem and murderous ideology.

"The first is concern about foreign fighters. These are individuals who have travelled from around the globe to Iraq and Syria to take up arms alongside ISIL. The concern obviously is that these individuals could use their foreign passports to return to their home country and organize and carry out acts of violence," he said.

"There's a substantial number of individuals from Indonesia who have travelled to Iraq and Syria to take up arms alongside ISIL. And so the threat that is posed by foreign fighters is significant, one the Indonesians are keenly aware of. This is also a concern that the President himself is keenly aware of," Earnest said.

The second source of concern, is the way in which ISIL has capitalised on social media to spread their ideology and to try to radicalise vulnerable individuals.

"So there obviously is an aggressive effort that we have mounted both here in the United States and around the world to try to combat their online radicalisation efforts," he said.
WOODBURY -- A West Deptford Township man was sentenced to 24 years in state prison Friday for stabbing his girlfriend to death in 2014, according to the Gloucester County Prosecutor's Office.

Rocco L. Carsillo was sentenced Friday in the stabbing death of his girlfriend, Margaret Ann DePietro, 50.

Rocco L. Carsillo, 57, pleaded guilty in October to aggravated manslaughter in the death of 50-year-old Margaret Ann DePietro, admitting that he killed her after a night of partying during which both had used drugs.

A family member found DePietro's body in her apartment at The Grand at Kings Woods on March 5, 2014. Carsillo was arrested in Winslow Township two days later on active warrants for other offenses and was charged a short time later in the killing.

Police recovered a knife with his DNA and the victim's blood on it.

Carsillo has remained in jail on $500,000 bail since his arrest.

The pair's relationship dated back to 2003 and included previous incidents of domestic violence, authorities said. DePietro had obtained a temporary restraining order against Carsillo in November 2013, but the TRO was dismissed later that month when neither of them appeared in Family Court, officials previously said.

Carsillo lived for a brief time with DePietro but had no permanent address.

He admitted to authorities that he had been living with her for 10 days before her death and that he didn't remember details of the stabbing. He admitted, however, that he tried to clean up the crime scene before he fled.

Before Superior Court Judge Robert P. Becker sentenced Carsillo, Assistant Gloucester County Prosecutor Margaret Cipparrone read letters from DePietro's daughter and sister which described the victim as a kind, caring and "gentle soul" who continued to give "up until the last moment, unfortunately to the wrong person."

Becker noted that Carsillo was a drug addict with a criminal record that included convictions for production of methamphetamine, possession of narcotics and aggravated assault. The judge said Carsillo would "remain lawless" until his addiction was effectively dealt with, according to the prosecutor's office.

Carsillo must serve 85 percent of his term before he is eligible for parole and will be subject to five years of parole supervision when he is released.

Matt Gray may be reached at mgray@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @MattGraySJT. Find the South Jersey Times on Facebook.
Every Saturday, the South Jersey Times cheers those who make our area a better place in which to live and jeers those whose actions merit derision.

JEERS: To the punks who vandalized Franklin Township's Little League complex. It's pretty sad to see a place that's obviously well cared for desecrated with graffiti, but someone really went to work on this site recently, leaving markings on several structures. The vandalism was discovered this week and reported to police. We hope those responsible are located and -- as part of their punishment -- put to work cleaning up the mess. It doesn't have to end there, though. They can help with upkeep at the facility longterm. Maybe that would help them appreciate the work others put into keeping our public spaces looking great.

CHEERS to getting out of the way of progress. On Tuesday, Evesham Township officials gathered to watch as an excavator went to work knocking down a long-vacant big-box store. In its place, more than 250 apartments, two restaurants and more than 80,000 square feet for retail. The project also include a deal with the New Jersey Department of Transportation to build a park at the front of the property along Route 70. After seeing what Gloucester Township has accomplished with their new high-end shopping mecca located near the Atlantic City Expressway, Evesham stands to gain with high-visibility along Route 70 as motorists pass through.

JEERS to missing puzzle pieces. On Tuesday, David "D.J." Creato was hauled into court on murder charges following the death of his 3-year-old son. This is a heinous crime, as Creato's attorney said, but there's something missing. If Creato said he went to bed around 10 p.m. and last used his cell phone just after 1:30 a.m. on the day his son was found dead, what took place before the 6 a.m. 9-1-1 call? According to prosecutors, Brendan died from a lack of oxygen by way of "homicidal violence" that could include drowning or asphyxiation. The exact cause of death was not revealed in court and Creato's attorney said he was surprised anyone was charged based on the evidence presented Tuesday. If someone is going to be charged with murder, shouldn't we find out exactly how the victim died?

CHEERS: To a new school leader. Steven Price has been named the superintendent of the Cumberland Regional High School District. Price has more than 30 years experience as both a teacher and a supervisor. He was principal at the Lakeside Middle School in Millville before taking the job of Cumberland Regional super. "I think my diverse background and experiences will truly help me support all that Cumberland Regional has to offer," Price said. He officially begins his new job in March.

JEERS: To a tragic end to a young life. On Monday, the body of Danyelle Minerva was found in a remote section of Alloway Township. How long the 19-year-old woman had been there isn't know. How she got there is still a mystery, according to authorities. What is known is that a young woman who was well-loved and had suffered many tragedies as she grew up is now gone. The public has been asked to contact police to help them find answers: Contact Det. Sgt. Glen Garrels of the New Jersey State Police Major Crime Unit at 609-882-2000 Ext. 3355 or the Woodstown State Police Station at 856-769-0775. Anonymous tips are welcome.

CHEERS: To catching a police officer in the act. We speak of a good deed captured on camera New Year's Eve, when a Glassboro woman's power chair broke down while she was on her way home. Patrolman Steve Cavallaro didn't hesitate to lend a hand and ended up pushing the woman, still in her chair, all the way home. We wrote about this act of kindness and service because it's the sort of thing that often doesn't make headlines. While some would prefer to vilify police officers at every turn and question each decision they make, let's remember that the photo of this officer helping a citizen is the norm. Thanks to Patrolman Cavallaro for helping a citizen in need.

If you know of someone or something you would like to nominate for a cheer or a jeer, please send the information to sjletters@njadvancemedia.com
WASHINGTON TWP. -- Washington Township high schoolers shimmied and twirled their way to $28,000 for the National ALS Association at the annual, 18-hour-long "Monzo Madness" dance-a-thon.

Roughly 500 high school students attended the 13th annual event on Jan. 15, which was hosted by the school's Interact Club. The club is a community service based organization that puts on several events a year, from blood drives to St. Baldrick's Day.

In order to participate, students paired up, and each team had to raise a minimum of $100 dollars. All of the funds raised were presented to the Philadelphia chapter of the ALS association before the event started. This year, the students raised a total of $28,000, bringing the school's total donations to the foundation to $220,000.

"I think it's good," said Interact Club Advisor April Renzetti. "The kids really did well, they raised a lot of money."

After the check presentation, students were moved to the high school's gymnasium where the dance-a-thon was held. Starting at 2:30 p.m., they were "locked in" until 8:00 a.m. the following morning. Students could leave at any point if they were tired, but they needed a parent to sign them out, and once they left, they could not come back and start dancing again. Everyone danced for one hour at a time with a 10 minute break in between to rehydrate and snack.

"It's for a good cause and it's fun," freshman Mia Najd said about why she decided to get involved.

DJ John Scuilli provided the music for the event, a combination of electric dance music and remixes of crowd favorites, including "Party in the USA" by Miley Cyrus and "Shots" by Lil Jon. This was Washington Township High School alumnus Scuilli's fifth year DJ-ing the event, which he does for free every year.

"I'm always looking for ways to help the community, it's for such a good cause," Scuilli said. "I'm happy to be a part of it and hope to be for years to come."

Together, senior Sean Troy, 18, and his partner raised $100 for the fundraiser.

"It's not much, but it's contributing to a cause," Troy said. "This community has been great to me and I want to contribute back."

Although he's not sure what career path he plans to follow yet, Troy knows he wants a job that allows him to serve a community. His passion for giving back is why he entered the dance-a-thon.

"I really just want to help people," Troy said. "It is a great time for the school to come together, get to know and make new friends. ... It's a great experience in my high school memories."
Lynn Peeples and Suzy Lucine will honored by the American Morgan Horse Association during the Super Convention, which will take place Feb. 9-13 in Boston, Mass.

Lynn Peeples and LP's Out of Bounds (Photo by Shane Shiflet)

Peeples of New Jersey, will enter the Breeders' Hall of Fame which honors breeders who have produced Morgans that have had a significant impact on the breed.

Since before he registered that first baby colt in 1977, Lynn Peeples has been a breeder; it's in his head and obviously his heart. For almost 40 years, Peeples has been breeding Morgans for long-term advancement of the breed. He is the only Morgan breeder in history to be listed as the breeder of four World Champion Stallions, accounting for eight World Champion Stallion victories. The names Pot Of Gold, Man About Town LPS, Man In Motion, and LPS The Boogie Man are not just champions, but have gone on to sire a generation of champions.

Peeples has been a dedicated breeder who has continued to breed fine Morgans in pursuit of continuing the legacy of the wonderful breed of horse to which he is devoted personally and professionally. His contributions will affect many generations of horses and horsemen as he continues to study horses, learn their strengths, and work to improve this great breed.

RELATED: Kendra Peeples helps Team Morgan win gold medal

Lucine of Pennsylvania will be inducted into AMHA's Hall of Fame.

Suzy Lucine (Photo provided by the American Morgan Horse Association)

With a lifetime involvement with Morgan horses, Suzy Lucine is one of the most dedicated and talented women in the Morgan breed. Lucine was born to be a Morgan ambassador with her love and promotion for the Morgan horse going back to her childhood. Along with her parents, Dr. Albert and Janey Lucine, both AMHA Hall of Fame inductees, and her sister, Betty, Suzy Lucine bred, raised and showed Morgans with their Sugarstone prefix in Pennsylvania.

Throughout her junior exhibitor and amateur years, she worked for and showed with several trainers in the Northeast. Her photographs have appeared on the covers of numerous equine publications and calendars. The former editor of The Morgan Horse magazine and the Horseman's Yankee Pedlar, Lucine has given back to the Morgan breed not only through her outstanding photography, but her flair for authoring fine articles. She also has generously contributed her expertise and time on important committees for the breed. She has been at the forefront of promoting the breed through various venues internationally, nationally, regionally, and locally. Lucine has always been one of the most significant individuals in the Morgan breed, steering it into the future.

The Super Convention will take place Feb. 9-13 at the Westin Boston Waterfront Hotel and is a first-time joint convention between AMHA, the American Saddlebred Horse Association (ASHA), the American Hackney Horse Society (AHHS), and the United Professional Horsemen's Association (UPHA). For more information on room rates and Convention details, go to http://www.thesuperconvention.com/.

Founded in 1909, the American Morgan Horse Association is a non-profit organization serving more than 50,000 Morgan horse owners, breeders, exhibitors, and enthusiasts throughout the United States. AMHA serves as a parent organization to more than 90 recognized Morgan horse clubs and national service organizations.

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.

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Raymond Gorczycki Jr.jpg

Raymond Gorczycki Jr., 42, of Jersey City has been charged with failing to register as a sex offender and violating his parole, according to Bayonne police. Photo from New Jersey State Police Sex Offender Registry.

BAYONNE -- A 42-year-old Jersey City man has been charged with failing to register as a sex offender and violating his parole, according to Bayonne police.

On Friday, Jan. 8 at around 4:13 p.m., police officers detained Raymond Gorczycki Jr. of Neptune Avenue at the 45th Street Light Rail Station in Bayonne "for a fare evasion violation," police said in a press release issued this week.

Gorczycki, who is listed in the state sex offender registry for a 2002 conviction for sexual assault and criminal sexual contact in Monmouth County, was then found to have two outstanding warrants for failure to register as a sex offender and violating his parole, according to police.

According to the state registry, Gorczycki last resided on Belmont Avenue in Jersey City, and is classified as a Tier 2 offender, or an offender with a "moderate risk of re-offense."

Registered sex offenders in New Jersey are categorized in a three-tier system, with Tier 1 being a low risk to the public, Tier 2 having a moderate risk and Tier 3 being a high risk to the public, according to the New Jersey State Police website.

After Bayonne police arrested him, Gorczycki was taken to the Hudson County jail on a $25,000 bail with a 10 percent option on the charge of failure to register as a sex offender, and on a no-bail status for his parole violation charge.

Jonathan Lin may be reached at jlin@jjournal.com. Follow him on Twitter @jlin_jj. Find The Jersey Journal on Facebook.
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Port Authority Police arrested Raajhaun Muhammad, 33, of East Orange yesterday near the Holland Tunnel. There were numerous warrants out against the suspect, according to police. (Port Authority Police Department photo)

Port Authority police arrested an East Orange man yesterday afternoon near the Holland Tunnel who had numerous warrants and a suspended driver's license, according to a report.

Raajhaun Muhammad, 33, was pulled over around 3 p.m. yesterday when Port Authority police saw that the suspect's black Audi didn't have a front license plate, according to a report.

There was a temporary registration and tag displayed in the car, and according to the report, the registration expired in December 2015. Police asked Muhammad about the registration, and he admitted to police he was aware of the expired date, the report states.

A computer check of Muhammad revealed a warrant for assault, as well as 12 other criminal and traffic warrants out of East Orange, Newark, Union and Wayne Township totaling more than $8,000, as well as a suspended driver's license, according to the report.

Port Authority police arrested the suspect, and found marijuana in the front passenger compartment of the car, according to the report.

Officers found suspected marijuana in the front of Muhammad's car, according to reports. (Port Authority Police Department photo)

He was charged with bail jumping, driving with a suspended license, possession of marijuana in a motor vehicle, according to the report.

The suspect was lodged in the Hudson County Jail on no bail, according to the report.
HOBOKEN -- Having grown up poor on Hoboken's gentrifying streets, Carmelo Garcia tells a story of how, as boy, he had to save himself by jumping out the window of his burning building after it was torched by a craven landlord straight out of "Delivered Vacant," the acclaimed documentary about the city's fiery transition of the 1980's.



"Here I am, a 10-year-old kid, and I literally had to jump out the window," said Garcia, 40, who went on to become the city's health and human services director, then executive director of the Hoboken Housing Authority, and most recently a state assemblyman from the 33rd District.



But after a steady rise in government, Garcia's exit from appointed and elected office has been only slightly less hasty than the narrow escape he described from three decades earlier, and no more voluntary.

After being elected to the Assembly in November 2013, Garcia's first and only 2-year term expired on Tuesday, when he stepped down following his failure to seek re-election, after Hudson's Democratic leaders dropped him from the 33rd District ticket in the wake of a housing authority scandal. The scandal had already cost Garcia his $155,000 job as executive director in August 2014, amid allegations that he had awarded contracts improperly.



And in yet another blow to Garcia's public profile, he was defeated in his bid for a Sixth Ward City Council seat against a Zimmer-backed candidate, Jennifer Giattino.



But while he may be down, Garcia is by no means bowing out of public life.



Aside from retaining his positions as a board member of the Act Now Foundation for Alzheimer's Disease and an educational group known as African Views, Garcia confirmed talk that he was contemplating a bid for an at-large council seat in next year's municipal elections.

"That's what's out there," Garcia, a father of four who lives on upper Bloomfield Street, said in a recent interview. But, he added, "Right now, I'm focussed on my family, I'm focused on my future plans."



Supporters said Garcia could have a better shot at one of the three at-large seats up for grabs next year than he had last fall in the Sixth Ward. For example, as an at-large candidate, Garcia could also count on voters in public housing and Hispanic neighborhoods, not merely his neighbors on Bloomfield.



However broad his support may be, the engaging, energetic and constituent-oriented Garcia has built an intensely loyal following exemplified by the public housing residents who marched to an August 2014 housing authority meeting when he was scheduled to be fired. More recently, an enthusiastic crowd turned out for a farewell party organized by his Assembly staff last week at the Hoboken Elks Lodge on Washington Street.



"He's the best, he's old Hoboken," said Cecilia Wladich, 63, who lives on Hudson Street and works in the cafeteria at Calabria School. "You needed something, you had a question, he never said no. He was always for the children. He was always there."

Wladich was among more than 80 supporters, staffers, public housing residents, family and friends who took in the food and drink, testimonials, thanks to and from Garcia, a video with lots of comic relief for the bitter-sweet occasion, and a final chant -- for the meantime, at least -- of Garcia's signature call to action: "We can! We will! Watch us!"



"I will continue to serve in any capacity that god will bless me with," Garcia assured cheering supporters. "This is not the end. It's the beginning."



The vice chairman of the Hoboken Republican Organization, Ted Conrad, was not among those cheering. Conrad, who was not at the event, issued an unusual statement beforehand reminding people of Garcia's ouster from the housing authority. In an interview, Conrad branded him, "someone who cannot be trusted."

Hoboken Councilman Ruben Ramos and Freeholder Anthony Romano dropped into the Elks Lodge, though neither would comment.

Garcia, who lists a bachelor's degree from Seton Hall University and a pair of master's degrees from Stevens Institute on his resume, was hired as executive director of the housing authority in 2007 under then-Mayor David Roberts, for whom he had served as the city's health and human services director.

At the time of his firing from the housing authority, Chairwoman Dana Wefer said a procurement review by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, which provides federal funds to the HHA, found that more than $3 million had been "doled out to contractors improperly by Mr. Garcia." Wefer, who was appointed by the City Council, defended Garcia's firing as "wholly justified," given those and other findings.

Garcia has not been charged with any crime. A spokesman for the U.S. Attorney's office in Newark declined to say whether the office was looking into the HUD findings cited by Wefer.



Garcia vehemently denied any wrongdoing. And last fall he sued Mayor Dawn Zimmer, charging in State Superior Court that the mayor had directed Wefer and her other appointees on the housing authority board to remove him because he disagreed with her policies, because he was part of Hoboken's political old guard in contrast to a Zimmer-led newcomers' faction, and because he is Hispanic.



Zimmer has rejected the suit's allegations, which echo those in a prior suit he filed that was later dismissed. The mayor declined to comment on Garcia's prospects for an at-large council seat, or anything about him, for that matter.

While in the Assembly, Garcia said he was proud of his output, which was especially prolific for a freshman legislator. He sponsored or co-sponsorship some 300 bills, a dozen of which were signed into law by Republican Gov. Chris Christie, Garcia and staffers said. His office authored half a dozen pieces of legislation, including a law allowing Alzheimer's Disease to be listed as a cause of death, said his spokesman, Frank Rosner.

Garcia and his supporters say it was Zimmer who engineered his replacement on the the 33rd District ticket last year with a former Hoboken planning and zoning board secretary, Annette Chaparro, the fiancee of Hoboken Police Chief Kenneth Ferrante.

Again, Zimmer wouldn't comment, and referred an inquiry to the chairman of the Hudson County Democratic Organization, Assembly Speaker Vincent Prieto.

A spokesman for the county Democrats, Phil Swibinski, issued a statement saying Prieto had "worked closely with the the State Senator (Brian Stack) and mayors of each district to select Assembly candidates who would be best able to work with them to represent their communities."

"Prieto has a great deal of respect for former Assemblyman Garcia and his many years of public service that improved the lives of people in his district and throughout the state," the statement added. "The speaker wished him well in his future endeavors."

Christopher Campos, a former Hoboken City Council president and childhood friend of Garcia's, exemplifies the kind of loyalty he inspires in those who do support him. A lawyer who acted as Garcia's Assembly chief of staff, Campos said he will back his old friend no matter what.



"Always," said Campos. "He can run for dog catcher and I'll be with him."

Steve Strunsky may be reached at sstrunsky@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @SteveStrunsky. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
BAYONNE -- Alarmed by what they view as the anti-Muslim sentiment of a group protesting the plan for a Muslim community center, some residents are organizing a counter-protest in support of the project and calling for love, compassion and acceptance.

Gene Woods -- a lifelong Bayonne resident, social studies teacher at Bayonne High School, and Holocaust studies scholar -- has started a Facebook event in support of the center called "Meeting of the Human Race: Let's Show Our Solidarity."

The city zoning board is scheduled to meet next Tuesday at 6 p.m. at City Hall to decide whether to approve the plan for the community center.

Woods said he intends to be there along with many students and other supporters of the plan, and that they will be speaking during the meeting's public comment section. In a statement, he said "we should accept and embrace" the center.

"If we truly want to make a difference and promote unity, we cannot act like the extremists who deny people of their rights," Woods said.

He also called on other residents to "speak up for our friends, neighbors and students," quoting Martin Luther King Jr. as saying "The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy."

After years of searching for a permanent religious home, the Muslim community in Bayonne has set its sights on converting the warehouse at 109 E. 24th St. into a community center that would offer, among other things, prayer halls, classrooms and a soup kitchen.

Joe Wisniewski, 50, of 23rd Street other neighbors have put up signs and fliers opposing the center near where it would be located. He said a grassroots movement of "at least 100" people are against the center primarily because they believe it would bring in traffic and noise.

While stressing that he doesn't want residents opposed to the center to be portrayed as objecting to Islam, Wisniewski said "there is a small fear factor involved as well."

"It'd be naive not to think that -- you know, wherever you hear about mosques, there's always issues. You always hear about things happening overseas. So that's always in the back of people's minds," he said.

City resident Shawn Jaryno said on Wood's Facebook page that the opposition group, which has had its own Facebook page for months, is a "vocal minority trying to represent the majority," which Wisniewski contested.

Meanwhile, city resident and political activist Peter Franco said that -- just as with other developments that have been proposed in the city -- residents may have valid concerns about the project that have nothing to do with religion.

"It's unfortunate that xenophobia exists, but just like it's wrong to condemn an entire religion for the actions of individuals, it's equally wrong to condemn an entire group of concerned residents for the comments of a few," he said.

Wisniewski said he and others will be protesting the community center at City Hall 30 minutes before the zoning board meeting begins. Woods said today that supporters of the center will be holding a counter-protest there at the same time.

Jonathan Lin may be reached at jlin@jjournal.com. Follow him on Twitter @jlin_jj. Find The Jersey Journal on Facebook.
The 26-year-old Jersey City man who has two robbery convictions has been charged in the murder of Rondell Fairley, 20, on Orient Avenue in Jersey City in November.

Michael Reaves, of Jersey City, was ordered held on a $1 million cash-only bail when he appeared in court yesterday on the charges.

Reaves, who was arrested Thursday by the Hudson County Prosecutor's Office's Homicide Squad, was in prison from Aug. 3, 2009, to Sept. 6, 2013, and again from March 6, 2015, to March 25, 2015, according to state corrections records.

He has a conviction for drug possession related to a Dec. 19, 2007 incident, a conviction for robbery related to an Aug. 2, 2008 incident and a second robbery conviction for which the date is listed as "unknown," records say.

The Aug. 2, 2008, gunpoint robbery was committed with two accomplices, including a 16-year-old boy who was prosecuted as an adult.

Reaves' bail was set at $1 million cash only by Hudson County Superior Court Judge Martha Royster. When he appeared in court yesterday afternoon, Superior Court Judge Sheila Venable said that based on the seriousness of the charge, the likelihood of conviction and the potential sentence, she found the bail to be fair.

Fairley was shot in his midsection just after midnight on Nov. 17, 2015 near Martin Luther King Drive. He was taken to Jersey City Medical Center-Barnabas Health, where he was pronounced dead at 1:15 a.m. A gun and shell casings were recovered at the scene, officials said.

In addition to the murder charge, Reaves is charged with weapons offenses related to a handgun, including possession of a firearm by a felon.

Yesterday afternoon the defendant, who said nothing during the hearing in Central Judicial Processing court, was also ordered to surrender his travel documents.

At the hearing, defense attorney Frank Gonzalez entered a plea of not guilty on Reaves' behalf. The accused killer's mother and girlfriend attended the hearing.

According to an online profile, Fairley had a young daughter, worked at UPS and graduated from Snyder High School in 2014.
The number of homicides in Hudson County last year spiked to its highest level in six years.

Thirty people were killed in Hudson County in 2015 -- an increase from the 23 homicides the county suffered in 2014, which were all in Jersey City.

The 30 homicides of 2015 were the most the county has seen since 2010, when 36 people were murdered, according to the state Uniform Crime Report.

Outside of Jersey City, where there were 25 killings in 2015, there were three homicides in West New York, one in Bayonne and one in North Bergen.

The number of homicides in Jersey City in 2015 was on track to be considerably lower, but the number rose due to a spate of violence at the end of the year, including a 12-day stretch during which five people were killed.

Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop and Jersey City Public Safety Director James Shea noted the modest rise in the city's number of homicides in 2015 and also said that the city saw a continued drop in most major crime categories as 2015 was coming to a close.

In Jersey City there were 86 shootings in 2015, compared to 77 in 2014 and 92 in 2013. There were 17 shooting-related homicides in the city in 2015, compared to 18 in 2014 and 19 in 2013, Jersey City spokeswoman Jennifer Morrill said.

Newark, a city of similar size to Jersey City, witnessed 105 homicides in 2015, an increase of 12 from 2014, according to NJ Advance Media.

Police also recovered 208 guns in 2015 and there was a 32 percent arrest rate in non-fatal shootings, which is higher than the state average.

Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez said she met with Fulop to discuss the flare-up of gun violence at the end of 2015 and they agreed a collaborative combination of intelligence-driven policing and prosecution was needed to combat it.

"Our office has supplemented Jersey City street crimes and plainclothes units with personnel to assist with these proactive efforts," Suarez said. "Thus far, the initiative has been productive and resulted in taking some guns off the streets and other arrests."

Suarez, who was sworn in as prosecutor in July, said there was also a need to focus on a small group of offenders who are responsible for "the overwhelming majority of the violence."

"Each time a gun is taken off the street, it is one less opportunity for violent predators," Suarez added. "Lastly and equally important, our office will continue to meet with our community partners and clergy groups for their invaluable input and perspective on this issue."

In 2015 Jersey City hired 55 police officers and another 30 are in the academy. Dozens of new officers have been assigned to walking posts in the South and West districts of the city.

In total, the Fulop administration has hired more than 130 officers since 2013, reassigned officers from desk units to patrol, and made growing the department a priority, Morrill said.

Speaking of Jersey City's general decline in crime in 2015, Fulop said: "While we are proud that Jersey City is the safest big city in New Jersey, we know that for anyone who has experienced crime, statistics are just that - a number. So for us, we don't use crime stats as a barometer of whether we are succeeding or not, but rather as a tool that will help us continue to improve and smartly allocate resources and personnel."

The Jersey Journal lists the number of homicides in 2014 at 23, while the Hudson County Prosecutor's Office says it is 25. The Journal lists the death of Susan Remiszewski, 46, of Bayonne, found dead in her home on Aug. 17, 2013, as a 2013 homicide while the HCPO lists it as a 2014 because that is when it was ruled a homicide.

The 23 homicides of 2014 also do not include James Trowell, 47, of Jersey City, who was shot in 1993, and died in April 2014 after additional surgery related to the gunshot injuries.

Meanwhile, the Jersey City Police Department includes the police shootings of Lavon King and Lawrence Campbell in its total for the year. However, the HCPO does not officially classify the deaths of King and Campbell as homicides.
The young and dashing newest author on the block, Manu S Pillai describes himself as a jack-of-all-trades and master of none. From picking up the nuances of Carnatic and Hindustani music as a child, to mastering the sitar and piano, and what he calls a brief flirtation with the guitar later on in life, Pillai has tried it all, but insists he remembers none of it now. My only constant has been reading and writing, so it would be safest to stick to them, he begins, when asked about what interests him. But his lack of colourful persuasions aside, Pillais life thus far has been a series of contrasting and exciting experiences, all of which have perhaps helped him with his debut book, The Ivory Throne. In the city to launch the book, a social and political history of Kerala told through the life and times of two feuding queens, Pillai takes us back to how it all began.

The idea evolved over time, really. Every summer wed visit my grandparents in Kerala. And there, inelegantly gorging on mangoes and jackfruit, I would listen to stories about ferocious great-aunts, magisterial grand uncles, the stories behind the ruined temple in our backyard and other wide-ranging ancestral gossip. Soon I was gripped by Kerala  its history of trading with the Romans, of the matrilineal system which allowed my great-great grandmother to be a divorcee in the 1880s without the slightest hint of stigma, and so on. Looking back, thats when the seeds were sown, recalls the author, whose book has already gone into reprint just four weeks into its launch.

Barely 25 years old, Pillai was born in a little town called Mavelikkara in Kerala but grew up Pune. Ironically, Mavelikkara is where both the protagonist and antagonist of my book were born a century before, he reveals. Currently based out of a suitcase, the authors work life in the past five years is quite impressive, what with having completed stints as the parliamentary aide of Shashi Tharoor and Lord Bilimoria at The House of Lords. Dr Tharoor was excellent to work with. He even facilitated my access to archives in India. Lord Bilimoria, was exceedingly kind too. In 2013, I wanted to leave to focus on my writing. But he asked me to stay, and allowed me two weeks off every month to write, all while paying me a respectable salary! he tells us.

Taking the focus back to his book, he says that it recounts the tale of Sethu Lakshmi Bayi and Sethu Parvathi Bayi, two sisters at loggerheads with each other. The book took him about six years to complete and Pillai shares what finally pushed him to take the first step. At 19, I came across the private papers of Sethu Lakshmi Bayi, the last female Maharajah (not merely Maharani) of Travancore in a volume her granddaughter had compiled. It was fascinating. She had accomplished much as a ruler, but lost in the political battle against her sister and rival, Sethu Parvathi Bayi. So she was written out of history and died in obscurity in the 1980s. There was, I felt, a compelling story to be told here. And the result is The Ivory Throne, he explains.

Relating what it was really like working on the book, Pillai says, It was rewarding, certainly, but it demolished my social life! Talking about Bengaluru, Pillai shares that it forms a huge part of his novel. The royal family, I describe in the book, moved to Bengaluru and have become one of the old families of the city. I visit several times a year because of how fond I am of the city and its relaxed, welcoming vibe, despite the nightmarish traffic, he says, in conclusion.
TRENTON -- In February of 2007, New Jersey authorities announced the arrests of nearly two dozen drug-dealing Bloods gangsters in Trenton and touted an "aggressive" new effort to "take down" violent gangs.

One of the leaders was Bobby Williams, a 27-year-old who lived on Southard Street, but had a place in Falls, Pa.

Williams was not the prototypical dealer but a "hybrid drug dealer." He had the Sex Money Murder Bloods gang affiliations, but he was adept at moving large shipments of cocaine and would sell to other gang factions, authorities said at the time.

Bobby Williams

Williams was the only suspect charged with federal and state crimes, officials said in 2007, and documents described how undercover agents easily bought 100 grams of crack cocaine from him in back-to-back months.

The next year, a judge sentenced Williams to 12 years in prison after delaying the proceeding so he could spend time with his mother as she died of cancer. His lawyer said he was indeed a Bloods gangster, but was trying to leave the gang life, or "fall away."

On Friday, Williams, now 35, was again the lead mugshot in a press conference by a bevy of local, state and federal authorities announcing they had interrupted a major drug-dealing operation by the Sex Money Murder Bloods in Trenton - based on Southard Street.

So what happened?

The federal charges against Williams were dismissed a short time after his arrest and the state took the lead in his prosecution, records and news accounts show.

Williams was then paroled from the state prison system in September 2012.

Officials would not say Friday when Williams allegedly started leading the gang again, but the investigation has roots dating to 2013, and was in full force in all of 2014 and last year, Trenton police said.

The allegations are similar to the 2007 case, Trenton police acknowledge.

Authorities say the new Williams-led effort held a violent grip on North Trenton, but also supplied drugs to other a central New Jersey markets, as well as towns in the Pocono region of Pa.

Also busted in the current investigation were Khalfini Richardson, 31, and Capitol Wellons, 30, who were also charged in 2007 with Williams. They also later accepted plea bargains with state prosecutors, for five and three year terms, respectively.

"Sometimes the system is flawed and things we would like to see adjudicated at harsher or higher level gets watered down," Trenton Police Director Ernest Parrey Jr. said of the prior prosecution of Williams.

Parrey was not director in 2007, but a city police supervisor, and not intimately involved in the 2007 case, which the state police led.

This case against Williams was much longer and Parrey believes stronger.

"I think, under the circumstances, we went back and built as strong a case as we could, hence the long time frame," Parrey said.

The director acknowledged the similarities, including the codefendants, but highlighted that the city has changed.

While gangs often use intimidation - and violence - to enforce their drug turfs, as authorities alleged the suspects did in and around Southard Street in this case, Parrey was buoyed by the fact that citizen complaints played a large role.

The director said his office received direct complaints from residents of suspected criminal activity on Southard Street. "And once we got My Block up and running, we heard a lot from the area," Parrey said.

My Block is an online form residents can use to report crime and other police issues that Parrey launched in 2015. Residents have the option to leave contact information, or provide the information anonymously.

Williams is currently charged with 14 felonies.

Kevin Shea may be reached at kshea@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter@kevintshea. Find The Times of Trenton on Facebook.
Jerry Spraulding

FREEHOLD -- A fourth man has been charged in the 2009 fatal beating of a Red Bank school teacher who authorities said was the unintended target of a robbery.

Jerry J. Spraulding, 38, of Keansburg, was charged in the beating death of Jonelle Melton, a 33-year-old teacher at Red Bank Middle School who was killed when intruders broke into the wrong apartment, said acting Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher Gramiccioni.

Spraulding, who is serving time in state prison, was charged two months after local and county authorities said they identified Melton's killers by arresting three Asbury Park men.

When he announced those arrests, Gramiccioni said at the time detectives were continuing their investigation and did not rule out the possibility of other suspects. The acting prosecutor reiterated that Friday night with the announcement of Spraulding's arrest.

James Fair, 27, Ebenezer Byrd, 35, and Gregory Jean-Baptiste, 26, all of Asbury Park, were charged in September and are each facing similar charges.

Gramiccioni said all four men planned to burglarize a specific apartment in the Brighton Arms complex where Melton also lived in Neptune City. But the suspects broke into Melton's apartment instead of their intended target's apartment. They beat Melton to death after encountering Melton and realizing they were in the wrong apartment, the acting prosecutor said.

Spraulding is serving an eight-year prison sentence in Northern State Prison in Newark after he was sentenced May 22 on two counts of drug distribution in Monmouth County, according to state Department of Corrections records. He also was convicted in 2013 and was serving prison time for a drug distribution charge from Middlesex County.

In the Melton case, Spraulding is charged with felony murder, armed robbery, armed burglary, conspiracy to commit armed burglary, and three weapons charges, including certain persons not to possess a weapon. His bail has been set at $1.5 million.

Melton's body was found shortly after 9 a.m. on Sept. 14, 2009, after her husband went to check on her when she did not show up for work and neither he nor her colleagues could reach her.

Active in the school community, Melton was a member of the School Improvement Team and of the Leadership Program at Red Bank Regional High School and was selected to serve as the student council advisor.

She was also an active member of the Christian Woman's Encouragement Group, and was scheduled to officially become a member of the Mt. Olive Baptist Church in Lake Como during its annual Woman's Day celebration.

If convicted of felony murder, Spraulding would face at least 30 years in prison.

Gramiccioni said the investigation is continuing and detectives continue to follow additional leads. He urged anyone with information to contact prosecutor's Detective Scott Samis at 800-533-7443 or Neptune City Detective Lt. Matt Quagliato at 732-775-1615.

Those with information about this case or any other violent crime can contact Monmouth County Crime Stoppers by calling 800-671-4400, which is a confidential telephone tip line; they can text "MONMOUTH" plus their tip to 274637; or, they can email a tip using the website at www.monmouthcountycrimestoppers.com

MaryAnn Spoto may be reached at mspoto@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @MaryAnnSpoto. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
Bill Cosby

Bill Cosby leaves the Cheltenham Township Police Department where he was processed after being arraigned on a felony charge of aggravated indecent assault Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2015, in Elkins Park, Pa. Cosby was charged Wednesday with drugging and sexually assaulting a woman at his home in 2004. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

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PHILADELPHIA -- A judge will decide next month if a former prosecutor's promise to not charge Bill Cosby over a sexual-assault complaint constituted an immunity deal, according to a report by 6 ABC.

The defense has argued that prosecutors unfairly used information from a deposition Cosby gave in a civil lawsuit filed against him in 2005, 6 ABC reports. Former District Attorney Bruce Castor is expected to testify that he promised immunity from criminal charges at a hearing on Feb. 2.

Cosby was charged in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, on Dec. 30 2015. His legal defense teams is eking that all charges be dismissed since the deposition was given 10 years ago and no charges have been filed in the interim.

However, new District Attorney Kevin Steele said no immunity agreement was signed, according to the report.

Alex Young may be reached at ayoung@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @AlexYoungSJT. Find the South Jersey Times on Facebook.
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Harold Stephens, Janilyn Roman and Michael Caldwell.

(NJOAG)

TRENTON -- An Elizabeth man admitted Friday to running a counterfeiting scheme that deposited more than 300 bogus checks totaling $1.6 million across four states, authorities said.

Harold Stephens, 32, pleaded guilty to second-degree charges of theft by deception and money laundering in front of Judge Michael Toto at Superior Court in Middlesex County, according to a statement from the state Attorney General's Office.

Acting Attorney General John Hoffman described Stephens as the "ringleader" of the counterfeiting ring that used "a computer graphics program" to create phony checks. Stephens and two co-defendants then targeted banks with "customer-friendly policies on fund availability" to quickly turn the fake checks into cash.

The trio, sometimes aided by others, "washed" the checks at branches of five banks in in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware and Florida, authorities claim.

"They were essentially printing money," the attorney general said.

Stephens faces six years in prison under a plea deal that would allow him to serve consecutive terms for the two charges.

His two accomplices, 39-year-old Michael Caldwell of Irvington and 31-year-old Janilyn Roman, of Orlando, Fla., pleaded guilty in August.

The three will be required to pay $620,000 in restitution.

S.P. Sullivan may be reached at ssullivan@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
TRENTON --The state Legislature earlier this week closed what a court found was a major loophole in how New Jersey ensures public access to the waterfront, but some access advocates say that pending change won't solve the problems with how people get to New Jersey's waterways.

Nearly three weeks after a state appellate court said the state Department of Environmental Protection doesn't have authority over waterfront access, state lawmakers worked quickly to specifically give the environmental agency that power. The Senate and Assembly approved the bill (S3321) without opposition on Jan. 9, the last day of the 2015-2016 legislative session.

Urging the legislature to work quickly, DEP Commissioner Bob Martin said that without his department having explicit control over waterfront access, the public could actually lose access to tidal waterways and the state could forfeit federal funding for certain marine-related projects.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, however, would not say whether federal funding would be in jeopardy.

"The Corps is evaluating any impacts, if any, on our projects of the recent appellate court decision and the proposed legislation in New Jersey," said Stephen Rochette, spokesman for the Army Corps' Philadelphia district.

Of primary concern to Martin is the beach replenishment work the Army Corps has been doing after Hurricane Sandy to build wider beaches with taller dunes for greater storm protection.

As part of that work, the state has required oceanfront property owners to grant easements by giving up the rights to a portion of their property where the dunes and beaches are to be built.

While the majority of coastal property owners have voluntarily given those easements for free, about 250 property owners in Ocean County have not. Many of them are taking the state to court on claims the DEP doesn't have the authority to require those easements.

Anthony Della Pelle, a Morristown attorney representing several oceanfront property owners who are going to court, said he doesn't know yet how the new bill - if signed into law - will affect his cases. He said his clients are fighting the DEP under a law different from the one amended under S3321.

He said the DEP is seeking the easements under a law that doesn't include a remedy for property owners to be financially compensated for their losses.

Della Pelle's clients are also arguing that with these easements, the state wants to turn what was once private beach into public beach. He contends the state is wrong when it claims Army Corps requires that whatever property gets new sand has to be open to the public.

"The way in which they've done it represents an overreach of what they can do," Della Pelle said.

Superior Court Assignment Judge Marlene Lynch Ford is scheduled to hear those arguments in Toms River on Feb. 12.

Bill Sheehan, executive director of Hackensack Riverkeeper, called S3321 "stop-gap legislation."

He and other access advocates want the state to adopt a new set of rules that they say would ensure more people get to the waterfront.

His organization, which brought the suit that challenged the DEP's authority over waterfront access, had contended state law never gave the DEP jurisdiction over waterfront access. And an appellate court agreed on Dec. 22 when it said the DEP didn't have the authority to say how the public could get to the state's tidal waterways.

The Hackensack Riverkeeper brought the suit after the DEP under Republican Gov. Chris Christie changed the rules adopted under his predecessor, Democrat Jon Corzine.

The rules under Corzine required, among other things, owners of commercial properties on the waterfront who couldn't provide public access to the water to pay into a fund. That fund would be used to buy other waterfront parcels open to the public.

But that provision, which Sheehan says is important in getting people to riverfronts in a portion of the state that has little public access, was eliminated under the new rules adopted by the Christie administration in 2012.

"What we wanted was a fair shake for the northern part of the state," Sheehan said.

State Sen. Bob Smith (D-Middlesex), a sponsor of S3321, said the legislature plans to establish a committee to write new waterfront access rules that would take into consideration the concerns of access advocates.

"While this legislation will not change the previously adopted regulations, we are working to create a committee made up of stakeholders to study this issue and come back to us with recommendations in the new legislative session," Smith said.

Christie has until Tuesday to sign the bill into law.

MaryAnn Spoto may be reached at mspoto@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @MaryAnnSpoto. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
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South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley created a lot of buzz in the GOP's State of the Union rebuttal, and not all of it was positive (CSPAN)

If in the end - despite the efforts of its rabid right wing - the Republican Party chooses a truly electable presidential nominee it will owe a tip of the hat to South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley.

State of the Union night always belongs mostly (if not entirely) to the president, and last week's version was no exception. President Obama delivered his best SOTU message ever.

But, unexpectedly, he had to share of the spotlight with Nikki Haley. She delivered a speech that was nothing less than remarkable and one that, over time, may have more impact than his.

Sure, she got in mandatory digs in against Obama; she rated him a failure on the economy and national security. What else to expect? Democrats would do the same if the guy (or gal) in the Oval Office were a Republican.

But the main target of her remarks was her own party, and the two basic beliefs that drive it today: that polarization in Washington is all the fault of Barack Obama and that rage-driven rhetorical excess is a winning presidential formula. Got to get off that kick, she implied.

Lots of academia's glitterati and plenty of pundits in the press have been saying the same thing. But who believes an academic or, even less, the press? That argument is best made by a Republican who's an electoral success and an accepted conservative. Enter Nikki Haley.

She opened her remarks with an obvious reference to the GOP presidential fireworks and cautioned Republicans on the need to resist "the siren call of the angriest voices."

"There is a tendency to falsely equate noise with results." She said. "Some people think you have to be the loudest voice in the room to make a difference. That's not true. When the sound is quieter you can actually hear what some else is saying. And that can make a world of difference."

Haley made no mention of Donald Whatzisname in her speech but made it clear a day later he was her target. In a larger sense, however, her remarks seem meant more as a caution for the GOP rank and file who'll choose the nominee than for any candidate.

Much the same can be said for her allocation of blame for the governmental standoff in Washington.

"We need to be honest with each other and ourselves," she began. "While Democrats in Washington bear much responsibility for the problems facing America today, they do not bear it alone," she continued. "There is more than enough blame to go around. We as Republicans need to own that truth."

She wasn't done yet. "We need to recognize our contribution to the erosion of the public trust in American leadership," she went on. "We need to accept that we've played a role in how and why our government is broken."

At the very least Nikki Haley's remarks broke the mold for a speech usually ignored as a stale collection of boilerplate political platitudes and occasionally as a national embarrassment, i.e. Louisiana Republican Gov. Bobby Jindal's belly flop as the GOP's 2009 responder.

She made no mention of her party's role in the disastrous government shutdowns or the decision by its congressional leaders to oppose every Obama initiative and deny him any chance to build a re-election record. But she was, in the main, candid about her party's role in obstructionism in Washington - something Democrats also played a role in but have never acknowledged.

The thing to watch now is how Haley's shot across the bow will be received in the GOP.

Predictably, the rabid right (Rush Limbaugh, Ann Coulter, et. al.) threw a hissy fit. Coulter, ever the wacko, even suggested the GOP frontrunner should "deport her." But there was enough favorable response to hint Haley's critique may yet cause the GOP to take a fresh look at itself, its would-be nominees, how it got in this fix, and if there's a better path to the presidency.

Frank Luntz, a long-time Republican pollster, said Haley "did exactly what the average voter would want from her." And former GOP Speaker Newt Gingrich added that "She's clearly a terrific advocate for an inclusive, younger, solution-oriented Republican Party."

Maybe even vice presidential material, Gingrich suggested.

It's premature to forecast the fallout from her debut in presidential politics; these are unsettled times and the GOP is a singularly unsettled institution. But my guess is Nikki Haley will be heard from again, maybe more than once.

The lady is worth listening to.

More John Farmer columns



John Farmer may be reached at jfarmer@starledger.com. Find NJ.com Opinion on Facebook.
Newark Mayor Ras Baraka made several observations about violent crime at a luncheon hosted by Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop earlier this month at the Liberty House. Baraka could be speaking for all urban mayors, including his neighboring Hudson County big buddy city, but there is never a solution.

He broke into the discussion among several elected and NAACP officials by first advising them that they had to be honest when discussing the issue. He points out that when they pontificate about "the good old days," he recalls that they weren't all that good.

"In 1986, when I was on my way to Howard University, the murder rate in Newark was high," Baraka said. "We had twice as many police in 1986 than we have now. Twice as many. We had more murders in the '90s than we do [at] present. The murder rate in Newark is unacceptable now, it was actually higher in the '80s and '90s when crack cocaine first came out ... people were dying in the streets every other day. It was happening all over the country - Washington, D.C. was becoming the murder capital of the world ... When Sharp was the mayor of Newark there were 1,600, 1,700 police. We have 900 now. We have to be clear about what we're saying.

"These kids - let's take Newark as an example - 65 percent of the murders in the city are committed by 10 percent of the population. Eighty percent of the town, in the city, does not experience violent crime all year. This means the crime is concentrated in particular areas of the community, right? So the people who feel it -- it feels like there's the Wild, Wild West because everything is happening around there: robberies, shootouts, killings. But if you live in a certain block in the city, you only feel it from the news and it's the perception of violence that is bothering you. You're not getting beat over the head; you're not getting shot; that's not happening on your block. It's happening in the Newark South Ward and West Ward for the most part. So if you live in those areas, you feel it.

Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop, left, discusses urban crime with Newark Mayor Ras Baraka at a luncheon hosted by Fulop in the Liberty House Restaurant in Jersey City on Jan.6, 2016.

"... and the majority of the kids are not committing crimes. And a lot of them grow up in these broken homes that we're talking about. They're going to school and being victimized. So when we talk about a strategy in dealing with violence and crime, we have to talk about it in a way that's honest and deal with all the issues that are taking place, whether a community needs to be cleaned up, in need of serious investment economically, where people need jobs -- families need to be stabilized."

This brings us to last Monday and the Ward B meeting held by Fulop at the Hank Gallo Community Center in Lincoln County Park where about 100 people participated in what turned into a public safety session. It was the first of five planned ward gatherings. When it became obvious that crime was expected to be the prime topic, word slithered down to the media that reporters were banned, which itself would have been a crime, but apparently cooler or smarter heads prevailed.

The mayor spoke like that well prepared professor you had in college who even listened intently to students with a concerned brow. Classroom material -- graphs and highlighted points -- was handed out. Among the city officials present, Public Safety Director James Shea was available to speak about facts and knew when to defer to the mayor.

To some it was an uneventful evening. Short of an announcement that they found something they could put in the public water system that would induce law-abiding behavior or the mayor dramatically setting himself on fire, no one expected any major surprise. There was just the city reminding us that fighting crime is hard.

City residents seem to understand the difficulty, and they would love to help but they want to be sure the city is doing all it can to maximize its own efforts. Community policing, a folksy homespun term for simply walking the beat, seems to be the number one simple solution offered by some residents - other than plenty of affordable housing, abundant well paying jobs, shiny new schools and public parks with lots of rose bushes -- or, no, I meant wild flowers because they have no thorns.

While the city says it has about 13 walking posts in the South and West Districts, the problem with this approach, they say, is that it can drastically cut down on the response time to cries for assistance. Of course when there were no walking beats, people were complaining the cops showed up late when their cars or homes were broken into. I'm not Sherlock Holmes, but to give you my two cents it seems that the majority of shootings in the city probably happen within a six-block-square area near the South District.

Fulop and Shea said they are still trying to build up the city's police manpower. It is now an 801-member force despite having hired 150 new officers. They are trying to reach 900-plus, allowing the city to create more walking patrols. Yet, there are two factors to consider.

First, the administration says it is dedicated to making the Police Department more reflective of the community. The popular term is "more diverse." The shocking fact, according to the mayor, is that prior to taking office, the department of 770 members had only one superior -- ranks sergeant and above -- who was an African-American. He said there was a need to recruit and promote minorities, although critics offer that long-used lament: that they do so by skipping over more qualified individuals.

The second factor is even if they filled every available slot to the city in police academies around the state, there is still not enough available space. From day one, an unexpected setback was that some of those young diverse officers were not comfortable with authoritative figures and were dropping out of the academies.

Those open slots could not be replaced by other city candidates. They were lost. Fulop said these individuals were making a terrible mistake by turning their backs on the possibility of earning $100,000 after 20 years on the job. Lately, city officials say attrition rates and academy scores have improved. Comparative figures were unavailable and quite honestly, I don't care.

What would solve this problem is training at home. Fulop acknowledged that Journal Square Councilman Richard Boggiano has been championing one solution - reopening the Jersey City Police Academy. It had been closed as a cost cutting measure by the previous administration. It would solve the two concerns mentioned above. Resurrecting the academy is easier said than done, but for Boggiano, "It's about time ..."

The evening continued in a question and answer format. Some want a crackdown on quality of life issues. City critic Ivonne Balcer said much of the crime happens around city public housing and suggests that those convicted of crimes should face eviction from those housing complexes. Everyone wants more local snitches. And so it goes. Perhaps what is also needed is what Baraka suggested at the aforementioned luncheon.

"We have to have this conversation very honestly, very transparently and painfully because that is just the reality in the city, especially with the diminishing amount of available resources," he said. "At some point, we have to ask the state and federal government for some assistance ... we have to come up with social (and economic) strategies with these (20 percent) areas of the city - not all of the city ..."

Yes, crime fighting is difficult, so say the mayors.

INSIDER NOTE

-- Is it my browser or has anyone filled in the public meetings calendar on the Jersey City government's website? There seems to be no information available.

-- I see the Downtown Coalition of Neighborhood Associations is hosting a meeting with Fulop on Jan. 28 at the Grace Van Vorst Church, 39 Erie St., on Jan. 26 at 7 p.m. What I love about the announcement is that there is a quiet room for children with "some crayons and Play-doh." I always believe this is what all public officials need, more crayons.

-- This is less than political news, but let me just say that no one has to be cold. In Jersey City there are warming centers. Help protect your neighbors and just any human being from these frigid temperatures. Also, kudos to those awesome people who work with the homeless in this weather.

-- Power list is coming along, but it is difficult to fill a 25-member bench in this county.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Agustin C. Torres' columns appear in The Jersey Journal every Saturday.
By Ellen Lei & Sarah Clark

While New Jerseyans enjoyed unseasonably warm weather this holiday season, the nations of the world gathered in Paris for a monumental convening on climate change.

After long hours of discussions at the COP 21 conference, 195 countries adopted the Paris Agreement, which enables nations to take the necessary steps to work collectively in order to combat the harmful effects of climate change.

This historic occasion was a long-time in the making, and while not perfect, is a strategic step in the right direction. As President Obama said in his final State of the Union address, "When we lead nearly 200 nations to the most ambitious agreement in history to fight climate change -- that helps vulnerable countries, but it also protects our children."

As people of faith, we believe that it is a pivotal time for us to take the lead in addressing climate change.

The outcomes of the Paris Agreement highlight two key themes that should be taken very seriously, especially by those in religious communities. We must make clear that people of faith have a moral responsibility to be stewards of the Earth and care for God's creation. And we must play the role that Christian communities and communities of faith have played for generations -- reminding those in power that they bear responsibility to defend the powerless.

Non-governmental organizations - and religious communities in particular - have already taken up this charge. For example, The Christian Reformed Church created a significant congregational engagement campaign called the Climate Witness Project to add its voice and efforts.

The Climate Witness Project was comprised of almost 200 individuals, from 35 congregations in North America--both of us included--and a delegation was sent to lift up these voices at the COP 21 conference in Paris. Denominations and faith groups have worked together on climate change for a long time. Catholics, Jewish organizations, evangelicals and mainline Protestants have ,developed many programs that address this issue through the National Religious Partnership for the Environment.

When discussing global warming, 2 is the critical number. If we allow global average temperatures to surpass the Industrial Revolution levels by 2 degrees Celsius, Earth would be in danger of a major environmental crisis. In a previous climate summit, global leaders agreed to maintain practices that would keep the temperatures below 2 degrees Celsius by 2100.

The newly established Paris Agreement encourages the nations to limit the temperature increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius over 1880 levels. Each country submitted a pledge of the amount of greenhouse gases that they were willing to reduce. Based off current pledges and analyses, it is likely that the temperature rise by 2100 will be 2.7-3 degrees Celsius.

This is to say that our current commitments to reduce carbon emissions fall short, and we continue to accelerate our consumption of natural resources. God calls his people to be stewards of all natural creation. Therefore, we must protect the Earth in any way we can and push towards a more sustainable future. As humans, we are deeply interconnected and dependent on the Earth. Climate change is not an isolated phenomenon and is more than rising sea levels or droughts. Climate change has social, health, urban, and agricultural implications. Thus, it is crucial for everyone to play a part in tackling this for the well-being of others and of the world.

There are certain mechanisms, such as the Green Climate Fund, that enable richer nations to provide monetary assistance to poorer countries. Funds such as this are intended to minimize all nations' reliance on fossil fuels and ideally, all nations will see it in their interest to do so. Currently, the goal is to raise $100 billion for the GCF by 2020. It is expected that nations will commit $100 billion every year after 2020.

We have a national self-interest in addressing climate change, protecting our economy and security for the next generation, but we also have a moral obligation. The poor and vulnerable suffer most from the impacts of climate change, though they often contribute least to the problem.

Loving others should be a primary focus for faith communities, but this is rarely instilled in dialogue or action in the context of climate change. If we are to love our neighbors, then we have no choice but to take action against the injustices associated with environmental changes. To quote an often referenced piece of biblical wisdom, "For of those to whom much is given, much is required." We cannot and should not ignore those who are fighting to survive.

This weekend ask your pastor, imam or rabbi what your congregation is doing to address climate change. Tell them that it is imperative for your religious community -- right here in New Jersey and around the world -- to remind people that climate change is not only a technical or political matter, but a moral one as well.

Sarah Clark works in development for an international non-profit organization, is the Northeastern regional organizer for the Climate Witness Project, and originally hails from New Jersey. Ellen works for NYC Department of Design and Construction, is a Climate Witness Partner from City Grace Church, and is a parks enthusiast.
New Delhi: Air India has sought around Rs 4,300 crore worth funds from the government for the next financial year as the national carrier looks to turnaround its fortunes amid stiff competition.

The airline is surviving on a Rs 30,231 crore bailout package extended by the previous UPA government in 2012. Under the Turnaround Plan (TAP), which runs till March 2021, it has already received Rs 22,280 crore.

A senior official said the carrier has sought about Rs 3,300 crore from the government under the Turnaround Plan and backlog amount of around Rs 977 crore.

The backlog amount is mainly on account of steep appreciation in dollar against the rupee. The financial situation looks better since the fuel prices are at low levels now, the official added.

The demand has been made as part of the Budget wishlist for the 2016-17 fiscal starting from April 1.

Air India is saddled with debt of around Rs 40,000 crore, that long-term borrowings taken for aircraft purchase and working capital purposes.

Air India has already tied up for dry leasing 14 new engine technology A320 neo planes with a Kuwaiti lessor, which are to be inducted in the financial year 2017, the official said adding the airline plans to dry lease another 30 narrow body aircraft (A320s) in its fleet over a three periods in its bid to augment capacity in the highly-competitive domestic market.

India's domestic passenger traffic surged by a robust 25.1 per cent in November last year, fuelled by higher capacity deployment, improved economic sentiment coupled with Diwali rush, even as other major aviation markets such as Brazil, Russia and Japan delivered a negative growth during the same period, according to global airlines body, IATA.

Besides, the state-run airline will also hire 534 Airbus A320 pilots and 1000 cabin crew, in line with its aircraft induction plan, the official said.

Air India has a significant shortage of A320 flight crew due to its trained pilots quitting the airline and moving to private domestic carriers and foreign airlines.

At present Air India has 1,441 pilots, with 670 of them flying 66 A320 family aircraft. Besides, another 70 pilots are under training.
New Delhi: Betting on India emerging bigger than China, Japan's SoftBank on January 16 said it has invested USD 2 billion in Indian firms in the last one year and will look to scale up the investment to USD 10 billion in the coming year.

SoftBank Chairman and Chief Executive Masayoshi Son said Internet and solar are the sectors that excites him, but wants the government to develop a robust mobile phone infrastructure and resolve slow Internet issues.

"If I rescale, I will scale up. What will USD 10 billion become, I don't know. If I have said that we will invest USD 10 billion in 10 years, we have invested USD 2 billion in a year. That's over pacing and I think we will accelerate," he said at the Startup India Conference here.

He said the more he knows about India on every visit, the more he gets excited. Stating that 21st century belongs to India, he said there exist huge opportunities in India. "Every market is different. I truly think this is really the beginning of Big Bang for India." "In the next 10 years India will repeat the growth China saw in the last 10 years and in my opinion, India could be bigger (than China)." Stating that Indians are smart, English speaking, IT-proficient, he said, "all these things make me believe that the 21st century is this country."

"We are very happy with the portfolio we have. We will continue to look for new opportunities. Internet and solar are the sectors that excite me," he said. Son, Japan's second-richest person with a net worth of USD 14.1 billion said infrastructure was important and mobile broadband infrastructure was lacking in India. "I think mobile Internet is too slow. More spectrum allocation to the mobile carriers is needed so that they can have better mobile broadband," he said.

SoftBank had in 2014 announced plans to invest USD 10 billion in India over the next decade. It has already put in USD 627 million into online marketplace Snapdeal and smaller investments in property site Housing.com. Its unit, SoftBank Internet and Media Inc is leading a group of investors putting an investment of USD 210 million in ANI Technologies Pvt, which runs the Ola Cabs taxi booking service.

It paid USD 200 million for a 35 per cent stake in InMobi, an Indian mobile-advertising network. It also has a joint venture with India's Bharti Group, Bharti SoftBank, the investments of which include the mobile application Hike Messenger. SoftBank in June had entered India's solar energy sector with a venture with Bharti Enterprises and Foxconn Technology Group of Taiwan.

The Japanese group will own the majority stake in the new venture, SBG Cleantech that will bid to build 20 GW of solar power plants. Under the partnership, Foxconn will help manufacture solar equipment, and the venture will consider producing some locally.
WASHINGTON (AP)  The House Jan. 6 committee plans to unveil "surprising" details at its next public hearing about the 2021 attack at the U.S. Capitol. The session Thursday afternoon is likely to be the last public hearing before midterm elections next month. The panel is expected to include new evidence from the U.S. Secret Service about its actions with Donald Trump that day. Ahead of a report later this year, the panel is summing up its findings. The committee says Trump, after he lost the 2020 presidential election, launched an unprecedented attempt to stop Congress from certifying Joe Biden's victory. They say the result was the deadly mob siege of the Capitol.
A little more than $20,000 was awarded to the Council Bluffs Community School District this week to help its teachers pay for classroom-level needs and initiatives.

The Council Bluffs Community Education Foundation announced the grant awards Monday and presented a check to the school district on Tuesday. A formal awards ceremony is scheduled for this upcoming Tuesday at 4 p.m. at the Educational Service Center in the Omni Centre, 300 W. Broadway.

Butch Lecuona, the CEO and executive director of the foundation, presented a check for $20,182.71 to the school board to answer 28 of 61 grant requests made as part of the annual classroom grants program. The total ask by teachers in the district was $54,397.61, so the foundation funded about 46 percent of grants and 37 percent of total requested dollars.

Lecuona said the foundation raised the amount given through its fundraising campaign last year. Donations totalled $4,582.81 from school district employees plus a total of $7,799.95 from businesses, foundations and others in the community  a sum that was matched dollar-for-dollar by the Iowa West Foundation.

Education is the great equalizer, Lecuona said, adding that using money outside of tax dollars allows teachers to develop creative and innovative programs they would not otherwise be able to afford. We will be able to better prepare our students through enhanced learning methods in the classroom that lead to graduation.

Grant requests are reviewed by a committee that recommends projects based on the foundations ability to fund them. Lecuona said the contributions made by the community help the Council Bluffs school Defy Gravity, the slogan for this school year, by providing teachers with the additional resources.

Collections to fund additional classroom grants are still being accepted by the foundation.

Were still raising money to meet a higher goal so we can get more of the classroom grants funded by the end of the school year, Lecuona said.

The following are the specific awards made by the Council Bluffs Community Education Foundation as part of its classroom grants program:

 Heather Mauer of Abraham Lincoln High School  $1,000 for ALHS Annual Spring Arts Festival

 Erica Rutz of Thomas Jefferson High School  $957 for Novels for Spanish ASL Students

 Sandra Leaders and Jen Ettinger of Thomas Jefferson  $1,000 for Informational Texts for the Classroom

 Carolyn Ridenour of Kanesville Alternative Learning Center  $250 for Fish Iowa

 Laura Conlon and Jessica Formanek of Kirn Middle School  $472.50 for Classroom Maps

 Nikki McIntosh of Kirn  $235.87 for Taking a Non-Fiction Stance

 Deb Hernandez and Kathy Forney of Kirn  $1,000 for Literacy for Learning in Middle School

 Tonya Korkow of Kirn  $700 for STEM Science

 Erin Eckholt and Jess Rosenberg of Wilson Middle School  $598.02 for Passion Project Playtime

 Miranda Tudehope of Bloomer Elementary School  $413.87 for Open Mindset Art

 Gjoa King of Carter Lake Elementary School  $295 for Harnessing the Strength of Learning from Each Other

 Kim Alexander of Carter Lake  $300 for Word Work Boogie

 Miranda Tudehope of Carter Lake  $376.30 for Diverse IB Art Creative Learning

 Mindy Alitz and Jill Brandenburg of Carter Lake  $248.45 for Kindergarten/1st Grade Literacy

 Krista Johnson of College View Elementary School  $910.85 for Integrate to Interrelate

 Cathy Stiefel of Edison Elementary School  $999.90 for Read, Learn, Love.

 Emile Pietramale of Edison  $989.90 for For the Love of Reading

 Michelle Tuttle of Edison  $1,000 for For the Love of Reading

 Becky Liston of Edison  $778.83 for Materials Mania

 Marti Rose of Franklin Elementary School  $1,000 for Building a Great Foundation of Skills

 Katie Pribula of Franklin  $368.70 for Helpful Wiggles

 Kellly Straatman of Franklin  $661.98 for iPads in my Corner

 Alyssa Canniff of Hoover Elementary School  $1,000 for

 Beverly York of Hoover  $525 for Building STEAM in Preschool

 Jennifer Wymore of Hoover  $965.94 for Listening & Learning in 1st Grade Classroom

 Kelsey Winchell of Hoover  $996 for Math Magical Resources

 Donnette Kremke-Bastian of Longfellow Elementary School  $1,000.10 for Lets Learn with Sensory Integration

 Alison Smith of Roosevelt Elementary School  $927.21 for Engaging Young Readers
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An official said that the driver left the car and ran away. Inset: Victim Abhimanyu Gaud. (Photo: Deccan Chronicle/Twitter)

Kolkata: The number plate of the white SUV, which killed the on-duty Indian Air Force jawan during the practice of Republic Day parade on Red Road in front of Fort William early Wednesday, has been found missing.

The new development has increased suspicion among police officers probing the case on murder charge.

Read: TMC leader's son runs over Air Force officer at R-Day drill in Kolkata

Soon after the accident police commissioner Surajit Kar Purkayastha, special police commissioner Soumen Mitra, deputy commissioner of police (traffic) V Solomon Neskumar and deputy commissioner of police (combat force) Lt Col Nevendera Singh Paul visited the spot and inspected the white Audi.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the computer generated number which was temporarily issued to the owner of the car Ambia Sohrab, also the suspected accused, and was pasted as number plate on the car during the delivery on January 4 this year, was removed deliberately after the mishap.

The motive suggest that the accused who was driving the car wanted to destroy the evidence so that he could not be traced later, a senior police officer said.

But the officers of the detective department and traffic department of the Kolkata Police later discovered that the car was bought in the name of Mussadi Business Pvt Ltd in Jorasanko and found Ambia's name and email ID, sources disclosed.

The police found that Ambia has a fascination for expensive cars. Sources indicated that his fleet of cars including Lamborghini and Hummer.
Jaipur: Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on Saturday said audit will help the government to bridge the nation's security infrastructure, adding that a second audit will be done in February.

"Security audit will help to see from where we can bridge the security of the base. We are classifying the second round to see which bases are more sensitive. Secondary security audit will be done by February by special teams," Parrikar told media here.

"The Defence Security Corps (DSC) is a dedicated force, but there are certain shortcomings in its orientation. We are correcting it. The primary responsibility is of the commando of the base. They have been asked to do security audit," he added.

Earlier, Home Minister Rajnath Singh chaired a meeting on internal security which was attended by Parrikar and National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval. Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi and Border Security Force Director General D K Pathak were also present in the meeting.

Meanwhile, the Punjab Law Minister Sardar Ajit Singh Kohar, has clarified that Masood Azhar, the chief of the terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed who is being touted as the mastermind behind the Pathankot attack, has not been arrested yet.

He asserted that Azhar at the present was under 'protective custody' and will be arrested only after his involvement in the attack is proven. Earlier, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) official spokesperson Vikas Swarup said that both India and Pakistan have agreed to reschedule the talks in the near future. He also said that India welcomes "as a first step" the detention in Pakistan of leaders of the Jaish-e-Mohammed.

Swarup informed the media that the Government of Pakistan is considering sending a Special Investigation Team to investigate the Pathankot terror attack.

"We look forward to the visit of the Pakistani SIT and our investigative agencies will extend all necessary cooperation to bring the perpetrators of the attack to justice," he added while asserting that New Delhi condemns terrorism in all its form and manifestation.
This years Womens Winter Retreat, A Patchwork Life, on Friday and Saturday, Jan. 29-30, will feature a Nebraska historical Christian author, Stephanie Grace Whitson, as well as quilts, encouraging messages and a variety of workshops for women of all ages and from all walks of life.

The two-day retreat is located and sponsored by the McCook Evangelical Free Church at 602 East 14th St. Doors will open at 6 p.m. and activities will begin at 7 p.m. On Saturday, doors open at 8 a.m., with the retreat going from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The featured speaker is award-winning, best-selling novelist Stephanie Grace Whitson. She began playing with imaginary friends (writing fiction) when an abandoned pioneer cemetery near the Whitsons Nebraska country home provided not only a hands-on history lesson for her four home-schooled children, but also a topic of personal study. Since writing had always been a favorite hobby, it was only natural for Whitson to begin jotting down scenes in the life of an imaginary woman crossing Nebraska on the Oregon Trail. Eventually, that story took on a life of its own, and she sent off a query letter  expecting instant rejection.

God had a different plan. Thomas Nelson Publishers offered a three-book contract. Two of Whitsons first three books landed on the ECPA best-seller list, and two of her first nine books were finalists for the Christy Award. In 2012, The Shadow on the Quilt, book two in the Quilt Chronicles series, was awarded Romantic Times Magazines Reviewers Choice Award for Best Inspirational Romance.

Using antique and contemporary patchwork, she will share her personal faith journey, including losing her husband of almost 28 years to cancer, accepting widowhood and then learning to trust God in a new marriage with a blended

family.

Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in several of the workshops which will be offered over the two days, including: And The Two Shall Become One, But Which One? with Lela Ladd; You Are What You Eat, with Shannon Pevoteaux; Mother-in-law and Daughter-in-law Relationships, with Sharon Felker; Gods Way To Resolve Conflict, with Derlys Gaster; Does God Really Care If Im Fat? with Barb Wiemers; Does Holiness Matter? with Sharon Burrows; Stress: Becoming a Warrior Not a Worrier, with Becky Wiemers and Sarah Powers; Bible Journaling 101 with Kelsey Brown; Pastors wives roundtable, with Jamie Byerly and Kathy Lester; Your World View Matters, with Jamie Byerly

Registration fee is $35, with lunch provided for women who are registered by Jan. 22.

Make checks payable to Womens Winter Retreat, and mail registrations to Stephanie Stevens, 1606 W. Second Street, McCook, NE 69001. No phone registrations are allowed, but call with questions at 308-345-5688. Please leave a message.

Online registration and payment is available at mccookefc.org. Once registered, no refunds are available, but registration is transferable or can be applied to the conferences scholarship fund. Daycare is not provided. Due to the nature of the event, please do not bring children to the retreat. Nursing babies are allowed. High school aged through adult women are encouraged to attend.
An Indiana House transportation bill that would raise the gasoline tax has been taken out for its first spin around the state and so far some key people seem to like the ride.

State Rep. Ed Soliday, R-Valparaiso, on Friday touted endorsements for House Bill 1001 at a Lake County Advancement Committee luncheon, including those of local mayors and Indiana's leading business group.

"The speaker of the House has said this is the year for infrastructure," Soliday told about 70 Northwest Indiana leaders at Teibel's Restaurant.

The bill would add $787 million to state road funds next fiscal year and at least a quarter billion dollars in each subsequent year. It also would add $240 million to local road funds in its first year and just slightly smaller amounts in subsequent years. It would also give localities new tools, such as a wheel tax, for raising more money for roads.

Local officials at Friday's luncheon gave Soliday's plan positive reviews, while seeming a little stunned by all the attention roads are suddenly getting.

Tyson Warner, Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission executive director, said municipal officials in the three counties represented by his organization appreciate House Bill 1001's inclusion of taxing tools that would allow them to raise more money to repair roads.

Warner noted the Gov. Mike Pence's competing $1.4 billion road plan is much like the recently passed federal transportation act, which doesn't deal with the weighty issue of the gasoline tax to rebuild the nation's highway trust fund.

Earlier in the week, witnesses including Hammond Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr., a Democrat, and LaPorte Mayor Blair Milo, a Republican, spoke in support of House Bill 1001 at the Statehouse in front of the House Transportation Committee, which Soliday chairs.

The five-term legislator also touted the endorsements of his bill by the Indiana Chamber of Commerce and the Indianapolis Chamber. Opposition at the hearing came from Americans for Prosperity and southern Indiana convenience stores.

Of course, the most important opposition comes from Pence, with his $1.4 billion road plan. In his State of the State message Monday, he pointed out his proposal does not raise taxes.

The chief difference between the bills is the governor's reliance on borrowing and state budget reserves to pay for his plan.

House Bill 1001's proposal to raise the gasoline tax and steer sales tax on gasoline to roads and bridges makes it more of a long-term solution with no borrowing involved, according to its proponents.

Soliday on Friday again pitched his plan as the only sustainable one capable of fixing Indiana's crumbling roads.

"The fact is we are in the bottom third of the nation for the condition of our roads," Soliday told his audience. "And all you have to do is drive to know that."
After decades of retrenchment, the American manufacturing industry has been adding jobs again, but hiring slowed to a glacial pace in 2015, which was the worst year for manufacturing hiring since the Great Recession.

Factories added 8,000 jobs in December, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. Manufacturing however gained only 30,000 jobs over the course of the year.

The Alliance for American Manufacturing, a non-partisan partnership between the United Steelworkers Union and some of America's largest manufacturers, blames massive overcapacity in China and unfavorable trade policies.

"While the rest of the economy added more than 2.5 million jobs in 2015, manufacturing hiring was virtually flat. And you can see the ripple effect of Chinese economic policy in our own factories," AAM President Scott Paul said.

More than 12,000 steelworkers were laid off in 2015, Paul said. And with China's currency devaluing, and its industrial overcapacity spreading pain around the globe, more bad news for American manufacturing may be coming, he said.

A dearth of new manufacturing jobs has been a significant problem in the Calumet Region, where the economy has historically depended upon heavy industry such as steelmaking, automaking and oil refining.

Northwest Indiana has only recovered about three-fourths of the jobs lost in the Great Recession but it hasn't been regaining good manufacturing jobs that pay $25 to $30 per hour, Indiana University Northwest Northwest Assistant Professor of Economics Micah Pollak said. Instead, newly created jobs pay $10 to $15 an hour and have fewer benefits, which drags down the overall economy.

The AAM is encouraging president Barack Obama to make good on his promise to create 1 million new manufacturing jobs during his second term. So far, the Alliance says the United States has added 384,000 jobs in the sector and Obama will fall short of his goal of 1 million new jobs in manufacturing unless the country adds a 51,333 more a month.

"While the president was right to highlight economic progress, he missed an opportunity to address some of the core concerns that are holding back manufacturing," Paul said.

Manufacturing has added nearly 900,000 jobs over the past six years, but that represents less than 40 percent of the factory jobs lost over the recession, Paul said. Only 30,000 jobs were created in 2015.

The rescue of the automotive industry and manufacturing hubs such as the Digital Manufacturing and Design Innovation Institute in Chicago's Goose Island neighborhood aren't enough to bolster the flagging sector, Paul said.

Trade deals should be structured to protect American industry and jobs, he said.

"Manufacturing is struggling right now, primarily due to a surging imbalance in the manufacturing goods trade, particularly with China," Paul said. "Layoffs are already occurring in steel and other industries, and those jobs are very difficult to reclaim."
Eight-year-old Willie Osborn, of Lansing, was just a toddler when Michael Jackson died. But through his parents sharing their favorite old-school music, their son has become familiar not just with the melodies and lyrics of songs and the names of artists, but hes become a master at imitating their dance moves, especially those of Michael Jackson.

As he performed for local crowds over the years, his parents shared videos online of their son, who is known as Willie the Entertainer to his fans. Those videos first caught the attention of staff at the Ellen show two years ago.

Willies father, Jeff Osborn, said that they were initially contacted two years ago by representatives of the show and then again recently.

They saw one of his videos on YouTube and sent a message and weve been in communication with them for the past two years. They saw him a couple years ago and have kept tabs on him, Osborn said. Then they saw a new video I posted and got in touch with us again.

This time, Willie was invited to fly out to Los Angeles to perform on the show. On Jan. 5, Jeff and Willie flew to L.A. for a taping the following day. On Jan. 7, Willies performance was aired.

At his young age, hes built up quite a resume. Willie has appeared at multiple events in the area for Thornton Township, on "Windy City Live" and multiple times at the Family Christian Center in Munster as well as two appearances at the Michael Jackson King of Pop Festival of the Arts in Gary, where he took first place in the 2014 dance competition and met Michael Jacksons mother.

She was really nice, Willie of Katherine Jackson. He added that he also was invited to see the inside of the Jackson familys home in Gary. Its a beautiful home. I just love everything about Michael Jackson.

Willie also took the stage at the Apollo Theatre in New York last year for their weekly amateur night and is awed by the fact that he performed on a stage that Michael Jackson himself had performed on.

He got a standing ovation. They said he could come back any time. They really liked him there, Jeff Osborn said.

When the call came requesting that Willie appear on Ellen, Jeff Osborn said his wife, Nancy was floored. As for Willie, he was excited, but played it cool. He doesnt get nervous, his father said. I get more nervous than he does.

Although he has numerous dance routines that he does to many of Michael Jacksons hit songs, his father said that "Smooth Criminal" has become his signature dance performance. He danced to that song on Ellen following a few minutes of conversation on the couch along side Ellen Degeneres and a little preview of some Elvis moves.

Jeff Osborn said that Willie and Ellen really hit it off.

There was a connection. He really wants to go back and be on the 'Ellen' show again. He loves to entertain.

That love of entertaining is in his blood, said his father. His grandfather on my wifes side was an entertainer in his county of El Salvador.

It was fun. It was beautiful even though it was raining, Willie said of his trip to L.A. Ellen was amazing.

Willie doesnt have the typical hobbies of an 8-year-old that may spend all his time on video games or building with LEGOs or playing with Hot Wheels cars.

I like dancing. Its my favorite thing and I like to play drums. As with dancing, his drumming skills are self taught. He spends much of his time watching videos of his favorite performers and imitating him.

Some of his favorites? The Temptations, Elvis, James Brown, Bruno Mars, he said. Michael Jacksons my favorite. Bruno Mars is my second favorite.

Willie also acts and in December played Tiny Tim in the Family Christian Centers rendition of A Christmas Carol over three weekends with four shows each weekend. You can follow Willie the Entertainer on Facebook to see more.
CHICAGO | Hiding beneath Wolf Lake, a type of amphibian known as mudpuppies have become the subject of a research project at Shedd Aquarium. Many who fish at or visit the lake at William W. Powers State Recreation Area in Chicagos Hegewisch neighborhood dont even know mudpuppies are there.

Their elusiveness is one reason these fish with legs have attracted the interest of researchers at the Shedd. In 2014, a team began doing field research on local mudpuppy populations to study biology and ecology of the mudpuppy population along Chicagos Lake Michigan shoreline. The project continues until at least this spring.

Philip Willink, senior research biologist at Shedd, said he has worked at Wolf Lake for about 15 years.

My primary speciality is fish but I do a lot of field work. We would come across (mudpuppies) from time to time but never had an opportunity to study them, he said.

They look neat when you look at them, but the thing that drew us to them is that they are very cryptic, or hidden, Willink said.

When Shedd Aquarium started preparing for a new exhibit called Amphibians, which opened this past May, the staff wanted to add a local conservation project that tied into it, Willink said. (Those who have never seen a mudpuppy can view one when visiting the amphibian exhibit.)

We didnt feel like we knew enough about (mudpuppies) and wanted to know more, particularly how well are they doing and what could we do about that, Willink said. We knew they used to be fairly common and today they are becoming more and more rare.

Once abundant throughout the Mississippi drainage, which includes the Chicago area, mudpuppy populations have declined or disappeared due to water pollution, sedimentation, collection for the biological supply trade and a tendency of fishermen to kill them because of misbeliefs that they are detrimental to sport fishing or are poisonous. They are currently listed as threatened on the Illinois endangered species list.

Willink said those who fish at Wolf Lake should take note that mudpuppies do not have a negative impact on the lakes fish and should be released back into the water immediately.

Shedds mudpuppy research is led by Alicia Beattie, a Shedd research associate and masters degree student in the Department of Zoology at Southern Illinois University.

In winter months, when ice is thick enough, Beattie comes out to the site to do field work, which includes gathering baseline natural history information such as the amphibians population dynamics, feeding habits and contributions to ecosystem functions in the decidedly urban environment of harbors and working waterways.

For some weird reason, theyre most active in January and February and thats another reason we dont know much about them, because theyre under the ice, Willink said. For amphibians to be active in the cold is the opposite of what you expect, he said. We go back to the same places in summer and we cant find them.

Some things we do know. Mudpuppies are not great swimmers, though they have a tail.

They kind of walk along the bottom, Willink said. They like to hide under rocks, which is another reason we dont much about them.

Although mudpuppies are found throughout the state, Wolf Lake is a large focus of the study, he said.

For whatever reason, and thats part of the project, Wolf Lake seems to have the largest and healthiest populations of mudpuppies in the area and now thanks to Alicia its probably the best studied population.

Willink said kids who are interested in studying amphibians like mudpuppies should be outside looking around.

If youre interested in fish and mudpuppies and salamanders, be prepared to get muddy and dirty and wet. Theres so much going on underneath the water that we dont know about it. Its a hidden world. Even right here in a big city, people still dont appreciate or understand whats going on underneath the surface.
SPRINGFIELD  Gov. Bruce Rauner on Friday took the first steps toward having an impasse declared in contract negotiations with the largest union representing state workers.

The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Council 31, meanwhile, rejected the idea that the talks are stalled and said it is prepared to continue negotiating.

Representatives for the Republican governor and the union have been at the bargaining table for nearly a year, and each side accuses the other of refusing to budge on wages, health care costs and other issues. The nearly 40,000 state workers the union represents have been working without a contract since July.

The Rauner administration on Friday filed an unfair labor practices charge against ASFCME with the Illinois Labor Relations Board and asked the board to determine whether the talks have reached an impasse.

Under an agreement signed by both parties, if the board ultimately makes that determination, it could clear the way for the administration to impose its best and final offer.

In a series of interviews this week marking the first anniversary of his inauguration, Rauner touted his administrations agreements on innovative new contracts with 17 other unions, which together represent more than 5,000 state workers. Those deals implemented merit bonuses and froze wages for four years for many workers.

He accused AFSCME of intransigence in 67 negotiating sessions.

Theyve rejected every proposal that weve made, and very adamantly, Rauner told the Springfield bureau of Lee Enterprises. Theyve offered no compromises from their opening position whatsoever, and theyre asking for a lot in terms of raises and increases.

The administration said in Fridays announcement that the union last week refused to seriously negotiate for the 24th bargaining session in a row.

But AFSCME said it has offered many counter proposals to the governors negotiators.

"Its regrettable and damaging to the public interest that the governor has chosen a confrontational path, the union said in a written statement. Just as Gov. Rauner is holding the state budget hostage, his my way or no way demands of state employees are the obstacle to a fair agreement.

The administration has made more than 200 extreme demands during negotiations, including a four-year wage freeze, according to the union.

Robert Bruno, a labor relations expert at the University of Illinois, said pushing for a declaration of impasse is a risky maneuver.

The term in chess is a gambit, a big move that comes with some risk but that can transform a series of iterative actions, he said. So this feels to me like a gambit on the part of the governor.

Rauner risks having to return to the bargaining table with an unfavorable ruling, Bruno said, and he also risks repercussions, such as a possible strike, if he succeeds and is able to impose the changes hes seeking.

Proving his case will be difficult because impasse is a technical term in labor relations that goes beyond a simple lack of agreement, Bruno said.

Its a fairly high bar to cross, he said.

Melissa Mlynski, executive director of the labor board, said her agency received the governors charge and has begun its investigation.
DYER  The residents of St. Francis Center recently received generous gifts from two donors.

On behalf of the Schererville Rotary Club, Martha Sandoval delivered a pile of holiday gifts to the campus of Franciscan St. Margaret Health Dyer for residents of the adolescent residential treatment program for male and female youths 12 to 18.

The gifts included stuffed stockings, candy, snacks and bath and beauty products.

Also, dozens of books were donated by the Barnes & Noble store in Valparaiso for use by Center residents.

St. Francis Center serves young people who require a highly structured and controlled environment. Its programs offer two levels of care in a nurturing, therapeutic and secure environment, designed to assist adolescents in developing the necessary skills to function age-appropriately and successfully on a daily basis so they can reintegrate with the community and their families.

For more information, call (219) 865-2141, ext. 45896.
GARY | Katherine Jackson, mother of late pop superstar Michael Jackson, was the guest of honor at a special dinner Friday hosted by the Gary Chamber of Commerce and Mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson at Majestic Star Casino & Hotel.

The dinner was one of a series of events and activities in Gary coinciding with what would have been Michael Jackson's 54th birthday.

Freeman-Wilson said she spoke with Katherine Jackson before the dinner and that the King of Pop's mother believes, like the mayor, that there really is no place like home.

For her, Gary is in fact home, Freeman-Wilson said.

Freeman-Wilson said the legacy of Michael Jackson often is celebrated without acknowledging the legacy from which he came.

We thought it was a wonderful opportunity to acknowledge that legacy, she said.

Michael Jackson tribute artist Carlo Riley traveled from Colorado to attend the festivities in Gary, including the dinner. He said hes been a fan of Michaels since the day he was born in 1982  the year Thriller was released. He met Michaels mother last year in Gary and met Michaels children Thursday at the RailCats game.

Riley, who closely resembles the late performer, said he met Michael himself in Tokyo in 2007 for a 25th anniversary party for Thriller.

Sometimes people talk to me as if I was Michael, he said. They say they love my music. They know Im not him, but they live that fantasy. Its like Santa Claus for little kids.

Lauren Krozser, 20, drove from Cleveland with her mother to attend the dinner. Wearing her replica Michael Jackson Beat It jacket, Krozser was hoping for a chance to meet some of the Jackson family members.

Im a huge fan of Michael, she said. I love that he was able to deliver such a great message and at the same time be cool and have everybody excited about his art."

Local talk show host Michael Essany was at the dinner and did some filming with the Jackson family Thursday at the RailCats game. The final product will be seen on one of the first episodes of Essanys upcoming talk show Seven on Ridge.

Were here to celebrate Mrs. Jackson and the life and legacy of Michael," he said.

The Goin' Back to Indiana: Can You Feel It activities continue Saturday with a concert at the West Side Theatre Guild.

Expected to attend are "Extras" Mario Lopez and Michael Jacksons daughter Paris Jackson.
The Goa government has banned the entry of the Sri Rama Sene chief and his associates since 2014 fearing law and orders problems. (Photo: PTI)

Panaji: The Goa government has extended the ban imposed on the entry of Pramod Muthalik, the chief of controversial right-wing outfit Sri Ram Sene, and his associates till March 16 this year to the coastal state.

As per the orders issued today by District Magistrate of North Goa district, the ban on his entry is extended by another sixty days as the earlier ban expired on January 14, 2016.

The Sri Ram Sene chief and his associates are debarred from entering Goa during this period.

"The ban order was reviewed. Since the report from the police department once again expressed the fear that Muthalik's and/or his members' entry might create law and order situation in the state, and hence the ban was extended," the order stated.

The Goa government has banned the entry of the Sri Rama Sene chief and his associates since 2014 fearing law and orders problems.

The Goa bench of Bombay High Court had also upheld the ban imposed by the state government. He was linked with the attack on women at a pub in Mangalore in 2009.
MERRILLVILLE  NIPSCO recently donated $20,000 to the Lake County Sheriff's Department to help with emergency response improvements.

The money will go toward repairs, recertification and training for the agency's helicopter rescue hoist. This will allow the Lake County Sheriffs Aviation Unit to rescue survivors in areas where a helicopter cannot land and give traditional rescue techniques prolonged response and rescue time.

"We'll be able to respond, provide care and remove a survivor in a quick and safe manner," said Jamie Hicks, the department's crew chief mechanic. "With this equipment and training we'll be able to further assist our officers during critical incidents."

The aviation unit provides air support for all agencies in Northwest Indiana.
GARY  The public paid last respects Saturday to Lake County Commissioner Roosevelt Allen Jr. during his funeral at St. Timothy Church.

The Rev. Alfred Johnson said some of them were there to recognize a man who touched so many lives in so many ways one final time. Some were there to be supportive to Allen's family in their time of bereavement.

Johnson said he was there to celebrate.

"It's a time to celebrate Roosevelt and the life he lived and the impact he made on lives in his community," he said. "We thank God for sharing Roosevelt Allen with us. He was just a good kind of guy."

Friends, family and co-workers spoke about Allen's impact on their lives.

Allen's granddaughter, Nidjah Wilson, said he wasn't just a Lake County commissioner, but he was a loving family man. She talked about having family movie nights with her grandfather and how he was a "smooth dancer." She credited her grandfather for putting her through 10 years of extensive training in gymnastics.

"Without the work from my parents and from him I wouldn't be the young woman standing in front of you today," she said.

Allen was a second-generation director of Guy and Allen Funeral Directors, in Gary. An employee at the site, Patrician Lee, spoke of Allen's integrity, courage and discipline.

"He lived what he tried to teach us," she said. "Junior would often say he wanted to be the best in his work and his service to others and he did just that."

One of Allen's close friends, Delvert Cole, said the commissioner was cut from a different cloth.

"He was his own man," Cole said. "I was Roosevelt's good friend, but God was his best friend."

Lake County Commissioner Gerry Scheub said Allen was proud to stand up and represent the city of Gary and he leaves a tremendous mark on society.

"He was a public servant admired throughout the state," Scheub said. "No other person has served the citizens of Lake County than our own beloved Commissioner Roosevelt Allen Jr."

The Rev. Charles Adams said Allen was him to be a man of faith who was taking steps.

"Finally he took that last step that the Lord permitted him to take. Thank God for this great man."

Burial for Allen took place at Evergreen Memorial Park in Hobart.

Allen, who died at 68 on Jan. 9 of natural causes, served 20 years as a Calumet Township board member. He ran unsuccessfully for Gary mayor in 2003 and Lake County coroner in 2004 before winning election in 2006 for the county commissioner seat vacated when Rudy Clay was named Gary mayor.

Allen also served as chairman of the Lake County Public Safety Communications Commission, which oversees operation of the county's consolidated E-911 service and represented the county on several regional government boards.
Several region police departments fight crime with an arsenal of expensive, high-tech tools, incorporating cutting-edge science and electronics into police work.

Some departments enhance their armories of guns and other typical pieces of equipment with machines that compare electronic fingerprint images to larger criminal databases, devices that analyze voice waves in search of clues and high-tech equipment akin to military tools.

Below, The Times features some of the latest equipment that region police officials hail as providing a technological advantage to law enforcement.

Automated Fingerprint Identification System

Price Tag: $50,000 per system

How it was paid for: A grant from the federal Community Oriented Policing Services paid for the equipment for East Chicago, Gary, Hammond, Highland, Hobart, Munster and Whiting. The grant also paid for five weeks of training for the people who will use the equipment.

How it works: The Automated Fingerprint Identification System scans fingerprints that police lift from a crime scene and runs them through a database of thousands of prints. Detectives or evidence technicians can potentially identify a perpetrator by that print.

How it enhances police investigations: In the past, Highland police Cmdr. George Georgeff said detectives had to send the fingerprints to the state police lab, which could take weeks or even months because of the lab's backlog.

"We can ID them much quicker and possibly prevent other crimes from occurring," Georgeff said.

It now takes between 15 minutes and two days to run a print, depending on the nature of the crime, Highland Detective Erich Swisher said. Murders or violent crimes are given priority over robberies and burglaries. Swisher said fingerprints are lifted from about half of all robberies and burglaries.

Weaknesses: The equipment only searches fingerprints through the Indiana State Police database. It does not search Illinois fingerprints. Swisher said this is something that can be addressed in the future. Police still can send prints to the FBI to run through its database.

FireArm Training System

Price tag: $100,000

How it was paid for: Money derived from a tax increment financing district in Lansing.

How it works: The system provides a video simulation of scenarios Lansing police officers may encounter while out on patrol. The electronic simulation -- similar to a video game but with electronic guns similar in size and weight to actual weapons -- measures how officers react to various situations, testing responses and firearm accuracy.

How it enhances police operations: Officers' responses to situations are recorded and can be played back. The officers learn from their reactions and are better prepared to respond to situations while out on patrol when they train with mock scenarios.

Weaknesses: There is a slight glitch in the video when an instructor changes how the scenario will play out, so sometimes officers can tell when something will happen.

Helicopter

Price tag: $2.2 million

How it was paid for: The 2009 American Eurocopter is being purchased through a combination of grants, fees generated from Lake County sheriff foreclosure sales and, potentially, the sales of the county's older helicopters.

How it works: Lake County police use the single-engine helicopter to patrol the county by air and seek missing people or fugitives. The aviation unit often is called out by other areas to assist in car chases, pursuits, lost children, accidents and a variety of other calls.

How it enhances police operations: The 2009 helicopter is equipped with a searchlight, mapping system, forward-looking infrared camera and thermal imaging. It requires significantly less maintenance than the county's older choppers.

Weaknesses: It cannot locate someone hiding in a heavily wooded area, but the helicopter can ensure that person does not leave the wooded area by supporting law enforcement who are on the ground.

Mobile command vehicle

Price tag: $180,000

How it was paid for: Drug seizure money was used to purchase South Holland's command van. Chicago Heights has a similar but older vehicle.

How it works: The van is equipped with a generator, three workstations, three laptops, digital phones and TV. It is used six to 12 times per year for police emergencies.

How it enhances police operations: The vehicle can be used for any emergency situation in which police need to have a post at the scene, rather than at the police station, South Holland Deputy Chief Greg Baker said. It also is used for community outreach events, natural disasters and to show police presence in a community.

Weaknesses: none reported

Thermal imagers

Price tag: About $4,900 per unit for Munster police

How it was paid for: Bond issue

How it works: The thermal imagers are attached to police cars. The information they take in can be viewed on the officers' laptops in their cars. The imagers detect heat signatures, which show up white on the screen. They can be used both during the day and at night to locate people or suspicious activity.

How it enhances police operations: Officers use them to patrol streets at night. The heat signature on a car allowed police to note a getaway car in a gas station robbery. The thermal imager also can locate fresh footprints, stolen good or weapons that are ditched.

Weaknesses: The thermal imagers are not as effective during rainy or overcast days.

Voice stress analyzers

Price tag: $2,000 to $3,000 for the latest upgrade

How it was paid for: General fund

How it works: Porter Police Chief James Spanier calls the analyzers "an improved version of the lie detector." The machine does not detect lies but reads the level of stress in a person's voice.

How it enhances police operations: While the results of the analysis are not admissible in court, Spanier said the test can tell detectives whether they are looking in the right direction. Detective Jason Casbon said it has helped him eliminate potential suspects who are innocent.

Weaknesses: The person being tested must not be on drugs and has to be of sound mind. The person must be able to recognize there are potential consequences for a criminal action.
SCHERERVILLE  Two suspects remained at large Friday after a Thursday armed robbery that ended with a police chase, crash and manhunt in and around the Highland Meijer store.

Schererville police said that at 7:06 p.m three black males entered the AT&T store at 1150 U.S. 41 and confronted the two employees with handguns. They ordered the employees into the back of the store and told them to load cellphones into bags and remove cash from the register. The men fled in a green 2006 Nissan.

A Schererville police officer in the Whole Foods parking lot near Main Street and U.S. 41 observed the Nissan pass him traveling northbound. He pursued the vehicle, which crashed at U.S. 41 and Ramblewood in Highland, in front of Meijer. Witnesses reported seeing four men exit the car and flee on foot.

Police apprehended two of the suspects, one of whom was armed with a semi-automatic handgun. He was later identified as Trevon M. Washington, 19, of Chicago. The other suspect is a 16-year-old male, also from Chicago, who is being charged as an adult.

Both were being held at Lake County Jail pending armed-robbery charges.

Cmdr. Brian Neyhart, spokesman for the Schererville Police Department, said they did not reveal any information about the other two suspects.

Police said they recovered 99 cellphones and $900 in cash from the vehicle, which had been reported stolen out of Dolton, on Tuesday.

Officers, K-9s and the Lake County Aviation Unit searched the retail and residential areas at U.S. 41 and Ramblewood Drive late Thursday for the suspects, ordering employees and customers out of Meijer. They called off their search just before 10 p.m. without locating the additional suspects.

Anyone with information on the other two suspects is encouraged to call the Schererville Police Department at (219) 322-5000 and ask for Detective Supervisor Jeff Cook.
CHESTERTON  A black-crowned night heron landed at the Craft House bar and restaurant Friday night.

The native Indiana dunes bird was featured on the first commemorative poster for the 2nd annual Indiana Dunes Birding Festival, which was unveiled at the Birds and Brews gathering of local birders at the popular local pub.

The poster art was created in acrylics by Kristina Knowski, of Porter, a local artist who specializes primarily in bird watercolors.

Knowski, herself a birder, attended last years inaugural birding festival and donated an art piece for the events silent auction.

Brad Bumgardner, a naturalist for Indiana Dunes State Park who helps organize the festival for the Indiana Audubon Society, approached Knowski to create the one-of-a-kind poster for this years festival.

I jumped at the opportunity, said Knowski. It has been my pleasure to work on this.

After the original poster was unveiled, the group offered for sale 100 16-by-20 limited-edition signed prints of Knowskis heron, which Bumgardner predicted might sell out before this years birding festival, scheduled for May 5-8.

When theyre gone, theyre gone, said Bumgardner.

The posters, which cost $30, are available online.

A professional artist since 2012, Knowski has a special affinity for portraying extinct birds.

Someone once said it is up to poets and writers and artists to remember these creatures, said Knowski. This ties into my feeling toward nature that we had this beautiful thing thats now gone. A lot of times, their downfall is due to our existence.

Knowski, who has a bachelor of arts in fine art from the American Academy of Art in Chicago, said it took her about two months to create the poster, which she designed to pay homage to the vintage look of the iconic South Shore posters by Mitchell Markovitz and others.

Birds and Brews is a monthly gathering of about 30 bird enthusiasts to talk birds and birding, socialize, and enjoy trivia and prizes.

Bumgardner said more than 500 people are expected to attend this years Indiana Dunes Birding Festival, which showcases the abundance of migratory birds in the Indiana Dunes.

The event features bird tours in the Indiana Dunes State Park, bird photography seminars and flight surveys. The event will culminate in a dinner event May 9 with keynote speaker Iain Campbell of Tropical Birding, an international birding and photography tour company.
VALPARAISO | A local author with more than 25 years of experience in economic development has been tapped as the new executive director of the city's Redevelopment Commission.

Jim Mooney is president of Development Services Co., a business and economic development-consulting agency. His work experience has provided extensive travel in the American, European and Asian economic sectors, managing projects ranging from $100,000 to $1 million in investments.

Mooney, who has lived in Valparaiso for the last 20 years, said he loves contributing his time to the growth and betterment of the community.

"And to do it at the level of the Redevelopment Commission is very exciting for me," he said.

Mooney has a master's degree in development administration from Michigan State University and is working on a second master's in business administration from Valparaiso University. His books include "Doing the Deal - a Developer's Guide to Effective Incentive Utilization" and "Economic Development Methods & Strategies."

Mooney takes over for interim Director John Shepherd.

"Valparaiso has been the beneficiary of John's extensive knowledge and experience over the past two years," said city Economic Development Director Patrick Lyp. "I am very grateful to have had the opportunity to both work with and learn from John, and I appreciate his willingness to help with the leadership transition as Jim begins."

Mayor Jon Costas said in a news release that the city is fortunate to have found someone with Mooney's credentials and experience to lead the commission.

"Jim is also a great advocate for Valparaiso," he said. "The city has been able to accomplish so much over the past decade in partnership with a strong Redevelopment Commission. We look forward to working with Jim."

In addition to welcoming Mooney during its regular meeting on Thursday, the commission introduced new members Rick Urschel, John Bowker and Matt Murphy.

Rob Thorgren is serving as the new president of the commission with Urschel as vice president.
VALPARAISO  The city's diversity taskforce will host a presentation Tuesday by officials from Oak Park, Illinois, on their path-breaking work for a more inclusive community.

Cedric Melton, Community Relations director for the village of Oak Park, and Tom Zapler, the chair of the village's Community Relations Commission, will discuss with Altogether Valpo and the public the scope of their work including neighborhood programming, tenant/landlord relations and youth employment skills workshops.

"I look forward to learning much from Mr. Melton and Mr. Zapler, and to seeing what insights and best practices we can incorporate into our own community's life," said Heath Carter, of Altogether Valpo.

The presentation will begin at 7 p.m. on the second floor of the Valpo Chamber of Commerce, 162 W. Lincolnway. There will also be time for Q&A with members of the public and the Altogether Valpo steering group.

As part of implementing its ValpoNEXT initiative, the city in August formed Altogether Valpo to conduct research and promote its values of inclusiveness and diversity throughout the community.
VALPARAISO | Valparaiso University is giving a $100,000 endowment to a student-managed investment fund.

Teams of students are researching investments and will make presentations to a board made up of graduates working in the field and professionals in the community. The board, which currently is being put together, will give the final say on what stock or stocks are bought.

"We're doing it in a controlled situation to make sure those university funds are safe," said finance professor Phillip Humphrey, who advises VUs chapter of the Financial Management Association.

Humphrey said the returns from the investment will go back into the endowment and they'll continuously receive about $100,000 to invest, or the board may let the initial investment grow.

Humphrey said students will not receive a grade for the investment project.

"They are self-motivated students," he said. "It's preparing themselves. It's a great networking opportunity and something else to put on a resume. And when they go to an interview they'll get asked about the portfolio."

Junior Trent Tanber, one of the team leads, or chief analysts, for the fund, said they're looking to invest in a long-term model.

"We're not day trading," he said. "What we do is analyze solid companies that we see will most likely grow within the next two, five or 10 years and we're investing in those. It's a very long-term approach."

Tanber said he enjoys the hands-on experience.

"I can partner with groups of classmates and do something outside of the classroom that is still pertinent to our future careers," he said. "We advance our knowledge together as a whole."

VU alumnus Ken Perkins, who now works as an equity analyst at Morningstar Investment Services in greater Chicago, proposed a student-run fund while studying at VU. Paul Yox, currently an analyst at Rocaton Investment Advisors in New York, helped shepherd the idea after Perkins graduated. Both plan to be on the investment fund board.

Humphreys eventual hope is that the funds returns pay for an endowed scholarship. He also hopes the fund takes on a hierarchy that allows incoming freshmen to begin as junior analysts, then grow to become analysts, lead their own teams and eventually vie to manage the portfolio.

Its great experience, he said. Students will graduate with real experience in research and investing."
I dont know if you noticed, but there were a couple of heartening things the other night during and after President Barack Obamas final State of the Union address.

It was like the days of old, when politics was a whole lot more than the debacle it has evolved into today.

A Crown Point observer the following day said the presidents speech was reminiscent of those delivered by President John F. Kennedy following his election in 1960.

Kennedys election ushered in Camelot, when the nation embraced the president and his family because people longed for hope in the future. It was the same kind of hope Obama talked about when first elected in 2008.

Thats what the president did Tuesday night. He told the nation the future we want is within reach if we put aside the hateful politics of today.

Obama avoided listing things he would like to see accomplished in the coming year, all the while knowing it wont happen in the midst of a presidential election.

The president did tick through a list of accomplishments highlighted by actions that pulled the nation out of a recession seven years ago. He also mentioned that 9 million more Americans have health insurance because of Obamacare, and noted he ended the Cold War with Cuba. Those gains were made in the face of combative Republican resistance.

But the speech wasnt so much about him, but rather focused on bringing civility to Washington, D.C.

Obamas words might have had a hollow ring had it not been for South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, who gave the Republican response to the presidents address.

Haley criticized fellow Republicans for their heated rhetoric and asked Americans to resist the temptation to follow the siren call of the angriest voices.

It wasnt all sweetness and light.

Republican House Speaker Paul Ryan showed a lack of class when he had his office release a statement in the midst of Obamas speech, saying it isnt going so well.

While the words of Obama and Haley may help chart a new direction for national politics, the politically charged words of Gov. Mike Pence lacked compassion for what is happening in our communities.

Pence, in his State of the State speech, told Obama to stop claiming that guns sold in Indiana are partially responsible for Chicago homicides.

Pence, attempting to rile his conservative gun crowd, said, Indiana will always stand by the right to keep and bear arms.

Obama is simply trying to close the gun show loopholes that allow anyone  including criminals  to buy guns without background checks.

Interestingly, the Indiana Statehouse is in the middle of Indianapolis  a city with a higher per capita murder rate than Chicago. And, yes, they do have gun shows with loopholes in Indy, just like Lake County.

Obama and Haley, who arent seeking election this year, showed a bit more compassion than Pence, who does face the voters.

Is it a matter of civility not counting for much during an election year?
Despite months of thinking and discussion, Gov. Mike Pence's recently released legislative agenda doesn't even mention guaranteeing basic civil rights to gay and transgendered Hoosiers.

The Senate agenda released by President Pro Tem David Long doesn't include the additions to the civil rights bill, either.

No matter. It's generally good when governors lead, but when a question of human rights engenders such paroxysms of doubt as Pence has displayed during the past year, silence may be more prudent. And Long and House Speaker Brian Bosma have indicated they want to see the legislature deal with the matter during this session.

As we've noted before, the issue could be dealt with by adding four words and a comma to the state's civil rights code. The code outlaws discrimination on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, disability or national origin. Add a comma after "disability," and then add "sexual orientation, gender identity" before the words "or national origin." Then you're done, and the legislature can move on to such pressing matters as highway funding and education.

Unfortunately, the bills being offered up as compromises, while adding layers of complexity to what should be a simple tweak, threaten to dilute the basic premise of the whole exercise: affirming that gays and transgendered people deserve equal protection under the law.

Long's SB 100 attempts to "balance" things by adding in matters of religion and conscience. But the issue is basic rights, not individual interpretations of morality.

The latest entry, SB 344, introduced by Sen. Travis Holdman, R-Markle, adds veterans and active-duty military personnel to the protected classes  but excludes transgendered people.

A statement Thursday from Freedom Indiana, one of the lobbying groups attempting to get the legislature to do the right thing, expressed the problem well.

"The more lawmakers try to dance around the need for real, clear LGBT protections, the more it looks like they want a way to maintain the status quo: a state where you can be fired, denied housing or turned away from public places because of who you are or whom you love."

A recent Indianapolis Star/Ball State University poll confirmed that a majority of Hoosiers don't want to maintain that status quo. Most urban centers of the state, including Fort Wayne, already have protections for sexual orientation. Other states protect transgendered people's rights as well. And the sky hasn't fallen.

Indiana legislators need to stop playing games and get this right.

- The Fort Wayne Journal-Gazette, Jan. 8
Mumbai: In sync with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Startup India initiative, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday assured small business men and venture investors that he will take necessary steps to make Mumbai and Maharashtra, the capital for startups.

"You have given me a mission. In the coming days, we will make Maharashtra and Mumbai, capital of startups," Fadnavis said here while inaugurating a seed investment and innovation platform.

He said the blueprint of Startup India, Standup India Initiative, being unveiled today, would be government's new year gift to the entrepreneurship landscape in the country.

"It is said that nothing is more powerful than an idea whose time has come. But what if a powerful idea is not supported by a powerful ecosystem? The idea goes elsewhere. That's what we have been experiencing," he said.

"I think aspiring Indian youth is so powerful, and they just need a little bit of handholding to transform their ideas into reality. The blueprint of PM Modi's Startup India, Standup India would be the government's new year gift to the entrepreneurship landscape," he said.

The chief minister observed that world over Indians have contributed to building very successful startups, but they had to go to Silicon Valley or Singapore because India lacked the infrastructure and ecosystem.

"We need to create ecosystems at more places, and the Prime Minister understands we are a youthful country. Compared to China, Silicon Valley or Singapore, we account for only 10 per cent of startups, but we are one of the most youthful startup nation," he said. Referring to the immense energy and potential of entrepreneurs, he said that as a fast developing nation, we have a great demand for innovation.

"This is an immense energy we have, which needs a channel. We have a nation of more than a billion people embracing technology. If we develop an ecosystem to shape this power the journey towards being a developed nation will be accelerated more," he said. Fadnavis also said there is tremendous opportunity for startups during developing Smart Cities in the country.
The Times' Dan Carden reports that Indiana's GOP conservatives are "fear-mongering" over concerns that Indiana schools will experience the "boys in girls' bathrooms" dilemma if Indiana passes an anti-discrimination law.

Yet that's exactly what's happening in Illinois School District 211 in Palatine. A single male student, his parents and their lawyer have thrown the entire district into turmoil. Their demands that he use the girls' facilities has the Federal government threatening to withhold crucial funds if the school does not surrender.

According to Gallup, the number of Americans who identify as LGBT is less than 4 percent of the U.S. population.

Why is their agenda increasingly dominating the media, while anyone who opposes it is accused of hatred?

And who will stand up in defense of Christians who don't accept the "alternate lifestyle" with which our society is being bombarded?

Larry Rapchak, Whiting
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (AP)  Purdue University is giving school President Mitch Daniels nearly $111,000 of incentive pay.

The Purdue trustees' compensation committee voted Wednesday to give Daniels almost 90 percent of the incentive money allowed in his contract.

The Journal & Courier reports (http://on.jconline.com/1GpzWU8 ) committee chairman Mike Berghoff said Daniels came closest to meeting goals of increasing graduation rates and reducing student debt. Berghoff says the one area where Daniels fell short was fundraising.

Daniels has a $420,000 annual base salary since becoming Purdue's president in January 2013 after his second term as Indiana governor ended.

The incentive pay vote came as Daniels was traveling to India for a university trip.

___

Information from: Journal and Courier, http://www.jconline.com
The U.S. high school graduation rate inched up to 82 percent and the achievement gap narrowed, according to new federal data that raise concern among education officials and others that too many students still aren't getting a diploma.

The latest figures released Tuesday by the Education Department showed wide disparities in graduation rates according to where students live. Leading the way was Iowa, with a graduation rate of nearly 91 percent. The District of Columbia had the lowest rate, 61 percent.

For the nation, the graduation rate for the 2013-14 school year was up almost a percentage point from 81 percent the previous year, and was the highest rate since the department started using a new, uniform measure in 2010.

Education Secretary Arne Duncan praised the new numbers as encouraging, saying the progress was real and powerful.

Duncan cited three-year graduation rate numbers that show solid improvement for black and Hispanic students and English language learners, with progress by all three groups outpacing their white counterparts.

Still, nearly 1 in 5 students are leaving high school without a diploma. "We have a good deal more to do to ensure that every child has access to a quality education," Duncan said in a phone call with reporters.

While noting progress among subgroups of students, the latest figures drew concern from groups campaigning for a 90 percent graduation rate by 2020. To reach that goal, the rate needs to increase each year by at least 1.3 percent  a mark the nation has met for the last three years, but missed for the 2013-14 school year.

"We've been talking about the importance of early warning systems to signal those students who need extra support, and we view this as an early warning indicator to the nation that we need a second act," said John Bridgeland, head of Civic Enterprises, a public policy group that is joined in the "90 percent" campaign with the Alliance for Excellent Education, America's Promise Alliance, and the Everyone Graduates Center at Johns Hopkins University's School of Education. "We view this as a real wake up call."

Bridgeland praised the gains made by English language learners, black and Hispanic students, and students with disabilities. But, he said in an interview that those gains are "not rapid enough to close these graduation gaps in a way that will get us to our goal" of a 90 percent national graduation rate.

The data showed that black and Hispanic students made progress closing the achievement gap with their white counterparts. About 72 percent of black students and 76 percent of Hispanic students earned diplomas in 2013-2014. For white students, the rate was 87 percent.

Vast differences exist across the country at the state level. Nebraska, New Jersey, Wisconsin, Texas, New Hampshire, and Indiana were close behind Iowa, all with solid showings in the high-80s.

At the bottom of the list were Nevada and New Mexico, just ahead of the nation's capital.

The graduation rate is calculated by using a formula in which the number of graduates in a given year is divided by the number of students who enrolled four years earlier. In 2008, the Bush administration ordered all states to begin using this method, moving to a calculation that required them to track each student individually. The new method gives a more accurate count of how many actually finish high school.
The Mayor and Governor put have put aside their longstanding feud to fight back at Cruz's comments.

In an op-ed in Friday's Daily News, the duo defended New Yorkers for upholding values such as acceptance, compassion and resilience.

If @tedcruz had any class, hed apologize to the people of New York, not that we need or want it. https://t.co/9zOKUBS81m #NewYorkValues  Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) January 15, 2016

The political rivals say the presidential candidate's rhetoric is unfit for someone who hopes to lead the country, and called his remarks, quote "political cynicism at its worst."

Think @tedcruz criticizes #NYvalues when he asks Goldman for massive loans or when he comes here to gobble up cash? https://t.co/KQETccX1zY  Bill de Blasio (@BilldeBlasio) January 15, 2016

Not surprisingly, many New Yorkers are weighing in on Cruz's comments with their own views on "New York values."

"The best value of New York I think is hardworking people because it's the second most expensive city in America after San Francisco," said one. "You know you have to hard work to make things around here."

"Everybody has their core value of like maintaining their lifestyle or their life that they want to have in New York City," said another.

Cruz is expected to attend the next Republican debate on January 28 in Iowa.
Bronx residents protested an organization they say benefits from gentrification in the borough.

Members of activist group Bronx is Not For Sale rallied Friday outside of the SoBro offices on Bergen Avenue near East 149th Street in Woodstock.

The non-profit was founded in 1972 and provides educational programs, job training and affordable housing to the South Bronx community.

But, protestors say the group works with real estate developers to build housing units tenants can't afford, and profits off of their displacement.

"They are making some deals behind closed doors, working with developers that are building housing that is not for our community, and it's eventually going to push us out," said Lisa Ortega with Bronx is Not For Sale.

"It's not about providing classes for young people, or for adults, or whatever," said Rafael Mutis with Bronx is Not For Sale. "They're really trying to be a gatekeeper for the developers, particularly in the South Bronx."

NY1 has reached out to SoBro for comment.
Alexandria is presented, apparently with some basis in fact, as a Casablanca-like free zone, a Southern city occupied by the North, where Union and Confederate, slave and free, can uneasily mingle. Marys counterpart in the plot is Emma Green (Hannah James), a member of the family that owns the hotel, who comes to the hospital looking for a friend and ends up volunteering as a nurse because shes upset by the inferior treatment given the Confederate patients.

Mercy Street (the title isnt explained until the fifth episode) tries to generate much of its dramatic force from the question of loyalty. Each character can be graded by his or her shifting ability to sympathize with those on both sides of the conflict, and the biggest moral flaw is blind devotion to either cause.

But at heart, Mercy Street, which counts Ridley Scott and the E.R. writer David Zabel among its executive producers, is a medical soap opera  Greys Anatomy with crinolines  and thats the shows most entertaining aspect. It actually echoes a much better period hospital drama, Steven Soderberghs Cinemax series, The Knick. The central doctor, Jedediah Foster, is aware of European innovations and a little too fond of morphine: a dead ringer for Dr. John Thackery of The Knick.

Foster, the shows most engaging character, is played by Josh Radnor, previously known as a bumbling good guy on the sitcom How I Met Your Mother. Here, Mr. Radnor is not as lightweight as you might fear, but not as resonant as you might hope. More distinctive performances are given by Gary Cole as the hotels pragmatic owner, and by Norbert Leo Butz as a preening, theatrical surgeon.

In another overlap with The Knick, Foster encourages a black laborer (McKinley Belcher III) who has an aptitude for medicine. Its notable that while the black characters story lines are secondary to those of the white nurses and doctors  in the PBS cast list, the first six actors are white  their scenes tend to be those that generate real emotion. When a laundress (Shalita Grant) explains freedom to a young slave, or a freed servant (L. Scott Caldwell of Lost) demands wages for the first time, Mercy Street temporarily breaks its soap opera bonds.
HONG KONG  When Jin Xin first started selling imported premium beer a decade ago, his bar manager predicted that it would take a month or two just to sell a single case. But within a few years business picked up, and soon customers started frequenting the bar for its India pale ales and other European beers.

Now, one of Mr. Jins bars, NBeerPub, tucked away in a laid-back part of Beijings old town, buzzes with young Chinese customers ordering imports like Delirium Tremens, Lindemans Framboise and Brewdog Punk IPA. Mr. Jin even sold a bottle of Brewmeister Snake Venom, a high-alcohol barleywine-style beer from Scotland, for about 2,700 renminbi, or more than $420.

Slowly, Chinese people have more money in their pocket, Mr. Jin, 43, said in his apartment, where over 6,000 bottles from more than 60 countries filled the shelves. After they have money, some want something better in terms of taste as well as lifestyle, especially young people.

As tastes rapidly change, Chinese consumers are swapping mass-produced local beers for imports and local craft beers.
Kuwait Airways will operate its last flight between New York City and London on Saturday, deciding last month to drop the route after about 35 years of service rather than transport Israeli citizens between the two cities.

The Transportation Department found in September that the airlines policy discriminated against Israeli citizens and ordered the practice to stop. Instead, the airline announced in December that it would drop the flights.

The decision does not apply to the airlines three weekly nonstop flights between Kennedy International Airport in New York and Kuwait City. Those flights are not affected because Israelis are not allowed to visit Kuwait and are not granted visas.

Passengers in transit through another country are another matter, according to the Transportation Department, which said that Kuwait Airways refusal to carry Israeli citizens between New York City and London amounted to unreasonable discrimination because Israeli passport holders have the legal right to travel between the United States and Britain.
LOS ANGELES  The Walt Disney Company on Friday installed new leadership at its linchpin Imagineering division, which is responsible for designing and building rides, hotels and restaurants across Disneys $16 billion global theme park empire.

The changes, which come as Disney prepares to open a $5.5 billion resort in Shanghai, its first on the Chinese mainland, consolidate power under one leader. Bob Weis, most recently overseeing the Shanghai project as an Imagineering executive vice president, will become president of the division. A new leader for the Shanghai park, set to open on June 16, will be named at a later date.

Mr. Weis replaces two executives. Bruce Vaughn, who has served for the last eight years as chief creative executive for the Imagineering unit, will leave Disney after a transition period of several months. Mr. Vaughns counterpart for construction, Craig Russell, will remain at Imagineering, but not in the same kind of leadership role.

Bob Chapek, chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, announced the changes in an internal memo. Since creativity is at the heart of what we do, the memo said, we need to relentlessly innovate and evolve our organization.
Bengaluru: The state government is not showing much interest in scouting for a suitable candidate for the post of Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) chairman after Governor Vajubai Vala refused to give his assent to make former chairman of the State Legislative Council and senior Congress leader V.R. Sudarshan, who has been accused of land grab, the KPSC chief.

While, Mr Vala said yes to the appointment of a few members recommended by the government for KPSC, he was against the appointment of Mr Sudarshan. Though eight months have passed, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah does not seem to be in the mood to appoint an apolitical person despite demands from various quarters.

Sources close to the CM told Deccan Chronicle; The CM is very busy rejuvenating his party for the ZP/TP elections which will be held anytime now. So, this issue has been deferred indefinitely till Mr Siddaramaiah gets time to look for a suitable candidate to head the KPSC which has been mired in controversies", the sources added. The sources admitted that Mr Siddaramaiah was undecided whether to have a senior neta or a retired bureaucrat to head the commission. Having understood the governor's mindset towards politicians recommended by the ruling party, the option was to look for a non-controversial retired bureaucrat or a senior politician with a clean slate. The government does not want to be embarrassed yet again after seeing proposals being rejected by Mr Vala. In all probability, the commission will remain headless for a few more months, said sources.

Meanwhile, Yesvanthpur MLA S.T. Somashekar, an architect of the Congress-JD(S) alliance in BBMP, has written to the CM for expediting the process of appointment of the chairman. He told this paper that the government must exhibit the urgency shown in the appointment of the new Lokayukta in appointing the KPSC chief too.
MGM Resorts International announced on Friday that it would become the first major casino company in Las Vegas to end a longstanding and popular perk: free parking. The move could bring in millions of dollars annually, and transform a tourism hot spot that increasingly caters to visitors who come for expensive attractions other than gambling. MGM Resorts, the largest hotel-casino operator in Las Vegas, said it would charge $10 or less for overnight self-parking at most of its properties on the Las Vegas Strip starting this spring. MGM Resorts has 35,310 hotel rooms and 37,000 parking spots on the Strip, which are at a premium during major events. The parking fees will be imposed at Mandalay Bay, Delano, Luxor, Excalibur, Monte Carlo, New York-New York, Vdara, Aria, Bellagio, the Mirage and MGM Grand. Valet parking will cost still more, but some parking at the Circus Circus hotel and the Crystals and Mandalay Bay Place shopping centers will still be free. The company did not provide details on the fees, but it said that parking would be cheaper at some hotels. Those in MGMs loyalty program will be able to earn free parking rewards. The fees, though unexpected, fall in line with casinos focus on expanding their database of gamblers through reward programs, according to Alex Bumazhny, a gambling analyst with Fitch Ratings.
A C.D.C. epidemiologist, Dr. Erin Staples, said earlier this month that she expected Zika to follow the same pattern as other mosquito-borne viruses like dengue and chikungunya: large outbreaks in Puerto Rico followed by smaller ones in Florida, Gulf Coast states and possibly Hawaii.

A study published online by The Lancet on Friday reached similar conclusions after analyzing mosquito species ranges and air-travel patterns from Brazil.

Only one case has been confirmed in Puerto Rico, but because testing is rare and many cases show no symptoms, doctors assume there are many more. How far it spreads, officials said, will depend on which mosquitos prove adept at transmitting it and how aggressive mosquito control efforts are. The yellow fever mosquito, Aedes aegypti, is common in Florida and the Gulf Coast and is an efficient Zika transmitter. The Asian tiger mosquito, Aedes albopictus, ranges as far north as New York but it is not yet known whether it transmits Zika.

The virus first appeared on the South American continent in May. Although only one person in five ever gets symptoms, and even then it often causes only mild rashes, red eyes and fevers, women who have had it, particularly in the first trimester of pregnancy, appear to be much more likely to have children with small heads and damaged brains, a condition called microcephaly.

Zika virus has been found in brain tissue and amniotic fluid from babies who died in the womb or were born with microcephaly by both Brazilian and American scientists. Microcephaly has several other causes, including genetic defects, alcohol exposure in pregnancy, or rubella or cytomegalovirus in the mother during pregnancy.

Scientists do not know why or how Zika crosses the placenta and enters the fetal brain to do damage. It is not related to rubella or cytomegalovirus, but is related to yellow fever, dengue and West Nile virus, which are not widely known to harm embryos.
A 16-year-old has been charged with murder in the shooting death this week of a teenager near a Brooklyn school complex, the authorities said on Friday.

The suspect, Malik Streat, was taken into custody on Wednesday after the shooting in an area of East New York that was bustling with students who had just been dismissed from class for the day, the police said. Investigators also found a weapon.

Mr. Streat, who lives less than a half-mile from the scene of the shooting, has been charged with second-degree murder, criminal use of a firearm and criminal possession of a weapon in the killing of the victim, Darnell Wilkerson, 18. He was shot in the head and taken to Brookdale University Hospital and Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead. A second teenager, a 17-year-old, was hit in the shoulder and hospitalized in stable condition.

The motive for the attack was unclear.

The shooting took place just before 3 p.m. near the intersection of Livonia and Pennsylvania Avenues, about a block away from the campus of the former Thomas Jefferson High School, which now houses several smaller schools. Students flock to the intersection, with its delis and fast-food restaurants, after class.
Most Tuesday mornings, Marta Benitez walks from her apartment on the corner of Fifth Avenue and 111th Street to the food pantry at St. Cecilias Church on East 105th Street. With other volunteers, she assembles bags of nonperishable items to be handed out to members of the community.

I can walk 20 blocks and I dont get tired, Ms. Benitez, 95, said. Who at my age can do that?

On Wednesday mornings, she again walks to St. Cecilias, this time to stand in its open doorway, greeting clients as they collect their bags of onions, carrots, rice, canned soup and cranberry juice concentrate.

Im the clown in here; I make people laugh, she said. Thats my purpose in life.

Ms. Benitezs positive attitude has not wavered, even after the loss of both her husband and only child to cancer.

Its still raw, she said of her daughters death, in September 2014. Since then, Ms. Benitez, who is barely five feet tall, said she had lost 30 pounds in her grief over the loss.
The Columbia students were on a trip organized by Global Brigades, a student-run nonprofit dedicated to bringing health care and economic development programs to communities in Latin America and West Africa. Global Brigades has a chapter at Columbia but is not affiliated with the university.

John H. Coatsworth, Columbias provost, said in an interview on Friday that the university would not think of telling students where they could or could not travel or with what programs.

We want our students to engage with the world, Dr. Coatsworth said. Theres no place you can go in the world without risk, including Manhattan, so were not going to take the position that the university can tell students where to go and with whom, because that would contradict our mission, and it would deprive them of opportunities that are crucial for their education.

At the same time, he said, the university is prepared to respond quickly if something happens to its students abroad.

In the case of the bus accident, the head of the universitys health services and two colleagues left immediately for Honduras to supervise the care of two students hospitalized there. The universitys insurance company organized the return of those students to the United States by air ambulance.
Mayor Bill de Blasios top political consultants, some of whom also represent clients with interests before City Hall, were paid about $500,000 in the last six months by the mayors campaign fund and a nonprofit group created to advance his agenda, according to financial records disclosed on Friday.

The bulk of the payments came from the nonprofit, the Campaign for One New York, which several of Mr. de Blasios former campaign advisers run. The group, which led his efforts on the national political stage, can accept unlimited contributions from donors because it operates outside of New York Citys strict campaign finance rules.

In November, the group received a $250,000 contribution from the family of George Soros, the wealthy liberal donor, and a $200,000 contribution from Unite Here, a labor union once led by John Wilhelm, who is Mr. de Blasios cousin. Two real estate firms with business in New York City  DDG Partners and TF Cornerstone  also donated to the group last year, the records show.

The consulting fees went to three firms  BerlinRosen, Hilltop Public Solutions, and AKPD Message and Media  that employ consultants who routinely advise Mr. de Blasio on political matters, sometimes more often than his City Hall aides.
When Gov. Andrew Cuomo went to Mount Neboh Baptist Church in Harlem last Sunday to give a speech on criminal justice reform, he said, Im going to go down in the history books as the governor who closed the most prisons in the history of the state of New York.

So far, hes right: 13 prisons have been closed since he took office in 2011. Thats an encouraging trend and a necessary part of the kind of broad criminal justice reform the state badly needs. It also reverses one of the worst legacies of his father, Gov. Mario Cuomo, who presided over the biggest prison expansion in New Yorks history  30 new facilities with a total of nearly 30,000 beds.

The younger Mr. Cuomo has had his share of setbacks on the issue before, some of them self-inflicted, so it is heartening that he is trying again. In 2014, he quickly abandoned a smart, popular proposal to finance college programs in state prisons after Republican lawmakers went berserk, mocking it as Attica University. And despite his repeated calls to raise the age of adult criminal responsibility in New York to 18 from 16  an embarrassing relic that exists in only one other state, North Carolina  he has not persuaded the Legislature to act.
To the Editor:

Re Trump and Cruz Exchange Taunts at G.O.P. Debate (front page, Jan. 15):

What stood out the most for me, as an American living overseas, was the undignified tone that virtually all of the candidates displayed. Marco Rubio said Hillary Clinton was not qualified to be president. Chris Christie said of President Obama that were going to kick your rear end out of the White House. Donald Trump called Americas leaders stupid.

Love them or hate them, previous Republican presidential candidates did not speak this way. Can you imagine Ronald Reagan calling our leaders stupid? George H. W. Bush saying that Bill Clinton was not qualified to be president? George W. Bush, for all his faults, never spoke this way about his opponents.

Very sad to see.

KEVIN BREAY

London

To the Editor:

It was frightening to hear the G.O.P. presidential candidates outrage about the recent incident with 10 American sailors being temporarily taken into captivity for venturing into Iranian waters. Thanks to our current administration, the sailors were released after one night. I shudder to think what rash and foolish chest-thumping actions the jingoists on the Republican stage would have taken had any of them been president during this minor blip of an incident.

MARK GREENFIELD

Brooklyn

To the Editor:

It will be fun to watch whoever wins the Republican nomination stumble and spin as he tries to backtrack from his extreme opinions when he realizes that he needs to be more centrist to win the presidency. Then people will have to wonder which are the lies: the extreme opinions expressed to win the nomination, or the more moderate opinions expressed to win the Oval Office. Either way, the candidate will appear to be a weather vane that spins whichever way the political winds blow.
In Samedi Detente, Dorothee Munyaneza uses spoken word, dance and music to explore the Rwandan genocide that forced her from her Kigali home at the age of 12. She describes how 800,000 people died in just 100 days, how she lost friends and family, how she and her father and brother escaped into the countryside, wearing lice-ridden layers of clothing and sleeping outdoors on a tarp.

Ms. Munyaneza, who begins the performance in a trim blue dress, takes the title of her work from a popular radio program she used to enjoy. In the initial moments of the piece, she portrays her adolescent naivete and disbelief. We thought they wouldnt dare attack the house of a man of God, she says of soldiers rampaging through the neighborhood. She would later learn that not only was religious faith no guarantee of safety, but also that priests and nuns committed some of the worst atrocities.

As Ms. Munyaneza speaks and sings, occasionally jumping on a table of the sort that she and her friend used to cower under, she is joined by the Ivorian dancer Nadia Beugre and the French composer Alain Mahe. Their efforts should make the piece particularly theatrical, translating real-life events into visceral sound and image. Instead they suggest how metaphor can fail in the face of such atrocity.

A woman in underwear wrestling with a plastic tarp is visually interesting. (This is assuming that you can see it. The staging is unforgiving of the depths of the Publics LuEsther Hall and the low lights dont help.) But it doesnt come anywhere near equaling the power of the narration. The same can be said of Mr. Mahes music, sonically engaging, but often beside the point. And yet, some of its more literal uses, as when Mr. Mahe loops the two womens singing into an echoing cry, are affecting.
Security beefed up at Pathankot Air Force base following a recent attack by terrorists on the base. (Photo: PTI)

Islamabad: The Joint Investigation Team (JIT) set up by Pakistan to probe the Pathankot attack have decided to seek from India the DNA reports and fingerprints of the terrorists killed amid its keenness to expedite the probe, an official said.

The team, headed by IG Rai Tahir of Punjab Counter-Terrorism Department, held a meeting in Islamabad to discuss the progress in probe investigation into the incident. The meeting deliberated on the information received from interrogation of several suspects held so far, the official said.

According to the official, the team decided to expedite the probe, whose progress is clearly linked to the Foreign Secretary-level talks between the two countries which was to be held today but was indefinitely delayed.

The team decided to seek information from India about DNA reports and fingerprints of killed attackers, he said. The team also decided to seek other information from India like how the terrorists entered the country, about their stay and whether there was any insider link.

It is expected that the team will also visit India to probe the attack.

Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had earlier this week formed the JIT after India provided the leads and linked the Foreign Secretary-level talks to Islamabad's decisive action on the terror attack on its air base.

The JIT comprises officials from Intelligence Bureau (IB), Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and Military Intelligence.

The Pathankot Air Force Base was attacked on the night of January 2 by terrorists believed to be of Pakistani origin. Seven military personnel were martyred after a gun battle that lasted for over 80 hours.
One man connected with the armed takeover of a federal wildlife refuge in rural Oregon was arrested, and a second was held in the disappearance of a vehicle from the refuge, the authorities said Friday. Both arrests were made without incident and far from the refuge itself. Kenneth Medenbach, 62, was arrested Friday at a grocery in Burns on probable cause for unauthorized use of a motor vehicle that the police said was the property of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, about 30 miles away. Brian Cavalier, who identified himself as Fluffy Unicorn, and as a bodyguard of the militant groups leader, Ammon Bundy, was arrested earlier in the week in Buckeye, Ariz., on a criminal warrant during the investigation of a suspicious vehicle. He was later released by a judge. A Buckeye police spokesman on Friday said Arizona law prevented disclosure of arrest warrant details. Protesters have occupied the refuge headquarters buildings since Jan. 2.
In Manchester, N.H., on Monday, after a traditional town hall-style event, the candidate who prefers dashing home from speeches on his private jet stopped by the Red Arrow Diner and ordered a cheeseburger plate piled high with French fries.

His debate performance Thursday night was polished, a clear result of some forethought and of absorbing lessons from debates at which he seemed to wing it. On Saturday morning, he will visit a barbecue in New Hampshire hosted by former Senator Scott P. Brown of Massachusetts. Then he will speak at a Tea Party convention in South Carolina in the afternoon.

Until now, Donald J. Trumps campaign has broken all the rules, eschewing rope lines, diner visits and decorum in favor of one-hour rallies, Twitter commentary and one provocation after another. But now, as some polls have tightened and voting nears, Mr. Trump is, very gingerly, starting to balance his unique style with running the Iowa way and the New Hampshire way, letting his unconventional instincts accommodate certain conventions.
BALTIMORE  Republican congressional leaders said Friday that they were moving aggressively to draw up a campaign platform for 2016 so that the party would be positioned to coalesce swiftly around a nominee after a bruising primary campaign.

After a three-day retreat here, House Republicans emerged with a plan to attack five policy areas  national security, the economy, health care, poverty and the Constitution  but stopped short of promising legislation on any of them.

The House will set up committee task forces to complete a policy agenda by the time we have a nominee, Speaker Paul D. Ryan said during a brief news conference Friday afternoon after numerous policy sessions, some of them with Senate Republicans. Calling 2016 a generational defining moment, Mr. Ryan said congressional Republicans would set the policy template for the campaign. The country is crying out to be unified, he said.

Mr. Ryan and other Republican leaders insisted repeatedly that they had not discussed the race for the White House during their numerous policy sessions; Mr. Ryan and others said they did not even watch the debate Thursday night. Many members opted instead to go to a screening of a new film about the Benghazi, Libya, attack.
Even if he defeats Hillary Clinton in both Iowa and New Hampshire next month, Senator Bernie Sanders faces a daunting problem when the presidential race moves on to bigger, more diverse states: winning over black voters.

Starting this weekend in South Carolina, he is trying to solve it.

With a blitz of appearances, ads on black-oriented radio stations, a tour of historically black colleges and the help of well-known and not-so-well-known African-Americans, Mr. Sanders is racing to get the word out: He is a lifelong civil rights advocate who marched with the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

He talks substantively about issues vital to many blacks, like radically rethinking police procedures, even in front of all-white crowds. And the economic policies that he relentlessly argues would combat income inequality and injustice across the board, he says, apply all the more to persistent racial disparities in American life.

We have a real tragedy with youth unemployment, Mr. Sanders thundered last weekend in Des Moines, where the only black faces in the crowd of 1,500 appeared to be those of journalists following him. Kids who graduated high school who are white: 33 percent unemployed or underemployed. Latino: 36 percent. African-American: 51 percent.
For the past five years, President Obama has denied the Republican charge that he is waging a war on coal. On Friday, with the Obama administrations announcement that the Interior Department will halt new coal leases on public lands, Mr. Obama acknowledged that his climate change polices are hurting American miners and began offering ways to ease that economic harm.

As Mr. Obama has sought a legacy in tackling climate change, his top target has been the burning of coal for electricity  the nations largest source of planet-warming emissions. New rules could freeze construction of new coal plants, shutter existing plants, limit United States investment in foreign plants  and with Fridays move, keep coal in the ground.

Interior Secretary Sally Jewell announced that her agency would begin a three-year review intended to overhaul the federal governments program for leasing coal on public land, with an eye to raising the costs paid by coal companies to mine on public land, and ultimately to slow down production. The agency also announced a moratorium on new federal coal leases while those reviews and changes take place.

The latest move comes as the coal industry contends with plunging natural gas prices that have offered electric utilities a cheap coal alternative. Over the past six months, at least half a dozen major coal companies have declared bankruptcy. Employment in the coal mining industry is at a 20-year low.
Despite threats of a walkout or even schism over the issue of gay marriage, the archbishops of the Anglican Communion, the worlds third-largest body of churches, managed to keep their church intact after a week of tense meetings that ended with a symbolic washing of one anothers feet.

But their deep divisions are likely to resurface soon. In interviews, the American archbishop said his church would not reverse its decision to bless same-sex marriages, and the Canadian archbishop said his church would proceed with a vote this summer to consider approving same-sex marriages. The truce was achieved when the 38 Anglican archbishops at the meeting, in Canterbury, England, voted resoundingly to impose restrictions for three years on the churchs American province, the Episcopal Church, as a penalty for its decision last summer to allow clergy members to perform same-sex marriages.

The Most Rev. Justin Welby, the archbishop of Canterbury, said at a news conference on Friday that it was necessary to impose consequences on the Episcopal Church for breaking with church doctrine that marriage is only between a man and a woman. He also acknowledged that the move would send a painful message to gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people.

For me its a constant source of deep sadness, the number of people who are persecuted for their sexuality, Archbishop Welby said, after encountering gay and lesbian protesters outside, many of them Africans. I wanted to take this opportunity to say how sorry I am for the hurt and pain, in the past and present, the church has caused.
BERLIN  Caught up in a melee of drunken revelers outside the Cologne train station on New Years Eve, Caitlin Duncan, a neuroscience student from Seattle, was terrified. She had somehow gotten separated from her German boyfriend, who had both their cellphones and her wallet. Ms. Duncan, 27, said that she was quickly surrounded and groped by several young men: One snatched her hat from her head, another tried to kiss her face and neck.

Like many of the hundreds of women who later said they had been assaulted in the crowd, Ms. Duncan sought help from the police, but said the officers were too busy trying to clear the square. But unlike other victims, whose complaints of attacks by foreigners of North African and Arab descent have ignited new debate about Germanys ability to absorb migrants, Ms. Duncan said she was rescued by a group of Syrian asylum seekers.

Amid the swirl of criminal chaos, it seems, there were also acts of chivalry.

As the crowd swelled and grew more unruly, Ms. Duncan said, a stranger came up and asked if she needed help. Both of them spoke broken German, so the stranger summoned a friend who spoke English. He was Hesham Ahmad Mohammad, from Aleppo, Syria, who had met up in Cologne for the holiday with six or seven other Syrian refugees scattered around Germany.

The men offered Ms. Duncan money for a taxi to her boyfriends parents home: the only address I knew, she said. They would happily have called her boyfriend, Sebastian Samer, but Ms. Duncan had relied on speed-dial and could not remember the number. I know theres a lot of 7s, she thought, but thats not helping me right now.
The only people that are unhappy about it are the Republicans, he added.

Iran let the sailors go, unharmed, after 14 hours, but not before using them for propaganda purposes. They issued several photographs of the crew, kneeling in captivity, their hands clasped behind their heads, as well as a video of their commander apologizing for trespassing. Mr. Earnest said it was possible he was acting under duress, but that did not mean Iran had violated the Geneva Conventions on the treatment of prisoners of war because the United States is not at war with Iran.

The White Houses defense of the episode has been hampered by the lack of a detailed account of what happened in the Persian Gulf that night. The Pentagon offered few specifics on Friday, citing its investigation of the episode. Pentagon officials who have been briefed on the investigation insisted that the patrol boats were not spying on the Iranians. They are 50-foot crafts typically used to navigate brown waters  a term the Navy uses to describe rivers and shallow areas around the coast.

Unlike larger ships, the vessels  known as riverine boats  are not equipped with sensitive equipment to conduct espionage, an official said. The sailors were Regular Joes, an official said, on a routine mission to sail from Kuwait to Bahrain after completing an exercise.

The distance between Kuwait and Bahrain  about 300 miles  is too far for boats that cruise at speeds over 40 miles per hour to make without stopping to refuel en route. So the boats were scheduled to veer away from the coast and farther into the Persian Gulf to meet a Coast Guard refueling vessel.

What happened next is still unclear, but Navy officials said that the crew could have keyed in the wrong GPS coordinates, unwittingly putting them on a course that quickly brought them inside Iranian territorial waters off Farsi Island, an Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps naval base.
UNITED NATIONS  The images of gaunt, hollow-eyed children in three besieged Syrian towns this week prompted even the usually cautious Ban Ki-moon to bluntly and publicly declare that the people starving civilians on the battlefield were committing war crimes.

Tomorrow, Mr. Ban, the secretary general of the United Nations, warned, there must be accountability for all those who play with peoples lives and dignity in this way.

But Syria seems to have moved the needle on what is acceptable in war, and tomorrows chances of holding it accountable are as thin as ever.

The worlds most powerful countries have politicized the idea of international justice to berate their enemies and protect their allies  and there are indeed powerful countries backing some of the gunmen, government and rebel alike, who are preventing food from reaching the hungry in Syria.

The United Nations Security Council, which has the authority to refer the situation to the International Criminal Court in The Hague, made no mention of that possibility at its emergency session on Friday afternoon.

Not surprisingly, the United States and its Western partners used the latest reports of starvation deaths to hammer the Syrian government. Russia seized the occasion to scold rebel groups and went on to suggest that the attention to the humanitarian crisis  all this unnecessary noise is how Russias deputy permanent representative, Vladimir Safronkov, described it at the Security Council session  could derail the political talks scheduled to start Jan. 25 in Geneva.

Those talks, to be mediated by the United Nations, will bring together representatives of some of the very parties accused of using starvation as a weapon of war.

Mr. Ban encouraged the warring parties to lift sieges as a confidence-building measure before the talks. But he stopped short of saying that it should be a condition for those talks.

Starvation is one of many atrocities that have characterized the war in Syria. The United Nations-backed Commission of Inquiry has documented torture in Syrian prisons and government detention centers, extrajudicial killings by armed opposition groups and sexual enslavement by the Islamic State extremist group. Airstrikes have hit dozens of hospitals and medical centers.

Accountability is arguably more elusive than ever, given that both Russia and the United States are eager to push the warring parties to the negotiating table and deal with what they both see as an existential threat: the Islamic State. Syria is not a party to the International Criminal Court, which means that only the Security Council can refer the situation in Syria to the court.

The last time such a resolution was proposed, in 2014, Russia and China vetoed it. Few members of the Council, including France, which proposed the measure, believed it would be adopted. It was a way to embarrass the Syrian government, and, in turn, its most powerful backer, Russia.

The I.C.C. is not the only way to seek accountability for war crimes. A Syrian court could try suspects, but postwar tribunals are often seen as biased in favor of the victor, as in the case of Iraq after the ouster of Saddam Hussein. Also, under the principal of universal jurisdiction, people suspected of torture or other crimes against humanity can be arrested and tried outside their own countries, as with Chiles former ruler Augusto Pinochet.

The attention to starvation as a weapon of war in Syria came this week as reports and stark images emerged of hungry civilians in Madaya, a rebel-held town encircled by government forces and pro-government militias.

Aid agencies that delivered two convoys of food and medicine said Friday that least 32 people had died because of malnutrition. Doctors Without Borders said late Friday that five people had died just this week, since the humanitarian convoys began bringing food into Madaya.

Syrian activists, including search and rescue groups that operate in opposition held areas, issued an appeal on Friday for relief supplies to be airdropped.

Wissam Tarif, of the rights group Avaaz, said, Russia, U.S., Iran and Saudi Arabia are the puppet masters pulling the strings in Syria, and if the world is serious about getting the sieges lifted, then Ban Ki-moon needs to ramp up diplomatic pressure on them.

He added, Peace talks in Geneva are happening later this month, but peace is a pipe dream while children are being starved to death with impunity.

The 40,000 people of Madaya are among 400,000 Syrians trapped behind front lines without regular access to food. Sieges have become routine and systematic in the five-year conflict, the United Nations deputy emergency relief chief, Kyung-wha Kang, told diplomats on Friday.

You cannot let more people die under your watch, she said.

According to Mr. Bans reports, of the 400,000 people cut off from regular deliveries of food, more than 180,000 are besieged by government forces and pro-government militias. Another 12,000 are besieged by rebels, including the powerful insurgent group Ahrar al Sham, backed by Saudi Arabia and Qatar. The United Nations says another 200,000 Syrians are trapped by the Islamic State in the town of Deir al-Zour.

Russias discomfort with the attention to starvation as a war tactic was on unusual display on Friday. We urge the Syrian authorities to cooperate, constructively, with the @UNs humanitarian agencies, the foreign ministry said on Twitter.

It announced airdrops into part of Deir al-Zour, where the Islamic State has blocked relief for people under government control.
When Paul Giamatti is first seen in the new Showtime drama Billions, his character, a crusading United States attorney named Chuck Rhoades, has been bound and gagged as part of a sadomasochistic sex act. Shooting the scene last year had a curious effect on the actor. I got really sleepy and relaxed, Mr. Giamatti recently recalled over a cappuccino at the Lambs Club in Times Square. I think guys who normally get tied up have the opposite reaction. Or maybe this is why they swaddle babies?

In any case, you cant blame Mr. Giamatti, 48, for wanting a nap  or a cappuccino, for that matter. He has been working nonstop. His output in the past year alone has included not only his star turn in Billions, which debuts on Sunday, Jan. 17, but also supporting roles in two acclaimed musical biopics, Straight Outta Compton and Love & Mercy, and an Emmy-nominated turn as a juror in the Inside Amy Schumer episode that spoofed 12 Angry Men. I had a good year, Mr. Giamatti said with typical understatement. I did some interesting stuff.

Billions

For his role in the new series (Andrew Ross Sorkin, editor of DealBook for The New York Times, is a co-creator and an executive producer), Mr. Giamatti drew on several sources. Hes like Javert  from Les Miserables  except the guy hes pursuing has stolen more than a loaf of bread, he said of his character, who becomes obsessed with bringing down a corrupt hedge-fund billionaire (Damian Lewis of Homeland). There are some colorful guys who have been in this position: Rudy Giuliani and Eliot Spitzer are interesting fellows to have in your head.
The impact chipped off a small flake on the left hand of the granite idol.

Hyderabad: A 14th century Ganesha idol that is believed to have been worshipped by soldiers during war was excavated accidentally during foundation laying works for a structure in the premises of KCP Sugar Mills at Challapalli in Krishna district.

The idol, belonging to the Kalinga style, has huge historical importance as it belongs to rulers of the Telugu kingdom.

The Ganesha, seated in the Lalilasana on a pedestal, has been identified by archaeologists from Vijayawada as belonging to from Eastern Ganga period.

The idol was discovered when a worker hit the stone with a crowbar. When officials looked for the source, they found the idol. The impact chipped off a small flake on the left hand of the granite idol.

AP Deputy Speaker Mandali Buddha Prasad was informed by KCP officials and he rushed to the spot and informed archaeologist Dr E. Siva Nagi Reddy of the Cultural Centre at Vijayawada.

The Ganesha idol has four hands, it holds an akshamala (rosary) in the right lower hand and danta (tusk) in the lower left hand. The upper right and left hands hold the pasa (noose) and the anukusa (goad) respectively, said Dr Nagi Reddy.

He said that the sculpture having a jatamakuta on the head and holding the akshamala in the right hand indicates that it belongs to the 14th century AD.

He added During the rule of Amavema Reddy in the 14th century, the Eastern Ganga king Bhanudeva-IV camped at Srikakulam close to Challapalli during which time the sculpture was carved by the Kalinga sculptors for the regiment. A similar Ganesha idol with jatamakuta and akshamala is seen at Kitching, a medieval temple centre in Odisha. In all probability the Ganesha idol represents the Kalinga style of art."

KCP officials are building a temple for the idol. The Deputy Speaker said that there is need to take up a thorough survey by the state department of archaeology in the Eastern Gangas in Diviseema.
She called them her four M&Ms: Meghan and Mishelle, Makayla and Mya, each born a year apart, a tribe of sisters who walked in lock step and looked after each other when they got sick.

In August 2014, Yvette Teixeiras eldest daughter, Makayla, who had been born with sickle cell anemia, was suddenly much sicker than usual. One moment she would be fine, the next, screaming in pain. She was taken to the hospital, where a doctor examined her and sent her home, Ms. Teixeira recalled. By the end of her second day back home, she was dead. Her spleen, her family learned later, had rapidly enlarged, but emergency room doctors had not detected its growth.

I just kind of remember sitting in the middle of the street, screaming, as an ambulance drove Makaylas body away, Ms. Teixeira said. This couldve been avoided. I feel cheated.

Even before her daughters death, Ms. Teixeira, 43, and her family had known mostly setbacks, chaos and poverty. But now the family was torn apart, and it showed in every aspect of its members lives: There was no part of their neighborhood where they could walk without thinking of Makayla, no night the three remaining sisters did not sleep in the same twin bed for comfort. Meghan confided that she was scared. She was 9, going on 10; Makayla had not made it to 10.
The Jan. 23 program will include three 20th-century works: The Miraculous Mandarin, by Bela Bartok; Variations on a Theme by Paganini, by Witold Lutoslawski; and Symphonic Dances, by Sergei Rachmaninoff. Rounding out the program will be Silhouettes, by Anton Arensky.

Image Pianist Alessio Bax Credit... Brian Harkin for The New York Times

Ms. Wu said the program was largely built around the Bartok, a piece for two players performing on one piano  the other works are for two pianos and one that had long been proposed to her by the pianists Juho Pohjonen and Orion Weiss, who will play it.

They bugged me for four years, Ms. Wu said with a smile.

Programming the Rachmaninoff, on which Mr. Weiss will team up with the pianist Alessio Bax, followed logically from the Bartok. Like that work, it draws on an orchestral score and thus makes for a natural pairing, Ms. Wu said, adding that the Lutoslawski work, a short, accessible piece, would serve as a palate cleanser between the two larger compositions.

The choice of concert opener, left to last, came down to the Arensky piece, a five-movement suite that Ms. Wu said would really open up the sound world of the two pianos. Wu Qian, who is from China, will join Mr. Bax for that piece, and Mr. Pohjonen for the Lutoslawski.

The mixing and matching of pianists meant reconciling approaches. Mr. Weiss, for example, expressed enthusiasm for augmenting the piano score on the orchestral adaptations if the texture is too thin. But Mr. Bax volunteered a note of caution, at least on the Rachmaninoff. I always think twice before adding to his music, he said.

Wu Qian raised the problem of accommodating performers differing senses of time without imposing metronomic rigidity on a joint performance. That is the challenge: how to play together and still have the freedom and flexibility within, she said in a telephone interview.
Six years ago, it was decided that it would be fun to eavesdrop  with permission  on diners in the city as they sat in restaurants eating and talking. Since then, the At the Table column has covered group outings at grand hotels, holes in the wall, bistros, pizzerias, taquerias, dim sum palaces, barbecue joints, lunch counters, steakhouses, noodle shops, old classics and new finds, all in search of that ineffable combination of food, decor and clientele that gives a restaurant a sense of place.

For this, the last regular installment, it made sense to visit a place called the Place, a stone-walled, wood-beamed restaurant on West Fourth Street in the West Village with a Pan-European and New American menu and a fireplace burning to chase away the chill of winter. The Place is one of those unpretentious neighborhood refuges, tucked away on a quiet little street, but there, like everywhere else in New York, you never know what you may find. On Tuesday, it happened to be a group of Norwegians well versed in the words and deeds of President Barack Obama.
The Civil Service bill Mr. Walker supports also undermines protections against unfair termination. Under its rules, supervisors could fire workers for personal conduct they find inadequate, unsuitable or inferior. Like many of the bills opponents, Jim Thiel, a retired chief attorney for the states Department of Transportation, fears such vague language invites partisan retaliation and favoritism. These words  inadequate, inferior  are empty vessels into which you can pour many things, Mr. Thiel told me.  Personal conduct sounds like something outside the work environment.

The Walker administrations record of retribution gives credence to Mr. Thiels fears. In 2013, Mr. Walker abruptly withdrew the nomination of a student representative to the University of Wisconsin Systems Board of Regents after discovering that the nominee had signed a petition calling for the governors recall. (Two local Tea Party groups have created a searchable database of the one million recall signatures.) In July, Mr. Walker eliminated a third of the Department of Natural Resources staff scientists, whose research on climate change, wildlife management and pollution from a proposed iron ore mine offered a compelling rebuke to his industry-driven environmental agenda.

Many public policy experts believe that Wisconsins Civil Service system would benefit from modernizing reforms, as it did in the 1990s under Republican Gov. Tommy Thompson. Mr. Thompson enacted changes recommended by a bipartisan commission of legislators that held public hearings across the state and also included representatives of employee unions. But like Act 10 and the right-to-work law, the new Civil Service bill was drawn up in secret, announced with little warning, and contained no meaningful input from affected parties. The Senate and Assembly granted a single day each of perfunctory hearings.

During the protests over Act 10, as Mr. Walker demonized public employee unions, he praised private sector ones, only to betray them later by enacting right-to-work. The Civil Service bill uses a similar tactic. In 2011, Mr. Walker assured state workers that they did not need their unions because of Wisconsins Civil Service rules. In Wisconsin, the rights that most workers have have been set through the Civil Service system, which predates collective bargaining by several generations, he said. That doesnt change. All the Civil Service protections  the strongest Civil Service system in the country  still strongly remains intact.

Mr. Walkers reversal, coupled with other divisive new measures like undermining tenure in the University of Wisconsin System, have contributed to his 38 percent approval rating in the state. They also suggest that his ambition may still be to win national office. In an October interview with a conservative Milwaukee talk radio host, he did not rule out another run. Im hopeful we have a Republican president for the next eight years after this election, but after that well have to see what the future holds, Mr. Walker said. In December, Senator Cruz encouraged his supporters to relieve Mr. Walker of his campaign debt, generating speculation that he might become the vice-presidential choice for the like-minded Mr. Cruz.

The people least surprised by Mr. Walkers reversal were the states beleaguered workers. A longtime Wisconsin civil servant told me that she worries about the security of her job if the bill becomes law. If youre an at-will employer, you can just tell someone goodbye, she said, noting that 72 state employees in Arizona had recently been fired indiscriminately.

Despite the long odds of stopping the measure after the failure of large protests against Act 10 and the right-to-work law, the woman quietly helped organize a teach-in last week to raise awareness about the bill. As she talked about her efforts, however, it became clear that a culture of fear had taken root in the Wisconsin workplace. Though she describes herself as a labor activist, when I asked if I could use her name she declined. She was too afraid.
QATAR, it seems, was gazumped.

Sheikh Jassim bin Abdulaziz al-Thani of Qatar thought hed bought a Picasso masterpiece in November 2014. That was when he agreed, through his agents, to pay $42 million for the spectacular Bust of a Woman (Marie-Therese). The seller was Picassos daughter Maya Widmaier-Picasso, who was parting with a much-loved object.

But the sheikh never got his Picasso. After he had made the first two of three payments, his agents received a letter canceling the sale and refunding the money. The sculpture now anchors the magnificent Picasso Sculpture show at the Museum of Modern Art, with a label saying, Courtesy Gagosian Gallery. Larry Gagosian, the gallerys owner, says he bought the piece in May 2015 for $105.8 million; he then sold it to an unidentified New York collector.

The financial term for this kind of thing is phantom liquidity: Its the name for when you think youve bought something, but then it turns out that you havent. Or, on the other side of the deal, its called sellers remorse.

Thats the feeling you get when you sell something and then find out that the thing you sold is worth much more than you sold it for. Its natural to want to unsell the object and then resell it at its market price. In Britain, for instance, sellers can agree to part with a house for a certain price, but then change their mind and accept a higher offer at the last minute  a phenomenon known as gazumping.
A lot of students who werent Christian were excited by its appearance, Mr. Schuman told me. A lot of us have spiritual questions, but were uncertain how to ask them. The journal draws on a millennia-old tradition of faith and reason to give a vocabulary for those questions.

The staff and students involved in these study centers and journals position themselves not as evangelists, but as conveners of a conversation meant to grapple with the ideological divides that secular liberalisms mantra of tolerance so often elides: How do people with clashing assumptions about what is real and good communicate and coexist?

To Philip Jeffery, a junior at Columbia, this question is at the heart of the recent wave of student activism  although he says older observers rarely seem to understand. I keep seeing these articles about coddling, he told me. When you ask the question, what are the assumptions about human nature that are driving these things, you realize its more than people wanting a safe space to talk about trigger warnings.

Mr. Jeffery has tried to bring those conflicting assumptions to the surface of campus debate through Columbias Christian journal Crown & Cross as well as his work for the Veritas Forum, an international organization that sponsors Christian speakers and interfaith dialogue on college campuses.

The thing youll run into with any of the campus activists that Ive encountered is this idea that human nature is a collection of identity categories, that I as a human being am composed of a gender identity, a sexual identity, a racial identity and so forth, he said. Their perception of Christians, or of religious people more generally, is: O.K., these are people who have this one identity category, religion, and the religion they identify as is overstepping its bounds. Its telling my gender or sexual identity how to act. The Christian response has to be: Theres something more to what a human being is than just these collective attributes.

Most of the young evangelicals I spoke to had sympathy for the protests, and some had participated themselves. Todays evangelical students are all over the political map. Christian groups are often among the most racially diverse on campus  38 percent of InterVarsity members are nonwhite (another 14 percent are international students), and many local chapters are racially mixed. But they question the premises of secular identity politics, which they say is the lens that some university administrators mistakenly apply to religion.

Vanderbilt didnt understand religious groups, said Tish Harrison Warren, who worked for InterVarsity at Vanderbilt before events there led her to relocate to the University of Texas. They wanted to make us social groups, like fraternities who weirdly talk about Jesus, or service groups, or groups for the academic study of religion. But there is a proclamatory function. We are proclaiming a message to others.
IN 2014 Matt Bai published a book called All the Truth Is Out, a history of Gary Harts scandal-driven downfall that doubled as a lament for political journalisms surrender to the lure of tabloid culture.

Bais book was a great read, and nobody would dispute his point that theres far less privacy for politicians than in the days when Lyndon Johnson could tell a group of reporters: You may see me coming in and out of a few womens bedrooms while I am in the White House, but just remember, that is none of your business.

But his books title was still a little bit misleading. Even today, we dont get all the truth about the sex lives of the powerful and famous. We get more of it than people got in the 1960s, but it still often comes in fragments, glimpses, rumor and conjecture.

You can read a thousand supermarket stories, for instance, without getting any closer to the truth about most Hollywood relationships. And while the mainstream press isnt necessarily protective of public figures, neither is it rushing out to do National Enquirer-style digging whenever theres a plausible rumor in the wind. For every Eliot Spitzer or Mark Sanford, theres a scandalous story that flares and vanishes amid a lot of journalistic discomfort about touching it.
How does the death penalty in America end?

For decades that has been an abstract question. Now there may be an answer in the case of Shonda Walter, a 36-year-old black woman on Pennsylvanias death row. On Friday, the Supreme Court met to discuss whether to hear a petition from Ms. Walter, who is asking the justices to rule that in all cases, including hers, the death penalty violates the Eighth Amendments ban on cruel and unusual punishments.

Ever since 1976, when the court allowed executions to resume after a four-year moratorium, the abolition movement has avoided bringing a broad constitutional challenge against the practice, believing that it would not succeed. In that time, 1,423 people have been put to death.

Yet there is no question that the national trend is moving away from capital punishment. Since the late 1990s, almost every year has seen fewer executions, fewer new death sentences and fewer states involved in the repugnant business of killing their citizens.

In 2015, there were 28 executions and 49 new death sentences, the lowest numbers in decades. Seven states have abandoned the practice entirely since 2004, for a total of 19 that no longer have the death penalty. Many others have not executed anyone for years. And only three states  Texas, Georgia and Missouri  were responsible for almost all of last years executions.
JOHN YOUNG was born into slavery, on July 4, 1855. By 15 he was a free man and an electrifying orator, recruiting black voters around his native South Carolina to the Republican Party with pyrotechnical rhetoric and mustache-waggling jokes. In the late 1860s, it looked as if he might help his party make real change in the post-Civil War South.

But soon Young noticed white Northerners losing interest, more concerned with corruption in Washington than freedom in Charleston. His former allies, distracted by scandals, just sat back and let the South skin us out of our rights, he later said. By the late 1870s, anger at government had helped kill Reconstruction, punishing the most vulnerable for the crimes of the most crooked. We should be wary of this today, as we grapple with race and populist rage yet again.

Just as in the 1870s, America is struggling against racial inequity and seething at our political establishment. The two issues appear unrelated, but they have a perverse connection: Anger makes Americans dismiss government and politics altogether  and that dismissal makes it harder to tackle racial injustice.

This was certainly the case, on a far larger scale, in the 1870s, when sentiment against politicians eclipsed black political rights. Reconstruction was a moment of racial promise such as this country had never seen: A generation of former slaves became landowners, teachers, voters and elected officeholders. From 1865 to the early 1870s, the country passed constitutional amendments promising them liberty, citizenship and voting rights. Federal agents helped build schools and banks, and even crushed the Ku Klux Klan.
I feel that the theme of start-ups of this era is the evisceration of old industries, particularly in the logistics and service economies, aided by new technologies. Uber is perhaps the seminal harbinger of that change; take one well-entrenched industry (taxi and livery service) with a corner on the market and no need for innovation. Add one start-up with a clever, convenient approach and a willingness to flout laws. Pour millions of dollars on idea. Repeat.

So while things like food delivery or on-demand office cleaning or whatever are certainly not as world-changing and attractive as robot monkey butlers, it is pretty much par for what Silicon Valley stands for: the destruction of the old in the name of efficiency and expediency.

Farhad: Wait, wait, wait. Are you saying that not only is someone working on robot monkey butlers but that they will be attractive robot monkey butlers? Take my money!

Mike: Im being serious! These new start-ups come with a whole bunch of other problems. Who are we serving? Who gets hurt? And who are the real winners? These are the questions I am constantly asking myself and others. And those questions certainly deserve to be asked instead of waved off in the name of some nebulous idea of progress.

And that, my basic friend, is what is interesting to me: those being marginalized while the death and rebirth of new industries are widely celebrated by a handful of people in a small enclave of California. (I also like the technologies themselves, some of the time, at least.)

But I am curious as to what would not bore you right now. What sort of start-ups are you looking for? What more do you want than on-demand booze and cookies?

Farhad: Oh, I think you have the wrong idea. I did not mean that the start-ups themselves were boring. I actually agree that these logistics companies could in fact be pretty world-changing.
The Supreme Court is moving quite firmly into the cultural and religious domain. It has banned Jallikattu in Tamil Nadu and has questioned the practice restraining women from entering the temple at Sabrimala in Kerala. The Supreme Court is the best judge of the Constitutional validity of its cultural and religious activism. But with the Constitution of India having been amended a hundred times we need to accept that what is constitutionally valid at one point of time need not be so at all times. Judicial activism in religious and cultural matters would then be better judged by non-Constitutional criteria, like: is it in the interests of the country?

The interests of India as a whole would undoubtedly be best served if there was no conflict between what the people of the country believe and what the judiciary thinks the Constitution has laid down. The judiciary can then ensure that the values built into the beliefs of the people can be protected by the law. Unfortunately, the colonial era saw a judicial system based on very different values being imposed in the country.

With India gaining independence and becoming a republic, the Constitution modified the law, but it still did diverge a great deal from what large sections of the country believed. Nehru and other leaders of newly independent India may well have believed that they could convince Indians to accept the values embedded in the Constitution, but even they knew it would not be easy.

Faced with a divergence between the beliefs they had incorporated into the Constitution and those of large sections of Indians, the strategy of the old nationalists was to use exceptions to paper over the divide. Some of these exceptions, like the Muslim personal law and separate tax laws for the Hindu Undivided Family, were put into the law. But a large number of other practices with beliefs that may have contradicted the Constitution were simply ignored.

This convenient arrangement is now being challenged from both sides. With democratisation, people are no longer as defensive about traditional beliefs as they used to be. Competitive politics has resulted in the aggressive projection of traditional practices finding political support, with most political parties in Tamil Nadu lining up against the Supreme Courts views on Jallikattu. At the same time, votaries of more rationalised laws are beginning to use centralised institutions to ensure traditional beliefs are brought in line with their own.

This is a battle that neither side can win. The votaries of uniform rationalised norms for all sets of beliefs in the country may believe they can win by using the force of the state and the judiciary to implement the law. But controlling the beliefs of a sixth of humanity by force will be difficult, if not impossible. These efforts will then only serve to push these practices underground, as has already happened with animal sacrifice. And if the number of people believing they are right when they defy the law increases, it helps consolidate corruption and worse.

A much more effective approach would be the one followed in gaining entry for Dalits into temples in Kerala. The Vaikom Sathyagraha and other movements created the social and legal milieu for the oppressed sections of the population to gain entry into temples. There is nothing stopping those who believe Jallikattu is cruel to both animals and humans to launch a social movement in Tamil Nadu calling for at least a moderation of its practice. Similarly, if all devotees of Ayyappa can be convinced about the need to allow women into the temple at Sabrimala, the change would be immediate and effective. But this is unlikely to happen as the social movement route to social reform in present-day India has been buried under the self-righteousness that governs current Indian social and political discourse.

(Narendar Pani is Professor, School of Social Sciences, National Institute of Advanced Studies, Bengaluru)
Thus, there are no local officials salaries to pay and no infrastructure to maintain locally. And the cost of servicing each township is spread across the Unorganized Territory either in each county or statewide.

Its basically like a company: Theres so much less overhead, said Paul G. Bernier, the public works director for Aroostook County, who is responsible for overseeing services to the unorganized territories at the very top of Maine. Sometimes its half of what they were paying.

In Aroostook County, Bancroft, population 60, completed the process last summer and now exists in name only. Besides Cary Plantation, Oxbow, about an hour northwest, is well on its way, although both have legislative approval and a final vote yet to go. State officials said that an effort to deorganize Atkinson, which began in 2013, may soon take a step forward, and that more municipalities had told the state that they were interested.

Just the price tag to keep their local governments up and running is more or less untenable, said Mark Brewer, a professor of political science at the University of Maine. Its the final step in this long, drawn-out process, which really starts with population decline.

Marcia McInnis, the fiscal administrator for the Unorganized Territory, estimated there have been 41 deorganizations in Maines history, about half of them during the Great Depression. But it has become recently more common than it has been in the last, really, two decades, she said.
OUAGADOUGOU, Burkina Faso  Terror came to this sleepy city this weekend, as armed fighters descended on a road nicknamed the Champs-Elysees, where friends meet for coffee and foreigners relax in a familiar hotel. After a 15-hour siege, the assailants left behind more than the dead and wounded scattered across the charred road amid shell casings.

The rampage at the Splendid Hotel and Cappuccino Cafe here in the capital forced this nation to face the awful realization that the violent Islamic extremism that it for years avoided finally had crept across its borders.

Twenty-eight people were killed and 56 were wounded in the attack that loudly announced the end to a long, mostly peaceful stretch in Burkina Faso. A State Department statement on Saturday identified an American, Michael James Riddering, as one of the casualties.
With 99 percent of the polling places reporting results, Ms. Tsai had 56 percent of the vote to Mr. Chus 31 percent, Taiwans Central Election Commission said.

The campaign pivoted largely on economic issues, as growth in Taiwan has slowed significantly over the past year. Wages have stagnated and housing prices in major cities like Taipei have remained out of the reach of many people.

Voters also soured on the departing president, Ma Ying-jeou, and his policy of pursuing a closer relationship with China, Taiwans giant neighbor, which considers Taiwan, a self-governed island, to be a part of its territory with which it must eventually be united.

On the night before the elections, speaking to a huge crowd of supporters on a boulevard across from Taiwans Presidential Office Building, Ms. Tsai recalled the protests that filled the capitals streets in recent years. Those included demonstrations over the death of a young soldier and the Sunflower Movement, a student-led protest against the pursuit of a trade bill with China by the Kuomintang.

Behind me is the presidential office, she said. Its just a few hundred meters away from the people. But those inside the presidential office cant hear the voice of the people.
Jason Rezaian



Age: 39

From: Marin, Calif.

Occupation: Tehran correspondent for The Washington Post

Mr. Rezaian was born in California and holds dual citizenship in Iran and the United States. He was imprisoned in July 2014 and convicted in October on charges that included spying. The length of his sentence was not publicly disclosed.

Executives of The Washington Post, who say Mr. Rezaian is innocent of any wrongdoing, have described his prosecution and imprisonment as a Kafkaesque farce. Executives from 25 news organizations recently sent a letter to Secretary of State John Kerry urging him to press Iran to release Mr. Rezaian.

Saeed Abedini

Age: 35

From: Boise, Idaho

Occupation: Pastor

Mr. Abedini, a naturalized American citizen, was arrested in 2012 and convicted on charges that included subverting national security by creating a private network of churches. In 2013, he was sentenced to eight years in prison. The conviction and sentence were denounced by the State Department.

Amir Hekmati

Age: 32

From: Flint, Mich.

Occupation: Marine veteran

Mr. Hekmati, an American of Iranian descent who served with the Marines in Iraq, was seized while visiting relatives in Tehran in August 2011. He was convicted of espionage and sentenced to death, but that verdict was overturned. He was then convicted of aiding a hostile country  meaning the United States  and was sentenced to a 10-year prison term.
Iran has undertaken significant steps that many people  and I do mean many  doubted would ever come to pass, Secretary of State John Kerry said Saturday evening at the headquarters of the International Atomic Energy Agency, which earlier issued a report detailing how Iran had shipped 98 percent of its fuel to Russia, dismantled more than 12,000 centrifuges so they could not enrich uranium, and poured cement into the core of a reactor designed to produce plutonium.

But Mr. Kerry was clearly energized by the release of the Americans, an issue he took up on the edges of almost every nuclear negotiation, and pursued in separate, secret talks that many involved in the nuclear issue were only vaguely aware were happening.

The release of the unjustly detained Americans, as Mr. Kerry put it, came at some cost: Seven Iranians, either convicted or charged with breaking American embargoes, were released in the prisoner swap, and 14 others were removed from international wanted lists. Many of the presidential candidates, including Senator Marco Rubio of Florida and Donald J. Trump, denounced the swap as a sign of weakness, and they have long promised to review or withdraw from the nuclear agreement.

They particularly object to the release of about $100 billion in frozen assets  mostly from past oil sales  that Iran will now control, and the end of American and European restrictions on trade that had been imposed as part of the American-led effort to stop the program. It was not only sanctions that forced Iran to the table: the United States and Israel also developed one of the worlds most sophisticated cyberweapons to destroy the centrifuges that Iran has now been dismantling.
The International Atomic Energy Agency declared Saturday that Iran had fulfilled requirements to limit its nuclear activities, a step that automatically lifted nuclear-related economic sanctions imposed by the United Nations, European Union and United States. The move freed Iran to sell much more oil and gain control of roughly $100 billion in impounded money, ending a prolonged isolation that has driven the country into a deep economic malaise.

The actions signaled what diplomats have called Implementation Day  the most important phase so far of the historic nuclear agreement, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, that Iran reached with the major world powers on July 14.

President Obama praised the agreement in a televised address on Sunday but reiterated that it was never intended to resolve all of our differences with Iran. A few minutes later, he announced that the United States had imposed sanctions on several Iranian individuals and companies accused of violating United Nations restrictions on ballistic missile tests.

While the optics of the back-to-back sanctions announcements might seem to suggest that Washington was imposing new measures to make up for those that were lifted Saturday, they are actually nowhere near comparable in scope.
Shortly after the Forbes family sold control of its magazine and publishing business in 2014, Tim Forbes held a meeting in Hong Kong with one of the new owners. Mr. Forbes, younger brother of Steve Forbes, had been trying for weeks to collect an interest payment from the buyers. But in the October meeting, Mr. Forbes said his family had waited long enough for the $46,000 payment. The refusal to pay, he said, was a disrespect to my family and disrespect to me personally.

The fight over a mere five figures has since exploded into an all-out war over the future of Forbes Media and the reputations of the Forbes family as well as the Asian tycoons who bought the company for $415 million. In a strange twist, the buyer and seller of Forbes magazine, famous for listing the worlds wealthiest people, have accused each other of being short on cash.

The Forbes family says that because of the missed interest payment, a loan of $65 million it made to the buyers is now in default. It wants the entire amount of the loan, as well as $35 million that was set aside in case of any breaches of the sales contract, bringing the total claim to over $100 million. If the family doesnt get paid, it says, it will liquidate Forbes Medias new parent company, which could force another sale of Forbes Media.

Image An egg sold by the Forbes family. Credit... Sothebys, via Associated Press

Both sides say the dispute hasnt affected the daily operations of Forbes Media, which showed a revenue increase of 15 percent last year over the previous year. But some employees say its another potential distraction less than two years after the company was sold.
Then the echo-cardio is an indicator and also the medication history of the patient, said Dr A.G.Gokhale. (Representational image)

Hyderabad: The heart was retrieved from a brain-dead patient at Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences. While retrieving the heart at Kims the doctors didnt notice the irregular rhythm beat, said a senior doctor at Gandhi Hospital.

Dr A.G. Gokhale, who has conducted more than 10 heart transplants in the city, said, To assess the heart the age of the patient is taken into consideration first. Then the echo-cardio is an indicator and also the medication history of the patient. If the patient has a history of uncontrolled blood pressure than an assessment of the medical history is taken up. These factors determine whether the heart can be transplanted into the recipient.

But there have been cases where the recipient is in a very critical stage of heart failure and will not be able to take a donor heart even if it is in a good condition, explained Dr Gokhale.

Gandhi Hospital superintendent Dr J.C. Reddy and the heart transplant surgeons refused to comment on the subject.
Q. Does an unmade bed kill dust mites?

A. Keeping relative humidity low in the home does help fight irritating dust mites, studies have found, but a British study, widely reported as having concluded that leaving the bed unmade could do the trick, suggested only that it might do so. Actual scientific comparisons of made and unmade beds were not done.

Dust mites, like Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and Dermatophagoides farinae, are microscopic, eight-legged creatures that feed on skin cells. Their feces can set off asthma symptoms and cause allergic reactions in some people.

The British study, published in 2006 in the journal Experimental and Applied Acarology, suggested a computer model for predicting the effect on dust mites of different ranges of temperature and relative humidity. The researchers said they planned follow-up studies under real conditions, but have not reported on any.

A humorous 2001 article in The Canadian Medical Association Journal suggested that making the bed constituted a public health hazard, not just from dust mite proliferation but also from back pain from mattress lifting and marital disputes over whose turn it is to do it. No studies supported such conclusions.
DC reader Parasa Rajeev sent us this picture of birds struggling to navigate through a sea of kites. He says he also saw a bird drop with a cut wing.

Hyderabad: Forest department officials rescued a black kite on Saturday which was caught in a Chinese manja and was hanging about 50 feet above the ground from a tall tree near RP Road after trying for around an hour.

The bird had been hanging since a day and it was only on Saturday that someone called the forest department's toll free number and informed about the bird.

By Saturday the forest department and animal rights NGOs received around a dozen calls for rescuing birds entangled in the deadly Chinese manja made of nylon and powdered glass. Sahayog, an NGO, said that it had rescued 18 birds of which 16 were seriously injured.

However, as per forest department officials the numbers are expected to rise in the following days.

The Telangana government had issued an order banning Chinese manja but it came too late. By that time shops had already stocked up Chinese manja and it saw brisk sales even after the ban.

Pradeep Nair, a volunteer of Blue Cross said, Even if a bird is rescued it becomes difficult to save it as it would have serious injuries. Emergency veterinary facilities available in the city for animals is not enough. The birds nursed back to life are forced to stay in cages for the rest of their lives.

Humans also had a tough time with Chinese manja crisscrossing the roads in many parts of the city. Many people had a close shave with the sharp nylon thread hitting their necks and other body parts while driving.
A Lee County grand jury cleared an Opelika police officer who shot and killed a man on Oct. 31 during what began as an attempted traffic stop.

Officer Jared Greer, who has remained on administrative leave since Dec. 22, was exonerated this week in the shooting death of Bennie Lee Tignor, 56, according to a press release from the Lee County District Attorney's Office.

Greer fatally shot Tignor at his Comanchee Drive home late Halloween night, after Tignor failed to comply with a traffic stop and a low-speed chase ensued. The OPD has stated Tignor brandished a firearm prior to Greer firing his weapon.

Tignor suffered multiple gunshot wounds and later died at East Alabama Medical Center.

Opelika police immediately turned the case over to the State Bureau of Investigations (SBI) for an independent investigation.

The investigation concluded this week and SBI findings were presented before a grand jury Wednesday, according to Alabama Law Enforcement Agency Sgt. Steve Jarrett. Evidence presented included dash cam video of the incident recovered from Greer's patrol car.

Opelika Police Chief John McEachern, who has long expressed confidence that Greer would be cleared, said in a release that he believes due process has been followed and that the department stands by the grand jury's decision.

I would first like to thank the State Bureau of Investigation for their handling of this investigation. I also want to thank them for the expeditious manner in completing the investigation. Due process has been followed and we stand by the findings of the Lee County grand jury," McEachern said. "It would be inappropriate for me to comment further at this time, and I would defer any questions to the office of the district attorney.

Mayor Gary Fuller said the situation was a tragedy for all involved.

"This was a tragic event for Mr. Tignor and his family, as well as Officer Greer and his family. No question, it has been tragic for our entire community. I appreciate the work of the SBI, DA Robbie Treese and members of the Lee County Grand Jury."

District Attorney Robbie Treese indicated he has met privately with community leaders in an effort to alleviate their concerns regarding the incident.

Family and friends of Tignor, as well as local leaders including Lee County Commissioner John Andrew Harris and District 83 Rep. George Bandy, have remained skeptical of circumstances surrounding the shooting -- as two that claimed to have witnessed the incident said Tignor was unarmed -- and have held bi-weekly meetings at Saint James Missionary Baptist Church since Oct. 31 to voice their concerns.

"Based on the information we have and that the grand jury made the decision, I still stand where I first stood before the grand jury," said a long-time family friends of Tignor's, Oscar Penn. "Once we see the dash cam for ourselves, we can form an intelligent opinion."

Harris, who viewed the dash cam footage for the first time last week along with Bandy, said he will weigh in on the grand jury's decision at a public meeting to be held at Saint James Missionary Baptist Church Monday night at 6 p.m.

"I want to talk to the community first," Harris said Saturday. "I'm going to hold my comments until we talk Monday."

Treese said he hopes to release the entire dash cam video next week.

It is absolutely crucial that an independent investigation be conducted in tragic events such as this, and I am grateful for the diligent efforts of both the SBI and our grand jurors, Treese said.
A Notasulga woman -- the owner of a Tuskegee counseling service -- pleaded guilty of Medicaid fraud Friday, admitting her company billed the Alabama Medicaid Agency for services that were not provided to Medicaid recipients.

Lula Jones Bridges, 53, of Notasulga, is the owner of Hope for Families and Community Services, a nonprofit counseling service. Bridges pleaded guilty before Montgomery County Circuit Judge J.R. Gaines to one count of Medicaid fraud, a Class C felony, Attorney General Luther Strange announced. No sentencing date has been set.

This case involved an outrageous deception of both clients and people who were claimed as clients, as well as an appalling theft of public funds from the Alabama Medicaid Agency, Strange said. I am pleased that we have been able to bring this criminal to justice, and will fight to recover the taxpayers stolen money.

The case was investigated by the Attorney Generals Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, after an audit by the Alabama Medicaid Agencys Program Integrity Division was initiated because Hope for Families was one of the states top billers of psychology services during 2013. The Medicaid Fraud Control Units investigation found that there was no documentation to support most of the services billed to Medicaid by Bridges, that patient sign-in sheets and progress notes had been fabricated, and that counseling sessions were billed for clients who were out of state during the alleged dates of service. In addition, many parents were told that they were enrolling their children in an after-school program and had never authorized Bridges to perform or bill for behavioral counseling services.

Medicaid Fraud Control Unit prosecutors contend that more than $500,000 of the billings submitted by Bridges to the Medicaid Agency between November 2011 and October 2014 were fraudulent or without proper documentation. Gaines scheduled a restitution hearing for Jan. 29 to determine the amount of loss to the Medicaid Agency.
Chennai: In a major relief to married daughters, the Madras High Court has reiterated that the government cannot deny compassionate appointment to the daughter of the deceased government servant on the ground of marriage.

Allowing a petition from V. Rajalakshmi, Justice D. Hariparanthaman directed the Virudhunagar district collector to provide compassionate appointment to her within 8 weeks.

The father of the petitioner was working as a revenue assistant in the office of the excise officer, Sivakasi division, Virud-hunagar. He died on June 1, 2009 while in service, leaving his wife, son and daughter as legal heirs.

The petitioner got married prior to the death of her father on February 3, 2006.

After getting NOC from the other legal heirs, when she submitted an application for compassionate appointment, the same was declined by the collector on the sole ground that she got married prior to the death of her father.

Quashing the order, the judge cited his earlier order and said, From the said judgment, it is clear that this court held in categorical terms that the state cannot deny appointment to the daughter of the deceased government servants on the ground of marriage and quashed the government orders denying compassionate appo-intment to the married daughters.

In his earlier order, the judge had wiped out totally, the discrimination meted out to married daughters in the matter of providing compassionate appointment and had declared as arbitrary, illegal and unconstitutional, and quashed a government order which fixed the cut off date for providing compassionate appointment to the married daughter as November 29, 2001.

As per this G.O, the daughters who got married after November 29, 2001 are alone entitled to seek compassionate appointment based on the death of her father/mother, who was a government servant.

Tracing the history relating to compassionate appointment, the judge had in his earlier order said in the original scheme providing compassionate appointment in G.O dated August 3, 1977, there was a total deprivation for married daughters to seek compassionate appointment.

While married sons were eligible to make compassionate appointment, married daughters were ineligible to make application for compassionate appointment.

Later, the government made certain improvements by issuing another G.O dated July 16, 1993, providing compassionate appointment to married daughters of government servant, if the daughter was abandoned by her husband or a divorcee or a widow.

However, discriminatory treatment was not removed in total. While marriage was not a pre-condition prescribed in the matter of providing compassionate appointment to sons of a deceased government servant, the same was placed as a condition in the case of daughters.

Thereafter, another G.O dated August 30, 2010 was issued, providing compassionate appointment to married daughters, if she was unmarried at the time of making application. By issuing the G.O dated June 18, 2012, the government fixed the cut off date as November 29, 2001, the judge had added.
The Founding Fathers insistence that the presidency be limited to natural born citizens was based on their openly expressed fear that foreigners were disloyal, as law professor Malinda L. Seymore has written.

And the great irony associated with that fear is the fact that so many of those who helped craft the natural born citizen clause were themselves born in foreign lands: Alexander Hamilton in the West Indies; James Wilson in Scotland; Robert Morris in England; and the four delegates to the Constitutional Convention of 1787 who hailed from Ireland, William Paterson, James McHenry, Pierce Butler and Thomas Fitzsimons.

Before they finished their business, however, they exempted themselves, and most of their generation from the requirement they felt so crucial.

As Article II, Section 2 of the Constitution declared: 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 . . ..

A loophole for themselves, as Supreme Court Justice Joseph Story wrote 46 years later, was created out of respect to those distinguished revolutionary patriots, who were born in a foreign land, and yet had entitled themselves to high honours in their adopted country. A positive exclusion of them from the office would have been unjust to their merits, and painful to their sensibilities.

This from the same man who in the very next paragraph of his famous Commentaries on the Constitution, goes on to say that the need to exclude the foreign-born was so obvious as to be unchallenged by any sound statesman. It cuts off all chances for ambitious foreigners, who might otherwise be intriguing for the office; and interposes a barrier against those corrupt interferences of foreign governments in executive elections.

The debate continues to this day over what the words natural born citizen actually mean because the drafters chose not to define it. Thats why Republican presidential candidates Donald Trump and Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, who was born in Canada, could cite competing groups of scholars in support of completely opposite opinions.

Scholars have found all sorts of reasons for the drafters vagueness in that and other clauses: Everybody knew what the words meant because they were familiar with English common law; they did not want to tie the hands of future generations; they were in a hurry to finish off their work and get out of the unseasonable heat of the Philadelphia summer of 1787.

Yet they were only vague about some things. The age of sufficient wisdom for a president was exactly 35 years old. The time of residence in the nation was exactly 14 years, no more, no less.

In fact, when it came to the presidency, the framers of the Constitution, as they came to be called, had only the vaguest idea what they were creating and made many false assumptions.

The most famous and perhaps the most understandable in the pre-mass media era, was their belief that the decision on who would be president would invariably be made not by the people or even the Electoral College but by Congress.

Once George Washington, the only true national hero of the era, passed from the scene, most delegates believed that no single candidate would ever be sufficiently well-known throughout the country to get a majority of the electoral vote and that the contest would always wind up in the House of Representatives. That has happened only twice, in the elections of 1800 and 1824.

In effect, they might have believed, such questions as who was a natural born citizen would be determined by Congress as it ruled out some candidates and ruled in others.

For this generation, the fear of intrigue by foreigners was widespread. George Washington was sufficiently wary of foreign-born citizens that he ordered that no man could be appointed as a sentry during the Revolutionary War unless he be Native of this Country, or has a Wife, or Family in it, to whom he is known to be atttached, wrote Seymore in the Brigham Young Law Review.

After the Revolutionary War, fear of foreign powers nefariously attempting to divide the new nation or influence its decisions was rampant, just as it would become in post-colonial nations across the globe in the 20th century.

At the Constitutional Convention, George Mason spoke of foreigners and adventurers trying to make laws for us and a rich foreign nation, for example Great Britain sending tools who might bribe their way into federal office for invidious purposes.

Scholars have speculated that the actual natural born citizen wording in the Constitution came initially from John Jay, who would later become chief justice of the Supreme Court. Jay was not at the Convention but was corresponding with George Washington, who was presiding over it.

The first draft of the provision only required that the president be a citizen. But in a letter to Washington dated July 25, 1787, Jay wrote: Permit me to hint, whether it would not be wise & seasonable to provide a strong check to the admission of Foreigners into the administration of our national Government, and to declare expressly that the Command in chief of the American army shall not be given to, nor devolved on, any but a natural born Citizen.

Washington, according to Seymore, wrote Jay thanking him for the hints contained in your letter. Seymore continued: Two days later a second version of the presidential qualification clause was presented to the Convention, which contained the natural born requirement.

It passed without any discussion, or at least any discussion passed down through history.

Considering Washingtons considerable presence at the Convention, it is entirely possible, Seymore theorized, that Jays reasons for including the natural-born requirement were the primary motivation behind the provision: namely, fear of foreign dominance of government.

It produced no significant controversy in the ratification debates that followed because nobody cared about the fine print in the face of much larger burning questions about vesting so much power in a single person.

Was the presidency an embryonic monarchy or an open door to tyranny? After the Convention, that was the question.

And while it arose again during the candidacies of Barack Obama and and now Ted Cruz, and was raised by those who thought Canadian-born former Michigan governor Jennifer Granholm belonged in the White House, the question of who is, and who isnt, a natural born citizen has never been truly joined, either by Congress or the Supreme Court, and never definitively answered.
Sen. Lindsey Graham endorsed Jeb Bush for president Friday in Charleston, South Carolina.

Graham, the South Carolina Republican who ended his own presidential bid after failing to gain traction, ran on a platform of national security and has said he thinks Bush, the former Florida governor, is strong on the issue.

Graham thinks Bush is best prepared to be commander in chief on Day 1  a case Bush has made repeatedly himself  and believes he best understands the threats the nation faces. Graham also believes Bush is most likely to beat Hillary Clinton, who leads the Democratic field in many national polls, in a general election.

Bush made a point of wooing Graham, texting him weekly when the two were rivals for the Republican nomination. On the morning Graham dropped out, Bush texted him immediately and later made a hard pitch over the phone  that he was best equipped on Grahams top issue of national security.

Grahams endorsement comes after Bush picked up the support of dozens of Graham loyalists throughout the state. Though Graham never saw his presidential campaign take off, his support  and vast organization in his home state  helps Bush in South Carolina, which heads to the polls on Feb. 20.

In an interview in Columbia, South Carolina, recently, Graham named several Republican hopefuls  Bush, Gov. Chris Christie of New Jersey, Gov. John Kasich of Ohio, Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida. He called all of them strong on the issue of fighting terrorism at home and abroad.

Well, Marcos been great on national security, he said. Jebs plan is basically my plan.

Though Graham likes Rubios national defense platform, he has been frustrated with the Florida senator, after the two men worked together in the Senate as part of the so-called Gang of Eight to pass a broad immigration bill, which included a path to citizenship for the 11 million undocumented immigrants in the country. After first helping draft legislation, Rubio has since backed away from the bill amid backlash from his partys conservative base, citing concerns about first needing to secure the nations southern border.

Asked by reporters at an event in Derry, New Hampshire, on Friday about Grahams backing of Bush, Rubio said, I like Lindsey very much, but dismissed the impact of his support.

Obviously if this campaign was about who had the most endorsements, Jeb would have had this wrapped up months ago, Rubio.

Graham also said he would make an endorsement at a time when it would matter. His support, which he officially announced at a news conference with Bush in North Charleston, comes as the former governor of Florida is struggling to break out of single digits in polls.

Bush needs a top finish in the New Hampshire primary on Feb. 9 to revive his stalled campaign. But if he can beat his more establishment rivals, like Rubio and Christie, in New Hampshire, his aides hope he can use that momentum for a strong finish in South Carolina, which is open to his national security message.

The campaign is also likely to deploy Bushs older brother, former President George W. Bush, who remains popular with the Republican base, to help in South Carolina.
The Walt Disney Company has named Bob Weis the new president of Walt Disney Imagineering, the arm of the company that oversees the design of its theme parks, cruise lines and resorts around the world.

The appointment was announced in a memo today by Bob Chapek, chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts.

Weis is heading up the companys efforts for the Shanghai Disneyland Resort. Before that, he was the creative lead on the expansion of Disney California Adventure, which culminated in the addition of Cars Land at the theme park.

He was also the creative lead on the Disney/MGM Studios, now called Disneys Hollywood Studios, that opened at Walt Disney World in 1989, and oversaw the development of the Tower of Terror.

Weis also worked on Tokyo Disneyland in the early 1980s.

He left the company for a while, and worked with others on a variety of projects. Bruce Vaughn, the former Chief Creative Executive at WDI will help Weis with the transition, before leaving the company to explore other opportunities. Craig Russell has served as a co-executive leader of the company, and will take on a new role focusing on project execution and integration around the world, according to the memo from Chapek released by the company.

Mark Eades worked for Walt Disney Imagineering from 1982 to 1993.

Contact the writer: meades@ocregister.com
The Vietnam lottery was one of the largest accidental experiments in American history. Fates of millions of young men rested on a game of random chance. Whose draft number would be called? Who would have to serve?

By comparing those called up by the draft to those who werent, economists have been able to measure the impact of the Vietnam war on veterans. The results are depressing. A decade after their military service, white veterans of the draft were earning about 15 percent less than their peers who didnt serve, according to studies from MIT economist Josh Angrist.

Now, new research suggests that the draft did more than dim the prospects of that earlier generation: The children of men with unlucky draft numbers are also worse off today. They earn less and are less likely to have jobs, according to a draft of a report from Sarena F. Goodman, an economist with the Federal Reserve Board of Governors, and Adam Isen, an economist at the Treasury Department. (A copy was released by the Fed in December, but research does not reflect the opinions of the government.)

The researchers have not nailed down how, exactly, any of this is happening, nor why the disadvantage appears to be over twice as potent for sons than for daughters. But the work is valuable for showing how the circumstances of ones parents can have lasting repercussions. This is one way that inequality persists through the generations.

I think it is a very important illustration of the importance of family background in determining peoples life outcomes, Jesse Rothstein, Berkeley professor and former chief economist of the Department of Labor, said in an e-mail. (Rothstein was not involved in the research, but Goodman is a former student.)

Studies like this are exceedingly hard to come by. You cannot force men or women into a certain profession just to see how it would affect their future lives and children. Except, in the case of the Vietnam draft, thats kind of exactly what happened.



Goodman and Isen used confidential tax data from the IRS to look at fathers born specifically in 1951-1952, as well as their children. These men came of age toward the end of the Vietnam War, so few were actually conscripted, and even fewer saw combat. In fact, these fathers were just as likely to be alive in 1996 as men whose draft numbers were never called.

One hitch is that the researchers didnt know which fathers actually served in Vietnam. They only knew who were draft-eligible  whose draft numbers got called  because peoples draft numbers were based on their birthdays, and that information was available.

Being draft-eligible didnt mean you were conscripted automatically. It just meant that you were called up for review. People were excused from military service for all kinds of reasons. Men could get deferments to go to college, or to take care of their families. Some men had disqualifying medical conditions. And conversely, plenty of men who werent draft-eligible  whose numbers werent called up  volunteered to join the military.

So even if the researchers could compare the veterans to the non-veterans, it wouldnt make sense to do that. The men who ended up in the military  whether by draft or by choice  were systematically different than the ones who remained civilians.

In their analysis, Goodman and Isen sidestepped the question of military service. Their paper compares fathers who were draft-eligible to fathers who werent. This is fair because the lottery itself was random, even if the subsequent conscription process was not.

The data show the effect of having a draft-eligible father on a sons earnings in 2013. There is a small but significant hit, with greater impacts falling on older sons. On average, the sons of draft-eligible dads were earning about $268 less in 2013 than the sons of draft-ineligible dad.

That doesnt seem like a lot at first  $268 is only 0.72 percent of average annual incomes for these sons.

But remember: This is the impact of having a dad whose draft number was called, whether or not he actually served. And not that many served. In the latter years of the war, draft-eligible men were only about 13 percent more likely to join the military because of the draft.

Of course, its that 13 percent that is making the difference here. The economists cant prove it, but its reasonable to suspect that if your dad didnt enlist via the draft, your life was pretty much unaffected.

(There are caveats here: Draft dodging was real, and the threat of the draft may have compelled some men to apply to college to avoid military service. But in general, economists dont find that these practices were widespread enough to make a difference in the data.)

How did the draft hurt the children of the Vietnam generation?

If all this seems a little circumspect, thats because Goodman and Isen are very cautious economists. But lets invoke common sense for a second. If the draft lottery had any effect on later generations, its probably through the unlucky men were pressed into service.

If you want to know the effect of having a dad who went through Vietnam, not just a dad who was draft-eligible, Goodman and Isens data suggest that the disadvantages were pretty huge.

The math works like this: If sons of draft-eligible fathers earn $268 less on average, but only about 13 percent of draft-eligible fathers actually enlisted, then the sons of enlisted fathers are probably earning $2,000 less. Thats assuming the entire effect is contained to those who actually served in the war.

To repeat: A man who enlisted because of the Vietnam draft probably caused his sons to earn $2,000 less a year in 2013. Thats a difference of 5 percent of average incomes. Thats a big deal. These sons were also about 25 percent more likely to join the military. Daughters were affected too, to a much lesser extent.



Those are the facts. Now here come the theories. What about having an veteran father was holding these children back? The economists went through the possible reasons.

First they wondered if there was something to do with the mothers. Maybe the men who were draft-eligible married different kinds of women. But the data showed that these mothers were basically the same in terms of their careers and their disability rates.

Next, the researchers wondered if the differences in earnings had to do with military service. The children of draft-eligible dads were more likely to enlist themselves  and maybe they could be earning more in the private-sector. But thats not a plausible explanation either, because the military pays fairly well. And only a gigantic difference in salaries would cause the differences that Goodman and Isen found in the data.

The only remaining explanations have to do with how these children of the Vietnam war were raised, and in what kinds of environments. Psychological studies have shown that PTSD, which many Vietnam combat veterans suffered from, affects the whole family and can cause behavioral problems in children.

Men returned from Vietnam at a disadvantage. What the draft represented was the government taking away their time  time they could have spent in school or training for a job. Of course, people learn skills in the military too, and there were other benefits of enlistment: money to go to college, preferential hiring for veterans, and the VA healthcare system.

But on balance, economists have found that men who enlisted because of the Vietnam draft started from behind, and took decades to catch up to their peers in terms of wages. During that time, not only were they were earning less, but they also tended to settle in neighborhoods that were less nice. These factors affected how their children were brought up.

That, at least the best guess that the economists have come up with. And it explains why older children were affected more by the draft. They grew up at a time when their veteran fathers hadnt yet built their lives back up. As for why boys were affected more than girls, it may be that boys are more sensitive to the environment where they grow up.

This research has implication beyond veterans and Vietnam.Weve known for a while that theres a strong (and probably growing) correlation between parents circumstances and kids outcomes, Rothstein, the Berkeley professor said.

Goodman and Isens study offers clear proof that government actions  in this case, mandatory conscription  cause ripples that are felt across generations. This should convince politicians to think twice about their actions, and perhaps it changes the cost-benefit calculus. A policy like universal community college, which President Obama has proposed, promises not only to lift up the current generation, but also the next. As the evidence suggests, history has a surprisingly long reach.
BERLIN  Caught up in a melee of drunken revelers outside the Cologne train station on New Years Eve, Caitlin Duncan, a neuroscience student from Seattle, was terrified. She had somehow gotten separated from her German boyfriend, who had both their cellphones and her wallet. Duncan, 27, said that she was quickly surrounded and groped by several young men: One snatched her hat from her head, another tried to kiss her face and neck.

Like many of the hundreds of women who later said they had been assaulted in the crowd, Duncan sought help from police, but said the officers were too busy trying to clear the square. But unlike other victims, whose complaints of attacks by foreigners of North African and Arab descent have ignited new debate about Germanys ability to absorb migrants, Duncan said she was rescued by a group of Syrian asylum seekers.

Amid the swirl of criminal chaos, it seems, there were also acts of chivalry.

As the crowd swelled and grew more unruly, Duncan said, a stranger came up and asked if she needed help. Both of them spoke broken German, so the stranger summoned a friend who spoke English. He was Hesham Ahmad Mohammad, from Aleppo, Syria, who had met up in Cologne for the holiday with six or seven other Syrian refugees scattered around Germany.

The men offered Duncan money for a taxi to her boyfriends parents home: the only address I knew, she said. They would happily have called her boyfriend, Sebastian Samer, but Duncan had relied on speed-dial and could not remember the number. I know theres a lot of 7s, she thought, but thats not helping me right now.

She persuaded the men to form a kind of cordon around her so they could move through the crowd. She described her boyfriend to them, and they eventually found him inside the station. She cried. I was just so relieved, she recalled later.

Ahmad Mohammad, a former primary-school teacher, said he had left Aleppo, a scene of tremendous fighting in the Syrian civil war, in 2014 for Turkey, and had arrived in Germany via the Balkans and Austria in September. He said he had left his wife and two sons in a village near the Syrian-Turkish border and was living in a small town near Cologne with two other Syrians, studying German as he awaited asylum.

He said in a telephone interview on Friday that he and his friends had also felt unsafe on New Years, and blamed bad boys who were drinking, and I think taking marijuana or something. They lost their minds. Now, they worry that Germans and other Europeans are drawing conclusions that will make it harder for new arrivals.

We keep hearing news about refugees all day: They are bad people, they must go back to their home, Ahmad Mohammad, 32, said. When I hear that in the news, I am sad. Because we know that there were bad boys and bad people. But the good people, nobody speak about them.

It took Duncan some days, she said, to realize that hundreds of women had undergone similar ordeals  mostly without her happy ending.

I was surprised that there were so many women that reported being groped, she said. I really didnt see that happen to other people; I was really surprised to learn that it was something bigger.

She and Samer are in touch with her Syrian rescuer at least every couple of days, she said.

Ahmad Mohammad said: My friends and I are very happy because first of all, we help somebody. After that, we have new friends from Germany, the kind of contacts needed, he said, to start life here.

In the end, Duncan said, it turned out really well  even if that was not how I planned to ring in the new year, definitely.
Princesses Niloufer and Durru Shehvar with their husbands Azam Jah and Moazzam Jah waiting to board the ship, The Pilsna, to India. (Copyright: Arvind Acharya; Do not reproduce without permission)

About 12 years ago, Evelyn Pope, the widow of Edward Pope, handed me several suitcases of documents her late husband had preserved from his previous marriage with Princess Niloufer. A graduate of Yale, Edward Pope had intended to make a film on the life of Princess Niloufer. Unfortunately, he fell ill shortly thereafter, and could not fulfil his wish.

When Evelyn Pope met me, she said Niloufers story goes from one Yale graduate to another! and gave me a letter authorising their use for the purpose of a film.

Princess Niloufers letter to Nehru on Mahatma Gandhi's assassination. (Copyright: Arvind Acharya; do not reproduce without permission.)

Evelyn Popes legal heirs have recently assigned me the copyrights of these documents, as well as the rights to display or exhibit them. It is in exercise of these rights that I am revealing a curious and interesting correspondence of Princess Niloufer.

Late last week, the British writer Peter Clark was in Hyderabad. I met him to talk about shared interests in Turkey, West Asia, the Ottoman Empire and the Nizam. Clark was looking for a lost manuscript written by Marmaduke Pickthall. Our conversation went one way and then the other, till we converged on the topic of Princess Niloufer.

Clark told me that Pickthall was present at Princess Niloufers wedding. As I said in my speech at the inauguration of the exhibition on Princess Niloufer last week, the marriage of the Khalifas daughter Sultana Durru Shehvar was finalised with Azam Jah, the elder son of the 7th Nizam of Hyderabad. During the negotiations for the terms of the marriage, it was decided to bring in Princess Niloufer as a bride for the Nizams younger son, Moazzam Jah. The marriages were performed in Nice in southern France and the Khalifa himself performed the role of a Qazi at the wedding.

Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru's written reply to Princess Niloufer (Copyright: Arvind Acharya; Do not reproduce without permission.)

One of the men who signed the marriage certificate as a witness was Maulana Shoukat Ali. To Shoukat Ali goes the credit for arranging the wedding. He was the intermediary and heaved a sigh of relief when the event concluded.

Following the event, the two brides set sail for India. They originally planned to spend some time in Yemen, said Clark, but the plague there deterred them, and they decided to head straight from India. They were on the liner, the Pilsna.

Unknown to them, there was a large delegation travelling from London on the same liner. They were returning from the second Round Table Conference in London. Their star passenger was Mahatma Gandhi. As readers of DC know, Shoukat Ali had led the Khilafat agitation to restore the Khalifa, Abdul Majid, who was also Durru Shehvars father, back on to the throne of Turkey. Gandhi had supported the Khilafat movement and was on very intimate terms with Shoukat Ali.

When Gandhi heard that the Khalifas daughter was on board the ship, he asked to meet them. Gandhi and his group were travelling in steerage (third class). The daughters-in-law of the Nizam, on the other hand, were in First Class. An appropriate compromise was arranged, to meet in the Second Class area.

What transpired at this meeting, no one knows. The two Princesses, Durru Shehvar and Niloufer, were very young, 17 and 15 respectively. I dont know if Princess Durru Shehvar ever recorded this meeting; in the papers of Princess Niloufer of which I have possession and hold the rights, I do not find any mention of this meeting. Clark said Pickthall was present but he chose not to record this event either.

This much is certain. The apostle of non-violence left a deep impression as reflected in a letter, many years later.

It is from Princess Niloufer to Pandit Nehru. On the day the Mahatma was shot dead, Princess Niloufer heard the report on the radio, and read the papers the next day. Deeply troubled, she did not know what to say.

India had just been partitioned and there was trouble everywhere. Was the assassin a lone actor or was there a large conspiracy? What would be the reflection of this event, especially in her Hyderabad, whose name she carried in her title?

As soon as she could, Princess Niloufer wrote Nehru a letter, of which an image is reproduced here. She writes in lucid prose. Her letter is dated February 3, 1948.

It took Pandit Nehru 18 days to write back. Understandably, he was very busy in the aftermath of Gandhijis assassination. When he wrote back, it was the February 21, 1948. Note that it is a handwritten letter.

Acknowledging her letter, Pandit Nehru responded: My dear Princess, Thank you for your letter. It was good of you to write to me.

Continuing on to the next paragraph, Nehru wrote: The great silence has descended upon us and yet it seems full of his presence. It is difficult to realise that he has gone. Unconsciously I think of going to him to consult him about some matter. Perhaps great men never die, even though their body fades away. They become a part of the minds and lives of innumerable people. He closed the letter by saying, I hope it is well with you. It is signed, Sincerely Yours, Jawaharlal Nehru.
One of the people who have joined the Bundy family on a federal wildlife sanctuary in an arid patch of Oregon is an avowed anti-Semite from Ohio. One is an anti-Islamic ideologue from Phoenix.

Another is an online radio host  also from Ohio  who uses terms like Obamislamistan.

Some are militant gun-rights activists, and one is a man who has declared himself to be a judge and plans to convene a citizens grand jury in order to put the government on trial.

When the occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge began on Jan. 2, it was primarily the work of Ammon Bundy, the former rancher, who wants the federal government to relinquish its lands.

But as the protest has dragged on, it has become a magnet of sorts, attracting strands of diverse conservative movements from across the country.

Some are members of the so-called Patriot movement, an umbrella effort of antigovernment activists that includes groups like the Oath Keepers, an organization of law enforcement officers and military veterans, and the 3 Percent of Idaho, which focuses on Second Amendment issues and derives its name from the supposed 3 percent of the colonial population that took up arms against the British.

One of the 3 Percent groups most recent focuses has been fighting the presence of refugees in Idaho.

Local authorities, as well as many local residents, have made it clear that they would like them all to leave.

At first, the logic behind the conflict seemed coherent: the Bundy brothers, sons of the Nevada rancher Cliven Bundy, who made national news two years ago by facing down the government over cattle-grazing fees, wanted the federal government to turn its land holdings over to private citizens and local control. In recent days, however, the protest has metastasized and started drawing a motley cast of fellow travelers.

Some are staying in the rural town of Burns, which is 30 miles from the wildlife sanctuary and the nearest community of any size, and others have shown up at the refuge, armed with their own ideas and weapons.

When you have a high-profile event like this, lots of people want to get in on the action, said Mark Pitcavage, the senior research fellow for the Anti-Defamation Leagues Center on Extremism. It has the ability to draw all sorts out of the woodwork.

Among them is David Fry, a 27-year-old Ohioan who has regularly posted homophobic and anti-Semitic messages on social media. Jon Ritzheimer, who is also camped out with the Bundys, is a Marine veteran from Arizona who drew national attention in May when he organized an anti-Islam protest at a mosque in Phoenix; the mosque had been attended by a pair of Muslim men who opened fire earlier that month at a Draw Mohammad contest in Garland, Texas.

There was also Pete Santilli, the conservative host of The Pete Santilli Show, who roamed about the refuge with a camera on a stick, cheering occupiers and heckling journalists. Santilli spoke on his online radio show last spring about a battle between heterosexuals and homosexuals and once drew scrutiny from the Secret Service after saying he wanted to shoot Hillary Clinton.

At Malheur, he is working alongside people like Bruce Doucette, a computer technician who reportedly plans to seek indictments against federal officials and describes himself as a U.S. Superior Court judge  even though no such office exists.

What were seeing is an amalgamation of a lot of different and disparate strands of the extremist movement converging in one place, said Ryan Lenz, a senior writer for the Southern Poverty Law Center, which tracks and studies extremist groups. Although they all have slightly separate agendas, theyve come together in Oregon because of the same intense resentment of the government.

According to Pitcavage, who has written an analysis of the philosophies behind the occupation, about a third of the protesters in Oregon were motivated, like the Bundys, by land-use issues that have bedeviled the West since the Sagebrush Rebellion of the 1970s. The rest, he said, were drawn from various factions of the Patriot movement.

This coalition first emerged, Pitcavage said, in the crucible of the Bundy ranch standoff in 2014, during which a group of volunteer gunmen assumed positions on a highway near the town of Bunkerville, Nevada, and chased off agents from the federal Bureau of Land Management who wanted to collect grazing fees from Cliven Bundy.

Before the Bundy ranch, Id be hard pressed to think of something similar, Pitcavage said. It was the first major example of militiamen and Sagebrush Rebellion types spending time together and getting to know each other personally. It set the stage for whats happening today.

Some people who have studied such movements say the Oregon occupations new recruits have been encouraged by the inaction of the federal government, which has largely left the matter to be handled by the county sheriff, David Ward.

Federal authorities have so far avoided any confrontation with the occupiers, wary of provoking a shootout.

Theres no question that there is now a brand of success associated with Bundy family standoffs, said Tarso Ramos, the executive director of Political Research Associates, a think tank that studies right-wing movements. And the success of this standoff in surviving so far has emboldened factions that once decried the effort to act in a more confrontational manner.

Ramos pointed to the Oath Keepers, whose president, Stewart Rhodes, issued a statement during the first week of the standoff saying his group would not get involved. Rhodes later changed course, announcing that he would send an Oath Keeper team to Oregon, albeit without long guns or camouflage gear and only to keep the peace.

The Oath Keepers are staying in Burns, not at the wildlife refuge. Well before this protest began, Ritzheimer and Rhodes had a public falling out.

Not everyone agreed that a muted federal response had fueled the growth of the occupation. Pitcavage argued that if the government had cracked down on the Bundys, as it did at conflicts in Waco, Texas, and Ruby Ridge, Idaho, it could easily draw attention to the effort and draw more people like a magnet.

Nor was everyone in Oregon there because of an antigovernment agenda.

I do not understand the culture, said Kristi Jernigan, 44, from Tennessee, who was among the women in the compounds kitchen feeding the occupation. Jernigan said she had little interest in politics and had arrived only to spread love.

Youd be surprised at all the different people here, she said.
FREE NATIONAL PARKS ENTRY Monday is the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday, and the National Park Service will open all its parks and monuments to visit without paying an admission fee. You still have to pay camping and other fees. Personally, Im partial to Joshua Tree National Park, which is about a 2- to 3-hour drive from here. Make sure you visit the Wonderland of Rocks. Learn more: Nps.gov/findapark/feefreeparks.htm. GET INTO A MUSEUM FOR FREE

Do you like museums? On Saturday, Jan. 30, 20 Southern California museums are offering free entry. In Orange County, the Laguna Art Museum and the Orange County Museum of Art in Newport Beach are participating. In Los Angeles, the Autry Museum of the West (which I love because my dad was a cowboy), the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, the Museum of Contemporary Art, the Natural History Museum and others are included. If youre bringing kids, I suggest the Page Museum at the La Brea Tar Pits, which mine always loved, and its next door to the county art museum. There are picnic tables and a park, too. Note that its also L.A. Restaurant Week, so you could combine the two. And get there when they open  they will be crowded. Learn more: Socalmuseums.org/free-for-all.

FREE TAX PREPARATION

If your household income is less than $60,000, you can get free help filing your income taxes from the United Way. And the volunteer preparers will make sure you get the Earned Income Tax Credit if youre eligible, which I can tell you from personal experience is a very nice chunk of change. Free tax prep is provided by 400 IRS-certified tax volunteers at 60 locations in Orange County. To locate a free tax preparation site or to volunteer as a tax preparer, call 888-434-8248. Individuals may also qualify to prepare taxes from home at MyFreeTaxes.com.

FREE BUSINESS ADVICE

Whether you make teddy bears, sell on eBay or want to open your own bank, you can get free help from the Orange County Small Business Development Center. It offers free or cheap seminars on how to be an entrepreneur, where to get financing, the different legal types of businesses, licenses and permits you need, how to use QuickBooks and social media, legal issues and more. Upcoming free classes: how to build a business plan in a day, how to sell more both online and offline, and pros and cons of owning a business. Theres a constant and ever-changing selection. The center is based in Santa Ana, but offers classes all over the county. Go to ocsbdc.com or call 714-564-5200 to learn more.

FREE MLK RINGTONES

In honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, you can download free inspirational ringtones and sound clips, including excerpts from his major speeches. Learn more here: Hark.com/collections/wqhfljbtdw-free-martin-luther-king-ringtones.

CLOSING SALE AT THE AVENUE

The Avenue plus-size ladies fashion store in Cerritos is closing. Most items are 80 percent off, some are 50 percent to 70 percent off. That includes tops, dresses, sweaters, pants and more. Its worth stopping by. Location: 11427 South St. Learn more: 562-860-7426.

DINE L.A. RESTAURANT WEEK

If youre heading up to Los Angeles, check out Dine L.A. Restaurant Week, which starts Monday and runs until Jan. 31. Some 300 restaurants around the county are participating, with discounted, fixed-price menus for lunch starting at $15, and dinner starting at $29. Its a good chance to check out some places that you normally couldnt afford, or have been curious about. Learn more: discoverlosangeles.com.

FREE FLIGHT ON ALASKA AIRLINES

If you fly two round-trip ski trips on Alaska Airlines to destinations including Mammoth Lakes, by Feb. 23, Alaska will send you a coupon good for a third round-trip thats free, except you pay the taxes. Pretty cool deal if you like the white stuff. Other locations include Salt Lake City, Tahoe, Steamboat Springs, Albuquerque, Anchorage, Sun Valley, Calgary and more. You have to join their frequent flier club, but thats free. You must register online at AlaskaAir.com/ski by Feb. 5 to get this deal, and travel by April 30.

FREE KNOTTS BERRY FARM VISIT

Heres a final reminder that Knotts Berry Farms free visit offer for those who work in sworn law enforcement or firefighting will expire on Sunday, Jan. 31. The freebie includes one free guest, and you can buy discounted tickets for others as well. Knotts offers this promotion as a thank you, and also to get guests into the park at a traditionally slow time, so go and enjoy. You need proof of service. Learn more: Call 714-220-5200 or visit knotts.com, and click on the Whats New tab and then the Promotions tab.

FREE MAGIC SHOW IN LAGUNA NIGUEL

Magician Dave Skales wacky show from 7-7:45 p.m. Tuesday night features magic, laughs, lots of audience participation, a live bunny and The Magic Carpet Ride for a grand finale. Location: Laguna Niguel library, 30341 Crown Valley Parkway. Learn more: 949-249-5252.
DAKAR, Senegal  A sense of fear nags at Hauwa Bulama every time she leaves home.

She worries that suicide bombers might be lurking at the vegetable stand where she shops for her six children. They could turn up at the hospital where she takes her relatives. Any woman in a hijab could have a suicide belt under her clothes, she fears. The frequent public announcements to avoid crowded areas in her northern Nigerian city only heighten her anxiety.

You are always afraid, said Bulama, who lives in Maiduguri, a frequent target of the ruthless Islamist insurgent group Boko Haram. When you take your child to be immunized, you dont know who is seated next to you. You dont know who is hiding what.

For Bulama and countless others in northern Nigeria and across the Lake Chad region, the victories scored by President Muhammadu Buharis multinational campaign against Boko Haram since taking office in May have mattered little to their daily lives.

Though the Nigerian military has arrested and killed many fighters  and more crucially, retaken a swath of territory once held by insurgents that is estimated to be as large as Belgium  the gains have come against a backdrop of relentless suicide bombings that, if anything, have escalated.

Nigerias paradox was highlighted recently when Buhari told reporters that technically we have won the war against the group, a statement that many view as premature. Besides the widespread attacks, the United Nations estimates that more than 2.4 million people in the region  half of them children  have fled their villages in recent years and are afraid to return. The more than 200 secondary schoolgirls from Chibok who were abducted in 2014 are still missing, their whereabouts unknown.

To state the obvious, this fight is not over, not in Nigeria or in the neighboring countries, a senior U.S. State Department official said on the condition of anonymity to discuss confidential government assessments. Our contacts with the Nigerians, both on the military and civilian side, made clear they also share the same basic understanding of the facts on the ground: The suicide bombings will continue.

Just four days after Buharis declaration, Boko Haram killed at least 50 people in a bombing in Maiduguri, one in a string of vicious attacks at the end of the year that left more than 100 people dead in all. This week, a suicide bomber killed 12 people in an attack on a mosque in northern Cameroon. Last week, the group killed seven people in an attack on a village in northeast Nigeria. They have used children as suicide bombers and have hidden homemade bombs in vegetable carts.

Obama administration officials and outside experts give Buhari high marks for reinvigorating his countrys corruption-plagued, poorly equipped military and increasing the fight against Boko Haram, steps they say far exceed the efforts of his predecessor, Goodluck Jonathan.

Buhari ordered Nigerian commanders to counter Boko Haram in the countrys northeast, much closer to the actual fighting. Arms, equipment and other supplies are now flowing regularly to troops who once complained that they had been forgotten by their civilian leaders.

Buhari shook up the chain of command, appointing Lt. Gen. Tukur Yusuf Buratai, a native of the northern Borno state, as the army chief of staff. He also made Babagana Monguno, a retired general and another native of the region, his national security adviser. Boko Haram has been driven from nearly two dozen strongholds where it had set up camp.

In my area, I can really say they have tried seriously, said Jimmy Peter, whose family lives in Gombi, a town in Adamawa state where soldiers battled insurgents last year. People have gone back to their homes.

Even more significantly, several officials said, Buhari has bolstered relations with neighboring countries like Chad, Niger and Cameroon, embracing the creation of an 8,700-member regional military to combat Boko Haram. The U.S. government recently gave 24 mine-resistant armored vehicles to Nigerians to help the fight.

The biggest step has been recognizing that they need to work together, that this is bigger than Nigeria and they cannot do it alone, said Carter F. Ham, the retired Army general who led the Pentagons Africa Command until 2013. Thats a bigger pill for the Nigerian military to swallow.

U.S. officials warn that with Boko Haram shifting tactics to offset its lost territory, the threat is different, not inherently diminished.

To counter this, experts argue, the military needs to infiltrate the ranks of Boko Haram, to gather intelligence and stop the suicide bombings.

Orthodox terrorism itself  attacks on urban areas  can only be dealt with by adequate intelligence infrastructure, not by raw military power, said Chris Ngwodo, a Nigerian consultant and political analyst based in Jos. The military is only now beginning to build that capability.
The future of emergency medical services in southernmost Orange County is in flux after state legislators this week rejected two bills designed to allow a stand-alone emergency room in San Clemente.

MemorialCare Health System, which owns Saddleback Memorial Medical Center San Clemente, has proposed to close the 73-bed hospital and replace it with a $40 million outpatient medical campus with advanced urgent care.

Under state law, ambulances cannot deliver 911 patients to such a facility  only to a licensed hospital emergency room. The City Council has declared its intent to preserve critical health care services in town and local physicians organized a group called Save Saddleback San Clemente Hospital.

This week, the Senate and Assembly health committees rejected legislation authored by state Sen. Patricia Bates, R-Laguna Niguel, and Assemblyman Bill Brough, R-Dana Point, that would have allowed MemorialCare continue to operate the ER as a stand-alone in its new facility as a satellite to Saddleback Memorial Medical Center in Laguna Hills.

In a joint statement sent to the Register on Thursday, the legislators said failure of the bills was the clearest indication yet that Sacramento has no plan to deal with the closing of emergency rooms in California.

Closure of the hospital would leave nearly a 40-mile gap in public emergency rooms between Tri-City Hospital in Oceanside and Mission Hospital in Mission Viejo.

San Clemente Mayor Bob Baker, who headed a San Clemente delegation to Sacramento in support of the bills, said the bills sponsors tried to make the terms site-specific, designed to fill a specific geographic San Clemente need.

But other factions saw this as setting a precedent for future proliferation of stand-alone ERs in California, Baker said.

Tony Struthers, administrator at Saddleback Memorial San Clemente, said MemorialCare is continuing to assess its plans for the site, which has seen a serious decline in inpatient bed occupancy.

We remain gravely concerned that it is not feasible to maintain the campus in its current form, in light of its declining use, Struthers said via email.

Save Saddleback San Clemente Hospital maintains that MemorialCare has shifted resources and patients from the San Clemente hospital to Laguna Hills. Dr. Gus Gialamas, co-founder of the group, suggested Thursday that MemorialCare could successfully operate a renovated San Clemente hospital with an ER and outpatient services on the site.

They seem to make it work in their other hospitals, he said. I think they need to invest in our community and give us the hospital we all need.

The save-the-hospital group is promoting a $32 million alternative renovation that would include both a hospital/ER and outpatient facilities.

The fundamental flaw of this plan is that it relies heavily upon inpatient beds, when the number of inpatients has reached a historical low, Struthers said.

Gialamas said that MemorialCare, a nonprofit, needs to commit to our community  my feeling is they are not serious about being our health care partner.

MemorialCare had said last year that it would suspend its plans and wait to see if the legislation allowing a satellite ER would pass. With the bills dead now, Struthers made no mention of any plan to close the hospital.

MemorialCare would need city permits to build a new outpatient campus. The City Council, not wanting to lose the communitys local access to emergency services, is proposing to rezone the 6-acre site to preserve its use as a hospital, with accessory uses like outpatient services also permitted.

We are shocked by the city-initiated proposed zoning amendment and will use all legal remedies to fight this outrageous proposal, Struthers wrote. The current zoning allows for a variety of medical-related uses on the campus. Narrowing this zoning only serves to restrict the available options for meeting the communitys health care needs.

MemorialCare has said that its plan is based on health cares movement toward outpatient services that can offer patients more convenience and lower medical bills.

San Clemente City Manager James Makshanoff said the city is still conversing with MemorialCare and he expects further meetings while pursuing the rezoning.

If our future conversations with MemorialCare are unfruitful, Makshanoff said via email, then we may revisit other providers and sites in town.

The City Council is scheduled to consider the rezoning at 6 p.m. Tuesday at City Hall.

Contact the writer: 949-492-5127 or fswegles@ocregister.com
VIENNA  International inspectors confirmed Saturday that Iran had dismantled large sections of its nuclear program, as agreed in a historic agreement last summer, paving the way for the lifting of oil and financial sanctions by the United States and other world powers.

The announcement came just hours after Iran said it had released four Americans, including The Washington Post reporter, Jason Rezaian, as part of a prisoner swap with the United States. U.S. officials said the two deals were negotiated separately, but Secretary of State John Kerry had made it clear in recent weeks that he was engaged in behind-the-scenes talks on the fate of the Americans, and clearly wanted the issue cleared up before the nuclear agreement went into effect.

In a statement, the director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Yukiya Amano, said that agency inspectors on the ground verified that Iran has carried out all measures required under the JCPOA, to enable implementation day to occur, using the acronym for the accord, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.

In recent weeks, Iran has shipped 98 percent of its nuclear fuel out of the country, destroyed the innards of a major plutonium-producing reactor and mothballed more than 12,000 of the centrifuges that enrich uranium.

For President Barack Obama, the lifting of the sanctions  a step attacked by Republicans in Congress, who voted unanimously against the nuclear deal  is a major step in ending more than three decades of hostility between the two countries. In the waning months of his presidency, it fulfills a promise Obama made to reverse course in the countries relations, and will clearly be one of the defining elements of his legacy.

Irans actions, he has argued, will assure the United States at least a years notice if Iran races to build a bomb, and it ends peacefully a confrontation that led to some of the most severe economic sanctions ever, sabotage of Irans facilities by a U.S.-Israeli cyberoperation and periodic threats of military action if Iran failed to relent. His critics in Congress claim that the effort is dangerously naive, and that Iran will use the roughly $100 billion in frozen assets it will receive to support terrorism and other misadventures and, after a few years, when attention has turned elsewhere, will return to surreptitiously building a nuclear weapon.

The completion of the deal comes at a crucial time for the Iranian government of President Hassan Rouhani, who came to power vowing to get rid of the crippling sanctions and faces a critical parliamentary election at the end of February. Iranian officials raced to dismantle the facilities quickly  U.S. intelligence agencies had estimated it would take far longer  so that they could go to the polls with news that the frozen assets, mostly from oil sales, had been released, and could be used to prop up an ailing, contracting economy.

Facing intense criticism at home from military officials who fought giving up Irans nuclear abilities, Rouhani will also argue that he succeeded in getting lifted the restrictions that kept Iranians from transferring funds with overseas relatives and trading in everything from carpets to crude oil.

He and Foreign Minister Mohammed Javad Zarif have an uphill battle: hard-liners did not want to reach any deal at all. Many were making a fortune from the sanctions, and others viewed the ability to build a nuclear weapon, even if they did not yet possess one, as critical to standing up to Israel and Saudi Arabia, both avowed enemies.

So for the United States, and for Obama, the arrival of implementation day, as it was called in the nuclear accord, represents a huge roll of the dice.

The president and Kerry, with a little over a year left in office, are hoping to foster a new dialogue that will bear fruit in other areas, from ending the war in Syria to moving, slowly, to the eventual restoration of diplomatic relations.

But the past few weeks have been a reminder of the rocky path ahead: Just in the seven months since the deal was signed, Iran has violated a United Nations ban on missile tests  for which the United States has drafted but not announced new sanctions, different from those being suspended on Saturday  and doubled down on its support for Bashar Assad, the Syrian president and, at times, Iranian puppet.

(STORY CAN END HERE. OPTIONAL MATERIAL FOLLOWS.)

At the same time, Irans Revolutionary Guard Corps also released, within 24 hours, 10 U.S. sailors who apparently drifted into Iranian waters inadvertently earlier this week. Obama administration officials said the quick release would not have been possible without the kind of relationship born of the intense diplomacy between Kerry and Zarif. Nor would Saturdays prisoner release, officials argued.

And, of course, the four imprisoned Americans have now been released.

The presidents critics, including several of the Republican presidential hopefuls, say the deal has created a blindness in Washington to everything else: Irans support for terrorism, its imprisonment of dissidents and even some Americans, its meddling in Iraq and Syria and its arms trade. They seized on the imagery of those sailors being held at gunpoint, hands behind their heads, to argue the opposite case, that Iran is running roughshod over the United States.
LOS ANGELES  Southern California air regulators delayed making a decision Saturday on whether to trap and burn leaking natural gas that has persisted for 12 weeks and driven thousands from their Los Angeles homes.

The South Coast Air Quality Management District postponed voting on an order of abatement requiring Southern California Gas Co. to stop the leak until concluding the final phase of the hearing process Wednesday, agency spokesman Sam Atwood said. Its board members must also consider a plan to bring residents more immediate relief by capturing leaking methane and disposing the gas  either by burning it or by using carbon filters  and a proposal by many residents to permanently shut down the massive gas storage field once the leak is stopped.

Atwood said air regulators would approve the plan to trap and burn the gas if it is deemed safe to do so. This past week, the Public Utilities Commission expressed concerns that the damaged well could be vulnerable to an explosion, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said it would assess the safety of burning the gas.

Residents of Porter Ranch have complained about nausea, headaches, nosebleeds and other symptoms that have persisted since the leak at the Aliso Canyon storage field, the largest facility of its kind west of the Mississippi River, was reported Oct. 23.

Gov. Jerry Brown has declared an emergency. Some environmentalists are calling the leak the worst disaster since the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico in 2010 for spewing climate-changing methane.

The company is under orders to pay to relocate about 4,500 families until the problem is fixed.

To stop the leak, the company is drilling a relief well about 8,500 feet beneath the surface, but that isnt expected to finish until March.
For the second time in less than a year, conceptual plans for the Village at Orange show a movie theater replacing stalwart discounter JCPenney at the 45-year-old mall.

Is the department store being squeezed out or is it just another flub on the part of mall owner Vestar, which is capping a monthslong $30 million makeover at the shopping center that serves Orange, Anaheim Hills and Villa Park residents?

Representatives for Vestar, which acquired the 855,728-square-foot mall in 2013, called the document a marketing piece to show would-be tenants.

It is conceptual in nature and is utilized as a business tool to garner interest in the project by perspective tenants, said Jeff Axtell, executive vice president and regional manager. The marketing piece is not representative of any executed lease agreements, and JCPenney remains a valued tenant at The Village at Orange.

Vestar, which also operates the The District at Tustin Legacy and Buena Park Downtown, did not comment further.

Retail mall consultants say these so-called look books are often pie-in-the-sky schematics that underscore the developers intent to woo a certain level of retailers and restaurants.

In the case of Vestar, its listing agents are clearly shooting for tenants that are normally seen in destination malls like MainPlace in Santa Ana and the Brea Mall.

The design plans call for a new state-of-the-art movie theater, as well as an outdoor dining plaza. The 12-plex luxury theater is shown in the footprint of longtime anchor JCPenney, which is not marked or mentioned in the plans.

Other would-be tenants listed in the marketing materials include Bar Louie, Forever 21, Victorias Secret, Hot Topic, Justice, Wahoos Fish Taco, Creamistry, Daphnes California Greek and Blaze Pizza. Bar Louie would fill a prime space left by Todai, an all-you-can-eat Asian-inspired buffet.

Wahoos co-owner Wing Lam said he has no plans yet to open a spot at the mall. Were talking, but nothing has been signed.

Michael Brandon, owner of Newport Beach-based retail restaurant consulting firm Brandon-California, said its not surprising that any mall would shed a big-box retailer for a movie complex.

The trends in malls are experiential retail, he said. You cant download an experience like a movie theater.

With consumers able to buy everything from dresses to deodorant online, commercial real estate experts say mall owners are looking for a new type of anchor  restaurants, hair salons and upscale gyms.

Restaurants will continue to be a social experience that cant be replaced by the Internet, hospitality consultant Jeffrey McNeal told the Register when the luxury mall Pacific City opened late last year.

Brandon, who has brokered retail deals at Pacific City in Huntington Beach and Lido Marina Village in Newport Beach, said landlords are trying to create experiences with a center and not just a place to go buy something.

Fork and knife movie complexes serving gourmet food and alcohol to consumers sitting in reclining seats are massively trendy now, he said.

They are huge. Thats what its all about right now, he said.

When Vestar acquired the Orange mall in 2013, the company said it planned to overhaul the north Tustin Street shopping center, which was last upgraded in 2004. In 2014, the developer secured a $45 million loan to cover the acquisition and significant upgrades.

Construction crews have been working since late last year to revamp various parts of the mall, including its main entrance. Much of the work occurred during the busy holiday season, causing traffic jams in key parking lots.

Amid the changes, the mall has welcomed new tenants, the Habit Burger Grill, Buffalo Wild Wings, Noodles & Company and Home Goods, the household division of TJ Maxx.

Last summer, Vestar had posted conceptual plans on its website showing new tenants such as Forever 21 and a 16-screen movie complex. Like the latest plans, the movie theater was positioned in the JCPenney space.

Representatives of J.C. Penney Co. could not be reached for comment. But last summer, the retailer told the Register it had no plans to close its Orange store.

At that time, a Vestar spokeswoman said the conceptual drawings that showed JCPenney replaced by a movie complex were posted in error. After the inquiry, drawings were removed from Vestars site.

At the same time, Vestar executive Axtell said the mall had no ability to add a theater on our property. He also confirmed neither Vestar nor J.C. Penney Co. owns the JCPenney and Sears properties.

Though J.C. Penney Co. said it has no plans to close in Orange, the Texas-based retailer is shrinking. This week, the company announced plans to close seven stores by April 8. That follows 40 store closures in 2015.

Vestar centers include The Shops at Rossmoor, Costa Mesa Courtyards and Seacliff Village.

Contact the writer: nluna@ocregister.com
Legalizing marijuana means going green, in more ways than one.

Colorado hauled in $76.2 million from taxes on marijuana sales and license fees in 2014. That windfall leaped nearly 71 percent  to about $130 million  in 2015.

Washington state pulled in $41.4 million in taxes and fees in its first 16 months of legal pot sales, and is on track to reap at least $60 million in new tax dollars in the fiscal year that ends in June.

Oregons legal marijuana sales just began in October. The states bean counters estimated new tax revenue would reach $10.7 million in the first two years. But pot sales that very first week surged past $11 million  and those in the cannabis business believe Oregon will haul in three to four times its sober projection when receipts are finally tallied.

All this makes dollar signs shine in the eyes of some Golden State officials. In November, California is likely to follow the lead of Colorado, Washington and Oregon, with several marijuana legalization initiatives vying for the ballot.

Support is lining up behind one initiative in particular, which would pump tax revenue ranging from the high hundreds of millions of dollars to over $1 billion annually into California public coffers, while slashing the cost of prosecuting marijuana cases by some $100 million a year, according to the state Legislative Analyst.

Dubbed the Control, Regulate and Tax Adult Use of Marijuana Act, it would allow those 21 and older to possess up to one ounce of marijuana and cultivate up to six plants; regulate and tax the production, manufacture and sale of pot; and rewrite criminal penalties.

This is it  this will be the year that California, and the United States of America, repeal marijuana prohibition, declared retired Orange County Superior Court Judge Jim Gray, who shocked his then-Republican brethren by declaring the war on drugs a failure and calling for legalization back in the 1990s.

Marijuana is the largest cash crop in California, larger even than grapes, Gray said. It will bring in a lot of revenue to the state, and take away a lot of revenue from street gangs and lots of really bad dudes. Whats to miss here?

Legalized pots $1 billion bounty would boost Californias general fund by almost 1 percent, just like that. California would join the three renegade Western states, as well as Alaska and the District of Columbia, in legalizing marijuana for recreational use. And, as Americas biggest gorilla, California would force the issue onto the national stage in a way that could no longer be ignored in Washington, D.C.

If California votes for legalization  and Massachusetts is another big one people are looking at right now  well have something like one-third of the country saying marijuana is legal for all adults, said Sam Kamin, a professor specializing in marijuana law at the University of Denver, who has been watching the Colorado experiment unfold. That would put a lot of pressure on the federal government to finally change.

The problem: Despite state laws saying marijuana is legal, it remains verboten under federal law. Cannabis is a Schedule I drug under the Controlled Substances Act, lumped with heroin and LSD as a highly addictive drug that has no currently accepted medical use.

In spite of that, more than 20 states  including California  have passed medical marijuana laws on the belief that it does, indeed, have medical efficacy. California kicked it all off in 1996 when voters passed Proposition 215, the Compassionate Use Act, with 56 percent in favor.

The past 20 years of implementation, regulation and enforcement have been extremely problematic and uneven from one end of the Golden State to the other. But recent efforts to standardize the regulation of medical marijuana would be drafted into service by the passing of a state initiative legalizing recreational use of marijuana.

The last time Californians voted on marijuana legalization  back in 2010  they said no, with 53.5 percent voting against.

Critics then and now fear that the drug will get into the hands of minors and lead to more driving under the influence.

But times have changed, and legalization now stands a solid chance of passing, with 55 percent of likely voters saying that marijuana should be legal, according to a poll by the nonpartisan Public Policy Institute of California released last April.

In 2010, only 49 percent of likely voters said the same in pre-election polling. Thats a sizeable six-point increase.

Majority support for marijuana legalization is a consistent finding in our recent polls, and a change from a few years ago that coincides with legalization in other states, said Mark Baldassare, president and CEO of the PPIC.

The fact that marijuana legalization could be a major source of revenue growth and cost savings will be important to fiscally conservative California voters, Baldassare said. Still, there will be many questions about how to implement a new law in the current state and federal context.

Supporters need to gather about 366,000 signatures to qualify the initiative for the November ballot, a task made easier by the half-million dollars that former Facebook president Sean Parker has tossed into the kitty.

It costs about $2 million to $3 million to gather the requisite signatures.

There are lots of good reasons to legalize, but money isnt necessarily one of them, said Kamin, the University of Colorado law professor. Its not going to make you rich, and you dont want the government to become dependent on people smoking pot for revenue.

I just happen to be one of those people who has concluded that the costs of marijuana prohibition are higher than the costs of legalization.

Contact the writer: tsforza@ocregister.com
LOS ANGELES  The Dodgers reached one-year contract agreements with their four remaining arbitration-eligible players Friday  Kenley Jansen, Justin Turner, Luis Avilan and Yasmani Grandal.

The agreements came on the day of the deadline for sides to exchange salary figures. The Dodgers have not had to go to an arbitration hearing with a player since 2007.

Jansen received the largest salary of the four, getting a raise from $7.4 million last season to $10.65 million in 2016. Jansen will be eligible for free agency next fall.

Justin Turner doubled his salary from $2.5 million to $5.1 million.

In his first year of arbitration eligibility, Grandal went from a $693,000 salary in 2015 to $2.8 million.

Avilan will make $1.39 million in 2016.

The signings mean the Dodgers have $198 million committed to 23 players in 2016. That total includes $8.5 million to two players not on the 40-man roster (infielder Erisbel Arruebarrena and outfielder Jose Tabata) and $1.5 million not guaranteed to right-hander Brandon Beachy.

It doesnt include $8 million deferred in Scott Kazmirs contract, $3.5 million owed to the San Diego Padres this season as part of the Matt Kemp trade or a potential $10 million in incentive bonuses if right-hander Kenta Maeda makes 32 starts and pitches over 200 innings.

The Dodgers will also have several players receiving at or near the minimum salary, including Corey Seager, Kike Hernandez and Joc Pederson.
BEIJING  North Korea had detonated a nuclear bomb, and the president of China was urging caution. It was the fall of 2013, and the Norths third nuclear test in seven years, carried out several months earlier, had rattled much of the world.

But President Xi Jinping, in a private meeting with President Barack Obama at Constantine Palace in St. Petersburg, Russia, warned against putting too much pressure on Kim Jong Un, the Norths young, volcanic leader.

A barefoot person does not fear those who wear shoes, Xi told Obama, invoking a Chinese proverb to convey that an impoverished nation like North Korea had nothing to lose by standing up to China and the United States. The conversation was recounted by an American diplomat familiar with the talks, who spoke on the condition of anonymity for fear of angering the Chinese.

Since coming to power in 2012, Xi has pushed the limits of Chinese foreign policy, challenging U.S. influence in the Pacific and using Chinas financial heft to win allies across the globe. But while Xi has taken a tougher approach than his predecessors on North Korea, he has resisted inflicting crippling punishments on the North, an ally for six decades and a valuable counterweight for Beijing to U.S. military might in Asia.

After North Korea conducted its fourth nuclear test last week, world leaders escalated pressure on Xi, who many see as the best hope of reining in Kim. South Koreas president, Park Geun-hye, who has cultivated closer ties to Xi, called on China this week to match its disapproving words about the Norths nuclear ambitions with necessary measures.

But Chinese scholars and officials involved in North Korean policy said that Xi was reluctant to take sweeping action, by cutting shipments of oil and food, for instance, or blocking access to banks. He has not wavered from his view, expressed to Obama in 2013, that destabilizing the North would create chaos in the region, these people said. And he is especially sensitive to the prospect of a reunified Korea backed by the United States, at a time when China is trying to assert its dominance in Asia.

If North Korea becomes an enemy state, it would have plenty of ways to harm China, said Shi Yinhong, a professor of international relations at Renmin University in Beijing. Beijing cannot afford to have North Korea become permanently hostile.

Adding to the complications, Xi, 62, and Kim, who is believed to be 33, have a fraught relationship, according to American, Chinese, and South Korean officials.

Xi has traveled to dozens of countries as president, but he has yet to make the two-hour flight to Pyongyang, the North Korean capital, once a rite of passage for Chinese leaders. Kim declined an invitation to attend a military parade in Beijing in September, and he hastily called off an appearance in Beijing last month by a North Korean pop band.

Yang Xiyu, a former senior Chinese official who oversaw negotiations with North Korea, said the chance of a meeting between the two leaders, which was discussed privately by Chinese officials last year, was now sharply reduced.

The nuclear test will seriously damage the bilateral relationship, Yang said. Xi Jinping has been forced to be more assertive.

While his predecessors welcomed North Korean leaders with the fanfare of Politburo meetings, Xi has kept a distance. Chinese and American officials trace that to his distrust of Kim, whose first nuclear test as supreme leader came in February 2013, just a few months after Xi came to power.

In an unusually public rebuke, Xi warned that no country should be able to throw the world into chaos for selfish gain. Later that year, he imposed sanctions, limiting shipments of materials used in weapons and cutting ties to some North Korean banks, though enforcement was lax.

Xi has made clear to the North that its future lies in economic reform, not military development, and that China will not accept a nuclear state, current and former Chinese and U.S. officials said. Increasingly, he has come to see the North as a liability, at odds with his vision of making China a pre-eminent superpower.

Kim has kept challenging Chinas fundamental interests, policies and the security of the whole northeast of Asia, Shi said.

In a sign of his displeasure, Xi has cultivated better relations with Park, the South Korean president, traveling to Seoul for a state visit in 2014. Those efforts seem in part aimed at undermining U.S. power in Asia. Beijing considers Seoul the weakest link among U.S. allies in the region, said Seong-Hyon Lee, an assistant professor at Kyushu University in Japan.

Privately, officials at the Chinese Foreign Ministry have become more vocal about their distrust of the North and Kim, as unease among the Chinese public about the countrys erratic ally has grown, American diplomats said.

Jon M. Huntsman Jr., who served as the U.S. ambassador to China from 2009 to 2011, said there was a generational divide among Chinese officials about how to deal with North Korea.

The older apparatchiks would defend the North Korean line, he said. The younger ones wanted this issue to go away. Theres no emotional connection, theres no war being waged.

In recent months, Xi extended several olive branches to Kim, concerned that the relationship had deteriorated to the point that Kim might lash out again, American and Chinese diplomats said. In October, Xi dispatched a top official to a military parade in Pyongyang, carrying a letter from Xi extolling Kims achievements, which some officials viewed as a precursor to a meeting between the two leaders.

John Delury, an associate professor at Yonsei University in Seoul, said those efforts showed that Xi could accept Kims leadership of North Korea.

But what he needs and expects from Kim is to show the kind of deference that Korea, a small country, owes China, a great power, Delury wrote in an email. Kim, for his own reasons, refuses to give it.
Hyderabad: The state government will ask the Centre to amend the Right to Education Act to make the 25 per cent quota for poor students in private schools optional. The mandatory quota, which came into force in 2012, has not been implemented.

With the High Court recently ordering the state government to implement the Act from the 2016 academic year, the government, which is citing lack of funds, wants the Centre to relax the norm.

The government contends that there are a sufficient number of state-run schools and there is no need to admit students under the RTE by spending money on private schools.

"The quota will be applicable to students from Class I to VIII. Those who take admissions in Class I this year will be eligible for quota and the financial burden in the first year will be Rs 150 crore, said a senior official of the school education department. In eight years, it will grow to Rs 1,200 crore a year, he said.

Sources said Deputy Chief Minister Kadiam Srihari, who holds the education portfolio, took up the issue with Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao who suggested that the government write to the Centre.

The government has already decided to seek amendment to the RTE Act to do away with the no detention system till Class VIII on the ground that it was leading to drop in education standards in schools as students are getting promoted to higher classes even if they failed annual exams. Now, one more amendment seeking RTE quota exemption will be put forth before the Centre, said the official.
SACRAMENTO  California Gov. Jerry Brown has rejected parole for a man convicted of fatally gunning down a San Diego police officer during a 1978 traffic stop when he was a 17-year-old gang member.

Browns decision late Friday rejected the recommendation in August of a state parole board, which called for the release of Jesus Salvadore Cecena, who is now 54.

Brown said in his written rejection that he acknowledges Cecena was a minor when the crime was committed and that he has worked to improve himself during his years in prison and avoided serious misconduct for decades.

But Brown said negative factors outweigh those considerations.

Mr. Cecena turned a routine stop for speeding into a cold-blooded execution of a beloved police officer who worked earnestly to protect his community, Brown wrote in his decision.

Brown also said Cecena has yet to provide a credible explanation for the crime or sufficiently explore his motives, and that he still minimizes the crime.

I am troubled that Mr. Cecena continues to whitewash the murder of Officer Buggs, Brown wrote. The governor cited an interview last year with a psychologist where Cecena said he killed the officer in a panic when evidence showed he aimed carefully.

Cecena was tried as an adult and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for shooting San Diego officer Archie Buggs, 30, four times during a vehicle stop in the citys Skyline neighborhood in November 1978. Cecena was 17 years old at the time.

His term was later modified, giving him a chance at parole under a state law that allows youth offenders serving life without the possibility of parole to petition for release once they have served at least 15 years.

Cecena was also recommended for parole in 2014, but Brown reversed that decision too.

Information on an attorney for Cecena who could comment on his case was not available late Friday night.
SACRAMENTO  A judge says a man charged with killing two Northern California sheriffs deputies during a daylong rampage is competent to stand trial.

Sacramento County Superior Court Judge Steve White ruled Friday that Luis Bracamontes is mentally fit to assist in his own defense, the Sacramento Bee reported.

Prosecutors in Sacramento and Placer counties are seeking the death penalty if the 35-year-old is convicted in the slayings of deputies Danny Oliver and Michael Davis Jr. in October 2014.

Defense attorneys sought the mental health evaluation, and experts disagreed over whether he is competent.

White set a March 28 preliminary hearing for Bracamontes, who was in the country illegally.

His wife, 39-year-old Janelle Monroy, faces life in prison if she is convicted. She pleaded not guilty to numerous charges Friday.
In the week after Gov. Jerry Browns budget proposal for fiscal year 2016-17 was released Jan. 7, the usual spending suspects have advanced their reasons why they believe the spending plan was too parsimonious with taxpayer dollars. For example, the California Budget & Policy Center decried the continuation of public supports weakened by years of disinvestment.

State Sen. Mark Leno, D-San Francisco, said in a statement, While I appreciate the governors continued conservative approach reflected in his budget, we must discuss the needs of Californians still impacted by the deep cuts of the recession.

Except the disinvestment and deep cuts were declines from abnormally high spending by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger during the mid-2000s, at the height the real-estate bubble, and just before the Great Recession hit hard in 2008.

The problem stems from something I first wrote about in the Register in 2003 during a previous spending cycle downturn. In that case, the excess spending occurred under Gov. Gray Davis during the dot-com boom of the late 1990s, followed by the dot-com bust of a couple years later. The ensuing $20 billion-plus deficits were a big factor behind the recall in 2003 of Davis and his replacement by Schwarzengger.

To give my analysis some new terminology this time, I see the state as having two spending modes:

 Normal Spending: This is when spending for the general fund is less than 6.2 percent of Californians per capita income. Basically, this is the spending load that taxpayers cumulatively can bear.

 Spiked Spending: This happens when spending for the general fund soars above the 6.2 percent level. At such times, inevitably when recession hits, and the state just cant bear the burden of the excess spending, revenue drops sharply, and the ratio goes back below 6.2 percent. Usually taxes temporarily are increased to try to keep funding higher.

Some examples: From the fiscal year budgets of 1985-86 to 1991-92, the ratio averaged 6.5 percent, a clear case of what I call Spiked Spending. Then recession hit, revenue plunged, and the ratio dropped as well, to a Normal Spending average of 5.8 percent from the 1992-93 to 1998-99 budgets. Gov. Pete Wilson and the Legislature also increased taxes $7 billion a year from 1991-94. Davis came into office in 1999.

Incredibly, at that time Davis and the Legislature then boosted spending 15 percent per year for two years in a row, 1999-2000 and 2000-01, blowing all the dot-com dividends. The new Spiked Spending ratio soared back to an average of 6.5 percent, from 1999-00 to 2003-04, bringing on the deficits.

For his first budget in 2004-05, Schwarzenegger briefly kept his 2003 campaign promise to terminate the crazy deficit spending. The ratio dropped to a Normal Spending level of 6 percent.

But then, repeating Davis mistakes, Arnold pumped up the spending again, with back-to-back increases of 15 percent and 10 percent. From 2005-06 to 2007-08, the ratio soared to a Spiked Spending average of 6.6 percent, even higher than during the Davis years. In 2009, after the economic crash produced $20 billion-plus deficits, Arnold and the Legislature increased taxes by a new record $11 billion.

The economic crash brought that level back down to Earth. For Arnolds last three budgets, 2008-09 to 2010-11, the average was a Normal Spending level of 5.7 percent.

Browns five enacted budgets, 2011-12 to 2015-16, all have been in a prudent Normal Spending range, with the ratio averaging 5.5 percent. His new proposal for 2016-17, which begins July 1, is 5.7 percent. The $7 billion tax increase Brown enacted with Proposition 30 in 2012 actually was a cut from the $11 billion Schwarzenegger tax increase.

So the restoration of Normal Spending already has occurred. Calls to end disinvestment and refinance the deep cuts of the recession, if heeded, actually would shove the state back into Spiked Spending territory, with inevitable catastrophic results.
SANTA ANA  A Huntington Beach driver who killed a bicyclist while high on heroin was sentenced Friday to 15 years to life in prison during an emotional hearing in which loved ones recalled how the victim was left to die on the side of a busy roadway.

Family members sobbed as they described the emotional wounds still fresh from the death of 30-year-old Shaun Eagleson, who on Oct. 19, 2014, was struck while riding on Pacific Coast Highway in Newport Beach by a vehicle driven by 24-year-old Neil Storm Stephany.

Eaglesons wife, Sandra, wept as she described how the two would have celebrated their 10-year anniversary next month, which they were planning to spend with family in Hawaii, renewing their vows on the beach.

Instead, I am here alone, afraid and broken, Sandra Eagleson said, describing Stephany as the person who selfishly killed the man of my dreams.

Sandra Eagleson told the judge that she and her husband had been planning to have their first child, after years of believing she was physically unable to give birth. Sandra read to the court a letter she wrote to her unborn child, leaving many in the audience in tears.

In the letter, Sandra recalled sitting next to her husband at the hospital, pleading for him not to die.

He was gone forever, and so are you, Sandra read, referring to the child they would never have. You both slipped out of my hands and into the darkness.

Shaun Eaglesons family described him as an avid outdoorsman with an energetic and loving personality and a tireless work ethic. They were particularly angered by Stephany fleeing from the scene of the crash.

Shaun deserved so much more than that. He loved life, said his mother, Sylvia Zaldivar. I hate (Stephany) for what he did to my son and my family.

About a dozen bicyclists are killed on Orange County roads each year. In Newport Beach alone, four cyclists were killed in the years leading up to Eaglesons death, two in 2012 and two in 2013.

Stephany did not speak during the hearing. But in a letter he wrote to the family, Stephany indicated that he is truly sorry for the anguish he caused Eaglesons relatives, and indicated that he takes full responsibility for my actions, as they have been quite selfish.

The morning of the fatal collision, Stephany admitted taking a hit or heroin, as well as two drugs he had been prescribed to help with the effects of heroin withdrawal.

Shortly before 5 p.m., drivers began calling police to report seeing Stephany weaving erratically across multiple traffic lanes and into the path of oncoming traffic on Pacific Coast Highway. As he sped through Newport Beach, Stephany apparently veered into the bike lane, hit a guardrail and drove into Eagleson, who had nowhere to go to avoid the collision.

Stephany fled before police arrived, only to be stopped and taken into custody a short distance away. Prosecutors allege that Stephany drove off after seeing witnesses walking toward his vehicle, while his defense attorney contended that Stephany believed he had only hit a parked car, not a person.

Stephany already had a DUI on his record from 2011, when he was formally warned by the court that if he continued to drive under the influence and killed someone, that he could be charged with murder.

Stephanys attorney, Brian Gurwitz, argued that due to his altered mental state, Stephany did not consciously disregard the previous warnings he had been given about the dangers of driving while intoxicated. Deputy District Attorney Jennifer Walker countered that Stephany made the decision to use heroin and the decision to drive.

An Orange County Superior Court jury convicted Stephany of second degree murder.

Gurwitz noted that Stephany has cooperated with authorities and the court.

He has done everything possible to show remorse, the attorney said. Some degree of mercy is appropriate here.

Superior Court Judge Gary S. Paer decided that a lengthy prison term was needed.

Shooting heroin and getting into a car after being through several rehabs and after being warned of the consequences is mind blowing, the judge said.

Yes, Mr. Stephany (you) did not set out to kill again that day, but when you act with such disregard for the safety of others, this can happen.

The judge also noted that the fatal crash took place on a heavily trafficked road, and could easily have resulted in other injuries or deaths.

Its hard to believe such an ugly event can happen at one of the most beautiful places in the county, Paer said.

Contact the writer: semery@ocregister.com
The tour boat company that left a missing scuba diver behind off Catalina Island lost the right to conduct business in California nearly four years ago due to tax issues, according to state records.

Sundiver International Inc. of Long Beach has unfiled tax returns and $3,991 in unpaid taxes, according to the Franchise Tax Board. Records show the tax board suspended Sundiver International on Feb. 1, 2012.

When a company is suspended, they are not supposed to be engaged in any business, said Melissa Marsh, a Los Angeles attorney who helps revive suspended companies. They are not allowed to collect any money. The banks have a right to close their accounts.

Suspended businesses also are not allowed to defend themselves in court, according to state code. That restriction could become particularly troublesome for Sundiver owners after what happened on Dec. 29.

That morning, Laurel Silver-Valker of Tustin went diving for lobsters off the coast of Catalina Island with Sundiver Express.

The boat left the dive site without realizing Silver-Valker wasnt on board, according to Sgt. Dave Carver with the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department. The Sundiver Express returned to search for Silver-Valker, Carver said, but was unable to find her and notified the Coast Guard.

Authorities have been searching for Silver-Valker since that day, but havent found her. Sundiver left a diver behind once before, off Newport Beach in 2004. That diver, Daniel Carlock, in 2010 won a lawsuit against Sundiver and operator Ocean Adventures for $1.68 million.

Sundiver International previously operated as Sundiver Inc., under owner Ray Arntz.

Sundiver Inc. was also suspended by the Franchise Tax Board on May 1, 2008, for unfiled tax returns, state records show. So was Sundiver Charters LLC on March 3, 2014.

Arntz, whos still registered with the state as Sundivers president and CEO, did not respond to requests for comment on this story.

An Oct. 8 post from Arntz on the companys Facebook page said he was passing the company reigns to Kyaa Heller, whos listed on state documents as the corporations secretary.

In the interest of seeing Sundiver International develop as a cohesive unit, I would like to announce that Captain Kyaa Heller will be assuming responsibility for management of operations, the post from Arntz reads. She will be the point of contact for all business related activity. I wish her well in this difficult and challenging part of our business.

Heller declined to speak with the Register.

When corporations are suspended, Marsh said, companies cant legally transfer any assets or ownership. Also, individual leaders could be personally liable for any lawsuits brought against the suspended business, Marsh said, since the corporate shield is gone.

While Sundivers business privileges were suspended, the companys boat Sundiver Express  which Silver-Valker dived from Dec. 29  is certified to operate under the U.S. Coast Guard through Nov. 30, according to agency records. Coast Guard reports dating back to 2011 only show minor maintenance issues that were addressed and a non-serious injury during a June 28 incident near the same Catalina Island cove where Silver-Valker went missing.

Weather permitting, Carver said dive crews will be back out Sunday to continue the search for the 45-year-old mother of two.

Contact the writer: 714-796-7963 or bstaggs@ocregister.com
TAIPEI  Her supporters held up their mobile phones, flashlights on, to embody the campaign motto Light Up Taiwan. Tsai Ing-wen, who hopes to become Taiwans first woman president after Saturdays election, stood before tens of thousands of flag-waving, cheering and adoring fans at her final campaign rally.

This election is not about beating anyone, it is about beating the difficulties this country is facing, she said Friday night. We are only one step away from a new era.

Behind her loomed the tower of the presidents office, where she hopes to rule as the most powerful woman in the Chinese-speaking world. Beside her on stage, young people stood to symbolize the new era she hopes to inaugurate.

On the surface, this is an election all about the economy, and current President Ma Ying-Jeous failure to breathe life back into of Asias former economic tigers. But dig a little deeper, and this is a vote that sees Taiwan finding its feet after two decades as a democracy, and starting to reimagine itself as a nation quite separate from its communist big brother across the Taiwan Strait.

Opinion polls predict a crushing defeat for the ruling Nationalists, or Kuomintang (KMT), their candidate Eric Chu Li-luan trailing far behind Tsai in the presidential race.

For eight years, Ma and KMT had promised that improved ties with China would help to rescue Taiwans ailing economy: Closer integration has indeed helped trade and tourism to boom, but the benefits of Mas open door policy have not been widely shared, and the economy as a whole is thought to have barely expanded by 1 percent last year.

This election is still about the economy, but there is a flavor of cross-strait relations and even identity embedded in it, said Eric Yu Chen-hua, an associate research fellow at the Election Study Center of National Chengchi University.

People dont trust that Mas open door policy with China will boost Taiwans economy, he said.

Tsai made no such promises, focusing her campaign resolutely on domestic concerns, on employment and housing, on modernizing the economy, and forming a government that is closer to the people.

If Im elected president, Ill make peoples voice the foundation of policymaking, she said as rousing music swirled in the background and spotlights probed the sky. Democracy is not just an election, it is our daily life.

Usually described as bookish and soft-spoken, the woman known affectionately as Dr. Tsai, or Little Ing, looked confident and relaxed. In the crowd, 50-year-old businesswoman Fang Yang-ping struggled to fight back tears.

I dont know what to say, I am so touched and excited, she said. What she said totally reflects what we want.

Yet even if Tsai did not mention China in her closing speech, Taiwans powerful neighbor still looms like a shadow over this election.

Beijing still views Taiwan as part of its territory and threatens to use force if it ever declares independence. It has found a degree of accommodation with the KMT after both sides agreed, in 1992, on the idea that there was one China, even though they disagree on who the nations rightful rulers are.

Tsai, though, wants to maintain the status quo of de facto independence: The DPP wont endorse the one China principle because that would mean renouncing any possibility of eventual, formal independence.

How Beijing would react to a Tsai presidency is one of the big unanswered questions going into Saturdays vote, and it is question the KMT has tried to ruthlessly exploit, warning of chaos and catastrophe, of economic fall-out and security risks should Tsai win.

It is important people make a wise decision tomorrow, the KMTs Chu told reporters Friday. I believe that both sides of the Taiwan Strait, the United States and the whole world are looking for a peaceful relationship between Taiwan and China. My election can give everyone confidence.

Yet that argument seems to have had little sway with voters. Thats partly because many had grown uncomfortable with Taiwans growing dependence on China under Ma, partly because they trust Tsai to handle cross-strait relations sensibly, but also because her likely victory would reflect a fundamental shift in the way Taiwanese people think of themselves, experts say.

More and more, the people of this island think of themselves not as Chinese people, nor even so much as both Taiwanese and Chinese, but as exclusively Taiwanese, polls show.

It is a process that really got under way after Taiwan became a democracy, and that has accelerated as ties with China have blossomed under Mas presidency.

The more contact people have had with China, the more they feel: Chinas great, but its just not us,  said Nathan Batto, an assistant research fellow at Academia Sinica in Taipei.

At the root of this shift lies the two nations very different histories in the 20th century, their different cultures and fundamentally different political systems, Batto said.

Democracy is a core part of Taiwans political identity now, he said.

At Tsais rally, some openly declared their desire for an independent homeland, like 40-year-old white-collar worker Celine Chen. I want the whole world to know that we are Taiwan, we are not China, she said.

Yet others prefer the middle ground that Tsai has so far chalked out.

Tsai is an intelligent woman, said Gine Shuen, a 37-year-old teacher. Although she is the leader of the DPP, she doesnt insist on separating Taiwan from China, nor on making Taiwan too close to China. She keeps an open mind, wants communication and has a tolerant attitude, which is the best way to deal with the cross-strait relationship.
When is a temporary tax really temporary? For Californians, almost never.

In 2012, the voters of California approved Proposition 30s temporary increases in our states personal income and sales taxes. The sales tax increase will expire at the end of this year. The personal income tax increases, on individuals earning more than $250,000, are supposed to expire two years after that.

Two initiatives have been proposed for the ballot this November to extend the increase in the personal income tax: one (sponsored by the California Teachers Association) continues them until 2030, the other (sponsored by the Service Employees International Union and the California Hospital Association) makes them permanent.

Gov. Jerry Brown this month announced his budget for 2016-17. That budget includes revenue from the temporary higher taxes. The personal income tax now provides more than two thirds of the states revenue, and a substantial part of that is due to capital gains which, unlike the federal income tax law, are taxed as ordinary income in California.

The governors budget message includes a warning about the great volatility of the personal income tax, due to the variability in Californians capital gains, which stood at $130 billion in 2007, dropped to $30 billion in 2009, and returned to $130 billion last year. It was because of the volatility in state revenue caused by these capital gains swings that Californians approved a rainy day fund by initiative in 2014.

The governors budget wisely provides for $2 billion more for the states rainy day fund than the rainy day fund initiative required. Eventually, that fund is supposed to top off at 10 percent of Californias annual general fund revenue, approximately $12 billion. If Gov. Browns budget is enacted by the Legislature, the fund level will rise next year to over $8 billion, two-thirds of the way to its goal. If the Legislature rejects Browns proposal, then the fund will be at $6 billion, still up from its present $4.45 billion.

In addition to extending the higher tax brackets, the CTA initiative adds an even higher bracket for those making more than $5 million a year and exempts the additional revenue from the prudent requirement of setting some aside for the rainy day fund. The SEIU-CHA version requires some contribution from the increased revenues to the rainy day fund, but not as much as would otherwise have been required. The CTA initiative follows current law in leaving more than half the new revenue to be used for any purpose the Legislature wishes.

The SEIU-CHA version suspends the formula that determines how much of any new revenue goes to K-14 education, giving those schools a flat 45 percent of the new revenue instead, and almost all of the rest to Medi-Cal. Thus neither is guaranteed to spend a majority of the new money for K-14 schools. (This, however, will not deter those campaigning for the tax increase from claiming it is for K-14 education. That was the winning argument in 2012 for the Prop. 30 temporary tax increases.)

The governors budget devotes substantial attention to the fact that California has a huge unfunded obligation to pay health benefits to retired state workers: over $71 billion. Nor has the state yet adequately provided a reserve for retired teachers pensions, over $72 billion. Although the state has begun to address the cost of pensions for new employees, it still carries a liability of $43 billion for existing retirees and employees. While not fixing these deficits, Gov. Brown at least identified these already incurred obligations in his budget message. Addressing them should come before net new spending.

However, it is hard to resist taxing someone else to pay for your own new benefits. Either initiative would generate about $10 billion a year  enough to increase state spending by about 9 percent. The sponsors of the initiative will claim that only the wealthy will pay, and its about time they paid their fair share, anyway. (The top 3 percent of Californians, by income, already pay more than 50 percent of the entire state income tax, but that fact will not dampen enthusiasm for the fair share argument.)

In 2012, Gov. Brown promised that his tax increases would be temporary. He is now being pressured to go back on his word. If he does recant, he should demand in return that the initiatives be recast, so that the rainy day rules apply and that additional revenue goes to pay down the accumulated existing obligations of the state pointed out in his budget message, rather than feeding the Legislatures spending machine.

Tom Campbell is dean of the Fowler School of Law at Chapman University. He was California Director of Finance, 2004-05 and author of the automatic budget balancing mechanism proposed in Gov. Arnold Schwarzeneggers 2006 budget. These views are his own.
Two Orange County aerospace manufacturers will get millions of dollars in tax breaks under a California program to boost industrial energy efficiency.

GKN Aerospace Chem-tronics, a Santa Ana company, is avoiding $10 million in sales tax on $119 million worth of equipment to make titanium parts for Boeing 737 engines. The material, fashioned in a honeycomb design, allows engines to run at higher temperatures, thus improving fuel economy.

Similarly, Rolls-Royce High Temperature Composites, a Huntington Beach company, will get a tax break of $734,898 on $8.7 million in purchases of precision machinery for ceramic composite engine parts.

The states sales tax exclusion program, enacted five years ago, authorizes up to $100 million a year to support projects that cut energy use and greenhouse gas emissions.

As efforts ramp up to boost the fuel efficiency of aircraft, Californias aerospace industry  in fierce competition with overseas rivals  has been able to benefit from the program.

The financial incentives help to ensure that California is the base for precision manufacturing, said California Treasurer John Chiang in statement announcing the awards last month. The tax breaks, he added, support jobs and a cleaner environment.

The state has adopted a goal of cutting carbon emissions 40 percent below 1990 levels by 2030, as scientific evidence mounts on global climate disruption caused by burning fossil fuels.

The latest batch of awards also included $39 million in tax breaks to Palo Alto-based Tesla Motors, the electric car maker, for the purchase of $464 million in goods. Another beneficiary was Millennium Space Systems, an El Segundo satellite manufacturer, which will get $361,000 in tax breaks on $4.3 million in purchases.

Tesla has come under fire for a swath of federal and state tax incentives it has garnered to build luxury-priced cars, but California officials see electric vehicles as a key growth industry. Other states are competing for the business, offering their own subsidies to lure electric car manufacturing.

The two Orange County aerospace projects are not the first local initiatives to gain approval from the program, which is administered by the California Alternative Energy and Advanced Transportation Financing Authority under the treasurers office.

In 2014, the program awarded $1.6 million in tax credits to Anaheim Energy LLC for $19 million in equipment for an anaerobic digester at Republic Services, a local waste recycler. The biogas produced will be used to run the facility, with the excess sold to Anaheim Public Utilities.

Another 2014 approval was for $591,926 in tax breaks to Bowerman Power LFG, a subsidiary of Montauk Energy Holdings, on the purchase of $7 million in biogas plant equipment.

The company is building a $60 million facility to capture and convert to electricity the methane emitted by garbage at the giant Frank R. Bowerman landfill in Irvine. The plant will sell the power, enough to serve about 18,500 homes, to the city of Anaheim.

In all, 85 current projects are in the state pipeline for $340 million in tax benefits.

The awards are calculated based on an average California sales tax rate of 8.42 percent and companies have three years from the date of the award to use the credits.

GKN Aerospace Chem-tronics did not answer calls as the company is closed on Fridays. At Rolls-Royce High Temperature Composites, President Andrew Lazur emailed he was unable to respond before deadline.

Contact the writer: mroosevelt@ocregister.com; Twitter @MargotRoosevelt
Rachel Buffett has been accused of playing a role in her ex-fiancees grisly double murders, but in an interview with Dateline NBC on Friday night, she says she had nothing to do with the killings.

Im innocent and thats what hurts me most in this whole situation is theyre trying to say Im something Im not, said Buffett, 28, in an interview with correspondent Josh Mankiewicz.

Fridays Dateline episode Plot Twist, revisited the high-profile Orange County case of Daniel Wozniak, a 31-year-old Costa Mesa community theater actor, who was convicted in December of killing two Orange Coast Colleges students, Samuel Herr, 26, and Juri Julie Kibuishi, 23, in a bizarre plot to steal money in May 2010.

On Monday, a jury deliberated for just over an hour before recommending that Wozniak be sentenced to death.

An actress and former Disneyland princess, Buffett, 28, has pleaded not guilty to felony charges of being an accessory after the fact and lying to Costa Mesa police detectives. She is due back in court Friday for a pre-trial hearing.

RELATED: The Registers Inside the Snitch Tank site

Among other allegations, prosecutors said Buffett lied to detectives about a third man being with Wozniak and Herr on the day Herr was killed.

In her interview Friday, Buffett said she doesnt remember telling police that she specifically saw a third person and was only under the impression that there was a third person.

Buffett said she only learned of the killings when Wozniak told her over the phone from his jail cell, and was speechless when his elaborate scheme was revealed.

Mankiewicz, however, raised questions about Buffetts seemingly calm behavior as shes seen on tape talking with Wozniak in a police interrogation room. He noted that authorities believe Buffett is lying to them.

If police or prosecutors tell us, That was all a setup between the two (Wozniak and Buffett) of them. They were a couple of actors and they were reading lines, thats what? Thats bull? Mankiewicz asked.

Buffett replied: Thats bull, yeah.

In the episode, Costa Mesa Police Lt. Ed Everett said he believes Buffett played a role in the crimes but does not have enough evidence to prove it.

Shes a better actor than Daniel, he said.

Prosecutors said Wozniak was broke and had no money to pay for his wedding when he plotted to kill Herr, an Army veteran, and steal the $60,000 in savings he had earned from combat service in Afghanistan.

On May 21, 2010, Wozniak lured Herr to the Joint Forces Training Base in Los Alamitos, and then shot and killed him. The actor returned the next day and cut off Herrs head, hand and forearm and tossed the body parts in Long Beachs El Dorado Park.

That evening, Wozniak took the stage as the lead in the musical Nine at the Hunger Artists Theatre Co. in Fullerton.

In an attempt to throw police off his trail, Wozniak used Herrs cellphone to lure Kibuishi to Herrs apartment. Prosecutors said Wozniak then shot and killed her and pulled her pants down to make it look like Herr had killed Kibuishi and sexually assaulted her.

Police arrested Wozniak at his bachelor party at a Huntington Beach sushi restaurant, two days before his wedding.

He later confessed to the killings in videotaped interviews.

In the trial, Wozniaks defense attorneys argued that he was manipulated by Buffett, who they said had a role in the crimes.

Contact the writer: kpuente@ocregister.com
New Delhi: Pledging to ease regulations to encourage start-up businesses, the government on Saturday indicated lowering long-term capital gains tax for new ventures in the Budget for the next fiscal.

Government in the Budget next month will announce a friendly tax regime that will encourage setting up of startups in the country, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said.

"We have already worked upon an entrepreneur-friendly taxation regime. There are some steps, which can be taken up by notifications, which would be taken forthwith. Others require legislative provisions, which can only come as part of the Finance Bill when Budget is presented in order to create a friendly taxation regime for startups," he said at the Start Up India conference here.

Read: Prime Minister to launch 'Start-Up movement' today

Recognising the need to encourage startups, a fund was suggested in the Budget last year, he said. He assured the startups that both the banking system and the government will make the resources available to them. Besides Start Up, the Finance Minister said the government will launch Stand Up India scheme under which, bank branches will lend to entrepreneurs belonging to SC/STs and women.

"On Independence Day Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) announced the Stand Up India scheme. The Stand Up India would be separately launched. It is a programme, which envisages women entrepreneurs and entrepreneurs belonging to the SC, STs (to get funding from banks). These were the segments, which were not throwing up entrepreneurs.

"Each bank branch, public sector or private sector, would actually adopt one in the SC/ST category and one in the women category. So they will adopt two such entrepreneurs and fund them to set up establishments," he said. By funding trading or manufacturing establishment of this segment, almost 3,00,000 new entrepreneurs over the next two years will be created, he said.

To promote start-ups, the Finance Minister said the government is easing the process of doing business.

"Another very significant difference of what makes it a landmark event is a final break or the ultimate break that you have with the conventional licence raj of India," he said.

"We did well to break off from it in 1991 but it was only partial. It was partial because who would be funded there was an invisible role of state, control over land permissions, foreign investment proposal and of course unless the political nods came to venture into newer areas which involved a lot of capital, a lot of energy going into it and an entrepreneur or investors was normally reluctant," he said.

Emphasising that the government has limited potential to create jobs, Jaitley said, the private sector has its own challenges.

"The private sector own expansion itself is throwing up a challenge because they have over-stressed themselves and their stress in turn gets reflected on our banking system, something which the RBI and the govt working in tandem, and over the next few months are going to add to the bankers ability to improve and be able to lend with a greater amounts," he said.

Under these circumstances, the government had to explore new areas and it is among those newer areas that it conceived of the MUDRA scheme. Pradhan Mantri Micro Units Development Refinance Agency (MUDRA) Yojana that government conceived of, is intended to target 25 per cent of the bottom part of India's population.

"So people get loans from refinance agencies, public and private sector banks and other agencies. Earlier, they were being exploited by lenders at very high rates and now they get at bank rate and I must say the programme has been reasonably successful. In the last 4-5 months, almost 1.73 crore entrepreneurs have been enabled with loans," he said.

He expressed hope that the figure would be significantly higher by the end of this financial year. "We are going to roll over that programme year after year and smaller entrepreneurs are being created by that process," he added.

On the economy, Arun Jaitley observed that India has its own challenges despite being the fastest growing large economy in the world. "Unquestionably, the world economy has slowed down. Now we can take a limited satisfaction that even in a crisis like situation in the world, we are growing much faster. The world recognises us as probably the fastest growing among the major economies, but then we are not without our own challenges," he said.

"We are fully conscious of the adverse situation in which we are. We are struggling to keep respectable growth rate (despite) certain advantages like we have a booming services sector, we have a manufacturing sector slowly growing, we have increased our public spending, we have opened our doors wide enough and foreign investment is coming in a big way, at least in the urban areas we can see an increasing demand," he said.

These are the engines that are keeping this growth rate alive, he said. Talking about headwinds to economic growth, the finance minister said, slow agriculture production due to weak monsoon and subdued private investment are a few challenges.

"If you look at the direction in which the conventional global economy is moving today, we almost are moving from a crisis situation literally by the day. Nobody really can envisage looking down the tunnel as to what the situation of the world economy, one year or two year from now is going to be. Nobody can seriously predict as to what the emerging challenges down the few months are going to be," he said.

"Earlier crisis like situation came once a decade, today it may emerge twice in a day. You may have the impact of Chinese economy and their currency on one part of the world and you may have the oil prices striking you at the other part of the world and you will have a global impact simultaneously of these challenges," he added.
RIO DE JANEIRO (AP)  Researchers have found the strongest evidence so far of a possible link between a mosquito-borne virus and a surge of birth defects in Brazil, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said.

The health agency said evidence of the dengue-like Zika virus was found in the placentas from two women who miscarried and the brains of two newborns who died. Those who were born had small heads, a rare condition known as microcephaly.

"The evidence is becoming very, very strong of the link between the two," said Dr. Lyle Petersen, director of mosquito-borne diseases at the CDC.

Finding the virus present in brain tissue is "very significant," he said.

Petersen warned that the link is not yet definite and said that a team of CDC investigators is traveling to Brazil in a few weeks to conduct more studies and learn what risks face pregnant women. "It's possible that there may be some other co-factors involved."

Zika is spread by the same Aedes mosquito that can carry dengue and chikungunya. There are no known cases of people contracting the virus in the U.S. mainland, though it has been seen in retrning travelers. Puerto Rico reported its first case of Zika two weeks ago, and 13 countries in Latin America have also seen infections.

The virus is related to dengue but until recently was thought to have only mild symptoms. It was first detected in humans in Uganda decades ago, but there had never been reports of links between the virus and brain malformations until recent months.

However, Brazil is experiencing the largest known outbreak of Zika, so it's possible that a rare birth defect simply didn't appear in previous smaller outbreaks, Petersen said.

"This is quite unique for this type of virus," Petersen said. Mosquito-borne viruses generally don't lead to neurological problems.

"I don't think anybody has any idea how Zika is crossing the placenta into these fetuses, or why Zika is doing it and other closely related viruses like dengue don't," said Scott Weaver, director of the Institute for Human Infections and Immunity at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, Texas.

Dr. Ernesto Marques, an infectious diseases researcher at the University of Pittsburgh who is also studying Zika and the birth defects outbreak in Brazil, said he is finding so far that a very small percentage of pregnant women who reported Zika symptoms gave birth to babies with microcephaly.

He said a problem facing epidemiologists is the lack of labs that are able to test for Zika. Marques said estimates that the country had between 440,000 and 1.3 million cases of the virus in 2015 are not reliable.

"It needs to be better diagnosed. We don't know many, and we need a better response," he said.

Brazilian health authorities have said there's no question Zika is behind the birth defects. The Health Ministry said late Tuesday that 3,530 babies have been born with microcephaly in the country since October. The number was less than 150 in 2014.

Now the government finds itself with a growing number of children with mental retardation concentrated in one of the poorest regions of the country in the northeast.

On Wednesday, Alberto Beltrame, national secretary of health care, said the government would invest $163 million to provide care and physical and speech therapy to those babies through the first three years.

Beltrame said the government wants to train more than 7,500 physical therapists, doctors and psychologists in techniques to help develop motor and language skills in infants and toddlers with microcephaly.
CHICAGO  Nate King, 23, came to Chicago in search of an adventure. Timothy Englert, 25, wanted to pursue a career in improv.

From the same small town in New Hampshire, the two moved out of their parents homes. They stuffed their belongings into Englerts car last spring and came, hoping for new opportunities. The only problem: Neither had a job, and neither had a place to live.

A lot of the places fell through when they found out that we didnt have jobs, Englert said. Youre a leper if you dont have a job.

With help from a local realty company, they signed a lease in the Logan Square neighborhood. The price was right, but its a steep climb to get to their unit: Like a growing number of people, they settled on an attic apartment.

As apartment demand has increased since the Great Recession, economists say, more landlords are converting unused spaces such as attics and basements to house tenants. A growing number of people are choosing to rent, and some are even willing to turn a blind eye to illegally converted units in favor of an affordable place in a hip neighborhood.

Theres been a surge in attic apartments, said Karla Mina, residential real estate broker with Coldwell Banker. The millennials cant afford to buy because theyre graduating and dont have jobs, and they dont qualify for a loan.

Mina said people coming out of foreclosures and short sales also are entering the renters market, making competition fierce.

People are getting creative with the way they use their property, Mina said. Everyone is trying to rent.

Englert and King pay $1,200 for their two-bedroom, one-bath apartment. Utilities are included.

It was hard to tell from the pictures that it was an attic apartment, but the first thing I noticed was the number of stairs I had to walk up, King said with a chuckle. I wasnt disappointed or upset. It was just like, All right, were on the top floor. Time to build up our calf muscles. 

Post-recession, millennials are more likely to choose the Starbucks and live in an attic than have a nice apartment and no Starbucks, said Allen Sanderson, a University of Chicago economist.

Theres more of a tendency across generations than there used to be of the younger set deciding where they want to live first and finding a job second, Sanderson said. People are willing to get by on very small spaces because they like to be in (places such as) New York or like the professional opportunities that the city has to offer them.

Attics are not attractive to just young people.

A recent study by Harvard Universitys Joint Center for Housing Studies found that while millennials and immigrants are rapidly forming new households and increasing the diversity of demand, rental rates are rising among Gen Xers and baby boomers, too.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau Housing Vacancy Survey, the past 10 years has seen the largest increase in renting over any 10-year period since 1965: or 34.1 million renters in 2005, swelling to 42.6 million in 2015.

Sanderson said the American dream of suburban life has dwindled. More people are opting to move into the city core.

Theyre more affluent. They just want to go to the theater. They want to go out to eat, want a more lively experience. And they sort of find these outlying suburban areas quiet and dull, Sanderson said. Im surprised at the number that have given up a white-picket-fence, stand-alone house to move into a high-rise downtown.

These are not poor people. Thats what theyve chosen to do.

When Chicago landlord Brian Robertson bought a property near Wrigley Field, the building came with an attic that was already converted. Since then, hes been renting it to mostly younger tenants.

A lot of people want the attic apartment because theyre up high and theres a view of the park. And the thing is a lot cheaper too, Robertson said. Everyone Ive shown it to loves it. Ive got central heating and I have the washer and dryer for them. They have the creature comforts and a nice back deck.

Robertsons apartment meets zoning and building requirements. But Mina said renters should be aware of illegal units, many of them listed online by owners.

Some smaller, local agencies may help landlords market those properties, she said, but Coldwell Banker does not because so many of them are not up to code.

Englert and King are among those who live in a unit that doesnt meet all current zoning requirements. With only a single door in and out of the apartment and no sprinkler, there is a risk of being trapped in the event of a fire.

It kind of bothers me, like they could install a fire escape at one of our windows, King said. But its nothing Im going to call my landlord about. For me personally, its just not high up on my priority list.

And plus, who knows? The rent we pay is pretty good, and its all we can afford right now. So how would (adding a fire escape) affect the rent?

Although tenants of attic apartments tend to complain about the hot summers and cold winters, many of them say the discomfort is worth it for the low rent.

Its more of a necessity than anything else, King said. Its not the most ideal conditions, but you make it work because thats what you have to do.
Those detained by Turkey have been either returned to Britain or held for the offence of trying to cross the Syrian border illegally. (Representational Image))

London: A total of 600 British citizens have been caught trying to enter Syria to join the Islamic State and other terrorist groups since 2012, UK foreign secretary Philip Hammond has said.

During a visit to southern Turkey, Hammond hailed closer cooperation between the two countries in preventing these potential terrorists arriving at their destination.

"We've stopped about 600 (Britons) in total... The net result is that Turkey has become the key partner when it comes to intercepting the flow of foreign fighters," he said on Friday.

He added: "Some of them were stopped at the UK border trying to exit and some of them were intercepted on arrival in Istanbul or in transit at points along the way, but a large proportion were picked up by the Turks on the basis of intelligence that we were able to provide.

"What we've really seen is a very impressive turnaround by the Turks of short notice information." According to the 'Daily Telegraph', some individuals have been arrested on arrival at the Turkish airports after the authorities were forewarned while the incoming plane was mid-air.

A few have been picked up barely 45 minutes after British officials tipped off their Turkish counterparts. Of a total of 1,400 Britons who have tried to travel to Syria since 2012, the latest figure suggests that 40 per cent were stopped.

Those detained by Turkey have been either returned to Britain or held for the offence of trying to cross the Syrian border illegally.

A UK Foreign Office spokesperson said: "The figure includes those stopped in Turkey as well as those stopped leaving the UK.

"Of those stopped in Turkey, some will have been returned, and they become a matter for the Home Office, who will look into it on a case by case basis. Some will be subject to the Turkish judicial system."
Martin Luther King Jr. holiday celebration: St. Matthew Lutheran Church, 1725 S. 60th St., will hold a music-heavy worship service that will honor Martin Luther King Jr. at 10:30 a.m. Sunday. Pastor Glen Thomas will preside over the worship service that will feature the music of Duke Ellington from his collection of Sacred Works songs as well as selections from his Freedom Suite to serve as the backdrop for Kings themes of freedom, love equality and faith. Composer Ric Swanson will be the music director. St. Matthew is handicap accessible. Parking lots are behind the church off 60th Street and in front of the church off Walnut Street. For more information, call 402-556-7030.

Concert series: The Trinity Episcopal Cathedral Concert Series will present an organ recital by Robert Delcamp at 7:30 p.m. Thursday. Delcamp is a professor of music, university organist and choirmaster at the University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee. The public is invited. Trinity Cathedral is at 113 N. 18th St. Go to trinityepiscopal.org or call 402-342-7010 for more information.

Lets Get Rich Together: First United Methodist Church, 7020 Cass St, will hold a five-week class about financial needs and concerns. Lets Get Rich Together: Redefining Our Relationship to Money and the World will meet from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesdays, Feb. 2, 9, 16, 23 and March 1. Preregistration, by Jan. 26, is required, and 12 people must be registered for the class to be held. To register, or for more information, contact Mary Spurgeon at Mary.Spurgeon@fumcomaha.org or 402-556-6262 Ext. 1004.

Webcast conference: Countryside Community Church, 8787 Pacific St., is the local partner site for the annual live Trinity Institute 2016 webcast conference being held Thursday through Jan. 23 from Trinity Episcopal Cathedral Wall Street in New York City. The conference, Sacred Conversations for Racial Justice, will provide chances to talk about issues with people who might have differing perspectives. Cost is $20 for the weekend, which includes meals. Sessons are $10 each. Register at eventbrite.com/o/center-for-faith-studies-8592978722?s=47497599.

Attentiveness retreat: Damian Cayetano, Teresa Monaghen, the Rev. Thomas Leitner and a team members will present a retreat titled Listen! Be Attentive! a tSt. Benedict Center in Schuyler, Nebraska, from Jan. 29-31. This retreat is for men and offers many useful tools for attentiveness that will be explained and practiced during the weekend, along with time for prayer and spiritual direction. The schedule will include silence, Mass, confession, fellowship, brief conferences and spiritual direction with retreat directors. The retreat begins at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 29 and ends at 3:30 p.m. Jan. 31. For more information, call 402-352-8819 or go to StBenedictCenter.com.
Youth program: U.S. Sens. Deb Fischer and Ben Sasse have announced the selection of two Nebraska students to the 54th annual U.S. Senate Youth Program. Sean Lynch II of Omaha and Paige Wergin of Aurora were chosen by Nebraska Commissioner of Education Matthew Blomstedt following nominations by their teachers and principals. They will join 104 students from across the country for an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C., March 5-12. The trip is sponsored by the William Randolph Hearst Foundation, which also provides a $5,000 scholarship to each delegate. Lynch attends Skutt High School, and Wergin attends Aurora High School.

Show choir competition: Millard West High Schools award-winning show choirs will host their annual competition, Singsation, on Jan. 23. Singsation is one of areas the most successful and competitive high school show choir competitions. Twenty-four groups involving nearly 1,000 performers from five states will perform and compete in three divisions. The begins at 7:25 a.m. The field narrows to six finalists that will compete for top honors starting at 7:30 p.m. Each show choir will perform a 20 to 25 minute show of musical selections ranging from Broadway to jazz to pop and everything in between. Cost is $12 for the day; $7 to only attend the preliminary session or the finals. Admission for high school-aged students and younger is $5. Children 4 and younger get in free. Concessions from area eateries will be available.

Science fair: Alice Buffett Magnet Middle School, 14101 Larimore Ave., held its 11th annual Science and Engineering Fair on Friday in the gymnasium. This years fair expanded to include sixth-graders, making it the largest Science and Engineering Fair in Omaha Public Schools. More than 332 students presented 278 projects. The fair aims to help students find a holistic viewpoint real world applications of their projects. The projects covered topics that included biology, chemistry, physics, earth and space sciences and engineering.

From left, Amber Rolfzen, Kelly Hunter and Kadie Rolfzen hold plaques given to them during a ceremony at Papillion-La Vista South High School.

Kadie Rolfzen signs the back of Logan Magner's shirt at Papillion-La Vista South High School.

Champion celebration: Volleyball fans young and old gathered at Papillion-La Vista South High School on Jan. 9 for a special celebration to honor Amber Rolfzen, Kadie Rolfzen and Kelly Hunter, who are members of Nebraskas national championship volleyball team and Titan alumnae. Between the boys and girls Titan Basketball games, a quick celebration was held in the gymnasium to honor the trio followed by an autograph signing.

Musical Explorers: Dozens of local teachers will attend a two-day workshop at the Holland Center on Jan. 22-23 for the pilot year of the Carnegie Hall program Musical Explorers. Musical Explorers is a semester-long, curriculum-based program for students in kindergarten through second grade presented by Omaha Performing Arts in partnership with Carnegie Halls Weill Music Institute. More than 600 Omaha Public Schools students and educators from Gilder Elementary, Walnut Hill Elementary and Harrison Elementary Schools will take part in the inaugural year, which culminates with an interactive concert at the Holland Center on May 3.

Roadrunner Classic: The seventh annual Roadrunner Classic was held Jan. 7 at Norwood Park Elementary School in Lincoln. This years honoree was Mary Kay Kreikemeier, a long-time teacher and librarian at Norwood Park who recently died. Proceeds from a friendly basketball game between fourth-and fiftth-grade scholar athletes to Kreikemeiers investment in Norwood Park Scholars.

Thank you: Nominate your favorite teacher for the annual Lincoln Public Schools Thank You Teacher event. Nominations should be postmarked or sent by 5 p.m. Feb. 19 and mailed to: Thank You Teacher, Communications, LPS District Offices, 5905 O St., Lincoln, NE 68510. Nominations can also be submitted at lps.org/go/recognize.

Poster contest: The annual 2016 Nebraska Severe Weather Awareness Poster Contest is part of the annual Severe Weather Awareness Week effort produced by emergency management directors and coordinators across Nebraska. The contest is open to all fourth-grade students in Nebraska public and private schools as well as home-schooled students. Teachers are encouraged to have students participate while teaching them about hazards of severe weather in Nebraska. While not designed to promote tornado awareness, tornadoes are the most common theme. Lightning and flooding, which are also products of severe thunderstorms, are also good topic. Prizes are: first place, $125 gift card; second place, $100 gift card; third place, $75 gift card; and fourth place, a $50 gift card. The gift cards are sponsored by the National Weather Service. The contest is sponsored by the Nebraska Association of Emergency Management, the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency and the weather service. For contest rules and submission information, go to naem.us.

Essay contest: The 14th annual Why I Want to Go to College essay contest, sponsored by the Nebraska Educational Savings Trust and the Omaha Storm Chasers is open to seventh -and eighth-grade students. Essays must be 750 words or less and describe the students educational goals and dreams for the future. Entries must be typed and double-spaced on 8-inch by 11-inch paper. Each essay must be accompanied with a required cover sheet, which can be found here. Faculty and students in the College of Education at the University of Nebraska Omaha will serve as judges. First-, second- and third-place winners will be honored from each of Nebraskas three congressional districts, in addition to out-of-state entries, with winners earning prizes of $2,000, $1,000 and $500, respectively, toward a NEST College Savings Plan. The deadline is March 18. All winners from Nebraska will get four box seat tickets to the Storm Chasers game on May 1 and be recognized beforeto the game. Each winner student will also get an opportunity to meet Nebraska State Treasurer Stenberg at the game. Get complete rules and information here.
COUNCIL BLUFFS  Marco Rubio has a plan for his first days in the Oval Office: repeal the Iran deal and repeal all of Obamas unconstitutional executive orders.

Im going to take the oath of office to protect, uphold and defend the Constitution, he said, and mean it.

The Republican presidential candidate stopped in Council Bluffs on Saturday  one of four stops in the Hawkeye State that day  to ask Iowa voters to caucus for him in two weeks.

Rubio told more than 300 people who gathered at the Hilton Garden Inn that his policies would help to rebuild the American family and allow the younger generation to thrive.

All of the seats in the hotel meeting room were filled, and people stood shoulder to shoulder along the side and back walls.

Lee Greenwoods country song, Im Proud to be an American, played and the crowd gave Rubio a standing ovation as he approached the stage, and his talk was frequently interrupted by clapping, whistling and shouts of Yes!

The Florida senator focused his remarks on reforming secondary and postsecondary education.

Rubio said he wants to stay away from the one-size-fits-all standards of the federal government. He would rather put the education standards in the hands of communities and states instead of having a national school board.

The most important school in America is our home, he said.

The Republican said he would make it easier for young adults to learn a trade by extending federal Pell grants to high school students. He also said he would work to change college accreditation so more students could take courses from accredited online schools.

One Shenandoah high school student, Angela Ray, attended the event with four of her peers, all of whom will be voting for the first time this year. Ray said Rubio has her vote.

The senator also discussed his plan to help Americans by cutting taxes and by limiting regulations from agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency.

I call it the Employment Prevention Agency, Rubio said.

He said he is the only candidate who can unite the Republican Party and go toe to toe with Hillary Clinton in the general election on issues such as immigration and student loans.

Rubio said he knows firsthand what its like to live paycheck to paycheck, be saddled with student loans and raise four kids.

I want to know how (Hillary Clinton) is going to lecture me on how to raise a family in the 21st century, he said.

Denise Kempnich, 47, said she is still deciding which candidate will get her vote. But Rubio is in her top three, she said, along with real-estate mogul Donald Trump and Texas Sen. Ted Cruz.

Ill vote for the candidate who will do what he says hes going to do, she said.

With two weeks left before the Iowa caucuses, state polls show Rubio in third, behind Trump and Cruz.

At an earlier stop on Saturday in Johnston, Iowa, Rubio called out Trump and Cruz by saying it isnt enough to just be angry about the direction of the country. We also have to have someone for president who knows exactly what theyre going to do when they get there, Rubio said.

He also promised to avoid personal attacks in the days leading up to the Feb. 1 caucuses, but said he would continue to outline policy differences between his Republican rivals and himself.

These are policy differences, he said. Were all going to be on the same team soon enough.

Rubio will make an additional five stops in Iowa on Monday.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Contact the writer: 402-444-1304, news@owh.com
Bengaluru bomb scare: Breaking news or breaking our heads?

India

oi-Vicky

By Vicky

On Friday there was a major scare in Bengaluru after a bag had been discovered by the police. What was being termed as a bomb turned out to be jute bag with some wires with a 30 ML liquor bottle in it. While the alertness of the police is commendable, there are certain issues that one needs to look into.

First and foremost, a section of the regional media jumping to several conclusions and terming the incident as the arrival of the al-Qaeda. Then some police versions suggesting that Bengaluru city is on high alert. While there is a need to be alert, there is also a responsibility on part of both the media and the police to be more responsible. The idea is to create an alert and not scare the people.

There is panic in the city:

In the past three weeks there have been three incidents, which have led to a great amount of panic. The Delhi police had visited Bengaluru and arrested a cleric who they termed as an operative of the al-Qaeda in the Sub-Continent. This has created a general panic in the city with many media outlets going on to suggest that the al-Qaeda has opened up its camp in the city.

After this there was yet another incident at the Bengaluru International Airport. A vehicle had been parked and the owner of the same had gone away for a couple of hours probably to see off his friend who was taking an international flight. Someone at the airport who noticed that the vehicle had not moved reported it to the police. The police were quick to reach the spot, tear down the vehicle apart and later declare it safe.

A week back, there was also a mock drill that was conducted at the Vikas Soudha involving the NSG commandos. A lot of people watched with horror. Anyone who watched it could not tell whether it was a real operation or a mock drill.

This was followed by yesterday's incident where a bag had been found near a theatre which led to a great amount of panic.

For the cops the job is a tough one. They have to be alert and yesterday they proved it. However, the problem is here with a section of the media. They were quick to link the arrest of the cleric to this incident and term it as an al-Qaeda operation. The news began to spread like wild fire and whatever the cops had done to keep the public calm went in vain.

One often wonders how five minutes after an incident is reported, do some media outlets have the name of the organisation and the modus operandi.

All this before the bomb squad has even reached the spot. Well so much for the al-Qaeda reporting, the bomb squad finally declared that it was a liquor bottle and not a bomb.

OneIndia News

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Story first published: Saturday, January 16, 2016, 10:35 [IST]
Republican pre-sidential candidate Donald Trump (right) is greeted on stage by fellow Republican candidate Ted Cruz before he speaks at a rally in Washington in September 2015 (Photo: AP)

North Charleston (United States): With the first vote of Americas 2016 election two weeks away, Republican presidential frontrunners Donald Trump and Ted Cruz dispensed with months of niceties and locked horns in a primetime debate.

After months of chaotic campaigning that saw a dozen long-shot candidates vie for attention, the debate in South Carolina brought the race to become the Republican presidential nominee into sharper focus.

Mr Trump and Mr Cruz, who lead the polls in Iowa  which on February 1 will become the first state in the country to vote for the nominee  at times seemed to ignore the rest of the field as they traded blows.

The duo went back-and-forth over conservative values and Mr Trumps allegation that Mr Cruz, a hardline Texas Senator born in Canada, might be legally blocked from becoming president.


Bihar: When asked to take off hijab to check for bluetooth device, Muslim student leaves exam centre

BJP says crime on rise in Bihar, seeks Guv intervention

India

oi-PTI

Patna, Jan 16: After a jeweller was shot dead in the state capital today, opposition BJP attacked the Nitish Kumar government on law and order situation in Bihar and sought the intervention of Governor Ramnath Kovind.

"Under the dominance of numerically strong Lalu Prasad, it appears that the Nitish Kumar government has lost the will to take on criminals," senior BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi told reporters.

"The fear of return of jungle raj has appeared to be true in Bihar as indicated by killing of two engineers in Darbhanga, gunning down of a jeweller in Patna today and regular news reports of extortion calls by criminals to doctors, engineers and industrialists," Sushil Modi said.

Sushil Modi, who is Leader of Opposition in Legislative Council, said soon a delegation of BJP would meet Governor Ramnath Kovind and seek his intervention to check the spiralling crime graph.

In a scathing attack at Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, the senior BJP leader asked "What happened to his pre-poll assurance to people of 'main hoon na'."

Sushil Modi alleged that Bihar was returning to path of "jungle raj" which was prevalent during 15 years rule of Lalu Prasad's party in the state from 1990-2005.

"There are clearly two centres in Bihar today, one led by Lalu Prasad and another Nitish Kumar," he said and pointed to the RJD chief telephoning civil and police officials and giving directions to them on law and order issue.

"Prasad had recently said he would make his mobile number public so that citizens could talk to him over crime," he said to drive home the point.

"Nitish Kumar has lost control over bureaucracy due to interference by Lalu Prasad who with 80 MLAs is the single largest party in the coalition government," he said. Sushil Modi stringent remarks came in the wake of the murder of a jeweller by armed men near Rajapur in the heart of Patna, reportedly over an extortion demand.

The jeweller Ravi Kant succumbed to bullet injuries while being taken to Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH), Senior Superintendent of Police Manu Maharaj told.

PTI
A kg of heroin produced at Rs 1 crore sold for Rs 7 crore in India

India

oi-Vicky

New Delhi, Jan 16: An Intelligence Bureau report on functioning of the drug mafia along the Indo-Pak border gives a very clear indication as to why this industry thrives to such an extent. A kilogram of heroine produced in Afghanistan at a cost of Rs 1 crore is sold in the Indian markets at Rs 7 crore.

With so much money at stake, the mafia continues to thrive with the support of politicians, some personnel guarding the borders and several police officers.

The National Investigating Agency (NIA) too is probing the link of the drug mafia to the Pathankot attacks and gradually it is being established that they did have a role to play in it.

Huge gains in the drug business:

The Intelligence Bureau makes it very clear that the stakes are very high. There is a reason why heroin produced at Rs 1 crore in Afghanistan is sold at Rs 7 crore by the time it reaches the Indian market. The ISI which guides this business has a cut in it.

Any drug operative has to cough up anything between 20 and 30 per cent of what he earns to the ISI.

After the route from Afghanistan to Pakistan has been cleared then it lands on the Indian border. Here too the drug mafia has to bribe several officials and guards along the border.

By the time all the stake holders which includes politicians, police officers and others get their cut, the price of heroin shoots up almost 7 times, the report also notes.

Terrorism and the drug mafia: How they go hand in hand

In the midst of this, the terrorists too take full advantage of the situation. The movement of the drug mafia on the border is almost a given and they have become familiar faces.

Terrorists often use this to their advantage and tend to sneak into India along with the drug operatives. Several officials who are associated with the drug mafia are not even aware most of the times that terrorists too are being sneaked in.

OneIndia News

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Story first published: Saturday, January 16, 2016, 11:45 [IST]
Golden intelligence rule: When your cover is blown, you are on your own

Spoke in Punjabi dialect, posed as Army men, the mystery behind the missing Innova

Revealed: Terrorists used US made binoculars in Pathankot attack

India

oi-Jagriti

New Delhi, Jan 16: National Investigation Agency (NIA) has decided to take US help to find out if Pakistan equipped terrorists who carried out attack at the Indian Air Force (IAF) air base in Pathankot.

The decision has been taken after the agency found the binoculars used by terrorists were made in USA and have US Army markings.

The NIA will seek information from US on the basis of serial number of the binoculars, to ascertain details like when and where it was stolen.

It is assumed either Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) stole them from one of the bases of US Army in Afghanistan or it was taken from Pakistan army, which also procures military equipment from the US

In a pre-dawn attack on the air base on January 2, seven of the soldiers were martyred and six terrorists were killed.

Pathankot attack: NIA recovers Chinese wireless from militants' car

NIA had recovered a "Chinese wireless set" from a car used by terrorists to reach the Indian Air Force (IAF) base at Pathankot. The set was similar to one recovered after a failed assault at Samba army camp in March last year.

OneIndia News
Astra set to replace BVRAAMs, to be tested from Tejas

Tejas begins practice sorties at Sakhir Airbase in Bahrain

India

oi-Oneindia

By OneIndia Defence Bureau

Bengaluru, Dec 16: India's Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas began undertaking practice sorties at Sakhir Airbase in Bahrain on Saturday.

Two aircraft from Tejas flight-line - LSP-4 and LSP-7 - had reached the Sakhir Airbase on January 14, scripting a new chapter for India's fighter jet development programme.

The Bahrain International Air Show (BIAS-2016) will begin from January 21-23 at the Sakhir Airbase.

"We were the first to land here and even the Sarang team from the Indian Air Force too had arrived early. We are ensuring that everything is in place as the show nears. The telemetry links have gone live," says an official, who is part of the Indian team.

On Saturday, LSP-4 and LSP-7 had their first practice sorties at Bahrain.

"These are flights to check the profiles for the show. Very similar to what we undergo during Aero India in Bengaluru," says the official.

An advanced team of ground support crew from Aeronautical Development Agency and Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd are already in Bahrain.

As reported by OneIndia, Tejas will be parked next to two Pakistani JF-17 Thunders at the show.

The report has generated so much of debate on social media forums with many wanting to know who will outperform whom, at least during the demonstration flights.

Tejas will be at striking distance' of Pak JF-17s at Bahrain

Bahrain dailies are also warming up to the news of India's participation at the show. News of Bahrain' has reported about India's participation at BIAS-2016 with Tejas, Sarang and AEW&C all set to put up a spirited show.

As reported earlier by OneIndia, this is for the first time Tejas will be participating in a flying demonstration outside India.

OneIndia Exclusive: Tejas may create history with flying demo at Bahrain air show

OneIndia News

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Story first published: Saturday, January 16, 2016, 17:02 [IST]
Targeted killings in Kashmir: Do not react in panic and hurry for quick solutions

TMC calls for steps to rehabilitate Kashmiri Pandits

India

oi-PTI

Kolkata, Jan 16: Senior TMC leader Saugata Roy today said the Union government should take steps to rehabilitate Kashmiri Pandits, who were forced out of the Valley in early 90s, and added that a series of past mistakes has led to the serious situation in Kashmir. "The rehabilitation process of Kashmiris is yet to start.

The government should take steps to rehabilitate the Kashmiri Pandits. The issue calls for urgent attention and the problem must be solved," Roy said at a seminar on Kashmiri Pandits.

"The situation has become so serious due to a series of mistakes that were committed. We need to find a solution to these problems," Roy commented.

In 1990s the situation in Kashmir Valley took an ugly turn, when Kashmiri Pandits were forced to leave the Valley following persecution and threats by terrorists groups operating in the valley.

Yesterday, in a memorandum submitted to Minister of State in Prime Minister's Office (PMO) Jitendra Singh, a delegation of Sampoorn Kashmir Sangathan (SKS) sought his intervention for their demands, including rehabilitation of displaced Kashmiri Pandits and jobs for those who have crossed the age to apply for government jobs.

Singh assured them that the Narendra Modi government is committed to ensure dignified return of the displaced community to the places of their origin in the Valley. He further assured them that memorandum submitted by them will be put up before the Home Ministry for perusal.

On December 11, the Lok Sabha adopted a resolution moved by BJP's Nishikant Dubey for immediate steps to rehabilitate people displaced from Kashmir as the government asserted that measures are being taken in this regard.

PTI
With Pakistan India wants a mere normal relationship

India

oi-Vicky

New Delhi, Jan 16: There have been a lot of questions asked about the sincerity with which Pakistan will probe into the Pathankot incident considering the strike was launched from their soil.

There is a lot of cause for pessimism considering the manner in which Pakistan probed the case relating to the 26/11, Mumbai attack

Will Pakistan probe the Pathankot case sincerely? There is an opportunity for Pakistan here says Shishir Gupta leading strategic affairs expert and senior journalist with the Hindustan Times.

In this interview with OneIndia, Gupta says that what we want with Pakistan is a mere normal relationship so that we can control and defend ourselves.

Will Pakistan probe the Pathankot case sincerely? There is an opportunity for Pakistan here says strategic affairs expert and senior journalist with the Hindustan Times. In this interview with OneIndia, Gupta says that what we want with Pakistan is a mere normal relationship so that we can control and defend ourselves.

What is the update regarding the Pathankot probe in Pakistan?

Maulana Masood Azhar, the chief of the Jaish-e-Mohammad has not been arrested but has been taken into preventive detention. There are around 11 to 12 persons who have been questioned based on the call intercepts that India has provided them. They have also formed a committee which will probe into the matter.

Do you think Pakistan will conduct a sincere probe?

We would hope that would happen. However if one looks at the past and the probe into the 26/11 attack, there is obviously cause for pessimism. However now I think that Pakistan has an opportunity and can ensure that there is a workable relationship with India.

Timeline of Pathankot terror attack

Should talks with Pakistan continue?

Yes I think so. Engagement is not give and take. In terms of terrorism there are a series of groups which target India and we need to talk to Pakistan to act against such groups. These groups not only target India, but Afghanistan and Pakistan as well. On top of all this there is the looming ISIS threat in Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh. Hence the agencies need to talk to each other.

What sort of relationship are we expecting with Pakistan?

We want a mere normal relationship. Trade is one issue that we would want to discuss. We need to take baby steps with Pakistan so that we can control and defend ourselves.

While expecting Pakistan to act is one part of the story the other is our internal security. What do you think needs to be done from within?

Look at the attacks of the recent past. Attacks have taken place at Tangdhar, Samba, Pathankot, Kathua and Gurdaspur. All these are border areas where the military attacks from Pakistan have come in the past. Despite all the security around these areas, there has still been infiltration.

Secondly these attacks have been in places where there are army bases. If the military and the para military forces are becoming soft targets what do we speak of the civilians?

On the Pathankot attack itself what we need to see is if there was credible response to the threat? Were the flood lights at the Pathankot air base working. Was the Defence Service Corps put on alert. These are the problems. My understanding is that there is a serious concern that the air force station was not on full alert.

Pathankot attack: Is ISI laying the groundwork for revival of Punjab militancy?

What about the BSF?

India has spent 1,000s of crores on border security. We cannot get away by say that terrorists came in through the nalas. There cannot be such excuses. If there are loop holes then fix it. The BSF needs to come out clean on how such a network of smugglers thrive along the border. All that said and done, each one must take responsibility and there is no time for blame game now.

What about Salwinder Singh?

He has to come clean. He was in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Will Pakistan point fingers if we probe into the local link?

Pakistan does not have to point fingers. There is clearly a Jaish-e-Mohammad link and they have to probe that.

What about the references to Afzal Guru both at Mazar-e-Sharif and Pathankot?

I find it surprising that there was a reference to Afzal Guru at Mazar-e-Sharif. However that said and done, I feel that a pointer to Kashmir was being made.
At least 26 killed in jihadist attack on Burkina hotel

International

oi-PTI

Ouagadougou, Jan 16: At least 26 people, many of them foreigners, were killed in an attack overnight on a top hotel in the capital of Burkina Faso, the latest country to be drawn into a regional jihadist battle against the West and its allies.

A total of 126 people were freed, 33 of them wounded, from the four-star Splendid hotel after security forces retook the facility and nearby Cappuccino restaurant today over 12 hours after the attack began, Interior Minister Simon Compaore told AFP.

The assault on the two venues, popular with Westerners and UN personnel, was crushed by midday but the police and military were still combing the area for other suspects, a security source said. Communications Minister Remi Dandjinou gave a provisional figure of 26 killed and announced three days of mourning.

The French foreign ministry gave a figure of 27 dead "and around 150 injured". Compaore said "three jihadists - an Arab and two black Africans - have been killed". The security source said four jihadists were killed, two of them women, and the victims were of 18 nationalities.

Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) claimed the attack on behalf of an affiliate, saying the strike on the former French colony was in "revenge against France and the disbelieving West", according to a statement carried by US-based monitoring group SITE. AQIM said the gunmen were from the Al-Murabitoun group of notorious Algerian extremist Mokhtar Belmokhtar.

The attack will heighten concerns that jihadist groups are casting their net wider in search of targets in west Africa, two months after a siege at a luxury hotel in neighbouring Mali, where 20 people were killed, against mostly foreigners. AQIM and Al-Murabitoun jointly claimed that attack.

President Roch Marc Christian Kabore, who took office just last month, a year after a popular uprising ousted longtime leader Blaise Compaore, called on his fellow citizens to show "courage". Burkina Faso has "never caved in under any circumstances and it's not going to start now," he said.

(AFP)
Islamic State bomber detained in Russia for attempting attack in India was recruited through Telegram

Why India should get access to Islamic State bomber detained in Russia

Prosecutions story may be attractive but should be backed by evidence

IS fighter blows himself up in Syria

International

oi-IANS

By Ians English

Damascus, Jan 16: A suicide bomber with the Islamic State (IS) militant group blew himself up near the headquarters of Kurdish forces in northeastern Syria on Friday, killing two people, Xinhua reported.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a London-based watchdog group, said the IS suicide bomber blew himself up near a position of the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG), adding that the bomber likely exploded inside the headquarters of the YPG in the southwestern countryside of al-Hasakah province.

Human losses are confirmed among the Kurds, it said, stopping short of giving a death toll.

Meanwhile, the Syrian official TV said two people were killed and three others wounded as a result of the blast that took place in Tuq al-Milh town in al-Hasakah.

IANS
Pak arrests 4 top leaders of banned JuD, LeT on charges of terror funding

Why South India must be concerned about terrorists from West Bengal

JuD chief Hafiz Saeed chides Pak govt

International

oi-PTI

Lahore, Jan 16: Putting its weight behind the banned Jaish-e-Mohammad, JuD chief Hafiz Saeed today chided Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's government for detaining Jaish chief and activists in connection with the Pathankot terror attack.

Addressing the Friday sermon at JuD headquarters here, Saeed said that the Pakistan government is taking action against JeM to "please" India.

"The arrests are regrettable as the Nawaz government is only doing so to please Modi sarkar (government). The arrests will only encourage the Indian government to put further pressure on Pakistan to backtrack it's stance on Kashmir," he said.

Saeed further said the Pakistani government is ignoring "national interest" for the sake of its friendship with India.

Maulana Masood arrested or detained: Pakistan's technical trick

The LeJ founder also criticised the Pakistani news analysts for appreciating the government for arrests made in connection with the January 2 attack on an Indian airbase in Pathankot.

PTI
Prophet Muhammad row: Expats who took part in Fahaheel demonstration to be deported from Kuwait

Kuwait Airways drops New York-London route over discrimination against Israelis

International

oi-Jagriti

Washington, Jan 16: The Kuwait Airline has decide to shut the service between New York and London to avoid selling tickets to Israelis from January 18 onwards, media reported.

The decision has been taken after US sent a warning to Kuwait Airways over discrimination against Israelis.

"The official Kuwaiti airline chose to end its service effective on January 18 as opposed to its discrimination policy," the US Department of Transportation said in a statement, reported the New York Times.

The decision will not hit the direct flight between New York and Kuwait city as Israelis are not allowed in Kuwait. They are not granted visas.

Saudi-Iran crisis widens as Kuwait recalls envoy

It was 1980 when Kuwait Airways started flying to New York thrice in a week, on Saturdays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, with flights stopping in London before continuing on to Kuwait City.

OneIndia News

For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications

Story first published: Saturday, January 16, 2016, 13:24 [IST]
Problems with irritability, mood and impulsivity are very common in veterans who suffer the kinds of mild traumatic brain injury that a blast can inflict. (Photo: File photo)

Damage to the filter that protects the brain from toxins may partly explain why explosions have been leaving soldiers with lasting brain injuries, researchers say.

In a study of U.S. veterans after hazardous tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, the researchers found that the higher the exposure to blasts, the lower the activity in a brain region called the cerebellum.

The cerebellum is important for motor skills and also for emotions. Problems with irritability, mood and impulsivity are very common in veterans who suffer the kinds of mild traumatic brain injury that a blast can inflict, said study coauthor Dr. Elaine Peskind.

Peskind and colleagues also found, in experiments with mice, that the cerebellum in particular was affected by microscopic damage in the protective blood-brain barrier after blasts.

"The brain is a very special environment that requires protection and all types of things get into your bloodstream," said Peskind's coauthor David Cook, also of the VA Puget Sound Health Care System. When that blood-brain barrier is broken, the brain may be briefly exposed to those toxins.

As reported in Science Translational Medicine, the researchers had data on 41 blast-exposed veterans. Positron emission tomography (PET) scans of their brains showed that activity in the cerebellum was generally poorer as the number of blasts they'd been exposed to increased.

Going a step further, the researchers exposed lab mice to blasts and found a link between the blasts and damage to the blood-brain barrier, with the greatest loss of neurons occurring in the cerebellum.

"This pattern of brain cell loss in the cerebellum exactly matched what had been reported earlier in the brains of retired former boxers," said Cook.

This finding suggests early damage to the blood-brain barrier may be an important factor in long-term brain changes, the authors believe.

Dr. Maiken Nedergaard, an expert on neurology at the University of Rochester Medical Center in New York who wasn't involved with the study, told Reuters Health the findings suggest that "with blast injury, the cerebellum is particularly more sensitive."

Cook and Peskind told Reuters Health that blast effects are not limited to the cerebellum and that damage to the blood-brain barrier is likely just one of the ways that blasts cause lasting effects on the brain.

Their paper notes that brain problems after explosions can also take the form of neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer's or Parkinson's disease, or so-called chronic traumatic encephalopathy, which can also develop after years of playing contact sports. The new study "helps us close the gaps just a little bit," Peskind said.
by  Graham Pierrepoint



Mark the date in your calendar  this years Academy Awards, celebrating the best in movie making and acting talent, is set to take place on February 28, hosted by comedian and actor Chris Rock  and with the nominees having been unveiled this week, a number of choices have already got tongues wagging. Best Picture looks to be a hard fought battle between well-known critical successes Mad Max : Fury Road, The Martian, Bridge of Spies and The Revenant, but for many, its the fight for Best Actor Oscar that many will be holding out for.

This is because Leonardo DiCaprio  now in his third decade in Hollywood  is lined up for his role in The Revenant, and as many will tell you, the actor is yet to pick up an Oscar for himself. DiCaprio has played a number of iconic, award-worthy characters over the years, but has yet to pick up the coveted Academy Award  with this fact being a source of jokes on the internet. From acclaimed performances in The Aviator, The Wolf of Wall Street, Shutter Island, Inception and The Departed  through to his recent turn in critical favorite The Revenant, many are mystified that DiCaprio has yet to convert his arguable talent into an Academy Award. This has set many thinking  will 2016 be the year?

While many believe that this will be the case, some are not so sure  DiCaprio face stiff competition in the form of The Martians Matt Damon (a role in which he spent the majority of the movie isolated from other characters), Eddie Redmaynes role as a man undergoing gender reassignment in The Danish Girl, and critical favorites Bryan Cranston and Michael Fassbender for Trumbo and Steve Jobs respectively. Certainly, this seems to be one of the strongest years that the Oscars has seen for some time  meaning that DiCaprio could have his work cut out for him.

Cate Blanchett remains a favorite to win Best Actress for her role in Carol, alongside rising star Saoirse Ronan for Brooklyn and Jennifer Lawrence for Joy. Supporting Actor nods could go to veterans Sylvester Stallone, Mark Ruffalo or Christian Bale  up against Tom Hardy and Mark Rylance, while Supporting Actress could see an award go to Rooney Mara, Kate Winslet, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Alicia Vikander or Rachel McAdams. While its far too early to say who will win just yet  mark the date in your diary and get ready for what could be a history-making evening in Hollywood this February!
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Antigua-US Dispute Expected to Be Resolved by Month's End

Published January 16, 2016 by Florin P

Antigua and the US return to the negotiation table to solve trade dispute.

The trading dispute between the US government and Antigua dates from 2004 and until recently, there was little hope for a settlement. 2016 brings good news though, because it seems like a resolution of the trade argument is just around the corner. The officials of both Antigua and the United States finally agreed to resolve the WTA dispute by the end of the month, with US authorities being the initiators.

A Mutually Beneficial Resolution

Both parties held firm for 12 years and the occasional offers made by either of them were swiftly dismissed over this long period of time. Apparently, the United States latest offer brings something new to the table, but the details are yet to be disclosed to the broad audience. Charles Fernandez, Antiguas Foreign Affairs Minister indicated that his country is leaning towards accepting this offer.

Few remember that the scandal began almost 13 years ago, when Antigua filed the original complaint to the World Trade Organization. They were upset by the fact that the United States showed discriminatory treatment to nations that were licensing online gambling sites serving the US market. The Americans countered with the argument of trying to regulate all gambling operators, without being unfair to any nation in particular.

Antigua Hopes for Financial Compensations

The World Trade Organization initially ruled in the favor of Antigua, stating that the United States allowed bookmakers to place bets on online horse races. These were accepted within the US borders, while other international operators were denied access or blocked each step of the way.

Antigua was supposed to collect $21 million on a yearly basis from the United States, as a compensation for the ban enforced by the American authorities. Unfortunately for the tiny nation, it is yet to see a dime and this only amplified the trade dispute. Now that the resolution finally seems possible, they might receive the financial compensations, despite the lack of success of the previous negotiations.


Sean Penn

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Actor Sean Penn is breaking his silence about his trip to Mexico to meet notorious drug lord Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman. In an interview for this Sunday's "60 Minutes," Penn spoke to "CBS This Morning" co-host Charlie Rose Thursday night in Santa Monica to talk about his seven hours with Guzman. "There is this myth about the visit that we made, my colleagues and I with El Chapo, that it was -- as the Attorney General of Mexico is quoted -- 'essential' to his capture," Penn said. "We had met with him many weeks earlier...on October 2nd, in a place nowhere near where he was captured." Penn also told Rose he thinks he was able to get access to El Chapo because he's not a traditional journalist, and he doesn't think any traditional journalist would have had success.
He has, to great criticism by beltway pundits, avoided the rest of the candidates' descent into constant fear-mongering about terrorism and hyping the "threat" from Isis. Instead he has mocked both the media and other candidates for doing so, as BuzzFeed reported last month:

Clinton, meanwhile, has sounded more like the Republican candidates with her conventional forever war posture, her defense of the disastrous Libya intervention and her calls for an escalation of the war in Syria. Apparently she's not concerned that she's running for the nomination from a party who rejected her in 2008 partly because of her support for the Iraq war.

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Sanders disappointingly isn't running as an anti-war candidate, either, and it's a shame he's not more aggressive in rejecting the militarism that has infected the country since 9/11: he's indicated his support for the CIA's drone program, continued war in Afghanistan and has been largely silent on the fact that the war against Isis is, by almost all accounts, illegal since Congress hasn't authorized it as the Constitution requires.

But he has proven false the idea that candidates have to drop everything to treat Isis as a threat to America's existence requiring 24/7 hand wringing, rather than what they really are: a comparatively small problem in the day-to-day lives of Americans that we only exacerbate by doing the terrorists' PR work for them and upending our rights to supposedly "defeat" them.



All of this is not to say Clinton should not still be considered the favorite. Nate Silver still has Clinton with a 73% chance to win Iowa and a 55% chance to win New Hampshire. She also has strong support in the African American community that will be critical for the third primary in South Carolina, and a much higher national profile for Super Tuesday in March, when more than a dozen states will be voting at the same time.

She also has one trump card that Sanders never will, given her establishment ties: a massive advantage in "super delegates," who make up a large percentage of the delegates who will actually decide the nomination at the Democratic convention this summer but who aren't beholden to vote the way their state's primary ended up.

But it's clear that Sanders is not going to fade away, as many predicted in the fall after it looked like his support was leveling off; he is only getting stronger. Given that most voters don't even start paying attention until after the Iowa caucus, Democrats would do themselves well by putting the Clinton coronation on hold for now.


Barack Obama - Contradictions

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Mainstream acceptable heroes now and lasting long into the future have in common perfect understanding of what should be done, fraudulent pretenses of doing it, and calculating weakness as the true driver of their actions.

Exhibit one from nearby here in Virginia: Patrick Henry. Like Jesus, his story was written up third-hand decades later, with him gone from the earth. While his speeches usually warned of the need to keep the Native Americans on the run and the slaves in slavery (yes, that was part of what the revolution was for and what the Second Amendment was for), we've been handed down a hearsay composite memory of a speech without any such unpleasantries.

In this speech, Henry cries for war, and even in this age of recognizing the barbarous idiocy of choosing war, popular "progressive" history books depict Patrick Henry not as a war monger but as a fortune teller who simply looked into the future and recognized the "necessity" of starting a war earlier than did mere mortals -- or, for that matter, the Canadians who still haven't done it.

In this speech he supposedly stood as if in chains, depicted the U.S. colonial relationship to Britain as one of metaphorical slavery, liberated himself at the end, and declared that he would have liberty or death. But Patrick Henry was not a slave. He was an enslaver of men, women, and children. He opposed abolition and wanted a war to preserve the status quo in the name of "revolution" and "liberty."

How is it that we can respect such a man? Why, because he declared slavery to be evil and understood it as such. He just engaged in it, because, you know, Donald Trump forced him to or something. Here's Henry's actual explanation first-hand in a letter he wrote to a Quaker who was trying to persuade him to free his slaves:

"I am drawn along by the general inconvenience of living without them. I will not -- I cannot justify it, however culpable my conduct. I will so far pay my devoir to Virtue, as to own the excellence and rectitude of her precepts, and to lament my want of conformity to them. I believe a time will come when an opportunity will be afforded to abolish this lamentable evil. Everything we can do, is to improve it, if It happens in our day; if not, let us transmit to our descendants, together with our slaves, a pity for their unhappy lot, and an abhorrence of Slavery."

Barack Obama, ender of the ongoing war on Afghanistan, closer of the open prison at Guantanamo, vanquisher of lawless imprisonment standards he legalized, opponent of cruelty and creator of mass drone murders, defender of the poor and champion of the TPP, empowerer of corporate health insurance in the name of health, Constitutional law scholar and wager of unauthorized wars, messenger of economic and racial justice whose presidency saw both worsen dramatically, bringer of transparency through record acts of retribution against whistleblowers, opener of borders via record deportations of children, Barack Obama will be remembered -- is already remembered as if he's finished his term -- as the creator of an agreement that saved the earth's climate.

In reality, Obama blocked serious efforts to protect the climate at Copenhagen and at Paris. He speeded up the process of permitting new pipelines during the Paris meeting. He approved all but one portion of the one pipeline most protested, while weaving a web of pipelines across the country. He brags about a reduction in the use of foreign oil, and people fail to hear the word "foreign" or its implication regarding non-foreign oil. The United States remains far and away per-capita the leading destroyer of the climate. If the United States behaved like the average nation, the climate crisis would vanish, replaced by decades of time in which to switch to sane sustainable practices. But Barack Obama and the United States are "leading the world" to climate salvation. Or so we will remember.

Except that, while you can pass down slavery and hatred of slavery, you cannot pass down climate destruction and hatred of climate destruction, because the climate won't let you. It will render your descendants' home uninhabitable.

Patrick Henry would not free enslaved people because of "the general inconvenience of living without them." Obama will not move away from fossil fuels because "Gas under two bucks a gallon ain't bad."

Weakness. Weakness. Weakness. Nothing more.

But weakness from people who understand their weakness, who are fully aware of it -- and so, we don't mind. It's idiots who don't know any better who bother us.

But should it be that way?

And aren't we all weak? What am I, a saint? Don't I eat non-vegan food for no other reason than that it tastes good? Don't I produce more trash than Colin Beavan ("no impact man")? Doesn't Obama use cheap gasoline as an applause line because lots of people and probably all Congress members will applaud it?

True enough. But I never asked to be a hero. Congress doesn't give me a standing ovation and proclaim me a savior of the climate while I throw away packaging from breakfast or continue to support massive subsidies to fossil fuel corporations. And of course I don't do the latter. On the contrary, I've protested it, been arrested and locked up over it, been banned from Capitol Hill for the good of the country over it.

Most people don't have the power to raise wages or build public transit or otherwise improve lives that see cheap gas as a good thing, or even a microphone from which to mention those possibilities. Can't we hold our heroes to a higher standard?
When news first broke of the detention of two U.S. ships in Iranian territorial waters, the U.S. media -- aside from depicting it as an act of Iranian aggression -- uncritically cited the U.S. government's explanation for what happened. One of the boats, we were told, experienced "mechanical failure" and thus "inadvertently drifted" into Iranian waters. On CBS News, Joe Biden told Charlie Rose, "One of the boats had engine failure, drifted into Iranian waters."

Provided their government script, U.S. media outlets repeatedly cited these phrases -- "mechanical failure" and "inadvertently drifted" and "boat in distress" -- like some sort of hypnotic mantra. Here's Eli Lake of Bloomberg News explaining yesterday why this was all Iran's fault:

"Iran's handling of the situation violated international norms. ... Two small U.S. sea craft transiting between Kuwait and Bahrain strayed into Iranian territorial waters because of a mechanical failure, according to the U.S. side. This means the boats were in distress."

Lake quoted John McCain as saying that "boats do not lose their sovereign immune status when they are in distress at sea." The night the news broke, Reuters quickly said the "boats may have inadvertently drifted into Iranian waters" and "another U.S. official said mechanical issues may have disabled one of the boats, leading to a situation in which both ships drifted inadvertently into Iranian waters."



The U.S. government itself now says this story was false. There was no engine failure, and the boats were never "in distress." Once the sailors were released, AP reported, "In Washington, a defense official said the Navy has ruled out engine or propulsion failure as the reason the boats entered Iranian waters."

Instead, said Defense Secretary Ashton Carter at a press conference this morning, the sailors "made a navigational error that mistakenly took them into Iranian territorial waters." He added that they "obviously had misnavigated" when, in the words of the New York Times, "they came within a few miles of Farsi Island, where Iran's Revolutionary Guards Corps has a naval base." The LA Times conveyed this new official explanation: "A sailor may have punched the wrong coordinates into the GPS and they wound up off course. Or the crew members may have taken a shortcut into Iranian waters as they headed for the refueling ship, officials said." The initial slogan "inadvertently drifted" -- suggesting a disabled boat helplessly floating wherever the ocean takes it -- has now been replaced in the script by "inadvertently strayed," meaning the boats were erroneously steered into Iranian waters without any intention to go there.

It is, of course, theoretically possible that this newest rendition of events is what happened. But there are multiple reasons to suspect otherwise. To begin with, U.S. sailors frequently travel between Bahrain and Kuwait, two key U.S. allies, the former of which hosts the Fifth Fleet headquarters; these were familiar waters.

Moreover, at no point did either of the ships notify anyone that they had inadvertently "misnavigated" into Iranian territorial waters, a significant enough event that would warrant some sort of radio or other notification. "U.S. defense officials were befuddled about how both vessels' navigational systems failed to alert them that they were entering Iranian waters,"reported the Daily Beast's Nancy Youseff on Tuesday night. Carter sought to explain this away by saying, "It may have been they were trying to sort it out at the time when they encountered the Iranian boats." Not one sailor on either of the boats could communicate the "error"? Beyond that, "misnavigating" within a few miles of an Iranian Guard Corps naval base is a striking coincidence (the LA Times summarized an exciting and remarkable tale of how the boats were perhaps running out of gas, entered Iranian waters merely as a "shortcut," experienced engine failure when they tried to escape, and then on top of all these misfortunes, experienced radio failure).
What happens to a dream deferred?

Does it dry up

like a raisin in the sun?

Or fester like a sore--

And then run?

Does it stink like rotten meat?

Or crust and sugar over--

like a syrupy sweet?

Maybe it just sags

like a heavy load.

Or does it explode?--Langston Hughes, "Harlem"

Martin Luther King Jr. could tell you what happens to dreams deferred. They explode.

As I point out in my book Battlefield America: The War on the American People, more than 50 years after King was assassinated, his dream of a world without racism, militarism and materialism remains distant.

Indeed, the reality we must contend with is far different from King's dream for the future: America has become a ticking time bomb of racial unrest and injustice, police militarization, surveillance, government corruption and ineptitude, the blowblack from a battlefield mindset and endless wars abroad, and a growing economic inequality between the haves and have nots.

King's own legacy has suffered in the process.

The image of the hard-talking, charismatic leader, voice of authority, and militant, nonviolent activist minister/peace warrior who staged sit-ins, boycotts and marches and lived through police attack dogs, water cannons and jail cells has been so watered down that younger generations recognize his face but know very little about his message.

Rubbing salt in the wound, while those claiming to honor King's legacy pay lip service to his life and the causes for which he died, they have done little to combat the evils about which King spoke and opposed so passionately: injustice, war, racism and economic inequality.

For instance, President Obama speaks frequently of King, but what has he done to bring about peace or combat the racial injustices that continue to be meted out to young black Americans by the police state?

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump plans to "honor" Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy by speaking at a convocation at Liberty University, but what has he done to combat economic injustice?

Democratic presidential contender Hillary Clinton will pay tribute to King's legacy by taking part in Columbia, South Carolina's King Day at the Dome event, but has she done anything to dispel her track record's impression that "machines and computers, profit motives and property rights are still considered more important than people"?

Unlike the politicians of our present day, King was a clear moral voice that cut through the fog of distortion. He spoke like a prophet and commanded that you listen. King dared to speak truth to the establishment and called for an end to oppression and racism. He raised his voice against the Vietnam War and challenged the military-industrial complex. And King didn't just threaten boycotts and sit-ins for the sake of photo ops and media headlines. Rather, he carefully planned and staged them to great effect.

The following key principles formed the backbone of Rev. King's life and work. King spoke of them incessantly, in every sermon he preached, every speech he delivered and every article he wrote. They are the lessons we failed to learn and, in failing to do so, we have set ourselves up for a future in which a militarized surveillance state is poised to eradicate freedom.

Practice militant non-violence, resist militarism and put an end to war.

"I could never again raise my voice against the violence of the oppressed in the ghettos without having first spoken clearly to the greatest purveyor of violence in the world today--my own government."--Martin Luther King Jr., Sermon at New York's Riverside Church (April 4, 1967)

On April 4, 1967, exactly one year before his murder, King used the power of his pulpit to condemn the U.S. for "using massive doses of violence to solve its problems, to bring about the changes it wanted." King called on the U.S. to end all bombing in Vietnam, declare a unilateral cease-fire, curtail its military build-up, and set a date for troop withdrawals. In that same sermon, King warned that "a nation that continues year after year to spend more money on military defense than on programs of social uplift is approaching spiritual death."

Fifty-some years later, America's military empire has been expanded at great cost to the nation, with the White House leading the charge. Indeed, in his recent State of the Union address, President Obama bragged that the U.S. spends more on its military than the next eight nations combined. Mind you, the money spent on wars abroad, weapons and military personnel is money that is not being spent on education, poverty and disease.

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Bernie Sanders with supporters

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As an avid follower of Bernie Sanders's campaign for President, I'm heartened by recent polls that show he now commands a broad level of support from the American electorate that could not have been foreseen by the conventional wisdom of only a year ago.



Poll results have long suggested that a large majority of Americans--of which I am one--agree with most, if not all, of Bernie's proposed solutions for reducing the country's egregious income inequality and boosting the middle class. This level of popular support for major government reforms in the private economy may also indicate a growing belief that "rugged individualism," a virtue of American pioneers still venerated by the Tea Party, no longer serves as a general model for economic success.

Indeed, given the complexities of the modern economy and its global reach, it is certainly true that few individuals can "make it" in America today by relying exclusively on their own initiative or skills. Yet, in a period when rational government intervention is sorely needed to restore economic opportunity for all Americans, most have been left in the lurch. The economy continues to be rigged by a corrupt Washington political establishment that, in return for now uncapped corporate funding of federal election campaigns, overlooks the broad common interest of the nation and serves instead the narrow special interests of global corporations and their rich and powerful managers. That neglect, according to published reports, has caused many Americans who can't find decent work or are stuck in jobs with long-stagnant wages to lose their faith that, in America, "hard work and playing by the rules" are the keys to success. For these Americans and many others who fear that one day they too will face the same predicament, Bernie Sanders's substantive proposals for helping the middle class and the struggling poor who aspire to it have brought new hope. It is a hope, moreover, that, based on Bernie's own actions as a candidate, can motivate many to direct political action. By declining PAC money, and advancing policy proposals to get all Big Money out of national politics, Bernie has clearly demonstrated his bona fides as a genuine fighter for ordinary people. People can be certain, therefore, that in fighting for Bernie they are also fighting for themselves.

A Campaign Gaining Steam

In line with the overwhelming support for his reform proposals, Bernie's campaign to become President is itself now beginning to gain steam. The latest tracking polls show him drawing even, or pulling narrowly ahead, of Hillary Clinton in the bellwether Iowa and New Hampshire primary contests. He is also closing in on Hillary in terms of national support, and generally matching up more favorably than she is against possible Republican opponents in the November election. All these trends, of course, increase the credibility of Bernie's run for President and the chance that he may in fact gain the Democratic nomination and win the election.

Despite this growing momentum, however, I believe it remains far from certain at this point that Bernie will win it all. One major obstacle is the still transparent support for Hillary by the Democratic party establishment, and its resistance to Bernie's outsider status as a "democratic socialist." Another is the general neglect of Bernie by the mass media up to now, resulting from their own commercial interests, their role as communication conduits for the American power structure, and their uncritical acceptance of orthodox establishment views. A third obstacle for Bernie is the imponderability of selling the American public on fundamental political change that challenges widespread cultural shibboleths, including reverence for the "Free Market," suspicion of "Big Government," and the still common notion that social worth is most reliably reflected by measures of income or wealth.

Given these obstacles, I believe two enhancements of the Sanders campaign may be needed to help give it staying power and strengthen its competitiveness. The first is to couch Bernie's program of economic fairness and social justice for the 99 Percent in the moral context of an American national community. From that perspective, the campaign would be required to not only push its demand that a larger portion of the economic pie be transferred from the Few to the Many, but also recognize with respect the indispensable role of the fortunate Few in generating the wealth by which the necessary reforms to achieve such a transfer can be funded.

The Sanders campaign could also be strengthened by making fully operational a vital component of Bernie's political strategy that he has long called for: the mobilization of millions of Americans in a broad popular movement that seeks in various ways to promote both his election and the adoption of his proposed reforms. According to an email message I received a few days ago from the Sanders campaign, Bernie himself will make a start toward creating such a movement with a live-stream special message to his supporters at 6 p.m. EST on January 23.

Pushing the Concept of an American "Community"

As I see it, Bernie's proposed reforms can gain maximum resonance with more Americans, including struggling conservatives, if they are presented not in the context of condemning the greed of the rich and powerful (though, of course, such condemnation may in many cases be justified), but in a moral appeal to the concept of an American "community." I would urge Bernie to expound on this watchword in his speeches, emphasizing first that, as members of one national community, all Americans have their parts to play. Representing the 99 Percent are the small-business operators, civil servants, health providers, lawyers, educators, journalists, freelancers, and ordinary working people who build and maintain the country's multi-faceted economic infrastructure; included in the One Percent are the corporate managers who make use of that foundation to create enormous economic wealth. This reminder should be followed by the equally important moral point that, as members of a national community, "We're all in this together." We all have an obligation to seek the well-being not only of ourselves, but of other members of the community.

Naturally, in the context of Bernie's economic reform proposals, the major onus for financing programs to enhance the well-being of those in need would fall on the very rich, who, along with the corporate bodies that underwrite their wealth, would be taxed at significantly higher rates. Such a hit could hardly be condemned as unfair, however, when regarded from the perspective of an American national "community." While the higher taxes would leave the very rich still very rich, and scarcely diminish lavish life styles, the revenues derived from them would help lift millions upon millions of working Americans from the want and burdens of financial struggle. Such an exchange, moreover, would reflect no taint of charity. It would be a matter of fairness (another long-held American virtue), since the extreme fortunes of the Few are dependent on the economic foundations created by the daily efforts of the Many.

The concept of American "community" would also underscore the revolutionary character of Bernie's campaign. It would signal that, as President, he would shift the primary focus of his administration away from the interests of corporate managers and billionaires to the well-being of the nation as a whole. In that political model, Americans with great power and wealth would no longer be regarded as privileged members of a small elite class; instead, they would simply be seen as rich members of a heterogeneous American community. As with other Americans, those in the "Billionaire Class" would be expected on moral principle to not only pursue their own self-interest, but to make sacrifices within their means to help ensure the well-being of all members of the national community.

What Bernie's "Political Revolution" Would Mean and How It Can Be Won

The concept of an American community is also totally consistent with a second enhancement of Bernie's campaign that I believe could help ensure its ultimate success. This is the mobilization of a mass political movement that, as I envision it, would be designed to 1) get out the vote for Bernie, 2) help get progressive supporters of his program elected to Congress, and 3) keep pushing his program with the next Congress, regardless of its political composition, if Bernie is elected President. As I've mentioned, the candidate himself will deliver a live-stream special message on this subject to his supporters at 6 p.m. EST on January 23.

There seems to be little question that radical reform of our economy is sorely needed today, when so few people have so much and so many have so little. Current indicators of income inequality are in fact so extreme, so unfair, and so unsustainable that it should drive Americans not only into the streets, but to their telephones, computer keyboards, and activist planning sessions to wage the kind of "political revolution" needed to get Bernie elected and his program adopted into law. As the candidate has often stated, he alone cannot shift the focus of the federal government from the narrow special interests of the rich and powerful to the broad common interest of America's "99 Percent." The present political culture and governing system are so deeply entrenched that only a united mass movement of the people can move uncommitted voters, corporate managers, and members of Congress to begin to associate their own well-being, self-worth, or viability with support for Bernie's reform program. Such a movement would, I believe, prove invincible, since it would be driven by a moral power, unavailable to its opponents, which would by its very nature attract more and more adherents every day.

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Reprinted from Consortium News

As the whodunit mystery surrounding the shoot-down of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 nears the 1-1/2-year mark, the Obama administration could open U.S. intelligence files and help bring justice for the 298 people killed in eastern Ukraine on July 17, 2014. Instead, a separate mystery has emerged: why has the U.S. government clammed up since five days after the tragedy?

Immediately after the crash, senior Obama administration officials showed no hesitancy in pointing fingers at the ethnic Russian rebels who were then resisting a military offensive by the U.S.-backed Kiev regime. On July, 20, 2014, Secretary of State John Kerry appeared on TV talk shows claiming there was a strong circumstantial case implicating the rebels and their Russian backers in the shoot-down.



After mentioning some information gleaned from "social media," Kerry said on NBC's " Meet the Press ": "But even more importantly, we picked up the imagery of this launch. We know the trajectory. We know where it came from. We know the timing. And it was exactly at the time that this aircraft disappeared from the radar."

Two days later, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence released a "Government Assessment," also citing "social media" seeming to implicate the rebels. Then, this white paper listed military equipment allegedly supplied by Russia to the rebels. But the list did not include a Buk missile battery or other high-powered anti-aircraft missiles capable of striking MH-17, which had been flying at around 33,000 feet.

The DNI also had U.S. intelligence analysts brief a few select mainstream reporters, but the analysts conveyed much less conviction than their superiors may have wished, indicating that there was still great uncertainty about who was responsible.

The Los Angeles Times article said: "U.S. intelligence agencies have so far been unable to determine the nationalities or identities of the crew that launched the missile. U.S. officials said it was possible the SA-11 [the designation for a Russian-made anti-aircraft Buk missile] was launched by a defector from the Ukrainian military who was trained to use similar missile systems."

That uncertainty meshed somewhat with what I had been told by a source who had been briefed by U.S. intelligence analysts shortly after the shoot-down about what they had seen in high-resolution satellite photos, which they said showed what looked like Ukrainian military personnel manning the battery which was believed to have fired the missile.

There is also an important distinction to make between the traditional "Intelligence Assessment," which is the U.S. intelligence community's gold standard for evaluating an issue, complete with any disagreements among the 16 intelligence agencies, and a "Government Assessment," like the one produced in the MH-17 case.

As former CIA analyst Ray McGovern wrote: "The key difference between the traditional 'Intelligence Assessment' and this relatively new creation, a 'Government Assessment,' is that the latter genre is put together by senior White House bureaucrats or other political appointees, not senior intelligence analysts. Another significant difference is that an 'Intelligence Assessment' often includes alternative views, either in the text or in footnotes, detailing disagreements among intelligence analysts, thus revealing where the case may be weak or in dispute."

In other words, a "Government Assessment" is an invitation for political hacks to manufacture what was called a "dodgy dossier" when the British government used similar tactics to sell the phony case for war with Iraq in 2002-03.

Demonizing Putin

Yet, despite the flimsiness of the "blame-Russia-for-MH-17" case in July 2014, the Obama administration's rush to judgment proved critical in whipping up the European press to demonize President Vladimir Putin, who became the Continent's bete noire accused of killing 298 innocent people. That set the stage for the European Union to accede to U.S. demands for economic sanctions on Russia.



Russian President Vladimir Putin during a state visit to Austria on June 24, 2014.

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The MH-17 case was deployed like a classic piece of "strategic communication" or "Stratcom," mixing propaganda with psychological operations to put an adversary at a disadvantage. Apparently satisfied with that result, the Obama administration stopped talking publicly, leaving the impression of Russian guilt to corrode Moscow's image in the public mind.

But the intelligence source who spoke to me several times after he received additional briefings about advances in the investigation said that as the U.S. analysts gained more insights into the MH-17 shoot-down from technical and other sources, they came to believe the attack was carried out by a rogue element of the Ukrainian military with ties to a hard-line Ukrainian oligarch. [See, for instance, Consortiumnews.com's "Flight 17 Shoot-Down Scenario Shifts" and "The Danger of an MH-17 Cold Case."]

But that conclusion -- if made public -- would have dealt another blow to America's already shaky credibility, which has never recovered from the false Iraq-WMD claims in 2002-03. A reversal also would embarrass Kerry, other senior U.S. officials and major Western news outlets, which had bought into the Russia-did-it narrative. Plus, the European Union might reconsider its decision to sanction Russia, a key part of U.S. policy in support of the Kiev regime.


Who should be entitled to hold the key?

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>If Zionists are entitled to incorporate Palestine into Israel based on the holocaust, what might other aggrieved peoples demand based on their prior sufferings?

"The Jews deserved Reparations for the Nazi Holocaust inflicted upon them," says Francis Boyle, the prominent University of Illinois international law authority. "And a Jewish State carved out of the German Nazi Reich would have been the appropriate and fitting Reparation. But stealing Palestine from the Palestinians was an Existential Injustice--not Reparations under international law."

The U.S. Congress apparently believes the people of Palestine must make good for the punishment Hitler inflicted on European Jewry. Congress supports this view by backing Israel's territorial claims and transferring $2-billion every year to Israel even though Israel treats the Palestinians as second-class citizens.

Speaking of holocausts, the Soviet Union lost 18 million citizens in WW2, most of them killed by Nazi death squads that followed their Panzers into Russia, machine-gunning civilians. The massacre of these defenseless non-combatants surely qualifies Russia today for holocaust-sufferer status. Does this vast crime against humanity entitle Russia to, at the least, say, the take over Bavaria? And what would we think if the Russians claimed it entitled them to getting their former province Finland back? Would the American Congress show as little pity for the Finns as it displays for Palestinians?

China lost 8 million citizens to war crimes perpetrated in WWII by the Imperial Japanese Army. Shouldn't this, by the same logic, entitle them to a part of Japan? And what if the Chinese should insist they don't want part of Japan as compensation but instead claim that they want to rule Brazil? Wouldn't we regard that as absurd? By what right, we would ask?

Shouldn't such fundamental issues of justice be resolved by a world court rather than by a clash of armed antagonists vying for control? Hasn't the fighting in Palestine/Israel gone on long enough?

As for the European takeover of the Americas, estimates of the number of "Indians" living in North America vary widely but it may have been several million. Whatever the figure, a high percentage of them were killed or fell victim to starvation and disease because of the invasion. A common saying among whites to justify this slaughter was, "The only good Indian is a dead Indian." Even a century after Custer's defeat at Little Big Horn, (in which more than a hundred braves also died in defense of their homeland), one conservative U.S. magazine dismissed the genocidal slaughter by characterizing Native American men as a bunch of "horse-thieves and wife-beaters."

And what restitution for the American invasion of Mexico that led to the seizure of a vast region stretching from Texas to California? Of course, there's always a question of whether the Mexicans would want back any part of what they lost, as much of it is on fire at any given moment and billions must be spent annually to house its criminals.

If Jews are entitled to Palestine, Native Americans are entitled to the UK, where so many of their oppressors came from; the Chinese are entitled to Tokyo; and the natives of the Amazon rain forests are entitled to celebrate their next holiday as the rulers of Lisbon. Americans who think this is all academic can restore some small semblance of justice by returning Hawaii to the indigenous people there; by returning Guantanamo to Cuba, and by vacating Okinawa, and 900 other bases around the world where, by and large, they are not wanted by local populations----at a fabulous savings to U.S. taxpayers.

And the former inhabitants of the Chagos Islands in the Indian Ocean have an iron-clad case to get their own homeland back. USA and UK should return it to them and beg their forgiveness. So that the Pentagon could build a military base there, in what the Washington Post called "a mass kidnapping," the inhabitants were removed by force between 1968 and 1973 by the British and dumped in Mauritius and The Seychelles. The military geniuses who removed the inhabitants---in what had to be the PR blunder of the millennium---also gassed their pet dogs!

In sum, if Zionists are entitled to Palestine, a few other aggrieved peoples may also have a case. Boyle's extensive arguments on the injustices done the Palestinians can be found in his books, "Palestine, Palestinians and International Law" (2003) and "The Palestinian Right of Return under International Law"(2011).

#

(Sherwood Ross is a former wire service columnist. He has won awards both for his reporting and poetry. He currently operates a Miami-based public relations firm for good causes.)
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PGE and PacifiCorp would be required to stop serving Oregon electricity demand with coal fired power plants by 2035 under a bill proposed for the 2016 legislative session. This file photo shows PGE's coal plant in Boardman, which is slated to shut in 2020.

((The Oregonian/Brent Wojahn))

State utility regulators have expressed deep reservations to Gov. Kate Brown about a proposed bill that would fundamentally restructure Oregon's energy supply by 2040, eliminating coal-fired power and forcing utilities to serve half their customers' demand with renewable power.

Commissioners and staff at the Oregon Public Utility Commission believe the bill would increase electricity costs and shift risk from utilities to ratepayers. They also say it wouldn't actually reduce carbon dioxide emissions, according to

in response to a public records request.

The commissioners prepared those talking points to respond to the media and legislator calls they expected when utilities and environmental groups released their Clean Energy and Coal Transition Plan earlier this month. But the governor's office directed the commissioners, whose primary charge is protecting consumer interests, not to share any of its feedback publicly.

Susan Ackerman, chair of the PUC. Term expires March 2016.

"I don't have dispensation to speak," Susan Ackerman, the chair of the commission, told The Oregonian/Oregonlive on Friday. "The governor can fire any of us at any time."

The commission has scheduled a January 29 hearing to get input on the bill from utilities. But the timing leaves a single week before a legislative body with little industry expertise will be asked to consider what may the biggest change in history to the state's energy policy - and to consider it in a session that lasts only a month.

Chris Pair, a spokesman for the governor, denied that there was a gag order on the commissioners. Pair said they had just been encouraged to provide "further analysis with complete data once there was actual legislation drafted and introduced before providing conclusions to the media or legislators."

Pair said the governor's energy advisor, Ruchi Sadhir, and chief of staff, Kristen Leonard, had been briefed by members of the group who developed the the plan. The Legislative Counsel's office said a draft of the bill would be available January 22nd.

"The Governor supports charting a course to lower greenhouse gas emissions and believes expanding the availability of renewable energy in Oregon is one way to make a meaningful impact," Pair said.

The bill was negotiated behind closed doors between utilities and environmental groups. It is being sponsored by Rep. Jessica Vega Pederson, D-Portland, chair of the House Energy and Environment Committee and the former political chair of the Sierra Club, which is part of the broad environmental and utility lobby backing the proposal. Vega Pederson could not be reached Friday.

The environmental groups backing the bill were gathering signatures for proposed ballot measures next November that contained even more aggressive renewable energy and anti-coal mandates. They have agreed to drop those efforts if the bill passes.

Utilities contend that the compromise they've negotiated is better for ratepayers than the alternative, and could be accomplished without impacting grid reliability or significantly increasing costs.

John Savage, Commissioner, Term expires March 2017.

But John Savage, the longest serving of Oregon's three utility commissioners, told the governor's energy advisor in a Dec. 17 email that he had two significant concerns. "It won't alter one bit what coal plants run and what are shut down regardless of what folks say. With or without the bill, what plants are shut down and when will be determined by what happens in other states and for other reasons (e.g. EPA regulations). So, I see absolutely no carbon benefit."

He also said Oregon would be forced to "substitute higher cost resources for cheap, fully amortized coal which will drive up rates for no good reason."

The talking points Ackerman e-mailed to the governor's chief of staff January 6 said the commission had been shut out of the discussions. "We think also industrial customers, consumer owned utilities, independent power producers, and community solar advocates were shut out. We believe that no one on the group that crafted the bill represented the public interest in the discussion."

That's not entirely true. The state's advocacy group for residential ratepayers, the Citizen's Utility Board, was party to the negotiations. But the group had already signed on to support the more aggressive ballot measures, and has routinely allied itself with environmental and renewable energy advocates.

CUB's executive director, Bob Jenks, did not return calls Friday for comment.

The energy bill is effectively a new electricity-procurement standard. It would force Portland General Electric and PacifiCorp, which together serve 70 percent of the state, to stop importing "coal by wire" from other states, and boost the percentage of demand served with renewable resources like wind and solar to 50 percent by 2040. That's an increase from the current standard, which calls for 25 percent by 2025.

It's not clear the goal will be enforceable, since it's not possible to discriminate between electrons at the state border. Regardless, it would be a massive shift for PacifiCorp, which today serves roughly 60 percent of customers' demand with coal-fired plants spread over five western states.

The mandate could also blow up the formula the company uses to allocate costs among customers in its six-state operating territory, forcing Oregon customers to shoulder higher costs for new renewables developed to meet its mandates.

PGE has a lesser but still significant exposure to coal, both through its ownership of coal-fired plants in Oregon and Montana and its big purchases of power in the wholesale market.

Financial analysts believe the legislation has a major financial upside for the utilities and their shareholders, if not ratepayers.

"This legislation would present (PGE) with a major opportunity," a team of analysts from UBS Securities said in a Jan. 15 research note to investors. Every 5 percent increase in the state's renewable mandate, they said, translates into roughly 300 megawatts of new renewable power that PGE would have to acquire.

They estimated that would require an extra $3 to $5 billion of capital investment by the utility through 2040, "a portion of which is likely to be rate based...The continued trajectory for renewable investments is the primary benefit of the strategy."

Robert Kahn, head of an advocacy group for independent power producers, the Northwest & Intermountain Power Producers Coalition, said it was disappointing there was no explicit guarantee in the proposal that replacement power would be procured in competition with other power producers.

"We know the utilities are licking their chops to build all this stuff," he said.

Backers of previous efforts to increase Oregon's renewable energy mandates have suggested they could bring a new wave of investment to rural counties as utilities build new wind and solar installations. While that could happen, most of the sites with good wind and proximity to transmission lines on the Columbia Plateau have been spoken for, and utilities don't want to concentrate too much of their wind turbine fleet in any given area.

Accessing out-of-state resources and eastern Oregon solar means potentially significant investment in new transmission lines, energy storage and gas-fired power generators that could back up intermittent solar and wind power.

Consumers surveyed by the Sierra Club and the utilities do express support for reducing coal-fired power and adding more renewable energy, but those preferences are tempered by their desire to keep rates low. In practice, only 12 percent of residential customers are willing to pay a premium to participate in the utilities' green power programs, in which they buy renewable energy credits to offset the carbon emissions associated with their electricity use.

Both PGE and PacifiCorp face steep costs to upgrade their existing coal-fired power plants to meet federal pollution regulations, and the federal government has started regulating emissions of carbon from existing power plants. The risk of further carbon-related costs and regulations, coupled with a steep decline in the cost of wind and solar energy, are prime reasons the utilities say the new standard could make economic sense.

PGE has already agreed to shut its coal plant in Boardman by 2020 to avoid investing in environmental upgrades. As part of the new agreement, it would stop taking power from its partial ownership of the Colstrip plant in Montana by 2035. PacifiCorp has also agreed to the accelerated shut down of a number of its coal-fired power plants.

That leaves a big hole to fill with renewable resources. The two utilities say ratepayers are protected by an existing cost cap in state law that lets them off the hook for renewables investments if they are more than 4 percent more costly than alternative sources of power. And the utilities wouldn't have add additional renewable energy if it would impact system reliability.

Ackerman, though, raised other other concerns in her email to the governor's chief of staff. "The legislation requires us to reverse or revisit commission decisions made through the OPUC's thorough and open public processes. It shifts risk from utility shareholders to consumers, it tends to protect the utilities from current competitive pressures..."

- Ted Sickinger

tsickinger@oregonian.com

503-221-8505; @tedsickinger
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Zazou saved the day in a Portlander's dispute with the water bureau.

(Courtesy of Carie)

Yelp has made the complaint letter, angrily dashed off to a customer-service department or even the CEO, a lost art. Why send a letter or email into the corporate void, we now think, when we can post our dissatisfaction on the Internet for everyone to see?

The answer: Because the successful complaint letter isn't just a venting of spleen. It seeks understanding. It wants to help the world -- or at least the targeted organization -- be a better place. And, perhaps most of all, it strives to be entertaining. The complaint letter has a proud tradition.

Portlanders instinctively understand all of this. So when a Rose City resident named Carie got hit with an unexpected late fee from the Portland Water Bureau last week, she didn't let loose on Facebook or elsewhere on the Web. She sent an email directly to the bureau. Here it is:

Good morning,

Today, I received a reminder notice in the mail regarding my LATE payment for my water/sewer bill and was fined $6.94.

My account # is ____________.

I'm not concerned about the amount of the fine, but rather about the nature of my autopay. I attached a screenshot of my account, and you can see that I have been paying my water/sewer bill by Autopay since 2013. In fact, my September payment was paid in this same manner on Sept. 21, 2015. However, I did not receive any email indicating my autopay was terminated and my December bill went unpaid. I searched through my email history and could not find information regarding this change.

I paid my outstanding bill online today on Jan. 9, 2015 and enrolled in the E-Bill program. I would like confirmation that these are indeed TWO different programs and want to be reassured that I will not be doubled bill.

I would like to have my account credited the $6.94 to my account if this is not an error of mine.

Sincerely,

Carie

Then she calmed down. And looked into the matter a little bit. And felt abashed. Off went another email:

To the Good People of the Water Bureau,

Please accept my apologies, for I am an a--hole customer.

Yesterday (1/9), I popped off a semi-tirade of an email. I pride myself on paying my utilities on time and was taken aback when I received a late notice on my December water/sewer bill. Like any proud resident of Portland, I immediately paid it online but not before I got a word in.

I could blame this on low blood sugar (it was hours after brunch) or on day-nine shakes of No-Drink January. However, after a little research the blame falls squarely on my shoulders after further research on how the Water Bureau switched payment methods to protect the consumer's banking information. The nerve of having your citizenry's best interests in mind!

As public employees, I am sure you receive chippy emails often and it must get disheartening at times. Douchy customers taking potshots and demanding $6.91 credits on their account. For shame!!!

I will proudly pay my late fee and be more mindful the next time I hit send after composing an email while upset. This time, I'm attaching a picture of my cat Zazou instead of a copy of my payment history.

Sincerely,

Carie

Zazou, by the way, is a very fluffy, very cute cat (see photo above). The Water Bureau responded generously (to Zazou as well as Carie), commiserating over the unfairness of the autopay change and No-Drink January. It waived the $6.91 late fee. "I have been doing this job for many years and this is going down as one of my favorites emails," the bureau's customer-service director wrote.

Inevitably, the winning email exchange made the rounds of Carie's friends (and, we're sure, the Water Bureau's offices), and everyone ooohed and ahhhed over the glorious return of the complaint letter.

So now you probably want to try one yourself, right? OK, do it. There's always something worth complaining about. Here's a tip: You don't have to be as nice as Carie. Let's face it, even that first, hepped-up email is rather mild. Here's an excerpt from a 2010 complaint letter from Anthony, who collects such screeds for his website. It's directed at Britannia Hampstead Hotel in London and liberally uses the complaint letter's most valuable weapon: sarcasm.

"I noticed at once the remarkable interior design of the lobby, bar and restaurant areas," Anthony wrote. "The seventies style really is making a comeback, isn't it? The fact that yours is actually original gives the place that touch of real authenticity. I bet that one of the Board of Directors' wives has (or had, she may be dead by now of course) a real talent for combining 'eclectic' pieces of furniture and remarkable flowery wallcoverings to create spaces of stunning originality."

Don't worry, that shot at the cheesy, outdated interior design is just warm up. What Anthony is really upset about is the run-down, flat-out-gross condition of his hotel room. The letter includes photos of mold-stained walls, crumbling bathroom tile and a low-hanging chandelier at "eye level." He closes the letter with a spot-on postscript: "I apologize for the very poor quality of the photographs. These were taken using my mobile phone and after I had been knocked out by the chandelier so my photographic skills were somewhat impaired."

The postscript is a mostly forgotten piece of pre-Internet literary life. It's simply a little bit of additional text you tack on after signing your name, and it is highly recommended for complaint letters. Back in 2000, for example, a man who owned a Plymouth Neon was so disappointed in its performance he decided to write to DaimlerChrysler's Customer Relations Department. He insisted he'd "had several mechanics and dealers literally laugh at me for buying this Neon. ...There isn't much on this car that hasn't failed yet. It's quite remarkable. The only thing that works well is the 'check engine' light. It's on most of the time: bright, yellow and warm. It lights up the whole cabin at night, advertising to passengers what a fine machine I drive."

Good sarcasm there. But then the postscript really closes the deal. "PS: I look forward to your enthusiastic and prompt response. Since I didn't get one last time from you ninnies, I'm also sending this letter to a few other people, just to see if they might care more. I've got nothing to lose and nothing better to do, since I don't have a car to get out."

Pure perfection. But as important as sarcasm is for a successful complaint letter, to write a truly memorable one you must, first and foremost, have outrage. That's why the all-time greatest letter in this genre comes from a professional writer who's complaining to his London Sunday Times editors about how his copy was treated. "I don't really like people tinkering with my copy for the sake of tinkering," journalist Giles Coren wrote in 2008. "I do not enjoy the suggestion that you have a better ear or eye for how I want my words to read than I do. Owen, we discussed your turning three of my long sentences into six short ones in a single piece, and how that wasn't going to happen anymore, so I'm really hoping it wasn't you that f---ed up my review on Saturday."

What was the awful tinkering? For Bill Clinton, right and wrong famously turned on "what the meaning of 'is' is." For Coren, it was about what the meaning of "a" is. That's right, he was steamed because his editor had removed one little indefinite article from his restaurant review's last sentence. (And the thing is, he's completely right. Read his entire explanation for his pique.)

At any rate, here's how he ends his rant (and, needless to say, Coren spelled out all the expletives that, for propriety's sake, we've neutered with dashes):

I am sorry if this looks petty (last time I mailed a Times editor about the change of a single word I got in all sorts of trouble) but I care deeply about my work and I hate to have it f---ed up by s--t [editing]. I have been away, you've been [editing] Joe and Hugo and maybe they just file and f--- off and think, 'Hey ho, it's tomorrow's fish and chips' -- well, not me. I woke up at three in the morning on Sunday and f---ing lay there, furious, for two hours. Weird, maybe, but that's how it is.

It strips me of all confidence in writing for the magazine. No exaggeration. I've got a review to write this morning and I really don't feel like doing it, for fear that some nuance is going to be removed from the final line, the pay-off, and I'm going to have another weekend ruined for me.

I've been writing for The Times for 15 years and I have never asked this before -- I have never asked it of anyone I have written for -- but I must insist, from now on, that I am sent a proof of every review I do, in pdf format, so I can check it for f--k-ups. And I must be sent it in good time in case changes are needed. It is the only way I can carry on in the job.

And, just out of interest, I'd like whoever made that change to email me and tell me why. Tell me the exact reasoning which led you to remove that word from my copy.

Right, sorry to go on. Anger, real steaming f---ing anger can make a man verbose.

All the best

Giles

You've got to love that "All the best" closer -- an Englishman, even after a letter peppered with f-bombs and threats, still can't resist the pull of decent manners.

Of course, editors are writers too, and so they weren't willing to let Coren's thrashing go unanswered. They acknowledged he was right about that indefinite article (really, follow the link to the entire letter) but chastised him for being so rude. They announced plans to print up T-shirts with the message, "Giles Coren is a sanctimonious little [jerk] who needs to get over himself." As always -- and especially with complaint letters -- it's wise to know your audience.

-- Douglas Perry
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Travis Maurer was sued by former business associates who allege he misused funds.

(Jeff Mapes/The Oregonian)

STORY UPDATED 9/30/2020: The lawsuit has been settled, after Travis and Leah Maurer countersued and Randy Quast paid Travis and Leah Maurer $100,000, according to settlement documents. Read that story here.

A prominent marijuana activist who played an key role in the passage of Oregons legalization measure and his wife have been sued by a former business associate who accuses them of fraud.

Travis and Leah Maurer, who live in Portland, were sued Friday in Multnomah County Circuit Court by former associate, Randy Quast. Quast is seeking $1 million in damages.

Leah Maurer is a well-known cannabis activist in her own right and is co-chair of the Portland chapter of Women Grow, a marijuana networking group.

(See related: How Travis Maurer went from Missouri pot bust to masterminding Oregon's marijuana initiative)

Mauer has also been sued by Christopher Young and Jeffrey White, his former partners in The Weed Blog, an Oregon-based cannabis news and information blog.

Maurer, in a text message Friday to The Oregonian/OregonLive, said he and his wife "certainly don't agree with the claims and will respond in due course."

In his suit, Quast accuses the Maurers of breach of contract, defamation, negligence and fraud. The suit alleges that he entered into a business arrangement with the Maurers to grow and sell cannabis commercially.

He said he moved to Portland last year and was befriended by the couple who asked if he would invest in a dispensary and grow business.

He alleges that he gave the Maurers nearly $700,000 to build the business and that they used $340,274.94 to cover personal expenses and debts. The rest, he alleges, was supposed to go toward the business. The funds were spent on the dispensary but that "the grow operation was never built," the suit alleges.

He alleges that in all the couple spent $500,000 of his money to pay for personal debt. He asked them to repay him, but they declined, saying "they do not have the money as they spent it and have not reasonable means of repayment."

He also alleges that Travis Maurer told Young and White, his associates in the Weed Blog, that he is a "pedophile" and a "drunk who likes little kids." Quast said the characterizations are false. He said Maurer made the accusations to "obtain leverage" over Quast.

He said the false accusations caused him the "loss of his reputation, shame, mortification, hurt feelings and emotional distress."

In the separate suit filed by The Weed Blog suit, his former business associates allege that Maurer used the web site's finances to cover personal expenses. The suit accuses Maurer, who served as the blog's chief financial officer, of transferring money from the company's bank account to his "various personal accounts" to pay "personally incurred debts."

Young and White accuse Maurer of failing to maintain the business's registry with the Oregon Secretary of State, failing to file tax returns, failing to respond to potential advertisers "resulting in a significant number of lost sales and damage" to the blog's reputation.

As a result of Maurer's actions, the suit alleges, the blog's "bank accounts have been depleted leaving insufficient funds" to cover its operating costs. White and Young said the company has experienced significant loss of revenue and advertising sales due to Maurer's actions.

They are seeking at least $51,000 in damages.

-- Noelle Crombie

503-276-7184; @noellecrombie
By the editors of Bloomberg View

Thursday's brazen attacks in downtown Jakarta raise a frightening specter: that Islamic State might gain a foothold in the world's most populous Muslim nation. As elsewhere, though, the best way to meet this threat is to appreciate its limits and not overreact.

Much remains unclear about the daylight assault in which gunfire and explosions rocked one of the main thoroughfares of Indonesia's capital, near offices occupied by the United Nations. But several hours after the attacks, Islamic State claimed responsibility, and Indonesian officials have cited Bahrun Naim, an Indonesian fighting with the group in Syria, as the plot's ringleader. In recent weeks, authorities have detained nearly two dozen other suspected militants amid fears of a plot to target civilians over the holidays. Australia's attorney-general warned last month that Islamic State hoped to establish a "distant caliphate" in Indonesia.

On paper, Southeast Asia would appear especially vulnerable to Islamic extremism. An alphabet soup of radical groups continues to evade authorities across Indonesia and the Philippines, often in remote areas ideal for hiding training camps. Laws and border controls can be lax; Indonesia, for instance, has moved slowly to criminalize going abroad to join a terror group. Meanwhile, a more conservative brand of Islam, spread in part by Wahhabi-funded mosques and madrassas, has become increasingly popular in both Indonesia and multiethnic Malaysia. Attacks on Myanmar's Rohingya Muslims have become a rallying cry across the region.

At the same time, the region's existing terrorist groups are small, scattered and relatively ineffective. While some have pledged allegiance to Islamic State, their influence remains weak. Indonesian prison officials have been able to divide and isolate some factions with almost comic ease. And Southeast Asian governments have recently increased their intelligence sharing and efforts to counter Islamic State's online appeals.

While the number of Indonesians who have left to fight in Syria and Iraq is unclear, an official estimate of about 700 is almost certainly too high. Only about one in a million Muslim Indonesians has taken up arms with Islamic State, the U.S. Agency for International Development estimates; in France, the proportion is 18 times that.

Certainly there's more that governments in the region can do. Counterterrorism officials need to improve their ability to analyze and undermine Islamic State's social media communications, for example. Prison officials should cut off terrorism detainees' access to the Internet and mobile phones, as well as intensify efforts to combat recruitment from inside jails. Prison, police and intelligence officials could work much more closely together to create a fuller picture of known terrorists and their networks.

But there's a reason that Indonesia has proven generally resistant to Islamic extremism. Like India, which also has one of the world's biggest Muslim populations, it is a stable democracy that protects the rule of law and open expression, and it has a long tradition of religious tolerance. As authorities confront this latest threat, they can find strength in these virtues.

(c) 2016, Bloomberg View
Portlanders have at least two very good reasons for optimism in 2016. The first is an election that will determine who occupies three of City Council's five seats, including, crucially, the one held by lame-duck Mayor Charlie Hales. The second is the likelihood that city residents will vote on a gas tax in May to repair Portland's long-neglected roads.

The prospect of voting on a tax isn't normally a cause for celebration, but consider how the street-funding struggle evolved. Hales and Commissioner Steve Novick, who oversees the city's transportation bureau, proposed a transportation fee in 2014 that was expected to generate $40 million to $50 million per year. The proposal was highly controversial and soon flopped. There ensued a protracted period of public brainstorming during which some truly exotic street-funding proposals were aired, including a local income tax. It took a long time to get to this point, but settling on a gas tax would be a victory for common sense, simplicity and accountability.

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

_______________________________

Yes, accountability. The tax proposal Novick will bring to Council on Jan. 27 would apply a dime a gallon to gasoline and some diesel, and it would last for only four years. At that point, voters would have to renew it. This deadline will provide a powerful incentive for the city to spend the revenue, about $16 million per year, responsibly.

Such moments of fiscal sobriety in City Hall would be less notable if they occurred more frequently. The prevailing culture in Portland government, however, is better reflected by City Council's decision in December to create a paid parental leave benefit for city employees. Whatever the legitimate public policy reasons for adding this benefit might be - and we're certainly not suggesting there aren't any - commissioners should ask first whether it's actually needed. After all, city employees, like many public-sector workers, have the ability to use accrued sick time and vacation leave to cover parental leave. But when The Oregonian/OregonLive editorial board asked Portland Human Resources director Anna Kanwit about the cost to taxpayers of the new benefit, she asserted that "the fiscal piece is very narrow and small-minded."

Portland taxpayers should be appalled that anyone in city government considers it small-minded to consider the costs of city programs and policies. But don't blame Kanwit. She could argue that she's simply following the lead set by City Council itself, which has perfected the art of ignoring costs its members find inconvenient. A list of examples would stretch from Portland to Salem, but two from 2015 are worth noting.

The first is Council's decision to revamp the methodology for calculating park-development fees applied to new residential and business space. The subject is wonky, but the change will substantially boost fees on most new development. City Council was happy to ignore that fact even as its members spent much of the year wringing their hands about the rising cost of housing in and around Portland.

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:

Post your comment below, submit a

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If you have questions about

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The second example is Hales' decision, tacitly endorsed by his colleagues, to chase off Pembina Pipeline Corp., which had proposed to build a half-billion dollar export terminal for propane at the Port of Portland. By making the decision, which was nothing more than environmental posturing, Hales agreed to impose a significant cost on the blue-collar workers who would have built the facility, the small number of people who would have worked there permanently and the thousands of people who would have benefited from the steady stream of property-tax revenue. When it comes to making grand gestures, Hales and his colleagues seem to consider it narrow and small-minded to weigh the costs.

Portland would work much better - and more Portlanders would find decent work - if City Council regularly exhibited the sort of discipline derided in City Hall as small-minded. To change the Council's direction for the better, it will first be necessary to change its leadership for the better. Portlanders should be thrilled, then, by Hales' decision not to seek a second term and for the willingness of two highly qualified candidates - Ted Wheeler and Jules Bailey - to seek his seat.

Among the qualities that will distinguish Wheeler and Bailey in the coming months, voters should pay particular attention to those that indicate a penchant for beneficial small-mindedness and the potential to lead City Council and City Hall in a more responsible and sober direction. Who, in other words, would be the gas-tax mayor, and who would be the Pembina mayor? Choosing the best candidate will go a long way toward making Portland a city that works better in the coming years, no matter what the final year of Hales' tenure may bring.
When the schoolboy Michael Doucet attended family and community gatherings rich with traditional musicians and storytellers, he realized that with the passage of time, these cultural mainstays were falling away.

He set out to preserve the music of his southwest Louisiana French-speaking culture, ended up popularizing it, and 40 years after it formed, fans of his band, Beausoleil avec Michael Doucet, are still waltzing, two-stepping and toe-tapping their appreciation.

Theyll do it again Saturday, Jan.23, when Beausoleil appears at the 25th annual Night of Louisiana at Central Michigan University in Mount Pleasant.

Doucet said he was surrounded by musicians who played fiddles, guitars, mandolins and accordions, and sang in French, amidst celebrations of dance and food. With a Folk Arts Apprenticeship from the National Endowment of the Arts he set to capture the tunes and folkways, hanging out with such venerable players as Dewey Balfa, Dennis McGee and others.

With them, I studied  well, I cant say studied, because we always had a good time, too, he said in a phone interview with the Daily News.

At family gatherings hed heard about Joseph Broussard dit Beausoleil, a stubborn French-Acadian resistance fighter in Nova Scotia who eventually settled in Louisiana. At each family gathering there in the 1950s and 1960s, Doucet said, old people told us the story, every time, in French and in English  and then we could go play.

Soon, he was playing in several musical groups. One, a duo, was invited to play at a folk festival in France in 1974, where Doucet was stunned to hear songs hed heard his aunts sing in Louisiana.

By then hed had to come up with a band name. Nice day, sun shining, I just thought of Beausoleil, which in French means beautiful sun.

Across 40 years since, Beausoleil, emerged as the best-known in the southwest Louisiana genre that came to be known as Cajun - a contraction of Acadian, the French-Canadian culture been chased south to the bayous by conflicts with the British and French beginning in the 1600s.

Now, thanks to the band, its synonymous with the emotional, energetic music of the bayous and beyond. Its lineup includes Doucet on fiddle and vocals, his brother David Doucet on guitar and vocals, Billy Ware on percussion, Tommy Alesi on percussion, and Mitchell Reed on bass and fiddle.

Doucet calls the bands music participatory, with dance a big part of the fun. Were not just playing on a stage, but celebrating Cajun culture. Culture, he said, is a matter of being who you are. It can be a neighborhood, culture, an ethnic culture, a country culture - as an individual, its how you learn.

Much is taught by elders, he said, who may not know how to use an iPad, but they still have wisdom.

While holding fast to the culture and musical roots of Cajun music, Doucet said his band has always listened for and welcomed other influences.

Indeed, Doucets first U.S. album, released in 1977 was something of a sampler, a vehicle with which he could teach people about what would come to be called roots music. There was Cajun and other music -- blues, ballads, two-step, the whole gamut, said Doucet.

Many more albums would follow, including 2013s From Bamako to Carencro, (Compass Records) celebrating cultural connections between the capital of the West African nation of Mali, and the Lafayette, LA suburb, respectively.

The band, nominated 12 times for Grammy awards, won twice. It was featured on the New Orleans-based hit HBO program Treme, and appeared in its final episode. In 2005 Doucet received a National Heritage Fellowship from the National Endowment of the Arts for his work preserving Cajun culture, and a United States Artists Fellowship in 2007.

Along the way Beausoleil played for Jimmy Carters 1977 inauguration, and venues such as the National Folk Festival, while chef Paul Prudhomme and others put Cajun culture on the map. It was food, said Doucet of that revival, but this always was kitchen music. Its always revolved around people cooking.

That makes Night of Louisianas optional Louisiana-style dinner a natural match.

The evenings other act is K. Jones and the Benzie Playboys, based in Northwest Lower Michigans Benzie County and dedicated, according to a WCMU news release, to bringing the roots sound of southwest Louisianas Creole, Cajun and Zydeco scene to the Great Lakes area.

The band will also give dance lessons in the Fieldhouse from 6:30 - 7:15 p.m.

WHAT: 25th annual Night of Louisiana - music, dancing, cash bar, dinner option

WHERE: Central Michigan Universitys Finch Fieldhouse

WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 23, doors open at 6 p.m.

MUSIC: K. Jones and the Benzie Playboys; BeauSoleil

TICKETS: $25 each in advance, $30 at door, dinner tickets sold separately

TICKETS AT: wcmu.org/events or Ticket Central at 1-888-CMU-0111
OUAGADOUGOU, Burkina Faso (AP)  Al-Qaida militants struck an upscale hotel and nearby cafe in Burkina Faso's capital late Friday that are popular with Westerners, taking an unknown number of hostages and forcing others to hide for their lives. Three hours later, gunfire could still be heard as soldiers in an armored vehicle finally approached the area where cars had been set ablaze.

The local al-Qaida affiliate known as AQIM claimed responsibility online as the attack was ongoing in downtown Ouagadougou at the 147-room Splendid Hotel, according to the SITE Intelligence Group.

In a message posted in Arabic on the militants' "Muslim Africa" Telegram account, it said fighters had "broke into a restaurant of one of the biggest hotels in the capital of Burkina Faso, and are now entrenched and the clashes are continuing with the enemies of the religion."

Witness Vital Nounagnon told the AP that he saw four men attack the hotel and neighboring Cappuccino Cafe about 7:30 p.m. Another witness who gave only his first name, Gilbert, said that when Burkinabe security forces first arrived, they turned around rather than confront the attackers.

"But we know that the gunmen won't get out of the hotel alive," he said. "Our country is not for jihadists or terrorists. They got it wrong."

A man who works the day shift at the Cappuccino Cafe, Alpha Ouedraogo, had left just 90 minutes before the attack began. He said he had been in touch by phone with other employees and that more than a dozen of them were in hiding and awaiting rescue.

Burkina Faso, a largely Muslim country, has been in turmoil since its longtime president was ousted in a popular uprising in late 2014. Last September members of a presidential guard launched a coup that lasted only about a week. The transitional government returned to power until Burkina Faso's November election ushered in new leaders.

Friday's violence mirrored a devastating attack on the Radisson Blu hotel in neighboring Mali back in November that left 20 people dead. In that case, Malian troops  backed by French and American special forces  swarmed in to retake the building and free terrified guests and hotel staff during a siege that lasted more than seven hours.

While Burkina Faso has largely been spared from the violence carried out by Islamic extremist groups in Mali, a Romanian national was abducted last April.
Rating:

Director: Pandiraj

Cast: Vishal, Catherine Tresa, Karunas

If there ever was an award category that is along the lines of stylish & good looking but lacking in the ideas department, then Kathakali is a film that is sure to bag one of those. Directed by Pandiaraj and starring Vishal and Catherine, the movie moves at a brisk pace, is visually pleasing, and is slightly stereotypical in the storyline and character development.

The movie begins with the return of Amudhan (Vishal) from the United States to Cuddalore. His demeanor and mannerisms are a bit Americanized and he often is mocked for that. Meanwhile, his family - especially his brother (Mime Gopi), runs a seashell business under a local ring leader named Thamba. Thamba controls this hugely profitable business in the region and this naturally brews envy and enmity. One fine day, Thamba is murdered and a power struggle of sorts erupts. The henchmen under Thamba are looking for a scapegoat and Amudhan seems like the perfect choice. In addition, the head of the Cuddalore police department has a plan of his own! He seems to be playing a double game where hes keeping both Amudhan and Thambas henchmen at an arms length. This segment of the narration is laced with flashbacks and uncertainties over who murdered Thamba.

At the same time, Amudhan also falls in love with Meenukutty (Catherine.) The story behind this relationship is narrated in a way only Tamil cinema can: despite her initial disinterest, the hero stalks her around, finds out her address and even pretends to help her out while all the time lying. But under the guise of good natured fun and affection, these incidents feel rather trivial as him winning her over is all that matters. Amudhan of course wins her over and the duo is all set to get married when all this threat of violence arrives to spoil the party. The reminder of the story hinges on Amudhans mastermind ability to spoil the plot and beat the stuffing out of his enemies.

As already mentioned, the film is very visually pleasing. Vishal rocks the scene with his cool and easygoing nature. Especially the way in which he reacts to adversity seems very fitting of the image he projects. Catherine as his love interest is cute, bubbly and also given a good performance. Karunas impresses as a comedian and all other cast lend their solid support.

Pandiraj sure knows how to present a thriller in an interesting manner. The great thing about the film is that it moves along at a brisk pace. Clocking in just under 2 hours, not many scenes are left to drone on for too long. Additionally, cinematography by Balasubramaniem is very pleasing and atmospheric. Large parts of the film have been shot during the night and the lighting during that time is excellent. Hiphop Tamizhas intriguing background score goes well with the mood of the film. For these reasons, Kathakali is definitely worth a watch. Itll keep you engaged.
OUAGADOUGOU, Burkina Faso (AP)  Burkina Faso and French forces killed four extremists Saturday and freed more than 126 people to end the seizure of a luxury hotel by al-Qaida-linked militants, Burkina Faso officials said.

In addition to the four jihadists, at least 23 people were killed in the attack at the Splendid Hotel and a nearby cafe in Ouagadougou, the capital, the president said. Three attackers were killed at the hotel and a fourth was killed when security forces cleared out a second hotel nearby.

Two of the three attackers at the Splendid Hotel were identified as female, President Roch Marc Christian Kabore said on national radio.

In a separate development, an Austrian doctor and his wife were kidnapped Friday night by extremists in Burkina Faso's north near its border with Mali, Abi Ouattara, security ministry spokeswoman, said Saturday.

The ministry did not have immediate information on how long the two Austrians had been in northern Burkina Faso, where they were doing volunteer work. Jihadis took the two from the town of Baraboule in the Soum province in Burkina Faso's Sahel region, Ouattara said.

There was no immediate confirmation of the kidnapping from Austria's Foreign Ministry. "We are trying to look into the matter as quickly as possible," spokesman Thomas Schnoell told the Austria Press Agency.

In the capital, the Islamic extremists stormed the Splendid Hotel and a nearby cafe Friday night.

Gunfire ramped up early Saturday as gendarme and military forces fought to take back the building which had been blackened by a fire during the assault. The security forces took control of the Splendid Hotel and were searching nearby hotels to be sure no other extremists were hiding. The search continued even after security forces found and killed a fourth extremist at the Hotel Yibi, the president said.

About 33 people were wounded and 126 people were freed after the morning call to prayer signaled a new day in this West African nation, said Minister of Security and Internal Affairs Simon Compaore.

Cars and motorbikes were burned, and overturned chairs and shards of glass lay scattered near the hotel. Onlookers were kept far away from the fighting that continued into daylight.

The harrowing attack was launched by the same extremists behind a similar siege at an upscale hotel in Bamako, Mali in November that left 20 dead.

Dozens of French forces arrived overnight from neighboring Mali to aid in the rescue. One U.S. military member was embedded with French forces at the scene, and the United States was working to help provide France with surveillance and reconnaissance help, according to a U.S. senior defense official who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss the matter publicly.

An al-Qaida affiliate known as AQIM, or al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb, claimed responsibility online as the attack was ongoing in downtown Ouagadougou at the 147-room hotel, according to the SITE Intelligence Group.

In a message posted in Arabic on the extremists' "Muslim Africa" Telegram account, it said fighters "broke into a restaurant of one of the biggest hotels in the capital of Burkina Faso, and are now entrenched and the clashes are continuing with the enemies of the religion." Fighters who spoke by phone later "asserted the fall of many dead Crusaders," AQIM said, according to SITE.

Burkina Faso's Internal Affairs Minister Simon Compaore said that 10 bodies were found inside the Cappuccino Cafe, a restaurant located next to the Splendid Hotel.

"We know that the gunmen won't get out of the hotel alive," said one witness, who gave only his first name, Gilbert. "Our country is not for jihadists or terrorists. They got it wrong."

Burkina Faso, a largely Muslim country, had for years been largely spared from the violence carried out by Islamic extremist groups who were abducting foreigners for ransom in Mali and Niger. Then last April, a Romanian national was kidnapped in an attack that was the first of its kind in Burkina Faso.

The country also has been in growing political turmoil since its longtime president was ousted in a popular uprising in late 2014. Last September members of a presidential guard launched a coup that lasted only about a week. The transitional government returned to power until Burkina Faso's November election ushered in new leaders.

The hotel attack in Mali in November also was claimed by a leader of AQIM, who said it had been carried out as a declaration of unity with Algerian militant Moktar Belmoktar's extremist group Al-Mourabitoun, according to an audio speech that was distributed by SITE at the time. Belmoktar was a former leader in AQIM before starting his own group, which now has merged back with al-Qaida.
Theres nothing like a custom portrait of a pooch to make a house feel like home.

Morley Portraiture and SOS Animal Rescue have teamed up for the past seven years on a fundraiser to not only capture pet personalities through photography but to raise donations to help animals in need.

The two-day fundraiser brought in scores of dogs (and a few cats) that were caught on camera by Kathy Morley, with the help of two assistants, Amy Irwin and Katy Isles.

Karl and Diane Nold brought in their 18-month-old Goldendoodles, Carly and Gracie, to be photographed for the first time. It took Irwin and Isles a few tries to arrange the two on a wooden platform in the studio at 1511 W. St. Andrews Road, but Morley soon got the shot of the canines with the help of some treats and a well-placed squeaky toy.

This is so nice of you to do, Diane Nold said to Morley before leaving the studio. We are big, big animal lovers.

Nold said she plans to keep one of the prints at her office, and wants to return to Morley Portraiture to get a picture of the humans in her family. Freeland resident Karen Brooks brought in her 11-year-old black Lab mix Jelly for her own portrait. She has two other dogs at home, but said she wanted one specifically of Jelly.

Brooks has been bringing her pets to the fundraiser for the last six years.

Its just fun, and its a good cause, Brooks said. Its a good way to get pictures of your four-legged children.

While a parrot and a pig have arrived at the studio for portraits, it is mostly dogs and a small number of cats.

Its just harder to get their attention, Isles said about the cats brought in for pictures.

Fridays subjects ranged in size from a 6-pound Chihuahua named Montezuma to a 90-pound chocolate Lab named Barley, who had his portrait done in just one take.

Youre the best one all day, first in one take all day, Morley said, giving Barley a quick treat after he hopped off the platform.

Hes a very good boy, said his owner Bruce Macartney.

The fundraiser was first started after Morley talked to a photographer friend who did something similar in her home state of Rhode Island, and then reached out to her vet to see if any local rescues would be interested in the idea.

Weve formed a relationship, and have done it ever since, Morley said about SOS Animal Rescue.

Its not the only time she gets to photograph animals; Morleys studio is dotted with framed portraits of families smiling alongside their furry companions. She creates unique backdrops for the SOS sessions, so each year offers a different kind of visual.

I really like people and dogs, Morley said her work.

The fundraiser typically brings in around 350 pounds of dog food and $1,500 in monetary donations. The donations go toward foster care for animals in need of a home and to fund the spay/neuter program, said Joann Taylor, president of SOS Animal Rescue.

We were thrilled she wanted to help with the animals, and the rest is history, Taylor said about first being approached by Morley with the idea of the fundraiser.

Darlene Andrews, SOS secretary, and volunteer Isabella Jansen were at the studio on Friday to help organize the pets going into the studio for their portraits and accept donations.

Were very, very grateful for Kathy, Jansen said.

There are multiple fundraisers for SOS throughout the year, but the portraits with Morley is one of the bigger ones and helps the organization promote the wellness of animals all year-round.

We dont keep any funds, everything goes back to the community, Andrews said about the donations of dog food and money.

For more information on SOS Animal Rescue, visit the website at http://sosanimalrescue.org/ or check out the Facebook page at http://on.fb.me/1Zqf1qO. For more information about Morley Portraitures, visit morleyportrait.com.
Reaching out

To the editor:

The Veterans Outreach Team at Dow Chemical would like to thank the following groups for supporting the 2016 Adopt a Military Family Project:

 Dow Chemical employees and their families

 Contractor community at Dow Chemical

 MidMichigan Heart and Vascular employees

These groups went above and beyond (again) in supporting 15 National Guard families from our area. This is the sixth year of this program.

I would like to add a special thanks to two great ladies for their help:

 Sarah Kile (executive director of 211 Northeast Michigan) knew we were running short on time one day and offered to deliver to a family in the evening. She also worked with a homeless service member to get the person into a shelter and continues to work with the soldier to this day.

 Tarah Brant (safety supervisor at HydroChem Industrial Services) coordinated all the donations from the contractor community that helped out a veteran and her family, a young family with a father deployed, a family of seven with two active-duty parents and two vets left with mounting costs after recent surgeries.

Every year, the Veterans Outreach Team helps between 15 and 20 military families. We try and work with groups to provide a Thanksgiving dinner and presents and food for Christmas. It is a very rewarding project helping those who sacrifice to protect our country and some of our groups develop relationships with the families that continue on to this day.

BRAD BLANCHARD

Midland

Leader of Dow Veterans Outreach Team

A complete success

To the editor:

The 2015 Salvation Army Christmas assistance programs were a complete success! We could not accomplish our many holiday outreach efforts without the support and contributions of our Midland community supporters. The Salvation Army would like to offer our special thanks to the following:

 The businesses that hosted collection boxes for the Coats for Kids drive, sponsored by WIOG and TV-12. Over 1,260 coats were provided to adults, children and babies in our community, helping them to stay much warmer this winter!

 The businesses that hosted toy collection boxes for The Salvation Armys Christmas Toy Shop, as well as the many donors. Nearly 5,000 toys were given away in our Christmas Toy Shop!

 The Midland Daily News for their tremendous coverage of our holiday activities!

 Meijer donated turkeys which provided Thanksgiving dinners for over 300 people. Meijer also hosted the Shop with a Hero event, in which 20 children are provided with a gift card and have the opportunity to shop with a local hero, such as a police officer, EMT, fireman, etc., for Christmas gifts for their family. Also, thanks to the local heroes who gave of their time for this event!

 Isabel Ijames, who did an outstanding job of cooking and preparing the turkeys for our community Thanksgiving dinner!

 The Adopt-A-Family sponsors provided a very special Christmas to 119 families this year, which included 182 adults and 306 children!

 We had several groups sponsor a table in our Christmas Toy Shop this year, which resulted in a wonderful variety of quality gift items for the parents to choose from. These sponsors include: Dow Corning Corp., DC2, 2M floor work group; The Dow Chemical Co.s Analytical Sciences group; School Days/Toys that Teach; Dow Chemical Employees Credit Union; Dow Corning Corp., DC3 Building; The Dow Chemical Co.s Employee Network Group; The Loar Family; The Andersen Family; Dow Corning Corp.s Refrigeration Shop; and AECOM.

 The Bay City Elks Club delivered 50 generous Christmas food baskets to families in our Midland community.

 M.A.P. General Mechanical Contractors blessed each of our Toy Shop families with additional grocery cards this year!

 The Gideons gave 385 Bibles to our Toy Shop families!

 Nearly 300 extraordinary volunteers gave approximately 1,200 hours of their time, energy, dedication and compassion! They registered 430 families for Christmas assistance, cooked and served 300 Thanksgiving dinners to Salvation Army diners, delivered toy-collection boxes, picked up toys and coats, helped parents shop in our Christmas Toy Shop, helped clean up after each event and helped us reach our Red Kettle goal by ringing bells! Our volunteers are all truly remarkable, caring and generous individuals!

We would also like to thank the hundreds of unnamed individuals who gave of themselves to make Christmas brighter for those in need in our community. You truly made a difference for hundreds of families! Our Midland community is blessed by all of you and your kindness and generosity!

May you have a wonderful 2016!

KASEY PAVLEDES

Christmas and Volunteer Coordinator

The Salvation Army, Midland Corps
Adm. Harry Harris, U.S. Pacific Command commander, spoke to government officials, private sector representatives and military leaders about Hawaiis importance in the future of the Indo-Asia-Pacific during the annual Military Affairs Council (MAC) Meeting and Partnership Conference at Washington Place here, Jan. 15.During his remarks Harris recognized the MAC and state leaders for their support in communicating how joint military forces in Hawaii support the national security strategy and ongoing rebalance initiative.Due to the outstanding communications conducted by Governor Ige, Mayor Caldwell, Senator Schatz and Hirono, Representatives Gabbard and Takai, and all of our local state officials, decision makers in Washington and throughout the region are well aware that Hawaii remains the Gateway to Americas rebalance to the Indo-Asia-Pacific, Harris said.Hawaii serves as a gateway to the rebalance by utilizing its assets in operations throughout the region and the defense of the homeland. Harris said that there is no doubt that the United States economic future is firmly tied to the Indo-Asia-Pacific and that everyone at every level must work together to strengthen civil and military relationships with each other and with other nations in the region.Harris then explained the states role in supporting the rebalance, stating that Hawaii is the only place in the world where all component commanders are geographically co-located together, allowing forces to train and operate jointly and benefit from a face-to-face relationship, an advantage made largely possible because of the support from the state.This gives us an extraordinary advantage and it wouldnt be possible without the continued dedication and support from Hawaiis community, civic and industry leadership, Harris said. In addition to our forces in Hawaii, the presence and capabilities we are bringing forward into this theater are commensurate with the challenges that we face.The support has influenced the strengthening of partnerships such as the Philippine Supreme Courts decision that the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) is consistent with their constitution, strengthening security ties between the Philippines and the United States.The agreement will facilitate the enhanced rotational presence of the U.S. military in the region, and support the long-term modernization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Harris said. This will enable the United States and the Philippines to continue supporting the international rules-based order that has served the region so well.Despite successes within the Indo-Asia-Pacific, Harris emphasized that security and stability which the region has enjoyed cant be taken for granted and that Hawaiis role to the rebalance will continue to support PACOMs commitment to the security and safety of the nations allies as possible threats in the region emerge.Security challenges such as North Korea threaten to destabilize the region and reverse the trends of transparency and prosperity that weve all enjoyed, Harris said. America is rebalancing to the Indo-Asia-Pacific to meet those challenges and reinforce the international rules-based order that has benefited the region for more than 70 years and Hawaii plays a critical role.At the end of his remarks, Harris thanked the MAC for their continued support.Thank you for everything you do in support of our men and women in uniform and helping to ensure that we remain ready to fight tonight and win, Harris said. May God bless our veterans, this great state and this beautiful city and may God bless our nation.
BLOOMINGTON  Fewer flights meant fewer passengers at the Central Illinois Regional Airport in Bloomington in 2015.

A total of 379,186 passengers flew in and out of CIRA in 2015, an 8 percent drop from the 412,045 passengers who used the airport in 2014. It was the fourth consecutive year of declines.

While we are certainly not pleased or satisfied with these results, they were not completely unexpected given a few factors, said Executive Director Carl Olson.

CIRA had 9.7 percent fewer flights in 2015 than in 2014, mostly because Frontier discontinued service to Denver on Jan. 6 despite a 91 percent load factor on their scheduled flights, Olson said. Service to Orlando was discontinued in April.

Consolidation in the industry has impacted mid-sized airports across the country, including CIRA, he added. That means fewer flights on traditional carriers as well as a reduction of the number of regional jets that typically service markets the size of the Bloomington. That can result in issues with pilot shortages.

We are also seeing a softening in the regional economy with several major employers in the region re-adjusting employment numbers in Central Illinois, Olson said. With the local manufacturing workforce reduced by 1,200 people at one facility, as well as additional employees in vendors and suppliers to one large manufacturer, that translates to fewer people with the confidence to fly to Florida or any other leisure destination the last few months of the year.

Last years top carrier was Delta Airlines, which had 170,796 passengers to Atlanta, Minneapolis and Detroit. That total is down 8.3 percent from the 186,341 passengers the airline had in 2014. The No. 2 carrier was American Eagle, which had 125,819 passengers, an increase of 287 over last year.

Allegiant added flights late in 2014 and had 71,636 passengers to Orlando-Sanford and St. Petersburg-Clearwater in 2015, a 94 percent increase from the 36,990 passengers from the previous year. Frontier had 8,434 passengers before service was discontinued. Last year, 61,251 passengers used Frontier.

Olson said he is optimistic that more flights and more passengers are in store for 2016. Delta passengers headed to Atlanta are now flying in a Boeing 717 that seats 110 people, instead of a Regional Jet 900 with a capacity of 76 seats.

Olson said increased capacity on the morning Atlanta flight, plus more consistent schedules to Detroit and Minneapolis, will help increase traffic. Additional Dallas-Fort Worth flights are expected in March and April.
BLOOMINGTON  Former Mayor Jesse Smart says the Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts was never intended to make money.

Smart, mayor from 1985 to 1997, said he will remind the City Council of that and tell them Tuesday not to shut down the BCPA because it isn't showing an operating profit.

The BCPA's future is expected to be part of a discussion about budget-cutting priorities during the council's Committee of the Whole meeting at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday at City Hall, 109 E. Olive St. No formal action is planned.

The BCPA was among four areas aldermen selected as top budget-cutting priorities to possibly act on before the 2017 fiscal year begins May 1.

Last year, a community task force recommended the city look at either selling the BCPA and Creativity Center, converting the BCPA to an enterprise fund supported solely from its revenue, reducing its budget by $250,000, or merging its operation with the city-owned U.S. Cellular Coliseum.

The community panel also recommended an operational audit be done to determine the BCPA's financial viability.

"They're not going along with the original intent of the BCPA," said Smart. "That was never intended to be a money-maker.

"The staff and everybody, at the time it was started, were told they were not there to make money. They were told to provide services to the community and bring in tourism."

Under former Mayor Judy Markowitz, the city purchased the former Scottish Rite Temple in 2000 for $210,000 to make it the focal point of a $19 million project to turn the area around the building at 600 N. East St. into the city's Cultural District.

Overall cost of operating the building, renamed the Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts, is subsidized partially through a quarter-cent sales tax added before a $14.5 million renovation in 2006.

Ward 6 Alderman Karen Schmidt said over the years other downtown projects, such as the Pepsi Ice Center, have eaten into the $2.1 million a year generated through sales tax meant to subsidize the BCPA. For fiscal year 2016, the tax subsidy will be $1.7 million

The BCPA recorded a loss of $300,000 in fiscal 2015. For this fiscal year, which ends April 30, a $200,000 loss is projected, according to Bloomington Finance Director Patti-Lynn Silva.

"We had a dedicated revenue source that was to pay for all the operations and renovations for the BCPA and the Cultural District, including the Creativity Center" said Schmidt, whose ward borders the centers' north downtown locations in Ward 4. "That's no longer the case, and I think that's extremely unfortunate."

From working as volunteer floor manager at the BCPA, Smart said he knows the center brings people to Bloomington. He also sees the BCPA as an important piece in the revitalization and redevelopment of downtown.

"How in the world are you going to build your downtown if you're cutting out some of the best things that are down there?" asked Smart. "They should be enhancing the image of downtown instead of taking it away."

"I couldn't agree with him more," said Mayor Tari Renner. "Our downtown is our cultural, historical core. It's really important for our economic growth in the future."

While Renner said he "strongly supports the BCPA" that doesn't mean he wouldn't support some program cuts.

"I would want to see what the impact of those cuts might be before I would sign off on them in the budget," said Renner. "That's the discussion we're going to begin on Tuesday evening."

Schmidt said she is not interested in cutting any more out of the BCPA's budget.

Typically, budget conversations center on what is a need and what is a want, with police and fire given the highest priorities because they are viewed as life-safety needs.

"I think this is a need," said Tina Salamone, director of the city-owned BCPA and Creativity Center and the city's performing arts manager.

Engaging people in the arts, especially as children, can provide the self-esteem they need to deter them from committing crimes, she said.

The BCPA and Creativity Center are the ideal venues for children and others to discover their creativity, said Salamone, adding she took the job in December 2013 because she wanted to open the dormant Creativity Center.

Plans are still underway for the Creativity Center's privately funded renovation. More than $1 million has been raised toward the $4.2 million goal.

The cultural district commission is creating a nonprofit "friends" group to encourage private donations in much the same way as the Miller Park Zoo and zoological society, said Schmidt.
Rating:

Cast: Eddie Redmayne, Alicia Vikander, Amber Heard

Director: Tom Hooper

The Danish Girl is the story of Lili Elbe who underwent the first male-to-female sex reassignment surgery in 1930. Eddie Redmayne plays Einar Wagener, a transvestite who has been living a normal life of a shy artist who loves his wife, Gerda Wagener, played by Alicia Vikander. They are both painters and have the usual conflicts in terms of their choice of subjects and treatment, but they compliment each other. While Alicia paints portraits, Einar does landscapes.

It is almost the coming together of two talented people adding and subtracting just enough from each other to make a perfect whole until one day a sensation is felt and an identity that had been long sleeping is awakened.

Einars transformation is playful, experimental and witty. Once he starts posing for Gerda, he has access to her wardrobe and the entire feminine inventory, and gradually he begins transforming, imagining and accepting the woman inside him. They make a public appearance at a hall with Einar dressed as a woman. Its there that he is introduced as Lili Elbe for the first time.

He is convincing and gathers quite an attention, gets pursued by a dandy young gentleman, who kisses Lili and Einar realizes that Lili liked it. There are brief moments when Einar and Lili co-exist, but for the larger share it is Lili.

Lili is unaware of her complete identity when she makes contact with the gentleman again, only to realise that there is a split, physically and psychologically. She now wants complete existence, a real presence and not be restricted to posing or making public appearances.

She now wants to sleep like a woman and procreate. The transformation is very gradual but visible in every way. The only thing that is more visible is Gerdas pain, patience, affection and love.

While today the world has accepted in large parts people who with different sexual orientations, both physically and psychologically, a century ago we were sharply more conservative, and believed strongly in the binary gender system. The world was just beginning to understand/accept these ideas, and only a handful of doctors were actually practising methods that could help patients in need.

While the films central character Lili/Einar was reportedly the first person to undergo a gender change procedure medically, it was not a success. Lili could not survive the procedure and did not live with her new physical identity. Things have changed since.

The Danish Girl is more than a document of Lili Elbes life and times. It is a beautifully crafted story and director Tom Hooper really understands the devil called detail. Everything in the movie is well-placed, well-decorated and properly illustrated. Alicia and Eddie are two of the finest young actors, and there is not a single moment when you doubt that they arent living the lives they are portraying on screen. They are so real.

The visuals are impressive and the details of the period well-established. The music is reasonable, not noticeable and thats the thing with good music  its ability to become unnoticeable.

Eddies performance could be his claim to a second consecutive Oscar, and the sheer number of nominations the movie has gathered is an indication of the quality work involved. Tom Hooper, who won the Academy Award for best director for The Kings Speech, is most likely to strike gold with The Danish Girl too.

I feel compelled to mention that Eddie is an actor of exceptional talent, and if you watch the movie without reading any reviews or having any idea of the story, you will marvel at the way he steers his character from seeming perfectly normal to becoming a woman trapped in a mans body. There is a lot going on inside him. He communicates to the audience at several levels.

Extremely calibrated physical presence coupled with an overwhelming psychological expression, he is able to maintain the suspense that real life presents us at every moment.

Alicia on the other hand lives a character that most of us will not accept. The amount of love and acceptance that she showers on Einar/Lili is overwhelming. Alicias character, Gerda, is faced with her husbands transformation into a woman, which is far stranger, even today, than homosexuality. Alicia is a portrait of tragedy, and the ironic moment in the movie is when a portrait she has made of Lili becomes her ticket to success, while the same moment becomes one of the last moments when she could see and identify Einar.

The Danish Girl presents some of the best performances of the year. The movie is concise, expressive, avoids unnecessary distractions and does not attempt to create a controversial situation.

The writer is founder, Lightcube Film Society
BLOOMINGTON  A Normal man was convicted of first-degree murder Friday in the November 2014 death of his friend following an argument over disparaging remarks he made toward his girlfriend.

After the verdicts were read, Tracy Newson shook his head and raised his arms in the air as he looked at his girlfriend who was sitting behind him in the courtroom. The verdicts came after about four hours of deliberation and a week of testimony concerning the death of Carlton Jordan.

State's Attorney Jason Chambers recognized the work of First Assistant State's Attorney Adam Ghrist and Assistant State's Attorney Brad Rigdon on the case that he described as "a senseless tragedy that cannot be undone."

Ghrist commented that Jordan "did everything right in this case and it is reassuring that our community members on the jury agreed there was no reason for this senseless death."

The shooting death followed more than 100 decisions made by Newson, Ghrist told the jury Friday in his closing argument.

The first decision Newson made in connection with the death of the man he described as his brother came with a loud knock on the victim's apartment door on Nov. 16, 2014, said the prosecutor.

Ghrist played a video recorded by the state of the trip between Jordan's Turnberry Village home and Newson's apartment in Normal, a path the suspect drove to pick up his gun before returning to the victim's home.

"Over 100 decisions were made from the time he left that house," said Ghrist, noting that every turn and every action by Newson added to the second altercation between the two men that ended with a fatal gunshot to Jordan's chest.

Testimony during the week-long trial included videotaped police interviews of Newson when he admitted to shooting Jordan after a dispute.

Newson, 49, faces up to 85 years when he is sentenced March 22.

A forensic pathologist testified Thursday that Jordan died of a single gunshot wound to his chest, while Newson suffered a minor, self-inflicted gunshot wound to his arm during a struggle over the weapon.

Newson claimed the shooting was done in self-defense. The two men had argued after Jordan, 47, ordered Newson to leave his apartment. Witnesses in the apartment at the time testified that Newson became abusive to his girlfriend, Juanita Ware, during an evening of drinking and socializing.

In his closing remarks, Ghrist rejected Newson's claim that the shooting was justified.

Pointing the .40-caliber gun toward a wall of the courtroom, Ghrist asked, "When does a person in this position feel like he's going to die?"

Defense lawyer Jennifer Patton asked jurors to review the testimony carefully and compare the inconsistencies among several witnesses.

"The reality is we don't really know what happened on Nov. 16 at 703 Turnberry," said Patton.

Among the inconsistencies are multiple versions of whether Jordan was holding an object in his hand during the tussle in the hallway. Ware could not recall what she saw lying on the floor next to the victim.

"She probably has one piece of information locked in her head that could help (Newson) and she doesn't know what it is," said Patton.

A resident of the apartment complex recalled seeing a knife, but was inconsistent in her recollection of who picked up the object that was never found.

Alcohol also was a factor in the shooting and the ability of some witnesses to recall details of the incident, said Patton.
Lahore: Putting its weight behind the banned Jaish-e-Mohammad, JuD chief Hafiz Saeed on Saturday chided Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's government for detaining Jaish chief and activists in connection with the Pathankot terror attack.

Addressing the Friday sermon at JuD headquarters here, Saeed said that the Pakistan government is taking action against JeM to "please" India.

"The arrests are regrettable as the Nawaz government is only doing so to please Modi sarkar (government). The arrests will only encourage the Indian government to put further pressure on Pakistan to backtrack it's stance on Kashmir," he said.

Read: Pak minister says JeM chief Masood Azhar under protective custody

Terror crackdown: Pakistan shuts down Jaish-e-Mohammed's madrassas

Saeed further said the Pakistani government is ignoring "national interest" for the sake of its friendship with India.

The LeJ founder also criticised the Pakistani news analysts for appreciating the government for arrests made in connection with the January 2 attack on an Indian airbase in Pathankot.
Light exposure contributes to weight gain to pre-school children, according to the world-first Queensland University of Technology study. Published by international research journal PLOS One, its findings are then shared in order to keep the parents abreast of other options and strategies on proper weight management among preschool kids.

Science Daily reports that the study involved 3 to 5 years old children from six Brisbane childcare centers. The researchers determined and monitored the children's sleep, activity and light disclosure for two weeks which categorized as Time 1. They also assessed the children's height and weight to know their BMI. Then after 12 months, they were reevaluated accordingly.

"At Time 1, we found that moderate intensity light exposure earlier in the day was associated with increased body mass index (BMI) while children who received the biggest dose of light --both outdoors and indoors--in the afternoon were slimmer," Cassandra Pattinson, Ph.D., one of the researchers of QUT's Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation and the Centre for Children's Health Research.

"At follow-up, children who had more light exposure at Time 1 had higher body mass 12 months later. A light had a significant impact on weight even after we accounted for Time 1 body weight, sleep, and activity," she added.

Pattinson also stated that there are about 42 million children mostly below 5 years old all over the world who are overweight and obese. "The study is a significant breakthrough," the researcher confirmed.

The team further explained that artificial lighting, including light given off by tablets, mobile phones, night lights and television, has contributed to the increase rate of obesity in children.

The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association published a report on the cause and effect of childhood obesity. These include the risk of acute and chronic medical problems like heart disease, type 2 diabetes, pulmonary diseases, asthma, high cholesterol, stroke, elevated blood pressure and other chronic illnesses.

The obese children may also suffer from psychological issues such as depression and suicidal tendencies. Pattinson concluded that they were also trying to figure out how the research can be used to prevent obesity in children.
Alan Rickman, first appeared in the movie Die Hard, as a villain, known as Hans Gruber in 1988. After his promising role, he became one of the most favorite villain actors for the past decade. But in 2001, he showed his different side after he played the character of Professor Snape in the Harry Potter films.

However, just recently, fans of the epic movie were grieving after they found out that the actor already passed away at the age of 69. The sad news was confirmed by his family.

The family released a statement on Thursday, Jan. 14 to announce his death and it reads, "The actor and director Alan Rickman has died from cancer at the age of 69. He was surrounded by family and friends." The statement as also reported in BBC further revealed that the actor has been suffering from cancer before he died.

After the sad news, Harry Potter fans gathered at mythical platform 9 3/4 at London's King's Cross station -- the entry point to the Harry Potter Universe -- to pay tribute to the late actor. On Friday, Jan. 15, numerous fans left some flowers, touching notes and photographs to the platform -- transforming it to a memorial in honor of their idol.

While fans paid tribute through King's Cross Platform, J.K. Rowling, author of the Harry Potter took to social media her way of paying respect for the actor. "There are no words to express how shocked and devastated I am to hear of Alan Rickman's death," she wrote to Twitter. "My thoughts are with [Rickman's wife] Rima and the rest of Alan's family. We have all lost a great talent. They have lost part of their hearts."

Since the announcement of Rickman's death, social media has been flooded with messages from the fans and Hollywood actors to express their condolences and admiration for the actor. His Harry Potter co-star, Daniel Radcliffe, described Alan as the "greatest actor" he ever work with.

"Working with him at such a formative age was incredibly important and I will carry the lessons he taught me for the rest of my life and career," Radcliffe added on Google Plus.

Alan Rickman appeared on numerous famous films and won Golden Globe for best actor in TV film for his title role in Rasputin: Dark Servant of Destiny in 1997. Recently, he hit headlines after he revealed he secretly married Rima Horton last year.
China's chief of the lunar exploration Liu Jizhong announced on Thursday that the nation is planning to land on the dark side of the moon a Chang'e-4 probe in 2018. According to him, China is also open to cooperation for the planned mission with other international space programs.

China's National Space Administration has announced for the first time in May 2015 its intention to explore the moon's dark side, according to Discovery. The moon's far side is a region of our natural satellite where it is more technically challenging to land.

First time when moon's dark side was seen was in the year 1959, when Luna 3 Soviet space probe sent to the space center 17 low-quality photos showing the moon's craters and mountainous terrain.

The dark side of the moon is also known as the far side. Due to a phenomenon known as tidal locking, this area is never visible from Earth. The moon's rotation was slowed by tidal forces on Earth to match the speed of its orbit. For this reason the same half of the moon is always facing our planet.

To date, no spacecraft has ever landed on the dark side of the moon. According to Discovery, China will send a probe to land there in 2018, a first for mankind. This plan of China's space agency demonstrates a renewed drive in focusing on the moon. This marks also a departure from past missions when nation's space exploration often replicated accomplishments of the Russian or United States space programs.

The probe set to land on the moon's far side is named Chang'e-4, after the goddess of the moon in Chinese mythology, according to the Chinese website news.xinhuanet.com.

The Guardian reports that the implementation of the Chang'e-4 mission will help China in the field of lunar exploration. The Asian nation considers its space program a reflection of its technical expertise and rising global influence.
Queensland daughter was diagnosed with breast cancer, but after few months of chemotherapy, she found out that her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer, too. Now, both of them are battling together to win against the illness.

Bethany Carlton from North Queensland said she was first diagnosed with cancer at the age of 17. The doctor told her she had Rhabdomyosarcoma -- a rare muscle cancer and it is diagnosed only six times per year in Australia.

After she found out about her cancer, she underwent to a medical procedure and had the cancerous lump removed before her 18th birthday. Bethany was also told that because her cancer is rare she needed to continue her chemotherapy for 12 months.

She said that the procedure and the thought that she has cancer greatly affected her not just physically but also emotionally. The anxiety has become more intense when she found out that the treatment could possibly destroy her ability to have a children.

Unfortunately, just three months after she started with the chemo, an "unthinkable" incident happened. Her mother, Mybritt Larsen, came to her and revealed that she was also diagnosed with breast cancer.

"I just started laughing and then she started laughing and I said, 'I am so sorry, I feel terrible but this is just so random, what are chances of this happening," Bethany explained to Brisbane Times about her initial reaction when she found out about her mother's condition. "I said, 'Why are you trying to steal my thunder Mum? I am the one with cancer, not you!"

Although it's really difficult for the family, Bethany said that the illness brought the whole family closer and she now appreciates all the things that surround her. "When mum is sick I look after her, and when I am sick she looks after me," the teen said. "My appreciation for little things has grown."

Bethany's chemo is due to finish this February and her mom will be done with her therapy by the end of 2017.
Officials might not be able to restore Lismore Base Hospital, the maternity ward which was severely damaged in November during a wild storm on the New South Wales north coast, according to NSW Infrastructure Health. Hence, they are still communicating with the insurance assessors to determine the best solution to provide a good facility for the mothers and infants.

As for now, while the maternity ward remained close, caring mothers and newborn babies may stay at the Women's Care Unit. However, it is also sad to know that the unit, which is located in the Southern Wing, can only accommodate fewer people as it only has 16 beds with no spare beds at all.

Hence, the spokesperson from NSW Health District said they might start on encouraging pregnant women who will deliver their babies through normal delivery to go back to their home after 4 hours of delivery. As for the post-natal-mothers, they will be monitored by the community nurses at home. In addition, other future measures might involve relocating mothers and infants to other wards or hospitals.

The spokesperson further added that if the assessor concludes that the Lismore Base Hospital -- which was terribly damage after a scaffolding fell onto the ceiling -- is irreparable, it will leave Women's Care Unit no choice, but to continue on accommodating mothers and children until the new maternity ward is ready to accommodate patients.

"The hospital is currently on its Stage 3 redevelopment as the Health Infrastructure does not want to pre-empt any outcome before the regulators have finalised their investigations," the representative disclosed to Northern Star.

More so, the 'stage 3 redevelopment' includes new emergency unit, a new ambulance bay and a new emergency unit. Lismore MP Thomas George said he already inspected the vicinity, "Stage 3 works will be progressively delivered over the next few months, up until mid-2016," he affirmed.
Facts of history can be questioned with new evidence, facts of science subjected to reasoning, but how do you question myths and beliefs since they do not submit to logic? That is the challenge that reform movements in any religion always face, particularly when there is an entrenched majority that considers its beliefs to be above reason. In India, we have numerous beliefs to contend with, on the one side, and the Constitution of the land, on the other side  a Constitution that guarantees freedom of belief and choice, fundamental freedoms and equality of all.

On the issue of allowing women at the Sabarimala temple, the Supreme Court of the country stands on the side of fundamental rights. We ought to stand with it. It is not a problem of logic or reason. It is about justice. In a society that considers women as second-rate citizens even today, we must come down on the side of fundamental rights over beliefs in every instance.

Womens right to access is denied on account of age-old traditions that cannot be easily broken. One can imagine the clamour and outcry that must have happened when Sati was prohibited, or when widow re-marriages were allowed, or when Dalits were permitted to enter temples, all by invoking the law and the Constitution. By the way, what shall be our stand on the entry of transgenders -- whose rights were never even discussed when such traditions and customs were made  into temples?!

Clearly, it is the system of power that manufactures such traditions and customs, and the lesser identities such as women and Dalits are always outside it, a system of power maintained by rules set up by the Brahmanic clergy. The beliefs of the marginalised were always offended and their rights neglected. Every struggle against such age-old traditions and customs is in pursuit of that lost human dignity. Therein lies the relevance of the entry of women into Sabarimala.

Under these traditions, women are not supposed to enter any temple at all during their menstrual period, but Sabarimala bans all women for all the years that they menstruate  defined, arbitrarily, as girls aged 10 to women aged 50! But dont those who make such traditions realise that only a menstruating woman can give birth, and hence those who consider a blood-filled womb as impure are disgracing their own existence!

Why do Ayyappans, the men who take the purity vow for 41 days, stay forever in their houses with the very same perpetually impure women? Why do they eat the food cooked by those perpetually impure women? Is impurity conveniently confined just to their bodies, not to their labours?

Ah, physical labour. That brings us to the other argument that has been used to prohibit women from entering Sabarimala  they cant take the rigours, they cant trek through the forests and climb the hill to reach the temple! But, of course, we know it for what it is  a flimsy ruse. Yet, when we say women should be allowed into Sabarimala, it does not mean that all women should go there, starting tomorrow. There is the difference between right and choice. A woman believer of a faith has every right to see and worship her god, just like her male counterpart. The ban must cease. Women must have the right to see Ayyappan. Let each woman then decide whether she wants to or not. After all, to counter myth with myth, Sabarimala is the hill of Sabari, a woman. If bachelor Ayyapan can choose to sit on top of that hill, surely women can ascend it, too.

The march of empowerment movements cannot be stopped. Untouchables, who were once denied entry into temples, are now allowed. In time, they will enter the sanctum sanctorum, too. And a day will come when menstruating women are not considered impure. All traditions and customs that deny justice will be questioned in a democratic country that proclaims equality before law. Brahmanic and patriarchal hegemony will fall apart.

Yours Sincerely,

a non-believer woman who has been to Sabarimala, and wishes to do it again.

(Arundathi B. is an actor and student activist who led the Kiss of Love campaign at the University of Hyderabad)

The letter that kicked of a storm: Punjabi Hindu girl Nikita Azads open letter to the Sabarimala temple board president Prayar Gopalakrishnan in YouthKiAwaaz in November kicked off not only the #HappytoBleed campaign, but also the storm over the ban on women at Sabarimala that the Supreme Court must now settle. An excerpt:

Respected Sir,

I am a girl, of 20 I recently came to know that my blood pollutes the temple Sabrimala, and I am denied entry into it because I am a woman who menstruates I come from a Hindu family Each year, I go to Chintapurni, Naina Devi, Vaishno Devi, Chamunda Devi, Jawala Ji with my family Your statement has left me dumbstruck...

All men who enter the temple are a product of sexual intercourse done by a man and a woman. The woman keeps the baby in her womb for about nine months, provides nutrition through her uterus to the baby, and gives birth to the baby through her vagina. Arent all the men who enter the temple product of the blood formed in their mothers uteruses?... Sir, I have no interest in entering the temple, for I refuse to believe in a God that considers his own children impure

Yours sincerely,

A young, bleeding woman

Read:

Change the rules, else they will be your downfall!

Change must come from within, not courts

Ayya, Appa and Bavar Swamy

Force of patriarchy
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Each episode of Rick and Morty is a treasure unto itself. Drawing upon co-creator Dan Harmons penchant for cultural references, coupled with co-creator Justin Roilands skill for characters, the cartoon has fun in all kinds of ways. Its sci-fi angle and smart humor make it the kind of cartoon you only wished youd experienced on Saturday mornings as a kid.

As if its not enough that the shows central characters comprise a well-rounded (if dysfunctional) family backbone that allows each episode to go off into worlds unknown, there are some fabulous guest stars to boot. The show has had all manner of comedian take part in its off-the-wall fun, including David Letterman, David Cross, Dana Carvey, Nathan Fielder and Gary Cole. There have been some legendary appearances over the course of the shows first two seasons. Here are the ten best guest stars to appear on Rick and Morty.

Herzog voices the famed alien civil rights leader Shrimply Pibbles in Interdimensional Cable 2: Tempting Fate, which plays off the success of the first seasons cable-hopping episode. After arriving in a space hospital with a serious bacterial infection, Jerry recovers only to learn that doctors want to transplant his penis to save the alien equivalent of Mahatma Gandhi. Herzogs part airs on the short side, and yet hearing the famed German directors realist bordering on nihilist voice play an alien in need of a penis transplant remains a memorable bit. With such classic lines as, Ive dwelt among the humans. Their entire culture is built around their penises, Herzogs appearance is one for the storybooks.

In Something Ricked This Way Comes, Jerry wants to help Morty with his model of the solar system, only to discover from his son that Pluto is no longer a planet. Voicing disbelief bordering on anger earns Jerry and Morty a one-way ticket to Pluto, where Jerry becomes something of a legend for defending the planet. Maybe theres something about Fulchers voice that conveys immediate hilarity, or maybe its the fact that as King Flippy NipsKing of Plutohe wears the most outrageous smile, but Fulcher serves as the perfect madcap alien king, especially with his famous line, Plutos a fucking planet, bitch!

The other half of the storyline in Something Ricked This Way Comes pits Rick against one of his more crafty foes. When Summer gets a part-time job working for the Devil, Rick immediately takes a disliking to the man. That may have more to do with the fact that his shop gives away things for free, but only because theyre cursed. A price for everything, the Devil tells customers. Voiced by Molina, who gives the devil a bit of crackling neer do well charm, this was one of the more clever foes Rick faced off against, least of which because his least favorite grandchild got caught in the middle of their rivalry.

When his grandkids mess with time and split it into multiple trajectories in A Rickle in Time, Rick gets a visit from a time cop tasked with keeping things in order. The Fourth Dimensional Being, who just so happens to look like a giant testicle, also has little patience for dealing with backtalk. Known for playing characters with big reactions, Keys exasperated screeches and tell-it-like-it-is attitude create the ideal omniscient time traveling alien who just wants to set things right. It only adds to the episode when later the Fourth Dimensional Being meets up with his partner, voiced by Jordan Peele.

Total Rickall takes on a new kind of antagonist: an alien species that infiltrates the familys home by creating false memories and therefore false characters to perpetuate those memories. Enter: Sleepy Gary. In this new scenario with ever-expanding characters and plot points, hes Beths husband while Jerry takes a backseat as the family friend. Sleepy Gary is the kind of sweet, considerate and mild-mannered man to attract both both Beth and Jerry. Walshs soothing voice lends Sleepy Gary the pathos necessary to pull off this hilarious romantic storyline.

When Earth gets tapped to perform in an intergalactic talent show, who better to call than Rick and Morty? And thats just what happens in Get Schwifty. Legendary actor Keith David has a voice well suited to narration and animation, a point well proven in his turn as president. Tasked with keeping earth from imminent destruction, David gives the president a no-nonsense energy that helps fuel the race against time to construct the perfect song for the competition. When Rick comes up with Get Schwifty, a horrified general questions the songs meaning. Its our worlds best effort, thats what, the president curtly replies.

Since Oliver appeared in Harmons Community, it makes sense that he would be tapped to voice someone at some point. That opportunity arose in the shows third episode, Anatomy Park, where Rick and his partner Dr. Xenon Bloom build an amusement park inside of a homeless man to form an updated take on Jurassic Park. As the straight-talking doctor whos trying to keep things going despite the mounting problems (like gonorrhea) arising around his team, Oliver lends Bloom a snarky British attitude that works well for the episode.

Ricks love life comes into play a few times throughout the series, but never as overtly as in Auto Erotic Assimilation, where he encounters his former lover Unity. Needless to say, Unity isnt like most lovers because shes an entity who can inhabit multiple beings at the same time. Voiced by Hendricks, who cleverly plays into stereotypes of level-headed women throwing their accomplishments out the window to chase after the bad boyin this case, RickUnity conveys a sweet thoughtfulness thats no match for Ricks charm.

Rick finally meets his matchone of his own creationin The Ricks Must Be Crazy. After creating a universe to help power his spaceship, Rick travels to visit it and meets one of their lead scientists, Zeep Xanflorp. Zeep has also created his own universe, much to Ricks dismay. Like Rick, Zeep is a genius, but that doesnt mean his social skills are up to par with his intellect, a problem that only furthers the animosity between the two scientists. Known for his ability to play cocky and arrogant, Colbert serves as an ideal voice for Zeep, who keeps pace with Rick at every turn.

In the best use of a guest star, Clement plays a gaseous being that Rick dubs Fart in Mortynight Run. Appreciating the nomenclature, the being appropriates the name without a whiff of irony. Clement already did a pretty spot-on David Bowie impersonation thanks to his musical comedy in Flight of the Conchords, but here it resurfaces in far more trippy ways. Fart sings songs to Morty that reveal the wonders of the universe, which naturally involve death and destruction. The fact that its coming from an extraterrestrial fart notwithstanding, Clements voice seems built for the part.

Amanda Wicks is a New Orleans-based freelance writer specializing in comedy and music. Follow her on Twitter @aawicks.
Much will be made about the political ramifications of 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi, but the reality is Hilary Clinton is never mentioned once. The movie does, however, cast an unflattering light upon the nameless U.S. officials monitoring the situation from afar via drone while boots on the ground take fire from teeming insurgents and face insurmountable odds. Politics in this landscape are unavoidable, yet at the core, 13 Hours is a tale of grit, courage under fire and the Semper Fi brotherhood forged between a half-dozen men who draw paychecks from the CIA to keep their unappreciative Ivy-League-educated wonks safe in the middle of a terrorist hotbed within revolution-flipped Libya on the eleventh anniversary of 9/11.

Memories of the 2012 siege of the U.S. Embassy and the death of Ambassador Chris Stevens remain fresh, but the film, adapted from Mitchell Zuckoffs similarly titled book by Chuck Hogan (The Town), casts a bigger net than merely regurgitating what was shown in news clips and spun politically at the time.

To get there, we sit on the shoulder of Jack Silva (John Krasinski), a former Navy SEAL saying goodbye to his family and heading overseas for the inevitable shitshow. The opening flash points blasted onto the screen digital dossier style informs us that, of the United States 292 diplomatic outposts in the world, 12 of them are in perilous areas, and two of those are in Libya. Right after Silva is picked up by his Global Response Staff (GRS) lead, Tyrone Rone Woods (James Badge Dale), theres an immediate showdown with some heavily armed unfriendlies in a crowded alleyway. Bravado and bluster gets them through, but these buff, bearded lads can back it up.

And of course, this is a Michael Bay film. It comes with all the macho, drum-thumping trimmings youd expect. With 13 Hours, Bay, the heavy hand behind the Transformer movies and Armageddon, has expressed the intention of doing something different and real. To a degree, hes succeeded. 13 Hours channels Zero Dark Thirty and Black Hawk Down much more than it does Bays own Pearl Harbor. And though its not up to par with either of those first two movies, it is more thought-provoking than the straight-up chest-pounding of Lone Survivor.

13 Hours also tells a story those just familiar with the news reports of the attack might not knowof how the assault on the diplomatic outpost lasted through the night and spilled over onto the CIA annex down the street where 26 operatives sat in a bunker with just the six-man GRS force to defend them.

Via a deftly nerve-racking barrage of action scenes, often shot from drone and security cam POV, Bays film does a decent job of presenting a complex series of events, and conveying the daunting disorientation of being a marked foreigner in a hostile land where the language barrier alone is enough to get you killed.

For fans of The Office, it might be a bit jarring to see Krasinski go buff and mean, but it works. Pablo Schreiber of Orange is the New Black successfully transitions from the small screen, too, and Dale, full of spit and swagger, should find more lead roles following 13 Hours.

Ultimately, Bay and screenwriter Hogan manage to sidestep the politics of naming names, focusing instead on honoring the heroics of six brave men. In the process, they depict a changing global landscape and a government willing to put its own in harms way.

Director: Michael Bay

Writer: Chuck Hogan, based on the book 13 Hours by Mitchell Zuckoff and members of the Annex Security Team.

Starring: James Badge Dale, John Krasinski, Max Martini, Pablo Schreiber, Toby Stephens, Dominic Fumusa, Matt Letscher, David Denman, David Costabile, David Giuntoli, Demetrius Gross, Alexia Barlier, Peyman Moaadi

Release Date: January 15, 2015

Tom Meek is a writer living in Cambridge, MA. His reviews, essays, short stories and articles have appeared in The Boston Phoenix, Paste Magazine, The Rumpus, WBURs ARTery, Charleston City Paper and SLAB literary journal. Tom is also a member of the Boston Society of Film Critics and rides his bike everywhere. You can follow him on Twitter.
First things first, we need a bit of background. Bernie Sanders, Hillary Clintons biggest challenger in the Democratic presidential primary, has one son. His name is Levi, and he has three adopted grandchildren from China. When Sanders married his second wife, Jane, she had three children of their own, and those children now have four children of their own. Sanders considers all seven his grandchildren, as anyone would, even though hes not related to them by blood.

Clinton, conversely, has one daughter, Chelsea, and Chelsea has a baby daughter named Charlotte.

Which brings us to today. As you see in the video above, Hillary Clinton appeared on MSNBCs Morning Joe to discuss her differences with other candidates in the field. Until very recently, she took pains not to mention Bernie Sanders name in her campaign, and to avoid directly engaging him in debates, and in this video she doesnt mention anybody by name. However, when Mika Brzezinski asks her about her core message, theres no mistaking the shade she throws:

For me this really is pretty straightforward. I dont promise easy answers. I dont promise things that Im notknowing can be delivered.

One of Clintons chief tactics in combatting Sanders has been the assertion that some of his proposals are pie-in-the-sky, and despite the idealism he may be inspiring, especially in young people, shes the pragmatic candidate who can actually get things done.

The issue comes in the next part of her statement, mere seconds later (1:45 mark above):

And I guess at the end of the day, for meyou know, people talk about their extraordinary grandchildren, but I actually have oneand were going to do everything we can to give her opportunities

Whoa! My first reaction, hearing that, was this cant be what she meantnobody can be that clueless. But lets look at the actual evidence:

1. She was just contrasting herself with Bernie Sanders. As in, basically in the same sentence. She also gave a little dismissive laugh in the middle of the sentence, so it sounds like shes denigrating somebody.

2. Bernie Sanders regularly uses the word extraordinary to describe his grandchildren in stump speeches.

3. Who the hell else could Clinton have been talking about? Was she directing a weird insult at someone else who claims they have extraordinary grandchildren? The whole thing doesnt make sense.

There may be an innocent explanation, but the phrasing of her statement is clearly intended as a contrast to somebody, and when you consider both the context of the her entire answer, and the fact that the word extraordinary seems to have been purposefully used, its hard not to reach a simple conclusionthis was a reference to Bernie Sanders. (And were not the only ones reaching that conclusion.) If thats the case, its an almost unbelievable misstep by a politician who should know a lot better.

(This post will be updated when and if the Clinton team responds.)
Walter Martin released his first solo full-length, a childrens album titled Were All Young Together, back in 2014. Now, the former The Walkmen co-writer/multi-instrumentalist is back with Arts & Leisure, out January 29 on his own label, Ile Flottante.

Martin headed into the Paste Studio recently to give us a preview of a few songs off of the upcoming LP, which was mixed by Phil Ek (The Shins, Band of Horses).

Watch Martins performance ofArts & Leisures Michelangelo above, as well as Jobs I Had Before I Got Rich and Famous and Amsterdam below.
UPDATE:

Presiding Bishop Michael Curry of the Episcopal Church has stated that they have no intention of reversing their decision to endorse same sex marriage. The AP reports,

In a phone interview from England, where he attended the gathering of top Anglican archbishops, Curry said he told his fellow leaders they should expect no change. The top Episcopal legislative body, called General Convention, last year voted overwhelmingly to authorize same-sex marriage ceremonies in church.

Furthermore, Curry said he thought it was the Episcopalians mission to convert everybody to same sex agenda acceptance.

Curry said the church was resolved to work toward building acceptance of same-sex relationships throughout the Anglican fellowship, which the Episcopal Church represents in the United States. A majority of Anglican leaders at the meeting affirmed the teaching that marriage is only the union of a man and a woman. We are loyal members of the Anglican Communion, but we need to say we must find a better way, Curry said. I really believe its part of our vocation.

Bishop Currys definition of loyal members of the Anglican Communion must be somewhat flexible. In fact, there are now about 150 different Anglican style churches which are not in communion. You can go here to sample them.

Some of these churches are fairly large, affluent and international. Some are tiny. Most are run by schismatic lunatics whose proto cathedral is in their Aunt Mildreds garage.

When one really looks hard at the Episcopal Church why should they be regarded differently than any of the other 150 or so Anglican style churches?

These churches not in communion are known for renegade prelates who do whatever they like and hold whatever unorthodox opinions they like. Their known for having wacky ideas and the idee fixe that they are the right ones and nobody else could possibly be right. They are religious eccentrics who often have a persecution complex, a dodgy academic history, an obsession with the validity of their orders, a fondness for titles of dignity, a touching vanity of grandeur and a taste in outlandish vestments.

Seems Episcopalian to me.

Meanwhile,the Archbishop of one of those breakaway groups, The Anglican Church in North America, was at the Canterbury meeting this week and was fully involved in the discussions although he did not vote. Episcopal News Service Reports,

Archbishop Foley Beach, the leader of the Anglican Church in North America (ACNA), has been gathering with the primates for conversation throughout the week but not participating in any of the votes. Beach was invited by Welby in an effort to avert a boycott from conservative African archbishops such as the one that occurred at the last Primates Meeting in 2011. ACNA is composed largely of former Episcopalians who chose to break away from the Episcopal Church. Some African primates have declared their affiliation to ACNA.

ACNA is the largest of the recent Episcopal breakaway groups and they have been instrumental in making alliances with the African bishops. It would seem that they have a possibility of stepping into the vacancy that will be left when the Episcopal Church is finally rejected from the Anglican Communion three years from now.

If this were to happen, then the strong (and wealthy) Anglican Church of North America would be increasingly aligned with the African bishops providing a strong alternative to the old school Canterbury-New York alliance. If the Anglican shift to Africa therefore becomes and American-African shift, then the future of the Anglican communion looks even more interesting.

Finally, the Anglican Church of North America and GAFCONthe confederation of Anglicans who have stood up to Canterburyare predominantly Evangelical and Protestant in their theology. This augurs a further shift away from the old liberal, establishment high church school of Oxford-Cambridge-New York-Canterbury Anglicanism.

Image via Bing
The two terror attacks in Punjab in the last six months have raised concerns about Pakistan-based terrorists using the drug smuggling network. Shashi Kant, former ADGP (intelligence), Punjab speaks with Tanveer Thakur about the nexus between cross-border drug smugglers and politicians.

You have raised the issue of a cross-border nexus between drug smugglers and politicians in the past. When was the first time you came to know about the nexus and revealed it to the government?

In 2007, I was additional director-general of police (intelligence). We had a list of people involved in drug smuggling in Punjab, which had around 96 names. The names included those of politicians, businessmen, policemen, people from security agencies and NGOs. Almost people from all walks of life were involved in the smuggling. It was a four-page list. When the Parkash Singh Badal government came to power, there was talk about clean governance. I went to the chief minister with the top secret list of people directly or indirectly involved in drug smuggling. The chief minister told me, Such things are not brought in writing, you could have verbally told me about it. Later, I was unceremoniously removed from the intelligence department.

There is talk of drug smugglers and terrorists using the same route to infiltrate Punjab. How do you see this?

Punjabs border with Pakistan is broadly divided in two parts: Barbed wire areas like Amritsar district and riverine areas like Gurdaspur and Pathankot, where it is difficult to put up barbed wires because of rivers. Interestingly, in the past most of the drugs and other weapons were seized from the barbed wire area where smugglers tried to push the material by cutting the wire or throwing it over. However, this now seems to be a red herring technique as infiltration by terrorists in the last two attacks was done through the riverine area in Pathankot.

You recently said that the National Investigating Agency and other Indian security agencies should probe the links of Punjab politicians with drug smugglers.

I posted it deliberately on social media to provoke the Union government to take action. If the NIA and the government are serious about tackling terrorism, they must probe the Punjab politicians link with drug smugglers. I have said this in the past, and I repeat, that politicians across the political spectrum are directly and indirectly involved in drug smuggling. Some of them take protection money from smugglers. If the drug smuggling problem is to be handled in Punjab then the link of politicians with smugglers has to be probed by the NIA.

During your tenure as DGP (prisons) you once said that drugs were available inside Punjabs jails? How did you tackle the problem?

I took charge as DGP prisons in 2011, immediately after an inmate in Kapurthala Jail, who was a drug addict, died. The other inmates tried to attack jail authorities and damage the jail. When we got to the root cause of the incident, we realised that many of the inmates were drug addicts. Drugs were available inside the jail. As per moderate estimates, at least 10 kg of drugs were consumed inside Punjab jails every day. I raised the issue but no one paid any heed to it.

You once revealed the names of the politicians involved in drug smuggling, but you did not mention the name of Bikram Singh Majithia, a powerful politician related to the Badals, though he was named by wrestler-turned-druglord Jagdish Bhola in his confession. Why?

I took the name of the politicians from the list made in 2007. At that Mr Majithia was not a name in Punjab politics. I have no idea about what happened after 2007, as I was not in charge of intelligence anymore.

You once approached the high court seeking anticipatory bail fearing fabricated cases against you. Did you or your family receive any threats?

I have always raised my voice about the issue of drugs and asked difficult questions. I and my family received constant threats. I was once abducted, but the police didnt believe my story even though the media pointed towards a possible abduction. I sought anticipatory bail because I feared the government would have fabricated cases against me.

You joined the Aam Aadmi Party in 2013 and then quit. How do you see Punjabs political scenario in the election year?

Yes, I joined the AAP, but I realised that I am not suitable for politics irrespective of the party I join. Therefore, I decided to quit. As far as the present political situation in Punjab is concerned, the AAP has managed to capture the imagination of the common man. How far it will manage to go is yet to be seen. There is some energy in the Congress after Capt. Amarinder Singh took charge. However, my biggest worry is if there is a hung Assembly, horse-trading will occur and the party with the deepest purse would form the government. The mainstream parties that have remained in power would have deep purses.
Patna: Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Friday welcomed Onno Ruhl, the country director of the World Bank, for an hour-long meeting to discuss the Kosi Basin Development Project and other developmental projects in Bihar being funded by the international monetary institution.

Ruhl said that the agreement between the World Bank and the state government for the Kosi Project would be signed this month and the funding for improving education in Bihar will also be released in the coming days.

Kumar, who has fought with the Narendra Modi government and its predecessor Congress-led UPA government over special economic status for Bihar insisting the state could not develop without it, urged Ruhl to help Bihar by providing fund for various other schemes including the construction of Panchayat Bhawans in each panchayat, building roads in rural areas, and funding rural livelihood projects like 'Jeevika'.

Seizing the opportunity for more funding particularly in the field of education, the Chief Minister sought financial assistance on setting up medical, engineering, and nursing colleges and schools to teach computer skills to the youths of Bihar.

World Bank representative Shabnam Sinha, Chief Secretary Anjani Kumar Singh and other senior IAS officers were present at the meeting.
News and commentary on organized crime, street crime, white collar crime, cyber crime, sex crime, crime fiction, crime prevention, espionage and terrorism.
NIAC Applauds Release of Americans Imprisoned in Iran

01/16/16

Press Release by National Iranian American Council (NIAC)



The Iranian-Americans freed by Iran today (left to right):

Amir Hekmati, Jason Rezaian, Saeed Abedini





Washington, DC - NIAC President Trita Parsi released the following statement after high-level U.S.-Iran negotiations led to the release of Americans imprisoned in Iran, including Washington Post journalist Jason Rezaian:

The agreement to free Americans imprisoned in Iran* - Jason Rezaian, Amir Hekmati and Saeed Abedini - is a triumph of diplomacy that should be universally commended. Now, the freed Americans can be reunited with their families and friends after an extraordinarily trying time for everyone involved. We hope that they find solace in their freedom from the turmoil that they endured.

The release of these imprisoned Americans was long overdue. However, it is unlikely that we would be celebrating their release today if not for an improvement in diplomatic relations between the U.S. and Iran brought about by the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). The U.S. and Iran should deepen their engagement on the serious issues that continue to separate the two countries so that further pragmatic solutions can be reached. NIAC also calls on the Iranian government to ensure that Iranian Americans are not threatened when traveling to Iran and that protections are put in place to ensure these detentions never happen again.

The release of earlier Western prisoners in Iran - including the three American hikers Shane Bauer, Josh Fattal and Sarah Shourd - was never due to bombastic threats, but instead to patient diplomacy. Though it was difficult, the Obama administration was right to avoid issuing ultimatums and linking the fate of the imprisoned Americans to the nuclear negotiations, which would threaten the outcome of both.

The conclusion of the JCPOA altered dynamics in favor of the release of the imprisoned Americans in at least three key ways. First, Secretary of State John Kerry and Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif developed a strong working relationship that has now resulted in diplomatic victories on a number of fronts. From the nuclear issue, to de-conflicting this weeks naval incident, to securing the prisoner swap, Kerry and Zarif have shown the true power of diplomacy. A real test for the U.S. and Iran will be whether this strong personal relationship can be institutionalized.

Second, establishing a relationship between the U.S. and Iran - even in lieu of formal diplomatic ties - has provided real mechanisms for accountability on both sides. It is far easier to detain prisoners in a vacuum than to imprison the citizens of a country with which you have a relationship.

Third, the JCPOA has changed the political dynamics inside of both countries, making what was previously inconceivable possible. The nuclear deal has undoubtedly strengthened the hand of moderate voices inside of Iran and increased the latitude for actions such as the release of these American prisoners. Efforts to undermine moderate voices will undoubtedly continue as the various factions jockey for the upper-hand. However, there is now a clear path to greater accountability and rule of law inside an Iran whose government begins to reflect the true wishes of its dynamic people.

Had the administration listened to the opponents and issued brash ultimatums, none of these dynamics would have emerged and in all likelihood the prisoners would not be free.

There have been many persistent critics of President Obama and his administration for its commitment to diplomacy with Iran. Some of these critics have worked endlessly to try to subvert the Presidents diplomatic efforts. The release of these Americans is the result of that diplomacy, not of threats and sanctions. This should be yet further evidence to the American public that diplomacy is not appeasement; it is the serious, sober approach to solving real problems. Those leaders with the courage to embrace this approach should have the strong backing of the American people.

While this diplomatic victory should be celebrated, it is impossible to ignore the ongoing systemic human rights violations in Iran. Recent arrests of activists and artists appear aimed at intimidating reformists and moderates ahead of key elections to Irans parliament and Assembly of Experts. Further, an ongoing rise in executions - often for nonviolent drug-related offenses - must be halted without delay. We hope that the moderation that has dramatically impacted Irans external relations can now shift inward to produce lasting change.

Diplomacy is never easy. However, as todays achievements demonstrate, nothing is impossible when both parties invest in mutually beneficial negotiations. NIAC commends Presidents Obama and Rouhani for their efforts, as well as all of those who pushed for the release of the prisoners.

###

*NIAC had earlier been informed that Siamak Namazi was included in the swap. Later reports have contradicted that. At this point, it is not entirely clear whether Namazi is part of the swap or if his presumed release is outside of this prison exchange.
Iranian filmmakers to answer for promos on satellite programs

01/16/16

Source: Radio Zamaneh

Ten Iranian filmmakers have been summoned to the media and culture court over the content of promotional teasers for their films as shown on satellite programs. The Cinema daily reported on Friday January 15 that the filmmakers will have to appear before the court on Saturday.





Read Cinema daily's news of the filmmaker's court appearance





Jamal Sadatian, the producer of Jameh Daran (Clothes Keepers), told Cinema: "Since these films are being screened outside the country, there is no other option other than promoting them in satellite programs."

The teasers are prepared by the foreign distributors of the films.

Jameh Daran is currently being screened in several countries, including the U.S. and Canada.

The Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance had warned Iranian filmmakers that promotion of their films on satellite networks would not be tolerated.
Zarif: Iran Expects Sanctions Will Be Lifted Saturday

01/16/16

Source: VOA

Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif says international economic sanctions on Iran will be lifted Saturday, with the United Nations nuclear watchdog agency expected to confirm that Tehran has complied with last July's landmark agreement with world powers to restrain its nuclear development program.





Front page of Iranian daily SMT: "Good Days Are Ahead"





"Today is a good day for the people of Iran and the sanctions will be lifted today," Zarif told Iran's IRNA news agency as he arrived in Vienna, awaiting the release of the final report by the International Atomic Energy Agency. "It's also a good day for the region."

The top Iranian diplomat met with the European Union foreign policy chief, Federica Mogherini, on implementation of the Iranian nuclear deal negotiated over two years between Tehran and the United States, Britain, China, France, Russia and Germany. In the July 14 pact, Iran agreed to curb its nuclear program in exchange for the lifting of sanctions against Tehran that have hobbled its economy.







US Secretary of State John Kerry (L) meets with Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif (2R) in Vienna, Austria on Jan. 16, 2016. (photo by

US Secretary of State John Kerry (L) meets with Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif (2R) in Vienna, Austria on Jan. 16, 2016. (photo by Islamic Republic News Agency



Frozen assets



With removal of the sanctions, Iran immediately will gain access to about $100 billion in assets frozen overseas and reopen its doors to world trade with international corporations selling cars, airplanes and other major items it needs to support a nation of 80 million people.

Tehran says it plans to swiftly ramp up its oil exports, within weeks adding another 500,000 barrels a day to a global oil glut that has plunged oil prices on international markets to below $30 a barrel for the first time in 12 years. Iran says that within a year its oil exports could total a million barrels a day.

Zarif and Mogherini were to meet with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry Saturday. The three are expected to make a joint statement.





Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif (3R) meets European Union foreign policy chief, Federica Mogheriniin, in Vienna, Austria on Jan. 16, 2016. (photo by

Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif (3R) meets European Union foreign policy chief, Federica Mogheriniin, in Vienna, Austria on Jan. 16, 2016. (photo by Islamic Republic News Agency



IAEA statement expected

The IAEA had been expected to soon officially announce that Iran has complied with its commitment to curtail its nuclear program, clearing the way for the lifting of international sanctions.

Under last year's agreement, the Islamic Republic agreed to scale back its uranium-enriching activities and submit to inspections in exchange for the rollback of sanctions.

U.S. State Department spokesman Mark Toner said that the meeting in Vienna is in line with the agreement's Joint Plan of Action (JCPOA).

"As we've said, all parties have continued making steady progress towards Implementation Day of the JCPOA, which will ensure the exclusively peaceful nature of Iran's nuclear program," Toner said.

White House spokesman Josh Earnest said Friday the United States is aware that Iran has made important progress in fulfilling commitments in the agreement, but that Iran will not receive any sanctions relief until the IAEA confirms commitments and compliance.

He said this includes shutting down "every pathway that Iran has obtaining fissile material it has," as well as eliminating 98 percent of its uranium stockpile. He said most importantly, there will be ongoing monitoring of Iran's nuclear program. "We have the ability to snap sanctions back in place," he said.

Deal opposed by Israel

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been among the most vocal opponents of the deal negotiated with the United States and other world powers. He said it would not slow Tehran's work toward a nuclear weapon and would put Israel in danger. He highlighted his concerns in an address to the Republican-controlled U.S. Congress in March during a trip in which he did not meet with U.S. President Barack Obama.







cartoon by Javad Alizadeh, Iranian daily

cartoon by Javad Alizadeh, Iranian daily Ghanoon



Diplomatic sources told the French news agency, AFP, Friday that everything was being put in place so that the European Union, along with the United States and United Nations, can end the sanctions regime on what is known as "Implementation Day" for the July agreement.

Their comments came one day after Iran said it had removed the core of its Arak heavy water nuclear reactor and filled in part of it with cement, meaning it cannot be used to produce a nuclear weapon.







The Arak Reactor (IR-40)

Related News: Core removed from reactor in Arak, Iran as part of nuclear accord





Iran has said its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes. Sanctions have blocked Iran from at least $50 billion in frozen assets.

VOA State Department Correspondent Pam Dockins contributed to this report.




Chennai: Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa on Saturday exuded confidence that her party would retain power in the ensuing Assembly elections.

Invoking the legacy of party founder and former Chief Minister, M. G. Ramachandran, ahead of his 99th birth anniversary falling on Sunday, Jayalalithaa in a communique to party functionaries asked them to start election works immediately.

AIADMK should secure a massive win in the coming polls and victory should be the one not witnessed in earlier Tamil Nadu polls and such a historical win will add to the fame of Puratchi Thalaivar MGR, she said. She expressed confidence that performance of the AIADMK government would ensure that the party stays in power.

Recalling that how MGR introduced her to politics, she said she had been following in his footsteps of public service even as she took a dig at her arch rival, DMK and its president M. Karunanidhi.

There is a political family in the state which is concerned only about them and the family always wants to be in power.

Without naming Karunanidhi or DMK, she said, People of Tamil Nadu will not forgive them for corruption and the family rule. People are ready to reward us once again with victory and time has come for you (party workers) to work towards accepting the public reward. You should immediately start all poll-related works, she said noting that the party would be celebrating the founders centenary birth anniversary.

A fitting victory in the Assembly polls would enable the AIADMK to continue the good path and principles laid down by late MGR, she said.
Iran Frees 4 Iranian-Americans In Prisoners Swap With U.S.

01/16/16

Source: RFE/RL

Iran's semiofficial Fars news agency says Tehran has freed Washington Post reporter Jason Rezaian and three other Iranian-American dual nationals in a prisoner-swap deal.





cartoon by Keyvan Varessi, Iranian daily Ghanoon





Rezaian, the Post's Tehran bureau chief, had been imprisoned in Iran for more than a year on espionage charges. He and The Washington Post have repeatedly denied the charges, saying he was arrested as a bargaining chip in a larger political game.

Also released were pastor Saeed Abedini, an Iranian-American in jail for three years after being convicted of undermining national security, and former U.S. Marine Amir Hekmati, who is serving 10 years for cooperating with hostile governments.

There are mixed reports about the identity of the fourth freed prisoner.







The Iranian-Americans freed by Iran today (left to right):

Amir Hekmati, Jason Rezaian, Saeed Abedini





Iran state television identified him as Nosratollah Khosravi, also an Iranian-American. Iran's IRNA news agency, however, said the fourth person was Iranian-American businessman Siamak Namazi.

The AP news agency quotes an unidentified U.S. official as saying that Iran is also releasing a fifth detained American, unrelated to the prisoner swap.

Iranian news agencies quoted the Tehran public prosecutor, Abbas Jafari Dowlatabadi, as saying the release was "in the national interest" of Iran.

The official IRNA news agency quoted the prosecutor as saying the United States will release seven Iranian nationals currently serving jail terms in the prisoner swap.

IRNA named the freed Iranians as Nader Modanlo, Bahram Mechanic, Khosrow Afghahi, Arash Ghahreman, Tooraj Faridi, Nima Golestaneh, and Ali Sabouni.

Reuters quotes an unidentified U.S. official as confirming Washington will release seven Iranians, six of whom are dual U.S. citizens, held for sanctions violations.

There are a dozen Iranians imprisoned or facing charges in the United States on sanctions-busting charges, according to a recent Reuters review of cases. U.S. Prosecutors say they violated economic sanctions against Iran by supplying technology that could have been used to bolster its military and nuclear programs.

Tehran's announcement of the prisoner swap came as Iran and world powers led by the United States are expected on January 16 to finally implement July's nuclear deal, which will lift international sanctions imposed on the Islamic republic.

The lifting of sanctions is expected to come as the UN's nuclear watchdog agency says Tehran has fulfilled its obligations to restrict its nuclear programs under the deal.

With reporting by AFP, dpa, and AP

Copyright (c) 2016 RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. www.rferl.org
Iran Reformists Seek Electoral Gains After Nuclear Deal

01/16/16

By Heather Murdock, VOA



Iranian President Hassan Rouhani (C) registers for February's election of the Assembly of Experts, at the Interior Ministry in Tehran, Dec. 21, 2015.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani (C) registers for February's election of the Assembly of Experts, at the Interior Ministry in Tehran, Dec. 21, 2015.

CAIRO- Iranians go to the polls next month to elect two major bodies of leadership: the Parliament and the Assembly of Experts, the countrys top body of clerics.

At the same time, as Iran prepares to rejoin world economic markets with the implementation of the Iran nuclear deal, the current secular government hopes its performance will ensure electoral victories in the upcoming polls.

The deal, which aims to curb Irans nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief, is seen as reformist President Hassan Rouhanis biggest foreign policy win, and it is expected to pump billions of dollars into the economy.







A hot election in a cold winter!

cartoon by Keyvan-Varessi, Iranian daily Ghanoon





As elections approach, the president and his allies are in a hurry to show the public and religious leaders this deal lives up to its promises, according to analysts.

He is a bit of in a rush to implement and to have the sanctions lifted by election time, said Yan St.-Pierre, who heads the security consulting group Mosecon. So he can say, Look, my plan is actually working, we are on course.

The elections will be critical in shaping Iranian policy for years to come, St. Pierre added. Other analysts warn that hardliners may seek to exploit what some see as failures, like the Iran-Saudi diplomatic dispute, to discredit reformers.

It may turn off their supporters, the people who are looking for reform to give up the government and they would not support the elections, explained Camelia Entekhabifard, an Iranian author and news commentator.

Ali Vaez, the International Crisis Group's senior analyst for Iran, said that if the diplomatic break with Saudi Arabia is used as a political tool ahead of elections, however, the results may be irrelevant.

Voters go to the polls mostly motivated by domestic issues and not by foreign policy issues, he said.





Leaders of Iranian reformist parties

(Read related article by Ghanoon daily)





Clerics court widespread support

The current Assembly of Experts also has a lot riding on the upcoming election, according to Entekhabifard, as it may be called upon to select a new Supreme Leader to replace 76-year-old Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

If he wants to resign, he wants to give up the power, if he dies during these eight years, she said, it is important that this assembly chooses the Supreme Leader by claiming having had a massive support of the people coming to cast their votes at this election.

High voter turnout, she added, will ensure the Assembly of Experts maintains its authority as the country turns away from isolationism.

In a speech last week, the Supreme Leader called on all voters - even those that disagreed with him - to turn up at the polls.

I emphasize and insist that everybody should take part in our elections, he said. I have repeatedly said that even those who do not agree with the Islamic Republic should take part in our elections in order to safeguard the country and raise its status.





Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei





The Assembly of Experts also has considerable power to affect the outcome of the election, according to St. Pierre of Mosecon. The religious body has the authority to accept or reject candidates before the vote.

The vetting process allows them to put a candidate who will be more inclined to support their position in parliament, he said. So thats part of the process to ensure the upper circle - the Assembly of Experts and the clerics, the Supreme Council - maintain the ultimate power.

This doesnt exclude the possibility that the newly-elected leadership will be more reform-minded, noted St. Pierre. And recent events, including the swift release of 10 U.S. sailors captured this week in Iranian waters, have signaled a shift in Iran that hasnt been seen since the current governmental system was formed after the 1979 revolution.

The heart of the system, though, will remain the religious authorities who are quick to point out they remain decidedly anti-Western, despite their possibly grudging support for the Iran deal.

A [parliament] that repeats what the enemy says - in the case of nuclear negotiations or in the case of different other issues - is very different from a [parliament] that is independent, liberated and courageous, the Supreme Leader said in his speech.
Pastor James Baylark believes the teachings of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. are as relevant today as they were half a century ago, when King was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.

But Baylark has seen images of protests in streets of Ferguson, Mo., and Baltimore and the grieving after mass shootings in San Bernardino and Charleston, S.C., and concedes theyre disturbing in their recurrence.

A lot of time, people feel like Kings way didnt work, Baylark said. They say his philosophy didnt work, his approach didnt work. But when you look at the results and the progress that has been made all across America, you have to say, Well, you know what? There has to be something about that thats working.

You have a lot of people in political office. You have a lot of people who have degrees. You have a lot of people that are going to college and universities that back in the time they could not go to. So it is working. Its just that theres room for improvement.

The title of the sermon that Baylark will deliver Monday at the annual celebration of King at Good Hope Missionary Baptist Church in Perris is, Theres Still Hope in the Dream.

Other events marking Martin Luther King Jr. Day are taking place across the region in Riverside, Redlands, San Bernardino, San Jacinto, Corona and Rancho Cucamonga.

Like King, Baylark is the son of a minister. And before coming to Good Hope Missionary Baptist Church in March 2006, Baylark served as the president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference of Riverside County. King helped found the SCLC and served as its first president.

Above the desk in Baylarks office is a large, framed, black-and-white photo montage featuring King, who was shot to death in 1968 outside a hotel room in Memphis, Tenn.

Kings dream of building a society where people were judged not by their race or ethnicity but by the content of their character and their contributions to their community must be passed on to youths as if they were being handed a torch, Baylark said.

Part of keeping the dream alive, keeping hope alive, is instilling these valuesand principles in our young people, Baylark said.

To punctuate that point, Baylark waved his 9-year-old grandson Khalil Colter into his office in the middle of an interview. Khalil was hobbling around on crutches because of a foot injury.

Cmon, son, because you need to be off of that foot, Baylark said. Come in here.

Then Baylark turned to his visitor. Im trying to keep him off of that foot, he said. But hes going to do it his way.

Baylark is troubled by news reports and taped images of police violence in places such as Ferguson, Baltimore and New York City but says there are two sides to that story. Yes, there are bad cops and their actions cannot be tolerated. But Baylark pointed out that he has brought in law enforcement representatives to talk to the churchs youth group and that he counsels young people at the church on what to do if they are involved in an encounter with police.

If I tell you to get down on the ground, follow my instruction, Baylark said. If I tell you to raise your hand, raise your hand. When were doing that with our young people, (its) exactly as if we were the police officers so they can get into that mindset.

You know what, this person is telling me to get on the ground and they have a 9mm gun pointed at me. Im going to get on the ground. Im going to raise my hand. Im going to put my hand outside the window. Im going to do exactly what it is that they tell me to do.

That makes so much difference. And a lot of times some of the things that have happened in the past might not have happened.

Riverside County Sheriffs Department Capt. Brandon Ford is the newly appointed commander of the Perris Station. Ford said he did not know Baylark personally, but then he has been on the job for just three weeks. He replaced Capt. Mike Judge, who retired last month.

Ford did say he appreciates the effort Baylark is making to promote Kings philosophy.

I absolutely agree that embracing the message of nonviolent respect for authority and grace-filled understanding that Martin Luther King preached and stood for is exactly what our children need to hear, Ford said. They need to understand that tolerance means patience and that were all in it together. The big part, I believe, of Martin Luther Kings message was always one of unity.

The message, Baylark said, needs to be reinforced at home by parents, in schools where Kings life is discussed in a historical context, as well as in the church. There is still room for improvement.

That prospect elicits a smile from Baylark, as if he were glimpsing the future from Kings rhetorical mountaintop.

One day, youre going to see the completion of the dream, Baylark said. Where all of Gods people can come together and live together and respect each other and love each other. And, I mean, thats going to be a beautiful day.

Contact the writer: 951-368-9682 or tsheridan@pressenterprise.com
It was discouraging when Gov. Jerry Brown in October vetoed legislation that would have added seven new judges to Riverside and San Bernardino counties overburdened court systems.

The state Legislature has long recognized that seats on the bench are not evenly distributed across the state. Counties where populations boomed in recent decades have a severe shortage of judges to handle burgeoning caseloads. In well-heeled counties, judges have time to put their feet up.

So it was encouraging that Browns veto message acknowledged the acute shortage in Riverside and San Bernardino counties.

A recent study by the Judicial Council of California showed San Bernardino County is short 57 judges; Riverside County, 51.

In the veto message, Brown promised to work with the Judicial Council on a systemwide approach to balance the workload and the distribution of judgeships around the state. That was a hopeful sign.

Unfortunately, my hopes were dashed a few weeks later when Brown appointed 25 judges, including two to the most over-staffed bench in the state, Santa Clara County, which the Judicial Council showed has 19 more judges than it needs.

One appointment went to Alameda County, which has 15 more judges than it needs.

None  I repeat, none  of the appointments was in Riverside or San Bernardino counties.

A few weeks later, in December, the governor appointed 12 more judges. This time, two went to San Bernardino County, another one to over-judged Alameda County. Riverside County again got none.

If the governor wants to shift judgeships to under-judged counties, wouldnt it be better to leave vacancies in the counties that have too many judges?

Its easier to move a vacant position than to move a sitting judge, and his or her staff, to a different county. By filling those vacancies, the governor made it harder to shift judgeships to the counties that desperately need them.

I asked UC Irvine School of Law Dean Erwin Chemerinsky about the problem. He shared my concern.

There is an obvious need to increase the judges in Riverside and San Bernardino, he said. I do not understand why the governor vetoed this (bill). If nothing else, vacancies should have been shifted to these areas where there are not enough judges.

But there is a ray of hope in the governors proposed budget for fiscal 2016-17, released Jan. 7. It proposes a modest start, to move five vacant judgeships and the necessary support staff to counties with the highest workloads.

The approach appeals to Brown because it doesnt require additional state spending.

It looks like he thinks we probably have enough judges around the state, they just arent in the right places, said Riverside County Presiding Judge Harold W. Hopp, who monitors the issue closely.

State legislators have supported redistributing judgeships around the state, even funding new judgeships, Hopp said. They might be expected to support moving five vacancies.

But counties losing the positions might not like the idea so much, Hopp said. Who knows what the response from the Legislature might be.

The Legislature has yet to massage the proposed budget, which must be adopted by July 1.

San Bernardino Countys immediate past Presiding Judge Marsha Slough, a member of Judicial Council panels addressing the problem, said judges in the Inland counties are encouraged that the governor has acknowledged the problem and wants to work on a solution with the Judicial Council.

But the solution isnt simple or easy, she said. Its very difficult to do. It takes some legislative and possibly some constitutional language changes. Uh-oh.

A commission created by the Judicial Council to plan the courts future will hold a hearing in February at which reallocating judgeships to be consistent with workloads across the 58 counties will be discussed, Slough said. She is on the commission. Brown recently elevated her to the state Court of Appeal; she awaits confirmation next month.

Sen. Richard Roth, D-Riverside, whose bill to fund new judgeships was vetoed by Brown, said hes pleased to see the judicial shortage in the Inland counties acknowledged in the governors budget.

When members of Browns staff attend the first Senate Budget Committee hearing on the proposed budget Tuesday, Roth will ask them what the process will be to move the five judgeships.

If the governor sticks to the plan recommended by the Judicial Council and adopted by the Legislature, they should be allocated as follows: two to San Bernardino County, two to Riverside County and one to Kern County, Roth said by email Friday.

California Supreme Court Chief Justice Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye, who heads the Judicial Council, has long been pressing for a more equitable distribution of judgeships, framing it as a matter of equal access to justice.

Thats a smart argument, one Brown would be hard-pressed to oppose.

Perhaps by summer, steps finally will be taken to address the inequities.

Contact the writer: 951-368-9470 or cmacduff@pressenterprise.com
The Center for Biological Diversity, San Bernardino Valley Audubon Society and Sierra Clubs San Gorgonia chapter are among the Inland Empires most prolific litigants.

So we are unsurprised that the three confederate environmental groups have jointly filed suit  under the states all-too-often-abused California Environmental Quality Act  challenging the Riverside County Board of Supervisors Dec. 8 approval of the countys general plan update and climate change plan.

The county has missed a great opportunity to be a climate leader and push the region toward sustainable growth, decried Aruna Prabhala, attorney for both the Center of Biological Diversity and San Bernardino Valley Audubon Society.

The countys updated general plan will doom the region to decades of growing sprawl and significant losses in farmland, warned attorney Sara Clark of Shute, Mihaly & Weinberger, which is representing the Sierra Clubs Gorgonio chapter.

Now, given the righteous indignant remarks by Mmes. Prabhala and Clark, we assumed the two attorneys practiced law in Riverside County; that they were personally invested in the community and, as such, worried over the countys land use policies and carbon emissions.

As it turns out, we mis-assumed. Attorneys Prabhala and Clark are hardly members of the Riverside County community. In fact, their offices are more than 400 miles away in Oakland and San Francisco, respectively.

We can only speculate why the Bay Area lawyers have involved themselves in litigation against Riverside County. Perhaps its because they view the Inland Empire as fertile ground to pursue CEQA litigation.

Indeed, in the lawsuit brought by the Center for Biological Diversity, San Bernardino Valley Audubon Society and Sierra Club  two of which dont have an office in Riverside County  the plaintiffs complain that the regions heavy reliance on transportation by car is a significant contributor to poor air quality.

They suggest that Riverside County could do much to reduce vehicle miles traveled in the Inland Empire, as well as improve the regions air quality, by eschewing what they term scattered development in favor of new infill developments promoting increased density in existing cities and towns.

Well, we have nothing against infill development and the multi-family housing that goes along with the increased density the three environmental groups advocate. But we hardly think Riverside County will become an environmental wasteland if the 2.5 million additional residents the county foresees by 2060 are not confined forevermore to currently existing cities and towns.

In fact, of Californias 58 counties, Riverside County has more acres protected for open space than all but two others (San Bernardino and Inyo), according to December 2015 statistics compiled by the California Protected Area Database.

That little known fact is nowhere acknowledged in the CEQA lawsuit filed by the Center for Biological Diversity, San Bernardino Valley Audubon Society and Sierra Club. Maybe thats because it doesnt fit their narrative that the Riverside County Board of Supervisors has abdicated its environmental stewardship.
Since 1998, Safe Alternatives For Everyone has worked to create safe and healthy living situations by providing services for children, youth and families who have experienced or are at risk of abuse and violence.

Serving southwest Riverside County, SAFE has a goal of ending family violence and the cycle of abuse. One in 3 women and 1 in 7 men are victims of domestic violence, according to the organization.

No one goes into a relationship thinking that in six months they are going to be planning their exit or end up in the hospital, Executive Director June Earley said. Our crisis services are critical and we want their availability to be known throughout the county and our area.

SAFE helps with case management and temporary restraining orders. It offers a haven and listens to victims when they need support.

The families do the work, but we understand the signs and the typical behaviors that occur in situations involving domestic violence. We can help, Earley said.

When a family is escaping a violent situation, SAFE assists with day-to-day expenses to help a family stabilize and reduce stress so the parent can focus on getting back to a normal and successful life.

When someone is escaping a violent situation and may include children as well, they need emergency help with food, shelter, medication, gas and other things to get through, Earley said. We help with basic needs, because if those arent met, then they cant focus on safety.

Earley said the need for SAFEs services is large. SAFE serves 950 individuals a year and hopes to serve more.

Its a much greater problem than what we see on TV or even at our agency, Earley said. There are so many people who do not come forward seeking help.

Finding adequate funding for SAFE on a consistent basis is challenging. Earley said the organization aggressively searches for grants and is working on diversifying its funding sources. One of the means of diversification is a retail shop that opened in October and was supported financially by The Community Foundation.

Allis Resale Shop in Temecula offers used clothing, household items, furniture and other items at discounted prices, with all proceeds benefiting SAFE and its programs.

The shop is named for the daughter of board member Diane Bainbridge. Allison Mary Jacobs died on Mothers Day 1993, a victim of domestic violence. Deputy Kent Hintergardt, who responded to the 911 call, was killed at the scene.

Allis Retail Shop is a tribute to her life as a mother and a daughter, Earley said.

For more information about SAFE, visit safefamiliesca.org or call 951-587-3902.

The Community Foundations mission is to strengthen Inland Southern California through philanthropy.

Contact the writer: community@pressenterprise.com
OUAGADOUGOU, Burkina Faso  Gunmen from al-Qaida stormed a luxury hotel frequented by foreigners in Burkina Fasos capital on Friday night, seizing hostages and killing others while fighting with dozens of security forces who began a counterattack hours later. It was al-Qaidas first major attack in this landlocked sub-Saharan country, a former French colony.

The attack, claimed by the al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb affiliate along with an allied militant group, was at least the fourth time in recent days that armed militants had ambushed unprotected civilians in cities around the world, hitting sites in Turkey, Egypt, Indonesia and Iraq with deadly assaults that underscored the vulnerabilities of soft targets that are difficult to defend.

Witnesses said the attack in the capital, Ouagadougou (pronounced waga-DOO-goo), began when gunmen set off at least one explosion outside the Splendid Hotel, leaving cars ablaze, and then moved inside and began taking hostages. Hours later in a statement released online, al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb said its fighters inside the hotel had killed 30 people, calling their operation revenge against France and the disbelieving West, according to a translation by the SITE Intelligence Group, which monitors jihadi media. It was impossible to immediately verify the death toll claim. Reuters, quoting a hospital official, said at least 20 were killed and 15 wounded.

France, which maintains a military garrison in Burkina Faso, scrambled to respond to the siege, sending 30 of its soldiers to assist at least 40 from Burkina Fasos military who massed outside the hotel. Witnesses reported that the forces began a counterassault to retake the hotel early Saturday. One witness, Olympia de Maismont, said that several hostages had been freed and that intermittent gunfire could be heard.

A short time later, Remis Dandjinou, Burkina Fasos minister of communication, said on Twitter that 33 hostages had been freed from the hotel, including a government official, and other news reports said that even more had been freed.

Dandjinou said in another Twitter post that the operation to retake the hotel was still underway.

A Defense Department official in Washington said the French had requested surveillance and reconnaissance help from the U.S. military, which has 75 personnel in Burkina Faso, mostly involved in training and advising as well as maintaining a drone base. The official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said one U.S. military member was providing advice and assistance to French forces outside the hotel. No other U.S. military personnel were believed to be directly involved.

Salif Ouedraogo, 28, an agent at the countrys international airport who lives in an apartment above a nearby restaurant, said he saw the attack begin around 8 p.m. I heard the first gunshots and so I went to the balcony, he said. I saw people who were shooting, and so I quickly got down and put myself on my stomach on the floor.

They set off an explosion and they opened fire on the people, he added. Then they began taking hostages.

This is the second major attack on a hotel by al-Qaidas regional affiliate, known by the acronym AQIM, and another group led by the international terrorist Mokhtar Belmokhtar in less than two months. In November, the same jihadi organizations claimed responsibility for the attack on the Radisson Blu Hotel in Bamako, Malis capital.

Witnesses said members of the security forces arrived en masse later, prompting a gun battle. Witnesses said that three bodies could be seen in the Cafe Cappuccino, connected to the hotel. Some of the wounded were evacuated to Yalgado Ouedraogo hospital, where doctors confirmed that an unspecified number of people had been killed.

Tahirou Barry, the culture minister, said in a telephone interview that the security forces had surrounded the hotel, and that witnesses said that four to six attackers were inside with hostages.

There is a perimeter of at least 500 meters around it; no one can approach, he said. They are trying to help the hostages.

Once in a while we can hear shooting, Barry added. For the moment, we have no more details on the identity of the shooters, except for the fact that one witness affirmed that one of the assailants proclaimed the name of God  the name of Allah.

An African airline safety group was holding a meeting at the hotel, and members of the organization, the Agency for Aerial Navigation Safety in Africa and Madagascar, were in the hotel when the attack began, said Moumouni Barro, a delegate to the meeting.

The nations security ministry declared an extended curfew for the night, and a nearby theater was evacuated in the middle of a performance, officials said.

The culture minister said that he could not confirm whether American or French forces were helping with the operation at the hotel, but he added, Its clear that we could not do this without our friends from abroad.

The attack marked an expansion for al-Qaidas regional affiliate, which is mostly focused in Mali and Algeria and had staged only minor attacks along Burkina Fasos border until now.

In a speech in December, an AQIM official addressed Muslims in the nation of Burkina Faso, calling upon them to participate in jihad. And on Friday, the group announced that it conducted the strike in cooperation with the group led by Belmokhtar, according to the SITE Intelligence Group, which monitors jihadist communications.

Andrew Lebovich, a specialist on political and security issues in the region, said the attack in Burkina Faso showed an evolution in the groups tactical ability. In the hotel attack in Mali, he said, the attack was carried out only with automatic weapons and grenades. But initial reports said the attackers in Ouagadougou were more sophisticated.

Their approach is somewhat evolving. If initial reports prove to be true, the Burkina attack involved at least two car bombs, he said. It shows a more sophisticated operational plan involving more serious weaponry.

For years, Burkina Faso had seemed largely immune to the jihadi violence that plagued two of its neighbors, Mali and Niger. That changed in April last year, when a group that later pledged allegiance to the Islamic State burst into a manganese mine in the remote countryside and abducted a Romanian employee. A month later, an Islamic State affiliate based in the Sahara issued a statement saying it was holding the hostage and warning the Romanian government that it would be accountable if it failed to meet demands for his release.

In November, security forces in Burkina Faso arrested 13 people and seized bomb-making materials in the safe house the group was using in the western part of the country, near the border with Mali. Officials said the suspects were planning a large-scale attack.

Earlier on Friday, armed men attacked a police command post in the northern village of Tin Abao, killing an officer and a civilian and wounding two policemen, officials said. It was unclear whether the attacks were linked.

The violence struck after months of political turmoil in Burkina Faso.

The presidential vote in November was the countrys first competitive election in decades. About 3 million people cast ballots, many of them celebrating as they crowded into polling stations to choose Roch Marc Christian Kabore, a former prime minister, as their leader.
In various ways, Sacramento lawmakers have recognized the Dec. 2 terror attack in San Bernardino since the Legislature reconvened this month.

The state Assemblys interfaith prayer service this week focused on the attack, with prayers offered for the city, Assemblywoman Cheryl Brown said Friday, Jan. 15.

Earlier this month, state lawmakers honored the victims of the Dec. 2 terror attack at the Inland Regional Center. Sen. Connie Leyva, D-Chino, read the names of the 14 who died as the Senate adjourned in their memory, including five of her constituents.

The shock and the grief (that) the entire Inland Empire community has suffered over the past month and will suffer for a long time simply has no words, she said on the Senate floor.

Brown and Assemblyman Marc Steinorth, R-Rancho Cucamonga, adjourned the Assembly on Jan. 7 in honor of the victims. Steinorth asked his colleagues to wear lapel pins given to them in memory of the 14 dead, whose names he read with Brown on the Assembly floor.

This affected not only our county, not only our city. It affected the state. It affected the nation. In fact it affected the whole world, Brown said. Our community will never forget (those who died). Its been a very trying time for us and we are trying to heal.
Mayor Pro Tem Maryann Edwards called it one of the most difficult decisions shes ever had to make.

In a 4-0 vote, with Mayor Mike Naggar absent, the Temecula City Council this week approved the framework of an ordinance that will allow medical marijuana users to grow up to 12 plants if they possess a Medical Marijuana Identification Card, which is issued following a doctors recommendation.

The action was significant because it marks a change of heart for a council that, just a few years ago, went to court to defend the citys right to block dispensaries and marijuana storefront operations.

The city ended up winning that case, which has forced marijuana users to seek out delivery services, grow their own plants or travel to areas where they can buy their medicinal cannabis legally.

I thought about this issue more than anything weve ever voted on, Edwards said. It was such a conflict for me.

The city, along with many other municipalities in California, took up the issue this month because of a state law that required cities to either enact some sort of rules governing the cultivation of marijuana by March 1, or lose the ability to regulate the issue.

The deadline may end up being pushed back but many cities in the region have already acted, with some, like Riverside, allowing medical marijuana users to grow a small number of plants.

Others have enacted full-scale bans, although those rules can be modified later. The deadline only required cities to enact something or regulation of marijuana cultivation would be covered by the states guidelines.

Edwards, and other members of the council, said they were moved to carve out exceptions for medical marijuana users, which was not included in the draft language of the ordinance presented to the council on Jan. 12, after hearing emotional pleas from residents.

Some wrote to the various members, filing letters of support for small-scale medical marijuana production, ahead of the meeting. Others attended, and addressed the council directly, sharing stories of how marijuana has helped alleviate chronic pain and other ailments and freed them from the cost of expensive pharmaceutical drugs.

I ask you please do not take this away from us, said Temecula resident Martin Victor, a longtime medical marijuana user who has been arrested multiple times for growing marijuana. We really do need it.

On Jan 26., at the councils next regularly scheduled meeting, the council is expected to approve the second reading of the ordinance and possibly revise some of the finer points.

Members of the council, particularly Matt Rahn, wanted to leave open the possibility for revisions to make sure the proposed exemptions reflect the communitys values.

In Murrieta, the council there is expected to address the issue on Jan. 19. The staff report recommends a blanket prohibition on cultivation but the council, as in Temecula, could vote to include exemptions for medical marijuana users.

Contact the writer: aclaverie@pressenterprise.com, 951-368-9698, @PE_Claverie
Miami: Astronaut Tim Peake on Friday became the first Briton to walk in space, undertaking a tricky mission in the dark to replace an electrical unit.

Peake and US colleague Tim Kopra switched their spacesuits to battery power at 1248 GMT, marking the official start of the floating maneuver for Peake, who is also the first British astronaut to fly to the orbiting International Space Station.

Meanwhile, 250 miles above the Earth, 2 humans are on a #spacewalk making repairs. Live now: https://t.co/KX5g7yYnYG pic.twitter.com/2JhFpA0Ctl  NASA (@NASA) January 15, 2016

As Peake climbed out of the space station, American astronaut Scott Kelly positioned a camera from inside so that the British flag on the arm of Peake's spacesuit was visible to viewers watching live on NASA television.

"Great to see the Union flag out there," said Kelly.

"It's great to be wearing it," answered Peake. "It's a privilege."

The 43-year-old Peake's first job was to haul a bulky component called a sequential shunt unit, contained in a white bag as big as a suitcase.

He carried the unit, which would weigh 200 pounds (90 kilograms) on Earth, to the far end of the space station's truss, about 200 feet (60 meters) from the exit.

The replacement voltage regulator unit is nicknamed "Dusty," because it arrived on the space station back in 1999, said NASA commentator Rob Navias.

Kopra, 52, making his third career spacewalk, toted the tools needed to remove the old unit and replace it with the new one.

The team's work was precisely timed to coincide with a nighttime pass of the space station to avoid sparks from any residual electrical current in the solar-powered equipment.

The ISS circles the Earth every 90 minutes, spending 31 of those minutes on each pass in the dark.

The first portion of the nighttime job began at 1437 GMT and was finished about 20 minutes later.

"Everything is going swimmingly," Navias said.

3 hours into today's #spacewalk, the failed power unit is successfully replaced and stowed. Now, cable routing. https://t.co/5afkTAmdcs  Intl. Space Station (@Space_Station) January 15, 2016

Next, the astronauts will route cable and install a vent in a cramped space that spacewalk officer Paul Dum described this week as a "challenging work site."

'No pressure'

In a blog post on Thursday, Peake said he felt "exhilarated" but had "no time to dwell on these emotions."

Peake said he had spent months on Earth training for the mission, including virtual-reality sessions to prepare "for the worst-case scenario of becoming detached from the space station."

Each step of the six-and-a-half hour spacewalk was "meticulously planned," he added.

"But I guess nothing can prepare for the feeling of being outside of a spacecraft in the vacuum of space."

As the first British person to reach the ISS -- following the first British citizen in space, Helen Sharman, who flew to the Russian Mir space station in 1991 -- Peake has drawn plenty of attention from his compatriots.

Among them was the Beatles legend Paul McCartney, who offered a message of "good luck" on Twitter.

"We're all watching, no pressure! Wishing you a happy stroll outdoors in the universe," McCartney wrote.

The International Space Station is expected to remain in operation until 2024.

Friday's spacewalk was designed to restore full power to the station, and was the 192nd for support, maintenance and construction of the research lab.

Click on Deccan Chronicle Technology and Science for the latest news and reviews. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter.
BURNS, Ore. (AP)  Authorities arrested a man they said was driving a government vehicle stolen from a wildlife refuge being occupied by an armed group protesting federal land policies as the standoff in Oregons high desert hit the two-week mark.

Kenneth Medenbach, 62, of Crescent was arrested by Oregon State Police at a grocery store in Burns for investigation of unauthorized use of a motor vehicle. It was unclear if he has a lawyer. Medenbach is already facing charges in U.S. District Court in Medford after authorities said he illegally camped on federal land between May and November last year, according to federal court records.

Authorities also say they recovered a second stolen vehicle from the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge but provided no other details. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service previously reported the vehicles had been stolen.

So far, authorities have not tried to remove the group from the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge. As the situation drags on, people in the local area are growing increasingly weary and wary of the group.

Cement barriers have been erected to block streets around the county courthouse in the small eastern Oregon town of Burns, where police from around the state have set up a command center.

About 30 miles to the south at the refuge, other protesters carrying what appear to be military-style rifles scan the snow-covered rangeland from atop an old fire lookout that gives them a sweeping view of roads leading into the area.

If we all keep a calm about us everything will be OK, Brenda Pointere said Thursday as she exited a Burns restaurant. It started out calm, but the longer it goes on  you start to hear rumors.

The occupation started Jan. 2 as a protest over two area ranchers who had been convicted of arson being returned to prison to serve longer sentences.

Afterward, a group led by Ammon Bundy traveled to occupy the refuge to protest the ranchers return to prison and demand that the 300-square-mile refuge be turned over to local control.

Bundy said he understood the frustration of Harney County residents. They have been suppressed to the point where theyre ready to act, he told The Associated Press on Thursday inside a heated wildlife refuge building while his brother, Ryan, and two women sat nearby.

Burns, nearby Hines and the local area have been in an economic tailspin for decades after the loss of a lumber mill that some blamed on federal restrictions involving timber harvests. Restrictions on other federal lands are a common theme of frustration.

The Bundys had planned a meeting with community members Friday night, but it was in limbo after county officials said they couldnt use the fairgrounds.

Arizona rancher Robert LaVoy Finicum, a spokesman for the group, told reporters Friday that protesters were still hopeful the meeting might occur next week, perhaps Monday, if they can find a location. He criticized local officials for making sure we have no access to facilities to talk to the residents.

The group has said they wont leave until the ranchers jailed for arson are freed and the refuge is turned over to local control.

Locals who agreed to be interviewed were themselves conflicted, expressing anger toward federal land policies but bothered by the armed takeover. I dont agree with anything theyre doing right now, Ben McCanna said about the occupiers at the refuge.

But McCanna, 54, also said the ranchers return to prison was wrong, and that he was irked that the U.S. Forest Service closed off access to one of his favorite camping spots in nearby Malheur National Forest.

Also Friday, the chairwoman of the Burns Paiute Tribe asked federal officials to bring criminal charges if any ancient artifacts are damaged or missing from the refuge currently occupied by the group.

Thousands of ancient artifacts and maps to prehistoric sites are kept at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge. Tribe Chairwoman Charlotte Rodrique sent a letter to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service urging federal prosecution, if warranted.

Ryan Bundy has said the group isnt interested in the artifacts, but it wants the refuge land opened to ranchers and loggers.
U.S. and Iranian officials say Iran is releasing four detained Iranian-Americans in exchange for seven Iranians held or charged in the United States.

The major diplomatic breakthrough was announced Saturday as the implementation of a landmark nuclear deal appeared imminent.

U.S. officials say the four Americans, including Washington Post reporter Jason Rezaian, former Marine Amir Hekmati and pastor Saeed Abidini, were to be flown from Iran to Switzerland on a Swiss plane and then brought to a U.S. military base in Landstuhl, Germany, for medical treatment.

In return, the U.S. will either pardon or drop charges against seven Iranians  six of whom are dual citizens  accused or convicted of violating U.S. sanctions. The U.S. will also drop Interpol red notices  essentially arrest warrants  on a handful of Iranian fugitives it has sought.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP)  A small-town warehouse supervisor turned in one of three tickets splitting the world-record $1.6 billion Powerball jackpot on Friday, and swiftly announced that he would take his money now, giving up hundreds of millions of dollars in the future.

But John Robinson and his wife, Lisa, said they wont stop working and wont make any wild purchases. Theyll pay off their mortgage and their daughters student loans, but have no desire to move from their small, gray, one-story house into a luxurious compound somewhere.

Ive never wanted that in the past. I dont really want that now, said Lisa Robinson, who works in a dermatologists office.

Big houses are nice, her husband said, But also you gotta clean em.

Robinson said he reached out to his brother for help finding lawyers and financial planners before deciding to take the winnings in a single lump sum of nearly $328 million, rather than let the lottery invest the prize and pay him 30 annual installments totaling an estimated $533 million.

Why pass up on a certain income totaling more than $200 million?

Were going to take the lump sum, because were not guaranteed tomorrow, Robinson said. We just wanted a little piece of the pie. Now were real grateful we got the big piece of the pie.

No one has produced the other winning tickets, which overcame odds of 1 in 292.2 million to land on all six numbers at a Publix supermarket in Melbourne Beach, Florida, and a 7-Eleven in Chino Hills, California.

In California, any winnings not claimed within a year automatically go to the states schools. Florida gives winners six months to come forward before transferring 80 percent of unclaimed prizes to an educational trust fund, and 20 percent into a pool for future lottery prizes.

The Robinsons said they have no plans to leave Munford, the town of about 6,000 north of Memphis where they both went to high school.

And both plan to return to work on Monday, because thats what weve done all our lives, is work, Robinson said.

You just cant sit down and lay down and not do nothing anymore. How long are you going to last? he asked.

Tennessee Lottery executive Rebecca Hargrove said the couple would get a small check today for a few million, and collect the full lump sum in about 10 business days.

Robinson said earlier Friday that they would help certain friends, give to the St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital in Memphis, and donate to their church.

Im a firm believer in tithing to my church, Robinson said in an appearance on NBCs Today show.

The couple has a son, Adam, who works as an electrician, and a daughter, Tiffany, who lives nearby in her late grandparents home.

Tiffany said she also wants a horse.

My first thought was, Ive always wanted a horse, she said. I get a horse now. My dad always said, When I win the lottery.

Robinson carried the precious slip of paper to New York City and back before showing up at Tennessees lottery headquarters. Their lawyer went with the family, as did their rescue dog, Abby, who snoozed through most of the excitement.

Lawyers who have represented other winners advise against going public until they have made plans with experts in tax law, financial planning, privacy, security and other safeguards to protect themselves and their winnings.

The Robinsons did ask for privacy on Friday.

Their neighbor Mary Sue Smith told The AP that Lisa Robinson asked her to put No Trespassing signs on their lawn while they were away.

Who will be coming out of the woodwork? said Mary Sue Smith. Everybody you knew in high school and elementary  You know what happens.

Her husband, Roy Smith, called them fine people, dependable and hard-working.

It could not have happened to better people, Roy Smith said. Hes a civic-minded person, and he probably will remember the town.

Munfords mayor, Dwayne Cole, had wished openly Thursday for an investment in the town, whose annual budget is $3.67 million. He said Munfords needs include fire department equipment, an indoor athletic facility for local schools and a community gymnasium.

On Friday, Cole told the AP that they are not the kind to squander their money.

Theyre small town people who appreciate community, appreciate family values. They appreciate hard work. They are responsible. Theyve always lived within their means, said Cole, who owns an auto parts store in town.

They have to understand, though, this is a big deal. This is not just a big deal for Munford. This is a big deal nationwide and worldwide. They understand that, I think. I hope they do, Cole added. I believe they can deal with it. It may be totally overwhelming.

Robinson said he bought the winning ticket at his wifes request at the family-owned Naifehs grocery on his way home from work Wednesday night, then went to sleep. His wife stayed up to watch the drawing, and started hollering and screaming through the hallway saying, You need to check these numbers. You need to check these numbers, he said.

He did, four times, then thought: Well, Ill believe it when the news comes on in the morning.
SANTA ANA  Orange Countys inaugural event to encourage DNA contributions from the families of missing people  including a woman who was found in San Bernardino County  yielded its first success recently, officials said Friday.

A handful of family members of Kristyne Olivia Trejo submitted DNA samples at the Orange County Sheriffs Departments Oct. 3 event, Santa Ana police Cpl. Anthony Bertagna said.

Trejo was last seen on June 27, 1988, in Santa Ana when she was 28 years old, officials said.

Her skeletal remains were found in San Bernardino County in 1989. The genetic material collected in October helped investigators match the remains with Trejo.

At the Oct. 3 event, 34 families provided 47 DNA samples, sheriffs Lt. Jeff Hallock said.

On Tuesday, Trejos daughter, Tina Costa, and son, Andrew Trejo, will meet with reporters to discuss the case of their missing mother.
Friedrichs v. California Teachers Association is the most significant challenge to public employee unions in decades. Chance to rethink mandated union dues [Editorial, Jan. 12] takes sides, proclaiming the case before the Supreme Court is about freedom.

Rebecca Friedrichs, a teacher in Orange County, took issue with her union over layoff policy during the economic downturn. Rather than fire those with the least seniority, she preferred across-the-board pay cuts. Union leadership thought otherwise. Friedrichs desired to unfriend the union, but she cant.

Abood v. Detroit Board of Education requires non-members like Friedrichs to pay a fee to fund collective bargaining, but exempts them from subsidizing union political activity. Thus, non-members reap improved working conditions from collective bargaining without being free riders. They arent compelled to participate in politics. This makes sense.

However, plaintiffs in the current case claim that collective bargaining by a public employees union is political speech, as employment contracts affect educational policy and government spending. This too makes sense.

Unions argue that Ms. Friedrichs benefited from union-negotiated working conditions without hindering her freedom of expression on public policy, so she should contribute. Union opponents claim the agency fee mandates contributing to political advocacy, violating her First Amendment rights.

There are clearly two sides to this coin.

Michael B. Reiner

Riverside
Altura Credit Union is contributing $20,842 to victims and families of the Dec. 2 mass shooting in San Bernardino, Altura officials say.

Credit union members and community residents provided $10,842 and Altura added $10,000, officials said in a written statement released Friday, Jan. 15.

The money is being routed to the San Bernardino United Relief Fund created by Arrowhead United Way and the Board of Supervisors of San Bernardino County.

RELATED: All the latest developments related to the San Bernardino shooting

Because  Arrowhead United Way will not deduct any administrative or other fees, 100 percent of all donations will be used for the victims, families and others directly affected by the Dec. 2 shootings, according to the statement.

The massacre killed 14 victims and wounded 22 others before law enforcement officers fatally shot the husband-and-wife terrorists who committed the crimes.

To donate to the San Bernardino United Relief Fund: Text SBUNITED to 71777 or go to arrowheadunitedway.org
Ministers from both the Greens and Labor are asking the Liberal government to apologise for their role in needlessly deporting ten Save The Children staff from Nauru in 2014.

Yesterday, an official report was released detailing the deportations. In it, the charitys staff were found not to have lied about the poor living conditions in Australias detention centres on the island, nor were they making up reports of sexual assaults against asylum seekers. Its the second report of its kind outlining the staffs innocence.

The release of the reports also comes after Save The Childrens offices were raided on Nauru last year under dubious circumstances.

South Australian Greens senator and long-time opponent of offshore detention Sarah Hanson-Young said the government should own their mistakes with an apology to the charity, before following up with more stringent protections for asylum seeker advocates.

Govt must drop the whistleblower witch hunt and give a full apology & compensation to Save the Children workers https://t.co/iDUsFoLYe7  Sarah Hanson-Young (@sarahinthesen8) January 16, 2016

PM should now ensure new laws currently before parliament for mandatory reporting of detention abuse & whistleblower protections are passed  Sarah Hanson-Young (@sarahinthesen8) January 16, 2016

The Guardian reports Shadow Immigration Minister Richard Marles also offered his take on the report, saying the Government are liable to give the aid group an apology.

The new calls for an apology join those from the group itself. Yesterday, Save The Childrens Chief Exec Paul Ronalds said an admission of guilt was definitely owed by the powers that be.

According to the ABC, the former Immigration Minister Scott Morrison implied Save The Childrens statement on the alleged abuse was part of a political play against Australias offshore detention regime.

Meanwhile, activists are calling on current Immigration Minister Peter Dutton to explain the now-unavoidable problem with sexual abuse in Australias off-shore detention centres.

Mad, indeed.

Source: ABC / The Guardian.

Photo: Ian Waldie / Getty.
The Wall Street Journal is a storied masthead that absolutely commands respect. For over 125 years, the paper has been looked to as a standard of journalistic integrity, and it has over thirty Pulitzer Prizes to its name.

Today, that legacy might have been called into question, as they used their front page to defend the seemingly indefensible: Nickelback.

An early look at the front page of todays paper pic.twitter.com/LHJ9zwcby4  Wall Street Journal (@WSJ) January 16, 2016

In a piece entitled Who Likes Nickelback? Nobody, Except for Millions, the paper argues that the ubiquitous Canadian rock juggernaut is wrongly maligned, and that fans of the band are forced to hide in the shadows due to the bands rep for mediocre rock standards.

More than that, the piece also implies the worlds dislike of the group borders on Nickel-shaming:

Zack Bradley, a 19-year-old sophomore at Franklin & Marshall College in Lancaster, Pa., says he has never been to a Nickelback concert because his friends refuse to go with him Jemma Rivera, a community-housing coordinator in Alberta, has been to at least four concerts  [she] isnt embarrassed to be a Nickelback fan. But just in case, she keeps it on the down-low.

Nickelback is like the boyfriend you dont ever want people to know you have, Ms. Rivera says.

The piece goes on to mention how the band is used as a universal barometer of dislike, and the paper even makes mention of our own constabulary in Queensland having a jab at the band last year.

Police are on the lookout for these men who are believed to be impersonating musicians around Boondall this Posted by Queensland Police Service on Tuesday, 19 May 2015

Still, the writers bring up a study that highlights their track Something In Your Mouth as an example of genius wordplay compared to their contemporaries. For the uninitiated, that ones straight up about suckin D.

You do you, WSJ.

Source: Wall Street Journal.

Photo: Chelsea Lauren / Getty / Twitter.
Like basically every pop-culture milestone of the past fifty years, the equally pro- and transgressive treasure that is the Rocky Horror Picture Show is up for a reboot. While weve never remade an iconic cult-phenom, but we imagine Fox had been absolutely packing it trying to straddle the fine line between progress and tradition.

Well, progress has well and truly ticked off. Laverne Cox is set to honour the fishnets as Dr. Frank-N-Furter; signing Adam Levine and Victoria Justice up seems pretty savvy too, but Tim Currys newly-announced addition to the cast as the musicals criminologist narrator is the big deal.

Not content with kicking off the whole cult-cinema thing in the films original iteration, his return to the story is especially poignant, considering the major stroke the 69-year-old actor suffered in 2012.

With any luck, the hokey so-bad-its-good cache films like The Room now enjoy will play into Rocky Horrors sequin-clad hands when it drops later this year.

Source: Vulture.

Photo: Michael Ochs Archives / Getty.
After a photo of a grieving male Kangaroo who was holding up the head of a dying female marsupial to get a last look at her Joey went viral, here is what scientists have to say. (Representational image)

Far from mourning the loss of his mate, the male kangaroo pictured in heartbreaking viral photographs with its injured female companion might have been responsible for her death while attempting to mate with her, experts say.

The images, taken on a bushland property in River Heads, Queensland, Australia, show a male eastern grey kangaroo holding the head of a dying female, in front of her joey.

Photographer Evan Switzer said the kangaroo was acting protectively. I saw the male pick up the female, he looked like he was just trying to get her up and see what was wrong with her It was a pretty special thing, he was just mourning the loss of his mate.

He added that hed never seen a kangaroo act that way before  and he had seen a lot of dead kangaroos.

The media that reported on his striking images also interpreted the interaction as a touching display of a marsupial familys grief, with the male kangaroo propping up the females head so she could see her joey before she died. The joey, in turn, had touched her softly to say goodbye.

But Dr Derek Spielman, a senior lecturer in veterinary pathology at the University of Sydney, told Guardian Australia that he had no doubt that the male was, in fact, attempting to mate with the female animal  and might have caused the injuries that she died from.

He said the photographs showed the male kangaroo mate guarding  holding other males at bay.

Competition between males to mate with females can be fierce and can end in serious fighting, he said. It can also cause severe harassment and even physical abuse of the target female, particularly when she is unresponsive or tries to get away from amorous male.

Pursuit of these females by males can be persistent and very aggressive to the point where they can kill the female. That is not their intention but that unfortunately can be the result, so interpreting the males actions as being based on care for the welfare of the female or the joey is a gross misunderstanding, so much so that the male might have actually caused the death of the female.

Spielman added that, though he thought the term was often misunderstood and misused, the reporting of the viral photographs had been naive anthropomorphism. Eastern grey kangaroos can breed throughout the year, but mostly do so in spring and early summer.

The kangaroos sinister intentions were first flagged in an explosive blog post by Dr Mark Eldridge, the principal scientist of the Australian Museum. He praised Switzers great photos of the kangaroos, but said they had been fundamentally misinterpreted.

This is a male trying to get a female to stand up so he can mate with her, he said.

He pointed to the highly stressed and agitated state of the male kangaroo, which had been licking its forearms to cool down. Eldridge also pointed to evidence sticking out from behind the scrotum of the kangaroos sexual arousal. Interest in the blog post caused significant delays to the museums website.

Source:www.theguardian.com
FILE -- In this Dec. 3, 2015 file photo, Ali Rezaian, far left, the brother of Washington Post reporter Jason Rezaian, rallies with supporters to deliver a petition of 500,000 signatures to Iran's United Nations mission asking for the release of his brother from prison, in New York. A source close to Iran's judiciary confirmed to The Associated Press, Saturday, Jan. 16, 2016 that jailed Washington Post bureau chief Jason Rezaian is one of four dual-national prisoners freed by Iran's government and originally announced on Iranian state television without naming those released. (AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews, File)
Markus Schmid, an internationally acclaimed mime artist from Switzerland, entered the realm of acting at a young age. Like any beginner, he was introduced to theatre first, where words play an integral role in conveying the message. It was Schmids teacher who found out his skill in expressing ideas through gestures and guided him to the world of mime. He went to Paris to master this art of movement and since then, he had been experimenting with this genre. Schmid, who is known for projects such as ENKI, was in Kochi for a workshop. It was his second visit to the place and this time, he got an opportunity to closely watch Kathakali, the traditional art form of Kerala.

Having found some resemblances with Kathakali and mime, he says, The whole experience was really interesting. My French mime master had told me about Kathakali and its similarities with mime. I could experience his words when I saw the dance in real. Movements of artistes eyes, the way he holds his body, the proportion he keeps, and the flow of energy are in a way similar to mime. The only difference between these two is that in Kathakali artistes do not open their mouth.

Markus was here for a performance as well as to do a workshop on using mime as a teaching technique to teachers. Mime was there even six centuries before the birth of the Jesus Christ. And it is an effective medium for communication, he says. It is an effective medium for teaching. I have done this among special children and have seen the effect. Their reluctance to face society reduced after the session. They started interacting with people, he adds.

But, dont think that this methodology is meant only for special children. It is applicable for all. Mime is very expressive. When I use it as a teaching medium, I take advantage of that. That means we teach them through actions. But, to do this, you need to create a connection with the children. The first part of my lesson would always be that, says Markus, who has come with his wife Maria who also contributes to his work.

She is a biologist and hence Markus takes themes to which she could also contribute. ENKI, a project on water conservation is one such. I take global subjects. I put some cue points and hence everybody could relate to it. That is one reason for choosing environmental issues, he says.
Sabcat said: yup, if you are not doing anything wrong who cares if the state monitors your communications Click to expand...

I do not think it is a good idea to have people monitoring citizens, and I am sure our forefathers would object. They gave us the fifth amendment, about not testifying against ourselves, and they also protected us from those in authority entering our homes and taking our property. We were pretty strong about protecting privacy and in my lifetime, I have witnessed a drastic change with the government intruding into more and more aspects of our lives.I am a baby boomer. My mother sang for USO shows while my father served in Germany. I was told we are not like evil Europe because we do not make people carry ID and we do not judge people by what is a file. My parents would not allow me to participate in s school fire awareness project, requiring us to check out homes for fire hazards and report them to the school. They clearly thought this was too close to Nazi, Germany, and made it very clear it is against our national values to report people to the government.From my point of view, we have become what we defended our democracy against.
Kansas holds children of Colorado veteran who uses medical marijuana



Raymond Schwab, an honorably discharged veteran, moved to Colorado last year to get treated for post-traumatic stress and chronic pain with medical marijuana.



He didn't expect Kansas would take his children in return.



"They're basically using my kids as a pawn to take away freedoms I fought for," he said. "It's a horrible position to put me in."



He and his wife, Amelia, say Kansas took the five youngest of their six children into custody last April, and they've only seen them three times since.



"I don't think what we're doing is illegal, immoral or wrong," Amelia said.



The Schwabs' case highlights how differences in marijuana laws can make a legal user in one state an unfit parent across the border.



...Child welfare officials in Kansas did not return phone calls Wednesday concerning the Schwabs.



Raymond Schwab is a 40-year-old Gulf War veteran. He served from 1994 to 1996 [sic] in the Navy and later qualified for a 50 percent disability rating.



He lived in Colorado when the state legalized medical marijuana and obtained his own card.



He also tried to treat his symptoms with an assortment of medicines prescribed by the Department of Veterans Affairs  pain medicines, muscle relaxants, anti-anxiety drugs  but "they were making me crazy, they made me worse," he said.



Finally he developed a heroin addiction, but said he overcame that years ago with cannabis therapy.



The turning point in his family life began with a VA job offer in 2013. He went to Topeka to work as a benefits agent for fellow veterans.



"I loved it. I loved my job," he said tearfully.



But two years later, he decided to transfer to a VA job in Denver, where medical cannabis is legal. That's when a family squabble led to the loss of five children aged 5 to 16.



Raymond and Amelia say that as they were packing to leave, her mother took the kids to a police station in another county and reported them abandoned, an action her mother now regrets.



Nine months later, they say, child-protection workers and a Kansas judge are demanding that they give up cannabis if they want their kids back.



One condition, they say, is four months of drug-free urinalysis tests, including a drug legal in Colorado for therapeutic uses.



Raymond remains skeptical and worried. "What if I didn't make it through four months?" he asked. He fears his condition might worsen without cannabis.



He and his wife question why Kansas child-protection workers are holding onto children who should not have entered their system in the first place.



Among the documents Raymond carries in a battered briefcase is the one-page result of a Kansas child-abuse investigation.



It shows that in April 2015, the state began investigating allegations that Raymond and Amelia emotionally abused all five children. Three months later, those allegations were dismissed as unsubstantiated.



So, "why do you still have my children?" he asked.




The release of 10 U.S. Navy sailors and their Riverine Command Boats after their detention by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy near Farsi Island earlier this week was hailed as a "sign of warmer relations" and a triumph of diplomacy by both Iran and the U.S. While the telephone diplomacy between Secretary of State John Kerry and Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif clearly prevented escalation and brought an end to the crisis more quickly than previous Iranian detentions at sea, it papered over an important fact: actions were illegal under customary international law.



The first legal principle that Iran's navy violated was the sovereign immunity of warships from arrest and seizure as delineated in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea Articles 32, 95 and 236  even if they are in territorial waters. It remains unclear as to how the vessels entered Iranian territorial waters; a sailor cited "engine issues" in one of propaganda videos released by the Iranians, while Secretary of Defense Ash Carter cited navigation error in an interview today. In either case, there is no legal basis to seize the warships and detain the crew, which is how the FARS News Agency reported the incident.



The second legal principle that Iran's navy violated was the right of entry into territorial waters in one of three passage regimes recognized in customary international law and codified in Article 18 of the U.N. convention. If the crews suffered a navigational error, their entry would have been justified as innocent passage, as long as their passage was "continuous and expeditious" and they weren't engaged in any prohibited activities. If they suffered engine trouble, their entry into territorial waters would have been justified as a force majeure, which would have triggered the duty to render assistance by the other U.S. Navy warship and the Iranians under Article 98. Blindfolds are unnecessary in the process of "rendering assistance;" blindfolds are consistent with the process of "seizure" and "detention."



Finally, arbitrary arrest or detention is prohibited under international human rights law as is the transmission of "confession" videos of detainees for propaganda purposes as codified in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.



Adherence to the rule of law has been a cornerstone of U.S. foreign relations with allies, partners, neutrals, competitors, adversaries and enemies alike. Customary international law  as codified in the U.N. convention  is built upon centuries of precedent attempting to establish a just and equitable international order. While the warming of diplomatic relations between the U.S. and Iran is a positive development, the relationship is too broad and expansive to be managed by personal dialogue at the foreign minister level. Adherence by both parties to the U.N. convention and other customary international law will be the key to avoiding future crises, and the U.S. should clearly make this case to Iran through its newly established diplomatic channels.




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Feet tread the good earth and the Spirit soars.

Step out. Discover your path.
Staying in the Moment When Short-Stacked with Justin Oliver

January 15, 2016 PokerNews Staff

For most of us, being short-stacked is a commonly experienced situation in tournament poker. Sometimes despite our best efforts, circumstances conspire to force us to do what we can while grinding away with a below average stack.

Basic tournament strategy dictates you should if possible avoid becoming so short-stacked that you have too few chips either (1) to make it difficult for an opponent to call when you finally do shove all in, or (2) to make a double-up meaningful enough to improve your chances of going deeper in the tournament.

Letting yourself get whittled down to a stack of just a few big blinds not only takes away most of your preflop options (leaving you in push-or-fold mode). It also makes it increasingly hard to do anything to better the situation, as even winning an all-in doesnt necessarily bring you up and out of the danger zone.

That said, it still happens to the best of us. Perhaps you lose a big preflop all-in versus an opponent whom you only had barely outchipped, and now you are crippled (as they say). Or some other sequence of unfortunate events have left you with little chip-wise. When in that situation, many players consider themselves facing what is essentially an uncomplicated math problem, with certain hands worth raising all in with as determined by factors like hand strength, position, and how much you have left to shove.

But theres more to dealing with being short-stacked than simply understanding the math. Its a mental challenge, too, as Justin Oliver helped explain to us this week at the PokerStars Caribbean Adventure.

Its just about what you have now, Oliver explained. It doesnt matter what you want. We all want to win the Powerball. We all want 200 big blinds in a tournament. Youve got to just play your stack.

Down to just a few big blinds during the middle stages of the PokerStars Caribbean Adventure Main Event, the Toronto player was able to stay strong mentally and persevere, including doubling up once on the bubble in order to survive. Hed eventually go on to finish 30th in the event, cashing for $20,120. That followed an earlier cash in the Latin American Poker Tour Bahamas Main Event last week at the PCA, helping him to move up over the $900,000 mark in career tournament earnings.

Hear what else Oliver had to say about keeping your focus when short-stacked in tournaments, other advice hes learned from Daniel Negreanu, and more about the mental side of poker.

Want to stay atop all the latest in the poker world? If so, make sure to get PokerNews updates on your social media outlets. Follow us on Twitter and find us on both Facebook and Google+!
Impartial. Unbiased. Fair. Chief Charlie Beck clearly forgot the meaning of those words. Those words should guide every investigation conducted by a law enforcement agency or a District Attorney's Office. Whether it's an investigation of an officer-involved shooting or an investigation of a resident who is accused of committing a crime, all parties, including the community we serve, deserve an impartial, unbiased and fair review of all the facts and evidence. Period.

On Monday, Chief Beck chose to put politics above fairness by shouting from the rooftops to every media outlet in the nation that the District Attorney should file criminal charges against LAPD Officer Clifford Proctor.

This is not standard procedure. This is not how this Chief has conducted himself in the past on previous officer-involved shootings. Attempting to unduly influence the elected District Attorney's independent investigation and her decision is wrong.

The Los Angeles Police Protective League does not know if Officer Proctor's use of force was justified or what was in his mind at the time or leading up to the incident in question. We do not have access to the evidence in this case. But that, however, is not the point. Everyone deserves to have his or her fate determined by a fair and complete investigation. Everyone.

On Monday, the LAPPL issued the following statement to the media regarding Chief Beck's actions, and we stand by it:

"When an officer feels compelled to discharge their weapon in the line-of-duty, it warrants a thorough and complete investigation, especially when a life is lost. In all officer-involved shootings, the District Attorney's Office closely monitors the investigation. DA investigators are on scene immediately following an incident. The DA then makes an independent decision based on the facts as to whether or not a prosecution is warranted.

"Chief Beck should stop trying to unduly influence the outcome of this decision, or compromise its objectivity in any manner. It's unfortunate that Chief Beck has chosen to politically grandstand in the media instead of allowing this process to conclude and the District Attorney to make her independent decision. As such, we encourage facts, and not Chief Beck's rhetoric, to be what guides the District Attorney's ultimate decision on this matter."

In the past, when Chief Beck felt that an officer shouldn't be charged following an investigation, he did not go public before the DA's Office completed their review. What changed?

Chief Beck is very media savvy. He made a political calculation. He knew that by going public, he could effectively wash his hands of the matter. While that may demonstrate political expediency, it does not demonstrate leadership. Leadership means that sometimes you have to do the unpopular thing in order to do the right thing.

There's a misconception that police officers expect their chiefs to back them no matter what the facts may show. Nothing could be further from the truth. What police officers expect, however, is that while we are doing a job that is inherently dangerous, our leaders ensure that we are treated fairly if we are ever accused of doing something wrong.

Chief Beck failed us all.
These buildings will never, ever return to the federal government



The shout startles everyone: Provocateur at the gate!



A young man runs through the communal kitchen at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, two others fast behind. They are dressed in camouflage and pulling on military-style vests. All three wear black balaclavas as they rush outside and run to the front entrance of the headquarters that has been held by anti-government occupiers for the past two weeks.



The burst of turmoil interrupts an otherwise quiet afternoon. Several dozen armed men and women now control this federal facility in remote southeastern Oregon, a growing siege staged to protest the imprisonment of two local ranchers and a federal government that they say is out of control. They spend their days concocting strategies, meeting with reporters and well-wishers, and organizing mundane chore charts, all while remaining on hair-trigger alert to any effort to infiltrate their ranks or forcibly end the occupation.



There is no visible law enforcement presence for miles; the occupiers are free to come and go as they please. Still, the groups members are certain that their movements and communications are being monitored by police and the FBI. They listen for drones, stare down passing vehicles and keep a 360-degree watch from a 150-foot observation tower adjacent to the compound. They are on guard.



On this day, the threat quickly dissipates. All stations be advised the provocateur is driven off, a voice crackles over a hand-held radio a few minutes after the commotion in the kitchen.



But its a brittle peace. LaVoy Finicum, a 54-year-old Arizona rancher and one of the groups leaders, says the siege will continue until the federal government cedes control of the 187,000-acre refuge to Harney County.



It needs to be very clear that these buildings will never, ever return to the federal government, says Finicum, who wears a cowboy hat and a Colt .45 pistol holstered on his hip.



...Ammon Bundy, 40, runs a business near Phoenix. He met with the Hammonds in December and led a Jan. 2 march to protest both their impending imprisonment and overreach by the federal government. An hour before the march, the Bundy brothers and others hatched a plan to seize the Malheur refuge and encourage others to join them.



Two weeks later, Ammon Bundy sits at a desk in a refuge administrative office. A documentary crew working on a film about Western land use is peppering him with questions. He is soft-spoken, articulate, impassioned and certain of his positions.



After the crew leaves, he admits that he is tired. Asked if he wishes things had unfolded differently, he sits up and leans forward.



Everything is happening just like its supposed to, he says. Thats what you have when you have divine guidance that is assisting. The right people come. The right words are said.
OPP Patch Image: Facebook

A man found dead Thursday morning in an Orillia parking lot has been identified as a veteran Ontario Provincial Police officer, reports the Orillia Packet and Times.

Det.-Const. Dave Herrington died while on duty in Orillia. The cause of death has not been released, but foul play is not suspected.

Throughout most of the business day Thursday, police had a portion of the parking lot between the Home Depot and the RBC branch in west Orillia blocked off for an investigation. Orillia OPP Const. Jim Edwards confirmed the police presence was in relation to the discovery of the body in a vehicle, but he was not able to elaborate.

Herrington, a member of the OPP's Physical Surveillance Unit under the Technical Support Branch with 25 years of service, was later identified as the victim by provincial media co-ordinator Sgt. Peter Leon in a news release.
A police officer has gone above and beyond the call of duty by breastfeeding an abandoned baby to help save the newborn's life, reports blog Essential Baby.

Luisa Fernanda Urrea, who is a police officer in La Marina, Colombia, was called to a forest settlement where locals had discovered a baby on the ground alone.

While waiting for medical assistance, the new mother breastfed the hours-old baby, recognizing that she was in need of hydration.

Urrea told the local media, "I'm a new mother and I have milk and I recognized the needs that this poor little creature had."

Police are searching for the mother, and the baby is being cared for by the Colombian Institute of Family Welfare, which is searching for an adoptive home.
From March to July of last year, the United States had what Reuters reported as its "most extensive dialogue in years" with Venezuela.

President Barack Obama even met briefly with President Nicolas Maduro, of Venezuela, at the Summit of the Americas in April. Remarkably, given that Venezuela has never posed any security threat to the United States, this was the first time since Maduro's predecessor, Hugo Chavez, took office in 1999 that a U.S. president met with a sitting Venezuelan president.

This unprecedented period of detente turned out to be little more than a head fake. As the summer ended, Washington reverted to the strategy it has pursued for most of the past 17 years: regime change.

The reason was obvious: Venezuela had elections for its National Assembly scheduled for Dec. 6, and the Obama administration wanted to do what it could to influence, discredit and delegitimize these elections.

This was done primarily through an international public relations campaign that argued the elections would not be credible without monitors from the Organization of American States, who have long been heavily influenced by Washington.

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The campaign turned out to be mostly unnecessary: Venezuela's opposition won a two-thirds majority in the Assembly.

Not surprisingly, in Venezuela's heavily safeguarded, fraud-proof voting system, which former president and electoral expert Jimmy Carter called "the best in the world," there were no problems with the vote count.

But the election didn't resolve very much in this deeply polarized country. Like the U.S., Venezuela has a presidential system. The executive makes most of the economic decisions, so the government is mostly in the same position it was in before the assembly elections: it will either fix the economic crisis that led to the electoral loss, or it will lose power.

Under the Venezuelan constitution, this could happen legally under a recall referendum or through presidential elections in 2018. But the Venezuelan opposition has historically gone back and forth on whether to operate within a democratic electoral system.

From 1999 to 2003, it had a strategy of "military takeover," as described by an opposition leader, which included a U.S.-backed military coup (2002) and oil strike (2002-2003) to topple the government.

After losing a recall referendum by a landslide in 2004, it boycotted congressional elections in 2005.

In 2013, the opposition refused to accept its loss in the presidential election, even though there was no doubt about the results. It took to the streets with violence, again backed by Washington until international pressure convinced the U.S. to recognize the results.

And in 2014, the opposition once again engaged in violent street actions aimed at deposing the government.

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After winning its first electoral victory in more than 16 years, the Venezuelan opposition is divided over whether to pursue an electoral or extra-legal path to power.

Unfortunately, the U.S. government's foreign policy apparatus  which includes the White House National Security Council, the Pentagon, 17 intelligence agencies, the U.S. State Department and congressional committees  also is divided.

This means that hard-liners in Venezuela who want to overthrow the government will find vitally important support from within the U.S. "national security state."

President Obama could make a decision to have normal relations with Venezuela and at least try to prevent the vast bureaucracy from pursuing regime change. But he has not even accepted an ambassador from Venezuela, something he has already done for Cuba and that does not need congressional approval.

This clearly indicates that he has no intention of reining in the hard-liners within his own government on Venezuela. The result is that they likely will proceed full steam ahead in supporting extra-legal efforts to topple the Venezuelan government, including  as in the past  with violence.

Mark Weisbrot is co-director of the Center for Economic and Policy Research , a think tank dedicated to promoting debate on vital economic and social issues.
In the Age of Obama, we are living by lies. Prevarication seems to be the operative principle. President Obamas declared goal of emptying our detention facility at Guantanamo Bay is supported by many lies, including one he reiterated during his State of the Union remarks earlier this week. According to Obama, Guantanamo is a recruiting tool for terrorists. However, Obama is more of a recruiting tool than Guantanamo. Senator Tom Cotton refutes this and other Guantanamo related lies in this FOX News column.

Todays Wall Street Journal delivers the column of the day, by Steve Hayes and Tom Joscelyn: The terrorists freed by Obama (accessible here via Google, I hope). Subhead: The president has misled the American people about the detainees released from Guantanamo: Dozens are jihadists ready to kill. The devil is in the details and the details are devastating.
Retaliation Attacks in Cologne as 'Hooligan' Gangs Launch Foreigner 'Manhunt'



The number of reported New Year's Eve attacks in Cologne, Germany, has now risen to 516, according to police, who said that 40 percent of those involved sexual assaults.



Meanwhile, authorities also said that a group of six Pakistanis and a Syrian national were attacked in the city late on Sunday night. Two of the Pakistani men were hospitalized after being set upon by about of 20 assailants.



The local Express newspaper reported that Sunday's attacks had been planned by "rocker and hooligan gangs," who had used social media to launch a "manhunt" of foreigners.



Tensions remain high in Germany as citizens struggle to comprehend the consequences of the mass attacks on December 31. Blame has fallen on the police for their insufficient reaction, on migrants because of the reported origin of the attackers, and on the German government.



Police have said the attackers were among a group of 1,000 men of "North African or Middle Eastern" appearance, who congregated near Cologne Cathedral on New Year's Eve.
Many, including us, have criticized John Kerry and other members of the Obama administration for praising effusively Irans treatment of captured U.S. sailors. We and many others have pointed out that, far from meriting praise and thanks, Irans humiliation of the captured sailors, including filming videos of them in submissive postures and forcing one of the sailors to apologize for intruding on Iranian waters, along with forcing the lone female crew member to comply with Sharia law by wearing a headscarf, was not only offensive but violated the Geneva Conventions.

Despite these criticisms, the administration has not revoked its praise and thanks to the mullahs. Instead, it has mostly fallen silent. However, in todays press briefing by State Department spokesman John Kirby, we did learn why the administration has not charged Iran with violation of the Geneva accords:

QUESTION: Did you get an answer to the question that I  I think you had said you would take on whether L regards the Geneva Conventions and  as applying to the U.S. soldiers that were in  the U.S. sailors, excuse me, that were in Iranian custody? MR KIRBY: Yeah, I  my  what  my comments yesterday still stand. QUESTION: So in other words, youre not at war, therefore theyre not prisoners of war, therefore Geneva Conventions dont apply? MR KIRBY: Were not in armed conflict with Iran, and theres been no legal determination to that effect. So my comments still stand.

Got that? If we were at war with Iran, their treatment of our sailors would violate the Geneva Conventions. However, since we are NOT at war with Iran, the Iranians are free to abuse our military personnel at will, and, far from seeking redress, we are grateful to them. That is, folks, the officially stated position of the Obama administration, hard as it may be to believe.

Over the years, we have expressed harsh views of Barack Obamas foreign policies. But not, I am afraid, harsh enough. Michael Ramirez describes Obamas Iran policy graphically. Click to enlarge:
Iran and the U.S. have swapped prisoners. The mullahs reportedly have released four of our guys including Washington Post reporter Jason Rezaian. We reportedly have released seven of theirs.

Swapping prisoners is something a nation occasionally does with its enemies. I think its almost unheard between non-enemy nations or entities.

Sometimes, prisoner swaps are scandalous. Releasing terrorists in exchange for a deserter like Bowe Bergdal is an example. So, in my opinion, are the lopsided deals Israel strikes with its sworn enemies in which hundreds of terrorists are released in exchange for one Israeli.

The exchange of seven Iranians for four Americans doesnt strike me as scandalous, though there may be facts Im not aware of that make it so. Iran, I assume, got the better of the deal, but the bad guys typically do in these cases.

It does strike me as borderline scandalous, though, that John Kerry is touting the deal as evidence of the fruit of the Obama administrations capitulation to Iran on nukes:

Officials in Vienna said that the prisoner swap and the nuclear deal were related, but only loosely. Mr. Kerry clearly wanted to be able to tell many critics of the deal in Congress that he had gotten more than just the nuclear concessions; he wanted to make the case that the new channels of communication between Tehran and Washington were proving fruitful in other areas.

How fruitful is a deal in which they get seven prisoners back in exchange for four? That sounds like a negative return on the $150 billion or so were in the process of handing to the mullahs.

In this regard, it should be noted that Iran declined to release Siamak Namazi, an Iranian-American business consultant who worked for a United Arab Emirates-based oil company and was seized in Tehran in mid-October. Obviously, the administration didnt insist on his release, even though Iran would still have come out ahead numerically had Namizi been part of the trade.

In addition to releasing the seven Iranians  all of whom reportedly were in custody for sanctions violations  the Obama administration rescinded international arrest warrants on 14 other Iranians suspected of sanctions violations. The U.S. says, however, that none of the people released or let off the hook were involved in crimes of violence or terrorism.

If true, we can be thankful that Team Obamas cravenness has limits that werent apparent in the Bergdahl deal.

The reactions of various Republican presidential candidates have been fairly predictable. The dovish Rand Paul said that the release is a sign that we need to continue to try to see if negotiations will work. I see it as a sign that this administration will continue to be outnegotiated.

So does Donald Trump. He stated that hes happy theyre coming back but that Iran got the better of the deal. Im no Trump fan, but I suspect he would have negotiated something more favorable.

Marco Rubio and Chris Christie said that Obama shouldnt be negotiating with Iran. Rubio explained that when you do deals like the Bergdahl deal and other things, you are incentivizing people to take Americans hostage and prisoner even if theyve done nothing wrong. True, though the likes of the Taliban and the Iranian regime have all the incentive they need to take American prisoners, with or without swaps.

That the administration should stop negotiating with Iran, as Rubio and Christie say, is true in about the same sense that an amateur gambler who has already lost ten of thousands of dollars at the tables should stop betting and go home. Unfortunately, Obama keeps negotiating for the same reasons the gambler keeps betting: (1) he knows hes behind and wants to be able to tell the folks at home he came out at least even and (2) hes compulsive.
No fewer than 20 people were confirmed killed as gunmen on Friday night stormed a hotel popular with Westerners in the Burkina Faso capital, Ouagadougou, after detonating two car bombs outside, the BBC is reporting.

A combination of French forces and elite Burkinabe forces are still exchanging gunfire with the masked men who attacked the Splendid Hotel, taking an unknown number of hostages.

A security summit believed to be attended by some French nationals was being held at the hotel at the time of the attack.

But the French embassy in the country said it was unsure if any of its nationals were at the hotel at the time of the attack.

Burkina Fasos communication minister, Remis Dandjinou, tweeted that 33 people were receiving treatment at a hospital. He added that the countrys minister of public works, Clement Sawadogo, was among those freed.

Witnesses said a part of the hotel is on fire and that they could hear sporadic exchanges of gunfire between the attackers and security forces inside and outside the four-star hotel, which is close to the citys international airport.

Al-Qaeda affiliate in North Africa, Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, has claimed responsibility for the attack, which is similar to an attack in neighbouring Mali.

The same group took credit for killing 20 people in the Mali attack.

Witnesses, told CNN that the attackers wore turbans, were light-skinned and spoke a language not native to Burkina Faso.

United States defence official told CNN that France requested immediate support from U.S. soldiers stationed in the country and that a U.S. drone would be flown over the scene to provide surveillance, the official said.

Although one US soldier is said to be outside the hotel, the 75 US troop in the country are expected to only provide backup role in the operation trying to counter the attack.

Burkina Faso recently elected a new president, Roch Marc Christian Kabore, after the ouster of its long-time leader, Blaise Compaore, who ruled the country for 27 years following a popular uprising.

The standoff is still ongoing. More details soon
Adamawa States official alias is Land of Beauty. Borno State: Land of Peace. Yobe State: Pride of the Sahel.

Then came the Jamaatu Ahlis Sunna Liddaawati wal-Jihad (Arabic for People Committed to the Propagation of the Prophets Teachings and Jihad) but more commonly known as Boko Haram and dreaded for its terrorism, which many agree completely negates Prophet Mohammeds teachings.

Beauty has turned to ashes in Adamawa. Peace has turned to deaths and destruction in Borno. Pride has turned to humiliation in Yobe. Yet, humanity still stands in these states in Nigerias northeast.

What kind of life goes on in these lands when you never know where and when Boko Haram will strike again, even as the troops of the Nigerian Army have continued to regain control of these towns and villages?

The Defence Headquarters had on February 28 announced that it had dislodged the extremist sect and retook many communities it captured in Adamawa and Yobe states. Military officials said many insurgents were killed and others arrested during the battles for the liberation of those communities, while arms and ammunition were recovered.

We travelled to some of these communities to meet residents, and experience, first hand, the monumental destruction that Boko Haram unleashed on their people.

Read the first part of our report here:

In this second part, residents narrate chilling tales of their near-death experiences in the hands of murderous Boko Haram terrorists, and how they are struggling to rebuild their broken lives.

Michika

Mark, aged 43, resident of Michika in Adamawa State recalls vividly when the insurgents invaded the town at about 10.45am on Sunday, September 7, 2014:

I was in my house when they came into the city and I escaped and ran for over eight kilometeres into the farm and onto the mountains.

We escaped through the corn farms to the mountains. Some people hid in the corn farms for three days without water and food, he said to PREMIUM TIMES.

Mark found his way to Gombe, which is 328 kilometres from Michika, where he joined other escapees to flee to Singagali, Sinakwande and Tillijo mountains bordering Nigeria and Cameroon.

Michika is no longer in the grips of Boko Haram. Mark returned there weeks after troops recaptured the town.

His house was not torched. But he said, I found that my house was used as a clinic by Boko Haram medical team because they abandoned different types of drugs, infusions and equipment there. Some of the drugs were still in their cartons, adding, An old woman who could not run when the insurgents took the town said she was treated in my house when she took ill.

The insurgents occupied Michika for seven dreadful months maiming and killing men, capturing young girls and married women and raping them with horrifying recklessness.

Townsfolk alleged that they killed Christian boys who refused to convert to Islam and Moslem boys who refused to fight on their side, and took away children to Sambisa Forest to train them as fighters.

Mark said boys, aged between eight and 10, who were captured by the insurgents, returned brandishing AK 47 assault rifles and shooting at their relations.

If you see the aggression displayed by these little children, you would feel sad about how Boko Haram took away their innocence and planted violence and hatred in their hearts, Mark said with a shudder.

But we are ready to rebuild our town and live together as we did before the enemies came in and stole our joy.

Christians had no problems with Moslems here and by Gods grace, we will not fight our Moslem brothers because of the crimes of evil men, Mark said.

Shuwa

Residents said Boko Haram invaded this community thrice in 2014. The first time in February and the second in March.

Bala, a resident who witnessed it all said the insurgents first arrived in the community with six Russian-made armoured tanks that day in February, at about 6.30 pm; destroying anyone and property in sight.

They were shooting everywhere as they drove through the town. We fled into the bush and they went away just to come back when we returned and started killing our people again, he recounted, his voice shaking.

After the initial assault on the town in which 13 persons were killed, Bala said the insurgents moved to Bazza, where they wreaked further havoc. Not done, they re-entered Shuwa and moved out again before coming back to occupy the land and descend the residents.

When they entered our town, we ran to Baza and when they came to Baza, we fled into Cameroon. We are neighbours to Cameroon. They stole from the people and loaded their vehicles and drove to Krichinga which is about eight kilometers away.

Six months after that initial attack, they came again and occupied the town. It was during the occupation of the town in November 2014 that they blew up several houses, shops and places of worship.

They occupied the town for three months and we fled to Lasa and from there to Bau and to Yola.

In the terrorists heaven



Imagine that the terrorists, during one of their forays into Shuwa, tricked the people that they were friendly.

Said one resident, They told us they did not come to harm us and asked us to stay in our houses. But a few days after, they went from house to house, killing people and taking our wives and our girls away to live with them.

After taking our wives and daughters away, they ordered that those of us, fathers, who could not read Arabic Language should be killed. So many people were killed, said Suleiman, one of the residents.

They arrested my friend Joseph and me and threatened to take us to Sambisa Forest and kill us if we cannot read Arabic. At that time, the military was approaching and the jetfighters were flying all over the place. They ran away with us to Gulak and were hiding so that the jetfighters will not locate them.

At Gulak they said anybody who cannot read Arabic should be carried to Sambisa. That was how they carried many of our people to Sambisa. Because my friend and I read Arabic, they allowed us to go. But those they took to Sambisa have not returned.

Another resident, Shuaibu, a Catholic, has a different account. According to him, while in church on September 7, 2014, news filtered in that the insurgents were closing in on Shuwa. So, the priest prayed for the congregation before urging them to go home and remain indoors. I was standing outside our house with my mother, discussing how people from neighbouring villages were running away when suddenly, we saw heavily armed men coming in a Toyota Hilux and some motorcycles, he recounted.

They were shouting Allahu Akbar, and we wanted to run into the bush and one of them on the motorbike told us not to run. They said they were looking for people who registered with them and collected their money, he added.

He said the insurgents drove straight to Michika without hurting anybody or destroying any property on the way. However, he said the insurgents deceived the people into staying back while stationing their men in strategic locations ready to launch a brutal attack.

I stayed in our house located by the roadside for four days. On the fourth day, my grandfather and I were feeding the animals when the insurgents went from house to house attacking people.

They had taken positions near our house and before we knew it, I heard a loud knock on our door and I looked out of the window and saw them outside. I ran to the backyard and jumped over the fence. They pursued me and asked me to stop running but I did not stop.

Three of them pursued me into the bush and at a point it was as if they were going to catch up with me. I dont know how they lost me because the initial distance between me and them was about five metres.

I was wearing a green T-shirt. I guess it was not possible for them to shoot while running after me. I fell down and started crawling and they lost trail of me.

When the insurgents retreated after the initial attack on the town, Shuaibu, who said he was watching from a tree top in the bush, sneaked back to his home, collected his credentials and those of his siblings and fled.

He went back to the bush and trekked several kilometres under the cover of trees and farmlands until he got to a point where he boarded a vehicle to Yola.

But back in the village, the elderly folk who could not run away were at the mercy of the terrorists.

The story of Shuaibus 86-year-oldgrandfather is ironic. He was said to have been taken hostage by Boko Haram for over a month. He was later freed but killed where he sought refuge.

Says Shuaibu, I did not come back to see my grandfather alive. He was killed near the mountains while trying to run to safety with the credentials he carried from the house.

He was not killed by Boko Haram. He was killed by our people who were taking refuge in the mountain area. They had warned that people should not approach the area in the night and so they saw him coming from afar, they thought he was an insurgent and they killed him with five other people who were trying to escape with him.

Only my old mother and I are left of my family now. We came back to find that they stole everything we had but fortunately, they did not burn our house.

Madagali

One of the survivors of the carnage, Ayuba, said the insurgents went totally berserk in Madagali, demolishing almost everything in sight  worship places, private homes, shops and markets. They also stole everything of value including furniture, cattle, sheep and goats.

He said the insurgents spent a day during its first incursion into Madagali, a situation he said made residents who had fled to safety to return.

When they came the second time, I was writing exam in school. My parents and sibling had fled before Boko Haram took our town but two of my closest friends were killed, he narrated.

I was told that they were caught while attempting to run away and asked to denounce Christianity.

Based on the account of some of the elderly community members who witnessed the killing of the youth, the duo remained adamant and told the insurgents they would not deny their religion.

I learnt my friends told the insurgents they would not reject Christ and the insurgents asked one of them to go but as he made to leave, they shot him in the mouth and he died instantly, he said.

My other friend was tied on the hands and legs and asked to convert to Islam and he refused. They cut his throat with a sharp knife.

After the Nigerian Military reclaimed Madagali, the residents returned to find rubbles where their homes used to stand.

Ibrahim, 28 year-old resident of Madagali said he ran through the bush to Lassa and crossing the Lassa River, trekked to Mararaba Mubi, a distance of over 100 kilometres.

Madagali was attacked on the day the Nigerian Military armoured tank fell into a ditch along the road here. When the military removed the tank and went away with it, that night, Boko Haram went to Michika and burnt houses, said Ibrahim.

We came back to our houses thinking nothing will happen. When we were least prepared, they came again and destroyed everything we had. We escaped into the bush and ran to Lassa. After we crossed the Lassa River, we were told the area may also come under attack.

That was when we fled again through the bush to Mararaba Mubi from where I borrowed a phone and called my brother in Abuja to inform him of what had happened.

His brother, he said, begged one of his friends in Yola to come down to Mararaba Mubi and convey them to safety.

Ibrahim said Boko Haram forced aged parents and grandparents who could not run to join Islam and started teaching them how to recite the Holy Quran.

They killed my aunty and many of my relations. In my village, Wure Ganji Walle, they killed more than 27 persons, he continued.

It was when we came back that we did their full burial rites. If not for the help of the bishop, we dont know what would have happened to us.

Boko Haram took everything we had. They stole our clothes, mattresses, furniture and food.

Even after the Nigerian Army drove them out of Adamawa towns and villages, residents say the insurgents still sneak in to kill and steal foodstuff from the people.

It is less than 15 minutes ride on a bike from here to Sambisa Forest where they are now hiding, a resident, who would not give his name, said.

They are monitoring what is happening here and could launch an attack anytime. But they are not as bold as they were because of the presence of soldiers and local hunters, who provide security here.

Although they are still struggling with the pain inflicted on them by the insurgents, Mark, Ayuba and Ibrahim told PREMIUM TIMES they have refused to give in to hate but are determined to rebuild their towns and villages and live happily again.
The Kaduna State Government has announced the composition of a Judicial Commission of Inquiry into last months clash in Zaria between the Islamic Movement in Nigeria and the Nigerian Army.

Human Rights Watch said at least 300 members of the Shia group were massacred by the Nigerian military, which claimed the sect members made an attempt on the live of its army chief, Tukur Buratai.

President Muhammadu Buhari has refused to comment on or probe the killings, saying he was awaiting the outcome of investigation by Kaduna government.

But at a media chat December 30, Mr. Buhari said the Shia group constituted a state within a state.

In a statement Saturday, signed by his spokesman, Samuel Aruwan, Gov. El-Rufai said members of the commission would be inaugurated next week.

Full statement:



The judicial commission of inquiry is established under Section 2 of the Kaduna State Commission of Inquiry Law, 1991.

Malam Nasir El-Rufai, the Governor of Kaduna State, has signed the instrument establishing the commission of inquiry. The inquiry, which is expected to submit its final report six weeks after its first public sitting, has several terms of inquiry. These include to determine the immediate causes of the clashes, examine the historical circumstances and contributory factors of the clashes and to ascertain the number of persons killed, wounded or missing during the clashes. The commission of inquiry will also identify the actions of persons, institutions, federal and state actors, and determine whether such actions were necessary, appropriate and sufficient in the circumstances in which they occurred.

In a state-wide broadcast last month, Governor El-Rufai had promised to establish a judicial commission of inquiry into the Zaria clashes, as a matter of utmost importance to the public interest. During the broadcast, the governor regretted the loss of lives and detailed what the Kaduna State Government had learnt about the immediate build-up to the clashes. The government also took steps to begin the prosecution of the people that were arrested during the clashes for crimes, including obstruction of public highways and possession of dangerous weapons. The women and juveniles among the detainees were swiftly processed and released.

Furthermore, the Kaduna State Government acted to ensure that the sites of the clashes did not constitute sources of public peril after the army withdrew from them. Glass shards, twisted metal and concrete were cleared from the sites and the buildings that were considered structurally unsound following the clashes were removed. In the process of clearing the sites of the clashes, three persons were rescued from the rubble.

Since the unfortunate incident, the Kaduna State Government has been discharging its obligations to promote the public welfare. There was no reason at any point to put governance in abeyance or to abdicate the responsibility of the government to enforce the law and uphold security. Neither was it necessary for the Kaduna State Government to speak and act as if it was not in possession of any facts relevant to the matter. Government has to acknowledge as much when a building has been put up without evidence of title or the necessary planning approvals; and the state has to initiate prosecutions when valid laws have been broken. It is not in the public interest for government to decline its duty.

The members of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into the Zaria clashes were chosen for their professional competences as lawyers, jurists, scholars of religion, human rights activists, security experts and media practitioners.

The Judicial Commission of Inquiry, which will be inaugurated next week, has the following membership:



Justice Mohammed Lawal Garba  Chairman. Justice Garba is the presiding justice of the Port Harcourt division of the Court of Appeal.

Prof. Salihu Shehu -Commissioner. Professor Shehu lectures at the Bayero University, Kano.

Prof. Umar Labdo  Commissioner. Professor Labdo teaches in the Faculty of Humanities, Northwest University, Kano.

Malam Salihu Abubakar  Commissioner. Malam Abubakar is a former director of the National Agricultural Extension and Research Liaison Services (NAERLS), Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.

Prof. Auwalu Yadudu  Commissioner. He is an accomplished professor of Law, and former Special Adviser on Legal Matters during the Abacha government.

Prof. Ibrahim Gambari  Commissioner. Professor Gambari is a former minister of Foreign Affairs. He was also Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations, and headed the UN department of Political Affairs. He is often consulted on African Affairs, Peacekeeping and Global Security.

Mr. Afakriya Gadzama  Commissioner. Mr. Gadzama, a career intelligence professional, is a former Director-General of the Department of State Services, where he served in various positions, including as Kaduna State director of the agency.

Brigadier-General Aminun-Kano Maude (rtd)  Commissioner. General Maude is a retired Deputy Director, Army Finance and Accounts. He holds a Ph.D in Accountancy.



Dr. Jibrin Ibrahim  Commissioner. Dr. Ibrahim is a well-known academic, civil society leader and columnist. He taught politics at the Ahmadu Bello University, and has researched and written about religion.

Mrs. Khadijah Hawaja Gambo  Commissioner. Mrs. Gambo is a gender rights activist, social entrepreneur and conflict resolution expert active in Plateau and neighbouring states. She is fluent in Arabic.



Mr. Bilya Bala  Commissioner. Mr. Bala is an accomplished banker, management consultant and journalist.

Major-General Alexander Anjili Mshelbwala  Commissioner. General Mshelbwala is a retired infantry general knowledgeable in civil-military relations and counter-insurgency. He is a one-time Military Secretary of the Nigerian Army.

Mrs. Desire Deseye Nsirim CP (Rtd.)  Commissioner. Mrs. Nsirim was a distinguished police officer. She retired after serving as the commissioner of police of Niger State.



Dr. Bala Babaji has also been appointed the Secretary to the Commission. He is currently the Director of the Centre for Islamic Legal Studies, Institute of Administration of the Ahmadu Bello University. He will be assisted in the discharge of his functions by a secretariat with experts drawn from academia, civil society, private sector and the public service of the state and the Federation.

The Kaduna State Government consulted widely with the governments of the 19 Northern States and the Federal Government in a bid to identify credible, independent and impartial persons knowledgeable in various aspects that the Inquiry is expected to cover. The government expresses its gratitude to all those that participated in the meticulous process that led to the appointment of the Commissioners and Chairman, and thanks the chairman, membership and secretariat of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry for accepting to serve.
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Friday said took a swipe at those campaigning for a breakaway sovereign state of Biafra, suggesting that some people were using the Biafra agitation to enrich themselves criminally.

There is even some suspicion that the agitators embarked on the act in order to extort money from outsiders and to also extract financial support from the government, Mr. Obasanjo, who a veteran of the civil war that suppressed the original attempt at establishing Biafra, said in a lecture he delivered at an event organised by the YarAdua Centre and Nextiers Development Discourse to commemorate the Armed Forces Remembrance Day.

The commercialization and exploitation of Biafra agitation is obscene to the point of criminal fraudulence.

Or, how do you explain the issuance of the so-called Biafran passport that takes anyone to nowhere and for which unwary people are being charged exorbitant prices.

We must neither allow evil to find work for our youth nor to fill their unoccupied minds with satanic ideas, thoughts, decisions and actions.

The former president also advocated good governance driven by fairness, justice, and a complete wellbeing of the citizenry at all levels as a means of quelling the agitation.

While warning that the country could not afford another civil war or a insurgency similar to that being fought in the North East of the country under any guise, Mr Obasanjo called for the youth leading the current agitation for the creation of Biafra to be educated on the implications of their actions.

Above all things, good governance at all levels is the key solution. The welfare and wellbeing of the citizenry with equity, justice and fairness must be the main pre-occupation of government at all levels. It must also be the pre-occupation of the family and the community and all hands must be on deck, he said.

Nigeria cannot afford to go from Boko Haram insurgency to any other insurgency under any name or guise. And on no account should we wittingly or unwittingly allow this to happen again. Youth education, welfare, well-being, empowerment and employment for ever must be our collective duty, obligation and responsibility.

He called on the leaders of the country, particularly in the South East, to take the lead in the drive to educate the youth.

In my part of the world, when a young person behaves uncharacteristically, people ask, Are there no elders in your family. It means that he or she has not been given an education and an awareness that is more than school education. Let us speak well of ourselves collectively and cohesively among ourselves, the former President said.

While dismissing the agitation for Biafra as futile, hopeless and one that could only have a disastrous outcome, Mr. Obasanjo said he sees the present agitation as a cry for attention and a call for the improvement of the socio-economic condition in the South East.

Although he acknowledged that agitation as an approach to equitable socio-economic realities might not be a bad thing all together, he warned that it should not be taken too far.

Biafra as a secession issue is dead and nobody should follow that way. It can again only lead to disaster, he said. But I see this resurgent Biafra agitation not for secession or creation of an independent entity from Nigeria but as a cry for attention, amelioration and improvement of socio-economic conditions and situation especially of the youth in Nigeria in general, but in the South-East in particular  a call by the youth of that region for transformation. I see it as a platform rather than a cause.

The former president said the resurgent call for the creation of Biafra could be linked to the outcome of the 2015 election.

The South East voted en-mass for the losing candidate in the election, Goodluck Jonathan.

He said the situation in the South East during the election was similar to what happened in the South West in 1999 when voters in the region rejected his candidacy.

He said many voters in the South East may have refused to vote for President Muhammadu Buhari due to the wrong perception created during the campaign that he was a hater of Igbo people, a fundamentalist, and jihadist who was sponsoring the Boko Haram insurgency.

Muhammadu Buhari was presented by his political detractorsand perceived by many honest Nigerians fooled by this dangerous rhetoricas a rabid Moslem fundamentalist, who was secretly behind Boko Haram and who, on coming to power, would islamise the whole of Nigeria. I call this The Buhari bogey! The seemingly stern and starchy appearance of Buhari and his not being seen with any known close friend in the South-East outside his military colleagues aided the misperception.

Voting along regional lines, or voting en-bloc against or for a candidate can be regarded as normal and should not by itself be a problem. But we must hold with apprehension the fear that led to such voting and its subsequent contribution to this resurgence of protests.

He however called on Mr. Buhari to carry everybody in the country along irrespective of political inclination.

The solution is first for leaders and elders in the South-East to caution realism and sanity among the youth and for the President to prove that Nigeria is his constituency, he should act like God who gives rain to the good and bad, the just and the unjust, in the world equally as the world belongs to God in totality, he said.

Read Mr. Obasanjos full speech here https://opinion.premiumtimesng.com/?p=170520
Former President Goodluck Jonathan on Friday delivered the opening remarks at the Hope Global Forum discussing Emerging Africa: Beyond the Headlines, with a call on African nations to introduce policies that would empower youth and women.

Prior to the event, he met privately with Ambassador Andrew Young and John Bryant Hope, Chairman and Founder of HOPE.

Also at the event were former US ambassador to Nigeria, Robin Sanders; Atlanta mayor, Kassim Reed; and other city fathers.

2016 is the first year the Hope Global Forums has showcased Sub-Saharan Africa.

During his opening remarks, Mr Jonathan drew parallels between Africa and Nigerias economic and social struggles to those of Atlanta and the HOPE foundation.

He stated that he was devoting his post presidential life to partnering with others of like mind to develop the African continent by working for political stability and wealth creation.

The former President gave highlights of his experience as head of the Commonwealth Election Observer mission to Tanzania.

He also lamented the fact that Africa, which has 15 per cent of the worlds population, only controls 2.5 per cent of global trade.

In particular, he drew applause from the audience of dignitaries when he said If we do not add value to our commodity exports, all we will be doing is exporting jobs.

He also got a standing ovation for calling for affirmative action to empower African women politically, economically and socially.

Mr. Jonathan also talked about his administrations policy of empowering youths with capital through such interventionist programmes like Youth Enterprise With Innovation in Nigeria (YouWin) and the Nagropreneurs initiative.

He encouraged other African nations to introduce similar policies.

President Jonathan finally called on the August body to continue to support Nigeria and Africas economic progress through trade and investment noting that foreign aid can never help Africa grow its economy. It can only help you exist vegetatively.
Paul Ibe, a former Editor of Thisday Newspaper has asked the Court of Appeal to compel the publisher of the paper, Nduka Obaigbena to pay him a N19.7m judgment debt.

Mr Ibe made the claim in a motion filed before the appellate court, a copy of which was made available to journalists on Friday in Abuja.

In the motion, Mr Ibe alleged that Mr Obaigbena and his Leaders and Company Ltd., were deliberately frustrating the payment of the money awarded in his favour by the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN), Abuja.

The NICN had in a judgment delivered on February 18, 2014, awarded the N19.7m, being claims of unpaid salaries and terminal benefits due to Mr. Ibe, against Mr. Obaigbena and his company.

The court had at the instance of the judgment creditor (Mr. Ibe), granted an order nisi (not absolute) to annex the said sum of N19.7m in accounts of Mr Obaigbena and his companies with four banks.

The banks referred to as Garnishee Respondents were: Access Bank Plc, First City Monument Bank Plc, Guarantee Trust Bank Plc and Zenith Bank Plc.

The court had ruled: That the said sum of N19.7m sitting in the judgment debtors accounts domiciled with the Garnishees aforementioned, and the sum of N200,000 being the cost of the Garnishee proceedings be attached to this Court forthwith.

The Court further directs the four Garnishees to appear in court on May 7, 2015 to show cause why this Order Nisi should not be made absolute upon each of them for payment of the judgment creditor.

Mr Ibe said that following the orders of the NICN, the respondents filed a Notice of Appeal dated April 30, 2015, which effectively put a stay on further action on the garnishee proceedings.

He, however, alleged that upon transmitting the records of proceeding to the Court of Appeal, the appellants (Obaigbena and his company) abandoned the case.

Mr. Ibe deposed in an affidavit attached to the motion that: The appellants have neglected to file their brief of argument several months after transmission of the appeal.

It is a fact that appellants are required by law to file their brief of argument within 45 days after transmission of records, which they have failed to do.

The appellants neither sought nor obtained leave of this court nor that of the trial court before filing the appeal.

He contended that the appeal is frivolous and a deliberate attempt to continue to deny him the fruits of the judgment got at the trial court.

Mr Ibe urged the court to dismiss the appeal and order Mr Obaigbena and his company to pay him the said sum.

On the facts of the case, Mr Ibe said he was engaged by the respondents in May 1996 and rose by way of promotion to become the Editor of Saturday Thisday newspaper.

He said in 1998, he was transferred to South Africa as the Bureau Chief of the newspaper.

Mr Ibe said while he was in South Africa for 19 months running the affairs of the newspaper, his employers failed to provide residential and office accommodation and perks of office.

After completion of my job schedule in South Africa, I returned to Nigeria in 2000, feeling dissatisfied and gave them notice of my intention to resign.

The defendants rejected my resignation and gave an approval for a sabbatical leave.

In 2002, I was reabsorbed as an Assistant Editor with the understanding that I will be appointed Director.

Within 12 years duration of my employment, my tax and pension deductions and terminal benefits statutorily due to me were not paid.

Meanwhile the court of appeal is yet to fix a date for the hearing of the motion.

(NAN)
Justice Ibrahim Buba of a Federal High Court in Lagos has issued a warrant for the arrest of a former Niger Delta militant, Government Ekpemupolo (popularly known as Tompolo).

The judge said the warrant had to be issued after Mr. Ekpemupolo failed to respond to invitations to appear before the court.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, is accusing Tompolo of corruption.

Details later
Post reporter Jason Rezaian and others to be freed in prisoner swap, according to Iranian mediaSource: Washington PostFour U.S. citizens imprisoned in Iran, including Washington Post journalist Jason Rezaian, are to be freed in a prisoner swap, according to Iranian news agencies.All four are duel U.S.-Iranian citizens, according to the semiofficial Mehr and Fars news agencies. Rezaian has been held since July 2014. There was no official confirmation from the United States.News of the exchange came as world leaders converged here Saturday in anticipation of the end of international sanctions against Iran in exchange for significantly curtailing its nuclear program.The nuclear agreement will take effect when the International Atomic Energy Agency certifies that Iran has met its commitments under the deal it signed last July with six global powers, including the United States.Secretary of State John F. Kerry flew from London to Vienna in the early afternoon local time. He went immediately into a meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif at the Coburg Palace Hotel, the scene of months-long final negotiations last summer that led to the deal between Iran and the world powers.Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/worl...48f746-bc4b-11e5-829c-26ffb874a18d_story.html
Attahiru Jega, former Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, chairman, on Saturday in Dutse, Jigawa State, called for the scrapping of states and federal scholarship boards.

Mr. Jega, now a lecturer at Bayero University, Kano, made the call at the maiden convocation lecture of the Federal University, Dutse, where he delivered a paper with the theme, Reforming the Nigerian Tertiary Education sector: challenges and prospects.

According to him, the scholarship system needs to be reviewed to serve the purpose for which it was introduced.

He said most scholarship boards in the states and federal levels had been characterised by corruption, hence the need for governments to deal with schools directly.

The scholarship system must be reviewed and reorganised by disbursing scholarships through the institutions, rather than ineffective and corrupt boards.

The federal and state governments should identify their beneficiaries and pay directly to their schools, and that should be done by merit, he said.

According to him, paying directly to the institutions will reduce a lot of wastages and reduce corruption in the system.

Mr. Jega also advised the government to introduce a well-funded students scheme for indigents students that were qualified to go to tertiary institutions but could not afford it.

He noted that these were important innovative measures used by most countries to expand access to education.

Mr. Jega also called on the Federal Government to increase profit tax of companies allocated to Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND), from two to five per cent.

He lauded TETFUND for serving the country well in terms of provision of infrastructures in institutions, as well as aiding the conduct of research. (NAN)
President Muhammadu Buhari will on Sunday embark on a three-day visit to the United Arab Emirates.

In the course of the visit, President Buhari will join the Secretary General of the United Nations, Ban Ki Moon, Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan of Abu Dhabi and other participants as a special guest of honour at this years edition of the World Future Energy Summit, a statement by his spokesperson, Garba Shehu, said.

The Summit, which is now in its ninth year, is dedicated to advancing future energy, energy efficiency and clean technologies.

President Buhari will also lead a team of his ministers to bilateral talks with the government of the UAE.

After the talks, a number of agreements between both countries on economic, trade and bilateral relations are expected to be signed.

From the visit, Nigeria also expects to get more support from the UAE for its war against terrorism and the recovery of Nigerias stolen funds.

President Buhari is also scheduled to meet with leading UAE businessmen who are interested in Nigeria, to encourage greater investment inflows to critical sectors such as power supply, oil, gas and agriculture.

The president, who would be accompanied by the ministers of Power, Works and Housing, Petroleum, Environment, Justice, Trade and Investment, Finance and Foreign Affairs, as well as the National Security Adviser, will also meet with Nigerian professionals in the UAE before returning to Abuja on Tuesday.
The senator representing Kaduna Central, Shehu Sani, has donated N100,000 to a woman who gave birth to five children at Barau Dikko Hospital in Kaduna.

Presenting the cash to the mother at the hospital, Mr. Sani, who was represented by his aide, Sulaiman Ahmed, said the cash donation was for settling her medical bills.

Mr. Sani also donated baby care products, wears and diapers to the parents of the newborn babies.

Receiving the cash donation, the father of the five children, Aliyu Hassan, thanked the senator for coming to his familys aid.

The father of the quintuplets, who is unemployed, called on well-meaning Nigerians to offer him a job to take care of his family.

The mother, Nana Aliyu, thanked the senator for assisting the family.
Dear Abby,



My husband hasn`t worked for the last 14 years . All he does is get dressed

in the morning and hop in his fancy car to visit his cronies . I know he`s

cheated on me many times with young girls who could be his grand daughters .



I know because he brags about this to me. He smokes fancy cigars and

drinks the most expensive Champagne day and night . We sleep in separate

beds because he`s always telling me he knows I`m a lesbian and my varicose

veins and hairy back turn him off !

Should I clobber him with my frying pan, or should I leave him , Abby ?

Your advice would be appreciated .....

Mad as Hell



Dear Mad as Hell,



You don`t have to take that kind of treatment from any man .I suggest you

pack your bags and move out a.s.a.p.! Don`t resort to clobbering him with

the frying pan , and try to act like a lady !

Remember ....... you`re running for President of the United States , so try

acting like one !



Abby


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.




THE VIKINGS HAVE ARRIVED Johans Je Swedish Coffee House and Cafe GRAND OPENING Downtown West Palm Beach! By: Johan's Joe Swedish Coffee House & Cafe 1 2 3 4 5 Johan's Joe Grand Opening Ribbon Cutting Ceremony Swedish Shrimp Sandwich Swedish Pastries Johan's Joe Dining Area 2 Lofbergs Organic & Fair Trade Coffees & Teas WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Jan. 15, 2016 - PRLog -- Johans Je, Swedish Coffee House & Cafe, celebrated their Grand Opening on Saturday, Jan 9, 2016, in West Palm Beach, Florida! In collaboration with the DDA-Downtown Development Authority, the event was a huge success, featuring a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony, live music, dancing and Johans Joe menu samplings by hundreds of guests and local business supporters.



Nicklas and Tudde Thuden, owners/operators, are proud to offer their modern version of the traditional Swedish cafe, to the south Florida community! Serving a custom blend of Swedens most ethical and environmentally friendly coffee, as well as espresso and tea from Lfbergs, award winning and eco-friendly coffee roasters, Johans Je promises to deliver nothing but the most delicious cup of coffee! Swedish favorites and authentic Scandinavian baked goods will be prepared in-house daily in addition to scrumptious croissants, pastries, muffins, bagels, hand-made gourmet sandwiches, salads, soups, and savory breakfast and lunch options, made using only the freshest, seasonal ingredients.



The space exudes cosmopolitan comfort, inspired by the clean, minimalistic style that is quintessentially Scandinavian. Comfortable seating areas invite patrons to kick back and stay awhile, and provide the ideal space for working lunches or an afternoon Fika (coffee break), to catch up on emails or social media. The bright, open concept cafe space features floor to ceiling windows, providing panoramic views of the bustling downtown area, and beautiful outdoor seating allows for customers to enjoy their caffeine kick while taking in the fresh air and people watching!



It has been a longtime dream of ours to share a modern taste of Scandinavia with the south Florida community, our second home, said owner and native Swede, Nicklas Thuden. With over 10 years experience running a bustling, hugely successful cafe in Sweden, Nicklas and Tudde are excited to bring their expert baking skills and knack for gorgeous, over the top food presentation to West Palm Beach, guaranteed to tantalize the taste buds of everyone who walks through the door.



Johans Je thrives for all patrons to visit expecting to enjoy delicious, Scandinavian inspired food and beverages, presented beautifully, with exceptional customer service, in an eclectic, comfortable environment, said Nicklas Thuden. I want to deliver an experience for the customer and to give them something to talk about and come back for! Serving up their signature service and smiles, Johans Je hopes to create a Family of customers to indulge with their stateside staples and Swedish delicacies.



Johans Je will soon offer wine, beer, European cheese selections, hors d'oeuvres and more Thursday through Saturday nights, transforming into a chic wine bar. The atmosphere will be sleek and relaxed, and monthly wine and cheese tastings will be offered, as well as live music and special, seasonal events. Event space will also be available for private parties or business gatherings.



Nicklas and Tudde established their first cafe in Sweden in 2001. Beginning with only two employees and a commitment to excellence, their cafe gained swift and loyal fans from all over Sweden, and by 2009, they had 10 employees and were named Best in Customer Service with a full page write-up in Swedens largest newspaper. In 2012, after many years of offering outstanding food, service, and hospitality, the Thudens were nominated and won Entrepreneurs of the Year in Southern Stockholm.



In 2013, with a desire to bring something new and much needed to West Palm Beach, Nicklas & Tudde made the decision to sell their Swedish cafe and are truly looking forward to continuing their commitment to quality and service with Johans Je.



As now full-time residents of downtown West Palm Beach, the Thudens have always been fans of the area and have seen a need for a cafe in the community like Johans Je for several years. Its rewarding to know that Johans Je will bring the fresh, unique, high quality food and beverages that are highly sought after in the rapidly developing and expanding south end of downtown West Palm Beach, said Nicklas Thuden.



Johans Je is open Monday-Friday 7am-6pm and Saturday-Sunday 7am-4pm, with special events scheduled on a monthly basis. Johans Je will offer their customers free Wi-Fi, indoor/outdoor seating, and FREE designated parking. For more information, please visit their website



###



About Johans Je:



Located at 401 S. Dixie Highway, Suite 3 in downtown West Palm Beach, Johans Je is a Swedish inspired Coffee House and Cafe in West Palm Beach, Florida. Johans Je will serve award winning coffee, espresso, and teas from Swedish, eco-friendly coffee roasters Lfbergs and a combined menu of Swedish favorites and American Classics with a Scandinavian twist for breakfast and lunch daily. Owners/Operators Nicklas and Tudde Thuden provide their expertise in baking, unrivaled Barista skills, and emphasis on providing first class customer service, in conjunction with their friendly staff, to offer a unique, enjoyable experience to everyone who visits.



Media Contact

Amber Wood

***@johansjoe.com

561-808-5090



Photos:

https://www.prlog.org/ 12524245/1

https://www.prlog.org/ 12524245/2

https://www.prlog.org/ 12524245/3

https://www.prlog.org/ 12524245/4

https://www.prlog.org/ 12524245/5 Amber Wood561-808-5090 End -- Johans Je, Swedish Coffee House & Cafe, celebrated their Grand Opening on Saturday, Jan 9, 2016, in West Palm Beach, Florida! In collaboration with the DDA-Downtown Development Authority, the event was a huge success, featuring a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony, live music, dancing and Johans Joe menu samplings by hundreds of guests and local business supporters.Nicklas and Tudde Thuden, owners/operators, are proud to offer their modern version of the traditional Swedish cafe, to the south Florida community! Serving a custom blend of Swedens most ethical and environmentally friendly coffee, as well as espresso and tea from Lfbergs, award winning and eco-friendly coffee roasters, Johans Je promises to deliver nothing but the most delicious cup of coffee! Swedish favorites and authentic Scandinavian baked goods will be prepared in-house daily in addition to scrumptious croissants, pastries, muffins, bagels, hand-made gourmet sandwiches, salads, soups, and savory breakfast and lunch options, made using only the freshest, seasonal ingredients.The space exudes cosmopolitan comfort, inspired by the clean, minimalistic style that is quintessentially Scandinavian. Comfortable seating areas invite patrons to kick back and stay awhile, and provide the ideal space for working lunches or an afternoon Fika (coffee break), to catch up on emails or social media. The bright, open concept cafe space features floor to ceiling windows, providing panoramic views of the bustling downtown area, and beautiful outdoor seating allows for customers to enjoy their caffeine kick while taking in the fresh air and people watching!It has been a longtime dream of ours to share a modern taste of Scandinavia with the south Florida community, our second home, said owner and native Swede, Nicklas Thuden. With over 10 years experience running a bustling, hugely successful cafe in Sweden, Nicklas and Tudde are excited to bring their expert baking skills and knack for gorgeous, over the top food presentation to West Palm Beach, guaranteed to tantalize the taste buds of everyone who walks through the door.Johans Je thrives for all patrons to visit expecting to enjoy delicious, Scandinavian inspired food and beverages, presented beautifully, with exceptional customer service, in an eclectic, comfortable environment,said Nicklas Thuden. I want to deliver an experience for the customer and to give them something to talk about and come back for! Serving up their signature service and smiles, Johans Je hopes to create a Family of customers to indulge with their stateside staples and Swedish delicacies.Johans Je will soon offer wine, beer, European cheese selections, hors d'oeuvres and more Thursday through Saturday nights, transforming into a chic wine bar. The atmosphere will be sleek and relaxed, and monthly wine and cheese tastings will be offered, as well as live music and special, seasonal events. Event space will also be available for private parties or business gatherings.Nicklas and Tudde established their first cafe in Sweden in 2001. Beginning with only two employees and a commitment to excellence, their cafe gained swift and loyal fans from all over Sweden, and by 2009, they had 10 employees and were named Best in Customer Service with a full page write-up in Swedens largest newspaper. In 2012, after many years of offering outstanding food, service, and hospitality, the Thudens were nominated and won Entrepreneurs of the Year in Southern Stockholm.In 2013, with a desire to bring something new and much needed to West Palm Beach, Nicklas & Tudde made the decision to sell their Swedish cafe and are truly looking forward to continuing their commitment to quality and service with Johans Je.As now full-time residents of downtown West Palm Beach, the Thudens have always been fans of the area and have seen a need for a cafe in the community like Johans Je for several years. Its rewarding to know that Johans Je will bring the fresh, unique, high quality food and beverages that are highly sought after in the rapidly developing and expanding south end of downtown West Palm Beach, said Nicklas Thuden.Johans Je is open Monday-Friday 7am-6pm and Saturday-Sunday 7am-4pm, with special events scheduled on a monthly basis. Johans Je will offer their customers free Wi-Fi, indoor/outdoor seating, and FREE designated parking. For more information, please visit their website www.JohansJoe.com or call (561) 808-5090.###Located at 401 S. Dixie Highway, Suite 3 in downtown West Palm Beach, Johans Je is a Swedish inspired Coffee House and Cafe in West Palm Beach, Florida. Johans Je will serve award winning coffee, espresso, and teas from Swedish, eco-friendly coffee roasters Lfbergs and a combined menu of Swedish favorites and American Classics with a Scandinavian twist for breakfast and lunch daily. Owners/Operators Nicklas and Tudde Thuden provide their expertise in baking, unrivaled Barista skills, and emphasis on providing first class customer service, in conjunction with their friendly staff, to offer a unique, enjoyable experience to everyone who visits. Email : ***@johansjoe.com Tags : Swedishcoffeehouse , Newcafedowntownwestpalmbeach , Fika , Lofbergscoffee , Lofbergstea , Swedishcafe , Coffeehousewestpalmbeach , Swedishpastries , Swedishherring , Swedishmeatballs Industry : Family , Health , Lifestyle , Restaurants Location : West Palm Beach - Florida - United States Subject : Companies Account Phone Number Disclaimer Report Abuse Account Email AddressAccount Phone Number


A DOT Consortiums Accredited/Certified-Third Party Administrator Eliminates a Lot of Headaches

drug testing locations, DOT consortiums, WI Drug Testing

End

-- Just as in real estate, it is all about location, location, location when it comes to choosing the right DOT consortiums provider. You want to choose an Accredited-Certified Third Party Administrator (C-TPA). You also want drug testing locations that are easy for employees to access and do not keep employees away from their jobs for too long. Wisconsin Drug Testing Consortium (WDTC) does just that, with three convenient clinics (Green Bay, Fond du Lac and Madison) and over 8,000 affiliated collection sites across the country. WDTC offers both clinic and onsite/mobile drug testing options, which make it easy for businesses to have their employees tested. Imagine using facilities at your business where collections can be conducted, while following protocol, and then the donor quickly returns to their job duties.WDTC is an Accredited/Certified-Third Party Administrator (C-TPA) that ensures your business follows the complex rules and regulations keeping your business compliant with DOT protocol (better known as 49 CFR Part 40) regarding drug testing programs. To help companies, WDTC conducts mach DOT audits (upon request) that meet all the DOT consortiums drug and alcohol testing guidelines.Example: Employees arent entered into the DOT consortium management pool until they have had a negative pre-employment drug test or proof of a negative test within the past 12 months.Our goal is to make DOT compliance as convenient as possible for businesses when it comes to managing their drug testing program, said WDTC President Mike Bray. The rules can be complicated and often change. By joining an Accredited/Certified-Third Party Administrator (C-TPA), you can focus on growing your company, while we take care of your drug testing program.We can partner with your business as an Accredited/Certified- Third Party Administrator for consortium and offer convenient drug testing locations throughout the country so employees can spend more time on the job. Visit one of our offices in Green Bay, Fond du Lac or Madison to learn more about WDTC and its services. Contact President Mike Bray at mike@widrugtesting.com or visit http://widrugtesting.com View original post on drug testing locations (http://widrugtesting.com/multiple-drug-testing-locations-provide-convenience/), DOT consortiums (http://widrugtesting.com/multiple-drug-testing-locations-provide-convenience/)here.
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
The Acta Group (Acta) is pleased to announce that Zameer Qureshi, a chemical regulatory and international business lawyer based in the United Kingdom (UK), has joined our team as Legal Consultant to The Acta Group EU, Ltd (Acta EU). Mr. Qureshi has an in-depth understanding of UK and European Union (EU) laws related to Acta EU's practice areas, and he will deploy this knowledge to assist Acta clients in achieving and maintaining compliance across multiple global regulatory frameworks. A native English/Urdu bilingual, Mr. Qureshi is also conversant in Hindi and can read Arabic.

Prior to joining Acta EU, Mr. Qureshi worked for UK law firms in multiple capacities. He also worked in the United States for several Washington, D.C. law firms and private companies, including Acta's U.S. office where he was a researcher and technical editor.

Lynn L. Bergeson, President of Acta, commented regarding Mr. Qureshi's appointment: "Our growing European practice will be greatly supported by Zameer's impressive understanding of European laws and regulations pertinent to industrial and agricultural and biocidal chemicals. Zameer appreciates the crucial business need for accuracy and swiftness in the competitive global marketplace and his skills, expertise, and familiarity with Acta clients will enhance our Acta EU services."

Mr. Qureshi absorbed a love of the law as a child in Pakistan, passed down to him from his grandparents, parents, and siblings who were judges, barristers, and lawyers. Having moved to the UK in his youth, Mr. Qureshi completed his undergraduate degree at the University of Buckingham, and was called to the Bar of England and Wales at Lincoln's Inn. He further developed his legal expertise by completing a graduate degree at the University of Sussex. Mr. Qureshi is an Adjunct Professor at the University of the Potomac, specializing in International Contract Management and International Business Law, and is an Accredited Mediator.

About The Acta Group -- Acta, a consulting affiliate of Bergeson & Campbell, P.C. (B&C), offers expertise with regulatory programs and chemical product approvals in North America, Europe, South and Central America, Asia, and the Pacific Rim. Acta supports clients' products from concept to approval so they get to market quickly and efficiently. Additional information is available at http://www.actagroup.com.
Owens Realty Mortgage, Inc. (NYSE MKT: ORM) (the Company) announced today that its Board of Directors has authorized it to enter into a stock repurchase plan (the Repurchase Plan) to repurchase up to $7,500,000 of its outstanding common stock. Under the Repurchase Plan, repurchases will be funded from available working capital, and the repurchased shares will return to the status of authorized but unissued shares of common stock. The Repurchase Plan will operate in accordance with guidelines specified under Rule 10b5-1 of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934.

The Repurchase Plan provides for stock repurchases to commence on April 1, 2016 and is subject to certain price, volume and timing constraints specified in the brokerage agreement. There is no guarantee as to the exact number of shares that will be repurchased by the Company, and there can be no assurance that any shares will be repurchased. The Repurchase Plan is set to expire on March 31, 2017, although the Company may terminate the Repurchase Plan any time.

About Owens Realty Mortgage, Inc.

Owens Realty Mortgage, Inc., a Maryland corporation, is a specialty finance mortgage Company organized to qualify as a real estate investment trust (REIT) that focuses on the origination, investment, and management of commercial real estate mortgage loans. We provide customized, short-term capital to small and middle-market investors that require speed and flexibility. Our primary objective is to provide investors with attractive current income and long-term shareholder value. Owens Realty Mortgage, Inc., is headquartered in Walnut Creek, California, and is externally managed and advised by Owens Financial Group, Inc.

Additional information can be found on the Companys website at http://www.owensmortgage.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements about Owens Realty Mortgage Inc.s plans, strategies, and prospects are based on current information, estimates, and projections; they are subject to risks and uncertainties, as well as known and unknown risks, which could cause actual results to differ from expectations, estimates and projections and, consequently, readers should not rely on these forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. Words such as expect, target, assume, estimate, project, budget, forecast, anticipate, intend, plan, may, will, could, should, believe, predicts, potential, continue, and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements.

Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance upon any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. The Company does not undertake or accept any obligation to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statement to reflect any change in its expectations or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based. Additional information concerning these and other risk factors is contained in the Companys most recent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements concerning the Company or matters attributable to the Company or any person acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements above.

SOURCE: Owens Realty Mortgage, Inc.
Zion Health is proud to announce their newest release Ancient Clay Love Soap will be available in health food stores in the U.S and Canada on January 25, 2016. This vegan soap is formulated with a high quality detox clay (Calcium Montmorillonite), well known for its high nutrient content and anti-aging properties. Ancient Clay Love soap may be purchased in U.S. health food co-ops including Vegan Haven-Seattle WA., Rainbow Grocery-San Francisco CA., Community food co-op- Bozeman, MT, Erma's Nutrition Center-Houston,TX and online at http://www.adamaminerals.com.

Zion's Ancient Clay soap is formulated with a unique form of edible grade clay called calcium montmorillonite also known as Kanwa. According to Michel Abhesera, author of The Healing Clay, Native Americans used Kanwa clay to clear acne, eczema and infected wounds. More recently, Kanwa clay was discovered to hold a negative charge and attract positively charged toxins, viruses and bacteria. MIT scientist Dr. Robert T. Martin noted that calcium bentonite clay has a large surface area that enhances its adsorption and in turn, its ability to absorb toxins.

As a supporter of natural, vegan and cruelty-free body care products, Zion Health natural soaps are plant based and not tested on animals. The organic clay soaps are also nutrient rich with a natural mineral content of more than 57 trace minerals.

Zion Healths Ancient Clay Love Soap will be available to retail outlets on January 25, 2016. Shoppers may purchase their vegan Love soap in U.S health food co-ops and local markets. Zion provides its consumers with pure skin and body care products that are 100% vegan, free of aluminum and formulated using certified organic ingredients whenever possible. For more information on Zion Health products, go to: http://www.zionhealth.com.
"This certification strengthens our relationships with facilities and businesses that value diversity and will lead to new opportunities, said Carstens President and CEO Barbara Vanderkloot."

Carstens Inc., a leading manufacturer of healthcare support products headquartered in Chicago, IL, announced today that the company has received certification as a women-owned business by the Womens Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC).

To become certified by WBENC, a company must go through an in-depth review and a site inspection to confirm that it meets all of WBENCs rigorous eligibility requirements. The requirements focus on female ownership, high-level control, and management of daily operations. While Carstens has been serving the healthcare industry for over 125 years, it recently became 100 percent women owned and operated in 2014.

This certification will provide many advantages for Carstens, which will ultimately benefit their customers. Healthcare facilities and businesses that are committed to purchasing from diverse and local companies will have Carstens meeting both criteria. Carstens is proud to be a nationally certified women-owned business that manufactures all of their products in the USA.

We are honored to receive this certification from the WBENC. This certification strengthens our relationships with facilities and businesses that value diversity and will lead to new opportunities, said Carstens President and CEO Barbara Vanderkloot. I am also proud to join other WBENC certificate holders to show that being a woman and owning a business is possible.

About Carstens Inc.

Carstens is an established brand within the healthcare industry. Founded more than 125 years ago, the company pioneered putting patient information at the point of care with customized record systems. Today, Carstens brings new solutions to new demands with its WALLAroo wall-mounted workstations and WALKAroo mobile carts. As the healthcare industry evolves, Carstens continues to expand its line of EHR support products, offering innovative solutions for paper-based record keeping as well as the integration of electronic solutions at point-of-patient care. For more information, visit http://www.carstens.com.

About WBENC

Founded in 1997, WBENC is the leading third-party certifier of businesses owned and operated by women, with more than 12,000 WBENC-Certified WBEs. WBENC certification is accepted by more than 1,000 corporations representing America's most prestigious brands, in addition to many states, cities and other entities. WBENC and its 14 Regional Partner Organizations provide numerous opportunities for interactions between more than 650 member corporations, government agencies and thousands of certified WBEs at business building events and other forums. For more information, please go to http://www.wbenc.org.
First Choice Emergency Room

First Choice Emergency Room, the largest network of independent freestanding emergency rooms in the United States, named Dr. Vasco Cheuk, as the Medical Director of its new Rosenberg facility.

We are pleased to announce Dr. Cheuk will be the facility medical director of our new Rosenberg location, said Dr. James M. Muzzarelli, Executive Medical Director of First Choice Emergency Room.

Dr.Cheuk received his undergraduate degree from the University of Florida in Gainesville and his medical degree from the University of Miami School of Medicine in Miami, FL. Prior to joining First Choice Emergency Room, he served as an Emergency Physician at St. Joseph Emergency Department in College Station, TX and St. Joseph Medical Center in Bryan, TX. He also serves as Assistant Clinical Professor at Texas A&M Health Science Center. Dr. Cheuk is board-certified in emergency medicine with over thirteen years of clinical experience.

All First Choice Emergency Room facilities are open 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. The facilities are staffed exclusively with board-certified physicians and emergency trained registered nurses. First Choice Emergency Room facilities are equipped with a full radiology suite, including CT scanner, Digital X-ray, Ultrasound, as well as on-site laboratories certified by the Clinical Laboratory Improvements Amendments (CLIA) and accredited by the Commission on Office Laboratories Accreditation (COLA).

The Rosenberg facility will be located at 24003 Southwest Freeway, Rosenberg, TX 77471. For more information, visit http://www.fcer.com/locations/houston-map/rosenberg/.

About First Choice Emergency Room

First Choice Emergency Room (FCER.com) is the nations leading network of independent freestanding emergency rooms; it is both the largest and the oldest. First Choice Emergency Room is revolutionizing the delivery of emergency medical services for adult and pediatric emergencies by offering patients convenient, neighborhood access to emergency medical care. First Choice Emergency Room facilities are innovative, freestanding, and fully equipped emergency rooms with a complete radiology suite of diagnostic technology (CT scanner, Ultrasound, and Digital X-ray) and on-site laboratory. All First Choice Emergency Room locations are staffed with board-certified physicians and emergency trained registered nurses. First Choice Emergency Room has facilities in Austin, Dallas/Fort Worth, Houston, and San Antonio. According to patient feedback collected by Press Ganey Associates Inc., First Choice Emergency Room provides the highest quality emergency medical care and received the 2013, 2014 and 2015 Press Ganey Guardian of Excellence Award for exceeding the 95th percentile in patient satisfaction nationwide. First Choice Emergency Room is an Adeptus Health (NYSE:ADPT) company.
Stunning visuals appear to pop out of Magnetic 3D's 22" glasses-free 3D display Our glasses-free 3D displays get consumers to spend significantly more time in front of a given product and help convert them into buyers, as evidenced by over 100% uplift in sales during previous campaigns. Past News Releases RSS Magnetic 3D Joins Digital Place...

Magnetic 3D Appoints Don Mathison...

Magnetic 3D Hosts NYSA 3D Film...

Magnetic 3D, the industry leader in glasses-free 3D solutions, today announced that it will join Instorescreen, Ltd. at National Retail Federations 105th Annual Convention & EXPO, being held January 17-20 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City.

Exhibiting in Instorescreens booth, #3382 in the Level 3 EXPO Hall, Magnetic 3D will be demonstrating the latest advancement in glasses-free 3D retail digital signage with a small-format 22 Allura display designed for advanced point-of-sale applications. Magnetic 3Ds glasses-free 3D technology can be adapted to a number of other display sizes from small-format shelf solutions to large-format digital signage displays, and even video walls.

The inclusion of glasses-free 3D will compliment Instorescreens other commercial-grade, branded, and customized digital signage solutions at Retails BIG Show and showcase the impact glasses-free 3D technology can deliver to the retail industry, said Henrik Andersson, CEO of Instorescreen.

I always say that our technology stands out like a 21st century neon sign, said Tom Zerega, founder and CEO of Magnetic 3D. By providing stunning visuals that appear to pop out of the screen, our glasses-free 3D displays get consumers to spend significantly more time in front of a given product and help convert them into buyers, as evidenced by over 100% uplift in sales during previous campaigns.

Glasses-free 3D makes in-store retail marketing a unique experience that consumers cannot get on their personal device or at home, and as such increases consumer engagement, and thus ROI, for any retail campaign, said Michael Dorin, Chief Operating Officer of Magnetic 3D.

Representatives from both Magnetic 3D and Instorescreen will be available to greet visitors and answer any questions regarding the use of glasses-free 3D solutions in the retail environment.

About Magnetic 3D

Headquartered in New York City, Magnetic 3D (http://www.magnetic3d.com) designs and produces industry-leading, end-to-end, autostereoscopic (glasses-free 3D) solutions. Magnetic 3Ds proprietary Enabl3D technology modifies flat-panel displays, enabling them to show high-definition 3D video content without the need for special eyewear. This process provides audiences with a realistic visual experience that includes both captivating off-screen pop and the immersive perception of depth on what would otherwise be a flat display. The company focuses on exceeding clients 2D expectations by delivering the highest-quality glasses-free 3D visual experience in retail digital signage, gaming, hospitality, movie theaters, casinos, hotels and other public venues.

About Instorescreen

Instorescreen (http://www.instorescreen.com) manufactures monitors and touch screens for retail from 7" to 84" specifically for your company, fully branded in your company color, and with your company logo. Why should you settle for a black screen, or worse, market someone else's brand? Instorescreen specializes in producing commercial grade digital signs for demanding retail applications, something consumer monitors (TVs) were never built or certified for. Instorescreen develops and assembles your uniquely customized and branded commercial grade monitors and touch screens in our own agile manufacturing plant. This allows us to cost effectively build-to-order your specific product.

About NRF

NRF is the worlds largest retail trade association, representing discount and department stores, home goods and specialty stores, Main Street merchants, grocers, wholesalers, chain restaurants and Internet retailers from the United States and more than 45 countries. Retail is the nations largest private sector employer, supporting one in four U.S. jobs  42 million working Americans. Contributing $2.5 trillion to annual GDP, retail is a daily barometer for the nations economy. NRFs This is Retail campaign highlights the industrys opportunities for life-long careers, how retailers strengthen communities, and the critical role that retail plays in driving innovation. Retails Big Show, an annual four-day event, is NRFs flagship event, bringing together industry players for unparalleled education and collegial networking.
LindseyJanies.com

The Lake Charles/Southwest Louisiana Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) will host the Society of American Travel Writers (SATW) Freelance Council Convention during Mardi Gras. Over Mardi Gras weekend through Fat Tuesday on February 9, 40 esteemed travel journalists will be in Southwest Louisiana experiencing the areas family-friendly Mardi Gras.

Their professional development sessions will feature local photographer Lindsey Janies, self-publisher Tommie Townsley, yoga instructor Chelsea Boudreaux, Thrive editor and publisher Kristy Armand, among others within the organization. Plus, we are organizing tours for a behind-the-scenes view of the Royal Gala, teaching them how to Zydeco dance, and showing them both traditional rural and city parades. Well also make sure they see the regions Carnival history at the Mardi Gras Museum, said Megan Hartman, senior public relations manager at the CVB.

In addition to the Southwest Louisiana Mardi Gras festivities, the Freelance Council will also enjoy an area culinary tour, winter birding opportunities along the Creole Nature Trail All-American Road and a chance to see the new Creole Nature Trail Adventure Point.

The CVB is coordinating pre and post conference tours throughout the state of Louisiana with the help of the Louisiana Office of Tourism and the Louisiana Association of Convention & Visitor Bureaus.

The economic impact of hosting SATWs Freelance Council Convention should be seen in coming years through increased visitation to Southwest Louisiana as a result of stories written on the destination. In addition to the CVB, the Louisiana Office of Tourism is a Presenting Sponsor.

The convention will be held at the Golden Nugget Lake Charles February 6-10. For more information on the Society of American Travel Writers, visit http://www.satw.org.
Mirum Im excited to have someone with Georginas depth and breadth of experience; she is the kind of leader who will foster the building of innovative and collaborative culture, while also driving growth.

Mirum, a global digital agency, today announced the appointment of Georgina Forster as the Managing Director of Mirum New York. As Managing Director, Forster will be tasked with driving business development and building the offices operational infrastructure. She will report to Dan Khabie, Mirums Global and North America CEO.

Khabie said of the appointment, As I look to New York to be one of our most crucial growth drivers in North America, part of that strategy is adding to our team of brilliant leadership. Im excited to have someone with Georginas depth and breadth of experience; she is the kind of leader who will foster the building of innovative and collaborative culture, while also driving growth.

Forster joins Mirum from AKQA, where she most recently held the role of Director of Client Services. With more than 15 years of experience as a business leader, her capabilities cover a broad spectrum of digital and brand strategy. In her five years at the agency, she helped double the size of their New York Office, while also helping bring in clients like Bank of Montreal, American Express, Starbucks, and Maserati.

Forster joined AKQA in 2011 as Group Account Director before becoming Director of Client Services in 2013, after having successfully helped launch the New York operation for Profero in 2008.

I am extremely honored to have been given this exciting opportunity to join Mirum at such an early stage in its evolution, said Forster. My passion has always been to create amazing work for clients, so Im looking forward to building a great team here in New York to do that.

Forster will work closely with John Baker, Mirums Chief Marketing Officer; Frederic Bonn, Mirum North Americas Chief Creative Officer; as well as the new business, management and creative leadership at J. Walter Thompson New York, with which Mirum shares clients like Estee Lauder, Getty, Johnson & Johnson, and Rolex.

ABOUT MIRUM

Mirum is a global digital agency that helps businesses facing major market disruption confidently pivot in new directions and take advantage of new opportunities. Created with a pioneering spirit, Mirum brings together successful regional companies that have a deep understanding of local market needs. Our principles are rooted in innovation, design, data, marketing and technology to drive business transformation in a world of constantly evolving behaviors and expectations. Mirum is a global network operating in 20 countries, with 40 offices and more than 2,200 professionals, and is a part of the J. Walter Thompson Company and WPP family. For more information, visit mirumagency.com.
January 15, 2016. Ball Janik LLP elected Adele Ridenour and Ciaran Connelly as partners effective January 1, 2016. Adele Ridenours law practice focuses on construction law, insurance recovery, and commercial litigation. Ridenour was selected as one of the Top 40 Under 40 Litigation Lawyers in 2014 and 2015 by the American Society of Legal Advocates. She has been recognized by her peers as an Oregon Super Lawyer from 2013-2015 in the area of construction litigation. Ridenour is a Member of Oregon Women Lawyers (OWLS) and of the Multnomah County, Oregon and Clark County, Washington bar associations. She is the current treasurer of the University of Oregon School of Law Alumni Association, and a former adjunct professor for the University, where she co-taught a course in Green Construction Law. Additionally, Ridenour is a member of the housing committee of Bienestar, Inc., a not-for-profit organization committed to providing affordable community housing, leadership development, and resident service programs that integrate housing, health, education, and skill development.

Ciaran Connelly is a member of Ball Janiks Litigation and Securities Litigation practice groups. He has broad experience in business and commercial litigation and has handled diverse matters ranging from complex commercial lease and contract disputes to mass-tort and insurance disputes, to regulatory and compliance investigation and defense. Connelly has represented a wide range of clients in cases involving lease dispute issues, inter-lender agreements, railroad trackage rights, a nine-month civil RICO trial, a shareholder dispute related to a multi-billion dollar merger, and a reinsurers liability in connection with a $1 billion Ponzi scheme, among many others. Connelly is a member of the American Bar Association, the Multnomah Bar Association, and the Dartmouth Lawyers Association.

About Ball Janik LLP

Ball Janik LLP is a Pacific Northwest law firm headquartered in Portland, Oregon, with offices in Orlando, Florida and Salt Lake City, Utah. For over thirty years, Ball Janik LLP has been providing outstanding legal services in the areas of bankruptcy and creditor rights, commercial litigation, construction and design, construction litigation, employment, real estate and land use, insurance recovery for policyholders, and securities litigation.

Ball Janik LLP represents large and small businesses; state, municipal and local governments; associations; schools and universities; and individuals. Ball Janik LLP provides clients an aggressive, skilled, team approach to solve problems and achieve results. Ball Janik LLP has been recognized by Chambers USA, U.S. News  Best Lawyers, The Best Lawyers in America, and Corporate International. Ball Janik LLPs success and integrity have repeatedly made it one of Oregons Most Admired Professional Firms, according to the Portland Business Journals survey results of CEOs throughout the region.
"Mortgage Marvin" My success is due to persistence and how my team and I treat each client

"Mortgage Marvin" Rosenberg NMLS# 199005, Branch Manager, Absolute Home Mortgage Corp. NMLS# 176743, is featured in a special section of the March issue of New Jersey Monthly as a 2016 Five Star Mortgage Professional award winner.

My success is due to persistence and how my team and I treat each client, says Marvin Rosenberg of Absolute Home Mortgage Corp. We are committed to excellence. Clients and Realtors have come to know they can count on me and my team for three things: 1) outstanding communication and follow-up; 2) transparency  we never hide anything. This means clients have a smoother process and won't feel lost or kept in the dark; 3) and closing on time! Not all lenders can close quickly or on time. I am humbled to have been selected by my clients and peers as a Five Star Mortgage Professional the last five years in a row. It is exceedingly gratifying to be recognized in this way and especially by this group of people. Wow!

Five Star Professional partnered with New Jersey Monthly to identify and showcase an exclusive group of mortgage professionals who have demonstrated excellence in their field. Less than 2% in the New Jersey area received this recognition.

When I entered the mortgage industry in 2002, I knew the industry did not need another mortgage broker; there were a ton of them. But what it did need was someone like me who had a finance background and wanted to use it to help people and give sound advice and guidance, says Marvin. You see when a client chooses to work with me they come under my umbrella, and I feel a responsibility for each client. I have to say its awesome helping people accomplish their goals and dreams! We provide a different type of experience than you will find at a bank or at an Internet lender due to the extent of the personal service we provide. We hand-hold each file from start to finish, and clients rave about this kind of attention to detail.

Five Star Professionals research is extensive, with more than 10 million consumers, peers and other stakeholders contacted each year. We are relentless in our efforts to identify those professionals with the utmost standard of excellence, says Jonathan Wesser, Research Director, Five Star Professional.

About the research process:

Now entering its 13th year, Five Star Professional conducts in-depth, market-specific research in more than 45 markets across the United States and Canada to identify premium service professionals.

Five Star Professional contacts thousands of recent homebuyers, along with real estate agents, to identify award candidates and measure their client satisfaction levels. Phone, mail and online respondents rate their mortgage professional on criteria such as overall satisfaction and referability. Qualifying candidates are then evaluated on objective criteria such as experience, production levels and disciplinary and complaint history.

Professionals do not pay a fee to be considered or awarded. For more information, visit http://www.fivestarprofessional.com.
Update at 3:15 p.m.

There have been no arrests and no suspects have been detained in connection with the Friday night shooting outside of Shari's Restaurant, Corvallis police said Saturday afternoon.

The Corvallis Police Department released the name of the 29-year-old victim who died at the scene. Jason Scott Williams, of Corvallis, died from injuries he suffered during the shooting that took place at around 7:45 p.m. Friday outside of Shari's Restaurant at 1117 N.W. Ninth St., according to the Corvallis Police Department. The Oregon State Medical Examiners Office in Portland is scheduled to conduct the autopsy.

Corvallis police also confirmed that a 35-year-old Forrest Grove woman suffered a minor injury during the shooting and was transported from the scene to Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center. The woman, whose name is being withheld at this time, was treated and released, according to police.

The second female victim and Williams are acquaintances, and had been at the restaurant together prior to the shooting, Corvallis police said in the release.

Lt. Cord Wood, a spokesman for the Corvallis Police Department, said Saturday that he did not believe there was a threat to the community.

"Based on what we know, I don't think there is a threat," Wood said Saturday.

Wood declined to elaborate on why he believed there was no threat to the community, citing the ongoing investigation. Wood also declined to release any information about the shooter or the weapon used in the shooting.

"It's not the time to talk about evidence," he said. "It's an ongoing investigation."

The Corvallis Police Department, Benton County Sheriffs Office, Benton County Search and Rescue and the Linn Benton Major Crime Team are continuing an investigation and search for evidence at the scene, according to the release.

Northwest Ninth Street was open to traffic Saturday morning, although one lane in front of Sharis Restaurant remained closed from about Beca Avenue to the north and Buchanan Avenue to the south of the restaurant. Incident command vehicles remained at the scene along with several police vehicles.

Corvallis Police are asking anyone with information, or who may have seen something suspicious around the time of the shooting, to call 541-766-6913.

The homicide outside of Shari's Restaurant Friday night is the 14th in Corvallis since 1990. Among city of Corvallis cases, only the Shari's homicide and the homicide of Kimberly Theresa Hakes case remain unsolved. Hakes, 42, was found dead on Feb. 15 inside a tent at Alan Berg Park, a wooded area across from downtown, on the east bank of the Willamette River.
Its only the first month of the year, but if youre already looking for a happy ending, Catalan author Francesc Miralless novel Love in Lowercase (Penguin, Jan.) will deliver one. And theres at least two more reasons besides that to buy the American debut of this charming, modest and bestselling author. The story opens on New Years Eve with Samuel de Juan, a lonely, middle-aged linguistics teacher in Barcelona going to bed feeling that his life is half over, and that the coming years show little promise for significant change. To his surprise, and to readers delight, he soon discovers that small, sometimes unnoticed and often underappreciated events are what make up a satisfying lifethanks to a cat, whose arrival forces him from his doldrums. As the dedication quotes from Robert Brault, Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things.

Like the author, the novels protagonist immerses himself in words, languages, and dictionaries of obscure meanings. In a serendipitous encounter, however, Samuel rediscovers and attempts to woo his first love, Gabriela, whom he has not seen since childhood. Reason number two to buy the book: if you are looking for an innocent love story, this one is sweeter than a box of Valentines Day chocolates.

Finally, Miralles has cleverly built in a third reason to buy the book: the cat, Mishima. Miralless first foray into the American market belongs to that oft-successful literary genre kitty lit, in which cat protagonists take center stage. Mishima is the driving force for the storys chain of events. On New Years morning, when he wanders into Samuels apartment looking for food, Mishi (Catalan for cat) is the catalyst for bringing together not only Samuel and Gabriela but also Titus, an elderly and eccentric upstairs neighbor and ghostwriter, and Vadlemar, a bizarre patron of the bar Samuel frequents, who always carries his manuscript about the dark side of the moon in his backpack.

All these elementsthe happy ending, the love story, the catmight have devolved into more pedestrian popular fiction were it not for its author, a whimsical writer who seasons his prose with philosophical and cultural references. Miralles, 47, was born and raised in Barcelona, where hes set the novel. For the past 20 years, he has lived in the Gracia (Catalan for grace), a neighborhood in the shadow of Sagrada Familia, the magnificent basilica built by another native son, Antoni Gaudi.

As the second child of an erudite office worker father and a dressmaker mother who made clothes for women too fat to shop in regular stores, Miralles says he was a shy, retiring boy until his teen years. Then he became friendly with a schoolmate, a punk rocker who introduced him to the underground scene of Barcelona, its music and concerts, its books and magazines. Part of me is very young adult still, he says. My love of the arts is not from a mature, disenchanted vision.

In his 20s, Miralles sensitive nature and conscientious objector status kept him from military service. Instead, he worked in refugee camps in the former Yugoslavia. There he met a man, Boris, considered by some to be the village idiot, but Miralles regarded him as a genius and still visits him every yearBoris became the inspiration for the character Vlademar.

Miralless path to a literary career was peripatetic to say the least. Dropping in and out of colleges, he studied journalism, English literature, and German, eventually receiving a degree in the language from the University of Barcelona. Over the years, he has written young adult novels, worked as a translator and a musician, and put in seven years at a publishing house that specialized in self-help titles and books on alternatives therapies. In 2007, he released an album of songs he wrote and played, called Hotel Guru. Currently, his writing career alternates between literature and what he calls psychology journalism. In 2009, Maria Tonezzer, an editor in Barcelona and a fan of Miralless YA fiction, approached him to write a book for the adult audiencean intimate story about solitude... a happy family or a happy couple, he says. But theres no story in that, according to Miralles, and he decided to write a book about a lonely manand, because both he and Tonezzer love cats (Miralles has two: Billy and Sort, which means luck in Catalan), he gave the main character a cat.

Its tempting to think that Samuel de Juan is the authors alter ego, since both the fictional man and the nonfictional man are from Barcelona and both love language, classical music, foreign films, literature, and tea. But, Miralles says, he based the character of Samuel on his father, Marcelle. Another reason Miralles gave Samuel a cat, he says, is because his father always wanted a cat but never had one. Why write, if you cant improve on reality? he asks.

Miralles describes his father as a silent man who rarely spoke to his son and daughter. He listened to classical music, taught himself several languages, and liked to spend his leisure time correcting dictionaries. The younger Miralles remembers only one conversation of any lengthfive or so minutes at mostabout the history of the Statue of Liberty, when he was six years old. In Love in Lowercase, the character that most resembles the author, he insists, is Titus, the tortured solitary old man and writer for hire that even on his deathbed still worries about the commissioned work he needs to finish. Im afraid I might end up like that, Miralles says. It would be good, on one hand, because Id still be doing what I love. But it would be bad because Id be working until the end of my days. Perhaps his American debut will change his fate. Its like a dream accomplished to bring this small story set in Barcelona to the biggest market of readers, Miralles says.

St. Jordis Day

Barcelona, the setting for Francesc Miralless novel Love in the Lowercase, is a city of book lovers. For more than 75 years, St. Jordis Day, the feast day of St. George, has been celebrated throughout Catalonia on April 23. The date also commemorates Shakespeare and Cervantes, who both died on that date in 1616. According to the tradition, a man gives a rose to a woman, and the woman in return gives him a book. Everyone does it, not just romantic couples; even bosses give roses to their female employees, Miralles explains. Legend has it that a dragon terrorized a local village, demanding its children, until St. Jordi slayed the beast and a rose tree sprung from the blood of the dragon.

On April 23 in Barcelona, throngs of people crowd the two main sections of La Rambla (Barcelonas most famous street) and a part of the Passeig de Gracia from morning to night, searching for the latest titles and the writers who are signing them, while street vendors hawk roses. Miralles estimates that more than 4 million books are sold in one day, which would be more than in the whole rest of the year. And this year, St. Jordis Day falls on the 400th anniversary of the death of Cervantes and Shakespeare.

Miralles himself doesnt wait for a specific date to give books as gifts. If he finds a favorite, hell buy a case and give them to 20 to 50 people over the next few years. In Love in Lowercase, the main character, Samuel, presents his long-lost love with El Fallo (published in English as The Flaw) by Greek author Antonis Samarakis. Its a book about friendshipand, unsurprisingly, it is a book that Miralles himself loves.

Carrie Tuhy is a New York writer and a world explorer.
LEBANON  Lebanon's Pregnancy Alternatives Center has a new ultrasound machine worth $25,000, thanks to the Lebanon Knights of Columbus.

The Catholic-based charitable fraternal organization, under the direction of Marty Suing, donated the machine with the help of a northwest organization called 4US, whose mission is to work with local Knights of Columbus and Pregnancy Centers to provide centers with ultrasound machines.

The Lebanon club also obtained matching grants from the Diocese of Portland and the Knights of Columbus Supreme Council.

Debbie Tracy, executive director of the Pregnancy Alternatives Center, said the group's support isn't ending there.

"The Lebanon Knights are planning to continue their efforts to purchase another ultrasound machine this year to be used on the Mobile Medical Unit we hope to deploy in 2016 through Linn County," she said.

The Pregnancy Center is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that has been serving patients in Lebanon for 26 years. Its mission is to provide medical and educational services to equip individuals to make healthy choices related to pregnancy, relationships and parenting.

The center provides patient advocacy and emotional support, education, material resources and one-on-one mentoring.

Tracy said the center had an ultrasound machine, but it was seven years old and failing fast. The new one, she said, will allow the center to continue to provide free ultrasound exams to women who qualify.
In 2015, self-publishing saw a number of high-profile success stories. Jamie McGuires Beautiful Redemption became the first novel by an indie author to find shelf space at Walmart, and Andy Weirs The Martian, originally self-published, was released as a major motion picture starring Matt Damon. Paul Kingsnorths The Wake received major traditional media coverage and was reviewed in the New York Times (albeit after it was longlisted for the Man Booker Prize in 2014 and picked up by Graywolf Press), and such writers as Vi Keeland, Penelope Ward, Deborah Bladon, and Tijan saw their indie books reach the New York Times digital bestseller list. Crowdfunding also continued to be a popular platform, with dozens of publishing projects successfully funded on Kickstarter, covering everything from teaching programming to kids to a Lil Bub picture book.

All this came during a general slowdown in e-book sales overall, with a 10% drop in digital sales in 2015, according to the Association of American Publishers. Penguin Random House exited the self-publishing business altogether with the sale of its troubled Author Solutions to a private equity firm, and subscription service Oyster announced that it was closing up shop in early 2016. Despite these shake-ups, many established self-publishing trends in terms of pricing and the popularity of genre fiction continued unchanged from previous years. We talked to some industry experts who discussed what they saw in 2015 and what their predictions are for the industry in the year ahead.

From Indie to Traditional and Back

Fluidity between traditional and self-publishing continued last year as a growing number of hybrid authors explored their options in both areas.

A steady stream of authors took publishing deals only to return to self-publishing, while traditional authors, such as bestselling comic book author Warren Ellis (Cunning Plans: Talks by Warren Ellis), continued to explore self-publishing as a supplement to their other work. This makes sense financially: a survey by Digital Book World found that hybrid authors earn the most money, with a median income between $7,500 and $9,999 a year, followed by traditionally published authors ($3,000$4,999), and indie authors ($500$999). The assumption that authors only use self-publishing until they can secure a traditional deal bears out less and less.

The bestselling author McGuire returned to self-publishing in 2015 for Beautiful Redemption after her deal with Atria had ended. I still plan to traditionally publish, but with books that I feel are best suited for that route, McGuire says. Not every book does well on the shelf, she adds. Walmart stocked Beautiful Redemption in its physical locations in 2015, although the details of the arrangement are bound by a nondisclosure agreement. I think its just smart as a businessperson to keep all doors open, she says.

Longtime bestselling romance author Lindsay McKenna left Harlequin for self-publishing in 2014 and then signed with Kensington in 2015and has a number of indie titles in addition to her Kensington titles slated for 2016. Some authors rejected the traditional deal outright. New York Times bestselling indie authors Keeland and Ward went looking for a traditional deal for their coauthored novel, Cocky Bastardbut the offers they received werent in the realm of what they felt they could make publishing it themselves. The novel went on to hit the New York Times bestseller list in 2015. Many [publishers] are beginning to be understanding of the wish to be hybrid, and the business sense behind it, McGuire says of the continuing shift toward the hybrid model.

Continuing Trends into 2016

Though last year brought a lot of firsts to the self-publishing industry, the overall formula for success remained relatively constant. Preorders continued to be a key feature driving sales at Smashwords, for example. According to founder Mark Coker, though just 10% of authors took advantage of the sites preorder function, those titles accounted for two-thirds of its top 200 bestsellers. Microtargeted subgenres continued to find readers, although romance remained the most popular genre overall, and e-book prices held steady at an average of $2.99, with many authors offering the first book in their series free to build a readership.

Amazons Kindle Singles program has capitalized on offering authors the ability to publish shorter texts. The program added 200 new titles by both well-known and new authors in 2015, bringing the total offerings up to more than 1,000 at the start of 2016, according to editor David Blum. Generally, people are reading more and more on their phones, which works particularly well for Kindle singles, because theyre short and easy to read, he says. This trend is supported by data from Wattpad, where 90% of the platforms activity is from users on their mobile phones.

The trend in earlier years toward disrupting existing publishing models with new startups like the now-established Wattpad or the social reading community Goodreads, since acquired by Amazon, seems to have slowed in 2015. Some of those publishing models are stumbling as we enter 2016the once-promising all-you-can-read subscription services maintain a small percentage of the market, with just 5% of consumers signing up according to Nielsen. Sixty percent of that market share goes to Amazons Kindle Unlimited, with services like Scribd and Oyster (the latter planning to close its doors in January) making up the rest. In an analog twist, subscription services such as Book Riot and OwlCrate, which offer monthly print books and other swag, sprouted last year as readers opted for the subscription box model. Though most of these are limited to books by traditionally published authors, in March hybrid author Colleen Hoover launched Bookworm Box, which caters to indie authors and has more than 2,000 subscribers and a wait list for membership.

Remaining Challenges for Indie Authors

There are two main challenges that have yet to be overcome when it comes to self-publishing versus traditional publishing. The first is print distribution and lack of shelf space in bricks-and-mortar stores. While indie authors continued to hit the bestseller lists in 2015, their presence in physical shops was negligible. Coker, the Smashwords founder, predicts that this will change With indie authors consistently hitting the national bestseller lists, he says, booksellers would be wise to carry those titles. Though total digital sales have reached the millions, many readers, even younger readers, still prefer print. In a study conducted by Publishing Technology, 79% of millennials said they read a print book in the last yearnearly double the amount who chose to read an e-book on any deviceand 28% have discovered new books at retail stores. Indie authors want to capitalize on this market share.

Though many bookstores have small indie sections or may want to carry more indie titles, it is not always such an easy thing to do. The terms set by self-publishing platforms such as Amazons CreateSpace are famously incompatible with the way booksellers operatethat is, with a discount of 40%55% and the ability to return books. Stocking an independent title means taking on a degree of risk that most booksellers arent willing to accept, so these unfavorable terms have long been a barrier to getting indie books on shelves. In addition, there remains the problem of discoverability. Most booksellers order their titles through Edelweissan online catalogue that doesnt list self-published books. If the books cant be found in the cataloguewhere every traditional publisher from Abrams to Simon & Schuster list their titlesthen they may as well be invisible to bricks-and-mortar booksellers, IndieReaders Amy Edelman says. To overcome this issue, IndieReader teamed up with Edelweiss in 2014 to create IndieReader In-Storea paid service that provides a listing of the authors book as well as a digital review copy.

IngramSpark offers similar access. IngramSpark makes it easy for self-published authors to make their books available to our retail and library partners, says Robin Cutler, senior manager of independent publishing at Ingram. Authors still want to have contact directly with readers, so the dream of seeing their book in stores and libraries is as viable as ever, Cutler says. These services are a step toward leveling the playing field when it comes to indie versus traditional authors.

But logistical issues such as terms and catalogues may no longer be relevant moving into 2016, as Amazon expands into bricks-and-mortar stores, possibly bypassing the traditional publisher-distributor-bookseller model. In November, Amazon opened its first bookstore in Seattle, advertising it as a physical extension of its Web presence, which could be good news for indie authors. The store carries titles from other publishers, so it isnt clear what percentage of the titles, if any, will come from the CreateSpace program, but it seems likely that New York Times indie bestsellers would find shelf space at the store. It will be a while before we know whether Amazons expansion into the physical retail sector breaks down the shelf-space barrier for indies on any meaningful level.

The second barrier still stymieing authors in 2015 was the lack of traditional media coverage for indie titles. Though indie authors sell copies in the millions and enjoy a robust social media following, recognition and validation from the traditional literary community is rare. To secure reviews for an indie book, authors had just a few options last year: paid review services (offered by outlets such as Kirkus, IndieReader, BlueInk Review, and Self-Publishing Review); customer reviews (solicited by sending review copies to beta readers or via Goodreads or social media giveaways); or a blog tour, where bloggers run an excerpt, review, or q&anone of which usually leads to coverage in the traditional media. Coverage is reserved for reportage of self-to-traditional publishing deals rather than reviews. Edelman agrees that the lack of review space in traditional media outlets is a problem. Self-published authors still face a huge lack of respect, both from readers and consumer media, she says. She suggests that if self-published authors were to pool their resources and advertise their books in traditional media, the reviews would soon follow. Money talks, she says.

Edelman hopes that 2016 is the year that a consumer publication has the vision and muscle to reframe the narrative surrounding self-published booksby presenting them with the same care shown to indie movies and music. By featuring the best fiction, art, photography, graphic novels, and handmade titles in the self-publishing world, publications could help skeptical readers appreciate indie books. But until a high-profile consumer-facing magazine (she suggests New York magazine as a potential fit) or an influential public figure steps forward to champion indie books, Edelman predicts that self-published books, for most people, will still mean lesser than.
Bestseller Stat Shot

A look at print unit sales by region for last year shows that readers in the South Atlantic and Pacific regions have kept their noses in books over the last year. And everyone is buying more print books, further evidence that our eyes arent always glued to our screens. The most new book buyers are living in the Pacific region, where there was a 5% increase in unit sales relative to 2014; the smallest increase, 1%, was in the South Central region.

Print Unit Sales by Region, 20142015 (in thousands)

Region 2014 2015 % Change Northeast 41,378 42,553 3% Middle Atlantic 86,140 87,894 2 East North Central 90,865 93,160 3 West North Central 43,243 44,387 3 South Atlantic 117,989 121,816 3 South Central 94,600 95,531 1 Mountain 50,954 52,169 2 Pacific 109,924 115,162 5

From the Newsletters

Tip Sheet

The 10 most anticipated film adaptations of books, including Fantastic Beasts and The Girl on the Train.

Childrens Bookshelf

PW spoke with the newly crowned Newbery, Caldecott, and Printz medalistsMatt de la Pena, Sophie Blackall, and Laura Rubyto find out where they were when they got the news.

PW Daily

Sign up for PW Daily and get publishing-news updates delivered to your inbox every morning. Among last weeks highlights: Berkleys merge into Putnam/Dutton, religion books headed to the big screen, and more.

Blogs

A super-tiny short story, Flannery OConnor on self-revelation, and a preview of 2016 queer feminist books: these are just a few of the things youll find on PWs Tumblr.

Shelftalker

Our blogger takes advance reading copies into schools and lets kids weigh in.

Podcasts

More to Come

Calvin Reid interviews Nate Powell, the cartoonist who has drawn books one and two of Rep. John Lewiss acclaimed graphic memoir March (Top Shelf), onstage at SUNY College at Old Westbury, in front of several hundred freshman students assigned to read the book.

Week Ahead

Andrew Albanese reports on growing concerns among librarians about the sustainability of the current market for library e-books.

PW Radio

Tom Hart talks about Rosalie Lightning (St. Martins), his graphic memoir; PW senior writer Andrew Albanese recaps the American Library Association Midwinter conference.

The most-read review on publishersweekly.com last week was The Revenant by Michael Punke (Carroll & Graf).
Publishers of mass market fiction have struggled with declining sales in recent years, but Avon, a top publisher of romance fiction in that format, has adapted over the years and continues to be an important romance house as it celebrates its 75th anniversary this year.

For us the brand is about the author, senior v-p and publisher Liate Stehlik said. Avon boasts some of the bestselling authors in the genre, including Kathleen Woodiwiss, Johanna Lindsey, Elizabeth Lowell, Julia Quinn, Lisa Kleypas, and Susan Elizabeth Phillips. Stehlik said the current market for historical romance has not diminished. That and contemporary [romance] remain strong, and those subgenres account for most of our books.

In this diamond-anniversary year, Avon plans to publish 65 original books and a projected 6570 Avon Impulse titles. In July 2016, Avon will publish the 75th-anniversary commemorative edition of Shanna, with a foreword by Lisa Kleypas. (Shanna [1977] spent 33 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list, the longest tenure of any single Avon title.) Also in 2016, Avon will repromote 12 of its key historical titles in e-book format; all will be priced at $1.99 and supported via publicity, social media, Avons From the Heart newsletter, and HarperCollinss Bookperk platform.

Avon began humbly in 1941 as a publisher of paperback reprints of classics and genre fictionmysteries, westerns, doctor/nurse novelsand added mystery magazines and comic books along the way. By 1944 Avon had become firmly entrenched in the market for small-format paperback editions.

In 1969 Peter Mayer, who would later go on to become CEO of Penguin Books, was appointed v-p and publisher with a mandate to acquire better books and set the house on a new course. That also was the year Avon published its first paperback originalJack Hoffmans Reap in Tears, which became a bestselleropening a new chapter for the company and the industry.

As Avon published more heavily in the romance genre, it discovered a gem in The Flame and the Flower (1972) by Kathleen Woodiwiss, the first Avon title to make the New York Times list. William Morrow and Avon were acquired from Hearst in 1999 by HarperCollins, which created the William Morrow Group.

Stehlik, who joined the company 10 years ago and also oversees William Morrow, further refined Avons focus on romance. Now we do [all kinds of] romanceespecially historical romanceand womens fiction, Stehlik said.

In 2011, Avon launched its digital-first Impulse imprint, which Stehlik said has been a hugely successful model company-wide, growing sales and building successful author careers. Impulse reached sales of 4 million books in 2015, and other Avon imprints, such as Witness and Voyager, have launched Impulse platforms.

Stehlik reports to Michael Morrison, president and publisher of HarperCollins, who leads the General Books group, including the Morrow and Harper divisions, with Avon Books, William Morrow hardcovers, William Morrow paperbacks, Dey Street, Voyager, and the digital-first Impulse imprint.

Along with being voracious book buyers, romance readers like to congregate, in person and online, Stehlik noted, so building community is very important. In 2014, Avon launched KissCon, a series of multiauthor bookstore events in different cities where fans can meet and interact with their favorite writers. The next event is in April at Changing Hands in Phoenix. We hope to draw [romance fans] to these events, as well as bring readers together via social media and other digital activities, Stehlik said. These include monthly re-read-along online events throughout 2016, beginning January 29 with romance author Sarah MacLean hosting a rereading of The Flame and the Flower.

Asked how Avon will survive in a tough mass market category, Pamela Jaffee, senior director of publicity and brand development, said, Due to our expansion into the digital market, where we have seen definite growth through the Impulse platform, we are well positioned. Our list is a perfect size for the market, and we believe that we are publishing the optimal quantity of titles to meet marketplace demand.

Correction: A previous version of this article stated Liate Stehlik had been with Avon for 20 years; she has been there for 10 years, not 20. The article also included Harlequin as part of the General Books Group under Michael Morrison. Harlequin is a completely separate division and not overseen by Morrison.
The Girl Scouts of Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois will host girls in grades 4-5 for the "Share Your Voice" Leadership Conference 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Feb. 6 at the Coralville Marriott, 300 E. 9th St., Coralville, Iowa.

U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, is the opening speaker and will discuss the power of women in politics. Her talk will be followed by break-out sessions that include BFF (be a friend first!) by Miss Iowa 2013 Nicole Kelly; Love thy Selfie! on admiring your uniqueness and celebrating differences; flex your leadership muscles with healthy lifestyles and stress reducers; the power of girl in her own standards; going green and and the importance of sustainable energy; and media today featuring KGAN-TV anchor Kelly DAmbrosio.
Today

--Two Rivers United Methodist Church, 1820 5th Ave., Rock Island; noon, free meal every Saturday.

--The Arc of the Quad-Cities: tropical fiesta-themed trivia contest; Plumbers and Pipefitters Union Hall, at 4600 46th St., Rock Island; doors open at 5:30 p.m.; games begin at 6:30 p.m.; cash bar, raffle items, 50/50; bring-your-own snacks; $80 for a team of eight, or $10 per person at the door; 309-786-6474 or arcqa.org to register.

--House of the Lord Church, 459 16th Ave., East Moline; 6-9 p.m., Christian Singles Night; Carole Carbo, 309-797-4827; soups served; bring side dishes or desserts; cards and games played after meal.

--"Passing the Torch," a community-wide celebration and tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.; 6 p.m. at Augustana College's Centennial Hall, 3703 7th Ave., Rock Island; free; guest speakers, music and theatrical performances; keynote address by Dr. Christopher Whitt of Augustana College; community youth forum, 3 to 4:30 p.m. in Wallenberg Hall, 3520 7th Ave., Rock Island.

Friday, Jan. 22-Sunday, Jan. 24

--Bible Holiness Church, 2201 Old Colona Road, Carbon Cliff; Derek and Jana Simonis will lead a revival and song service; 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 10:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. Sunday; The Rev. Ken Beach, 309-373-1298.

Saturday, Jan. 23

--Trinity Lutheran Church, 1330 13th St., Moline; 9 a.m.-noon, "Listen to God" retreat; guest speaker The Rev. Dr. Janet Hunt, pastor at First Lutheran Church in DeKalb and author of "Dancing with the Word,'' will be guest speaker; reservations due by Jan. 19; Cindy Wildermuth 309-762-3624 or office@tlcmoline.org.

--Lamim Kadampa Buddhist Center, 502 W. 3rd St., Davenport; 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m.; "Exploring Buddhist Beliefs;" $25; light vegetarian lunch; 563-322-1600 or MeditateInIowa.org.

Thursday, Jan. 21

--John Stewart, International Director for Ratio Christi; 7 p.m., "Reaching Our Brave New Secular World;" Quad-Cities Prayer Center, North Park Mall, 320 W. Kimberly Road, Davenport; Mr. Stewart also is a lawyer, Christian apologist, author and award-winning radio personality.

Wednesday, Feb. 3

--The Congregation Beth Israel at the Tri-City Jewish Center, 2715 30th St., Rock Island; "Judaism 101: Introduction to Judaism" for Jews or non-Jews interested in learning the basics of this religion; A six-week course; 6:15 p.m.; Rabbi Jeffrey Lipschultz will teach the class; book fees determined by registrations; 309-788-3426.
Thanks for donations to baby basket

The staff at Samaritan Lebanon Community Hospital would like to thank the following people and businesses for their generous contributions toward a gift basket for the first baby born in 2016:

Bi-Mart (gift card); Wells Fargo (stuffed pony); Schmizza Public House (gift certificate); Mane Event hair salon (gift basket with shampoo and conditioner); Quality Director Nancy Bond, Samaritan Lebanon Community Hospital (lactation supplies); individual staff members at the hospitals Girod Birth Center (various baby items and gifts).

We and our patients appreciate our communitys generosity. This support is what makes our community and hospital so special.

Anne Simmons

Samaritan Lebanon Community Hospital

Furniture Share thanks donors

Furniture Share would like to send our most sincere appreciation to the individuals and local businesses who helped provide a Giving Tree at their location for customers to choose A Bed for Kids or toy tags, and to those who shopped for these children.

Furniture Share was able to provide 455 kids with beds, and 816 children were provided with Christmas gifts.

We would not have been able to make a dent in this years holiday giving needs if it wasnt for the generous monetary Beds for Kids donations from NW Mechanical, Lee Eckroth of Town & Country Realty, Buzz Wheeler, Coastal Farm & Ranch, Kiefer Nissan and Volvo of Corvallis, and Clayton Homes/Golden West Homes; and for the Heritage Mall's supporting our main giving tree location as a pick-up and drop-off site.

There are too many to list individually; however, you all know who you are, and we truly appreciate each and every one of you. Hope you all have a healthy and safe new year!

Michelle Robinson

Furniture Share

Praise for Linn County Animal Control

I would like to respond with a note of praise for our local animal control shelter staff, in reference to the article on the front page of the DH on Jan. 8.

Owning several rescue pets from area shelters, it was so amazing to me to read that there was not a single healthy dog put down at our local shelter in 2015! Kudos to Sgt. Steve Looney of the Linn County Sheriff's Office and Captain Kevin Guilford for tireless efforts this past year.

Having donated food and funds over the years for this facility, I was appalled in 2013 when it became an issue that dogs, funds, dog food and drugs were all grossly mismanaged. The fact that other agencies now, such as SafeHaven, have been used to network and find homes for our local stray dogs is excellent. Having the dogs given a name, not just a number, shows compassion that was never there before.

The open house that was held last spring was great, and it is so refreshing to know that here in Linn County, every stray can have a good day! Thanks to all involved; keep up the good work!

E.M. Asleson

Albany
This article first appeared in Die Welt.

BERLIN - This day will make history.

For the first time, German politicians are talking straight. What we are now witnessing is nothing less than the beginning of a reversal in Germany's entire approach to refugee policy.

To understand just how dramatically Germany's attitude has changed, consider the Nov. 23 interview with the chairman of the Central Council of Jews in Germany. Meditative, calm, carefully searching for the right words, Josef Schuster explained how important it was to support people in trouble.

But he also said the day would come when it would be necessary to consider restrictions and boundaries. In the long run, he continued, it wouldn't be feasible to absorb all of the refugees, especially considering that among them were people with a cultural background much different from ours, who would have to move toward the acceptance and incorporation of gender equality, equal rights for homosexuals and Jews.

Schuster never said anything that could be considered immoral or offensive. But in the weeks after the interview was published, he faced the kind of hostile backlash that no other chairman of the organization has ever had to endure. Politicians all across the country denounced his self-evident and rather tepid comments as scandalous, politically incorrect, a derailment from history. One even accused Schuster of "polluting the climate," and another said his organization should be renamed the Central Council of Racist Jews.

But what was considered scurrilous and "far right" less than two months ago is suddenly conventional wisdom all across Germany.

There's no politician, no commentator today who would dare to contradict the basic ideas Schuster laid out. More than that, Social Democrats are now adding to the debate by saying Germany should make it easier to deport refugees under certain circumstances, even though they considered this idea right-wing extremism just days ago. Nobody hesitates now to name which countries refugees suspected of crimes originated - which, until New Year's Eve, had for years been considered in terribly poor taste.

No more walls

Katarina Barley, a Social Democrat leader, now says Germany should take "take drastic measures." Another, Sigmar Gabriel, says the country should "exploit all of options of international law."

Some may mock this sudden turn, while others deplore or welcome it, but one thing is sure now: Jan. 6, the day the official police reports concerning the events of New Year's Eve in Cologne were published, will make history in Germany. That was the official turning point in the country's immigration policy.

It's now finally acceptable to point out the dangers that come with mass immigration from primarily Muslim countries. We have marked the end to the taboos that were, after all, nothing but the prohibition of intelligent reflection.

Decades ago, Social Democrat thinker Peter Glotz characterized major political parties as "tankers," in contrast to the more agile sailing crafts of smaller parties. They were less flexible, he noted, requiring more time to set in motion any kind of change. We can say that the same is true for democracy as a whole. It's difficult to get it moving, and it often remains stagnant for years. And yet, fortunately, democracy is the only political system with the gift of self-criticism and the power to repair its errors.

It's a message that should ring true as well for those demanding a more authoritarian regime in Dresden and the East German regions, where rallies by the far-right Pegida movement want to discard democratic ideals to safeguard the well-being of residents. Now our leaders have the means to achieve the necessary corrections in immigration policy without having to build new walls in our society. Ever since Jan. 6, this is our new reality. Finally.
President Barack Obama has taken heat throughout his second term for having an incoherent Mideast political strategy; one ill-suited to addressing the cycle of civil strife and sectarianism that has broken out across the region. Critics see no common thread linking decisions to exercise U.S. military power in Libya in 2011 and Iraq in 2014 while avoiding confrontation in Syria over chemical weapons in 2013 and reaching a settlement with Iran over its nuclear program in July 2015.

Upon a closer inspection of many of Obama's most important foreign policy speeches, however, his administration's strategy for U.S. power in the region becomes clearer. It is a strategy that narrows significantly the definition of America's core interests and makes distinctions between the values of specific U.S. alliances in a way quite different to his predecessors in the Oval Office. Obama also takes a generational view of the conflict. As a result, he focuses on the first part of his "degrade and then defeat" formulation when talking about the Islamic State group, at the expense of the latter element.

In speeches to the United Nations in September 2013 and at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in May 2014, Obama delineated a policy of both military and diplomatic restraint. That strategy is born out of the Bush-era wars in Afghanistan and Iraq -- interventions during which Obama felt U.S. involvement often inflamed conflicts and made them worse.

At the United Nations, in what is likely the most detailed foreign policy speech of his presidency, Obama used the phrase "core interests" five separate times, but only at West Point did Obama concretely define the concept as "when our people are threatened; when our livelihoods are at stake; when the security of our allies is in danger." Obama, in other words, discarded the use of unilateral force to bring about democratic change or remove unfriendly leaders. This set him apart from his direct predecessor, George W. Bush, and from other U.S. presidents who used unilateral intervention to achieve political aims.

In situations that do not meet Obama's narrow definition of core interests, there must be a multilateral approach, he said at West Point. When "crises arise that stir our conscience ... but do not directly threaten us, then the threshold for military action must be higher. In such circumstances, we should not go it alone. Instead, we must mobilize allies and partners to take collective action," he said.

Explanations of the actual logic behind U.S. foreign policy in these speeches are more coherent and cogent than the straw man arguments Obama more commonly relies on. Obama can stand accused of reverting to campaign-style "trolling" explanations during his final State of the Union Speech on Tuesday, especially when he said that the United States "is threatened less by evil empires and more by failing states" or that "we can't try to take over and rebuild every country that falls into crisis, even if it's done with the best of intentions."

Such rhetoric may be difficult for historians to reconcile coming as he tries to shape the narrative of his political legacy, but even if Obama is not that interested in using his biggest public speeches to explain his foreign policy to the electorate, his detailed pronouncements on the region give a very good roadmap of what is to come during the rest of his tenure in office.

U.S. Core Interests in the Mideast

Saudi Arabia: The ruling Al-Saud family has operated under the assumption that the United States would protect the regime and its oil assets since 1945. The relationship became even stronger in 1981 when the Reagan administration, in response to the Iran-Iraq War, pledged to defend Saudi Arabia from invasion and to ensure internal regional stability. Obama's decision to effectively end the U.S. promise to guarantee the status quo in the Gulf is at the core of the Saudi crown's regional aggressiveness in recent years. What may come of the changes currently being proffered by King Salman and his son, Deputy Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman, are unknown, but Saudi Arabia's outsized influence on the world's oil markets means the United States will be patrolling the sea lanes for years and years to come.

Iraq: Only after the Islamic State group threatened to overrun Kurdistan, a key U.S. sub-state ally, and started an extermination campaign against the Yazidi ethnic minority in Aug. 2014, did the administration intervene militarily. Hence, Kurdistan and the Iraqi coalition government constitute a core interest for the administration, and as a result, more than 3,000 troops are on the ground in Iraq coordinating the counter-insurgency against ISIS.

Syria: The lack of any alliance with the regime of Bashar Assad, combined with scant direct threat to U.S. citizens or property in Syria, meant that the country didn't meet the threshold of a core interest, even after resulting in 250,000 deaths and a major refugee crisis in Europe. The administration's Iraq-first focus strongly suggests that the Syrian conflict will not be resolved until well after Obama has left office.

Egypt: The core American interests in the country's strategic relationship with Egypt remain strong priority transit rights through the Suez Canal for the U.S. Navy; a close military and intelligence relationship with the Arab world's most populous country; and continued peace with Israel. The United States continue to protect Egypt and its infrastructure from attack, but Washington will not ensure internal stability, as seen by U.S. inaction when both Hosni Mubarak and Mohammed Morsi were swept from power by the military.

Israel: Even a deep personal dislike between U.S. and Israeli heads of government did not upend the economic, cultural, and security linkages between the two states that run deeper than anywhere in the region. The survival of the Jewish state is a core interest of the United States, and it remains so even after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered a personal reprimand to Obama before a joint session of Congress in March 2015 over the administration's talks with Iran.

Iran: Defending Iran is not an American core interest by a long shot. The two sides have been major adversaries for decades and killed members of each other's armed forces on many separate occasions in the past. That said, the nuclear agreement signed in July and scheduled to be implemented as early this weekend is a watershed action that effectively ends the era of relations between the two sides symbolized by the Iran hostage crisis of 1979. Much will depend on the outcome of the Feb. 26 elections for Iran's parliament, the Majlis, and for the Assembly of Experts, which will choose a successor to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei , who at age 76 is one of the world's most successful and longest-tenured purveyors of anti-American rhetoric come as a head of state. If reformists take over either body, Obama is certain to take some credit, arguing that his rapprochement with the government of President Hassan Rouhani has borne fruit.

(AP photo)
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4:30 p.m. Update: The Oregon State Police has arrived and removed the device, the roads have been re-opened.

A suspicious device, believed to be a stick of dynamite, has been discovered in the Mega Foods donation box. As a precaution, the roads in the area have been closed and the Oregon State Police Bomb Squad will be investigating the incident, according to authorities.

Law enforcement is asking people to avoid Main Street from Airport Road through Second Street in Lebanon.

This is a temporary road closure and we will update this story as it develops.
Austrian Firm LP Architektur recently revealed their newly design house, the EFH Groth house, located in Lofer, Austria, that stands on the steep mountain slopes. The design itself mimics the slope of the mountains which makes it much more unique and attractive.

The house has an asymmetrical roof to the slope of the hill. LP Architektur named this house as the "EFH Groth House" which literally looks like it's sliding down a hill. The firm intentionally designed the house with three levels but across the slope. This means that instead of having a usual house storey in a vertical direction from the ground level, they have it in a diagonal one.

From the outside view of the house, any visitor or guest will be astonished as to how the levelling of the house is beautifully made. The firm disguised the levels of the house by the austere black timer cladding which comes with a roofline that mimics the gradient of the slope.

The description stated that the newly built EFH Groth house is packed with simplicity and a grand overview of the entire place, which is surrounded by vast mountains. The big windows allow the residents, guests or visitors to see the majestic view of the hills and the vast mountains. During the night, they can be closed with large sliding timber shutters.

In terms of its interior, the black accents can be seen again on its stairs, fireplace and furniture. The color was intended to contrast the light color of the wood. Through this way, they created a bold and monochromatic palette out from these two contrasting colors that beautify the entire house.

The location of the EFH Groth house is really great especially during vacation as there would be a lot of tourists who will visit the place to ski and see the whole scenery of the mountains during the summer. Lofer is famous for this. The house will be another attraction which people could check out and consider as an inspiration to their future homes in the Austrian mountain slopes.
Lumiere Hotel, located in Telluride, Colorado, welcomed its new owners. The members of the management bought the hotel from former proprietor.

The four-star hotel's commercial units, restaurant operation and hotel operation were sold to Clare Evans-Afman and Susie Schaefer-Russell, members of the executive management team, Hotel News Resource reported.

According to Telluride News, hotels, especially resorts, frequently get bought and sold. However, what is different in this situation is that Lumiere is not bought by a corporate conglomerate but by Telluride locals and its employees at that.

Schaefer-Russell has been working in the resort since 2010 while Evans-Afman started in 2012. The former was then the Asset Manager and Finance Director of Lumiere and the latter started off as General Manager. Since the two commenced working in the Mountain Village hotel, the property grew and the service and operation improved.

The Hotel News Resource report stated that since 2010, the lodging estate was given by Forbes with a four-star rate and was rated with AAA Diamond. Also, last year, Lumiere received the #1 Hotel in the West and was listed number 20 in the best hotels in the U.S. by Conde Nast Traveler. US News Travel has also listed the hotel as number 30 in the top 100 US Hotels.

Schaefer-Russell said that it is a great privilege to own a business in their locale. "We are very committed to hiring people within the community," she said.

The two women have known each other since 2003 and have become close friends since. Both wanted to own their own business together, so when the opportunity arose, they took a shot at buying Lumiere.

The duo's next project is for the luxurious boutique hotel to be known all over the world. Lumiere Hotel in Telluride has 11 guest rooms, 18 one-to-five bedroom residences especially built for skiers, and a restaurant. The lodging property also has outdoor soaking pools, ski valets and a gym.
After Alan Reddish's retirement, Athens-Clarke County is in search of a new government manager, opening applications from Jan. 5 to Feb. 5.
For $200, any University of Georgia student can get their own horse for a semester, along with lessons on how to ride and care for it.
WASHINGTON  "I will gladly accept the mantle of anger."

Thus did Donald Trump react last week to South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, who in her Republican response to the State of the Union address bravely called on Americans to resist the temptation "to follow the siren call of the angriest voices."

And nobody wears the mantle of anger as well as Trump. The rest of the Republican presidential contenders, acolytes in anger all, seem happy to help him on with the cloak, to hem the sleeves and let out the waist until the fury fits perfectly.

Republicans like to blame Trump for hijacking the party, but equally to blame are the others in the race for letting it happen  and continuing to do so, now just two weeks from the Iowa caucuses. Thursday night's debate was another depressing development: Any of four men on the stage  Marco Rubio, Jeb Bush, Chris Christie or John Kasich  could have been a viable alternative to the fear and demagoguery offered by Trump and Ted Cruz. Instead, they cluttered the stage and quarreled among themselves, offering little beyond faint echoes of Trump's rage.

A crystallizing moment came when each was asked about Trump's plan to bar Muslims from immigrating.

Kasich: "I've been for pausing on admitting the Syrian refugees."

Christie: "I said right from the beginning that we should take no Syrian refugees of any kind."

Rubio: "Donald tapped in to some of that anger that's out there about this whole issue."

Cruz: "I understand why Donald made the comments he did and I understand why Americans are feeling frustrated and scared and angry."

Bush alone expressed outrage at Trump's proposal ("all Muslims  seriously?") but he had no chance to draw an extended contrast with Trump in the seven-way competition for air time.

The GOP race is typically described as a struggle between the outsiders and the establishment. Really it's a battle between the demagogic (Cruz and Trump) and the selfish (Rubio, Bush, Christie, Kasich). The latter candidates, blinded by certainty in their own magnificence, refuse to clear the field so that one of them can take on the demagogues. (Ben Carson, the other man on the stage, appeared to have wandered, bewildered, into the debate.)

The polling shows the dilemma: Trump averages about a third of the GOP vote, Cruz a fifth. The four others together are about a quarter  enough to give voters a viable alternative to Trump and Cruz, if only they could put country before self.

Worse, they seem content to echo and imitate Trump. Haley, in the audience for Thursday's debate in South Carolina, got little support for her noble call for tolerance.

"Our military is a disaster. Our health care is a horror show," Trump said when asked to respond to Haley. "We have no borders. ... Our country is being run by incompetent people. And yes, I am angry."

So was Bush: "The simple fact is that the world has been torn asunder."

And Rubio: "If we don't get this election right, there may be no turning back for America."

Christie spoke of Obama's governing as "a dictatorship," called the president "a petulant child" and described "the world being on fire."

But none could equal Trump's formula for frightening. "It's not fear and terror, it's reality," Trump said. "Our country's a mess and we can't let all these people come into our country and break our borders."

Trump turned his conspiracy theories on Cruz ("if you become the nominee, who the hell knows if you can even serve?"), and when Cruz tried to fight Trump in kind by insinuating his "New York values" are too liberal, Trump shut him down by invoking the smell of death in New York after the 9/11 attacks.

There is, as Cruz was the latest to learn, no way to best Trump in demagoguery. So if Trump's other rivals are only going to ape his paranoia and rage, why would voters accept an imitation if they can have the original?

A better solution is to present an alternative, which the other Republicans can't do because they're fighting among themselves.

When Rubio and Cruz were having a valuable argument about taxes, Christie broke in to "interrupt this debate on the floor of the Senate" and told Rubio: "You blew it."

Similarly, after Cruz and Rubio were having an important debate about immigration, Bush dismissed the bickering of "back-bench senators" who "bend with the wind."

And while his rivals quarreled over trifles, Trump got one step closer to the nomination.
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U.S. Bank gives to Turtle Bay

U.S. Bank Foundation has given Turtle Bay Exploration Park in Redding a $10,000 operating grant.

The money will support exhibitions, educational programs and activities in the park.

Turtle Bay is partnering with U.S. Bank to continue to bring programs to up to 150,000 annual visitors, including 18,000 school field trips.

Simpson offering classes for seniors

Simpson University for Seniors will offer two courses in February for adults of any age.

The noncredit, no-homework classes start Feb. 3 and will be taught on campus by school professors and professionals in their field of expertise. Classes meet 10:20 to 11:20 a.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

Two courses are offered each month through April. The cost is $95 per person, per course, or $145 for couples registering for the same course.

You can register online by going to simpsonu.edu/seniorschool.

Reporter David Benda can be reached at 225-8219 or at david.benda@redding.com.
UPDATE: Crews make progress on 10-acre Clear Fire southeast of Igo

Firefighters were gaining access at the Cloverdale trailhead at the Cloverdale Recreation Area.
Anthony Baxter

SHARE Jim Schultz/Record Searchlight Anderson police officers and Shasta County sheriffs personnel get a briefing after the arrest of Anthony Harrison Baxter. Andreas Fuhrmann/Record Searchlight Anderson police officers arrested Anthony Harrison Baxter on suspicion of killing two people whose bodies were found Thursday in this apartment on Manter Drive. Jim Schultz/Record Searchlight Tara Burbank, left, and Lisa Ricca, remained rattled Friday after the discovery of two bodies inside a Manter Drive town house in Anderson.

By David Benda and Jim Schultz of the Redding Record Searchlight

An Anderson parolee with an extensive criminal history was arrested Friday morning in the deaths of an Anderson couple, whose bodies were found Thursday inside an aging four-unit town house.

Anthony Harrison Baxter, 38, was taken into custody at a home in the 1700 block of Shasta Street in Anderson, about a mile northwest of the Manter Drive residence where police discovered the bodies of Micheal Helsby, 57, and his girlfriend, Georgia Engelhaupt, 61.

Autopsies on the couple will be performed next week.

Police said in a news release that officers, who set up a perimeter around the Shasta Street residence, waited for nine hours outside what they described as Baxter's "hideout."

Police eventually called in a Shasta County Sheriff's SWAT team to help serve the arrest warrant on Baxter, who gave up without a struggle.

Anderson Police Chief Michael Johnson said Baxter was arrested around 9 a.m.

"As part of the investigation, last night, about midnight, we ID'd him as a primary suspect and located him," Johnson said.

He declined to say whether Baxter knew the victims or how the two people were killed.

After allegedly killing the couple, Baxter also stole the couple's car, Johnson said.

Neighbors, who noticed the car was missing, said it was a gold-colored Ford Focus.

Baxter, who has an extensive criminal record and history of violence, has been convicted locally of several drug and domestic violence charges since the late 1990s, including at least one misdemeanor conviction for resisting arrest, according to electronic Shasta County Superior Court records.

Baxter had not been booked into Shasta County Jail as of mid-day Friday, but the prosecutor assigned to the case says he's likely to be arraigned Tuesday in Superior Court.

Neighbors of the slain couple were still unnerved Friday morning after the discovery of the two bodies the day before.

Lisa Rica, who lives next door to the two-story fourplex, said she was unable to sleep Thursday night and Friday morning.

"In all my days I've never seen anything like this," she said. "It's kind of freaky, scary."

Tara Burbank, who also lives nearby, said she was also rattled about the double murder, and that she was worried about bringing up her 8-year-old son in the rough neighborhood, which she and Rica simply dubbed as the "hood."

Burbank, who has lived in the neighborhood for about three years, said her son had periodically spoken with Helsby.

"It's just eerie," she said. "I was freaked out. That something like this could happen right under your eyes."

Although she and Rica speculated about what triggered the double murder, they were still trying to come to grips with what happened.

"Why somebody would do something like this is beyond me," Rica said.

"It's just sad," Burbank added, who said the double murder has convinced her to move.

"I'm out of here," she said.

A search of the Record Searchlight archives shows that Baxter was stabbed on the Sacramento River Trail in Redding nearly two years ago.

According to an October 2014 Record Searchlight article, Baxter was on the river trail when he was approached by two others and stabbed in the abdomen.

Baxter, who police described as being homeless at the time, called for help and was found on Loma Street, west of North Market Street and north of the Caldwell Park area.

It is not known whether anyone was arrested for the stabbing.

Sean Longoria contributed to this article.
<p>FILE - In this Feb. 4 2014 file photo, a warning buoy sits on the dry, cracked bed of Lake Mendocino near Ukiah, Calif. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli, File)

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By Paul Rogers, San Jose Mercury News

SAN JOSE, Calif.  Now that 2016 has gotten off to a wet start, with a series of El Nino storms drenching California, the question is turning up with increasing frequency at dinner parties and coffee shops:

How will we know when the drought is over?

The answer, water experts say, is more complicated than youd think.

Simply put: The drought could end this year, according to state water officials. But for that to happen, as California enters the fifth year of the worst drought in the states history, rains will have to continue arriving in pounding, relentless waves through April to fill depleted reservoirs and dry rivers and push the Sierra snowpack to at least 150 percent of normal.

One week of rain doesnt make up for four years of historic drought. We are in a very deep hole, said Mike Anderson, Californias state climatologist.

Other disasters are easier to understand. Everyone knows when a forest fire is contained, an earthquake stops shaking or a tornado has passed.

But with California droughts, there isnt widespread agreement among scientists and water managers about what signifies the finish line. California is a huge state, with many different climates, water sources and water users. Decent rain over a few months may be enough to grow green grass so that a Sacramento Valley cattle ranchers business returns to normal in one season. But it might not fill reservoirs enough so a Bay Area city can lift water conservation rules.

As they say, all politics is local. And all droughts are local, said Jeanine Jones, a top drought manager at the state Department of Water Resources. The impacts are in the eye of the beholder.

Many experts say that if the states big reservoirs fill, the drought will be over because it will be nearly impossible to convince Californians there is a drought emergency when they see water rushing over spillways and headed out to sea.

Others say California needs to make up the sizable rainfall deficit over the past four years, which almost certainly wont happen this winter. Other experts say that California has to replace billions of gallons of overpumped groundwater to have a true recovery  which will take decades.

How will we know when the drought is over? said Leon Szeptycki, a water use attorney and executive director of Stanfords Water in the West program. Thats a really good question. There are lots of different answers.

The final decision will rest with Gov. Jerry Brown.

The Democratic governor declared a statewide drought emergency Jan. 17, 2014, and he is the one who eventually will rescind it.

Jones said various state agencies have been meeting nearly every week as part of a drought task force. They will make a recommendation to the governor about whether to lift the drought declaration at the end of the winter rainy season  probably not before April  after its clear how much rain and snow fell, she said.

How far does California still have to go?

Anderson researched years when other major droughts were widely considered to have ended: 1938, 1978 and 1993. In each case, the Sierra snowpack  the source of one-third of Californias water supply  was roughly 150 percent of the historic average. And precipitation levels at eight key weather stations in Northern California, located in watersheds that feed Shasta, Oroville, Folsom and other massive reservoirs, also was between 130 percent and 150 percent of normal.

His conclusion: If California receives 150 percent snowpack by this April and 150 percent of normal precipitation in the north, that should be enough to fill the biggest reservoirs and probably end the drought.

Last Friday, the Sierra Nevada snowpack was at 107 percent of the historic average, and the eight-station index was at 94 percent.

Im encouraged. Its glorious. I went up to the Sierra last week, and I wanted to kiss each snowflake, said Felicia Marcus, director of the State Water Resources Control Board. It was spectacular. It was tinged with the fact that I know it could still get warmer and melt, but Im trying to look at it as a glass half full.

On Feb. 2, the board will vote on whether to relax the mandatory water conservation rules that have been in place since last June. Those require a statewide reduction of 25 percent in urban water use, and cities and water companies that violate the rules face fines. They have forced hundreds of water agencies to impose water restrictions.

The board is expected to ease the rules somewhat in areas with hotter climates or fast population growth, while keeping most of them in place. However, it will come back in April for another look, Marcus said.

If we are flush, then well drop them then, she said. If we are in some middle ground, we might adjust them and ease up a bit.

One of the biggest problems statewide is that nearly every major reservoir is at dangerously low levels. Since Dec. 8, rain has boosted the level of Shasta Lake, the states largest reservoir, by 12 feet, adding 168,000 acre feet of water  enough for 840,000 peoples needs for a year.

Thats impressive, until you realize that all that water only increased Shastas storage by 4 percentage points, to 33 percent full.

Similarly, all the recent rain raised the 10 reservoirs in Santa Clara County to 31 percent full, up from 29 percent on New Years Day.

Theres still an awful lot of room in those reservoirs, Anderson said.

And then there is the rainfall deficit.

Since the drought began in 2011, most major cities in California are missing at least a year of supply.

San Francisco, for example, receives 23.65 inches of rain in an average year. So over five years, it should have received 118.25 inches. But so far, since the drought began, it has received just 72.37 inches. That means that to get back to normal, the city would need 45.88 inches this rainy season.

The record wettest year in San Francisco was 49.27 inches, during the winter of 1861-62.

Similar shortfalls of 25 to nearly 40 inches exist in San Jose, Oakland, Fresno and Los Angeles.

In strong El Nino years like this one, history shows, the chance of a wet winter in California is greater. But its not guaranteed.

The big question is: Are we going to stay in a wet pattern? said Jan Null, a meteorologist with Golden Gate Weather Services in Saratoga. We dont have much skill after a week or two to know for sure.

The fact that we have a very strong El Nino in place loads up the dice a little bit in favor of it being wetter, he said. But even loaded dice dont always come up the way you want.

NASA scientists using satellite data estimate that California is 12 trillion gallons of water short because of the drought  in rivers, creeks, snowpack and, most importantly, in underground aquifers that have been pumped at record levels by Central Valley farmers. Groundwater experts say that will take decades to recover. And it might not ever happen.

California suffers from what I call chronic water scarcity. We simply dont have enough water to do all the things that we want to do, said Jay Famiglietti, a senior water scientist with NASAs Jet Propulsion Lab and a University of California, Irvine professor of Earth systems science.

Famiglietti said farms need more drip irrigation, changes in water pricing and perhaps importing more water from out of state to stay sustainable in the future. Making up the lost 12 trillion gallons of water could take four years of normal or above-normal rainfall, he added.

When the drought does finally end, some leaders will push to make certain rules permanent, such as not allowing anyone to water grass within 48 hours of rainfall or requiring hotels to ask customers if they want to waive washing sheets and towels.

Its rained a little, so were all celebrating right now, said Dick Santos, a director with the Santa Clara Valley Water District. Its like the economy. Things are going good right now, but they wont always be. Rainy days are going to come, but dont be fooled. Our population is growing, and California is a dry state. Droughts will come back. We should be better prepared next time than we were this time.



2016 San Jose Mercury News (San Jose, Calif.)

Visit the San Jose Mercury News (San Jose, Calif.) at www.mercurynews.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
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Coroner: Man died of natural causes

A Millville man whose disappearance around Christmastime seemed suspicious actually died from natural causes the same day he was last seen alive, coroner's officials said Friday.

After receiving tips from the public based on news stories, investigators realized that Rick Lynn Turner was the person found dead on a plot of McConnell Foundation land on the north end of Shasta View Drive on Dec. 24, the same day he was last seen alive, according to the Shasta County Coroner's Office.

Turner's family reported him missing on Dec. 28 because he never showed up for holiday celebrations.

An autopsy revealed he died from natural causes, officials said, though they'd initially treated his disappearance as suspicious based, in part, on the fact that his car  a 2006 Dodge Charger  had been found with blood inside and occupied by a couple in Red Bluff.

Teachers nominated for state honors

Three local teachers  two from Redding and one from Shasta Lake  have been nominated for educator of the year awards.

Fay Pisciotta, an eighth-grade teacher at Parsons Middle School, is one of six middle school nominees. Bret Barnes, a biology and STEM science teacher at Central Valley High School, and Kathleen Shoff, a chemistry teacher at Enterprise High School, are two of the six high school nominees. Other nominations are for teachers in Chico, Durham and Portola.

The teachers will be recognized at a 6 p.m. dinner Jan. 22 at Win-River Casino hosted by the California League of Schools. That night, one high school teacher and one middle school teacher will be named to represent the Northern California region at a state conference in Sacramento Feb. 26-29.

The teachers were nominated based on their service, dedication and commitment that went over and above their usual job duties, the league said. Many of the instructors spent extra time before and after school in addition to donating time during their lunch periods to help their students, schools and communities.

Staff reports
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Several months after his son Beau died of brain cancer, Vice President Joe Biden called for an American "moon shot" to cure the disease.

On Tuesday, in his State of the Union address, President Barack Obama named Biden to command the effort.

This isn't the first time Obama has declared war on cancer. Nor is Obama the first president to survey this ravaging scourge and rally America's formidable resources to eradicate it. President Richard Nixon famously launched a similar effort, also invoking the 1969 American moon landing, in his 1971 State of the Union address.

Flash forward four decades and billions of dollars later. The campaign to diagnose, treat and cure cancer is making steady progress. From 1991 to 2012, the latest year for which figures are available, the cancer death rate declined 23 percent, the American Cancer Society reports. This huge drop is attributable to powerful new drugs and therapies, better screening and detection, and healthier choices by millions of Americans. One welcome cause of the decline: Millions of Americans quit smoking. The best cure is prevention.

But, ominously, some cancers still are on the rise, including certain types of leukemia and cancers of the tongue, tonsil, small intestine, liver, pancreas, kidney and thyroid.

Researchers say they are poised to make dramatic new advances in the coming years. Dr. Ronald DePinho, president of the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, calls this the "golden age" of cancer research and prevention. He reminds us of the stirring progress that researchers have made since the first American astronaut stepped onto the moon.

"Keep in mind we didn't even know that genes cause cancer 50 years ago," he tells us. "Then we realized it was a disease of genetic mutations. Then it took about 20 years to discover the genes causing cancer, and how the immune system works to fight cancer. That knowledge has reached the point of maturity that has given us actionable information to make a decisive assault on cancer."

That includes new drugs that can be targeted precisely to patients with specific genetic abnormalities.

This encouraging progress lacks the gee-whiz drama of a moon-shot cure  a pill or treatment that eradicates cancer once and for all. That's a glittering prize that may not even be possible against a tenacious and clever foe.

One major challenge: Cancer isn't a single disease, but more than 100 diseases, scientists say. Even more formidable: "Every patient's cancer is different, because mutations are not exactly the same in each person," DePinho says.

Researchers hope to develop a simple blood test or another diagnostic tool that can detect cancers at their earliest stages when they are most curable. They seek new drugs to "wake up" the immune system to fight cancer cells and tumors.

Biden says he'll "seize the moment" to push for a cure. He promises a fight to funnel more resources into the battle, both private and public. And  perhaps even more important  he'll "break down silos and bring all the cancer fighters together" to share information and collaborate for a cure. That's a huge order for fiercely territorial and secretive researchers driven by ego and the potential for huge profits.

Biden isn't the first to suggest that scientists cooperate in the search for a cure. In 2014, the National Institutes of Health launched an ambitious five-year plan to pool the talents of 10 large drug companies and seven nonprofit organizations to accelerate the development of drugs to treat four major predators  Alzheimer's, Type 2 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis and lupus.

The NIH hoped to accelerate progress by sifting through stacks of data more quickly, cutting the time to deliver effective new medicines and slashing redundant costs. Instead of secrecy, researchers vowed to publish findings and share data to collaborate on which findings were most likely to lead to effective treatments.

All of that will be vital in an accelerated war to conquer cancer.

Think about all the seemingly invincible diseases vanquished by science: smallpox, polio, diphtheria. Think about millions of people alive today because of advances in HIV therapy. That's a testament to medical ingenuity  and persistence.

Marshal the troops, Joe. Lead the charge. Let's hasten the day that cancer falls.

Chicago Tribune
'His Promised Land was India.'

Shekhar Gupta salutes General J F R Jacob, the incredible soldier who passed into the ages this week.

IMAGE: General J F R Jacob presents his books to Prime Minister Narendra Modi with the three service chiefs, Admiral Robin Dhawan, Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha and General Dalbir Singh, December 16, 2014. Photograph: Press Information Bureau

It is one of those paradoxes of Indian military history that campaigns in which we did poorly, as in 1962 against the Chinese, or stalled, as in 1965 against Pakistan, are much better documented than the one that was a clear victory in 1971.

The Army had named the 1971 campaign Operation Cactus Lily. I am not sure if the obvious logic would explain it: Tough offensive in the east, and delicate holding posture in the western sector meanwhile. But there is insufficient writing on both sectors.

Possibly it is because the pain of military disappointment inspires more creative introspection, as the rich literature on 1962 shows. Or possibly the officers brought up in the old British system also inherited its tradition of writing.

Our biggest lack, on 1971, is a Sam Manekshaw memoir. Lieutenant General Jagjit Singh Aurora, who led the Bangladesh campaign as GOC-in-C Eastern Command, too chose not to start writing, until Operation Blue Star and the later massacres of Sikhs in 1984 brought him into the public debate; he wrote some articles, and also a chapter in a contributory volume published by Roli Books in 1984 (The Punjab Story) in which I had a chapter too.

Air Chief Marshal P C Lal wrote a brilliantly honest account of the air campaign, and much later, P V S Jagan Mohan and Samir Chopra, world-class air combat historians, closed the loop with a beautifully documented and non-partisan work. But on the land campaign the senior-most military leader to weigh in was Lieutenant General J F R Jacob, who served in 1971 in the rank of Major General as Chief of Staff, Eastern Command, as deputy to General Aurora, his GOC.

As usually happens in such cases, these works -- Surrender at Dacca and An Odyssey in War and Peace -- suffer from an imperfection: They represent one man's view of the story with nothing of equal, or greater, weight to challenge it.

Jacob's -- or Jake', as he insisted his friends, even I, 35 years younger, call him -- has been widely read and admired by friends. But it was also panned by many others, including this newspaper's respected columnist on military affairs, Ajai Shukla.

Even as a Jake fan, I have to concede that his account makes Manekshaw seem like an absentee landlord and Aurora as soft and passive, if not a wimp. But if none of them challenged him, he wasn't to be denied the last word. He was a clean writer, had a great memory, and was widely respected and trusted.

As I got to know him better through the years -- there was rarely a conversation that lasted less than a couple of hours, whether in his tiny flat in New Delhi's Som Vihar, Punjab's Raj Bhavan, or our home -- he regaled us with stories from Arakan in WW2 to Tejgaon, as the Dhaka Cantonment was called. He did pour scorn on all seniors.

But he also complained that the Government of India never gave him any honour -- "no blooddy honour, no blooddy chakra, no blooddy Padma," he would often say. Maybe that regret spoke out in his writings. That's why it was also such a special moment for him when Bangladesh gave him a national honour, at 90, in 2012 and we recorded a Walk the Talk in Som Vihar, probably his last full-length interview.

But he had only gratitude and affection for the Army. He had no family in India -- Jake never married -- and it was a handful of Army soldiers who were seconded to look after him. I can't say for sure, but we probably first met sometime in 1991 after I visited Israel (under Scud attacks then) while covering the 1991 Gulf War. He was a great supporter of India-Israel relations.

We met more often once he joined the Bharatiya Janata Party on the late Manohar Lal Sondhi's advice, and became a favourite of L K Advani. In one of those conversations I once asked him why he had joined the BJP and not any other party. "Hey, boy, they were the only ones who asked me," he said, and we were in splits.

He loved Israel too, but he belonged in India fully. He supported Israel on most of its policies, but never said one rude thing about Muslims, expressing great affection for Indian Muslims. Israelis hailed him in their national museum as one of the greatest Jewish warriors in history.

Jake let that sit lightly on his shoulders and often reminded his friends that nobody in India was conscious of his Jewish identity until Radio Pakistan, in its war propaganda phase in 1971, insinuated India had picked a Jew to negotiate the surrender to humiliate the Islamic world.

The most remarkable feature of Jake's life is how he resisted migrating to the Promised Land -- as most of India's native Jewish population did, leaving India with just over 6,000 at last count, its most microscopic minority. His Promised Land was India and he was its finest, most loved permanent 'envoy' to Israel.

As I travel to Chandigarh often, we met frequently when he was in the Raj Bhavan there -- garrulous as ever, and pro-active as titular governors usually aren't. But he was too sincere and loveable a figure for the then Badal government to resent. He had us friends in splits with hilarious stories about 'Cloud Senior' and 'Cloud Junior' (Parkash Singh Badal and son Sukhbir Badal, if you haven't guessed already). It was at one of these meetings that he fretted over the absence of a war memorial in India.

I said to him, find us a spot and we will raise the resources to build a fine war memorial here. He was game. "OK, boy," he said, "We will build one more shandaar yadgaar." The rest of the story is brief: The Indian Express appealed to its readers and raised the funds, Jake gave a great spot in the city's green lung, Leisure Valley, and the PWD built India's finest war memorial there.

It was also Jake's insight that he said "don't let the PWD design it." We conspired to announce a competition for architects pro-bono and it was won by two young women students at the local school of architecture. Do check out their brilliant creation on your next visit to Chandigarh. It was inaugurated by then President A P J Kalam.

In my last meeting with him, in 2012, he presented me a copy of his second book. I gratefully handed him my pen to write something, which he did, and then gave an admiring look to the pen. "Hey, boy, you use a Mont Blanc fountain pen," he said. "I used to have one, my brother borrowed it, but the silly fellow lost it." I said no worries, Jake, I will bring you one from my next visit overseas.

I didn't travel for some time and, sure enough, got a reminder from him on e-mail, in his characteristic large-sized capital letters. I did finally buy one at the tiny Harrods outlet at Heathrow Duty Free and sent it to his home, shopping bag and all. He was thrilled as a baby with a new rattle, wrote me an excited mail, and then called, "Boy, you shop at Harrods! I did that also when I was younger."

The truth, in my book, however, is, that Jake never aged, never grew up, and never faded either. He remains among the greatest Indians I am blessed to have known as a journalist.
The magnitude of atrocities inflicted by the Pakistani establishment on the Baloch people is unimaginable, says Dr Abhay Jere.

On December 25, Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a surprise stopover in Pakistan to wish Nawaz Sharif on his birthday and the entire world took cognisance of the camaraderie between the two leaders.

Back in India, many observers were cautious as they genuinely believed that this goodwill generated by our PM's magnanimous gesture would be shortlived and the Pakistan army would never allow the political leadership in Pakistan to emerge powerful.

Observers also believed that the Pakistan army in coordination with terrorist organisations would certainly make every possible attempt to sabotage the positive development in the India-Pakistan relationship to safeguard its vested interests.

Within eight days of that visit, the Pathankot airbase was attached by terrorists, thus creating again an environment of uncertainly and jeopardising all the gains and goodwill. The theory of blaming only non-State actors for the Pathankot attack is completely humbug as such attacks are impossible without active support of the Pakistan army and the Inter Services Intelligence.

Unfortunately, the Pakistani establishment, especially the army and ISI, have always being short-sighted, overzealous and misadventurous in their approach, thus losing all major battles till date. Globally, these agencies are now perceived as 'bad boys' who support and export terrorism and extremism internationally.

Even within Pakistan, the army is known for committing huge atrocities against its people. The Pakistan army's misdeeds against the people of East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) are well documented. Pakistani soldiers looted, raped and killed tens of thousands of East Pakistanis, which eventually resulted in an armed struggle and the creation of Bangladesh in 1971.

Similarly, for the last 66 years, the Pakistan army has been committing atrocities against tens of thousands of people in Balochistan (also traditionally called the state of Kalat).

The gravity of the Balochistan problem is similar or even greater than that of the Palestine problem, but unfortunately, the world has turned a blind eye towards serious human rights violations against the Baloch people by the Pakistan army.

The media is banned from entering Balochistan and negative reports are suppressed immediately. According to some estimates, since 2000, more than 20,000 Baloch people (including about 5,000 children) have been kidnapped and/or killed by the army. Minorities, especially Hindus, have been specially targeted and killed.

Geographically, Balochistan is the largest province of Pakistan, comprising 44 per cent of Pakistan's total area. It is very sparsely populated (only 5 per cent of Pakistan's population) and the least developed. Balochistan is very rich in natural resources, especially minerals, oil and natural gas which Pakistan exploits extensively.

In India, people are hardly aware about the nature and scale of brutality being committed by the Pakistan army and ISI against the Baloch people and their struggle for survival with dignity.

Under British rule, Balochistan was divided into four princely states. As per the Pakistani version (disputed by many), three of the princely states -- Makran, Las Bela, Kharan -- decided to merge with Pakistan. But the Khan of the biggest princely state, the state of Kalat, Mir Ahmad Yar Khan, respected his people's sentiments and decided against a merger with Pakistan.

The state of Kalat was declared independent on August 11, 1947 as the people of Kalat were completely against the idea of joining Pakistan. Kalat functioned as an independent democratic country for about eight months.

After the formation of Pakistan, Mohammad Ali Jinnah formally requested Kalat to merge into Pakistan. On December 16, 1947, Kalat's elected representatives debated Pakistan's request for merger in their parliament and unanimously rejected it. The people of Kalat believed that although they are Muslims, they are socially and culturally very different from Punjabi Muslims who dominated Pakistan's polity.

As soon as Kalat rejected Pakistan's request for a merger, Jinnah ordered the Pakistan army to invade and annex Kalat. The army forced/coerced then then ruler Ahmadyar Khan to sign a treaty of accession against the will of the majority. Ahmadyar Khan tried everything possible to prevent the accession to Pakistan.

In a recently published article by Ahmar Mastikhan, an expert on Balochistan, he claimed that Ahmadyar Khan approached the Indian government for accession to prevent its merger into Pakistan, but unfortunately, then prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru rejected the offer.

India remained a silent spectator while Pakistan acted swiftly to take over the biggest state in Balochistan. The then Indian establishment certainly failed to understand the strategic importance of a sovereign Balochistan.

Even today, the Baloch people don't consider themselves Pakistani and have been struggling for their freedom for the last 66 years. They still celebrate August 11 as 'Independence Day' and consider March 27, the day on which the state of Kalat was annexed by Pakistan, as a 'Black Day.'

With the current Pakistani establishment, the Baloch people feel a deep sense of insecurity and are disgruntled and frustrated. Early last year, the prince of the defunct state of Kalat and also the chief of the Baloch Rabita Ittefaq Tehreek, Prince Mohyuddin Baloch, warned the Pakistan government that if it failed to settle the Balochistan issue in accordance with the aspirations of the Baloch people, then by the end of 2015, it would soon lose all control over the situation.

The magnitude of atrocities inflicted by the Pakistani establishment on the Baloch people is unimaginable. With no vocal support from the international community, these people are fighting a lonely battle for survival.

Unfortunately, the Indian media has hardly done anything to expose the Pakistan army's brutality in Balochistan. Such exposes, if available, will be of great strategic significance for India internationally.

One thing which the Indian media certainly needs to learn from the Pakistani media -- its continuous pursuit of keeping Kashmir in the news has been used very strategically by the Pakistani establishment to engage with the international community.

Why can't the Indian media tirelessly pursue the issues of human rights violations in Balochistan? Why can't we emerge as the most credible source of information regarding the injustice done to the Baloch people?

India needs to ascertain that the world community takes cognisance of these atrocities and by continuously engaging with global agencies, we should ensure that the future is bright for the next generation of the Baloch people which necessarily need not be with Pakistan.

IMAGE: Policemen stand guard at Quetta's central mosque in Balochistan. Photograph: Jerry Lampen/Reuters
Sambia Sohrab, son of Trinamool Congress leader Mohammed Sohrab, was arrested on late Saturday night by the Kolkata police for allegedly mowing down Indian Air Force officer Corporal Abhimanyu Gaud with his luxury SUV during a rehearsal of the Republic Day parade in Kolkata.

The development came shortly after the Kolkata police confirmed that Sohrab, son of former Trinamool leader Mohammed Sohrab, was driving the car.

A senior Kolkata Police officer said, Sachin Shah, who is employed in one of the hotels owned by Sohrab in Jorashanko area of the city, was first called for questioning in connection with Wednesday's mishap and later on arrested.

"Going by what has emerged from our investigations we are somewhat sure that it was Sambia who was driving the car that killed Corporal Abhimanyu Gaud, the IAF drill instructor," the officer said.

Police then issued look out notices against Ambia Sohrab, his brother Sambia and their father Mohammed Sohrab who were absconding after the incident on Red Road on Wednesday.

Police had also picked up another person for questioning after the incident but later allowed to go.

Asked about the number of passengers present in the car at the time of accident, the officer said it cannot be divulged for the sake of investigation.

"There can be one or more than one person riding the vehicle. It is still being verified. Witnesses are confused and have said they could not verify the exact number of persons present in the car as it was moving very fast."

On whether there were more than one vehicle involved in the mishap, the police officer said "Where the Audi broke the three guard rails witnesses did not see any other vehicle. We are still investigating the matter."

On the search for the Sohrabs, he said around ten places in the city, including hotels owned by them, were raided on Saturday.

Kolkata Police and the Indian Air Force are in "constant touch" with each other regarding the developments in the probe, he added.
On the final day of his two-day visit to India's financial capital, Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi tried to connect with Mumbaikars by raising the issue of high electricity bills during his padyatra from National College in Mumbai's suburban Bandra to Dharavi, Asia's largest slum colony. Prasanna D Zore / Rediff.com reports.

Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi is accompanied by party leaders Priya Dutt (left), MRCC president Sanjay Nirupam (foreground) and Baba Siddique (background) on their way to Dharavi; Photograph: Sahil Salvi

The 45-year-old Congress vice president sweated it out as he almost jogged the five-km distance of his padyatra (foot march) in Mumbai on Saturday, even as the mid-January sun beat down mercilessly.

Rahul Gandhi had three stopovers -- Bombay and Bandra Bakar Kasai Jamat Trust School in Bandra, Xavier's College in Mahim, and a meeting of local small and medium entrepreneurs at Dharavi -- before his march ended at the 90-feet road in Dharavi.

Dressed smartly in a T-shirt and denims, the Congress-president-in-waiting was ringfenced by Congress leaders Priya Dutt, Kripashankar Singh, Baba Siddique and Mumbai Regional Congress Committee president and Sanjay Nirupam, who all looked quite exhausted as they tried to keep pace with a fit Congress scion.

Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi is surrounded by three rings of security starting with party leaders, Special Protection Group commandos and the Mumbai police. Photograph: Afsar Dayatar/Rediff.com

The Congress politicians were surrounded by the Special Protection Group commandos, who formed a chain around Gandhi, which then had the Mumbai police providing the outer ring.

******

Meera Nori, a Mumbai district Congress general secretary, gasped for her breath as she too tried to follow Gandhi, in vain.

She energetically matched step-for-step with the Congress leaders, albeit at a distance, from National College till the Bandra railway station when she slowed down as the procession moved ahead at a brisk pace.

Congress leader Meera Nori tried hard to keep up with Rahul Gandhi; Photograph: Prasanna D Zore/Rediff.com

"Someone has to raise the issues affecting the common people," Nori said, as she walked at a brisk pace to keep up with Gandhi's padyatra.

Nori informs that the Congress vice president will not only put pressure on the BJP-led Maharashtra government to reduce electricity tariffs, but also ask the state government to stop the harassment of auto rickshaw drivers at the hands of the traffic police.

"While just one padyatra may not be enough to awaken the state government from its slumber, at least we have to make a beginning and get the voices of those unheard heard," she exclaims.

******

State Congress spokesperson Arun Sawant and his followers were among the thousands of supporters who steadily followed the Gandhi scion. Photograph: Prasanna D Zore/Rediff.com

Arun Sawant, state Congress spokesperson, had been standing outside the Bombay and Bandra Bakar Kasai Jamat Trust School; he rebuked one of his supporters who asked him if he could board the bus from there till Dharavi.

"This is a padyatra and let us go on foot," he told his supporters, adding, "After all, Rahulji is fighting for Mumbai's citizens and we should wholeheartedly support him in his cause."

When asked about the inconvenience faced by the general public because of Gandhi's padyatra -- an ambulance passed by just then wailing loudly to get the traffic ahead get cleared -- Sawant said: "We sincerely apologise to the people of Mumbai. But we have to face some difficulties if we want somebody to articulate and fight for our just rights."

Sawant compared Rahul's padyatras -- the Congress vice president had done similar exercises in Telangana and Tamil Nadu last year -- to those of Mahatma Gandhi and asserts that such mass mobilisation was necessary not just to expose the wrongs of the state government but fight for popular causes.

Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi passes through the Fishermen's Colony in Mahim. Photograph: Sahil Salvi

"Rahul Gandhi is only walking in Gandhiji's footsteps by voicing people's demands through such padyatras," Sawant said. He says that not only ordinary citizens, but the industries in Maharashtra too are reeling under high electricity charges and moving out to states like Gujarat.

******

As Gandhi walks out of the Bandra school, Congress supporters shouted 'Rahul Gandhi zindabad' and 'Rahul Gandhi aagey badho, hum tumhare saath hai' as he continued on his padyatra to Xavier's College in Mahim, his next stop where he addressed a small gathering of party workers.

Naeem Khan, an auto rickshaw driver from Bandra, was inside the school hearing Gandhi and gave Rediff.com an account of his 25-minute speech and discussion with about 25-30 drivers.

Naeem Khan who met the Congress vice president at the Bakar Kasai Jamat Trust School and told him how traffic cops fleece them on various pretexts. Gandhi, he said, gave two dozen auto rickshawallahs a patient hearing. Photograph: Prasanna D Zore/Rediff.com

Khan, who met Gandhi, told him about the harassment they face from traffic police while plying their trade and also from officers of the Regional Transport Office when they go there to renew their permits, and apply for fresh badges.

"There was corruption in the RTO even when the Congress ruled the state. But it has increased manifold now," he told Gandhi.

Vaishali Varpe said she was a Congress office-bearer from Ghatkopar and believed that Rahul Gandhi has the potential to lead India's youth. Photograph: Prasanna D Zore/Rediff.com

"He listened patiently to us and promised us that the state and Mumbai Congress officials will raise this issue with the government soon. He spoke for 15 minutes and spoke to some dozens of drivers after that, trying to get a first hand report on the harassment faced by us," Khan said.

******

At Xavier's College, Gandhi spoke for about 10 minutes. A college staffer, wanting to stay anonymous, said the Congress vice president not only talked about the farmer suicides in Maharashtra but also gave solutions as to how such suicides could be stopped.

Rahul Gandhi on his way to Xavier's College where he addressed a small meeting of party workers and also met some college students. Photograph: Sahil Salvi

"He told us about a village in Madhya Pradesh, which was under severe drought for three years. When it rained there, the local people along with Rajendra Singh, a water conservationist, built weirs and small dams that has helped them tackle shortage of water for years to come."

The college staffer said the Congress had taken all the permissions for holding this meeting in the campus.

"We work on the third Saturday of the month, but the college management announced a holiday today when a request was made to us a month in advance. Instead, we will be working next Saturday, which is a holiday," he said.

It is here that we met Sunil Salunke, a final year engineering student, who cheered Rahul Gandhi and in turn was allowed to click a selfie with him.

******

When Rahul Gandhi reached the outer edges of Dharavi, it was almost 2 pm. Here, he addressed a group of Small and Medium Enterprise owners, who told him about the problems they were facing in carrying on with their businesses in Dharavi.

Asia's largest slum houses thousands of SMEs and cottage industries that together turn over a business of anywhere between $650 and $1 billion annually.

The slum colony also houses hundreds of small units that treat raw leather into finished goods and which have suffered a huge dent after the Maharashtra government imposed a ban on beef last year.

Asif Jamal of Dharavi Businessmen Wefare Association told Gandhi about the plight of SMEs in the area. Photograph: Prasanna D Zore/Rediff.com

"The SMEs are the real employment-creators in India, not the big industries," Gandhi said in his address to the gathering here.

"Instead of facilitating the growth of SMEs, the Modi government is busy dishing out one fancy scheme after another," Gandhi said, taking a dig at his favourite political punching bag.

Gandhi also assured the SMEs that his party would put pressure on the state government to get electricity tariffs reduced.

"Before this government came to power we used to pay Rs 12 per unit for electricity. Today, we are paying anywhere between Rs 14 and Rs 16 per unit for the same," says Asif Jamal, a member of Dharavi Businessmen Welfare Association.

Anil Sahdev, a leather trader, lamented that his business had suffered hugely since the Maharashtra government banned beef last year.

"I have fired almost 80 per cent of the staff because leather is in short supply. What can I say but appeal to the state government to revoke the ban on beef," he says.
With a rise in the clout of Muslims in western Uttar Pradesh, fearful Hindus are being radicalised, reports Mayank Mishra.

IMAGE: Hindu children are taught the use of weapons as part of training against a perceived 'love jihad'. Photograph: Adnan Abidi/Reuters

Chahat, 6, has very little idea about what she is doing. But she does not hesitate for a second when asked to show her skills with a sword.

She is one of the 50 boys and girls who are regulars at an akhara-cum-training-camp in Rori village, located on the outskirts of Ghaziabad district.

Her explanation, "Desh ka naam badhana hai (Have to contribute to the country's glory)" on why she is part of this group does not quite match with the statements of the organisers, though.

"We are imparting mental and physical training to our children so that they are ready to take on the mentality of Islamic jihad," observes Chetna Sharma, a Meerut-based lawyer and president of Hindu Swabhiman. She has instrumental in setting up such camps in western Uttar Pradesh.

She recounts a number of stories of what she calls 'love jihad' in and around Meerut.

"The strategy keeps changing, but the motive of trapping innocent Hindu girls remains the same. Whether by organising pool parties or by enticing young minds through other means, there is definitely a conspiracy," says Sharma, sitting in her house while showing pictures of some recent incidents on her laptop.

Sharma is not alone in believing that something like this is going on. There are many others who see a "wider design" whenever any incident of Hindu girl falling in love with a Muslim boy comes to light.

One such incident was reported in Shamli district last month. In the last week of December, a mahapanchayat was called in Shamli to protest against the perceived failure of the police to trace a 23-year-old Hindu woman who had gone missing with a Muslim man in his early 40s.

The mahapanchayat brought the latent communal tension to the fore yet again.

"A perception is gaining ground among Hindus in the region is that it is increasingly becoming very difficult to have daughters in the family. Family members worry about their safety whenever they venture out," says Vikash Baliyan, an aspiring politician who runs a weekly, Krishi Nazar, in Muzaffarnagar.

However, the Jamiat Ulama-I-Hind's Moosa Kazmi says it is unfortunate that incidents of a Hindu woman falling in love with a Muslim are given communal colour.

But the perception persists, and has reached even villages in the region.

A number of people in Jadauga village -- on the outskirts of Muzaffarnagar -- kept referring to such incidents, giving the impression that all is not well between the two communities.

It is due to the perception that some Hindu groups like the one headed by Sharma have decided to impart physical and mental training to young boys and girls. One such training camp is being held in the premises of a retired army official Parvinder Arya in Rori village.

"I have served in Kashmir and have seen the plight of Hindus there. I do not want the same thing to happen in western Uttar Pradesh," says Arya.

Sharma claims that 20 such training camps are operational in the region and within a year, her organisation plans to cover most of the villages in the region.

At each training camp, boys and girls are getting trained with lathis, swords, bow and arrow, among others, with occasional shouts of "Jai Shri Ram" and "Jai Maha Kali."

"I want them to be physically fit and mentally strong to take on enemies once the situation arises," says Arya, as the trainees alternate between doing push-ups and sit-ups.

The training camp currently has around 60 boys and girls. The one in Rori village has been running for the last two years. Arya claims that the trained boys have started camps in other villages as well.

What explains the radicalisation of Hindus in the region?

Recent economic and political changes in the state and the region offer some answers. The number of Muslim MLAs in Uttar Pradesh went up from 56 in 2007 to 69 in 2009. What is more, the members of the community did even better in urban local body elections.

An analysis of urban local body elections of 2012 by A K Verma of the Kanpur-based Christ Church College shows that, 'In the 12 nagar nigams, though no Muslim was elected as mayor, 21.4 per cent Muslims were elected as members.'

In the nagar palikas, Muslims account for 31.9 per cent of the presidents and 33.86 per cent of the members. In the urban panchayats, 26.6 per cent of the presidents and 30.7 per cent of the members are Muslims.

His research shows that in two western Uttar Pradesh districts of Saharanpur and Bijnor, Muslims swept the polls.

"In a multi-cornered contest like in Uttar Pradesh, the votes of Muslims have become very significant for parties. Since the proportion of Muslims in the western part of the state is even more, they are sought after by political parties. Their growing representation in elected positions is a result of that," argues Sudhir Panwar, a Lucknow-based political scientist.

Political empowerment of the community is perhaps a result of their growing clout economically.

The thriving meat export business has been helpful in this regard. Uttar Pradesh accounts for nearly half of total meat production in the country and western Uttar Pradesh has been the centre of meat export business.

Buffalo meat exports, which was less than $3 billion in 2011-2012, is now in excess of $4 billion. Most of the slaughter houses in the state are located in the western region, and the majority of them are owned by Muslims, according to reports.

Recently released Census data also give some hints of how Muslims are recovering lost ground vis-a-vis other communities.

Only 33 per cent of Muslims work against the national work participation rate of 40 per cent. However, most of all those who work are outside of agriculture. While 52 per cent of them work in industry and services, 7 per cent of them work as artisans.

More specifically about western Uttar Pradesh, two specific data show that Muslims have done well in the last few years.

The National Sample Survey Organisation's data shows that from 2004-2005 to 2011-2012 the decline in the incidence of poverty among Muslims was at 2.51 per cent in rural areas and 2.8 per cent in urban areas as against the overall average of 2.06 per cent and 1.81 per cent, respectively.

The decline was much sharper in urban areas thanks to the growing demand of artisans (carpenters, masons, electricians, et cetera) in recent times.

Last year's Teamlease report had revealed that salary growth of skilled workers has been at par with young engineers. What perhaps also helps skilled workers in western Uttar Pradesh is the region's proximity to the New Delhi region.

What is more, the decline in poverty among self-employed Muslims in the non-agriculture category has been even sharper in Uttar Pradesh, according to the NSSO data.

The growing radicalisation of Hindus is perhaps a reaction to the rise in clout of Muslims.
Malaysian authorities have arrested four citizens, including a married couple, over their alleged involvement with the Islamic State terror group as the Muslim-majority nation remained under a high alert after the recent terror attacks in Jakarta, the police said on Saturday.

Inspector-General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar said three Malaysians, including the couple, were arrested by Turkish authorities as they were trying to sneak into Syria on

November 15 last year, while the fourth person was arrested at the Setiawangsa LRT station in central Kuala Lumpur on Friday by Counter Terrorism Division personnel.

"The three suspects arrested in Gaziantep, Turkey were sent back to Malaysia last Monday. The suspected IS lone wolf arrested by police yesterday was planning attacks on several popular entertainment outlets in the city.

Sources told the Star that the 28-year-old man, who was a former insurance agent, was carrying a knife and that police also seized several IS related documents from him.

Khalid said that during initial interrogation of the suspect, he admitted to planning the lone wolf attack after receiving instructions from IS members in Syria.

"The man has admitted that he was responsible for hanging IS flags at several locations in Terengganu, Perak, Selangor and Johor states.

"The flags were put up as a warning to the Government to halt operations to arrest IS elements found in the country," Khalid said in a press statement on Saturday

He said that the three Malaysians aged between 23 and 28, also suspected to have joined the IS group had earlier been detained in Gaziantep, Turkey on November 15 by the Turkish authorities.

Khalid said the trio, which includes a husband and a wife were detained at the Kuala LumpurInternationalAirport upon their arrival on Monday after their extradition process had been completed.

"All of them were recruited by Muhammad Wanndy Mohamed Jedi @ Abu Hamzah, a Malaysian-national who joined the IS group in Syria and is responsible for 'smuggling in' the trio to Syria," he added.

All four suspects were detained under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act (Sosma). Malaysia was put on a high alert following a series of coordinated terror attacks on Jakarta by an IS-linked terror group.

The Thursday attacks involved suicide bombers as well as gunmen in which seven persons including five terrorists were killed.
A policeman, who was the personal security officer of a Deputy Superintendent of Police, has fled with four AK-47 rifles along with 13 magazines and is believed to have joined terror ranks in South Kashmir.

The incident, which has sent jitters in the police machinery, took place in Bijbehara, 50 kilometres south of Srinagar, when constable Shakoor Ahmed failed to report for duty for two days.

After verification from his family and others, he was said to be missing for last few days along with his two other friends from his ancestral village in Shopian in South Kashmir.

Immediately, weapon counting was done and it was found that he had walked away with four AK-47 rifles and 13 magazines. One magazine has 30 bullets.

He was posted on guard duties with SDPO Bijbehara Irshad Ahmad, who was attacked last month by terrorists while he was supervising a religious procession in his locality.

An alert has been sounded in South Kashmir area to trace the "deserter", a senior police official said.

This incident comes barely a few months after such cases surfaced in the Kashmir Valley.

In March last year, personal security officer Naseer Ahmed Pandit of state Minister Altaf Bukhari ran away with his assault rifle and joined Hizbul Mujahideen led by Burhan Wani in South Kashmir. He was later seen posing in pictures with him.

Later, constables Bashir Ahmad and Mohammad Reyaz deserted the Jammu and Kashmir police and joined Hizbul Mujahideen in September last year.

There have been three such incidents of Special Police Officers running away with weapons and joining terror ranks in Doda district of Jammu region.

Police said three youths from Shopian have been reported missing since January 12 and are believed to have joined terrorist ranks along with the "deserter" cop.

The three youths, in their late teens or early twenties, were reported missing from Shopian, the hometown of the constable, a police official said.

A case under sections 409 (criminal breach of trust by a public servant) and 380 (theft in dwelling house) of the RPC and section 7/25 of the Arms Act has been registered against Ahmad, the police official said.

With PTI Inputs
United States President Barack Obama on Saturday vowed to protect religious minorities both at home and abroad, even as a top American official said that Muslims in India and Hindus in Bangladesh and Pakistan are facing threat.

"Our commitment to religious freedom has fostered unprecedented religious diversity and freedom of religious practice. But these ideals are not self-executing. Rather, they require a sustained commitment by each generation to uphold and preserve them," Obama said as he proclaimed January 16, 2016 as Religious Freedom Day.

This work is crucial, particularly given the recent spike in reports of threats and violence against houses of worship, children and adults simply because of their religious affiliation, said the US president.

Obama made no reference to any country in his speech but said that his administration works to promote religious freedom around the globe.

"We are working with a broad coalition against those who have subjected religious minorities to unspeakable violence and persecution, and we are mobilising religious and civic leaders to defend vulnerable religious communities," he said.

Calling for elimination of improper restrictions that suppress religious practice, he sought to coordinate with governments around the world to promote religious freedom for citizens of every faith.

"All people deserve the fundamental dignity of practicing their faith free from fear, intimidation and violence," Obama said.

"May we remember those who have been persecuted, tortured or murdered for their faith and reject any politics that targets people because of their religion, including any suggestion that our laws, policies, or practices should single out certain faiths for disfavored treatment," he said.

"And as one nation, let us state clearly and without equivocation that an attack on any faith is an attack on every faith and come together to promote religious freedom for all," Obama said.

Meanwhile in a blog, Knox Thames, Special Advisor for Religious Minorities in the Near East and South and Central Asia in the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labour in the US department of state, said that Muslims in India and Hindus in Bangladesh and Pakistan are facing threat.

"The rising tide of restrictions on freedom of religion is a crisis that is emerging worldwide and has disproportionately threatened religious minority groups. This threat touches communities all around the globe, as every faith group is a minority somewhere," wrote Thames.

"Whether Christians in the Middle East, Yazidis in Iraq, Bahais in Iran, Hindus in Pakistan and Bangladesh, Muslims in India, or Sunni Muslims in Shia areas or vice versa, the threat is clear and present," Thames said

Obama said that at home his administration is working to preserve religious liberty and enforce civil rights laws that protect religious freedom -- including laws that protect employees from religious discrimination and require reasonable accommodation of religious practices on the job.

"We will keep upholding the right of religious communities to establish places of worship and protecting the religious rights of those so often forgotten by society, such as incarcerated persons and individuals confined to institutions," he said.

The administration will continue to protect students from discrimination and harassment that is based on their faith and will continue to enforce hate crime laws, including those perpetrated based on a person's actual or perceived religion, the president asserted.

Every year the US President proclaims January 16 as the Religious Freedom day.

The day is the anniversary of the passage, in 1786, of the Virginia Statute of Religious Freedom. That statute became the basis for the establishment clause of the First Amendment of the US Constitution and led to freedom of religion for all Americans.

Image: US President Barack Obama delivers remarks to promote themes from his State of the Union address at McKinley High School in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Photographer: Carlos Barria
Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi on Friday exhorted local party workers to put up a united face to take on the Shiv Sena-Bharatiya Janata Party alliance in the next year's elections to the municipal corporation in Mumbai.

Terming Congress as a "very complicated party", Rahul asked party workers to draw inspiration from the leadership of late stalwart Murli Deora, and take everybody along, but also warned against any act of indiscipline.

Unitedly fight the Mumbai's civic election next year. A win in Sena-BJP-ruled Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, India's largest civic body which boasts of an annual budget in excess of Rs 30,000 crore, will be a real tribute to Deora, who passed away in 2014, he said while addressing party workers at the Mumbai Congress office.

The 45-year-old Amethi MP, however, did not make any reference to alleged factionalism within the Mumbai Congress.

Rahul said the country's oldest political party, which was founded in Mumbai (then Bombay) in 1885, derives a lot of ideological strength from Maharashtra.

"This (Maharashtra) has deeply imbibed Congress ideologies. When I think about whole of India, I find Congress has most deep-rooted ideological presence in this state. Even Gandhiji spoke about it. He had said Maharashtra takes lead in promoting brotherhood and inclusiveness," he said.

Earlier, Rahul inaugurated the Murlibhai Deora Hall, built inside the Mumbai Regional Congress Committee office. He paid rich tributes to Deora and hailed him as a humble and successful Congress leader.

"When you want to move fast then go alone, but when you want to move longer, then take everyone along with you. This noble thought I learnt from Murlibhai who we all miss now," he said.

Deora successfully led the Mumbai Congress for over 22 years, and this is no mean feat, Rahul said.

"I am in active in politics since 2004 and I have come across several Presidents of the party units. I have closely noticed functioning of the party and observed how the party is run and from where opposition comes from (in local units) because Congress is a very complicated party," Rahul said.

"In these circumstances, he (Deora) successfully headed Mumbai Congress for 22 years. This shows there must have been something in him," said the party Vice-President, who is in Mumbai tour for two days.

Rahul's visit comes at a time when MRCC, now headed by Sanjay Nirupam, is embroiled in a row over two articles in a party journal criticising former PM Jawaharlal Nehru and making uncharitable comments about Sonia Gandhi's father.
Congress vice president has promised to raise the Maharashtra beef ban issue in Parliament, a beef trader who met him tells Prasanna D Zore/Rediff.com.

Mohammed Umar Ansari (second from left), along with members of Al-Quraish Human Welfare Association, who met Rahul Gandhi on Saturday afternoon in Mumbai. Photograph: Prasanna D Zore/Rediff.com

Mohammed Umar Ansari, who last year filed a petition in the Bombay high court challenging the state governments Maharashtra Animal Preservation (Amendment) Act, submitted a representation (see a copy of the representation here and here) on the subject to Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi in Mumbai on Saturday.

Ansari, a professional beef supplier who is into trading in bull and bullocks, met Rahul Gandhi on Saturday afternoon along with other members of the Al Quraish Human Welfare Association and apprised him of the difficulties faced by beef traders and leather processors in Maharashtra in the wake of the law that came into effect after the Presidents assent last March.

Ansari said they have also met Maharashtra Revenue Minister Eknath Khadse and gave him a similar representation that sought the revocation of the law that spared bulls and bullocks to from slaughter (cow slaughter was already banned in the state). He heard us out very patiently, Ansari said about how the delegation that met Khadse was received by the latter.

Even Rahul Gandhi said during our brief meeting that he will raise the Maharashtra beef ban in Parliament, Ansari told Rediff.com.

Ansari said that while they were making all the efforts possible to save the livelihoods of thousands of people associated with the trade in beef, leather, and bull and bullock innards, they were aware that the issue was also a sensitive one and needed a solution that will address the concerns of all involved.

Ansari also said that the arguments in the petition filed by him in the Bombay High Court were over and the judgment in the case would be delivered before January 31 as per the orders of the Supreme Court.
As many as 23 people, including foreigners, have been killed as security forces in Burkina Faso on Saturday ended a siege at a hotel and a restaurant, but continued to exchange gunfire at a second hotel nearby.

A view shows vehicles on fire outside Splendid Hotel in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso in this still image taken from a video, during a siege by Islamist gunmen. Photograph: Reuters

Security forces eliminated at least four terrorists in the Burkinabe capital's four-star Splendid hotel and the nearby Capuccino restaurant.

Revealing details of the anti-terror operation, Interior Minister Simon Compaore said: "The attacks on the Splendid Hotel and the Cappuccino are over. But an assault is ongoing at the Hotel Yibi next to the Cappuccino. A total of 126 people, including at least 33 wounded, have been freed. Three jihadists -- an Arab and two black Africans -- have been killed."

The hotel is popular with westerners and United Nations staff and often used by French troops with Operation Barkhane, a force based in Chad and set up to combat Islamist militants across Africa's vast, arid Sahel region.

Security forces launched a counter-assault, storming the hotel in the capital Ouagadougou more than five hours after it was targetted.

The forces -- led by the approximately 40 Burkinabe soldiers with the help of 30 French troops and an unknown number of American troops -- stormed the Splendid Hotel in Ouagadougou's business district more than five hours after it was attacked by the jihadists.

At least ten of the victims in the terror attack were gunned down at the Cappuccino Cafe, situated next door to the hotel. The attack has been claimed by al-Mourabitoun, an al-Qaeda affiliated group based in the Sahel region of northern Mali.

Security officers take their positions outside Splendid Hotel in Ouagadougou. Photograph: Reuters

The Burkinabe President Roch Marc Christian Kabore confirmed that a fourth gunman at the Yibi Hotel has been killed and that two of the four attackers are thought to have been women.

Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb have claimed responsibility for the attack, according to a statement released on an encrypted messaging app.

The group said it targeted the Splendid Hotel because it is popular with foreigners, saying the attack was sent as a message 'written by the heroes of Islam with their blood and body parts', according to The New York Times.



The statement was addressed to a foreign audience as 'the Cross-worshipers, the occupiers of our lands, the looters of our wealth and the abusers of our security'.

It claimed the attack was intended 'to punish the Cross-worshipers for their crimes against our people in Central Africa, Mali and other lands of the Muslims, and to avenge our Prophet, God's peace and blessings be upon him'.

Television network France 24 interviewed two survivors, both of whom didn't want to be identified. One, a woman, said the hostage-takers had shot a man in front of her.

There was someone in front of me and they shot him and he fell onto me, she said, her face covered in soot.

Another survivor told the network that his memories of the hotels interior were dominated by images of smoke and blood. He said he had only survived by escaping through a broken window.

People were lying on the ground and there was blood everywhere, he said. They were shooting people at point-blank range. When they left they set fire to the place and the smoke started to suffocate me and the other survivors.
'...because he had interviewed their grandparents in their heyday.'

P Rajendran looks back on the 11 plus years he worked with Arthur J Pais, the India Abroad and Rediff.com editor, who passed into the ages on January 8.

IMAGE: Arthur J Pais with his wife and best friend, Betty.

Photograph: Gunjesh Desai

It isn't often that you could get to meet a cook, a hitchhiker, a gourmet, an author, a film critic, a professor and a feature writer in the same room.

But that would be if it were in Arthur's room, for he was all of those and a lot more besides.

Of course, to readers of India Abroad (the oldest and best-known Indian-American newsweekly, which Rediff.com has owned since April 2001), Arthur is best known for his fecundity in writing -- on a variety of topics.

He hated to let a story be given less than what he thought it was due and once asked the India Abroad coordinator that he be given any story on current events, top scholarships and awards, achievers of all ages, food, books, movies, crime, religion, discrimination of every stripe -- and yes, sex.

Arthur was perhaps the most knowledgeable expert on popular Hindi cinema outside the industry. He could tell you about ribbing actor Motilal, who used to live opposite his hostel on B Road, Churchgate, in what was then Bombay.

He could gossip about his time on the panel of India's 28th National Film Awards in 1980, when actress Shobhna Samarth put down a competing film starring her daughter Nutan, with whom she would reconcile only two years later.

He could speak fondly of sitting in a train, held up at a station, while he and others sat drinking with director G Aravindan.

During an interview he could remind director and actor Raj Kapoor about an ad he'd put in a film magazine that spoke of three upcoming films, of which he had not made one.

He could tell actors like Hrithik Roshan and Kajol that they made him feel old because he had interviewed their grandparents in their heyday.

Arthur loved that -- focusing on the personal side of his subject rather than the merely professional.

And so, while he loved books, he sought more than mere content in them, diving into them to root out relationships and insights in the dedication, acknowledgment pages and in the forewords.

His house and office space were always bristling with books, with first editions jostling for space with signed copies, detective novels fighting for space with avant garde literature, and classics making do with the space allowed them by autobiographies and histories. He often complained that people went through his office looking for great books. But never mind, he had saved the best of them from the vulgar hordes by stashing them at home.

When he tired of reading at home, he would repair to a nearby Dunkin' Donuts, where between reading and sipping coffee, he would chat with the Arab servers there about the interesting places he had seen in their country.

Arthur did his early schooling in a Kannada medium school and so found himself at a disadvantage when he was admitted to a Madras college where English was the language of the realm, and where fellow students were not coy about calling him out on his awkward syntax. He may have had the last laugh, given that it was he who became the celebrated writer, but it may have left him with an acute intolerance to errors in language.

He enjoyed telling of the time that he, along with a friend, went by boat and motorcycle all over the Middle East and Europe, doing odd jobs along the way. This, at a time few Indians could imagine going out of the country using even conventional modes of travel.

In Bombay, Arthur got into feature writing, in one case prematurely announcing the demise of writer and political activist Ayn Rand. He loved telling that story. Arthur, his friend Anand Doraiswamy and others used to get together to find out the exact music ripped off in such famous film songs from Babuji Dheera Chalna (from Doris Day's Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps), Dil Tadapke Keh Raha (from the Polish folk song Sz?a dzieweczka do laseczka), Ye Dil Na Hota Bechara (from the River Kwai March), Itna Na Mujhse Tu Pyar Badha (from Mozart's 40th Symphony), and more.

Despite knowing the problems in them, he enjoyed every kind of Hindi film song. That was clear, the way he laughed and stamped his feet in excitement like a child, scratching his bristly beard, while a colleague struggled to identify a song that he himself couldn't remember, but for the fact that it was a song by composer Salil Chowdhury and had this particular word in it.

But for the most part Arthur could tell you every detail about a film, including the gossip associated with it and whether it was success in financial terms. That was why he would sizzle and seethe when a film was declared a hit by some journalist who didn't consider what was spent on making it in the first place.

He also adored the theatre and wrote previews about the top plays on and off Broadway, and remained always on the lookout for a bargain ticket.

He loved food and would try almost anything. He wrote at length about many kinds of cuisine and often interviewed authors of cookbooks, including recipes to go with the piece. He was himself the co-author of a book called Curries of India.

Arthur also enjoyed describing the odd kinds of food available in New York and, true to his impish nature, would always mention the expensive Whale Sperm Soup.

Over the years, he cut down on meat and found refuge in organic foods.

Arthur loved shocking people. His language could shift from the naughty to the risque and pungent, before deciding between the scatological and downright prurient. If he was quick to anger, he was also easily pleased. All it took was a cup of milky coffee for him to grin in pleasure and declare, 'Oxygen, oxygen.'

When he thought praise was deserved, Arthur was never niggardly with it, often unguardedly describing exactly what he thought was good -- even if there was hope of no personal or professional gain.

Along with his wife Betty, he funded the education of children in India and other countries. And, as Sree Sreenivasan, co-founder of the South Asian Journalists Association, reported, he also funded SAJA student memberships.

If there was anything Arthur feared, it was the medical system. He would rail against arrogant doctors and argue passionately that a natural living and eating were proof against most ailments that plagued human society.

And if there was anyone that Arthur respected, it was the imaginary but ever-present readers of his pieces.

When arguing for more writers to join him in writing a piece, Arthur was given to chant, 'The reader deserves better. The reader deserves better.'

If it had not been for kidney disease and diabetes, Arthur would have been writing for much longer.

So yes, given the loss that means, the reader did deserve better.

He will be missed.

P Rajendran is the Deputy Managing Editor, India Abroad.
In a remarkable exchange during Thursdays Republican presidential debate, Fox Business moderator Maria Bartiromo defied establishment media norms by challenging Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) about his desire to dramatically increase the nations already record-high rate of green card dispensations.

The donor-class favorite seemed dumbstruck by Bartiromos direct question, dodging it completely. Rubio declined to explain why he worked with the Chamber of Commerce and Chuck Schumer to engineer the largest expansion of immigration in American history an expansion which, according to Pew polling data, is opposed by a minimum of 92% of GOP voters.

While moderators in previous debates have avoided addressing the nations future immigration growth and Rubios continued support for expanding immigration beyond all historical precedent, the popular Fox Business anchor did not shy away from the topic. Bartiromo pressed Rubio specifically on why he is so interested in opening up borders to foreigners when American workers have a hard enough time finding work.

Bartiromo said:

Sen. Rubio, under current law, the U.S. is on track to issue more new permanent immigrants on green cards over the next five years than the entire population of South Carolina. The CBO [Congressional Budget Office] says your 2013 immigration bill would have increased green card holders by another 10 million over 10 years. Why are you so interested in opening up borders to foreigners when American workers have a hard enough time finding work?

Under current law, the U.S. will issue around 10 million green cards over the course of ten years. The CBO projected that Rubios Gang of Eight bill would have added another 10 million to our immigration population growth on top of the existing 10 million green card baseline. On top of that, it also would have provided an additional 10 million green cards to illegal immigrants already in the United Statesmeaning that Rubios bill would have resulted in a total issuance of more than 30 million green cards in the span of a single decade, or about 30 times as many green cards as active South Carolina GOP voters.

In his effort to pivot away from Bartiromos question, Rubio suggested that immigrationdespite workers in his own state being forced to train their foreign replacementsis no longer an economic issue.

Rubio said in part:

Well, first of all, this is an issue thats been debated now for 30 years. And for 30 years, the issue of immigration has been about someone whos in this country, maybe theyre here illegally, but theyre looking for a job. This issue is not about that anymore. First and foremost, this issue has to be now more than anything else about keeping America safe.

Rubios argument that the issue is now dramatically different seems grounded in his claim that since 2013, a new terror threat has cropped upone which he could not have known about back when he was pushing his Obama-backed immigration bill. Rubio declared, The issue is a dramatically different issue than it was 24 months ago. Twenty-four months ago, 36 months ago, you did not have a group of radical crazies named ISIS who were burning people in cages and recruiting people to enter our country legally.

Rubios claim, however, defies logic. As the Weekly Standards John McCormack tweeted, Rubios things were different 24 months ago maybe his worst debate answer. As if al Qaeda isnt as interested as ISIS in attacking us?

Indeed, Islamic terrorism was profoundly present in 2013 and has been for decades. For instance, the first World Trade Center bombingwhich took place two decades before Rubio began pushing his immigration billwas orchestrated by an immigrant who entered the country on an R-1 visa. Similarly, the nineteen 9/11 hijackers who carried out their terror plot more than a decade before Rubio began pushing his immigration bill all came into the country on U.S. visas.

Moreover, as the Minnesota Public Radio has reported, Minnesota, with its large immigrant community, has long operated as a pipeline to Al-Shabab. In 2013, the Minnesota Public radio observed, Since 2007, at least 23 young Twin Cities men have left for the Horn of Africa, allegedly to take up arms in Somalias civil war. Authorities believe the men joined al-Shabab, a ruthless and radical Islamic militia group vying to topple Somalias weak transitional government. Around that same time, TIME reported, Al-Shabab has a history of recruitment from this communitythe largest, most successful terrorist radicalization of American immigrants ever. Al-Shababs efforts in Minnesota, which is home to more than 30,000 Somalis, began in 2007 after the Ethiopian invasion of Somalia.

Yet more specifically, Rubio was in the process of pushing his immigration bill through the Senate at the very moment the Boston bombing took placea terror plot carried out by Muslim immigrants. Rubio, Menendez, Graham, Durbin, and the other Gang of Eight members were finalizing their immigration expansion bill when the attack occurred.

In the immediate aftermath of the Boston attack, influential Iowa Congressman Rep. Steve King (R-IA) cautioned lawmakers to reconsider and slow down the Rubio-Schumer effort to jam a mass amnesty bill through Congress. King advised fellow lawmakers to take a look at the big picture and consider How do we think we are going to background check the 11 to 20 million people that are here from who knows where?

Yet Rubio attacked King for suggesting as muchstating: We should really be very cautious about using language that links these two things [i.e. immigration and terrorism] in any way.

As victims of the Boston bombing lay in the hospitalgruesomely maimed and missing limbs Rubio took to twitter to insist that the Islamic terror attack not stop Congress from enacting his amnesty and immigration expansion agendaan agenda that was backed by many of his wealthy donors.

#BostonBombing not excuse 4 inaction on #immigrationreform.But disagree with Sen.Leahy,if it exposed flaws in system we need to know & fix.

Rubio then went on to introduce the bill the very next day after the Boston bombing attack.

The legislation would have dramatically increased Muslim immigration through green cards, university-based admissions, fiance visas, and refugees. Rubio worked relentlessly to pass the legislation in the months ahead.

Just as striking, what Rubio did not tell Bartiromo and the American viewers watching at home is that even after ISIS emerged as a serious terror threat and a household topic of discussion, Rubio quietly introduced new immigration legislation that would further increase visa issuances to the Muslim world. In fact, Rubios legislationknown as the Immigration Innovation Act (or I-Squared) would allow for virtually unlimited Muslim migration into the United States.

Rubio introduced the bill in January of 2015 several months after then USCIS-President Ken Palinkas issued a public warning that ISIS will exploit our nations loose visa policies. In September of 2014, Palinkas wrote:

[It is] essential to warn the public about the threat that ISIS will exploit our loose and lax visa policies to gain entry to the United States. Indeed, as we know from the first World Trade Center bombing in 1993, from the 9/11 terrorist attacks, from the Boston Bombing, from the recent plot to bomb a school and courthouse in Connecticut, and many other lesser-known terror incidents, we are letting terrorists into the United States right through our front door.

Moreover, Palinkas explained that the provision of the 2013 Rubio-Schumer bill (S. 744) to legalize visa overstaysa position Rubio continues to support to this dayraises the threat to America even higher:

Making matters more dangerous, the Obama Administrations executive amnesty, like S. 744 [i.e. the Gang of Eight bill] that he unsuccessfully lobbied for, would legalize visa overstays and cause millions additionally to overstay  raising the threat level to America even higher. There is no doubt that there are already many individuals in the United States, on visas  expired or active  who are being targeted for radicalization or who already subscribe to radicalized views.

Although Rubio claims to be concerned about the threat of ISIS, it seems as though he has remained unmoved by the Palinkas warnings. As recently as the last Presidential debate, Rubio declared that he is personally open to giving citizenship to the illegal immigrant community 40% of whom are visa overstays, a number of them overstays from Muslim countries.

Indeed, what is perhaps most remarkable about Rubios response to Bartiromos question is the extent to which his legislative record directly contradicts his stated concerns.

For instance, Rubio told Bartiromo in part, The entire system of legal immigration must now be reexamined for security first and foremost, with an eye on ISIS. Because theyre recruiting people to enter this country as engineers, posing as doctors, posing as refugees And they got a killer in San Bernardino in posing as a fiance.

Yet, throughout his short career in the U.S. Senate, Sen. Rubio has pushed to expand those avenues for entry, and has opposed multiple high-profile conservative efforts to curb Muslim migration.

For example, while Rubio expressed concern that jihadists could be posing as refugees, Rubios Gang of Eight bill made it easier to bring in refugees and asylees into the United Statescompounding the terror threat to the nation while expanding the rate of Muslim migration. As the Federation for American Immigration Reform explained in its analysis at the time:

Title III Subtitle D of S.744 undermines current asylum and refugee law by eliminating preexisting requirements aliens apply for asylum within a certain time frame of entering the U.S., allowing asylum officers to bypass immigration judges before granting asylum to unlawful aliens, and giving broad authority to the Administration to create new categories of refugees and stateless persons to be admitted into the country.

Similarly, while Rubio highlighted that they got a killer in San Bernardino in posing as a fiance, the Gang of Eight bill included a dramatic expansion of the controversial K-1 visa to allow even non-citizens living in the country to bring in their foreign fiances and the children of their foreign fiances.

Rubio expressed concern that terrorists could enter this country as engineers, posing as doctors, yet the I-Squared bill lifted caps entirely on green cards for advanced Science, Technology, Engineering and Math graduates (i.e. engineers and doctors) and placed universities in the position of being gatekeepers for American citizenship.

The disjointed answer put forward by Rubio could perhaps be explained by, what some have speculated is, his penchant for memorizing and rehearsing mini-speeches to deliver during the debate. During the debate, conservative columnist and best-selling author Ann Coulter tweeted: Rubio the wind-up doll has done a good job memorizing his lines. Hell get a gold star from his corporate groomers! After Rubios performance in a previous debate, MSNBCs Steve Benen observed that, Rubio looked as if hed practiced that soliloquy in front of a mirror for hours, and then delivered his scripted lines nicely.

After the first Fox Business debate, Coulter observed further:

Rubio gave a series of canned speeches in response to every question, including everyones favorite about the future: [Coulter quoting Rubio:] This election is about the future, about what kind of country this nation is gonna be in the 21st century. This next election is actually a generational choice. A choice about what kind of nation we will be in the 21st century (Rubio proposes to be the candidate of the future with this brand-new idea: mass immigration!) Someone needs to tell Marco that every election is about the future, not just this one. It was also the slogan for every high school graduation and prom  circa 1999.

Despite Rubios various declarations made in his effort to respond to Bartiromos straightforward question, the reality is that Rubio has been deeply critical of efforts to curb Muslim immigration in the days leading up to the debate.

When Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) offered an amendment only a few weeks ago to pause migration from Muslim nations with jihadist movements, Rubio opposed the measure.

Rubio told Sean Hannity that hed hate to use the omnibus spending bill to block Obamas refugee resettlement. Rubio subsequently failed to show up for the vote on the Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI)s omnibus spending bill, which would have expanded Muslim migration. Rubio similarly denounced Trumps plan to temporarily pause Muslim migration. Rubio said, To have a religious test would violate the Constitution thereby, suggesting that Muslim foreign nationals have a constitutional right to immigrate into the United States.

The Senates Immigration Subcommittee subsequently released a list of just some of the Muslim immigrants implicated in terrorism since 2014, which included more than 40 examples, each of the case exhausting enormous law enforcement and judicial resources that could otherwise be applied to lowering crime rates and improving community quality of life.

But impacts of Muslim migration being pushed by Senator Rubio are not limited to terrorism.

For instance, according to Equality Now, as a result of large-scale visa issuances to the Muslim world, there are currently half a million U.S. girls at-risk of suffering the non-Western practice of Female Genital Mutilation. Similarly, a 2011 study found that there are now as many as 3,000 known or suspected cases of forced marriages in immigrant communities within the United States. There has also been an emergence of honor violence within the United States. Aayan Hirsi Ali has explained that the amount of honor violence seems very likely to rise in years to come Immigration trends over the last ten years, show a significant increase in the number of people moving to the United States from countries with high-honor violence ratesnotably Somalia as well as Iraq.

As Ross Douthat recently wrote in the New York Times:

Accepting immigrants from a particular country or culture or region involves accepting that your own nation, or part of your own nation, will become at least a little more like their country of origin. With small or slow migrations this may only happen at the margins and it may be swamped by other effects; with large or swift migrations it may happen in more significant ways. But whether the immigrants are coming from Asia or Latin America or the Middle East or North Africa, you will be able to see in those regions at least some foretaste of their impact on your own society.

Last month, Breitbart News reached out to Rubios campaign twice to ask him how large-scale Muslim immigration will benefit the U.S.

Rubios office did not respond for comment.
Solar scams have exploded in Indiana. Here's how to spot, avoid them.
It was a different kind of terrorist attack: a carefully orchestrated, coordinated mass rape and sexual assault on hundreds of women across Cologne, Germany amongst the firework celebrations of New Year's Eve. Reports of the attacks describe women desperately fleeing as men pulled at them, groped between their legs, dragged them into alleyways, and witnesses who struggled to rescue them as men threw bottles and fireworks at the police.

Two weeks later, more than 500 women, along with other victims in Hamburg, Stuttgart, and Berlin, have filed complaints, and 22 suspects have been identified. Most of those suspects are asylum-seekers, new arrivals from war-torn Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan who, German officials now say, used the country's open-armed offer of sanctuary to the victims of terrorism as a gateway to wage even more terrorism in the West.

It worked. Across Europe, women have voiced a new fear of being on the streets at night and concern that the attacks in Germany will spread. In fact, they have already. Other such rapes were reported in Finland, Sweden and Austria over New Year's as well, though on a smaller scale.

Dutch have muttered about second-generation Moroccan youth groping Dutch women, calling them "sluts," and describing them openly as whores. Europe-wide, that view of Western women among immigrant Muslim communities has helped fuel a rash of sexual violence against them.

In 2003, for instance, 15 Moroccan-Dutch youth raped a 22-year-old Dutch woman on a commuter train. Ten years later, a 30-year-old Swedish woman was gang-raped at a refugee housing project.

In Oxford, England, that same year, a gang of seven men of Pakistani and Eritrean origin were convicted of sex trafficking and rape on a wide scale, with as many as 1,400 victims, some as young as 11 and 12 years old. One girl was reportedly forced to have a home-style abortion on a living room floor; she was 12.

Reported the Gatestone Institute at the time, "In graphic testimony, one of the victims told the court that Mohammed Karrar would charge men 500 ($750) to have sex with her. They would take her to homes in High Wycombe where she would be subjected to gang rapes, incidents that she described as 'torture sex.' The men would tie her up and gag her mouth with a ball to stop her cries from being heard. The men would play out abuse fantasies; sometimes she was left bleeding for days afterwards."

More recently, reports of rapes in asylum centers by fellow asylum seekers, who then force their victims into prostitution, have made headlines across Europe, particularly in Germany, even as the gang rapes on European streets continue.

These are not isolated incidents. Rather, they are increasingly a part of European life and culture, emblematic of the clash of sexual and social mores between Muslim immigrants and the European countries in which they now live. Western girls and women dress in ways immigrants from North Africa, the Middle East and much of Southeast Asia (often called the MENASA region) consider "revealing" and "provocative." Muslim girls are expected to remain "pure" until marriage, to cover themselves  if not in burqas and niqabs, then with long sleeves and long skirts or slacks and headscarves.

Against this standard, and aided by film, TV, and popular culture, Western women are seen by MENASA immigrant youth as promiscuous, loose, and willing  a perspective no one in their communities refutes. Add to this the hormones and sexual frustrations of young Muslim men forbidden to engage in sexual activity with Muslim girls, and  often with the loud encouragement of their peers  they sublimate their urges and sexual guilt into shaming these girls with taunts or, in too many cases, by molesting them.

But rape, as is widely known, is more than a sexual act: it is an act of violence and the abuse of power. That has translated in recent years also into the emergence of gangs of so-called "lover-boys," men  largely immigrants from Pakistan and Morocco  who seduce young girls and then force them into prostitution. As early as 2000, reports of these girls working in the windows of Amsterdam's Red Light district hinted at the scope of the problem. Even then, an administrator for the Dutch Salvation Army who worked with local prostitutes told the newspaper Volkskrant, "In the last few years we've seen more and more Dutch girls behind the windows. And Moroccan girls, whom you never saw here before."

Other girls are sent to Belgium by their "lover-boys," who "[a]re all immigrants from Moroccan or Surinamese origin, while their victims are Dutch native girls," Antwerp Police Chief Inspector Jan Piedfort told Belgium's De Morgen.

One such lover-boy described how it works to the Al-Amal Foundation, which supports families and women mostly from the Dutch-Moroccan community. "A Dutch girl, you give compliments, you flatter her, you pamper and indulge her with roses and before you know it she is lying on her back working for you. With a Muslim girl, you go to bed with her, rape her, photograph her and then you have her in your power. Then you can blackmail her: work or I'll show everyone the photo. And a Surinamese or Antillian girl? They're born whores."

All of these trends have paved the way for sexual violence as a natural weapon for jihad in the age of ISIS. Indeed, we've seen it used not just in the mass gang rapes in Europe in recent years, but in the sexual enslavement of Yazidi girls in Syria and Iraq. We've seen it further in ISIS propaganda that even encourages its male members to rape women to bring them "closer to Allah."

Yet European officials have done little to stop these widely reported atrocities, fearing charges of racism and "Islamophobia." Britain's former Labor MP Denis MacShane admitted to the BBC in 2014 that he failed to investigate oppression of Muslim women due to a mindset of, "not wanting to rock the multicultural community boat."

The implicit misogyny in this  that offending Muslim men is somehow worse than the rape and molestation of women, Muslim and not, is striking. If anything good can come of the New Year's attacks, it will not be through the advice of those who, like Cologne Mayor Henriette Reke, suggested women dress more modestly. Rather, it will be through those who recognize that terrorism takes many forms. This is one of them. It is time to start treating it that way.



Abigail R. Esman, the author, most recently, of Radical State: How Jihad Is Winning Over Democracy in the West (Praeger, 2010), is a freelance writer based in New York and the Netherlands.Read more at InvestigativeProject.org.
The United Family grocery chain is celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2016 and will mark the occasion starting Saturday with a cupcake giveaway.

"Reaching our 100th anniversary is a remarkable accomplishment, and a true testament to the hard work and dedication of all our team members through the years, as well as our loyal guests in each of our communities," said CEO Robert Taylor in a news release.

The company started when Henry Dewitt Snell opened United Cash Store in Sayre, Oklahoma, in 1916.

Today, United has 66 stores in 36 communities, including Abilene, Brownwood and Snyder in the Big Country. United remained a family-owned chain for 98 years until becoming a wholly owned subsidiary of Albertsons LLC in December 2013.

On Saturday, the company will start its celebration with a birthday party at all 66 stores, where it will give away 100,000 cupcakes.

Also in January, The United Family will launch Shop to Support Schools, a donation program challenging community members to help improve the future of local children. In addition, the company will donate 100,000 pounds of apples to food banks across the company's service areas in April.

Beginning May 31, United will celebrate 100 Days of Giving, presenting $1,000 to a different local nonprofit in the communities the store serves for 100 consecutive days for a total donation of $100,000. Also, the company will donate 100,000 pounds of food to local food banks in June, and in November will give 1,200 stuffed animals marking its 100th anniversary to children's hospitals in 12 markets.
The decision by Walmart to close 154 stores in the United States will not affect the retail giant's plans to build a Neighborhood Market at the old University Baptist Church or a Supercenter on Loop 322 near Oldham Lane, a spokesperson confirmed Friday.

However, the purge, which includes 269 stores worldwide, caught four Walmart Neighborhood Markets in the Big Country, including one in Merkel that was the center of a controversial zoning change.

The other closings are in Anson, Haskell and Winters. All of the closings will be Jan. 28. The closing of the Haskell store comes exactly a year to the day after it opened. The other three stores have been open only slightly more than a year.

"I've been getting 'I told you so' calls this morning," said Merkel City Manager Steve Campbell, who said the announcement caught him by surprise Friday morning.

"Somebody told me that had seen it on the Internet, and I didn't believe it was true," he said. "Then I heard later that the employees had been told this morning (Friday)."

Danny Woodall, the owner of Merkel Drug Company and in the center of the opposition to the Walmart, was not one of those "I told you so voices" on Friday, choosing instead to be gracious instead of to gloat.

"I was shocked as anyone," he said. "I feel for those employees and for elderly people who may not a have a place to shop for groceries here."

In 2014, some Merkel residents objected to a zoning change necessary before the Walmart store could be built, saying that the store would hurt mom-and-pop stores such as Merkel Drug.

Campbell said that he was officially neither for nor against the Walmart but was merely working to facilitate the decision by City Council, which voted unanimously in favor of the zoning change in July 2014. The store opened last January.

Campbell said he would be working to find another tenant for the 12,000-square-foot store.

"To be honest, I don't know what we're going to be able to do because it's a privately owned building," he said. "We'll be working with Walmart to try to get somebody in there."

Campbell's worst fear, that Merkel would be without a grocery store because Lawrence Brothers had closed its store earlier, was not met.

Lawrence Brothers, based in Sweetwater, said Friday that it would open the Merkel store as a supermarket again after first deciding to repurpose it as a convenience store.

"We plan to open in a couple of weeks," said Kyle Lawrence, a partner at Lawrence Brothers. "That's when Walmart plans to close, I think. It's going to test us."

Lawrence said that the company would reopen its store in Winters, which goes under the Cash Saver name. He said its store in Anson would continue to operate as it had.

Like Campbell, Lawrence said Walmart's decision caught him by surprise.

"Without a doubt," he said. "I've never heard of Walmart announcing a closing as large as this. We thought they would close some of their stores, but not this many."

Although the area stores carry the name Walmart Neighborhood Market, the retailer classifies them as Walmart Express stores. The stores, many of which are located in rural areas, were rolled out as a pilot program in 2011. Walmart is closing all 102 of its Express stores.

Walmart spokeswoman Anne Hatfield said that closings didn't represent a pullback from the Texas market.

"The important thing to understand is that we are growing overall in Texas," Hatfield said in an email. "We have 580 total stores in Texas. We opened 53 new stores in Texas in 2015 and are projected to open 25 more in Texas this year. All of the openings in Texas in 2015 and 2016 are providing close to 10,000 new jobs."

Campbell's concern, however, was with the 30 jobs that were lost in Merkel.

"That's my first concern," he said. "I feel bad for those people."

Friday's announcement translated into a loss of about 10,000 jobs, the company said. Hatfield said that the company would try to place employees in positions at nearby Walmarts. Failing that, employees would be paid through Feb. 10 and an additional 60 days past that, if necessary. She said that employees would had been with Walmart for more than a year would be offered a severance package.

In addition to the 102 Walmart Expresses, Walmart also announced it was closing 23 Neighborhood Markets, 12 Supercenters and four Sam's Clubs. The rest of the 269 stores were in other countries. In a news release from Walmart on Friday, the company said that it planned to open 50 to 60 Supercenters, 85-95 Neighborhood Markets and 10 Sam's Clubs in the next two years. Hatfield said that 95 percent of the stores that closed were within 10 miles of another Walmart.

Walmart CEO Doug McMillon described the move in a news release as "managing" the company's portfolio.

"Closing stores is never an easy decision, but it is necessary to keep the company strong and positioned for the future," said McMillon in the statement. "It's important to remember that we'll open well more than 300 stores around the world next year. We are committed to growing, but we are being disciplined about it."

The closings represented a fraction of Walmart's 11,600 worldwide stores and may have indicated that the retailer had oversaturated the market in some places.

"We believe Walmart's announcement of store closings this morning is just a 'pruning' of its voluminous network," said Charlie O'Shea, a retail analyst for Moody's.

However, critics of the retail giant said the announcements could be the first of many cuts.

"This sends a chilling message to the company's hardworking employees that they could be next," said Jess Levin, spokesperson for Making Change at Walmart, in a statement.

Making Change at Walmart is a coalition of United Food and Commercial Workers International pushing for better pay and benefits at Walmart.
SATURDAY

Junior livestock show

HASKELL  The Haskell County Junior Livestock Show will conclude with a livestock sale at 11 a.m. at the Haskell County Show Barn.

Zoo volunteer meeting

A meeting for people interested in volunteering will begin at 2 p.m. at the Abilene Zoo administrative building. Volunteers will help with education, administration and plant and animal care. For information, go to www.abilenezoo.org, call 325-676-6451 or go to Abilene.zoo@abilenetx.com.

'HSU Rocks'

The Hardin-Simmons University College of Fine Arts will present a variety of rock music at 'HSU Rocks' at 7 p.m. in Behrens Auditorium on campus. Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for students.

'Shrek, The Musical, Jr.'

A production of 'Shrek, The Musical, Jr.' will be presented at 7:30 p.m. at the Paramount Theatre, 352 Cypress St. For tickets or for information, go to www.paramount-abilene.org.

Other ...

Overeaters Anonymous, 10 a.m., Shades of Hope, 402A Mulberry St., Buffalo Gap. 800-588-4673.

Big Country Chapter American Association of Medical Transcriptionists meeting, 10 a.m., Arbec Room, first floor, Texas State Technical College, East Highway 80, Abilene. For medical transcriptionists or anyone interested in becoming one. 325-698-8898.

Abilene Society of Model Railroaders, 10 a.m. to noon, 2043 N. Second St.

SUNDAY

'Shrek, The Musical, Jr.'

A production of 'Shrek, The Musical, Jr.' will be presented at 2 p.m. at the Paramount Theatre, 352 Cypress St. For tickets or for information, go to www.paramount-abilene.org.

MONDAY

Martin Luther King march

The Black History Committee will conduct its annual Martin Luther King march at 2 p.m. at the Martin Luther King Jr. Bridge. A program will be presented at 1:30 p.m. at Cockerell Drive and Highway 80.

Other ...

AARP, 10 a.m., Rose Park Senior Citizens Center Room B.

Blood drive, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Jim Ned High School.

Cancer Services Network's Auxiliary meeting, 10:30 a.m., 100 Chestnut St., Suite 100. 325-672-0040.

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.

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.

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.

Those Left To Cope, 7-8:30 p.m., First Baptist Church Ministry of Counseling and Enrichment, 1502 N. First St.

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

Meet the candidate

SWEETWATER  The Sweetwater Chamber of Commerce will conduct meet and greet featuring Jodey Arrington, candidate for U.S. representative for District 19, at 4 p.m. at First Financial Bank, 201 Elm St.

Zoo volunteer meeting

A meeting for people interested in volunteering will begin at 5:30 p.m. at the Abilene Zoo administrative building. Volunteers will help with education, administration and plant and animal care. For more information, go to www.abilenezoo.org or contact 325-676-6451 or Abilene.zoo@abilenetx.com.

Nuclear energy seminar

Kirk Sorensen will give a presentation on the potential of liquid fluoride thorium reactors at 6 p.m. in Room 201 of the Mabee Business Building at Abilene Christian University. Tours of Bennett Labs will follow. Admission is free.

Business workshop

The Texas Tech Small Business Development Center will present a business workshop, 'How to Prepare to Meet Your Banker,' from 6-8 p.m. at the Texas Tech Training Center, 749 Gateway St., Suite 301, in Abilene. For reservations, call 325-670-0300.

Genealogy workshop

Cindy Jones will present a genealogy workshop, 'Discovering the Hidden Clues in the U.S. Census,' at 6:30 p.m. at the Abilene Public Library, 202 Cedar St. Admission is free.

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, 1-6 p.m., Coleman County Electric Co-op.

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.

Abilene Star Chorus, 6:15 p.m., First Baptist Church, 1333 N. Third St. 325-829-1470.

Family Support Group for parents with special needs children, 6:30-7:30 p.m., West Texas Rehabilitation Center boardroom, 4601 Hartford St. 325-793-3500.

Alzheimer's Association  North Central Texas Chapter, 6:30-7:30 p.m., Chisholm Place, 1450 E. N. 10th St. 325-672-2907.

Abilene Area Aggie Moms' Club, 6:45 p.m., Coldwell Banker Panian & Mash, 2500 S. Willis St.

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.

Brigadier General John Sayles Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp 366, 7 p.m., American Legion Building, 302 E.S. 11th St.

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

Taylor County Livestock Show

The Taylor County Livestock Show will begin with the poultry show at 11 a.m. at the Taylor County Expo Center Big Country Hall, followed by the steer and heifer show at 1 p.m. in Griffin Arena. Admission is free for spectators.

ArtFilm

As part of the 'This Is Modern Art' series, a screening of 'New Art and the Young Artists Behind It' will be presented at noon at the Center for Contemporary Arts, 220 Cypress St.

Other ...

Overeaters Anonymous, 8 a.m., Hinds Square Building, 100 Chestnut St., Room 112.

Blood drive, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Loraine 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.

Alzheimer's Association Caregiver Support Group, 2-3 p.m., Western Hills Healthcare Residence, Comanche.

Alzheimer's disease support group, 5:15 p.m., Cedar Crest Care Center, 1901 W. Elliott, Breckenridge. Assists those who have a family member with symptoms of Alzheimer's disease. 1-800-272-3900 or 254-559-3302.

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.

THURSDAY

Taylor County Livestock Show

The Taylor County Livestock Show will continue with the lamb and goat show at 8 a.m. at the Taylor County Expo Center Horse Barn, followed by the rabbit show at 5 p.m. Admission is free for spectators.

Mac class

The MacUser Group will conduct a free Mac computer class at 1 p.m. at the Mockingbird Branch of the Abilene Public Library, 1326 N. Mockingbird Lane. For more information, call 325-692-1087.

Brain health program

A free educational program, 'Healthy Living for Your Brain and Body: Tips from the Latest Research,' will be presented from 2-4 p.m. at the Alzheimer's Association  North Central Texas Chapter Abilene Regional Office, 301 S. Pioneer Drive, Suite 105. Space is limited. To make reservations, or for more information, contact 325-672-2907, 800-272-3900 or mbannister@alz.org.

Grace After Dark

Screenings of several short films will be presented during Grace After Dark at 7 p.m. on the roof of The Grace Museum, 102 Cypress St. Food trucks will open at 6 p.m., and a cash bar will be available. Admission will be free, but will be limited to 100 viewers. Participants must be 18 or older.

'Seussical the Musical'

A production of 'Seussical the Musical' will be presented at 7 p.m. in the Abilene High School auditorium. Admission is $10 for adults and $7 for students, seniors and military. For more information, call 325-677-1730.

Other ...

Chronic Pain and Depression Group, 11 a.m. to noon, Mental Health Association of Abilene, 333 Orange St., 325-673-2300.

Abilene Founder Lions Club, 11:30 a.m., Al's Mesquite Grill, 4801 Buffalo Gap Road.

Kiwanis Club of Greater Abilene, noon, Beehive Restaurant, 442 Cedar St. 325-695-0092.

Retired Military Wives Club social meeting, 1 p.m., Rose Park Senior Activity Center, 2625 South Seventh St. 325-677-9656 or 325-793-1490.

Mental Illness Open Support Group, 1-2 p.m., Mental Health Association of Abilene, 333 Orange St. 325-673-2300.

Blood drive, 1-4 p.m., Dyess Elementary School.

Abilene 42 Club, 6 p.m., Rose Park Senior Center.

Teen Recovery Group, 6-7 p.m., Mission Abilene, 3001 N. Third St.

Free certified nurturing parent class (all ages), 6-8 p.m., Mission Church, North Third and Mockingbird streets. 325-672-9398.

Free swim class for people with multiple sclerosis, 6:30 p.m., YMCA, 3250 State St.

Gambler's Anonymous, 6:30 p.m., Unity Spiritual Living Center, 2842 Barrow St. 325-338-2575.

Round Dancing, 7 p.m., Wagon Wheel. 325-829-1517.

South Pioneer Al-Anon Group, 8 p.m., 3157 Russell Ave.

Unity Group of Alcoholics Anonymous, 8 p.m., Episcopal Church of the Heavenly Rest, 602 Meander St.

FRIDAY

Taylor County Livestock Show

The Taylor County Livestock Show will continue with the swine show at 8 a.m. at the Taylor County Expo Center Horse Barn. Admission is free for spectators.

Lunch and learn

EARLY  A Lunch and Learn Seminar featuring Kevin Tutt will be presented from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Early Chamber of Commerce. Registration is $15, and must be made by Jan. 20. To register, call 325-649-9317.

Musical

COTTONWOOD  The Cottonwood Country Musical will begin at 5:30 p.m. at the Cottonwood Community Center. A supper will be served from 5-7 p.m.

'Seussical the Musical'

A production of 'Seussical the Musical' will be presented at 7 p.m. in the Abilene High School auditorium. Admission is $10 for adults and $7 for students, seniors and military. For more information, call 325-677-1730.

'Always  Patsy Cline'

A production of 'Always ... Patsy Cline' will be presented at 7:30 p.m. at Abilene Community Theatre, 809 Barrow St. Tickets are $18 for adults and $15 for students, seniors and military. For more information, call 325-673-6271 or go to www.abilenecommunitytheatre.org.

Dance

OPLIN  A dance featuring Muddy Creek will be 7:30-10:30 p.m. at the Oplin Community Center. Admission is $5. Information: www.grandoleoplin.com.

Other ...

Blood drive, 8 a.m. to noon, Abilene ISD Administration Building.

Overeaters Anonymous, noon, Hinds Square Building, 100 Chestnut St., Room 112.

Abilene Chinese Corner, 5:30-6:30 p.m., Abilene Christian University library. lld09a@acu.edu.

Mid-City Al-Anon, 7 p.m., First Christian Church. 325-670-4304.
Fighting flu starts with a shot, and it's time for Texans to get one
Flooring store owner serves lunch as ministry

The name on the side of the building might be a little confusing, but the Christian symbols and Bible verses leave no doubt that 'My Father's Floors' isn't referring to some outdated linoleum or shag carpet.

A sign over a door to the warehouse in the back carries another version of the same message: 'Welcome to My Father's Kitchen.'

Together, the floors and the kitchen define how owner Geradine Dalton sees herself. She is the owner of the flooring store up front and the soup kitchen ministry in the back. Profits from the flooring storeand donations of money, supplies, and services--make the feeding ministry possible.

Stir in a measure of God's grace and Dalton somehow makes both ventures work. She donates between 10 and 20 percent of the store's profits, depending on financial circumstances, gets a donation from her church and others, and relies on a network of friends who volunteer to help.

'God always provides,' Dalton said.

Wednesday is feeding day at My Father's Floors, 3005 S. First St. The front of the building, where various kinds of flooring are on display, is practically empty from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. while an average of 150 people fill tables in a cleared area of the warehouse in the back.

They don't go through a serving line. They are served at the tables by volunteers like siblings Grace Hill, 16, and Andrew Hill, 14. They are home-schooled, which makes it easy for them to get away from school on Wednesdays to help.

Both say the experience of serving people, many of whom are homeless, is a blessing.

'You feel something inside that feels right,' Andrew said.

Like Dalton and fellow volunteers, the Hill siblings do more than take food to the tables. They ask patrons if they would like a prayer said for them. They always say 'yes.' And, the volunteers take time to learn about the personal lives of the people they serve.

'We make a point of connecting with them,' Grace said.

Dalton will observe the fifth year of her business/ministry in February. She previously was co-owner with her ex-husband of Dalton Floors. When the coupled divorced and the closed the store, Geradine decided to go it on her own.

The soup kitchen, with its hearty, hot meals, evolved from the days when Dalton kept peanut butter and jelly sandwiches on hand to give people who wandered in from nearby hotels with transient populations. One day, she had a tray of lasagna left over from a dinner and brought it to the store. A spur-of-the-moment decision set Dalton on a new path.

'You guys want to come in for a hot meal?' she asked some people who walked by. 'That's when the bell rang.'

Dalton realized she wanted to do more than offer a brown bag lunch to the strangers in her midst. She wanted a full-fledged feeding ministry and today she has that. Friends, like Regi McCorkle, show up at Dalton's home on Sundays, Mondays, and Tuesdays to cook the dishes that will be served in the warehouse on Wednesday.

McCorkle's story is typical of the volunteers. Her brother-in-law mentioned Dalton's ministry to her and she knew she wanted to be a part of it. That was nine months ago and now McCorkle is a regular cook and server.

Dalton's own road to a flooring business/ministry was long and winding. She was born in France to Air Force parents, which explains the unusual spelling of her first name. Most often, her name is misspelled and mispronounced as 'Geraldine,' but she just shrugs it off.

In the early 1970s, Dalton's father was stationed at Dyess Air Force Base. Dalton recalled that when she was about 11 or 12, she attended a Billy Graham Crusade with neighbors. She remembers a euphoric, emotional response but since her family didn't attend church, she didn't pursue it. But something had changed.

'It took a long time for the seed to germinate,' she said.

Dalton lived in various places and later returned to Abilene with her husband and children. The couple later divorced and Dalton and the children moved into Noah Project, a shelter for victims of domestic violence.

When Dalton Floors closed in 2011, she set out on her own, praying over a name for her business when 'My Father's Floors' occurred to her. As she saw people living on the streets, sometimes getting a room at a nearby hotel, she was concerned. It was discouraging, but Dalton said God reassured her in prayer that it wasn't her job to 'fix' people. That was his job, but he had a message for her.

'All I want you do to is love them,' was the message Dalton received in prayer.

And that part she finds easy to do. On a recent cold morning, a woman walked into the store dressed in a hodge-podge of clothing from a thrift store.

'Hello, darlin',' Dalton said. 'Are you keeping warm?'

The woman, Dalton explained, lives in a trailer home and sometimes doesn't have heat. She raises chickens in her yard and brings eggs to Dalton to use in preparing her meals. Other regulars also bring what they can.

'They love that they're helping,' Dalton said.

Pancho and Juanita Flores and their grown son, Andrew Ortiz, are Wednesday regulars. They live on North Fourteenth Street but always get to the South First Street location for the Wednesday meal. Like the other patrons, the family refers to Dalton as 'Mama G,' an affectionate name for a woman who provides them with a hot meal, a welcoming embrace, and an assurance of God's love.

The family loves the fellowship that comes with the Wednesday gatherings, Pancho Flores said, from the volunteers who serve them to the friends they have made across the table. They understand perfectly what 'My Father's Floors' means.

'God is good,' Pancho said.
Encourage your pastor to tell us the upcoming week's sermon topic. It's FREE, and it's open to churches throughout the Big Country. Email it to publishme@reporternews.com by 2 p.m. each Tuesday. Please put "sermon" in the subject line. Include the topic, who will deliver it, a short synopsis, when services begin and the name and street address of your place of worship.

Baker Heights Church of Christ, 5382 Texas Ave.

Services: 10 a.m. Sunday

Speaker: Wes McAdams

Topic: "Four Lies  We All Have a Right to Interpret the Bible as We See Fit"

Synopsis: It isn't uncommon for two people, who both identify themselves as Christians, to have a conversation when someone will say, "But the Bible says we shouldn't do that," to which the other person will respond, "Well, that's just your interpretation. I don't interpret it that way." Many would have us believe that every person should simply interpret the Bible as they see fit and let others interpret the Bible in their own way. They want us to believe there is no "right way to interpret the Bible." Join us and discover why you shouldn't buy into the lie that we all have a right to interpret the Bible as we see fit.

Christian Science Society, 1201 S. Pioneer Drive

Services: 10:30 a.m. Sunday

Topic: "Life"

Synopsis: Revelation 21:5, " ... Behold I make all things new ..." Many people at the start of a new year look for new ways to improve their life. This week, we will focus on how a better understanding of God as Life itself brings freshness, health, harmony and supply. When we wake to each day as "the day which the Lord has made"(Psalm 118:24), we can find rejoicing and that newness of life.

Episcopal Church of the Heavenly Rest, 602 Meander St.

Services: 8 and 10:30 a.m. Sunday; 1 p.m. Swahili prayer service

Speaker: Susanna Cates

Topic: "The Second Sunday After the Epiphany" (Isaiah 62:1-5, 1 Corinthians 12:1-11, John 2:1-11)

Synopsis: Our Gospel is the story of the changing of water into wine during a wedding feast at Cana in Galilee.

Grace Lutheran Church, 1202 S. Pioneer Drive

Services: 10:15 a.m. Sunday

Synopsis: The Sundays after Epiphany continue to celebrate the revelation of the glory of God to us as it was made known to the Magi and to those on Jordan's banks at the baptism of Jesus, today using wedding imagery. Our God rejoices over God's people "as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride." By the power of the Spirit, there are gifts galore for everyone. In Christ Jesus, the best wine is saved for last. Taste and see.

North Fifth and Grape Church of Christ, 433 Grape St.

Services: 10 a.m. Sunday

Speaker: Mike Bonner

Topic: "The Christian System"

Synopsis: Every business, organization or team has a system in place which guides, directs or provides a standard for operation. The Lord's church is no different. Please visit us as we consider the Christian system, which is the faith once and for all delivered to the saints. We will examine how we definitely have a righteous system to follow and how it's second to none when it comes to salvation and Christian decorum.

Northwest Church of Christ, 1141 N. Willis St.

Services: 10:30 a.m. Sunday

Speaker: Pat Andrews

Topic: "The Unfinished Sermon"

Synopsis: Acts 24:24-25, "Several days later, Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was a Jewess. He sent for Paul and listened to him as he spoke about faith in Christ Jesus. As Paul discoursed on righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix was terrified and said, 'That's enough for now! You may leave. When I find it convenient, I will send for you.'" We will draw some lessons from Felix's reaction to Paul's message and the danger of not "striking when the iron is hot."

Oakridge Church of Christ, 3250 Beltway S.

Services: 10 a.m. Sunday

Speaker: Steve Smith

Topic: "Prayer Is Your Relationship to God"

Synopsis: How much time do you devote to your relationship with your mate and/or your kids?

Oldham Lane Church of Christ, 5049 Oldham Lane

Services: 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. Sunday

Speaker: Chris McCurley

Topic: "Church Audit: Smyrna"

Synopsis: How different would your life be if you belonged to a persecuted church? Would it change you? Would worship be more meaningful to you? Would the bonds of fellowship be tighter? Would your prayer life be stronger? Would you be more open about your faith and sharing the gospel? We often thank God for the religious freedom that we enjoy in this country. Would we still thank God if we were not free to worship our God? Would you still rejoice if we were part of a persecuted church? Would you even go to church? If you were a member of a persecuted church, how would it change you?

Woodlawn Church of Christ, 841-A N. Judge Ely Blvd.

Services: 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. Sunday

Speaker: Larry Fitzgerald

Topic: "Some Things More Important Than Finishing First"

Synopsis: Every one of us falls or gets knocked down at times. There is a way you can get up and succeed. Learn Jesus' radical, yet extremely effective solution. How can we receive and give this prescription for the heartlessness around us? We will explore the solution.

Wylie Baptist Church, 6097 Buffalo Gap Road

Services: 10:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. Sunday

Speaker: Donny Harbers

Topic: "Who Me? A Servant?" (Matthew 20:20-28)

Synopsis: The first message in a new series titled "Descending Into Greatness" focuses on God's blessings with the expectation that we will wisely invest and use the blessings He bestows for the good of His Kingdom, through humility and service.
John Compere, Baird

In a disdainful display of discriminatory demagoguery, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott arbitrarily censored and ordered a Bill of Rights display removed from the Capitol. He carelessly invoked a prayer journal quote falsely attributed to George Washington that has long been discredited as fraudulent by historians.

The secular display was lawfully erected in accordance with a permit issued by the state. It showed our U.S. Constitution and Statue of Liberty with founders Washington, Franklin and Jefferson celebrating the Dec. 15th Bill of Rights ratification (which, ironically, provides American freedom of speech). A sectarian display showing a Christian Nativity scene was allowed to remain.

Our judiciary will now be required to compel the governor (at taxpayer expense) to comply with state and federal laws that prohibit ' ... preference ... to any religious society or mode of worship' or 'curtailing ... liberty of speech ...' (Texas Constitution, Article 1) and 'respecting' any religious establishment or 'abridging' freedom of speech (U.S. Constitution, First Amendment).

Gov. Abbott is the chief executive officer of our secular state government whose sworn oath of office requires him to ' ... preserve, protect and defend the Constitution and Laws of the United States and of this State.' He serves all Texans  not just his sectarian supporters.

His lawless action is an embarrassment to Texas and warrants impeachment consideration. However, it is doubtful the current Texas Legislature has the courage or integrity to do anything about it.

'In matters concerning religion and politics a man's reasoning powers are not above the monkey's.'  American humorist Mark Twain
Taiwan's President-elect Tsai Ing-wen (C), is shown on a screen as she celebrates her victory alongside Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) officials after winning the elections in Taipei, Jan. 15, 2016.

Taiwan voters gave opposition leader Tsai Ing-wen and her independence-leaning party a landslide victory in presidential elections on Saturday, rejecting a ruling party that championed closer ties with China, which claims sovereignty over the island.

Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) chairwoman Tsai Ing-wen, the democratic islands first female president, repeated her campaign pledge to build a consistent, predictable, and sustainable cross-strait relationship.

Following the will and consensus of the Taiwanese people, we will work to maintain the status quo for peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, in order to bring the greatest benefits and well-being to the Taiwanese people, she said in remarks after her victory over ruling nationalist Kuomintang (KMT)'s chairman Eric Chu.

I also want to emphasize that both sides of the strait have a responsibility to find mutually acceptable means of interaction that are based on dignity and reciprocity. We must ensure that no provocations or accidents take place, added Tsai, a 59-year-old former law professor.

Tough job for Tsai

Tsai, who took around 56 percent of the vote, saw her mandate made even stronger by the DPPs victory in parliamentary polls, which also were being held on Saturday.

Reuters news agency said Tsai, who takes office in May, faces one of Asia's toughest and most dangerous jobs.

She must balance the interests of China, which is also Taiwan's largest trading partner but also has hundreds of missiles aimed at the island, and the United States while serving the needs of a populace with strong misgivings about closer ties with authoritarian China, the agency noted in report from Taipei.

Repeated polls have shown that many of Taiwan's 23 million residents identify as Taiwanese rather than Chinese, and there is broad political support for de facto self-rule, if not formal independence.



Taiwan was governed separately from mainland China throughout the Japanese occupation (1895-1945) and since 1949, and has never been part of communist China.

China's Taiwan Affairs Office said Beijing was willing to have exchanges with any party, as long as they recognize both sides of the Taiwan Strait belong to one China and would not tolerate any Taiwan independence activities.

"On important issues of principle like protecting the country's sovereignty and territorial integrity, our will is as hard as rock," it said in a statement carried on state media.

Rock star and activist

In Washington, State Department spokesman John Kirby issued a statement congratulating Taiwans 23 million people for once again demonstrating the strength of their robust democratic system, which will now undergo another peaceful transition of power.

We share with the Taiwan people a profound interest in the continuation of cross-Strait peace and stability, added the statement.

The Chinese Communist Party and the KMT were bitter foes during a civil war that flared up after the defeat of Japan in World War II, and the KMT government fled to the island after losing to Mao Zedong's Soviet-backed communist forces.

The Taipei government sees itself as the legal continuation of the KMT regime that began with Sun Yat-sen's 1911 revolution and the fall of the Qing dynasty.

China says the island must one day reunite under Beijings rule and has threatened to use military force if the island seeks independence. Beijing has held out a "one country, two systems" framework similar to that operating in Hong Kong since the former British colony reverted to Chinese rule in 1997.

But recent developments in Hong Kong, including Beijing's refusal to allow fully democratic elections and the apparent arrest of a bookstore manager by Chinese agents within the city's jurisdiction have made that prospect less appealing to Taiwanese.

Although the margin remained unclear, local media reported that Tsais DPP also won control of the island's 113-member Legislative Yuan, which the KMT had held a controlling 65 seats.

The Legislative Yuan elections also served up some potential thorns for Beijing.

Heavy metal rocker Freddy Lim, Amnesty International's director in Taiwan and a champion of Tibetans and other causes that rankle Beijing, won a seat in the chamber for his New Power Party. On his Facebook page the 39-year-old with long hair and tattoos described himself as Asian's first rock 'n' roll musician to become a parliamentarian.

Wuer Kaixi, a student leader of the 1989 democracy protests at Beijings Tiananmen Square that were crushed by Chinas military with much loss of life, also won a seat in Taiwans parliament.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has introduced martial law in four of Ukraine's regions, parts of which are under the control of Russian troops, as Ukrainian forces continue liberating occupied territories in the country's east despite another barrage of air attacks across the country.

Putin said at an online session of the Security Council on October 19 that he signed a decree declaring martial law in Ukraine's Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhya -- all of which Russia illegally annexed last month.

Live Briefing: Russia's Invasion Of Ukraine RFE/RL's Live Briefing gives you all of the latest developments on Russia's ongoing invasion, Kyiv's counteroffensive, Western military aid, global reaction, Russian protests, and the plight of civilians. For all of RFE/RL's coverage of the war, click here.

He didnt immediately describe the steps that would be taken under martial law but said his order was effective starting at midnight on October 20. His decree gives law enforcement agencies three days to submit specific proposals.

The package of moves, which come nearly eight months into the war launched by the Kremlin in late February, marked the latest escalation by Putin to counter a series of defeats to Ukrainian forces since the start of September.

By extending the decree to regions beyond Ukraine, the move ensures that more Russians, already angered by a military mobilization announced last month, will more deeply feel the consequences of the war in their own lives.

Mykhaylo Podolyak, an adviser to the Ukrainian presidential office's head, called Putin's move "a pseudo-legalization of looting of Ukrainians' property."

"This does not change anything for Ukraine: We continue the liberation and deoccupation of our territories," Podolyak tweeted shortly after Putin announced martial law in the four Ukrainian regions.

U.S. President Joe Biden, speaking at the White House, said Putin is trying to get Ukraine to give up.

"I think that Vladimir Putin finds himself in an incredible difficult position and what it reflects to me is it seems his only tool available to him is to brutalize the individual citizens in Ukraineto try to intimidate them into capitulating. They are not going to do that," Biden said.

U.S. State Department deputy spokesman Vedant Patel said earlier the declaration of martial law was a desperate tactic and any claim by Russia over the regions was "illegitimate."

Putin's move came as the Russia-installed leader of Ukraine's southern Kherson region said the evacuation has started of tens of thousands of civilians and Moscow-appointed officials in the face of a Ukrainian military advance.

Vladimir Saldo said 50,000-60,000 civilians would leave four towns on the west bank of the Dnieper River in an "organized, gradual displacement" over the next five or six days.

All of the Moscow-installed administration in the city of Kherson would evacuate, too, Saldo said.

Russian television showed footage of a number of people queuing for boats on the Dnieper River bank although it was not immediately clear how many were leaving. The forced transfer or deportation of the civilian population by an occupying power from the territory under its control is considered a war crime.

Saldo's statements came after General Sergei Surovikin, the new commander of Russian forces in Ukraine, said the situation in the southern city of Kherson is "difficult" and residents facing Ukrainian bombardment are to be evacuated.

WATCH: Ukrainian forces first got their hands on FH70 155-millimeter howitzers courtesy of Italy in May and received training in Estonia. RFE/RL journalists met with a frontline FH70 crew and watched them in action against Russian forces.

"The Russian Army will above all ensure the safe evacuation of the population" of Kherson, Surovikin said.

But Kyiv on October 19 accused Russia of staging a propaganda show in an attempt to "scare" the Kherson residents.

"Russians are trying to scare the people of Kherson with fake messages about the shelling of the city by our army and are also staging a propaganda show with evacuation," the Ukrainian president's chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, wrote on Telegram.

Kherson was the first big city to fall to the Russian forces in February after the start of Moscow's unprovoked invasion, but Ukrainian forces have been steadily retaking nearby territory in recent weeks.

They have pushed as far as 30 kilometers south along the Dnieper River, threatening to trap Russian troops.

Meanwhile, fresh explosions were heard in Kyiv and other areas on October 19, with a missile strike hitting a major thermal power station in the city of Burshtyn in western Ukraine.

The coal-fired Burshtyn plant in the region of Ivano-Frankivsk, which supplies electricity to three western regions and to five million consumers, was hit and on fire, according to Svytlana Onysshchuk, the regional governor. There were no casualties in the strike at the plant, which was hit by four missiles nine days earlier as well.

Serhiy Borzov, governor of the Vinnytsya region in western Ukraine, said Russia had also carried out attacks on energy facilities in his region. Russian bombardment also cut power and water in some parts of Enerhodar in the Zaporizhzhya region on October 19, said Dmytro Orlov, the mayor of the southern city located near the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant that's been a flashpoint of the nearly eight-month conflict.

A power plant in Kryviy Rih, a city in south-central Ukraine, was also seriously damaged by Russian shelling, leaving villages, towns, and a city district without electricity, the regional governor reported.

Russian forces also targeted Ukraine's southern Mykolayiv region again with kamikaze drones early on October 19.



The Ukrainian military's southern command said in a statement on October 19 that its forces shot down 12 drones overnight.

More than a week of air attacks has destroyed almost one-third of Ukraine's power stations and cut electricity in more than 1,000 settlements.

With Ukraine gaining momentum in the war that is now nearly eight months old, European lawmakers on October 19 recognized the country's "brave" citizens by awarding them the 2022 Sakharov Prize.

"This award is for those Ukrainians fighting on the ground. For those who have been forced to flee. For those who have lost relatives and friends. For all those who stand up and fight for what they believe in. I know that the brave people of Ukraine will not give up and neither will we," European Parliament President Roberta Metsola said in the statement.

The annual prize is named after the Soviet physicist and dissident Andrei Sakharov and was established in 1988 by the European parliament to honor individuals and organizations defending human rights and fundamental freedoms.

With reporting by Reuters, AP, and AFP
Tehran has freed Washington Post reporter Jason Rezaian and three other Iranian-American dual nationals in a prisoner swap deal that also saw Washington release seven Iranian nationals.

Rezaian, the Post's Tehran bureau chief, had been imprisoned in Iran for more than a year on espionage charges. He and The Washington Post have repeatedly denied the charges, saying he was arrested as a bargaining chip in a larger political game.

Also released by Iran were pastor Saeed Abedini, an Iranian-American in jail for three years after being convicted of undermining national security, and former US Marine Amir Hekmati, who is serving 10 years for cooperating with hostile governments.

A U.S. official identified the fourth freed prisoner as Nosratollah Khosravi-Roodsari. There have been mixed reports in the Iranian media about the identity of the fourth person, with Iran's IRNA news agency earlier naming him as Iranian-American businessman Siamak Namazi.

Reuters quotes U.S. officials as saying Iran also has released a fifth person separately from the prisoner exchange, an American student named Matthew Trevithick.

U.S. officials confirmed that the United States offered clemency to seven Iranians, six of whom are dual U.S.-Iranian citizens, who had been convicted or are awaiting trial in the United States.

Western media have named the Iranians as Nader Modanlo, Bahram Mechanic, Khosrow Afghahi, Arash Ghahreman, Tooraj Faridi, Nima Golestaneh, and Ali Sabouni.

WATCH: Kerry Hails Power Of Diplomacy In Release Of Americans

The deal also saw Washington dismiss charges against 14 other Iranians.

There are a dozen Iranians imprisoned or facing charges in the United States on sanctions-busting charges, according to a recent Reuters review of cases. U.S. Prosecutors say they violated economic sanctions against Iran by supplying technology that could have been used to bolster its military and nuclear programs.

The prisoner swap came as Iran and world powers led by the United States are expected on January 16 to finally implement July's nuclear deal, which will lift international sanctions imposed on the Islamic republic.

The lifting of sanctions is expected to come as the UN's nuclear watchdog agency says Tehran has fulfilled its obligations to restrict its nuclear programs under the deal.

With reporting by AFP, dpa, and AP






Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif says international sanctions against Tehran will be lifted on January 16.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is expected to issue its final report confirming that Iran has complied with its commitments under the landmark nuclear deal reached between Iran and world powers last year.

The release of the report will trigger "Implementation Day" and the lifting of some U.S., United Nations, and European Union sanctions.

"Today with the release of the IAEA chief's report the nuclear deal will be implemented, after which a joint statement will be made to announce the beginning of the deal," Zarif was quoted as saying by state news agency IRNA.

Zarif is due to meet U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, the EU's foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini, and IAEA chief Yukiya Amano later on January 16.

"Today is a good day for the people of Iran and the sanctions will be lifted today," Zarif told reporters in Vienna.

He added that it was also a "good day for the world" and "for the region."

Under the historic deal signed in July, Iran agreed to curb its nuclear program in exchange for the lifting of sanctions that have crippled its economy.

IAEA certification that Iran is honoring its obligations would trigger sanctions relief for Iran worth an estimated $100 billion.

The sanctions have cut off Iran from the global financial system, significantly reduced the exports of a major oil producer, and imposed economic hardship on ordinary Iranians.

The nuclear deal is opposed by all of the Republican candidates vying to succeed U.S. President Barack Obama in the presidential election in November. It is also viewed with deep suspicion by U.S. allies in the Middle East, including Israel and Saudi Arabia.

But the deal is supported by Washington's European allies, who joined Obama in tightening sanctions on Tehran as part of a joint strategy to force Iran to negotiate.

With reporting by AP, AFP, and Reuters






Pakistan has arrested the leader of an outlawed militant group that has fought Indian rule in Kashmir for decades in a sweep of militants suspected of attacking an Indian air base this month.

In addition to putting the leader of Jaish-e-Mohammad, Maulana Masood Azhar, into "protective custody," Pakistani authorities said January 15 they had closed several religious schools run by the group, which India charges was behind the attack that killed seven Indian soldiers on January 2.

The moves were in answer to Indian charges that Pakistan has been harboring the radicals. Concern about the attack led India to postpone previously scheduled talks between the two regional powers this week.

India says that phone intercepts suggest the gunmen in the assault on Pathankot air base came from Pakistan, though a Kashmir-based group, United Jehad Council, has claimed responsibility.

India has long sought Azhar, who is being held by Pakistani counterterrorism officials

While no charges have been filed against Azhar as yet, G. Parthasarthy, India's former high commissioner to Pakistan, said that "what has happened is setting the process for custodial interrogation. It doesn't amount to presumption of guilt or arrest."

Based on reporting by AP and Reuters
More than 20 years after the UN Beijing Declaration called for more equal representation of women in the media, some progress has been made, but serious disparities between men and women in the media persist, both in terms of whose stories are told and who tells them.

Globally, women make up just 24 percent of the persons heard, read about, or seen in the media, according to the latest survey of 114 countries by the Global Media Monitoring Project. While emerging digital platforms seemed to promise an expanded space for womens voices, the survey found that womens relative invisibility in traditional news media has crossed over into the digital sphere as well.

How has the role of women in the media changed, and what are the challenges that remain? How does the lack of gender equality in the media stymie efforts to expand the rights and opportunities available to women? How does it limit the medias ability to adequately and intelligently explain a broad spectrum of world events?

To address these questions and chart a way forward, were joined on this edition of RFE/RLive by a panel of journalists, advocates, and media experts.

Moving The Story Forward: The Role Of Women In Global Media

Tuesday, January 19, 2016

Washington, D.C.--11:00 a.m. / Prague--5:00 p.m.

Join us live on YouTube, and on Facebook or Twitter using hashtag #RFERLive

WATCH the conversation here:

Shahida Tulaganova-Yakub is the Managing Editor, Anchor, and Producer of Current Time, a joint RFE/RL-VOA Russian language TV news program serving Russian speakers in countries bordering Russia. An award-winning TV and radio journalist, Tulaganova is a native of Tashkent, Uzbekistan. She was a popular presenter for the BBCs Uzbek Service from 1996-2002, prior to her move to BBC Television. She won the 2006 Prix Europa for her film about young opposition activists in Azerbaijan called How to Plan a Revolution. Her film about passport forgery in the EU called My Fake Passports and Me produced for BBC Panorama has become a case study in investigative journalism. Her latest film, Airport Donetsk, was recently awarded first prize in Russias largest documentary film festival ArtDocFest.

Carrie Budoff Brown is Managing Editor of POLITICO, overseeing its European newsroom. Between 2009 and 2014, Budoff Brown served as POLITICOs White House correspondent. She has covered the Senate, the 2008 Obama presidential campaign, the 2010 health care overhaul bill, Wall Street reform and various tax cut battles in U.S. Congress. Prior to joining POLITICO at its inception in 2007, Budoff Brown worked as a staff writer at the Hartford Courant and the Philadelphia Inquirer.

Elisa Munoz is the Executive Director of the International Womens Media Foundation (IWMF), an organization that empowers women journalists with the training, opportunities, and support to become leaders in the news industry. She has over 20 years of experience in human rights, freedom of the press, and gender equality issues. Prior to joining IWMF Director of Programs, Munoz led the Crimes of War Education Project, and before that was an election monitor for the OSCE in the Balkans.

Karen Ross is a Professor of Media at Northumbria University, Newcastle, and author of several books on women in media, including "Gender, Politics, News: A Game of Three Sides" (2015), and "Gendered Media: Women, Men, and Identity Politics" (2009). Her research focuses on the ways in which gender and media collide, including the particularly fraught relationship between women politicians and there mediated experiences. She has recently begun to explore social media as new forms of political communication, both at the level of elite politics as well as grassroots feminist activism. She was a regional coordinator for the Global Media Monitoring Projects latest report.

Emily Thompson (Moderator) manages RFE/RL's Lady Liberty project, which showcases the contributions of women journalists from RFE/RL and other outlets, and highlights issues affecting women in RFE/RLs broadcast region. Prior to joining RFE/RL in 2013, she worked as a freelance correspondent, including for Global Post and Public Radio International, in addition to writing and editing for a variety of regional publications and international organizations, including the OSCE.
Russia accused the West of politicizing the humanitarian crisis in Syria in a way that risks derailing upcoming peace talks.

Russian Deputy Ambassador Vladimir Safronkov questioned why Britain, France, and the United States called a United Nations Security Council meeting on January 15 that focused on the starvation and suffering of people in the rebel-held town of Madaya, which is under siege by Syrian government troops, while minimizing suffering in towns under siege by rebels.

Calling that a "double-standard," he said "all this unnecessary noise" undermines peace talks scheduled for January 25.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has said both the government and rebels are committing war crimes by deliberately starving civilians, but most reports have focused on Madaya, where UN trucks delivered aid this week.

British Deputy Ambassador Peter Wilson said all sides should lift their sieges, but the government "has the primary responsibility to protect Syrians."

"Let council members with ties to the regime use their influence, and not their air force, to address this horrific situation."

Safronkov said Russia has been encouraging Syria to cooperate with the UN.

Based on reporting by AP and AFP
The chief of Russia's top bank Sberbank said Moscow has failed to enact economic reforms and has fallen into the ranks of "loser" countries.

German Gref said on January 15 that Russia had "lost the competition" by its overreliance on oil exports.

"We are among the loser countries, the downshifter countries," he said at an economic conference in Moscow, lamenting Russia's failure to invest in other technologies to stay ahead of the curve.

"The Stone Age did not end because we ran out of stones, and we can say that the age of hydrocarbons is also already over," Gref said, calling reforms of Russia's "utterly ineffective" system of state management the number one priority.

The Russian economy has been hit hard by plunging prices for oil, Russia's major export commodity.

Gref called for radical overhaul of state institutions and the education system to enable people to join the technology revolution.

Based on reporting by AFP and Moscow Times


Speaker Bill Howell has taken commendable steps to make the House of Delegates more transparent. Majority Leader Tommy Norment has taken deplorable steps to make the state Senate less transparent. The difference is stark and reminds Virginians which legislative chamber shows more respect for open government.

The flap over whether to remove an oak tree from the site of a proposed statue of Maggie Walker proves once again that Richmonders love nothing more than to argue about their roots.

The debate has drawn so much attention that poet Joyce Kilmer has weighed in from the grave. He writes:

I think that I shall never see

A statue as lovely as a tree -

Not even one to a lady banker

For which so many seem to hanker.

From banks you might get paltry interest

But no one shares their pics on Pinterest.

Bank branches, true, are more dynamic -

But only trees will bear a hammock.

Any fool can make a deposit.

A tree, though? Only God can cause it.

A few residents are taking this issue very seriously. To others, it seems almost beyond be-leaf.

Del. Mark Cole has filed legislation in the General Assembly that would require transgender individuals in public schools to use the boys or girls bathroom based not on their psychological gender identification, but on which sexual organs they have. How, exactly, are school administrators supposed to enforce that? Hey, sir or madam  before you use the facilities, would you mind dropping your shorts?

On the plus side, Dels. Danny Marshall and Israel OQuinn are introducing legislation that would, respectively, set a 45-mph minimum on highways and interstates and raise the fine for driving too slowly in the left lane. Applause for the first measure; a standing O for the second.

In case youre not aware of it  and many seem totally oblivious  the left lane is the passing lane. Its not a cruising lane, and it most definitely is not what half the people on the Powhite seem to think it is: a lane for poking along at the speed of your average hayride.

Gov. Terry McAuliffe wants to crack down on so-called predatory lending. Go get em, Terry! After all, why should private enterprise be allowed to horn in on the governments monopoly over extortion?

Apparently, defending yourself from accusations now constitutes a civil rights violation. When the University of Mary Washingtons president wrote a letter explaining the schools side of the story in a Title IX complaint, a student group accused him of engaging in unlawful retaliation. And NOW, the National Organization for Women, is lambasting former U.Va. dean Nicole Eramo. NOW finds it deeply disturbing that Eramo, one subject of that infamously fictitious Rolling Stone article about a gang rape, has the temerity to ask for emails from Jackie as part of her defamation lawsuit against the magazine. NOW accuses Eramo of victim blaming and shaming  which lurches awkwardly past the fact that the victim in this case is not Jackie, but Eramo.

Richmond Mayor Dwight Jones wants it understood that all of this nonsense about how many people from his church are working for him at City Hall and how much time the director of public works spent getting Jones new church built is nothing but religious intolerance. Its still a free country, you know  and if a mayor cant hand out jobs to people from his church, then the terrorists have already won. Got it?

Hizzoner also implies that people who question the relations between church members and the city administration insult the legacy of Thomas Jefferson.

Republicans want to spike the court-ordered redistricting of Virginias House districts. Hmmmm. As originally drawn after the 1990 Census, the 3rd stretched from Richmond to Hampton Roads. Its meandering path violated concepts of geographic compactness that conservatives supposedly hold dear. The redrawn 3rd centers the district in Hampton Roads. Richmond precincts have been removed and, with Petersburg precincts, have been placed in the 4th. The judges propose to make the 3rd more compact. Republicans are miffed. We are not surprised.

The changes would increase the black percentage in the 4th, thereby making it more competitive. Incumbent Randy Forbes, a Republican, and other Republicans have asked the U.S. Supreme Court to put the redistricting on hold. Dont bet against them. Throughout his political and judicial careers Chief Justice John Roberts has not been a zealous advocate of voting rights for African-Americans.
A new survey by the Center for Public Affairs Research emphasizes how important religious freedom is for Americans. This is not just a matter of personal preference; a functioning democracy needs religious freedom. Thomas Jefferson explained that religious freedom was a critical foundation for the nation: It was essential in a republic that people think for themselves, and any alliance of church and state  kings, nobles, and priests, Jefferson would say  threatened free thought. James Madison agreed, making clear that the government simply had no authority to regulate a persons religion.

Americans are rightly proud of the pivotal role that our nation has played in encouraging religious freedom worldwide.

Yet, the survey included some more disturbing findings, findings which demonstrate that many have forgotten our history: how early Americans had to fight for religious freedom. Apparently over 80 percent of Americans believe that it is extremely or very important to protect the religious freedom of Christians, but only slightly over 60 percent say so for Muslims or atheists  one in four Americans who treasure their religious freedom do not value that of others. This is a betrayal of our history and our freedom.

Before the American Revolution, the Church of England was the established church in Virginia. All citizens, regardless of their religion, paid taxes to support that church, and people were fined for not attending the Anglican Church or one of the few licensed meeting houses. By 1775, more than half of the Baptist ministers in Virginia had been jailed for preaching without a license or disturbing the peace; scores of dissenters had been beaten, chased, shot at, or dunked in ponds and rivers because of their religion.

As a result, evangelical Presbyterians and Baptists insisted that religious freedom be part of the legacy of the Revolution. They rejected a proposal that would have established Christianity as an official religion and forced through the legislature Jeffersons Statute for Religious Freedom, demanding religious freedom for all and a strict separation of church and state. This was not a passing fancy or whim; they had lived in a system of religious persecution.

What is too often forgotten is that they were emphatic that religious freedom applied to all people: Jews, Mehometans (sic), and Christians, evangelicals from Chesterfield County insisted. While most Virginians at the time were Christians, they knew that they were acting for the future. This was not simply a matter of charity or kindness. Hanover Presbyterians explained that there is no argument in favour of establishing the Christian Religion, but what may be pleaded, with equal propriety for establishing the Tenets of Mahomed by those who believe in the Alchoran  Quoting Madison, Virginians from Culpeper, Amherst and other counties lectured weak-kneed politicians that Who does not see that the same authority which can establish Christianity in exclusion of all other Religions, may establish, with the same ease, any particular Sect of Christianity, in exclusion of all other Sects? The fundamental truth that they saw was that if Jews and Muslims and atheists were not safe in their religion, neither were Baptists or Presbyterians.

I suppose the good news is that there is still a solid majority of Americans who agree.

What then of radicals, those who use religion to try to justify barbaric attacks on innocents? Should their religious freedom be protected? The answer is of course, but religious freedom in no way protects their violent, heinous and criminal actions. Prosecute them for their crimes, but not their religion. Jefferson made the same point when he insisted that religious freedom does not shield anyone from complying with facially neutral laws: If the law does not itself discriminate against or attack religion, then everyone has to abide by it, regardless of their religious beliefs (even if in their own deranged mind their religion requires they act illegally). It is exactly the same principle that says Kim Davis has no right to ignore the law on marriage licenses by claiming the protection of religious freedom.

As some politicians seek to divide people based on religion, as some seek to demand their own religious freedom while denying it to others, as some seek to create fear of those who have different views, it is a good time to remember these lessons of history.

It is particularly appropriate to remember them here in Virginia, the birthplace of religious freedom. It was on Jan. 19, 1786, when the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom became law. On Jan. 16, we celebrate Religious Freedom Day. It is a great day to reread the statute, or Madisons Memorial and Remonstrance in favor of religious freedom. It is an especially good day to reaffirm our support for religious freedom for all.
Voltaire  To learn who rules over you, simply find out who you are not allowed to criticize
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Southeastern Freight Lines, the leading provider of regional less-than-truckload transportation services, recently announced participation of 2,590 total hours of community service in 2015 as part of the Southeastern Serves program.

Southeastern Serves is a program dedicated to giving back to communities across Southeasterns footprint by having associates of all levels involved with providing for the needy.

The Southeastern Freight Lines service center in Cloverdale volunteered in assisting Operation Christmas Child, a Samaritan's Purse program, as part of a larger group of Southeasterns Region II service centers.

Region II includes more than 20 facilities operating in Kentucky, North Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia. Together, the centers collected over 300 shoe boxes to gift many deserving children across the country.

We are committed to share our passion for providing quality service to our customers and to the less fortunate individuals throughout the communities we serve, said Mike Heaton, senior vice president of sales and marketing at Southeastern Freight Lines. Through the Southeastern Serves program, we are able to give back and strengthen the communities who support us year after year.

Other projects ranged from volunteering at food drives and soup kitchens to providing school supplies and yard work.

The opportunity to support so many deserving organizations and needy people throughout the year is humbling. We look forward to the new community service projects that await us in the coming year, said Heaton.

This is the fourth year for the Southeastern Serves program.

 The Botetourt View
David Bowie never played Roanoke. Not as Ziggy Stardust, Aladdin Sane, the Thin White Duke, Pierrot the Blue Clown nor MTV pretty boy.

However, he did play quite a few shows in Virginia during a music career that started when he was a teenager and ended only when cancer took his life on Jan. 10 at age 69. Bowie performed at least seven major concerts in the commonwealth over a 30-year span that ranged from the Diamond Dogs days to a 21st-century career retrospective on a college campus.

According to The Concert Database website (www.pf-db.com), Bowies first concert in Virginia was July 7, 1974, at the Scope in Norfolk, a venue he played four times, including back-to-back nights in 1983 during his Serious Moonlight Tour. He also played the Scope on March 12, 1976 after the album Station to Station introduced the Thin White Duke persona.

He played the Nissan Pavilion (now called Jiffy Lube Live) in Northern Virginia twice, first with Nine Inch Nails on Oct. 6, 1995 in a concert that showcased many lesser-known songs such as Im Deranged, I Have Not Been to Oxford Town, Joe the Lion and others. A return appearance during the Heathen tour on July 28, 2002 included many more hits.

Bowies last concert in Virginia was at George Mason Universitys Patriot Center (now EagleBank Arena) in Fairfax on May 16, 2004, a show Bowie rescheduled from the previous December because of illness. That night, a performer who long enjoyed confounding audiences expectations put together a setlist of his best-loved songs: Rebel Rebel, Fashion, All the Young Dudes, Fame, China Girl, The Man Who Sold the World, Under Pressure, Ashes to Ashes, Heroes, Suffragette City, Ziggy Stardust and many others.

To this day, you can almost hear the crowd singing, Wham bam, thank you, David Bowie.
RICHMOND  A state lawmaker is seeking about $960,000 in restitution for a Roanoke man who was pardoned last month after serving 21 years in prison.

Davey Reedy, 61, fought for decades to prove hed been wrongly accused of setting a 1987 house fire that killed his two young children.

He was paroled in 2009, but continued to try to prove his innocence.

On Dec. 21, Gov. Terry McAuliffe granted him a rare absolute pardon after concluding that the investigation into the fire had relied on now-discredited forensic science.

The pardon allows Reedy to expunge his criminal record and makes him eligible for financial compensation from the state.

On Friday, Sen. Scott Surovell, D-Fairfax County, said hes putting in a bill and a related budget amendment to pay $961,489 to Reedy.

The figure was derived using a formula established under state code. If the payment is approved by the General Assembly, under the terms of the formula, 20 percent of the money would be paid to Reedy in an initial lump sum.

The remainder would be put into an annuity that would make regular payments to him.

Any time somebody is wrongfully incarcerated, they ought to be compensated, Surovell said.  This man spent 21 years behind bars for something he didnt do. He lost 21 years of his life.

Surovell, an attorney who served in the House of Delegates until his election to the Senate last fall, is carrying the amendment at the request of Del. Greg Habeeb, R-Salem.

Habeeb said he decided against sponsoring the measure himself in order to avoid any appearance of a conflict. His law partner, Thomas Bondurant, represented Reedy on a pro bono basis during the clemency process.

On Friday, Bondurant said the restitution would make a huge difference for Reedy, whos struggled to find a job until now because of his criminal convictions.

Hed get to have something to live on, Bondurant said.

McAuliffes office said the governor supports the budget amendment. It is the second restitution payment to be proposed this year.

The budget proposal McAuliffe rolled out on Dec. 17 included $1.1 million for Michael Kenneth McAlister, who was exonerated after serving 29 years in an attempted rape case from Richmond.

The governor pardoned McAlister in May.

Bondurant said its vital for the state to make restitution to those whove been wrongfully incarcerated.

I know the criminal justice system isnt perfect, he said. But when we know that an imperfection has occurred, the justice system should do just that, be just and make it right.
With the nations first presidential primary less than four weeks away, Gov. Terry McAuliffe will travel to New Hampshire this weekend for a series of campaign events to marshal volunteers and supporters for Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton.

McAuliffe, a close friend of Hillary Clinton and former President Bill Clinton, chaired the former secretary of states 2008 bid for the Democratic presidential nomination. He will make Granite State stops today and Sunday in Salem, Derry, Milford, Rochester and Hampton to rally supporters at grass-roots volunteer activities such as canvass kickoffs and phone banks.

The governor also recently stumped for Clinton in Iowa, which holds its presidential caucuses Feb. 1.

Recent polls show Clinton alternatively trailing, winning or tied with surging Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt. McAuliffes trip signals an escalation of effort by the campaign to boost her chances. Last week, Bill Clinton hit the road for his wife in New Hampshire, which holds its primary Feb. 9.

In Virginia, McAuliffe has sought universal background checks in the purchase of firearms and used executive action to roll back regulations that Democrats contend limit access to abortion providers.

In New Hampshire, he is expected to highlight Clintons battle with the gun lobby, her contrast with what the campaign terms extreme Republicans and to echo the candidates campaign theme of delivering for working families.

According to the Clinton campaign, at all of the grass-roots events, volunteers will encourage voters to support the campaign by signing a Commit to Vote card, pledging to vote for Clinton in the upcoming primary, the first in the nation.

Under New Hampshires primary rules, independent voters may vote in either the Republican or the Democratic primary, but registered party voters cannot cross lines to vote in the other partys primary.

The governors trip comes three days after the beginning of the Virginia General Assembly session and before the business of the legislature begins in earnest.

The session will overlap with Virginias March 1 presidential primary. Clinton leads Sanders and former Maryland Gov. Martin OMalley in polls of Virginia primary voters.

Virginia, with 13 electoral votes, is considered a crucial swing state in the upcoming election. President Barack Obama won the commonwealth in 2008 and 2012. He is the first Democratic presidential candidate to carry Virginia since President Lyndon Johnson in 1964.
The court will hear arguments this spring and rule before the end of the term in June.

Prosecutors said that in 2011 and 2012, McDonnell and his wife, Maureen, solicited and secretly accepted more than $175,000 in money and luxury goods from Virginia businessman Jonnie Williams. The Justice Department contended that in exchange he agreed to have his office help Williams seek favorable actions from the Virginia state government. McDonnell was convicted in 2014 on 11 counts and sentenced in 2015 to two years in prison.

McDonnells attorneys argue that his official acts were limited to routine political courtesies such as arranging meetings, asking questions and attending events. McDonnell never exercised any governmental power for his donor, promised to do so or pressured others to do so, his attorneys said.
Bonjour

Lamende, si vous vous presentez de vous meme, est de 500THB par jour au dela du deuxieme jour, donc dans votre cas vous allez depasser de 2 jours, donc 1 jour damende, donc 500THB

Il est important de vous presenter de vous meme aux authorites et de ne pas attendre et faire lair de rien, faute avouee a moitie pardonnee? non ?

Bon retour

je vous joint un copie/coller des sanctions venant du site de lambassade de Thailande.

lien complet : http://www.thaiembassy.com/thailand/overstay-visa-thailand.php

Sanctions

It is illegal to overstay your visa as it is a violation of immigration rules. Needless to say, you are also breaking the thai law. Overstaying is sanctioned under thai immigration procedures. Even if you overstay for just one day, legal actions could be taken up against your person. Usually though when you overstay for one day, it doesnt carry a fine with it. The fine of 500 baht per day of overstay only begins after the second day, so if your stay expired on the 15th of March and you only reported to the immigration by the 20th, your fine will only be 4 days of overstay or 2,000 baht.

However, just avoid getting yourself caught by the immigration police at all means. If by any reason they will stop you in a random check-up on your way to the airport, they will imprison you regardless of the length of time you overstayed, even if its just one day! Youll be confined in a jail until you can secure your flight outside Thailand or you can provide the money in payment for the fine. It remains a question though about you fixing things up when youre actually inside the jail, in that case just keep hoping that some friend or lawyer might assist you through the ordeal. Amnesty International observed that thai jails are cruel and degrading, so as much as you can do not attempt to overstay in the first place.
Finding a metallurgical flaw is a single aspect in todays advanced rail inspection practices.

{besps}January16_railflaw{/besps} {besps_c}0|railflaw1.jpg|Nordcos ONEPASS, a portable rail-flaw detection system designed to inspect a single rail in one pass.{/besps_c} {besps_c}0|railflaw2.jpg|Herzog Services, Inc., has outfitted a Polaris Hippo with rail gear to offer, what the company calls, a tidy package, which includes a hydraulic tool circuit, generator, welder and air compressor.{/besps_c} {besps_c}0|railflaw3.jpg|Sperrys Eddy Current Surface Crack Detection System was recently awarded the 2015 Innovation of the Year title from the UK National Railway Association.{/besps_c}

Finding a metallurgical flaw is a single aspect in todays advanced rail inspection practices.

Companies involved in the rail inspection market are producing equipment with better maneuverability, working to advance inspection analysis as more data is made available and combining technology in an effort to get the best assessment of rail health.

L.B. Foster Salient Systems

According to Mike Hudson, general manager, L.B. Foster Salient Systems, The development of our Rail Stress Monitor (RSM) system continues, with a number of engineering trials underway or planned for 2016, as more rail operators recognize the need to better understand and manage the thermal stresses that come with continuous welded rail (CWR) track structures. We have a number of customers across a wide range of rail operations that have deployed RSM in the U.S., Japan and South Africa. Originally developed with heavy-haul railroads in mind, we are also finding growing interest from global transits. As the need for rail neutral temperature (RNT) management becomes more apparent, the benefits of an RNT program to enhance both the safety and efficiency of rail operations will follow.

L.B. Foster Salient Systems notes that as one of the first companies to connect rail to a computer and then transmit data to an operator, it has been at the forefront of data acquisition and defect detection for the rail industry for more than 30 years.

Per Hudson, With more data available to our customers, both in type and volume, we are spending an ever-growing part of our time working with our customers to develop methods for performing trend analysis that, in years past, had largely been done manually. For example, with our Wheel Impact Load Detector and the Wheel Data Management System (WDMS), we are working with a number of customers to show how they can identify an empty car that, when loaded to capacity, would likely exhibit a wheel defect requiring maintenance action to avoid potentially catastrophic wheel or rail damage. The ability to perform repairs on rolling stock without pulling it from revenue service provides railroads with an opportunity to maintain velocity without compromising their asset health program.

With any of its track monitoring technology, Salient Systems says its true product is the actionable data that its systems provide. In 2015, the company collaborated with two North American Class 1 customers and a key provider of Radio Frequency Identification technology to develop an interoperability structure that allows a customer to cross-check multiple wayside detection systems to ensure consist integrity is maintained to a high degree of confidence.

Said Hudson, With this protocol, the ability to identify the source and location of a defect by any particular system, whether it has its own RFID tagging capability or not, is greatly enhanced. As the idea of Big Data management continues to mature, it will become more and more critical that data integrity  and the metadata derived with it  remains a key focus.

Hudson concluded, One offering that L.B. Foster provides to its Intellitrack Navigator (RSM data management suite) and WDMS customers is data hosting and data analysis services. Our ability to expand with our customers needs is virtually unlimited due to the use of an off-site Tier 4 data center (guaranteeing 99.995 percent availability) for hosting and our more than 140 years of combined experience in developing, deploying and analyzing rail-specific data for the industry. Next year, we plan to continue looking for new ways to develop processes and offerings that will help our customers not only maximize their current condition-based maintenance capabilities, but also move ahead with a more desired predictive maintenance paradigm.

Herzog Services, Inc.

Herzog Services, Inc. (HSI), calls 2015 another stellar year with the introduction of the Series 4000, UTV-based test system, as well as an all-new portable unit and the achievement of two safety milestones.

[HSI] has continuously [answered] the challenges of meeting customers needs while keeping safety first in mind, said Troy Elbert, assistant vice president, HSI.

The company was recognized in the Platinum category of the National Railroad Construction & Maintenance Association/RT&S Contractor of the Year Safety Awards, which means it scored a perfect 100 out of 100 on selected safety criteria. Additionally, the company was recognized by the National Safety Council with the Million Hours Worked Award for working more than 2.9 million hours without a lost-time injury; a feat more than 18 years in the making.

HSI notes that in addition to a superb year for the companys safety performance, the first Series 4000 ultrasonic test vehicle was commissioned in mid-2015. Elbert says that demand for the vehicle has grown and seven of the eight originally purchased units have been committed to Class 1 railroads with additional units on order.

The use for these versatile test systems has proven to be beyond being just a yard tester. The high maneuverability and versatility has shown to be useful in testing skipped sections of track, crossovers, industry spurs and a host of other structures, while providing cost savings to our customers, said Elbert. Herzogs R&D team continuously is developing ways to improve all systems and open doors for even more uses within our customer networks.

The Series 4000 venture led to a unique relationship between Polaris Industries, Medina, Minn., and HSI. From this relationship, a new product is being developed and aimed at providing yard maintenance personnel with a compact and powerful tool. The Polaris Hippo, based on a diesel-powered Ranger Crew has been outfitted with rail gear, can maneuver in tight spots and provides a hydraulic tool circuit, generator, welder and air compressor all in one tidy package. Elbert notes that with this smaller vehicle, it will be possible for maintenance crews to work within yard limits without the hassle of a larger, bulky truck.

Making data compatible with other test information, such as geometry, profile and other rail health related inspections, is on the forefront of solutions for our customers. Herzog Services, Inc., is currently underway with a project to index all ultrasonic test data and reporting to easily cross-correlate information with other data according to a chosen index, such as milepost or GPS coordinates, said Elbert.

Tim Coolman, R&D software manager added; In an effort to get the most out of our data, HSI is building a new database for storing rail test data. We have always captured and archived a wealth of information about our inspections and this project will make that data more accessible, allowing us to perform greater statistical analysis than ever before. By focusing on areas with high defect concentration, the new database will help us identify previously unseen trends that can be used to focus both our testing and auditing processes in a more proactive way.

Leveraging the power of the new database, we will develop many new tools, including better applications for our quality auditors and implementing features for evaluating and visualizing changes in rail conditions over time.

Because our data includes high resolution GPS information, we can create new mapping tools to query the data and visualize it geographically. We believe this will lead to the production of a rail health heat map of sorts  providing a clear high-level picture of our customers rail systems and what areas may benefit from special attention.

We will have the ability to integrate the database with our existing reporting services and will equip our clients with new tools to get a deeper look into their respective data sets. In addition to these new developments, our existing procedures and services will become increasingly more efficient. Herzog Services, Inc., has always strived for excellence in customer service and these technological advancements will make us more effective and responsive to customer needs.

Another hurdle that Herzog Services has been working on is complying with new regulations regarding commercial truck safety and Electronic Logging Devices.

Max Lafferty, director of transportation safety said, Regarding recent changes to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administrations Final Rule on Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs), Herzogs Transportation Safety Department is actively working with vendors to meet the implementation deadline. Herzog has been working with various product development teams of ELD manufactures to address the implications of rail-enabled vehicle applications within the ELD rule. Over the past year, this ongoing collaboration between Herzog and various product development teams have been critical to search for viable solutions to the new requirements, which will affect our unique equipment throughout the Herzog organization.

Elbert says the company is looking at 2016 as another opportunity to grow and expand its knowledge and expertise in the field of rail testing by focusing energies toward ongoing research and development of robust machinery paired with strict training regiments.

Nordco

Nordco, Inc., developed its ONEPASS during the past year. The portable solution was designed to inspect a single rail in a single pass over the rail. Nordco says the manual method of rail inspection is ideal for ultrasonic testing in rail yards, crossovers and plug rail applications.

The concept of testing a single rail ultrasonically is not new to the rail industry, but having a portable rail inspector equipped with A-Scan and B-Scan defect data views and pattern recognition and defect verification software is the first of its kind, said Bob Coakley, director, sales and marketing. ONEPASS is the first portable ultrasonic rail tester with the complete ultrasonic inspection capabilities of a full-sized inspection vehicle, including 11-channel wheel probe complete with side-looking transducers.

In 2015, Nordco partnered with ENSCO to integrate ENSCOs RailScan Lite Track Geometry Measurement System (RSL-TGMS) into Nordcos ultrasonic rail inspection vehicles. The technology marriage allows Nordco to simultaneously conduct ultrasonic inspection of the rails and measure rail geometry.

Dense foliage, bridges, tall buildings and other potential GPS signal blockers do not affect the RSL-TGMS because it incorporates differential GPS with an inertial navigation system to provide GPS coordinates every foot to measure gauge, horizontal alignment, longitudinal profile/surface, cross-level/super-elevation, twist/wrap and curvature.

ENSCOs RailScan is a state-of-the-art, non-contract optical and inertial sensor-based system that provides reliable, accurate measurement and recording of track geometry parameters for all track classes, said Coakley.

Sperry Rail Service

Sperry Rail Service notes that innovation has always been part of its culture to drive new technologies and concepts and its latest suite of products and services further advances a strategy the company calls Rail Health.

We are excited to continue this long standing history of innovation with the launch of several new products for 2016, said Jamie ORourke, president of Sperry Rail Service. 2016 will be an exciting year for the rail industry. The fundamental elements of rail-flaw detection have led to a new view of data collection and analysis.

Over the past 12 months, Sperry has continued to develop and deploy new technologies and services to its global customer base including its Surface Crack Detection System.

Sperrys director of global engineering, Simon Broomhead, noted, Our Surface Crack Detection System is now deployed both via pedestrian and vehicle-mounted platforms. The power of this product brings an enhanced level of data analysis to maintenance planning and management, which will ultimately influence key maintenance decisions and subsequent spending beyond what we are seeing today. Activities like pre-grinding, rail replacement planning and rail life predictability will all be impacted by the critical information this product yields to our customers.

Sperry was recently awarded the 2015 Innovation of the Year title from the United Kingdom National Railway Association. Sperrys new, patented innovation uses Eddy Current technology to measure rail contact fatigue (RCF), a metal flaw that develops in the rail head of every operational railway in the world and a contributing factor in several derailments.

Sperrys Eddy Current technology covers the entire rail head and measures crack depth up to five millimeters. The result is a C-Scan data file, which illustrates the location and severity of RCF. Sperry says it has designed and developed the technology during the past 10 years to provide a solution to a problem that affects the global rail industry.

Sperry notes it has also advanced its continuous or non-stop testing program to provide a more efficient, less intrusive means of ultrasonic inspection than that of the traditional stop and verify testing. Utilizing both rail bound and hi-rail vehicles, Sperry has developed software to remove the highly-stressful operator environment from the mix, allowing the operators to focus strictly on the collection of good data. By analyzing the data offsite in a controlled environment, the analysis teams are able to share best practices, experiences and trend data to previous tests.

Sperry says launching the verification teams with the companys patented location technology results in less track occupancy, while providing highly accurate data collection and suspect locations.

Sperry has deployed additional technologies aimed at meeting the multi-functional needs of its customers and providing a complementary suite of services to the core UT testing.

By providing multiple technologies deployed on one vehicle, Sperry is able to address the track occupancy limitations of our customers, while engaging various technologies that support and enhance our UT testing regimes. Patented products, such as our Joint Bar Crack Detection System, Induction and our Vision inspection system, add to our complete suite of technologies aimed at helping our customers to operate efficiently and, most importantly, safely, said, Frank Stillman, director of operations for North America.

The Big Data term is becoming commonplace in the industry and is certainly becoming the topic of many discussions with our customer base, said ORourke. A traditional rail inspection service provides two key pieces of information: where was the track tested and what was found. This is sufficient for a process where rail is maintained and replaced on the basis of numbers and types of defects. However, a reactive process like this can be inefficient and risks catastrophic failure by having only one real defense against rail breaks and derailments  that of test frequency.

Sperry notes that the focus on Big Data is a drive to make better use of all data captured, which the company identified a few years ago in its strategy called Rail Health, which emphasizes that the main function of the system is to display and report on everything that can be known about the health of each asset in the railroad track.

Sperry partnered with its railroad customers to integrate all inspection results, including its new Eddy Current surface condition measurement system, to provide tools aimed at making the railroad safer and that also allow for more efficient use of maintenance budgets for more accurate rail repair and replacement.

Using the knowledge of the health of each asset and our vast historical databases, the railroad engineering and maintenance teams can now calculate predictions on where service failures are most likely to occur  and just as importantly bring in GIS data to identify the severity of the consequence of a failure in those locations, said Dave Corby, director of software development.

Sperry also points out that processing all of the available data into usable information not only provides the railroads with proactive tools for maintenance, but also reduces operator dependence. Feeding back health information to the inspection system provides the system operator with expert knowledge of the track to be tested.

Working together, with all of the vast quantities of data we have available, we are creating tools to make the railroads safer by reducing service failures and derailments, said Corby.
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British officer of Blackwater killed in Taiz





TAIZ, Jan. 16 (Saba)  A British officer of the Blackwater forces in Yemen was killed in Taiz province on Friday, a military official said.



The officer, Dominique Stellark, was killed in a military operation targeted a gathering of mercenaries in al-Sanmah area in al-Waze'yah district of Taiz province, the official explained.



The missile force of the army targeted also a point of the aggression hirelings in northern al-Ahyouq junction, killing and wounding a number of them, the official added.



On Friday, the Saudi led-coalition warplanes waged raids in Taiz city, targeting Sala neighborhood in southeast of the city and the areas of Habeel Salman and al-Barh, leaving casualties and damage to dozens of buildings in the targeted areas.



The hostile raids targeted also Hawzan area in Thubab coastal district in Taiz.



HA/BA

Saba

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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
I am proud to be sponsored by Wildlife Watching Supplies, Please check out their website here
The Marinwood CSD did not want to share it with the public. As a continuing public service, we will post videos of our local CSD meetings...
Pune, India -- (SBWIRE) -- 01/16/2016 -- The report "High Purity Gas/Ultra High Purity Gas/Pure Gas Market - Global Forecast to 2020", The high purity gases market size is estimated to grow from USD 20,836.6 Million in 2015 to USD 28,164.0 Million by 2020, at a CAGR of 6.2% from 2015 to 2020. The market has been segmented on the basis of major regions such as North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Rest of the World (RoW), wherein their value and volume has been projected. The size of the markets in key countries has also been covered and projected.



Browse 161 market data tables and 59 figures spread through 213 pages and in-depth TOC on High Purity Gas/Ultra High Purity Gas/Pure Gas Market - Global Forecast to 2020.



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Growing demand in the electronics and metal production sectors are the major drivers



The global high purity gases market is driven by factors which include strong growth in sectors such as the electronics and metal production industries among others. High demand from chemical and automotive advancements in terms of product innovations and technologies in the market are expected to create strong investment opportunities. Regulatory and structural instructions are expected to be the strongest restraints for the industry. High cost of gas processing is the major challenge, whereas fluctuating demand patterns and advancements of alternative technologies are projected to be the burning issues for the market.



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Noble gases to contribute maximum market share



The noble gases segment is projected to be the largest market for the global high purity gases market. It covers a variety of applications, including arc welding and cutting, as well as in the production of titanium, zirconium, and other metals. It is also used as lifting gas in balloons, as a coolant in nuclear reactors, and for growing germanium and silicon crystals for transistors



China is expected to attain the largest market share in the Asia- Pacific high purity gases market



China is expected to have the largest market share and dominate the Asia- Pacific high purity gases market from 2015 to 2020. The growing economy, rising metal production, and electronics market exhibits high potential growth opportunities for the high purity gases market in China.



The major players include Praxair Inc. (U.S.), Airgas Inc. (U.S.), The Linde Group (Germany), Air Liquide S.A. (France), and Air Products and Chemicals Inc. (U.S.). Other players in this market include Iwatani Corporation (Japan), Messer Group (Germany), Iceblick Ltd. (Ukraine), Matheson Tri-Gas Inc. (U.S.), and Advanced Specialty Gases Inc. (U.S.). Companies have adopted organic growth strategies such as mergers and acquisitions to cope with the increasing demand in the emerging markets.



The scope of the report covers detailed information regarding the major factors influencing the growth of the high purity gases market such as drivers, restraints, challenges, and opportunities. A detailed analysis of the key industry players has been done to provide insights into their business overview, products and services, key strategies, and recent developments associated with the market.



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Power plants and factories are increasingly at risk by employing industrial control systems that are vulnerable to hacks. The Department of Homeland and Security's Industrial Control Systems Cyber Emergency Response Team (ICS-CERT) issued this particular warning after increase in cyber-attacks occurred the past year.

Industrial control systems are computers that control processes in the industry that includes food manufacturing facilities, steel mills and energy plants. Being connected to the Internet makes them more exposed to cyber-attacks and this is one of the most dangerous thing that can happen to energy plants.

"We see more and more that are gaining access to that control system layer," Marty Edwards, who runs the Department of Homeland Security's Industrial Control Systems Cyber Emergency Response Team.

Even those security-heavy highly sensitive and classified networks are impossible to isolate completely. This will allow hackers to exploit vulnerabilities and gain access in different computers across the network.

Edwards did not cite any specific incidents when this case happened, but it is safe to assume that these cyber-attacks executed on systems would cause panic among the US populations when publicized.

Ukraine had suffered a coordinated cyber-attack in its electric utility last month causing a massive blackout. This might be one of the reasons why the Department of Homeland and Security, specifically the ICS-ERT, for being wary of the industrial control systems' vulnerability to hacking.

"I am very dismayed at the accessibility of some of these networks. ... They are just hanging right off the tubes," Mr. Edwards told attendees at the S4 conference.

It has also been reported that US cyber experts are assisting the Ukrainian government in investigating the cyber-attack on its power grid. The ICS-ERT also confirmed that the malware used in the Ukrainian attacks have the same code similarities with the malware used against critical power infrastructure in the United States.
Detection dogs may help researchers map bear habitat. Scientists have used a new method using "detection dogs," genetic analysis and scientific models in order to assess habitat suitability for bears in an area linking the Great Yellowstone Ecosystem to the norther U.S. Rockies.

The new method may be huge when it comes to offering an effective, non-invasive approach to the collection of data that may help with the recovery of grizzly bears.

"The use of detection dogs allowed us to quantify and map key areas of habitat for black bears in the Centennial Mountains located along the Idaho-Montana border west of Yellowstone National Park," said John Beckmann, one of the researchers, in a news release. "Black bears are a proxy species useful for predicting likely grizzly bear habitat. With recovery, a larger grizzly bear population needs room to roam and to reconnect with other populations."

In this latest study, two Labrador retrievers and two German shepherds located 616 scat samples of black bears and 24 of grizzly bears in the 965 square mile study area. The researchers plugged the scat sample location data into their scientific model, and then examined the landscape with respect to habitat parameters, private lands, public land management and human activity in the area.

So what did they find? It turns out that bears use habitat that is farther from roads. Bears also used a habitat less if it's high elevation or privately owned. This, in particular, may tell researchers a bit more about how best to manage bear habitat.

The findings are published in the journal Western North American Naturalist.

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COLUMBIA, S.C. -- Gov. Nikki Haley wants to start phasing in a 10 cent-a-gallon gas tax increase and a huge cut in the states income tax.

Haleys proposal for the state budget, unveiled Friday, outlines her priorities for the states fiscal year that starts July 1  a year when the state will have more than $1 billion in added revenues. S.C. lawmakers will begin writing the state budget next month.

The Republican governor wants to spend $345 million more on roads, including $231 million in one-time money and $49 million from her proposed gas tax increase, to be phased in over three years.

Haleys road spending proposal is just shy of the $400 million a year in added spending that she says is needed to maintain S.C. roads and bridges. However, it is only about a quarter of the $1.5 billion a year in added spending the state Transportation Department has estimated it needs to repair, maintain and expand the states roads, bridges and mass transit systems.

Haleys budget proposal was met with skepticism by legislators.

Some said it did not do enough for roads. Others said her proposed income tax cut is wrongheaded.

She cant address a $40 billion shortfall (for roads) with $400 million, said S.C. House Minority Leader Todd Rutherford, D-Richland, referring to the Transportation Departments estimated shortfall through 2040. Its not even close. Its not a drop in the bucket.

Haley included $131 million in her budget proposal to phase in the first year of a 2 percentage-point cut in the states income tax rates.

Last year, Haley tied her acceptance of a gas tax hike to cutting the states income tax by two percentage points over 10 years. That proposal would reduce the states highest tax rate, now 7 percent, to 5 percent.

Critics have said that, when fully phased in, Haleys income tax cut would cut $1.8 billion a year from state revenues while her proposed gas tax hike would add only about $350 million a year for road repairs, forcing cuts to state services, including education.

Under Haleys plan, the average taxpayer would get a $623 tax break. An estimated 1.1 million S.C. residents would get no tax break because they do not make enough to pay income taxes. But they would have to pay the higher gas taxes. Meanwhile, the wealthiest 379 S.C. taxpayers would see their income taxes cut by $145,784 each, according to 2015 estimates.

Rutherford said he has not had a single constituent ask for an income tax cut. Instead, Richland County residents want their roads fixed and for the state to do more for schools. Citizens understand they have to pay for those things and theyre ready to do so, he said.

But Haley again vowed Friday to veto anything that is a net tax increase.

Haleys tax-cut proposal will face legislative opposition, including from fellow Republicans.

I dont think tax cuts belong in a budget, said S.C. House Ways and Means chairman Brian White, R-Anderson.

Instead, tax-cut proposals should be debated as free-standing legislation, White said. He added lawmakers must weigh the states unfunded liabilities when considering tax cuts, including the multi-billion-dollar deficit in states pension system.

State Rep. Gary Simrill, R-York, said it is time to put more money into infrastructure. The state needs to catch up on years of Great Recession-era budget cuts, when spending was slashed on buildings, law enforcement, education and infrastructure.

In her budget proposal, Haley makes education spending a top priority.

The governor suggests spending $300 million more on schools, including $165 million to increase to $2,300 a student the amount that schools get based on their enrollment. That is an increase of $80 per student. But it only would put a small dent in the added $684 million that state law says South Carolina should be spending on K-12 schools.

Haley also wants to spend $3.7 million to study the condition of the states school buildings. Earlier this week, Haley proposed that the state borrow up to $200 million a year to renovate blighted school buildings or build new ones. However, that borrowing likely would not start until 2018, Haleys last year in office.

Haleys other spending proposals include:

$165 million for flood recovery, including the states match for flood relief money from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and $49 million to pay the states share of repair costs for roads and bridges damaged by the flood. Haley also proposes spending another $40 million for beach renourishment and roughly $700,000 for seven new employees at the state Department of Health and Environmental Control to regulate dams. In its initial budget request, the environmental agency asked for $595,000 for inspectors.

$113 million to pay local governments the amount that state law says they should receive from the state. The state pays counties and municipalities for state services that the local governments provide. However, local governments have not received the full amount that state law says they should get from the state since the start of the Great Recession. Local governments have argued that being shortchanged by the state forces them to raise taxes.

$96 million for the states retirement system to defer a 0.5 percent increase in pension costs that would be shared by state workers and their employers.

Richland County state senators proposed a 5 percent across-the-board pay increase for S.C. state employees earlier this week. However, Haley only included raises for school bus drivers and Corrections Department employees

Well take the governors recommendations of how to spend the money, and well take that into consideration, White said, adding that his committee has been interviewing state agencies about their budget requests.
NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. -- As they battled on the presidential campaign trail, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush would call U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham to talk about ideas on national security, an expertise of the Seneca Republican.

After Graham dropped out of the race on Dec. 21, their chats continued. Meanwhile, most of Grahams S.C. backers endorsed Bush, the son and brother of two presidents, having worked on George H.W. Bushs and George W. Bushs successful Palmetto State presidential primary wins.

Graham, as expected, endorsed Jeb Bush on Friday.

Graham said last week he would need to see if he had damaged himself in South Carolina with his presidential run before endorsing a GOP candidate. Citing his military experience and knowledge of national security, the top concern of GOP voters, Graham concluded, I have earned the right to be listened to.

Graham said he picked Bush because he is the steady candidate who, in the senators opinion, can best aid the country, divided during the administration of Democratic President Barack Obama and seeking better solutions to defeat radical Islamic terrorists.

He didnt talk the most last night, but he made the most sense, Graham said of Bushs performance in the GOP presidential debate Thursday in North Charleston.

Graham has said he would not endorse the top two GOP national front-runners, Donald Trump or U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas. He thinks their harsh, uncompromising views divide the party, driving away potential supporters.

Everything we learned for the 2012 election, he has ignored, Graham said last week of Trump.

Bush echoed Grahams sentiment about Trump during the debate, saying the New York billionaires proposed temporary ban on allowing Muslims to enter the country would undermine U.S. foreign policy.

Bush said Friday that having Graham, the races top national-security expert, on his side should help win over GOP voters.

How much, however, is unclear. Grahams support in his home state was hovering at only around 2 percent before he dropped out of the presidential race.

Bush needs a big push as voters start to cast ballots next month. He is running fifth in national polls and most polls of voters in early primary-voting states, including South Carolina, according to averages compiled by Real Clear Politics.

His endorsement of my candidacy is a huge validator of what kind of president I would be, Bush said.

Graham said Bush showed confidence in his willingness to call him to seek national security advice while they both were competing for the GOP nomination.

I learned a long time ago that I know what I dont know, and it gives me a huge advantage over some of the larger egos on the stage, Bush said.

Grahams announcement leaves two top S.C. Republicans, U.S. Sen. Tim Scott and Gov. Nikki Haley, who have not endorsed a candidate.

Scott is expected to back U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida.

U.S. Rep. Trey Gowdy, a close Scott friend and ally, has endorsed Rubio. The Spartanburg Republican campaigned with Rubio and spoke to reporters on the senators behalf in the spin room after Thursdays GOP debate in North Charleston.

Haley has said she could endorse a White House hopeful before South Carolinas Feb. 20 Republican presidential primary. Haley backed former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney in the states 2012 primary. Romney lost that primary but went on to win the GOP nomination.
The convention requires for ratification by states controlling a combined 35% of the global fleet by tonnage, however, it has now been found that despite Morocco, Indonesia and Ghana ratifying last November the threshold has not been reached.

After tonnage figures for Indonesia were verified by IHS Maritime & Trade it was found that the 47 countries that have ratified the convention control 34.56% of the global fleet by tonnage. Had the 35% threshold been reached the convention would have come into force on 24 November 2016, this will now not happen, and it will not come into force until at least 2017.

IMO secretary-general Kitack Lim said, The recent ratifications have brought the BWM Convention so very close to entry into force. While we cannot predict exactly when that will happen, I would urge countries that have not done so to ratify the BWM Convention as soon as possible so that we can establish a certain date for entry into force, and also so that it is widely accepted when it does.

In particular, those countries with large merchant fleets that have not done so, are requested to accelerate their processes to ratify the convention.

The convention will likely be ratified later in the year as the worlds largest flag-state Panama has started the accession process, although this will take several months. Finland had been expected to ratify the convention last November but as yet has not done so.

The BWM Convention will come into force one year after it reaches the required level of ratification.
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The name is new, but the mighty surge of energy, the superb dancing, the theatrical flair and the philosophical aspirations are still there. Company Wayne McGregor, known as Random Dance during its last visit here in 2014, returned to Yerba Buena Center for the Arts Theater on Thursday evening, Jan. 14, with the West Coast premiere of Atomos (2014), and the performing by the nine dancers delivered 69 minutes of thrills. But what do they all mean? The finale of San Francisco Performances dance season is an enigma.

However, this is the most gripping of the four McGregor works that I have seen with the British choreographers own company. McGregors uninhibited movement style always seems a mite cautious when he makes dances for a ballet troupe (perhaps for fear of inflicting permanent injury), but here on home ground, the results are disarming. In earlier encounters, Ive often felt that McGregor was imposing meaning. Here that meaning strives at times to arise from the choreography.
YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK  The spectacular view of snow-capped El Capitan and Half Dome glimmering from behind a shroud of mist elicited gasps, but not even mind-altering beauty was enough to lift the wounded spirits in Yosemite Valley.

Its obscene! cried George Lloyd, 67, of Placerville (El Dorado County), as he stood Friday at the Tunnel View lookout, a panorama of magnificence rising behind him.

Lloyd wasnt lamenting the sight, but the decision by Yosemite National Park to change the names of some of the worlds most beloved destinations  including the regal Ahwahnee Hotel, the tent-city of Curry Village and the Badger Pass ski area  in the face of a complex trademark lawsuit filed by the parks ousted concessionaire.

This whole valley is part of our history, Lloyd said, sweeping his hand toward the huge granite haven seized from Native Americans nearly two centuries ago. How can you put a value on something like this? It is beyond value.

Thats precisely the opposite position of the one taken by Delaware North, of Buffalo, N.Y. The operator of Yosemite concessions for the past 23 years, which claims the parks famous names became its intellectual property, wants $51 million from Aramark, of Philadelphia, the company that beat it out for the contract in June and is set to take over in March.

Lawsuit to continue

Yosemite spokesman Scott Gediman said Delaware North acquired trademarks without telling the National Park Service, and had no right to do so. The government intends to continue fighting the lawsuit, but decided for now that it couldnt risk burdening Aramark with the potential payment and a possible court-ordered closure of disputed facilities.

As of March 1, the Ahwahnee will be rechristened the Majestic Yosemite Hotel. Curry Village will become Half Dome Village, and Badger Pass Ski Area will become the Yosemite Ski and Snowboard Area. The Wawona Hotel will be called Big Trees Lodge, while Yosemite Lodge at the Falls will get a smaller tweak, turning into Yosemite Valley Lodge.

The announcement had the peculiar result of producing no apparent winners. Everyone on all sides is upset.

Gediman said it would cost at least $1 million for the park to alter signs, websites, brochures, newspapers and even garbage cans with stenciled names of various facilities. Delaware North was miffed not to get any money, and it accused the park of souring public opinion toward the company.

Its all about money

And in Yosemite Valley, the name changes were not, shall we say, endorsed either by Yosemite visitors or workers at Curry Village. There, a few lonely campers tromped around in the snow between the ice-encrusted tent cabins.

I hate to see the change, personally, said Travis DeWees, 32, a cashier and team leader at the Curry Village Gift Shop and an employee of Delaware North. The names are history. The Curry family started this camp (in 1899) and the Ahwahnee is what the Native Americans called Yosemite Valley.

Its very unfortunate, but thats the way capitalism works, he said. Its all about money.

Craig Mole, a 66-year-old professional photographer from San Francisco, said changing the name of the Ahwahnee Hotel would be a tragedy.

Its just not right to call a hotel with such beauty, tradition and class The Majestic, he said, shaking his head as he snapped pictures of granite cliffs shining brilliantly amid puffs of mist in the sun. Youll have to ask, Can I stay here if I still call it the Ahwahnee?

Visitors chilly reception

Indeed, the valleys frosty angst emanated Friday from the Ahwahnee. Danielle Fox, 45, crunched her face into a grimace when the word Majestic was uttered.

Its crazy. Its absurd, she said as she sat by a roaring fire in the vast wood and stone lodge with her 8-year-old son, Nicholas. I mean, cmon! The Ahwahnee and Yosemite go together. The Majestic Yosemite sounds like something in Disneyland.

Bill Feeser, 65, of Redding, sat with a group of friends eating lunch on the Ahwahnee patio suggesting better names: Why dont they just make it Ah Wahnee, or put a third e on the end, he suggested.

Or call it The Hotel Formerly Known as the Ahwahnee, offered his wife, Jackie Feeser. If Prince can do it, why not the Ahwahnee?

Several visitors joked about making a run on Yosemite gift shops and buying up all the souvenirs with the old names on them, but there was no evidence of such a stampede on Friday  only a mood of deep insult.

You get to the point where you say, What else is going to be screwed by some legal issue? Bill Feeser said. They are taking something that we all own.

Peter Fimrite is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. E-mail: pfimrite@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @pfimrite
John Busterud, a former state assemblyman and chairman of the Presidents Council on Environmental Quality, held office in a different time, when San Francisco elected Republicans and being associated with President Richard Nixon was not the political kiss of death.

Mr. Busterud died this month at his home in San Rafael. He was 94.

Born in Coos Bay, Ore., on March 7, 1921, Mr. Busterud graduated with honors from the University of Oregon in 1943. He served as an officer in World War II with the 90th Infantry Division. His battalion captured German gold reserves and art treasures, and Mr. Busterud was awarded the Bronze Star and Combat Infantry Badge.

After the war, Mr. Busterud graduated from Yale Law School and moved to San Francisco, where he started his career as an attorney with the Brobeck, Phleger and Harrison firm. He married Anne Witwer in 1953, and they had three children and settled in the Haight-Ashbury.

Mr. Busterud served three terms in the Legislature  from 1956 to 1962  representing that part of San Francisco in the Assembly, where he rose to become minority leader. He was the last Republican to represent the Haight, said his son, John.

In 1962, Mr. Busterud decided to seek higher office, and ran for state treasurer on the Republican ticket with Nixon, who had lost the 1960 presidential race to John F. Kennedy and was a candidate for governor. His son recalled the family packing into a Dodge motor home and cruising around the state on the campaign trail, rolling from county fair to county fair.

Mr. Busterud and the rest of the Republican ticket went down to defeat with Nixon, who lost to Democratic incumbent Gov. Pat Brown.

Mr. Busterud returned to practicing law, but also headed the Commonwealth Club and became president of Save the Marin Headlands. Nixon was elected president in 1968, and in 1971 appointed Mr. Busterud to be the first deputy assistant secretary of defense for environmental quality. President Gerald Ford named Mr. Busterud to the Presidents Council on Environmental Quality, and Mr. Busterud also represented the United States as a delegate at the Law of the Sea Convention in Geneva.

After serving in Washington, Mr. Busterud returned to the Bay Area, where he founded Resolve, an environmental mediation foundation.

Mr. Busterud was a politician in a far less partisan time, his son said.

He enjoyed the respect of people on both sides of the aisle, he said. He was a man of moderation and had a great sense of humor.

Mr. Busteruds wife died last year. He is survived by two sons, John of San Francisco and James of New York City; his daughter, Mollie of Los Angeles; and seven grandchildren. A memorial service will be scheduled.

Michael Cabanatuan is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. E-mail: mcabanatuan@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @ctuan
Roughly two dozen protesters occupied the downtown office of a lawyer Friday who they say has refused to negotiate with a church pastor who was evicted from his San Francisco home of 20 years

The nearly three-hour protest came a day after Yul Dorn, a pastor at Emmanuel Church of God and Christ and a San Francisco Sheriffs Department chaplain, was arrested along with three supporters when he refused to leave his Bayview home after sheriffs deputies went there to enforce an eviction notice.

Dorn, who is also a case manager at the Community Justice Center, and his wife had lived in the home since 1995, according to a statement released by the Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment, but ran afoul of his mortgage due to payments being misapplied by his lender, Chase bank.

The bank stopped accepting payments and sold a loan Dorn had on the house, which led to a foreclosure and purchase of the home by Quan He, who protesters referred to as a real estate speculator.

Dorn was served with an eviction notice Dec. 22 and was told that he had until Jan. 13 to vacate.

We have seen many of our black families leave San Francisco  priced out, pushed out. It is time to hold Chase bank and real estate speculators accountable, Dorn said in a statement.

That was the intent of the protesters who assembled Friday and marched into the offices of Andres Sanchez, who is representing He. The group demanded a meeting with Sanchez, who they claim had verbally agreed on Wednesday to terms wherein Dorn would be allowed to stay in his home while they worked on a permanent solution.

That agreement was never communicated to the sheriffs deputies sent Thursday to enforce the eviction. Protesters said two days worth of frantic phone calls and e-mails to Sanchez and He were not returned, leading them to take direct action and occupy the law offices Friday afternoon.

While Sanchez was present, he refused to leave his office to meet with protesters, instead telling police Capt. David Lazar, who worked as an intermediary, that the case was closed and there was nothing to discuss. Office workers were visibly perturbed as the sometimes tense standoff dragged into two and three hours.

Protesters repeatedly asked if the terms previously agreed upon were still on the table, but got no definitive answer. With Sanchez demanding arrests and threatening restraining orders from behind the closed door of his office, the group decided to give up the occupation, but promised their efforts were far from done.

All we want is for Quan He to negotiate with the terms we agreed to on Wednesday, Eller said, shortly after the protest wrapped up. But were getting mixed messages between him and his lawyer and meanwhile this family is being ripped apart.

Kale Williams is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. E-mail: kwilliams@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @sfkale
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Walmart will close 269 stores by the end of the month, with the Oakland location among those on the international list, company officials announced Friday.

In Oakland, employees and city officials expressed shock, and some speculated that the citys minimum-wage law played a part in the decision to shutter the store there. The Walmart in San Jose, which also boosted the minimum wage, will shut as well. The two stores in San Leandro, which has no minimum-wage law that supersedes the states, will remain open.

I think it really is a little discouraging, said Oakland C ouncilman Larry Reid, who learned of the closure in an early-morning phone call. The minimum wage in the city of Oakland played a factor, was one of the factors, they considered in closing the stores.

The loss of Walmart deals a significant blow to Oakland as the giant retailer ranked among the citys top 25 sales-tax producers. The city, however, said it was barred by law from disclosing how much sales-tax revenue the store provided.

Mayor optimistic

Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf said the citys first priority will be helping the employees find new jobs. The economic cost related to the closure will only be temporary, she added.

The loss in tax revenue as a result of the closure will not be permanent, she said. The growing strength of the Oakland market will allow us to quickly put that site to new use in a way that benefits the residents of East Oakland and our city as a whole.

The company said it will close 154 U.S. locations, including all 102 Walmart Express stores, a smaller version of the box store. Walmart has 11,000 stores worldwide.

Actively managing our portfolio of assets is essential to maintaining a healthy business, Doug McMillon, Walmarts president and CEO, said in a statement. Closing stores is never an easy decision, but it is necessary to keep the company strong and positioned for the future.

While most of the stores will close Jan. 28, Oakland was among those that will shutter Sunday, when the doors are locked for good at 7 p.m. When Oaklands Walmart opened in 2005, 11,000 people applied for jobs. The store employed 400.

I saw it on the news, said Vickie, a woman who declined to give her last name, as she arrived for her shift at the store on Edgewater Drive in East Oakland. It makes me sick.

One of the stores phone operators, Vickie said shes worked at the store for nine years  nine years worth of friends, she said wiping away a tear.

The stores workers will stay on to close out the store and move inventory through mid-February, said Walmart spokeswoman Delia Garcia. They will be given priority for job openings at other stores, but if they dont have a job by Feb. 10, they will receive an additional 60 days of pay and then a severance package that includes a week of pay for every year employed.

Still, the closure was a blow to many Oakland residents.

All the things we come to buy because over here its cheaper compared to other stores, said Noe Barrajas, who had just purchased soda and other items in the store, adding that he lives in East Oakland and the store is convenient. Im not happy.

On Friday afternoon, the parking lot was packed and customers streamed through the doors, only a few stopping to read the notice of closure on the sliding doors.

I dont understand why its closing, said Shaunt Azizian, who was buying some bottled water for his workplace nearby. I feel terrible for Oakland. Its one thing after the next.

Councilman Noel Gallo said the closure was a loss of the kind of entry-level positions that can help people get back on their feet.

Economic blow

Certainly losing a Walmart is a blow to the city of Oakland, especially East Oakland, he said. What Oakland needs more of is jobs.

One worker, who didnt want to give her name given the potential loss of future opportunities, was angry at her corporate employer.

Its obvious theres a huge need for a large store like this in the area, she said. For a billion-dollar company to do this is unthinkable.

The closures were based on a stores financial performance, among other considerations, and Walmart is managing its portfolio and will continue to grow, adding seven new stores in California in the coming months, Garcia said.

She declined to specifically address whether the minimum wage was part of the consideration in closing the Oakland location, which was among nine California stores on the list.

Oaklands minimum wage, approved by voters in 2014, is $12.55 an hour, compared with $10.30 in San Jose and $10 statewide.

As I told the Walmart representative, I am very frustrated, Reid said. I thought they'd be around for a while.

Jill Tucker is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. E-mail: jtucker@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @jilltucker
A man accused of killing a teenage woman from San Francisco and leaving her half-buried in the sand at Pescadero State Beach 32 years ago was cleared of charges and released from custody in San Mateo County Thursday, authorities said.

The case against John Joseph Scott, 68, was dropped due to insufficient evidence, authorities said.

We acquired some additional information, said San Mateo County District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe. The evidence does not support that hes the killer.

According to Scott, his November arrest was the third time he was identified as a suspect in the killing of 19-year-old Sharon Ray, whose hand was spotted poking out of the sand by sightseers on Oct. 30, 1983, north of Pescadero Creek. She had been sexually assaulted and strangled.

Scott, who then was 35, was said to have been identified as a suspect in the original investigation, because he was the last person seen with Ray in San Franciscos Tenderloin neighborhood.

But the case then could not be prosecuted due to insufficient evidence, according to sheriffs officials, and the investigation went cold only for it to be reopened last year along with a slew of other cold cases identified by authorities as having possible DNA evidence that could enable a break.

Evidence sent to the county crime lab yielded a DNA profile of the suspect, sheriffs officials said, which pointed to Scott as the killer.

Scott fought the charges from the beginning, refusing to waive extradition.

I beat this case twice already, he said at his first court appearance in Kingman, Ariz., according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal. This is the third time theyve picked me up on this.

Scott was extradited to San Mateo County at the end of December, according to his attorney, Brian Getz. Wagstaffe said his office flew Scott to Las Vegas, the closest airport to his Arizona home, and provided him the means to return.

Getz said though his client was relieved to have the case against him dropped, he felt terrible that an innocent woman, Sharon Ray, was murdered and they cant find who did it.

The difficulties that he encountered in the two months in jail is nothing compared to the trauma that was visited on Sharon Rays family and the frustration they must be feeling with the killer still unaccounted for, he said.

Wagstaffe said the sheriffs office is continuing the investigation into Rays killing.

We are in the middle of some fast investigative work, he said. But at this point, weve concluded it is not John Scott.

Vivian Ho is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. E-mail: vho@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @VivianHo
San Francisco police arrested the man suspected in the beating death of an elderly North Beach portait artist with help from surveillance video released to the public, authorities said Friday.

Collin R. White, 38, was arrested at his San Francisco home on Jan. 7 after authorities were able to identify the man from video released days earlier, said Officer Albie Esparza, a police spokesman.

The San Francisco District Attorneys office charged White with four felonies: involuntary manslaughter, assault with force likely to cause great bodily injury with an elder abuse enhancement. He was also charged with battery with serious bodily injury, and elder abuse, with another enhancement for causing death, officials said.

In what police called an unprovoked attack, White allegedly beat 74-year-old sketch artist Stuart Jackson, who was standing at a bus stop at Van Ness Avenue and Market Street when he was attacked about 2 p.m. on Dec. 5.

Jackson fell during the assault and hit his head on the pavement. He was rushed to the hospital, but later died from his injuries.

Officers have yet to determine a motive for the violent attack, as White did not rob Jackson and it appears they did not know each other, police said.

Jackson liked to sketch in various bars and coffee shops in North Beach, his older brother Bob Jackson said.

Marc Dierkes, a friend of Jackson, said he was a one-of-a-kind resident in the area.

He was kind of a unique, local character and a lot of people were familiar with him, Dierkes, 60, said in December. Im still sorting through it.

White was arraigned Thursday and pleaded not guilty, said Alex Bastian, a district attorney spokesman. He remained in custody with bail set at $400,000.

Jenna Lyons is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. E-mail: jlyons@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @JennaJourno
CHICAGO  Unions representing Chicago police officers are fighting for the destruction of tens of thousands of documents from disciplinary files dating back several decades, just as activists and community leaders are demanding more transparency from a department under intense scrutiny after several controversial police shootings.

The two unions contracts with the city stipulate that the records, including complaints alleging misconduct, be destroyed after five years in most cases if no litigation is ongoing. The city says it has had to keep the files because of federal court orders issued in litigation going back to the 1990s. But the unions say they only recently discovered they still existed when the city informed them it would release all documents as part of a massive public records request by several newspapers.
The Michigan attorney general opened an investigation Friday into the lead contamination of Flints drinking water, hours after the governor asked President Obama to declare the problem a federal emergency, opening the way for more assistance from Washington.

In a statement, Attorney General Bill Schuette said Friday that the investigation would determine what, if any, Michigan laws were violated in the process that resulted in the contamination crisis forcing Flints 100,000 residents to rely on bottled water for drinking, cooking and bathing. The state has says it has identified 43 people suffering from elevated levels of lead, which poisons the nervous system and stunts brain development in children.

The crisis is already under investigation by the Environmental Protection Agency and federal prosecutors.

Schuette did not specify which people or agencies might be the subjects of the investigation. But the recent report from a task force appointed by Gov. Rick Snyder blamed the state Department of Environmental Quality, saying that the officials there had taken a lax approach to enforcement and that they responded to concerns about Flints water with aggressive dismissal, belittlement and attempts to discredit these efforts and the individuals involved.

Findings by researchers at Virginia Tech who looked into the lead poisoning were even more damning. They reported that state officials not only ignored complaints about the smell, taste and color of the water, but also lied about the poisoning and tried to conceal evidence.

Calling the situation a human tragedy, Schuette said in a statement that his investigation would begin immediately. While everyone acknowledges that mistakes were made, he said, my duty as attorney general requires that I conduct this investigation.

Schuette, a Republican, is considered a likely a candidate for governor. Snyder, also a Republican, cannot run again because of term limits.

In a cost-cutting move, Flint, a financially troubled, low-income city, switched in early 2014 from taking Lake Huron water from Detroits system, to drawing water from the Flint River. The river water is more corrosive, causing lead to leach from pipes. The city switched back to using Detroit water last fall, months after state health officials had documented a spike in lead poisoning among Flints children, but it is unclear how long the leaching will continue.

The decision to switch was made while the city was under the control of an emergency manager appointed by Snyder; the city was in state receivership from 2011 until last year. And there have been reports that the city failed in its own lead-testing duties. It was not clear whether Schuettes investigation would include officials involved in those actions.
ELKO  A longtime Elko obstetrician whose medical privileges have been revoked has filed a lawsuit against Northeastern Nevada Regional Hospital.

Dr. George A. Winch Jr. and the Elko Womens Health Center filed the complaint Dec. 24. The case has been assigned to District Judge Al Kacin.

The complaint alleges that NNRH began a campaign to suspend and revoke Dr. Winchs privileges from NNRH based upon pre-textual, wrongful and false grounds.

Furthermore, it says the defendants bad faith breaches of the implied covenant were done maliciously, fraudulently, and oppressively, with the wrongful intention of injuring plaintiffs, and acted with an improper and evil motive amounting to malice, and in conscious disregard of the plaintiffs rights.

A hospital representative was unable to comment on the lawsuit because the defendants had not yet been served.

This is a case where the hospital failed to comply with the bylaws and they wrongfully revoked his privileges, said Jonathan Whitehead, an attorney representing Dr. Winch in the case.  Its caused substantial harm to Dr. Winch and the Elko community.

According to the complaint, Winch has been a board certified OB/GYN in Elko County since 1993 and has delivered more babies in the area than any other OB/GYN here  roughly 6,000. In 2001, he began performing some hysterectomies at the Great Basin Surgical Center because the costs to the patient were substantially less than if the procedure was performed at NNRH.

By all accounts, he is considered by his peers, patients and the community an excellent physician, the document states.

In 2008, Winch claimed NNRH obstetric personnel ignored a medically necessary induction of labor that he scheduled. While the matter was later resolved, he alleges that two doctors continued to pursue it as a violation. Also that year, Winch was accused of refusing to come to the hospital, while on call, to treat an out-of-state patient in labor and delivery.

The nurse miscommunicated what he stated, that it was a nursing issue, and that he felt as though he were being harassed and that the nurses were spreading false rumors about him, the complaint states about the second incident.

In 2009, Winch informed a head nurse that a suture provided by the hospital had disintegrated and the hospital should absorb all costs that the patient incurred after the initial post-operative time. A few days later, Winch reportedly received a letter that his medical privileges were suspended immediately for actions which were disruptive of the operations of the hospital and diminished the ability of others to provide quality of care.

Winch claims he was denied a copy of his physicians file and all allegations and incidents against him. He returned to staff after coming to a settlement and undergoing a psychological evaluation.

The complaint states that in 2013, then-CEO of the hospital Gene Miller hired a lawyer to investigate complaints of allegedly inappropriate behavior by Winch. Miller reportedly provided the lawyer with Winchs file, without his consent. The doctor was being treated for prostate cancer at the time.

Winch claims that an ad hoc committee pre-judged him based solely upon hearsay. He was not given an opportunity to review the written allegations or defend himself. An appeal board recommended to revoke his license.

Wrongful taking of Dr. Winchs medical membership and clinical privileges substantially harmed and eliminated the plaintiffs obstetric practice, the complaint stated.

The peer review proceedings in 2014 accused Winch of abandoning a patient who was in the operating room on the table, and engaging in compulsive/histrionic/narcissistic behavior directly affecting patient care/well-being.

Winch continued to practice gynecology and performed hysterectomies at the Great Basin Surgical Center. The hospital then purchased the center in July 2015, and has effectively revoked Dr. Winchs clinical surgical privileges in Elko, the document stated.

The complaint lists nine claims for relief from the hospital, including breach of contract; breach of the 2009 settlement agreement; breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing; civil conspiracy; intentional interference with a business advantage and prospective economic advantage; state anti-trust and unfair trade practices; deceptive trade practices; invasion of privacy; and mandatory injunction.

Named among the defendants are Northeastern Nevada Regional Hospital; Lifepoint Hospitals Inc.; former CEO Gene Miller; former Chief of Staff Brad Burlew; board and committee members Delmo Andreozzi, Georgeanna Smith and Cathy McAdoo; and CEO Rick Palagi.
NEW YORK  When Ted Cruz sneered at what he called Donald Trumps New York values, some New Yorkers took it very personally. And some responded about the way youd expect New Yorkers to react.

The ever-combative Daily News hit the streets with a big front-page illustration of the Statue of Liberty giving Cruz the finger. The headline: DROP DEAD, TED.

On the morning after Thursday nights Republican presidential debate, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, a Democrat, took to the airwaves to denounce the Texas senator and demand an apology for comments he called obnoxious on every level.

The use of New York values as a term of abuse rankled plenty of city residents.

Like thats a bad thing? said Willie Perry, a real estate salesman and registered Republican, as he headed to work in New York City. Actually its a good thing. I think thats ludicrous. What did he mean by that?

John Markowski, a minister who was dropping his son off at a public school, said: Its insulting for anyone to make a derogatory comment about New York values. I think we pride ourselves on being a place of diversity and equality.

During the debate, moderator Maria Bartiromo asked Cruz to explain past comments he had made about Trump embodying New York values.

Listen, there are many, many wonderful, wonderful working men and women in the state of New York. But everyone understands that the values in New York City are socially liberal or pro-abortion or pro-gay-marriage, focus around money and the media.

Trump responded movingly by citing the citys response to Sept. 11.

When the World Trade Center came down, I saw something that no place on Earth could have handled more beautifully, more humanely than New York, he said to applause from the crowd in North Charleston, S.C. He added: I have to tell you, that was a very insulting statement that Ted made.

Rep. Steve King, a conservative Iowa Republican who supports Cruz, suggested on CNN that Cruzs remark had backfired, saying, It would have been better on the part of Ted Cruz not to have had that exchange.

Meanwhile, a veteran attorney in Ted Cruzs hometown of Houston filed a federal lawsuit challenging the Canadian-born senators eligibility to be president.

In a 28-page complaint Thursday, Newton Schwartz asked the Supreme Court to decide if Cruzs birth to an American mother and Cuban father while they lived in Calgary violates the Constitutions natural born citizen requirement.

Cruz argues that because his mother is American, he became a U.S. citizen at birth. But the Supreme Court hasnt previously considered the eligibility question.

Trump has repeatedly questioned Cruzs presidential eligibility.
1 El Chapo interview: Sean Penn says his article on Mexican drug lord Joaquin El Chapo Guzman failed in its mission. Speaking to CBS 60 Minutes, the actor said his intention in tracking down the escaped drug kingpin and writing about him for Rolling Stone was to start a discussion of the U.S. governments policy on the War on Drugs. But the publics attention has instead focused on how Penn found and met with Guzman in a mountain hideout last October while he was still evading Mexican officials. Guzman was apprehended only last week after six months on the run. Excerpts from the interview with Penn were released Friday. The interview airs on 60 Minutes Sunday.

2 Barges collide: The Mississippi River reopened Friday through New Orleans about seven hours after barges collided in the busy waterway, officials said. The Coast Guard closed the river after several barges broke free. The river is swollen from large amounts of Mississippi River Valley rains and is flowing very fast. Port of New Orleans spokesman Matt Gresham said barges being pushed upriver collided with barges at an oil facility in Gretna, La., a suburb across the river from New Orleans. A small amount of fuel inside a hose connected to a barge that was being filled leaked into the river, Gresham said.
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Jason Rezaian, a Bay Area native who was imprisoned in Iran while working as a correspondent for the Washington Post in 2014, was released Saturday as part of an exchange between the U.S. and Iran, ending an ordeal that became the subject of intense international scrutiny, U.S. officials said.

Rezaian and three other Americans were released as part of the swap, which included the United States offering clemency to seven Iranians, six of whom are dual U.S.-Iranian citizens, who had been convicted or are awaiting trial in the United States.

Im very happy to say that, as we speak, we have received confirmation that five Americans who had been unjustly detained in Iran have been released from custody, Secretary of State John Kerry said in a speech from Vienna after world powers implemented a landmark nuclear deal with Iran, a move that lifts international economic sanctions against the country.

Separate release

The three other Americans released Saturday were Amir Hekmati, Saeed Abedini, and Nosratollah Khosravi-Roodsari, officials said. A fifth American, Matthew Trevithick, was reported to have been released separately from the exchange.

In July 2014, Iranian authorities arrested Rezaian, a dual Iranian and American citizen, and confined him for longer than any other Western journalist and longer than any of the Americans held during the hostage crisis in 1981. During the more than 540 days he spent languishing in prison, Rezaian endured countless challenges both physically and mentally, including at one point losing more than 40 pounds, being kept in solitary confinement for months and growing severely depressed.

The news of Rezaians release was welcomed by the Washington Post, which had spent a year and a half condemning Rezaians imprisonment and calling for his freedom.

Friends and colleagues at the Washington Post are elated by the wonderful news that Jason Rezaian has been released from Evin Prison and has safely left the country with his wife, Yeganeh Salehi, said Frederick Ryan Jr., the papers publisher. We are relieved that this 545-day nightmare for Jason and his family is finally over.

During the time his brother was in jail, Ali Rezaian, a biotech consultant from Mill Valley, dedicated his life to getting his brother released. He made countless trips to Washington, did numerous interviews with journalists across the country and met with politicians and State Department officials. In October, he marveled in an interview with The Chronicle at how many events had occurred since his brothers imprisonment.

All these things have passed by, and when you look back on it, it is unbelievable this is going on, he said.

On Sunday, Ali Rezaian released a statement expressing his familys gratitude.

I am incredibly relieved that Jason is on his way home, he said. After nearly a year and a half of arbitrary delays, and an unfair, opaque judicial process, Jasons release has brought indescribable relief and joy to our family  this nightmare is approaching an end. We are also overjoyed to hear that other Americans being held in Iran also will soon be reunited with their families.

Freelance writer

Jason Rezaian was born in San Francisco and grew up in Marin County. He has worked as a freelance writer in Iran for years, contributing to outlets that included The Chronicle, where he wrote the Inside Iran blog from 2005 to 2007. He was working under a press pass granted to foreign journalists. One of the final stories Rezaian wrote before his detention was about baseball in Iran, and just weeks before he was arrested, he spoke with CNNs Anthony Bourdain as part of a food and travel special from Iran.

Im at a point now after five years where I miss certain things about home. I miss my buddies, I miss burritos, I miss having certain beverages with my buddies and burritos in certain types of establishments, but I love it, Rezaian told Bourdain. I love it and I hate it, you know, but its home, its become home.

Hours after it was announced that Rezaian was released, Bourdain tweeted Welcome back @jrezaian!

In October, Rezaian was reported to have been convicted of unspecified charges following a closed-door trial, though details were not released. His family and the Post have denied the allegations against him  which included espionage  and denounced his detention. His wife and fellow reporter, Yeganeh Salehi, an Iranian citizen, was also arrested but later released on bail.

Reza Marashi, a friend of Rezaians and research director at the National Iranian American Council, said the release was proof of the power of diplomacy. The news of Rezaians release trickled out early Saturday as world powers and Iran raced to implement a historic nuclear deal in Vienna.

Jasons release shows that diplomacy works, he said. Without the nuclear deal, a direct U.S.-Iran channel for dialogue wouldnt exist. And it was precisely that channel that facilitated Jasons freedom.

Welcome news

Haleh Esfandiari, an expert on Iran who was arrested there in 2007 while visiting her mother and held in solitary confinement for 100 days, said the release should have occurred a long time ago, but was welcome news.

It is a sign that diplomacy between Iran and the U.S. is bearing fruit, despite critics of the nuclear deal, said Esfandiari, a public policy fellow at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars in Washington.

Marashi said his thoughts were with the Rezaian family.

Jason is my friend, he said. I think I speak for anyone whose friend was unjustly imprisoned when I say: Finally.

Politicians react

The release of the prisoners was hailed by politicians across the country, including California Sen. Barbara Boxer.

I am greatly relieved at the release of innocent Americans and hope that this will signal a true shift in relations that would include Iran living up to all international obligations, Boxer said in a statement.

While Republican candidates for president hailed the release of Rezaian and the other captives, they criticized the way it was handled.

Governments are taking Americans hostage because they believe they can gain concessions from this government under Barack Obama, said Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, a GOP presidential candidate. Its created an incentive for more people to do this in the future.

Hamed Aleaziz is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. E-mail: haleaziz@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @haleaziz
Karen Pulfer Focht/Associated Press

NASHVILLE  Tennessee Lottery officials verified Friday that a longtime resident of the small town of Munford bought one of three tickets winning the world-record $1.6 billion Powerball jackpot.

John Robinson of Munford, a town of 6,000 north of Memphis, said earlier in an appearance on NBCs Today show that he and his wife, Lisa, want to help out certain friends, give to the St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital in Memphis, and donate to their church.
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AT&T Park is working hard to make sure neighboring residents aren't again subjected to a barrage of bass and overbearing rock riffs.

After Beyonce and Jay Z held their On the Run tour in San Francisco in August 2014, many locals complained that the noise level was far too loud, saying that they could hear music from the stadium as far as 3 miles away.

"You could hear every word," Bernal Heights resident Miranda Tsang told SFGATE following the performance. "I started making a set list. I would have liked to have gone to sleep, but I had my own little personal concert in my room."

The Giants staff heard the criticism loud and clear.

"Those complaints have been decreasing with every show," Sara Hunt, vice president of Giants Enterprises tells SFGATE. Since the initial grievances were voiced in 2014, the organization has been working with specialists to improve the problem of "noise pollution" drifting outside the stadium.

So far, it seems to be working. The city's noise complaint hotline received only about 12 calls about AC/DC's music in September, which, while not ideal, is still a far cry from the amount of complaints after the Beyonce and Jay Z event the year before.

AT&T Park is strictly observing the city's standing 11 p.m. noise ordinance with every concert event, and is making internal upgrades regarding speaker placement and volume perception.

"We've been working with acoustic engineers," Hunt says, adding that their goal is to mitigate sounds and "produce shows without negatively impacting [surrounding] neighborhoods."

As she says, "We don't anticipate any problems with Metallica."
Snow is falling in Yellowstone National Park and bison are beginning to do what they do, which is migrate to lower elevations during winter. This migration leads them outside of the park boundaries along the north and west sides.

Winter also gives the members of the Interagency Bison Management Plan a chance to reduce the parks bison population, roughly 4,900 animals, by 600-900 animals. Not wanting to kill bison inside the park, they wait until bison leave the park during their winter migration to kill or remove excess animals. The members of this group are the National Park Service, federal and state agencies and American Native tribes.

Starting on Feb. 15 and ending by March 31, both Montana and Native American hunters will hopefully remove 600-900 animals. Others will be rounded up and shipped to meat processing plants. Meat and skins will then be distributed to Native American reservations. Since the 1980s, 8,200 surplus park bison have been removed, 6,300 through slaughter and 1,900 by hunters. In 2008, a record 1,726 bison were removed with most of them being slaughtered.

Bison are not allowed to roam freely in Montana because of fears of brucellosis transfer to cattle. About half of bison test positive for this disease but not a single case of transfer has ever been proven. At least five cases of brucellosis transfer has been proven between elk and cattle, but there is no call for wholesale slaughter of elk, which also migrate out of the park during winter. Elk are worth more to Montana hunters. Another problem is bison competing with cattle for public rangelands.

Only surplus bison are killed. Most are allowed to winter in specific areas north of West Yellowstone, Montana and west of Gardiner, Montana. On specified dates, any remaining animals are hazed back into the park.

There is some hope for the future. Recently, Montanas governor proposed allowing bison to live year-round in 400 square mile tolerance zones. Bison could remain in an area north of West Yellowstone and bulls could live year-round west of Gardiner. Population limits have been set for west of the park, where 600 bison could live there during spring but only 250 during summer, when most bison would probably move back into the park anyway. Hazing could still be used to keep bison within these tolerance zones and reduce human-bison conflicts. Cattle and bison would not be allowed to co-mingle, since brucellosis is spread through calving afterbirth, but no cattle grazing occurs in this area west of the park anyway.

The problem is most bison leave the park to the north. The slaughter would need to continue to keep bison numbers reduced. Montana wants a bison population of no more than 3,500 animals. Also, this tolerance zone proposal will need to be approved by other members of the IBMP. However, if this happens, it will allow Montana bison to roam freely like other wildlife.
Oh good grief.

London Spy has a promising title  must be a nifty spy story, eh? Well, it is a spy story, sort of, but hardly nifty: Youll spend five hours searching for a secret decoder device to figure out how so much promise could be so haphazardly executed. Is it entirely terrible? Not at all. But despite its occasional assets, its lapses and faults are frequent and maddening.

The five-part miniseries, premiering on Thursday, Jan. 21, stars Ben Whishaw (The Hour) as Danny Holt, a young, gay warehouse worker who parties too much, almost certainly because he is a romantic at heart and looking to find true love.

One morning, after a night of debauchery, Danny literally bumps into a handsome young man (Edward Holcroft, Kingsmen: The Secret Service) out for a run on a London bridge. Their exchange is brief, but Danny is smitten. He returns to the bridge every morning at around the same time and eventually meets the young man again. He says his name is Alex. They spend time together, take things rather slowly but soon fall in love.

They are from different worlds, of course. Danny has been around several blocks in his young life. Alex is a cipher, with seemingly little life experience. Alex is polished, perfect, well mannered; Danny is a scruffy blue-collar type.

But, for a while, love seems to be conquering their differences, until Alex disappears without a trace and is eventually found dead.

Was it murder? If so, who did it? And, more important, why? Danny is immediately a suspect, of course, but he is adamant about his innocence. Hes not as much concerned about his own well-being as he is about finding out what really happened to Alex and who Alex may have been.

Danny has an ally in Scottie (Jim Broadbent, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince), a retired British spy who, years earlier, was quietly taken out of the spy business and given a desk job after he was caught having a sexual liaison with another man. Scottie is more than half in love with Danny, but sees his role as the younger mans protector. For his part, Danny relies on Scottie as something like a father figure. And like so many ungrateful children, Danny rarely thinks about Scotties needs or emotions.

Scottie is depressed. How do we know? Because he tells us in so many words, and those words are, I am depressed. Writer-creator Tom Rob Smith (Child 44) fashions Scottie as a cliche-ridden self-loathing older gay man, dressed head to toe in tiresome stereotypes.

But wait till you meet Mama. That would be Frances Turner (Charlotte Rampling, 45 Years), Alexs ice-blooded mother, cut from the same cloth as Tennessee Williams Violet Venable in Suddenly Last Summer. She dresses all in black and gray, the creases of her mannish trousers perfectly straight, and blames Danny for her sons death.

For much of the way, the only real suggestion that theres a spy element in the story is provided by the title of the miniseries. Otherwise, its an overheated melodrama or maybe a murder mystery. Scottie knows the spy game, and perhaps Alex was a spy himself, but does that mean that everything else Danny thought he knew about him was false?

Although Whishaws performance is extraordinary, its glow is clouded by the messy, overwritten script and frequently untethered direction by Jacob Verbruggen (Code 37). One scene in particular illustrates how bilious the direction is at times. Danny decides to get an HIV test. The nurse explains the procedure, pricks his finger and disappears for a while to test the sample. Verbruggens camera moves slowly around the room, from Danny, to the walls, to the telephone and back to Danny again. Minutes tick slowly by.

The nurse returns with results and performs the same test again, and off we go again on the whirlwind tour of the room. The intent is clear: Show us how the minutes feel like hours to Danny as he waits for the results. The problem, though, is that in execution, the minutes do feel like hours, artificially so, and instead of helping us empathize with Danny, we just find ourselves wondering if Verbruggen was guaranteed more money for dragging things out.

Thats only the most obvious excess, but there are plenty more, in the illogical, melodrama-drenched dialogue as well as the artsy direction.

Whishaw may keep the human story from being swamped by bad writing and worse direction, but Rampling and Broadbent are doomed. Holcroft as Alex survives largely because his character is supposed to be a buttoned-up mystery, so hes spared having to spout the terrible dialogue.

In the end, none of it makes a great deal of sense. And speaking of the end, lets just say that in addition to borrowing from Tennessee Williams, Tom Rob Smith makes a last-minute petty theft from the finales of all those Hope-Crosby Road pictures.

In the case of London Spy, the road is of the dead-end variety.

David Wiegand is an assistant managing editor and the TV critic of The San Francisco Chronicle. E-mail: dwiegand@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @WaitWhat_TV

London Spy: Five-part miniseries. 10 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 21, on BBC America.
The City of Oakland was granted a restraining order against a registered sex offender who received a conditional offer of employment from the fire department before it was rescinded for allegedly stalking and threatening firefighters.

Stephen J. Eldridge, 48, was ordered to stay at least 100 yards from all Oakland Fire Department stations and personnel, according to a temporary restraining order filed with Alameda County Superior Court Jan. 8.

Court documents claim Eldridge engaged in stalking and increasingly erratic, threatening and violent behavior directed at various OFD personnel after he received a conditional job offer from the department on Dec. 23.

This is really an unfortunate incident, but its why the city has its screening process in place, Oakland Fire Chief Teresa Reed said Friday. This individual was a long ways from actually getting a real job offer.

Had his conditional offer not been rescinded Jan.7, it would have taken about two months for Eldridge to learn if he had been selected to start at a 16-week training academy.

In that time, the department would have conducted a very thorough background check, which would have involved finger printing, a personality trait assessment, lie scan, and a medical examination.

Eldridges sex offender status was not known to the department, but he would not have been hired when it came out during the check, city officials said.

He was in a pool of 80 people applying for firefighter and paramedic trainee positions, narrowed down from more than 500 applicants. Eldridge received the offer after an initial interview, Reed said.

Eldridge, who officials said was likely excited by the conditional offer, started visiting OFD stations, ringing the doorbell, then hiding or leaving items at the front door.

Recently, he showed up at a fire on High Street to help personnel. Another time, he went to Station 4 and asked to be issued protective firefighter gear.

In one Jan. 4 incident, he arrived at Station 18 in an excited state, according to court documents.

In video of the incident, he pants wildly at officers and runs back and forth waving his hands, telling firefighters Im starting a revolution, You think Im on drugs? and I havent slept in two weeks.

The next day, he faked an injury to try to enter the same station. He banged outside on the door, then told personnel who opened it that he had been stabbed in the neck and had a hard time breathing.

As the firefighters approached to help, he started swinging and cursing at them, demanding entry into the station and threatening to hurt someone if they didnt let him in, court documents state.

Oakland Police responded and sent him to John George Psychiatric Pavilion in San Leandro, where he was kept for a 72-hour involuntary stay.

He contacted one of the Oakland firefighters on the restraining order during his stay to get support for his job offer, and has contacted several other employees and firefighters for the same reason, documents state.

Later, officials learned he was on Californias sexual offender registry for a forcible rape.

This particular candidate was scheduled to go through a very thorough background check, Reed said. Im sure these things would have come out during the process.

Jenna Ltons is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. E-mail: jlyons@sfchronicle.com
ELKO  Democratic hopeful Bernie Sanders campaign opened its 10th office in Nevada with a full house Thursday evening in Elko.

The office is in a house at 520 Fifth St.

Because all of Nevada is important, we want to make sure that Bernie is not just concentrating on Las Vegas and Reno, but were focusing on other areas of Nevada, including Elko, said Nevada State Director Joan Kato. Were also opening an office tomorrow in Winnemucca.

The campaigns 11th office opened in Winnemucca Friday at 1024 Harmony Road.

The campaign also has offices in Carson City and Fernley.

I think that if we only had offices in Reno and Las Vegas that would be a little remiss of us, she said. We want to make sure that everyone can feel the Bern throughout the whole state of Nevada.

The Supporters

Participants at the opening has similar comments about the Republican Party scaring them, the hope Donald Trump will not become president, and that they wanted to vote Democrat but Hillary Clinton was not the answer.

The reason that Im here tonight is Im going to vote Democrat no matter what. I would like something different than Hillary Clinton. I like Bernie Sanders because he is always able to consider the other sides  I like that he owns that hes a socialist, said Jennie Ballot, describing how when she hears him in the debates he makes more sense.

Other supporters said they found Sanders message to be genuine and beneficial to their lives. There was also the opinion he is a peoples politician in the sense that he adheres to his own principles.

I cant have Donald Trump win, said Antonia Roman.

She said she wants her children to grow up in a world where they do not try and separate people based on race, and  the second that happens, then we lose our rights as individuals, and were a big melting pot  everybody came from somewhere. If were going to start kicking out Mexicans then second and third generation, which is what I am, were going to be next and I want my kids to grow up in a better world than that, Roman explained.

Sanders was particularly praised for his platform of taking back America from the billionaire class and placing it back into the hands of the middle class.

What the Office will Offer Elko

I think what were going to offer is a place for Democrats to talk, gather and to get to know one another, said Kato.

There are many ways to get involved with the campaign, she said. The office is open every day form 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Locals can also call Jane Sheehan at 774-218-1758. She is the campaigns Elko representative.

Community members can volunteer in multiple ways. These include door-knocking, phone banking, and becoming a precinct captain.

We want folks to become precinct captains here in Elko and in the surrounding areas, and in Lander County and Eureka and all the other areas around here  to get involved in their precinct and take a leadership role for Bernie on Feb. 20 at 11 a.m., said Kato.

She explained the final way to get involved is by caucusing on the aforementioned date and time.

The beautiful thing about this caucus coming up is that everybody is free to participate as long as youre a Democrat, but you can change your registration to become a Democrat. So, dont let that deter you from the actual process, she told the Free Press in an interview.

Voter registration can also take place on the day of the caucus.

Its not an issue if the voter is not 18 years old when its time to caucus. As long as he or she turns 18 before Nov. 8, the caucus is open to that person.

Sheehan has a list of all the precinct locations in Elko and in the surrounding counties.
Nov. 9

Monica Dawn Blauer, 19, of Spring Creek was sentenced by Elko Justice of the Peace Mason Simons to pay $115, transferred from bail; after pleading guilty to driving without a valid license.

Nov. 20

Percy Corvess Johnson was bound over to district court by Elko Justice of the Peace Mason Simons on charges of sale, exchange, transferring or giving a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell, possession of a controlled substance and conspiracy to violate the controlled substances act.

Dec. 1

Tanner Lee Hawver was bound over to district court by Elko Justice of the Peace Mason Simons on five counts of open or gross lewdness, two counts of sexual assault of a victim under 16, two counts of statutory sexual seduction, attempted use of a minor in producing pornography, and attempted possession of child pornography.

Dec. 2

Robbie G. Aldrich was bound over to district court by Elko Justice of the Peace Mason Simons on charges of trafficking in a controlled substance, sale, exchange, transferring or giving a controlled or counterfeit substance, unlawful possession for sale of substances and possession of a controlled substance not for the purpose of sale.



Jason Mark Espinosa was bound over to district court by Acting Elko Justice of the Peace Barbara J. Nethery on charges of trafficking in a controlled substance, sale, exchange, transferring or giving a controlled or counterfeit substance and a habitual criminal with two prior felonies  five to 20 years.

Dec. 4

Cody Nicholas Braese was bound over to district court by Acting Elko Justice of the Peace Brian Boatman on six counts of burglary and possession of stolen property.

Dec. 8

Jesus Moreno Morones was bound over by Elko Justice of the Peace Mason Simons on charges of possession of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell and trafficking a controlled substance between four and 14 grams.

Dec. 9

Lindsey Nicole Bartorelli was bound over to district court by Elko Justice of the Peace Mason Simons on charges of embezzlement and taking or driving away a vehicle without consent.



Alyssa Neomi Flores was was bound over to district court by Elko Justice of the Peace Mason Simons on charges of possession of a controlled substance and conspiracy to possess a controlled substance.



Jaymz Thomas Quintana was bound over to district court by Elko Justice of the Peace Mason Simons on charges of sale, exchange, transferring or giving a controlled substance, trafficking a controlled substance between four and 14 grams, conspiracy to violate the controlled substances act and possession of a controlled substance.

Dec. 10

Albert Louis Yava was bound over to district court by Elko Justice of the Peace Mason Simons on a charge of possession of a controlled substance.
ELKO  Westbound traffic on Interstate 80 was closed Saturday morning west of Emigrant Pass after a semi jackknifed, blocking both lanes of traffic.

The Nevada Highway Patrol reported the incident at mile marker 264 around 9:40 a.m.

Chains or snow tires were required on the freeway this morning between Battle Mountain and the Beowawe exit, as well as between Valmy and Golconda, according to the Nevada Department of Transportation.

Adverse driving conditions were reported on I-80 between Elko and Halleck, on U.S. 93 between Wells and Jackpot, and on Mountain City Highway north of the Tuscarora junction.

Most of northeastern Nevada remains under a winter weather watch through 4 p.m. Saturday.
ELKO  Friday marked the last day to file for judicial candidacy and two more people have filed for the second department of the Elko Justice Court.

Elko County Clerk Carol Fosmo said, at 4:15 p.m., there were six candidates.

Anthony Wade Leiker filed Wednesday and William R. Lehmann filed Friday.

Other candidates are Andrew Andy Mierins, Dennis Parker, David Loreman and Elias Goicoechea.

Judge Mason Simons notified the county on Oct. 2 that the creation of a second, full-time justice of the peace position was warranted because of caseload, county population, voter accountability, the number of search warrant applications and more.

Additionally, at their Jan. 6 meeting, County commissioners stated they didnt have a choice in establishing the new position and they have concerns about funding it.

The winner of this election will hold the justice of the peace position for a six-year term.

The position will become effective January 2017.

The filing period for non-judicial candidates is March 7-18.
ELKO  Cathy McAdoo, founding executive director of PACE Coalition, announced she will file in March for the District 8 seat of the Nevada System of Higher Education Board of Regents.

The seat is being vacated by Regent Kevin Melcher at the end of his term.

McAdoo and her husband Kent moved to Nevada 42 years ago to attend the University of Nevada Reno. During this time, she said Kent McAdoos graduate research in northeastern and central Nevada directly exposed the young couple to what they fell in love with about the state  its people. This experience deeply embedded Nevada within their hearts, so much so that they chose to make Elko their home in 1978.

Cathy McAdoo immediately enrolled in classes at Northeastern Nevada Community College, which later became Great Basin College, where she received her first post-secondary degree. She continued her life-long learning path to complete her second degree, a Bachelor of Science in Applied Management.

Between these experiences and her nearly 14-year career at PACE Coalition, she said she has strong professional relationships and friendships in not only the communities in District 8, but all 17 counties of Nevada.

PACE Coalition is a nonprofit organization that supports and provides substance abuse prevention services in Elko, Eureka and White Pine counties, with education at its core. Many of these services are provided through the local schools.

McAdoo said her family has Nevada graduates representing Elko High School, Spring Creek High School, Great Basin College, University of Nevada Reno and University of Nevada Las Vegas. For these reasons, Cathy McAdoo feels that she can represent not only rural counties, but the entire state.

According to her campaign statement, Cathy McAdoos vision is for all Nevada students to have every opportunity to be educated, prepared for the occupation of their choice and contributing members of the community in which they live. She has invested most of her life in helping make this happen through the rearing of her children, tutoring students, serving as adjunct faculty at GBC and teaching life skills and health education for preschool through senior adults in various venues.

She serves on the Nevada KIDS Count Advisory Board, is a member of the Nevada Safe Schools/Healthy Students management team, chairs the Nevada Statewide Coalition Partnership, and is president of a Philanthropic Education Organization, all of which have an education focus.

McAdoo said according to a 2014 study, Nevada is the fourth least post-secondary educated state in the nation, with only 22.5 percent of its adult population having a bachelors degree or higher.

Since colleges and universities assist in preparing the workforce for tomorrow, there is a need for increasing the number of post-secondary degrees in Nevada, McAdoo said.

She will advocate for ways to keep college-bound Nevada high school graduates in the state for their higher education.

Cathy McAdoo was recently honored as one of the women recognized in Nevadas Sesquicentennial book, Nevada Womens Legacy  150 Years of Excellence and she received the Great Basin College Alumni Community Service Award. Under her leadership at PACE and the organizations work with students, Elko was one of five communities across the nation to have a team of five high school students serve on an Above The Influence panel discussion that was live streamed into the White House and the Office of National Drug Control Policy.

McAdoo said, As a champion of education from preschool through graduation and into post-secondary education and workforce training, I hope to continue contributing to the education of Nevadans by serving as the District 8 representative on the Nevada System of Higher Education Board of Regents.

Terri Clark of Spring Creek also has announced her intention to run for the regents position. The filing period opens March 7.
Jan. 14

Jimmy G. Bice Jr., 40, of Selman City, Texas, was arrested at the intersection of East Idaho Street and Manzanita Drive for domestic battery, operating a vehicle with expired registration or plates and driving without a drivers license. Bail: $3,447



Cory J. Bobb, 30, of Wells was arrested at 1828 Eagle Drive for assault, assault with a deadly weapon and disorderly conduct. Bail: $1,500



Alexander D. Eakins, 26, of West Wendover was arrested at 1883 Humboldt Ave. in Wells on two counts of domestic battery. Bail: $6,000



Jennifer A. Escudero, 42, of Salt Lake City, Utah, was arrested at the Elko County Jail for failure to appear after bail for a felony crime of uttering a forged instrument and possession or receiving a forged instrument or bills. Bail: $15,000



Ryan M. Fitzgerald, 28, of Olympia, Washington, was arrested on Interstate 80 for failure to yield at a stop or yield sign or control, use or possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a controlled substance, conspiracy to violate the controlled substances act, and trafficking marijuana between 100 to 2,000 pounds. Bail: $35,752



Scott J. Fraser, 27, of Littleton, Colorado, was arrested on Interstate 80 for use or possession of drug paraphernalia, four counts of possession of a controlled substance, conspiracy to violate the controlled substances act and sell a controlled substance. Bail: $50,637



Juanita F. Gallardo, 54, of Elko was arrested at 1828 Eagle Drive for disorderly conduct and assault. Bail: $1,000



Payton C. Munguia, 19, of Elko was arrested at 3400 Idaho St. for failure to appear after bail for a misdemeanor crime. Bail: $850



Maria L. Ruiz, 33, of West Wendover was arrested at the Elko County Jail for failure to appear after bail for a misdemeanor crime. Bail: $324



Nickalus T. Whalen, 24, of Elko was arrested on U.S. Highway 93 for failure to appear after bail for a misdemeanor crime, an NCJIS detainer, possession of a controlled substance, possession to sell a controlled substance and use or possession of drug paraphernalia. Bail: $17,509
God help me  I have come to appreciate why some Republican voters like Donald Trump. Its because he embodies New York in all its ostentation and swagger. When punched, he punches back. He owns his anger. He looks as if he is having a blast. At Thursday nights Fox Business News GOP debate, Trump readily admitted that he had begun to question whether rival Sen. Ted Cruz was a natural born citizen because Cruz was closing in on Trump in Iowa polls. Hes shameless, and yet  you cannot help but admire someone who butts heads with the way politics usually work, and leaves the political establishment woozy and seeing stars, while he happily straightens his tie.

Dont get me wrong: I think Trumps sound-bite policy about banning Muslims from entering the country runs contrary to the national interest. As former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush noted, the next president will need a coalition of Sunni Muslims and Kurds to destroy the Islamic State. Trumps remarks about Mexican immigrants  many being criminals, drug dealers, rapists  should come back to haunt him if he wins the GOP primary.

But you have to hand this much to Trump: Hes lively, even if he doesnt win every round. When Trump debates, it is not a choreographed exchange of talking points.

Cruz, Trump keep it lively

On the stage, Cruz bested Trump when he recalled that my friend Donalds lawyers vouchsafed for his qualified citizenship credentials in September. Now, since September, the Constitution hasnt changed, Cruz said to laughter and applause, but his poll numbers have. When Trump counter-punched, the audience booed. The New York Times  so excoriated by Cruz during the debate  reported, Cruz did not just dominate much of the Republican debate, he slashed, he mocked, he charmed and he outmaneuvered everybody else onstage  but none as devastatingly and as thoroughly as this campaigns most commanding performer, Donald J. Trump.

Some pundits breezily pronounced Cruz, a Harvard Law School graduate and Princeton champion debater, the winner of the birther round. They forget that Trump is a master at sowing seeds of doubt. In 2011, Birtherism grew stronger. This time Trump is questioning the natural born credentials of Cruz, who was born in Canada to an American mother. Cruz argued that it has been a long-standing practice to consider the children of American citizens to be natural born wherever they are born. While that may be a standard interpretation, the law is not settled. Trump has uncertainty on his side.

Later, the Donald struck back. Moderator Maria Bartiromo asked Cruz just what the senator meant when he said Trump embodies New York values. This is where Cruz should have backed off and said, while New York is not a particularly conservative town, he sees much to admire in the citys people and their vitality after 9/11. Instead, Cruz stood by his Big Apple bashing. Trump riposted, When the World Trade Center came down, I saw something that no place on Earth could have handled more beautifully, more humanely than New York.

People who rarely agree with Trump were cheering him from their living rooms.

Banished to the background

Bush has improved, but he still comes across as  to quote Trump  low energy. Ohio Gov. John Kasich also failed to break through  unless he is running for vice president. Retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson seemed as if he were somewhere else. New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie was fiery and counter-intuitive. His strongest moment of the night came when he pushed back against Florida Sen. Marco Rubios charges that the Jersey guy had flipped on Common Core curriculum, gun control and more. Christie likes to compare the obstacles he faces as a governor to the easy road of a headline-seeking senator. He concluded by noting that Rubio once had good things to say about him. I like Marco Rubio, said Christie in a tone more of disappointment than anger.

But Rubio put himself next in line behind Cruz when he tossed out a list of areas in which Cruz had flip-flopped. For example, Cruz once supported legislation to double the number of green cards for immigrants and increased H-1B visas for skilled foreign workers by 500 percent. No more. Most recently, Cruz flipped from praising NSA leaker Edward Snowden for his considerable public service in 2013 to branding Snowden a traitor. In an e-mail, veteran GOP strategist Tucker Eskew described Rubios attacks as energized and very effective.

This primary has been haunted by one big question: Which candidate can beat Trump? Can anyone?

Debra J. Saunders is a San Francisco Chronicle columnist. E-mail: dsaunders@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @DebraJSaunders

A night of whoppers

Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, said: The bipartisan immigration bill supported by Sen. Marco Rubio enabled the president to certify Syrian refugees en masse without mandating meaningful background checks.

Fact: The bill would have made it easier for certain groups to qualify as refugees, but they would still be subject to background checks.

Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., said to Cruz: You used to support legalizing people that were here illegally, now you say youre against it.

Fact: That depends on whether or not Cruz was bluffing, as he claims, back in 2013 when he proposed an amendment that would have allowed legalization.

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie said: I didnt support Sonia Sotomayor.

Fact: In 2009, Christie urged the Senate to support President Obamas nomination of Sotomayor to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Litigation over the Golden State Warriors planned Mission Bay arena will delay the opening of the facility for a year, the team said Friday.

The Warriors now expect to spend much of this year fighting lawsuits brought by the Mission Bay Alliance, a well-funded group of UCSF donors who say the arena will have a negative impact on the UCSF Medical Center at Mission Bay, which opened in November 2014.

The legal fights mean the Warriors will likely open the 2019 season in Mission Bay, not the 2018 season as planned.

The only thing this lawsuit will accomplish will be to waste everyones time, delay all the jobs and economic activity the arena will bring and line the pockets of a bunch of lawyers, team spokesman P.J. Johnston said. Since were a basketball team, we have to think in terms of seasons. And the fact is, if we have to fight this thing in court over the course of 2016, we likely will be delayed by a season.

Late last year, the San Francisco Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors unanimously approved the $1 billion arena. It has won the endorsement of UCSF administration as well as biotech industry executives in the neighborhood.

So far the Mission Bay Alliance has filed two lawsuits against the project. One charges that UCSF Chancellor Sam Hawgood overstepped his authority by signing a memorandum in support of the project in exchange for transportation improvements pledged by the city of San Francisco. In doing so, the complaint filed in Alameda County Superior Court says, Hawgood tied the hands of the University of California without the approval of the systems Board of Regents.

The other lawsuit, filed in Sacramento County Superior Court, argues that the city violated state environmental laws by not properly considering alternate locations for the arena and by failing to adequately address the project's environmental impacts, such as traffic, air quality and noise.

This is a real victory for the opponents of the Warriors ill-conceived Mission Bay arena, said Sam Singer, a spokesman for the Mission Bay Alliance. Mission Bay Alliances two lawsuits, along with growing public opposition, is going to lead the Warriors to more delays, and we believe that it will ultimately cause the team to depart the Mission Bay site.

This marks the second time the Warriors have pushed back the opening of a new San Francisco arena. Originally the team hoped to build a waterfront arena on Piers 30-32 and were targeting a 2017 opening. That date slipped a year when the team, facing neighborhood opposition, switched its focus to Mission Bay.

Christine Falvey, spokeswoman for Mayor Ed Lee, said the news of the delay was disappointing, though not unexpected.

Remember, this is the same anonymous group that said they will litigate until the cows come home, she said of the alliance. While there is a seasons delay for our residents and the many workers who expect to work on and in the arena, at the end of the day, we will have a state-of-the-art, privately financed arena for generations to come.

Vic Tafur and J.K. Dineen are San Francisco Chronicle staff writers. E-mail: jdineen@sfchronicle.com, vtafur@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @VicTafur, @SFjkdineen
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OUAGADOUGOU, Burkina Faso  The overnight seizure of a luxury hotel in Burkina Fasos capital by al Qaeda-linked extremists ended Saturday when Burkina Faso and French security forces killed four attackers and freed more than 126 people, the West African nations president said.

At least 28 other people from up to 18 different countries, including an American, were killed in the attack at the Splendid Hotel and nearby Cappuccino Cafe, establishments popular with westerners in Ouagadougou, the capital, officials said. Three attackers were killed at the hotel and a fourth was killed when security forces cleared out a second hotel nearby.
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MOGADISHU, Somalia  Kenyan troops were killed when al-Shabab Islamic fighters attacked an African Union base in Somalia, Kenyas president said Friday. He gave no casualty figure but an al-Shabab spokesman said at least 63 soldiers died.

President Uhuru Kenyatta described the loss as heartbreaking.

Regrettably, some of our patriots in uniform paid the ultimate price, he said in a statement. I want to take this opportunity to express mine and the countrys deepest sympathy to the families and loved ones of the fallen. I stand with you. Our country stands with you.

Al-Shabab spokesman Abdiaziz Abu Mudan said on the groups online radio that at least 63 soldiers were killed in the attack in southwestern Somalia that started early Friday.

It happened in the town of El-Ade, not far from the Kenyan border. Kenya has provided a major contingent to the AU force that is fighting al-Shabab, a Somali Islamic extremist group linked with al Qaeda, and assisting the elected government of Somalia.

Francisco Madeira, the special representative of the African Union Commission for Somalia, condemned the attack, saying late Friday the casualties and injuries were still being verified.

Somali military official Ahmed Hassan, reached by phone from Elwak, a nearby town, said the attack started with a suicide car bomb, and then heavy gunfire was heard as militants stormed onto the base.

Al-Shabab, a fundamentalist group that wants to impose Shariah law in the country, has waged a decade-long insurgency against the Somali government.

The group has increasingly targeted Kenya, which intervened in Somalia in 2011 in support of the government and the African Union peacekeeping mission. It was behind an assault on a Nairobi shopping mall in September 2013 that killed 67 people and an attack on a university in Garissa, in northeastern Kenya, in April, that killed 147 people.

Despite being pushed out of Somalias major cities and towns, al-Shabab continues to launch deadly guerrilla attacks across the Horn of Africa country. Its fighters killed dozens of Burundian forces in June and Ugandan soldiers in September in attacks on African Union bases outside the Somali capital, Mogadishu.

AU troops, government officials and foreigners are frequently targeted.

The New York Times

contributed to this report.
OUAGADOUGOU, Burkina Faso  Heavy gunfire erupted early Saturday as forces from Burkina Faso and France worked to overtake a luxury hotel that had been seized by al Qaeda militants the night before, seizing and killing an unknown number of hostages. At least 10 bodies had been found in the aftermath so far, a government minister said.

The harrowing attack was launched by the same extremists behind a similar siege at an upscale hotel in the Malian capital back in November that killed 20 people. It was not immediately known how many people remained inside the hotel as the morning call to prayer signaled a new day in this West African nation.

Dozens of French forces arrived overnight from neighboring Mali to aid the rescue. One U.S. military member was embedded with French forces on the scene of the attack, and the United States was working to help provide France with surveillance and reconnaissance help, according to a U.S. senior defense official who was not authorized to discuss the matter publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.

Al Qaeda in Islamic North Africa claimed responsibility online as the attack was continuing in downtown Ouagadougou at the 147-room Splendid Hotel, according to the Site Intelligence Group.

In a message posted in Arabic on the militants Muslim Africa Telegram account, it said fighters had broke into a restaurant of one of the biggest hotels in the capital of Burkina Faso and are now entrenched and the clashes are continuing with the enemies of the religion. Fighters who spoke by phone later asserted the fall of many dead Crusaders, the group said, according to Site.

Internal Affairs Minister Simon Compaore said that already 10 bodies had been found inside the Cappuccino Cafe, a restaurant that is located next to the Splendid Hotel.

We know that the gunmen wont get out of the hotel alive, one witness said. Our country is not for jihadists or terrorists. They got it wrong.

Burkina Faso, a largely Muslim country, had for years been mostly spared from the violence carried out by Islamic extremist groups who were abducting foreigners for ransom in Mali and Niger. Then in April, a Romanian national was kidnapped in an attack that was the first of its kind in Burkina Faso.

The country also has been in growing political turmoil since its longtime president was ousted in a popular uprising in late 2014. In September, members of a presidential guard launched a coup that lasted only about a week. The transitional government returned to power until Burkina Fasos November election ushered in new leaders.

Fridays violence mirrored an attack on the Radisson Blu hotel in neighboring Mali in November that killed 20 people. In that case, Malian troops swarmed in to retake the building during a siege that lasted more than seven hours.
CANTERBURY, England  Anglican leaders have overwhelmingly decided to stay together at a summit aimed at preventing a split in their fellowship over homosexuality, Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby said Friday, a day after the group sanctioned the U.S. Episcopal Church for supporting same-sex marriage.

Welby, the Anglican spiritual leader, acknowledged the pain that the decision will cause gays and lesbians and apologized for the churchs past wrongs against them. But he said a majority of Anglicans consider the position of the U.S. church an unacceptable deviation from doctrine.

Everyone unanimously indicated that they wanted the churches of the Anglican Communion to walk together, Welby said. There was no exception ... it was universal and unanimous.

Welby said there had to be consequences for the American churches decision to allow gays to marry.

Episcopalians have been barred from any policy-setting positions in the Anglican Communion for three years  a decision that avoided a permanent split in the 85 million-member communion, although it dismayed liberal Anglicans.

Divisions were still evident in the shadow of the great cathedral in Canterbury, where demonstrators, many of them from conservative communities in Africa, waved signs and sang, hoping to get Welbys attention and challenge the communion to consider their rights.

Jayne Ozanne, a leading gay rights activist in the church, expressed outrage over the decision, arguing there was little recognition at the pain this is causing, particularly for those in African communities where homosexuality is harshly punished.

We are here talking about human beings, real people who are having their lives torn apart, she said.

Presiding Bishop Michael Curry, head of the Episcopal Church, said in a phone interview that the U.S. church would not roll back its acceptance of gay marriage.

They heard from me directly that thats not something that were considering, Curry said of his remarks to the other Anglican leaders. They basically understand we made our decision, and this is who we are and were committed to being a house of prayer for all.

Anglicans are the third-largest grouping of Christians in the world, behind Roman Catholics and the Orthodox.
Garnik Margaryan to remain in custody: he claims it is a political retribution (video)

Garnik Margaryan, President of Homeland and Honor party, will remain in custody. The Court of General Jurisdiction of Yerevan Kentron and Nork-Marash administrative districts today has made a decision to choose two moths detention as a precautionary measure by stating that when in freedom he may hinder the preliminary investigation. The Court didnt release Garnik Margaryan on bail. He has known since November 24, that the group has been detained and if he had any connection etc, why must he behave like that? Let them check and find out whether he received any odd phone calls by any persons, it doesnt exist, said his advocate Hovik Arsenyan. According to his words, Garnik Margaryan met with Arthur Vardanyan and had discussions on different topics about the external politics: The meeting cannot be a proof of cooperation. There is no criminal cooperation in essence. According to the words of Hovik Arsenyan, his defendant announced that it is a political retribution. If a person is a dissident, a person active in the political field, oppositionist, he must be assessed like this. To remind, Garnik Margaryan is accused of membership to the criminal gang created by Arthur Vardanyan, carrying out weapons and ammunition in the frames of the gang. Decision on detention of freedom fighter Vladimir Arakelyan has been also made today.
JAKARTA, Indonesia  An audacious attack by suicide bombers in the heart of Indonesias capital was funded by the Islamic State group, police said Friday, as they seized an Islamic State flag from the home of one of the attackers and carried out raids across the country in which one suspected militant was killed.

National police chief Gen. Badrodin Haiti told reporters that Thursdays attack was funded by Islamic State through Bahrun Naim, an Indonesian who spent one year in jail for illegal possession of weapons in 2011, and is now in Syria fighting for the group.

Supporters of Islamic State also circulated a claim of responsibility for the attack on Twitter late Thursday. The radical group controls territory in Syria and Iraq, and its ambition to create an Islamic caliphate has attracted some 30,000 foreign fighters from around the world, including a few hundred Indonesians and Malaysians.

The Islamic State link, if proved, poses a challenge to Indonesian security forces. Until now, the group was known only to have sympathizers with no active cells capable of planning and carrying out a plot such as Thursdays in which five men attacked a Starbucks cafe and a traffic police booth with handmade bombs, guns and suicide belts. They killed two people, one a Canadian and the other an Indonesian, and injured 20 in the first major attack in Indonesia since 2009. The militants were killed, either by their suicide vests or by police.

The attack was funded by ISIS in Syria through Bahrun Naim, Haiti told reporters after Friday prayers, using an acronym for the Islamic State group. He did not elaborate.

He also identified one of the five attackers as Sunakim, who in 2010 was sentenced to seven years in jail for his involvement in military-style training in Aceh, but was released early.

Police conducted raids across Indonesia but was it unclear whether those arrested were suspected of links to the bombing or if police were rounding up militants as part of a broader crackdown in its aftermath. They also outlined a partial reconstruction of events based on security camera video, part of which showed a Starbucks customer escaping from the grip of a bomber before he detonated his suicide bomb. Police did not identify the customer but said he or she suffered minor injuries.

National police spokesman Maj. Gen. Anton Charliyan said an Islamic State flag was found in the home of one of the attackers and raids were conducted in Java, Kalimantan and Sulawesi, with four arrests made. On Friday evening, police searched the home of another of the dead bombers whom they identified as Muhammad Ali.

Haiti said a suspected militant was killed in a gunbattle in central Sulawesi, the hiding place of Indonesias most wanted Islamic radical, Abu Wardah Santoso, who leads the East Indonesia Mujahidin network that has pledged allegiance to Islamic State. He said the man wasnt linked to Thursdays attack.

Jakarta residents remained shaken by Thursdays events but refused to be cowed.

About 200 people, mostly youngsters with flowers in their hands, gathered in front of the Starbucks in a show of sympathy for the victims and solidarity against extremist violence. They unfurled posters that read, We are not afraid.
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TAIPEI, Taiwan  Taiwans China-friendly Nationalist Party appears likely to lose power to the pro-independence opposition in Saturdays presidential election, amid concerns that the islands economy is under threat from China and broad opposition among voters to Beijings demands for political unification.

The Democratic Progressive Partys Tsai Ing-wen is poised to become the self-governing islands first female president, returning the main opposition party to power after eight years under Nationalist President Ma Ying-jeou, who is constitutionally barred from another term.

The outcome of the contest for a majority in the 133-seat legislature remains uncertain, with independents and smaller parties posing a threat to both the Nationalists and the DPP.

Candidates spent the day Friday touring their districts in a final appeal to voters on the island of 23 million.

This is not about defeating the other party. This is about working to overcome the obstacles in Taiwans path, Tsai told supporters gathered in the rain at a final rally in front of the presidential office building in the center of the capital, Taipei.

A win for Tsai would introduce new uncertainty in the complicated relationship between Taiwan and mainland China, which claims the island as its own territory and threatens to use force if it declares formal independence. Fears of an invasion have been overtaken in recent years by concerns over the gradual rise in Chinas influence over Taiwans high-tech economy. Despite a series of economic agreements offered as inducements, support for unification continues to slip, with the vast majority favoring a continuation of the status quo. Surveys also show that a declining number of Taiwanese consider themselves Chinese at all.

Tsai has pledged to maintain the status quo of de-facto independence, although she has refused to endorse the principle that Taiwan and China are parts of a single nation to be unified eventually. Observers say China is likely to adopt a wait-and-see approach to Tsais presidency, but might use diplomatic and economy pressure if she is seen as straying too far from its unification agenda.

Taiwan was a Japanese colony from 1885 to 1945 and split again from China amid civil war in 1949.

Tsais Nationalist opponent, Eric Chu, was a late entry in the race after the party ditched its original candidate, Hung Hsiu-chu, whose abrasive style was seen as alienating voters. He has trailed Tsai by double digits in the latest polls.

China has largely declined to comment on the polls, although its chief official for Taiwan affairs this month warned of potential major challenges in the relationship in the year ahead.

Tsai supporters appeared confident that ties with China would weather a change in government.

As long as Tsai doesnt provoke the other side, its OK, said former newspaper distribution agent Lenex Chang, 66, who attended Tsais rally. If mainland China democratizes someday, we could consider a tie-up, he added.
Khachatur Sukiasyan doesnt know persons detained by the NSS

The NA former lawmaker, businessman Khachatur Sukiasyan cannot say anything about the persons detained by the NSS on November 25 and after it on suspicion of criminal cooperation. They are unknown people to him. He thinks that everything will be found out in the court. The number of the arrested reaches 30. The best mirror is the court, where everything, I think, becomes clear at some level. If everything has been done mechanically, everything becomes obvious in the court. When such problems arose, pressure was put on the opposition, all this was obvious in the court, you remember, Khachatur Sukiasyan today told the journalists. According to his words, if there is tendency to isolate freedom fighters, it is very bad, If there is tendency against the people or something is done mechanically, it is very bad and unacceptable for me, there must be nothing like that in our country, noted Khachatur Sukiasyan.
Opposition front gives time to authorities

New Armenia public salvation front has given 5 days time to the authorities in order to release member of the movement Gevorg Safaryan, who was detained for two months. If the claim isnt carried out, we will have to apply to Nils Muiznieks, Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights. At the moment the institute of the Human Rights Defender is eliminated in Armenia and we have nothing else to do, announced Hmayak Hovhannisyan, member of the Political Board of New Armenia public salvation front. Member of the opposition front Garegin Chugaszyan expresses his viewpoint on the detention of Gevorg Safaryan, For unknown reasons, the day before yesterday a decision was made to transfer Gevorg Safaryan from the cell, where he had been with Hayk Kyureghyan. There were criminals in the new cell, tensions arose and thats why at present Gevorg is in a punishment cell. He says that at the moment an advocate deals with that issue and they are going to fight for the conditions of Gevorgs detention and his release until the end. According to the words of Andrias Ghukasyan, by circulating information whether New Armenia will participate in parliamentary referendum of 2017 or not, the authorities aim at digesting illegitimate Constitution: At present our main goal is keeping this issue at the center of attention in Armenia and international arena and to do everything so that our assessment coincides with the assessment of the international community. Criminal regime operates in Armenia, a group of people close to the authorities has been formed, which uses the state resources against political opponents.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- A Castleton Corners woman has been formally charged with murder in the fatal stabbing of her boyfriend following a dispute over another woman inside her apartment early Saturday morning, law enforcement sources said.

Christina Quinones, 31, of the Todt Hill Houses, fatally stabbed her boyfriend and the father of her two young sons, ages 10 and 4, following a raucous argument around 12:46 a.m. inside her Westwood Avenue home, cops said.

The argument revolved around a phone conversation the victim, identified by police as Ruben Jimenez, 31, of Manhattan, had with another woman, a police source said.

Jimenez, who was stabbed in the chest, was rushed to Staten Island University Hospital, Ocean Breeze, but could not be saved, police said.

Law enforcement sources said Jimenez had been charged in two prior domestic incidents involving Quinones -- for menacing in 2013 and for obstruction of breathing and assault in 2014 -- but that Quinones' fatal attack Saturday was not made in self-defense.

She's been charged with second-degree murder, assault and criminal possession of a weapon, according to police.

All three of her children -- a teenage girl and the two boys she shared in common with Jimenez -- were inside the apartment when the dispute occurred, although an NYPD spokesman could not say whether they witnessed the stabbing.

The children were taken to the 122nd Precinct to await the arrival of Administration for Children's Services workers and family, police said.

Multiple neighbors who live in the Westwood Avenue apartment complex reported hearing screaming coming from Quinones' apartment late Friday night.

"I heard screaming at around 11 o' clock. It was definitely an argument," said Arisleyda Diudone, who lives on the fifth floor. "We're not used to hearing that around here. It's usually pretty quiet."

New Jersey resident Ted Michael, who visits his grandmother in the Todt Hill Houses on weekends, said Friday night wasn't the first time he's heard the couple fight.

"I've heard yelling from their apartment at least two or three times before in past months," Michael said.

Melissa Ortiz, a resident of the complex who identified herself as Quinones' best friend, was overcome by emotion while talking about the stabbing.

"She was a 24/7 mom who cared about her kids. Her kids were her life," Ortiz said. "This is scary. A man is dead -- someone she loved...I don't know what happened. This comes out of nowhere."

Saturday's fatal stabbing was the Island's second homicide in three days.

On Thursday, a 43-year-old Bay Terrace man was stabbed to death following a dispute over finances in an industrial yard in Rossville, according to law enforcement sources.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- A Castleton Corners woman fatally stabbed the father of two of her three young children early Saturday morning during a dispute inside her first-floor apartment at the Todt Hill Houses, police said.

The 31-year-old male victim, whose identity has not yet been released, suffered a stab wound to his chest during the altercation, which occurred around 12:46 a.m. at 289 Westwood Ave., cops said.

He was taken to Staten Island University Hospital, Ocean Breeze, where he was pronounced dead, police said.

The female suspect, also 31, was taken into custody in relation to the incident, and charges are pending, an NYPD spokesman said.

The suspect's three children, ages 14, 10 and 4, were inside the apartment when the fatal stabbing occurred, he said.

It's not clear whether the children, who are at the 122nd Precinct awaiting the arrival of Administration for Children's Services workers and family, saw or heard any of the deadly argument.

The victim, who was the father of the two younger children, is a Manhattan resident, the spokesman said.

He'd been charged in two prior domestic incidents involving the suspect -- for menacing in 2013 and for strangulation in 2014, police said.

The disposition of those cases was not immediately known, and the spokesman said it did not appear that the woman, whose current relationship to the victim was not immediately known, had an order of protection against the man.

She had not been charged in any prior domestic incidents with the victim, he said.

As of 9 a.m., the entrance to 289 Westwood Ave. remained locked down by police. Two officers were visible inside the building's lobby and a stairway leading away from the lobby was cordoned off with police tape.

A man who identified himself as a resident of the building said the stabbing was out of character for the generally peaceful complex.

"This a good place to be," he said. "This is a nice area."

Saturday morning's homicide was the Island's second in three days. On Thursday, a 43-year-old Bay Terrace man was stabbed to death following a dispute over finances in an industrial yard in Rossville, according to law enforcement sources.

-Advance staff writer Vincent Barone contributed to this report
UPDATE, 3:37 p.m: A 20-year-old motorcyclist who was involved in a collision with a vehicle late Saturday morning on Hylan Boulevard in Annadale has died of his injuries, police have confirmed. Click here to read the updated story.

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- A motorcyclist was seriously injured late Saturday morning in a crash on Hylan Boulevard in Annadale, a fire department spokesman said.

The crash occurred at approximately 11:44 a.m., near the intersection of Hylan and Allen Place, the spokesman said. The motorcyclist was taken to Staten Island University Hospital, Prince's Bay, in serious condition, he said.

The circumstances of the crash are not yet clear -- neither the police nor fire department could immediately provide details -- but a badly damaged motorcycle is visible in the left-turning lane of Hylan Boulevard at Allen Place.

Motorcycle debris, including a helmet, is strewn about the crash site.

Seven police vehicles and the Department of Transportation's emergency response SUV were on scene as of 2 p.m, and the stretch of Hylan from Barclay Avenue to Lipsett Avenue was closed in both directions.

Officers could be seen standing next to a gray Hyundai SUV with left front-end damage that was parked adjacent to the motorcycle, although it has not been confirmed whether the vehicle was involved in the crash with the motorcycle.

David Walsh, who works at the deli on the corner of Hylan Boulevard and Barclay Avenue, said he heard the crash and came outside to find the victim lying motionless near the curb.

"He was just lying there," Walsh said. "Wasn't saying anything, wasn't moving."

This is a developing story that will be updated as more information becomes available.
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Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has described the lifting of international sanctions as a "good day" for Iran. Credit:AP The sanctions have cut Iran off from the global financial system, drastically reduced the exports of a major oil producer and imposed severe economic hardship on ordinary Iranians. Most will be lifted immediately. Prisoners released in swap deal US Secretary of State, John Kerry, on his plane en route to Vienna on Saturday. Credit:Kevin Lamarque Iranian media reported that four Iranian-Americans held in Iran had been released and seven Iranian-Americans held in the United States would also be freed under the prisoner swap. US State Department officials declined immediate comment.

The four held in Iran include Washington Post bureau chief Jason Rezaian, held since 2014 and convicted in Iran of espionage. His case in particular has been a notable obstacle to a thaw in Iranian-US relations. The wife of Saeed Abedini, an American pastor held in Iran since 2012, said in a Tweet on Saturday that he had been released. The other two Americans freed were Amir Hekmati, a former Marine who spent more than four years in prison on spying charges following his arrest in August 2011 and Nosratollah Khosavi-Roodsari, a prisoner whose detention had not been publicised. Not included in the deal was Siamak Namazi, a Dubai-based oil company executive who had promoted closer US-Iranian ties. He was arrested in October while visiting a friend in Tehran. In addition, the fate of former FBI agent Robert Levinson, who disappeared in March 2007, remains unknown.

Iran's IRNA news agency released the names of the seven Iranians it said would be released, naming them as Nader Modanlo, Bahram Mechanic, Khosrow Afghahi, Arash Ghahreman, Tooraj Faridi, Nima Golestaneh and Ali Sabouni. Even before the expected announcement that sanctions would be lifted, Iran's Mehr news agency reported on Saturday that executives from two of the world's largest oil companies, Shell and Total, had arrived in Tehran for talks with state firms. Under the deal, Iran has agreed to forego enrichment of uranium, which world powers feared could be used to make a nuclear weapon. Once sanctions are lifted, Iran plans to swiftly ramp up its exports of oil. Global companies that have been barred from doing business there will be able to exploit a market hungry for everything from automobiles to airplane parts. Iran's expected return to an already glutted market is one of the main factors contributing to a global rout in oil prices, which fell below $US30 a barrel this week for the first time in 12 years. Tehran says it could boost exports by 500,000 barrels per day within weeks and 500,000 more within a year, in a world already producing 1.5 million barrels a day more than it consumes and running out of storage space to hold it.

Republicans, Israelis and Saudis suspicious The deal is opposed by all Republican presidential candidates vying to succeed Mr Obama in November, and is viewed with deep suspicion by US allies in the Middle East including Israel and Saudi Arabia. It is supported by Washington's European allies, who joined Mr Obama earlier in his presidency in making sanctions far tighter as part of a joint strategy to force Tehran to negotiate. The Obama administration says the deal reached last July offered the best possible prospect of ensuring that Iran would not develop a nuclear weapon, and could never have been achieved without the support of allies, which was always contingent on a pledge to lift sanctions once Iran complied. For Iran, it marks a crowning achievement for Mr Rouhani, a pragmatic cleric elected in 2013 in a landslide on a promise to reduce Iran's international isolation. He was granted the authority to negotiate the deal by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, an arch-conservative in power since 1989.

Mr Zarif, a US-educated fluent English speaker, has emerged as the cheerful face of Iran's diplomacy, developing a close rapport with Kerry in unprecedented one-on-one talks. Mr Zarif has chipped away at Iran's image as a pariah state, to the dismay of hardliners in Tehran as well as regional rivals. "There are some people who see peace as a threat, who were always against (the nuclear deal) and will continue to oppose it," ISNA quoted him as saying. The prospect of Iran's emergence from isolation could overturn the geopolitical balance of the Middle East. Iran is the pre-eminent Shi'ite Muslim power and its allies are fighting proxy wars in Iraq, Syria and Yemen against allies of its main Sunni Muslim regional rival, Saudi Arabia. In Iraq, Tehran has found itself on the same side as the United States, supporting a Shi'ite-led government against the Sunni militants of Islamic State. Mr Zarif has argued, including in a New York Times op-ed column last week, that Iran wants to help the global fight against Sunni Muslim militants, who he said are spurred on by policies adopted by Saudi Arabia.
Why fire-prone Canberra should never become complacent

On January 18, 2003, the Orana Steiner School's woodwork teacher, Chris Matthews, had an urge to go and see if his workplace was affected by the bushfires licking the edges of suburban Canberra.

Orana Steiner School woodwork teacher Chris Matthews and assistant principal Olga Blasch were part of a group fighting to save the school during the 2003 bushfire. Credit:Elesa Kurtz

"It was pretty chaotic," Mr Matthews said, almost exactly 13 years later, surveying the Weston site that was ablaze as he arrived there.

"When I turned up, it was madness: all the trees were burning, everything was alight."
An elaborate secret car compartment worthy of a James Bond movie was found when a young man was pulled over for a random breath test, police have alleged.

Police told court on Saturday of their surprise find when they uncovered a concealed switch near the steering wheel, which, when pushed with a demister button, opened the door to a hidden compartment in the glove box.

Two men have been charged with torture and other offences.

Police allege 40 clear MDMA capsules weighing 7.9 grams and $4000 cash dropped from the secret compartment.

Christopher Anderson, 22, was stopped for a random breath test just after midnight on Friday in Surry Hills.
Monday, January 18 marks the anniversary of the 2003 bushfire that tore through western Canberra and its surrounds, leaving four people dead, 490 injured and more than 500 homes destroyed.

On that day, the weather played a huge role, as temperatures reached 40 degrees and the winds blew in excess of 60 kilometres an hour.

People in the Egret Aboriginal community are urged to leave their homes.

Emergency Services Agency commissioner Dominic Lane has warned the community not to be complacent that such a catastrophic event could never happen again and said living in the bush capital "comes with an element of risk".
Watch out, Silicon Valley. China's out to eat your lunch.

So says Travis Kalanick, the Silicon Valley pioneer who steered Uber Technologies Inc. to a larger valuation than four-fifths of the companies on the Standard & Poor's 500 Index. He's now setting his sights on China: the ride-hailing company's domestic unit is now valued at more than $USUS8 billion, Kalanick told reporters in Beijing Friday.

We gotta play our A-game in order to compete with the best.: Uber chief Travis Kalanick, Credit:Getty Images

The Uber Chief Executive, who's personally overseeing Uber's come-from-behind battle against Didi Kuaidi, argued the country's growing cohort of entrepreneurs will eventually eclipse those that have made the Bay Area a cradle of global technology innovation.

"In the next five years, there will be more innovation, more invention, more entrepreneurship happening in China, happening in Beijing than in Silicon Valley," Kalanick said at the "Geekpark" conference in Beijing Friday. That will in turn spur Chinese corporations to begin to go global and open up to entrepreneurs from without. "We gotta play our A-game in order to compete with the best."
The ACT government should be encouraged to investigate ways of improving the notification process for planning changes in the territory.

Community councils have again raised issue with a component of the planning system and it is a concern that holds some merit.

The holiday silly season in December and January is commonly a shutdown time for much of the territory and when the annual exodus to the south coast takes place.

The fact that several significant development applications have been notified during the quiet Christmas and New Year holiday period of past years shows the issue should be examined.

While the ACT Planning and Land Authority does halt public notifications between December 21 and January 1, it should consider extending this timeframe.
Regional galleries: the crisis that never ends. A few weeks ago I was invited to Canberra by the Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House to view a show called Right Here Now: A Powerful Regional Voice in our Democracy. This event, which has been put together by freelance curators Holly Williams, Ivan Muniz Reed and Glenn Barkley, was conceived as a celebration of the vitality of the visual arts in "regional, rural and remote areas" of Australia.

The exhibition includes work from all six states and the Northern Territory, and features older, established artists acting as mentors for emerging practitioners. It's a lively mix of Indigenous and non-Indigenous talent.

Skin Deep by Sandra Hill. Credit:Stefan Postles

At this point cue a big sigh, because while regional arts are being celebrated in the nation's capital they are being undermined by narrow-minded local councils in other parts of the country.

It probably started with Port Macquarie building a massive new arts centre, then deciding to save money by abolishing the position of gallery director. The catastrophe was advanced in Newcastle, during the reign of mayor Jeff McCloy, a local property developer, who removed a very successful and popular gallery director in Ron Ramsey. The mayor would meet his own Waterloo following ICAC revelations that he had been handing money to NSW members of parliament, but the damage has yet to be repaired.
Dan Stewart aka Twisty the Clown says bookings are declining. Credit:Simon Schluter "There were no adverse events among the families treated in the clown condition," the study team reported. "However, there were three instances of coulrophobia among pediatric interns." So traumatised were the staff, the experiment was axed after just a week. It probably didn't help, of course, that even in Mongolia the image of the scary clown, Bozo's evil twin, was arguably more prevalent, and probably cooler, than Bozo himself. Send out the clowns: Many are blaming adult coulrophobia for decline in demand for clowns. Stephen King's 1986 novel and 1990 film, It, pushed the evil clown image to the front of popular culture. At the same time, cult films such as Killer Klowns from Outer Space (1988) lent a kind of alt-culture cachet to the image.

US serial killer John Wayne Gacy, executed in 1994, gave horrible real-world legitimacy to the evil clown stereotype. When not murdering people, he used to parade at kids' parties as Pogo the Clown. Cult films such as Killer Klowns from Outer Space have helped fuel the anti-clown hysteria. And then there is the enduring presence of Krusty the Clown, from The Simpsons, who while not being strictly evil is nevertheless not the kind of character most people would comfortably assign to entertain their children. The curious thing, though, is that the image of the scary clown seems to have been born at the exact same moment, and in the exact same performer, as the image of the funny one. The archetypal panto clown is generally agreed to have been a London performer called Joseph Grimaldi, who died in 1837.

"But Grimaldi was known to be very rude as well as very lively," said Sue Broadway, co-founder of Circus Oz and one Australia's most respected clowns. Grimaldi was immensely popular, but also afflicted by personal injury and family tragedy. His son, also a clown, died young and became the inspiration for a dissolute character in Charles Dickens's The Pickwick Papers. After Grimaldi himself died, alone, broke and alcoholic, Dickens came forward to write his biography. A 2013 history of clowning published in Smithsonian magazine quotes Andrew McConnell Stott, an English professor at the University of Buffalo in New York, suggesting that Dickens thus invented the concept of the scary clown. "It becomes impossible to disassociate the character from the actor," he said. Arguably, in fact, the scary clown image has ended up more pervasive than its benign doppelganger. Tom Davis at Westside cites recent examples such as gruesome clowns cropping up in the popular TV series American Horror Story. "Anything like that where something supposedly innocent is subverted into a horror trope, especially something so iconic, is most likely to sour the image of clowns," he said.

Westside's CEO, Simon Clarke, 45, said that for him a little bit of badness is present in even the sweetest red-nosed buffoon. "The clown has never really been purely innocent," he said. As evidence, he points to the classical Italian clowning tradition known as Commedia dell' arte, which features stock characters who act as victimisers as often as victims. "One of the fascinating things about clowning is the duality that is inherent in it," he said. "I don't think it's ever been just one thing." Children's entertainer Dan Stewart, 55, of Wheelers Hill, calls himself The Amazing Mr Twisty, and has a range of characters into which he transforms. One of them, Twisty the Clown, hasn't been getting too many gigs of late. "It's definitely in decline, very much so," he said.

Children, he said, reacted badly to Twisty only rarely. "You get it more from the adults," he said. "Some adults just have clown phobias  they've seen too many old scary clown movies. Some children, though, might have never seen a clown before  and it can be too strange for small ones. "But when they get over seven or eight years old they start to lose interest anyway, and prefer my magic show." Stewart, who took to professional entertaining 12 years ago after working as a window-cleaner, isn't too fussed about the apparent twilight of the clowns. "I love doing the show, once I'm in the clown persona," he said. "But I try to steer clear of it because of the time it takes to get into costume and get the make-up on. It's very time consuming."

But although Bozo  and Twisty  might be contemplating the final curtain, one last bow with the fake tears squirting through the hidden tubes before the red nose comes off forever, a newer kind of clown seems set to claim the future. Westside Circus has just moved into new and larger premises. Its training courses for kids and adults are filling fast. At Swinburne University, the National Institute for Circus Arts, Australia's only tertiary circus school, boasts clowning teachers from Cirque du Soleil and the Moscow State Circus. Sue Broadway, now ex-Circus Oz, has formed a clowning duo with Deb Batton, late of Sydney's alt-circus troupe Legs On The Wall, and is currently touring the east coast. She points to performers such as Melbourne's Claire Bartholomew and her troupe Die Roten Punkte as examples of where clowning is headed. "They're clowns that don't look like traditional clowns, but what they are doing is still clowning," she said. "There are a lot of new ideas of what's possible in clowning. There is such a wide range of possibilities, but it's all to do with physicality in the moment. I think clowning is an art form, not a precise definition."
The themes? Huge. Nothing less than the whitefella's place in this country, the future of the bush in a drying climate, and need to acknowledge and accept responsibility for environmental and genocidal crimes.

There's an enjoyable bigness to Reg Cribb's new play. The setting? Big. A 30,000-hectare sheep station. Through it flows the Murray River. That's pretty big, too. Or rather, it used to be. After years of drought, the river that always flowed in this part of the country, no matter what, is down to a turbid 15 centimetres.

Francesca Savige and Grant Cartwright in Thomas Murray and the Upside Down River.

Reg Cribb's Thomas Murray and the Upside Down River at Griffin Theatre. Credit:Robert Catto, Photographer

The play's emotional baggage is pretty weighty, too, with Thomas Murray (Grant Cartwright), fifth generation farmer and only son, falling in love (again) with childhood flame Lucy (Francesca Savige) on her return to outback Tilpa after years in Africa, building orphanages and the like.

Also back in town after a similarly lengthy absence is Billy (Bjorn Stewart), the Aboriginal kid who braved endless beatings just to play with Thom and Lucy back in the day. Feelings ran deep then and they run even deeper now.

Big sky. Big river. Big betrayal. Big secrets exposed as the river recedes. Thomas Murray is a lot of play for your money. Cribb gives you much to think about and plenty of time in which to do so.

It demands an attractive and muscular production and gets one. Chris Bendall's direction is imaginative, fluent in its handling of the play's temporal shifts and notably physical. Designer Dann Barber's wooden ramp of a stage has all kinds of surprises built into it. Kingsley Reeve's sound design twangs and shimmers.
Camp Taji, Iraq: During a brief, unannounced visit to Australian troops in Iraq, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has called on European countries to "step up" with stronger help to defeat Islamic State.

Speaking to several hundred Australian and Kiwi soldiers at Camp Taji, north of Baghdad, Mr Turnbull also flagged possible further Australian contributions in future but stressed that the military commitment would not last forever.

"We're encouraging other countries, particularly other European countries, NATO countries, to step up and make a greater contribution, too," he said.

Australia has about 300 troops training the Iraqi army at Taji base as well as an air taskforce including six Hornet fighter jets and about 80 elite special force soldiers helping direct Iraqi combat operations from various bases.
Lavish dinners, coffee machines, Qantas Club membership and a cushy office chair. These are just some of the perks paid for by taxpayers for the heads of some state government agencies.

Among the biggest expenses have been dinners at some of Sydney's top restaurants such as the French restaurant Felix at the Ivy, Azuma Japanese in Chifley Tower which has a minimum spend of $45 a head, and Neil Perry's Rockpool Bar and Grill.

Rockpool Bar and Grill in Sydney where some chief executives dined. Credit:Chris Pearce

Fairfax Media has obtained the details of the expense accounts for the heads of six government departments which shows in total they have spent more than $110,000 in expenses in the past three financial years  but there are vastly different spending patterns among them.

Documents accessed under the state's Government Information Public Access Act (GIPA) by Fairfax Media show that the most frugal with public funds were the chief executive officers of Infrastructure NSW, Jim Betts and formerly Paul Broad. Between them they spent a combined total of $5905.94.
Riot police were called to a community hall in Sydney's west on Friday night and a 17-year-old was arrested after a party for underage teens allegedly turned violent.

Up to 400 people were at a party at Sandringham Drive in Cecil Hills at 11pm, when police were called with reports of underage drinking and "anti-social behaviour".

Officers from Green Valley Local Area Command responded. When they arrived, police allege a 17-year-old boy punched a male officer in the face.

The teen was arrested, with police taking his details to pursue him later, before he was released and told to leave the area.

The officer was not injured.
A picnic to free women's nipples has gained interest and sparked a wider debate about equality, surprising the two Brisbane women who started the event earlier in the week.

Zoe Buckley Lennox, 22 and Amanda Haworth, 21, were sitting on their bed on Tuesday evening, "talking about nipples", when the idea struck them to create a picnic for their female friends, sans tops.

The plan was to get together and create a space where women don't feel sexualised or shamed for baring their nipples.

Within 20 minutes they had created the Free the Nipple Picnic event, to be held at West End on Sunday January 17.
Gunmen storm hotel, kill 20

Security forces have ended a siege by al-Qaeda fighters at a hotel in Burkina Faso's capital, killing three Islamist gunmen and freeing 126 hostages, the West African nation's security minister says.

At least 20 people are believed to have been killed in the attack on Ouagadougou's Splendid Hotel, which began late on Friday. Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) claimed responsibility for the raid.

Simon Compaore said on Saturday operations were still under way at a second hotel nearby, the Hotel Yibi, and security forces were trying to determine if some of the fighters were hiding there.
The Starbucks suicide bomber in the Jakarta terror attacks tried to drag another person into his deadly embrace before the bomb exploded inside the American coffee chain on Thursday morning.

Fortunately the man, identified as Aldi, managed to survive although he was hospitalised for injuries.

A gory photo of the suspected suicide bomber, Ahmad Muhazan bin Saron, with his intestines spilling onto shattered glass, was shown to journalists on Saturday.
Berlin: A prominent ally of Germany's Angela Merkel threatened on Saturday to take her government to court over its "open door" refugee policy as political pressure grows for the chancellor to reduce the number of new arrivals.

Bavarian state premier Horst Seehofer said he would send the federal government a written request within the next two weeks to restore "orderly conditions" at the nation's borders, through which one million migrants and refugees passed last year alone.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel is becoming increasingly isolated over her progressive stance on refugees. Credit:Markus Schreiber

"If it doesn't follow, the state government will have no other choice but to file a suit at the federal constitutional court," Seehofer told Der Spiegel magazine.
Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton speaks in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Credit:Patrick Semansky Mr Israel, a former chairman of the Democrats' House campaign committee, said that a Sanders nomination "increases the level of anxiety that many of our candidates have in swing districts, where a Hillary Clinton nomination erases that anxiety". Sensing the tightening race, some state party officials have gone out of their way to keep the peace with supporters of Senator Sanders, hoping to tap their energy and keep them activated for the general election campaign. Hillary Clinton speaks during an event in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, the state where the first primary will be held on February 1. Credit:Daniel Acker The re-evaluation of the Democratic primaries  which seemed destined for a Clinton coronation after she recovered from a damaging summertime slide amid controversy over her use of a private email system while secretary of state  comes as state and national surveys show her sliding fast once again.

A Des Moines Register survey of likely Iowa caucus voters released on Thursday showed a statistical dead heat, with Mrs Clinton at 42 per cent and Senator Sanders at 40. That marks a significant shift from a month ago when Mrs Clinton held a lead of 9 percentage points and saw her share of the vote at 48 per cent. In New Hampshire, Senator Sanders holds a commanding lead, 53 per cent to 39 per cent, according to a Monmouth University poll released this week. Mrs Clinton and Senator Sanders have escalated their attacks on each other, with each claiming to be the strongest general election candidate. The new dynamic will be on display in South Carolina this weekend, when the Democratic candidates attend a party dinner and then a fish fry hosted by Mr Clyburn ahead of their next debate on Sunday night. The pre-debate events, expected to draw hundreds of activists, will serve as a chance for Senator Sanders to prove that his campaign has an effective organisation beyond the first two states. "We're really at the front end of the process for states beyond Iowa and New Hampshire," said Sanders adviser Tad Devine. "Part of the process is to convince people Bernie is a serious option, and doing well in early states helps with that." Mrs Clinton's allies have said that they have always planned for a difficult primary season and that they expect their well-structured campaign to pay dividends when the race moves on to larger states with more diverse electorates than the two earliest states. They note that a recent trip to Oklahoma, part of the Super Tuesday bloc of 10 states on March 1, demonstrated their campaign's long view of the race.

"From day one we have told everyone who will listen this would be a dogfight," said Jerry Crawford, a long-time Mrs Clinton supporter in Iowa. "Hillary will continue to fight for every vote just as she has done since day one in Iowa, and I wouldn't trade places with any other campaign." Whether or not he wins, Senator Sanders' rise has created challenges for party leaders by highlighting policy differences between the Democratic establishment and the party's support base. Many of Senator Sanders' proposals  Medicare for all, free college and breaking up the big banks  go beyond congressional Democrats' agenda but are now embraced by an ascendant activist wing of the party. Those policy prescriptions win support in primaries, but many Democratic elites fear how they will play in a general election. At the same time, Democratic leaders know they can't afford to alienate an energised party base. Some recent surveys suggest that Senator Sanders is drawing support beyond the liberals and young voters who have been flocking to his rallies.

A Quinnipiac University poll early this month found Senator Sanders trailing Mrs Clinton by an insignificant 2 percentage points among moderate and conservative Democrats, a sharp shift from Mrs Clinton's 24 per centage-point lead among this group in December. "Whatever the success that Senator Sanders, that Bernie Sanders has, I think it's important to recognise that his supporters are essential to our success in winning the White House," House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, of California, told reporters in the Capitol on Wednesday. In the Senate, more than two-thirds of the Democratic caucus has endorsed Mrs Clinton. For now, the senators will remain calm, even if Mrs Clinton loses the first two states, according to a senior Democratic consultant working on Senate races. However, full-fledged panic would set in if Mrs Clinton then loses the Nevada caucuses, wedged in between New Hampshire and South Carolina, the consultant said. A Clinton defeat would complicate matters for one of the country's most vulnerable Democrats, Illinois Representative Cheri Bustos, who said on Thursday that much of her campaign strategy is based on energising female voters with the potential of a woman at the top of the ticket in Mrs Clinton and a woman running for Senate, with Democratic Illinois Representative Tammy Duckworth, the leading candidate. "There's a lot of excitement about having a woman at the top of the ticket," Ms Bustos said in an interview on Thursday, declining to directly critique Senator Sanders.

David Pepper, the Ohio Democratic Party chairman, said Mrs Clinton's infrastructure remains very strong, after her decisive victory over Mr Obama there eight years ago. But, he said, the Sanders team has been on the move. Mr Pepper said he allowed Senator Sanders' supporters to use party headquarters to host a national "meet-up", and Mr Pepper met Senator Sanders after 6000 supporters attended a rally in Cleveland. One of Senator Sanders' supporters recently announced a challenge to Ohio Representative James Renacci, a third-term Republican whose most recent re-election drew little competition. "Our strategy of being intensely neutral and welcoming to all is paying off," Mr Pepper said. Mr Pepper's approach differs from that of the Democratic National Committee, whose leadership has been feuding with the Sanders campaign over debate scheduling and other areas where Sanders allies say the party has shown favouritism to Mrs Clinton.
PHILIPSBURG:--- The Give Back to the Community Project initiated in 2015 by Member of Parliament (MP) Leona Marlin-Romeo is continuing and will remain focused on contributing to primarily key persons, organizations, public schools and positive initiatives being conducted in the community.

The Gazebo Socials, an organization that engages in numerous social activities for the seniors of Sint Maarten was one of the first organizations to receive a donation from the MP for 2016.

Gazebo Socials intends to keep a special event for the seniors in the month of January. MP Marlin-Romeo will continue to contribute towards persons in the community who illustrates extraordinary talent, have creative ideas and or is seeking educational advancement.

The Member of Parliament encourages others to also do their part in giving back to the community. The MP is of the opinion that if each of us contribute, collectively certain dilemmas in our community will be eliminated.

MP Leona Marlin-Romeo in a press release on Friday would like to remind the community that her office hours for the public is on Friday's. Please call 549-0126 for an appointment.
'It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown' won't be on TV this year: How to see it
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.
This article was originally published at The Conversation. The publication contributed the article to Space.com's Expert Voices: Op-Ed & Insights.

When astronomers point their telescopes up at the sky to see distant supernovae or quasars, theyre collecting light thats traveled millions or even billions of light-years through space. Even huge and powerful energy sources in the cosmos are unimaginably tiny and faint when we view them from such a distance. In order to learn about galaxies as they were forming soon after the Big Bang, and about nearby but much smaller and fainter objects, astronomers need more powerful telescopes.

Perhaps the poster child for programs that require extraordinary sensitivity and the sharpest possible images is the search for planets around other stars, where the body were trying to detect is extremely close to its star and roughly a billion times fainter. Finding earth-like planets is one of the most exciting prospects for the next generation of telescopes, and could eventually lead to discovering extraterrestrial signatures of life.

Detectors in research telescopes are already so sensitive that they capture almost every incoming photon, so theres only one way to detect fainter objects and resolve structure on finer scales: build a bigger telescope. A large telescope doesnt just capture more photons, it can also produce sharper images. Thats because the wave nature of light sets a limit to the telescopes resolution, known as the diffraction limit; the sharpness of the image depends on the wavelength of the light and the telescopes diameter.

As optical scientists, our contribution to the next generation of telescopes is figuring out how to craft the gargantuan mirrors they rely on to collect light from far away. Heres how were perfecting the technology that will enable tomorrows astrophysical discoveries.

Multiple mirrors

The question is how to build something substantially bigger than the current generation of telescopes, which have effective diameters of 8 to 12 meters (26 to 40 feet). One of the biggest challenges is making a bigger mirror to collect the light.

First, it helps to know the basic optical layout of a telescope, illustrated here by the Giant Magellan Telescope (GMT) that is being built in Chile. A large primary mirror collects incoming light and reflects it to a focus. The light is reflected a second time by the smaller secondary mirror, to form an image on an instrument located at a safe, accessible place below the primary mirror, where the image is recorded.

A mirror much larger than eight meters, made of a single piece of glass, would be too expensive and too hard to handle. Everyone involved in building giant telescopes agrees that the solution is to make the primary mirror out of multiple smaller mirrors. Multiple pieces of glass are shaped and aligned to form one gigantic mirror, called a segmented mirror. Gaps between the segments are acceptable as long as the segments' surfaces lie on a continuous nearly parabolic surface, called the parent surface.

The three extremely large telescope (ELT) projects now in development have made very different decisions about the design of this segmented primary mirror. Two of the ELTs, the European ELT and the Thirty Meter Telescope, have adopted the approach pioneered by the 10-meter Keck Observatory telescopes in Hawaii  theyll make a giant mirror out of hundreds of 1.5-meter segments.

The third project, the Giant Magellan Telescope, takes a different tack. Its 25-meter primary mirror will have only seven segments. Theyre the largest single mirrors that can be made, the 8.4-meter (28-foot) honeycomb mirrors we produce here at the Richard F. Caris Mirror Lab at the University of Arizona. The GMTs 3-meter secondary mirror also has seven segments, each paired with one of the primary mirror segments.

Artists representation of the seven giant mirrors installed in the Giant Magellan Telescope. (Image credit: Giant Magellan Telescope - GMTO Corporation)

Large, stiff and light

Big mirror segments guarantee a smooth surface over their entire large areas. The more segments there are in the primary mirror, the more its accuracy depends on their precise alignment to keep them on the parent surface. Because of the pairing of primary and secondary mirror segments in the GMT, the fine control needed to form sharp images can be done by moving the small, agile segments of the secondary mirror rather than the 8.4-meter primary segments. A second advantage of the 8.4-meter honeycomb mirrors is their strong legacy, including use in what is currently the worlds largest telescope, the Large Binocular Telescope here in Arizona.

One of the challenges of using a large mirror is that it tends to bend under its own weight and the force of wind. The mirror is exposed to wind like a sail on a yacht, but it can only bend by about 100 nanometers before its images become too blurry. The best way to overcome this problem is to make the mirror as stiff as is practical, while also limiting its weight.

We accomplish this feat by casting the mirror into a lightweight honeycomb structure. Each mirror has a continuous glass facesheet on top and an almost continuous backsheet, each about one inch thick. Holding the two sheets together is a honeycomb structure consisting of half-inch-thick ribs in a hexagonal pattern. Our honeycomb mirrors are 70 centimeters thick, making them stiff enough to withstand the forces of gravity and wind. But theyre 80 percent hollow and weigh about 16 tons each, light enough that they dont bend significantly under their own weight.

Mold for casting an 8.4-meter honeycomb mirror for the GMT. The glass will melt around the hexagonal boxes to form the honeycomb. (Image credit: Ray Bertram, Steward Observatory)

Crafting the mirror

We start by melting glass into a complex mold thats the negative of the honeycomb mirror we want to end up with. While the glass is molten, the furnace spins at five revolutions per minute; the centrifugal force pushes the glass' surface into the concave parabolic shape that can focus light from a distant star. Watch the video below to see the construction of the honeycomb mold and the spin-casting process.

Spin-casting the honeycomb mirror.

The spin-cast mirror surface doesnt yet have the optical quality needed to make sharp images. But spinning gives it the right overall curvature and saves our having to grind out 14 tons of glass from a flat surface  almost as much glass as is left in the finished mirror.

Polishing the surface

Next we need to polish the surface to an accuracy of a small fraction of the lights wavelength, so it will form the sharpest images possible. The mirror surface has to match the ideal, nearly parabolic surface to about 25 nanometers  about 3 ten-thousandths of the width of a human hair. Thats really, really smooth; if the mirror were scaled up to the size of North America, the tallest mountain would be one inch high and the deepest canyon would be one inch low.

To guide our polishing, the first step is to create a superfine contour map of the mirrors surface, with steps of less than 10 nanometers. As our ruler, we use red laser light; its divisions are the lights wavelength  about 630 nanometers  and it can be read to about one hundredth of a division.

The measuring instrument illuminates the mirror surface, collects the reflected light, and compares the path lengths of the rays reflected by different locations on the mirror. A ray that reflects off a high spot will have a shorter path than a ray that hits a low spot. The instrument uses this information to construct the contour map of the mirrors surface.

The basic principle of polishing is to rub the surface with a disk-shaped tool, removing glass selectively from the spots that are too high. A fine abrasive such as rouge (iron oxide) slowly removes glass, atom by atom, through mechanical and chemical processes.

Figuring is removing glass explicitly from high spots identified in the contour map, for example by having the tool rub there longer. This is effective on scales larger than about 10 centimeters. Smoothing is what happens when you rub a stiff tool over a rough surface: the tool naturally sits on the high spots and removes more material there, even without any guidance from a contour map. This is effective on scales smaller than 10 centimeters. Both methods are more difficult when the mirror surface is aspheric, meaning its curvature changes from point to point, which is very much the case for the GMT segments.

An 8.4-meter mirror for the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope being polished at the Richard F. Caris Mirror Lab. (Image credit: Steward Observatory, CC BY-ND)

Weve developed several new polishing tools to address the challenges of polishing large mirrors for telescopes. One essential feature of any polishing tool is that it match the shape of the mirror surface to an accuracy of around 1 micron. The larger tool in the background is a complex electro-mechanical system that changes the shape of a stiff aluminum disk as it moves over the surface, so it always matches the local curvature of the mirror.

The smaller tool in the foreground is much simpler. Similar to Galileos reinvention of a carnival toy as an astronomical telescope, our new idea came from Silly Putty  a non-Newtonian fluid that flows like a liquid over a long period of time but acts like a solid on short timescales. We harness those intrinsic properties to achieve both figuring and smoothing.

Our tool, containing Silly Putty enclosed by a thin rubber diaphragm, slowly moves over the surface of the mirror while simultaneously rapidly orbiting around itself. The Silly Putty is stiff over the quick period of the orbit, which smooths out small-scale irregularities in the mirror surface. Over the longer time it takes to move across the mirror, the Silly Putty flows easily, so the tool always matches the surfaces shape. As a result, it removes glass at a predictable rate and in a predictable pattern that doesnt vary as it moves across the mirror.

The Giant Magellan Telescope as it will look after construction on Cerro Las Campanas in Chile. (Image credit: Giant Magellan Telescope  GMTO Corporation, CC BY)

Countdown to installation

Here at the Mirror Lab, we finished making the first Giant Magellan Telescope segment in 2012. After a pause for work on two other mirrors, the lab is in the process of grinding Segments 2 and 3. Segment 4 has just finished cooling to room temperature after spin-casting in September 2015. We are well on the way to manufacturing the full 25-meter primary mirror.

If you're a topical expert  researcher, business leader, author or innovator  and would like to contribute an op-ed piece, email us here (Image credit: SPACE.com)

Getting these near-perfect mirrors from our lab in Arizona to a mountaintop in Chile presents another set of challenges. They travel by tractor-trailer on land, and by freight ship from California to Chile. The keys to safe transport are distributing the weight of the mirror over hundreds of support points and having several layers of suspension between the mirror and the road or ship deck.

The GMT project schedule calls for a preliminary first light, with four segments installed in the telescope, in 2022. We expect all seven segments to be scanning the cosmos starting in 2024.

Many of us who work on the GMT see it as the way to open new windows into the universe, as the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) has done over the last 25 years. That orbiting telescope was a generous gift to the next generation from the people who worked on the project for decades before it launched. HSTs deep space images amazed, motivated and inspired many of us on Earth. The GMT project team dreams of passing on a similar gift for future generations.

Buddy Martin, Project Scientist at the Steward Observatory and Associate Research Professor of Optical Sciences, University of Arizona and Dae Wook Kim, Assistant Professor of Optical Sciences, University of Arizona

This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article. Follow all of the Expert Voices issues and debates  and become part of the discussion  on Facebook, Twitter and Google +. The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher. This version of the article was originally published on Space.com.
The first stage of the Falcon 9 rocket that SpaceX landed during an orbital launch on Dec. 21, 2015, rests in a hangar at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida.

WASHINGTON  SpaceX carried out a test of a recovered Falcon 9 first stage late Jan. 15 as the company prepares for its next launch and landing attempt.

Speaking at a press conference at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California, about the scheduled Jan. 17 launch of the Jason-3 ocean science satellite on a Falcon 9, SpaceX vice president of mission assurance Hans Koenigsmann said the company conducted a static fire test of the Falcon 9 first stage the company landed Dec. 21.

"Apparently it went very well," Koenigsmann said of the test, which he said the company had "just completed" back at Cape Canaveral, Florida. He did not offer more details about the test, saying he has been focused on the upcoming Jason-3 launch. [SpaceX's Epic Falcon 9 Rocket Landing in Pictures]

Elon Musk, the chief executive of SpaceX, confirmed in tweets that the company had just conducted a static test firing of the Falcon 9 first stage. "Data looks good overall, but engine 9 showed thrust fluctuations," he wrote.

The engine in question, he said, is an "outer engine" on a ring of eight that surround a center engine. Musk suggested "debris ingestion" might be the cause of the thrust fluctuations, with more study of the engine planned.

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SpaceX set up the stage on its launch pad at Launch Complex 40, the same pad where the rocket lifted off Dec. 21 on a mission to deploy 11 Orbcomm second-generation satellites. After stage separation on that flight, the stage returned to the Cape, landing at a decommissioned launch site known as "Landing Zone 1" by SpaceX several kilometers south of the launch pad.

SpaceX later moved the first stage to a hangar adjacent to Launch Complex 39A, the former space shuttle pad SpaceX is leasing from NASA and renovating. The company originally planned to carry out the static fire test, a way of demonstrating the potential reusability of the vehicle, at that pad, but moved the stage back to Launch Complex 40 instead.

"That booster is in great shape," Koenigsmann said at the press conference. "We inspected it. We found nothing out of order."

The first stage landing was widely hailed as a major milestone in SpaceX's efforts to make a reusable version of the Falcon 9, although Musk said after the launch there were no plans to refly the stage. SpaceX would instead attempt to refly a stage landed during one of the companys launches planned for this year.

The next opportunity to land a stage will come Jan. 17 with the launch of Jason-3. Unlike the December flight, where the stage returned to Cape Canaveral, the Falcon 9 first stage on this mission will instead land on a "droneship," a floating platform in the Pacific Ocean nearly 300 kilometers downrange from the launch site.

Koenigsmann said SpaceX is doing the ship landing on this mission because it was not able to secure environmental permissions in time to permit a landing back at Vandenberg. "We could land back on land" were it not for the paperwork issue, he said. "We have enough energy on this mission to come back to land. Its not anything technical."

SpaceX, though, has suggested some future launches might require a landing at sea because the stage doesn't have the energy required for a return to land. That would likely be the case on missions where the payload is heavy enough for the required orbit to prevent the first stage from retaining enough propellant to execute a return to the launch site.

In the SpaceX Payload Processing Facility at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, scientists and engineers encapsulate the Jason-3 satellite in its payload fairing ahead of its planned Jan. 17, 2016 launch. (Image credit: SpaceX/Lauren Lyons)

The landing attempt on the next Falcon 9 launch nearly overshadows the launch itself. At the Jan. 15 press conference, NASA and SpaceX officials reported no issues with the launch vehicle or satellite that could delay the 1:42 p.m. Eastern launch Jan. 17. Forecasts predict no weather issues as well.

For those involved with the mission, the launch has been a long time coming. The launch has faced a number of delays, including one of nearly six months caused by last year's Falcon 9 launch failure. "We've been waiting for this launch for well over two years now," said Jim Silva, Jason-3 program manager at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Even scientists involved with the mission, though, were excited about the prospects of both a successful launch and landing. "We're excited to get a ride to space and we hope SpaceX breaks a leg  but not literally a leg," said Josh Willis, Jason-3 project scientist at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

This story was provided by SpaceNews, dedicated to covering all aspects of the space industry.
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Netflix is thisclose to pulling the trigger on The Punisher, a new Marvel spinoff series centered on Jon Bernthals gun-toting Daredevil vigilante (aka Frank Castle), TVLine has learned exclusively.Viewers will get their first look at Bernthals Punisher when Daredevil s second season drops on Friday, March 18, but the early buzz on the Walking Dead alums performance is overwhelmingly positive.Viewers watching the show will be rooting for this guy with a gun but were also going to force people to second-guess themselves, previewed exec producer Doug Petrie in a recent interview with EW.com. Taking lethal justice into your own hands in America in 2015 is tricky st.
A drama graduate has revealed how she made her professional stage debut after she heard a lead cast member was taken ill while she was in the audience.

Melissa Bayern, 29, was watching Into the Woods at the Royal Exchange Theatre in Manchester when director Matthew Xia stepped out on stage to say actress Gillian Bevan, who played the witch, was unwell.

She was replaced on the night by another cast member but friends urged Miss Bayern to make contact with Mr Xia about appearing in the role as she had recently finished her performance as the witch on her masters course in Cardiff.

Miss Bayern left her details with the theatre and emailed the director her headshots and a clip of her performing.

She was invited for a meeting the next day to say thanks for the offer but that her services would not be required as Ms Bevan was expected to make a full recovery.

Dream debut: Melissa Bayern made her professional debut after only just graduating from drama school / Melissa Bayern

However, the following afternoon she received a call asking her to travel back to Manchester from her home in London to perform in the production.

In total, Miss Bayern took part in seven performances before her run ended on Sunday, describing it as a dream debut.

She told the Standard: I was so thrilled and overjoyed to be on stage. It has been one of the best experiences of my life. Everyone was so lovely and warm and very supportive towards me.

I could only imagine what they were thinking because Gillian Bevan is such a talented and established actress. I just wanted to keep calm on the surface.

It just shows when you put your mind to it that anything is possible.

Director Matthew Xia told The Stage: Melissa was stepping in to cover one of Sondheim's biggest characters, with just five hours of rehearsal.

"She did an amazing job, as did the rest of the company and team, who were all incredibly adaptive and supportive.

The inimitable Gillian Bevan is now back for our final week, but we will always be extremely thankful to Melissa and her enterprising decision to leave her telephone number with stage door its almost a fairytale in itself.

Miss Bayern, who lives in Palmers Green, completed her one-year course at the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama in Cardiff in December.
L eading figures in the music and film industry including Brian May, George Michael, and Hans Zimmer have all objected to a planned basement extension next door to the legendary AIR Studios in Hampstead.

AIR Studios was founded by The Beatles producer Sir George Martin and is currently housed in the Grade II listed Lyndhurst Hall. The building is one of only two recording facilities in London that can house a full symphony orchestra.

The music making is under threat though from a planning application by neighbours Andrew and Elizabeth Jeffreys for a basement complex containing a gym, sauna, and swimming pool.

A petition against this planning application has now reached over 10,000 signatures.

Opponents to the basement plans say the noise from the construction work will disrupt recordings, and could potentially cause serious structural damage to the 19th century building.

Paul Woolfe, co-owner of AIR Studios said, All those risks combined would mean we could stop work [and] theres no guarantee that if we have to stop work for six months or a year that our clients would wait.

The impact on us could be fateful. The impact on the film and music industry in the UK could be fateful.

There are fears that hundreds of musicians and producers could be out of work.

A Camden Council spokesperson said, Given the nature of the studios use and the heritage importance of the buildings, scrutiny of the proposal is intentionally thorough.

In the event that permission were to be granted, the Council would also require careful management of the construction process through a construction management plan to control and mitigate disruption to AIR Studios and other neighbours.

In a statement in response to opposition to the plans, Tomas Croft the architect representing the Jeffreys says that, "The applicants are a young family who are long term and permanent residents of the area and are fully aware of the local character of the community and have no desire to cause any needless disruption.

From the beginning of the application process the objective of the family has been to be able to extend the house without causing undue disruption to neighbouring commercial and private properties.

With no indication of when a decision on the planning application will be made, the future of the studios remains in limbo.
A billionaire Danish fashion tycoon has launched a bid to rescue a historic east London neighbourhood from City developers just days before Boris Johnson is due to rule on it.

Troels Holch Povlsen, 66, has offered to match whatever returns the City of London Corporation has been promised by British Land for Norton Folgate  a corner of Spitalfields owned by the corporation and earmarked for demolition.

Conservation group the Spitalfields Trust has been battling the development plans since they were announced, organising a public protest last year that attracted the likes of TV historian Dan Cruickshank.

Tower Hamlets Council  within whose boundaries the site lies  rejected British Lands proposals in September, but the Mayor of London called in the decision and is expected to make a ruling on the sites future on Monday.

Spitalfields Trust director Tim Whittaker told the Standard: We have a backer who will buy the site from the City and match British Lands price and more if need be.

We would then carry out our scheme to repair the buildings and get the area into use by small businesses and houses instead of great big offices.

Conservationist Mr Povlsen, who lives in Westminster, has an interest in the area, he added.

Hes horrified by seeing London being ripped to bits and big sites being created out of smaller ones.

He wants to put his money where his mouth is.

Mr Whittaker added that British Land wants to rip 75 per cent of it down.

Were just saying it doesnt need to be done. Why bother having a conservation area if you are going to pull them all down?

Norton Folgate lies within Tower Hamlets Elder Street conservation area.

The trust says the historic Liberty has great Victorian warehouses where Londoners are desperate to be.

Move the slider to compare the two competing visions for the site

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If we owned it we could let it out tomorrow, he said.

Instead, he added, it has lain empty for years.

Mr Whittaker criticised the mayors decision to call in Tower Hamlets planning process  but admitted the trust had been expecting Mr Johnson to step in.

The City Corporation has a plan to buy up bits of neighbouring boroughs around the City and built more office space, he said.

A democratic process which was taken in Tower Hamlets with their planning committee is being overruled by the GLA and Boris Johnson, he said.

Thats not democracy.

The Mayor of London's office did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Mr Povlsen's offer.

But a spokesman said last year the decision had been called in to "allow time for the Mayor to visit the site personally and an opportunity for further detailed scrutiny of the development.

He added: Following professional heritage and planning advice, the Mayor wanted to see more of the existing buildings kept and suggested an amendment, which now includes the retention of an additional two warehouses in Blossom Street.

The Mayor has received a revised application and will make a final decision on the development at a public hearing on January 18.

Nigel Webb, head of development at British Land, said: "The application scheme has been prepared by a team including two Stirling Prize winning architects.

"It has evolved through a process of extensive consultation, both before and after submission, and has won the support of independent architectural and heritage experts at CABE, Heritage England, the local Conservation Advisory Panel and officers at Tower Hamlets Council and the GLA, as well as a significant number of members of the local community.

"We are confident that we have the right scheme and look forward to the debate at Monday's hearing."

The City of London Corporation and Mr Povlsen have been approached for comment.
H undreds of protesters broke into a David Bowie classic when they gathered outside the Japanese embassy to campaign against the killing of dolphins.

Demonstrators held placards, banners and inflatable dolphins opposite the embassy in Piccadilly on Saturday to call for an end to hunting in Taiji, Japan, where dolphins are regularly slaughtered.

Activists also performed a rendition of Mr Bowies 1977 hit Heroes after the song was used in an Oscar-winning documentary to highlight the practices.

The iconic musician, who died on Monday, gave permission for the record to be used in The Cove and was said to have a keen interest in Japanese culture.

Dominic Dyer, a spokesman for the Born Free organisation, said the song made an apt soundtrack for the rally.

He said: When the filmmakers produced this really powerful piece of work, they wanted a tune to finish it with that really evoked all of what had gone on in trying to make the documentary.

"They approached David Bowie and he allowed the tune to be used for a very small amount of money. He knew Japan very well, he toured there regularly and had an interest in Japanese culture and literature - he had quite a lot to lose by having Heroes in this film.

"He chose to use and we want to celebrate that, it has become an anthem for the movement."

Earlier, the crowd had marched down from Cavendish Square and through Piccadilly Circus chanting "stop the slaughter in the water".

The Japanese flag was not flying above the embassy, in what protesters believed was a response to their demonstration.

Lyrics for the song were passed out among the crowd before it was played and Mr Dyer prefaced it with a speech praising Bowie for allowing the track to be used in The Cove.
J ulian Assange can be questioned by Swedish prosecutors at the Ecuadorian embassy in London, the South American nations foreign minister has said.

The WikiLeaks founder has sought refuse in the embassy in Knightsbridge since 2012 as he awaited extradition to Sweden to answer rape allegations.

Foreign minister Ricardo Patino told an Ecuadorian radio station that the country was accepting a request by Sweden to interrogate Assange as long as the sovereignty of the Ecuadorian state and the laws in the Constitution are respected."

He suggested Swedish authorities could provide Ecuadorian counterparts with the questions and could be allowed a presence during the interrogation.

On Friday, Kristinn Hrafnsson, a spokesman for WikiLeaks, told the Guardian that Mr Assange welcomed the opportunity to deliver his statement to the prosecutor.

Julian has been offering his statement to the prosecutor by various means for five years [in total] and for three-and-a-half years since he went into the embassy  whether via video link or by the prosecutor coming to London.

Lets hope [the interview] can be carried out as soon as possible. Julian is very eager to get his point of view into the investigation.

Mr Assange said he fears he will be extradited to the US over the activities of WikiLeaks if he leaves the embassy.

In October, Scotland Yard announced it was removing the 24-hour police presence at the embassy.
P rotesters staged a die-in at St Pancras station to demand refugees are allowed safe passage to Britain from Calais.

Dozens of demonstrators congregated at the Eurostar terminal at 12pm on Saturday for an emergency protest at plans to clear an area of a makeshift migrant camp in the French port town, known as the "Jungle".

On Friday, migrants living in the camp said they would resist efforts to move to new accommodation, indicating they preferred to stay in their tents.

Hundreds of people said they would attend the rally organised by the London2Calais Convoy.

Rally: Protesters are demanding refugees from Calais safe passage to Britain / Bridget Chapman

A statement on the groups Facebook page said: The French state is preparing to bulldoze large sections of the so-called 'Jungle' refugee camp in Calais.

Around 2,000 people have been given three days notice of the planned eviction,coerced into applying for asylum in France without providing a real alternative for them to live.

Police currently blocking the entrance of St.Pancras after refugee protesters attempted to enter #ldn #calaisjungle pic.twitter.com/59AaVT3MWf  James Cropper (@JamesCropper95) January 16, 2016

Many of the people living in the Calais "Jungle", including unaccompanied minors, have close family in the UK.

As activists in Britain, we believe that while the "Jungle" is a symptom of the crisis in Calais and Dunkirk, the root cause is British migration and foreign policy.

Pictures from the scene show police have blocked entrance to the Tube station but British Transport Police told the Standard no disorder has been reported.

Similar events are planned in Calais and Dunkirk.
A Labour government could ban companies from paying out dividends to shareholders unless they pay all their workers the living wage, Jeremy Corbyn has said.

In a keynote speech, the Labour leader signalled his determination to tackle pay inequality as part of a drive to "institutionalise fairness" in Britain.

The living wage is currently set at 9.40 an hour in London and 8.25 elsewhere. The national minimum wage is 6.70.

However, his plans immediately came under fire from the CBI which warned against any move to interfere with the relationship between firms and their shareholders.

CBI chief of staff Matthew Fell said: "The idea of politicians stepping into the relationship between a private company and its shareholders would be a significant intervention and not one we would support."

Addressing a Fabian Society conference at the Institute of Education in central London, Mr Corbyn said too much of the proceeds of economic growth in the UK has gone to those at the top.

"Of the G7 nations, only the US has greater income inequality than the UK. Pay inequality on this scale is neither necessary nor inevitable," he said.

"Too much of the proceeds of growth have accumulated to those at the top. Not only is this unfair, it actually holds back growth. A more equal society is not only fairer, it does better in terms of economic stability and wealth creation."

One option could be the imposition of "pay ratios" between those at the top and those at the bottom of a company's pay scale, he said.

Alternatively, firms could be barred or restricted from distributing dividends until all their employees are getting the living wage - which is higher than the minimum wage.

"Only profitable employers will be paying dividends. If they depend on cheap labour for those profits then I think there is a question over whether that is a business model to which we should be turning a blind eye," he said.

The speech by Mr Corbyn - who is also addressing the Unite trade union's Scottish conference later in the day - will be seen as an attempt to regain the political initiative after the turmoil of the shadow cabinet reshuffle.

Labour disclosed on Friday that former London mayor Ken Livingstone - a close ally of Mr Corbyn - would have no formal role in the party's defence review.

It had previously been announced that Mr Livingstone - who shares Mr Corbyn's opposition to the Trident nuclear deterrent - would co-chair the review, to the fury of many Labour MPs.

Nevertheless, the review will still be led by a Trident opponent - the new shadow defence secretary Emily Thornberry, who replaced the pro-Trident Maria Eagle in the reshuffle.

The Labour leader also used his speech to launch a bitter attack on the Conservatives, accusing them of "running the state into the ground" for ideological reasons.

"Their concept of fairness is of a very different order to ours," he said.

"Fairness for only a few is not fairness, but privilege.

"Look at the floods - flood defence schemes up and down the country cut back because of a political ideology that says the state must be shrunk.

"I saw the consequences of that. I met the families who had lost their personal possessions, their photos, children's toys, family pets."

Additional reporting by the Press Association.
F ive people have been charged in connection with the murder of a British teenager in Guyana.

Aspiring film-maker Dominic Bernard, 18, from Epsom, Surrey, disappeared when he went to visit the South American country in October.

His body was found in a shallow grave in a farming village last week. He suffered severe head injuries and authorities believe he may have been targeted in a robbery.

Two men have been charged with murder, while a man and two women appeared before a judge on Friday accused of helping to bury Mr Bernards body and camera equipment.

Police have reportedly recovered a hammer which is believed to have been one of the murder weapons.

Mr Bernards parents Andrew and Lisa said their son had travelled to Guyana to pursue his dream of studying film-making.

In a statement, the family said: "Dominic Bernard, aged just 18, was full of hope, ambition, creativity, self-respect, faith and trust.

"In chasing his dreams, exploring his heritage and doing the things that brought joy to his heart, and so many others, he tragically encountered those who do not share these values."

Local media reported Mr Bernard's godbrother Aaron Hing, 22, and 23-year-old Staymon George have been charged with the murder.

The 18-year-old flew to Guyana's capital Georgetown on October 14 and was supposed to fly back to England on November 5 but never got on his flight, according to reports.

His father Andrew is understood to have flown out to Guyana following his son's disappearance to assist police.

Additional reporting by PA
P olice say they are increasingly concerned for the safety of a mother and her three children who were last seen on Friday.

Kent Police issued an appeal on Saturday for the whereabouts of Kelly Walsh, from Dartford, after she was last seen in south London.

Investigators said they are growing increasingly concerned for the welfare of the 25-year-old and her three children after they were last seen just before 3pm in the New Cross area.

She is described as white, of medium build, 5ft 2in with long blond hair.

She was last seen wearing blue jeans, white trainers and an orange padded hooded jacket.

Anyone who knows of her whereabouts should call police on 101 quoting reference 15-0230.
B ritons have been warned not to travel to an area of Burkina Faso after a deadly attack by suspected Islamic terrorists on a hotel that is popular with Westerners.

The warning came after reports that masked gunmen stormed the four-star Splendid Hotel in central Ouagadougou, in the west African state on Friday evening. It is used by United Nations staff and Westerners.

Communications minister Remis Dandjinou said 30 hostages, including public works minister Clement Sawadogo, were later freed from the hotel by security forces backed by French troops.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office warned against travelling north of the town of Boulsa, as it is near to the border with Mali.

The FCO advice states: "You should avoid the area and follow the instructions of local security authorities."

Hospital chiefs said that one survivor estimated that many as 20 were dead inside the hotel while 10 bodies were found inside the neighbouring Cappuccino Cafe which was also attacked.

Commandos later used explosives to storm the 147-room hotel as other security forces tried to remove casualties.

The local al Qaida affiliate known as AQIM claimed responsibility online, according to the SITE Intelligence Group.

A failed military coup was staged in the largely Muslim country on September 16 and presidential and parliamentary elections which were held on November 29.

The FCO states: "There could be unannounced demonstrations and strikes and the security situation may deteriorate. You should remain vigilant and stay away from large public gatherings. The airport and land borders may be subject to closure at short notice. Monitor local media and check with your airline for more information."

In a message posted in Arabic on the militants' "Muslim Africa" Telegram account, AQIM said fighters "broke into a restaurant of one of the biggest hotels in the capital of Burkina Faso, and are now entrenched and the clashes are continuing with the enemies of the religion".

Additional reporting by the Press Association.
Charges stemmed from allegations made in July 2015, when Dodson was working at a Christian youth camp south of Deadwood. According to court documents, the camps dean contacted police after the girl reported that Dodson had touched her inappropriately. The girl told investigators that she woke up to Dodson touching her breast underneath her bra. Dodson denied the charge, saying he had not been in the girls room. A grand jury indicted Dodson on Aug. 5, 2015, and trial in the case began Wednesday on a charge of sexual contact with a minor.
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CHICAGO  With agricultural lenders fearing a tidal wave of farm bankruptcies as soon as this spring, lawyers in the Midwest say they want U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa to raise the debt limit for so-called "family farmer" bankruptcies.

Farmers in states like Illinois, Indiana and Iowa are scrambling to secure lending for the 2016 growing season at a time when prices for their corn have halved from three years ago.

Many younger farmers, who tend to be more cash poor than their elders, are expected to be among the hardest hit by stubbornly high input costs such as fertilizer and seeds and souring export sales.

As they seek restructuring advice, many are told their debts surpass the $4 million limit for a Chapter 12 family farm bankruptcy, said at least five lawyers who represent either debtors or creditors.

They say the $4 million cap is out of touch with most farms' current operating size, often thousands of acres of land paid for by expensive leases and worked using tractors that can cost more than $250,000.

"The debt limit for Chapter 12 bankruptcies should be raised to at least $10 million," said Joseph Peiffer, a bankruptcy attorney in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Chapter 12 was created during the 1980s farm crisis as a simple court procedure to let farmers keep operating while working out a plan to repay lenders.

Without a new limit, farmers would be forced into a Chapter 11 filing, which is more costly and onerous.

Peiffer has presented his proposal to Grassley, who also heads the Senate Judiciary Committee which oversees bankruptcy law.

Grassley's office said the senator had seen a proposal to raise the Chapter 12 debt limit and was still gathering information.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has estimated that net farm income plummeted in 2015 to $55.9 billion, down nearly 55 percent from an all-time high in 2013. The final data is set for release next month.

The USDA has also forecast that the data will show farmers' debt-to-asset ratio grew to 12.8 in 2015 from 11.3 in 2013.

Last spring, some farmers took the extreme step of breaching their lease contracts, reducing how much land they will sow this spring and risking years-long legal battles with landlords.

Since then, leading players in the agricultural sector have seen their businesses hurt by lower farm income and grain prices. These include tractor maker Deere & Co., seeds and chemical leader Monsanto Co. and top grain buyer Archer Daniels Midland Co.
Voters in St. Louis and St. Louis County will decide in April whether to back a $900 million bond issue for a sewer overhaul and whether to raise property taxes to pay for stormwater management.

The Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer Districts Board of Trustees voted last month to put the two measures on the April 5 ballot. MSD, which serves St. Louis and nearly all of St. Louis County, is in the midst of a $4.7 billion overhaul of the regions sewer system that the bonds will continue financing. In 2012, voters approved a $945 bond issue to kick off the project that will stretch into the early 2030s.

Without the bonds, sewer rates would rise faster. Thats because MSD is bound by an agreement with the Environmental Protection Agency to perform the work, which is meant to eliminate chronic sewage overflows into the regions rivers and streams. Financing the work with bonds, while more expensive in the long run, would prevent a sharp jump in sewer rates, MSD says.

Sewer rates have already been steadily rising this decade to pay for the work. They hit $41 per month for the average household this summer, up from $29 per month three years ago. If voters approve the bond issue in April, sewer rates would rise to an average of $45 this summer and hit $61 per month by 2019.

Without bonds, MSD projects average sewer rates would rise to $96 per month by 2019. Average sewer rates will continue rising and should be close to $100 per month by the middle of the 2020s.

Voters will also be asked to weigh in on a property tax adjustment that would equalize tax rates for stormwater management at 12 cents per $100 of assessed value. Stormwater property tax rates vary across St. Louis County. Some areas in west St. Louis County pay next to nothing and other areas closer to St. Louis levy higher taxes that must be spent within their boundaries.

MSDs proposal to equalize the rates would actually lower them in some portions of St. Louis County between the St. Louis border and Interstate 270. Rates would rise about 3 cents in St. Louis; west of I-270, rates would go up about 10 cents per $100 of assessed value.

MSD Executive Director Brian Hoelscher said that without the new tax rate, the district could barely maintain its storm sewers in west St. Louis County.

An MSD fee based on the amount of impervious surface each ratepayer owned was struck down by the Missouri Supreme Court in 2013, which ruled it was a tax and needed voter approval. Some members of an MSD commission complained that a tax would exempt nonprofits such as hospitals and universities from contributing to the stormwater system.

Hoelscher said the district thought it was legally safer to ask for a tax now and come back in a few years with a proposal for a dedicated stormwater runoff charge that could fund fixes to eroding creeks and flood-prone areas.

The stormwater tax on Aprils ballot wont have much money for capital projects, but it will free up some for projects that should have an impact, Hoelscher said. Managing erosion and creek flooding caused by decades of urbanization, however, will need its own funding mechanism.

Erosion caused by discharging storm sewers, we can fix, he said. Its the other erosion that is not funded in general by this program.
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
PARIS  Catholics and Lutherans have made another step toward joint commemoration of the 500th anniversary of the Reformation in 2017 by issuing common liturgical guidelines for ecumenical services to mark the occasion.

The guidelines, in a booklet called Common Prayer, provide a template for an ecumenical service, complete with suggested prayers, appropriate hymns and themes for sermons.

Catholic leaders in Luthers home country of Germany, where interest in the anniversary is strongest, at first balked at the idea of celebrating what Lutherans there had already named the Reformationsjubilaum (Reformation Jubilee).

But detailed talks between the Lutheran World Federation and the Vatican produced a 93-page report titled From Conflict to Communion in 2013 that announced they would mark the anniversary together and presented the Reformation as the start of a shared 500-year journey rather than a single and divisive historical event.

The latest guidelines say all services should stress the concepts of thanksgiving, repentance and common commitment, with the main focus on Jesus. The guidelines were presented Monday by the Geneva-based Lutheran federation and the Vaticans Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity.

The Reformation, which began with the publication of Martin Luthers 95 Theses in 1517, divided Western Christianity as Protestants broke away from Roman Catholicism and formed their own churches. Until about 50 years ago, the two sides observed each other with suspicion.

But ecumenical discussions in recent decades have reached such a reconciliation that theologians recently suggested they explore the possibility of sharing Communion, which the Catholic Church does not allow with other Christians.

When a Lutheran woman married to a Catholic asked Pope Francis about this during his visit to her church in Rome last November, he said he couldnt decide the question but hinted strongly that he supported it.

It is a question that each person must answer for themselves  there is one baptism, one faith, one Lord, so talk to the Lord and move forward, he told the congregation, which broke out in applause.

The Common Prayer booklet stresses the shared beliefs between Roman Catholicisms 1.2 billion members and the 75 million Lutherans around the world and advises readers that its recommendations can be adjusted according to the country and language in which they are used. The section on repentance admits the post-Reformation wars of religion caused the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people and undermined the gospel message. We deeply regret the evil things that Catholics and Lutherans have mutually done to each other, it says.This common prayer marks a very special moment in our common journey from conflict to communion, the Rev. Martin Junge, general secretary of LWF, and Cardinal Kurt Koch, head of the Vaticans ecumenical department, said in a joint letter accompanying the guidelines.

The booklet suggests that ecumenical services have two presiders, one Catholic and one Lutheran, and several prayer readers of both faiths.

They should use hymns known to both Catholics and Protestants, such as Praise to the Lord, the Almighty  originally written for a Lutheran church in Germany  or meditative chants such as Veni Sancte Spiritus from the ecumenical community of Taize in France.

Readers are told to cite passages in From Conflict to Communion that explain why Catholics and Lutherans should gather in prayer, and presiders are instructed to lead a prayer that laments that even good actions of reform and renewal had often unintended negative consequences.

For a Gospel reading, it suggests John 15, in which Jesus compares himself to a vine and says his followers are its branches. The service should include recitation of two common prayers, the Apostles Creed and the Lords Prayer.
JEFFERSON CITY  Kat Kissick sat in a bathroom stall at the Royale bar in St. Louis, panic setting in as she stared at the positive pregnancy test in her hands.

Kissick had tried to have a child when she was married. But she has endometriosis, a painful condition that reduces the chance of getting pregnant  and increases the odds of miscarriage and postpartum complications for people who are.

Now it was 2010, three years after her divorce. Kissick, 36, found herself pregnant and alone.

About two years later, a woman named Kyla came home from a college internship at Disney World and ran into a middle school crush. One night, Kyla said, they took their renewed relationship too far. It was June 2012 when Kyla found out she was pregnant. The father, she said, wanted no part in it.

Both women called St. Louis Planned Parenthood to end their pregnancies. Both followed Missouris mandated waiting period. But the two women made different decisions about having the procedure.

Their experiences offer a window into the explosive debate over abortion that has led the Missouri Legislature to pass numerous limits on abortion for decades  with more proposed this session.

Republican state lawmakers are considering measures including a ban on abortions in cases of genetic abnormality or for gender selection and a requirement that a second parent be notified when a minor gets an abortion.

Others would strengthen laws governing Planned Parenthoods operations  more inspections, more comprehensive fetal tissue reports and more requirements for doctors performing abortions.

As long as abortions are being performed, there will be those of us who are concerned about the practices, let alone those of us who want to prohibit it outright, said Sam Lee, president of Campaign Life Missouri, an anti-abortion group.

Two decisions

Kissick had waited the required 24 hours. She had heard the risks. She had signed the required consent forms.

Kissick even had an ultrasound, an option Planned Parenthood now is required by law to offer.

By the day of her abortion  the day before Valentines Day 2010  she had not changed her mind. Indeed, she considered the extra steps the state required of her tedious and unnecessary.

Obviously, youre there because youre pregnant, Kissick said. You know whats up, and youve had the time to think about it.

Kyla, however, decided during the required waiting period against having an abortion.

Kyla, who did not want her last name used to protect her daughter, was 4 months pregnant when she walked into St. Louis Planned Parenthood in September 2012. She was scared, and she said she waited for someone to ask if this was what she really wanted.

No one asked me, Are you sure you want to do this? for me to say no, Kyla said.

Kylas abortion was scheduled for a week later.

Meanwhile, she began researching the procedure. She also talked to a friend about ThriVe, a Christian-based pregnancy resource center in the area.

The day of her scheduled abortion, Kyla went to ThriVe instead of the clinic. Her fetus appeared on the ultrasound screen and she burst into tears. Her mind had changed.

If she had been able to get an abortion that first day she went to Planned Parenthood, she said, I probably would have ended up doing it.

In the almost three years since her daughter was born, Kyla has been grateful that she didnt.

And the experience has changed the 22-year-olds opinion of abortion.

When you have an abortion, even though the baby is gone, it still lies within your heart, so its permanent, Kyla said.

In the years since Kissick and Kylas experiences, Missouri lawmakers have extended the waiting period to 72 hours from 24, a change that abortion-rights proponents say limits access to the procedure now that the St. Louis facility is the only legal abortion clinic in the state.

Last budget year, the 4,810 women who came to St. Louis for the procedure traveled an average of 44.3 miles each way  some traveling as far as 150 miles each way, according to Planned Parenthood.

I dont think we should dictate what a woman should be able to do with her body, said Sen. Jamilah Nasheed, D-St. Louis. I think its appalling that we have so many other issues we need to be dealing with like infrastructure and funding K-12 education, yet are focused on abortion.

2016 legislation

Republican lawmakers often say safety led them to pass a 2007 law requiring Missouri to license abortion clinics as ambulatory surgical centers if they provide five or more first-trimester abortions.

Sen. Bob Onder, R-Lake Saint Louis, gives the same reason to explain why hes proposing the state conduct annual, on-site inspections of those clinics. The same would not apply to other surgical centers.

The concern on my part is that, because of political reasons, abortion clinics might be ignored, so I want a minimum of once a year, Onder said.

A Post-Dispatch analysis of state inspection data found that as of last February, St. Louis Planned Parenthood had been inspected three times over the previous decade. Only 6 percent of the more than 100 centers were inspected more often than Planned Parenthood.

A bill to mandate more inspections was introduced last year but failed to pass. Onder is trying again as part of a much larger measure in response to Republican state lawmakers investigation this summer into allegations that the abortion and health care provider sold fetal body parts.

Planned Parenthood has denied the allegations, and Attorney General Chris Koster, a Democrat running for governor this year, found no evidence of wrongdoing at the St. Louis facility.

We havent shown that anything illegal is happening, but I dont think we know, and I think that really illustrates the importance of this bill, Onder said. We need to know these things and see that (Planned Parenthood) is on the up and up.

Through those investigations, lawmakers discovered the state agency that should have received pathology reports after each abortion was not getting them for an unknown period of time.

State law mandates that a representative sample of tissue from an abortion must be sent to a pathology lab for examination. The lab Planned Parenthood contracts with, Pathology Services Inc., is required to send a report to both the facility and the state.

Onders bill would require all tissue to be sent to the pathology lab for examination, and the labs report to include certification that the tissue was disposed of properly. The Department of Health and Senior Services, which oversees abortion operations in the state, would have to make an annual report to the Legislature.

Onders measure also would clarify state law on physicians hospital privileges, requiring them to have surgical and admitting privileges. Over the summer, senators delved into that issue in connection with Columbia Planned Parenthood.

The facility, which had not offered abortion services since 2012, began in July performing nonsurgical abortions induced with a pill. The St. Louis facility remains the only surgical abortion facility in the state.

Republicans homed in on the doctor providing medical abortions in Columbia, Colleen McNicholas, only had refer and follow privileges at the University of Missouri Health Care System. For a physician to perform or induce an abortion, he or she must have clinical privileges at a hospital that offers obstetrical or gynecological care within 30 miles of the location where the abortion is being performed, under state law.

Soon after the legislative inquiry, the systems medical staff voted to discontinue the type of privileges McNicholas held, effective Dec. 1. The state planned to take away the facilitys license Nov. 30, but a federal judge has blocked this action until the case is resolved.

Onders bill received its first airing last week, and other lawmakers have filed similar measures.

The U.S. Supreme Court will examine in the coming months a case dealing with a similar Texas law that requires doctors have admitting privileges at a nearby hospital and requires all clinics to meet the standards of ambulatory surgical centers.

Further restrictions

Several measures filed by the Missouri Legislature this session would limit the reasons a woman could seek an abortion.

Sen. David Sater, R-Cassville, was responsible for the 72-hour waiting period. He has proposed a measure this year that would ban the procedure if the sole reason was because the fetus has or could have Down syndrome. The syndrome is a genetic disorder that causes developmental and intellectual delays.

If a doctor violates the measure, he or she could serve up to a year in prison and pay a fine up to $1,000.

Its inhumane to abort someone just because theyre a little different, Sater said.

North Dakota already bans abortions if a fetus has a genetic abnormality.

Rep. Andrew Koenig, R-Manchester, has filed a similar measure. His bill would go a step further by banning abortions based on the fetus gender.

Seven states have gender selection bans on the books, according to the Guttmacher Institute.

Rep. Stacey Newman, D-Richmond Heights, said Koenig and Sater should not be inserting themselves into private medical decisions because they have no idea what parents go through with a prenatal diagnosis.

Newman filed legislation for the coming session that would place restrictions on gun purchases similar to those currently placed on abortions, such as a 72-hour waiting period. In the Republican-dominated Legislature, however, the measure is all but dead.

Another measure filed would require the parent of a daughter younger than 18 seeking an abortion to notify in writing the other custodial parent or guardian of the abortion. Under current law, a physician must get informed written consent from one parent or guardian.

Republican lawmakers also have filed measures that would ban dismemberment abortions and create the All Lives Matter Act, which would declare fetuses people upon conception, contradicting the 1973 Supreme Court case that legalized abortion, Roe v. Wade.
Dear Miss Manners  I have a severely disabled friend who lives far away. Sometimes we chat on the phone and sometimes I write letters. The letters must be read to her by caregivers whom I have never met.

When I was writing a letter that continued our last phone conversation, the subject turned to both religion and politics. While my views are decidedly not extreme, it occurred to me that they might conflict with those of the caregivers. What used to be simple disagreement so often seems to turn to offense these days.

When writing to my friend, must I consider the possible views of her caregivers and stay away from controversial subjects? Or may I treat my letter as a private conversation, even though I know strangers will be reading it?

Gentle Reader  As you have never met the caregivers, it would be difficult to know what would meet their standards of acceptable conversation. However, Miss Manners assures you that there is no requirement that you do so. Well-trained caregivers are often called upon to be a social companion, but should know that the kindness they are providing in reading your letter is different  it is to enable the beneficiary to enjoy something she would have missed: a letter from a friend.

Dear Miss Manners  My wife and I have attended several baby showers for friends and relatives this past year.

There is one friend in the group who seems particularly passive-aggressive about these affairs, often opining on overpopulation, American consumerism, Americans waste, etc. My wife and her friends just roll their eyes at each other when she begins her litany.

Do I commit a faux pas by responding to her when she begins spewing her nasty opinions?

Gentle Reader  First, let us rule out further eye-rolling  rudeness does not justify further rudeness. And a debate about population growth will neither silence the opinionated nor endear you to the hostess.

But if you cannot return rudeness for rudeness, Miss Manners does not lay the same ban on exchanges of righteous indignation. When your wifes friend complains about overpopulation, put on your most horrified look and say, Surely you are not talking about the birth we are all here to celebrate? Then walk away, leaving any follow-up debate to others.

Send questions to Miss Manners, aka Judith Martin, on her website, missmanners.com; to her email, dearmissmanners@gmail.com; or through postal mail to Miss Manners, Universal Uclick, 1130 Walnut Street, Kansas City, Mo. 64106.
ST. LOUIS  A St. Louis man on parole for a rape conviction in the 1980s is accused of raping someone else on Christmas Day in St. Louis.

Toney Simpson, 53, who lived at the St. Louis Community Release Center, a large halfway house near downtown, was charged Friday with kidnapping, rape, first-degree assault and two counts of sodomy.

Simpson was paroled from a 35-year prison sentence for rape in January 2014 and lived at the halfway house at 1621 North First Street, records say. Police say that about 6:30 p.m. Dec. 25, Simpson met a man and woman at an abandoned church in the 1400 block of Biddle Street.

Simpson and the man were acquainted but he and the woman had never met, charges say. When Simpson and the man started arguing, Simpson forced him and the woman into the church, then put a knife to the mans throat and told him to leave.

Simpson then forced the woman to walk several blocks to an abandoned building at 1628 North 14th Street, where he raped her, charges say.

Simpson was sentenced to prison in 1987 for 35 years for a rape conviction in St. Louis. He was paroled in 2009 but has returned to prison for short stints at least three times since his initial release.

The St. Louis Community Release Center, which opened in 1978 and is near the new Stan Musial Veterans Memorial Bridge, is Missouris only such facility since the state announced last year it would turn a similar facility in Kansas City into a minimum-security prison.

The announcement spurred concerns by downtown St. Louis leaders that the city would become a dumping ground for parolees fresh out of prison.

The St. Louis center, which has a 550-person capacity, is designed to reintroduce Missouris high-risk parolees with no home base to society. Offenders assigned there take personal responsibility to find employment and obtain jobs, schooling and drug abuse treatment, according to a spokesman for the state prison system.

Simpsons bail in the new rape case was set at $100,000 cash-only.
ST. CHARLES COUNTY  A 60-year-old man was given a two-year prison sentence this week for keeping his 85-year-old mother in a locked bedroom without adequate food.

Court records said the man, John Allan Brown, of the 900 block of Weatherstone Drive in an unincorporated area, pleaded guilty Monday to felonious restraint and elder abuse.

The sentence was issued by St. Charles County Circuit Judge Jon Cunningham.

The same charges are pending against Brown's brother - Gary Lee Brown, 44, of the same address. A hearing for him is scheduled for later this month.

A court document said John Brown allowed his mother out of the room only once a day.

At a hearing last March, guardians for the woman said she weighed only 96 pounds when she was rescued by state Division of Aging officials in November 2014 following a hotline call.
DES MOINES, Iowa  When she crashed on an all-terrain vehicle, Megan Cratsley was hurt so badly that doctors had to amputate much of her right arm, a life-altering surgery that launched the teenager on a personal mission to change New York traffic laws to protect other ATV riders.

The buzzy, open-air vehicles are supposed to be banned from roads in New York and many other states. But small towns across the nation are increasingly bending the rules under pressure from riders who want to go wherever they please, even though ATV manufacturers warn that the vehicles are unstable on flat terrain at high speed, and accidents on roads kill more than 300 riders each year.

The trend appalls public health officials and is opposed by the manufacturers.

Weve seen too many people die, said Jen Kruzicke-Cratsley, Megans mother, who lives near Buffalo, N.Y., and joined in her daughters legislative efforts to make ATVs safer.

ATV enthusiasts acknowledge the vehicles can be dangerous if not driven properly, but they say the risks are overstated.

Thirty-five states allow local jurisdictions to authorize ATVs on some roads or road shoulders, according to a study by the Consumer Federation of America. Though no one tracks how many local governments have offered ATVs access to local roads, the number is rising, as are ATV sales.

In Iowa, at least 17 counties allow all-terrain vehicles on public roads, and a state official said that number could climb to 30 counties by this fall. Its a similar trend in Minnesota, where at least a dozen counties permit some ATVs on roads, and in Indiana, where about half of counties do so.

West Virginia and Montana allow ATV use on most roads other than highways. Utah lawmakers voted in 2015 to allow street-legal ATVs on the shoulders of all roads except interstate freeways.

In New York, ATVs are banned from public roads except for small stretches between off-road riding areas. Yet small towns often grant unrestricted access if riders demand it, said Peter Bauer, executive director of the group Protect the Adirondacks, which fights such efforts.

ATV manufacturers say the vehicles are designed only for off-road use. Many models have a higher center of gravity than cars. That design allows them to roll easily across uneven ground but also makes them more likely to topple over at high speed. They also have low-pressure tires that can make handling difficult on paved, dirt or gravel roads.

Studies show that more than half of fatal ATV crashes happen on roads. From 2003 to 2013, that number ranged from a high of 377 road deaths in 2008 to 301 in 2003.

Charles Jennissen, an emergency room doctor at the University of Iowa hospital in Iowa City, has studied the issue and travels around the state to discourage officials from legalizing ATVs on public roads. Hes losing far more fights than hes winning.

The biggest issue is speed, Jennissen said. The most powerful all-terrain vehicles can travel at 80 or 90 mph, but its nearly impossible to reach these speeds except on roads, so riders race down rural lanes without realizing the risk.

We see lots of accidents that are totally preventable, Jennissen said. Its devastating to families and devastating to communities, and they dont need to happen.

Riders say manufacturers warnings are more about limiting liability than averting serious danger. They regard opening up public roads as a common-sense move that carries little risk and can spur desperately needed economic growth in rural areas by attracting riders and increasing vehicle sales.

Michael Rygh, who co-owns an ATV shop in Algona, Iowa, said a recent decision to open up Kossuth County roads to the vehicles had already boosted sales. Hes confident accidents will be rare.

In Iowas Louisa County, Tim Gerst said he had little trouble rounding up 400 signatures on a petition asking supervisors to permit ATVs on county roads. He acknowledges that people get hurt on the vehicles but insists that theres nothing you can do in life that doesnt carry risk.

County supervisors are still studying the matter.

I wish we didnt have this decision to make, Supervisor Randy Griffin said. Ill feel terrible if we do something and someone goes out and gets killed.

Officials faced a similar choice last year in Lake County, Ore., and opted to open up 700 miles of roads in the vast, sparely populated high plateau region.

County Economic Development Director Rob Thornton said the goal was to generate money from tourism and perhaps persuade some tourists to come back to stay. The scenic county of roughly 8,000 people has been hit hard by a decline in logging, and its remote location makes it hard to attract other industries.

The hope is to take advantage of the wide-open space by attracting riders not accustomed to so many miles of empty roads. Many people will travel a long distance to come to a place they can ride, Thornton said.

David Downing, who oversees ATV programs for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, said the key to preventing accidents was education, not limiting access.

As long as riders receive proper training, Downing said, he doesnt expect increased use of roads to result in more crashes. He acknowledged that riders who drive too fast can suddenly find themselves in trouble.

It all comes down to how you operate them, Downing said. It will get you if you do something stupid.
Up north Tuareg rebel group MNLA, which signed a peace deal in June 2015, is still at war with its former ally Ansar Dine and AQIM (Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb). MNLA and Ansar Dine are largely Tuareg but Ansar Dine refuses to make peace and continues fund Islamic terrorist operations with drug smuggling profits. MNLA gave up drug smuggling and cooperation with Islamic terrorists when it agreed to the peace deal. The continued smuggling explains Ansar Dine involvement with the new Islamic terror group FLM (Macina Liberation Front). This group claimed involvement in the November 2015 hotel attack in the capital. FLM openly identifies with the Fulani (Macina are the local branch of the Fulani) tribe. There are some twenty million Fulani living in the Sahel and some of those in northern Nigeria have become involved in Islamic terrorism via the local Islamic terror group Boko Haram. There are over two million Fulani in Mali and FLM became active in early 2015 and has claimed responsibility for several attacks since. Some FLM were formerly with Islamic terror group MUJAO (basically a Mauritanian faction of AQIM). FLM started out with calls for Fulani people to live according to strict Islamic rules. That in turn led to violence against tribal and village leaders who opposed this. That escalated to attacks on businesses and government facilities. FLM is composed mostly of young Fulani men and is associated with Ansar Dine. That probably means some association with AQIM as well because AQIM is still something of an umbrella organization for Islamic terrorists in the region. Although most Malians are Moslem, few want anything to do with Islamic terrorism and Boko Haram is seen as a major mistake and not welcome at all in Mali. But the Fulani have always seen themselves as a people apart, an attitude common with the nomadic peoples of the Sahel. The Fulani believe they originally migrated from North Africa and the Middle East. Fulai have lighter skin, thinner lips and straighter hair than other black Africans in sub-Saharan Africa and are Moslem as well in a region where most of the locals are Christian or follow ancient local religions. Fulani have also been involved with smuggling for a long time, in large part because many are still nomadic and the Fulani dont really believe in borders.

Although the government has peace deals with all the Tuareg rebel groups in the north there are still a lot of unresolved differences between the many pro-government and former rebel tribes and clans up there. These feuds are proving more difficult to solve and are causing enough anarchy to give the Islamic terrorists opportunities to move around and carry out attacks and keep their drug smuggling enterprise running. The local squabbles also interfere with the peacekeepers and French counter-terror forces, which also aids the Islamic terrorists and smugglers.

January 12, 2016: Mali officials believe AQIM affiliate al Mourabitoun was mainly responsible for the November hotel attack. Al Mourabitoun and AQIM continues to survive in Libya because of the chaos there. Using bases in southern Libya Al Mourabitoun carries out operations in Mali and Niger. The U.S. is offering a $5 million reward for information that would lead to the death or capture of Al Mourabitoun founder and leader Mokhtar Belmokhtar.

The government also revealed that it had identified (using surveillance video) two men associated with the November 20 hotel attack and arrested them in December. These two have now been indicted for assisting the attackers. It was also revealed that one of the two known attackers who were killed inside the hotel carried a piece of paper with the names of two al Mourabitoun men who are in prison (one in Mali and one in Niger). It is believed that the two gunmen hoped to take hostages and hold out in the hotel long enough to demand and obtain the release of these two men. That did not happen because troops were sent in immediately to protect the guests and staff and that resulted in the two gunmen quickly being killed. So far it appears that this was an AQIM operation carried out by al Mourabitoun with the help of some local Islamic terrorists.

January 8, 2016: In the north (Timbuktu) a Swiss missionary was kidnapped, apparently by Islamic terrorists. The woman (Beatrice Stockly) was a longtime resident of the area and had been kidnapped in 2012 but released a week later. This time it is believed that Islamic terrorists will try to get a multi-million dollar ransom for her.

January 5, 2016: Germany has agreed to send over 600 combat troops to Mali to serve as peacekeepers in the north (near Gao). The main job of the German troops will be reconnaissance and surveillance. This will involve patrols on the ground as well as extensive use of UAVs. Gao has been quiet recently and the Germans are to keep an eye on the situation and provide some advance warning of trouble returning. There has not been any violence in the area since May 2015.

December 31, 2015: The government extended the state of emergency for three months. This makes it illegal for crowds to assemble and demonstrations to take place without permission. The security forces can ignore some legal procedures when making arrests and holding people in custody. The state of emergency was first enacted, for ten days at a time, after the November 20 attack in the capital.

December 25, 2015: In the north (Kidal) Ansar Dine Islamic terrorists ambushed a convoy of MNLA gunmen and killed four of them. The MNLA was moving in reinforcements to help find the Ansar Dine men who attacked an MNLA facility in the area two days ago and killed six men. That attack was to free several Ansar Dine men being held captive.
Ghosts of the ETO: American Tactical Deception Units in the European Theater, 1944 - 1945, by Jonathan Gawne Philadelphia: Casemate, 2014. Pp. x, 342. Illus., maps, diagr., appends., notes, biblio., index. $22.95 paper. ISBN: 1612002501. Attaining Victory Through Deceit First published in 2002, Gawnes ground-breaking account of the 23rd Headquarters, Special Troops opened up a new chapter in the history of tactical deception when it originally came out, and is still the standard treatment of the subject. In it, he tells the story of a small group of troops (c. 3,500), mostly former theatrical people, set designers, artists, and such, who operated a sort of travelling road show, ready at a moments notice to present . . . any unit in order to trick the enemy and gain some tactical advantage. Gawne opens with a short account of the history of military deception. In the next two chapters he discusses the formation and training of the 23rd HQ in the United States and its deployment to England on the eve of D-Day, along the way giving us insights into the principles, techniques, and technologies the command was to use. There follow 24 short chapters that cover the commands operations from its landing in France in the aftermath of D-Day across Europe and into the heart of Germany, with a side glance a the activities of a subordinate unit in Italy. Gawne gives us a look at over a score of operations, including the Bulge, not to mention the units occasional brush with front line combat. Along the way he overturns some myths about deception, notably many perpetrated by documentaries that are often wholly inaccurate (e.g., the use of rubber tanks in pre-D-Day deception, etc.) or perhaps still secret (e.g., several of Pattons unfortunate gaffes or similar incidents). The book ends with the units activities supporting Allied forces during the early days of the occupation of Germany, followed by its return to the United States, with some discussion of lessons learned or not learned. The book is supported by six appendices, including one on deception and George S. Patton. Ghosts of ETO remains a good read not only for the operations of the 23rd HQ and their influence on the war but also for throwing light on the units inner workings and methodology, as well as on the lives of the men who served in it, some of whom went on to considerable fame in theatre, film or design. ---///---

Reviewer: A.A. Nofi, Review Editor



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Poland Buys Ukrainian To Avoid Russia

by James Dunnigan

January 15, 2016 Poland is buying another 40 radar guided R-27R1 missiles. These are used by Polands MiG-29 fighters. Poland wants to stock up in these missiles, especially since a growing number of older ones can no longer be refurbished and are becoming so unreliable they are useless. Normally the primary supplier of this missile is Russia, because the MiG-29 and the missiles it uses were designed by and largely built in Russia. But many Russian weapons and aircraft components were built outside what is now Russia when (before 1991) the Soviet Union still existed. Ukraine, for example had a lot of weapons factories and inherited these when the Soviet Union dissolved. Ukraine has, since the 1990s, been a second source for the R-27R1 and many other Russian weapons. If nothing else this forced Russia to keep prices and quality at reasonable levels. Because of the current aggressive stance (against Ukraine and East Europe in general) Ukraine is the preferred supplier of R-27R1s, at least for Poland. Even so the Ukrainian R-27R1 manufacturer is required to guarantee the usability period for the R-27R1 missiles for at least 96 months (if missiles are hermetically sealed in containers) and for 60 months, once the missile is unpacked (for example used by fighters during flights). The R-27 also known (to NATO) as the AA-10 Alamo is a guided medium range, air-to-air missile that entered production in 1986 and was in service by 1990s. R-27R1 can be used on a large number of Russian designed fighters. The missile is designed to intercept and destroy hostile piloted aircraft, drone targets and cruise missiles in long-range and close-in maneuverable air fight. The R-27 missile is available in six variants: -R-27R1 uses a semi-active radar seeker which allows destruction of air targets in adverse weather conditions at any time of day. This version requires radar to track and paint the target with a radar signal in order for the missile to home in on the radar signals bouncing off the target. Thus s big drawback is the need for the firing aircraft to remain involved until the missile hits the target. R-27R1 has a length of 4 meters, weighs 253 kilograms and has a range of 60 kilometers. Poland wants to buy this variant. -R-27ER1 is an extended range version and is slightly longer (due bigger solid propellant rocket-motor section) at 4.7meters. It weighs about 350 kilograms and has a range of 90 kilometers. -R-27T1 uses infrared (IR or heat seeking) guidance and is fire and forget missile. It shorter (3.7 meters) and more agile than radar guided versions, weighs 245 kilograms and has a range of 50 kilometers. The T1 can be used to silent interceptions because IR homing is passive (no emitting radar signals which can be detected by aircraft radar warning receiver) rendering older aircraft without special missile approach warning very vulnerable. There was and still is one problem because the IR sensor can only detect the target at less than 20 kilometers. For longer range shots you have to fire the missile blindly at where you thing the target will be. As a result this is useful only at much shorter ranges at head-on engagements, however at tail-on engagements the longer range can be fully utilized. -R-27ET1 is an extended range version of R-27T1, is 4.5 meters long, weighs about 343 kilograms and has a range of 90 kilometers. -R-27P1 is a fire-and-forget missile with passive anti-radiation seeker which can lock on both enemy fighter radar emissions. This is making it the first anti-radiation homing air to air missile ever deployed so far. The missile is four meters long, weighs 248 kilograms and range of 78 kilometers. Despite these benefits this version has vulnerabilities. If the target aircraft turns of his radar the missile will be useless. The second one the new radar technologies which are low-probability-of-intercept solution are immune to this type of homing. -R-27EP1 is an extended range version of R-27P1 and it is slightly longer at 4.7 meters. The missile weights about 350 kilograms and range is 110 kilometers. Although the R-27 series is a late Cold War design, slightly predating the AIM-120A AMRAAM, it has good performance and especially the long burn variants will likely to remain in production until ramjet (very high speed) variants of the R-77 family arrive. Polish attempts to acquire these missiles shows that Poles are willing to maintain the full scope of capabilities of the MiG-29 jet fighters. In late 2015 Ukrainian companies offered to modernize R-27 missile family for Polish fighters. -- Przemys&&22;aw Juraszek


In late 2015 Israel announced that it would begin deploying the first battery of its Magic Wand (Davids Sling) anti-aircraft system in 2016. This is the Israeli replacement for existing American Patriot and Hawk systems. Throughout 2015 Israel conducted several successful tests of Magic Wand. This included intercepting and destroying a short range ballistic missile and other targets representing manned aircraft. Magic Wand was supposed to enter service in 2014 but there were technical problems that had to be fixed.

In development for over a decade Magic Wand was designed to be an improvement over American made Patriot systems Israel already has. The Magic Wand missiles (called Stunner) have a longer range (300 kilometers) and better capabilities. The American manufacturer of Patriot is cooperating with an Israeli firm to develop and produce Magic Wand and will apparently adopt some Magic Wand features for Patriot upgrades.

Stunner and Magic Wand are meant to complement the Iron Dome anti-rocket system, which can take down rockets with a range of up to 70 kilometers. Iron Dome has a unique feature in which the radar system computes where the incoming rocket will land. If the rocket will not hit an inhabited area, it will be ignored. Otherwise, an interceptor missile will be fired. Stunner will be used against larger rockets that will be aimed (by Syria or Hezbollah) at large urban areas, and these will almost always get a Stunner fired at them. This is part of the Magic Wand system for defending Israelis from rocket attacks. Magic Wand is expected to eventually replace the 17 Hawk anti-aircraft batteries as well and, eventually, the six Patriot batteries. Because of the long range of the Stunner two Magic Wand batteries can cover all of Israel.
Wellesbourne Airfield

Presented by former Stratford College student, the Reverend Richard Coles, who was keyboard player in the 1980s band The Communards, it told the story of Rev Vanns rise through the ranks of the Sherwood Foresters.

He received the Military Cross and Victoria Cross.

He was killed on October 1918 by a German sniper as he prepared to lead another attack. Jon told the Herald: Its a great honour to have ones work recognised at a national level by such a world class institution as the BBC.

The Gillard Awards recognise the very best in terms of the breadth, depth and quality of the BBCs local radio output, output which, despite the well-known and popular flagship TV and radio shows, remains the bedrock of the corporation.

Jon is currently planning several projects to coincide with the 100th anniversary of the start of the Battle of the Somme on 1st July and will be researching locations in France with his co-writer/producer Graham McKechnie later this month.
Town are due to return to action on Tuesday night when they head to Dunstable.
Annual speech competition pays tribute to late civil rights leader

DALLAS & HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Twenty elementary school students from Dallas and Houston ISD schools shared inspiring words, addressing timely issues impacting todays society, all while paying tribute to the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. during the Annual Gardere MLK Jr. Oratory Competitions held today in Dallas and Houston. Winners included Lyriq Turner, a fifth-grade student from Charles Rice Learning Center in Dallas, and Richard Espinosa-Garza, a fifth-grader from Cornelius Elementary in Houston.

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Ten-year-old Lyriq Turner, a fifth-grade student at Charles Rice Learning Center in Dallas, captured first place at the 24th Annual Gardere MLK Jr. Oratory Competition. She repeatedly urged that America needs a new way and encouraged the crowd to let morality be their guiding light, so that Americans can join hands and solve humanitys problems. (Photo: Paul Howell)

Presented, sponsored and hosted by Gardere Wynne Sewell LLP, the competition, now celebrating its 24th year in Dallas and 20th anniversary in Houston, is designed to highlight the cultural diversity of the community while recognizing and encouraging the writing and presentation skills of elementary school students. Since the events inception, participants present original three to five minute speeches addressing a particular topic that helps each student gain a better understanding of the legacy the great civil rights leader left for future generations. This years question  What would Dr. King say in his campaign speech if he were running for president this year?  prompted these young presenters to challenge the audience and their peers to apply the valuable lessons passed on to them by Dr. King, and to also take action and combat some of the issues plaguing communities today.

The finalists were selected from approximately 335 fourth- and fifth-grade students, representing 39 schools from Dallas and Houston ISD. The events were held in historic venues in both cities  the Majestic Theatre in downtown Dallas and the Antioch Missionary Baptist Church in Houston  and drew a packed audience in both locations eager to watch the students vie for the top spots in each competition after months of extensive preparation. Participants first competed at in-school rounds and semifinal competitions to earn a spot at the finals. At all three levels of the competition, students were evaluated on delivery, stage presence and decorum, content interpretation and memorization. At the finals, students were judged by panels of local well-known community and business leaders.

The students delivered timely and well-prepared speeches that not only proudly commemorated the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., but drew powerful comparisons to current events, says Gardere Chair Holland N. ONeil. Gardere is proud to partner with the Dallas and Houston ISDs to provide these bright and articulate students a platform to showcase their exceptional talents.

Lyriq Turner, a fifth-grade student from Charles Rice Learning Center, earned first place in Dallas with her inspiring interpretation of what she believes Dr. King would say in his presidential campaign speech. A future politician herself, Lyriq repeatedly urged America, its time for a new way. Tackling hot campaign topics, such as immigration, foreign affairs and the economy, Lyriq made claims about what the new way would look like. Through every walk of life, let morality be our guiding light! When we let morality be our guiding light, we will be able to speed up that day when all children  black, white, poor, rich, fatherless, fathered, citizen and immigrant  will be able to join hands and solve humanitys problems. No stranger to the competition, the 10-year-old competed last year but didnt make it to the finals.

Marco Mares, a fifth-grader at William Brown Miller Elementary, earned second place, and ZaKiah Bell, a fifth-grader at J.P. Starks Math, Science and Technology Vanguard, was awarded third place.

For the second consecutive year, a student from Cornelius Elementary took home first place in the Houston competition. Fifth-grade student Richard Espinosa-Garza gave a moving speech from Dr. Kings perspective, saying the civil rights leader would implement a Reunite America Initiative if he were running for president today. He told the audience and all those who snapchat, tweet and text that you cant just check-in, you must show up for this initiative that encourages communities to seek more culturally diverse solutions to their challenges. The 11-year-old also shared that as president, [he would] stand firm like the statue of liberty as a symbol of hope and peace and promised a captivated audience that he would work tirelessly with Reunite America partners to seal the gaps of hate with the bonds of brotherhood so that while our soldiers are away fighting for our freedom, our communities are home strengthening our foundations.

Kyle Mosley, a fifth-grade student from Whidby Elementary, who was also a finalist in the 2015 competition, placed second, while fifth-grader Brandalyn Thompson of Pleasantville Elementary finished in third place.

These young students captivated us today with their stirring speeches, addressing some of the difficult issues in todays world. Their fresh perspectives give us hope for the future and demonstrate the continuing impact of Dr. Kings legacy, says Gardere Operating Partner and long-time Event Chair Claude R. Treece. The energy, talent, and passion from these students are always inspiring, and the Firm is honored to have a hand in it year after year.

The Annual Gardere MLK Jr. Oratory Competition was established in Dallas in 1993 by Gardere Wynne Sewell LLP. The event is hosted annually in conjunction with Martin Luther King Jr. Day to encourage the community to remember and pay tribute to the late civil rights leaders legacy. Gardere introduced the event to not only encourage students to learn more about Dr. King, but to also help cultivate the writing and speaking skills of elementary school students. The event's success in Dallas led to the establishment of the competition in Houston in 1997.

ABOUT GARDERE WYNNE SEWELL LLP

Gardere Wynne Sewell LLP, an Am Law 200 firm founded in 1909 and one of the Southwest's largest full-service law firms, has offices in Austin, Dallas, Houston, Denver and Mexico City. Gardere provides legal services to private and public companies and individuals in the areas of corporate, energy, environmental, financial restructuring and reorganization, financial services, government affairs, hospitality, insurance, intellectual property, international, labor and employment, litigation, private equity, real estate and tax.

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Gardere Wynne Sewell LLP

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Fax: 214-999-4667

www.gardere.com

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Media Contacts:

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Source: Gardere Wynne Sewell LLP
OTTAWA, ONTARIO -- (Marketwired) -- 01/16/16 -- Prime Minister's Office

The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement condemning the terrorist attacks in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, that killed several people, including six Canadian citizens, and injured many more.

"Canada strongly condemns the deadly terrorist attacks that took place in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.

"On behalf of all Canadians, we offer our deepest condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of all those killed and a speedy recovery to all those injured. We are deeply saddened by these senseless acts of violence on innocent civilians.

"We have offered assistance to the Burkinabe authorities in their investigation of this terrible crime."

This document is also available at http://pm.gc.ca

Contacts: PMO Media Relations: (613) 957-5555

Source: Government of Canada
A printout showing Lee Bo, specializing in publications critical of China, and four other colleagues who went missing, is displayed outside a bookstore at Causeway Bay shopping district in Hong Kong, China January 6, 2016. REUTERS/Bobby Yip

HONG KONG (Reuters) - A Hong Kong-based Chinese official expressed concern on Friday at the disappearance of one of five missing people linked to a local publisher of books critical of Beijing's leadership but warned investigations were "complicated".

The comments were the most detailed yet from a Chinese official on the case that has alarmed many in Hong Kong and sparked a string of protests.

Wang Zhenmin, the recently appointed legal affairs chief of Beijing's office in Hong Kong, said that no Chinese law enforcers could take action in the city under the "one country, two systems" formula that govern Hong Kong's relations with Beijing.

The five men are widely thought to have been taken by agents working for the mainland in a breach of the wide freedoms and autonomy Hong Kong was promised as part of its handover from British to Chinese rule in 1997.

"We are very concerned about the legal case...like you," he told a university conference, acknowledging Hong Kong government investigations and its formal requests for explanations from mainland authorities.

"To investigate cases like this is very complicated. It takes time to find eventual truth."

Wang had been asked about Lee Bo, a shareholder of Causeway Bay Books and a British passport holder, who went missing from Hong Kong in late December. His wife has withdrawn a missing persons report saying the 65-year-old traveled to China voluntarily to assist in an investigation.

Four associates of Lee have also gone missing since late last year, including a Swedish national.

Britain, Sweden and the United States have expressed concern at the disappearances, which come amid growing fears of Beijing's meddling in routine affairs of the global financial hub.

Wang, who was recently a law dean at Tsinghua University in Beijing, said that it was "very, very clear" from Hong Kong's mini-constitution, the Basic Law, that mainland law enforcers could not "do such things" within the borders of the global financial hub.

"I don't know the truth, like you, at the moment but I think the legal issue is very clear."

In a rare public appearance from a locally based mainland official, Wang was speaking at a conference on Chinese legal and political issues at the University of Hong Kong.

Hong Kong's leader Leung Chun-ying confirmed on Friday that his government had yet to receive a response from Beijing, despite inquiries on a number of official fronts.

(Reporting by Clare Baldwin; Written by Greg Torode; Edited by Nick Macfie)
LISBON (Reuters) - A Portuguese court has decided to extradite an ex-CIA agent to Italy, where she has been convicted of involvement in the kidnapping of an Egyptian cleric under the U.S. "extraordinary rendition" program, legal papers showed on Friday.

Sabrina De Sousa, a joint U.S.-Portuguese citizen, was one of 26 people convicted in absentia on charges of snatching Hassan Mustafa Osama Nasr from a street in Milan in 2003 and taking him to be questioned in Egypt.

The case focused attention at the time on the treatment of suspects moved around the world for interrogation in the wake of the Sep. 11 2001 attacks and strained relations between Washington and Rome.

De Sousa's lawyer told Reuters on Friday there were no grounds for extradition and he would appeal to Portugal's top court.

De Sousa was arrested in Portugal in October at the request of Italian prosecutors, who want her to serve a six-year sentence.

The regional court of Lisbon ordered on Tuesday that De Sousa "be handed over to Italian authorities so that she can be notified of the initial decision," according to a copy of the court decision sent to Reuters on Friday.

"We have not been notified of the decision yet," her lawyer Manuel Magalhaes e Silva told Reuters. "But when we are notified, which might be on Monday, we will appeal it at the supreme court."

"Sabrina was not notified of the (Italian) sentence, she was tried in absentia and was not notified of the verdict and sentence," he added.

The Portuguese court said De Sousa would only be sent to Italy to be informed of her sentence and would then return to Portugal to serve it.

(Reporting By Shrikesh Laxmidas; Writing by Axel Bugge)
By Jeffrey Hodgson

TORONTO (Reuters) - One person was killed and a second was injured in an explosion at Nexen Energy's Long Lake oil sands facility south of Fort McMurray, Alberta, on Friday, the company said.

The injured person was in critical condition, a police spokesman said. Other personnel were accounted for after the explosion, the unit of China's CNOOC Ltd said in a statement.

"The affected facility has been shut down and we are stabilizing the scene. There is no immediate danger to the neighboring communities or personnel still on site," the company said.

The early indication is that the explosion happened in the facility's hydrocracker, said Staff Sgt Jeremie Landry, a spokesman for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

"There was an explosion as well as a fire," he said.

According to the company's website, the hydrocracker is where hydrogen is combined with partially upgraded oil to remove sulfur and produce synthetic crude.

The company said regulators had been notified. A company spokesman did not immediately respond to a request for additional details.

The incident comes after Nexen last July discovered a pipeline leak near the site that caused one of North America's largest oil-related spills on land.

The Alberta Energy Regulator last August ordered Nexen to shut 95 pipelines at the Long Lake facility as part of an investigation into the spill. It resumed full production in September.

The Long Lake facility was producing about 50,000 barrels a day of synthetic crude before the July spill.

(With additional reporting by Nia Williams in Calgary; Editing by Sandra Maler and Stephen Coates)
Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Chairperson and presidential candidate Tsai Ing-wen answers questions at a press conference at the start of a campaign rally ahead of the election in Taichung, Taiwan, January 15, 2016. REUTERS/Olivia Harris

By Yimou Lee and Sui-Lee Wee

TAIPEI/BEIJING (Reuters) - Taiwan presidential frontrunner Tsai Ing-wen sought to reassure she'd seek peaceful relations with China if she won Saturday's election, as Beijing again warned the self-ruled island against any moves toward independence.

Since the 2008 election of the China-friendly Ma Ying-jeou from the Nationalist Party, ties have improved rapidly, with a series of landmark trade and business deals signed and Ma held a historic meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in November.

But Tsai and her independence-leaning Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) are looked at with great suspicion by China, which considers Taiwan a rebel province to be brought under its control, by force if necessary.

The White House this week called on Taiwan and China to avoid an escalation of tensions from elections in Taiwan if the DPP wins.

Speaking on a campaign stop in the central city of Taichung, Tsai said it was everyone's responsibility to maintain peace across the Taiwan Strait.

"We hope cross-strait relations can be peaceful, can develop, and at the same time maintain the status quo for all parties, including mainland China," said Tsai, who would become the island's first woman president.

"All countries must work hard together to maintain peace in the Taiwan Strait."

Tsai has been at pains to stress stability with China, saying she would, if elected, work to communicate with China and other diplomatic allies.

China, however, warned it would not tolerate any moves by Tsai to undermine China's sovereignty claims.

"We want to stress that we always uphold the 'One China' (policy), oppose Taiwan independence, oppose two Chinas," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said in response to a question on a probable Tsai victory.

"No matter what changes take place on the island, this position will never change and has not changed."

The DPP says the future of Taiwan is for its 23 million people to decide. Beijing takes to mean it wants independence.

The Nationalists on Friday warned the election was fundamentally about stability. Ma, the incumbent president, took to Facebook to urge people to vote for the party of "stability".

"Only the Nationalists can maintain the stability of Taiwan and peace across the strait," Ma said.

Andrew Hsia, the head of the Mainland Affairs Council, Taiwan's ministry in charge of China policy, said he believed Beijing would have "many questions about the outcome of the elections", and that both sides could possibly liaise via a telephone 'hotline' that was set up late last year.

In a blitz of advertisements carried in newspapers on Friday, the final day before polling begins at 8 a.m. (0000 GMT) on Saturday, the Nationalists showed pictures of an anxious looking child clutching a Taiwan flag with the words: "I hope this vote will enable us to no longer feel afraid".

(Additional reporting by Faith Hung; Writing by James Pomfret; Editing by Nick Macfie)
In an epic journey of survival against the odds, a Kerikeri man sailed solo for three weeks up the coast of South America to the Caribbean despite suffering a stroke that crippled him on one side and rendered him unable to communicate.

Simon Willis spent his life building boats and making sails in the Far North, but in July last year while sailing from Uruguay to to the Caribbean he found himself in a situation requiring all his skills and tenacity.

Willis had already sailed his yacht Sagitta II from New Zealand to the Chatham Islands and from there to Chile where he cruised the Patagonia Canals. From there he headed to the Falkland Islands and then to Punta del Este, Uruguay.

DAVID GRAY / REUTERS Simon Willis, of Kerikeri, sailed from New Zealand to South America and the Caribbean. File picture.

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Three nations became involved in the search for Sagitta II after Willis fell out of contact with his wife a few days into the next leg of his voyage. When he arrived at his destination in Granada 19 days later friends discovered he'd had a stroke.

Willis had been unable to use communication systems on board and lost all feeling on one side, but being "stubborn" continued his journey regardless, friend and former apprentice Craig Gurnell said.

Willis and wife Judy have left New Zealand for the foreseeable future and friends said they weren't immediately contactable.

Not long into the trip Judy Willis, who had to attend a family emergency in the United States, became concerned that she hadn't heard from Simon, who was known to send frequent updates and photographs.

Finally a message came through in late July. With no punctuation and all in lower case it read: "I'm alive, just."

Friends said Judy contacted one of Simon's close friends, experienced seaman Bob Evans. They decided there was enough reason for concern to alert others.

One by one the Brazilian Navy, the Coastguard in the United Kingdom, and New Zealand's Rescue Coordination Centre (RCCNZ) were alerted.

Eventually RCCNZ picked up Sagitta II on identification systems, and over the ensuing 19 days were able to track Willis' journey all the way to Grenada.

"They could see he was on course and heading in the right direction. He wasn't going around in circles in the middle of the ocean," Gurnell said.

It took Willis some time before realising he'd had a stroke.

"At first he couldn't figure out what was going on because he couldn't move his right side. After a few hours he figured out what had happened and single handedly sailed the yacht, literally."

Although he had forgotten how to use the computer, Willis tracked his journey by using a chart plotter, a generic map which simply relays a boat's position in relation to nearby countries.

Willis considered sailing to Brazil and at one point changed course to head in that direction, but fears of piracy encouraged him to continue to Grenada.

"It was the only choice he had," Gurnell said. "I think the main thing he was worried about was falling overboard. He sort of said because he was falling over he was very careful not to get too close to the edge.

"Otherwise [he wasn't phased]. He's a pretty tough nut and he's of a very, very high seamanship level. I don't think many people could do what he did."

It was the second incident in as many months where Willis' survival was put to the test.

Friends said the yacht had essentially rolled in a storm some months prior, near the Falkland Islands, but aside from minor damage the Sagitta II was fine, as was Willis.

When he docked in Grenada he was helped by friends, who described him as being in very bad shape. He was prone to falling over and had some cuts and bruising,and had difficulties walking and talking.

Willis was immediately taken to see a specialist who said the sail was one of the best therapies he could have had. To aid his recovery Willis travelled to the United States for a month to be with Judy, before returning to New Zealand.
Baby Oreo, four-weeks-old, is the newest member of the Pirongia Clydesdales family.

She is the latest offspring from a famous team, has long, slender legs and a bushy tail - and she's huge.

At just four weeks old, Oreo, a pure-bred Clydesdale foal had her first public outing at Pirongia Clydesdales in Waikato and Samantha van der Sande estimated she weighed 150kg.

"She's a big baby," said van der Sande who grew up at her parent's horse farm.

KELLY HODEL/FAIRFAX NZ Inquisitive Oreo sniffs and chews her way around her corral at Pirongia Clydesdales.

"From the day she was born, Lucy [her mother] had quite a bit of trouble.

"The foal was remarkably large."

When she's fully matured van der Sande said Oreo would reach 18 hands.

KELLY HODEL/FAIRFAX NZ Owner of Pirongia Clydesdales Nick van der Sande gets ready to drive his team of draught horses.

READ MORE: Pint-sized miniature foal causes a big stir

That's 180cm tall at the shoulder. Add a head a neck on that and you've got a big horse.

"She's continued to grow. She's already well up my side and she's not even a month old."

KELLY HODEL/FAIRFAX NZ Mum Lucy and Oreo enjoying their day in the public eye.

Oreo, whose stud name is Carrick Oriana, has a pedigree from a team of bullocking horses made famous by a series of 1980s beer advertisements.

"She's actually related to the original DB Draught Clydesdale team through Lucy," said van der Sande.

The iconic horses were used during European settlement of New Zealand and Oreo descends from good South Island stock.

She also brings new blood to New Zealand through an American breed known for their height.

"She goes back to some really well-bred New Zealand horses," said van der Sande.

Open days in summer brings visitors to the Pirongia business for rides on their two-tonne wagon, drawn by two hulking Clydesdale stallions.

It was the first time Lucy and her inquisitive foal had a chance to show off in front of children and adults and it didn't phase Oreo one bit.

She'll need a steady temperament when she get's to work hauling wagons loaded with families down the road or at public events.

"We wanted to know this was the right time to introduce the foal to the public and we try and breed horses that are naturally unfazed or unflappable."

Her mother Lucy, or Donnybrook Lucinda, has a "beautiful, kind" working horse - the perfect role model for her foal.

"As a breed they are known to gentle and kind with people and easy to work and little Oreo is showing ever sign she's going to be like that."
The tills rang faint as Wellington's grand old dame bobbed her final curtsy.

As the clock struck five, department store Kirkcaldie and Stains closed its doors after 152 years of trading.

The last shopper to leave was Hilda, of Silverstream, a customer of 30 years, who clutched the signature green and gold bag with her "regular" inside - a bath towel that the staff had put aside for her.

CAMERON BURNELL/FAIRFAX NZ Doorman Neville Wellbourn and another staff member shut the doors after the final customer Hilda, who left with a bath towel to remember Kirks by.

The staff applauded, as their manager saluted the 100-strong crowd who packed the footpath outside, to see the doorman close the brass-handled doors for the last time to a chorus of "thank you, Kirkcaldies."

Most of the lipsticks had long been spirited away.

But there will be one final makeover at number 165-177 Lambton Quay.

CAMERON BURNELL/FAIRFAX NZ Avinash Shrivastava poses with Kirkcaldie and Stains' top-hatted doorman Neville Wellbourn.

'Kirks' ' last transformation will be her own - into a fresh-faced Australian.

Saturday was Kirkcaldies' final day of trading before its shop floors, established in 1863, are reincarnated as Australian retail giant David Jones.

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*Kirks replacement applauded but department stores face uncertain-future

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CAMERON BURNELL/FAIRFAX NZ Author Julia Millen who wrote a history of the store waits outside to see its last moments.

The closure of Wellington's elegant department store, which served generations of shoppers, is a poignant moment in the country's retail history.

Christchurch's and Timaru's Ballantynes, Auckland's Smith and Caughey and Invercargill's H & J Smith - which recently absorbed Dunedin's Arthur Barnett - are the only remaining department stores.

1 of 16 KIRKCALDIE & STAINS ARCHIVE The second location for the shop, the first was Plimmers Ark. This shows the shop in 1865 - the year of the first Kirks sale. 2 of 16 KIRKCALDIE & STAINS ARCHIVE In 1868 Kirks moved to its current location and opened a two-storey wooden building, pictured here in 1870. 3 of 16 KIRKCALDIE & STAINS ARCHIVE The store expanded in the next thrity years, pictured here in 1901 - draped in black for Queen Victoria's death. 4 of 16 KIRKCALDIE & STAINS ARCHIVE By 1909 Kirks had been transformed and was more recgonisable as the building known today. It was the most imposing building at the time. 5 of 16 KIRKCALDIE & STAINS ARCHIVE Kirks, centre left, in 1922 - showing parts of Lambton Quay including the trams and the Midland Hotel on the left. 6 of 16 KIRKCALDIE & STAINS ARCHIVE The Duke and Duchess of York, later King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, drive past Kirks in 1927. 7 of 16 KIRKCALDIE & STAINS ARCHIVE Kirkcaldie & Stains remodels the 1897 building in the Italianate style, from 1927 to 1928. By the end of 1928, the simple classical facade is completed, pictured near the end of construction in 1928. 8 of 16 KIRKCALDIE & STAINS ARCHIVE The brand new facade of Kirks in 1928. 9 of 16 KIRKCALDIE & STAINS ARCHIVE Kirks decked out for Christmas in 1956 - cars surround the store, not horses or trams. 10 of 16 KIRKCALDIE & STAINS ARCHIVE A magical milestone was celebrated in 1963 - 100 years of Kirks. 11 of 16 KIRKCALDIE & STAINS ARCHIVE Kirks in the back, with the Midland Hotel, centre, dominating the skyline before it was demolished in about 1982 to become a Midland Park. 12 of 16 KIRKCALDIE & STAINS ARCHIVE The shop in 1983 for the 120th celebrations, this was one of the last years of the original building. 13 of 16 KIRKCALDIE & STAINS ARCHIVE In 1985 the business is bought by Renouf Corporation, which signifcantly reconstructions the building, keeping on the facade. Two tower blocks were also built behind the shop. 14 of 16 KIRKCALDIE & STAINS ARCHIVE Trolley buses are now operating instead of trams and the 1995 Kirks is recognisable as the building that will close on Saturday. 15 of 16 KIRKCALDIE & STAINS ARCHIVE Wellington celebrates 140 years of Kirks in 2003. 16 of 16 KIRKCALDIE & STAINS ARCHIVE The beloved store celebrated 150 years in 2013 - two years later it announced that it was closing and David Jones would moving to Wellington

Kirkcaldies' famous sales have for decades commanded queues of customers who camped outside its doors at the promise of discounted perfumes.

Fighting to stay afloat in a brave new world of online retail, Kirkcaldies' books recorded loss after loss until, finally, the biggest sale of its history would also be its last.

On Saturday the cosmetics department, which was to be transferred to a "pop-up" store in the desert between Kirks closing and David Jones opening, was in full swing.

But the empty upper floors were cordoned off ("The K & S Cafe has now closed forever," one sign dramatically proclaimed) while shoppers picked up final souvenirs and shook hands with staff as they thronged through lonely piles of clothing, hosiery, and cookie cutters,

Kirkcaldies' bosses could not bear to have the store photographed in its death throes.

Customers had eagerly denuded the store down to its bones, picking its green and gold-liveried shelves of the cashmere sweaters and fine china - the quality stock that had attracted the loyalty of generations.

In the final week customers had scraped up coat hangers and shop-fittings - there was little else left.

"We want people to remember the store in its glory days and not sad and empty, as it is now," chief executive Orsola Del Sante-Bland explained earlier this week.

Still, longtime customers turned out in their Sunday best, to catch a glimpse of its swansong - including Thelma Colquhoun, 93, on her zimmerframe.

Julia Millen, who wrote a book on Kirkcaldies, used to frock up to go to its tearooms as a girl.

The store was really something, she noted - it opened two years before Wellington was even named the country's capital.

"It's grown up with the city and everything that's happened - the earthquakes... because it was on reclaimed land it used to flood in the basement and the rats came up from the wharves."

"It was special. It was the last of the great department stores in Wellington."

Australian department store David Jones, owned by South African company Woolworths Holdings, paid A$400,000 (NZ$428,000) to take over the lease and buy the rights to use the Kirkcaldie and Stains name.

It will spend $20 million on refurbishment for the new department store, which is expected to open mid-2016.

But what of the iconic, top-hatted doorman?

Shoppers snapped selfies with Neville Wellbourn, who was manning the doors for the final day's trading, but was not allowed to talk to the media.

The doorman will be staying on with David Jones, which has rehired him, and many of the remaining Kirkcaldies' staff.

Rosemary Foubister, of Khandallah, planted a kiss on Wellbourn's cheek in farewell, joking that she might walk out and in again in hopes of being the last shopper shown the door.

But, alas, she was beaten to it by Hilda - who also had the last word: "A lot of people feel the shop should have been saved."
Rolf and Ute Kleine have been distressed to learn police made a secret search of their Golden Bay home in January 2015.

A Golden Bay couple already reeling after a police raid last March were shocked to learn of an earlier secret search of their home.

Rolf and Ute Kleine, who run teahouse and bakery, Takaka Infusion, received an email last week from Detective Senior Sergeant Aaron Pascoe that attached a signed copy of a search warrant and a "postponement notice". That notice had enabled police to keep the search secret for 12 months.

"We had no clue," Rolf Kleine said. "I had to read it three times.

Jonathan Carson The Kleines say they may sue police.

"I thought 'that can't be'."

READ MORE:

* Couple may sue over 1080 case

* Raid made pair 'feel like criminals'

A property record sheet attached to the email showed police took hair samples from brushes, four pieces of used dental floss, a sheet of A4 paper with a print test and two plain sheets of A4 paper.

Wet and dry swabs were taken from two toothbrush heads and handles. Police also copied electronic storage items including computers, an iPad, external disk drive and a USB stick.

The search on January 28, 2015 related to a police investigation into a threat to contaminate infant and other formula with 1080.

Rolf and Ute Kleine have been publicly opposed to 1080. However, Rolf Kleine stressed the pair were pacifists.

"We never have been in any way aggressive," he said. "I've never even thrown a stone in a demonstration."

Nor had there been any previous dealings with police in their native Germany or in New Zealand, where they have lived for eight years. "I don't even have a speeding ticket in New Zealand."

The secret search by police in January 2015 was followed by another search on March 25 of the Kleines' home as well as their business and car.

The couple were home when police descended in March and the pair were taken to separate police stations for questioning  Rolf to Motueka and Ute to Takaka.

Police say the searches were legal and allowed under the Search and Surveillance Act.

Police could use the act to search properies and individuals during the course of any investigation if a search warrant was obtained.

In some cases, such as when a search would prejudice an investigation or put the safety of someone in danger, the legislation allowed for covert searches.

In the email sent last week, Pascoe says he "would like to acknowledge the assistance and co-operation you both provided to police on 25 March 2015.

"This assisted police in reaching the conclusion that neither of you were in any way involved in the crime of blackmail."

He also says police were obliged to provide the documentation attached  the search warrant, postponement notice and property record sheet  by January 22, 2016.

Rolf Kleine queried why the police searched the house in March if they had already copied the information on the couple's computers and collected samples, presumably for DNA testing, during the secret search in January.

"How do they explain that?"

It was "such a strange feeling" to know the police had opened the door to their home and searched it, taking some items without their knowledge, he said.

The couple's lawyer, Steven Zindel, said he had never heard of a secret search by police followed by another search executed at a later date. "Not in New Zealand."

He described his clients as very principled people who had co-operated with police.

Rolf Kleine said the couple also suspected that an undercover police officer had come into their shop several times during December 2014, and January and March 2015, in an attempt to "entrap" the pair.

"He said he was an anti-1080 activist and wanted to get involved," Rolf Kleine said. "It's a busy time of year for us, I said we were not active. He came back every day for two weeks."

After the threat was revealed, the man returned "and said 'wasn't it good what had happened' and wanted me to agree".

On the contrary, the couple were appalled. "It was horrible what happened. We were shocked," Rolf Kleine said.

Concerns the man might have been an undercover officer along with the search in March and now news of an earlier search in secret had left the Kleines feeling intimidated.

"It has been intimidating for quite a while," Rolf Kleine said. "It's always been on our mind  we want to finish it."

In his email, Pascoe says police have been attempting to meet with the Kleines and he is waiting to hear about a suitable date and venue.

However, Rolf Kleine said the couple did not think it made sense to make contact with the police any more. There had been delays awaiting responses to previous correspondence, and requests to see copies of the signed warrants and a copy of the search warrant affidavit relating to the raid in March had been declined.

"We're a little bit over it now, we don't really feel like we should continue with this [discussions with police]."

The couple were preparing a statement of claim with their lawyer with a view to legal action, buoyed by support from many people in Golden Bay.

"The investigation has been so poor," Rolf Kleine said. "They [the police] could have done it in a different way."

The officer in charge of Operation Concord Detective Superintendent Andy Lovelock said police had said from the beginning they would not discuss why specific individuals were of interest to police. "

"It is quite normal for persons of interest to be eliminated from an enquiry as an investigation progresses, as occurred in this instance."

Once the necessary information had been obtained police were satisfied that this couple had no connection with the blackmail threat being investigated.

The Operation Concord investigation saw a 60-year-old Auckland man arrested and charged with blackmail in October last year. He pleaded guilty last month.

Police have unsuccessfully tried to meet with Mr and Mrs Kleine since that time to explain their inclusion in the investigation and the actions taken by Police.

"If Mr and Mrs Kleine have ongoing concerns about Police actions we welcome the opportunity to meet with them to discuss those concerns. "

TIMELINE

November 2014: Fonterra and Federated Farmers receive letters threatening to contaminate infant formula with 1080 unless New Zealand stop using the poison by April 2015.

Fonterra and Federated Farmers receive letters threatening to contaminate infant formula with 1080 unless New Zealand stop using the poison by April 2015. January 2015: Police search Rolf and Ute Kleine's Golden Bay home without their knowledge. Items are removed for DNA testing.



Police search Rolf and Ute Kleine's Golden Bay home without their knowledge. Items are removed for DNA testing. March 2015: Police publicly announce threat, which has huge impact on global and domestic milk powder sales.

Police publicly announce threat, which has huge impact on global and domestic milk powder sales. March 2015 : Police search Rolf and Ute Kleine's house a second time. The Kleines are present at this search.

: Police search Rolf and Ute Kleine's house a second time. The Kleines are present at this search. October 2015: Arrest made in case.

Arrest made in case. December 2015 : Blackmailer, who has name supression, pleads guilty.

: Blackmailer, who has name supression, pleads guilty. January 2016: Rolf and Ute Kleine find out about the first covert search of their property.

*Comments have been closed on this story.


Soros-funded, 3-year economic development plan for Sri Lanka View(s):

The Sri Lankan government, in the face of serious economic issues, is to present a three year economic development plan next month with the assistance of a team of local economic experts, senior officials and Harvard University academics, official source revealed. Billionaire investor and philanthropist George Soros and the Open Society Foundation is funding this effort. Ricardo Hausman, Professor of the Practice of Economic Development is heading a team of experts attached to Harvard University to advise the government in their economic development strategy. A senior government official told the Business Times that Mr. Soros will set up an office

in Colombo with links to his foundation to steer the governments efforts towards social inclusion and sustainability and find short and long term solutions for burning economic issues. Government revenue has been waning as a percentage of the GDP over the last decade while the exports have been declining as a percentage of the GDP. In addition, Sri Lanka is heading towards a Balance of Payment (BoP) crisis owing to reduction of exports and the heavy cash outflows resulted due to the rapidly increasing foreign commercial borrowings

The governments economic development plan aims at finding ways to encourage businesses and distribute wealth evenly across the population as the rich are getting richer and the poor are becoming poorest of the poor in the country, the official said. The development plan will direct Sri Lanka towards the establishment of a solid foundation to achieve long-term growth through sound monetary and fiscal policy. Those well-designed and well-implemented policies addressing risks could open new opportunities for sustained and inclusive long-term growth as Sri Lanka aimed to move from a middle-income country to high-income, the official pointed out.
Sri Lanka offers better quality of life than Venezuela, says former Venezuelan economist View(s):

Sri Lanka is one more country that was dramatically poorer than Venezuela 20 years ago but now offers a better quality of life than what Venezuela can offer, according to Ricardo Hausmann, Director of the US-based Centre for International Development, adding: We must change this! Hausmann, also Professor of the Practice of Economic Development at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University and a former Venezuelan Minister of Planning, offered this view in reflections on his Sri Lankan visit written in his Facebook page.

He was one of the keynote speakers and moderators at the Sri Lanka Economic Forum in Colombo last week. In a separate FB post, he said: I will be leading an effort by the Centre for International Development at Harvard University to advise the recently elected government of Sri Lanka in their economic development strategy. It will be an honour to work with Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and his team. I thank George Soros and the Open Society Foundation for funding this effort.

Soros footprint

Much of the funding of the forum and its post-research work is said to be funded by billionaire George Soros whose footprint was everywhere at the event. Apart from Soros, the other heavyweight at the event, Nobel Laureate Joseph Stiglitz is also linked to the Hungarian-American investor and philanthropist: He is head of a Soros-funded NGO called the Initiative for Policy Dialogue. In a lengthy FB post, Prof. Hausmann said besides Soros, the meeting had a great set of world class economists and policymakers including Stiglitz, Montek Ahluwalia (India), Alan Hirsh (South Africa), Erion Veliaj (Albania), Robert Conrad, Christopher Woodroof, Filipe Campante, Frank Neffke, Ljubica Nedelkoska, Daniel Stock and Tim OBrien.

In addition, I had three very good and substantive meetings with the Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe. I was also privileged to have not just the PM, much of the cabinet, our international guests, some 600 local participants, present during my talk on the economic challenges of Sri Lanka but also President Maithripala Sirisena.

Five challenges

I mentioned five challenges that Sri Lanka must face if it is going to sustain a process of accelerated and inclusive growth. First, I pointed out that the country was giving signs that its growth rate was limited by the growth of its export (and remittance) income. Second, and related to the previous point, the country faced the challenge of structural transformation, with too much employment in low productivity agriculture, very large gaps in productivity between agriculture and the rest of the economy and a relatively static composition of its exports, composed mainly of tea, rubber and garments.

Third, the country faced the challenge of efficient urbanisation with something between 20 and 40 per cent of the population living in urban areas (depending on definitions) instead of 60+ expected of countries at Sri Lankas income level. Fourth, and related to the previous points, the country faced the challenge of regional and social inclusion, as the structural transformation and urbanisation process is bound to have some lagging regions and sectors (tea, rubber, simple garments), while others such as BPO, Knowledge PO, IT, tourism and more advanced manufactures would expand, in different regions, hiring different social groups. Finally, to accompany and even lead this process, the state would be hampered by a tax revenue of barely 12 per cent of GDP.

Impressive factories

He said he visited three plants: two in garments and one in tyres. The two garment plants were quite different but incredibly impressive. Both owned by MAS holdings are the most advanced I have ever seen and supply Nike, Victoria Secrets and others. The tyre company is the world leader in solid tyre, he added.For a country that started so much poorer than Venezuela poor when I was born and that had a 28 year civil war that ended in 2009, the country has made incredible progress.

I flew to Sri Lanka on January 5th while the Venezuelan National Assembly was being sworn in. The following day, (President Nicolas) Maduro announced a new cabinet. I was struck by the dramatic difference in the quality of the debate between Sri Lanka and Venezuela. While the debate in Sri Lanka featured real challenges with tough choices, the statements of the new ministers in Venezuela exhibited plain lies (such as the economic war) and absurd theories. A country can be destroyed by people acting on lies and wrong ideas.

A President willing to

forego powers

Today (Friday January 8), the Sri Lankan Parliament was convened as a constitutional assembly in order to pass a constitutional reform that would reduce the powers of the President in order to prevent a new Chavista-like abuse of power as that which is attributed to previous President (Mahinda) Rajapaksa. What a sight: a President that is willing to forgo powers to make sure that future presidents do not abuse it. That is one thing that the Venezuelan National Assembly could do: re-establish the division of powers by re-appointing the Supreme Court, the Attorney General, The Comptroller General, the Electoral Council, free all political prisoners, re-establish freedom of the press and hold ministers accountable for gross violations of the law.
Three cooks in a budget soup View(s):

A joke doing the rounds in Sri Lanka is that the only remaining part of Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayakes 2016 budget speech is Honourable Speaker Everything else has been amended, changed or suspended  at least a large part. Thats not all  consider the confusion. Gazette notifications or Treasury circulars  two processes that provide legal validity to tax proposals  are yet to be issued amidst some taxes being collected which technically could be challenged in a court.

In fact, the government is following a practice by the past regime where some taxes in budget announcements were collected even before the legal process was put in place. No questions were asked at the time and no challenge made. A similar situation is emerging today. The latest budget proposal to bite the dust is the Value Added Tax (VAT) and the Nation Building Tax (NBT) increase which was suspended in its operation on Wednesday through a government announcement. This is not the end of the story.

The Finance Ministry statement released to the media said that  The amendments proposed to VAT and NBT proposed in the Budget 2016 should not be implemented until the relevant legislative enactments are passed by Parliament. However some businesses had already been collecting this tax based on a circular issued by the Inland Revenue Department (IRD). The ministry statement  wittingly, unwittingly or maybe out of sheer ignorance -, now raises the question as to the legality of enforcing taxes through an IRD circular or newspaper notice which normally follows after a Treasury circular is issued to the IRD.

Thats a procedure that has been followed for many, many years and legally valid until now as per the latest ministry statement. Does it also call into question the legality of taxes imposed via a circular? It would appear to be so if one is to challenge the IRD when taxes-by-circular (and not gazettes approved by parliament) are imposed since such a circular would appear to be invalid based on the ministrys until the relevant legislative enactments are passed by Parliament statement.

More than 60 per cent of the 2016 budget proposals have been subjected to change or questioned which has never happened before. The defensive posture from the government is that a Yahapalalaya regime must listen to the wishes and will of the people and these changes are in this context. Wishful thinking for the simple reason that it begs of inconsistent policies by the government, an issue that dogged the Mahinda Rajapaksa administration, and one of the main reasons why foreign investors were reluctant to invest in the country.

The collection in the past few weeks of VAT and NBT under the new rates is a sample of the current inconsistent policy regime. Going on the governments own admission of changing the goalpost (taxes and other decisions) based on public criticism and protests, every tax or decision could then be subject to change and subsequently reversed. How can you run an administration like this? Ask former finance minister Ronnie De Mel, who ironically praised the finance minister on the 2016 Budget, and he is bound to agree that a government should not backtrack on its tax proposals to the extent that has happened this time.

Not only is its credibility at stake and exposes the inconsistencies, but it puts the entire tax revenue targets in the budget in jeopardy. Tax revenue targets are based on expenditure estimates in a budget. Now if tax revenue is not coming in, how does one find money for the expenditure items in the budget? Another thorny issue that has arisen is the Finance Ministers no questions asked appeal to Sri Lankans and foreigners to invest their money here.

These were Karunanayakes words in the budget on encouraging investors to bring their money to Sri Lanka: The Government shall not take any criminal action against any persons making inward remittances of such monies held overseas through the banking channel except in instances where the proceeds are the result of terrorism, drugs, human trafficking and corruption. Thus was clear that any black money or corrupt funds will go through the normal, rigid cross-checking by banks (sending and receiving) under strict anti-money laundering and anti-terrorism financing laws.

However several lofty public pronouncements by the minister on this issue have given a totally different interpretation and perception, so much so that even bankers are confused and have urged the government to amend exchange control laws if a no questions asked policy is to be followed in foreign currency inflows and outflows.People are also confused over the budget proposal to entitle those above 55 years (earlier it was over 60 years) to 15 per cent interest on a deposit of Rs. 1 million.

Banks or finance companies are yet to receive a Central Bank circular to give effect to this proposal. Adding to the confusion some banks are believed to be  in the absence of a clear direction  extending these one-year deposits made under the earlier 2015 budget proposal even though that was restricted to one year. The budget has turned out to be the biggest debacle in the governments short 12-month tenure. One of the reasons for this debacle is because there were too many cooks involved in its preparation.

The Finance Ministry/Treasury is divided into two these days. The finance minister has his own team (newly appointed advisors) and deals with only a few officers in the budget department, which has an experienced team, while others are left idling. Separately the Prime Ministers Policy Planning and Economic Affairs ministry has been involved in the budget, with conflicts often arising with Karunanayakes team. With such bungling taking place and questions arising over the legality of the budget proposals, the government may have to present another amended budget with a shortened parliamentary debate, however under a new finance minister!
Diplomatic cover for Uguduwa at US ambassadors residence View(s):

In the world of diplomats, the most protected are United States envoys serving their country in overseas missions. The importance of a US ambassadors personal security has risen ten-fold following the death of the US envoy in Benghazi, in Libya at the hands of a militant gang that invaded the embassy premises. Therefore, anything unusual is always detected by the staff.

Alert personnel at Jefferson House, the official residence of the US Ambassador to Sri Lanka, were therefore somewhat concerned about the noise that was emanating from their attic. It did not take long for them to identify the culprit-intruder.

Ambassador Atul Keshap tweeted; This #SriLanka palm civet was living rent-free in the attic, but he will be relocated to more salubrious surroundings. The humble Uguduwa as the civet is usually known, is described as a lithe bodied nocturnal mammal.

An embassy spokesperson said the animal was transported to a less populated area and was released. The animal appears to have enjoyed diplomatic immunity at least for a while.

Tight-lipped embassy officials refused to divulge the current whereabouts of their Uguduwa. His (or her) asylum application seems to have been rejected  or ejected, as the case may be.

Paddy mill diplomat gets special treatment

At least to some, the Foreign Service has never been that better. Not when the Government is finding it difficult, despite promises, to make it a truly professional service. Take for example, the Polonnaruwa paddy mill owner cum local correspondent for a television station. He was posted to a Sri Lanka mission in Europe.

After the report in these columns last week, a Foreign Ministry source whispers that the man had served in the European capital only for two weeks or just ten days leaving the weekends out.

Thereafter, he had come to Sri Lanka on home leave. The reason  to give his daughter in marriage! Even if others were denied leave though they had strong medical reasons, this one was a hot potato to handle. And so, it was promptly approved, said the source. One must not mess about with paddy mill owners from Polonnaruwa these days, after all.

All roads lead to Polonnaruwa

A recommendation by President Maithripala Sirisena to undertake two road projects costing a colossal Rs. 13 billion caused some flutter at last Wednesdays weekly ministerial meeting. It came when the observations to the recommendations had been made by the Ministry of Finance and were questioned by Mr. Sirisena. The President was to complain that during the tenure of his predecessor, Mahinda Rajapaksa, he was unable to even have a road in the Polonnaruwa area repaired.

It took a while for Minister Karunanayake, with the help of his Ministry officials, to rake up similar instances in the past where observations have been made by the ministries in question on cabinet proposals. That was to ensure correct procedures were followed.

A smiling Mr. Sirisena agreed and his recommendation was accepted thereafter. One project was for the Polonnaruwa-Medirigiriya Road and the other for the Polonnaruwa town area.

All roads seem to lead to Polonnaruwa.

TNA rift seen in Thai Pongal no-show

The national Thai Pongal ceremony was held in Jaffna with Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe presiding and Northern Province Chief Minister C.V. Wigneswaran in attendance. Several other dignitaries including former President Chandrika Kumaratunga and cabinet ministers were present.

But most of the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) members, including MPs, decided to skip the event. In the past they skipped such events to show their protest against the government, but this time they were against their own party man  the chief minister whom they are at loggerheads with.

His own council members this week lashed out at him for trying to create a rift in the party. The TNA High Command, meanwhile, hit out at other pro-Wigneswaran provincial councillors N.K. Sivajilingam and Anandi Sasitharan for organising a black flag protest over the visit of government leaders from Colombo.

However, the TNA leaders were not to be seen with the visitors from Colombo because of the Chief Ministers presence at the function organised by the Ministry of Rehabilitation, Resettlement and Hindu Affairs.

President going to Germany

President Maithripala Sirisena will undertake a four-day official visit to Germany beginning February 13.

Foreign Ministry officials said his itinerary was now being worked out with their counterparts in Berlin. Though the entire delegation is not yet finalised, it is to include Faiszer Mustapha, Minister of Provincial Councils and Local Government.

Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera is also expected in Berlin days ahead of the visit to finalise arrangements.

Rajapaksa says visits to FCID, presidential commissions routine now

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksas most frequent outings in the past few months has been his visits to the FCID and the Presidential Commission probing large scale fraud and corruption.

This week when he was at a party hosted by Western Province Councillor Sarath Sumanasekera, another WPC member Merrill Perera asked the former President how he tolerated the repeated onslaught of allegations and accusations against him by the Yahapalanaya government. The former president replied: When a man is beaten up by the Police, the first time he finds it very difficult to tolerate. The next time he becomes a little hardened and then the third time even more till it becomes no problem to him. I am also like that. I am well tempered now. He added that visits to the FCID, the Presidential Commission and prison had become routine for him.

Ministers, stop this VIP plunder

Every time a worthy Sri Lankan minister sets foot at Londons Heathrow Airport to use the VIP Lounge, the taxpayer pays Sterling Pounds 1,750 or Rs. 350,000. That covers the cost of the VIP room as well as the facilities they used. For a handful, it is just a one-off trip whilst for others they are scores. Even holidays begin with an official engagement first.

The payments are made usually by the Sri Lanka High Commission, which forwards the bill to Colombo. It then passes down the line to the Treasury and then down to the taxpayer.
Phantom Belgian star in Lankas Beggars Opera Capital barons turn dream merchants to fund nation's economic miracles View(s): View(s):

A nations coin of credibility is judged by the stability and value of its currency. The depths to which this nations economy has plummeted, the pits of economic perdition to which it has sunk is graphically brought home when its Finance Minister presents to its citizenry the nauseating and humiliating spectacle of an anonymous Belgian dropping a billion dollar note into sovereign Lankas begging bowl.

During her 68 years of independence, never has Lanka stooped so low to keep the wolf away from her door. Many a time has this country been driven to the wall and many a time have successive Foreign Ministers been caricatured knocking on affluent western nations doors with begging bowl in hand. Many times have Finance Ministers gone on bended knees to international donor agencies funded by economic power houses and grovelled before career bureaucrats for aid to keep Lankas home fires burning. At least then it was a government-to-government appeal or a begging prayer made by the Lankan government to a multi-government funded institution like the World Bank or IMF.

But never before has any Finance Minister  albeit paying for the sins of his predecessors  been forced to fling the final vestige of national pride to the winds and desperately seek a loan from a private citizen of a foreign country to defend the floating rupee and keep it buoyant.

And the bad news is that he is on the lookout for another three or four loaded shadowy sugar daddies of the same kind willing to give the Lankan starlet a questionable beggars handout. That the sovereign state of Lanka must genuflect before private wealth, that an independent and proud nation should lie prostrate at the feet of a private citizen of a former Roman province less than half the size of Lanka; and beg for cash to save her from going bust, is an indictment not only against this government but against all previous governments whose lack of foresight and economic planning, whose propensity to squander the national wealth have brought her to this terrible and shameless pass.

And who is this mystery benefactor, this unnamed man from Brussels? From where do his billion bucks come from? Is it drug money, is it a devious way of using Lanka as the laundromat of the Indian Ocean to dry clean the loot? Is it a part of the 18 billion dollar booty the previous regime supposedly stole from the country as alleged by the Government? Dont the people have a right to know the identity of this mystery Belgian, this phantom that has miraculously appeared to prop the Lankan rupee? Why is it kept secret?

A senior finance ministry official was quoted this Monday in the Government newspaper that Sri Lanka will not question any investors who want to remit the money. It was the responsibility of the remitting bank in Europe to check the source of funds and to know their customers.

Furthermore it is not only a no questions asked loan he is giving but one that can be called back without notice. The Government will allow the mystery Belgian to withdraw it at anytime. The extent of the Finance Ministers desperation is revealed by the fact that he is prepared to accept money from anyone without inquiring whether it is drug or illegal arms sales or even ISIS or LTTE money, without revealing the name of the lender to the public, paying two percent interest on the loan to him and guaranteeing him the right to withdraw the money at a moments notice. Dont you think that this set up has transformed Lanka overnight to a money laundering paradise? And to whom will this two per cent interest or 20 million dollars be paid to? Or is that, too, a secret?

But one must forgive his desperation to get a few chaps to offload their excess dough and park it here for safe keeping while getting a handsome return for it compared, as he says, to the otherwise negative return they would get if they invested in Europe.

Just take a look at his predicament

Lanka is now facing a growing balance of payments crisis. A large budget deficit has put further pressure on the rupee. The political upheavals in the Middle East are expected to reduce the $6 billion income earned by Lankan housemaids and others working in the strife torn region. Out of the $ 7 billion foreign exchange reserve Lanka had on January 1, $ 5 billion will be used to repay existing foreign loans this year. On top of that the large budget deficit has compelled the Government to borrow heavily from normal official sources and though Lanka is now the worlds best friend, foreign governments have not rushed with bags of cash to aid Lanka in her crisis. In such dire circumstances, what else can the Finance Minister do but turn to rich billionaires and scrounge a soft loan from them on their hard terms?

And while the Finance Minister is trying to figure out whom to sponge off next, the rest of the Government are busy with assembling a bonfire to burn the existing constitution in the grandiose hope that from the old Dharmishta constitutions ashes, a new Yahapalana phoenix will rise. This exercise will marshal the energies and commandeer the attention of the nation for months on end. There will be debate after debate and dissension after dissension.

When amendments to the present constitution would have sufficed to remedy existing ills, this radical decision to completely abolish the way this country has been run for the last 38 years is one that has not been spawned by any present public clamour but seem to have been self born in the minds of the present leadership. However no valid reason, except to say that the executive presidency must be abolished, has still been forwarded to justify the abolition of the entire constitution.

Last week Parliament was turned into a constitutional assembly to labour birth to an unwanted child. Already the ground work is being laid for polarisation to take place, to cause a divide in the national government itself and to provide a heaven sent cause celebre to those booted out of power to emerge from the woodwork.

The question as to what to do with the 13th Amendment to the present constitution will be subjected to endless discussion as will certain other controversial topics. Former president Mahinda Rajapaksa who introduced the atrocious 18th Amendment and gave the 1978 constitution an evil twist until President Maithripala Sirisena repealed it with his 19th Amendment, has already been invited by certain members of Parliament to help draft not a few articles but the entire new constitution. With such an ironic start what is the guarantee that the Government will, at the end of the expensive day, be able to come up with a constitution that will be better than the one it will be replacing. Is it an exercise the nation can afford to be engaged in at the cost of myriad other important issues? Why buy a new Rolls Royce when the old tried and tested Rolls with a few tinkering work done, will give the same ride and take one to the same destination? And of course, there will be the referendum to ask the public to give their yes or no to the new constitution as if one could be in agreement with all its articles or in disagreement with all its clauses.

But perhaps it is best for the peoples mind to be suspended on the trapeze watching the constitutional circus and get their thoughts off bread until crunch time. And whilst the public must perforce dwell upon the unfolding flubbing acts, a quantum of hope will be provided by the vision galore afforded. Now instead of Rajapaksas vision to make Lanka the Miracle of Asia is Wickremesinghes ambition to make Lanka the Global Mega City.

Speaking at the Sri Lanka Economic Forum 2016 last week, the Prime Minister declared, Our objective is to make Sri Lanka the most competitive nation in the Indian Ocean and to develop the island as a mega city for the region that will go between Singapore and Dubai thus make it competitive. And the time has come for us to think how we are going to do it. Sri Lanka would have to take stock of the global economic situation and its own shortcomings and opportunities and would convert the economy into a manufacturing based one. Sri Lanka did focus on agriculture in the past when it launched the Mahaweli Development but unfortunately it was not possible to go forward from there. We cant continue as a low income country and should decide how we could go ahead.

We live in exciting times, dont we now? Politically we are in the process of throwing out the present constitution lock, stock and barrel and preparing ourselves to place our faith in a new good book that promises to dawn the miracle of real change. Economically we are about to change the focus from agriculture on which the nation has survived for so long to manufacturing and compete with the rest of the world for our products. Phew! What a challenge! Two revolutions on two fronts! But before we start thinking whether we are about to bite more than we can chew, have we first got the dough to tuck into?

Enter Soros. The Hungarian-born Jew who escaped the Nazi death camps to become one of the biggest international financiers and the 27th richest man in the world. According to Forbes magazine, his net worth was estimated in 2014 at $23 billion. He is also known as the Man Who Broke the Bank of England after he short sold $10 billion worth of pounds during the 1992 Black Wednesday UK currency crisis. This calculated flutter at British expense earned him a profit of $1 billion. The 86-year-old billionaire is also a great philanthropist and is said to have donated $11 billion to various causes through the years. But he is a ruthless exploiter of any currencys weakness and will take utmost advantage of a situation to further his interest even if it brings financial collapse to money markets. In 1997, Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir accused him orchestrating the Malaysian currency crash, though nine years later Mahathir absolved him of being responsible.

He arrived last week to participate at the Sri Lanka Economic Forum and also as a potential investor. My investment person is also in Sri Lanka to look for opportunities, he declared in his speech. Sri Lanka is a bright spot and I think there is great opportunity in tourism.

His presence in Lanka gave hope that he would be so impressed with the countrys potential he would invest $300 million in solar, IT and tourism sectors. Though it is still to be seen, his visit would certainly have put the country on the international investor map. The governments hope is that these capital barons will be attracted by the tremendous incentives given them to make direct investment in the country and thus become the merchants of Lankas dream to fund and turbo charge its flagging economy.

But to dull Lankan hopes, Soros had a word of warning. He said, You are facing a very hostile external environment not only in China but an overall tendency towards slower growth and that is more serious now than in previous years Money is no longer coming to developing countries. Harsh choices will have to be made. The world is now in a deflationary situation and developing countries that benefited from the commodity boom will not be able to do so any longer. He called on the Sri Lankan Government to beware of the pitfalls of high expectations and said, Instead of resting on your laurels, you have to understand this is just the beginning and do more because this is only the beginning of the decline of financial markets. It is a balancing act, reduce expectations and improve performance. This is my contribution and I am sorry about it being a bit of a damper.

He need not have feared damping the ebullient spirit of the Lankan Prime Minister who would not let a few forebodings of a Hungarian prophet of doom cramp his upbeat style. Ranil Wickremesinghe not only announced his plan to make Lanka a global mega city but also promised to give a good life to the people with access to health, education and housing. He also promised to give 1.5 million people freehold land so they will become stakeholders in the country. To the applause of the crowd present, he declared, the politics is done and that the rest of his term will be dedicated to fixing the economy.

Stirring stuff that must bring good cheer to forlorn Lankan hearts. But if the words of Soros have a ring of reality and distant drums beating the dread of hard times ahead are distinct to discerning ears, then the Lankan government should take careful note of the forewarning and tailor their grandiose plans accordingly.

While the Finance Minister is busy trying to scrounge cash from rich foreigners to prevent the rupee from becoming worthless, while the President is trying to revolutionise the political structure by attempting to bring in a brand new constitution that will change the entire system of governance, while the prime minister is bent on conjuring visions of making the entire island into a global mega city and replacing agriculture with manufacturing as the new base of the national economy, will it be surprising if the Government finds it has served itself more than a Hungarian Goulash of problems all at the same time  more than its plate of troubles can hold?

Hirunikas better half

No fisticuffs flew, no pistols at dawn declared, only a verbal duel ensued when Hirunikas husband ran into spot of bother on Monday. He found his exist from the housing complex at Havelock City blocked by a neighbours car. Just as he was turning out onto the main road, his neighbours car was just entering the narrow road. A typical brinkmanship game was about to begin. Pride made both men refuse to budge. They stood their ground. And words flew in the air. And the neighbour is alleged to have threatened to tell the media about the incident. Hirunikas hubby Yatowita was furious but such is the price of wedded fame. But he did not take the law into his own hands nor did he seek the counsel of any agony aunt packing a punch in the vicinity to settle his problem, even though he had free access to the powerful member in his petticoat government. He did the correct thing both men and women should do in such trying situations. He went to the police station and made a complaint. Even though it is not clear whether police are still scanning CCTV footage to determine whether they should send the matter to the Attorney General for an opinion, Hirus model hubby showed he is truly the better half.
Replacing sycophancy with a culture of criticism View(s):

One year into the appealing rhetoric of the Sirisena-Wickremesinghe administration, it is heartening to see Sri Lankas artistes and scholars, whose peoples movements were pivotal to the change of power last year, becoming increasingly stern in their tone and tenor.

Critical voices to be heard

This critical approach must not be limited to optics or to a few dramatic speeches for public consumption. Instead, politicians who protest that they are upholding good governance but act completely in contrast must be berated on public stages to street corners and teashops.

True, our politicians are seldom ashamed. This is illustrated by the audacity with which former President Chandrika Kumaratunga holds forth on judicial integrity despite the stubborn fact that the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka commenced its venture into the political thicket with her connivance if not complicity at the time. Executive decisions were taken quite deliberately by that Presidency to tame courageous judges and reward others who eagerly responded to the crack of the political whip. The Rajapaksas only developed this further, stamping their distinctive mark of crudity on the process. So when a critique is made of the judiciary, the accusatory finger must be turned inwards. The issue is very much systemic rather than limited to a particular Presidency, Jayawardene, Kumaratunga or Rajapaksa as the case may be.

But there is little expectation of this. Blatant hypocrisy has been the ruling marker of our degenerated political class and its sycophants. Those who sang hosannas to the Rajapaksa regime now write fervently in praise of new faces in town. Others accept government positions even as they discard with alacrity, the very search for justice that they swore by not so long ago. These aberrations aside however, there are many decent and ordinary citizens who withstood Rajapaksa blandishments and voted for a change only to look in understandable consternation at the status quo. These are the voices which should be heard, in greater force.

Addressing impunity at its core

And as much as street dramas highlighted Rajapaksa atrocities leading to artistes being assaulted during the January 2015 presidential poll campaign, this practice of dissent must continue. A culture of criticism must replace the culture of political sycophancy which Sri Lankans are generally familiar with.

At least the fear of assault in response thereto is not as high as before, even though this phenomenon is a many headed hydra as students sitting for the Higher National Diploma in Accountancy discovered to their cost when they were brutally assaulted by the police recently. A purported new era of governance notwithstanding, the National Police Commission hemmed and hawed, finally deciding that higher police officials could not be censured. Instead, it reportedly ordered the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to take necessary disciplinary action against six errant police officers.

The National Human Rights Commission handed down a more rigorously reasoned order on the incident but what were the practical consequences thereafter? A few policemen were transferred out and reportedly one was suspended. Both bodies recommended those aggrieved must be compensated. But is this sufficient to address systemic impunity that prevails?

Indeed, not much time lapsed before police brutality took place at Embilipitiya when local area policemen demanded that residents of the area who were having a private event at a home, give them free liquor. Upon refusal to do so, the scuffle turned deadly resulting in the death of the homeowner. The consequent fury of area residents led to the Special Task Force being called to the area to prevent further escalation of tensions. Here too, the solution (reportedly) has been to transfer the policemen out. This appears to be the stock answer to such situations. But does this actually solve the problem?

What hope does accountability have?

To add insult to injury, provincial journalists covering the magisterial proceedings into the Embilipitiya death were manhandled by the police and their notebooks removed by force. Apparently the court sergeant had been acting under orders from a higher authority. Under what provision of the law do the police act in this manner, absent a direction by the presiding judge? Who institutes inquiry into such a clear abuse of power?

These are salutary lessons for optimists who believed that the mere establishing of independent constitutional commissions would correct systemic abuses. As we saw under the 17th Amendment and see now as well, this scarcely disturbs the surface of Sri Lankas impunity crisis, merely creating slight ripples that are disregarded with ease by the political establishment. Where ordinary law enforcement is not attended with the political will to ensure accountability, what hope can minority Tamils have in expecting justice for war-time abuses? When the existing law is not properly implemented, what hope does a new Constitution have? These are questions that must justifiably be asked in the spirit of constructive inquiry.

Rejecting a policy of appeasement

Some entertain the fear that criticism of the fragile coalition Government might pave the way for the return of the Rajapaksas. There is a curious analogy at play here. This is the same policy of appeasement which was touted during the 2002-2003 peace talks between the Wickremesinghe government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam. Despite notorious abuses committed by the LTTE against the Tamil people, even the faintest whisper of condemnation attracted anxious pleas to abstain lest the LTTE leave the ceasefire process altogether. In fact, those who did raise concerns were ostracized and labeled as spoilers.

In retrospect of course, that policy was naive if not foolish. Quite apart from what turned out to be a farcical peace process, this led to many otherwise rational Sri Lankans being convinced that this hands-off criticism policy was an unforgivable betrayal of the nation. This was the start of an ultra-nationalist backlash which later brought in a Rajapaksa monarchy under which the end of war brought no relief and Sri Lankas remaining democratic freedoms were ruthlessly suppressed. Unfortunately we never seem to learn from history.

Indeed, the silence of critical voices at this stage is exactly what will prevent a Rajapaksa-return. It is as simple as that. Our entire effort must be to prevent such a monstrous eventuality with all its communalistic and racial undertones, pushing Sri Lanka back into even worse regression than what we have seen thus far.
Lanka mediates for Nasheeds release Two ministers on secret visit to Maldives for high-level talks View(s): View(s):

Sri Lanka has mediated with Maldivian President Abdulla Yameen for the release of his predecessor Mohamed Nasheed who is now serving a jail term. The task was undertaken by Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera and Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake who flew to Male last Wednesday on an un-announced visit. This was after both President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe had given their consent to their mediatory role.

The duo held talks with President Yameen whose archipelago nation faces international isolation over jailing or harassing opponents, particularly Mr. Nasheed, the first democratically elected President of that nation. Mr. Yameen is expected to take a decision soon on the case made by the two ministers, a high ranking Sri Lanka Government source said.

International pressure on the Maldives intensified this week after a European Union delegation went to Male for talks with Mr. Yameen. Also this week, former President Nasheeds lawyer, Amal Clooney, was meeting US Congress members to appeal to them to impose sanctions on the Maldives. Among them was Senator John McCain (Republican  Arizona). She was also interviewed by the NBC network. The 37-year-old British barrister, wife of wellknown actor George Clooney, told NBC, Democracy is dead in the Maldives. Literally if there were an election now there would be no one to run against the President. Every opposition leader is either behind bars or being pursued by the Government through courts.

Lawyer Clooney told US Senators that former President Nasheed had served six months of a 13 year prison sentence in the Maldives.

Foreign Office officials both in Male and Colombo had kept the visit of the two Sri Lankan ministers a secret. However, after the Colombo-based diplomatic community made inquiries from the Maldivian High Commissioner Zahiya Zareer about the duos visit to Male, she replied that they were attending the opening of a resort by a Sri Lankan in a southern atoll.

Finance Minister Karunanayake, a close friend of President Yameen, did take part in an opening. However, the purpose of their mission was kept under wraps.

Later, the Foreign Ministry in Male put out a statement that the two Sri Lankan ministers were on an official visit on January 13 and 14. The slip in the statement was showing. There was no mention of Minister Karunanayakes presence in the country. In terms of strict protocol, if she was right in inviting Foreign Minister Samaraweera, the invitation for Minister Karunanayake should have been from his counterpart in the Maldives.

During talks yesterday in Colombo with British Foreign Office Minister Hugo Swire, Mr. Samaraweera briefed the visiting minister on the mission to Male by him and his colleague. Mr. Swire later tweeted that he had thanked Mr. Samaraweera for ensuring stability in the region. Mr Swire is due in Male today.
A bomb threat was telephoned to the Police Emergency Line shortly before 4am threatening that a bomb had been placed in a house bus occupied by an individual at the Maitai Motor Camp in Nelson and was due to explode 30 minutes later.

Senior Sergeant Koefoed of Nelson Police says local police attended and evacuated the named target and local residents from the area who are all safe and well.

"As a precautionary measure NZ Defence Forces Bomb Technicians arrived from Wellington.

"They conducted a thorough examination of the area but failed to locate anything suspicious.

"Police are now following leads to identify the hoax caller."

Anyone with information which may assist police is asked to call Nelson Police on 03-5463840 or Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

Source: New Zealand Police.
Police are continuing to appeal for information from the public as they investigate the homicide of an elderly woman in Te Atatu Peninsula yesterday.

Cunxiu Tian, 69, was found deceased at her Glenvil Lane home by her daughter and son-in-law who also live at the address. The family is being supported by Police and Victm Support and our sympathies are with them during this difficult time.

They have requested privacy and have asked that the media do not contact them.

Detective Senior Sergeant Roger Small says Police are still trying to establish the events of yesterday and it is too early to speculate on what may or may not have happened.

We are asking residents, particularly in the areas surrounding Glenvil Lane who saw any people or vehicles in the area on Friday 15 January 2016 to come forward.

Even if you dont think it was anything out of the ordinary, we still want to hear from you.

We are also asking for residents in the area who may have private CCTV systems to please check their surveillance for any unusual activity in their own properties or for movements of interest and please contact Police.

Police have set up an 0800 number -0800 772 271- for people to provide information to the Operation Nepal homicide investigation team.

You can also provide information anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

A post mortem is being carried out today.

Source: New Zealand Police.
Four lucky Lotto players in New Plymouth, Levin and Invercargill will be celebrating last night after each winning $250,000 with Lotto First Division in live Lotto draw.

The winning tickets were sold at New World New Plymouth in New Plymouth, Levin New World in Levin, South City Gifts & Lotto in Invercargill and Newfield Four Square in Invercargill.
He is a member of a notorious gang and faces serious criminal charges some committed in the Bay of Plenty, but Stephen William Daly is proving popular with his children.

The Head Hunters member, on electronic bail for his alleged role in armed kidnappings in the Bay of Plenty a year ago, was so frustrated at not being allowed to leave his Whangarei property and take his kids to the playground that he took extreme measures - bringing the playground to them.
Detectives are continuing the area canvass and are going door-to-door in the wider area around Glenvil Lane, speaking to residents.

The Police Specialist Search team have carried out an extensive examination of the property and neighbouring area.

Experts from ESR and Police are continuing with the scene examination at the home where the victim was found on Friday.

A team of about 25 investigators are working on the case.

So far weve only had a few calls to our dedicated Op Nepal 0800 number. Though we are getting a pleasing level of assistance from Te Atatu residents.

I cant stress enough how much we need to hear from anyone who has seen something or someone who appeared suspicious or out-of-place on Friday, or in the days before, says Detective Senior Sergeant Roger Small, Waitemata Police.

If youve noticed anyone hanging around or anyone behaving in a way you thought was odd, or a family member perhaps acting strangely, we want to hear about it, please call the 0800 number he says.
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The Skaneateles YMCA and Community Center, pictured in October 2012.

(John Berry)

SKANEATELES, N.Y. -- A thief who broke into 10 cars outside a Skaneateles gym Friday morning left a trail, police said.

The break-ins happened within one hour in the Skaneateles YMCA & Community Center's parking lot, said Skaneateles Police Lt. Dan Coon. He gave the following narrative of the incident:

Between 9:15 a.m. and 10:15 a.m., an unknown suspect smashed the windows of nine vehicles in the 97 State St. gym's parking lot. One other unlocked vehicle was entered without permission.

The suspect stole 10 purses that contained credit cards, cash, personal identification cards and checkbooks. A few cellphones were also stolen.

Much of the stolen property has been recovered in the last 24 hours -- providing police with a trail of the thief's activity.

Using an app, one victim tracked a stolen cellphone less than an eighth of a mile away from the gym, Coon said. The bright yellow phone was found on the shoulder of Route 321.

All 10 of the stolen purses were found Friday afternoon about 6 miles away from Skaneateles in a dumpster outside of Cayuga Community College in Auburn, Coon said. Cash and credit cards were missing from some of the purses. The thief also kept each of the victims' licenses.

The suspect left officers an additional clue.

Someone tried to use one of the debit cards stolen from the Skaneateles YMCA at the Auburn YMCA, Coom said. The card was declined.

Coon said the Auburn Police Department and Cayuga Community College are checking for surveillance footage. No arrests have been made.

The Skaneateles break-ins came 10 days after "the same thing" happened outside the Auburn YMCA, Coon said.

At least one person broke into four cars parked in the lot across from the Auburn YMCA, located at 27 William St., between 9 a.m. and 9:12 a.m. on Jan. 5, the Auburn Police Department said. The suspect -- a passenger in a red Nissan Maxima with tinted windows -- stole purses, phones and credit cards, police said.

In the Skaneateles case, Coon said the suspect targeted vehicles with valuables kept in the front seat.

"If you're going to leave valuables inside the car, leave them in the trunk," he said. "Keep them out of sight."

Police asked anyone with information about the Skaneateles thefts to call (315) 685-3819. Police requested anyone with information about the Auburn thefts to call (315) 253-3231.
LANSING, N.Y. -- A drunk Ithaca man was delivering newspapers Thursday in Tompkins County when his car broke down, police said.

Shanon C. Ivory was in Lansing around 4:53 a.m. when he started to have car troubles, said the New York State Police. Ivory is a contracted deliveryman for the Ithaca Journal, the newspaper said.

Ivory, 34, tried to seek help from residents living near Coventry Walk, troopers said. One resident called 911, and troopers responded.

An investigation determined Ivory was driving with a blood alcohol content of .26 percent -- more than three times the legal limit -- while delivering newspapers in the Lansing area, troopers said.

Ivory was charged with misdemeanor aggravated driving while intoxicated. He was issued an appearance ticket and released.
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Daniel Lowengard speaks to Senator John DeFrancisco in 2011 at a CNY School Board Association legislative breakfast. The former Syracuse schools boss is leaving his job in Rochester following a stroke.

(David Lassman | dlassman@syracuse.com)

ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- Daniel Lowengard, the former superintendent of Syracuse schools, is leaving his job as interim superintendent of the Rochester schools following a stroke.

Lowengard's recently hired chief of staff, Linda Cimusz, will serve as interim superintendent, The Rochester Democrat & Chronicle reported.

While talking to a group of teachers at a monthly professional development meeting on Jan. 7 he appeared to faint, falling to the ground. He was hospitalized for a week, but officials did not initially say what had happened to him.

But on Friday Lowengard said he had suffered a stroke the week before and could not serve as superintendent. He plans to return to Central New York to recover, The Democrat & Chronicle reported.

Lowengard, 65, served as superintendent of the Syracuse City School District from 2006-11, when he retired. He began his career in 1972 as a teacher in the Syracuse schools. After rising to the upper levels of the district's administration, Lowengard was passed over for the superintendent job.

He left Syracuse and worked as superintendent of Utica schools for eight years before returning to Syracuse to become superintendent.

When he retired Lowengard said he had no new jobs lined up and planned to stay in Syracuse with his wife. He became interim superintendent in Rochester in October and superintendent in January.
Salvation Army thanks 1,200 who distributed toys, food

To the Editor:

The Salvation Army would like to thank the generosity of the Central New York community who came together to serve neighbors in need at the annual Christmas Bureau Distribution Day on Dec. 23.

For almost 40 years, The Salvation Army, along with the United Way and many partners, work all year in planning the Distribution Day and reaching out to dozens of businesses and schools to participate in Angel Tree, canned food and toy drives. Over 150 business and 50 schools joined us in helping neighbors.

The success of Distribution Day rests with the 1,200 volunteers who took the time during a hectic month to spend two hours or more helping to "shop" with individuals, staff toy areas and donated book tables, fill bags of stocking stuffers or pack boxes of food. It was especially heartwarming to see entire families volunteering together.

All contributed to create a distribution day that enabled 2,478 adults and 6,710 children to have a brighter Christmas and a New Year knowing that someone cares.

Although this beautiful Christmas event is over, I ask readers if they can continue their generous donation of time to volunteer during the year, as need "knows no season."

Major Karla Clark

Chief Executive Officer

Onondaga County Salvation Army

Syracuse

Gem Diner cook made breakfast for 5 soldiers, then paid for it

To the Editor:

I and four other members of my New York Guard unit stopped for a early breakfast Jan. 9, 2016, at the Gem Diner in Syracuse. We all were in uniform. When we finished and asked for our bill, our waitress unformed us that the cook had paid for us! I just wanted to again thank him, this time in public. Thank you very much.

Robert Brown

Baldwinsville

McHarrie Point neighbor, staff helped when CO alarm went off

To the Editor:

We would like to say "thank you" -- and a couple of "woofs'' from our dog, McDuff -- to the Baldwinsville Fire Department, Baldwinsville Police Department, McHarrie Point and National Grid, and our neighbor Norma for their assistance with a situation on New Year's Eve. Our carbon monoxide alarm went off, we were not home and Norma called the authorities.

The fine gentleman from McHarrie Point put McDuff in his truck to keep him safe. Everything checked out OK, but needless to say, it was very frightening.

Again, thank you to all and Happy New Year.

Lou, Dorothy & "McDuff" Korszeniewski

Baldwinsville


Terrell Bryant

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By Laurie K. Blandford of TCPalm

MARTIN COUNTY  Two wanted men were arrested in Martin County this week, said sheriff's officials.

Terrell Rashard Bryant, 29, of Stuart, was arrested about 5:45 p.m. Tuesday on a warrant stemming from a charge of shooting a deadly missile into an occupied vehicle, officials said. Bryant is accused of firing a gun at least twice inside a family member's vehicle in December, but the family member wasn't injured, officials said.

Anthony Douglas Colley, 23, of Michigan, was arrested about 12:45 p.m. Wednesday on a warrant related to a violation of parole stemming from possession of methamphetamine charges, officials said. Colley was a fugitive from justice who was hiding in Indiantown, officials said.

Bryant remained Friday in the Martin County Jail with a $300,000 bail, according to a jail official. Colley, who was being held with bond, is expected to be extradited to Michigan within the next few weeks.
Woman who headed nursing school in Vero Beach charged with fraud

She is accused of maintaining a fake nursing school for a year, including a graduation ceremony to give worthless diplomas to its defrauded graduates
Images from the beginning of the 2016 Florida legislative session in Tallahassee at the Florida Capitol. (LEAH VOSS/TREASURE COAST NEWSPAPERS)

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By Isadora Rangel of TCPalm

The Florida Legislature opened its 2016 session Tuesday and Treasure Coast lawmakers have 56 days to push their bills to become law.

The Legislature already passed bills to change how the state regulates water, including Lake Okeechobee and the St. Lucie River; to expand a scholarship program for special-needs students and to encourage state agencies to hire disabled employees. Controversial legislation that takes away local governments' ability to regulate or ban fracking, a method to release oil and natural gas from the ground, also cleared a committee.

A U.S. Supreme Court struck down Florida's death penalty system Tuesday because it gives too much power to judges instead of juries and that likely will push the Legislature to address the issue. A Treasure Coast Republican lawmaker, Sen. Thad Altman, has been pushing to reform the system for three years with a bill requiring a unanimous death penalty jury decision instead of just a simple majority. He hopes this will be the year the bill becomes law, but it hasn't been scheduled for a hearing.

Here's how bills filed by Treasure Coast legislators progressed last week:

Sen. Joe Negron, R-Stuart (parts of Martin, St. Lucie, northern Palm Beach and Indian River counties)

Sen. Thad Altman, R-Rockledge (parts of Brevard, and Indian River counties)

Bill to transfer the property tax discount on homestead property to the surviving spouse of some disabled veterans: Cleared a committee.

Resolution to recognize Jan. 12, 2016, as Florida National Guard Day: Adopted

Sen. Denise Grimsley, R-Sebring (Okeechobee, and parts of Highlands, Martin, Osceola, Polk, and St. Lucie counties)

Bill to authorize a physical therapist to implement a plan of treatment provided for a patient by a physician licensed in other states: Ready to be heard on the floor.

Bill that allows physician assistants and advanced registered nurse practitioners to prescribe controlled substances, which are those that can cause addiction: Cleared a committee.

Rep. Gayle Harrell, R-Stuart (parts of Martin and St. Lucie counties)

Bill to increase the number of members of the Florida Children and Youth Cabinet, which coordinates policy and children's program implementation, from 14 to 16: Cleared a committee.

Bill that protects members of child protection teams, which assist sheriffs and the Department of Children and Families in child abuse cases, from being held legally liable when performing their duties, therefore making the state liable instead: Cleared a committee.

Rep. MaryLynn Magar, R-Tequesta (parts of northern Palm Beach and Martin counties)

Bill that expands the eligibility for medical school faculty physicians to practice medicine in Florida without a state license to Florida Atlantic University professors: Ready to be heard on the floor.

Bill that gives a discount for vessel registrations if a boat has a tracking device: Cleared a committee.

Rep. Larry Lee Jr., D-Port St. Lucie (part of St. Lucie County)

Bill that allows the St. Lucie County Fire District to borrow up to 10 percent of its operating budget to buy firetrucks and ambulances and build stations: Cleared a committee.

Rep. Debbie Mayfield, R-Vero Beach (Indian River and part of St. Lucie counties)

Bill to require the Florida Municipal Power Agency, which provides power to Vero Beach and Fort Pierce, to disclose its financial information: Cleared a committee.

Rep. Cary Pigman, R-Avon Park (Glades, Highlands, Okeechobee and part of St. Lucie counties)

Bill to make Florida part of an interstate nursing compact that allows nurses registered in other states to see patients here: Cleared a committee.

Bill that provides exemption from public records requirements for certain information held by the Department of Health on the interstate nursing compact: Cleared a committee.

Bill that changes medical assistant certification requirements: Ready to be heard on the floor.
FILE PHOTO

Fort Pierce City Attorney Robert Schwerer

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By Keona Gardner of TCPalm

FORT PIERCE  Three months after the City Commission voted to oust City Attorney Rob Schwerer, it's asking him to stay ... for a while.

In October, the commission voted 3-2, to fire Schwerer. Two weeks later  realizing it had violated parliamentary procedure  it allowed him to resign.

Schwerer's 90-day contract with Fort Pierce expires Jan. 31, but the city has yet to hire his replacement.

The commission is to discuss giving him an extension at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday

The city has more than 60 legal cases and under court rules Schwerer can't drop the cases without the city having adequate representation.

If the extension is approved, Schwerer's last day would be March 31 or when a new attorney is hired.

The city in December hired search firm Colin Baenziger & Associates of Wellington to find its next attorney. Deadline to apply is Friday. Finalists are to be named Feb. 29 and one-on-one interviews with the commission are scheduled for March 10.

A new city attorney is expected to be in place by early to mid-April, said City Clerk Linda Cox.

Commissioner Rufus Alexander, who made the motion in October to fire Schwerer, said he supports an extension.

"I want to be assured that the city is covered on all legal matters and the city goes through a smooth transition," Alexander said.

Mayor Linda Hudson said the city needs Schwerer's services until a new city attorney is found, but she supports separating from Schwerer.
Sony this week announced its Multifunctional Light, a ceiling lamp thats kitted out with sensors to talk to smart things.

It includes sensors for motion, illumination, temperature and humidity. Theres also the requisite WiFi radio, a memory card slot, a condenser microphone, and an infrared controller for air conditioners.

The lamp form factor offers convenient placement, said Sony Electronics spokesperson John Dolak. The device will be used to control other appliances and detect various things in or about a room, and we gave thought to where we could install it so that it would work as well as possible.

Ultimately, we decided to bring the platform to life in the form of a ceiling light, since the ceiling generally has few obstructions that might impede the effective operation of the Multifunctional Light, he told TechNewsWorld.

As for details on Sonys strategy with the doughnut-shaped Multifunctional Light, Dolak declined to share specifics. The company plans to launch the smart hub in Japan during the first half of 2016.

For the time being, we will focus only on the Japanese market, given that this is a new business venture and a new market for us, he said. Therefore we have nothing to announce about other areas at this time.

In Its Place

Sonys approach of building a hub meant to hang out of the way on a ceiling makes a lot of sense, said Patrick Moorhead, president and principal analyst atMoor Insights & Strategy. Its targeting the Japanese market, where square footage comes at a premium.

Being fixed to the ceiling, it has line of sight to other devices it can control, which means theres less of a chance that a signal would get blocked by a wall or thick piece of furniture, he told TechNewsWorld.

It also does a good job, unlike a Nest, determining if a person is in the room. It seems as if every tech company wants to create their own smart hub, Moorhead added.

Come Together

Amazon, Apple, EasyAcc, GE, Google, Huawei, Iris, Kingwin, Orico, Samsung, SmartThings, Telus, Vera and Wink are just some of the companies offering their own smart home hubs.

Getting all those smart hubs to play nice, or even talk to one another, is likely a major factor hindering the adoption of connected home ecosystems. Home automation still has a way to go, as its in the third inning of a nine-inning game, Moorhead noted.

Today, we have ecosystems of devices that can work together (HomeKit, AllSeen, Nest, Insteon), he said, but until we see improved interoperability between all devices, lower prices, guaranteed privacy and security, and improved simplicity, home automation will be for the home enthusiasts and technophiles, not the general consumer.
It's no secret that falcons are some of the most skilled hunters among birds, capable of stalking their prey from a distance and snagging them even when in midflight.

While their hunting tactics have served these fearsome fliers well throughout their existence, some species of falcons inhabiting an island in Morocco have developed a better way to make sure that they won't go hungry.

In a study featured in the journal Alauda, Abdeljebbar Qninba, an ornithologist from the Mohammed V University in Rabat, has discovered how Eleonora's falcons found on the island of Mogador make use of an unusual yet effective approach to hunting for prey.

Instead of killing their prey immediately using their powerful beaks or sharp claws like other raptors, Eleonora's falcons choose to bring their victims back to their nests and stuff them in rocky crevasses. The hapless preys are removed of their flights as well as their tail feathers.

According to the report, the falcons' victims, which include hoopoes, warblers and other smaller birds, are often left unable to move their wings or even use their dangling legs.

This method of crippling and imprisoning their prey is believed to be a means for Eleonora's falcons to keep fresh food close by. This allows parents to feed their hungry offspring even when they chose to remain in their nest.

Other animals are also known to store food during bountiful periods in order to have something to eat when they encounter leaner times later on.

Some species of owls cache dead field rodents during winter, while Eleonora's falcons stack larders of up to 20 dead smaller birds during migration season. However, storing food that are still alive may very well be a unique behavior of these falcons.

Theodore Stankowich, a bird researcher from California State University, said that he has not heard of any non-human vertebrates engaging in such a behavior as that of Eleonora's falcons.

He believes that the tactic of immobilizing prey before storing them in crevasses was picked up by the falcons and later spread throughout other populations.

Meanwhile, Wilkes University researcher Michael Steele said that it is reasonable to observe how such feeding behavior could have evolved given the right conditions, including the availability of the falcons' prey and the habitat suitable for caching prey.

Both Stankowich and Steele, however, point out that the findings outlined in the Mohammed V University study regarding the trapped birds in the crevasses is currently not enough to assume for certain that they are indeed being held prisoner by the Eleonora's falcons.

Rob Simmons, a researcher from the University of Cape Town in South Africa, remains skeptical of the observations featured in the study.

He disagrees that falcons have the cognitive ability to cache their prey by trapping them in deep cavities, such as what was mentioned in the recent study. What the researchers likely observed was the prey trying to escape and finding a safer place.

Birds of prey often pluck their victims before they kill them. This suggests that the injured birds stated in Qninba's report could likely be escapees.

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A new blood test that is said to accurately detect congenital disorders such as Down, Patau and Edwards' syndromes has been recommended for high-risk women on the National Health Service.

Called non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT), the new screening method offers a non-invasive solution for pregnant women in determining whether their child has a congenital disorder or not.

At present, congenital anomaly screening is performed by amniocentesis, which involves obtaining amniotic fluid by injecting a needle through the pregnant woman's womb. This procedure accounts for 1 percent chance of miscarriage and one in 1,000 risk of developing infections.

With the new proposal, the process of antenatal screening may soon see a facelift. The Department of Health is now reviewing the recommendations.

"We welcome these important recommendations from the UK National Screening Committee, which have the potential to transform antenatal screening," a spokesperson says.

Current guidelines recommend pregnant women to undergo a combination of blood test and ultrasound imaging when they reach the 10th-14th week of pregnancy. In the new proposal, advisers said women who exhibit at least one in 150 chance of carrying a child with Down, Patau or Edwards' syndrome should be offered NIPT.

If doctors still have doubts about the results of the combined tests, they may still recommend patients to undergo amniocentesis.

NIPT is based on the understanding that the DNA of the developing fetus also circulates in the blood of the mother. With this, it can be said that some of the baby's genetic profile can be found and extracted in the mother's blood for analysis.

So far, experts said NIPT has shown promising results. In Great Ormond Street hospital in London, researchers concluded that the screening method is 99 percent accurate and safe, thereby drawing more patients to take the test. In fact, more than 2,500 medium to high-risk women accepted to undergo the testing.

In St. George's University Hospitals NHS foundation trust, NIPT has been available since June 2015.

Although ministers are yet to officially approve the recommendation, the UK national screening committee is positive that the test would be implemented soon.

While evidences show that NIPT is more accurate than current tests in determining Down, however, its ability to detect other congenital disorders, which are included in the national program, is still not certain.

"It is possible that in the future NIPT could replace current screening tests or diagnostic tests," writes Rapid NHS. "However, it is currently being evaluated as an additional step in the existing screening pathway."

The intention is to continue monitoring and evaluating as results surface, says Dr. Anne Mackie, director of screening at Public Health England. She added that this means implementing the test across England in such a way that experts can learn and modify the program as necessary.

Down, Patau and Edwards' syndromes are all characterized by the presence of an extra copy of chromosome 21, 13 and 18 respectively. Babies with Down have mild to severe learning difficulties, while most patients with Patau and Edwards' die before or shortly after birth.

Photo : Vladimir Pustovit | Flickr

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Samsung is reportedly going to include a feature that's similar to Apple's Live Photos to the upcoming Galaxy S7.

For those who don't know what it is, Live Photos allows users to make a sort of "upgraded" version of GIF files with sound, which is comparable with Vine videos. It captures 1.5 seconds of imagery before and after a photo is taken, providing context for the image.

The Cupertino brand introduced the feature back in September 2015, but it wasn't actually an innovation then. HTC developed Zoe Capture way before Apple did, where the software delivers the same offerings. The technology only gained traction recently because... well, it's Apple.

The news about Samsung taking cues from Apple came from an insider source of Android Geeks who says that the South Korea-based company is working on the feature to launch with the Galaxy S7.

Regarding the name, the source says that Samsung is still thinking about it, as the team behind the feature purportedly said it could be called Timeless Photo or Vivid Photo, which is an amalgamation of "vivid memory" and "photo."

The information supplier also notes that there's a slim chance it could roll out later this year via a software update despite the company's plans to launch it along with the Galaxy S7. If this holds true, it could be a real treat.

He also continues to mention that Samsung is opting out of sound capture so that the photos will be easily sharable on social media websites that support GIF files such as Facebook. In the case of Live Photos, the feature needs extra support from websites to accommodate its images because of their sounds.

The Galaxy S7 is also expected to be fitted with a pressure-sensitive screen just like 3D Touch, but whether or not Samsung is taking pages out of Apple's playbook is not the point here.

Considering the purported hardware specifications of the Galaxy S7, the smartphone easily became one of the most anticipated devices of the year. To mention a few eye-catching components, it's said to sport the home-built Exynos 8890 or Qualcomm's Snapdragon 820 along with 4 GB worth of RAM plus the much-coveted microSD card slot.

As usual, without an official word yet, it's best to take the news with the proverbial grain of salt.

At any rate, it's safe to assume that many Samsung device owners will welcome the Timeless Photo or Vivid Photo feature with open arms.

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The effects of lead poisoning on children's brains are irreversible and untreatable. Numerous research studies have linked lead poisoning to a wide array of effects on brain function and development. Now the children affected by recent contamination of the water supply in Flint may experience the effects of lead in five years.

High levels of lead have tainted Flint's main water supply for at least a year, prompting extensive emergency measures to keep residents especially children, safe. In November, residents filed a law suit against Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder, the city of Flint, the State of Michigan and other federal officials who are held responsible for the water crisis.

The investigation comes after the water source of Flint, where more than 100,000 residents got water from the Flint River instead of Lake Huron, got contaminated with lead as residents complained of strangely-colored tap water. Studies showed that the water has increased levels of lead, ten times higher than previous measurements.

A battery of tests in October showed that Flint's water supply may have caused increased levels of lead in the blood of children affected. Kids, especially those who are six-years-old and below, are more vulnerable to the effects of lead to the body.

Lead is a naturally-occurring metal found deep within the ground. With its abundance on Earth, it has many uses like in paints, gasoline and even pipes. The most common cause of lead poisoning and exposure are from lead-based paints in older homes, household dust, lead crystal, contaminated soil and drinking water.

Lead is a neurotoxic substance that can affect brain function and development. Those kids who were exposed to increased lead levels are at an elevated risk for cognitive and behavioral problems during development. No lead level is safe and eliminating all possible sources of contamination is recommended.

People exposed to lead over time may experience abdominal pains, constipation, depression, being easily distracted, forgetfulness, irritability and nausea. Children, however, many experience worse symptoms brought about by lead poisoning.

When lead blood levels are below 5g/dL, adults may experience decreased kidney function. Pregnant women may manifest reduce fetal growth while children may experience decreased academic achievement, decreased specific cognitive measures, decrease IQ (Intellectual quotient), behavioral problems and increased incidence of attention-related behaviors.

Increased lead in blood levels below 10 g/dL in adults may experience increased blood pressure and increased incidence of tremor. Children may manifest delayed puberty, decreased IQ, decreased hearing ability and reduce postnatal growth in infants.

Photo: Jeff Turner | Flickr

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Health authorities in Sierra Leone said they are investigating a possible case of Ebola death in Tonkolili district just a few hours after the World Health Organization announced that the transmission of the hemorrhagic virus in West Africa has ended.

The UN agency on Thursday officially declared Liberia as Ebola-free, the last country to get the clearance. WHO director-general Margaret Chan described this as a "monumental achievement" after the deadly disease infected 28,500 people and killed 11,300 during its worst outbreak.

Managing and controlling the disease involved tracking down, testing and treating thousands of infected people. Thousands of those who were exposed to the virus also need to be located and monitored for three weeks, which is the incubation period of the virus.

Despite what appears to be a victory over the disease, experts have cautioned that it may be too early to declare the epidemic is over as small flare-ups of the disease are still likely to emerge in the countries that were most ravaged by the disease: Sierra Leone, Guinea and Liberia.

"We've been humbled by this virus multiple times during this outbreak, so I think we need to be cautious," said William Fischer II from the University of North Carolina. "As long as there is infectious virus that continues to hide out ... that is a potential for a reignition of this outbreak, especially if we relax infection control and prevention."

WHO's chief of emergency risk management Rick Brennan said the job is not yet done, noting that there had been 10 small flare-ups that can be attributed to the persistence of the virus in those who survived.

UN chief Ban Ki-moon himself warned that the region may still see sporadic cases in the coming year albeit he was positive that the potential and frequency of these flare-ups would drop over time.

The reality that the disease can resurface emerged hours after WHO's announcement. Health ministry officials said that a female student in Sierra Leone was reported to have died from Ebola on Thursday. Initial swab testing showed the woman tested positive for Ebola.

"Complete findings will be made known to the public by tomorrow (Friday)," a senior health ministry official told the AFP saying that further tests were underway.

Photo : NIAID | Flickr

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More American women are holding off pregnancy, as reflected by the steadily increasing average age of first-time mothers.

According to a new report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the age of first-time moms increased 1.4 years from 2000 to 2014, a climb from an average of 24.9 to 26.3 years old.

Lead author and National Center for Health Statistics (NHCS) demographer T.J. Mathews, however, noted that they have witnessed "sharper increased since 2009" even though the first-birth age continues to inch up.

"The largest impact has been the decline in first births to women under 20. There has also been an impact of older women having births," Mathews said, pertaining to the drop in teen births and more women delaying being pregnant.

All states as well as the District of Columbia demonstrated delays in first-time childbearing since 2000, with Washington, D.C. logging the highest increase in age (3.4 years) followed by Oregon (2.1 years).

Potential factors that make some women delay motherhood include economic considerations, a greater interest in higher education, and greater career choices, Mathews suggested.

The report specified that first-time teen births dipped 42 percent since 2000, from about one in four to one in seven. At the same time, first births to women ages 30 to 34 increased 28 percent, while the same in ages 35 and above increased 23 percent.

The prevailing trend in teen births could probably be due to "less sex and more contraception," explained Bill Albert from the National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy.

More gynecologists today have started recommending long-acting birth control forms such as IUDs to teens, and there has been bigger government investment in sex education programs.

In addition, teen abortion is not really a contributor to decreasing teen birth rates possible - that rate has also dropped since the 1990s.

Dr. Jennifer Wu of Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City lauded the drop in teen pregnancy rates, as this kind of pregnancy is mostly unplanned. "[T]een pregnancies can have poor outcomes, and most teenagers aren't ready to have a baby," she said.

And what are the likely effects of first-time births generally occurring in older age brackets?

Higher-than-average pregnancy complication risks, according to maternal-fetal medicine specialist Dr. Priya Rajan from Northwestern University. "Sometimes there is a belief that there's no limit to when people can bear children," she said, warning of greater pregnancy risks as one approaches age 40.

These risks, according to Dr. Wu, include pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes and transferring genetic defects to the offspring.

Photo: Bayu Aditya | Flickr

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Amid the controversy Chipotle is facing over successive E. coli outbreaks in 2015, the company says it will close all stores on Feb. 8 for a company-wide meeting on food safety. The meeting will highlight marketing strategies and discussions on food safety in its road to recovery.

Chipotle's sales decreased by 30 percent in December 2015 and its predicament over the E. coli outbreak started at the end of October. After several weeks, however, a series of additional cases were reported.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a total of 53 people fell ill because of the outbreak strain of STEC O26 (Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli O26) as of Dec. 18, 2015. Infected individuals came from nine states, the majority of whom were from Washington and Oregon.

The company is confident that it will win customers back even after the outbreaks triggered public alarm. Though an investigation is still ongoing, Chipotle presented its own Comprehensive Food Safety Plan to rebuild itself from the contamination scare.

"To achieve our goal of establishing leadership in food safety, we collaborated with preeminent food safety experts to design a comprehensive food safety program that dramatically reduces risk on our farms, throughout the supply chain, and in our restaurants," Steve Ells, founder and CEO of Chipotle, said.

"The process began with a farm-to-fork risk assessment of every ingredient and all of our restaurant protocols and procedures," he added.

The company also has taken steps to help federal health officials investigate the source of contamination. Upon encountering complaints regarding people who got infected with the illness, it immediately closed 43 outlets in Oregon and Washington as it conducted more than 2,500 tests on surfaces, equipment and food, but none were confirmed to have any contamination.

The CDC and U.S. Food and Drug Administration, however, said that the epidemiological evidence available at this time suggests that a common meal or ingredient served at Chipotle restaurants is likely the source of the outbreaks.

At present, 46 patients or 88 percent of those who were interviewed have reported eating at a Chipotle Mexican Grill restaurant.

"In the end, it may not be possible for anyone to completely eliminate all risk with regards to food (or from any environment where people congregate), but we are confident that we can achieve near zero risk," Ells said.

Photo: Mike Mozart | Flickr

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Fossils of baby dinosaurs are often very rarely unearthed by scientists because of their small size. No matter how uncommon, though, discoveries of these juvenile fossils do occur.

The unearthing of a baby Chasmosaurus, one of the rarest dinosaur species ever, had especially garnered attention about three years ago. Discovered by Canadian paleontologist and Professor Philip Currie in 2010, the fossil was first thought to be that of an ancient turtle.

Turns out, the remains were of greater value as they were the fossils of a juvenile Chasmosaurus, a dinosaur that roamed around the planet about 75 million years ago.

Now, six years after the fossil's discovery, Currie and his colleagues revealed that they have a complete skeleton of the baby Chasmosaurus. Incidentally, the Chasmosaurus is part of the dinosaur family known as Ceratopsidae. Its relatives are horned dinosaurs such as the triceratops.

The discovery provides new information about the family of horned dinosaurs, allowing for the refinement of previous studies. It also fills in the gaps in the evolution of these particular dinosaurs.

"We've only had a few isolated bones before to give us an idea of what these animals should look like as youngsters, but we've never had anything to connect all the pieces," said Currie. "All you need is one specimen that ties them all together. Now we have it!"

The Growth Chart Of The Baby Chasmosaurus

The juvenile Chasmosaurus, excavated at the Dinosaur Provincial Park in Alberta, Canada, was fully intact. Currie and his colleagues believe that the little dinosaur had died by drowning.

If it had lived longer, the 4-foot baby Chasmosaurus would have grown up to 16 feet. Paleontologists are excited as the discovery of a baby Chasmosaurus was extremely rare.

"The little ones don't preserve as well as the big ones [and now] for the first time ever we have a complete skeleton of a baby ceratopsid," said Currie. "Not only has [a young Chasmosaurus] never been found here, it's never been found, period."

In a report featured in the Journal of Vertebrae Paleontology, Currie said the baby Chasmosaurus could help scientists figure out the dimensions, body weights, and ages for all other ceratopsid species. They could also understand its life history, population structure, biomass, variation, physiology and growth rates, he said.

Basically, scientists can now create a growth chart for the baby Chasmosaurus and other members of the family Ceratopsidae.

"We now have an anchor point with the baby that we can compare with all other specimens of this species, and from that comparison can calculate the dimensions, body weights and ages for all other ceratopsid species," said Currie. "We can start filling in missing pieces."

Currie, along with co-authors Michael Ryan, Rob Holmes, and Clive Coy, worked with Michael Skrepnick, renowned paleo-artist to create a life reconstruction of the baby Chasmosaurus.

Meanwhile, Currie said they haven't gone deeper into the anatomical descriptions of the juvenile dinosaur yet. Over the coming years, he said he will be assigning different dinosaur body parts to students who will focus on the growth changes and the implications within horned dinosaurs.

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Uber is in a tight spot after the company was fined a cool $7.6 million in California by the state's Public Utilities Commission. The punishment is due to Uber's failure to meet data reporting requirements back in the year 2014.

We understand that Uber has agreed to pay the fine, but only because it wants to avoid a 30-day suspension from operating in its home state. After that, the company is expected to appeal the ruling in hopes to overturn the decision against it.

"While we are disappointed by the decision, we look forward to making our case to the California Court of Appeals," said an Uber spokesperson in a prepared statement. "In the meantime, we will pay the fine and continue to work in good faith with the Commission."

Why is driver data even necessary to the Utilities Commission? Well, it is needed for them to know if Uber is serving all manner of passengers in any given neighborhood. Taxis are required to follow these rules as well.

To make matter worse for Uber, the company's main competitor, Lyft, has complied with this regulation and is not attempting to fight it.

Uber is a corporation that is worth over $60 billion, so this $7.6 million fine is relatively small. However, it does underscore the issues Uber faces around the globe when it comes down to competition and regulation. These are problems Uber meets on a regular basis, and we doubt it will come to an end any time soon.

California is slowly becoming an unhappy state for Uber to do its business. In the past, the company faced legal challenges due to the contractor/employee status of its drivers. Furthermore, there's a class action lawsuit in the planning stages that could increase Uber's workforce drastically.

Interestingly enough, Uber is not the only ride-sharing company that is facing problems in California. Almost all of its competitors are in the same boat, and at the moment, it is being considered whether or not Uber and its competitors should be placed under the same regulation as the regular taxi drivers.

Back in June of 2015, a state labor commissioner said that ride-sharing companies should be treated in the same way as taxi drivers. This means that Uber drivers should be viewed as employees and not as contractors. The ruling is not binding, but should it move to become so, drivers could have the power to ask for more pay and benefits to go with the job.

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China intends to send a lunar probe to the dark side of the moon in 2018, the countrys official media agency has revealed. According to Xinhua, China's State Administration of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense (Sastind) plans to launch the Chang'e-4 probe in two years time.

Chang'e-4 directly follows Chang'e-3, the Chinese lunar probe that landed on the moon back in December 2013 with the Jade Rabbit rover. The new probe will reportedly be quite similar to the previous one, save for having a larger payload capacity. The new probes purpose is to study the geological conditions on the dark side of the moon.

If successful, the Chang'e-4 probe would mark the first landing ever on the dark side of the moon. Spacecraft have gotten a glimpse of the darkness during lunar missions previously, but there have been no landings on that side. Up until now, every lunar mission involving a landing has been on whats considered the light side.

That is really a misnomer. Both sides receive light in intervals, but the dark side of the moon gets its name due to always facing away from the Earth. More accurately, its the far side of the moon. When we look up at the moon from the ground, were always looking up at the same side thanks to tidal locking. Basically, the slowed rotation of the moon and its orbit around the Earth are to blame.

The Chang'e-4 is only the second in Chinas ongoing three-step lunar program. The country is currently developing the Chang'e-5, which Xinhua associates with the return portion of Chinas program. Its unclear when the Chang'e-5 will be ready, but the 2018 landing of the Chang'e-4 seems more certain.

Via: Reuters

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People with mental health illness continue to increase. In a new government report, experts found that almost half of adults in the UK have suffered from mental health illness at some stage in their lives.

In the recent statistics released by Health Survey England, 26 percent of all adults have been diagnosed with a mental health illness, most typically depression. Another 18 percent also had the same illness but with no official diagnosis.

"It is clear from the findings in this chapter that mental illness is a wide-reaching problem affecting a large sector of the population," the authors wrote.

The authors were able to observe an interesting pattern of prevalence among age groups. While it is anticipated that mental illness increases with age and life experience, the results did not reflect such.

Mental health illnesses were more rampant among middle-aged people or those between 55 to 64 years old. Females are also more likely to experience a mental health problem than men. Among this group, 33 percent of women reported having been diagnosed with a mental health illness, compared to men who only had a 19 percent rate.

Experts say the increase in the number of mental health illness may be attributed to a range of reasons. For one, the society has become more accepting of mental health issues over the recent decades. Such change has led to a cultural shift and wider recognition of the problem.

Different campaigns such as Time To Change have initiated moves to decrease stigma, reduce discrimination and encourage discussion about mental health.

"The survey leaves us in no doubt as to the prevalence of mental ill health in England," says head of Health Surveys Rachel Craig.

Mental health illness is a complicated and significant public health dilemma. In the UK, mental health problem is the leading cause of disability and is accountable for 28 percent of the national burden of disease. The country is said to stash about 70-100 billion or $100-143 billion every year to address the problem.

British prime minister David Cameron has recently pledged to increase funds for mental health services to almost 1 billion or $142 million. For him, the added budget is targeted at developing a more open and mature strategy in dealing with mental health illness.

Photo: Yuliya Libkina | Flickr

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Health experts warn the public about a new type of "womb detox" that involves inserting herbal balls into the vagina. The product promises to cleanse the uterus, but for health professionals, it may only cause irritation and the deadly toxic shock syndrome.

The product called "herbal womb detox pearls" are being sold online by U.S. company Embrace Pangaea. The firm claims that the herbal balls can correct foul odor, bacterial vaginosis, fibroids, endometriosis and yeast infections.

"Herbal womb detox pearls are designed to cleanse the womb and return it to a balanced state," the company's website states.

Experts are alarmed at the products' increasing popularity. Aside from not buying the shop's promises, some doctors think that the pearls are hazardous to women's health.

"The vagina is designed to clean itself with natural secretions and should not require a 'detox,'" says Dr. Vanessa Mackay from the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. In fact, the vagina is said to have good bacteria that perform protective functions.

When there is a problem in the vagina, it produces excess discharge signalling that there might be an infection, irritation or lack of good, normal bacteria.

Embrace Pangaea recommends inserting the balls into the vagina for at least three days for best results. For ob-gyn and a pain medicine physician Dr. Jen Gunter, the entire idea and process is not only pointless but also harmful to women's health.

Gunter explains that leaving the herbal balls for three days inside the vagina can promote the growth of bad bacteria and subsequently cause infection.

Gunter also wrote that putting stuff inside the vagina for too long of a period may cause toxic shock syndrome, which has already claimed the lives of many. This is also one of the reasons why women are instructed to not leave tampons inside the vagina for more than eight hours.

Airing Embrace Pangaea's side is its owner Tamieka Atkinson. "Our product is not a drug by any means, and we make no claims of curing, diagnosing, or treating disease," she says.

Atkinson says their product is only a natural herbal remedy that women can opt to use after a conscious and informed decision. She adds that they inform all their customers that their company is not run by medical professionals. They also advise clients to seek their doctor's assistance.

When asked about experts saying that their product can cause more harm than good, Atkinson said they have clients who have positive feedback.

The herbal balls are actually perfumed herbs wrapped in a mesh. Customers may opt to buy one or two-month packages. Each pearl retails at $15.

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Netflix is joining forces with the creator of "The Simpsons" and "Futurama," Matt Groening, to come up with and release an animated series down the road, according to a report.

Variety initially reported the news on Friday, saying that Groening has already entered in talks with Netflix.

Apart from, of course, handling the writing duties, not much is known yet about Groening's new project.

Speculations are rife that "The Simpsons" creator could be working on two seasons of the purported new animated series, each comprising 10 episodes.

At this point, Netflix has yet to push out its official announcement with regard to the new project.

Presently, legendary series "The Simpsons" is already in its 27th season on FOX.

If the report is true, the show could be joining the animated show "BoJack Horsemen," which has already gained traction on Netflix and is slated to make a comeback for its third season within the year. Apart from "BoJack Horsemen," Netflix is also a home to "F Is For Family" and the forthcoming "Dr Seuss' Green Eggs and Ham."

At the 2016 CES, Netflix revealed it is now available anywhere across the globe, but not in a few countries, including China, Syria and North Korea. Specifically, Netflix has already expanded to more than 130 countries.

Netflix boss and co-founder Reed Hastings announced the news in his keynote address at the event.

"Today, you are witnessing the birth of a new global Internet TV network... With the help of the Internet, we are putting power in consumers' hands to watch whenever, whenever and on whatever device," said Netflix chief.

Furthermore, the streaming service also added more languages into the list of supported languages, which include Simplified and Traditional Chinese, Korean and Arabic.

Netflix said it is focusing its attention on giving its users a better service and streamlining its content. The streaming service is also on its path toward creating more original content. Among the well-received original videos include "House of Cards," "Orange is the New Black" and "Making a Murderer."

Earlier this month, we also delved on a report that Netflix for Android TV has been given a Smart Lock update, making logins easier and more convenient.

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The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a travel alert on Friday advising pregnant women to avoid travel to 14 countries in the Americas to avoid the Zika virus, a mosquito-borne virus linked to brain damage in babies.

The Zika virus local transmission  meaning mosquitoes in the area have been infected with the virus and are transmitting it to humans  has been detected in 14 countries and territories. The CDC advisory covers the following countries:

Brazil

Colombia

El Salvador

French Guiana

Guatemala

Haiti

Honduras

Martinique

Mexico

Panama

Paraguay

Puerto Rico

Suriname

Venezuela

In its travel advisory, CDC highlighted the need for an abundance of caution among pregnant women and those planning to conceive.

"Pregnant women in any trimester should consider postponing travel to the areas where Zika virus transmission is ongoing. Pregnant women who must travel to one of these areas should talk to their doctor or other healthcare provider first and strictly follow steps to avoid mosquito bites during the trip," the statement noted.

The agency encouraged pregnant women to consult with their doctor before traveling to the cited areas and to prevent mosquito bites during their trip through staying indoors as much as possible, weaning long sleeves, and using insecticides such as DEET.

The CDC said insect repellants containing DEET are safe for pregnant and nursing women and kids older than age 2 when used according to product label.

Zika cropped up in Brazil in May and has since been linked to a rise in cases of microcephaly, a birth defect that leads to underdeveloped heads and brains in children. Prior to this, the Zika virus had not been linked to serious conditions, with three-fourths of people actually not even knowing they acquired it.

Brazilian health authorities recorded over 3,500 microcephaly cases between October and this month.

In a separate advisory for healthcare providers, the CDC said Zika infection should be considered in those showing signs such as acute fever, bumpy red rash, muscle ache, and conjunctivitis, and those who went to Zika-affected areas two weeks before illness.

Health officials remain vigilant. "This is a new situation. This is a dynamic situation. I think we are just going to have to wait until this plays out," said CDC official Dr. Lyle Petersen.

The Zika virus, found in a monkey in the Ugandan Zika forest back in 1947, recently incited an explosion of infections in the Americas, spreading through bites from the same type of mosquitoes spreading tropical illnesses such as dengue and chikungunya.

In the United States, at least 26 have been diagnosed with the virus since 2007, all of which traveled or thought to have caught it abroad. Last month, someone in Puerto Rico who had not traveled was diagnosed with Zika.

In an op-ed, Dr. Brian Moench, president of Utah Physicians for a Healthy Environment, warned that a hotter and more humid Earth is paving the way for these serious virulent infectious conditions spreading far beyond their previous geographic confines.

These include diseases such as West Nile, Lyme disease, yellow fever, and malaria.

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European Space Agency's head Jan Woerner released the vision outline for the Moon Village, which could replace the International Space Station as early as 2030. The lunar village will be composed of structures created by 3D printers and robots using Moon dusts as raw materials.

Woerner became the ESA head in July 2015 and made the Moon mission the space agency's central project. Woerner added that this lunar project is a crucial step towards the future flight to Mars.

"I looked into the requirements I see for a project after ISS. As of today, I see the Moon Village as the ideal successor of the International Space Station for [space] exploration," said Woerner.

The Moon Village project could be a collaboration of several nations and space exploration groups including Russia, China, NASA and ESA. Experts around the world could contribute advanced technology, knowledge and even manpower (astronauts) for the Mars mission preparations. The same can be done for the ongoing biology and physics explorations that are currently being conducted onboard the ISS.

In 2014, the U.S. announced they intend to keep the ISS in operation until 2024, which pushed back the station's retirement by at least four years. Several European nations raised concerns over the extended operation's perceived costs, challenging if the extension would be worthwhile. On the other hand, Russia is considering the option of building its own space station.

The ISS is a joint venture of the U.S., Europe, Russia, Canada and Japan. All members agreed to continue the ISS' operations until 2024 at the very least, except the European Union whose commitment is only until 2020. Woerner maintained that the ISS has "has its value" and hoped that the European Union will continue its project involvement in the ISS.

ESA's statement seemed to carry a desire to combine global efforts for space exploration, especially after Russia's announcement. Woerner added that the Moon Village will have multiple users and uses.

"Maybe one country is more interested in science, another may be a private company interested in mining ... and another may be interested to use the Moon as a stepping stone for further exploration," explained Woerner.

The proposed Moon Village will not require a "formal decision" from involved countries, added Woerner. Once the best spot on the Moon is identified, countries and space exploration groups will then decide how they want to be involved in the Moon Village project. Woerner noted that both Russia and China have some Moon mission planned and it would be a good idea to make them part of the proposed Moon Village plan.

Photo: Takuma Kimura | Flickr

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Olympus Corp. announced on Friday that it will voluntarily recall and redesign its specialized medical scopes that have been linked to a number of deadly superbug outbreaks in the U.S.

The company is a leading producer of duodenoscopes, flexible tubes that are used in thousands of procedures across the country to diagnose and treat gastrointestinal tract disorders.

The device, however, has been linked to series of outbreaks of antibiotic-resistant infections that caused illness to hundreds of patients.

The scope's intricate design allows it to fix blocked pancreatic and biliary ducts but this also makes the instrument difficult to disinfect and sterilize between uses even when cleaning instructions were correctly followed. The design could be attributed to the transmission of infectious agents, which include antibiotic-resistant infections.

The company said that it will voluntarily recall 4,400 of its TJF-Q180V model duodenoscopes starting February and replace the instrument's design with one that would make it less vulnerable to contamination.

"Olympus will implement a corrective action in the U.S. for current TJF-Q180V duodenoscopes," Olympus said. "These changes involve new parameters that were reviewed by FDA prior to 510(k) clearance."

The company will recall the original model from health care facilities to replace the elevator channel sealing mechanism at the instrument's tip with a new sealing mechanism that would reduce the risk of the fluid leaking into the elevator channel.

Olympus estimates it will be able to make the necessary correction to the mechanisms in all of its TJF-Q180V models that are currently used in U.S. health care facilities by August this year. Hospitals can continue using the scope until then but are advised to "meticulously follow" the cleaning instructions.

Olympus likewise said that it will inspect each of the medical scopes annually to monitor them for wear and tear.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Olympus' plan on Friday. In a statement, FDA's Center for Devices and Radiological Health chief scientist William Maisel stressed the importance of keeping medical devices safe and protecting patients from bacterial infections are a top priority.

"The Olympus TJF-Q180V's new design, as well as the new annual inspection program, is intended to reduce the risk of fluid leakage into the elevator channel, which in turn can reduce patient exposure to bacteria and other potential infections," Maisel said.

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PC systems built on the Intel 6th generation CPU aka Skylake that use Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 should upgrade to Windows 10 in the following 18 months, according to Microsoft.

The Redmond-based company states that non-Skylake machines that run on Windows 7 will get full range of security and compatibility fixes until Jan. 14, 2020, while Windows 8.1 systems will be up to date until Jan. 10, 2023.

Microsoft underlines that, for optimal performance, systems sporting the latest hardware need to have the latest generation operating system.

Windows 10 will play nice with the next-gen processors from giant manufacturers Intel and AMD, meaning that both the Qualcomm 8996 "Kaby Lake" and the "Bristol Ridge" accelerated processing unit (APU) will get most out of the latest Microsoft-developed OS.

In the past, Windows 10 was criticized for its politics of forcing updates, some of which led to bugs and system instability. The company also deployed a relentless campaign urging users of Windows 7 and Windows 8 to adopt Windows 10, free of charge.

PC World received a list of electronics that sport the Skylake processors and that will still get regular updates for Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 in the following 18 months. In no particular order, they are: Lenovo ThinkPad P70, Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon, Lenovo ThinkPad T460s, HP EliteBook 1040 G3, HP EliteBook Folio, Dell XPS 13, Dell Latitude 13 7000 Ultrabook and Dell Latitude 12.

Microsoft said that its engineers will test the systems beforehand, making sure that the compatibility with the older OSs does not hinder the new hardware's performance.

But where do these concerns stem from?

It is because novel technologies, such as Skylake, depart from the behavior of older CPUs. To exemplify, Skylake utilizes power in an autonomous fashion, thus letting the chip react quicker than the operating system can. Experts in the field affirm that merging the last-gen CPUs with dated software is both resource-consuming and complicated.

The USB Type-C presents a similar challenge, as it is too new for Windows 7 to tap into it.

Ars Technica talked to Terry Myerson, executive VP of Windows and Devices Group, about the changes.

Myerson states that the main reason for the new update schedule is the preservation of quality. Making sure that Skylake receives the best quality support for Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 meant a "large investment" for the company.

Microsoft assumes a role of quality control for systems that work primarily on Windows, even if some of the user experience depends directly on third-party contributions. The company is convinced that binding the latest silicon releases with the newest operating system will reduce the complexity of the PC ecosystem, thus enforcing high quality standards.

"Compared to Windows 7 PC's, Skylake when combined with Windows 10, enables up to 30x better graphics and 3x the battery life," Microsoft points out.

It seems like a good strategy for the Redmond-based company, but enterprise customers might have a hard time adjusting to it. Some organizations made a standard out of older variants of Windows, as it allowed them to use "downgrade rights" to their own benefit. What this means is that firms were able to keep using an old version of Windows, even after upgrading their hardware systems.

Microsoft will probably keep the downgrade rights, but there are little guarantees that older Windows versions would function properly on the latest hardware.

Bristol Ridge from AMD is scheduled for the first half of 2016, while Kaby Lake from Intel will arrive a bit later, but before 2017. Both CPUs will feature Windows 10 compatibility out of the box.

Microsoft's statement does not address the situation of its Windows-running server stations. This could lead to some dissatisfaction in the enterprise user base. Let's say the Skylake generation Xeon E3-1275 v5 continues to receive Windows 8.1-equivalent Windows Server 2012 R2 support after July 2017. Then, Microsoft's clients have a strong reason to question why desktop systems get a different treatment.

On the other hand, if the servers' CPUs will get zero support for older Windows versions, data center enterprises might be forced into upgrading to Windows 10, Windows Server 2016 right away.

It should be noted that the server customized OS did not launch yet.

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Nissan decided to close down its global corporate sites as well as the site of its Japanese domestic market as a precautionary move against an attempted cyber-attack from a hacker believed to be connected to Anonymous.

The company's administrators said the attack is a denial-of-service (DDos) type, with the attacker flooding the site with numerous visits as a way to block other users.

When a site receives an overwhelming number of visits, its servers become heavily affected, causing the site's whole operation to go down.

They also linked the attack to someone who is connected to the group known as Anonymous, and it is said to be part of an on-going anti-whaling campaign. Hashtags such as #OpKillingBay and #OpWhales were reportedly being used for the campaign, and have been seen over Twitter.

While the attacker is said to be linked to Anonymous, the anti-whaling campaign is not officially sanctioned by the hacktivist group.

As a way to prevent customer or corporate data from potential leaks, Nissan had to bring down their sites in an offline state.

"Customer privacy and security is of utmost importance, and we take any potential threat to our information systems seriously," said David Reuter, Nissan spokesman, in a statement to Auto News.

Nissan's global media site and its U.S. site were not affected and seemed to be working normally.

The attack is just one of the various attacks against Japanese websites in what appeared like a continued display of anti-whaling sentiments. Not even the official site of Japan's prime minister was spared from the attack.

Whale hunting in Japan has been part of the country's long tradition. Today, whale hunting is being sustained by the country's fisheries agency, which validated the activity as an integral component in scientific research.

The country's whaling program started in 1987, a year after the enactment of an international moratorium. Critics of the program were perceived as overly sentimental and unconscious of the scientific evidence underlying the program's sustainability measures. Moreover, Japan believes that most whale species do not belong to the endangered category and that hunting whales for food consumption is simply a part of the country's food culture.

In late November, the Japanese government said that the country will resume whaling early in 2016 after taking a break for over 12 months. Its so-called "scientific" whaling program will only involve hunting minke whales, with the number being reduced to only one third of the ones that were caught in the previous program.

Nissan said that the hacker and its cyber-attack attempt in line with the anti-Japan whaling program is beyond the scope of their business.

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How a single Facebook post landed a man in jail for 15 years

Malik First Born Allah Farrad must be ruing the fact that he posted a picture of himself on Facebook holding a gun. Its just that some people take Facebook, Twitter and other social media platforms very lightly. Time and again, many such users have had to regret over some of their posts made on these social media platforms.

Farrad is one such guy who will be spending the next 15 and a half years of his life in a federal penitentiary because of a single Facebook post. Actually, the problem was that Farrad is a ex-convict and it is illegal in United States for any convicted felon to possess a gun. Farrad, in his moment of FB posting ecstasy forgot that and the result, Farrad is now behind bars for a long long time.

Farrad, born Marvin Buckles, was sentenced on Thursday to 188 months in a Tennessee federal prison following his 2015 conviction of being a felon in possession of a gun.

Farrad was earlier sentenced for federal gun and drug charges back in 2000 after police found firearms and crack cocaine in his possession. He was released from prison after serving out his sentence.

According to Knoxville News Sentinel. Farrad has a history of arrests and convictions from the day he turned 14.

However his latest misdemeanour will haunt him for a long time. If he had taken care not to make a post on Facebook, the authorities never would have known Farrad was breaking the law.
An article by a retired headmaster of great distinction recently appeared in this newspaper. An important part of its message was that modernisation and profound innovations were much needed in schools today.

Dread thought, was my reaction. Fifty years of such policies, instituted in the teeth of denials, by people best qualified to know, that these policies were either needed or desirable, have done nothing but huge damage.

Surprising though it may now seem, back in the early Sixties, when all the radical, child-centred changes were about to be forced through, there was general contentment with education nationwide.

Today, by contrast, worried articles on education, and even on such basics as reading and numeracy, are a constant feature of newspapers.

"Logic dictates that every single change in education that has taken place since 1960 should be reversed." Nevile Gwynne

Change is certainly needed, therefore. But what kind of change?

However shockingly, logic dictates that every single change in education that has taken place since 1960 should be reversed. Absurd? Even perverse? Consider just two pieces of evidence out of many available.

When the child-centred teaching theory finally triumphed in England in the Sixties, many headmasters, leading academics, MPs and others well placed to judge went on public record as predicting exactly the destructive results that are now evident.
"I've got two children, two girls, he says. If, god forbid, I was under any suspicion that they were being groomed sexually a parent would have no hesitation in reporting to the authorities, taking away their computer. You can think of all the things you do as a parent.
Electricity generation in Ukraine's integrated power grids in 2015 fell by 13.6%, or 24.380 billion kWh, year-over-year, to 157.165 billion kWh, the Energy and Coal Industry Ministry has told Interfax-Ukraine.

Nuclear power plants (NPPs) reduced electricity output by 0.9%, to 87.628 billion kWh. In particular, power production at Zaporizhia NPP amounted to 39.305 billion kWh (a 0.8% decline from 2014), Yuzhnoukrainsk NPP generated 15.935 billion kWh (an 18.8% fall), Rivne NPP 18.932 billion kWh (a 3.8% rise), Khmelnytsky NPP 13.455 billion kWh (+23.3% rise).

Thermal power plants (TPP) and combined heat and power plants (CHPP) reduced production by 26.4%, to 55.205 billion kWh. In particular, TPP generating companies cut production by 27.73%, to 49.502 billion kWh, CHPPs saw a 12.8% decline in output, to 5.703 billion kWh.

Hydroelectric power plants in 2015 reduced production by 25.1%, to 6.809 billion kWh, municipal CHPPs by 21.2%, to 6.141 billion kWh.

Electricity production by non-conventional sources (wind farms, solar stations, biomass) decreased by 11%, to 1.482 billion kWh.

The share of NPPs in electricity generation was 55.72% (48.58% in 2014), thermal power plants and CHPPs 35.1% (41.23%), hydroelectric power plants 4.3% (5%), municipal CHPPs and block stations 3.9% (4.28%), alternative sources 0.94% (0.92%).

In December 2015, electricity generation in Ukraine shrank by 12.6% year-over-year, to 14.578 kWh.

NPPs, TPPs and combined heat and power plants of the ministry increased heating supplies by 3.1% in 2015 from 2014, to 22.449 million gigacalories.
The Verkhovna Rada, Ukraine's parliament, should pass five important bills in the first quarter of 2016 to receive EUR 600 million in the second tranche of macro-financial assistance from the European Union, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine said.

The Ukrainian parliament should in particular complete the introduction of a new model of the gas market in Ukraine and pass respective government-prepared bills on amendments to certain legislative acts of Ukraine for ensuring conditions of the natural gas market's operation (No.3325) and on amendments to the Customs Code of Ukraine on the creation of preconditions for a new model of the natural gas market (No. 3074), the press service of the government's office for European integration reported on Friday.

Lawmakers should also adopt a government-prepared bill that would strengthen the independence of the electricity market's regulator  a bill on the National Commission, which performs state regulations in the energy sector and public utilities (No.2966). What is more, it should pass a bill aimed at facilitation of competition, i.e. amendments to the Law of Ukraine on protection of economic competition with respect to increasing the effectiveness of controls on economic concentration (No. 2168-a).

In addition, the parliament should pass a government-prepared bill on self-government service (No.2489), which is part of public administration reform.

"Only three out of all these documents have been passed by parliament in first reading (amendments to Customs Code, the draft law on protection of economic competition and a bill on service in local government). Yet, Ukraine's adherence to international and bilateral trade commitments, namely to prevention of any new measures that restrict or distort trade, is an important criterion for the EU's macro-financial assistance. Namely it concerns the abolition of a temporary ban on timber and raw wood exports, which is not in line with WTO requirements (this is stipulated in law No. 325-VIII)," the government's office for European integration said.

Deputy Minister of the Cabinet of Ministers and Director of the government's office for European integration Natalia Hnydiuk said that the memorandum under which Ukraine is given the EU's macro-financial assistance provides for a number of binding conditions that accelerate internal reforms in Ukraine and facilitate the process of European integration.

"It is also extremely important to remove trade restrictions that are contrary to Ukraine's obligations, namely those concerning the WTO and free trade zone with the EU. Furthermore, Ukraine should refrain from any attempts to introduce such limitations in future, as our country has signed relevant international agreements and should implement them on a regular basis," she added.

On May 22, 2015, Ukraine and the EU signed a memorandum on macro-financial assistance under which Ukraine will get EUR 1.8 billion, split in three tranches. The first tranche arrived in 2015.
In a quiet breakfast cafe, on a sunny October morning in Boston, I am watching a gang of five animated emotions control the thoughts of a little girl called Riley. On an iPad screen, the green character called Disgust gears into action, making Riley overturn her plate of broccoli in a fit of revulsion, and I gasp. When Rileys father tries to pacify her by pretending her spoon is an aeroplane, I giggle. All the while, the iPad is reading my emotions.

Emotional engagement: HIGH, the screen reads, once the 30-second clip of Pixars film Inside Out has ended. On a scale of one to 100, I mostly registered high levels of enjoyment, according to the iPad. During the bit where broccoli goes flying everywhere, my surprise levels go through the roof, mixed in with a little bit of dislike.
Since the blockade began in the 1960s, the United States has harmed Cuba for US$154.2 billion at current prices. | Read More
The European Union's EUR 3.74 million technical assistance project designed for 2016-2018 and entitled "Support to the Implementation of the Association Agreement and of the National Strategy in the Transport Sector in Ukraine" was launched in Ukraine on January 15.

The project will contribute to the harmonization of legislation and the modernization of the transport sector in Ukraine in keeping with the obligations under the Association Agreement with the EU, the government's office for European integration reported on the Cabinet's website. The assistance to be provided by the European side will help revamp the National Transport Strategy of Ukraine and bring it into line with EU standards.

The Ukrainian side is expected to adapt, implement and apply the EU's five priority directives and regulations in the transport sector, raise the qualification of personnel, strengthen cooperation with the European transport agencies, ensure legal regulation of multimodal transportation, increase the transparency and efficiency of state administration in the transport sector, and bring policy developing the national transport network close to the EU's transport policy.

Dornier Consulting GmbH (Germany), Expertise France (France), Egis International (France), and Egis-Ukraina (Ukraine) are the partners of the project.
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is providing a $20 million revolving working capital facility to Ukrainian Agrarian Investments (UAI), which operates over 70 farms located across northern and western Ukraine, the EBRD said in a statement.

"I want to underline how important the agribusiness sector is for the Ukrainian economy and for our operations in the country. We are very pleased to sign this transaction because it gives us an opportunity to continue to support the growth of a strong local company. This new loan demonstrates our strong commitment to UAI as a long-term partner," EBRD Director for Ukraine Sevki Acuner said in the statement.

The loan replaces the previous financing facility of $13 million provided to UAI in 2014. The proceeds will be used both for pre and post-harvest financing needs of the leading domestic agribusiness holding.

"By extending the new facility to UAI, the Bank is once again demonstrating its commitment to support its strong existing clients in one the most important sectors of the Ukrainian economy. The EBRD is planning to pledge additional support in order to help agribusiness companies address their liquidity and working capital needs as well as to restore the markets confidence and appetite for future projects in the country," the statement reads.

UAI has been working with the EBRD since 2010. The loan proceeds will enable the company to fully secure its seasonal working capital needs to harvest 195,000 hectares in the times when availability of funding in Ukraine has reduced significantly.

The EBRD says that Ukrainian agribusiness remains a key sector for the Bank, which committed funding worth over EUR 175 million in 2015 alone.

The EBRD is the largest international financial investor in Ukraine. As of January 1, 2016, the Bank had a total cumulative commitment of approximately EUR 12 billion in 357 projects throughout the country.
Veteran Actress Quits Congress; Joins TDP

Veteran Telugu actress and former Congress MLA Jayasudha joined the TDP today by quitting congress.Jayasudha, who won as MLA in 2009 from congress party has joined TDP in the presence of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu in Vijayawada.



Jayasudha addressing the reporters said the credit for developing Hyderabad and making it an important centre forInformation Technology goes to AP CM Chandrababu Naidu. She recalled that she acted in several films opposite TDP founder N T Rama Rao as the female lead and that she had even campaigned for the party in late 1990s. Jayasudha elected as MLA for Congress from the Secunderabad constituency in 2009 Andhra Pradesh Assembly elections [but lost election and was placed 3rd in the 2014 Telangana assembly elections.



During her tenure as MLA from 2009 to 2014, her relations with the party cadres had not gone along well in her constituency. She has few differences with Banda Karthika Reddy, former Hyderabad mayor and a corporator from Tarnaka. As once again congress Is promoting Kartika Reddy; Jayasudha decided to quit congress.Jayasudha was also defeated in the Movie Artistes Association (MAA) election last year despite her fervent campaign against actor Rajendra Prasad who won eventually.











News Posted: 16 January, 2016








Ukraine's daily order for gas from Slovakia grows to 33.6 mcm on Jan 16

Ukraine has filed an application for an increased gas supply from Slovakia in the amount of 33.6 million cubic meters (mcm).

The order for January 1-5 was 18.8 mcm per day, whereas it was between 11.4 mcm and 13.5 mcm for January 6-13, and it grew to 26.7-27.6 mcm for January 14-15, according to Slovakia's gas transport system operator Eustream.

Ukrainian gas transport system operator PJSC Ukrtransgaz reported in turn that the amount of gas taken from the country's gas storage facilities fell to 72.7 mcm from 93.5 mcm on Wednesday, January 13, due to an increase in gas shipments from Slovakia as of January 14.

Ukraine had 12.468 billion cubic meters (bcm) of gas in underground storage facilities as of January 14, 2016, whereas gas stocks stored underground as of January 14, 2015, stood at 10.361 bcm.

As was reported, Ukraine daily imported from 29.7 mcm to 41.2 mcm from Slovakia on January 1-31, 2015.

NJSC Naftogaz Ukrainy contracted 1.7 bcm of European gas for December 2015-March 2016, having agreed to buy it from Noble Clean Fuels Limited, Engie SA, Axpo Trading AG, E.ON Global Commodities SE and Eni trading & shipping SpA for funds lent by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. Following tenders, the price of the contracted gas was fixed between $188 and $211 per 1,000 cubic meters.

At the same time, the price of Russian gas which Russia's OAO Gazprom offers Ukraine for the first quarter of 2016 is about $212 per 1,000 cubic meters.

Naftogaz CEO Andriy Kobolev said earlier that the diversification of gas supplies and gas shipments from Europe had let Ukraine switch to the commercial format of gas purchases from Russia, which now depend on the offered price.
Opposition party activists join TRS

Hyderabad, Jan 16 (INN): Hundreds of activists belonging to opposition parties from Begum Bazar and Subhash Nagar divisions joined the TRS party here on Saturday.



Housing Minister A. Indrakaran Reddy inducted them into the party by offering pink 'khandwas' (scarf). Speaking on the occasion, he said that the activists of all opposition parties were joining the TRS as they were impressed with the developmental schemes of the State Government. He said besides political activists, common people too were joining the ruling party. He said that the TRS Government undertook several projects for Hyderabad during the last 19 months.



Indrakaran Reddy informed that Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao has sanctioned 30 new flyovers and skyways for Hyderabad. He has also ordered the officials to speed up the Metro Rail works. He expressed confidence that the TRS would win 100 seats in the GHMC elections.









News Posted: 16 January, 2016








74.23 lakh electors for GHMC elections

Hyderabad, Jan 16 (INN): GHMC Election Authority Dr. B. Janardhan Reddy informed that in the ensuing GHMC elections, a total of 74,23,980 voters are enrolled.



Speaking to the media persons at the GHMC head office, he said that the voters include 39,69,007 male, 34,53,910 female voters and 1063 other voters.



The voters can download their voters slip through a mobile web app created by the GHMC for the convenience of the citizens to cast their vote. The citizens have been requested to kindly go to play store and type tsec space voter slip and to download the said app and they have to type their voter ID where they can get the ward name, polling station centre, voter serial number and other related information can be obtained said the Election Authority.



The Election Authority said that only in one day around 1,25,000 have downloaded this app and taken the details of the voter slips. To increase the poll percentage the GHMC has introduced a special ringtone for the for participation of the voters to cast their vote through this ringtone the GHMC is creating awareness to the citizens to participate in the elections and to cast their vote to improve the poll percentage. A separate stall is also being arranged at all India Industrial Exhibition, Nampally for awareness of the citizens.



As per the directions of the Election Commission of India the GHMC has removed 42,344 posters, 32,942 banners, 37,800 flexies, 5,265 cutouts today. The Election authority said that the GHMC is involving various civic societies, Residential Welfare Associations, NGOS to improve the poll percentage to this effect a meeting is being conducted with all the organisations on 18.01.2016 at 4PM at Panwar Hall, GHMC Head Office Tank Bund, Hyderabad.



Dr. Janardhan Reddy appealed to the contesting candidates to furnish the ID proof of that particular ward where he is contesting a certified copy has to be produced while filing the nominations to the concerned Returning Officers.



Additional Commissioners, Surendra Mohan, C. Ramakrishna Rao, N. Ravi Kiran, Shankaraiah and Bhaskara Chary have participated in the press meet.









News Posted: 16 January, 2016








Kavitha for 3% reservation for physically handicapped

Hyderabad, Jan 16 (INN): Nizamabad MP K. Kavitha on Saturday assured to make representation with the Telangana Government to provide three percent reservation for physically handicapped persons.



Addressing a meeting of various organisations representing physically handicapped persons at Telangana Bhavan here, Kavitha said effective representation would be made with the State Government and also with the Telangana State Public Service Commission seeking three percent reservation in government jobs. She said that Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao has been working honestly for the welfare of physically handicapped persons.



Kavitha also said that she would urge the state government to provide 3% reservation to physically handicapped persons in 2BHK scheme. She accused the BJP-led Central Government of giving step motherly treatment to physically handicapped persons. She said that the Central schemes were proving to be useless as adequate funds were not being released for them.



The TRS MP said that Telangana BJP President G. Kishan Reddy was not even aware of the schemes launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.



She said that the TRS Government has been fulfilling all the promises that it made with the people during elections.









News Posted: 16 January, 2016








"Mission Old City" will be accomplished: Sohail

Hyderabad, Jan 16 (INN): Greater Hyderabad Congress Committee (GHCC) Minorities Department chairman Shaik Abdullah Sohail on Saturday expressed confidence of accomplishing the "Mission Old City" being pursued by the Congress party.



In a media statement, Sohail said that the Congress party had decided to launch an awareness campaign in the Old City and launched it in a mission mode on August 31. He said that the GHCC Minorities Department has made inroads into the lanes and by-lanes of the Old City which remained neglected under the MIM leadership. "We met and interacted with hundreds of people during the last four months. We heard their grievances and offered solutions. We tried to wake up the local leaders from their slumber. This turned the MIM leaders more arrogant and they openly refused to resolve the issues being confronted by the people on daily basis. Some of them, who were genuinely concerned about the people's welfare joined or supported the Congress party. Our aim is to bring the Old City on the path of development," Sohail said.



Sohail said joining of two ex-Corporators of MIM, Meraj Mohammed and Mohammed Ghouse, was a proof that the MIM was losing its base in Hyderabad. He said both the leaders were known for their hard work and dedication. However, they were unable to compromise on ethics and morals. "They were upset with the MIM leadership for its growing proximity with the BJP and other wings of Sangh Parivar and therefore, came out to join the Congress to fight against communal forces. Almost 90% of MIM leaders and workers were feeling chocked in Darulsalaam. They enjoy no respect, importance or freedom, except during elections. I advise them to join the Congress party in order to serve the people in a better way," he said.



Meanwhile, GHCC General Secretary Syed Nizamuddin informed that the entire schedule for election campaign in the Old City has been finalised. He said several prominent national leaders of Congress party would participate in the election campaign in the Old City. He said that the Congress would expose how the MIM has failed to resolve the basic problems despite beinig in power for the last 54 years. "The entry of Mohammed Ghouse, Meraj Mohammed and other leaders from MIM has rejuvenated the entire Congress cadre in the Old City. We promise a highly aggressive and never-seen-in-the-past type campaign. MIM leaders will be questioned on non-performance on every nook and corner of Old City," he said.









News Posted: 16 January, 2016








Thai police and several non-governmental organizations have rescued 15 Vietnamese women who claimed they had been tricked into working as surrogate mothers.

The women, who are 30 years old on average, were discovered during a police raid in Bangkok Wednesday.

The raid of the 101 Babies Company was prompted by requests from four of the women, who had sought help at the Vietnamese Embassy in Thailand.

The women said that they had been brought from Vietnam to Thailand by brokers who promised them good jobs.

However, when they arrived in Thailand, they claimed they had their passports seized by Shen Pai Wan, manager of the company.

The women said they were forced to work as surrogate mothers and paid US$5,000 per baby.

During their pregnancy, they said they were confined to a pair of houses where they were frequently examined by doctors in case they were pregnant.

The surrogacy was conducted using in-vitro fertilization at the local Serilak hospital, they said.



Pham Minh Tuan, representative of the embassy, said one of the women delivered a child a couple of days ago, and half of women are still pregnant.

They came from the southern provinces of Hau Giang, Soc Trang and Can Tho City, and are currently staying at a refuge run by the Thai Labor Ministry, he added.

In the meantime, Thai police have sought charges against the company and its chief Xieng Lung Lo.

Lo stands accused of human trafficking, illegal employment and illegally hiding foreigners.

Pansak, vice director of Thai Immigration Police, said his agency discovered several unregistered foreign employees working for the company, mainly contacting customers via phone and Internet.

Lo was said to have once been arrested in Taiwan for human trafficking. Authorities found he had forced Vietnamese and Cambodian women to ac as surrogate mothers there.

He then fled the territory and began the same racket in Bangkok.

He allegedly charged $50,000, per surrogacy.
Boston: A member of the group of armed men who have seized a US wildlife refuge in Oregon in an anti-government protest has been arrested after driving a government vehicle to a local supermarket, officials said.

The arrest was the first made since the group took over buildings at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge on January 2 in the latest conflict over the US government's control of land in the West.

Ammon Bundy speaks to reporters at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in Burns, Oregon on Thursday. Bundy is the leader of a small, armed group that has been occupying the remote refuge since January 2. Credit:Keith Ridler

Law enforcement officials had so far kept their distance from the site, located about 48 kilometres south of the small town of Burns in Oregon's rural south east, in an effort to avoid a violent confrontation.
A new community activity building with purpose-built teaching spaces will be added to the Strathnairn arts precinct if a development application is approved.

Arts ACT lodged the application for the multipurpose centre, which would include meeting rooms, a classroom, display area and community hall.

An artist's impression of the proposed community centre at the Strathnairn arts precinct.

The plans also include space for a cafe or store, a covered seating area and outdoor pavilion.

Designed to complement the existing gallery, cafe and shop, which are housed in a 1920s homestead, the 1087-square-metre development would take up the northernmost corner of the West Belconnen site.
The Secretariat of the World Trade Organization (WTO) has sent WTO member states a statement by Ukraine saying that Russia has been using illegal and discriminatory trade restrictions as of January 1, 2016, Ukraine's Ministry of Economic Development and Trade reported on its website on Friday.

In its statement, Ukraine draws the WTO member states' attention to the fact that after Ukraine had decided to introduce a deep and comprehensive free trade area with the European Union, Russia on January 1, 2016, took several politically motivated trade restriction measures.

Ukraine emphasizes that such measures as an embargo on the import of certain types of farm produce, raw materials and food products originating from Ukraine, a halt to a preferential trade regime under the CIS Free Trade Agreement and limitations on transit shipments of Ukrainian goods to Kazakhstan via Russian territory violate international law, the WTO Agreement and the Organization's fundamental principles, and the obligations of the Russian Federation as a WTO member state.

Ukrainian Economic Development and Trade Minister Aivaras Abromavicius said that with the support of its trading partners, the government of Ukraine would appeal to the WTO against Russia's actions. Ukraine also plans to introduce alternative transit routes and enter new sales markets.
I read recently that St Kilda is to return to its spiritual home at Moorabbin. Even teams that are not called the Saints have spiritual homes. People who are not religious have them too.

Some years ago, when Anglican clergy in my diocese were not permitted to marry people in other than church buildings, I was asked by a young couple to conduct their wedding at the family farm. The bride's family had worked it for generations. She had grown up on the property. It all sounded fair enough to me. The wedding went ahead at her spiritual home; full of meaning and with a symbolism and family connectedness unachievable in a formal religious setting.

Rejuvenated: David Armitage, Leigh Montagna and Jarryn Geary at Moorabbin Oval.

As a former police chaplain I have often heard the chapel at the Glen Waverley Police Academy referred to as the spiritual home of Victoria Police, not because police are particularly religious but because of the significant events that have taken place there; the funerals of colleagues or of retired members, the graduation ceremonies and many weddings and baptisms. Importantly it is one of the places in which the lives of the 159 members of Victoria Police who have died in the line of duty are remembered in a side-chapel.

It is sometimes the experience of travellers that they feel a particular country or city be their spiritual home, even if they've never been there before. Such examples say something about being part of a wider creation or a greater whole; a culture, an organisation, a history of shared experience. They speak of continuity and being part of history. Whatever it is that feeds the soul may be perceived in spiritual homes of different kinds. Even places of worship take a while to earn that title. It's not just about bricks and mortar.
Commentators have endowed the economy with a will and even personality of its own. They say it is hesitant or uncertain; ailing, sick, or needing a transfusion. But, more ominously, they regularly call for sacrifices on its behalf. Such language can have dangerous implications for ordinary people, because it affects how we relate to each other. Sometimes it becomes no longer as people, or family or citizens, but merely as individual components of the economy  lifters or leaners, to quote a former treasurer.

We can see ourselves less as part of a great joint enterprise but as competitors, motivated more by self-interest and less by compassion. Yet there is also a sense in which the personal metaphor is appropriate, and that is to indicate another truth, that the economy is no more or less than the interaction of persons.

IMF chief Christine Lagarde says more decisive action has to be taken to boost the global economy. Credit:Stephen Jaffe

In suggesting we can over-emphasise the economy, I do not mean to deny its centrality, its direct impact on people's jobs, family lives, hopes and plans. But, to paraphrase Jesus' teaching about the Sabbath, the economy was made for people, not people for the economy.

Once, when people talked about the economy, they meant local or national. Today, even ordinary citizens are far more aware of the global economy, and that it is beyond even the most powerful nation-state to dictate or direct. Technological advances, especially in communications and transportation, have brought undoubted economic benefits, but there are costs as well, such as increased opportunities for exploiting people and rising alienation, where people feel powerless to influence what is happening.
Why is Australia a party to the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement? This regional free trade agreement between 12 Pacific Rim nations, including the United States, Canada, Japan, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Australia, has been almost universally panned, left, right and centre. Yet it is likely to be signed in New Zealand in February.

A report by the World Bank released last week claimed the benefit to Australia from signing the agreement would be a near imperceptible fraction of a per cent of growth a year  just an added 0.7 per cent of GDP by 2030. The government's own economic advisory agency, the Productivity Commission, says the Trans-Pacific Partnership will distort trade rather than free trade. And GetUp calls it the "dirtiest deal you've never heard of", driven by "big business, big pharmaceuticals and big tobacco".

Despite its critics, the Trans-Pacific Partnership appears to be gaining a second life. Credit:AP

They're all wrong. Yes, the Trans-Pacific Partnership is not perfect. It has bad parts. It might require the government to further crack down on copyright piracy, even as the piracy problem is ebbing away in our world of Netflix and Apple Music. The Investor-State Dispute Resolution mechanism  which allows firms to sue the Australian government in special tribunals  is, in the words of the American libertarian think tank the Cato Institute, "unnecessary, unreasonable, and unwise".

And the deal's importance for the global economy has been wildly overstated. The Abbott government tried to desperately pump up the significance of the free trade deals it was signing as it saw its other economic growth strategies slip away.
The new year is a time for revelry, a celebration of the year just ended and a chance to look ahead with hope for the months to follow. But the spate of attacks, including allegations of widespread sexual assault and theft, among the crowds in the German city of Cologne and other cities on New Year's Eve has more than soured festivities; that many of the perpetrators were gangs of foreign men has focused Europe's attention on the challenge of accommodating and integrating the masses of refugees that continue to flee to the continent in record numbers.

German authorities branded the attack a "completely new dimension of organised crime", with hundreds of men, said to be mostly of North African and Arab origin, in large groups surrounding, groping and robbing young women. The outrage has been magnified by the apparent insouciance of police in their initial claim the night of celebration in Cologne had been orderly and without incident. This fuelled the suspicions of the fervent opponents to immigration in Europe, convinced that authorities deliberately downplayed the crime in deference to what they regard as political correctness.

Protests and outbreaks of vigilantism have followed, stoking the cauldron of prejudice against migrants and the constant struggle across Europe to reconcile the bitter past of intolerance with the renowned openness of the modern era. Much of this anger is mistakenly directed towards the Muslim community and entrenched existing attitudes.

Let there be no doubt: those people proven to have committed assault deserve to be punished. Yet to reduce these crimes to a matter of race, culture or religion does no justice to the victims. The scale of the assault is shocking, nonetheless, the disingenuous attempt to appropriate the criminal actions of a relative few and brand an entire population of refugees with guilt only illustrates the weak prejudice of Europe's hard right.

What is disturbing is this reaction is not limited to the predictable mob of protesters that subsequently took to the streets of Cologne to loudly decry multiculturalism. The tolerance once proudly symbolised by countries such as Denmark is being threatened by the extreme and reactionary decision to contemplate confiscating asylum seekers' property. This is officialdom pandering to fear, rather than a display of moral courage.
All medical professionals involved in Summer's care testify they would have done nothing different. Summer's autopsy was inconclusive. Two independent doctors told the coroner they suspected her death might have been caused by infection  but there was not enough evidence to be certain. Sonja had ruptured membranes, which can raise the risk of infection. The autopsy showed no signs of such an infection, but Summer did have a raised white blood cell count. But the antibiotics administered late in the day to Summer may have eliminated any evidence of infection  ravaging the baby's body before being killed off. Could antibiotics, administered to Summer for the first time around 11pm, been given earlier? Could these have saved her life? Sonja remembers a baby with long, beautiful fingers.

"The outcome really depends on how rapidly the condition's treated and how rapidly it responds," Dr Simon Erickson, who at Sonja's request looked at Summer's medical records, told the coroner's court (Summer's paediatrician would testify that even if antibiotics had been given earlier, he did not believe they would have saved Summer's life). Sonja delivered her child at 4.01pm, April 4, 2010, at Frances Perry House. The little girl had long, beautiful fingers, mum remembers. Immediately she was frightened for her newborn's condition. She wasn't crying. Not all babies cry, her obstetrician, Huon O'Sullivan, told her. He put the child on the mother's chest. Skin to skin, doctors call it. A crucial part of the bonding process. Sonja is given antibiotics, because O'Sullivan is worried about a risk of infection.

Care of Summer is handed over to paediatrician Noel Manikkam, who is not directly told of any infection concerns. Looking at Summer and Sonja's presentation, he thinks infection very unlikely. Stephanie Tsezemetsiz was Sonja's midwife. It was her fourth day of work unsupervised. Sonja complained several times to Nurse Tsezemetsiz about Summer's colour, her lack of crying, her lethargy, and an odd clicking, croaking sound she says she heard her making when she breathed. The nurse continually reassured her. Sonja had had pain relief during delivery and this can sometimes dull the baby during its first few hours of life. Sonja has her memories, and is angry nobody seemed to be listening to her concerns. "I don't feel like my daughter was given the medical care she was entitled to," she tells me after the inquest is over.

"I believe that a mother knows, and I knew my baby was sick and nobody would listen to me. "There is now nothing else I could do for my child. The only thing I could do for her is to find out what happened and try to prevent it happening to someone to someone else." Sonja has had to fight incredibly hard for this trial. Initially, she was given no conclusive reason why Summer died. She had to seek several second opinions from other doctors before someone told her it might have been infection. Even then, Shine Lawyers, representing her pro bono, had to fight with the coroner to get an inquest opened. Sonja holds Summer.

But Sonja may never get the truth of what happened in those hours in Frances Perry House, in part because Nurse Tsezemetsiz cannot remember them. A family tragedy has erased her entire memory of that year. "That whole year is a blur", she told the court. "Is it a case of you perhaps trying not to remember what happened that day?" asked Sonja's counsel. The nurse denied that. Some nurses who saw Summer testified she was blue, or dusky grey. Babies often have a slight blue discolouration on their tiny arms and feet. If that creeps into baby's chest, we have a problem. But Summer was swaddled in cloth. Nobody was looking at the child's chest. Should Summer's condition have been noted sooner by her inexperienced midwife? Sonja and her family took copious photos and videos of baby Summer  as new parents do  in those hours between 4pm and 7pm. They were shown, repeatedly, to the court. Watching a mother fawn over her newborn, full of the knowledge she will be dead hours later, is sickening and terrible.

Watching the videos, some witnesses saw a very sick baby. Others saw a healthy child. Lawyers quibbled over the quality and printing of the images. In these circumstances, where does the truth lie? Back to the hospital. Summer's paediatrician, Noel Manikkam, is called after the baby's condition worsens. Things move quickly. Summer receives oxygen and is sent to intensive care. She seems to stabilise, her skin taking on a healthy pink tinge. Manikkam expects she'll be back with her mother soon. At this point, two independent doctors testified they would have seriously considered administering Summer antibiotics. At 10pm, Manikkam once again returns to special care. Summer is blue from her belly button down. "You could almost draw a pencil line across the demarcation," he told the coroner. "There's obviously a blood flow and a plumbing issue here".

Summer had no pulse in the lower part of her body. Crouching low over the baby's crib, Manikkam hears a loud heart murmur. As she had earlier, baby Summer had crashed again  with symptoms almost identical to the first. And, once again, she improved, her colour suddenly coming back to a sharp pink. Manikkam makes preparations to transfer Summer to the Royal Children's Hospital for what he expects will be cardiac surgery. At about 11pm Summer is given antibiotics. She is rushed to the Children's, but does not recover. In the early hours of April five, medical treatment is stopped. Sonja baptises her. Could the outcome have been different? It is hard to tell.
Brian Coogan spent much of his life searching for answers.

He knew from an early age he was attracted to men, but as a devout Christian, he'd been led to believe homosexuality was wrong; an illness that could be cured by "conversion therapy" or "praying away the gay."

Brian Coogan believes the "ex-gay" movement remains an insidious part of Evangelical church. Credit:Simon Schluter

Coogan estimates he spent $50,000 over 15 years on religious counselling sessions attempting to do just that. He attended conferences by Exodus International  a now defunct organisation that turned to Jesus to curb same-sex attraction  took part in seminars and sermons, and remained convinced, for more than two decades, "that there was something wrong with me and that I needed to be fixed."

"You've probably heard the saying: love the sinner, hate the sin. The problem is, when the sin is your sexuality, and it's something you can't switch off, you end up disliking yourself more and more, which is why a lot of people become quite suicidal," he says.
Beijing: Taiwanese voters have delivered an overwhelming rejection of the Beijing-friendly Kuomintang government, sweeping opposition candidate Tsai Ing-wen to a landslide victory in the island's landmark presidential election on Saturday.

Ms Tsai, 59, becomes Taiwan's first female president. Her party, the independence-leaning Democratic Progressive Party, also secured an outright majority in the legislative yuan for the first time.

Tsai Ing-wen raises her hands as she declares victory in the island's presidential election. Credit:AP

Addressing tens of thousands of euphoric supporters in central Taipei, a composed if noticeably hoarse Ms Tsai delivered a victory speech with strong emphasis on Taiwan's democratic values while promising a "consistent, predictable and stable" approach to cross-strait relations with Beijing.

"My position will move past partisan politics," she said. "We will work towards maintaining the status quo for peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.
Istanbul: Turkish authorities briefly detained 27 scholars Friday, accusing them of spreading "terrorism propaganda" and of insulting the state after they signed a petition denouncing the military's campaign against Kurdish militants in south-eastern Turkey.

Most of the scholars were from Kocaeli University in north-western Turkey, and were detained in early-morning raids on their homes, the semiofficial news agency Anadolu reported. By Friday evening, all had been released, according to Turkish news media reports.

Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan visits the site of a suicide bombing in Istanbul. Credit:AP

All 27 scholars were among more than 1000 academics from 90 Turkish universities who signed a public statement, "We Won't Be a Party to This Crime", that urged the government in Ankara, the capital, to end the "deliberate massacre" of Kurds caught in clashes between Turkish security forces and militants of the Kurdistan Workers' Party, or PKK.

The petition angered President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who denounced the group - and foreign scholars who signed the document, including the linguist and philosopher Noam Chomsky - in a televised speech Tuesday. Erdogan accused them of "treason" and of forming a "fifth column" of foreign powers trying to undermine Turkey's national security.
Members of the de-facto Federation Council of Crimea Sergei Tsekov and Olga Kovitidi on behalf of the de-facto parliament and government of Crimea have asked to postpone payment of debts on credits taken in Ukrainian banks by Crimea residents for 36 months, the press service of Kovitidi has reported.

"This term should be given that Crimea residents are living in the conditions of water, economic, transport and food blockade for two years and now the energy blockade. The conditions for doing business are every complicated due to these circumstances. Many people were left without jobs, with credits and property used as collateral," the press service said.

Tsekov believes that it is not only unrealistic, but it is also amoral to forward claims against Crimea residents until top-priority infrastructure issues are not resolved (the transport bridge, power supply, water supply and other things).

Senators presented the position of Crimea at a meeting of the working group that discussed proposals to amend the federal law setting the procedure for paying debts of residents of Crimea and Sevastopol to Ukrainian credit organizations. It was approved by the Federation Council in late December 2015.

The law applies to the debt of individuals and individual businessmen to banks which operations were terminated on the peninsula under the decisions of the National Bank of Ukraine (NBU). Payments will be settled in the Russian rubles.

Crimea's de-facto leader Sergei Aksyonov said that the law requires being amended.

Crimean de-facto Parliament Speaker Vladimir Konstantinov named it ill-timed and expressed discontent with the fact that the document was passed without agreeing it with Crimean residents.
New York: Iran will emerge from years of economic isolation after world powers began to lift crippling economic sanctions against the Islamic Republic in return for its compliance with a historic deal to curb its nuclear ambitions.

The receipt of a final International Atomic Energy Agency report by United Nations Security Council sealed the deal.

"Iran has carried out all measures required under the [July deal] to enable Implementation Day [of the deal] to occur," the International Atomic Energy Agency said.
Five balaclava-clad students fill the Public Theater's LuEsther Hall with the sound of revolutionary anthems in praise of Ho Chi Minh and the Sandinista Front. No, this is not an occupation by Marxist undergrads from the neighboring Tisch School of the Arts at New York University (although their pitch-perfect harmony leads one to suspect some musical theater training). Rather, it is Chilean writer and director Guillermo Calderon's frustrating and fascinating Escuela, now playing in the Public's Under the Radar Festival.

Performed entirely in Spanish (with English supertitles), the show revolves around a group of left-wing Chilean radicals in 1987, during the waning days of the dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet. They meet in a secret location to train for their popular revolution. Designer Loreto Martinez's shadowy lighting makes this underground safe house feel authentically furtive, even though his set features only some nonthreatening furniture facing a small chalkboard. Living up to its name, Escuela teaches us a lot of things we Americans should really know more about, like the 1973 CIA-backed coup against Chile's democratically elected president, Salvador Allende. It also teaches us things no one should know about, like how to take down an electric transmission tower with a homemade bomb. Whether you consider this a revolutionary academy or an extremist training camp, everyone can agree that it is a strange kind of school.

First of all, there's no designated teacher: Each student shares his or her knowledge with the group. Since the characters wear masks and are never named, I will refer to them by the color of their hoods. Green (Luis Cerda) knows about guns. Orange (Carlos Ugarte) is the communications expert. The ladies in red (Camila Gonzalez and Francisca Lewin) teach the group about propaganda and Marxist dogma. Blue (Andrea Giadach) knows about bombs. They take turns leading the class, fielding questions and offering gentle instruction in their mellifluous Chilean accents. It feels a little like a Montessori school for terrorists.

Red teaches a lesson about rightwing propaganda in Escuela.

( Maria Paz Gonzalez)

Calderon (the creator of 2013's Neva, also at the Public) is not afraid to mix humor into this incredibly dark subject. When Orange tells Blue that, should she die in service to the cause, they will paint a large mural of her face following the revolution, she sheepishly replies, "But how will you know what I look like if we never show our faces?" Over the course of 90 minutes, they never remove their masks (a challenge that this physically expressive ensemble easily surmounts). It speaks not only of their paranoia, but a persistent uncertainty about the sustainability of this clandestine lifestyle.

Calderon stages their discomfort in a very funny scene in which Green teaches them to shoot. It becomes clear that most of these folks have never held a gun before. Martinez slyly hints at the off-hours lives of these part-time guerrillas with his suggestive costumes. Most telling is the sparkly and finely cut dress on the red woman, who eventually admits to being an upper-middle-class university student.

During an extended monologue about her impending martyrdom, Lewin expertly musters the self-congratulatory tears of the communist bourgeoisie: She can push extra-hard for violent revolution knowing full well that she and her ilk will come out on top in any situation. Giadach gives a far more moving performance when she recalls Dani, a 16-year-old comrade who became an unwitting suicide bomber. One gets the sense that, like Macbeth, she is in blood stepped so far that returning would be as tedious as going over.

In truth, they all are. Ever-provocative, Calderon leaves us with an unsettling question: What happens when people have prepared for years to commit political violence, only to find that violence unnecessary in changed circumstances? Twenty-nine years later, the proletarian revolution they yearn for has not come to pass. Instead, a 1988 referendum heralded the return of democracy to Chile. Gonzalez's character contends that this referendum only serves to legitimize Pinochet's exploitative economic policies. Still, despite her current unpopularity, few would accuse Chilean president Michelle Bachelet of running a dictatorship. Of course, with the right amount of passion, people can see all manner of malice in a seemingly innocuous politician (just ask Barack Obama).

Marked by doubt, Escuela cautiously probes the cloudy threshold between fervent belief and deadly action. The show makes an excellent pairing with Chris Thorpe's Confirmation, which explores the opposite end of the political spectrum and the impulse to reinforce our own sense of righteousness with a selective examination of the facts. Considering the universality of that instinct, it is safe to say that the anonymous terrorists of Escuela are not as foreign to American society as we would like to think they are.
2016 Detroit Auto Show Charity Preview

Detroit January 15, 2016; Americas Comeback City held nothing back tonight as $5.2 million were raised for childrens charities at the 2016 North American International Auto Shows Charity Preview at Detroits Cobo Center.

Tonights number brings a grand total of more than $105.2 million raised for Southeastern Michigan childrens charities since Charity Preview was established by the Detroit Auto Dealers Association in 1976. More than $48 million of those funds was raised in the last 10 years alone.

A highly energized auto industry  fresh off an incredible week of more than 50 worldwide and North American product unveilings  joined together with a revived Detroit community at the largest single-night fundraiser in the world. In all, some 13,075 people attended the premier black-tie gala, presented by Axalta Coating Systems.

NAIAS Chairman Paul Sabatini said that the Charity Preview culminated an amazing week in Detroit.

This week we celebrate the brilliance of the auto industry; tonight we celebrated the heart of the auto industry, said Sabatini. That Charity Preview was established by a group of Detroit-area auto dealers, and has grown to one of the most high-profile events in the nation, makes it even more special to me.

Proceeds from Charity Preview directly benefit a wide range of childrens charities, supporting services for children of all ages, from birth to 18. Beneficiaries of the Charity Preview include: Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeastern Michigan, Boys Hope Girls Hope of Detroit, The Childrens Center, Childrens Hospital of Michigan Foundation, Judson Center, Detroit PAL, March of Dimes, and the DADA Charitable Foundation Fund, a fund of the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan.

Tomorrow, Sat., Jan. 16, the NAIAS opens to the public at 9 am. Ticket prices and other information are available at NAIAS.com.
Canada's Black Iron with assets in Ukraine has bought back its 49% of shares in Black Iron Cyprus Ltd. (BKI Cyprus), the full owner of Shymanivske project (Kryvy Rih, Dnipropetrovsk region), from Metinvest for $5.6 million, the company said in a report.

"This transaction allows Black Iron to unlock cash previously jointly held in BKI Cyprus. Black Iron is now unrestricted in its efforts to acquire a new high quality near term cash flow generating asset as per the strategy outlined in the Company's June 24, 2015 press release," the company said.

Discussions with the intra-agency working group comprised of representatives from various Ukraine Government agencies and chaired by the Justice Ministry to resolve Black Iron's outstanding legal issues and acquire needed land remain ongoing. Progress is being made albeit at a slower pace than management aspires. For the Company to meaningfully advance its highly economic Shymanivske to construction, resolution of the outstanding legal issues, land acquisition, sustained peace in Ukraine and a recovery of iron ore prices are required.

On June 24, 2015, Black Iron said that the company decided to buy back and cancel up to 10% of its shares and plans to discuss the possibility of acquiring troubled but promising assets in the sector with its Ukrainian partner Metinvest. The company has implemented a comprehensive business plan designed to increase shareholder value through a three pronged approach during this period of depressed iron ore prices and ongoing war in Ukraine. This plan is aimed at striking a balance between creating a near term share price uplift for shareholders while preserving and ultimately unlocking the value in Black Iron's flagship Shymanivske project by doing the following: buying back and cancelling up to 10% of the current common shares of the company in the public float; reviewing strategic transactions to acquire a near term producing and cash flow generating asset; and continue the advancement of the flagship Shymanivske project albeit with curtailed spending to preserve cash.

According to the document, the depressed global mining and metals sector presents an opportunity for companies such as Black Iron with cash reserves to acquire high quality distressed assets at attractive prices. The Black Iron management is currently reviewing several opportunities that show potential to generate cash return within a few years.

Acquisition of such a project at this time will require approval from Metinvest B.V. as the bulk of Black Iron's cash reserves, essential for the acquisition and its working capital requirements, resides in the 51% owned Black Iron Cyprus subsidiary of which Metinvest B.V. owns the remaining 49%.
When the citizens of Taiwan go to the polls on Saturday to choose a president and all members of the 113-seat Legislative Yuan, the national legislature, the outcome promises to be historic. It will change profoundly the politics on the island and in the process evoke extreme concerns in Beijing, which has enough to worry about these days.

Just at the moment that bears are eating up Chinas stock market, as money continues to flood out of China, with Beijings bad-boy client in North Korea playing with nuclear weapons like a child with matches, and the nations around the South China Sea pulling together to push back against Beijings expansionist designs therenow Taiwan looms large as another setback with strategic implications.

To be sure, Chinese leaders probably are not concerned by the Peace Pigeon Union, which supports bird racing on the island. That political party thinks a victory on the 16th will help remove the taint surrounding the sport, which has been caused by the kidnapping of pigeons for ransom and other unsavory activity.

But China cannot ignore the remainder of what is now called the Third Force, a group of activists who have formed parties and, in the process, transformed Taiwan politics.

By now it is a foregone conclusion that the opposition Democratic Progressive Party will capture the presidency. Tsai Ing-wen, who fell short in her bid in 2012, has a virtually insurmountable lead in a three-way race. She led Eric Chu, the candidate of the ruling Kuomintang, by 28.9 percentage points in the latest poll by the Cross-Strait Policy Association. James Soong of the People First Party looks like he is in third place, a shade behind Chu.

Tsais DPP has won the presidency before, in 2000 and 2004. The victor then, Chen Shui-bian, disappointed supporters in large measure because the Kuomintang, also known as the KMT, retained control of the legislature and frustrated his initiatives. This time, it appears the KMT, which now holds 65 seats, will lose its commanding position in the Legislative Yuan.

Gerrit van der Wees of the Formosan Association for Public Affairs, now on the island to observe the election, tells The Daily Beast that projections show the KMT losing 25 of those seats. The DPP, the challenger, could capture 60 seats.

And theres more bad news for the KMT. The New Power Party, formed last year, is generally considered the islands third-most-popular party, likely to play an important role in legislative coalition-building, and its extraordinary emergence makes Chinese, both in China and in Taiwan, fearful.

Why? Many Taiwanese, especially the younger generation, dont think theyre Chinese, and this ethnic divide mirrors a political split. The Third Force generation, represented by the NPP and other parties, is pushing Taiwan toward independencerecognition the island is not part of Chinafaster and harder than Tsais DPP is willing to go, and youthful voters are engaging in politics to force change in the direction they demand.

A bit of history: The KMT, under Chiang Kai-shek, fled what it calls the Mainland in 1949 and transplanted to Taiwan the Republic of China, with the capital in Taipei. To this day it maintains Taipei is the only legitimate government of China.

On the other hand, the Communist Party, ruling from Beijing, believes Taiwan is the 34th province of the Peoples Republic of China.

Despite the competing claims, the Communist Party feels comfortable with the KMT because both believe there is only one China and that Taiwan is part of it. Thus it is no surprise that Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party, and the KMTs Ma Ying-jeou, president of the Republic of China in Taiwan, could meet in Singapore in November, smile, shake hands, and talk about the future of their one and indivisible country.

Tsais Greens, on the other hand, believe there are two states. Their country is Taiwan, not part of a greater Chinese nation.

The Obama administration, worried that the new Taiwan consciousness would anger Beijing, favored the KMT in the last presidential contest, even going so far as to tell the Financial Times that it had distinct doubts Tsai would be able to maintain peace with China. This time, the White House is sitting on the sidelines but nonetheless anxious.

Tsai may be willing to keep the peace with Beijingshe has publicly pledged to maintain the status quobut its not clear the islands young people want her to keep that promise.

The NPP epitomizes that attitude amid a cacophonous array of political voices in the legislative elections. There are a record 18 political parties vying for seats. Thats up from 11 in 2012, the last election. There were 269 candidates then and 354 now.

As Chen Chao-chien of Ming Chuan University told the South China Morning Post, The number of contestants in this parliamentary election is a historic high. And so it seems are the number of causes.

In addition to an effort to further pigeon racing, there is a campaign devoted to safe sexa female candidate has been handing out free condomsand apparently one promoting sex period: another female hopeful stripped down to her red bra in public in the southern port city of Kaohsiung recently.

The National Post, the Toronto-based newspaper, notes that support for smaller opposition parties in this election campaign has been unprecedented.

Although many of the young think the DPP is too old-line, Don Rodgers of Austin College told The Daily Beast that the new winners will probably work with Tsai and her party where it counts, in the Legislative Yuan.

In the past, the KMTs control of the legislature meant it could do what it wanted. The ruling party, for instance, rammed through trade deals it had signed with Beijing during President Mas two terms. Ma thought those deals would bring about closer ties with China.

In fact, those trade agreements created a backlashstudent groups, dubbed the Sunflower Movement, occupied the legislature for weeks in Spring 2014 to stop one such arrangementand spurred a greater sense of Taiwan identity. As one American academic now in Taiwan watching the election told The Daily Beast, Frustration with economic stagnation and over-reliance on China has created an appetite for change in Taiwanese society.

The sense of Taiwanese identity has been heightened as well. Chengchi National University released a poll in June 2014 showing that 60.4 percent of citizens identified themselves as Taiwanese versus 3.5 percent responding Chinese, and the rest said they were both. In 1992, only 17.6 percent answered they were Taiwanese.

The change in thinking is so stark that the KMT, which bases its legitimacy on its claim of ruling China, could soon disappear. Taiwans electorate is youngish. Almost 40 percent of potential voters are under 40, and the young are overwhelmingly anti-KMT. One of the co-founders of the NPP even urged supporters to marginalize the KMT and make it disappear from Taiwan.

A December poll showed that only 11 percent of those aged 20 to 29 support the KMT. As Bonnie Glaser of the Center for Strategic and International Studies told The Wall Street Journal, The mainland is quite fearful that the KMT will never recover. If it should ever find its footing again, the KMT will do so as a Taiwan party, not a transplanted Chinese one.

This means democratic politics will almost certainly drive Taiwan further away from China. Beijing, however, is not about to let unfavorable developments continue. Chinese leaders will, in all probability, try to force the new Taiwan leader to confirm that the island is part of China. If that leader is Tsai, she will refuse.

The Chinese, as a result, are likely to cause trouble of some sort because the Communist Partys primary basis of legitimacy is nationalism, which means it must recovertake, actuallyTaiwan.

The election Saturday means there will be even less room for Taipei to compromise. The people of Taiwan are not about to give up their freedom to please people they consider foreigners.
At the end of the busy week that included President Obamas final State of the Union address and the first GOP debate of 2016, Bill Maher returned to HBO Friday night for his 14th season of Real Time. And as he promised in his recent interview with The Daily Beast, the host came armed with a new campaign of his own.

Maher kicked things off with the Republican debate, or as I call it, The Hateful Eight. From his view, the candidates could not be bloodthirsty enough and its so comforting that the party of impotent white rage is also the party of concealed carry and stand your ground.

One contender who stood out to Maher was Chris Christie, who was trying to burnish his asshole credentials by calling Obama a petulant child. From the man who needed surgery to give his stomach a time-out, Maher joked.

They were all so amped up, he said of the GOP field, with one exception. Human screensaver Ben Carson, who came off like a computer that was in sleep mode.

And of course, just today, Lindsey Graham  John McCains boyfriend  endorsed Jeb Bush. I love the way the potty trained Republicans still think theyre in charge of the funny farm, Maher said. But everyone knows the party belongs to Donald Trump.

Maher even jumped on the Ted Cruz birther train, noting that the Texas senator was not born in this country. As it happens, he was born in Hades, the child of Satan and a dog.

The hosts first guest of the night was the man he said should have been the 43rd president of the United States, former VP Al Gore. Most of their one-on-one conversation concerned climate change, but right off the bat, Maher made a big admission to his guest. He told Gore he was wrong for throwing his support to Ralph Nader in 2000, adding, I fucked up.

Mahers first panel of the year featured Dr. Cornel West, The View host Nicolle Wallace, and, remarkably, Faith and Freedom Coalition founder Ralph Reed.

His first question for the group: What are New York values?

I think they just became Donald Trumps path to the nomination, Wallace said, citing Trumps impressively human response to Cruzs attacks during Thursday nights debate.

You certainly couldnt have said that two years after 9/11, Maher said, perhaps alluding to the post-9/11 comments that got him fired from his old job at ABC. Ted Cruz is pretty clever, he added, but he walked right into that trap.

Reed was the only one on the panel willing to defend Cruz, insisting he didnt mean anything untoward with his insinuations about New Yorkers. Instead, he said Cruz was just trying to remind Iowans that, unlike Trump, he is one of them.

I always thought Ted Cruz had the most punchable face, until I saw the State of the Union and Paul Ryan, sitting behind President Obama, pouting like a bitch, Maher said, shifting gears from one of the weeks big events to the other. The speaker didnt even applaud fur curing cancer. He pointed out the Nancy Pelosi applauded for George W. Bush 33 times in his final address, because shes not a dick.

In the second half of the show, Maher welcomed John Krasinski, who stars in Michael Bays new Benghazi movie 13 Hours and told the host it was his desire the tell the story of what happened before politics got involved that made him want to do the film. It was insane and things were changing very, very fast, he said of the situation on the ground, suggesting that you cannot blame any one person  i.e., Hillary Clinton  for the things that went wrong.

The Benghazi discussion led directly to the sexual assault incidents in Cologne, Germany and the Syrian refugees who have entered Europe, a migration Maher confirmed he is against. The host called the idea that Muslim men can fit into European society a fantasy. But on the other hand, he does believe Trump was wrong to propose a ban on all Muslim immigrants into the U.S.

This is the one issue Democrats are going to lose the election on, Maher said. Choosing between demagogue Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton, who wont even say the words Islamic terrorism.

Before wrapping up the show, Maher gave West a chance to praise the love train that is the Bernie Sanders campaign. He said Clinton is smart and all, but the word integrity is not the first thing that comes to mind when we hear her name.

For his final New Rule, Maher turned the focus inward, telling viewers that in just five short days, he will turn 60 years old. On this occasion, for the first time, the host made a request of his audience.

Before he leaves office, I want to get President Obama on this show, Maher said, especially since hes done virtually every other show in the universe everything but ultimate fighting and amateur porn. Someone is a little jealous of Marc Maron and Zach Galifianakis.

If Sean Penn can get an interview with El Chapo, Maher said, he deserves an audience with Obama.

What is it? Is it that Im a pothead? Maher asked. Or maybe its because hes an atheist. For his big 6-0, the host challenged his viewers to get on the White Houses We the People petition website and force Obama to come on his show before the year is over.

After all, he did give the president $1 million.
With cold and flu season fully upon us, its hard to go anywhere these days without hearing a cacophony of chest-rattling coughs and sinus-clearing sneezes. (Gesundheit, people.)

And while most under-the-weather folks turn to over-the-counter drugs, various vitamins, endless cups of tea, and steaming bowls of chicken soup to feel better, it wasnt that long ago that a glass of rock and rye was considered an effective cure-all.

The old-timey concoction isnt just a clever name. Anchored by a rye whiskey base (the rye), it is sweetened with a bit of crystalized rock-candy sugar (the rock) and fruit. (Sound familiar? Its very similar to an Old Fashioned cocktail, which adds a few dashes of bitters and ice.)

Some people believe the origin of the elixir may date back to when bartenders offered rough rye whiskey with a bit of rock candy, which customers would add to the spirit until it was palatable enough to drink.

But though we may not know rock and ryes exact origin, we do know that it was first sold as a medicine and not as a recreational drink. Many brands touted their restorative claims proudly on marketing material, including Lawrence and Martins Tolu, which billed its rock and rye as a cure for coughs, cold, consumption, and all diseases of the throat and lungs.

In my boyhood days in the country this was a favorite cough and cold remedy, wrote David Embury in the 1958 third edition of The Fine Art of Mixing Drinks, even with those who frowned on liquor as the devils broth.

Using whiskey and whiskey-based drinks as a cure was actually a pretty standard practice in the 1800s. So much so that, according to a piece titled Curing a Cold: The Shortest and Surest Way by Which it Can be Done that ran in The New York Times on Feb. 11, 1896, Every experienced physician knows that pure malt whiskey is natures great remedy for stimulating the vital forces and building up the health.

The popularity of rock and rye lasted for decades. Before, during, and after Prohibition, enough temperance advocates made allowances for booze-heavy tonics and bitters that their prevalence in ostensibly dry houses became a running joke, wrote Matthew Rowley in his fascinating new book Lost Recipes of Prohibition: Notes from a Bootleggers Manual. While a slug of plain whiskey would almost surely have been met with tightly pursed lips, who could argue that rock candy sugar and fruit wouldnt be wholesome additions?

Theres even a recipe for a cocktail version in The Savoy Cocktail Book, Harry Craddocks legendary art deco masterpiece from 1930, which calls for rye whiskey or Canadian Club, a piece of rock candy and the juice of a lemon that can be added if desired.

But, like countless other cocktails and medicinal tonics that have come and gone, rock and rye slipped into mixological obscurity. Along with rye whiskey in general, it largely disappeared from liquor store shelves and bar menus.

Drinkers developed a taste for smoother whiskies and, ultimately, clear spirits like vodka. The sick turned to powerful decongestants and vaccines to deal with their ailments. The only drink a bartender might have prescribed to a sniffling, sneezing patron was a watery Hot Toddy.

Fortunately, two boutique spirits companies have recently introduced their own delicious spins on rock and rye. (Dont worry about either being overly sweet: The sugar and the fruit work together to soften and round out the whiskey.)

Entrepreneur Rob Cooper, who created St-Germain Elderflower Liqueur (that ubiquitous craft cocktail bar ingredient) and later sold it to Bacardi, introduced Hochstadters Slow & Low Rock & Rye back in 2012.

He recently started selling a 100-proof version ($35) that is made with 8-year-old straight rye whiskey and flavored with raw honey, dried navel orange peels, and a pinch of cane rock candy. (It also contains bitters, which makes it essentially a bottled Old Fashioned.)

And in late 2014, the New York Distilling Company, based in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, rolled out Mister Katzs Rock & Rye ($25), which uses its own rye whiskey and is flavored with dried orange peels, cinnamon bark, bing cherries, and some rock candy. At a drinkable 65 proof, it works well as an aperitif when sipped on the rocks.

The cocktail version of rock and rye is also popping up. Jim Meehans acclaimed PDT Cocktail Book features a version from bartender Lydia Reissmueller called the Rack & Rye, which calls for Wild Turkey Russells Reserve 6-Year-Old Rye, van Oosten Batavia Arrack, Demerara syrup, and both Angostura Bitters and Angostura Orange Bitters.

While doctors generally no longer believe in the ability of a stiff drink to fight colds and flus, I, for one, have not given up hope. After all, Id rather have a shot of rock and rye than a flu shot any day.
Perpetually offended students have notched another winthis time at Ithaca College in New York, where President Tom Rochon was forced into early retirement due to his perceived mishandling of racial slights. Once again, the aggrieved mobs on campuses have flexed their muscle, proving how dangerous it is to disagree with them.

Rochons ouster closely resembles the resignations of President Tim Wolfe and Chancellor R. Bowen Loftin at the University of Missouri several weeks ago. Like Wolfe and Bowen, Rochon was accused of failing to prevent instances of racial harassment that no administrator could have forestalled. Indeed, Rochons alleged shortcomings seem even less compelling than those of Mizzou leadership, given the whiny nature of students complaints.

Media coverage of Rochons resignation implies that Ithaca was beset by a series of escalating racist incidents on campus, but in reality, there were just two such grievances. Neither stands up to scrutiny, and neither suggest that Rochons refusal to intervene was a removable offense.

In October, Ithaca hosted an alumni panel discussion on the topic of improving the colleges educational experience for students. One panelist, 09 alum Tatiani Sy, a black woman, described herself as possessing a savage hunger. Another panelist, 76 alum Christopher Burchan older white manpraised Sys comment and then began referring to her as the savage.

Its clear from video footage of the exchange that Burch was not using the word disparagingly: in his mind, he had given her a complimentary nickname. This was remarkably poor judgment on his part, to be sure, and after he realized his word choice had been interpreted maliciously, he profusely apologized.

Far from failing to address the non-issue, Rochon released a statement of apology as well:

Immediately following the event, I (Tom Rochon) apologized to the alumna to whom the comments were addressed. We regret that what was intended to be a visionary moment for our community was diminished by insensitive comments.

In general, the college cannot prevent the use of hurtful language on campus. Such language, intentional or unintentional, exists in the world and will seep into our community. We cant promise that the college will never host a speaker who could say something racist, homophobic, misogynistic, or otherwise disrespectful. Even so, we reaffirm our commitment to making our campus an inclusive and respectful community.

The fact that these entirely reasonable, well-justified sentiments provoked an outcry from students who thought Rochon was neglecting their feelings is a testament to just how far the Overton window has shifted in favor of the microaggressed masses on college campuses.

Rochon bears even less responsibility for the other racial incident: a Preps and Crooks theme party hosted by the Alpha Epsilon Pi fraternity. According to The Ithacan, the proper attire for crooks was described as 90s thuggish style come wearing a bandana, baggy sweats and a T-shirt, snapback, and any bling you can find. Students found this description problematic, and Ithaca Vice President Benjamin Rifkin swiftly condemned its destructive impact.

Students have every right to be upset about the party themealthough they are truly privileged people if this is the most vexing thing in their livesbut other students have every right to throw costume parties that dont quite meet offended persons expectations. Similarly, the campus administration should feel free to condemn inappropriate behavior, but has no business preventing it. College students are adults and should be allowed to party as they please, without fear of institutional sanction.

In any case, Rochon eventually decided to hire a chief diversity officer, according to NPR, and humor his angry students as best he could. But this wasnt enough for them. Its doubtful anything would have been.

In November, three-quarters of participating students voted no confidence in Rochons leadership. A whopping 78 percent of the faculty did the same. Those are stunning numbersan overwhelming majority of the Ithaca community thinks its president was doing a bad job. But given that they can cite no tangible reasons beyond the several instances of alleged racial insensitivity, we are forced to confront the plan truth: Ithaca is not a safe-space for the thinnest traces of dissent from organized political correctness.

Rochon isnt stepping down anytime soonhis resignation isnt effective until July 1, 2017which means he will still be dealing with unruly students and professors for quite some time. Hopefully, it will be possible for him to listen to students concernsand defend their absolute right to make such concerns publicwhile still carving out a space for everyone else to say and do imperfect things without getting run off campus.

In any case, its time to start taking student protesters seriously. Frustrated students clearly have tremendous power to bend universities to their will. Everyone who doesnt want to see college campuses transformed into zones of coddling where language is policed and expression strictly regulated by administratorsat the behest of left-wing activistsshould denounce the protesters for fixating on trivial issues instead of fundamentally larger inequalities in higher education.

Just imagine what might happen if hyper-offended students cared half as much about the out-of-control cost of attending Ithaca College as they did about what their neighbors were wearing to frat parties. Tuition at the private liberal arts institution is nearly $40,000 a yearwhy are students so content to pay for the privilege of oppressing each other?
Washington Post reporter Jason Rezaian has been released from an Iranian prison along with three other U.S. citizens in a prisoner swap with Iran, a U.S. official has confirmed to The Daily Beast. The release was part of a prisoner swap which included seven Iranians held on sanctions charges. A year of secret negotiations led to Saturday's deal. All four finally left Tehran after a delay due to logistical issues. The released prisoners will be flown to Switzerland, then to Germany for medical attention.

The 39-year-old RezaianThe Posts Tehran bureau chief who was arrested in July 2014, charged on a bogus accusation of espionage, subjected to a secret trial and handed a vague years-long sentencewas freed with former U.S. Marine Amir Hekmati, pastor Saeed Abebdni and a fourth prisoner, Nosratollah Khosrawi. Like the California-born Rezaian, the son of an American mother and an Iranian-immigrant father, they all hold dual American-Iranian citizenship, The Post reported. A fifth U.S. citizen, the student Matthew Trevithick, has been released and was allowed to leave Tehran.

A U.S. official told The Daily Beast that the Americans will be flown aboard a Swiss aircraft from Iran to Geneva, accompanied by Giulio Haas, Switzerland's ambassador to Iran. It was not yet clear when the Americans would return to the United States. Jason's Iranian-born wife Yeganeh, a fellow journalist who was also arrested and imprisoned for three months, was expected to accompany him out of the country, according to CNN.

In a statement to The Daily Beast, a U.S. official said, Through a diplomatic channel that was established with the focus of getting our detained U.S. citizens home, we can confirm Iran has released from imprisonment four Americans detained in Iran ... Iran has also committed to continue cooperating with the United States to determine the whereabouts of Robert Levinson. We offered clemency to seven Iranians, six of whom are dual U.S.-Iranian citizens, who had been convicted or are pending trial in the United States. The United States also removed any Interpol red notices and dismissed any charges against 14 Iranians for whom it was assessed that extradition requests were unlikely to be successful.

Fars reported that the four freed Americanswho did not include Siamak Namazi, despite stories naming him in Persian and Western mediawere released in a deal calling for the United States to release seven unnamed Iranian-Americans being held on alleged sanctions violations, and demand that the international law enforcement agency Interpol cease prosecution of 14 other other unidentified Iranian nationals. Their release was pursued in parallel with the nuclear deal. It began roughly 14 months ago, "in periods of fits and starts," one of the officials said.

A source with knowledge of the exchange, who asked not to be identified because the process is still being carried out, told The Daily Beast that most, if not all, of the people in U.S. custody will be returning to Iran. Not all of them have yet been released from prison but are likely to be freed by Monday or Tuesday, this person said. An attorney for one Iranian-American accused of violating sanctions, Bahram Mechanic, told The Daily Beast that he had been pardoned by President Obama. Separately, Reuters reported that two others, Tooraj Faridi, and Khosrow Afghahi, also had been pardoned and that the U.S. would drop charges or commute the sentences in five other men's cases. The prisoner exchange is a "one time only kind of arrangement," a senior administration official explained reporters.

On behalf of the family, Jasons brother, Ali Rezaian, said in a statement: I am incredibly relieved that Jason is on his way home. He is a talented journalist, who was simply doing his job fairly, accurately and lawfully. Jason is a loving brother, son and devoted husband, whose life was unfairly interrupted when he was arrested for crimes he did not commit. After nearly a year and a half of arbitrary delays, and an unfair, opaque judicial process, Jasons release has brought indescribable relief and joy to our family  this nightmare is approaching an end. We are also overjoyed to hear that other Americans being held in Iran also will soon be reunited with their families. Today is an incredible day for all of us.

"Friends and colleagues at The Washington Post are elated by the wonderful news that Jason Rezaian has been released from Evin Prison and has safely left the country with his wife, Yeganeh Salehi. We are relieved that this 545-day nightmare for Jason and his family is finally over," Frederick J. Ryan, Jr., publisher of The Washington Post, said in a statement.

The family of former Marine Hekmati, during a visit to Washington last week to focus attention on his case, told The Daily Beast that theyd been concerned about his name fading from headlines and that Hekmati could linger in prison.

"Our country has a service they owe Amir,", his brother-in-law Ramy Kurdi said. The family had recently been allowed phone calls with Hekmati, and he was believed to be getting medical treatment for a health condition. But there was no indication that his release was imminent.

Hekmati's family were in Washington as the guest of Rep. Dan Kildee of Michigan, who last year had kept his seat vacant during the State of the Union address to symbolize Hekmati's continued absence from his family.

"It's important to say his name," Kildee told The Daily Beast,

Hekmati's sister, Sarah, was optimistic and said the family would "redouble our efforts" in the coming months.

If today's reports are accurate, their hard work paid off sooner than expected.

The reported releasejust days after Iran released 10 U.S. sailors who were detailed for nearly a day after their vessels inadvertently wandered into Iranian waterscomes as implementation of the multi-lateral nuclear deal, for which Secretary of State John Kerry spent long hours in Europe negotiating with Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif, could be announced as early as Sunday.

It was by no means clear if the timing of reported prisoner swap and Implementation Day were related. The controversial agreement, proudly touted by President Obama in his State of the Union address on Tuesday, calls for Iran to cease developing a nuclear weapon for more than a decade and for international sanctions to be lifted on that country.

Last week, Iran removed the core of its Arak nuclear reactor, eliminating its ability to produce bomb-grade plutonium. United Nations inspectors arrived Thursday to verify that Iran has accomplished the removal.

Nancy Youssef contributed to this report from Washington.
With Jurassic World having grossed $1.7 billion this year, dinosaurs continue to fascinate and terrify us. Theres something so otherworldly, so monstrous, so mysterious about them. There they sit, or stand, dominating our natural history museums. Their gargantuan size and sharp features provide unnerving testimony to the different earthly realities millions of years ago. Their fossilized remnants offer compelling evidence that they are real. Their skeletons deliver reassuring proof they are dead.

All these beasts had to be discovered, recovered, reconstructed. Additionally, our obsession had to be nurtured. In many ways, one individual, the aptly-named Barnum Brown, is responsible for finding some of the greatest dinosaur discoveries and fueling our fascination with them.

Brown, who indeed was named after the great showman, was born in frontier Kansas in 1873. The parental impasse over what to name the young lad ended after a few days when P.T. Barnums dazzling circus visited. There must be something in a name, Brown, who had his own genius for self-promotion would say, for I have always been in the business of running a fossil menagerie.

His upbringing on Americas hardscrabble plains, combined with his future career shuttling between exotic, godforsaken fossil-laden locations and New Yorks Museum of Natural History, made Barnum Brown a remarkable transition figure. Living nine decades until 1963, he synthesized the nineteenth centurys cowboy code with the twentieth centurys scientific and media mores. One part Indian Jones-like intrepid explorer, one part Stephen Hawkings-like academic supersnova, Brown would become the most successful field paleontologist in history, according to his biographers Lowell Dingus and Mark Norell. His most famous find became one of the worlds most iconic museum exhibits, the New York Museum of Natural Historys towering, terrifying, entrancing, Tyrannosaurus Rex. When he died, the New York Times obituary christened him Father of the dinosaurs.

As a Kansas pioneer during the pre-Civil War 1850s, Browns father saw farmers caught between the warring forces over whether Kansas should be a free state or a slave state. Preferring to be a moving target, he transported goods around the area in covered wagons. Later, the fathers crude strip-mining operation uncovered an underground universe of lost treasures. The younger Barnum would recall that the family business unearthed vast numbers and varieties of seashells, crinoid stems and parts, corals. He followed the plows and scrapers, and obtained such a large collection that it filled all of the bureau drawers and boxes until one could scarcely move. Finally Mother compelled me to move the collection into the laundry house.

Someone that obsessed, who charmed New Yorks elite, effete Upper West Siders when he returned from his remote, sun-baked dry beds yielding ancient mysteries under layers of rock and dirt, was bound to be complicated. His first wife died of scarlet fever shortly after childbirth. The distraught Brown left their daughter to be raised by her grandparents. Brown remarried but, even in those more discrete times, was known as a cad. His second wife Lilian Brown got the last laugh, with a passive-aggressive, neglected-wife-of-a-workaholic memoir: I Married a Dinosaur.

Of course, Lilian probably wished her wandering husband was a bit more old-fashioned. From the time he started hunting fossils while studying at the University of Kansas in 1894, Brown demonstrated a knack for the work and for commandeering attention. His professor, the paleontologist Samuel Wendell Williston would call Brown the best man in the field that I ever had. He is very energetic, has great powers of endurance, walking thirty miles a day without fatigue, is very methodical in all his habits, and thoroughly honest. In 1895, the two found a Triceratops skull in Wyoming. Williston helped place his protege at the Museum of Natural History in New York, which at the time did not display one dinosaur. Brown only earned his B.A. a decade later.

Thus began a 66-year-career that yielded tons of fossils, including more than 32 specimens displayed at the Museum todayand boxes not yet processed there half a century after his death. Living life like a movie script, Brown survived shipwrecks in Patagonia, spy adventures in Turkey, malaria in Burma, and the wrath of jilted lovers worldwide. He consulted for oil companies, advising where to drill as he sought sites to excavate. His relationship with the Sinclair Oil Company proved particularly lucrative for him and for the company, whose logo still has a green Diplodocus dinosaur. He conveyed critical geological information to the government, even helping to plan invasions during World War II in areas he had explored. And he became a pop star, mobbed by fans wherever he toured, consulting with Walt Disney during the filming of Fantasias dinosaur sequence, and hosting his own CBS radio show.

Through it all, Mr. Bones, as he was known, kept digging and collecting, obsessed with what he called his children, his finds. Newspapers in less politically correct times enjoyed sensationalizing his discoveries of these prehistoric monsters, these beasts, found sometimes in primeval ooze.

Barnum described his greatest find, in Hell Creek, Montana, in 1902 (supplemented by more in 1908), with surprising understatement, writing: Quarry No. 1 contains the femur, pubes, humerus, three vertebrae and two undetermined bones of a large Carnivorous Dinosaur not described by Marsh I have never seen anything like it from the Cretaceous. These bones are imbedded in flint-like sandstone concretions and require a great deal of labor to extract.

This large Carnivorous Dinosaur was the dreaded Tyrannosaurus rex, King of the tyrant lizards. Eventually, it would take 16 teams to haul the booty, with the iconic skull of the 40 foot long, 22 foot high creature weighing 4000 pounds alone.

Clearly, Barnum Brown tapped into a primal fear and fascination. When he was younger my son Aviv loved playing with these creatures because they werent real, even though he learned they were. Young and old alike still enjoy being terrified by imagining our modern world dominated by these monsters who once lived next door. At the same time, Browns cinematic life shows that despite the celebrity cultures idiocy, despite the rigor academia demands, a touch of showmanship, colorful interpreters, can bring alive scholarship. Its fashionable to disdain such globe-trotting, publicity-hungry, academics as superficial. But we need to thank egomaniacs like Barnum Brown for helping open otherwise obscure worlds to the rest of us.

Gil Troy is a historian and the author of a new book, The Age of Clinton: America in the 1990s.
He was traveling across Hiroshima on a public tram when he heard the droning sound of an aircraft engine in the skies above.

Tsutomu Yamaguchi thought nothing of it. After all, it was wartime and planes were forever passing above the city. He was unaware that the engines belonged to the U.S. bomber Enola Gay, and that it was just seconds away from dropping a 13 kiloton uranium atomic bomb on the city.

As the plane approached its target at 8:15 a.m. on Aug. 6, 1945, Yamaguchi had just stepped off the tram. He glanced at the sky and noticed a bomber passing overheard. He also saw two small parachutes. And then, quite without warning, all hell broke loose.

[There was] a great flash in the sky and I was blown over. The massive nuclear warhead had exploded less than three kilometers from the spot where he was standing.

The bomb was detonated at 600 meters above Hiroshima. As Yamaguchi swung his gaze upwards, he saw a vast mushroom-shaped pillar of fire rising high into the sky. Seconds later, he passed out. The blast caused his eardrums to rupture and the flash of light left him temporarily blinded.

The heat of the explosion was such that it left him with serious burns over the left side of his body. When he eventually regained consciousness, he crawled to a shelter and tried to make sense of what had happened. Fortunately, he stumbled across three colleagues who had also survived. All were young engineers working for the shipbuilder Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. They had been unlucky enough to be sent to Hiroshima on the very day of the bombing.

They spent the night together in an air-raid shelter, nursing their burns and wounds. Then, on the following morning, they ventured out of their shelter and picked their way through the charred and molten ruins. As they went to the nearest functioning railway station they passed piles of burnt and dying bodies. Their aim was to catch one of the few working trains back to their hometown of Nagasaki, some 200 miles away.

Yamaguchi was in a poor state and went to have his wounds bandaged as soon as he reached Nagasaki. But by Aug. 9, after just two days of convalescence, he felt well enough to struggle into work.

His boss and his co-workers listened in horrified amazement as he described the unbelievable destruction that a single bomb had managed to cause. He told them how the explosion had melted metal and evaporated entire parts of the city. His boss, Sam, simply didnt believe him.

Youre an engineer, he barked. Calculate it. How could one bomb destroy a whole city?

At the exact moment he said these words11:02 a.m.there was a blinding white flash that penetrated to the heart of the room. Yamaguchis tender skin was once again pricked with heat and he crashed to the ground. I thought that the mushroom cloud followed me from Hiroshima, he said later.

The U.S. Air Force had dropped their second nuclear warheadFat Mannamed after Winston Churchill. It was much larger than the Hiroshima device, a 25 kiloton plutonium bomb that exploded in the bowl of the valley where Nagasaki is situated.

The destruction was more confined but even more intense than at Hiroshima. Some 74,000 were killed and a similar number injured.

Yamaguchi, his wife, and his baby son managed to survive and spent much of the following week in an air-raid shelter near what was left of their home. Five days later, they heard the news that Emperor Hirohito had announced Japans surrender.

Yamaguchis survival of both nuclear explosions was little short of miraculous. Yet it was later discovered that he was one of 160 people known to have lived through both bombings.

In 1957, he was recognized as a hibakusha or explosion-affected person. But it was not until 2009 that he was officially allowed to describe himself as an eniijuu hibakusha or double bomb survivor.

The effects of the double bombings left its scars, both mental and physical. Yamaguchi lost the hearing in his left ear as a result of the Hiroshima explosion. He also lost his hair temporarily. His daughter would later recall that he was swathed in bandages until she reached the age of 12.

Yamaguchi became an outspoken opponent of nuclear weapons until he was well advanced in years, at which point he began to suffer from the long-term effects of the exposure to radiation. His wife developed liver and kidney cancer in 2008 and died soon after. Yamaguchi himself developed acute leukemia and died in 2010 at the age of 93. His longevity was extraordinary, as he knew only too well. He viewed his long life as a path planted by God.

It was my destiny that I experienced this twice and I am still alive to convey what happened, he said towards the end of his life.

This article is excerpted from Giles Miltons When Hitler Took Cocaine and Lenin Lost His Brain: Historys Unknown Chapters and is reprinted with the permission of the publisher, Picador.
The tax police of the State Fiscal Service jointly with the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) have revealed illegal wine production in Odesa region organized by a foreigner, Deputy Head of the State Fiscal Service Serhiy Bilan has said.

"During the Excise-2016 operation it was established that a foreigner organized production of alcohol using large-batch equipment without any permits," Bilan wrote on his Facebook page.

The foreigner used own wine materials, presses and reservoirs of 600 and 1,000 liters, bottled wine without excise labels. The person sold wine, including online.

Tax police and SBU officers seized 6,900 bottles of wine of over 4,800 liters, 20,000 liters of wine materials worth over UAH 9 million and equipment to produce alcohol worth UAH 300,000.

Journalist Pavel Sheremet wrote in his blog in the Ukrainska Pravda that the tax police conducted a search in the house of French Christophe Lacarin who resides in Shabo village with his family. The Frenchman has been living in Ukraine for 10 years, he is trying to grow grapes and make own wine.

The journalist wrote that a young couple came to Lacarin who is famous of his hospitality, they tasted wine and the young woman persuaded the Frenchman to sell four bottles to them.

"Cars with masked submachine gunners flew into the house  turmoil, screams. Lacarin and his wife were put against the wall with hands behinds their backs as they usually behave with criminals. "Epic" seizure of an extremely dangerous family!" the journalist wrote.

Sheremet said that Lacarin has been trying to receive a license for wine production for several years, but it was a failure  this business is monopolized by several large groups and it is not developed in the country: 17 or 19 Ukrainian plants have licenses for own wine production, around 50 companies officially sell all types of Ukrainian alcohol and the rest of the producers are outside the law.

"I can remind that only in France there are over 40,000 (!!!) wine producers, and there are even more of them in Spain," Sheremet said.

The journalist said that the case with Lacarin is the second in the recent period: in December the tax police officers came to Yevhen Shneideris, the owner and director of Beykush wine house and arrested his products and equipment.

"Now the tax police are conducting the Excise-2016 operation and they are to report on their success every day. They are afraid of attacking the vodka mafia and large wine players. They take out on enthusiasts and romantics," he wrote.

Sheremet said that several workshops that bottle counterfeit wine in large volumes are operating near Lacarin.

"However, weve never heard that the police closed at least one workshop in Shabo. It is dangerous to come to these "winemakers," the journalist said.

The chief department of the State Fiscal Service in Odesa region reported on Saturday that in the past 10 years Lacarin did not submit any application to receive the license. The State Fiscal Service said that the license is issued if the production certificate, the laboratory certificate, documents confirming ownership or leasing rights to premises and equipment and expert conclusions on the assigning of foreign trade codes of the Ukrainian classification are submitted.
Within this cluster of concern about water governance and claims to protect the environment of the 4,880 kms long Mekong, there is a grand silence that greets the rapid decline of the region's longest river and the launch of another dam.

Kim Geheb Mekong region coordinator for the WLE - a research programme for Water, Land and Ecosystems argues the case for 'sustainable hydropower' and trade-offs.

"We all enjoy the benefits that come with electric lighting, household appliances", says Kim Geheb, WLE. "But how do we do this without affecting food production and the health of the environment? How do we ensure that rapid, large-scale dam development is fair and equitable? Answers to these questions are at the heart of what constitutes a 'good' dam."

Disastrous record, and the future looks even worse

The six dams built so far on the Mekong in China, and the two now being built on the Lower Mekong in Laos do not appear to fulfil any obvious criteria for the sustainability principle of what constitutes a 'good dam.'

The Xayaburi and the Don Sahong dams along the Mekong are neither fair nor equitable, for the overwhelming majority of poor farming communities living downstream from these dams. These two dams both lack credible environmental impact assessments (EIAs), have failed to provide any trans-boundary studies, and have been launched in defiance of wide-ranging protest and riparian objections.

Latest data published by Catch and Culture MRC's fisheries publication shows that threat posed to the Mekong also has hidden economic costs that result from the damming of the Mekong, which hosts the world's largest inland fisheries valued at $11 billion.

Estimated fisheries contributed $2.8 billion to Cambodia's economy in 2015. That's a big part of Cambodia 's $16.71 billion GDP. These are figures for wild-capture fisheries directly under threat from hydro-electric dams.

Studies have shown that the projected loss of fisheries, crops and biodiversity caused by dams will result in a staggeringly high deficit, compared to the modest benefits from increased energy and electricity. The 2015 study calculates the Mekong net loss at minus $2.4 billion ( for 6 dams) and up to -21.8 $billion ( for 11 dams).

Even in economic terms it does not make good sense to build more large dams in a river blessed by such amazing ecological wealth.

The 'anticipated mitigation' game - who are they fooling?



Sustainable hydropower and its concern to minimise harm to the environment relies heavily on mitigation technology, and especially such devices as fish passage, fish ladders and even so-called 'fish-friendly' turbines.

Christy Owen, party leader of the MPE environmental partnership explained at a recent forum: "This work can help ensure that new development projects meet the needs of business, while minimizing harm to local communities and the environment."

Her statement assumes that no matter the high stakes, and the calamitous effects of 'bad dams', dams are automatically destined to go ahead after a measure of mitigation and refinement

Fish mitigation technology has mostly been applied and tested in northern climes - the rivers of North America, and parts of northern Europe. Importing this technology to the Mekong and other tropical rivers teeming with a vastly greater variety of fish species than in the rivers of colder countries, is seen by most fisheries experts as highly risky at best.

Hydropower consultant working with WWF Dr Jian-Hua Meng views the mitigation carried out by Swiss consultants on the Xayaburi dam as a huge gamble with the river's natural resources. "They are playing roulette with the livelihoods of over 60 million people. It would not be acceptable in Europe, so why is it different in Asia?"

The mitigation team employed by Mega-First, the Malaysia the developer of the Don Sahong dam, has been trying to construct a fish diversion plan to widen and deepen two much smaller channels than the Sahong channel. However the MRC panel of experts found no evidence that this engineering project would work.

Mekong specialist Dr Philip Hirsch, based at University of Sydney, commented: "After 30 years of studying dam impacts, I have yet to come across one, [dam] whose impacts have been well-mitigated. Let's start with dams that are already there, before using 'anticipated mitigation' as a pretext for going ahead with new projects."

The evidence is clear: there is nothing sustainable about large dams

A widely cited Oxford University study, published in the journal Energy Policy in March 2014, reviewed data from 245 large dams in 65 different countries, and concluded that large dams in general are not sustainable.

As the authors wrote in a statement attached to the study: "The evidence is conclusive: Large dams in a vast majority of cases are not economically viable. Instead of obtaining hoped-for riches, emerging economies risk drowning their fragile economies in debt owing to ill-advised construction of large dams."

The global governance debate has clearly shifted business towards paying more attention to environmental protection issues, but not enough to get Thai, Malaysian and Chinese companies to rethink their on-going strategy for damming the Mekong regardless of the consequences.

From his decades of research in the Mekong region Dr Philip Hirsch concludes: "The impacts of some dams are just too great to mitigate." The Oxford research makes it crystal clear that large dams should not go ahead, he adds.

As Thai environmentalists say: those who offer only unproven mitigation to the 60 million people who depend on a healthy free-flowing Mekong for their food security and livelihood, are selling them short, and abetting a human and ecological catastrophe.

Tom Fawthrop is a freelance journalist working in Southeast Asia.

Petition: 'Save the Mekong River- 60 Million people & 78 dolphins!' - hosted by Avaaz.

More information: Save the Mekong campaign.

Also on The Ecologist:
Coalminers in Chervonohrad (Lviv region) have decided to continue their strike demanding to pay wage arrears, and the leader of the trade union was questioned by police officers, Chairman of the Independent Trade Union of Coalminers of Ukraine Mykhailo Volynets has said.

"On January 15 and January 16, coalminers of Stepova Mine secretly voted. Miners have decided to continue the strike until the wage arrears are paid in full," Volynets wrote on his Facebook page on Saturday.

He also said that member of the trade union of coalminers (the old trade union, Volynets said) voted non-confidence to the chair of the trade union committee, as some coalminers become members of the Independent Trade Union of Coalminers.

Volynets said that on January 13, 2016 an investigator of the police in Chervonohrad questioned the chairman of the primary organization of the Independent Trade Union of Coalminers of the Stepova Mine, Vitaliy Onizhuk, regarding the blocking of the Lviv-Rava-Ruska highway by coalmines.

"This is evidence that the police in Lviv region presented untrue information to journalists saying that the criminal case against blocking roads by coalminers was not opened," Volynets said.

He said that the Independent Trade Union of Coalminers of Ukraine from time to time informs international organizations, including the International Labour Organization (ILO) and International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) on the situation in the Ukrainian energy and fuel complex and the situation with workers of the sector.

As reported, on January 12 through January 15 coalminers of Lvivvuhillia blocked the Lviv-Zhovkva-Rava-Ruska highway to protest, as wages have not been paid for November 2015.

According to Volynets, the debt to the Lvivvuhillia's coalminers for November 2015 is UAH 58.2 million.

Acting Director of Lvivvuhillia Andriy Diachenko said that on January 13, 2016, Lvivvuhillia received UAH 20 million provided by the Cabinet of Ministers to pay wages to coalminers.

However, he said that around 20% of miners of the Stepova Mine continue the strike. The rest of the coalminers are working in line with the schedules. Lvivvuhillia incorporates six coalmines.
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By Keith Ridler Associated Press

BURNS, Ore. (AP)  Authorities arrested a man they said was driving a government vehicle stolen from a wildlife refuge being occupied by an armed group protesting federal land policies as the standoff in Oregon's high desert hit the two-week mark.

Kenneth Medenbach, 62, of Crescent, was arrested by Oregon State Police at a grocery store in Burns for investigation of unauthorized use of a motor vehicle. It was unclear if he has a lawyer. Medenbach is already facing charges in U.S. District Court in Medford after authorities said he illegally camped on federal land between May and November last year, according to federal court records.

Authorities also say they recovered a second stolen vehicle from the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge but provided no other details. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service previously reported the vehicles had been stolen.

So far, authorities have not tried to remove the group from the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge. As the situation drags on, people in the local area are growing increasingly weary and wary of the group.

Cement barriers have been erected to block streets around the county courthouse in the small eastern Oregon town of Burns, where police from around the state have set up a command center.

About 30 miles to the south at the refuge, other protesters carrying what appear to be military-style rifles scan the snow-covered rangeland from atop an old fire lookout that gives them a sweeping view of roads leading into the area.

"If we all keep a calm about us everything will be OK," Brenda Pointere said Thursday as she exited a Burns restaurant. "It started out calm, but the longer it goes on  you start to hear rumors."

The occupation started Jan. 2 as a protest over two area ranchers who had been convicted of arson being returned to prison to serve longer sentences.

Afterward, a group led by Ammon Bundy traveled to occupy the refuge to protest the ranchers' return to prison and demand that the 300-square-mile refuge be turned over to local control.

Bundy said he understood the frustration of Harney County residents. "They have been suppressed to the point where they're ready to act," he told The Associated Press on Thursday inside a heated wildlife refuge building while his brother, Ryan, and two women sat nearby.

Burns, nearby Hines and the local area have been in an economic tailspin for decades after the loss of a lumber mill that some blamed on federal restrictions involving timber harvests. Restrictions on other federal lands are a common theme of frustration.

The Bundys had planned a meeting with community members Friday night, but it was in limbo after county officials said they couldn't use the fairgrounds.

Arizona rancher Robert "LaVoy" Finicum, a spokesman for the group, told reporters Friday that protesters were still hopeful the meeting might occur next week, perhaps Monday, if they can find a location. He criticized local officials for "making sure we have no access to facilities to talk to the residents."

The group has said they won't leave until the ranchers jailed for arson are freed and the refuge is turned over to local control.

Locals who agreed to be interviewed were themselves conflicted, expressing anger toward federal land policies but bothered by the armed takeover. "I don't agree with anything they're doing right now," Ben McCanna said about the occupiers at the refuge.

But McCanna, 54, also said the ranchers' return to prison was wrong, and that he was irked that the U.S. Forest Service closed off access to one of his favorite camping spots in nearby Malheur National Forest.

Also Friday, the chairwoman of the Burns Paiute Tribe asked federal officials to bring criminal charges if any ancient artifacts are damaged or missing from the refuge currently occupied by the group.

Thousands of ancient artifacts and maps to prehistoric sites are kept at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge. Tribe Chairwoman Charlotte Rodrique sent a letter to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service urging federal prosecution, if warranted.

Ryan Bundy has said the group isn't interested in the artifacts, but it wants the refuge land opened to ranchers and loggers.

Caption 1:

The Malheur National Wildlife Refuge near Burns, Ore., is seen from atop an old fire lookout on Friday, Jan. 15, 2016. A small, armed group has been occupying the refuge since Jan. 2 to protest federal land use policies. (AP Photo/Keith Ridler)

Caption 2:

A man gets into a truck at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge near Burns, Ore., Friday, Jan. 15, 2016. The group that has been occupying the refuge since Jan. 2 has been calling it the Harney county Resource Center. (AP Photo/Keith Ridler)

Caption 3:

A police vehicle drives through a downtown street in Burns, Oregon, Friday, Jan. 15, 2016. As a standoff at a nearby Oregon wildlife refuge hits the two-week mark, local residents are growing increasingly weary and wary. (AP Photo/Keith Ridler)

Caption 4:

Ammon Bundy speaks to reporters at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in Burns, Ore., on Thursday, Jan. 14, 2016. Bundy is the leader of a small, armed group that has been occupying the remote refuge in Oregon since Jan. 2 to protest federal land policies. (AP Photo/Keith Ridler)

Caption 5:

FILE  In this Monday, Jan. 4, 2016 file photo, Members of the group occupying the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge headquarters stand guard near Burns, Ore. Thousands of archeological artifacts and maps detailing where more can be found are stored at a national wildlife refuge currently being held by a group of armed protesters. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer, File)
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It's disappointing that Gov. Matt Bevin felt compelled to follow through on an illogical position that he staked out early in his campaign, based on limited knowledge.

Bevin's decision to move forward with dismantling Kynect, Kentucky's much-praised health insurance exchange, flies in the face of the classic conservative belief that state control is better than federal control.

The move will frustrate Bevin's goal of enlarging the state's workforce while disrupting the most competitive health-insurance market that individuals and small businesses have probably ever enjoyed in Kentucky  at a time when insurance industry mergers are shrinking competition.

Ending Kynect will be bad for business.

Aside from the political motive of killing a Democratic success, the only practical upside for the Republican governor seems to be freeing up about $28 million in revenue that comes mostly from a fee on state-regulated health insurance policies and reinsurance companies.

The assessment pays for Kynect's operations but was enacted in 2000 to support a high-risk pool for the previously uninsurable. (The high-risk pool never had more than 5,000 participants, while 100,000 have signed up for private, often-subsidized insurance through Kynect.)

Another downside of moving from the state to the federal exchange (Healthcare.gov.) is that more Kentuckians will be uninsured as individuals and small businesses lose the personal assistance that Kynect and its web of kynectors and insurance agents provide.

The cost of more uninsured Kentuckians does not show up as a line on the state budget, so maybe Bevin thinks it's not his problem.

It is a problem for the rest of us. When the uninsured require medical care, providers shift the cost onto others through higher prices.

The whole point of insurance  whether private sector, government or a combination  is to share costs and risks in a rational, humane way.

Bevin seems to think that only the 85,000 Kentuckians who have signed up for insurance through Kynect in the current open enrollment should pay the exchange's operating costs. The fee in the federal exchange is 3.5 percent, which, if Bevin gets his way, will be an added cost to Kentuckians buying insurance through the federal exchange, presumably, on top of the state's 1 percent fee.

But all gain something valuable by supporting the exchange in a small way: the security that our insurance won't be lost if we become sick or are seriously injured.

To launch Kynect in 2014, Kentucky spent $283 million in federal grants, money that will be wasted if Bevin succeeds in killing Kynect.

While still a candidate, Bevin wisely backed away from his vow to repeal the Medicaid expansion, which covers more than 400,000 mostly working-poor Kentuckians. In terms of getting more Kentuckians healthy enough to work, the Medicaid expansion is more important than Kynect.

So, if Bevin just had to kill one of President Barack Obama's health-care reforms, we can be relieved it wasn't the Medicaid expansion, even if he is giving Kentucky the dubious distinction of being the first state to shut down a successful health insurance exchange.

This editorial was written by the Lexington Herald-Leader.
When GE and other major employers warned that onerous taxes and financial instability would make it impossible for them to stay in Connecticut, the states response could be described as novice at best, similar to a minor league player in a World Series game. The governors office made a huge faux pas when they showcased GEs competitors engine in their final pitch to persuade them to stay.

This lack of seriousness was ill-advised. The prospect that GE might leave was continually predicted, and its urgency was apparent to anyone listening to the plain speech of its leadership. Jeffrey Immelt, CEO of GE stated in September: "We want to be in some place where people support job creation, which is attractive to talent, good cost of living, and it is supportive in what a high-tech exporter has to be all about."

Mr. Immelts remarks could fairly be described as the opposite of Connecticuts actual attitude toward business. Over the years, I have seen state leadership enact numerous laws that poisoned the states business climate. Having failed to anticipate the consequences of these policies or the precarious financial conditions they effected, the majority partys response to GEs decision has been too little and come far too late.

Decembers special session was an opportunity to demonstrate Connecticuts seriousness about changing financial course. Sadly, the opportunity was squandered through halfhearted legislation that did little to convince GE and others that the state was determined to follow a more sustainable fiscal and regulatory path.

Companies like GE are not only concerned about legislation that directly affects them, but also the impact of state finances on their employees and the communities in which they live. The policies that large employers find objectionable also hurt small businesses, risking a further loss of jobs in Connecticut and an increase of out migration.

That one of the worlds largest and most prestigious companies has decided to uproot itself from our state is a warning that legislators must take to heart. Either we change Connecticuts attitude toward business, or risk greater losses in the years ahead.

Senate Minority Leader Len Fasano expressed my view accurately when he stated, "GE  confirms that after the largest tax increase in state history in 2011, GE started its plan to leave the state of Connecticut. After the second largest tax increase in June 2015, GE initiated their formal review to look at other options. This is proof positive that the Democrat majoritys fiscal plans are failures. Until we make structural changes to Connecticuts budget, I fear that many more businesses will continue to leave this state. Any other conclusion, spin, or rational demonstrates a complete loss of touch with reality."

The loss of GE must serve as a wake-up call for legislators on both sides of the aisle that profound changes to Connecticuts financial management are no longer merely prudent, but vital to our continued existence as an attractive location for business. A stable and responsibly run company must take the long view of its prospects, and the financial health of its host community cannot but determine whether it continues to do business there. Given the shortsightedness of Connecticuts tax-and-spend policies, we should be dismayed, but not surprised, that GE has decided that its needs would best be served elsewhere.

The effects of GEs move will be felt not only in Fairfield County but throughout the state as the budget suffers the loss of so many high earners, and as GEs employees sell their homes and move to Massachusetts, bringing their wealth, income, and charitable contributions with them.

The time to solve Connecticuts fiscal issues is now, before other employers, large and small, decide to follow GEs lead.

Toni Boucher, a Republican, is the State Senate's Deputy Minority Leader and serves the 26th Senatorial District.
Ukrainian Minister of Foreign Affairs Pavlo Klimkin is visiting Brussels, Belgium, on January 18.

On that day, Klimkin is scheduled to meet with First Vice President of the European Commission Frans Timmermans, Vice-President for Energy Union Maros Sefcovic and Commissioner for Trade Cecilia Malmstrom, according to the EC commissioners' weekly agenda for January 18-24 posted on the EC's official website.

Yet, the announcement says the agenda may be updated during the week.
Around a month ago, 14 people were killed and 21 wounded at the hands of evil terrorists.

Some of the Republican presidential candidates offered prayers in support of the families whose loved ones were killed or wounded. They were criticized by some of the media and there was a front-page ad that said God is not fixing this. Well, prayer is the most powerful resource we have, and God has overcome evil in the life, death and resurrection of his only begotten son, Jesus Christ. But our society has turned away from God and his word to us and turned more to what man thinks is right.

Most religions are allowed to practice their beliefs and ceremonies where, when and how they wish, except the Christians. We have to be ever so careful of what we do and say so we do not offend anyone. If you mistreated the name of Mohammad the same way Jesus name has been, you would be confronted about that right quick.

Jesus said in John 16:2-4, They will put you out of the synagogues, in fact, a time is coming when anyone who kills you will think he is offering a service to God. They will do such things because they have not known the father or me.

He also said in John 14:6, I am the way, the truth, the life. No one comes to the father except through me.

Acts 4:12 says salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.

Jesus said he is coming back, this time in all his power, authority and glory to gather to himself those who know him as Lord and savior. What a glorious day that will be  come, Lord Jesus, come.
BAGHDAD (TIP): Saudi Arabia has reopened its embassy in Baghdad, with its ambassador submitting his credentials at the foreign ministry, after a closure that lasted 25 years. The kingdom had closed the embassy in 1990, []
Though demolition of the newer part of the building that formerly housed Rustys Restaurant was approved by Edwardsvilles Historical Preservation Commission in December, work has come to a standstill.

Speaking at Wednesdays Historical Preservation Commission meeting, Dr. Ed Hightower, Executive Director of the Mannie Jackson Center for the Humanities, said that further studies have caused for a delay in the project at 1201 North Main Street.

Since December, Dr. Dale Chapman has been working really hard on bringing the old Rustys property to some conclusion so that we can move forward with trying to redevelop that area, Hightower said. Over the years, we had heard so much about this wall. We wanted to come before you tonight and share with you that we had to pause after we had planned on tearing that building down. As certainly as we had promised you and the community of maintaining the wall that we thought was there, weve ran into some other difficulties that we have had to go back to the drawing board.

According to an application submitted by the Historical Preservation Commission for landmark status, the foyer, the room to the left of the entrance on the south side of the building and the office at the rear of the building are from the original building. The north wall in the room has exposed brick, which is part of the original building.

The original bricks have been rearranged over the years as the building has changed, but are original and most of the wall area is as originally constructed.

It was approved for landmark status in July, 1997.

Hightower turned the presentation over to Chapman, who is the president at Lewis and Clark Community College.

We brought the (Historical) Preservation Committee and Landmarks Illinois to the site, along with architects, engineers and others to see what the nature of the historical elements are, Chapman said. It turns out that there are a couple of walls in the building, and they are parallel and perpendicular to Main Street. Theres a lot of it intact. Then theres separation, and then there are walls that are back from the street.

The brick walls date back to 1819 and the Pogue Store, which was the first brick building in town and built by Robert Pogue. He bought the lot for $500 in October, 1818.

It once also served as a Land Grant office with Edward Coles and Benjamin Stephenson two of the first men appointed.

Chapman told the commission that the non-historic portion of the building can be removed without damaging anything significant.

The good news we bring you tonight is that theres a consensus that the non-historic part can be razed, and that the part that is embedded  the historical elements  can be carefully removed. Then theres probably going to need to be some shoring up of that historical structure, so that it can preserved, Chapman said.

Any demolition or removal is on hold right now, though.

If, and when, the exterior portion of the building is removed, Chapman doesnt believe it would take long.

The actual construction of the razing of the part that can be done shouldnt take that long once we get to that phase, Chapman said.

Chapman couldnt say what would happen to the walls.

Whether or not the wall becomes a monument or part of another structure thats visible in some way, thats yet to be determined, Chapman said. Someone asked about the other walls there that are attached to the two main walls there if there better used as elements of shoring up the two main walls there or whether they can be used in the same context they are now. All that is part of due diligence.

According to Hightower, one of the top priorities is preserving Edwardsvilles history.

This is a precious, historic building thats over 100 years old. In no way are we going to want to tear that building down and not use that building, Hightower said. As someone said tonight, we want to make sure it stays another 100 years. We are as committed as weve ever been to preserving the history of buildings and the heritage of this great community. Thats what we pledge to you tonight.

Keller Excavating currently owns the property, and Lewis and Clark recently secured a six-month option for the site.

The Rustys project stems from the Mannie Jackson Center for the Humanities, which opened Dec. 1 across the street. Led by Hightower, Chapman and Jackson, the center has attracted more than 1,400 visitors.

There are plans for a 1,200-seat conference center, hotel, parking garage and STEM Center, according to a press release put out by the Mannie Jackson Center for Humanities Foundation.

The Center for Humanities is at the former site of Lincoln School.

There were times that Dale and I were sweating bullets thinking that the old Lincoln School was going to collapse, but we got through it, Hightower said. I think its something we can all be proud of.

The city hasnt approved any further plans.

Following the presentation, Hightower commended the Historical Preservation Commission for the work theyve done in keeping the history of Edwardsville intact.
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Linkedin Callistasia Anggun Wijaya (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sat, January 16, 2016

The suspected mastermind of the Thamrin attacks in Jakarta, Bahrun Naim, tried to prove his loyalty to the Islamic State (IS) group by spreading fear and chaos, as instructed by the IS leadership, a terrorism expert says.

University of Indonesia (UI) terrorism expert Ridwan Habib pointed out that after the Paris attacks in 2015, IS spokesman Abu Muhammad al-Adnani through the Al Hayat media center had urged IS sympathizers to attack 'the infidels' in any condition and with any tactics.

'Bahrun was likely following this order. The main objective of the Thamrin attacks is to follow IS leaders' command. His position in IS may be upgraded as a reward,' Ridwan said in Jakarta on Friday.

Al-Adnani's radical statement, he continued, had caused pro-IS militants to outdo each other in what they deemed as good deeds. With such motivation, militants conducted terrorist attacks worldwide.

Meanwhile, terrorism expert Al Chaidar believed IS did not specifically order Bahrun to carry out the attack. It might have been his own initiative to follow al-Adnani's order to demonstrate his loyalty and at the same time achieve personal ambitions in the 'jihad career'.

'He wants to draw attention, so that he can be promoted to IS' Southeast Asia commander. Bahrun's chances of being appointed as a new [IS Asia] leader have increased after the Thamrin attack,' he said.

Especially, Al Chaidar added, since the number of fighters from Mindanao, Philippines in Syria was lower than that of Indonesians.

Institute for Policy Analysis of Conflict (IPAC) director Sidney Jones believes that Indonesian radicals are stronger contenders for IS leadership than their counterparts from the Philippines.

'IS is more likely to choose another Indonesian militant, like Bahrumsyah or Abu Jandal,' Sidney told thejakartapost.com on Friday.

Bahrumsyah is believed to be the commander of Katibah Nusantara, the joint group of Indonesian and Malaysian IS fighters formed in late 2014.

Meanwhile, Abu Jandal is a preacher from Malang, who accused Bahrumsyah of corruption and set up a dissident unit. Bahrun Naim, according to Sidney, is known to be close to Abu Jandal's faction.

'Bahrumsyah's position is not likely to be seriously challenged by the Jakarta attack, but the competition between him and Bahrun Naim could increase,' Sidney said.

IT-based donor

Ridwan said he believed Bahrun was the mastermind of a failed terrorist attack prior to the Thamrin attack. He was a leader in Arif Hidayatullah's group, members of which were caught by police on Dec. 23 in Bekasi on suspicion of planning attacks during Christmas and New Year Eve.

In detention, Arif apparently admitted that Bahrun was the leader and donor of the planned attacks. Bahrun, a college student in computer technology, allegedly funded the attack with money he stole by hacking credit cards and bank accounts, the expert said.

Ridwan added that Bahrun had transferred the money to Arif's wife, who worked as a migrant worker in Malaysia, through PayPal. Bahrun allegedly also financed a group that was arrested in Solo in August 2015 for planning a series of bomb attacks.

'It wasn't much money, only about US$275 for the purchase of explosives. In December, Bahrun sent more money both to top up travel expenses for five people planning to go to Syria and to finance jihadi attacks,' Sidney said.

However, Chaidar refuted that point, saying the funds had come from a collection in the congregation. "He got the money by using social media and chatting apps, such as Whatsapp,' Chaidar said.

Bahrun built his reputation not only as a radical teacher in Solo, but also as a writer. He maintained an active blog on Islamic subjects, notable for hardline conspiracy theories, Sidney said.

However, neither Bahrun's social media nor his blog can be accessed. 'The government may have blocked Bahrun's blog,' Chaidar said.

By contrast, Ridwan believed Bahrun was trying to 'duck' from the public following the attack. After some time, Bahrun would come back and reorganize his group. Based on his latest post, Bahrun was in Raqqa, Syria.

Chaidar, on the other hand, believes that Bahrun is in Aleppo, Syria. 'Bahrun is an IS commander in Aleppo,' he said. (ags)
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Linkedin Syamsul Huda M. Suhari & Jon Afrizal (The Jakarta Post) Gorontalo/Jambi  Sat, January 16, 2016

Indonesia is anticipating an outbreak of dengue fever after the disease killed dozens of people in several regions and hospitalized hundreds of others following the country's entry into the rainy season over the past several weeks.



In Gorontalo municipality, a six-year-old child from Pulubala subdistrict died earlier this week due to dengue fever. Meanwhile, scores of local residents have been put under intensive hospital treatment due to a similar disease.



Yana Suleman, head of the disease control and environmental health (P2PL) unit at the Gorontalo Health Agency, said the number of dengue fever patients would likely increase as local hospitals had reported an increasing number of incoming patients showing symptoms of dengue fever.



'The hospitals need to wait for lab results to confirm whether a person is suffering from dengue fever. Looking at the current situation, the list of [dengue fever] patients will probably get longer,' she told The Jakarta Post on Friday.



Dengue fever is a disease carried by the Aedes aegypti mosquito. It takes between four and 10 days for symptoms to manifest after a person has been bitten by a disease-carrying mosquito. The most common signs are high fever, severe headache, nausea, swollen glands and joint pain.



Apart from carrying out regular fogging measures, Yana said her agency had been campaigning to encourage local residents to maintain cleanliness in their houses and communities, particularly during the wet season, when mosquitoes usually reproduced quickly.



Locals, she added, must also implement the 3M-plus procedure, or mengubur (bury), menguras (drain) and menutup (cover), in order to eliminate stagnant water in which mosquitoes can breed.



Last year, Gorontalo recorded 62 dengue fever cases, four of which produced fatalities.



As of Thursday, the 350-bed Aloei Saboe General Hospital (RSUD), the biggest hospital in Gorontalo province, had been forced to admit 400 patients due to the increasing number of incoming dengue fever patients from the provincial capital of Gorontalo and from several neighboring regions.



Femmy Udoki, a local resident, said she had found it difficult to get her child admitted to a hospital in the city after the latter's lab test for dengue fever had come back positive.



'Last [Wednesday] night, I checked every hospital in the city but all of them were full,' she told the Post at Aloei Saboe RSUD's emergency unit.



Meanwhile in Bandung, West Java Deputy Governor Deddy Mizwar called on all hospitals in the province to prepare for a dengue fever outbreak after the disease killed 17 people in Indramayu regency in the past three months.



'The hospitals must be ready to provide immediate medical assistance to dengue fever patients as the disease can be fatal if a patient receives late medical assistance,' he said on Friday, as quoted by Antara news agency.



The disease has also killed three people in Merangin, Jambi, two people in Boyolali, Central Java, and one in Sleman, Yogyakarta, during the first two weeks of this year.



Head of Kolonel Abundjani Bangko General Hospital in Merangin, Berman Saragih, said that the hospital had treated 29 dengue fever patients since the beginning of this year, most of them children and elderly people.



'To contain the spread of the disease, we will work with the local health agency to carry out fogging measures in more areas in the regency,' he said.
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Linkedin Ahmed Al-Haj (The Jakarta Post) Sanaa  Sat, January 16, 2016

A Yemeni government spokesman said a blast hit pipelines connecting oil storage tanks with the refinery in the city of Aden on Friday, causing a huge fire.

Naser Shayef, spokesman for the country's refineries administration, told The Associated Press that the explosion took place at 1:00 a.m. and sent thick smoke billowing over the city. Firefighters put the blaze out two hours later and only two oil pipelines were sabotaged, he said.

No group claimed responsibility for the attack. This is the first time pipelines have come under attack since July, when southern fighters backed by a Saudi-led coalition secured Aden and repelled Shiite rebels and forces loyal to an ousted president.

Since then, the city has witnessed a series of militant attacks, most of which were claimed by the local Islamic State affiliate.

IS-linked militants in Yemen and the country's al-Qaida branch have exploited the chaos of the civil war to stage significant land grabs and expand their control in the south.

Al-Qaida fighters have captured much of Hadramawt province and its capital, Mukalla. Washington considers the branch to be the world's most dangerous.

In Mukalla, security officials said al-Qaida members flogged three young men in an open square in front of hundreds of people on Friday.

One was given 13 lashes for allegedly drinking alcohol, another received 200 lashes after being accused of insulting religion, and the third was flogged 100 times for allegedly committing adultery.

The officials and witnesses said the flogging order was issued by a special court set up by al-Qaida.

The officials spoke on condition of anonymity as they weren't authorized to speak to journalists while witnesses feared reprisals.

Yemen's civil war pits Shiite rebels known as Houthis and their allies against the internationally backed government forces and a Saudi-led coalition. (ags)
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Linkedin The Jakarta Post  Sat, January 16, 2016

Jan. 12, 2015



The House of Representatives will strive to improve its legislative work in 2016 to win back public trust, the newly installed House speaker has said.



'We must evaluate our work performance. We must introspect. We must be more productive in the future,' House Speaker Ade Komarudin said in front of House members after being installed as House speaker during a plenary meeting at the House in Jakarta on Monday afternoon.



Ade was speaking of what he referred to as the 'unproductive legislative work' of the House's previous leadership, during which only three laws and 14 open cumulative laws were produced throughout 2015.



Your comments:



Do I detect a hint of sarcasm in those words 'strive for better legislative work'?



Nah, can't be, the one who uttered it is a politician himself.



G. Freeman



'Only three laws and 14 open cumulative laws were produced throughout 2015'. May not be as bad as it sounds. First, what's the use of more laws if, as is the case with existing laws, their enforcement is going to be either lax or selective? Second, the House tends to prioritize administrative laws that relate to the House's or its members' interests, as the three laws passed in 2015 amply illustrate.



Where are the substantive laws that will directly impact and improve the country? For example, any revised law to strengthen the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK)? None; instead a draft law to weaken KPK is in the offing. Where are the laws to deal conclusively with the perennial forest fires?



There are none, but not to worry as when the inevitable forest fires start this year, the President will carry out blusukan (impromptu visits) to forests to appease the fire situation.



Will the House take the initiative to deliberate on the tons of reports on human rights abuses prepared by the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM), for example an 850-page report on 1965 massacres? Never.



Wandering Star



Words, words and words will not fix the mess this House has created over years of corruption, collusion and nepotism.



Angela006



This would require House members to actually have the the well-being of the Indonesian public in mind, actually be present at any or all meetings, actually know what the issues being discussed and

deliberated were on that day and not actually fall asleep at these meetings.



A reward and punishment system should be enacted. Treat them like little children; if they miss more than two meetings then cut their pay by 50 percent. Miss a third meeting, no pay for that entire month, miss a fifth meeting then cut all allowances until the 10th meeting.



On the other hand, a reward system is already in place already.



Deddy K
The press center of the Anti-Terrorist Operation (ATO) has reported about 40 instances of ceasefire violations by Donbas militants in the past 24 hours.

The militants fired 82mm and 120mm mortars three times and actively used small arms and grenade launchers to shell Ukrainian ATO forces positions near the town of Maryinka, the press center wrote on Facebook on Saturday.

In the Mariupol section, the village of Vodiane located in the so-called gray zone was shelled with 82mm and 120mm mortars.

The Ukrainian positions near the village of Mayorsk, part of the militant-held town of Horlivka were also attacked with small arms and large-caliber machineguns, while areas near the village of Novhorodske were shelled with an anti-aircraft system.

Attacks on areas around the Donetsk airport did not stop. Small arms and grenade launchers were also used to shell ATO positions near the villages of Opytne and Pisky, and south of the town of Avdiyivka.

In the Luhansk region, the village of Tryokhizbenka was shelled with small arms, grenade launchers and large-caliber machineguns. The Ukrainian forces had to fire back, using allowed weapons, and the enemy ceased their attack, the press center said.
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Linkedin The Jakarta Post  Sat, January 16, 2016

It was business as usual at Starbucks cafe on Jakarta thoroughfare Jl. MH Thamrin on Friday, just 24 hours after the coffee shop was hit by an IS-linked suicide bomber. The Sarinah shopping mall next door also bore no trace of the anxiety that had gripped the city in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks.



Traffic was typically slow during the rush hour, while offices, schools and markets opened in the morning as always. The stock market, too, seemed unperturbed by the security concern, even continuing an upward trend to climb by 5.80 points in the morning trade.



All goes to show that life is going on in Jakarta, perhaps contrary to what the attackers had hoped and expected.



Reports that the city was back to normal reached the ears of President Joko 'Jokowi' Widodo, but he preferred to conduct a ground check to be sure. Moreover, the President's visit to the Sarinah building and its surroundings sent a message of confidence to the nation, and the world, that the terror attacks had categorically failed.



Shortly after security authorities restored order on Thursday, the President visited Starbucks coffee shop to help calm down the public and the market. It came as no surprise, as he himself had called on the nation not to cower in his immediate response to the attacks.



If we can call it a blessing in disguise, the terrorists' strike on Thursday has emboldened both the state and the people of Indonesia to renew their commitment to stand firm against terror, mirroring the solidarity that formed in Paris last November, and other places where terrorists have launched heinous attacks.



Needless to say, well-knit cooperation between the state and its people is key to eradicating terrorism, which has been haunting Indonesia since the global 'war on terror' began.



The state's role is to protect its people and give them a much-needed feeling of security. That's why the police's counterterrorism squad Densus 88 conducted raids across the country on Friday, including in Bekasi and Cirebon in West Java, and arrested a number of people in connection with the Jakarta attacks. Numerous raids had preceded the attacks, and we might have witnessed more carnage on Thursday had Densus 88 personnel not sacrificed their Christmas and New Year holidays.



To further protect the public, loopholes in antiterrorism regulations must be addressed so as to allow law enforcers to prevent terrorists from launching attacks. Terrorism is an extraordinary crime that requires extraordinary measures to deal with.



The public, both on social media and on the street, has contributed to the fight against terrorism. The phrase 'we are not afraid' has gone viral and become everybody's buzzword. However, hashtags are not enough; what is more important is consistent enforcement of security regulations that require people to report to the police any suspicious activity they notice in their neighborhood.
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Linkedin Maria Verza (The Jakarta Post) Mexico City  Sat, January 16, 2016

The first of 8,000 Cuban migrants recently stranded in Central America have crossed the Mexican border into the United States.



Some 180 migrants flew from Costa Rica to El Salvador, and have been making their way to the U.S., with the first reaching Laredo, Texas, on Thursday night.



"I'm a Cuban who has just acquired the American Dream," said Daniel Caballero, one of the first to cross into Laredo, according to a Facebook posting of the sponsoring non-profit group, Cubans in Liberty. "It is the greatest happiness," said Liliande Gonzalez, 20, according to the same video.



The migrants spent several months in Costa Rica after Nicaraguan authorities closed the border on Nov. 13. With the bottleneck, both Ecuador and Costa Rica stopped issuing visas to Cubans, who want to reach the U.S. before it changes its migration policy with the thawing of relations with Cuba.



Cubans currently only need to set foot on U.S. soil to gain entry. The Nicaraguan government criticized the U.S. policy for causing a big wave of migration.



After several tries, Central American leaders finally agreed to deal with thousands of Cubans in makeshift camps and shelters by agreeing to fly them to El Salvador on Tuesday, where they went overland to Mexico. They were given permission to cross Mexico for humanitarian reasons.



The initial 180 traveled together to Mexico as part of a pilot program, then went in smaller groups to the U.S. border.



"I'm anxious to get there," Alexei Oliva told The Associated Press at the airport in Mexico City as he was about to fly to the border city of Matamoros before crossing into Texas.



He left Cuba Oct. 27 for Ecuador, where he did computer work to earn money for the trip. "Imagine, three months to achieve what's about to happen. It's exciting," Oliva said.



The Cubans said they were treated well in Mexico, a contrast to the stream of Central American migrants fleeing poverty and violence in their home countries who are hit by extortion, robbery and kidnapping by organized crime groups and immigration agents. Some die or disappear along the route.



Cubans paid for their own trips, including the flights from Costa Rica to El Salvador. Many of them cashed in all their belongings and traveled with their life savings to reach the U.S.



Central American governments will evaluate the pilot program in the next few days for the rest of the migrants, said Kathya Rodriguez, Costa Rica's migration director. She estimates they will need 28 more flights to move all the stranded Cubans out of shelters. (ags)
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Linkedin Farida Susanty (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sat, January 16, 2016

National flag carrier Garuda Indonesia is expecting a revenue increase of 24 percent this year amid expectations of an improving economy.



Garuda financial director IGN Askhara Danadiputra said that many factors would support hitting the target, including the country's gross domestic product (GDP), which was expected to fare better than last year.



'The additional fleets and routes would also support the target,' he said, while adding that the final figures for last year's revenues were still being audited.



Garuda has aimed to add 15 aircraft to its fleet this year through a leasing scheme, according to Askhara.



The new aircraft were also intended to aid the expansion of routes in this year's changing strategy.



Garuda president director Arif Wibowo stated that it would shift gears for international expansion starting this year with its 'Sky Beyond' strategy.



After recording US$373 million in net losses in 2014, the carrier managed to get back in the black thanks partly to lower operating expenses and strong growth of passenger numbers. The company's latest data showed that it booked $50.13 million in net profits in the first nine months of the year, compared to $222.30 million in losses in the corresponding period.



In the first half of 2015, Garuda managed to reverse last year's net loss amounting to $203 million to $27.7 million in net income.



Arif said that with the new aim, the company would not only focus on domestic routes, but also on medium- and long-haul routes.



He stated that it would strengthen the company's grip in the ASEAN market by adding more passenger capacity on each flight.



'For example, for the Singapore route, we will increase the use of wide body aircraft from 30 percent to 60 percent of the total flights. We will add [more flights] for Beijing to Denpasar and to Hong Kong,' he said.



The airline has also been reported to have secured a slot to fly to Heathrow Airport in London, UK, this year.



Arif also previously said the company's passenger growth this year would be at about 10 percent, a conservative number compared to the expected 20 percent passenger growth last year.



Data from the company revealed that Garuda transported about 17.69 million passengers in the first nine months of last year, a 13.62 percent increase year-on-year (yoy) from 2014. Of that number, 3.18 million passengers traveled on international routes, a 9.7 percent yoy increase.



However, Askhara said that the company was still anticipating a fluctuating rupiah, as it was deemed negatively correlated with the current decreasing aviation fuel price.



'We set the expectation for the rupiah at Rp 15,000 [per US dollar] in 2016. We will continue our hedging at $200 million per month,' he said.



The company was also still monitoring the market conditions for its plan to issue global bonds this year for its needed financing of $500 million.



The company's capital expenditure (capex) was set at $160 million this year, higher than the $130 million last year, which would mostly be used for IT and maintenance, according to Askhara.



The company has also teamed up with a fellow state enterprise, oil and gas firm Pertamina, for the use of liquefied gas for vehicles (LGV) for the airline's air crew on Friday.



Arif said that the use of the LGV would save Rp 100 billion ($7.15 million) in operational costs, hence increasing the company's competitiveness in the ongoing ASEAN Open Sky.

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Linkedin Tama Salim (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sat, January 16, 2016

The Golkar Party's internal tribunal has issued a ruling to end the protracted leadership dispute between rivals Aburizal Bakrie and Agung Laksono. The ruling instructs the formation of a leadership transition team helmed by former president BJ Habibie and current Vice President Jusuf Kalla.



Tribunal chairman Muladi said that the ruling was intended to push through a permanent solution to the infighting and would give the transition team the important task of staging a national congress planned for March this year.



'The transition team will determine the participants of the national congress as well as decide on the time and place and the governing provisions of the congress. This will be done in order to ensure that the contest will be democratic, open and accountable,' Muladi said, reading aloud the tribunal's decision at a hearing in South Jakarta on Friday.



'The congress must be held in March at the latest,' he added.



According to Muladi, former president Habibie will be appointed as caretaker of the team while Kalla will chair an 11-strong team of Golkar bigwigs. In addition to the two seasoned veterans, the team comprises the rival duo of Agung and Aburizal, as well as former Golkar chairman Akbar Tandjung.



Completing the team are Golkar big beasts Ginandjar Kartasasmita, Emil Salim, Abdul Latief, Siswono Yudo Husodo, Theo L. Sambuaga and Soemarsono.



The party's senior members were expected to lead the party until it convened a congress in the absence of a legitimate management roster, said Priyo Budi Santoso, deputy chairman of the central board under Agung's contested chairmanship.



'I hope and pray that our senior members won't reject [this ruling] because this is a sacred mission to unite Golkar, even though I know that both Pak Habibie and Pak Kalla are very busy men,' Priyo told reporters after the tribunal hearing.



Kalla has been reluctant to play a key role in mediating the conflict, although he repeatedly initiated efforts to reconcile the warring camps. Meanwhile, Akbar Tandjung claimed that Habibie asked him to convene a meeting of party veterans to push through a national congress.



Only Aburizal's camp has been openly opposed to the idea of a national congress.



Muladi and his colleagues in the tribunal are set to talk with the Golkar seniors appointed to the transition team, with Habibie being the first to be asked for approval.



Late last year, Law and Human Rights Minister Yasonna H. Laoly revoked a decree acknowledging Agung's leadership to comply with a Supreme Court verdict that returned the party chairmanship to Aburizal.



The ministry has yet to issue a new decree to recognize Aburizal's central board lineup, forcing the two camps to hold a national congress to earn government approval. The two rivals have fought for the chairmanship since a failed succession at a national congress in Bali in late 2014.



Separately, Aburizal supporter and secretary-general at the Bali congress Idrus Marham rejected the tribunal ruling outright, arguing that it had no right to convene such a congress.



'That tribunal no longer has a legal standing,' Idrus said.



He said that party provisions dictated that an extraordinary congress was only possible if two-thirds of the party's regional branch leaders approved.

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Linkedin The Jakarta Post Jakarta  Sat, January 16, 2016

JAKARTA: Urban farming by residents at the Army's land transportation battalion compound in Senen, Central Jakarta, have produced dozens of kilograms of vegetables.



Central Jakarta Fisheries, Agriculture and Food Security Agency spokesperson, Muljadi, said on Friday that the residents had used a 280-square-meter plot of land to grow various types of vegetables like lettuce, red spinach, mustard and bok choy (Chinese cabbage), using the hydroponic method.



He added that the administration were now harvesting the vegetables. The harvest result of each vegetable type, according to Muljadi, could be expected to reach an approximate average of 30 kilograms.



'The result is satisfying enough. Thanks to the battalion members. The grooming period was quick, only around 21 days before harvest time,' said Muljadi as quoted by beritajakarta.com.



Muljadi further said that his agency was currently planning to acquire a quality assurance certificate for the vegetables so that it could distribute them to supermarkets.
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Linkedin The Jakarta Post Tangerang  Sat, January 16, 2016

TANGERANG: A 'bomb like' object was reportedly found by a security officer in a shopping mall in Gading Serpong, Tangerang regency, Banten, early on Friday.



Confirming the report, Kelapa Dua subprecinct police chief Comr. Awaludin Amin said that the security officer, identified as Anwar, 29, called the police at 1.45 a.m., after he found a jar with cables and a watch in a plastic bag at the mall's gate.



He added that at 4 a.m., the Jakarta Police Gegana bomb squad arrived to identify the package.



'During the check, we found no bomb material inside the package. It was only a jar with yellow and blue cables,' said Awaludin as quoted by wartakotalive.com. 'Therefore, we confirmed that it was not a bomb'.



Nonetheless, Awaludin said that the police were tightening security around the mall area and emphasized that the police would track down the perpetrators responsible for the suspicious object.
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Linkedin The Jakarta Post Jakarta  Sat, January 16, 2016

JAKARTA: Jakarta Deputy Governor Djarot Saiful Hidayat introduced nine members of the city administration legal team to the Jakarta High Court as a prelude to the members attending a training session to upgrade their skills.



The measure has been taken as the city had suffered from regular losses in its legal battles with other parties, especially those related to land disputes.



At City Hall on Friday, Djarot said that he had just returned from the Jakarta High Court, where he had been coordinating the training with the judges. 'I want them to be trained, to upgrade their capacity,' he said, adding that they had yet to determine a time for the training.



The city administration, for example, lost the BMW park land dispute in North Jakarta, a loss which forced the city to hand over the disputed land to PT Buana Permata Hijau.



The administration also lost a case at the Indonesian National Arbitration Agency (BANI) against importer PT Ivani Dewi with regard to Transjakarta buses. The city is now obliged to pay Rp 7.6 billion (US$547,200).
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Linkedin The Jakarta Post Makassar  Sat, January 16, 2016

MAKASSAR: An Indonesian Army officer was handed over to the Air Force's military police on Thursday Friday for examination after jokingly saying that he was carrying a bomb when he was about to depart for Jakarta from Sultan Hasanuddin Airport in Makassar, South Sulawesi.



Lt. Col. Rudy Setiawan made the joke when he was passing through the airport's X-ray detector.



Hary Budi Waluyo, a spokesperson for airport operator PT Angkasa Pura I, said that when the airport's officers checked on Rudy's body and asked him what he was carrying inside his jacket, Rudy said it was a bomb. 'He even said it twice,' Harry said.



The airport aviation security officers promptly searched the military officer, but they did not find a bomb on him. Nonetheless, he was handed over to the Air Force's military police for examination. He failed to depart for Jakarta.



The bomb-scare incident is the third so far to have occurred at the airport. The first incident involved a police officer on Sunday. The second was committed by a civil servant the following day.
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Linkedin The Jakarta Post  Sat, January 16, 2016

Jan. 14, 2016



Blasts struck at the heart of Jakarta on Thursday, leaving at least seven people dead and 19 injured after suicide bombers and a group of armed men attacked Indonesia's capital city.



The deadly blasts and gun attacks took place on Jl. MH Thamrin, one of Jakarta's busiest streets, located not far from government ministries and the State Palace.



The National Police spokesman Insp. Gen. Anton Charliyan said on Thursday that all five terrorists had died in the attack: two were suicide bombers and the rest died during a shootout with the police.





Your comments:



Indonesia was fortunate as these particular terrorists were inexperienced and poorly trained fighters who only had a few light weapons and some very small bombs. Also Indonesia's 'soft approach' to terrorism has not worked.



Eddy Saf



Thankfully the terrorists were incompetent, and the deaths of innocents were limited. The situation could have been much worse. Thankfully the police were on the scene and got rid of them quickly. No court cases, no victimhood statements from lefties, just get rid of the bad guys.



Nothing To Do



'There are 1,085 radical groups working underground as recorded by the National Police,' Anton added. Still, police would focus their investigation on which group was linked to the attacks.



You know how many there are underground. I bet you know a lot more but as usual, are sitting on the information waiting for something to happen. Don't focus only on the ones involved in the attacks. Clean them all out. Don't forget the instigators above ground in organizations like the Islam Defenders Front (FPI). Clean out all instigators and haters.



Xsimaging



More of the brainwashed idiots died than they managed to kill, which is something. Syria's rejects and amateurs, at best.



So-called Muslims killing and maiming Muslims. IS only appeals to idiots anyway.



Nate78



I think the Indonesian security forces handled the situation pretty well, which makes your buddies in the US and France look like amateurs.



The True Patriot



Well, the US and Russia surely want to brainwash the world into thinking IS represents the true teachings of Islam. It's up to Indonesia to counter the evil intentions of these foreign powers that seek to humiliate Islam directly.



TTP



He refused to say that police were negligent in not anticipating the attacks.



His refusal to say they were negligent, or even rebut claims of their negligence, only confirms the negligence.



Ha, they knew nothing. If it weren't for the FBI and Aussie intel, who knows what tragedy would have happened during the holidays.



The police are utterly clueless and cowardly. Protecting citizens is not something they know; exploiting citizens for money, they are experts at.



Willo1246



With IS having access to enormous financial resources and young impressionable recruits, Indonesia needs to fear the unthinkable.



Pure Papua



Condolences to the families of the two who were tragically lost and a speedy recovery to all injured in this extreme display of cowardice and terrorism.



I sincerely hope nothing like this happens again and that Indonesian Intel and police become more proactive in their fight against radicalism, extremism and terrorism.



This was only one cell of terrorists, many more are still in country and more are becoming radicalized.



The 'soft approach' of eradicating terrorism does not work and blatantly disregards life.



These Da'esh will become bolder and better organized in their attacks.



Will



Imagine the opportunity with worldwide media seeking out and quoting (!) the few English language news outlets ' and the servers of the most famous and reputable one (The Jakarta Post website) are down.



And then all we get next day is an AP copy-paste!



They were scared and shut down office for the day or what happened?



Kantisini





What impact will this have on AB Bashir's case review?



Pherplexed



People in the comments usually bring up 'god'/'religion' in these matters. There's no need to do so because if we all actually read the Koran, it doesn't say anything that's supporting these violent acts done by terrorists.



Please stop being racist and just feel sorry for the people that died. #SaveJakarta #WeAreStrong #WeAreBrave



Niko Miko



Indonesia has a big sign hung out at every entry. Welcome terrorist and radicals who use Islam in their names and as their excuse for being. The nation and many of its laws lean toward being a radical organization it seems. Then, the soft approach to terrorism. Sure, you got a freshly grown wild lion in your bedroom. Use the soft approach and get eaten. Same thing.



XS



Wow, you are back. Alhamdulillah. I'm so glad that you are safe, Sir JP! I've been accessing your online site and now you are back. Never feel failure. We are not afraid anymore. We are still brave. It's time to do business here. It's time to forget about the attack. Stay safe! Ya Allah will protect Indonesia. Amen. I've done many prayers.



I'm waiting. Allah will destroy IS soon. IS is not Islamic state but anti-Islamic and a terrorist zone. Allah doesn't like their highly aggressive violence. It is not in the name of Allah but rather Allah has cursed it. Stay safe.



Focus on doing business. Indonesia needs strong business to keep IS from entering here! Keep your spirit!



Tutkukap
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Linkedin Fiona Suwana (The Jakarta Post) Brisbane  Sat, January 16, 2016

Furqan Ermansyah, known as Rudy Lombok, was indicted for a 10-month jail sentence for insulting and defaming officials of the West Nusa Tenggara provincial administration, in violation of Article 27 and Article 1 of the Law No.11/2008 on Electronic Information and Transactions (ITE Law) at the Lombok District Court on Dec. 10.



The number of citizens prosecuted under the law has increased almost seven-fold in the last eight years, according to the Southeast Asia Freedom of Expression Network (SAFEnet) in 2015.



While the number is relatively small, this represents an important restriction on citizens' freedom. Several countries in Southeast Asia, including Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand still experience restrictions on freedom of expression and opinion. Indonesia is recognized as the third-largest democratic country, yet there is still a marked fear among the young to take part in the online world.



'It is frightening to give opinions especially about politics online because the ITE Law can put us in jail,' is an often-heard statement in Jakarta discussion circles, referring to the law that was enacted in 2008.



This fear stems from several cases, like those of housewife Prita Mulyasari in 2009, Benny Handoko in 2014, housewife Ervani Emi Handayani in 2014, graduate student Florence Sihombing in 2014, satay kiosk worker Muhammad Arsyad in 2014 and many more.



Damar Juniarto, the regional coordinator of SAFEnet, said the number of cases went up from seven to 20 in 2013. The number doubled to 41 cases in 2014 and 44 cases in 2015. Overall, there have been 125 cases linked to the law in the last seven years.



... digital media technologies have become a potential element of civic and political life ...



A vibrant public sphere is essential for a healthy democracy and the online media encourages the creation of a public sphere that sustains democracy, as scholars have said.



The public sphere is essential to everyone, as every citizen can exchange ideas, obtain knowledge and information, confront public concerns, practice public accountability, discuss policy choices, challenge elites without reprisal and defend principles.



In a recent discussion a student activist said, 'I am interested in political and humanity issues, but I do not want to discuss them because it is not safe for me; many have been charged with crimes by the ITE Law, such as students, housewives, regular people ['] I do not want to get caught by the police.'



The future of democracy is in young people's hands.



The student movement in 1998, for example, was instrumental in the people's power movement that forced Soeharto's resignation from the presidency. Student activists used the internet to mobilize, to coordinate and to provide the information to support that reform movement, as illustrated by researchers David Hill and Krishna Sen.



Today opportunities for participation are wide open. There has been massive growth in internet use in Indonesia over the past decade, with 49 percent of internet users between 18 and 25 years old, according to latest figures of the University of Indonesia and the Association of Indonesian Internet Providers (APJII).



Ironically, the fear factor has crept in.



Anwari Natari, program manager of Satu Dunia (OneWorld-Indonesia) shared the 2014 presidential election in a public discussion report entitled 'Threat of ITE Law for civic voices in simultaneous regional elections' in early December. He aided some young volunteers who were afraid to report election cheating.



'Democratic deficit' occurs when citizens withdraw from civic engagement and political participation. Online media tools are changing the balance of spectatorship and participation. Digital media enables users to become content sources and receivers at the same time. More people are able to produce the information or content by digital media, such a shift that requires digital media literacy.



Researcher Terry Flew describes digital media literacy as not only the simple development of interpretive skills or contextual awareness, but also a series of digital production skills that include 'the ability to create, to be critical and to contribute as well as to consume' digital content.



Another important part of digital media literacy in relation to civic and political process is a youthful approach to promote online civic and political engagement in society. This is because, nowadays, digital media technologies have become a potential element of civic and political life, in particular for young people.



Schools and communities have to transform themselves to become digital literacy and democratic educators to prepare the young for a future role in democratic societies.



The government has to protect its citizens and in a democratic country the laws are made to govern, not to control their citizens. Therefore, anyone can freely create, express and participate in civic engagement and political participation.



The Digital Democracy Forum has pushed the Indonesian government to revise Article 27 of the law.



Indonesia needs laws to protect its citizens, not ones that criminalize them for freedom of expression.

________________



The writer is a member of the Digital Media Research Center at Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, where she is a PhD candidate and sessional academic staff member in media and communications.
A Ukraine International Airlines (UIA) plane, which was flying from Lviv to Boryspil airport, had to land at Kyiv's another airport, Zhuliany, where it skidded off the runway.

"A UIA plane carrying out Lviv-Kyiv 34L flight skidded off the runway at Airport Kyiv (Zhuliany). All passengers are safe and sound; the airport was closed until 12:30 local time [on Saturday, January 16]," Zhuliany's information service reported.

The passengers are now at the airport's Terminal D. The plane had to land at Zhuliany due to bad weather conditions in Kyiv on Saturday.

Meanwhile, the UIA reported in its press release that the plane was bound for Boryspil airport but because of the closure of a runway there had to land at Airport Kyiv.

"After the landing the aircraft ran off the runway. None of the 134 passengers and five crew members on board has been injured. The aircraft has not been damaged," reads the press release.

At the moment, all the passengers have disembarked. The UIA is taking the transfer passengers to Boryspil airport by road, the airline said.
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Linkedin Indra Budiari and Agnes Anya (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sat, January 16, 2016

Hundreds of citizens gathered on Friday at the site of Thursday's terror attacks in Central Jakarta to show solidarity in the fight against terrorism.



Some of the stores and offices on Jl. MH Thamrin in Central Jakarta remained closed after Thursday's terror, but other business centers in the capital opened just a day after the attacks that claimed the lives of seven and injured 26 others.



A young woman in a white shirt and black blouse picked up her cell-phone on Friday morning as she passed by the Starbucks coffee outlet on Jl. MH Thamrin where the shoot-out and bomb attacks took place a day before. 'It was my mother, she was worried but I told her there was nothing to fear,' Fira Agustin, whose office is located a few hundred meters from the crime scene, told The Jakarta Post.



'It's impossible to say the incident did not make me nervous, but with a lot of police swarming around the area, I feel much safer,' she continued.



On Thursday morning at 10:50 a.m., several explosions took place outside a Starbucks coffee shop and a small police post near the Sarinah shopping center on Jl. MH Thamrin. The bombing was followed by crossfire gun battles between cops and the suspected terrorists.



In addition to killing two innocent civilians, an Indonesian and a Canadian, the attack also injured 26 victims including five police officers and four foreigners from the Netherlands, Germany, Austria and Algeria. All five terrorist suspects were killed in the attack.



Like Starbucks, some nearby offices and fast food restaurants remained closed on Friday, with dozens of police officers standing guard in bulletproof vests and with tactical rifles. However, just a few hundred meters from the area, other business centers opened with slightly quieter traffic.



In the afternoon, citizens began pouring in to the terror site in defiance of the terrorists. They included Catholic priest Franz Magnis-Suseno, pluralism activist Alissa Wahid, columnist Goenawan Mohamad and Deputy Jakarta Governor Djarot Saiful Hidayat.



They brought flowers and banners with #wearenotafraid and #Indonesiatidaktakut written on them.



Djarot delivered a speech calling for Jakartans to be brave.



'Today, the residents of Jakarta have gathered, inspired by their moral conscience. We are a nation with a spirit of togetherness and tolerance,' Djarot told those gathered.



The politician from Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) called on Jakartans to work together in securing their own neighborhoods. 'When we unite, we are strong,' he said.



Ardila Ayu, a cashier at the Burger King store next to the Starbucks coffee shop in the Cakrawala Building, said on Friday that her workplace had been temporarily closed by the store owner.



'I came here today to see the condition of the crime scene', she said. Having described the attack as 'the most horrifying hour of her life,' Ayu said she would still return to the restaurant where she has worked for the last three years as soon as it opened.



'It takes more than bombs for me to stop working there,' the girl continued as she struggled to hold back her tears.



Bimo Harimahesa, a lawyer whose office is located in a busy business district in Kuningan, South Jakarta, also went to his office on Friday morning without fearing another attack. 'The security in the city has been tightened after the attack. I don't think there is much chance of another bombing,' he said.



On Friday, netizens continued to respond to the terror attack with humor, posting memes featuring pictures of street vendors conducting their usual business at the scene of the bombing. The most popular picture is that of Pak Jamal, the satay vendor. Jamal's popularity rose after a netizen shared a picture of Jamal grilling satay not far from the attack site while the police were engaged in crossfire gun battles with the armed suspects.



Another popular topic is the gun-toting 'handsome cop' who generated the hashtag #kaminaksir (crush on you) from young women. Screen captures of young women discussing the sartorial tastes of the 'handsome cop' on their social media threads were made into memes to represent the fearlessness of Jakartans in the face of terror.



Separately, chief Insp. Gen. Tito Karnavian of the Jakarta Police said that Jakarta was on waspada, or status of alert level 2. The highest level is level 4. Despite the current status, he suggested that Jakarta residents remain calm.



On the same occasion, Tito applauded the performance of his officers for responding to the attack quickly and in a way that minimized the number of victims.



Meanwhile, the Jakarta Police's vital object security director Sr. Comr. Aan Suhanan said that the police had doubled security measures at several important places throughout the capital, particularly foreign embassies, following Thursday's terror attack.



'Some embassies, which previously had four police officers, are now guarded by eight policemen. Others have 16 officers,' Aan said, adding that the tightened security measures would be extended indefinitely.

--------------------

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Linkedin Abdi Guled (The Jakarta Post) Mogadishu  Sat, January 16, 2016

Kenyan troops were killed when al-Shabab Islamic fighters attacked an African Union base in Somalia, Kenya's president said Friday. He gave no casualty figure but an al-Shabab spokesman said at least 63 soldiers died.

President Uhuru Kenyatta described the loss as heartbreaking.

"Regrettably, some of our patriots in uniform paid the ultimate price," he said in a statement. "I want to take this opportunity to express mine and the country's deepest sympathy to the families and loved ones of the fallen. I stand with you. Our country stands with you."

Al-Shabab spokesman Abdiaziz Abu Mudan said on the group's online radio that at least 63 soldiers were killed in the attack in southwestern Somalia that started early Friday.

It happened in the town of El-Ade, not far from the Kenyan border. Kenya has provided a major contingent to the AU force that is fighting al-Shabab, a Somali Islamic extremist group linked with al-Qaida, and assisting the elected government of Somalia.

Francisco Madeira, the special representative of the African Union Commission for Somalia, condemned the attack, saying late Friday the casualties and injuries were still being verified.

Somali military official Ahmed Hassan, speaking to The Associated Press by phone from Elwak, a nearby town, said the attack started with a suicide car bomb, and then heavy gunfire was heard as militants stormed onto the base.

Despite being pushed out of Somalia's major cities and towns, al-Shabab continues to launch deadly guerrilla attacks across the Horn of Africa country. AU troops, government officials and foreigners are frequently targeted. The group has also carried out many deadly attacks inside Kenya. (ags)
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Linkedin Erika Anindita (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sat, January 16, 2016

Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) investigators on Friday searched two more offices in relation to a bribery case involving Damayanti Wisnu Putranti, a member of the ruling Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P).

The two places are the Public Works Ministry's Bina Marga (highways department) office in Kebayoran Baru, South Jakarta, and the offices of PT Windhu Tunggal Utama in the Blok M area, also in South Jakarta.

"We seized some [potential] evidence, such as documents and electronic items," KPK spokeswoman Yuyuk Andriati told the press at KPK headquarters in Jakarta on Friday afternoon.

Earlier, investigators from the antigraft body had searched the office of the deputy chairman of House of Representatives Commission V, which oversees transportation and infrastructure, Yudi Widiana Adia, from the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS).

They had also searched offices of two members of Commission V, namely Damayanti Wisnu Putranti of the PDI-P faction and Budi Supriyanto of the Golkar Party faction.

The searches of Budi's and Yudi's offices followed the questioning of Damayanti. "Our investigators believe there are traces [of evidence] related to the suspects, thus they had to do the search," she said.

The anticorruption body arrested Damayanti on Wednesday night. Damayanti had reportedly sent two staff members, Julia Prasetyarini and Dessy A. Edwin, to meet with PT Windhu Tunggal Utama CEO Abdul Khoir on Tuesday.

At the meeting, Abdul allegedly promised Damayanti, Julia and Dessy a "commitment fee" of S$99,000 to win projects funded by the House in Maluku province. The KPK apprehended all four of them on Wednesday night.

For the PDI-P, it was the second time the KPK arrested one of its members from the 2014-2019 House. In April 2015, the commission nabbed Adriansyah, a member of Commission VII overseeing energy, while he was attending a PDI-P congress in Bali. (ags)
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Linkedin Nurul Fitri Ramadhani (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sat, January 16, 2016

Following the arrest of an Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) legislator, the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has searched the offices of two other House of Representatives members in connection with a growing bribery scandal.



Having arrested the PDI-P's Damayanti Wisnu Putranti on Wednesday night, KPK investigators on Friday raided the offices of lawmakers Budi Supriyanto of the Golkar Party and Yudi Widiana of the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS).



The three lawmakers are all members of House Commission V overseeing infrastructure.



'The antigraft body's investigators confiscated evidence comprising related documents and several electronic devices,' KPK spokeswoman Yuyuk Andriyati said at the KPK headquarters in Jakarta on Friday after the raids.



The KPK named Damayanti a suspect on Thursday for accepting bribes from a group of businessmen, saying it caught her red-handed enacting the transaction the previous evening, making her the second PDI-P lawmaker to be implicated in graft since the beginning of the current sitting period in 2014.



In April, the KPK arrested PDI-P lawmaker Andriyansah, a member of House Commission VII overseeing energy, in Bali, where he was attending the party's congress.



The search of Budi and Yudi's offices, Yuyuk said, was the result of a preliminary investigation into Damayanti, which indicated the involvements of the two politicians.



'As such, the KPK decided to search [Budi and Yudi's] offices to ascertain their connection to the case,' she said.



Also on Friday, KPK investigators searched the PT Windhu Tunggal Utama's (WTU) office in Blok M, South Jakarta, and the Bina Marga directorate general in nearby Kebayoran Baru.



At the two locations, KPK investigators confiscated related documents as evidence.



During Wednesday's arrest, the KPK also apprehended two of Damayanti's associates, businesswomen Julia Prasetyarini and Dessy A. Edwin, who had met with WTU CEO Abdul Khoir on Tuesday at Damayanti's request.



During the meeting, Abdul allegedly handed over S$33,000 intended for Damayanti, Julia and Dessy as a 'commitment fee' to secure a construction project in Maluku earmarked for the Public Works and Public Housing Ministry for the 2016 fiscal year. The money was reportedly part of a total $404,000 promised by Abdul.



Yuyuk said the search had proceeded without incident and that KPK investigators had followed all procedures.



'There was no reason to hamper the operation,' she said.



Yuyuk was apparently referring to an incident involving House Deputy Chairman Fahri Hamzah, a member of the PKS, who tried to stop KPK investigators entering his colleague Yudi's office at the DPR complex in Senayan, Central Jakarta.



Fahri denied the KPK investigators entry, decrying the commission for bringing in armed members of the police Mobile Brigade (Brimob) to aid with the search.



'Why is everyone at the House being treated like a thieves?' Fahri asked investigator HN Christian, taking issue with the officers, who were armed with long-barreled assault weapons.



Responding to Fahri's protest, Christian insisted that his team had taken the proper steps in conducting the raid. 'I have received permission from the House [secretary]. This is part of my duty to the state,' he said.



Fahri eventually relented and left the KPK officials to continue with their search.



Earlier on Thursday, the KPK investigators began their search at the House complex by sealing off Damayanti's office space on the sixth floor.



The investigators came back on Friday morning accompanied by four armed Brimob officers and members of the House PDI-P faction in order to conduct the search.



The investigators proceeded to access the 13th floor of the office building ' the headquarters of Golkar's House faction ' and searched Budi's office. The Golkar faction declined to comment on the matter.

--------------------

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Linkedin Fadli (The Jakarta Post) Batam  Sat, January 16, 2016

Five days after going on strike, hundreds of workers from PT Amtek Engineering in Batam, Riau Islands, finally returned to work on Friday, after the Apple subcontractor agreed to meet the workers' demand to drop a plan to change the company's name.



The strike, which paralyzed the company's operation, concluded after an eight-hour mediation meeting between company executives and workers' representatives on Thursday. The meeting produced six points of agreement, including an agreement that the company would scrap the plan to change the company's name to Interplex.



'Even though some of our demands have not yet been accepted [by the company], we have decided to stop the strike and return to work,' the chairman of the All-Indonesia Workers Union (SPSI) PT Amtek working unit, Parulian Simanjuntak, told The Jakarta Post on Friday.



During the meeting, the company's management, according to Parulian, had also promised to scrap sanctions for workers involved in the strike, appoint an Indonesian citizen as its human resource development manager, and reduce foreign worker numbers.



'We will now work as usual. But, we'll closely review how the agreement goes,' he said.



PT Amtek, a Singaporean firm, has been in operation in Batam since 1996, carrying out metal stamping and forming services. It has an investment value of US$60 million.



The company became a subcontractor for California-based multinational technology company Apple after the former bought Interplex, a company based in the US, in July last year.



Soon after the takeover, Amtek's parent company, Singapore-based Amtek Engineering Ltd., officially changed its name to Interplex Holdings Ltd.



PT Amtek was preparing to do the same but the company received opposition from workers who feared that the company's name change would put their service period back to zero.



On Monday morning, hundreds of workers went on strike, blocking the main and only entrance to the company's factory. They threatened to continue to strike until the end of the month.



Batam Regional Legislative Council (DPRD) member Uba Ingan Sigalingging, who oversaw the mediation, said his institution would supervise the implementation of agreements made during the mediation.



'The reduction of foreign workers, for example, will become our concern as it is not allowed for a company to employ foreign workers for positions that can actually be handled by local talent,' the councilor said.



Data from the SPSI PT Amtek working unit shows that some 5 percent of the company's 2,000 employees are foreign nationals, with most of them working as supervisors and engineers.



The Batam Free Trade Zone Authority (BPK FTZ) chief, Mustofa Widjaja, welcomed the workers' decision to return to work.



'We have been reassuring the owner of PT Amtek, encouraging them to keep their operation in Batam. In the end, both the region and its investors need each other,' he said.



In response to the strike, the company had threatened to move its Batam factory to Vietnam.



Contacted separately, PT Amtek's human resources executive in Batam, Cucu Eva Lestari, confirmed that operation had returned on normal on Friday.



Cucu, however, said she could not comment on whether the company, in the long-term, would keep its operation in Batam following the dispute.



'The question should be asked to the company's owner or lawyer,' Cucu said.
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Linkedin Dylan Amirio (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sat, January 16, 2016

The Communications and Information Ministry has said that sharing broadband infrastructure would be one of many campaigns that the ministry would promote in order to make the telecommunications industry in Indonesia more sustainable.



'My ultimate goal is consolidation. I will never stop pushing for measures that will ultimately make our broadband network more efficient and beneficial to the public,' Communications and Information Minister Rudiantara said recently.



Rudiantara argued that the country's broadband industry needed to reduce capital expenditure to become more competitive at the beginning of the newly implemented ASEAN Economic Community.



The minister said that by having telecommunications firms and network providers actively share their physical infrastructure such as base transceiver stations (BTS), the road to consolidation with the government would be achieved and the economy would correspondingly benefit.



'I can help through regulatory measures that can help reduce capital expenditure for telecommunications operators,' Rudiantara said.



He added that neighboring countries like Malaysia, Vietnam and the Philippines had begun to consolidate their telecommunications and broadband industries through active infrastructure sharing.



Measures that could be implemented include the active sharing of broadcast towers, BTSs and the Radio Access Network (RAN). Telecommunications operators reportedly spend up to Rp 10 trillion a year to build and maintain their networks.



Rudiantara highlighted Indonesia's current position in the ASEAN market regarding the IT industry, noting that the country settled in fourth place behind Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand, with Vietnam creeping up closely behind.



'Our target is to reach second place in ASEAN by 2019. We still have a lot of work to do, mainly in strengthening our recently established 4G/LTE broadband network ecosystem,' he said.



Previously, Rudiantara mentioned that in order for the public to enjoy a proper 4G/LTE network experience, telecommunications firms such as PT XL Axiata, PT Telkomsel and PT Indosat Ooredoo, among others, must come up with solid business plans that would benefit the public.



He also said his ministry would prioritize efforts to boost efficiency in the industry over the next four years.



In response to the minister's statement, Telkomsel's vice president for technology and systems Ivan Tjahja Permana said that telecommunications operators needed to take into account flow-on effects that might result from the sharing of infrastructure, such as a potential decrease in network quality, control and security.



'Telkomsel will support the government's effort to increase efficiency. However, we are concerned that operators would become reluctant to build new infrastructure such as BTSs with such a ruling,' Ivan said.



'The government must guarantee the commitment of operators to build BTSs and expand their networks even with such a regulation,' Ivan added.

--------------------

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Linkedin John L. Taylor (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sat, January 16, 2016

In revisiting one of kampungs surveyed a generation earlier, I asked Palmerah subdistrict residents randomly, 'would you want to live in Rusun [low-cost apartments]?' Almost all said 'no way, we Indonesians want to be close to our land and our neighbors'.



The Kampung Improvement Program (KIP) recognized Jakarta's urban kampungs as unique and improved them on site.



Begun in 1969 under then governor Ali Sadikin and later supported by the World Bank, the city government recognized these local communities as permanent low income settlements, and became concerned about their deterioration.



This meant that the policy of on-site upgrading or improvement of the physical and socio-economic environment of the existing kampungs, with minimum displacement of residents was the cheapest and most humane way of dealing with Jakarta's stock of affordable housing.



The KIP has improved local physical infrastructure (such as roads and local drainage, water supply, sanitary facilities, solid waste management, etc.), leaving it to the residents to improve their own dwellings according to their means and needs.



World Bank support later addressed social and community participation components during the 1980s and 1990s.



However, most facilities were provided on a relatively homogeneous basis in a massive 'public works' approach. The KIP made no attempt to grant legal title to land, or to carry out direct cost recovery.



Evidence of the success of KIP is that, in many of Jakarta's kampungs, the Mohammad Husni Thamrin (MHT) program is both remembered and facilities are still used.



For instance, Pak Makmood (head of community unit RW 003, Tanah Tinggi kampung) not only recalled KIP but felt it was very helpful in his community.



Urban kampong dwellers respect diversity and learn to become more tolerant.



A second argument supporting our thesis that Jakarta's kampungs are 'unique' relates to the very definition of the word, namely an adjective which states that a particular object is 'exceptional' or 'one-of-a-kind'.



I believe that there are at least three unique characteristics of many of the city's kampungs.



First, in physical appearance, they are close-knit viable neighborhoods close to the ground (generally one- or two-story story houses). The kampungs are relatively compact (high density) with residents also use their houses to run businesses.



Access to the houses is usually through footpaths, rather than roads wide enough to handle cars.



Second, regarding socio-economic characteristics of kampung residents, although generally poor, many of these areas are actually quite diverse in ethnicity, income, religious affiliation, etc. Thus, urban kampung dwellers respect diversity and learn to become more tolerant.



A final unique characteristic of many of Jakarta's kampungs is that their lifestyle is an informal one that many Jakartans feel comfortable in, one where gotong royong (mutual assistance) still functions, in which poverty and wealth are still to some extent shared.



Evidence of these unique features can be found in several of the kampungs in which I conducted my original research a generation ago. Palmerah kampong, for example, continues to fit this unique model. While incomes have increased (more motorcycles, TVs, better toilets, etc.), residents there still like their close-knit, diverse kampung and reject the Jakarta administration's failure to involve them in planning the city.



However, a counter-argument can be made that KIP is now obsolete because incomes have risen and besides land prices have risen as well. This is because many Jakarta administration officials are advocating the policy option of clearance, resettlement and Rusun.



Evidence for this can be shown in some of the kampungs which I originally surveyed for my PhD dissertation in the late 1970s/early 1980s. Take Kebon Nanas where there was much change. Close to the Permata Hijau area, large houses have replaced the earlier 'kampung' feel beyond recognition.



This rapid change was largely caused by development of a new main road, ITC and Belezza properties in the area. These schemes triggered rapid increases in land prices and 'gentrification'.



But in many other kampungs, the same unique features ' compact, close-knit urban neighborhoods, diverse socio-economic characteristics, and informal lifestyle which most poor -middle class Jakartans are comfortable in ' can still be found. It seems that a large number of kampung residents still recall Program MHT and still support efforts by local government to upgrade infrastructure through better access, local drainage, improved water and sanitation and solid waste disposal.



Strong evidence for this is that the vast majority of big city residents (70 to 80 percent according to one expert) live in kampungs. It is argued that the combined efforts of both government and the private sector can only fulfill 15 percent of total housing need. The rest is up to kampung dwellers through their own labor.



In conclusion, we return to our main thesis: that Jakarta's KIP recognized these informal residential areas not with the negative label of 'slums', but as viable neighborhoods worthy of upgrading.



Solutions along these lines must be affordable, can be financially sustainable, can build good community morale and pride, and should be part of a larger urban development strategy.

________________

The writer, who gained his PhD from University of California Los Angeles, has worked as an expert on urban planning for over 30 years in Indonesia.
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Linkedin The Jakarta Post Jakarta  Sat, January 16, 2016

JAKARTA: A piracy suspect has lost her pretrial challenge against her arrest by the Navy's Western Fleet (Armabar).



Armabar spokesperson Let. Col. Ariris told The Jakarta Post the South Jakarta District Court had rejected the pretrial petition filed by Eva Nobensia, who had challenged Armabar's authority to investigate maritime crime.



Eva is the owner of the Kharisma 9, which was allegedly used to hijack the tanker Joaquim in the Malacca Strait in August last year. It is alleged that the crew of the Kharisma 9 stole 2,900 tons of light crude oil (LCO) from the Joaquim.



'According to the suit, only the police had the authority to investigate the case, not the military,' Ariris said.



The South Jakarta District Court in its ruling, however, decided that the Navy had the right to investigate any cases related to crimes at sea.



Ariris said that Eva failed to attend the hearing and was represented by her legal team. There was no response from Eva or her lawyers regarding the court's decision.



Armabar's intelligence assistant, Col. S. Irawan said that based on Law No. 34/2004 on the Indonesian Military (TNI), the Navy has the authority to investigate certain maritime crimes and to name someone a suspect.
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Linkedin Grace D. Amianti (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sat, January 16, 2016

Financial conglomerates have adequate capital as they prepare for an upcoming regulation to soon be introduced by the Financial Services Authority (OJK), a top official says.



The OJK's deputy commissioner for banking supervision, Irwan Lubis, said the agency had found that the 50 financial conglomerates under its supervision had sufficient capital ratios in accordance with the proposed policy.



However, he said, the OJK would require an entity in a conglomerate to add more capital if it found the ratio inadequate according to the upcoming regulation.



'If all entities in a conglomeration meet the required levels, then they will have no issue in terms of capital,' Irwan said in Jakarta recently.



Irwan said the new regulation would require each entity in a financial conglomerate to meet a certain percentage or ratio on capital adequacy in order to be calculated in terms of group consolidation.



For instance, he said, the OJK would deem a financial conglomerate had adequate capital if its bank and insurance company had higher capital adequacy ratios (CARs) and risk-based capital (RBC), respectively, than the levels required by the regulation.



The OJK is awaiting the Law and Human Rights Ministry's approval of the regulation, which will be called 'integrated minimum capital requirement for financial conglomerates'.



The OJK felt the need to improve the supervision of financial conglomerates, which had grown rapidly in recent years, with banks, finance firms and other types of business groups boosting expansion in the financial industry.



It aims to enhance the monitoring of financial conglomerates as their business risks have the potential to have a huge impact on the overall financial system.



The new rule will focus on the finances, risk management and corporate governance practices of conglomerates, including their subsidiaries.



The financial regulator initially planned to issue the regulation in the third quarter of 2015 and fully implement the capital regulation in 2016, giving conglomerates until the end of last year to adjust.



At least 50 financial conglomerates control almost 80 percent of the market, equal to Rp 5.1 quadrillion (US$366.6 billion) in total assets in the country's financial industry.



The supervisory body has identified 50 financial conglomerates existing in various forms. Fourteen conglomerates are vertically structured groups, while 29 others are horizontally structured and the remaining seven are mixed.



Bank Indonesia (BI) senior researcher Linda Maulidina said the central bank was ready to help the OJK improve the supervision of financial conglomerates, but it had limited access to delve more into the business groups.



She said the central bank had limited access, for instance, for tracking overseas funding used by a business group.



'I hope financial conglomerates can be more transparent, so that regulators will be able to capture clearly the business types in the groups, whether they have upstream or downstream value chains,' she said.



PermataBank president director Roy A. Arfandy said Permata, owned by British lender and diversified conglomerate Astra International, understood the OJK's requirement that a main entity in a financial conglomeration should conduct integrated monitoring of its subsidiaries.



'The main entity will assess the risk profiles of each subsidiary in its conglomeration and issue recommendations for follow-up,' he said, adding that most banks that had financial conglomeration met the requirements of the upcoming policy.

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Linkedin Ruslan Sangadji (The Jakarta Post) Palu  Sat, January 16, 2016

Speculation continues to mount that most-wanted terrorist suspect Santoso was killed in a shootout with police and military personnel on Tineba Mountain, Poso, Central Sulawesi on Friday morning, as a photograph of a dead man similar to the suspect began to circulate.

Central Sulawesi Governor Longki Djanggola, quoting what he described as a reliable source, said it was believed that the body was indeed that of Santoso. He praised the Tinombala operation, which was aimed at eradicating Santoso's militant group the East Indonesia Mujahidin (MIT).

"Please proceed with the operation, and exterminate the vicious groups which have spread terror in Poso and surrounding areas," he said.

A former Poso combatant Pian Djumpai told The Jakarta Post that the dead terrorist in the picture was almost identical to Santoso.

Poso Police chief Adj. Comr. Sony Susanto said the joint force were in pursuit of the Santoso group and at around 09.30 a.m (local time), gunfire and homemade grenades were aimed at them from a hut owned by a local resident.

"The group defended its position in the hut and a gun battle erupted," he said, without commenting on the alleged photograph of the dead terrorist.

Deputy Central Sulawesi Police chief Comr. Leo Bona Lubis confirmed the gun battle and the death of several suspected terrorists. However, he would not state categorically that Santoso was among the dead.

Central Sulawesi Police's Adj. Comr. Hari Suprapto explained that the dead body was currently being held at Bhayangkara Hospital, Palu, for rapid identification through preliminary tests, including DNA samples to be matched with those of Santoso family members. (ags)
Ukraine's Foreign Ministry has condemned terrorist acts, which have recently shaken a series of countries, and said that Ukraine in its capacity of the non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council intends to take measures to step up international efforts in the fight against terrorism.

"Ukraine will take measures to step up efforts of the international community in a systematic fight against terrorist threat. As a UN Security Council non-permanent member, Ukraine will attend to this matter specifically. We will welcome and support any efforts directed at a comprehensive and systemic counteraction to this phenomena and threats to the international world and security, which were brought about by terrorist attacks and by financing of terrorism, as well as at the prosecution and punishment of persons responsible for these crimes," Ukraine's Foreign Ministry said in a statement circulated by the agency's press service on Thursday.

The Foreign Ministry pointed to the special importance that the efficacy of efforts on the international and national levels has in order to prevent and combat funding of terrorist activities and organizations, as well as on inevitable prosecution and punishment of individuals or organizations that provide such funding in any forms and by any means.

"Engagement in a real and not declarative cooperation among the states and mutual assistance of law enforcers to prevent crimes of terrorism funding are the keys to overcome this phenomena. Any sponsorship of these crimes by state agencies or officials should entail international responsibility of states for financing terrorism," the statement said.

The Foreign Ministry also strongly condemns a series of brutal terrorist attacks which in recent days have killed and injured people, namely in Turkey, Cameroon, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Indonesia.
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Linkedin Fedina S. Sundaryani, Hans Nicholas Jong and Ganug Nugroho Adi (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta/Surakarta  Sat, January 16, 2016

National Police chief Gen. Badrodin Haiti has confirmed that investigators strongly believe that orders and funding to commit the terrrorist attacks in Central Jakarta on Thursday came directly from the Islamic State (IS) movement in Syria.



'Based on what we have detected, there were orders and funding from there [Syria],' Badrodin replied when asked whether former terrorist suspect Muhammad Bahrun Naim, who is believed to be with IS in Syria, orchestrated the attacks.



Although Badrodin declined to disclose the methods IS used to transfer funds to radical groups in Indonesia, he said that it was possible that the money used for logistics changed hands several times to avoid detection.



At 10:55 a.m. on Thursday, explosions and gunfire broke out near the Sarinah shopping center on Jl. Thamrin. The location is about a kilometer from the State Palace and surrounded by government and private offices, hotels and malls. According to the police, two gunmen were shot dead during a standoff with the authorities and three died in suicide bomb attacks in front of Starbucks cafA in the Cakrawala Building and at a traffic police post on Jl. Thamrin.



The attacks also resulted in the death of two civilians, including a Canadian national, and left dozens injured.



One of the gunmen has been identified as Afif, alias Sunakim, who had previously been convicted for terrorist-related activities. Afif was reportedly part of a radical group led by terrorist suspect Sulaiman Aman Abdurrahman.



However, the police currently believe that Afif was following orders from Bahrun, who is allegedly influential among terrorist cells in Java and Sulawesi.



Former friends of 32-year-old Bahrun from his hometown in Surakarta, Central Java, remember him differently. Abdullah, 33, a former student of Sebelas Maret University in Surakarta, described Bahrun as someone who enjoyed using computers and was even the head of the university's Computer Science Student Association.



In November 2010, the National Police's counterterrorism unit (Densus 88) arrested Bahrun and seized hundreds of rounds of ammunition at his house in Pasar Kliwon, Surakarta. The Surakarta District Court sentenced him in June 2011 to two-and-a-half years in prison for violating Emergency Law No. 12/1951 on illegal firearms possession.



Another former associate, Rahayu, who is close to Muslim activists in the region, said that although Bahrun was not well known he was charismatic and networked easily. She added that 'after he was released [Bahrun] returned and announced he wanted to join IS in 2014. He was one of the hundreds of Indonesians who traveled to Syria to join IS. I have not heard from him since'.



The police have been continuing follow-up operations since Thursday's attacks. On Friday, Densus 88 arrested terrorist suspect Fajrul bin Saelan, alias Fajrul, 27, and his family in Balikpapan, East Kalimantan. Ambon-born Fajrul was reportedly found to be in possession of a message from someone named Abu Mumtaz, that contained advice on how to commit jihad.



Also on Friday, police and military personnel engaged in a shoot-out with the Santoso-led East Indonesia Mujahiddin (MIT) in Poso, Central Sulawesi, which left one suspected terrorist dead.



Meanwhile, National Intelligence Agency (BIN) chief Sutiyoso also confirmed that instructions for Thursday's attack had been sent directly from Syria.



The agency had already detected the possibility of an IS-backed attack in November last year, he said.



'[We detected a possible] attack on Jan. 9, but in reality it did not occur and instead occurred on Jan. 14,' the former Jakarta governor said at the BIN headquarters in South Jakarta.



N. Adri and Ruslan Sangadji from Balikpapan and Palu also contributed to the story.

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Linkedin Corry Elyda (The Jakarta Post)  Sat, January 16, 2016

The management of Qlue, a government monitoring app for the general public, is planning an offline campaign and several initiatives to increase awareness among Jakarta residents toward their environs.



Qlue marketing head Johanes Edward said on Friday that the company did not want to stop its effort to improve the city by accommodating complaints from residents through the app.



'After reporting complaints, we need to consider what comes next? Do we have to report all the time?' he asked.



Johanes said that he hoped that the number of reports lodged through the app would decrease, as it would be an indication that improvements were being made.



However, such improvement would not be achieved instantly, he emphasized. 'The residents should actively involve themselves in improvement efforts,' he said.



The initiative, dubbed Berani Berubah (Dare to Change), Johanes said, would consist of a one-year program where Qlue management would pick figures or agents of change from among the various stakeholders to pitch ideas that could be used to upgrade their neighborhood. 'They can be from communities, individuals or public figures,' he said.



He added that the highest number of reports received by Qlue had, thus far, focused on three issues ' sanitation, public facilities and traffic. 'We want agents to come up with initiatives regarding those three issues,' he said.



Johanes said that he believed residents or communities also had ideas on how to improve their neighborhoods.



The selected program or ideas would be presented in front of the city officials, including Governor Basuki 'Ahok' Tjahaja Purnama, Johanes said. 'We will cooperate together to realize the programs in the second semester of this year,' he added.



The company also has a short-term campaign. 'We will cooperate with a running community to hold a fun run event on Valentine's Day,' he said, adding that the route for the fun run event would head toward City Hall.



'Running clubs, for example, will also have their own ideas with regard to what needs improvement, like sidewalks to run safely on around the city,' he said.



He added that, while running, community members would be encouraged to look at their surroundings and identify problems like broken public facilities or garbage. 'They can take a picture and post it on Qlue,' he said.



In addition to the fun run, a neighborhood clean-up event has been planned for February in cooperation with the Indonesian Forum for the Environment's (Walhi) Jakarta branch.



'We will pick up small trash and photograph the huge piles and post these on Qlue,' he said, adding that the venue will be either in the street or beside a river.



Launched last year, Qlue had collected 155,000 members as of January. The app has become a channel for residents to report or complain about public matters to city administration officials, especially subdistrict and district heads.



Ahok previously said that he could monitor how city officials responded to the reports through Cepat Respon Opini Publik (CROP).



' JP/Corry Elyda
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Linkedin Frazier Moore (The Jakarta Post) New York  Sat, January 16, 2016

Sean Penn says his article on Mexican drug lord Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman "failed" in its mission.



Speaking to CBS' "60 Minutes," the actor said his intention in tracking down the escaped drug kingpin and writing about him for "Rolling Stone" was to kick-start a discussion of the U.S. government's policy on the War on Drugs.



But the public's attention has instead been focused on the fact that Penn found and met with Guzman for seven hours in a mountain hideout last October while he was still evading Mexican officials. He was apprehended only last week after six months on the run.



Excerpts from the interview with Penn were released Friday. The interview airs on "60 Minutes" Sunday.



Penn has been drawn into a controversy over whether he may have assisted in the recapture effort, or, conversely, may have prolonged the search by keeping silent until the article was published last week.



Penn said the Mexican government was "clearly very humiliated" but insisted he had played no role in Guzman's eventual recapture.



"We had met with him many weeks earlier," he says. "On October 2nd, in a place nowhere near where he was captured."



Guzman's reason for agreeing to meet with the Hollywood star was first explained as resulting from his interest in having a movie made about him.

Then it seemed his interest was in a face-to-face encounter not with Penn, but with the contact who was bringing them together: Mexican actress Kate del Castillo, with whom Guzman openly flirted in recently published text messages.



For his part, Penn said he had only one true mission.



Guzman, he said, was someone through whom "I could begin a conversation about the policy of the war on drugs. That was my simple idea."



The Rolling Stone article set off a bombshell, including criticism over the magazine's willingness to give Guzman approval of the article before it was published.



There was also suspicion about Penn's qualifications as a Hollywood star, not an established journalist, to report such a big story.



"When you get the story that every journalist in the world wanted, there's a lot of green-eyed monsters who gonna come give you a kiss," said Penn, who believes Guzman gave him access because he's not a professional journalist.



In an email exchange with the Associated Press Monday about his meeting with Guzman, Penn said, "I've got nothin' to hide." But he told "60 Minutes" he has "a terrible regret."



"I have a regret that the entire discussion about this article ignores its purpose, which was to try to contribute to this discussion about the policy in the War on Drugs," Penn said.



"Let's go to the big picture of what we all want: We all want this drug problem to stop," he said, but added that the market for these illicit drugs includes many Americans. "There is a complicity there."



But what percentage of the discussion that resulted from the article has been focused on these larger issues?



"One percent ' I think that'd be generous," Penn said. "Let me be clear. My article failed." (ags)
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Linkedin Agnes Anya (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sat, January 16, 2016

A shooting incident in Alam Sutera on Thursday was not related to suspected terrorist attacks that took place in the Sarinah area of Central Jakarta, South Tangerang Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Ayi Supardan has said.

Ayi confirmed that the shooting was in fact related to a robbery, adding that a driver suffered injuries to his back in the incident.

The driver was reportedly accompanying his superior, Setyo Bawono, who had just withdrawn Rp 60 million (US$4,309) in cash from a bank in Alam Sutera.

On their way home, according to Ayi, the driver realized that his car had a flat tire. When he got out of the car, a unknown man fired a shot at him but missed, before approaching him and stabbing him in the back.

"Apparently, the suspects had stalked Setyo before," Ayi said, adding that more than two suspects were allegedly involved.

As the incident occurred, Setyo ran to a nearby crowded place. The driver has been rushed to the hospital. (kes)
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Linkedin Suzan Fraser (The Jakarta Post) Ankara  Sat, January 16, 2016

Police in Turkey detained academics Friday labelled "dark people" by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for signing a declaration denouncing military operations against Kurdish rebels, heightening concerns about freedom of expression in the country.



The state-run Anadolu Agency said 19 academics among more than 1,000 scholars who had signed the declaration were detained Friday, 15 of whom were released after questioning.

It said prosecutors have launched investigations into the academics on possible charges of insulting the state and engaging in "terrorist propaganda" on behalf of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party, or PKK.



The move, which was criticized by rights groups and U.S. officials, came after Erdogan decried the signatories and called on the judiciary to act against the "treachery."



Erdogan said the declaration by the academics, including linguist Noam Chomsky, was biased against the state, used the same language as "terrorists" and did not speak out against the rebel group's violence.

On Thursday, Kurdish rebels detonated a car bomb at a police station in southeastern Turkey, then attacked it with rocket launchers and firearms. Six people were killed, including three children, authorities said.



Erdogan renewed his attacks against the scholars Friday after he prayed at Istanbul's Blue Mosque and walked to the nearby site of Tuesday's suicide bomb attack that was blamed on the Islamic State group and killed 10 German tourists.



"Just because they have titles such as professor, doctor in front of their names does not make them enlightened. These are dark people," Erdogan said. "They are villains and vile because those who side with the villains are villains themselves."



In the declaration, more than 1,000 academics from Turkey and abroad said they refused to be "a party to the crime" and called on the government to halt what they said was a "massacre."



The declaration was referring to military operations against Kurdish militants in neighborhoods and towns in Turkey's mainly Kurdish southeast where the government has imposed extended curfews.

The militants, who are linked to the PKK, have mounted barricades, dug trenches and set up explosives to keep authorities away. The operations have resulted in more than 100 civilian casualties and displaced thousands, human rights groups say.



The academics also called for the resumption of peace efforts with the rebels.



Anadolu said 15 academics from Kocaeli University in northwestern Turkey, three from Uludag University in the neighboring province of Bursa, and one from Bulent Ecevit University in the Black Sea coastal city of Zonguldak were detained for questioning on Friday. The Kocaeli academics were later released.



Police were acting in line with probes launched by local prosecutors in those regions. Several other universities instigated probes into faculty members who also signed the declaration, according to Anadolu, in moves that could lead to dismissals.

The Dogan news agency reported Thursday that Duzce University in northwestern Turkey fired a sociology lecturer for signing the declaration.



Rights group PEN International called for the immediate release of the academics, saying their detention is yet another example of the growing intolerance toward critical voices in Turkey.



"PEN calls on Turkey to cease immediately its crackdown on dissident voices and act in accordance with its obligations to respect the right to freedom of expression," it said in a statement.



The United States expressed concern over the proceedings against the scholars, saying all citizens should be free to express controversial or unpopular views.



"Criticism of government does not equal treason," U.S. Ambassador John Bass said through the embassy's Twitter account. "Turkish democracy is strong enough and resilient enough to embrace free expression of uncomfortable ideas."



The mayor for Ankara, known for making blunt statements, responded to Bass on Twitter, calling him the "wrong choice" as ambassador to Turkey.



"Return to your country," Melih Gokcek tweeted. "You should be replaced by a new ambassador."



The PKK, considered a terrorist organization by Turkey and its western allies, has waged a more than 30-year separatist battle in southeastern Turkey. The conflict has killed tens of thousands of people. (ags)
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Linkedin Syofiardi Bachyul Jb (The Jakarta Post) Padang  Sat, January 16, 2016

A Sumatran tiger at the Kinantan Cultural and Wildlife Park (TMBK) in Bukittinggi, West Sumatra, gave birth to a pair of male cubs on Thursday, increasing the number of Sumatran tigers at the park to seven.



TMBK head Ikbal said that the mother tiger, Sean, was 4-years-old and had been pregnant for three months before delivering her cubs. The gestation period for tigers ranges from 80 to 100 days.



'At 8 in the morning, our officers noticed the mother had given birth to two tigers, each weighing 1.5 kilograms and in robust health,' Ikbal told The Jakarta Post on Friday.



According to Ikbal, Sean shares a cage with her mate, 4-year-old Si Bancah; to prevent trouble, Sean and her two babies have now been moved.



'We've isolated Sean and her two babies from Si Bancah and visitors because they could distract her. The mother tiger might even refuse to breastfeed her cubs,' Ikbal said.



The isolation period would last around two months, Ikbal said, based on the park's previous experience, in 2014, of a female tiger giving birth.



After two months, Ikbal said, Sean and her babies would be returned to Si Bancah's cage, where visitors would be allowed to observe them and, on certain occasions, touch them.



The two infant tigers will have been given names by the time they are introduced to the public.



With the births of the two cubs, the park boasts seven Sumatran tigers, four of them male.



'This has been a happy week for us because on Jan. 7 a clouded leopard also gave birth to a healthy cub here,' Ikbal revealed.



West Sumatra Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA) head Margo Utomo warmly welcomed the birth of the two tiger cubs, referring to it as a blessing for the beginning of the year.



'This news comes as very welcome news in light of the current decreasing tiger population,' Margo said.



The population of Sumatran tigers, he added, was currently was around 400 in the whole of Sumatra, and the species is under severe threat. Last year the West Sumatra BKSDA found a tiger that had been killed as a result of conflict with humans.



'We are optimistic that tiger habitats still exist in the forests of West Sumatra. We installed a camera in a protected forest in Pasaman, and it recorded footage showing four tigers,' Margo said.



His office's primary function, he went on, was to prevent the tiger population from falling any further by working to prevent conflict with humans arising in buffer zones.



The Switzerland-based International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has listed the Sumatran tiger as a critically endangered species since 1996.



The organization reported that the species had been struggling with habitat loss amid expansion of oil palm and acacia plantations, as well as illegal trade, primarily for the domestic market.



Poachers frequently hunt the tigers, which are native to the vast and diverse habitats of Sumatra, as their body parts fetch high prices for their use in traditional Chinese medicine.



In August last year, the Indonesian police arrested four men for allegedly killing a Sumatran tiger and trying to sell its body parts.



Acting on a tipoff, a group of police officers posing as potential buyers arrested the men as they allegedly attempted to sell the tiger's skin, bones and teeth.
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Linkedin Lolita C. Baldor (The Jakarta Post) Washington  Sat, January 16, 2016

Eight civilians were killed and three others injured in five U.S.-led coalition airstrikes against Islamic State militants last year in Iraq and Syria, according to investigations by the U.S. military's Central Command.

The investigations concluded that the strikes complied with the laws on armed conflict and that appropriate precautions were taken. The latest findings increase the number of U.S.-acknowledged civilian casualties to 14 dead and five injured since the airstrikes began in 2014.

Independent monitoring groups and activists have repeatedly said that coalition and other airstrikes have killed hundreds of civilians.

Those complaints have escalated since Russian airstrikes began in Syria, with U.S. officials saying that Moscow's so-called dumb bombs were not as precise as coalition strikes and were killing citizens.

"We take extraordinary precautions to reduce the possibility of civilian casualties, but unfortunately in war, these things will happen," U.S. Army Col. Steve Warren, a military spokesman in Iraq, told The Associated Press. "In the few moments that the weapon is in the air, between aircraft and target, maybe a motorcycle will drive up or a car will drive up or someone will emerge that had previously been unseen and then tragedy happens."

In at least three of the five incidents reported Friday, the military said that civilians moved into the target zone after the coalition aircraft fired its weapon.

According to the report:

' Two civilians were killed on April 12, 2015, near Hawija, Iraq, during an airstrike on an Islamic State unit

' Three civilians were killed on June 11, 2015, near Soluk, Syria, during strikes against an IS unit

' One civilian was injured on June 19, 2015, near Tall al-Adwaniyah, Syria, during an airstrike on two IS vehicles. The investigation said that the civilian moved into the target zone after the weapon was fired.

' Two civilians were injured on June 29, 2015, near Haditha, Iraq, during strikes against an IS unit and vehicles. The investigation said that "two seconds prior to impact" a car slowed down in front of the IS vehicles a motorcycle passed by. The report said there wasn't enough evidence to determine the level of injuries of the civilians.

' Three civilians were likely killed on July 4, 2015, near Raqqa, Syria, when a coalition airstrike targeted a high-value IS militant. The report said that a car and a motorcycle moved into the target zone after the weapon was fired. (ags)
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Linkedin Indra Budiari and Agnes Anya (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sat, January 16, 2016

Injured victims of the terrorist attacks that shook the center of Jakarta on Thursday have continued to be the object of support and sympathy from friends, family and well-wishers, with some reportedly recovering under treatment.



Adj. First Insp. Asep Yanto, an officer with the Pulogadung Police in East Jakarta, said the condition of his son, Permana, was slowly improving under treatment at the Gatot Subroto Army Central Hospital (RSPAD) in Central Jakarta.



Permana and his brother Agus were passing the area when bombs started to explode, with a shoot-out subsequently breaking out between terrorists and police.



'Thankfully, my son's condition isn't as bad as first thought. His wounds are minor, as he was some way from the exploding bombs,' Asep told reporters on Friday, adding that Permana had suffered burns on his chest and cuts to the hands and neck.



According to Jakarta Police health department head Sr. Comr. Musyafak, the incident had claimed the lives of seven people, five reportedly the perpetrators and two civilians, an Indonesian and a Canadian.



The incident also injured 26 people, seven of whom are now out of the hospital. Nineteen others are still undergoing treatment at Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital and Tarakan Regional Hospital in Central Jakarta, Husada Hospital in West Jakarta and Metropolitan Medical Center Hospital in South Jakarta.



Another victim's relative, Sajinnah, said her niece, 24-year-old Anggun Kartikasari, had sustained severe burns to many parts of her body.



'The doctors are still treating her intensively. I do hope she'll get better soon; she's such a good girl,' Sajinnah told reporters.



According to Sajinnah, Anggun was at the attack scene to submit a job application at a shopping center located just meters from the Starbucks cafA where the first bomb exploded.



'I'm still struggling to comprehend how something like this could happen to her. She only moved to Jakarta a few weeks ago,' she added.



Like Anggun, UN Environment Programme (UNEP) employee Johan Kieft, a Dutchman, is currently under intensive treatment at the RSPAD.



Kieft is a renowned expert in forestry and ecosystem management stationed in Jakarta as part of the UN team that provides support to the Indonesian government in combating peatland fires, according to UNEP.



He has since Thursday undergone surgery to remove materials including shards of glass and nails from his body, according to his colleague Agus Sari. Agus added that the 12-hour operation had also worked to set the patient's fractured foot bones. Kieft suffered various injuries to his body, head and legs.



After the operation, he went on, Kieft was in a stable condition, but was being kept in an intensive care unit for monitoring.



Unlike the more seriously hurt, private-sector employee Andi Dina Noviana was undergoing outpatient treatment to treat her ears, feet and arms.



Dina said that she was still suffering from ringing in her ears in the wake of the loud explosions; she was also in pain from stitches on her right arm and from open wounds on her arm and foot.



'It's hard for me to move my arms,' Novi said, lying weakly on the bed, adding the following the attacks, she was suffering trauma and was fearful to leave the house.



Novi and Kieft were among victims who were inside the Starbucks coffee shop at the time of the attacks.



The capital showed few signs of the previous day's horror, as hurried Jakartans went about their business and traffic clogged the streets.



Michael Haryo Bergas Prabowo, for example, said that he and his colleagues were working normal office hours at their office, which is situated on Jl. Sudirman, a few kilometers from the scene of the attacks on Jl. MH Thamrin.



Like Haryo, pilot Rizky F. Lubis said he detected no manifest changes in Jakarta. He had not hesitated, he added, to spend his day off driving around the city seeking out culinary delights. There had, he acknowledged, been a more visible police presence in certain areas, including Cawang in East Jakarta and Pancoran in South Jakarta.



Meanwhile, on Friday afternoon, hundreds of Jakartans dressed in white came to the attack scene carrying banners emblazoned with the hashtag #KamiTidakTakut (We are Not Afraid), in a rally intended to show solidarity with victims and defiance to the perpetrators of terrorism. The event ran on until the evening.

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Linkedin The Jakarta Post Jakarta  Sat, January 16, 2016

The international community has praised the Indonesian government for its handling of the Sarinah terrorist attacks on Thursday and its aftermath.



The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) applauded the swift response taken by the Indonesian authorities in dealing with the attack.



The UNSC said in a statement that it condemned the attack in the strongest terms while also expressing concerns over the continued threat posed by the Islamic State (IS) movement.



'In light of the recent spate of terrorist attacks around the world, including Cameroon, Turkey, Pakistan and other regions, and recalling recent Security Council press statements including those issued on attacks in Libya on Jan. 7 and in Iraq on Jan. 11, the members of the Security Council expressed serious concern with the continued threat posed to international peace and security by IS, al-Qaeda and associated individuals, groups, undertakings, and entities,' the Security Council said.



ASEAN also commended the Indonesian security forces' swift and courageous actions in responding to the attack.



'ASEAN fully supports the government of Indonesia in bringing the perpetrators of these heinous acts to justice and remains united and committed to working with the international community to further intensify its cooperation to combat terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, regardless of its motivation, wherever, whenever and by whomsoever it is committed,' ASEAN foreign ministers said in a statement sent by the ASEAN Secretariat on Friday.



Many countries stated that they were ready to support Indonesia in its fight against terrorism in the wake of the attack.



The US government also voiced its support.



'The US is strongly committed to our strategic partnership with Indonesia and will stand by the government of Indonesia as it works to bring those responsible for this barbaric terrorist attack to justice and build a more secure future,' National Security Council spokesman Ned Price said in a statement.



From Japan, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said he was shocked and furious upon hearing what had happened in Jakarta. 'These terror acts cannot be tolerated for whatever reason. Therefore we have to condemn them unequivocally,' Abe said in a statement on Friday.



Representing the government and people of Japan, Abe expressed solidarity with the Indonesian government and people. 'My condolences go to those who died and pray that those who were injured recover quickly. Our thoughts and prayers are with President [Joko 'Jokowi' Widodo] and the Indonesian people.'



Meanwhile, the UK has also updated its travel advice for Indonesia to reflect the latest incidents in Jakarta, warning its citizens to avoid the affected area and limit movement around the city.



'The UK utterly condemns these senseless acts of violence [and] will continue to provide support and assistance to [the Indonesian government and people] as they work to defeat those who plan and perpetrate these acts of terror,' UK Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond said in a statement posted on a government website on Thursday.



Messages of condolences and sympathy were also sent by the Global Movement of Moderates Foundation.



The Kuala Lumpur-based institution works toward applying perspectives and frameworks of moderation to realize the goal of world peace and harmony, underlining the importance of eradicating extremism wherever it may be. 'We duly take note of the fact that these extreme actions are getting closer and closer to home; hence it is imperative for us to combat extremism wherever it may be.'

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Enough of Israel as the one innocent side that wishes for peace. We're not seeing that now, are we? Netanyahu is still on the loose trying to disrupt the lives of Palestinians. Violence has been happening for decades, with no sign of stopping. I wish for a similar accord signed between the two as when then Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) leader Yasser Arafat and then Israeli prime minister Yitzhak Rabin made the Oslo accords a reality. Unfortunately, it won't happen any time soon.



See, I still have the same view about this conflict. First of all, I'm not denying the rights of both sides to exist. Go talk to any Indonesian about Israel; they'll tell you that Israel is a state that should not exist. I believe both Israel and Palestine have the right to exist peacefully side by side. Now that's something that the current Israeli administration is trying to prevent; they don't want an independent Palestine.



When the Palestinians reach out to the international community for help, the US and Israel call it 'counterproductive'. The heck? To seek recognition from the international community was the one thing that any nation that became independent post World War II did. Now Palestine wishes to be independent, so it's only rational for them to seek help from the UN and other nations. I totally support that.



I have to disagree that the current Palestinian leadership strives for disseminating their own agenda (or propaganda according to some) through such a way as to use the very own state of their people, or to simplify it, playing the victim role to get attention.



When you're oppressed, when your own land is taken away from you, what can you say to the people? Just as anyone who has led a nation to its independence, the one thing they will tell the people is how to take back their land and fight the oppressor. George Washington did that, Sukarno did that, Mahatma Gandhi peacefully did that, etc.



Get my point? We're on the same page regarding the settlement expansion, so no need to touch that.



Silvio Bari

Jakarta
Specialists of the State Service of Special Communications and Information Protection of Ukraine revealed a workstation of the computer network with Black Energy virus at the Boryspil airport, which could be a sign of subversive activity by Russia, Presidential Administration Spokesman for the Anti-Terrorist Operation (ATO) issues Andriy Lysenko has said.

"Specialists of the State Service of Special Communications prevented a possible hacker attack by Russia. Yesterday, the communications specialists established that one of the workstations at the Boryspil airport was infected by Black Energy virus. The PC was disconnected from the airport's network, and the experts from the CERT UA group were informed on the incident," Lysenko said at a briefing in Kyiv on Saturday.

He said that the incident is being investigated. He said that the similar type of the virus was revealed during the cyberattack at Prykarpattiaoblenergo, which could be evidence of the well-targeted action of Russia's subversive activity.

As reported, public joint-stock company Prykarpattiaoblenergo, a power supply company on December 23, 2015 faced a massive power outage due to a cyberattack. Due to malfunction of teleautomatics the central part of Ivano-Frankivsk, Horodenka, Kalush, Dolyna, Kosiv, Tysmenytsia, Nadvirna districts and Yaremche zone were temporarily left without power. Prykarpattiaoblenergo faced a malfunction of the call center as it started receiving a huge number of calls.

The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) in late 2015 said that the SBU managed to stop an attempt of Russian intelligence services to interfere software of the Ukrainian power grid.

The SBU said that they revealed malware in the networks of some regional energy companies. The virus attack was accompanied by call flood to the call centers of regional power supply companies.
(front page)

Oregon actions demand Free

Hammonds, open land use

Some 300 ranchers and others marched in Burns, Oregon, Jan. 2 to protest the imposition of draconian additional five-year federal prison time on Dwight and Steven Hammond. The two area cattle ranchers have already served out their original, much shorter sentences for setting backfires on their property that burned small sections of adjacent government-controlled land. After the march, a small group of armed protesters occupied the nearby Malheur National Wildlife Refuge.

The main liberal media and much of the petty bourgeois left paint the protest, and anyone who supports its demands, as reactionary, racist or domestic terrorists. An editorial in the Dallas Morning News derided what it called #YallQaeda knuckleheads. David Atkins, a blogger for Washington Monthly, argued that while Occupy Wall Street and Black Lives Matter protesters are met with batons and tear gas, the cops are letting the Oregon occupiers off the hook, saying they should get the same treatment as Islamic State terrorists.

While most local residents say they would like the occupiers to leave, many ranchers and farmers in Oregon and around the country back the demand to free the Hammonds and oppose growing government regulations that burden ranchers and others trying to make a living off the land.

Federal authorities charged 73-year-old Dwight Hammond and his son Steven, who have owned ranch land bordering the Malheur refuge since the 1960s, with conspiracy and arson for several controlled fires that inadvertently spread to public land. They set the fires both to protect their ranch from nearby wildfires and to control intrusive weeds, a common practice.

In 2012 Dwight Hammond was convicted on one count for a 2001 fire. His son was found guilty in that blaze and one in 2006, which burned one acre of public land while protecting their ranchs winterfeed from a wildfire started by lightning.

The federal governments charges against the Hammonds included a mandatory five-year prison sentence under the 1996 Anti-Terrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act. After the convictions, trial Judge Michael Hogan refused to impose the mandatory terms, saying they would be grossly disproportionate. Citing the constitutional protection against cruel and unusual punishment, Hogan sentenced Dwight Hammond to three months and Steven Hammond to one year in prison, which they served.

The government appealed, and the 9th Circuit Court ordered the district court to resentence them. The Hammonds reported to a prison in California Jan. 4 to begin serving the longer terms.

This is a good example of why we need land reform in the U.S., especially for poor farmers, Willie Head, an African-American farmer in Pavo, Georgia, involved in struggles to defend working farmers and their land, told the Militant. What really bothers me is that the son and father were convicted of arson and given a sentence, and then the federal court of appeals judge decided it wasnt enough and increased it. Thats a dangerous precedent.

Following the Jan. 2 march, some people  news reports suggest perhaps a couple dozen  took over the unoccupied headquarters of the nearby Malheur wildlife refuge. The group is headed by Ammon Bundy, who owns a truck maintenance business in Tempe, Arizona. Calling themselves Citizens for Constitutional Freedom, they demand the Hammonds release and an end to federal control of land in the West.

Bundys father, Cliven Bundy, is a large-scale ranch owner in Nevada. He had an armed standoff with the Bureau of Land Management in 2014 over $1 million in unpaid federal grazing fees.

Protests over restrictions on land

Harney County has a population of about 7,000, spread out over 10,000 square miles. Timber mills and a mobile home manufacturing plant have closed since 1978, leaving farmers, ranchers and some agriculture-related and retail jobs. As in other rural areas throughout the West, disputes over grazing and other land use on government-owned land go back more than a century.

The first national reserve lands were set aside in the 1890s, provoking clashes with homesteaders, miners and small ranchers over access to timber, grazing and mining. The 1934 Taylor Grazing Act effectively ended homesteading, and set up a system of permits and payments for grazing on public land that especially favored larger landowners.

Since the 1970s, ever more government regulations, often in the name of environmental protection, have been imposed on federal land use, impacting family farmers and ranchers the hardest. Today the Bureau of Land Management and other federal agencies control 85 percent of the land in Nevada and over half in Alaska, Idaho, Oregon and Utah.

Hundreds of residents attended a community meeting in Burns Jan. 6. Many thanked those occupying the Malheur refuge for bringing national attention to the Hammonds case and to the issues around grazing rights. Most also said occupiers should leave, not wanting the situation to escalate into a deadly confrontation like the 1993 FBI assault on the Branch Davidian sect in Waco, Texas, in which more than 80 people, including 17 children, were killed.

The FBI and other federal authorities have set up a command center in Burns, but so far have not attempted to dislodge the occupiers, based on policies adopted after confrontations like the one Waco. Theyre collecting intelligence, doing surveillance, have familiarized themselves with the layout of the refuge buildings, may be intercepting calls and contacting people who may have had a falling out with the occupiers, the Oregonian reported Jan. 12, citing former federal agents.

The Hammonds say Bundy does not represent them, and they dont support the occupation.

The protesters have no claim to this land, said Charlotte Rodrique, chairwoman of the Burns Paiute Tribal Council, at a Jan. 6 press conference. It belongs to the native people who continue to live here. The Burns Paiute have their own disputes with the U.S. government, including increasingly bureaucratic obstacles about fishing and hunting on federal land. But, Rodrique said, the occupiers are endangering the safety of our community and they need to leave.

Bundy says he backs the Paiutes land claims.

Rancher Cory Shelman told a Jan. 11 community meeting in Burns that local federal employees  who have reportedly been followed and felt rattled by the out-of-town visitors and anti-government rhetoric  have a right to their jobs and should be treated with respect, the Oregonian said. But he also said he doesnt think its constructive to label Bundy a thug and believes Bundy has committed a public service by raising the issue of federal land management.





Related articles:

Free Dwight and Steven Hammond!







Front page (for this issue) | Home | Text-version home




Socialist Workers Party backs

defense of Somali meatpackers

We met with workers in their homes, outside the giant Cargill meatpacking plant where more than 150 Somali workers were fired in December in a dispute over their right to pray, and in small stores affected by the firings, reported Jacquie Henderson from Minneapolis. She was part of a team of members and supporters of the Socialist Workers Party from Colorado, California and Minnesota who visited Fort Morgan, Colorado, Jan. 9-11 to learn more about the workers fight and be able to build support for it.

Many wanted to learn more about a party like ours, she said, especially after seeing the Militants coverage of party leader Joel Britton joining Imam Musa Balde in speaking at a meeting protesting an attack on a mosque in Alameda, California.

Dozens of workers stopped to talk at Cargills afternoon shift change Jan. 11, Henderson said. Twenty-four bought copies of the Militant and one Spanish-speaking worker with 20 years at the plant subscribed. He disagreed with some of his co-workers who said that perhaps the Muslims were just trying to get more breaks. I do think the Somali workers have a problem with the company denying them time to pray, he said. The company has been trying to push all of us back on our break.

One Caucasian worker who was picking up his brother and got a copy of the paper said he wasnt for companies and governments interfering in peoples lives, like in Oregon, where the two guys were put in jail for taking care of their land, Henderson wrote.

We have been taking initiatives in defense of Mohamed Harkat, who the Canadian government is trying to deport, wrote Katy LeRougetel from Calgary, Alberta. Originally from Algeria, Harkat is one of the Secret Trial 5  Muslim Arab men subjected to arbitrary detention and threat of deportation using security certificates. The certificates allow the government to use secret evidence that neither the defendants nor their lawyers can see.

Members of the Communist League here have spoken with co-workers about this attack on all workers rights, said LeRougetel. Several have signed letters opposing Harkats deportation. I spoke about the case at a candlelight vigil in front of City Hall Jan. 6, organized by the Hussaini Association of Calgary to protest the execution of Sheik Nimr al-Nimr in Saudi Arabia. There were lots of nods when I said that attacks on Muslims and mosques were encouraged by the governments war on terror.

In Miami, SWP member Amanda Ulman and Munawar Chaudhry of Muslims for Peace and the Al Ahmadiyya Muslim Community shared the platform at a Militant Labor Forum Jan. 8. In December the SWP participated in a public meeting that Al Ahmadiyya organized in Hallandale Beach as a memorial for those killed in the attack by Islamic State supporters in San Bernardino, California, and in response to attacks on several Florida mosques.

We will continue to join with others in protesting these attacks, said Ulman. Washington uses the violent massacres in San Bernardino and Paris to justify its military policy in the Mideast. This is what encourages those who attack Muslims and mosques. Defense comes from public mobilizations.

Chaudhry said that statements of solidarity give strength to Muslims in times like this.





Related articles:

Washington seeks bloc with Moscow, Tehran in Mideast war







Front page (for this issue) | Home | Text-version home




This week, senior U.S. officials at the White House, the State Department, and the Department of Justice will welcome to Washington, D.C., a senior-level Ukrainian delegation comprised of representatives of the Ministry of Justice, the Prosecutor Generals Office, and the newly-appointed Anti-Corruption Prosecutors Unit, the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv reported.

U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Geoffrey Pyatt expressed his strong support for the visit: In 2016, there is no more critical task than pressing forward on rooting out the endemic corruption that has done so much to hold Ukraine back from fulfilling its economic potential since its independence. The Ukrainian people want to know that allegations of corruption will be thoroughly and properly investigated, and that those responsible will be held accountable in a clean, transparent judicial system that serves the Ukrainian people. Ukraine's success depends on it."

Pyatt underscored the United States' commitment to working with Ukrainian reformers and our European partners to help Ukraine build a judicial system free from corruption and firmly rooted in the rule of law: "Through training programs and other assistance, the United States is working with Ukraine to ensure judges are independent so they can uphold the law free from political pressure. We continue to support efforts to build a modern, professional police force and public prosecution service. All of these steps - improving efficiency, accountability, and transparency; tackling corruption; strengthening rule of law - are critical to attracting investment and bringing Ukraine closer to Europe."
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The United States has briefed Kyiv on the negotiations held between U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Victoria Nuland and Russian Presidential Aide Vladislav Surkov, the U.S. Embassy in Ukraine has said.

On Saturday, January 16, the U.S. officials have briefed senior Ukrainian officials on Bankova Street [where Ukraine's presidential administration is located], and also Ukrainian government about Assistant Secretary of State Nuland's talks with Surkov, the Embassy said in a statement.

This meeting was scheduled during the talks of U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Moscow on January 15.

The talks on January 15 were constructive and designed to support the ongoing work of the Normandy Four countries and the Trilateral Contact Group, the Embassy noted.

"Assistant Secretary Nuland's meeting with Presidential Advisor Surkov was part of our continued efforts to work with Russia to ensure full implementation of the Minsk agreements, in close coordination with the other Normandy powersUkraine, Germany, and France. They are open to meeting again, if useful to the Normandy Process," the Embassy said, stressing that the U.S. "routinely updates Ukrainian and European partners, including France and Germany, on conversations with Russia."

The behind-closed-doors meeting between Nuland and Surkov was held at a presidential residence in Pionersk, near Kaliningrad (Russia) on Friday, January 15. The talks lasted for about six hours.

U.S. State Department spokesman John Kirby issued a statement, saying that the discussion focused on the situation in eastern Ukraine and the need for full implementation on the Minsk agreements.
Arrested Phuket serial thief released from prison 12 days ago

PHUKET: A Phuket man who was recently released from prison after serving time for theft was arrested once again yesterday (Jan 15) for stealing valuables worth more than B23,500 from schools.



By Darawan Naknakhon

Saturday 16 January 2016, 02:59PM

Prayuth Kreakaew, 39, was released from prison on Jan 4. Photo: Darawn Naknakhon

Lt Col Somsak Thongkleng of Phuket City Police arrested Prayuth Kreakaew, 39, on an arrest warrant issued yesterday for theft using a getaway vehicle after he stole valuables from the faculty room at Dowroong Wittaya School in Talad Neua on Jan 8.

Police arrested Prayuth at 4:50pm yesterday at a rented room in Takuapa Rd in Talad Yai.

Among items seized from Prayuth were clothing, hats, helmets, watches, backpacks, piggy bank and a Honda Click.

Lt Col Somsak revealed that Prayuth was released from Phuket Prison on Jan 4 where he served time on theft charges.

Prayuth told us that he could not find a job since being released from prison so he went around on a motorbike stealing other people's property, mostly from schools. He said he did it nine times in areas of Talad Neua and Talad Yai.

1. On Jan 8 he stole more than B200 from the faculty room at Dowroong Wittaya School.

2. On Jan 9 he stole items worth over B5000 from the workers rest room at Royal City Hotel.

3. On Jan 10 he stole more than B8,0000 in cash and other valuables from patients at Vachira Hospital.

4. On an unknown date he stole more than B14,800 worth of items from the staff restroom at Bangkok Hospital, Baan Nabon School in Wichit, Darasamuth School, Kathu Wittaya School, Kathu Municipality School and Thairat Wittaya School

Prayuth told police that he sold some items and spent the money on daily living expenses. He was taken to Phuket City Police to face yet more theft charges.
Expat eyes drift offshore

Offshore Financial Centres (OFCs) are jurisdictions, usually self-governing, which because of their low tax regimes, have specialized in providing commercial services to corporations and individuals, whether or not they are normally resident in that jurisdiction.



By The Phuket News

By Phuket Expat Finance

Saturday 16 January 2016, 12:05PM

The isle of Jersey is famed for its quiet life and strong offshore banking reputation.

The better-known offshore financial centres are small and sparsely populated countries or islands, and are typically very prosperous.

These centres often have specialist areas of finance for which they are known. Luxembourg, for example, is a renowned domicile for SICAVs (societe dinvestissement a capital variable) and unit trusts.

Fiduciary, trust and offshore company formation are sought out in the British Virgin Islands (BVI), Mauritius or the Seychelles. We have seen Gibraltar and Malta establishing themselves as the dominant jurisdictions for QROPS ( Qualifying Recognised Overseas Pension Scheme).

And, of course, other jurisdictions are popular for corporate and personal banking, as well as investment, such as Switzerland, Isle of Man and the Cayman Islands.

Interestingly, the United States, which has been critical of the tax breaks offered by offshore centres, actually harbours its very own tax-haven. Because of its tax-friendly laws, the US State of Delaware is home to over half of all publicly traded corporations in the United States and 60 per cent of Fortune 500 companies.

The number of OFCs has grown in recent years, and today there are nearly 100 OFCs spread around the world, with new centres are emerging all the time. Like Tunisia, for example. Africas first offshore centre, the US$3 billion (B108.38 billion) Tunis Financial Harbour development is expected to take advantage of its strategic position on the Mediterranean Sea to become the bridge between Europe and developing Africa.

The main benefit of keeping your money in an offshore centre usually relates to taxes, but they are not open to everyone. You must be deemed a non-resident of your home country for tax purposes in order to legitimately establish a base in an OFC. If you spend the vast majority of your time in Phuket, or have multiple countries of residency with favourable taxation systems like Thailands, you probably qualify.

For those Phuket residents who do spend time in their home countries, they must ensure that they are not spending sufficient time there for their government to continue to deem them a tax resident of that country. For example, the UK has a residency test which looks at the ties you still have to Britain; most other countries still go by the old 183 days rule.

So if you are a non-resident for tax purposes, what are the best and safest offshore centres to use? Based on security, political stability, and confidentiality it is difficult to compete with the UKs Channel Islands (Jersey and Guernsey), and the Isle of Man. These centres have investor protection schemes in place to protect your money which are equivalent, if not superior, to the assurances offered by most onshore jurisdictions (and certainly better than those in most other OFCs). All the institutions you can do business with are major institutions, with assets in the hundreds of billions, but to offer you an added layer of security, investments made on these islands are held by a third party trustee or custodian in a segregated account. In the case of the Isle of Man, a separate protection scheme has been established by the regulators to further protect your capital.

It is important to note that the Channel Islands and Isle of Man are British Crown Dependencies, but not part of the UK. This means their foreign representation and defense are handled by Whitehall, but they remain self-governing territories.

Whereas the UK has a diverse economy, a very large proportion of the GDP of these islands is based on financial services. Jersey and Guernsey have small tourist industries; the Isle of Man hosts the TT races every year; all three have a lot of sheep; but banking and finance are very much the staples of their economies. That means they will always do everything necessary to protect their already strong reputations.

If you would like to learn more about how an Offshore Centre cold benefit you for pension planning, taxation planning or even just for banking, please feel free to contact us at: chatwithus@phuketexpatfinance.com
Thai fishing boat seized for IUU fishing off coast of Phuket

PHUKET: A Thai fishing boat carrying 27 crew was seized for Illegal Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing by officers from Royal Navy Third Area Command on Thursday night (Jan 14) in a conservation area between Koh Lon and Koh Hae.

crimemilitarymarine

By Eakkapop Thongtub

Saturday 16 January 2016, 11:15AM

The Thepsiripron 1 was found to be fishing in a conservation area.

Navy Third Commander Vice Admiral Sayan Prasongsomrit revealed that he dispatched a unit to investigate after learning that a fishing boat was using light luring purse seine nets near Koh Lon and Koh Hae in Rawai sub-district. Boat 220 from the Marine Natural Coastal Resources was sent to the area, which is classed by Department of Coastal Marine and Natural Resources as a conservation area, and found the boat fishing for anchovies. Navy officials seized the Thepsiripron 1 fishing boat along with its captain and crew who were taken to Chalong Police Station where they were to be charged with IUU fishing. The Third Area Thailand Maritime Enforcement Coordinating Centre advise anyone out at sea to report any suspicious activity or any IUU fishing to them on their 24-hour hotline 076- 391598 or 076-393584.
Two men found hanged in Phuket

PHUKET: Two man, one expat and one Thai, were found hanged in two separate incidents early yesterday morning (Jan 15), police have yet to rule on the true causes of death.

deathpolice

By Eakkapop Thongtub

Saturday 16 January 2016, 09:23AM

69-year-old Somboon Nakosiri was found hanged at the Oldman Coffee shop on Ranong Rd.

Phuket City Polices Lt Col Chana Suthimas received a call at 5:45am stating that a man had been found hanged at his home in Phuket Town.

Lt Col Chana arrived at the property, the Oldman Coffee shop on Ranong Rd, with Kusoldharm rescue workers to find the body of 69-year-old Somboon Nakosiri in a sitting position at the front door.

Lt Col Chana said there were no signs of assault on the body only a red mark around the neck. There were no signs of a robbery at the property.

The victims family said Mr Somboon had been stressed over the current economic situation so he committed suicide. However, the body was taken to hospital for doctors to confirm the cause of death. Lt Col Chana said.

The victims nephew told police that he came downstairs and found his uncle hanging from the door with a piece of cloth. He took the body down and called police.

Family members also told police that besides stress, Mr Somboon suffered several illnesses including diabetes, heart disease,and high blood pressure.

In the second incident, in Kamala, Lt Nawin Petchjan received a call at 6am about an expat who had been found hanged at a rented home in Moo 3.

Lt Nawin arrived with rescue workers from Kamala OrBorTor to a rented home in Moo 3 and were led to the body of a 64-year-old British man (name withheld until his family have been notified) who was hanged with a nylon rope from a roof beam outside the home.

Lt Nawin said, We found no sign of assault on the body and we believe he had been dead for at least three hours before his body was discovered by the home owner.

After making inquiries, we learned that the victim had been living alone at this rented home for over five years but recently started dating a Thai girl who works in a bar beer on Kamala Beach. We will question her to get more information, said Lt Nawin.

The mans body was taken to Patong Hospital for doctors to confirm the cause of death.
President Xi Jinping will start a visit to the Middle East next week, marking his first official trip to the region since taking office, it was announced on Friday.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said in a written statement that Xi will visit Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Iran from Tuesday to Saturday.

Observers said that after the conclusion of the visit, Xi's footprints worldwide will cover all major destinations on six continents.

Since this year marks the 60th anniversary of China-Arab diplomatic relations, Xi's stay in Cairo, the Egyptian capital, will be even more significant because the city is home to the headquarters of the League of Arab States.

The Chinese government issued its first Arab policy paper on Wednesday. The paper elaborates on China's strategic vision and details plans about reinforcing goodwill and cooperation with countries in the region.

Li Shaoxian, a senior expert of Middle East studies at Ningxia University in Yinchuan, Ningxia Hui autonomous region, said it is time for China to gradually step up its engagement in the Middle East, since "we have increasing economic interests, security concerns and cooperation dynamics in the region".

Meanwhile, stability in the Middle East is also related to stability in the western part of China, where 20 million Muslims live, Li said.

"China is willing and happy to see a stable Middle East," Li said.

China-Arab trade reached $155.3 billion in the first nine months of last year, and China imported 110 million tons of crude oil in the same period, a year-on-year increase of 4.6 percent.

Nabil el-Araby, secretary-general of the Arab League, told Vice-Foreign Minister Zhang Ming earlier this month in Cairo that the Arab states are ready to work with China to further tap cooperative potential.
Pierre, Tea Area lives up to hype and more from HS football week nine
Premier Li Keqiang meets with Suma Chakrabarti, president of the European Bank of Reconstruction and Development, in Beijing on Jan 15, 2016. [WU ZHIYI/CHINA DAILY]

Li proposes to EBRD chief to support growing economic links with Belt and Road cooperation

China has no intention to stimulate exports through competitive currency devaluation, and there is no basis for the renminbi to continue exchange rate depreciation, Premier Li Keqiang said while meeting with Suma Chakrabarti, president of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development on Friday in Beijing.

China is able to keep the RMB exchange rate stable at a reasonable and balanced level, Li said.

Regarding Chakrabarti's visit to Beijing as the formal kickoff of China's membership in the EBRD, Li proposed to support strengthening economic ties between China and Europe through cooperation in the Belt and Road Initiative, production capacity and third-party market development.

Meanwhile, the premier briefed Chakrabarti on China's recent financial reform, saying it is aiming to establish a regulatory framework to prevent systemic risks, which at the same time suits the development of modern financial markets.

Chakrabarti said the EBRD will take China's joining as an opportunity to help integrate the development strategies of China and European countries, and it would like to work with China on other multilateral financial institutions such as the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, which will be officially launched this Saturday.

Established in 1991 to invest in the former Soviet bloc countries of Eastern Europe, the EBRD has expanded its reach considerably in recent years by raising the number of its shareholder countries to 65.

It now invests in Mongolia, Turkey, Morocco, Egypt, Tunisia, Jordan and more recently, it added eurozone crisis countries Greece and Cyprus to its list. Lebanon was also expected to become a member country in the coming days.

Jia Jinjing, director of the macro research department at Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies of Renmin University of China, said Beijing doesn't need to devaluate its currency and actually, it doesn't want to see a sharply weakened RMB.

China has already been the No 1 exporter of most its exported products, and there is an absence of foreign competition, which means the competition for these products exists only domestically, so there is no need for a currency competition, Jia said.

"On the other hand, China wants to have more say in the international economy and it wants to upgrade its economy, thus I see no reason for a sharply weakened currency," he added.

Xu Hongcai, director of the Department of Economic Research at the China Center for International Economic Exchanges said joining in the EBRD is a mutually expected decision that will help both sides to share experience on economic transition and development, provide new opportunities for cooperation between China and European countries.
The worlds most-wanted drug lord was captured by Mexican authorities Jan. 8, six months after he escaped prison through an elaborate tunnel. After a shootout at a safe house, Joaquin El Chapo Guzman was arrested trying to flee in a stolen car. He was taken to a motel on the outskirts of Los Mochis for a short stopover by authorities, where this photo was taken.

A broken man

El Chapo has a history of escape and recapture. He exited prison in a laundry cart in 2001, was captured at a resort in 2014 and sent back to prison, where he was held until last July, when he tunnelled out. Angus Macqueen, who produced a documentary on Guzman in 2014, writes that this feels different, based on the photos he has seen: He looks a broken man, showing little of the calm defiance of previous occasions. He must genuinely fear that the Mexican government will swallow its pride this time and extradite him, Macqueen writes in the Guardian.

The tan line

El Chapos deep V-neck tan line reveals his habit of wearing long-sleeve shirts with the top buttons undone  the look he was sporting Oct. 2 when he was photographed shaking hands with actor Sean Penn, who in Rolling Stone called it a casual patterned silk shirt. TMZ called it nightclub-ish, and sourced two of Guzmans shirts to a store in Los Angeles  Barabas Menswear, which is already capitalizing on the publicity on its Instagram account.

The undershirt

The stains on his undershirt are evidence of his latest tunnel escape. When Mexican marines raided the safe house in Los Mochis, Guzman and an associate escaped through a secret staircase, hidden behind a mirror in the homes walk-in closet. The staircase connected to the citys storm sewer system, where Guzman travelled several blocks in cramped, soggy conditions before emerging on the street to steal two cars before the authorities caught up with him.

The motel room

Guzman was taken to the Hotel Doux, on the outskirts of Los Mochis, Sinaloa, after his arrest. On TripAdvisor, the hotels page comes with a travel alert to avoid non-essential travel to the state, where One of Mexicos most powerful criminal organizations is based. It just so happens that organization is the Sinaloa Cartel, which controls vast drug trafficking operations and is run by the guest who spent a few hours in Room 51 recently.

The reviews

Hotel Doux, where Guzman was kept by police, is rated highly by guests. Although the most recent review on TripAdvisor is suspicious (My stay was cut short though; all I had to wear was a dirty tank top,) the remainder were posted in 2014, and very positive: Hell of a deal! one reviewer enthused that April. (Right) off the highway, friendly welcoming staff, restaurant on site with decent food and a room large enough to live in  what else can you want!? Oh, thats right, secure parking! Love the shower  great pressure, hot water and it comes straight down from the ceiling. Didnt watch TV but it seemed to have plenty of stations. Enjoy!

The pin-up girl

The Guardian reported that the hotel was a sex motel, a discreet refuge with a satin bedspread and laminated menu of sex toys by the bedside. The photo of a topless woman seen behind Guzman was later taken down after the hotel became famous through this photo: Who has it or why, CNNs Martin Savidge said on his televised tour of the room, we do not know.

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TOKYOMore than half of young Japanese eels captured in Japan are distributed in the market marked origin unknown, meaning it is not possible to know where they were caught or by whom, according to the Fisheries Agency and other sources.

The agency believes that these young eels come from a black market where they are traded at high prices in contrast to those moving through approved channels.

Japanese eels have been designated as an endangered species and are likely to become a target of trade regulations under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), also known as the Washington Convention, to be held in autumn this year. It is urgently necessary to improve poor resource management.

The young eels are called shirasu-unagi and about 20,000 authorized people in 24 prefectures, including all prefectures in the Kyushu and Shikoku regions and some in the Kanto region and other areas, are allowed to collect them. (Yamaguchi Prefecture, where young eels are grown for research purposes, is not counted as one of the 24 prefectures.)

The fishing season is from December to around April of the following year. The collectors are required to report their catches to their prefectural governments. Collected young eels are purchased by growers via designated consolidators and wholesalers. Growers cultivate young eels for six months to about a year before shipping them.

The agency calculates domestic catches by subtracting imported young eels from the total amount of young eels traded by domestic growers. This worked out to 15.3 tons in the 2015 fishing season from the end of 2014 to the spring in 2015. However, the total catch reported by collectors to prefectural governments was just 5.7 tonsa significant mismatch. This means the distribution routes of at least 60 per cent of young eels cannot be confirmed.

In fishing seasons from 2011 to 2014, distribution routes for more than 50 per cent of young eels were unknown. According to observers, after young eels are collected, they are traded without feeding them so that their weight remains unchanged until trading is over.

Young eels whose distribution routes are unknown are believed to have been distributed via nonregular routes by collectors who divert part of their catch. Because of this, the agency has notified each prefectural government that they must require collectors to report their main shipment destinations. The agency has also obliged growers to report the volume of young eels they use and their suppliers.

However, an official in charge at the agency said: Its difficult to grasp the actual situation of the complicated distribution routes, as multiple wholesalers are involved in trading in some cases.

In some years with poor catches, Japan imports 50 per cent or more of its young eels from China and Hong Kong. If Japanese eels become a target of the Washington Convention, which restricts imports and exports of wild animals, it is feared that Japan would become unable to import young eels and eel distribution will decrease drastically.

Torami Murakami, chairman of the Alliance for Sustainable Eel Aquaculture, a general incorporated association that takes part in international conferences, expressed a sense of urgency, saying, If Japanese eels become a target of the Washington Convention, the price of eels will soar further.

Toshio Katsukawa, an associate professor at Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology, who is an expert on fishery resources, said that it would be difficult to get the understanding of the international community under the present circumstances of poor resource management.

Its crucial for the government to swiftly grasp the whole picture of the eel industry, including the reality of eel distribution, and lay down regulations that make it possible to trace the distribution routes of young eels, he said.

Shirasu-unagi

The young of Japanese eels, which were designated an endangered species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources in 2014. Each young eel measures about 6 centimetres long and weighs 0.2 gram. After they are spawned near the Mariana Trench in the Pacific Ocean, young eels gather around the mouths of rivers in Japan, China and other destinations that can be reached on the Kuroshio Current. Ninety-nine per cent of domestic eels are cultivated from captured young eels. In years with poor catches of young eels, their market price has been known to soar to about 2.5 million per kilogram (about 5,000 eels).

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Re: A nation's sad, brutal obsession with guns, Jan. 9

Re: U.S. gun culture barrels past Obama, Jan. 10

Re: Guns are at the centre of Americas growing civil conflict, Opinion Jan. 10

Re: Want to promote gun control? Appeal to parents, Opinion Jan. 8

Re: A nation's sad, brutal obsession with guns, Jan. 9

A nation's sad, brutal obsession with guns, Jan. 9

After watching U.S. President Barack Obamas emotional and poignant speech announcing new executive actions to strengthen weak U.S. gun laws, a couple of thoughts came to mind.

First, Obama mentioned the well known fact that there are more than 30,000 gun deaths a year in the United States. Given this horrid statistic, Ive often wondered why the National Rifle Association isnt considered a terrorist organization. After all, their advocacy for firearms and their attempts to weaken gun laws have certainly helped fuel the relentless inferno of gun violence in the U.S.

Secondly, why cant the Second Amendment be changed? The right to bear arms was placed in the U.S.constitution when the fledgling nation was threatened by the British Empire. But its 2016, not 1787.

As we know in Canada, constitutions arent written in stone. Many countries alter their constitutions to adapt to an ever-changing world. But the U.S. seems to abhor the idea of change, whether its refusing to move to the metric system, clinging to paper money, or treating a constitution written in the wake of a revolution nearly 250 years ago as if it was handed down direct from God, carved in granite and never to be altered, on pain of eternal damnation.

Its well past time for a constitutional change. Gun violence is an epidemic in America, and only a major rethink can stop the carnage.

Andrew van Velzen, Toronto

President Obamas tearful plea to the United States and suggested executive actions on gun control were far too modest. Even if they were adopted they would have little effect on the murderous criminal rampages taking the lives of so many innocents across the U.S. on an almost monthly basis now.

At the crux of the problem is the Second amendment of the Constitution of the U.S. adopted on Dec. 5, 1791. As outdated as many may consider it in todays terms, it remains bulletproof over all this time and seems destined to remain that way.

Marty Fruchtman, Toronto

U.S. gun culture barrels past Obama, Jan. 10

While I generally agree with Rosie DiMannos take on the U.S. gun culture, I take issue with a couple of her statements.

First, her assertion that Obama wants to take away everybodys guns is only inflammatory rhetoric regularly dispensed by the NRA and their supporters, intended to fuel the paranoia on the right.

Rather he wants only to prevent only those who should not have a gun from acquiring one, by expanding background checks and closing gun show loopholes, common sense action supported by a majority of Americans, but ignored by Congress.

If he was coming to get 300 million plus guns in 65 million places, I would love to know how he intends to do it. And why wait eight years?

As to Mrs. Corban, and the restrictions she alludes to, it appears that her idea of difficult is being inconvenienced by needing to submit to a background check.

Ken Traves, Fort Erie

The Stars extended coverage of guns in the U.S. paints a disturbing picture of an obsessive gun culture. Understanding the prevalence of gun violence also requires attention to the enormous arms industry in that country. It is not only first among providers of weapons for international use but also fuels domestic arms availability.

Annual revenue from the small arms gun and ammunition manufacturing industry has run at about $16 billion a year derived from sale of over 10 million guns, 96 per cent of which are for the domestic market.

As a powerful lobbyist and well-known backer of the NRA, this industry is key to the provision of private arms and, arguably, guilty of willful negligence in the unending gun deaths in the United States. It merits at least as much attention as the American gun culture in understanding and eradicating what President Obama called the mass violence in his country.

Frank Cunningham, Toronto

Guns are at the centre of Americas growing civil conflict, Opinion Jan. 10

Given the sharp divide over gun ownership in the U.S., it seems the carnage will linger. Sadly, supporters of gun ownership in the U.S. are massive and consider it as their sacred right.

More disturbingly, a large segment of gun owners are the agitated middle-age white men with no more than a high school diploma whose socio-economic status has been disrupted by the flight of manufacturing jobs overseas, wage stagnation and globalization.

They blame urban politicians and immigrants for their hardship, feel insecure, and have no time for urbanite government officials who want to impose restrictions on their gun ownership.

Here is a country with more than 300 million privately owned guns floating around freely with almost unlimited lifespan  many more being added every day  and much of whose population considers guns sacrosanct. And nothing it seems can alter that attitude.

It is indeed a dangerously hopeless situation. However, there is a slim chance for a way out of this mess: improve economic well being of the white middle-age gun owners through de-globalization and revival of the manufacturing jobs.

This might soften their anger and antagonistic attitude toward the government and stop worshiping of his gun so much.

Ali Orang, Richmond Hill

Guns are a religion to many citizens in the United States. They have been insufferable about their rights to bear this type of evolving weapon despite positive evidence for gun control coming in from Australias gun policy reversal and the low homicide rates in societies like Japan.

Fortunately, the right to bear arms is only in their constitution and not part of any actual religious texts requiring proselytising to other nations. I can only imagine what it would be like to have someone knocking on my door to ask me if I am armed for the lord from a cult that was funded by U.S. gun manufacturers and the NRA.

Russell Pangborn, Keswick

There is no area more important to Americans than resolving the gun proliferation problem, but sadly, this is an area that we Canadians ignore at our peril.

In the new Justin Trudeau, gender-parity government, we have a Canadian Camelot. We mustnt forget what brought the American Camelot of JFK crashing to the pavement of a Dallas street, or that prevented a true progressive like Robert Kennedy from ever taking his nations highest office.

One of the greatest presidents America never had, Gov. Mario N. Cuomo was so relentlessly hounded by the NRA that he decided not to run for office.

Our past prime minister made a bet that legal gun owners are as law-abiding as they claim they are, and can be given the benefit of the doubt for periods longer than five years. He even offered six-month amnesties to gun owners who failed to renew their licenses, and under the Conservatives new law, C-42, this remains the case. Stephen Harper made that bet, despite the attempt by one legal gun owner to assassinate the first female premier of Quebec, and despite the takeover of the city of Moncton by a hapless young cop-killer who also legally owned and trained on his rapid-fire assault weapon.

We now have a physically fit prime minister who enjoys wading into crowds, and it is our duty as citizens to ensure that we have better gun laws to protect our leaders and especially, to protect those among us who might impulsively end their lives in gun suicides. This is not just an American problem, but a North American problem.

Provincial and city leaders must also pass gun laws and by-laws that ensure the safety of our treasured public spaces.

Ron Charach, Toronto

While the thought of a fully-armed populace is daunting at best, there are always two sides to a coin. The other side: no foreign power would ever seek to conquer the U.S. Imagine even trying to occupy a country where the vast majority of citizens are fully armed. You cant even risk annoying another patron at a movie theatre for fear of being shot.

Bill Soles, Oro-Medonte

Want to promote gun control? Appeal to parents, Opinion Jan. 8

The argument from parenting is indeed the best reply to gun lobbyists. It tugs at the heart strings and may well persuade sensible Americans to demand the gun control President Obama seeks.

From Irvin Studins eloquent description of parental devotion and sacrifice, it is obvious that parenthood is close to sainthood  which may explain why some couples go childless.

If, indeed, American parenting is a miraculous marathon, then one must ask: How much more challenging must it be for the parents of children with disabilities? Blessed with these children, they may parent until they die, constantly worrying about what will happen next.

Yes, Americans and Canadians alike need gun control for the sake of loving parents. They also need to provide better care and support for parents whose marathons last an entire lifetime.

Sal Amenta, Stouffville

Irvin Studins suggestion that U.S. gun control can be mitigated with an emotive appeal to parents is profoundly and woefully naive. Many Americans, indeed much of the country, exist in a state of cognitive dissonance. Examples abound and there are far too many to enumerate in a letter to the editor.

However, one such example demonstrates that most Americans can be fooled most of the time: Despite an annual U.S. gun-related death toll of 30,000, states such as Texas, with a population of 26 million people, are more concerned with the influx of six Syrian refugees than they are with the carnage of mutilated corpses of children riddled with the holes of rounds from military assault weapons.

Studin gives American parents far too much credit, certainly much more than they deserve or are willing to demonstrate.

Louis MacPherson, Bowmanville

A recent study from the American Journal of Public Health revealed that gun-related homicides increased proportionately to gun ownership. In other words, if gun ownership increases by 1 per cent, then gun-related murders increase proportionately.

Three out of every 100,000 American will die from gunshots each year when, according to a very reliable source, 0.2 per every 100,000 citizens of 22 other industrialized nations will suffer a similar fate.

Then, why is it that gun-related murders are 15 times higher in the U.S. than any other large wealthy nation? The reason is the sheer number of guns. There are roughly 89 guns per every 100 U.S. citizens, and that number  driven by the fear of terror and crime  continues to grow.

For the record, Canada has 31 guns per 100 citizens, France has 31 guns per 100 citizens while Britain has six guns for every 100 citizens.

Americans are buying weapons more ever than before. Arming for self-protection. A myth!

Studies tend to reveal people who carry a weapon for self-protection are more likely to increase violence than reduce it; the weapon is also more likely to be used against the victims than by them.

A U.S. study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that guns kept in the home were 22 per cent more likely to kill a family member or an acquaintance than they were to kill an intruder. A 1988 study of gun fatalities in King County, Wash. between 1978 to 1983, found that for every time a gun was used in a self-protection homicide, 37 lives were lost in gun suicides, 4.6 in gun homicides, and 1.3 via unintentional gun deaths  43 deaths for every self-defense homicide.

A second study by the same author, released in 1993, revealed that keeping a firearm in the home increased the risk of homicide almost threefold.

A recent survey of studies by David Hemenway of the Injury Control Research Centre at Harvard University found that the evidence does not indicate that having a gun reduces the risk of being a victim of a crime or that having a gun reduces the risk of injury during the commission of a crime. Overall, Hemenways survey concludes that the health risk of a gun in the home is greater than the benefit.

There are nearly 300 million privately owned firearms in the U.S., of which approximately 100 million are handguns. Since 1980, some 44 states have passed some form of law that allows gun owners to carry concealed weapons for personal protection.

In an average year, about 100,000 Americans are killed or injured with guns. One number that jumps out is from the FBIs 2008 data that reveals that only 245 alleged criminals were killed by armed civilians, far fewer than were killed by police. This squares with an FBI report that, in 1992, handguns were used only 262 times by law-abiding citizens to kill criminals justifiably.

Arming for self-protection? Reckless and irresponsible! A myth!

Emile Therien, Public Health & Safety Advocate, Ottawa

A nation's sad, brutal obsession with guns, Jan. 9

All compliments to Daniel Dale for the fine, front-page article. He seems to have real talent for finding emotionally charged case studies when he presents one side of a coin. While we certainly grieve for and with Ms. Longdon and so many other victims of gun violence, it does occur to so many of us that, had Ms Longdon and her fiance been properly trained and carrying firearms that night in 2004, the outcome may have been very different for their nameless assailant. It is clear she is packing now.

Mr. James Porter, president of the National Rifle Association, is only too happy to publish reports of law-abiding owners of firearms using their weapons and training to defend against lethal attack. There are case reports every month, but the statistics show that firearms are used to defend life 80 times more often in the U.S. than to take life. Would Mr. Dale advocate disarmament?

Your own mother country of England allows for no ownership of handguns, yet has over 2,000 violent attacks per 100,000 people, while the figures from the U.S. - far and away the most heavily armed [country] in the world - see only 466 attacks per 100,000 for the same period. The weapon of choice in England? Kitchen knives. There are now many in the UK who would see a ban on kitchen knives as a way to reduce violent attacks. Annually, 200,000 women in the U.S. defend themselves with firearms against sexual assault. When polled, three out of five U.S. felons agree they would never assault an armed victim. A recent Harvard study demonstrated a negative correlation between gun ownership and violence, implying less crime in areas with more firearms. Somehow, the Sunday article missed such figures.

Though only a visitor to fair Canada, Mr. Dales article caught my interest on many levels. The gun suicide angle uses an apples-to-oranges comparison suggesting that Israeli military suicides can be prevented through disarmament. Though causation can be difficult to interpret through correlation, Mr. Dale showed not the least inhibition from making that leap. Having served my nations interests through two armed conflicts as a uniformed clinical psychologist, the data do indeed show that one bent on a course of suicide will find a way. Also, the American military suicide rates are at a tragically epidemic high, despite our uniformed troops being disarmed while off-duty.

While Mr. Dale holds hope in Mrs. Clinton and a liberal Congress enacting tough gun ownership legislation, such hopes may be misplaced. President Obama had a democratic Congress for two years and little changed on the matter, except to fuel fears of such controls and in such numbers that drove American gun sales into record highs. The gun store owners of my country thank the President in that regard. Then, of course, one must not forget the Constitution wrote firearm ownership into its supreme laws. Presidents George Washington and Thomas Jefferson, author of the law, both sought a way for the citizens to be able to safeguard their freedoms and to stand up to governmental tyranny, speaking again of England.

Perhaps Mr. Dales readers will re-think their stance on American gun control and consider facts from the other side of the coin when they do. In any case, all thanks to Mr. Dale for his fine, baiting article. Free speech is another value we Americans cherish and, indeed, take up arms to preserve.

Dr. Charlie Bass, Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army, Retired, Resident of Texas

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Pseudo-color images provided by the Dark Energy Survey, B. Shappee and the ASAS-SN team show the host galaxy before the explosion of ASASSN-15lh taken by the Dark Energy Camera (DECam) (L), and the supernova by the Las Cumbres Observatory Global Telescope Network (LCOGT) 1-meter telescope network (R).

WASHINGTON, Jan. 14 -- An international team of astronomers, led by Subo Dong from China's Peking University, said Thursday they have spotted a violent stellar explosion, known as a supernova, that is about 200 times more powerful than a typical supernova and more than twice as luminous as the previous record holder.

At its peak intensity, the explosion, called ASASSN-15lh, shone brighter than 570 billion Suns.

The record-breaking blast, reported Thursday in the U.S. journal Science, is thought to be an outstanding example of a "superluminous supernova," or a recently discovered, supremely rare variety of explosion unleashed by certain stars when they die.

Scientists are frankly at a loss, though, regarding what sorts of stars and stellar scenarios might be responsible for these extreme supernovae.

"ASASSN-15lh is the most powerful supernova discovered in human history," said the study lead author Dong, an astronomer and a Youth Qianren Research Professor at the Kavli Institute for Astronomy and Astrophysics (KIAA) at Peking University. "The explosion's mechanism and power source remain shrouded in mystery because all known theories meet serious challenges in explaining the immense amount of energy ASASSN-15lh has radiated."

About 3.8 billion light years from Earth, ASASSN-15lh was first glimpsed in June 2015 by the All Sky Automated Survey for SuperNovae (ASAS-SN) team, an international collaboration headquartered at the Ohio State University, which uses a network of 14-centimeter telescopes around the world to scan the visible sky every two or three nights looking for very bright supernovae.

Further observations revealed that ASASSN-15lh bears certain features consistent with "hydrogen-poor" (Type I) superluminous supernovae, which are one of the two main types of these epic explosions so named for lacking signatures of the chemical element hydrogen in their spectra.

Yet in other ways, besides its brute power, ASASSN-15lh stands apart. It is way hotter, and not just brighter, than its apparently nearest of supernova kin, they said.

The galaxy it calls home is also without precedent. Type I superluminous supernovae seen to date have all burst forth in dim galaxies both smaller in size and that churn out stars much faster than the Milky Way, but ASASSN-15lh's galaxy appears even bigger and brighter than the Milky Way.

The researchers also speculated that the extraordinary emission of luminosity by ASASSN-15lh may be powered by a staggering amount of decaying radioactive nickel, or perhaps a rapidly rotating, highly magnetic neutron star.

"The honest answer is at this point that we do not know what could be the power source for ASASSN-15lh," said Dong. "ASASSN-15lh may lead to new thinking and new observations of the whole class of superluminous supernova, and we look forward to plenty more of both in the years ahead."

This picture made by Ma Jin from Beijing Planetarium shows an artist's impression of the record-breakingly powerful, super luminous supernova ASASSN-15lh as it would appear from an exoplanet located about 10,000 light years away in the host galaxy of the supernova.
BEIJING, Jan. 16 -- The opening ceremony of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) launched here Saturday morning with Chinese President Xi Jinping's attendance.

Xi will address the ceremony held in the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in downtown Beijing.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang will address the founding conference of the AIIB council on Saturday afternoon. The series of opening activities will last till Monday.

The international development bank was formally established in Beijing on Dec. 25, 2015. The bank, headquartered in Beijing, now has 57 members.
Chinese President Xi Jinping addresses the opening ceremony of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 16, 2016. (Xinhua/Li Xueren)

BEIJING, Jan. 16 -- The opening ceremony of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) launched here Saturday morning with Chinese President Xi Jinping's attendance.

"This is a historical moment," Xi said when addressing the ceremony held in the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in downtown Beijing.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang will address the founding conference of the AIIB council on Saturday afternoon. The series of opening activities will last till Monday.

The international development bank was formally established in Beijing on Dec. 25, 2015. The bank, headquartered in Beijing, now has 57 members.

Chinese Finance Minister Lou Jiwei was elected as the first Chairman of the AIIB council. Jin Liqun was elected the first AIIB president.

The opening of the AIIB marked a milestone in the reform of the global economic governance system, Lou made the remarks in an interview.

The AIIB will work together with multilateral development banks including the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank to facilitate Asian infrastructure construction and sustainable development, Lou said.
Donald Trump really likes to talk about China, and if he makes it to the White House, he's gunning for the world's second-largest economy.

The bulk of the billionaire real estate magnate's trade proposal is dedicated to dealing with China. He has pledged to immediately declare it a currency manipulator, force it to uphold intellectual property laws, bring an end to its export subsidies and low labor and environmental standards, and bolster the U.S. military presence in the East and South China Seas, all in the name of reasserting America's strength and protecting companies and jobs in the U.S.

During the sixth presidential debate this week, he took another line of attack on China, blaming it for what's happening in North Korea, which at the start of the year claimed to have tested a hydrogen bomb.

"They don't like to tell us but they have total control -- just about, of North Korea," he said. "They can solve the problem of North Korea if they wanted to but they taunt us."

Still, the bulk of Trump's China grievances are economy-related, and the debate was no exception. When asked about a New York Times interview in which he proposed a 45% tariff on Chinese exports, he returned to his money-focused message on the country -- even though he said the Times quote wasn't true (the publication has released an audio recording confirming its account).

"They're devaluing their currency and they're killing our companies," he said.

The GOP frontrunner contended that the U.S. has lost between four and seven million jobs because of China and would have a $505 billion trade deficit with the country in 2016.

And while he balked on owning up to the 45% figure, he did say that he is "totally open to a tariff."

Senator Marco Rubio warned that such a tariff would be a burden not for China but instead for U.S. buyers. Others agree.

"American consumers would end up paying more for things, and that hurts the economy if you're putting tariffs on those other things," said Merrill Matthews, resident scholar at the Institute for Policy Innovation, a Texas-based, right-leaning think tank, in an October interview discussing Trump's tariff proposals.

In fact, many of Trump's China proposals might actually work against the U.S. economy.

"The reality is that when China devalues its currency, the goods that they produce become cheaper, and as a result, while we may lose some manufacturing jobs, the rest of the population gets to buy things a lot cheaper than they would if the products were made [in the U.S.]," said Michael Busler, professor of finance at Stockton University. "The jobs he would bring back are yesterday's jobs."
Now that personal loan rates are cheaper than my mortgage rate, and what I could remortgage to, would I be better off paying for my home improvements with one or more personal loans instead of adding to my mortgage?

With a personal loan, I think I would be able to repay early should I wish to for the cost of just a couple of months interest.

I presume the personal loan would be more flexible than borrowing through my mortgage.

AL via email

How best to fund DIY: With personal loan and mortgage rates at all-time lows, which is the best way to pay?

Laura Whitcombe of This is Money replies: It's official - unsecured personal loan rates have never been cheaper. M&S Bank has just launched a series of new deals from as little as 3.3 per cent, and according to Moneyfacts.co.uk, thats the lowest-ever rate since records began.

The 3.3 per cent deal is available of loans of between 7,500 and 15,000 over five years.

Clydesdale and Yorkshire Banks have also announced new lower rate offers for loans of the same amount as the M&S deal at 3.4 per cent.

Both the 3.3 and 3.4 per cent rates are much lower than a typical two-year fixed-rate deal for a mortgage borrower with a small deposit of just five per cent, such as Nottingham Building Society's fee-free 4.59 per cent offer.

But the very cheapest fixed-rate loans on the market, which are available to those with bigger deposits or more equity, are even lower than the cheapest personal loan rates. For example, Tesco Bank has a two-year fix at 60 per cent loan to value at just 1.45 per cent. That said, a pretty hefty fee of 1,495 applies.

Some fee-free deals beat the personal loan rates too. For example, Skipton Building Societys two-year fix at 60 per cent LTV has an introductory rate of just 2.02 per cent.

With both personal loan and mortgage rates at historically low levels, it is understandable that this has led you to compare the cost of funding your home improvements.

However, theres more to consider than just the headline rates. To explain more, This is Money put your question to a leading mortgage broker.'

David Hollingworth from broker London & Country Mortgages replies: With mortgage rates at or near a record low, most borrowers will find that a mortgage deal will offer a lower rate than an unsecured personal loan.

The mortgage rates available will depend on the individuals circumstances though and size of deposit or level of equity in the property will affect the rates on offer.

A lower mortgage rate will mean that there will be less interest charged than on unsecured lending. However, this needs to be balanced by the fact that a mortgage will typically be structured over a much longer term than a personal loan.

Whichever route suits you best, you can rest assured you'll be getting hold of some of the best-ever deals

Paying interest for 20 years, say, rather than the typical maximum on a personal loan of 5 to 7 years is therefore likely to cost more in interest even if the rate is lower.

Most mortgage deals will have some flexibility and allow a level of overpayment without incurring an early repayment charge, so repaying the debt sooner would alleviate that issue.

The flipside is that when raising larger amounts for bigger home improvement projects, a shorter repayment term will mean higher monthly payments are required. The lower monthly payments that come with a longer term may be more affordable.

For most people, it will make sense to consider a remortgage and improving the rate on the current borrowing as well as the additional amount. This will really help limit any increase in monthly cost.

'However, personal loan rates have also come down and could still be worth considering as an alternative in the right circumstances.

Laura Whitcombe adds: 'These right circumstances could include a situation in which a borrower may no longer meet their mortgage lender's affordability criteria for a new loan. For example, if their income has significantly reduced due to being on, say, maternity leave.'
Two former bosses of Co-operative Bank have been banned for life from the City after it was deemed that they posed an unacceptable threat to the future of the troubled bank.

Barry Tootell, former chief executive of Co-op Bank, and Keith Alderson, a former managing director of its corporate and business banking division, have been banned by the Bank of England from holding senior jobs in the sector and were also fined 173,802 and 88,890 respectively.

The Bank of Englands supervisory arm, the Prudential Regulation Authority, took action against Tootell and Alderson for their breaches while they were running the Co-op Bank, which nearly collapsed in 2013 with a 1.5bn black hole in its finances.

Fast forward: Co-ops merger with Britannia building society in 2009 later led to its near collapse

It is the first time a chief executive of a bank has been banned.

Andrew Bailey, Bank of England deputy governor and chief executive of the PRA, said: The actions of Mr Tootell and Mr Alderson posed an unacceptable threat to the safety and soundness of the Co-op Bank, which is why we have decided a prohibition is appropriate in these cases.

The PRA said that between July 2009 and May 2013, Tootell was centrally involved in a culture within the Co-op Bank which encouraged putting the short-term financial position of the company above taking prudent and sustainable actions to secure its longer-term capital position.

The watchdog also said that Alderson did not exercise due skill, care and diligence and did not take reasonable steps to ensure that Co-op Bank adequately assessed risks that could arise from Britannias corporate loan book.

Co-ops merger with Britannia building society in 2009 later led to its near collapse.

The regulator said it recognised that Tootell and Alderson did not deliberately or recklessly breach rules and no findings of dishonesty or lack of integrity were being made.
The last time Royal Dutch Shell cut its dividend was in 1945 when the Netherlands had just endured the Hunger winter under Nazi occupation before the end of the Second World War.

Now investors are worrying their treasured dividend could be under threat again.

Shell is embarking on an audacious takeover of gas specialist BG Group. The 36bn deal will go to a shareholder vote at the end of the month. However, with the oil price at a 12-year low, many are warning the deal does not make sense.

And worse still, some are fearful that if it does go ahead it will mean Shell wont be able to afford to keep paying its healthy dividend.

Shell pays the best dividend in the FTSE 100 and yields around 7.2 per cent on the current promised $1.88-a-share dividend. As Steve Clayton, head of equities research at broker Hargreaves Lansdown, explains: Half of Holland would keel over in apoplectic horror if Shell ever cut the payout.

A handful of institutional investors have already pronounced their views on the deal.

David Cumming, head of equities at Standard Life Investments, has said the deal is value destructive for Shell shareholders.

But Shell argues that in the long term the deal makes sense. It says the deal adds to Shells cash flow when the oil price hits $50 a barrel, and starts to break even at $60.

Chief executive Ben van Beurden earlier this week said: It doesnt really matter too much where the oil price comes out because the capacity of the combination is higher than the dividend capacity of the standalone company.

Institutional investors at Old Mutual Global Investors, Aberdeen Asset Management, Qatar Investment Authority and Henderson are all thumbs up, and last week it emerged that two large proxy advisors, Glass Lewis and ISS, have backed the deal. Standard Lifes Shell shareholding will vote against the deal. However, the funds holding in BG will support it.

So is this a sign that BGs retail investors would also be better off voting for the deal?

There is the risk that if the deal fails to get the go ahead then BGs shares will crash, so some may think they are better off selling now in case this happens. Most experts, however, predict the deal will go ahead and, as Russ Mould at stockbroker AJ Bell suggests, BG shareholders best option is to sit tight, vote in favour of the deal and see what happens.

BG shareholders have had a bit of a rough ride. There were promises of great riches but its Brazilian projects have taken longer than hoped and it issued profit warnings in 2012 and 2014. AJ Bell says some investors may even want to buy new BG shares because they are trading at around a 5 per cent discount to the Shell offer (see graph). The Shell offer is 383p a share in cash plus 0.4454 of a Shell share.

BG investors may also want to take a mix of what is on offer. Hargreaves Lansdown customers, for example, can mix and match, allowing investors to vary the proportion of cash and shares they receive. So they can either take additional Shell shares in lieu of cash or additional cash in lieu of shares. Shells shareholders get their say on January 27 and BGs the day after.

BGs 500,000 or so small investors have held their stock for many years. British Gas was privatised by Margaret Thatchers government in 1986. In 1997 the firm was split in two to form the oil explorer BG Group and Centrica, which owns the British Gas domestic energy operation. Shareholders then received shares in both firms.

And what about Shell shareholders? Some may look at the fall in its share price of nearly 40pc since April, when the deal was announced, and think the takeover has only been bad news. However, as Chris Wheaton, oil analyst and fund manager at Allianz Global Investors, explains, the state of the oil price  down from around $60 to below $30  must be taken into account.

Wheaton says the negative reaction to the deal has probably hit Shells share price by about 15 per cent, which equates to around $25bn (17bn) of its market cap.

And he points out that even if Shell had to reduce its dividend, it could still yield around 5 per cent.
MBABANE  The Swaziland Unemployed Peoples Movement is spearheading a campaign calling for the unity of various organisations to support TUCOSWA in its intended protest action slated for February 25 and 26.



In an interview with this publication, the organisations President, Lucky Dlamini, said reason was that they fully identified with the issues raised by TUCOSWA and offer their full support, not only by being part of the protest action, but even through other ways.



We are busy engaged in talks with a number of organisations such as TUCOSWA, SNAT, SNUS and the like to find out how can we make sure that this action galvanises all the forces together under one goal. All citizens or sectors of this country ought to participate or identify with this action. They need to appreciate what they stand to benefit from the protests, Dlamini said.



He noted that in the past, there had always been one way of doing things and in their consultation, they intended finding another route in terms of making sure that the peoples demands were adhered to.

Dlamini said government was aware of the upcoming mass protest action and most probably would deploy its security forces to sabotage the protest action.

Therefore, what we are doing is reinventing the wheel to say where have we lost it and what did that generation of 1996 do right? Is it because the protest actions are staged in isolation where you find that government workers would hold a strike alone as well as students doing the same.

The organisations president said but if they were to do it simultaneously, three days of protest would be enough to wake government from its slumber.
PIGGS PEAK  Teachers have been advised to dig pit latrines that pupils will use when schools open until the drought situation has improved.



Education and Training Minister Phineas Magagula said this in an interview at the Piggs Peak hotel yesterday where he reiterated that schools were opening on January 26 despite the acute shortage of water due to drought that has hit the country.



This was after the week-long cabinet retreat, but not to say he was announcing a decision taken during the meeting.

The minister said teachers should not be requesting a postponement of schools opening but instead should be brainstorming on a solution to the water crisis.



He said if schools were not opened on time, this would mean learning for less than the 184 school calendar days, something he said would ultimately have a negative impact on the schools results.

It is true, we are facing a tough situation, but we have to do all that is within our effort to solve the issue without interfering with the syllabus, Magagula said



Magagula said he would be meeting teachers on Monday to push the pit toilet agenda, which he said could be accomplished within two days.

Speaking from experience, I know it takes a capable man two days to construct a three by two metre pit latrine and if this can be done in all the schools around the cities, it can be completed before schools open, he said.



The minister said this was not the first time that a similar situation frustrated the education system as it also happened in 1992 during the first drought in a long time. I was heading a school in the Lubombo region and we were fetching water from Simunye and we used 40 20-litre containers of water per day for the over 350 pupils. We survived then and we can survive even this drought, the minister said.



When asked if money was readily available to carry out the pit latrine project, Magagula did not commit but said even if money was not there, there had to be a plan.

Opening of schools in some parts of South Africa has been postponed by at least two weeks due to the drought affecting their areas.

Local teachers on Thursday also called upon the ministry of education and Training to postpone opening of schools. They argued that opening schools without water would possibly lead to an outbreak of diseases among pupils.

In separate interviews, both the Swaziland National Association of Teachers and Swaziland Principals Association urged government not to open schools until the water problem had been solved. Their request has not been successful as the opening of schools is going ahead as scheduled.

Mbabane Municipal Council Communications Officer Gugulethu Hlophe said the construction of pit latrines in urban areas was a bit complex because there were various factors that needed to be taken care of.

The Environmental Health Unit has introduced a new form of pit latrines that has an underground brick wall that is then lined with a plastic to prevent the waste from sinking into the earth to avoid contaminating underground water.

Hlophe said it would be crucial for schools to consider those toilets because government is also looking at digging boreholes around schools.

There has to be caution also because most of the schools in the urban areas are located next to residential areas so residents interests also have to be taken into consideration.

Hlophe said the Ministry of Education and Training could better carry out this project by consulting with the Swaziland Environment Authority, the Ministry of Health and the municipality.
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By Madina Toure

At a news conference last week, state Sen. Tony Avella (D-Bayside) outlined proposals to address the homeless crisis in New York City, including investing $2 billion over five years for supportive housing, increasing shelter allowances and reforming shelters.

The proposals follow a public forum on homelessness that Avella, chairman of the Senate Task Force on the Delivery of Social Services, held in October. He released a report summarizing the testimonies given by agency commissioners and homeless advocates during the forum.

Avella said his proposal is in contrast with Mayor Bill de Blasios, which seeks to invest $2.6 billion over 15 years to increase supportive housing. He said advocates for homeless individuals complained about the timeframe.

Thats a long period where youre stretching this out, so my recommendation to the mayor and hopefully with support from the governor, will be $2 billion over five years, he said. We have to do this right now. We cant wait 15 years.

Among the senators proposals are raising the New York state shelter allowance, which has not been increased since 2003; making shelters cleaner and safer; and ensuring that there is a licensed social worker at every site. He also wants to eliminate vacancy decontrol, which allows landlords to charge market rates for a rent-stabilized apartment when the tenant moves out and the rent is more than $2,500.

The city is facing criticism for not sufficiently managing the homeless crisis, with nearly 58,000 living in shelters and another 3,000 to 4,000 estimated to be living on the streets.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo issued an executive order Jan. 3 to bring homeless individuals off the streets when temperatures decline to 32 degrees or below.



Two days later, de Blasio announced that Herminia Palacio would serve as deputy mayor for Health and Human services starting Jan. 25. She will be tasked with addressing homelessness across the five boroughs.

Last month, Gilbert Taylor resigned as commissioner of the city Department of Homeless Services after two years in the position. Human Resources Administration Commissioner Steven Banks took over DHS Jan. 1, while Deputy Mayor Anthony Shorris leads the review of all city homeless services.

Avella said the crisis is an emergency situation but that the city should still communicate with neighborhoods before placing the homeless in shelters. He cited the Pan American Hotel shelter in Elmhurst, where the homeless arrived without the city notifying the community or elected officials.

I said it to the commissioner, and by the way, some of you may remember, I was the person who first asked for Commissioner Taylor to step down and resign, because I thought he was doing a terrible job, he said. Im glad to see that finally happened. It should have happened sooner.

Other proposals from Avella include recalculating affordable housing eligibility with an area median income by zip code, providing priority status to homeless veterans and victims of domestic violence and increasing shelter capacity for homeless youth.
By Bob Friedrich

This is what a classified ad would look like for the position of New York City Council member:

Part-Time Job Available. No Experience Necessary. Flexible HoursAttendance Optional. Free Parking. Unlimited Vacation and Personal Time. Compensation: $112,000 per annum, plus bonuses, pension and health care.

Sound good? To sweeten the deal, New York City Council members are attempting to give themselves a 71 percent pay increase, to $191,500 per year, for their part-time job. Since their astronomical salary-hike plan has been exposed, they have been back-pedaling tirelesslya word they often use on campaign literature to describe their work effort. Now that their hands have been caught in the cookie jar, they are striving to draw attention away from this subject.

Make no mistake: The fix is in. Council members will vote themselves an increase. It may not be the $192,000 they seek, but it will be substantially higher than their current $112,000 windfall. After all, this is the progressive city council that takes pride in lambasting the 1 percenters, forgetting that they are part of the club. As the old bromide goes, Do as we say, Not as we do.

Does the City Council merit such a large pay increase and does the proposed increase comport with percentage increases of other city workers? Lets take a look at some of their recent actions, which many New Yorkers might feel call into question even their current compensation of $112,000. The proposal to gift themselves a whopping 71 percent increase should be contrasted with the 1 percent increase recently awarded to the NYPD. The Council wants to raise the minimum wage to $15 per hour, which works out to $31,200 annually for unskilled entry-level labor. This is not very far below the $44,500 starting salary of NYC police officers, who risk their lives for us every day.

Does this City Council take actions to protect our safety? Their recent ban the box regulation severely restricts an employers right to ask job applicants about prior criminal arrest records. Ban the box refers to the box on employment forms that asks if an applicant has ever been arrested or convicted of a crime. This newly enacted restriction on employers will make families and seniors more vulnerable in their communities.

As president of Glen Oaks Village, I face this: Recently hired maintenance personnelwhose jobs require them to enter residential apartmentscan no longer be asked about prior arrests or criminal records. Previously, a criminal background query would have been part of the employment vetting process that residential housing co-ops and other businesses utilize, but the City Council has now made this unlawful.

In another action recently taken by the City Council, landlords are prohibited from inquiring about prospective tenants credit scores prior to subletting an apartment. This will make it more difficult for landlords to properly screen new tenants making monthly rent collections much more uncertain.

This City Council is reportedly considering decriminalizing public urination, turnstile-jumping and other nuisance and public-health infractions. As a civic leader, I can assure you that there is no clamoring from civic groups to remove criminal penalties for these quality-of-life offenses in our neighborhoods.

And if Council member Rory Lancman has his way we will soon be using taxpayer funds to bail out low-level offenders so they can be immediately returned to the same streets from which police officers had just removed them.

Lastly, the City Councils track record for malfeasance and corruption is well known. Two examples: Council member Ruben Wills, who was arrested again last year, and Council member Dan Halloran, who is now serving a 10-year prison sentence.

Councilmembers seek to justify their coveted pay increase by agreeing to make sacrifices such as foregoing outside income and ending the generous lulus that are bestowed upon committee chairs. But lets be honest here: Councilmembers never should have been permitted to double-dip with outside income in the first place and should never have authorized the bonus payment of lulus. It is just more business as usual for the City Council when two unjustifiable perks become bargaining chips in the selfdealing negotiations for an unprecedented pay hike.

The average New Yorkers salary is less than half of what a city Council member earns. Adding in the perks and benefits, Council members part-time jobs are one of the citys most lucrative. Council members seeking to profiteer from a 71 percent pay hike while most city residents tighten their belts and live within their means is shameful. Council members should ask the publictheir employersif they deserve a raise. I can assure you that seniors who have received a zero percent increase in their Social Security this year would have a lot to say. Perhaps they will in the next election.

Bob Friedrich is a Civic Leader and recent candidate for the New York City Council.
By Larry Penner

Remember over three years agoDecember 2012when the NYC officials and developers who broke ground for the new Hudson Yards project, which is to be built over the Long Island Rail Road Westside storage yard between 10th and 12th avenues in Manhattan, were all smiles?

Transit riders and taxpayers are still not happy. The existing 42nd Street Port Authority Bus Terminal is antiquated, lacking sufficient capacity to deal with current and future needs. Upon completion of their morning a.m. rush hour trips, hundreds of buses have to dead head back to New Jersey for midday storage. Then, they have to make another return trip in the afternoon back to New York City for outbound evening service.

Eliminating this dead heading of buses would open up additional capacity for the already overcrowded Lincoln Tunnel. Relocating this facility to the Hudson Yards site would have provided the ideal solution. There would be the ability to expand capacity for new bus services. Hundreds of buses could lay over in Manhattan, saving the costs of both fuel and deadheading to and from New Jersey.

Intermodal connections would have become available for the Long Island Rail Road; New Jersey Transit; Amtrak; No. 1, 2, 3, 7, A, E and C subways; and ferry services at Pier 79 on West 38th Street, along with the 34th Street Bus Rapid Transit route and other local bus services. Long term, there is also the possibility of future connections with Metro North. This is based upon implementation of providing Metro North direct access to Penn Station.

These new services would use existing Amtrak connections via the Bronx and Manhattan westside and or Bronx/Queens via the Hellgate Bridge at a later date to begin service. Relocation of the Port Authority Bus Terminal to this new location would also complement the multibillion-dollar ongoing Farley Building project. This project will convert the old Post Office to a new Amtrak Passenger Station as part of the Penn Station complex.

Reopening the old Hilton passageway (which was abandoned in the early 1970s) could provide a direct underground connection from the Long Island Rail Road at 7th Avenue to Herald Square at Broadway. This provides easy access to the B, D, F, M, R, N, Q and W subway lines along with PATH.

Imagine the possibilities for Queens residents transferring from the Long Island Rail Road at Penn Station to access connecting ferry services, New Jersey Transit, Amtrak, PATH, 14 subway lines and possibly Metro North at a later date, as well as with all the bus routes currently operating out of the Port Authority Bus Terminal. Virtually all the connections would be underground indoors, and easily walkable within minutes between services. With climate controlled facilities, passengers would be warm in the winter and cool in the summer. No one would be exposed to either rain, wind or snow. This would have been the greatest intermodal transportation facility, moving more riders utilizing public transportation than any in America!

You have to ask if there are enough potential tenants to fill all the new office space being created at Hudson Yards. Prospective businesses have many other options. They include numerous existing vacancies along with new office space under construction or planned for at the World Trade Center, rezoning of midtown East, other Manhattan locations, downtown Brooklyn, Hunters Point/Long Island City along with others scattered around Brooklyn, Queens, Bronx, Staten Island, Town of North Hempstead, Nassau County, other surrounding suburbs and across the river in New Jersey. The same holds true for new residential units.

The current Hudson Yards project has been heavily subsidized by taxpayers, commonly known as corporate welfare. Between direct government funding, low-interest below-market-rate loans, long term tax exemptions, favorable eminent domain and free infrastructure improvements, the bill to taxpayers in the end could end up greater than the so-called public benefits. Have any of these favors been granted to the Hudson Yards developers in exchange for Pay to Play campaign contributions accepted by public officials who were in a position to deliver these gifts?

Fast forward to today. The PANYNJ now has to find $10 billion for a new 42nd Street Bus Terminal. They could have built a new facilty at Hudson Yards for billions less.

Larry Penner

Great Neck
By John LaForge

North Koreas claim to have conducted a hydrogen bomb test January 5 has been both ridiculed as completely implausible and condemned from all sides as provocative and a violation of UN Security Council Resolutions. Without any hard evidence that North Korea has a single H-bomb, official concern needs to be manufactured if our weapons contractors are to stay in business.

We could expect to hear Senator Bob Corker, R-Tenn., chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, chant that he wants the US to take a more assertive role in addressing North Koreas provocation. But Anna Fifield, the Washington Post Bureau Chief in Tokyo who should be an impartial observer, wrote Jan. 6 that the underground test was a brazen provocation and a clear defiance of international treaties. She later told National Public Radio that she wouldnt want to speculate about what motivated the Norths President Kim Jong Un, because the inside of his head is a scary place. The interviewer let this assertion go unchallenged.

North Korea is such a military, economic and political nothing, that its astounding to see the national media parrot official Pentagon and State Department fear-mongering about its patently obvious and unquestionably terrible intentions. When was the last time North Korea bombed, invaded, militarily occupied, or installed puppet regimes in other lands? Those provocatively brazen violations of international treaties were committed by  the United States of America.

When has North Korea placed 5,000-man, 60-aircraft super carriers (the largest ships in the world) in the Persian Gulf and attacked Yemen, Pakistan, Somalia, Iraq, Libya, Syria and Afghanistan using Reaper drones and jet fighter-bombers? Oh right; that was the North Americans.

In 1999, US-led NATO air forces bombed Serbia and Kosovo for 78 days. That wasnt long after US cruise missile attacks on Sudan and Afghanistan  which in turn barely followed Clintons 1998 Christmas-time bombing of Iraq. That of course was only an intensification of the ongoing carrier-based campaign of bombing Iraq two or three times every week for 12 years from 1991 to 2003  when under false pretenses the Bush/Cheney horror went viral with extreme prejudice. At least 370,000 civilian deaths can be blamed on the 1991 (Bush I) and 2003 (Bush II) US wars on Iraq.

In October 2001, the Air Force and Navy returned to bombing and rocketing Afghanistan, eventually toppling the government and occupying the country. Now with the private contractors and hand-picked presidents having turned Iraq into a failed police state, it is easy to see how the global public, when polled, declares the United States the most dangerous country on earth. I havent forgotten that in 2003 protesters in nearly every capital city carried posters depicting the US president as a Most Wanted fugitive from justice, a war criminal and a danger to world order. What a relief that Barak Obama has a Peace Prize with which to conduct indiscriminate warfare, torturous force-feeding of hunger strikers, and indefinite detention of suspects without charges just like his predecessors.

A danger to the world?

But forget the opinion of the worlds 95 percent, the Mpls. Star Tribune reported without attribution that, US military planners view [North Korea] as the worlds most dangerous state. With two-thirds the population of California, no oil, and having endured in the mid-1990s a famine that killed one-tenth of its population, North Korea is certainly more threatening than the US which has military bases in more than 100 countries, 10 aircraft carriers (Russia and China each have 1), and 14 ballistic missile submarines.

According to US intelligence services, North Korea is suspected of having perhaps two nuclear weapons and an annual military budget of $7.5 billion in 2014. The USs roughly $600 billion Pentagon allotment includes 4,000 nuclear warheads on alert. Any one of the (eight) Trident subs that the US Navy keeps in the Pacific is capable of burning down the entire Korean landmass.

Even if North Korea had a rocket that could aim straight, what could it expect to gain by attacking South Korea or Japan? This central question is never asked, much less answered, by the screamers on FOX, the Senators from Lockheed-Martin, or the Representatives from Northrop-Grumman.

If the illogic sounds familiar, it is. There was never an answer to the question: Why would the USSR attack Western Europe or the United States during the Cold War? What the Soviets would have gained by attacking, and what North Korea could achieve with aggression, is obvious: Absolutely nothing  beyond self-destruction.

With luck, the US tiger will just hold its breath and tremble at the mousey shadow of North Korea, which never stops provoking. A few years ago it had the nerve to ask the White House for a promise that it wont be preemptively attacked.
SHARE Contributed photo Vanda Cullar, director of America's SBDC at Midwestern State University, speaks to contestants Thursday at a small-business plan workshop as part of IdeaWF, a program that encourages entrepreneurship. Creating a business plan is part of the competition, and there are specific requirements competitors must meet.

By John Ingle of the Times Record News

Contestants in this year's IdeaWF are working on and fine tuning their business plans, an important step in succeeding in business and the entrepreneur program at the Munir Lalani Center for Entrepreneurship and Free Enterprise at Midwestern State University.

Scott Manley, director of the Lalani Center and IdeaWF, said a majority of the 16 competing entrepreneurs attended at least one of three business plan seminars hosted by Vanda Cullar and America's SBDC at MSU. He said competitors shouldn't underestimate the importance of creating a business plan with specific requirements and restrictions that pertain to IdeaWF.

Writing a business plan can be time consuming, he said, and getting outside assistance and having another person review it is part of the process.

"There are some very specific restrictions on the business plan that folks probably didn't get the information if they haven't been to one of the workshops," Manley said. "If they haven't been to one of the workshops, they definitely need to get with me at the Lalani Center or get with the SBDC so that we can give them the guidelines of what the judges want to see and what the judges don't want to see and what the most important information is for them to share."

Contestants can work with Manley and the SBDC while creating their business plans. They must be turned in at Manley's office by 5 p.m. on Feb. 24.

Nichole Kirk, owner of online jewelry and apparel store Dear Heart Designs, said she was looking for a way to make a living after graduating from Texas Tech in 2012 and be a stay-at-home mom. She opened the online store in March 2013, and business has been booming. She said she did $140,000 in sales in 2015.

But, she's ready to grow from operating out of her house with one part-time employee to getting a separate business space and adding employees. Winning the Expand-Grow category of IdeaWF could help her do it, but she said she needs a map  a business plan  to get her where she wants to be.

Kirk said she didn't develop a business plan when she first opened Dear Heart Designs, but wished she would have.

"I'm at a point right now where my business is kind of self-propelling itself by word-of-mouth. I really haven't even had time to market or do very much. It's just been social media," she said. "The business plan is going to let me actually lay out everything and see where I'm wanting to go the next few years and get organized and get my ultimate goal in line with it."

Manley said the judges will review each business plan that is submitted and select six finalists. The finalists will then prepare to present their business to the judges on April 8, and the winners will be announced at a luncheon on April 13.

For more information, visit www.ideawf.com.
Donald Trump makes a point during the third GOP debate. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

We may be soon getting a lot of attention  whether we like it or not.

Unless you've been living under a mesquite bush in Hardeman County, you probably know we are in one of the most intense presidential election cycles we've seen in decades. Like him or hate him, you have to admit Donald Trump has ignited a fire storm of controversy that has awakened the national electorate. At last count, 11 other hopefuls were in the race trying to either out-Trump or de-Trump the contest for the Republican nomination. It has dominated the 24-hour news cycle and social media, and it shows every sign of landing on our doorstep right here in Wichita Falls.

Here's why.

In the first place, Texas primaries are coming earlier than usual this year. In the past, they have come later on the calendar, meaning the Republican nominee had been decided before Texans got to vote. Texas doesn't like being a footnote, so this year, Texas will be among the states voting early in the Super Tuesday contests March 1. While some of the GOP hopefuls may be culled out before that date, there's still a good chance that two, three, four or more will still be standing and fighting hard for Texas delegates. Texas votes are important because the state will send 155 delegates to the Republican convention in July. That's the biggest prize among the 13 states that will vote Super Tuesday.

Also, unlike the winner-take-all general election in November, the Texas Republican convention delegates will be allocated to candidates based on how many votes they got in the primary, so all can walk away with a few delegates to add to their totals as they try to reach the magic 1,244 needed to win the nomination (it's more complicated than that, but its accurate to say Texas delegates are apportioned).

Wichita Falls, staunchly Republican and conservative, is fertile ground for the candidates, most of whom are trying to out-conservative each other. Look for your favorite TV channels to become chock full of presidential campaign ads as we go through February. In the gubernatorial election of 2002, Rick Perry beat Democrat Tony Sanchez, but Sanchez was a very rich man and $100-million was spent on TV ads across the state. Here, we were carpet bombed by political ads every time we turned on the TV. It could happen again, especially since Oklahoma is holding its primaries the same day and the local stations beam their signals across the Red River. We're kind of a political bonus for candidates.

And phone banks. Don't be surprised if you don't find Ted Cruz or Marco Rubio calling you in the evening  digitally recorded, of course.

It's even possible some of the candidates will come to visit. Some who on this very day probably can't remember whether Wichita Falls is in Texas or Kansas may swoop out of the sky and spend a half-hour here being our best new buddy.

Is this scenario likely? Who can say anything for certain in this crazy election year, but  to borrow a new political buzz phrase  I'm just sayin'. I'm just sayin'.

It certainly is possible we will be paid a lot of attention in the very near future, so get ready. Be prepared. Gird up now thy loins.

The candidates are coming.
Council takes no action on suing entertainment giants

Wichita Falls city councilors moved consideration of a lawsuit against some major entertainment companies off the agenda when they met Tuesday.
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Arresting and deporting women and children in the middle of the night is undoubtedly a nasty business. It's also sometimes necessary.

Some Democrats are furious about the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's crackdown on immigrants from Central America whose requests for asylum have been denied. But the heavy- handedness of the raids  which took place during the New Year's weekend  is part of the point: With the future of U.S. immigration policy clouded by political uncertainty and legal challenges, both the emigrants and those who seek to exploit them need a clarifying reminder that the U.S. will enforce its immigration laws.

The number of child migrants and families from El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras crossing the border is now nearing levels surpassed only during the height of the crisis in 2014. Many attribute this increase to escalating violence in Central America. Yet while El Salvador saw a nearly 70 percent jump in homicides last year, the number of homicides in Honduras and Guatemala has declined in recent years. And for all the horrors of violence, Central Americans have plenty of other reasons to come to the U.S.: family, jobs, a punishing drought back home.

Misinformation and confusion about U.S. immigration policy have also played a role. The surge in arrivals of children with and without a parent coincides with executive actions that President Barack Obama issued to shield children brought earlier to the U.S., and in some cases their parents, from deportation. Smuggling gangs have falsely used these moves, and the prospect of an amnesty, to encourage people to make the dangerous and expensive trek north.

This flow of several hundred thousand Central American women and children has overwhelmed the U.S. immigration system. Sorting out those who have humanitarian claims to asylum from those coming to the U.S. for other reasons is time-consuming, and the U.S. lacks the courts, legal personnel, and detention facilities to handle them. So they have often been released until their cases can be heard  in many cases not for two years. Such delays amount to a de facto policy of open admission for children and families.

Immigration authorities need to do better. One prerequisite is that families in the U.S. have adequate access to legal representation. Better yet, the U.S. should do more to keep those seeking protection from making a risky journey north. Secretary of State John Kerry's announcement Wednesday that the U.S. would work with the United Nations to process asylum claims in Central American countries will help. The U.S. also needs to accelerate its in-country processing, which has been pathetically slow. Its campaigns to inform Central Americans about U.S. immigration laws and policies have also been spotty and untested.

None of these efforts precludes the stronger enforcement of the law in the U.S. The New Year's weekend raids targeted 121 adults and children that an immigration judge had already ordered removed from the U.S. As harsh as those measures may be, they are consistent with the law and send a strong deterrent signal. Despite the outcry, backing off now would reinforce the misperceptions in Central America that helped create this problem  and undermine public support for legal immigration in the U.S.

Bloomberg View
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Ron Moyne, Wichita Falls

I am a veteran of the war in Vietnam and every other engagement my country's politicians sent me into, both overt and covert operations. During my 23 year career I, like so many others watched helplessly as Jimmy Carter single-handedly wrecked our military and military presence everywhere in the world. Terrorists were so emboldened by that, they simply laughed at us and went on committing atrocities without any worry of being brought to justice.

Mr. Carter's worst nightmare was the capture of our American Embassy in Iran. In political desperation he ordered our military to rescue Americans being held hostage for a year, which ended badly. President Ronald Reagan, who rebuilt our military from the ground up, boldly warned the Iranians about what was soon to happen to them and the hostages were immediately released.

During the world wars our captured troops were mistreated, and many were murdered. During the Vietnam years our POW's were beaten senseless, tortured, and forced to bow in submission while admitting to charges of committing war crimes. The media showed this on nightly news broadcasts, never caring about the individuals involved as-long-as they got good ratings. Now, a bunch of Iranian thugs and murderers, while committing an act of war, seized American naval boats, capturing American military personnel and in a most sickening fashion, forced them to their knees making them apologize for being there. In a case of pure political grandstanding, President Obama's gang of morons got them released through diplomatic channels and the media jumped on the chance to exploit this. I did not want any harm to come to those who were captured however, this kind of humiliating show sends an extremely bad message to other countries and terrorists viewing it. I see Vietnam POW's all over again and a president who has no guts to stand up to Iranian Guard thugs and to explain in no uncertain terms that we Americans, part of the greatest country in the world, will make them pay dearly for their actions.
Photos by TORIN HALSEY/TIMES RECORD NEWS Volunteer instructor Shana Jackson teaches a Career Academy class at Faith Refuge, now in its third year. Word-of-mouth from program graduates, advertising and referrals, some of them from Child Protective Services workers seeking help for mothers, has brought women to the Academy.

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By Judith McGinnis of the Times Record News

The future looks brighter for women enrolled in Faith Refuge Career Academy.

A faith- based program, free and open to the public, is now entering its third year and provides studies that rebuild confidence, teach job skills and share keys to more rewarding lives.

"After the Christian Women's Job Corps closed, the Faith Refuge board decided we could build our own version," said Lisa Wester, Academy director. "We studied other programs and developed our curriculum."

"The Lord just let it happen the way it did," FR board member Janice Stine said. "We had room in our chapel for classes during the day and still have services in the morning and evening. To me it's more of a God thing. The West Foundation gave us money to finish the chapel and now we help women with their careers as well."

Word-of-mouth from program graduates, advertising and referrals, some of them from Child Protective Services workers seeking help for mothers, has brought women to the Academy. An application is followed by an interview.

"The Academy is not a match for everyone," Wester said. "Some just don't want to work."

Students attend sessions four days a week for 12 weeks; the current class is one of the largest since the program began.

Textbook studies, parenting lessons with Donna Renfro, Bible studies with 84-year-old Billie Ellis and classes led by "business partners," representatives of local businesses who come as guest speakers, leading women to self-sufficient lives with skills like money management and budgeting.

"Region 9 Education Center provides two teachers who help students complete their GED, a requirement for many jobs," Wester said. "But we also have women in the Academy with college degrees. They've faced many trials in their lives that left them with no confidence to begin or return to work."

Region 9 also equipped a room with computers, a place where women can master skills, write resumes and apply for jobs.

At a Thursday afternoon class students watched a video based on Lysa TerKeurst book "Unglued: Making Wise Choices in the Midst of Raw Emotions."

They listened to TerKeurst's "I can face things that are out of my control and not act out of control."

"Our first goal is rebuilding confidence. Lots of our students start out not liking themselves," said Wester, who retired after years as a schoolteacher and principal. "We help women discover their talents and interest. To lead them to their 'heart job.' "

The Academy recently opened its "Hope Dorm," living and study accommodations where women can stay while completing the program. Donations of everyday needs are welcome.

In her office, around the door frame, Wester keeps the names of all the program graduates, women of which she is very proud.

"It has given me great joy to see them move on to blessed lives and great jobs."

For more information on the Faith Refuge Career Academy go to www.faithmissionwf.org or call 940-322-4693.
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By Christopher Collins of the Times Record News

Through new wastewater treatment infrastructure, the cities of Iowa Park and Wichita Falls are investing in a top regional employer  Cryovac, an industrial factory that provides more than 700 jobs in Iowa Park.

The $1.5 million project, which includes the construction of a pipeline from the city's wastewater treatment plant to the Cryovac factory, has the city of Iowa Park taking on $600,000 of debt, said Iowa Park City Manager Jerry Flemming. The Iowa Park Economic Development and Community Development Corporation also contributed $100,000 each in 4A and 4B funds to the project.

Additionally, Flemming said a contribution of up to $300,000 is anticipated from Cryovac with 4A funds pledged by the Wichita Falls Economic Development Corporation.

The Cryovac division of Sealed Air Corporation, located on Iowa Park's west side, does work related to the plastic packaging of certain products. If the project proceeds as planned, treated wastewater will be used in the factory's cooling system and later released as steam.

Flemming said the new infrastructure, including the pipeline, aeration mechanisms and screens, will save Cryovac money by reducing the amount of potable  or drinkable  water it uses in its operation, though it will remain a significant customer of Iowa Park's potable water.

"This allows them, instead of buying the very pricey potable water (for the cooling system), to buy the cheaper water and remain competitive," Flemming said. "The last thing we want them to do is relocate to somewhere else. We want to keep Cryovac in North Texas and keep them in Iowa Park."

After sewage is piped from homes and businesses in Iowa Park, the city's treatment facility uses a combination of electricity, fans, chemicals and screens to filter out solids and kill harmful microorganisms, Flemming said. It's then released from the facility as "effluent" water, though what it can be used for is based on how much it's been treated.

"Most people take wastewater for granted. They flush the toilet and it's gone," the city manager said. "Down the drain is just the first part of the system for us."

The city of Iowa Park purchases its water at a wholesale rate from the city of Wichita Falls. After receiving the results of its annual "costs of service" study last year, Wichita Falls city councilors voted on significant price hikes for its wholesale customers, mainly comprising small towns and water corporations.

In some cases, wholesale water rates were increased by as much as 44 percent.

In an interview last year, Flemming told the Times Record News the city of Iowa Park had no option but to pass the additional cost onto its own customers, which include the Cryovac factory. For its part, the business reportedly has paid for infrastructure to allow the pipeline to pass water into the Cryovac facility.

"During the drought it was all about water savings, but now that it's over, we still want to conserve water," Flemming said. "We still want to be good stewards of the resources we have."

The project is expected to be complete within 90 days.
You're about to be burrito-blocked. Chipotle announced Thursday it will close all of its stores for a few hours Monday for a company-wide meeting about food safety.

Following successive food poisoning outbreaks last year, spokesman Chris Arnold, told The Chicago Tribune the meeting Feb. 8 will cover a range of issues.
Albany

Gov. Andrew Cuomo's plan to move the money-strapped Canal Corp.  which has no visible way to cover a multimillion-dollar plan to dredge toxic PCBs from the Champlain Canal on the Hudson River  under the wing of the cash-rich New York Power Authority has raised questions about whether it will buttress financial support for the canal work.

The fate of the PCB-impaired canal between Fort Edward and Troy has been the subject of a lengthy tug-of-war between General Electric, which last fall wrapped up its six-year PCB dredging project without doing the canal, and two federal agencies that are warning GE the canal must be addressed.

GE has steadfastly insisted it is not legally bound to do any further dredging, and the Canal Corp., which initially planned on at least having access to GE dredging equipment and infrastructure, is now working up a new plan to be filed this winter with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Canal officials have estimated the dredging work could cost up to $180 million.

This week, as part of his proposed state budget, the governor proposed moving the Canal Corp. from under the Thruway Authority, which is still trying to cover the multibillion-dollar expense of the new Tappan Zee Bridge.

NYPA is the nation's largest public power authority and runs 16 power generating plants, including two large hydro-electric facilities on the St. Lawrence and Niagara rivers. It has long been a steady source of revenue and has helped subsidize the general state budget.

Pete Bardunias, president of The Chamber of Southern Saratoga County, said Friday that if the Power Authority can provide a "better financial fit" for the canal system, then the outlook for dredging the Champlain Canal  with or without GE's cooperation  might suddenly become brighter.

"I guess you could say this gives me some cautious optimism," he said. "If this move creates some financial stability for the canal system, then that would be welcome," said Bardunias. "I hope that we don't lose sight of the canal's core mission  to move things."

Because of PCBs released by GE plants in Fort Edward and Hudson Falls, the Canal Corp. has not been able to dredge the Champlain's navigation channel since 1980. Required under the state constitution to be maintained at a depth of 12 feet, the channel has silted in and become more shallow over the years, making it unusable for heavy commercial traffic.

Asked about the Power Authority's stance on Champlain Canal dredging, spokesman Steven Gosset referred questions to the governor's budget office, which did not respond in time for deadline.

A coalition of environmental groups has been pushing the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to reserve a decision last fall that GE is done with dredging. Even if the Canal Corp. moves under the Power Authority, said Ned Sullivan, president of Scenic Hudson, one of the coalition members, "General Electric remains responsible for the canal. We will pursue every strategy possible to hold the company accountable."

bnearing@timesunion.com  518-454-5094  @Bnearing10
Albany

Developers of a major natural gas pipeline project remained mum Friday about the identity of a massive gas-powered electric power plant that could be built somewhere along its route.

Kinder Morgan, the Houston-based energy company that wants to build the Northeast Energy Direct (NED) pipeline to connect the hydrofrack gas fields of Pennsylvania to metropolitan Boston, revealed the potential new power plant in paperwork filed in late November with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC).

"We think this could be the largest gas-fired power plant in the state," said Keith Shue, a member of Otsego 2000, an anti-pipeline group based near Cooperstown.

The FERC filings by Kinder Morgan indicate that the plant would take enough gas from the NED pipeline  about 20 percent of its total capacity  to operate a 1,500-megawatt power plant, he said. In comparison, the Indian Point nuclear power plant on the Hudson River in Westchester County, which Gov. Andrew Cuomo wants closed, produces about 2,000 megawatts.

Kinder Morgan spokesman Richard Wheatley responded to questions by referring a reporter to the FERC filing, which indicated an unnamed "power generator" in a location "to be determined" was a potential customer for the gas.

Elsewhere in that filing, it states: "Tennessee also has executed a precedent agreement with a company that is planning to construct a natural gas-fired electric generating facility in New York ... Pursuant to a confidentiality clause, Tennessee may not publicly disclose the identity of this electric generator." Tennessee Pipeline Company is a subsidiary of Kinder Morgan.

The $5 billion NED pipeline is meant to bring natural gas in a 30-inch-diameter pipe more than 400 miles from the hydrofrack fields of Pennsylvania to northern Massachusetts and Boston.

Shue said the new power plant likely would have to be sited near where NED intersects existing high-voltage transmission lines so power from the new plant could be fed into the grid for use elsewhere.

There are at least six potential locations, including Sanford in Broome County; Masonville, Sidney, Franklin and Davenport in Franklin County, and Schoharie in Schoharie County, he said.

The pipeline's route also would take it through Schoharie County and southern Albany County, before crossing the Hudson River to continue through Schodack, Nassau and Stephentown to the Massachusetts state line.

Plans also call for a 41,000-horsepower gas compressor station off Clark's Chapel Road in Nassau, as well as compressors in Franklin, Delaware County, and Schoharie.

The proposed expansion also would connect into the company's current Iroquois pipeline in the Schoharie County town of Wright.

Plans call for the NED pipeline to continue traveling east from Wright in or near an existing Kinder Morgan right of way through the Albany County towns of Knox, Berne, New Scotland and Bethlehem before crossing beneath the Hudson River at Schodack, Rensselaer County.

From there, it would head northeast, continue to south of Burden Lake and on to the area of the intersection of routes 43 and 66 at the hamlet of Alps. From there, it would run along Route 43 in Nassau and Stephentown for 14 miles before crossing into Massachusetts at Hancock for the rest of its eastward route.

bnearing@timesunion.com  518-454-5094  @Bnearing10
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Stockport

A Columbia County woman faces charges after State Police said they discovered 11 emaciated dogs and three dead canines on her property.

Patricia J. Gregory, 42, was charged Friday with 14 counts of cruelty to animals, according to state troopers, who called in the Columbia-Greene Humane Society/SPCA for assistance. Each count carries a potential sentence of up to one year in jail and/or a $1,000 fine.

CGHS/SPCA Cruelty Investigator Ron Perez and staff members said 11 mixed-breed dogs were found alive, and the partial remains of three other dogs were discovered. The dogs were brought to the shelter and examined by CGHS/SPCA Medical Director Dr. Jerry Bilinski.

Police said the Majestic Drive, Stockport, home was in deplorable shape, with urine and feces covering the floor. Gregory, who moved out of the home in November, was taken to the police barracks and given an appearance ticket for Feb. 1 in Stockport Town Court, troopers said.

Despite multiple bite wounds and skin infections, all 11 dogs are expected to make a full recovery, Humane Society officials said. They range in age from about eight months to five years old, and are a mix of spaniels, Shetland sheepdogs and beagles.

Perez said it appears police "arrived in the nick of time, otherwise there would certainly have been more fatalities."

All dogs will be need homes after recovery. Anyone interested in applying for pre-qualification may contact the Humane Society at (518) 828-6044 ext. 100 or online at http://www.cghs.org.
Albany

A lifesaving drug that reverses the effects of an overdose of heroin or other opioids will be available over the counter at CVS pharmacies, the state Health Department announced.

An agreement with the state in effect this month allows 479 CVS pharmacies to offer naloxone, known by the brand Narcan, without a prescription.

Customers will not be able to walk into a CVS and pick up naloxone, available as an injectible or nasal spray, off the shelf. CVS pharmacies will order the antidote for a patient on request and have it available the next business day, according to corporate spokesman Michael DeAngelis. Pharmacists will instruct patients on how to administer the drug when they pick it up, he said.

The drug has traditionally been administered by emergency medical or hospital personnel. Others have been able to administer it if they receive training, available through some nonprofit organizations like Catholic Charities, and carry a prescription.

State officials have expanded access to the drug in recent years, however, as a way to address an epidemic of heroin and opioid abuse. A 2014 law eased rules for law enforcement training in administering naloxone and allowed medical practitioners with the ability to write prescriptions  doctors or nurse practitioners, for instance  to hand off the authority to distribute naloxone kits to colleagues who cannot write prescriptions.

Some other states have allowed pharmacists to provide naloxone to patients at their request, or because they are suspected of being at risk of overdose due to multiple prescriptions.

Naloxone temporarily blocks the effects of opioids, including heroin and narcotic painkillers, allowing a person who has overdosed to regain consciousness and resume normal breathing.

Local law enforcement officials have called it a "miracle drug" that they've seen work within minutes to rescue drug users from the brink of death.

"Making this medication available over the counter will not only increase the number of New Yorkers trained in its use, but also increase the number of lives saved," said Arlene Gonzalez-Sanchez, commissioner of the state Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services. "It is my hope victims will use the second chance to seek treatment in order to live a healthy life in recovery."

Dr. Michael Dailey, an emergency physician at Albany Medical Center, praised the inclusion of pharmacists among those addressing the opioid abuse epidemic. And he recommended that patients be advised to get to a hospital following the antidote's use.

Increasing access to naloxone has been critical to saving lives, said Stephanie Campbell, director of policy for the advocacy group, Friends of Recovery-New York. More needs to be done to connect people to treatment, counseling and support services after they survive an overdose, she said.

"Narcan is one of the ways that folks are kept alive who might otherwise die," Campbell said. "And if we keep them alive, we might get them help at some point."

chughes@timesunion.com  518-454-5417  @hughesclaire
Ten thousand Americans are killed annually by drunken American drivers. Fourteen Americans were killed in December by two Muslims. So Donald Trump suggests banning  alcohol? No; he wants to ban Muslim immigrants. And Muslims don't even drink.

Candidates' tough talk is not about saving lives. It's about ignorance. ISIS and Al Qaeda adhere to hijacked forms of Islam which reject Islam's call for peaceful tolerance. Furthermore, the ability of ISIS to attract global followers doesn't even stem from its intolerant ideology, but rather from its determination to resist foreign and sectarian domination.

It was the U.S. invasion of Iraq and anti-Sunni brutality of the U.S.-installed Shia government that led to ISIS' following, not its ideology. The issue isn't religion. It's domination. If the U.S. wants to ban something, it ought to ban U.S. invasions.

The problem with the U.S. reaction to both 9/11 and ISIS is the U.S. belief in hammering out peace by controlling people. There has never been earnest effort at cooperative negotiation, as if this would be spineless appeasement or a pact with the devil. There has never been any reassurance on the part of the U.S. that it will discontinue its military, political, economic, and cultural intrusiveness in the Mideast.

Many factors contribute to Middle Eastern violence; U.S. policy is only one factor. But instead of adding more killing to the killing in vain attempts to achieve physical control over people's minds, the most powerful step the U.S. can take is to change its own behavior to reduce tension within Middle Eastern minds.

Imagine the tables turned. Would you feel safe with the FBI being supplied by Egypt with weapons to suppress American civilians, the U.S. military trained on Saudi bases in Texas, a popular president deposed by Iran, U.S. oil fields managed by Iraq, Afghanistan invading to construct pipelines, and ads and movies everywhere featuring Middle Eastern products and values? The U.S. seems to think the Mideast should take all this without complaint.

We need to take leadership and make a proposal to Middle Eastern civilians, Al Qaeda and ISIS militants, and national leaders, while emphasizing that the proposal is made despite ISIS violence, not because of it. The proposal should describe U.S. unilateral actions but encourage the Mideast to adhere to parallel standards. Like this:

"If you choose to kill, torture prisoners, assault women, inflict inhumane punishments, or promote terrorism, we won't support you.

"But for our part, we're going to stop killing you, stop the invasions, night raids, bombs, drones, weapons shipments, and mistreatment of prisoners.

"If you want to dominate other genders, religions, and nations, deprive people of rights, or conquer the world, we won't support you.

"But we're going to stop dominating you. Any threat to freedom experienced by Americans from terrorists pales when compared to threats to freedom endured by Middle Eastern civilians as a result, in part, of 60 years of U.S. policy. Most Middle Eastern militants aren't fighting to trample our freedoms but to gain their own.

"In various decades we've funded and armed several Middle Eastern leaders who've brutally crushed their people's freedoms. We'll discontinue this practice and stop CIA coups and regime changes of leaders who thwart U.S. government and business interests.

"We won't make deals with one segment of your population while disregarding others. Instead of arming one side to fight another, we'll strive to resolve conflicts. And we'll respect humane governments, whether secular or religious, because both types are capable of kindness and cruelty, tolerance and intolerance.

"If you want to support corruption, kidnapping for ransom, oil wealth hoarding, drug trading, or war lords who extort money from civilians, we won't support you.

"But our foreign policy will no longer be driven by desires for wealth and possessions. There will be no more Truman, Eisenhower, Nixon, Carter, and Reagan doctrines that treat the Mideast like America's personal oil reservoir and provide for dirty deals, nor U.S. money and weapons to Middle Eastern security forces to suppress Islamists and other opponents of tyrants in exchange for U.S. access to tyrants' oil.

"We'll renegotiate fair trade terms and provide investment and aid that benefit your poor more than our rich, with none of our typical military, political, or economic strings attached.

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"If you force people to convert, pressure women to conform to repressive dress codes or face a flogging, ignore women's intellect, scorn them as inferior, or make women the scapegoated, beat-up targets of males' tension, we won't support such un-Islamic behaviors.

"But we'll take pressure off the Mideast to convert to Westernization, secularism, materialism, conspicuous sexuality, and capitalism. We'll stop inundating you with Western ads, movies, fashions, and luxuries and respect your aversion to bars, cinemas, and luxury hotels.

"If you kill reporters, falsify news, and hijack Islam to preach violence, we won't support you.

"But we'll quit the half-truths and aim for broad coverage of Middle Eastern and American perspectives on conflict and solutions. We'll clarify that peace and violence are parts of both Muslim and Christian history. And we'll correct false beliefs that violently spreading Christianity, Islam, and democracy is justified in the name of God, Allah, and Freedom.

"Some choose a militant path in search of noble purpose, employment, adventure, or camaraderie. Let's channel these motives into non-violent, meaningful careers. Let's develop Islamic forms of recreation, playgrounds, outdoor adventure, and scenic parks. Let's make it our priority to help all people feel cherished."

If we honestly address legitimate concerns motivating ISIS violence, can we attract away from ISIS those followers who don't admire brutality and intolerance? Can we prove to ISIS followers they can achieve just goals without violence? Will our unilateral actions serve as a powerful role model and ease the tension that breeds violence and extremism?

Kristin Christman is author of "The Taxonomy of Peace." https://sites.google.com/site/paradigmforpeace
Seeing as how I'm an immigrant to New York  and one considered a newcomer, at that, since I've only been a New Yorker for 36 years  I can be more dispassionate than most folks when it comes to drawing some conclusions about "New York values."

That's the phrase, you surely know, that has upset so many of our fellow New Yorkers. It has been presented as a slur on Donald Trump several times in recent days by his closest challenger at the moment for the Republican presidential nomination, Sen. Ted Cruz, a Texan.

Cruz took his first such swipe at The Donald on the Howie Carr radio show Tuesday, saying, "Donald comes from New York and he embodies New York values." When pressed later for a definition of those values by Fox News host Megyn Kelly  a lifelong New Yorker, by the way, and a Bethlehem Central High School graduate  Cruz said, "The rest of the country knows exactly what New York values are, and I gotta say, they're not Iowa values and they're not New Hampshire values."

Surely Cruz didn't intend to offend all 19 million of us in the Empire State; more likely, he was only thinking of the 8.4 million people who live in the five boroughs of New York City (you think he could name them?). It's a typical non-New Yorker mistake, really, like that phone call I got from an aunt a few years ago, visiting the Statue of Liberty from the Midwest, asking if I could join her for lunch. If you live in New York, surely you can see the Empire State Building on the horizon, right?

More Information Rex Smith is editor of the Times Union. Share your thoughts at http://blog.timesunion.com/editors. See More Collapse

Let me try to help the junior senator from Texas a bit here, speaking, as I do, as a former resident of Indiana, Illinois, South Dakota, the District of Columbia and  ahem!  Texas, where I lived for four years.

New Yorkers are generous, senator, and eager to help others. A Siena Research Institute poll a few years ago found that 65 percent of New York adults had volunteered for a community group, charity or a cause at some point in the year. About three-quarters had helped a friend or a community member with some project or need. Almost 90 percent had donated food, blood or clothing to somebody in the community.

Why do you suppose New Yorkers are so generous? That same Siena poll had some answers, and I think they speak well for New Yorkers. About one-third said they did it because they thought they could make a difference in people's lives in their own community; more than four in10 said they helped others because "it simply is the right thing to do."

Is charity one of the values that Ted Cruz considers outside the American mainstream?

By the way, senator, New Yorkers are optimists. Siena pollsters reported last month that more than half of New Yorkers think their financial life may be better in 2016 than it has been in years, and almost two-thirds figure they'll get into the best shape of their lives this year.

One other element of New Yorkers' character, I'd say, is that they're direct  more likely to tell you what they think rather than what they think you want to hear. Maybe that's why fewer New Yorkers than Texans have become president in recent years.

One might suggest  at the risk of seeming cynical, surely not a typical New York attribute  that taking a shot at New Yorkers is something campaign pollsters might urge a candidate to trot out to please GOP voters in Iowa and New Hampshire.

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Cruz finally got specific at a candidate debate Thursday night, saying that the values he identifies with New Yorkers are support for women's abortion rights and for equal treatment of gay Americans  though that's not the way he phrased it: "socially liberal and pro-abortion and pro-gay marriage, and focus on money and the media."

Actually, it is Cruz who is focused on money in New York. As a number of media outlets have noted in the past couple of days, Cruz has taken millions of dollars in donations from this state, including $11 million from a single New Yorker, financier Robert Mercer of Long Island.

Sure, a lot of Americans have a jaundiced view of New Yorkers, mainly shaped by stereotypical characters they see on TV and in the movies: mobsters and criminals and crooked politicians. New Yorkers, in turn, hold narrow and uninformed views about people from elsewhere  slow-witted Midwesterners, say, or big-talking Texans.

Speaking of which, there's a phrase I learned while living in Texas, referring to people whose words speak louder than their actions: "He's all hat and no cattle," they would say.

What you might wish is that a candidate who hopes to lead all Americans would want to pull us together, rather than trumping up regional prejudices to get ahead. But that's clearly a wide-eyed New York optimist talking. We're like that, you know.
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[January 15, 2016] Axxess Named the Best of the Best Companies to Work For

DALLAS, Jan. 15, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Axxess, a national leader in home health management software, was named the "Best of the Best" at the Best and Brightest Companies to Work For awards ceremony held in Dallas, Texas. This is the first year the "Best of the Best" award has been given to a Dallas-based company. An independent research firm evaluated the companies in categories such as employee satisfaction, diversity, and work-life balance. The aggregate score for Axxess was the highest of all companies named to the Best and Brightest Companies to Work For. "Our success at Axxess is a direct result of our culture and our people," said John Olajide, President and CEO of Axxess. "It's an honor to be recognized by The National Association for Business Resources as the 'Best of the Best.' Awards such as this renew our dedication to creating an environment where employees are encouraged to be innovative, think outside the box, and be entrepreneurial in their actions."



The Best and Brightest Awards honor companies that build better businesses, richer lives, and stronger communities. This is just the latest in a growing list of awards and honors that Axxess has received from organizations around the country, including Computerworld, Dallas Business Journal, Dallas Morning News, and now the "Best of the Best" in the Best and Brightest Companies to Work For. About Axxess

Dallas-based Axxess is a leading healthcare software company that provides cloud-based software to the home healthcare industry. Its comprehensive, user-friendly software solutions empower home health agencies and improve their efficiency by integrating all aspects of their operations, so they can focus their attention on what matters most: patient care. Axxess has quickly become the industry's fastest growing home health technology company. Axxess is the only home health software provider accredited by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) and is a member of Health Level Seven International (HL7), the global authority on standards for interoperability of health information technology. Axxess is a member of the Alliance for Home Health Quality and Innovation (AHHQI), the National Association for Home Care & Hospice (NAHC), and major state associations nationwide. Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150105/167009LOGO To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/axxess-named-the-best-of-the-best-companies-to-work-for-300205324.html SOURCE Axxess

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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. 16

By Azad Hasanli - Trend:

The volume of exports of non-oil products amounted to $1.5 billion in January-November 2015, which is 3.6 percent more than the rate of 11 months in 2014, according to the Azerbaijani Ministry of Economy.

During this period, 2,391 kinds of products were exported (annual growth of 14.7 percent), the ministry said in a message Jan. 15.

"Ministry of Economy continues comprehensive measures in accordance with the instruction by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, to increase export of non-oil products, to develop entrepreneurs' trade relations and widen opportunities for entering new markets," read the message.

"In 2015 only, over 260 business forums, business meetings and exhibitions were organized, and construction of a logistics center in Kazakhstan's Aktau was completed," according to the ministry.

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Follow the author on Twitter: @AzadHasanli
Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 14

By Elena Kosolapova - Trend:

Georgia is considering the possibility to replace the Russian gas with the gas from Azerbaijan, said Georgian Deputy Energy Minister Mariam Valishvili in an exclusive interview with Trend Jan. 14.

She said this issue is being discussed at the negotiations with Azerbaijan's State Oil Company (SOCAR) and Russia's Gazprom.

Azerbaijan is the main supplier of gas to Georgia. Russian gas deliveries to Georgia are carried out only in the form of payment for its transit to Armenia, for which the country is supplied with 10 percent of total shipments.

Gazprom supplied 300 million cubic meters (mcm) of gas to Georgia in 2014.

Currently, Georgia is discussing with Gazprom the possibility for the Russian side to pay for gas transit to Armenia in money, said Valishvili.

The amount that Russia has to pay for transit in 2016 is being discussed particularly.

Valishvili said that the negotiations on the terms of gas transit to Armenia are held annually as the contract is concluded for one year.

"Those 10 percent of the gas that Georgia has previously received from Russia, are planned to be replaced with supplies from Azerbaijan as far as possible," she said.

"This possibility has been discussed during the negotiations with SOCAR this week," she said. "But the experts must examine the technical preparedness of the existing pipelines from Azerbaijan to Georgia for increasing the supplies in the required volumes."

She also said that Georgia's gas needs are growing every year.

"It will be impossible to completely replace the Russian gas, which is being received as the payment for transit, with Azerbaijani gas," she said. "Georgia can compensate the remaining volumes through the direct supplies from Russia. The possibility of such supplies was also discussed at the talks with Gazprom, but the prices offered by the Russian side are quite high."

Valishvili also said that currently there is no infrastructure for gas supplies from any third country.

"In the long-term, Georgia is interested in gas supplies from Iran, but this issue is not on the agenda in the near-term, and no talks with Tehran are underway on this issue," she added.

The deputy minister also said that technical specifications of the already available gas infrastructure, as well as the possibility of Azerbaijan's participation in the construction of new facilities of this infrastructure in Georgia, were discussed during the talks with SOCAR.

The issue of cost of the Azerbaijani gas delivered to Georgia was not discussed, she added.

At the same time, Valishvili stressed that Azerbaijan sells gas to Georgia at a very competitive and favorable price.

The deputy minister said that no agreements with Gazprom and SOCAR have been reached yet.

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Follow the author on Twitter: @E_Kosolapova
"Microsoft Imagine Cup" is a well-known innovations contest. Competition is locally supported by the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Microsoft Azerbaijan, Nar and the High Technologies Park.

Over 20 teams representing 11 Universities and the SABAH groups have participated on the national qualification round of this year's contest.

Main terms of this contest have been once again explained at the preparatory meeting held with the participation of teams before the contest. It should be noted that teams will be competing in three categories: Innovation; World Citizenship; and Games of the Microsoft Imagine Cup contest. To take part at this exciting contest, you need to build a Microsoft platform based on innovative program, a prototype of software that gives solutions to the problems of contemporary issues via using Microsoft technologies or developing any original game on Microsoft Windows platform.

Nar always supports projects focused on the development of education, implementation of the innovations, science and culture. Nar is supporting the "Microsoft Imagine Cup" innovation contest in the framework of the its corporate social responsibility strategy.

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After a groundbreaking scandal in Kansas City that created Catholic history and controversy around the world . . . Local advocates against abuse shared this statement about the fate of a former KC leader. Check it:Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by PriestsA disgraced Missouri Catholic bishop has quietly moved to Nebraska where he works as a chaplain for nuns. This is an outrage. It shows how little has changed in the church hierarchy: clerics who commit or conceal child sex crimes are still being coddled, moved elsewhere and getting second chances instead of being fired.Last year, Bishop Robert Finn resigned as head of the Kansas City diocese. He was convicted of refusing to report child sex crimes to police. But he now works at the School Sisters of Christ the King in the Lincoln, Nebraska with the approval of Lincoln Bishop James Conley.Shame on both of Finn and Conley. Ignoring wrongdoing encourages wrongdoing.If Missouri laws were less predator-friendly, Finn might be in jail. In Kansas City, he knowingly and repeatedly put kids in harms way and deceived parishioners. He certainly should not be in ministry. He ought to be defrocked.(SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, is the worlds oldest and largest support group for clergy abuse victims. SNAP was founded in 1988 and has more than 20,000 members. Despite the word priest in our title, we have members who were molested by religious figures of all denominations, including nuns, rabbis, bishops, and Protestant ministers. Our website is###########
Im a black mayor in a state with a rural representative conservative legislature that gives the rights to carry arms to 19-year-olds  do you really think theres anything I can say thats going to bother them? Mr. James said.





Im tired of the fact that we have disproportionate numbers of African-Americans who are dying, he said. Legislators, who are predominantly white, seem to ignore the racial implications of the laws they make.

IS MAYOR SLY'S WAR WITH MISSOURI REPUBLICANS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CURRENT LEGISLATIVE THREATS AGAINST THE E-TAX???

Over the past few years Mayor Sly has blasted Missouri Republicans over gun control and fair wage legislation. The ire of Mayor Sly James against the Missouri GOP finally. The Mayor followed up hisHere's the Mayor's argument . . .And then this week . . . Mayor Sly seemed angry and somewhat unpleasant during his talk with the Missouri GOP . . .And so . . Given that the GOP has very little to lose by. . .Remember that when Mayor Sly first campaigned for office, he championed his mediation skills but an objective look at the E-Tax struggle clearly shows Mayor Sly picking a fight.You decide . . .
Double tap on Kansas City talk shows for the early morning . . .Here's the world according to the chattering class . . .Description: "Mike Shanin interviews Michael Price, documentary filmmaker, about his latest film, Our Divided City, which examines violent crime in the segregated black community east of Troost. Then Cynthia Wheeler, Mary O'Halloran, Ron Freeman and Jim Heeter discuss violent crime and gun control measures, the new legislative sessions in Kansas and Missouri and the pros and cons of KC's petition process."Description: "Nick Haines, Barbara Shelly, Eric Wesson, Steve Vockrodt and Dave Helling discuss the final candidates for KCMO School Superintendent, Brownback's State of the State address, Chief Daryl Forte's plan to fight crime with a bulldozer, the St. Louis Rams leaving town, Missouri IDs and health programs in the Argentine District."And then . . .. . .Description: "While fears of mass shootings and Muslim terrorism top the headlines, Kansas City has come to accept a level of violence in its own community with fewer raised eyebrows. The 109 murders recorded on Kansas City streets last year is a massive jump on the number of homicides reported the year before."More just a bit later in the morning . . .
KCPD Chief Forte Makes Strong Case For Cleaning Up Kansas City's Urban Core

Kansas City 18th & Vine $18 MILLION Subsidy Still Won't Bring Back Jazz Age

Don't Count Out Veteran Jackson County Legislator Dan Tarwater

Kansas City Petitioners Against Downtown Hotel Score EPIC Win Against Developers

David Bowie Legacy Lives On By Way Of All Your Weird Social Media Friends

Tonight the strong hotness ofhas inspired us to gather thisranking of Kansas City power players for tonight. Take a look:The "Broken Windows Theory" has its critics and some say that it has beenbut the idea of cleaning up the urban core in Kansas City still resonates with many people and evoked a great deal of conversation this week thanks to the statements of Kansas City's top cop.An columnresonated throughout Kansas City and gave locals a moment of pause regarding a historic subsidy for a long-suffering district.Legislator Dan Tarwater isn't going let new Exec Frank White walk all over him and this weekagainst a popular and beloved but inexperienced County Exec.MSM mostly overlooked this news but petitioners against a Downtown Hotel deal scored an EPIC win when aMost people found an excuse to ignore Hillary and the GOP this week by way ofwho was far more unique than all of the hipsters singing his praises who NOW talk about the brilliance of his latest work when they were silent on the topic before . . . Still, the celebration of some great sounds is more captivating than (most) cat photos.As always, this list has been compiled according toand it's a weekly comprehensive guide to local powerful people.
PETITIONERS AGAINST CROSSROADS TIF FOR MILLIONAIRES REJECTED EFFORTS TO NEGOTIATE THEIR DEMANDS AND THIS WEEK SENT A VOTER ULTIMATUM TO MAYOR AND COUNCIL WHICH IS SUPPORTED BY THE CHARTER!!!

" This letter was hand delivered to the Mayor and members of the city council on Friday. The committee of petitioners is insisting that the city council repeal the ordinance or place it on the April 2016 ballot as the city charter requires. There is no interest in "negotiating" at this point"

"The Committee of Petitioners respectfully requests that Ordinance No. 150849 be repealed or placed on the April 2016 ballot, in accordance with law."

Thereached another milestone this week with a rebuke of City Hall negotiating tactics.To wit . . .Remember that the petitionHere's the word from a KICK-ASS KCMO Insider . . .And once again, the Mayor and Council are confronted with residents who call into question City Hall development strategy that takes money away from schools and community in order to fund millionaires and pet projects in an already posh part of town.Developing . . .
Should the Greek economy continue to improve, it is highly likely that it may return to growth within 2016

The Ministry of Finances announced there was a 1.9-billion-euro surplus in public revenue for 2015, which will put the Greek government in a better negotiating position regarding the fiscal targets for the years up to 2018.

Last year, public revenue amounted the 51.406 billion euros, when the target was 49.491 billion euros. This surplus has been attributed in taxpayers and businesses paying taxes and the overall improvement of the Greek economy compared to earlier estimates.

Growth in the second half of 2016

If the economy continues to improve, it is highly likely that it may return to growth in the second half of 2016. This was also noted by the president of Piraeus Bank Michalis Sallas on Tuesday. Senior bankers have also estimated that the growth rate may reach 1% if the privatizations go ahead as planned.

The budget for 2016 predicts a 0.5% GDP primary surplus, which will be attained by improving tax-collection efficiency and the recession giving way to growth.

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
Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 16

By Khalid Kazimov - Trend:

Exports of Iran's steel to the UAE and Kuwait were halted following the escalation of tensions between Iran and Saudi Arabia over the execution of a prominent Shia cleric, an Iranian steel producer said.

Reza Shahrestani, a member of the association of Iranian steel producers, said Iran in total exports about three million tons of steel annually and about 300,000 tons of the produced steel go to Kuwait and the UAE, ISNA news agency reported Jan. 13.

The volume of Iranian exports to the UAE and Kuwait is less than 10 percent of Tehran's total steel exports, he added.

"Most of our products go to Iraq and Afghanistan, therefore cutting trade ties with these countries [the UAE and Kuwait] will not have an impact on our exports," Shahrestani added.

Relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia 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, the UAE and Kuwait took a diplomatic action against Iran breaking off or downgrading relations with the Islamic Republic after angry Iranians, protesting al-Nimr's execution, attacked Saudi missions in Tehran and Mashhad.

According to the World Steel Association, 1.28 million tons of crude steel were produced in Iran in November 2015, which indicates a fall by 12.2 percent year-on-year.

About 14.835 million tons of crude steel was produced in Iran in the first 11 months of 2015.

Iran was the world's 14th biggest producer of steel in the 11-month period.

The country also ranked first among the Middle East countries.

World crude steel production for the 66 countries, reporting to the World Steel Association, was 1.47 billion tons in 11 months, a 2.8-percent decrease compared to the same months of 2014.
General Electric Co said it would sell its appliance business to China's Haier Group for $5.4 billion in cash, another step in its push to sell its non-core assets and project itself as a technology company.



The deal comes weeks after GE walked away from a deal to sell the business to Sweden's Electrolux for $3.3 billion, following months of opposition from US antitrust regulators.



GE said the deal values the appliance business at 10 times last 12 months earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA). Whirlpool Corp is valued at 7.7 times.



GE shares fell 2.3 per cent in premarket trading.



GE said earlier this week it would shift its headquarters to Boston, a move aimed at lowering its tax bill and tapping talent in city that is fast becoming a tech hub.



For Haier, the deal means ownership of a century-old appliance business that makes refrigerators, freezers, clothes washers and dryers across brands such as Monogram, Cafe, Profile and Artistry. The business trails only Whirlpool Corp in the US white goods market and reported revenue of $5.9 billion last year.



The deal, Haier's biggest ever, will give a big boost to its US business, which held less than 5 per cent of the market last year.



The company has been mostly present in the highly competitive, so-called "value segment" of the US market and analysts expressed concern about the impact its bigger presence would have on the pricing dynamics.



"Even if Haier doesn't have a history of dumping prices in the United States, as for example LG and Samsung has, this is still an unknown player, a Chinese player," DNB Bank ASA analyst Christer Magnergard told Reuters.



"(Haier) may have a somewhat different agenda than just having high profitability in the United States in 2016."



Haier said the transaction includes GE Appliances' 48.4 per cent stake in Mabe, a Mexican appliance company that has a joint venture and a sourcing relationship with the business for 28 years.



The deal will be subject to customary regulatory filings in China and antitrust approvals in the United States, Mexico and Argentina, said a person authorized to speak on behalf of Qingdao Haier Co Ltd, the Haier unit making the purchase.



The deal is also to be approved by shareholders of Qingdao Haier as well as KKR and Haier Group, who jointly own 50.8 per cent of the company, the person said.



Haier will continue to use the GE Appliances brand and retain the business's headquarters in Louisville, Kentucky and its current management team, the companies said.



Goldman Sachs was GE's finiancial adviser and Sidley Austin LLP was its legal adviser.  Reuters
Oil prices crashed 6 per cent on Friday to close below $30 a barrel for the first time in 12 years, resuming this year's breathtaking rout as Chinese stock markets fell further and traders braced for an imminent rise in Iran's exports.



After closing higher for the first time in eight sessions on Thursday, US and Brent crude futures plumbed new lows, taking this year's losses to more than 20 per cent, the worst two-week decline since the 2008 financial crisis.



The slump was not over yet, some analysts warned, as the lifting of sanctions on Iran opens the door to a wave of new oil. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is expected on Saturday to issue its report on Iran's compliance with an agreement to curb its nuclear program, potentially triggering the lifting of Western sanctions.



Shares in China, the world's No. 2 oil consumer, tumbled on Friday, with the Shanghai index ending down 3.5 per cent to its lowest close since December 2014 and the yuan weakening sharply offshore. Adding to fuel demand concerns, US data showed retail sales fell and industrial production weakened in December.



Brent LCOc1 settled down $1.94, or 6.3 per cent, at $28.94 a barrel, sticking below the pivotal $30 a barrel mark after briefly dipping below that level in the previous two days. It fell as far as $28.82, the lowest since February 2004.



US crude CLc1 ended $1.78, or 5.7 per cent, lower at $29.42, after hitting a contract low of $29.13, its lowest since November 2003, earlier in the session.



The oil market is oversold after two weeks of almost unrelenting selling, some traders said. The relative strength index (RSI) fell this week to below 30, a technical level often regarded as signaling a market that has fallen too far.



Bearish traders may rush to take profits on short positions next week. Short positions in the US contract rose to a record of more than 200 million barrels in the week to Jan. 12, according to US data.



"I think we will see a hard bounce in crude oil - two, three, four dollars back up into the mid 30s," said Phillip Streible, senior market strategist at RJO Futures in Chicago.



Even before Iran's sanctions are lifted, Iran's oil exports were on target to hit a nine-month high in January. Tehran is expected to target India, Asia's fastest-growing major oil market, as well as its old partners in Europe with increased exports once sanctions are lifted.



Despite oil prices hovering around new multi-year lows, analysts say that prices have not hit the bottom just yet, with demand likely to ease in coming weeks, especially with refiners beginning to shut for routine spring maintenance.



A further fall in prices "cannot be excluded", said Commerzbank analyst Carsten Fritsch told Reuters Global Oil Forum. He warned that $25 a barrel "is quite possible, but not much lower than that."  Reuters
Germany has launched a smartphone app to help hundreds of thousands of migrants get to grips with the country they hope to make their new home.



The app called Ankommen, which means "Arrive" in German, offers guidance on the asylum process, a basic language course, information on finding training and work, and a section on German rules, values and culture.



Germany took in 1.1 million refugees and migrants last year, more than any other European nation. Many are Syrians who have trekked across Europe after fleeing war in their homeland. Others include Eritreans, Afghans and Iraqis.



A website for the app describes it as "your companion for the first few weeks in Germany" and calls on users to "become part of society and join in".



The app is available in Arabic, Farsi, English, French and German.



Information on gender equality was added following mass sexual assaults on women during New Year's Eve celebrations in Cologne and other cities, according to newspaper Der Tagesspiegel.



Police investigations into the attacks are focussing on asylum seekers and illegal migrants.



"Understanding how Germany works is the basis for getting on well together," the app website says.



"Everyone has the same obligations and has to obey German laws. But everyone has the same rights too. In this app you get to know the rules of this country and learn what you have to pay attention to."



The app was developed by German government agencies, broadcaster Bayerischer Rundfunk and the Goethe-Institut cultural body. It is currently for Android phones only, but an iPhone version is coming in late January.  Reuters
At least 20 people died and others were taken hostage when Islamist gunmen stormed a hotel in the capital city of Burkina Faso on Friday, a hospital director said, an attack for which al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) claimed responsibility.



Security forces began an assault to reclaim the Splendid Hotel in the early hours of Saturday and entered its lobby, part of which was on fire, a Reuters witness said. The hotel is frequented by Westerners, which may have made it a target for the militants.



About 30 hostages including the labor minister were freed from the hotel, said Minister of Communications Remis Dandjinou. No one has said publicly how many hostages might be in the hotel.



It was the first time militants have carried out an assault in the capital of Burkina Faso and comes as a setback to efforts by African governments, France and the United States to prevent attacks that have destabilized the region.



It follows a raid on a luxury hotel in Mali last November in which two attackers killed 20 people, including citizens of Russia, China and the US. There have been many attacks by militants in other countries in West Africa in recent years and the vast majority of those killed have been Africans.



Robert Sangare, director of Ouagadougou's university hospital center, said that among an initial batch of 15 people brought to hospital some had bullet wounds while others had injuries from falls.



Patients saw around 20 bodies, and one European woman being treated at the hospital said the attackers appeared to target Westerners, said Sangare, who had spoken to the patients.



The hotel is sometimes used by French troops with Operation Barkhane, a force based in Chad and set up to combat Islamist militants across West Africa's vast, arid Sahel region.



A U.S. defense official said France, the former colonial power, had requested U.S. intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance support in the city, and at least one U.S. military member in Burkina Faso was giving "advice and assistance" to French forces at the hotel.



The government has not ruled out calling for help from French special forces stationed in the country, Burkina Faso Foreign Minister Alpha Barry told Reuters.



France normally has up to 200 special forces troops in the country.



The assault began around 8.30 p.m. local time, and the attackers torched cars and fired in the air to drive people back from the building. There was an intense gun battle followed by at least an hour of relative quiet, in part as security forces prepared their bid to recapture the hotel.



"We had just opened and there were a few customers we started to serve when we heard gunshots. ... There were three men shooting in the air," said Vital Nounayon, a waiter at a restaurant across the street from the hotel.



"Lots of people left their cars and motorcycles and ran. (Attackers) set fire to the vehicles. They also fired on the Cappuccino Restaurant across from the hotel before setting it on fire," he said, adding that the attackers wore turbans.



Medical personnel moved the wounded away from the front of the hotel and one civilian was shot dead as the assault began around midnight, a Reuters witness said.



Burkina Faso, a majority Muslim country, has undergone a democratic transition since October 2014 when longtime President Blaise Compaore was overthrown during mass protests.



Elite troops launched a one-week coup in September 2015, but the landlocked West African state has been largely spared violence by Islamist militants, unlike its neighbor Mali.



The attack presents a stiff test for President Roch Marc Kabore, who was elected in November as Burkina Faso's first new leader in decades.



Three Islamist groups including AQIM and al Mourabitoun claimed responsibility for the Mali hotel attack, the most prominent by militants who are based in the north of the country and have staged a series of attacks over the last year.



Al Mourabitoun was also involved in the attack in Burkina Faso, according to the SITE intelligence group.



Earlier on Friday, the Ministry of Defence said about 20 armed men killed a gendarme and a civilian in an attack on the village of Tin Abao in northern Burkina Faso. It was unclear whether the attack had been waged by militants.



French Ambassador Gilles Thibault said he had been informed that a curfew would be in place from 11 p.m. local time (2300 GMT) Friday to 6 a.m. Saturday.



The embassy in December warned French citizens against traveling to a national park in eastern Burkina Faso after reports that Malian jihadists were threatening to kidnap.



Around 50 unidentified gunmen attacked a Burkina Faso gendarmerie brigade near the western border with Mali in October 2015, killing three in an attack the government at the time blamed on the leaders of a failed coup one month before.



Islamist militants have staged attacks in a number of West African states bordering the Sahel in recent years.



Boko Haram have killed thousands in northeastern Nigeria during a six-year insurgency and in 2015 extended its attacks into neighboring countries Chad, Niger and Cameroon.-Reuters
A prominent ally of Germany's Angela Merkel threatened on Saturday to take her government to court over its "open doors" refugee policy as political pressure grows for the chancellor to reduce the number of new arrivals.



Bavarian state premier Horst Seehofer said he would send the federal government a written request within the next two weeks to restore "orderly conditions" at the nation's borders, through which one million migrants and refugees passed last year alone.



"If it doesn't follow, the state government will have no other choice but to file a suit at the federal constitutional court," Seehofer told Der Spiegel magazine.



Seehofer has issued a series of ultimatums to Merkel in recent months to press her into taking immediate action to limit the influx of migrants, only to back down at the last minute.



His comments reflect increasing doubt among Germans about Merkel's "we can do this" mantra in the face of Europe's biggest migrant crisis since World War Two, especially since sexual assaults in Cologne on New Year's Eve were blamed on migrants.



Merkel's popularity has dropped following the assaults, a poll showed on Friday.



Bavaria, a conservative state that borders Austria to the south, is the home of Seehofer's Christian Social Union (CSU) - sister party to Merkel's Christian Democratic Union (CDU) - and is the main entry point for migrants and refugees.



The state's finance minister, Markus Soeder, told Der Spiegel Merkel's refugee policy was not democratically legitimised and said parliament should vote on the matter.



Senior figures from the Social Democrats (SPD), Merkel's second coalition partner, have also broken ranks in recent days by challenging her welcoming approach to asylum seekers.



SPD leader Sigmar Gabriel joined the critical voices on Saturday. "We have to get from a chaotic to an orderly immigration," he told several regional newspapers.



He said border checks needed to be improved and refugee quotas should be introduced to maintain control over how many people come to Germany and when they arrive.



Germany could take in more than the 200,000 refugees proposed by Seehofer as an official cap for this year, Gabriel said. "But the quota also has to be significantly below the immigration numbers of the previous year," he added, without giving a concrete figure.



Merkel has vowed to "measurably reduce" arrivals this year, but has refused to introduce a cap, saying it would be impossible to enforce without closing German borders.



Instead, she has tried to convince European partners to take on quotas of refugees, pushed for building "hotspot" reception centres on Europe's external borders and led an EU campaign to convince Turkey to keep refugees from entering the bloc. Progress has been slow so far, however.-Reuters
Mobily, a leading telecom operator in Saudi Arabia, has joined hands with leading local and international chains of stores in the kingdom to boost its availability and reachability.



Some of its key partners include Jarir Bookstore, Extra, Emax, Panda, Carrefour, Lulu Hypermarket, Tamimi markets, Othaim markets, Danube, bin dawood, Meed stores and the fuel stations such as Sahel Mart and Sasco, said the company in a statement.



Through these 'Modern Trade' agreements, Mobily aims to enhance its reach to the customers and facilitate ease of access through stores regularly visited by the customers.



The initiative will help widen the implementation and advancement of the process of broadening organised trade across the kingdom, it stated.



It will also result in promoting and increasing sales and customer service and would serve to enhance customer touch points to enable customers for availing best service, it added.



Majid Al Battal, the executive general manager for non-exclusive channels, said the telecom services operator was adapting to the recent changes in the dynamics of trade market in the kingdom.



"Our purpose behind such initiatives is to ensure that customers are facilitated and must have an easy access to our products and services," noted Al Battal.

"Such POS (Point Of Sales) are not going to be limited to provision of recharge cards but will provide a broad spectrum of services such as SIM card, Data SIMs, Modems and other services at convenient spots inside the store," he added.-TradeArabia News Service
Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, has launched flights from Abu Dhabi to its second Moroccan destination with scheduled services to Rabat.



The inaugural flight touched down at Rabat-Sale International Airport to a traditional water cannon salute on Friday afternoon followed by an arrival ceremony with chief guests, Moroccos Minister of Tourism Lahcen Haddad, and the UAE Ambassador to Morocco, Al Asri Saeed Al Dhaheri.



The twice-weekly service, operated by three-class Airbus A340-500 aircraft, is the only direct commercial air link between the two capital cities, said a statement from the airline.



With existing daily services on the Abu Dhabi  Casablanca route, Etihad Airways has boosted its Morocco frequency to nine flights each week.



The inaugural delegation on flight EY615 to Rabat was led by Khaled Al Mehairbi, Etihad Airways senior VP (Government and Aeropolitical Affairs).



The delegation included Captain Salah Awadh Alfarajalla, senior VP (Security and National Pilot Development), Hareb Mubarak Al Muhairy, senior VP (Corporate and International Affairs), Ali Al Shamsi, VP (Abu Dhabi Hub Operations) Joost Den Hartog, the acting VP (Global Sales) and Amer Khan, VP (Middle East and North Africa).



James Hogan, Etihad president and CEO, said: This new direct air link demonstrates Etihad Airways commitment to build sustainable ties in the North African region and to deepening the strong relationship between Morocco and the UAE."



"Rabat is a historical city that has grown in appeal for business and leisure travellers. With our new service, we are supporting further growth flying in travellers from across our international network to our newest gateway in Morocco," observed Hogan.



"Likewise, we are facilitating ease of travel from Rabat to Abu Dhabi and beyond to the many cities we serve, giving our guests the opportunity to enjoy the high levels of service that we are renowned for around the world," he added.



Combined with Casablanca, the Rabat route brings to nearly 4,200 the total number of seats each week on Etihad Airways services between the UAE and Morocco.



Al Dhaheri, said: "There is no doubt that the new Etihad Airways route between the two Arabian capitals is a result of joint cooperation between the two countries in civil aviation. This is a further step in the development of the relationship between the UAE and Morocco."



"Direct flights will contribute profoundly to the development of trade, investment and tourism. The UAE and Morocco are united by a long history of cooperation and the growth of economic and trade relations between the two countries has developed significantly over recent years," he added.



The Abu Dhabi  Rabat flight is being operated on Wednesdays and Fridays using an Airbus A340-500 with a capacity of 240 seats, offering 12 in First Class, 28 in Business, and 200 in Economy.

The flight EY 615 will take off from Abu Dhabi at 10am and arrive in Rabat at 3.15pm. On return, the flight EY 616 will leave the Moroccan city at 8pm and land in the UAE capital at 7.25am the next day.



Etihad Airways is able to extend its reach across North Africa further through a codeshare agreement with Royal Air Maroc, providing passengers with direct flights from Casablanca to destinations throughout Morocco, including Agadir, Marrakech and Tangier.



Etihad Airways also operates scheduled services to eight other destinations in Africa, including: Johannesburg, Khartoum, Cairo, Lagos, Nairobi, Entebbe, Dar es Salaam and Mahe in the Seychelles.-TradeArabia News Service
Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 14

By Elena Kosolapova - Trend:

The US Goldman Sachs analysts predict a great increase in Iran's oil production in 2016 and 2017, the bank's report received by Trend says.

The daily oil production is projected at 3.133 million barrels per day (bpd) in Iran in 2016, 3.333 million bpd in 2017. The oil production amounted to 2.847 million bpd in Iran in 2015 (2.812 million bpd in 2014).

The quarterly oil production is projected at 2.995 million bpd, 3,145 million bpd, 3.17 million bpd and 3.22 million bpd, respectively in Iran in 2016.

The proven oil reserves amounted to 157.8 billion bpd in Iran in early 2015, BP's statistics review says.

Iran and P5 +1 (the US, UK, France, Russia, China and Germany) reached a historic agreement on Iran's nuclear program July 14.

This will allow Iran to supply its oil to the world markets in the future. After the lifting of sanctions, Tehran intends to increase production by 500,000 barrels per day (bpd) for a few months. The Iranian authorities plan to increase production up to four-seven million bpd by 2020.

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Follow the author on Twitter:@E_Kosolapova
Iranian Minister of Road and Urban Development Abbas Akhoundi announced that the country plans to purchase 114 civil aircraft from Airbus Group SE, as sanctions against Iran's aviation industry are slated to be removed soon, Tasnim reported.

Iran has reached an agreement with Airbus Group SE to purchase 114 planes from the French-based company, Akhoundi told the Tasnim News Agency on Saturday.

The Iranian minister further said the aircraft are scheduled to be added to the air fleet of Iran Air.

In recent months, there have been numerous negotiations with major world companies producing aircraft, he noted.

The country plans to renovate Iran Air, and the first step has been taken on this path with the agreement to purchase the 114 planes, Akhoundi said.

The announcement came after US President Barack Obama on Friday empowered the secretary of State to allow the export of civilian passenger aircraft to Iran, a move considered as another step toward implementing the Iran nuclear deal.

A joint statement by Iran and the Group 5+1 (Russia, China, the US, Britain, France and Germany) on implementation of the deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), is expected later today.

Iran and the Group 5+1 (also known as E3+3 and P5+1) on July 14, 2015, reached a conclusion on a 159-page nuclear agreement that would terminate all sanctions imposed on Tehran over its nuclear energy program after coming into force.

Back in April 2015, head of Iran Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) had said the country needs to buy up to 500 passenger planes in the next 10 years to renovate its aging fleet.

Iranian airlines are currently operating with a fleet of about 140 aircraft, which is very lower than average international norms in terms of international indexes of population and area, the ICAO chief said at the time.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 16

By Farhad Daneshvar - Trend:

Right after Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif announced that the sanctions on Tehran will be removed today, Jan. 16, there have been numerous speculations on how this would affect the country's economy.

It is widely believed that reconnection of Iran's banking system to the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication (SWIFT) and the consequent reduction of the costs for money transfer between Iranian and international banks would be the most significant impacts of the removal of sanctions on Iran's Capital Market (Tehran Stock Exchange, Iran Mercantile Exchange, Energy Exchange, etc.), as well as Iran's economy.

Iranian banks, particularly those with branches abroad, will be directly affected by the removal of sanctions, while sectors such as pharmaceuticals, motor vehicles and auto parts industries, as well as petrochemistry, which have high amounts of international transactions in foreign currencies, will be impacted indirectly, said Iranian newspaper Donyay-e Eqtesad Jan. 16.

Since March 2012, as part of measures taken in a bid to intensify the sanctions on Tehran due to its nuclear program, Iran's banking system has been deprived from access to the SWIFT, which has had a catastrophic impact on Iran's Capital Market.

Disconnection from the SWIFT caused the banks and companies to employ new methods for transferring money that were limited and time consuming, meanwhile the adopted methods by Iranian banks and companies increased the costs of transactions.

Sectors, such as pharmaceuticals and motor vehicles, had to import raw materials from foreign countries. Therefore the restricted transaction options increased their costs and simultaneously decreased the volume of their production.

As a result of imposing sanctions on the country's banking system, initially the value of the shares of banks fell in the Capital Market and consequently the value of the shares of pharmaceuticals, petrochemistry and motor vehicles industries saw sharp decline, and finally the main indexes of the Capital Market dropped drastically.

With the removal of sanctions on the banking system, the banks will be reconnected to SWIFT, which will increase the speed of money transfer and decrease costs.

Therefore, the aforementioned sectors will enjoy benefits in terms of reduction of expenses and quick transactions.

Already following the reports regarding the imminent removal of the sanctions and the implementation of the JCPOA, Tehran Stock Exchange (TSE) has become bullish, and foreign currency prices against rial, Iran's national currency, have dropped.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 17

By Farhad Daneshvar - Trend:

EU High Representative Federica Mogherini has announced that Iran's nuclear related sanctions are lifted.

Today, we have reached Implementation Day of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, Mogherini said in a joint press conference with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif in Vienna.

The top diplomats are reading the text of the joint statement announcing the implementation of the nuclear deal and the removal of sanctions against Iran, Iran's state run TV IRINN reported.

According to the statement EU has confirmed that legal framework providing for lifting of its nuclear-related economic and financial sanctions is effective.

Iran and the P5+1 group of countries in July 2015 agreed a landmark nuclear deal to curb Tehran's sensitive nuclear activities in return for the lifting of international sanctions on the Islamic Republic.

On the "implementation day" the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) verified that Iran has met all terms and commitments under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA aka nuclear deal).

Now by the lifted sanctions Tehran will resume exporting oil and its banking system will be reconnected to the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication (SWIFT).

Since March 2012, as part of measures taken in a bid to intensify the sanctions on Tehran due to its nuclear program, Iran's banking system has been deprived from access to the SWIFT, which has had a catastrophic impact on Iran's economy.

Another advantage for Iran will be access to more than $100bn in assets frozen overseas.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 17

By Farhad Daneshvar - Trend:

Following the implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has immediately congratulated the nation through a video message published on social media.

The four minute video message is aimed at conveying the message that President Hassan Rouhani has fulfilled his campaign promises regarding the country's nuclear program.

A couple of minutes before the publication of the video message on social media, during a joint press conference EU High Representative Federica Mogherini and Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif announced that Iran's nuclear related sanctions were lifted.

According to the statement EU has confirmed that legal framework providing for lifting of its nuclear-related economic and financial sanctions is effective.

Iran and the P5+1 group of countries in July 2015 agreed a landmark nuclear deal to curb Tehran's sensitive nuclear activities in return for the lifting of international sanctions on the Islamic Republic.

On the "implementation day" the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) verified that Iran has met all terms and commitments under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA aka nuclear deal).

Now by the lifted sanctions Tehran will resume exporting oil and its banking system will be reconnected to the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication (SWIFT).

Since March 2012, as part of measures taken in a bid to intensify the sanctions on Tehran due to its nuclear program, Iran's banking system has been deprived from access to the SWIFT, which has had a catastrophic impact on Iran's economy.

Another advantage for Iran will be access to more than $100bn in assets frozen overseas.
Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, heading a delegation, departed Tehran for Vienna early morning Jan. 16.

Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, Head of Atomic Energy Organization of Iran(AEOI) Ali Akbar Salehi as well as Spokesman of the AEOI Behrouz Kamalvandi are members of Iranian delegation accompanying Zarif, IRNA news agency reported.

According to dispatches, US Secretary of State John Kerry will be in Vienna, Austria on Jan. 16 to meet Zarif and EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini over the Iran nuclear deal.

Kerry, Zarif and Mogherini will discuss the nuclear agreement, dubbed the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), State Department Spokesman Mark Toner said on Jan. 15.

'As we've said, all parties have continued making steady progress toward 'Implementation Day' of the JCPOA, which will ensure the exclusively peaceful nature of Iran's nuclear program,' Toner said.

Kerry's trip comes as the UN nuclear agency is expected to verify Tehran's compliance with its obligations under the JCPOA reached with six world powers last July.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) will issue its final report on Jan. 16, according to a diplomatic source.

White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest told a news briefing on Jan. 15 that Iran has made important progress in its effort to implement the nuclear agreement.

Earnest, however, said Iran will not get any sanctions relief until the IAEA verifies all steps have been completed, noting the US wants to insure that Tehran does not 'cut any corners.'

The European Union (EU) has also announced its readiness to lift economic sanctions against Iran as soon as the IAEA releases its report.

Iran and the P5+1 - the United States, France, Britain, Russia, China and Germany - finalized the text of the JCPOA in Vienna in July 2015.

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.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 16



By Farhad Daneshvar - Trend:

Ahead of the implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA, aka nuclear deal), Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has posted a tweet calling on the world to join efforts to fight against extremism.

Earlier, Zarif said that by implementation of the JCPOA, the sanctions on the country will be lifted on Jan. 16.

Zarif left Tehran for Vienna early morning Jan. 16 to meet his US counterpart John Kerry and the EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini to discuss the implementation of the JCPOA.

Iran expects the US and EU to remove nuclear sanctions following the implementation of the JCPOA over the weekend once the international nuclear watchdog body confirms that Tehran has curbed its nuclear activity.

Meanwhile, over the past years, the Middle East, a home to major Muslim states, has been suffering from terrorism. Amid the backdrop of all of this, Iran's relations with Saudi Arabia, as well as its allies have severely deteriorated recently after the kingdom's execution of a prominent Shia cleric, Nimr al-Nimr, on Jan. 2.



Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Djibouti, Bahrain and the UAE took diplomatic actions against Tehran after angry Iranians stormed the Saudi embassy in Tehran and its consulate in Mashhad, protesting against al-Nimr's execution.

Right after the attack on the Saudi diplomatic missions, Riyadh and its mentioned allies broke off or downgraded relations with Iran.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 16

By Farhad Daneshvar - Trend

Tehran has reportedly released four Iranian-American inmates including the Washington Post's journalist Jason Rezaian who were detained in Iran.

"In line with the implementation of a bill by the Supreme National Security Council, and the system's general interests, four inmates who hold dual citizenship have been released in the framework of a measure to swap inmates," Fars news agency quoted Tehran prosecutor Abbas Jafari Dowlatabadi, as saying.

Although several tweets suggest that Rezaian is among the released inmates but the prosecutor did not provide the names and details of the swapped inmates.

The move came ahead of the official announcement of the expected implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.

Earlier in Nov 2015 Rezaian was sentenced to an unspecified prison term in connection with espionage allegations after a court behind the closed doors.

Iranian-American Rezaian was detained with his wife, Yeganeh Salehi, in July 2014. His spouse was later released.

On October 19 Fars news agency close to Iranian conservatives released a long list of charges against Jason Rezaian.

Reportedly Nosratollah Khosravi, Saeed Abedini, Amir Hekmati are three other Irania-Americans who have been released as part of the prisoner swap.

Later IRNA news agency added that they were swapped with seven Iranians held in US prisons charged with the violation of international sanctions against Tehran.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 16

By Farhad Daneshvar - Trend

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has tweeted saying there is no serious problem against implementing the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

Zarif left Tehran for Vienna early morning Jan. 16 to meet his US counterpart John Kerry and the EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini to discuss the implementation of the JCPOA.

On the "implementation day" the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is expected to verify that Iran has met all terms and commitments under the nuclear deal.

Earlier, Zarif said that by implementation of the JCPOA, the sanctions on the country will be lifted on Jan. 16.
Officials at the US State Department have announced that Iran's nuclear agreement with permanent UN Security Council members plus Germany (P5+1) is on course to be implemented as "no major issue" remains, Press TV reported.

A State Department official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Saturday that "some technical clarifications" were taking place but "there is no major issue being fought over," AP reported.

The comments come as top diplomats from Iran, the United States and the European Union are in Vienna, Austria, ahead of the implementation of the historic nuclear agreement that was reached between Tehran and the P5+1 countries - the United States, France, Britain, Russia, China and Germany- last July.

Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has already held talks with US Secretary of State John Kerry and EU Foreign Policy Chief Federica Mogherini.

The diplomats await a final report by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on Tehran's adherence to commitments undertaken in the nuclear agreement with the P5+1.

Zarif says the agreement will come into effect immediately after the IAEA publishes its report on Saturday.

The implementation of the nuclear agreement with Iran will end international sanctions against the country over restrictions on its nuclear activities.

Iran-US Swap

Meanwhile, reports say the two countries freed a number of citizens as part of a prisoner exchange agreement.

Iran's official news agency, IRNA, said Saturday that the United States released seven Iranians held in US prisons. The source named Nader Madanlou, Bahram Mekanik, Khosro Afghahi, Arash Qahreman, Touraj Faridi, Nima Golestaneh and Ali Sabounchi as the freed Iranian nationals.

Tehran in turn released four prisoners with dual-citizenship. They were the Washington Post reporter Jason Rezaian; Saeed Abedini, a Christian pastor; Amir Hekmati, a former US Marine, and another inmate named Nosratollah Khosravi.

A US State Department official described the move as not related to the nuclear agreement.

"The timing of implementation day is not related at all to the American citizen release issue," Reuters quoted the official as saying.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 16

By Farhad Daneshvar - Trend

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has postponed his pre-planned live televised address to the nation on the implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), an official with presidential office said.

Parviz Esmaili has said that the address will be rescheduled and consequently the officials will announce the time for president's speech, IRIB news agency reported Jan. 16.

President Rouhani was expected to address the nation after issuing a joint statement on the implementation of the JCPOA by Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and the EU High Representative Federica Mogherini on Jan. 16.

Earlier today Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif tweeted suggesting there is no serious problem against implementing the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

Lots of international reporters and journalists are in Vienna waiting for Zarif and Federica Mogherini to read a joint statement announcing the implementation of the JCPOA.

Iran and the P 5+1 group of countries in July 2015 agreed a landmark nuclear deal to curb Tehran's sensitive nuclear activities in return for the lifting of international sanctions on the Islamic Republic.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 16

Trend:

A Ytong plant for production of energy efficient aerated concrete blocks will be built near Tbilisi, Sputnik reported citing Georgia's Partnership Fund JSC.

Construction of the plant, with a total value of $13.5 million, is planned to be completed before late 2016. The first certified products will be manufactured in early 2017.

The country's state fund is working together with the Georgian company Ytong Caucasus and German company Hella on the project, which is still under discussion.

A part of the Ytong plant's products will remain in Georgia, and another part will be exported to Azerbaijan, Armenia, and south of Russia.

The raw materials that are needed for blocks' production will be manufactured in Georgia, Sputnik quoted Nino Cholokashvili, the head of Investment Department at the Partnership Fund, as saying.

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Security forces in Burkina Faso battled suspected Islamist fighters late on Friday who were holding hostages at a hotel used by foreigners in the capital, Ouagadougou, gendarmes and witnesses said.

The attack, claimed by al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), would be the first by Islamist militants in the capital of Burkina Faso. It follows a deadly raid on a hotel in Mali last November as well as attacks by militants in other countries in West Africa.

The gunmen stormed the five-story Splendid Hotel in Ouagadougou's business district, burning cars outside and firing in the air to drive back crowds before security forces arrived, prompting an intense exchange of gunfire.

Some of the wounded arrived at a local hospital, but there were so far no confirmed reports of deaths.

The hotel is sometimes used by French troops with Operation Barkhane, a force based in Chad and set up to combat Islamist militants across West Africa's vast, arid Sahel region.

"It is continuing at this time. We are trying to know how many attackers they are to better coordinate our actions," said a senior official with the national gendarmes who asked not to be named. "Hostages have been taken. The operation could take several hours."

A Reuters witness saw gunmen emerge from the hotel and fire into the air. A vehicle carrying security personnel arrived and shortly afterward an intense gun battle began.

"We had just opened and there were a few customers we started to serve when we heard gunshots ... There were three men shooting in the air," said Vital Nounayon, a waiter at a restaurant across the street from the hotel.

"Lots of people left their cars and motorcycles and ran. They (attackers) set fire to the vehicles. They also fired on the Capuccino Restaurant across from the hotel before setting it on fire," he said, adding that the attackers wore turbans.
The Splendid Hotel, attacked by al-Qaida militants on Friday, has caught fire after commandos used explosives to storm the building.

Three to four masked men stormed the hotel in the capital city of Ouagadougou, popular among Western tourists, and took hostages. A number of cars were lit on fire outside of the hotel.

Authorities have been engaged with the attackers for over five hours, and some hostages have been freed.

"Defense and security forces have successfully taken a few hostages out of hotel Splendid," Burkina Info tweeted.

At least 20 people are believed dead and another 15 are wounded. Several individuals were killed at the Cappuccino cafe across the street.

"At the restaurant that was attacked, six people were killed and multiple others were wounded," Honorary Consul of Russia in Burkina Faso Anna Rachina told RIA Novosti "There are foreigners [among the dead], possibly Europeans and locals."

According to SITE intelligence group, al-Qaida has claimed responsibility for the attack, calling it revenge against the French government.

The hotel is also frequented by French troops with Operation Barkhane, an anti-terror unit based in Chad.

A curfew has also been put into effect until 6:00 GMT on Saturday.
Tribune News Service

Amritsar, January 15

A two-day cancer awareness and screening camp was inaugurated at the health centre of Guru Nanak Dev University here today. The camp is being organised in association with medical experts of the Roko Cancer Charitable Trust and Cancer Care Charitable Society. The objective of the camp is to create awareness about cancer.

Chairperson medical committee, Prof Dr Gurcharan Kaur, inaugurated the camp. She felicitated the team of doctors and para-medical staff, who offered their services to organise the camp, besides creating awareness on early detection of cancer among the people leaving in the urban, semi-urban and rural areas.

She said the biggest service in the world was that of humanity. As many as 102 patients were examined on the first day of the camp.

Earlier, in charge, university health centre, Dr Sunil Gupta, welcomed the team of doctors and para-medical staff. He also gave details about the facilities available at the university health centre.

Seminar on solid waste management

A seminar on Options and challenges of management of municipal solid waste was held at conference hall of Guru Nanak Bhawan of Guru Nanak Dev University here today.

The seminar was organised by Guru Ramdas School of Planning in collaboration with Toxic Link, New Delhi, a non-profit organization. The seminar discussed the focus areas of the organization, which include e-waste, hazardous industrial waste, plastic waste, bio-medical waste, municipal and radioactive waste.

Gopal Kumar Johari, head, Guru Ramdas School of Planning, welcomed the delegates and participants. Dr TS Benipal, director research, Guru Nanak Dev University, inaugurated the seminar. Dr Raju Chauhan, health officer, Municipal Corporation, Amritsar, presented an overview of solid waste management in the city.

Satish Sinha, associate director, Toxic Link, described the innovative technologies and new inventions all over the world for management of municipal solid waste.

Venkatesh Sekhar from Karnataka State Pollution Control Board shared experiences in the state. Kirandeep Sandhu, seminar coordinator, described the existing scenario of solid waste collection system in Amritsar.

Students, research scholars and faculty members of Guru Ramdas School of Planning, the Departments of Architecture, Environment and Botanical Sciences were among the participants. Officials of government departments and members of various NGOs, Pollution Control Committee, INTACH as well as Sangarsh Samiti also attended the seminar.
Tribune News Service

Amritsar, January 16

The Congress leader, Mandeep Singh Manna, has blamed Local Bodies Minister Anil Joshi for giving sanctuary to the advertisement mafia.

He alleged that a private advertisement firm being run by a BJP leader was occupying advertisement space in many commercial areas, set up by Amritsar Improvement Trust, without paying taxes to the Municipal Corporation. He claimed that the firm owed Rs42 lakh as taxes to the Municipal Corporation.

He asserted that the former Improvement Trust chairman, Sanjiv Khanna, had cancelled the tender of the same company. However, he blamed that after becoming Local Bodies Minister, Anil Joshi was instrumental in lifting prohibition on the company.

He said the Improvement Trust had given advertisement rights for its developed areas including, district shopping complex in Ranjit Avenue, Nehru Shopping Complex and Kesri Bagh to a private concern.

The Trust had lent advertisement space at its properties in lieu of their maintainance. Meanwhile, the MC has already written to the Trust to recover taxes from the company.
Rajinder Nagarkoti

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 15

The Chandigarh Municipal Corporation for the first time has fixed daily targets of MC enforcement inspectors and sub-inspectors in terms of challans and imposition of fine.

As per orders issued by the MC Commissioner, B Purushartha, the MC enforcement wing now have to issue 350 challans daily and recover a fine of Rs 1,22,500 per day.

The MC sub-inspectors were given targets of issuing challans ranging from 10 to 20. Similarly imposition of daily fine ranges from Rs 3,500 to Rs 7,000 per day.

A meeting in this regard was convened by the MC Commissioner, which was also attended by MC Joint Commissioner Virender Chaudhary and SDMs.

Sources said at the meeting, the Commissioner asked about the monthly revenue generation of the MC enforcement wing by way of issuing challans and releasing of seized items.

The MC enforcement wing officials told the Commissioner that last month their revenue generation was around Rs 14 lakh.

Thereafter, it was proposed that encroachers should be dealt with sternly and monthly revenue generation target of the MC enforcement wing should be fixed.

Situation worse in Sectors 15, 19, 22

Corridors and pavements in the markets of Sectors 15, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 27, 28, 30, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 44, 45 and 46 have been encroached upon by shopkeepers by displaying goods, leading to congestion.

The situation in booth markets of Sectors 15, 19 and 22 is worse as shopkeepers have gone a step ahead by renting out the facing walls and even pillars to vendors. Goods such as clothes, bags and shoes can be seen hanging from walls and are sold by the vendors who pay rent for operating from outside the shops. This further narrows down the lanes of the markets, causing inconvenience to visitors.

Working hours extended up to 1 am

At the meeting, discussion also took place on the proposal of Additional Commissioner-cum-Sub Divisional Magistrate (Central) Prince Dhawan, who had proposed to extend the duty hours of the staff of the MC enforcement wing till 2 am. Earlier, the staff used to work till 6 pm. Finally, the MC has decided to extend working hours till 1 am in shifts. The normal working of the staff will be from 1 pm to 9 pm.

Congress blames MP and Mayor

The Chandigarh Congress president Pardeep Chhabra has blamed city MP Kirron Kher and newly elected Mayor Arun Sood for orders to harass street vendors. Chhabra said by issuing such orders the MC enforcement staff will issue daily challans to street vendors. While on the one hand, the Congress was fighting for the rights of the street vendors and on the other, the BJP, Kher and Mayor Arun Sood had failed to protect the rights of the street vendors, he said. The Chandigarh Congress will continue to fight for the rights of the street vendors and will press for an early implementation of the Street Vendors Act.
Deepkamal Kaur

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, January 15

Even as local PPP leaders, including ex-councillor Jaswinder Singh Billa, Rajinder Singh Johal and youth leader Surjit Singh, accompanied party president Manpreet Singh Badal to New Delhi to attend the merger of the party with the Congress, two representatives from the area, orthopaedician and party spokesperson Dr Navjot Singh Dahiya and central committee member from Sultanpur Lodhi Raja Gurpreet Singh, stayed away from the event.

Both Dahiya and Raja Gurpreet were in New Delhi today, but they did not attend the joining-in ceremony which was held in the presence of AICC Vice-President Rahul Gandhi and top Punjab leadership.

Dr Dahiya and Raja Gurpreet are reportedly bargaining for Shahkot and Sultanpur Lodhi seats, respectively, from where they had contested as PPP candidates. The duo has so far not joined the Congress and has been claiming that they were still taking the opinion of their mentors and supporters on how to proceed.

Dr Dahiya had contested from the Shahkot seat and had bagged nearly 9,838 votes from the constituency in 2012 Assembly polls, whereas Raja Gurpreets father Jaimal Singh, who was the candidate then from the Sultanpur Lodhi seat has got 2,267 votes. Since Col CD Kamboj, who had been unsuccessfully contesting in the last two elections from Shahkot seat, has moved to the AAP, the Congress might consider Dahiya for the party ticket. There are other contenders from the seat, including Rajanbir Singh and Laddi Sherowalia.

New Bholath contender too

After the PPP merger, there has been another claimant in the Congress from the vacant Bholath seat. Gurmeet Singh Nadala, a former tehsildar, is aspiring for the seat left vacant by Sukhpal Singh Khaira, who joined the AAP last month. Nadala had contested from the seat in the 2012 Assembly polls and got just 1,843 votes with fight then largely remaining between SADs Bibi Jagir Kaur and Khaira.

Cousins join in again

Politics has come a full circle for estranged cousins PPP president and former Finance Minister Manpreet Singh Badal and former SAD MLA and now Congress leader Jagbir Brar. The merger of the two parties has brought the duo again under the same platform after they had parted in mid-December 2011.

Both Manpreet and Jagbir were with the SAD till they quit party to form the PPP. A former BDPO, Jagbir had then quit his MLAship to side with his cousin, but they could not go along together far. Jagbir quit the PPP just ahead of the 2012 Assembly polls and joined the Congress. Jumping into the third party, he got the ticket from Jalandhar Cantonment, but lost to Pargat Singh. Brar is currently DCC (rural) president.

Since then, the duo had not been seeing eye to eye. Now the merger has brought them into one party again and they are likely to be seen together at political fora in and outside the city. Jagbir , when contacted about the same, seemed to be a bit confused with the reply, Its a party decision to merge the PPP with the Congress. Asked if he would now share the dais with his cousin again, he replied, That only time will tell. Lets see.
Suhail A Shah

Bijbehara, January 16

A police constable posted as an escort of a police officer in Bijbehara town of south Kashmir has decamped with at least four rifles.

He is believed to have joined militant ranks, said police sources. Two of the constables friends are reported to be missing along with him.

The absconding constable, 23-year-old Shakoor Parray, is a resident of Kundalan Shopian. He was posted in Bijbehara as part of the escort of Irshad Rather, Deputy Superintendent of Police (Operations).

Rather was seriously injured in an attack by militants on December 24 last year and was being treated for his injuries at the Armys Base Hospital in Srinagar.

The constable is missing with weapons. We believe that he may have joined militant ranks, said a police officer from the area on the condition of anonymity.

The sources said Parray fled from his place of posting on Friday night. They said two other persons from Parrays village, believed to be his childhood friends, were missing for the last couple of days.

The duo has been identified as 20-year-old Gazi Fayaz Dar and 17-year-old Aqib Ahmad Dar, both of whom are school dropouts.

The matter is being investigated. We are questioning the families of the missing trio, the police officer said. This was not the first such incident in the militancy-infested Kashmir valley.

In March last year, a security guard of Altaf Bukhari, then Minister for Roads and Buildings, decamped with two rifles and joined the Hizbul Mujahideen. He is still is an active member of the militant outfit.

In November last year, a policeman was reported to be absent without official leave two days after joining the police in Pulwama. He joined militants, but did not take any weapon with him.
At least 30 hostages, including a Burkina Faso minister, have been evacuated from Splendid Hotel in the country's capital, Ouagadougou, which came under attack on Friday, Remis Dandjinou, Burkina Faso's minister of communication said.

"Liberation of Minister [of the Civil Service, Labour and Social Security] Clement Sawadogo and some thirty hostages. Operation continues," Dandjinou wrote on Twitter.

In a later post, the communication minister said that 33 people had been evacuated from the hotel.

Earlier, local media reported that dozens of hostages had been freed from the hotel.

On Friday evening, several gunmen carried out an attack at Splendid Hotel and nearby Cafe Cappuccino in Ouagadougou, taking hostages at the hotel.

French Ambassador to Burkina Faso Gilles Thibault confirmed in the early hours of Saturday that defense and security forces had launched an assault on the hotel to free the hostages.

View shows vehicles on fire outside Splendid Hotel in OuagadougouSecurity officers take their positions outside Splendid Hotel in OuagadougouA general view shows fire beneath

At least 20 people were killed and about 15 were injured in the Friday attack, according to hospital officials cited by local media.

The French Embassy in Burkina Faso called the Ouagadougou attack a terrorist act.

An urgent cabinet meeting has been scheduled for 09:00 a.m. local time on Saturday at the Kosyam Presidential Palace in Ouagadougou.

The al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) group claimed responsibility for the Friday attack, according to SITE Intelligence Group. AQIM has also claimed responsibility for the November attack on a hotel in the capital of Mali, Bamako, which left at least 19 people dead.

This marks the first time a terrorist group has carried out an attack in the capital of the West African nation. A similar incident occurred in neighboring Mali last November, when two attackers left 20 people dead after storming the Radisson Blu hotel.

Burkina Faso has struggled with political turmoil since the longtime president Blaise Compaore was overthrown in 2014.
Tribune News Service

Jammu, January 16

Jammu and Kashmir Governor NN Vohra is taking stock of the security situation in the state against the backdrop of the terror attacks on defence establishments in border areas, which have created a serious security concern. These concerns have increased in the state, particularly after the January 2 attack at the Pathankot air base in the neighbouring state of Punjab.

The Governor recalled 16 attacks on the defence establishments since September 2013. Terrorists mounted these attacks on Army camps and police stations, leaving a total of 51 persons dead.

It was noted that since September 2013 two such attacks had taken place in 2013; three in 2014; six in 2015 and one in January 2016. It is significant that all these terror attacks targeted the J&K Police, Central Armed Police Forces, Army and Air Force. In the attacks from across the international border (IB), three had taken place via Kathua, two via Samba and one via Arnia. In the attacks from across the LoC, onewas on the Army Regimental Centre at Mohra in the Uri Sector and the other two in the Tangdhar sector. The remaining were at Udhampur, Dinanagar and Pathankot. These 12 terror attacks, in the period since September 2013, resulted in the killing of 51 persons (Army-16, J&K Police-12, civilians-11, DSC-5, NSG-2, BSF-2, CRPF-2 and MES-1) and injuring of 15 BSF personnel.

Vohra has asked the security officers from the Army, police and paramilitary forces to give him the audit report of all these establishments and the measures to be taken for the safety of such vital installations by January 21.

This is for the first time in years that such a comprehensive review of the security of the state has been undertaken with such a minute detail. The attack on the Pathankot air base on January 2 figured prominently for two reasons  the area is in the neighbourhood of Jammu and Kashmirs gateway Lakhanpur and secondly it is close to the international border (the state shares 198 km-long international border with Pakistan. The border is manned by the Border Security Force.

The growing evidence of the involvement of the Jaish-e-Mohammad, a top terror group operating from Pakistan, in the terror attack on the Pathankot air base has further raised the concerns in Jammu and Kashmir. The terror group was founded by erstwhile Harkat- ul- Mujahadeen ideologue Masood Azhar, who was in the Kot Bhalwal jail, Jammu, until December 31, 1999, before being ferried to Kandhaar, Afghanistan in exchange of the crew and the passengers of the hijacked Indian airliner IC 814 . This group has its footprints in the state.

Governor Vohra reportedly asked the security officers that they should take all lessons learnt in the Pathankot air base attack and the previous attacks on the defence establishments into account and take preventive measures to stall the recurrence of such attacks in the future.

The Governor observed that in the post Pathankot airbase terror attack it was of vital importance to review the existing status of the security of important Defence and state government establishments in J&K.
Mohit Khanna

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, January 15

Though the police seem to be in a denial mode over the arrest of Ankush Sagar Khatri alias Ankur, who along with his accomplice NS Sehgal duped Dr Mohd Yameen, Head of the Department (HOD of orthopaedic), at the Dayanand Medical College of Rs 1.5 crore, it has come to light that the accused was involved in an admission scam in 2011-2013 as well, when a Delhi-based woman had accused him of duping her of Rs 11 lakh on the pretext of enrolling her daughter in an MBBS course at a medical college.

The Delhi police in their probe had found that Ankush was allegedly operating the admission racket in connivance with additional finance officer of a medical college in the city, who was later arrested by the Muzaffarnagar police.

Nidhi Jain, a Gurgaon-based woman, alleged that two employees of a city-based medical college, in connivance with an education service provider from Rohini in Delhi, pocketed more than Rs 11 lakh on the pretext of facilitating her daughters admission to an MBBS course.

Nidhi said since she was looking for MBBS seats under the management quota for her daughter, she put her contact details on a few educational websites. In December 2011, Ankush Sagar Khatri, who claimed to be an education service provider at Rohini, Delhi, contacted Nidhi and her husband.

The duo claimed that they deal in admissions under the management quota in the medical stream. In March 2012, they claimed that they had a tie-up with the management circle of the medical college in Ludhiana and can get an MBBS seat for their daughter in 2012-13 batch. To strengthen their claim, they contacted the employees of the medical college, Nidhi said.

The deal was struck at Rs 22 lakh. Nidhi and her brother-in-law Gaurav Jain handed over a cheque for Rs 5 lakh in favour of EDU STORE to Ankush Sagar Khatri and gave Rs 50,000 in cash to the employee for booking a seat in the MBBS course at CMC.

As the middlemen started pressing for more money to ensure the booking of an MBBS seat for her daughter, Nidhi paid Rs 3 lakh more.

In June 2012, Ankush Sagar Khatri met Nidhis husband Sanjay Jain and assured him of the admission. They mentioned that 90 per cent of the work was done and handed over a copy of a recommendation letter issued by a religious head of the medical institute.

Subsequently, Nidhi made a third payment. Ankush assured the allocation of an MBBS seat to her daughter in the medical college in Ludhiana, during the first counselling on July 16, 2012.

On the day of counselling, Ankush introduced her to the additional finance officer of medical college, who Nidhi said assured her that all arrangements had been made for her daughters admission.

She came to know about the fraud when her daughter failed to get admission in both counsellings. Nidhi said after sometime, Ankush and the two employees stopped attending their phone calls.

Nidhi sent a legal notice to Ankush, who then issued a cheque. But, all cheques bounced due to insufficient amount in his account. Finally, Nidhi filed a complaint with the Delhi police.

Sources in the PAU police station said Ankush had settled the matter with Nidhi Jain towards the end of 2013 by returning the amount to Nidhi Jain.

Police officials said Ankush besides posing as a middleman for the admission in medical college in Punjab had developed a huge network in medical colleges located in the southern states of the country. Officials were also probing whether more city residents have been duped by Ankush.
Ouagadougou, January 16

At least 26 people, many of them foreigners, were killed in an attack overnight on a top hotel in the capital of Burkina Faso, the latest country to be drawn into a regional jihadist battle against the West and its allies.

A total of 126 people were freed, 33 of them wounded, from the four-star Splendid hotel after security forces retook the facility and nearby Cappuccino restaurant today over 12 hours after the attack began, Interior Minister Simon Compaore told AFP.

The assault on the two venues, popular with Westerners and UN personnel, was crushed by midday but the police and military were still combing the area for other suspects, a security source said.

Communications Minister Remi Dandjinou gave a provisional figure of 26 killed and announced three days of mourning. The French foreign ministry gave a figure of 27 dead "and around 150 injured".

Compaore said "three jihadists -- an Arab and two black Africans -- have been killed". The security source said four jihadists were killed, two of them women, and the victims were of 18 nationalities.

Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) claimed the attack on behalf of an affiliate, saying the strike on the former French colony was in "revenge against France and the disbelieving West", according to a statement carried by US-based monitoring group SITE.

AQIM said the gunmen were from the Al-Murabitoun group of notorious Algerian extremist Mokhtar Belmokhtar.

The attack will heighten concerns that jihadist groups are casting their net wider in search of targets in west Africa, two months after a siege at a luxury hotel in neighbouring Mali, where 20 people were killed, against mostly foreigners.

AQIM and Al-Murabitoun jointly claimed that attack.

President Roch Marc Christian Kabore, who took office just last month, a year after a popular uprising ousted longtime leader Blaise Compaore, called on his fellow citizens to show "courage".

Burkina Faso has "never caved in under any circumstances and it's not going to start now," he said.

The attack began around 7.45 pm when an unknown number of attackers stormed the 147-room hotel in the heart of Ouagadougou.

An AFP reporter saw three gunmen wearing turbans firing on Avenue Kwame Nkrumah, one of the city's main thoroughfares.

Another witness reported seeing four assailants.

The hotel and its environs were transformed into a battleground as Burkina Faso troops, backed by French forces based in the city under a regional counterterrorism initiative, launched an attempt to retake the hotel around 2 am.

The US, which has a small contingent in the country, said it supported French forces in the operation.

Several guests managed to escape from the hotel through side entrances, including Labour Minister Clement Sawadogo, who emerged unscathed.

"It was horrible, people were sleeping and there was blood everywhere. They were firing at people at close range," Yannick Sawadogo, one of those who escaped, told AFP.

"They were walking around people and firing at people who were not dead."

Compaore, the interior minister, told AFP that 10 bodies had been discovered on the terrace of the Cappuccino restaurant.

The foreign ministry in Paris confirmed a Frenchwoman was among the injured but said no French nationals had yet been confirmed among the victims.

French President Francois Hollande denounced the "odious and cowardly attack", with the European Union and Britain issuing similar condemnations.

Also today, Burkina's interior ministry reported that two foreigners were kidnapped Friday in the northern Baraboule region, near the border with Niger and Mali.

The ministry said the couple were Austrian, though the Austrian foreign ministry was unable to immediately confirm the report.

The army said a heavily-armed group of about 20 people also carried out an attack Friday near the border with Mali, killing two people -- a police officer and a civilian -- and leaving two others wounded.

The attack in Ouagadougou was unprecedented in Burkina Faso and comes as people were enjoying a return to stability after the election which ended a shaky transitional period following Compaore's ouster.

"The elections went off well...That makes the country a symbol of progress, which is what those people want to destroy," Cynthia Ohayon, a security analyst with the International Crisis Group said.

Al-Murabitoun had already begun to move into the impoverished country of around 17 million. In April last year, the group claimed the abduction of the Romanian security chief of a mine in the country's north.

Burkina Faso is one of the five countries in the restive Sahel region that is hosting France's Barkhane counter-terror mission.  AFP
London, January 16

The latest set of witness statements released by a UK-based website set up to unravel the mystery shrouding Netaji Subhas Chandra Boses disappearance seem to confirm that the freedom fighter died in a plane crash in Taiwan.

Five witnesses  Netajis close associate, two Japanese doctors, an interpreter and a Taiwanese nurse  have been quoted as corroborating that the founder of the Indian National Army (INA) died on August 18, 1945, following a plane crash on the outskirts of an airfield in Taipei.

There are no two opinions between the five witnesses about the fact that Boses end came on the night of August 18, 1945, www.bosefiles.info said in a statement.

Colonel Habibur Rehman Khan, Boses aide-de-camp (ADC) who was with him but survived the crash, submitted a statement written and signed on August 24, 1945  six days after the crash confirming Boses last words to him.

Prior to his death, he (Bose) told me that his end was near and asked me to convey a message from him to our countrymen to the following effect: I have fought to the last for Indias independence and now am giving my life in the same attempt. Countrymen! Continue the independence fight. Before long India will be free. Long Live Azad Hind, the statement reads.

In September 1945, two intelligence teams from India led by police officers named Finney and Davis, assisted by HK Roy and KP De, went to Bangkok, Saigon and Taipei to investigate. They concluded Bose had died as a result of the air tragedy.

They seized a copy of a telegram from the Chief of Staff of the Japanese Southern Army to Hikari Kikan, a body set up to liaise between the Japanese government and Boses Provisional Government of Free India.

Using the code T for Bose, the cable dated August 20, 1945, said: T, while on his way to the capital (Tokyo), as a result of an accident to his aircraft at TAIHOKU (Japanese name for Taipei) at 1400 hours on the 18th was seriously injured and died at midnight on the same date.

Between May and July of 1946, Lt Col JG Figgess of the British Army interrogated six Japanese officials in Tokyo in connection with the incident, including Japanese doctor Toyoshi Tsuruta, who was present at the Nanmon Military Hospital near the crash site where Bose was rushed to after the crash.  PTI
London, January 16

The latest set of witness statements released by a UK-based website set up to unravel the mystery surrounding Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose's disappearance appear to confirm that the freedom fighter died as a result of a plane crash in Taiwan.

Five witnesses  Netaji's close associate, two Japanese doctors, an interpreter and a Taiwanese nurse  have been quoted as corroborating that the founder of the Indian National Army (INA) died on 18 August 1945 following a plane crash on the outskirts of an airfield in Taipei.

"There are no two opinions among the five witnesses about the fact that Bose's end came on the night of 18 August 1945," www.bosefiles.info said in a statement.

Colonel Habibur Rehman Khan, Bose's aide-de-camp (ADC) who was with him on the fateful day and survived the crash, submitted a statement written and signed on 24 August 1945  six days after the crash confirming Bose's last words to him.

"Prior to his death he (Bose) told me that his end was near and asked me to convey a message from him to our countrymen to the following effect: 'I have fought to the last for India's independence and now am giving my life in the same attempt. Countrymen! Continue the independence fight. Before long India will be free. Long Live Azad Hind'," the statement reads.

In September 1945, two intelligence teams from India led by police officers named Finney and Davis, assisted by HK Roy and KP De, went to Bangkok, Saigon and Taipei to investigate. They concluded Bose had died as a result of the air tragedy.

They seized a copy of a telegram from the Chief of Staff of the Japanese Southern Army to Hikari Kikan, a body set up to liaise between the Japanese government and Bose's "Provisional Government of Free India".

Using the code T for Bose, the cable dated 20 August 1945 said: "T, while on his way to the capital (Tokyo), as a result of an accident to his aircraft at TAIHOKU (Japanese name for Taipei) at 1400 hours on the 18th was seriously injured and died at midnight on the same date".

Between May and July of 1946, Lt Col JG Figgess of the British Army interrogated six Japanese officials in Tokyo in connection with the incident, among them a Japanese doctor, Toyoshi Tsuruta, who was present at the Nanmon Military Hospital near the crash site where Bose was rushed to after the crash.

Dr Tsuruta submitted to Figgess: "...Bose asked him in English if he would sit with him throughout the night.

However, shortly after seven o'clock (in the evening) he suffered a relapse and although the doctor once again administered a camphor injection he sank into a coma and died shortly afterwards".

Tsan Pi Sha, a nurse at the same hospital, confirmed this account in in September 1946 to Harin Shah, a journalist with Mumbai's 'Free Press Journal', who visited Taipei to investigate the matter.

She said: "He died here. I was by his side...He died on 18 August last year (1945), (Subhas) Chandra Bose. I am a surgical nurse and took care of him till he died...I was instructed to apply olive oil all over his body and that I did".

"Whenever he regained briefly his consciousness, he felt thirsty. With slight groaning, he would ask for water. I gave him water several times."

She then took Shah to the southwest corner of the ward and to the bed where Bose passed away.

The medical officer in charge of the hospital was Captain Taneyoshi Yoshimi of the Japanese Army. The first of several testimonies provided by Dr Yoshimi was on October 19, 1946, at Stanley Gaol in Hong Kong, where he was imprisoned by British authorities after World War II. This was recorded by Captain Alfred Turner of the War Crimes Liaison Section of Taiwan.

He said: "When he was laid on the bed (of the hospital), I personally cleaned his (Bose's) injuries with oils and dressed them. He was suffering from extensive burns over the whole of his body, though the most serious were those on his head, chest and thighs. There was very little left on his head in the way of hair or other identification marks.

"As most of his speaking was in English, a request for an interpreter was made, and one was sent from the civil government offices named Nakamura. He informed me that he had very often interpreted for (Subhas) Chandra Bose and had had many conversations with him. He appeared to have no doubt that the man he was speaking with was Chandra Bose.

"After the fourth hour (following his admission to the hospital) he appeared to be sinking into unconsciousness. He murmured and muttered in his state of coma, but never regained consciousness. At about 2300 hours he died."

Dr Yoshimi went on to appear before both the Major General. Shah Nawaz led Netaji Inquiry Committee in 1956 and the 1974 Justice GD Khosla Commission.

In one of his later interviews to Ashis Ray, creator of www.bosefiles.info, in 1995, Dr Yoshimi said: "A lieutenant called Nonomiya told me this is Mr Chandra Bose, a very important person, and that I should save his life at any cost. That's how I knew who he (Bose) was."

He recalled that when it seemed obvious to him that Bose's condition was sinking, he asked the patient: "What can I do for you?"

Bose replied: "I feel as if blood is rushing to my head. I would like to sleep a while". Dr Yoshimi gave him an injection and after some time he was no more.

The interpreter, Nakamura, deposed before the Inquiry Committee that there was "not a word of complaint either of pain or suffering from his lips This composure of Netaji (Bose) surprised all of us."

He went on to say that after Bose died, the Japanese officers in the room stood in one line and saluted his body.

Subhas Chandra Bose's death is one of India's greatest puzzles, with some conspiracy theories claiming that the plane cerash did not in fact kill the leader. Some in Netaji's family also endorse this view and have called for files related to the leader to be declassified.  PTI
New Delhi, January 16

Two Indians were among 126 people freed from a restaurant in Burkina Faso after an al Qaeda siege killed 23 people from 18 countries on Saturday.

"Two Indians Viraj and Satya  were in the hotel under siege by terrorists. Both are safely out," an External Affairs Ministry spokesman said.

Some gunmen attacked a top hotel and a restaurant in the capital of Burkina Faso, before security forces ended the siege and killed four assailants. Among the 126 were the 33 who were wounded in the incident.

The five were released from a four-star hotel named Splendid, which is popular with Westerners and UN personnel, after security forces retook the 147-room facility and the Cappuccino restaurant nearby in the early hours this morning, officials there said. PTI
Anuj Puri

India, rated as the fastest growing economy in the world, has developed a lot over the years. Metro cities are of course the pride and joy of India. These cities are the nerve centres of the countrys economy and cosmopolitan culture, and draw the most housing demand for numerous reasons like better job opportunities, living standards and infrastructure. However, rapid urbanisation and development of these cities into mega-cities has given rise to challenges such as pollution, traffic issues, high property prices, etc.

The Governments initiative to provide Housing for All by 2022 is being pursued laboriously. The simple motive is to provide affordable homes within the price budget of up to Rs25 lakh. This vision must necessarily encompass the smaller cities near the bustling cities of India.

Though affordability is a relative term, it is pertinent to look at destinations where residential properties within the budget range of Rs30-50 lakh are available, and are classified either emerging or growing submarkets supported by good infrastructural development. These towns and cities offer a wide spectrum of investable options in real estate with relatively lower property price levels, providing the incentives for future capital appreciation and healthy returns.

Here are 10 cities that offer great lower-budget real estate investment prospects over mid-to-long term.

Hyderabad, Telangana

After a prolonged slump due to the global recession followed by political turmoil, Hyderabads realty market is now once again set for an upswing. Hyderabad, with its buoyant and thriving economy and a dynamic workforce, is once again trending as a buyers market. The thriving IT/ITeS industry has given further impetus to the real estate consumer trend, which is evident from the growing demand for residential, commercial and retail spaces.

Hyderabad is perhaps one of the most affordable cities among all tier 1 cities of India. Even the well-developed residential localities in Hyderabad, such as Manikonda, Kukatpally, Miyapur and Sainikpuri offer residential properties in the budget range of Rs30-50 lakh.

When compared to the other metros, housing in Hyderabad is relatively affordable. Property prices here are almost 60 per cent of those of Bangalore and Chennai. In fact, due to the political uncertainty, land prices in Hyderabad have remained stable. However, with the much needed political stability and creation of new state Telangana, Hyderabad can now expect large investments into its property market in the near future.

Pune, Maharashtra

Today, the perfect blend of manufacturing and services sectors make Pune a standalone economic power house in all respects, with a rate of job generation that is hard to match. The city has witnessed steady appreciation over the past few years, and is ranked as one of the best markets for real estate investment.

The luxury homes segment has been burgeoning on the Punes real estate market, with many large players entering with excellent luxurious projects. However, Pune is now witnessing a slight shift in the development trend. Many new players on Punes burgeoning real estate market can be seen venturing into the affordable housing segment. This is obviously the segment where the greatest demand lies.

Over the past couple of years, Pune has recorded good growth in the affordable housing segment. Such projects are located on the periphery of the city and offer small 12 BHK flats with basic, no-frills amenities. Interestingly, while there has been compelling growth in the high-end segment with luxurious 3-4 BHK homes, the budget housing story is far more attractive to investors. One of the best Indian city to live in and with more promising infrastructure development in place, Pune offers better standards of living than any most other metros.

Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra

Over the past few years, the real estate market in Navi Mumbai and surrounding areas has shown impressive growth, largely because of the planned approach taken towards development.

Now, with Navi Mumbai receiving final nod for the International Airport, its property market and that of the surrounding areas has got a shot in the arm. While property prices have increasingly become unaffordable in Mumbai, Navi Mumbai still provides numerous options for residential housing within the budget of Rs30-50 lakh.

There are two new major economic drivers that are planned for Navi Mumbai and will change the face of this satellite city in the times to come  the proposed SEZs at Dronagiri, Ulwe and Kalamboli, and the upcoming international airport at Panvel. Both these factors are expected to generate a massive amount of employment, providing a further impetus to the demand for commercial and residential developments.

The governments approval to the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link will also prove to be a major game changer for the property market of Navi Mumbai. This project will not only open up new corridors for development, but also provide a fillip to the property market of Navi Mumbai.

Jaipur, Rajasthan

Emerging out of its image of being a majorly tourism-led economy, Jaipur has grown beyond everyones expectation to become one of the top global outsourcing cities in India.

The upcoming IT parks promise a great future across all real estate asset classes. The 250-km stretch between Delhi and Jaipur has become a hotbed of real estate development, with areas like Manesar, Dharuhera, Bhiwadi, Neemrana, Kotputli and Alwar becoming the new catchwords for investors.

Jaipur is a fast-developing city with many influencing growth drivers in place. It has progressed tremendously on the residential as well as the retail fronts, and is considered one of the most important real estate destinations of North India. Some localities in Jaipur such as Malviya Nagar, Tonk Road and Ajmer Road are among the best emerging investment destinations in the country.

The government is taking keen interest in developing the infrastructure of this region. The announcement of the Metro has triggered faster infrastructure development, and property prices are expected to witness an upward surge in the next few years. However, the development is still in its nascent stage. With yearly capital appreciation to the tune of 12-17 per cent, Jaipur holds great potential and promises good returns on investment.

Surat, Gujarat

Surat, known as the diamond capital of the world, is a well-developed metropolis in Gujarat. Rated as one of the fastest growing cities of the world and also recently conferred with Best Urban City of India award, Surat has also gained prominence and recognition for being the Cleanest City in India by INTACH.

Rapidly improving infrastructure initiatives have helped modernise Surat significantly. Micro-markets in New Surat such as an entire stretch of Dumas Road are dotted with variety of malls, multiplexes and top-notch residential apartment projects. Even though Surat is not as populated as Ahmedabad, the excellent road network within the city  defined by several flyovers and wide roads  mean that this city will see rapid transition in times to come, with many more influencing drivers in place.

Ghaziabad, NCR

Ghaziabad is an emerging residential neighbourhood of NCR which has a very high supply of residential properties in the budget of Rs30-50 lakh. Well connected via Metro and roads to the job markets of Delhi-NCR region, the city caters largely to the mid-segment home buyers. The city has a high supply of ready-to-move-in properties offered by renowned developers.

Some of the well-established residential clusters in Ghaziabad that have gained prominence in the recent times include Indirapuram, Kaushambi and Vaishali.

Upcoming residential corridors such as Raj Nagar Extension and developments along the NH-24 beyond Indirapuram are attracting a wide spectrum of end-users and investors on the back of relatively affordable property rates. Infrastructural developments such as the extension of the Metro Rail and the widening of the NH 24 will further boost Ghaziabads realty market.

Nagpur, Maharashtra

Although a city with extreme climatic conditions, Nagpur is one of the fastest-growing cities in India. Nagpurs main claims to fame include its MIHAN and SEZ projects. However, with the Fadnavis-led BJP government taking keen interest in turning Nagpur into the next IT hub of Maharashtra, the city is set for a major transition in its real estate profile.

The already-established MIDC corridor along with the upcoming IT parks have made Nagpur one of the cities that bear close watching by real estate investors.

Several government initiatives such as connecting Nagpur with Mumbai via Expressway and an International Airport will further work in citys favour. Now is the right to invest in Nagpur, as the city is all set to see a great deal of development transformation.

Kochi, Kerala

Kochi is a metropolis in the making where modern urban lifestyles are settling into antiquated old traditions. During the days of its realty boom, Kochi grew exponentially, with more people migrating to the city and consuming even the outlying catchments of Palarivattom, Vytilla, Kakkanad, Edappally and Kadavanthra.

Development of IT/ITES projects such as the Kochi Smart City and initiatives to channelize traffic and improve connectivity, such as the Mobility Hub at Vytilla, have fuelled significantly increased demand for real estate, which more and more developers are cashing in on.

Gone are the days when the citys builders focused only on affluent buyers. Today, the Kochi residential real estate market is dominated by affordable housing segment, which accounts to about 60 per cent of the total housing projects in the city. The soaring land prices have made it difficult to own or build independent houses, and there is increasing demand from the emerging mid-income segment that wants homes packed with amenities at affordable prices.

The demand for affordable housing is so strong that it has made its way through the poshest of areas. The prime localities that previously offered only luxury multi-storey apartments, such as Marine Drive, are witnessing the arrival of affordable and mid-income housing projects, along with waterfront apartment and villas.

Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu

Coimbatore is the major industrial centre in Tamil Nadu after Chennai and as incentives are given to IT companies by the Tamil Nadu government, Coimbatore has gained momentum as a preferred destination for IT/ITeS.

With a proactive government in power promoting the city by enhancing infrastructure development, Coimbatores property market has witnessed an upward push in demand for residential units in the core areas of the city such as R S Puram, Avinashi Road and Race Course, which are considered posh areas. Nevertheless, it has no shortage of affordable housing options.

Coimbatore is a market where 40 per cent of the real estate investments come from investors living in cities such as Bangalore, Cochin and Chennai. Apart from the demand from professionals engaged in IT/ITeS, Coimbatore is emerging as a retirement destination, and demand for 2 BHK homes is high from senior citizens.

Demand for smaller apartments is primarily from young IT professionals, while villas and row houses see demand from NRIs, retirees and IT professionals with a preference for such properties.

Ahmedabad, Gujarat

Ahmedabad may be the last one in the list, but it is in no way the least. With the city being a prime example of organised and fast-paced development for the rest of the cities in India, Ahmedabad has come a long way.

With huge investments pouring into the state, rapid infrastructural development in the form of bullet trains, GIFT Smart City, the entrepreneurial nature of the population and a supportive, stable government, everything is going right for Ahmedabad.

The oil, gas and energy industries, petro-chemical industries and automobile manufacturing industries are some of the major factors driving perennial demand for real estate in the city.

The maximum supply of properties within the range of Rs30-50 lakh is evident along the SG Highway and in areas such as Gota, Bopal and Satellite.

 The writer is Chairman & Country Head, JLL India
By Pushpa Girimaji

Two years ago, I completed a course in communication from a well-known college, believing that the course was approved by the University, as claimed in their prospectus. However, that turned out to be a false claim and I never got a university degree. Can I go to the consumer court against the college and ask for compensation?

For having claimed falsely that the course was approved by the university, the college is guilty of unfair trade practice. For failing to give you a degree as promised, it is also guilty of providing deficient service. So on both these counts, you can file a complaint, seeking refund of the fee paid by you, besides compensation for loss of job opportunities and mental agony. Please do make sure that you provide along with your complaint, the authenticated copies of the receipts issued by the college for the fee paid by you. You should also attach a copy of the prospectus issued by the college, stating that the degree being offered is recognized or approved by the university.

Have consumer courts handled such cases? Can you quote a couple of them to help me with my complaint?

The consumer courts have dealt with a number of such cases in the past and given relief to the students. The best known and probably one of the oldest case in this regard is the Buddhist Mission Dental College and Hospital Vs Bhupesh Khurana and Ors, where the case went up to the level of the Supreme Court.

Here, eleven students of the college had filed a complaint before the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission saying that contrary to the claims of the college, it was neither affiliated to the Magadh university nor recognised by the Dental Council of India and as a result, no examinations were held at the end of the academic year. They therefore sought refund of the fee paid as well as compensation. The National Commission, in its order delivered in the year 2000, directed the college to refund the fee paid by the students, along with 12 per cent interest and also pay a compensation of Rs 20,000 to each of them.

The Supreme court, before which both the parties (the college and the students) filed appeals, came down heavily on the college for misrepresenting facts and causing a loss of two academic years for the students and awarded an additional compensation of Rs 1 lakh to each of the students, besides costs of Rs 1 lakh to each of them. (Civil appeal no 1135 of 2001)

More recently, in January 2015, in Sh Dhirendra Kumar Vs M.R.Sarangapani, the National Commission awarded a compensation of Rs 41,95,566 along with 18 per cent interest to five students who had filed a complaint against Merit International Institute of Technology for making false claims about global recognition, affiliation with Gannon University in Erie, Pennsylvania, USA, etc. In this case, the college had not only charged a steep registration fee and tuition fee, but also an equivalent of USD 900 as examination fee, falsely claiming that the examinations were conducted by foreign universities and evaluated by professors from those universities! (Original petition number 255 of 2001, date of order: January 14, 2015) The Commission here was highly critical of the college for wasting an academic year of the students with its false claims.

In Principal, St Aloysius College, Mangalore Vs Harsharaj Gatty (RP No 3803 of 2014, date of order: Dec 9, 2015) where four students had sought compensation for the colleges failure to give them a degree certificate (two of them MS Communications and the other two, Master of communications and Media Studies), the District Forum awarded as compensation twice the amount paid as fee by the students and directed the college to issue without delay the post graduate degree certificate or pay an additional compensation of Rs 2 lakh to each of the students.

The National Commission, however, reduced the compensation to only refund of the fee paid by the students on the ground that the college had in the meanwhile got the approval with retrospective effect from the university and had issued the degree certificate to the students in 2013 (while two were entitled to get their degree in 2010, the other two in 2011 ).
Preeti Verma Lal

Have you ever been torn between a handsome matador and a charming bandit? Isnt it difficult to choose between a drop-dead looking matador, who walks into the bullring in an embroidered jacket and leather boots and a bandit in a fine shirt, velvet jacket with silver buttons, leather gaiters, his blue eyes glistening, his little hands holding a gun who gallops on a cream horse? In Ronda, the Spanish town that was once described as wild and mountainous by German poet Rainer Maria Rilke, you really wouldnt know who to begin with.

Ernest Hemingway and Orson Welles spent many a summer in Ronda. However, in Ronda, everyone looks for Jose Maria Hinojosa, a polite thief born in 1805, famous for his black hair, blue eyes, big mouth, beautiful teeth and little hands. He was a thief  bondolero in Spanish  who robbed people in picturesque ways and without violence. In the 1800s, daring bondoleros and highwaymen roamed the hills and valleys of the Serrania and a special task force  Guardia Civil  was created to put an end to their thieving ways. As late as the 1930s, a few bandits were still robbing wealthy travellers on their way to Ronda.

Now, Ronda has no bandits. But their stories come alive in Museum of Bandits which is owned by J Almazan Gonzalez. Walk up the wooden staircase flanked by framed photographs and sepia newspaper clippings, and bandit names will start popping along with their sobriquets  Francisco Rios El Pernales, Jose Ulloa El Tragabuches, Joaquin Camargo El Vivillo and Pasos Largos, the last bandit, who died on March 18, 1934. Divided into four galleries, the museum diligently chronicles the life of bandits through documents, photographs, dioramas, personal details, and events during the bandits age.

The Gallery of the Romantic Travellers displays contemporary paintings as well as historical documents like birth and death certificates, edicts, royal laws, etc, while the Living the Bandits World gallery includes dioramas, pictures, weapons, money and coins, official stamps, paintings, etc. An entire gallery is dedicated to the famous bandits. The fourth gallery is all about Guardia Civil, a special police team created to fight against bandits.

The artefacts include figurines and life-size representations of the rogues and the guards. In a recreated tavern, two bandits share a meal; in a dug-out prison, a noose hangs by an imprisoned bondolero. On a shelf are guns  small, big, ornate, trimmed, menacing  which were custom-made for each bondolero, some with signature etchings and carvings. Mercifully, blood no longer drips from these guns.

The streets of Ronda do not have bandits now but the stories of handsome, courageous and gracious thieves live on in the one-of-its-kind Museum of Bondoleros.
The terror attack in Istanbul that killed ten German tourists on Tuesday was aimed at damaging the Turkish economy, Deputy Prime Minister Mehmet Simsek said Saturday, Anadolu reported.

"The real target was Turkey and the Turkish economy," he said in an interview with German newspaper Die Welt. "The suicide bomber was a Syrian with links to Daesh."

He claimed the initial findings of the investigation had determined the attack, which has been linked to Daesh but not claimed by the group, was not aimed specifically at Germany.

Simsek said the attack came following Turkey intensified the fight against Daesh, hitting targets in Syria.

"Daesh is the biggest threat for us," Simsek said, pointing to previous attacks linked to the group such as October's twin suicide bombing in Ankara that killed 103 peace supporters.

Simsek dismissed criticisms in the Western media that Turkey had not taken combating Daesh seriously and said security forces had stepped up operations against the group recently.

"Just last week we had arrested two other terrorists in Ankara, who were also planning suicide attacks," he said. "No one can argue that we are doing nothing."

Turkey has listed Daesh as a terrorist organization since 2013. So far more than 3,300 suspects have been investigated for links to Daesh and other extremist religious groups.

According to the Turkish Interior Ministry, 847 suspected Daesh members are currently in custody, most of whom are foreigners.

Turkey is one of the world's most popular tourist destinations, visited by more than 35 million people a year, and the industry is one of the most important sectors of the Turkish economy.

Turkish Interior Minister Efkan Ala said last week that tourists should not give into fear and carry on as normal. "We have taken necessary security measures," he said in a Wednesday news conference. "There is no reason to be worried."

German Interior Minister Thomas De Maiziere said after the attacks that there was no reason for German nationals not to travel to Turkey.
Ouagadougou, January 16

Security forces ended a siege by al-Qaeda fighters at a hotel in Burkina Faso's capital on Saturday, killing three Islamist gunmen and freeing 126 hostages, the West African nation's security minister said.

At least 20 persons are believed to have been killed in the attack on Ouagadougou's Splendid Hotel which began late on Friday. Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) claimed responsibility for the raid.

Simon Compaore said operations were still under way at a second hotel nearby, the Hotel Yibi, and security forces were trying to determine if some of the fighters were hiding there.

"The operations at the Splendid Hotel and the (nearby) Restaurant Cappuccino have ended. 126 hostages were freed, among them 33 were wounded," the minister told Reuters. "Three jihadists were killed. They are an Arab and two black Africans."

A Reuters witness said that clashes ended after a period of sustained gunfire and explosions that appeared to focus on the Restaurant Cappuccino early on Saturday.

Burkina Faso's new government, which was appointed on Wednesday following the election of President Roch Marc Kabore in November, was due to hold an emergency cabinet meeting at 9 a.m. (0900 GMT).

The Splendid Hotel is popular with Westerners and French soldiers based in Burkina Faso.

A doctor who treated some of those wounded in the attack said they had told him that the attackers appeared to target Westerners. However, the nationalities of those killed in the assault were not immediately known.

It is the first time militants carried out an assault in the capital of Burkina Faso and it comes as a setback to efforts by African governments, France and the United States to prevent attacks that have destabilised the region.

It follows a raid on a luxury hotel in Mali last November in which two attackers killed 20 persons, including citizens of Russia, China and the United States. There have been attacks by militants in other countries in West Africa in recent years and the vast majority of those killed have been Africans.

A US defence official said France, the former colonial power, had requested US intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance support in the city, and at least one US military member in Burkina Faso was giving advice and assistance to French forces at the hotel.

The government has not ruled out calling for help from French special forces stationed in the country, Burkina Faso Foreign Minister Alpha Barry told Reuters.

Political turmoil

The assault began around 8.30 p.m. local time, and the attackers torched cars and fired in the air to drive people back from the building. There was an intense gun battle followed by at least an hour of relative quiet, in part as security forces prepared their bid to recapture the hotel.

We had just opened and there were a few customers we started to serve when we heard gunshots. ... There were three men shooting in the air, said Vital Nounayon, a waiter at a restaurant across the street from the hotel.

Lots of people left their cars and motorcycles and ran.

(Attackers) set fire to the vehicles. They also fired on the Cappuccino Restaurant across from the hotel before setting it on fire, he said, adding that the attackers wore turbans.

Medical personnel moved the wounded away from the front of the hotel and one civilian was shot dead as the assault began around midnight, a Reuters witness said.

Burkina Faso, which is religiously diverse, with a population around 60 percent Muslim, according to government figures, has endured political turmoil since October 2014 when longtime President Blaise Compaore was overthrown during mass protests. Elite troops launched a one-week coup in September 2015.

But the landlocked West African state has been largely spared violence by Islamist militants, who have staged attacks in Mali, a country with which it shares a 600-km (375-mile) border.

The attack presents a significant challenge to President Roch Marc Kabore, who was elected in November as Burkina Fasos first new leader in decades.

Warning signs

Three Islamist groups including AQIM and al Mourabitoun claimed responsibility for the Mali hotel attack, the most prominent by militants who are based in the north of the country and have staged a series of attacks over the last year.

Al Mourabitoun was also involved in the attack in Burkina Faso, according to the SITE intelligence group.

Earlier on Friday, the Ministry of Defence said about 20 armed men killed a gendarme and a civilian in an attack on the village of Tin Abao in northern Burkina Faso. It was unclear whether the attack had been waged by militants.

French Ambassador Gilles Thibault said he had been informed that a curfew would be in place from 11 p.m. local time (2300 GMT) Friday to 6 a.m. Saturday. France normally has up to 200 special forces troops in the country.

The embassy in December warned French citizens against travelling to a national park in eastern Burkina Faso after reports that Malian jihadists were threatening to kidnap.

Around 50 unidentified gunmen attacked a Burkina Faso gendarmerie brigade near the western border with Mali in October 2015, killing three in an attack the government at the time blamed on the leaders of a failed coup one month before.

Islamist militants have staged attacks in a number of West African states bordering the Sahel in recent years.

Boko Haram have killed thousands in northeastern Nigeria during a six year insurgency and in 2015 extended its attacks into neighbouring countries Chad, Niger and Cameroon.  Reuters
Image via Wikimedia Commons

One of the biggest bones that the trucking industry has had with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's Compliance, Safety, Accountability enforcement program has been that it doesn't distinguish between at-fault accidents and those where it was quite clearly the other party's fault.

And these are often tragic situations. One safety director told me of a case where someone bent on suicide jumped off an overpass right into the path of his company's truck.

Another good example hit the papers in New York City this week, when a 32-year-old skateboarder died trying to hitch a ride on the passenger side of a truck.

Richard Oates, owner of a Brooklyn skate shop and a skilled chef, was hanging onto the passenger side of a Mack truck Tuesday on the Lower East Side when he lost his balance after it changed lanes, according to published reports. He was run over by the passenger-side wheels.

It would appear, based on witness reports in the media, that the truck driver wasn't aware of what happened, and drove on.

The New York Times reports that hitching a ride on a vehicle, known as skitching in the skateboarding community, is banned by state law. Oates reportedly was known to engage in this activity, arriving by skateboard at each of the restaurants when he worked even before he opened his skateboard shop.

No charges were filed against the 37-year-old driver of the truck, which belonged to a private garbage hauling company, according to other media reports.

I suppose some might argue that the driver should have been more aware of what was happening around him, or that extra mirrors or cameras might have helped in this situation. But should a trucking company's CSA score really be subject to the results of such recklessness by a skateboarder?
When Countney Bain met Kayde Thurman in seventh grade geography -- Countney the new girl in school -- never dreamed she would one day see her best friend face life and death.

"I didn't know anyone and followed Kayde to lunch," Bain told the Ledger Friday, Jan. 15. "It's not every day you meet someone who changes your life. You have to hold on to those relationships."

Bain said she has always planned to be friends with Thurman when they were old. "It's hard to think about 'what if?'."

To make the situation worse, no one really knows what happened to Thurman. She was working at Sonic at 121st and Elm in Broken Arrow. "The floors are always wet," Bain said. It is believed Thurman fell and hit her head. She was found by one of her co-workers.

She was treated and released from the hospital. Once she got home, she had four more seizures, and an ambulance was called.

"She (Thurman) had one seizure when she was 15 or 16 because of some medication," Bain continued. "I worry that the doctors just thought this was another seizure and sent her home."

"I'm doing everything in my power to help her, and it's a nightmare," Bain continued. "I have been working since Monday (11 days following the multiple seizures) trying to get her transferred to Oklahoma City. Thurman's mother, mother-in-law and husband, Jordan Nole, a local plumber, have not left her side.

"Saint Francis has said they have done all they can do for her," said Jesse Bain, Courtney's husband. The Saint Francis doctors would like her transferred to a facility where she can receive further help. Thurman needs to be placed in a Level 4 Epilepsy Center.

Oklahoma University Medical Center is the nearest place, but they have a waiting list, Bain explained. Bain found a bed in Boston, but interns would not release Thurman to fly that far. The University of Minnesota Medical Center at first said there would be a bed available Friday morning, but they are now saying Tuesday morning, Jan. 19.

Jesse Bain said he wishes Thurman could be airlifted in any plane, but it has to be a medical plane with an entire team. Courtney Bain has found one airline which said they could do what she asked, but they must be paid upfront, and there must be a bed waiting for her.

Thurman's son Avery has only been away from his mother one night previous to the event.

"He's having nightmares," Jesse Bain said. "He's 5, and he knows what's going on. He knows she's sick. He saw her have the seizures when she got home. It's so scary. The doctors say the case is so unique they don't know what to do next. Courtney has been doing the research.

"She gets progressively worse, Courtney Bain said. "It's already been a week and a half. She's in a coma and didn't recognize her family last time she was awake."

Money is being collected at https://www.gofundme.com. A friend has also started a Pray for Kayde group Thursday night, and already 4,000 have signed up.

Jesse Bain said he has been amazed at the wonderful response of the community. Donations have come from surrounding states as well, people who do not even know her.
China's lunar rover "Jade Rabbit" rolls down after a successful landing on the moon surface in December last year. (Photo : www.talkingpointsmemo.com)

China is set to send the Chang'e-4 probe to the far side of the moon in 2018 as a new round of lunar exploration has begun, the countrys State Administration of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense (SASTIND) announced Thursday, Jan. 14.



Liu Jizhong, chief of the lunar exploration center under SASTIND, said that Chang'e-4 will be the first mission in human history to embark on this expedition.



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A report by the Xinhua News Agency said that the far side of the moon, which is never visible to Earth because of gravitational forces, has never been explored by humans.



Liu said that China welcomes cooperation with international society as it takes pride of its mature science and technology as proven by sending a probe to the far side of the moon.



The report said that the country first made its soft-landing on the moon with Chang'e-3 in Dec. 2013, and it is still sending messages back to Earth.



Liu said that Chang'e-4 can handle more payload, although it is similar to Chang'e-3 in structure. The probe will be used to study the geological conditions of the dark side of the moon.



In early 2015, China sent a letter of intent of cooperation to other countries, the report said.



Liu added that China also plans to launch its Chang'e-5 lunar probe to finish the last chapter in China's three-step (orbiting, landing and return) moon exploration program. The chief said the Chang'e-5 lunar probe is now being developed by Chinese scientists.



Earlier this January, China announced plans to launch more than 20 space missions this year. Among these include the launching of Tiangong 2 space laboratory, manned spacecraft Shenzhou 11, and other commercial and scientific orbital missions.



This year, the country is also set to launch the March 3B rocket that will take the Belinterstat 1 communications satellite for Belarus. The spacecraft was China's first communications satellite exported to Europe.


University of Oklahoma President David Boren said Friday he will support his son, Dan Boren, if he runs for governor in 2018, but reiterated an earlier statement that he thinks its too early to make such a decision.

Im very proud of him, of course, David Boren said in response to a high school students question at a Tulsa Town Hall event Friday morning. I think he rendered excellent service in Congress. But the governors race is three years off. A lot could happen between now and then.  Theres plenty of time between now and 2018 for him to make up his mind.

One of the things happening between now and 2018 is the elder Borens attempt to get a 1-cent sales tax dedicated to education on the November general election ballot. He has been trying to put together bipartisan support for the proposal.

In politics, timing is very important, David Boren said. I kind of got surprised by that.

David Boren was Oklahoma governor from 1975 to 1979 and U.S. senator from 1979 to 1994. Dan Boren was 2nd District congressman from 2004 to 2012. He currently works for the Chickasaw Nation, and last week said he was exploring a gubernatorial campaign for 2018.

Both Borens are Democrats.

David Borens message to a high school group and the Town Hall afterward otherwise centered on the importance of education, what he said is the states failure to adequately support it, and the broader future of the United States.

Many of us feel that our country is at a tipping point, Boren said. Will we tip toward continued greatness and continued leadership in the world and a high quality of life here at home? Or will we tip, as other countries of our age and position and experience, toward decline instead of revitalization.

A self-described militant moderate, Boren said he fears the country has become too fragmented and polarized to continue as it has in recent decades. He recited statistics he said illustrate a growing imbalance of wealth and opportunity in America  and with it, a growing cynicism about government.

Boren said fewer Americans are optimistic, and more of them have become disenchanted with the Republican and Democratic parties.

Perhaps, he said, a centrist third party will emerge to capture what he called the moderate majority.

I tell my (OU) students they might live to see a president who is neither a Republican or Democrat.

Again and again, he returned to his concern that the United States is tearing itself apart rather than overcoming differences to unite in a common cause.

Why cant we love and respect each other? he asked. Why cant we do that? Why cant we forget all of this nonsense? The answer is we can. But it requires each one of us.
Suspicious activity call led to the arrest of two convicted felons who police say were driving a reported stolen truck filled with possibly stolen items in a south Tulsa neighborhood.

A homeowner called police to the area of 7200 E. 64th St. about 3 a.m. Saturday in reference to a white truck parked in her driveway. The caller told police she didn't know who the vehicle's occupants were or why they were there, Cpl. D. Ehrenrich said in a news release.

When officers arrived on scene, they found a vehicle matching the caller's description parked in another driveway, Ehrenrich said.

When officers approached the vehicle, driver Ladona Poore, 23, reportedly told them she lived at the house. As officers tried to investigate, Poore reportedly backed out of the driveway and fled the scene "at a high rate of speed," according to her arrest report.

Officers noted two people were in the vehicle.

Police chased the car through the neighborhood and ended the pursuit near the 7300 block of East 65th Place, where Poore reportedly drove through a home's backyard and crashed into a shed, Ehrenrich said.

Following the crash, Poore and passenger Brandon Lay, 34, reportedly fled on foot, Ehrenrich said.

Officers caught up with Poore and arrested her, Ehrenrich said.

Police deployed a K-9 unit to track Lay. The dog later found Lay, who reportedly resisted arrest and "ended up on the unfortunate end of the [K-9's] jaws," Ehrenrich said.

Police reportedly found methamphetamine in Lay's hoodie pocket, Ehrenrich said.

Officers searched the truck and reportedly found various stolen items, including a commercial washing machine with a missing coin receiver, GPS units, several IDs and Social Security number cards, jewelry and what appeared to be burglary tools, police said.

The car was reported stolen out of Illinois, and officers reportedly found an Illinois license plate in the truck's bed, police said.

Poore was booked into Tulsa Jail on complaints of possession of a stolen vehicle after a felony conviction, false impersonation after a felony conviction, eluding after a felony conviction, hit and run after a felony conviction, injure/destroy public/private property after a felony conviction and several misdemeanors, according to her arrest report.

A judge had issued a bench warrant for Poore after she failed to appear in court for a previous felony charge. She is being held without bond, according to court records.

Lay was arrested on complaints of trafficking a controlled substance after a felony conviction and two misdemeanors complaints of joyriding and obstruction, according to his arrest report.

Lay was wanted on an outstanding 1999 felony warrant for first degree burglary and possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, according to court records.

He is being held without bond at Tulsa Jail, according to his arrest report.
A jury on Friday recommended life without parole for a Tulsa man convicted of rape and other felonies in connection with charges that he sexually assaulted two women after offering them rides and alcohol.

Francis B. Armah, 49, was convicted in Tulsa County District Court of three counts of first-degree rape, as well as larceny from a house, forcible sodomy and rape by instrumentation.

The jury recommended sentences of life without parole for each of the rape counts, as well as four years for larceny, a life sentence for forcible sodomy and 20 years for instrumental rape.

Armah was found not guilty of one count of kidnapping pertaining to accusations that he held one of the women in his car against her will.

Armahs trial began Monday before District Judge William Musseman, who will formally sentence him Jan. 27.

Armahs charges stemmed from allegations that he raped a woman Dec. 29, 2014, at her apartment in the 6900 block of South Trenton Avenue and another woman in a parking garage at 11th Street and Utica Avenue last Jan. 26.

The Tulsa World does not identify victims of sexual assault.

The woman involved in the first incident was 64 at the time and testified on Wednesday.

She said she had been running errands near 48th Street and Peoria Avenue when Armah offered her a ride and then bought alcohol from a liquor store.

Armah then parked in the lot of the Marriott Hotel at 1902 E. 71st St. and forced her to drink the alcohol, the woman said.

She testified that Armah then took her to her apartment, where he raped her.

Prosecutors said the incident was reported to police after the woman left her apartment yelling that she had been raped.

The woman also said that a portable DVD player, digital camera, cellphone and cash were missing from her apartment after the attack, and a police affidavit states the items were later found in Armahs home.

The woman involved in the Jan. 26 incident was 21 at the time and also testified Wednesday.

She said she was walking to a gas station from her residence at the Fairmont Terrace apartments at 61st Street and Peoria Avenue when a man told her she was pretty and offered her a ride.

She said she got in the car, and the two went to a liquor store and bought alcohol.

The woman said that when she told the man she was ready to go home, he instead drove her to a parking garage, where he choked her and then raped her.

The woman said the man drove her back to her apartment, where she told a security officer about the attack.

A police affidavit states that a detective prepared two separate photo line-ups that included Armahs photograph, and both women identified him as their attacker.

In closing arguments, Armahs public defender, Blake Shipley, maintained that the sexual encounters were consensual and asked jurors to consider the credibility of the women.

Assistant District Attorneys Isaac Shields and Ben Fu maintained that Armah took advantage of the women and violently assaulted them.

Records show Armah has four previous convictions  driving under the influence in 2007 and 2009, leaving the scene of a collision and actual physical control of vehicle while intoxicated.
An online petition was started this week to keep Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump from speaking next week at the Mabee Center on the Oral Roberts University campus.

A Facebook post under the name Vianey Gonzalez stated: Hi everyone! Donald Trump is coming next Wednesday to the Mabee Center. I just made a petition against this to show (ORU) President (William) Wilson if we get enough signatures. I would like to say that I am not doing this out of political reasons, but rather I would like to keep our school as free of discrimination as possible.

The ORU petition is not the only one seeking to ban Trump.

The British Parliament will debate Monday on whether to ban Trump from the United Kingdom after receiving a petition with more than 500,000 signatures. The Irish Parliament also is considering banning Trump in response to petitioners.

Gonzalez did not respond to Facebook requests for an interview. According to her Facebook page, she is an ORU student from El Paso, Texas, now living in Eagle, Colorado, and is a political independent: I have Republican beliefs with Democratic views.

A spokesman for the ORU administration said the school is not sponsoring the Trump event and would not get involved in the petition issue.

Sonny Branham, an American government and politics professor at ORU, said he told his students that the chance to hear a presidential candidate on campus was a rare opportunity that should not be passed up, regardless of what you feel about the candidate.

The petition states:

This is a petition signed on behalf of the following Oral Roberts University student and faculty body to not allow Presidential Candidate Donald Trump from coming to ORU. We would like to make it clear that this petition is not due to political bias, but rather we feel offended by comments that Mr. Trump has made in the past. This is our home, an extremely diverse student body and we would like to keep it as unprejudice as possible.

ORU has students from nearly 100 nations.

Trump has come under heavy criticism for making derogatory statements about unregistered immigrants from Mexico, for promising to build a wall to keep them out, and for saying he would ban all Muslims from entering the United States until the U.S. government can figure out what is going on.

What they are saying

As of 4 p.m. Friday, the ORU petition had 379 signatures and 86 comments.

Among the comments were:

I would just like to say that I am truly offended by the fact that he is appearing on our campus. He has truly offended my heritage and I. I dont say discriminate its America there is obviously freedom of speech but that goes both ways. Im free to express how I feel towards this decision. I am completely upset. ORU has so much diversity on this campus. This is just going to cause chaos. He has offended so many people and as Christians we are supposed to do the right thing. Many people will never understand discrimination because theyve never felt what discrimination feels like .  Betsy Waller, Dallas

Dont let this man come to our city. We cherish our Hispanic community too much for this man to come here and bad mouth them. Stand up to racism and bigotry. This man is not a genius, if you think so because he has millions of dollars realize that his daddy gave it all to him .  Lezlie Chica, Tulsa

They shouldnt allow a racist sexist person to even run for president. Someone so hateful as him will ruin this country!  Anonymous.

Tulsa is a wonderful diverse place, we dont need anyone coming here trying to offend any of our many cultures.  Angelica Bramblett, Fort Smith, Arkansas

Donald Trump scares me. The thought of people gathering in one place to support this racist, misogynistic man literally scares me. With my son being half Arab, it concerns me that if Donald were to spew his hatred to the right person my child could potentially be in danger because of his race. Please take this into consideration.  Clarisa, United States

This will never work lol. This country is hurting very bad financially. The only person right now that can pave the path to bring this country out of debt is Trump. Although Trump has made some rude comments hes an honest man. He says things very straight forward. He has said some dumb things but he is in fact a genious. You dont become a billionaire by being an idiot.  Michelle Poff, United States
Numerous thefts of copper wiring from street lights have plagued the Tulsa area for months, but police seemingly caught two men in the act late Thursday.

James Michael Kelly, 32, and Arnold Wayne Gibson, 40, both of Tulsa, were booked at the Tulsa Jail, each facing a complaint of larceny of copper. Gibson also was booked on an obstruction complaint, in addition to an outstanding warrant, jail records indicate.

About 10:12 p.m. Thursday, officers patrolling Oklahoma 11 saw two men on the shoulder of the road next to a light pole. Because copper theft from street lights has been common, the officers stopped to talk to the men, Officer Jeanne MacKenzie said.

Kelly was arrested near the pole, and Gibson ran from the scene, she said.

Additional officers and a K-9 unit searched for Gibson, eventually finding him in a nearby creek.

The light poles base had been broken into, and cut copper wiring was lying on the ground, officers reported. Also, a wire puller was stretched between the pole and the one next to it.

The nearby pole also had a broken base, with the copper wiring inside cut, making it easier to remove, MacKenzie said.

Police found that Kelly and Gibson were in possession of wire cutters and pry bars, with freshly cut copper wire surrounding them, MacKenzie said.

City officials recently estimated the cost to repair lights along highways in Tulsa to be nearly $2.4 million.

The copper thefts have been numerous in the past year, with about 30 miles in wiring taken from connections along highways.

Major affected routes include the Broken Arrow Expressway downtown, legs of the Inner Dispersal Loop, Interstate 244 to Interstate 44, and U.S. 169 from I-44 to 81st Street.

Cpl. Kurt Gardner said previously that police do not suspect that one person or group is responsible for all the thefts.
First District Congressman Jim Bridenstine said Friday that he finds it very troubling that Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, who will be in Tulsa next week, would embrace an endorsement from Vladimir Putin.

Putin, the president of Russia, said last month that Trump is a talented and outstanding personality. In response, Trump said it was a great honor to be so nicely complimented by a man so highly respected.

I dont know how you do that, Bridenstine said in response to a question after a speech at the Tulsa Republican Club. I dont know how a Republican can see that and  not just completely abhor it.

Bridenstine, a frequent surrogate for Trump rival Ted Cruz, said Trumps response illustrates a difference between the two presidential candidates.

When you think about what Vladimir Putin has done  to basically try to re-establish some semblance of the former Soviet Union, and for Donald Trump to embrace that as if its a good thing, I dont think you would see Ted Cruz react that way to such a crazy endorsement.

Trump will be speaking in Tulsa at noon Wednesday in the Mabee Center, where Cruz attracted several thousand supporters for a rally late last month.

Bridenstine also complimented Trump, saying the New York real estate tycoon has shown the Republican Party it doesnt have to be afraid of the media. But he said Cruz has been in the lions den as a U.S. senator from Texas and that Trump has not.

Bridenstine began his remarks Friday by embracing his reputation as a persistent and sometimes discordant voice in the House Republican caucus.

To the puzzlement of many present, Bridenstine first showed a famous Saturday Night Live skit from 2000 featuring actor Will Ferrell and the phrase more cowbell.

Yes, Bridenstine said when it finished, I want more cowbell.

The entire bit was a reference to a Tulsa World subhead that used the phrase to describe Bridenstines continued criticism of Republicans who voted for the $1.1 billion omnibus spending bill passed last month.

In Bridenstines view, the bill was a surrender to President Barack Obama and Democrats on such issues as Planned Parenthood funding and Affordable Care Act repeal. More broadly, he says, such agreements cede power from Congress to the White House.

A lot of you have heard this, he said Friday. Im going to keep talking about it because this is like Will Ferrell and the cowbell. Im going to keep beating it.

Bridenstine said leaders of both parties are guilty of collusion  against the American people to obscure the law- and budget-making processes.

Were going to keep beating on this cowbell until people inside Washington get the message, he said.
Storm Conditions Hit Wellington (Photo : Getty Images)

For days, 72-year-old French sailor Bernard Couvet was stranded in the Caribbean without any signal, water or food. A tanker passed him, but fortunately for Couvet, a vessel owned by Qingdao Winning International Management saved him.



By the time that Winning Joy, a Chinese cargo ship heard the distress signal from Couvet's yacht, SV Kaflo, the Frenchman had not eaten or drank for three days. That was because his electronic navigation systems broke down and he ran out of fuel.



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Couvet could only hope that another vessel would respond to his Mayday calls. On Aug. 18, 2015, amid dangerous high winds, Winning Joy responded to the old man's request for help and rescued him. The rescue was only made known in January when Winning Joy docked at Qingdoa, its home port in eastern China, reports Chinadaily.



Lu Fubin, master of the ship, recalls getting weak and intermittent Mayday distress calls from a very high frequency radio. Despite the Caribbean Sea being pirate-infested waters, Lu responded to the request. Once the crew confirmed it was a real distress call, Winning Joy headed for the area while seeking permission from the ship owner to rescue the caller from the yacht.



After the first rope that tied the two vessels snapped, Lu ordered everyone on the crew to help in the rescue effort. Using a thicker cable did the trick by pulling the yacht closer to the cargo ship from where the Chinese sailors lowered a rope ladder to rescue Couvet.



"Offering timely help to those who suffer at sea is the duty and responsibility that any Chinese is obliged and we should all embrace our tradition and virtue of helping others," says Lu.



Following the rise of piracy in the area, in 2013, the U.S. deployed a senior official in the Bahamas to boost bilateral cooperation on countering piracy globally as the country was the chair that year of the Contact Group on Piracy off the Coast of Somalia, reports Quartz.



Besides yachts in distress, vessels plying the Caribbean Sea and Mediterranean Sea recently have also been involved in rescuing migrant vessels.






1945

Hitler goes underground, stays in bunker 105 days

As Allied forces closed in on Berlin, German leader Adolf Hitler took to his underground bunker, where he remained for 105 days until he committed suicide. Fifty-five feet under his chancellor headquarters, the shelter contained 18 small rooms and was fully self-sufficient. He spent most of his time micromanaging what was left of German defenses. Constantly at his side during this time were his companion, Eva Braun. On April 29, Hitler married his companion Eva Braun in their bunker hideaway. Loyal to the end, she refused to leave the bunker even as the Russians closed in. Only hours after they were united in marriage, both Hitler and Eva committed suicide by taking cyanide capsules. Hitler also shot himself.

1991

Operation Desert Storm unleashed

At midnight in Iraq, the United Nations deadline for the Iraqi withdrawal from Kuwait expired, and President George H.W. Bush ordered air strikes and later a ground campaign to forcibly eject Iraq from its five-month occupation of Kuwait. All evening, aircraft from the U.S.-led military coalition (mainly the U.S., Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom and Egypt) pounded targets in and around Baghdad. In the next six weeks, Operation Desert Storm, led by Commander Gen. Norman Storming Norman Schwarzkopf pushed the Iraqi forces out of Kuwait. The Iraqi forces launch Scud missiles at Saudi Arabia and Israel, but the Israelis stayed out of the war at the U.S.s insistence. Schwarzkopf called a ceasefire on Feb. 28.

The U.S. suffered 148 battle deaths, 145 non-battle deaths and 467 wounded in action.

2012

Five arrested in Tulsa home invasion, murder

Five people were arrested for the East Tulsa home-invasion killing of William Bill Zachary, 66. Zachary and Sandra Lee were in the living room sorting Christmas photographs that they planned to send to their children. Deandre Wright entered the house with a pistol and Montre Brown entered the house with a bat. The five suspects were arrested in the neighborhood of Zacharys house in the 13300 block of East 36th Street. Wright pled guilty to murder and was sentenced to life in prison. Brown pleaded guilty in September 2014 to murder and was sentenced to 30 years in prison. The other three suspects who were not in the house were sentenced to prison on lesser charges.

2015

Bartlett reverses course, supports Riverside walk

Mayor Dewey Bartlett announced that he has agreed to the construction of a sidewalk on the east side of Riverside Drive near A Gathering Place. Initially, Bartlett opposed it. The sidewalk will be constructed from Veterans Park to the north boundary of A Gathering Place. We will be providing a situation that should solve the fear I have about safe traffic, Bartlett said. The changes to the plan feature a narrowing of lanes to encourage more-attentive, slower driving and a tree-line barrier between the sidewalk and roadway.

Bartlett was opposed to the original sidewalk proposal last year after meeting with some neighborhood residents, who objected to the project.
After the return of 10 U.S. sailors from Iranian custody Wednesday, the Obama administration has been eager to claim a diplomatic victory. What looked like the beginning of a hostage crisis on Tuesday night, unfolding as the president gave his last State of the Union address, was instead resolved by Wednesday morning.

The key to this success, we are told, was that the U.S. and Iran had a reliable diplomatic channel because of nuclear negotiations to defuse this potential crisis.

On Wednesday, a senior State Department official briefed reporters about five phone calls between Secretary of State John Kerry and his Iranian counterpart, Javad Zarif. Kerry made it clear that the most important issue was getting the Americans released, unharmed  turning this into a good story for both of us, Kerry told Zarif, according to the briefer.

You cant argue with results. The sailors are freed and safe. There is no hostage crisis now. When British sailors were detained in 2007 by Iran in a similar incident, it took nearly two weeks for Iran to release them. In this case it took less than a day. Kerry himself said Wednesday the resolution of the issue was a testament to the critical role diplomacy plays in keeping us safe, secure and strong.

But trumpeting this as a diplomatic success also presents a moral hazard. Irans handling of the situation violated international norms, and to pretend otherwise is  to borrow a phrase from sociology  to define deviancy down.

Lets start with the incident itself. Two small U.S. sea craft moving between Kuwait and Bahrain strayed into Iranian territorial waters because of a mechanical failure, according to the U.S. side. This means the boats were in distress.

That is hardly unprecedented. International maritime law spells out the appropriate response  and in a situation like this, it does not give Iran the right to board these boats or detain the sailors, as the Iranian navy did. And yet Vice President Joe Biden on Wednesday morning described the incident at Farsi Island as standard nautical practice. On CBS, he said: One of the boats had engine failure and drifted into Iranian waters. The Iranians picked up both boats, as we have picked up Iranian boats that needed to be rescued. Biden added, That is the way nations should do it.

Sen. John McCain, a Republican and former Navy pilot, a few hours later pointed out how absurd this was. Under international law, sovereign immune vessels like navy ships and boats do not lose their sovereign immune status when they are in distress at sea, he said.

Under international law, sovereign immune naval vessels are exempt from detention, boarding, or search. Their crews are not subject to detention or arrest.

Then there is the issue of how the crews of these boats were treated. The U.S. military, no doubt, is learning more about that now as the sailors are being debriefed, but Iranian news outlets already published photos of the sailors kneeling with their hands behind their heads. There is now a video circulating online that appears to show one of the sailors apologizing to a reporter.

Such photos and confessions are violations in and of themselves of the Geneva Conventions, which prohibits the circulation of photos of detainees. When asked about this Wednesday, State Department spokesman Mark Toner said, I mean, generally speaking, youre not supposed to show images of detained prisoners of war. But he also said the State Department was still checking the authenticity of the photos and video that were released online.

Rep. Mike Pompeo, R-Kansas, a House Intelligence Committee member and former U.S. Army officer, called for an investigation into whether Iran violated the Geneva Conventions during the detention of the 10 sailors.

That is inconvenient for the good news story that Zarif and Kerry have sought to spin. Under their strategy, administration officials have praised Iran for treating the sailors well and resolving the situation quickly. Officials have glossed over the bad behavior that escalated a mechanical failure into a crisis in the first place.

There is a logic to this. Kerry and President Barack Obama engage with Zarifs faction of the Iranian government and look past the provocations of Irans Revolutionary Guard Corps, which has been testing Obamas resolve since Zarif agreed to the nuclear deal in July. This approach creates a strange dynamic. Zarifs domestic opponents test ballistic missiles, fire past U.S. ships in the Persian Gulf and allow rioters to torch the Saudi Embassy, while Obama and Kerry do their best to stop Congress from punishing Iran for such provocations.

The trade-off in the end may be worth it, particularly since Iran appears to be going through with the final steps of its obligations under the nuclear deal. Implementation of this bargain is expected to start in the coming days. Western countries will lift sanctions and return close to $100 billion in frozen Iranian assets in exchange for Iran shipping out low enriched uranium, disconnecting centrifuges, modifying one of its reactors and providing more transparency to its nuclear program.

But there is also a downside. If this is how Irans military acts now, before it has received the incentives of the nuclear pact, imagine how Iran will behave when $100 billion flows into its coffers.

Kerry and Obama are counting on Zarif to put out any new fires his opponents will cause once the deal is implemented. But in Iran, the firefighter and the arsonist work for the same supreme leader.

Eli Lake is a Bloomberg View columnist writing about politics and foreign affairs.
Xiaomi removes all Qihoos apps from the app store. (Photo : Facebook)

What a new year to start, but just like any familiar story: Qihoo 360, a Chinese internet security company, is having a spat with a new rival. Its rival Xiaomi removes all Qihoo's apps from the app store.



Xiaomi admits it deleted all Qihoo apps after it discovered a shocking behavior. As per the mobile phone giant, a Qihoo program known as "Leidian OS" was secretly digging into customers' phones, installing apps without permission, preventing MiUI updates, messing with MIUI's system, and stealing traffic from Xiaomi apps. The OS also tended to crash users' phone entirely.



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Qihoo certainly don't see things this way. It comments that the Leidian OS will just execute system optimization on MIUI, and makes a good third-party OS for Xiaomi phones. Last Sunday, Qihoo wrote an open letter to Xiaomi that it bloated all its phones with so many pre-installed apps. It prevented making a customer to select Qihoo apps, which were considered energy-efficient, safer, faster and lighter mobile OS. It claimed that Xiaomi was just afraid of the effects of the Leidian OS.



The arguments between the two companies attracted several of China's internet industry watchers, making them comment, and derive split sentiments. As written in Sina Tech article, one popular comment that is critical to Qihoo, compares Leidian OS to removing the locks of your house, and moving into it without permission. However, it assures that the property remains safe as all rights are still yours. Another comment defends Qihoo that it offers free and reliable anti-virus software. There are so many critics and comments written for both Qihoo and Xiaomi.



How you use Leidian OS will actually depend on how you use it and what company you work for. However this is not the first time that Qihoo apps were questioned in terms of performance. Xiaomi had once deleted the apps previously, while Apple had it for an entire year.



Xiaomi phones run Android and can install apk files as well as access third-party app stores. Xiaomi's block however can't stop users from accessing Qihoo 360 apps whenever they want to, including the Leidian OS on their smartphones. The process can also turn unmanageable if the user's phone does not have a third-party app store installed.






The chairman of the General Prosecutor's Office of Ukraine during a meeting with chairman of the National Prosecutor's Office of the Netherlands discussed the results of the investigation of Boeing aircraft crash.

It has been reported by the press service of the PGO.

"On Friday, January 15, the General Prosecutor of Ukraine held a meeting between First Deputy Prosecutor General of Ukraine Yuriy Sevruk and Head of the National Prosecutor's Office of the Netherlands Frederick Vesterbeke. The meeting was also attended by the chairman of the National Criminal Investigation Group of the National Police of the Netherlands and the representatives of the Security Service of Ukraine," the statement reads.

During the meeting, the parties discussed the results of the investigation within the framework of the joint investigation team to investigate Boeing aircraft crash, which took place on July 17, 2014 near the town of Torez in Donetsk region. The sides noted the progress in the joint investigation thanks to the hard work of investigators to establish all the circumstances of the crime and persons involved in it.

ish
| By Patricia Fanning

University of Maryland School of Social Work (SSW) Dean Richard P. Barth, PhD, MSW, delivered the keynote address during the launch on Jan. 14 of the Grand Challenges for Social Work, a bold agenda issued by the American Academy of Social Work and Social Welfare (AASWSW).

Social factors contribute more mightily to the individual condition of people than any other single factor: more than disease, the environment, genetics, or technology, said Barth, president of the AASWSW. Understanding and improving the way that social factors interact with other forces is critical to our future. This is why we say, social is fundamental, and why the Grand Challenges for Social Work are so needed to drive social progress that is powered by science.

From mass incarceration, climate change, and an aging population to immigration, mental illness, and rising income inequality, the most pressing issues facing America have something fundamental in common: the social factor. As a call to action on these and other urgent problems, the Grand Challenges initiative seeks solutions within a decade.

The initiative, which is expected to promote innovation, collaboration, and expansion of proven, evidence-based programs to create meaningful, measurable progress, was launched at the opening plenary session of the Society for Social Work and Research (SSWR) 20th Anniversary Annual Conference in Washington, D.C. The SSWR conference includes more than 50 presentations from leading researchers and experts from around the country related to the 12 Grand Challenges.

UM School of Social Work research assistant professor Christine Callahan, PhD, MSW, discusses ways to build assets with a Baltimore resident during a Financial Social Work Initiative outreach activity held at the Mayor's Office of Employment Development. Building financial capability for all is among the Grand Challenges.

Together the 12 Grand Challenges define a bold, science-based social agenda that promotes individual and family well-being, a stronger social fabric, and a just society that fights exclusion and marginalization, creates a sense of belonging, and offers pathways for social and economic progress.

The 12 Grand Challenges are as follows: Ensure healthy development for all youth; close the health gap; stop family violence; advance long and productive lives; eradicate social isolation; end homelessness; create social responses to a changing environment; harness technology for social good; promote smart decarceration; build financial capability for all; reduce extreme economic inequality; and achieve equal opportunity and justice.

Beginning in 2012, a Grand Challenges Executive Committee guided the process of soliciting ideas for Grand Challenges, refining them, and commissioning background papers on the overall concept and the individual Challenges.

Barth served as an ex-officio member of the committee and, with seven other researchers at the UM SSW, is among authors of the working papers. Sarah Butts, MSW, assistant to the dean, is the Grand Challenges project coordinator and is a co-author with Mathew Uretsky, PhD, MSW, MPH. Other SSW authors include Jordan DeVylder, PhD, MSW, MPhil, MS, assistant professor; Terry Shaw, PhD, MSW, MPH, associate professor; Nancy Dickinson, PhD, MSSW, clinical professor; Jodi Jacobson Frey, PhD, MSW, associate professor and chair of the Financial Social Work Initiative (FSWI); and Christine Callahan, PhD, MSW, research assistant professor. During the conference, the SSW and Callahan, on behalf of the FSWI, are hosting an event on the financial capacity challenge.

In his remarks, Barth described the criteria that went into the selection process: First, every challenge had to be big, important, and compelling. Second, there had to be scientific evidence to indicate that the challenge could be solved. Third, meaningful and measurable progress to address the challenge had to be possible within a decade. Fourth, the challenge had to be likely to generate interdisciplinary or cross-sector collaboration. Finally, the solution to the challenge had to require significant innovation.

He noted that the working papers were provided by 143 authors, representing 54 universities and 15 organizations.

The Grand Challenges for Social Work create an opportunity for social work researchers and practitioners to collaborate widely with each other and with many other fields and disciplines, including health care, law enforcement, education, civil rights, technology, and climate science. Grand Challenges identify highly ambitious yet achievable goals that mobilize a profession, capture the publics imagination, and require innovation. Other initiatives have included the Grand Challenges for Engineering and the Grand Challenges in Global Health.

The Grand Challenges define a movement to focus great minds, build and share new knowledge, and foster wider collaborations, Barth observes in a statement about the social work challenges in a video prepared by the AASWSW. With its deep scientific knowledge base, social work is highly qualified to analyze and intervene to help our society make substantial, measurable progress in the next decade on conquering these Grand Challenges.
Chinese Zodiac-Inspired Necklace (Photo : eBay)

In itself, the symbol for the coming Chinese Lunar New Year, the Horse Month of the Monkey Year is the subject of fun among Chinese netizens. That's because the slang for it means a wish that would take a very long time to fulfill.



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To add to the hilarity of the situation are the Chinese zodiac-inspired designs of top fashion brands which are now being ridiculed in local social media sites, reports Chinadaily. The puns come from the designs of the monkey that either look creepy or not classy enough for local fashionistas.



Examples cited are the Netease Style necklaces and bracelets of Louis Vuitton which netizens says the monkey is alien-looking. One WeChat user comments, "You've got to be kidding me. Do monkeys in the real world look like that for them?"



Dior's "Diorelita" limited-edition collection got the red color right, which is a favorite of Chinese, especially during the New Year. But the French fashion house was right in making it a limited-edition set because few Chinese buyers would fork out their yuan for red rope that was paired with a golden monkey motif.



Similarly, red-and-gold combination of Giorgio Armani and Givenchy for their makeup cases and YSL's gold face palette made their beauty products look common than exclusive. Chinadaily chides the fashion brands for cheapening the brand rather than creating Chinese-inspired luxury items.



Other fashion faux pas cited by netizens include Nike's Air Force 1 shoes with the Chinses lotus flower on the tongue and the brand's translation, Nai Ke, sewn on the back in characters.



But thumbs up were made for the monkey head rings in white and yellow gold by Carrera y Carrera and Chopard's L.U.C. XP Urusi watch that has a monkey on its face, but managed to stick to the brand's image and style.



However, it is not just the failure of the fashion brands to come up with classy interpretations of Chinese zodiac signs that would explain the anticipated lackluster jewelry sales for the Lunar New Year and Valentine.



The Hong Kong Economic Journal cites the forecast of Estela Ng Yi-kum, chief strategy officer and chief financial officer of Tse Sui Luen Jewellery (International) in Hong Kong, who anticipates flat sales in comparison to the same holiday period in 2015. She explains it to the expected tough retail prospects for the next 12 to 18 months, prompting the firm to diversify to more lower-end items to bring in buyers.


The prosecution says more than 70 percent of files it got from three servers of Qvod were pornographic materials. (Photo : Vodeblog.com)

Despite China's ongoing crackdown on pornography on the Internet, a recent trial against video-sharing company QVOD Technology for the spread of pornographic material has revealed that there is an alarming amount of obscene content accessible on one of China's most popular video-sharing websites, as reported by the Global Times.



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Prosecutors said during the trial that 70 percent of the 28,841 videos stored on QVOD's servers were found to contain pornographic materials.



However, Wang Xin, CEO of QVOD, disputes this claim, saying that the data would mean that over 100 million QVOD users were estimated to have cached hundreds of millions of files using his software.



"I cannot believe that over 100 million users watched pornography every day," Wang said.



According to a survey released by the Institute of Sexuality and Gender of the Renmin University of China that was published on Jan. 9, there have been an increasing number of adults who watch pornography in recent years.



The survey showed that over 68 percent of the 5,136 respondents aged between 18 and 29 watched pornographic material including films and pictures during the first half of 2015.



It said that from 2000 to 2015, more than 70 percent of respondents said that they had watched pornographic materials. The proportion is estimated to exceed 80 percent by 2020.



The proportion of female respondents who admit to having watched pornography has also increased from 36.5 percent in 2000 to 50.7 percent in 2015.



Pan Suiming, a sexologist who led the research, questioned, "Does this result show gender equality? Should those middle-aged women who protested obscenity admit that they are behind the time?"



Pan is famous for having done extensive research into China's red-light districts, interviewing over 1,000 female sex workers from 1998 to 2010.



The survey found that those who have a higher education background watch more pornography. Cohabitants also watch more pornography than single respondents.



Since April 2014, China has been cracking down on online pornography in an effort to protect minors and public morality.



Under China's Criminal Law, people who spread obscene materials can be sentenced to life imprisonment.



However, despite the crackdown, young people have been finding ways to watch pornography.



Young people tend to use cloud-based storage platforms to download pornography. Some then share them with their peers using offline file transfers.



According to Pan's research, pornography has no correlation to unethical sexual activities like adultery, polygamy, prostitution and group sex.


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UWyo Magazine

January 2016 | Vol. 17, No. 2

Army ROTC cadets greet fans at a Cowboy football game.

The Leaders of Tomorrow

UWs two Reserve Officer Training Corps programs help prepare the next generation of Army, National Guard and Air Force officers.

By Micaela Myers

To say the University of Wyoming has a rich history of military training for students would be a vast understatement. Military training at UW began way back in 1891just one year after Wyoming became a state. When the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) was created in 1916, UW immediately applied for a unit and became one of the first seven institutions nationwide to host an ROTC unit.

Today, UW is home to two ROTC programsthe Army Cowboy Battalion and the Air Force Detachment 940. Both units help students pay for school and provide leadership training to create the citizens and military leaders of tomorrow.

The fact UW has one of the oldest ROTC programs in the Unites States commands respect, and I think it shows in the way the cadre run the program, says Cowboy Battalion cadet and Wyoming Army National Guard member Greyson Buckingham of Kelly, Wyo., who is pursuing his law degree and MBA in a joint degree program. I know Im getting the necessary training I need to be an effective officer one day.

Army ROTC

Small but mighty describes UWs Cowboy Battalion. For a small school, UW out-produces many of the medium and large programs in regard to quantity and quality of commissioned officers, says Lt. Col. Mitch Day, UW Army ROTC department chair and professor of military science.

We have doubled the size of the program over the last few years and, each year, we have been in the top percentages in Army Cadet Command in several areas of measured excellence.

The Cowboy Battalion received the 201314 Cochise Award for the Best Small Unit in the 5th Brigade, which consists of 36 host schools and more than 20 smaller or satellite schools. The battalion was selected for the honor based, in part, on the quantity and quality of commissioned officers the program produces. In 2015, the program commissioned 23 second lieutenantsa number that is 153 percent above mission requirements.

In 2015, five of the battalions seniors were also awarded the Distinguished Military Graduate Award, given to cadets who ranked in the top 20 percent of about 6,000 Army ROTC cadets nationwide. One of those honorees is Cadet Battalion Commander Jade Schmitt, a criminal justice senior from Green River, Wyo., who will go into active duty in the U.S. Army upon graduation.

Five of us received this awardthat is an incredible accomplishment for our program, university and state, Schmitt says. Our small but very strong program is highly competitive and one of the best in the nation. I believe that comes from most of the cadets holding onto the Wyoming spirit, camaraderie and having a cadre willing to put in the extra hours. I am proud to be where I am doing what I do bestserving this great country.
The Libo Zhangjiang Scenic Spot is just one of the several beautiful tourism destinations in Guizhou Province. (Photo : www.thousandwonders.net)

The New York Times has added Guizhou Province to its list of 52 places around the world that are worth visiting in 2016, putting Guizhou at number 44, China Daily reported.



According to the report, Guizhou was cited for the "authentic Chinese hill tribes without mass tourism," adding that it "has long been one of China's least accessible regions, but is starting to open more widely to tourism," based on the list that came out on Jan. 7.



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Aside from Guizhou, Hangzhou also joins the annual list.



The New York Times said that compared to other places with similar characteristics in China, Guizhou was also chosen for its "unhurried pace and authentic feel" as well as the convenience of improved transportation and the ethnic cultural festivals. The paper also mentioned the top hotels in Guizhou's capital, Guiyang.



Top in the list is Mexico City, which was described as "a metropolis that has it all," followed by Bordeaux, France, in second place, referred to as "an ancient wine region getting a stunning update."



In 2010, Shanghai and Shenzhen became the first two Chinese cities to join the list, the report said.



The report added that the global tourism market and the opinions of tourism specialists were taken into consideration by the compilers of the list. They deliberated on the feedback of Internet users who have given the province a thumbs-up, with one commenting, "The breathtaking mountain and water views are beautiful especially in summer," while another noted, "the ethnic customs are worth going to see alongside the views."



According to the report, the province's tourism resources have gradually contributed to the government's drive to boost transportation and the economy, with tourism income in 2013 reaching a total of 289.5 billion yuan ($44.05 billion), or 22.2 percent higher than the previous year, and 350 billion yuan this past year, or triple the 2010 figure.


The Chinese government started to crack down on illegal underground banks last year, arresting more than 100 suspects. (Photo : www.oann.com)

The trial for a group of gang members allegedly involved in China's largest underground banking case opened Wednesday, Jan. 13, in Zhejiang Province, the Xinhua News Agency reported.



According to prosecutors at the Lanxi City People's Court in Lanxi City, the ringleader, identified by his surname Zhao, and his wife, Zheng, were accused of hiring seven other people to run illegal foreign exchange transactions using shell companies on the mainland and in Hong Kong.



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The prosecutors said that Zhao also allegedly bribed two senior bank officials in Zhejiang while seeking excessive profits.



The report said that the case involves over $9.6 billion, the highest among a series of smaller cases that make up China's largest underground banking case, which involves transactions totaling 410 billion yuan ($64 billion).



In November last year, around 100 suspects belonging to eight gangs were rounded up and detained by law enforcers in Zhejiang following a crackdown on underground banks suspected of illegally transferring more than 800 billion yuan ($125 billion) out of the country into foreign currencies.



According to the Ministry of Public Security, the country is facing an "increasingly difficult and complicated" problem involving unauthorized financial institutions, which are often used for laundering money obtained through corruption, online gambling and fraud by unscrupulous persons.



The government has been trying to tighten capital control to prevent the downward pressure of the value of the yuan and stop money flooding out of China.



In August last year, the central bank changed the mechanism for setting its exchange rate and has intervened in onshore and offshore foreign exchange markets to support the value of the yuan.



Since April, the Chinese police have cracked down on about 170 cases involving illegal fund transfers and money laundering.



The report said that the operation was undertaken by police in cooperation with the central bank and the foreign exchange regulator.


Representatives of member countries of the AIIB sign a Memorandum of Understanding in Oct. 2014. (Photo : www.corbettreport.com)

Officials with the International Monetary Fund have expressed anticipation to cooperate with the China-initiated Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), according to an article published by CRIENGLISH.com.



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Chikahisa Sumi, assistant director of IMF's Asia and Pacific Department, made the remark during a forum attended by IMF officials and members of U.S. think tanks in Washington, D.C., the report said.



"We are looking forward to the collaboration with AIIB. We also welcome any help to finance this vast, vast need to upgrade and solve the infrastructure bottleneck, which is constraining that growth on the supply-side at the moment," the IMF official said as he stressed the importance of the AIIB as a funding mechanism for infrastructure investment.



"Infrastructure investment need is huge, is simply huge. And then infrastructure investment is very productive investment. And then, it has the potential of crowding in private-sector investment. So, developing countries usually lack that funding mechanism for that needed infrastructure investment," Sumi said.



The AIIB, which was formally established in Beijing last December, will hold its inaugural ceremony in Beijing on Saturday, Jan. 16.



Top Chinese leaders like President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang are expected to attend the opening of the AIIB, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying announced.



Xi will attend and address the inauguration ceremony in the morning, while Li will address the founding conference of the AIIB council in the afternoon, Hua said.



The report said that the AIIB opening activities will be held from Jan. 16 to 18.



The China-initiated development bank has now 57 members and is seen as a potential rival to the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank.



AIIB, which has an authorized capital of $100 billion and subscribed capital of $50 billion, will invest in sectors including energy, transportation, urban construction and logistics as well as education and healthcare.



The three largest shareholders of the bank are China, India and Russia, owning 30.34 percent, 8.52 percent, 6.66 percent, respectively.


Jose Iglesias has avoided arbitration with the Detroit Tigers by signing a one-year, $2.1 million contact, according to Jon Heyman of MLB Network. It was the second year of arbitration eligibility for Iglesias.

The 26-year-old was injured while attempting a bunt on September 3, which forced him to miss the rest of the regular season. It was a non-displaced fracture in the shortstops right-middle finger.

As a native of Cuba signed by the Boston Red Sox as a free agent in 2009, Iglesias hit .300/.347/.370 with 125 hits, 17 doubles, three triples, two home runs and 23 RBI across a career-high 120 games played in 2015. The right-handed hitter also made his first career All-Star game appearance.

He picked up his major league debut against the Minnesota Twins on May 8, 2011 and went on to hit .333 with two hits in 10 games that year. Across four seasons in the big leagues, Iglesias has played in 264 games, which he has hit .287 with six home runs, 54 RBI and 122 stolen bases. Of those bases stolen, Iglesias took 44 in the latest season with Detroit.

The Tigers have now added three arbitration eligible players in infielder Andrew Romine, left-handed reliever Justin Wilson and Iglesias, but are still to sign a 2016 contract to J.D. Martinez, who might be more of a complicated story.

Martinez requested $8 million, but was offered just $6 million by the Tigers when arbitration amounts were exchanged on Friday, reports Jon Heyman of MLB Network. The team will probably settle on about $7.8 million to meet the needs of the 28-year-old. According to Chris Iott of MLive, the general manager of the Tigers, Al Avila, and Martinez spoke about a long-term deal back in October. Those talks, however, have yet to spark again.
The Toronto Blue Jays could add another arm to the starting rotation and are set to do so as the club is currently talking contract with free agent right-hander Yovani Gallardo, according to a report from Chris Cotillo of SB Nation on Friday night.

Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reported on Thursday afternoon that the team has been showing interest in the 29-year-old throughout free agency and negotiations between the two sides were getting set to take place.

At this time, there is said to be minimal dialogue with regards to a potential contract given the fact talks only started today.

It is entirely possible that interest could intensify over the course of the next few days, which could lead to the possibility of a deal being announced sometime next week if all goes smoothly.

Looking at the organization side of things, this would be a fantastic move, not only for the team itself but for GM Mark Shapiro who may just be getting the fans behind him for the first time as he looks to see what can be done to get this ballclub to the playoffs in October. Looking back at the transactions that took place this week, RHP Drew Storen was brought in from the Washington Nationals in exchange for outfielder Ben Revere, putting another experienced arm in the back of the bullpen.

In terms of what the Blue Jays are willing to put out to get Gallardo on their side, that remains a question because they might just have to part with a draft pick to bring him aboard.

Shapiro has spoken well about Gallardo where he said on Thursday, "Hes the kind of guy that would make us better. Hes the kind of guy youd like to have. Whether or not, from a resource perspective, we still have enough to make a move like that  thats still a variable that exists, but we do have some flexibility still. Thinking about how we use those resources is still a question.

Asked about the draft pick attached to Gallardo, Shapiro said it is indeed a factor, but not one that would immediately close the door on a deal. Shapiro called the draft pick forfeiture a premium youre paying on top of the salary."

As noted by MLBTradeRumors, it is said that the Blue Jays have reached out to Gallardo's representatives at Octogon as details have been vague thus far.

Rumors have been swirling of late saying that there was a possibility RHP R.A. Dickey could be seeing his last days in Toronto with the team, as he nearly left for Washington when discussions became more advanced in terms of who goes in order to acquire Storen.

Gallardo would ultimately be his replacement, however, if not, he would add another veteran arm and depth to the starting rotation. As for what that could look like come 2016, Marcus Stroman could still have the lead which could put Gallardo behind him, followed by Dickey, RHP Marco Estrada and RHP Drew Hutchison. That would mean RHP Jesse Sanchez gets booted to the bullpen.

If Toronto does indeed start an aggressive pursuit for Gallardo, they may need to put together a creative move to bring him in as they have already committed $95.75 million to their 2016 payroll, which includes all arbitration cases that were agreed to on Friday.

Unless the team is willing to part ways with someone with a guaranteed salary or a notable arbitration projection, that would likely be the only way Gallardo would fit into the mix as a budget is in place.

Other team's currently showing interest in Gallardos services include the Kansas City Royals, Baltimore Orioles and Houston Astros. Kansas City could quickly back off as they are said to be close to signing another free agent right-hander in Ian Kennedy who spent 2015 with the San Diego Padres.

There is no knowledge of the extent of interest that the Blue Jays are currently showing in Gallardo, which only makes the likeliness of a signing that much more of a long shot. However, they will remain among the list of primary suitors considered for a potential landing spot for the time being.
The Kansas City Royals have bolstered their starting rotation with the addition of Ian Kennedy as the two sides have agreed to terms on a five-year, $70 million deal, according to a report from Jon Heyman of MLB Network on Saturday morning.

The news comes as a result of heavy interest that became stronger over the course of the past few weeks. Heyman reported yesterday that they were processing towards a contract.

Heyman also reported on Wednesday that the club seemed to have their focus mainly directed towards Kennedy as their pursuit became more aggressive.

As reported by Jerry Crasnick of ESPN, the 31-year-old's deal will include an opt-out following the 2017 season.

Kennedy became a free agent earlier in the offseason after rejecting a qualifying offer worth $15.8 million from the San Diego Padres, where he came off a poor 2015 season.

In 30 games started, Kennedy posted a record of 9-15 to go along with a 4.28 ERA in 168.1 innings pitched. He gave up 166 hits, 95 runs, 80 of which were earned, and an absurd amount of home runs with 31.

Over the course of the past six seasons, Kennedy has compiled at least 30 starts and is good for close to 200 innings. Despite giving up too many home runs, Kennedy has recorded more strikeouts than innings pitched in the last two seasons.

This becomes the second signing for his agent Scott Boras this morning, as Chris Davis re-signed with the Baltimore Orioles on a seven-year, $161 million deal.

Kennedy provides Kansas City with another veteran both on and off the field, as well as a strong arm who can sit in the middle of the rotation and provide consistency.

The nine-year veteran may never return to the 2011 season with the Arizona Diamondbacks where he went 21-4 with a 2.88 ERA and finished fourth in the Cy Young voting, but he is consistent and should thrive with the defending World Champion Royals.

He will join a team that consists of starters such as RHP Edinson Volquez, RHP Chris Young, LHP Danny Duffy, RHP Yordano Ventura and RHP Kris Medlen.

Kennedy is a former first round pick of the New York Yankees (21st overall) back in the 2006 amateur draft where he agreed to sign with them later in the year.

Other teams that were said to have been interested in Kennedy's service include the Washington Nationals, Houston Astros and Colorado Rockies.
Mexico drug kingpin Joaquin Guzman, also known as El Chapo, was recaptured after his second escape from the country's maximum-security prison in July 2015. After six months of freedom, the cartel lord is again arrested while he's in the process of making a biographical film about himself.

The New York Times reported that he is successfully recaptured after a gun battle in his safe house in Sinaloa, Mexico. He was raided again after first escaping the firefight and made his way to nearby Los Mochis motel. After that, the man is paraded in front of the media and made to face the press before he was taken away by officials in a helicopter.

According to Centre Daily Times, at least 2,500 security and intelligence agents were involved in the efforts of locating and securing El Chapo. This operation is now regarded as the most intensive manhunt in modern Mexican history.

The raid involved not only Mexican officers but also U.S Drug Enforcement Administration and U.S Marshals. El Chapo, which name means "a short man" in Spanish, is wanted not only in Mexico but also the U.S, where he exported more than 500 tons of cocaine.

Besides El Chapo, six other cartel gangsters were also arrested in the raid that killed five cartel gangsters and injured one Mexican marine, as reported by Daily Mail Online. Among the captured cartel gangsters is El Cholo, El Chapo's right-hand man who was also wanted in the country.

When captured, El Chapo had started a process of making his own biographical film. Los Angeles Times wrote about his meeting with on October with American actor Sean Penn, who starred The Gunman (2015) and a biographic film Milk (2008). He also has had meetings with producers, which in turn allowed the Mexican authorities to track and locate him.

El Chapo was first arrested in Guatemala in 1993 but escaped in 2001. He continued leading drug operations from the remote mountains in Sinaloa and Durango states of Mexico also known as Golden Triangle for years before being recaptured in 2014 in Sinaloa. He escaped again on July 2015 through a tunnel that led to a construction site.

The raid move on Friday ended the month-long of watching El Chapo and planning the operation. Although the operation received aids from the U.S authorities, an American official regarded the raid as a Mexican operation, which is mainly planned and executed by Mexico. It is not yet announced whether the drug lord will be extradited to the U.S.
Argentina state-run energy company YPF has forged an alliance with American Energy Partners on developing the shale resources in the South American country. The deal assumes significance amid lower oil prices impacting the viability of energy projects. The new project is expected to enhance business climate in Argentina. The first phase of the project is scheduled for completion in mid 2018.

Aubrey McClendon, Chief Executive, American Energy Partners, is planning to mobilize money to fund its 50 percent stake in the pilot project with YPF. McClendon seeks to raise funds in next two months. The Argentina state-run company will invest $500 million in next three years. The latest deal underscores interest in Argentina's reserves of shale gas and oil sector. The Argentina government is extending support in form of subsidies in the energy sector.

Financial Times reports that the capital raising by US shale companies declined during the past one year owing to continuous drop in oil prices. If the shale gas project gets the required funds, then it would be a major breakthrough for the Argentina. The shale formation in Vaca Muerta located in Patagonian of Neuquen is expected to make Argentina a major shale producer in the world.



McClendon is known for his early role in the the US shale industry. "We intend to bring US-style shale drilling and operating expertise, completion techniques and cost structure to Vaca Muerta." McClendon has described the Vaca Muerta shale formation in Patagonia as a world class unconventional play with tremendous potential.

American Energy Partners has three months time to ensure sufficient funds for the project with YPF. Once the funds mobilization is completed, then both the companies will meet again to reaffirms the deal, as reported by The Wall street Journal (WSJ). McClendon may tap private-equity (PE) firms for fund raising for the project.



Argentina wants to attract investments in developing energy resources. The government is offering subsidies for new projects in the energy sector. The subsidies leave the domestic oil prices twice the global prices. The domestic gas prices are three-fold higher than global prices. Argentina will continue subsidies until the global prices recover.

Aubrey McClendon and Miguel Galuccio, President and CEO of YPF, have signed initial agreement. Initially, both the companies will take off a pilot project in Bajada de Anelo block that spans over 200 kilometers. The first phase of the project is scheduled for completion in mid 2018, according to World Oil. After the first stage, the project will enter the US-style shale manufacturing mode.



Miguel Galuccio is optimistic that the partnership with American Energy Partners will help his company speed up the learning curve in exploring the untapped shale reserves in the country. YPF has partnership deals with global energy majors such as US' Chevron and Malaysia's Petronas.

YPF along with its partners has invested $3 billion in exploration and development of unconventional oil and gas in Vaca Muerta. YPF and subsidiary of Dow Chemical are investing $500 million in a joint venture project in Argentina.
Italian Medicines Agency, the national authority that is responsible for drugs regulation in Italy, has formulated an innovation in drug spending. The agency established a payment method based on degree of patient's response to treatment. In case the medicine failed, the drugmaker must give a full refund.

According to Bloomberg, Italy is signing more such contracts as growing numbers of medications receive regulatory approval after mid-stage trials of fewer than 100 patients.Therefore, experimental treatment will have to ensure its degree of success and minimize the risk of failure.

Pierluigi Russo, head of pricing and reimbursement office at the agency explained that such payment system is aimed to ensure success level of treatment, because he said, "It is problematic to reimburse a high-cost treatment with evidence that is very preliminary."

The innovative payment system will assign a single drug cancer to multiple contracts that vary based on a higher risk of failure for certain type of cancer. Subsequently, Italy secured around 200 million euros ($220 million) in refunded payments for ineffective treatments in 2015. According to Russo, that is only about 1% of total pharmaceutical spending.

The Italian Medicines Agency or Agenzia Italiana del Farmaco (AIFA) worked under the Ministry of Health. The agency operates according to cost-effectiveness criteria, autonomous and transparency.

The system has been a model for both countries and drugmakers around the world. Roche Holding AG is currently examining whether the Italian pricing scheme would work in France. While Ameican's Express Scripts Holding Co., the largest prescription drug benefits manager, has been studying the Italian model to launch a roll out program in cancer treatment medicine.

United States need this kind of model to prevent pharmaceutical company controlling the price. Such as recent price-gouging case of Daraprim, and massive price hike of drugs from pharmaceutical companies in the beginning of this year,

Endless debate about universal healthcare shows American government has not found the right formula for healthcare system. Recent debate as reported by CNN, are between between presidential candidate Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton.

The debate which according to Wall Street Journal will pose a risk of winding both candidates on the wrong side of an issue they care about deeply. It is because the divide between them goes deeper than health policy, but also reflects the different style of leadership between Hillary and Sanders.

As U.S. is still looking for its right healthcare system, Italian has found a way to prevent drugmaker to control the price. The innovative drug pricing for medicine based on its performance require a full refund when a medicine fail to produce a good result.
The 2016 will be an encouraging year for startups in Africa as investments may pour into the technology and commerce segments. Silvertree Capital, an investment arm of Silvertree Internet Holdings (SIH), sees $10 million fresh investment coming in for startups this year.

The consumer-based internet platform Silvertree Holdings is focusing on scaling technology and commerce companies in small and fast growing niches. It has already invested $5 million in business building operations and acquisitions. Silvertree Capital sees executive team including Koser, Peter Allerstorfer, Paul Cook and Andrew Whale to invest additional $10million in Africa.

According to Ventures Africa, Cape Town-based Silvertree Internet Holdings will invest in potential startups in Africa. Silvertree Internet Holding witnessed 330 percent growth rate in 2015 alone, the robust growth since its inception in 2013.



Silvertree Internet Holdings registered 50 percent rise from 2014 as the number of consumers in Africa reached to 25 million in 2015. Its e-Commerce platforms -- Click n Compare, Faithful to Nature, Cyber Cellar, HealthCart and PriceCheck helped Silvertree Internet Holdings to get the encouraging number of consumers.

Silvertree Capital is keen on tech startups in South Africa, Nigeria and Kenya. It has decided to invest in online companies to support the expansion of its owner-operator portfolio.

The top three investments are recorded in South Africa, Nigeria and Kenya. Among the top-10 sectors under study, the solar sector witnessed the highest investor activity, as reported by CNBC Africa. The year 2015 was an encouraging year for startups in Africa.



Manuel Koser, Founder and Managing Director, Silvertree Internet Holdings, said: "Our meteoric growth in 2015 has been driven by execution-focused delivery across all of our portfolio companies as well as a number of company acquisitions that are already delivering positive returns. Our job now is to build on this momentum to maintain our aggressive growth trajectory and cement our dominance in the African e-commerce and price comparison markets."

African startups received $186 million funding in 2015, while South Africa accounted for over $54.5 million. African Tech Startups Funding Report-2015 has revealed that 125 tech startups raised $185.79 million funding in 2015 in African continent, as reported by Forbes.



Silvertree is committed to building businesses although they are not an incubator. Considering the value and potential of emerging markets, Silvertree is looking for top tier talent to invest in and work with.

Peter Allerstorfer, Managing Director of Silvertree, said: "We are entrepreneurs who invest in like-minded entrepreneurs. Our search for young, dynamic, hungry talent who want to scale faster and outpace their competitors, will be a key focus for us in 2016," he said.
Bisaccia checks out a sycamore tree for the invasive polyphagous shot hole borer at the Old Baldwin Road Trailhead on the Ventura River Preserve.

SHARE A copy photo of the invasive polyphagous shot hole borer, a beetle that targets at least 38 types of trees, including avocados. CHUCK KIRMAN/THE STAR Rick Bisaccia, Ojai Land Conservancy stewardship director, checks out a coast live oak tree for the invasive polyphagous shot hole borer. The coast live oak and sycamore trees are susceptible to the fungus from the tiny beetle that tunnels into the trees. The fungus can eventually kill the trees. He is at the Old Baldwin Road Trailhead on the Ventura River Preserve. photos by CHUCK KIRMAN/THE STAR Rick Bisaccia, Ojai Land Conservancy stewardship director, checks coast live oak and sycamore trees for the invasive polyphagous shot hole borer at the Old Baldwin Road Trailhead on the Ventura River Preserve. The coast live oak and sycamore trees are susceptible to the fungus from the tiny beetle that tunnels into the trees. The fungus can eventually lead to the death of the trees.

By Claudia Boyd-Barrett

Ojai citrus and avocado rancher Roger Essick has a lot to worry about these days.

Like other citrus farmers in the area, he's dealing with the threat of the Asian citrus psyllid, an invasive pest that can carry a bacterial disease deadly to citrus trees. The bug turned up in some of the orchards he farms earlier this year, requiring aggressive insecticide treatment.

Now, Essick is concerned about yet another pest, one that could threaten his avocado groves. Known as the polyphagous shot hole borer, the pest is a beetle that targets at least 38 types of trees, including avocados. It carries a fungus that interrupts the transportation of water and nutrients within the trees, leading to branch dieback and ultimately death.

The beetle hasn't turned up on any of Essick's trees, but it's making him and other local avocado farmers nervous. It's attacked trees in San Diego and Los Angeles counties, and in early November was found in Ventura County for the first time. So far, it's been detected at a green-waste facility in Ojai and in nine Santa Paula avocado groves.

With no known cure, officials are concerned the beetle could spread.

"We're very concerned because we've seen it farther south and as a grower you figure it's going to move around," said Essick, a rancher for 45 years. "Farmers are facing (threats) constantly.  But these are a little tougher than some of the issues we've had before because we really don't have any great solutions for them."

Plant pathologist Akif Eskalen is leading research on the borer at the UC Riverside. He said the beetle first showed up in a backyard avocado grove in Los Angeles in 2012. Since then he's been monitoring its spread and trying to find a way to combat it, so far to no avail. He said there are actually two types of beetles, but both carry a fungus and have the same impact on the trees.

The beetle can infest many kinds of trees in addition to avocados, including willow, sycamore, cottonwood and oak. They've killed thousands of willow trees in a river area close to the Mexican border, and hundreds of sycamore trees on the UC Irvine campus, Eskalen said. Once infested, trees can die within a year, depending on the species he said.

So far, the California Avocado Commission has put $2.3 million toward research on the beetle. Much more funding is needed, Eskalen said. Currently there are just five people at the university and one with the U.S. Forest Service working on the problem, he said.

"Nobody seems to be moving.  We are doing a lot of outreach trying to educate people, put the word out, still there is no federal funding," he said. "We need (a) federal grant so we can do more research on the (fungus) so we can find a real solution. For everybody, not just for avocado groves."

Detecting the beetles is difficult, at least initially, said Ken Melban, vice president of industry affairs for the Calfornia Avocado Commission. The creatures are tiny, and it takes a while for damage to show, he said. Almost 70 traps have now been placed in county avocado groves, but when there are hundreds of acres of trees it's difficult to find all cases of infestation, he said.

"The size of the hole that they bore is less than a pinhead. I liken it to very precision machine-shop work," Melban said. To find them "you'd have to do a very thorough inspection of every tree and even then it's difficult to see them."

It's not just avocado growers who are worried. Rick Bisaccia, stewardship director and lands manager for the Ojai Valley Land Conservancy, is actively checking trees for the beetles too. He said he learned about the threat a few weeks ago, and was alarmed to hear the beetles can target oak trees.

The conservancy manages about 2,300 acres of land that is home to tens of thousands of oak trees.

"Live oaks are probably the most predominant trees on our land," he said. "If all of a sudden the oaks were to die and disappear out of there it would be a real, tragic loss."

Although there is no known cure, the conservancy and avocado ranchers are doing what they can to try to stop the beetles from spreading. Researchers believe transporting firewood and mulch could allow the beetles to hitchhike, so the land conservancy has stopped moving mulch around the valley, said Executive Director Brian Stark.

Rancher Essick said he's also stopped using mulch from elsewhere. When his avocado trees are pruned, workers mulch the wood in place so that it doesn't get spread around, he said.

The California Avocado Commission and the Ojai Land Conservancy, meanwhile, are encouraging people to avoid moving firewood around. The commission is also trying to secure additional funding to research treatment against the beetle, Melban said.

"We could really use some help from the larger community," he said. "Unlike the Asian Citrus Psyllid this isn't just going to impact avocado growers."
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO/OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT Police were looking for two people suspected of stealing a woman's purse last week in Oxnard.

SHARE CONTRIBUTED PHOTO/OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT Police were looking for two people suspected of stealing a woman's purse last week in Oxnard.

By Staff Reports

A woman's purse was stolen last week and her credit card was used to buy $20,000 worth of gift cards, authorities said Friday.

Oxnard police were looking for the man and woman suspected of stealing the 64-year-old victim's purse about 3:35 p.m. Jan. 8 at the Whole Foods at 650 Town Center Drive in Oxnard, police said.

A woman approached the victim in the store and distracted her while a man stole the victim's purse from a shopping cart, authorities said. Both the man and the woman were described as in their 50s, authorities said. The thieves were following the victim throughout the store before the bag containing her credit cards, cellphone and cash was taken, police said.

The victim's credit card later was used to buy $20,000 worth of gift cards from two Target stores in Ventura, authorities said. It was not known whether the pair from the store fraudulently used the card, police said.
FILE PHOTO Planned pediatric ICUs face delayed openings in Ventura and Thousand Oaks. The four-bed unit at Los Robles is expected to open in February, according to a hospital official.

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By Tom Kisken of the Ventura County Star

Ongoing negotiations with a nurses union over competitive wages helped delay the reopening of a pediatric intensive care unit at Ventura County Medical Center, the hospital CEO said Friday.

County officials announced the closure of the once-vaunted ICU unit nearly a year ago because of issues including a shortage of nurses. They pledged to reopen the unit, with the Ventura hospital's medical director predicting care in the unit would resume between Dec. 1 and the end of this month.

That timetable won't be met, according to CEO Kim Milstien.

"I can't give you a date," she said of the reopening, emphasizing the hospital's commitment to the unit designed to provide care for critically ill children who would otherwise be transferred elsewhere.

"We are actively working toward bringing this back to the community," she said.

A pediatric ICU planned for Los Robles Hospital & Medical Center in Thousand Oaks has also faced delays. Doctors on a project steering committee said they've been told the facility they expected to open by last fall is now set to debut Feb. 16.

The county's pediatric ICU in Ventura was voluntarily closed three years after it was opened to care for children injured in car crashes or diagnosed with severe respiratory conditions and other illnesses.

In addition to nurse staffing, former and current employees have said the unit's issues included conflicts over the training of therapists and the transfer of children to other hospitals even while the unit was open.

Milstien said struggles with recruiting and retaining nurses at the county hospital have contributed to a holding pattern on the reopening.

The county issued temporary raises to more than 650 nurses to stay competitive with the private sector. They're now negotiating with the union, the California Nurses Association, over permanent wages.

That process has affected recruitment for the pediatric unit, Milstien said.

"Knowing what a salary will be is a pretty imperative piece to accepting the job," she said, declining to comment on specifics of negotiations. She said the hospital continues to recruit nurses.

"We are committed to market comparability," she said of wages.

Tina Grieger, labor representative for the California Nurses Association, agreed retention is a growing issue.

"We're losing nurses at a faster rate than we can bring them in," she said, rattling off a list of hospitals. "They're going to St. John's. They're going to Community Memorial. They're going to Los Robles. They're going to Cottage."

Other efforts to reopen the pediatric ICU include hiring a program nursing manager last year and contracting a medical group, Pediatrix, to provide doctors for the six-bed unit.

The ICU is scheduled to expand by two more beds upon the completion of a hospital addition scheduled to open in the fall.

At Los Robles, a four-bed pediatric ICU was built as part of a renovation and construction project. Hospital officials said after the construction was completed that the unit would open by the end of the year.

Dr. Kenneth Saul, a Thousand Oaks pediatrician and member of a project steering committee, said he expected an opening in the fall. Dr. Betsy Weisz, another committee member, said she hoped for an even earlier debut.

Melodee Bartel, director of women and children's services at Los Robles, confirmed the planned Feb. 16 opening. She said the unit is making "great progress" on staffing, attributing delays largely to the ongoing final negotiations with Children's Hospital Los Angeles to staff the program with doctors.

Saul and Weisz say they're ready for the site to open.

"Right now if we have a sick kid, we have to transfer him to Tarzana or Northridge or Children's Hospital Los Angeles or UCLA," said Saul. "Just to keep the kids local would be good."
The Beijing police has been utilizing a team of volunteer Internet monitors since 2014 to crack down on cybercrime. (Photo : Reuters)

Citing a statement from the Beijing Municipal Public Security Bureau, the Global Times reported that the bureau has received over 15,000 tips on various cybercrimes including prostitution and gambling from a team composed of more than 3,000 volunteers for the past two years.



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In 2014, the Beijing police kicked off its recruitment of volunteer Internet monitors across China, news outlet The Mirror reported.



The volunteers helped the police in combating a wide-ranging number of crimes such as fraud and drug dealing. The team of Internet monitors also assisted the group in cracking down on the spread of pornography.



According to the police, the volunteers file a report whenever they find malicious computer programs, cybercrime-related content, and other false information over the Internet.



The Mirror also stressed that the Chinese capital's police force made over 1,400 cautionary social media posts, issuing warnings to over 8,400 netizens should they spread false information, phishing messages and pornography.



The report added that the Beijing police was also able to crack around 210 criminal cases.



In another article, news portal people.cn reported that the team of volunteer Internet monitors is composed mainly of people born in the 1980s or 1990s. It also comprises ordinary citizens and Internet security professionals.



The Mirror further cited that the tip-offs from the special team have helped the police force facilitate its efforts in curbing online pornography as well as prostitution.



The team of volunteers is often likened to the "people of Chaoyang district," who helped in public security maintenance. The group also provided pertinent information to the police.



Last year, the so-called "people of Chaoyang district" caught the attention of the online community when it became a hot topic on various Chinese social media platforms. The police lauded the group as a source of information that eventually led to the arrests of a number of celebrities involved in drug-related crimes.



The "people of Chaoyang district" are being tapped by the police since 2014.


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Anthony Rendon, who was elected the next speaker of the state Assembly last week, made it clear in advance that expanding pre-kindergarten programs would be his highest priority.

Rendon headed an organization, Plaza de la Raza Child Development Services, that prepared children for kindergarten, before being elected to the Assembly in 2012.

"They made the local schools better. They made parents more involved in their communities and more vigilant," Rendon told The Sacramento Bee in a profile after being designated as the next speaker.

"Staving off health maladies that often manifest themselves later in a child's growth or life, you see how these things tend to be caught early in these types of programs," he continued. "It's something that has benefits way beyond in-classroom benefits."

Just four days before the speakership vote, Gov. Jerry Brown indirectly rejected the pleas of Rendon, other Democratic politicians, unions and child advocacy groups to expand early childhood services.

He proposed a 2016-17 budget that provides no new financing for pre-K, but seeks to combine several existing programs into a new block grant system that would allow local school districts to decide how the money is to be used.

It's similar in thrust to Brown's approach to K-12 education, which has been to eliminate "categorical aids" that target money for specific purposes and provide the money with few strings to local schools.

The new pre-K pot would total $1.6 billion, and each school district would receive at least as much money as it is getting now.

The proposal's biggest impact would be felt by the state's "transitional kindergarten" program that provides an extra year of schooling to children born between Sept. 2 and Dec. 2 each year regardless of family incomes  a boon to affluent families by relieving them of providing care and schooling out of their own pockets.

Under Brown's proposal, school districts could devote the money to children of low-income families and charge fees to those from more affluent families.

Brown's plan also would give school districts power over funds that now go to nonprofit or private organizations.

Rendon reiterated to reporters after his speakership election that early childhood education is "very important to me," signaling that he would make it a personal cause when he and other legislative leaders negotiate a final version of the budget in June.

However, Brown's disdain for new entitlement programs is well-established, and he wants to put an extra $2 billion into the state's rainy-day fund rather than expand the health, welfare and education commitments fellow Democrats treasure.

The early childhood issue, therefore, will be a test of the mild-mannered Rendon's political acumen and resolve as Brown seemingly draws a line in the playground sandbox on restraining spending and preparing the state for a recession he believes to be inevitable.
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President Barack Obama had something deceptively close to a humble, confessional moment in has last State of the Union speech.

He said that "rancor and suspicion between the parties has gotten worse instead of better" during his time in office and then added that maybe Abraham Lincoln or Franklin D. Roosevelt could have done better at fixing things, and yes, that's obvious. What he failed to add was that there were 41 other former presidents going back to George Washington who could have, too.

Maybe that's an exaggeration, but it's not terribly far off from the conclusions of some top-drawer presidential scholars whose views were rounded up by the Brookings Institution early last year. Among the group, those who consider Obama one of the worst presidents in U.S. history outnumbered those who think he's one of the best by a 3-to-1 margin.

In his first inaugural, you'll remember, he attacked President George W. Bush sitting on the platform near him. He kept at it throughout his first term, making it clear that he himself was not responsible for anything going wrong.

Remember how, in 2014 after the Republicans captured both houses of Congress, he reacted in something close to anger, shunned conciliation, said in so many words that he would make law without Congress and announced how he was going to grant amnesty to about 4 million illegal immigrants.

Even in this latest speech, in which he was calling for everyone to trust and work with each other in the name of the greater good, he took not-so subtle shots at Republicans and their oh, so pathetic policy preferences. Nor would he let go of his anti-rich rant, not exactly a sure way to end divisiveness.

He bragged about a sterling economy with annual deficits cut by three-quarters. It's so sterling that median household income remains several thousand dollars lower than it was before the recession hit. And the deficit is only down by three-fourths if you measure it against 2009's $1.4 trillion deficit that got a boost to those heights by Obama's stimulus.

The debt, meanwhile, has gone from $6.3 trillion to $13.6 trillion while he has been in office and both deficits and debt are predicted to race upward in a couple of years with crisis in tow. That will be because of mass retirements coming at us. To fix that, you need non-hurtful adjustments, but Obama said nothing should be done to "weaken" those programs, meaning he probably will refuse adjustment, weakening them to the point of unsustainability.

Obama spoke out for rule of law, which he abuses regularly with the worst of his executive orders. He called for equal pay for equal work for women when in fact we have had such a law since the 1960s and it has accomplished that end. To please both sides on an issue, Obama time and again contradicts himself in speeches, saying in this one that he wanted to scale back on burdensome regulations while also making it clear that he wants more burdensome regulations.

One of the scariest things was his contention that his "smart" and "patient" foreign policy strategies will eventuate in peace when in fact he has scorned advisers as if they were Republican opponents, making decisions aiding the rise of the Islamic State and the decimation of Syria.

There were good things in his speech, such as his asking Congress to approve the truly valuable Trans-Pacific Partnership trade pact. But time and again he was taking credit for things that happened despite him, not because of him, and here was not a lifting, wise, noble piece of oratory that will be remembered as much as the speeches of Lincoln, Roosevelt and, well, a number of other presidents.
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Do you want your ham and eggs, California?

It is one of the most enduring ideas in our state: Government should provide everyone with a minimum amount of money on a regular basis. It goes back to the 1930s, with the narrow rejection of the so-called "Ham and Eggs" proposals to give Californians a $30 check every Thursday.

Now, this notion is back and with some bipartisan political momentum. Thinkers on the left have embraced it as a bulwark against poverty, inequality and corporate power. Feminists and children's advocates say it would pay people for the crucial work of homemaking and child-rearing. Some conservatives like the idea as a way to consolidate the sprawling number of government programs and replace them with a cash grant. And venture capitalists in Silicon Valley see it as vital insurance against the likelihood that artificial intelligence will eliminate millions of jobs.

The "Ham and Eggs" idea has different names and comes in different concepts. Some proponents talk about a universal basic income, or guaranteed minimum income, so that all citizens have sufficient income to live on. Conservatives often prefer to call it the "negative income tax," since they would expand the tax system to provide supplemental pay to those who need to reach a minimum.

In the rest of America, the idea is usually dismissed as socialistic or irretrievably expensive. But in California, it has remained stubbornly strong.

California has a historic role in social insurance schemes. It was a Long Beach doctor, Francis Townsend, who suggested the program that became Social Security. The "End Poverty in California" movement of the 1930s included a push for pensions for all. And then there were those two high-profile statewide initiatives in 1938 and 1939 to give Californians age 50 and older $30 every Thursday.

Their defeats hardly discredited the idea. The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. was a strong proponent. So was conservative economist Milton Friedman  an important California figure who advised President Reagan and backed Prop. 13.

Friedman designed and promoted a proposal for "the negative income tax," and convinced the only president born in California, Richard Nixon, to offer his own proposal in 1969; it failed, but the concept didn't die.

We've seen elements of guaranteed income in proposals to double the size of Social Security, and in movements for a $15 per hour minimum wage. Thinkers on the left, like the California-based academic Robert Reich, have come out for it. On the right, presidential candidate Marco Rubio and House Speaker Paul Ryan have sought to consolidate existing welfare programs into cash grants that would be run through states.

But in California, the most intriguing support is centered in Silicon Valley. There, the arguments are that a guaranteed income will protect the people who lose their jobs because of California's technological innovations, and that more people would have more time to be entrepreneurial if they didn't have to worry about paying their bills.

California, with its powerful ballot initiative system, offers perhaps the most likely venue to try such an idea at the state level. For weeks, I've heard rumors about Bay Area venture capitalists planning such an initiative, but have been unable to confirm them.

Either way, this is one California idea that isn't going away. Your check may soon be in the mail.
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Do you know the difference between the "worst" student and the "dumbest"?

If so, you've got a leg up on the media, Democratic activists and other critics of Ben Carson. This self-righteous bunch recently pounced on the GOP presidential candidate for casual remarks he made to elementary school students in Iowa. Some on the left  which portrays Republicans as ignorant, crazy or evil  considered the comments tantamount to child abuse.

A writer for New York magazine said that the candidate left one student "scarred for life" in an episode that the boy will "recount over and over to his future therapist."

Therapist? New York-based writers should stick to their Zumba lessons and soy lattes and not write about Iowa. Ever.

As for Carson, while it wouldn't hurt the retired neurosurgeon and best-selling author to polish his social skills with the pre-adolescent demographic, much of what actually went down at Isaac Newton Christian Academy in Cedar Rapids has been exaggerated and mischaracterized.

Sounding like the motivational speaker he was before he entered politics, Carson was simply trying to create an empathic connection with students by making the case that where you start in life matters less than where you end up.

"As a fifth-grade student, I was a horrible student," Carson told the crowd. "Anybody here in fifth grade?" Several hands went up. "Who's the worst student?" he asked.

That's all he said. But before long, the media was reporting that Carson had asked students to identify their "dumbest" classmate.

Someone tweeted: "@RealBenCarson just called out to 5th grade class: who's dumbest kid in class?" That was also the title of the online story in New York magazine: "Ben Carson Asks Crowd of 5th-Graders to Point Out Dumbest Kid in Class."

There's a big difference. By now, Americans should be smart enough to know that kids who, a generation ago, might have been considered "dumb" might actually have brains that are just wired differently. Maybe these kids are intimidated by school, or are not book-smart, or lack motivation, or can't focus. Perhaps they have dyslexia, or Attention Deficit Disorder, or some other learning difference that shapes how they process information.

In fact, there are so many unknowns about how people learn that we should no longer use the word "dumb."

Yet we can still use the word "worst." The worst kid in class doesn't listen to the teacher, follow directions, finish assignments, complete homework or refrain from distracting classmates with misbehavior.

But Carson also fumbled. As a general rule, presidential candidates should not invite children to identify those classmates who struggle academically.

Why? Because this could be the first time in recorded history that a group of 10-year-olds are actually listening to an adult and do what they're told.

Sure enough. In this case, about a half-dozen kids pointed to one student.

That's the young man that the Manhattan literati is sure will wind up in therapy down the road, thanks to Carson. The boy's name was Seth, and  according to reporters  the candidate later sought him out and gave him a pep talk.

Putting his hand on Seth's shoulder, Carson told the boy: "You're gonna be a neurosurgeon, OK? But all you have to do to turn it around: Read."

He told the boy that, as a kid, he threw himself into books.

"It didn't take long before I knew more than all those people who said I was dumb," he said. "So you do that too, OK?"

Excellent prescription.

The two of them then posed for a picture together, which the Carson campaign quickly tweeted with a message from the candidate: "This young man will go on to do great things in life. Nice to meet you Seth!"

Good save. The exchange got off to a rocky start. But  even though most of the media missed the best part of the story  it turned into a sweet moment.

The New York liberals are right about one thing: Young Seth is likely to remember this encounter. It might just motivate him to do better in school. The rest of us should remember it, too. A politician was caught  not being evasive, narcissistic, antagonistic or cruel. Just being human. That's been a rare occurrence in this election.

But here, it may have been just what the doctor ordered.
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As we get ready to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. and his accomplishments, we can't help but agree that we are going backward when it comes to race in this country.

Don Montgomery, the local chairman of the Black American Political Association of California, expressed it well when he told our reporter, "In essence, Martin Luther King's dream hasn't been actualized at all."

There certainly are points in the spectrum of the discussion on race that indicate a remarkable progress. The election of Barack Obama, and then his re-election, was a pinnacle that many Americans thought might never happen, much less within 40 years of the death of Dr. King.

But across the land, just in the last year, we have seen acute public polarization on race in ways that have been hidden in the last generation.

Paramount has been the confrontations in communities like Chicago, Baltimore and Ferguson over the relationship between police and their black neighborhoods. It is impossible for whites to understand what it is like to be in a position where you are seen as a criminal suspect every single day, for every single crime, simply because of the color of your skin.

If you doubt this, then simply talk to any black parent, regardless of where they live or their economic status, about the conversations they have had with their sons about the inevitable moment in their lives when they are stopped by police.

Understand that this is driven as much by each of us, the average citizen, as it is by any police officer in uniform. When there is a report of police looking for a criminal suspect who they identify as black, then we good citizens are quick to call 911 on each and every black person we see.

The issue of race once again this year exploded all over the Academy Awards announcement when no person of color was nominated for any of the acting awards, and several extraordinary films about black culture, influence and issues were not deemed good enough for nomination.

And this is in an industry that, after last year, made a public and conscious announcement of efforts to celebrate diversity.

The issue exploded in our presidential campaign, thanks to Donald Trump. He characterized your neighbors who have come to this country from Mexico as criminals. He championed plans for the exclusion from our country of all those who worship in the Muslim faith, which easily leads to the demonization of an entire race who "look Muslim."

As Mr. Montgomery said last week, "All of these things are alarming."

That should not prevent us from celebrating Dr. King and his vision and contributions on Monday. His dream is one that is championed by millions of Americans each and every day of their lives. They live each day "to make real the promises of democracy ... to make justice a reality for all of God's children."

In our celebration, we must keep in mind the theme of this year's Oxnard march: "Let Us March on 'til Victory Is Won." It has been a long march. It will be a long march. But we will march on.
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The following editorial appeared in the (Minneapolis) Star Tribune on Tuesday:

The reaction to armed protesters who have occupied federal buildings in Oregon for the past two weeks offers a new example of a sensitive practice: how law enforcement uses discretion to enforce the law.

Authorities have shown considerable patience with the occupation by a small band of self-proclaimed "militia" in Oregon. Led by brothers Ammon and Ryan Bundy, the group originally protested the imminent incarceration of ranchers Dwight and Steve Hammond, who were convicted in 2012 of committing arson on public lands. But the pair reported to serve their time last week and disassociated themselves from the protest.

Still, the group continues its armed occupation of a federal site  the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge. As a result, local schools and other public services in the area closed all last week and reopened on Monday. The refuge, of course, remains closed.

Bundy and his group say that they're staying put  and that they will use their firearms if authorities try to remove them. They argue that the land doesn't belong to the federal government, but to the people. It is public property, they say, that local farmers and ranchers should be able to use as they see fit.

Here's where the discretion comes in: The group, which calls itself Citizens for Constitutional Freedom, is clearly breaking the law on several levels. The Constitution provides judicial and political paths to resolving land issues but includes no support for armed occupations.

And as many have noted, there are good questions about how law enforcement discretion is applied. The gun-toting demonstrators are largely white ranchers, farmers and ex-military members. Just how long would armed Black Lives Matter demonstrators be allowed to occupy public buildings?

Of course, each situation is different, and officials must make these kinds of discretionary choices accordingly. Minneapolis officials, for example, made the right call during a recent BLM protest at an area police station to allow some laws to be broken in the larger interest of protecting the safety of all involved and preventing a more dangerous disturbance. Yet, ultimately, members of the community and others stood with officials to list the reasons why the 24/7 occupation of a public street needed to end. And, after three weeks, authorities moved in to peacefully remove the protesters.

The Oregon protest is taking place in a more remote area. Still, it has led to school and other service disruptions. And citizens from a variety of groups  including American Indians who use the land and even the Mormon church (some protesters are Mormon and claim church scripture supports their actions)  have denounced the occupation and told demonstrators to go home.

No one wants the standoff to become another Ruby Ridge or Waco-type shootout that results in multiple injuries or deaths. In part because of the location, authorities can wait out the protesters.

But once this stunt peacefully concludes, authorities have another discretionary decision to make. In 2014, protesters led by the Bundys' father, Cliven Bundy, got away with aiming rifles at federal officers during a similar standoff over land rights. Authorities should not send another message that armed occupations are OK. This time, there should be charges.
photos by KAREN QUINCY LOBERG/THE STAR Greg Kahmann (from left) awaits a meeting with Michale Wear, Jeff Simpson, Nick Weissner and Colin Volpe at Freedom House in Oxnard.

SHARE Andre Fleder (from left) and Jeremy Ellis look at pictures that Jeff Simpson, director and founder at Freedom House, a sober living facility, in Oxnard, shows them from his recent trip to the Sierras. The home has been sold and Simpson is looking for a new facility. George Curtis, a resident of Freedom House sober living home for men in Oxnard, lives in a transitional housing structure behind the main house that is being sold. KAREN QUINCY LOBERG/THE STAR Philip Brooks (from left), Michale Wear and Bob Cabler enjoy a smoke at the back of Freedom House in Oxnard from which residents will soon be displaced. The home has been sold and the director is looking for new house to run the program from. KAREN QUINCY LOBERG/THE STAR Cody Lackershire checks the calendar in the living room of Freedom House in Oxnard. After 18 years at the current location, founder and owner Jeff Simpson must find a new facility because the current house has been sold.

By Mike Nelson

George Curtis had endured "a lifetime" of drugs and alcohol abuse, until he arrived at Freedom House. Now, clean and sober, he operates food pantries to serve downtown Oxnard.

Bob Cabler was tired of being in and out of jail for 26 years. Now he manages Freedom House, the sober living facility where he, Curtis and dozens of men have received help.

Since 1998, Freedom House  a sober living facility in Oxnard's Historic District  has helped dozens of men get their lives back in order, usually after they'd battled substance abuse, mental illness and/or too many years of "in and out of jail."

But that service is now in jeopardy, because the home from which it operates has been sold by the owner, with escrow due to close in February. Which means a new site  preferably, close to the current home at F and Fifth Streets  must be located, soon.

"It's all about the clients, and keeping them clean, safe and sober," says Jeff Simpson, Freedom House's 59-year-old founder-director who, admittedly, "gets very emotional" when discussing its uncertain future.

"God gave me a vision to do something positive by operating Freedom House," he says in a halting voice, "and it's worth every second. It's not making me rich financially. But to see these guys here learn what it means to get and stay sober? To hear from a guy who's a former client and now has a family, a job? That's how I get rich."

Freedom House residents (up to 21 at a time) are adult men referred by providers of substance abuse and mental health programs after their supervised release (in some cases, early release) from local courts for substance abuse crimes and/or parole violations. Their goal: becoming sober and productive in society.

Telecare, a national service provider with offices in Ventura, referred 10 of Freedom House's current residents and has established a solid working relationship with Simpson.

"It's very important that Freedom House continues to exist," says Dr. Courtney Stallings, clinical director of Telecare in Ventura. "For this population, stability is so important in helping them get their lives back in order. And it's upsetting for these men to be faced with relocation. Freedom House is a safe place for them."

'God has blessed me'

Simpson had been a client of Primary Purpose, a state-licensed rehabilitation facility until it declared bankruptcy in 1995. Grateful for the help he received in turning his life around, Simpson began Freedom House in 1998, hoping to serve men in similar situations.

"God has blessed me with the strength to recover from my own addiction, and that's my motivation for helping others," he says, sitting in the parlor of the 1920s turret-bedecked home, surrounded by a number of Freedom House's client-residents.

"I stay up at night worrying, what will these guys do if they don't have this place? Go back to jail? Live on the streets?"

Residents  who work, volunteer and/or go to school during their stays (90 days minimum)  forthrightly discuss the demons they have faced, and how Freedom House has helped them.

Cabler, the 62-year-old facility manager, credits faith and Freedom House with helping him straighten out a life plagued by 26 years of drug and alcohol use. "I was on my last legs, looking for a new life," he says. "Freedom House made the difference. I did the program, and with the help of my Lord Jesus, I stay on it, and try to help these guys stay on the right path."

Like Gary Arellano, a 42-year-old resident for three months, after eight years of homeless living in Ventura, deeply into drinking, drugs, and jail. "Freedom House has changed my perspective," he says. "I don't want to be homeless anymore."

"Here, you have a chance to grab sobriety," says Curtis, 70, who came to the house several years ago, following years of "off and on" drug use. "Without this place, I'd have never made it."

Andre Fleer, 39, says Freedom House is helping him recover from two decades of drug use and jail time. "I lost my boat because of my addiction," he says, "and now I've got it back, so I can hopefully begin a commercial fishing business."

Colin Volpe, 34, has learned "patience, how to take one day at a time" in his two-month residency. He admits the structure of daily meetings, adhering to 12-step programs, a "zero tolerance" policy and "a lot of personalities in a small space" can be challenging, but also positive.

"There is good camaraderie here," he says. "And I am able to help others as well as receive help."

The future

Now operating on a month-to-month lease the past two years, Simpson is working with the home's real estate agent to find new quarters for Freedom House, preferably close to the current location. "Eighty percent of our clients rely on the buses, and we're close to the Oxnard Transportation Center, to stores and the AA facility, the places they need," he says.

He has learned  with difficulty, he admits with a smile  that at life's most challenging times, prayer and faith make a difference.

"There's got to be help for us out there," he says firmly. "I worry about these guys, and about where will we go, and how this work will continue. But God will take care of us. When you do the right thing, it always works out."


On November 26, about 60 at-risk students from Von Tobel Middle School who are enrolled in After-School All-Stars Las Vegas enjoyed a hot Thanksgiving lunch served by Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman and Councilman Bob Beers as well as local Television anchors (Pictured: Gabriel from Von Tobel Middle School with Mayor Carolyn Goodman  Photo credit: Bryan Steffy/for After-School All-Stars).

Photo credit: Bryan Steffy/for After-School All-Stars.

Photo credit: Bryan Steffy/for After-School All-Stars.

Photo credit: Bryan Steffy/for After-School All-Stars.

Photo credit: Bryan Steffy/for After-School All-Stars.

Photo credit: Bryan Steffy/for After-School All-Stars.

Photo credit: Bryan Steffy/for After-School All-Stars.

Photo credit: Bryan Steffy/for After-School All-Stars.

Photo credit: Bryan Steffy/for After-School All-Stars.

Photo credit: Bryan Steffy/for After-School All-Stars.

The After-School All-Stars mission is to provide free comprehensive after-school programs that keep children safe and help them achieve in school and in life. After-School All-Stars provides at-risk youth the opportunity to participate in sports, educational, cultural and community enrichment programs; to build confidence and self-esteem; to encourage youth to say no to gangs, drugs, and violence, and yes to hope, learning and life. Visit the After-School All-Stars web site to learn how you can donate and volunteer.


This week, critically acclaimed actress and two-time Golden Globe nominee Alicia Vikander attended the world-famous O by Cirque du Soleil in Las Vegas just hours before receiving her highly anticipated Oscar nomination, which was also announced this week (Photo credit: Cashman Photography).

The Danish Girl and Ex Machina actress was spotted with her family at the 9:30 p.m. show inside the Bellagio, applauding throughout the performance as the cast performed in, on and above a 1.5 million gallon pool of water.

Following the show, Vikander was invited backstage for an exclusive photo opportunity with members of the cast. She thanked them for their amazing performance before leaving the theater.

Vikander was in Las Vegas filming the new Bourne movie with fellow actor , who was also spotted in town a couple days ago.
Arabian scholars hail China's Arab Policy Paper, stating that its issuance comes at a time when the Arab world is experiencing turmoil and hardship. (Photo : Reuters)

Scholars from Arab nations lauded the recently issued policy paper of China setting out development strategies with the Arab world, the Xinhua News Agency reported.



"Affirming its intention to cooperate with each of these states taking into account their local characteristics, China makes sure to reiterate its rejection to extremism, ostracism and the spread of ideas contrary to good neighborhood with the rest of mankind," Algerian financial analyst and political expert Ferhat Ait Ali shared.



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Ali hailed China's recognition of the Arab region as a new avenue of potential economic forces rather than a source of intrinsic commodity.



For Emad Eddin Hussein, a political expert and editor-in-chief of the Cairo-based newspaper Shorouk, the Arab Policy Paper provides "a clear vision and a specific framework for the Arab-Chinese ties and the Chinese policy toward the Arab world," the report cited.



Hussein also emphasized that "there is a heritage of distinguished human relations and favorable sentiments and friendliness between the Chinese and the Arabs."



Apart from the development strategies, the paper noted the vast common interests that bind China and the Arab nations, additionally citing their deep historical ties.



Hussein pointed out that China does not have any colonial history in the Arab world nor does its residents have issues or conflicts with his fellow Arabs.



"The positive mental image of China in the eyes of Arabs reassures Arabs about China as a strong strategic partner without fearing any kind of hegemony," he said.



Meanwhile, Palestinian political analyst Samer Anabtawi hailed that China has won acclaims from the Palestinian side as it has always suggested political solutions for regional conflicts.



Anabtawi said that the issuance of the Arab Policy Paper comes in a perfect time as the Arab world is currently facing hardship and turmoil.



The paper, issued on Wednesday, encapsulates the blueprint for the further development of China-Arab ties.


At around 10:17 am on Friday, Choat Anthony Paul, a 38-year-old Australian passenger, was waiting for his flight to depart on the second floor of the international terminal at Tan Son Nhat when he suddenly threw his baggage and himself off the building, an airport representative told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper.

Paul landed on a flower bed planted in the airport lobby, the representative added.

The passenger was waiting for the flight 9W067 operated by Indian carrier Jet Airways from Ho Chi Minh City to Bangkok, Thailand, which will take off at 6:45 pm the same day, according to police reports.

Bystanders said that they could not prevent the man from jumping as the incident happened too quickly.

Airport authorities swiftly took Paul to Cho Ray Hospital, the largest general hospital in the southern city, to provide him with immediate medical treatment.

Police also arrived to seal off the scene to investigate the case, and operations at the airport were back to normal an hour later.

The Australian man has recovered after being taken care in the infirmarys emergency ward, explaining that he jumped off the floor because of his frustration over family problems, according to a report from police officers.

The case is still being probed.
In mid-January 2016, Ho Chi Minh City Export Processing and Industrial Zones (Hepza) granted investment certificates to two FDI projects, with the total registered investment capital of more than $30 million. The first is the $4.4 million (packaging and production project) packing production project in Tan Phu Trung Industrial Park by Nippon Paper VHM Joint Stock Company. The company produces paper trays, glasses, and cups for export.

The second is the $25.6 million sauce and spice production project, a joint venture between Saigon Union of Trading Co-operatives (Saigon Co.op) and Singaporean Wilmar International Limited. At the signing ceremony two months ago, Saigon Co.ops representative said that it was strong in manufacturing the Black Cat brand of sauces and spices. The companys products are present in the US, Canada, and European markets. Besides, the representative of Wilmar expected that the new factory will enhance the two parties competitive capacities and simultaneously promote the development of the sauce and spice production industry.

Previously, the management board of Saigon Hi-Tech Park (SHTP) licensed Malaysia-based United More Sdn Bhd to implement its $21 million Aureumaex Precious Plastic Vietnam project. The 13-hectare factory will produce plastic parts for Samsung LCD and LED TV panels. The factory will push out approximately 12 million products a year following its expected start of operation in June 2016.

Hepza has plans to attract $700 million FDI in 2016, prioritising hi-tech and supporting industry projects, as well as four key industries, namely mechanical engineering, electronics, chemistry, and rubber, plastics and food processing, said Hepzas representative.

The representative added that numerous existing enterprises operating in the garment and textile and the supporting industry, as well as the electronics sector have plans to expand operations to take advantage of opportunities presented by Vietnams joining a multitude of free trade agreements. Although FDI is still low in Hepza, it is expected to surge in 2016, due to foreign investors increasing interest in Ho Chi Minh City in general and in Hepza in particular.

According to Le Hoai Quoc, head of SHTP, the park targets to attract $250 million as FDI in 2016. Licensed projects must meet the authoritys conditions/criteria on the use of high-technology, while investors must commit to implementing Reseach and Development programmes, supporting the domestic supply chains. Thus, in 2016, there will not be highlighted FDI deals, as in 2015. However, the attraction of joining the global manufacturing chain, once Samsung implements its project in Sai Gon Silicon City, will create light waves of FDI.
The ministry has collected more than VND1.9 trillion (US$87.2 million) in taxes from Germany's Metro Group after sale of its subsidiary Metro Cash and Carry Vietnam. - Photo kinhdoanhnet.vn

Minister of Finance Dinh Tien Dung, in a meeting held on December 14 in Ha Noi, said that of this figure, 22 per cent of the proceeds will be given to the HCM City's budget. The rest will be sent to the State budget, he added.

On January 7, Metro said TCC Land International Pte, Ltd, a subsidiary of Thailand's TCC Holding Company Ltd, acquired its complete operations in Viet Nam for 655 million ($713 million).

Metro Cash and Carry Vietnam told Viet Nam News that under the new ownership the wholesaler would operate under the old name and management and continue to serve over a million professional customers with the same products and services.

Metro came to Viet Nam in 2002 and now has 19 stores around country with more than 3,300 employees.
A general view of the Bangkok skyline. (AFP/Christophe ARCHAMBAULT)

BANGKOK: Four Mexican tourists were killed and six others were injured when their tour van crashed into a tree in central Thailand, police said Friday (Jan 15).

The accident happened in Phichit province late Thursday as the group travelled in a rental van from Bangkok to the historic Thai capital of Sukhothai.

"The driver lost control of the van and it veered off the road and into a tree. Four people died --two men and two women - while six are injured, one of them critically," a district policeman, Captain Patiwat Sonthirod, told AFP.

"I suspect the driver may have fallen asleep or he was not used to the road," he added.

Thailand has the second most dangerous roads in the world in terms of per capita deaths. The World Health Organization estimates about 24,000 people die each year in road traffic accidents.

Thirteen Malaysian tourists died in a bus crash before Christmas.
As many as 1,200 traditional square, sticky rice cakes will be made for needy people in the northern mountainous provinces of Son La, Ha Giang and Cao Bang as gifts for the Lunar New Year. - Photo menungon.com

The people, who include Buddhists, youth union members and artisans of Ha Tay District, plan to make around 1,200 cakes on January 30 and January 31, to present to needy people and those injured in war in the northern mountainous provinces of Son La, Ha Giang and Cao Bang as gifts for the Lunar New Year, which is celebrated between February 8 and February 10.

At traditional houses of Muong and Thai ethnic groups at the village, the groups will make their traditional cakes as well as perform customs of welcoming the Lunar New Year.

The organisers will install cay Neu (traditional lucky tree made of bamboo) to wish people luck and wipe off evils of the old year as well as receive peace and happiness for all ethnic groups in the new year.

The village is located in Son Tay District, 40 kilometres, to the west of the city centre.
Photo: Getty

Spokesman Binh made the statement on January 14 in reply to reporters questions on Viet Nams response to the attacks.

We convey our deep sympathies to the Indonesian Government and families of the victims, and we strongly believe that masterminds behind the attacks will be punished properly, the Spokesman said.

Right after the incident, the Vietnamese Embassy in Indonesia opened a hotline  0811 161 025 to receive information about possible Vietnamese victims and provide support if necessary.

According to the Embassy, no Vietnamese have been reported to be killed or injured during the bomb attacks and gunfights.
China serves as North Korea's biggest trading partner. (Photo : Reuters)

The Global Times reported that there is no truth to the alleged banning of Chinese products in North Korea, citing statements from witnesses who are Chinese people based in the region.



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On Monday, South Korea-based news outlet The Korea Times published an article saying that the North Korean government has prohibited its residents from "using products imported from China since December, and authorities have been monitoring their use of Chinese goods, cracking down on people in the streets."



Zhou Zhiran, a Pyongyang-based People's Daily correspondent, told the Global Times that it would be "impossible" for such thing to happen, noting that "most of North Korea's daily products, food and cars are imported from China."



"At many shops in Pyongyang, I found that Chinese products continue to be sold and nothing has changed," Zhou further shared.



The correspondent also revealed that many Chinese people living in North Korea told him that they have not received any information or news about the ban, nor have they observed any changes.



Moreover, Zhou said that Chinese products are rather very popular and competitive in the North Korean market. He cited the items' good quality and features that come at affordable prices.



Zhou also noted that amid the emergence of locally made products in the North Korean market, the country still imports majority of its goods from other countries, including Russia and China.



Echoing Zhou's sentiments, Lu Rui, a Pyongyang-based Xinhua News Agency correspondent, noted that the banning will unlikely take place as China remains North Korea's biggest trading partner.



"I have seen many made-in-China products when I visited a Pyongyang resident this year, including an electric cooker, range hood and cooking oil," Lu told the Hong Kong-based Phoenix TV.


An investigation into how a U.S. Army biodefense facility mistakenly sent live anthrax to nearly 200 labs in the U.S. and abroad found that no one person or event was directly responsible for the faulty shipments.

The live anthrax samples were sent from a military laboratory in the western state of Utah to commercial and military labs in all 50 U.S. states and nine other countries.

A combination of events, including gaps in science, institutional issues and personal accountability, when taken together, each contributed to this event, said Paul Owstrowski, the Army general who led the investigation.

That gap in accountability pointed to 12 people, including Brigadier General William King, who commanded the lab responsible for the shipments between 2009 and 2011. King was faulted for actions that, according to the report, perpetuated a complacent atmosphere'' among lab workers.

The science error was the Army's use of gamma radiation to activate and deactivate anthrax spores. That's been the Army's practice for at least the last 10 years, but irradiating the spores can leave them unusable for testing purposes.

If you irradiate something so much, it destroys the cell, it destroys the proteins, it destroys the markers. So then if you try and test for that live agent, its not there, said General Brian Lein, commander at the Army's Medical Research and Materiel Command.

So while the anthrax isnt live, it isnt useful either, because those cells and proteins are needed to test against potential vaccines  thats a major reason the Army keeps deadly agents like anthrax.

If too little radiation is used, as the shipment scandal showed, live anthrax could show up.

With the review complete, the Army is working with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to research new methods to deactivate the spores, from superfreezing to using a different type of radiation other than gamma radiation.

Weve got to validate and determine: Is the mechanism that were using actually inactivating it to a level of surety that we can provide to the public and everybody else that what were shipping is safe? Lein said.

Despite the serious breach, the report found the shipments never posed a risk to public health, thanks to the safeguards in the way the anthrax was shipped. In addition, the military said the concentration of the anthrax samples was too low to infect the average healthy person.

The Army has "very high confidence" that all shipments that contained live anthrax were found and destroyed.
Armed men attacked a food convoy in northern Mali on Friday and four attackers and two soldiers were killed, as Islamist militants step up a violent campaign.

The convoy was transporting food for people displaced by insecurity in the West African state. Three soldiers were wounded and three attackers were arrested, military sources said.

"While vigorously fighting back, the FAMA [Malian armed forces] killed four terrorists and wounded three," a Ministry of Defense statement said.

Further south, armed men attacked the village of Dioura in the more central region of Mopti, said the ministry of defense.

"Armed men entered the area shooting everywhere," said Diarran Kone, the ministry spokesman. He said at least one person had been killed.

Militants based in the desert north killed 20 people in an attack on a luxury hotel in the capital on Nov. 20, 2015, and kidnapped a Swiss citizen from a house in Timbuktu on Jan. 8.

Tuareg separatists seized control in the north in 2012 before ceding power to Islamist militants. French-led forces drove the Islamists out of the cities a year later, but militants continue to stage attacks.

The government and rebel leaders signed a peace accord in June 2014 intended to address the separatists' grievances but it is yet to be implemented in full.

Mali's army has frequently been attacked, with 82 soldiers killed in 2015.
Nelson Zaragoza came to the United States 36 years ago, when Democrat Jimmy Carter was president.

He arrived illegally from El Salvador and years later earned his U.S. citizenship. But now, standing across the street from the White House in a bright yellow shirt, sunglasses and a brown hat, he is in his first day of no food.

"I think I'm going to lose some of the pounds I need to lose," he said. "At least they are going to listen."

Zaragoza and three others are fasting, in hopes the White House listens to their plea to stop recent immigration raids. Over the course of two days earlier this month, the Obama administration raided homes in three Southern states and arrested more than 120 undocumented immigrants from Central America.

White House spokesman Josh Earnest says the immigrants who are being deported have exhausted their legal remedies, and the administration is targeting criminals.

"This is consistent with the way we've described our priorities, that we are seeking to deport felons, " Earnest said, "not break apart families."

The second part of the deportations, says Earnest, is at the border. People recently crossing into the U.S. are also "priorities for removal," he said.

'Raids politically motivated'

Over the past few years, more than 100,000 people have fled gang violence, political unrest or other bad situations and entered the southern United States illegally.

Immigration judges have had trouble keeping up with the cases.

Oftentimes, immigrants failed to show up for hearings, then disappeared.

The United States built detention centers to house the most recent immigrants, but quickly ran out of beds and space for the constant flow across the border.

In early January, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents targeted immigrants who have crossed the border since 2014 and who had been ordered out of the country by an immigration judge.

Those arrested had "exhausted all appropriate legal remedies, said Jeh Johnson, Homeland Security secretary.

As a result of the recent raids, 77 people were deported to Honduras, Guatemala and Mexico.

"Wow. Seventy-seven? That's hardly anybody, said Dan Stein, president of the Federation for American Immigration Reform. Seventy-seven people came into this country illegally since we started talking."

President Barack Obama has always encouraged illegal immigration by rewarding it, but now has started the raids for political reasons, Stein says.

"Obama sees [Republican presidential candidate Donald] Trump mowing down opponents, so he is taking steps to provide assurances to the American people that someone has to go home," Stein said.

Watch: Supreme Court Could Decide Immigration Dispute

'Sowing discord'

Hillary Clinton, a Democratic presidential candidate and former secretary of state under Obama, denounced the administration's raids as "divisive" and "sowing discord and fear."

Democratic candidate Bernie Sanders wrote a letter to the president, asking for the raids to stop and for the country to protect the immigrants.

Meanwhile, Trump applauded the raids and took partial credit for them, claiming the pressure he placed on the administration had resulted in the deportations.
Cooperation among the United States, South Korea and China is key to international efforts to denuclearize the Korean Peninsula, a former U.S. envoy who led nuclear negotiations with North Korea said.

While international talks over how to achieve the denuclearization have remained deadlocked for many years, Pyongyang appears to have made progress on its nuclear weapons program. Last week, the communist country conducted its fourth nuclear test.

Christopher Hill, former U.S. assistant secretary of state, told VOA on Thursday that the three countries should not "allow North Koreans to create any divisions" among them, saying the countries hold "keys" to resolving the issue.

Hill led the U.S. delegation that reached a nuclear deal with North Korea in September 2005, where Pyongyang pledged to abandon all nuclear weapons and existing nuclear programs in return for economic aid and other incentives.

Trilateral cooperation necessary

The former envoy said China is an "important element" of sanctions on North Korea. However, Hill added, the international community and China appear to disagree on how much leverage Beijing is using on Pyongyang.

Beijing believes it is using more than enough leverage against its ally, but many countries see it as inadequate, according to Hill.

On Friday, Beijing said it would support the U.N. sanctions against Pyongyang. This was the first time Beijing had publicly expressed its support for the U.N. action in response to Pyongyang's nuclear test.

At the same time, the latest nuclear test sparked criticism that the Obama administration's containment policy of "strategic patience" has failed to stop Pyongyang's nuclear development. Some critics have suggested Washington should steer its focus toward preventing Pyongyang's nuclear proliferation, instead of seeking complete denuclearization.

Bill Richardson, former U.S. ambassador to the U.N., told VOA this week that the U.S. should pursue a deal with North Korea that would scale back Pyongyang's nuclear program.

"I think we need to change our policy like we did with Iran," Richardson said.

Hill dismissed the idea as unrealistic.

"I don't believe there's any real prospect of containing North Korea's nuclear programs at some low level of programs. I think they must be discontinued," said the envoy.

Technical requirements

When asked about why Kim Jong Un might have chosen this time to conduct the test, the former diplomat cited "internal technical matters," in reference to necessary steps required for Pyongyang's nuclear weapons program.

"I think it probably had to do with a testing program his military has set out," Hill said.

He added that North Korea's internal politics also might have played a role in Kim's decision.

"I think the testing program, which enrages the rest of the world, actually is perceived in North Korea as a sign of Kim Jong Un's strength," Hill said.

The United States and North Korea have been at odds over Pyongyang's nuclear development since the early 1990s. Multistate talks involving the United States, China, Russia, Japan and two Koreas have ended in failure. The last round of the talks was held in late 2008.
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), a regional bloc, has sharply condemned the terrorist attacks in Burkina Faso that left 23 people dead, including three of the jihadists, and at least 30 injured.

Officials say security officers rescued 126 hostages at the Splendid Hotel where the attack took place.



The local al-Qaida affiliate known as AQIM claimed responsibility as the attack was ongoing, according to the SITE Intelligence Group, which monitors jihadist activity.



ECOWAS monitoring

Haruna Warkani, a spokesman for ECOWAS, says the groups officials are monitoring the situation after expressing condolences to President Roch Marc Christian Kabore and the people of Burkina Faso over what he described as a dastardly act of terrorism on a member country.



He says ECOWAS will continue to assist the government in Ouagadougou following the attacks.



This is an act that is always condemnable by ECOWAS because, by our statutes, we do not accept any acts of terrorism, said Warkani.  Terrorism is no longer a national issue of any country, it is a regional and global issue, which ECOWAS has always said we intend to attack such globally... .ECOWAS is doing everything possible to make sure its mitigated anywhere in the region.



To the people of Burkina Faso, ECOWAS truly stands by them and they should be assured that at all times ECOWAS will be available there to assist... For who lost their lives we offer unreserved sympathy, and for those who have been injured we wish them a speedy recovery, said Warkani.

Warkani said ECOWAS will soon unveil a bolstered security strategy as part of efforts by regional heads of states and governments to combat terrorism.



Regional issue



He says attacks by the Nigerian-based Islamists militant group Boko Haram, which often carry out cross border attacks in the region, would also be confronted following the joint partnership between Nigeria and its neighbors to combat and defeat the terrorist group.



This as the regional group recently encouraged member states to strengthen their security cooperation as well as intelligence sharing in a bid to thwart attacks from militant groups.



Warkani expressed concerns about the difficulty in managing insurgency because the extremists, he says, often strike unannounced at soft targets and when people least expect them, with an aim to create chaos, fear and undermine security.



The member states have been sufficiently galvanized to look at this as a regional problem rather than national and that is why you could see in the case of Boko Haram, for instance, ECOWAS has rallied round Nigeria to ensure that all neighboring countries cooperate very well to ensure some restrictions in movement and the rest of it. Similarly, when the Mali [attacks] occurred, ECOWAS has taken steps to ensure that these things dont keep repeating themselves, said Warkani.



You cannot predict [terrorist attacks] adequately and accurately at all times. But otherwise, ECOWAS stands to not only condemn this, but also take every step necessary to ensure that it doesnt repeat itself.
A joke being recycled in Egyptian media offers a glimpse into the state of press freedom five years after the uprising that ousted Hosni Mubarak: In Egypt, there is freedom of speech, goes the joke, but no freedom after speech.

January 25 will mark five years since the popular uprising that ousted President Mubarak and, after the brief presidency of Muslim Brotherhood leader Mohamed Morsi, ultimately brought former general Abdel Fattah el-Sissi to power.

Security forces this week arrested the administrators of more than three dozen Facebook pages on charges of inciting against state institutions and spreading the ideas of the Muslim Brotherhood as well as calling for marches on the coming January 25," Interior Ministry spokesman Abu Bakr Abdel Karim told Egyptian television Wednesday night.

Authorities Thursday detained and banned from travel Egyptian poet Omar Hazek as he attempted to board a plane for The Hague to accept an Oxfam Novib/PEN Award for Freedom of Expression. .

The same day, police raided the offices of the privately-owned news site Masr al-Arabia, arresting and later releasing its managing editor, and they detained a prominent doctor/social activist.

The arrests came as a Cairo court sentenced four journalists and a rights advocate to three years in prison each on charges of publishing false news and belonging to the Muslim Brotherhood.

Decreasing speech freedom

Media watchdogs say the political climate in Egypt is more repressive than ever.

Last December, when we conducted our annual census of the numbers of imprisoned journalists, Egypt was second only to China as the worlds worst jailer of journalists in 2015, said Sherif Mansour, Middle East and North Africa program coordinator for the Committee to Protect Journalists.

When we compiled our annual report for 2015, we found that Egypt was holding 23 journalists behind bars, compared to 12 just one year before. And since then, weve seen more and more journalists detained by the authorities, sentenced and referred for criminal charges, Mansour added.

Among those detained are Mahmoud Abou Zeid, widely known as Shawkan, 28, a photojournalist whose work has been featured by TIME, the BBC and other international outlets. He was arrested in August 2013 while covering clashes between Egyptian security and supporters of ousted president Mohamed Morsi at the Rabaa protest camp in Cairo. He has been held without trial ever since.

Symbols banned

Egypt's Cabinet this week also approved a draft presidential decree which would criminalize the possession and distribution of terrorist symbols. It would effectively outlaw the Rabaa - the four-fingered salute used by the Muslim Brotherhood - as well as the clenched fist symbol used by the April 6 Youth Movement

Penalties would include jail and fines of up to 30,000 Egyptian pounds - about U.S. $3,830.

In December 2013, following the ouster of then-president Morsi, Egypt listed the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organization and passed a number of harsh counter-terrorism laws that impose tough sentences on offenders.

In January 2014, Egyptians voted on a new constitution which contains several provisions guaranteeing freedom of expression and the press; however, it also authorizes media censorship in times of war or general mobilization and allows for imprisonment for the often broadly-interpreted charges of inciting violence, discrimination and defamation.

Restricted press freedom is not unique to Egypt. Across the Middle East, topics such as politics, religion and sexual matters are routinely censored. Reporters Without Borders places Egypt 158 out of 180 countries on its 2015 World Press Freedom Index  thats slightly better than Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Yemen, Iran and Syria, who place near the bottom.
Internet prostitution in China has dialed up with sex workers using forged identity cards, fake online identities and plastic surgery to pose as celebrities. (Photo : Reuters)

Internet prostitution in China has dialed up with sex workers using forged identity cards, fake online identities and plastic surgery to pose as celebrities. Crime gangs, who recruit these sex workers, then use these fake celebrity profiles for advertisements in social media platforms like WeChat and Weibo.



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Asiaone 20 reported that gangs have adopted such tactics to get around Chinese prostitution and pornography laws. Most importantly, fake profile scheme immensely boosts their revenues.



One such widely reported incident belongs to a sex worker named Qiao Shengyi. She claimed to be a beauty queen and a world-renowned model. She had plenty of online photo shoots, awards and interviews to boot; however, all such stories published on the internet were a hoax to lure potential customers and hike the charges demanded for escort services.



CCTV News reported that prostitutes paid considerable amounts for video and photo shoots so that their fake online identities could be carefully engineered. Furthermore, many also spent sums on plastic surgeries, mostly in South Korea, so that they could resemble real movie stars and thus perk up their incomes.



Both prostitutes and pimps have reportedly made good money out of their fake celebrity scheme. Asiaone 20 reported that sex workers posing as online divas make millions and own luxury cars.



Last year, Shenzen police busted a fake identity oriented sex racket involving fake actors and models. All the parties involved are presently in custody.



Chinese Police is worried about curbing the menace since fake profiles get uploaded onto the net without verification. They believe that internet prostitution would prove much harder to control than traditional prostitution.



China's Ministry of Public Security has initiated two national operations to combat this crime. So far, 108 suspects from 28 provinces and cities across China have been detained.


Iran and the United States each released prisoners Saturday in a complex swap agreed on just before diplomats in Vienna announced implementation of a nuclear pact between a group of global powers and Iran.

The freed Americans include Washington Post correspondent Jason Rezaian, held more than 500 days on espionage charges that have been refuted repeatedly by the U.S. government, his employer, family and friends.

A Christian pastor and an Iranian-American who was a member of the U.S. Marine Corps also were being freed. In all, Iran was to release five Americans, U.S. officials said.

Nuclear deal announcement expected

In Vienna, where diplomats gathered to await an announcement that the nuclear deal with Iran was being implemented, U.S. officials said the agreement on releasing prisoners was the outcome of 14 months of negotiations, concluded in the past 24 hours. They avoided describing the arrangement as a "swap" of prisoners, calling it instead a "humanitarian gesture."

The U.S. is releasing seven Iranians who were either were already in prison or were facing criminal charges for violating economic sanctions. A brief official statement in Washington said the United States was "offering clemency" to the seven, and also dropping charges against 14 other Iranians outside the country.

U.S. officials said they were dropping "red notice" arrest warrants filed with Interpol for the 14 Iranians, after "it was assessed that extradition requests were unlikely to be successful  apparently because they are in Iran.

Airbus deal

In another major development related to the unfolding story of the nuclear agreement's implementation and the prisoners' release, reports in the Middle East late Saturday said Iran was about to announce a deal with the European consortium Airbus to buy 114 passenger aircraft  a mammoth purchase that cash-starved Iran presumably could only afford once it is free from economic sanctions and resumes selling its extensive oil production on open markets.

Vienna meeting



U.S. officials including Secretary of State John Kerry were in Vienna Saturday, supposedly on the threshold of announcing full implementation of the landmark nuclear agreement between Tehran and the major powers  the United States, Britain, France, Germany, China and Russia.

The deal calls for Iran to curb its nuclear development program in exchange for the lifting of international sanctions that have hobbled its economy.

But as the day dragged on and details of the prisoner-exchange story came in from Tehran and other capitals, a U.S. official in Vienna said finalizing the nuclear agreement was awaiting "some technical clarifications currently taking place."

U.S. officials in the Austrian capital said the freed Americans were to be flown from Iran to Switzerland, and then to a U.S. military hospital in Germany for medical treatment.

The fourth prisoner Tehran released was identified as Nosratollah Khosravi-Roodsari, about whom little was immediately known. The fifth American leaving Iran, student Matthew Trevithick, had been detained for 40 days while he was in Iran for an intensive language program to increase his fluency in Dari, a language closely related to Farsi.

Tehran's public prosecutor, Abbas Jafari Dowlatabadi, said the prisoners' release was "in line with orders from the Supreme National Security Council."

The Washington Post's Rezaian, its Tehran bureau chief, was convicted of espionage in a secret trial last year, but his sentence never had been disclosed. He holds dual U.S. and Iranian citizenship.

Abedini, a pastor from the western U.S. state of Idaho, was detained in 2012 and accused of compromising Iran's national security, presumably because of Christian proselytizing in the Muslim country. He had previously been arrested in 2009 and released after promising to stop organizing churches in homes. When he was arrested in 2012, he was running an orphanage.

The U.S. Marine, Amir Hekmati, was arrested during a family visit to Tehran in 2011.

Robert Levinson



As part of the prisoner release, Iran agreed to try to determine the fate of Robert Levinson, a former U.S. FBI agent who disappeared there in 2007 while working on a project that has been linked to the Central Intelligence Agency. U.S. officials have said they are not sure he is still alive, but said that Iran has "committed to continue cooperating with the United States to determine the whereabouts of Robert Levinson."

The lengthy and complex negotiations with Iran about its nuclear program climaxed in an agreement announced last July, but there was no mention of the prisoners issue at the time. President Barack Obama and other senior U.S. officials have said they repeatedly demanded the release of Iran's American prisoners, but there was nevertheless widespread criticism of the administration for failing to secure a firm agreement on the prisoners' release.


An attorney in Republican Senator Ted Cruz's home city of Houston, Texas, has filed a lawsuit challenging his eligibility to serve as president of the United States because he was born in Canada.

The complaint was filed Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Houston by Newton B. Schwartz, 85.

Speaking to VOA by phone, Schwartz said that if Cruz goes on to win the nomination and the presidential election, it could create a constitutional crisis.

"Why would we want an ineligible candidate for president to win it?" he asked. "Can you think of the problems that would occur?"

Some major constitutional law experts have raised questions about Cruz's eligibility, citing the U.S. Constitution's requirement that a president be a "natural-born citizen."

This has traditionally been interpreted to mean a person born on U.S. soil.

Cruz's main rival for the Republican presidential nomination raised the issue in recent days. Billionaire real estate developer Donald Trump posed the question of what would happen if Cruz were declared ineligible after winning the nomination.

In Tuesday night's Republican presidential debate, amid a sharp exchange with Trump, Cruz answered Trump's challenge: "The facts and the law are really quite clear. Under long-standing U.S. law, the child of a U.S. citizen born abroad is a natural-born citizen. 

In the debate, Cruz also dismissed comments made recently by his onetime law professor at Harvard University, Lawrence Tribe, who has called the question of Cruz's eligibility to be president "murky and unsettled."

Cruz said Tribe was "a left-wing judicial activist" and a supporter of Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton.

The argument between Cruz and Trump marked a departure from what had been a chummy relationship between the two Republicans.

Cruz, Obama similarities

Cruz, who is favored by some polls to win the Iowa caucuses in February, was born of an American mother and a Cuban father in Calgary, in the province of Alberta, Canada, in 1970.

His case is similar to the one often made against President Barack Obama by some in the Republican Party's conservative wing, the source of much of Cruz's support.

The so-called "birthers" claimed Obama had been born in Kenya to a U.S. mother and Kenyan father. The state of Hawaii later disproved that by producing his birth certificate.

Schwartz does not buy the Cruz argument that any person born of at least one U.S. citizen parent abroad is a natural-born citizen.

"A natural-born citizen of the United States requires that you have to be born in the United States or overseas to an American citizen who is there furthering the work of the United States government," he said.

That means, according to Schwartz, that Senator John McCain, who was born in Panama and was the Republican presidential candidate in 2008, was eligible because his parents were U.S. citizens and his father was a Navy officer serving in what was then the U.S.-administered Panama Canal Zone.

The same would apply to U.S. diplomats serving in foreign countries, he said.

Schwartz said he has no partisan motivation in filing the suit and is eligible to do so as a U.S. voter.

He said he paid the $400 filing fee himself, with no involvement of anyone involved in politics. He said he has voted for both Republicans and Democrats for president in the past, although this year he favors Democratic candidate Bernie Sanders.

Doing Cruz a favor

Schwartz said getting this question of constitutional eligibility out of the way now could actually help Cruz.

"He should invite this lawsuit," Schwartz said. "I have done him a favor. All he has to do is appear in it and he may probably win it. But if he blocks it, showing that he does not want it brought up, for a politician, the last thing I would want to do is block a suit that enables me to declare that I am eligible [to be] president."

Past questions of eligibility

Challenges to a candidate's eligibility to be president are not new, but they are relatively rare.

Foes of President Chester Arthur claimed he had been born in Canada rather than Vermont, but he served in the White House from 1881 to 1885 without any serious challenge to his legitimacy, despite claims that persist to this day.

In 1964, Senator Barry Goldwater won the Republican presidential nomination even though questions were raised about his having been born in Arizona when it was still a territory and not a state. The question never gained much traction and was made moot when President Lyndon Johnson defeated Goldwater in a landslide.

Legal scholars say there is ambiguity in the words "natural-born citizen" that needs to be resolved.

If the lawsuit filed in Houston this week is challenged and ends up going to the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington, a clear judgment on the issue would resolve the matter not only for Cruz, but for any future presidential aspirant whose birth occurred outside the boundaries of the country.
Indonesian officials now say four civilians were killed and four militants died in last week's terrorist attack in Jakarta.

Officials said Sunday a bank employee has died of his wounds sustained in Thursday's attack by Islamic militants using bombs, grenades and guns against police and other targets.

Initial reports said five militants were killed, but officials now say one of them was actually a civilian killed during the clash, which left 34 people wounded..

One of the militants killed had previously been arrested for possessing ammunition during a visit to the country by U.S. President Barack Obama.

Indonesian national police chief Badrodin Haiti said 12 people connected to the Jakarta attacks were arrested Saturday in raids across the nation. Haiti said the group had received funding from unidentified sources within Islamic State, which has claimed responsibility for the attack.

Authorities say they have found evidence that additional attacks were planned in other cities against security personnel and foreigners.

Deadly terror attack



It was the worst terror attack in Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim country, since twin hotel bombings in Jakarta in 2009 that left seven people dead.

Other countries in the region scrambled to ramp up security measures in response to the most recent attack.

In neighboring Malaysia, police said Saturday they arrested a suspected member of Islamic State who confessed to plotting a suicide attack in the country. The 28-year-old suspect was detained at a train station in Kuala Lumpur.

Authorities said the suspect was in possession of weapons and had hung several Islamic State flags. But they gave no details about the alleged plot.
North Korea says it will stop conducting nuclear tests in exchange for a peace treaty with the United States and an end to joint military exercises between Washington and Seoul.

The proposal, published in North Korea's state media late Friday, is similar to previous offers by Pyongyang that have been quickly rejected by the U.S. and South Korea.

"Still valid are all proposals for preserving peace and stability on the peninsula and in Northeast Asia, including the ones for ceasing our nuclear test and the conclusion of a peace treaty in return for a U.S. halt to joint military exercises," said a newsreader on Pyongyang's state-run KRT TV, citing a Foreign Ministry spokesman.

US reaction



When asked about the proposal at a briefing Friday, U.S. State Department spokesman John Kirby said he had not heard about the offer.

"But look, we have significant alliance commitments with the Republic of Korea that we take very, very seriously, and were going to continue to make sure that the alliance is ready in all respects to act in defense of the South Korean people and the security of the peninsula," Kirby said.

North Korea last week conducted its fourth nuclear test, prompting near universal condemnation and further raising tensions on the Korean peninsula.

The test was the focus of a meeting Saturday in Seoul between U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Antony Blinken and South Korean Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Lim Sung-nam.

"We face a significant challenge, but we face it together, in solidarity, and we're grateful for the partnership between the United States and South Korea," Blinken said.

Earlier this week, the U.S. Congress passed legislation that seeks to deny the Pyongyang government the hard currency it needs for its nuclear weapons program by imposing stronger sanctions.
North Korea's top official, who disappeared from the public eye for three months, reappeared in public, according to reports Friday from the communist country's state-run media.

The Korean Central News Agency reported that Choe Ryong Hae, a close aide of leader Kim Jong Un, delivered a speech at an event held in the capital, Pyongyang, on Thursday.

Choe, who is secretary of the ruling Workers' Party, was once viewed as one of North Korea's most powerful figures.

He had not been seen in public since November, when his name did not appear on a list of attendees at a state funeral, sparking rumors that he might have been purged. South Korea's intelligence agency believes Choe underwent re-education during his absence, a lighter form of punishment than purge.

Return to power?

Whether Choe's reappearance in public means he has completely restored ties to power remains unclear.

South Korea's Unification Ministry appeared to lean toward the possibility of Choe's return, but did not confirm it, saying more information was needed.

Cheong Seong-chang, director of unification strategy at the Seoul-based Sejong Institute, said the reappearance was likely an indication that Choe has returned to power.

Koh Yu-hwan, a professor at Dongguk University who specializes in North Korea, said Choe's absence was shorter than expected, a possible reflection of Choe's influence within the regime.

"A lot of the elites that support Kim Jong Un may be under Choe's influence, and some of them even rose to power because of him," Koh said.

Choe has been widely seen as Pyongyang's point man on Beijing since the execution of Jang Song Thaek in December 2013. Jang, Kim's uncle, was known to have close ties to Chinese leaders.

Last September, Choe traveled to Beijing to attend a high-profile military parade on behalf of Kim.
The seven Iranian prisoners the United States agreed to swap Saturday for four Americans all were accused or convicted of violating economic sanctions against Iran aimed at forcing it to abandon any effort to build a nuclear weapon.

The U.S. said six of the seven held dual U.S.-Iranian citizenship and several of them had lived in the United States for years before drawing the attention of U.S. authorities who were investigating trade deals with Iran that were banned by the sanctions.

In addition, as part of the prisoner swap, the U.S. agreed to dismiss charges and end its alert notices with the international police agency Interpol against 14 other Iranians whom it believed it would not have been successful in extraditing to the U.S. for trial.

One of the seven Iranians freed was Nader Modanlo, a naturalized U.S. citizen who was born in Iran and is now in his mid-50s. He was the principal owner of an aerospace company outside Washington and was convicted of helping broker a deal that led to Iran's first orbiting satellite, a launch carried out in Russia in 2005.

Modanlo was convicted of violating the trade embargo, money laundering and obstruction of bankruptcy proceedings in 2013 and was serving an eight-year prison term, on top of being ordered to forfeit $10 million to the U.S. government.

A year ago, another of the Iranians, Ali Saboonchi, was sentenced to a two-year prison term for conspiring to violate the trade ban and seven counts of exporting American-manufactured industrial products to Iran. According to testimony at his trial, Saboonchi shipped the products to companies in China and the United Arab Emirates that then sent them on to Iran.

Cyber attack case

Nima Golestaneh was in a U.S. jail awaiting sentencing after pleading guilty last month of helping carry out a cyber attack on a U.S. defense contractor.

Another of the jailed Iranians freed Saturday, Arash Ghahreman, had won a visa lottery to enter the United States in 2006 and settled in his new homeland, obtaining U.S. citizenship and working at a shipyard in New York. But U.S. prosecutors said he ran afoul of the trade sanctions with a plan to export electronics to a Dubai company operated by a friend, knowing they would be shipped on to Iran. He is appealing his conviction and a 6-year prison term, saying he did not know the items were destined for Iran.

The other three Iranians, Bahram Mechanic and Tooraj Faridi, both of Houston, and Khosrow Afghahi of Los Angeles, were charged in a 24-count indictment last year with exporting $24 million worth of electronics to Iran that Tehran could have used in a range of military systems, including surface-to-air and cruise missiles.

It was unclear whether the seven would leave the U.S. for Iran, but they are free to stay in the United States.
Polls have closed in Taiwan, where voters cast ballots Saturday in elections that could bring historic changes to one of Asias most vibrant democracies.

Expectations are high that front-runner and opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) candidate Tsai Ing-wen could become the islands first female president.



Dealing with the islands biggest trading partner, China, and helping strengthen a faltering economy and wage stagnation - particularly for young workers - are some of the challenges Taiwans next leader will face.

Tsai cast her ballot early Saturday morning at Hsiu Lang Elementary School just outside the capital of Taipei.

We have done our best, now the result is in the hands of Taiwans voters, she said. I am confident, my whole team is confident and I believe all our supporters are confident.

As Tsai left the school, supporters clapped and some shouted Hello President!

According to most recent polls, Tsai enjoys a double-digit lead over her Nationalist Party (KMT) contender Eric Chu.

Its 100 percent certain. Were going to have a female president, said one elderly voter, Lin Hsitsai. Lin said hes hopeful that Tsai can help turn Taiwan around.

Look at how expensive real estate is these days. Do you really think that younger people can afford to buy a home?

Chen Tzu-hsuan, a first time voter, said it was exciting to cast her ballot.

Men have a higher position than women in society and if Taiwan gets its first female president that will be a major breakthrough for relations between men and women, Chen said.

The youth vote is expected to play a crucial role in the elections, not only for president, but in the legislature as well where the opposition DPP could win a majority for the first time ever.

I am hoping for change and I believe there will be change, said one elderly female voter surnamed Chen. Our lives have been gloomy for the past eight years. We really need more focus on the basic issues of peoples livelihood.

The KMT, which has been in power for eight years now in Taiwan and has always held a majority in the legislature has strengthened economic links with China.

The closer ties have boosted the islands tourism industry, but have also raised concerns about over-reliance on the worlds second largest economy, which is seeing its slowest growth in more than a quarter of century.

Despite lagging in the polls, KMT candidate Eric Chu voiced his confidence Saturday morning as well. Chu and his wife cast their ballots at a polling station not far from where Tsai voted.

"I believe everybody is doing his best in the elections. We are all doing our best. We will stand until the last second, Chu said.

China has not said much about the vote, but has said it will not work with any candidate who does not support the "one China" principle.

Taiwan and China split following a civil war in 1949. But Beijing still regards it as a breakaway province that will someday be unified with the mainland.
Taiwans voters elected Tsai Ing-wen Saturday as the islands first female president, delivering a crushing defeat to the Nationalist Party (KMT), which has focused heavily on growing relations with China since coming to power eight years ago.

Her independence-leaning Democratic Progressive Party also won a majority in the legislature for the first time, a development that could have a big impact on economic policies with China.



Speaking with the press shortly after her KMT opponent, Eric Chu, conceded defeat, Tsai pledged to maintain peace with the worlds second largest economy and maintain stable relations with Beijing.





Respect needed



Saturdays victory for Tsai was the biggest landslide since Taiwan began holding direct presidential elections. Tsai says the vote was a statement of the will of the Taiwanese people as a democratic country.



Our democratic system, national identity, international space must be respected, any forms of suppression will harm the stability of cross-strait relations, Tsai said.



China considers self-ruled Taiwan to be part of its (China's) territory and has threatened to use military force against the island if it ever sought formal independence.



Shortly after the results were announced, Chinas Taiwan Affairs Office, which is tasked with managing relations with Taipei, said it would continue to oppose any Taiwan independence activities.



A statement published by the state-run Xinhua news agency said Chinas determination to protect its territory was hard as rock.



Following a civil war in 1949, the Nationalist Party fled to Taiwan, where much like the Communist Party on the mainland, it ruled with an iron fist for decades.

But unlike China, Taiwan eventually allowed multi-party politics and democratized, holding its first democratic elections in 1996.



Tsai will assume office on May 20 and the new legislature will hold its first session in early February.



US congratulation



Washington congratulated Tsai and her party on the victory shortly after the results was announced.



We also congratulate the people of Taiwan for once again demonstrating the strength of their robust democratic system, according to a State Department statement. We share with the people of Taiwan a profound interest in the continuation of cross-Strait peace and stability.



Rise from ashes

The KMTs candidate, Chu, said he will resign as head of the party and has apologized for its loss in the elections.



"We've lost," Chu said in speech just hours after polls closed. "The KMT has suffered an election defeat. We haven't worked hard enough and we failed voters' expectations."



Chu pledged that the party would learn from its historic loss and rise again from the ashes.



Chus party not only lost the presidency by three million votes, but also lost 24 seats in the legislature.



Challenges ahead



Dealing with the islands biggest trading partner, China, and helping strengthen a faltering economy and wage stagnation  particularly for young workers  are some of the challenges Tsai will face in office and a key concern among voters.



Speaking with VOA shortly after he cast his ballot on Saturday, elderly voter Lin Hsitsai said he was hopeful that Tsai can help turn Taiwan around and address the problems the island is facing.



Look at how expensive real estate is these days. Do you really think that younger people can afford to buy a home? he said.



The KMT, which has been in power for eight years now in Taiwan and has always held a majority in the legislature has strengthened economic links with China.



The closer ties have boosted the islands tourism industry, but have also raised concerns about over-reliance on the worlds second largest economy, which is seeing its slowest growth in more than a quarter of century.



China has not said much about the vote, but has said it will not work with any candidate who does not support the "one China" principle.



Taiwan and China split following a civil war in 1949. But Beijing still regards it as a breakaway province that will someday be unified with the mainland.
The U.S. State Department confirmed details of the prisoner exchange with Iran in a statement issued Saturday afternoon:

Through a diplomatic channel that was established with the focus of getting our detained U.S. citizens home, we can confirm Iran has released from imprisonment four Americans detained in Iran: Amir Hekmati, Saeed Abedini, Jason Rezaian and Nosratollah Khosravi-Roodsari. Iran has also committed to continue cooperating with the United States to determine the whereabouts of Robert Levinson.



"We offered clemency to seven Iranians, six of whom are dual U.S.-Iranian citizens, who had been convicted or are pending trial in the United States. The United States also removed any Interpol red notices and dismissed any charges against 14 Iranians for whom it was assessed that extradition requests were unlikely to be successful.


The Islamic State terror group has gained worldwide infamy with its murderous exploits. It is called many different names by various people and organizations. ISIL, ISIS and IS are all commonly heard.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry used the Arabic term Daesh close to 20 times when referring to Islamic State extremists in a recent speech about 2016 foreign policy priorities.

The terrorist group known as Daesh  ISIL, some people call it, but theres nothing Islamic about it and theres nothing that merits being called a state, Kerry said Wednesday at the National Defense University.

The term Daesh is considered an insult that translates loosely to one who crushes something underfoot or one who sows discord. Islamic State militants hate the term and have vowed to kill anyone who uses it.

A U.S. official told VOA, The State Department uses both Daesh and ISIL, an acronym of Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, to refer to the terrorist organization, noting that the use of Daesh is common in the Mideast and in Arab countries.

A counterterrorism expert said that by using Daesh, a derogatory term, the U.S. denies this terrorist organization a respectful name.

Seth Jones, a former defense official and now an expert at the Rand Corporation global policy think tank, said that while most U.S. officials continue to use the term ISIL, a few have used Daesh for several reasons.

Denial of legitimacy

First, it is more consistent with the terminology used by Americas Middle East allies, he said. Second, it is viewed pejoratively by many within the group itself. Third, using Daesh does not give legitimacy  even perceived legitimacy  to the organizations claim that it is a veritable 'Islamic State.' 

Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott announced a year ago that he would begin referring to the terrorist group as Daesh.

Daesh hates being referred to by this term, and what they dont like has an instinctive appeal to me, Abbott said.

In October 2014, Kerry was heard using the name Daesh after an international coalition was formed to degrade and destroy the militants.

Not everybody will play a military role or a direct kinetic role. Some will help with respect to the delegitimization of Daeshs claims with respect to religion, said Kerry after meeting with Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Hassan Shoukry at that time.

The top U.S. diplomat strategically brandishes the term as a verbal insult, and its usage is becoming increasingly noticed and used by others.
Wei Hong (Photo : English.sina.com)

The Communist Party of China's Central Commission deputy chief, Wu Yuliang, said at a Friday press conference that the party is investigating Sichuan Province Governor Wei Hong. The probe is over suspicion that the top official of the south-western Chinese province committed severe disciplinary violations.



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That term is the party's politically correct word for corruption. It is part of the anti-corruption campaign launched by Chinese President Xi Jinping, reports Time.



However, beyond announcing the start of the probe, Wu did not provide more details of the alleged breach of discipline that the 61-year-old Sichuan governor committed.







Meanwhile, in another corruption case, China confirmed that the brother of a former aide to ex-Chinese President Hu Jintao, Ling Wancheng, has fled to the U.S. although he is not accused of any wrongdoing.



It is the ex-aide, Ling Jihua, who had been jailed and accused of corruption, adultery and obtaining state secrets illegally. However, officials say he could have access to sensitive information about the national leadership. Had he asked for political asylum, Ling Wancheng then would be the most significant Chinese defector in decades, notes the Wall Street Journal.



But Liu Jianchao, a senior office of the party's anti-corruption agency, says that relevant departments from China are communicating with the U.S. A spokesman of the U.S. Justice Department declined to provide details of the discussion, but adds, "The United States and China regularly engage on law enforcement matters of mutual concern, including fugitives and anticorruption."


Zambias president, Edgar Lungu, has directed members of the governing Patriotic Front Party (PF) to avoid commenting on issues of tribalism.

His comments were made after Information Minister Chishimba Kambwili was quoted as saying people in some parts of Zambia would not vote for Jesus even if he were to compete against somebody that theyve been voting for during elections.



His remarks were made during a program on the state broadcaster, Zambia Broadcasting Cooperation. Kambwilis comments drew sharp reaction from a section of the population that accused him of fanning tribalism and regionalism ahead of this years general election.



Issues of tribalism and regionalism emerged in the run up to the presidential by-election following the death of President Michael Sata. Civil society groups say some political parties thrive on tribalism and regionalism as a divide and conquer tactic to canvass for votes as part of their campaign strategy.



Frank Bwalya, a Catholic priest who is deputy spokesman for the PF, contends that voting patterns in last years presidential vote showed deep-seated regional and tribal sentiments. He adds that there appears to be an increased sensitivity of tribalism and regionalism ahead of this years polls. Bwalya however said the presidents call does not mean the ruling PF is fanning tribalism.



People react sharply to anything where even just even the term tribalism is mentioned, and of late this has heightened in the country, he said.



The president is not saying our members as a ruling party have been engaging in tribalism or issuing tribal statements. Not at all, but that they should stop talking about tribalismThe president is putting his foot down not only to members of the governing party, in terms of urging them not to make any comment on tribalism. But also, for all Zambians to realize that this is a very unproductive undertaking. And with him promoting one Zambia, one nation that everyone should come on board and promote what is common about our people.



Opposition groups have questioned the timing of the presidents directive. They said he served as a Cabinet minister as well as president and is fully aware of the situation in the country. They argue that his directive is a public relations exercise merely to win votes in the runup to the election.



The president has been very clear, categorical about his position against tribalism in our country and he has continued to call upon all Zambians to desist to engage in anything or making any statements that would be divisive that would be understood as tribal, said Bwalya.



He thinks its the right time to send a strong warning to PF members to ensure that they dont comment on tribalism. Because our members are being accused of accusing other people of tribalism even when what they say is not necessarily accusing other people of tribalism, but simply condemning tribalism because it is a vice that should be condemned.



Civil society groups warn that if not quickly resolved, the use of tribalism and regionalism could undermine the countrys social unity fabric. Bwalya says some Zambians appear to be unwilling to confront tribalism because of political benefits.



As a party, we have no problem talking about tribalism, nevertheless the president has directed that we should not because it is generating very unhealthy, and in many cases very heated debate, he said.



We have never counted on tribalism as a mechanism or system to win elections and we have been in the forefront condemning it, and urging all Zambians to condemn it. Other civil society organizations for other reasons best known to themselves have aligned themselves and fashioned their messages in a manner that clearly show that they have no problem with tribalism.




Burkina Faso government officials say the siege of an upscale hotel in the capital by suspected Islamist militants is over, leaving at least 23 people from 18 countries dead.

Authorities said Saturday 126 hostages were rescued in the security operation at the Splendid Hotel and at least 30 of the rescued hostages were wounded.

Officials say three jihadists were also killed in the operation at the Splendid hotel. A fourth was found and killed later in a nearby hotel. Officials say two of the four jihadists were women.

Burkina Faso President Roch Marc Christian Kabore, who took office last month, visited the hotel Saturday where he called the attack "cowardly and vile."

French support



Government troops along with their French counterparts battled the militants to retake the hotel popular with foreigners and U.N. staff in Ouagadougou after the gunmen raided the building late Friday.

Elite security forces stormed the hotel in a raid that began about five hours after gunmen attacked the Splendid Hotel in Ouagadougou. A fire was seen blazing in the lobby of the hotel after the raid began.

Early Saturday, authorities said 10 bodies were discovered near a cafe that was attacked by the militants.

French President Francois Hollande has condemned the "odious and cowardly attack." A statement from Hollande's office Saturday said Hollande has "expressed his full support to President (Roch Marc Christian) Kabore." Burkina Faso is a former French colony.

"It is continuing at this time. We are trying to know how many attackers they are to better coordinate our actions. Hostages have been taken. The operation could take several hours," the officer said, asking not to be named.

The local al-Qaida affiliate known as AQIM claimed responsibility as the attack was ongoing, according to the SITE Intelligence Group, which monitors jihadist activity.

A U.S. defense official said AFRICOM, the U.S. military command center for Africa, was monitoring the situation, and that all U.S. defense personnel were accounted for, contradicting some reports that U.S. military personnel were sheltering in the hotel.

U.S. State Department spokesman John Kirby said the U.S. "strongly condemns the attack," and the U.S. Embassy in Ouagadougou "is making every effort to account for U.S. citizens in the city."

Video from the attack scene:

Burkina Faso has endured bouts of political turmoil since October 2014 when President Blaise Compaore was overthrown in a popular uprising. Last September, members of a presidential guard launched a coup that lasted about a week. The transitional government returned to power until Burkina Faso's November election ushered in new leaders.

However, Islamist militants have carried out attacks at similar hotels in neighboring Mali, including one on the Radisson Blu hotel in November that left 20 people dead.
A senior academic and politician says the possible collapse of the Zanu PF government due to intra-party fighting as well as an unrelenting economic crisis could result in civil war in the country as this often happens in Africa and across the world when dictatorships fall.

But ruling party supporters have dismissed such suggestions as wishful thinking.

Speaking in Bulawayo at a conference to audit the countrys devolution process Dr. Themba Dlodlo, a physics lecturer, said Zimbabwe is in a crisis as a result of the incompetence of a government in which too much power is vested in one person.

Dr. Dlodlo, who is also a politician, asserted that Zimbabwe is under a dictatorship and its possible collapse as a result of the infighting within the ruling Zanu PF, as well as an insistent economic crisis, could result in prolonged civil war like what has happened in the aftermath of the collapse of totalitarian regimes in countries like the then Zaire, Somalia, Libya and others.

He said there is need for devolution of power and services in order to ensure that more people are involved in making decisions that directly affect them.

Our fear today in Zimbabwe, with the confusion in the ruling party, is that we have watched the collapse of some dictatorships in Africa in particular, and whenever a dictatorship collapses there is a civil war. If you remember in Somalia, (President) Siad Barre fled to West Africa and Somalia is still in a state of civil war.

If you look at DRC after dictator Mobutu left there is still violent conflict there. Look at Sierra Leone, look at Liberia, look at Libya: every time a dictator goes there is a civil war. We have a dictatorship here and I hope that this is not going to be the case for our country.

ZANU PF REACTION

Reached for comment on Dlodlos statement, Mpopoma/Pelandaba House of Assembly member Joseph Tshuma told Studio 7 over the phone that Zimbabweans are an educated and peace-loving people and would not engage in civil war.

Tshuma, who is also a Zanu PF Central Committee member said the infighting in the ruling party is exaggerated, adding that some senior leaders who are reported to be jostling to succeed President Robert Mugabe have repeatedly stated their loyalty to both the party and the president.

Tshuma said the Zanu PF government is committed to devolution as well as implementing all provisions of the new constitution, He noted that lack of financial resources has been the major hindrance.

In a presentation on devolution and natural resource governance, one of the panelists at the conference Gracious Maviza said decentralization averts the possibility of conflict over natural resources as it helps locals to also get direct benefit from them.

There has been concern by some locals over the mining of diamonds in Manicaland provinces Marange area, with many of them charging that they have not profited from the exercise.

Citing an example of the war waged by Nigerias Ogoni ethnic group against transnational oil companies in the Niger Delta, Maviza said where locals do not enjoy any benefit from natural resources in their vicinity, there is bound to be conflict.

In relation to the issue of violent conflict we are saying with devolution we are basically having a content local populace because there is transparency about what is happening in terms of the proceeds or revenues from the natural resources that are there.

And as a result people are not going to take to violent conflict but they are rather going to be good stewards of the environment so that they can benefit more from the revenue that comes from the natural resources.

While acknowledging that devolution is important in governance and that government has been slow in implementing it as enshrined in the countrys new constitution, lawyer and human rights advocate, Teresa Mugadza, said it would be wrong to single it out without pushing for the full enactment of the constitution as a whole.

Mugadza noted that after the zeal shown during the constitution making process, there now appears to be lethargy on the part of ordinary Zimbabweans and civic organisations in driving government to expedite the implementation of the constitution, adding that all citizens have a responsibility in making it a reality.

Devolution is important to the extent that we are talking about devolution of resources, of decision making and citizen participation at a local level. That is very important, and what we have seen with delays in implementing the constitution is that there have also been delays in implementing devolution at the local and regional levels.

When you are operating at the local level you have a closer relationship with citizens and they are able to see what administrative challenges or what glitches exist in any system. So I believe it is important to begin to talk about implementation of the constitution broadly, and specifically devolution.

Director Samukele Hadebe of the Public Policy Research Institute of Zimbabwe, a Bulawayo based think-tank which convened the devolution audit conference, said the main aim was to gather ideas on how the implementation of the concept can be accelerated and how it can be made operational to the satisfaction of the ordinary majority.
A renowned academic says Zimbabwe will face a leadership crisis if President Robert Mugabe is incapacitated.

Professor Shadreck Guto of the University of South Africa says his incapacitation will affect the security sector, judiciary and other institutions which have been under his firm control since independence.

Professor Guto said, There will be really a serious crisis in Zimbabwe in terms of leadership including security services which he has controlled and used and from that point of view I dont think it is something that we can say will not happen.

Its not only the security services but the judiciary, parliament  its everything else will have a serious crisis because he has prevented proper governance of all those institutions.

Professor Guto further said he really wishes that there wont be any civil unrest in the country when the president is unable to perform his duties or something else happens to him.

I hope there wont be violent conflict in the country but its likely that it might happen because he has caused those conditions for that to happen. He has prevented any proper leadership succession plan. He has made Zimbabwe more or less his fiefdom.

Ninety-one year old President Mugabe has been in power since independence from British rule in 1980.

Zimbabwe's constitution stipulates that an acting president will take over from the president if he is incapacitated for 90 days and his party is thereafter expected to choose a leader to fill his position until the next elections.
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Photo: Gijsbert Hanekroot/1974 Gijsbert Hanekroot

The stars look very different today: David Bowie  starman, rock star, man who fell to earth  will have his own constellation, a seven-star cluster that forms a lightning-bolt shape (akin to the one that adorns the face of Aladdin Sane) pointing, of course, in the direction of Mars. Bowie is being honored by Belgian radio station Studio Brussel and MIRA Public Observatory, DDB Brussels reports, and theres also an interactive website honoring the man who once asked NASA to shoot him off into space (they said no). Additionally, theres a mile-wide space rock that hangs out in the belt between Jupiter and Mars named 342843 Davidbowie.
Tsai Ing-wen is Taiwan's first female president-elect. (Photo : Getty Images)

Tsai Ing-Wen made Taiwan's history as the first woman president of the Chinese nation. However, whether it is an independent country or just a province of China remains to be seen as the leader of the Democratic Progressive Party starts to announce policies.



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Residents are celebrating her victory over Erik Chu, candidate of the Nationalist Party, conceded defeat on Saturday. The poll victory of Tsai, a known anti-China advocate, ends eight years of rule under the Nationalist Party or Kuomintang which is pro-China.



After Tsai's party garnered 556 seats versus Nationalist's 113 seats, Taiwanese are in a celebratory mood. CNN reports that her supporters poured out into the streets, waved party banners and cheered as her victory was announced.







The party of Tsai is known for seeking independence from China. Voters says they backed candidates of the opposition because Taiwan had its own democracy system that would not be influenced by China, says a 55-year-old professor.



Tsai will replace outgoing President Ma Ying-jeou. In her first statement after she was confirmed winner, Tsai says, "Following the will of the Taiwanese people, we will work toward maintaining the status quo inn order to bring the greatest benefits and well-being to the Taiwanese people."



The New York Times stresses that gender did not play a big role in the campaign, but Taiwanese voters were clearly excited over the prospect of electing a first woman president who rose to power on her own and was not related to a powerful father or male relative. Her poll victory breaks Taiwan's tradition of being a patriarchal society, says an LED sign held by 45-year-old Rebecca Chang who was one of the Taiwanese celebrating on the streets over another Asian woman breaking the political glass ceiling.


Barack Obama, already a known Kendrick Lamar fan, has doubled down on his fandom by declaring his favoritism for the Compton-born Kendrick Lamar over Canadian import, Drake. Gotta go with Kendrick, Obama said in a YouTube Q&A yesterday (around 17:00 in the video above) when asked which artist would win in a rap battle. I think Drake is an outstanding entertainer. Kendrick  his lyrics, his last album was outstanding. Best album, I think, last year. Obama is on the record for saying that How Much a Dollar Cost was his favorite song of last year (sorry, Hotline Bling) and even met with Lamar in the Oval Office earlier this month. In response to a separate question, Obama revealed that Han Solo was his favorite Star Wars character and A New Hope is his favorite Star Wars film. Hey, once hes done with this whole leader of the free world thing, the President could probably freelance as a cultural critic. (Who needs a health plan when you have Obamacare?)
When Egypt's House of Representatives resumes its parliamentary debates Sunday, two issues on corruption and political laws will top its agenda

Following a stormy inaugural session last week in which constitutional law professor Ali Abdel-Al was elected speaker, Egypt's House of Representatives is set to tackle a host of controversial issues on Sunday, including a top auditors claims of government corruption.

Topping the list is a request submitted by around 100 MPs asking Abdel-Al to open an investigation into auditor Hisham Geneina's recent statement that state corruption led to the loss of LE600 billion.

The House's internal bureau  led by Abdel-Al and deputies El-Sayed El-Sherif and Soliman Wahdan  held a meeting on Saturday to decide whether the request should be discussed in a plenary meeting or by a specialised committee first.

Wahdan told reporters on Saturday that the meeting of the House's internal bureau has reviewed all requests submitted on Geneina's statement on corruption.

"We have two options in this respect," said Wahdan. "The first is that some believe that a specialised parliamentary committee including legal, financial and economic experts be formed first to review both Geneina's statement as well as an independent report made by an investigative committee on this statement."

The second option, Wahdan said, is that "speaker Abdel-Al allow MPs to open a debate on Geneina's statement in a plenary session on the grounds that this issue has become a priority for the public and the media."

Wahdan disclosed that in their request, MPs not only urged Abdel-Al to open an investigation into Geneina's statement, but also refer Geneina to prosecution authorities for questioning.

"There is no denying that by claiming that corruption has led to the loss of LE600 billion in 2015, Geneina has shocked all Egyptians," said Wahdan, adding that "Geneina's claims have left all Egyptians greatly confused and wondering how parliament can tackle this critical issue."

Wahdan accused Geneina of inflating figures about corruption in Egypt for "political reasons."

"We all know that Geneina belongs to the [now-banned] Muslim Brotherhood and he is doing his best ahead of the anniversary of the 25 January revolution to serve their agenda," said Wahdan, who is a member of the liberal Wafd party and was affiliated with former president Hosni Mubarak's now-defunct ruling National Democratic Party (NDP).

"I think MPs will be able to expose the complete reality about Geneina's corruption claims and to tell all Egyptians the truth about his statement," said Wahdan.

MPs who requested that an investigation be opened into Geneina's statement are divided into two camps over how their request should be discussed.

The first, led by journalist Mostafa Bakri and other MPs affiliated with the bloc entitled the Pro-Egyptian State Coalition, believe that Geneina, who was appointed by former Islamist president Mohamed Morsi as chairman of the Central Auditing Agency (CAA) in September 2012, is loyal to the Muslim Brotherhood and should be dismissed as soon as possible.

Geneina said in a statement last December that if he were dismissed from his position it would represent a first step towards putting an end to any serious investigation into corruption in Egypt.

The other camp, led by chairman of the liberal Reform and Development Party Anwar El-Sadat, believes that "the discussion of Geneina's statement should not be retaliatory in nature."

"If we give the impression that we want to dismiss the top auditor simply for a statement on corruption, it would be bad for the reputation of our newly-formed parliament and Geneina would emerge as the winner," said El-Sadat, adding that "the best thing is that speaker Abdel-Al put the issue to an objective debate, and I recommend that Geneina himself be summoned [so we can hear] his defence instead of attacking him."

All MPs agree that parliament in its capacity as the country's main watchdog institution has the full mandate to summon Geneina for questioning.

Geneina's CAA had been under the control of parliament since the 1970s, but since October 1998 it has become under the purview of the president. Its main roles are to investigate corruption in state authorities, make regular independent reports about their financial positions and refer them to parliament and the president for discussion.

Justice minister Ahmed El-Zind announced that an independent committee formed by President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi to investigate Geneina's statement claims it is largely based on inaccurate information.

El-Zind told Al-Ahram journalist Makram Mohamed Ahmed that the president is within legal his rights to dismiss chairpersons of watchdog institutions in cases where they deliberately cause damage to the states interests.

"The independent committee's report fell short of recommending whether Geneina should be dismissed, and it is now up to parliament and the president to decide his fate," said El-Zind.

Meanwhile, the House will begin on Sunday reviewing the first batch of 341 presidential decrees that have been issued since the removal of president Mohamed Morsi from office on 3 July 2013.

Deputy speaker Wahdan told reporters that a preliminary list of 32 political laws will be up for review on the House's agenda of debates on Sunday. These include a number of laws that were passed in the last two years to regulate presidential and parliamentary elections, the Supreme Constitutional Court and military justice, as well as laws addressing money laundering practices, illicit gains, terrorism, terror entities, retirement of military officers, the president of the republic's monthly salary, and criminal procedures.

It also includes the law on dismissing heads of independent and watchdog authorities from their positions (law 89/2015), naming village mayors and sheikhs, and around 10 laws related to the armed forces and police.

Wahdan told reporters that parliament's 19 committees have almost finalised preparing reports on the 341 laws passed since the removal of Morsi.

"Batches of these reports will be submitted for discussion by parliament each day and MPs will have concluded them all before 25 January," said Wahdan.

Wahdan indicated that in their preliminary debates, MPs have approved most of the laws.

"The civil service law was the only one that was rejected by MPs, although state officials insisted that the rejection could cause disruptions to the state's new budget," said Wahdan, adding that the final say on this law will be left for MPs to decide in a plenary session.

MPs affiliated with the Labour Force Committee, which is reviewing the civil service law rejected on 13 January, with Khaled Youssef, an independent leftist MP and a film director, described it as doing damage to state employees.

The list of laws up for discussion Sunday came short of the controversial protest law, which was passed in November 2013. Although Wahdan said the laws reviewed start from the first day former interim president Adly Mansour took office, he was not clear on the protest law.

"This will be left for parliament to decide," he said.

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Special Olympics Texas is having its annual Polar Plunge fundraiser at 11 a.m. Jan. 30 at Hawaiian Falls, 900 Lake Shore Drive.

Cost is $30 for ages 17 or younger and $60 for adults, which includes a T-shirt.

Individuals and teams who raise more money than the minimum registration fee will receive other commemorative incentives.

To register a team or as an individual, visit www.sotx.org/news-events/ polar-plunge/a12.

For more information or to volunteer, email Tommy Smith at tsmith@sotx.org or call 230-4824.

Interfaith discussion

In conjunction with World Religion Day, the Greater Waco Interfaith Conference is sponsoring a panel discussion from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday at the Texas Life Annex Building, 1000 Washington Ave.

The interfaith panel will consist of Christians, Jews, Muslims, Unitarian Universalists, Jains, Hindus and Bahais.

The panel will discuss how many people feel that the faith tradition they grew up with no longer provides the guidance needed for todays issues and how they would respond to this challenge.

For more information, call 424-3170 or visit www.wacointerfaith.org.

Thin Mint Sprint 5K

The Girl Scouts Greater Waco Service Unit is having its inaugural Thin Mint Sprint 5K at 8 a.m. Feb. 13 beginning at Woodway Park, 924 Estates Drive in Woodway.

The event also will include a Daisy Dash 1-mile Fun Run.

Entry fee is $30 for the 5K and $15 for the dash, through Feb. 1. The race day fee will be an additional $5.

Participants must register by Feb. 1 to be guaranteed a race shirt.

Event entry forms are available at the Girl Scout office, 3700 W. Waco Drive, or at www.gwsu.org.

For more information, email oldgirlscout@gmail.com.

Austin Ave. election

The Austin Avenue Neighborhood Association will have a special election meeting at 7 p.m. Jan. 26 at St. Albans Episcopal Church, 601 Columbus Ave.

Only people who have paid for their 2016 membership will be eligible to vote.

Annual membership payments will be accepted before the meeting.

For more information, call Shelly Frierson or Sam Griffin at 512-753-7306.

Choral auditions

The Central Texas Choral Society will conduct auditions from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at Central United Methodist Church, 5740 Bagby Ave.

For more information, email centraltexaschoralsociety@yahoo.com.

Blood drive

The Westphalia Knights of Columbus Council 13902 is sponsoring a blood drive from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday at Westphalia Parish Hall, 144 County Road 3000 in Lott.

The Scott & White Bloodmobile will be on site.

A breakfast of Westphalia sausage and pancakes will be provided to donors.

To schedule an appointment time, call Ken or Teresa Jezisek at 512-927-6581 or 254-584-5840.

Submit items to Briefly, P.O. Box 2588, Waco 76702-2588; fax to 757-0302; or email to goingson@wacotrib.com.
Wal-Mart Stores Inc. shocked the retail world Friday by announcing it will close 269 stores globally, including 154 in the United States and 29 in Texas.

The decision to shutter under-performing locations will not touch Greater Waco, with superstores on Hewitt Drive, Franklin Avenue and Interstate 35 in Bellmead and the Sams Club on East Waco Drive not among the casualties, according to several sources.

Even the planned new Wal-Mart superstore to be built on Sun Valley Boulevard in Hewitt remains on the books, said Kent Stainback, principal for the Dallas-based Stainback Organization, which represented the worlds largest retailer in acquiring a tract in Hewitt for $4 million.

Nobody has indicated Wal-Mart has lost interest in that site, not even close, Stainback said.

Wal-Mart originally closed on the property in Commerce Park in May 2014, with plans to begin construction immediately. But the retailing giant rejected all bids to build the 160,000-square-foot superstore and told the city last March the project would not begin until this year, at the earliest.

Hewitt City Manager Adam Miles, who has continued to work closely with the retailer, said in October that Wal-Mart may solicit construction bids as early as this month.

Miles was attending a conference in Austin on Friday and could not be reached for comment. Chris Gutierrez, a local real estate agent who has worked to fill up Commerce Park with tenants that include Wal-Mart, said he had some concerns about the project when he heard Friday about the closings.

Stainback, however, said he could not speak for the Bentonville, Arkansas-based chain but repeated his belief the store will get built.

Hewitt officials already are excited about the sales tax revenue the new store would generate, though they canceled plans for a $3 million bond in March when construction was delayed. Miles said bond proceeds would cover mostly public facilities and road repairs, but work will wait until more progress is made on the new Wal-Mart.

The Wal-Mart that operates at 600 Hewitt Drive actually lies in Waco city limits and does not generate sales tax for Hewitt coffers.

Ronnie Bush, who manages that store, said he has heard nothing to suggest Wal-Mart has changed its mind about the Hewitt market.

Sometimes projects get pushed back for one reason or another, but it is still on the books as of the start of 2016, Bush said.

Local commercial real estate agent Brad Davis is not involved in placing Wal-Mart in Hewitt but said, I understand its still on.

A lot of potential

If they liked the location enough to buy the land, they obviously see something in it. I think they see a lot of potential in that interstate location, Davis said. They could be building there just to prevent someone from doing the same. Sometimes their moves are as much a defensive punch as offensive.

In closing its stores, Wal-Mart said it will focus more on e-commerce and expanding pickup services for customers. Despite the move to shutter its dogs, as one real estate agent described the targeted outlets, Wal-Mart said it would open 50 to 60 new supercenters, 85 to 95 new Neighborhood Markets and seven to 10 new Sams Clubs across the United States in fiscal year 2017, which begins Feb. 1. The retailer operates 580 stores in Texas, where it opened 53 stores last year.

Of the stores Wal-Mart will close in the U.S., 102 are Wal-Mart Express locations. They are about 12,000 square feet in size and part of a pilot program launched in 2011 to appeal to customers wanting smaller stores to navigate. Many of these were placed in mid-size communities, but the concept reportedly did not flourish as Wal-Mart had hoped.

Other stores to close include 23 Neighborhood Markets, 12 supercenters, seven stores in Puerto Rico, six discount centers and four Sams Clubs.

Davis said he does not think these structures necessarily will become vacant eyesores over the long haul.

Finding new tenants

A 12,000-square-foot building fits the needs of a lot of people, Davis said. Most Wal-Mart locations are pretty easy to re-tenant because they are in prime locations. Theyve been paid for a few times and can be sold at a price that makes them attractive.

When Wal-Mart in Waco built a new store at Franklin Avenue and New Road, then vacated a building at 300 N. Valley Mills Drive, new businesses moved in. The site is now home to a Tractor Supply Co. and a Planet Fitness. Work continues on converting part of the available space to a Mexican grocery store.

Davis said he thinks Wal-Mart made a smart move in choosing to cut the drag and eliminate stores that were not making the grade.

Closing stores is never an easy decision, but it is necessary to keep the company strong and positioned for the future, Doug McMillon, president and CEO of Wal-Mart Stores Inc., said in a statement. Its important to remember that well open well more than 300 stores around the world next year. So we are committed to growing, but we are being disciplined about it.
Precinct 3 County Commissioner Will Jones reported almost $26,000 in political contributions, by far the most between the two commissioner races, while his opponent Ben Matus listed about $11,000 in campaign coffers, all from personal finances and a loan.

We were really blessed, Jones said. I think it just goes to show that people believe in the job Im doing as county commissioner. I reached out to a lot of people. The overwhelming response was, Yes, we want you to continue what youre doing, Will. 

Jones said he has a plan in place for how to best spend the contributions, including buying advertising, signs and all your usual campaign stuff.

Jones, a Republican, faces Matus, of West, in the March 1 primary election.

County commissioners receive a $90,020 annual salary.

Matus, 63, an auto repair instructor at Texas State Technical College for the past 29 years, reported no political contributions from outside sources between Nov. 17 and Dec. 31. He listed almost $3,300 in political expenditures, which went toward various advertising.

He took out a $5,000 loan from Educators Credit Union and added more than $6,000 to his campaign from personal finances.

Between July 1, 2015 and Dec. 31, 2015, Jones received $25,785 in political contributions and spent more than $2,000 on event expenses, advertising and fees.

Top contributors to Jones campaign include nine people who each donated $1,000: John Derrick, an agent with Kelly Realtors; Larry Jaynes, Fashion Glass & Mirror owner; David Lacy, Community Bank and Trust president; Linebarger Goggan Blair & Sampson, LLP; Melvin Lipsitz, M. Lipsitz & Co., Ltd. owner; Joe Nemmer, Nemmer Electric owner; Jeff Reeter, Northwestern Mutual managing partner; investor Tom Salome; and Richard Welday, who did not have an employer listed.

Jones also received $250 from Chris and Kristi DeCluitt and $250 from K. Paul Holt. DeCluitt is the countys criminal justice program analyst, and Holt is the McLennan Community College Board of Trustees chairman.

Jones defeated Democrat Brian Scott in the November 2012 election in the race to replace retiring McLennan County Commissioner Joe Mashek. Jones ran unsuccessfully in 2010 for county GOP chairman.

Matus this month said that in December Jones offered to personally reimburse Matus $1,250 filing fee if he withdrew his bid to unseat Jones as the Precinct 3 commissioner.

Matus said at the time that he spoke to a staff attorney at the Texas Ethics Commission about the offer and was referred to the local district attorneys office if chooses to file a complaint.

Jones acknowledged he offered to reimburse Matus the cost of his filing fee, describing it as a simple business transaction.

Precinct 1

Another seat on the court is up for an election this year.

Precinct 1 McLennan County Commissioner Kelly Snell, of Robinson, faces a primary opponent in Cory Priest, of Lorena.

Between July 1, 2015 and Dec. 31, 2015, Snell received $1,750 in political contributions and spent $1,305, according to his campaign finance report.

During that same time period, Priest received $4,150 and spent more than $6,400 on fees, advertising and food, according to his campaign finance report.

Priest received two donations of $1,000. One was from John Embry, and the other was from Kelly Hancock.

Precinct 1 includes parts of Waco, Beverly Hills, Robinson, Golinda, Lorena, Bruceville-Eddy and Moody.

Snell, who was first elected in 2009, defeated three-term incumbent Wendall Crunk in the 2008 GOP primary. Snell owns Texas Electrical Energy Savers Inc.

Priest owns a cattle business and real estate and is co-owner of a construction company in Waco.

LOCAL CANDIDATES CAMPAIGN FINANCE REPORTS

County Commissioner Precinct 3

Will Jones, incumbent: Raised $25,785 and spent $2,063

Ben Matus: Raised no political contributions and spent $3,296

County Commissioner Precinct 1

Kelly Snell, incumbent: Raised $1,750 and spent $1,305

Cory Priest: Raised $4,150 and spent $6,458

McLennan County Sheriff race

Parnell McNamara, incumbent: Raised $89,815 and spent $45,311

W. Patrick Swanton: Raised $31,274.19 and spent $14,636

Willie Tompkins: Did not file
A Lorena teenager and his former history teacher will rediscover the life of a local soldier who died during the World War II Battle of Normandy in 1944 and provide a graveside eulogy overseas acknowledging the mans sacrifice.

Lorena High School sophomore Isaac Romer, 15, and history teacher Greg Borchardt will travel to Washington, D.C., in June to study original documents at the National Archives Museum before continuing on to France and the Normandy American Cemetery.

One thing I always loved hearing and learning about World War II is just the soldiers experience, Borchardt said. Theyre people. They have fears and they have worries and they arent superhuman. So theyre actual people. So, I think thats what were going to try and do with our silent hero is humanize him.

The pair is one of 15 student-teacher sets chosen by the National History Day competition to participate in the organizations Normandy: Sacrifice for Freedom Albert H. Small Student and Teacher Institute.

Teams participating in the institute choose a local soldier buried in Normandy and highlight his life through family interviews and historical documents.

Borchardt and Romer were chosen from 88 pairs nationwide through an application process that requires essays from both the teacher and student.

Students must be either a sophomore or a junior, and teachers may teach either high school or middle school.

Borchardt and Romer were notified of their selection in December.

The institute will pay for the trip to Normandy, and the Lorena Independent School District will provide the plane tickets to Washington.

Expanding knowledge

Borchardt has a doctorate in history specializing in postwar events, such as the civil rights movement, but he said this is a great opportunity for him to expand his knowledge on a favorite topic of his students.

The more I know about it, the more Ill be able to inspire and engage, Borchardt said.

During the next five months, the pair will select a soldier to memorialize, and submit additional World War II assignments to an online platform.

Romer has already written an essay evaluating three of the generals during the war and what leadership qualities match his personality the closest.

Borchardt said theyve found about eight local soldiers buried in the Normandy cemetery who havent been previously recognized.

There were some women who died during the invasion, but all local soldiers were men, Borchardt said.

(We want to) find out more about them, because the whole point is that theyre silent heroes  that their story isnt told, Romer said. So, its our job in a way to find out their story.

They will submit three names to the institute, and an archivist will send them copies of any records on file.

The trip will last about two weeks, and they will visit all the war memorials in D.C., study at the Archives and attend lectures from World War II historians.

Romer and Borchardt will use the information collected to write the eulogy, which Romer will deliver, and then create a website about their soldier.

The very last day of the trip is dedicated to . . . a day of remembrance in honor to the fallen heroes, Romer said. Well stand at the graves of the soldier we chose and deliver the eulogy we wrote.
Baylor University Provost and Executive Vice President Edwin Trevathan resigned from his position this week after holding the post for less than eight months. He will remain at Baylor as a neuroscience professor.

Trevathan was previously a professor of epidemiology and dean of the College of Public Health and Social Justice at St. Louis University in Missouri.

After prayerful consideration and consultation with my family, we have decided that the position of executive vice president and provost at Baylor University is not a good fit for us, Trevathan said in a statement. I have, therefore, decided to step aside from my role as EVP and provost.

Todd Still, dean of Truett Seminary, will serve as interim provost, and a search for a permanent replacement is in the planning stages, university spokeswoman Lori Fogleman said.

Trevathans resignation comes amid faculty disagreement over the possible implementation of a chief diversity officer at the school. President and Chancellor Ken Starr put the idea forward in the fall and created the Chief Diversity Officer Implementation Planning Group to study diversity at the school and ultimately create the position. Faculty were informed of the move in a letter from Starr in November.

Documents obtained by the Tribune-Herald show faculty disagreement over the necessity of the position, with some claiming it could be a slippery slope causing the school to move away from its Christian identity. It was not immediately known whether Trevathans decision to resign was connected in any way to the ongoing debate among Baylor constituents about the chief diversity officer position. Trevathan was unable to be reached this week, and several others declined comment on his resignation and the circumstances surrounding it.

Elizabeth Corey, Baylor Honors Program director, wrote about the complicated nature of diversity for Christian schools in an Oct. 28 blog post, Diversity in the Christian University.

Even while we embrace aspects of diversity, Christian schools must be bold enough to say that we prioritize a certain kind of particularity of difference from our many secular competitors, Corey wrote.

She wrote that Christian schools should think long and hard . . . before they sign their souls over to the secular rule of diversity officers.

Lynne Hinojosa, an associate professor of literature in the honors program, wrote an opposing viewpoint in an internal Baylor letter obtained by the Tribune-Herald titled Some Truths and Untruths in the Arguments against Diversity Initiatives at Baylor.

Christians currently opposed to a CDO fail to articulate now a Christian theological account of diversity, Hinojosa wrote.

She also said some minority students have said they graduate despite the university instead of because of the university. 

Let us conscientiously set out to institute new practices that rectify these imbalances. A CDO ideally helps us do this, Hinojosa wrote. Baylor may not be full of overt individual racists and sexists, but it is a structurally racist institution.

Baylor spokeswoman Lori Fogleman said there is always active conversation around campus on a variety of issues, and Baylor looks forward to those discussions continuing.

As the now-unfolding (and lively) conversation on our own campus overwhelmingly demonstrates, we need to redouble our efforts to increase the racial and ethnic diversity of both our faculty and staff, Starr said in a Nov. 11 letter explaining the group to faculty and staff.

He noted that 13 percent of full-time faculty identify as persons of color.

In a Dec. 10 follow-up letter, Starr said the CDO group submitted a final report. Fogleman said that report may become available this spring semester.

We are grateful for (Trevathans) dedicated service to Baylor University and the manner in which he has helped position us for future success, Starr said in a statement.
McLennan County commissioners on Tuesday will consider a new list of nonprofits jurors can donate their pay to. The change would not include the organizations that have received the most donations in recent years and would limit the list to groups that serve crime victims.

County Judge Scott Felton will propose a list of seven organizations for the courts consideration at the meeting at 9 a.m. Tuesday in the commissioners chambers in the courthouse at 501 Washington Ave.

The list includes the Advocacy Center for Crime Victims and Children, Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children, McLennan County Child Protective Services Advisory Board, Family Abuse Center, McLennan County Crime Victims Fund, State Crime Victims Fund and the McLennan County Dispute Resolution Center.

The move comes after this past year of back-and-forth changes to the list and debate on whether donation recipients need to serve crime victims to be included on the list.

In March, commissioners more than doubled the list of nonprofit groups jurors could opt to donate their pay to  from 10 to 24  after receiving an opinion from the Texas Attorney Generals Office about the legality of its original list.

Setting no guidelines or directions for who could be included, numerous nonprofits then also asked to be added to the list.

A month later, the court agreed to go back to a 10-member juror-pay donation list after numerous discussions and failed motions.

Much of the back-and-forth regarding which nonprofits should be included on the list revolved around the statute that allows county officials to create a list.

While the Attorney General ruled commissioners could include a wide range of nonprofits, most of the statute appears to require groups to serve crime victims to be eligible.

Now, Felton has drafted a motion that would cap the list at 10 organizations.

His recommendation states that additions to the list would not be considered for at least one year. For an organization to be considered on the list, it must have a primary purpose of, and have an effective track record of, providing services to victims of crimes or domestic abuse, assisting children and persons with special needs in the judicial process, or providing a means of diversion of disputes from the courts, according to the document.

The recommendation states that the number of organizations requesting to be on the list continues to grow, and continuing to expand the list creates confusion for jurors wishing to donate and increases administrative costs and issues.

Adding nonprofits to the list dilutes the potential impact of donations, and many of the organizations on the list or requesting to be on the list have no discernible or direct relationship to the court system or the victims of crimes, the document states.

More than $43,000 was donated by jurors to groups on the list in fiscal year 2014, according to Tribune-Herald records. That total was more than $55,600 in fiscal year 2013, almost $56,000 in 2012, more than $48,000 in 2011 and almost $36,000 in fiscal year 2010.

Felton presented the recommendation to commissioners during the last meeting and asked them to consider the options before the next time they meet. He said his list goes back to the original statutes intent.

Felton said he recognizes many of the nonprofits that were on the original list and have since requested being added are all worthwhile organization.

I mean every one of them are great causes, and I support that, he said. For our purpose, its my thought we go back to what the original intent of what the law was.

Felton said hes aware some of the organizations that are on the current county list werent included in his recommendation.

That doesnt mean a juror couldnt take their check and endorse it and give it to any not listed here, he said.

Two of the organizations on last years list that received the most donations from jurors were not included in Feltons recommendation. Fuzzy Friends Rescue, a pet adoption organization, received the most last year at $12,554.75, followed by the Humane Society of Central Texas with $7,666.

Commissioner Kelly Snell said he thinks the list had taken a different form over the years with different commissioners courts. Snell said he likes seeing a recommendation that brings the list of nonprofits more in line with the statutes intentions.

Everyone likes a dog and a cat, Snell said. There again you have to think about the children and the ladies and the men and everybody affected by crime.

He said its not as if requirements for which nonprofits can be on the list cant be changed in the future. Snell said it will be good to see how this list does, if approved, with donations.

At a glance

What: McLennan County Commissioners Court continues discussion on the juror-pay donation list.

When: 9 a.m. Tuesday

Where: Commissioners Courtroom on the first floor of the McLennan County Courthouse, 501 Washington Ave.
Its early in 2016 and Big Pharmas surrogates are already busy attacking the federal 340B drug-pricing program. Tom Kowalskis broadside [Congress drug-pricing program veering into corruption, needs major reforms, Jan. 7] cloaks an essential truth: The highly profitable drug industry does not want to do its part to help care for Americas poorest patients.

Lets look at who funds the authors organization  the Texas Healthcare and Bioscience Institute. That list includes Amgen, Abvie, AstraZeneca, Bayer, Bristol-Meyers Squibb, Eli Lilly, Genentech and Johnson & Johnson  some of the worlds largest pharmaceutical companies.

Congress created the 340B program to help nonprofit and public health-care providers that treat high numbers of poor patients stretch their resources and serve more people. As much as the drug industry pushes the idea, 340B isnt  and never was  a direct discount for patients. Instead, Congress designed the program to let safety-net providers dispense free or discounted medications to the needy and to supply meds at negotiated rates to insured patients. The income is used to partially offset the enormous cost of serving patients who cannot pay for care. Proceeds also help fund HIV/AIDS, diabetes, dental and other health clinics that serve uninsured and underinsured patients in communities across the nation.

Americas safety-net hospitals treat nearly twice as many poor patients as other hospitals and provide $25 billion in uncompensated care every year. More of them also supply essential (but often money-losing) services such as trauma, labor and delivery and psychiatric care.

Some 2,000 hospitals are currently in the 340B program. More than half are tiny rural outfits added by Congress in 2010 to aid out-of-the-way communities in Texas and throughout America. Congress expanded the program because it works. Even better, it doesnt cost taxpayers a dime because it is funded by the drug industry.

There is rigorous federal oversight of hospitals in the program by the Health Resources and Services Administration, which has conducted around 450 audits to date. And how many audits have there been of drug manufacturers in the history of 340B? Two. And the results of the first have yet to be made public.

While the rate of uninsured patients is indeed declining, those with policies are finding that high deductibles, costly co-pays and limited coverage leave them unable to pay their medical bills. The Commonwealth Fund estimates that 31 million adult Americans were effectively underinsured in 2014. Add to the mix the astronomical increase in prescription drug prices (some are up by more than 5,000 percent) and its clear the 340B program is needed now more than ever.

So at a time when the drug industry is earning record profits charging outlandish prices for medicines, its trying to reform (i.e. derail) a small federal program that helps safety-net hospitals and other providers treat the underserved. The 340B program represents just 2 percent of the annual $374 billion U.S. pharmaceutical market. Its a drop in the bucket and a cost the drug industry can well afford.

In Big Pharmas worldview, cutting back the 340B program somehow, miraculously improves access to medicines and health care for the poor. The truth is exactly the opposite. Limiting 340B savings would cause safety-net hospitals in the heart of Texas and in communities all over America to cut back services to the needy. Some rural hospitals would likely go out of business altogether.

Thats not a solution we need.

Randy Barrett is vice president of communications for 340B Health, a trade association of more than 1,100 hospitals in the 340B drug-pricing program.
A delegation from the British House of Common paid the first visit of its kind to Egypt's newly-elected parliament, discussing issues around terrorism and the Muslim Brotherhood

A delegation from the British House of Commons met with Egypt's parliament speaker Ali Abdel-Al on Saturday to discuss several issues, including last month's British government report on the Muslim Brotherhood.

The delegation, led by Conservative Party MP Alan Duncan, also met with a number of Egyptian deputies who are members of parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee.

According to a press release, the meeting with speaker Abdel-Al, held in the 25 January meeting hall, was attended by British Ambassador to Egypt John Casson. "Duncan offered his congratulations to Abdel-Al for his election as speaker and for Egypt on completing the third part of its political map," said the press release.

Duncan was also cited as vowing that British MPs will play a positive role in restoring the influx of British tourists to Egypt in the near future.

The UK decided to suspend British tourist flights to the Red Sea resort of Sharm El-Sheikh after the crash of a Russian airliner in the Sinai Peninsula last November. British officials claimed that a bomb led to the destruction of the Russian Airbus.

British MPs were also cited as underlining the role of Egypt in fighting terrorism and recovering its leading position as a regional power in the Middle East.

Mohamed Al-Orabi, chairman of the Parliamentary Affairs Committee and a former foreign minister, told reporters that he and a number of MPs discussed last month's British government report on the Muslim Brotherhood, which stated that membership or links to the group should be considered a possible indicator of extremism.

"We told them that all of Egypt welcomed the conclusions reached by this report, which is the first of its kind in European terms, and that it proved that Egypt was correct that association with the Muslim Brotherhood represents the first step towards espousing militant jihadist ideology, and is an indicator of extremism, and that the movement is deliberately opaque and habitually secretive," said Al-Orabi.

"British MPs also spoke highly of the current political stability in Egypt and have vowed to play a constructive role in resuming British tourist flights into Egypt," added Al-Orabi.

Al-Orabi also indicated that Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi's visit to London last December should have opened a new page in Egyptian-British relations. "We talked of the necessity of building on this visit and developing a strategic partnership between the two countries," said Al-Orabi.

Meanwhile, Abdel-Al received a phone call from Martin Chungong, secretary-general of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), to discuss restoring relations between the Egyptian parliament and the IPU.

"The two sides discussed the return of Egypt's full membership in the IPU," said a press release.

The release indicated that Ambassador Omar Mokhtar, a senior advisor with the IPU, will meet with Abdel-Al to complete the procedures necessary to restore Egypt's full membership of the IPU.

The press release indicated that Abdel-Al is currently preparing for an official visit by IPU President Saber Chowdhury to discuss boosting cooperation between the Egyptian parliament and the IPU.

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PRESS RELEASE  The Museum of Flight is now within a few weeks of finishing a 25-year effort restoring the historic, first Boeing 727 and flying it to the Museum for permanent exhibition. This unique jet has not been airborne since it was donated to the Museum by United Air Lines in 1991, and has been under restoration ever since by volunteer crews at the Museums Restoration Center and Reserve Collection at Paine Field, Everett, Wash. First flying in 1963, the sleek, innovative 727 introduced the jet age to millions of new passengers around the globe, and was for many years the most successful airliner of the modern era. The prototypes flight will help kick-off the Museums year-long recognition of The Boeing Companys centennial. With a special flight permit, and only the pilot, co-pilot and engineer on board, the 727 will be flown directly to the Museum at Boeing Field as early as the first week in February. This ferry flight to the Boeing Field will be the Trijets last air trip, as it will join the Museums prototypes Boeing 737 and Boeing 747 for permanent exhibition in the Museums new Aviation Pavilion this summer.

An exact flight time will be determined only after the planes renovation is done. Regular updates on the final preparations can be found on the Museums Facebook, Twitter and Instagram social media outlets:

www.facebook.com/museumofflight

www.twitter.com/MuseumofFlight

History of the Boeing 727 Prototype

The Museums three-engine, Boeing 727-100, N7001U, first flew on Feb. 9, 1963. Until the 777 in the 1990s, it was the only type of Boeing commercial jet with no dedicated prototype-the first airplane was not kept as a flight test airplane, but was delivered to the kickoff customer airline and went into regular service. It was the first of 1,832 Boeing 727 Trijets built at Boeings Renton plant. The airplane was delivered to United Air Lines on Oct. 6, 1964, and remained with the company for its entire service life. During its 27-year career the Trijet accumulated 64,495 hours, made 48,060 landings, and flew an estimated three million passengers. United paid $4.4 million for the airplane, which in-turn generated revenues of more than $300 million. In 1984, the Museum of Flights Chairman of the Aircraft Acquisition Committee, Bob Bogash, approached then-United top managers Ed Carlson and Dick Ferris, and asked for the 727 upon its retirement. United agreed. On Jan. 23, 1988 the airplane was present during an official Museum ceremony a few years before it was retired. On Jan. 13, 1991, the airplane-repainted in its original United colors-flew revenue trip 838 SFO  SEA, and was then ferried to Boeing Field for a final acceptance ceremony at the Museum. It made one last stopto the Museums Paine Field Restoration Center. Bogash, a Boeing Company veteran of 30 years, became the 727 restoration project manager.

United removed many of the major parts on the airplane, to use as spares for its remaining fleet of 727s. The Museum was left with a significant challenge with its goal to restore the airplane to airworthy condition. After a few idle years the restoration began in earnest, and grew significantly with the donation of two more 727s for parts. On March 6, 2004, Federal Express donated a 727-100 airplane to the Museum, and in September 2005, Clay Lacey donated a 727-200. For the past 25 years, dozens of enthusiastic volunteers have helped bring the plane back to life. TC Howard, a retired Boeing engineer who was part of the planes original team at Boeing, has lead the restoration effort as crew chief for the past 10 years. FedEx has been a long-time partner on the project, and recently donated the engines that will power the plane on its final flight. The expertise and equipment for the huge project has been international and from all walks of life.

727 Prototype Cockpit Power727 Prototype N7001U Update For Ferry Flight: We visited the hangar today. The cockpit was powered-up, and 7001U Project Manager, Bob Bogash, talked about his airplane. Posted by The Museum of Flight on Monday, January 18, 2016

About the Museum of Flight

Founded in 1965, the independent, non-profit Museum of Flight is one of the largest air and space museums in the world, serving more than 560,000 visitors annually. The Museums collection includes more than 160 historically significant airplanes and spacecraft, from the first fighter plane (1914) to todays 787 Dreamliner. Attractions also include the original Boeing Company factory, and the worlds only full-scale NASA Space Shuttle Trainer. The Museums aviation and space library and archives are the largest on the West Coast. More than 150,000 individuals are served annually by the Museums on-site and outreach educational programs. The Museum of Flight is accredited by the American Association of Museums, and is an Affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution.

2016 Boeing Centennial Recognition

The Museum of Flight draws upon its unrivaled collection of Boeing aircraft, artifacts, images and documents to present The Boeing Company story during the year of its centennial, 2016. The Museum-wide Boeing recognition will be enhanced with public lectures, films and other presentations that focus on Seattle and popular culture during the past century.

The Museum of Flight is located at 9404 E. Marginal Way S., Seattle, Exit 158 off Interstate 5 on Boeing Field halfway between downtown Seattle and Sea-Tac Airport. The Museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $20 for adults, $17 for seniors 65 and older, $17 for active military, $12 for youth 5 to 17, and free for children under 5. Group rates are available. Admission on the first Thursday of the month is free from 5 to 9 p.m. courtesy of Wells Fargo. McCormick & Schmicks Wings Cafe is on site. For general Museum information, please call 206-764-5720 or visit www.museumofflight.org
The ACT government should abolish existing taxes on motorists and trial new funding models with congestion on Canberra roads tipped to cost $400 million by 2030, according to an industry group.

Infrastructure Partnerships Australia chief executive Brendan Lyon said road funding was broken in Australia and the ACT was perfectly placed to trial new initiatives and ensure better value for money.

Infrastructure Partnerships Australia has called for the ACT government to trial a new road funding scheme. Credit:Melissa Adams

"At its most fundamental, transport is broken because we don't have the money needed for new and renewed infrastructure and we use the networks we have very poorly," he said.

With an election looming, the Liberal and Labor parties have pledged to upgrade arterial roads including the duplication of the Cotter Road at an estimated $25 million, despite opposition from the ACT Greens.
A Chinese university student has been banned from owning animals for five years after a neighbour recorded him violently hitting and kicking his pet dog on the balcony of a unit block in Wollongong.

Xudong Zhang, 25, was captured on camera repeatedly beating his white Samoyed with a thick, plastic-coated metal clothes hanger causing it to yelp in pain on the afternoon of July 31 last year.

The footage, released to the Illawarra Mercury by Magistrate Mark Douglass, shows Zhang hitting the animal three times while it is unrestrained on the balcony, then putting a collar around its neck, some material over its muzzle and tying the dog to the balcony handrail with a chain.

He then grabs the animal by its fur, manoeuvres it to lie in front of him as he crouches over the dog and heavily whips it seven times around the back and head with the coat hanger.
"It's just getting worse and worse; it's out of control and we're losing the battle," he says. "I've got two grown-up daughters who are often asking me to think about changing jobs. My wife is extremely worried; she says she has never seen anything like it." The security crisis in NSW hospitals deepened this week, following the near-death of a police officer and security guard, allegedly at the hands of a patient in Nepean Hospital's emergency department. Michael De Guzman, himself a registered nurse who left Westmead Hospital two years ago and had been battling an ice addiction, allegedly took a female doctor hostage on Tuesday night, holding a pair of scissors to her throat. When police and security guards arrived, Guzman turned on them and, following a short struggle on the ground, allegedly pulled Senior Constable Luke Warburton's gun from its holster and fired two shots. One hit the officer's upper thigh, passing through his femoral artery and almost killing him. Security guard Barry Jennings was shot in the calf. Guards are not allowed to restrain or detain anyone and are there to 'observe and report'.

Guzman, 39, has been arrested earlier that day for break and enter and assaulting three police officers. He was taken to hospital in an ice-induced state, granted bail and left in the hands of hospital staff. Police have launched a critical incident investigation and the NSW Health Minister Jillian Skinner will meet with the HSU this Thursday to discuss hospital security. "This sort of thing is happening all over the state," says Pike. "Police bring in violent and aggressive ice addicts. Then the handcuffs come off and they get handed over to us but we've got nothing. We aren't given any powers; we aren't given any equipment. I don't blame the police because they're under-resourced and they do a fantastic job but there is huge pressure on us." The number of ice-related presentations to 59 public hospital emergency departments in NSW increased more than seven-fold between 2009 and 2014, according to a NSW Health background paper released in September. In the first six months of 2015, there were 1942 ice-related presentations  a 50 per cent increase on the same period in 2014. NSW Health refused to provide Fairfax Media with any data on assaults in hospitals, saying violent incidents were not categorised clearly so it would be too time-consuming to collate them.

Using freedom of information laws, the Northern Star newspaper found last month that assaults on staff at Ballina Hospital had tripled in five years. The secrecy around assault data has prompted the NSW Nurses and Midwives' Association to launch their own app for members to log workplace assaults. The HSU conducted its own survey of security guards in 2013, finding that 50 per cent were responding to a duress alarm more than once per day. One in four had been spat on, three in four had been injured badly enough to require medical attention. HSU secretary Gerard Hayes says he will ask Skinner for a round-table to be convened to get a clear picture of the crisis. Skinner declined to answer any questions on hospital security before the meeting. "We've had peak-level meetings before with ministers and they have basically looked at ways of dealing with the current situation without any major changes," Hayes says. "The ministry is of the view that the security function within hospitals is adequate."

In October, the NSWNMA asked NSW Health to put security guards in every emergency department. Ministry of Health workplace relations director Annie Owens declined, saying the current approach was "appropriate". Several hospital security guards have told Fairfax Media of chronic staff shortages, poor training and mandated powers that render them almost useless. Guards are not allowed to restrain or detain anyone and are there to "observe and report". They are not allowed to carry restraints such as handcuffs. Nathan Sing, a security guard at Hornsby Hospital and an HSU delegate, says the hospital usually has just one NSW Health guard and one contracted guard on duty. He says three guards are off work due to workplace injuries. On November 19, several patients in the mental health intensive care unit turned on Sing and other staff, headbutting and punching a nurse, punching an occupational therapist in the face and grabbing another nurse by the throat to strangle him.

"I was tied up for 11 hours with that incident which meant the whole hospital was left unguarded," he says. "If you walk into an emergency department, there is no guarantee that you're going to be safe at all." He says violent incidents are a weekly occurrence and "about 98 per cent" related to drug-affected patients. Police data held by the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research shows that assaults in NSW hospitals have increased by 5.5 per cent each year since 2012. Yet the raw number of 484 assaults in the year to September 2015 is likely to be the tip of the iceberg. Hayes says the concept of hospital security needs to be completely rethought. He wants guards to be immersed in the clinical setting and given training with a medical bent so they can add to a patient's health rather than simply act as bouncers.

He says the hospital security system is still stuck in the 1970s, with security officers sometimes performing menial tasks, such as putting parking tickets on cars. The Australasian College for Emergency Medicine and Australian Medical Association have both backed a review of hospital security arrangements, saying staff face violence every day. The AMA has suggested the introduction of "rapid response" teams in emergency departments  a mix of hospital staff tasked with handling volatile situations. Pike says he has asked for such a team at RPA but has been knocked back. "At the end of the day, you can't protect everyone 100 per cent of the time," he says. "But we can at least try to minimise the threat and protect staff as best as we can."
Seniors and pensioners would be able to travel free on off-peak Brisbane buses under a Greens election pledge announced on Friday.

The free pass would apply 8.30am to 3.30pm, and 7pm to 3am, on weekdays, along with weekends and public holidays.

Greens lord mayoral candidate Ben Pennings says he'd spend $6.5 million over two years to desex 40,000 cats. Credit:Michelle Smith

But first, Greens lord mayoral candidate Ben Pennings would have to climb a veritable Mount Everest to get the keys to City Hall as a result of the March 19 election.

Mr Pennings said he expected the policy to be a hit with seniors and pensioners, many of whom might not normally consider voting for the Greens.
A sixth case of potentially deadly black lung disease has been confirmed in Queensland.

A 51-year-old electrician who has worked in underground coal mines is the latest to be diagnosed with coal miner's pneumoconiosis, the Queensland government advised on Friday.

A sixth case of potentially deadly black lung disease has been confirmed in Queensland.

"A routine pre-employment medical assessment revealed abnormalities which, following further scans and tests, have been confirmed as coal worker's pneumoconiosis by a Brisbane-based respiratory physician," Mines Minister Dr Anthony Lynham said.

The confirmed case comes a day after Dr Lynham outlined a plan to tackle the disease amid fears more workers could be diagnosed.

AAP

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A truck laden with rocks reportedly careered off a bridge in Moneib, killing seven and injuring 10 others

Eight people died and 10 were injured in the late hours of Friday when a truck fell off the Ring Road Bridge in Moneib and crashed onto a microbus stop underneath.

The truck was laden with rocks used in construction and caused damage to at least two microbuses.

Prosecutions initial investigations revealed that a car cut off the truck, which led to the truck driver losing control and crashing with a microbus parked near the crash barrier of the bridge and careering off the bridge.

Egypts prosecution ordered the arrest of the truck driver who survived the accident.

Giza Governor Mohamed Kamal El-Daly said compensation would be given to the families of the deceased as well as the injured.

The microbus was parked to take in more passengers.

Authorities have been working on clearing the scene of the accident.

Egypt is notorious for its poor road safety, badly maintained infrastructure, and loosely enforced traffic regulations.

Last month, the country's census authority said that over 2,800 people were killed in road and train crashes in Egypt in the first half of 2015.

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A Queensland hospital is leading the Australian-first trial of the world's smallest pacemaker, labelled the biggest game changer in six decades.

Doctors hope the tiny device, little bigger than a pill, will drastically cut down on complications such as infection and pacemaker failure associated with the life-saving operation.

Dr John Hill and patient Madeleine Johnstone. Credit:Heath Missen

Previous iterations were about the size of a biscuit, 10 times larger than the new models, and sat in a pocket of flesh near the collarbone, connecting to the heart with a wire.

The new technology, trialled in Australia in two very similar forms from companies Medtronic and St Jude since 2014, eliminated both the wire and the pocket, the two major causes of complications.
Residents south of Perth were warned to stay alert and monitor their surroundings after a suspicious bushfire began on Saturday afternoon.

The Department of Fire and Emergency Services on Sunday declared the all-clear.

The fire that has closed roads at Piara Waters. Credit:Nine News

The fire, believed to have been deliberately lit, broke out in the southern part of Piara Waters in the City of Armadale about 1.20pm and DFES issued an advice alert at 2.20pm.

Armadale Road east of Nicholson Road and Nicholson Road south of Armadale Road were closed as firefighters tackled the blaze on the ground and water bombers targeted the flames from the air.
Egypts prosecution ordered Friday the detention of doctor Taher Mokhtar for four days, along with two others, pending investigations for the possession of flyers that call for the overthrow of the current regime and protests on the 25 January 2011 uprisings fifth anniversary.

Mokhtar, 30, is a long-time Revolutionary Socialist activist, according to Freedom for the Brave, a grassroots campaign for the release of political prisoners in Egypt.

According to a statement released on the campaigns Facebook page, security forces stormed Tahers apartment in Downtown Cairo, arresting him and a friend and taking them to the Abdeen Police Station.

No official calls have been made for protests on the anniversary of the 25 January Revolution that ousted long-time autocrat Hosni Mubarak. Yet Egyptian security forces have arrested a number of activists as well as Facebook page administrators on charges of calling for protests.

A protest law issued in November 2013 mandates that any demonstration give the police at least three-days notice. The law also stipulates that the interior ministry has full discretion on whether to grant demonstrations permits or not.

Violators of the protest law face hefty fines and prison sentences of up to five years.

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by Adrian Gibson

The rule of law, as noted by the great philosopher Aristotle, is preferable to that of any individual.

British philosopher Thomas Hobbes opined, in his work Leviathan, that without the rule of law, life would be nasty, brutish and short. No one is above the law ... or, at least thats how its supposed to be.

In The Bahamas, not only are we seeing an absolute disregard for the rule of law by the common criminals and so-called bad boys on the streets, but we are also seeing such criminal and seemingly lawless conduct on the part of many of our elected officials. Clearly, there is no respect or regard for the court when ministers openly dismiss rulings and, by their contemptuous statements, breach and/or attempt to breach the Bar Code of Ethics (for those who are lawyers) and mount blatant and insidious attacks that bring the courts into disrepute.

I have, on numerous occasions, been discussing a case or law with Fred Smith QC and he has, several times, urged that we must hold the line, that we must stand in the stead of the Bahamian people and fight against any abuses by government, elected officials and wayward public servants, that we must pursue justice and serve as those guardians of the Constitution.

I believe that the courts, as was so nobly espoused by Viscount Simonds, hold a residual power to enforce the supreme and fundamental purpose of the law, not only in criminal matters or civil matters but in any matter or dispute that leaves one feeling affronted, not in agreement, injured and so on.

The governing Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) has seemingly rolled from one scandal to another. Operatives and ministers have generally shown a disregard and disrespect for the law. A perfect example of this is the ruling in Blackbeards Cay. The ruling was given on July 17, 2014, and Senior Justice Stephen Isaacs on August 31, 2015, issued an Order to enforce the judgment. In the Blackbeards Cay matter, Senior Justice Isaacs ruled that the development was in contravention of the Planning and Subdivisions Act and had conducted extensive development without site plan approval.

The ruling called for the immediate end to all activities, the return of the dolphins and for the government to cause the cay to be reverted to its original condition. It was also found that Prime Minister Perry Christie and the Town Planning Committee had breached their statutory duties. Needless to say, Blackbeards Cay remained in operation even after the government was handed a court order to shut down the controversial tourism project. Whats more, Blue Illusions - the developer - allegedly invested a further $4 million after the Supreme Court issued a judgment calling for the government to close the project.

So, if Blue Illusions invested a further $4 million and built new structures on the property, how was the developer purportedly allowed to continue construction in defiance of the judgment? From whom did Blue Illusions obtain permits? How were permits obtained at Town Planning without public hearings? Who authorised the Exchange Control approvals? Why has the government not seen to it that the courts ruling is and was enforced immediately? This approach has denigrated the justice system and could be seen as an attempt to reduce the courts to powerless panels whose rulings are simply dismissed and ignored. There is clearly a serious disengagement between laws passed by Parliament and the executive branch of governments enforcement arm.

Recently, Jean-Mary Justilien, a Haitian national acquitted in the Magistrates Court but released to the Department of Immigration, was unceremoniously deported although a notice of a writ of habeas corpus and a writ of habeas corpus were served upon the Office of the Attorney General, who represents the governments interest in matters of state or matters involving public officers. Notwithstanding the service of legal documents notifying them of extant actions before the court and several news reports, Justilien was deported without due process. How are such actions lawful?

The problem I have with this notion of simply ignoring the rule of law is that it leads to anarchy and abuse. What happens to Justilien or in the Blackbeard Cay matter or to the police officers when they won their case for the overtime pay could happen to any one of us. No government is above the law and it cannot be selective in what it enforces, who it pays and how it treats cases.

And then there is the newly proposed Planning and Subdivisions Bill (PSB) that will repeal the current Planning and Subdivisions Act (PSA) and grossly water down the original legislation. Is the new draft bill repayment to the governing partys major electoral donors?

The draft Bill is overly lenient and leaves little to no legal recourse relative to the preservation of our environment from developers who may have little regard for such concerns. We are seeing what is no doubt a politically motivated, radical redrafting and alteration to the current PSA.

As it stands, the draft asserts that the public will only be consulted on some developments while certain other developments will proceed without public consultation, those developments being repairs to harbour installations, any and all dredging, land reclamation and works to ports and harbours that are not a part of an infrastructural project. Even more, any developer who builds on crown land or any property without the proper approvals is no long required to demolish such structures but instead would only be fined $10,000 if convicted.

Heres the kicker ... environmental impact assessments are no longer imperative but are optional depending on the kind of development being undertaken. Do we really trust our government officials with such power, particularly when they regularly kiss up to high net worth donors with such interests and could easily fall into such a persons pockets?

The PSB also proposes to remove the requirement for land use plans being created for development throughout the Bahamas. Considering the fact that Hurricane Joaquin left so many communities under water, do we really want to remove this valuable aspect from the Act? Not only do these land use plans assess the impact of development on a place, but allow for sensible town planning and zoning, for flood prone areas to be identified before people invest their life savings constructing their dream home in a disaster zone, for ordered development. So, why should this be struck from a new Act?

On February 10, 2014, the chairman of Arawak Homes - the former PLP MP, political donor and newly knighted Sir Franklyn Wilson - told The Tribune that the government absolutely cannot enforce and implement the statutory processes in the Planning and Subdivisions Act 2010 due to a lack of expertise, resources and manpower. Effectively implying that it will cost the government money it does not have to uphold its own laws, Mr Wilson backed Michael Major, the Director of Physical Planning, as dead right for his alleged assertion that properly applying the Planning and Subdivision Act would send the administration bankrupt.

This, he explained, was because the failure to follow the Acts statutory processes would potentially expose every Bahamas-based development project to potential Judicial Review challenge in the Supreme Court.

In his wrap up of the debate on the Planning and Subdivisions Bill (current PSA) on October 28, 2009, former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham stated that it sought to codify an improved standard for our town planning and subdivision approval. This Bill when enacted and brought into force will apply to development in New Providence and eventually to development in every Family Island. This Bill when enacted will provide greater assurance that developers will not be permitted to develop subdivisions in unsuitable locations or to sell lots prior to the installation of required infrastructure. The provisions in this Bill increase transparency in the approval process permitting those who are likely to be most impacted by a development to view and comment upon the proposal, to raise objections and to have their objections heard.

Indeed, I have heard countless horror stories about Bahamians purchasing property and building in certain so-called subdivisions where the developers never install the utilities or hardly ever live up to their end of the agreement, leaving them with nightmarish experiences and additional expenses they cannot afford. The current PSA protects against that.

Notably, although Sir Franklyn asserted that the enforcement of the current PSA would leave the government bankrupt and that the government lacked the manpower, expertise and resources, in his 2009 speech Mr Ingraham accounted for such new personnel, stating:

The enactment of this Bill will clearly require substantial changes in personnel at the Department of Physical Planning. We have already begun the planned increase in the allocation of funding to the Department of Physical Planning and such increase in resources for the Department will become more evident in the next Budget cycle and before, in the mid-year budget exercise. We have already advertised in The Bahamas to fill a number of vacancies at the Department. The response has been disappointing. We will now proceed to advertise vacancies outside of The Bahamas in an effort to fill the posts of Chief Physical Planner and other posts with a view to ensuring that the Department is properly staffed to administer this law and planning generally. Additionally, personnel, trained in planning and environment, will be engaged in most Family Islands to ensure appropriate approval and oversight of development.

So, shouldnt the manpower, expertise and resources already be in place?

Frankly, the draft Bill appears to be another attempt on the part of the government to ram certain developments down our throats without question, namely the developments of their benefactors, lobbyists, political financiers and the monied bloc! After all, an election is coming and, like they did for the numbers men, they have to now do something for their tin gods.

If the draft PSB passes in its current state, the gates to the holy grail of corruption will swing wide open and in will run these politicians with their hats in hand and their pseudo offering pans, all begging and hustling for a few dollars. The all for me baby syndrome has taken hold and the PSB, in its current state, could be manipulated into yet another get-rich-quick scam for political con artists to cash in on the backs of the gullible and/or unaware. Is it real-old-PSA to unleash-a-new-PSA that yield political/personal profit?

If we think Baha Mar, Ginn, the I-Group and other stalled or failed developmental projects by land speculators were massive land grabs, the draft PSB opens the door for Bahamians to be displaced, wetlands to be destroyed, crown land to be forever out of the average mans reach and picturesque beachfront property to only be available to the rich or slick talking foreigner/connected Bahamian who, when it no longer favours him, will dump the Bahamas much like the Genting Group/Bimini Superfast is doing to the people of Bimini. I have always held the view that my six-year-old son is a better negotiator than many of those who negotiate on our behalf; so just imagine how much easier it would now become for land speculators to swindle us all.

All amendments to the current PSA should go through a period of public consultation and should not be watered down to the disadvantage of the Bahamian public. The Planning and Subdivisions Act is a vital tool in the regulation and enforcement of all development throughout the country and any inability to ensure its application will again raise fears about widespread unregulated construction in this nation.

We must demand greater accountability. We must demand a Freedom of Information Act. We must ensure that our courts are seen and promoted as having the power and authority to generally censor and guard public morals and our fundamental rights and that rulings rendered will be enforced across the board, without exceptions. We must ensure that law enforcement is not selective.

Indeed, the rule of law is preferable to no one!

_________________________________________________________

First published in the The Tribune under the byline, Young Man's View, here

View Adrian Gibson's archive here
Egypt strongly condemned on Saturday the attack by Al-Shabab militants who overran an African Union (AU) military base outside the southern Somali town of El-Ade on Friday.

The Egyptian foreign ministry extended in a statement issued on Saturday Egypts condolences to Somalia for the soldiers who died in the incident.

"Egypt will stand with Somalia to battle terrorism and support the task of the African Union peacekeeping mission of ensuring peace and stability in Somalia," the statement read.

The ministry also called on the international community to join in the efforts to confront the phenomenon of terrorism in all its forms.

The Al-Qaeda-aligned militants said one of their fighters rammed a car bomb into the Janale base after which gunmen poured into the facility, which is run by the AU peacekeeping mission in Somalia, AMISOM.

Al-Shabab said 50 peacekeepers were killed in the attack on the facility, about 90km (55 miles) south of the capital, Mogadishu. However, the group has been known to exaggerate the number of troops it killed, and officials have downplayed losses, according to Reuters.

Al-Shabaab, which wants to topple a Western-backed government and impose its own strict interpretation of Islam on Somalia, has also carried out attacks against neighbouring countries such as Kenya and Uganda in retaliation against the sending of troops to Somalia as part of the AU peacekeeping force.

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So far 2016 has been a terrible year for the stock market. In fact, it's the worst start ever for the S&P 500. Market participants are reducing their exposure to risky assets. Only the assets viewed as the most defensivesuch as Treasuries and utility stockshave managed to hold their ground amidst the selloff.



Yet we think the selling is driven by fear rather than a fundamental breakdown in the economy. Now, if China were to experience a hard landing as many pundits and news headlines suggest, then investors would likely be in for a lot of pain, but again, we think the China crash narrative is more perception than reality.



Consider China's latest trading numbers, reported Wednesday. Analysts expected a major decline in total trade, but the actual numbers were much better than expected. Exports fell 1.4 percent (in dollar terms) in December compared to a year ago, but it was far less than the 8 percent drop forecasted. Imports dropped 7.6 percent, but it, too, was better than the 11.5 percent fall expected. Keep in mind that these figures reflect the value of the imports and exports that go through customs. Considering the price of goods, especially commodities, that China buys declined compared to a year ago, it's fair to say that in volume, China bought more than last year. Contrary to the popular narrative that China is to blame for the oil rout, the Middle Kingdoms imports of crude oil (in volume) actually rose 8.8 percent in 2016. The low oil prices have allowed the country to buy hand over fist and add to their stockpiles.



You wouldnt know it judging by the financial market turmoil in China and the persistently negative press coverage in the West, but the numbers dont suggest an economy falling apart. Remember, the Chinese stock market is an enormous casino that has little correlation to the economy. Neither an incredible rally, as the one that lasted until mid-2015, nor a stunning selloff reflects much about the Chinese economy.

While investors should rightfully be concerned about the very poor recent market action, the conditions for a market collapse, in our opinion, isnt present at this time. We will certainly continue to monitor China very closely. (By Stephen Leeb)

X723  2016-01-16 08:37:32

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The accident Friday killed eight and injured 10 others

Egypt's Ministry of Social Solidarity announced Saturday that the families of casualties of a Friday accident on the Cairo Ring Road Bridge will receive in compensation LE10,000 (around $1277) each.

Eight died and 10 were injured in the late hours of Friday when a truck careered off a bridge in Moneib and crashed onto a microbus stop below.

The truck was laden with rocks used in construction and caused damage to at least two microbuses.

The prosecutions initial investigations revealed that a car cut off the truck, which led to the truck driver losing control and crashing with a microbus parked near the crash barrier of the bridge.

The prosecution ordered the arrest of the truck driver who survived the accident.

Egypt is notorious for its poor road safety, badly maintained infrastructure, and loosely enforced traffic regulations.

Last month, the country's census authority said that over 2,800 people were killed in road and train crashes in Egypt in the first half of 2015.

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By West Kentucky Star Staff Jan. 15, 2016 | 11:32 PM | PADUCAH, KY

An accident involving three vehicles on Friday afternoon sent four people to a local hospital for treatment.

McCracken County Sheriff's deputies responded to U.S. Highway 62 near North Gum Springs Road about 4:30 pm. They found that 25-year-old Mandy Hust of West Paducah was westbound on Highway 62 when vehicles stopped in front of her, and was unable to avoid striking the pickup directly in front of her.

The truck, driven by 37-year-old Charles Elledge of Glenallen, MO was pushed into the van in front of him, which was being driven by 53-year-old Connie Holley of Paducah.

Hust's two children, ages 4 months and 2 years old, were in car seats in the back seat of the car, and were taken to Baptist Health Paducah.

Elledge and his passenger, 31-year-old Darien Strong of Paducah, were also taken to Baptist Health Paducah.

Deputies say the road was wet at the time of the accident. The highway was closed for about 45 minutes.
Rita Redmond was a true lady who felt that every pupil had something to gift to the world
Newcastle forward Siem de Jong has suffered yet another in a long line of injury setbacks after doing himself a bit of a mischief in training on Wednesday.

The Dutchman was rushed to hospital after being poked in the eye during the session. There were genuine fears he may lose his sight, but it would seem that the injury wasnt quite as bad as first thought.

Newcastle boss Steve McClaren told BBC Sport:

It was just in training and he accidentally got poked in the eye He went down screaming, so they said Lets have a look at your eye and there was blood pouring from it. He wears contact lenses, and one of the contacts had come out and gone into his eyes.

Having been checked over at hospital, De Jong posted a photo of the aftermath on his official Twitter feed yesterday

Poked in the eye during training, need to rest it for a couple of days. #nufc #strangeinjury pic.twitter.com/Obxrrd2q7n  Siem de Jong (@siemdejong) January 15, 2016

As per McClaren, De Jong is facing a two-week lay-off to allow the bruising to settle down  thus further derailing his injury-peppered time at Newcastle.

The luckless striker has only made seven starts for the Toon since arriving in summer of 2014, thanks to various knacks including a troublesome thigh strain and a collapsed lung  the second of his career.

Poor bugger. Heres wishing him well.
Switzerland cannot start the retrieval process from Swiss banks for the frozen assets of Egyptian ex-president Hosni Mubarak without verifying they were obtained through embezzling public funds, Swiss attorney-general Michael Lauber said on Saturday.

"We are currently analysing the recently issued sentences, and if we do not find a direct correlation between the verdict and the funds in Switzerland we cannot return the money," said Lauber at a Cairo press conference during his visit to hold talks on the issue with his Egyptian counterpart Nabil Sadiq.

"The whole issue is really complicated and I do not have an estimate for when we can give our final say on the matter," he added.

Last week, Mubarak and his two sons Alaa and Gamal lost an appeal on a conviction for embezzling public funds.

In an initial verdict in May 2014, the trio were fined a total of LE125 million and required to pay an additional LE21 million to the state.

Mubarak is the first Egyptian president to stand trial and be convicted of corruption, with the guilty verdict now being final and cannot be further challenged.

Based on initial estimates by the Swiss government, the total amount of assets of the Mubarak regime in Swiss banks is around CHF 650 million, or nearly $698 million (LE5 billion).

In June 2015, Valentin Zellweger, the director of the taskforce on asset recovery at the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), stated that the Swiss government required evidence from an Egyptian court proving that the funds deposited in Swiss banks were obtained through illicit means, whether by corruption, embezzlement or money laundering.

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Jason Rezaian, The Washington Post's Tehran correspondent, and Saeed Abedini, a pastor from Idaho, are among four dual Iranian nationals freed by Iran, the Fars News Agency confirmed Saturday.

Iran said Saturday that four Iranian dual nationals had been freed as part of a prisoner exchange in line with national interests at the order of the country's top security committee.

Rezaian and Abedini are both Iranian-American citizens. Iran's judiciary did not name the four dual-nationals who were released as part of a prisoner swap.

But Fars, citing its judicial reporter, said Rezaian and Abedini were two of the four set free.

The announcement came as Iran and world powers led by the United States were expected to finally implement last July's nuclear deal, which will lift international sanctions imposed on the Islamic republic.

As well as California-born Rezaian, sentenced to unspecified jail time last year having been tried for espionage, Iran has been holding three other Iranian-American citizens.

Pastor Saeed Abedini was in jail for three years after being convicted of undermining national security.

*The story was edited by Ahram Online.

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The United States granted clemency to seven Iranians and dropped charges against 14 more in exchange for the release of four Americans held in Iran, a US official said Saturday.

"Through a diplomatic channel that was established with the focus of getting our detained US citizens home, we can confirm Iran has released from imprisonment four Americans detained in Iran: Amir Hekmati, Saeed Abedini, Jason Rezaian, and Nosratollah Khosravi-Roodsari," he said.

A fifth American, identified as Matthew Trevitick, was also to be released as part of a different process.

"We offered clemency to seven Iranians, six of whom are dual US-Iranian citizens, who had been convicted or are pending trial in the United States. The United States also removed any Interpol red notices and dismissed any charges against 14 Iranians for whom it was assessed that extradition requests were unlikely to be successful."

Hekmati is a former US Marine arrested in August 2011, Abedini is a Christian pastor detained since December 2012. Rezaian is a Washington Post reporter detained in July 2014. Little is known about Khosravi-Roodsari.

The US official also said that Iran has promised to help the United States determine the whereabouts of Robert Levinson, a former FBI agent that went missing in Iran in March 2007.

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Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 16/01/2016 (2468 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Nova Scotia-born poet George Elliott Clarke has been declared Canadas new parliamentary poet laureate.

Clarke is the seventh poet to hold the position (following Michel Pleau). He is an Officer of the Order of Nova Scotia and the Order of Canada, and has received the Governor Generals Award for Poetry, the National Magazine Awards Gold Medal for Poetry and the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Achievement Award.

As parliamentary poet laureate, hell advise on the Parliamentary Librarys collection of poetry, write poetry for use in Parliament on important occasions, and help sponsor readings.

Im humbled and honoured, inspired and eager, to follow previous parliamentary poets laureate in valuing in verse our supernatural nations exemplary experiments in democratized humanism, Clarke said in a statement.

***

Whats your gut telling you?

The University of Manitoba Cafe Scientifique is giving Winnipeggers a chance to chew on this question. The Cafe will present Gut Instinct: The science behind the brain-gut connection at McNally Robinson on Wednesday at 7 p.m.

Panelists include Dr. Jean-Eric Ghia and Dr. Lesley Graff, as well as patient Paula Storney. The panel discussion, which will be moderated by Dr. Charles Bernstein, will get into the nitty-gritty of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), its impact on Canadians, and progress in research.

***

Hark! A Vagrant creator Kate Beatons second picture book, King Baby, will be published by Scholastic Books imprint Arthur A. Levine Books in September 2016.

Beatons galloping success shows no sign of slowing  her first picture book, The Princess and the Pony, was published in July, followed by her third collection of strips, Step Aside, Pops (Drawn & Quarterly) in September, both to immediate acclaim.

The book will be edited by Cheryl Klein and Emily Clement. We immediately loved the idea of a baby that rules over everybodys life, who remains charming throughout in part because he remains so oblivious, Klein said in an interview with Publishers Weekly.

Beaton fans have likely encountered King Baby already, in the cartoonists latest strips on www.harkavagrant.com or on Twitter at @beatonna.

***

At least 10 prominent comic book artists have withdrawn from the Angouleme comics festivals lifetime achievement award contest in protest at this years all-male shortlist.

Daniel Clowes, Chris Ware, Charles Burns, Riad Sattouf, Joann Sfar, Milo Manara, Pierre Christin, Etienne Davodeau, Christophe Blain and Brian Michael Bendis pulled out of the running after the Women in Comics Collective Against Sexism called for a boycott of the prize.

This years shortlist included 30 male artists. In the 43-year history of the prize, reported the Guardian, a woman has won only once.

I am angry when I hear us being called politically correct. I have never asked for parity. That would make all the nominated women suspect; people would say that they did not deserve their place and they were there just to satisfy quotas, Sfar wrote in an editorial for the French edition of The Huffington Post.

I simply do not want to participate in a ceremony that is at this point disconnected from the reality of the current comics world. Thirty names without a single woman is a slap at those who have devoted their lives to creating or loving comics.

julienne.isaacs@gmail.com
Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 14/01/2016 (2470 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Canada flung open its doors to Syrian refugees in 2015 with many arriving in Manitoba late in the year. However, they made up just a fraction of the estimated 1,500 refugees who arrived throughout last year from around the world.

Twelve months of the year, from January to December, families and individuals who fled war and persecution  from Bhutan to Somalia to Syria  took refuge in Winnipeg last year. Heres a look at some of them who arrived in 2015  the Year of the Refugee.

JANUARY

Mike Deal / Winnipeg Free Press Simon Hagos, an Eritrean refugee who arrived in January 2015.

Simon Hagos, 36

When he arrived: Jan. 17.

From: Eritrea. Six years ago, he fled the African country thats been compared to North Korea for its human rights abuses. He initially made it to Israel where, as a temporary resident, he found work making pizzas in Tel Aviv. He knew he had no chance of ever bringing his two children and his wife, who was pregnant with his third child, to Israel.

Where hes at in his resettlement: Hagos works as an office cleaner at night, attends English-language classes three hours a day, five days a week, and shares an apartment with two other refugees who are also sending money to loved ones back home. Hagos was able to apply to bring his wife, Okuba, and their three children to Canada through the federal one-year window, and theyre expected to arrive this year.

Biggest shock: After fleeing Eritrea for political reasons to Israel, where he wasnt welcome to settle with his family, the most startling thing for Hagos coming to Canada has been an end to the anxiousness about the future that hes had for years. I feel OK for the first time.

First impressions of Winnipeg: It will be a good place for him and his family, he said. I can learn. I can work. There are laws and democracy. It is large and there is enough room for everyone.

FEBRUARY

Phil Hossack / Winnipeg Free Press Musu Kayfay and her family ( two kids, a sister and sister-in-law) who arrived in March from Sierra Leone.

Musu Kayfay, 36

Mohamed Sesay, 13

Fatumata Kayfay, 6

When they arrived: Feb. 3.

From: Sierra Leone. In 1998, Kayfay fled fighting in Freetown, Sierra Leone, for a refugee camp in Guinea.

Where theyre at in their resettlement: they live at IRCOMs (Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization of Manitoba) downtown transitional housing. The children are in school and Kayfay attends English-language classes four hours a day, five days a week. She hopes to get her certificate to work as a health-care aide. Both children say they want to be doctors when they grow up.

Biggest shock: The winter, she said. Nobody told me it would be this cold.

First impressions of Winnipeg: The cold hit me and I said Whoa! Were in a new place now,  she said. Im so happy.

MARCH

DAVID LIPNOWSKI / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Reem Younes and her husband Brian Darweesh came to Canada from Syria in March 2015.

Reem Younes, 30

Brian Darweesh, 33

When they arrived: March 19.

From: Syria. They both lived in the Syrian port city of Latakia, close to the border with Turkey and met at university. Darweesh, a political editor, fled to Beirut, Lebanon, where his dad lives, after he was critical on social media of the Assad regime and was called up to join the Syrian Army. His then-girlfriend Younes, a teacher, joined him three months later after fighting drew closer to Latakia. They married in a civil ceremony in Beirut before being sponsored to come to Canada.

Where theyre at in their resettlement: They have an apartment in East Kildonan that was completely furnished by their sponsors, Douglas Mennonite Church. Brian, who used to go by Mohammad, was baptized Mennonite at the church in December. He and Younes, an agnostic, go to church every Sunday. She is working as a child-care assistant before and after school. She is taking English lessons twice a week and would like to work in refugee resettlement. Hes working full-time for a company that does renovation and restoration work. They hope to one day own a house and start a family.

Biggest shock: The diversity of Winnipeg. There are lots of immigrants, Younes said.

First impressions of Winnipeg: The cold temperature and warm people. They said the friendliness of the people enveloped them at the airport before the freezing temperatures hit them outside. Darweesh recalled it being -17 C the day they arrived.

APRIL

JOE BRYKSA / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Mohamed Bangura and his wife Isata Kamara originally from Sierra Leone.

Mohamed Bangura, 43

Isata Kamara, 31

Matiama, 9, Alhaji, 5, and Isatou, 3

When they arrived: April 30.

From: Sierra Leone. Kamara was 15 in 1999 when they fled fighting in Freetown but not before her leg was hacked off with a sword. They crossed into Guinea and then made their way to a refugee camp in Gambia, where they lived for several years.

Where theyre at in their resettlement: The family of five lives in IRCOMs transitional housing downtown. The children attend school and daycare nearby while the parents attend English-language classes Monday to Friday  she in the mornings and he in the afternoon and evenings. He was a carpenter in Africa and loves the work but, for now, any job is a good job for me. Kamara, who got a new prosthetic leg after they arrived and walks to language classes several blocks away five days a week, says she wants to work as a health-care aide.

Biggest shock: The snow, said Bangura. There wasnt any left when they arrived in April but they were up at 2 a.m. watching in wonderment when they witnessed it falling for the first time.

First impressions of Winnipeg: Peace, Bangura said. Its good, said Kamara. The people are friendly.

MAY

Phil Hossack / Winnipeg Free Press Tek and his wife Sabitri Bhandari with their daughter Neya, The family came from Bhutan. Two cousins who came separately, Shreya (left) and Sahana (6) in the background.

Tek Bhandari, 46

Sabitri Bhandari, 36

Suresh, 18, and Pujan, 16, and Neya, 8

When they arrived: May 1.

From: Bhutan. Tek and Sabitri were kids when they were displaced from Bhutan to a refugee camp in neighbouring Nepal. Bhutanese refugees of ethnic Nepalese descent have been living in seven camps in eastern Nepal since the early 1990s when Bhutan wanted to impose a single national culture and language and to restrict citizenship. Eventually, more than 100,000 ethnic Nepalese from Bhutan were moved to Nepal between 1988 and 1993. Canada has resettled more than 6,300 Bhutanese.

Where theyre at in their resettlement: The family lives in an IRCOM apartment. The boys attend Gordon Bell High School and Neya is in Grade 3. The parents attend English-language classes five days a week.

Biggest shock: Everything was so different, Bhandari said through an interpreter.

First impressions: It was like going from the light to the darkness, Bhandari said, saying he felt totally lost and out of place. I was crying and wanted to know if I could go back, Sabitri said through the interpreter. Now its good, she said, but I worry about the snow and the cold.

JUNE

Jason Halstead / Winnipeg Free Press From left: Abiot Gorfu, sons Daniel (7) and Samuel (12) and husband Wassie came to Canada in June as refugees after fleeing Ethiopia.

Wassie Gorfu, 45

Abiot Gorfu, 37

Samuel, 12, and Daniel, 6

When they arrived: June 29.

From: Ethiopia. They both fled Ethiopia many years ago  Wassie left during the war when Eritrea fought for its independence 24 years ago. Abiot left in the aftermath. They both ended up in Khartoum, Sudan, where they wed, had their sons and eked out a living as undocumented workers  she as a cook and he as a security guard. They lived in a one-room shelter so they could afford to send their sons to a decent school.

Where theyre at in their resettlement: Wassie says hes planning to be a truck driver but is working as a security guard for now. Both he and Abiot are taking English-language classes. She wants to work as a health-care aide, she said through an interpreter. Their sons have settled into their schools. Samuel wants to be a mechanical engineer and Daniel wants to be a police officer. They live in an apartment in St. James where hes a caretaker and they get support from friends at their Ethiopian Orthodox church and the Hospitality House Refugee Ministry.

Biggest shock: The snow, said son Daniel, who was amazed by it at first. Its so cold  how could we play in it? His dad was surprised to learn his kids schooling is free.

First impressions: Its much cleaner, said Abiot, who appreciates Winnipegs wide-open spaces. Its a good place to live.

JULY

Ruth Bonneville / Winnipeg Free Press Priscile Cishayo, 46, and her daughter Genie (Burgundy tank), 20, son Bennit, 18, and daughter Winnie (all black clothes), 17.

Priscile Cishayo, 46

Genie, 20, Bennit, 18 and Winnie, 17

When they arrived: July 8.

From: Burundi. Cishayo left during the war in Burundi 17 years ago, fleeing to the Democratic Republic of Congo. Thats where she and her husbands three children were born. When fighting broke out in Congo, the family became separated. Cishayo and the kids fled to South Africa and, to this day, she doesnt know where her husband is or if he is alive. As a single mom, she took care of her three kids working as a housekeeper.

Where theyre at in their resettlement: The four of them live in a Charleswood duplex with their sponsor, Prisciles good friend Claudine from Burundi along with Claudines husband and two children. Bennit and Winnie are in high school and Genie is studying business administration at the University of Winnipeg.

Biggest shock: For Cishayo, its the way refugees are treated in Canada. In South Africa, xenophobia is rampant and foreigners such as her and her children were harassed, she said. Bennit said he at first wasnt sure what to make of Manitobans friendliness. Sometimes its a bit a scary, he laughed.

First impressions: Its pretty, said Genie, who was awed by all the trees and greenery she saw when they first arrived in July.

AUGUST

Phil Hossack / Winnipeg Free Press Zewdi Habtemichael with three of her kids, left to right: Suzan (11), Alexander (13) and Youel (6). She and her 8 children came to Canada as refugees in the past year.

Zewdi Habtemichael, 46

Beylul, 16, Alexander, 13, Suzan, 11 and Youel, 6.

Four adult children who came with them but live elsewhere.

When they arrived: Aug. 31.

From: Eritrea. Habtemichael, a widow, fled Eritrea for the sake of her children. They went to Sudan where they were privately sponsored to come to Canada.

Where theyre at in their resettlement: The family lives in IRCOMs transitional housing apartment block downtown, and the children are in school. Through an interpreter, Zewdi said shes planning to take English-language classes, find a job and get a bigger place. She said shes grateful to an elderly man who was moving out of his home and donated all his furniture to the family.

Biggest shock: The buildings, Suzan said without the help of an interpreter. She was surprised by Winnipegs architecture once they landed in the city. (The buildings are) so different.

First impressions: Im happy, Habtemichael said, recalling her relief at making it to Winnipeg. My children came to an advanced country where they can learn.

SEPTEMBER

John Woods / Winnipeg Free Press Sagal Abdi Ali, a refugee from Somalia, with her two sons Ryaaz, 2, and Ridwan, one month, in her cousin's home. Sagal was sponsored by her cousin and came to Canada is September.

Sagal Abdi Ali, 25

Ryaaz Ali, 2

Baby Ridwan, who was in utero when they arrived and was born in December

When they arrived: Sept. 15.

From: Somalia. Ali left Mogadishu in 2010 because it was not safe and took refuge in Capetown, South Africa. She worked as a baker but it still wasnt a safe, permanent place to call home. She was sponsored by her cousin in Winnipeg to come to Canada.

Where theyre at in their resettlement: Ali and her two young children are living in an apartment with her cousin and cousins husband in the West End. She speaks English and is focusing on caring for Riyaaz and Ridwan but wants to go back to school when theyre a bit older and study to become a nurse.

Biggest shock: Snow. Its too cold, and I dont like the cold, said Ali.

First impressions of Winnipeg: People are very friendly. I can walk anywhere. Its a safe place.

OCTOBER

TREVOR HAGAN/WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Family portrait of Genet Eshete, Kidus Urga, 17, Yacob Urga, and Yosef Urga, 12, all refugees from Ethiopia.

Genet Eshete, 34

Kidus, 17, and Yosef, 12

Joined her husband Yacob Urga, who arrived in Winnipeg in September 2012

When they arrived: Oct. 6.

From: Ethiopia. She and Yacob had a shop in a town close to the countrys capital of Addis Ababa until her husband was forced to flee for political reasons. Genet and the children waited three years and one month to join Yacob in Winnipeg.

Where theyre at in their resettlement: He now works as a delivery driver. Genet is training with a cleaning company and learning English. Their sons are both in school full-time near their immaculate two-bedroom basement apartment in the North End. Both sons said, in English, they want to be health-care professionals.

Biggest shock: The city is so big, said Kidus, who was taken aback by Winnipegs spaciousness. For his mom, it was the stuff on the ground. The snow, Genet said through Kidus. It was something she expected in Winnipeg but seeing it for the first time still came as a shock, she said.

First impressions of Winnipeg: Its a good city, said Genet. There is no problem.

NOVEMBER

Ruth Bonneville / Winnipeg Free Press Rohingya Muslim refugees from Myanmar where they were persecuted by Buddhists and had no rights, now are settled in Winnipeg. From left: Mohammed Tayab, Omar Sarduk (dad of baby), Khin Khin Tay (mom), Thoudada Nay, 3 months and Hafzur Rahaman.

Omar Sarduk, 39

Khin Khin Tay, 28

Infant daughter Thoudada Nay

When they arrived: Nov. 24.

From: Myanmar, after he spent six years in a refugee camp in Cambodia. She joined him there a year ago.

Where theyre at in their resettlement: Theyve started the Entry program  a four-week introduction for newcomers to Canada that provides them with information about their new home, its rules and how it works. At the end of it, their English-language skills will be assessed and theyll be directed to language classes. Khin Khin can read English and is an experienced tailor who hopes to work from home on a donated sewing machine. Sarduk, who worked for an auto-parts dealer, hopes to improve his English and get back into the auto-parts business.

Biggest shock: Pedestrian-vehicle etiquette. They were trying to cross Main Street on foot and traffic stopped for them.

First impressions of Winnipeg: After dreaming of coming to Canada, stepping out of the airport confirmed they had actually arrived. I was very happy to see the snow, Sarduk said through an interpreter.

DECEMBER

Ruth Bonneville / Winnipeg Free Press Khaled Alhmeidat with Samer, Mohammad, Rania, little brothers Moaiad, Motasem, and Motaz.

Khaled Alhmeidat

Eqbal Alhmeidat

Samer, Mohammad, Rania, Moaiad, Motasem and Motaz (ages 16 to 2)

When they arrived: Dec. 28.

From: Damascus, Syria. They fled their home in the Syrian capital on Feb. 2, 2013. It was overwhelming, Alhmeidat said through an interpreter. For three days we were under heavy fire. We were scared to go out and get food. The grocers family fled to Daraa near the border with Jordan but didnt stay long. There was heavy fighting there, and we cant stay. They crossed into Jordan to the safety of a refugee camp. It was horrible. The wind kept whipping their tent apart. The dust made it difficult for baby Motaz to breathe. They jumped at the chance to come to Canada.

Where theyre at in their resettlement: The week they arrived, they were staying in an apartment downtown, getting over their jet lag and the children were looking forward to starting school.

Biggest shock: The brightness of snow, Alhmeidat said. Weve been living in darkness for four years, and when the kids saw the snow, they started playing in it. It was like coming out from the darkness to a bright place.

First impressions of Winnipeg: I wasnt sure I was in Canada, Alhmeidat said. It was a dream come true.

carol.sanders@freepress.mb.ca
Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 15/01/2016 (2469 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A former Fire Commissioners Office of Manitoba employee was daydreaming when the department truck he was driving slammed full speed into the rear of a car on the Trans-Canada Highway, killing two teens and injuring two others.

Timothy Langevin, 47, of Elie, was fined $8,000 after pleading guilty to careless driving in Portage la Prairie court last month.

The Crown accepted not-guilty pleas from Langevin for other charges of dangerous driving causing death and injury.

Mike Deal / Winnipeg Free Press files A gouge in the earth along the Trans-Canada Highway about two kilometers west of MacGregor, Manitoba, is all that marks the spot where two teens were killed in a crash in October 2013.

During sentencing Dec. 14, provincial court Judge Jean McBride said while Langevin has lost his job and has been unemployed for more than a year  and had tried to commit suicide a few times in the more than two years since the collision  she had to fine him as a message to others.

He was daydreaming not paying attention to the task of driving, McBride said.

A number of very good peoples lives have been changed. No explanation by anyone really gives comfort as to why this happened. And, unfortunately, anything I do today will do nothing to change that.

The judge said she would leave it up to the provinces motor vehicle branch as to whether it would suspend Langevins drivers licence.

Langevin was on duty and driving a department pickup truck when he struck a vehicle just west of MacGregor on Oct. 5, 2013.

The driver of the car, Charles Friesen, 17, who was from Austin but had been living in Winnipeg, died on the scene. Daden Pomehichuk, 14, of Sidney, was rushed to Portage General Hospital but died of his injuries.

Jayver Krahn, 18, suffered a traumatic brain injury  court was told he still suffers the effects  while 18-year-old Ryan Lloyd, suffered a broken collarbone as well as bruised ribs.

Family members of all four were in court during the sentencing, but no one could be reached for comment Friday.

Crown attorney Larry Hodgson said eastbound traffic on the highway had slowed  because of a bed-pushing fundraiser by agricultural students with the University of Manitoba  when the Ford F-350 pickup Langevin was driving plowed into the rear of a Mazda Protege.

The Protege was basically destroyed, he said.

There was no indication the brake had been applied, and it was believed the cruise control was still on at the time.

The RCMP estimated Langevin was driving 117 km/h.

Hodgson said there were two cellphones found in Langevins vehicle, but the only texts and phone calls from them were minutes before the collision.

The Crown said the traffic analyst believes Langevin was driving in a state where the driver is not consciously paying attention to the roadway ahead of him.

In essence, they are really daydreaming or thinking of something else, but not paying attention to the task of driving.

Defence counsel Richard Wolson said the collision was a terrible tragedy.

Lives have been lost, and people have been injured, and Tim Langevins life and his familys lives have been forever changed.

This is a man who has been devastated by what has happened he doesnt know the details. He cant remember the details.

Wolson said Langevin would always pull to the side of the road whenever he used his cellphone.

He added in the wake of the collision Langevin has lost his job and been collecting workers compensation for about a year. Court was told he is also being treated for post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and anxiety attacks.

He has always been a person who helped other people, but here he caused harm to other people, the lawyer said, adding Langevin didnt have a criminal or highway traffic record.

Wolson said Langevin is hoping to meet with family members of the teens.

Meanwhile, an agricultural faculty spokeswoman said the student bed-push fundraiser has been changed since the collision.

Crystal Jorgenson said after the collision RCMP told the students it was no longer safe to hold the fundraiser on the highway.

Jorgenson said in the two years since then, the students have modified the fundraiser so they run down the main streets of the towns and communities next to the highway between Brandon and Winnipeg.

They no longer run down the Trans-Canada, she said.

It has been great because the community members come out so there is more interaction with the communities.

kevin.rollason@freepress.mb.ca
Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 16/01/2016 (2468 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The owner of the Fortune building is disappointed in this weeks decision to grant heritage status to his property and two others on Main Street.

The decision that was made (on heritage status) was based more on emotion than rational decision on what is possible in that area and what is best for the city, said George Landes, who, along with his wife, Shirley, has owned the property at 232 Main St., for the last 20 years.

The citys property and development committee was persuaded by a group headed up by local businessman John Pollard, who is interested in buying and refurbishing the Fortune Building and the adjoining MacDonald building and would considering doing the same with the Winnipeg Hotel, to approve the heritage status.

Ruth Bonneville / Winnipeg Free Press files The Fortune Building is home to the Times Change(d) High and Lonesome Club.

The owners of the three properties would rather see the trio demolished to make way for a $35-million, 150-room extended-stay hotel.

Landes said he was also upset about the way the Toronto developers were treated at the meeting. The proposed hotel would feature a main-floor restaurant with an atrium and patios.

The top two floors of the Fortune Building have been vacant for 45 years and would require being gutted down to the studs to replace all the plumbing and electrical. The windows and the roof need to be replaced, too.

Landes said a financial feasibility study has projected the cost of renovating the three buildings to be $17 million, not including the price of acquiring them. Because the refurbishment costs on all three will be so high, its possible the city will be left with eyesore derelict buildings, he said.

What good is that to anybody? he said.

Landes also doesnt buy the contention the failure to renovate the Fortune Building will doom the Times Change(d) High and Lonesome Club, the longtime tenant on the main floor.

This is part of the emotional sentiment going on. Its not realistic to think that (the blues bar) with the great following that it has couldnt replicate that in another location. To think a whole $35-million renewal project could die because of a 1,350-square-foot nightclub is just bizarre, he said.

Landes said he decided to go public with his views because he didnt like being vilified in the media as the bad guy who wanted to demolish three old buildings.

Whether the heritage status sticks will be up to all of city council. Because the building owners formally opposed the designation, a vote on the issue will be put to all council members.

Regardless of what happens to the Fortune Building, Landes said he and his wife will sell their ownership stake. He said any details regarding a possible selling price are being kept confidential.

geoff.kirbyson@freepress.mb.ca
Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 16/01/2016 (2468 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

With one niece missing and two others charged with homicide, Sue Caribou laid bare her familys trauma Friday, disclosing violent deaths, slayings and unsolved disappearances of the kind Canadas national inquiry for missing and murdered women will someday chronicle.

The normally composed Caribou, 50 a widowed mother of six and grandmother of 10, is known for her matter-of-fact delivery.

Shes spoken extensively about the physical, sexual and emotional abuse she endured as a residential school survivor. Shes acted as family spokeswoman for her niece, Tanya Nepinak, 31, who disappeared in 2011. Nepinaks body has never been found, and charges of second-degree murder against convicted killer Shawn Lamb were stayed.

Wayne Glowacki / Winnipeg Free Press Sue Caribou, the aunt of the two women charged with homicide this week.

A national inquiry for Canadas 1,200 missing and murdered indigenous women, among Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus major campaign promises, will be launched later this year, following a cross-country tour about to get underway with Indigenous Affairs Minister Carolyn Bennett. She will be in Winnipeg Feb. 8 to meet with families, including Caribou.

Caribou wept at a news conference at the offices of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs for the Family First Foundation, a support group for families of the missing and murdered.

Her lips were a shade of blue, an ominous sign of her ailing heart, which has already had two attacks.

My sister couldnt make it. Shes very traumatized by what has happened to her daughters, Caribou said in her first words.

It took the next hour for Caribou to lay out her familys intergenerational cycle of trauma, repeated calls for counselling to stave off further tragedy, including signs of trouble among her two nieces long before they were arrested for this weeks homicide on William Avenue.

On Wednesday, Caribous nieces, younger sisters of Tanya, were charged with second-degree murder and attempted murder, in the citys first homicide of 2016. Candice Nepinak, 31, and Vanessa Nepinak, 35, were arrested when Cynthia French, 35, died after being stabbed with scissors early Tuesday evening.

Frenchs sister is recovering after being stabbed following the attack in a rooming house.

I am so sorry for the loss in the French family. I cant imagine what they are going through. Im sorry for both families, Caribou said.

The French and Nepinak sisters had a long, tumultuous history and had known each other since they were teenagers, Caribou said.

Caribou said she has repeatedly called on elders and counsellors to help the family since Tanyas disappearance in 2011.

Tragic coincidences left the family frustrated and angry with officials; a search of the Brady landfill for Tanyas body, for instance, was called off the same day as Tanyas birthday.

I keep saying my family is very traumatized by all the deaths and the women who have gone missing or been murdered, and its been going on since 1972, Caribou said.

Brief periods of counselling and help from elders over the years have fallen short of the intensive therapy the family needs, she said.

Nobody will help until something drastic happens, and then its too late, Caribou said.

Theres a cycle of murder, missing people, violence and alcohol abuse in my family.

alexandra.paul@freepress.mb.ca
The Washington-Kosciusko Elementary gymnasium was buzzing with excitement Friday afternoon.

At about 1 p.m., hundreds of children piled into the schools festively decorated gymnasium and sat cross-legged on the wooden floor, with teachers, staff, administrators, parents, school board and community members lining the sides.

They were all there to celebrate two special achievements.

This month marks the 80 years since the school first opened its doors in 1936, combining Washington, Kosciusko and Sugar Loaf schools in Winona.

And, last September, W-K was named a 2015 National Blue Ribbon school by the program of the same name that honors schools which have achieved high academic excellence or made significant improvements in closing the achievement gap where at least 40 percent of the student population is classified as disadvantaged.

W-K was one of just seven schools in the state of Minnesota to receive the award.

These are two achievements, principal Brad Berzinski said, that both W-K and the district should be proud of  and that the school has been building toward for a long time.

This is a culmination of many years of hard work by an incredibly dedicated staff and incredibly hardworking students and parents, Berzinski said.

At Fridays ceremony, Berzinski made opening marks before turning the mic over to second-grade teacher Luke Merchlewitz, who shared a bit of the schools history over the last 80 years.

Then, a group of students from kindergarten through the fourth grade shared their thoughts on what makes W-K a Blue Ribbon school.

I think W-K elementary is a Blue Ribbon school because I like my fourth-grade friends, said student Clayton Mlynczak, referring to the schools buddy system.

I think W-K is a Blue Ribbon school because all the teachers are awesome, Izzy Anderson said.

W-K deserves to be a Blue Ribbon School because we have many amazing teachers and a lot of hardworking students, said Salome Tolvaisas.

Maintenance engineer Terry Thrune and teacher Lisa Hudson also shared their thoughts on why the school was a deserving candidate.

WAPS superintendent Stephen West gave the closing remarks and was emotional as he said congratulations to students and staff, a school community that continues to rise to the greatest challenges schools face, such as closing the achievement gap.

Like other schools, West said, W-K faces challenges such as poverty, changing populations, growing numbers of English language learners and family dysfunction  but W-K is an excellent school because everyone believes in the students, he said.

They believe that each and every one of you can learn at high levels, and they are sharing a commitment to make that come true, he said.
BROOKLYN CENTER, Minn.  Gov. Mark Dayton renewed his call for tougher penalties for the worst poachers Friday, saying they commit shameful and serious acts that should be treated as such under Minnesota law.

Speaking at an annual conference convened by the Department of Natural Resources, the governor said he plans to make another push during the upcoming legislative session for felony-level penalties for poachers who unlawfully take game or fish with a restitution value of $2,000 or more under state law. That works out to four or more ordinary deer, for example, two or more trophy bucks, or 67 or more walleye or northern pike.

Theyre really criminal acts against all of us. ... Were the ones who are harmed, Dayton said.

Dayton made essentially the same proposal last year, but it failed to get enough support. The governor said hell try to do a better job this time of explaining to legislators why tougher penalties are necessary, citing some recent cases in which hunters far exceeded the number of deer, fish or turtles they were allowed to kill.

His office put out a statement listing four acts in particular: two individuals caught with a combined 449 crappies over their limit last May in Wright County; a deer poaching case in January 2014 in Dawson in which the DNR seized 28 sets of antlers and other illegally taken game; a man caught in November 2014 who admitted taking 13 deer illegally from the Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge and the Sand Dunes State Forest; and the unsolved killing of two rare bull elk near Grygla in 2013.

DNR Commissioner Tom Landwehr told reporters afterward that the governors proposal is aimed at the worst of the worst offenders with penalties commensurate to the severity of the offenses.

This is not people who are doing this by accident, Landwehr said. Theyre people who take pride in beating the system and bragging about it afterward, he said.

The Minnesota Deer Hunters Association supports the idea of increased penalties, said its executive director, Craig Engwall.

Poachers arent hunters, Engwall said.

But passing tougher criminal penalties for poachers is more complicated than passing typical game and fish policy proposals because the bill would have to survive more committee stops, such as the judiciary committees, rather than just the natural resources committees, said Gary Botzek, executive director of the Minnesota Conservation Federation.

Rep. Tom Hackbarth, R-Cedar, who chairs the House outdoor recreation committee, said hell wait to hear more details from the DNR.

I think we probably can get something done this year, he said. It might not be this exact proposal.
The Washington Post welcomed Iran's release of its reporter Jason Rezaian on Saturday, in a message from its publisher Frederick Ryan.

"We couldn't be happier to hear the news that Jason Rezaian has been released from Evin Prison. Once we receive more details and can confirm Jason has safely left Iran, we will have more to share," he said.

Rezaian, a California-born Iranian-American, was detained in July 2014 and later convicted after a trial on charges of espionage and other crimes against national security.

He was freed on Saturday along with three more Iranian-Americans after what US officials said was a long diplomatic campaign to secure their release.

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Decision expected next month on proposed PolyMet mine  BROOKLYN CENTER, Minn.  The head of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources says he expects to decide in mid- to late February whether to sign off on the environmental review for the proposed PolyMet copper-nickel mine. Supporters and opponents of the proposed mine have been waiting to see if Commissioner Tom Landwehr will deem the final environmental impact statement for the project to be adequate. Landwehr told The Associated Press Friday he expects to make his decision in mid- to late February.

Ousted Starkey president files wrongful termination lawsuit  MINNEAPOLIS  The ousted president at Starkey Laboratories filed a wrongful termination lawsuit against the hearing aid manufacturer on Friday, alleging he was fired in retaliation for whistleblower activity. Jerry Ruzicka also alleged his character was defamed, and that the company and its owner violated its employee stock ownership plan, the Star Tribune reported. Starkey attorney David Bradley Olson said he couldnt comment on specifics, but he noted that federal agents searched Ruzickas home in November and we are confident that the investigation will show that Ruzicka abused the trust that was placed in him, by among other things, stealing millions of dollars from the company and its employees.

4 Wisconsin stores among dozens of Walmart closures  MILWAUKEE  Four Wisconsin Walmart stores will shut down this month as part of the wave of closures announced by the retail giant. The affected stores in the state are a Walmart in Milwaukee and Neighborhood Markets in Menomonee Falls, Waukesha and Wauwatosa. The worlds largest retailer announced 269 closures Friday, 154 of those in the U.S. The Bentonville, Arkansas, company said its working to ensure that workers are placed in nearby locations.

City without groundhog after mayor got bit last year  SUN PRAIRIE, Wis.  Sun Prairie is without a groundhog for this years Groundhog Day festivities, after the animal used at last years event bit the former mayor. Images of Jimmy the Groundhog biting then-Mayor Jon Freunds ear were widely circulated, bringing unwanted attention to Sun Prairie. Afterward, authorities told Jimmys owners they needed a license to own a groundhog, prompting Ti and Jeff Gauger to release Jimmy into the wild. Ti Gauger manages the Business Improvement District, which organizes Groundhog Day festivities. She says organizers are scrambling for a replacement, but the event will proceed even if none is found.

Authorities arrest 4 13-year-olds after lengthy car chase  MILWAUKEE  Authorities say theyve arrested four, 13-year-old Milwaukee boys after a lengthy car chase that ended in a crash. The Milwaukee County Sheriffs Office says a deputy spotted a vehicle wanted in connection with a strong-arm robbery Friday. The deputy went to pull the vehicle over, but the driver fled, sparking a 15-mile pursuit across the city. Sheriffs deputies and Milwaukee police eventually boxed in the driver, who crashed into some of the squad cars. They face felony charges of fleeing and reckless endangerment.
In a back room within the Sauk County Courthouse, a group of professionals gathered Friday morning.

Members of the Sauk County Criminal Justice Coordinating Councils Drug Court Subcommittee gathered around a circular table to discuss the details of Sauk County residents who have been charged with crimes related to their drug use. Soon, a number of those defendants will be selected to begin a new program designed to treat their addictions and keep them out of jail.

Sauk Prairie heroin treatment program ready to expand It happens multiple times a week in the Sauk County jail. Another inmate has flu-like sympto

Applicants who qualify for Sauk County Adult Drug Court will be provided with intensive treatment, and will have many people keeping tabs on them.

Advocates say theres no denying that Sauk County  like many other areas in Wisconsin  has a drug problem. In September, local justice officials reported there had been nine overdose deaths in 2015.

Last week, law enforcement agencies reported a number of overdoses related to a highly potent batch of heroin that had been distributed locally.

For Janelle Krueger, Sauk Countys Criminal Justice Coordinator, the drug court program that started this month couldnt come soon enough. The initiative is the first of its kind locally, although drug courts are used throughout the country, including in neighboring Columbia County.

There are 58 alternative sentencing programs in 40 Wisconsin counties, according to the council. They have different focuses, such as veterans, drunken drivers, or the mentally ill. But the idea is the same: Focused treatment as an alternative to incarceration.

Many eyes on them

In many cases, when a defendant with drug problems reaches a plea deal with prosecutors, treatment is mandated as part of their sentence. And often, its up to the defendant to navigate that terrain, get signed up, and show up for his or her appointments.

Those who participate in drug court will have a much different experience.

They have lots of eyes on them making sure that theyre meeting those requirements, and really making sure all their needs across the board are being met, Krueger said. Because oftentimes, people are just left feeling overwhelmed.

She said the hope is to eventually establish treatment court programs for drunken drivers, and other at-risk populations.

From probation officers to counselors and a case manager, drug court participants will have people from a number of different agencies helping to nudge them along. They also will appear in court before a judge, who will review their progress on a weekly basis.

Krueger said the program will take 18 to 24 months for most people to complete.

Who gets to participate?

Only criminal defendants whose crimes were committed to feed their drug addiction can qualify for the program. Drug dealers dont qualify, unless their dealing is merely a means of supporting their habit, Krueger said.

Research has shown drug courts that enroll participants within 50 days of their arrest, and accept defendants with non-drug charges, achieve higher reductions in recidivism. And drug court organizers say thats their goal.

But progress may be slow at first.

If we look at addiction as a sickness of the brain, it may not be realistic to expect that they quit everything right away, said Baraboo attorney Deborah ORourke, a public defender.

She said in many cases, the court likely be the first time participants have had anyone take an interest in seeing them succeed.

Participants will face sanctions for bad behavior, such as lying to a probation officer. But it wont be an all or nothing affair, as probation often is. Screwing up wont automatically disqualify someone from the program.

We will have both sanctions and incentives, said Sauk County Circuit Court Judge Michael Screnock. The goal is to give the participants the pats on the back that will encourage them to continue along the way, because its not an easy process.

Screnock will spend several minutes with each participant every Friday, going over their progress with a case manager.

If someone loses eligibility in the program, or commits another crime and must be sentenced, Screnock said, he will not take part in their sentencing. While some argue judges who participate in drug courts are more informed and better able to sentence participants, others say their intimate knowledge of the defendant is unfair.

To avoid any conflict, Screnock said, one of the countys two other circuit court judges will handle sentencing of any drug court participants.

A holistic approach

Rather than simply attacking the addiction, the drug court team will try to identify all aspects of participants lives that are holding them back. That may include jobs training, mental health counseling, or access to child care.

Our hope is theres just a lot more hands on intensive guidance to make all those changes in their lives, and to make them contributing members of society, ORourke said. You want a secure job and stable mental health. There are many things these people need help with.

Although addicts may see the benefits of treatment, they seldom feel a strong desire to seek it out, Krueger said. But if they can get the ball rolling, the effects of their addiction will slowly start to diminish, the benefits will become clear, and motivation continuously build.

Its natural to resist change, Krueger said. We just have to keep them long enough that we see benefits.
It happens multiple times a week in the Sauk County jail. Another inmate has flu-like symptoms, and is suffering from drug withdrawal.

In many cases, the culprit is heroin, a drug that has surged in popularity in recent years. Its use has reached epidemic levels in Wisconsin and other parts of the country.

Its a very high percent of people coming in that some sort of their criminal activity is related to their use of heroin or other addiction, said Sauk County Sheriffs Department Lt. Lewis Lange.

When an inmate goes through withdrawal in jail, nurses often help ease the pain with medication. They provide the inmate with electrolyte fluids to keep them hydrated. And most importantly, they dont allow the option of ending withdrawal through a heroin fix.

But in the last year, the sheriffs department has taken another step to help inmates get clean, by assisting with a program that originated in Sauk Prairie and is designed to wean people off heroin slowly with a new medication called Vivitrol. The $1,000-per-shot drug must be injected once a month, and helps diminish opiate cravings.

If an addict who wants to participate has been clean for at least five to seven days, a jail nurse will give them their first shot of Vivitrol just before they are released, Lange said.

The inmate can then continue participation in the Sauk Prairie program, called Community Activated Recovery Enhancement, which also provides intensive counseling and a home for recovering female addicts.

The program will soon be expanded to Baraboo, Reedsburg and Spring Green, thanks to a $1 million federal grant. The money will help establish a similar program in Columbia County in its second year, and in Richland County in its third year.

Sauk Prairie Police Chief Gerald Strunz said its been a total community effort that has made the CARE program successful. From St. Vincent de Pauls funding of a recovery home for female heroin addicts, to the participation of local healthcare providers, businesses and law enforcement.

Too often, Strunz said, attempts to combat drug use focus on the supply side  arresting dealers, users and trying to disrupt distribution. Strunz said the CARE program is different.

What were doing here is were trying to focus on the demand for the drug, he said. Were truly addressing the core issues and trying to treat addiction. People have said this is a soft on crime approach, and I disagree with that. I think this is a smart on crime approach.

Strunz said officers in Sauk Prairie have even driven users who have expressed the desire to get clean to treatment locations, so they can enter the CARE program.

Since the grant was awarded, organizers have held meetings in Baraboo, Reedsburg and Spring Green, said Sauk County Human Services Department Director Bill Orth, and have selected a Madison firm called Tellurian as a contractor. The company is developing office space in Baraboo, and recruiting to fill five positions.

The Sauk County Human Services Department also has added a nurse position through a different contract arrangement, Orth said.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health will study the Sauk County program to compare its results with more traditional treatment methods.
FRIESLAND | As part of an effort to visit an innovative business in every county in Wisconsin, former Sen. Russ Feingold toured the United Wisconsin Grain Producers ethanol plant Friday.

Feingold, who is running against Sen. Ron Johnson to win back his seat in the U.S. Senate, spoke about how Internet access is changing the game for very rural places in Wisconsin.

The opportunities for employment and innovation are unlimited, Feingold said.

Feingold learned more about ethanol and how it is made during a presentation led by Tim Politano, quality assurance manager at UWGP.

Politano shared details of the drill mill process, from receiving the corn, milling it, creating a slurry with corn, water and enzymes, creating a mash, adding yeast, allowing the mash to ferment, distilling the mash to boil out and separate the ethanol, and taking the product at 190 proof and sending it through a molecular sieve system that removes more water and leaves a product that is 200 proof. (A denaturant is added to make the ethanol unfit for human consumption).

Were working to get the most out of every kernel we process, Politano said.

Co-products from the process include dried distillers grains and crude corn oil.

The tour included representatives from the Wisconsin Corn Growers Association; Dale Drachenberg, the vice president of risk management at Didion Milling in Cambria; and Dana Gustafson, the director of public relations from Marquis Energy, which has an ethanol facility in Necedah. The group spoke with Feingold about challenges the ethanol industry faces, including access to the market for fuel.

Politano shared highlights of UWGPs production in 2015, which included processing 19.8 million bushels of corn to create 57.2 million gallons of ethanol, 133,000 tons of dry distillers grains, 28,000 tons of modified wet distillers grain, and 1.9 million gallons of crude corn oil.

Cal Dalton, a UWGP board member, said 10 years ago, UWGP was producing 26 gallons of ethanol per bushel of corn. He said now UWGP can produce 28 gallons of ethanol and 16.4 pounds of dried distillers grains per bushel of corn.

Were getting a lot more value out of that same kernel of corn, said Cal Dalton, a UWGP board member.

UWGP began producing ethanol in May 2005 and, as of Dec. 31, has shipped 583.5 million gallons of ethanol. General manager Barb Bontrager said UWGP employs 43 people and pays $3.9 million a year in wages and benefits.

Feingold shared his connection to corn.

I grew up in Rock County, which has more corn than dairy cows, Feingold said.

He said his father would get excited about Seneca Chief corn, and while his was not a farm family, farming played a role in his community. Feingold said he loved that ethanol allows families to stay on the farm and asked if any employees working at UWGP are also corn producers. He learned UWGP had an employee who was an investor, a grower and a seller.

Feingold also learned about UWGPs $22 million expansion project, which will allow the plant to recover more protein and corn oil as co-products of ethanol. Feingold asked if the expansion means more employees.

Dalton said they plan to add six to eight employees with the expansion, which should be up and running n July.
JUNEAU | Walking through the Dodge County Courthouse one might notice a number of paintings hanging on the walls.

But the paintings hanging both outside and inside the branch two courtroom hold special importance to Judge John Storck.

Hanging in his courtroom is a watercolor of a flower done by his mother, Caroline Storck. Caroline began painting when she was 18 and took her first art class at Milwaukee State Teachers College, from whence she graduated with a degree in art education.

At nearly 95, Caroline has been learning about, teaching about and making art for more than 70 years.

Caroline said she didnt take any art classes in high school.

My mother was a piano teacher and choral director, so I played the piano, she said. But I didnt have the ear to continue with that so when I went to college I decided to enroll in the art department.

Caroline went to her professor after her first semester and asked how she was doing because to her, It seemed that everyone else had been doing art since high school.

Her professor told her that she had nothing to unlearn so, I kept on.

Following graduation, Caroline went to teach at Roosevelt Junior High in Appleton where she taught seventh, eighth and ninth grade art and ninth grade English for two years. She taught another six and a half years at Longfellow Elementary School in Madison. She said her favorite part of teaching was the children.

My artistic journey has been a long one, interrupted at times by family responsibilities, Caroline said.

Following her teaching years Caroline had three children; Ellen, John and Carol. She took time off from painting to raise them, and focused her artistic endeavors on things like sewing.

After the children grew up, Caroline resumed painting and continued her art education.

John said, One of the things that mom has always enjoyed doing is learning new techniques. Mom went to a week-long art camp as an 85-year-old adult.

All of Carolines paintings are done in watercolor but she adds different techniques, including using ink pens and masa paper (to add texture).

What I have learned from Mom, John said, is she would always come back with a new technique so even after all these years she was still learning something new. It is not just sitting down and painting, it is learning the techniques.

Caroline has completed more than 150 paintings. She keeps a binder with a photo of each painting and a description of where the painting resides. Every painting has a story.

John said, Mom and dad were fortunate to travel, basically around the world. And what mom would do is she would take pictures of various scenes. She has paintings from various places around the world.

Caroline used her photographs as inspiration and she has painted in places from Jamaica to Italy.

You have to get ideas somewhere, so you get ideas from wherever you are and you have to experience that. You have to experience something to express it, she said.

She is adamant that she does not want to sell any of her paintings.

If you dont have to then you keep them, right?

Caroline does give her paintings to her children and family members.

John said, My mom has paintings in our church and in the courthouse. Her house is full of her paintings. My house is full of her paintings. My sisters homes are full of the paintings. We have had a number of family gatherings where mom will give everyone a painting and we will draw straws to see who picks first. It is a nice little family tradition.

Caroline continues to paint.

It is fun. It is always a challenge, she said. It is an idea and you want to figure it out. Each painting is a different incentive and a different problem.

Her children are grateful for her artistic gifts and the joy of seeing their mothers art.

Every day at the back of my courtroom I have a flower to look at, John said. It has become one of my favorites.
ISIS group militants killed dozens of people execution style in attacks on government-held areas in Syria's city of Deir al-Zor on Saturday, a source and a monitoring said.

A source close to the Syrian government side said the ISIS fighters killed at least 250 people, including pro-government fighters and their families when they attacked the neighbourhood of Begayliya in the city.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which monitors the violence in the country through a wide network of local sources, said the militants killed dozens. "We have 60 people confirmed killed, the details are hard to get so far but the deaths are in dozens," the Observatory's head Rami Abdulrahman told Reuters.

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Rural Wisconsin is filled with excellent places to live, work and raise a family. However, this states small towns and villages are not exempt from the American demographic trends of the last 50 years.

Many rural counties are losing population or barely maintaining population. When young people leave for jobs in the city, or senior citizens choose to retire to the suburbs, our communities become caught in a downward spiral of decreasing vitality. As representatives of rural Wisconsin, we are working to bridge the urban-rural gap, and to start a conversation about building our future.

We are introducing the Rural Wisconsin Initiative. This plan will be ongoing, and will incorporate legislative suggestions from people across the state. Together, we can make the changes that will ensure the vibrancy of our communities for decades to come. To begin the discussion, we have drafted seven bills that will improve education, health care, industry and technology in rural Wisconsin.

The first bill will increase available broadband expansion grant funds from $1.5 million to $10 million per budget. Rural areas are still woefully underserviced when it comes to high-speed Internet, and this affects the abilities of our children to prepare for school, inhibits communication between ambulances and hospitals and can be a determining factor in where businesses choose to locate. Bridging the technology gap ensures that people in rural areas have the same access to opportunity that people in urban or suburban areas do.

Of course, opportunity begins with a solid education, and education begins with quality teachers. Currently, there is a nationwide teacher shortage, and rural areas are feeling that shortage most acutely. Following the recommendation of the Speakers Task Force on Rural Education, we are proposing the expansion of a loan repayment program for teachers, so that those who serve rural communities can be included. Additionally, we are proposing the establishment of a grant for science, technology, engineering and math education development in small rural schools. This will help develop tomorrows workforce today.

Many young people in rural Wisconsin are under the false impression that they need to move to the city in order to get a good job. There are many family-supporting jobs available in rural areas, and we need to promote that fact. That is why we are introducing legislation to expand funding for both youth apprenticeship grants and tuition reimbursement programs for apprentices. Increasingly, rural high schools, tech colleges and businesses are working together to equip young people with the skills they need to succeed in our homegrown industries, as well as the opportunity to earn college credit for their work. We feel the need to increase funding to these programs to meet the growing demand, and to close the skills gap that has left many rural industries unable to find the employees they need to thrive.

In addition to retaining young Wisconsinites, we also need to increase our efforts to attract out-of-state young people. That is why we are introducing a bill, modeled on legislation from Kansas and Oklahoma, which will assist in student loan repayment for those who choose to relocate to Wisconsin. Our bill would repay up to $25,000 or 40 percent of student loans, provided the recipient has a post-secondary degree, be employed, and not be on any form of public assistance. Young families increase the tax base, keep our schools full, and provide the talented workforce we need to keep Wisconsin economically strong.

Not only do we want people to live and work in rural Wisconsin; we want them to stay and retire here as well. Just as access to employment is an important factor in where young people choose to live, access to health care means more to senior citizens. That is why we are proposing a funding expansion to the Wisconsin Rural Physician Residency Assistance Program. The program funds residency programs at rural hospitals, which encourage young doctors to put down roots in our communities. Additionally, some of the expanded funding would go toward bridging the gap for womens health services by training physicians in obstetrics and gynecology.

The Rural Wisconsin Initiative is supported by Reps. Romaine Quinn, Travis Tranel, Joan Ballweg, Kathy Bernier, Mary Czaja, James Edming, Joel Kitchens, Scott Krug, Bob Kulp, Tom Larson, Jeff Mursau, John Murtha, Lee Nerison, Todd Novak, Warren Petryk, Keith Ripp, John Spiros, Rob Swearingen, Gary Tauchen and Nancy VanderMeer.

Building the future in rural Wisconsin is a process, and one that needs citizen input. We want the Rural Wisconsin Initiative to begin a conversation, and to be a continuing reflection of what our constituents want. Please share your feedback and ideas at www.RuralWisconsinInitiative.com.
It was a restaurant request I didnt think out of line in a state at the forefront of an industry where its producing cows number 1.28 million. I asked for butter for my breadstick. We dont have butter, said the waitress. In the Dairy state, that almost sounded like it was against some kind of law. Its absence at least violated a personal goal of slathering solidified milk fat onto bread whenever given the opportunity.

It turned out the breadstick had been deep-fried then topped or perhaps factory-infused with butter flavor. My teen daughter and I wondered what else on the establishments menu was also dropped by delivery truck ready to eat out-of-the-box with just a short stop in the fryer, since theoretically; butter is often also an ingredient in recipes of foods made from scratch.

The much misaligned butter and its value as food find itself at the mercy of health trends. Currently, it is enjoying a renaissance at the expense of its oleo counterparts with claims that its naturally occurring saturated fats are preferable to artificial concoctions from the laboratory. Margarine was first perfected by a French chemist in 1869 from beef tallow flavored with milk. Vegetable based oleo arrived after 1900 with the advent of hydrogenated oils.

Although randomly, butter is about the density of ice, it is a lot more satisfying. The earliest butter came from sheep or goats milk, with cattle probably not domesticated until 1000 years later. Allegedly it was originally considered a peasants food of Europe, with classical Greeks and Romans sniffing that it was fare of northern barbarians.

The packaging of butter in the United States, depending on where you live, is a curiosity left over from historical differences in mechanization. East of the Rocky Mountains it is sold mostly in cube shape, elongated boxes, called Elgin, after a dairy in Illinois, and the sticks are stacked two-by-two. Western-pack is all four sticks nestled side-by-side in a flat, rectangular box.

Either is preferable to a butter-flavor product all the range in the restaurant industry. The packaging, as shown on one website, complete with a free dispenser to aid with portion control, confirms my suspicions that it looks like it could share shelf space with laundry detergent.

One of the best-selling brands, on its homepage, touts its usage as without the hassle of butter, and even more suspiciously without the hassle of margarine. In what should be a crime against language it declares it has authentic butter flavor at best of all, half the cost of butter! The exclamation point is theirs.

With no need to clarify or refrigerate, which is never a selling point in my world, but rather affirmation that it might be something that shares molecular structure with that of plastic. I am fairly certain that consuming a butter-like oil created by humans might also negate my health insurance. I am reminded of the sage nutrition advice: If your great-grandmother didnt eat it, you probably shouldnt either.

While looking for its ingredients list, I stumbled across them posted in of all places, a survivalists message board with the motto Survive. Adapt. Endure. In a place without butter, Im not sure I want to. Preppers, the extreme end of the world as we know it pre-planning types were discussing its pros and cons.

Until the end, I wonder if in the meantime I will need to resort to carrying butter, as Ive been known to do with maple syrup, into places as guarantee of real flavor. In the words of Survival Joe, Dont be scared. Be prepared.
A Pardeeville man accused of cooking methamphetamine in his house is being held on $10,000 cash bond for a number of charges that include child abandonment.

Aaron Lytle, 32, was arrested at his home on Jan. 6 and charged with manufacturing methamphetamine, possession of materials for manufacturing methamphetamine, maintaining a drug trafficking place, child abandonment and possession of drug paraphernalia.

In Lytles initial appearance/bond hearing Friday in Columbia County Circuit Court, Assistant District Attorney Brenda Yaskal asked for a $10,000 cash bond, saying, I think he is a danger to the public, but more, his two children.

Lytle had been under investigation by detectives with the Columbia County Sheriffs Office, according to Detective Lt. Roger Brandner. The officers moved from observation to arresting Lytle when they realized that children were involved.

At about 2:30 p.m. Jan. 6 detectives confronted Lytle at his home, when, according to court documents, Lytle told the officers that there were two children, 8 months old and 3 years old, sleeping upstairs. The officers reported seeing Lytle leave the home, with the children still inside, go to Kwik Trip and to a gym where he picked up a backpack with meth-making supplies.

In the house, officers reported seeing in one room ingredients including two kinds of drain opener, a chemical often used for cleaning shop tools, pseudoephedrine, salt, lithium and tinfoil. An officer also found a rock of what looked like methamphetamine on top of the refrigerator.

On Sunday an officer reported speaking with Lytle, who said that after researching the subject on the Internet, he began making meth about six months ago. He told the officer that the process that he used to make the drug takes about one hour to make. The particular process is referred to by law enforcement as the one pot method. It is a shake-and-bake way to make meth requiring less equipment and more accessible ingredients.

Given the toxicity of many of the elements and the risk of a flash fire if the lab is mishandled, the Pardeeville Fire Department responded to the scene with a Drug Enforcement Agency meth lab disposal team, which arrived from Chicago.

One of the necessary ingredients is pseudoephedrine. Stores are required by Wisconsin law to limit sales of pseudoephedrine products and keep records of these sales. Records showing Lytle as frequently buying the maximum legal allowable amount of pseudoephedrine was one factor in detectives beginning an investigation.

Lytle told officers he could make about three to four grams of methamphetamine from one package of pseudoephedrine. When he began using the drug, he told the officer, he was able to get a lot of things done.

During the arrest, the two children were taken for medical evaluation, testing for injury caused by possible exposure to the various noxious chemicals that had were floating in the air. The children were then cleared and turned over to their mother.

Columbia County Social Services are investigating the child welfare aspects of the case.

Lytles attorney Steven Sarbacker told the court that Lytle was also in custody on a probation hold and that the probation office would be pursuing revocation. Hes not going anywhere, said Sarbacker.

If thats the case, it doesnt matter if it is a high cash bond, said Judge Todd Hepler.

Lytle was arrested in 2014, caught up in a heroin investigation in which he was charged with possession of heroin, later formally prosecuted as possession of narcotic drugs as a second and subsequent offense. In August, after a plea of no contest, Lytle was placed on an 18-month probation.

In September 2007 Lytle was sentenced to probation following a charge of possession of narcotics after a November 2006 arrest.

At the end of the proceeding, Hepler offered to recuse himself from the case, explaining: I have known Mr. Lytles family for quite a while.

Hepler, who is originally from and lives in Pardeeville, has for years been an active member of that community. A new judge will be assigned to for the rest of Lytles case.

Lytle is being held in Columbia County Jail on a $10,000 cash bond. Following a pre-trial conference, he is scheduled for a return hearing March 24.
Planning nutrient management prior to harvest

Harvest is always a fast-paced season for growers, that's why it is important to meet nutrient management goals prior to harvest.
Qatar on Saturday provided more than 1,000 apartments to residents of the Gaza Strip whose homes were destroyed in the 2014 Israeli assault on Gaza

Israels 51-day assault on Gaza last summer alone killed over 2,200 people and left more than 12,000 others injured. More than 100,000 people were displaced.

About 20,000 homes were destroyed or severely damaged in the most recent offensive, and most of the strip's infrastructure and buildings were destroyed, including schools and hospitals.

"Today, we are inaugurating the first phase of the Hamad residential city (project)," said Qatari envoy Mohammed Al-Emadi told reporters in the southern Gaza city of Khan Yunis.

A total of 1,060 apartments have been completed and the title deeds were being handed out to their new owners, he said at a ceremony at the apartment complex.

Emadi said that more than 1,2000 apartments are being built and would constitute the second phase of the project, with a third phase to follow.

Qatar has allocated a total of $407 million (373 million euros) for the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip, including homes, infrastructure and a hospital.

Emadi said the project was delayed for a year due to "restrictions on the entry of construction material" imposed by Israeli blockade since 2006, which maintains a blockade on the Palestinian enclave.

Palestinians and international organisations say the restrictions cause significant delays in rebuilding Gaza.

NGOs estimate that with the supply of materials and funding at present levels, Gaza home reconstruction could take decades.

A ten-year naval and land blockade has restricted the movements of people and goods from and to the Gaza strip, since the Islamist Hamas movement won parliamentary elections and became its de-facto ruler in 2006.

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At least 26 people, many of them foreigners, were killed in an attack overnight on a top hotel in the capital of Burkina Faso, the latest country to be drawn into a regional militant battle against the West and its allies.

A total of 126 people were freed, 33 of them wounded, from the four-star Splendid hotel after security forces retook the facility and nearby Cappuccino restaurant on Saturday over 12 hours after the attack began, Interior Minister Simon Compaore told AFP.

The assault on the two venues, popular with Westerners and UN personnel, was crushed by midday but the police and military were still combing the area for other suspects, a security source said.

Communications Minister Remi Dandjinou gave a provisional figure of 26 killed and announced three days of mourning. The French foreign ministry gave a figure of 27 dead "and around 150 injured".

Compaore said "three militants -- an Arab and two black Africans -- have been killed". The security source said four militants were killed, two of them women, and the victims were of 18 nationalities.

Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) claimed the attack on behalf of an affiliate, saying the strike on the former French colony was in "revenge against France and the disbelieving West", according to a statement carried by US-based monitoring group SITE.

AQIM said the gunmen were from the Al-Murabitoun group of notorious Algerian extremist Mokhtar Belmokhtar.

The attack will heighten concerns that militant groups are casting their net wider in search of targets in west Africa, two months after a siege at a luxury hotel in neighbouring Mali, where 20 people were killed, against mostly foreigners.

AQIM and Al-Murabitoun jointly claimed that attack.

President Roch Marc Christian Kabore, who took office just last month, a year after a popular uprising ousted longtime leader Blaise Compaore, called on his fellow citizens to show "courage".

Burkina Faso has "never caved in under any circumstances and it's not going to start now," he said.

The attack began around 7.45 pm when an unknown number of attackers stormed the 147-room hotel in the heart of Ouagadougou.

An AFP reporter saw three gunmen wearing turbans firing on Avenue Kwame Nkrumah, one of the city's main thoroughfares.

Another witness reported seeing four assailants.

The hotel and its environs were transformed into a battleground as Burkina Faso troops, backed by French forces based in the city under a regional counterterrorism initiative, launched an attempt to retake the hotel around 2 am.

The US, which has a small contingent in the country, said it supported French forces in the operation.

Several guests managed to escape from the hotel through side entrances, including Labour Minister Clement Sawadogo, who emerged unscathed.

"It was horrible, people were sleeping and there was blood everywhere. They were firing at people at close range," Yannick Sawadogo, one of those who escaped, told AFP.

"They were walking around people and firing at people who were not dead."

Compaore, the interior minister, told AFP that 10 bodies had been discovered on the terrace of the Cappuccino restaurant.

The foreign ministry in Paris confirmed a Frenchwoman was among the injured but said no French nationals had yet been confirmed among the victims.

French President Francois Hollande denounced the "odious and cowardly attack", with the European Union and Britain issuing similar condemnations.

Also on Saturday, Burkina's interior ministry reported that two foreigners were kidnapped Friday in the northern Baraboule region, near the border with Niger and Mali.

The ministry said the couple were Austrian, though the Austrian foreign ministry was unable to immediately confirm the report.

The army said a heavily-armed group of about 20 people also carried out an attack Friday near the border with Mali, killing two people -- a police officer and a civilian -- and leaving two others wounded.

The attack in Ouagadougou was unprecedented in Burkina Faso and comes as people were enjoying a return to stability after the election which ended a shaky transitional period following Compaore's ouster.

"The elections went off well...That makes the country a symbol of progress, which is what those people want to destroy," Cynthia Ohayon, a security analyst with the International Crisis Group said.

Al-Murabitoun had already begun to move into the impoverished country of around 17 million. In April last year, the group claimed the abduction of the Romanian security chief of a mine in the country's north.

Burkina Faso is one of the five countries in the restive Sahel region that is hosting France's Barkhane counter-terror mission.

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Massachusetts seeks greater drug restrictions with anti-opioid law proposal.

The Massachusetts legislature is proposing a new anti-opioid law that will restrict patients to a minimum amount of prescription painkillers received from their doctors.

This is an effort to curb addiction to the drug, while still offering support to pain sufferers, according to bostonglobe.com. However, a chief concern, posed by an economic analysis demonstrates the difficulty of maintaining sound health while restricting the drug.

Drug monitoring seems to save lives, but once a prescription drug monitoring program goes into effect, patients become less satisfied with their pain treatment, according to Angela Kilby, a graduate student in the MIT economics department.

Kilby measured the impact of prescription monitoring programs across the country and found that about 1,000 lives, including those of Massachusetts residents, are saved every year by implementing such programs.

The study estimates that about 75 million Americans a year seek pain relief from opioid prescriptions, but once a prescription drug monitoring program goes into effect, patients become less satisfied with the pain treatment.

According to Kilby, this was true of both injured workers seeking workers compensation, and patients receiving hospital care. She sited their need for more recovery time once a monitoring program was introduced. Pain management also became worse, she said.

Massachusetts, which has a high incidence of drug overdoses, has been making multi-prong efforts to curb drug addiction. The anti-opioid bill will make it illegal for doctors to start patients suffering from pain with anything more than a seven-day supply of opioids.
One survivor reported that the hostages were forced to either hide or play dead or they were shot.

Al-Qaeda militants stormed a hotel and cafe in the Burkina Faso capital of Ouagadougou on Friday evening, taking 126 hostages and killing at least 23. Four of the extremists were killed. The luxury Hotel Splendid and Cafe Cappucino are popular with Westerners, and were overrun in an overnight battle before security forces regained control and freed the hostages. The attack is at least the fifth in recent days with deadly ambushes of civilians by armed militants in cities in Turkey, Egypt, Iraq and Indonesia.

According to witnesses the attack started when militants set off an explosion outside the hotel, then moved inside and took hostages. Thirty French soldiers from the military garrison in Burkina Faso responded to the attack, joining at least 40 from the local military. These forces began a counter-assault early Saturday to try and retake the hotel. Their arrival prompted a gun battle.

After being freed, one survivor reported that they were forced to either hide for their lives or play dead. She said the attackers were shooting at everyone. The hostages dropped to the floor, but were fired at immediately if they raised their heads. The militants went around and shook people by the foot to see if they were alive, and shot them if they were.

The same survivor, who did not give her name, said the attackers eventually went upstairs and set the place on fire, then escaped through the roof. She said that the room was completely on fire, making it impossible to breathe.

Witnesses reported that three bodies could be seen in the cafe, which is connected to the hotel, and reported that four to six attackers were inside with the hostages. Ten bodies were eventually found inside the cafe. Security minister Simon Compaore said that the death toll could rise from 23 as investigators continue to search the scene.

In an online statement released hours later, al-Qaeda in the Islamic State (AQIM) said their operation was revenge against France and the disbelieving West. The same extremists were behind a similar attack on a luxury hotel in Bamako, Mali in November that resulted in 20 deaths.

A largely Muslim country, Burkin Faso has been in turmoil since late 2014 when its longtime president was ousted. However, they had been largely spared from violence by Islamic extremist groups for years.
The findings also open the possibility in searching for black holes with radio telescopes.

Astronomers recently discovered clues of an invisible black hole detected at a mass 100 times that of the Sun at the center of the Milky Way according to a Phys.org account. Spotted by the Nobeyama 45-m Radio Telescope, scientists speculate the intermediate mass black hole could be a pivotal discovery in understanding the creation of supermassive black holes existing in the center of galaxies. A contingent of astronomers led by Tomoharu Oka, a professor at Keio University in Japan, points to a unique gas cloud known as CO-0.40-0.22 located 200 light years from the center of the Milky Way. Mystery surrounds the gas cloud because of its wide velocity dispersion. In other words, CO-0.40-0.22 has an inherent broad range of speeds. Two telescopes were used, primarily the Nobeyama 45-m Telescope in Japan and the ASTE Telescope in Chile controlled by the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan. Scientists observed the gas cloud again to obtain 21 emission lines from 18 molecules. These results show that the cloud has an elliptical shape with the two speed components: a compact but low density aspect with a very wide velocity dispersion of 100 km/s, and a heavier component extending 10 light years with a narrow velocity dispersion. This means that there are no holes inside the cloud. In addition, X-ray and infrared inspections didnt find any compact objects. This indicates that the velocity dispersion isnt caused by a localized energy core, such as supernova explosions.

Considering the fact that no compact objects are seen in X-ray or infrared observations, said Oka, the lead author of the paper that appeared in the Astrophysical Journal Letters, adds as far as we know, the best candidate for the compact massive object is a black hole.

The findings also open the possibility in searching for black holes with radio telescopes. Recent observations concluded that are a number of wide-velocity-dispersion compact clouds similar to CO-0.40-0.22; these clouds might reveal black holes. Scientists propose there are 100 million black holes in the Milky Way Galaxy, but adjunct X-ray observations have only detected dozens as of yet. Most of the black holes surmised to exist may be too obscure to directly examine at any wavelength.

Investigations of gas motion with radio telescopes may provide a complementary way to search for dark black holes said Oka. The on-going wide area survey observations of the Milky Way with the Nobeyama 45-m Telescope and high-resolution observations of nearby galaxies using the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) have the potential to increase the number of black hole candidates dramatically.
Glyndwr Universitys Board of Governors Lay Foundations For New Era

This article is old - Published: Saturday, Jan 16th, 2016

The Board of Governors at Glyndwr University Wrexham is seeking fresh faces as it lays the foundations for a new era.

The Board is preparing for the arrival of incoming Vice-Chancellor Dr Maria Hinfelaar and is currently looking to recruit more members to further strengthen the institution as it embarks on a five-year strategy aimed at doubling student numbers and increasing turnover to 75m by 2019/20.

Led by Chancellor Trefor Jones CBE and chair Maxine Penlington OBE  who joined in December  the committee will work closely with Dr Hinfelaar and the management team when interim Vice-Chancellor Professor Graham Upton relinquishes the role in March.

Alongside these preparations they are seeking new governors to fill a number of vacancies that will arise this year, with the aim of further strengthening what is already a dynamic Board which has the interests of the students, staff, stakeholders and the community of north east Wales at heart.

Maxine said: Several new governors have joined us in past months and with others coming to the end of their term of office this year we need to replace them with people who are just as enthusiastic, who will reinforce the foundations laid previously and help steer the institution along its planned trajectory.

I am confident there is a bright future ahead and very much hope to see Glyndwr consolidate its position as the University of and for north east Wales, supporting the aspirations of individuals, businesses and organisations of all kinds through education and training and the generation and transfer of knowledge.

Other members who joined the Board in 2015 included the Bank of Englands former Agent for Wales, Neil Ashbridge; Denbighshire County Councils Corporate Director: Economic & Community Ambition, Rebecca Maxwell, and Celia Jenkins, former High Sheriff of Clwyd, and in January 2016 they were joined by Gill Kreft, Proprieter of Pendine Park Care Organisation and Askar Sheibani, Group CEO of Comtek Network Systems.

Neil said: There is a new focus at Glyndwr University and I find that exciting to be involved with. I was also attracted by the positioning of the institution, as being even more ingrained in the community of north east Wales and its businesses  thats really why I got involved.

When youve worked in public service for such a long time you feel youd like to give something back, and this is an opportunity to do so.

The Board welcomes expression of interest from people who feel they would be able to make a significant contribution to the institution.

For more information, visit the Governance section or contact Val Butterworth on 01978 293268. Alternatively, email v.butterworth@glyndwr.ac.uk
Secretary of State for Wales & Minister for Trade visit Wrexham Exporter

This article is old - Published: Saturday, Jan 16th, 2016

A Wrexham based company which has gained international recognition, has been praised for its success following a recent visit by Secretary of State for Wales, Stephen Crabb.

SPI Global Play on the Wrexham Industrial Estate this week gave a tour of their premises Stephen Crabb MP, Secretary of State for Wales, local Welsh Assembly Conservative Candidate Andrew Atkinson and Lord Francis Maude, Minister of State for Trade and Investment.

The 43-year-old soft play and leisure equipment manufacturer that trades throughout the UK and Europe and internationally, welcomed the politicians and discussed their business both nationally and internationally and what part the UK Trade and Investment team could play in their future development to further grow their business .

The local SPI Global Play is the founding business (1972 ) and success story that is now one eight trading divisions of the Global Attractions SPI AB group of leisure supply companies.

Stephen Crabb said: Its great to visit another exciting growing company that is export trading around the world from their base here in Wrexham. I look forward to hearing more about their future successes and working with Andrew to assist Wrexham businesses in any way that I can.

Commenting after the visit Brad Miller, Director of SPI said: We are delighted that we received such a high profile visit at our Wrexham base and were able to discuss our business needs , the economy and international trade. We look forward to working with Andrew Atkinson and the Ministers into the future.

Mr Atkinson who has visited the company before, and spoke of his desire to attract more businesses to Wrexham, added: We are so fortunate to have so many growing businesses in Wrexham of all sizes, I want to work with businesses like SPI Global Play to help them expand but also to attract more businesses to our town and create more jobs.
Pro-market restructuring is accelerating the destruction of the public Technical and Further Education (TAFE) system in Australia, most sharply in the countrys most populous state, New South Wales (NSW).

The rollout of the Liberal-National state governments Smart and Skilled, which commenced in January 2015, is deepening the cuts and closures set in motion nationally by the previous federal Labor government of Prime Minister Julia Gillard in 2012.

Young people seeking vocational training are facing sky-rocketing tuition fees and TAFE college closures, especially in working-class areas, pushing them into the hands of profiteering private providers.

As a result, 83,000 fewer students enrolled in the NSW public system last year than in 2012, when about half a million students were enrolled, and more than 2,000 TAFE teachers have lost their jobs since 2011.

In September 2015, NSW TAFE announced plans to sell off 27, almost one in 5, of its sites, including regional campuses. Among the closures is Dapto, near Wollongong, to be followed by Epping and Chullora in Sydney.

This year, state government funding is to be slashed from three-quarters of TAFEs income to one half, while $2 million has been earmarked to hire an executive razor gang to implement the governments privatisation agenda.

Smart and Skilled is the NSW version of a contestable funding system in vocational education established under the Gillard governments 2012 National Agreement for Skills and Workforce Development, aimed at opening access to government funding to for-profit Registered Training Organisations (RTOs).

Gillards blueprint was announced as a reform delivering an expansion of high quality training funded more equitably. Supposedly, it guaranteed all working age individuals access to subsidised training up to Certificate 3 level at a vocational education provider of their choice.

In reality, Labors scheme has swept away any notion of technical training as a basic social right, and ushered in a user-pays system whose fees are making vocational education unaffordable for many youth and working class people.

NSW TAFE has responded to the commercialisation of vocational education by adopting a similar business model to that of its corporate competitorsimposing fee hikes, eliminating support services for disadvantaged youth or migrants, slashing course delivery hours and hiring less-qualified staff on lower pay.

One mature-age student told the media his fee costs had skyrocketed from $120 per annum to $3,000. He estimated his course would leave him a debt of up to $8,000. Fees for Aged Care Certificates, an accreditation required for one of the lowest-paid jobs in the health sector, have shot up from $840 to $4,000.

Cost-cutting has already slashed course delivery hours up to 50 percent. According to one metropolitan TAFE teacher, in 2014 teachers had 168 hours to deliver a Year 12 subject. In 2015, Years 11 and 12 were combined, with hours cut to 112 hours. Electrical trades courses have been shortened from 36 to 30 weeks. Overall teacher-student ratios are reported to have doubled.

In the past, TAFE colleges offered additional help for disadvantaged students, employing counsellors, disabilities consultants and outreach staff for young people in remote locations. Some courses were tailored specifically for individual students, along with practical hands-on workshops run to boost their confidence. These are all being eliminated, particularly affecting Aboriginal students, people with mental illness and the disabled.

Similar schemes have been implemented in every other Australian state: South Australia in 2012 and Queensland, Western Australia and Tasmania in 2014. In Victoria, where the privatisation process began in 2008 and has been taken furthest, student enrolment at for-profit providers has now outstripped that at the public TAFE colleges. Private RTOs have cherry-picked the most heavily subsidised courses, while operating on reduced overheads by slashing course hours and employing lower-paid staff.

Federally, successive Labor and Liberal governments have cut expenditure on Vocational Education and Training (VET), including TAFE, by an average of 25 percent over the past decade and a half. The for-profit sector has milked government funding and training subsidies, amassing lucrative profits, while students have been left to repay thousands of dollars in vocational education loans.

Nationally, thousands of TAFE teachers jobs have been eliminated. According to the Productivity Commission, more than 40 percent of those employed in non-TAFE providers have no formal pedagogic training.

The teaching trade unions have collaborated in driving the privatisation process. In 2013, the NSW Teachers Federation (NSWTF) worked with TAFE management to ultimately push through, against teachers opposition, an enterprise agreement that permitted full- and part-time qualified teachers to be replaced with less qualified or even unqualified assessors and education support officers, resulting in hundreds of job cuts.

Last September, TAFE management demanded a new agreement that requires TAFE teachers to teach 100 extra hours annually, increases annual teaching weeks from 36 to 41 and introduces a new category of trainers, to be paid at $20,000 less per annum than qualified teachers.

The Labor Party, the Greens and the NSWTF leadership have professed outrage at TAFEs demands. NSW Labor is blaming the state Liberal-National government for TAFEs crisis and promising to abolish Smart and Skilled. The Greens have called for the failed market contestability experiment to be abandoned, and the NSWTF has declared it will not engage in a race to the bottom with private providers.

This is all so much hot air, aimed to cover over the fact that it was the Gillard government that initiated the privatisation process, with the Greens as virtual coalition partner in the minority government. As the record shows, the NSWTF has been central to imposing enterprise agreements to undermine wages and working conditions.

For months, as in 2013, the NSWTF has been in closed-door meetings with TAFE management over a new proposed agreement, while keeping teachers in the dark about details of the discussion. While TAFE Institutes are daily wielding the axe on teachers jobs across the state, union leaders are in talks with management, essentially about how to impose further restructuring.

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Job cuts deepen in Australian TAFE colleges

[15 October 2014]
With a foul attack on Aylan Kurdi, the three-year-old boy whose drowning last year off the coast of Turkey became a symbol of the terrible human costs of the war in Syria, Frances satirical weekly Charlie Hebdo joined the growing racist campaign against Middle East refugees in Europe.

The cartoon, which has shocked readers around the world, was drawn by Riss, a cartoonist who survived last Januarys terror attack on the magazines editorial board. It exploited the hysterical campaign now being whipped up in the international media around claims that refugees joined in a wave of alleged sexual assaults in the German city of Cologne, on New Years Eve.

Under a caption asking, What would little Aylan have become had he grown up? Riss drew a series of caricatures of a drowned boy getting up, getting larger as he grows up, acquiring a pig-like snout, and running after a frightened blonde woman, and answered: A groper in Germany.

The blatant appeal to racism and anti-Muslim prejudices, which would not have been out of place in the pages of the Nazi propaganda sheet Der Sturmer, drew international condemnation.

Aylans aunt Tima Kurdi, who is now living as a refugee in Canada, told CBC News that the cartoon was disgusting, adding: I hope people respect our familys pain. Its a big loss to us. Were not the same anymore after this tragedy. Were trying to forget a little bit and move on with our life. But to hurt us again, its not fair.

Even in France, where the Socialist Party (PS) exploited last years attack to launch a reactionary campaign for national unity around a war on terror on the theme of I am Charlie, ostensibly to defend press freedom, many readers left comments condemning the cartoon.

The quadrupling of Charlie Hebdo s readership to 200,000 due to official promotion after the attacks has repeatedly involved the weekly in scandal as it shocked its new readers, the right-wing daily Le Figaro noted. It wrote:  Charlie Hebdo s readership, previously limited to libertarians used to this type of corrosive and grating humour, has grown to include a broad audience, which is not necessarily used to cynicism.

I hope that I am not shocking anyone, but Charlie s front-page cartoon is ugly and encourages ugliness, commented one reader on Le Figaro s web site.

Another commentator pointed to the Stalinist, social democratic and libertarian-anarchist sympathies of the weeklys staff, writing, With a reactionary newspaper run by bourgeois-bohemian communists who give the finger to everything and everyone, we get predictable results: morbid and tasteless cartoons that provoke scandal, sell copy, but also start wars.

Charlie Hebdo s attack on an innocent child, as part of an international campaign to justify mass deportations of refugees by smearing them as rapists, exposes all the organizations that promoted or adapted to the I am Charlie campaign: the media in France and other NATO countries, Frances PS government, and its various political satellites.

It vindicates the column published shortly after the Charlie Hebdo attack by the World Socialist Web Site. While unequivocally condemning the terrorist attack on the journalists, by fighters who had trained in the Islamist camps that train foreign Islamist fighters for the imperialist-backed war for regime change in Syria, it warned of the utter political hypocrisy of Charlie Hebdo s promoters.

It opposed media claims that Charlie Hebdo represented the best traditions of caricature directed against European monarchs of the 16th to 19th centuries. These earlier caricaturists, the WSWS wrote, were representatives of a democratic Enlightenment who directed their scorn against the powerful and corrupt defenders of aristocratic privilege. In its relentlessly degrading portrayals of Muslims, Charlie Hebdo has mocked the poor and the powerless.

It warned of the reactionary character of the political campaign around the weekly: It is absurd to claim, by way of defense of Charlie Hebdo, that its cartoons are all in good fun and have no political consequences. Aside from the fact that the French government is desperate to rally support for its growing military agenda in Africa and the Middle East, France is a country where the influence of the neo-fascist National Front is growing rapidly. In this political context, Charlie Hebdo has facilitated the growth of a form of politicized anti-Muslim sentiment that bears a disturbing resemblance to the politicized anti-Semitism that emerged as a mass movement in France in the 1890s.

In its use of crude and vulgar caricatures that purvey a sinister and stereotyped image of Muslims, Charlie Hebdo recalls the cheap racist publications that played a significant role in fostering the anti-Semitic agitation that swept France during the famous Dreyfus Affair, which erupted in 1894 after a Jewish officer was falsely convicted of espionage on behalf of Germany.

Today, the contradictions between the hypocritical democratic pretensions the PS advanced after the Charlie Hebdo attacks and its outcome one year later are flagrant. The ensuing year has confirmed the WSWSs initial warnings about the I am Charlie campaign. It saw the spread of the neo-fascist National Front (FN) across France in last years regional elections and, after the November 13 terror attacks in Paris, a drive by the PS to install a permanent state of emergency, abrogating fundamental democratic rights and further stoking anti-Muslim sentiment.

Within the PS, moves are afoot to deprive people convicted of terrorism-related offences of French nationality. Significantly, PS officials themselves denounced deprivation of nationality less than two years ago, when it was proposed only a few months before the Charlie Hebdo attacks. The policy is infamously associated with the French fascist authorities deprivation of the nationality of thousands of French Jews during World War II, before they were deported to Nazi death camps in Europe.

After a year of continuous escalation of the war on terror and French chauvinism, the I am Charlie campaign proved to be the mechanism for legitimizing policies that previously would have been unthinkable. The millions who marched a year ago wearing I am Charlie stickers were in the final analysis exploited as extras in a drive, now well advanced, to install a police state regime in France.

Charlie Hebdo s attack on Aylan Kurdi shows that the character of the weekly itself was not incidental in the PSs ability to launch a savage attack on democratic rights under the cover of an I am Charlie campaign. The layer of libertarian, bourgeois-bohemian communists that dominate its staff, social entourage, and core readershipa privileged middle-class layer that the WSWS has come to call the pseudo-lefthas over decades become totally dominated by callous, pro-war, and anti-Muslim sentiments.

The morphing of this layer into a social base for fascistic policies is reflected in the biographies of some of the more prominent surviving personalities associated to Charlie Hebdo .

Romain Goupil, a high school student union leader during the 1968 general strike and ex-member of the Pabloite Communist League, a precursor of todays New Anti-capitalist Party, was a key advisor of comedian Coluches 1981 presidential campaign, which Charlie Hebdo officially backed. He went on to back NATO wars in Yugoslavia during the 1990, the illegal US invasion of Iraq in 2003which was opposed even by the French governmentand the 2011 NATO war in Libya.

Caroline Fourest, a journalist and pro-secularism activist who worked at Charlie Hebdo and now supports the PSs deprivation-of-nationality policy, publicly backed the 2010 Sausage-and-Wine Appetizer at the Goutte dOr provocation. This was an operation launched by far-right groups, including the Identity Block and Secular Counterattack, aiming to disturb Muslims at prayer in the working class Goutte dOr area by drinking wine and eating pork in their vicinity.

Charlie Hebdo s latest libellous attack on a dead and defenceless boy exemplifies the imperviousness of these forces to democratic sentiments and their hostility to democratic rights.
Thursday nights debate in North Charleston, South Carolina was the sixth in the contest for the Republican presidential nomination, and by now, these events have settled into a predictable rut.

Each has been a political freak show, featuring crude insults, bizarre and brazenly false assertions, and appeals to racism and anti-immigrant bigotry. The candidates seek to outdo each other in fear-mongering and militaristic tub-thumping, to appeal to the fascistic base of the party.

The latest installment in this increasingly dismal spectacle added anti-Semitism to the mix, thanks to Senator Ted Cruz, whose attack on billionaire Donald Trump for holding New York values was a dog whistle to ultra-right prejudice against the largest Jewish community in the United States.

When asked what he meant by New York values, Cruz replied, I think most people know exactly what New York values are: socially liberal, pro-gay marriage, pro-abortion, focused on money and the media.

As one Jewish commentator noted later, the key term in his debate explanation is money. Youll find plenty of social liberalism in, say, Cambridge, Mass  But that focus around money and the media? That was New York = Jews all the way. Dont kid yourself.

Neither the execrable moderators, Neil Cavuto and Maria Bartiromo of Fox Business News, nor any of the network and newspaper commentators who bloviated after the debate, called attention to the anti-Semitic subtext of Cruzs comments.

An equally significant omission was the silence about the event last April that brought North Charleston to world notoriety: the horrific police killing of Walter Scott, a middle-aged black man who was shot in the back repeatedly by Officer Michael Slager. The cop then planted his Taser by the body in an effort to bolster his claim of self-defense.

Only the cellphone video of the killing, taken by a passerby and circulated widely on the Internet, prevented this cover-up from having its effect. Slager is now jailed and facing trial for murder. There was no mention of the Scott killing in the debate, and only one perfunctory reference to the killing of nine black parishioners of a Charleston church two months later by white supremacist Dylann Roof.

Senator Cruz set the tone for the evening when he was chosen to be the first candidate to respond to a questiona tacit indication that, at least for Fox Business News, he is a favorite for the Republican nomination.

While he was asked to respond to President Obamas assertion, in his State of the Union address Tuesday night, that the US economy was the strongest in the world, with 14 million new jobs created since 2010, Cruz chose to begin instead with a warmongering diatribe against Iran.

Citing photos of 10 US sailors surrendering to Iranian forces after they entered Iranian territorial waters in the Persian Gulf, Cruz declared, many of us picked up our newspapers, and we were horrified to see the sight of 10 American sailors on their knees, with their hands on their heads.

He concluded, I give you my word, if I am elected president, no service man or service woman will be forced to be on their knees, and any nation that captures our fighting men will feel the full force and fury of the United States of America.

By the time of the debate, the 10 sailors had already been repatriated, a signal of the closer relations between US imperialism and the Iranian bourgeois-clerical regime, which bent over backwards to facilitate the return of the sailors, who may have been engaged on a spy mission against Farsi Island.

If one examines Cruzs demagogic statement more closely, it suggests a truly demented sense of US global dominion. American military personnel should be exempt from any consequences, even when they violate the territorial waters of another country. Any country which dares to defend its own lands and shores against such a US incursion will feel the full force and fury of the United States of America: in other words, nuclear annihilation.

None of the other six candidates raised any objection to this stance, which the audience applauded enthusiastically. Several other candidates cited the Persian Gulf incident as proof of the spinelessness of the Obama administration and the need to replace it with an even more belligerent and militaristic government.

Media coverage of the debate focused mainly on the back-and-forth between Cruz and Trump, now treated as the co-front-runners in the Iowa caucuses, the first actual contest, which takes place February 1.

There was also some attention paid to the squabbling among the four contenders vying for third place in Iowa and second place in the New Hampshire primary February 9Senator Marco Rubio, Governor Chris Christie, Governor John Kasich and former Governor Jeb Bush. Each of these four seeks to become the choice of the Republican Party establishment against the supposed outsiders Trump and Cruz.

The tone of the debate was even more strident than its predecessors, with each candidate seeking to denounce the Obama administration, the Democratic Party, and Democratic frontrunner Hillary Clinton in the most unrestrained and hysterical tones.

Thus Cruz declared Obama acts as an apologist for radical Islamic terrorism. Bush said that under the Obama administration, The world has been torn asunder. Ben Carson warned that ISIS could use electromagnetic pulses (generated by detonating an atomic bomb) as well as cyberattacks to destroy the United States. Rubio claimed, Barack Obama believes that America is an arrogant global power that needs to be cut down to size.

In considering this demagogy, it is necessary to keep in mind that Obama is a ruthless representative of American imperialism, with the blood of tens of thousands on his hands, responsible for continuing the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, while adding new ones in Libya, Yemen and Syria, as well as drone warfare on a global scale. In his State of the Union speech he boasted of the global supremacy of the US military, asserting that, when faced with an adversary, our reach has no limit.

There are few policy differences among the Republican hopefuls. It was particularly noteworthy that only Bush, who is trailing badly in the polls, attempted to criticize Trumps open appeals to anti-Muslim and anti-immigrant prejudice, and even Bush couched his remarks in conciliatory terms.

Referring to Trumps call to ban any Muslims entering the United States, Bush said, I hope you reconsider this, because this policy is a policy that makes it impossible to build the coalition necessary to take out ISIS. The Kurds are our strongest allies. Theyre Muslim. Youre not going to even allow them to come to our country?

When the other candidates were asked to comment on Trumps proposed ban on Muslims, each employed the same evasion, declaring opposition to the entry of Syrian refugees into the United StatesKasich and Christie are among 26 governors, Democratic and Republican, who have filed suit over this. None of them made an issue of the flagrantly unconstitutional character of Trumps proposed ban, or associated calls to create a database of all Muslim residents, which would make possible future mass detentions.

All of the Republican candidates denounced Obamas State of the Union speech, with its delusional picture of a robust American economy with plentiful jobs and restored prospects for working people. But they did so from the standpoint of proposing even more nakedly pro-Wall Street policies, including slashing taxes on the wealthy and corporations, destroying public social services like Medicare, and turning their backs on the conditions of the poor, the homeless, those devastated by the capitalist crisis.

There was, moreover, a sinister undertone to the incessant right-wing populist demagogy. The Republican candidates treated the Democratic Party not merely as a political rival, but as a treasonous and semi-criminal organization. There were clear suggestions that a Democratic victory in the presidential election would be not only undesirable, but illegitimate.

Rubio declared, Hillary Clinton is disqualified from being commander in chief of the United States. Carson said that if the Republicans lose the 2016 election, this nation is over as we know it. Cruzs closing statement contained a scarcely veiled appeal for support by the armed forces and police against any opposition, as he declared, If I am elected president, to every soldier and sailor and airman and marine, and to every police officer and firefighter and first responder who risk their lives to keep us safe, I will have your back.
Teaching recruitment is at crisis level as a new term begins across the UK.

A YouGov survey suggested that more than half of teachers (53 percent) are considering giving up their careers in the next two years. The main reasons given were volume of workload (61 percent) and seeking a better work/life balance (57 percent). Some 50,000 teachers quit in 2015 alone--more than those who joined the profession.

The crisis has resulted in head teachers struggling to recruit for certain posts. As a consequence, schools are spending ever more money on finders fees to recruitment agencies, significantly damaging school budgets. The National Association of Head Teachers said a survey of members shows some schools are having to pay 10,000 to fill a single vacancy.

The Labour Party has weighed in with its own study. Shadow Education Secretary Lucy Powell said, Half of all schools had unfilled positions at the start of 2015 academic year and are being forced to turn to unqualified staff, temporary supply teachers, non-specialists and larger class sizes to try to plug the gaps.

Labours criticism of the Conservative government for this situation masks its own record of attacking education, including support for pension changes and pay restructuring that have added to the pressures teachers are under by expecting them to deliver teaching with larger classes and less money for resources.

The Association of School & College Leaders (ASCL), the Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL), the National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT ), the National Union of Teachers (NUT), Undeb Cenedlaethol Athrawon Cymru (UCAC) and Voice have submitted a joint document to the School Teachers Review Body (STRB). It warns that the recruitment crisis has been caused by the government undermining teaching standards due to a reduction in funding in real terms and the continued erosion of teachers pay. The joint statement opposes the government plan to continue to limit teachers annual pay increases to an average of 1 percent for a further four years, on top of five years of imposed pay restraint.

The statement deals with the crisis of teacher recruitment, cuts to school budgets and the pay of teachers. But its empty rhetoric is framed in opposition to teachers waging any struggle against these attacks. Deborah Lawson is the general secretary of Voice, formerly the Professional Association of Teachers, which boasts its belief in the power of negotiation to protect the interests of our members--who never resort to industrial action. She declared, Many years ago, strike action was, perhaps, the only way to get your voice heard, but we have a different society now. We are far more sophisticated and complex and, actually, I dont think there is room for strikes anymore, they harm too many people.

This theme is continued by the ATL. During talks of a super-union created through a merger with the NUT in 2015, Peter Pendle, the ATLs deputy general secretary said, With one teachers union, wed be so powerful we would rarely need to strike.

Other solutions to the crisis are peddled by Russell Hobby, general secretary of the National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT), who said in the Guardian in May 2015, We are going to be in tight financial straits, so lets get schools together in groups. If we dont do something, the politicians will close schools and join them together. Lets find our own way to build federations or trusts that you choose voluntarily because others share your values and vision If someone is short of a maths teacher, then one of you will give them a good maths teacher.

This solution goes hand in hand with government policy. Teachers in Hobbys view are to be treated as commodities that can be shipped from one school to another without a care for working conditions or the quality of education received by students.

A contributing factor to teacher unrest which the unions are intent on suppressing is performance related pay (PRP), which has made the impact of the pay freeze even worse. The NUT has surveyed its members to ascertain how PRP is being implemented in schools. It found that one in five eligible teachers did not progress, with 44 percent stating that the pay policy is unfair. Of those teachers who did not progress, 91 percent said they were never told they were not meeting the standards needed to obtain a pay increase. The useless advice from the NUT is to appeal. The teachers unions oversaw the implementation of the PRP system without a whimper. At the time it was brought in the NUT declared that it was unfair and it was committed to supporting its members in ensuring fixed scales.

Kevin Courtney, deputy general secretary of the NUT and a leading figure in the Socialist Teachers Alliance, backed by the Socialist Workers Party (SWP), said in January 2015, The NUT will be seeking further information from employers on rates of progression and patterns among particular groups. We are calling on the government to declare a moratorium on this PRP system while all concerns are properly and thoroughly addressed.

A year has passed, with no change to this damaging policy, only further empty rhetoric.

The last token strike action taken by the teaching unions, in March 2014, protested about PRP, pensions and excessive workload. Since then the unions have failed to defend workers and have stood by as all these changes have been implemented by the Conservative government with the support of the Labour Party.

The National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER) has studied the trends in teacher recruitment. Significantly, teachers are not leaving for higher-paying jobs, at least not in the short term. Data indicates that on average when teachers move they experience a 10 percent fall in wages.

Its proposed solution to reduce the need for more teachers would be to allow class sizes to rise. Fleshing out its reactionary proposal, the NFER asserts:

Research suggests there is a weak relationship between class size and attainment, at least for small changes in class size. Slightly larger class sizes may not be detrimental for pupils and would almost certainly be cost effective. Such a move would be politically difficult, but not impossible if the public understanding of the issue was raised. There would be practical challenges given classroom size constraints, but as new classrooms are having to be built to meet rising pupil numbers, some schools could begin to make this shift. This approach would need to be accompanied by careful monitoring of the impact on teachers.

This exposes the harsh reality of what is being planned for the teaching profession.
On Thursday, a Chicago judge released video of the deadly 2013 shooting of 17-year-old Cedrick Chatman by Chicago police. The video was concealed by the Chicago Police Department for three years, and an investigator was fired for opposing police claims that the killing was justified.

Chicago is one of many major American cities where police terrorize the working class population with impunity. The video footage of Chatman comes just weeks after a judge ordered the release of video showing police killing 17-year-old Laquan MacDonald by police officer Jason Van Dyke.

A report in Thursdays Chicago Tribune revealed that high-ranking staff of Democratic Mayor Rahm Emanuel knew of the video of MacDonalds death, despite Emanuels prior claims of ignorance. Chicago police also operate a black site facility at the Homan Square detention facility where detainees are beaten and refused the right to legal counsel.

Chatman, the one of many victims of Chicago police violence, was shot by Officer Kevin Fry in on the afternoon of January 7, 2013, near 75th Street and Jeffery Boulevard on Chicagos South Side. Fry and his partner, Lou Toth, were in plain clothes and responding to a call of a carjacking at approximately 1:46 p.m. and shortly after stopped Chatmans car. According to a police report, Chatman jumped out of his car when officers approached and proceeded to run south on Jeffery street. As Chatman ran, Fry told the court, he approaches the corner, he makes a slight turn, a subtle turn to the right with his upper body. I see in his right hand a dark gray or black object. Claiming he feared for his life, Fry fired four shots towards Chatman, striking him on the right side of his body and right forearm.

The dark gray or black object would turn out to be a black iPhone box. Chatman would later die from his injuries.

Brian Coffman, the attorney for Chatmans mother, stated, the video shows Mr. Chatman running as fast as he possibly can away from these police officers. Its a sunny day, not dark, hes not carrying any kind of weapon and he makes no movements toward these police officers.  [Fry] got out of his car and he was ready to shoot. And he did.

Chicagos Independent Police Review Authority (IPRA) found the officers actions to be justified, claiming they reasonably believed that Chatman was armed. However, Lorenzo Davis, the IPRA supervisor who oversaw the Chatman investigation, ruled that the lethal shooting of Chatman was not justifiable. His supervisors would overrule his decision, and Davis was subsequently fired from IPRA. He later filed a federal lawsuit against IPRA alleging he was fired for his findings on several casesincluding Chatmansin which he found that officers had unjustifiably used lethal force.

I was fired not just for that case but for several cases including officer-involved shooting cases and other excessive force cases, Davis told CNN. But I refused to change my findings in a number of cases. That was simply the last one.

Commenting on the video of the shooting of Chatman, he said, I pay most attention to Officer Fry. Mr. Chatman is simply trying to get away. Hes running as fast as he can away from the officers. Officer Toth is right behind him; hes doing the right thing. Hes pursuing him. Hes trying to capture him, while Officer Fry, on the other hand, has both of his hands on his weapon. He is in a shooters position. He is looking for a clear shot.

Speaking to the Chicago Tribune, Davis further stated, Cedrick was just running as the shots were fired. Youre taught that deadly force is a last resort and that you should do everything in your power to apprehend the person before you use deadly force. I did not see where deadly force was called for at that time.

US District Court Judge Robert Gettleman, who ordered the release of the video, stated that Fry had potentially put his partners life in danger, arguing that Toth was so close to the teen when Fry opened fired that you might say he was in the line of fire. Indeed, the video shows the intersection where the shooting occurred having significant traffic. Moreover, people are seen walking and standing nearby. The fact that Officer Fry chose to fire four rounds with so many people around reveals the utter recklessness of his decision. However, no new criminal investigations have been filed against the officers and both officers remain on full-time duty.

This is not the first major incident for Fry. He has had 30 complaints filed against him, with 10 allegations of excessive use of force. All complaints were deemed unwarranted by the Chicago Police Department.

In 2007, Fry and his partner shot a 16-year-old boy after they saw a shiny object along his waist, assuming it was a weapon. It was in fact a shiny belt buckle. According to CNN, the city of Chicago settled with the teen and his family by offering a $99,000 settlement package. The shooting was deemed justifiable.
The remains of 10 Germans killed in a suicide attack in the Turkish city of Istanbul were flown home on Saturday, an AFP photographer said.

The bodies of those killed in Tuesday's attack, which has been blamed on the Islamic State group, were put on a plane at Ataturk International Airport to be flown back to Germany for burial.

Another 17 people, mostly German tourists, were wounded in the attack in the historic heart of Istanbul, near the famed Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia, a towering former Byzantine church that was turned into a mosque before later becoming a museum.

Seven suspects have been detained in connection with the attacks, Interior Minister Efkan Ala said Thursday.

Turkish authorities have identified the Istanbul suicide bomber as a 28-year-old Syrian who entered Turkey on January 5 posing as a migrant fleeing the country's civil war.

Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said the man was a member of ISIS.

Ankara has often been criticised by its Western allies for not doing enough to combat ISIS militants who have seized swathes of territory across the border in Syria and Iraq.

Turkey is currently hosting around 2.2 million refugees who have fled the fighting in Syria. Davutoglu warned against seeing all migrants as potential extremists, which he said would be playing into the hands of the "terrorists".

Turkey was hit by three attacks blamed on ISIS in 2015, including a double suicide bombing in October in Ankara that killed 103 people, the country's worst-ever attack.

All those attacks targeted pro-Kurdish groups, who are vehemently opposed to ISIS.

The attack on the German tourists, however, was the first time that foreign visitors have been targeted in Istanbul.

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The office of London Mayor Boris Johnson has been forced to reveal that young people aged 17 and under had been held in police cells over 3,000 times in London toward the first half of last year.

Between November 2014 and May 2015, Scotland Yard recorded 3,005 such cases and 483 children were held over an entire weekend. This is in flagrant violation of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act, which states that children under 18 in custody should be transferred to the care of the local authority and placed in temporary accommodation.

Outside of London, Warwickshire and West Mercia were found by the Inspectorate of Prisons and Constabulary to have held 36 children in cells overnight between May 2014 and May 2015. One 14-year-old who had attempted self-harm prior to his arrest had been placed under insufficient observation and injured himself while in police custody. In Nottingham in 2015, a 16-year-old girl detained under the Mental Health Act was held in a cell for 44 hours without food or water, according to HM Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC).

The illegal detainment of children is well known to the authorities. In 2013, the Howard League for Penal Reform reported that across the country over 40,000 children were detained in police cells overnight in 2011, or 800 young people per week.

Labour Party London Assembly member Andrew Dismore, who obtained the detainment figures, said, The police tell me that a combination of budget cuts and housing shortages are having a devastating impact on councils ability to place young people and prevent them spending the night in a police cell.

Dismore failed to mention that the Labour Party holds majorities in many of the councils carrying out socially destructive spending cuts. Or that, at the national level, the Labour Party has repeatedly committed itself to the austerity program driving the cuts. Labours Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell stated in the Guardian, Labour under Jeremy Corbyn is committed to eliminating the deficit and creating an economy in which we live within our means.

The above findings are all the more concerning in light of the recent scandal involving the private security form G4S and the mistreatment of child prisoners. A BBC Panorama investigation found G4S guards at Medway secure training centre (STC) in Kent had regularly falsified reports to cover up violent incidents that would have required the company to pay a fine. Seven members of staff have since been suspended on charges of unnecessary force, including allegations of slapping and punching children.

The Youth Justice Board has temporarily stopped placing children at the offending centre. G4S currently runs Britains three STCs at Medway, Oakhill in Milton Keynes and Rainsbrook in Northamptonshire, though Rainsbrook is due to pass over to MTCNovo in May this year.

The company has been involved in a series of incidents over the past few years, in which criminally inadequate levels of care have been revealed. In 2014, 14 children were found to have been assaulted by G4S and Serco guards between 2004 and 2008. 2004 was the year in which Gareth Myatt and Adam Rickwood, aged 15 and 14, died after being unlawfully restrained in Rainsbrook STC.

Responding to the Panorama investigation, Andy Burnham, Labours shadow home secretary, called for G4S to be stripped of its contracts. For Burnham, the problem is simply a case of unfortunate managerial oversight on the part of a single company. He takes no issue with putting vulnerable young people and their rehabilitation into the care of the private businesses.

Burnham does not even match the rhetorical stance of former Labour Home Secretary Jack Straw, a right-wing Blairite who, in 1997, declared the introduction of the private sector into the running of prisons morally repugnant. This was shortly before Labours term in office under Blair, during which the practise of building private prisons was extended under Private Finance Initiative (PFI) schemes and on Straws watch.

Prisons run by the British state are not free of serious abuses against children. Cases of violence and neglect have been brought to public attention several times in recent years. In the same year that saw the deaths of Myatt and Rickwood, the World Socialist Web Site reported accusations levelled by the Howard League for Penal Reform against Stoke Heath Young Offenders Institution, stating their belief that the youth prison (which held 690 inmates at the time) had been abusing the human rights of young offenders by placing them in isolation cells for days at a time.

Guards at the largest youth prison in Britain, Hindley Young Offenders Institution, were found to have broken bones while restraining inmates on five separate occasions between 2009 and 2011. In 2012, it was revealed, officers at Feltham YOI drew batons over 100 times and used them 25 times.

The use of offensive weapons against children has only become more serious in recent years, with Tasers being drawn on children 431 times in 2013--a 38 percent increase over the previous year--and fired 37 times. These numbers are taken from official Home Office figures. The youngest person to receive a 50,000 volt shock was 14 years old; the youngest threatened was 11. Responding to criticisms, Commander Neil Basu of the Association of Chief Police Officers said, We have to remember that children can commit violent crime too. The police are paid to intervene in those situations and Taser can be an appropriate use of force.

While money can be found for the supply of several thousand potentially lethal weapons, the government says there is none to spare to fund youth services that help keep children out of crime. A Freedom of Information Request submitted to the Department for Education in 2014 found that money spent on services for teenagers in England had fallen 36 percent in the previous two years (2011 to 2013). The biggest cuts came in the London boroughs of Kensington and Chelsea and Tower Hamlets, which cut their spending by 78 percent and 65 percent, respectively. Funding again dropped by 10 percent across the country the following year.

In place of care, education and employment--the resources for which have instead been directed towards big business and war--British capitalism has nothing to offer the youth except violence and repression.

(The author recommends:

Britain: Youth prison accused of abuses

7 January 2004

https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2004/01/pris-j07.html

Jeremy Corbyns economic plan to rescue British capitalism

20 August 2015

https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2015/08/20/corb-a20.html
The drive of this monthly series is to show Egypt a 100 years ago through a collection of postcards collected by Egyptologist George Darresy while working in Egypt at the beginning of the 20th century. This collection is now in the Louvre Museum in Paris and contains images addressing a range of subjects in everyday life, including Pharaonic, Islamic, Coptic as well as modern life aspects.

George Darresy, creator of the collection, was assigned the job of curator of Boulaq Museum in 1887. The collection of the museum moved to Ismail Pasha Palace at Giza in 1891 and finally to Tahrir Square's Egyptian Museum in 1903. Meanwhile, Darresy was involved in the discovery of the Luxor Cachette in 1891. In 1892 he found, in the grounds of the temple of Ramses III at Madinet Habou, parts of the colossal statues of Amenhotep III and his wife Tiyi, which are now in the attrium of the Egyptian Museum. In 1914, he was appointed secretary general of the Egyptian service of antiquities and retired in 1923. After that Darresy returned to France. He died in 1938.

During his stay in Egypt, Darresy and his wife Marie used to exchange postcards each time they visited a new place in the country. Postcards at the time were mainly black and white photographs. Most of the cards carry postal stamps, showing the city from which they were posted along with the date. The collection runs to 1,372 postcards and confirms that Marie was a passionate cartophile, to the extent of sending herself 36 postcards from Alexandria, in order to have the postal stamps.

In 1997, Federico Mayor, director general of UNESCO, approved the production of a CD-ROM titled La description de L'Egypte au debut du XXeme Siecle (The Description of Egypt at the Beginning of the 20th Century) based on this collection of postcards as a part of UNESCO's Memory of the World programme. This programme is created to preserve the documentary heritage of the world, whether in the form of manuscrips, books or old photos and paintings that have special value.

The Darresy collection is of great value through its pictorial representation of Egypt at the beginning of the 20th century. The collection complements the books published by France after the French Expedition at the beginning of the 19th century.

Inspired by the collection, as cultural counselor of Egypt to France I presented to the director general of UNESCO the request that the collection be included in UNESCO's "Memory of the World" programme.

Fathi Saleh is consultant to the prime minister for heritage affairs, founder and emeritus director of CULTNAT, and former ambassador of Egypt to UNESCO.

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Find voter resources and full coverage of the Nov. 8 election at the YHR Election Center.
Cherries hang on a tree at the Lyall Farms in Mattawa, Wash., May 20, 2015. Cherries were harvested weeks earlier than normal last summer because of the area's mild winter and spring. (GORDON KING/Yakima Herald-Republic)
Rickman is the second major British cultural figure aged 69 to die this week following a private battle with cancer after rock icon David Bowie's death on Monday

Fans of the Harry Potter saga paid tribute Friday to the late actor Alan Rickman at the mythical platform 9 3/4 at London's King's Cross station. Rickman, who died of cancer on Thursday, aged 69, gained legions of young fans with his portrayal of the morally ambiguous teacher Severus Snape in all eight "Harry Potter" films from 2001 to 2011.

Platform 9 3/4 is where Potter departed for Hogwarts via the Hogwarts Express, and is marked by a permanent installation at Kings Cross, comprising a trolley complete with luggage and birdcage disappearing into a wall.

One letter left among the flowers at King's Cross reflected how Rickman had made the character his own."Dear Alan, I was so shocked to hear of your death," it read.

"I feel like a great light has gone out of the world. You have always been part of me for my childhood. You have understood and loved Severus more than any of us and a part of him dies with you."

Potter's creator J. K. Rowling has said she was "shocked and devastated" by Rickman's death, adding that he was "a magnificent actor and a wonderful man".



Daniel Radcliffe, who played Potter, said Rickman was "one of the greatest actors I will ever work with... and one of the loyalist and most supportive people I've ever met."



Winfield added: "Severus Snape is Alan Rickman and Alan Rickman is Severus Snape. I don't think anyone else could fill his shoes."

Rickman is the second major British cultural figure aged 69 to die this week following a private battle with cancer after rock icon David Bowie's death on Monday.

For more arts and culture news and updates, follow Ahram Online Arts and Culture on Twitter at @AhramOnlineArts and on Facebook at Ahram Online: Arts & Culture

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At least twenty-nine people died and 33 were wounded when suspected Islamist gunmen stormed a hotel in the capital of Burkina Faso and al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) has claimed responsibility.

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US and French-assisted Burkinabe security forces were able to retake the Splendid Hotel and Cappuccino Cafe on Saturday morning, freeing 126 hostages and killing four jihadists, two of them women. Three of the jihadists were killed at the Splendid Hotel, while the fourth was killed at the nearby Hotel Yibi.

Burkina Faso's Minister of Security and Internal Affairs Simon Compaore said forces were searching nearby hotels to be sure there are no other extremists hiding there.





Fire outside Burkina Faso hotel (Photo: Reuters)

Compaore, speaking on state-owned radio, also said the dead had included victims from 18 different nationalities, though he gave no further details.

The hotel is frequented by Westerners, which may have made it a target for the terrorists.

The Friday evening attack was the first time jihadists have assaulted the capital of Burkina Faso and comes as a setback to efforts by African governments, France and the United States to prevent attacks that have destabilized the region.

It follows a raid on a luxury hotel in Mali last November in which two attackers killed 20 people, including an Israeli , as well as citizens of Russia, China and the United States. There have been many attacks by jihadists in other countries in West Africa in recent years and the vast majority of those killed have been Africans.

Robert Sangare, director of Ouagadougou's university hospital centre, said that among an initial 15 people brought to hospital some had bullet wounds while others had injuries from falls.

The doctor spoke to patients who had seen around 20 bodies, and one European woman being treated at the hospital said the attackers appeared to target Westerners, said Sangare, who had spoken to the patients.

Burkina Faso's fire brigade saw around 10 bodies on the terrace of the Cappuccino cafe opposite the hotel, the Interior Minister told Reuters. It was not immediately clear how many people were in the hotel and restaurant when the attack began.

The hotel is sometimes used by French troops with Operation Barkhane, a force based in Chad and set up to combat Islamist militants across West Africa's vast, arid Sahel region. Burkinabe and French forces were working together to retake the hotel, the minister of communications said.

A US defense official said France, the former colonial power, had requested US intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance support in the city, and at least one US military member in Burkina Faso was giving "advice and assistance" to French forces at the hotel.

France normally has up to 200 special forces troops in the country.

Stiff test

The assault began around 8:30pm local time, and the attackers torched cars and fired in the air to drive people back from the building. There was an intense gun battle followed by relative quiet, partly because of security forces' preparations for their bid to recapture the hotel.

"We had just opened and there were a few customers we started to serve when we heard gunshots. ... There were three men shooting in the air," said Vital Nounayon, a waiter at a restaurant across the street from the hotel.

"Lots of people left their cars and motorcycles and ran. (Attackers) set fire to the vehicles. They also fired on the Cappuccino cafe across from the hotel before setting it on fire," he said, adding that the attackers wore turbans.

Medical personnel treating wounded during terror attack on Burkina Faso hotel (Photo: AFP)

Medical personnel moved the wounded away from the front of the hotel and one civilian was shot dead as the assault began around midnight, a Reuters witness said.

Burkina Faso, a majority Muslim country, has undergone a democratic transition since October 2014 when longtime President Blaise Compaore was overthrown during mass protests.

Elite troops launched a failed coup last September, but the landlocked West African state has been largely spared violence by Islamist militants, unlike its neighbor Mali.

The attack presents a stiff test for President Roch Marc Kabore, who was elected in November as Burkina Faso's first new leader in decades.

Warning signs

Three Islamist groups including AQIM and al Mourabitoun claimed responsibility for the Mali hotel attack, the most prominent by militants who are based in the north of the country and have staged a series of attacks over the last year.

Al Mourabitoun was also involved in the attack in Ouagadougou, according to the SITE intelligence group.

Islamist jihadists have staged attacks in a number of West African states bordering the Sahel in recent years.

Boko Haram has been blamed for assaults that have killed thousands in northeastern Nigeria during a six-year insurgency and in 2015 extended its attacks into neighboring countries Chad, Niger and Cameroon.

Troops outside Burkina Faso hotel (Photo: EPA)

Still, before Friday, jihadists' approaches in Burkina Faso had mostly been limited to the fringe of West African nation.

In October 2015 around 50 unidentified gunmen attacked a gendarmerie brigade near the western border with Mali, killing three in an attack the government at the time blamed on the leaders of a failed coup one month before.

And last month the embassy warned French citizens against travelling to a national park in eastern Burkina Faso after reports that Malian jihadists were threatening to kidnap visitors.

Earlier on Friday, the Ministry of Defence said about 20 armed men killed a gendarme and a civilian in an attack in northern Burkina Faso. It was unclear who the attackers were.

French Ambassador Gilles Thibault said he had been informed that a curfew would be in place from 11pm local time Friday to 6 am Saturday.

Remis Dandjinou, the communications minister, said on Twitter that the cabinet would hold an extraordinary meeting at 9am on Saturday.
Even the good walkers, who have done many miles down the winding roads of Israeli politics, would agree that this has been one of the more unstable and confusing weeks we've known. It was a week that started with a decision to hold primaries for the leadership of the Likud party, and ended with its cancellation. A week in which an interior minister was sworn in when only a few months ago he was still saying he will not return to that ministry. A week in which a deputy minister, that six months ago no one knew who he was, decides not to show up for a swear-in ceremony at the Knesset because he thinks he deserves a better job than what was offered him.

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In the beginning of the week, when the Likud's elections committee decided to hold primaries for the party's leadership with the only candidate being Netanyahu, we laughed. Only one candidate on the ballot? We were waiting for Netanyahu's large billboards to really understand what kind of reality we're living in. When it turned out the vote would offer two options, for or against, we kept laughing, but Netanyahu was already crying. What is he going to do if there are more votes against him than in favor? What will they say then, that Bibi beat Bibi? The schizophrenia is so acute that Bibi A panicked from Bibi B and it was decided on a blank vote, the existence of which ensured no one who is not a big fan of Netanyahu was going to show up at the polls, because the meaning of a blank vote is that it is not counted anyway.

Netanyahu - afraid to run against himself (Photo: Reuters)

The outrage did not take long: Not only did Netanyahu call for early primaries - to prevent any possibility of anyone running against him - he also won't allow even the slightest hint of protest. Not to mention the financial expense of such unnecessary elections, held solely to ensure that in a year or two from now, no one wakes up and decide they want to run for the head of the Likud. Netanyahu is so panicked, so haunted, that even the Likud regulations, which specifically note that if there is only one candidate, that candidate would be declared the winner and be the Likud's candidate for the premiership in the next general elections - were not able to calm him down. What is he going to do if Sa'ar or Katz decide they want to run against him and say 'wait a minute, but there was no vote'?

This is what Netanyahu wanted to ensure: That no one would be able to come and make demands.

It's so pathetic that it's sad. A sitting prime minister, whose power and influence are hard to even estimate, is afraid not just of future competitors, but even to compete against himself.

And this is how we got to this point, that within only four days it was decided to cancel the primaries, and we were deprived of many more critical editorials and satirical television. Just imagine actor Mariano Idelman with the prime minister's purple hair wig standing in front of the ballot box on Eretz Nehedert and debating who to vote for.

Actor Mariano Idelman as Netanyahu, center, on the satirical show Eretz Nehedert.

An act of protest

But make no mistake: The person behind the decision to cancel the primaries is the one behind the decision to hold them, and that is the prime minister himself. On Sunday, when he wanted to hold the elections in an effort to secure his own victory, his office used a precedent from the municipal elections that determines that if there is only one candidate, he is not declared a winner, and elections are held.

On Wednesday, after the criticism and mockery, when Netanyahu realized where all of this is heading, he didn't have to do too much. Netanyahu has close ties to the chairman of the Likud court, Attorney Michael Kleiner. But what's more interesting is that the petition to cancel the primaries was filed by the chairman of the movement's comptroller committee, Avigdor Hadar, who that very morning justified the primaries in the media. There's definitely room to wonder how come a person praises something in the morning and petitions against it in the evening, unless it's all just a show and he was sent by the director.

But why are we surprised. It's not news to us that Netanyahu wakes up every morning and goes to sleep every night thinking how to block his competitors. If he doesn't block them with a vote, he'll block them on a technicality. He must have enemies, someone to fight against. And his tactic is one of intimidation. His own fear, and the fear he manages to impose on us. That's how he won the elections and that's how he manages to rule over the Likud.

It has been noted already that Netanyahu's current situation in the Likud party is not great. Despite the one-man rule he managed to impose on his party, and the fact not one of the members of the party dares open his mouth and publicly protest Netanyahu's actions, there are a lot of reservations against him within party ranks. And the proof of that is the vote at the Likud committee on the early primaries. The results were 65 percent in favor and 35 percent against. It's not a good thing for the prime minister when there is no senior official in the Likud party that opposes him. When they opened the ballot boxes for that vote, they found quite a few ballots with the word "dictator" written on them, or other comments in protest of Netanyahu's actions.

The election of Haim Katz as the chairman of the Likud center is an act of protest. Rumors say Netanyahu was the one behind Likud MK Yaron Mazuz's insistence not to remove his candidacy for the role, because that would've helped Haim Katz.

But all of that is like a twig on the surface of the waters. There is only one bottom line: Netanyahu will be the chairman of the Likud party and its candidate in the next general elections, and not because of his embarrassing chicanery this week, but because no one dares run against him. And it doesn't matter if it's now or in two years. Until Netanyahu loses the premiership, there won't be anyone in the Likud to challenge him. That's how it works in the Likud party. And those who realized this are not there anymore.
DUBAI - International sanctions on Iran will be lifted on Saturday when the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) issues its final report on Tehran's disputed nuclear program, Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said.

Zarif arrived in Vienna earlier on Saturday, where the IAEA is expected to release a report confirming that Iran has completed its commitments under last year's nuclear deal, triggering "Implementation Day" and the lifting of sanctions.

"Today with the release of the IAEA chief's report the nuclear deal will be implemented, after which a joint statement will be made to announce the beginning of the deal," Zarif was quoted as saying by state news agency IRNA.

"Today is a good day for the Iranian people as sanctions will be lifted today," the ISNA agency quoted Zarif as saying.
On Christmas Eve, I travelled between what used to be Iraq and what used to be Syria. A night drive through territories that are passed on from one hand to another. A lone car in the dark. Where is the border? Who is lurking in the dark? Does the vehicle coming in the other direction belong to the Kurds, or to ISIS? Some lone dogs, the only living things left in the abandoned villages, cross the road in the yellow headlights and disappear into the dark.

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Something new was born that year. It's common to think of anything "new" as something that brings hope. But this "new" thing only brings horror. "That thing" was born over 10 years ago, before being discovered, but only few noticed it.

This area of Mesopotamia, where the new Islamic caliphate was suddenly born, is one of the most ancient and rich areas in the world - rich in culture, agriculture, oil and history, but also in conquerors and conquered, nations and empires that rose and disappeared and were swallowed up within this vast area of land. More nations that later spread out to the east and west came from this area than any other part of the world. This has been the world's maternity ward.

Out of the darkness, a roadblock pops up. It's anyone's guess whose roadblock this is. I was relieved when I saw Kurdish fighters there. They were standing by their posts, which were decorated with black ISIS slogans that were erased just the day before. We kept travelling towards what used to be the border between Iraq and Syria and is now just an abandoned anti-tank ditch and some barbed wire fence.

YPG roadblock north of Sinjar

In this no man's land, the battle between good and evil is being waged. Both good and evil have a name and a face. The good are the Kurds. The evil ones are ISIS. Anyone who supports the Kurds is on the side of the good guys, and those who support ISIS - support the devil. But both the good and the devil are managed and manipulated by forces far greater than they are. Circles within circles that create a storm and a whirlpool of horrors, dreams, hopes and disasters.

The dark night through which we were traveling was the end of a long day of villages in ruins, shattered cars and battles. We drove in and out of puddles on the broken roads. We crossed the no-border in the dark. Syria and Iraq have melded into one.

Behind the wickedness and violence of the Islamic State, behind the religious ideology, military capabilities, economic greed and sophisticated propaganda, there's a well polished and professional mechanism, forged and built over years of preparation, struggle, and contemplation. Everyone who fights ISIS - Shi'ite, Kurds, Yazidis, atheists, Christians and Muslims - believes that ISIS is the devil. And they have proof.

A scene of war and destruction

We drove through abandoned villages. Crossed what used to be a land border between Iraq and Syria, of which there is no longer any trace. We passed by roadblocks and Kurdish YPG units (People's Defense Units), who were stationed at deserted villages, and arrived in Dahoula, Iraq, with the Sinjar Mountain range rising several kilometers south of us, high and arid.

The Yazidi town of Dahoula was abandoned, and as we turned east, the full scale of the destruction revealed itself to us. On either side of the street, there was not even one house that wasn't in ruins. Men and children were digging through the rubble, trying to find anything that might be of use at the refugee camps. When we stopped and I got off the small minibus, a chill went through my body. I entered a scene of war and destruction. Of a place deliberately destroyed.

A balding Yazidi man, skinny and shocked, came out of the rubble and stood in what used to be a street. I followed him. He immediately started talking, and could not be stopped. "These sons of a bitch demolished our homes with bulldozers," he said, furiously.

ISIS?

"Yes."

Why?

"Because they have no religion, they have no honor, and they are sons of a bitch. I'm not sad about the fact they demolished our homes, but what did our daughters and wives do to deserve such a fate? And what did they demolish the houses for?"

Did they kill many of the village's people?

"Yes, a lot."

A young man in a striped shirt came out of the wreckage. "Anyone who can help the Yazidi people, we'll thank them and always remember them. We have nothing. And if they don't help us, we'll bring tents and live on the ruins. We're a miserable people with a miserable religion. Islam always attacks us. We need the United States' protection. We don't care about the houses and the property. Our problems is the wives and daughters. I'd rather they destroyed the entire village to the ground and left no trace. It's not that bad that they killed our men and children. I'd rather they killed hundreds of men, but not the women. I wish they'd come back to us. That anyone could help. European countries, the UN, the Kurdish government and the central Iraqi government, Arab states - anyone who can help. Bring them back to us."

Tzur Shezaf in Syria and Iraq (:  )

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Several days later I met Laith Ahmad Mohammed, a 23-year-old ISIS fighter, who was captured by the Kurds. He was a young man, with curly dark hair and brown eyes, from the Sunni tribes of Iraq. "Did you fight in Sinjar?" I asked.

"I did."

And did you take girls from there?

"I did."

How many women did you take?

"A lot, it's hard to count."

What did you do to the Yazidi women?

"They were put on vehicles and taken away."

And you didn't take them away?

"The sheikhs and the amirs who are above us took them. It wasn't our job. We, the soldiers, don't interfere with that."

He was lying. In the days after the Islamic State's fighters attacked the Yazidi areas, videos appeared online showing them celebrate their victory and dividing up their plunder. The Yazidi women became a reward, booty whose blood and body are free for the taking.

Yohan and the Kurdish women

A barbed wire fence, a muddy ditch filled with water, and a dirt road filled with roadblocks manned by both male and female YPG fighters. The Kurds were in the midst of the attack on Sinjar, which is located at the southern side of the mountain. All around us were the abandoned Yazidi villages.

We stopped in one of the villages and went into a yard surrounded by a wall of clay. A fire was burning on the other side of the yard, with a large pot of tea boiling on top of it. Several female fighters and a bearded guy, with a mischievous spark in his eyes, welcomed us. His English was slow and hesitant with a French accent.

Are you Kurdish?

"Syriac. My family is originally from Midyat in Turkey. I was born in Switzerland and arrived in the Middle East two and a half years ago."

In Hebrew, the Syriacs are known as Assyrian Christians. It's one of the most ancient Christian groups of the area. Most of the Christians in Syria, about three million people, are Syriac Christians.

So you're Swiss?

"Yes, I am Swiss of the Free Syriac Forces who are fighting with the Kurdish YPG against the Islamic State."

And what were you doing before you came here?

"I was a sergeant in the Swiss army for five and a half years."

And here?

"I'm the commander of the Syriac forces."

That's how I met Yohan, or Captain Mehmet, the commander of the Syriac forces, who has 2,000 of the ancient Assyrian Christian fighters under his command, and fights against the Islamic State and the Syrian regime in coordination with the Kurds.

Tzur Shezaf talking to Yohan, the commander of the Syriac forces.

"In 2012," he said, "after I travelled all over Syria, I came here and realized the war will come here soon as well. I saw that a lot of people had weapons, but they weren't organized. I joined them and started giving them advice and organize them, and then I moved from advice and random training to proper training and forming the organization.

"We fight not just for the military need to defend ourselves. We fight for our identity and our rights as a religious minority. After wandering around this area, I realized that we, like the Kurds, have a chance of reclaiming the historic identity we lost 2,000 years ago. The Syriacs no longer believe the regime, which is only taking care of the Alawites. This is our land - Mesopotamia, which is Kurdistan for the Kurds. That's why we went to war."

Are ISIS good fighters?

"Yes. They are well trained, but you have to remember they weren't born yesterday and not a year or two ago, they've been fighting since 2003. They fought against the United States in Iraq for ten years."

Did you kill Islamic State fighters?

He smiled. "I won't say: 'I killed,' I'll say we defended ourselves, but it's obvious you have to shoot him before he shoots you. This is a civil war, and we have to protect our land, our villages, our history and our identity."

I turned to talk to the female fighters. In a sane world, these young women in uniforms would be studying at university or thinking about love stories. In the reality created by the ruthlessness of the Islamic State, they each have a reason and a story of why and how they joined the fight against the forces of darkness.

Britta is a 20-year-old Arab fighter from Al-Qamishli. ISIS militants murdered her father, who wasn't religious enough for them. She decided to leave home and volunteer with the YPG. Next to her was Kurdish fighter Rose Daar, a beautiful 20 year old with a heavy braid resting on her shoulder. She was in combat uniforms and wearing a wide-brimmed hat. On the lapel of her shirt was a pin with the photo of a young man. I asked her who it was and she said it was a friend who was killed in battle.

Did you kill ISIS fighters?

"Yes," she answered.

I asked her if she lost any other friends. "Some of my friends were captured by the Islamic State and some were killed. One of the girls was fighting and was cut off from the rest of the force. When she was surrounded by ISIS fighters, she pulled out a grenade and blew herself up with them."

Are you afraid of them?

"No."

And are they afraid of you?

She thought about it for a moment and smiled. "Yes, we strike fear in them."

Tzur Shezaf talking to female Kurdish fighters.

The Islamic State militants are trying to avoid fighting the female Kurdish fighters because they believe that if they are killed by a woman, they won't get to paradise.

The YPG girls, the women brigades fighting shoulder to shoulder with the male fighters, are mostly made up of young women, sometimes 16 or 17 years old when they join. Most of them come from poor homes. This is the revolution within the Kurdish revolution. In the conservative Kurdish society, women belong at home. In poor families, the daughters are married off young so they are not a burden on their parents. Joining the Kurdish People's Defense Units gives these women meaning, freedom, strength and female empowerment, which could serve them in the future. Under fire, the Kurdish men are being reeducated.

The captives

One afternoon, I went to visit the jail where the Kurds hold the prisoners they take captive. A car was parking under the high concrete ceiling in the yard of the prison, and a masked Kurdish soldier was leading two blindfolded captives out of it.

The first was Salah Abdullah Fatah, a skinny man with big eyes and straight hair, 21 years old. The Kurdish guard took off his blindfold. He was an Iraqi from Mosul.

How long have you been part of ISIS?

"Since they entered Mosul."

Why did you join them?

"Because the Islamic State entered Mosul and everyone started joining it to support Islam, and because they're doing the right thing."

How many mercenaries are there in Mosul?

"Thousands arrive every day," he said. "They're being split into divisions. They say: 'Allahu Akbar' and go out to fight. The fighters we joined while I was there were against the oppressing West and against the countries of Europe. We aspire to annihilate them, leave no one alive. Islam alone will rule over the entire Earth. We're against the Christians and the Jews and against anyone who is against Islam."

What countries did they come from?

"Egypt, Saudi, Kuwait, and some from Europe as well. There are doctors and medical specialists. There are attackers and snipers."

Where did you fight?

"In Mosul, Tal Afar and Sinjar."

Did you kill people?

"Yes, this is what we've been taught. That anyone who fights against you and tries to divert you from the path of the faith is a 'murtad' and has strayed from Islam."

And will you kill a Christian or a Jew?

"Sure, we need to slaughter every Christian. Either he becomes a Muslim, or he is slaughtered."

And a Jew as well?

"A Jew as well."

And what if I tell you I was Jewish?

"You're Jewish?"

Yes, I'm Jewish.

"If you are part of the Khawarij (non-Muslims) and you don't convert to Islam - I'll slaughter you."

You fought in Sinjar?

"Yes."

Did you take girls from there?

"Yes, we did."

Why?

"Women. Prisoners of war."

Why? Because they're Yazidi?

"Yes, from the Yazidis."

Tzur Shezaf interviews ISIS captive Laith Ahmad Mohammed.

The air in the room was so dark and stifling. Heavy. The second captive was sitting blindfolded on a chair to the side and listening to the conversation. He was blinking when the Kurdish guard removed his blindfold. His name was Laith Ahmad Mohammed. I asked him where he fought. "In Mosul, Jazaa and Al-Mashirfa."

Did you kill anyone?

"Yes, I killed 17 people."

What did you use?

"Just a sword. Ten in Iraq and seven in al-Jalaa. Kurds, Christians. All infidels. We say 'Allahu Akbar' and yalla, we behead. The sheikhs (religious clerics) came with us. They told us: This area is a Kurdish area, and it's all filled with infidels, and there, that area of the Islamic State, is Al-Ard Al-Muqaddasah, holy land."

He described the Islamic State whose land is holy. Everything within its borders is pure and holy - and anyone that's outside of it - is an infidel.

Did you kill the infidels?

"Yes, I slaughtered them, beheaded them. Those who convert to Islam are not harmed."

Why?

"Everyone is infidels."

And the Jews?

"Infidels. The sheikhs said all of the Western countries belong to the Jews. They said 'we'll finish with Syria and then go to foreign countries and annihilate them.' We won't leave any Christians or Jews alive."

How many were you?

"Countless. Thousands. Every day, about a thousand people would come from Western countries and from all over the world. Each in a unit from their country, calling out 'Infidels! Infidels!' and going out to battle."

Where is the Islamic State getting its money?

"From Saudi Arabia, Turkey."

And weapons as well?

"It's all coming from abroad - support, equipment, money and weapons. Everything. We take pills and go to battle."

Pills?

"Yes. The sheikhs told us that these are pills against fear, and said: 'You should know this blocks your brain.' But after you take the pill, you go into battle and you don't feel anything. They gave us money, weapons, cars, everything we asked for. But the YPG, despite the fact we took pills, beat us. The YPG fight like crazy, we had a few fights against them..."

"The guy who's talking to you is Jewish," said Rosan, a Kurdish journalist traveling with me.

"A Jew?" Laith Mohammed's eyes open up.

"A Jew," Rosan said.

"The orders about him were very clear. They told us: 'If you catch a Jew, immediately behead him with a sword. Call out Allahu Akbar and behead him.'"

Do you want to slaughter me?

But Laith Mohammed refused to make this personal. "According to the orders of the Islamic State, those who don't convert to Islam are beheaded with a sword, and those who do convert are not harmed."

"They'll be killed, they won't live long," Rosan said after the captives were taken back to their cells.

We returned in the dark, driving to Al-Qamishli on the narrow and cracked roads. Meeting the young captives has depressed me. I was depressed by the world they came from, which exists within the borders of the holy Islamic State, where fighters swarm to from all over the world. In the dark, I thought to myself that perhaps they have no hope and need to be killed.

For a free Kurdistan

The bodies of the fallen were laid in coffins at the mosque. Behind them was an honor guard - the men in black-and-red scarves, and the women with their heads uncovered. The fighters' eyes were red with exhaustion and sadness. They were wearing photos of the fallen on the lapels of their shirts.

An old woman was kneeling next to one of the coffins. She wasn't crying; just sat there with two photos of her martyred son and talked to herself, and to the coffin. "Tell the whole world that my son gave his life for the flag of Kurdistan," she said, raising her head and looking around with eyes that did not really see anyone. "Let my enemies see that I'm proud of you, that you died a martyr's death for Kurdistan."

She looked up and down the crammed row of people and said: "You are all my sons. I'm not sorry that my son died a martyr's death," she said, hitting her chest. "Alhamdulillah! I'm proud of you, you're full of bravery."

Mother mourns her martyr son.

And then a voice called out through the mosque's speakers: "Nobody shoot bullets in the air, save your bullets for your enemies."

"Kill these dogs with your bullets!" the mother said. "I swear to God," she told the audience without really seeing anyone, "if I wasn't old, I'd take a rifle and go out to fight the dogs. They say we fight for the land, but we are fighting for freedom!"

The fighters lifted the coffins and carried them outside on their shoulders, cramming through the narrow iron gate. Outside, thousands were waiting.

When the funeral procession turned from the alley to a wider street, someone went up on a roof and fired a volley in salute. Along the way, people were standing and roaring: "Shahid! Shahid!" (martyr) and the funeral procession turned into a show of force for the independent Kurdish state on the way.

ISIS, the Islamic State that is trying to form a worldwide Islamic caliphate, has managed to shatter the state borders from the SykesPicot Agreement.

This no-border is also the rebirth of the Kurdish nation, and the Kurds are building their state based on freedom, secularity, liberty and equality. The opposite of the Islamic State. The Islamic State has turned into the liberator of the Kurds. It didn't mean to do this, but as the Yiddish proverb says - man plans, and God laughs.
VIENNA - US Secretary of State John Kerry arrived in Vienna on Saturday as Iran and Western powers finalized arrangements for the lifting of sanctions against Tehran under a landmark nuclear deal clinched last year.

Kerry is expected to go directly into a meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif, who arrived in Vienna earlier. The International Atomic Energy Agency, the UN body, is set to issue a report triggering the lifting of sanctions imposed by the United Nations, United States and European Union.
A senior Sudanese security official said 14 people were killed during last week's protests in Western Darfur, but denied that police were responsible.

In remarks published by the pro-government Al-Sudani daily on Saturday, Police Chief Atif Fadul said 13 civilians and six policemen were wounded in the protests, which took place in front of and inside the governor's office on Jan. 10. Those figures are the first official toll to emerge from the unrest.

The African Union has expressed concern over "continued tension" in and around the town of Genaina in Western Darfur after residents of Mouli, near the border with Chad, staged a demonstration against an assault by a militia group on their village. The militia's affiliation is not clear.

Fadul said police showed restraint. Sudanese security forces have violently dispersed protests in the past.
One of Sasha Baron Cohen's famous films is called The Dictator. Its protagonist is Admiral General Haffaz Aladeen, the Gaddafi-style president of a fictitious Muslim country. One of the film's scenes has Aladeen explaining the virtues of dictatorship to the Americans. They think he's mocking Libya, but he's really mocking them.

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"Imagine if America was a dictatorship. You could let one percent of the people have all the nation's wealth. You could help your rich friends get richer by cutting their taxes and bailing them out when they gamble and lose. You could ignore the needs of the poor for health care and education," the admiral general says, "Your media would appear free but would secretly be controlled by one person and his family. You could wiretap phones, you could torture foreign prisoners, you could have rigged elections. You could lie about why you go to war. You could fill your prisons with one particular racial group and no one would complain! You could use the media to scare the people into supporting policies that are against their interests. I know this is hard for you Americans to imagine, but please try."

PM Netanyahu. Bringing us closer to Bibiland. (Photo: Moshe Milner/GPO)

I scratched out the word "Americans" and re-read the text. No, we're not there yet, but we're on our way. Every day brings us closer to the destination. Not Graceland, not Neverland, certainly not Altneuland. Bibiland.

A once-in-a-generation man

The free world's democratic regimes are currently in the midst of a crisis the likes of which hasn't been seen since the World War Two. The reasons are clear: A stable, comfortable age has ended, clearing the way for economic, social, and political uncertainty; governments can't handle the challenges that the new times are and the demands of the voting public are posing. Islamic terror; immigration waves from the third world to the first; demographic changes; corruption; the collapse of old political parties. Many long for someone strong, authoritative, who'll free the state from the ties that cripple it: The limits of the law, regulations, political correctness, the media's nosey criticism  someone who'll stand above politics. A once-in-a-generation man.

The US isn't immune to these expectations. Donald Trump 's popularity is the proof. The European Union's member states, some of them new democracies, certainly aren't immune. The anti-democratic bug brings old-style racism, the kind Europe would like to forget, back to the center of public discussions.

Netanyahu entered this age in a comfortable state. Maybe I'm wrong, but I think he can interpret things thusly: Islamic terrorism takes Palestinian affairs off the table, and that's a good thing. The Arab states are busy struggling to survive, and that's good too. European governments are simultaneously frightened of the Muslims and the rise of the anti-Muslim right. Other than the Swedish foreign minister , they don't have much interest in the Israel-Palestinian conflict. That's excellent.

Swedish Foreign Minister Margot Wallstrom. Other than her, European leaders don't currently have much interest in Israeli-Palestinian affairs. (Photo: Getty Images)

America is busy with its elections, and that's good. The candidates of both parties are embracing Israel and its prime minister, and that's excellent. Within two-to-three months Obama will become a lame duck president, along with his Secretary of State Kerry. That's good.

American Deputy Secretary of Defense Robert Work was here this week. He met with Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon and his associates, as well as the top IDF brass. Discussions focused on preserving Israel's qualitative advantage in the face of Iran and the Arab world. They were technical discussions. The memorandum of understanding, the agreement which is intended to determine the aid the US gives Israel in the coming decade, was hardly mentioned. The current aid deal is set to expire next month, which is why it was discussed so much before and after Netanyahu's visit to Washington. Netanyahu wanted to add the hundreds of millions of dollars that Israel receives for special projects such as the Iron Dome and Arrow missile defense systems to the permanent $3.1 billion aid package. Obama agreed.

And now, Netanyahu is in no hurry. He might want the agreement to be finalized during another visit of his to Washington, to the annual AIPAC conference on March 20; he might believe that the aid package can be increased further still. In his fourth term as prime minister, Netanyahu doesn't see a need to explain his decisions to the public. Like Putin, he's open to interpretation.

Speaking of the aid package, there's another story  both related and non-related. Politico is a highly-rated American news site. Recently, it published a fascinating profile of Denis McDonough. Among other things, the story states that in 2013, immediately after Congress approved a special aid package to Israel for the development of the Iron Dome system, then-Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nevada) received a phone call from casino magnate and Netanyahu patron Sheldon Adelson. Adelson said he would be willing to give a billion dollars to the Iron Dome project, on the condition that the donation would be given through the American government. Reid enthusiastically phoned Obama.

Obama and Kerry. Their upcoming lame duck status is good for Netanyahu. (Photo: AP)

Obama lost his wits for a moment. "What?!" he yelled at the Senator. When he calmed down, he proposed that Reid call Adelson, thank him, and explain that private funding of arms would create an unhealthy precedent. The idea died. Politico did not mention whether Adelson contacted the Israeli government directly with his generous offer.

From condemnation to embrace

Netanyahu has many other reasons to feel comfortable. The daily terror events in Israel and the West Bank are seen as a government problem. The Zionist Union has even attempted to start a campaign accusing the government of neglecting the problem. It can be interpreted otherwise. An interesting interplay has been created here, between Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. The lone wolf terror attacks allow Abbas to claim that things happen, and the conflict is on the agenda. He doesn't have to split apart the Palestinian Authority or petition international bodies. On the other hand, he can say that he's foiling Hamas' efforts to perpetrate larger-scale attacks. Every speech Netanyahu gives, accusing him of being responsible for events, helps Abbas with his home crowd.

Netanyahu can also see the glass as half-full. The Israeli public is leaning toward the right, which is good up to a certain point. The security concerns take the weight off other topics; they strengthen the loyalty of government coalition members and silence their bitterness; the goings-on in Israeli cities have not been substantially slowed down, and the effect on the economy is minor. They can be lived with.

Sheldon Adelson. A generous offer and dangerous precedent. (Photo: AFP)

The state of internal politics is even more comfortable. Netanyahu has no rivals on the horizon, he's competing against himself. The public can be for or against Netanyahu, but it doesn't have the option of supporting someone else.

Readers may ask: If things are so comfortable, why doesn't Netanyahu relax, why does he go from event to event, photo-op to photo-op, condemnation to embrace  why does he keep cultivating his cult of personality and encouraging anti-democratic steps? The answer is that utopia doesn't necessarily erase paranoia, not with Netanyahu and not with other politicians.

He's met everyone, and fought everyone, and connected with everyone, and stuck everyone out to dry. Along the way, he became a cynic. According to all signs, he insisted on fictitious elections for the leadership of the Likud party not because he was frightened of his opponents, but because he wanted to raise millions from foreign donors. He's not the only one: Naftali Bennett (Bayit Yehudi) did the same in his party, and ended up paying a fine. It's all calculated, all cynical. All based on the assumption that whatever didn't work yesterday will work tomorrow. As the old Ze'ev Jabotinsky poem says, "God, you have chosen us to rule."
Condemnation has come in from across the political spectrum following Education Minister Naftali Bennett's statements that seemed to cast aspersions on the loyalty of Israel's Foreign Ministry employees.

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At the end of the week Bennett stated that the actions of Alon Liel, former head of the Foreign Ministry, showed that he is a prominent left-wing activist who calls for increasing international pressure on Israel in order to end the occupation in the territories. This, Bennett said, reveals something about the DNA of the Foreign Ministry's employees.

Bennett's comments came following revelations that Liel had consulted with left-wing group Breaking the Silence.

Education Minister Naftali Bennett (Photo: Motti Milrod)

In response, the employees decided to stop cooperating with Bennett and to boycott his visits abroad.

"I'm beginning to think that the Foreign Ministry has a problem in its DNA," Bennett said during an interview on Radio Tel Aviv. "There are always complaints about the Foreign Ministry. There is a profound problem with people like Alon Liel, who was at the ministry for a long time.

"They ask where the hasbara is. What hasbara? When you have the number one pyromaniac at the head of the system, what hasbara is there?" Bennett continued.

He further added that Alon Liel was responsible for Israel's foreign relations and is now trying to isolate the country. "After all that they shout that Israel is isolated in the world. It bothers me greatly that the man who was responsible for advancing Israel's international standing is now doing everything he can in order to harm it."

On Friday a committee of Foreign Ministry employees published an official response, announcing: "The State of Israel's education minister has expressed distorted views against Foreign Ministry employees.

"In saying that the ministry's employees need their DNA checked, he is casting doubt on our loyalty to the state, its institutions and the government," the statement continued.

"The outrageous statements of individual retirees, who have left the Foreign Ministry, are not an excuse for a minister of the State of Israel to unreservedly lash out against employees.

"We are taking these statements very seriously and are therefore briefing all Foreign Ministry workers to cease cooperating with Minister Bennett until he takes back his words and apologizes," the statement added.

In response, Bennett's office stated: "The minister's statements in the interview were directed at those who act against the State of Israel such as Alon Liel, the former director general of the Foreign Ministry.

"The ministry's employees are working with devotion during difficult days for the country, and their mistaking these comments only proves that," the statement continued.

Following Bennett's remarks Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is also the foreign minister, released an official statement rejecting the comments.
Investigations revealed that the emergency exit door was locked with chains, contributing to the high death toll, according to the prosecution

Cairo prosecutors charged four people with murder in relation to an arson attack in Gizas Agouza district which resulted in the death of 17 people, Al-Ahram Arabic news website reported.

The suspects allegedly hurled Molotov cocktails into the Al-Sayyad restaurant and bar over a dispute they had with employees on 4 December.

Investigations revealed that the emergency exit door was locked with chains, contributing to the high death toll, according to the prosecution.

The interior ministry had said shortly after the incident that three of the suspects had been arrested, with the fourth apprehended later.

The suspects reportedly said that they were denied entry to the restaurant and bar by security guards the night before the attack and had launched the assault in retaliation.

All the victims were employees at the club.

The trial date has not been determined.

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Two months after introducing labeling for products imported from Israeli settlements, the EU is planning to further differentiate between the areas on either side of the Green Line.

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The EU's Foreign Affairs Council, which brings together European foreign ministers, is expected to approve on Tuesday a proposal that is liable to levy new sanctions against Israeli settlements and undermine their international legitimacy.

The Israeli and European Union flags in Berlin (Photo: AFP)

The proposal calls on all European Union countries to restrict their international agreements with Israel to within the 1967 borders, thus excluding the settlements.

The European External Action Service stands behind the initiative, and Christian Berger, an Austrian diplomat and the head of the Middle East department at the European Commission, has been particularly instrumental in its development.

Israel claims that Berger has for some time been leading an anti-Israel line and is pushing for sanctions against the settlements. Berger was a leading figure in the move to label settlement products.

The Foreign Ministry has received reports that Sweden adopted a decisive role in moving the proposal forward, during an already tense period in Israeli-Swedish relations in the wake of controversial remarks made by the Swedish foreign minister. Ireland, France and Finland are also pushing strongly for harsher wording against Israel.

The draft proposal, which was distributed to the EU's 28 member states at the end of the week, stipulates that the EU will continue with the line that a clear distinction should be made between Israel and all the territory that was conquered in 1967, including East Jerusalem and the Golan Heights.

The proposal also states that all international agreements between Israel and the 28 EU member states will apply only to Israeli territory inside the Green Line and not to the West Bank.

The wording of the proposal also ratifies the previous decision regarding labeling of settlement products, clarifying that the move does not constitute a boycott of Israel and that the EU opposes such an action.

The EU will also implicitly condemn Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked's NGO transparency bill and will warn of the silencing of civil society, indicating that it will be forced to take measures to preserve the feasibility of the two-state solution.

Israel views the wording of the proposal with great concern and is working behind the scenes in order to soften the proposal. The Foreign Ministry has distributed guidance to Israeli ambassadors in Europe on how to respond to their contacts regarding the issue.

Policy officials in Israel said that the wording in the new proposal proves that the labeling initiative was never about consumer protection, as the EU claimed, but was in fact a political maneuver to fight against the settlements.

"This proves just how divorced from reality the European diplomatic service is," said one official. "We want to prevent this document at all costs. It is liable to bring about new sanctions."

A senior Israeli ambassador in Europe estimated that the chances of blocking the strong wording of the proposal are very low, and that it comes in response to Israel's retaliation against the labeling initiative  a response that in effect froze collaborative efforts to advance European projects in the Palestinian territories.
The family of American Matthew Trevithick said their son had been released on Saturday from Evin Prison in Tehran.

"We are profoundly grateful to all those who worked for his release and are happy for all the families whose loved ones are also heading home," the family said in a statement.

The statement said that Trevithick was released after 40 days in prison. It added that he went to Iran in September to study Dari in a center affiliated with Tehran University.

A US official said on Saturday Iran had released the student separately from four other Americans who were released in a prisoner swap as international sanctions were due to be lifted on Iran.
Islamic State militants on Saturday killed dozens of people, most of them pro-government militiamen, in wide-scale attacks on government-held areas of the eastern city of Deir el-Zour, opposition activists said.

The opposition activist group the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said at least 135 people were killed, at least 80 of them soldiers and pro-government militiamen and the rest civilians, in the attacks which saw the group make significant advances in the contested city.

The state news agency SANA said IS militants committed "a massacre," killing dozens of civilians in Baghaliyeh village. It did not elaborate. The Lebanon-based Al-Mayadeen TV, which is close to the Syrian government, also reported a massacre and said IS killed 280 people, including women and children, and threw their bodies in the Euphrates River. It said the group took more than 400 civilians hostage.
North Korean defectors settled in South Korea are sending secretly some US$10 million a year to their families in the North.

A senior government official on Sunday said, "We estimate that the amount of money North Korean defectors are sending to their families back home has reached $10 million a year. It has increased with their number, and ways of sending money have diversified."

Some 3,000 to 5,000 of 20,000 defectors settled in South Korea are sending W1-5 million (US$1=W1,117) each to their families back home through middlemen every year, the government and defectors' organizations believe. The North could import about 18,500 tons of Thai rice ($540 per ton) or some 43,000 tons of corn ($230 per ton) for $10 million.

The money is believed to be a mainstay of the North Korean underground economy. Since South Korea suspended trade with the North last May, the only cash that is officially funneled from the South into the North is about $50 million South Korean firms at the joint Korean Kaesong Industrial Complex pay in wages.

A security official said the defectors' money has created a lively economy in the North Korea-China border area.

A member of a defectors organization said middlemen take commissions of about 30 percent. This means that if W1 million is sent, only about W700,000 reaches a defector's family in the North. That is equivalent to 1.86 million North Korean won.

A defector from Chongjin said, "You can buy a house in a small or medium-sized city or enough rice for a family of four for a year for 1.86 million won."
CBRE recently sold three sites in Melbourne - which have residential zoning approvals for more than 800 apartments - to Chinese buyers for more than $56 million.

CBRE Victorian state director Mark Wizel said while buyers and developers are aware of concerns that the apartment market in inner-city Melbourne may be approaching saturation point, people making those claims do need to realise that attitudes to apartments are changing.

Nobody has their heads in the sand," Wizel said.

"We are all aware of the facts surrounding supply of apartments in Melbourne and there is no denying that supply is at high levels when compared with averages of the past decade, but the world in 2016 is very different to that in 2006 and this must be considered, he said.

Wizel believes much of Melbournes new apartment stock will be absorbed by an increasing number of first home buyers, older people looking to downsize and immigrants.

CBREs Lewis Tong said affordability issues will make apartments in Melbourne more attractive over the coming year, especially for offshore buyers.

"Many of our offshore buyers can't believe how expensive housing within 10km of the CBD is. Apartment living is the norm in many cities worldwide, therefore, they see a clear imbalance of future demand versus supply and also the clear affordability issues relating to traditional housing in Melbourne, Tong said.

While the three sites in question were sold to Chinese buyers, Wizel said demand from local developers is still at high levels.

Times are changing and all suburbs that are close to retail, lifestyle and transport amenity will continue to benefit from the strong level of confidence from developers, both those based locally and abroad.

Developers are looking for different products than what they were a year ago, with properties that have improvements and up to five years of income being looked upon a lot more favourably than in previous years.

But while CBRE may be predicting a strong year for the Melbournes apartment market, not everybody is convinced.

Amy Mylius, a buyers advocate with Melbourne based Cate Bakos Property, believes 2016 will see a divergence in the performance of houses and units in city.

I think there will be a bit of divergence in the market though, the off the plan and high rise stock will probably peter off a bit. The APRA changes mean investors need a 20% deposit for those now and thats having an effect," she said.
Lee also won custody of their nine-year-old son. Im was given visitation rights once a month. Lee's lawyer lauded the ruling, but Im, who has adamantly contested the divorce, vowed to appeal.

Samsung heiress Lee Boo-jin ended a 17-year marriage to Im Woo-jae on Thursday after a local court in Seongnam upheld her request for divorce.

The division of Lee's vast wealth was not handled in this case. "There's something very wrong with a ruling that grants both the divorce and custody to the plaintiff, when all Im wanted was to protect the family," one of his lawyers said.

When Lee and Im tied the knot in 1999, they made headlines because the eldest daughter of Samsung chief Lee Kun-hee was marrying an ordinary employee at one of the conglomerate's affiliates.

The two met while doing conglomerate-sponsored volunteer work with disabled children. The Lee family opposed the match but she managed to persuade them.

In 2014, Lee filed for divorce and custody of their child. The couple went through mandatory arbitration but failed to reach an agreement last year and ended up taking the case to court. Im has already been moved to an inactive post in the conglomerate.

The judge pointed out that the couple in effect separated in 2007 and Im made no sincere attempt over the past eight years to repair their relationship. But Im's attorney claimed the couple attended family functions together.

Both Lee and Im voiced their pent-up frustration during the trial. Lee complained about Im's frequent drinking, while Im claimed he drank only at work-related functions.

Hotel Shilla, which is headed by Lee, in a statement said the matter is "personal." "Lee should now be able to focus on managing her hotel business," it added.

Although the division of her assets was not discussed this time, Im can claim a share until two years after the divorce.
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Al Jazeera America will be closing after three years of operation. As many of its employees face a job cut, there are reports saying that falling oil prices was to blame for the shut down.

As announced on its website, CEO Al Anstey revealed that they will stop operations in the US come April 30. Despite the sudden closing of the branch, he reiterated to the whole team that their achievements on just a span of three years should be a source of pride.

"I have witnessed and worked alongside some of the most talented people any organization could wish for," Anstey said in the press release. "Since its launch in 2013, the work done by the team at Al Jazeera America has been recognized with nearly every major award an American news organization can receive. "

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"I greatly respect the unrivaled commitment and excellent work of our team, which has created great journalism," he continued about the Qatar-owned cable news channel. "We have increasingly set ourselves apart from all the rest, and the achievements of the past two-and-a-half years should be a source of immense pride for everyone."

At the same time as the Al Jazeera America shut down was announced, the main network in Qatar stated plans to expand its digital platform to ensure that their audience can get the information they want anytime, anywhere in the US.

Despite the digital expansion, The New York Times reported that about hundreds of employees of the America office will be left jobless by the cease of operations. But an expert told the paper that it won't only be employees left crying once the cable news channel closes.

"I'm sure it's going to be just devastating to all their viewers," former CBS News president Andrew Heyward pointed out to the source above.

The Qatar-based company has suffered several issues since 2013 including low ratings. There were reports of discrimination as well as told by BBC. But now, CNN Money revealed that the continued drop of oil prices was the last straw that led to the Al Jazeera America shut down.

"Al Jazeera Media Network had to cut, and instead of making it across the board or anywhere else, they decided to chop Al Jazeera America," a source told CNN.
The Boston Celtics are in the hunt for a franchise big man, as everyone knows.

However, there are also other holes they need to fulfill. The roster was an assembly of assets and is a work in progress. It's just that Coach Brad Stevens has done a brilliant job of making them work together.

Which is why the Celtics should still make minor trades before they get the opportunity to make "the big one." Hoops Habit recommends CJ McCollum of the Portland Trailblazers as a target, as, according to Oregon Live, may not be a good long-term fit for Portland, specifically, as the Blazers version of the Splash Brothers next to Damian Lillard.

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"They can score together, but they're a defensive disaster when paired," John Canzano of OL stated. "They're both chuckers, too. And there's no way that Olshey is trading Lillard, his prized draft pick. Further, the Blazers don't want to get into a position beyond the 2016-17 season where they have to pay both Lillard and McCollum."

So why would McCollum fit with the Celtics who has a platoon of guards including one undersized Isaiah Thomas? Hoops Habit explained.

"McCollum may be considered a 'chucker,' but that could be just what the Celtics need," argued John Shames of HH. "Though Isaiah Thomas is sporting a scoring average of 21.6 points per game, he's not nearly as reliable as that figure would suggest. Thomas is an opportunistic scorer more than he is a creator, and when he plays, the Celtics' offense is constantly working to find him open shots, rather than asking him to create them by himself."

McCollum is at his peak trade value and Danny Ainge may balk at the timing (as he would rather buy low). However, if he could realize how McCollum could help them since they are playing to win, he might pull the trigger.
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NASA has recently confirmed the three commercial companies that have won the bid to transport cargo to the International Space Station. Orbital ATK and SpaceX have yet again been selected for the mission. The U.S.'s space agency also chose a space technologies newcomer, Sierra Nevada, to top up their three choices.

The announcement comes following the administration's decision to contract out the space station missions.

"We continue to transform the way NASA does business and as a result, today we're able to mark another significant milestone that will carry President Obama's vision further into the future" quipped Charles Bolden, NASA administrator.

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Last year, Sierra Nevada Corp. Failed to secure the NASA contract that would fly astronauts to the space station. The company has since outfitted their space craft dubbed as Dream Chaser to carry cargo instead of passengers subsequently securing its partnership with the space agency.

Mark Sirangelo, vice president of Sierra Nevada Corp., has explained that the Dream Chaser, which has been in development for over a decade, is more than a space shuttle. He described the technology as a space plane which according to Sirangelo is a more efficient way to travel in space.

Executives from the newly awarded company are needless to say honoured and excited for their new role. Eren Ozman, the company's president has since gushed about the opportunity bestowed on them saying:

"In such a major competition, we are truly humbled by the show of confidence in SNC and look forward to successfully demonstrating the extensive capabilities of the Dream Chaser spacecraft to the world."

SpaceX, Orbital ATK and Sierra Nevada Corp. Are expected to launch their respective spacecrafts in Florida. According to the contract, each company is tasked with a minimum of six missions with the first scheduled to launch three years from today. The total contract could possibly cost a whopping $14 billion.
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Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt seem to be busy doing their own thing lately, which started out rumors that the two are heading for divorce.

The 52-year-old actor was spotted attending the Golden Globe Awards without his wife recently. The Hollywood heartthrob was seen with his co-stars from "The Big Short" including Selena Gomez.

While Brad was busy mingling with other famous celebrities, Angie was reportedly in Cambodia together with their six children. The 40-year-old actress was there to film her latest directorial movie "First They Killed My Father." While her husband was away, the dark-haired beauty was caught flirting with a hunky crewmember.

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According to Radar Online, Brad Pitt flipped out when he saw Angelina Jolie's photo with the staff. The actor felt cheated upon and has been fighting with his wife ever since he arrived in Cambodia.

"Brad was ready to fly back to Los Angeles and file divorce papers. But a few friends and his parents begged him to make one last try to save the marriage," an insider revealed.

Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt reportedly went on a luxurious vacation in Vietnam to patch things up. However, the two ended up screaming and fighting instead of rekindling the romance in their relationship. The "Maleficent" star reached to the point where she insulted her husband.

"Angie even humiliated Brad by telling him she's no longer attracted to him because he looks fat, bloated and old," their source revealed. "Brad and Angie were fighting like cats and dogs. It got so bad at one point that Angie bolted and ran off!"

According to the website, the relationship of Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt is really bad at the moment. No matter what they do to try and fix it, they just don't get along anymore - and to say mean things about their partner is definitely a bad sign.

"Despite a luxurious holiday that cost $1 million, Brad and Angie are worse off than ever. The vacation solidified the belief that their marriage is beyond repair," their source said. "A divorce is definitely coming this year."
I'm a liberal pagan living in West, Texas. Yes. That West, Texas.
Patna: A jeweller was shot dead on Saturday after he allegedly refused to pay extortion money to a criminal here, police said.

Ravikant Prasad, the owner of Sonali Jewellery, was shot dead in broad daylight near Rajapurpool area here.

"The victim died on the spot," police said.

Senior Superintendent of Police Manu Maharaj said police have identified the killer. "Police will make a breakthrough in the case within 24 hours."

According to police officials, Prasad's family informed police that Durgesh Sharma, a notorious criminal, had been trying to extort money from him.

"Durgesh had threatened to kill him," officials said.


Most North Korean defectors are in regular contact with their relatives in the North, according to a recent straw poll of 200 people by the Chosun Ilbo.

Most use mobile phones, followed by letter exchange by courier. Others said they even use KakaoTalk or other mobile messengers, or make video calls on mobile devices.

Asked how often they call their relatives in the North, a majority said more than once a year." Next came more than twice a year or even once a month.

Over two-thirds said they send money to their relatives in the North. Ninety said they are sending W1-2 million a year (US$1=W1,216). A few of them said they send more than W10 million.

The money is remitted via Chinese brokers, who take a cut.
New Delhi: The husband of an AAP MLA, facing two seperate cases for allegedly making casteist remarks against a Dalit woman and assualting a government official, on Saturday got bail from a Delhi court.

Metropolitan Magistrate Dheeraj Mittal granted bail to RK Puram legislator Parmila Tokas's husband, Dheeraj, in both the cases on a personal bond of Rs 40,000 each with one surety of the like amount.

During the proceedings, the police produced Dheeraj, who was arrested yesterday, before the court and opposed his bail plea claiming he can tamper with evidence. It requested the court to send him to judicial custody.

Senior advocate HS Phoolka, who represented Dheeraj, told the court that there was no allegation that he has not cooperated with the police during the probe or that he tried to influence witnesses.

He also told the court that there was no apprehension that he can tamper with evidence.

The assault case was registered by the police on December 15 on a complaint by a CPWD official alleging that he was beaten up by several women at the behest of Dheeraj and other Aam Aadmi Party workers during an illegal slum removal drive in RK Puram Sector 12, police said.

Later, a woman lodged a complaint against Dheeraj claiming that he had allegedly made derogatory and casteist remarks in relation to the same incident.

An FIR was filed on her complaint under the provisions of the Scheduled Castes And The Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

According to police, the FIR was registered under sections 186 (obstructing public servant in discharge of public functions), 332 (voluntarily causing hurt to deter public servant from his duty) and 353 (assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty) of the IPC at the RK Puram Police Station.

The FIR was registered after receiving a complaint, which also alleged that the MLA had "instigated" the assault.

Dheeraj was arrested after he failed to respond to notices sent by the police asking him to join investigation into the case. Dheeraj had approached High Court seeking anticipatory bail in the assault case but his plea was dismissed on January 8.
Washington: A new study has revealed that patients diagnosed with migraine headaches saw a significant drop in their frequency when treated with medical marijuana.

Researchers from the University of Colorado Anschutz, Medical Campus examined patients diagnosed with migraines and treated with medical marijuana between January 2010 and September 2014.

The study found that the frequency of migraines dropped from 10.4 to 4.6 headaches per month, a number considered statistically and clinically significant.

Of the 121 patients studied, 103 reported a decrease in monthly migraines while 15 reported the same number and three saw an increase in migraines.

Author Laura Borgelt said that there was a substantial improvement for patients in their ability to function and feel better. Like any drug, marijuana has potential benefits and potential risks. It's important for people to be aware that using medical marijuana can also have adverse effects.

During the study, the researchers found various forms of cannabis utilised. Inhaled marijuana appeared to be the favorite for treating acute migraines while edible cannabis, which takes longer to impact the body, helped prevent headaches.

The study is one of the first to reveal a drop in migraine frequency due to medical marijuana.

Borgelt said the results were quite remarkable, but stressed the need for more controlled studies in the future.

The study is published in the journal Pharmacotherapy.
New Delhi: Asserting that Congress leader Shashi Tharoor's wife Sunanda Pushkar was poisoned to death, BJP leader Subramanian Swamy on Saturday accused Delhi Police Commissioner BS Bassi of not revealing the exact chemical compound that was responsible for her death.

"Police Commissioner is not telling the media that the FBI found the presence of heart arrest injectable poison lidocaine in Sunanda body," Swamy tweeted.

After receiving the observations by the All India Institute Of Medical Science (AIIMS) in Pushkar's viscera report, Bassi yesterday confirmed that her death was due to 'unnatural' causes.

Speaking to the media here, he asserted that in the report by the FBI, it was said that none of the samples sent to them contained any radioactive material.

According to the AIIMS Panel, which is headed by Dr. Sudhir Gupta, the head of the Department of Forensics, Pushkar died after being poisoned by Polonimum-210 or Po-210, sources state.

The Delhi Police had submitted a 15-page Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) report to AIIMS Medical Board for further opinion.

Sunanda Pushkar, 51, was found dead at the Leela Hotel in New Delhi in January 2014.

Pushkar's viscera samples were sent to the FBI lab in Washington in February last year after a panel of doctors from AIIMS said that the alleged 'poison' could not be detected in Indian labs.
Srinagar: Pakistan-occupied Kashmir President has convened a conference in Islamabad to discuss 'Kashmir' and 'emergence of Hindu Extremism in India' which will be attended by controversial Independent MLA of Jammu and Kashmir Sheikh Abdul Rashid even as separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani declined the invitation.

The two-day conference convened by PoK President Sardar Mohammad Yaqoob Khan from January 20 has the theme 'The Kashmir Conflict - its Ramifications for Pak-India Relations and Peace and security of south Asia'. The other topics to be discussed include 'the Kashmir Dispute, Hindutva and emergence of Hindu Extremism in India and Proposed Abrogation of Article 370 and Article 35-A of Indian constitution Impact on Kashmir Dispute'.

"Rashid will be crossing over to Pakistan via Wagah border point for attending the conference," his spokesman Inam-un Nabi said. However, Geelani, who heads hardline Hurriyat Conference, has refused to attend the conference because the organisers have invited mainstream politicians like Rashid and CPI(M) MLA Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami for the event.

"The general opinion of the members of the Advisory Council was that Hurriyat should not participate in any conference (in Pakistan) in which members of the (Jammu and Kashmir) assembly or pro-India politicians have been invited," a spokesman of the Geelani-led Hurriyat said.

The spokesman said participation in any such event can have "negative effects on the Kashmir movement". The Hurriyat has also decided to issue show cause notices to such constituents of the amalgam who have helped in conduct of the conference without its concurrence. Moderate Hurriyat chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq welcomed an invitation to him but said he would not be able to attend the conference in the absence of travel documents.

"I wish to attend the roundtable conference but unfortunately due to non-availability of travel documents, I cannot attend it," Mirwaiz said. Tarigami has also decided not to attend the conference due to "personal reasons". "I have written to the President expressing regret at not being able to attend the conference due to some personal reasons," he said.
Jaipur: A manufacturing unit in defence sector is likely to be set up in Rajasthan, which would be located between Jaipur and Delhi, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar said here on Saturday.

"There is no manufacturing unit in defence sector in Rajasthan and at least one such unit should be set up in the state. We are considering setting up of a unit to manufacture helicopter or fighter plane's parts or something like that," Parrikar told reporters here.

He said that since the state shares border with Pakistan, the unit would be set up far from the border and close to Delhi though location has not been finalised yet.

"I had spoken to chief minister about it. There is land available with the state and the location of the unit will be decided later," he said.

The defence minister, while choosing to evade saying anything related with Pathankot attack, said that the airbases have been asked to do security audit and to block any points, if any, from where security can be breached.

"First security audit is to be done by base commander and the second security audit will be done next month by special unit," he said at a media interaction here.

About the One Rank One Pension scheme, Parrikarr said that tabulation work was going on and must complete within this month. Prior to the media interaction, he visited BJP state headquarters here and addressed the party workers in the presence of the state party president Ashok Parnami and other senior leaders.

During the visit, the defence minister, also collected views from people for the union budget. "I am collecting people's views which is very important and helpful in preparing budget because some of the the inputs which come are very useful and clinching," he said. Earlier in the day, the minister inaugurated an Army recruitment rally near the city.
New Delhi: Delhi government will review if toll collection at Delhi-Noida-Delhi (DND) flyway can be scrapped.

While making a submission at Delhi High Court on Friday, the government counsel Rahul Mehra also said that the state government will speak to Noida authorities in this regard.

The court was hearing a petition seeking to discontinue the toll collection process at DND. The petitioner have claimed that the toll collection at DND is illegal and should be discontinued.

The bench of Chief Justice G Rohini and Justice Jayant Nath also asked the counsel to file an affidavit stating its stand.

The demands to make the DND toll-free has been growing since the Gurgaon toll was demolished following a court order. Locals and farmers in the neighbouring areas of DND have been demanding waver from toll tax.
Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday said that she didn't believe that Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose died in air crash and demanded that the 'Russian angle' in freedom fighter's disappearance needs to be probed.

"I don't believe that Netaji died (in air crash). This is my opinion as individual. We don't know whether he is still alive or not.

She was speaking at a programme here commemorating the 75th anniversary of Netaji's great escape from Kolkata. About reports of Netaji family under surveillance after Independence, Banerjee said, "If Mahatma Gandhi was father of the nation, Netaji was leader of the nation.

January 16, 1941 is one of the most important day in the pre-Independence Day era as the great freedom fighter made the 'great escape' from the house arrest by Britishers in Kolkata on this date.

Netaji's escape plan became the most talking point and exposed the British intelligence at that times.

The secret files related to Subhas Chandra Bose will be declassified by the central government beginning 23 January, the birth anniversary of Netaji.

There have been demands by Netaji's family and several others for declassification of secret files as they hope that it will help answer questions regarding his mysterious disappearance in 1945.
Washington: Indian-Americans have expressed disappointment over the US court's decision to acquit of an American police officer accused of brutally assaulting an Indian grandfather, saying the verdict has left the old man and his family without closure.

Judge Madeline Hughes Haikala this week threw out the case against Alabama police officer Eric Parker, who faced up to 10 years in prison for using excessive force against 58-year-old Sureshbhai Patel in the February 6 incident last year.

"The decision unfortunately short-circuits the legal process to prosecute Eric Parker and leaves Mr Patel and his family without closure," said Suhag Shukla, executive director and legal counsel of the Hindu American Foundation (HAF).

"It is our hope that the civil process, and the pending charges in state court will provide Mr Patel a modicum of justice that he has been denied in federal court," Shukla said.

Soon after the shocking incident, Parker was suspended from the police service and the Alabama Governor had apologised to Patel for the violent police action against him.

Meanwhile the State Department said it has seen reports of the dismissal in the civil rights case of the officer accused of assaulting Patel.

"We are closely monitoring developments in this case. We continue to wish Mr Patel a full recovery from his injuries, and our thoughts are with him and his family," a State Department spokesman said.

"We have been in touch with our Indian Government counterparts on this matter throughout the investigation and trial," the spokesman said in response to a question.
Pune: Senior lawyer Ram Jethmalani on Saturday slammed the government over the handling of affairs with Pakistan after the Pathankot attack, saying they are "not educated enough" to deal with the troubled nation.

"There is a serious happening at Pathankot and it needs to be seriously investigated, but the manner in which they (government) are dealing with Pakistan is unforgivable," Jethmalani told reporters on the sidelines of Law Day and Justice Y V Chandrachud Memorial Public Lecture at a law college here.

The Rajya Sabha MP said the government should continue talks with Pakistan but it should know what to talk. "You (Centre) want to talk to Pakistan, talk to them all the time. But the government should know what they are talking. I regret to say that no one in the Ministry (of External Affairs) is educated enough," he said.

On his letter, addressed to Congress president Sonia Gandhi where he reportedly offered to defend her and party vice president Rahul Gandhi in the National Herald case, Jethmalani said he was "misquoted" by a section of media.

"What I had written to Mrs Gandhi was (her party) should not to disrupt the Rajya Sabha and also advised her that if she wants to claim innocence, she should go to the court as Parliament is not the place.

"I had written in my letter that Congress has many noted lawyers and if someone does not take the case, I will prepare to represent you," the former BJP leader said, while claiming that he was quoted out of context.

He, however, said he will represent Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in the defamation case filed by Finance minister Arun Jaitley.

The former Law minister also said that Prime minister Narendra Modi has "cheated" the nation on issues of black money and One-Rank-One-Pension.

In his address to law students, Jethmalani denounced ISIS over its brutalities and said Muslim majority countries themselves are now turning against the dreaded terror outfit.
Mumbai: Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi on Saturday claimed the Pathankot terror attack was mishandled by the Modi government.

"The best experts on dealing with terrorism, foreign policy are not being consulted. NSA is dealing (with the attack) directly. His job is strategy, not tactics which is the job of NSG. When you let people who don't know what to do, do it, you get into a problem," he said criticising National Security Advisor Ajit Doval.

While interacting with B-school students of the prestigious Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies (NMIMS) here, Gandhi said: "You can't totally prevent terror attacks but you can react in the right way. The main issue is how do we respond. During the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, the then UPA government consulted all senior people. We completely marginalised Pakistan. Now, the way it is being handled is ad hoc.".

"We ensured peace in Kashmir," he added.

Clad in casual jeans and tee-shirt, Gandhi attacked the Bharatiya Janata Party and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh for what he termed as their "rigid thinking" which hampers creativity and start-ups in the country.
Kengo Kuma, the architect of Japan's new 2020 Olympics stadium, refuted allegations Friday by British-Iraqi designer Zaha Hadid that his design borrowed from blueprints she made that organizers dropped last year.

"In the design, I would like to say there are no similarities at all," Kuma told reporters when asked about complaints by London-based Zaha Hadid Architects over apparent similarities between her design and Kuma's.

Kuma noted, however, that both architects had to meet strict specifications for the new, 80,000-seat structure in downtown Tokyo that will replace Japan's old National Stadium.

"The conditions set for the competition mean that automatically some similarities emerge," he said. He added that "the concept is completely different, so it is absolutely a different building, despite the similarities."
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday took to Twitter and wrote an open letter to the farmers of the country and addressed them on the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, saying that the government has taken several steps to help farmers, one among which is the `Pradhanmantri Fasal Bima Yojana`.

"The news of the Pradhanmantri Fasal Bima Yojana must have already reached you. Farmers in our country have often felt at risk-at times from crop losses due to natural disasters, at times by falling market prices. Over the last 18 months, we have taken several steps to help those of you who faced such difficulties," he wrote.

"There have been insurance schemes for farmers in the past as well. However, they were unsuccessful because of various reasons-ranging from high premium rates to low claim value and non-coverage of localized crop loss. As a result, not more than 20 percent of farmers opted for crop insurance; and those who did faced many difficulties to get their due. Eventually, farmer`s faith in insurance schemes eroded over time," he added.

Prime Minister Modi said that it was against this backdrop that the government engaged with states, farmers and insurance companies following which, it came up with the "farmer-friendly" Pradhanmantri Fasal Bima Yojana.

Earlier, Prime Minister Modi hailed the scheme which was cleared by the Union Cabinet on Thursday, as a boost to the farmers across the country.

In a series of tweets, he said it was government`s gift to the farmers on the occasion of festivals of Lohri, Pongal and Bihu.

He expressed confidence that the new Crop Insurance Scheme will bring about a major transformation in the lives of farmers, saying it expands the definition of disaster and addresses whatever was lacking in the existing programmes.
New Delhi: Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday met representatives of 13 security agencies of different states here and discussed alarming influence of Islamic State (IS) over youths through social media.

He also reviewed security aspects during the day-long meeting with the officers from Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, Jammu and Kashmir, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Bihar, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Assam, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra.

The officers belong to intelligence department and law enforcement agencies discussed issues relating to Daesh, also known as ISIL, ISIS or IS, a home ministry statement said, adding that the meeting was also attended by senior officials of the union home ministry.

The issues discussed included imisuse of social media, and the sources of impetus that attract persons, especially youths, to IS, the statement said.

The growth of IS' influence in India's neighbourhood, the best possible law enforcement response, the need for appropriate welfare schemes for minorities, social media strategies to be followed and capacity building of state police organizations, especially in the area of information technology were the additional issued discussed in the meeting, the statement said.

In his concluding remarks, Rajnath Singh said: "India's traditions and family values will triumph over even this evil, and that the traction that Daesh has got in India is extremely limited."

He however noted that there was a need to keep up vigil on all fronts and not let down their guard in any manner but noted that a large number of people and, in fact, most Muslim organisations in India had come out against both Daesh and other forms of terrorism.
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday said it will await the government's stand in its endeavour to examine a plea to legalise passive euthanasia by means of withdrawal of life support system to terminally ill patients.

"Is the government making its stand clear in a reasonable time," a five-judge Constitution Bench, headed by Justice AR Dave, asked Additional Solicitor General PS Patwalia, who sought some time to get instruction from competent authority.

The law officer apprised the bench about the 241st report of the Law Commission which has stated that passive euthanasia should be allowed with certain safeguards and there was a proposed law -- Medical Treatment of Terminally Ill Patient (Protection of Patients and Medical Practitioners) Bill, 2006.

He said his contention will also be based on 6.7 regulation of 2002 under Medical Council of India Act which says that practicing euthanasia shall constitute unethical conduct.

However on specific occasions, the question of withdrawing supporting devices to sustain cardio-pulmonary function even after brain death, shall be decided only by a doctors' team and not merely by the treating physician alone.

Taking note of his submission especially that the Law Commission's 241st report was under government's consideration, the bench, which also comprised Justices Kurian

Joseph, Shiva Kirti Singh, AK Goel and RF Nariman, said it will await the outcome of the report which is under the Centre's consideration and posted the matter for hearing on February 01.

The bench was hearing a PIL filed in 2005 by NGO Common Cause which said when a medical expert opines that the person afflicted with a terminal disease has reached a point of no return, then he should be given the right to refuse being put on life support system as otherwise, it would only prolong his agony.

The apex court had two years ago issued notices to states and Union Territories on the issue, even as the Centre had strongly opposed the petition saying it is a form of suicide which cannot be allowed.

The NGO had prayed for declaring the right to die with dignity as a fundamental right and sought a direction to the government to adopt suitable procedures to ensure that those with deteriorating health or the terminally ill should be able to execute a living Will and attorney authorisation for termination of life.

Advocate Prashant Bhushan, appearing for the NGO, explained that there are three types of euthanasia  positive, passive and living Will.

He said his emphasis was on the category of living Will in which a person makes an advance declaration that if during his treatment, it becomes clear that there is no chance of revival, he should not be put on life support system or ventilator.

The bench, which had several queries on the practicability of the issue, also deliberated as to how putting a patient on ventilator has now become a commercial medical practice.

"It (putting a patient on ventilator) is also a torture for the family. It is very expensive," the bench said when the ASG spoke about the commercial angle.

While referring to 6.7 regulation of 2002 under Medical Council of India, the bench wanted to know about the implication of the regulation if the four words 'even after brain death' is deleted from it.

Patwalia said questions relating to euthanasia and decriminalising attempt to suicide by deleting Section 309 of the Indian Penal Code were raised in Parliament.

The ASG said: "The Central Government has taken a decision to delete the same from the statute and some state governments have ratified it but it has not gone from the statute book.

"The apex court on July 16, 2014, had issued notices to states and Union Territories on the issue, even as the Centre had strongly opposed the petition saying it is a form of suicide which cannot be allowed.

At that time, another five-judge bench had said that states must also be heard as the issue pertained not only to the Constitution, but involves morality, religion and medical science.

Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi had submitted that the issue should be debated and decided by the legislature and it was not a matter to be adjudicated by the court.

The bench had appointed senior lawyer and former Solicitor General TR Andhyarujina as amicus curiae to assist it in the case relating to legalising euthanasia.

The Constitution Bench, hearing the matter, was set up after a three-judge bench had on February 25, 2014 referred the matter to a larger bench saying it was extremely important to have a clear enunciation of law in view of inconsistent opinions in its previous judgement.

It had said that its verdict of 2011 allowing passive euthanasia was delivered on a "wrong premise".

"In view of the inconsistent opinions rendered in Aruna Shanbaug case and considering the important question of law involved which needs to be reflected in the light of social, legal, medical and constitutional perspective, it becomes extremely important to have a clear enunciation of the law. Thus, in our cogent opinion, the question of law involved requires careful consideration by a Constitution Bench of this court for the benefit of humanity as a whole," the court had said.

It had said that its earlier Constitution Bench verdict, which was wrongly relied in Aruna Shanbaug case, had held that the right to live with dignity will be inclusive of the right to die with dignity, but the judgement did not arrive at a conclusion on validity of euthanasia.

The present PIL has contended that a person whose life was ebbing out should be allowed to die as the continuance of the life with the support system was an unnatural extension of the natural life span.
London: The latest set of witness statements released by a UK-based website set up to unravel the mystery surrounding Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose's death seem to confirm that the freedom fighter died as a result of a plane crash in Taiwan.

Five witnesses, which include Netaji's close associate, two Japanese doctors, an interpreter and a Taiwanese nurse, have been quoted as corroborating that the founder of the Indian National Army (INA) died on 18 August 1945 following a plane crash on the outskirts of an airfield in Taipei.

"There are no two opinions between the five witnesses about the fact that Bose's end came on the night of 18 August 1945," www.bosefiles.info said in a statement.

Colonel Habibur Rehman Khan, Bose's aide-de-camp (ADC) who was with him on the fateful day and survived the crash, submitted a statement written and signed on 24 August 1945, six days after the crash confirming Bose's last words to him.

"Prior to his death he (Bose) told me that his end was near and asked me to convey a message from him to our countrymen to the following effect: 'I have fought to the last for India's independence and now am giving my life in the same attempt. Countrymen! Continue the independence fight. Before long India will be free. Long Live Azad Hind'," the statement reads.

In September 1945, two intelligence teams from India led by police officers named Finney and Davis, assisted by H K Roy and K.P. De, went to Bangkok, Saigon and Taipei to investigate. They concluded Bose had died as a result of the air tragedy.

They seized a copy of a telegram from the Chief of Staff of the Japanese Southern Army to Hikari Kikan, a body set up to liaise between the Japanese government and Bose's "Provisional Government of Free India".

Using the code 'T' for Bose, the cable dated 20 August 1945 said: "T", while on his way to the capital (Tokyo), as a result of an accident to his aircraft at TAIHOKU (Japanese name for Taipei) at 1400 hours on the 18th was seriously injured and died at midnight on the same date."

Between May and July of 1946, Lt Col J G Figgess of the British Army interrogated six Japanese officials in Tokyo in connection with the incident, including Japanese doctor Toyoshi Tsuruta, who was present at the Nanmon Military Hospital near the crash site where Bose was rushed to after the crash.

Dr Tsuruta submitted to Figgess:"...Bose asked him in English if he would sit with him throughout the night.

However, shortly after seven o'clock (in the evening) he suffered a relapse and although the doctor once again administered a camphor injection he sank into a coma and died shortly afterwards."

Tsan Pi Sha, a nurse at the same hospital, confirmed this account in in September 1946 to Harin Shah, a journalist with Mumbai's 'Free Press Journal', who visited Taipei to investigate the matter.

She said: "He died here. I was by his side...He died on 18 August last year (1945), (Subhas) Chandra Bose.

"I am a surgical nurse and took care of him till he died...I was instructed to apply olive oil all over his body and that I did."

"Whenever he regained briefly his consciousness, he felt thirsty. With slight groaning, he would ask for water. I gave him water several times."

She, then, took Shah to the south-west corner of the ward and to the bed where Bose passed away.

The medical officer in charge of the hospital was Captain Taneyoshi Yoshimi of the Japanese Army. The first of several testimonies provided by Dr Yoshimi was on 19 October 1946 at Stanley Gaol in Hong Kong, where he was imprisoned by British authorities after World War II. This was recorded by Captain Alfred Turner of the War Crimes Liaison Section of Taiwan.

He said: "When he was laid on the bed (of the hospital), I personally cleaned his (Bose's) injuries with oils and dressed them. He was suffering from extensive burns over the whole of his body, though the most serious were those on his head, chest and thighs. There was very little left on his head in the way of hair or other identification marks.

"As most of his speaking was in English, a request for an interpreter was made, and one was sent from the civil government offices named Nakamura. He informed me that he had very often interpreted for (Subhas) Chandra Bose and had had many conversations with him. He appeared to have no doubt that the man he was speaking with was Chandra Bose.

"After the fourth hour (following his admission to the hospital) he appeared to be sinking into unconsciousness. He murmured and muttered in his state of coma, but never regained consciousness. At about 2300 hours he died."

Dr Yoshimi went on to appear before both the Major General. Shah Nawaz led Netaji Inquiry Committee in 1956 and the 1974 Justice G.D. Khosla Commission.

In one of his later interviews to Ashis Ray, creator of www.bosefiles.info, in 1995, Dr Yoshimi said: "A lieutenant called Nonomiya told me this is Mr Chandra Bose, a very important person, and that I should save his life at any cost.

That's how I knew who he (Bose) was." He recalled that when it seemed obvious to him that

Bose's condition was sinking, he asked the patient: "What can I do for you?"

Bose replied: "I feel as if blood is rushing to my head. I would like to sleep a while."Dr Yoshimi gave him an injection and after some time he was no more.

The interpreter, Nakamura, deposed before the Inquiry Committee that there was "not a word of complaint either of pain or suffering from his lips? This composure of Netaji (Bose) surprised all of us."

He went on to say that after Bose expired, the Japanese officers in the room stood in one line and saluted his body.
Dehradun: With the legal battle seeking entry of women into the Sabarimala temple of Kerala still on, the Parsuram temple in Garhwal's Jaunsar Bawar region has decided to get rid of its 400-year-old tradition and allow the entry of women and Dalits inside the famous temple.

The temple management has now announced that everyone will be allowed inside the temple in future.

Quoting the chairman of the temple management committee, a news report in the Times of India said, the decision has been taken "in a bid to move with the times".

"This region is on the path of progress. Our literacy rate has gone up and people want scenarios to change," said Jawahar Singh Chauhan, Chairman of the committee.

In the past few months, Dalits of the region had held several protests condemning these strictures.

The temple management's this move has been hailed by the Dalit community.

"We have been fighting for the cause since last 13 years. We welcome the move and we appeal that other temples in the area should also follow the step taken by Parsuram temple management," said Dalit leader Daulat Kunwar.

The Parsuram temple management has also decided to stop the practice of animal scrifice here.
United Nations: Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has welcomed the resumption of India-Pakistan diplomacy and offered his support for holding talks.

Asked by a reporter Friday about the on-again, off-again interactions between the two South Asian neighbors, Ban`s spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said, "Advice of the secretary general would always be for `on` in order to support the talks."

"Obviously, there are circumstances that are involved," Dujarric said, "but he has been supportive of the dialogue between the leaders of Pakistan and India to resolve the outstanding issues."

Talks between the foreign secretaries of the two countries were scheduled to take place Friday, but were put off to "the very near future," according to Indian External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup. Foreign secretaries S. Jaishankar of India and Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry of Pakistan spoke by phone Thursday about resecheduling the talks.

The talks, planned after Prime Minister Narendra Modi reset diplomacy following meetings with Pakistan`s Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in Paris and in Lahore, hung in the balance after a terrorist attack on an Indian Air Force base in Pathankot on January 2.

On Wednesday, Pakistan announced a crackdown on Jaish-e-Mohammad, the Pakistan-based terrorist organisation suspected of being behind the attack.
Mumbai: Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi will on Saturday interact with management students of Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies, Juhu-Vile Parle, here.

In a bid to avert the repeat of embarrassment the party had to face at Bengaluru's Mount Carmel College, the Congress on Friday did a detailed rehearsal with the Mumbai students to analyse "students' mind" and the questions they are likely to pose after Rahul Gandhi's session.

While interacting with students in Bengaluru, Rahul Gandhi's attempt to corner Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his projects like Make in India and Swachh Bharat had boomeranged, subjecting the Congress leader to ridicule at social media.

The hour-long rehearsal session took place under the guidance of Congress member Priyanka Chaturvedi.

Meanwhile, DNA quoted a final-year student as saying, "While we have not been asked to submit questions in advance, like the party did with the Bengaluru students, it wanted to know our questions in the name of capturing 'enthusiasm among the students for Gandhi'."

More than 400 students and 24 professors are expected to participate in the hour-long interaction scheduled at 9.30 am.

On the last day of his visit to Mumbai, Gandhi will embark on a road march (padyatra) along with hundreds of Congress workers from the posh upmarket Bandra to the wretched slums of Dharavi.

The Congress vice president arrived here on Thursday on his first visit to the city in 21 months.
Peshawar: Armed militants opened fire on the residence of an Afghan consulate official in Peshawar`s posh University Town area early on Friday, local police officials said.

First Secretary of the Afghan Consulate, Humayun Yousafzai, who lives in the house, however, was unhurt, the police officials said.

"His name is Humayun Yousafzai, and he is the First Secretary in the Afghan Consulate in Peshawar.He is an Afghan national. He has reported that at 2:20 am at night, some unknown people fired at his house. You can see the marks of firing. Whoever was firing, has fired at the main wall, and the main gate. We have already given him two police guards, but when the attackers fired at the main gate where the guards live, the gate got locked. So it took the guards some time to come out.In the meanwhile, the attackers fled," Superintendent of Police (SP) of Peshawar Cantt, Kashif Zulfiqar, told Reuters TV.

He said he was not aware of any previous threats to the Afghan official, but in a restive city like Peshawar, no one was absolutely safe.

"It is too early to say whether it is a case of extortion or of threats. I don`t think there were any threats to him before this, but since this is Peshawar, there can be security issues to anyone. We will be able to say for sure after further investigation," Zulfiqar said.

Barely 15 km (9.3 miles) east of the Khyber Pass, the key border city in northwest Pakistan was the major avenue for inserting foreign fighters and material support into eastern Afghanistan for the resistance against the Soviet Union.At the end of 1979 when the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan, Afghan refugees began arriving in large numbers, transforming Peshawar into an exile headquarters for Afghan resistance groups and a base of operations for Western aid and intelligence agencies.

Osama bin Laden and his associates were some of the visitors.

The present atmosphere of insecurity is directly related to the post 9/11 war on terror and the Pakistan army`s operations in the semi-autonomous tribal areas in pursuit of Taliban and al Qaeda remnants.

Zulfiqar said initial investigation revealed that a sub-machine gun was used to fire at the house, and 29 bullet casings have been recovered from the site of the attack.Portions of the outer wall, gate and outer verandah were damaged by the firing.

However, no one was injured in the drive-by attack.A First Information Report (FIR) has been registered against unidentified individuals and investigation is under way.No one has claimed responsibility for the attack so far.

The shooting occurred two days after Pakistan`s diplomatic mission in the eastern Afghan city of Jalalabad came under a gun and bomb attack.

Afghan officials said all three attackers and at least seven members of the security forces died during the attack by the Islamic States, which hitherto had not struck high-profile Pakistani targets in Afghanistan.

All Pakistani staff at the consulate remained safe with only one worker suffering minor injuries from broken glass.Delegates from Afghanistan, Pakistan, China and the United States met this week to try to resurrect efforts to end nearly 15 years of bloodshed in Afghanistan, even as fighting with the Taliban intensifies.
Islamabad: Yet again spewing venom against India, 26/11 attacks mastermind and Jamaat-ud-Dawah chief Hafiz Saeed has said that the neighbouring country is within the range of Pakistan's nuclear weapons.

India and Israel are within the range of Pakistan's nuclear weapons, Saeed said while addressing JuD supporters on 15 January.

The 2008 Mumbai attacks mastermind didn't even spared his own Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. While targeting Sharif, the JuD chief said the Pakistani Premier wasn't able to put forward Islamabad's case when he met President Barack Obama in the US.

The JuD chief said that Sharif went to US with a file allegedly containing evidence against India and its spy wing RAW for spreading terror in Pakistan, but it was of no help to the country, Saeed maintained.

When the Pakistan Premier reached US, he had to first meet US Secretary of State John Kerry who asked him to handover the file to him. After reluctantly giving the file to Kerry Sharif met Obama, who refused to pay heed to accusations against India and asked him about the action taken by Pakistan against JuD, Haqqani network and Lashkar-e-Toiba, Saeed said.

Saeed also put his weight behind the banned Jaish-e-Mohammad, saying that Pakistan government is taking action against JeM to "please" Modi government in India.

"The arrests are regrettable as the Nawaz government is only doing so to please Modi sarkar (government). The arrests will only encourage the Indian government to put further pressure on Pakistan to backtrack it's stance on Kashmir," he said.

Saeed further said the Pakistani government is ignoring "national interest" for the sake of its friendship with India.
Islamabad: Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has cancelled a planned trip to Tehran, apparently due to Iran's tension with Saudi Arabia - a key ally of Pakistan.

Asif was scheduled to travel to Tehran on a two-day visit from Monday for promoting defence ties between the two countries, Dawn reported.

According to the paper, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif directed the cancellation of the trip.

Citing a defence ministry official, it said that the trip had been cancelled. But the official did not assign any reason for the decision.

Another official who did not want to say anything on the record was of the opinion that the decision could be related to tensions between Iran and Saudi Arabia.

Saudi foreign minister and defence minister made back-to-back trips to Pakistan last week to put pressure on Islamabad to join 34-nation alliance against terrorism and seek support over Kingdom's row with Iran.

Pakistan has promised to stand by Saudi Arabia if it faced threat of territorial instability but is reluctant to send troops abroad to fight as part of the new alliance or overtly support it in tension with Iran, as it also has close ties with Tehran.
Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday congratulated the administration for their effort and "excellent work" for Gangasagar mela that concluded yesterday.

"I congratulate my full state government team, DM, SP of South 24-Parganas and their entire team for excellent work. I also thank social organisations, NGOs, Clubs and local people for all their continuous co-operation and support. I also express my great respect to Mahanta ji of Kapil Muni Ashrama.

My best wishes to all," Banerjee posted on her Facebook wall. "On the auspicious occasion of Makar Sankranti, more than 20 lakh pilgrims from all over the country visited Gangasagar to take holy dip and visit Kapil Muni Temple to offer prayers," she posted.

"I also thank social organisations, NGOs, Clubs and local people for all their continuous co-operation and support.

"Leaders of different faiths were present. It was a huge congregation of people in the Gangasagar Mela. Over the last 10 days, thousands and thousands of these people also visited religious places and other places of tourist attraction in Kolkata and other parts of Bengal," she said.

"Our entire state administration has done excellent work to facilitate smooth conduct of this mammoth affair," Banerjee posted.
Kolkata: A woman along with her two sons has been found dead at her home in Palm Avenue area in Kolkata on early Saturda, police said.

35-year-old Jessica Fonsica and her twin sons, 16, were found dead with their throat slits inside their house, according to police. Her 49-year-old husband, who was found severely injured in the flat, was rushed to a hospital, where he was given medical treatment.

The incident was reported by Jessica's sister Shabana, who stays nearby. Fonsica family had went out for dinner at a city restaurant and returned home very late on Friday night, Shabana told police.

It is being speculated that the incident must have taken place between 3 am and 5 pm on early Saturday. Interestingly, Jessica lives in a house that is opposite to government apartment where former West Bengal Chief Minister and CPI-M leader Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee stays.

Police are recording Jessica's husband statement, who according to doctors has received medical aid and is in a condition to give details.
London: A total of 600 British citizens have been caught trying to enter Syria to join the Islamic State and other terrorist groups since 2012, UK foreign secretary Philip Hammond has said.

During a visit to southern Turkey, Hammond hailed closer cooperation between the two countries in preventing these potential terrorists arriving at their destination.

"We've stopped about 600 (Britons) in total... The net result is that Turkey has become the key partner when it comes to intercepting the flow of foreign fighters," he said yesterday.

He added: "Some of them were stopped at the UK border trying to exit and some of them were intercepted on arrival in Istanbul or in transit at points along the way, but a large proportion were picked up by the Turks on the basis of intelligence that we were able to provide."

"What we've really seen is a very impressive turnaround by the Turks of short notice information."

According to the 'Daily Telegraph', some individuals have been arrested on arrival at the Turkish airports after the authorities were forewarned while the incoming plane was mid-air.

A few have been picked up barely 45 minutes after British officials tipped off their Turkish counterparts. Of a total of 1,400 Britons who have tried to travel to Syria since 2012, the latest figure suggests that 40 percent were stopped.

Those detained by Turkey have been either returned to Britain or held for the offence of trying to cross the Syrian border illegally.

A UK Foreign Office spokesperson said: "The figure includes those stopped in Turkey as well as those stopped leaving the UK."

"Of those stopped in Turkey, some will have been returned, and they become a matter for the Home Office, who will look into it on a case by case basis. Some will be subject to the Turkish judicial system."
Ouagadougou: Burkina Faso troops supported by French special forces were battling al Qaeda linked gunmen in the early hours of Saturday in a Ouagadougou hotel where at least 20 people have been killed.

Sixty-three hostages were rescued, 33 of them wounded, from the Burkinabe capital's four-star Splendid hotel about two hours after the assault began and heavy gun battles were still being waged on the top floors of the hotel, popular with UN staff and foreigners.

Twenty people have been confirmed dead, but the toll could rise further as Interior Minister Simon Campaore told AFP that firefighters had seen 10 bodies on the terrace of a restaurant opposite the hotel.

It was not clear how many people remained trapped.

"We don't yet have a total tally of the dead. The Burkinabe forces are still combing the hotel," Campaore said.

He said it was unclear how many attackers were still inside the 147-room hotel.

"The assault is ongoing with the Burkinabe forces supported by French special forces," Communication Minister Remis Dandjinou told AFP.

The attack comes less than two months after a jihadist hostage siege at the luxury Radisson Blu hotel in the Malian capital Bamako left 20 people dead, including 14 foreigners - an attack claimed by the same al Qaeda affiliate behind the unfolding Ouagadougou assault.

A fire raged at the main entrance of the hotel and screams could be heard from inside, while on the street outside about 10 vehicles were set alight. The head of the city's main hospital confirmed prior to the start of the counter-assault at least 20 people had been killed and another 15 injured.

A restaurant opposite the hotel was also attacked and a staff member, reached by telephone, said several people had been killed, but was not able to give an exact toll.

Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) claimed responsibility for the attack saying it was "revenge against France and the disbelieving West", according to US-based monitoring group SITE.

The "mujahideen brothers" of AQIM "broke into a restaurant of one of the biggest hotels in the capital of Burkina Faso, and are now entrenched and the clashes are continuing with the enemies of the religion", SITE quoted the group as saying.

The attackers were members of the Al-Murabitoun group based in Mali and run by Mokhtar Belmokhtar, SITE said. An AFP reporter at one point saw three men clad in turbans firing at the scene on Avenue Kwame Nkrumah, one of Ouagadougou's main thoroughfares.

A witness also reported seeing four assailants who were of Arab or white appearance and "wearing turbans". The French embassy said on its website that a "terrorist attack" was underway and urged people to avoid the area. An Air France flight from Paris to Ouagadougou was diverted to neighbouring Niger.
Ouagadougou: At least 26 people, many of them foreigners, were killed in an attack overnight on a top hotel in the capital of Burkina Faso, the latest country to be drawn into a regional jihadist battle against the West and its allies.

A total of 126 people were freed, 33 of them wounded, from the four-star Splendid hotel after security forces retook the facility and nearby Cappuccino restaurant on Saturday more than 12 hours after the attack began, Interior Minister Simon Compaore told AFP.

The assault on the two venues, popular with Westerners and UN personnel, was crushed by midday but the police and military were still combing the area for other suspects, a security source said.

Communications Minister Remi Dandjinou gave a provisional figure of 26 killed and announced three days of mourning. The French foreign ministry said two of its nationals were among those killed and gave a toll of 27 dead "and around 150 injured".

Compaore said "three jihadists -- an Arab and two black Africans -- have been killed". The security source said four jihadists were killed, two of them women, and that the victims were of 18 nationalities.

Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) claimed the attack on behalf of an affiliate, saying the strike on the former French colony was in "revenge against France and the disbelieving West", according to a statement carried by US-based monitoring group SITE.

AQIM said the gunmen were from the Al-Murabitoun group of notorious Algerian extremist Mokhtar Belmokhtar.

The attack will heighten concerns that jihadist groups are casting their net wider in search of targets in west Africa, two months after a siege at a luxury hotel in neighbouring Mali, where 20 people were killed, against mostly foreigners.

AQIM and Al-Murabitoun jointly claimed that attack. President Roch Marc Christian Kabore, who took office just last month, a year after a popular uprising ousted longtime leader Blaise Compaore, called on his fellow citizens to show "courage".

Burkina Faso has "never caved in under any circumstances and it's not going to start now," he said.

The attack began around 7.45 pm on Saturday when an unknown number of attackers stormed the 147-room Splendid hotel in the heart of Ouagadougou.

An AFP reporter saw three gunmen wearing turbans firing on Avenue Kwame Nkrumah, one of the city's main thoroughfares.

Another witness reported seeing four assailants.

The hotel and its environs were transformed into a battleground as Burkina Faso troops, backed by French forces based in the city under a regional counterterrorism initiative, launched an attempt to retake the hotel around 2 AM.

The US, which has a small contingent in the country, said it supported French forces in the operation.

Several guests managed to escape from the hotel through side entrances, including Labour Minister Clement Sawadogo, who emerged unscathed.

"It was horrible... there was blood everywhere. They were firing at people at close range," Yannick Sawadogo, one of those who escaped, told AFP.

"They were walking around people and firing at people who were not dead."

Compaore, the interior minister, told AFP that 10 bodies had been discovered on the terrace of the Cappuccino restaurant.

French President Francois Hollande denounced the "odious and cowardly attack", with the European Union and Britain issuing similar condemnations.

Also on Saturday, the Burkina government said that two Australians were kidnapped Friday in the northern Baraboule region, near the border with Niger and Mali.

Malian militant group Ansar Dine told AFP the couple were being held by jihadists from the al Qaeda-linked "Emirate of the Sahara".

The army meanwhile said a heavily-armed group of about 20 people also carried out an attack Friday near the border with Mali, killing two people -- a police officer and a civilian -- and leaving two others wounded.

The attack in Ouagadougou was unprecedented in Burkina Faso and comes as people were enjoying a return to stability after the election which ended a shaky transitional period following Compaore's ouster, including a failed coup.

"The elections went off well...That makes the country a symbol of progress, which is what those people want to destroy," Cynthia Ohayon, a security analyst with the International Crisis Group said.

Al-Murabitoun had already begun to move into the impoverished country of around 17 million. In April last year, the group claimed the abduction of the Romanian security chief of a mine in the country's north.

Burkina Faso is one of the five countries in the restive Sahel region that is hosting France's Barkhane counter-terror mission.
Ouagadougou: Security forces in Burkina Faso retook a hotel in the capital on Saturday from al Qaeda fighters who seized it in an assault that killed two dozen people from at least 18 countries and marked a major escalation of Islamist militancy in West Africa.

Until Friday`s attacks the landlocked nation, an ally of Western governments against jihadist groups in the arid reaches of the southern Sahara, had largely been spared the kinds of attacks that have plagued its neighbours.

The assault follows a similar raid in November on a luxury hotel in Mali`s capital Bamako which killed 20 people, including citizens of Russia, China and the United States.

The Ouagadougou assault, claimed by al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), signalled an expansion of operations for Islamist militants who are forging new alliances and stepping up their activities, echoing the growth of Islamic State in the Middle East.

"The situation we`re experiencing since yesterday in Burkina Faso is unprecedented," President Roch Marc Christian Kabore said when he visited the scene of the attack. "These are vile, cowardly acts and the victims are innocent people"

"We call upon the Burkinabe people to be vigilant and couragous because we must include terrorist acts as an integral part of our daily struggle," he continued.

Kabore said 23 people from 18 different nationalities were killed in the assault on the Splendid Hotel and a nearby casino popular with Westerners and French soldiers based in Burkina Faso. The authorities gave no further details of the victims.

Gabriel Mueller, an Austrian aid worker staying at a different hotel, described the early scenes around the Splendid as a "complete bloodbath".

"A slight sense of safety is spreading. We can see the snipers from France and the USA, who are getting into position, he told Austria`s Salzburger Nachrichten newspaper via text message.

French ambassador Gilles Thibault put the death toll at 27 and said on Twitter that around 150 hostages had been freed during an operation that received support from French and U.S. forces.

Burkinabe authorities said that around 33 people had been injured and that four assailants, including an "Arab" and two "black Africans", were killed.

Meanwhile, an Austrian doctor and his wife were kidnapped overnight in the north near the border with Mali, the security ministry said.

The kidnapping occurred in the Baraboule area, and it was not immediately clear whether it was linked to the hotel attack.

Booby traps

The Islamist assault began at 8.30 p.m. (2030 GMT) on Friday, when the area is typically packed with crowds. The attackers torched cars and fired in the air to drive people back from the building, before entering the hotel and taking hostages.

A doctor who treated some of those wounded in the initial attack said they had told him that the attackers appeared to target Westerners.

Burkina Faso security forces, assisted by French and US military personnel, began the assault to reclaim the Splendid Hotel in the early hours of Saturday, entering its lobby, part of which was on fire.

France normally has up to 200 special forces troops in the country as part of a regional anti-militant operation.

Progress through the 146-room establishment was slowed by explosives planted by the Islamist militants.

"What`s making our job more difficult is that they`ve rigged the access to the upper floors," a senior Burkinabe gendarme officer, who asked not to be named, said.

A Reuters witness said major clashes ended after a period of sustained gunfire and explosions that appeared to focus on the Restaurant Cappuccino, located opposite the Splendid Hotel, early on Saturday.

Sporadic gunfire continued throughout the morning however, and the final assailant was killed later in another nearby hotel, the Hotel Yibi, officials said.
Taipei/Yilan: Taiwan looks set on Saturday to elect an independence-leaning opposition leader as its first woman president who could usher in a new round of uncertainty with China, the massive neighbour that claims the self-ruled island as its sacred territory.

Tsai Ing-wen, leader of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), is expected to be thrust into one of Asia`s toughest and most dangerous jobs, with China pointing hundreds of missiles at the island, decades after losing Nationalists (KMT) fled from Mao Zedong`s Communists to Taiwan in the Chinese civil war.

She will have to balance the superpower interests of China, which is also Taiwan`s largest trading partner, and the United States with those of her freewheeling, democratic home.

Tsai risks antagonising China if she attempts to forcefully assert Taiwan`s sovereignty and reverses eight years of warming China ties under incumbent President Ma Ying-jeou of the Nationalists, who retreated to Taiwan in 1949.

"I had a good sleep last night. We`ve done the best we could. We`re leaving today to the hands of the voters," Tsai told reporters after she cast her vote early at a ballot station near her home on the outskirts of the capital Taipei.

In a statement carried by state media, China`s Taiwan Affairs Office repeated it would not get involved in the election, saying only that it was "paying attention to across the Taiwan Strait".

The election comes at a tricky time for Taiwan`s export-dependent economy, which slipped into recession in the third quarter last year. China is also Taiwan`s top trading partner and Taiwan`s favourite investment destination.

"During the past years under the Ma Ying-jeou administration, Taiwan`s economy didn`t get better but deteriorated instead. People think he has been getting too close to China," said Deng Chia-ling, 40, a housewife.

"My entire family supports Tsai Ing-wen. We have high hopes she will lead Taiwan going forward."

Support for the DPP has swelled since 2014, when hundreds of students occupied Taiwan`s parliament for weeks in the largest display of anti-China sentiment the island had seen in years.

"I`m not afraid of China. We are a democratic country, and it`s China who should learn from us," said a 70-year-old farmer who only gave his surname Chen, queuing at a voting station in rural Yilan, a county east of the capital.

"This election is vital to us as we need to maintain our sovereignty. The new president would take us one step forward."

The election results should start coming out after 6 pm local time (1000 GMT).

First woman president for Taiwan

Tsai has the tide of history against her. Ma and his predecessors all failed to bring about a lasting reconciliation with China, which considers Taiwan a rogue province to be taken by force if necessary.

Shots were traded between the two sides as recently as the mid-1970s.

At stake are relations with an ascendant and increasingly assertive China under President Xi Jinping.

Tsai, a lawyer, will get an even stronger mandate if the DPP wins parliamentary polls which were also being held on Saturday.

She has been ambiguous on her China policy, merely pledging, in public anyway, to maintain the status quo.

Beijing has warned repeatedly that hard-earned peace across the Taiwan Strait could be affected by a Tsai win.

The United States has expressed concerns about the danger of worsening China-Taiwan ties, at a time when China`s navy is increasingly flexing its muscles in the South China and East China Seas and expanding territorial claims.

China has held out the "one country, two systems" formula, under which the British colony of Hong Kong returned to China in 1997, as a solution for Taiwan. But both the Nationalists and DPP have rejected the idea.
Jakarta: Indonesia has identified one of five attackers in the deadly Jakarta violence as a previously-jailed militant whose picture snapped amid the mayhem went viral in the country as the grim face of Islamic extremism.

All five attackers died in the coordinated suicide bombings and shootings in central Jakarta on Thursday, which also killed two civilians, wounded two dozen people, and appeared to confirm rising fears of the Islamic State group's (IS) emergence in the world's most populous Muslim country.

The attack has been claimed by IS, which has ruthlessly carved out a self-proclaimed caliphate in Syria and Iraq, and Indonesian police have more specifically blamed a Southeast Asian affiliate of the group known as Katibah Nusantara.

Police say they have identified four of the five attackers, and late yesterday released the first name, a militant named Afif. Many Indonesians go by a single name.

Afif, who also uses the alias Sunakim, had trained in an Islamic paramilitary camp in Indonesia's semi-autonomous Aceh region in 2010, national police chief Badrodin Haiti told reporters.

He was sentenced to seven years in jail for his involvement in the camp but was released last year, Haiti added. He gave no further details.

Haiti confirmed to reporters that Afif was the attacker in blue jeans, black t-shirt and a black hat pictured preparing to raise his handgun in a photo that rippled across Indonesia's hyperactive social media universe.

The police chief said Afif has been recruited to IS by Indonesian extremist Bahrum Naim, who is believed to be a founding member of Katibah Nusantara and who police say orchestrated Thursday's attacks from Syria.

Haiti added that Naim himself was arrested in Indonesia in 2010 for illegal possession of ammunition and received a one-year jail term.

"We found ammunitions and we processed him and he received a one-year (sentence). Now he is doing it again," Haiti said.

Indonesian police launched raids across the country yesterday in the wake of the country's worst such attack in seven years, saying they suspected a broader extremist network was behind it.

If confirmed to be the work of Katibah Nusantara, which is made up primarily of Malay-speaking Indonesians and Malaysians, it would mark the first violence in Southeast Asia by the group.
Washington: US President Barack Obama underlined the need for coordination and cooperation among a wide range of global partners to degrade and destroy the dreaded Islamic State terror group in the aftermath of terrorist attack in Indonesia and other parts of the world.

"Obama convened his National Security Council to discuss the intensification of our campaign to degrade and destroy ISIL," the White House said.

The President was briefed on recent progress by Iraqi security forces in taking back Ramadi, and on ways US and its partners in the Global Coalition to Counter ISIL or ISIS continue to accelerate and integrate the military campaign on all possible fronts in Iraq and Syria, it said.

Obama directed his national security team to continue to intensify ongoing efforts to degrade and destroy ISIL, including by working with American partners to increase its military cooperation, disrupting foreign fighter networks, halting ISIL expansion outside of Syria and Iraq, countering ISIL financing, disrupting any ISIL external plotting efforts, and countering ISIL's propaganda and messaging.

"The President emphasised that degrading and destroying ISIL will continue to require coordination and cooperation among a wide range of global partners, and the United States is strongly committed to continuing to lead the shared efforts of the Global Coalition to Counter ISIL," the White House said.

Earlier in the day, White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest said the Jakarta attack shows the ability of ISIL to spread their violence, mayhem and murderous ideology. "The first is concern about foreign fighters.

These are individuals who have traveled from around the globe to Iraq and Syria to take up arms alongside ISIL. The concern obviously is that these individuals could use their foreign passports to return to their home country and organize and carry out acts of violence," he said.

"There's a substantial number of individuals from Indonesia who have traveled to Iraq and Syria to take up arms alongside ISIL. And so the threat that is posed by foreign fighters is significant, one the Indonesians are keenly aware of. This is also a concern that the President himself is keenly aware of," Earnest said.

The second source of concern, is the way in which ISIL has capitalised on social media to spread their ideology and to try to radicalise vulnerable individuals. "So there obviously is an aggressive effort that we have mounted both here in the United States and around the world to try to combat their online radicalisation efforts," he said.
Vienna: Iran's foreign minister and the EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini met on Saturday in Vienna to "finalise" last July's nuclear deal, Mogherini said on Twitter.

Her meeting with Mohammad Javad Zarif came ahead of an expected announcement by the UN atomic watchdog that Tehran has complied with the landmark agreement with major powers. Once the International Atomic Energy Agency gives the green light, a raft of US, EU and UN sanctions on Iran will be lifted, including on its lifeblood oil exports.

Italy's Mogherini speaks on behalf of the P5+1 group - the United States, Russia, China, Britain, France and Germany - that agreed the deal in Vienna on July 14 after two years of rollercoaster talks. She and Zarif were expected to make a joint statement later today.

US Secretary of State John Kerry was also due to arrive in the Austrian capital, diplomats said.
Vienna: International sanctions on Iran will be lifted on Saturday when the United Nations nuclear agency declares Tehran has complied with an agreement to scale back its nuclear programme, Iran`s foreign minister said.

Foreign Minister Javad Zarif arrived in Vienna, headquarters of the International Atomic Energy Agency, the U.N. body expected to issue a report triggering the lifting of sanctions imposed by the United Nations, United States and European Union.

The sanctions have cut off a nation of nearly 80 million from the global financial system, drastically reduced the exports of a major oil producer and imposed severe economic hardship on ordinary Iranians. Most will be lifted immediately.

"Today with the release of the IAEA chief`s report the nuclear deal will be implemented, after which a joint statement will be made to announce the beginning of the deal," Zarif was quoted as saying in Vienna by state news agency IRNA.

"Today is a good day for the Iranian people as sanctions will be lifted today," the ISNA agency quoted Zarif as saying.

Zarif is due to meet his U.S. counterpart John Kerry, the European Union`s foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini, and IAEA chief Yukiya Amano later on Saturday. International journalists have been assembled at the IAEA headquarters in anticipation of an announcement.

"Implementation day" of the nuclear deal agreed last year marks the biggest re-entry of a former pariah state onto the global economic stage since the end of the Cold War, and a turning point in the hostility between Iran and the United States that has shaped the Middle East since 1979.

It is a defining initiative for both U.S. President Barack Obama and Iran`s President Hassan Rouhani, both of whom faced strong opposition from hardliners at home in countries that have called each other "Great Satan" and part of the "axis of evil".

Under the deal, Iran has agreed to forego enrichment of uranium, which world powers feared could be used to make a nuclear weapon. Once sanctions are lifted, Iran plans to swiftly ramp up its exports of oil. Global companies that have been barred from doing business there will be able to exploit a hungry market for anything from automobiles to airplane parts.

Opposed by Republicans

The deal is opposed by all of the Republican candidates in the field vying to succeed Obama as U.S. president in an election in November, and is viewed with deep suspicion by U.S. allies in the Middle East including Israel and Saudi Arabia.

It is supported by Washington`s European allies, who joined Obama earlier in his presidency in making sanctions far tighter as part of a joint strategy to force Tehran to negotiate.

The Obama administration says the deal reached last July offered the best possible prospect of ensuring that Iran would not develop a nuclear weapon, and could never have been achieved without the support of allies, which was always contingent on a pledge to lift sanctions once Iran complied.

For Iran, it marks a crowning achievement for Rouhani, a pragmatic cleric elected in 2013 in a landslide on a promise to reduce Iran`s international isolation. He was granted the authority to negotiate the deal by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, an arch conservative in power since 1989.

The U.S.-educated, fluent English-speaking Zarif has emerged as the smiling face of Iran`s diplomacy, developing a close rapport with Kerry in unprecedented face-to-face talks. Zarif has chipped away at Iran`s image as a pariah state, to the dismay of hardliners in Tehran as well as regional rivals.

"There are some people who see peace as a threat, who were always against (the nuclear deal) and will continue to oppose it," he was quoted as saying by ISNA.

The prospect of Iran`s emergence from isolation could overturn the geo-political balance of the Middle East at a particularly volatile time.

Iran is the pre-eminent Shi`ite Muslim power, and its allies are fighting proxy wars in Iraq, Syria and Yemen against allies of its main Sunni Muslim regional rival, Saudi Arabia.

In Iraq in particular, Tehran has found itself on the same side as the United States, supporting a Shi`ite-led government against Sunni militants of Islamic State.

Zarif has argued, including in an Op-Ed column in last week`s New York Times, that Iran could be a partner for the West fighting Sunni Muslim militants, who he said are spurred on by policies adopted by Saudi Arabia.

"It`s now time for all  especially Muslim nations  to join hands and rid the world of violent extremism. Iran is ready," Zarif tweeted on Saturday.

But U.S.-Iranian hostility still remains deeply entrenched. Apart from the nuclear issue, Washington maintains separate, far less comprehensive sanctions on Iran over its missile programme.

Iran has tested missiles since the nuclear agreement, drawing threats from Washington to tighten those sanctions. A week ago Iran detained 10 U.S. sailors on two boats in the Gulf, although they were released the next day after Tehran said it had concluded they had entered its waters by mistake.
Kuala Lumpur: Malaysia`s police chief said on Saturday that a suspected militant arrested in a train station in Kuala Lumpur had confessed to planning a suicide attack in the country.

The 28-year-old Malaysian man is believed to be a member of the Islamic State (IS) militant group and was arrested on Friday with weapons and documents related to IS, the police said.

In a statement, Inspector-General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar said the suspect confessed to planning a suicide attack in Malaysia after receiving orders from a foreign IS member in Syria.

"The suspect is also responsible for hanging IS flags at several locations in the states of Terengganu, Perak, Selangor and Johor, in order to warn the government to stop arresting IS members in Malaysia," Khalid said in the statement.

No further details were given on where and how he was planning the attack.

Malaysia has been on high alert since a bomb and gun attack in neighbouring Indonesia`s capital on Thursday. It has beefed security in public areas and on its borders.

Indonesian police killed one suspected militant and arrested two more in raids across the country on Friday, a day after an attack by Islamic State suicide bombers and gunmen in Jakarta that killed seven people. They announced more arrests on Saturday.

More arrests

Khalid said three other people suspected of being supporters of Islamic State were also arrested between Jan. 11 and Jan. 15.

The three were arrested at Kuala Lumpur international airport after they returned from Turkey, where they were detained for trying to make their way into Syria to join IS.

The three suspects are aged between 23 and 28. A picture of the arrest released by police appeared to indicate one of the suspects was a woman.

Police said the three were recruited by a known Malaysian IS member named Muhammad Wanndy Mohamed Jedi, who is based in Syria. Muhammad Wanndy has been linked to a video released last year that showed a man being beheaded there.

Before today`s arrest, Malaysia has detained 145 people since 2013 on suspicion of links with Islamic State.

In September, Malaysian police thwarted a plot to detonate bombs in Kuala Lumpurs vibrant tourist area of Bukit Bintang. Other recent plots frustrated by Malaysian security forces included plans to raid army camps and seize weapons.

Malaysia`s deputy home minister warned that Southeast Asia faces the threat of Islamic State-inspired attacks designed to "glamorise terrorism".
Vienna: Multinational and national nuclear-related sanctions on Iran are lifted following Tehran's compliance with July's atomic deal with major powers, European Union foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini has said.

"As Iran has fulfilled its commitments, today, multilateral and national economic and financial sanctions related to Iran's nuclear programme are lifted in accordance"

with the July deal, Mogherini yesterday said in Vienna.

The United States has also implemented its side of the Iran nuclear deal, lifting a raft of sanctions imposed on Tehran to rein in its weapons program, Secretary of State John Kerry has said.

"I hereby confirm that the International Atomic Energy Agency has verified that Iran has fully implemented its required commitments... The US sanctions-related commitments... are now in effect," he said yesterday.
Vienna/Washington: An International Atomic Energy Agency report verifying that Iran has kept its promises under last year`s nuclear deal with world powers and triggering sanctions relief for Tehran is likely to be issued on Saturday, a diplomatic source said on Friday.

The report, if issued, would mark the consummation of the July 14, 2015 nuclear agreement. Under the deal, Iran agreed to shrink its atomic programme in exchange for the lifting of some EU, US and UN sanctions, which would allow billions of dollars of investment to flow into the country.

In a sign its implementation may be at hand, US Secretary of State John Kerry, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini will meet in Vienna on Saturday, the US State Department said.

"All parties have continued making steady progress towards Implementation Day of the JCPOA, which will ensure the exclusively peaceful nature of Iran`s nuclear program," said State Department spokesman Mark Toner, referring to the formal title of the deal, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.

Iranian and other officials had previously said they expected the report from the UN nuclear watchdog, the Vienna-based International Atomic Energy Agency, to come out on Friday.

"Almost all details are ironed out," said another diplomatic source, based in the Austrian capital.

The IAEA is in charge of verifying that Iran has carried out all of the nuclear-related steps required in the deal it struck with the United States, Russia, China, Britain, France and Germany. It must release a report once it has done so.

The IAEA declined comment on the timing of the report.

Iranian officials have said Zarif and Mogherini would issue a statement on Saturday or Sunday on the "Implementation Day" of the nuclear deal and the lifting of sanctions.

Since July, Iran has drastically reduced the number of centrifuges installed at its enrichment sites, shipped tonnes of low-enriched uranium materials to Russia and dismantled the core of its Arak nuclear reactor.

UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said there could be a meeting in relation to Iran on Saturday in Vienna, where the July 14 deal was reached, but did not elaborate.

"There may be some sort of a meeting tomorrow in Vienna, after which, if everything goes well, we will issue a statement from the Secretary-General," he told reporters.

In another sign implementation may be near, US President Barack Obama delegated authority to Kerry to take steps to ease some sanctions.

However, a US official said this was "one of many preparatory steps" Washington had to take to ease sanctions once the IAEA verifies Iran has met its nuclear obligations.
Taipei: Tsai Ing-wen of Taiwan's main opposition party sent a warning to China after a landslide victory to become the island's first female president on Saturday, as voters turned their backs on closer ties with Beijing.

Fireworks lit up the sky at the headquarters of Tsai's Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) as thousands gathered to celebrate the historic win over the ruling China-friendly Kuomintang (KMT).

In her first comments to media, Tsai warned that Chinese "suppression" would damage ties with the mainland.

"Our democratic system, national identity and international space must be respected. Any forms of suppression will harm the stability of cross-strait relations," she said.

Support for Tsai has surged as voters have become increasingly uneasy about a recent rapprochement with China under outgoing KMT president Ma Ying-jeou.

Her victory came on the same day that outrage erupted over the treatment of 16-year-old Taiwanese K-pop star Chou Tzu-yu, who was forced to record a video apology after angering Chinese netizens by flying a Taiwanese flag in a recent online broadcast.

Tsai specifically referred to Chou in her address, saying her case had "shaken Taiwanese society".

"This particular incident will serve as a constant reminder to me about the importance of our country's strength and unity to those outside our borders," she said.

Tsai has toned down the DPP's traditionally pro-independence message to assuage Beijing and calm nerves in the United States - Taiwan's major ally - which does not want to see tensions flare.

In her address to media she pledged to "work towards maintaining peace and stability" in relations with China, but emphasised it must reflect public will.

Jubilant supporters expressed their faith in Tsai as she later addressed the crowds, promising to be a strong leader.

"I'm very confident - we were cheated by Ma's government for so long," said Jimmy Lai, 45.

The United States congratulated Tsai on the victory.

"We share with the Taiwan people a profound interest in the continuation of cross-strait peace and stability," the statement from US State Department spokesman John Kirby said.

British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond also congratulated Tsai and said he hoped Taiwan and China would "continue their dialogue to resolve differences and maintain the recent trend of constructive relations".

Tsai remains president-elect until she takes office on May 20.
Bamako: Two soldiers and a guard have been killed in two separate attacks in Mali, government and army sources confirmed.

In the first attack, two soldiers were killed when an aid convoy they were escorting was ambushed in northern Mali yesterday, security sources said, a week after the kidnapping of a Swiss national in the same area.

A local military source said two of the assailants were also killed during the exchange, around 70 kilometres from the desert caravan city of Timbuktu.

"We quickly fired back at the assailants, whose identity we aren't exactly sure of," the source told AFP. A Malian security source confirmed the deaths and said one of the attackers had been arrested.

Late yesterday armed men also attacked a market in Dioura in the central Mopti region, a source from the Malian army said.

The attackers killed a guard from the Water and Forests Agency, according to a local policewoman.

On January 8, gunmen abducted Swiss national Beatrice Stockly from her home in Timbuktu in the first such kidnapping of a westerner in northern Mali since the abduction and murder of two French journalists in November 2013.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility but Stockly, who is in her 40s and has lived in Timbuktu for years, had already been kidnapped in April 2012 by Islamist fighters.

At the time, the social worker was said to be the last Westerner living in the fabled trading post, which she refused to leave when it fell to Islamist Ansar Dine rebels on April 1, 2012 in an attack backed by Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb.

Around the same time, a loose alliance of Tuareg and Islamist rebels took advantage of the political chaos in Mali's capital that followed a coup, capturing the country's northern desert. In 2013, the jihadists were chased from the region by a French-led military intervention, with a regional

French counter terrorism force still conducting operations in the area.

But entire swathes of Mali's north remain beyond the reach of the Malian army and foreign troops. In November, 20 people - 14 of them foreigners - were killed in an attack on the Radisson Blu hotel in the capital Bamako which was claimed by two jihadist groups.
By Randall Palmer OTTAWA (Reuters) - The Supreme Court of Canada decided on Friday to allow doctor-assisted suicide across the country under certain circumstances, while giving the government more time to pass a law governing the practice. The decision came as officials confirmed that a patient had already been helped to die in the French-speaking province of Quebec. The court had overturned a ban on physician-assisted suicide last February, putting Canada in the company of a handful of Western countries to make it legal. But it had said the decision would not take effect for a year, giving the government time to produce legislation. The work got off schedule because of the October election and the defeat of the Conservative government by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's Liberals. The newly elected justice minister had asked for the decision to be suspended for an extra six months. Instead, the court gave the go-ahead for assisted suicide to begin now under certain conditions and granted the federal government four more months to come up with a law across the country. Polls show physician-assisted suicide has broad support but the issue has divided politicians in Parliament as they grapple with how to protect vulnerable Canadians while respecting their rights and choices at the end of life. The court ruled doctors would be allowed to facilitate the death of patients in Quebec, which had already put its own law into effect in December. Since the change in provincial law on Dec. 10, one person carried out an assisted suicide in Quebec City, a spokeswoman for the health and social services center for the Quebec City region said in an email on Friday. There is no way to say whether this was the first assisted-suicide under the new laws as the Quebec government does not currently keep such statistics, said Joanne Beauvais, a spokeswoman for provincial Health Minister Gaetan Barrette.A report with the number of assisted suicide requests submitted in Quebec each year will be made public after being filed in provincial parliament no later than Sept. 30, she said. The Supreme Court ruling said people outside Quebec can apply to their provincial superior court for judicial authorization "to those who wish to exercise their rights" to doctor-assisted death. Friday's decision was split 5-4, with Chief Justice Beverley McLachlin and three others disagreeing with giving an exemption to Quebec and to other individuals. The case is Carter v. Canada (Attorney General), 2016 SCC 4. (With additional reporting by Allison Lampert in Montreal; Additional writing by Andrea Hopkins in Toronto; Editing by Paul Simao and Sandra Maler)
(Reuters) - Yahoo Inc. said on Friday that a letter sent to its board from the investor Canyon Capital contained misperceptions about the company. Yahoo shareholder Canyon Capital, in a letter obtained by Reuters on Thursday, said the Internet company's board and management team have spent in excess of $3 billion on acquisitions to which, based on the its stock price, the market appears to ascribe negative value. "Our board and management team have been and remain firmly committed to acting as good stewards of capital and delivering sustainable shareholder value," Yahoo said in response to the Canyon Capital letter. "We will share details on our future plans for Yahoo on our upcoming earnings call." Last week, activist investor Starboard Value LP ramped up pressure on Yahoo, taking aim at Chief Executive Officer Marissa Mayer and her leadership team and raising the prospect that a proxy battle is approaching. (Reporting by Michael Flaherty; Editing by David Gregorio)
David MacNaughton, known for his work in Ontario's public and private sector, has been named Canada's new ambassador to the United States, taking over from former Manitoba premier Gary Doer.

Marc-Andre Blanchard will become the country's new ambassador to the United Nations in April, Foreign Affairs Minister Stephane Dion said as he announced several diplomatic appointments on Saturday.

The others include:

- Angela Bogdan, who joined External Affairs Canada in 1984, will become consul general of Canada in Sydney, Australia, effective immediately.

- Marie-Louise Hannan, who has worked in the diplomatic services since 1997, will become ambassador to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in Jakarta, Indonesia, effective immediately.

- Susan Harper, who also has experience as a senior diplomat, joining External Affairs Canada in 1983, will become consul general of Canada in Miami, Fla., effective immediately.

A long-time political strategist, MacNaughton served as Ontario co-chair for the federal Liberal campaign that saw Justin Trudeau elected prime minister last October.

The newly named ambassador also has a long history behind the scenes of Ontario politics.

In 1987, he chaired former Liberal premier David Peterson's election campaign. He served as a senior advisor in the 2003 provincial election that saw Dalton McGuinty elected premier and then as his principal secretary from 2003-2005, which some have commented about on Twitter.

He more recently held the job of chairman and CEO of StrategyCorp, a communications and management consulting firm.

MacNaughton replaces Doer, who was NDP premier of Manitoba from 1999 until 2009. Doer confirmed in October 2015 he would be stepping down as U.S. ambassador after six years holding the position, a longer-than-normal tenure.

Canada's embassy in Washington, D.C., welcomed MacNaughton on Twitter Saturday morning.

Blanchard, who has several degrees, including a master's in international law from the University of Montreal, was named among the 25 most influential lawyers in Canada by Canadian Lawyer Magazine in 2013.

The chair and CEO of law firm McCarthy Tetrault said it was an "immense honour" to be appointed Canada's ambassador to the United Nations

"Being asked to lead Canada's mission to the United Nations is an immense honour, particularly at a time when Canada has re-committed itself to multilateral diplomacy and to engage more widely on the international scene," said Blanchard in a statement posted to the law firm's website.
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.
Irans historic nuclear deal will be sealed later today the countrys foreign minister has said.

The agreement between Iran, America, the EU and the International Atomic Energy Agency was thrashed out in Vienna last summer following extensive talks.

The parties have now gathered again in the Austrian capital following work by the IAEA to check that Iran has complied with their commitments to curtail their nuclear programme.

It means sanctions that have crippled the Iranian economy are now expected to be lifted.

Iran's foreign minister Javad Zarif said in Vienna: "We expect to have the implementation day today.

"I believe it is not just an important day for economic activity in Iran.

"It is going to open the possibilities, vast possibilities in Iran for economic engagement and we have all seen that the international business community is very much interested in getting engaged in Iran to take advantage of it.

"Today is the day when we prove to the world that threats, sanctions, intimidation, pressure don't work."

US Secretary of State John Kerry and EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini are among the representatives back in Vienna ahead of the announcements that are expected to be confirmed later.

Prior to the nuclear deal being completed, the US and Iran completed a prisoner swap - with Tehran freeing four dual-nationality inmates, and Washington authorising the release of seven inmates.

Lifting sanctions would allow Iran to immediately recoup some $100bn (70bn) in assets frozen overseas.

However, it is the new business opportunities in oil, trade and finance that could revolutionise the struggling Iranian economy.

The agreement puts Iran's various nuclear activities under IAEA watch for up to 15 years, with an option to reimpose sanctions should Tehran break its commitments.
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)
By Louis Charbonneau UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - The U.N. Security Council on Monday discussed the besieged towns of Syria after reports emerged that tens of thousands of civilians have been trapped for months without supplies and are starving to death. The meeting was called by New Zealand, Spain and France in response to the reports of people dying in the town of Madaya and elsewhere due to a lack of food and medical attention. "The tactic of siege and starvation is one of the most appalling characteristics of the Syrian conflict," New Zealand's United Nations ambassador, Gerard van Bohemen, told reporters. Trucks carrying food and medical supplies reached Madaya near the Lebanese border and began to distribute aid as part of an agreement between warring sides, the United Nations and the Red Cross said on Monday. A U.N. spokesman said aid trucks were also en route to the Shi'ite villages of al Foua and Kefraya in the northwestern province of Idlib, two other areas where there is a desperate need for humanitarian assistance. U.S. Ambassador Samantha Power also had strong words about Madaya, slamming the "grotesque starve-or-surrender tactics the Syrian regime is using right now against its own people." "Look at the haunting pictures of civilians, including children, even babies, in Madaya," she told the General Assembly. "These are just the pictures we see. There are hundreds of thousands of people being deliberately besieged, deliberately starved, right now. And these images, they remind us of World War Two." Power was speaking at a special session of the 193-nation U.N. General Assembly on the 70th anniversary of the assembly's first meeting in London. British Ambassador Matthew Rycroft said "starving civilians is an inhuman tactic used by the (President Bashar) al-Assad regime and their allies." "All sieges must be lifted to save civilian lives and to bring Syria closer to peace," he said in a statement, adding that there were 850 infants in urgent need of milk in Madaya. Syrian Ambassador Bashar Ja'afari told reporters his government was committed to "cooperate fully" on aid delivery but said much of what was said about Madaya was "based on false information." He labeled pictures of starving people as "fabrications." "There is no shortage of humanitarian assistance in Madaya," he said, adding that some aid has been "looted by armed terrorist groups." U.N. humanitarian chief Stephen O'Brien, however, told reporters the reports of people starving to death in Madaya were "wholly credible." He added that some 400 people there were in dire need of medical evacuation. The Syrian civil war has been raging for nearly five years and has claimed more than a quarter million lives. A U.N. Security Council resolution adopted on Dec. 18 set out a road map for peace talks and called on the parties to allow aid workers unhindered access throughout Syria, particularly in besieged and hard-to-reach areas. French Ambassador Francois Delattre said there could be "no credible political process without progress on the humanitarian front." The blockade of Madaya has become a focal issue for Syrian opposition leaders, who told a U.N. envoy last week they would not take part in talks with the government, slated for later this month, until it and other sieges are lifted. (Reporting by Louis Charbonneau; Editing by Jonathan Oatis and Sandra Maler)
Iran and the US have reached an agreement on a prisoner swap after 14 months of negotiations - with Washington Post reporter Jason Rezaian among those being released.

Tehran has confirmed that four inmates with dual Iranian-US nationality have been released from its jails, including Rezaian and the American pastor Saeed Abedini.

Former US marine Amir Hekmati is also being freed, along with Nosratollah Khosravi - and according to officials in the States, they will be flown to a military base in Germany for treatment.

US officials say a fifth American, student Matthew Trevithnick, has also been freed, but that his release was not part of the prisoner swap.

Seven Iranians, being held in prisons across the US, have been released in return for the four and have already landed in Tehran.

Washington has stressed the prisoner swap is unrelated to the historic nuclear deal which Iran has sealed with the US, the EU and the International Atomic Energy Agency - which was thrashed out in Vienna last summer following extensive talks.

Rezaian was convicted behind closed doors on espionage charges last year, while Hekmati was held over similar allegations in August 2011 as he visited his ailing grandmother.

Abedini was sentenced to eight years behind bars in 2013 for compromising national security.

The Washington Post has said it "couldn't be happier" to hear that Rezaian had been released.

Six of those being released from US custody had been accused or convicted of violating sanctions.

Three inmates - Bahram Mechanic, Tooraj Faridi and Khosrow Afghahi - have been pardoned by President Barack Obama, a lawyer told the Reuters news agency.

Joel Androphy added: "We're ecstatic that the president has decided to pardon them for basically trade issues ... that are nothing more than typical business transactions that don't rise to the level of criminality."

Under the agreement, which represents a major diplomatic breakthrough between the two nations, the US is dropping Interpol "red notices" on several Iranian fugitives it sought to arrest.

Story continues

The developments follow tense discussions between Tehran and Washington after 10 US Navy sailors and their boats were detained by Iran in the Persian Gulf.

Barely 24 hours later, following phone calls between US Secretary of State John Kerry and Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, the sailors were released - with officials claiming that the nuclear negotiations had helped to open channels of communication.

Robert Levinson, a former FBI agent who disappeared in Iran more than eight years ago while working for the CIA, is not part of the prisoner swapping deal - but officials there have told the US that they will continue to seek information about his whereabouts.
On Thursday, Senator Ted Cruz tried to undermine Donald Trump by declaring that he has New York values. The crowd of South Carolina Republicans laughed when Cruz declared that most people know exactly what New York values are. When pressed, he elaborated that while New York state has many wonderful people, everyone understands that the values in New York City are socially liberal or pro-abortion or pro-gay marriage, focus around money and the media. He added, Not a lot of conservatives come out of Manhattan. Im just saying.

How smug and confident he sounded making that attack. And no wonder. New Yorkers are socially liberal and more focused on money and media than the rest of the country. And Republican audiences have eaten up attacks on urban elites for years.

Hell, hating on Manhattan is a trope.

Listening to Cruz brought to mind that old series of TV commercials set in the Old West, where a bunch of tough-guy cowboys would be gathered for their evening meal. Heres one where the cowboy who brings a salsa from New York City gets hanged:

Recommended: I Know Fascists. Donald Trump Is No Fascist.

Of course, if you watched Thursdays debate, you know that Cruzs attack backfired spectacularly. Trump responded by talking about the September 11 terrorist attacks in a monologue that my colleague aptly dubbed his finest moment. Unlike so many invocations of 9/11 in Republican primary debates, it didnt feel like a non-sequitur.

It isnt that anything about the terrorist attack or the response to it contradicts the fact that New Yorkers in aggregate are ideologically left of middle America. But it does put those differences in perspective. Americans saw the humanity of Manhattan in a way no one alive at the time can forget. Iowa voters will be harder pressed to regard the typical New Yorker as someone with intolerably different values than their own when recalling those autumn days in front of the television set, mourning the victims, celebrating heroic firefighters, and rooting for resilient survivors. The context exposed Cruzs implicit reliance on reflexive, inane prejudice.

Story continues

Trump bested Cruz, and in doing so he subtly made a point that conservatives need to rememberwe cant and shouldnt write off any part of America, the National Reviews David French wrote. By hearkening back to New Yorks heart after 9/11, for a moment Trump transcended politics. How easily we forget, but for weeks after the terror attacks, New York was America. (Of course, Trump has meanwhile been writing off Muslim Americans, Black Lives Matter protestors, and many Hispanics.)

Recommended: The Great Republican Revolt

The more I think about it, the more I wonder if the New York values attack wouldve hurt Trump even if he hadnt managed to invoke the shared experience of 9/11 so skillfully. Arent many qualities that Trump supporters like about the candidate very New York City? Hes big, loud, brash, unafraid to brag, and full of superlatives. He speaks his mind and has the high opinion of himself. Hes comfortable with being pushy and with open conflict. He values ruthlessness and winners.

Unlike so many invocations of 9/11 in Republican primary debates, it didnt feel like a non-sequitur.

Trump supporters like those qualities much, much more than they dislike departures from conservative ideology and social mores. The phenomenon closely resembles the way that many on the right adored Andrew Breitbart even though he was perfectly comfortable with gays, helped start the Huffington Post, lived in West Los Angeles, and didnt actually have strong philosophical/policy beliefs, at all.

If the Tea Party gave rise to a more libertarian faction in the GOPTed Cruz, Rand Paul, Mike Lee, and Justin Amash are examplesthe ascendant faction on the right this cycle is not conservative or libertarian at its core. It is, rather, Breitbartian. Its adherents are more interested in a culture war than a political one. It is anti-leftist, anti-Islamist, anti-establishment, and anti-political-correctness. Do these adherents constitute a bigger or smaller faction than the evangelicals and social conservatives who, save for a stirring invocation of 9/11, would have gone to bed last night worried that Trumps New York values are a problem?

The answer may determine who wins the GOP nomination.

Read more from The Atlantic:

This article was originally published on The Atlantic.
By Julia Harte WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has said the armed standoff at a national wildlife refuge in Oregon had gone on too long, and that once people are allowed to take over federal property, you dont have a government anymore. But last week, after he made those comments, the head of a veterans' group formed by his campaign traveled to Oregon to meet with protesters whom he described as a peaceful and constitutionally just movement. Although Jerry DeLemus, a 61-year-old retired Marine, said he made the visit on his own rather than as a representative of Trumps campaign, he is the only member of a presidential campaign to have openly visited the occupation of the Malheur Wildlife Refuge since it began on Jan. 2. His presence at the Oregon standoff highlights the array of extreme views in Trumps support base, as the billionaire real-estate mogul taps a vein of grassroots supporters who are deeply upset with current federal leadership in his quest to lead the Republican Party in this years presidential election. In an interview on Tuesday, DeLemus told Reuters that while he was skeptical of the occupation at first, he now thinks the group is enjoying "great success" in resisting the "thug-like, terroristic" actions of the federal government by claiming the land for local citizens. Trump's campaign has received support from several other sources who hold more extreme views than him, including white supremacist groups that recently launched a pro-Trump automated telephone campaign in Iowa and former Ku Klux Klan leader David Duke, whose endorsement Trump rejected in August. Unlike those supporters, however, DeLemus is a formal member of Trump's campaign and says he plans to help inform the candidate about the true nature of the standoff in Oregon in an effort to convince Trump to support their cause. The armed protesters garrisoned at the wildlife refuge are led by Ammon Bundy, a rancher from Nevada. The occupation, which began as a protest against the extended prison sentences of local ranchers who set fire to federal land, is now focused on reclaiming the federal land in the county for local citizens. "It's my intention to ensure that he has the whole story," DeLemus said of Trump. "I think it'll really arouse him, and once he understands, I wouldn't be surprised to see him heading out West." The Trump campaign did not respond to requests for comment. Dan Shea, a professor of government at Maines Colby College who has studied the polarization of American voters, says the Oregon standoff would likely have strong appeal to some Trump supporters. What Trump supporters want is dramatic action, and for some, whats happening in Oregon is an example of that. DeLemus has a history of expressing views and taking actions that are more extreme than those of Trump, who has been criticized by Democrats and Republicans alike for what some see as a stream of shocking, offensive and radical remarks. In 2014, DeLemus spent about a month in Nevada leading a makeshift militia in a standoff with the Bureau of Land Management on behalf of rancher Cliven Bundy, whose sons are leading the Oregon occupation. Last year, DeLemus also made headlines for planning an art contest for people to draw the Prophet Mohammad in New Hampshire, though he called it off for public safety reasons. Depictions of the prophet of Islam are considered offensive by many Muslims. (Editing by Jason Szep and Matthew Lewis)
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. House of Representatives plans to reconsider legislation to restrict President Barack Obama's ability to lift sanctions on Iran under an international nuclear deal after its passage was canceled on Wednesday when too few members voted. Obama, a Democrat, has promised to veto the measure, saying it would kill the landmark agreement. No Republicans in Congress supported the accord after it was announced in July. The House's Republican leaders decided to vote again later this month in the hope of attracting more support. The measure passed by 191 to 106, almost entirely along party lines, with almost every 'yes' vote coming from Republicans and Democrats overwhelmingly opposed to it. Nearly a third of the House, 137 members, did not vote, and House officials said the chamber would consider it again during the week of Jan. 25. New House speaker Paul Ryan has been trying to keep votes closer to their allotted times rather than hold them open for members who take too long to come to the chamber. The Iran vote was cut off promptly at 15 minutes. The vote came hours after Iran released 10 U.S. sailors it had held overnight, bringing a swift end to an incident that had rattled nerves days before the expected implementation of the nuclear accord between Tehran and world powers. Supporters said the seizure of the sailors was one reason to support the bill. Many U.S. lawmakers have clamored for tougher action against Iran after it tested ballistic missiles late last year and for its refusal to release American prisoners. "Iran has been on a bit of a tear," said Representative Ed Royce, the Republican chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, as he sought support for the bill. "If Iran behaves this way now, in a few days when it gets its hands on this bankroll ... what other actions are we going to see from the Iranian Revolutionary Guards?" Royce asked. Iran will receive millions of dollars held up under the sanctions regime after the nuclear pact is implemented. Democrats, including some who opposed the nuclear agreement, likened the bill to the Republican-led House's more than 60 votes to repeal Obama's healthcare law. "We should go back to the drawing board rather than ramming through a partisan measure that will never become law," said Representative Eliot Engel, the top Democrat on the Foreign Affairs panel, who opposed the nuclear pact. The White House said on Monday Obama would veto the "Iran Terror Finance Transparency Act," saying it would prevent the United States from implementing the Iran deal by tying Obama's ability to lift sanctions to non-nuclear issues. (Reporting by Patricia Zengerle; Editing by James Dalgleish)
SEATTLE, Jan. 12, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today the Merchant Risk Council announced the finalists of the MRC Vegas 2016 METAwards. Start-up finalists include: Feedzai, Riskified and Shape Security. Established finalists include: InAuth, NuData Security and SiftScience.

The METAwards, MRC Emerging Technology Awards, honor solution providers in both the start-up (under 3 years) and established (over 3 years) categories whose creative innovations and advanced technologies have contributed to the commercial and operational success of eCommerce merchants.

This year the winner of the start-up category will receive a free year of MRC membership, a $15,000 value. The winner of the established category will receive sponsorship rights of the 2017 METAwards presentation including valuable stage time during the general conference.

The 2016 finalists were selected by a unique panel of industry experts based on product relevance, industry impact and technological innovation. Finalists are invited to present their products at MRC Vegas 2016, March 7-10 at the Aria Resort and Casino, where attendees will vote live on a winner in each category.

MRC METAwards nominations included submissions from global solution providers, third-party vendors, card brands, processors and acquirers. Developments included: measuring, monitoring or mitigating card-not-present fraud, advancing data security, improving online payments acceptance and processes, etc.

Find more information about the METAwards or MRC Vegas 2016.

About the MRC:

The MRC is an unbiased global community providing a platform for eCommerce fraud and payments professionals to come together and share information. As a not-for-profit entity, the MRCs vision is to make commerce safe and profitable everywhere by offering proprietary education, training and networking as well as a forum for timely and relevant discussions. The MRC was launched in 2000 at the start of the eCommerce boom by a small group of industry professionals from leading consumer brands, with the ultimate goal of combating online fraud in the card not present space. Since its inception, the MRC has also added online payments to its portfolio, expanding its presence further into eCommerce. The MRC is headquartered in Seattle, Washington and has offices in Madrid, Spain and Dublin, Ireland.




A soon-to-be-released African spinoff of a popular French series on the travails of parenting, made in Gabon, captures a continent divided between tradition and modernity.

The French original, "Parenting: a how-to guide", is only three minutes long but is watched by 4.5 million people who track daily lives of a hapless couple and their progeny aged 16, 12 and eight.

The Gabonese version however plays with the themes of age-old customs and Westernisation: two strong parallel strains in a continent trying to catch up with the world while retaining its values and culture.

The couple, Magloire and Fatou Ndong, are in their 40s and parents of two teens and a younger child. But that is where the resemblance with the French original ends.

"In the African version, we have played upon the idea that there is a transformation today in the continent. On the one side a very traditional father... and on the other a mother who studied in France and is more open," said the Franco-Gabonese director Samantha Biffot.

The Gabonese version was filmed in November in the capital Libreville and will start airing in February. Sixty of the three-minute episodes have already been shot.

There are references to local specialities, including the myriad -- and very particular accents -- that proliferate in the mainly English- and French-speaking continent.

When one of the children asks the parents for help with French "accents" -- which guide pronunciation in written French -- the father pitches in, mimicking several accents of neighbouring countries such as Cameroon, Senegal and regional powerhouse Nigeria.

"All that's fine, but who knows the French accent marks?" says the eight-year-old son.

The show's makers have sought to be fair in their treatment of the varying ways to raise children.

"We have tried to poke fun at both types of upbringing," said Biffot, who won a prize for the best TV series in 2013 at Fespaco, Africa's main film festival for "Eye of the City".

Omar Defunzu -- a popular local comedian who plays the father -- says society has been transformed in Gabon, where oil riches have changed the lot of a tiny minority but meant a per capita income four times that of most sub-Saharan Africa.

"Children are far more spoilt now than in my childhood. They mostly live in Libreville and hardly speak any local languages," he said.
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(Reuters) - Taiwan goes to the polls on Saturday to elect a new president and parliament. China, which considers Taiwan a renegade province and part of its territory, will be watching the outcome closely. Following are key facts on ties between Taiwan and China: POLITICS - China has claimed self-ruled Taiwan through its "one China" policy since the Chinese civil war forced the defeated Nationalist forces to flee to the island in 1949 and has vowed to bring it under Beijing's rule, by force if necessary. - China, a permanent member of the U.N. Security Council formally known as the People's Republic of China, has about 170 diplomatic allies. Taiwan, formally known as the Republic of China, has 22. - Ties were badly strained when Chen Shui-bian from the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) was Taiwan president from 2000-2008 because of his independence rhetoric, even as he tried to maintain positive relations with Beijing. - Relations warmed considerably after Ma Ying-jeou, from the China-friendly Nationalist Party, took office as president in May 2008. Ma steps down this year due to term limits. The DPP's Tsai Ing-wen is favored to win the presidential vote. In 2014, hundreds of students occupied Taiwan's parliament for weeks in protests nicknamed the Sunflower Movement. They demanded more transparency in trade pacts negotiated with China in the largest display of anti-China sentiment the island had seen in years. TRADE - China, including Hong Kong, is Taiwan's top trading partner, with trade totaling just over $170 billion in 2014, official data from Taiwan shows. About 40 percent of Taiwan's exports, such as tech components and chemicals, go to China. - Since 2008, when Taiwan President Ma came to power, Taiwan and China have signed about 23 agreements covering business and tourism, including an Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement in 2010, aimed to further deepen ties between the two sides. - China, with its 1.3 billion people, is also Taiwan's favorite investment destination with Taiwan companies investing over $100 billion there, private estimates show. About 55 percent of Taiwan's export orders are made in factories overseas, such as China. MILITARY - China and Taiwan have nearly gone to war three times since 1949, most recently ahead of the 1996 presidential election. Then, China carried out missile tests in waters close to the island hoping to prevent people voting for Lee Teng-hui, who China suspected of harboring pro-independence views. Lee won by a landslide. - The military balance has shifted in China's favor. China's armed forces are 2.3 million strong while Taiwan has about 215,000 full-time troops. - China has deployed more than 1,000 short- and medium-range ballistic missiles as well as cruise missiles in coastal areas facing the Taiwan Strait, according to Taiwan's defense ministry. - The United States is obliged to help Taiwan with the means to defend itself under the U.S. Congress 1979 Taiwan Relations Act. China always reacts angrily to U.S. arms sales to Taiwan and has repeatedly demanded they stop. - China has more than 2,000 fighter aircraft, including Russian Su-30 and Su-27 fighters. Taiwan has about 300 fighter jets and the backbone of its air force is made up of U.S.-made F-16s, French-built Mirage 2000s and Ching-kuo Indigenous Defence Fighters. Sources: Reuters, Taiwan government, GlobalSecurity.org (Reporting by Beijing and Taipei newsrooms; Editing by Robert Birsel)
Miami (AFP) - The United States warned pregnant women to avoid travel to 14 countries including Brazil due to the mosquito-borne Zika virus, which has been linked to birth defects.

"The virus is spreading fairly rapidly through the Americas," said Lyle Petersen, director of the division of vector-borne infectious diseases at the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in a conference call with reporters late Friday.

"We thought it was very important to warn people as soon as possible."

The level two travel alert applies to Brazil, Colombia, El Salvador, French Guiana, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Martinique, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Suriname, Venezuela and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

"Pregnant women in any trimester should consider postponing travel to the areas where Zika virus transmission is ongoing," said the CDC.

Ecuador said Friday it has detected its first two cases of the Zika virus.

Ecuadoran officials had previously detected four people who arrived from other countries with the disease, which is spreading through Latin America and the Caribbean.

But this is the first time it has been transmitted on Ecuadoran soil, said Veronica Espinosa, deputy cabinet minister responsible for monitoring outbreaks.

Zika virus can cause fever, rash, joint pain and conjunctivitis, with symptoms usually lasting under a week.

But in pregnant women, the virus can spread to the fetus and cause brain shrinkage or death.

Along with a rise in Zika cases in Brazil, more than 3,500 cases of microcephaly have been documented in the country between October 2015 and January 2016.

Four of those cases have recently been analyzed, showing that babies were infected with Zika virus while they were in the womb and that it reached their brains.

Two of the cases involved miscarriages, and two of the babies died soon after birth.

"All four mothers reported having experienced a fever and rash illness consistent with Zika virus disease during their pregnancies," said the CDC.

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"Genetic sequence analysis showed that the virus in the four cases was the same as the Zika virus strain currently circulating in Brazil."

- 'Special precautions' -

Experts say they don't know just how much of an increase Brazil is experiencing in microcephaly, but that there is a rising number of cases.

The virus appears to destroy brain tissue that had already formed, resulting in smaller brain sizes and birth defects.

"Until more is known, and out of an abundance of caution, CDC recommends special precautions for pregnant women and women trying to become pregnant."

Those who are trying to become pregnant "should consult with their health care provider before traveling to these areas and strictly follow" steps to prevent mosquito bites, including wearing long sleeves and pants and applying insect repellant.

There is no vaccine to prevent Zika and no medicine available to treat it.

There have been 26 travel-related cases of Zika virus in the United States since 2007, but no locally acquired cases so far, Petersen said.
Taiwan's China-sceptic main opposition leader Tsai Ing-wen won a landslide victory to become the island's first female president Saturday, eliciting a warning from Beijing against any move towards independence. Fireworks lit up the sky at the headquarters of Tsai's Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) as thousands gathered to celebrate the historic win over the ruling China-friendly Kuomintang (KMT). In her first comments to media, Tsai warned that Chinese "suppression" would damage ties with the mainland. "Our democratic system, national identity and international space must be respected. Any forms of suppression will harm the stability of cross-strait relations," she said. Although Taiwan is self-ruling after it split with China following a civil war in 1949, it has never declared independence and Beijing still sees it as part of its territory awaiting reunification. Support for Tsai has surged as voters have become increasingly uneasy about a recent rapprochement with China under outgoing KMT president Ma Ying-jeou. Beijing responded sternly to Tsai's election, with China's Taiwan Affairs Office warning that the Chinese government would "resolutely oppose any form of secessionist activities seeking 'Taiwan independence'". In a strongly-worded editorial, Chinese state news agency Xinhua said the DPP's return to power "poses grave challenges to cross-Strait relations" and had "aroused concerns" about Taipei's relationship with Beijing. Tsai's victory came on the same day that outrage erupted over the treatment of 16-year-old Taiwanese K-pop star Chou Tzu-yu, who was forced to record a video apology after angering Chinese netizens by flying a Taiwanese flag in a recent online broadcast. Tsai specifically referred to Chou in her address, saying her case had "shaken Taiwanese society". "This particular incident will serve as a constant reminder to me about the importance of our country's strength and unity to those outside our borders," she said. Tsai has toned down the DPP's traditionally pro-independence message to assuage Beijing and calm nerves in the United States -- Taiwan's major ally -- which does not want to see tensions flare. In her address to media she pledged to "work towards maintaining peace and stability" in relations with China, but emphasised it must reflect public will. Jubilant supporters expressed their faith in Tsai as she later addressed the crowds, promising to be a strong leader. "I'm very confident -- we were cheated by Ma's government for so long," said Jimmy Lai, 45. Washington congratulated Tsai on the victory. "We share with the Taiwan people a profound interest in the continuation of cross-Strait peace and stability," State Department spokesman John Kirby added. British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond also congratulated Tsai, saying he hoped Taiwan and China would "continue their dialogue to resolve differences and maintain the recent trend of constructive relations". Tsai remains president-elect until she takes office on May 20. - KMT disaster - Tsai secured 56.12 percent of the vote, according to the Central Election Commission, with the KMT's Eric Chu on 31.04 percent. It was by far the biggest mandate ever won by a DPP president. Chu called the defeat "an unprecedented drastic change for the KMT" as the party also lost control of the legislature for the first time. "This is a stunning result that completely overturns the history of Taiwanese elections. Never before has the DPP got anywhere near such a level in national elections," said Jonathan Sullivan, professor of Contemporary Chinese Studies at the University of Nottingham. Analysts said ties with Beijing would inevitably cool as China watches Tsai closely. "Cross-strait ties will be slowing in the near term as Beijing considers her to be independence-leaning. Future developments will depend on her actions," said Li Fei of the Taiwan Research Institute of China's Xiamen University. Tsai disappeared from China's most popular social network following her victory, with censors working swiftly to block searches for "Tsai Ing-wen" and "Taiwan elections" on the Twitter-like Weibo network. Ma had overseen a dramatic rapprochement with China since coming to power in 2008, culminating in a summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping in November. Yet despite more than 20 deals and a tourist boom, closer ties have exacerbated fears that China is eroding Taiwan's sovereignty by making it economically dependent. Low salaries and high housing prices are also riling voters who feel they have not benefited from the warming relations. Beijing has warned it will not deal with any leader who does not recognise the "one China" principle, part of a tacit agreement between Beijing and the KMT known as the "1992 consensus" which is the bedrock of the rapprochement. The DPP has never recognised the consensus.
The World Health Organization confirmed Friday a new death from Ebola in Sierra Leone just a day after west Africa celebrated the end of an outbreak which killed 11,000 people. A 22-year-old woman, named as Marie Jalloh, was taken ill near the Guinean border on Thursday last week and died on Tuesday, local health officials said as the WHO issued a statement from Geneva confirming she was killed by Ebola. A total of 27 people have been placed in quarantine in a bid to prevent the spread of the disease, health ministry officials said. Augustine Junisa, the chief local medical officer, told reporters the student became ill while on holiday in the village of Bamoi Luma and was taken by relatives to hospital. The official said the woman "died at home" but did not say why she had been released from the hospital in Magburaka, the capital of the northern Tonkolili district. However, a nurse at the Magburaka Hospital told AFP that the victim was not admitted but was "given some medication as she showed signs of severe cold", and sent home. "The swab test on the victim after her death was done three times and all proved positive," Langoba Kelly of Sierra Leone's office of national security told reporters in Freetown, appealing for calm. The WHO had announced on Thursday that the two-year Ebola outbreak that killed 11,315 people and triggered a global health alert was over, with Liberia the last country to get the all-clear. - 'Really worried' - UN chief Ban Ki-moon cautioned that the region could expect sporadic cases in the coming year but added "we also expect the potential and frequency of those flare-ups to decrease over time". Residents in Magburaka, a town of around 40,000 people, voiced shock and distress over the announcement. "It was not expected and came at a time when we had thought that the virus is nowhere within our land," groundnut farmer Allieu Kamara told AFP. The deadliest outbreak in the history of the feared tropical virus wrecked the economies and health systems of the three worst-hit west African nations after it emerged in southern Guinea in December 2013. Sierra Leone was declared free of Ebola transmission on November 7 last year and Guinea on December 29. The agency said the 42-day countdown to Sierra Leone being declared free of transmission once more would begin again from the date of the latest victim's burial if no more cases were uncovered. Meanwhile investigators are likely to focus on whether the latest victim had sexual contact with an Ebola survivor, only recently recognised as a possible source of infection, and if she crossed the border to Guinea in the days before becoming sick. Rumours have circulated in Sierra Leone media over the resumption of the practice of eating bush meat, banned because bats and other jungle-dwelling mammals are thought to be natural reservoirs for the Ebola virus. - Lax hygiene - But Ian Mackay, associate professor of virology at the University of Queensland, said the practice had been in existence long before the outbreak and a relaxation of hygiene precautions like handwashing was more of a worry. "The WHO was mentioning that yesterday, that handwashing has just become just a little bit more lax and that really needs to pick up to help combat the return of this and other infections," he told Britain's BBC Five Live radio station. At its peak, Ebola devastated Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone, which between them suffered more than 99 percent of the global cases, with bodies piling up in the streets and overwhelmed hospitals recording hundreds of new cases a week. Ten countries in total registered cases, including the United States and Spain. Liberia, the country worst hit by the outbreak with 4,800 deaths, discharged its last two patients from hospital -- the father and younger brother of a 15-year-old victim -- on December 3, 2015. Africa's oldest republic was the last country still afflicted by the outbreak that infected almost 29,000 people and claimed 11,315 lives, according to official data. The real toll is suspected to be much higher, with many Ebola deaths believed to have gone unreported. Ebola causes severe fever and muscle pain, weakness, vomiting and diarrhoea. In many cases it shuts down organs and causes unstoppable internal bleeding. Patients often succumb within days. From a Guinean infant who was the first victim, the epidemic quickly spread into neighbouring Liberia and Sierra Leone, notching up more deaths than all other Ebola outbreaks combined.
As Denmark faces a barrage of criticism over its controversial plan to seize refugees' valuables, Switzerland has already been doing so for years, Swiss authorities said Friday. Swiss law has since the 1990s required asylum seekers to contribute to the costs of hosting them in the wealthy Alpine country. The country is permitted to confiscate from people seeking asylum in the country amounts over 1,000 Swiss francs ($995, 913 euros), Celine Kohlprath, a spokeswoman for Swiss migration authorities, told AFP. Her statement confirmed information revealed in a debate programme on the public SRF channel Thursday. "This practice is based on the fact that Switzerland (wants) people arriving in Switzerland to contribute as far as possible to the costs of the asylum process and the social assistance provided," she wrote in an email. An information notice given to asylum seekers on arrival was displayed on Thursday's "10 vor 10" debate programme, stating: "If you have ... more than 1,000 Swiss francs when you arrive at the reception centre, you must hand them over against a receipt." Kohlprath stressed that "in practice, the person must have at least 1,500 Swiss francs in their pocket" before any cash is confiscated. The Swiss law also differs from the bill being debated by the Danish parliament in that it does not allow for material goods to be taken, she said. The Danish proposal would allow Danish authorities to seize asylum seekers' cash exceeding 10,000 kroner (1,340 euros, $1,450), as well as any individual items valued at more than 10,000 kroner. Kohlprath's colleague Lea Wertheimer also told Thursday's programme that "if a person leaves of their own accord within seven months, they can retrieve their money and take it with them." - 'Unfair' - A Syrian refugee invited to speak on the programme meanwhile showed a receipt he allegedly received from Swiss authorities in exchange for the money he had left over after paying off traffickers to get him and his family to Switzerland. The married father of three insisted the law was "unfair". Swiss law also requires refugees permitted to reside and work in the country to hand over 10 percent of their earnings over a 10-year-period, or up to 15,000 Swiss francs in total, to help cover the costs of their asylum process. Stefan Frey of the Swiss Refugee Council lashed out against the measure, telling Thursday's programme it was "disgraceful". The UN refugee agency, which has condemned the bill being debated by the Danish parliament cautioning it will fuel xenophobia, meanwhile said Friday it had previously raised concerns about the Swiss law with authorities. "UNHCR has drawn attention to the fact that, having to contribute a part of their salary, could be an obstacle to accessing the labour market and to the integration of asylum seekers and persons with recognised protection needs," spokesman William Spindler told AFP in an email. "There is a new legislative proposal to abolish this provision and we would very much hope it will be adopted."
By Abdi Sheikh and Feisal Omar MOGADISHU (Reuters) - Al Shabaab fighters attacked a remote Somali army base and entered a nearby town close to the border with Kenya on Friday, saying they had killed dozens of Kenyan soldiers in an African Union force supporting the government during the assault. Somali and Kenyan military officials said the fighters had seized the Somali army base near the town of Ceel Cadde, about 550 km (340 miles) west of Mogadishu in a region near Kenya's border. A spokesman for the African Union peacekeeping force AMISOM said the battle for the base was still under way. Al Shabaab said it had killed more than 60 Kenyan soldiers from AMISOM. Kenya's Defence Ministry said both sides had suffered casualties but said numbers were not confirmed. An AMISOM spokesman said the al Shabaab toll was exaggerated but did not give a figure. There was no independent figure. "The fighting is ongoing," AMISOM spokesman Paul Njuguna said. A shopkeeper in the Ceel Cadde town said soldiers from AMISOM appeared to have left the town and fighters were now on the streets. "We see al Shabaab in every corner of town," shopkeeper Abdullahi Iidle told Reuters. "Some residents have fled." Al Shabaab has been driven out of major strongholds in Somalia by an offensive by AMISOM and the Somali army that was launched last year. But the fighters still control some parts of the countryside and often launch guerrilla-style assaults and bomb attacks. The group, which is aligned with al Qaeda, said it took over the base after a suicide bomber rammed its gates, and also controlled the town, capturing nearly 30 trucks and armoured vehicles. The group's military operations spokesman, Sheikh Abdiasis Abu Musab, told Reuters it had killed more than 60 Kenyan soldiers serving with AMISOM, while others escaped. Al Shabaab has often inflated casualty figures in the past, while the Somali government and other official estimates have often played down the numbers. A spokesman for the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) said al Shabaab fighters overran the Somali army base and AMISOM had counter attacked. "The number of casualties on both sides is unknown," Col. David Obonyo, KDF spokesman, said in a statement. A senior Somali military official confirmed the militants had taken over the base. "AMISOM has gone out of the town and base for strategic reasons," Colonel Farah Surow, who is based about 100 km (60 miles) from the Ceel Cadde base, told Reuters. African Union troops, now numbering about 22,000 from several African nations, have spent nearly a decade battling al Shabaab insurgents in Somalia, a country mired in conflict since civil war broke out in 1991. Al Shabaab has in the past year staged multiple attacks against African Union bases in Somalia, part of a guerrilla warfare strategy to drive out foreign troops and impose its harsh version of Islamic law across the Horn of Africa nation. (Additional reporting by Humphrey Malalo and Edmund Blair in Nairobi; Writing by Drazen Jorgic and Edmund Blair)
By Kok Yufeng

It was about 10am on Friday and incense smoke wafted out from Puhaneswari Sathiyamoorthys second-storey flat at Tampines into the common corridor.

Stepping over the ready-made kolam  a decorative drawing usually made in chalk  at the front door, through the smoke-filled living room and into the kitchen, the 27-year-old was greeted by the smell of burnt ghee and a medley of spices.

Sathiya and her 59-year-old mother, Pushpa Malarthangathurai, had been up since 5am preparing for the morning rituals for the Tamil harvest festival Pongal, which fell on 15 January this year.

Pongal is the day when Tamils like Pushpa and Sathiya appreciate the work that farmers do, giving thanks to the soil, to the sun god Surya, and for a good harvest that puts rice on everyones plates.

The festival also marks the beginning of the month of Thai in the Hindu calendar, an auspicious month for the community.

Senior Minister of State for Culture, Community and Youth Sim Ann (wearing light green saree) at the launch of the Pongal celebrations in Little India on 7 January. (Photo: Kok Yufeng)

Dont forget our customs

Although Pongal is traditionally a four-day affair, the festivities here in Singapore kicked off earlier in the month, with Senior Minister of State for Culture, Community and Youth Sim Ann officiating the launch of the celebrations in Little India on 7 January.

Serangoon Road was lit up and a slew of activities centred around Hastings Road and the pedestrianised Campbell Lane have been planned until 24 January. Hundreds of thousands of people are expected to turn up to celebrate the festival at Little India.

We need publicity now because mothers are working. Its so difficult to emphasise to these children that Pongal is important, so that our culture doesnt go away, Pushpa said. Thats why they emphasise in Little India how important it is. They bring the cows, they bring the goats.

When you emphasise it in Little India on TV, the children will start opening [up to it], she added.

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Way back, our forefathers were farmers. There was no industrial estate or business. We all lived for rice, vegetables and all that. So we want to bring this to our children, to acknowledge where our roots come from. Dont forget our customs and roots.

A man walks past the light-up along Serangoon Road as part of the annual Pongal festival celebrations in Little India. (Photo: Kok Yufeng)

Homely affair

Little India may be buzzing with Pongal-related activities, but for Pushpa and Sathiya, the festival remains a more homely affair (click on screenshot below to watch VIDEO).

They started the morning by wiping the statues and figures on the altars around the house with turmeric water, and placing puttus on them, the red dots commonly worn on the foreheads of Hindus. The day before, known as Bhogi, was spent throwing out old and worn-out possessions.

(VIDEO of the Pongal festival by Andre He)

The most important part of the Pongal celebrations is making the eponymous dish, rice boiled with milk and jaggery, a traditional cane sugar. A new pot is used, decorated with ginger and turmeric leaves, and milk is poured in and brought to a boil until it starts to overflow.

The milk overflowing out from the pot signifies all good things coming in abundance, said Pushpa. Our wealth is also overflowingLuck, wealth, happiness, peace, its all in abundance.

Pushpa and Sathiya shouted the phrase Pongalo Pongal three times before they added rice, mixed with fried dhal for aroma, into the milk.

Pongal is a rice dish made with boiled milk and jaggery, a type of cane sugar and is made during the festival of the same name. The word means overflowing in Tamil, signifying abundance and prosperity. (Photo: Andre He)

Balance of taste and life

Sathiya and her mother made two versions of pongal, one sweet and one savoury. The savoury version, Ven Pongal, was made with a blend of spices, including black pepper, cumin, ginger and curry leaves. The sweet Sakkarai Pongal was made with the jaggery, ghee and cashew nuts.

Its according to your preference, to your taste, Sathiya said. I hate raisins, so I didnt include raisins inside. And cardamom as well.

The reason why there is savoury and sweet is just (to symbolise) a balance of life. We need some sweetness in our life, at the same time we cant run away from our troubles also. There will be some sourness or bitterness, she added.

The pongal was served to the gods on a long piece of banana leaf alongside the other offerings, including turmeric paste shaped to resemble Ganesha, the god of obstacles, to ensure the mornings proceedings go smoothly.

Sathiya then started her prayers. She rang a bell, a symbolic gesture to wake the gods from their sleep, burnt incense and spread its smoke on each altar and in every room of the house.

Its cleansing, Pushpa explained.

Finally, a coconut was smashed open along the corridor outside the house. A clean break means a year without obstacles.

Pushpa Malarthangathurai holds two halves of a coconut. It is thrown onto the floor at the end of the prayers on Pongal, the Tamil harvest festival. A clean break represents a good year ahead, without obstacles. (Photo: Andre He)

Dying culture

As she stirred the pongal mixture to keep the rice from burning, Sathiya checked a recipe scrawled onto a notebook, just to make sure she had the right ingredients in the pot at the right time.

Its a dying art. Not many young people around my age are aware of what needs to be done, how do we cook it. Even till today I still need my mum around, to guide me through, you know, you put your milk here, you put this amount of rice, you put this pinch of salt, she said.

Pushpa Malarthangathurai ladles the excess milk out of a pot while making pongal for the Tamil harvest festival. (Photo: Andre He)



Celebrating the festival was important to Sathiya and her family so the researcher at a television production company took leave to help her mother with the pongal-making.

Its become a difficult festival to celebrate because it requires a lot of patience and you need to get all the relevant materials People these days dont have the time to take off to prepare the dish, to make multiple trips down to Tekka [Market] to buy the necessary items.

Even Pushpa admitted that her family only did about half of the steps that were traditionally performed back in her parents home country of Sri Lanka. For example, the mother and daughter used a metal pot instead of a clay one, and a gas stove instead of charcoal fire.

But Sathiya hoped to at least keep the remaining traditions going.

Why would we want to spend our time waking up at 5am, then cook rice in the traditional method instead of using a rice cooker? Its because you want to keep that tradition, that custom, which will be gone in a few years if people dont continue to do it, she said.


By James Harding Giahyue MONROVIA (Reuters) - Liberia was declared free of the Ebola virus by global health experts on Thursday, a milestone that signalled an end to an epidemic in West Africa that has killed more than 11,300 people. But the World Health Organisation (WHO) warned there could still be flare-ups of the disease in the region, which has suffered the world's deadliest outbreak over the past two years, as survivors can carry the virus for months and could pass it on. In an almost immediate sign of the potential risks, Sierra Leone's health ministry reported on Thursday a suspected Ebola death in the Tonkolili district east of the capital Freetown. "The Ministry of Health and Sanitation has dispatched a team supported by international partners to investigate the suspected death and its circumstances," it said in a note sent to health officials seen by Reuters. The message did not specify if the body of the deceased had already been tested for the virus and health officials were not immediately available for further comment. The symptoms of Ebola resemble those of other diseases such as malaria. Liberia was the last affected country to get the all-clear, with no cases of Ebola for 42 days, twice the length of the virus's "incubation period" - the time elapsed between transmission of the disease and the appearance of symptoms. "All known chains of transmission have been stopped in West Africa," the WHO, a U.N. agency, said on Thursday. The other affected countries, Guinea and Sierra Leone, were declared Ebola-free late last year. There were cases in seven other countries including Nigeria, the United States and Spain, but almost all the deaths were in the West African nations. "It is the first time since the start of the ... epidemic in West Africa two years ago that the three hardest-hit countries had zero cases for at least 42 days," said WHO's Liberia representative Alex Gasasira. The WHO announcement on Thursday is a major step in the fight against a disease that began in the forests of eastern Guinea in December 2013 before spreading to Liberia and Sierra Leone. It overwhelmed medical infrastructure in the region which was ill-equipped to deal with the outbreak, and at its height in late 2014 sparked global fears among the general public. The agency urged caution, however, because Liberia had previously twice been declared virus-free, in May and September of 2015, but each time a fresh cluster of cases unexpectedly emerged. Its capital Monrovia was badly hit during the worst of the epidemic. Inadequate care meant patients lay strewn on the streets or pavements waiting hours for tests and treatment; medical holding pens became growth centres for the disease. With those memories still fresh, and society and the economy still reeling from the outbreak, the reaction to Thursday's announcement was muted. There was no signs of celebration such as the "Ebola free" T-shirts that people wore after previous WHO announcements. "After the first declaration, people were dancing in the street," said Vivian Lymas Tegli, child protection officer for UNICEF in Monrovia. "But I don't think there will be any celebrations today. People are tired of Ebola. They feel it is here to stay." 'WORLD UNDERPREPARED' Experts said progress had been made in the region's response to Ebola, with new cases having dwindled thanks to public health campaigns, the construction of new hospitals, efforts to trace and isolate potential sufferers and the safe treatment and burial of patients and victims. But it said the countries would still struggle to deal with any future large outbreak of Ebola, which is passed on through blood and bodily fluids and killed around 40 percent of those who contracted the virus. Hundreds of healthcare workers in both urban and rural communities were among those killed by the disease, a major blow to medical systems in countries which already had among the lowest numbers of doctors per head of population in the world. "Today's WHO announcement is welcome news but we must learn from Ebola's devastating impact and ensure we are better prepared for infectious disease outbreaks," said Dr Seth Berkley, head of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, an organisation that aims to increase access to vaccines in poor countries. "The world is still worryingly underprepared for potential future health threats and a change of mind-set is required to ensure we invest in research and development today to protect ourselves in years to come." Another potential challenge is that the virus could re-emerge among the roughly 17,000 Ebola survivors in the region, as it has done in rare cases. Future transmission from infected forest animals to humans also cannot be ruled out. Experts also warned other tropical diseases posed future threats, including the previously little known mosquito-borne Zika virus, which has been linked to head-related birth defects and is spreading in South America. Hilde de Clerck, a doctor with Medecins Sans Frontieres who has assisted with five Ebola outbreaks, said vigilance was crucial to prevent the re-emergence of the disease, for which there is no proven drug treatment, although researchers have developed a vaccine. "We should not forget about the risk of other outbreaks," she said. "I am most concerned about some of the basics: hygiene, equipment and training." While WHO and other health specialists say another outbreak of this magnitude is unlikely, and much has been learnt in terms of monitoring patients and responding to outbreaks, problems remain, including with simple hygiene, such as not washing hands. Mohammed Kamara, who lives in Monrovia, lost two relatives and a friend to Ebola in 2014. "I know exactly what it means to have the disease in the country," he said. "We must be grateful to God and then to the government and its partners for the country to be declared free of Ebola. I only hope that it is the last time that we experience Ebola." (Additional reporting by Keiran Guilbert, Stephanie Nebehay, Tom Miles, Emma Farge, Matt Mpoke Bigg, Kate Kelland and Ben Hirschler; Writing by Edward McAllister; Editing by Jeremy Gaunt, Pravin Char, Grant McCool)
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak today said Malaysia would fight "tooth and nail" against any form of terrorism or extremism. Najib said this in his speech at the launch of Wisma Huazong in Seri Kembangan, Selangor today, two days after an attack by suicide bombers and gunmen in Indonesia's capital, Jakarta. At least seven people were killed in the blasts, including five attackers. "We are shocked by the news of attacks in Jakarta, Istanbul and Paris, as well as in other nations. "As prime minister of Malaysia, I give our assurance that we will fight tooth and nail against any form of terror," Najib said today. The Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (Isis) has claimed responsibility for the Jakarta attack, which saw militants detonating explosives and shooting at people in a district packed with malls, embassies and United Nations offices. Following the attack, police raised Malaysia's alert status to the highest level as terrorism analysts said the militant group was now spreading its operations beyond the Middle East and Europe to Asia. Police also arrested a man suspected of having links to Isis at the Light Rapid Transit (LRT) station in Jelatek in the capital yesterday. Najib said while Putrajaya would press ahead in fighting terrorism, citizens must preserve the peace and stability Malaysia enjoyed which were invaluable commodities.  January 16, 2016.
By Ju-min Park and Tony Munroe SEOUL (Reuters) - South Korea warned North Korea on Wednesday that the United States and its allies were working on sanctions to inflict "bone-numbing pain" after its latest nuclear test, and urged China to do its part to rein in its isolated neighbour. With tension high on the border after the North's fourth nuclear test on Wednesday last week, South Korean forces fired shots towards what Yonhap News Agency said was a suspected North Korean drone. It returned to the North after the shots, South Korean military officials told Reuters. The North's nuclear test angered both China and the United States and again raised questions about what can be done to stop its development of nuclear weapons. The World Economic Forum withdrew its invitation for North Korea's foreign minister to attend its annual Davos meeting because of the nuclear test. It was to have been the country's first participation in the event in 18 years. The U.S. House of Representatives voted nearly unanimously on Tuesday to pass legislation to broaden sanctions on the North. But apparently unperturbed by the prospect of further international isolation, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un called for an expansion of the size and power of his country's nuclear arsenal, urging the "detonation of more powerful H-bombs", the North's state media reported. North Korea said last week it had tested a powerful hydrogen bomb but the United States and various experts doubt that, as the blast was roughly the same size as that from its previous test, of an atomic bomb, in 2013. South Korean President Park Geun-hye said more "provocations" by the North including "cyber-terrorism" were possible and new sanctions should be tougher than previous ones. She did not give specifics. "We are cooperating closely with the United States and allies to come up with effective sanctions that will make North Korea feel bone-numbing pain, not only at the Security Council but also bilaterally and multilaterally," she said in a speech. Park said South Korea and China were discussing a U.N. Security Council resolution on North Korea, noting that China had stated repeatedly that it would not tolerate its nuclear programme. China is North Korea's main ally and trade partner but it opposes its bombs, while Beijing's ties with South Korea have grown closer in recent years. "I am certain that China is very well aware if such a strong will isn't followed by necessary steps, we will not be able to stop the North's fifth and sixth nuclear tests and we cannot guarantee true peace and stability," Park said. "I believe the Chinese government will not allow the situation on the Korean peninsula to deteriorate further." Sung Kim, U.S. special representative for North Korea policy, met with his South Korean and Japanese counterparts in Seoul on Wednesday and said the three agreed that a "meaningful" new sanctions resolution was needed from the Security Council. "I hope the Chinese authorities agree with us that we simply cannot take a business as usual approach to this latest provocation. We will be working very closely with them to come up with a meaningful resolution," he said. In Washington, White House deputy national security adviser Ben Rhodes said China could and should put more pressure on North Korea. "We understand their concern about instability on the Korean peninsula, but the fact of the matter is that the current status quo is destabilising where you have nuclear tests," he told a news briefing. Rhodes said it was important the United States and its allies developed capabilities to respond and referred to Sunday's U.S. B-52 bomber flight over South Korea, missile defence and military cooperation with both South Korea and Japan. Rhodes also said that President Barack Obama chose not to mention North Korea in his State of the Union address on Tuesday as he did not want to give Kim Jong Un the attention. "He likes attention and probably would like nothing more than the president to spend a lot of time to talk about it in the State of the Union," Rhodes said. "We didn't particularly feel compelled to give him that attention." 'FINANCIAL PRESSURE' China rejects complaints it is not doing enough on North Korea. In Beijing, Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said China's efforts towards a denuclearised Korean peninsula would continue. "This is in everyone's interests and is everyone's responsibility, including China and South Korea," he said. The U.S. House sanctions measure passed by 418-2 and Senate leaders expect to consider a similar bill shortly. The House bill had been introduced in 2015 but was brought up for a vote only after North Korea's latest test. "(The bill) uses targeted financial pressure to isolate Kim Jong Un and his top officials from the assets they maintain in foreign banks, and from the hard currency that sustains their rule," said Republican Representative Ed Royce, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and an author of the measure. To become law, it must also pass the U.S. Senate and be signed by Obama. The 28,500 U.S. troops in South Korea have been put on high alert as a noisy propaganda battle is played out across the heavily fortified border with the North. South Korea, still technically at war with the North since their 1950-53 conflict ended in a truce, not a treaty, has for days been blaring propaganda through loudspeakers across the border. South Korea's military said it had found anti-South leaflets in the Seoul area, which it suspects were dropped from North Korean hot air balloons. South Korean financial regulators met computer security officials at 16 banks and financial institutions and urged vigilance in the face of possible cyberattacks by North Korea, although none has been detected. (Additional reporting by Jack Kim, James Pearson, Jee Heun Kahng, Hooyeon Kim, Dahee Kim and Se Young Lee in SEOUL, Tom Miles in GENEVA, Patricia Zengerle and David Brunnstrom in WASHINGTON and Ben Blanchard in BEIJING; Editing by Nick Macfie and Howard Goller)
By Tom Miles GENEVA (Reuters) - The United Nations has documented cases of Burundi's security forces gang-raping women during searches of opposition supporters' houses and heard witness testimony of mass graves, U.N. human rights chief Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein said on Friday. Burundi has suffered a worsening wave of violence since President Pierre Nkurunziza said he would seek a third term his opponents say is illegal. At least 439 people have been killed in the violence and 200,000 have fled the country. Zeid said the United Nations had documented 13 cases of sexual violence with a pattern of security forces allegedly entering the victims houses, separating the women and raping or gang-raping them. During the searches, police, army and Imbonerakure militia forces also arrested many young men who were later tortured, killed or taken to unknown destinations, Zeid said in a statement. Western powers and African states fear Burundi's crisis, which has so far largely followed political allegiances, could spiral into a renewed ethnic conflict, potentially spilling over into Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo. Burundi's 12-year civil war, in which some 300,000 people were killed and which ended in 2005, pitted an army led by the Tutsi minority against rebel groups of the Hutu majority. Nkurunziza is a former leader of a Hutu rebel group. "All the alarm signals, including the increasing ethnic dimension of the crisis, are flashing red," Zeid said. Burundi has the same ethnic mix as Rwanda, which witnessed a genocide in 1994 - about 85 percent Hutus and 15 percent Tutsis. The United Nations is analysing satellite images to investigate witness reports of at least nine mass graves in and around the capital Bujumbura, including one in a military camp, containing more than 100 bodies in total, all of them reportedly killed on December 11, 2015, Zeid's statement said. ETHNIC FACTOR One of the sexually abused women testified that her abuser told her she was paying the price for being a Tutsi. Another witness said Tutsis were being systematically killed, while Hutus were being spared. "And, in the Muramvya neighbourhood, the decision to arrest people was also reportedly largely made on an ethnic basis, with most Hutus being released, according to several different witnesses," Zeid's statement said. Scott Campbell, head of the U.N. human rights office's West and Central Africa office, said Nkurunziza was under enormous political and economic pressure to open talks with the opposition, adding there was "no credible dialogue" at present. "The national budget has been virtually chopped in half for 2016, the government is having difficulty paying salaries, most importantly the impact on the population is being felt," Campbell told a news conference in Geneva. A U.N. Security Council mission to Burundi next week and an African Union summit in Ethiopia at the end of January will both increase the pressure for inclusive political talks, he said. (Reporting by Tom Miles and Stephanie Nebehay; Editing by Gareth Jones)
BEIJING (Reuters) - China on Friday said it supported "necessary" action against North Korea by the U.N. Security Council to preserve the authority of the United Nations in the face of Pyongyang's latest nuclear weapon test this month. The North's nuclear test angered both China and the United States and again raised questions about what can be done to stop its development of nuclear weapons. The country is already under a wide array of international sanctions, and diplomats have said U.N. Security Council members were expected to discuss the possibility of adding to those. China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi said the nuclear test violated U.N. resolutions and ran counter to goals for denuclearisation on the Korean peninsula. "China supports the U.N. Security Council in taking the necessary response to this. We believe the United Nations' authority must be preserved, and the nuclear non-proliferation system must be safeguarded," the ministry cited Wang as saying, in a statement on its website. He did not elaborate on what that response should be. Despite differences over the issue of new Security Council resolutions, the international community must take a "clear and consistent" direction and return to six-party talks, Wang said. "It is not to provoke confrontation, but rather to firmly advance denuclearisation goals," he added. "It is not bring chaos to the peninsula, but to seek a plan for lasting stability." Last week, North Korea said it had tested a powerful hydrogen bomb but the United States and various experts doubt that, as the blast was roughly the same size as that from its previous test, of an atomic bomb, in 2013. South Korea warned the North that the United States and its allies were working on sanctions to inflict "bone-numbing pain" for the test, and urged China to do its part to rein in its isolated neighbour. The World Economic Forum withdrew its invitation for North Korea's foreign minister to attend its annual Davos meeting because of the nuclear test, a move Pyongyang said was "based on unjust political motivation" driven by the United States. It was to have been the country's first participation in the event in 18 years. (Reporting by Michael Martina; Editing by Clarence Fernandez)
Burkina Faso has declared three days of national mourning after al Qaeda militants struck at a top hotel and restaurant killing 29 people, including 10 foreigners.

Security forces freed some 150 hostages and killed four assailants around 12 hours after the extremists launched the assaults on the Splendid Hotel and the Cappuccino Cafe across the road in the capital Ouagadougou.

Burkina Faso President Roch Marc Christian Kabore, who took office last month, said in a TV and radio address that the nation was "in shock".

"For the first time in its history, our country has fallen victim to a series of barbaric terrorist attacks," he said, adding that the people of Burkina would nevertheless "emerge victorious".

Those killed at the four-star hotel and restaurant, both popular with Westerners and UN staff, came from 18 different countries.

They include six Canadians, two French and two Swiss nationals as well as an American.

The US citizen was named as Michael James Riddering who moved with his wife to Burkina Faso to run an orphanage.

Interior Minister Simon Compaore said the bodies of three "very young" jihadists had been identified, all of them men.

A security source said earlier that three attackers - two of them understood to be women - also died at the Splendid Hotel, while a fourth was killed when security forces cleared out a second hotel nearby.

:: Analysis - Mr Marlboro's Legacy Lives On

Al Qaeda of Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) has claimed responsibility, according to the SITE Intelligence Group.

The assaults came as two Australians were kidnapped in northern Burkina Faso, the country's communications minister said, correcting an earlier report that the pair were Austrian.

The couple have lived in the country since 1972 and run a clinic, president Kabore said.

It was not immediately clear if the kidnapping was linked to the attacks.

Britons are now being urged to avoid all travel to the area where the attacks took place.

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The jihadists launched the assaults in the capital at around 8.30pm local time on Friday when the area is typically very busy.

They fired into the air to push back crowds and torched vehicles, witnesses said.

There were around five to seven attackers, according to witnesses.

Gabriel Mueller, an Austrian aid worker who was staying at a different hotel, described the early scenes around the Splendid as a "complete bloodbath".

Troops, supported by the French military, ended the siege at Splendid Hotel and the Cappuccino Cafe on Saturday morning.

A woman who survived the restaurant assault told how she had to "play dead".

"We had just placed our meal orders in Cafe Cappuccino and around 15 minutes later we heard gunshots," she told the Associated Press, from hospital.

"They started to shoot at everyone. We dropped to the ground and as soon as anyone raised their heads they fired at them immediately. We had to play dead.

"They shook people by the foot to see if they were alive or not, and, if they were alive, they shot them.

"They were shooting on the ground floor and then went upstairs and shot downwards as well, and continued shooting.

"When they went upstairs they set the place on fire and left via the roof.

"The room was completely on fire and it was impossible to breathe."

Robert Sangare, the head of Yalgado Ouedraogo hospital in the city, told the AFP news agency that one European patient said the gunmen appeared to target white people.

Dozens of French special forces arrived overnight from neighbouring Mali to help.

Burkina Faso, a largely Muslim country, has endured bouts of political turmoil since 2014 when veteran president Blaise Compaore was overthrown in a popular protest.

But the landlocked country has been largely spared violence by Islamist militants who have staged attacks in neighbouring Mali.

AQIM was behind a similar attack that left 20 dead at a luxury hotel in the Malian capital in November.
One person is brain dead and three others could have permanent brain damage after taking part in a drug test in France.

Six men aged between 28 and 49 were admitted to hospital, including the brain dead man, after taking the experimental drug.

A total of 90 people were given the drug in various doses, while about 30 others were given a placebo, said French Health Minister Marisol Touraine - who called it "an accident of exceptional gravity".

Three of those in hospital may have a "handicap that could be irreversible," said doctors in Rennes, where the men are being treated.

Chief neuroscientist at the city's hospital, Professor Gilles Edan, said a fifth man had neurological problems, while the remaining volunteer was in a less serious condition

There is no known way to reverse the drug's effects, said Professor Edan.

The painkiller compound - manufactured by the Portuguese lab Bial - was being tested by the research company Biotrial, which has offices in London.

The study was a Phase I clinical trial, where healthy volunteers take medication to evaluate its safety.

The patients had been in good health until taking the oral medication, said the French health minister.

The drug had been tested on chimps, but not on humans.

Ms Touraine expressed her "deep determination to get to the bottom ... of this tragic accident" and denied reports the drug was based on the compound found in cannabis.

"Undertaking Phase I studies is highly specialist work," said Daniel Hawcutt, a lecturer in clinical pharmacology at the University of Liverpool.

Medicines then go into larger Phase II and Phase III trials to assess their effectiveness and safety before they are finally approved for sale.

Biotrial said in a statement: "During (...) a study which was being conducted for a sponsor, serious adverse events related to the test drug have occurred in some subjects.

"The trial has been conducted in full compliance with the international regulations and Biotrial's procedures were followed at every stage throughout the trial, in particular the emergency procedures for the transfer of subjects to the hospital.

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"We are in close and regular contact with the Health Authorities and Ministry in France.

"The priority at Biotrial remains the safety of our subjects.

"We are very grateful for the support we have been receiving from our clients and partners today."

Medical lawyer Philippe Courtois told French media: "This is the most serious case I have come across."

A formal investigation has been opened in Paris.

The emergency comes almost 10 years after six students were left seriously ill after a medical trial in London.

In that case, the six volunteers had a severe immune reaction which was triggered by the antibody drug, TGN1412.

They survived after intensive care treatment, but were told they faced a lifetime risk of cancer and arthritis.

One patient lost fingers and toes to gangrene following the trial at Northwick Park Hospital in London.

Another said his head swelled up so he resembled the lead character in the film, The Elephant Man.

The six were paid up to 2,000 to take part in that trial.
By Stine Jacobsen OSLO (Reuters) - Norwegian police are looking at 20 suspected war criminals from Syria, following tips from refugees and local immigration authorities, a police official told Reuters. Some 10,500 Syrian asylum seekers reached Norway in 2015, a third of all the country's asylum seekers last year. "We are taking a closer look at around 20 individuals, and we are currently assessing whether there is a basis to start an investigation," Sigurd Moe, the superintendent of the war crimes section of the National Criminal Investigation Service, said in an interview. "It is people from both sides of the conflict. Both people we think have been on (Syrian President Bashar) Al-Assad's side and individuals from the rebellions," he said. The police had yet to decide whether to open formal proceedings, he said. Norwegian police have been investigating suspected war criminals since 2005, but until now most have been from countries like Rwanda and Sri Lanka, where conflicts have ceased, making it easier to conduct investigations. "What is new now is that we have decided to use a lot of resources on uncovering war criminals among the refugees arriving now," Moe said. "We are spending quite a lot of resources on finding these people, because we don't want them to wander freely around the streets of Norway." Tips from refugees have increased as the number of refugees has grown, he said. They amounted to about 100 tips over the past six months. "It can be anything from belonging to a military faction which we know has been committing serious crimes, or it may be other concrete tips that go for a more specific crime." Suspicions of war crimes were often triggered by pictures or videos on refugees' mobile phones, which are screened by local police upon arrival, he said. The material sometimes boasted of crimes being committed, he said. But tips also come from other refugees who might have personal motives for reporting the person. "There can be different motives for reporting people, and in most cases it is probably because that person has done it, but there can also be personal motives, and that is something we would have to investigate," Moe said. Several web pages existed accusing people of being war criminals, he added. (Editing by Larry King)
Where there is personal information or safeguarded data youre always bound to have someone who has ill intent try to sabotage that data or use it for their advantage illegally. Hackers, criminals, and terrorists are well known for stealing your personal information or data and its always at the highest risk of being targeted for use by criminals of such standard. So when everyone starts to hear the news about states as well as government agencies trying to pass laws by which tech giants will have to give some sort of back-door policy that will allow government agencies and law enforcement a way to decrypt and unlock phones for their use against crime, some of us start to worry. This is due to the fact that if agencies have this back door policy, it will make it that much easier for hackers and other criminals to gain access to your personal data as well. Its such a high topic of interest at the moment that even the White House has called to discuss a variety of counterterrorism issues with representatives from Apple, Facebook, Twitter, Cloudflare, Google, Dropbox, Microsoft and Linkedin.

New York is now the center of debate for this debacle as its aiming to require that all smartphones sold in the state can be decrypted or unlocked by law enforcement. Now only in the senate committee stage, it must first pass through both New Yorks state senate and assembly in order to become a law. This comes at a crucial stage as the bill that is proposed is currently being sought on a compromise between major tech companies and lawmakers. Although as both parties are trying to each reach an agreement the tech corporations are reluctant handing over the keys giving law enforcement and intelligence agencies unfettered access.

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Apples move to encrypt most of its devices by default was equally met when Google also decided to use encryption by default on its newer devices featuring Android platform 6.0 Marshmallow. Previously Google was able to reset passcodes remotely but now wants to enforce a zero knowledge encryption stance which basically forces law enforcement to seek out device owners face to face whom they are possibly prosecuting or investigating.

With the proposed bill stemming from New York comes some great features, however. New York residents can now help determine the outcome of the bill if it makes it to the senate floor, by voting through the New York Senates new website. This gives the residents the ability to register their views on the bill and help persuade the senator voting to take a stand on what the people believe should happen. Dubbed as the first-ever of its kind in any legislature in the U.S, the web service is surely hailed by the people of New York as they can voice their opinion on whether the government should be able to decrypt or unlock their phones. Regardless of what happens everyone here is affected and we should all be able to have a say in whether the government gets a back-door pass to our personal information.
This is the big day. Once again I am privileged to write my opinions, knowing that, even as this is being published, new fundamental information may be going into the market that will make me right or wrong.

Crop summary

This is the morning that USDA will release the Annual Crop Production Summary, Winter Wheat Seedings and Quarterly Grain Stocks, both global and domestic.

Within this blizzard of paper will be new numbers for such things as domestic feed usage, industrial (read ethanol) use, carryout and our first hard estimate of wheat acres. Traders will hang their hats on certain anticipated changes, but the initial guesses of price direction from this muddy mess will certainly be surprised.

The best that I can say at this point, two and a half hours before release, is one fact of which I am sure: prices will go up, or down, or stay the same or all three in the same day. I am forced to admit the obvious  that statement is totally true and totally useless. At best I can say that we have traded this market lower, both for the last month and the last day, so that we are poised for a rebound.

I have been focusing on corn prices, because that is what I trade the most and that has had the most negativity lately. We have seen new life of contract lows, followed by new lows again.

Monday, after some recovery last week, we lost five and a quarter cents on the March futures, to close at 3.5134. I was depressed at the low of 3.57 Dec. 29, but then it went lower. We saw 3.5012 Jan. 4, 3.5014 Jan. 6, and 3.4812 Jan. 7. 2016 is not impressing me so far.

Soybeans

March soybeans, meanwhile, seemed to be trying to make a normal bounce off the cycle low of 8.52 Jan. 6. In the process, we did not make a new low and we traded as high as 8.71 Jan. 8.

Then, we lost 4 cents Jan. 11. Still not as bad as the corn. The big loser Jan. 11 was wheat, where the March futures were off 912 cents for the day, to close at 4.68.

Darin Newsom of DTN put out a long letter discussing the fundamental numbers we could see, with the implications Jan. 11. When I got done reading the list I was left with the idea that I just had no opinion until the market traded the reports. In a time when it seems there is nothing to move prices around, there are, indeed.

South America

Look at South America and the bean situation. Recently, I repeated the opinion that Brazilian weather was hurting the crop, but the increase in acres would still give them a record. Yet, some analysts look for a 100-million-bushel cut in the crop. In addition, there is the question if the recent cut in the Argentine export tax on soybeans has moved more out of the country than previously thought. That would be slightly bullish.

If you follow futures, you know that the January to March soybean spread has inverted, to an amazing 20 cents. This means the January is 20 cents higher than the March. Cash traders in elevator country are using the March, as the January is in delivery. The inverse is an indication that, at his price level, the buyers are struggling to get the beans they need. While the spreads look bullish, other factors are not.

We know from the Commitments of Traders Report that the specs have been increasing their short positions at the same time that commercial traders (read processors) have been getting longer. All these traders will be looking at the reports today for a reason to change positions.

Meanwhile, some of the pre-report estimates imply that demand should increase, at a time when that does not seem likely. We increase demand with increased ethanol production and increased livestock numbers. In fact, gasoline demand has gone away and cattle numbers have decreased.

As for the wheat, the critical number is the world ending stocks. We have a huge amount of wheat on hand, unless, of course, the report shows that has changed.

Hope

I have long held our modest hope that we would see some rebound in prices after the holidays. I am not bullish, but just used to the historical pattern that prices get better in a cheap year when we get to January.

Today, we will find out some of the answers as to whether my hope for modest gains is to be realized, or if we dont really know what cheap grain is.
Pre-March Protest in Solidarity with the fighting people of HaitiRECLAIMING DR. KING'S RADICAL LEGACY"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere"Black Lives Matter - From Haiti to the Bay #ReclaimMLKJoin Haiti Action Committee March Contingent:MONDAY, JANUARY. 18th - 10AMOAKLAND FEDERAL BUILDING1301 Clay Street, Oakland (12th St. BART)Drummers and report from Haiti by Pierre LabossiereMarch from Federal Bldg 2 blocks to join the 11AM rally and march Reclaiming the Radical Legacy of Martin Luther King, JrHaiti is in the streets almost every day  as tens of thousands turn out to demand that the stolen 2015 election be thrown out. The mass movement is telling the U.S./U.N. occupiers: Dont Steal Our Votes! The people are demanding: Reclaim Haitis sovereignty! No more foreign occupation and control!Haitis struggle is our struggle. Its now 50 years since the U.S. Voting Rights Act, but its been rolled back to systematically deny Black people the right to vote  again. In Haiti the 2015 elections were plagued by endless and well-documented ballot stuffing, vote buying, armed coercion, naked vote rigging  yet the U.S. ambassador gave his OK to the faked election results. In effect, whether its here or in Haiti, the U.S. rulers are deliberately interfering with the peoples right to freely choose the representatives that they want.Haitis fight is our fight. Just as we in the Bay Area are fighting against police murder of Black people, so it is in Haiti. The State Dept wants to suppress the surging popular movement  using police terror against the people. During the 2015 elections, special US-financed police units sprayed machine gun fire into working-class neighborhoods in Port-au-Prince and Arcahaie to suppress the vote, killing scores of people.The U.S. State Department is the main actor trying to push through the fraudulent elections  maneuvering to exclude Haitis most popular political party  Lavalas  from any role in the next government. The U.S. wants to keep in power corrupt puppets who are willing to give away Haitis abundant mineral resources  privatize the mines and the electric company  and keep factory wages at US$3/day  continuing a long tradition of the U.S. and France stealing the wealth and the labor of the Haitian people.Lighting the fires of struggle  Many have commented that the Haitian people, in their vast majority, are very aware of their history  proud inheritors of the Revolution of 1791-1804, when Haiti defeated the army of Napoleon, ended plantation slavery and declared independence from France. Its on every lip, said one Lavalas activist. People are saying that in rejecting this stolen election, we are lighting the fires of struggle, continuing the fight for equality and sovereignty that our ancestors fought for 200 years ago.****From the Federal Building we will walk 2 blocks to join the 11:00 AM rally and march at Oscar Grant Plaza (14th & Broadway): Reclaiming the Radical Legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr.****For more information, connect with the Haiti Action Committee: http://www.haitisolidarity.net @HaitiAction1 and on Facebook
EUREKA, Calif., January 15, 2016  The Center for Biological Diversity joined two scientists and the California Native Plant Society today in filing a petition with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service seeking Endangered Species Act protection for the Lassics lupine, a rare alpine flower found in Humboldt and Trinity counties and nowhere else on Earth. There are only two known populations of the lupine, both growing above 5,000 feet elevation on the talus slopes of Mt. Lassic and Red Lassic Mountain, 80 miles southeast of Eureka. The pink flowers total global range is less than four acres, and the total current population is estimated to be as few as 60 individuals.

Without Endangered Species Act protection and recovery actions, we are at great risk of losing the Lassics lupine to extinction, said David Imper, former plant ecologist for the Arcata office of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Federal protection cant come soon enough for this beautiful, imperiled flower.The Lassics lupine is threatened by climate change, altered fire regimes and predation by mammals. Both of the plants two remaining sites were harmed by the Lassics fire in summer 2015, and it is unknown how many individuals survived. Over the past 15 years the lupines range has been shrinking due to increasingly harsh conditions caused by decreasing rainfall, decreased snowpack and increasing temperatures. As conditions have become hotter and drier, predation on the flowers seeds has increased. Small mammals have been documented eating nearly 90 percent of the lupines seeds.The plight of this gorgeous mountain lupine highlights the need to take urgent action to protect ourselves, and the other species we share the planet with, from catastrophic climate change, said Tierra Curry, a senior scientist at the Center.The Lassics lupine exhibits striking, pink-rose-tinged flowers above white-silver foliage, in sharp contrast to the surrounding black and reddish barren rocky slopes where it grows. It is dependent on sufficient snowpack and adequate shade to survive on the steep mountainsides. Both populations of the flower are found on the Six Rivers National Forest.Lassics lupine is a unique part of the natural heritage of California but it wont be here for future generations if we dont take immediate action to protect it, said Greg Suba of the California Native Plant Society.The plant was discovered in 1983. The Lassics Mountains were named after the Athapascan Lassik tribe, which was forcibly removed from the region in 1862. The species Latin name is Lupinus constancei, named for the famous California botanist Lincoln Constance.There is no better icon symbolizing the beauty and floristic diversity associated with the Lassics mountains than the Lassics lupine, said Sydney Carothers, a botanist who has been studying the lupine for 15 years. Hopefully the flower will continue to be a permanent representative of this truly exceptional landscape.Photo: Lassics Lupine. Photo available for free use by media with proper credit. Please credit David Imper.The Center for Biological Diversity is a national, nonprofit conservation organization with more than 990,000 members and online activists dedicated to the protection of endangered species and wild places.Center for Biological Diversity
Ten Palestinian civilians were killed by Israeli gunfire this week, meanwhile a Major US church divests from Israel. These stories, and more, coming up, stay tuned.The Nonviolence ReportLets begin our weekly report as usual with the nonviolent activities organized in the West Bank. one youth was injured, another civilian kidnapped on Friday meanwhile scores others were treated for the effects of tear gas inhalation when Israeli troops attacked nonviolent protests organized in West Bank villages. IMEMCs Majd Batjali with the details :In Kufer Kadum in northern West Bank many residents were treated for the effects of tear gas inhalation as Israeli troops attacked the weekly protest there. Troops later stormed the village and fired tear gas into residents homes,Meanwhile in the villages of Bilin and Nilin, in central West Bank, Israeli soldiers attacked the protesters as soon as they reached the gate in the wall that separates local farmers from their lands. In Nilin , a youth were injured when he was hit directly with tear gas bombs fired by Israeli troops at protesters. Many protesters suffered the effects of tear gas inhalation and were treated by field medics at both locations.At the nearby al Nabi Saleh village, troops attacked protesters at the village entrance. Israeli soldiers fired several rounds of rubber-coated steel bullets and tear gas at protesters and nearby homes. Many residents suffered effects of tear gas inhalation as a result.One civilian was kidnapped when Israeli soldiers tried to stop a nonviolent protest organized at settlers road 60, near the southern West Bank city of Bethlehem. At least 350 Israeli, Palestinian and international activists joined a nonviolent protest on Friday that was organized by Combatants for Peace Movement, in collaboration with a number of Palestinian and Israeli NGOs.For IMEMC News this Majd Batjali.The Political ReportA Major US church divests from Israel and tension arises between Israel and Sweden over the latest Foreign ministers statements. IMEMCs George Rishmawi has more:The Israeli government has summoned Swedish Ambassador Carl Magnus Nesser over Swedish Foreign Minister Margot Wallstroms call for a probe into Israeli extrajudicial executions of Palestinians. According to Israeli news outlet Ynet News, on Wednesday this week, Mr. Nesser was urgently summoned to the offices of the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and was rebuked by Deputy Director-General for European affairs Aviv Shir-On.Shir-On expressed the Israeli governments anger at what he called Wallstroms "twisted presentation of reality", and her "biased, even hostile treatment of Israel. He added that, due to these comments, by the Swedish minister, Sweden should expect to be excluded from any role that pertains to Israeli-Palestinian relations.Early this week, Wallstrom required examination of whether the Israeli killings of Palestinians, that have taken place in the recent months of unrest between Israelis and Palestinians, were extra-judicial and without trial This is the second time in less than two months that the Swedish ambassador has been summoned to the Israeli Foreign Ministry for rebuke.The last time was in mid-November 2015, when Wallstrom made statements that connected the ISIS attack in Paris to the frustration of the Palestinian people. Relations between Sweden and Israel have worsened, shortly after Wallstrom came into office, when Sweden recognized Palestine as an independent state in 2014, and blasted continuous Israeli aggression against Palestinians.In other news, the United Methodist Kairos Response announced that the $20-billion Pension and Health Benefits Fund of the United Methodist Church has declared the five largest Israeli banks off limits for investment and has divested from the two that it held in its portfolios.The banks in question are Bank Hapoalim, Bank Leumi, First International Bank of Israel, Israel Discount Bank, and Mizrahi Tefahot Bank. These banks are deeply involved in financing illegal settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories. This is the first time a major church pension fund has acted to preclude investment in Israeli banks that sustain Israels illegal occupation of Palestinian land.For IMEMC News, this is George RishmawiThe West Bank and Gaza ReportThis week ten Palestinians were killed by Israeli gunfire during attacks targeting West Bank and Gaza communities. IMEMCs Ghassan Bannoura reports:On Friday, two Palestinians were killed in the Gaza strip when they were shot by Israeli troops gunfire. Palestinians sources said that clashes erupted between Palestinian unarmed protesters and Israeli troops at the southern Gaza Strip borders with Israel. Troops used live gunfire killing the two youth.Moreover, two more civilians were killed on Thursday by Israeli troops; one was killed at a military checkpoint near the southern West Bank city of Hebron while the other was killed at another checkpoint near the northern West Bank city of Nablus.One Palestinian killed, three others injured, on Wednesday, by Israeli air attack that targeted the northern Gaza Strip.Palestinian medical sources have reported, Wednesday, that one Palestinian was killed and three others were injured, at least one seriously, after an Israeli drone fired a missile into an area, west of Beit Lahia town, in the northern part of the coastal region.Earlier in the week, Israeli soldiers shot and killed, Tuesday, two Palestinian teens near Beit 'Anoun village junction, east of the southern West Bank city of Hebron.A third Palestinian was shot and injured, and many others suffered the effects of tear gas inhalation. Elsewhere, Israeli soldiers invaded, Tuesday, Beit Jala city, in the West Bank district of Bethlehem, and clashed with local youths, in the Sahl area, before shooting to death a young man, and wounding several others, one seriously.On Saturday, Israeli forces stationed at al-Hamrah checkpoint, southeast of Tubas in central West Bank, killed two Palestinian civilians. Troops claimed that the two tried to stab soldiers. Witnsses said that soldiers killed the two Palestinians in cold blood.Also this week, Israeli forces conducted at least 79 military invasions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank and occupied East Jerusalem. During these invasions, Israeli troops kidnapped at least 64 Palestinian civilians, including eight children.For IMEMC News this is Ghassan Bannoura.ConclusionAnd thats all for today from This Week in Palestine. This was the Weekly report for January 09, to the 15, 2016. From the Occupied Palestinian Territories. For more news and updates please visit our website at http://www.imemc.org , This weeks report has been brought to you by Maher Qasiess and me Eman Abedraboo-Bannoura.
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Los Angeles, CA A plaintiff who took issue with alleged misrepresentation by a Nestle SA subsidiary over its Gerber Good Start Gentle line of products has herself managed a good start to her proposed class-action A plaintiff who took issue with alleged misrepresentation by a Nestle SA subsidiary over its Gerber Good Start Gentle line of products has herself managed a good start to her proposed class-action baby formula lawsuit after a judge this week gave tentative approval to certification of the class.

While the defendant attempted to have the certification decision (preliminary) deferred until mediation took its course, US District Judge John Kronstadt nonetheless felt it prudent to go ahead with preliminary approval without waiting for the outcome of mediation stemming from a lawsuit brought against Gerber Products Co. by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) over allegations that Gerber had stepped out of bounds in the promotion and marketing of its products.To that end, the FTC took issue with Gerbers assertion that use of its Good Start Gentle formula and, specifically, its hydrolyzed whey protein could help shield infants from developing allergies - a common concern of modern-day parents. In its Gerber Consumer Fraud Lawsuit brought against the Nestle SA subsidiary in October 2014, the FTC accused Gerber of marketing Gerber Good Start Gentle and its benefits as having been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), when, in reality, the FDA had turned thumbs down against Gerbers claim the formula could reduce the risk of eczema, in one of two FDA rejections with regard to benefits surrounding allergies.The plaintiff bringing the proposed Gerber Good Start class action is Oula Zakaria, who filed her case shortly after the FTC brought its action against Gerber. Zakaria asserts that she and other class members paid a higher cost for a product they believed to be superior to competing products that sold at a lower price point. Her lawsuit also asserts that not only did the FDA reject Gerbers claims that its Gerber Good Start Gentle formula could help prevent allergies, but also a determination by scientists that partially hydrolyzed whey protein carried no capacity for reducing allergy risk.In her baby formula lawsuit, Zakaria asserts that Gerber earned as much as $515 million each year from sales of Baby Good Start Gentle through various key retailers while misleading the public.A mediation session stemming from the FTC action had been scheduled for January 15. With that in mind, Gerber had asked the judge to delay his ruling on the Zakaria class action until after the mediation.Judge Kronstadt, it has been reported, saw no value in waiting. He granted preliminary approval of Zakarias motion for class certification. My tentative view is the label which is presumed to have been viewed by those that purchased it, that contained the alleged misrepresentations, would be grounds to meet [Federal Rules of Civil Procedure Rule 23(b)] requirements, the judge said.In her Gerber Consumer Fraud Lawsuit, Zakaria asserts that Gerber spent years claiming that Baby Good Start Gentle remained the first and only baby formula capable of reducing an infants risk for developing allergies through the use of partially hydrolyzed whey protein. Gerber is also alleged to have widely misled mothers to believe the product and the inherent claims had been endorsed by the FDA, when, in fact, they had not.There could potentially be thousands of class members. The case iscase number 2:15-cv-00200, in the US District Court for the Central District of California.
Kerry to visit China in late January

2016-01-16 10:22

US Secretary of State John Kerry delivers remarks on the United States foreign policy agenda 2016 at the National Defense University in Washington January 13, 2016. [Photo/Agencies]

WASHINGTON - US Secretary of State John Kerry will visit China later this month for talks on issues including the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), the State Department said Friday.

Kerry will travel to Beijing, China, on Jan. 27 "for meetings with senior leaders of the Chinese government to discuss a range of global, regional, and bilateral issues, including North Korea," State Department spokesman John Kirby said in a press release.

Deputy Secretary of State Tony Blinken is also scheduled to visit China next week for discussions also expected to focus on DPRK.

The DPRK announced last week that it had successfully carried out its first hydrogen bomb test.

While disputing its claim about the test, Washington vowed to punish Pyongyang for its flagrant violations of UN Security Council resolutions. The US has been holding consultations in the past week with Republic of Korea(ROK), Japan and other countries on how to respond to the DPRK nuclear test.

Before his trip to China, Kerry will travel to Zurich, Switzerland, on Jan. 20 to discuss the situation of Syria and Ukraine with his Russian counterpart before heading to Davos for the World Economic Form, the State Department said.

After Switzerland, he will visit Saudi Arabia on Jan. 23 for talks with Saudi officials and foreign ministers from the Gulf Cooperation Council.

Kerry will also travel on to Southeast Asia for talks on the upcoming Special US-ASEAN Summit in Sunnylands, California.

He will visit Vientiane, Laos, on Jan. 25, for meetings with Prime Minister Thongsing Thammavong and Foreign Minister Thongloun Sisoulith and will go to Phnom Penh on Jan. 26 to meet with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen and Foreign Minister Hor Namhong, according to the press release.
The former president Olusegun Obasanjo, has finally spoken his mind on the January 15, 1966, military coup in Nigeria.

Olusegun Obasanjo, former president of Nigeria described the January 15, 1966 coup as a monumental error.

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READ ALSO: What Obasanjo Said On Atiku In His Book

Speaking yesterday, January 15, in Lagos state at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the assassination of the First Republic politician and minister of finance, Chief Festus Okotie-Eboh, Obasanjo described the January 15, 1966 coup as a monumental error.

The Nation reports that Obasanjo said the 1966 coup that was orchestrated by the late Major Chukwuma Nzeogwu brought the military into politics.

Exactly 50 years ago darkness enveloped Nigeria. Many who were around then were confused; many of us were taken by surprise.

That we are able to gather here today to remember and in a way acknowledge the life of our early leader who, whatever may be his deficiency, is a testament to the fact that he gave us the best, Obasanjo said.

Speaking also, Alhaji Yusuf Maitama Sule, a colleague to Okotie-Eboh, said the former minister of finance was a true Nigerian.

Festus was a friend of the people; he was a friend of the East, friend of the West and friend of the North.

He had fantastic public relations. That was why he was loved by all; you could never guess the political party he belonged to, he said.

According to him, whenever Okotie-Eboh walked into parliament, his nickname, Omimiejor would take over the air.

He was full of humour, even when members of the opposition were attacking him. But, it was not the kind of attack you have today, he said.

Speaking also, Chief Mbazulike Amaechi, a First Republic politician, said Okotie-Eboh was one of the financial pillars of the defunct NCNC. He said even after his Itsekiri kinsmen left the party for the Action Group (AG), Okotie-Eboh remained in the NCNC.

He described Okotie-Eboh as a man of vision who managed the finance and the economy of the country far beyond the expectations of everyone.

The ceremony, which was chaired by Obasanjo, also witnessed the public presentation of the book, Chief Okotie-Eboh, in Time and Space and it attracted many dignitaries, including the former vice president Alex Ekwcueme, Chief Akintola Williams, Ahmed Joda, Philip Asiodu, Great Ogboru, Dr. Wale Babalakin, royal fathers from all parts of the country including the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi and a host of others.

The minister of power, works and housing, Babatunde Fashola, in a tribute to Okotie-Eboh called for the establishment of a foundation in his name, to teach young Nigerians the countrys history.

READ ALSO: Biafra War: Obasanjo Warns Nigerians Of Second Biafra War

The 1966 coup also claimed the lives of Prime Minister Abubakar Tafawa Balewa; Northern Region Premier Ahmadu Bello and Western Region SLA Akintola, among others.

Obasanjo, speaking during a public discussion of the Biafra issue in Abuja organized by Nextier Advisory on January 15, Friday, urged Nigerians to give up the agitation for Biafran independence.

Source: Legit.ng
Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers state has given directive to security operatives in the state to arrest Biafran agitators who have resorted to illegal protest and assault of innocent law abiding residents, Daily Post reports.

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike directed security operatives to arrest Biafran agitators who have resorted to illegal protest and assault of residents.

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READ ALSO: 3 LGAs In Rivers State Are Under Military Siege  Wike

The directive was made known in a statement issued on Friday, January 15 by the states Commissioner for Information and Communication, Dr. Austin Tam-George.

It has come to the attention of the Rivers State government that some Biafran agitators have resorted to illegal processions, and have assaulted law abiding citizens and residents of the state.

Governor Nyesom Wike strongly condemns the acts of criminality perpetrated by Biafran agitators by whatever name, in the Oyigbo area of the state.

The government has directed all security agencies in the state to arrest and prosecute all Biafran agitators who flout the ban on illegal separatist processions and demonstrations in Rivers State, the statement read.

READ ALSO: Alleged N82m Soyinka Dinner: Amaechi Blasts Governor Wike

The statement also hinted that the state government pleaded with residents to remain calm and law abiding.

The state government last year arrested no fewer than 20 Biafran agitators for illegal protests in Port Harcourt. They were prosecuted and remanded in prison custody.

The Indigenous People Of Biafra (IPOB), has been protesting across the country, demanding the release of their detained leader and director of Radio Biafra, Nnamdi kanu. Kanu is in Federal Government custody charged with treasonable felony.

Meanwhile, the former chairman, Security Committee of Wikes New Rivers Vision Campaign Organisation, Brigadier-General Elton David Amah, has decamped and joined the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Source: Legit.ng
Most Rev Dr Emmanuel Chukwuma has berated former Nigerian president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, for his outburst on the sensitive issue of Biafra.

Biafra agitators

The Archbishop of Enugu ecclesiastic province said Chief Obasanjo was barely talking jargon.

READ ALSO: Tension: Tompolo Threatens President Buhari

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Reacting to the former military ruler's speech, Dr Chukwuma said that Biafra cannot be wished away so long as Ndigbo are still being neglected and marginalised in the Nigerian state.

The clergyman noted that it was nonsensical for Obasanjo to say the Biafran agitators have commercialised the course without him, an elder statesman proffering solutions on how Igbo marginalisation would end.

Chukwuma, who is also the Anglican Bishop of Enugu said that in as much as he does not support the printing of a Biafran Passport, he believes that the youths who are protesting were provoked to do so by the long years of marginalisation of the Igbo.

He urged Obasanjo to be sincere to himself as he did not improve the lot of the Igbo when he was president.

In the sane vein, the leader of Movement for the Actualization of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) Solomon Chukwu, said that the former president was talking nonsense.

According to him, MASSOB was not going to compromise the struggle for the actualization of Biafra through non-violent means.

READ ALSO: Boko Haram Massacre: 1200 People Killed In Separate Attacks

He said:  We know where we are going. Chief Obasanjo is talking nonsence. Whether the likes of Obasanjo like it or not, very soon Biafra will be a reality. We are not ignorant people as he said. We know what we are doing and very soon we will get there.

 We are about to hold elections, and committee is about to be set up to draw the modalities for the elections. So we know what we are doing.

Obasanjo Obasanjo, had earlier urged Nigerians to give up the agitation for Biafran independence. The ex-president stressed that Biafra as a secession issue is dead.

Obasanjo also described the January 15, 1966 coup as a monumental error. He said the 1966 coup that was orchestrated by the late Major Chukwuma Nzeogwu brought the military into politics.

Source: Legit.ng
Taiwan voters hit the polls to elect the island's new leader

2016-01-16 10:24

Candidates run for the Taiwan leader in this combo file photo.

TAIPEI -- Voting stations in Taiwan opened on Saturday as the island looks to elect a new leader and legislature.

Polls started at 8:00 am with the official announcement of the results coming at about 10:00 pm.

Voter sentiment is weighed down by uncertainties surrounding post-election cross-Straits stability.

Liu Tung-lung, a retired senior government official and member of the Kuomintang (KMT), told Xinhua that he was anxious, not about the election result but the uncertainty of the island's future relations with the mainland.

"I would be upset if Eric Chu [the KMT candidate] lost the election, but I could live with that. The KMT has lost before," he said. "What worries me most is Tsai Ing-wen's [Democratic Progressive Party candidate] cross-Straits policies, especially her stance on the 1992 Consensus."

Candidates' cross-Straits policies have been under close scrutiny since the campaign started, especially in the televised debates. Both Chu and James Soong of the People First Party clearly expressed support for the 1992 Consensus while Tsai has remained ambiguous, so far.

Tsai has repeatedly promised to maintain cross-Straits relations and in her campaign rally in Kaohsiung on Thursday she reiterated that if elected she would try her best to maintain cross-Straits stability. Yet she has avoided a clear statement on the 1992 Consensus.

On several occasions, including TV debates, she said the DPP acknowledged the historical meeting in Hong Kong in 1992 but claimed that the 1992 Consensus was "not the only option but one of the options."

Denying the 1992 Consensus means denying the foundation of cross-Straits relations in the past two decades, Liu said.

"If the elected leader held such a stance, I would be worried about our future," he said.

Several political heavyweights have expressed similar concerns. In his New Year's Day speech, Ma Ying-jeou, the island's current leader, called on his successor to carry on the current cross-Straits policies and value the 1992 Consensus.

Hau Pei-tsun, former head of Taiwan's executive authority, said in an earlier public speech that voters should choose whoever upholds the 1992 Consensus and abandon those who disagree with it.

The two sides of the Taiwan Straits had establish certain mutual trust since 2008 mainly because the KMT accepted the 1992 Consensus, said Tang Shao-cheng with Chengchi University, Taipei.

"If the DPP candidate was elected and continued to avoid the issue, such mutual trust would be seriously undermined and this would bring huge uncertainty to the relationship," he said.

For ordinary Taiwan residents, a safe and peaceful society and vigorous economy are the biggest concerns.

Lien Chih-ching, a Taipei bank clerk, told Xinhua that since the economic situation is not promising now, people are hoping that closer cross-Straits cooperation can help boost Taiwan's economy.

"People like me can only benefit if we live in a peaceful society with economic opportunities," he said, adding that no matter which candidate wins the election, he or she has to face this reality.

Yang Li-de, a Taipei businessman, said that he expects cross-Straits relations not to return to what it was before 2008 if the DPP wins. "The two sides should not set a ceiling for economic cooperation. I hope the relations can continue to advance."

Since 2008, the two sides have held 11 rounds of talks and signed 23 agreements including lifting bans on direct shipping, air transportation and postal services in 2008, and the long-awaited Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement in 2010. The two sides also lifted the ban on mainland tourists to the island.

About 3.22 million mainland tourists visited the island in 2014 and in the first nine months of 2015 the figure reached 3.11 million.

Wang Chih-ching, a taxi driver in Kaohsiung, has been a long-time supporter of DPP but he admitted that mainland tourists have brought him more business.

"I hope cross-Straits exchanges will not cease and more mainland tourists come to visit after the election," he said.

RISK OF BEING SIDELINED

Business people are concerned about the stagnation of economic cooperation across the Taiwan Straits.

Guo Tai-chiang, chair of Taiwan Electrical and Electronic Manufacturers Association, said it is not enough to maintain the status quo, specially in economic cooperation between the two sides.

"The industry wants the cooperation to go deeper," Guo said.

The uncertainty of cross-Straits policies is keeping business people on their toes, said Lai Cheng-I, chair of Shining Building Business Co. Ltd.

"We care the most about whether the two sides will continue trade agreement talks," he said.

Yin Chi-ming, chief executive of think tank "National Policy Foundation", warned in an article in Monday's Taipei-based Commercial Times that Taiwan may face the risk of being sidelined in global trade and economic cooperation if cross-Straits relations sour and talks about the follow-up agreements of the economic cooperation framework agreement (ECFA) fail.

With constructive and smooth cross-Straits economic cooperation, Taiwan firms are able to expand global business with the support of the mainland market and they should not give up this advantage, Yin said.

The mainland remained Taiwan's biggest trade partner in 2015 while the island had a trade surplus of $27 billion.
The inspector general of police (IG) Solomon Arase who spoke at the Nigeria Police Force Health Policy Revalidation meeting in Abuja on Tuesday, January 12, said that the force is considering conducting psychiatric tests on recruits and officers.

IGP Solomon Arase said the force is considering conducting psychiatric test on recruits and officers.

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READ ALSO: DPO Sentenced To 15-year Imprisonment

The IG said the initiative had become necessary following incidents of the indiscriminate use of firearms by personnel of the force, which often result in extrajudicial killings.

Prior to the IGs initiative, a Human Rights Watch researcher for Nigeria, Eric Guttschuss, was quoted in a BBC report in May 2009 to have stated that: extrajudicial killing in the police remains a shocking common occurrence.

This assessment was in reaction to the June 7 and 8, 2005 cold-blooded murder of five young male traders and a female student popularly known in the history of extrajudicial killings in the country as the Apo six.

The five young traders were murdered in cold blood on that unfortunate day shortly after leaving Grand Mirage Hotel, Abuja, where they went for a party. The sixth victim, Arebun, who visiting her boyfriend, Uzor, accompanied them to the outing. Arebun was allegedly strangled to death by a police officer to silence her from contradicting the police version of the incident after they had killed the five boys.

In January 2013, precisely eight years after the Apo 6 killing, nothing much had changed in the manner the Nigeria police officials conduct themselves. The former Inspector General of Police MD Abubakar, in his acting capacity then, admitted publicly that the police is corrupt and it commits extrajudicial killings. The then IG complained that the image of the force had deteriorated to the lowest ebb because police officers were involved in a cesspool of corruption as their stations and checkpoints have been turned into bribery collection points.

But unfortunately, these extrajudicial killings by trigger happy policemen remain a trend in the country. In the years from 2013 to 2015, police officials are still deeply involved in extrajudicial killings. Legit.ng has profiled some of the extrajudicial killings that occurred in the years under review.

In August 20, 2013, a police officer in Ikorodu area of Lagos state allegedly killed a student of the Federal University of Technology, Akure, for disobeying the states transport law. The victim, Kunle, aka Ifa, was hustling with a motorcycle to generate some money while waiting for the Nigerian government and university lecturers to settle an ongoing strike and call students back to campus.

On August 11, 2014, two police officers, Corporal Agada Lawrence and Corporal Kenneth allegedly killed the son of the former chairman of the Senate committee on defence, Senator Fidelis Okoro, in Abuja. The victims whose names were given as Mr. John Chukwuemeka Okoro and his friend Sunday Markus alias Sunday Black were killed in the Durumi district of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, by a police patrol team.

In early May, 2015, a tricycle driver, Akeem Aranse was allegedly shot dead by an assistant superintendent of police, identified as Mohammed, during an argument in Shasha, Akowonjo area of Lagos state.

On September 18, 2015, a police corporal attached to Isheri-Oshun Division in Lagos state fired a shot at a moving tricycle along Isheri/ Ijegun road, killing the wife of the operator, Idongesit Ekpo, on the spot. Mr Ekpo later died of the bullet wounds he sustained during the incident.

On November 7, 2015, operatives of the Department of Security Service (DSS) stormed a wedding venue at Kugbaru community in Karu local government area of Nasarawa state and shot at a newly wedded couple and some guests. The fate of the couple is still unknown till now.

On December 27, 2015, tears flowed freely in the Ketu area of Lagos state, after a policeman identified as Stephen James, who was alleged to be under the influence of cannabis, shot dead three people and himself in a popular hotel in the area. The deceased were twin brothers named Taiwo and Kehinde Oyesunle as well as their friend, Jeje.

On December 27, 2015, a Lagos based businessman identified as Sam Belonwu and two other people were killed by a drunk police sergeant at a traditional wedding ceremony at Uruagu-Nnewi, in Amambra state. Belonwus life was cut short three days to his own wedding.

The proposed psychiatric test will not only be conducted on recruits, but rather the force will conduct in-depth restructuring of the content of its training for officers. Their mindset will be redirected to focus on service and protection of lives and property.

READ ALSO: Okiro Orders Arrest Of Police Men On Illegal Escorts & Guards

Police officers who perform poorly in training will not be allowed to carry firearms and the force will carry out background checks on recruits to ascertain if they have a questionable character before being enlisted to serve their country.

Source: Legit.ng
Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State has announced the members of a Judicial Commission Inquiry commission tasked with investigating the December 12, 2015 clash between the Islamic Movement in Nigeria and the army in Zaria.

The clash, which led to the deaths of up to 1000 civilians, allegedly began after Islamic Movement members set up a blockade, according to the Nigerian army.

However, human rights organisations said that the military had launched the massacre without provocation, intending to kill as many as possible.

A statement by El-Rufais Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Samuel Aruwan, said the commission will be chaired by Presiding Judge of the Port-Harcourt Division of the Court of Appeal, Justice Mohammed Garba.

Governor of Kaduna state Nasir El-Rufai

Director of the Centre for Islamic Legal Studies, Institute of Administration, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Dr. Bala Babaji, has been appointed as secretary of the commission.

The commission has been established under Section 2 of the Kaduna State Commission of Inquiry Law, 1991.

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El-Rufai signed the instrument establishing the commission of inquiry which is expected to submit its final report six weeks after its first public sitting.

According to the full text of the instrument, the commission will determine the immediate causes of the clashes, examine the historical circumstances and contributory factors of the clashes and to ascertain the number of persons killed, wounded or missing during the clashes.

READ ALSO: Army Allows Shiites To Visit Sheikh Zakzaky

The commission of inquiry will also identify the actions of persons, institutions, federal and state actors, and determine whether such actions were necessary, appropriate and sufficient in the circumstances in which they occurred.

The other members of the commission include Prof. Salihu Shehu, a lecturer at Bayero University; Prof. Umar Labdo, a lecturer at Northwest University; Malam Salihu Abubakar, a former director of the National Agricultural Extension and Research Liaison Services at Ahmadu Bello University; Prof. Auwalu Yadudu, an accomplished professor of law, and former Special Adviser on Legal Matters during the Abacha government, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari.

Gambari, a former foreign affairs minister, was also Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and headed the UN department of Political Affairs.

READ ALSO: El-Rufai Sponsors 30 Female Students

Source: Legit.ng
TVS  BMW 310 cc engine could soon power a new motorcycle in India

Subtle hints were provided by K. N. Radhakrishnan, President, CEO & Additional Whole-Time Director, TVS Motor Company when he mentioned in a recent interview that a new motorcycle based on the existing 310 cc platform could be launched in 2021.

With growing popularity of adventure motorcycles in the country, it is expected that TVS could enter this space with a new product based on Apache RR310. There is no official confirmation from TVS, but its probable that the new 310 cc motorcycle will be an adventure tourer.

Apache 310 has been developed through a joint collaboration between TVS Motor Company and BMW Motorrad. While BMW focuses on engineering and tech, TVS looks after production needs. Other products that are part of this collaboration include BMW G310GS and G310R. All these motorcycles have emerged as popular choices in this segment, so the possibility of a new product launch certainly exists. These bikes have also been successful in capturing international markets.

Ahead of its potential launch, a rendering by Bikers Community Nepal, of Apache RR310 based adventure motorcycle reveals how it may look in its production format. Some key features that are clearly evident include increased ground clearance and seat height, dual-purpose tyres, tall windscreen, sporty alloy wheels, blacked-out components including the engine, USD front forks with longer travel, monoshock rear suspension and upswept Akrapovic exhaust system.

Key features that TVS could offer with the 310 cc adventure motorcycle include a full-colour TFT instrument console, close ratio gearbox, multiple riding modes, ride-by-wire technology, slipper clutch, Glide Thru Technology Plus and switchable ABS.

The SmartXonnect connected tech from TVS is also expected to be offered as standard. SmartXonnect allows users to pair their smartphones with the instrument console to access a range of features such as caller ID, navigation assist, and last parked location.

When launched, TVS 310cc adventure motorcycle will take on rivals such as KTM 390 Adventure and Royal Enfield Himalayan. This segment is expected to witness increased competition in the near future. TVS can benefit if it can move faster than its rivals. There are indications that new adventure motorcycles such as KTM 250 Adv and Hero XPulse 300 could be launched next year.

TVS had launched BS-VI Apache RR 310 in January at Rs 2.4 lakh. If the adventure version becomes a reality, it would be priced a bit higher, somewhere around Rs 2.60 lakh. It will utilize the same BS6 engine as that of its faired sibling. The 312.2 cc engine generates 34 bhp of max power and 27.3 Nm of max torque. Engine is mated to a 6-speed, track-tuned transmission. It is possible that power and torque may undergo some adjustments for the adventure model.
In December 2015 Italy announced it was sending 450 troops to help Iraq guard the Mosul Dam on the Tigris River. Aside from the fact that an Italian firm is one of the owners of the dam and its 750 MW electricity generating plant, there is a humanitarian aspect to providing the dam with more security. This is the largest dam in Iraq and because of shoddy construction during the 1980s requires constant maintenance to prevent it from failing. If the dam did come down over half a million Iraqis could die from the flood and subsequent water shortages. The wall of water created by a dam collapse would be about five meters (16 feet) high when it reached Baghdad. The power generating plant would also be lost along with the credibility of the Iraqi government, which has long acknowledged that the dam is important but rarely comes through when troops are needed for security or money is required to make the constant (and essential) repairs.

The crises began on August 3, 2014 when ISIL seized the Mosul Dam. The Kurds organized a counterattack force and despite the reluctance of the Iraqi government to supply the Kurds with ammo, weapons or much else, recaptured the dam by the 19th and have held it ever since. The Kurds had been defending the dam since the Iraqi Army ran away in early June. Losing the dam on August 3rd was not unexpected because the Kurds stretched themselves thin by trying to replace the Iraqi Army throughout northern Iraq, At the same time the Kurds were also building and defending a new fortified border to incorporate Kirkuk and nearby oilfields into the autonomous Kurdish northern Iraq. In mid-2015 the Kurds asked for American air support but were initially refused. The Americans have shipped in ammo and light weapons and some additional American trainers and advisors. Eventually the Americans came through with air support as well but the Iraqi government still held back on supplies for the Kurdish defenders and money to make all the repairs. The shoddy way the dam was built requires the constant repairs or else the dams will crumble and collapse. Iraq says it cannot spend a lot of money on repairs because the poor security around the damn makes it difficult to get the needed workers and materials to the site. But Iraq has been warned by foreign and Iraqi engineers that if the repairs are not made an avoidable disaster will follow.
World, meet Strawberry Shortcake - a sweet hairless guinea pig who's ready for her close-up. And she's clearly not bashful about it. ERIN BONILLA/CATERS NEWS AGENCY

ERIN BONILLA/CATERS NEWS AGENCY

Virginia-based photographer Erin Bonilla, of GuineaArt.com, had the chance to meet up with the naturally nude rodent for a rather racy little photoshoot. Strawberry, in all her pudgy pink glory, is the epitome of furless confidence as she poses next to, then inside, a tiny tub full of soapy suds. ERIN BONILLA/CATERS NEWS AGENCY

Dodo Shows Odd Couples Dog And Wild Dolphin Play Whenever They See Each Other

ERIN BONILLA/CATERS NEWS AGENCY

The guinea pig's fleshy folds are on full display, yet the scene still exudes nothing but class, thanks to the tasteful addition of a candle and some flowers. ERIN BONILLA/CATERS NEWS AGENCY

ERIN BONILLA/CATERS NEWS AGENCY

The Dodo spoke with Bonilla to find out what it was like working with guinea pigs on photoshoots. She says they make ideal models, and really seem to shine in front of the camera - though some, like this one, require special accommodations: "I think they actually like it! But with Strawberry Shortcake, we had to have a heater on her throughout the entire shoot because she gets cold easily." Yep, that makes total sense. ERIN BONILLA/CATERS NEWS AGENCY

ERIN BONILLA/CATERS NEWS AGENCY
C.D. Wright, an award-winning poet renowned for her forceful and eclectic style, her fusion of lyricism and reportage, and her passion for writing, died Jan. 12 at her home in Barrington, R.I. She was 67.

Kelly Forsythe, a spokeswoman for the publisher Copper Canyon Press, told the Associated Press that Ms. Wright died unexpectedly and that the cause had not been determined. A former poet laureate of Rhode Island, Ms. Wright was a professor of poetry at Brown University at the time of her death.

Ms. Wright was a National Book Award finalist and in 2004 received a MacArthur fellowship, also known as a genius grant.

She won the National Book Critics Circle prize for her 2010 collection One With Others, a full-length work of prose and poetry based on a true story about a group of black men marching from West Memphis, Tenn., to Little Rock. The march took place in the summer of 1969, a year after the assassination of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., and the marchers were joined by a white woman identified as V, whom Ms. Wright depicts as an outcast in her community because of her participation in the march.

They drove my friend V out of her home, Ms. Wright writes. They drove her out of the town. They drove her out of the state.

Carolyn Delores Wright was born Jan. 6, 1949, in Mountain Home, Ark. She grew up in the states Ozark Mountains region, where her father was a judge. She graduated from the University of Memphis in 1971 and received a master of fine arts from the University of Arkansas in 1976.

Her childhood in Arkansas, including the landscape and entrenched racial segregation, would long shape her writing.

The geographic sovereignty of my state of origin goes unchallenged by me, she wrote. For its natural resources, no other single land mass is more suited to being a country than Arkansas. And were such a thing to come to pass, no other country would more resemble the dread South Africa.

Ms. Wright wrote more than a dozen books, including Rising, Falling, Hovering, One Big Self and Steal Away.

This month, Copper Canyon published a book of her essays expansively titled, The Poet, the Lion, Talking Pictures, El Farolito, a Wedding in St. Roch, the Big Box Store, the Warp in the Mirror, Spring, Midnights, Fire & All.

In Further Adventures With You (1986), Ms. Wright wrote that her poems were about desire, conflict, the dearth of justice for all. About persons of small means.

Her prose, on the other hand, was private, meditative, without a cast, discernible intention, goal or dramatic fulcrum.

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My prose, she concluded, is about language if it is about any one thing.

Survivors include her husband, Forrest Gander; a son; and a brother.
Ernest "Bubba" Beasley uses an auger to collect a soil sample from among cabernet franc vines at Pollak Vineyards in Greenwood, Va. All other factors being equal, grapes grown in different soils at Pollak produce wines with markedly different flavors. (Dave McIntyre)

Lets go dig a hole!

Ernest Bubba Beasley grabbed an auger and led the way along the vine rows. We were at Pollak Vineyards in Greenwood, Va., west of Charlottesville, on a sweltering summer day last July. Beasley, a geologist, and Lucie Morton, a viticulturist, wanted to show me their research on the relationship of vineyard soils to wine quality. And that meant a dirt tasting.

Morton and I clung to the thin, cool shade of the vines, dodging the beads of sweat flying off Beasleys forehead each time he twisted the auger deeper into the earth. After every few turns, he dumped a cork-shaped plug of dirt onto a garbage bag hed stretched on the ground. When he had dug a three-foot hole, we took a look. Beasley checked the dirt against a Munsell soil color chart, a geologists standard reference that resembles the color chips at a paint store. The soil here was heavy clay.

Five wines to try this week

Then Beasley led us about 50 feet up the row and repeated the process. Here, the soil was visibly different: clay on the top but a gravelly loam farther down, an assessment verified by matching the soils colors to the chart.

This soil allows the vine roots to dig deeper, and water drains better here than it does in the first sector, Beasley said.

Back in the winery, we tasted two vintages of cabernet franc, 2013 and 2014, made from grapes grown in each soil type. The wine from the clay soil was light ruby in color, with straightforward flavors of bell pepper and bing cherry  flavors familiar to fans of Virginia cabernet franc. The wine from the gravelly-loam-and-clay mix was darker, more savory, with impressive depth and complexity. The second wine was noticeably better in both vintages. The grape variety, viticulture, winemaking and climate conditions were identical; the only difference was the soil.

Youre not tasting the dirt, per se, but the mineralogy of the soils clearly affects the flavor and quality of the wines, Morton said.

Beasley, 33, and Morton, 65, make an odd couple of viticulture. Hes a University of Georgia-trained geologist who uses high-tech electromagnetic imaging along with traditional digging to create an underground map of a vineyard site, a technique he calls ground truthing. Morton learned viticulture in the 1970s at the University of Montpellier in France and is one of this countrys leading ampelographers (expert in grape varieties). She consults for several high-profile Mid-Atlantic wineries, and she recently began using a drone to combine aerial photography with Beasleys sub-surface imagery to create comprehensive maps of vineyard sites.

To wine lovers, the vineyards effect on a wines quality seems self-evident. Yet terroir is many things, including sun exposure, microclimate, even the personality of the winemaker. Morton and Beasley are focusing their research on one aspect: the soil. Recent scientific studies have tried to disprove the idea that minerals in the soil end up in the wine, but Morton and Beasley argue that soil characteristics have a direct effect on how the wine tastes.

And their research, in collaboration with scientists Clifford Ambers and Lance Kearns and funded by the Virginia Wine Board, has focused on potassium in particular. The clay soil that yielded the lesser wine in their experiment was significantly higher in potassium than the gravelly subsoil in the other plot. High potassium levels  common in Virginia vineyards  can lead to poor color and low acidity in wine while leaving the wine vulnerable to spoilage. Yet many grape growers add potassium to their soil. Thats because traditional soil analysis, aimed at cash crops such as corn, looks only at the surface soil. Vine roots grow deeper, where potassium levels may be higher.

Beasley and Morton will present their research in March at the Eastern Winery Exposition in Lancaster, Pa. Morton says she hopes they can persuade growers to look deeper into their soils and stop adding potassium.

Sounding like someone exasperated for having to belabor the obvious, Morton says, Grapes are not corn.
Jason Rezaian, the Washington Posts chief reporter in Iran, was arrested in July 2014. He was freed Saturday with three other prisoners in Iran. (Mohammad Davari/Freejasonandyegi.com)

Iran freed four imprisoned Iranian-Americans on Saturday in exchange for seven Iranians held or charged in the United States, U.S. officials said. One of the four was Washington Post reporter Jason Rezaian.

Rezaian, who is 39 and was the Washington Posts chief reporter in Iran, had been in prison for 18 months. He was accused of spying, a charge that he, the Post and the U.S. government said was untrue. Rezaian was found guilty in a secret trial that ended in August. It was not announced how long he was to spend in prison.

The deal took place as Iran, the United States and European nations were meeting in Vienna, Austria, about lifting sanctions, or penalties against doing business with Iran.

The released Americans, who also included former Marine Amir Hekmati and pastor Saeed Abidini, were to be flown from Iran to Switzerland and then brought to a U.S. military base in Germany for medical treatment. The name of the fourth prisoner was not confirmed.

In return, the United States agreed to either pardon or drop charges against seven Iranians  six of whom also have American citizenship  accused or convicted of violating U.S. sanctions.

Rezaian was originally arrested with his Iranian wife, Yeganeh Salehi, who is also a journalist, and two others. All but Rezaian were released after a few months in prison. (Stringer/EPA)

The United States and other Western nations created sanctions to try to stop Iran from building nuclear weapons. Iran agreed last summer to limit its nuclear programs if the West would lift sanctions. Both sides were in Vienna on Saturday to figure out whether Iran had made good on its promise. If so, sanctions were to end immediately.

[Read KidsPost story about what its like to be a reporter in foreign country.]
Giant panda cub Bei Bei makes his public debut after his birth in August at the National Zoo in Washington. Bei Bei, which translates to precious treasure, was given his name by first lady Michelle Obama and Chinese first lady Peng Liyuan.

Jan. 16, 2016 Giant panda cub Bei Bei makes his public debut after his birth in August at the National Zoo in Washington. Bei Bei, which translates to precious treasure, was given his name by first lady Michelle Obama and Chinese first lady Peng Liyuan. Olivier Douliery/AFP/Getty Images

For the beginning of his public debut, Bei Bei mostly snoozed on his back  a big puff of black-and-white fur with fluffy black ears curled in a box in a corner of his mothers den at the National Zoo.

Crowds stood captivated, and a few fans even fought back tears, as the giant panda cub scooted on his side, curling his paws around his fuzzy belly. The napping cub was oblivious to his rock-star status.

But Bei Beis every little move prompted pandamonium.

Bei Bei is just so cute, a little ball of fluff, said Tess Wells, 24, a pharmaceutical student who traveled to Washington from North Carolina. Wells and her friends Shima Ghattab, 24, and Christie Duckett, 24, were among hundreds of panda lovers who began lining up outside the gates in the wee hours of Saturday before filing through the Asia Trail entrance.

Bei Bei, pronounced bay bay, was born Aug. 22. Until Saturday, the cub, named by first lady Michelle Obama and Chinese first lady Peng Liyuan, could be seen by most people only online through the lens of the zoos panda cam, where he has a significant following and generated millions of clicks.

Five-month-old giant panda cub Bei Bei makes his public debut in front of adoring fans at the National Zoo. (The Washington Post)

[Bei Bei ready for his public debut]

There is something very special about giant pandas, said Pamela Baker-Masson, director of communications for the Smithsonians National Zoo, who explained the publics infatuation with the now 25-pound cub. They are extremely rare. Their natural habitat is in China. There are only four zoos inside the United States where people can see them.

Their distinctive black-and-white markings, she said, add naturally to the charisma of pandas.

A baby bear is incredibly adorable, Baker-Masson said. Some of their behavior is interesting and mesmerizing. That is why people watch them on the panda cam  the way they sit up and eat bamboo. They are appealing for so many reasons.

Giant pandas are an endangered species, threatened by humans. Only about 1,800 are left in the wild, according to the World Wildlife Fund.

Bei Bei, whose name means precious treasure, lives at the zoo with his 2-year-old sister, Bao Bao, whose name also means precious treasure, and his mother, Mei Xiang, whose name means beautiful fragrance.

Bei Beis older brother, Tai Shan, who was born July 9, 2005, and whose name means peaceful mountain, lives in China in a conservation center for pandas. (China owns and leases all giant pandas in U.S. zoos, and by agreement, any cubs born in the United States are sent to China when they are 4 years old.)

Bei Beis twin  who was never given a name  died when it was 4 days old after it inhaled some food product, which led to pneumonia.

[National Zoos panda gives birth to two cubs]

Bei Beis father, Tian Tian, still lives at the zoo  although Bei Beis mother and father are separated. (Because giant pandas are solitary in the wild, they live apart, zoo officials explained.)

They can see each other through a mesh howdy window, if they choose, zoo officials said.

Zookeepers explained how to distinguish Mei Xiang from Tian Tian. The mother, who weighs about 233 pounds, has black hip-high stockings extending up her hind legs. Tian Tian, who weighs about 264 pounds, has black knee socks. His name means more and more.

As people waited to enter the panda house, they were able to see panda mom, dad and sister outside. They watched Tian Tian roam his den and eat bamboo. They saw Bao Bao sitting up and mom Mei Xiang stripping bamboo.

Giant panda keeper Marty Dearie explained the differences in personality between brother Bei Bei and sister Bao Bao.

Bao Bao was more independent at this age, Dearie said. She did what she wanted. Bei Bei seems to spend more time with his mother.

Bei Bei is still taking milk from his mother. He has been nibbling on bamboo, although keepers are not sure whether he is actually consuming it, Dearie said. He is chewing it, and it is mostly falling out of his mouth. He may have eaten a leaf, but we are still watching.

Dearie said that the cub is typically awake when keepers arrive about 6:30 a.m. Then he falls asleep. He wakes again between noon and 2 p.m.

Friends of the National Zoo got special glimpses of the cub last week, but on Saturday all visitors could see Bei Bei. Anticipation grew as crowds inched closer to the panda house, where they were allowed to enter in groups of 50.

I follow Bei Bei on Instagram, Wells said. When I saw they were debuting him this weekend, I sent my friend an immediate Facebook message. I said, Were going to see Bei Bei! 

Wells and Ghattan, students in North Carolina, traveled to Washington to see Duckett, but mostly to see Bei Bei.

As the line moved closer to the panda house, Wellss excitement grew. This might get embarrassing, she said, holding back her enthusiasm. My mom and I watch Bei Bei on the panda cam, and we text each other if he is doing something really cute. I will watch for a while. If hes asleep, Im like, okay, hes asleep.

Even Ghattan, who admits she has an animal phobia, was excited: I had a stuffed panda growing up as a child.

Wells said that pandas are so easy to love. Sometimes if there is a panda documentary on, showing that they can be ferocious, I wont watch.

Duckett added, You dont want to know the real truth.

The line moved closer. Oh, my God! Duckett exclaimed.

I will try to restrain myself, Wells said. If I go missing in the panda house, you will know why.

Behind the girlfriends stood Christine Dillon, 34, an administrative assistant who lives in Fairfax, Va. Dillon traveled to the zoo with her mom, Jean Kelley, 56, a bank teller who lives in Woodbridge, Va.

I love the pandas, Kelley said. I have followed them since we got our first set when Nixon was in office.

Kelley was determined to witness Bei Beis debut.

My husband knew I was coming today. There was no keeping me away. Even if there was a snowstorm, we were coming by hook or by crook.

Inside the panda house, Bei Bei lay curled on his side in a box. Wells exclaimed, Holy cow! Hes stirring a little bit.

Im overwhelmed by his cuteness, Duckett said.

Then Mei Xiang came into the panda house, climbed onto a pile of rocks and began eating bamboo. The cub looked up at his mom, scratched his neck with a fluffy paw, turned over and fell back asleep.
Walmart announced Friday that it is pulling out of a plan for a supercenter at the Skyland Town Center in Southeast Washington. (Dayna Smith/For The Washington Post)

Walmart abruptly announced Friday that it was abandoning a promise to build stores in Washingtons poorest neighborhoods, an agreement that had been key to the deal allowing the retailer to begin operating in the nations capital.

The giant retailer cited increasing costs for the new projects and disappointing performance at the three D.C. stores it opened over the past several years. But news that Walmart would pull out of two supercenters planned for east of the Anacostia River, where its wares and jobs are wanted most, shocked D.C. leaders. In one case, the city had already committed $90 million to make a development surrounding one of the stores viable.

Im blood mad, D.C. Mayor Muriel E. Bowser (D) said at a Friday news conference.

Its an outrage, said former mayor Vincent C. Gray (D), who in 2013 completed the handshake deal for the stores. This is devastating and disrespectful to the residents of the East End of the District of Columbia.

The decision to withdraw from the planned D.C. locations came as part of a broader strategic move by the nations largest retailer to shutter 269 of its stores around the world  but not the existing D.C. stores, the company confirmed  a plan Walmart hopes will allow it to focus on becoming a more serious player in online shopping and to improve its remaining fleet of supercenters and grocery stores.

Walmart said Friday that it is terminating plans to build two stores on the east side of the Anacostia River in Washington D.C. This comes after the retail giant announced it was closing more than 200 stores around the world. (WUSA9)

But in the nations capital, the two stores were more than statistics. For D.C. leaders, they amounted to Walmarts breaking a promise that had allowed it to win a public relations coup at a critical point for the company.

[Walmart is ending its Express concept and closing 269 stores]

After saturating the nations rural landscape with big-box stores at the turn of the decade, Walmart had been blocked by liberal politicians and unions in New York and Boston from its next frontier, remaking retail in the nations urban core. But in the District, Walmart won the right to open stores surrounding the U.S. Capitol  and a symbolic victory for its belief that low-price goods help its poor customers more than low-wage jobs hurt its workers.

Under the initial deal, Walmart could build stores almost anywhere in the District, as long as it opened two stores in its poorest wards and areas of the city sometimes referred to as food deserts, with few  if any  options for fresh produce and groceries. One was planned for Skyland Town Center in Southeast Washington and the other at Capitol Gateway Marketplace in Northeast Washington.

The deal came at significant cost, however. Pushed by labor unions, a majority of the D.C. Council at first pushed back against welcoming Walmart to the city. Opponents cited Walmarts large profits and refusal to let workers unionize, as well as its reputation for low wages.

[In D.C., low-cost trumps low-wage in Walmart debate]

But as recently as last week, all of that seemed like a distant memory. In her list of first-year accomplishments, Bowser had included a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the citys latest Walmart, at Fort Totten, in a video montage and listed a technical deal signed in the fall that cleared a final roadblock for construction at Skyland.

People walk past a Walmart Express store in Richfield, N.C. District officials are upset over the companys cancellation of planned supercenters east of the Anacostia River. (Jason E. Miczek/Bloomberg)

[Walmart opens first stores in the District]

Then on Friday, the deal was off. Walmart officials entered the mayors office early in the morning and apologized, saying plans and economics had changed. Large urban Walmarts were more expensive to build and less profitable to operate than expected  especially, it turned out, in the District.

Mike Moore, Walmarts executive vice president of supercenters, said in an interview that the decision to pull out of the projects at Skyland and Capital Gateway was based on fresh assumptions the company was making about the potential profitability of those stores. The officials said that they did not feel confident that the planned stores would generate healthy sales volume. Their latest math suggested that construction and operating expenses were going to be higher than they had originally budgeted for.

So far, Moore added, the three stores Walmart has opened  one blocks from Union Station in the trendy NoMa neighborhood and two in gentrifying areas along Georgia Avenue and at Fort Totten  were underperforming and just not anywhere close to your expectation.

Council member Jack Evans (D-Ward 2), head of the councils finance committee, sat in on the meeting Friday morning with Walmart officials and Brian Kenner, Bowsers deputy mayor for planning and economic development.

Evans said that, behind closed doors, Walmart officials were more frank about the reasons the company was downsizing. He said the company cited the Districts rising minimum wage, now at $11.50 an hour and possibly going to $15 an hour if a proposed ballot measure is successful in November. He also said a proposal for legislation requiring D.C. employers to pay into a fund for family and medical leave for employees, and another effort to require a minimum amount of hours for hourly workers were compounding costs and concerns for the retailer.

They were saying, How are we going to run the three stores we have, let alone build two more?  Evans said.

The optics of this are horrible; they are not going to build the stores east of the river, in largely African American neighborhoods? Thats horrible; you cant do that, Evans said. A deals a deal.

It was immediately clear that Walmarts announcement could also reverberate in a city election year. Gray, who is considering an effort to resurrect his political career after prosecutors dropped an investigation into his first mayoral run, said he was outraged.

Gray cast blame on Bowsers team, saying he had met with the projects developers two weeks before he left office last year and everything was on track.

What did the administration do to stay on top of this? There is no bigger project going on than this one, maybe in all of the East End, he said of Skyland.

Gray could run this year against Ward 7 Council member Yvette M. Alexander (D) or in an at-large race. But on Friday, he sounded more like a mayoral candidate.

If I were mayor, Id get on a plane and go to Bentonville, to Walmarts global headquarters in Arkansas, Gray said. They should be held accountable.

Speaking to reporters, Bowser was more muted. She said she was disappointed but stressed that the Districts three existing Walmarts were not on the closure list.

Michael Czin, her communications director, said that Walmart had signed a lease at Skyland, but attorneys for the administration and the developer were still analyzing whether either could be entitled to legal recourse.

Were assessing options and looking at everything, he said. We continue to talk to legal counsel. Its still somewhat early; folks are looking into how everything was written.

Fenit Nirappil contributed to this report.
Reuben O. Charles II, a Washington businessman and onetime aide to former mayor Vincent C. Gray (D), pleaded guilty Thursday to a federal misdemeanor tax charge and admitted failing to file tax returns for 2010 and 2011.

He faces up to a year in prison.

Charles, 46, through his attorney, estimated a loss to taxpayers of more than $40,000 in the case and argued that a sentence of 10 months was appropriate, according to a plea agreement with prosecutors.

[Former Gray aide indicted on tax charges]

Prosecutors pegged the loss to the U.S. treasury at more than $100,000, and seek a one-year prison term. The government said Charles could also face a fine of $5,500 to $55,000 at sentencing, set for April 15 before U.S. District Judge Tanya S. Chutkan in Washington.

Reuben Charles answers a question as Councilwoman Mary Cheh holds a hearing to look into allegations of nepotism and cronyism in former Mayor Vincent Grays administration on March 28, 2011 in Washington. (Bill O'Leary/The Washington Post)

Charles is the eighth person with an association to Gray to be charged in federal court. All have pleaded guilty.

U.S. Attorney Channing D. Phillips in December announced the end of the years-long probe into the illegal financing of Grays 2010 campaign without charges against the former mayor.

[Probe ends without charges against former D.C. mayor Vincent Gray]

Charles managed Grays mayoral transition but fell out of the running for chief of staff in 2010 after publicity surrounding a series of lawsuits and liens from his time as a venture capitalist in St. Louis.

Charles, a married father of two school-aged boys who moved to the District in 2007, became an information technology consultant to the D.C. government and Metro. He became a prominent fundraising conduit for Grays campaign.

[ Campaign operatives past looms large in his future with next D.C. mayor ]
MARYLAND

Pr. Georges student found with loaded gun

A student at Nicholas Orem Middle School in Prince Georges County brought a loaded gun to school Wednesday, authorities said.

After someone called with an anonymous tip, officials pulled the boy out of class and seized the weapon from a backpack, Prince Georges County Public Schools spokeswoman Sherrie Johnson said. Hyattsville police are investigating the incident, she said.

Johnson said that she did not know what the students intent was in bringing the weapon to school, but in a statement, she said, at no time were students or staff in danger. The schools principal sent a letter home to parents detailing the incident on the day it occurred, Johnson said.

 Matt Zapotosky

Man convicted in prison drone case

A jury convicted a man of 31 offenses Friday for plotting to fly illegal drugs, a cellphone and other contraband aboard a drone into a maximum-security state prison.

Thaddeus C. Shortz, 25, of Knoxville, Md., could face more than 50 years in prison for crimes that include contraband, drug, conspiracy and firearm convictions.

The Allegany County Circuit Court jury deliberated a little more than two hours after two days of testimony. Shortz was acquitted on two counts each of intending to distribute drugs within 1,000 feet of a school  there is a vocational school near the prison  and knowingly engaging in a financial transaction involving proceeds from illegal drug sales.

 Associated Press

VIRGINIA

Fairfax schools employee arrested

A Fairfax County Public Schools employee was arrested Friday on suspicion of sending inappropriate photographs of himself to a student with special needs.

Morrice D. Stephenson, 24, of Alexandria, was charged with two felony counts of solicitation of a minor using a communication device, Fairfax County police said.

Officer Brendan Murphy said that Stephenson worked as an aide, helping students with disabilities while they ride the school bus to Quander Road School, a therapeutic school for public school students with special needs in the Alexandria section of the county.

On Wednesday, school administrators called police to tell them that a 16-year-old student had told employees that Stephenson sent her lewd photographs.

Investigators found that he sent pictures of himself to the teenager at least twice last year.

 Julie Zauzmer
THE DISTRICT

Lead paint dust sends workers to hospitals

Eight cafeteria employees were taken to area hospitals Friday after a potential release of lead paint dust was discovered at the Longworth House Office Building cafeteria during a weeks-long renovation project, authorities said.

All eight were evaluated for potential exposure to lead, according to a House Sergeant at Arms news release. The area in the cafeteria that was initially affected was not being used for food preparation.

Around 9:30 a.m. Friday, authorities discovered that lead paint dust may have been released during overnight renovation work. While authorities investigated, some workers complained of feeling unwell, the release said.

Timothy Wilson, a D.C. fire department spokesman, could not immediately describe the symptoms but said they were minor.

No offices at the building on Independence Avenue were evacuated. It is located just south of the U.S. Capitol and near the Capitol South Metro station.

The cafeteria will remain closed until tests are completed and remedial measures are taken, authorities said.

 Peter Hermann

and Victoria St. Martin

VIRGINIA

Police arrest 2 men for sexual assault

Arlington police have arrested two men who authorities said sexually assaulted a woman and threatened to hold her against her will.

On Tuesday, police said, two men knocked on the door of a South Arlington motel room where a women who did not know them was involved in escort-related activity.

Police said the men sexually assaulted the woman and threatened her with a weapon before stealing her iPad and fleeing. Authorities said they believe the men were targeting non-English speaking victims in hopes that they would not contact police.

Police said Jose Euseibo Guevara-Rodriquez, 39, was charged with rape, and Elmer Umberto Lopez-Velasquez, 38, was charged with attempted rape. The men, both of Arlington, also face robbery charges and are being held without bond at the Arlington County Detention Facility, police said.

 Dana Hedgpeth

and Victoria St. Martin
A Portuguese appeals court has ordered the extradition of a former CIA officer to Italy, where she was convicted in absentia for her role in the rendition of a terrorism suspect and faces four years in prison.

Sabrina De Sousa, a U.S. and Portuguese citizen, traveled in April to Lisbon, where she and her husband spend part of the year. But in October, when she went to the airport to travel to the Indian state of Goa to visit her ailing mother, De Sousa was arrested when authorities saw an alert that she was wanted in Italy.

In an interview Friday morning, De Sousa said she was surprised by the courts decision this week and will appeal the ruling to Portugals Supreme Court. If she loses there, she can take her case to the countrys Constitutional Court. She will not be sent to Italy until she exhausts her judicial options, she said.

I am really shocked, said De Sousa, whose U.S. and Portuguese passports have been seized. From what I understood, extradition was off the table because it was a trial in absentia. I was not served or told of the charges against me and had zero opportunity to defend myself adequately because the U.S. did not acknowledge the rendition took place and the evidence was classified. Italy also covered all pertinent evidence with state secrets. 

The CIA declined to comment.

[Sabrina De Sousa: Kidnapping unravels a spys career]

De Sousa was one of more than 20 Americans, mostly CIA officials, convicted in absentia by Italian courts for their roles in kidnapping Egyptian cleric Hassan Mustafa Osama Nasr, also known as Abu Omar, off a street in Milan in 2003. At the time, De Sousa was registered in Italy as a State Department official at the U.S. Consulate in Milan but actually served as a CIA officer.

On Feb. 17, 2003, Omar left his Milan apartment and was snatched, thrown into a van and flown to Egypt, where he was beaten and shocked with electricity, he said after his release. De Sousa has said she was chaperoning her sons ski trip in northern Italy that day. She also has said that the rendition was approved and orchestrated by higher-ranking CIA officials in Rome and the United States and had the blessing of Italian intelligence officials.

But De Sousa also has acknowledged that she worked as an interpreter for the CIA snatch team that visited Milan and coordinated with Italian authorities.

Italian prosecutors insist that De Sousa has always understated her role in Abu Omars rendition. In 2005, they charged her and several other CIA employees for their roles in the kidnapping, embarrassing the agency and exposing a rift between allies. In 2009, 23 Americans  many of them using aliases  were convicted in absentia, but none has served any prison time.

That year, De Sousa sued the Justice Department and the CIA for not invoking diplomatic immunity on her behalf, but her case was dismissed.

De Sousa knew she was taking a risk by flying to Europe in the spring of 2015. But she said she thought that if she were arrested and threatened with extradition to Italy, U.S. and Italian officials would grant her clemency and reopen the investigation into Abu Omars kidnapping.
A flurry of excitement broke out on Capitol Hill under overcast skies Friday, as police converged on a place where they had just been told of the latest example of a crime that has been occuring throughout the Hills neighborhoods with increasing frequency: thefts from autos.

We are experiencing an increase in the number of thefts from cars across Capitol Hill, a police official said Friday on a police email bulletin board.

One half hour later, the same official posted additional news under this heading: Significant Theft From Automobile Suspect Arrested Today.

Police gave this account of the incident:

It was about noon when someone in the 200 block of D Street saw a crime being committed.

A man smashed the window of a parked car, and pulled out a backpack. Then he walked away, and entered an alley. The site is about two blocks southeast of the Madison Building of t he Library of Congress.

A radio description of the thief was broadcast, and not only D.C. police but Capitol Police as well headed to the vicinity, searching up and down nearby streets and alleys.

At Third and D Street SE, somebody was stopped and after investigation, was placed under arrest.

No name was immediately available.

However police said the person arrested was well known to officers in that part of the city. The police also said he had been arrested a number of times in connection with thefts from autos there.

Police said Friday that they were in the early stages of their investigation.

Thefts from cars on the streets of the city, as well as its suburbs, are particularly difficult to deter and solve.

They are often made under the cover of darkness, when foot and car traffic has declined. If the crimes are not spotted as they are occurring it is particularly difficult to make arrests.

In trying to reduce the number of the thefts, police have urged car owners not to leave their vehicles before placing all valuables out of sight.

In the 365 days that ended Friday almost 11,000 thefts from cars were reported in the District. The number is about 300 less than the year before.

In the last 30 days however, , the number of such thefts has risen in the police district that includes Capitol Hill. It has gone up to 157 from 147 in the corresponding period a year ago.
A fighter of the Islamic State group waves the terrorist groups flag from inside a captured government fighter jet following the battle for the Tabqa air base, in Raqqa, Syria. (Uncredited/AP)

Federal authorities announced Saturday that they had arrested a Northern Virginia man who they say planned to join the Islamic State in Syria, intercepting him just before he departed from Richmond International Airport for the first leg of his journey.

They also charged a man who gave him a ride, alleging he was in on the plan and lied to FBI agents about it.

In court papers, authorities said Joseph Hassan Farrokh, 28, and Mahmoud Amin Mohamed Elhassan, 25, both of Woodbridge, had been unknowingly working with law enforcement informants for months, plotting to have Farrokh join the Islamic State in Syria while the FBI monitored their communications.

Investigators took Farrokh into custody Friday as he walked to his departure gate, charging him with attempting to provide material support to terrorists, according to court documents. They arrested Elhassan, who had given Farrokh a ride to Richmond, in Woodbridge some time later, charging him with aiding and abetting Farrokhs plot, the documents say.

Relatives of Farrokh could not immediately be reached. A man who identified himself as Elhassans brother said Elhassan had never shown signs of supporting the Islamic State, and he did not believe the allegations.

I 100 percent believe my brother is an innocent person, and by the end of the story, theyre going to find what a big mistake they did to him, Elhassans brother said. Asked to spell his name, the brother said he was driving and had to discontinue the phone call.

If the allegations are true, the case would mark the latest example of an American buying into the Islamic States agenda and trying to lend a hand. Federal prosecutors have charged more than 70 men and women across the country with crimes related to the Islamic State, and December seemed to mark an especially busy month on that front.

[Graphic: A case by case accounting of those charged criminally in connection with the Islamic State]

The man who identified himself as Elhassan's brother said Elhassan was a student at Northern Virginia Community College and had a license to drive a cab. The man, 45, said Elhassan came from a family of simple, normal, middle class, Middle Eastern Muslims who did not support the Islamic State.

Personally, we believe that ISIS is something bad, something wrong, and we dont support them, the man said, using an acronym for the Islamic State. We dont deserve this. We work so hard for this country.

The man said he had not yet been able to talk to his brother.

Less could be learned immediately about Farrokh. An affidavit signed by U.S. Secret Service Agent Walter T. Johnson Jr. says Farrokh was born in Pennsylvania and had been living in Woodbridge since July. It says Elhassan was originally from Sudan but became a legal, permanent U.S. resident in 2012 and also lived in Woodbridge.

It remains unclear precisely how or when agents were tipped to Farrokhs and Elhassans alleged intentions, but the affidavit says Elhassan introduced Farrokh to an informant in August, and agents were able to keep tabs on the men via that informant and others in the months that followed.

The affidavit alleges that Farrokh said at various points that he had been wanting to travel to Syria for a year, and that he wanted to die a martyr for Allah.

Based on the affidavit's account, Farrokh seemed wary of law enforcement thwarting his plans. The FBI recorded a meeting between Farrokh and two confidential informants  one who Farrokh thought was an Islamic State facilitator  in November, and Farrokh talked of not wanting to go to jail for 15 years, according to the affidavit. The affidavit claims the informants told Farrokh he did not have to talk if he was not comfortable, and Farrokh suggested they swear an oath that those working with non-Muslims would suffer the curse of Allah.

Later, Farrokh questioned why it was necessary that he formally declare an oath of allegiance in the United States, where he might be prosecuted for it, and why he had to give them copies of his passport and other documentation, which would prove his intent to travel. He also allegedly mentioned to Elhassan the arrest of 25-year-old Emanuel Lutchman, who authorities said was plotting a New Years Eve attack for the Islamic State. According to an affidavit in that case, Lutchman was conspiring with people working for the FBI, one of whom gave him $40 to buy ski masks, zip ties, knives and other supplies.

The informants, according to the affidavit, gave Farrokh the chance to back out at various points, but he ultimately pressed forward.

Farrokh's family seems not to have known about his plan. He told an informant that he had told them he was planning to go to Saudi Arabia to study, and he feared that if he lingered too long in Jordan  where he planned to fly before heading to Syria  his family might realize what he was up to. The affidavit indicates Farrokh was married but offers no details about his wife.

In one phone call, according to the affidavit, Farrokhs mother told him he sounded aggressive, and he responded that he had asked Allah to destroy Christians because they are the enemies of humanity.

Farrokh ultimately purchased a ticket to fly out of Richmond to Jordan, with a layover in Chicago, according to the affidavit. He told an informant he planned to trim and style his beard so he would look more American. Elhassan, according to the affidavit, knew of Farrokhs plans, and he and Farrokh left for Richmond in Elhassans taxi just before 8 a.m. Friday.

Agents arrested Farrokh soon after he passed airport security, according to the affidavit. They later took Elhassan into custody in Woodbridge, and he told agents  falsely, according to the affidavit  that Farrokh was flying to a friends funeral in California, and he was leaving out of Dulles International Airport. Elhassans brother said investigators searched the familys home.

Both Farrokh and Elhassan are scheduled to appear in federal court in Alexandria Tuesday.
People work on the Green Line Metro tracks near a pedestrian bridge that fell after it was struck by Metro construction equipment in College Park. (Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post)

Nine months after a Metro contractors crane destroyed a pedestrian bridge over Green Line tracks in Prince Georges County, the company has yet to complete replacement of the structure. Whats more, the unusable bridge has further delayed a rail project that was supposed to have been finished nearly two years ago.

Metro says it has done its part to restore the bridge that provides an important pathway connecting two communities in northwestern Prince Georges. But its contractor, the global construction company Skanska, has repeatedly postponed work on the bridge. Most recently, the company canceled work that had been planned for Jan. 8 and 9.

Theyve made a number of commitments as to a date, and those dates have come and gone, Metro spokesman Dan Stessel said. We are not happy.

Skanska also has a $66 million contract with Metro to build a test track to run parallel to the Green Line between the Greenbelt and College Park Metro stations. The transit agency will use the 10,000-foot track to test the hundreds of new 7,000-series rail cars it plans to buy by 2018. With an original completion date of March 2014, the project was already behind schedule when the bridge collapse  caused by a piece of equipment being used in the project  happened on April 15.

John Hellman, the project executive with Skanska, said the new track is nearly completed and that the project will be turned over to Metro by the end of the month. The new bridge, he said, will be ready next month but will be installed in the spring when Metro will be able to shut down the tracks so the work can be done.

Caroline Wick and her boyfriend, Ian Rowe, stand for a portrait on part of the pedestrian bridge that fell after it was struck by Metro construction equipment in April. (Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post)

He said issues related to the project, including the bridge collapse, caused delays in construction and prevented the company from meeting the agreed-upon completion date. But he declined to elaborate, referring questions to Metro.

We have had issues with them, Hellman said referring to Metro. But we are confident that we can work through them, and at the end it will work out okay.

Complications with design and the fabrication of the bridge led to setbacks in the effort to replace that structure, he said.

Residents and elected officials in the area have been anxiously waiting to get their birdcage-looking bridge back disheartened by one too many unfulfilled promises of its replacement.

We have been waiting and waiting and waiting, said Berwyn Heights Mayor Jodie Kulpa-Eddy, who has been fielding calls and emails from residents who use the pathway to get across the tracks to College Park. She has been passing along Metros responses: first that it would be replaced by December, then that it had been delayed again.

Now I am going to have to tell them that its going to be this spring. Im sure its not going to be welcome news, she said.

The bridge is a popular bike and pedestrian connection between the Berwyn Heights area and the University of Maryland campus. Berwyn Heights residents also use it to get to businesses along the Route 1 corridor in College Park and a Catholic grade school just on the other side of the tracks. Many College Park residents use it to get to recreational facilities in Berwyn Heights, including Lake Artemesia and a network of trails.

The only way from this side of the tracks to the other side is this pedestrian bridge, said Ian Rowe, 30, an avid runner and cyclist who used the bridge two or three times weekly to get to the lake from his College Park home. Since the collapse, he and his girlfriend, Caroline Wick, have been back only four times.

Their 20-minute walk to the lake via the bridge has easily doubled now, via a muddy, poorly lit underpass that they avoid altogether. Other alternatives add several miles to the trip through high-traffic roadways. When they go, they drive.

I know that Metro has a lot of issues, but to some extent it feels like this hasnt gotten the attention it deserves, said Wick, 30, who launched the hashtag #fixthebridge on Twitter.

Metro officials say they understand the frustration  and share it.

We want to see Skanska make this right as quickly as possible and to live up to their commitments, Stessel said. Theres no question that the lack of this bridge places a hardship on the communities. It was the path of travel for many residents to get from one side of the tracks to the other, and without it the walking route is significantly longer and less convenient.

The bridge, which is being fabricated in Alabama, will be ready for installation in mid-February, Skanska spokeswoman Pamela Monastra said. She said the design took longer than expected because of necessary and applicable new safety and design codes and standards that have changed since the bridge was originally built in the early 1990s.

If delivered in February, the soonest it is likely to be installed is late April, officials said. Metro would not shut down service during the weeks of the Cherry Blossom festival  one of the busiest seasons for the transit agency  to allow for the bridges installation.

Meanwhile, Metro says its much more pressing concern is getting the Greenbelt test track delivered. Skanska was entrusted with the project in June 2012, with a March 2014 completion date. The project also includes a commissioning facility, parking garage and other structures. Without the test track, Metro is forced to commission the 7000-series trains on its service tracks, resulting in midday and weekend single-tracking and disruptions for riders.

Metro has 18 of the 7000-series cars in testing, but it is expected to add 12 each month this year. If it is forced to test more of them on service tracks, it will mean more disruptions for passenger service.

When you are testing hundreds and hundreds of railcars, it is really to your benefit to have a dedicated track where you can do that without having other trains on them, Stessel said. That is the purpose of this rail track.

Hellman said crews have completed the track and are now testing it before they hand it over to Metro.

As far as the bridge is concerned, he said, the company and Metro spent several months discussing design details and those issues were not resolved in time for installation this month.

Metro says it is in discussions with Skanska to move the project forward as soon as possible.

After seeing three notices offering different timeframes for when the work will be completed, residents are not convinced.

I am hopeless at this point, Rowe said. I have very little confidence that the bridge will be fixed by spring of 2016. At this point, I doubt they will do it this year.
LOTTERY

Tennesse powerball winner verified

Lottery officials verified Friday that a longtime resident of the small town of Munford, Tenn., bought one of three tickets winning the world-record $1.6 billion Powerball jackpot.

Tennessee Lottery executive Rebecca Hargrove made the announcement.

John Robinson of Munford, just north of Memphis, said he quickly reached out to his brother and others to assemble a team of lawyers and financial planners.

What could one person possibly do with all that money?

Robinson said in an appearance on NBCs Today show that he and his wife, Lisa, want to help out certain friends, give to the St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital in Memphis, and donate to their church.

Im a firm believer in tithing to my church, Robinson said.

The three jackpot winners can leave their winnings to be invested and thereby collect 30 annual payments totaling an estimated $533 million, or take their third of $983.5 million in cash all at once. Robinson said he would take the lump sum.

He carried the precious slip of paper to the Today show in New York City and back before delivering the ticket Friday to lottery officials in Nashville.

The other tickets were sold in Melbourne Beach, Fla., and Chino Hills, Calif., each one overcoming odds of 1 in 292.2 million to land on all the numbers. Lottery officials in those states have yet to confirm or identify the winners.

 Associated Press

MICHIGAN

Federal disaster funds sought for Flint

The needs of Flint, Mich., far exceed the states capability, Gov. Rick Snyder said in a request for a federal disaster declaration and millions of dollars that could pay for clean water, filters and cartridges for residents whose water system has been contaminated by lead.

Snyders letter to President Obama paints a bleak picture of the troubled city, describing Flint as an impoverished area that has been overwhelmed by the release of lead from old pipes  the result of using the Flint River as the citys drinking water for 18 months. Nearly 60 percent of residents get food stamps, and the median household income is 50 percent less than the statewide figure, Snyders letter said.

The application seeks help from all available federal programs. Snyder (R) said 90 days of clean drinking water could cost $10.3 million, and home filters, filter cartridges and testing kits could cost $31 million over a year.

 Associated Press

Astronauts abort spacewalk: Two astronauts aborted their spacewalk Friday and hurried back into the International Space Station after water leaked into one of the mens helmets in a scary repeat of a near-drowning 2 years ago. The trouble cropped up after the astronauts  including Britains 1st spacewalker  successfully restored power to the station.

Rutgers professor gets 12 years in assault: Rutgers University professor Anna Stubblefield was sentenced Friday to 12 years in prison for the sexual assault of a disabled man who she said had consented to the relationship by communicating on a keyboard. Stubblefield was chairman of the philosophy department.

Calif. man indicted on terrorism-related charge: Aws Mohammed Younis Al-Jayb, an Iraqi-born man living in Sacramento, swore that America will not isolate me from my Islamic duty as he used a social-media account associated with the Islamic State to plot a return to Syria, according to court documents made public Friday. He was indicted Thursday on a federal charge that he lied to investigators about traveling to Syria to fight against the government.

 From news services
One day in the 1960s, when young Michael Vickery was hunting in the rolling, pine-shrouded hills near this East Texas village, his grandfather pointed to a bullet-scarred post oak.

Buckshot, Vickery recalled the old man saying, adding that there were eight black people buried in one hole right here.

For more than a century, that was how one of the nations worst racial pogroms in post-Civil War history was kept alive  in quiet conversations across generations, among both whites and blacks. Otherwise, what is now known as the Slocum Massacre of 1910  when at least eight African Americans, and possibly many more, were slaughtered by marauding white residents  was conspicuously absent from official history.

That changed Saturday, when the descendants of the black victims helped unveil a roadside marker that offers a brief account of the July 29, 1910, massacre.

This most definitely helps restore it to its proper place, said Constance Hollie-Jawaid, who applied for the historical marker. She is a Dallas school district administrator whose great-grandfather, Alex Holley, was among those killed. (After the massacre, the family changed the spelling of their surname.)

It was being ignored, and by ignoring it, youre spitting in the face of those who died during that tragic event. Youre basically saying either it didnt happen or it was not important, and its very, very important.

The Texas Historical Commission approved the marker last year over the opposition of local officials, who said the application was based on conflicting newspaper accounts of the time. They also expressed concern that the marker could tarnish current residents.

The citizens of Slocum today had absolutely nothing to do with what happened over a hundred years ago, Jimmy Odom, chairman of the Anderson County Historical Commission, wrote in response to Hollie-Jawaids marker application. This is a nice, quiet community with a wonderful school system. It would be a shame to mark them as racist from now until the end of time.

But researchers with the Texas Historical Commission found ample documentation that there was a massacre, a spokesman for the agency said.

I think the marker does help clarify what happened, and its to the benefit of the state and the community, said spokesman Chris Florance. There is difficult history in the state, and this shows there has been a lot of change.

Today, Slocum is cluster of aging homes, a doughnut shop and a rural school at the intersection of quiet country roads, about 20 miles from the county seat of Palestine. In 1910, it was a thriving village, home to several prosperous businesses and farms owned by former slaves.

At the time, racial violence was common in Texas and across the South. Between 1885 and 1942, 465 lynchings were recorded in Texas, 339 of them of blacks, the third-highest number of lynchings in any state, according to the Texas State Historical Association.

In the summer of 1910, according to family stories and news accounts from that time, racial tensions in the Slocum area were said to be running even higher because of the recent lynching of a black man in nearby Cherokee County. Rumors circulated that black residents were gathering to plan armed retribution. Passions were further stoked in July of that year when a white man trying to collect a debt scuffled with an African American.

White mobs quickly formed, armed with shotguns and rifles, according to the accounts. Word spread to Palestine, and whites rushed to Slocum, forming an angry crowd of an estimated 1,000 people.

On Friday morning, July 29, three young black men  Charlie Wilson, Cleve Larkin and Lusk Holley  unknowingly walked into the maelstrom.

We were going to feed our calves and attend to our livestock, Wilson later told a Fort Worth Star-Telegram reporter. We had gotten 500 or 600 yards from my grandmothers house when we were fired upon by several men, two of whom I recognized. They did not say a word when they fired on us. They used shotguns and Winchesters. There were six or seven men in the mob.

Larkin was killed and Wilson was wounded, but Holley escaped. Later that night, Holley, his brother Alex and a friend were fleeing on foot toward Palestine when they encountered 20 men coming down the road in the opposite direction. Lusk Holley was wounded and his brother was killed when the white men opened fire.

In separate attacks, a 30-year-old black man was found shot to death on another road. Four others, including a 70-year-old man, were slain in a house near Slocum. Reporters counted eight bodies, several of them buried in a common grave dug on the property of one of the dead. Authorities suspected that many more had died.

Men were going about killing Negroes as fast as they could find them, and, so far as I was able to ascertain, without any real cause, Anderson County Sheriff W.H. Black, a white man, said in the Aug. 1, 1910, edition of the New York Times. The Washington Post also covered the massacre extensively. I dont know how many there were in the mob, but there may have been 200 or 300. They hunted the Negroes down like sheep.

In Palestine, State Judge B.H. Gardner ordered saloons closed and forbade hardware stores from selling guns and ammunition. A few days later, Gardner convened a county grand jury:

All of you are white men, and all of you are Southern men, and it is your duty now to investigate the killing and murder of a large number of Negroes, say, at least eight and possibly 10 or 12 or more, who have been killed in the southeastern part of your county by men of your color, Gardner said, calling the massacre a disgrace.

Nearly every Slocum resident was subpoenaed to testify. Prominent men who refused were arrested, Gardner wrote in his memoirs. Seven men were indicted on 22 counts of murder, but the charges were dropped after Gardner ordered the cases moved to Houston.

In those days, the district or county attorney of Harris County felt that he could not put his time in prosecuting white men for killing Negroes in another county, Gardner wrote.

The massacre was quickly consigned to the local shadows. The official silence lingered through the 1990s, as Hollie-Jawaid and her relatives sought out newspaper reporters and Hollywood producers. Their calls went unreturned until 2011, when articles in the Star-Telegram led to a resolution by the Texas legislature acknowledging that the massacre happened.

In 2014, Hollie-Jawaid and E.R. Bills, author of The 1910 Slocum Massacre: An Act of Genocide in East Texas, submitted an application for a historical marker but were not hopeful, given the countys response. At a hearing last January, Hollie-Jawaid was stunned when the state historical commission voted to grant the marker.

I couldnt stop crying, she said recently.

Anderson officials now say they are reconciled. Odom, the Anderson County Historical Commission member who opposed the marker, planned to be at Saturdays unveiling.

One of the countys most prominent residents, longtime State Judge Bascom Bentley, also welcomed the marker. Bentley, who is white, remembered a long-ago conversation about the massacre with an elderly black man.

He said he stood in water up to his neck for two or three days, and there were times he wouldnt even scratch his nose because he was afraid somebody might see him, Bentley, 64, said last week.

Im glad the marker is there. Its part of our history, an ugly part. But the purpose of history is to teach us how to do better in the present and future.
TAIWAN

Voters head to polls to choose new president

Voting began Saturday in Taiwans presidential election in which the islands China-friendly Nationalist Party appears likely to lose power to the pro-independence opposition, amid concerns that the economy is under threat from China and broad opposition among voters to Beijings demands for political unification.

The Democratic Progressive Partys Tsai Ing-wen is poised to become the self-governing islands first female president, returning the main opposition party to power after eight years under Nationalist President Ma Ying-jeou, who is barred from another term by the constitution.

The outcome of the contest for a majority in the 133-seat legislature remains uncertain, with independents and smaller parties posing a threat to the Nationalists and the DPP.

A win for Tsai would bring new uncertainty into the relationship between Taiwan and China, which claims the island as its territory and threatens to use force if it declares formal independence.

 Associated Press

CANADA

Assisted suicide rule allowed to take effect

The Supreme Court of Canada decided Friday to allow doctor-assisted suicide across the country under certain circumstances, while giving the government more time to pass a law governing the practice.

The decision came as officials confirmed that a patient had already been helped to die in the province of Quebec.

The court had overturned a ban on physician-assisted suicide last February, putting Canada in the company of a handful of Western countries to make it legal. But it had said the decision would not take effect for a year, giving the government time to produce legislation.

The work got off schedule because of the October election defeat of the Conservative government by Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus Liberals. The new justice minister had asked for the decision to be suspended for an extra six months.

Instead, the court gave the go-ahead for assisted suicide to begin now and granted the government four more months to come up with a law.

 Reuters

TURKEY

27 academics detained over views on Kurds

Turkish security forces briefly detained 27 academics accused of terrorist propaganda, local media said, over a declaration that criticized military action in the largely Kurdish southeast and urged an end to curfews.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan denounced the more than 1,000 signatories of the document, including U.S. philosopher Noam Chomsky, as dark, nefarious and brutal in a speech after Friday prayers.

In a more ironic tone, he said that those who did not want to do politics in parliament should go dig trenches or go to the mountains  a reference to the tactics and hideouts of the Kurdish militant group PKK.

The declaration was inspired by clashes between the military and the PKK since a cease-fire broke down in July. The military has locked down entire districts and pounded PKK outposts in residential areas, but denies accusations that it has endangered and killed civilians.

 Reuters

First of 8,000 Cuban migrants arrive in U.S.: The first of 8,000 Cuban migrants recently stranded in Central America have crossed the Mexican border into the United States. About 180 migrants flew from Costa Rica

to El Salvador and have been making their way to the United States. All were given permission to cross Mexico for humanitarian reasons. The groups traveled separately across Mexico, and the organization sponsoring their trip says the first arrived late Thursday in Laredo, Tex. The migrants spent several months in Costa Rica after Nicaraguan authorities denied them passage. Then Costa Rica stopped issuing visas to Cubans, who want to reach the United States before it changes its migration policy with the thawing of relations with Cuba. Cubans need only to set foot on U.S. soil to gain entry.

2 Swedes get 11 years for fighting for al-Shabab: Two Swedish citizens who U.S. prosecutors say fought alongside the Islamist militant group al-Shabab in Somalia in battles to take control of the capital, Mogadishu, were sentenced to 11 years in prison. Ali Yasin Ahmed, 31, and Mohamed Yusuf, 33, were sentenced by U.S. District Judge John Gleeson in Brooklyn in light of their guilty pleas in May to conspiring to provide material support to al-Shabab.

Haiti reports first cases of Zika virus: Haiti is reporting its first cases of a mosquito-borne virus that is spreading in the Americas and is suspected of causing more than 3,500 birth defects in Brazil. Haitis public health minister said there have been five confirmed cases of the Zika virus in Haiti, all in the Port-au-Prince area. Zika has been linked to microcephaly, in which babies are born with small heads.

 From news services
Despite numerous opportunities, President Obama has failed to recognize in his State of Union address that more than 680,000 of his neighbors in the District are not part of the We the People to whom the full Constitution applies. After 11 years, he should have learned some fundamental facts about the place where he lives.

He beautifully described the liberties and democratic rights that the United States represents to the world and that he and his family, as citizens of Illinois, enjoy. However, we, his immediate neighbors, live in what is effectively a colony and thus do not have a government of the people, by the people, for the people, as do other Americans.

As a former constitutional law professor and member of Congress and as our current president, he should have appreciated the more than two-century stain on U.S. democracy the denial to the people of the District of the right to self-government represents. Instead of continuing to be oblivious to our lack of liberty and noticing us only when he could bargain away our rights in a deal to appease Congress, I hope he will wake up and emphatically support statehood for the residential and commercial parts of the District and urge Congress to admit to the union the state New Columbia.

Ann Loikow, Washington

The writer is a member of the Democratic State Committee of the District of Columbia.
IF WE want a better politics, its not enough just to change a congressman or change a senator or even change a president, President Obama said in Tuesdays State of the Union address. Instead of electing a few well-meaning people, the president insisted, we have to change the system to reflect our better selves, altering not just who gets elected, but how they get elected. Mr. Obama speaks from experience: He promised to be a political change agent in the Oval Office, and, seven years later, the countrys politics are more fractured than when he started.

The truth is, as the president also acknowledged Tuesday, our brand of democracy is hard, with a certain amount of gridlock built into its system of checks and balances. No magic solution can bridge ideological and cultural rifts. But there are reforms that could help.

One such would be ending the practice of drawing our congressional districts so that politicians can pick their voters and not the other way around, as Mr. Obama said. Gerrymandering, in which state lawmakers draw legislative district boundaries to maximize partisan or incumbent advantage, warps Americans representation in Washington and in statehouses across the country. Among the most egregious examples are the embarrassingly partisan congressional district maps that Democrats drew in Maryland and Republicans drafted in North Carolina.

The strategy involves packing people who tend to vote for the opposite party into a few districts and spreading out the rest of the opposition among the others. The use of this technique contributes to results such as these: In 2012, a year in which Mr. Obama carried Pennsylvania by five points, 13 of the states 18 congressional districts went to Republicans. In a given election, a majority of Americans might vote for Democrats for Congress, but Republicans could still hold the majority of seats. Needless to say, this tends to make Congress less responsive to the will of the majority.

Mr. Obama offered one idea to even things out: Let a bipartisan or nonpartisan committee draw the maps. Voters in Arizona and in California took map-drawing responsibilities out of partisan lawmakers hands, resulting in maps that preserved majority-minority districts required under the Voting Rights Act and also created a few more competitive seats. The Supreme Court ruled last term that this is constitutionally acceptable.

Redistricting commissions cant eliminate distortions that result from population patterns. Democrats tend to cluster tightly in cities, making it more likely that their votes will be packed into a few urban districts. But the distortions do not have to be as big as they are now.

Even if redistricting reform had only a modest effect on election results, reform would increase the legitimacy of the system. Unfortunately, the same partisan politicians who benefit from existing rules cannot be counted on to impose such reform on themselves. Voters, state by state, may have to demand it, either by electing legislators who support redistricting commissions or by approving ballot measures that give lawmakers no choice.
Iowa and New Hampshire together have just 1.4 percent of the U.S. population, which is why it is fine for them to begin the presidential selection process: Small states reward an underdogs retail politics. New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie relishes such politics and has fresh evidence that voters are enjoying his enjoyment.

Speaking last Wednesday by phone from his home away from home, New Hampshire, he said: People have remembered why they liked me in the first place. His saturation campaigning there has produced a 55-point reversal of his favorable/unfavorable rating in the Granite State, from 16 points more unfavorable than favorable to 39 points more favorable than unfavorable. According to last weeks Des Moines Register/Bloomberg Politics poll, Christies favorability number in Iowa is 51 percent, up from 29 percent in August, when his unfavorability number was 59 percent.

Nationally, among all the Republican candidates, the ABC News/Washington Post poll finds Christies favorability rating most improved, from 35 percent in the spring to 53 percent today. He gained among conservatives (23 points), among Republicans generally (18) and among independents (14). The latter matters. As David W. Brady of Stanford University and the Hoover Institution wrote last week in the Wall Street Journal:

The arithmetic is pretty simple: 41% of voters in the 2012 presidential election described themselves as moderates, and 29% as independents. Almost all Republicans (93% ) and self-described conservatives (82% ) voted for Mitt Romney, but that wasnt enough. Even if Mr. Romney had won every Republican or conservative voter, it still wouldnt have been enough. Because there are roughly 5% more Democrats than Republicans, the GOP needs a solid majority of independents to win a national election. In 2012, Mitt Romney outpolled Barack Obama among independents, 50% to 45% . But that didnt take him across the Electoral College finish line.

Christie has won twice statewide in a blue state that last voted for a Republican presidential candidate in 1988. He correctly says no rival for the Republican nomination has been elected in a state so inhospitable to Republicans. In New Jersey, 48 percent of registered voters are unaffiliated with either the Democratic (32 percent) or Republican (20 percent) parties. Christie won reelection with 60 percent of the vote, including 57 percent of women, 51 percent of Hispanics and 21 percent of African Americans.

Christie might benefit from Donald Trumps caroms in this years political pinball machine. As Jeremy Carl of the Hoover Institution argues in National Review, Republicans cannot win with Trump or without his supporters. Christie could be an alternative alpha persona, but without the ignorance. (Check Trump on the nuclear triad.) In 2012, Republicans nominated a northeastern blue-state governor, with unsatisfactory results. Christie, however, might be an un-Romney, connecting viscerally with voters  especially whites without college educations  who in 2012 stayed away from the polls in droves.

Christie will campaign in Iowa for nine days before the Feb. 1 caucuses. If they yield a cloudy result  say, the top four finishers clustered within four points  New Hampshire will become the scythe that reduces the field. Christie plans to be the last governor standing when, after South Carolina at the latest, he expects former governors Mike Huckabee and Jeb Bush and current Ohio Gov. John Kasich to join current and former governors Scott Walker, Rick Perry, Bobby Jindal, George Pataki and Jim Gilmore on the sidelines.

As chairman of the Republican Governors Association in 2014, Christie campaigned frenetically, dispersing more than $100 million as 17 Republican governors were reelected and seven new ones were elected. So far, only four governors have endorsed candidates: Alabamas Robert Bentley supports Kasich, Arkansass Asa Hutchinson supports Huckabee, Marylands Larry Hogan and Maines Paul LePage support Christie. So 24 Republican governors, many of them indebted to Christie and all of them disposed to admire executives, have political muscles to flex.

Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Tex.) and Trump are at last at daggers drawn, the former saying the latter has New York values  fighting words in most Republican circles  and the latter saying the former is not a natural- born citizen. Republicans concerned about losing control of the Senate already wonder whether vulnerable GOP senators  Illinoiss Mark Kirk, Ohios Rob Portman, Pennsylvanias Pat Toomey, Wisconsins Ron Johnson, New Hampshires Kelly Ayotte  want either Trump or Cruz at the top of the ticket, or even campaigning in their states.

I was not on the [debate] stage two months ago, Christie says. He expects to be at the center of the stage at the Cleveland convention.

Read more from George F. Wills archive or follow him on Facebook.
By broad consensus, the winner of Thursday nights GOP debate was Donald Trump, followed by Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio, with most of the postgame commentary focused on the fight between Cruz and Trump.

Oh, how we love a good fight.

But the real fight was revealed a couple of nights earlier when South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley gave the Republican Partys response to President Obamas State of the Union address. She pulled no punches and brought the fight to her own party. Nice and pretty-like.

Rather than exclusively critiquing Obamas presidency, as many expected, Haley turned her sights on the angry tenor of GOP politics and our dysfunctional government, for which she said Republicans are partly responsible.

There is more than enough blame to go around, she said. We as Republicans need to own that truth. . . . We need to accept that weve played a role in how and why our government is broken. And then we need to fix it. Whoo-hoo. Sorry, but sometimes it takes a girl.

Noting that we live in anxious times, she nonetheless urged her fellow Republicans to resist the siren call of the angriest voices. Gosh, wonder who she meant?

To a certain kind of Republican, this was pure heresy. But it was also brave, necessary and true  especially if the GOP is to survive or ever hope to reclaim the White House.

Haleys gentle cri de coeur neatly exposed the battle lines. On one side are those who deploy anger, bias, nativism and fear. On the other are those who want to reshape the GOP into a party thats based on ideals of inclusiveness and respect for others (like, maybe, a first-generation, Indian American daughter of Sikh immigrants), exercises caution through reformed immigration policies without demonizing swaths of people, and recognizes that winning hearts and minds begins with civility and communication.

Some people think that you have to be the loudest voice in the room to make a difference. Thats just not true, Haley said. Often, the best thing we can do is turn down the volume. When the sound is quieter, you can actually hear what someone else is saying. And that can make a world of difference.

Haley confirmed on NBCs Today the following morning that she was, indeed, referring to Trump, who shouldnt take it personally. During the debate Thursday, Trump said he is happy to wear the mantle of anger because he is angry, and he assured the audience that he and Haley, who was beaming in the crowd, are good friends.

Thats nice. But whats clear is that Haley, who is widely considered a likely vice-presidential candidate, had decided that she didnt need a Trump alliance and was choosing the establishment lane of the party, or, as some prefer, the rational lane. In other words, she signaled her support for Marco Rubio, Chris Christie, John Kasich and Jeb Bush.

But which is it? What does Haley know that we dont know? As unlikely as it seems at this juncture that any of these but Rubio has a reasonable shot at the nomination, we might assume that shes banking on Rubio.

This would be a dream ticket for Republicans. A bilingual Cuban (check Hispanic vote), a woman (check), both first-generation Americans, coverage in two crucial states (South Carolina and Florida), and perhaps most important, a younger generation of leadership without the baggage of the establishment. They would completely collapse the smallish Republican tent of older white males and build a rainbow-hued edifice of diversity in which race and religion are not the first questions on anyones mind.

Haley, whom Ive known for several years, is a polished politician, make no mistake. She doesnt accidentally do anything, such as fumble the most important speech of her career. I also know from conversations that she has been changed by her time in office, altered by her experiences dealing with the horrific murders of nine African Americans in a Charleston church and by her subsequent decision to remove the Confederate battle flag from the statehouse grounds.

The latter was a calculated political risk  and her speech a gamble that truth wins in the end. This truth includes the lesson of South Carolina after the shootings, when the states people embraced one another in love and dedication to a shared, higher purpose of unity, forgiveness and racial reconciliation.

Haleys point: If we can do this as a state, we can do this as a nation. Its a worthy goal and a battle worthy of its opponents.

Read more from Kathleen Parkers archive, follow her on Twitter or find her on Facebook.
A young woman who was made to work against her will and was convicted of prostitution is shown in the District. (Nikki Kahn/THE WASHINGTON POST)

Human trafficking is a cruel and inhumane practice found in countries around the world. So it should come as no surprise that President Obama proclaimed this month National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month.

The exploitation and coercion of girls and young women into prostitution, however, is not limited to places overseas.

Right here in the nations capital, our most vulnerable residents  children  are subjected to sex slavery. Their stories dont make the evening news or even warrant blurbs in your morning paper. But human trafficking is, and has been, a shadowy and seamy part of D.C. life.

Let me tell you about Stacks and Kandy.

In 2012, Kandy posted ads on the Internet offering sexual services byyoung girls. When contacted at the number in the ad, Kandy negotiated a price to have a minor and another female prostitute go to a Northwest D.C. location.

At 2:30 a.m. on June 23, two teenagers, 16 and 19, knocked on the door of a D.C. hotel room. Members of the FBIs Child Exploitation Task Force were waiting inside. Interviewed by authorities, the teens told their stories: Stacks and Kandy had traveled with them throughout the D.C. region, providing sex to male clients in exchange for money. In between dates, Stacks and Kandy gave the teens marijuana and ecstasy. Stacks would remain in the car with a handgun and a scope-attached semiautomatic firearm while the girls provided sexual services.

Dominique Emanuel Bell, then 22, aka Stacks, and Candice Ponder, then 26, aka Kandy, both of Laurel, were sentenced to prison in 2012 for seven and four years, respectively.

Then theres the story of Smoke and Cupcake and what they did with a 14-year-old runaway from another state, whom they encountered in 2011. They didnt take her back to her home. Instead, Smoke took her around the District and Maryland to prostitute for him. Thats after Cupcake had taught the teen how much to charge and how to conduct herself as a prostitute.

So happens, the D.C. police picked up the girl for truancy, and she told on Smoke and Cupcake. Smoke  Robert Braithwaite, then 37, of the District  was sentenced to 10 years in prison; Cupcake  Tavia Crudup, then 23, of Suitland  got one year and a day for tampering with evidence: having the victims clothes thrown away and schooling her on how to obstruct the investigation.

Ah, but that was five years ago. Old stuff. Oh yeah? Try these three on for size.

Four months ago, Daraya Marshall, 35, and Jarnese Harris, 29, both of the District, were indicted in U.S. District Court on charges that they engaged in sex trafficking of three children and transported them between the District and Maryland for prostitution. Marshall was also indicted on charges of child sexual abuse and production of child pornography. Both pleaded not guilty and are being held pending a Feb. 4 hearing.

Marshall and Harris could face life prison terms if convicted. And why not? They allegedly began trafficking one of the children in the summer of 2014, and the other two last year. The indictment also alleges that Marshall engaged in sexual acts with two of the children while they were younger than 16. He also is charged with producing and possessing child pornography depicting one of the children.

In 2014, the same year in which Marshall and Harris allegedly began their trafficking, Jason Whren, then 33, of the District was sentenced to 15 years in prison for sexually abusing and prostituting a 15-year-old girl.

Whren enticed the child to travel from Seattle to the District, having contacted her via the Internet and phone. When she got to town, Whren immediately sexually abused her, then forced her to walk D.C. streets to find clients. Undercover agents busted him. A Superior Court judge and jury did the rest.

Then theres Linwood Barnhill, then 47, who resigned from the D.C. police department after his arrest in December 2013 on charges of pimping two D.C. girls, ages 15 and 16. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced in 2014 to seven years in prison.

Isolated cases?

U.S. attorney spokesman Bill Miller told me this week, Since 2009, about 70 defendants have been prosecuted in [federal and D.C. courts] on charges related to human trafficking . . . including abducting or enticing a child into prostitution.

The overwhelming majority of those cases he added, resulted in convictions.

The U.S. attorneys office has a large task force and an active outreach program on human trafficking, and is urgently scheduling training sessions with D.C. police and schools. Seven churches are joining the Faith Coalition Against Sex Trafficking in our Nations Capital to sponsor a meeting Jan. 30.

They cant do it alone.

Lets help the president and the prosecutors: Human trafficking is in our region, in the nations capital, in your ward, on your block.

Open your eyes. Dont look abroad. Look down the street.

Read more from Colbert Kings archive.
For a child born abroad to become a U.S. citizen, his or her U.S.- citizen parent must register the birth at a U.S. consulate or embassy soon after the childs birth.

My children were born in France in 1966 and 1969. A t that time, at least, my children were not automatically citizens. I had to travel to the nearest consulate, in this case Bordeaux, and register each birth. I had to present official papers as listed on the Report of Birth Abroad of a Citizen of the United States of America, which I subsequently received as proof of citizenship for each child. Those papers included each childs French birth certificate, my U.S. passport and the parents marriage book or certificate. Nowhere in any of the official papers proving that my children are U.S. citizens are the words natural-born citizen  because they are not, and, as Mary Brigid McManamon legally demonstrated in her Jan. 13 op-ed, Ted Cruz is not a natural-born citizen, neither is Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Tex.).

Carol Bouville, Gaithersburg

From 1968 to 1970, I was a U.S. Army officer assigned in Dichtelbach, Germany. My wife, with me on a government-sponsored accompanied tour of duty, gave birth to our daughter in an Army hospital in Bad Kreuznach. According to Mary Brigid McManamons Jan. 13 op-ed, my daughter is ineligible to become president.

Tens of thousands of babies were born to the U.S. personnel abroad who defeated the Soviet Union in the Cold War. Are all of them unable to become president? If so, I recommend an immediate constitutional amendment.

Anthony Ambrose, Hershey, Pa.

In deeming Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Tex.) ineligible for the presidency, Mary Brigid McManamon simplified a complicated issue. In U.S. v. Wong Kim Ark (1898), the most extensive discussion of the 14th Amendments citizenship clause, the Supreme Court affirmed her point that there are two paths to citizenship  birth and naturalization  and that birthright citizenship requires birth in territory under U.S. jurisdiction. This would seem to make Mr. Cruz ineligible.

But the court also cited the 1790 statute, referred to by Ms. McManamon, naturalizing foreign-born children of U.S. citizens and declaring them to be considered as natural-born citizens. The court then noted that in 1802, Congress revoked the phrase about natural-born citizens. Ms. McManamon claimed that, whereas Congress can consider those born outside the United States natural-born citizens, it does not have the power to make them natural-born.

But the law regularly recognizes legal fictions, such as making a corporation a person. For clarity, all Mr. Cruz has to do is get Congress, which he so often obstructs, to pass a bill with language similar to that of the 1790 statute. Mr. Cruz would then have the same legal status as children born in U.S. territory to undocumented immigrants.

Brook Thomas, Irvine, Calif.

Ruth Marcus was correct in her Jan. 10 op-ed, A rule that is un-American, that Republican presidential candidate Sen. Ted Cruz (Tex.) qualifies as a natural born citizen, but she overstated her case. This is not a constitutional question but a statutory one.

At the time of Mr. Cruzs birth, he was subject to the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952. Section 301(a)(7) stated that a person born outside the United States who has only one citizen parent was a citizen only if the parent was physically present in the United States . . . for a period or periods totaling not less than 10 years [before the birth], at least five of which were after attaining the age of fourteen years. To conclude that Mr. Cruz is eligible to be president, it must be established that his mother had fulfilled the U.S. residency requirement. This is why the relevant Harvard Law Review article stated that subject to certain residency requirements on the parents, someone born to a U.S. citizen generally becomes a citizen without regard to where the birth takes place.

The devil often lies in those darn subordinate clauses.

Richard Gordon, Cleveland

The writer is a p rofessor of l aw at

Case Western Reserve University.
Steven Greenhouse, a former labor and workplace reporter for the New York Times, is a visiting researcher at the Russell Sage Foundation.

On Monday, during oral arguments in the most important labor case to come before the Supreme Court in years, the courts conservative majority gave every indication that it will rule that government workers cannot be required to pay fees to the unions that represent them. If it does, the high court will deal a punishing blow to U.S. public-sector unions, whose full consequences may become clear only in the next economic downturn.

Such a ruling in Friedrichs v. California Teachers Association might well turn out to be good for Americans as taxpayers, but not so good for Americans as workers.

A decision for the plaintiffs in Friedrichs would tell the nations 6.2 million unionized state, city, county and school district employees that they can enjoy the benefits offered by their unions without having to pay for them. By some estimates, between 1 million and 2 million workers could be expected to stop paying union fees, at a cost to public-sector unions of $500 million to $1 billion a year.

Currently, some two dozen states require public employees to pay fees to the unions that bargain for them (including those employees who dont join), while unions, in turn, are required to represent and bargain for all employees at a unionized workplace (including those who dont join). How much  or little  public-sector unions lose in fee collections as a result of a loss in Friedrichs will depend on many factors, but most of all on how good a job unions do in showing their value to workers.

Under current law, workers can opt out of paying that portion of dues that goes to political activity, but far more workers may be prompted to reconsider paying dues, including money for political activity, in a post-Friedrichs world. The incentives not to pay will be strong. Theyll look at co-workers who are free riders and say, Youre getting everything Im getting without paying,  said Benjamin Sachs, a Harvard labor law professor. So members will stop paying, and membership will go down, and unions will become less effective overall.

Police unions might end up with less money to finance employee-assistance programs for traumatized or troubled officers, while teachers unions could have fewer resources for programs to upgrade their members skills. At the same time, teachers unions might be forced to devote fewer resources to keeping state legislatures from banning tenure or last in, first out layoff protections.

Henry Farber, a Princeton University labor economist, anticipates that weakened government-employee unions would have a harder time winning better health coverage or pensions or pressuring states such as New Jersey and Illinois to pay billions in unfunded pension liabilities. That would certainly hurt government employees, but it could also help to hold down taxes. Its worth noting that the Bradley Foundation and other conservative foundations underwriting the Friedrichs lawsuit generally support cutting taxes, shrinking government and reducing the power of unions.

Hobbling government-employee unions would harm not just public-sector workers but also private-sector ones. Low-income workers might be hurt most of all. Public-sector unions have long championed a strong safety net, often fighting cuts to Medicaid, food stamps and Social Security. Public-sector unions are among the biggest donors to labor-friendly Democratic candidates, and their lobbyists use this influence to go to bat for workers on issues such as increasing the minimum wage and enacting paid sick-day and family-leave laws.

If this ruling goes against labor, it potentially means a lot less money available to unions to spend on things like politics, says Viveca Novak, spokeswoman for the Center for Responsive Politics. Labor is a big part of Democratic fundraising. The ruling might further tilt political spending in favor of business, Novak said. According to her group, business donors contributed $1.67 billion during the 2013-2014 cycle, to labors $141 million. That could lead to a reordering on the left: If Democratic candidates emerge with less financial support from labor, they might seek to make up the difference from Wall Street and rich donors, potentially shifting the partys priorities away from middle-class workers and toward those of wealthier Americans. Unions, too, might rethink their approach. They might respond by pressing states to enact laws freeing them from having to provide services to workers who dont pay union fees. Some states might even let unions charge nonmembers for certain services.

In education, the tradeoffs are particularly thorny. Teachers unions look out for the interests of teachers, and in doing so, their interests often parallel  but also conflict with  the interests of working people who want a good education for their children. Labors critics say Friedrichs could improve education by weakening teachers unions that, for instance, vigorously support tenure and oppose charter schools. But undermining teachers unions could also harm public schools, because those unions push to increase education spending and often cooperate with school officials on vital workplace issues, such as school safety. By weakening unions, Friedrichs could ultimately mean lower compensation and larger workloads for teachers. And while that might lower school taxes, it might also mean that fewer talented young people go into teaching, ultimately hurting middle-class and low-income children who need good educations to get ahead.

How such tensions play out may not be clear until the next time an economic downturn puts severe pressure on public spending  and the unions that ordinarily battle to defend such spending. Nelson Lichtenstein, a labor historian at the University of California at Santa Barbara, predicts that when the next recession hits, governors and mayors facing budget squeezes could insist on wage freezes and other givebacks that union leaders would have no choice but to accept. Many union members will no doubt grow angry and may then quit paying dues. This is a time bomb for unions, Lichtenstein said. And maybe for everyone else who counts on the public sector and the services it provides.
Rescue workers sift through the rubble of the U.S. Marine base in Beirut on Oct. 23, 1983, following a massive bomb blast. (Anonymous/Associated Press)

The Jan. 4 Fed Page article Allocation of billions in Iranian assets to be weighed, about seized Iranian money that might go to victims and survivors of Iranian-backed terrorist attacks, quoted court documents that said the 1983 Beirut b arracks b ombing was the largest non-nuclear explosion on the face of the Earth.

The largest non-nuclear man-made explosion took place in the harbor of Halifax, Nova Scotia, on Dec. 6, 1917, after a French cargo ship carrying explosives destined for France in World War I collided with an unladen ship assigned for relief in Belgium.

The resulting fire ignited the explosives, destroying the entire Richmond district in Halifax and killing approximately 2,000 people and injuring about 9,000. It is estimated that the explosion released the equivalent energy of 2.9 kilotons of TNT.

William B. Pugh, Bethesda
Keith A. Findley is co-director of the Wisconsin Innocence Project at the University of Wisconsin Law School.

Guilty or innocent?

Viewers addicted to the Netflix documentary series Making a Murderer are fiercely debating the case of Steven Avery and his nephew, Brendan Dassey. In separate trials, the two were convicted of the 2005 rape and murder of 25-year-old Teresa Halbach. These were no ordinary murder convictions  they came just a few years after Avery was exonerated by DNA evidence, with the assistance of the Wisconsin Innocence Project (I served as his attorney at that time), after doing 18 years for a sexual assault and attempted murder that he did not commit.

The film centers on concerns that both men might have been wrongly convicted in this go-round. One cannot know at this point whether Avery and Dassey are indeed innocent victims of police misconduct and prosecutorial overreaching. No documentary could address all the nuances of the evidence needed to make those judgments in this case.

But Making a Murderer is about more than Avery and Dasseys guilt or innocence, because the injustices the series suggest are hardly unique. The enduring takeaway ought to be the recognition that the criminal justice system, as a human system, is inevitably flawed. It does sometimes send innocent people to prison. And while most police, prosecutors, defense lawyers and judges are good, honest people who do their best to achieve justice, they do sometimes fail and even, on occasion, cross the line into misconduct in their zeal to secure what they perceive to be a just outcome.

Wrongful conviction doesnt only mean an innocent person ends up in prison. It also means a guilty person goes free. When the system fails, there is no justice for victims and their loved ones.

We have known for decades that the system is prone to error. Since the advent of forensic DNA testing in the late 1980s, at least 337 people, who each have spent an average of 14 years in prison, have been proved innocent by DNA evidence. According to the National Registry of Exonerations hosted by the University of Michigan Law School, exonerations based on all types of evidence, not just DNA, amount to at least 1,728 people who have been exonerated of serious crimes since 1989. The number is continually growing.

By presenting these issues in human terms, Making a Murderer has done a service by forcing us to look beyond the numbers to remind us that each such case is a real human tragedy that affects real people with real lives. It reminds us that eyewitnesses sometimes make mistakes, that forensic science is not always all that scientific, and that, contrary to what a prosecutor in the Dassey trial disingenuously told the jury, innocent people do indeed sometimes confess. (Indeed, more than a quarter of the DNA exoneration cases involved false confessions.) And it has reminded us that, regardless of whether the system gets it right or wrong, it is a system deeply affected by class and, as we know well from other cases, racial biases.

Dean Strang, a defense attorney for Avery who is now an adjunct professor at the University of Wisconsin Law School, summed it up best in Episode 9: Most of what ails our criminal justice system lie[s] in unwarranted certitude on the part of police officers and prosecutors and defense lawyers and judges and jurors that they are getting it right, that they simply are right. Just a tragic lack of humility of everyone who participates in our criminal justice system.

Humility  thats a pretty good prescription for fixing what ails our system. The humility to recognize that sometimes we are wrong, even when we are most certain. The humility to recognize we are all affected by cognitive biases that can mislead us. The humility to recognize that the system and the evidence it relies upon are flawed and can be improved. And the humility to recognize that when we occasionally get it wrong, we must do something about it.

Millions of people are talking about this documentary now, but discussion is not enough. We need to take a hard look at our criminal justice system  a much harder look than a 10-episode documentary allows.

We can and must, for example, change the way police collect eyewitness identification evidence  as many departments are beginning to do  to eliminate suggestion by law enforcement and comply with science-based best practices. We must mandate that all law-enforcement agencies record interrogations and that police change interrogation practices so they are less coercive, suggestive and presumptive of guilt. We must ensure that the forensic disciplines we rely on are based on science and that forensic analysts are shielded from biasing information and allegiances that can taint their analyses. We must ensure that the use of incentivized witnesses is regulated and that promises of leniency in exchange for testimony are disclosed to the defense. We must ensure that we provide adequate financial support for prosecutors and defense lawyers alike, so that prosecutors can adequately screen cases and that competent defense lawyers can present vigorous defenses. We must expand criminal discovery  the process by which the parties share evidence before trial  to avoid trial by ambush, and then we must hold state officials accountable when they conceal evidence pointing to a defendants innocence. We must make the system more responsive to post-conviction claims of injustice and less bound by blind obedience to finality.

We can and must do all of this and more. Only then will we have learned the real lessons of Making a Murderer.
Barton Swaim is author of The Speechwriter: A Brief Education in Politics.

Many political candidates, if were to believe what they say about themselves, spend most of their time traveling around listening to people. Ive traveled all around the country, Anderson, former Maryland governor Martin OMalley told CNNs Anderson Cooper at one of last years Democratic presidential debates, and theres two phrases I keep hearing again and again and again. And theyre the phrases new leadership and getting things done. 

OMalleys opponent Hillary Clinton, though, would not be outdone. The former secretary of state has long been a prodigious traveler and listener. Ive traveled across our country over the last months listening and learning, she told Cooper, and Ive put forward specific plans about how were going to create more good-paying jobs. Candidate Clinton is known, in fact, for her listening tours of key primary states. She is also adept at deflecting difficult questions by citing her many travels and listening interactions with the citizenry. At a news conference in which she was repeatedly questioned about allegations that she used a private email server for official business, Clinton remarked that its not anything that people talk to me about as I travel around the country.

So Clintons travels are mainly about learning, and one of the things she has learned is that people dont care about media reports that reflect poorly on her.

The traveling-and-listening line will appear in some form in any U.S. political campaign. Its a convenient way to invest the candidates views with an aura of popular support. And although the line implies that a great majority of the electorate agrees with whatever the candidate allegedly keeps hearing on his or her travels  if everybodys saying it, it must have widespread support  the view said to be on everybodys lips rarely sounds like the sort of thing lots of people would actually say. As Ive traveled to all of Wisconsins 72 counties this year, wrote Russ Feingold, a Democrat running to reclaim his old Senate seat in Wisconsin, Ive heard over and over that while the economic recovery has already benefited the wealthiest Americans, todays economy still isnt working well enough for the families in Wisconsin who work the hardest. Maybe he really has heard this over and over, but it sounds to me very much like something Feingold himself would say.

Then again, politicians often find themselves surrounded by people who tell them to do what they, the politicians, already intend to do. As I travel the state, Gov. Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.) recently said about an attempt by the legislature to raise the gas tax, Nebraskans tell me that they want to see tax relief, not tax increases. People probably do tell the governor they want tax cuts. But that is because he supports tax cuts, not because Nebraska is full of people demanding lower taxes. There may be only 10 of them, but all 10 have found their way to Ricketts.

I used to work for a governor who routinely claimed that, as he traveled the state, the top concern he heard from people was the legislatures out-of-control spending. Now, it was true that he had traveled the state, and it was true that in his travels many people buttonholed him about improvident state budgets. But the implication he meant to convey  that concern with government spending was widespread  was, unfortunately, untrue. He attracted the sort of people who cared deeply about the issue; they elbowed their way to him at confabs and party events specifically to talk about irresponsible state spending. But their raw numbers were tiny.

Did he really believe that large numbers of people cared about the dangers of government profligacy, or did he merely use their comments to strengthen the credibility of his own insufficiently popular view? I think the latter was more often the case  and I found it hard to blame him for it, agreeing with him as I did on policy grounds.

Still, I wish more of our politicians would simply admit when they take unpopular positions and stop talking about what theyve learned on their journeys. We know they havent derived their views from the masses  and we would think less of them if we thought they did. Sure, occasionally they alter their views in response to popular pressure, but in those cases they pretend they havent changed at all.

Politicians are not conduits of the popular will; they may fashion that will or pander to it, but they do not channel it. They do what they want to do, whatever people tell them on their travels.
Demonstrators against the California teachers union rally in front of the Supreme Court on Jan. 11. (Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

The Jan. 11 editorial The state of the unions argued that the Supreme Court should not overturn a California state law that forces teachers to pay dues to a union whether they join or not, arguing that the issue should be solved politically.

The problem has already been solved politically: Teachers are forced to pay dues or fees to unions. Unions use these funds to support Democratic politicians who support their political agenda. Teachers who oppose that agenda are not only voiceless but also forced by the state to financially support policies they oppose. Orwellian?

Nick Cannistraro, Annapolis

Regarding Dana Milbanks Jan. 12 Washington Sketch column, The high court once again shows its political stripes:

When a group of frontier distillers refused to pay the whiskey tax, President George Washington led troops to the Pennsylvania border. Treasury Secretary Alexander Hamilton and U.S. troops arrested the leaders of the no-tax rebellion, charging some of them with treason. They paid the tax.

Unions, as with the U.S. government, are organized as constitutional democracies, with written constitutions, elected officials, popular votes on contracts negotiated with employers and costs shared by all. This contrasts with the corporate economy, in which a few owners make the decisions and employees are free only to leave if they dont like it.

As Washington would have understood, to make taxes or dues voluntary would be to destroy or drastically weaken the institution they support. In proposing to eliminate public employee dues on all who benefit from union contracts, labors corporate adversaries, perhaps backed by a partisan Supreme Court, seek to destroy or weaken collective bargaining and workers power in the political arena.

Carl Proper, Bethesda

The writer is retired from the International Ladies Garment Workers Union, UNITE and UNITE HERE.

The attorneys in Friedrichs v. California Teachers Association assert that agency fees require that employees and teachers who disagree with [union] positions must nevertheless subsidize the union, as Justice Anthony M. Kennedy put it [Justices seem leery of labors forced dues, front page, Jan. 12]. Logic demands that those who disagree with [union] positions carry their position to its natural conclusion. If you are anti-union, you are entitled to your opinion, but you should be consistently and thoroughly anti-union and demonstrate the integrity of your moral stand by refusing all workplace gains won by unions.

I am sure that employers will be all too happy to do their part to reward anti-union employees by abrogating the 40-hour workweek, paid vacation time , fair wage scales, health and retirement benefits and the entire spectrum of workplace improvements won by unions for all workers over the past 120 years.

These benefits rightfully belong only to those who fight for them.

Greg Johnson, College Park

The writer is president of the

American Federation of State, County

and Municipal Employees Local 1072.

Is the Supreme Court worried that union fees are more coercive than using corporate funds to influence democratic decisions, as the Citizens United case permits?

The United States pioneered civic organizations as places of common action. But perhaps the Supreme Court believes that civic organizations should have only certain political leanings and that the rest of us should just enjoy watching TV and not mess up civic life by forming powerful interest groups that might conflict with corporate ones. Too bad.

Since Franklin and Jefferson, havent we learned that democracy thrives on such interest group conflicts?

Jeff Blum, Takoma Park
In his Jan. 11 Education column, Letting students sink doesnt teach them to swim, a review of Richard DuFours In Praise of American Educators: And How They Can Become Even Better, Jay Mathews suggested Army basic training as a general model for effective education.

The training Mr. Mathews received in the Army was developed by educators who studied and thoroughly understood learning and instruction as was then being taught by scientists such as B.F. Skinner, Robert Mager and Norbert Wiener.

That discipline fell out of vogue because it was nearly impossible to apply in public school settings. Unfortunately, it also stopped being taught in teacher-education programs and was not resumed when the computer technology that could make it feasible came along. Had the view of instruction that worked for the Army not been lost, Mr. DuFour would probably have written a different book.

Instead, 30 years have transpired, and, during that time, we have spun our wheels in both public education and in harnessing technology in instruction.

Jack Fretwell, Reston

The writer is president of Starboard Training Systems, an educational software company.
For decades, political correctness has been a cliche signifying whatever those on the political right want to attack. The Jan. 5 front-page article Attacking political correctness taps political gold, featuring rants against political correctness by the visibly screaming Donald Trump, his fellow GOP candidates and their supporters, validated that partisan but vague word usage. Why couldnt The Post have provided more objective coverage, building on the quotation marks around the phrase in its headline?

A term deprecating mindless adherence to any established orthodoxy would be useful. What if we observed it was politically incorrect for an employee to criticize a bosss pet projects? Or for Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) to identify as socialist in a nation where many voters run in horror from the word (despite taking for granted their childrens public schools and their own Social Security)?

Do the media worry about their political correctness in refusing to label as terrorism the shooting at the African American church in Charleston, S.C., or at the Planned Parenthood clinic in Colorado Springs, or the armed takeover of a public wildlife refuge in Oregon?

As George Orwell once wrote, The great enemy of clear language is insincerity.

Christine Edwards, Harrisonburg, Va.
Hillary Clinton is seen aboard the campaign bus in Cleveland on the third day of a bus tour through Pennsylvania and Ohio.

July 31, 2016 Hillary Clinton is seen aboard the campaign bus in Cleveland on the third day of a bus tour through Pennsylvania and Ohio. Melina Mara/The Washington Post

The former secretary of state, senator and first lady is the Democratic nominee for president.

Former secretary of state Hillary Clinton campaigns in key states in her quest to become the Democratic nominee for president.

Former secretary of state Hillary Clinton campaigns in key states in her quest to become the Democratic nominee for president.

Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders meet here Sunday night for the final Democratic debate before the Iowa caucuses and the New Hampshire primary and, to the surprise of many in her party, it is the former secretary of state who has much to prove.

She arrives here in the middle of a rocky stretch, all of a sudden on the wrong side of a new narrative that suggests Sanders is surging and she is weakening, facing possible defeat in the first two contests of the year.

The Vermont senator continues to lead the polls in New Hampshire, and now he has closed the gap in Iowa, the state where Clintons campaign fell off the tracks eight years ago. For Clinton, it wasnt supposed to be this way against a septuagenarian, self-identified democratic socialist who began his campaign with no national profile and no financial network.

Clintons allies have tried to have it both ways. They have claimed that they knew the race would always be competitive (which, in fairness, her campaign leaders said from the very beginning). But they are firing back at Sanders on guns, health care and other things in a way that underscores their concern about the dangers of a protracted nomination contest.

How else to explain the stepped-up rhetoric from the candidate or the sharp and distorted attack launched this week by Chelsea Clinton? Clintons daughter said that Sanders wants to eliminate Obamacare, the childrens health-care program and Medicare, which is not his position. He advocates a single-payer system.

1 of 42 Full Screen Autoplay Close Skip Ad  Highlights from Bernie Sanderss campaign, in pictures View Photos The senator from Vermont has become Hillary Clintons chief rival in the contest for the Democratic nomination. Caption The senator from Vermont is Hillary Clintons rival in the contest for the Democratic presidential nomination. June 14, 2016 Bernie Sanders arrives at the Capital Hilton to meet with Hillary Clinton in D.C. Matt McClain/The Washington Post Wait 1 second to continue.

[Tightening race brings worries inside the Democratic Party]

Clinton began this campaign as the prohibitive favorite to win the nomination  even more so than she was eight years ago  which she eventually lost to President Obama. In a hollowed-out Democratic Party, the field of her potential rivals this time paled in comparison to that of 2008. At the same time, the vast Clinton fundraising network promised plentiful resources.

Confident of her strength and of the eventual outcome, the Democratic establishment began to consolidate around her long before she even formed her campaign committee. And yet, almost everything about the campaign environment as it has developed has made things more difficult for her.

She is the embodiment of the Washington political class in a year of rising antiestablishment anger. She struggles to project authenticity at a time when voters hunger for that quality in their candidates. She has a lengthy resume in public life at a time when many voters seem to have devalued experience in government. She symbolizes continuity when many voters are demanding reform.

Clinton presides over a large campaign operation built on models of successful campaigns from past years. Sanders and Donald Trump have found success with non-traditional campaigns. Trump has redefined political communication. Sanders, who has minimal access to major contributors, has fueled his candidacy through grass-roots energy and a record number of contributions from small donors.

[Sanders challenged to offer more policy details]

It seemed unimaginable that a Clinton, particularly a Clinton who could become the first woman U.S. president in history, could be overshadowed in a political campaign this year and yet thats currently the case. Trump and Trumpism loom over the entire country. His candidacy is the talk everywhere, for better and worse.

Sanders also creates his own energy force with an unabashedly liberal, big-government agenda that brings cheers from the progressive wing of the party. He has tapped into pent-up frustration on the left that has proven to be a potent force.

Little noticed in this weeks Des Moines Register-Bloomberg Politics Iowa poll was this finding: a remarkable 43 percent of likely Democratic caucus participants describe themselves as socialists, including 58 percent of Sanderss supporters and about a third of Clintons.

Ann Selzer, who conducted the poll, said that, among those who identify themselves as socialists, Sanders leads by a lot. It is an illustration of one of the unexpected problems Clinton has encountered.

Meanwhile, Clinton soldiers on. She is still seen as the likelier of the two to win the Democratic nomination, even if she were to lose Iowa and New Hampshire. Sanderss weakness among African American voters offers her protection when the campaign heads here later next month. But losses in Iowa and New Hampshire could have unpredictable effects. For Clinton, it would be far better not to test the proposition.

Winning Iowa remains paramount at this moment, and there is still confidence among Clinton loyalists that the ground operation there is sturdy enough to withstand the challenge from Sanders. But shoring up operations in other states is a priority as well, in the event of a double loss.

[With polls tighter, Clinton goes after Sanders]

One thing that hampers Clinton at this point is the lack of excitement for her candidacy, even among Democrats who actually support her. For whatever reason, she has yet to build broader enthusiasm. She rouses audiences with attacks on Republicans, though that is not difficult, and she has policy plans aplenty. But Democrats see her as still struggling to encapsulate her message into something that is crisp and compelling.

Taking on Sanders is not as easy as it might seem. Her advisers see him as vulnerable on the issue of guns. The attacks on health care require a deeper debate about the details of her policy vs. what she says are the lack of details about his. Thats a debate not easily reduced to sound bites.

One of her most potent potential attacks on Sanders is perhaps the most difficult of all to make directly, which is to argue that he cant win a general election because hes too far left at a moment when some polls suggest otherwise and the base is responding to his message.

Her big worry is that, the longer the nomination battle continues, the more it could deplete her resources and jeopardize her chances of prevailing in November. But Sanders is enormously popular among Democrats right now for what he is articulating and the way he is campaigning. And he has the resources to keep going.

Clinton was derailed eight years ago by a young and fresh politician who captured the moment and the imagination of voters. She has run into something quite different in this campaign, though no less unexpected. Sundays debate will offer clues as to how well she is responding.
The Supreme Court on Friday agreed to hear another legal battle over the separation of church and state, and will determine whether Missouri improperly excluded a church playground from a state program that provided safer play surfaces.

Trinity Lutheran Church in Columbia applied to be part of a state initiative that recycles tires so that it could replace the pea gravel in its day-care centers playground with a bouncier surface. Although the churchs application ranked high in the states 2012 Playground Scrap Tire Surface Material Grant Program, it was ultimately turned down.

A letter from the Missouri Department of Natural Resources said including the church would violate a section of the Missouri constitution that says no money shall ever be taken from the public treasury, directly or indirectly, in aid of any church, sect, or denomination of religion.

A judge agreed with the state, and the entire U.S. Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit split on the question.

The conservative Alliance for Defending Freedom brought the case to the Supreme Court and said constitutional protections against the establishment of religion could not be invoked to deny the churchs application for a playground surface.

Trinity does not seek funding for an essentially religious endeavor where the states anti-establishment concerns may be heightened, the church said in its petition to the court.

Trinity seeks a grant for a rubber pour-in-place playground surface where its children and those from the community play. Seeking to protect children from harm while they play tag and go down the slide is about as far from an essentially religious endeavor as one can get.

ADF Senior Counsel Erik Stanley said in a statement that the case is about religious hostility.

This case has huge implications for state constitutional provisions across the nation that treat religious Americans and organizations as inferiors solely because of their religious identity, he said.

The state responded that its actions did not raise the kind of issues the court needed to settle.

The question in the case is not whether a state can exclude churches and other religious institutions from a program that otherwise provides benefits to everyone, wrote Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster (D). Rather, it is whether states are required by the U.S. Constitution to violate their own constitutions and choose a church to receive a grant when that means turning down nonchurch applicants.

Both sides say the case will require justices to reexamine a 2004 Supreme Court ruling that said states that offer college scholarships can deny them to students majoring in theology.

The Missouri case is the latest reflecting the courts recent interest in religious rights. It already has accepted cases that ask whether religious groups are protected from having to comply with the Affordable Care Acts requirement that employees receive contraceptive services.

The new case is Trinity Lutheran Church v. Pauley.
Sen. Ted Cruz speaks with his wife, Heidi, by his side during a primary night campaign event in Indianapolis. Cruz ended his presidential campaign, eliminating the biggest impediment to Donald Trumps march to the Republican nomination.

May 3, 2016 Sen. Ted Cruz speaks with his wife, Heidi, by his side during a primary night campaign event in Indianapolis. Cruz ended his presidential campaign, eliminating the biggest impediment to Donald Trumps march to the Republican nomination. Darron Cummings/AP

Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Tex.) continued his rhetorical onslaught against Donald Trump on Saturday, casting him as a false conservative and questioning the real estate moguls temperament and judgment.

Donalds record does not match what he says as a candidate, Cruz told reporters after a forum in Fort Mill, S.C. It seems Donald has a lot of nervous energy. For whatever reason, Donald doesnt react well when hes going down in the polls.

The remarks are part of an aggressive escalation in a relationship that had been strategically chummy. For months, Cruz had effusively praised Trump, stating there was a benefit to having the New Yorker in the race and chiding the media for the little game of pitting Republicans against one another.

Thursdays Republican debate marked the end of that. Cruz, with unconcealed delight, chided Trump for raising questions about whether he met the Constitutions natural born standard for president; with less success, he started raising questions about whether a Manhattan mogul could be trusted by conservatives.

[Republicans now see a Trump-Cruz race, with time for a shift running out]

This is what Republican presidential candidate Ted Cruz means when he criticizes Donald Trump's "New York values." (Thomas Johnson/The Washington Post)

Trump escalated his attacks Saturday morning, saying in a tweet that additional lawsuits will be filed questioning Cruzs eligibility to be president. At a rally in Portsmouth, N.H., he knocked Cruz for not reporting loans from Goldman Sachs and Citibank that he used to fund his 2012 Senate campaign.

How do you control . . . these big powerful banks, youre a senator and yet you owe them money with a personal guarantee? Trump said to a crowd of about 500.

Trump said Goldman owns Cruz and he will Do anything they demand. Cruzs wife is on leave from her job as a managing director at Goldman.

[Heidi Cruz is the high-powered spouse weve rarely seen since Hillary Clinton]

In another tweet, Trump called Cruz the ultimate hypocrite, linking to a story about how Cruz attended an event at the New York home of two wealthy gay businessmen.

Cruz pointed to the Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll that shows him beating Trump in a two-man race  although Trump leads the entire field.

I imagine it pulled him out of bed this morning and sent him tweeting and tweeting and tweeting. I think in terms of a commander in chief, we ought to have someone who isnt springing out of bed to tweet in a frantic response to the latest polls, Cruz said. I think the American people are looking for a commander in chief who is stable and steady and a calm hand to keep this country safe.

At Fox Business Networks debate in North Charleston, S.C., candidates vied for momentum ahead of the Iowa Caucus. Washington Post reporter Robert Costa names the winners and losers from that night. (Dalton Bennett/The Washington Post)

Cruzs campaign also went on the offensive, tweeting and emailing a video of Trump on Meet the Press from 1999, in which Trump called himself very pro-choice and admitted that he viewed gay rights differently from a voter in the heartland.

I lived in New York City and Manhattan my whole life, so my views are a little bit different than if I lived in Iowa, Trump said.

Trumps campaign manager declined to discuss the candidates latest attacks on Cruz.

Cruz said last week that Trump represents New York values, stating during the debate that they are socially liberal or pro-abortion or pro-gay-marriage, focus around money and the media.

Trump offered an emotional defense of the city during the debate, speaking movingly of the 9/11 attacks. Cruz seemed lost, applauding along with the audience. It took him most of a day to formulate a comeback, delivering an apology to New Yorkers for the liberal elected officials who were depriving them of safety and freedom, then calling Yahoo News to ask readers to watch the 1999 interview.

[Cruz apologizes to New Yorkers  for their liberal elected officials]

Cruz continued on Saturday, saying that the New York values phrase came from Trump himself.

Being very, very, very pro-choice, supporting partial birth abortion and being open to gay marriage, said Cruz. Thats what Donald Trump described as New York values.

He also stated that Trump gave money to Democratic presidential contender Hillary Clinton, New York Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo (D) and other Democrats.

Its a fair inference that he supports their policies. So I understand that he is feeling defensive about my observation, Cruz said.

Cruz spokesman Rick Tyler said that the campaign will highlight contrasts between Cruz and Trump to illustrate that voters can be confident that Cruz has guiding principles to make critical decisions as president and commander in chief, he said.

Trump has policy proposals that just dont seem serious, Tyler said.

Chad Sweet, the Cruz campaigns chairman, said Cruzs comments are direct responses to attacks that Trump lodged against Cruz about his birthplace and religion  attacks that, Sweet noted, Trump said during the debate were sparked by Cruzs rising poll numbers.

When weve responded weve attempted to stay in the counterpunch mode, hitting back on specifics about what he has been attacking us on, Sweet said.

When asked why Cruz decided to go after Trump this past week, Tyler said, We have three weeks to go until the Iowa caucuses.

Donald Trump started the fight with us; were glad to finish it, Tyler said.

[The end of the Cruz-Trump bromance? Not if Cruz has his way.]

The two had played nice earlier in the campaign, with Cruz repeatedly calling Trump his friend, meeting with him in July at Trump Tower and inviting him on a trip to the U.S.-Mexico border that Cruz couldnt make because the Senate had votes scheduled. Cruz invited Trump to a Capitol Hill rally against the Iranian nuclear deal in September.

At the time, Cruz told NBC News that Trumps success had been immensely beneficial for our campaign. His assumption, confidently stated on live TV, was that as voters get more educated, they would graduate from Trumps campaign to his.

But that hasnt happened, and Cruz is now on the offensive, trying to cast himself as a candidate with superior judgment and values.

[How Ted Cruz wooed and won Donald Trump]

The feud may have its greatest impact in Iowa, where the two candidates are in a tight race with widely overlapping constituencies. Cruzs criticisms of New York values threatens to undermine Trumps support among the states evangelical Christians, who have made up a majority of Iowas caucus-goers and have fueled victories for Rick Santorum and Mike Huckabee in the past two election cycles.

Cruzs support is concentrated among white, born-again Christians, but he leads Trump by a modest 33 to 19 percent among this group in a Fox News poll this month, despite winning several key endorsements from evangelical leaders. The two candidates are also battling to appeal to voters frustrations with Washington and the national Republican Party. A Des Moines Register-Bloomberg News poll, which found Cruz at 25 percent and Trump at 22 percent, showed indicated two-thirds of each candidates supporters say they are backing anti-establishment Republicans, compared with just over half of all likely caucus-goers.

Cruzs success at locking up evangelical and tea-party support has left him with few defenders. Huckabee, the former Arkansas governor, arrived at the South Carolina Tea Party Convention here several hours before Cruz was set to speak, and in a short news conference, he passed up two chances to criticize Trump. If the mogul had evolved on social issues, Huckabee said, it had happened over 15 years, not 15 minutes, a fine contrast with the other Republican candidates.

I think Donald Trump did a great job the other night of talking about the kind of values that we saw and the sacrifice of New Yorkers after 9/11, said Huckabee, recalling his own visit to the smoldering World Trade Center. I think everybody in the world was just absolutely amazed at how the people of that city pulled together and rebuilt.

But when Huckabee took the stage, he saw hundreds of supporters of Trump or Cruz. At least a hundred of the roughly 600 tea party activists who made it to Myrtle Beach wore T-shirts printed with one of the candidates names. Few were interested in the fight raging across the media.

He wasnt beating up Trump when he said that about New York, and Trump had a really good comeback in the debate, said Charlie Fowler, a Charleston conservative activist wearing a shirt from one of the first tea-party gatherings in 2009. But the values issue is real. All you really have to do is look at a map  blue on the coasts, red in the middle.

Sandra Inman, a Cruz supporter from Jackson, Miss., attending the South Carolina Tea Party Coalition Convention, said she could not support Trump but understood why people did.

He changed the conversation for the first time in my lifetime, Inman said. The tea party people I know who support him know that hes changed. They are lots of people who had Democratic leanings and came around.

Speaking in contested territory at the convention, the two candidates dialed down the rhetoric. Cruz never mentioned Trump by name. Instead, he suggested that no one who had shared the debate stage had fought with his vigor against legalizing gay marriage, the Affordable Care Act or Planned Parenthood. No one in history ever grew a backbone after they got to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, he said. In interviews after the speech, Trumps fans in the crowd did not interpret that as a criticism.

Trump, who spoke for more than 45 minutes, did not mention Cruz until a reference to the Goldman loan. He didnt report the loans, he said as some wearing Cruz shirts booed. But he spent more time mocking a familiar target: Jeb Bush. Trumps biggest applause came when he said zero voters would follow Sen. Lindsey O. Graham (R-S.C.) and endorse Bush.

Whys he attacking me? Trump said. Hes got to knock out seven or eight guys before he gets to me.

Zezima reported from Washington. Patrick Svitek in Fort Mill, Jose A. DelReal in Portsmouth, and Jenna Johnson and Scott Clement in Washington contributed to this report.
The leading Republican presidential candidates accused President Obama on Saturday of catering to a dangerous theocracy by offering clemency to seven Iranians as part of a deal freeing four Americans, including Washington Post reporter Jason Rezaian.

Even as some of those candidates welcomed the release of the Americans, they said the deal encourages hostage-taking or took far too long to arrange.

This should have been done three, four years ago, when the deal was struck, Republican front-runner Donald Trump said at a New Hampshire campaign rally. Im happy theyre coming back, but I will tell you its a disgrace that theyve been there for so long. Its a disgrace, remember that. A total disgrace.

Rezaian; Saeed Abedini, of Boise, Idaho; Amir Hekmati, of Flint, Mich.; and Nosratollah Khosravi-Roodsari were freed Saturday. A fifth American, student Matthew Trevithick, was freed separately.

U.S. and Iranian officials said the releases were in exchange for seven people imprisoned or charged in the United States, and both nations linked the agreement to the landmark nuclear deal between Tehran and six world powers.

Four Americans and seven Iranians were set to be exchanged in a deal linked to the imminent implementation of a landmark nuclear deal between Tehran and six world powers. Here's what we know about who they are. (Jason Aldag/The Washington Post)

[Live updates: Iran frees four Americans in swap linked to landmark nuclear deal]

Trump indicated that he did not agree with the terms of the four Americans release. He accused the Obama administration of further capitulating to Iranian demands by giving Iran $150 billion in sanctions relief under the nuclear deal.

So essentially they get $150 billion plus seven [offered clemency], and we get four, Trump said. Doesnt sound too good. Doesnt sound too good.

Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Tex.), running second to Trump in major polls and a strong contender to defeat Trump in the Iowa caucus vote two weeks away, thanked God for the release but added a caveat about the terms of the arrangement.

We dont know the details of the deal that is bringing them home, and it may well be that there are some very problematic aspects to this deal, Cruz told reporters in Fort Mill, S.C.

But at least this morning I am giving thanks that pastor Saeed is coming home. Its far later than it should have been, but we will be glad to welcome him home.

Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) said the deal to grant clemency to seven Iranians charged in the United States in exchange for the Americans release opens the door for other regimes to try to use captured Americans as bargaining chips.

Following the IAEA verification that Iran has met nuclear deal provisions, Secretary of State John Kerry held a news conference to officially announce 'Implementation Day' on Saturday, Jan. 16. (U.S. Department of State)

The fact of the matter is that this tells us everything we need to know about the Iranian regime. That they take people hostage in order to gain concessions, Rubio said while campaigning in Iowa. And the fact that they can get away with it with this administration, I think, has created an incentive for more governments to do this around the world.

Rubio has previously expressed support for Rezaian by wearing a Free Jason pin, but like other Republican critics of the Obama administration, Rubio maintains that the jailed Americans should have been freed without conditions.

They shouldnt have been in jail, Rubio said. This is hostage-taking.

The agreement came just as the United States and other world powers lift many international sanctions on Iran as part of the deal struck last year to curb Irans nuclear program. The Obama administration has previously maintained that while Secretary of State John F. Kerry and other officials raised the Rezaian case and others at their meetings and negotiations with Iranian officials, prisoner releases would not be part of the nuclear deal.

[International sanctions against Iran lifted]

The releases follow Obama administration agreements to win the release of an American from Cuba and an American soldier captured in Afghanistan by the Taliban.

Republicans, including some running for president, have said both those deals reveal a fundamental weakness and naivete in Obamas dealings with autocrats and terrorists. The Republicans have also roundly criticized the Iran nuclear deal as a risky gamble that endangers U.S. ally Israel. In all cases, the Obama administration counters that the deals are triumphs of diplomacy and statecraft, and were made with clear-eyed knowledge of the trade-offs.

You are incentivizing people to take Americans hostage and prisoner even if theyve done nothing wrong, Rubio said. Governments are taking Americans hostage because they believe they can gain concessions from this government under Barack Obama. Its created an incentive for more people to do this in the future.

Rubio also repeated his pledge to scrap the international nuclear deal on his first day in office.

Trump railed against Iran, raising questions about its commitment to peace and the administrations grasp of the situation. Referring to the high-profile temporary detention of 10 U.S Navy sailors by Iranian military officials last week, Trump panned the country for its response.

I dont know what happened. I guess it sounded like they took a little shortcut through a big body of water. Okay, big deal. And they got locked in, and they dropped to their knees in a begging position. Hands up, guns to their heads, Trump said, describing photos showing the sailors surrendering to Iranians.

And this is supposed to be our ally? he added.

Presumptive Democratic front-runner Hillary Clinton was secretary of state in Obamas first term, service she touts as preparation for real-world crises that none of her challengers, Democratic or Republican, possess. She participated in the initial outreach to Iran that led to the nuclear discussions, but the deal was struck after she left office. She supports the agreement but regularly says she would seek to strengthen it and would enforce it rigorously as president. She has said it is in the Iranian nature to try to cheat.

Clinton welcomed the releases and implementation of the nuclear deal in a statement late Saturday.

But we shouldnt thank Iran for the prisoners or for following through on its obligations. These prisoners were held unjustly by a regime that continues to threaten the peace and security of the Middle East, she said.

Clintons surging competitor, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, was the first 2016 candidate to issue a statement on the Americans release.

This good news shows that diplomacy can work even in this volatile region of the world, Sanders said.

Clintons campaign did not immediately react to the news.

Some Republicans also welcomed the releases while criticizing the terms. Former Florida governor Jeb Bush suggested he would have threatened Iran.

I would say . . . If you do not release them, that theres going to be military action, that thats an act of provocation, an act of war,  Bush said in Amherst, N.H., according to CNN. What I would do in January is recognize that Iran is not an ally. Thats how the Obama administration views this.

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie said he wants to know more about the other side of the deal.

We shouldnt have to swap prisoners. These folks were taken illegally in violation of international law, and they should have been released without condition. But you know, the Iranians have treated this president with disrespect for years, and he continues to take it, Christie said. I would not take it as president.

Speaking to reporters at a tea party convention in Myrtle Beach, S.C., low-polling Republican candidate Mike Huckabee said the Americans should have been released before we ever sat down at the negotiating table.

Retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson applauded the Americans release but added that the nuclear deal presents a danger to U.S. national security interests.

The fact remains that President Obamas nuclear agreement with Iran is fatally flawed and gravely jeopardizes the national security interests of the American people, our ally Israel and other peaceful nations in the Middle East and around the world, Carson said.

But Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) praised the decision to try to free the Americans, even at a cost.

Even though Iran is a country with very limited freedom, we were willing to negotiate, Paul said. It goes to temperament. All the other Republicans are telling you  rip up that agreement. I say: Really? Dont we want to see if it works first?

David Weigel, Ed OKeefe and Jose A. DelReal contributed to this report.
The Obama administration declared a halt Friday to any new coal leases on federal land, saying it would conduct a sweeping review of the economic and climate impact of extracting vast amounts of taxpayer-owned coal throughout the West.

The moratorium, which could last up to three years, will probably have a modest immediate effect on the nations struggling coal industry. But it provided fresh ammunition for environmental activists intent on keeping the nations remaining fossil fuels in the ground. And it signaled the White Houses determination to press ahead with an ambitious environmental agenda  even as conservatives become more aggressive in pushing back against the federal governments management of public lands in the West.

The review also highlights how long it can take to shift the way government operates: The leasing program first came under fire as uncompetitive and not sufficiently profitable for taxpayers in 1983, and has come under intensifying legal and political pressure for much of the presidents time in office.

Interior Secretary Sally Jewell said in a conference call with reporters that the last time rules were put in place, that was a time, 30 years ago, when our nation had very different priorities and needs. The result was a federal coal program designed to get as much coal out of the ground as possible. And in many ways, thats the program that weve been operating ever since.

Coal production on federal land accounts for roughly 41 percent of the nations total coal production. The vast majority of that mining  86 percent  takes place in the Powder River Basin, which spans northeastern Wyoming and southeastern Montana.





[How American coal  and its carbon emissions  end up overseas]

Unlike offshore oil and gas drilling, in which the federal government identifies areas that should be put up for leasing and others that should be off-limits, companies in the Powder River Basin propose lease sites to the Bureau of Land Management, which is then obligated to consider them. The companies also pay a much lower royalty rate to the government  between 8 and 12.5 percent  than do offshore leasing firms, which pay 18.75 percent.

Over the past decade, according to a 2014 Government Accountability Office report, roughly 90 percent of the competitive lease sales held in the region had just one bidder, and the government accepted 83 percent of the firms initial bids. Sen. Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), who commissioned the report, estimated that taxpayers have lost hundreds of millions of dollars in royalties in recent lease sales.

Now, Markey said, the combination of concerns over coals impact on the climate and the fact that taxpayers were getting shortchanged tipped the scale in favor of reform.

The administrations move is part of a broader effort to modernize the nations energy system, said BLM Director Neil Kornze, a push that has led to rapid growth of solar and wind energy. As the coal industry has shrunk, employment has grown in the renewable sector, which is now cost-competitive with coal and other fossil fuels in some parts of the country.

The Powder River Basin produces 400 million tons of coal annually; analysts had projected that production would increase slightly through 2030. Tom Sanzillo, director of finance for the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis, said he would now project a decline in coal production of 1 percent a year through 2030, cutting the amount extracted from the region over the next 15 years by almost 1 billion tons.

There are almost 20 years of supply in industry hands already, Kornze said, noting that the moratorium includes exemptions for small modifications to existing leases and emergency leases if companies face less than a three-year coal reserve. He estimated that out of roughly 50 pending lease applications, 18 might qualify for an exemption and move forward.

View Graphic Mapping how the United States generates its electricity

Industry officials said that they did not think the pause during the review process would deliver a serious blow, but called it misguided.

Peabody Energy spokeswoman Kelley Wright said in an email that the firm has more than 20 years of production through our superior Powder River Basin coal reserve position, representing long-term security of supply and a competitive strength. Nonetheless, the administrations actions represent poor policy and a flawed way to accomplish carbon goals.

Several top Republican lawmakers decried the administrations action. House Speaker Paul D. Ryan (R-Wis.) said in a statement the effect would be immediate and severe: lost growth, lost jobs and lost revenue that would have gone to schools, bridges and roads.

Several environmental groups, such as Friends of the Earth, Defenders of Wildlife and WildEarth Guardians, have sued the government in recent years for not factoring into its leasing decisions how extracting coal affects the climate. David Hayes, who served as deputy secretary of Interior from January 2009 until June 2013, said he and others discussed reflecting climate impacts into the royalty rate shortly before he left the administration, You cant move a policy battleship in a short time frame. Generally, it takes a lot of thoughtful analysis.

[Coal extraction poses a climate challenge for Obama administration]

Many environmentalists  and some politicians, including Democratic 2016 hopefuls Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and former Maryland governor Martin OMalley  have expressed support for the keep it in the ground movement, arguing that the vast amount of remaining fossil fuels will have to remain untapped to avert dangerous levels of warming.

For years weve been arguing we need to combine action on our tailpipes and smokestacks with a supply-side strategy to keep dirty fuels in the ground, and in the last few months, weve made tremendous progress, said Sierra Club Executive Director Michael Brune, whose group also sued over the coal leases.

While states such as Montana and Wyoming have come to rely on revenues from federal coal sales,  they get 50 percent  some people who live near massive strip mines say that the regions assets are being given without regard to the costs to local communities. Local concerns deepened earlier this week after Arch Coal, one of the largest U.S. coal producers, declared bankruptcy, sparking fears that some of the regions moonscape-like strip mines will be abandoned without a proper cleanup.

Montana rancher Steve Charter, whose cattle grazes on lands above a large underground mine, said the coal program has long been skewed to benefit a few wealthy companies. Public lands and public resources should be managed for the public good, he said, not for the bottom lines of private corporations.

At a time when hostility toward the federal government is running high in some rural areas  as shown by the armed occupation of a federal building in southeast Oregons Malheur National Wildlife Refuge  administration officials have emphasized their support for communities transitioning away from coal. Obama pledged in his State of the Union address Tuesday to fund transportation projects in these areas.

In the year ahead, Kornze said, the BLM will ensure were not a remote entity working on this, were at the table with people impacted in a whole series of ways.

Ultimately, the next administration will decide when and where coal leasing takes place, and it appears likely that a Republican president would probably revive the old system.

But this is an important conversation that needs to happen, and it needs to start now, Jewell said, even as she noted her successor would make the final decision.
President Obama will include a new wage insurance scheme in his budget next month that would provide supplemental payments to workers who lose their jobs and end up taking new ones at lower salaries.

The wage insurance payments could temporarily cushion the financial blow to displaced middle-class workers, including those hurt by free trade, globalization and technological change.

The presidents budget proposal will also include new protections for others who lose their jobs and training plans to help them get back to work quickly.

The White House said Saturday that the wage insurance plan would replace half of a workers lost wages, up to $10,000 over two years, for those earning up to $50,000 a year.

Displaced workers making less than $50,000 who were with their prior employer for at least three years would be able to leverage these resources to help them get back on their feet and on the way to new careers, the White House said in a statement.

The proposal will probably face an uphill battle in the Republican Congress. Obama has proposed wage insurance before  in a 2011 jobs bill and in his 2012 State of the Union address.

In his State of the Union address this year, Obama again made the case for wage insurance. He said: Say a hard-working American loses his job  we shouldnt just make sure that he can get unemployment insurance; we should make sure that program encourages him to retrain for a business thats ready to hire him. If that new job doesnt pay as much, there should be a system of wage insurance in place so that he can still pay his bills.

Many economists have backed wage insurance as a way to address falling incomes among the middle class and as a way to keep people from leaving the labor force. Gary Burtless, an economist at the Brookings Institution, has written that if designed properly, wage insurance would provide an incentive for people who are laid off to find jobs as soon as possible because the supplemental payments would not start until a new job was found and would only last for two years after the initial job loss.

Wage insurance has also been proposed as a way to ease concerns about free trade and the disruptive effects of technological change. Displacement insurance can begin to address the substantial risks that many prime-aged and older workers confront in a dynamic economy, University of Chicago economist Robert J. LaLonde wrote in a Council on Foreign Relations special report.

The presidents budget proposal would also require states to provide at least 26 weeks of unemployment insurance and expand coverage to include part-time and intermittent workers. According to the White House, nine states provide less than 26 weeks coverage, and North Carolina provides up to 13 weeks.

The plan would also make automatic the extension of unemployment benefits during economic downturns, something that Congress must approve during each recession, running the risk that legislative action comes too late for some workers. The presidents plan would automatically provide 52 weeks of federally funded benefits for states suffering rapid job losses. The White House said that from 2008 to 2013, extended unemployment insurance benefits helped nearly 24 million workers and credited the benefits with lifting 2.5 million people out of poverty in 2012 alone.

The White House said the proposal would be fully paid for in the budget, but it would not say how much the plan would cost. One possible way to cover the cost would be to slightly increase employers unemployment insurance tax.

Obama also said he wants to expand job training programs, including a plan that would create career navigators who would help workers find new jobs.

The White House will release Obamas budget for fiscal 2017 on Feb. 9, Shaun Donovan, the director of the Office of Management and Budget, said on Twitter this month.
Until Friday night, Burkina Faso was a country that appeared to be off the radar of Islamist extremist groups, engrossed in its own coups and counter-coups, seemingly forgotten by the militants waging attacks to its north and east.

Then, after sunset, gunmen stormed the Splendid Hotel in the capital, Ouagadougou, taking more than 100 hostages and forcing the country to rethink the threats it faces as Islamist groups in sub-Saharan Africa seek new high-profile targets. By the time the attack was over Saturday, at least 23 people were dead, according to Burkina Fasos president, Roch Marc Christian Kabore.

According to news services, an American, identified Saturday by the U.S. State Department as Michael James Riddering, was killed in the attack. The Associated Press reported that he was a 45-year-old missionary who was meeting a group that was going to volunteer at the orphanage and womens crisis center he ran with his wife when the attack began.

Adding to the mystery and shock surrounding the attack, Kabore told reporters that two of the four assailants were women. An al-Qaeda affiliate with roots in northwest Africa asserted responsibility for the attack.

[A popular uprising, an attempted coup and an election: Burkina Faso over 18 months]





Even after a week of terrorist assaults on unusual targets  first a tourist district in Istanbul, then a business quarter in Jakarta, Indonesia, both attacked by Islamic State sympathizers  the seizure of the Splendid Hotel raised questions about the militant groups apparent movement well beyond its traditional power bases.

That expansion has been particularly true of groups in sub-Saharan Africa. Islamist extremist group al-Shabab was born in Somalia, but by 2010 it began carrying out attacks in Uganda and Kenya in retaliation for a multinational military campaign on Somali soil. Boko Haram expanded far beyond its base in northeastern Nigeria, sending suicide bombers to Niger and Chad.

Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb was founded in the Sahel of northwestern Africa, with a strong Algerian influence, but Friday it proved that it would continue to expand it target range.

The group posted a statement online saying the hotel attack in Burkina Faso was aimed at punishing France and the disbelieving West, according to a translation from the SITE Intelligence Group.

[Al-Qaeda vs. ISIS: The radical rivalry]

The reference to France might explain why attackers chose Ouagadougou. In 2014, the French military launched Operation Barkhane to counter the growth of jihadist groups in northern and western Africa, deploying 3,000 troops in five of its former colonies. One of them was Burkina Faso, a majority-Muslim country, where a special forces base was built in Ouagadougou.

They can see a big crusade that France is undertaking and they see it failing, said Jeremy Keenan, a professor at the University of Londons School of Oriental and African Studies. Its fertile ground for extremists to recruit even more.

1 of 16 Full Screen Autoplay Close Skip Ad  Photos from the scene of attack on luxury hotel and cafe in Burkina Faso View Photos Al-Qaeda militants struck a hotel and nearby cafe in the capital that are popular with Westerners, taking an unknown number of hostages and forcing others to hide for their lives. Caption Al-Qaeda militants struck a hotel and nearby cafe in the capital that are popular with Westerners, taking an unknown number of hostages and forcing others to hide for their lives. Jan. 15, 2016 This video still image shows vehicles are on fire outside the Splendid Hotel in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, during a siege by Islamist gunmen. Reuters TV Wait 1 second to continue.

France has a big military base in Ouagadougou, and in that way its as big a target as any other place, Keenan said.

Frances troop presence was on display during the attack, as French soldiers worked with local forces to track down and kill the four terrorists and evacuate at least 126 people. The Splendid Hotel had been chosen as a target, some surmised, because of its international clientele, including French guests.

French President Francois Hollande called the assault an odious and cowardly attack.

Those who saw the hotel and the surrounding area during the operation described a gruesome scene. At least 10 people were killed in the Cappuccino Cafe, a restaurant next to the hotel, according to the Associated Press. The cafe is owned by an Italian man; his wife and 5-year-old daughter were slain in the attack, the AP reported.

Witnesses said the assault began when assailants set fire to vehicles outside the hotel. Once they entered, the attackers took hostages, and flames engulfed the area. The battle to regain control of the hotel took about 12 hours, leaving desperate relatives of hostages with little idea of what was happening inside.

Even hours after the attack, the death toll remained uncertain. While Kabore reported that at least 23 had been killed, the French ambassador in Burkina Faso told reporters that at least 27 were dead.

The attack was strikingly similar to an operation in November, when militants claiming allegiance to two groups  al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb and al-Mourabitoun  held hotel guests hostage at the Radisson Blu in Malis capital.

That attack, which killed 20, was seen at least in part as a strike against France, which sent thousands of troops to Mali in 2013 to expel militants who had taken over the countrys vast northern region.

Now, in Burkina Faso, a newly elected president in one of the regions least stable democracies will confront yet another challenge. The country has faced a tumultuous year, after President Blaise Compaore was overthrown during large protests in October 2014. Last September, forces allied with Compaore staged a failed coup against the transitional government. In November, voters chose Kabore, a former prime minister, as the new president. The political upheaval has threatened to slow the economy of what was already a poor nation.

We appeal to the people to be vigilant and brave because we must fight on, Kabore said in a radio address Saturday.

Frances war in Mali has not been able to end extremist violence

Ive seen the Talibans brutality in Afghanistan. Boko Haram might be worse.

Burkina Faso elections mark turning point in countrys political turmoil
Shelves almost empty of baby formula bear signs advising of a limit of eight cans per customer at a supermarket in Sydney on Nov. 12, 2015. (Christopher Pearce/Getty Images)

After Mandy Santoss teething 8-month-old son woke her every two hours one night demanding to be fed, she walked into a Sydney supermarket looking for a can of baby formula.

As the 31-year-old professional violinist stood in the baby-food aisle trying to choose a product, her 2-year-old daughter hung on to her leg, chewing on a cookie. The little boy was with a relative.

Hes very clingy and Im too tired, Santos said, referring to the baby. Im going to wean him slowly.

But there was a catch: Despite fully stocked shelves of formula made by Procter & Gamble, Nestle, Danone and others, this supermarket in the Coles chain sells only two cans to a customer at a time. The rule is aimed at countering a thriving underground market that ships Australian formula to China, where only 16 percent of new mothers breast-feed their children exclusively, according to Chinas National Health and Family Planning Commission.

Private profiteers can resell a two-pound can of formula in China for as much as three times the Australian price, said Michael Harvey, a dairy-industry analyst at Rabobank, a large agricultural financier. There is clearly money in it, he said in an interview.

[Australia has a greater percentage of foreigners but less xenophobia. What is its secret?]

Several milk-contamination scandals, including one that involved the hospitalization of 54,000 children in 2008, have made many in China suspicious of their food supply. The one-child policy, which is now being abandoned, also made many of the 16 million babies born every year in China even more precious to their parents.

Experts say Chinese food rules are as tough as Australias  they are both based on international standards known as the Codex Alimentarius, overseen by the World Health Organization and the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization. But many Chinese parents do not trust their government to enforce the rules.

The Chinese consumer wants the formula with the English writing on it, said Jan Carey, the chief executive of Australias Infant Nutrition Council, a lobby group for baby-food makers.

Australia is not the only place where sales limits have been imposed. Britain, Hong Kong and New Zealand also have them, but the problem is more acute in Australia. The countrys clean environment and reputation for safe food appeals to Chinese parents, said Simon Hansford, a formula consultant who has been to China more than 80 times and once owned a milk-powder factory.

They love their Louis Vuitton and BMWs, he said in an interview. They think if the formula is sold in the big supermarkets and pharmacies, its a famous brand.

While well-intentioned, the Australian supermarkets policy means the countrys exhausted mothers have to stock up every couple of weeks or seek out stores with more generous limits. At the Coles visited by Santos, the violinist, a notice in English and Chinese said: While this is regrettable we are trying to help make this product available for our customers who require it.

The rule is not always enforced. Two months ago, a woman from the southern city of Melbourne posted a photo on Facebook of four people filling two shopping carts with baby formula. The group of four adults cleared a pallet of more than 50 tins despite the stores four-tins-per-person limit, she told the Sydney Morning Herald newspaper. It felt like a smooth operation, like they did this all the time.

Chinese buyers send the formula home by regular mail, a process that does not require special paperwork if the shipment weighs less than 22 pounds. Reports that temporary shops are opening in busy areas to sell and ship formula suggest that the trade is becoming more sophisticated.

A spokeswoman for Australias Department of Agriculture and Water Resources said the agency is investigating allegations that formula is being sent overseas in breach of shipping rules.

Ironically, most of the formula sold in Australia comes from elsewhere. The most popular brand, Aptamil, is made by French dairy giant Danone in New Zealand, a country that has so many cows it is sometimes referred to as the Saudi Arabia of the global milk trade. In China, Danone sells formula under the Karicare brand, which it promotes as a 100 percent New Zealand product.

[Oz review: The (bland) flavors of Australia, from a new Real Housewife]

Breast-feeding advocates are aghast at the trade, which they say preys on vulnerable women in China. Nina Berry, a researcher at the Sydney School of Public Health and a spokeswoman for the Australian Breastfeeding Association, described the prices being paid for foreign formula in China as extortionate and questioned the ethics of food companies that market the products. Some experts want China to ban the advertising of baby formula.

Women with infants are doing very undervalued work, with very little support, often in isolation and unable to access the personal support, professional advice or industrial protections they need, Berry said in an email.

The baby-formula industry is acutely aware of the criticism and says children should be breast-fed for their first six months. Privately, industry advocates say many Chinese mothers choose formula so they can return to work quickly and save money to fund their childrens education.

Seeing the opportunity, Australian manufacturers are scrambling to meet demand. But the adjustment is not happening quickly. It takes some six months to increase production, because ingredients such as vegetable fat and vitamins have to be ordered well in advance.

Nonetheless, investors sense big profits. Baby-food makers more generally were among the most successful companies on the Australian stock exchange last year. A $5,000 investment in one company, Bellamys Organic, on Jan. 1 last year was worth $49,000 by New Years Eve, according to CommSec, a stockbroker.

Read more:

Photos of grieving kangaroo actually show necrophilia (and possibly a killing)

What Easter Islands colossal stone statues teach about the dangers of modern school reform

In Australia, knights and dames to go the way of jousts and petticoats  again

Todays coverage from Post correspondents around the world
People pass a sign reading STOP EBOLA forming part of Sierra Leones Ebola-free campaign in the city of Freetown on Jan. 15, 2016. (Aurelie Marrier dUnienville/AP)

Blood from a woman who died this week in Sierra Leone tested positive for Ebola, officials said Friday, a setback for the region that comes only a day after the World Health Organization had declared the epidemic over.

The WHO had warned Thursday that new Ebola cases were possible even after the viruss spread was halted in Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea  the three West African nations hardest hit by the epidemic that killed more than 11,300 people.

Ten other flare-ups have occurred in areas where Ebolas spread was thought to have ended, raising questions about the WHOs procedures in assessing whether an epidemic is over.

The U.N. health agency said Friday that Sierra Leones government was moving rapidly to contain the new threat, but it was not clear how the 22-year-old woman who died may have contracted Ebola. All known lines of Ebola transmission in that country were severed in November.

Francis Langoba Kellie, a spokesman for Sierra Leones Office of National Security, said on radio that the woman had come from Kambia district in the countrys north and had sought medical care in Tonkolili district, also in the north.

Authorities are tracing her contacts and have dispatched teams to the area to investigate how she might have contracted the virus and whether she might have infected others. Certain areas will be quarantined, Kellie said.

Bruce Aylward, a physician who heads the WHOs Ebola response efforts, said the woman was not buried safely because local health workers had not identified her illness as a suspected Ebola case. That raises the possibility that there could be a wider Ebola outbreak.

The world now is acutely aware that, yes, this risk does continue, Aylward said. He called the announcement of Sierra Leones latest case Friday unfortunate timing.

The WHO declared the latest Ebola outbreak over in Liberia on Thursday after no new cases had emerged there during a 42-day waiting period. That benchmark had been met in both Guinea and Sierra Leone.

Aylward said the WHO was not reconsidering its 42-day waiting period despite the repeated reemergence of cases after Ebola outbreaks had been announced as over in countries.

Sierra Leones level of preparedness and response capabilities are very high, and there is no cause for concern, Kellie said. We encourage the public to continue to practice the hygiene regulations which were in force during the period while Ebola was raging, and the emergency regulations are still in force.
Destroyed buildings are seen in the city of Ramadi, on Jan. 16, 2016. (Thaier al-Sudani/Reuters)

This once-teeming capital of Iraqs Anbar province is now little more than a field of debris.

Iraqi troops last month pushed Islamic State fighters out of the city that the extremists had held for seven months and declared Ramadi liberated. It was an important victory for the Iraqi forces. But the scale of the destruction in Ramadi has many here worried about when and if the city will be rebuilt.

What happens next in Ramadi, about 80 miles west of Baghdad, will be a test of whether Iraq can remain a united country and whether heavily Sunni areas can exist peacefully in a Shiite-majority country. Many of Iraqs Sunnis distrust the Shiite-led government and feel neglected by the state. But Ramadis reconstruction is likely to cost billions of dollars, Iraqi officials say, at a time when the revenue of the national government has plummeted because of falling oil prices. Meanwhile, plans to secure the city with thousands of Sunni tribal fighters have stalled.

[Iraqi troops close in on Ramadi, retake army headquarters]

The early disputes over security could threaten the citys recovery, keeping residents from returning as homes are rebuilt. The security problems also could revive old tensions between Shiite and Sunni leaders here.

1 of 17 Full Screen Autoplay Close Skip Ad  The fight to regain Ramadi View Photos For Iraqs armed forces, and the Americans who are training and backing them, the drive in Anbar province is critical. Caption For Iraqs armed forces, and the Americans who are training and backing them, the drive in Anbar province is critical. Dec. 11, 2015 An airstrike by the U.S.-led coalition destroys a building north of Ramadi, in Anbar province. Ali Arkady/VII Mentor Program/For The Washington Post Wait 1 second to continue.

Ramadi is totally destroyed, there are no forces to secure the city, and there is no trust between the government and the people, said Raed al-Dahlaki, a Sunni lawmaker and chairman of Iraqs parliamentary committee on displaced persons.

More than half a million people have fled Anbar since fighting escalated in Ramadi last spring, according to the International Organization for Migration. About 3 million people are displaced across Iraq.

Ramadi is the center of the Sunni community in Iraq, Dahlaki said.

If the government is slow or unable to rebuild, he said, then there is no future for Sunnis in this country.

Once home to a population of more than 400,000, Ramadi was a vibrant but troubled city and one of the first centers of Sunni insurgency after the U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003.

The city enjoyed a brief period of stability after local sheiks armed by the United States ousted jihadists, but as relations between Sunni leaders and Baghdads Shiite government began to deteriorate, jihadists again gained a foothold. The Islamic State seized the city last May.

Since then, a U.S.-led coalition has launched nearly 800 airstrikes in or near Ramadi in a bid to root out Islamic State fighters, according to official statements. Fighting has damaged nearly every structure in the city. Homes, schools, factories and mosques have been flattened or blown apart.

It was a costly victory, said Brig. Gen. Ali Jamil, a member of the elite counterterrorism unit that has led the battle in Ramadi.

On a recent day, Jamil surveyed the ruins in the city center, where Islamic State fighters had hunkered down in places such as hospitals and government buildings. When asked about the thousands of Sunni fighters that U.S. and Iraqi officials said would immediately deploy to secure liberated neighborhoods, Jamil scoffed.

Its only us here now. There are no tribal fighters whatsoever, he said. They said they would deploy when they got their weapons, but they havent. We dont believe them. Their leaders just want to make money from the government.

According to several Iraqi officials and commanders, about 500 tribal fighters are scattered across the front lines in the Ramadi suburbs, where security forces are battling jihadists amid booby-trapped buildings and towering palm trees. But on a visit to central Ramadi, reporters found the streets deserted. Even local Sunni leaders concede that the thousands of Sunni fighters slated to patrol the city have not arrived.

The fighters are delayed, they say, because the central government has failed to approve salaries and weapons for the thousands of men who have volunteered. The government says it is worried that the weapons could fall into jihadists hands and wants the fighters to be properly vetted for ties to the Islamic State, whose members also are Sunni.

These delays are essentially all attributable to the near-total absence of any meaningful process of . . . reconciliation between Sunni and Shiite leaders, Kenneth M. Pollack, a former CIA intelligence analyst and now a Middle East expert at the Brookings Institution, wrote after Ramadis liberation last month.

In the years before the Islamic State takeover, Sunni leaders accused the Shiite-led government and security forces of sectarian repression in their communities. Tribal sheiks such as Rafi al-Fahdawi, one of the leaders of Anbars Albu Fahd tribe, worry that tensions will resurface if efforts to rebuild are postponed.

We need something like the Marshall Plan to rebuild Ramadi. It will take years, Fahdawi said, referring to the mammoth U.S. initiative to aid Western Europe after World War II.

But we dont believe the government will help us. When it comes to the government, the people of Anbar have anger in their hearts, he said.

Fahdawi and others want more local control over government affairs but say they still want to be part of the Iraqi state.

The more authority the central government gives to local government . . . the easier it will be to maintain security in Ramadi, said Anbars governor, Suhaib al-Rawi.

When security was directed from Baghdad, it caused a lot of problems, Rawi said. Now, he said, the government needs to spread a message of citizenship . . . and create an atmosphere of security and safety.

Mustafa Salim contributed to this report.

Read more:

Victory in Ramadi may not yet be proof of a strategy, but it is a milestone

Why success against the Islamic State in Ramadi hints at U.S. military strategy to come

Islamic State offensive in northern Iraq, although repelled, shows groups resilience
This image provided by the FBI shows a photo of former FBI agent Robert Levinson, who went missing on Kish Island, Iran, on March 9, 2007, shackled and holding a sign. (FBI via AFP/Getty Images)

As the families of Americans celebrate the release of their loved ones held in Iran, the authorities in Tehran said they would not be freeing a businessman arrested in October and were silent on the fate of a former FBI agent who disappeared in the country.

It was unclear why Siamak Namazi, 44, an Iranian American based in Dubai, was arrested in October while visiting a friend in Tehran where he had done consultant work over the previous decade. Namazi is the son of a prominent family in Tehran who couldnt be reached. Namazi immigrated to the United States in 1983, and he later returned to Iran after graduating from college to serve in the Iranian military.

I dont know whats going on, said Ahmad Kiarostami, a friend. Im still hopeful hes going to be released in the next few days. Thats what I hope.

Kiarostami said he had traded Facebook messages with Namazis family in Iran, but they didnt know anything.

He said it was a big surprise when Namazi wasnt freed with the others.

Four Americans and seven Iranians were set to be exchanged in a deal linked to the imminent implementation of a landmark nuclear deal between Tehran and six world powers. Here's what we know about who they are. (Jason Aldag/The Washington Post)

U.S. officials said Saturday that they would continue to talk with Iran to secure the release of Namazi as well as to obtain information about the whereabouts of Robert Levinson, 67, who went missing on an Iranian island in March 2007.

News that Levinson had not been freed left his family distraught.

Of course we are happy for those families, but angry and devastated, Suzanne Halpin, the sister of Levinsons wife, said in an email.

[Ex-FBI agent who disappeared in Iran was on a rogue mission for the CIA]

The Levinsons have hoped for years that their father would eventually be released after a deal was reached to limit the Iranian nuclear program.

The family thought the United States had squandered its best opportunity for leverage in ensuring my fathers safe return home, Levinsons son, Daniel, wrote late last year in The Washington Post, after Iran and six world powers struck a nuclear deal.

It was an ominous sign that he wasnt released with other the Americans, officials said.

Washington Post journalist Jason Rezaian has been freed from prison, according to U.S. and Iranian officials. He was arrested in Iran in 2014 and convicted of espionage last year. Here's what you need to know about the case against him. (Monica Akhtar/The Washington Post)

They were given every opportunity to save face, a U.S. intelligence official said Saturday. We are still not giving up.

The Iranians have never acknowledged holding Levinson, and some former and current U.S. intelligence officials fear that he might be dead.

Discussions with the Iranians have focused on trying to discern his whereabouts and bring him home, said a senior administration official, speaking on anonymity guidelines set by the administration. We werent able to do that in that time frame and we have agreed with the Iranians that we will continue to use the channels that [now] exist for that purpose.

A second administration official said that agreement over the other prisoners provides an opportunity to focus specifically on identifying [Levinsons] whereabouts. . . . We recognize that his family has endured the hardship of his disappearance for over eight years now, and we will not cease our efforts until he is returned home.

Levinson joined the FBIs New York field office in 1978 after spending six years with the Drug Enforcement Administration. He was an expert on the New York mobs five families. Eventually, he moved to the Miami office, where he tracked Russian organized-crime figures and developed a reputation for developing sources.

After retiring from the FBI in 1998, Levinson worked as a private investigator and as a CIA contractor. Levinson was supposed to produce academic-like papers for the agency but was operating more like a spy, gathering intelligence for the CIA and writing numerous well-received reports, officials said.

Levinson traveled the globe. He went to Turkey and Canada, among other countries, to interview potential sources, sometimes using a fake name. But CIA station chiefs in those countries were never notified of Levinsons activities overseas, even though the agency reimbursed him for his travel, a violation of the rules.

On March 8, 2007, Levinson flew from Dubai to the Iranian island of Kish and checked into a hotel. He entered Iran to gather information about government corruption.

He met with Dawud Salahuddin, a fugitive wanted for the murder of an Iranian dissident and diplomat who was shot at his house in Bethesda, Md. Levinson thought Salahuddin could supply details about the Iranian regime, perhaps information that could interest the CIA, according to officials who have reconstructed some of his movements.

Levinson spent hours talking to Salahuddin. The next morning, Levinson checked out of his hotel and vanished, officials said. The United States suspected the Iranian security services were behind his abduction, according to a diplomatic cable disclosed by WikiLeaks.

The FBI has offered $5 million for information leading to his safe return.

The CIA ultimately concluded that it was responsible for Levinson while he was in Iran and paid $2.5 million to his wife, Christine, former U.S. intelligence officials have said. The CIA leadership disciplined 10 employees, including three veteran analysts who were forced out of their jobs, the officials said, because Levinson was run by people who had no authority to manage operations overseas.

The last proof of life came about three years ago when the Levinson family received a 54-second video of him and later pictures of him shackled and dressed in an orange jumpsuit similar to those worn by detainees at the U.S. military prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
President Obama offered clemency to seven Iranians charged with violating U.S. trade sanctions against Iran as part of a historic prisoner agreement with Iran that freed four Americans Saturday, including Washington Post reporter Jason Rezaian.

The Iranians, six of whom are dual U.S.-Iranian citizens, were imprisoned or were pending trial in the United States. The U.S. government dismissed charges against 14 other Iranians, all outside the United States, after assessing that extradition requests were unlikely to be successful, according to a U.S. official.

The official also said that Iran has committed to continue cooperating with the United States to determine the location of retired FBI agent Robert Levinson, who disappeared in Iran more than nine years ago.

Irans semiofficial Fars News Agency released names of the seven individuals. The Department of Justice declined to confirm their identities.

Joel Androphy, an attorney for one of the Iranians  Bahram Mechanic  said his client was offered a full pardon. Androphy also worked closely with the attorneys for two of the other men who were pardoned, Tooraj Roger Faridi, and Khosrow Afghahi.

Bahram Mechanic, an Iranian American businessman indicted last year, was granted clemency. (Reuters)

The three men are Iranian American businessmen who were indicted last year and accused of illegally exporting microelectronics to Iran that could aid the countrys nuclear program.

Theyre ecstatic, said Androphy, who said the men were told Wednesday that Obama was pardoning them. Mechanic and Afghahi were being held without bail in a federal detention facility in Houston. Faridi, who lives in Houston, was not in custody, Androphy said.

The released Iranians were on a long list that Tehran initially gave the U.S. government early in the negotiations, a list eventually whittled down to the seven, according to a senior U.S. official who briefed reporters under a condition of anonymity set by the administration.

The official said that Obama insisted that none of the individuals be people who have been prosecuted for offenses related to terrorism . . . or violent crime. All, the official said, were convicted or accused of crimes related to violating our trade embargo or sanctions.

The April 2015 indictment against Mechanic, Faridi, and Afghahi, for violating the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, alleges the men and their Houston-based company, Smart Power Systems, were members of an Iranian procurement network operating in the United States.

The men, who pleaded not guilty and said their business consisted of buying parts in other countries to build surge protectors for computers, were charged as part of a larger scheme involving individuals and companies in Turkey and Taiwan. They had not yet gone to trial.

They feel victimized by the government, Androphy said. People should be happy that both countries did the right thing by releasing people that were unfairly confined. He said his clients were victims of disputes between countries, not people whove committed any horrific crimes.

Nader Modanlo, serving an eight-year sentence for sanctions violations, was granted clemency. (Reuters)

Androphy said his clients, who were born in Iran and naturalized more than five years ago, are now free to travel and would remain in the United States with their families.

Mechanic will drop his lawsuit against the United States for unlawfully seizing his business in Tehran, and he plans to travel to Iran to continue his business there, Androphy said.

Another Iranian who will be released is Nader Modanlo, a Montgomery County businessman who prosecutors said used his aerospace expertise and connections with Russia to help Iran launch a satellite for the first time.

Modanlo, a U.S. citizen born in Iran and living in Potomac, was sentenced in 2013 to eight years in prison for conspiring to illegally provide satellite-related services to Iran, in violation of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act and the Iran trade embargo. Modanlo, then 52, was also convicted of money-laundering and obstruction of bankruptcy proceedings.

Maryland U.S. Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein said at the time that, partly as a result of Modanlos actions, an Iranian Earth-observation satellite equipped with a camera was launched into space from Russia on Oct. 27, 2005.

Modanlo violated the law by helping Iran launch communications satellites, Rosenstein said. A jury convicted Modanlo, finding that he illegally facilitated a satellite deal between Iran and Russia and received a $10 million brokering fee.

Mr. Modanlo has been fighting to clear his name for nearly a decade, Modanlos attorney, Lucius Outlaw III, said after the trial in federal court in Greenbelt. Unfortunately, the fight will have to continue.

Also in 2013, Rosenstein announced that Ali Saboonchi, then 32, a U.S. citizen living in Parkville, Md., had been indicted on charges of conspiring to export and exporting U.S.-manufactured industrial products and services to Iran. In a five-count indictment, Saboonchi, who has been imprisoned in Petersburg, Va., was charged with creating a business, Ace Electric, for the purpose of obtaining goods to be sent to Iran.

An attorney now representing Modanlo, Kelly Kramer, declined to comment.

Outlaw, who now represents Saboonchi, said in an e-mail about 6 a.m. Sunday that Saboonchi has been released. He and another attorney, Elizabeth Oyer, said in a statement: "Ali Saboonchi is a beloved and hard-working family man and American. He was born in the U.S. and is proud to be raising his young family here. His arrest and incarceration were devastating to his many friends and family. Ali is thrilled and grateful for his release and return to his family. Ali's release shows that he poses no danger to the American people. He has a bright future ahead."

Another Iranian national who was granted clemency is Nima Golestaneh, 30, who pleaded guilty in December to charges of wire fraud and unauthorized access to computers related to the October 2012 hacking of a Vermont-based engineering consulting and software company.

Golestaneh conspired with others to hack the network and computers at Arrow Tech Associates to steal company software and business information, according to the plea agreement. Golestaneh acquired servers in other countries for his co-conspirators to use remotely to launch computer intrusions into companies, including Arrow Tech.

The seventh Iranian is Arash Ghahreman, 45, a naturalized U.S. citizen and former Iranian national who was convicted in April by a federal jury in San Diego of violations of U.S. export and money-laundering laws linked to his involvement in a scheme to purchase marine navigation equipment and military electronic equipment for illegal export to Iran.

The defendants used a front company to illegally send U.S. goods and technologies, including those used in military applications to Iran, Assistant Attorney General for National Security John P. Carlin said after the conviction.

Ellis M. Johnston III, Ghahreman's attorney, said Ghahreman was released from a federal prison camp about 6 a.m. Sunday. Johnston said Ghahreman -- who wasn't pardoned, but rather, had his sentence commuted -- planned to spend some time with his aunt and her family on the East Coast, reunite with his girlfriend on the West Coast and "hopefully visit his elderly parents in Iran, whom he hasn't seen in years since this case began."

"Mr. Ghahreman and his family are extremely relieved by his release," Johnston said in an email. "For my part, I'm obviously happy for Mr Ghahreman's release; he's a very kind, considerate man who poses no threat to the United States and who, if given the chance despite his felony conviction (which still stands because he wasn't pardoned; his sentence was only commuted), will succeed professionally here, abroad, or wherever he chooses.".







Correction: A previous version of this article incorrectly stated that Houston lawyer Joel Androphy represented Bahram Mechanic, Tooraj Roger Faridi and Khosrow Afghahi. Androphy represented only Mechanic.

Karen DeYoung and Matt Zapotosky contributed to this report.
Iran has freed Washington Post journalist Jason Rezaian, according to Iranian news media. He was arrested in Iran in 2014 and convicted of espionage last year. Here's what you need to know about the case against him. (Monica Akhtar/The Washington Post)

Iran has freed Washington Post journalist Jason Rezaian, according to Iranian news media. He was arrested in Iran in 2014 and convicted of espionage last year. Here's what you need to know about the case against him. (Monica Akhtar/The Washington Post)

The United States and Iran moved into a new era of international relations Saturday, with the implementation of a landmark agreement on Irans nuclear program on a drama-filled day that also saw the release of imprisoned Washington Post reporter Jason Rezaian and four other Americans.

U.S. and European officials lifted the harshest economic sanctions against Tehran after the United Nations nuclear watchdog certified that the Islamic republic had fully complied with promises to curtail key parts of its nuclear program. Hours before diplomats in the Austrian capital hailed the official activation of the nuclear deal, Iran confirmed the release of Rezaian and the other American detainees, set free in exchange for U.S. clemency offered to seven Iranians charged or imprisoned for sanctions violations and the dismissal of outstanding charges against 14 Iranians outside the United States.

Rezaian and two other released Americans were flown out of Tehran on Sunday, after a delay. They were expected to go to Switzerland, then to a U.S. military facility in Germany to be examined by medical personnel. One of the Americans, Nosratollah Khosravi-Roodsari, did not fly out with the others, U.S. officials said.

[A misunderstanding held up the departure of 4 Americans in swap]

We can confirm that our detained U.S. citizens have been released and that those who wished to depart Iran have left, a senior administration official said. We have no further information to share at this time and would ask that everyone respect the privacy of these individuals and their families.





The coordinated moves cemented a major diplomatic victory for the Obama administration, which won significant nuclear concessions from Iran in an effort to defuse an international crisis that threatened to spark a new Middle East war. The agreement also frees Iran from crippling economic sanctions and opens the way for ending decades of diplomatic and economic isolation.

This evening, we are really reminded once again of diplomacys power to tackle significant challenges, Secretary of State John F. Kerry said after the implementation was announced. We have approached this challenge with the firm belief that exhausting diplomacy before choosing war is an imperative. And we believe that today marks the benefits of that choice.

But the agreement also contains significant political risk for a White House that is staking its legacy on Irans willingness to comply with unprecedented curbs and extensive monitoring of its nuclear program. The pact  which has been repeatedly condemned by the Israeli government as well as by members of Congress from both parties  drew fresh attacks Saturday from Republican presidential contenders, some of whom blasted the deal as a sellout to Irans clerical rulers.

The nuclear pact calls on Iran to dismantle key nuclear equipment in a deal designed to ensure that Iranian officials could never accumulate enough fissile material to build a nuclear bomb. The agreement also requires unprecedented inspections and monitoring covering all aspects of Irans nuclear program, from uranium mining to research facilities.

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif echoed Kerrys remarks, saying on Twitter that diplomacy requires patience, but we all know that it sure beats the alternatives. Implementation of the deal, Zarif said, meant that its now time for all  especially Muslim nations  to join hands and rid the world of violent extremism. Iran is ready.

The release of prisoners had not been officially part of negotiations between Iran and the six world powers: the United States, Russia, China, Britain, France and Germany. But Kerry frequently raised the plight of imprisoned U.S. citizens during last years nuclear talks.

The Obama administration had come under heavy criticism for concluding the nuclear accord without winning the release of American detainees, including Rezaian, 39, whose 544-day detention is the longest ever by a Western journalist in Iran. White House officials confirmed that the swap was clinched during months of secret talks that gained momentum in the days before the nuclear pact was formally implemented.

Four Americans and seven Iranians were set to be exchanged in a deal linked to the imminent implementation of a landmark nuclear deal between Tehran and six world powers. Here's what we know about who they are. (Jason Aldag/The Washington Post)

Friends and colleagues at The Washington Post are elated by the wonderful news that Jason Rezaian has been released from Evin Prison and has safely left the country with his wife, Yeganeh Salehi, said Frederick J. Ryan Jr., publisher of The Post. We are enormously grateful to all who played a role in securing his release. Our deep appreciation also goes to the many government leaders, journalists, human rights advocates and others around the world who have spoken out on Jasons behalf and against the harsh confinement that was so wrongly imposed upon him, he said.

Now a free man, Jason will be reunited with his family, including his brother Ali, his most effective and tireless advocate. We look forward to the joyous occasion of welcoming him back to the Washington Post newsroom, Ryan said.

Irans judiciary announced the release in Tehran as part of an exchange. The United States is releasing seven people charged with violating sanctions against Iran, U.S. and Iranian officials said.

A senior U.S. official said the Iranians wanted a goodwill gesture in response to the release of the Americans. A list of Iranians submitted to U.S. authorities was whittled down to exclude any crimes related to violence or terrorism, said the official, one of several who spoke on the condition of anonymity under administration ground rules.

Another official said the exchange was a one-time arrangement because it was an opportunity to bring Americans home and should not be considered something that would encourage this behavior in the future by Iran.

The officials did not tie the release directly to the nuclear talks and said they had not wanted the detained Americans to be used as leverage in the negotiations. But, they said, completion of the nuclear deal last July greatly accelerated talks about the prisoners.

In addition to Rezaian, the Americans freed Saturday included Saeed Abedini, 35, of Boise, Idaho; Amir Mirzaei Hekmati, 32, of Flint, Mich.; and Khosravi-Roodsari, U.S. and Iranian officials said.

A fifth American, identified as language student Matt Trevithick, was also released Saturday but was not part of the exchange deal. Trevithicks parents said in a statement that he had been held for 40 days in Evin Prison. A senior U.S. official said Trevithick, 30, has already left Iran.

Abedini is a Christian pastor who had been imprisoned since July 2012 for organizing home churches. Hekmati is a former Marine who spent more than four years in prison on spying charges following his arrest in August 2011 during a visit to see his grandmother.

The detention of Khosravi-Roodsari had not been previously publicized. Iranian state television identified him as a businessman. Little else was known about him.

A senior administration official said of Trevithick, We wanted him, obviously, to be a direct part of this, and made clear to Iranians that [his release] would be an appropriate humanitarian gesture.

The exchange quickly became political fodder in the United States among Republicans vying for the GOP presidential nomination.

Republican front-runner Donald Trump said it was a total disgrace that the release of the Americans took so long. This should have been done three, four years ago, when the [nuclear] deal was struck. Before the deal was made . . . they should have said, We want our prisoners back,  Trump said at a rally in New Hampshire.

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie said in a television interview Saturday: Wed be very happy for the families of the Americans who are going to be home and for those Americans, but Id also want to hear what the other side of the deal is, if this president is releasing more terrorists from Guantanamo to go back and reenter the war on terror. . . . We shouldnt have to swap prisoners. These folks were taken illegally in violation of international law, and they should have been released without condition.

Rezaians ordeal damaged his health, drew protests from media and human rights groups, and hampered efforts to improve relations between Washington and Tehran. It also exposed fault lines and infighting in Irans opaque political system, where Rezaian and other detained Americans appeared to become pawns in a larger internal struggle between hard-liners and reformists seeking to improve ties with the West.

[Post coverage of Americans detained in Iran]

Rezaian was tried last year behind closed doors on vague charges of espionage and other alleged offenses and was sentenced to an unspecified prison term.

His 2014 arrest and subsequent trial and conviction in Irans secretive Revolutionary Court system  on charges that were never publicly disclosed or substantiated  appeared to reflect a power play by hard-liners fiercely loyal to Irans supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, against more moderate reformist elements under President Hassan Rouhani. The hard-liners control Irans security forces, intelligence apparatus, judiciary and most other levers of power, while Rouhani  though answerable to Khamenei  has been given relatively free rein to manage Irans foreign affairs and improve its economy.

In recent weeks, Iran took significant steps to meet its obligations under the deal.

Increased U.S.-Iranian cooperation appeared to be on display Wednesday when Iran released 10 U.S. sailors within a day after they were seized by Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps naval forces in the Persian Gulf. The Americans were on two small riverine boats that strayed into Iranian waters.

Against this backdrop, the signs of rapprochement raised hopes for a resolution in Rezaians case.

Rezaian was arrested along with his wife when security forces raided their home July 22, 2014. Yeganeh Salehi, 31, a journalist who worked for the Abu Dhabi newspaper the National, was released on bail in October, but Rezaian languished in Evin Prison for months without trial or even specific charges.

Rezaian holds both U.S. and Iranian citizenship. But Iran, which does not recognize dual nationality, barred any U.S. role in the case, including consular visits by Swiss diplomats representing U.S. interests. Diplomatic relations between Washington and Tehran were severed in 1980 during the Iranian hostage crisis.

The last of four Revolutionary Court sessions was held in August, but it was not until October that a court spokesman announced a conviction  without providing any details. In November, the court said Rezaian was sentenced to a prison term, again with no elaboration.

In the meantime, Iranian officials floated the idea of a prisoner swap with the United States. Rouhani even suggested that Tehran could free Rezaian and at least two other Iranian American prisoners if Washington reciprocated by releasing 19 Iranian citizens convicted in the United States of circumventing sanctions.

As if to buttress that proposal, state-run news media in Iran then reported that Rezaian was accused of spying on Irans nuclear programs and giving the U.S. government information on people and companies evading sanctions.

Branigin, DeYoung and Warrick reported from Washington. Ellen Nakashima, Julie Tate and Ariana Cha contributed to this report.

Read more:

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After the IAEAs verification that Iran has met nuclear-deal provisions, Secretary of State John F. Kerry held a news conference to officially announce Implementation Day on Jan. 16, 2015. (U.S. Department of State)

After the IAEAs verification that Iran has met nuclear-deal provisions, Secretary of State John F. Kerry held a news conference to officially announce Implementation Day on Jan. 16, 2015. (U.S. Department of State)

Iran reentered the global economy Saturday as years of crippling international sanctions ended in exchange for the verified disabling of much of its nuclear infrastructure.

For Iran, implementation of the landmark deal it finalized with six world powers last summer means immediate access to more than $50 billion in long-frozen assets and freedom to sell its oil and purchase goods in the international marketplace. Tehran has hailed the deal as vindication of its power and influence in the world.

Today marks the start of a safer world, said Secretary of State John F. Kerry. We understand this marker alone will not wipe away all the concerns the world has rightly expressed about Irans policies in the region. But we also know there isnt a challenge in the entire region that wouldnt become much more complicated, much worse, if Iran had a nuclear weapon.

The removal of sanctions comes as President Obama begins his last year in office, and almost seven years to the day since he called on Iran to unclench your fist and take steps toward rapprochement with the United States and the world. As a result of the agreement, he said Tuesday in his final State of the Union speech, a nuclear-armed Iran has been prevented, and the world has avoided another war.

[LIVE UPDATES: Sanctions lifted on Iran; Post reporter Jason Rezaian and three other Americans freed in swap]

Washington Post journalist Jason Rezaian has been freed from prison, according to U.S. and Iranian officials. He was arrested in Iran in 2014 and convicted of espionage last year. Heres what you need to know about the case against him. (Monica Akhtar/The Washington Post)

The triggering event for implementation was certification by the International Atomic Energy Agency on Saturday that Iran had successfully completed all the nuclear-related steps to which it agreed in July: sending the bulk of its enriched uranium outside the country, mothballing most of its centrifuges and disabling its Arak nuclear reactor, which is capable of yielding plutonium. The IAEA is also charged with monitoring and verifying Irans continued compliance.

Iran has long insisted that it had no intention of building a nuclear weapon and that its program was solely for peaceful energy purposes.

Agency inspectors on the ground verified that Iran has carried out all measures required . . . to enable Implementation Day to occur, IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano said in a statement issued just before midnight in Vienna. Amano will travel to Iran on Sunday.

IAEA certification of compliance opened the door to announcements and speeches by high-level officials from the negotiating parties. A U.N. resolution codifying the deal immediately went into effect. The IAEA begins strict monitoring provisions on the ground in Iran. With the White House lifting executive orders regarding nuclear sanctions, Kerry signing waivers of other restrictions and the European Union and the U.S. Treasury issuing implementation guidance, the wheels of international business and finance will begin turning for Iran.

To the consternation of U.S. critics of the nuclear agreement  including Republican presidential hopefuls who have called it a dangerous sellout by Obama and vowed to dismantle it  the deal is now done.

In the long term, the agreement is a major milestone in the Iranian revolution, with the potential for far-reaching economic, political and cultural ramifications. The end of Irans near-total economic isolation could drive more modernization and open the country to moderating outside influences. More money spent at home to upgrade failing infrastructure and jump-start the economy would allow pragmatist President Hassan Rouhani to showcase the sanctions relief he pledged in his 2013 campaign.

[12 charts and maps that make the Iran deal a little easier to understand]

View Graphic Which red lines drawn during negotiations ended up in the deal

U.S. and international opponents, including Israel, Saudi Arabia and other U.S. allies see the agreement as a dangerous gift to an aggressive and duplicitous regime, and they have warned that Tehran will use the freed-up money to increase spending on terrorist groups that serve as its proxies in a fight for regional dominance.

Although Iran has more than $100 billion in available frozen assets  most of it in banks in China, Japan and South Korea  slightly less than half will more or less automatically go to preexisting debts. How the rest is spent will reveal the direction of internal power struggles between Iranian hard-liners and pragmatists.

That kind of money is too much to be transferred in one transaction. Richard Nephew, a former sanctions chief of the U.S. negotiating team, said the Iranians are likely to transfer it in chunks and may even leave it in place while they decide how to spend it.

Theyre going to find there are more demands for the money, about $56 billion, than they have plans to use it, he said. The question is, to what degree will they have fights at home about what to do with it?

While international sanctions, including those affecting U.S. companies abroad, are largely lifted, U.S. bilateral economic and other sanctions remain in place.

Some of those sanctions apply to Irans ballistic missile program, and the Obama administration has come under sharp criticism from lawmakers for not imposing new restrictions on Iran over its test firing of missiles twice last fall. A new sanctions package related to the missile tests was sent to Congress in December but was quickly pulled back by the White House to avoid endangering the prisoner discussions.

Weve always been clear . . . that were going to continue to enforce such measures, one senior administration official said. We expect to issue [sanctions] designations with respect to the recent ballistic missile launches, but no date has been set.

The U.S. Treasury Department keeps close track of resources flowing to Lebanon-based Hezbollah, Irans most powerful proxy force in the region, which is playing a major role in support of besieged Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. I suspect they are going to get an increase in material support that will become apparent in the next couple of months, said Dennis Ross, a former senior Obama adviser on the region.

Another indicator to watch, Ross said, is the selection of candidates for upcoming parliamentary elections in Iran in late February. To appear on the ballot, candidates must be vetted and approved by Irans Guardian Council, controlled by Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

[Historic deal reached with Iran to limit nuclear program]

If it turns out that many of those who are identified with Rouhani and are more pragmatic are permitted to be candidates, that will tell us something, Ross said. If that is not the case, it will also tell us something.

Despite official rejoicing by the negotiating partners, implementation comes at a particularly inauspicious time for Iran and the United States.

Oil is at its lowest price in more than a decade, in part because of expectations that Iranian crude will flood the market, and Irans currency has declined precipitously. Tehran will be getting far less income than it anticipated when the negotiations took hold in late 2013, making it difficult for the government to deliver the jobs and economic boom Iranians have been told will ensue. Many think it will take years to repair the countrys decrepit oil infrastructure to enable crude to flow at its pre-sanctions rate.

In Washington, the deal is even more contentious politically now than it was when it was signed with Iran six months ago in Vienna by the governments of the United States, Britain, France, Russia, China and Germany, as well as the European Union. Videos of kneeling U.S. sailors detained this week by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard navy have outraged many in Congress who already were incensed by the agreement. The sailors, whose boat strayed into Iranian waters, were released Wednesday after being held overnight.

U.S. non-nuclear sanctions related to terrorism and other Iranian activities remain in place. Lawmakers have called for additional American restrictions on Iran for test firing ballistic missiles in October and November in apparent violation of then-existing U.N. sanctions. And since the deal was finalized, Iran has taken another U.S. citizen into custody, fueling anger by critics that Obama has moved ahead while ignoring the countrys actions.

DeYoung reported from Washington.

Read more:

Another nation blazed the trail for Iran in developing a nuclear program

The key moments in the long history of U.S.-Iran tensions

How not to write about Iran
The Bild newspaper reported on Thursday that the German government intends to massively increase the military budget. Chancellor Angela Merkel made the announcement at a sitting of the parliamentary defence committee on Wednesday. Already at the end of last year, Finance Minister Wolfgang Schauble spoke out in Bild am Sonntag in favour of more deployments, more money for the army and more soldiers.

The newspapers report gives a sense of the amounts of money being readied behind the backs of the population. The US has repeatedly demanded in the past that all NATO members should spend 2 percent of their economic output on defence, Bild wrote, adding, To achieve this, Germany would have to spend 25 billion more this year alone.

Germany has thus far planned to spend 34 billion on the military in 2016. This is more than 10 percent of the federal budget, but only 1.2 percent of the projected GDP.

The media, which has been beating the drums for war and rearmament for months, praised Merkels change of course and the pronounced militarist policy of the grand coalition.

In a comment in the same edition of Bild headlined Security does not come for free, a certain Hanno Kautz enthused, We need more: more police, more surveillanceand also more Bundeswehr [German armed forces]. The government has now apparently recognised that. It was a good thing that the chancellor had finally announced an increase in the budget for the troops, because whoever wants to take on more responsibility, combat terrorism throughout the world, has to draw the [financial] consequences.

But this also means, Whoever spends more money on combatting terrorism has to cut spending elsewhere. Everyone should remember that when the next budget negotiations take place.

These statements make clear what workers and young people will face in coming months. The ruling elite intends to make the working class pay in several ways for the return of an aggressive German foreign policy: as cannon fodder for wars throughout the world and through massive social cuts to finance rearmament. At the same time, the repressive powers of the state are to be intensified so as to impose the drive to war against the opposition of broad masses of the population.

If one studies the commentaries in the bourgeois press, there can be no doubt that the German ruling elite views war as a key policy option.

In a comment in the Suddeutsche Zeitung, Stefan Kornelius proclaimed, [T]he actual source of war, terrorism and persecution is in Syria, only then to lament that the Western military intervention is not being led decisively enough. Although after the attacks in Paris the global desire grew to eliminate IS and assist Syria to establish a new order, only a few weeks later, weak-spiritedness is again widespread.

Kornelius provocatively asked, What has to happen to establish a coalition of the powers? A bomb exploding in Moscows Red Square? Dead tourists in Times Square in New York? He answered in the same tone, After five years of civil war, and numerous attacks and gruesome executions by the terrorist militia, after poison gas attacks and starvation, the answer should be obvious when terrorism is attacking the civilisation of the orient and occident.

Kornelius propaganda is transparent. Having in the past enthusiastically supported the US-led wars in Afghanistan, Iraq and Libya, this member of several transatlantic think tanks and foundations is now demanding that the entire political establishment aim at a massive escalation of the war in Syria, in which Germany is already a participant with six Tornado aircraft, two warships and 1,200 soldiers.

Significantly, Kornelius also used the events in Cologne city centre on New Years Eve to justify the expansion of the war. Last weekend, the Suddeutsche Zeitung published a cartoon of a white woman being grabbed in the crotch by a black hand. The World Socialist Web Site stated at the time, The racist agitation against refugees and immigrants is aimed at preparing the ground for an expansion of the war in the Middle East.

This prediction has been confirmed. Kornelius is not the only one in the editorial offices of the Suddeutsche Zeitung who intends to win the German population over to major and permanent wars. Just last weekend, his colleague Stefan Braun wrote in reference to the foreign policy shift by the German government, Gaucks intervention came not a moment too soon.

It was real relations which are demanding a greater and more dangerous intervention. The new world is compelling Germany to launch more international interventions.

The Germans must now decide for themselves under totally new conditions, what their convictions are worth. This applies above all to the new military interventions in northern Iraq, Mali and Syria. All three examples were not straightforward military interventions, but would contribute to a change in Germanys consciousness. Military interventions are no longer the exception, they are becoming the norm in this new period of crisis.

The constant propaganda that Germany is being overwhelmed by crises and is thus compelled to permanently wage war recalls the fatal argumentation of the German ruling elite on the eve of World War I. After the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand in Sarajevo on June 28, 1914, the government and the media also declared that Germany was threatened and surrounded by enemies, making attack the best mode of defence.

However, the German ruling elite apparently underestimates one thing in its renewed old craze. After two horrific world wars with millions of deaths and unspeakable crimes, the great majority of the population will not be prepared once again to fight for the geostrategic and economic interests of German imperialism, in spite of all the filthy propaganda.
The International Youth and Students for Social Equality (IYSSE) group at Berlins Humboldt University held another very successful meeting last Wednesday. It was the fourth held by the IYSSE in the campaign for the student parliament elections.

Previous meetings had discussed the role of professors Herfried Munkler and Jorg Baberowski, and their support for a police state and war. The theme of the meeting on Wednesday was The historical struggle of the socialist movement against war.

The IYSSE had invited the chairman of the Partei fur Soziale Gleichheit (PSG, Socialist Equality Party) Ulrich Rippert, to speak. He began with the words, The lessons of history, which we want to discuss tonight, have great relevance and urgency. We are currently witnessing a dramatic change in the political situation. The return of militarism and war, the participation of the Bundeswehr (Armed Forces) in the wars in Syria, Mali and again in Afghanistan are being pressed ahead with great energy and speed. Just like 100 years ago on the eve of the First World War, and at the beginning of World War II, this is connected with an unbridled propaganda campaign.

Rippert then described how the media and the political parties have exaggerated and exploited the events of New Years Eve in Cologne to whip up a hysterical, racist campaign against immigrants and Muslims. Seventy years after the collapse of the Third Reich, racial prejudice is again being used and shameless images of dark-skinned subhumans grasping German women shown in the media, he said, displaying three pictures to illustrate the similarity of todays caricatures with those of the Nazis.

He stressed that this was not an expression of a general mood in the population, but rather was the result of a targeted campaign from above, from the ruling elite. It stands in direct relation to the developments towards war and it pursues several objectives, Rippert said. It serves to mobilise the most reactionary political forces and to legitimise German participation in the wars in the Middle East and in Africa. The call for more police, secret service agents and surveillance is aimed at the establishment of a police state.

In the course of his contribution, Rippert came back to this question several times. The racist propaganda in the media and calls for more police and more troops are a foretaste of what is to come here, he explained. He then described the racist campaign at the beginning of World War I, which at that time was directed against the Russian subhumans.

He quoted from a propaganda pamphlet from the First World War, presenting the Russians as drunken, animal-like beings, dumb and clumsy, snub-nosed, mostly with fur hats and a bottle of vodka. In a popular history book of the time can be found: A ray of enlightenment or of civilisation never penetrated the mud huts of the serfs; he lived for raw sensuous pleasures, especially from liquor, as a result dull; in his animal existence, only terrified by the barbarous punishments of the landlord. ... 

Much like today, it was emphasised at the time that, as a civilized nation, Germany had the task of defending Enlightenment values, German culture and civilisation and the values of democracy and freedom. Under this strong ideological pressure, the Social Democratic Party, in which strong nationalist and opportunist trends had previously developed, collapsed. On August 4, 1914, the SPD had agreed to the Kaisers war credits in the Reichstag and supported the war.

Rippert described how the struggle for the defence of German culture and civilisation looked like then, with reference to the destruction of the Belgian town of Leuven by German troops in the first month of the war. Among other things, the world famous university library was destroyed, along with invaluable early writings.

Then he quoted the Call to the civilised world, on which many professors of the Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universitat, as Humboldt University was then called, had worked. It ends with the words: Without German militarism, German culture would long since have been eradicated from the earth ... the Deutsches Heer (German Army) and German people are one.

Rippert continued: Do you hear echoes of President Joachim Gauck, who emphasises at every opportunity that the Bundeswehr needs to be in the mainstream of society? More respect and more recognition must be given to the German army.

At the end of his speech, Rippert spoke about the significance of the statement of the International Committee of the Fourth International,  Socialism and the struggle against imperialist war , which was adopted in summer 2014. It states:

The two world wars of the 20th century arose out of the contradiction between global economy and the outmoded nation-state system. The globalisation of production over the past three decades, resulting in a further qualitative leap in the integration of the world economy, has brought the fundamental contradictions of capitalism to a new peak of intensity.  There can be no fight for socialism without a struggle against war and there can be no fight against war without a struggle for socialism.

In conclusion, Sven Wurm, spokesman for the IYSSE university group at Humboldt University, addressed the meeting. He also spoke about the significance of the campaign against foreigners. The word foreigner was currently being used in the media mostly in conjunction with the word criminal, he said. Wurm reported that shortly before the meeting, Christian Democratic Union General Secretary Peter Tauber had made a speech in the Bundestag (parliament) in which he demanded that a thousand foreigners be deported every day.

Last year, a total of about 18,000 failed asylum seekers were deported, said Wurm. Taubers demand would mean doing this 20 times over. This can only be described as mass deportations, he declared, and added scornfully: They can then bring back the cattle trucks, with which the Jews were transported to the extermination camps.

Wurm stressed that the establishment of an international anti-war movement was directly linked to the political and theoretical struggle against the falsification of history, which is being disseminated here at our university by Herfried Munkler and Jorg Baberowski. This is why the construction of the IYSSE and its election to the student parliament are of such importance.

Following the two contributions, a lively discussion developed. There was a prolonged debate about the difference between a socialist and a pacifist opposition to war.

Both speeches had dealt with the issue of pacifism. Unlike Marxists, who distinguish between imperialist war and wars of liberation, and understand that the cause of imperialist wars lies in the objective contradictions of society, the pacifist regards violence and war from a purely subjective standpoint. Through appeals to reason and humanity, the pacifist tries to unite all peace-loving people. This is doomed to failure and, as a result, on the eve of war pacifists regularly sided with the militarists.

It was stressed in the discussion that the Green Party provided a good example of the transformation of pacifists into militarists. They have evolved out of the peace movement of the 1980s and can hardly wait today to send the Bundeswehr on ever new and ever more comprehensive combat missions. The colour green previously stood for environmental protection. Today, it stands for uniform, said one participant.

Many more questions about a socialist perspective in the fight against war could only be addressed briefly. The discussion on these issues will be continued at future meetings.

Several students took away fliers and posters to publicise the next meeting among their fellow students and friends and to promote the election of the IYSSE. The final election meeting, which will also be attended by international representatives of the IYSSE, takes place on Monday, January 18, at 6:30 p.m. in the university main building (Auditorium 2002).

The elections for the student parliament then take place on the following two days, January 19 and 20.
According to Indian media reports, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government has begun discussions with the US on a military Logistics Support Agreement (LSA). If finalized, the LSA would allow the US military to routinely use Indian ports and army and air force bases for refuelling and otherwise staging and provisioning its deployments.

Under the LSA, the US would ostensibly guarantee similar rights to the Indian military. This, however, would be largely a dead letter, for while the US is an Asian and global military power, the reach of the Indian military is restricted to the subcontinent and parts of the Indian Ocean.

Opening discussions on the LSA marks a major shift of India towards a formal military alliance with US imperialism. Already India is deeply integrated into the US pivot to AsiaWashingtons drive to economically and diplomatically isolate China and militarily encircle it. Now New Delhi is preparing to allow US planes and ships to use Indian facilities, bringing them in still closer range of China, Indias northern neighbour.

The US has been pressing India to sign on to the LSA since the George W. Bush administration signed a Strategic Partnership Agreement with the Congress Party-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government in 2006. While the UPA held talks with the US on the LSA, it ultimately balked at signing on, because of concerns that it would imperil Indias strategic autonomy and rile China.

Because the throwing open of Indian facilities to the US military is a highly sensitive and contentious issue, the BJP government has made no formal announcement that it is discussing with Washington ratifying the LSA. However, the Indian government has not denied the media reports.

Quoting from an unnamed senior (Indian) defence official involved in the negotiations, the Chennai-based Hindu reported on December 26 that the LSA was discussed during Defence Minister Manohar Parrikars December 7-10 visit to the US.

In a statement that underscores the huge import of India agreeing to open its military facilities to the US, the Hindu went on to say that the official saw no serious obstacle to New Delhi soon reaching agreement with the US on the LSA. There is only one concern, he then declared. What happens in the case of war?

The official added that India is seeking clarifications as to how the LSA would be applied in the event that India did not support a US military action. Saying perhaps more than he intended to about the aggressive character of US imperialism, the unnamed senior official said New Delhi did not want to be legally obliged to extend support for war with friendly countries.

He suggested that a compromise could be found through the inclusion of language stipulating that in the event of war India could determine on a case-by-case basis whether the LSAs terms would remain unchanged, suspended or modified.

The inclusion of such language would be in keeping with Indias policy of integrating itself ever-more fully into the USs strategic offensive against China while maintaining the pretence of Indian strategic autonomy.

It would help counter domestic opposition to an enhanced military-security partnership with the US. Among Indias workers and toilers there is widespread hostility to US imperialism, which they rightly identify with war and oppression. Sections of Indias political and military establishment are for their own reasons opposed to aligning more closely with Washington, both because of its impact on relations with China and because the US has a long history of bullying and threatening India.

The US, for its part, is anxious to finalize the LSA, which it views as an important piece in its long-term strategy of drawing the Indian military into ever closer ties with the Pentagon, including making it dependent on US weapons and weapon systems.

In an interview with the Indian Express, a Pentagon official indicated that Washington is pleased with the manner in which the negotiations are proceeding. The Express report paraphrased the official as saying, Parrikar has shown an open mind on signing the LSA, and that the US is hopeful two related agreements that the US views as foundational to developing a full military partnership with India will follow.

The two other foundational agreements are the Communications Interoperability and Security Memorandum of Agreement (CISMOA) and the Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement for Geo-Spatial Cooperation (BECA). These agreements, which are a standard part of the US military alliances, are meant to facilitate and promote inter-military communications interoperability and security.

According to the same defence official who spoke to the Hindu, they would involve giving the US access to Indias encrypted systems, a condition that has caused Indias armed forces to voice reservations.

A.K. Antony, the UPA governments defence minister from 2006 to 2014, ultimately came to oppose the CISMOA and BECA, as well as the LSA, because, reports the Indian Express, he believed that signing the agreements would grant the US military unencumbered access to Indian military installations and compromise sensitive data.

Separately, the US is pushing, under the Indo-US Defence Technology and Trade Initiative (DTTI), for India to enter into co-production and co-development projects with the Pentagon and US arms manufacturers.

However, US officials have told their Indian counterparts that if India has not agreed to the terms of the CISMOA and BECA it will at a certain point prove an obstacle to expanding the co-manufacture and development of high technology weapons systems.

Under the previous UPA government, India became a global strategic partner of the US, the Indian military became the Pentagons most frequent partner in joint exercises, and the US displaced Russia as Indias largest weapons supplier.

The BJP, during its 20 months in office, has tilted India still more pronouncedly toward Washington, including forging closer military-security ties with the US most important Indo-Pacific allies, Japan and Australia.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi made Obama the first US president to be the guest of honour at Indias annual Republic Day celebrations. At the conclusion of Obamas January 2015 visit to Delhi, he and Modi issued a US-India Joint Strategic Vision for the Asia-Pacific and Indian Ocean, which, to Washingtons delight, included US-drafted language concerning the conflict between the US and its allies and China in the South China Sea.

In September, Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and her US counterpart John Kerry announced that the US and Indian militaries will cooperate in peacekeeping capacity building with a focus on training troops from African countries for UN peacekeeping missions. While in the past there has been ad hoc cooperation between the Indian and US militaries in providing disaster relief, this agreement represents the first time they will be collaborating in an overseas military operation, working together to fashion the military forces to be used in policing and imposing by force of arms imperialist-sponsored UN peacekeeping missions.

Especially important has been the Modi governments embrace of trilateral Indo-US-Japanese military-security cooperation, something the previous UPA government drew back from after China voiced strong opposition.

Last September, Swaraj met with Kerry and Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida in the inaugural meeting of the US-Japan-India Trilateral Ministerial Dialogue. Soon after it was revealed that the annual bilateral Indo-US Malabar naval exercise would henceforth have a third permanent member, Japan.

Parrikars visit was the first by an Indian defence minister to the US since 2008. During the same period, there were six visits to India by the US defence secretary, an indication of the Pentagons push to integrate India into its provocations and war planning against China.

Symbolizing the deepening military-security ties between the two countries, Parrikar started his US tour by visiting the US Pacific Command (PACOM) in Hawaii. Led by US Defence Secretary Ashton Carter, he toured the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, one of the US nuclear-powered aircraft carriers, becoming the first Indian defence minister to ever tour a US aircraft carrier.

The Stalinist Communist Party of India (Marxist), or CPM, has issued a statement expressing concerns over the BJPs negotiations with the US over the LSA and the two related military cooperation agreements. A party that is thoroughly integrated into the Indian bourgeoisie, the CPM propped up the Congress-led UPA government for four years, including as it forged Indias strategic partnership with US imperialism.

The CPM opposes the LSA, from the standpoint of the Indian ruling elites national interests, not as part of the struggle to develop a working class-led revolutionary opposition to imperialism and imperialist war. A recent editorial in the CPM organ Peoples Democracy urged the BJP government to not sign these agreements which will limit Indias sovereignty, impair its strategic autonomy and make India a subordinate military ally of the United States.

In line with this, the CPM promotes the reactionary illusion that the Indian bourgeoisie, the UN and a multi-polar world can serve as a progressive counterweight to US imperialism.
The United States, France and Britain called a meeting of the United Nations Security Council on Thursday to press for immediate action to secure the delivery of humanitarian aid to besieged areas of Syria. The supposedly heartfelt humanitarian concerns of the three imperialist powers that are currently bombing Syria came amid a concerted propaganda campaign over alleged starvation in the southwestern Syrian town of Madaya.

Originating with Al Jazeera, the news agency controlled by the Qatari monarchy, a key source of financial and arms support for the Al Qaeda-linked militias that have ravaged much of Syria, the invocation of Madaya as proof of the supposed inhumanity of the Syrian government of President Bashar al-Assad has been taken up by much of the world media. The New York Times published a front-page report Friday on conditions in the town, based on accounts that the newspaper said could not be independently confirmed.

There is no reason to doubt that conditions are desperate in Madaya, as they are in much of Syria after more than four years of a sectarian civil war fomented and provisioned by US imperialism and its regional allies, including Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Qatar. As many as 4.5 million Syrians are in areas that have been cut off from the rest of the country by the battle lines.

If Madaya is the focus of international attention, however, it is because it is encircled by Syrian government forces along with their allies from the Lebanese Hezbollah militia. The town sits at a strategic juncture near the Lebanese border and less than 25 miles from the capital, Damascus.

In the international furor being whipped up over conditions in Madaya, including through the use of photographs of starving people taken elsewhere, little attention is given to the fact that the town is largely controlled by the al-Nusra Front, Al Qaedas Syrian affiliate, and Ahrar al-Sham, a similar Salafist jihadi militia.

While conditions of hunger in the town are routinely attributed to the government siege, residents have reported that food supplies have been monopolized by the Al Qaeda-linked groups, which sell them at extortionate prices to finance their operations. On October 18, the International Committee of the Red Cross delivered two months worth of food supplies to Madaya, with the government doing nothing to impede humanitarian access to the town. That many are facing hunger is largely attributable to the looting of the aid shipment by US-backed rebels.

While the imperialist powers and their media accomplices are directing all eyes to Madaya, they have wholly ignored equally if not more desperate conditions in the predominantly Shia towns of Kefraya and al-Foua in the northwestern province of Idlib, which have been under attack by the US-backed rebels since 2011 and under a total siege since March of last year. Starved of supplies and under constant attack, the town has seen 1,700 civilian residents killed.

The indifference of the imperialist powers to hunger and suffering among populations under siege by their proxy forces demonstrates that the invocation of starvation is just one more bid to promote a war for regime change as some kind of humanitarian intervention.

Today marks the 25th anniversary of the launching of the first Gulf War against Iraq in 1991. Then, as now, phony pretexts were floated by the US government and echoed and amplified by the corporate media to justify a predatory war for control of the Middle East and its strategic oil resources. In this regard, little has changed over the course of a quarter century of uninterrupted American militarism in the region.

In 1991, it should be recalled, the public was told of marauding Iraqi troops snatching Kuwaiti babies out of incubators and leaving them to die in order to ship the devices back to Iraq. A tearful volunteer nurse was brought to Capitol Hill to testify on this atrocity, which seemed to echo World War I propaganda about German soldiers using Belgian babies for bayonet practice.

Only well after the US invasion was it revealed that the nurse was, in fact, the daughter of the Kuwaiti ambassador to the US and a member of the oil sheikdoms royal family, and that the incubator story was a propaganda hoax from start to finish.

In the years that followed, the US imposed draconian sanctions upon Iraq that led to real starvation and unchecked disease. According to some estimates, the sanctions led to the deaths of as many as 500,000 Iraqi children due to a lack of food, medicine and uncontaminated water resulting from the imperialist blockade. Confronted with this appalling death toll in a 1996 television interview, Madeleine Albright, who was then the US ambassador to the UN and soon to be secretary of state, responded, We think the price is worth it.

This is the same government now shedding crocodile tears over the alleged use of hunger as a weapon by the Syrian government.

Since then, the United States has annihilated over a million people in the invasion and occupation of Iraq, killed tens of thousands more in the US-NATO war to overthrow Libyas Muammar Gaddafi, and orchestrated the war in Syria that has left an estimated 260,000 dead and displaced half of the countrys population. These interventions have thrown all three countries and their social infrastructures into a state of collapse.

The recklessness and brutality of the US ruling oligarchys militarist attempts to impose its hegemony over the Middle East and the entire planet go hand-in-hand with its destructive role within the US itself, smashing up the countrys industrial base, destroying the jobs and living standards of the working class, and funneling the bulk of the nations wealth to a handful of financial parasites.

Neither the escalation of the war for regime change in Syria, nor, for that matter, the toppling of Assad will extricate American capitalism from its insoluble crisis. The unending eruption of American militarism will produce only more death and destruction, intensifying the crisis both at home and abroad and bringing humanity ever closer to a global conflagration.
Ever since Dodge unleashed its 707-horsepower Hellcat Challenger and Charger, fans of the Jeep brand have eyed the supercharged V8s enviously from across Fiat-Chryslers corporate architecture. To them, the question was never if, but when a brand new Jeep would house the Hellcat engine under its hood.

Well, consider that question no longer relevant. After more than a year of speculation and whispers in the night, Jeep CEO Mike Manley has confirmed a Hellcat-powered Jeep Grand Cherokee and its coming to market before the end of 2017.

The Jeep boss dropped the Hellcat detail on the floor of the Detroit motor show in an interview with journalist Brian Makse, as seen below.

RELATED: Hauk Designs Has Built a 707-HP Hellcat Jeep Wrangler

While the news helps clear the air about the hot-hot Hellcat Jeep, many questions remain unanswered, and likely will for some time.

In 2014, Jeep trademarked the Trackhawk moniker, which suggested a higher performance Jeep was in the works, however its still unclear if thats destined for the Grand Cherokee nameplate, though likely. In August of last year, reports emerging from a Jeep dealer conference in Las Vegas suggested the rumored Hellcat Jeep Grand Cherokee would sport all-wheel drive and notch zero to 60 mph times of just 3.5 seconds. Again still unconfirmed, but exciting nonetheless.

The other big Jeep news out of the Detroit motor show concerns the more rough-and-tumble Wrangler model line, which will now officially receive a pickup truck variant before the close of 2017.

With its best sales year ever enjoyed in 2015, plus models like the Hellcat Jeep Grand Cherokee and Wrangler pickup on the way, its hard to find a brighter star these days than the Jeep brand.

RELATED: This is What a $108,000 Jeep Wrangler Looks Like
By Kaye Foley

Its 2016, and you know what that means. The election is kicking it into high gear. But before we choose the 45th president of the United States, there are a few stops along the road to the White House.

There are more debates on the horizon. Before April, there will be three more Democratic debates and six Republican debates.

Then, in February, voting for each partys nominee gets underway with a series of caucuses and primaries. When it comes to caucuses, attendees listen to speeches, then make their decisions. The Democrats cast their votes by arranging themselves behind their top picks. Republicans vote by a show of hands or paper ballot. Primaries, however, are just a simple vote at a polling place.

First-in-the-nation status goes to the Iowa caucuses on Feb. 1 and the New Hampshire primary on Feb. 9. A lot of significance is placed on these two states as indicators as to how the rest of the country will vote  although critics say Iowa and New Hampshire arent diverse enough to clearly predict nationwide results.

Votes are cast in the rest of the states up until mid-June. Then, the next stop is the conventions. This year the Republican National Committee is holding its convention in Cleveland, July 18-21. The Democratic National Committee convention is being hosted in Philadelphia, July 25-28. At these four-day events, delegates pledge support to the candidate of their choice and the partys nominee is officially selected.

The finish line is in sight, but before Election Day, there are the presidential debates. The first is on Sept. 26 in Dayton, Ohio. The second is on Oct. 9 in St. Louis, and the last debate is in Las Vegas on Oct. 19. Then, Election Day is Nov. 8. The president-elect waits until Jan. 20, 2017, to be sworn in as the next commander in chief.

So no matter whom youre voting for, when you look ahead at the 2016 presidential election calendar, after watching this video, at least you can say, Now I get it.
Amal Clooney is a widely lauded human rights lawyer who became internationally famous after her marriage to George Clooney. While she has become a fixture in the media, she hasnt given an interview on American television until now, when she sat down with Cynthia McFadden of NBC News.

Clooney is currently representing former Maldives president Mohamed Nasheed, who has been in prison since last spring following a terrorism conviction the United Nations and U.S. State Department have deemed fraudulent.

The first democratically elected president in the tropical nation, Nasheed became known as the Mandela of the Maldives. A fervent climate change activist, he brought attention to the plight of his nations citizens, who were losing their homes because of the rising sea level. He resigned from office when he was threatened at gunpoint, and was sent to jail to prevent him from regaining his position.

In an interview with Amnesty International, Clooney said, I read the judgment and all the paperwork, and it became clear very quickly that we were dealing with a show trial  sham proceedings really.

Clooney explained why the U.S. should not ignore this issue. The Maldives has the highest rate of ISIS fighters being recruited from that country, per capita, in the world, she explained. At least 200 fighters who have [gone] to Iraq and Syria [are] from the Maldives  I think its important for tourists to know the facts of whats happening in the Maldives. I dont think people realize that theres a flogging taking place a kilometer away when theyre sunbathing in their resort.

Its clear Clooney is more comfortable talking about this issue than her celebrity status, though she recognizes it helps her gain this kind of platform to share her message.

I think its wonderful that celebrities would choose to spend their time, energy, or the spotlight they have to raise awareness about these causes. I dont really see myself in the same way because Im still doing the same job that I used to do before  If there is more attention paid to that for whatever reason  I think thats good. I think there is a certain responsibility that comes with that. I think Im exercising it in an appropriate manner by continuing to do this kind of work.

Story continues

Learn more about Mohamed Nasheeds Efforts to Combat Climate Change:

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Lauren Cohan warns that viewers shouldn't feel too confident that her character on The Walking Dead is safe.

In fact, the actress tells ET that fans should be worried about Maggie.

NEWS: The Walking Dead': Will Maggie and Glenn Survive Season 6?

"We should definitely be as concerned as we always are about the safety of our characters," Cohan explains.

And as far as her relationship with Glenn Rhee, played by Steven Yeun, they definitely have some ups and downs coming.

"We've got some roller coasters ahead of us but fans will be, I think, pretty gripped with the drama that's to come," she says.

Cohan, who obviously knows a thing or two about horror, is conjuring up some scares in the upcoming film, The Boy.

The 34-year-old plays an American nanny who is shocked to find out her new British family's son is actually a porcelain doll -- or is he?

WATCH: New 'Walking Dead' Mid-Season Trailer

"You arrive and she sort of has no choice but to commit to the job that she's applied for and deal with punches as they come," she explains of the film, which she originally thought was a rom-com. "It's a very disturbing and unnerving situation because every time you think you know what's up, you're wrong."

"It's a very different horror in that sense, which is why I was excited to do it."

The Boy hit theaters on Friday, Jan. 22.

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For many years, Bill O'Reilly has been one of the leading voices of Fox News in the US.

The ultra-conservative uh... you could say "news"... channel has hosted O'Reilly's programme for several years and turned Bill O'Reilly into a household name in the States. He's now become a byword for blow-hard, over-the-top Republican commentators that basically shout until they get their way. Like children, basically.

This'll give you an idea. Here he is with Stephen Colbert, who basically took Bill O'Reilly's schtick and ran with it.

Anyway, during a recent segment in his programme about Democrat hopeful Bernie Sanders' healthcare plan, Bill O'Reilly made a statement that sent fear into the hearts of Irish men and women. "If Bernie Sanders gets elected president, Im fleeing, Im going to Ireland. And they already know it."

Of course, he's going to love it here. What with our ridiculously strict gun control, marriage equality, the Medical Card system and social healthcare, O'Reilly's going to have great craic in Ireland.

Or, y'know, maybe not. Of course, this is nothing new. When Barack Obama was originally elected US President, dozens of right-wing commentators claimed they'd move to Canada. Which, like us, has ridiculously strict gun controls, social healthcare and was the fourth country in the world to legalise gay marriage.

Via YouTube
For official diocesan information please click the diocesan logo on the right.

to Bishop David's blog. Here you can find news, information, articles and pictures about the Church of England Diocese in Europe. We have over 300 congregations or worship centres serving Anglican and (mostly) English-speaking people in Europe, Morocco, Turkey, Russia and some central Asian countries.
Haier to buy GE's appliances business Updated: 2016-01-16 03:28 By Fan Feifei(China Daily)

Visitors look at electric home appliances of Haier during an expo in Qingdao city, East China's Shandong province, July 10, 2015. [Photo/IC]

Haier Group, China's biggest manufacturer of household appliances, agreed to buy General Electric Co's appliances business for $5.4 billion in cash in the country's biggest acquisition of an overseas electronics company.

Qingdao-based Haier signed a memorandum of understanding on Friday with GE in the United States, according to a statement by Haier. The deal is expected to be completed in the second quarter of this year, pending regulatory approval.

The statement said the operation team at GE's appliances unit will remain unchanged. Haier is authorized to use GE's brand for at least 40 years.

In 2014, GE announced that it planned to sell its century-old appliances units to Electrolux AB, the Swedish appliance maker, for $3.3 billion. However, the deal collapsed last month because of opposition from the US Justice Department, forcing the US electronics giant to seek another buyer.

Haier and another Chinese home appliance company, Guangdong-based Midea Group, are among suitors that submitted bids for GE's home appliances business.

Zhang Yanbin, assistant director of All View Cloud, a Beijing consultancy specializing in home appliances, said that if the transaction is completed, it will be the largest acquisition by a domestic appliance maker in an overseas market.

"It is inspiring news for the Chinese home appliances industry, and the acquisition, which includes manufacturing, research and development, marketing and other links of GE's appliance unit, would help Haier expand in the US market. It is a deep cooperation for both sides," said Zhang.

The Chinese home appliances market is almost saturated, so domestic makers are looking overseas to find new business growth points.

With a 10.2 percent market share, Haier was the world's largest household appliances brand in 2014 for the sixth straight year, according to Euromonitor, a market research company in London.

The deal, which will be funded through Haier's capital and loans, will need anti-trust approval from authorities in the US, Mexico, Canada and Colombia.

Contact the writers at fanfeifei@chinadaily.com.cn
AIIB to serve new effective multilateral channel for Vietnam, China to communicate Updated: 2016-01-16 10:32 (Xinhua)

HANOI - The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) will serve as a new effective multilateral channel for Vietnam and China to communicate with each other based on recognized standards, a Vietnamese expert said.

The inaugurating ceremony marking the opening of AIIB will be held in Beijing on Saturday. The series of opening activities will last from Saturday to Monday.

"I hope that the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank will become a bank with international standard, having transparent and equal conditions in lending criteria, not being affected by political conditions. With the criteria, we hope that the AIIB will achieve successes," Tran Viet Thai, deputy director of the Institute for Foreign Policy and Strategic Studies under Vietnam's Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Diplomatic Academy, told Xinhua in a recent interview in the Vietnam's capital.

"The AIIB was quickly put into operation after a short period of time. It can be said that this is a record in the world as there are not many countries and banks can do that in a short time," Thai noted.

Talking about the joining of Vietnam in the AIIB, Thai said "The participation of Vietnam in the AIIB as one of the founding countries is of great significance in Vietnam's policy of multilateralization, diversification and integration".

"As a founding member, Vietnam can join hands with China and other 50 members to actively negotiate and set up operational rules of the bank."

"Since implementing opening up policies in the past decades, this is the first time Vietnam has been directly engaged in setting up a bank which has significant role in the region and the world. Therefore, participating in the AIIB has special meaning to Vietnam," said the expert.

"Vietnam has participated in the AIIB since the beginning and stands ready to cooperate with other countries, including China, to make AIIB a successful bank in the region and the world."

"The AIIB is expected to be a new channel for Vietnam to attract more capital resources for socio-economic development, especially that of infrastructure. The demand for infrastructure construction has been huge while capital resources remain limited. We hoped that via the AIIB, Vietnam can attract more financial resources for development, especially for the construction of infrastructure including roads, seaports and airports."

According to Thai, when becoming a middle income country, Vietnam will find it more difficult in approaching non-refundable aids and preferential loans from foreign partners.
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For the foregoing reasons, the Court dismisses Merkoss counterclaims. This memorandum and order, in conjunction with the Courts grant of summary judgment to Merkos on Vaads appeal of the TTABs decision, disposes of all the claims brought in this case. The Court hopes that the parties and the Chabad Lubavitch community can now put an end to litigation over the Rebbes passing, and let the Rebbe resteven if only physicallyin peace.
dyson sphere

Three months ago, news broke that a giant "alien megastructure" could exist around a bizarre-looking star 1,500 light-years away.

While the prospect of aliens was first launched by Penn State astronomer Jason Wright, almost everyone in the astronomy community agreed that the chances that this was the case were "very low."

Now, the latest investigations into this strange star by Louisiana State University astronomer Bradley Schaefer have reignited the alien theory, New Scientist reported.

What makes this star, KIC8462852, so bizarre is the drastic changes in light we see from it over time. Many stars experience temporary fluctuations in brightness, increasing and decreasing in luminosity over time, but KIC8462852's changes are severe by comparison.

Between 2009 and 2013, astronomers using the Kepler space telescope discovered that it would sometimes lose up to 20% of its brightness. What's more, the changes didn't follow any obvious pattern.

That would suggest something gigantic must be blocking the light at random times, meaning that it couldn't be a planet or other regular orbiting object because that would generate a distinct pattern of dimming light. It must be something that changes shape over time, thereby blocking different levels of light at random intervals.

Surprise: It's probably not comets

An alien megastructure, called a Dyson swarm, was suggested as one explanation for what scientists have observed, but the most likely reason astronomers came up with was comets  a giant family of them.

But Shaefer says not so fast.

comets

"The comet-family idea was reasonably put forth as the best of the proposals, even while acknowledging that they all were a poor lot," Schaefer told New Scientist. "But now we have a refutation of the idea, and indeed, of all published ideas."

To make his discovery, Schaefer had to dig deep down into the astronomy archives at Harvard. It turns out, astronomers have data on KIC8462852 dating back as far as 1890.

Story continues

By analyzing over 1,200 measurements of this star's brightness taken from 1890 through 1989, Schaefer found that the irregular dimming of KIC8462852 has been going on for over 100 years. Schaefer published his findings in the online preprint server arXiv.org.

What's more, he explains in his paper that this "century-long dimming trend requires an estimated 648,000 giant comets (each with 200 km diameter) all orchestrated to pass in front of the star within the last century," which he said is "completely implausible."

So what is it?

By killing the comet theory, Schaefer has brought us one step closer to finding out what is really happening around KIC8462852.

spitzer exoplanet image

At the same time, he's also reignited the possibility that the source could be an alien megastructure that an advanced alien civilization has been slowly building over time. One thing's certain for Schaefer: The bizarre dimmings are probably caused by a single, physical mechanism that's undergoing some type of ongoing change.

"The century-long dimming and the day-long dips are both just extreme ends of a spectrum of timescales for unique dimming events, so by Ockham's Razor, all this is produced by one physical mechanism," Shaefer said in his paper. "This one mechanism does not appear as any isolated catastrophic event in the last century, but rather must be some ongoing process with continuous effects."

Schaefer isn't the only one interested in learning more about KIC8462852. Late last year, astronomer Doug Vakoch and his team at the new organization called SETI (Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence) International  not to be confused with the SETI Institute  went hunting for aliens around KIC8462852.

They searched for signals that an alien civilization might be beaming toward Earth either in radio or visible wavelengths, but ultimately they came up empty handed. So, if it is aliens, then they're being awfully quiet.

NOW WATCH: Here's why aliens might actually exist





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SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA--(Marketwired - Jan 16, 2016) - CAE Healthcare announced today that it now has secured the rights to distribute the Strategic Operations (STOPS) Surgical Cut Suit and other simulation training products in the United States. Following the announcement in September that the company had gained worldwide distribution rights outside the U.S., the two companies expanded their partnership to give CAE Healthcare distribution rights for U.S. civilian training centers and for U.S. military customers.

CAE Healthcare and STOPS will collaborate to present Cut Suit demonstrations at the International Meeting on Simulation in Healthcare (IMSH) in San Diego, USA, January 16-20. During the pre-conference sessions, STOPS will host two live, off-site immersive simulation events, an active shooter scenario and a mass casualty scenario.

Designed for point-of-injury care, the Surgical Cut Suit and Emergency Medical Services/Tactical Combat Casualty Care (EMS/TCCC) Cut Suit vest can be worn by an actor or zipped around a manikin to simulate traumatic, life-threatening injuries. The Cut Suits allow first responders and physicians to practice performing surgical and emergency procedures in real time.

"Immediately after we signed the first agreement with STOPS, our U.S. customers began asking for the Cut Suit," said Dr. Robert Amyot, President of CAE Healthcare. "Clearly, the simulation community in the U.S. recognizes the value of the Cut Suit in providing hands-on training that can advance clinical competency and help to save more lives."

"We are very excited about our expanded relationship with CAE Healthcare," said Kit Lavell, Executive Vice President of STOPS, "as it gives us a greater ability to provide our products to the U.S. civilian and military medical simulation market."

The Surgical Cut Suit procedures include hemorrhage control by tourniquet or by suturing and stapling of internal organs, arterial ligation or clamping, surgical cricothyrotomy, needle thoracentesis, suturing of internal organs and skin and peripheral IV access. Both types of suits can be customized based on the scenario and are repairable for multiple uses.

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In addition to demonstrating the products at IMSH, CAE Healthcare and STOPS will collaborate on a live, multiple casualty disaster drill at the Human Patient Simulation Network (HPSN) World conference in Tampa, USA February 16-20, 2016.

About Strategic Operations

Strategic Operations Inc., on the lot of Stu Segall Productions, a full-service TV / movie studio in San Diego, Calif., provides "Hyper-Realistic" training services and products for military, law enforcement and other organizations responsible for homeland security. The company employs state-of-the-art Hollywood battlefield special effects, combat wound effects, medical simulation systems like the "Cut Suit," role players, subject matter experts, and training scenarios to create training environments that are the most unique in the industry. Over the last 13 years Strategic Operations has provided Hyper-Realistic training support to more than 750,000 military, law enforcement, and civilian first responders. STOPS Tactical Training Canada LLC, a subsidiary of Strategic Operations, has headquarters in Alberta, Canada. For more information, visit www.strategic-operations.com.

Follow us on Twitter @ StrategicOps.

About CAE Healthcare

CAE Healthcare offers cutting-edge learning tools to healthcare students and professionals, allowing them to develop practical experience through risk-free simulation training before treating real patients. CAE Healthcare's full spectrum of simulation solutions includes surgical and imaging simulation, curriculum, the LearningSpace audiovisual and center management platform and highly realistic adult, pediatric and baby patient simulators. Today, approximately 9,000 CAE Healthcare simulators and audiovisual solutions are in use worldwide by medical schools, nursing schools, hospitals, defence forces and other entities. www.caehealthcare.com

About CAE

CAE (CAE)(CAE) is a global leader in the delivery of training for the civil aviation, defence and security, and healthcare markets. We design and integrate the industry's most comprehensive training solutions, anchored by the knowledge and expertise of our 8,000 employees, our world-leading simulation technologies and a track record of service and technology innovation spanning seven decades. Our global presence is the broadest in the industry, with 160 sites and training locations in 35 countries, including our joint venture operations, and the world's largest installed base of flight simulators. Each year, we train more than 120,000 civil and defence crewmembers, as well as thousands of healthcare professionals. www.cae.com

Follow us on Twitter @CAE_Inc

This press release was issued to trade media.
SHANGHAI (Reuters) - China does not intend to use a cheaper yuan as a way to boost exports and has the tools to keep the currency stable, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said in a meeting with the president of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, state news agency Xinhua reported Saturday. "China has no intention of stimulating exports via competitive devaluation of currencies," the premier said at the meeting in Beijing, which marks China's previously announced official entry into the bank. Li added that China is capable of keeping the yuan's exchange rate basically stable at an appropriate and balanced level, Xinhua reported. After a nearly three percent devaluation in mid August 2015 which rattled markets, China's yuan has fallen over one percent so far in 2016, as the nation has struggled to contain capital outflows in the wake of a dramatic equity market collapse and weak economic data. Despite recent declines, China has the world's largest foreign exchange reserves, and policymakers have repeatedly said they have the firepower to keep the yuan stable. (Reporting By Nathaniel Taplin; Editing by Stephen Coates)
A reflection of a man talking on his phone is seen outside Telefonica's flagship store in central Madrid, Spain, April 28, 2015. REUTERS/Sergio Perez

By Liana B. Baker and Malathi Nayak

(Reuters) - Spanish telecommunications company Telefonica SA (TEF.MC) has expressed interest in buying AT&T Inc's (T.N) pay TV assets in Latin America, which could be valued at around $10 billion (7 billion pounds), according to people familiar with the matter.

AT&T bought the Latin American assets as part of its acquisition of DirecTV last year. The business includes satellite and cable television services in Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela, Argentina and several other countries.

The U.S. telecoms company has yet to decide if it will explore a deal with Telefonica or another company, the people familiar with the matter said.

Other parties are interested in AT&T's assets in specific countries, and the company may choose to run several sale processes, one of the people said. One potential buyer could be Liberty Global Plc (LBTYA.O), that person added.

The sources asked not to be identified because the deliberations are confidential.

Telefonica and AT&T declined to comment. Liberty Global could not immediately be reached for comment.

AT&T has about 19 million pay TV subscribers in Central and South America, making it the biggest player in the region. But profits have been pressured by depreciating currencies in Brazil and other Latin American countries.

Chief Executive Randall Stephenson said at an industry conference in December that AT&T would consider selling the Latin American business, but that the company was patient.

"So if somebody were interested in talking about a strategic combination of those assets with a different product, we would have to look at it. Would we consider selling them? Yes, but we are in no rush," Stephenson said.

Telefonica, which has debt of about 50 billion euros ($54 billion), has been shuffling its portfolio in recent months. It agreed to sell its O2 UK business to CK Hutchison Holdings Ltd for 10.3 billion pounds ($15 billion). It is also planning to sell or spin off its Spanish infrastructure unit, including wireless towers, later this year, Reuters previously reported.

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The Spanish company is a major wireless player in Latin America under the brands Movistar in Argentina, Chile, Colombia and Mexico; it also owns Vivo in Brazil. Telefonica's regional pay TV operations, however, are smaller, and trail AT&T and American Movil's Claro.

AT&T owns about 93 percent of Sky Brasil, the largest satellite provider in the region's biggest economy. It owns PanAmericana, which offers satellite TV services under the DirecTV brand in countries including Venezuela, Argentina, Chile, Colombia and Puerto Rico. It is also a shareholder in Sky Mexico, which is controlled by Mexico's Grupo Televisa (TLVACPO.MX).

(Reporting by Liana B. Baker and Malathi Nayak in New York; Additional reporting by Andres Gonzalez in Madrid; Editing by Tiffany Wu)
Chinese Circuit Breakers, SaudiIran Spat Hit Global Equities

(Continued from Prior Part)

Inflows

In the week ended January 8, 2016, EU (European Union) equities (EFA) saw a total inflow of $0.2 billion, compared to inflows of $1.2 billion in the previous week. Investors withdrew funds due to lower-than-estimated GDP growth as well as the ECBs (European Central Bank) bond-buying program.

Major asset managers that focus on EU equities include BlackRock (BLK), Goldman Sachs (GS), Deutsche Bank (DB), Morgan Stanley (MS), Vanguard, BNP Paribas (BNP), and UBS Group (UBS). The better-performing Eurozone region should attract higher funds to Europe-specific offerings.

Eurozone nations should have to boost coordination following the second easing program in order to grow at their desired pace. Nations should have to introduce structural reforms that will do more than just aim at easy money supply.

Lower oil prices (USO) can result in deflationary risk for the region. The region is being impacted by slowing emerging economies, risks related to terrorism, and an influx of immigrants.

ETFs are attracting investments

Major ETFs that are attracting investments include the iShares MSCI EAFE ETF (EFA), the Vanguard FTSE Europe ETF (VGK), the Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF (VEA), the iShares MSCI United Kingdom ETF (EWU), the iShares MSCI Germany ETF (EWG), and the Deutsche X-Trackers MSCI EAFE Hedged Equity ETF (DBEF). Together, these funds attracted $63 million in the week ended January 8, 2016.

The major ETFs that saw outflows include the WisdomTree Europe Hedged Equity ETF (HEDJ) and the SPDR Euro STOXX 50 ETF (FEZ). Together, these funds saw outflows of $195 million in the week ended January 8, 2016.

These ETFs are expected to continue attracting funds, especially while there is an opportunity for long-term investors to enter with marginal losses. Mutual funds and ETF providers would benefit from strong performances by EU equities. With the certainty of Greeces bailout plan, the performances of the EU economies should attract long-term funds.

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Continue to Next Part

Browse this series on Market Realist:
JasonRezaian

Amid contentious US-Iranian relations, Iranian state television announced the release of four dual-nationality prisoners on Saturday as part of a swap, including Washington Post reporter Jason Rezaian.

According to The Washington Post, Rezaian "was to be promptly flown out of the country with the three other released detainees, one of whom was not previously known to be held."

"Also scheduled to be on the Swiss plane were Rezaians Iranian wife, his mother and accompanying doctors," the paper reported.

In return, the US is scheduled to release seven people charged with violating sanctions against Iran, The Associated Press reports.

A report by the semi-official ISNA news agency quoted a statement from the Tehran prosecutor's office as saying the inmates were freed "within the framework of exchanging prisoners," without elaborating. The US did not immediately confirm the Iranian report.

Iran was known to be holding four Americans. According to The Washington Post, Secretary of State John Kerry frequently asked about Rezaian and other imprisoned US citizens as part of the negotiations leading up to last year's historic nuclear deal. Despite the brokered agreement, the prisoner swap was not part of the resulting deal.

In addition to Rezaian, Amir Hekmat, Saeed Abedini, and Nosratollah Khosrawi were also released, according to reports.

Jason Rezaian, 543 days in prison

Washington Post reporter Jason Rezaian speaks in the newspaper's offices in Washington, DC in a November 6, 2013 file photo provided by The Washington Post. REUTERS/Zoeann Murphy/The Washington Post/Handout via Reuters

Rezaian, 39, The Post's Tehran bureau chief since 2012, was arrested along with his wife and two photojournalists on July 22, 2014. All, except for Rezaian, were later released.

On November 22, 2015, an Iranian court sentenced Rezaian to prison.

Rezaian was accused of "collaborating with hostile governments" and disseminating "propaganda against the establishment," among other charges, according to a statement from Rezaian's attorney, The Washington Post reported in April.

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In the indictment, Iranian authorities said Rezaian had written to US President Barack Obama and called it an example of contacting a "hostile government," the Post said.

Former US Marine Amir Hekmati, 1,601 days in prison

amir iran

Hekmati, 32, of Flint, Michigan, served during Operation Iraqi Freedom and was detained in August 2011 on espionage charges. His family says he has lost significant weight and has trouble breathing, raising fears he could contact tuberculosis.

Hekmati went to Iran to visit family and spend time with his ailing grandmother. After his arrest, his family says they were told to keep the matter quiet. He was sentenced to death in 2012. After a higher court ordered a retrial, he was sentenced to 10 years in prison in 2014.

Pastor Saeed Abedini, ~1,218 days in prison

pastor iran

Abedini, 35, of Boise, Idaho, was detained for compromising national security, presumably because of Christian proselytizing, in September 2012. He was sentenced in 2013 to eight years in prison.

Obama met Abedini's wife and children in 2015. There are claims he was beaten in Iranian prison.

Abedini was previously arrested in 2009 and released after promising to stop organizing churches in homes. At time of arrest, was running an orphanage in Iran.

Nosratollah Khosrawi

The detention of Khosrawi had not been previously publicized.

Not included in the prisoner swap is Siamak Namazi, who is believed to be in his 40s and is a businessman and the

son of a former governor in the oil-rich Iranian province of Khuzestan, The Atlantic reports.

iran

According to The Washington Post, "Namazis family came to the US in 1983 when he was a boy, and he later returned to Iran after graduating from college to serve in the Iranian military.

He has consulted on business opportunities in Iran for more than a decade."

Namazi was visiting Tehran at the time of his arrest on October 15.

Separately, Robert Levinson disappeared in Iran in 2007 while working for the CIA on an unapproved intelligence mission. American officials are unsure if Levinson, a former FBI agent, is even still alive.

Iranian officials deny knowing where he is. Levinson traveled to Kish Island and checked into hotel, purportedly investigating cigarette smuggling. He met US fugitive Dawud Salahuddin, the last man known to see him.

The CIA paid Levinson's family over $2 million and some staffers lost their jobs over his unauthorized work. A proof-of-life video surfaced in 2011, saying he was being held by a group. His family received photos that year, too, of Levinson bearded, shackled, wearing orange jumpsuit and holding signs in broken English. He has seven children. He suffers from diabetes and high blood pressure.





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* IAEA expected to confirm Iran's compliance with nuclear deal

* IAEA report to trigger lifting of US, EU and UN sanctions

* Iran says it will swiftly boost oil exports

* Oil company executives already in Tehran - news agency

By Lesley Wroughton and Sam Wilkin

VIENNA/DUBAI, Jan 16 (Reuters) - - Iran freed four Americans including a Washington Post reporter on Saturday in a prisoner swap, as diplomats gathered to announce the lifting of international sanctions and bring the country of 80 million people back to the global economic stage.

The International Atomic Energy Agency was expected to announce in Vienna that Tehran had complied with the requirements of a deal reached last year, under which it was to curb its nuclear programme in return for the lifting of sanctions imposed by the United States, United Nations and European Union.

Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif and U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, who developed a strong rapport while hammering out last year's deal, met in a Vienna hotel before the announcement.

"Implementation day" of the nuclear deal marks the biggest re-entry of a former pariah state into world commerce since the end of the Cold War.

It is also a turning point in the hostility between Iran and the United States that has shaped the Middle East since Iran's Islamic Revolution of 1979, and a defining initiative for both U.S. President Barack Obama and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani.

Both leaders have faced strong opposition from hardliners at home in countries that have called each other "Great Satan" and part of the "axis of evil".

"Today, with the release of the IAEA chief's report, the nuclear deal will be implemented, after which a joint statement will be made to announce the beginning of the deal," Zarif was quoted as saying in Vienna by state news agency IRNA.

"Today is a good day for the Iranian people as sanctions will be lifted today," the ISNA agency quoted him as saying.

The sanctions have cut Iran off from the global financial system, drastically reduced the exports of a major oil producer and imposed severe economic hardship on ordinary Iranians. Most will be lifted immediately.

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Iranian media reported that four Iranian-Americans held in Iran had been released and seven Iranian-Americans held in the United States would also be freed under the prisoner swap. U.S. State Department officials declined immediate comment.

The four held in Iran include Washington Post bureau chief Jason Rezaian, held since 2014 and convicted in Iran of espionage. His case in particular has been a notable obstacle to a thaw in Iranian-U.S. relations.

Even before the expected announcement that sanctions would be lifted, Iran's Mehr news agency reported on Saturday that executives from two of the world's largest oil companies, Shell and Total, had arrived in Tehran for talks with state firms.

Under the deal, Iran has agreed to forego enrichment of uranium, which world powers feared could be used to make a nuclear weapon. Once sanctions are lifted, Iran plans to swiftly ramp up its exports of oil. Global companies that have been barred from doing business there will be able to exploit a market hungry for everything from automobiles to airplane parts.

Iran's expected return to an already glutted market is one of the main factors contributing to a global rout in oil prices, which fell below $30 a barrel this week for the first time in 12 years. Tehran says it could boost exports by 500,000 barrels per day within weeks and 500,000 more within a year, in a world already producing 1.5 million barrels a day more than it consumes and running out of storage space to hold it.

REPUBLICANS, ISRAELIS AND SAUDIS SUSPICIOUS

The deal is opposed by all of the Republican candidates vying to succeed Obama as president in an election in November, and is viewed with deep suspicion by U.S. allies in the Middle East including Israel and Saudi Arabia.

It is supported by Washington's European allies, who joined Obama earlier in his presidency in making sanctions far tighter as part of a joint strategy to force Tehran to negotiate.

The Obama administration says the deal reached last July offered the best possible prospect of ensuring that Iran would not develop a nuclear weapon, and could never have been achieved without the support of allies, which was always contingent on a pledge to lift sanctions once Iran complied.

For Iran, it marks a crowning achievement for Rouhani, a pragmatic cleric elected in 2013 in a landslide on a promise to reduce Iran's international isolation. He was granted the authority to negotiate the deal by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, an arch-conservative in power since 1989.

Zarif, a U.S.-educated fluent English speaker, has emerged as the cheerful face of Iran's diplomacy, developing a close rapport with Kerry in unprecedented one-on-one talks. Zarif has chipped away at Iran's image as a pariah state, to the dismay of hardliners in Tehran as well as regional rivals.

"There are some people who see peace as a threat, who were always against (the nuclear deal) and will continue to oppose it," he was quoted as saying by ISNA.

The prospect of Iran's emergence from isolation could overturn the geopolitical balance of the Middle East. Iran is the pre-eminent Shi'ite Muslim power and its allies are fighting proxy wars in Iraq, Syria and Yemen against allies of its main Sunni Muslim regional rival, Saudi Arabia.

In Iraq, Tehran has found itself on the same side as the United States, supporting a Shi'ite-led government against the Sunni militants of Islamic State, also known as ISIS or ISIL.

Zarif has argued, including in a New York Times op-ed column last week, that Iran wants to help the global fight against Sunni Muslim militants, who he said are spurred on by policies adopted by Saudi Arabia.

"It's now time for all - especially Muslim nations - to join hands and rid the world of violent extremism. Iran is ready," Zarif tweeted on Saturday.

But U.S.-Iranian hostility still remains deeply entrenched. Apart from the nuclear issue, Washington maintains separate, far less comprehensive sanctions on Iran over its missile programme.

Iran has tested missiles since the nuclear agreement, drawing threats from Washington to tighten those sanctions. A week ago Iran detained 10 U.S. sailors on two boats in the Gulf, although they were released the next day after Tehran said it had concluded they had entered its waters by mistake.

(Additional reporting by Sam Wilkin in Dubai; Writing by Peter Graff; Editing by Dominic Evans and Kevin Liffey)
By Mathieu Bonkoungou and Nadoun Coulibaly OUAGADOUGOU (Reuters) - Security forces in Burkina Faso retook a hotel in the capital on Saturday a day after al Qaeda fighters seized it in an assault that killed at least 28 people from at least 18 countries and marked a major escalation of Islamist militancy in West Africa. Until Friday's attack, the landlocked nation, an ally of Western governments against jihadist groups in the arid reaches of the southern Sahara, had largely been spared the violence that has plagued its neighbours. The assault follows a similar raid in November on a luxury hotel in Mali's capital Bamako which killed 20 people, including citizens of Russia, China and the United States. The Ouagadougou assault, claimed by al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), marked an expansion of operations for Islamist militants who are stepping up their activities, echoing the growth of Islamic State in the Middle East. President Roch Marc Christian Kabore said 28 people were killed in the 146-room Splendid Hotel, in the Cappuccino restaurant across the street and at a second nearby hotel, the Hotel Yibi, according to an initial death toll. Speaking on state-run television, Kabore said 156 hostages had been freed by the security operation to retake the area, while around 50 civilians had been wounded. Four members of the security forces, including one French soldier were also wounded. "Faced with these terrorists and their vile acts, we must mobilise to ensure the appropriate response to put them out of action," Kabore said. "We will emerge victorious from this war, which has been imposed upon our people and all other people of the world who want peace and freedom," he said, adding that the nation would observe three days of mourning from Sunday. Authorities had earlier said that victims of 18 different nationalities were killed in the attack which targeted an area popular with Westerners and French soldiers based in Burkina Faso. Burkina officials gave no further details of the victims, but the French government announced on Saturday that two French citizens were among the dead. Paris pledged to send forensic experts to help investigate the attack, and a French court opened an investigation for murder and attempted murder. Six Canadians died in the assault, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said. Switzerland lost two citizens and the Netherlands one, the two nations' foreign ministries announced. "THEY KEPT COMING BACK" One Cappuccino survivor said diners at first mistook the gunfire and explosions which erupted at around 8:30 p.m. (2030 GMT) on Friday for firecrackers before two gunmen, dressed all in black and brandishing AK-47 assault rifles, burst in firing indiscriminately. "We heard shots, grenades, detonations. It was echoing and extremely loud. It went on for a long time," the survivor, a Slovenian social anthropologist told Reuters. "They kept coming back and forth into Cappuccino. You'd think it was over, then they'd come back and shoot more people. They would come back and see if the white people were moving and then they would shoot them again," she said. Another survivor, a French architect called Ludovic who was at an outdoor bar near Cappuccino when the attacks started, said he saw three assailants singling out white victims before running into the Splendid Hotel. Kabore said that three attackers were killed by security forces. One senior gendarme officer described them as an "Arab" and two "black Africans". Some security sources had said a fourth attacker was also killed. Separately, he said that two Australians had been kidnapped overnight in the north near the border with Mali, where they had lived since 1972 running a clinic. Burkina Faso's security ministry had earlier erroneously said they were from Austria. It was not clear if there was a link to the hotel attack. NO SURPRISE The attackers torched cars and fired in the air to drive people back on Friday before entering the Splendid Hotel and taking hostages. French and U.S. military personnel backed up Burkina Faso security forces when they launched their operation to reclaim the Splendid Hotel in the early hours of Saturday. France normally has up to 200 special forces troops in the country as part of a regional anti-militant operation. While many in Burkina Faso and across the region were shocked by the raid, there have been indications that the security situation in the majority Muslim but religiously diverse nation was deteriorating. "There have been warning signs and if there is an element of surprise it is that this did not come earlier," said Cynthia Ohayon, West Africa analyst at International Crisis Group. Ohayon said it was no coincidence such incidents had only happened since Burkina Faso's President Blaise Compaore was driven from power. The longtime leader's ouster likely ended a convenient relationship between Burkina Faso and militants that had, until then, protected the country, she said. "Compaore had high connections with rebel and Islamist groups, and he helped to free hostages while some group members had houses in Ouagadougou," she said. (Additional reporting by Joe Bavier in Abidjan, Emma Farge and Makini Brice in Dakar, Shadia Nasralla in Vienna, and Leigh Thomas in Paris; Writing by Joe Bavier and Ed Cropley; Editing by Ralph Boulton)
donald trump

Real-estate tycoon Donald Trump repeatedly blasted Glenn Beck on Saturday after the prominent conservative radio host accused him of voting for President Barack Obama in 2008.

"This really dopey guy ... this dopey guy, Glenn Beck, he looks like hell. No, he's like a dope. And I've watched him cry on television all the time. He's doing very badly. His thing is falling apart. His company is falling apart," Trump said at a campaign event in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.

The Republican presidential front-runner said he was quite "bothered" by Beck's Friday-evening interview with Fox News host Bill O'Reilly. During that interview, Beck repeatedly attacked Trump as a "progressive" and compared him to Obama.

"He voted for Obama in '08, come on Bill," Beck said as O'Reilly pushed back on his criticism of Trump.

Trump countered that claim the next day by touting his work on behalf of Obama's 2008 opponent: Sen. John McCain (R-Arizona).

"The guy goes on television last night with O'Reilly," the businessman recalled. "He says that I voted for Barack Obama. And I'm on John McCain's committee, raised a tremendous amount of money for John McCain, had dinner with John McCain and his wife right before the election, and I've got to listen to this idiot named Glenn Beck."

Trump also said he called O'Reilly and asked, "Bill why do you have a guy like that on television?"

"He's a failed guy," the candidate added later.

Trump also lashed out at Beck last October after the conservative commentator called him a "bully." Trump responded by calling Beck "irrelevant" and a "nut job" who "always seems to be crying."

NOW WATCH: Trump received some unexpected laughs on The Tonight Show when he said one of his greatest strengths was bringing people together





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Mexico City (AFP) - Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto will depart Sunday for state visits to Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, focused on economic and energy issues, his government said.

Pena Nieto, who is trying to breathe new life into Mexico's key oil sector, will seek to increase trade and investment ties with "a part of the world that is continually growing in importance," said Foreign Minister Claudia Ruiz Massieu.

More than 50 deals will be signed during the five-day Middle East tour, including on economic, trade and technological cooperation, said the government.

The president's delegation will include his energy, economy and foreign ministers, as well as a large contingent of business executives.

Energy Minister Pedro Joaquin Coldwell said Mexico was particularly interested in the Gulf states' large sovereign investment funds, "which represent an opportunity for Mexico to capture investment."

Mexico is keen to attract investment to its oil sector after Pena Nieto undertook reforms that ended state-run firm Pemex's 77-year monopoly.

The first two oil auctions after the landmark opening yielded disappointing results, though a third last month was a sell-out.

Pena Nieto's itinerary features business forums, investor roundtables and a keynote speech to the World Future Energy Summit in Abu Dhabi.

He will wrap up the trip with a stop at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, until January 23.
Sierra Nevada Corporation engineers and technicians prepare the firm's Dream Chaser engineering test vehicle for tow tests on a taxiway at NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center in Palmdale, California on June 27, 2013. REUTERS/Ken Ulbrich/NASA/Handout

By Irene Klotz

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (Reuters) - NASA hired a third company to fly cargo to the International Space Station, adding an innovative space plane built by Sierra Nevada Corp to the commercial fleet, the U.S. space agency said on Thursday.

Privately owned Sierra Nevada will join incumbents Space Exploration Technologies, or SpaceX, and Orbital ATK in ferrying supplies to the space station beginning in late 2019, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration said.

Terms of the contracts were not disclosed, though the overall value of the three awards is capped at $14 billion. Each company is guaranteed a minimum of six flights between 2019 and 2024.

NASA estimates it will need about four cargo runs per year, but expects to spend significantly less than $14 billion overall, station program manager Kirk Shireman told reporters on a conference call.

Price was very, very important in terms of selecting these three companies, but they are so diverse in their capabilities, Shireman said.

Adding Sierra Nevadas Dream Chaser space plane, which lands on conventional runways, to the fleet opens new opportunities for biological and other research, said station chief scientist Julie Robinson.

There are a lot of reasons to use animal studies to look at things like balance and sensory motor effects (of microgravity), and those are going to change so rapidly on return that we need to have the animals back right away, she said.

To reach the space station, Dream Chaser will blast off aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket from Florida and land like an airplane at the Kennedy Space Center, or another site, Sierra Nevada Vice President Mark Sirangelo said in an interview.

SpaceXs Dragon capsules currently splash down in the Pacific Ocean, though the company expects to be able to touch down on land as well.

Orbitals Cygnus capsules, which can launch on the companys Antares rocket from Virginia or an Atlas 5 from Florida, burn up as they fall through the atmosphere, giving NASA an opportunity to remove trash from the station.

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Boeing and Lockheed-Martin, which are partners in United Launch Alliance, failed in individual bids to win space station cargo delivery contracts.

Shireman said launch accidents by Orbital and SpaceX factored in to NASAs decision to add a third company into the mix.

(Reporting by Irene Klotz; Editing by Will Dunham and Phil Berlowitz)
NYPD police body camera

A television news station in New York is suing the New York Police Department for charging $36,000 to view police body camera footage.

Citing the state's Freedom of Information Law (FOIL), reporter Courtney Gross with cable news station NY1 requested in April that the department provide her with 190 hours of unedited body camera footage.

Four months later, the police department told NY1 that it would only provide the station redacted footage, and it would cost $36,000.

The station, owned by Time Warner Cable, is "seeking to vindicate NY1 and the people's right to footage" with its lawsuit, filed on Wednesday and reported Thursday by the New York Post.

"Access to such information should not be thwarted by shrouding it with the cloak of secrecy or confidentiality," the lawsuit reads.

The NYPD defended the $36,000 bill in a September letter to the network:

The [records access officer's] estimate of the cost of processing a copy of the [body camera footage] was reasonable based on an estimate that the total time of footage recorded during the five weeks specified in the FOIL request was approximately 190 hours, and that in addition to the 190 hours required to View the recordings in real time, an additional 60% (or 114 hours) will be required to copy the Footage in a manner that will redact the exempt portions of the [footage], for a total of approximately 304 hours.

The lowest paid NYPD employee "with the skills required to prepare a redacted copy of the recordings is in the rank of police officer, and the cost of compensating a police officer is $120.00 per hour. Multiplying $120.00 by 304 hours equals $36,480, which closely approximates the amount estimated by the [records access officer].

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This approximate cost does not include the time required to locate and collate the recordings, for which no charge is made, as that time is a part of the search for responsive records, and not a part of the time required for copying.

As Gawker pointed out, it is unclear how the police department arrived at the $120-per-hour compensation rate, which would suggest a New York police officer earns nearly $250,000 a year.

In her appeal to the police department, Gross called the proposed fee "an unreasonable bar to public access."

"We believe this fee  undercuts the purpose and scope of FOIL: to foster transparency and trust between government and the citizenry," she wrote.

According to New York's Freedom of Information Law, if a records request takes longer than two hours to fulfill, an agency can charge to cover the employee's time.

You can read the entire lawsuit here.

NOW WATCH: A law professor tricked his students into lying, which shows why you should never talk to police





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Nigerian soldiers patrol in the north of Borno state close to a Boko Haram former camp on June 5, 2013 near Maiduguri (AFP Photo/Quentin Leboucher) (AFP/File)

Kano (Nigeria) (AFP) - A Nigerian Shiite Muslim group on Thursday said more than 700 of its members were unaccounted for, nearly a month after clashes with the army in the northern city of Zaria.

"In our list there are about 730 people, men and women, who are still missing, since that fateful Saturday December 12, 2015," spokesman for the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), Ibrahim Musa, in an emailed statement.

"These missing people were either killed by the army or are in detention" but their "whereabouts are still unknown and undisclosed".

Some 220 IMN members were in Kaduna city prison, while others were reportedly in military custody elsewhere in Kaduna state, the northeastern state of Bauchi and the capital, Abuja, he added.

The violence was sparked when a makeshift road block erected during a religious procession blocked the convoy of Nigeria's chief of army staff, General Tukur Yusuf Buratai.

The army later claimed Zakzaky's supporters tried to assassinate the general, a charge denied by the group. The cleric's house and the IMN mosque were destroyed in resulting clashes.

There has been no official death toll but Human Rights Watch has said at least 300 people were killed. The army has denied the claim, calling it "unsubstantiated".

The leader of the pro-Iranian IMN, Ibrahim Zakzaky, was injured in the attack, with the state of his health and whereabouts a source of tension for followers.

But Musa said a delegation from the National Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs -- an umbrella group of Muslim bodies in Nigeria -- had visited the cleric and his wife in Abuja.

The IMN called for his unconditional release and for the government to respond to what it said were the "unjustifiable atrocities committed by the army that led to his arrest".

Musa said no family had received a body for burial in the weeks since the unrest.

HRW's senior Nigeria researcher Mausi Segun said the lack of response from the government was "disturbing" and had echoes of the start of Boko Haram insurgency in 2009.

"If there's no justice or if there's no accountability for what happened, I fear that we might be looking at a new militant group," she told AFP.
donald trump

Billionaire businessman Donald Trump tore into presidential rival Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) in a series of tweets on Saturday that spanned eight hours.

Early in the morning, Trump grabbed onto two new reports in order to question Cruz's character while simultaneously embracing his favorite issue against the senator: Canada.

Cruz was born in Canada to an American mother. Many, if not most, legal experts believe that is enough to qualify as a "natural-born" US citizen under the Constitution, but Trump has spread doubts about Cruz's eligibility daily for nearly two weeks.

Trump declared Saturday morning that Cruz was a "natural-born Canadian."

The Republican presidential front-runner connected the Canada issue to a new report about Cruz failing to disclose a second bank loan that he used to boost his 2012 Senate campaign. Trump asked his Twitter followers on Saturday if Cruz had any unreported loans from Canadian banks.

"Ted Cruz said he 'didn't know' that he was a Canadian Citizen," Trump wrote. "He also FORGOT to file his Goldman Sachs Million $ loan papers. Not believable."

The New York Times reported Friday that Cruz wrote a letter the day before to federal-election officials to say both bank-loan disclosures had been "inadvertently omitted." Earlier this week, Cruz portrayed the first unreported loan, from Goldman Sachs, as a paperwork error.

But Trump got even more provocative later in the day in order attack Cruz's "wiseguy apology" to the people of New York for knocking Trump's "New York values." Cruz had given a backhanded apology not for his comments, but to New Yorkers who were harmed by liberal politicians.

In a Saturday-afternoon-tweet, Trump posted a photo of the ruins of the September 11, 2001, terror attacks and asked if that was the same New York that Cruz had criticized:

Is this the New York that Ted Cruz is talking about & demeaning? pic.twitter.com/rYGX9vazku  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 16, 2016

Trump also asked: "If Ted Cruz is so opposed to gay marriage, why did he accept money from people who espouse gay marriage?"

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View the rest of Trump's Saturday tweetstorm below:

Ted Cruz was born in Canada and was a Canadian citizen until 15 months ago. Lawsuits have just been filed with more to follow. I told you so  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 16, 2016

Was there another loan that Ted Cruz FORGOT to file. Goldman Sachs owns him, he will do anything they demand. Not much of a reformer!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 16, 2016

Was there another loan that Ted Cruz FORGOT to file. Goldman Sachs owns him, he will do anything they demand. Not much of a reformer!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 16, 2016

Oh no, just reported that Ted Cruz didn't report another loan, this one from Citi. Wow, no wonder banks do so well in the U.S. Senate.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 16, 2016

Based on the fact that Ted Cruz was born in Canada and is therefore a "natural born Canadian," did he borrow unreported loans from C banks?  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 16, 2016

Ted Cruz purposely, and illegally, did not list on his personal disclosure form personally guaranteed loans from banks. They own him!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 16, 2016

The Ted Cruz wiseguy apology to the people of New York is a disgrace. Remember, his wife's employer, and his lender, is located there!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 16, 2016

Ted is the ultimate hypocrite. Says one thing for money, does another for votes. https://t.co/hxdfy0mjVw  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 16, 2016

Everybody that loves the people of New York, and all they have been thru, should get hypocrites like Ted Cruz out of politics!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 16, 2016

When will @TedCruz give all the New York based campaign contributions back to the special interests that control him.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 16, 2016

Greatly dishonest of @TedCruz to file a financial disclosure form & not list his lending banks- then pretend he is going to clean up Wall St  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 16, 2016

If Ted Cruz is so opposed to gay marriage, why did he accept money from people who espouse gay marriage?  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 16, 2016

Wow! Ted Cruz received $487K in campaign contributions, $11M from a NY hedge fund mogul, & $1M low int. loan from Goldman Sachs. Hypocrite  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 16, 2016

NOW WATCH: Cruz: The birther argument would make Trump ineligible to run for President





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el chapo Collage

American actor Sean Penn says that his article for Rolling Stone, in which he secretly interviewed then fugitive drug lord Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman, "failed."

"My article has failed. Let me be clear, my article has failed," he told Charlie Rose in his first interview about the now notorious meeting on this Sunday's "CBS This Morning."

But Penn insists that his visit, despite what the Mexican government is claiming, had absolutely nothing to do with the drug lord's recapture.

"There is this myth about the visit that we made, my colleagues and I with 'El Chapo,' that it was  as the attorney general of Mexico is quoted  'essential' to his capture," Penn told Rose. "We had met with him [Guzman] many weeks earlier ... on October 2, in a place nowhere near where he was captured."

sean penn el chapo

"

So as far as you know," Rose asked the actor, "you had nothing to do and your visit had nothing to do with his recapture?"

Penn said:

Here's the things that we know: We know that the Mexican government ... they were clearly very humiliated by the notion that someone found him before they did. Well, nobody found him before they did. We didn't  we're not smarter than the DEA or the Mexican intelligence. We had a contact upon which we were able to facilitate an invitation.

Penn was able to secure the interview with the Sinaloa cartel chief on October 2, 2015, through the facilitation of Mexican actress Kate del Castillo. The actress and Guzman had been in touch since as early as 2012.

Penn told Rose that he believed that the Mexican government was attempting to blame him for the recapture of the drug lord in order to put him in the cartels' crosshairs. But Penn said that he was not afraid.

"El Chapo" was captured in the Mexican city of Los Mochis on January 8 following a shootout with Mexican marines, US Drug Enforcement Administration agents, and US Marshals.

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NOW WATCH: El Chapo was sending flirty texts to a Mexican TV star before he got captured





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rand paul

Sen. Rand Paul (R-Kentucky) may not have been too happy about failing to qualify for the Thursdays Republican presidential debate.

But he thinks he may have been able to make the best of a bad situation  and given his campaign a much-needed boost.

Lounging in a leather swivel chair at Twitters Manhattan office on Thursday evening while other candidates slugged it out, Paul seemed at ease.

He told Business Insider that despite his campaigns last-minute push to get the senator included in Thursday's primetime Republican debate, he was happy enough with the results of sitting it out.

I think weve taken not a perfect situation  because it isnt good to be excluded, and it is unfair  and turned it into a positive, Paul told Business Insider.

If Paul was not as openly upset about not qualifying as he had seemed  he gave a literal middle finger to the media, after all  it was likely because he managed to turn his rejection from the main stage into free media exposure.

As CNN reported, after failing to make the cut, the senator went on a weeklong media blitz in New York City.

Paul appeared in numerous television interviews throughout Wednesday and Thursday. His media schedule included programs starting as early as MSNBCs Morning Joe and ending as late as The Daily Show, which is tapes in the early evening but airs at 11 p.m. ET.

Paul told Business Insider that his campaign estimated that 15 million people tuned in to his television appearances during the weeklong media tour. More were reached through several back-to-back radio interviews on Thursday and through various print interviews during the week.

The combined views gave him more exposure than Thursdays so-called undercard debate, which Paul decided to skip because of its "lower-tier" status. (Paul even admitted that he didnt watch because he was exercising.)

During the main-stage debate itself, Paul holed up in Twitters Manhattan office for a series of social-media stunts.

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Surrounded by several staffers, Paul spent most of the night fielding questions from supporters on Periscope, Twitters live-streaming application. His social-media team posted brief videos of the senator and retweeted positive mentions.

The senator also experimented with several Twitter apps that haven't been released to the broader public, including a question-and-answer app  in which the team could curate relevant questions  and the "Twitter Challenger app," which customized tweeted-out images with digital stickers.

rand paul

It seemed to work. During the debate, Paul gained the fourth-most followers of all the GOP candidates on Twitter, and generated the third-most-popular hashtag in the US.

When asked whether Pauls statistics were notable, a Twitter representative said it was honestly pretty impressive for Paul to crowd out the other chatter on a Thursday evening, which will oftentimes be dominated by tweets about whatever major programs are on television.

The senator also managed to get noticed on other social platforms where hes got a strong constituency.

According to Yik Yak, a popular social-media platform mainly used by college students, Paul received more mentions than New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R) and Ohio Gov. John Kasich (R) without being onstage. And he had by far the most positive chatter on the site, though he was talked about notably less on the platform than when he appeared onstage in a December debate.

Paul responded to the news of his positive social-media statistics with his usual brand of snark.

Maybe we should just tell them in advance we wont show up for any more of their stupid debates, Paul said, referring to the Republican National Committee and the television networks.

Paul told Business Insider that the night demonstrated his campaign can make do without being onstage at the debate because of how valuable the senators fervent, loyal social-media following is in a splintering media landscape.

Before social media, people would just go away, crawl in a corner, and then theyre done, because the media destroyed them, Paul said. The media cant destroy you anymore.

It used to be there were only three networks," he added. "The three networks cant destroy you because theres cable. If the networks are trying to hurt you and cable is trying to hurt you, now theres social media. So theres all kind of ways to get your message out. And I think we live in a more competitive time for ideas and issues than we ever have and thats why the old guard is surprised by things that are happening in elections.

rand paul

Still, theres little doubt that though Paul may have been able to leverage his battle with the RNC and Fox Business into social-media engagement among his fans, its unclear whether his attempts to reach far beyond his base of support will pay off in the early-nominating states.

Front-runner Donald Trump and Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) occupied the lions share of attention on Google during the debate. And on Facebook, which has a larger user base than Twitter, Paul was not among the top-five most-talked-about candidates.

But even if Paul wasnt onstage, his supporters certainly made their voices heard.

During the late portion of the debate, several Paul supporters interrupted a question posed by Fox Business moderator Neil Cavuto.

They chanted: We want Rand!

NOW WATCH: Cruz: The birther argument would make Trump ineligible to run for President





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Jack Dorsey

Twitter is banking on Jack Dorseys vaunted tech prowess to pull the company out of its slump.

But three months into Dorseys new gig as Twitter CEO, he's mostly been displaying his skill as a salesperson so far.

With Twitters stock languishing at its lowest point ever and employees losing faith, the 39-year-old Dorsey has had to do double duty, selling people inside and outside the company on Twitter's prospects.

Dorsey, who splits his time as CEO of the newly public digital-payments company Square, has yet to publicly unveil a major new strategic blueprint or to enact any sweeping operational changes at Twitter, according to people familiar with the matter.

Instead, the first few months have primarily involved subtler, behind-the-scenes changes aimed at fixing immediate problems and tweaking the product, working to improve morale, and putting the company on firmer footing for a comeback. Twitter declined to comment for this story.

Pep talks

Jack Dorsey

Stopping the brain drain has been one of his top priorities so far.

When people are pissed off and want to leave, he will sit down with them, said one person familiar with the matter. He can be very convincing.

Indeed, the person mentions several Twitter employees who were on the brink of leaving, but were talked off the ledge after a Dorsey pep talk.

I dont think were talking about committing to stay another year, but maybe for a little while to see if things improve, the person said.

Dorseys powers of persuasion have not always succeeded, most notably when a trio of star product execs left in July, when Dorsey was still serving as interim CEO. And with so many valued employees considered flight risks, Dorsey risks spending too much time on employee interventions.

The word on the street is that everybody is vulnerable to leaving, this person said.

Recruiting new talent is also a challenge. Dorsey scored two high-profile coups by bringing on Googler Omid Kordestani as executive chairman, and rehiring Jessica Verrilli in its corporate-development group to oversee consumer M&A. But the top corp-dev job has been vacant for months. And the company has struggled to convince other potential recruits to come aboard, sources say.

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Outside the company, Dorsey has embarked on a charm offensive, meeting with shareholders and clients to sell the Twitter story, including a spree of meetings with marketers in Las Vegas this month at the Consumer Electronics Show.

A delicate balancing act with Square, but no train wrecks

Twitter office

Dorsey helped create Twitter in 2006 and served as its first CEO before being ousted in 2008.

He was called back over the summer to replace Dick Costolo, who left after Twitters user growth stalled and investors revolted.

The big wrinkle in the story: Dorsey has another full-time job as CEO of Square, which just went public and is a few blocks away from Twitter's San Francisco headquarters.

That has made for a somewhat unorthodox first 90 days at the helm of Twitter. Dorsey is working full-time at both companies, using his famously compartmentalized-scheduling discipline to make the 15- to 18-hour workdays manageable.

Mornings are spent at Twitter, afternoons at Square; Mondays are for senior-management meetings at Square and Twitter, while Wednesdays and Fridays involve 30-minute check-ins with various managers, according to a person familiar with the matter.

There have been some bottlenecks, particularly during the Square IPO roadshow in November. Personnel and compensation decisions at Twitter that required Dorseys sign off, for instance, were slowed, another source familiar with the matter says. But overall, Dorsey has so far managed to balance both jobs without any major train wrecks.

Dorsey has also started to hold long weekly meetings with top Twitter lieutenants, followed by in-depth reports of the discussions that are disseminated internally  a practice that Dorsey imported from Square.

The transparency has been praised by many and has helped instill a sense of unity and mission across the company. But the practice is also something of a double-edged sword, as it has exposed some of the high-level disagreements among executives about strategy and direction. For employees who are considering leaving Twitter, seeing the lack of alignment at the top can be unsettling and doesnt help persuade them to stay, the source said.

Small changes so far

TwitterChart

Twitter has also maintained a steady drumbeat of product changes since Dorsey took over, including releasing the new Moments feature, which helps organize tweets around live events, and integrating Periscope videos directly into the stream of tweets.

Dorsey has hinted at an even bigger change, suggesting that Twitter could move beyond its trademark 140-character limit, letting people post longer tweets, perhaps even up to 10,000 characters, as Re/code reported earlier.

Is it enough?

Twitters fourth-quarter earnings report, slated for February 10, should provide more insight into Dorseys plans to revamp the business, and whether these changes have helped the business so far.

As one source noted, incremental changes are necessary, but perhaps not sufficient. What Twitter really needs, the person argued, is someone to concede that Twitter has officially lost the battle against upstarts like Instagram and Snapchat, and to have the courage to try something completely new. That is the kind of vision that many Dorsey fans are really banking on.

NOW WATCH: The full story of Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey is much more awesome than you realize





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ypg

The Pentagon is weighing a new request from Turkey to train and equip Arab rebels fighting in northern Syria, The Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday.

The request, which reportedly came just one week before an ISIS-linked suicide bomber killed 10 people in Istanbul, is evidently an attempt to seal a vulnerable stretch of the Turkish-Syrian border that continues to serve as a transit point for foreign fighters and weapons.

It is also an attempt to appease Turkey, which has expressed concern to Washington that the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG)  a militia linked to Turkey's longtime enemy, the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK)  is taking advantage of its anti-ISIS partnership with the US to gain power and territory along the Turkish-Syrian border.

A newly empowered, US-backed Arab rebel brigade aimed at enabling larger groups of Arab forces fighting in Syria would presumably serve as a counterweight to Kurdish territorial ambitions in the north. That's according to Aaron Stein, a Turkey expert and senior resident fellow at the Atlantic Council who spoke with Business Insider on Wednesday.

That, in turn, would allow the US-led anti-ISIS coalition to stem the YPG's advances  a primary concern for Turkey  without sacrificing ongoing efforts to seal off Turkey's southern border to jihadists.

"Whether the YPG will actually listen to the US is a different story. But the US is effectively telling the YPG to observe Turkey's red line," Stein said, referring to the Turkish leadership's insistence that the Kurds remain east of the Euphrates.

A Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) fighter walks near residents who had fled Tel Abyad, as they re-enter Syria from Turkey after the YPG took control of the area, at Tel Abyad town, Raqqa governorate, Syria, June 23, 2015. REUTERS/Rodi Said

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Wladimir van Wilgenburg, a Kurdish affairs expert embedded in Iraqi Kurdistan, largely echoed those sentiments.

"Most likely the Turkish plan is to insert these forces into the Azaz border strip and to prevent YPG expansion into these areas in the future," van Wilgenburg told Business Insider on Thursday, referring to the northern Syrian town of Azaz through which Turkey funnels weapons and supplies to the rebels it supports in Aleppo.

He added: "Turkey wants to prevent Kurdish expansion and stop them from linking the Kurdish administrations in Afrin and Kobani."

Afrin Kobani kurds

"Of course, the YPG will not be happy about this," van Wilgenburg added, partly referring to the mutual distrust and tension that has often flared up between Kurdish and Arab factions in Syria. "But they also need the US."

It is true that the Kurds have relied on their partnership with the US to foment a degree of legitimacy that they have been denied in the past. But the entry of Russia into the Syrian conflict has presented the Kurds with a new option, should the US attempt to halt the YPG's momentum and empower Arab forces.

"We welcome a strategic relationship with both the US and Russia, Sherzad Yazidi, a representative of the Rojava administration living in Sulimaniya, told Politico in November. One wouldnt be at the expense of the other.

Still, Turkey is already beginning to worry about the "nightmare scenario" of Russia supporting the Kurds in Syria and facilitating their expansion westward  especially since Russia is still looking for ways to retaliate against Turkey for shooting down its warplane in November.

Kurdish YPG ISIS fight

"One worry in Ankara since the diplomatic crisis with Moscow [in November] has been Russian support for the [Kurdish] PYD and, in particular, a possible PYD movement toward the west of the Euphrates with Russian encouragement and air support," Merve Tahiroglu, a research associate focusing on Turkey at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, told Business Insider last month.

Indeed, the Turkish pro-government daily newspaper The Daily Sabah reported in early December that Russia was delivering weapons and heavy armor to the YPG while instructing them to attack opposition groups, many of whom are backed by Turkey.

But Stein, for his part, isn't convinced that a new training initiative focusing on Arab fighters would drive the Kurds into Russia's arms.

"I dont think the Kurds will think much about it," he said. "Theyre completely self-interested actors who are moving to establish an independent structure inside Syria, known as Rojava. Above all, they are intent on realizing that goal."

That said, however, the program itself is at least partially aimed at curbing Kurdish ambitions. As such, if it were to pan out, the plan could feasibly reduce the Kurds' confidence that their battlefield victories will one day yield political recognition from the US. This, in turn, might lead them to look for new partners.

Van Wilgenburg put it bluntly.

"Russia would be happy were any problems to arise between the Kurds and the US," he said.

NOW WATCH: The lavish side of Syria that Americans never see





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Jason Rezaian

Iranian state television announced the release of four dual-nationality prisoners on Saturday as part of a swap, including Washington Post reporter Jason Rezaian.

Rezaian, 39, was imprisoned in Iran on July 22, 2014, and its still unclear exactly what hes accused of doing  or whether the details of his alleged transgressions even caused his imprisonment.

Rezaian, who has dual citizenship with the US and Iran, was convicted of espionage in October in a secret trial, according to Iranian state media.

And on November 22, the Washington Post reported that Rezaian had been sentenced to a prison term of some unspecified length.

The reporter's arrest, trial, and sentencing have occurred in total secrecy, while exact charges have never officially been announced. Even after the signing of the nuclear deal between Iran and a US-led group of six world powers this past July, Tehran had given no indication that it will consider releasing Rezaian unconditionally.

Because of the authoritarian and impenetrable nature of the Iranian government, Rezaian is likely in prison for reasons having little to do with anything he actually said or did. Instead, he's behind bars to serve the perceived interests of one of the regime's most important power centers.

On November 13, Business Insider interviewed a journalist with first-hand insight into how Iran's powerful hardliners view the news media and the outside world. He's someone who experienced the regime at its worst.

Maziar Bahari

Maziar Bahari, a Canadian-Iranian reporter for Newsweek who lived in Iran for 12 years, was arrested in June of 2009 amid the country's "Green Revolution," in which hundreds of thousands of people protested the fraudulent results of a presidential election.

He was held without charge for four months, and his ordeal was later the subject of the Jon Stewart-directed film "Rosewater."

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After being released from prison on bail and leaving Iran, Bahari was sentenced to 16 1/2 years in prison in absentia, something that prevents him from returning to the country.

In the years after his imprisonment, hes become an outspoken advocate for human rights in the country. This year, Bahari directed a film about the plight of Irans persecuted Baha'i religious minority. Today, he runs the website Journalism Is Not A Crime, which highlights cases of Iranian government persecuting the media.

Freezing out the media

As Bahari puts it, Iran was always a somewhat uneasy environment for journalists.

"I had been interrogated by the ministry of intelligence in Iran almost on a monthly basis whenever I was living there," Bahari told Business Insider. "But those interrogations were somehow cordial. They would take you to a hotel, they would feed you tea and coffee and oranges. It was to send a message that we know where you live, we are reading and watching what you do."

On November 5, 2015, five Iranian journalists were arrested, putting the number of media workers imprisoned in the country at 58. Bahari attributes the government's media crackdown to the influential Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps' anxiety about the consequences of the country's possible opening after the nuclear deal.

The Guard has helped chart Tehran's confrontational and expansionist foreign policy, and its members might fear losing their relevance in a post-agreement landscape. This perceived vulnerability is likely making the Guard even more determined to protect its spheres of interest. It protects itself, in part, by keeping Iran's media space as closed-off as possible.

Green revolution Iran

Bahari wasnt arrested in 2009 for anything that he had actually done, he says, but because of what he represented to the Guard, a mafia-like clique that seeks to preserve its position of influence.

He said a combination of factors led to his arrest  including his foreign connections, work with a prominent media platform, and Iranian citizenship.

"The reason for my arrest and many other arrests in Iran did not have to do anything with what I was creating," Bahari told Business Insider. "It had to do with what I was representing and the message they could send to other people through my arrest.

"As someone who was prominent in Iran in terms of journalism and documentary filmmaking they thought that through my arrest they could send a message to a wide range of people: documentary filmmakers, journalists, people who had worked with the foreign media, people who had worked with foreign broadcasters  and tell them that if they cross the line or do something that we dont like to do that this will happen to you," he added.

Something similar may be happening with Rezaian, a US-Iranian dual citizen for a major American newspaper with deep connections both inside and outside of Iran.

'The lines are not clear in terms of anything in Iran'

zarif iran

Bahari believes the Guards mission is inevitably self-defeating. While the Guard controls much of Iran's economy and is instrumental in determining both its foreign policy and preserving the country's clerical regime, Bahari believes its level of oppression is unsustainable in today's Iran.

People in Iran, he says, are "becoming more modern and more in touch with the rest of the world."

But this reality has also made the Guard even more determined  and more dangerous. It's forced it to refine its methods of oppression. Its unclear who, or what, can rein it in.

Revolutionary Guard IRGC Basij

A vital question after the nuclear deal is whether Iran's other factions have the political capital or even the interest in countering the Guard. Rezaian's case leads to some pessimistic conclusions: He's been held far longer than Bahari and has been both tried and sentenced in secret. And the Iranian government doesn't appear to be viewing him any differently than it would have before the nuclear deal.

Bahari believes Iran is holding Rezaian in the hopes that the US, which Tehran accuses of imprisoning 19 Iranian nationals on a variety of charges, will agree to some kind of a swap.

In the regime's view, Rezaian is nothing more than a hostage.

"The Iranian government has a merchant, old-fashioned bazaar or market mentality where everything is about haggling and everything is regarded as an asset," Bahari said. "

So Jason Rezaian is not a journalist in prison. He is an asset that is worth maybe two Iranians in prison, three Iranians in prison, 10 Iranians in prison. They're just haggling. They want to get the best price for him."

Evin Prison

And then there's the government's persecution of Iranian journalists without influential foreign connections  like the five journalists arrested on November 5. That group included Afarin Chitsaz, a foreign affairs columnist considered close to the reformist Iranian president Hassan Rouhani. That arrest might be a blunt attempt at reminding Rouhani of where the true power in the regime lies  and of what the Guard can still accomplish inside Iran even when its policies are changing.

Bahari acknowledges that journalists like the ones arrested on November 5 don't have the backing of prestigious publications or business figures the way that he and Rezaian did. They might not get the courtesy of monthly meetings with the security services, or the possibility of an international campaign for their freedom if some elements of the regime see an advantage in imprisoning them.

As nebulous as the Guard's rules of conduct ended up being for Rezaian and Bahari, they're even less clear for Iranian journalists without name recognition or a global support network. It's the same for the country writ large.

"The lines are not clear in terms of anything in Iran, and thats how the regime thrives and survives," Bahari says. "The lines are shifting all the time and life is insecure for everyone inside the country. And as a result the government can take advantage of the insecurity that its creating."

NOW WATCH: Many Iranians are still furious with the US, despite the Iran Deal





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By Lesley Wroughton and Sam Wilkin VIENNA/DUBAI (Reuters) - Iran emerged from years of economic isolation on Saturday when world powers began to lift crippling sanctions against the Islamic Republic in return for Tehran complying with a deal to curb its nuclear ambitions. In a dramatic move scheduled to coincide with the scrapping of the sanctions, Tehran also announced the release of five Americans including Washington Post reporter Jason Rezaian as part of a prisoner swap with the United States. Together, the lifting of sanctions and the prisoner deal considerably reduce the hostility between Tehran and Washington that has shaped the Middle East since Iran's Islamic Revolution of 1979. The U.N. nuclear watchdog ruled on Saturday that Iran had abided by an agreement last year with six world powers to curtail its nuclear program, triggering the end of sanctions. "Iran has carried out all measures required under the (July deal) to enable Implementation Day (of the deal) to occur," the Vienna-based International Atomic Energy Agency said in a statement. Within minutes, the United States formally lifted banking, steel, shipping and other sanctions on Iran, a major oil producer. Other countries are likely to follow. Tens of billions of dollars worth of Iranian assets will now be unfrozen and global companies that have been barred from doing business there will be able to exploit a market hungry for everything from automobiles to airplane parts. The end of sanctions means more money and prestige for Shi'ite Muslim Iran as it becomes deeply embroiled in the sectarian conflicts of the Middle East, notably in the Syrian civil war where its allies are facing Sunni Muslim rebels. The sanctions deal is viewed with deep suspicion by U.S. Republicans as well as American allies in the Middle East, including Israel and Saudi Arabia. U.S.-Iranian suspicion still remains deeply entrenched. Washington maintains separate, less comprehensive sanctions on Iran over its missile program and a week ago Iran detained 10 U.S. Navy sailors on two boats in the Gulf, although they were released the next day. DRAMATIC PRISONER DEAL In an unusual move, President Barack Obama pardoned three Iranian-Americans charged for violating sanctions against Iran, a lawyer for one of the men said, while prosecutors moved to drop charges against four Iranians outside the United States. Iran agreed to free five Americans including Washington Post reporter Rezaian and Saeed Abedini, an Iranian-American Christian pastor sentenced to eight years in prison in 2013 on charges of undermining Iran's national security. The prisoner swap was the culmination of months of diplomatic contacts, secret talks and legal maneuvering which came close to falling apart because of a threat by Washington in December to impose fresh sanctions on Iran for recent ballistic missile tests. The detente with Iran is opposed by all of the Republican candidates vying to succeed Obama as president in an election in November. Nevertheless, Ted Cruz, a conservative senator from Texas and one of the Republican frontrunners, tweeted in support of the release of Abedini: "Praise God! Surely bad parts of Obama's latest deal, but prayers of thanksgiving that Pastor Saeed is coming home." Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton took credit for helping to start the sanctions pressure on Iran during her 2009-2013 tenure as Obama's secretary of state. "These are important steps that make the United States, our allies, and the entire world safer. I congratulate President Obama and his team, and Im proud of the role I played to get this process started," she said in a statement. Iran's return to an already glutted oil market is one of the factors contributing to a global rout in oil prices, which fell below $30 a barrel this week for the first time in 12 years. Tehran says it could boost exports by 500,000 barrels per day within weeks. The end of sanctions marks a crowning achievement for Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, a pragmatic cleric elected in 2013 in a landslide on a promise to reduce Iran's international isolation. The economic measures, mostly imposed in the last five years, had cut off the country of 80 million people from the global financial system, slashed Iran's exports and imposed severe economic hardship on ordinary Iranians. Rouhani was granted the authority to negotiate the deal by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, an arch-conservative in power since 1989. Iran denies its nuclear program was aimed at obtaining an atomic bomb. Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif has argued, including in a New York Times op-ed column last week, that Iran wants to help the global fight against Sunni Muslim militants like Islamic State and al Qaeda. "It's now time for all  especially Muslim nations  to join hands and rid the world of violent extremism. Iran is ready," Zarif tweeted on Saturday. (Additional reporting by Shadia Nasralla, Yeganeh Torbati and Joel Schectman, and Matt Spetalnick; Writing by Alistair Bell; Editing by Paul Simao)
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When Wendy Schleis moved back to Fremont last year after living in Oregon for 15 years, she thought that she was bringing her current job with her.

Schleis, who formerly worked for So Delicious  a company specializing in making dairy-free milk and ice cream  was informed the day before she moved that her entire department was being laid off.

She was given four months notice, and officially stopped working for the company in June.

So Schleis started brainstorming work ideas. She needed a way to provide for her 10-year-old daughter, Amara, and herself.

Schelies, who has always loved fashion, thought that it might be a viable option to open some sort of clothing store.

I had always sort of kicked around the idea of opening a used clothing store because I like clothes, I like fashion and getting a good deal more than anything, she said. I know that there are other re-sale stores in town, but it is a big enough town that I think it can be a great place for people to get a good deal on clothing.

The Wardrobe, 1840 N. Bell St., sells clothing at 25 to 30 percent of normal retail cost, she said. The nine racks present in the store are loaded with adult, teen and childrens clothing. People coming to the store have the option to sell gently-used clothing, or trade clothing for store credit.

Additionally, numerous other accessories are available.

On Friday afternoon, the store celebrated its grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony with the public and the Fremont Area Chamber of Commerce.

We appreciate you investment in Fremont and the Bell Street corridor, said Mayor Scott Getzschman during the ceremony held inside of the store.

Stan Darling, chairman of the board, noted that Schleis has now become part of a great networking community in Fremont.

You have nearly 700 cousins in your family now, he said.

While the business is still in its initial phase, Schleis said that she believes it will receive positive reception from Fremont shoppers.

I think this will be a new shopping opportunity here in Fremont, and I cant exist without the support of this community, so I would hope that they will also think this is a good idea, she said.

Schleis said she not only looks forward to having a business in the community, but she also wants to immerse herself in the community.

My biggest desire is to be not just in the community, but to be part of the community, she said. I want to be helpful to the community, and give back to the community. Thats how the ecosystem in business should work, right?
The president had just finished his speech, and he had hands to shake and a plane to board, but he paused when he saw the soldiers photo.

The arena was so loud he had to lean in to speak to Joyce Peck, putting his head next to hers, his arm around her back.

He asked my name, and he asked about Pat.

Her son.

Staff Sgt. Patrick Hamburger was a Lincoln Southeast grad, a flight engineer with the Nebraska Army National Guard and one of 30 Americans killed when their Chinook helicopter was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade above Afghanistan on Aug. 6, 2011.

President Barack Obama remembered that day, he told her. He offered his sympathies.

Peck hadnt planned on this. She had always wanted to meet the president, and she could have when her sons remains were returned to Dover Air Force Base, but she had to stay in Nebraska to plan his funeral.

Then she learned the president would visit Omaha on Wednesday. U.S. Sen. Deb Fischers office helped Peck and her husband, DeLayne, get tickets for Obamas speech at Baxter Arena.

They were waiting for the speech to start when they noticed a row of reserved seats were still unoccupied. A volunteer led them all the way to the front row.

And she was ready when the speech ended. She held the photo of her son  one of his last, taken with his helicopter in the background  out as far as she could.

Then the president was approaching. By the grace of God, he happened to walk right by me, she said Thursday. It was wonderful; I get goose bumps just talking about it.

She told him she thought his speech, and his State of the Union message the night before, were outstanding. He thanked her and started to pull away.

I said, One more thing: I am so very proud of you, she said. He gave me this big hug and got tears in his eyes and said, Thank you, God bless.

The exchange lasted 20 seconds, and then he was gone, smiling again and shaking hands and working his way out of the room.

And Peck, still holding her sons photo, would return to Lincoln so excited she couldnt sleep Wednesday night.

It did me so much good to hear the president speak my sons name and offer his condolences. It gave me a lot of peace.
From his Alabama jail cell, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. penned a letter on toilet paper  the only paper available  to the white Christian ministers telling him 1963 was not the right time for his civil rights movement.

Theres a part of me that just weeps and wails inside when I read these words, because this letter was written more than 50 years ago, and were still hearing the same messages  wait, the time is not right, said Marilyn Moore, president of Bryan College of Health Sciences and former assistant superintendent for Lincoln Public Schools.

If the time is not right now, when every outcome  life expectancy, high school graduation, college completion, full-time employment, quality medical care  is worse for children who are of color and children who are poor, than for middle-income and white children  when will the time be right?

Moore, the keynote speaker at Lincolns annual Freedom Breakfast honoring King, spoke Friday to a standing room-only crowd at the Embassy Suites. Later in the day, the Nebraska State Capitol presented its annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration.

She talked of her youthful arrogance  that her generation could fix the world if the adults didnt blow it up. And how five decades later, the country still has far to go in battling what King called the Triple Evils  poverty, racism and war.

Moore was 16 when King wrote his letter. She recalled the surge of energy flowing across the United States: John F. Kennedy had just been elected president; segregation was abolished; major civil rights legislation was winding its way through Congress; and passionate, articulate black leaders were given a voice on the nightly news.

There seemed to be a rising swell of affirmation that racism was wrong, that it could be eradicated, and that this was the decade to make it happen, Moore said.

Such was not the case  Racism was, and is, embedded in the culture, deep within the DNA of persons and communities, and the struggle was long, and hard and painful, and remains so today.

She reflected on the news of 2015:

* the Baltimore riots that following the death of Freddie Gray in police custody.

* the images of hundreds of thousands of refugees fleeing violence and persecution.

* more than 300 mass shootings, including the murders of nine African-Americans attending a Bible study in Charleston, South Carolina  gunned down by a white man because they were black.

Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere ... an inescapable network of mutuality  tied in a single garment of destiny, Moore said, reiterating the words of King.

... Is there any mind that did not say, There must be a better way  to strengthen neighborhoods, to building a working relationship between police departments and the communities they serve, to provide safety for refugees, to assure schools and workplaces are safe ?

Is there anyone, anywhere, who did not feel that inescapable network of mutuality, that single garment of destiny?  What powerful metaphors for who we are and how we live, Moore said. We can do it poorly, or we can do it well, but an inescapable network, a garment of destiny, thats who we are.

Using Kings metaphor, Moore said she envisions a large  perhaps infinite  piece of fabric of many colors and textures enwrapping the human race like a immense shawl, or sari or caftan.

Its been torn and patched and overlaid with new threads, and this piece of fabric, this garment, stretches wide open to welcome and embrace everyone, Moore said. We are all pulled into this garment, we are touched by it, held close within it and through it connected to everyone else. A single garment of destiny.

And its the connections within that garment that give meaning, substance, energy and life itself to those held within. There are no outsiders. Were all insiders, and when someone attempts to tear off a piece of the garment for himself or herself, the fabric weakens and all are affected. And when someone stretches the garment, so another may enter the fold, the garment stretches, and grows, and becomes stronger.

An inescapable network, a single garment of destiny  thats who we are.
If you are turning 65 in 2016 and/or are considering going off an employers insurance plan in the near future, the New to Medicare program is designed for you.

The Senior Health Insurance Information Program, which is part of the Nebraska Department of Insurance, provides unbiased information to assist individuals as they reach this important point in their lives.

This free program will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday in the Rosen Room of Oakland Auditorium. Discussion will focus on the different parts of the Medicare program, costs, eligibility and more. There will be time for questions and answers and nothing will be sold at this workshop.

Call the Nebraska Extension office in Burt County at 402-374-2929 to pre-register.
Is Bill Clintons sexual history fair game in the 2016 campaign? Donald Trump certainly thinks so.

Hillary is an enabler, he said in one interview. Shes married to an abuser! he said in another. If shes going to play the woman card, its all fair game, he added.

The sad thing is, hes right.

Hillary Clinton does play the gender card, relentlessly. She has frequently reminded voters that she would be the first female president and has cast herself as a champion of womens causes.

In September, at a college campus in Iowa, she pledged to fight sexual assault, saying: I want to send a message to all of the survivors. Dont let anyone silence your voice. You have the right to be heard, the right to be believed, and we are with you as you go forward.

Then she sent her husband, former President Bill Clinton, onto the campaign trail. Although hes now beloved by millions, everyone knows hes a liability. He was impeached in 1998 after an illicit affair with a 22-year-old White House intern, Monica Lewinsky. He was sued for sexual harassment by a former Arkansas state employee, Paula Jones (he settled with no acknowledgment of guilt). And he was accused of rape by a former campaign volunteer, Juanita Broaddrick; the charge was never adjudicated because Broaddrick waited 21 years before making it.

Last month, a young woman at a town meeting in New Hampshire confronted Hillary Clinton about those cases. If survivors have the right to be believed, she asked, what about Bill Clintons accusers?

The candidate looked stunned for a moment, then answered: I would say that everybody should be believed at first  until they are disbelieved based on evidence.

Is there a wide enough gap between Hillary Clintons rhetoric and Bill Clintons record to make this a legitimate issue in the campaign? Sure.

This isnt about Bill Clintons philandering; voters decided what they thought about that long ago. And it would be grotesque to blame his wife for sins he committed against her.

But its reasonable to ask whether Bill Clinton, a public figure acting as a surrogate for his wife, lived up to her 2016 standards for treating potential survivors of sexual abuse.

The answer is: He didnt. Twenty years ago, Bill Clinton and his associates did their best to discredit his accusers. The pithiest, as usual, was James Carville, who said of Paula Jones: If you drag a hundred-dollar bill through a trailer park, you never know what youll find.

Its reasonable, as well, to ask what role Hillary Clinton played in those cases. But on that count, the evidence is thin.

She told a friend, Diane Blair, that Monica Lewinsky was a loony tune  but that was a private comment that surfaced years later, not a public slam. And at the time, Bill Clinton had falsely assured her that Lewinsky was lying and that there had been no sexual relationship.

As far as is known, Hillary Clinton didnt throw herself in the way of her husbands attack dogs. She didnt speak out in defense of his accusers. She didnt resign as first lady. She remained doggedly loyal to her faithless husband  often through gritted teeth.

Does that make her an enabler? Suggesting, in effect, that Hillary Clinton had a duty to desert her husband is a pretty tough standard to demand of any spouse.

Now, 20 years later, Clinton is pulling out the usual playbook: Insist that theres nothing here to see. Accuse your critics of partisanship (perfectly true, in this case). Argue that the campaign should focus on current problems, not old ones (also perfectly true). And warn your opponents that theyve chosen the wrong strategy.

If (Trump) wants to engage in personal attacks from the past, thats his prerogative, she said Sunday. Its been fair game going back to the Republicans for some years. They can do it again if they want to.  I think its a dead end, (a) blind alley for them.

But Trump, whose record as a champion of women exists mostly in his imagination, shows no sign of relenting.

I havent even started in on her yet, he bragged on Monday.

And even if a more gentlemanly Republican wins the GOP nomination, conservative activists are certain to keep the questions alive.

Because Hillary Clinton is a candidate, every part of her record qualifies as fair game. And if she continues to deploy her husband as a spokesman, his record is fair game, too. Sooner or later, Clinton needs to confront the past, talk about it  and then try to move on.
One day you wash up on the beach, wet and naked. Another day you wash back out. In between, the scenery changes constantly.
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An al-Qaida affiliate known as AQIM, or al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb, claimed responsibility for the attacks started on Friday night and ended on Saturday in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. Burkina Faso and French forces killed four Islamist extremists on Saturday and freed more than 126 people to end the siege of a luxury hotel by militants.

The initial attack started at around 7.30pm local time on Friday (January 15), when witnesses say at least three gunmen started firing in the air outside the Splendid Hotel. After the gunmen stormed the hotel, shots could be heard coming from inside the building.

Burkina Faso's government says 26 people were killed and a further 56 injured. Those killed come from at least 18 different countries, and include two French nationals.

Burkina Faso is to observe 72 hours of national mourning for the victims.

At least four attackers died in the assaults. There were claims that some of those involved were women.

As well as the luxury hotel, a cafe and another hotel nearby were targeted. The operation to take back the hotel lasted through the night and into the morning.

The UK's Foreign Office advised British nationals in Burkina Faso to avoid the area where the attack took place and monitor its travel advice.

In November, an AQIM attack on a hotel in Bamako, capital of neighboring Mali, left 19 people dead.

WTTC condemns attack in Ouagadougou

The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) strongly condemns todays attack in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.

David Scowsill, President & CEO of WTTC, said: "I am deeply saddened to hear of yet another callous terrorist attack that this time has hit the capital of Burkina Faso. Our hearts go out to all the family and friends of all the innocent victims.

The threat of terrorism is a global challenge. It is extremely important for governments and tourism business to continue to implement appropriate security measures. We must continue to support any country that is hit by one of these terrorist attacks. These incidents will not stop people traveling, as the world continues to go about its business."
Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, which flies to famous Moroccan destination of Casablanca since June 2006, announced a second destination in the country. The inaugural flight welcomed yesterday afternoon with a traditional water cannon salute and a ceremony attended by Moroccos Minister of Tourism Lahcen Haddad, and the UAE Ambassador to the Kingdom of Morocco, His Excellency Al Asri Saeed Al Dhaheri.

Etihads new route to Rabat, which is a historical city that has grown in appeal for business and leisure travelers, will be a twice-weekly service, operated by three-class Airbus A340-500 aircraft. The new Abu Dhabi  Rabat route is the only direct commercial air link between the two capital cities. With existing daily services on the Abu Dhabi  Casablanca route, Etihad Airways has boosted its Morocco frequency to nine flights each week.

Combined with Casablanca, the Rabat route brings to nearly 4,200 the total number of seats each week on Etihad Airways services between the UAE and Morocco.

Like the UAE, the Moroccan Government has made significant investments in the development of its tourism industry. In 2010, the government launched its Vision 2020 which includes plans to make Morocco one of the top 20 tourist destinations in the world and to double the number of international arrivals to 20 million a year by 2020.

The UAE Ambassador to the Kingdom of Morocco, His Excellency Al Asri Saeed Al Dhaheri, said: There is no doubt that the new Etihad Airways route between the two Arabian capitals is a result of joint cooperation between the two countries in civil aviation. This is a further step in the development of the relationship between the United Arab Emirates and Morocco. Direct flights will contribute profoundly to the development of trade, investment and tourism. The UAE and Morocco are united by a long history of cooperation and the growth of economic and trade relations between the two countries has developed significantly over recent years.

The Abu Dhabi  Rabat flight is operated on Wednesdays and Fridays using an Airbus A340-500 with a capacity of 240 seats, offering 12 in First Class, 28 in Business, and 200 in Economy.
The American Museum of Natural History added another must-see exhibit to its world-famous fossil halls: a cast of a 122-foot-long dinosaur. This species is so new that it has not yet been formally named by the paleontologists who discovered it. Paleontologists suggest this dinosaur, a giant herbivore that belongs to a group known as titanosaurs, weighed in at around 70 tons.

The species lived in the forests of todays Patagonia about 100 to 95 million years ago, during the Late Cretaceous period, and is one of the largest dinosaurs ever discovered.

The remains were excavated in the Patagonian desert region of Argentina by a team from the Museo Paleontologico Egidio Feruglio led by Jose Luis Carballido and Diego Pol, who received his Ph.D. degree in a joint program between Columbia University and the American Museum of Natural History. One of the 8-foot femurs, or thigh bones, found at the site is among five original fossils on temporary view with The Titanosaur.

The Titanosaur cast, which is exhibited in the Wallach Orientation Center on the fourth floor, replaced a life-sizedbut, by comparison, diminutivefleshed-out model of a juvenile Barosaurus that had been on display since the completion of the fourth floor in June 1996.

The new, much larger occupant grazes the gallerys approximately 19-foot-high ceilings, and, at 122-foot, is just a bit too long for its new home. Instead, its neck and head extend out towards the elevator banks, welcoming visitors to the dinosaur floor.

American Museum of Natural History is located at

Central Park West at 79th Street New York, NY 10024-5192.

It is open daily from 10 am-5:45 pm except on Thanksgiving and Christmas
Activision Blizzard is reportedly being sued in French court over what the family of deceased Angolan rebel leader Jonas Savimbi claim is an inappropriate depiction of the man in Treyarch's 2012 release Call of Duty: Black Ops II.

Notably, this comes less than a year and a half after Activision prevailed in a very similar lawsuit filed by former Panamanian dictaator Manuel Noriega over his depction in the very same game.

That lawsuit was deemed "frivolous" by an L.A. Superior Court judge in California, but this new lawsuit is filed by children of Savimbi living in France against the French branch of Activision Blizzard.

"France has extremely strict laws on both defamation and a persons rights of publicity  in other words, the right to control the commercial use of their likeness," London-based lawyer Alex Tutty told The Guardian. In cases such as this, where a well-known person is either depicted or has provided inspiration for a character, it is not surprising that someone aggrieved by it is able to formulate the basis of a legal argument."

The family of Savimbi is seeking 1 million (or ~$1.09 million USD) in damages from Activision, which Savimbi family lawyer Carole Enfert alleged depicted the deceased rebel leader as a "big halfwit" in Black Ops II (pictured.)
Last Autumn, the European Commission and Angela Merkel hatched a plan to redistribute 160,000 migrants from overloaded countries to countries less overloaded.



Results so far: 272 refugees relocated. In the meantime, another 400,000 or so refugees have poured in.



Rather than admit they are hopelessly out of touch with reality, and despite no popular backing from citizens, European leaders have decided automation of a failed plan is the way to go.



Quasi-Automatic Redistribution



The Wall Street Journal reports European Commission Plans New Try at Redistributing Migrants.



The European Commission is seeking a sort of automatic mechanism for redistributing asylum seekers across Europe, despite most governments showing little support for the idea.



A plan to reallocate migrants who have already come to Europe was the main response from the European Unions executive arm to the blocs migration crisis last yearduring which more than one million people from the Middle East and North Africa arrived, mainly via Turkey and Greece.



But the EU program to relocate 160,000 asylum seekers out of Italy and Greece to the rest of the bloc has so far managed to move only 272 people, mostly because many have gone on their own to EU states that were more welcoming and gave more generous benefits, particularly Germany and the Nordic countries.



Speaking to EU lawmakers on Thursday, migration commissioner Dimitris Avramopoulos said he envisaged a system under which applicants will be quasi-automatically allocated to member states.



Mr. Avramopoulos gave no details as to how many people would be reallocated under such a plan, and under what circumstances. EU diplomats familiar with the talks say that if a country were faced with an influx it couldnt cope with, a certain share of the burden would be evenly redistributed to other EU states.



We have to be realistic and honest, he said. The situation is getting worse. This year we had no winter break: There were 3,000-4,000 arrivals a day over Christmas and New Year.

Hungary, Slovakia, the Czech Republic and Romania have refused to go along with relocation plans despite being obliged to do so.

2,000 to 4,000 refugees arrive every day. Assuming the lower bounds, that's 60,000 every month, 180,000 or so every three months.

Assuming quasi-automatic redistribution will achieve a 100% success rate, up from zero (0.17% to be precise), within three to four months, new refugees arriving will exceed those relocated.

By all means, let's be realistic. And honest.And how is this quasi-automatic redistribution supposed to work?No one has stepped up to the plate to explain how, or what happens when various countries refuse to participate.It's magic.Mike "Mish" Shedlock
We do not know if we will ever again see the equivalent of the siberian traps. We can see a super volcano at work, but that is likely to be...
PATTAYA, Thailand, Jan. 16, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via PRWEB - The innovative long-term visa-with-property launched recently by Pattaya's Kingdom Property in conjunction with Thailand Elite at its Southpoint condominium development is already generating property sales just weeks into its launch.

Dozens of Thailand Elite cards under the 20-year visa program have already been approved according to the developer, enabling buyers to proceed with their sales and purchase agreements.

The visa entitles its holders to benefits that include fast-track immigration clearance, assistance with driving licenses, discounts and a bilingual helpline.

Thailand Elite is part of the Royal Thai Government under the Ministry of Tourism, and members of Pattaya's Immigration department were key attendees at the recent press conference in the Gulf of Thailand city.

The ability to stay for long period in Thailand without being retired, having a work permit or being married to a Thai have always been barriers to selling Thailand property to overseas buyers.

Nigel Cornick, Chief Executive Officer of Kingdom Property, told Dot Property Group: "The nationalities who have approved cards to date are from Bangladesh, China, France, India, Russia and the United Kingdom.

"Sales prices have ranged from THB 90,000 per sqm to THB 160,000 per sqm, with an average of approximately THB 125,000 sqm."

He confirmed the level of new inquiries is still strong with China leading the way, although in the last two weeks there has been an upturn in the number of inquiries from Europe.

Earlier this month Cornick confirmed that his company had received more than 220 inquiries solely as a result of the visa-with-property scheme.

"This exciting partnership is akin to Malaysia's My Second Home (MM2H) program and has massive potential."

The visa will come as part of the purchase of a unit at Southpoint and the owner can sell the unit and the visa together, if he or she so wishes.

"The target demographic for this initiative is very wide," added Cornick.

This article was originally distributed on PRWeb. For the original version including any supplementary images or video, visit http://www.prweb.com/releases/2015/12/prweb13104857.htm
You need to do a German language course if you are interested to learn the language. Thanks to the growth of the internet, you can now do t...
From The HHL Blog: This Was My December: Leipziger vs Dresdener Weihnachtsmarkt

With two weeks to go till the First Deadline, here's a short read of what you can expect from the city of Leipzig. Dewi Kreysa is a MBA student at HHL and she shares her experiences during what is undoubtedly the cheeriest time of the year...Christmas!Its beginning to look a lot like Christmas, everywhere you goThe most beautiful time of the year, Christmas, is just around the corner. It is a perfect timing to explore two of German well-known Christmas market.After an intense first three months of full-time MBA program at HHL, Christmas market is definitely a nice treat for my eyes, nose, ear, and of course belly. Huge Christmas tree with pretty decorations and lights, plenty of beautiful hand crafted gifts and souvenirs (candles, wooden crafts, knitted accessories, etc.), live music along the whole market from Peter Strasse to Grimmaische Strasse, smell of smoked sausage and other yummy food I just cant tell which one is which food , and most importantly (very important) indulgence for tummyIt is the first time I am experiencing the real Christmas market in Germany, and indeed Leipziger Weihnachtsmarkt is an excellent place to start. The Leipziger Christmas market is open from 22nd of November until 24th of December in a centralized location in the city center. With three different styles of Christmas market from approximately in 7-8 spots of the city center, it is a lovely area to just stroll around the city centre.When I wanted to explore other Christmas market aside from Leipzig, I just took a bus to Dresden which only used up an hour of travel. It was the perfect time to go in early December when the Christmas market was fully settled. I realize that Christmas market in Dresden is slightly bigger than Leipzig and they also have more selections of food, drinks, and souvenirs. Each of the shops are decorated differently that makes them very unique and astonishing to see. Best to see the top overview of the Christmas market is from Kreuzkirche, it was indeed the best way to close the day-trip.Here are some of my must try list (after trying pretty much all of the food and drinks selection I could find in both market) when you visit Leipzig and Dresden Christmas market:1. Gluwein (Mulled wine)  Oh yes, this just cant be missed! First thing to have once you step in the entrance of the market.2. Eierpunch  Punch made from eggs. It is a definitely a punch to your belly, stronger than Gluwein.3. Bratwurst  Smoked sausage, who doesnt like it? (except vegetarian) I just cant get enough with this. It normally comes with small baguette or just normal German bread, although I prefer to substitue it with Pommes frites (french fries), and best to have both ketchup and mustard on top of it. But of course it depends on your own preference.4. 1/2 meter Wurst  you can tell from the name, it is that long! The taste is slightly different from Bratwurst. But generally is an experience to have that long sausage that you barely find in other country.5. Dresdener Handbrot  handmade bread with melting cheese as the filling and can choose either mushroom or ham to go with it. Super filling! And I can basically smell the food from 20 meters away of the shop. It is a typical Dresden food, however, can also be found in Leipzig.6. Krappelchen  small fried dough with powdered sugar topping. Ensure to find the shop that sell fresh made one, it taste so much better when it is still hot and warm Yummyyyy.I hope some of food & drinks recommendation helps for the newbie in the town during Christmas period. Looking forward for the next Christmas market and hope everyone had an enjoyable Christmas. Happy New Year 2016!
--No plans in this revolution are written for retreat--
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A 15-year-old girl fell to her death yesterday after she attempted to jump between rooftops in Hell's Kitchen.

Police say that Chelsea resident Natalia Jimenez was on the roof of a building at 10th Avenue near 48th Street around 4:30 p.m. on Friday when the incident happened. Neighbors apparently yelled at Jimenez and two friends she was with at the time to get off the roof. The Times reports that she fell five stories:

The friends had jumped between three buildings and were headed back to where they started when Natalia lost her footing and slipped into an enclosed air shaft between the buildings  697 and 699 10th Avenue  landing on the pavement. Flimsy black netting had covered the shaft, but on Friday night a gaping tear remained where she had fallen through.

"It was a big thump," Leslie Rodriguez, who lives in the back of the building where Jimenez fell, told the News. "I thought someone had slammed the door. I ran down and saw someone lying there. She was in a crouch. It was horrible."

Jimenez was transported to Mount Sinai St. Luke's Hospital, where she was pronounced dead. The other two girls were uninjured.

"They took my baby girl, she was a good girl, she never got into trouble, she was happy, she was funny, she made everybody laugh," the victim's mother, Agatha Mangano, told ABC.

Jimenez lived with her family in an apartment above a Famous Original Ray's Pizza shop at Ninth Avenue near W 22nd Street in Chelsea. The pizza chain was owned and operated by her grandfather, Rosalino Mangano, who told NBC, "My granddaughter is the best girl in New York."

Jimenez's mother is demanding an investigation into the fall, and blamed the death on her daughter's two female friends: "My daughter was afraid of heights; she'd never been on the roof here. She wouldn't even go on the fire escape, so I think foul play is involved and I want justice," Mangano told ABC.

Witnesses said that the two other girls were inconsolable at the scene: "The two girls who were with her, they were crying, they were blaming each other and crying like, 'Oh it's my fault, it's my fault,'" added Jessica Soto.
A 16-year-old was arrested this week and charged with murder, having allegedly shot and killed 18-year-old Darnell Wilkerson in East New York in broad daylight on Wednesday.

The teen, identified by police as 16-year-old Malik Streat, allegedly shot Wilkerson in the head at Livonia and Pennsylvania Avenues around 3 p.m. on Wednesday. Streat is also accused of shooting and injuring 17-year-old John Trinidad, who was listed in stable condition at a local hospital.

The shooting took place just after school dismissal, in a busy area filled with delis, shops and fast food eateries. There were a number of witnesses, according to news reports. "I heard one shot, I turned around and everybody just dispersed. Then I saw the boy lying down," Alexus Lapomarede, a sophomore at Jefferson, told the News. "I was kind of in shock and my friend was pulling me to run back to the school."

The NYPD says Streat, who lives near the site of the shooting, has been charged with murder, criminal use of a firearm, and weapons possession.


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